Kendall Black of Grand Prairie Texas wrote me that he was having a discussion in the newsletter *M 2 M* with Dr. Zovluck regarding the powers and the limitations of the human organism. He named a few diseases which are classified as genetically determined and supposedly can not be prevented by a healthful lifestyle. Dr. Zovluck contends that genetically determined diseases can be completely healed by Hygienic means, but says he has not been personally involved in any such cases. Dr. Zovluck mentions that a man who had muscular dystrophy, named Shawn E. fasted under my supervision in 1981. Mr. Black, however, was perplexed because in the first issue of the Common Health Sense Magazine-book-catalogue, he discovered that I had written that I had never cared for a case of Muscular Dystrophy.
Let me clear up Mr. Black's perplexities first. The first issue of the Common Health Sense Magazine carried a reprint of an article penned by me many years ago, entitled "The pathological Point of No Return," in which I declared I had never cared for a case of Muscular Dystrophy. I did not get to update that article before it was re-published. Since first writing that particular article I have cared for a few cases of Muscular Dystrophy.
When speaking of Muscular Dystrophy, most people, including practitioners, automatically think of the Duchenne variety. There are other varieties of Dystrophy, including those cases which are not "genetically determined." The Duchenne type is usually the most serious type of Dystrophy. Having cared for so many Health Seekers over a span of approximately thirty years, counting my telephone consultations, it is quite impossible to remember every single case of disease and the name of the person who had the disease. Sporadically, I was caring for as many as 50 faster-feeders daily. I have had several cases of the various types of Muscular Dystrophy, but without having access to my files I cannot remember names, ages or particulars, except for one outstanding case which I will explain later. Hopefully, in the future, I shall be able to catalog all cases of so called incurable diseases that recovered either partially or completely under Hygienic care. I am sure we will find some startling evidence about many so called irreversible conditions, including some considered genetically determined, and how they do indeed improve dramatically.
With Hygienic guidance people have recovered from very serious conditions. As I checked Health Seekers into the Health School, there were some conditions of which I felt the degenerative deteriorations were far advanced, and completely reversibility was doubtful. I always explained this to the Health Seeker, but was careful not to discourage anyone. I said I was skeptical that s/he could recover completely. But I also explained that I would do my best to help him help Nature, and if he would also do his best and give his body a genuine chance to heal and to reverse the pathology, then he should see some remarkable improvements in his health. With this in mind the patient tried, hoped and persevered until many times complete recovery occurred!
I am amazed at what Nature can do when you seriously work with her, instead of merely trying in a desultory or haphazard fashion with many compromises in between. I have seen near miraculous recoveries with my own eyes, and I know they happen. In fact, rather than being careful about the cases I admitted to the Health School, I liked and admitted the challenging cases. All others were too easy. This led to my legal difficulties, but I was discovering new things about Hygiene while at the same time helping the helpless.
The topic of discussion at this time seems to be genetically_determined diseases, i.e. those diseases passed down to the child through the parents' genes. The contention is that the affected child cannot be helped by a healthful lifestyle because his disease is genetically determined. The genes of the child are damaged or missing so that the child is supposedly destined to develop the disease that was transmitted to him by his/her parents.
A genetic fact that is important to understand is that it is not actually only the parent from which we derive our characteristics. It is from the genomes of antiquity. A child may or may not look like, or have the attributes of the parents of this generation, but may more resemble a grandparent or great grandparent. Genetic structure is maintained intact and separate from the body cells of all individuals throughout the ages. This is known as the continuity of the "germ plasm." We do not produce *de nouveau* germ cells. We are the beneficiaries of the genomes of the ancient. The line of descent is from germ cell to germ cell, and our bodies are merely off shoots from the germ cells. More significant and more important however, is the fact that we are the protectors of these precious genomes or seeds. What we do and how we live affects our precious germ cells. Could we but take care of and value them as do collectors of ancient plant and fruit seeds, we would be furthering the health and happiness of future generations.
All substances, factors, and influences that affect our health either detrimentally or beneficially also affect our germ cells. The damage to our genes can be great or minuscule. One or several genes may be damaged, changed, or partially or completely missing. Some genes may have blockers, or end codons to stop it from continuing to manufacture a certain metabolically important protein. A pin-point mutation could occur, wherein a gene protein is structurally changed by the replacement of one amino acid with another improper one, thus causing this gene protein to become nonfunctional. A chromosome can be slightly torn, or split completely apart, triplicated, or have any number of things wrong with it just as can our genes. Even a minute change from normal has its detrimental effects on cellular function. When the damage is of such a nature that the consequences of impaired cellular function is too great, there comes a time when the individual cannot reproduce, and if conception occurs the chances are great that the fetus will die. If it does not die *in utero* it cannot live long after birth. Eventually, the line that possesses the greatly damaged genes becomes extinct. Nevertheless, in all genetically predetermined diseases, there is a range of genetic changes that are in between the severely damaged and the healthy gene.
Past research has demonstrated that "Nutrition is master of heredity." Dr. Shelton and other more conventional doctors wrote about this many years ago. Upon probing deeper into the study of genetics, while studying radiation biology, and finally, after getting depressed over the damages of ionizing radiation, I discovered that there *are* such things as reverse mutations. In other words, when a gene has been damaged either by nutritional deficiencies or by radiation, under the proper conditions, the body can correct the induced defect. We can greatly hasten a correction of a mutation by supplying top quality food and all the other essentials of physiology. It is a fact that a mutated gene can be corrected by the body when the elements of good nutrition are supplied. Life forces cause a correction of the defective gene, or chromosome. The entire body is self-healing. Do you think a self-healing organism can heal its bodily structures and not also be able to heal its seed? The self-healing powers of the body repair, heal and correct biochemical errors and genetic structures just as easily as it does diseases that are not thought of as genetically pre-determined. But because the genetic damage has pre-programmed the body to function abnormally, getting well of any particular genetically determined condition won’t be a rapid process. Getting well depends upon the extent of the gene damage, and how important the phase of metabolism that is affected is to life. In other words, the speed of recovery of health is proportional to the seriousness of the malfunction caused by the genetic damage.
One cannot ascertain with certainty whether a particular genetically determined disease will or will not completely recover. Hence, all one can do is earnestly try and hope. Present research shows that genetic factors other than those of the genetic disease in an affected individual can dampen, or keep at bay, the most serious genetic disease which that individual may have. This should generate hope in despairing or doubtful people. Because if the body itself already controls the expression of a genetically inheritable trait, with Hygienic care we should see even greater results. Another area from which hope springs, is that most genetically determined diseases of the same type have variations in symptoms. The genetic damage is not the same or as great in every person manifesting the same genetic disease. Furthermore, just living Hygienically can often avoid or lessen the degenerative consequences of the disease and sometimes, often in the beginning stages, arrest the development of the disease completely. One example of a genetically determined disease that can be reversed in its incipiency is Juvenile Diabetes. We never know until we try, who will or who will not recover slightly, moderately, or completely, until we give the body a genuine chance by getting rid of all causes of disease and supplying all the conditions of health, not merely one or two.
Let us take a look at disease in general. You may not realize it but all of our diseases are genetically determined. This is implied in the definition of "tendency" or "diathesis." The genome or the genetic code of the parents transmit structural and biochemical abnormalities to their progeny. Why do you think cancer of the breast runs in families? Sure, the children have the same diet and lifestyle of the parents in childhood and perhaps on into adulthood by habit and this predisposes them to disease. But, the type of disease that develops depends upon inherited characteristics. The progeny are born with built-in weaknesses or tendencies. It is common knowledge that there are inherited attributes which increase the chances of a girl child developing cancer of the breast if the mother had cancer of the breast. The same can be said of most other diseases. This is because the structural, the functional and the biochemical variations and similarities are handed down by the progenitors to the progeny. If the father has a cardiovascular problem, some of the children are more likely to develop cardiovascular problems. This is true not only because of the lifestyle but because a certain number of children inherit the genes that produce the type of body which will be susceptible to the development of the parental disease. Nevertheless, even though they may have a tendency to a certain disease, *THEY DO NOT ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO DEVELOP THE INHERITABLE DISEASE!* It is known that a particular disease does not always develop in spite of a person having the characteristics that would predispose him/her to develop it. The body can cope. The living organism fortunately also has an inherent tendency to survive. The genetically_predetermined will-to-survive often overcomes the impossible. The body is remarkable in its adaptability and resiliency. Whether or not a familial disease develops depends upon lifestyle and the emotional part of the individual must definitely not be ignored. A so-called genetically inherited disease is no different then a familial disease. It is the *consequences* of the genetic damage of a so-called "genetically determined" disease that are unfortunately much greater. The body cannot always make amends for its shortcomings and degenerative changes may occur.
Have you ever asked yourself why a genetic disease manifests later in life and not always at birth? A juvenile diabetic does not manifest symptoms until the age of 11 to 16. Until then the results of laboratory tests and examinations are normal. Physicians postulate that in a juvenile diabetic there is an immune response and that the beta cells which produce insulin are destroyed by the patients immune system itself. But, if a patient dies shortly after the onset of juvenile diabetes the pathologist can see and reports that the isles of Langerhans are inflamed -- a condition known as insulitis. It is during this inflammation that beta cells are destroyed. *Due to the poisonous nature of all drugs, every* drug given to the susceptible infant from birth until the type 1 Diabetes manifests helped destroy the beta cells of that child by suppressing symptoms and causing inflammation. Naturally when there is inflammation there will be many types of white blood cells around destroying the already dead and dying cells. The white blood cells are not going to touch normal tissue. My point is, that these children would not develop juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent Diabetes mellitis 1996 unless their bodies have been stressed with wrong living habits. Most certainly, they do have the tendency to disease in that organ but with proper care and feeding, the child would not have expressed this tendency. Further and most importantly, if the child were properly taken care of when Diabetes was first noticed, the inflammation would subside quickly and very few if any beta cells would be destroyed. Chronic inflammation would not have developed, and scar tissue would not replace good functioning beta cells. Sick children fast very well. They sleep most of the time.
Those prone to Juvenile Diabetes have only a minuscule alteration of one molecule, called the DQ (not Dairy Queen) molecule. Instead of having one of three amino acids at position 57 on the molecule, an amino acid called the ASP amino acid replaces either serine, or alanine or valine at this site. This is the minute structural difference in those who develop Type I Diabetes, (Juvenile Diabetes), also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitis. Even with this structural difference not all those possessing it develop Juvenile Diabetes. Why? I just explained why. With a healthful lifestyle and a happy spirit coupled with a positive philosophy of life, the body can not only compensate but it can also change things even at the genetic level. If not, at least begin to correct the defect in that generation, if the conditions of health are met. The same can be said of muscular dystrophy, and for all of the myopathies, as well as for any disease you can think of that is supposed to be irreversible because it is genetically determined. Let us indelibly imprint upon out minds, and get it in our heads that SUPERLATIVE NUTRITION IS THE FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH! This does not mean that all you have to do is to eat correctly. Nutrition is more than eating correctly. Dr. Herbert M. Shelton, whose universality could see the whole picture, declared that, "Nutrition is the sum total of all the processes and functions by which growth and development, maintenance and repair of the body, and by which reproduction are accomplished." You must now understand and cast out and jettison the fuzzy, nebulous idea of nutrition you may have had before. It is not just a matter of eating correctly! Nutrition entails all the anabolic, the building up processes, and catabolic, the tearing down processes, in the body. In essence, all the biochemical, physical, emotional and mental processes in the body are nutrition. Consequently, all the processes which maintain life and growth, repair and development, and cause reproduction are nutritional. In order for the body to perform the great functions of life, and for superlative nutrition, it needs the factors of nutrition -- food, light, air and water. These are the factors of superlative nutrition and health. If you supply these factors and conditions in the proper quantity, of the proper quality, and in the correct proportion one to the other, health can be attained. If not, nutrition will suffer; and, not understanding the totality of nutrition you will begin asking yourself, "Why am I sick, I am eating perfectly?"
Nature is not excessively demanding. She gives us a great range for mistakes, ignorance and willfulness. With greater knowledge, by studying Hygiene with dictionary in hand and using it, you will soon begin to understand why you are sick. Reading a book, one time, without thoroughly understanding it, does not imprint it in your mind. You are therefore likely to apply Hygiene only partially or wrongly. Success is not built by haphazard efforts. If you are not well you simply have not been applying Hygiene correctly for your particular condition at the time.
A little-understood and much-forgotten law can enlighten nutritional matters for you and be of great benefit to you. It is the *Law of the Minimum.* One of the first and foremost biochemist of the past, Liebig, stated the Law of the Minimum as follows: "The development of living beings is regulated by the supply of whichever element is *least* bountifully provided." Natural foods contain minerals and vitamins in the correct proportions for humans. These will meet humanity's needs in spite of what the sellers of supplements would have you believe. Supplementing yourself with vitamin and mineral tablets while continuing to eat denatured (boxed, canned, frozen) or spoiled cooked foods won't produce superlative health. The body is a very complex ecological unit. Every function works synergistically with every other function in the body. Supplying yourself with a vitamin or two, or even jars full of multi-vitamins, can upset a delicate balance and cause an increased need for some mineral, or other nutrient, thereby actually creating a deficit, in the midst of plenty. The very same thing can happen if you take one or two mineral tablets or even multiple minerals. Minerals are needed in proportions to other minerals and vitamins and if they are not supplied in correct proportions and in a usable form as found in natural foods then you are hurting yourself. Natural foods supply the elements of nutrition in correct proportions without producing deficiencies as, according to the law of the minimum, food supplements do. Consequently, we are more perfectly nourished by uncooked, natural foods, without the use of supplements than with.
We recognize that nutrition is the basis for health whether there is a genetic problem, familial problem or purely a lifestyle problem. The Law_of_the_Minimum also pertains to the needs of life. It is a perfect analogy, for without the needs of life in proportion to your needs at the time and in proportion to other needs of life, then nutrition will suffer. Without exercise, nutrition suffers. Without adequate rest and sleep in proportion to the amount of exercise or activity you do, nutrition suffers. Without air, water and nutrients in proportion to your activities you could become dehydrated, and nutrition suffers. We must have all the needs of physiology according to our needs and ability to use them at the time or nutrition will be impaired and health will deteriorate.
In Volume V of the Hygienic System, by Dr. H.M. Shelton, he quotes from Professor Morgulis' book, Fasting and Undernutrition of the University of Wisconsin. Professor Morgulis wrote the following about the Jews in Poland: "A striking example of the wretched physique resulting from the wretchedness of living conditions is presented by the Jews of Poland. Their physical strength -- their muscular power -- has diminished in each succeeding generation; their blood is poor, their stature is small, shoulders are chest narrow. Many have an emaciated, pallid look and show signs even of racial decline and degeneracy. Held back by various disabilities, crowded into the Jewries of Poland, with limited opportunities for gaining a livelihood, they have literally been the victims of malnutrition for generations. Their poor constitutions, physical frailty and stunted growth make them manifestly unfit for heavy work. Leroy-Beaulieu says of them, 'Few races have so many men who are misshapen and deformed, disabled or hunchbacked, so many who are blind, deaf-mutes, or congenital idiots'... The role played by malnutrition in producing racial deterioration of the mass of Jews, especially in the Polish ghettoes, can be best appreciated from the fact that investigation of their living conditions has shown that they were so poor that for generations they subsisted on nourishment below the actual minimum requirements. Tchubinski actually found that the Jews of Russia and Poland consumed less food than either their Greek Christian or Polish Catholic neighbors. Transferred to a less forbidding environment the inherent recuperative powers of the organism, under favorable nutritive conditions, show remarkable effects already in the first or second generations." Page 61 Volume V of the Hygienic System. Shelton gives confirmation quotes as follows: "Confirming this last statement, Dr. Abraham Myerson says of the descendents of the Polish Jews who migrated to America, 'He becomes a follower of sports,' and, *'the remarkable_rise_of_the_Jewish_prize-fighter_stands_out_as a divergence_from_tradition_and_mocks_at_theories_of_inborn_racial_characteristics.'*"
It is sad to think that humans can be so inhumane to other humans. Just think about it again, for generations the Jews were so poor in the Polish Ghettos, and their ability to extricate themselves from this situation was so difficult that they had to subsist upon a diet that was far below minimum requirements. The wonderful thing to note, however, is that with better nutrition they overcame what those with the medical mentality say is genetically inherited, and, therefore not remediable. Furthermore, the difference was seen in one generation! By now you may have already guessed which disease or diseases the Jews overcame in_only_one_or_two_generations! And they did this without a knowledge of Hygiene! It was probably a variety of the diseases now classified as the *angliosidoses,*of which Tay Sachs Disease is the most well known. Just think, if the Jews had had more knowledge of Natural Hygiene perhaps the gene mutation could have been completely overcome or reversed during the affected one’s lifetime. As far as I know they did not practice any type of selection or refrain from reproducing. The change that made the most difference was adequate food, which provided for better nutrition. Other factors which also promoted better nutrition were a more congenial environment and satisfying work. In short, their biological needs were being supplied. Consequently, repair of all the structures of the body, including the genetic structures began as soon as the needs of life were met. The Polish Jews probably had a lot of other health problems in addition to Tay Sachs Disease, (Gangliosidoses). Obviously, when such a disease as Tay Sachs manifests at the age of six months, the genetic damage must cause extreme impairment of certain biochemical functions. And since the average age of death is around the age of two to three years old, they do not live to reproduce. Nature is rough. It is sad for parents but better for such a child. Better nutrition of the parents could have avoided much suffering and sorrow. Since Hygienists that I know of have never cared for an individual with *Tay Sachs* disease or any of the *Gangliosidoses,* we do not know to what extent recovery is possible in the most severe cases. But, who would be brave enough to try Hygiene knowing the severity of the problems and inevitability of death if nothing can be done. Nevertheless, all those milder forms of the Gangliosidoses could be helped, as were the Polish Jews. I am almost certain that those having one of the milder forms of the gangliosidoses could do something of real value for themselves and their progeny if before conception, both parents would adopt Hygiene and also do some fasting to cleanse the system. Since the Polish Jews who came to this country did so well without a knowledge of Hygiene, I think the following admonition is worth trying for anyone with a "genetically determined" disease. A much quicker way to achieve the goal of superlative health and give the body time to restructure the genomes, would be to eat all uncooked, natural foods, in good combinations for one year. After a full year of living and eating Hygienically, if advisable at the time, a fast of two weeks or more should be taken. This should be repeated for at least five or more years, the next fasts being only two weeks in duration. If an individual, or individuals did wish to conceive there would likely be much less of a chance that the child would manifest any of the Gangliosidoses, such as Tay Sachs Disease, or any "genetically determined" disease. SICKLE CELL DISEASE People with *Sickle Cell Disease* fare better than those with the Gagliosidoses such as Tay Sachs disease. They live longer, and the consequences of the genetic mutation is medically, easier to treat. In spite of this, the serious types of the disease, even medically treated, are lethal in the long run, but the chances of complete control of the consequences of the damaged gene are still greater with Hygienic care. And, with superlative nutrition, a reverse mutation could occur because the problem is a simple point mutation. Sickle Cell Disease affects hemoglobin and subsequently the red blood cells themselves. This genetically determined disease results from a simple substitution of a single amino acid in the polypeptide chains of hemoglobin. This type of damage is known as a point mutation. Instead of glutamic acid at position number six on the polypeptide hemoglobin chain as it should be, valine is inserted in its place. This changes the hemoglobin to *HbS* (Hb=hemoglobin and "S" is for Sickle Cell) instead of the normal Hemoglobin A. Some victims carry two sickle cell genes instead of one and are therefore homozygous for the sickle cell mutation. They are more prone to sickling because every single red blood cell of the homozygote carries the sickle type of hemoglobin. Therefore, these unfortunate ones suffer through many painful crises of sickling with hemolysis of the red blood cells and anemia. In contrast, if the individual is heterozygous (carrying only one sickle cell gene) then only about forty percent of the hemoglobin is of the Sickle type. Most of the Hemoglobin is the normal type that does not sickle. Consequently, the blood dyscrasia of those with only one damaged gene is easier to deal with. When the HbS type of hemoglobin is under-oxygenated it will clump then polymerize, forming long chains, which transform it into a gel like substance. This causes a distortion of the red blood cells, from which the disease gets its name. This process is known as "Sickling." The sickling produces two major problems. First, the continual sickling damages the red blood cells, destroying many. This causes the Anemia. Second, the misshapen and less flexible red blood cells get stuck in small blood cells, clogging arteries all over. Nutrients can not get through to cells and metabolic wastes can not be carried away from cells. Consequently, the tissues that depend on those blood vessels for nutrients and excretion deteriorate and finally many tissue cells die from lack of nutrition and the accumulation of wastes. The low oxygen tension which causes the hemoglobin "S" to gel, can be reversed by re-oxygenating the cells. Then the sickling of the red blood cells stops. But, the cell membrane of the red blood cells is damaged by this continual sickling and unsickling, becoming weak, and frayed. Finally the cell succumbs. In spite of the propensity to sickle, those who are homozygous and have no normal HbA at all, can still help themselves by living in accord with natural law, and their own individual limitations. Even though the homozygous ones, without a knowledge of Hygiene, may in the end finally develop full blown sickle cell Anemia, they are nevertheless *not* always in crisis. It takes some enervating factors or influences to precipitate a crisis. This is important because it is easy to learn how to avoid substances, factors and influences that lower nerve energy. Since the causes of Sickle Cell Disease are usually not removed or corrected under medical care, the disease is long and drawn out, with painful crises interfering with and spoiling what could be a happy life. Ischemic pain is one of the most excruciating types of pain anyone could have and it is caused by the lack of blood to the tissue or body part due to the clogged arteries. Naturally, tissues are injured and death of cells occur. Gradually organs are spotted with dead tissue and function is crippled proportionately to the destroyed cells. It is my opinion that the sickling of cells can be abolished, or reduced in number, even in the homozygote whose cells contain only HbS -- no normal HbA at all, by avoiding all known triggers that are associated with sickling. Sickling is known to occur when (1) the oxygen tension is low, (2) when the homozygote has an infection or an acute illness, (3) when dehydrated, or (4) when acidotic. All of these triggers can be avoided by Hygienic living! If the triggers or causes of the sickling are avoided then, voila! No symptoms, no death of red blood cells or organ tissues, no anemia, and no ischemic pain! Therefore, a feeling of well-being replaces pain and degeneration while at the same time the chances of a reverse mutation increase tremendously! If Sickle Cell disease were traced to its origin, in all likelihood we would discover that it began with a mutation caused by the poor diet and lifestyle of the African American. It is important to note that an aplastic crisis during which the bone marrow actually stops forming new blood cells, seems to be triggered by infections and folic acid deficiency, or both. No diet better supplies an abundance of folic acid that the Hygienic one, which includes raw fruits and vegetable salads every day. Individuals with the sickle cell trait now can have hopes of living past the age of thirty. Those who now live beyond the age of thirty, with supportive medical treatment, could probably live a fully productive, painless life by adopting a Hygienic lifestyle. It is a certainty that both the homozygous and heterozygous individual for the sickle cell trait can at least be helped with Hygienic care. With the uncooked Hygienic diet furnishing all the nutrients needed, including folic acid, and with mild aerobic exercises keeping the red blood cells well oxygenated, in addition to all the other requisites of life, the sickling of red blood cells will certainly diminish if not cease altogether. The individual will not be acidotic and will not, or rarely ever develop an infection. Consequently, nutrition in its grand total meaning will be superb. Once the Hygienic life is begun and persisted in, everyday the health of the individual will improve. Consequently, there will be fewer and fewer crises of sickling. By living to avoid sickling, the detrimental effects of sickling such as clumping of the cells, the fragile and dying red blood cells, and anemia will be a thing of the past. Right living and good nutrition will save good normal cells all over the body, and will greatly extend the life of one with a genetically inherited disease. The heterozygote is even easier to care for than the homozygote. Their red blood cells do not sickle when the oxygen tension is low. These people do not suffer with hemolysis of the red blood cells, nor become anemic. You can be certain the heterozygote will be healed. HEMOPHILIA Hemophilia is another serious "genetically determined" hereditary disease. Being an X-linked recessive trait it occurs in homozygous females and in males. The disease also manifests in heterozygous females when the unaffected gene has been inactivated in some biochemical manner. Fortunately for the hemophiliac, not all cases are symptomatic. Therefore, it is almost certain that the disease is amenable to Hygienic care. Hemophilia manifests clinically only when the Factor VIII levels are less than one percent. Those with Factor VIII levels from 1 to 25 percent are not too bad off either. They have no symptoms except when traumatized. Then they merely bleed longer than normal, but they do not have the spontaneous bleeding of those seriously affected. It is significant that there are not only one, but various types of mutations that have been found in hemophiliacs. The different types of genetic lesions so far discovered are classed as, 1) deletions, 2) the creation of stop codons, 3) and splicing errors. A stop codon calls a halt to the formation of a particular protein, leaving it unfinished and metabolically nonfunctional. It is also significant that in ten percent of those with hemophilia the levels of factor VIII are normal when tested in the laboratory, but by bio-assay the coagulant activity is low. Why is the above knowledge significant? First, not all those with the inherited trait develop the disease because there are too many different types of mutations. Furthermore, these gene changes may or may not cause the disease. In addition, clotting is a complicated series of biochemical changes, so there could be thousands of other reasons why clotting does not take place or is interfered with, or that coagulant activity is low. Another factor in favor of recovery is the strange fact that although the coagulation time is prolonged, the bleeding time is normal in all hemophiliacs. There is no shortage of thrombocytes which plug a minute puncture wound. And this helps stop bleeding even of larger wounds because the arteries still respond to damage by contracting at the severed edges to help prevent a loss of blood. This is significant! Not all factors which are designed to curtail bleeding are non-functioning. Additionally, prolonged coagulation time is not solely due to a lack of Factor VIII, and excellent nutrition can make up for low Factor VIII levels. The massive hemorrhaging after operations and trauma in those with overt hemophilia are well known. Not so well known is the fact that they have a tendency to bleed spontaneously into well used areas, such as the joints. After many hemorrhages into the joints, known as *hemarthroses,* joint deformity occurs and can cause crippling. Formerly, fifty percent of the severely affected individuals would die before the age of five, but now they live longer because infusions with the blood product Factor VIII, are administered. Replacement therapy with whole blood or with a blood product such as Factor VIII, even though helpful, carries with it some dangers itself. There are the risks of viral hepatitis and transfusion reactions. Before blood was tested for HIV virus, many hemophiliacs were infected with HIV from transfusions and a significant number died. It is claimed that the blood containing HIV virus is virtually eliminated with concentrated heat-treated Factor VIII, which is now being used. Nevertheless, most Hemophiliacs can be helped by Hygienic means. In the serious type manifesting in infant-hood, Hygienic care may be sufficient to avoid most spontaneous hemorrhages. I speak boldly, perhaps even rashly, because I have faith in the Human organism, and not because of the experience I have had in caring for hemophiliacs, which was negligible. I make this statement because petechiae (pin-point capillary hemorrhages into the skin) and ecchymoses (larger hemorrhages into the skin) do not occur even in those with the severest type of hemophilia. The walls of the capillaries are strong enough to contain the blood in the vascular system in most places. Hemorrhaging only occurs in areas that are subject to much daily wear and tear, such as the joints. For hemorrhaging to occur the component tissues in the walls of arteries must be weak all over the body, or at least they are weaker in some areas than others, and the joint tissues themselves must be weak. The arteries are in the muscles and tissues surrounding the joint. Therefore, these arteries and tissues must be very weak and imperfectly formed, else they would not bleed spontaneously as they are not subject to the great wear and tear that takes place directly within the joint itself when it is used. The joint would probably bleed more often if it had capillaries. These facts seem to indicate that part of the problem at least is a need for stronger tissues which can only be built by better nutrition. So you can now understand that it is not merely a lack of Factor VIII which causes these individuals to bleed. It is also an absence of nutrients needed to build strong tissues everywhere. Spontaneous bleeding does not occur in people who are well nourished. Since the milder types of hemophiliacs do well most of the time without any special care and only require blood when operated on, they most surely will improve when they change to a totally wholesome lifestyle. MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY Muscular Dystrophy is a class of muscular problems, not just one disease as many people think. The dystrophies are actually a subgroup of many inherited metabolic disease of the muscles. They are usually studied separately and are defined as "progressive primary genetically determined myopathies." I will not discuss all the dystrophies but only the Duchenne type; and Myotonic Dystrophy of which I remember one case. The major dystrophies are: (1) The Duchenne Type, (2) The Becker Type, (3) The Facioscapulohumeral Type, (4) The Limb-girdle, (5) Myotonic dystrophy, and (6) Occular Myopathy. The Duchenne Type develops at an early age. The Becker type manifests in the second decade. Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy develops practically anytime from childhood to late adult life, and Limb-Girdle develops anytime from the age of ten until the age of sixty. Myotonic Dystrophy can develop in infancy or only surface in middle adult life. Occular Myopathy also manifests at variable times. Ask yourself one simple question. Why does each type of dystrophy develop at different times? If it is "genetically determined," why does it not show up at birth? One answer is that the body copes with the problem as best it can for a while. Pathological changes take a long time to develop and they are microscopic at first. But the main problem is that a poor lifestyle and diet adds to and increases the tendency to the development and expression of any disease! More importantly, the expression of any disease genetically inherited, develops for many reasons, and not always just from the genetic damage. Other factors such as the diet and general lifestyle sometimes, if not always, play a major role in the development of all illnesses. With good nutrition and a wholesome lifestyle even though possessing the inherited trait, the person may not always develop the disease. Another reason these problems develop at different ages is because the genetic damages are not all quite the same. Genes are relatively large and though the same gene is affected in a specific disease, the structural damage can vary in myriads of ways; and other genes can also be affected at the same time for better or worse. We have already discussed differences in the genetic damage in hemophilia and the possibility that other basic problems are also involved. This same possibility and probability is found in most other "genetically determined" diseases. Genetic mutations, and deletions, aberrations and other damages, can produce diseases with a continuum from mild to severe, or in many cases no symptoms manifest at all. Sometimes, a gene damage can be annulled, or muted by other genetic factors in the same individual. The environment also has its effect on the expression of genetic diseases. A better lifestyle can stay the disease, and it may never ever develop. When the disease develops late in life you can be more certain that Hygienic care can reverse it or at least stop its progress. For instance, in the 1970's a middle aged man with Myotonic Dystrophy came under my supervision. Although it was not the Duchenne Dystrophy, the kind that most people think of when speaking of "Muscular Dystrophy," he was in serious trouble. He was growing progressively worse when he came under my care. His muscles were rapidly deteriorating, and walking was difficult. After fasting him and giving him instructions for his continued care and lifestyle at home, I told him that he would need a great deal of extra rest for complete recovery. Knowing the seriousness of his condition I advised him to retire from work early. This he did and when I last heard from him, all his symptoms had disappeared and he was having a wonderful time traveling with his wife in their motor home. He is active and alert, and none of the worst symptoms have occurred that most people suffering with the progressive dystrophies develop. Myotonic Dystrophy is said to be caused by a mutation in Chromosome number 19, but it affects many other systems in the body besides just the muscles. The man I cared for did not develop cataracts, frontal baldness, testicular atrophy, heart disease and dementia as most older folks do when having this same mutation. Myotonic Dystrophy also varies in severity and expression as do the other dystrophies. Although, he was in serious condition when he came under my care, this man made a complete recovery. It is interesting to note that a third of all new cases of Muscular dystrophy are considered to be caused by spontaneous mutations and not handed down hereditarily. By avoiding all known causes of mutations, and supplying superior aliments we could halt much of the progressive degeneration of the human race. Now let us get down to some pertinent details in order to plan some strategies to cope with the dystrophies, and also to help surmount the genetic problem completely. The gene for Duchenne dystrophy is very large and has been found on the short arm of the X chromosome. Because it is large, this gene suffers deletions of varying lengths, some long, some short and some in between. The gene found in normal persons produces a protein in the muscle fibers called *Dystrophin.* Although it comprises only 0.002 percent of the total protein in the fiber it makes a great difference in function when it is absent in varying degrees as in Duchenne Dystrophy. As alluded to previously there are phenotypic variations of both Duchenne and Becker dystrophies. These range from mild versions of Duchenne Type D, *usually the most severe,* to very severe cases of the Becker type, *which is usually the milder type.* In the Becker type, usually some *dystrophin* is nevertheless still produced. This is supposed to account for the milder symptoms, when it is milder. In the Duchenne type the DNA reading frame is disrupted and it cannot read a part of the gene which is not deleted, which, if it could be read, could help produce the missing dystrophin. There are three speculations as to why the small amount of dystrophin makes such a big difference in performance. One postulation is that the absence of dystrophin disrupts the normal biochemical mechanism which makes it possible to control the release of cellular calcium, which is essential for the contraction of muscles. Another hypothesis is that the absence of dystrophin weakens all the membranes of the muscle fiber, especially the cell membrane. Consequently, the muscle cells are more vulnerable to damage when the muscle contracts and relaxes. Still another postulation is that a defect in dystrophin might permit excess calcium to enter the muscle cell. In this case calcium would activate the enzymes within the cell, particularly proteases (an enzyme for the digestion of proteins) and phospholipases (enzymes that digest phospholipids, a type of fat). Naturally if the enzymes of the cell were free to digest the cell itself the muscle will be weakened and digested away, but I seriously doubt this hypothesis. The cell guards its enzymes inside the lysosome purposely to prevent them from digesting the cellular substances. Actually, these are merely postulations, hypotheses, and theories. No one actually knows exactly how the deletion affects the muscle cell according to my source as of this writing. Another enigma is that the gene deletions in various families are not all the same. Since the gene varies in length in different families with the same disease, how can we attribute the symptoms solely to a particular genetic structure? The gene differences would cause the symptoms to vary accordingly. This itself would either hinder or improve the chances of recovery. A failure to utilize calcium normally is a significant explanation of Duchenne dystrophy, although this could be just another educated guess. But if it has some validity it strengthens the chances of recovery. Since the metabolism of calcium is not determined by one gene only, and it may not even be associated with the Duchenne gene, perhaps we should cease to think of this disease as one which is inescapable. If calcium metabolism has a bearing on whether or not symptoms of Duchenne Dystrophy develop, do you not think it important to regard this disease amenable to Hygienic Care? I should think so, especially since Dr. Shelton told me that he had cared for three cases and they had all recovered. Let me remind you that all diseases are genetically determined. By living correctly we can avoid many of them. The more severe and the more damaged the gene, and the more needed or important the metabolic defect occasioned by the missing or malfunctioning gene, the more difficult to avoid the serious consequences. But, in most serious cases Health can at least be improved by Hygienic Care. In serious cases, maybe in many more than we even dare to hope for, complete recovery is possible. And remember, point mutations can be corrected, and reverse mutations are a reality. It is not at all improbable that they could take place when the affected individual is carefully guided in the correct way of living. CYSTIC FIBROSIS Now, for the last disease you asked about; Cystic Fibrosis. It is characterized by a malfunction of the exocrine glands, i.e. those glands which have ducts. It involves the mucus secreting glands as well as the ecrine sweat glands throughout the body. Therefore, serious damage occurs in various tissues, especially in many vital organs. An odd symptom evident at birth is that the sweat glands produce abnormal sweat containing a super abundance of sodium chloride, but the devastating symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis may begin at anytime from birth to adolescence. The mucus secreted by the sick individual is abnormally thick, and sticky. It is so viscous it does not flow freely. Consequently, the ducts become obstructed, and are stretched to accommodate more and more of this thick secretion. The stretched ductal walls tend to squeeze and close off blood vessels that nourish the wall itself, causing the duct cells to die. Fibrous tissue, which is internal scar tissue, replaces the once normal glandular duct. This is why the disease is called cystic fibrosis -- because cysts full of thick mucus form, and then the involved ducts die and are replaced with fibrous tissue. Since Cystic Fibrosis can commence at anytime from birth to adolescence, it makes us aware of the fact that some people are more susceptible than others, and that it takes environmental factors along with the gene damage to generate the full blown disease. With superior health habits even serious genetic problems can often be overcome, especially if Hygiene is instituted before destruction of vital organs takes place. With a better diet, in all likelihood the mucus would become more fluid, and the sweat glands would also normalize their secretions. I vaguely remember someone telling me about putting a child with Cyptic Fibrosis on a fruit diet and the child got better. SUMMARY Looking at the entire biological, genetical picture we discover that all diseases are genetically inherited. Most of the inherited metabolic and structural changes are not sufficiently significant to cause disease early in life. Therefore, we call this an inherited tendency to a disease, or we call some diseases familial. The expression of these tendencies does not necessarily have to manifest. They will, however, do so from an unwholesome way of life. Most of the diseases we call "genetically determined" are the ones in which that researchers have definitely found a defective gene or a lost one or some chromosomal aberration. But our structural variations and metabolic differences are genetically inherited also. Environmental pollutants, including all types of radiation, are causing mutations to increase and causing the multiplication of other serious diseases. Additionally, new crops of diseases are bursting forth almost as rapidly as corn can pop. At one time, perhaps mutations were caused only by severe malnutrition and chance mutations from background radiation. This is no more. But, that does not mean we should give up! *Under the right conditions reverse mutations can and do occur.* The body heals its genetic structures just as it does its body structures. Furthermore, we can do something for many of those already afflicted. We do not really know just how much we can do for people with some serious genetic diseases because most people seek medical care. This is understandable because the experiments which have been done, such as Pottenger with his cats, are not widely publicized. Hygienists have not had the opportunity to care for these cases. We do not know that successful recoveries are impossible, and we do not have sufficient evidence to prove what little we do know. It remains for future doctors who have faith in the human body and Hygiene to further our knowledge in this area. In *Volume II of the Hygienic System* by Dr. Shelton, he mentions how diseases are inherited from nutritional deficient parents. He also recounts the experiments on cats done by F.M. Pottenger, M.D., and D.G. Simonsen. The report was carried in Vol. 39 (pages 21-31), 1939 of the *Transactions of the American Therapeutic Society.* The experiment was carried out over many generations of cats. They had two groups of cats, and fed both groups meats and vegetables. They were both cared for equally except that one group had raw meat and the other had cooked meat. Shelton recounts, "These men report that all the cats that received the uncooked flesh led normal lives, appeared perfectly healthy and were able to reproduce themselves throughout the length of the experiment which ran through several generations. On the other hand, none of the cats fed cooked meat were able to maintain good health for any length of time, nor were some of the second and third generations able to reproduce. All of the cats eating cooked flesh developed very serious troubles, such as softening of the bones, including those of the skull, bowed legs, rickets, curvature of the spine, paralysis of the legs, thyroid abscesses, convulsions, cirrhosis of the liver and kidneys, enlarged colon, degeneration of the motor nerve ganglion cells throughout the spinal cord and brain stem, with some cells affected in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex." Dr. Shelton points out the *cumulative effect* of parental malnutrition on the following generations. He was speaking of genetic damage. The following generations of cats were born more and more damaged until finally they could not reproduce. This was genetic damage brought on by nutritional deficiencies. It took approximately three generations on raw meat for Pottenger to completely rid his cats of structural damages caused by feeding the parent cats cooked meats. *Nutrition is master of heredity!* We now have evidence that Genetic damage can be reversed in animals. This strengthens our stand that genetically determined diseases can most certainly be prevented by a healthful lifestyle, if not in this generation at least in succeeding ones, with noticeable differences even in the first generation. I emphatically state again that: *Nutrition in its entirety is the foundation of Heredity.* From RWAvery
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