Beckie Butcher's Blog: beckiesworld.com, page 12

Part Three of a Series: The Immune System

Hello, all! I hope you are well. Last week, I discussed a new test which was developed by Professor Ron Davis, Ph.D, a professor of chemistry and genetics and his team at Stanford University School of Medicine. This week, I would like to focus on the immune system and how different infections can affect and weaken it.

The immune system consists of specialized cells, tissues, and organs which fight foreign substances, such as disease causing microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. Cells known as granulocytes, macrophages(phagocytes)and T-lymphocytes are specialized cells which make this possible.

Granulocytes are broken down into three cell lines; these are known as basophils, neutrophils, and eosinophils.
The neutrophils are responsible for fighting bacterial infections and are elevated during a bacterial infection. The eosinophils are responsible for fighting allergic reactions and are also elevated during an allergic reaction. Basophils are responsible for fighting allergens by releasing a chemical called histamine, causing allergy symptoms such as watery/itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. The T-lymphocytes are another type of cell which are produced by stem cells to fight infection and may aid in fighting cancer. T- lymphocytes are produced in a gland called the thymus, which is a gland underneath the breast plate. Macrophages are cells which are able to remove these substances from the system by swallowing them or, “engulfing” them. The bone marrow is responsible for producing all the above mentioned cells with the exception of T-lymphocytes.

There are, however, conditions which can weaken the immune system. These conditions are:
HIV, certain cancers, malnutrition, viral hepatitis, and certain medical treatments. The most common symptom of a weak immune system is being susceptible to infections, specifically pneumonia, meningitis, bronchitis, and skin infections, which may occur frequently. Those with weak immune systems are often prone to autoimmune disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, inflammation of internal organs, anemia, and digestive issues, such as loss of appetite and abdominal cramps.

Poor diet can also weaken the immune system. Diets high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt as well as smoking, drinking, and not enough physical activity can contribute to weakened immune systems.

Here are some tips for building your immune system.
1) Eat well and take vitamins.
2) Exercise regularly. Regular exercise not only helps you to feel better, but it helps you sleep better and it reduces anxiety.
3) Maintain a healthy weight. Too much weight can affect how the body functions.
4) Get sufficient sleep.
5) Quit smoking
6) Refrain from drinking alcohol.
7) Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.

Well, that’s about it for now. I have no idea what next weeks’ blog will be. Hmmmm…..it’s a surprise! I think it will be for me, too!

Have a wonderful week, everybody! Love & Hugs,
Beckie

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Part Two of a Series: Hope for the Future!

Good day, everybody!
Last week, I reviewed what chronic fatigue syndrome is, the seriousness of it, and the demographics of it. It is a disease which, as of late, could only be diagnosed by physical examinations, gathering patient history, and ruling out other diseases, often leading to inaccurate diagnoses. This, however, could soon become a thing of the past.

A team of scientists have now developed a test which cannot only diagnose the condition accurately, but could also help screen for effective medication for the debilitating disease. Ronald Davis, Ph.D., a professor of biochemistry and genetics at Stanford University and his team are responsible for developing this test.

Here’s how it works; the test evaluates how the immune cells and plasma of cfs patients react to stress by using a testing method which measures small energy changes in the cells. This allowed the team to study the health of the immune cells and blood plasma as far as how they process stress. The test is used to detect, ” biomolecular interactions in real time,” by using electrodes to create an electrical current in small chambers containing blood specimens of of immune cells and plasma to evaluate the interaction between the two.( Biomolecules are defined as the building blocks of life and perform important functions in living organisms.) They then evaluated the changes(spikes) in the electrical current. The test was used on 40 test subjects, 20 of whom had cfs and 20 of whom did not. They discovered the bigger the changes(spikes in the electrical current) the less healthy the blood specimens were, correctly identifying the subjects who had cfs.

In addition, controlled doses of potentially effective drugs can be tested by using the same testing method as above. If there are still spikes in the current, then the drugs tested would not be effective.

It sounds encouraging! Not only is there a better chance of being diagnosed correctly, but it also gives us credibility. It proves this is a real illness with real biological processes going on in our bodies. It will be interesting to see what the follow up testing shows.

Well, that’s all for now. I will talk to all of you next week! Goodbye for now.

Beckie

Source:
Medical News Today
Article by Ana Sandoiu
April, 30th, 2019
Fact checked by Jasmin Collier

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Part One of a Series……

Hello again, everybody! I hope everybody had a good week.
Now, as promised, this is the beginning of a another series on the more recent research on chronic fatigue syndrome.
Let me begin by reviewing what chronic fatigue syndrome is.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a multi-system long-term autoimmune/neuroimmune condition which affects the entire body and its functions, some causing extreme pain and exhaustion. It is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis and, according to the Centers for Disease Control, it affects between 836,00 and 2.5 million people in the U.S. alone, most of whom have not been diagnosed. Chronic fatigue syndrome was not always taken seriously, however, experts are now doing more research to find the cause of it and how to treat it. According to the American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society, some of its effects on the body are:
orthostatic intolerance(difficulty standing)dizziness, decreased or increased temperature, difficulty seeing, canker sores, heart palpitations, chest pain, changes in weight, rashes, numbness, tingling or burning in the face, hands and feet, paralysis, muscle cramps/aches/twitching, fatigue, sleep disorders, hair loss, difficulty forming words, headaches, anxiety, seizures, depression, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, severe PMS, and decreased libido. These symptoms very greatly among patients, however, there are three of what are called, “core” symptoms.
These three “core” symptoms are:
1)Severe fatigue which is not relieved by rest, is not caused by activity and was not present before becoming ill, and lasts for six months or more.
2) Post exertional malaise or PEM(fatigue after activity). Some of the symptoms of PEM are: difficulty thinkng, difficulty sleeping, sore throat, not being able to leave the house, get out of bed, or do normal things for days or even weeks. The symptoms of PEM worsen within 12-48 hours after exertion.
3) Sleeping disorders. This include vivid dreams, restless legs, muscle spasms during the night hours, and sleep apnea. There are also cognitive issues, such as not being able to make decisions, think clearly or quickly(brain fog) focus on details as well as visual disturbances such as blurred vision and seeing spots.
Many patients report symptoms starting after a flu-like illness such as a stomach bug, EBV(Eptstien Barr Virus which is the virus which causes mono) or extreme physical stress.

I remember when I first became ill. I could hardly lift my arms above my head to take a shower. I hardly made it through getting dressed and then I would have to lie down again. It took all I had to get up and make myself a simple sandwich or use the washroom. It’s an awful life; it’s a life I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. People deserve better, and I want to do something about that, even if it’s just through writing. I will continue to do research on cfs and pass more information to you.

Next week will be my second week in this series. I am still sifting through scientific evidence as there is a lot of it and I have really been having a hard time lately.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
Beckie

Source: Medical News Today
Reviewed By Meredith Goodwin, M.D., FAAFP
By Sy Kraft
Updated November 26th, 2020

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Thoughts For The Day….

Hello again, dear friends!
I hope you are all keeping safe and sound.

I have often said how the Chicago weather is so hard on those of us with autoimmune/neuroimmune diseases. Well, today is another one of those days; actually, this week has been another one of those weeks. February is so variable. It is probably the month I suffer the most. It went from 55 degrees and sunny to bone-chilling 31 degrees and cloudy with a winter storm warning for tomorrow. So, once again, I am in excruciating pain and exhausted. I hate it.

I guess the key here is not to fight it so hard and just accept this is the way things are right now. I have found fighting it with all my might has left me with no energy for anything else, and you know what? It’s not worth the emotional and mental energy I expend. It’s a total waste of my time. Life is too short for that; there are too many other things to think about and enjoy in life. I have to remind myself this too will pass and the pain will eventually subside. Spring and baseball are right around the corner, and it gives me something to look forward to in the coming weeks.

The stress of fighting so hard also makes the pain worse. Stress is not our best friend, but our worst enemy. I wrote about acceptance in my book. Believe me, it is much easier to accept this as a part of your life the best you can than it is to tense up with anger and fight it. It won’t make it go away, it will just exacerbate the symptoms. I don’t know about anybody else, but I would rather be as peaceful about it as I possibly can. I do try, even if I do fall short sometimes. I’m not claiming to be perfect as much as I am just trying to help all of you. I know it’s hard, I’ve been there, too. Most of the time I do pretty well, and that is my hope for you.

Try not to think so much about what you cannot do and try to enjoy the things you can do. That is also helpful, at least to me. So you have to take baby steps. Is that really so terrible? Remember, every small victory adds up to one big victory, and that’s ok, too. It’s better than anger and negativity.

Well, those are my thoughts for today, February 15th, 2023. I had planned on starting another scientific presentation of additional research, but I was not able to do that this week. I have started reading the research, and, hopefully, I will be ready to put it together for next week. Knowledge is power, and I want you to have power over this disease. I want to give you the tools you need to live with CFS.

So, until next week, take good care and I will talk to you then!

Beckie

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“Springing” Forward

Good afternoon, everybody. At least it is where I am.
I hope you are all doing well.
It has been a long, dreary winter, filled with cold, bone chilling humidity and systemic pain. This is the norm for those of us here in Chicago who struggle with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. But, it is almost the middle of February now, and the good news is, better days are ahead. Less cold, more sunshine, the first day of Spring, and, last but not least, BASEBALL is coming! Go Cubs! The days are getting longer and my mood is much improved. For me, Winter is a sad time, filled with pain and anxiety. It is dark by 4:30 and the dark makes it seem so cold, even if the temperatures are mild. This makes the pain seem worse and it greatly affects my mood.

Spring really does wonders for me. Summer is even better. Everybody is so relaxed and it seems like people are nicer and friendlier.

I was just thinking the other day, if it was at least warm enough to open the front door for just a few minutes and the “outside in” as my mother used to say. Ah, yes, a little sunshine and some nice, fresh oxygen does the body and the mind good; it’s cleansing. Even if it is a day where I am flaring up severely and I am unable to go outside, letting a little of the outdoors in is helpful. It’s the next best thing to actually being outside; as simulation if you will.

I was talking with one of my best friends today about a town in Wisconsin we both like to visit, and she suggested we take a road trip when the weather really begins to stabilize. I whole hardheartedly agreed with her. Yes, it is hard for those of us who struggle with this dreadful disease, but, at the same time, we have to try and live our lives. Staying inside and curling up in a little ball isn’t always the answer. If you can at all, get out of the house and enjoy the beauty God created for you. That’s why it’s there. Will you pay for it? Probably. But, at the same time, at least in my experience, it is helpful. It is healing. Fresh air and sunshine has a way of changing your outlook. You don’t have to walk a country mile or go shopping, and you don’t have to go around the world, either. Just being with a good friend and enjoying a meal can make all the difference in the world. If you have a favorite place to go and it isn’t too far, go! By all means, try to live your life. You can always lie down in the backseat of the car while traveling if you need to do so. A true friend will understand that.

I entitled this post, “Springing Forward,” because I am looking forward to enjoying the coming nice weather. The older I get, the faster it passes. I’m looking forward to spending more time outside and letting nature fill my senses. I’ve been thinking about dusting my bike off(after about fifteen years)and riding it again. I’m hoping to physically be able to do some of that. All I can do is try, right? If you never try anything, the answer will always be, “no.”
Well, that’s about all for now. I need to sign off because I’m still having a hard time. The good news is, I haven’t felt this bad in months. Hopefully, I won’t again for months.

Have a wonderful week, everybody!
Love & Hugs,
Beckie

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Hello!

Good day to you all!
I hope you have all been well.
After many days of bitter cold weather here in the Windy City, I made my mind up to do several things indoors which needed to be done but, of course, never get done. I was having several, “good” days in a row so I decided to make the best of them. Well, you guessed it; I am suffering greatly for it. Once again, I am in a great deal of pain and close to tears. I wasn’t sure if I would get around to writing this week. Then I remembered something; what has gotten me through all of these years is remembering how what are now my, “bad” days were once my, “good” days. That’s right, as lousy as I feel today, it once was a day I was grateful I was not suffering so badly. Thinking about it that way, I have come a long way and it is a blessing. But, I’ll be honest here; I’m angry today. I’m sick and tired of the pain and suffering I must endure every time I am able to function or enjoy life.

I talk a lot about being positive, but, like the rest of you, I’m a human being, not a saint. Fifteen-and-a-half years is a long time to have to put up with the pain of chronic fatigue syndrome and severe fibromyalgia. And, it’s ok to do that sometimes. It’s ok not to be ok sometimes. It’s a tall order never to be angry or depressed when you are suffering. Many will say to stop, “feeling sorry for myself” or to, “change my thinking” or,”be more positive.” Positivity is fine; it is why I am still here after all this time. If not, I would be a long time pushing up daisies by now.

I think most people who say these things mean well, but they don’t hear themselves and they really have no idea how mean and cruel they are. What they don’t realize is how devaluing these comments are. Sure, attitude is a lot of what gets us through the day, but it is not everything. What people don’t realize is people who are stricken with these debilitating diseases lose a big part of themselves. It’s almost like a death, it’s such a huge loss. We have lost ourselves; the people we once were are gone, and they are gone for good. At least, that’s how I feel. The woman I was at forty-three years old is gone, never to return. And, like a death, it needs to be mourned. I don’t believe we ever stop mourning those we lose, but rather the way we mourn them changes. I have discovered the same thing through the loss of myself; I still mourn the woman I once was, but I do it differently.

Those are my thoughts for today. I hope this was helpful as I am really not feeling well and I need to sign off now.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love & Hugs,
Beckie

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Ponderings for a Cold, Snowy, Chicago Day.

Hello, all! I hope you have all had a great week. Here it is, 4:48 P.M. on a cold, Chicago afternoon, and I am thinking to myself, I really am blessed, no matter how bad life may be at times. This thought came to me this afternoon when I was driving home from having lunch with a dear friend from church. She has become my monthly lunch partner and she always insists on paying for me. It is nothing I have asked her to do or expected her to do, but rather it is something she does because she can and she enjoys being a blessing to others. Unlike a lot of people, she expects nothing in return.

I always felt guilty about accepting things from others as I have never been one to take advantage of people. I always insisted on paying my own way. Then, several years ago, another friend from church pointed something out to me. She told me, there are two kinds of people in the world; there are people who need help, and there are people who need to help people. She reminded me how I spent years helping doctors help their patients and their patients’ families. She reminded me of all the good I did and how much I had accomplished over the years. She told me how, through no fault of my own, I was now facing hard times and to just let those who need to help others help me now. She was right; I needed to change my thinking. Accepting others’ goodwill is not a crime. Sure, it’s hard. It’s a blow to our pride and an insult to our self-respect. However, sometimes it is necessary and you have to do what you have to do. It’s a matter of survival. Pride and self-respect are fine, however, they don’t pay the bills or feed hungry mouths.

Then, of course, there’s God. He has always met my needs and He will continue to do so. It may not be in the form of money magically appearing in the bank, but He has led me to resources where I could find help. I am one who believes good things come to those who wait and have faith. I’m not sure exactly what these good things will be, but I feel one day, something BIG will happen, and it will happen when I least expect it. That’s always been my experience, anyway. I have always wondered if that is Gods’ way; perhaps it is His way of bringing us closer to Him to trust in Him in all circumstances until we are ready for a change. Everything is in HIS time, not our time. His plans are so different from our plans. We as humans may not understand this, but, when the time is right, He will reveal His purpose to us. In the meantime, we must have faith in Him and trust in Him and let Him do the driving.

That’s all I have for you this week. I wish you all a week filled with health and happiness.
See you next Thursday!

Beckie

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Addendum To January 19ths’ Blog Post

Hello, all. It seems I made an error in this todays’ blog post entitled, “Recipes.” In my Poached Salmon with Ginger Sauce, I forgot to post the ginger sauce.

Here it is:
Ginger Sauce

1) 1/2 Cup Chopped Yellow Onion
2) 1-1/2 Tablespoons Chopped Ginger Root, Peeled
3) 1/3 Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
4) 3 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
5) 1-1/2- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
6) 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar (Optional)

Put ingredients in a blender and blend until the consistency is smooth.
So sorry about that. I will see you next week!
Beckie

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Recipes

Hello, everybody!
Once again, I hope you have all been well.

Last week, I posted healthy smoothie recipes with anti-inflammatory foods to reduce pain due to chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Well, this week, I have a few healthy, non-inflammatory recipes for dinners. So, without further ado, let me get started.

Poached Salmon with Ginger Sauce
1) 1/2 Cup Dry White Wine or Chicken Bone Broth
2) 1/2 Cup Water
3) Dill sprigs, as many as desired
4) 1 sprig Fresh Parsley
5) 1 thinly sliced Shallot or a slice of Onion
6) 1-1/2 pounds Fresh Salmon Fillets
7) Salt
8) Pepper, freshly ground

Add the wine/ chicken broth, water, dill, parsley, and shallot into a frying pan and bring to a simmer on low or medium heat. Sprinkle the salmon with a little salt and place skin down in the pan and cover. Cook five to ten minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. Remove from pan and serve with pepper and a lemon wedge.

Mediterranean Chicken

1) 2 Tablespoons of White Wine or Chicken Bone Broth
2) 2 teaspoons of Olive Oil
3) Six skinless, boneless Chicken Breast Halves
4) 3 Minced Garlic Cloves
5) 3 Cups of Chopped Tomatoes
6) 1/2 Cup of White Wine or Chicken Bone Broth
7) 2 teaspoons of Chopped Fresh Thyme
8) 1 Tablespoon of Chopped Fresh Basil
9) 1/2 Cup of Kalamata Olives
10) 1/4 Cup Fresh Chopped Parsley
11) Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat the broth or wine and the oil in a pan over a medium fire. Add the chicken and cook for four to six minutes on both sides until golden. Remove and set aside. Then, add the rest of the ingredients except the tomatoes to pan and cook for about thirty seconds. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil; cook for ten minutes. Then, add the chicken and cover. Cook until chicken is cooked all the way through and the juices run clear. Serve seasoned with salt and pepper.

Healthy Baked Chicken Breasts

1) 4-6 Chicken Breasts
2) Olive Oil Or Pressed Coconut Oil
3) Snipped Fresh Thyme as desired
4) Snipped Fresh Parsley as desired
5) Snipped Fresh Rosemary as desired
6) Minced Fresh Garlic Cloves as desired

Place chicken breasts in a large bowl. Drizzle oil over meat. Snip the herbs in a separate bowl and blend together. Add to meat and oil combination and work in with clean hands. Let mixture marinate in the refrigerator for several hours. Preheat the oven to four hundred degrees. Place chicken on a baking sheet and bake for twenty to twenty-five minutes or until juices run clear. Remove from oven and let rest for about ten minutes.

* Note; I primarily use coconut oil for this dish. It adds a little sweetness to the pot!

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

1) 2 Medium sized Sweet Potatoes
2) Olive Oil
3) Paprika

Slice sweet potatoes and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with paprika and bake for twenty to twenty-five minutes at three hundred and fifty degrees.

Studies have shown there are many health benefits to these herbs. For example, thyme has vitamin C as well as potassium and manganese, making it good for the immune system as well as healthy cells and and healthy bones.

The benefits of rosemary are their antibacterial, antiviral and anti fungal properties, which can lower the risk of infections and aid in fighting them when they occur.

Parsley works as a diuretic and may help lower blood pressure.
* Source: WebMD

So, once again, there you have it. Some suggestions for healthy, anti-inflammatory meals.

That’s all I have for you this week. Have a wonderful week and I will see you next Thursday!

Love & Hugs,
Beckie

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Smoothies!

Hello, everybody! I hope you had a happy week and are doing well.

Last week, I discussed how I was working with a weight loss coach and the tips she suggested for weight reduction as well as reduction of inflammation, aka, PAIN!

Here are some ideas for healthy, satisfying smoothies. I won’t call them recipes since I just throw a bunch of things together in a blender. My ingredients include unsweetened frozen fruit(strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and bananas) spinach, avocados, fresh mint leaves, unsweetened coconut flakes, unsweetened coconut milk, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, fat free vanilla greek yogurt(Triple Zero Brand) bare almond butter and bare peanut butter. Bare, by the way, means nuts ONLY. There is no salt or sugar in it and it is still palatable. To avoid being redundant, I will not say, “put in a blender,” after every idea, lol. Remember, all ingredients are unsweetened.

Here are a few combinations I like:

Frozen Strawberries
Frozen Peaches
Frozen Sliced Bananas
Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
Coconut Flakes
Fresh Mint Leaves(optional)
*Note: Coconut flakes/milk is considered a high calorie food, so be careful when choosing your ingredients. I also only use bananas a couple days a week.

Pumpkin Puree
Frozen Banana Slices
Greek Yogurt
Almond Milk
Cinnamon as desired

Spinach Leaves
Avocado
Frozen Blueberries or Strawberries
Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
Peppermint Extract

Frozen Strawberries
Frozen Blueberries
Mint Leaves
Almond or Coconut Milk
*As a protein source, add Bare Almond or Bare Peanut Butter to your smoothies.

** These foods are also fat burning foods. And, since smoothies are also satisfying, they are very helpful in weight loss as well as reducing inflammation.

So, there you have it!
Next week, ideas for healthier cooking.

Have a wonderful week!

Beckie

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