KNOW THE CAUSE!
by Doug Kaufmann

Question from the Guardian: Is Doug excited about coming back to Michigan in June?

I can’t wait to see all of you at the end of June! I’m trying to bring six or seven of our television crew so we can get testimonials from you to air on our TV show! See you then! Doug

Q… Dear Doug; My name is Monica and I enjoy watching Know the Cause through Sky Angel Christian Network. Thank you so much for all the research and information you provide.

Recently, I had to go back for another medical visit because symptoms of what appeared to be a bad case of the flu would not improve. After determining there was no strep or swollen glands, the doctor felt the thyroid area felt a little too lumpy. The following week I had my first ultrasound, and the results came back with an inflamed thyroid and a small nodule the size of a pea. My physician recommended I have blood work to see what the hormone levels are that might be causing thyroidism and a needle biopsy for the nodule.

My response to the doctor a couple of days ago, was to give my body a chance to heal from the viral infection and then have blood work and possibly another ultrasound.

He basically agreed with holding off for about two months but not much more than that in case I might be doing some damage to the thyroid.

I have learned that sometimes after an illness such as an infection the thyroid can be affected, and there is a chance the body will heal if the immune system is responding appropriately.

Could you please tell me your opinion on my approach for time to heal and if you recommend?

Is it just enough to boost the immune system, or should I look into finding supplements that would target the thyroid inflammation? Looking forward to your response. God Bless you, Monica.

A...Monica, As an analogy, let me tell you that if everyone in the USA had an ultrasound scan, we'd probably find millions of new "tumors." It seems that every month I hear of yet another healthy person getting a life insurance physical at the age of 50, only to find that they have some type of "advanced illness" diagnosed via blood test or scan. Please be careful with regard to the relevancy of these “disease” and “lumps,” because (in my humbled opinion) all should be watched, but many are inconsequential from a medical standpoint. My point is, I personally think it's a brilliant idea to wait.

You mention that you had symptoms of a bad flu, then reference that you had a "viral infection." It is my guess that numerous antibiotics were used prior to diagnosing the "viral infection." Simply type into a Google search engine the words, “antibiotic induced” (antibiotics cause) and close to 500,000 references are available; articles on everything from diarrhea to hearing loss are immediately available. Few doctors, let alone we in the lay public, know that antibiotics are capable of causing such devastating side effects, but they are. Did they induce this lumpiness in your thyroid?

If I were in your shoes, I’d keep in contact with your doctor, as he sounds like a wonderful, open-minded physician. But you must also change. Fungi are known to gather in cysts, called ascomycetes. Perhaps a changed diet (the Phase One Diet is available free on www.knowthecause.com in the FAQs) and prescriptive or natural antifungals might be in order during the next two “watchful-waiting” months. I’ve always loved beta-glucan to stimulate the immune system, so please begin to study these also. The next few months may be the most important months in your life…study hard!

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Q…Hello Doug , I have a question about my diagnosis. I have hyperthyroidism... well at least that’s what I was told after giving blood work, after suffering a panic attack. I am on three different medications: the thyroid medicine, something for my fast heartbeat and also iron medicine. I do get symptoms of the fast heartbeat often, shortness of breath, weakness, always tired, and I haven't felt as energized as I always was. I would like to get your opinion on this and what can I do about this disease. I really would appreciate your help. Nicky

A...Nicky, Rather than diagnosing this “disease,” let’s talk about what might have gone awry inside your body to allow a diagnosis like hyperthyroidism and a lot of medications.

Know that although I have no axe to grind with medications, and feel that on some occasions they are required, I have not needed them in my adult life. Some of us have seen the consequences of long-term medication in our loved ones and I refuse to allow my children that unpleasant image, God willing. I must, therefore, find ways to be more educated and responsible for my own health and I hope that this long running column has helped others make the same decision.

Virtually 100% of people taking statin drugs to lower their cholesterol require a natural product called CoQ10 daily. Are you taking statin drugs? If so, this may be the reason for your problems. If not, are you getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet? If not, this may be the reason for your problems. Are you under a lot of stress recently? If so, this may be the reason for your problems. This checklist, Nicky, is almost endless.

The only given is that you do not have a prescription medication deficiency, yet you find yourself on three of them. These chemicals, in my opinion, can, and sometimes should, be used until the physician locates the cause of your health problems. I believe that all medications should come with a mandatory exit strategy.

As is the case with Monica’s question above, fungus is known to inhabit the human body and can thrive in any human tissue except the teeth. Once inside the bloodstream or the thyroid gland, I believe that it has the potential to mimic thyroid disease. Perhaps management at the newspaper will put you and Monica together, so you can collaborate on the program. Most people leave a doctor’s office believing that they have only one option: cope with medication. I believe another option exists; change with expectation.

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Q…Dear Doug, Why do my feet burn sometimes at night? They feel fine until I go to bed.

I am a 68 year-young woman and in good health otherwise. I am on no prescription medicines. I do take herbs and vitamins from the BioActive Nutrients Catalog. Thank you, Donna

A…I worked for a dermatologist for five years here in Dallas, TX and he told me that this was a fairly common problem, but that he really didn’t know how to treat it. I suggested that we might either address the symptom (burning feet) with drugs, or teach his patients the cause. He was fascinated. One of the interesting characteristics of yeast is that it can cause inflammation and in doing so can irritate the skin and make it itch or burn. Any woman who has ever had a yeast infection knows this all too well. In working with these patients, I used to ask them to sleep with a pair of cotton socks on at night with Tinactin sprinkled liberally inside the socks. They would report back to our clinic in five days. Sure enough most had their burning disappear! Tinactin kills fungus. Not only did we establish relief for them but we also established the cause.

Fungus loves warmth and feet are kept in socks or shoes where plenty of warmth is provided for close to 16 hours each day. When yeast is involved, they might begin to burn because they have a fever. Don’t forget that Hay Fever is caused by mold and a life threatening disease called Valley Fever is also caused by fungus.

If the Tinactin works, one important thing you must start doing is drying your feet after your daily showering with a blow dryer; in addition to heat, fungi thrive in moisture.

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Q…Doug, I love your show and watch it daily. I have a question about keeping your pH balanced. If our goal is to eat foods that are alkaline, then why is it ok to eat meat (especially red meat)? All the charts that I have found show that meat is acidic. I understand the body digests the (red) meat only after it has been sitting in your body for three days and begins to rot. I have also read medical books on diseases and how to change your diet to correct them. A lot of times it suggests omitting red meat. Could you educate me on this? Peggy

A…Peggy, in the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son, after the son had squandered all of his father’s riches, he returned home hoping that his father would accept him. Not only was he accepted, but also the father ordered slaying of the “fatted calf” as a means of celebration. I believe that beef’s bad rap has to do with politics and the pharmaceutical industry. About 70% of the antibiotics made end up in the agricultural industry, because antibiotics are growth promoters. Few understand that they are also immune suppressants.

We don’t need chickens, pigs and cows to be good looking, shapely or intelligent. We need them fat so they can be sold for top dollar. In assuring their weight, we have forgotten that antibiotics and the grain used to fatten them are not native feed. Their stomachs require grass and, when they eat grass, their meat becomes substantially different from antibiotic, hormone, grain-fed meat. Remember that the acid-alkaline “balance” is just that; it is achieved by balancing acids and alkaline foods in our diets.

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Q…Doug, Can you expound on spelt and if it is a “safer than wheat” grain to eat on Phase 2? Thank you from Michigan! Steve

A…Great question, Steve! Spelt, amaranth, quinoa and several other grains qualify as more wholesome in our diets, yet few people know why. It is not because God made them better, rather that man hasn’t found a way to taint them yet. You haven’t heard that our cars will soon run on spelt, rather ethanol derived from corn. Cereal makers aren’t buying ads during cartoon shows extolling the virtues of “whole quinoa,” rather whole wheat!

As you study the interesting field of mycology, you learn that grain rot comes about as a result of drought, flooding and storage. Simply put, rarely are the lesser-known grains exposed to violent weather events and never are they stored in silos. For those of you who choose to eat grains, Steve has a good idea here. One sidebar, however, is that grains - all grains - convert to glucose inside the body.

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E-mail your questions to knowthecause@lakeshoreguardian.com or mail to Know The Cause!, c/o The Lakeshore Guardian at P.O. Box 6, Harbor Beach, MI 48441. Due to the overwhelming response, please note only a limited number of questions can be forwarded to Doug Kaufmann each month for him to review. To order one of Doug’s books, please call 972-772-0990. To learn more about Doug Kaufmann and his research, go to www.knowthecause.com.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to either directly or indirectly diagnose, give medical advice or prescribe treatment. Please consult with your physician or other licensed health care professional for medical diagnosis and treatment.