Week 2 on the live blood analysis online training course

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We are on week 2 now and learning about the components of the blood including white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

For example:

Red blood cells (RBCs) which are formed in the bone marrow and are stored in the body’s reservoir for the blood, namely the spleen, comprise the greatest majority of the formed elements in the blood.

The average RBC is approximately 8 micrometers (µm) in diameter and has a life span of 110 to 120 days.

Aged RBCs are removed from circulation by macrophages that ingest them in the spleen and liver. The iron is recycled from the dead RBCs and then transported back to the marrow, where it is incorporated into new RBCs.The RBCs are responsible for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the cells and the transport of carbon dioxide from the cells to the lungs, from where it is expelled. RBCs are capable of transporting oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases because of an iron-containing pigment within the cells called hemoglobin.

Oxygen can easily be absorbed into the RBCs, where it forms a temporary link with the iron atoms in hemoglobin. The fluid component of the blood, namely the plasma, is straw colored. The color of blood is created by the color of the RBCs, which is due to the heme group of hemoglobin. The difference in color between oxygen-rich blood (found in arteries) and oxygen-depleted blood (found in veins) is due to the state of the hemoglobin: when bound to oxygen the resulting oxyhemoglobin is scarlet, whereas the oxygen-depleted deoxyhemoglobin is darker.

This is why veins appear bluish and arteries appear pinkish in the skin.Mature RBCs in mammals do not have a nucleus and as a result, have no DNA. RBCs have nuclei during early phases of development, but lose them as they mature in order to provide more space for hemoglobin. Mammalian RBCs also lose their other cellular organelles, such as their mitochondria. As a result, they do not use any of the oxygen they transport; instead they produce the energy carrier ATP by fermentation, through the glycolysis of glucose followed by lactic acid production. Also, RBCs do not have insulin receptors in their cell membranes and therefore the uptake of glucose into the RBCs is not regulated by insulin. Because of the lack of nucleus and organelles, the RBCs cannot synthesize any RNA, and consequently they cannot divide or repair themselves.

This inability to repair itself enables us to see some history and the results of what has been occurring to the red blood giving us vital information in live blood analysis.

Copyright Dr Okker R. Botha, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2009

Live Blood Analysis Online Training Course – Week 1

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We are on the first week of the latest online training course where we go through some important information on blood analysis to help our attendees understand what one can and cannot do with this technique.

We also show what we are able to access with his amazing technique.
We look at videos on how to take blood samples correctly in live and dry blood analysis (The Oxidative Stress Test).

It is really very important to use the correct technique for taking blood samples for getting reliable and accurate results.

If a practitioner does not prepare the blood samples exactly the same way every time, they will not get accurate and reliable results and sampling becomes variable.
For example, having a regular blood sugar test is not part of prevention – it will only show an imbalance once the body has failed at all its attempts to regulate blood sugar.
When you get an abnormal blood sugar reading it is at quite a late stage already and one should really have had preventative measures in place years before the abnormal result.
Live and dry blood analysis detects imbalances that may lead to disease and one can then implement measures to help minimize the likelihood of serious conditions developing in the future.

Why our live blood analysis equipment is the best there is

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Not all microscopes are created equally.

Since we specialise in live blood analysis we know exactly what live blood analysis equipment specifications are needed in a live blood system.

Our high quality microscopes are manufactured in Japan to our own specifications, so there are no other systems out there that can compare.

If your microscope has not been supplied by us it’s likely that you won’t be able to detect everything that can be seen in the blood.

These 3 factors set our systems apart from other microscopes:

Strength of the light source

We use 9W LED, equivalent to 100W halogen in the HDLED system, or 50W halogen in the ST50W system. Most regular microscopes use 20W halogen, so the light is simply not bright enough for darkfield.

Type of darkfield condenser

We use an oil immersion darkfield condenser. Cheaper systems usually use a ‘dry’ condenser that provides very poor image quality.

The “on-screen” magnification

Most microscopes are set up so that the magnification on the screen is the same as through the eyepieces. In live blood analysis we prefer to have higher magnification on the screen – up to 4X more than through the eyepieces.

This means that when we use the 40X objective we have 400X through the eyepieces and 1600X on the screen.

In microscopes where the magnification through the eyepieces is equal to that on the screen the result is that the cells appear smaller on the screen.

This is not ideal because you’ll have to use the 100X objective to get close enough to the cells to assess them properly.

Usually the 100X objective is not as clear as the 40X objective and requires oil (which means you’re not able to switch back and forth between 40X and 100X, making the analysis process quite difficult.

The added benefit with the higher on-screen magnification of our system is that a massive 4000X magnification is achieved on the screen when using the 100X objective. Click here to see our microscopes.

Our range of blood analysis microscopes:

Are laboratory-grade research microscopes that feature high quality optics and a superior build quality for unparalleled durability.

We are the only blood analysis equipment supplier that offers a 2-year warranty on our systems.

Our systems have been designed to be especially suitable for all applications in the analysis of live blood.

They can be used in both brightfield and darkfield viewing of blood samples and due to the customized illumination and optical system offer a high degree of brightness and clarity.

They have been designed so that they are easy to use, so practitioners are not distracted from doing the analysis by having to constantly change settings on their microscope.

The systems are also sold with an image management system that allows practitioners to capture and save the blood images on computer.

We have four options to choose from, designed to suit every need and budget:

Click here to see our microscopes

Live Blood Analysis Training Course – Your questions answered

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woman with microscope image

We receive so many questions regarding the live blood analysis training course, that we put a live webinar together to answer some of your questions. The recording is available below.

Click here for the recording: https://youtu.be/rHrzzWbCSYs

If you would like to know about the procedure of live blood analysis, the requirements for the live blood analysis training course, or if you have any other questions – please email us at: info@livebloodonlondon.com.

For info on the latest online training course please click here: https://livebloodonline.com/the-training-course/

If you are reading this after the training course has started – it is not a problem if you miss the beginning of the training course, as you will be able to catch up with the recordings of the live lessons.

We hope to see you on the training course.

Oxidative Stress/Dry Blood Analysis

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Dried blood analysis (also referred to as the Oxidative Stress Test (OST) is covered in detail in the live blood online training course.

With dry blood analysis we are able to assess oxidative stress by looking at a number of anomalies.

We are also able to see the extent of oxidative damage in the live blood samples.

We look at the level of oxidative stress in the system by looking at clotting patterns in the dry blood samples.

There is a very distinct difference between the layered dried blood sample of a healthy individual and that of a chronically ill patient.

The healthy sample is a solid mat of pinkish-red dried blood with a strong, well-interconnected fibrin network.

In the presence of degeneration, toxins and other imbalances, the dried blood sample shows white areas, called polymerized protein puddles (PPPs) as well as other abnormalities that can be indicative of certain systemic conditions.

Heavy Metal Toxicity

HOW DOES OXIDATIVE STRESS SHOW UP IN DRY BLOOD ANALYSIS?

As the blood dries on the slide, there is a natural centrifugal activity whereby the different elements in the blood spin out into rings, depending on their specific gravity.

Organs near the centre of the body create light PPPs that don’t spin out very far, whereas heavier PPPs are created by lymph and skin conditions that spin out around the outside of the layer.

The size and shape of the PPPs is also suggestive of the nature of the condition.

 

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF OXIDATIVE STRESS?

Our cells can be compared to an apple that turns brown when exposed to air.

Our cells can turn brown or “rust” when we breathe due to oxidative stress, this is a process caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage or “oxidize” cells throughout the body in a process called oxidative stress.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage or “oxidize” cells throughout the body, this is the process called oxidative stress. Over time, oxidative stress can leave our cells and tissues unable to function properly.

Some specialists claim that free radicals can have serious consequences for our health.

Free radicals are believed to contribute to disease, hardened arteries and wrinkles, they are often associated with the health problems that we experience with age.

Avoiding the causes of free radicals and adopting a lifestyle that helps fight back against them can help safeguard health by preventing oxidative stress.

 

WHAT CAUSES FREE RADICALS?

As we breathe, we can’t help but make some free radicals, but many other factors in lifestyle and environment can also contribute to their production, like:

Excess calories, sugars and/or refined carbohydrates. Eating an excess of these foods cause our mitochondria to release more “exhaust,” as they burn fuel from food for energy. This creates higher levels of free radicals.

Exercising too much or too little. Exercise is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, but too much can increase oxidative stress in our bodies.

Excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol increases cytokines levels, these are inflammatory molecules that are linked to oxidative stress.

Exposure to tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke contains toxic chemicals that lead to oxidative stress.

Exposure to air pollutants. Industry and pollution increase oxidation in our bodies.

Excessive stress. Stress increases inflammation, which further increases free radical production.

Ionizing radiation. Exposure to x-rays, radon, cell phones and air travel can contribute to oxidative stress.

Charbroiled foods. Hydrocarbons found in these foods can contribute to oxidative stress.

Fungal toxins. Environmental moulds (found in bathrooms and basements) and internal moulds and fungi related to the gut can produce toxins that increase oxidative stress.

Poor liver and gut detoxification. The liver can become inflamed and produce more free radicals when it is overwhelmed with toxins from food or the environment, especially exposure to pesticides or mercury.

Chronic infections. Hidden infections can contribute to oxidative stress.

Lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation increases oxidation.

 

HOW CAN OXIDATIVE STRESS BE PREVENTED?

Preventing oxidative stress can begin by avoiding the causes of free radicals above.

Prevention of free radical formation and control of oxidative stress can be improved by:

Improving breathing and oxygenation. This can help flush out toxins, free radicals and inflammatory molecules.

Eating foods that reduce oxidation. Eating foods that contain antioxidants including a diet full of many different colourful fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants.

 

Using herbs. Some herbs can help reduce oxidation:

Ginkgo, Ginger, Green tea, Milk thistle, Grape seed extract, Rosemary, Turmeric.

Supplements. Supplements that can be useful in curtailing free radical production include:

N-acetylcysteine. This can boost production of glutathione which is an important antioxidant and detoxifier.

Alpha lipoic acid. This is an antioxidant that helps to improve energy production in the mitochondria.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Another antioxidant that is important for the mitochondria.

NADH. This is important to the cycle of energy production in the mitochondria.

Live Blood Analysis (Naturopathic Microscopy) – How does it work?

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By analysing a single drop of blood we are able to tell what you’ve been eating, drinking and doing!

Naturopathic Microscopy is the only technique available to natural health practitioners that will allow you to view and assess the dynamic interplay between health and disease at the cellular level.
By analysing the blood you will be able to identify various underlying imbalances, known to lead to disease, while still at an early stage – when they can still be corrected with simple natural protocols.

You will automatically improve compliance in your practice: compliance to follow the recommended program and to follow up regularly to assess the progress.

The history of live and dry blood analysis goes back more than 60 years and it is still developing today.
Several independent researchers from across the world have spent hours behind their microscopes, analysing thousands of samples and making careful observations about the differences between healthy and unhealthy blood specimens, correlating their findings with clinical symptoms and conditions.

What we have gained from all their hard work is a technique unparalleled in its accuracy and unmatched in its reliability. It has steadily grown in popularity among natural health practitioners worldwide by virtue of the insight it is able to provide on the body’s internal environment, which we refer to as the ‘terrain’.

The analysis of both live and dry blood specimens provides us with valuable insight into the body’s internal terrain, which constitutes the blood, lymphatic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid and the interstitial fluid that surrounds every single cell in the body.

Just like a fish swimming in unhealthy water will become unhealthy, so the cells in the body are poisoned by the toxins and acids in the fluid in which they are bathed.
The purpose of looking at blood under the microscope is to determine the state of the terrain – whether it is in a state of balance or imbalance.

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Week 9 On The Live Blood Analysis Training Course; looking at heavy metal toxicity in dry blood analysis

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We are on week 9 of the live blood analysis training course and now starting to study dry blood analysis which is also referred to as the Oxidative Stress Test (OST).

In dry blood analysis, we leave 8 layers (spots) of blood to dry naturally on a slide, we then observe the anomalies seen.

We are looking at anomalies that could be signs of allergies, adrenal stress, psychological stress and intestinal irritation as well as reproductive organ, bowel, vital organ, lymphatic and thyroid imbalances.

Heavy Metal Toxicity as seen above

Appearance:

Heavy metal toxicity appears as black points at the edge of the layer, or as a dark shore or waves.

Cause & Interventions:

Strongly indicative of heavy metal toxicity, this can be from the environment (pollution, contaminated food, water or air, smoking and passive smoking) and also amalgams.

Points at the edge of the layer usually indicate the presence of lead and/or amalgams.

Dark waves deeper into the layer indicate that metals are being held in the fatty tissues, brain and nervous system, which is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Click here for symptoms and recommendations.

Copyright Dr Okker R. Botha, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2009

Week 7 on the live blood analysis training course – Thrombocyte (platelet) Aggregation

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It is week 7 on the live blood analysis training course and we are studying thrombocytes (platelets) and what happens when they aggregate (form clots)

Thrombocytes are irregularly-shaped cells that do not have nuclei and are much smaller than red blood cells. They are typically 2-3 µm in diameter and have an average lifespan in the circulation of 8 to 12 days. They can be seen clearly in live blood analysis, darkfield microscopy.

Thrombocytes are formed in the bone marrow where they bud off from megakaryocytes.
Thrombocytes are probably the most important elements of haemostasis (the control of blood loss through blood clotting).

The number of thrombocytes in circulation is a vital determining factor in a person’s tendency to thrombosis (clotting) or haemorrhage (bleeding). If the number is too low (thrombocytopenia), bleeding can occur, whereas an abnormally high number of thrombocytes (thrombocytosis) may lead to thrombosis (blood clots).

Thrombocytes also release a variety of growth factors that play an important role in the healing of damaged tissue.

Thrombocytes are an important part of the clotting mechanism. These tiny structures circulate through the body in an inactive state. When they are inactive they are disc shaped and repel each other, but when they become activated they assume a star-like shape and enmesh with each other (and fibrin) to form a clot. (Thrombocyte aggregation in live blood analysis).

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Week 6 on the live blood analysis training course: Pleomorphic Growth Forms

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This week we are going through all the various growth forms described in Pleomorphism.

There are 4 stages of development in Pleomorphism, with various growth forms found in each stage.

Only the first stage is apathogenic, the other 3 are associated with some degree of imbalance and tendency to disease.

It is important to recognise the various growth forms, whether they are really organisms or something else is not as important as the fact that they would not have been there if the terrain had been in balance.

There is enough evidence to show that advanced pleomorphic growth forms only occur in advanced cases of acidosis so we can use the various pleomorphic forms as indicators of how severely out of balance the terrain is.

And of course, seeing less advanced forms of development in subsequent visits indicates that the terrain is improving.

Seeing bacteria in live blood is something of a controversial issue in LBA.

Click here for some very interesting research conducted in Canada and published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology proving that bacteria are in fact present in the blood.

 According to conventional medicine, bacteria will only be seen in the blood in septicaemia – so definitely not in clients who were able to come to see a LBA practitioner..

However, various types of bacteria are clearly visible in live blood of patients who are not suffering from septicemia and whose clinical situation correlates with the known imbalances associated with the presence of bacteria in blood samples.

Read more here……………………

Week 5 on the latest Live Blood Analysis Training Course

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It is week 5 on the live blood analysis training course and this week we are looking at white blood cell (WBC) anomalies in live blood analysis.

There are 5 different types of WBCs in live blood analysis and we are looking at all the anomalies that may be encountered under each type of white blood cell.

White blood cell anomalies play an important role in live blood analysis, but you could say that red blood cell anomalies often determine the main focus of your assessment and treatment in a case.
White blood cell anomalies in general relate to the state of the immune system in live blood analysis, possible infections, allergies and a few other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases.
In many cases we simply take note of them, as they only confirm the rest of the results in the case. For example, if we see signs of toxicity and over-acidity in the blood, and we see signs of an underactive, stressed immune system, we won’t necessarily focus on the immune system, but rather on correcting the terrain.

This is because the immune system possibly became compromised due to the imbalance in the terrain and using immune boosting supplements will produce disappointing results.
This is because the underlying issue is an imbalance in the terrain – that is the primary disturbance so that is what should be the focus on to achieve good results.
This is why live blood analysis is so valuable – the primary disturbance in a case can be addressed, instead of just dealing with the symptoms.

So white blood cell anomalies serve to confirm the findings in the rest of the case and to add some context.

There are some situations where a specific white blood cell anomaly would affect the results to such an extent that it could change the direction to choose in terms of treatment.
For example, with a client who has sinusitis – in natural medicine we often focus on the digestive system and liver, as well as Candida, in sinusitis cases.
However, there may be no significant signs of digestive, liver and Candida problems seen in such a case, but many signs of allergies (a white blood cell anomaly) you would then need to focus on treating the allergies specifically.
Another example would be a case where many signs of toxicity (poikilocytes) are seen along with signs of an acute infection. In such a case it is most likely that the toxicity resulted from the infection and doing a detox wouldn’t be the correct approach – supporting the immune systems and clearing the infection would be much more important.

So it is extremely important to be able to connect the dots in a case and to understand how the anomalies observed relate to each other.
Otherwise there will be a lot of information but no understanding of what is going on in a case and it would be difficult to know what corrective measures to put in place.