Monday, June 8, 2015
A Conversation with A Modern Day Miracle
Thursday, May 21, 2015
A Video Testimony
Joseph is not only a survivor of the horrors during the dark days of the pharmaceutical industry, but a living miracle by medical standards. Born with severe Hemophilia Type A (less than 1% clotting factor in the bloodstream), the very product used to treat the blood disease (Anti-Hemophiliac Factor VIII) to many became a death sentence in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Plasma pools were riddled with live HIV and Hepatitis C strains from skid-row and prison locations. As a result, Joseph became co-infected (both HIV & HCV) around age 3, trailing a life of extended hospital stays, appointments and never-ending infusions sessions. Today, less than 1.8% of the 12,000 hemophiliacs in the United States are alive. Joseph is one of those fortunate warriors to carry the torch and be that voice for those who no are no longer with us. In 2014, Joseph underwent extensive liver treatment on the new drug called Sovaldi, and within four weeks of a six month therapy, his Hepatitis C virus was no more. Today, Joseph shares his life, struggles and realities of living with debilitating complications resulting from hemophilia related injuries, and maintains a healthy lifestyle with a well controlled HIV anti-viral suppression regimen. He is unique, unfiltered and a survivor; and it's for that reason God is using his life in a major way.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
10 Health Benefits of Matcha Tea
Matcha is a type of green tea that is grown only in Japan, and has been consumed by locals for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. By stone grinding down the leaves to a very fine powder, the true power of this tea is unlocked. Here are my top 10 reasons why green matcha can radically help your overall health and vitality.
1. HIGH ANTIOXIDANTS
At some point in this modern world, we've all heard this word one time or another; "antioxidant." But what is it, and why should we be aware of it? Imagine this, we're at a baseball game, and the first baseman is our antioxidant. He's our first line of defense to our immune system, and keeps all the players on the field in check. So let's back up, what is it, and what do antioxidants do for us? Exposure to UV radiation over time breaks down our skin's cellular structure, so the health geeks, like yours truly, seek those vital antioxidants to restore and replenish ours cells. Items like raw fruits and veggies, greens and yes, my favorite, dark chocolate. Matcha is loaded in antioxidants, in fact 5 times as much as the most potent super food, the avocado as tested by the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) method for blood-oxygen absorption.
2. LOADED WITH CATECHINS & EGCG
Green tea contains about 30% catechins, whereas black tea contains only 4% of theaflavins. Both are powerful antioxidants. But matcha tea has far more in quantity, which explains why it is associated with more health benefits. The most significant phytochemical in green tea is a polyphenol called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG for short. EGCG promotes brain health, is an anti-cancer fighting agent, increases heart health and promotes weight loss! EGCG naturally increases metabolism safely, burns fat and more importantly, reduces fat storage of cells. There are so many articles on the web about catechins and EGCG benefits, so do the research for yourself and prepare to be blown away at just how powerful these enzymes are for the body.
3. FIGHTS HIV
Speaking of EGCG, The green tea flavonoid has been linked to naturally fighting HIV as true anti-viral. matcha has been proposed to have an anti–HIV-1 effect by preventing the binding of HIV-1 glycoprotein (gp) 120 to the CD4 molecule on T cells. Plants rich in flavonoids such as elderberry, matcha and cinnamon appear to block HIV-1 and can thus help in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. So if you've been diagnosed with HIV, talk with your doctor about matcha, and consider drinking it even while on your HAART anti-viral regimens as an extra line of defense for your immune system.
4. A SENSE OF CALM
For centuries, Buddhist monks have consumed herbal teas like matcha to promote a state of calm while meditating, yet remaining alert; without the "downer" effect of a pharmaceutically induced calm. Research has shown that this is directly due to the amino acid L-Theanine. L-Theanine promotes the production of alpha waves in the brain, which induces the calmness, while remaining focused, alert and attentive.
5. INCREASED LIVER HEALTH WITH HEPATITIS C
For those of us with liver disease, Cirrhosis, Hepatitis C, or fatty liver, there is hope for us yet! New studies have shown that green tea has antifibrotic effects! Which means it can reverse and heal certain grades of liver fibrosis, improve portal vein function and dissipate the collagen bands around your liver that form during fibrosis. Did I mention it purifies the blood as well? Holy smokes, that's some potent matcha! For more information on matcha and liver disease, click here.
6. FIGHTS CANCER
When scientists injected matcha extracts in tumors, the results were profound. The EGCG extracts we were discussing earlier actually shrunk cancerous tumors in the body. The catechins in green tea are able to break the molecular link between infection and cancer. The EGCG's are also active in breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin and lung cancer and cancer of the oral cavity and oesophagus, tumors in the liver, pancreas, intestines, stomach, bladder and brains. The growth of tumors is slowed down. The EGCG's in matcha stimulate cancer cells to self-destruct. For more information on anti-cancer properties of matcha, click here.
7. INCREASED MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION
The introduction of L-Theanine into the brain causes the production of dopamine and serotonin. These two chemicals alone have been shown to enhance mood, increase memory, aid in better concentration and just overall increased motor skill function. I'm pretty sure that's something that we all could probably benefit from, right?
8. FIGHTS BAD CHOLESTEROL
I'm from a family where elevated cholesterol levels have to be monitored and is something inherited. Even with my HIV regimens, I often have elevated levels of cholesterol, which I have to monitor with proper food intake and nutrition. That's where matcha comes in, Research in various cultural ethnicity groups have shown that men who consume regular 2-4 cups a day of matcha had a lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and an increase HDL (good cholesterol). Matcha even reduces and normalizes blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. WOW!
Before matcha is harvested, during the last month of growth, the plants are covered to block out the sunlight, which causes the plants to produce a tremendous amount of chlorophyll. It's been known for a while that chlorophyll is a natural blood detoxing agent and immune system booster. That's why trends like juicing "green drinks" loaded in chlorophyll are so widely popular today. Chlorophyll is stored solar energy. But the camellia sinensis, the plant grown before matcha is made, produces 10 times more chlorophyll than any other plant. Think of it like this, one cup of matcha is equal to 10 cups of traditional green tea.
I personally consume matcha two ways. I buy the powder locally from a health food store, or sometimes online from Amazon.com. I like the brand "DoMatcha," but you may find your own brand through trial and error. I prefer a typical warm tea, two teaspoons of matcha powder with a 1/4 cup of soy milk and warm water. I also enjoy Starbcuks own Teavana line of green matcha. My favorite drink is a Venti Iced Green Matcha Tea with Soy and light ice. It's so good! I call it the HULK drink, because that's exactly what it is, a powerhouse to good health and strength.
BONUS
Matcha consumed with warm water and just the powder has 0 calories and is loaded in dietary fiber! So... what are you waiting for?
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Refined By Fire
Living life post-treatment is one thing knowing your labs are looking great, but hearing those goal achieving words uttered for the first time gave me so much confidence going into one year post-treatment. This time last year, I was very ill from side effects of the regimen I was on. I was reflecting on some of my older posts from Easter 2014, and multiple ER visits along with numerous side effects leaves me with only one conclusion; we are "refined by fire." The human spirit is a strong and powerful mechanism.
July 7th of this year, I will officially be one full year post-treatment. A few of my friends, locally and online, have had some serious issues since concluding their Sovaldi regimens, one of which is the dreaded relapse. A friend of mine, younger lady, late 20's from church, treated on Sovaldi and Ribavirin just as I did last year, but relapsed. She, like myself, was a geno-type 3a, I've been offering some moral support and council for her just this past week, and it seems to be effective. Whether I relapse or remain undetected at one year is pretty much a waiting game and in God's hands. I've accepted both outcomes and am ready to tackle whatever it is next I have to do.
Nothing in life is earned by our own merit. You don't just wake up one day and be automatically cured of a life altering illness. Struggles are a part of life, so are disease and illness. If the human condition is never constantly tested, how are we to be refined and made better? I'm a leader at my church for a weekly event called "Real Men." One of the questions I'm asked most, why do bad things happen to good people? My response is usually simple and forward: "Because they have to." In 1 Peter 1:7, Peter writes, "so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
So when you're in that moment, the world is crashing in, all hope is lost, instead of giving ourselves a pity party, we need to stand up and dust ourselves off and move forward. Life is one continual refining of our condition, to make us stronger and more courageous for the next trial, and the trial after that.
One of my favorite musical writers and performers just this past week announced on social media he has a solid mass in his right kidney, and doctors are 90% sure it's cancer. Mark Hall of Grammy award winning Casting Crowns, made the announcement about his condition. But like the very song Mark penned in 2006 'Praise You In This Storm', "I was sure by now God You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining..."
One of my favorite musical writers and performers just this past week announced on social media he has a solid mass in his right kidney, and doctors are 90% sure it's cancer. Mark Hall of Grammy award winning Casting Crowns, made the announcement about his condition. But like the very song Mark penned in 2006 'Praise You In This Storm', "I was sure by now God You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining..."
One thing I can say, I am at a truly peaceful moment of life. Rejoicing in my cure and striving towards July for the one year post-treatment lab results. I can't say it's been an easy road, truth is, it's been anything but smooth. The roller coaster of life has peaks, dips, turns, 360's and maybe even a few slow points, but my advice for those reading this, be ready for anything. Life isn't about what we define it to be, it's about giving God glory in season and out. So with each struggle, our life is being refined physically, mentally and spiritually for our betterment. In the heat of the moment, we don't see the lesson, but just know we have to be refined by fire in order to come out shining like gold.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Today, My Life Changed Forever
On January 21st, 2014 I began a journey that would ultimately change my life forever, I treated my Hepatitis C with a new breakthrough drug called Sovaldi. Rapidly within 4 weeks of therapy, my virus went undetected, indicating that treatment was working and I was on my way to 20 more weeks of medication, lab work, doctor visits and a plethora of side effects. By the end of treatment on July 7th, 2014, I was still undetected and on my way to hopes of a possible cure.
My infectious disease doctor told me treating with Sovaldi and Ribavirin, I stood an astounding 94% chance of being cured even co-infected with HIV.
Having previously treated with much more toxic and brutal drugs in 2006, this new therapy was a breath of fresh air, but also had it's own mess of side effects. But in the end, the side effects weren't severe, and I powered through treatment like a iron arrow going through the heart of a dragon. Not just any dragon, the king of all dragons, Hepatitis.
The results are in today January 12th, 2015, 6 months post treatment, and officially I can say I am cured of Hepatitis C once and for all. My dragon has been slain, and my life is forever changed. I'm still sitting here processing the events of the past 24 hours of my life after getting this spectacular news. Sovaldi truly works, and the words cure and HepC can now be uttered in the same breath with confidence. Click on the graphic to see the lab work for yourself.
As I pause in this time of reflecting, evaluation and focusing on God more, I am truly humbled by the events of the past year of my life. Never again will I lie sleepless in my bed pondering my own fate. No more weeping in the pillow of my own mortality, and the fate of my beloved wife. To never fathom again the thought of liver transplant, end stage liver disease, cirrhosis or liver cancer is for the lack of better terms, new.
But, I can't forget to give credit where credit is rightfully due. If it wasn't for my persistent faith in Jesus Christ, my surrounding band of brothers and church family, my amazing wife and the endless sacrifices of my parents, none of this would be possible today. Thanks to my caregiver Dr. Katherine Smith for treating me, and lastly to Michael J. Sofia who developed this new miracle drug called Sovaldi.
My blogs will continue, as this is just the beginning of a new era for myself and I Strive 2 Thrive. I am working on a new video documentary as we speak, and I hope to share it with you hopefully by Spring of this year. Forever grateful, eternally humbled and delightfully changed, thanks to everyone who has been a part of this amazing journey with me the past year.
In His Holy and Blessed Name,
Joe Burke (I Strive 2 Thrive)
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