Inside HBC

Passionfruit & Papaya

Passionfruit:

The juice of passionfruit reduces cancer cell growth (research underway on this)

Contains phenolic acids and flavonoids known to be anti-microbial (key for CFers)

High in carbohydrates and simple sugars (great for weight gain for CFers)

Full of Vitamin C, A, & Potassium

Seeds of fruit are vital source of fiber

Studies have found that passion fruit extract helped provide relief for those suffering from asthma–the antioxidant found in passionfruit reduces allergies and inflammation, coughing, and wheezing

Papaya:

Contains papain–aids digestions

Papaya juice can help break down mucus

Rich source of antioxidant nutrients;; carotenes, vitamin C & flavonoids, B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid, pottasium & magnesium & fiber

Contains unique protein-digesting enzymes including papain and chymopapain. These enzymes reduce inflammation

Is a Vitamin A rich food which helps promote lung health

hola from Costa Rica- breathing easy

Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that is caused by a defect in a gene that controls the amount of salt and water that line the airways of the lungs. Without sufficient lubrication, mucus builds up and blocks the airways, providing a fertile home for bacteria.

CF patients who surf, say they feel better and can breathe easier after being in the salt water.

Researchers found that inhaling an intensely salty solution — almost twice as salty as the Atlantic Ocean — improved patients’ lung function and slowed the progression of the disease, according to articles published in 2006 in New England Journal of Medicine. Australian doctors found that 41% of those who received the treatment avoided serious complications — such as weight loss, coughing up blood or a dangerous infection — compared with 16% of the other patients. The solutions helped remove mucus from the lung for at least eight hours, according to the UNC study of 24 patients, also published in the journal.

I’m starting Val early on exposure to salt water…with a vacation to Costa Rica. So, here we are taking daily walks on the beach and playing in the sand and surf.

Hasta luego! I’ll keep you posted on his lung function and digestion as our trip progresses.

Great article from USA today:  www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-01-18-cystic-fibrosis_x.htm

regulating digestion with papaya and passionfruit juice

We are in Costa Rica and Valentino’s digestive health is exceptional. I have not had to give Valentino his Creon enzymes and Valentino has two regular bowl movements at the same time daily.

When Val was originally diagnosed with CF, he was clearly a kid that would have severe digestive issues. We’ve already had several scary treks to the emergency room where Val was given enemas. He routinely has either diarrhea or constipation and very odorous bowl movements.

As I’ve learned to adjust the enzyme doses to accommodate the amount of fats in his food, I’ve still been unable to find a happy medium. Val is either constipated and screaming in pain or has complete diarrhea and daily diaper explosions.

Since arriving in Costa Rica, Val has eaten fresh fruits, vegetables, chicken and fish. All the foods are locally grown.

Jean-Baptiste, our cook while we are in Costa Rica, served us a delicious juice on our first morning here. I filled two of Val’s bottles with the juice. Because it is so hot here and Val is sweating constantly, I hoped sipping the juice all day and eating salty foods would keep his salt levels in check. I had no idea the results of Val drinking the juice would far surpass simply staying hydrated. Val has had completely normal digestion/bowl movements that first day of sipping on juice all day. He drinks approx. 8-12 oz. of juice throughout the day.

Jean-Baptiste informed me that it is a juice blend of two fruits known to aid digestion–passionfruit and papaya.

Now we are at the end of our week stay here and I am thrilled and amazed to see Val’s digestion totally regulated without the use of his prescription enzymes. I will continue juicing papaya and passionfruit when we return home and see if this keeps his digestion balanced.

There has been many mornings over the past year that I’ve woken to either a diaper explosion all over the crib or to Val screaming in pain from constipation. I’m excited to see if using natural digestive enzymes found in papaya and passionfruit provide the same results as the do here in Costa Rica where the fruit is locally grown, fresh and Val is also exposed to the salt water and salt in the air.