Understanding the relationship of Kuzushi and Tsukuri in grappling is one of the most misunderstood but fundamental skills needed.

Kuzushi is a Japanese term for unbalancing an opponent. It refers to not just an unbalancing, but the process of putting an opponent in a position, where his stability, hence the ability to regain uncompromised balance for attacking is destroyed. It is considered an essential principle and the first of three stages to a successful throwing technique: kuzushi, tsukuri (fitting or entering) and kake (execution).

The methods of effecting kuzushi depend on maai (combative distance) and other circumstances. It can be achieved using tai sabaki (body positioning and weak lines), taking advantage of the opponents actions (push when pulled, pull when pushed), atemi (strikes), or a combination of all three. Included means of applying kuzushi is by either direct action, induced action or direct action of your opponent as in countering technique.

The nine actions utilized by Tori (applying technique) to overcome the defensive standing of Uke (receiving technique) are:

1. Tobi Komi – jumping in

2. Mawarikomi – spinning in

3. Hikidashi – pulling out

4. Oikomi – dashing in

5. Daki – to hug holding

6. Debana -Thwarting the opponent

7. Nidan Biki – two stage pull

8. Ashimoki – leg grab

9. Sutemi – body drop

To apply kuzushi the tori must start by turning the legs, utilizing the full body to create optimal range positioning and strengthen the posture while opening the angle to attack the trunk of uki.

In addition to proper kuzushi, tori should turn shoulders, create a hip-shoulder torsion along with an inclination post-turning and a vertical anterior-posterior lettingdown to create tsukuri.

If done effectively the combination of kuzushi and tsukuri along with increased turning, increased forward unbalancing, forward propulsion and angled attack will allow the application of kake.

The whole Kuzushi Tsukuri Kake effective movement is without separation. Effective technique comes from minimizing the amount of energy expended along with shortening the motion path for correct positioning.

 

Saturday June 8th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. 

FREE CLASS Introduction to Tai Chi Chuan

This class open to the public will introduce the art of Tai Chi Chuan. Participants will learn some basic Chi Kung exercises, the opening moves to the form, warmup and breathing drills.

Please register early to hold your spot. Email myofuansensei@gmail or call 603-673-5331

Location: Myofu An Budo Dojo – 159 Savage Road, Milford, NH 03055

Tai Chi Chuan, a style of Chinese Martial Arts, sometimes described as Poetry in Motion, with its gentle, slow and non-jarring movements produces a high degree of relaxation and a balanced unification of body and mind while stretching and toning the bodies muscles and circulating the internal healing energy (Chi). You are left feeling alert, revitalized, yet relaxed with increased focus, harmony, and strength for your daily life.

By increasing blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body, Tai Chi improves physical conditioning, decreases fatigue and develops endurance. Practice has been found to reduce blood pressure. As one progresses through the Tai Chi set, the heart rate increases to aerobic exercise levels while the movements promote deep relaxed breathing.

Natural correction of posture through the use of Tai Chi is achieved by movement promoting the proper alignment of the spine with the shoulders and pelvis. Flexibility of the joints is also fostered by slow sustained stretches. The practice of Tai Chi additionally involves use of all major skeletal muscle groups. Alternating slow stretching with full muscle contraction relieves muscle tension and improves tone. Strengthening the muscles of the lower back and abdomen is especially good for people with low back pain.

One of the major ways that Tai Chi helps the individual is its capacity to increase the local circulation of Chi, especially in the extremities. When an individual does Tai Chi sequence in a relaxed manner, the muscles around the veins, arteries, and nerves will be relaxed, allowing the Chi to distribute itself more evenly and to flow more easily in those particular areas. By improving the local circulation of Chi, less stress is put on the internal organs.

Through the combined effects of local circulation and deep breathing, Tai Chi practioners have found that the slow motion empty handed sequence can cure or help alleviate a variety of disorders.

In these days of high stress living, Tai Chi offers both a physical and mental outlet. The relaxed awareness with which Tai Chi is performed, produces effects similar to meditation.

Intro to Japanese Sword (Iaijutsu).

The Assassins’ Diary.

 

Analysis of Data

            The processes in which whole vitamin complexes and synthetic vitamins progress through the body from ingestion to metabolism, clearly demonstrates the contrasts and exemplifies the complexities of the whole vitamin, as compared to the synthetic vitamin.  Standard Process, 2003 describes the journey of these distinctive elements and the actions that occur on the pathways (See Appendix C for a graphic depiction of the contrasting vitamins and their pathways):

            Separation of whole vitamin complexes within food particles occurs as digestion progresses and the vitamin complexes move toward the villi for absorption.  Although concentration of whole vitamin complexes in food is lower compared to the high concentration in synthetic or isolated vitamins supplements, they appear to be preferentially absorbed.  Whole vitamin complexes are delivered to the liver via the portal vein.  The whole vitamin complex enters the hepatic sinusoids, and those complexes that are not utilized or metabolized by hepatic parenchyma, move into the central vein and into the hepatic vein for distribution via systemic circulation.  Since the whole vitamin complex is not perceived as a xenobiotic (any substance, harmful or not, that is foreign to the biological system), metabolic energy is not wasted for elimination of these nutrients.  Once a synthetic vitamin enters the hepatic sinusoids, it is metabolized by the appropriate cells as well.  However, some of the synthetic vitamin structures undergo a partial reassembly in which some of the cofactors are taken from tissue storage and attached to the base structure leading to a more functional vitamin.  This process can lead to a relative depletion of the cofactors stored in the body.  Additionally, the synthetic vitamin is perceived as a xenobiotic; it is metabolized as a foreign substance.  The synthetic vitamin may be conjugated for excretion in the bile and / or conjugated for elimination via the kidney.

Individual whole vitamin complexes present in the systemic circulation travel through the capillaries of the renal glomerulus.  As a functional nutrient utilized for cellular metabolism, it is not actively excreted by the kidney and thus, it will remain in the blood stream to circulate until utilized.  The two forms of synthetic vitamins, conjugated and partially reassembled, will pass into the renal glomerulus.  The water-soluble conjugated forms are eliminated in the urine.  The partially reassembled forms are allowed to remain in circulation where they might be utilized at some cellular site or undergo further metabolism by the liver for elimination.

Cellular utilization of the nutrients can be impacted by the ability of the vitamin receptor to effectively bind the vitamin complex ligand to the associated receptor sites within the cell membrane.  If the cell membrane receptor site does not match all configurations of the synthetic vitamin ligand, this lack of receptor–ligand complementary prevents effective receptor–mediated utilization of the synthetic vitamin.

This process of absorption and the pathways each vitamin takes clearly outlines the body’s ability to recognize the difference between a synthetic vitamin and a whole food vitamin.  The synthetic vitamin offers a simplistic version of the whole food vitamin.  However, this replica, which mirrors the image of the ligand of the whole food vitamin, is deficient in cofactors, is less effectively absorbed, depletes existing cofactors, which are taken from tissue storage, and may be eliminated and excreted by the kidneys or become further metabolized by the liver for elimination.

Findings

Most studies have demonstrated that synthetic vitamins do not offer the same nutritional benefits as compared to whole food vitamins.  Some studies suggest that the synthetic vitamin may be potentially harmful to the body, and even toxic at high doses.  A report by Arroyave (1988) stated:

There is no evidence of any nutritional benefit derived from the consumption of vitamin supplements in excess of the daily intakes recommended by the various international and national expert committees.  Furthermore, in the case of certain vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin D, excessive intakes result in toxic effects.  To a lesser extent, this is also the case for vitamin C and nicotinic acid.  In addition, the use of high supplements or megadoses of any vitamin results in a wasteful misuse of economic resources.  This reduces the capacity to acquire foods, which would have clear nutritional benefits for the whole family.  Consequently, the indiscriminate use of these mega doses must be discouraged.  Their application is exclusively justified in clinical situations under direct medical supervision.

Although labeling laws require the posting of the recommended daily intakes of vitamins, and require warning labels, as in the case of noted vitamins A and D, there are additional cautions and contraindications for most vitamins.  Because each individual physiological makeup is unique, there is no one standard to follow.  Therefore, the only sure way to determine synthetic vitamin status, while avoiding toxicity or contraindication, is through a medical professional or healthcare practitioner who has the capabilities of measuring vitamin levels, through blood work and follow up.  Although the synthetic vitamin presents such problems, the whole food vitamin does not hold such prevalent disadvantages, and toxicity does not appear to be an issue.  DeCava (1999) confirms this hypothesis:

Every individual human body is unique in its nutritional requirements.  [ ] Dr. Roger Williams wrote extensively about biochemical individuality, revealing, “every individual has nutritional needs which differ quantitatively, with respect to each separate nutrient, from his neighbors.  Although each person needs all the same nutrients, the quantities of each nutrient needed daily are “distinctively different.  Each has a “pattern of needs all his own” which, in itself may vary due to environmental and circumstantial conditions.”  [ ] With natural foods and food concentrates, the body can choose to assimilate its needs, and excrete what it does not need.  This is selective absorption.  In contrast, fractionated or synthetic supplements allow no choice.  The body must deal with the chemical in some manner and can suffer consequences of biochemical imbalances and toxic overdose.  [ ] Sometimes taking a synthetic vitamin can cause an unhealthy or harmful reaction when taken at the same time as a drug.  Certain nutrients might reduce the amount of medication absorbed into the body, thereby reducing its effectiveness.  Synthetic vitamins, like drugs, may also cause depletion of nutrients in the same manner.

A recent study done by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) recognized the importance of drug-nutrient interactions and educating patients to prevent adverse effects.  The results of their study showed that most medical doctors reported they had little or no formal training in drug-nutrient interactions in medical school (83%) or residency (80%).  However, 79% believed it was the physician’s responsibility to inform patients about drug-nutrient interactions, although many thought pharmacists (75%) and dietitians (66%) share this responsibility.  Overall, residents correctly answered 61% +/- 19 of fourteen drug-nutrient interaction knowledge items.  There was a slight increase in drug-nutrient knowledge as year of residency increased (Lasswell, DeForge, Sobal, Muncie & Michocki, 1995).

Knowledge of drug-nutrient interactions could be improved by including nutrition education in the topics taught by physicians, nutritionists, and pharmacists.  Nutrition educators, in particular, can play a role in teaching about drug-nutrient interactions by developing, refining, and evaluating materials and educational tools.  Nutrition educators can provide this information in academic settings for the training of all health professionals, as well as in patient education settings, such as hospitals and public health clinics.  Thomas (1996) highlights the need for educating healthcare professional on the public use of vitamin supplements:

Research has extensively covered the effects of nutrient ingestion on the pharmacological effectiveness of drug dosing.  From a nutritional perspective, however, many practitioners are not aware of how the drugs that their patients are already taking, or self-medicating, affect nutrient absorption and the impact it has on the effectiveness of nutritional supplementation.  This is especially dangerous for the fast-growing elderly population, who takes more medication than any other population group.

Further complications arise from nutritional status and diet, which can affect the action of drugs by altering absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.  Nutritional status may also influence drug response.  Conversely, drugs can alter nutrient absorption, metabolism, utilization, and excretion.  The effect of these interactions may result in altered nutritional status.  Drug-nutrient interactions can be categorized into three groups: effect of drugs on nutritional status, drug-food incompatibilities, and drug-alcohol incompatibilities.  Trovato (1991) describes drug-induced alterations in nutrient absorption as primary or secondary.  The primary drug-induced malabsorption is due to the direct effects of the pharmacologic agent on the intestinal mucosa or on the intraluminal processes.  The secondary drug-induced malabsorption is due to preexisting poor physiologic status.

Summary

Synthetic vitamins have too many negative considerations, which outweigh any possible benefits.  Biochemical imbalances, toxic overdoses, contraindications, and interference are continually noted in studies.  Moreover, due to the lack of education in the health system / medical community, it would be unwise to choose a synthetic vitamin as a source for maintaining optimal health.

Studies have noted that the body views the synthetic vitamin as a foreign substance; additionally, due to missing co-factors, the body cannot efficiently absorb the synthetic vitamin.  This may be the possible rationale behind mega-dosing.  Studies have also shown that mega-dosing with synthetic vitamins is potentially harmful and toxic.  An additional consideration to be noted is the extraction process of most commercial supplements.  DeCava (1999) describes this process, which uses powerful chemical solvents such as ether, benzene, and methyl alcohol, and precipitants such as barium chloride, lead, and aluminum salts.  The chemical processes denature nutrients, isolates them from their natural synergists, destroys their related enzymes, and leaves toxic residues.  In addition, most commercial supplements are distilled high temperatures.  These extraction methods remove the bioactive functional processes.  The body does not recognize the synthetic vitamin as a food, but as a foreign substance or drug.

CHAPTER FIVE

Conclusions, Implications and Recommendations for Further Research

Conclusions and Implications

            The average American diet includes mostly processed foods that have been stripped of their nutrients.  In addition, the average American diet does not include sufficient amounts of fresh produce, whole grains, and quality protein.  Therefore, society has the tendency to lean toward the multivitamin in order to maintain optimal health.

The nutrients within foods work synergistically to provide the body the tools it needs to maintain optimal health.  A typical complete multivitamin contains only a fraction of the components found in food.  Often times, multivitamins contain fractionated, isolated nutrients, which are missing many of the nutrients and phytonutrients found in whole foods.  Because the American diet is plagued with fast foods and processed foods, it is vital to those choosing a multivitamin, to choose one that works.  Carsten (2002) examined the importance of whole vitamin complexes and its benefits, and noted the significance of synergy, which is absent in synthetic vitamins:

Whole foods vitamins provide superior nutrition for preventing disease and giving support during illness.  Their whole vitamin complexes facilitate the physiological effects of whole foods far better than synthetic isolates.  Synthetic vitamins do not have the necessary accompanying cofactors to manifest the synergistic response that is seen with whole food vitamins.  Without this critical synergy of enzymes, coenzymes, trace minerals, and antioxidants, the synthetic vitamin must be delivered in much higher doses to achieve comparable results.

The quality of supplements are far more important than quantity.  Taking more of an isolated form of vitamin will not make up for nutritional deficiencies because so many of the important nutrients that the body needs are missing.  Only whole food ingredients can provide an individual with all the nutrients contained within food.  If an individual were to consume a supplement with just dl-alpha tocopheryl for example, which many manufactures call vitamin E, the individual would be missing at least five other important nutrients, as well as hundreds of other nutrients that occur within the whole vitamin E complex.  Researchers (Thiel 2000; Burton et al., 1998, as cited in Carsten, 2002) have shared this viewpoint “some estimates have suggested natural alpha-tocopherol may be twice as bioavailable as its synthetic counterpart (p.10).”  The nutrients that occur within the whole vitamin E complex are only available by consuming natural, whole food forms of vitamin E, such as wheat germ oil, nuts, and sunflower seeds.

Additional physiological factors must be considered when examining the influence of synthetic or whole food vitamins.  Carsten, (2002) noted that some processes to consider include the health of the digestive tract, body stores of synergistic factors, metabolism, and the rate of elimination.  Multiple digestive conditions influence the absorption of both whole vitamin complexes and synthetic vitamins.  Therefore, plasma concentrations after ingestion can be variable.

There are many implications based on feeding studies done with synthetic vitamins.  It appears that synthetic vitamins may require some degree of reassembly following absorption as the body tries to convert them to biologically useful forms.  The missing components that would complete the vitamin complex are not present in the synthetic form and therefore are derived from the body’s endogenous stores.  This reassembly of the vitamin complex would then lead to potential depletion of body stores of these factors possibly interfering with normal biochemical processes, as has been suggested by Thiel (2000).  Synthetic vitamins can be classified as chemicals that the body must eliminate.  Elimination occurs through the liver and kidney.  Preferential elimination has been demonstrated for some synthetic vitamins (Hoppe and Krennrich, 2000; Habash, Van der Mei, Busscher & Reid (1999); Traber, Elsner, & Brigelius-Flohe, 1998, as cited by Carsten, 2002).  Carsten (2002) further explains the elimination of these xenobiotics as:

foreign chemicals that require metabolic processes that utilize cellular constituents.  This creates cellular metabolic stresses that, generally, are appropriately managed.  However, it has the potential to further compromise an already diseased and/or nutritionally depleted organ.  This reduces the ability of the tissue to heal and regenerate.

Consequently, the vitamins an individual consumes in order to improve health, may actually be harming the body.  Most individuals are unaware of the differences between eating food and supplementing with a whole food vitamin, and the outcomes when an isolated synthetic vitamin is ingested.  The unfavorable conclusion is that individuals with the intention of seeking a multivitamin as a way of supporting the immune system during illness or disease may be actually causing himself or herself further harm.  Until there are changes, and the vitamin and supplement industry is regulated, health practitioners have a responsibility to educated themselves, and in turn share this education with their patients.  This is essential, especially those professionals in the field of orthodox medicine, where patients are turning to alternative medicines to alleviate symptom, illness, and disease.  Patients that are facing serious illness and/or disease are most vulnerable and may be more likely to experiment with high dosing synthetic vitamins.

Recommendations for Further Research

            As Standard Process (2004) demonstrated the process of absorption and the pathways each vitamin takes clearly outlines the body’s ability to recognize the difference between a synthetic vitamin and a whole food vitamin.  These two molecules, although having a replica ligand, are widely divergent.  Modern science needs to recognize this dynamic, and acknowledge the important role of the cofactors that are missing in the synthetic vitamin.  Gidley (2004) supports this view:

in many cases it is difficult to be precise about the molecular origins for whole food benefits, as intervention studies with specific molecules have not shown convincing effects.  It could be argued that the failure to reproduce expected benefits via intervention with vitamins/minerals is due to some combination of the underestimation and importance of the cellular structure of plants in providing the matrix from which molecules are released during digestive processing.

Researchers will need to study the molecular structure of whole foods, their cofactors, and their interdependent and interactive components.  This cause should take precedence over studies involving isolated and synthesized vitamins.  Some researchers have suggested post-genomic or nutritional genomics as a way to tackle the issue.  Gidley (2004) proposes utilizing post-genomic biology of raw food materials to better define molecular composition, and exploit modern spectroscopic and microscopic methods to define the effect of food structure on molecular release.

Kaput and Rodriguez (2004) suggest nutrigenomics or nutritional genomics, calling it the next frontier in the post-genomic era.  Nutrigenomics is described as a way to provide a molecular genetic understanding for how common dietary chemicals (i.e., nutrition) affect health by altering the expression and/or structure of an individual’s genetic makeup.

Like the human body, food is complex, full of unknowns, and very responsive and interactive with its environment.  Due to the complex nature of food, science has been driven to find a simpler solution, the synthetic vitamin.  However, if we compare the synthetic vitamin to the whole food vitamin with a molecule-based approach, we may as well compare apples to oranges.  Instead of trying to replicate nature, science should try to improve on what nature has provided.

 

Summary

            Some of the problems that arise when looking at the science of nutrition are due to the complexity of the nutritional components found in food.  There are several hundred nutrients and phytonutrients that we know of in a carrot, and over 10,000 different chemical components in a spinach leaf, most of which is unknown physiologically.  Because this complexity is so great, even today’s advanced scientific methods cannot sort out what is going on inside the cells of the human body.  Identifying individual nutritional needs is almost impossible.

Scientific studies have shown how real whole foods work when it comes to improving health.  These studies also show that isolated chemicals or synthetic vitamins do not work the same way food does.  There is reference to optimal intakes of nutrients to allow people to maintain their health.  However, optimal intake of nutrients varies among individuals based on their sex, age, and many other environmental, and biological factors.  The amount of isolated nutrients needed to reduce the risk of one disease may not be optimal to reduce the risk of another disease.  Synthetic nutrients may actually increase the risk of some disease in some people.  When food is consumed, the body can selectively absorb what it needs at any particular time.  These synergistic ingredients do not imbalance or deplete, are dose limiting because of the bulk of whole foods, and therefore they are safe.

Mega-doses of any one nutrient or phytochemical can adversely affect nutritional status in relation to other nutrients.  In real food, beta-carotene never appears alone; it is accompanied by many other nutrients and carotenoids.  Research has shown that these carotenes work together and when one of the compounds is isolated, the synergistic benefits are lost.  The body tries to put back the missing pieces by using substances in the body to make up for it.

The study of nutrition is multifaceted and cannot be understood by conventional research focusing on a single factor.  It is a fact, that real whole food is the best source for nutrients for health, not synthetic vitamins.  Therefore, if using a supplement there is no other choice than the use of whole food supplements as an addition to real foods.      

 

 

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Zeisel, S.H. (1999). Regulation of Nutraceuticals,  [Electronic Version], Science, 285,        1853–1855.

APPENDICES

Appendix A

Depletions and Interactions by Vitamin

 

Contraindications

A remedy’s contraindications lets one know when it is unsuitable to be used.  Contraindications may include pregnancy, meaning the product should not be used during pregnancy, or a particular medicine, such as aspirin, which should not be combined with some other nutrients or herbs.

Cautions

A caution means that it is possible that the remedy will not be recommended in some circumstances; it is not as strong as a contraindication.  Cautions include the fact that some nutrients irritate the stomach.  It is up to the individual to decide if they mind the possibility of that side effect.

Side Effects

Side effects of a medicine are effects, which may occur to the body due to taking the medicine, in addition to the desired effect.  Side effects may include effects that are seen in most people taking that medicine, or side effects that may have occurred only once.

Interactions

An interaction occurs when the administration of one medication, whether a nutrient or a drug, affects the action of another medication.  These interactions can occur either by one medication directly acting on the other, or through their effects on the human body.  Examples of Interactions:

(1) Adverse interaction – avoid these vitamins when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.

(2) Reduced drug absorption or bioavailability – avoid these vitamins when taking this medication since the vitamin may decrease the absorption and activity of the medication in the body.

Vitamin A

Contraindications: Vitamin A supplementation is contraindicated if one is are pregnant, or are likely to become pregnant, except on the advice of a qualified medical practitioner.

Cautions: Excessive supplementation with Vitamin A over extended periods of time can lead to toxicity, as the vitamin is stored in the liver.

A                                 Atorvastin

Flucastatin

Isotretinoin

Minocycline

Simvastatin

Tretinoin

B3                               Glimepiride

Rosuvastin

Vitamin B6

Cautions: Long-term daily intake of 500mg., or a shorter-term intake of 2000mg of vitamin B6, has been shown to cause nerve toxicity in some people.

Interactions: Supplementation with vitamin B6 should be avoided if one is taking Levodopa for Parkinson’s disease.

B6                               Folic Acid

Phenobarbital

C                                 Mixed Amphetamines

Warfarin

Vitamin D

Cautions: Vitamin D can also cause toxicity if taken for an extended period of time.  It is therefore important that daily intake does not exceed 1000 IU.

Interactions: Vitamin D supplementation should not be taken if one is taking digoxin, thiazide diuretics, or calcitonin, unless supervised by a qualified medical practitioner.

D                                 Estrogens (combined)

Verapamil

Warfarin

Vitamin E

Contraindications: High doses of vitamin E are contraindicated prior to surgery or going into labor, due to its anti-clotting effects.

Interactions: High doses of vitamin E should not be taken in combination with anti-coagulant drugs, as it may enhance their effects.

E                                  Aspirin, Warfarin

K                                 Warfarin

Zinc                             Ciprofloxacin

Doxycycline

Methyltestosterone

Minocycline

Ofloxacin

Penicillamine

Risedronate

Tetracycline

Warfarin

 

APPENDIX B

Classification of Vitamins (High Beam Encyclopedia, 2007)

            Vitamins are a group of organic substances that are required in the diet of humans and animals for normal growth, maintenance of life, and normal reproduction.  Vitamins act as catalysts; very often, either the vitamins themselves are coenzymes, or they form integral parts of coenzymes.  A substance that functions as a vitamin for one species does not necessarily function as a vitamin for another species.  The vitamins differ in structure, and there is no chemical grouping common to them all.

Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in foods such as liver, egg yolks, cream, or butter, carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy vegetables.  Vitamin A is essential to skeletal growth, normal reproductive function, and the health of the skin and mucous membranes.  A deficiency of vitamin A can cause retarded skeletal growth, night blindness, and other various abnormalities of the skin and linings of the genitourinary system and gastrointestinal tract.  Deficiency of vitamin A can also lead to permanent blindness.  Over consumption of vitamin A can cause irritability, painful joints, growth retardation, liver and spleen enlargement, hair loss, and birth defects.  The National Research Council recommended daily dietary allowance for adults is 1,000 micrograms (retinol equivalents) for men and 800 micrograms for women.

Vitamin B is actually a complex of eight water-soluble vitamins.

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is very important for proper carbohydrate metabolism. B1 is found in yeast, whole grains, lean pork, nuts, and legumes. This vitamin helps maintain healthy appetite, normal intestinal function, and the health of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.  A deficiency of the vitamin may lead to beriberi. The recommended dietary allowance for adults is 1.2 to 1.4 mg for men and 1.0 to 1.1 mg for women.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is important in biochemical oxidations and reductions.  Deficiency leads to fissures in the corners of the mouth, inflammation of the tongue, skin disease, and often-severe irritation of the eyes.  The recommended dietary allowance for adults is 1.4 to 1.7 mg for men and 1.2 to 1.3 mg for women.  Riboflavin is found in plant and animal tissues, milk, and organ meats.

Niacin (nicotinic acid) and niacinamide (nicotinamide) deficiency causes skin disease, diarrhea, dementia, and ultimately death.  Lean meats, peanuts and other legumes, as well as whole-grain bread and cereal products are some of  the best sources of niacin.  The recommended daily dietary allowance for adults is 16 to 19 mg niacin equivalents (60 mg of dietary tryptophan to 1 mg of niacin) for men and 13 to 14 mg for women.

The vitamin B6 group pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine  all combine with phosphorus in the body to form the coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate, which is necessary in the metabolism of amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids.  The best sources of B6 vitamins are liver and other organ meats, corn, whole-grain cereal, and seeds.  Deficiency can result in central nervous system disturbances (e.g., convulsions in infants) due to the role of B6 in serotonin production.  The recommended dietary allowance for adults is 2.0 to 2.2 mg for men and 2 mg for women.  Additional doses are required in pregnancy and by those taking oral contraceptives or the tuberculosis drug izoniazid.  Severe nerve damage has been reported from mega doses.

Pantothenic acid, another B vitamin, is a component of coenzyme A, which is involved in the metabolism of many biochemical substances including fatty acids, steroids, amino acids, and carbohydrates. Sources of this B vitamin include liver, kidney, eggs, and dairy products.  There is no known naturally occurring deficiency state and no known toxicity to pantothenic acid.  The estimated safe and adequate daily intake for adults is 4 to 7 mg.

Biotin is a B vitamin that functions as a coenzyme in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids.  Naturally occurring biotin deficiency disease is virtually unknown.  Sources of this vitamin include egg yolk, kidney, liver, tomatoes, and yeast.  There is no known toxicity to biotin.  The estimated safe and adequate daily intake for adults is 100 to 200 micrograms.

Folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid, folacin, or vitamin B9) occurs abundantly in green leafy vegetables, fruits (e.g., apples and oranges), dried beans, avocados, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ. This vitamin is involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids.  The retarded synthesis of blood cells in folic acid deficiency results in several forms of anemia, while failure to replace rapidly destroyed cells in the intestinal wall results in a disease called sprue.  Inadequate amounts of folic acid in the diet of pregnant women have been strongly associated with neural tube defects (i.e., spina bifida and anencephaly) in newborns. Adequate folic acid also reduces the risk of premature birth.  The recommended daily dietary allowance for adults is 400 micrograms.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is necessary for folic acid to fulfill its role and is involved in the synthesis of proteins.  Pernicious anemia in humans is caused not by a vitamin B12 deficiency in the diet, but rather the absence of a substance called the intrinsic factor, ordinarily secreted by the stomach and responsible for facilitating the absorption of B12 from the intestine.  The only site of cobalamin synthesis in nature appears to be in microorganisms; neither animals nor higher plants are capable of making these vitamin B12 derivatives.  Animal tissues such as the liver, kidney, and heart of ruminants contain relatively large quantities of vitamin B12.  Clams and oysters) are also good sources of B12.  The recommended daily dietary allowance for adults is 3 micrograms.

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in citrus fruits and tomatoes and red pepper as well as berries, green and yellow vegetables, white and sweet potatoes.  Vitamin C is readily oxidized, and therefore is easily destroyed in cooking and during storage.  All animals except humans, other primates, guinea pigs, and one bat and bird species are able to synthesize ascorbic acid.  Ascorbic acid is necessary for the synthesis of the body’s cementing substances: bone matrix and collagen.  Deficiency of vitamin C results in scurvy.  The use of mega doses of ascorbic acid to prevent common colds, stress, mental illness, cancer, and heart disease is a continuing subject of research.  The recommended daily allowance for adults is 60 mg.

Vitamin D consists of two fat-soluble compounds, calciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).  They are now known to be hormones, but continue to be grouped with vitamins because of historical misclassification.  Vitamin D3 plays an essential role in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the body and prevents rickets, which is bone disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin D or calcium.  A plentiful supply of 7-dehydrocholesterol, the precursor of vitamin D3, exists in human skin and needs only to be activated by a moderate amount of ultraviolet light (less than a half hour of sunlight) to become fully potent.  Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in children include bowlegs, knock-knees, and more severe (often-crippling) deformations of the bones.  In adults, deficiency results in osteomalacia, characterized by a softening of the bones.  Excessive vitamin D consumption can result in toxicity.  Symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, kidney damage, and deposits of insoluble calcium salts in certain tissues.  The recommended daily dietary allowance for cholecalciferol is 5 to 10 micrograms (200 to 400 IU) depending upon age and the availability of sunlight.

Vitamin E occurs in eight molecular forms, 4 each of tocopherols and tocotrienols.  In humans, the most biologically active form has generally been considered to be alpha-tocopherol, which is also the most common.  The best sources are vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, wheat germ, some nuts, and eggs.  Vitamin E is necessary for the maintenance of cell membranes.  It is helpful in the relief of intermittent claudication (calf pain) and in preventing problems peculiar to premature infants.  In large doses, it has an anticoagulant effect.  The recommended daily dietary allowance for adults is 10 mg (tocopherol equivalents) for men and 8 mg for women.

Vitamin K consists of substances that are essential for the clotting of blood. Two types of K vitamins have been isolated: K1, an oil purified from alfalfa concentrates, and K2, synthesized by the normal intestinal bacteria.  The best sources for vitamin K are leafy green vegetables, such as cabbage and spinach, and intestinal bacteria.  Vitamin K is required for the synthesis in the liver of several blood clotting factors, including prothrombin.  In the deficiency state an abnormal length of time is needed for the blood to clot, and there may be hemorrhaging in various tissues.  The estimated safe and adequate intake for adults is 70 to 140 micrograms.

APPENDIX C

Graphic depiction of the contrasting vitamins and their pathways (Standard Process, 2004)

 

Whole Vitamin Complex

1) note the complexity of structure representing the vitamin and associated cofactors including enzymes, coenzymes and mineral activators in a protein matrix.

Synthetic Vitamin

2) synthetic vitamin showing the vitamin structure and two possible stereoisomer ligands that have the same structural formula, but different confirmation.

Whole Vitamin Complex in the Kidney / Synthetic Vitamin in the Kidney

                                                                       

 

 

 

Whole Vitamin in the Liver                      Synthetic Vitamin in the Liver

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.”

– Sun Tzu

            

The five elements form are comprised of the elemental archetypes of Chi (earth), Sui (water), Ka (fire), Fu (wind), and Ku (void).  Each of these elements has a personality and energy associated within them.  There is an underlying trinity of San Shin (three heart) that also embodies each element.  San Shin can be thought of as body, mind, and spirit.  San Shin also teaches us about transformation.  First, we transform our vital life force into energy by a burning fire changing our bones.  This type of energy is overt and our breathing is basic.  Then we transform our energy into spirit by summoning fire changing our connective tissue.  This type of energy is covert and our breathing is intermediate.  Finally, we transform spirit into emptiness by the use of divine fire changing our marrow.  This type of energy is mysterious and the breathing advanced. 

Everything in the universe is perceived to be a manifestation of these five great elemental ‘building blocks’. Nothing in existence is seen as solely one element or another, but rather a complex combination of degrees of all five. To each element are of course linked many qualities and attributes.

Each of these elements also has a positive, negative, masculine, and feminine quality that can be described as personality traits in various combinations.  Using Chi as an example, a positive feminine trait would be for the woman who is reliable and supportive, the proverbial Earth Mother.  The opposite might be a negative masculine trait as would be seen in the stubborn man.  Someone who refuses to budge in his opinion or attitude.

Earth (predominantly associated with Stubbornness, Stability, Physicality, Gravity) gives substance;

Water (predominantly associated with Emotion, Defensiveness, Adaptability, Flexibility, Suppleness, Adaptability, Magnetism ) holds things together;

Fire (predominantly associated with Passion, Unstopableness, Aggression, Thermal Energy) heats or transforms;

Wind/Air (predominantly associated with Will, Elusiveness, Evasiveness, Benevolence, Compassion, Wisdom, Electricity ) is responsible for movement;

Void/Sky/Ether (predominantly associated with Power, Creativity, Spontaneity, Inventiveness, Nuclear Reaction[-a recent association!!]) connects with the creative source.

Earth is Strength, Water – Power, Fire – Energy, Air/Wind – Resiliency, Sky/Ether/Void – Communication

Anger, which is connected to heat in the body, relates to an imbalance of the Fire element. Unfulfilled desires & oppressive living conditions of any degree – whether familial, social, political, etc. can be the root cause of imbalances in the Air element; and so on.

All the elements can be mixed, in other words the five elements are on a continuum.  Very rarely is an element pure.  Water when mixed with any of the other elements will change its form.  Water with fire becomes vapor.  Water mixed with wind becomes a vortex or tornado.  As in nature, water can be solid, liquid, or gas.                                                           This understanding of the various forms of all the elements, can give insight into possible interpersonal relationships, as well as scalable battle and fighting strategies.  We must understand how to deal with the various forms within ourselves as well as with an opponent.

The five elements are, in ascending order of power, Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void.

Chi meaning “World”, represents the hard, solid objects of the earth. The most basic example of chi is in a stone. Stones are highly resistant to movement or change, as is anything heavily influenced by chi. In people, the bones, muscles and tissues are represented by chi. Emotionally, chi is predominantly associated with stubbornness, collectiveness, stability, physicality, and gravity. It is a desire to have things remain as they are; a resistance to change. In the mind, it is confidence. When under the influence of this chi mode or “mood”, we are aware of our own physicality and sureness of action.

Sui or mizu, meaning “Water”, represents the fluid, flowing, formless things in the world. Outside of the obvious example of rivers and the like, plants are also categorized under sui, as they adapt to their environment, growing and changing according to the direction of the sun and the changing seasons. Blood and other bodily fluids are represented by sui, as are mental or emotional tendencies towards adaptation and change. Sui can be associated with emotion, defensiveness, adaptability, flexibility, suppleness, and magnetism.

Ka or hi, meaning “Fire”, represents the energetic, forceful, moving things in the world. Animals, capable of movement and full of forceful energy, are primary examples of ka objects. Bodily, ka represents our metabolism and body heat, and in the mental and emotional realms, it represents drive and passion. ka can be associated with security, motivation, desire, intention, and an outgoing spirit. Besides the obvious example of fire, lightning can also be thought of as a extension of Ka.

                                                                                                                                                                                        Fū or kaze, meaning “Wind”, represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement. Aside from air, smoke, and the like, fū      can in some ways be best represented by the human mind. As we grow physically, we learn and expand mentally as well, in terms of our knowledge, our experiences, and our personalities. Fū represents breathing, and the internal processes associated with respiration. Mentally and emotionally, it represents an “open-minded” attitude and carefree feeling. It can be associated with will, elusiveness, evasiveness, benevolence, compassion, and wisdom.

 

Kū or sora, most often translated as “Void”, but also meaning “sky” or “Heaven”, represents those things beyond our everyday experience, particularly those things composed of pure energy. Bodily, kū represents spirit, thought, and creative energy. It represents our ability to think and to communicate, as well as our creativity. It can also be associated with power, creativity, spontaneity, and inventiveness.

Kū is of particular importance as the highest of the elements. In martial arts, particularly in fictional tales where the fighting discipline is blended with magic or the occult, one often invokes the power of the Void to connect to the quintessential creative energy of the world. A warrior properly attuned to the Void can sense their surroundings and act without thinking, and without using their physical senses.

All the Go Gyo no Kata techniques should include the application of defenses against each of the elements as well as how to enter each element yourself.  Practice accuracy, flow, and power, always keeping the element in mind and feeling.  Each kata should look and feel differently.  The five elements of nature also refer to the idea of concealment and enduring life.  We must learn how to endure disease, aging, and injury of not just our body, but also our hearts and minds.  Another principle to keep in mind while practicing is to keep your energy at your center or Hara, which is just below your navel. 

Reserve some of your strength at the top of your head.  Keep your chest relaxed and use your back to spring forward.  Keep your elbows down and shoulders relaxed.  Make sure you are able to shift levels quickly. 

Even if your vital life force (Ki) may be insubstantial, your spirit should remain substantial.  Always coordinate the movements of your upper and lower body.

In the godai system, the thumb is used to symbolize/represent Void/Sky (Power, Creativity); the index finger is associated with elemental Wind [Air], (Will, Wisdom); the middle finger, with elemental Fire (Passion, Aggression); the ring finger – elemental Water (Emotion, Adaptability); and the little finger with elemental Earth (Stability, Physicality).

It is understood that – as well as gaining elemental energy-power from food, drink, heat, sunlight, etc, etc – we are all born with specific levels of energy-power of each of the five elements: ‘original’ elemental energy-power; but as a result of trauma, shock, negative experiences, etc, we can ‘lose’ some of our ‘original’ five-elemental energy-power – it can become depleted, suppressed, repressed, inhibited, etc.

To remedy this situation, various spiritual and therapeutic practices have arisen which focus on the retrieving/reclaiming of one’s ‘original’ or ‘pre-natal’ elemental energy-power, as well as for elemental balancing/nurturing.

Through retrieval, balancing and nourishing, we strengthen and develop our five-elemental energy-power and it is by so doing that we can come to better manipulate and direct the five-element energy-power of Heaven & Earth to favorable effect in our daily lives.

  Some of my earliest memories of training are kneeling in a line across the mat with all of the other students at Ishikawa Dojo from Olympic Heavyweights down to my 12 year old skinny ass. Professor Ishikawa was a five foot five 200 pound log of a man who at the time was the highest ranked Judo instructor in the United States. As he proceeded down the line doing one round of rondori (free sparing) with each of the students starting with the two or three kids to my right thru me up to the seniors his expression and effort never changed. As gentle as he trained with me, he trained and threw around the largest and most senior members of out school.

As I continued to mature in my martial arts studies my respect for him grew. I never saw him strain or overly exert himself while training. Now that is not to say he did not train extremely hard, but when he fought it was without effort. Many years later while having tea in Japan at the house of the grandmaster this all became clear to me. As was explained to me by both master Muramatsu and Grandmaster Hatsumi, you should have the mind of a child while training and your spirit should be like playing with your friends. You should enjoy your training while at the same time working hard to strengthen your body and mind as well as spirit.”

When I recently saw my teacher master Muramatsu, our discussion naturally turned to the MMA competitions that my students were now involved in. I wanted his opinion on how he felt about this type of fighting. According to Muramatsu sensei, “Bujutsu or martial arts training is learned to protect one’s country and to a narrower extent, to protect your community, your family and yourself. Martial Arts is not a technique with a weapon or your body alone but also your mind. Skills must have heart, and if your heart is good then your technique will also be good.” When asked about winning in competition he replied, “True victory relies not upon you, but your enemy. Thus, victory comes naturally to you. You have only to wait for it to happen. Do not search for victory or seek gain, allow it to happen naturally.”

Before leaving to come back to the United States I wanted to know if there were any words of wisdom that I should pass on to my fighters from him. He said, “To fight against an opponent is not the highest achievement of the martial arts. Likewise, those who have won many competitions are not necessarily the greatest martial artists. A sincere martial artist has to keep training, be steadfast to changes that occur or the passage of time, and live with an eagerness for Budo (the way of martial arts) at his base.”

On the long plane ride back from Japan I reflected on his words and realized the huge difference between the traditional way he thought of martial arts training and the way we look at training and fighting here in the US. Even in the last 5 years we have seen tremendous growth in our sport. Gone are the days of the tough man contests that I use to compete in during the early 80’s. Now we are in a time of the elite athlete who has to be well versed in so many areas of fighting as well as conditioned better then an athlete competing in almost any other sport on the planet. The words he used apply more now then ever before. When I think about the incredible strength of character it takes get up from a loss and get back into the gym to train for your next fight. Or the way two fighters will congratulate each other for a great fight and the mutual respect and friendships that develops, I know that our modern day warriors do know what true victory means. We have all seen the upsets of seemingly invincible fighters who were beaten by someone that by all rights did not stand a chance. It is how we deal with losing that our true greatness comes out. It is the fighter that gets back into the gym and works out harder then ever before, yet will take the time from their training to help a new guy learning a technique for the first time.

It is the fighter that got tapped out by a submission that he has been working on for months and congratulated his opponent on the great job he did on catching him and winning. The fight is really just a very small part of what we do after all. So who can endure the endless hours of training, nursing injuries, cutting weight, and even waiting on fight night for your turn in the arena. It is the fighters that can keep the mind of a child, that can look at all of this as fun and train with joy in their heart that they can participate in such a great sport with friends that share their same spirit.