GREG WILLIAMS For the Calgary Herald
Blood means different things to different people. To the director of a horror film, blood may be used to provide a gruesome finale. But to the blood analyst, blood provides a highly accurate portrait of an individual's health. Janet Rowe, certified analyst and owner of Health and Natural Lifestyles in Calgary, explains.
"Blood analysis is a nutritional tool we use to help measure levels of bacteria, fungus, toxins or parasites. These are all elements which may impair bodily functions."
Rowe also has qualifications in anatomy, nutrition and herbology By drawing blood and inspecting it under a microscope, analysts have an instant view of the activity and health of the blood cells. They can tell if the cells have effective oxygen and nutrient carrying capacity, and if the cells are healthy enough to perform their required function. "We analyze the health and activity level of red blood cells, and discern any anomalies," Rowe explains. "We also look at the white blood cells and platelets, and any yeast, bacteria, parasite, or fungal activity." Rowe screens for 32 irregularities in the live blood sample including such things as plaque, cholesterol, anemia and yeast. She scans a dried sample for 36 other variations, such as allergies, asthma, arthritis and prostrate/uterus problems. For the squeamish, Rowe uses only a tiny lancet to draw capillary blood from the little finger. The tiny drop of blood on the finger tip is allowed to stand, open to the air. "We expose the blood to the air, which allows the toxins or stress to separate into different layers of the droplet," Rowe says. She then takes several 'blottings' of the blood drop on a sterile slide. This is done to achieve a desired thickness of the blood sample. It is then set aside to dry.
A second drop is then taken from the same lancet site. This second drop is placed directly onto a sterile glass slide, placed under the microscope and magnified 22,000 times. "What we see under the microscope, we show the client," Rowe explains. A video camera connected to the microscope transfers the image of the blood to a screen. Instantly, the analyst can discern if the client has any parasites or fungus. The condition of the red blood cells is also noted. Are they clumped together indicating possible iron deficiency, or free-floating, indicating probable good health? "I find that a lot of times, an individual does not have to tell me about their symptoms," Rowe says. "I can tell by analyzing their blood what their symptoms are."
Throughout the process, Rowe discusses lifestyle and diet. She will ask how food is being prepared. "If vegetables are cooked until they are soft, most of the valuable nutrients are lost." After the live blood sample has been analyzed, the dry sample is placed under the microscope. Viewing the dry sample reveals information regarding the skin, bones and the lymphatics. Viewing the dry sample will also reveal whether organs have toxicity or functionality. "When disease or toxins are present in the dry sample, they change the coagulation of the blood," Rowe says. The dry sample will also reconfirm what was initially seen in the live sample.
"At that point, I can suggest what vitamins, minerals or herbs might make the client feel better," Rowe says. "We analyze and suggest, rather than diagnose and prescribe, We are not doctors and we will not diagnose and prescribe chemical drugs to treat symptoms of somethingitis. And at no time are we suggesting we can cure a disease." Using a cancer client as an example, Rowe explains her role as a blood analyst. "A cancer patient will come to me, and ask if there is an alternative therapy I can't necessarily cure the cancer, but I can help this individual by helping their body deal with the disease, and possibly sustain life," Rowe says. She continues: "We help the body itself fight disease, and we're not adding drugs. We suggest going back to the old way of doing things, by eating pure foods and taking natural supplements. Perhaps then, we can return the body to homeostasis."
Blood analysis is not an expensive proposition. It is relatively quick, and can look at anomalies often not considered as part of traditional method blood testing. "Our ultimate goal is to help the individual understand their health, and what can improve it, so they can help themselves and help their body fight disease," Rowe concludes.
Health and Natural Lifestyles / Phone: (403)212-6077
