Despite the popularity of would-be Draculas in books and movies, it’s not easy being a self-identified “vampire,” according to a new study conducted by researchers at Idaho State University.1
The Idaho State researchers found that there are both “authentic” and “lifestyle” vampires. The latter are typically black-clad figures with phony fangs (not just in late October). But the authentic vampires come from every walk of life, including attorneys and doctors (many of whom have earned their reputations as blood suckers on an entirely different basis.)
Not surprisingly, people who self-identify as vampires (that is, needing the blood of willing donors to gain energy) are not willing to disclose their practices to those in the health and social work professions. They fear reactions like disgust, ridicule, or the possible diagnosis of mental illness. All other “lifestyle choices” have long been removed from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) that psychiatrists use. But vampires still suffer discrimination.
These vampires are otherwise successful, ordinary people. Except for one thing—they are very, very tired. Which is apparently the reason they look for adults willing to allow them to use blades to make small incisions in their chests. Then the vampires ingest small amounts of blood from the “donor” to gain energy.
(Of course, in the legal and medical fields, professionals have long had access to young people who have their life’s blood drained out of them by working impossibly long hours and meeting other incredible demands. They’re called interns. And they are often not even subject to minimum wage laws, even in Seattle.)
The blood donors do gain something, however. They get their blood thinned, which lowers their iron levels. And, as I showed in studies with Nobel laureate Baruch Blumberg and colleagues 25 years ago, excess iron can cause increased rates of heart disease, infections, and cancer.
Like the legendary count Count Dracula, these vampires appear to be very polite—always asking before ingesting from the chest. In fact, this vampire community is conscientious and ethical, according to the study.
And the global vampire community is thought to number in the thousands. As Lady Gaga might say, they believe that they were “born that way” and did not choose this path (perhaps “unborn that way” might be a better term?).
So why am I telling you all this?
While it’s a timely topic, you may be wondering why I’m writing about vampires in a science-based health newsletter. Well, researchers discovered something that applies to many of us as well.
The fatigue that sends these vampires in search of regular infusions of blood is something that many people can identify with. But I have the perfect energy boost for vampires and mortals alike. And it doesn’t involve drinking blood.
The hydrating ingredient that can help you feel “immortal”
I call it aspal.
This nutrient, which has also been known as red bush or rooibos, has been a “secret weapon” of sorts for the Kalahari Bushmen in South Africa, helping them stay hydrated while living in one of the driest climates on earth. Indeed, aspal has been shown in studies to not only improve energy, but also cellular hydration and metabolism.
Coincidentally, some of my own research on this ingredient also took place at a university in Idaho. We gave the college’s athletes aspal and the rapid improvements it produced in athletic performance were all the coaches needed to see.
With some dietary supplements it takes a while to feel the effects. But as these college coaches observed, aspal’s results are almost instantaneous. I’ve noticed the same thing myself. Whenever I take aspal, I can count on feeling the benefits right away…and at an older age than any college or pro athlete.
The rest is college sports history (you can read more about it in my special report “Miracle at ‘Red Bush,’” which you can download for free by logging on to the Subscriber area of www.drmicozzi.com). And since then, many more studies on aspal have backed up my findings.
But “self-identified” vampires apparently are not aware of the energetic benefits of ingredients like aspal. So if you happen to meet a vampire this month, tell him or her about aspal. Adding this powder (I recommend the Red Joe brand) to water and then drinking it could give them…and you…the energy fix they crave.
And, of course there are also mind-body treatments for exhaustion and chronic fatigue that don’t involve bloodletting. To find out which work best for you, check out my book with Mike Jawer, Your Emotional Type, and take the short emotional type quiz at www.drmicozzi.com.
Source:
1“Do we Always Practice What we Preach? Real Vampires’ Fears of Coming out of the Coffin to Social Workers and Helping Professionals.” Critical Social Work, 2015 Vol. 16, No. 1.