We are blessed to be able to choose from many varieties of mushrooms to eat or take in supplements that contain medicinal mushrooms, and researchers are continually discovering more and more health benefits linked to mushrooms. Full of vitamins, minerals, and other natural substances, mushrooms are particularly beneficial when it comes to strengthening the immune system.
Some exciting studies have shown that the use of certain types of medicinal mushrooms can greatly aid cancer patients, especially those undergoing conventional therapies such as chemo or radiation. Mushrooms can provide support that directly fights cancer and indirectly protects the body from the harmful side effects of such therapies as well. The article below gives an overview of mushroom types and their effects, and also provides some excellent recipes and cooking tips for preparing mushrooms. Take some time to leisurely enjoy a meal that includes mushrooms, just one of many ways that eating naturally can help us pursue wellness.
Mushrooms: Friendly Fungi
By: Miriam Horowitz, RD, CDEPublished: Thursday, May 29, 2008
Recently I have been asked: Are there any nutritional benefits to mushrooms? The answer is yes.
There are many types of edible mushrooms. Among the most popular are white "button" mushrooms, cremini, portobellos, shiitakes, oysters, enokis, porcini, and maitakes. These are only a fraction of those that exist in nature, both cultivated and wild.
Mushrooms are a nutritious "vegetable" (yes, actually they are fungi). They provide nutrients including B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, selenium, and potassium. Mushrooms are extensively studied for their antioxidant benefits. Many mushrooms are believed to contain powerful immune modulating agents (meaning that they help support the immune system).
Mushrooms have been used in Chinese and Japanese remedies for centuries. Mushroom extracts are routinely utilized in Japan in conjunction with chemotherapy in cancer patients, both to inhibit tumor growth and to reduce chemotherapy side effects. These extracts are being studied in Western medicine, as well. The Japanese doctors claim that the mushroom extracts have successfully strengthened immune systems, have prevented recurrence of cancer in patients, and play a role in preventative health. There is some Western research-based evidence that supports these claims.
There is growing evidence in animal studies that specific properties in mushrooms -- specifically in shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms -- stimulate immune response, especially against cancer and tumor cells. Some researchers believe mushrooms can aid in reducing cholesterol (by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the blood). This research is very exciting and promising. More evidence is necessary to support the routine medicinal use of mushrooms. Currently, there is no federal regulation of mushroom supplements; therefore, the quality of the supplements available is variable.
So, should mushrooms be included in daily diets? We know that mushrooms are low in calories and sodium, and are virtually fat-free. Mushrooms are a source of fiber and contain essential vitamins and minerals. The selenium found in mushrooms provides antioxidant benefits. Selenium is only one of many antioxidants already isolated in mushrooms. Based on these attributes alone, mushrooms qualify as an "all the time" food. The added proposed immune benefits and cardiovascular benefits are a potential bonus that can only improve one's health.
Furthermore, mushrooms offer great flavor, texture, and aroma. They are a great accompaniment to many different main dishes, soups, sauces, and salads. Choosing a variety of fresh or dried mushrooms is important, as they offer different properties. Shiitake mushrooms are among the most studied and have proven health benefits.
The following are great ways to include mushrooms into typical meals:
* Toss large and juicy portobello mushrooms on the grill for a delicious meaty side dish that is low in calories or as a burger alternative.
* Add sauteed sliced mushrooms to brown rice or kasha.
* Stir-fry shiitake mushrooms with some garlic and mix in some multigrain angel-hair pasta.
* Top some chicken breast or fish fillets with sauteed mushrooms and onions. * Add mushrooms to egg whites for a great-tasting omelet.
* Mushrooms work great in red sauce; include them in your marinara sauce or favorite meatball recipe.
While it is unknown to us now how many fresh or dried mushrooms one must eat to actually gain the potent immune responses, clearly mushrooms are worth eating on a regular basis. So experiment with the variety of fresh and exotic mushrooms available. It may prove more than just delicious in years to come.
http://www.5tjt.com/news/read.asp?Id=2494
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Don't Settle for Ongoing Fatigue
Most doctors, such as the one who penned the article below, will tell you that fatigue is one of the most common complaints from their patients. The reasons why so many individuals in this country consistently struggle with being overtired are many, and this article sums up a few of the most typical factors behind fatigue.
In some cases, there is a legitimate medical reason behind fatigue. But most of the time this lack of energy can be reversed by making lifestyle changes that might include getting better sleep, a more nutritious diet, drinking more pure water, and getting plenty of exercise. Poor bowel health is another major cause of fatigue. The digestive system is designed to efficiently absorb nutrients and eliminate waste products from the body, and when this does not occur, many health problems can result, fatigue being one of them. The bottom line is that we don't have to drag through life like we are carrying a piano on our backs. Fatigue is a warning sign that things are seriously out of balance in your body, and may be a wake up call that can lead to wellness if you are wise enough hear it and make a few changes that can dramatically improve your energy levels and overall health.
Are You Tired of Being Tired?
by Leigh Erin Connealy, M.D.
Are you one of the millions of Americans who are always tired? Do you feel that you can never catch up on your sleep or your energy reserves have been permanently depleted? Do you wonder if you will ever return to your normal self again?
If you're like most people you probably assume that your fatigue is the result of a hectic lifestyle, but what if it isn't? What if your fatigue is a symptom of something more serious than the every day chaos of life? And, by the same token, what if there was a way to reverse the fatigue by addressing the root cause?
Fatigue is one of the top ten complaints I hear from my patients. By definition, fatigue is more than simply feeling sleepy. Fatigue is the constant sensation of being tired or lethargic and is often accompanied by a feeling of weariness and a lack of energy. Normal fatigue happens to all of us, at times when we are sick with a cold or flu, putting long hours in at the office or after exercising hard. You may also experience normal fatigue when you fail to exercise, are bored or when you simply are not getting enough sleep. These types of fatigue can all be reversed with the proper amount of rest and generally do not last longer than a few days.
Fatigue lasting longer than 2 weeks is defined as abnormal and should be evaluated by a health care provider. Fatigue is a sign that something is not functioning properly within your body and should be addressed immediately. Since there are various causes of fatigue, your physician will ask you a panel of questions designed to determine your specific health problem or problems. Fatigue can be a complex condition and often times there is more than one issue at the root of the problem.
Some of the more common causes of abnormal fatigue range from mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, respiratory or cardiovascular impairment, less thyroid, chronic infections, hormone imbalances, poor nutrition and adrenal gland depletion. Here is a brief overview of just some of the health problems that could be causing your fatigue.
Mental Health Issues
One commonality shared between anxiety, depression and stress is that they all tend to result in fatigue. With anxiety, you often are not getting the proper amount of sleep at night. Depression may cause you to have disruptive sleep or to sleep more than your body requires, both of which will cause fatigue. People with chronic stress are in a persistent state of fight or flight, overtaxing their adrenal glands which takes a dangerous toll on all of the body's systems. As a result, the cardiovascular, digestive, adrenal glands, neurotransmitters and respiratory systems are all being affected. This can upset the body's balance of hormones such as Cortisol and Melatonin and neurotransmitters, Serotonin, Epinephrine, glutamate, histamine, Norepinephrine, GABA and PEA levels leading to a state of constant fatigue
Respiratory & Cardiovascular Impairment
Any time your heart or lungs are failing to work properly or at their optimal performance levels you will experience a feeling of fatigue. The reason behind this is that your heart and lungs are chiefly responsible for the circulation of oxygen-rich blood to all of the organs in your body. This oxygen-rich blood is necessary to maintain healthy energy levels. While the cause of fatigue might be something serious such as Coronary Artery Disease or heart failure, it could also be something as simple as allergies, such as hay fever or asthma, which can limit the amount of air that is coming into your body.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are a common problem in today's society with approximately 40 million Americans living with some form of sleep disturbance. If you're suffering from insomnia (difficultly falling asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) then you are more than aware of the problem. The same is true with Restless Leg Syndrome, a condition that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. However, you could be suffering from the disorder Sleep Apnea and not even be aware of it. Sleep Apnea causes you to stop breathing for at least 10 seconds at a time while you are sleeping. This interruption in breathing usually occurs more than 20 times during each hour that you are asleep. The condition, which is associated with aging, obesity and depression, is a major risk factor for stroke and heart attack and should be taken very seriously.
Lack of Exercise
Lack of exercise leads to a health problem called "deconditioning" wherein the organs of the body begin to deteriorate resulting in fatigue. Researchers studied athletes at the top of their health and found their organs began deteriorating within 24 hours after the end of physical activity. The same research team found even mild exercise could counteract the deconditioning response. This discovery has been especially useful to patients confined to bed rest, but can also apply to those who live a sedentary lifestyle.
Pain
Pain is a complex problem that can cause fatigue in many different ways. Fatigue may be caused by sleep disruptions associated with chronic pain or the deconditioning that results from being confined to a bed. Pain can also lead to isolation which can cause depression and, thereby, fatigue.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition can take many forms, from simply not getting enough nutrients from the foods that you consume, to more serious concerns such as eating disorders or problems with your digestive system. The immune system is the first body function hit by the lack of proper nutrients, resulting in disease and fatigue, unless the problem is reversed.
Thyroid Disorder
The thyroid gland regulates the rate of your body's metabolism and, consequently, energy levels. If your thyroid is failing to produce enough hormones your metabolism slows down, resulting in feelings of sluggishness, as well as weight gain, a condition called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a common problem in America and affects nearly 11 million Americans.
While this list is far from comprehensive, it is a good example of how complex the problem of fatigue can be. Discovering the underlying cause of your fatigue will not only put you back on the path to your old, energetic self again but it could also be the beginning to restoring your health!
If you are experiencing fatigue that has lasted longer than 2 weeks, schedule an appointment with your health care provider today and stop your fatigue in its tracks.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023305.html
In some cases, there is a legitimate medical reason behind fatigue. But most of the time this lack of energy can be reversed by making lifestyle changes that might include getting better sleep, a more nutritious diet, drinking more pure water, and getting plenty of exercise. Poor bowel health is another major cause of fatigue. The digestive system is designed to efficiently absorb nutrients and eliminate waste products from the body, and when this does not occur, many health problems can result, fatigue being one of them. The bottom line is that we don't have to drag through life like we are carrying a piano on our backs. Fatigue is a warning sign that things are seriously out of balance in your body, and may be a wake up call that can lead to wellness if you are wise enough hear it and make a few changes that can dramatically improve your energy levels and overall health.
Are You Tired of Being Tired?
by Leigh Erin Connealy, M.D.
Are you one of the millions of Americans who are always tired? Do you feel that you can never catch up on your sleep or your energy reserves have been permanently depleted? Do you wonder if you will ever return to your normal self again?
If you're like most people you probably assume that your fatigue is the result of a hectic lifestyle, but what if it isn't? What if your fatigue is a symptom of something more serious than the every day chaos of life? And, by the same token, what if there was a way to reverse the fatigue by addressing the root cause?
Fatigue is one of the top ten complaints I hear from my patients. By definition, fatigue is more than simply feeling sleepy. Fatigue is the constant sensation of being tired or lethargic and is often accompanied by a feeling of weariness and a lack of energy. Normal fatigue happens to all of us, at times when we are sick with a cold or flu, putting long hours in at the office or after exercising hard. You may also experience normal fatigue when you fail to exercise, are bored or when you simply are not getting enough sleep. These types of fatigue can all be reversed with the proper amount of rest and generally do not last longer than a few days.
Fatigue lasting longer than 2 weeks is defined as abnormal and should be evaluated by a health care provider. Fatigue is a sign that something is not functioning properly within your body and should be addressed immediately. Since there are various causes of fatigue, your physician will ask you a panel of questions designed to determine your specific health problem or problems. Fatigue can be a complex condition and often times there is more than one issue at the root of the problem.
Some of the more common causes of abnormal fatigue range from mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, respiratory or cardiovascular impairment, less thyroid, chronic infections, hormone imbalances, poor nutrition and adrenal gland depletion. Here is a brief overview of just some of the health problems that could be causing your fatigue.
Mental Health Issues
One commonality shared between anxiety, depression and stress is that they all tend to result in fatigue. With anxiety, you often are not getting the proper amount of sleep at night. Depression may cause you to have disruptive sleep or to sleep more than your body requires, both of which will cause fatigue. People with chronic stress are in a persistent state of fight or flight, overtaxing their adrenal glands which takes a dangerous toll on all of the body's systems. As a result, the cardiovascular, digestive, adrenal glands, neurotransmitters and respiratory systems are all being affected. This can upset the body's balance of hormones such as Cortisol and Melatonin and neurotransmitters, Serotonin, Epinephrine, glutamate, histamine, Norepinephrine, GABA and PEA levels leading to a state of constant fatigue
Respiratory & Cardiovascular Impairment
Any time your heart or lungs are failing to work properly or at their optimal performance levels you will experience a feeling of fatigue. The reason behind this is that your heart and lungs are chiefly responsible for the circulation of oxygen-rich blood to all of the organs in your body. This oxygen-rich blood is necessary to maintain healthy energy levels. While the cause of fatigue might be something serious such as Coronary Artery Disease or heart failure, it could also be something as simple as allergies, such as hay fever or asthma, which can limit the amount of air that is coming into your body.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are a common problem in today's society with approximately 40 million Americans living with some form of sleep disturbance. If you're suffering from insomnia (difficultly falling asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) then you are more than aware of the problem. The same is true with Restless Leg Syndrome, a condition that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. However, you could be suffering from the disorder Sleep Apnea and not even be aware of it. Sleep Apnea causes you to stop breathing for at least 10 seconds at a time while you are sleeping. This interruption in breathing usually occurs more than 20 times during each hour that you are asleep. The condition, which is associated with aging, obesity and depression, is a major risk factor for stroke and heart attack and should be taken very seriously.
Lack of Exercise
Lack of exercise leads to a health problem called "deconditioning" wherein the organs of the body begin to deteriorate resulting in fatigue. Researchers studied athletes at the top of their health and found their organs began deteriorating within 24 hours after the end of physical activity. The same research team found even mild exercise could counteract the deconditioning response. This discovery has been especially useful to patients confined to bed rest, but can also apply to those who live a sedentary lifestyle.
Pain
Pain is a complex problem that can cause fatigue in many different ways. Fatigue may be caused by sleep disruptions associated with chronic pain or the deconditioning that results from being confined to a bed. Pain can also lead to isolation which can cause depression and, thereby, fatigue.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition can take many forms, from simply not getting enough nutrients from the foods that you consume, to more serious concerns such as eating disorders or problems with your digestive system. The immune system is the first body function hit by the lack of proper nutrients, resulting in disease and fatigue, unless the problem is reversed.
Thyroid Disorder
The thyroid gland regulates the rate of your body's metabolism and, consequently, energy levels. If your thyroid is failing to produce enough hormones your metabolism slows down, resulting in feelings of sluggishness, as well as weight gain, a condition called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a common problem in America and affects nearly 11 million Americans.
While this list is far from comprehensive, it is a good example of how complex the problem of fatigue can be. Discovering the underlying cause of your fatigue will not only put you back on the path to your old, energetic self again but it could also be the beginning to restoring your health!
If you are experiencing fatigue that has lasted longer than 2 weeks, schedule an appointment with your health care provider today and stop your fatigue in its tracks.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023305.html
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Senior Citizens Endangered by Medications
If you have an elderly relative or friend, it is essential to stay on top of what medications doctors may prescribe for them. A study outlined in the article below indicates that certain antipsychotic drugs that are commonly given to such individuals can have deadly consequences. Just as a parent must be very aware of how their children are treated medically, seniors may need our help to protect them from unwanted, unneeded, or hazardous use of medications.
Unfortunately, especially in group settings like some nursing homes, the wholesale use of such drugs can be quite common. These psychiatric medications can have numerous harmful side effects, and we as a society have reaped the consequences of them in recent years with epidemic levels of mindless violence, mostly amongst our youth. It now appears that individuals at the other end of the age spectrum are victimized by these pharmaceuticals as well. Shame on us if drugging our seniors for the sake of conformity and social compliance is considered "healthcare."
Antipsychotics given for dementia pose risks: study
Mon May 26, 4:02 PM ET
Elderly dementia patients prescribed antipsychotic drugs are at three times the risk of a serious health problem or dying within a month of treatment, compared to those not given the drugs, Canadian researchers said on Monday.
The medications have been used by doctors to treat aggression in people who are not psychotic or schizophrenic, but there are risks for elderly dementia patients prescribed the drugs, according to Dr. Paula Rochon of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto, and colleagues.
"Of residents newly admitted to a nursing home, 17 percent are started on antipsychotic drugs within 100 days of their admission," often for short periods to control delirium, delusions or aggressive behavior, Rochon wrote.
"Antipsychotic drugs should be prescribed with caution even for short-term therapy," she concluded in the report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Three years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required warnings on antipsychotic drugs notifying patients and doctors of the risks of heart problems or infections in elderly dementia patients.
Previous research has suggested the drugs cause dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, which can lead to pneumonia. Side effects such as dizziness can increase the risk of falls.
The seven-year study of more than 40,000 people age 65 or older -- half in nursing homes -- found 5.2 percent of the nursing homes residents died within a month of being given one of the newer class of so-called atypical antipsychotic drugs.
By comparison, 3.3 percent of residents who did not take the drugs died within a month. Among community-dwelling patients, nearly 14 percent taking the drugs suffered a "serious health event" within 30 days, compared to about 4 percent not on the drugs.
Atypical antipsychotic drugs, which the study said had been available for about a decade, include risperidone, marketed by Johnson & Johnson as Risperdal; olanzapine, made by Eli Lilly and Co under the brand name Zyprexa; and quetiapine, sold by AstraZeneca Plc under the brand name Seroquel.
An older class of "conventional" antipsychotic drugs that includes haloperidol, marketed by Johnson & Johnson as Haldol, posed even higher risks -- four times the risk -- of serious health problems or death, the study found.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080526/hl_nm/dementia_antipsychotics_dc_1&printer=1;_ylt=AimICjADeNH.PTR7DCGAIEQR.3QA
Unfortunately, especially in group settings like some nursing homes, the wholesale use of such drugs can be quite common. These psychiatric medications can have numerous harmful side effects, and we as a society have reaped the consequences of them in recent years with epidemic levels of mindless violence, mostly amongst our youth. It now appears that individuals at the other end of the age spectrum are victimized by these pharmaceuticals as well. Shame on us if drugging our seniors for the sake of conformity and social compliance is considered "healthcare."
Antipsychotics given for dementia pose risks: study
Mon May 26, 4:02 PM ET
Elderly dementia patients prescribed antipsychotic drugs are at three times the risk of a serious health problem or dying within a month of treatment, compared to those not given the drugs, Canadian researchers said on Monday.
The medications have been used by doctors to treat aggression in people who are not psychotic or schizophrenic, but there are risks for elderly dementia patients prescribed the drugs, according to Dr. Paula Rochon of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto, and colleagues.
"Of residents newly admitted to a nursing home, 17 percent are started on antipsychotic drugs within 100 days of their admission," often for short periods to control delirium, delusions or aggressive behavior, Rochon wrote.
"Antipsychotic drugs should be prescribed with caution even for short-term therapy," she concluded in the report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Three years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required warnings on antipsychotic drugs notifying patients and doctors of the risks of heart problems or infections in elderly dementia patients.
Previous research has suggested the drugs cause dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, which can lead to pneumonia. Side effects such as dizziness can increase the risk of falls.
The seven-year study of more than 40,000 people age 65 or older -- half in nursing homes -- found 5.2 percent of the nursing homes residents died within a month of being given one of the newer class of so-called atypical antipsychotic drugs.
By comparison, 3.3 percent of residents who did not take the drugs died within a month. Among community-dwelling patients, nearly 14 percent taking the drugs suffered a "serious health event" within 30 days, compared to about 4 percent not on the drugs.
Atypical antipsychotic drugs, which the study said had been available for about a decade, include risperidone, marketed by Johnson & Johnson as Risperdal; olanzapine, made by Eli Lilly and Co under the brand name Zyprexa; and quetiapine, sold by AstraZeneca Plc under the brand name Seroquel.
An older class of "conventional" antipsychotic drugs that includes haloperidol, marketed by Johnson & Johnson as Haldol, posed even higher risks -- four times the risk -- of serious health problems or death, the study found.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080526/hl_nm/dementia_antipsychotics_dc_1&printer=1;_ylt=AimICjADeNH.PTR7DCGAIEQR.3QA
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Back to Basics: Fiber and Water
Sometimes it is good to review dietary fundamentals that lead towards wellness and can help us to prevent disease, especially in this crazy modern world of ours. The article below reminds us of the necessity of natural fiber in our diets, and briefly touches on the benefits of plenty of fluids as well.
Providing the body with sufficient fiber and plenty of pure, clean water are two steps we can all take that will greatly bolster our overall health. Keeping the intestinal tract in optimal working order enables better absorption of nutrients and efficient elimination of waste products as well. Both of these factors are critical to a lifestyle of wellness especially since constipation is at epidemic highs. Following these simple guidelines can produce more energy, leading to a better quality of life, and also play a major role in defeating many debilitating diseases. Additional suggestions regarding intestinal health include a regular digestive tract cleansing routine along with the use of a natural probiotic product that can help maintain beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Living Nutrition: Common Sense and Fiber Are Very Uncommon
By Lydia Gehring
Horace Greeley supposedly said "common sense is very uncommon." This statement comes to mind when I read that increasing fiber in the diet is the next big health trend.
High fiber, as a dietary trend, is not new. Until the Industrial Revolution introduced the milling and refining of foods, most people ate significant amounts of fiber in their daily bread, along with beans, grains, vegetables and fruits.
Dining in the 21st century does not include a lot of fiber. Our habits include fast foods with a small amount of iceberg lettuce and peeled potatoes fried in grease. The fiber from wheat to make sandwich buns is refined out, and whole-wheat bread with the fiber intact often costs more. Go figure the common sense in that process.
It is pretty clear that modern diners have trouble getting enough fiber. The best sources of fiber are whole cereal grains and beans, both of which pack more fiber per ounce than any other commonly eaten plant-based foods. Both of which are seriously restricted on many diet plans and fast-food menus. I will give Taco Bell credit for providing refried beans on their menu. They are a very high source of fiber.
Whole grains and beans that are cooked in water are very filling because the fiber and water are slower to digest. This is due to the 'wholeness' of the grain or bean, which requires much more time and digestive enzyme activity to break down into a useable form compared to the pulverized processed grain or bean. This lengthy digestive action causes a much slower rise in blood sugar and less muscle resistance of insulin. In short terms, a diet high in fiber is a healthy way to control blood sugars and avoid weight gain.
Just as sticks, leaves and tree branches scour the stream banks after a sudden thunder storm, fiber in the digestive tract helps to eliminate wastes from the body. John Harvey Kellogg, son of a Battle Creek, Mich., broommaker, advised for consuming fiber because "it would 'sweep' the bowels clean." The longer the waste sits in the lower end of the digestive tract, the harder and slower the waste becomes. Sweeping the bowels clean with fiber at least every 1-2 days is a healthy body function. Now that makes sense.
Fluid has a vital role in digestion. It carries body waste from the kidneys to the bowels. There the waste water is absorbed by the fiber and eliminated. The process is not rocket science. Fiber and fluid are vehicles of disposal. It makes a lot of sense to me. Why do people avoid fluids and fiber?
Healthy meals and well-balanced nutrition should be the next big trend, not just one component of nutrition. Increasing dietary fiber makes sense.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1397275/living_nutrition_common_sense_and_fiber_are_very_uncommon/#
Providing the body with sufficient fiber and plenty of pure, clean water are two steps we can all take that will greatly bolster our overall health. Keeping the intestinal tract in optimal working order enables better absorption of nutrients and efficient elimination of waste products as well. Both of these factors are critical to a lifestyle of wellness especially since constipation is at epidemic highs. Following these simple guidelines can produce more energy, leading to a better quality of life, and also play a major role in defeating many debilitating diseases. Additional suggestions regarding intestinal health include a regular digestive tract cleansing routine along with the use of a natural probiotic product that can help maintain beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Living Nutrition: Common Sense and Fiber Are Very Uncommon
By Lydia Gehring
Horace Greeley supposedly said "common sense is very uncommon." This statement comes to mind when I read that increasing fiber in the diet is the next big health trend.
High fiber, as a dietary trend, is not new. Until the Industrial Revolution introduced the milling and refining of foods, most people ate significant amounts of fiber in their daily bread, along with beans, grains, vegetables and fruits.
Dining in the 21st century does not include a lot of fiber. Our habits include fast foods with a small amount of iceberg lettuce and peeled potatoes fried in grease. The fiber from wheat to make sandwich buns is refined out, and whole-wheat bread with the fiber intact often costs more. Go figure the common sense in that process.
It is pretty clear that modern diners have trouble getting enough fiber. The best sources of fiber are whole cereal grains and beans, both of which pack more fiber per ounce than any other commonly eaten plant-based foods. Both of which are seriously restricted on many diet plans and fast-food menus. I will give Taco Bell credit for providing refried beans on their menu. They are a very high source of fiber.
Whole grains and beans that are cooked in water are very filling because the fiber and water are slower to digest. This is due to the 'wholeness' of the grain or bean, which requires much more time and digestive enzyme activity to break down into a useable form compared to the pulverized processed grain or bean. This lengthy digestive action causes a much slower rise in blood sugar and less muscle resistance of insulin. In short terms, a diet high in fiber is a healthy way to control blood sugars and avoid weight gain.
Just as sticks, leaves and tree branches scour the stream banks after a sudden thunder storm, fiber in the digestive tract helps to eliminate wastes from the body. John Harvey Kellogg, son of a Battle Creek, Mich., broommaker, advised for consuming fiber because "it would 'sweep' the bowels clean." The longer the waste sits in the lower end of the digestive tract, the harder and slower the waste becomes. Sweeping the bowels clean with fiber at least every 1-2 days is a healthy body function. Now that makes sense.
Fluid has a vital role in digestion. It carries body waste from the kidneys to the bowels. There the waste water is absorbed by the fiber and eliminated. The process is not rocket science. Fiber and fluid are vehicles of disposal. It makes a lot of sense to me. Why do people avoid fluids and fiber?
Healthy meals and well-balanced nutrition should be the next big trend, not just one component of nutrition. Increasing dietary fiber makes sense.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1397275/living_nutrition_common_sense_and_fiber_are_very_uncommon/#
Friday, May 23, 2008
Enjoy Garden Veggies for Taste and Wellness
It's that wonderful time of year when we have the pleasure of getting out into the garden again, which is what many of us will probably spend some time doing this first holiday weekend of the season. Below is a rundown of some of the fantastic health advantages available by eating fresh, preferably organic, vegetables, most of which can be grown at home. Also included are a couple of delicious recipes.
As the author points out, consuming these items together can exponentially increase the power of antioxidants and other compounds. Eating such foods also tends to decrease acidity in the body, which is critical to reducing inflammation and creating an atmosphere that resists disease instead of encouraging it. If you are looking for something to serve at a holiday get-together this weekend, you may want to try one of these recipes. You can wow your guests and put in a good word for wellness to boot. Enjoy!
Health Benefits of Guacamole and the Science of Salsa
by Neil McLaughlin
(NaturalNews) Whether you are seeking treatment, prevention or just flavor, look no further than raw salsa and homemade guacamole. Teeming with enzymes and highly alkalizing, the ingredients in these dishes contain over 120 known health benefits and most can be grown in a home garden. In this article, we will first review the benefits of each component and then provide two simple recipes.
Tomato - Solanum Lycopersicum (Solanaceae)
Tomato contains the antioxidant Lycophene, a phytonutrient along with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, Calcium and Niacin. Tomato works to purify the blood and improves skin clarity while reducing cholesterol, gallstones, hemorrhages and liver congestion. Tomato offers unique benefits in raw, cooked or canned form. Tomato has antiseptic properties and helps fight cancer of the prostate and colon.
Pepper - Capsicum spp. (Solanaceae)
Pepper contains the antioxidant Capsaicin, a crystalline alkaloid that relieves allergies, pain, ulcers, colitis, headaches and congestion. Eating peppers reduces cholesterol, blood clotting and the rate of stroke while increasing metabolism. Peppers have antibacterial properties and help fight cancer of the thyroid, stomach, intestine and prostate.
Onion - Allium Cepa (Liliaceae)
Onion contains antioxidant Quercetin, a flavenoid along with vitamin C, vitamin E, Potassium, Fiber and Folic Acid. Onion relieves congestion and allergy symptoms along with reducing cholesterol, cataracts, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Consuming onion helps remove heavy metals from the body. Onion has antimicrobial properties and helps fight cancer of the ovaries, breast, lung and bladder.
Garlic - Allium Sativum (Liliaceae)
Garlic contains the antioxidant Allicin (a compound formed from alliin and allinase when the cloves are is crushed or bruised). Consuming garlic lowers blood pressure and cholesterol while cleansing the liver. Garlic offers unique benefits when consumed in raw, cooked or aged form. Garlic has antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-parasitic properties and helps fight stomach cancer.
Cilantro - Coriandrum Sativum (Umbelliferae)
Cilantro contains several antioxidants including borneo, camphor, carvone, elemol, geraniol, limonene, and linalool. Cilantro is a natural internal and external deodorizer. Cilantro (whose seeds are called Coriander) relieves nausea, indigestion and bloating along with urinary tract infections. Consuming cilantro helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar while removing heavy metal levels including mercury. Cilantro has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (killing salmonella).
Cumin - Cuminum (Apiaceae)
Cumin comes in seed and powder form and contains Iron. Consuming cumin helps improve digestion and strengthens the immune system. Cumin is an antioxidant and helps fight cancer of the liver.
Lemon Juice - Citrus Limon (Rutaceae)
Lemon juice contains vitamin C and (when fresh) has an alkalizing effect on the system. Lemon relieves stomach discomfort and removes gallstones (when mixed with olive oil). Consuming lemon helps prevent osteoarthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis and kidney stones. Lemon has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties and is a great natural cleaning agent.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Olea Europaea (Oleaceae)
Olive Oil (from the first cold pressing) contains Oleic acid, a healthy (monounsaturated omega-0) fatty acid. Olive oil, found in the Mediterranean diet, helps reduce blood pressure, asthma and arthritis inflammation. Consuming olive oil helps prevent and treat diabetis while increasing metabolism. Olive oil helps fight cancer of the breast and ovaries.
Apple Cider Vinegar - Malus Domestica (Rosaceae)
Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar contains the Mother, an enzyme chain long regarded as a cure-all and taken by Hippocrates himself. Apple cider vinegar helps relieve gout, acid reflux and arthritis symptoms. Consuming apple cider vinegar helps reduce cholesterol, calcium deposits, acne, allergies, and blood sugar while reducing allergies, food poisoning and muscle fatigue. Cider vinegar soothes a sore throat, strengthens the immune system and improves stamina and metabolism.
Avocado - Persea Americana (Lauraceae)
Avocado contains Lutein, a carotenoid along with vitamin E, monounsaturated (healthy) fat and Magnesium. Consuming avocado helps improve the absorption of the nutrients in other foods. Avocado improves skin clarity and tone. Avocado helps fight cancer of the mouth, breast and prostate.
Lime Juice - Citrus Aurantifolia (Rutaceae)
Lime juice contains Potassium and helps cleanse the blood and liver. Lime juice has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties and strengthens the immune system.
Gray Sea Salt - Sodium Chloride
Gray sea salt contains many trace minerals. Sea salt stabilizes the heartbeat and blood sugar level. Sea salt helps generate hydroelectric energy, improves absorption and nerve cell communication. Sea salt relieves the lungs and sinuses.
Recipes
Now that you know how powerful these foods are you can imagine how many synergistic benefits there may be. The following recipes use each ingredient discussed. Recent studies have underscored the benefits of combining many different antioxidants into one synergistic blend.
Recipe for Salsa Fresca
Ingredients:
*4 tomatoes (choose two varieties).
*1 onion (your choice of color).
*2 peppers (your choice of type and temperature).
*2 cloves garlic.
*1/2 cup cilantro (leaves and stems).
*1 Tbsp lemon juice.
*1 Tbsp olive oil.
*1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar.
*1 tsp cumin.
*1 tsp coriander.
Instructions:
*Mince garlic, cilantro, cumin and coriander.
*Add lemon, oil and vinegar to spice blend.
*Dice tomato, onion, garlic and add to spice blend.
*Blend ingredients together with potato masher.
*Cover 10 minutes and serve at room temperature.
Recipe for Guacamole
Ingredients:
*4 ripe (Hass) avocados.
*1/4 cup salsa fresca (see above).
*1 Tbsp lime juice.
*1/2 tsp Sea salt.
Instructions:
*Briefly stir together avocado and salsa.
*Top with lime juice and salt.
*Cover 30 minutes and serve chilled.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this article has not been evaluated by the FDA (or guacamole might be outlawed).
About the author
Neil McLaughlin is a Computer Scientist and Inventor specializing in 3D Graphics and Simulation.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023271.html
As the author points out, consuming these items together can exponentially increase the power of antioxidants and other compounds. Eating such foods also tends to decrease acidity in the body, which is critical to reducing inflammation and creating an atmosphere that resists disease instead of encouraging it. If you are looking for something to serve at a holiday get-together this weekend, you may want to try one of these recipes. You can wow your guests and put in a good word for wellness to boot. Enjoy!
Health Benefits of Guacamole and the Science of Salsa
by Neil McLaughlin
(NaturalNews) Whether you are seeking treatment, prevention or just flavor, look no further than raw salsa and homemade guacamole. Teeming with enzymes and highly alkalizing, the ingredients in these dishes contain over 120 known health benefits and most can be grown in a home garden. In this article, we will first review the benefits of each component and then provide two simple recipes.
Tomato - Solanum Lycopersicum (Solanaceae)
Tomato contains the antioxidant Lycophene, a phytonutrient along with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, Calcium and Niacin. Tomato works to purify the blood and improves skin clarity while reducing cholesterol, gallstones, hemorrhages and liver congestion. Tomato offers unique benefits in raw, cooked or canned form. Tomato has antiseptic properties and helps fight cancer of the prostate and colon.
Pepper - Capsicum spp. (Solanaceae)
Pepper contains the antioxidant Capsaicin, a crystalline alkaloid that relieves allergies, pain, ulcers, colitis, headaches and congestion. Eating peppers reduces cholesterol, blood clotting and the rate of stroke while increasing metabolism. Peppers have antibacterial properties and help fight cancer of the thyroid, stomach, intestine and prostate.
Onion - Allium Cepa (Liliaceae)
Onion contains antioxidant Quercetin, a flavenoid along with vitamin C, vitamin E, Potassium, Fiber and Folic Acid. Onion relieves congestion and allergy symptoms along with reducing cholesterol, cataracts, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Consuming onion helps remove heavy metals from the body. Onion has antimicrobial properties and helps fight cancer of the ovaries, breast, lung and bladder.
Garlic - Allium Sativum (Liliaceae)
Garlic contains the antioxidant Allicin (a compound formed from alliin and allinase when the cloves are is crushed or bruised). Consuming garlic lowers blood pressure and cholesterol while cleansing the liver. Garlic offers unique benefits when consumed in raw, cooked or aged form. Garlic has antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-parasitic properties and helps fight stomach cancer.
Cilantro - Coriandrum Sativum (Umbelliferae)
Cilantro contains several antioxidants including borneo, camphor, carvone, elemol, geraniol, limonene, and linalool. Cilantro is a natural internal and external deodorizer. Cilantro (whose seeds are called Coriander) relieves nausea, indigestion and bloating along with urinary tract infections. Consuming cilantro helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar while removing heavy metal levels including mercury. Cilantro has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (killing salmonella).
Cumin - Cuminum (Apiaceae)
Cumin comes in seed and powder form and contains Iron. Consuming cumin helps improve digestion and strengthens the immune system. Cumin is an antioxidant and helps fight cancer of the liver.
Lemon Juice - Citrus Limon (Rutaceae)
Lemon juice contains vitamin C and (when fresh) has an alkalizing effect on the system. Lemon relieves stomach discomfort and removes gallstones (when mixed with olive oil). Consuming lemon helps prevent osteoarthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis and kidney stones. Lemon has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties and is a great natural cleaning agent.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Olea Europaea (Oleaceae)
Olive Oil (from the first cold pressing) contains Oleic acid, a healthy (monounsaturated omega-0) fatty acid. Olive oil, found in the Mediterranean diet, helps reduce blood pressure, asthma and arthritis inflammation. Consuming olive oil helps prevent and treat diabetis while increasing metabolism. Olive oil helps fight cancer of the breast and ovaries.
Apple Cider Vinegar - Malus Domestica (Rosaceae)
Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar contains the Mother, an enzyme chain long regarded as a cure-all and taken by Hippocrates himself. Apple cider vinegar helps relieve gout, acid reflux and arthritis symptoms. Consuming apple cider vinegar helps reduce cholesterol, calcium deposits, acne, allergies, and blood sugar while reducing allergies, food poisoning and muscle fatigue. Cider vinegar soothes a sore throat, strengthens the immune system and improves stamina and metabolism.
Avocado - Persea Americana (Lauraceae)
Avocado contains Lutein, a carotenoid along with vitamin E, monounsaturated (healthy) fat and Magnesium. Consuming avocado helps improve the absorption of the nutrients in other foods. Avocado improves skin clarity and tone. Avocado helps fight cancer of the mouth, breast and prostate.
Lime Juice - Citrus Aurantifolia (Rutaceae)
Lime juice contains Potassium and helps cleanse the blood and liver. Lime juice has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties and strengthens the immune system.
Gray Sea Salt - Sodium Chloride
Gray sea salt contains many trace minerals. Sea salt stabilizes the heartbeat and blood sugar level. Sea salt helps generate hydroelectric energy, improves absorption and nerve cell communication. Sea salt relieves the lungs and sinuses.
Recipes
Now that you know how powerful these foods are you can imagine how many synergistic benefits there may be. The following recipes use each ingredient discussed. Recent studies have underscored the benefits of combining many different antioxidants into one synergistic blend.
Recipe for Salsa Fresca
Ingredients:
*4 tomatoes (choose two varieties).
*1 onion (your choice of color).
*2 peppers (your choice of type and temperature).
*2 cloves garlic.
*1/2 cup cilantro (leaves and stems).
*1 Tbsp lemon juice.
*1 Tbsp olive oil.
*1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar.
*1 tsp cumin.
*1 tsp coriander.
Instructions:
*Mince garlic, cilantro, cumin and coriander.
*Add lemon, oil and vinegar to spice blend.
*Dice tomato, onion, garlic and add to spice blend.
*Blend ingredients together with potato masher.
*Cover 10 minutes and serve at room temperature.
Recipe for Guacamole
Ingredients:
*4 ripe (Hass) avocados.
*1/4 cup salsa fresca (see above).
*1 Tbsp lime juice.
*1/2 tsp Sea salt.
Instructions:
*Briefly stir together avocado and salsa.
*Top with lime juice and salt.
*Cover 30 minutes and serve chilled.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this article has not been evaluated by the FDA (or guacamole might be outlawed).
About the author
Neil McLaughlin is a Computer Scientist and Inventor specializing in 3D Graphics and Simulation.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023271.html
Thursday, May 22, 2008
"Taking the Stairs" for Your Health
Yesterday on this blog we referenced an article that linked the trend in obesity to global warming, and discussed how reversing that trend could impact health and wellness worldwide. Below is an article that shows some very progressive thinking that provides a practical way people can begin to combat obesity without drastically interrupting their normal lifestyle and schedule (although sometimes drastic is definitely called for!). I think many people who live in "vertical" cities like New York believe the stairs are only there as an alternative to the elevator in case of a fire or power outage.
This story reminds me of a humorous picture I once saw of an escalator leading up to a health club located on the second story of a building. We here in America have long been spoiled by our modern conveniences that are designed to save us time and effort, but which only contribute to our sedentary lifestyle and resulting poor health. Choosing stairs over the elevator is not realistically applicable to all individuals, but it can help us to recognize simple ways that we can increase our daily activity. Combining this with other choices such as eating quality foods and consuming fewer calories can help to steer us in a direction that leads towards wellness and away from lethargy and disease.
May 20, 2008, 5:43 pm
These Stairs Were Made for Walking
By Jennifer 8. Lee
City officials seem awfully meddlesome with our weight these days. First Philadelphia challenged its residents to lose 76 tons in 76 days. Then Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg thought it was a good idea to remind us how many calories we consume each time we go to Starbucks.
Now New York's health commissioner is encouraging us to take the stairs because, simply put, we are getting fat. (After all, New Yorkers, we gained 10 million pounds in two years.)
To that effect, the city is introducing a green logo of a person taking the stairs with the mantra "Burn Calories, Not Electricity. Take the Stairs." (Killing obesity and global warming with one stone!) The health department says "visual prompts can boost stair use by more than 50 percent." If that is the case, the New York figure seems less athletic than the federal government stair climber, who appears to be bounding upward enthusiastically.
New York is as vertical a city as any in the United States, so taking the stairs to get somewhere seems practical. After all, we live in a nation where people drive to the gym to run on the treadmill and take the elevator to use the Stairmaster.
Stairs are really a nice simple form of exercise. Some of the other benefits the city trumpets:
*Stair climbing burns almost seven times the number of calories as standing in an elevator.
*Just two minutes of stair-climbing each day burns enough calories to eliminate the one pound an average adult gains each year.
*Men who climbed at least 20 floors a week (about 3 floors a day) had a 20 percent lower risk of stroke or death from all causes, in one study.
*Stair-climbing has been shown to raise good cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health
The city's Department of Design and Construction (who knew we had one?) is working with architects to emphasize stairs. They hope to making stairs more pleasant and inviting, perhaps by adding art or music. (Perhaps Muzak will come up with a stairs equivalent of elevator music?)
Some of New York's newly approved construction codes will also allow buildings to use certain tested fire-rated glass doors and smoke-activated automatic-closing devices, so many stairwells can stay visible and open.
What you are not likely to see: more stairs in general. Real estate developers don't like stairs because they take up space and don't generate rent.
To get a copy of the sign, building managers can call 311.
(The floors of the new New York Times building are linked together by flights of red stairwells. Officially this was supposed to "foster communication and animate the building from the outside," but perhaps management was making a pre-emptive comment about our weight, or saving us from the building's confusing "smart elevators.")
Perhaps the health department should work with other city agencies to get us all to climb stairs. The Buildings Department could be give breaks to landlords who need to fix decrepit and broken elevators. Courthouses could force people to choose between taking the stairs or an hour-long wait for the elevator, lest they miss their legal proceedings. The M.T.A. could spend a billion dollars on elevators and escalators that still constantly break down.
Or given that this is all already happening, maybe this is all a big government conspiracy to make us lose weight.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/20/these-stairs-were-made-for-walking/
This story reminds me of a humorous picture I once saw of an escalator leading up to a health club located on the second story of a building. We here in America have long been spoiled by our modern conveniences that are designed to save us time and effort, but which only contribute to our sedentary lifestyle and resulting poor health. Choosing stairs over the elevator is not realistically applicable to all individuals, but it can help us to recognize simple ways that we can increase our daily activity. Combining this with other choices such as eating quality foods and consuming fewer calories can help to steer us in a direction that leads towards wellness and away from lethargy and disease.
May 20, 2008, 5:43 pm
These Stairs Were Made for Walking
By Jennifer 8. Lee
City officials seem awfully meddlesome with our weight these days. First Philadelphia challenged its residents to lose 76 tons in 76 days. Then Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg thought it was a good idea to remind us how many calories we consume each time we go to Starbucks.
Now New York's health commissioner is encouraging us to take the stairs because, simply put, we are getting fat. (After all, New Yorkers, we gained 10 million pounds in two years.)
To that effect, the city is introducing a green logo of a person taking the stairs with the mantra "Burn Calories, Not Electricity. Take the Stairs." (Killing obesity and global warming with one stone!) The health department says "visual prompts can boost stair use by more than 50 percent." If that is the case, the New York figure seems less athletic than the federal government stair climber, who appears to be bounding upward enthusiastically.
New York is as vertical a city as any in the United States, so taking the stairs to get somewhere seems practical. After all, we live in a nation where people drive to the gym to run on the treadmill and take the elevator to use the Stairmaster.
Stairs are really a nice simple form of exercise. Some of the other benefits the city trumpets:
*Stair climbing burns almost seven times the number of calories as standing in an elevator.
*Just two minutes of stair-climbing each day burns enough calories to eliminate the one pound an average adult gains each year.
*Men who climbed at least 20 floors a week (about 3 floors a day) had a 20 percent lower risk of stroke or death from all causes, in one study.
*Stair-climbing has been shown to raise good cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health
The city's Department of Design and Construction (who knew we had one?) is working with architects to emphasize stairs. They hope to making stairs more pleasant and inviting, perhaps by adding art or music. (Perhaps Muzak will come up with a stairs equivalent of elevator music?)
Some of New York's newly approved construction codes will also allow buildings to use certain tested fire-rated glass doors and smoke-activated automatic-closing devices, so many stairwells can stay visible and open.
What you are not likely to see: more stairs in general. Real estate developers don't like stairs because they take up space and don't generate rent.
To get a copy of the sign, building managers can call 311.
(The floors of the new New York Times building are linked together by flights of red stairwells. Officially this was supposed to "foster communication and animate the building from the outside," but perhaps management was making a pre-emptive comment about our weight, or saving us from the building's confusing "smart elevators.")
Perhaps the health department should work with other city agencies to get us all to climb stairs. The Buildings Department could be give breaks to landlords who need to fix decrepit and broken elevators. Courthouses could force people to choose between taking the stairs or an hour-long wait for the elevator, lest they miss their legal proceedings. The M.T.A. could spend a billion dollars on elevators and escalators that still constantly break down.
Or given that this is all already happening, maybe this is all a big government conspiracy to make us lose weight.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/20/these-stairs-were-made-for-walking/
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Obesity Affecting the Earth's Health?
At first glance, to claim the obesity epidemic -- that began in the US and is spreading around the globe -- is responsible for contributing to global warming, may seem a bit far fetched. But let's take a closer look at this issue. The article below makes some very good points that give reasonable evidence for such a claim. The need for an ever-growing food supply (to feed expanding waistlines) certainly does translate into an increase in the burning of fossil fuels and greater pollution from agriculture, both of which are suspected factors in global warming.
It appears that poor dietary and other lifestyle choices are finally catching up with the human race on a global scale. Overeating and a sedentary lifestyle have always been significant factors in personal health, and they definitely have a major impact on whole families. It is becoming clear that such habits can also take their toll on all residents of planet Earth. If the resources that go into supporting an obese population could be redirected towards solving problems such as mass hunger and devastating public health crises that ravage whole populations around the world, the possibilities would be staggering. Obesity not only kills individuals, but it is a self-serving cultural phenomenon that can negatively affect millions of others worldwide.
Obesity contributes to global warming: study
By Michael Kahn
Thu May 15, 7:03 PM ET
Obesity contributes to global warming, too.
Obese and overweight people require more fuel to transport them and the food they eat, and the problem will worsen as the population literally swells in size, a team at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine says.
This adds to food shortages and higher energy prices, the school's researchers Phil Edwards and Ian Roberts wrote in the journal Lancet on Friday.
"We are all becoming heavier and it is a global responsibility," Edwards said in a telephone interview. "Obesity is a key part of the big picture."
At least 400 million adults worldwide are obese. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects by 2015, 2.3 billion adults will be overweight and more than 700 million will be obese.
In their model, the researchers pegged 40 percent of the global population as obese with a body mass index of near 30. Many nations are fast approaching or have surpassed this level, Edwards said.
BMI is a calculation of height to weight, and the normal range is usually considered to be 18 to 25, with more than 25 considered overweight and above 30 obese.
The researchers found that obese people require 1,680 daily calories to sustain normal energy and another 1,280 calories to maintain daily activities, 18 percent more than someone with a stable BMI.
Because thinner people eat less and are more likely to walk than rely on cars, a slimmer population would lower demand for fuel for transportation and for agriculture, Edwards said.
This is also important because 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions stem from agriculture, he added.
The next step is quantifying how much a heavier population is contributing to climate change, higher fuel prices and food shortages, he added.
"Promotion of a normal distribution of BMI would reduce the global demand for, and thus the price of, food," Edwards and Roberts wrote.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080515/hl_nm/food_climate_obesity_dc&printer=1;_ylt=Ap8_Zzimu5YmrzxGf0XStY0R.3QA
It appears that poor dietary and other lifestyle choices are finally catching up with the human race on a global scale. Overeating and a sedentary lifestyle have always been significant factors in personal health, and they definitely have a major impact on whole families. It is becoming clear that such habits can also take their toll on all residents of planet Earth. If the resources that go into supporting an obese population could be redirected towards solving problems such as mass hunger and devastating public health crises that ravage whole populations around the world, the possibilities would be staggering. Obesity not only kills individuals, but it is a self-serving cultural phenomenon that can negatively affect millions of others worldwide.
Obesity contributes to global warming: study
By Michael Kahn
Thu May 15, 7:03 PM ET
Obesity contributes to global warming, too.
Obese and overweight people require more fuel to transport them and the food they eat, and the problem will worsen as the population literally swells in size, a team at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine says.
This adds to food shortages and higher energy prices, the school's researchers Phil Edwards and Ian Roberts wrote in the journal Lancet on Friday.
"We are all becoming heavier and it is a global responsibility," Edwards said in a telephone interview. "Obesity is a key part of the big picture."
At least 400 million adults worldwide are obese. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects by 2015, 2.3 billion adults will be overweight and more than 700 million will be obese.
In their model, the researchers pegged 40 percent of the global population as obese with a body mass index of near 30. Many nations are fast approaching or have surpassed this level, Edwards said.
BMI is a calculation of height to weight, and the normal range is usually considered to be 18 to 25, with more than 25 considered overweight and above 30 obese.
The researchers found that obese people require 1,680 daily calories to sustain normal energy and another 1,280 calories to maintain daily activities, 18 percent more than someone with a stable BMI.
Because thinner people eat less and are more likely to walk than rely on cars, a slimmer population would lower demand for fuel for transportation and for agriculture, Edwards said.
This is also important because 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions stem from agriculture, he added.
The next step is quantifying how much a heavier population is contributing to climate change, higher fuel prices and food shortages, he added.
"Promotion of a normal distribution of BMI would reduce the global demand for, and thus the price of, food," Edwards and Roberts wrote.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080515/hl_nm/food_climate_obesity_dc&printer=1;_ylt=Ap8_Zzimu5YmrzxGf0XStY0R.3QA
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Why Bisphenol A Increases Health Risks
The debate over the dangers of a chemical compound known as Bisphenol A or BPA has been a hot topic of discussion as of late, with great concern over its use being expressed by many different parties. The Canadian government recently acted to significantly limit the use of BPA, and ongoing research has linked BPA to a variety of health issues.
I find the following article, which addressees some of the key issues surrounding the BPA controversy, to be quite helpful at understanding some of the whys and wherefores behind the concerns. As it points out, exposure to BPA is very widespread, and when we are dealing with chemicals of this type ("endocrine disruptors"), even minute amounts can result in exponentially high risks. Most people are probably not aware that certain factors, such as the use of older plastic containers or heating certain plastic containers, can increase hazards even further.
Spokesman for the packaging industry and others that heavily depend on the use of BPA cannot necessarily be trusted regarding their claims that BPA is not harmful, as the financial impacts would be enormous on these industries if the use of BPA is curtailed or banned. Nevertheless, we have a major wellness issue on our hands here, and even if BPA is not regulated, there are definite steps that can be taken to avoid exposure to ourselves and our families.
BPA Q&A: Plastic chemical is difficult to avoid
12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, May 18, 2008
By JEFFREY WEISS / The Dallas Morning News jweiss@dallasnews.com
What is bisphenol A and why do I care?
Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a man-made chemical found in some plastics, the linings of most cans used for foods and beverages, printer ink, dental sealants and car parts and has a number of other uses. While U.S. government and industry officials say current exposure standards are adequate, other scientists say those standards may represent a health risk.
If the critics are right, who may be at greatest risk from BPA exposure?
"Endocrine disruptors" such as BPA particularly affect developing cells. So fetuses and children, whose organs, brains and reproductive systems are still growing and changing, may be most at risk. In adults, some cancers react to estrogen and similar substances.
When was it first used?
In the 1930s, biochemists realized it was chemically similar to the natural hormone estrogen but decided other estrogenlike chemicals would be more effective as medication. At about the same time, materials chemists used it in a sticky glue that hardened -- an epoxy. Then it was used as the essential building block of a clear, hard, heat-resistant, durable plastic called polycarbonate. During World War II, a tin shortage pushed the food canning industry to search for a new protective lining. A spray-on epoxy using BPA proved particularly effective. Versions of that coating have been used ever since.
Did anyone test BPA to see if it was harmful?
Yes, using "high-dosage" testing. Imagine tossing 100 rocks at a lab rat and discovering that was enough to kill it. And that 50 broke some bones. And that 10 left some bruises. But that five had no detectable effect. Logically, anything less than five rocks also should be harmless. The quantity of BPA that gets into foods and beverages is far smaller than the "five rocks" level scientists identified using the high-dosage tests.
Why isn't that good enough?
Sometimes biology defies common sense, and less can be more. What if it turned out that dust from those rocks could produce an allergic reaction in the rat? The high-dose test would never identify that result. Estrogen has just this counterintuitive effect of creating enormous effects in what seems like ridiculously small amounts. Over the past decade, scientists using low doses of BPA have reported finding those kinds of effects in a variety of animals.
How low a dose?
Researchers report effects at a few parts per billion, which in an average life would be pretty close to nothing. But one drop of water containing one part per billion of BPA would contain 132 billion BPA molecules. And one BPA molecule may be enough to trigger changes in the workings of a single cell, said Frederick S. vom Saal, a biologist at the University of Missouri-Columbia who first started sounding an alarm about low-dose effects of BPA more than 10 years ago.
What kinds of effects?
In more than 700 low-dose studies on animals and cells in test tubes, researchers say they've found effects that include enlarged prostates, altered mammary glands, genetic damage to eggs, changes to reproductive organs, accelerated puberty, reduced fertility and altered brain development. In one study of snails, there was such an overgrowth in ovarian cells that the animals exploded and died.
What do exploding snails mean to human biology?
Maybe nothing. Many animal experiments do not translate into actual human effects. But Dr. vom Saal said there is good evidence that human cells in test-tube experiments react to BPA in much the same way that animal cells do. Industry officials disagree.
What do industry officials say about the potential risk posed by BPA?
Sharon Kneiss, vice president of the products division of the American Chemistry Council, was quoted last month in Plastics & Rubber Weekly: "Polycarbonate bottles that contain BPA and BPA-lined cans are safe," she said. "There is no definitive evidence that exposure to BPA causes adverse health effects in humans." And industry representatives point to their own animal experiments that they say show no ill effects. But critics say those experiments used animals known to be resistant to the very effects that estrogenlike substances can produce.
Why can't the scientists just do an experiment on human beings and figure out who is right?
It's probably not possible. It's unethical to experiment on people without the possibility of a medical benefit. Plus, some of the effects that scientists fear from BPA would not show up for decades, until a child who was exposed in the womb grew up. And any good experiment needs a "control group" that hasn't been exposed to the test material. But tests by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found than more than 90 percent of the people tested had BPA in their urine -- making it very difficult to find people who have not been exposed. In the study, the CDC measured 2,517 participants who were 6 years old and older in the 200304 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
What do government regulators say about BPA?
A U.S. panel that studied the evidence released a report last month that said it found "some concern" about effects on fetuses, infants and children, but did not suggest any regulatory action. About the same time, a Canadian panel suggested that BPA was a toxin, and the Canadian government announced plans to ban in 60 days baby bottles using BPA.
Is it possible to avoid BPA completely?
It would be very difficult. About 6 billion pounds of it are produced worldwide every year. In addition to its use in water bottles, the linings of most food cans and other food-related items, it's widely used in other industries. It's in the dust we breathe and may be in the water that comes from the tap. But researchers who worry about BPA say it's still worth trying to limit the amount we ingest.
What are the alternatives to BPA?
Plastics makers already are switching over some products to a material called PET, or polyethylene terephthalate. It's cheaper than BPA and more recyclable -- the used stuff can be turned into polyester cloth. It's not as durable, clear or heat-resistant. It's already widely available in one-time-use bottles of soda and water. But Dr. John Rost, chairman of the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, said last week that there are no good alternatives for most American products.
Has anybody else found an alternative for cans?
In the United States, Eden's line of organic bean products has been packaged in BPA-free cans since 1999. The material is more expensive than the BPA lining and is too fragile for use with most other foods. In Japan, according to the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, food canners have been using two alternatives for a decade: One is made with PET and the other with an epoxy that has much less BPA than the previous version. Dr. Rost said the alternative coatings are used in Japan for canned beverages that are served hot. Dr. vom Saal said the Japanese cans leach only 5 percent as much BPA as their American counterparts.
Are there factors that make it more likely that BPA will be released into foods or beverages?
Tests indicate that heat, acidic foods and aging containers all contribute to increased release of BPA. So heating a can of baby formula and putting it in an old polycarbonate baby bottle would be an example of what some researchers would call elevated risk.
So if I want to limit my exposure, what can I do?
Avoid canned foods and beverages, though not all tests of canned foods have found BPA. Avoid polycarbonate bottles, tableware or eating utensils by looking for identifying marks on the packaging or the plastic itself. If it says "PC" next to the triangular recycling insignia, it's probably got BPA. If the number inside the insignia is "7", it may have BPA, but not necessarily. Any other number probably means it's BPA-free. Recycled paper, sometimes used for food packaging, also has been found to be high in BPA, because of the use of the material in ink and carbonless paper. When in doubt, call the manufacturer's customer service department. They are all primed to answer questions about BPA.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-plasticsQ&A_18met.ART.State.Edition1.465f0cb.html
I find the following article, which addressees some of the key issues surrounding the BPA controversy, to be quite helpful at understanding some of the whys and wherefores behind the concerns. As it points out, exposure to BPA is very widespread, and when we are dealing with chemicals of this type ("endocrine disruptors"), even minute amounts can result in exponentially high risks. Most people are probably not aware that certain factors, such as the use of older plastic containers or heating certain plastic containers, can increase hazards even further.
Spokesman for the packaging industry and others that heavily depend on the use of BPA cannot necessarily be trusted regarding their claims that BPA is not harmful, as the financial impacts would be enormous on these industries if the use of BPA is curtailed or banned. Nevertheless, we have a major wellness issue on our hands here, and even if BPA is not regulated, there are definite steps that can be taken to avoid exposure to ourselves and our families.
BPA Q&A: Plastic chemical is difficult to avoid
12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, May 18, 2008
By JEFFREY WEISS / The Dallas Morning News jweiss@dallasnews.com
What is bisphenol A and why do I care?
Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a man-made chemical found in some plastics, the linings of most cans used for foods and beverages, printer ink, dental sealants and car parts and has a number of other uses. While U.S. government and industry officials say current exposure standards are adequate, other scientists say those standards may represent a health risk.
If the critics are right, who may be at greatest risk from BPA exposure?
"Endocrine disruptors" such as BPA particularly affect developing cells. So fetuses and children, whose organs, brains and reproductive systems are still growing and changing, may be most at risk. In adults, some cancers react to estrogen and similar substances.
When was it first used?
In the 1930s, biochemists realized it was chemically similar to the natural hormone estrogen but decided other estrogenlike chemicals would be more effective as medication. At about the same time, materials chemists used it in a sticky glue that hardened -- an epoxy. Then it was used as the essential building block of a clear, hard, heat-resistant, durable plastic called polycarbonate. During World War II, a tin shortage pushed the food canning industry to search for a new protective lining. A spray-on epoxy using BPA proved particularly effective. Versions of that coating have been used ever since.
Did anyone test BPA to see if it was harmful?
Yes, using "high-dosage" testing. Imagine tossing 100 rocks at a lab rat and discovering that was enough to kill it. And that 50 broke some bones. And that 10 left some bruises. But that five had no detectable effect. Logically, anything less than five rocks also should be harmless. The quantity of BPA that gets into foods and beverages is far smaller than the "five rocks" level scientists identified using the high-dosage tests.
Why isn't that good enough?
Sometimes biology defies common sense, and less can be more. What if it turned out that dust from those rocks could produce an allergic reaction in the rat? The high-dose test would never identify that result. Estrogen has just this counterintuitive effect of creating enormous effects in what seems like ridiculously small amounts. Over the past decade, scientists using low doses of BPA have reported finding those kinds of effects in a variety of animals.
How low a dose?
Researchers report effects at a few parts per billion, which in an average life would be pretty close to nothing. But one drop of water containing one part per billion of BPA would contain 132 billion BPA molecules. And one BPA molecule may be enough to trigger changes in the workings of a single cell, said Frederick S. vom Saal, a biologist at the University of Missouri-Columbia who first started sounding an alarm about low-dose effects of BPA more than 10 years ago.
What kinds of effects?
In more than 700 low-dose studies on animals and cells in test tubes, researchers say they've found effects that include enlarged prostates, altered mammary glands, genetic damage to eggs, changes to reproductive organs, accelerated puberty, reduced fertility and altered brain development. In one study of snails, there was such an overgrowth in ovarian cells that the animals exploded and died.
What do exploding snails mean to human biology?
Maybe nothing. Many animal experiments do not translate into actual human effects. But Dr. vom Saal said there is good evidence that human cells in test-tube experiments react to BPA in much the same way that animal cells do. Industry officials disagree.
What do industry officials say about the potential risk posed by BPA?
Sharon Kneiss, vice president of the products division of the American Chemistry Council, was quoted last month in Plastics & Rubber Weekly: "Polycarbonate bottles that contain BPA and BPA-lined cans are safe," she said. "There is no definitive evidence that exposure to BPA causes adverse health effects in humans." And industry representatives point to their own animal experiments that they say show no ill effects. But critics say those experiments used animals known to be resistant to the very effects that estrogenlike substances can produce.
Why can't the scientists just do an experiment on human beings and figure out who is right?
It's probably not possible. It's unethical to experiment on people without the possibility of a medical benefit. Plus, some of the effects that scientists fear from BPA would not show up for decades, until a child who was exposed in the womb grew up. And any good experiment needs a "control group" that hasn't been exposed to the test material. But tests by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found than more than 90 percent of the people tested had BPA in their urine -- making it very difficult to find people who have not been exposed. In the study, the CDC measured 2,517 participants who were 6 years old and older in the 200304 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
What do government regulators say about BPA?
A U.S. panel that studied the evidence released a report last month that said it found "some concern" about effects on fetuses, infants and children, but did not suggest any regulatory action. About the same time, a Canadian panel suggested that BPA was a toxin, and the Canadian government announced plans to ban in 60 days baby bottles using BPA.
Is it possible to avoid BPA completely?
It would be very difficult. About 6 billion pounds of it are produced worldwide every year. In addition to its use in water bottles, the linings of most food cans and other food-related items, it's widely used in other industries. It's in the dust we breathe and may be in the water that comes from the tap. But researchers who worry about BPA say it's still worth trying to limit the amount we ingest.
What are the alternatives to BPA?
Plastics makers already are switching over some products to a material called PET, or polyethylene terephthalate. It's cheaper than BPA and more recyclable -- the used stuff can be turned into polyester cloth. It's not as durable, clear or heat-resistant. It's already widely available in one-time-use bottles of soda and water. But Dr. John Rost, chairman of the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, said last week that there are no good alternatives for most American products.
Has anybody else found an alternative for cans?
In the United States, Eden's line of organic bean products has been packaged in BPA-free cans since 1999. The material is more expensive than the BPA lining and is too fragile for use with most other foods. In Japan, according to the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, food canners have been using two alternatives for a decade: One is made with PET and the other with an epoxy that has much less BPA than the previous version. Dr. Rost said the alternative coatings are used in Japan for canned beverages that are served hot. Dr. vom Saal said the Japanese cans leach only 5 percent as much BPA as their American counterparts.
Are there factors that make it more likely that BPA will be released into foods or beverages?
Tests indicate that heat, acidic foods and aging containers all contribute to increased release of BPA. So heating a can of baby formula and putting it in an old polycarbonate baby bottle would be an example of what some researchers would call elevated risk.
So if I want to limit my exposure, what can I do?
Avoid canned foods and beverages, though not all tests of canned foods have found BPA. Avoid polycarbonate bottles, tableware or eating utensils by looking for identifying marks on the packaging or the plastic itself. If it says "PC" next to the triangular recycling insignia, it's probably got BPA. If the number inside the insignia is "7", it may have BPA, but not necessarily. Any other number probably means it's BPA-free. Recycled paper, sometimes used for food packaging, also has been found to be high in BPA, because of the use of the material in ink and carbonless paper. When in doubt, call the manufacturer's customer service department. They are all primed to answer questions about BPA.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-plasticsQ&A_18met.ART.State.Edition1.465f0cb.html
Monday, May 19, 2008
Vitamin D: Cancer Fighter Extraordinaire
Vitamin D has been getting a lot of good press lately, and it is refreshing to see it get the credit it deserves as an excellent preventative to disease. Researchers are beginning to discover more and more links between this marvelous substance (which is actually a hormone) and a multitude of health benefits it provides. It is important to realize that Vitamin D is essential to wellness.
Many people have come to believe that due to the increase in the incidence of skin cancer, it is advisable to avoid sunshine like the plague. Unfortunately, this along with slathering on chemical-laden sunscreens has led to a deficiency in Vitamin D for many individuals. We need a certain amount of sunshine every day, as ultraviolet light is necessary for the body to produce Vitamin D. Exposure to sunshine, especially in the early morning or hours near sunset, should include about 30 minutes daily. People who live in northern climates where limited sunshine is available are particularly vulnerable to Vitamin D deficiency. For most individuals, a quality supplemental form of Vitamin D is a must, but be aware that all forms of Vitamin D are not created equal. When choosing a product, be sure it supplies the most useful form of the vitamin known as Vitamin D3. It is also a boost to overall health to get plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and physical activity outdoors as much as possible on a regular basis. Habits such as these are a wonderful tonic for both body and spirit.
Vitamin D may lower breast cancer risk
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor
Thu May 15, 9:25 PM ET
Breast cancer patients with lower levels of vitamin D were far more likely to die and far more likely to have their cancer spread than women with normal levels, Canadian researchers reported on Thursday.
Women deficient in the "sunshine vitamin" when they were diagnosed with breast cancer were 94 percent more likely to have their cancer spread and were 73 percent more likely to die than women with adequate vitamin D levels, the researchers said.
More than three-quarters of women with breast cancer had a vitamin D deficiency, the researchers reported to an upcoming meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
"The women with the lowest vitamin D levels had the highest risk of death from breast cancer," Dr. Richard Schilsky, of the University of Chicago and president-elect of ASCO, told Reuters in an interview.
"We are seeing an association. It is possible that vitamin D is simply a marker for healthy lifestyle. We don't think that is the case," said Dr. Pamela Goodwin of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, who led the study.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence that vitamin D, made when sunlight hits the skin and used to fortify many foods including milk, is important for preventing chronic diseases. It is key to maintaining strong bones.
Goodwin's team studied 512 women with a mean age of 50 with newly diagnosed breast cancer treated at three University of Toronto hospitals between 1989 and 1995. They were followed until 2006, a median of just under 12 years.
Only 24 percent of the patients had adequate levels of vitamin D when they were diagnosed with cancer.
EARLIER, MORE AGGRESSIVE CANCER
Goodwin said optimal levels are considered to be somewhere between 80 and 110 or 120 nmol/L (nanomoles per liter) of blood, although there are no standard guidelines. They considered anything less than 50 nmol/L to be deficient.
After 10 years, cancer did not spread or come back in 83 percent of women with normal levels and 85 percent of these women were still alive. But just 69 percent of women with low vitamin D levels were cancer-free 10 years later and just 74 percent were still alive.
Women with low vitamin D levels were also likely to have developed cancer before reaching menopause, had higher body mass indexes -- a measure of being overweight -- had higher insulin levels and had more aggressive tumors.
"It is something that is going to make us think a lot harder about what the relationship is between vitamin D and breast cancer," Schilsky said. "Vitamin D may turn out to be far more important in cancer than we realized."
Associations have also been found between vitamin D and prostate and colon cancer, they noted. And Goodwin said low vitamin D levels had also been linked with heart disease.
Goodwin noted that her study had only found an association. A randomized trial in which some women were assigned to take vitamin D and others took placebos would be needed to prove that it was in fact a lack of the vitamin causing the disease.
"It is really hard to know what a woman's vitamin D level is now," Goodwin said in a telephone interview.
"That's why we have taken the fallback position to say at least for breast cancers patients, they should talk to their physician and get their vitamin D level checked," she added.
Both Goodwin and Schilsky stressed that it would be important to avoid taking too much vitamin D, which can be toxic. "We don't want to see women taking 10,000 IU a day," Goodwin said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080516/hl_nm/cancer_breast_vitamin_dc&printer=1;_ylt=ArEk9juLJJEF.H_GpVi8Y2IR.3QA
Many people have come to believe that due to the increase in the incidence of skin cancer, it is advisable to avoid sunshine like the plague. Unfortunately, this along with slathering on chemical-laden sunscreens has led to a deficiency in Vitamin D for many individuals. We need a certain amount of sunshine every day, as ultraviolet light is necessary for the body to produce Vitamin D. Exposure to sunshine, especially in the early morning or hours near sunset, should include about 30 minutes daily. People who live in northern climates where limited sunshine is available are particularly vulnerable to Vitamin D deficiency. For most individuals, a quality supplemental form of Vitamin D is a must, but be aware that all forms of Vitamin D are not created equal. When choosing a product, be sure it supplies the most useful form of the vitamin known as Vitamin D3. It is also a boost to overall health to get plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and physical activity outdoors as much as possible on a regular basis. Habits such as these are a wonderful tonic for both body and spirit.
Vitamin D may lower breast cancer risk
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor
Thu May 15, 9:25 PM ET
Breast cancer patients with lower levels of vitamin D were far more likely to die and far more likely to have their cancer spread than women with normal levels, Canadian researchers reported on Thursday.
Women deficient in the "sunshine vitamin" when they were diagnosed with breast cancer were 94 percent more likely to have their cancer spread and were 73 percent more likely to die than women with adequate vitamin D levels, the researchers said.
More than three-quarters of women with breast cancer had a vitamin D deficiency, the researchers reported to an upcoming meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
"The women with the lowest vitamin D levels had the highest risk of death from breast cancer," Dr. Richard Schilsky, of the University of Chicago and president-elect of ASCO, told Reuters in an interview.
"We are seeing an association. It is possible that vitamin D is simply a marker for healthy lifestyle. We don't think that is the case," said Dr. Pamela Goodwin of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, who led the study.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence that vitamin D, made when sunlight hits the skin and used to fortify many foods including milk, is important for preventing chronic diseases. It is key to maintaining strong bones.
Goodwin's team studied 512 women with a mean age of 50 with newly diagnosed breast cancer treated at three University of Toronto hospitals between 1989 and 1995. They were followed until 2006, a median of just under 12 years.
Only 24 percent of the patients had adequate levels of vitamin D when they were diagnosed with cancer.
EARLIER, MORE AGGRESSIVE CANCER
Goodwin said optimal levels are considered to be somewhere between 80 and 110 or 120 nmol/L (nanomoles per liter) of blood, although there are no standard guidelines. They considered anything less than 50 nmol/L to be deficient.
After 10 years, cancer did not spread or come back in 83 percent of women with normal levels and 85 percent of these women were still alive. But just 69 percent of women with low vitamin D levels were cancer-free 10 years later and just 74 percent were still alive.
Women with low vitamin D levels were also likely to have developed cancer before reaching menopause, had higher body mass indexes -- a measure of being overweight -- had higher insulin levels and had more aggressive tumors.
"It is something that is going to make us think a lot harder about what the relationship is between vitamin D and breast cancer," Schilsky said. "Vitamin D may turn out to be far more important in cancer than we realized."
Associations have also been found between vitamin D and prostate and colon cancer, they noted. And Goodwin said low vitamin D levels had also been linked with heart disease.
Goodwin noted that her study had only found an association. A randomized trial in which some women were assigned to take vitamin D and others took placebos would be needed to prove that it was in fact a lack of the vitamin causing the disease.
"It is really hard to know what a woman's vitamin D level is now," Goodwin said in a telephone interview.
"That's why we have taken the fallback position to say at least for breast cancers patients, they should talk to their physician and get their vitamin D level checked," she added.
Both Goodwin and Schilsky stressed that it would be important to avoid taking too much vitamin D, which can be toxic. "We don't want to see women taking 10,000 IU a day," Goodwin said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080516/hl_nm/cancer_breast_vitamin_dc&printer=1;_ylt=ArEk9juLJJEF.H_GpVi8Y2IR.3QA
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Many Benefits of Rosemary
If you are planning on doing any cooking this weekend, the article below may motivate you to find a recipe using an herb called rosemary, or to add some to one of your old favorites both for its flavor and healthful characteristics. This herb is known for boosting brain function, balancing hormones, acting as a liver cleanser, and as an excellent source for natural skin care.
We have been blessed by our Creator with a seemingly endless supply of natural substances that can both prevent and reverse disease. It is unfortunate that in our society today most individuals have gotten caught up in modern medicine with all of its drugs and other procedures -- that often only contribute to the disease process -- to the exclusion of the vast natural resources that have been used for thousands of years. It is time to get back to the basics. One way you can do this is to enjoy a leisurely meal with someone you love, and throw in a bit of extra rosemary!
Rosemary Can Protect the Brain From Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
by Sheryl Walters
(NaturalNews) Rosemary is an herb with a distinctly woody taste and fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves that can deliciously transform our food. In addition to its food enhancing properties, rosemary is a potent brain protector. Ancient Greeks believed it profoundly improved memory. Greek students used to wear a wreath while sitting examinations for potent brain power.
Recent studies have now confirmed what the Greeks knew long ago. Rosemary contains an ingredient that fights off free radical damage in the brain. This active ingredient, known as carnosic acid (CA), can protect the brain from stroke and neurodegeneration that is due to toxins and free radicals which are thought to be one of the contributors to stroke and conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
Research published in both The Journal of Neurochemistry and Nature Reviews Neuroscience, has revealed that CA activates a signaling pathway that protects brain cells from the free radical damage.
Rosemary is believed to prevent normal brain aging and keep the brain youthful and sharp. This tasty herb is also thought to improve memory.
Other benefits of Rosemary include:
* Prevents Breast Cancer
An imbalance of estrogen hormones in women can contribute to breast cancer. The drug Tamoxifen is given to women with breast cancer as an estrogen blocker to help reduce this risk of re-occurrence. However, Tamoxifen can cause a range of unpleasant side effects, including hot flashes, vaginal bleeding, headaches and nausea.
Rosemary is a safe natural alternative treatment. Dr. Zhu from the State University of New Jersey found that a 2 per cent concentration of rosemary extract given for three weeks was able to significantly inactivate excess estrogen.
* Anti-Aging properties for the Skin
According to researchers at the University of Catania in Italy, rosemary extract helps protect the individual components of skin cells, which may prevent age-related skin damage such as wrinkles.
Italian researchers have discovered that rosemary has a protein which safeguards the skin against stress, free radicals and other toxins on the skin.
* Powerful Detoxifier
Rosemary extract has been shown to inactivate toxins and then eliminate them from the liver, before they can inflict any serious damage.
* Rosemary's liver stimulating abilities help us feel healthier and more energetic.
* Rosemary helps combat the effects of water retention.
Rosemary also has therapeutic properties as a mild diuretic -- making it effective in reducing swollen ankles and bloating. Dr. M. Halaoui from the department of Biology, University of Fez in Morocco, has studied the effects of rosemary extract's diuretic actions on the kidney.
He found that a daily dose of rosemary extract in liquid form can improve kidney function significantly, increase urine flow, and preserve the essential minerals sodium, potassium and chloride.
This is important because conventional diuretics (water tablets) may actually worsen kidney function by speeding up the elimination of these essential minerals from the body.
* Antioxidant and Cancer Preventative
Scientists from the Cancer Research Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences, in the Slovak Republic, have found that rosemary extract can significantly help to protect DNA against free radical damage.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023229.html
We have been blessed by our Creator with a seemingly endless supply of natural substances that can both prevent and reverse disease. It is unfortunate that in our society today most individuals have gotten caught up in modern medicine with all of its drugs and other procedures -- that often only contribute to the disease process -- to the exclusion of the vast natural resources that have been used for thousands of years. It is time to get back to the basics. One way you can do this is to enjoy a leisurely meal with someone you love, and throw in a bit of extra rosemary!
Rosemary Can Protect the Brain From Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
by Sheryl Walters
(NaturalNews) Rosemary is an herb with a distinctly woody taste and fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves that can deliciously transform our food. In addition to its food enhancing properties, rosemary is a potent brain protector. Ancient Greeks believed it profoundly improved memory. Greek students used to wear a wreath while sitting examinations for potent brain power.
Recent studies have now confirmed what the Greeks knew long ago. Rosemary contains an ingredient that fights off free radical damage in the brain. This active ingredient, known as carnosic acid (CA), can protect the brain from stroke and neurodegeneration that is due to toxins and free radicals which are thought to be one of the contributors to stroke and conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
Research published in both The Journal of Neurochemistry and Nature Reviews Neuroscience, has revealed that CA activates a signaling pathway that protects brain cells from the free radical damage.
Rosemary is believed to prevent normal brain aging and keep the brain youthful and sharp. This tasty herb is also thought to improve memory.
Other benefits of Rosemary include:
* Prevents Breast Cancer
An imbalance of estrogen hormones in women can contribute to breast cancer. The drug Tamoxifen is given to women with breast cancer as an estrogen blocker to help reduce this risk of re-occurrence. However, Tamoxifen can cause a range of unpleasant side effects, including hot flashes, vaginal bleeding, headaches and nausea.
Rosemary is a safe natural alternative treatment. Dr. Zhu from the State University of New Jersey found that a 2 per cent concentration of rosemary extract given for three weeks was able to significantly inactivate excess estrogen.
* Anti-Aging properties for the Skin
According to researchers at the University of Catania in Italy, rosemary extract helps protect the individual components of skin cells, which may prevent age-related skin damage such as wrinkles.
Italian researchers have discovered that rosemary has a protein which safeguards the skin against stress, free radicals and other toxins on the skin.
* Powerful Detoxifier
Rosemary extract has been shown to inactivate toxins and then eliminate them from the liver, before they can inflict any serious damage.
* Rosemary's liver stimulating abilities help us feel healthier and more energetic.
* Rosemary helps combat the effects of water retention.
Rosemary also has therapeutic properties as a mild diuretic -- making it effective in reducing swollen ankles and bloating. Dr. M. Halaoui from the department of Biology, University of Fez in Morocco, has studied the effects of rosemary extract's diuretic actions on the kidney.
He found that a daily dose of rosemary extract in liquid form can improve kidney function significantly, increase urine flow, and preserve the essential minerals sodium, potassium and chloride.
This is important because conventional diuretics (water tablets) may actually worsen kidney function by speeding up the elimination of these essential minerals from the body.
* Antioxidant and Cancer Preventative
Scientists from the Cancer Research Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences, in the Slovak Republic, have found that rosemary extract can significantly help to protect DNA against free radical damage.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023229.html
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Meds Without Lifestyle Changes Cannot Defeat Coronary Disease
To those of us in natural medicine circles, it comes as no surprise, but it appears that some in the conventional medical community are finally admitting that popping drugs is simply not enough to prevent or reverse disease. Despite the attitude spawned by pharmaceutical companies and the medical establishment, taking a drug cocktail for high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes will not protect people from the consequences of a poor diet, lack of exercise, and other destructive lifestyle choices. Once again, the epidemic of obesity rears its ugly head, and it is clear that Big Pharma cannot ride in on a white horse and save the day.
What today's article fails to mention is that not only do these medications that account for billions of dollars in sales every year fail to get people well, but their side effects actually contribute to disease. Now most Americans have a dual addiction: A combination of junky foods and hazardous drugs that are recommended by their "healthcare" providers. If patients complain about side effects, they are often offered other drugs to combat them, only making matters worse. With such insanity becoming the standard, it is no wonder that this generation is poised to be the first to reverse the long-standing trend of people living longer. It is sad when it gets to the point in a society when going to the doctor can be a dangerous choice that may shorten your life rather than lengthen and enrich it.
Drugs Alone Don't Lower Heart Disease Risks for Overweight Americans
By Carolyn Colwell
HealthDay ReporterMonday, May 12, 2008; 12:00 AM
MONDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- Daily doses of statins and blood pressure medications will not be enough to prevent heart disease among the ever-growing number of Baby Boomers who are overweight or obese, a new study suggests.
The simple truth, experts say, is that pounds must also be shed to keep cardiovascular trouble away.
"There is a debate out there about whether this generation is going to live as long as their parents, and the truth is they probably won't," said study author Dr. Gregory L. Burke, director of the division of public health sciences at Wake Forest University School of medicine in Winston-Salem, NC.
"My ultimate worry is that we've seen a 50-year decline in cardiovascular disease mortality, but if you begin to look at recent trends, it's beginning to plateau," he added.
"And my fear is that because of the increase in obesity we're going to begin to see a reversal of that trend where heart disease rates begin to go up."
The research involving 6,814 men and women aged 45 to 84 revealed an even greater prevalence of overweight and obesity than shown in similar studies done five years earlier. Depending on the demographic group, between 60 percent and 85 percent of the participants were overweight and between 30 percent and 50 percent were obese, the federally funded study found. The obesity epidemic is more likely environmentally than genetically driven, Burke said. The differences between the weights of white, black and Hispanic Americans are no longer as meaningful, he stressed. Only Chinese-Americans have significantly less obesity (5 percent) than other ethnic groups.
A decade ago, experts thought the heart-related risks of obesity could be counterbalanced by the treatment of risk factors such as high cholesterol and glucose intolerance, Burke explained. People thought that, "Gosh, all we need to do is treat those risk factors and we can ameliorate the effects of obesity. So, our study looked at whether that is indeed true," he added.
It isn't, said Burke, noting that this is where his study breaks new ground. There is a relationship between less obvious, subclinical cardiovascular disease markers, such as the thickening of the walls of the carotid artery, and obesity, he explained. Even though the overweight and obese people studied hadn't had heart attacks they did show various markers that are predictors of future cardiovascular events, Burke added. This is was true despite the high number of people who were taking medications for the well-known triad of risk factors of high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Lona Sandon, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said that the findings show that "many of the people who were obese were being treated with various medications, but they still were not improving to the point where they were decreasing their risk."
The American mentality is that "if I just take those pills, I'll be OK," said Sandon, an assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. The study "kind of says you have to make some changes, some lifestyle changes and some food changes, to lead to a healthier weight."
Sandon added that even greater emphasis needs to be placed on prevention. "It's easier to prevent with an hour of exercise a day than correct with three hours of exercise a day," she noted. "Hopefully [the study] can be some kind of a wake-up call to tell us we need to do something more than hand out a prescription."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/12/AR2008051201783_pf.html
What today's article fails to mention is that not only do these medications that account for billions of dollars in sales every year fail to get people well, but their side effects actually contribute to disease. Now most Americans have a dual addiction: A combination of junky foods and hazardous drugs that are recommended by their "healthcare" providers. If patients complain about side effects, they are often offered other drugs to combat them, only making matters worse. With such insanity becoming the standard, it is no wonder that this generation is poised to be the first to reverse the long-standing trend of people living longer. It is sad when it gets to the point in a society when going to the doctor can be a dangerous choice that may shorten your life rather than lengthen and enrich it.
Drugs Alone Don't Lower Heart Disease Risks for Overweight Americans
By Carolyn Colwell
HealthDay ReporterMonday, May 12, 2008; 12:00 AM
MONDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- Daily doses of statins and blood pressure medications will not be enough to prevent heart disease among the ever-growing number of Baby Boomers who are overweight or obese, a new study suggests.
The simple truth, experts say, is that pounds must also be shed to keep cardiovascular trouble away.
"There is a debate out there about whether this generation is going to live as long as their parents, and the truth is they probably won't," said study author Dr. Gregory L. Burke, director of the division of public health sciences at Wake Forest University School of medicine in Winston-Salem, NC.
"My ultimate worry is that we've seen a 50-year decline in cardiovascular disease mortality, but if you begin to look at recent trends, it's beginning to plateau," he added.
"And my fear is that because of the increase in obesity we're going to begin to see a reversal of that trend where heart disease rates begin to go up."
The research involving 6,814 men and women aged 45 to 84 revealed an even greater prevalence of overweight and obesity than shown in similar studies done five years earlier. Depending on the demographic group, between 60 percent and 85 percent of the participants were overweight and between 30 percent and 50 percent were obese, the federally funded study found. The obesity epidemic is more likely environmentally than genetically driven, Burke said. The differences between the weights of white, black and Hispanic Americans are no longer as meaningful, he stressed. Only Chinese-Americans have significantly less obesity (5 percent) than other ethnic groups.
A decade ago, experts thought the heart-related risks of obesity could be counterbalanced by the treatment of risk factors such as high cholesterol and glucose intolerance, Burke explained. People thought that, "Gosh, all we need to do is treat those risk factors and we can ameliorate the effects of obesity. So, our study looked at whether that is indeed true," he added.
It isn't, said Burke, noting that this is where his study breaks new ground. There is a relationship between less obvious, subclinical cardiovascular disease markers, such as the thickening of the walls of the carotid artery, and obesity, he explained. Even though the overweight and obese people studied hadn't had heart attacks they did show various markers that are predictors of future cardiovascular events, Burke added. This is was true despite the high number of people who were taking medications for the well-known triad of risk factors of high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Lona Sandon, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said that the findings show that "many of the people who were obese were being treated with various medications, but they still were not improving to the point where they were decreasing their risk."
The American mentality is that "if I just take those pills, I'll be OK," said Sandon, an assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. The study "kind of says you have to make some changes, some lifestyle changes and some food changes, to lead to a healthier weight."
Sandon added that even greater emphasis needs to be placed on prevention. "It's easier to prevent with an hour of exercise a day than correct with three hours of exercise a day," she noted. "Hopefully [the study] can be some kind of a wake-up call to tell us we need to do something more than hand out a prescription."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/12/AR2008051201783_pf.html
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Debate Over Hazardous Vaccine Side-Effects Continues in Court
It has been, and continues to be, a long legal process regarding lawsuits and claims filed about autism and other medical issues that are tied to purported hazards of toxic chemicals in vaccinations. Despite denial by vaccine manufacturers and many in the conventional medical community, thousands of families have experienced autism and other neurological symptoms that have occurred in their otherwise healthy children after they were vaccinated. The article below updates the latest legal actions, specifically dealing with autism cases linked to the use of thimerosal, a mercury-laced preservative used in many vaccines.
It is important to follow the progress in these proceedings, because ultimately we want to see the truth prevail and justice to be served. In addition, this article points out a critical issue that many people may be misinformed about. Most accounts in the media that I have read make it sound like thimerosal is no longer used in vaccines administered in this country. This is, unfortunately, simply not true. The purpose of thimerosal is to allow bulk doses of a vaccine to be produced and used for multiple injections, thus acting as a cost-saving measure. So unless a child is exposed to single-dose vaccinations, there is a very good chance that thimerosal is still included in the formula. There are many reasons besides thimerosal to avoid vaccines, but to allow the impression that the use of thimerosal has been discontinued is highly unethical.
And another thing about mercury that is less known:
Mercury is a Spermicide.
Lubricated condoms and birth control creams or gels contain mercury as the primary spermicide. It is not required that the word mercury appear on the label, as it is assumed that everyone knows mercury is in there. The uterus is a collection center for mercury. Hal Huggins reported that more than 90% of the imbalances, created by sex hormone disturbances were corrected within a few weeks of amalgam removal. His patients noted differences in fertility, less pain during periods, relief from endometriosis, and a trend toward optimization of the days of menstrual flow. PMS is one of the most common symptoms to change after amalgam removal. Amenorrhea, or the complete absence of a menstrual flow, responds to amalgam removal. This is usually in women in their twenties or thirties. Even in women who have gone through a sort of premature menopause in their early forties, the periods may start up again for a couple of years. This has resulted in surprise pregnancies. Women should avoid pregnancy for at least six months after amalgam removal.
Mercury has also been documented to be a reproductive and developmental toxin in humans. Mercury has been documented to cross the placenta and commonly is found in the fetus at higher levels than in the mother. Likewise mercury is readily transmitted to an infant through the mother's breast milk. Some of mercury's documented hormonal effects at very low levels of exposure include effects on the reproductive system resulting in lowered sperm counts, defective sperm cells, and lowered testosterone levels in males; along with menstrual disturbances, infertility, spontaneous abortions in women, and birth defects. Studies found that very low levels of exposure to mercury cause genetic/ DNA damage and inhibits DNA & RNA synthesis; damages sperm, lowers sperm counts, and reduces motility ; causes menstrual disturbances ; reduces blood's ability to transport oxygen to fetus, and the transport of essential amino acids and nutrients including magnesium, zinc and Vit B12 ; depresses enzyme function and isocitric dehydrogenase (ICD) in fetus; causes reduced iodine uptake, inhibited ATP activity, & hypothyroidism; causes infertility, and causes spontaneous abortions and birth defects. Pregnant women who suffer from hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) have a four-time greater risk for miscarriage during the second trimester than those who don't, and women with untreated thyroid deficiency were four-times more likely to have a child with a developmental disability and lower I.Q.
And, it seems that many vaccines also contain two other spermicidal agents. Octoxinol-9 which is a spermicide that causes rashes, dizziness, chills and muscle aches, and Nonoxynol-9 which is a powerful disinfectant and spermicide.
Families will make case for vaccine link to autism
By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer
Mon May 12, 7:34 AM ET
WASHINGTON - The Institute of Medicine said in 2004 there was no credible evidence to show that vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal led to autism in children. But thousands of families have a different take based on personal experience.
Some of them are going to court Monday as attorneys will attempt to show that the mercury-based preservative triggers symptoms of autism.
Two 10-year-old boys from Portland, Ore., will serve as test cases to determine whether many of the children and their families should be compensated. Attorneys for the boys will attempt to show the boys were happy, healthy and developing normally -- but, after being exposed to vaccines with thimerosal, they began to regress.
Thimerosal has been removed in recent years from standard childhood vaccines, except flu vaccines that are not packaged in single-doses. The CDC says single-dose flu shots currently are available only in limited quantities. In 2004, a committee with the Institute of Medicine concluded there was no credible evidence that vaccines containing thimerosal caused autism.
Overall, nearly 4,900 families have filed claims with the U.S. Court of Claims alleging that vaccines caused autism and other neurological problems in their children. Lawyers for the families are presenting three different theories of how vaccines caused autism.
The Office of Special Masters of the claims court has instructed the plaintiffs to designate three test cases for each of the three theories -- nine cases in all -- and has assigned three special masters to handle the cases. Three cases in the first category were heard last year, but no decisions have been reached.
The two cases beginning Monday are among the three that focus on the second theory of causation: that thimerosal-containing vaccines alone cause autism. The plaintiff in the third case originally scheduled for hearing this month has withdrawn and lawyers and court officials are working to agree on a substitute case.
Hearings in the test cases for the third theory of causation are scheduled in mid-September.
Lawyers for the petitioning families in the cases being heard this month say they will present evidence that injections with thimerosal deposit a form of mercury in the brain. That mercury excites certain brain cells that stay chronically activated trying to get rid of the intrusion.
"In some kids, there's enough of it that it sets off this chronic neuroinflammatory pattern that can lead to regressive autism," said attorney Mike Williams.
In the end, the families' attorneys hope to convince the special master hearing their case that thimerosal belongs on the list of causes for the inflammation that leads to regressive autism.
To win, the attorneys for the two boys, William Mead and Jordan King, will have to show that it's more likely than not that the vaccine actually caused the injury.
Many members of the medical community are skeptical of the families' claims. They worry that the claims about the dangers of vaccines could cause some people to forgo vaccines that prevent illness.
"I think that what's so endearing to me about the anti-vaccine people, is they're perfectly willing to go from one hypothesis to the next without a backward glance," said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Dr. Andrew Gerber, a psychiatrist, said that medical experts don't have a comprehensive understanding of what causes autism, but they do know there is a strong hereditary component.
Toxins from the environment could play a role, but currently, data does not support that they do, Gerber said.
Arguments are scheduled to go on throughout the month. A final decision could take several more months. Claims that are successful would result in compensation taking into account lost earnings after age 18 and up to $250,000 for pain and suffering.
The families or the federal government can also appeal the decision of the special master to the Court of Federal Claims or to a federal appeals court.
The court Web site says more than 12,500 claims have been filed since creation of the program in 1987, including more than 5,300 autism cases, and more than $1.7 billion has been paid in claims. It says there is now more than $2.7 billion in a trust fund supported by an excise tax on each dose of vaccine covered by the program.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080512/ap_on_he_me/autism_court_case&printer=1;_ylt=ApisQnyyhDNXYM5cXAwRnD1a24cA
It is important to follow the progress in these proceedings, because ultimately we want to see the truth prevail and justice to be served. In addition, this article points out a critical issue that many people may be misinformed about. Most accounts in the media that I have read make it sound like thimerosal is no longer used in vaccines administered in this country. This is, unfortunately, simply not true. The purpose of thimerosal is to allow bulk doses of a vaccine to be produced and used for multiple injections, thus acting as a cost-saving measure. So unless a child is exposed to single-dose vaccinations, there is a very good chance that thimerosal is still included in the formula. There are many reasons besides thimerosal to avoid vaccines, but to allow the impression that the use of thimerosal has been discontinued is highly unethical.
And another thing about mercury that is less known:
Mercury is a Spermicide.
Lubricated condoms and birth control creams or gels contain mercury as the primary spermicide. It is not required that the word mercury appear on the label, as it is assumed that everyone knows mercury is in there. The uterus is a collection center for mercury. Hal Huggins reported that more than 90% of the imbalances, created by sex hormone disturbances were corrected within a few weeks of amalgam removal. His patients noted differences in fertility, less pain during periods, relief from endometriosis, and a trend toward optimization of the days of menstrual flow. PMS is one of the most common symptoms to change after amalgam removal. Amenorrhea, or the complete absence of a menstrual flow, responds to amalgam removal. This is usually in women in their twenties or thirties. Even in women who have gone through a sort of premature menopause in their early forties, the periods may start up again for a couple of years. This has resulted in surprise pregnancies. Women should avoid pregnancy for at least six months after amalgam removal.
Mercury has also been documented to be a reproductive and developmental toxin in humans. Mercury has been documented to cross the placenta and commonly is found in the fetus at higher levels than in the mother. Likewise mercury is readily transmitted to an infant through the mother's breast milk. Some of mercury's documented hormonal effects at very low levels of exposure include effects on the reproductive system resulting in lowered sperm counts, defective sperm cells, and lowered testosterone levels in males; along with menstrual disturbances, infertility, spontaneous abortions in women, and birth defects. Studies found that very low levels of exposure to mercury cause genetic/ DNA damage and inhibits DNA & RNA synthesis; damages sperm, lowers sperm counts, and reduces motility ; causes menstrual disturbances ; reduces blood's ability to transport oxygen to fetus, and the transport of essential amino acids and nutrients including magnesium, zinc and Vit B12 ; depresses enzyme function and isocitric dehydrogenase (ICD) in fetus; causes reduced iodine uptake, inhibited ATP activity, & hypothyroidism; causes infertility, and causes spontaneous abortions and birth defects. Pregnant women who suffer from hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) have a four-time greater risk for miscarriage during the second trimester than those who don't, and women with untreated thyroid deficiency were four-times more likely to have a child with a developmental disability and lower I.Q.
And, it seems that many vaccines also contain two other spermicidal agents. Octoxinol-9 which is a spermicide that causes rashes, dizziness, chills and muscle aches, and Nonoxynol-9 which is a powerful disinfectant and spermicide.
Families will make case for vaccine link to autism
By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer
Mon May 12, 7:34 AM ET
WASHINGTON - The Institute of Medicine said in 2004 there was no credible evidence to show that vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal led to autism in children. But thousands of families have a different take based on personal experience.
Some of them are going to court Monday as attorneys will attempt to show that the mercury-based preservative triggers symptoms of autism.
Two 10-year-old boys from Portland, Ore., will serve as test cases to determine whether many of the children and their families should be compensated. Attorneys for the boys will attempt to show the boys were happy, healthy and developing normally -- but, after being exposed to vaccines with thimerosal, they began to regress.
Thimerosal has been removed in recent years from standard childhood vaccines, except flu vaccines that are not packaged in single-doses. The CDC says single-dose flu shots currently are available only in limited quantities. In 2004, a committee with the Institute of Medicine concluded there was no credible evidence that vaccines containing thimerosal caused autism.
Overall, nearly 4,900 families have filed claims with the U.S. Court of Claims alleging that vaccines caused autism and other neurological problems in their children. Lawyers for the families are presenting three different theories of how vaccines caused autism.
The Office of Special Masters of the claims court has instructed the plaintiffs to designate three test cases for each of the three theories -- nine cases in all -- and has assigned three special masters to handle the cases. Three cases in the first category were heard last year, but no decisions have been reached.
The two cases beginning Monday are among the three that focus on the second theory of causation: that thimerosal-containing vaccines alone cause autism. The plaintiff in the third case originally scheduled for hearing this month has withdrawn and lawyers and court officials are working to agree on a substitute case.
Hearings in the test cases for the third theory of causation are scheduled in mid-September.
Lawyers for the petitioning families in the cases being heard this month say they will present evidence that injections with thimerosal deposit a form of mercury in the brain. That mercury excites certain brain cells that stay chronically activated trying to get rid of the intrusion.
"In some kids, there's enough of it that it sets off this chronic neuroinflammatory pattern that can lead to regressive autism," said attorney Mike Williams.
In the end, the families' attorneys hope to convince the special master hearing their case that thimerosal belongs on the list of causes for the inflammation that leads to regressive autism.
To win, the attorneys for the two boys, William Mead and Jordan King, will have to show that it's more likely than not that the vaccine actually caused the injury.
Many members of the medical community are skeptical of the families' claims. They worry that the claims about the dangers of vaccines could cause some people to forgo vaccines that prevent illness.
"I think that what's so endearing to me about the anti-vaccine people, is they're perfectly willing to go from one hypothesis to the next without a backward glance," said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Dr. Andrew Gerber, a psychiatrist, said that medical experts don't have a comprehensive understanding of what causes autism, but they do know there is a strong hereditary component.
Toxins from the environment could play a role, but currently, data does not support that they do, Gerber said.
Arguments are scheduled to go on throughout the month. A final decision could take several more months. Claims that are successful would result in compensation taking into account lost earnings after age 18 and up to $250,000 for pain and suffering.
The families or the federal government can also appeal the decision of the special master to the Court of Federal Claims or to a federal appeals court.
The court Web site says more than 12,500 claims have been filed since creation of the program in 1987, including more than 5,300 autism cases, and more than $1.7 billion has been paid in claims. It says there is now more than $2.7 billion in a trust fund supported by an excise tax on each dose of vaccine covered by the program.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080512/ap_on_he_me/autism_court_case&printer=1;_ylt=ApisQnyyhDNXYM5cXAwRnD1a24cA
Monday, May 12, 2008
Legislation Designed to Destroy Natural Medicine Industry
The Canadian equivalent of the FDA is rattling their sabers and threatening comprehensive new laws that could potentially criminalize literally all aspects of alternative and natural medicine. Big Pharma is obviously in support of such moves, so you can bet that with their financial and political sway, we may soon face increased challenges to our health freedoms here in the US. Not only does this legislation seek to restrict the sale of herbs, vitamins, and any other substances on the target list, but would also forbid the private use or production of such remedies in an individual's own home.
The days of being able to "doctor" ourselves at home, or more importantly, using natural substances (even foods) to prevent disease, may be limited if governments and other powerful organizations have their way. These attacks on natural health freedoms are a clear and present danger to our welfare. It is important the freedom-loving people everywhere stand up and make their views known to our government representatives while we still have a chance to make a difference. Several years ago, the homeschooling movement banded together to pool their political influence, and the freedom to homeschool has been preserved despite the agenda of some to stamp it out. Perhaps we should learn a lesson from these home-educators and begin to apply similar tactics in order to maintain our natural health freedoms.
Canada's C-51 Law May Outlaw 60% of Natural Health Products; Big Pharma Pushing to Criminalize Supplements
by Mike Adams
(NaturalNews) A new law being pushed in Canada by Big Pharma seeks to outlaw up to 60 percent of natural health products currently sold in Canada, even while criminalizing parents who give herbs or supplements to their children. The law, known as C-51, was introduced by the Canadian Minister of Health on April 8th, 2008, and it proposes sweeping changes to Canada's Food and Drugs Act that could have devastating consequences on the health products industry.
Among the changes proposed by the bill are radical alterations to key terminology, including replacing the word "drug" with "therapeutic product" throughout the Act, thereby giving the Canadian government broad-reaching powers to regulate the sale of all herbs, vitamins, supplements and other items. With this single language change, anything that is "therapeutic" automatically falls under the Food and Drug Act. This would include bottled water, blueberries, dandelion greens and essentially all plant-derived substances.
The Act also changes the definition of the word "sell" to include anyone who gives such therapeutic products to someone else. So a mother giving an herb to her child, under the proposed new language, could be arrested for engaging in the sale of unregulated, unapproved "therapeutic substances." Learn about more of these freedom-squashing changes to the law at the Stop51.com website: http://www.stopc51.com
New enforcement powers allow Canadian government to seize your home or business.
At the same time that C-51 is outlawing herbs, supplements and vitamins, it would grant alarming new "enforcement" powers to the enforcement agents who claim to be "protecting" the public from dangerous unapproved "therapeutic agents" like, say, dandelion greens. As explained on the www.Educate-Yourself.org website, the C-51 law would allow the Canadian government's enforcement agents to:
-Raid your home or business without a warrant
-Seize your bank accounts
-Levy fines up to $5 million and a jail terms up to 2 years for merely selling an herb
-Confiscate your property, then charge you storage fees for the expense involved in storing all the products they stole from you
C-51 would even criminalize the simple drying of herbs in your kitchen to be used in an herbal product, by the way. That would now be categorized as a "controlled activity," and anyone caught engaging in such "controlled activities" would be arrested, fined and potentially jailed. Other "controlled activities" include labeling bottles, harvesting plants on a farm, collecting herbs from your back yard, or even testing herbal products on yourself! (Yes, virtually every activity involving herbs or supplements would be criminalized...)
There's more, too. C-51 is the Canadian government's "final solution" for the health products industry. It's a desperate effort to destroy this industry that's threatening the profits and viability of conventional medicine.
Natural medicine works so well -- and is becoming so widely used -- that both the Canadian and American governments have decided to "nuke" the industries by passing new laws that effectively criminalize anyone selling such products. They simply cannot tolerate allowing consumers to have continued access to natural products. To do so will ultimately spell the destruction of Big Pharma and the outdated, corrupt and criminally-operated pharmaceutical industry that these criminally-operated governments are trying to protect.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023121.html
The days of being able to "doctor" ourselves at home, or more importantly, using natural substances (even foods) to prevent disease, may be limited if governments and other powerful organizations have their way. These attacks on natural health freedoms are a clear and present danger to our welfare. It is important the freedom-loving people everywhere stand up and make their views known to our government representatives while we still have a chance to make a difference. Several years ago, the homeschooling movement banded together to pool their political influence, and the freedom to homeschool has been preserved despite the agenda of some to stamp it out. Perhaps we should learn a lesson from these home-educators and begin to apply similar tactics in order to maintain our natural health freedoms.
Canada's C-51 Law May Outlaw 60% of Natural Health Products; Big Pharma Pushing to Criminalize Supplements
by Mike Adams
(NaturalNews) A new law being pushed in Canada by Big Pharma seeks to outlaw up to 60 percent of natural health products currently sold in Canada, even while criminalizing parents who give herbs or supplements to their children. The law, known as C-51, was introduced by the Canadian Minister of Health on April 8th, 2008, and it proposes sweeping changes to Canada's Food and Drugs Act that could have devastating consequences on the health products industry.
Among the changes proposed by the bill are radical alterations to key terminology, including replacing the word "drug" with "therapeutic product" throughout the Act, thereby giving the Canadian government broad-reaching powers to regulate the sale of all herbs, vitamins, supplements and other items. With this single language change, anything that is "therapeutic" automatically falls under the Food and Drug Act. This would include bottled water, blueberries, dandelion greens and essentially all plant-derived substances.
The Act also changes the definition of the word "sell" to include anyone who gives such therapeutic products to someone else. So a mother giving an herb to her child, under the proposed new language, could be arrested for engaging in the sale of unregulated, unapproved "therapeutic substances." Learn about more of these freedom-squashing changes to the law at the Stop51.com website: http://www.stopc51.com
New enforcement powers allow Canadian government to seize your home or business.
At the same time that C-51 is outlawing herbs, supplements and vitamins, it would grant alarming new "enforcement" powers to the enforcement agents who claim to be "protecting" the public from dangerous unapproved "therapeutic agents" like, say, dandelion greens. As explained on the www.Educate-Yourself.org website, the C-51 law would allow the Canadian government's enforcement agents to:
-Raid your home or business without a warrant
-Seize your bank accounts
-Levy fines up to $5 million and a jail terms up to 2 years for merely selling an herb
-Confiscate your property, then charge you storage fees for the expense involved in storing all the products they stole from you
C-51 would even criminalize the simple drying of herbs in your kitchen to be used in an herbal product, by the way. That would now be categorized as a "controlled activity," and anyone caught engaging in such "controlled activities" would be arrested, fined and potentially jailed. Other "controlled activities" include labeling bottles, harvesting plants on a farm, collecting herbs from your back yard, or even testing herbal products on yourself! (Yes, virtually every activity involving herbs or supplements would be criminalized...)
There's more, too. C-51 is the Canadian government's "final solution" for the health products industry. It's a desperate effort to destroy this industry that's threatening the profits and viability of conventional medicine.
Natural medicine works so well -- and is becoming so widely used -- that both the Canadian and American governments have decided to "nuke" the industries by passing new laws that effectively criminalize anyone selling such products. They simply cannot tolerate allowing consumers to have continued access to natural products. To do so will ultimately spell the destruction of Big Pharma and the outdated, corrupt and criminally-operated pharmaceutical industry that these criminally-operated governments are trying to protect.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023121.html
Disease-Fighting Benefits of Apples
A recently released study will likely be soundly embraced by apple growers, unless they are afraid of running afoul of the FDA by supporting the idea that a food could actually prevent disease. But despite the threats of such government agencies, it is clear that apples contain substances that promote wellness and help to keep several diseases at bay, including certain types of cancer. It seems the peel of the apple is especially potent in such cancer-fighters.
Eating large quantities of apples, as well as other fruits and veggies, is one of the best choices one can make when it comes to eating well. Ongoing research continues to identify a growing number of compounds found in these types of foods that provide numerous health benefits. However, you must be sure to load up on organic fruits and vegetables that are not polluted with pesticides and other toxins. It is best to grow your own if you are able, as then you can be sure they are not contaminated. There are few pleasures in life that are more rewarding than picking fresh produce from your own garden and enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of your labor.
An Apple Peel a Day Could Keep Cancer at Bay
by Leslee Dru Browning
(NaturalNews) An apple peel a day might help keep cancer at bay, according to Rui Hai Liu, Cornell associate professor of food science, who has identified a dozen compounds -- triterpenoids -- in apple peel that either inhibit or kill cancer cells in laboratory cultures. Three of the compounds have not previously been described in the literature.
"We found that several compounds have potent anti-proliferative activities against human liver, colon, and breast cancer cells, and may be partially responsible for the anti-cancer activities of whole apples," says Liu, who is affiliated with Cornell's Institute of Comparative and Environmental Toxicology and is senior author of the study, which is online and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
In previous Cornell studies, apples had been found not only to fight cancer cells in the laboratory, but also to reduce the number and size of mammary tumors in rats. The Cornell researchers now think that the triterpenoids may be doing much of the anti-cancer work.
"Some compounds were more potent and acted differently against the various cancer cell lines, but they all show very potent anti-cancer activities and should be studied further," says Liu.
With co-author Xiangjiu He, a Cornell postdoctoral researcher, Liu analyzed the peel from 230 pounds of red delicious apples from the Cornell Orchard and isolated their individual compounds. After identifying the structures of the promising compounds in the peel, the researchers tested the pure compounds against cancer cell growth in the laboratory. In the past, Liu has also identified compounds called phytochemicals -- mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids -- in apples and other foods that appear to have anti-cancer properties as well, including inhibiting tumor growth in human breast cancer cells.
"We believe that a recommendation for consumers to eat five to twelve servings of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily is appropriate to reduce the risks of chronic diseases, including cancer, and to meet nutrient requirements for optimum health," said Liu.
Additional recent research has shown that eating apples is linked to reducing cancer risk in several studies. Some examples are:
* Quercetin, a flavonoid abundant in apples has been found to help prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells.
* Phytonutrients in the skin of apples inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells by 43%.
* Food containing flavonoids like those in apples may reduce risk of lung cancer as much as 50%
* Dietary phenolics such as flavonoids (found in apples) have inhibitory effects on the developments of carcinogenic substances in the bladder, thereby reducing risk of bladder cancer, especially in smokers.
Also, eating apples could improve lung function and reduce the risk of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to antioxidants present in apples that would counter the oxygen's damaging effects on the body, as well as the flavonoids such as catechins (present in apples and tea).
In addition, studies have shown that a diet rich in apples could help to lower the blood cholesterol levels. Pectin, a soluble fiber found in apples, has been thought to play a significant role in this. In fact, apple juice has been found to inhibit the oxidation of a harmful form of cholesterol (LDL, or low-density lipoprotein).
Besides therapeutic benefits, apples were also found to play a role at inhibiting age-related problems, preventing wrinkles and promoting hair growth (due to a compound named procyanidin B-2).
For weight-watchers, apples are a delicious source of dietary fiber and help to aid digestion and promote weight loss.
My recommendation is that if you are going to eat apple peels, make sure your apples are organic.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023150.html
Eating large quantities of apples, as well as other fruits and veggies, is one of the best choices one can make when it comes to eating well. Ongoing research continues to identify a growing number of compounds found in these types of foods that provide numerous health benefits. However, you must be sure to load up on organic fruits and vegetables that are not polluted with pesticides and other toxins. It is best to grow your own if you are able, as then you can be sure they are not contaminated. There are few pleasures in life that are more rewarding than picking fresh produce from your own garden and enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of your labor.
An Apple Peel a Day Could Keep Cancer at Bay
by Leslee Dru Browning
(NaturalNews) An apple peel a day might help keep cancer at bay, according to Rui Hai Liu, Cornell associate professor of food science, who has identified a dozen compounds -- triterpenoids -- in apple peel that either inhibit or kill cancer cells in laboratory cultures. Three of the compounds have not previously been described in the literature.
"We found that several compounds have potent anti-proliferative activities against human liver, colon, and breast cancer cells, and may be partially responsible for the anti-cancer activities of whole apples," says Liu, who is affiliated with Cornell's Institute of Comparative and Environmental Toxicology and is senior author of the study, which is online and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
In previous Cornell studies, apples had been found not only to fight cancer cells in the laboratory, but also to reduce the number and size of mammary tumors in rats. The Cornell researchers now think that the triterpenoids may be doing much of the anti-cancer work.
"Some compounds were more potent and acted differently against the various cancer cell lines, but they all show very potent anti-cancer activities and should be studied further," says Liu.
With co-author Xiangjiu He, a Cornell postdoctoral researcher, Liu analyzed the peel from 230 pounds of red delicious apples from the Cornell Orchard and isolated their individual compounds. After identifying the structures of the promising compounds in the peel, the researchers tested the pure compounds against cancer cell growth in the laboratory. In the past, Liu has also identified compounds called phytochemicals -- mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids -- in apples and other foods that appear to have anti-cancer properties as well, including inhibiting tumor growth in human breast cancer cells.
"We believe that a recommendation for consumers to eat five to twelve servings of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily is appropriate to reduce the risks of chronic diseases, including cancer, and to meet nutrient requirements for optimum health," said Liu.
Additional recent research has shown that eating apples is linked to reducing cancer risk in several studies. Some examples are:
* Quercetin, a flavonoid abundant in apples has been found to help prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells.
* Phytonutrients in the skin of apples inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells by 43%.
* Food containing flavonoids like those in apples may reduce risk of lung cancer as much as 50%
* Dietary phenolics such as flavonoids (found in apples) have inhibitory effects on the developments of carcinogenic substances in the bladder, thereby reducing risk of bladder cancer, especially in smokers.
Also, eating apples could improve lung function and reduce the risk of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to antioxidants present in apples that would counter the oxygen's damaging effects on the body, as well as the flavonoids such as catechins (present in apples and tea).
In addition, studies have shown that a diet rich in apples could help to lower the blood cholesterol levels. Pectin, a soluble fiber found in apples, has been thought to play a significant role in this. In fact, apple juice has been found to inhibit the oxidation of a harmful form of cholesterol (LDL, or low-density lipoprotein).
Besides therapeutic benefits, apples were also found to play a role at inhibiting age-related problems, preventing wrinkles and promoting hair growth (due to a compound named procyanidin B-2).
For weight-watchers, apples are a delicious source of dietary fiber and help to aid digestion and promote weight loss.
My recommendation is that if you are going to eat apple peels, make sure your apples are organic.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z023150.html
Friday, May 9, 2008
Intellectual Benefits of Breast-Feeding
There are many reasons why nursing your baby is an excellent way to naturally boost his or her health and wellness, and according to a new research study, improving their brain power may be one of them. The findings involved children who were exclusively breast-fed for at least the first 90 days of their lives.
Scientists conducting the research in the article below and others are not certain why breast-feeding seems to boost intellectual prowess, with opinion being mixed over whether the main factor involves the content of the milk or the physical and emotional bonding that nursing mothers and their babies undergo. In truth, it is probably a combination of both. Any way you look at it, nursing babies provides numerous physical and psychological benefits to both the baby and the mother.
Dr. Donald Rudin, in his book The Omega-3 Phenomenon, writes about the possible intellectual benefits of breast-feeding: There is no comparable substitute for the remarkable mix of nutrients and immunity-boosting factors provided by mother's milk, as long as the mother is eating properly. A well-nourished nursing mother provides her infant with a perfect blend of essential fatty acids and their long-chained derivatives, assuring fast-growing brain and body tissues a rich supply. Mother's milk also supplies important antibodies not present in cow's milk or in artificial formula. Here is a nutritive comparison:
Breast milk may have five times more arachidonic acid and two and a half times more EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) than formula.
Breast milk may have 30 times more DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) than formula.
Compared with mother's milk, formulas are also low in selenium and biotin.
Unfortunately, the breast milk of many mothers in the US reflects the high trans fatty acid and low Omega-3 content in the SAD diet. The breast milk from American mothers often has only one-fifth to one-tenth of the Omega-3 content of the milk that well-nourished, nut-eating Nigerian mothers provide their infants.
Breast-feeding is hands down one of the most effective and natural ways to prevent illness and bolster the overall health of the infant. Historically, before the advent of bottles and formulas, children were typically breast-fed till the age of two or three. As is so often true, a return to the traditional ways, in this case extended breast-feeding, may be one significant way to help reverse the modern trend towards poor health in children, sky-rocketing rates of debilitating disease, and intellectual laziness.
Breast-Feeding May Boost IQ
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter Monday, May 5, 2008; 12:00 AM
MONDAY, May 5 (HealthDay News) -- Children who were breast-fed exclusively for the first three months of life or longer scored nearly six points higher on IQ tests at the age of 6 than children who weren't breast-fed exclusively, a new study has found.
The finding buttresses previous research that has suggested that children and adults who were breast-fed as infants scored better on IQ tests and other measures of cognitive development, such as thinking, learning and memory, the study authors said.
"Long and exclusive breast-feeding makes kids smarter," said lead researcher Dr. Michael S. Kramer, of McGill University and the Montreal Children's Hospital, in Canada.
Why breast-feeding might increase cognitive skills isn't clear, Kramer said. "It could be something in the milk, or it could be the physical contact between the mother and the baby," he said. "It could be the way the mother interacts with the baby during breast-feeding -- there is no way to know."
The one thing Kraemer is sure of is that it has nothing to do with differences between mothers. The women in the new study were all from the eastern European country of Belarus.
The findings are published in the May issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
For the study, Kramer's group randomly assigned 7,108 infants in Belarus to exclusive breast-feeding; another 6,781 infants received the usual practice of breast-feeding plus other foods.
When the children were 6.5 years old they were given a standard IQ test. Those children who were exclusively breast-fed scored, on average, 7.5 points higher in verbal intelligence, 2.9 points higher in nonverbal intelligence, and 5.9 points higher in overall intelligence.
In addition, their teachers said the breast-fed children had significantly better academic performance in both reading and writing, compared with children who weren't breast-fed exclusively.
Kramer thinks women should breast-feed exclusively for at least three, and if they can, six months, and try to continue breast-feeding for at least a year.
"For women in developed countries who can achieve exclusive breast-feeding for at least three months, their kids would benefit by about three or four IQ points," he said.
One expert thinks it's the nutrients in mothers' milk -- which aren't found in other foods -- that are essential for brain development and increased IQ.
"I'm not surprised because many studies have had similar results," said Dr. Ruth Lawrence, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics executive committee section on breast-feeding. "It's wonderful to have this very large study to confirm what we've known or thought for a long time."
Lawrence thinks that because mothers' milk contains certain amino acids not found in formula, it's better for infants' developing brains. These amino acids include omega three fatty acids and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid), which are important for brain growth, she noted.
Human milk also contains cholesterol, while formula doesn't, Lawrence said. "We learned to fear cholesterol and yet cholesterol is very important for brain tissue, it's very important for nerve tissue," she said. "That's why human milk is a better nutrient to support brain growth."
Many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend breast-feeding as the best way to improve infants' overall health and build their immune system. Breast-fed infants have fewer hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050501619.html
Scientists conducting the research in the article below and others are not certain why breast-feeding seems to boost intellectual prowess, with opinion being mixed over whether the main factor involves the content of the milk or the physical and emotional bonding that nursing mothers and their babies undergo. In truth, it is probably a combination of both. Any way you look at it, nursing babies provides numerous physical and psychological benefits to both the baby and the mother.
Dr. Donald Rudin, in his book The Omega-3 Phenomenon, writes about the possible intellectual benefits of breast-feeding: There is no comparable substitute for the remarkable mix of nutrients and immunity-boosting factors provided by mother's milk, as long as the mother is eating properly. A well-nourished nursing mother provides her infant with a perfect blend of essential fatty acids and their long-chained derivatives, assuring fast-growing brain and body tissues a rich supply. Mother's milk also supplies important antibodies not present in cow's milk or in artificial formula. Here is a nutritive comparison:
Breast milk may have five times more arachidonic acid and two and a half times more EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) than formula.
Breast milk may have 30 times more DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) than formula.
Compared with mother's milk, formulas are also low in selenium and biotin.
Unfortunately, the breast milk of many mothers in the US reflects the high trans fatty acid and low Omega-3 content in the SAD diet. The breast milk from American mothers often has only one-fifth to one-tenth of the Omega-3 content of the milk that well-nourished, nut-eating Nigerian mothers provide their infants.
Breast-feeding is hands down one of the most effective and natural ways to prevent illness and bolster the overall health of the infant. Historically, before the advent of bottles and formulas, children were typically breast-fed till the age of two or three. As is so often true, a return to the traditional ways, in this case extended breast-feeding, may be one significant way to help reverse the modern trend towards poor health in children, sky-rocketing rates of debilitating disease, and intellectual laziness.
Breast-Feeding May Boost IQ
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter Monday, May 5, 2008; 12:00 AM
MONDAY, May 5 (HealthDay News) -- Children who were breast-fed exclusively for the first three months of life or longer scored nearly six points higher on IQ tests at the age of 6 than children who weren't breast-fed exclusively, a new study has found.
The finding buttresses previous research that has suggested that children and adults who were breast-fed as infants scored better on IQ tests and other measures of cognitive development, such as thinking, learning and memory, the study authors said.
"Long and exclusive breast-feeding makes kids smarter," said lead researcher Dr. Michael S. Kramer, of McGill University and the Montreal Children's Hospital, in Canada.
Why breast-feeding might increase cognitive skills isn't clear, Kramer said. "It could be something in the milk, or it could be the physical contact between the mother and the baby," he said. "It could be the way the mother interacts with the baby during breast-feeding -- there is no way to know."
The one thing Kraemer is sure of is that it has nothing to do with differences between mothers. The women in the new study were all from the eastern European country of Belarus.
The findings are published in the May issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
For the study, Kramer's group randomly assigned 7,108 infants in Belarus to exclusive breast-feeding; another 6,781 infants received the usual practice of breast-feeding plus other foods.
When the children were 6.5 years old they were given a standard IQ test. Those children who were exclusively breast-fed scored, on average, 7.5 points higher in verbal intelligence, 2.9 points higher in nonverbal intelligence, and 5.9 points higher in overall intelligence.
In addition, their teachers said the breast-fed children had significantly better academic performance in both reading and writing, compared with children who weren't breast-fed exclusively.
Kramer thinks women should breast-feed exclusively for at least three, and if they can, six months, and try to continue breast-feeding for at least a year.
"For women in developed countries who can achieve exclusive breast-feeding for at least three months, their kids would benefit by about three or four IQ points," he said.
One expert thinks it's the nutrients in mothers' milk -- which aren't found in other foods -- that are essential for brain development and increased IQ.
"I'm not surprised because many studies have had similar results," said Dr. Ruth Lawrence, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics executive committee section on breast-feeding. "It's wonderful to have this very large study to confirm what we've known or thought for a long time."
Lawrence thinks that because mothers' milk contains certain amino acids not found in formula, it's better for infants' developing brains. These amino acids include omega three fatty acids and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid), which are important for brain growth, she noted.
Human milk also contains cholesterol, while formula doesn't, Lawrence said. "We learned to fear cholesterol and yet cholesterol is very important for brain tissue, it's very important for nerve tissue," she said. "That's why human milk is a better nutrient to support brain growth."
Many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend breast-feeding as the best way to improve infants' overall health and build their immune system. Breast-fed infants have fewer hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050501619.html
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Measles and Vaccination Propaganda
You may have read or heard stories recently in the media about the “resurgence” of the measles virus here in the US. Below is an excellent article from a watchdog group that speaks out for truth about vaccinations and seeks to educate and defend the rights of individuals who question the wisdom of subjecting themselves and their children to the toxic substances included in vaccines.
The measles vaccine is a component of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination cocktail that has been linked to many health problems, including permanent disabilities such as brain damage. The whole vaccination issue is an excellent example of how the network of government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and many conventional physicians work together to instill fear and put pressure on parents and caregivers to submit to increased and even mandatory vaccinations of their children. The science behind the push for vaccines is often based on misrepresentation and hyped-up statistics, and results in a growing loss of healthcare freedoms in this country. The good news is that an increasing number of people are beginning to question whether exposure to these vaccines is a quality healthcare choice for themselves and their families.
Deja Vu: Spinning Measles
by Barbara Loe Fisher
Last week, CDC officials began spinning the significance of 64 cases of measles reported during the past four months in contrast to the 37 to 508 cases of measles reported annually between 1996 and 2006 in the U.S.. One-quarter (14) of the 64 children and adults who got measles in the past four months were hospitalized but there were no deaths.
A CDC press release and Fact Sheet revealed that nearly half of the 64 measles cases occurred in those too young to be vaccinated or whose vaccination status was not known. Only one fifth (14) of the cases were American children whose parents claimed a religious or personal belief exemption. This fact didn't stop CDC officials from trying to blame the measles "outbreaks" on the exemption-takers by stating "These cases and outbreaks resulted primarily from failure to vaccinate, many because of religious or personal belief exemption."
In addition, the CDC made the following undocumented statement: "Before the measles vaccination program, about 3- 4 million persons in the U.S. were infected each year, of whom 400 to 500 died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and another 1,000 developed chronic disability from measles encephalitis." A quick look at the MMWR historical tables shows that the highest number of measles cases reported since 1945 in the U.S. was 763,094 cases reported in 1958.
What is the real story behind the hyping of 64 cases of measles and attempting to demonize parents who have taken religious or personal belief exemptions to vaccination? Are government health officials trying to deflect attention from the reality that even with a 95-100 percent measles vaccine uptake for children entering kindergarten in two- thirds of the states and a 92 to 95 percent vaccine uptake in all but four states, two doses of measles vaccine does not prevent measles from circulating in the population? Are they softening up the public for a future announcement insisting that a third dose of MMR vaccine must be mandated to "eradicate" measles?
After the first measles vaccine was licensed in 1963 and began to be used on a mass basis in the U.S., health officials estimated the herd immunity threshold was as low as 55 percent vaccine coverage in a population receiving one dose of measles vaccine. When that belief failed to "eradicate"measles, in 1971 the herd immunity estimate was raised to more than 90 percent coverage and the 1977 Childhood Immunization Initiative was launched with an aggressive enforcement of mandatory vaccination laws. However, by 1989 it was obvious that even with a 95 percent plus vaccination rate for children entering kindergarten in most states, measles was still circulating with about 55,000 cases reported between 1989 and 1991.
Without conducting a thorough investigation to find out why there were measles increases between 1989 and 1991 in a highly vaccinated population or why the measles being seen was unusually virulent, CDC officials announced that all children must get a second dose of measles vaccine. But measles infections persisted and, in 1995, the National Vaccine Information Center reported on informed consent violations and child deaths in a large worldwide high titer measles vaccine experiment in which a very potent experimental measles vaccine was given to children under six months old to try to over- ride maternal antibodies. By 1998, eight distinct genetic groups of wild type measles were identified worldwide in vaccinated and unvaccinated populations.
By 2006, vaccine developers had raised the estimated herd immunity coverage rate for measles eradication to between 93 to 95 percent but obviously even that extremely high coverage rate in most states is not enough to do the job. So what comes next? Will the CDC call for the National Guard to go door-to-door armed with syringes containing measles vaccine to make sure there is not one unvaccinated person in the country?
Measles vaccine, which is part of the combination live virus MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine can cause brain inflammation and permanent brain damage. There have been nearly 45,000 reports of health problems associated with MMR vaccination made to the federal Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) . However, there is gross underreporting to VAERS and it is estimated that, for example, fewer than 4 percent of all cases of thrombocytopenia (potentially fatal blood disorder) following MMR vaccination are ever reported to VAERS.
In 1997, Andrew Wakefield, M.D. and his colleagues published findings indicating that the MMR vaccine may contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel disease and autism in a subset of children, a scientific debate that continues today.
Parents contact the National Vaccine Information Center every week to file MMR vaccine reaction reports in the NVIC Vaccine Reaction Registry and describe how their children are suffering high fevers, seizures, brain inflammation and regression into autism after MMR vaccination. To view some of these reaction reports, go to the International Memorial for Vaccine Victims.
The CDC's one-size-fits-all, no-exceptions MMR vaccine policies allow almost no contraindications to MMR vaccine use. According to the CDC, a child can be sick at the time of vaccination or recovering from an illness; have a fever; be taking antibiotics; have a history of allergies; or have experienced a seizure or regression after a previous MMR shot and still be eligible for more MMR vaccine.
With oppressive "no missed opportunities" vaccination policies in place, it is no wonder more parents are filing religious and personal belief exemptions to vaccination. Some have no other choice, especially if their children have experienced previous serious health problems following vaccination and they cannot find a doctor to write a medical exemption. Others want to choose less toxic alternatives to vaccination to maintain health and wellness.
Non-medical vaccine exemptions for religious and personal beliefs are all that stand between the people and tyranny when doctors inside and outside of government take an extreme, utilitarian approach to infectious disease control and write off vaccine casualties as acceptable losses.
Today, 1 in every 6 highly vaccinated American child is learning disabled, 1 in 9 is asthmatic and 1 in 100 to 150 develops autism while measles and other childhood diseases persist no matter how many doses are given or how high the vaccine coverage rate.
It is time for parents and legislators to take a hard look at whether trying to eradicate many diseases with forced use of multiple vaccines is a fundamentally flawed policy that has failed to achieve better individual or public health. It is time for vaccines, which are pharmaceutical products made and sold by corporations for profit, to be subject to the law of supply and demand rather than be financially subsidized and forced by government on the people.
No forced vaccination. Not in America.
Original article available on NVIC (National Vaccine Information Center) website at
http://www.nvic.org (registration for Free E-News required)
The measles vaccine is a component of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination cocktail that has been linked to many health problems, including permanent disabilities such as brain damage. The whole vaccination issue is an excellent example of how the network of government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and many conventional physicians work together to instill fear and put pressure on parents and caregivers to submit to increased and even mandatory vaccinations of their children. The science behind the push for vaccines is often based on misrepresentation and hyped-up statistics, and results in a growing loss of healthcare freedoms in this country. The good news is that an increasing number of people are beginning to question whether exposure to these vaccines is a quality healthcare choice for themselves and their families.
Deja Vu: Spinning Measles
by Barbara Loe Fisher
Last week, CDC officials began spinning the significance of 64 cases of measles reported during the past four months in contrast to the 37 to 508 cases of measles reported annually between 1996 and 2006 in the U.S.. One-quarter (14) of the 64 children and adults who got measles in the past four months were hospitalized but there were no deaths.
A CDC press release and Fact Sheet revealed that nearly half of the 64 measles cases occurred in those too young to be vaccinated or whose vaccination status was not known. Only one fifth (14) of the cases were American children whose parents claimed a religious or personal belief exemption. This fact didn't stop CDC officials from trying to blame the measles "outbreaks" on the exemption-takers by stating "These cases and outbreaks resulted primarily from failure to vaccinate, many because of religious or personal belief exemption."
In addition, the CDC made the following undocumented statement: "Before the measles vaccination program, about 3- 4 million persons in the U.S. were infected each year, of whom 400 to 500 died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and another 1,000 developed chronic disability from measles encephalitis." A quick look at the MMWR historical tables shows that the highest number of measles cases reported since 1945 in the U.S. was 763,094 cases reported in 1958.
What is the real story behind the hyping of 64 cases of measles and attempting to demonize parents who have taken religious or personal belief exemptions to vaccination? Are government health officials trying to deflect attention from the reality that even with a 95-100 percent measles vaccine uptake for children entering kindergarten in two- thirds of the states and a 92 to 95 percent vaccine uptake in all but four states, two doses of measles vaccine does not prevent measles from circulating in the population? Are they softening up the public for a future announcement insisting that a third dose of MMR vaccine must be mandated to "eradicate" measles?
After the first measles vaccine was licensed in 1963 and began to be used on a mass basis in the U.S., health officials estimated the herd immunity threshold was as low as 55 percent vaccine coverage in a population receiving one dose of measles vaccine. When that belief failed to "eradicate"measles, in 1971 the herd immunity estimate was raised to more than 90 percent coverage and the 1977 Childhood Immunization Initiative was launched with an aggressive enforcement of mandatory vaccination laws. However, by 1989 it was obvious that even with a 95 percent plus vaccination rate for children entering kindergarten in most states, measles was still circulating with about 55,000 cases reported between 1989 and 1991.
Without conducting a thorough investigation to find out why there were measles increases between 1989 and 1991 in a highly vaccinated population or why the measles being seen was unusually virulent, CDC officials announced that all children must get a second dose of measles vaccine. But measles infections persisted and, in 1995, the National Vaccine Information Center reported on informed consent violations and child deaths in a large worldwide high titer measles vaccine experiment in which a very potent experimental measles vaccine was given to children under six months old to try to over- ride maternal antibodies. By 1998, eight distinct genetic groups of wild type measles were identified worldwide in vaccinated and unvaccinated populations.
By 2006, vaccine developers had raised the estimated herd immunity coverage rate for measles eradication to between 93 to 95 percent but obviously even that extremely high coverage rate in most states is not enough to do the job. So what comes next? Will the CDC call for the National Guard to go door-to-door armed with syringes containing measles vaccine to make sure there is not one unvaccinated person in the country?
Measles vaccine, which is part of the combination live virus MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine can cause brain inflammation and permanent brain damage. There have been nearly 45,000 reports of health problems associated with MMR vaccination made to the federal Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) . However, there is gross underreporting to VAERS and it is estimated that, for example, fewer than 4 percent of all cases of thrombocytopenia (potentially fatal blood disorder) following MMR vaccination are ever reported to VAERS.
In 1997, Andrew Wakefield, M.D. and his colleagues published findings indicating that the MMR vaccine may contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel disease and autism in a subset of children, a scientific debate that continues today.
Parents contact the National Vaccine Information Center every week to file MMR vaccine reaction reports in the NVIC Vaccine Reaction Registry and describe how their children are suffering high fevers, seizures, brain inflammation and regression into autism after MMR vaccination. To view some of these reaction reports, go to the International Memorial for Vaccine Victims.
The CDC's one-size-fits-all, no-exceptions MMR vaccine policies allow almost no contraindications to MMR vaccine use. According to the CDC, a child can be sick at the time of vaccination or recovering from an illness; have a fever; be taking antibiotics; have a history of allergies; or have experienced a seizure or regression after a previous MMR shot and still be eligible for more MMR vaccine.
With oppressive "no missed opportunities" vaccination policies in place, it is no wonder more parents are filing religious and personal belief exemptions to vaccination. Some have no other choice, especially if their children have experienced previous serious health problems following vaccination and they cannot find a doctor to write a medical exemption. Others want to choose less toxic alternatives to vaccination to maintain health and wellness.
Non-medical vaccine exemptions for religious and personal beliefs are all that stand between the people and tyranny when doctors inside and outside of government take an extreme, utilitarian approach to infectious disease control and write off vaccine casualties as acceptable losses.
Today, 1 in every 6 highly vaccinated American child is learning disabled, 1 in 9 is asthmatic and 1 in 100 to 150 develops autism while measles and other childhood diseases persist no matter how many doses are given or how high the vaccine coverage rate.
It is time for parents and legislators to take a hard look at whether trying to eradicate many diseases with forced use of multiple vaccines is a fundamentally flawed policy that has failed to achieve better individual or public health. It is time for vaccines, which are pharmaceutical products made and sold by corporations for profit, to be subject to the law of supply and demand rather than be financially subsidized and forced by government on the people.
No forced vaccination. Not in America.
Original article available on NVIC (National Vaccine Information Center) website at
http://www.nvic.org (registration for Free E-News required)
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