Nutrition Research Center: Health Update

Are You Losing or Winning? Weight Gain and Obesity Has Reached Epidemic Proportions in America

2007-08-27T15:28:00.000-07:00

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Loosen the belt buckle another notch: Obesity rates continued to climb in 31 states last year, and no state showed a decline.

Mississippi became the first state to crack the 30 percent barrier for adults considered to be obese. West Virginia and Alabama were just behind, according to the Trust for America's Health, a research group that focuses on disease prevention.

Colorado continued its reign as the leanest state in the nation with an obesity rate projected at 17.6 percent.

This year's report, for the first time, looked at rates of overweight children ages 10 to 17. The District of Columbia had the highest percentage — 22.8 percent. Utah had the lowest — 8.5 percent.

Health officials say the latest state rankings provide evidence that the nation has a public health crisis on its hands.

Unfortunately, we're treating it like a mere inconvenience instead of the emergency that it is," said Dr. James Marks, senior vice president at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a philanthropy devoted to improving health care.

Officials at the Trust for America's Health want the government to play a larger role in preventing obesity. People who are overweight are at an increased risk for diabetes, heart problems and other chronic diseases that contribute to greater health care costs.

"It's one of those issues where everyone believes this is an epidemic, but it's not getting the level of political and policymaker attention that it ought to," said Jeffrey Levi, the organization's executive director. "As every candidate for president talks about health care reform and controlling health care cost costs, if we don't home in on this issue, none of their proposals are going to be affordable."

At the same time, many believe weight is a personal choice and responsibility. Levi doesn't dispute that notion, but he said society can help people make good choices.

"If we want kids to eat healthier food, we have to invest the money for school nutrition programs so that school lunches are healthier," he said. "If we want people to be more physically active, then there have to be safe places to be active. That's not just a class issue. We've designed suburban communities where there are no sidewalks for anybody to go out and take a walk."

To measure obesity rates, Trust for America's Health compares data from 2003-2005 with 2004-2006. It combines information from three years to improve the accuracy of projections. The data come from a survey of height and weight taken over the telephone. Because the information comes from a personal estimate, some believe it is conservative.

Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study last year noting a national obesity rate of about 32 percent — a higher rate than was cited for any of the states in the Trust for America's Health report. The CDC's estimate came from weighing people rather than relying on telephone interviews, officials explained.

Generally, anyone with a body mass index greater than 30 is considered obese. The index is a ratio that takes into account height and weight. The overweight range is 25 to 29.9. Normal is 18.5 to 24.9. People with a large amount of lean muscle mass, such as athletes, can show a large body mass index without having an unhealthy level of fat.

A lack of exercise is a huge factor in obesity rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found last year that more than 22 percent of Americans did not engage in any physical activity in the past month. The percentage is greater than 30 percent in four states: Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Meanwhile, Minnesotans led the way when it came to exercise. An estimated 15.4 percent of the state's residents did not engage an any physical exercise — the best rate in the nation. Still, the state ranked 28th overall when it came to the percentage of obese adults.

Another factor in obesity rates is poverty. The five poorest states were all in the top 10 when it came to obesity rates. An exception to that rule was the District of Columbia and New Mexico. Both had high poverty rates, but also one of the lower obesity rates among adults.

Poverty can lead to less safe neighborhoods, which deter children from playing. It can lead to fewer grocery stores offering fruits and vegetables, and it can lead to greater reliance on fast food, officials said.

"It seems the cheapest foods are the worst ones for you," Marks said.

Officials said the report is not designed to stigmatize states with high obesity rates but to stir them into action.

"These are the states where the urgency is the greatest. They need not to wait for others to lead. They need to become the leaders," Marks said. "It's the only way that they can restore the health of their children and their families. It's the only way that they can improve their economic competitiveness."
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Editor's Note: See our Weight Loss Program

Pau d'Arco — Wondrous Healing Herb From the Rainforest

2007-07-31T12:32:00.000-07:00

Pau d’arco is a tree found in the rainforests of Central and South America. Its common names include lapacho, taheebo and trumpet tree. The inner bark of pau d’arco is used by native tribes to treat cancer, lupus, infectious diseases, wounds, backache, toothache and sexually transmitted diseases. “The medicinal value of pau d’arco is thought to reside in certain compounds, called naphthaquinones, in the inner bark. Proponents claim that naphthaquinones enhance the immune system, cleanse the body and stimulate the production of red blood cells, which can increase the amount of oxygen the blood can carry contributing to healing.” * The heartwood of Pau d’arco — Tabebuia avellanedae — contains chemical compounds called naphthoquinones such as lapachol, as well as significant amounts of the antioxidant quercetin.

“Pau d'arco, or the inner bark of the Tabebuia avellanedae tree, is native to Brazil, where it is used traditionally to treat a wide range of conditions including pain, arthritis, inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis), fever, dysentery, boils and ulcers, and various cancers. Preliminary laboratory research examining the properties of pau d'arco is beginning to suggest that the traditional uses may have scientific merit. Such laboratory studies have shown that pau d'arco has pain killing, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, anti-psoriatic, and anti-cancer abilities.” Other uses include for candidiasis (a yeast infection of the vaginal or oral areas), herpes simplex virus, influenza, parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, bacterial infections such as brucellosis, and inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis) or the vagina (vaginitis). Pau d'arco may also reduce inflammation of the joints associated with arthritis. (University of Maryland Medical Center; http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/PaudArcoch.html)

Traditional uses also include for cancer, lupus, infectious diseases, wounds, backache, toothache and sexually transmitted diseases. Proponents claim that naphthaquinones enhance the immune system, cleanse the body and stimulate the production of red blood cells, which can increase the amount of oxygen the blood can carry contributing to healing. In large doses, Pau d’arco has killed lung cancer cells grown in the laboratory and reduced the rate of lung tumor growth in mice. The whole bark has no known side effects. The unrefined bark is much safer than taking extracts of the active ingredients. High doses of naphthaquinones can cause uncontrolled bleeding, nausea and vomiting. (University of California Medical Center, San Diego; Moores Cancer Center) For this reason, it is safer to consume the plant in its whole, natural form (as found in Nutriplex Formulas’ Detox Complex) rather than as preparation that infuses isolated naphthaquinones into the formula.

“In addition to its reported antitumor activities, Pau d’arco clearly has demonstrated broad clinical actions against a number of disease-causing organisms, which supports its wide uses in herbal medicine. Antimicrobial properties of many active phytochemicals were demonstrated in several trials, in which they exhibited strong in vitro activity against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and yeast (including Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, cryptococcus neoformans).

”Lapachol has been stated to be active against certain viral strains including herpes virus types I and II. Naphthoquinones have been documented to show effectiveness against four strains of the flu, polio and vesicular stomatitis virus. The mechanism of action of these quinolones is supposed to be via DNA and RNA polymerase inhibition and retrovirus reveres transcriptase. Further Beta- lapachone is presumed to interfere with the replication of HIV-1 virus via transcriptase inhibition. Pau d’arco and its chemicals also have demonstrated in vitro antiviral properties against various viruses, including Herpes I and II, influenza, poliovirus, and vesicular stomatitis virus. It is reported that lapachol decreases the replication of viruses in human subjects however there is no available clinical data. (Rahel Woldu; Reviewed 5/14/03 Susan Paulsen Pharm D; University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center)

IMPORTANT NOTE ON QUALITY: “Most of the commercially-available pau d’arco contain the inner and outer bark of the tree—which is stripped off at sawmills when the heartwood is milled into lumber for construction materials. At least 10 species of Tabebuia are logged commercially in South America for lumber purposes alone. When these logs arrive at lumber mills, the identifying leaves and flowers (which distinguish the tree species) are long gone—it’s all just “pau d’arco.” This may explain varying species of pau d’arco bark being sold as herbal products—and their resulting (diminished) quality.” FOR THIS REASON, NutriPlex Formulas uses a guaranteed pure source of Pau D’arco from the Costa Rican Rainforest.

* A Cancer Patient's Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2nd Edition; Editor: Kerry Harwood, RN, MSN; Duke University Medical Center

Fish oil may protect preemies' eyesight

2007-07-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer Mon Jul 9, 2007

WASHINGTON - Perhaps nowhere in the body is the adage "you are what you eat" so true as in your eyes, a link scientists are banking on in a novel bid to save premature babies' vision.

Doctors are about to begin testing whether fish oils could prevent a disease that can silently attack behind preemies' tiny eyelids, one that strikes about 16,000 U.S. infants a year and blinds hundreds.

It's part of research into a trio of apparently eye-healthy compounds that babies born too early miss absorbing from their mothers — research gaining increasing attention as more and babies are born premature and at risk.

"We're trying to mimic what would happen in utero," explains Dr. Lois Smith, an opthalmologist at Children's Hospital Boston who is leading the work. "Rather than give drugs, we're doing replacement treatment."

Preventing the disease — called retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP — is a major goal, because there's no sure way to save vision once it strikes. Laser therapy decreases but doesn't eliminate the chance of blindness, and many babies who don't go blind still suffer serious damage.

It's not just an issue for preemies. The same abnormal growth of blood vessels behind ROP triggers two leading causes of blindness in adults: diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Already, scientists are studying if these omega-3 fatty acids — the same kind touted for heart health — could protect adult eyes, too.

Why might they? These diseases destroy the retina, the eye's innermost layer, which harbors a higher percentage of certain fats than other organs. Eat lots of salmon, rich in omega-3s, and your retina will show it. Eat mostly hamburgers, and your retina will harbor more of a different fatty acid, omega-6s. The retina's composition actually changes with diet.

Mothers pass omega-3s to their unborn children mostly during the third trimester, when the eyes develop most rapidly. Preemies not only miss out on some or all of that transfer, but omega-3s aren't added to the intravenous feeding that many require, either.

Premature babies have still forming retinas; blood vessels necessary to nourish them haven't finished growing. ROP forms when something spurs those blood vessels to grow abnormally — too many form, and they leak.

But do omega-3s play a role? Smith and colleagues at Harvard and the National Eye Institute first turned to mice to find out.

They harmed the mice retinas in a way that mimics ROP, and then fed them different foods: Half ate the rodent version of a typical Western diet, high in omega-6s and low in omega-3s. Half ate the equivalent of a Japanese diet, with a 2 percent higher omega-3 content.

That simple change cut in half the retinal disease among the omega-3-nibbling mice, Smith reported last month in the journal Nature Medicine.

More intriguing, the omega-3s didn't just block bad blood vessels from forming. They also helped normal, healthy blood vessels grow. They appeared to work by blocking well-known inflammation-causing pathways in the body — while mice fed more of the omega-6s experienced extra inflammation.

Now, Smith is about to begin a study in premature babies at her Boston hospital to see if adding omega-3s to their IV feedings — feedings that today contain omega-6s instead — decreases their risk of eye damage.

"This could be a very simple and safe treatment," says Dr. Rafael Ufret-Vincenty, a retina specialist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Indeed, omega-3s have long been known to be important for newborn brain development; they're in breast milk and are added to some formulas for older babies. When it comes to preemies' IV feeding, a version rich in omega-3s is available in Germany but hasn't spread to North America, says Dr. Sylvain Chemtob, an ROP specialist at Sainte-Justine University Health Centre in Montreal.

"It makes a lot of biological sense," he says.

These are the same fish oils sold as over-the-counter dietary supplements for heart health, and a nationwide study already is recruiting adults with macular degeneration to test if high doses could slow their vision loss.

For preemies, omega-3s aren't the only missing-from-mom player generating attention. A drug combination sold to treat hormone-deficient children grow taller is being studied, too — a growth hormone called IGF-1 and a "binding protein" that helps regulate it.

Smith already knew babies with ROP lacked the growth hormone, but last month she and colleagues at Sweden's University of Goteborg reported they also have less binding protein than healthy babies. Studies in mice suggest that protein helps ROP-stricken retinas develop more normally, the Swedish team and University of Florida researchers reported, apparently by calling on stem cells to help build strong blood vessels.

Lauran Neergaard covers health and medical issues for The Associated Press in Washington.

Male Problems? What's Going on Down Under (And I Don't Mean Australia)?

2007-07-11T16:33:00.001-07:00

by Dr Vic Shayne & Dr George Siegfried

Statistics show that men are far less likely than women to discuss their sexual problems, visit a doctor for these problems, or seek relief. Why? We can only speculate that it has to do with fear of associating such concerns with lack of strength and virility— a cultural thing. Regardless, many male health problems are not that difficult to resolve.

The most prominent "male problems" include prostate enlargement, inflammation and cancer, impotence, infertility and various diseases of the male anatomy. Ultimately, nutrition remains the least understood and easiest to correct means of improving health and overcoming illness.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, affects 10-20 million men in the U.S. Men of all ages can experience ED at time, due to many reasons, such as illness, drugs, surgery, injury, depression, or stress. About 85 percent of all cases ED are caused by physical problems. If the cause is psychological, counseling may help. (University of Iowa Health Care Health Reports, 2004)

BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a common condition in which the prostate gland has grown larger than normal. BPH affects mostly older men – it is common in men over age 50, affects more than half the men over age 60, and by age 80, about 80 percent of men have it. It is not cancer, but a condition in which the prostate cells grow, enlarging the gland and causing it to squeeze the urethra. This leads to difficult, frequent or urgent urination because the stream of urine from the bladder is partially blocked.

Men get less sleep than women, which can reduce immune functioning and contributes to accidental death rates. The quality of men's sleep is also poorer than women's.

Men are more likely than women to engage in more substance use and abuse (alcohol, cigarettes, illegal drugs).

Endocrine Disrupters
Endocrine disrupters are chemicals which keep the hormonal system from working properly. Unfortunately, these chemicals are out of control in our food supply and environment and include certain plastics, artificial ingredients, pesticides and byproducts of industry. When the endocrine (hormonal, glandular) system is interfered with by endocrine disrupters, the results range from cancer to sexual dysfunction. The best thing to do is to live naturally (get rid of household chemicals and eat organic foods).

In 1992, Danish endocrinologist Niels Skakkebaek determined that sperm counts had declined by 50 percent worldwide from 1938 to 1990. He later suggested that PCBs and pesticides, including DDT, may be the cause. (mindfully.org/Pesticide/Hormone-Mimics-In-Food; Hormone Mimics (Endocrine Disruptors): They're in Our Food Should We Worry? Consumer Reports June 98).

Improper NUTRITION
Men's diets are worse than women's, with higher levels of caloric intake (far exceeding what is necessary because of their larger, on average, body mass), more fat intake, more cholesterol, fewer fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Also, men are more likely than women to skip meals (especially breakfast).

Men are less likely than women to alter their diet to prevent health problems, even when they have diagnosed health problems. They are less likely than women to stay in bed to recuperate.

Men are more overweight compared to women. Weight is linked to heart disease, type II diabetes, some cancers, and sleep disorders. An average of 43 percent of overweight men believe themselves to be of normal weight for their height.

Improved NUTRITION & Lifestyle
Improving one's nutrition is the most natural way of resolving any health problem, including conditions particular to male health; and the best way to do this is:

Stop eating non-foods such as processed foods, margarine, commercial cereal, artificial ingredients, MSG, refined sugars, hydrogenated fats, etc. (these substances interrupt hormonal functions)
Start eating real foods: raw, organic vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. Make these 60-70% of your diet.
Eliminate toxins from your life, as these impair your digestion of real foods, disrupt your endocrine system, burden your glands and organs, make your liver sluggish, cause cancer and disease, and offset otherwise beneficial therapies (including psychological ones).
Adhere to the Nutritional Schedule recommended for Male Health, including MaleSupport (6 tablets a day), Wheat Germ Oil (2 capsules a day), SuperGreens PhytoFood (6 tablets a day)
For erectile problems, follow heart-healthy programs. Add VasCor Complex (4 tablets a day) to your regimen for nutrition, control your cholesterol levels and purchase a copy of Dr Dean Ornish's best seller, Reversing Heart Disease.

Fish oil may protect preemies' eyesight

2007-07-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

Horsetail: An Herbal Remedy With Tradition for Healing Bones & Cartilage

2007-07-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense), an herbal remedy dating back to at least ancient Roman and Greek medicine, was used traditionally to stop bleeding, heal ulcers and wounds, and treat tuberculosis and kidney problems. It has also long been used to address the repair of bones and cartilage. “The plant's stems are rich in silica and silicic acids, which help mend broken bones and form collagen, an important protein found in connective tissue, skin, bone, cartilage, and ligaments. Therefore, horsetail is used as a supplement to treat and prevent osteoporosis.” (UMM)

The health of bones, cartilage, muscle, joints and tendons is greatly supported by specific foods and herbs that contain the building blocks not only for new tissue, but also for celluar regeneration. The latter is an important issue because of the great amount of stress placed on the musculoskeletal issue from:
• injury
• aging
• growth
• deterioration
• drug use (including drugs that destroy tissue as negative side effects)
• athletics
• exercise
• strain
• genetic abnormalities
• disease (e.g., arthritis, osteoporosis, rickets)
• hormonal changes (e.g., estrogen in menopausal/postmenopausal women)
• improper nutrition
Regarding the last point, few doctors recognize the role of diet in musculoskeletal health, and focus more on repairing and preventing injuries.

HORSETAIL
Horsetail is an plant that contains chemicals with a mild diuretic action – promoting the loss of water from the body. Taken orally for a few days horsetail may relieve mild swelling caused by excess water in the body. Historically, it has also been used to treat bladder, kidney, and urinary tract infections, but prescription diuretics (“water pills”) and antibiotics used in modern medicine are much more potent (yet cause side effects) for both of these uses.

Horsetail has been studied for its possible usefulness in treating arthritis, osteoporosis, and other conditions of bones and cartilage. Horsetail contains relatively large amounts of silica and smaller amounts of calcium. — components of bones, joints, and connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. “It is believed that proteins in body tissues need silica to combine properly. Isolated results from early studies of animals show that horsetail may also have some pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, which could add to its potential as a treatment for arthritis and related conditions. Some case reports relate the use of horsetail to lower incidences of osteoporosis. ..Other chemicals in horsetail have an astringent effect that may lessen bleeding and speed healing of minor skin injuries such as cuts and scrapes. An astringent helps shrink and tighten the top layers of skin or mucous membranes, thereby reducing secretions, relieving irritation, and improving tissue firmness. Oil distilled from horsetail has shown some anti-infective effects in laboratory studies.” (drugdigest.org)

Other benefits
Horsetail is also useful for genito-urinary problems as well as support for the brittle fingernails, gout, frostbite, excessively heavy menstruation, rheumatic disease, skin and hair. (supplementnews.org)

Horsetail is a key ingredient in ProMin Complex, by NutriPlex Formulas.

Fish Oils May Prevent Macular Degneration

2007-07-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

By Maureen Williams, ND

Healthnotes Newswire (July 5, 2007)—Some people call fish “brain food,” but scientists have found that it’s good for much more than that. New research suggests that eating fish might protect the eyes.

Studies have shown that fish oil may well be the closest thing to a cure-all the world of nutrition has to offer. It lowers triglyceride levels and blood pressure, normalizes heart rhythm, prevents heart disease and sudden cardiac death, reduces inflammation and treats chronic inflammatory conditions such as allergies and autoimmune diseases, and prevents some cancers.

The eyes, like other parts of the body, are vulnerable to the effects of chronic inflammation. Age-related degeneration of the macula, an area in the back of the eye that is critical to proper vision, might be one of the results of chronic eye inflammation. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

A number of studies have linked macular degeneration to damage caused by harmful free radicals, which are combated by antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and A, beta carotene, zinc, and selenium. Other research has found that the balance of fatty acids in the eye can influence macular degeneration risk, possibly by affecting the degree of inflammation.

Both saturated fatty acids (from animal fats) and monounsaturated fatty acids (from olive and other oils) have been found to slightly increase macular degeneration risk, while higher amounts of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids from fish, which are anti-inflammatory, appear to slightly decrease risk. The new study, published in Archives of Ophthalmology, included 4,519 people between 60 and 80 years old. After completing eye exams, the people were divided into four groups depending on the severity of macular degeneration. The results of dietary questionnaires were analyzed within each group.

People who reported eating more than one serving of baked or broiled fish per week were 35% less likely to have advanced macular degeneration than those who ate less than one serving of fish per month. The people with the highest intake of omega-3 fatty acids were found to be 40% less likely to be in the advanced macular degeneration group than those with the lowest intake. Of the omega-3 fatty acids, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, one of the primary fatty acids from fish) gave the strongest protection.

While eating fats from fish seemed to protect against macular degeneration, eating high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids from animal fat seemed to increase the likelihood of having macular degeneration. “It is important to consider the balance and composition of dietary [fats] from the omega-3 and omega-6 families,” the study’s authors point out in their conclusion. “These results and those from other [studies] suggest that modifying the diet to include more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids could results in a reduction in the risk of having [advanced] age-related macular degeneration.”

(Arch Ophthalmol 2007;125:671–9)

Read more on FISH OILS HERE.

McDonalds Uses Their Old Grease to Fuel Their Vehicles & Reduce Emissions

2007-07-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

While I'm no fan of fast food, at least McDonalds is doing some things right. Hats off to their newest move toward saving our children's planet...

McDonald's puts oil to green use

The firm says it is determined to reduce its carbon footprint...

BBC News:
McDonald's is to convert all its UK delivery vehicles to run on biodiesel, using the firm's supply of cooking oil. The fast-food chain has pledged to convert all its 155 vehicles by next year, starting with 45 lorries based at its distribution centre in Hampshire.

By using the fuel - made by combining cooking oil and rapeseed oil - the firm said it would save more than 1,650 tonnes of carbon every year.

The move follows a successful trial last year.

'Environmental example'

McDonald's has long faced criticism over its environmental record.

The firm said it was "delighted" to be putting its large stock of cooking oil to a "practical, efficient use" within its own business.

"This is a great example of how businesses can work together to help the environment," said its senior vice president Matthew Howe.

The retailer added that it was working on a range of other initiatives spanning recycling and packaging to reduce its carbon emissions.

It said it was committed to working with its suppliers to reduce the use of pure rapeseed oil in its manufacturing process.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6259328.stm

Poison Over People: FDA Protects Aspartame, Not Citizens

2007-06-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

Editor's Note: The link between aspartame, an artificial ingredient, and poisoning is well established. Aspartame has been blamed for cancer, headaches and other health problems, but government agencies refuse to take it off the market. Why?

FDA says unmoved by aspartame/ cancer report

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor Tue Jun 26, 2007

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. consumer group called for an urgent Food and Drug Administration review of the safety of aspartame on Monday, but the FDA said there was no immediate need to do so despite a new study showing the sweetener may cause cancer.

Italian researchers published a new study last week that showed aspartame -- widely used in soft drinks -- might cause leukemia, lymphoma and breast cancer in rats.

"This is the second study by the same lab showing that aspartame causes cancer in rats," Center for Science in the Public Interest executive director Michael Jacobson said in a telephone interview.

Aspartame is used mostly in soft drinks but is also sold in packets to use in coffee, tea or on food. "People can easily avoid products using Nutrasweet or Equal and keep these products away from kids," Jacobson added.

Morando Soffritti of the Ramazzini Foundation in Bologna, Italy and colleagues tested aspartame in rats, which they allowed to live until they died naturally.

Their study of more than 4,000 rats showed a lifetime of eating high doses of the sweetener raised the likelihood of several types of cancer.

"On the basis of the present findings, we believe that a review of the current regulations governing the use of aspartame cannot be delayed," Soffritti's team wrote in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, which is published by the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

"This review is particularly urgent with regard to aspartame-containing beverages, heavily consumed by children."

FDA spokesman Michael Herndon said the agency had not yet reviewed the study.

"However, the conclusions from this second European Ramazzini Foundation are not consistent with those from the large number of studies on aspartame that have been evaluated by FDA, including five previously conducted negative chronic carcinogenicity studies," Herndon said in an e-mail.

"Therefore, at this time, FDA finds no reason to alter its previous conclusion that aspartame is safe as a general purpose sweetener in food."

LETTING RATS LIVE

Jacobson said researchers in previous studies all killed rats at the age of two years. Allowing the rats to live longer may have been a better way to assess the natural risk of cancer, he said.

The CSPI said the Acceptable Daily Intake of aspartame in the United States is 50 mg per kilogram of body weight, equivalent to a 50-pound (20 kg) child drinking 2.5 cans of diet soda a day, or a 150-pound (68 kilogram) adult drinking about 7.5 cans a day.

The Italian researchers found a cancer risk at the very highest doses -- double the U.S. Acceptable Daily Intake.

A spokesman for Coca-Cola was not immediately available for comment.

Merisant, which makes Equal, has this statement on its Web site: "The safety of aspartame has been confirmed by regulatory authorities in more than 100 countries, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, and the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food, as well as by experts with the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization."

Jacobson said people should avoid the product for now.

"People shouldn't panic, but they should stop buying beverages and foods containing aspartame," he advised.

Black Cohosh May Prevent Breast Cancer

2007-06-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

By Jeremy Appleton, ND, CNS

Healthnotes Newswire (June 21, 2007)—Women who take the herb black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) are less likely to get breast cancer, according to new research published in the International Journal of Cancer.

“With the serious health concerns that have been raised about the use of estrogen and progestin-containing hormone replacement therapy in recent years, many women have turned to complementary-alternative medicines to alleviate symptoms of menopause,” said Timothy R. Rebbeck, PhD, professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania and lead author of the new study. “The long-range effects of these compounds have not been studied. Ours is the first report that black cohosh confers a degree of protection from breast cancer, which represents a potentially important piece of information for women who take, or who might consider taking, these compounds.”

Many women use hormone-related supplements to manage their menopausal symptoms, which often contain phytoestrogens and other compounds that mimic the effect of the body’s own estrogens. The concentrations and composition of these compounds, which are mainly extracted from herbs, vary widely.

Black cohosh has a long tradition of use in both American and Chinese herbal medicine. In recent years, extracts of this herb have been shown to have beneficial effects on menopausal symptoms in some, but not all, randomized clinical trials. Unlike other phytoestrogens, black cohosh may have slight anti-estrogenic effects. It does not appear to bind to estrogen receptors and has been shown to prevent cellular DNA damage by acting as an antioxidant. These observations led researchers to believe that black cohosh use may be associated with protection from breast cancer.

Rebbeck and colleagues evaluated whether use of black cohosh–containing supplements was associated with breast cancer risk in a retrospective study in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. In all, 949 women with breast cancer and 1,524 women without breast cancer were evaluated.

Use of hormone-related supplements varied significantly by race, with black women being more likely than white women to use herbal preparations, including black cohosh, ginseng, and red clover. Women who had used black cohosh supplements (including the extract called Remifemin) were 47% less likely to have breast cancer at the time of the analysis.

Because the study’s design is preliminary and limits definitive conclusions, additional research is needed before it can be established that black cohosh, or some compound found in black cohosh, helps prevent breast cancer.

“Women may wish to seek guidance from their physician before using these compounds,” cautioned Dr. Rebbeck. “Our data do not suggest that use of black cohosh is an appropriate substitute for standard hormone replacement therapy.”

(Int J Cancer 2007;120:1523–28)
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
Black cohosh is one of the ingredients in the natural supplement for women called FemPlex

Cataracts & Nutrition

2007-06-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

Can cataracts be reversed? This seems to be a matter of debate, with some sources stating that certain eye drop solutions are effective, while other sources state that cataract reversal is only possible with surgery. Yet, many reliable researchers show that prevention is possible. Nutrition is one promising means of preventing or delaying the progression of cataracts. Research shows that there are several risk factors for cataracts that can be controlled by: not smoking, reducing exposure to sunlight by wearing UVA/UVB protective eyewear and wide brimmed hats, controlling other diseases such as diabetes and eating a healthy diet.

Several research studies show that antioxidant properties of vitamins C and E may protect against the development and progression of cataracts. Early evidence also suggests that the carotenoids lutein (pronounced loo-teen) and zeaxanthin (pronounced zee-uh-zan-thin), which are also antioxidants, may also be protective against cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are promising nutrients in the fight against cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids found in the lens. Several recent studies have examined these two nutrients and their relationship to reducing the risk of developing cataracts:

The Nurses’ Health Study found that high amounts of lutein+zeaxanthin were associated with a reduced need for cataract surgery. On average, people had intakes around 6 milligrams (mg) of lutein+zeaxanthin each day.

The Health Professional’s Follow-Up Study also found that eating foods with high amounts of lutein+zeaxanthin (6.9 mg per day) were correlated with a reduced need for cataract surgery.

The five-year follow-up to the Beaver Dam Eye Study showed that people with the highest intakes of lutein+zeaxanthin had a significantly lower risk for developing new cataracts than those with the lowest intakes.

A recent study in England found that people with the highest amount of lutein in their blood, resulting from regular consumption of good food sources of lutein, had the lowest risk for posterior subcapsular cataracts.

Most fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries and papaya, as well as green peppers and tomatoes.

Vitamin E is more difficult to obtain from food sources alone since it is found in very small quantities in foods, such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Good food sources include vegetable oils (including safflower and corn oil), almonds, pecans, wheat germ and sunflower seeds.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found together in many food sources. Dark green leafy vegetables are the primary source of lutein and zeaxanthin, but they are also present in lesser amounts in other colorful fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, orange peppers, corn, peas, persimmons and tangerines.

According to recent research by Tufts, obese women are two and a half times more likely to get a certain type of cataract than healthy-weight women.

Sources:
American Optometric Association: www.aoa.org
Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 12, Issue 2 138-146, Copyright © 1993 by American College of Nutrition; Cataract: relationship between nutrition and oxidation; A. Taylor
Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Health & Nutrition Letter, Tufts University; January 2004 › A Cataract/Body Weight Connection

Adjunctive Nutritional Schedule:
FlavoC: 10 per day
CaroC: 8 per day
WheatGerm Oil: 4 per day
WholeFood Complex: 1T per day
SuperGreens: 1T per day

Give Me ONE GOOD REASON Why Republicans Would VOTE AGAINST Renewable Energy

2007-06-15T15:26:00.000-07:00

It's really sickening. And I mean this literally. John Kerry called for cleaner air by reducing coal plant emissions and moving towards renewable energy in a hurry; and his suggestion was filibustered by members of the GOP (Republicans, that is) in Congress. What good reason can there be for this move?

It's pretty damn obvious that clean air is not of any concern with these Congressional representatives. They must not be human, because everybody knows that human beings need clean air in order to breathe, prevent cancer, prevent lung disease and begin to eliminate the global warming threat.

"Kerry's proposed goal of 15 percent renewable power by 2020 provoked a filibuster threat from Republicans." (gristmill.grist.org)

What is our great nation coming to when our congressional leaders put corporate profits over the health of US citizens? It's unbelievable!!

John Kerry wrote:

It's amazing to me that some people still refuse to see the gravity of the situation staring us in the face, with the best science telling us we may only have a decade to act before the climate crisis reaches a dangerous tipping point. But there are the same interests throwing up the same roadblocks. Take CAFE standards -- I and many others are demanding that the standards be raised to 35 mpg by the end of the next decade, with light trucks and SUVs included in that and other mandatory requirements for medium and heavy trucks. And we want to close the loopholes that allow automakers to miss even those targets. But the Bush administration has written to Congress that they are opposed to any numerical requirement in the statute.

Think about that for a moment. They say they want fuel economy to get better, but they don't want to put any numeric requirements about what that means. And they want medium and heavy trucks exempted from even that!

Another area where I'm pushing is to require that at least 20 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020. This has been a part of my energy plan since 2002, and I mentioned this over and over (and over) during the campaign in 2004. There has been significant support for this change now in Congress, but there are still powerful interests arrayed against it.

Dogmatic refusal to consider new approaches to this crisis can have such enormous consequences, it boggles the mind how people can do it.

For full context of John Kerry's sentiments, go to:
Source: http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/6/14/94059/1612?source=daily

Studies Show Fish Oils Plus Exercise Equals Reduced Body Fat & Improved Cardiovascular Health

2007-06-14T18:55:00.000-07:00

Add Fish Oil to Your Workout

By Jeremy Appleton, ND, CNS

Healthnotes Newswire (June 14, 2007)—Fish oil supplements and regular exercise both reduce body fat and improve cardiovascular health. Could combining the two work better than either one alone?

“Only two studies have previously investigated these two interventions in combination,” said Professor Peter R.C. Howe, director of the Nutritional Physiology Research Center, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, and supervising author of the new study. But because of the study design it wasn’t clear whether this combined intervention effectively reduced cardiovascular risk and improved body composition in overweight participants.

In the new study, overweight volunteers with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides were randomly assigned to one of the following interventions:

• fish oil,

• fish oil and exercise,

• sunflower oil (placebo), or

• sunflower oil and exercise.

They took 6 grams of tuna fish oil per day (providing 1.9 grams of omega-3 fatty acids) or 6 grams of sunflower oil per day. The exercise groups walked three days per week for 45 minutes at 75% of their maximal heart rate.

People who supplemented with fish oil experienced lowered triglycerides, increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and improved blood vessel function. Exercise alone improved some measures of artery health. Both fish oil and exercise independently reduced body fat. Though regular, moderate-intensity exercise, either alone or combined with fish oil supplementation, had no effect on triglycerides or cholesterol, researchers still came away from the study concluding that fish oil plus exercise was a winning combination.

In addition to obesity itself being a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, obese people often have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in a condition known as the metabolic syndrome. So it’s helpful when interventions for obesity target multiple cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.

Several studies have found that taking omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil results in fewer deaths from coronary artery disease. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may lessen several cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure and triglycerides. In addition, some, but not all, clinical studies show that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids can reduce body fat.

Most studies find that physical activity alone leads to relatively minor weight loss. While the lost pounds may be few, it is nevertheless clear that physical activity prevents weight gain. But it can take as much as 60 to 90 minutes per day of moderate-intensity physical exercise to maintain body weight in the absence of other interventions, such as diet modification or supplementation. Exercise, with and without weight loss, independently improves several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including lowering blood pressure, favorably altering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and improving the function of blood vessels.

“Increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids could be a useful adjunct to exercise programs,” concludes Professor Howe, “because both therapies improve body composition and decrease cardiovascular disease risk.”

(Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1267–74)

Copyright © 2007 Healthnotes, Inc.

-----------------------------------
FISH OILS: FOUR A DAY REALLY HELPS.
VASCOR COMPLEX: FOR ADDITIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR SUPPORT DURING EXERCISE

Lee Iacocca Has Had Enough

2007-06-12T13:03:00.000-07:00

You may wonder what this statement by Lee Iacocca has to do with a health website blog. Well, I don't think politics and health care are inseparable. Just look at the atrocious state of our national health care system is in due to the lack of leadership in our country. And look at what's happening to our environment due to politics. This has a great deal to do with people getting sick, dying of cancer and coming down with respiratory illnesses. Lastly, think about the long lasting destruction caused by genetic engineering... it's due to the strength of political lobbying by giant corporations whose tentacles are dug into the current administration. I'll repeat it until I'm blue in the face: this is a matter of biology, not just politics. Whether right or left, we all need pure air, water and soil in order to live in good health. The politics of the day are bringing us down fast.

Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
By Lee Iacocca with Catherine Whitney

"Had Enough? Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, "Stay the course." Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned Titanic. I'll give you a sound bite: Throw the bums out! You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up.

I hardly recognize this country anymore
"I hardly recognize this country anymore. The President of the United States is given a free pass to ignore the Constitution, tap our phones, and lead us to war on a pack of lies. Congress responds to record deficits by passing a huge tax cut for the wealthy (thanks, but I don't need it). The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs. While we're fiddling in Iraq, the Middle East is burning and nobody seems to know what to do. And the press is waving pom-poms instead of asking hard questions.

"That's not the promise of America my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about you? I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have. My friends tell me to calm down. They say, "Lee, you're eighty-two years old. Leave the rage to the young people." I'd love to as soon as I can pry them away from their iPods for five seconds and get them to pay attention.

"I'm going to speak up because it's my patriotic duty. I think people will listen to me. They say I have a reputation as a straight shooter. So I'll tell you how I see it, and it's not pretty, but at least it's real. I'm hoping to strike a nerve in those young folks who say they don't vote because they don't trust politicians to represent their interests.

"Hey, America, wake up. These guys work for us. Who Are These Guys, Anyway? Why are we in this mess? How did we end up with this crowd in Washington? Well, we voted for them or at least some of us did. But I'll tell you what we didn't do. We didn't agree to suspend the Constitution. We didn't agree to stop asking questions or demanding answers.

"Some of us are sick and tired of people who call free speech treason. Where I come from that's a dictatorship, not a democracy. And don't tell me it's all the fault of right-wing Republicans or liberal Democrats. That's an intellectually lazy argument, and it's part of the reason we're in this stew. We're not just a nation of factions. We're a people. We share common principles and ideals. And we rise and fall together. Where are the voices of leaders who can inspire us to action and make us stand taller? What happened to the strong and resolute party of Lincoln? What happened to the courageous, populist party of FDR and Truman? There was a time in this country when the voices of great leaders lifted us up and made us want to do better. Where have all the leaders gone?

"The Test of a Leader I've never been Commander in Chief, but I've been a CEO. I understand a few things about leadership at the top. I've figured out nine points not ten (I don't want people accusing me of thinking I'm Moses). I call them the "Nine Cs of Leadership." They're not fancy or complicated. Just clear, obvious qualities that every true leader should have. We should look at how the current administration stacks up. Like it or not, this crew i s going to be around until January 2009. Maybe we can learn something before we go to the polls in 2008. Then let's be sure we use the leadership test to screen the candidates who say they want to run the country. It's up to us to choose wisely.

"So, here's my C list:

"A leader has to show CURIOSITY. He has to listen to people outside of the "Yes, sir" crowd in his inner circle. He has to read voraciously, because the world is a big, complicated place. George W. Bush brags about never reading a newspaper. "I just scan the headlines," he says. Am I hearing this right? He's the President of the United States and he never reads a newspaper? Thomas Jefferson once said, "Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to pre fer the latter." Bush disagrees. As long as he gets his daily hour in the gym, with Fox News pipe through the sound system, he's ready to go. If a leader never steps outside his comfort zone to hear different ideas, he grows stale. If he doesn't put his beliefs to the test, how does he know he's right? The inability to listen is a form of arrogance. It means either you think you already know it all, or you just don't care. Before the 2006 election, George Bush made a big point of saying he didn't listen to the polls. Yeah, that's what they all say when the polls stink. But maybe he should have listened, because 70 percent of the people were saying he was on the wrong track. It took a "thumping" on election day to wake him up, but even then you got the feeling he wasn't listening so much as he was calculating how to do a better job of convincing everyone he was right.

"A leader has to be CREATIVE, go out on a limb, be willing to try something differen t. You know, think outside the box. George Bush prides himself on never changing, even as the world around him is spinning out of control. God forbid someone shou l'd accuse him of flip-flopping. There's a disturbingly messianic fervor to his certainty. Senator Joe Biden recalled a conversation he had with Bush a few months after our troops marched into Baghdad. Joe was in the Oval Office outlining his concerns to the President the explosive mix of Shiite and Sunni, the disbanded Iraqi army, the problems securing the oil fields. "The President was serene," Joe recalled. "He told me he was sure that we were on the right course and that all would be well. 'Mr. President,' I finally said, 'how can you be so sure when you don't yet know all the facts?'" Bush then reached over and put a steadying hand on Joe's shoulder. "My instincts," he said. "My instincts." Joe was flabbergasted. He told Bush, "Mr. President, your instincts aren't good enough." Joe Biden sure didn't think the matter was settled. And, as we all know now, it wasn't. Leadership is all about managing change?whether you're leading a company or leading a country. Things chang e, and you get creative. You adapt. Maybe Bush was absent the day they covered that at Harvard Business School.

"A leader has to COMMUNICATE. I'm not talking about running off at the mouth or spouting sound bites. I'm talking about facing reality and telling the truth. Nobody in the current administration seems to know how to talk straight anymore. Instead, they spend most of their time trying to convince us that things are not really as bad as they seem. I don't know if it's denial or dishonesty, but it can start to drive you crazy after a while. Communication has to start with telling the truth, even when it's painful. The war in Iraq has been, among other things, a grand failure of communication. Bush is like the boy who didn't cry wolf when the wolf was at the door. After years of being told that all is well, even as the casualties and chaos mount, we've stopped listening to him.

"A leader has to be a person of CHARACTER. That means knowing the difference between right and wrong and having the guts to do the right thing. Abraham Lincoln once said, "If you want to test a man's character, give him power." George Bush has a lot of power. What does it say about his character? Bush has shown a willingness to take bold action on the world stage because he has the power, but he shows little regard for the grievous consequences. He has sent our troops (not to mention hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi citizens) to their deaths?for what? To build our oil reserves? To avenge his daddy because Saddam Hussein once tried to have him killed? To show his daddy he's tougher? The motivations behind the war in Iraq are questionable, and the execution of the war has been a disaster. A man of character does not ask a single soldier to die for a failed policy.

"A leader must have COURAGE. I'm talking about balls. (That even goes for female leaders.) Swagger isn't courage. Tough talk isn't courage. George Bush comes from a blue-blooded Connecticut fa mily, but he likes to talk like a cowboy. You know, My gun is bigger than your gun. Courage in the twenty-first century doesn't mean posturing and bravado. Courage is a commitment to sit down at the negotiating table and talk. If you're a politician, courage means taking a position even when you know it will cost you votes. Bush can't even make a public appearance unless the audience has been handpicked and sanitized. He did a series of so-called town hall meetings last year, in auditoriums packed with his most devoted fans. The questions were all softballs.

"To be a leader you've got to have CONVICTION?a fire in your belly. You've got to have passion. You've got to really want to get something done. How do you measure fire in the belly? Bush has set the all-time record for number of vacation days taken by a U.S. President?four hundred and counting. He'd rather clear brush on his ranch than immerse himself in the business of governing. He even told an interviewer tha t the high point of his presidency so far was catching a seven-and-a-half-pound perch in his hand-stocked lake. It's no better on Capitol Hill. Congress was in session only ninety-seven days in 2006. That's eleven days less than the record set in 1948, when President Harry Truman coined the term do-nothing Congress. Most people would expect to be fired if they worked so little and had nothing to show for it. But Congress managed to find the time to vote itself a raise. Now, that's not leadership.

"A leader should have CHARISMA. I'm not talking about being flashy. Charisma is the quality that makes people want to follow you. It's the ability to inspire. People follow a leader because they trust him. That's my definition of charisma. Maybe George Bush is a great guy to hang out with at a barbecue or a ball game. But put him at a global summit where the future of our planet is at stake, and he doesn't look very presidential. Those frat-boy pranks and the kidding around he enjoys so much don't go over that well with world leaders. Just ask German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who received an unwelcome shoulder massage from our President at a G-8 Summit. When he came up behind her and started squeezing, I thought she was going to go right through the roof.

"A leader has to be COMPETENT. That seems obvious, doesn't it? You've got to know what you're doing. More important than that, you've got to surround yourself with people who know what they're doing. Bush brags about being our first MBA President. Does that make him competent? Well, let's see. Thanks to our first MBA President, we've got the largest deficit in history, Social Security is on life support, and we've run up a half-a-trillion-dollar price tag (so far) in Iraq. And that's just for starters. A leader has to be a problem solver, and the biggest problems we face as a nation seem to be on the back burner.

"You can't be a leader if you don't have COMMON SENSE. I call this Charlie Beacham's rule. When I was a young guy just starting out in the car business, one of my first jobs was as Ford's zone manager in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. My boss was a guy named Charlie Beacham, who was the East Coast regional manager. Charlie was a big Southerner, with a warm drawl, a huge smile, and a core of steel. Charlie used to tell me, "Remember, Lee, the only thing you've got going for you as a human being is your ability to reason and your common sense. If you don't know a dip of horseshit from a dip of vanilla ice cream, you'll never make it." George Bush doesn't have common sense. He just has a lot of sound bites. Youknow?Mr.they'll-welcome-us-as-liberators-no-child-left-behind-heck-of-a-job- Brownie-mission-accomplishe d Bush. Former President Bill Clinton once said, "I grew up in an alcoholic home. I spent half my childhood trying to get into the reality-based world?and I like it here." I think our current President should visit the real world once in a while.

"The Biggest C is Crisis Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It's easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk theory. Or send someone else's kids off to war when you've never seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down. On September 11, 2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of the ashes. Where was George Bush? He was reading a story about a pet goat to kids in Florida when he heard about the attacks. He kept sitting there for twenty minutes with a baffled look on his face. It's all on tape. You can see it for yourself. Then, inst ead of taking the quickest route back to Washington and immediately going on the air to reassure the panicked people of this country, he decided it wasn't safe to return to the White House. He basically went into hiding for the day and he told Vice President Dick Cheney to stay put in his bunker. We were all frozen in front of our TVs, scared out of our wits, waiting for our leaders to tell us that we were going to be okay, and there was nobody home. It took Bush a couple of days to get his bearings and devise the right photo op at Ground Zero. That was George Bush's moment of truth, and he was paralyzed. And what did he do when he'd regained his composure? He led us down the road to Iraq, a road his own father had considered disastrous when he was President. But Bush didn't listen to Daddy. He listened to a higher father. He prides himself on being faith based, not reality based. If that doesn't scare the crap out of you, I don't know what will. A Hell of a Mess

"So here's where we stand. We're immersed in a bloody war with no plan for winning and no plan for leaving. We're running the biggest deficit in the history of the country. We're losing the manufacturing edge to Asia, while our once-great companies are getting slaughtered by health care costs. Gas prices are skyrocketing, and nobody in power has a coherent energy policy. Our schools are in trouble. Our borders are like sieves. The middle class is being squeezed every which way. These are times that cry out for leadership.

"But when you look around, you've got to ask: "Where have all the leaders gone?" Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, competence, and common sense? I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point. Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo? We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened. Name me one leader who emerged from the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. Congress has yet to spend a single day evaluating the response to the hurricane, or demanding accountability for the decisions that were made in the crucial hours after the storm. Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping it doesn't happen again. Now, that's just crazy. Storms happen. Deal with it. Make a plan. Figure out what you're going to do the next time.

"Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have believed that there could ever be a time when "the Big Three" referred to Japanese car companies? How did this happen? and more important, what are we going to do about it? Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying d own the debt, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health care problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class dry. I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your asses and do nothing and remain si lent while our democracy is being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity. What is everybody so afraid of? That some bobblehead on Fox News will call them a name? Give me a break. Why don't you guys show some spine for a change?

"Had Enough? Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope. I believe in America. In my lifetime I've had the privilege of living through some of America's greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises; the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, t he 1970s oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11. If I've learned one thing, it's this: You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a call to action for people who, like me, believe in America. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the horseshit and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had enough. "

Excerpted from Where Have All the Leaders Gone?.> Copyright ) 2007 by Lee Iacocca. All rights reserved.

Al Gore Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is: Solarize This!

2007-06-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/al_gore_gets_a.php

Tree hugger. What does this phrase mean? Where did it come from? It was invented by CORPORATIONS who destroy the environment. The idea is to make anyone concerned about the environment a wack-job. Clever and manipulative? You bet. And it works. The words tree hugger are used as a defamatory name. Yet when you use them you're simply playing into the hands of companies that are killing us ALL, like Bechtel, Halliburton, Dupont, Monsanto and the rest. No matter where you sit on the political spectrum, you need clean air, water and land in order to survive. And your children and friends and relatives need a clean environment. Otherwise we die of disease. This is a fact of biology, not a political standpoint.

Whether you're republican or democrat, you can appreciate the value of a non-toxic environment.

Al Gore is the front runner, despite a smear campaign by both the extreme right wing and left wing, in trying to save this planet. Since the 1970s, he has been campaigning for a cleaner earth, and he's been working on getting out the message of Global Warming. Now Al Gore has taken things a step further. He fought the powers that be in Tennessee so he could install a SOLAR ENERGY system at his home.

Al Gore's home, which has been undergoing renovations for months, now boasts a solar roof. When his neighborhood in Tennessee changed zoning laws earlier this year, Gore was able to go ahead with the solar panel installation. You can read about the details of the battle to get the solar panels installed here. Gore is now preparing to install a geothermal system that will drastically reduce the cost of heating in his home. Other renovations on the house are aimed at meeting the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council. He is upgrading windows and ductwork, installing more energy-efficient light bulbs and creating a rainwater collection system for irrigation and water management.

"This is an issue about who we are as human beings," Gore has said. "It is about the future of the human species. We are here to use political processes and freedom to communicate the truth of our situation."

Read more here: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/al_gore_gets_a.php

Our environment is our lifeline...
Our environment is directly connected to our state of health. The faster we all accept this truth, the faster we'll cut down on disease and death due to poisoning from pesticides, global warming, herbacides, artificial ingredients in foods, toxic personal health care products, bug sprays, offgassing of plastic, using fossil fuels (gasoline, etc) and so forth.

This is why the principals of Nutrition Research Center have taken some very personal steps to do our share. We drive a Honda Civic HYBRID and an all electric motor scooter EMAX, use wind power, use Seventh Generation cleaning products, do not use commercial chemicals on our lawn, eat only organically grown foods and recycle everything we can.

With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemas?

2007-06-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Enemas and Colonics
New Age Nonsense? Think Again.

By Vic Shayne, PhD

For some people, the thought of enemas and colonics is so distasteful that they won’t even consider them. This is ironic, though, because if you are unfortunate enough to end up in the hospital, in many cases, the hospital staff will administer one for you. So the question is: Can enemas or colonics help prevent illness, treat disease or expel toxins? The answer is yes if you ask several doctors who have written articles and health books examining this ancient practice.

There are all sorts of articles and descriptions of enemas and colonics, so we won’t go into the logistics (how to) of the practice. Instead, let’s focus on whether these two practices are viable solutions to health problems and disease prevention. First, for reference sake, an enema and a colonic are essentially the same thing, but a colonic reaches deeper into the bowel. The basic premise behind employing enemas and colonics is to

clean out the contents of the bowels and thereby detoxify the body of poisonous substances
ease digestion by taking stress off the bowel
relieve constipation
exercise the gallbladder improve the condition of the intestines
indirectly heal the body and relieve symptoms

Generally speaking, water is the main ingredient of enemas and colonics. However, other substances are also suggested such as organic coffee, various herbs, bentonite clay, organic olive oil or chlorophyll solutions.

The use of enemas as a medical treatment is steeped in history. Cancer researcher Ralph Moss, PhD, writes: “The word itself comes from the Greek en-hienai, meaning to "send or inject into." The enema has been called "one of the oldest medical procedures still in use today." Tribal women in Africa, and elsewhere, routinely use it on their children.

The earliest medical text in existence, the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus, (1,500 B.C.) mentions it. Millennia before, the Pharaoh had a "guardian of the anus," a special doctor one of whose purposes was to administer the royal enema. “The Greeks wrote of the fabled cleanliness of the Egyptians, which included the internal cleansing of their systems through emetics and enemas. They employed these on three consecutive days every month said Herodotus (II.77) or at intervals of three or four days, according to the later historian Diodorus. The Egyptians explained to their visitors that they did this because they "believed that diseases were engendered by superfluities of the food", a modern-sounding theory! “Enemas were known in ancient Sumeria, Babylonia, India, Greece and China. American Indians independently invented it, using a syringe made of an animal bladder and a hollow leg bone. Pre-Columbian South Americans fashioned latex into the first rubber enema bags and tubes.

There is hardly a region of the world where people did not discover or adapt the enema. It is more ubiquitous than the wheel. Enemas are found in world literature from Aristophanes to Shakespeare, Gulliver Travels to Peyton Place.

“In pre-revolutionary France a daily enema after dinner was de rigueur. It was not only considered indispensable for health but practiced for good complexion as well. Louis XIV is said to have taken over 2,000 in his lifetime. Could this have been the source of the Sun King's sunny disposition? For centuries, enemas were a routine home remedy. Then, within living memory, the routine use of enemas died out. The main times that doctors employ them nowadays is before or after surgery and childbirth. Difficult and potentially dangerous barium enemas before colonic X rays are of course still a favorite of allopathic doctors.” Dr. Moss writes:

“Coffee enemas were an established part of medical practice when Dr. Max Gerson introduced them into cancer therapy in the 1930s. Basing himself on German laboratory work, Gerson believed that caffeine could stimulate the liver and gall bladder to discharge bile. He felt this process could contribute to the health of the cancer patient. Although the coffee enema has been heaped with scorn, there has been some independent scientific work that gives credence to this concept. In 1981, for instance, Dr. Lee Wattenberg and his colleagues were able to show that substances found in coffee—kahweol and cafestol palmitate—promote the activity of a key enzyme system, glutathione S-transferase, above the norm. This system detoxifies a vast array of electrophiles from the bloodstream and, according to Gar Hildenbrand of the Gerson Institute, "must be regarded as an important mechanism for carcinogen detoxification." This enzyme group is responsible for neutralizing free radicals, harmful chemicals now commonly implicated in the initiation of cancer. In mice, for example, these systems are enhanced 600 percent in the liver and 700 percent in the bowel when coffee beans are added to the mice's diet.

Dr. Peter Lechner, who is investigating the Gerson method at the Landeskrankenhaus of Graz, Austria, has reported that "coffee enemas have a definite effect on the colon which can be observed with an endoscope." Another cancer researcher, Nicholas Gonzalez, MD, writes, “Coffee enemas have been discussed in the orthodox medical literature for the better part of this century.

Many nursing texts routinely recommended coffee enemas, and the Merck Manual advocated coffee enemas as a stimulant in all editions from the first in 1898 through 1977. During the 1920's and 30's, coffee enemas were prescribed for a variety of conditions. In terms of their physiological effect, studies have shown that the rectal instillation of fluids will stimulate gallbladder contraction and emptying.” (Gonzalez) It has been the experience of this author that enemas have had tremendous success in several case studies. First was the case of a woman in her late 40s, a college dean, who came to me with a severe case of arthritis in which she was unable to walk more than a block, was in constant pain and was progressively losing her health. I placed the woman on a Detoxification Diet adding BFood Complex, Green Nutrients and ProMin Complex and she did daily enemas with water followed by organic coffee. Within a few weeks she reported greater mobility; within a few months she was walking for miles without the use of a cane.

Another situation involved a 22-year-old young man with flu-like symptoms who was vomiting with diarrhea and a severe migraine-type headache without relief for five days. On the sixth day, still in pain without relief from symptoms, Acupuncture and herbs from a Chinese medical doctor did not help. I instructed him to a course of: Immune Support, CalMag Balance and of water enemas followed by three flushes with organic coffee. By the end of this session, all symptoms were eradicated to the complete amazement and appreciation of the patient.

The capability of detoxification and recovering from illness with coffee enemas is not to be underestimated. But be certain to use only organically grown coffee, as the typical store-bought variety is laden with many toxic substances. The water used should be filtered and never tap water. Always be sure the temperature of the enema contents is not hot nor cold. If you have colon problems, consult your doctor first.

References:
Moss, PhD, Ralph W., COFFEE: THE ROYAL FLUSH, The Cancer Chronicles #6 and #7, 1990, http://www.ralphmoss.com/coff.html
Nicholas J. Gonzalez, M.D., P.C., February 22, 2005, http://www.dr-gonzalez.com/history_of_treatment_txt.htm

Planting A Billion Trees... 14 Million Already in the Ground

2007-05-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

U.N. wins pledges to plant a billion trees
Tue 22 May 2007: Reuters
By Daniel Wallis

NAIROBI, May 22 (Reuters) - The United Nations has received pledges to plant more than a billion trees in a drive to help fight climate change and poverty, it said on Tuesday.

Launched in November by Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai of Kenya at a major U.N. climate meeting in Kenya, the "Billion Tree" campaign aims to roll back deforestation that is a top contributor to carbon emissions blamed for global warming.

"People talk too much. We are no longer talking, we are working," Maathai told a news conference in her native Kenya.

"The challenge now is to tell the world to go dig holes and plant seedlings. I've no doubt we will achieve our goal."

The United Nations says it checks all pledges are credible to make sure they are carried out. Its Web site www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/ said 1.01 billion trees had been pledged, but only 13.95 million planted so far.

The pledges have come from companies and countries as well as individuals.

Maathai, 66, in 2004 became the first African woman and first "green" activist to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel committee hailed the work of her Green Belt Movement -- which planted about 30 million trees in Africa -- as a step to help end poverty and avert conflicts over scarce natural resources.

Some 13 million hectares (32 million acres) of forest are cut down every year, mostly in Africa and South America.

The boss of the U.N. Environment Programme, Achim Steiner, said the speed the billion pledges came in was a remarkable demonstration of people's willingness to act on climate change.

"It is a billion statements by people across this planet saying time has run out for debating about whether to do something," Steiner told reporters.

Ethiopia on Tuesday said it planned to plant 60 million trees this year at a cost of $8.1 million as part of its millennium celebration. Ethiopia will celebrate its millennium on Sept. 11, owing to its adherence to the Gregorian calendar.

Forest cover in the Horn of Africa country stands at around 4 percent at the last estimate taken in 2000, down from 35 percent in the early 20th century.
http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnWAL246925.html

Back Pain, Back Injuries

2007-05-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

Lift With Your Legs:
The Legacy of Back Pain
by Vic Shayne, PhD

Back pain is right up there with headaches and heart attacks when it comes to the most common types of health complaints. In fact, low back pain is the #2 reason that Americans see their doctor -- second only to colds and flus. (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health states, "Pain felt in your lower back may come from the spine, muscles, nerves, or other structures in that region. It may also radiate from other areas like your mid or upper back, a hernia in the groin, or a problem in the testicles or ovaries. You may feel a variety of symptoms if you've hurt your back. You may have a tingling or burning sensation, a dull aching, or sharp pain. You also may experience weakness in your legs or feet. It won't necessarily be one event that actually causes your pain. You may have been doing many things improperly -- like standing, sitting, or lifting -- for a long time. Then suddenly, one simple movement, like reaching for something in the shower or bending from your waist, leads to the feeling of pain."

The Ohio Stae Medical Center explains: Even with today's technology, the exact cause of low back pain can be found in very few cases. In most cases, back pain may be a symptom of many different causes, including any/several of the following:

overuse, strenuous activity, or improper use (i.e., repetitive or heavy lifting, exposure to vibration for prolonged periods of time)
trauma
injury
fracture
degeneration of vertebrae (often caused by stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine, or the effects of aging)
infection
abnormal growth (tumor)
obesity (causes increased weight on the spine and pressure on the discs often causes back pain)
poor muscle tone in the back
muscle tension or spasm
sprain or strain
ligament or muscle tears
joint problems
smoking
protruding or herniated (slipped) disk
disease (i.e., osteoarthritis, spondylitis, compression fractures)

What few people know is that by the time most of us are in our 30s the arteries feeding the lower back are already partially blocked. That's right, the same condition that causes heart attacks — clogged arteries — can keep your back from healing. What do you do about it? First, have a professional work on your back, whether it's acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic or osteopathic care. And keep moving. Recent medical studies show that it's better to keep moving than to lay in bed and moan.

Supplements to feed your back...
Next, feed your back. Use ProMin Complex and FlavoC for musculoskeletal nutrients and bioflavonoids. Use VasCor Complex for your back in the same way as you would use it for the rest of your cardiovascular system — take 4 tablets a day.

Sources:

NIH: National Institutes of Health; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003108.htm
Ohio State University: http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mens_health/low_back_pain/

Fish Oils Approved For Fighting Pain

2007-05-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

Omega-3s—a New Pain-Management Alternative

By Maureen Williams, ND

Healthnotes Newswire (May 3, 2007)—Pain relief is one of the most common reasons that people seek medical care, and now people looking for alternatives to drugs have another place to turn. A new report finds that omega-3 fatty acids from fish are effective for relieving joint pain associated with a variety of conditions.

Nutritional, herbal, and homeopathic supplements have become increasingly popular among people looking for pain relief, owing in part to concerns about the side effects of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medicines. While some of these natural therapies have promising evidence supporting their effectiveness, many remain unstudied.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil (EPA [eicosapentaenoic acid] and DHA [docosahexaenoic acid]), and some plant oils such as flaxseed oil (ALA [alpha-linolenic acid]). When these fatty acids are part of the diet or are used as supplements, the body uses them to make anti-inflammatory compounds.

A wealth of research has demonstrated the benefits of taking fish oil and EPA/DHA supplements. As a result, the US Food and Drug Administration determined that labels on foods containing the omega-3 fatty acids from fish can include a health claim stating that they might protect against heart disease.

Other studies have shown that supplementing with fish oil or EPA/DHA can relieve joint pain in people with inflammatory diseases. A new report, published in the journal Pain, examined the results of 17 such studies, which included people suffering from joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or painful menstruation.

The analysis found that fish oil or EPA/DHA supplements, providing 2.7 grams or more of omega-3 fatty acids per day, consistently reduced participants’ perception of pain, number of painful or tender joints, morning stiffness, and use of anti-inflammatory medicines.

The greatest benefits were observed after three months of therapy; however, since most of the studies were three months long or less, it is not clear whether longer use would lead to further pain reduction.

The authors of the report suggest that EPA/DHA supplements might be useful in treating other types of chronic inflammatory pain, such as the pain of osteoarthritis and chronic back pain, but no controlled clinical trials have been done yet. “Omega-3 [fatty acids] are an attractive adjunctive treatment for joint pain,” they concluded.

(Pain 2007 [in press])

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EDITOR'S NOTE:
At Nutrition Research Center, our schedule is:
FishOils: 4 capsules per day
InflaPlex: 6 capsules per day
VasCor Complex: 4 tablets per day

Fooling the Public About Organic Dairy: Shame on Walmart? Who's Watching the Cow?

2007-04-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

The Problem: Is Walmart Lying and Cheating About Organic Milk?
Horizon Organic and Aurora Organic, sold by Wal-Mart and other retailers, continue to produce "organic" milk under factory-farm conditions that few reasonable people would consider truly organic.

According to the Organic Consumers Association, half of Horizon's "organic" milk today comes from what can only be considered "factory" dairy feedlots -- and much of Aurora's organic milk does as well. Rather than buy organic calves that have been raised from birth on organic farms, these companies seemed to have discovered it's cheaper to buy conventional calves that have been raised on conventional farms, install them in factory feedlots, then milk them and call it organic.

The situation has become so alarming that the Organic Consumers Association ultimately called for a boycott, and many knowledgeable consumers are now avoiding the Horizon brand entirely.

The organic milk controversy extends to organic soy milk as well. Horizon Organic's parent company, Dean Foods, also bought out Silk, the leading organic soy milk brand in the United States. Dean Foods has pushed for lower organic standards in the United States and to allow industrial-style production to be called "organic."

Meanwhile, major grocery chains import cheap, so-called "organic" soybeans from China, where the workers are treated much like slaves and organic standards are dubious. They are also imported from Brazil where the Amazon rainforest is being bulldozed in order to create more acreage for growing soybeans.
(Source: http://www.newstarget.com/021763.html)

Dr. Shayne's Comment:
The following comments by Dr. Mercola (mercola.com) and are noteworthy because the organic issue is now just a jumble of confusion. As I myself have predicted, the organic industry is now on shaky ground. The reason for this is that big corporations realized that people are interested in organics, so they had to covet the industry, blur the line of what organics should really mean, and corrupt the industry by changing standards, private labeling and deceiving people. The bottom line is that we are being lied to and fed junky, toxic, poisonous, inferior, chemical-ridden produce...

Dr. Mercola's Comment:
I've warned you before about the destruction of organic standards, especially since mega-companies like Wal-Mart and Dean Foods (the parent company of Horizon Organic) have jumped on the organic milk bandwagon. Evidently, the deception regarding organic milk is even worse than you probably ever imagined.

All of the milk from Aurora Organics and most from Horizon is produced by cows that came from factory dairy feedlots and existed on disgusting diets of genetically modified grains, slaughterhouse waste and chicken manure.

The only good news here is that all the attention paid to this organic problem by news outlets and Web sites like mine is forcing the USDA to act. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean you should be drinking organic milk anyway, considering it's pasteurized just like all the other conventional varieties of milk found at your corner grocery store.

The real issue is not organic versus non-organic milk, it is raw versus pasteurized.

Secondary issues would be the food source that is given to the cow. Ideally, they should be fed exclusively on grass. When you start giving cows grains, even organic ones, their milk will have lower levels of important nutrients such as conjugated linoleic acid.

Your best bet for your good health is to find a local source for raw milk, which I believe is one of the best foods for most people. If you find this statement unusual then please read my article on the reasons why raw milk is becoming more popular.

Get Rid of Those Nasty Sinus Problems Once and For All!

2007-04-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

Dr. Shayne's
14-Day Natural Sinus Relief Program

Follow this Program for at least 14 days.
Remember: antibiotics, nasal sprays, antihistamines and steroids do not cure sinus problems; they only address the symptoms if they work at all.

Supplements to take on a daily basis:

InflaPlex: 4 per day
ImmuneSupport: 4 per day
FlavoC: 6 per day
DigestPlex: 1 with each major meal, maximum 2 per day

Follow this dietary schedule:
Each day eat only raw or slightly cooked vegetables. Eat a wide variety, consisting of more greens than other vegetables. Eat only these meats: fish, chicken, beef, lamb or turkey. Limit grains to brown rice. Eat at least one big salad (NO iceberg lettuce!) per day, but do not use any bottled dressings. If your salad is made with spinach, use only organically grown spinach, because non organic spinach is one of the most pesticide-laden of all foods. Make your own (see Salad Dressing below). Organic foods are the best choices, always, because pesticides on foods can contribute to sinus problems by poisoning you.
You may choose to grill your chicken and mix it in with your salad. You may add almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and/or pecans, but no other nuts.

Foods to avoid

All breakfast cereals except organic oatmeal (do not add milk or cream)
Margarine
ANY oil except organic olive oil or organic flaxseed oil
ALL fried foods (including french fries, chips, etc.)
All drinks except filtered water, organic iced tea (green or black tea, but not flavored varieties)
Iceberg lettuce
Any canned or bottled foods and sauces, except plain olives or pineapple)
Pasta
Bread (except organic whole wheat)
Tofu
Hot dogs
Sugar (use only honey as a sweetener)
Artificial sweeteners
Milk, cheese, skim milk, half and half
Non-organic coffee (either regular or decaf)
Eggs
Bacon (organic or natural turkey bacon is okay)
Soy milk, rice milk, oat milk or almond milk
ALL nuts except for almonds and pecans
Cheese substitutes, fake cheeses
Pizza
ALL junk food
ALL desserts except fresh fruit
Sour cream
Ice cream, ice milk or Rice Dream or soy ice cream
Any artificial drink (Crystal Light, Kool Aid etc)
Wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages
Foods cooked in oil
Mayonnaise (not even a healthfood variety)
Crackers
Peanut butter or any other nut butter
Chocolate
Egg substitute products
Cakes, muffins, croissants, cup cakes or pies

A few samples of approved foods:

Organic butter
Brown Rice
Natural turkey, chicken, beef, fish, sea foods
Vegetables
Fruits
Berries
Whole wheat bread
Home made soups without any ingredients on the "Avoid" list
Home made salsa
Organic tortilla shells
Iced tea, hot tea
Natural or organic turkey sausage and turkey bacon

Home made salad dressing:
Organic olive oil, fresh lemon and organic balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle onto your salad: sea salt, oregano and organic garlic powder.

Do not:

Wear any perfume or use any perfumed skin products or cosmetics
Use perfumed laundry detergent (try a brand such as Seventh Generation)
Use any aerosol products (underarm deodorant, household sprays)
Use any pesticides, bug sprays
Paint anything or use any products that give off gasses (even if you can't smell them)

Some other helpful suggestions:

Change your air conditioner/heater filters
Buy an air filter
Filter your drinking and bathing water
Avoid chlorine
Keep your home vacuumed and floors mopped
Change your bed linens at least once a week
Keep your pets washed (you may even be allergic to them)
Tell your mother or mother-in-law to lay off the perfume

Antibiotics may not be a wise idea...
"Although the majority of sinus infections are not caused by bacteria, antibiotics (which kill only bacteria) are the most commonly prescribed drug treatment. “The use of prescription antibiotics far outweighs the predicted incidence of bacterial causes of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis,” said researchers from the University of Nebraska after examining data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey of people who had received medical care for sinus infections between 1999 and 2002... Many people expect a prescription and their doctors might be too hasty to satisfy this request when an antibiotic isn’t necessary. People who suffer from sinus infections have options besides antibiotics. Using a neti pot or bulb syringe to cleanse the nasal passages and sinuses is highly effective for treating both acute and chronic sinusitis. Identifying and treating food allergies and intolerances can also be helpful, especially for chronic sinusitis. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;133:260–5)" (Sinus Infections—Antibiotics Not Always the Answer: Kimberly Beauchamp, ND, Healthnotes Newswire, April 5, 2007)

The object of this Program is not to starve, but to eliminate foods that typically give people sinus problems. The suggested supplements contain foods and herbs that address: breaking down fats, addressing inflammation, protecting the cells of the sinus passages, and supporting the immune system.

This Program is not meant as a cure or a replacement for medical treatment and may be done in conjunction with and coordination with your medical doctor's care. Our 14-Day Natural Sinus Relief Program has helped a lot of people, even those who have had a lifetime of chronic sinus problems.

Oh, Your Aching Back! Maybe A Lack of Blood Circulation is the Key!

2007-04-04T15:56:00.000-07:00

Backaches are at the top of the list of health complaints.
Blocked arteries to the lower back contribute to the pain.
by Vic Shayne, PhD

Back problems are at the top of the health complaints of all Americans. Why is this? What's going on here? Well, for one thing, studies have recently shown that there is an insufficient blood flow going to the lower back. Before the average person hits 30 years of age, the arteries feeding the muscles of the lower back are already clogged.* So, if you've injured your back, without an adequate flow of blood, how will it have a chance to heal?

Most people think of clogged arteries having to do with heart attacks and stroke, but even most physicians overlook the fact that clogged arteries are not restricted to those leading to the heart muscle and the brain. The arteries feeding the lower back are responsible for nourishing muscles, bringing in oxygen and preventing cramping and pain. This means whether you are taking drugs for back pain or eating certain nutrients to help, your efforts are going for naught unless you improve circulation.

To improve blood flow, there are several key things you can do:

Take in the right food nutrients that are known to feed the arteries and help them expand (dilate) and strengthen. See VasCor Complex.
Try deep massage by a qualified massage therapist or Chinese Medical Doctor.
Try chiropractic.
Try visiting an osteopathic physician.
Try acupuncture from a professional who specializes in this field (not someone who received certification from weekend courses).
To help back muscles, tendons, joints, vertebrae and ligaments, take ProMin Complex, which is the nutritional doctor's choice of whole food supplements.
If you have cramping, take CalMag Balance.

IN A NUTSHELL
Low-back pain can be due to lumbar-artery disease? (Lumbar arteries branch off of the aorta). A team of researchers in Helsinki, Finland, having conducted a series of autopsies, discovered that the average person with a history of back pain also had two or more arteries to the lower back completely occluded (blocked). At least one more artery in the study was narrowed but not yet blocked. People who had not reported back pain were discovered to have had fewer blockages.(1) They also discovered that “the greater the arterial blockage, the worse the degeneration in the disc it supplied.” (2)

1. Lancet 1995: 346: 888-89, L.I. Kaupila: “Can Low-Back Pain be Due to Lumbar-Artery Disease?”
2. Barnard,MD, Neal, Foods That Fight Pain, page 12 3. Barnard, p. xiii

Dangerous Cosmetics: Is There Lead in Your Lipstick?

2007-03-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

From Environmental Working Group...

QUESTION:
There's an internet rumor that says you can check for lead in lipstick by rubbing a gold ring on the lipstick. If the lipstick turns black, it contains lead. Is there any truth to this?

ANSWER:
We wish it weren't so, but lead has recently been found in lipstick. Two television news programs--Los Angeles’ KCBS-TV and Pittsburgh’s WPXI-TV--both tested several brands and reportedly found lead in some at levels between 0.2 and 0.4 parts per million. That sounds like a insignificant amount, but that's two to four times the FDA limit for lead in candy.

Cosmetics companies claim that the lead in their products come from background pollution--meaning the lead in the air gets folded into their products during the manufacturing process. The common sense answer is that you should avoid lead, especially when you're putting it in or around your mouth.

So which lipsticks tested positive? The KCBS test found the brands AM Cosmetics (no longer in business but still in stores) and Cover Girl to have lead, while WPXI did not list brand names. If you want to find out about the ingredients in your favorite lipstick, look it up in Skin Deep, the EWG cosmetics database, for its toxicity rating. Skin Deep also has extensive information about lead.

http://www.enviroblog.org/2007/03/ask_ewg_lead_in_lipstick.htm

Circulation Health: Keep Your Blood Flowing The Easy Way

2007-03-12T15:55:00.000-07:00

A Healthy Diet Protects Circulation
By Maureen Williams, ND

Healthnotes Newswire (February 22, 2007)—Eating a healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruit, and fish has another benefit: it prevents blood clots from forming in the blood vessels, according to new research.

A thrombus is a blood clot that forms on the inner wall of a blood vessel when a defect or injury on that spot causes an inflammatory reaction. When a thrombus breaks free and travels though the body it is known as an embolus. Most people don’t know they have thrombi because in the early stages they generally don’t cause symptoms, but they are extremely serious. Blockage of coronary arteries can result in heart attack and disrupting blood flow through small arteries in the brain can cause stroke.

These types of thrombi are known to be influenced by eating habits. The current study, published in Circulation, looked at how eating specific foods and nutrients affected the risk of venous thrombosis. More than 15,000 adults from 45 to 64 years old underwent physical exams, filled out diet questionnaires, and were monitored for an average of 12.5 years.

The people who ate the most fruits and vegetables were the least likely to have thrombi in the veins (venous thrombosis). Eating 1 or more servings of fish per day was also protective, but eating 1.5 or more servings of red or processed meats per day doubled the risk.

Further analysis showed that people with diets high in folic acid, vitamin B6, and omega-3 fatty acids (such as those from fish) were protected against thrombus formation compared with people who took in little to none of these specific nutrients.

The researchers noted in their conclusion, “Our findings provide evidence that a diet including abundant plant food and fish and little meat is associated with lower risk of incident VTE [venous thromboembolism].”

(Circulation 2007;115:188–95)

Editor's Note:
Cardiovascular concerns are among the most reported health problems in the United States. Extra support in the way of supplementation is recommended by many natural health care doctors. The above dietary suggestions are excellent. We add to this these whole food products:
Fish Oils
VasCor
GreenNutrients

USDA BACKS PRODUCTION OF RICE WITH HUMAN GENES

2007-03-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

From: Washington Post (pg. A2), Mar. 2, 19AR
[Printer-friendly version]

By Rick Weiss

The Agriculture Department has given a preliminary green light for the first commercial production of a food crop engineered to contain human genes, reigniting fears that biomedically potent substances in high-tech plants could escape and turn up in other foods.

The plan, confirmed yesterday by the California biotechnology company leading the effort, calls for large-scale cultivation in Kansas of rice that produces human immune system proteins in its seeds.

The proteins are to be extracted for use as an anti-diarrhea medicine and might be added to health foods such as yogurt and granola bars.

"We can really help children with diarrhea get better faster. That is the idea," said Scott E. Deeter, president and chief executive of Sacramento-based Ventria Bioscience, emphasizing that a host of protections should keep the engineered plants and their seeds from escaping into surrounding fields.

But critics are assailing the effort, saying gene-altered plants inevitably migrate out of their home plots. In this case, they said, that could result in pharmacologically active proteins showing up in the food of unsuspecting consumers.

Although the proteins are not inherently dangerous, there would be little control over the doses people might get exposed to, and some might be allergic to the proteins, said Jane Rissler of the Union of Concerned Scientists, a science policy advocacy group.

"This is not a product that everyone would want to consume," Rissler said, adding that other companies grow such plants indoors or in vats. "It is unwise to produce drugs in plants outdoors."

Consumer advocacy groups, including Consumers Union and the Washington-based Center for Food Safety, have also opposed Ventria's plans. "We definitely have big concerns," said Joseph Mendelson, the center's legal director.

Ventria has developed three varieties of rice, each endowed with a different human gene that makes the plants produce one of three human proteins. Two of them -- lactoferrin and lysozyme -- are bacteria-fighting compounds found in breast milk and saliva.

A recent company-sponsored study done in Peru concluded that children with severe diarrhea recovered a day and a half faster if the salty fluids they were prescribed were spiked with the proteins.

Deeter said production in plants is far cheaper than other methods, which should help make the therapy affordable in the developing world, where severe diarrhea kills 2 million children each year.

"Plants are phenomenal factories," Deeter said. "Our raw materials are the sun, soil and water."

The company is also talking to the Food and Drug Administration about putting the proteins into health foods. Its third variety of rice makes serum albumin, a blood protein used in medical therapies.

Until now, plants with human genes have been restricted to small test plots. In October, Ventria sought permission to grow its rice commercially on as many as 3,200 acres in Geary County, Kan., starting with 450 acres this spring.

A previous plan to grow the rice in southern Missouri was dropped when beermaker Anheuser-Busch – the nation's largest rice buyer, which has expressed concern about the safety and consumer acceptance of gene-altered rice — threatened to stop buying rice from the state if the deal went through.

Because no other rice is grown in Kansas and because rice can only grow in flooded areas, the risk of escape or cross-fertilization with other rice plants is nil there, Deeter said. The company will mill virtually all the seeds on site -- using dedicated equipment – to minimize the risk of seeds getting mistakenly released or sold.

On Wednesday, the Agriculture Department published its draft environmental assessment, which concluded that the project posed no undue risks. The public can comment until March 30.

Also on Wednesday, the agency revealed that a type of rice seed in Arkansas had become contaminated with a different variety of genetically engineered rice, LL62, that was never released for marketing. The error was discovered in the course of an ongoing investigation into the widespread contamination of U.S. rice by yet another gene-altered variety, LL601, which has seriously disrupted rice exports.

Those problems, along with the previous discovery of unapproved, gene-altered StarLink corn in food and the accidental release of crops that had been engineered to make a vaccine for pig diarrhea, undermine the USDA's credibility, critics said.

"USDA's record is not good," Rissler said, pointing to several recent court judgments against the department and a December 2005 inspector general report that savaged the department for its poor oversight of biotechnology. "We don't think they can enforce even the inadequate system that is in place."