Allergies

As scientific knowledge expands our understanding of the human body and how it not only functions but how it dysfunctions leads us to the realization that we are intricately interconnected to our environment. That environment is increasingly synthetic and plays havoc on our immune system as evidenced by a disproportionate increase in allergies.

Ten steps to reducing your allergies. Notice all the things to eliminate from your diet in step 4.

Exacerbating or mimicking allergies are the effects of toxic molds and fungi. An ideal incubation site for these are your sinuses. Antibiotics are not very effective against them and antihistamines frequently perpetuate the condition via the histamine rebound effect.

A very effective means of ridding yourself of these sinus invaders is the use of a neti pot to flush the sinuses with a saline base of distilled water (no chlorine or fluoride) combined with natural antibiotic/antiviral agents. I've found the following mixture gives me good results:

8 to 10 oz. of RO or distilled water.
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized natural sea salt without any additives (I've heard pickling salt also works - but haven't tried it).
1 to 2 drops of natural organic oil of oregano.
2 drops of grapefruit seed extract.
1 drop of pure tea tree oil (or Melaleuca T36-C5).

This solution lasts me several days. I warm it before use and put part of it in a neti pot (or other container of your choice). I flush once or twice three time a day until clear for a week, then use it every two or three days. Note: if you have a clay neti pot - warming it in a microwave may crack it (hmm - wonder how I figured that out!).

Another item that works well is Sinus Cleanser that does the same thing. But be aware that if you use it when you have a cold, it may become contaminated then becomes pretty useless, or worse, it may give you an infection of the same virus you are trying to clear out.

Natural nutrients are some of the most effective agents against molds, and fungus. For example, honey helps fight the effects of fungal mycotoxins in the intestinal tract: Substituting sugars with honey in processed food can inhibit the harmful and genotoxic (gene changing) effects of mycotoxins, and improve the gut microflora. Trip

Whereas high fructose corn syrup (found in abundance in most processed foods) and the corn from which it is processed is frequently contaminated with these and similar mycotoxins that cause liver damage and other human ailments. NCSU Also see Sweet.

So what do you do about those antihistamine drugs? You might want to try replacing them with a powerful natural one that is also a very powerful and a versatile anticancer flavonoid - Quercetin. It can be used to treat allergic reactions and sinusitis. At higher doses, it will lower elevated blood sugar, is a natural anti-inflammatory that inhibits the LOX enzyme. Take 1000mg three times a day. Lot's of articles.

More coming . . .

BigPharma - Did You Know?

More little tidbits about those folks that promise you health in a bottle . . .

12/29/08 - Nobel Prize tainted by BigPharma (Follow the $$ again).

Did you know if you are killed by a drug or medical device (even though faulty and/or they lied to the FDA during approval) you (well, your family) can't sue anyone? Thanks George (Bush)! NY Times & NY Times-2 & Natural News. So.... with that in mind, here is the latest from the FDA on drugs.

We can't get cheaper drugs from Canada - but where do those you pick up from your pharmacy come from??? Off Shore Drugs 'Freebies' in your Drugs'

Adverse side effects of drugs kill over 106,000/year in U.S. Full Article - Condensed .
So why do they tell us how many are killed in Iraq or Afghanistan on the daily news, but this goes virtually unreported? (Total of U.S. troops killed in Iraq since 2003 is ~4,000 that's only 3.8% of those killed by pharmaceuticals - in just ONE year!)

Iatrogenic - a big word (related to the above) to impress your friends.

Bored with your TV? Here - go watch the latest in Drug & Etc. recalls from the FDA

Poison Plastic

I've updated this post with the latest news (9/16/09) on Bisphenol A, or BPA. Since the health conscious have avoided it because of the greed connection to Big Bu$$ine$ and the all-to-easy approval of the FDA, I thought I'd include the latest news update showing the link between BPA and cardiovascular disease (heart), and diabetes. Check It Out.

Oh, and don't forget about Melamine - It is in candy and a lot of other stuff from China. Here is a tidbit from the FDA on a recent recall. Here is one from Mike Adams on Halloween Candy.

Melamine Updates: Who's next? Take a LOOK. And I bet this is the tip of the iceburg! Yep - More and. . . more, and more!

Heard of Bisphenol A? Its been in the news for awhile. It's supposed to be bad stuff that leaches out of those shiny plastic bottles you have around. Read After receiving assurances from the manufacturers, the FDA says it's OK. So in all fairness, you can go here and be reassured by the American Chemistry Council.

"The plastics that have the most BPA are those made of polycarbonate plastic -- they are usually rigid and transparent and used for toddler cups, baby bottles, food storage containers and water bottles. They are frequently marked on the bottom with the letters "PC" and the recycling number 7. Plastics with the recycling numbers 1, 2 and 4 on the bottom are better choices."

Another interesting development is the use of melamine in pet foods and infant formulas to falsely boost the apparent protein content. In pet food - more protein, more $$. Supposedly safe, it has been found that malamine in combination with other chemicals can be deadly. Who is pulling this trick? You guessed it - the Chinese! But it didn't take long for the U.S. pet food industry to catch on! So who is next?

If you can't go to sleep at night, there's lots of technospeak here at NIH. Basically it says "We aren't sure - and you all are the Guinea pigs!" Hmmmm - kinda sounds like the FDA. . .

You might also want to check out this site that tells what those little triangles on the bottom of all your plastics mean. Code Guide

Medical System - Shady beginnings of in U.S.

When did you see your doctor last or watch one of those drug commercials on TV (along with the 30 seconds of quietly delineating the dangerous side effects)? More than likely if you had any symptoms you were then given a list of drugs to go get. This is medicine by prescription: Column A = Symptom; Column B = Drug, etc. or medicine by commercial. Here is some interesting history on how our present day pill pushing medical system came to be. Follow the Money $$. Go HERE and scroll down to "How Now, Sacred Cow?". One need dabble only a short while until you run into the secret order of the Skull & Bones. Interesting videos, and the Bush family has a long association with this secret order - hmmm, that's interesting! It isn't suprising that U.S. presidents have selected 'Bonesmen' to head key positions in their cabinet.

Back to the mystery of who's behind the scene pulling the strings of our medical/pharmaceutical industry - if you want to spend an extensive afternoon or more you could try this rather extensive read: Griffin.

In summation, our modern medical $ystem is "Of the Rich, By the Rich, For the Rich". You think we will ever get a better system that won't bankrupt you if you have a major illness? I don't think so - you will have to move to another country for that! See my post on Medicine in Other Countries

Disruption of the species?

Recent studies show males of many species, not only humans, are not doing well in the polutant battle: "The environmental impacts of phthalates in plastic inhibit testosterone production and possibly may cause irregular genital development. Brominated flame-retardants may block the thyroid hormone critical to proper development of both the testes and the brain. University of Missouri professor, Dr. vom Saal, said, ‘This mishmash of synthetic hormones - leading to too much estrogen and too little testosterone and thyroid hormone - is making a mess of sexual development in males.’ He conducted studies relative to sperm health comparing various geographic locations. A markedly lower sperm count in males from farming areas verses urban areas suggests pesticides are to blame." Reference.

Medicine in Other Countries

Go see the link below and watch the video - it is a real eye-opener!

T.R. Reid - Sick Around The World - You HAVE to watch these videos! This guy goes to England, Japan, Germany, etc. (each clip is about 11 minutes - so you could catch one during the commercials for each half hour of TV you watch!). Just click on the part to the right of this Link that says 'Watch the Full Program Online'. It is a real eye-opener of how broke our sick care system really is! Thousands of people go bankrupt in this country from medical bills! When he asks doctors and administrators in these other countries how many people go broke there, they say "nobody! We've never heard of such a thing!" You might prefer to speed read this interview with T.R. Reid which gives a summary of the video program here.

An interesting discussion of the politics of medical care can also be found at Wikipedia.

But this will never happen in this country due to the power of the rich. The only thing that will happen will be to siphon more of your money to the rich who control the medical/pharmaceutical/chemical industries of the world. Also see Med Sys - Shady History

Heart - Irregular Rythms

Asking around, I've found many people have irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmia's in medical jargon. Wikipedia has a good page on it and tells about different types, etc. So what do you do if you have a recurrent irregular heart beat? Do nothing or 1. See the doc and take drugs; or 2. Take care of the deficiency that is causing it.

NOTE! At any rate, it is a good idea to see your doctor to determine what type you have, how serious it is, and what else may be a contributing factor (high blood pressure, electrolyte imbalance, diabetes, etc.). A doctor may want to put you on a Holter Monitor to look for more information. Your heart is not something you just want to stop on you!


1. Drugs - Any unnatural substance not normally found in the body that has side effects; often serious and unintended (USDA). The side effects then require another drug, etc., etc. There is also a problem with potentially serious hazards of using skin numbing products, also known as topical anesthetics, for relieving pain from mammography and other medical tests and conditions. FDA is concerned about the potential for these products to cause serious, life-threatening adverse effects, such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, breathing difficulties, coma and even death, when applied to a large area of skin or when the area of application is covered.

2. Natural supplements - Replacing what the body has lost through neglect, poor nutrition, or the effects of drugs (those unintended side effects) and antibiotics. It would be nice if we could get it from our foods, but that's getting harder and harder.

I will leave #1 up to the doctors - that is what they are trained for and best at; but personally, I like to try #2 first. For a doctor, I would recommend finding a Fellow of the American Academy of Cardiologists - F.A.C.C.

#2. Here are commonly recognized deficiencies that lead to heart arrhythmia's or irregular heart beats and some ways to address those deficiencies:

A. Coenzyme Q-10, or simply CoQ10, is normally synthesized by your body and is used in the production of energy. The ability to make CoQ10 lessens with age as well as taking certain medications. There are no known side effects of supplementing with CoQ10 that I'm aware of.
Dr. Steven Sinatra recommends 60 to 120 mg/day as a protective measure and 180-360 mg/day for those with arrhythmia, angina pectoris, high blood pressure, gum disease, or for those taking statin or beta blocker drugs. Vegetarians are also likely to be low. See Book

B. L-Carnitine is also used in cells to produce energy. The synergistic effect of supplementing with both L-Carnitine and CoQ10 together may do more than either alone. Due to this combined effect, some supplement manufacturers combine the two.

C. Magnesium. Since it is estimated that over half of Americans are deficient in this mineral, it's a good idea to get more anyway. Soaking in a warm tub with Epsom salts or soaking your feet in a foot bath of Epsom salts is a good way to get magnesium into your system. You see, if you are low on magnesium, absorption in the GI tract is compromised. I've found topical application using a gel is also helpful. Magnesium deficiency can result in spasms, cramps, arrhythmias, tics, premenstrual difficulties, and even sudden cardiac death.

D. Fish Oil. Fish oil contains both DHA and EPA; Studies of several societies with low cardiovascular disease show the beneficial effect of these substances. A comprehensive treatment of arrhythmias should include 1g/day of high quality, heavy metal free, omega-3 fish oil. It even comes in flavors or gelcaps. Included in treatments recommended by the ACC.

E. Vitamin D. Although not directly associated with arrhythmias, it is vital for general heart health. Vitamin D is not just another vitamin it is a precursor to a hormone, and this prehormone is responsible for making a very important regulator of cardiovascular processes. Vitamin D deficiency activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and can predispose to hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency causes an increase in parathyroid hormone, which increases insulin resistance and is associated with diabetes, hypertension, inflammation, and increased cardiovascular risk. See JACC, and U.S. News

Other interesting and related articles: PeaceHealth, Toxicity (scroll towards bottom of article), RevolutionHealth.

Non-Stick Toxicity

Looks like this will be a 'work in progress'. There appear to be a lot of problems with C8, or Perfluorooctanoic acid. It shows up not only in 'Teflon' items but stain resistant fabrics & rugs, Gortex, food containers, and other places I was certainly not aware of.

One problem is the stuff doesn't biodegrade - EVER. Evidence is coming forth that it isn't good for us: Low birth weight, thyroid irregularities, immune system problems, and even urinary tract problems seem to be just a few.

DuPont has been fined heavily for their cover up - another 'profit at any human cost' story it looks like.

References: Wikipedia EWG Mercola (and safe cookware) See also Ceramcor

Stay tuned for updates . . . . .

More on MSG

That label doesn't say "Mono Sodium Glutamate"? Where else is it hiding in that arm length list of ingredients?

I'm not going to rehash what has been published in a thousand places, so here are some interesting links:

Angela's blog - a good section on hidden MSG.

The Master List - want to become a fanatic - check this one out!

BigGov says MSG is good stuff, don't worry - be happy!

Wynn Matthews list from Dr. Blaylock's book

FDA does it again

Once again, the FDA has weighed the public interest and health against the profits of industry. Guess who won! Washington Post. Why do we even pump billions into a government agency who pulls such underhanded cover ups!?

Acne a better way

When I ran across problems with this popular and widely sold acne remedy. I remember running across natural solutions for acne; ones that treat the cause, not the symptoms.

- Under Construction -

Vitamin B12 and its role in treating/preventing acne:

Meds that deplete Vit B12 from your body: UofM Med Ctr UofM#2
Info source for more exploration
Another Resource Site on absorption of B-12, etc.
Unitended Consequenses - drugs that affect the absorbtion of important vitamins and nutrients

Spider Bite Information

This post is about the Brown Recluse family of spiders. Nasty little creatures! Both these sites provide good information. According to a friend who was bitten, the transdermal patch indeed works well as explained in the Dr. Kenneth Burton Site. The other site provides a lot of information but I don't have any personal experience with the items they are selling, other than the traps - I bought something similar at my local hardware store and they work well.

Bit by the Fat Bug?

Most of you know by experience that the simplistic view of weight and weight loss is not just calories and exercise. Indeed, the science of digestion and the GI tract is just beginning to find some of the intricacies that impact your bottom line (pun intended). Here is some insight into what is going on in the scientific world dealing with some of these issues: Infectobesity Be sure to read further down to the end of the article.

Long Live Cancer

This Post under construction . . .

The treatment of cancer is one of the most lucrative and resession-proof businesses on earth.

Since the creation of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 1937 it has been another interesting study of strange bedfellows and follow the money. This little paragraph in Wikipedia gives you a hint. The close association of NCI with BigPharma and the closely related BigChem has resulted in a rather myopic approach to cancer treatment - Nuke, Cut, and Kill. To protect the interests of BigPharma & BigChem, prevention in the form of wise and non-toxic nutrition is purposely ignored. (need links] (Long but interesting ("the more money we spend on cancer, the more we get")
(Find what annual budget is and total since inception)

Flawed Vitamin-E study

Tamoxifin - An interesting study. Tamoxifin has been shown to greatly increase the risk of endometrial cancer - trade one disease for another. Doesn't sound good to me.

Cinnamon - Benefits

I was steered to the benefits of cinnamon by my holistic doctor and a friend. Cinnamon has many medicinal uses including:
+ Increased insulin sensitivity (good for type-2 diabetics).
+ Antimicrobial - inhibits growth of bacteria and fungi - helps control Candida. Try this: slice an apple and put cinnamon on one slice, none on another - see which one turns bad quickest.
+ Improve cholesterol levels - LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol & blood sugar.
+ Aroma increases brain function, concentration, and memory.
+ Improved colon health and cardiovascular health.
+ Anti-clotting agent.
+ Off the charts antioxidant. Found this on Wikipedia - ORAC explanation.

Just search "benefits of cinnamon" or here is a good site: Monument

Poison from China, etc.

It is sad that greed so often puts the health and lives of others in jeopardy.

I keep hearing of all these recalls and warnings of tainted food and consumer goods from China. A lot of the tainted items are being caught due to the diligence of the New York State Department of Agriculture. In appreciation for their due diligence, I went to their web site, then to the 'contact us' page and sent them a big 'Thank You'. Here is an interesting link to what they've found lately. Of course you can always go to the FDA site for more goodies.

Drug Warnings

Every now and then I run across some interesting drug warnings - Look for updates!

For any prescription drug you may want to check here for all the info on it.

Procrit / Epogen (Epoetin Alpha) - you might end up with a Stroke. There are additional warnings for those with renal failure, cancer, etc.
Partial text: Epoetin alfa increases the risk of blood clots forming in or moving to the legs, lungs, or brain.

P.S. Go to my post for Magnesium - if you are tired or depressed!

Pain Killers - a double edged sword

Popular pain killers delay or prevent healing.

Pain drugs such as Vioxx & Celebrex, Ibuprofen, Naproxen (Aleve), Nabumetone (Relafen), etc. may kill or dull the pain, but they have also been found to delay and in some cases, prevent healing. This occurs with any injury from scrapes and burns to more serious bone fractures and torn ligaments. Slow Bone Healing Reference

Second Thoughts On Soy

I have been dupped like many of you health conscious people into thinking anything soy is good for you. Well, that may be another BigBu$ greed tactic and another big sell of bad stuff. Of course the highly refined soy products like soy isolate, etc. you have to avoid. Here are a few insights into the evils of the soy industry that you may want to take into consideration before you 'switch to soy'. They both come from Dr. Mercola, who has his own stuff to sell, but I've found him to have an open mind and one who tries to sort out the facts.
Ref 1
Ref 2

Fructose - too much of a sweet thing

If you get it from one of the center isles of the grocery store it isn't good for you! I guess you could call that Murphy's Law of Health #1.

Here is an article I found at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) about corn showing up in everything.

A load of granola bars just showed up in our pantry with some new stuff in it (new to me). #1 on the ingredients list was Tapioca Syrup! What's that? Well it's another type of fructose!

Here is an excerpt on The Fructose Name Game - "[Fructose is] health damaging (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypoglycemia, Syndrome X, obesity, etc.) it may come in many forms - intentionally MISLABELED, or DECEPTIVELY legally noncompliant like: 'chicory', 'inulin', 'iso glucose', 'glucose-fructose syrup', 'dahlia syrup', 'tapioca syrup', 'glucose syrup', 'corn syrup', 'crystalline fructose' and flat out fraud 'fruit fructose', or criminally prosecuted and non Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)human red blood membrane cell destroying, and spontaneous abortion triggering, 'agave'. " For details on Fructose see this reference.

MORE ON FRUCTOSE -> See Murky World. Here is a quote from half way through the articla: "The glucose group was unaffected but the fructose group had disastrous results".

These granola bars also contain Rice Bran Extract. I think that acts as a preservative. Can't find anything bad about that stuff, so if anyone knows more about it, please let me know. . .

Infant/Baby Health

There are a number of things mothers can do to help their baby.

1st - Omega-3 essential fatty acids, found in leafy greens vegies and fish oil. Ups the I.Q. of baby if mother takes while pregnant. Also helps immune system of infant and helps protect children from excitotoxins found in processed foods, formulas, vaccines, fruit juices, processed baby foods, and junk food. Read that as ADHD, etc. Reference-1 .
It can also help with postpartum blues, and recovery of mother. Ref-2.

2nd - Be careful of baby formulas. Be really sure it is made in America. But since FDA has no capability for checking safety of formulas (and just because it is made in U.S. doesn't mean all the ingredients are). Breast Is Best. Sorry, upon later examination, this link has dissappeared from the FDA website. I guess somebody got paid off??
! Add to this that the United States is the only country in the world where infant formulas are generally not fortified with DHA, this despite a 1995 recommendation by the World Health Organization that all baby formulas should provide 40 mg of DHA per kilogram of infant body weight. Oh, you get both DHA and EPA from fish oil - Nordic Naturals have flavored oils which really aren't that bad tasting. . . and no heavy metals.

Overweight & Fit better than Lean & Lazy

I try for lean & fit, but if you're overweight its not the end of the world as all those anorexic models would have you believe. This STUDY supports the theory that its better to be fat & fit than skinny and unfit. It just might have something to do with your outlook on life too.

Here are some of the latest statistics:

Obesity in the U.S. has increased from:
12 percent in 1991
to 18 percent in 1998
to 34 percent in 2006, according to CDC obesity data.

A full two-thirds of the U.S. population is now considered overweight. However, in some ethnic groups the rates are even higher, such as African-American women, of whom 78 percent are currently either overweight or obese.

Naturopathic Physicians

Try something different - a holistic or naturopathic physician. The downside is your health insurance probably won't pay for it! But it may be your only way to get healthy. . .

Go HERE to find out more about it and find one near (or not so near) to you.

Or if you want to listen to an interview (rather long, but very informative) try WOR.

Pain killers - The Downside

While updating my post on Africa, I included some info on pain killers. This is important enough that I thought I'd make a separate post.

Did you know that OTC or prescription pain killers can slow down or prevent healing? Particularly broken bones and cartilage! If you want to search for yourself, just search on "pain killers delay healing". Or here are a few I've already found:



Aetna

USGyms (Scroll down to - 'A Further Word of Caution')

Vaughn's 1-pagers; an interesting comparison chart. But of course, no natrual stuff.

I use Noni juice (tastes terrible though, so that means most people won't use it).

17-page summary of Noni (not for the casual reader).

Sales pitch on Noni from UK, but good references and other info.

You Are What You Eat

"You are what you eat" goes back to the 16th or 17th century it appears. Little did they know how true that statement was! Most doctors do not believe this, and certainly most people don't believe this. Got cancer? Your oncologist also does not believe this and many will tell you to avoid any antioxidant supplements (like vitamin C) if you are on chemo - but that's another bizarre story. Have you ever heard of Epigenetics?(don't go here - very complicated) It is really fascinating and you don't have to be a genious to understand what it means to YOU. The education channel & NOVA had a very interesting program on it. Go HERE to see it.

P.S. You better plan on growing your own food. The FDA has taken another step towards killing our food so the phytonutrient and vitamin content is greatly dimenished. Yea BigGov!! But then if we get sicker more often and get chronic conditions then we are more dependent upon BigPharma! Have we found the enemy?

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

This is one of those things most of us don't know anything about - Wikipedia is a good place to start. Basically it, along with other tests can indicate things amuck in your body that put you at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronically debilitating or deadly conditions. Here is another informative link.

What I got in Africa

I just returned from my holistic doc (my regular doc couldn't find anything, or even knew what test to perform) and found that my two-year stay in Africa resulted in a GI infection of Enterobacter Cloacae. I've had it for a year now - not fun stuff. My options were a heavy dose of gut blasting antibiotics, or a more natural treatment consisting of probiotics, grapefruit seed extract and other more natural and health boosting solutions. By my tone you could probably guess that I have NOT chosen the antibiotics; although it would have been quicker, easier, and certainly cheaper (in the short term). I had received the lab results (from Doctor's Data) and didn't want to wait the couple of weeks before my holistic doc appointment, so I increased my grapefruit seed extract and olive leaf extract, oil of oregano, plus a few other items like milk thistle to help my liver out. The difference has been impressive and my symptoms have 90% disappeared. My doctor said I was on the right track and suggested a few other supplements to help get it all as we certainly don't want a recurrence.
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9-4-08 Update: Things are going much better although I had a bit of a setback from an 8 foot fall and a fractured hip (Upper femoral neck fracture). The doc said it was the best fracture he had seen in a long time (my claim to fame?) and that my bones were strong and I must be in pretty good shape. Imediately after the fall, I took some Noni juice and have continued to do so as a pain killer - the stuff is supposed to be 70% as effective as morphine but is not addictive and has no adverse side effects. Plus it is a natural blood thinner - much better than aspirin and more powerful agents such as warfarin, etc.; although I did dutifully give myself a daily shot of Arixtra that is designed to prevent deep vein thombitis (blood clot) after hip surgery - heart attacks and strokes I can do without!
I have not needed any pain killers before, after, or since the operation to pin the fracture and seem to be healing well. And did you know that pharmaceutical pain killers are also likely to hinder the healing of broken bones? Check it OUT. Here is a similar report from BBC.
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Most Americans suffer from Malnourishment

Do you wonder why so many americans are overweight, obese, or morbidly obese? Because they are undernourished! Sounds crazy doesn't it?

Here is an article (tho more hype than documented fact) that is a good introduction: Fat but Starving

Most people are grossly out of balance when it comes to the essential fatty acids. Essential means if you don't get them you are going to pay (kinda like air)! We usually get far too few omega-3's and too many of the omega-6's. Like 15 to 25 times more! A more healthy balance is 2 to 4 times the 6's as the 3's. Here is a good article on Omega's If you want the heavy medical treatise check UMMC

Update: More on the Omega 3's. I've been taking Twinlab Norwegian Cod Liver Oil which is also high in Vit-A and Vit-D. But may consider changing to Krill Oil - here is one of several studies JAMCOLN Also see today's post about CRP (C-Reactive Protein).



A related but important issue is the mistake of buying 'Fat Free' or 'Reduced Fat' processed foods. Fat isn't the culprit, it's the kind of fat - and often fat-free usually means sugar loaded, or worse, sugar substitute or HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup). See my section on HFCS for a little background on that killer!

Stuffy Nose all the Time? Sinus Cleanser

Have a stuffy nose a lot? Try Sinus Cleanser. It works wonders for me - and its natural; no drug side effects because it goes after the bacteria, fungus, and bad stuff that makes this a chronic condition. It does this with coloidal silver, grapefruit seed extract (see elsewhere in blog), and oregano in a saline solution. Go to web site or call 1-800-247-6553. But you have to use it as directed for a couple of weeks for the full effect. Then occassionally as needed.

Since I was a kid I suffered from allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. I even spent a pretty penny of my health insurance on turbinate somnoplasty - that's fancy doc talk for burning out your sinuses. As for many allopathic treatments - they went after the symptom and not the cause; so, in about two months after the burn-out, my sinuses were right back to their normal enlarged/obstructive condition. And life goes on - clogged up. Next came the modern SmithGlaxoCline (BigPharma) solution of Flonase - a steroid inhalant. Its not good to use these for very long (Bad Stuff) as they may cause nutritional deficiencies resulting in osteoporosis and a compromised immune system (more colds, flu, cancer, etc.) - or vague nondescript symptoms typical of malnutrition.

BigPharma Family Tree

This links to an undocumented paper, so it could all be fiction. But dig deeper yourself and you will find its 'in the footnotes'. Poison For Profit

Did you know I.G. Farben produced Zyklon-B gas which was used in the Nazi death camps? You probably never wondered what happened to the Nazi pharma/chemical death industry after WWII. It makes an interesting read - in a wierd kind of way. Just do various searches on I.G. Farben combined with other morbid terms and you are bound to turn up interesting stuff.

Hmmmm . . . . even turned up in Wikipedia

Ole! or . . Olive Leaf Extract. Amazing stuff.

Olive Leaf & Olive Leaf Extracts. What are they good for? Here is an abreviated list:

• Powerful Antibiotic - but no bad side-effects
• Antiviral agent - BigPharma can't touch it!
• Lowers high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Very powerful antioxidant (post on this - someday. . .)
• Boosts immune system (helps you fight off colds, flu, ear infections, etc.)
• Lowers LDL (the bad cholesterol) by 30%
• Opens arteries - particularly coronary (heart) arteries (can help arrhythmia)
• Can help in the treatment of chronic fatigue, herpes (cold sores), HIV, rheumatiod arthritis, diabetes, eye infections, nose & throat infections, pink eye, & impetigo.
• Works well against parasites
• Works well to treat yeast (candidiasis) and fungal infections.

Be Aware - you may experience a Herxheimers like reaction or Healing Crisis. This can be very confusing. That is why it is important to know what your weakness (or illness) is and be able to work with a Naturopath or Holistic physician - or an M.D. who understands holistic medicine (these may be hard to find!)

Good review of benefits (but they sell it - so not exactly neutral) - This site tracks back to an Ausie named Brett Seagrott.

References:
Vested intere$t web site (they sell it - but good info): Olivus
Cancer etc. - technical link: Sloan-Kettering
Abstract at the Journal of Antiviral Research (technical)

Padding the 'Facts' for $$$

Those prescriptions your doctor says to take - safe, well proven, backed by solid scientific evidence - right? And BigGov (FDA) is out there to protect you and be the watchdog - right?

Don't be so sure!

While checking out some of my own links I ran into this one - BigPharma Ghostwriting

Feel free to scroll down that web page and check out the sources.

I checked out some additional sources on the same subject - MSNBC

Just for grins I was looking for how many drugs have been removed from the U.S. market because they were unsafe on not effective. Can't find an estimate (Thousands?), but the search was interesting. Sample

That 'F' word (Fluoridation)

The title gives it away... Since it is quite easy to find all the 'facts' that fluoride is good for you ($$$, BigCorp & BigGov) this post contains some more interesting stuff - if you want to live long and enjoy it.

Here is a link to an entertaining UTUBE presentation
Like that one? Here's ANOTHER
And . . . yet ANOTHER

This article by the Managing Editor of Flouride, seems particularly relevant to expectant mothers and new families (also alluded to in the Utube clips). Read the Introduction beginning on page 9/88 of the PDF document. Here is a quote from that article: “Fluoridated water may be having its most devastating effects on the most vulnerable, those in utero and infants less than one year old, whose brains are most sensitive to developmental neurotoxins such as fluoride.” The whole article addresses Fluoride Fatigue. Feeling tired? Wondering if you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia? Fluoride might be a part of the problem.

Want a little history of the connection between BigGov, BigCorp & fluoridation? (follow the money) scroll down to “How It All Started” at Fluoridation Hoax – hmmmm, surely this can’t be true! Could such things happen?!

Other links for the inquisitive mind:

International Society for Fluoride Research (ISFR) and publishers of FLUORIDE , a technical journal with some articles understandable to the intelligent layperson.

Link to Parents of Fluoride Poisoned Children (PFPC)

CDC Cover up Complaint

Professionals call for End of Fluoridation
PDF version of above

Fluoride Action Network home page

NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION: Eleven EPA employee unions representing over 7000 environmental and public health professionals of the Civil Service have called for a moratorium on drinking water fluoridation programs across the country. Also see News

Dangers of Fluoridation & Fluoride compounds in our environment

Detrimental effects of Fluoride*:

• Causes dental fluorosis
• Damages DNA repair enzymes
• Causes hypothyroidism
• Toxic brain effect – particularly when associated with aluminum and lead
• Increase of lead in fluoridated water systems
• Increases risk for osteoporosis
• Increases risk for cancer (DNA damage)
• Causes skeletal fluorosis
• Reduces fertility in males

Aluminum-Fluoride Complex (AIF3)*

• Neurotoxic at 0.5 ppm
• Impairs brain-cell cytoskeleton
• Reduces brain phospholipids
• Inhibits phospholipase D in neuron membrane
• Lowers brain CoQ10 levels
• Produces widespread neuron loss in hippocampus

*from multiple sources including Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D. ISBN 0-929173-42-2

Toxins in Pop

This is an old one, but not many people heard about it. A study at Rutgers University revealed that soda pop sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS for you acronym geeks), contain an alarmingly high amount of reactive carbonyls.

These are things that are also found to be high in diabetics. I guess the link is - if you are a kid, drink lots of pop with HFCS, you are more likely to get fat and have early onset diabetes. Wow, that's more fun than a car wreck!

Originally I had a link to a good MedScape article, but upon checking the link, it insisted you sign in with an account. To get around this, do a Google search on 'medscape fat of the land' and click on the Fat of The Land link - it seems to work. . . . I haven't tried any other search engine.

Hmmm - I wonder if its in other things with HFCS? . . . . .

Want the BigCorp Big Sell on HFCS? This will certainly squelch any fears you have....

Pain - Natural Remedies

So what are you to do if you don't want to use BigPharma drugs?! (See my other posts on Pain Killers. . . (1) (2)
For chronic pain, or any pain for that matter, I've found drinking a good quality noni juice (tastes terrible - but you get used to it) works pretty good - but it may take a couple of days for it to take full effect. It is supposed to be 75% as good as morphine, but without the side effects and is non-habit forming. They say a few ounces a couple times a day.

If your bowel flora is out of balance, the bad bacteria can make substances that excite your pain sensors - so Probiotics, Oil of Oregano, Olive Leaf Extract, etc. help get you back in balance.

Another treatment is Prolotherapy. Remember C. Everett Koop? (U.S. Surgeon General)
Read about his experience and belief in prolotherapy.

After multiple back injuries, beginning with a car accident in high school, I suffered frequently with back pain. I was told the final and only ultimate solution would be back surgery. After doing some homework, it looked like that would not be a solution, but the beginning of lifelong journey down a road I wanted to avoid. Several years of prayerful searching led me to Dr. Mark Darrow. At that time, my alarm clock was my back - that pain was what woke me up every morning. I remember going to his clinic for my first prolotherapy treatment in the afternoon. I then drove back to our apartment wondering how many treatments it would take to feel some relief. To my amazement I slept longer than I had for a long time. May experience may not be typical, but I'm so glad I found that miracle rather than going under the knife!

Besides Dr. Darrow you can find other doctors who practice prolotherapy here. I've found not all prolo-docs are equal, so you might try to talk to some patients.

For small cuts, scrapes, and bites, I've found rotating topical applications of tea-tree oil (I like Malaleuca brand), tea-tree salve, and concentrated noni juice really works well. The tea-tree oil, noni juice, and royal jelly are supposed to be good on diabetic foot ulcers - but I've not had any experience there. (no source, just personal experience..)

For 1st & 2nd degree burns, get the burn cooled down as fast as possible with ice and apply a combination of tea-tree oil, aloe vera, and noni juice. Keeping the burned area cool with ice packs will control the pain and may take a couple of hours or even overnight (avoid frost bite tho!) for the pain to subside - keep it just cool enough to control the pain.

Of course I am not a doctor; I'm just sharing what I've learned from experience. Go see your doctor who will tell you this is all bunk. Then if you really want a new experience - find a holistic doctor.

MSG-mmmmm

MSG. What's that? Mono Sodium Glutamate. A neurotoxin - neuro (nerves & brain cells) - toxin (kills). More specifically, an Excitotoxin - Dr. John Olney in 1968 was experimenting with MSG as part of studying neural connections deep in the brain. To his suprise, he found MSG killed vital neurons by exciting them to death - and he coined the term 'excitotoxicity' or excitotoxin.

The effects of MSG are often subtle and not associated with disease or illness until the effects accumulate - such as obesity, diabetes/insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease (heart and arteries) fibromyalgia, learning disorders, cancer; and the list goes on. MSG greatly increases free radicals - and if you are low on antioxidants, the damage is going to be done sooner and to cells throughout your body.

The really sad part of all this is the increased susceptibility of the fetus and infants to MSG damage including learning disabilities and juvenile obesity. Here is a good Reference.

Unfortunately, and probably unknowingly, MSG laced mothers often start their infants off on MSG laden food and treats that lead to tantrums and fits shortly after ingestion. Other effects similar to autism, include difficulty adapting to new environments or stress.

Other factors bearing on the problem are that children are at least four times more sensitive to MSG than an adult and humans are five times more sensitive to it than rats. Add to that the fact that MSG or its effects, can be accumulative. Reference

Think your food is MSG free? If it comes in a package and is processed, it probably isn't. If an ingredient isn't over 98% MSG, they can call it by another name. More on this later....