Fluoride Update

Here is a rather long (1-hr, 49-min) audio interview illuminating the health risks and exposure to fluoride. You now get it on lettuce, onions, potatoes, etc. You also get it from pesticides. A very interesting listen. Dr. Bill Osmunson. Also see my previous Post on fluoride.

There is also a very dangerous class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. Over ten years ago I took several prescriptions for Cipro and suffered irreversable nervous system damage, partial loss of smell, numbness in my feet, tinnitus, panic attacts and depression.
According to Bob Patton, one of many fighting to get the truth out about these antibiotics, about half of the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics that were once on the market have been removed from clinical practice due to their horrific side effects: Omniflox, Raxar, Trovan, Zagam, and Tequin have all been banned.

However, Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, and Floxin continue to be prescribed for a variety of infections, both major and minor. Cipro and Levaquin are by far the favorites.

Although they are admittedly powerful anti-infectives, they are too often prescribed as a first-line defense for minor problems such as sinus, bladder, and prostate infections. These super-antibiotics should be used as a last line of defense, not handed out like candy for every patient with a sore throat, which has unfortunately become the norm.

And with devastating results.

In most cases, adverse reactions occur very quickly, sometimes after just a few pills. Reactions are usually multiple and involve many body systems.

In Dr. Cohen’s 2001 study, the following reaction rates were documented:

o Nervous system symptoms occurred in 91 percent of patients (pain, tingling and numbness, dizziness, malaise, weakness, headaches, anxiety and panic, loss of memory, psychosis)
o Musculoskeletal symptoms in 73 percent of patients (tendon ruptures, tendonitis, weakness, joint swelling)
o Sensory symptoms in 42 percent of patients (tinnitus, altered visual, olfactory, and auditory function)
o Cardiovascular symptoms in 36 percent of patients (tachycardia, shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations)
o Skin reactions in 29 percent of patients (rashes, hair loss, sweating, intolerance to heat or cold)
o Gastrointestinal symptoms in 18 percent of patients (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain).

Patient BEWARE (I found out too late!) You may also want to read Wikipedia for some additional background.

CoQ10 Update

CoQ10 is necessary for energy production in every cell in your body, and is particularly critical in the heart muscle. It is also one of the key enzymes that regenerate the antioxidant vitamins in your body, such as Vit-C & E that become oxidized as they neutralize free radicals.
However, recent research (reference?) shows that most of your store bought CoQ-10 comes in the oxidized form and is useless in this role of re-energizing. How can you tell? Just poke a little hole in the capsule and squeeze a little out onto something white. If it is bright orange, it is the oxidized (or useless) form. Did you get it at a 'bargan price'? For sure you will find it oxidized.
Another fact is that your body produces CoQ-10, but this production starts decreasing after age 25 or so. By your 50's it is dramatically less.

Here is a list of common medications that lower levels of C0Q10 in the body:

Statins for cholesterol , including atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol, and simvastatin (Zocor).

Fibric acid derivatives for cholesterol, including gemfibrozil (Lopid).

Beta-blockers for high blood pressure, such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetolol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor or Toprol), and propranolol (Inderal).
Tricyclic antidepressant medications, including amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), and imipramine (Tofranil).

Also see Univ of Maryland and Wikipedia