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.