Is Magnesium the Answer to Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Researchers report that"there is more than sufficient evidence to implicate inadequate dietary magnesium as the main cause of TRD [treatment-resistant depression]. Since inadequate brain magnesium appears to reduce serotonin levels, and since antidepressants have been shown to have the action of raising brain magnesium, we further hypothesise that magnesium treatment will be beneficial for nearly all depressives, not only TRD."
A 2008 randomised clinical trial supports the use of magnesium in depression, with results showing it to be as effective as the tricyclic antidepressant Imipramine in treating depression in magnesium-deficient diabetics, without any of the side effects of Imipramine. Magnesium is low in processed foods, potentially harming the brain, while calcium, glutamate and aspartate - all common food additives - may worsen affective disorders.
Source: Eby GA 3rd, Eby KL. Magnesium for treatment-resistant depression: a review and hypothesis. Med Hypotheses 2010 Apr 2010;74(4):649-660.

Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pelvic floor disorders, including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and faecal incontinence, affect many women, with frequency increasing with age. Vitamin D insufficiency has been linked with poor muscle strength. The analysis showed approximately 82% of women had vitamin D levels below the normal range. Consistent with the researchers' hypothesis, higher vitamin D levels were associated with a decreased risk of any pelvic floor disorder in all women.
Source: Obstet Gynaecol 2010 Apr;115(4):795-803.

Babies Need Daily Vitamin D Supplement

In November 2008, the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) doubled the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for infants and children, from 200IU to 400IU. The study revealed that the use of oral vitamin D supplements was low (1-13%) and only 11-25% of American infants met the recommended level of 400IU per day. Both breastfed and formula-fed babies younger than six months of age are at risk of low vitamin D intake.
Source: Pediatrics 2010 Apr;125(4):627-632.

Vitamin D Prevents Influenza in Children

A recent study found that vitamin D supplements reduced the incidence of influenza A in schoolchildren. The multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial studied 430 schoolchildren aged 6-15 years, over the Japanese winter between December 2008 and March 2009. The children were assigned a total of 1200IU of vitamin D3 daily (3 x 200IU tablets twice daily) or placebo. Asthma attacks were also prevented by vitamin D3 supplementation.
Source: Am J Clin Nutr 2010 May;91(5):1255-1260.

Green Tea Reduces Glaucoma Risk

Catechins in green tea could help protect against glaucoma and other eye diseases.
Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry February 10, 2010;58(3):1523-34

Can Being Sleep Deprived Actually Kill You Early?

People who suffer from a rare form of insomnia can die from lack of sleep. Scientists have long known, for instance, that lack of sleep is associated with weight gain. Another study also found that subjects ate significantly more snacks and carbohydrates after a night of only five and a half hours of sleep. We get about 25% less sleep than they did a century ago - and this isn't just a matter of having less energy. As ABC News reported, staying awake for just one night is enough to make you act as though you're legally intoxicated if you get behind the wheel. This shows just how crucial sleep is to your health. It is no less vital than food, water and air.
Source: New York Times April 26, 2010

Mercury in Tuna Sushi Higher at Restaurants

A new study using fish DNA suggests that some species of tuna, particularly those used by restaurants, have higher mercury levels. Restaurants tend to favour certain species of tuna, such as Bluefin, Akami and Bigeye tuna. Unfortunately, mercury tends to accumulate to a greater degree in muscle than in fat, rendering these highly prized, leaner species of tuna more susceptible to high contamination. Restaurants tend to buy larger sized fish, which in turn contain larger concentrations of mercury due to their size.
Source: Biology Letters April 21, 2010 [Epub ahead of print]

Drug Company to Pay Half a Billion Dollar Fine for ILLEGAL Marketing

Drugmaker AstraZeneca has agreed to pay $520 million to settle federal investigations into marketing practices for its schizophrenia drug Seroquel. This makes AstraZeneca the 4th big drug company in the last three years to admit to federal charges of illegal marketing of antipsychotic drugs. The company was accused of misleading doctors and patients by spotlighting favourable research, while failing to adequately disclose studies showing that Seroquel increases the risk of diabetes.
Source: New York Times April 26, 2010; The United States Department of Justice April 27, 2010.

Brushing Teeth Prevents Heart Disease

People who fail to brush their teeth twice a day may be putting themselves at risk of heart disease. A study of more than 11,000 adults backs previous research linking gum disease with heart problems.
Source: British Medical Journal May 28, 2010; 340:c2451

Spices Play Role in Reduced Cancer Risk

Adding certain spices to your meat before tossing it on the grill can also cut the risk of cancer long associated with beef cooked at high temperatures. Rosemary and tumeric are the most effective in preventing the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs). HCAs are cancer-causing compounds that are produced when meat is barbecued, grilled, broiled or fried. Other spices are beneficial for cooking: cloves, cinnamon, oregano, rosemary, ginger, black pepper, paprika and garlic powder.
Source: New York Times May 27, 2010

High Dose DHA Decreases Tumour Growth By 2/3

Swedish scientists recently published the positive impact of omega-3 fatty acids (which are found mainly in fish oil) on a certain type of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma (Gleissman 2010). These Karolinska Institute scientists had previously shown that DHA (the most unsaturated form of fatty acid in fish oil) could cause apoptosis (i.e., programmed cell death) in cancer cells. They have now extended their work to experimental animals, showing that fish oil supplementation caused either stabilisation or actual regression of tumours in these animals.
Source: www.panaxea.com

Over 30,000 People Signed Petition For GE Food Labelling

Before the public consultations, the Federal Government had GE marked as only a minor issue for their expert panel to consider as part of this year's review of Australia's food labelling laws. By the time the public submissions had closed, the panel had received around 6,000 submissions and the majority were on GE. Add to this over 30,000 signatures from consumers and a GM-Free charter signed by 200 of Australia's leading chefs, and it would be fair to say that demand for GE labelling emerged as one of the major issues of the food labelling review.
Source: www.truefood.org.au/newsandevents/?news=94

Exercise Critical to Cancer Treatment

Cancer patients should not avoid exercise; they can and should find ways to be physically active both during and after treatment, according to U.S. guidelines. Exercise improves cancer survival.
Source: Science Daily June 1, 2010

British Medical Journal Exposes Lies About Cholesterol Drugs

To hear pharmaceutical companies tell it, statin drugs are "miracle" medicines that have prevented millions of heart attacks and strokes. But a recent study published in the British Medical Journal tells a completely different story: For every heart attack prevented by the drug, 2 or > people suffered liver damage, kidney failure, cataracts or extreme muscle weakness as a result of taking the drug. Statin drugs, in other words, harm far more people than they help. Highly deceptive advertising implies that statin drugs help everyone who takes them. However, statin drugs only "work" on about 2.7% of those who take them. Yet they cause serious damage in about 4.4% of those who take them. From the point of view of pharmaceutical companies, they have the added benefit of causing other diseases that often result in yet more drugs or medical procedures being prescribed. Kidney dialysis is a multi-billion-dollar business all by itself.

Reduce Your Diabetes Risk by 20% with Vitamin K Foods

People who get vitamin K from food may have a lower risk of developing type 2 Diabetes. Both vitamins K1 and K2 were related to a lower Diabetes risk, but the relationship was stronger with vitamin K2, which people get mainly from meat, cheese and eggs. Vitamin K is well known for the important role it plays in blood clotting but it also helps fight cancer, improve bone density, prevent heart disease, stave off varicose veins and lower your risk of Diabetes. K1 is found in dark green leafy vegetables and makes up about 90% of the vitamin K in a typical Western diet, eg. collard greens, spinach, salad greens, kale, broccoli and Brussel sprouts. The best natural source of vitamin K2 is derived from an ancient Japanese food called Natto which is made from fermented soybeans.
Sources: Reuters May 27, 2010; Diabetes Care April 27, 2010.

Heartburn Drugs Can Increase Your Fracture Risk

The Food & Drug Administration in the USA has mandated that proton pump inhibitor heartburn medications must carry a label warning of increased fracture risk of the hip, wrist and spine. This group of drugs include Prevacid, Prilosec and Nexium. The FDA suggests those taking these drugs should consult with their doctors & those using such drugs over-the-counter, limit their use to no more that three 14-day periods a year.
Alternatives include: restore your gastric balance and function with probiotics (good bacteria); test for Helicobacter pylori infection; modify your diet to eliminate hot spices & curries, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol, all nicotine products, processed foods & sugars; slow your eating down, chew your food more, relax and reduce your stress, seek help with herbal medicines.
Source: FDA May 25, 2010.

Low Iodine Puts Baby Brains at Risk

Health experts are urging pregnant women in Tasmania to take iodine supplements to lessen the chances of their children developing low IQ's because of poor brain and nervous system development. The Director of Public Health, Dr Roscoe Taylor, says most Tasmanians are iodine deficient because of low levels in soil and water. He has written to all health practitioners around the state asking them to encourage expectant mothers to take an iodine supplement of 150mcg every day. This is also important for all women wanting to conceive or suring pregnancy in Australia as well so ensure your pregnancy multivitamin is adequate.
Source: ABC News 15/06/2010.

Mandatory Radiation Warnings for Mobiles in San Fransisco

San Fransisco is set to require mobile phone makers to warn customers that mobiles are bathing them in radiation. The law requires makers of mobile phones to display in stores details of the levels of radiation emitted by different handsets in the same way that restaurants show the number of calories in food and drinks. Failure to comply will incur a $US300 ($347) fine. In particular, shoppers must be shown estimates of how much of the radio wave radiation from each mobile phone model is absorbed into the body of the person using it.
Source: SMH Wednesday, 16 June, 2010.

Being Fat Illegal in Japan

Fat in Japan? You're not just unhealthy, you're breaking the law. In Japan, already the slimmest industrialised nation, people are fighting fat to ward off dreaded metabolic syndrome and comply with a government-imposed waist-line standard. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of health risks, including stomach flab, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, that can lead to cardiovascular (heart) disease and diabetes. Concerned about rising rates of both in a greying nation, Japanese legislators last year set a maximum waistline size for anyone age 40 and older: 85 cms for men and 90 cms for women.
Source: SMH Friday, June 18, 2010.

Harvard Research Links Pesticides & ADHD

The Harvard-based research published recently in the Journal of Paediatrics demonstrates a link between Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and organophosphate pesticides. Those children with more pesticide exposure measured in their urine were more likely to have ADHD. "These findings support the hypothesis that organophosphate exposure, at levels common among US children, may contribute to ADHD prevalence. Prospective studies are needed to establish whether this association is causal." Organophosphate pesticides act by interfering with the transmission of signals in the nervous system, hence the effects on brain development, cognition & mood. Obviously the importance of eating organic fruits and vegetables cannot be underestimated.

Omega-3 Improves Chronic Heart Failure Prognosis

A recent randomised, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of omega-3 oils (n-3 PUFA) in patients with diagnosed chronic heart failure. Results showed Omega 3 oils provide protection for patients with CHF by reducing inflammatory responses.
Source: Zhao YT, et al. Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid therapy on plasma inflammatory markers and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in elderly patients with chronic heart failure. J Int Med Res 2009 Nov-Dec;37(6):1831-1841.

Glucosamine's Anti-Inflammatory Actions Benefit Lungs

Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory glucose derivative known for its benefits in arthritis. In this study, researchers investigated whether its anti-inflammatory action could be of use in the treatment of harmful inflammation in the pulmonary system (lungs). They found it does have a therapeutic role in respiratory inflammatory disorders.
Source: Wu YL, et al. Glucosamine regulation of LPS-mediated inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2010 Jun 10;635(1-3):219-226.

Broad Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Chondroitin Sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is known to have a beneficial effect on cartilage, synovial membrane and subchondral bone. However, new research is proving it to have a broader therapeutic range, with favourable results observed in other diseases where inflammation is an essential marker, such as psoriasis and atherosclerosis.
Source: du Souich P, et al. Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of chondroitin sulphate. J Cell Mol Med 2009 Aug;13(8A):1451-1463

WHO Scandal Exposed: Advisors Received Kickbacks from H1N1 Vaccine Manufacturers

A stunning new report published in the British Medical Journal, reveals that top scientists who convinced the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare H1N1 a global pandemic, held close financial ties to the drug companies that profited from the sale of those vaccines. It exposes the hidden ties that drove WHO to declare a pandemic, resulting in billions of dollars in profits for vaccine manufacturers.
During all of this, WHO refused to disclose any conflicts of interests between its top advisors and the drug companies who would financially benefit from its decisions. All the kickbacks were swept under the table and kept silent.

The BMJ isn't the only medical publication criticising WHO for its poor handling of conflicts of interest. Another report from the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly also criticised WHO, saying: "Parliamentary Assembly is alarmed about the way in which the H1N1 influenza pandemic has been handled, not only by the World Health Organisation (WHO), but also by the competent health authorities at the level of the European Union and at national level." It went on to explain that WHO's actions led to "a waste of large sums of public money, and also unjustified scares and fears about health risks faced by the European public at large."

Vitamin D has been scientifically proven to be 5 x times more effective than vaccines at preventing influenza infections, but WHO never recommended vitamin D to anyone. The entire focus was pushing more high-profit vaccines. And yet there has never been a single scientific study ever published showing that H1N1 vaccines worked.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SwineFlu/swine-flu-pandemic-world-health-organization-scientists-linked/story?id=10829940
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/04/AR2010060403034.html

GM Crops Make Minor Pests a Major Problem

Cotton that has been genetically modified "Bt cotton" to poison an insect pest, boilworm, is causing a massive increase in the number of other insects. More than 4 million hectares of Bt cotton are now grown in China & the numbers of of mirid bugs have increased 12-fold since its introduction.

Roundup Creating Superweeds for Farmers

As reported in the New York Times, farmers' widespread use of Roundup weedkiller is creating Roundup-resistant superweeds, like the overuse of antibiotics. There are now 10 different species of superweeds resistant to Roundup, spread over 22 states in USA & millions of acres of crops.

Paediatrics: Most Babies Need More Vitamin D

Most babies should take a daily vitamin D supplement, available in inexpensive drops, a new study shows. That will be a big change for most parents -- and even many pediatricians. Those drops are needed, the study published online in Paediatrics says, because only 5% to 37% of American infants met the standard for vitamin D set by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2008: 400 international units a day.

Air Pollution Harming IVF Success

Scientists have revealed that air pollutants, particularly those emitted by power stations, are causing IVF treatments to fail. A study led by doctors from the Penn State College of Medicine in Pennsylvania showed fertility treatment success rates were slashed in contaminated areas. The most damaging pollutants are emitted by power stations burning fossil fuel & diesel exhaust.

Vaginal Births Best for Bubs

According to a recent story in the Sydney Morning Herald May 30, natural births are better for babies. Babies born by caesarean section are more vulnerable to asthma, allergies & infection as they miss out on receiving their mothers' good bacteria during birth, says Professor Patricia Conway from University of NSW. However, emergency caesareans performed after labour had begun & if the waters had broken, meant babies did receive a small amount of the beneficial bacteria. Elective caesareans were "sterile" & did not receive this but babies had other chances to receive their mother's bacteria with skin-to-skin contact directly after birth & if they were breastfed.

Aussies Don't Rug Up Enough During Winter

According to a Sydney Morning Herald article May 26, researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have warned that Australians fail to dress appropriately or properly insulate their homes during the colder months which places extra strain on the body, sometimes fatal! When the temperature falls below 19C in Australia, the death rate from heart & circulatory problems goes up & at a higher rate than compared with the effects of frigid winters on people in countries like Finland & Sweden. Heart-erlated deaths & complications could be prevented by simple solutions like wearing thermals, hats, gloves, slippers, not by turning up indoor heaters as people tend to heat just one room & then get cold when they move to other non-heated rooms.

Rats on Junk Food Pass Cancer Down the Generations

Recent research shows that what you eat, especially while pregnant, can affect not only your children but also your grandchildren. When pregnant rats were fed a fatty diet, both their daughters and granddaughters proved to be at greater risk of breast cancer. In fact, even if the daughters of the first generation of rats ate healthily, their offspring - the 3rd generation - were still at greater risk of disease.
Your diet also influences genetic expression. Even though you may be genetically predisposed to a health problem, you're not necessarily destined to express those genes - unless your current diet and lifestyle turns them on.
Source: New Scientist April 20, 2010

Mushrooms & The Vitamin D Link

For one of the sunniest, most temperate countries in the world, Australia has an increasingly high rate of Vitamin D deficiency. A shortage of this important fat soluble vitamin has been linked to a number of health issues such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, depression and certain cancers. While the warnings of excess sunshine have been well and truly heeded, many Australians are going so far to slip, slop, slap that we are actually blocking benefits of regular time spent outdoors. According to research, 41% of people in SE Qld, 67% of Tasmanian women & 58% of aged care residents in Melbourne were Vitamin D deficient, not to mention 83% of dermatologists in the winter time!
Surveyed Australians consume around 25% of the recommended 10mcg of Vitamin D per day but at age 70 the body needs 15 mcg/day. Very few foods naturally contain Vitamin D, mainly oily fish, egg yolks & some fortified foods. Research has shown that mushrooms growing naturally in the wild contain Vitamin D. Commercially grown mushrooms, however, have little Vitamin D. The Australian Mushroom Industry began a small trial in Dubbo in 2007 "to test the effect of UV lights during the growing stage". We look forward to new and improved mushrooms in the future!
Source: www.mushroomsforlife.net

Granddaughters of Hamsters Sterilized by GM Soy

The most obvious clues about the danger of genetically modified (GMO) foods are that just about EVERY species of animal that is offered a GMO food vs a non-GMO food will avoid the GMO one. Many times they will do this to the point of starvation, as they have an intuitive sense of the danger of this food. It has been well reported the effects of GMO foods on potential problems with fertility, birth weight of offspring & infant mortality. Now the latest research from Russia provides shocking confirmation of genetically modified foods causing sterility in future generations. Anything containing soy or soy derivatives should be avoided, as well as anything containing corn, the most obvious ingredient being high fructose corn syrup.
Sources: Institute for Responsible Technology, "Genetically Modified Soy Linked to Sterility, Infant Mortality"; The Voice of Russia April 16, 2010; Grist April 20, 2010

Avoid Foie Gras

Foie gras, translated literally from French means "fatty liver" and is considered a delicacy by many. French cuisine, certainly, wouldn't be what it is without it. But it's also a highly controversial food, considered by many to be cruel to animals, due to the force-feeding of ducks and geese. However, the other concern is the nutritional value of liver that has been fattened up with a mash of oil and genetically modified poor quality corn. This is certainly a food to avoid for your health.
Source: Times Online April 22, 2010; Telegraph.co.uk April 16, 2010

Bored to death?

It was found that those who report a great deal of boredom are more likely to be younger, to be women, to rate their health worse, to be in low employment grades and to report lower physical activity levels. They were also more likely to die from a cardiovascular (CVD) fatal event. Whilst some aspects of life may not be so easily modified (e.g. disease status or position in society), proneness to boredom, particularly in younger populations, could be indicative of harmful behaviours such as excessive drinking, smoking, taking drugs and low psychological profiles.
Source: Britton, A. & Shipley, M.J. Bored to death? International Journal of Epidemiology 2010;1-2 doi:10.1093/lje/dyp404

Pesticides Damage Your Thyroid

Your thyroid gland plays an important role in regulating your metabolism and energy use. There is growing evidence linking pesticides to thyroid problems. One study examines 16,500 women living in the US who were married to men seeking certification to use restricted pesticides. They found that 12.5% women had thyroid disease with 7% having underactive thyroids (hypothyroidism). In the general population, the rate of diagnosed thyroid disease ranges from 1 to 8%. The study found that organochlorine pesticide use was associated with a 1.2x > risk of hypothyroidism. Exposure to fungus killers 3x the chances of hypothyroidism. Maneb/mancozeb also 2x the women's risk of hyperthyroidism. The herbicide paraquat almost 2x the likelihood of hypothyroidism. Yet another example of how your environment can impact on your health.

Source: American Journal of Epidemiology.

Radiation Terror

With fears regarding terrorism rising, full-body scanners may soon be in airports all over the world. What then, about your exposure to radiation? At this stage, depending on the machine used, estimates are that you will be exposed to around 10 microRem of radiation per scan; equivalent to flying for two minutes at 30,000 feet.

Source: Wellbeing Magazine Vol 126

Blue Memories

Aside from their general health benefits, animal studies have suggested that blueberries increase neuron-to-neuron communication in the brain, improve glucose use in the brain & are involved in memory function. So researchers tested the effects in humans: participants in their 70s who were showing early signs of memory loss had to drink 2 1/2 cups of blueberry juice daily for 12 weeks compared with placebo. Those who had drunk the blueberry juice showed improved paired associate learning & improved word list recall. There was also a trend toward reduced depressive symptoms & lower glucose levels. The results suggest that blueberries may be a way to ward off memory loss - if you can remember to take them.

Source: Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry

Sydney Food Connect

Fresh organic inexpensive food direct from farmers - Sign up now!

Louis Bonduelle Foundation

Nutritional website on vegetables from France - excellent resource articles, nutritional content of vegetables, article on how to encourage children to eat vegetables etc.

Nanotechnology Concerns

Nanotechnology involves the use of tiny particles which can penetrate through a membrane that normally would not allow it to enter. Many cosmetics and skincare products are now using this technology to their advantage eg. to reduce a white film left on the skin surface or enhance aborption of certain ingredients. However, the concern is that there can be a build up of these chemicals in the body as the skin's previous protective barrier is constantly overrided. The effect of these chemicals or of other unwanted or toxic ingredients in the product can have damaging effects. Some specialists view them as so dangerous in fact, that they are becoming known as "universal asbestos".

The toxic cosmetic & skincare ingredients include known carcinogens such as:
- Ethylene oxide
- Dioxane
- Nitrosamines
- Formaldehyde
- Acrylamide

Check all your products that they do not contain these chemicals and avoid skincare products that use nanotechnology.

Being Fat Degrades Your Brain

A long-term study of > 6,500 people in northern California found that those who wre overweight at age 40 were more likely to succumb to dementia in their 70s. A long-term study in Sweden found that, compared to thinner people, those who were overweight in their 40s experienced a more rapid, and more pronounced, decline in brain function over the next several decades. Consistent with this, the brains of obese people often show signs of damage. The obvious question is: can obesity-associated brain damage be reversed? No one knows the answer but a healthful diet and plenty of exercise, have repeatedly been shown to protect the brain.

Source: Panaxea - World Medicine www.panaxea.com

CT Scan Radiation Causes Cancers too

Computerised tomography (CT) medical scans cause at least 29,000 cases of cancer & 14,500 deaths in the United States every year, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The researchers estimated that 3 yr old female receiving an abdominal CT scan has a 1/500 risk of developing cancer as a direct result. The risk decreases to 1/1000 by age 30 & 3/10 000 by age 70.

Rosaleen Parsons of the Fox-Chase Cancer Centre suggests that patients keep their medical records to avoid unnecessary repetition of tests & ask their doctor about alternatives to radiation-based scans.

Source: NaturalNews.com, Wed, April 21, 2010 by: David Guitierrez.

Source: www.usatoday.com

The FDA Shuts Down Common Infant Vaccine After Startling Discovery

"U.S federal authorities recommended...that doctors suspend using Rotarix, one of two vaccines licensed in the U.S. against rotavirus, saying the vaccine is contaminated with material from a pig virus," CNN reports.
The Rotarix vaccine, which is made by GlaxoSmithKline and was approved by the FDA in 2008, has already been given to about 1 million U.S children along with 30 million worldwide. The vaccine was found to contain DNA from porcine circovirus 1.

Source: CNN March 22, 2010

Disturbing Findings in Rotarix and Two Other Common Childhood Vaccines

Dr.Eric Delwart, the researcher, found nearly 40% of the vaccines they tested contained viral contaminants.

Why did the independent team of scientists, who found the contamination, notify the vaccine manufacturer first rather than also immediately reporting their finding directly to the FDA?

What about the significance of finding bird viral DNA in measles vaccine and the monkey viral DNA in RotaTeq vaccine?

Even without a potential contamination scare, there are serious risks to every vaccine. So before vaccinating you really need to be certain that the benefits will outweigh those risks.

The CDC estimates that, by age 3, almost every child has had a case of rotavirus.

According to NVIC:

"Today, even though almost all US infants receive vaccines for rotavirus, and despite efforts to improve the management of childhood rotavirus-associated diarrhea, hospitalisations of children in the U.S with the disease have not significantly declined in the past two decades."

Along with showing little benefit for a disease that is typically entirely treatable with fluids and rest, a recent drug review by the FDA found that Rotarix is associated with a significant increase in pneumonia-related deaths in children, compared to a placebo.

Source: Dr. Mercola - www.mercola.com

Time for the Truth about Gardasil

OpEd piece from the Washington Examiner, Barbara Hollingsworth sets the record straight about Gardasil:
"Cervical Cancer accounts for less than 1 percent of all cancer deaths - so it was somewhat suprising when the U.S Food and Drug Administration fast-tracked approval of Gardasil, a Merck vaccine targeting the human papilloma virus that causes the disease.

As of the end of January 2010, 49 unexplained death following Gardasil injections have been reported to the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. By contrast, 52 deaths are attributed to unintended acceleration in Toyotas, which triggered a $2 billion recall."

There has been no recall fro Gardasil, however.

Unfortunately, Merck denies any of the deaths are related to its vaccine, and the parents involved can't prove they were.

India has suspended Gardasil vaccination and DNA India reports the program was marred by controversy after 4 deaths and complications among 120 girls were reported after vaccination. The girls complained of stomach disorders, epilepsy, headaches and early menarche.

Sources:
Washington Examiner March 30, 2010
DNA India April 8, 2010

Further, at least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire HPV infection at some point in their lives - and 90% of the time the virus clears up on its own within 2 years, and does not lead to cancer.

Source:
Dr. Mercola - www.mercola.com

Soft Drinks & Liver/Kidney Damage

PepsiCo is ditching high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in Gatorade along with the results of a scathing new study from researchers at Princeton. For years, the Corn Refiners Association has been arguing that HFCS is a perfectly natural product that is equal to other forms of sugar. A Princeton research team has again demonstrated that all sweeteners are NOT equal when it comes to weight gain. Rats drinking HFCS gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same.

Long-term consumption of HFCS also led to abnormal increases in body fat, especially in the abdomen & a rise in circulating blood fats called triglycerides. Two other recent studies have also linked HFCS to liver disease, increased uric acid, decreased kidney function and the risk of chronic kidney disease increased > 150% in those who had >1 soda/day.

Sources:
News at Princeton March 22, 2010
Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior February 26, 2010
Kidney International April 2010; 77(7):609-16
Hepatology January 28, 2010

Osteoporosis Drug Found to CAUSE Leg Fractures

Women taking osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates to prevent broken bones were showing up with rare and serious fractures of their thigh bones. The fractures are highly unusual because they are occurring in the long bone of the thigh, when ordinarily thigh bone fractures occur near the hip socket. Further, because this area does not have a rich blood supply, the fractures are difficult to heal.

Annual sales of osteoporosis drugs have doubled to $8.3 billion since 2003, which is a solid indicator that many people are being kept in the dark about these serious risks. ABC News recently reported that the Food and Drug Administration asked Merck (the maker of Fosamax) to "add information about the report of femur fractures" to the medications' package insert back in 2008!

Fosamax also causes jawbone degeneration, a disease now known to oral surgeons as Bisphosphate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BRONJ) or "Fossy Jaw" - a nasty side effect of Fosamax and related drugs that essentially causes your jawbone to rot and decay.

Bisphosphate drugs have been associated with:
- Serious eye inflammation and possible blindness
- Liver damage
- Atrial fibrillation
- Increased risk of ulcers
- Esophageal cancer
- Renal failure
- Skin reactions
- Hypocalcemia (blood calcium levels are too low)

A Safer Road to Bone Health...10 Steps
1. Increase your consumption of vegetables: try vegetable juicing.
2. Avoid processed foods.
3. Consume omega-3 fat and reduce or eliminate the amount of processed vegetable oils such as corn, canola, safflower, cotton seed oil that you consume.
4. Increase your calcium intake along with other related minerals
5. Avoid soft drinks and sugar.
6. Avoid steroids. Steroids increase your risk of osteoporosis.
7. Consider supplements with vitamin K2 if you are not getting enough from food alone eg. green leafy vegetables.
8. Optimize your vitamin D levels with sunshine, oily fish, egg yolks, fortified dairy
9. Exercise. Strength building exercises like weight training are especially helpful here.
10. Consider herbs to boost your hormones.

Source: New York Times March 24, 2010

Vit D Prevents Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

Studies have found that vitamin D plays an important role in mediating immune function.
New research now shows that low serum vitamin D levels increase the risk of nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases March 8, 2010

Is Breast Cancer Your Gene's Fault?

According to statistics only about 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer actually have a family history.
So what thay have found is that it is NOT your genes that dictate your health but rather the expression of your genes. You have the ability to easily turn genes on and off with your diet, lifestyle and emotional state.

Source: Dr Mercola - www.mercola.com

At least 2/3 Breast Cancer Cases are Likely Avoidable

Up to 1/3 of breast cancer cases in Western countries could be avoided if women ate less and exercised more, researchers at a breast cancer conference said. Experts said the focus should shift to changing behaviours like diet and physical activity. Obese women are up to 60% more likely to develop any cancer that normal-weight women. Many breast cancers are fueled by oestrogen, a hormone produced in fat tissue. So experts suspect that the fatter a women is, the more oestrogen she's likely to produce, which could in turn spark breast cancer.

Source: 7th European Breast Cancer Conference March 24-27, 2010, Barcelona, Spain.

Satisfaction

Researchers from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, have found that women who are sexually satisfied score higher on wellbeing and vitality measures than women who are dissatisfied. This goes to show that sexuality is an important, but often overlooked, aspect of women's (and men's) health.

Source: Wellbeing Magazine Issue 124, page 12.

Diet and Exercise Beat Drugs for Diabetes Heart Risks

The New England Journal of Medicine has published a new study which found that using antihypertensive drugs to lower systolic blood pressure does nothing to lower the risk of heart complications; another found no benefit to adding a drug to raise HDL ("good") cholesterol. Also, 2 drugs given to lower high blood sugar levels showed no benefits.
However, losing excess weight, increasing activity levels, and improving nutritional habits lead to better control of diabetes and lower risks of heart disease.

Sources:US News World Report March 15, 2010
New England Journal of Medicine March 18, 2010

High Calcium Helps You to Live Longer!

Getting a bit more calcium in your diet could help you live longer, new research suggests. Researchers found that men who consume the most calcium in food were 25% less likely to die over the next decade. Men in the top 1/3 based on their calcium intake were getting nearly 2,000 milligrams a day, on average. Calcium could influence mortality risk in many ways, for example by reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels.

Sources: Reuters March 12, 2010
American Journal of Epidemiology February 19, 2010.

Sitting is Believing

Sitting up straight in your chair isn't just good posture; it also gives you more confidence in your own thoughts. Researchers found that people who were told to sit up straight were more likely, in that posture, to believe thoughts they wrote down concerning whether they were qualified for a job. Those who slumped over their desks were less likely to accept these written-down feelings about their own qualifications. The results show that your body posture can affect not only what others think about you, but also how you think about yourself. It is another example of how the body and mind are in a continuous loop and how your mind often takes its cues from what is going on in your body. So sit up straight and be careful what you think, because you will believe it.
Source: European Journal of Social Psychology

Mobile Bones!

Mobile phones are often carried in pants pocket or on the belt. Using dual X-ray absorptiometry, researchers compared bone density on the side where men wore their phones vs the opposite side. The men carried their phones for an average of 15 hours a day & used cell phones for an average of 6 yrs. The results showed a slight reduction in bone density of the pelvis on the side where the men carried their phones. The researchers point out the men were relatively young (average 32 yrs) & that further bone weakening may occur with longer follow-up.
Source: Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

REIKI Review

Biofield therapies such as Reiki and therapeutic touch use subtle energy to stimulate the body's healing process. These techniques have been used over millennia in various cultures but have only recently been under the scrutiny of Western scientific methods. In a review of 66 clinical studies looking at biofield therapies, researchers found strong evidence that biofield therapies reduce pain intensity, moderate evidence that they ease agitated behaviours in dementia and moderate evidence that they reduce anxiety in hospitalised patients. More research is needed, but the fact that Western analysis is finding that these therapies do work in some areas suggests that maybe thousands of years of usage can be trusted.
Source: International Journal of Behavioural Medicine

Painkillers and Vaccination

Putting aside for one moment any issues surrounding the safety or need for vaccination, many parents do vaccinate their children. Many people choose, and are advised, to take a painkiller before a vaccination to minimise after-effects. New research shows this may be the wrong thing to do. When immune cells were exposed to over-the-counter painkillers paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen, their ability to produce antibodies was diluted. This is probably because the pain-killing action of these drugs is due in part to reducing the action of an enzyme called cox-2. This is not a good idea in the context of vaccination, however, because the cox-2 enzyme is necessary for the optimal production of B-lymphocytes, the immune cells that produce antibodies.
Source: Cellular Immunology

Flaxseeds Fight Cholesterol

Flaxseeds contain essential fats, fibre, protein and lignans, and a new piece of research suggests they lower cholesterol. Researchers analysed data from 28 clinical trials on flaxseed and found that:
* Adding flaxseeds to the diet decreased blood levels of Total and LDL (bad) cholesterol by an average of 0.21 mmol/l and 0.16 mmol/l respectively.
* Taking a lignan dietary supplement decreased blood levels of Total and LDL cholesterol by an average of 0.28 and 0.16 mmol/l resepectively.
* Flaxseeds and lignan supplements worked best in people with higher initial cholesterol levels and in postmenopausal women.
* Flaxseed oil did not have a significant effect on blood cholesterol levels in any of the groups studied, probably because the lignans are concentrated in the fibre portion of flaxseeds, not in the oil.
Source: Am J Clin Nutr

Plastic Not So Sexy

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is causing health concerns. It's an ingredient in many plastics and is found in polycarbonated plastics in baby bottles, plastic containers, the lining of tin cans used for food and beverages, spectacle lenses, CDs, DVDs and a range of household electronic goods. In the body, it acts like a hormone and is being linked to a range of illnesses. A study of male workers from factories where BPA was made or used, sought to see if they suffered any sexual problems compared with workers from factories where there was no BPA used. BPA- exposed workers were 4x more likely to experience reduced sexual desire, >4x more likely to experience erection difficulty & >7x more likely to experience ejaculation problems. It seems that plastic is not so sexy after all...
Source: Human Reproduction

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Adverse Reactions: Gardasil

More serious adverse reactions are coming to light in young women vaccinated against cervical cancer with Gardasil, including multiple sclerosis conditions, nerve conduction problems, blood clotting conditions, limb tingling, numbness & loss of sensation, collapse, paralysis. tinnitus, cold sweats, etc. The vaccine protects against only 2 strains of the wart virus, HPV , although there are >100 strains of which at least 13 cause cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "In 90% of cases, your body's immune system clears the HPV infection naturally within 2 years." This is true whether the infection is the type thta can cause cancer or warts. In the Journal of the American Medical Association, editorial said:"It is important to emphasise that the vaccine is supported by limited efficacy and safety data." With the rush to inject Australian girls with a drug of uncertain efficacy & safety, it is important to keep the risk of cervical cancer in perspective. A recent US study concluded that <0.25% of American women were at risk. There are other risk factors as well for cervical cancer: smoking, malnutrition, weak immune system, the Pill, multiple sex partners, sex without a condom. Perhaps it would be better to address these lifestyle changes than injecting with a vaccine of serious health risks. The only ones benefiting from this rush for a mass immunisation are the CSL shareholders.
See source...
http://www.twitvid.com/5213A
http://judicialwatch.org/6299.shtml
Who is HPV good for? Dr Renate Klein & Melinda Tankard Reist.

Antibiotics during Pregnancy can Increase the Risk of Birth Defects

Taking antibiotics during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects, according to a study conducted by researchers from the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Penicillin was associated with a higher risk of a kind of limb malformation, while erythromycin, cephalosporins and quinolones were all associated with a higher risk of one or two specific abnormalities each.
The researchers suggested that women avoid taking nitrofurantoins or sulfonamides when possible.
Source: David Gutierrez, NaturalNews.com

Beware Agave Nectar Health Food Hype

Many people interested in staying healthy have switched to Agave as a safer "natural" sweetener. They want to avoid well documented dangerous sweeteners like HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) but are unaware that agave is actually WORSE than HFCS.
So just what is agave? Blue agave is an exotic plant growing in the rich volcanic soil of Mexico. In spite of manufacturer's claims, agave "nectar" is not made from the sap of the yucca or agave plant. The agave starch is converted into fructose-rich syrup using genetically modified enzymes and a chemically intensive process involving caustic acids, clarifiers and filtration chemicals. Agave syrup is neither healthy nor natural. Agave syrup is not low calorie - it has about 16 calories per teaspoon, the same as sucrose (table sugar).
Other Reasons You Should Steer Clear of Agave
Poor quality control: There are very few quality controls in place with most products coming from Mexico.
Pesticides: There are also concerns that some distributors are cutting agave syrup with corn syrup & have unacceptably high pesticide residues
Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF): HMF has potential toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.
Nutrient Void: Agave syrup is not a whole food.
Addictiveness: Agave is highly concentrated sugar and highly addictive.
Source www.mercola.com.au

Why aren't Infertile Couples Tested for Coeliac Disease?

Millions of people have celiac disease, but most don’t know they have it, in part because symptoms can be so varied. It is an often overlooked digestive disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, is eaten.

Infertility seems to be more common in women with untreated celiac disease. Other gynecological and obstetrical problems may also be more common, including miscarriages and preterm births.

For men, problems can include abnormal sperm -- such as lower sperm numbers, altered shape, and reduced function. Men with untreated celiac disease may also have lower testosterone levels.

The good news is that with a simple blood test and proper treatment with a gluten-free diet and correction of nutritional deficiencies, the prognosis for future pregnancies is much improved.

To readmore,
New York Times February 3, 2010

8 Top Tips for Reducing Dementia Risk

There are lifestyle changes you can adopt that may reduce your chance of developing dementia by as much as 20 percent. A panel of independent experts evaluated more than 70 research papers and articles to come up with this series of tips for reducing your risk. 1. Exercise 2. Avoid Obesity 3. Normalise Blood Pressure 4. Avoid all Tobacco 5. Follow a Mediterranean Diet 6. Be Socially Active 7. Brain Training To read more,
BBC News February 3, 2010

Shopper's Guide to Pesticides

The latest study done by the Environmental Working Group put together a shoppers guide to pesiticide residues on fruit and vegetables.

The six fruits or vegetables with the highest pesticide load were Peaches, Apples, Sweet Bell Pepper, Celery, Nectarine and Strawberries.

Source: Food News www.foodnews.org

Fish Oil Retards Ageing

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil preserve the genetic "fuse" that determines the lifespan of cells, say scientists. Research suggests that omega-3 has a direct effect on biological ageing by slowing down the rate at which protective caps on the ends of chromosomes shorten.

Source: The Guardian Weekly 29.01.10 31

Fish Oil supplements can dramatically reduce the chance of young people developing psychosis or schizophrenia, Australian researchers say.

Source: Article - Nick Miller Sydney Morning Herald Feb 2, 2010

Synthetic Hormone Replacement Doubles Risk of Lung Cancer

In the September issue of The Lancet, Dr. Apar Ganti, of the University of Nebraska, argued that because Prempo shows no protection against coronary heart diesease, it's questionable whether hormone replacement should be used at all. September 29, 2009.

Love Really Can Cure a Broken Heart

It’s already known that oxytocin exposure brings greater heart health but researchers have just found that oxytocin infusion reduces cell deaths in an injured heart & reduces inflammation that can slow healing. Other than going into labor, oxytocin is produced via skin-to-skin contact with another human being - simple touch and closeness. Contact with animals has some beneficial effect as well. Basic Research in Cardiology (Epub ahead of print)

ADHD? No, it's NDD!

Experts say as kids today are losing touch with nature, they're also suffering from serious, long-term consequences, now named Nature Deficient Disorder, NDD. Would you be more likely to find your child playing outdoors or sitting in front of a TV? On average, Australian children spend 6 hours a day playing videogames, watching TV, or sitting in front of a computer & less than 5 minutes outdoors -- a complete switch from a generation ago. Why the change? As outdoor play among children has dropped 50% over the last 20 years, health problems are on the rise. Child obesity rates are > 2x - an epidemic that could cost the health system $100 billion each year. Studies have also linked time outdoors to better grades, concentration, self-esteem and imagination & it's even been shown to reduce symptoms of ADHD.

Rise in Induced Births Worries Doctors

A study reported in Sydney Morning Herald today found 1/3 pregnant women in NSW has her labour induced - a rise of >15% in past 10 years - with 1/2 of inductions done without a medical reason. Inducing labour, where women are given drugs such as oxytocin or prostaglandin to stimulate the cervix and start contractions, can increase the chances of a caesarean deliver or cause complications for both mother and baby. Both drugs also make labour more painful b/c contractions are stronger and longer, leading women to require more analgesia and more time to recover after the birth. The study also found that inductions in private hospitals had increased from 18% to 27%.

Avoid These 6 Foods for a Healthy Start to 2010

1. Canned Tomatoes: expert: Fredrick vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A: resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The acidity of tomatoes causes BPA to leach into your food.
2. Grain-fed Beef: Cattle were designed to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. A recent study found that grain-fed beef contained abnormally high levels of trans fats and low levels of Omega 3 oils compared to grass-fed beef.
3. Microwave Popcorn: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize into your popcorn.
4. Non-organic Potatoes: Root vegetables absorb herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides that wind up in soil. In the case of potatoes they're treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. After they're dug up, the potatoes are treated yet again to prevent them from sprouting.
5. Farmed Salmon: Nature didn't intend for salmon to be crammed into pens, fed antibiotics to prevent infection & fed soy & poultry litter. As a result, farmed salmon is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs & pesticides such as dioxin and DDT.
6. Conventional Apples: apples are one of the most highly sprayed fruit crops without a skin to peel off

Surprising Danger of Fying Through Clouds

Passengers on planes flying near or through lightning storms could be exposed to harmful levels of radiation. Lightning discharges can jolt airline passengers with a level of radiation equivalent to 400 chest X-rays. One study published in The Lancet found higher rates of certain cancers eg. skin cancer & breast cancer among pilots & crew members. The study’s authors theorized that the increased cancer risk was due to chromosome damage caused by excessive exposure to ionizing radiation. It was also shown that flight attendants who work an average of 16 weeks during pregnancy have nearly double the rate of miscarriage as their nonworking counterparts. So protect yourself if flying a lot by eating healthy food full of salads, vegetables and fruit (take your own food rather than airline food), take antioxidants especially resversatol found in fruit skins or Poly C powder; avoid other x-rays unless an emergency; after your flight swim in salt water, bathe in epsom salts or spend time in nature to remove radiation.

Healthy Food Alternatives

Instead of peanuts, try almonds, walnuts & pecans; instead of peanut butter, try ABC spread; instead of chocolate bars, try raw organic chocolate; instead of margarine, try butter, omega 3 spreads, olive oil, avocado, humus; instead of vegetable oil, try extra virgin olive oil & flaxseed oil; instead of rice bubbles & corn flakes, try puffed amaranth; instead of rice & cous cous, try quinoa; instead of soft drink mixes for alcohol, try organic/fresh juices; instead of salt, try Dulse or seaweed flakes; instead of cordial, try pure lemon concentrate or fresh lemons/limes/mint leaves in water jug; instead of juice, try coconut water; instead of salad seeds, try chia seeds; instead of milk, try almond milk; instead of soy sauce, try tamari; instead of white bread, try ancient grain bread; instead of sugar, try rapadura, agave syrup or stevia. All of these are available form your local health food store - ask & experiment!

American College Refuses to Graduate Obese Students

Lincoln University has introduced a unique way of tackling obesity. In 2006, the Pennsylvania university introduced its Fitness for Life program with the aim of encouraging students to lose weight. The premise was that if a student had a body mass index (BMI) of above 30, which indicates obesity, then they should take some college-sanctioned steps to show they had lost weight or at least tried -- or they cannot graduate. This year around 30 students are unlikely to graduate because they have not taken steps to reduce their BMI. BBC News November 27, 2009 CNN November 30, 2009

Can These Household Chemicals Crush Your Son's Masculinity?

Elevated levels of two plastic-softening chemicals in pregnant women's urine are linked to less-masculine play behavior by their sons several years later, according to a study published in the International Journal of Andrology. Phthalates, which are used in everything from vinyl floors to plastic tubing and soaps and lotions, are pervasive in the environment and have increasingly become associated with changes in development of the male brain as well as with genital defects, metabolic abnormalities and reduced testosterone in babies and adults. Obviously pregnant women as well as all of us, need to become more health conscious and avoid the use of plastics and chemicals. To read more, International Journal of Andrology November 16, 2009 [Epub Ahead of Print]

Alcohol & Breastfeeding

For the health and safe development of their babies, mothers avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy, according to the World Health Organisation guidelines of NO alocohol in pregnancy due to its teratogenic effects. However, many women want to drink again during the baby's first year of life when they are breastfeeding. Obviously not drinking alcohol during breastfeeding is the safest. Knowing the facts about how alcohol affects breastfeeding will help in deciding how best to combine breastfeeding with drinking some alcohol. As a general rule, it takes 2 hours for an average woman to get rid of the alcohol from 1 standard drink, 4 hours for 2 drinks, 6 hours for 3 drinks etc. It is best to avoid all alcohol in the 1st month after the birth. What & how much you have eaten, your weight, how quickly you are drinking, the strength & amount of alcohol in your drink all affects this. Expressing breastmilk will NOT reduce the amount of alcohol in your breastmilk, only time does but this is a way of relieving the breast engorgement until you can breatfeed again (& obviously throwing this breastmilk away). Breastmilk with a small amount of alcohol is still better than formula for your baby. Express milk ahead of time & freeze it. Your milk flow will reduce while drinking alcohol but this will rectify once your body has cleared the alcohol. Both you & your baby may not sleep as well as usual, falling asleep faster but waking up sooner. Arrange for someone who is not affected by alcohol to look after your baby and never sleep with your baby in your bed if you have drunk alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, stout or Guiness does not improve breastmilk supply but stops the milk flowing freely so the milk stays in the breast, giving the false impression that breasts are making more milk. To read more, www.breastfeeding.asn.au

Regular Vitamin C Reduces Gallstone Risk

A recent stuy in the Journal of Gastroenterology found that those with regular vitamin C supplementation had half the gallstone prevalence than those who did not supplement with vitamin C. To read more, Walcher T, et al. Vitamin C supplement use may protect against gallstones, BMC Gastrolenterol 2009 Oct 8:9(1):74

Fair Skin No Advantage for Vitamin D from Sun

UVB (ultraviolet B) radiation increases serum vitamin D. Previously it was thought that dark skinned people produced very little vitamin D in their skin from the sun as the melanin acts as a blockout. However, a study in the Joural of Dermatology Oct 8, 2009 found no differences in vitamin D increase after UVB exposure for both fair and dark skinned participants. They did find, however, that the higher the cholesterol of participants, the greater the increase in vitamin D.

Television Watching Creates Obesity

New Zealand researchers found that children who watch television is a better predictor of obesity than what they eat or how much they exercise. The study found that 41% of the children who were overweight by age 26 were those who had watched the most TV.

Large Thighs Good For Your Heart

A newly released study begun in 1987 measured height, weight, thigh, hip, waist circumference & body composition of subjects. After 13 years it was found people with thighs <45cm>60cm these benefits were lost. Bigger thighs, but not overweight, carry more muscle so are less likely to become insulin resistant and devleop diabetes.

Sweat With a Friend

When you exercise, happiness hormones are released by the body, giveing you a natural high. However, research at the University of Oxford shows that your pain tolerance is higher if you exercise with a friend or in a group, producing greater production of feel-good endorphins!

Can Blood Flow Restriction in your Neck Cause MS?

A surgeon has discovered that almost 100% of people with MS have a narrowing, twisting or outright blockage of the veins that are supposed to flush blood from the brain, allowing excess iron to accumulate in the brain. Zamboni called the vein disorder he discovered CCSVI, or Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency. Of all the patients upon whom they have performed endovascular surgery, there was a decrease in the number of new MS attacks, a big reduction in the number of brain lesions that define MS, and improved quality of life. Because the surgery freed the blood flow, the team have called the procedure "The Liberation Treatment." To read more, http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091120/W5_liberation_091121/20091121?s_name=W5

Beware of "Greenwashing"

In the past five years, there's been an explosion of products marketed as "green" & good for the environment. But some of these green claims are far from accurate. Critics call the marketing practice "greenwashing" - a way to attract customers by labeling products as eco-friendly when they may not be. Examples include 1. Hyping what has been taken out of a product eg. One shaving cream product, for example, claims it has no CFCs -- chlorofluorocarbons. But CFCs were actually banned in 1978; if the product did contain CFCs, it would be illegal; 2. Not providing proof eg. a brand of drinking glasses claims recycled content - but fails to explain how much , or what the source is; 3. Environmental trade-offs, eg. One type of water bottle does use 30% less plastic than other bottles but the product is imported from overseas; 4. Self-made seals, from companies that put their own stamps on their packages instead of one awarded by a neutral third party eg.brand of cleaner has a green leaf seal but all it means is that the symbol has been put there by the company; 5. Products that are not up to environmental standards eg. One company advertised a refrigerator as Energy Star compliant, but then acknowledged it was not.

Green Tea Extracts Protect From Oral Cancer

Extracts from green tea may prevent the formation of mouth cancers in people with risk signs of the disease, according to a new study from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. To read more, http://cancerpreventionresearch.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/2/11/931

Avoid Swimming Pools if You Have Allergies or Asthma

Swimming in a chlorinated pool may boost the odds that a child susceptible to asthma & allergies will develop these problems. Chlorinated pools irritate the airways of swimmers, exerting a strong additive effect on the development of asthma and respiratory allergies such as hay fever & allergic rhinitis. The impact of chlorinated pools on the respiratory health of children & adolescents appears to be much more important -- at least by a factor of 5 -- than that associated with second hand smoke. Pediatrics October 2009;124(4):1110-8

Mounting Debilities & Deaths From Swine Flu Vaccination

In USA numerous people have reported serious side effects after receiving the Swine Flu vaccination including the development of Guillian-Barre Syndrome which involves muscle paralysis and inability to walk. Swedish, Japanese, and Chinese health officials have also reported a number of serious side effects, including deaths of people who received the H1N1 vaccine. Among those inoculated so far, more than 1,200 have complained of side effects ranging from sore arms, rashes, and headaches, to anaphylactic shock and sudden drops in blood pressure. To read more, Time November 15, 2009, ABC News November 17, 2009, The Japan Times October 25, 2009,The Digital Journal October 28, 2009, NBC Washington News November 26, 2009
MSNBC November 12, 2009

Timing Affects Breast Cancer Surgery

According to a study from the United States, "Breast cancer relapse and death occur more often and sooner among young pre-menopausal women. Breast cancer resected during luteal phase cures about a quarter more women than if the operation is performed during follicular phase." To read more, Oh et al. Discovery of candidate genes and pathways that may help explain fertility cycle stage dependent post-resection breast cancer outcome. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 2009;118(2):345-359. do:10.1007/s10549-008-0253-5).

Chaste Tree & St John's Wort Benefits Menopause

A randomised, double-blind trial conducted in Australia involved 100 late-perimenopausal or postmenopausal women experiencing hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms. The women received MediHerb Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) and MediHerb St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) or placebo for 16 weeks. Preliminary results suggest they relieve PMS-like symptoms in late perimenopausal women.

ADHD Guidelines Pulled as Drug Company Payment Scandal

Controversial guidelines on ADHD have been pulled by the Federal Government following claims drug company payments to a doctor cast doubt over the draft's validity after one of the psychiatrists, whose research into anti-psychotic drugs helped form the guidelines, was accused of failing to reveal payments from drug companies. US-based child psychiatrist Dr Joseph Biederman is under investigation in America by authorities who have uncovered $1.6 million in payments. The US Congress investigation has found Dr Biederman failed to declare where all the money came from & has breached federal and Harvard University research laws.

Dangers of Canned Foods

The food processing world is reeling after a shocking new series of tests released by Consumer Reports revealed that many leading brands of canned foods contain Bisphenol A (BPA)—a toxic chemical linked to health risks including reproductive abnormalities, neurological effects, heightened risk of breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, heart disease and other serious health problems. BPA is used in the lining of cans and the toxin leaches from the lining into the food. According to Consumer Reports just a couple of servings of canned food can exceed scientific limits on daily exposure for children.

Dangers of Bisphenol A (BPA)

Research by the University of Rochester, published in the Journal of Andrology, found that males exposed to phthalates (found in dental sealants, composite fillings, soft plastic water bottles, baby bottles, vinyl flooring & PVC shower curtains) found a reduction in testosterone, feminizing their behavior. Male babies exposed to high levels of these chemicals, used to soften plastic, are much less likely to play typical boys’ games as they mature. A study funded by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that Chinese factory workers exposed to BPA had four times the risk of erectile dysfunction and seven times the risk of ejaculation difficulty. BPA leaches into food in nearly all metal containers (these cans are lined in soft plastic), even those cans marked “BPA-free” or “Organic.”

High Rate of Osteoporosis

25% of 65 year old women in the United States are diagnosed with osteoporosis which means a loss of 50- 75% of the bone from the skeleton. Today, more deaths are caused by osteoporosis than cancer of the breast and cervix combined. Unfortunately, the loss of calcium & other minerals from the bones is a gradual process which goes on steadily for a long time before it becomes evident until signs like loose teeth, receding gums, a fractured hip or rib. Contrary to popular belief, it is not only about the amount of calcium in the diet but the acidity or pH of the body that leeches calcium out of the bones. African Bantu women consume 350 mg of calcium per day, bear nine children during their lifetime & breast feed them for two years. They never have calcium deficiency, seldom break a bone, rarely lose a tooth... How can they do that on 350 mg of calcium a day when the National Dairy Council recommendation is 1200 mg? Contrary to popular belief, it is not only about the amount of calcium in the diet but the acidity or pH of the body that leeches calcium out of the bones. It is essential to also look at vitamin D, magnesium & trace minerals as well as reducing acidic sugars, alcohol, refined white flour products while increasing vegetables and fruit to provide these minerals.

Effect of Bite Size & Meal Duration on Food Intake

Research shows that significantly more is consumed when bite sizes are large (about 15 g) than when they are small (about 5 g). More is also consumed when oral processing time is short
(3 seconds) rather than long (9 seconds). Eating slowly and taking small bites may help reduce food
intake. To read more, Zijlstra N, de Wijk RA, Mars M et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 90(2): 269-275.

A Mobile Phone on Your Hip Weakens Your Bones

The researchers found that bone mineral density was lowered on the side of the pelvis where the mobile phones were carried. The findings raise the possibility that bone density could be adversely affected by electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones. To read more, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19816295?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1

Bran or Psyllium husks improves IBS?

New trial shows that soluble fibre (that absorbs water and softens becoming mucilaginous) like psyllium husks improves IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, more than insoluble fibre eg, bran. To read more, Bijkerk CJ, de Wit NJ, Muris JW et al. BMJ 2009; 339(7721): 613-615.

Improvements in Insulin Response Decreased by Low Thyroid

A low thyroid function could explain why some individuals do not respond to changes in diet and exercise in order to lower their insulin resistance. To read more, Amati F, Dubé JJ, Stefanovic-Racic M et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41(2): 265-269.

Oral Contraceptive Pill and Cancers other than Female Reproductive Organs

Current, but not past, oral contraceptive use is associated with substantially increased risk of benign liver tumours & modestly increased risk of liver cancer. The association with liver cancer was smaller for recent, low-dose oral contraceptive use. There was no evidence of an association between oral contraceptive use & lung cancer, thyroid cancer, cutaneous malignant melanoma, other digestive neoplasms, renal cell carcinoma, neuroblastoma or Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. To read more, La Vecchia C, Bosetti C. Eur J Cancer Prev 2009; 18(5): 407-411.

Ginkgo Effective for PMS

The efficacy of 120 mg/day of Ginkgo biloba standardised extract for the amelioration of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was assessed in a randomised, single blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. There was a significant decrease in the overall severity of symptoms & both
physical & psychological symptoms, especially of breast soreness & congestion. To read more, Ozgoli G, Selselei EA, Mojab F et al. J Alt Comp Med 2009; 15(8):845-851

Ginkgo as Effective as Donepezil in Alzheimer’s Disease

A randomised, double blind clinical trial was undertaken to compare a Ginkgo biloba standardised extract (GBSE) against donepezil in patients with confirmed Alzheimer’s disease (AD) also exhibiting neuropsychiatric symptoms. The true potential of this study is the suggestion that combining Ginkgo with donepezil might improve treatment outcomes and lower side
effects as the majority of patients given Ginkgo in the real world are already taking donepezil. To read more, Yancheva S, Ihl R, Nikolova G et al. Aging Ment Health 2009;
13(2): 183-190.

The Dangers of Antiperspirant Deodorants

Sweating is your body’s mechanism to cool down. Sweat has no odor; the familiar unpleasant odor is caused by bacteria that live on our skin. These bacteria metabolize the proteins and fatty acids from our sweat, causing body odor. Deodorants deal with the smell by neutralizing it and by killing the bacteria that metabolize the proteins and fatty acids. Antiperspirants on the other hand, try to prevent sweating by blocking the pores using aluminum. Without sweat, the bacteria cannot metabolize proteins and fatty acids that cause body odor. However, Aluminium is absorbed by the skin and is a well-known toxic heavy metal or neurotoxin. These antiperspirants were only invented in the last 50 years which corresponds with the dramatic increase in breast cancer. Obviously this is not the only cause of breast cancer but could well be a major contributing factor as it is usually women who shave or wax their armpits, exposing themselves to increased aluminium absorption. To read more, http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_265459/Deodorant_and_Antiperspirants_-_Why_You_Should_Be_Choosing_A_Natural_One