(NaturalNews) A recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University in New York has found that people who eat a diet rich in olive oil, fish, nuts, poultry, and fruits and vegetables, lower their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 40 percent.
Dr. Yian Gu, one of the researchers involved in the study, commented on what most in the natural health community already know. "Diet is probably the easiest way to modify disease risk," she explained concerning the research.
In comparison to other Alzheimer's studies that focus on isolated nutrients, this study focused on food groups that are commonly associated with lowering Alzheimer's disease risk. These include brain-boosting foods that are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, B vitamins, folate and vitamin E.
"People who adhered mostly to this dietary pattern compared to others have about a 40 percent reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease," explained Gu in a Reuters interview.
The team evaluated more than 2,100 people over the age of 65 for about four years. Every 18 months, they checked patients for Alzheimer's disease, and they discovered that those who ate best were least likely to have developed the illness.
People in the healthier category ate less red meat and dairy products, and more fruits, nuts, fish, cruciferous vegetables, and dark, leafy greens.
The researchers determined that a heart-healthy diet protects the brain from strokes, which in turn protect people from developing Alzheimer's disease. The isolated nutrients also work to promote brain health and protect it from degenerative disease.
The researchers did insist the diet only works preventatively and that there is no cure for Alzheimer's, however other research seems to indicate that high doses of certain nutrients and foods may actually reverse the serious form of dementia that afflicts more than 26 million people around the world.
Some of the things that are commonly attributed to causing Alzheimer's include aluminum in anti-perspirant deodorants, artificial nitrates and nitrites added to meat, food additives and preservatives like MSG, and foods in general that are high in bad fats and processed sugars.
Eating a Mediterranean diet like the one evaluated in the study is a good start, but there are additional ways to help ensure that you never get Alzheimer's disease. Some examples include juicing fresh, organic fruits and vegetables everyday and supplementing your diet with a wide variety of antioxidant-rich superfoods.
Sources for this story include:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS...
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Anti-seizure drug linked to birth defects
(NaturalNews) The FDA has issued a warning that certain anti-seizure drugs have been linked to an elevated risk of birth defects and should be avoided by pregnant women.
The agency sent a letter to neurological and obstetric health workers warning that when taken by pregnant women, valproate sodium (marketed as Depacon), valproic acid (marketed as Depakene and Stavzor), divalproex sodium (marketed as Depakote, Depakote CP and Depakote ER) and related products have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular malformations, craniofacial defects, neural tube defects and other major birth defects.
For example, while the risk of neural tube defects in the general population is only 1 in 1,500, it is 1 in 20 among children born to women who took Depacon during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy. The rate of overall birth defects is nearly four times higher in women taking valproate than in women taking different anti-seizure drugs.
Because neural tube defects often develop before a woman even knows she is pregnant, the FDA emphasized that the drugs should not be used in women who are planning a pregnancy, and that birth control should be used by all women of childbearing age who are taking the drugs.
Women are considered "of childbearing age" between the onset of puberty and the end of menopause unless they have had their ovaries or uterus removed.
The drugs are currently approved for the treatment of epileptic seizures and bipolar disorder, but are often prescribed "off label" for less severe conditions such as migraine headaches. The FDA emphasized that women of childbearing age should not be prescribed valproate or related drugs except for life-threatening conditions or in cases where other treatments have been ineffective.
Untreated epilepsy or bipolar disorder can also pose a risk to developing infants. Stopping anti-seizure medications suddenly can also be dangerous. The FDA recommends that any women being treated with valproate or related products consult a doctor immediately if they become pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.
Sources for this story include: www.attorneyatlaw.com.
The agency sent a letter to neurological and obstetric health workers warning that when taken by pregnant women, valproate sodium (marketed as Depacon), valproic acid (marketed as Depakene and Stavzor), divalproex sodium (marketed as Depakote, Depakote CP and Depakote ER) and related products have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular malformations, craniofacial defects, neural tube defects and other major birth defects.
For example, while the risk of neural tube defects in the general population is only 1 in 1,500, it is 1 in 20 among children born to women who took Depacon during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy. The rate of overall birth defects is nearly four times higher in women taking valproate than in women taking different anti-seizure drugs.
Because neural tube defects often develop before a woman even knows she is pregnant, the FDA emphasized that the drugs should not be used in women who are planning a pregnancy, and that birth control should be used by all women of childbearing age who are taking the drugs.
Women are considered "of childbearing age" between the onset of puberty and the end of menopause unless they have had their ovaries or uterus removed.
The drugs are currently approved for the treatment of epileptic seizures and bipolar disorder, but are often prescribed "off label" for less severe conditions such as migraine headaches. The FDA emphasized that women of childbearing age should not be prescribed valproate or related drugs except for life-threatening conditions or in cases where other treatments have been ineffective.
Untreated epilepsy or bipolar disorder can also pose a risk to developing infants. Stopping anti-seizure medications suddenly can also be dangerous. The FDA recommends that any women being treated with valproate or related products consult a doctor immediately if they become pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.
Sources for this story include: www.attorneyatlaw.com.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Universal healing principles unveiled during Natural News Talk Hour
(NaturalNews) This week's NaturalNews Talk Hour features a special program on "The Fundamentals of Universal Healing". Healing is a result of enabling and/or stimulating life. But what area of our body helps us stimulate life? We'll talk about how to improve your digestion, absorption of nutrients and removal of waste products from each and every part of the body to maintain optimal wellness.
Click Here for a video of show details and a FREE health tip.
Our show begins this Thursday evening at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern, and registration is FREE. Simply enter your email address in the registration form on the right column of this page and you'll receive call-in details for the show.
I thoroughly enjoy all of your talk shows! Thank you for giving us the knowledge on how to treat diseases and to get healthy again! - Bev
Speed-Healing Process Revealed
A baby blind and brain damaged - doctors said for life - healed in five days! A man given up to die with five by-pass valves - healed in 2 months! Broken fingers - set in five hours and healed within eight! How? By activating the electrical system within our body - amazing things can happen.
Deep breathing, rubbing the body, stroking the body, compressing tissues, and energy healing are things we can learn for ourselves. When these meridians or electrical pathways are properly activated they have the ability to pull out the dead cells, poisons, and excess water from around the cells to get the cells into what is called the "Dry-State".
Jonathan Landsman, Host of the Talk Hour says, "It's time to remove the mystery surrounding dis-ease and healing. All of us have the capacity to enjoy a perfectly healthy life. With the right information - everything is possible. Our next guest has a lot to offer everyone!"
Life-Saving Discoveries Revealed
Every cell in the body has a sodium-potassium pump in it that generates electricity which is POWER! This power is used to pull out all the dead cells, poisons and excess water from the spaces around the cells - keeping us in a "dry state". The dry state enables us to get OXYGEN from the blood vessels.
Oxygen-rich cells are healthy cells. It is interesting that 99.9% of the people throughout the entire world do not even know that every cell has a "Sodium-Potassium Pump" critical in maintaining perfect health.
Professor Karl West is continuing the work of his father; Dr. C. Samuel West, and is the President of the International Academy of Lymphology. He was a speaker at the Health Freedom Expo in Long Beach, California and is passionate about bringing cellular ecology out of obscurity.
Don't Miss Out! Connect with other NaturalNews readers, listen to great health content and have fun with us. Space is limited. Be sure to call a few minutes early to reserve your spot on the show. Register now using the email form in the right column, and you will be emailed show details. Register Now!
Click Here for a video of show details and a FREE health tip.
Our show begins this Thursday evening at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern, and registration is FREE. Simply enter your email address in the registration form on the right column of this page and you'll receive call-in details for the show.
I thoroughly enjoy all of your talk shows! Thank you for giving us the knowledge on how to treat diseases and to get healthy again! - Bev
Speed-Healing Process Revealed
A baby blind and brain damaged - doctors said for life - healed in five days! A man given up to die with five by-pass valves - healed in 2 months! Broken fingers - set in five hours and healed within eight! How? By activating the electrical system within our body - amazing things can happen.
Deep breathing, rubbing the body, stroking the body, compressing tissues, and energy healing are things we can learn for ourselves. When these meridians or electrical pathways are properly activated they have the ability to pull out the dead cells, poisons, and excess water from around the cells to get the cells into what is called the "Dry-State".
Jonathan Landsman, Host of the Talk Hour says, "It's time to remove the mystery surrounding dis-ease and healing. All of us have the capacity to enjoy a perfectly healthy life. With the right information - everything is possible. Our next guest has a lot to offer everyone!"
Life-Saving Discoveries Revealed
Every cell in the body has a sodium-potassium pump in it that generates electricity which is POWER! This power is used to pull out all the dead cells, poisons and excess water from the spaces around the cells - keeping us in a "dry state". The dry state enables us to get OXYGEN from the blood vessels.
Oxygen-rich cells are healthy cells. It is interesting that 99.9% of the people throughout the entire world do not even know that every cell has a "Sodium-Potassium Pump" critical in maintaining perfect health.
This week's guest: Professor Karl West
Professor Karl West - "The Fundamentals of Universal Healing" Thursday June 10thProfessor Karl West is continuing the work of his father; Dr. C. Samuel West, and is the President of the International Academy of Lymphology. He was a speaker at the Health Freedom Expo in Long Beach, California and is passionate about bringing cellular ecology out of obscurity.
Don't Miss Out! Connect with other NaturalNews readers, listen to great health content and have fun with us. Space is limited. Be sure to call a few minutes early to reserve your spot on the show. Register now using the email form in the right column, and you will be emailed show details. Register Now!
Study shows how radiation causes breast cancer
(NaturalNews) It's well-established that exposure to ionizing radiation can trigger mutations and other genetic damage and cause normal cells to become malignant. So it seems amazing how mainstream medicine frequently dismisses the idea that medical imaging tests from mammograms to CT scans could play much of a role in causing breast cancer. Take this example from the web site for Cornell University's Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors:
In answer to the question "Is ionizing radiation a cause of breast cancer?", the Cornell experts say "Yes" and note ".. female breast tissue is highly susceptible to radiation effects." But then they pooh-pooh the possible hazard from mammography x-rays saying the risk …"should not be a factor in individual decisions to undergo this procedure. The same is true for most diagnostic x-ray procedures."
If that's not confusing enough, they turn around and state: "Nonetheless, unnecessary radiation exposures should be avoided and continued vigilance is required to ensure that the benefits associated with specific procedures outweigh the future risks."
The reason is that signals from a cell's microenvironment, altered by radiation exposure, can cause a cell's phenotype (made up of all its biochemical and physical characteristics) to change by regulating or de-regulating the way a cell uses its genes. The result can be a cell that not only becomes pre-cancerous but that passes this pre-malignant condition on to future cells.
"Our work shows that radiation can change the microenvironment of breast cells, and this in turn can allow the growth of abnormal cells with a long-lived phenotype that have a much greater potential to be cancerous," Paul Yaswen, a cell biologist and breast cancer research specialist with Berkeley Lab's Life Sciences Division, said in a statement to the press.
"Many in the cancer research community, especially radiobiologists, have been slow to acknowledge and incorporate in their work the idea that cells in human tissues are not independent entities, but are highly communicative with each other and with their microenvironment," he added.
For their study, Yaswen and his research teams used human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs), the cells that line breast ducts, where most breast cancers start. When placed in a culture dish, the vast majority of HMECs display a phenotype that allows them to divide between five and 20 times until they become what is known as senescent, or unable to divide. However, there are also some variants of these cells which have a phenotype that allows them to continue dividing for many weeks in culture. Known as a vHMEC phenotype, this type of breast cell arises spontaneously and is more susceptible to malignancy because it lacks a tumor-suppressing protein dubbed p16.
To find out what radiation exposure does to the cellular environment and how it could impact the future of cell behavior, the Berkeley Lab scientists grew sets of HMECs from normal breast tissue in culture dishes for about a week. Then they zapped each set with a single treatment of a low-to-moderate dose of radiation and compared the irradiated cells to sets of breast cells that had not been irradiated.
The results, just published in the on-line journal Breast Cancer Research, showed that four to six weeks after the radiation exposure, the normal breast cancer cells had stopped dividing far earlier than they would have normally -- and this premature cell senescence had accelerated the outgrowth of vHMECS.
"However, by getting normal cells to prematurely age and stop dividing, the radiation exposure created space for epigenetically altered cells that would otherwise have been filled by normal cells. In other words, the radiation promoted the growth of pre-cancerous cells by making the environment that surrounded the cells more hospitable to their continued growth," Yaswen explained in the press statement.
The researchers pointed out that the levels of radiation used in their experiments were not as much as a woman would be exposed to during a single routine mammogram but were comparable to those a woman could receive during a CT scans or radiotherapy "and could represent sources of concern."
Of course, women are often pushed to get annual mammograms, raising their overall radiation exposure through the years. And, as NaturalNews has reported, previous research has already provided compelling evidence linking mammography to breast cancer.
For example, a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association's Archives of Internal Medicine found that the start of screening mammography programs throughout Europe has been associated with increased incidence of breast cancer (http://www.naturalnews.com/024901.html). And a Johns Hopkins study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute concluded radiation exposure from mammograms could trigger malignancies in women at risk for genetic breast cancer (http://www.naturalnews.com/025560_c...).
For more information:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/fac...
In answer to the question "Is ionizing radiation a cause of breast cancer?", the Cornell experts say "Yes" and note ".. female breast tissue is highly susceptible to radiation effects." But then they pooh-pooh the possible hazard from mammography x-rays saying the risk …"should not be a factor in individual decisions to undergo this procedure. The same is true for most diagnostic x-ray procedures."
If that's not confusing enough, they turn around and state: "Nonetheless, unnecessary radiation exposures should be avoided and continued vigilance is required to ensure that the benefits associated with specific procedures outweigh the future risks."
Why radiation causes breast cancer
Common sense suggests there is plenty of reason to be worried about radiation causing breast cancer. And now there's a new reason to be concerned. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have discovered that radiation exposure can alter cells' microenvironment (the environment surrounding cells). And that greatly raises the odds future cells will become cancerous.The reason is that signals from a cell's microenvironment, altered by radiation exposure, can cause a cell's phenotype (made up of all its biochemical and physical characteristics) to change by regulating or de-regulating the way a cell uses its genes. The result can be a cell that not only becomes pre-cancerous but that passes this pre-malignant condition on to future cells.
"Our work shows that radiation can change the microenvironment of breast cells, and this in turn can allow the growth of abnormal cells with a long-lived phenotype that have a much greater potential to be cancerous," Paul Yaswen, a cell biologist and breast cancer research specialist with Berkeley Lab's Life Sciences Division, said in a statement to the press.
"Many in the cancer research community, especially radiobiologists, have been slow to acknowledge and incorporate in their work the idea that cells in human tissues are not independent entities, but are highly communicative with each other and with their microenvironment," he added.
For their study, Yaswen and his research teams used human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs), the cells that line breast ducts, where most breast cancers start. When placed in a culture dish, the vast majority of HMECs display a phenotype that allows them to divide between five and 20 times until they become what is known as senescent, or unable to divide. However, there are also some variants of these cells which have a phenotype that allows them to continue dividing for many weeks in culture. Known as a vHMEC phenotype, this type of breast cell arises spontaneously and is more susceptible to malignancy because it lacks a tumor-suppressing protein dubbed p16.
To find out what radiation exposure does to the cellular environment and how it could impact the future of cell behavior, the Berkeley Lab scientists grew sets of HMECs from normal breast tissue in culture dishes for about a week. Then they zapped each set with a single treatment of a low-to-moderate dose of radiation and compared the irradiated cells to sets of breast cells that had not been irradiated.
The results, just published in the on-line journal Breast Cancer Research, showed that four to six weeks after the radiation exposure, the normal breast cancer cells had stopped dividing far earlier than they would have normally -- and this premature cell senescence had accelerated the outgrowth of vHMECS.
"However, by getting normal cells to prematurely age and stop dividing, the radiation exposure created space for epigenetically altered cells that would otherwise have been filled by normal cells. In other words, the radiation promoted the growth of pre-cancerous cells by making the environment that surrounded the cells more hospitable to their continued growth," Yaswen explained in the press statement.
The researchers pointed out that the levels of radiation used in their experiments were not as much as a woman would be exposed to during a single routine mammogram but were comparable to those a woman could receive during a CT scans or radiotherapy "and could represent sources of concern."
Of course, women are often pushed to get annual mammograms, raising their overall radiation exposure through the years. And, as NaturalNews has reported, previous research has already provided compelling evidence linking mammography to breast cancer.
For example, a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association's Archives of Internal Medicine found that the start of screening mammography programs throughout Europe has been associated with increased incidence of breast cancer (http://www.naturalnews.com/024901.html). And a Johns Hopkins study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute concluded radiation exposure from mammograms could trigger malignancies in women at risk for genetic breast cancer (http://www.naturalnews.com/025560_c...).
For more information:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/fac...
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Raw tahini, organic sun-dried figs and my health products philosophy
(NaturalNews) Tahini is one of the favorite foods used by vegans, raw foodies and everyday health-conscious people. But not everyone is familiar with tahini. What is it, exactly?
Just like peanut butter is made from grinding up peanuts, tahini is made from grinding up sesame seeds! It is essentially sesame seed butter, with all the beneficial nutritional properties of sesame seeds.
Tahini is used by food enthusiasts to make all sorts of amazing recipes, from salad dressings and dips to cookies. You can use it to make a glazing for baked tofu, or add it to garbanzo beans to make a delicious hummus. You can even use it in veggie burger recipes (mix it with black beans and mushrooms).
Tahini is extremely versatile due to its complementary taste that seems to go well in both sweet and salty foods.
That's where the NaturalNews Store comes in. Once again, we've scored a huge discount for you on raw tahini. And not just any tahini, but the "Living Tree" brand of organic raw tahini, which is the brand that's best loved by those who know about raw foods.
Through what can only be called really good timing (and some good fortune to boot), we were able to acquire several hundred jars of this organic Living Tree raw tahini at an extraordinary price. You see, even at online retailers, these jars normally sell for $14.95 each. But through this special, we've been able to offer them to you at just $8.95 a jar -- that's over 50% off the typical retail price, and over 40% off the typical online price.
But it gets even better: When you purchase 3 jars of this organic, raw Living Tree tahini, the price drops to just $8.06 per jar! That's 57% off typical retail price, and it's the best price you're likely to ever see on this extremely high-end raw tahini product.
Take advantage of this remarkable pricing by clicking here.
At this price, these jars of extremely high-end tahini will go quickly.
In the U.S., I've never seen fresh, raw figs in the grocery stores. That's because they don't last very long. They're good for about a day, and then they go soft and mushy. But if you catch them on that day, fresh off the tree when they're dark purple, they're amazing! I must have planted over a dozen fig trees on my ranch in the Valley of Longevity. You can see pictures of these huge figs from my ranch right here (along with other amazing plants): http://www.naturalnews.com/phototou...
Anyway, in the USA the figs you buy are normally dried figs, and they're really delicious, too! When properly dried, they concentrate their natural (delicious!) sugars while preserving most of their nutrients, too. They make an incredible, all-natural fruit snack.
What's really fun is to dip them in tahini! I often use a spoon to pack some tahini on a dried fig, then I pop it into my mouth and enjoy. It's a satisfying yet simple snack.
It gets even better when you purchase 3 bags of these organic Turkish figs, because the price drops to $7.16 / lb., which is really just an extraordinary price for organic sundried Turkish figs.
Sure, you can find conventional figs at that price, but almost never organic figs at this price.
If you want some of these amazing organic sundried figs, click here to take advantage of this deal.
I thought you might like to know how I choose what to offer through the NaturalNews Store, because these are decisions I take quite seriously. Here's my philosophy:
• I only recommend products I consume MYSELF and would openly recommend to my closest friends or family members.
• I only recommend products that contain NO JUNK, no artificial ingredients, no chemical sweeteners, etc.
• I tend to recommend products from companies that I know and TRUST. For example, our special offer on X-Balance superfood came out of my trust and friendship with Jan Lovejoy, the formulator of that product (who is a really wonderful human being on top of her great product formulation ability).
• I always work hard to bring you an extraordinary price on everything. It's usually the best price you'll ever find on that item.
You'll never see me recommending junk like conventional soy protein, food bars made with Sucralose, watered-down fruit beverages made with fructose, etc. I would never eat those things myself, so I wouldn't dare recommend them to you, either.
You see, I take a different approach than most resellers. I'm not interested in selling low-quality items, regardless of how much profit they might deliver. Most retailers know that the lower quality products actually give them MORE profit. That's why mainstream grocery retailers stack diet soda and Frito-Lay fried snack chips on the aisle end caps: They generate huge profits (because they're made with highly refined, cheap ingredients).
But I don't believe in doing business that way. My primary concern is your health, and when I can help bring you health-supporting products, I'm thrilled to be able to have the buying power to deliver those products at really good prices.
Every item you'll see me recommend here on NaturalNews is a top-notch food, supplement, kitchen appliance or other health-related item that I know you'll find to be immensely beneficial in your own quest for health and happiness.
Thank you for your continued support of the NaturalNews Store, and we'll keep doing our best to bring you more high-end products when we get find them at deep discounts for you.
See the full list of our store specials by clicking here.
Just like peanut butter is made from grinding up peanuts, tahini is made from grinding up sesame seeds! It is essentially sesame seed butter, with all the beneficial nutritional properties of sesame seeds.
Tahini is used by food enthusiasts to make all sorts of amazing recipes, from salad dressings and dips to cookies. You can use it to make a glazing for baked tofu, or add it to garbanzo beans to make a delicious hummus. You can even use it in veggie burger recipes (mix it with black beans and mushrooms).
Tahini is extremely versatile due to its complementary taste that seems to go well in both sweet and salty foods.
Why raw tahini is simply better
Most tahini, by the way, is roasted. And as you know, roasting or cooking nuts destroys some portion of their inherent nutrients. That's why many people who eat tahini like to get it raw. But raw tahini is a bit difficult to find in the stores, of course. And even when it's raw, it's usually extremely expensive, costing anywhere from $19 - $21 a jar at health food stores.That's where the NaturalNews Store comes in. Once again, we've scored a huge discount for you on raw tahini. And not just any tahini, but the "Living Tree" brand of organic raw tahini, which is the brand that's best loved by those who know about raw foods.
Through what can only be called really good timing (and some good fortune to boot), we were able to acquire several hundred jars of this organic Living Tree raw tahini at an extraordinary price. You see, even at online retailers, these jars normally sell for $14.95 each. But through this special, we've been able to offer them to you at just $8.95 a jar -- that's over 50% off the typical retail price, and over 40% off the typical online price.
But it gets even better: When you purchase 3 jars of this organic, raw Living Tree tahini, the price drops to just $8.06 per jar! That's 57% off typical retail price, and it's the best price you're likely to ever see on this extremely high-end raw tahini product.
Take advantage of this remarkable pricing by clicking here.
At this price, these jars of extremely high-end tahini will go quickly.
Sundried, organic JUMBO Turkish figs
Having lived in Ecuador for quite some time, I really came to enjoy eating fresh raw figs. They're called "higos" in Spanish, and it's pronounced like "egos." So my neighbors and I would joke about how big we could grow our figs, and we'd accuse each other of having "the biggest egos in Ecuador" which always drew a laugh.In the U.S., I've never seen fresh, raw figs in the grocery stores. That's because they don't last very long. They're good for about a day, and then they go soft and mushy. But if you catch them on that day, fresh off the tree when they're dark purple, they're amazing! I must have planted over a dozen fig trees on my ranch in the Valley of Longevity. You can see pictures of these huge figs from my ranch right here (along with other amazing plants): http://www.naturalnews.com/phototou...
Anyway, in the USA the figs you buy are normally dried figs, and they're really delicious, too! When properly dried, they concentrate their natural (delicious!) sugars while preserving most of their nutrients, too. They make an incredible, all-natural fruit snack.
What's really fun is to dip them in tahini! I often use a spoon to pack some tahini on a dried fig, then I pop it into my mouth and enjoy. It's a satisfying yet simple snack.
A great discount on organic dried figs
New in the NaturalNews Store, we've got one-pound bags of sundried organic Turkish figs at a great deal price (as you've come to expect of us!). Normally, a one-pound bag retails for $12.95. At times you can find it at $9.95 a pound. But now, through our special acquisition, we're able to offer these to NaturalNews readers for $7.95 / lb.. That's a savings of nearly 29% off the retail price.It gets even better when you purchase 3 bags of these organic Turkish figs, because the price drops to $7.16 / lb., which is really just an extraordinary price for organic sundried Turkish figs.
Sure, you can find conventional figs at that price, but almost never organic figs at this price.
If you want some of these amazing organic sundried figs, click here to take advantage of this deal.
My philosophy for recommending products
Here at NaturalNews, we've gained quite a winning reputation for putting together some really fantastic deals on some of the healthiest food and superfood products available anywhere. Through these product offerings, we've saved NaturalNews readers many tens of thousands of dollars on top-notch products.I thought you might like to know how I choose what to offer through the NaturalNews Store, because these are decisions I take quite seriously. Here's my philosophy:
• I only recommend products I consume MYSELF and would openly recommend to my closest friends or family members.
• I only recommend products that contain NO JUNK, no artificial ingredients, no chemical sweeteners, etc.
• I tend to recommend products from companies that I know and TRUST. For example, our special offer on X-Balance superfood came out of my trust and friendship with Jan Lovejoy, the formulator of that product (who is a really wonderful human being on top of her great product formulation ability).
• I always work hard to bring you an extraordinary price on everything. It's usually the best price you'll ever find on that item.
You'll never see me recommending junk like conventional soy protein, food bars made with Sucralose, watered-down fruit beverages made with fructose, etc. I would never eat those things myself, so I wouldn't dare recommend them to you, either.
You see, I take a different approach than most resellers. I'm not interested in selling low-quality items, regardless of how much profit they might deliver. Most retailers know that the lower quality products actually give them MORE profit. That's why mainstream grocery retailers stack diet soda and Frito-Lay fried snack chips on the aisle end caps: They generate huge profits (because they're made with highly refined, cheap ingredients).
But I don't believe in doing business that way. My primary concern is your health, and when I can help bring you health-supporting products, I'm thrilled to be able to have the buying power to deliver those products at really good prices.
Every item you'll see me recommend here on NaturalNews is a top-notch food, supplement, kitchen appliance or other health-related item that I know you'll find to be immensely beneficial in your own quest for health and happiness.
Thank you for your continued support of the NaturalNews Store, and we'll keep doing our best to bring you more high-end products when we get find them at deep discounts for you.
See the full list of our store specials by clicking here.
Charlotte Gerson, Howard Straus join NaturalNews Talk Hour to reveal ways to defeat cancer
(NaturalNews) This week's NaturalNews Talk Hour presents Charlotte Gerson and Howard Straus "Defeat Cancer -- How to Promote True Healing". What causes cancer? Why haven't we found a cure yet? And, most importantly, how can we prevent, even reverse the damage created by degenerative dis-eases. Charlotte and Howard will reveal how to promote true healing within our body. Our show begins this Thursday evening at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern, and registration is FREE. Simply enter your email address in the registration form on the right column of this page and you'll receive call-in details for the teleconference.
The Talk Hour is one of the highlights of our week. It's extremely informative and important for everyone's well being. Thank you Jonathan! - Betty and Lenny T.
What Causes Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), "Some kinds of cancer are caused by things people do." The ACS suggests that smoking and drinking alcohol may be the cause... especially if an individual does both activities. In addition, the ACS says, "Radiation (x-rays) can cause cancer. But the x-rays used by the doctor or dentist are safe." Now that statement would be funny if it were used by a comedian. Finally, they warn us about "too much exposure to sunlight" and "certain DNA changes" ...but not one word is mentioned about nutrition. Why?
What are our treatment options?
Again, according to the American Cancer Society, the top 3 choices are chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Clearly, these options don't work well for most cancer patients. Complementary and alternative therapies are discouraged by conventional medicine. In fact, their success is often discredited as "coincidental". Gee, I wonder why? What are the priorities of conventional medicine? Now, more than ever, we need to demand PROOF and EVIDENCE from our healthcare professionals before making an informed decision about what's best for us.
Jonathan Landsman, Host of the Talk Hour says, "For many years, Charlotte and Howard have been educating and supporting thousands of individuals looking for an alternative to the conventional healthcare system. All of us have the power to heal ourselves. This is an exciting opportunity to have YOUR questions answered by two of the greatest leaders in natural health – I can hardly wait!"
Charlotte Gerson, is the author of Healing the Gerson Way – Defeating Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases and daughter of the great physician Max Gerson. After her father's death, she continued to publish his last book, A Cancer Therapy - Results of 50 Cases and started to lecture on the Gerson Therapy. For the past 35 years, she has lectured worldwide in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia.
Howard Straus is the grandson of Max Gerson and author of Dr. Max Gerson: Healing the Hopeless. Howard will share his years of experience in helping people deal with serious illnesses. He is a shining example of how to live a healthy, vibrant and happy life and will inspire YOU to take better care of yourself.
The Gerson Institute is a non-profit organization located in San Diego, California, dedicated to the alternative, non-toxic treatment of disease, using the Gerson Therapy.
The Gerson Therapy is a safe, natural treatment developed by Dr. Max Gerson in the 1920's. This powerful therapy encourages the body to heal itself. Over the past 60 years, thousands of people have used the Gerson Therapy to recover from so-called "incurable" diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.
Ask YOUR Questions! This is a rare opportunity to have YOUR questions answered by two of the greatest leaders in natural health. We'll have a special "Q & A session" after the show exclusively for our live audience. Space is limited. Be sure to call a few minutes early to reserve your spot on the show. Register now using the email form in the right column, and you will be emailed show details. Register Now!
The Talk Hour is one of the highlights of our week. It's extremely informative and important for everyone's well being. Thank you Jonathan! - Betty and Lenny T.
What Causes Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), "Some kinds of cancer are caused by things people do." The ACS suggests that smoking and drinking alcohol may be the cause... especially if an individual does both activities. In addition, the ACS says, "Radiation (x-rays) can cause cancer. But the x-rays used by the doctor or dentist are safe." Now that statement would be funny if it were used by a comedian. Finally, they warn us about "too much exposure to sunlight" and "certain DNA changes" ...but not one word is mentioned about nutrition. Why?
What are our treatment options?
Again, according to the American Cancer Society, the top 3 choices are chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Clearly, these options don't work well for most cancer patients. Complementary and alternative therapies are discouraged by conventional medicine. In fact, their success is often discredited as "coincidental". Gee, I wonder why? What are the priorities of conventional medicine? Now, more than ever, we need to demand PROOF and EVIDENCE from our healthcare professionals before making an informed decision about what's best for us.
Jonathan Landsman, Host of the Talk Hour says, "For many years, Charlotte and Howard have been educating and supporting thousands of individuals looking for an alternative to the conventional healthcare system. All of us have the power to heal ourselves. This is an exciting opportunity to have YOUR questions answered by two of the greatest leaders in natural health – I can hardly wait!"
This week's guest: Charlotte Gerson and Howard Straus
Charlotte Gerson and Howard Straus - "Defeat Cancer – How to Promote True Healing" Thu. June 3rdCharlotte Gerson, is the author of Healing the Gerson Way – Defeating Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases and daughter of the great physician Max Gerson. After her father's death, she continued to publish his last book, A Cancer Therapy - Results of 50 Cases and started to lecture on the Gerson Therapy. For the past 35 years, she has lectured worldwide in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia.
Howard Straus is the grandson of Max Gerson and author of Dr. Max Gerson: Healing the Hopeless. Howard will share his years of experience in helping people deal with serious illnesses. He is a shining example of how to live a healthy, vibrant and happy life and will inspire YOU to take better care of yourself.
The Gerson Institute is a non-profit organization located in San Diego, California, dedicated to the alternative, non-toxic treatment of disease, using the Gerson Therapy.
The Gerson Therapy is a safe, natural treatment developed by Dr. Max Gerson in the 1920's. This powerful therapy encourages the body to heal itself. Over the past 60 years, thousands of people have used the Gerson Therapy to recover from so-called "incurable" diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.
Ask YOUR Questions! This is a rare opportunity to have YOUR questions answered by two of the greatest leaders in natural health. We'll have a special "Q & A session" after the show exclusively for our live audience. Space is limited. Be sure to call a few minutes early to reserve your spot on the show. Register now using the email form in the right column, and you will be emailed show details. Register Now!
Vast majority of people survive common thyroid cancer even without treatment
(NaturalNews) Mainstream medicine has reported in recent years that the incidence of papillary thyroid cancer -- the most common form of thyroid malignancy -- is growing at an alarming rate. In fact, the number of people diagnosed with this form of cancer, which typically arises as an irregular mass in an otherwise normal thyroid gland, has tripled over the past three decades. But a new study by Dartmouth Medical School researchers has come up with good news about this so-called "epidemic".
First of all, the cases of papillary thyroid cancer have most likely only appeared to increase -- simply because of the huge surge in the use of ultrasound tests and biopsies. And it turns out the vast majority of people with this cancer survive it just fine, even if they receive no treatment at all.
Background information included in the study, which was just published in the May issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery explains that papillary thyroid cancer is commonly found on autopsy among people who died of other causes. "Studies published as early as 1947 demonstrated it, and more recently, a report has shown that nearly every thyroid gland might be found to have a cancer if examined closely enough," the study authors wrote. "The advent of ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy has allowed many previously undetected cancers to be identified, changing the epidemiology of the disease. Over the past 30 years, the detected incidence of thyroid cancer has increased three-fold, the entire increase attributable to papillary thyroid cancer and 87% of the increase attributable to tumors measuring less than 2 centimeters."
Louise Davies, M.D., of Dartmouth Medical School and Gilbert Welch, M.D., of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, investigated thyroid cancer cases and gathered data about the patients' treatment from National Cancer Institute (NCI) registries. Then they looked for causes of death through the National Vital Statistics System.
The researchers found that out of 35,663 people with papillary thyroid cancer which had not spread to the lymph nodes or other areas at diagnosis, 440 (1.2 percent) did not undergo immediate, definitive treatment (i.e. surgery). Six years later, follow-up research showed that only six of these patients had died of their cancer. This was virtually the same rate of cancer deaths among the 35,223 individuals who did undergo treatment, which involved having part or all of their thyroids removed.
Specifically, the 20-year survival rate from cancer was 97 percent for those who did not receive treatment and 99 percent for those who did -- a slight difference the Dartmouth scientists noted was not statistically significant. Bottom line: almost everyone diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer of any size confined to the thyroid survived whether they had treatment or not.
"Thus, clinicians and patients should feel comfortable considering the option to observe for a year or longer cancers that fall into this category," the researchers concluded.
For more information:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
First of all, the cases of papillary thyroid cancer have most likely only appeared to increase -- simply because of the huge surge in the use of ultrasound tests and biopsies. And it turns out the vast majority of people with this cancer survive it just fine, even if they receive no treatment at all.
Background information included in the study, which was just published in the May issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery explains that papillary thyroid cancer is commonly found on autopsy among people who died of other causes. "Studies published as early as 1947 demonstrated it, and more recently, a report has shown that nearly every thyroid gland might be found to have a cancer if examined closely enough," the study authors wrote. "The advent of ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy has allowed many previously undetected cancers to be identified, changing the epidemiology of the disease. Over the past 30 years, the detected incidence of thyroid cancer has increased three-fold, the entire increase attributable to papillary thyroid cancer and 87% of the increase attributable to tumors measuring less than 2 centimeters."
Louise Davies, M.D., of Dartmouth Medical School and Gilbert Welch, M.D., of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, investigated thyroid cancer cases and gathered data about the patients' treatment from National Cancer Institute (NCI) registries. Then they looked for causes of death through the National Vital Statistics System.
The researchers found that out of 35,663 people with papillary thyroid cancer which had not spread to the lymph nodes or other areas at diagnosis, 440 (1.2 percent) did not undergo immediate, definitive treatment (i.e. surgery). Six years later, follow-up research showed that only six of these patients had died of their cancer. This was virtually the same rate of cancer deaths among the 35,223 individuals who did undergo treatment, which involved having part or all of their thyroids removed.
Specifically, the 20-year survival rate from cancer was 97 percent for those who did not receive treatment and 99 percent for those who did -- a slight difference the Dartmouth scientists noted was not statistically significant. Bottom line: almost everyone diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer of any size confined to the thyroid survived whether they had treatment or not.
"Thus, clinicians and patients should feel comfortable considering the option to observe for a year or longer cancers that fall into this category," the researchers concluded.
For more information:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
U.K. government now pushing shingles vaccine for elderly
(NaturalNews) A British government committee has recommended vaccinating everyone between the ages of 70 and 79 against shingles.
"I welcome the recommendation that we should look for a cost-effective vaccine," said Gillian Merron, minister for public health. "A vaccination program would be good news for those in their 70s. It would improve quality of life by offering protection against this illness."
Shingles is caused by infection with the virus Herpes varicella zoster, the same virus responsible for chicken pox. In shingles, which occurs later in life, the virus infects a nerve and the surrounding skin, causing highly painful blisters that may last for months. In 30 percent of patients, chronic pain persists indefinitely even after the virus is cleared out. Other long-term side effects include scarring and vision loss.
Shingles was considered responsible for 100 deaths among the elderly in England and Wales in 2008. An estimated one in four adults contracts the infection at some point during their lifetimes.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) conducted an investigation into the disease and concluded that everyone between the ages of 70 and 79 should be vaccinated.
"This age group was proposed as the duration of protection, based on current data, is estimated to be 7.5 years and infection is more severe and the burden of illness is greater in this age group," the committee said.
The JCVI did not recommend widespread use of the chickenpox vaccine in children, due to concerns that it can actually increase the risk of shingles later in life.
The committee's investigation was not triggered by any particular concern about shingles. Its recommendation will now go before the Department of Health, which will decide if it is cost effective.
The only shingles/chickenpox vaccine on the market is Zostavax, made by Merck. If the recommendation is adopted by the British government, four million would be encouraged to receive the shot at once.
Sources for this story include: www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-... www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan....
"I welcome the recommendation that we should look for a cost-effective vaccine," said Gillian Merron, minister for public health. "A vaccination program would be good news for those in their 70s. It would improve quality of life by offering protection against this illness."
Shingles is caused by infection with the virus Herpes varicella zoster, the same virus responsible for chicken pox. In shingles, which occurs later in life, the virus infects a nerve and the surrounding skin, causing highly painful blisters that may last for months. In 30 percent of patients, chronic pain persists indefinitely even after the virus is cleared out. Other long-term side effects include scarring and vision loss.
Shingles was considered responsible for 100 deaths among the elderly in England and Wales in 2008. An estimated one in four adults contracts the infection at some point during their lifetimes.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) conducted an investigation into the disease and concluded that everyone between the ages of 70 and 79 should be vaccinated.
"This age group was proposed as the duration of protection, based on current data, is estimated to be 7.5 years and infection is more severe and the burden of illness is greater in this age group," the committee said.
The JCVI did not recommend widespread use of the chickenpox vaccine in children, due to concerns that it can actually increase the risk of shingles later in life.
The committee's investigation was not triggered by any particular concern about shingles. Its recommendation will now go before the Department of Health, which will decide if it is cost effective.
The only shingles/chickenpox vaccine on the market is Zostavax, made by Merck. If the recommendation is adopted by the British government, four million would be encouraged to receive the shot at once.
Sources for this story include: www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-... www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan....
Dirty, contaminated beef fed to children through school lunch programs
(NaturalNews) The USDA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) recently issued a shocking report (http://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/246...) about the condition of the nation's industrial meat supply. It turns out that a lot of the U.S. meat supply is tainted with veterinary drugs, pesticides and heavy metals.
According to the report, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, or FSIS, continues to fail at properly monitoring the safety of the nation's meat supply. So tainted meat is regularly being approved for sale, much of which ends up in school lunch rooms where it is fed to -- guess who? -- our children!
What's truly disturbing about this is that the USDA knows why meat it getting tainted but it's doing nothing about it. In fact, the agency regularly allows toxic meat to make its way to store shelves without even trying to stop it.
We're not talking about microbial pathogens here; we're talking about chemical contaminants that cattle are eating and then passing on to consumers. These contaminants are not cooked off like pathogens are, and they can actually intensify when cooked and become more harmful.
The types of contaminants that are ending up in meat are things like veterinary drugs and antibiotics that industrial agriculture uses to keep animals from dying before slaughter. You see, industrial farming is so filthy and unnatural that animals raised there wouldn't stand a chance without a steady stream of drugs to keep them alive.
The irony about the excess use of drugs and antibiotics is that these things actually end up causing the diseases they are meant to treat and prevent. But the conditions in which these animals live are typically so horrendous that they probably wouldn't make it to the slaughter without these toxic chemical interventions.
These agencies are supposed to work together to establish tolerance levels for various pesticides, drugs and toxins in an effort to minimize their presence in the food. But according to the report, the agencies have not even established thresholds for many of the dangerous substances being found in meat, let alone test for them.
The agencies did jointly establish a Surveillance Advisory Team (SAT) and an Interagency Residue Control Group (IRCG) to help them accomplish program goals, but since none of them have actually committed to realistically achieving these goals, the whole program has basically gone nowhere.
Every year, the SAT is supposed to bring together the FDA, EPA and FSIS to establish which residues they will test for that year. But each year, no matter what has been agreed upon, the FSIS continues to test for only one type of pesticide.
According to the EPA, the FSIS is refusing its requests to test for more pesticides. The FSIS, however, claims that the EPA has not established tolerances for many of those pesticides, so it can't test for them (while also insisting that it just doesn't have enough resources to do the testing).
For items that do get tested, the FSIS relies on the FDA to approve proper testing methods. However the FDA only wants to use testing methods that are old and outdated. When newer, better methods are recommended, the FDA is often unwilling or unable to use them.
The methods of these various agencies often conflict with one another, which is why the SAT was established in the first place. It was meant to be the coordinator of the three agencies to help them communicate and get the job done. But instead of coordinating, it seems to exist more as a formality while the three blame each other for not getting anything done.
The agencies are generally run so poorly and corruptly that it is surprising they get anything done at all. The only things they seem to have time to do is harass supplement makers and shut down raw milk producers, all while turning a blind eye to the industry players that are really causing most of the problems.
In 2008, one meat plant had over 200 violations, but the FSIS still classified the violations as "not reasonably likely to occur" and allowed the plant to continue operating as usual -- business as usual in the meat industry, eh?
The meat industry gets away with a lot, and the things it gets away with are no small matter. Take, for instance, the practice of cow "recycling". When a cow gets too old or sick to produce milk, she is handed over to a slaughter facility to be turned into meat. (The industry term for these animals is "spent" dairy cows).
Why is this a problem? According to the report, the plants that process spent dairy cows represent over 90 percent of the residue violations discovered in a 2008 investigation.
These same plants also process "bob" veal, or male calves that are born to dairy cows. Dairy cows are given large amounts of antibiotics after they birth calves in order to treat birth-related infections. Since dairy producers are required to wait a certain amount of time after administering the drugs before using their milk for human consumption, they just go ahead and feed the tainted milk to the bob veal calves in order not to "waste" it.
Since the drugs never got a chance to clear out of the system, it eventually ends up in the veal meat at the store. So when you eat veal meat, you're essentially eating bovine antibiotics.
And if the calves' mothers don't recovery quickly enough with the antibiotics, the producer may sell them off to be slaughtered before they die. That way they will at least make some money off those cows. Unfortunately, this results in even more antibiotics going into the beef food chain.
Of course they've given the sludge a politically-correct name, "distillers' grains", but it doesn't change the fact that it is a waste byproduct that is harmful to animals forced to eat it.
The USDA has known since 2008 that animals who eat distillers' grains are more likely to harbor dangerous pathogens like E. coli, but has stated that it would not regulate the use of distillers' grains as cattle feed.
Since the ethanol fermentation process requires a lot of antibiotics to control it, antibiotic residues are plentiful in distillers' grains. And not only that, distillers' grains are loaded with mycotoxins linked to an oxidative imbalance in pigs called Mulberry Heart Disease (MHD) that can cause them to die suddenly.
No wonder pigs are sicker than ever; they're being fed toxic waste as food! But large hog producers don't really care because it saves them money, and the USDA doesn't care because, well, they basically represent the interests of the animal slaughter industry (the pork, beef and chicken industries).
As long as the ethanol producers are happy, the hog producers are happy, and enough organizations continue to sing the praises of distillers' grains, then there's no need to protect the public from the dangers of the tainted end result, it seems. Nobody will notice, right?
These are just a few of the many violations that the FSIS, FDA and EPA seem unconcerned about. And this isn't merely my personal opinion: These things are stated in the report itself as fact.
The tainted meat usually comes from low-grade providers, so schools are quick to snatch it up and feed it to children because it's dirt cheap. And fortunately, it's labeled, "Suitable for human consumption."
Millions of American children, who are still in their developmental stages, are eating cheeseburgers filled with antibiotics, pharmaceutical drugs and toxic chemicals -- all thanks to the greed of powerful industries and the inexcusable depth of corruption within agricultural regulatory agencies.
This tainted meat also makes its way to grocery stores, big-box warehouses and even restaurants. Anywhere you're buying hamburger meat (or just hamburgers), you're likely to be chowing down on meat laced with toxic chemicals, antibiotics and other pharmaceutical drugs.
Yet, amazingly, these issues are never addressed publicly. The general public has no idea that industrial meat contains a cocktail of dangerous toxins. They have no clue that the regulatory agencies that are supposed to be protecting them can't even properly communicate with each other, let alone protect the public. Most people have no idea just how bad things really are.
Whenever there is a recall, nobody talks about why the meat got tainted or how it managed to pass by regulators without being stopped. There is never a discussion about the underlying flaws in the meat system itself that encourage contamination. Instead, regulators unleash a chorus of whining over how underfunded they are and how everything would be fixed if the entire food supply was simply irradiated before hitting store shelves.
Except irradiation doesn't destroy heavy metals and pharmaceuticals. It only makes the meat appear to be safe in the short term because it doesn't make anybody sick the very next day.
Just last summer, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2749, the "Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009" and a Senate version of the bill is likely to be voted on this summer.
But these food safety bills don't actually make food any safer.
Basically these bills will give more power to agencies like the FDA (who are already failing at their current tasks) while greatly increasing the regulatory burdens on small growers and ranchers who produce high-quality, safe food. Such bills completely avoid addressing the root causes of food contamination and instead create larger bureaucracies with more unchecked power that will only be unleashed against small operators rather than agro-industry giants.
The idea is utterly insane, but as long as it claims to deal with "food safety", most people will blindly accept it as something good. After all, the politicians and the corporations that sponsor them wouldn't lie to us, would they? (Chuckle...)
It's important for us all to oppose any and all food "safety" bills that threaten to eliminate the very operations that produce safe food. Protections for local and family farms must be present in any legislation, otherwise they will be forced out of business. The Cornucopia Institute is doing a lot of great work in this area, so be sure to check their website for regular updates: www.Cornucopia.org
Conscious consumers must also start seeking alternative sources of food that are not produced out of the current corrupt system. Local farms, food cooperatives and community supported agriculture (CSA) are great sources of safe food, and they offer the opportunity to develop a relationship with the people who raise the food.
You can also choose to grow your own food at home. Whether urban or rural, there are workable solutions to raising your own food at home, regardless of your situation. Even those who don't have any yard space can grow sprouts on a kitchen counter. (That's food, too!)
Knowing the source of your food and how it has been raised is crucial to ensuring food safety for yourself and your family. And remember: You vote with your dollars. It's up to you to choose food products from small, local growers rather than the corporate agro-giants that would much prefer to just shove their dirty, contaminated beef down your throat at every meal.
Cheeseburger, anyone?
According to the report, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, or FSIS, continues to fail at properly monitoring the safety of the nation's meat supply. So tainted meat is regularly being approved for sale, much of which ends up in school lunch rooms where it is fed to -- guess who? -- our children!
What's truly disturbing about this is that the USDA knows why meat it getting tainted but it's doing nothing about it. In fact, the agency regularly allows toxic meat to make its way to store shelves without even trying to stop it.
We're not talking about microbial pathogens here; we're talking about chemical contaminants that cattle are eating and then passing on to consumers. These contaminants are not cooked off like pathogens are, and they can actually intensify when cooked and become more harmful.
Pathogens vs. Chemical Contaminants
It is important to make this distinction between pathogens like E. coli versus chemical residues like pharmaceutical drugs and heavy metals. The public usually thinks about food contamination in terms of pathogens but often doesn't consider the chemical contamination.The types of contaminants that are ending up in meat are things like veterinary drugs and antibiotics that industrial agriculture uses to keep animals from dying before slaughter. You see, industrial farming is so filthy and unnatural that animals raised there wouldn't stand a chance without a steady stream of drugs to keep them alive.
The irony about the excess use of drugs and antibiotics is that these things actually end up causing the diseases they are meant to treat and prevent. But the conditions in which these animals live are typically so horrendous that they probably wouldn't make it to the slaughter without these toxic chemical interventions.
Why aren't the regulatory agencies doing their job?
This is the same question being asked by OIG in its audit report. The FSIS is tasked with heading up the national residue program with the help of the FDA and EPA, but none of these agencies are actually doing their jobs.These agencies are supposed to work together to establish tolerance levels for various pesticides, drugs and toxins in an effort to minimize their presence in the food. But according to the report, the agencies have not even established thresholds for many of the dangerous substances being found in meat, let alone test for them.
The agencies did jointly establish a Surveillance Advisory Team (SAT) and an Interagency Residue Control Group (IRCG) to help them accomplish program goals, but since none of them have actually committed to realistically achieving these goals, the whole program has basically gone nowhere.
If it's broken, blame someone else
So which agency is actually at fault for the meat safety failures? Well, it depends on which agency you ask. They all blame each other.Every year, the SAT is supposed to bring together the FDA, EPA and FSIS to establish which residues they will test for that year. But each year, no matter what has been agreed upon, the FSIS continues to test for only one type of pesticide.
According to the EPA, the FSIS is refusing its requests to test for more pesticides. The FSIS, however, claims that the EPA has not established tolerances for many of those pesticides, so it can't test for them (while also insisting that it just doesn't have enough resources to do the testing).
For items that do get tested, the FSIS relies on the FDA to approve proper testing methods. However the FDA only wants to use testing methods that are old and outdated. When newer, better methods are recommended, the FDA is often unwilling or unable to use them.
The methods of these various agencies often conflict with one another, which is why the SAT was established in the first place. It was meant to be the coordinator of the three agencies to help them communicate and get the job done. But instead of coordinating, it seems to exist more as a formality while the three blame each other for not getting anything done.
The agencies are generally run so poorly and corruptly that it is surprising they get anything done at all. The only things they seem to have time to do is harass supplement makers and shut down raw milk producers, all while turning a blind eye to the industry players that are really causing most of the problems.
Dirty secrets of the meat industry
According to the report, meat plant violations are not a big deal to the FSIS. The agency routinely allows plants that are in violation to continue operating.In 2008, one meat plant had over 200 violations, but the FSIS still classified the violations as "not reasonably likely to occur" and allowed the plant to continue operating as usual -- business as usual in the meat industry, eh?
The meat industry gets away with a lot, and the things it gets away with are no small matter. Take, for instance, the practice of cow "recycling". When a cow gets too old or sick to produce milk, she is handed over to a slaughter facility to be turned into meat. (The industry term for these animals is "spent" dairy cows).
Why is this a problem? According to the report, the plants that process spent dairy cows represent over 90 percent of the residue violations discovered in a 2008 investigation.
These same plants also process "bob" veal, or male calves that are born to dairy cows. Dairy cows are given large amounts of antibiotics after they birth calves in order to treat birth-related infections. Since dairy producers are required to wait a certain amount of time after administering the drugs before using their milk for human consumption, they just go ahead and feed the tainted milk to the bob veal calves in order not to "waste" it.
Since the drugs never got a chance to clear out of the system, it eventually ends up in the veal meat at the store. So when you eat veal meat, you're essentially eating bovine antibiotics.
And if the calves' mothers don't recovery quickly enough with the antibiotics, the producer may sell them off to be slaughtered before they die. That way they will at least make some money off those cows. Unfortunately, this results in even more antibiotics going into the beef food chain.
Ethanol waste being used as food
Hold on to your (cowboy) hats... it doesn't stop there. Farmers are now actually feeding livestock the industrial waste that is left over after corn is turned into ethanol fuel. It's not enough that industrial producers are recycling old, sick animals for human consumption, but now they are feeding them toxic bio-sludge as well.Of course they've given the sludge a politically-correct name, "distillers' grains", but it doesn't change the fact that it is a waste byproduct that is harmful to animals forced to eat it.
The USDA has known since 2008 that animals who eat distillers' grains are more likely to harbor dangerous pathogens like E. coli, but has stated that it would not regulate the use of distillers' grains as cattle feed.
Since the ethanol fermentation process requires a lot of antibiotics to control it, antibiotic residues are plentiful in distillers' grains. And not only that, distillers' grains are loaded with mycotoxins linked to an oxidative imbalance in pigs called Mulberry Heart Disease (MHD) that can cause them to die suddenly.
No wonder pigs are sicker than ever; they're being fed toxic waste as food! But large hog producers don't really care because it saves them money, and the USDA doesn't care because, well, they basically represent the interests of the animal slaughter industry (the pork, beef and chicken industries).
As long as the ethanol producers are happy, the hog producers are happy, and enough organizations continue to sing the praises of distillers' grains, then there's no need to protect the public from the dangers of the tainted end result, it seems. Nobody will notice, right?
These are just a few of the many violations that the FSIS, FDA and EPA seem unconcerned about. And this isn't merely my personal opinion: These things are stated in the report itself as fact.
Nothing to see here, folks, just move along
The casual way in which the USDA report highlights the failures and gives lip service to fixing them would be humorous if it didn't have such disastrous consequences. For example, much of this meat ends up in the public schools.The tainted meat usually comes from low-grade providers, so schools are quick to snatch it up and feed it to children because it's dirt cheap. And fortunately, it's labeled, "Suitable for human consumption."
Millions of American children, who are still in their developmental stages, are eating cheeseburgers filled with antibiotics, pharmaceutical drugs and toxic chemicals -- all thanks to the greed of powerful industries and the inexcusable depth of corruption within agricultural regulatory agencies.
This tainted meat also makes its way to grocery stores, big-box warehouses and even restaurants. Anywhere you're buying hamburger meat (or just hamburgers), you're likely to be chowing down on meat laced with toxic chemicals, antibiotics and other pharmaceutical drugs.
Yet, amazingly, these issues are never addressed publicly. The general public has no idea that industrial meat contains a cocktail of dangerous toxins. They have no clue that the regulatory agencies that are supposed to be protecting them can't even properly communicate with each other, let alone protect the public. Most people have no idea just how bad things really are.
Whenever there is a recall, nobody talks about why the meat got tainted or how it managed to pass by regulators without being stopped. There is never a discussion about the underlying flaws in the meat system itself that encourage contamination. Instead, regulators unleash a chorus of whining over how underfunded they are and how everything would be fixed if the entire food supply was simply irradiated before hitting store shelves.
Except irradiation doesn't destroy heavy metals and pharmaceuticals. It only makes the meat appear to be safe in the short term because it doesn't make anybody sick the very next day.
Food "safety" laws will only make things worse
The response to food contamination has been to devise food "safety" bills that experts claim will solve the problems of the food system. But a closer look reveals that the bills actually do more to eliminate the good guys than to punish the bad guys.Just last summer, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2749, the "Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009" and a Senate version of the bill is likely to be voted on this summer.
But these food safety bills don't actually make food any safer.
Basically these bills will give more power to agencies like the FDA (who are already failing at their current tasks) while greatly increasing the regulatory burdens on small growers and ranchers who produce high-quality, safe food. Such bills completely avoid addressing the root causes of food contamination and instead create larger bureaucracies with more unchecked power that will only be unleashed against small operators rather than agro-industry giants.
The idea is utterly insane, but as long as it claims to deal with "food safety", most people will blindly accept it as something good. After all, the politicians and the corporations that sponsor them wouldn't lie to us, would they? (Chuckle...)
So how can food really be made safer?
The entire food system itself will have to be radically reformed in order to truly make food safe. Mass-produced food that's factory-made by corporate conglomerates will never be the kind of thing we truly wish to feed our children. Government subsidies for cash crops must end. Policies that favor Big Agribusiness while destroying smaller growers and ranchers must be reversed.It's important for us all to oppose any and all food "safety" bills that threaten to eliminate the very operations that produce safe food. Protections for local and family farms must be present in any legislation, otherwise they will be forced out of business. The Cornucopia Institute is doing a lot of great work in this area, so be sure to check their website for regular updates: www.Cornucopia.org
Conscious consumers must also start seeking alternative sources of food that are not produced out of the current corrupt system. Local farms, food cooperatives and community supported agriculture (CSA) are great sources of safe food, and they offer the opportunity to develop a relationship with the people who raise the food.
You can also choose to grow your own food at home. Whether urban or rural, there are workable solutions to raising your own food at home, regardless of your situation. Even those who don't have any yard space can grow sprouts on a kitchen counter. (That's food, too!)
Knowing the source of your food and how it has been raised is crucial to ensuring food safety for yourself and your family. And remember: You vote with your dollars. It's up to you to choose food products from small, local growers rather than the corporate agro-giants that would much prefer to just shove their dirty, contaminated beef down your throat at every meal.
Cheeseburger, anyone?
The best organic pet food brands revealed
(NaturalNews) A stroll down the pet food aisle at the local pet store can be overwhelming. The shelves are full of countless brands all claiming to have the best formulations for your furry friend. Many brands are now selling "natural" and organic lines in order to attract discerning shoppers who are concerned about finding the healthiest food for their pets. So which brands truly deliver?
While some people may argue that fresh or raw foods are the best route to take when feeding your pet, not everyone has the time to prepare these kinds of meals, or access to affordable ingredients in order to make them. While many premium pet food brands can be quite expensive themselves, it is often the more practical choice for people who care about their health of their pets but prefer the convenience of dry kibble.
In this review, I will highlight a few of the best organic dry pet food brands I have found based on the quality and source of their ingredients. While I would highly recommend investigating them for yourself, these are some of the best formulas that use at least 95 percent organic ingredients, and the companies seem to embody principles that are in line with our philosophy here at Natural News.
Also, it is always good to sample these products first to make sure your pet will eat them. If your pet is used to some of the cheaper brands that use additives to improve palatability, it may not like some of these premium formulas which often do not smell or taste the same.
Castor & Pollux Organix
Another excellent organic dry pet food is the Castor & Pollux Organix line of pet foods. The first ingredient in every Castor & Pollux dry food is certified organic, free-range chicken. Most of the ingredients are organic and the ones that are not are still reviewed and approved by an organic certifying agency.
Like PetGuard, none of the Castor & Pollux Organix products contain any ethoxyquin, and they are free of common allergens like corn and wheat. Some of the formulas do contain organic soybean seeds, however, so make sure your pet is not allergic to them before buying.
My dog happens to love Castor & Pollux Organix canned chicken formulas more than any other brand I have tried thus far. And I feel good knowing that the ingredients are mostly organic and do not include dangerous chemicals and preservatives.
For more information about Castor & Pollux, please visit www.castorpolluxpet.com.
Natura Karma
Natura's entire line of pet foods is truly remarkable, but its Karma organic line for dogs is even better. Made from over 95 percent certified organic ingredients, Karma is made of organic chicken and a variety of organic whole grains. It also contains no wheat, soy or corn.
Natura's manufacturing process is also quite impressive, as the food must undergo over 100 quality-control checks before being shipped to stores. Natura also utilizes unique cooking and processing techniques that cook the food as gently as possible, preserving more natural nutrients than most other brands. This is noteworthy because most pet foods are cooked at extreme temperatures which strip them of most of their nutrients and enzymes
The company is also highly committed to sourcing only the best ingredients available. It uses no artificial chemicals or preservatives, and its products do not contain ethoxyquin.
For more information about Natura pet products, please visit www.naturapet.com.
PetGuard
PetGuard is one of the few pet food makers that produces a line of certified organic foods. That certification alone sets this brand apart from most other brands by ensuring that superior ingredients are used in these formulations. The company is family-owned and operated and sources all of its ingredients from the U.S., which is an additional plus. Not every company can make this claim, and when speaking with them directly, I got a real sense about their commitment to quality.
PetGuard's organic line is made with more than 95 percent organic ingredients. Its all life stages dog formula does contain whole ground soybeans, which I consider to be a negative, but at least they are organic. The company also makes an organic vegetarian formula for dogs that is free of soy.
PetGuard uses "human grade" ingredients, though it cannot legally say so. There are no GMOs in any of its formulas and the company uses only natural preservatives like vitamins C and E. There are no animal by-products in any of its formulas and the company does not use ethoxyquin, a dangerous chemical preservative made by Monsanto, in any of its formulas.
For more information about PetGuard, please visit www.petguard.com.
While some people may argue that fresh or raw foods are the best route to take when feeding your pet, not everyone has the time to prepare these kinds of meals, or access to affordable ingredients in order to make them. While many premium pet food brands can be quite expensive themselves, it is often the more practical choice for people who care about their health of their pets but prefer the convenience of dry kibble.
In this review, I will highlight a few of the best organic dry pet food brands I have found based on the quality and source of their ingredients. While I would highly recommend investigating them for yourself, these are some of the best formulas that use at least 95 percent organic ingredients, and the companies seem to embody principles that are in line with our philosophy here at Natural News.
Also, it is always good to sample these products first to make sure your pet will eat them. If your pet is used to some of the cheaper brands that use additives to improve palatability, it may not like some of these premium formulas which often do not smell or taste the same.
Castor & Pollux Organix
Another excellent organic dry pet food is the Castor & Pollux Organix line of pet foods. The first ingredient in every Castor & Pollux dry food is certified organic, free-range chicken. Most of the ingredients are organic and the ones that are not are still reviewed and approved by an organic certifying agency.
Like PetGuard, none of the Castor & Pollux Organix products contain any ethoxyquin, and they are free of common allergens like corn and wheat. Some of the formulas do contain organic soybean seeds, however, so make sure your pet is not allergic to them before buying.
My dog happens to love Castor & Pollux Organix canned chicken formulas more than any other brand I have tried thus far. And I feel good knowing that the ingredients are mostly organic and do not include dangerous chemicals and preservatives.
For more information about Castor & Pollux, please visit www.castorpolluxpet.com.
Natura Karma
Natura's entire line of pet foods is truly remarkable, but its Karma organic line for dogs is even better. Made from over 95 percent certified organic ingredients, Karma is made of organic chicken and a variety of organic whole grains. It also contains no wheat, soy or corn.
Natura's manufacturing process is also quite impressive, as the food must undergo over 100 quality-control checks before being shipped to stores. Natura also utilizes unique cooking and processing techniques that cook the food as gently as possible, preserving more natural nutrients than most other brands. This is noteworthy because most pet foods are cooked at extreme temperatures which strip them of most of their nutrients and enzymes
The company is also highly committed to sourcing only the best ingredients available. It uses no artificial chemicals or preservatives, and its products do not contain ethoxyquin.
For more information about Natura pet products, please visit www.naturapet.com.
PetGuard
PetGuard is one of the few pet food makers that produces a line of certified organic foods. That certification alone sets this brand apart from most other brands by ensuring that superior ingredients are used in these formulations. The company is family-owned and operated and sources all of its ingredients from the U.S., which is an additional plus. Not every company can make this claim, and when speaking with them directly, I got a real sense about their commitment to quality.
PetGuard's organic line is made with more than 95 percent organic ingredients. Its all life stages dog formula does contain whole ground soybeans, which I consider to be a negative, but at least they are organic. The company also makes an organic vegetarian formula for dogs that is free of soy.
PetGuard uses "human grade" ingredients, though it cannot legally say so. There are no GMOs in any of its formulas and the company uses only natural preservatives like vitamins C and E. There are no animal by-products in any of its formulas and the company does not use ethoxyquin, a dangerous chemical preservative made by Monsanto, in any of its formulas.
For more information about PetGuard, please visit www.petguard.com.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Low levels of vitamin D make asthma worse
(NaturalNews) Asthmatics with low levels of vitamin D may suffer more severely from the disease than patients with sufficient levels of the vitamin, according to a study conducted by researchers from National Jewish Health in Denver and published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
"Our findings suggest that low vitamin D levels are associated with worse asthma," lead researcher E. Rand Sutherland said.
The researchers measured the vitamin D blood levels of 54 asthma patients, along with their lung function, airway hyper-responsiveness and response to steroid drug treatment.
Airway hyper-responsiveness measures the air passages' tendency to constrict, leading to breathing difficulty.
The researchers found that hyper-responsiveness was twice as high in patients with vitamin D levels below 30 nanograms per milliliter, lung function was worse, and the body responded more poorly to steroid therapy.
In addition, the bodies of people with low vitamin D levels produced more or the immune system signaling chemical TNF-alpha, which increases inflammation.
"It may be that vitamin D is acting as a modifier of the immune system or a modifier of steroid response in ways that are relevant to people with asthma," Sutherland said.
"There is a potential that restoring normal vitamin D levels in people with asthma may help improve their asthma."
The study also showed, consistent with prior studies, that overweight or obese participants were significantly more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Scientists believe that because fat sequesters vitamin D in the body, people with more body fat need higher levels of the vitamin.
Previous studies have shown that being overweight increases the risk of asthma. The new study suggests that vitamin D might at least in part explain that connection.
Asthma treatment also, in turn, increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
"It is ... known that glucocorticoids [steroids used in asthma treatment] increase the destruction of vitamin D, thus making patients with asthma at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency, which in turn decreases lung function and makes their disease worse," said Michael F. Holick, of Boston University.
Sources for this story include: www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/cont....
"Our findings suggest that low vitamin D levels are associated with worse asthma," lead researcher E. Rand Sutherland said.
The researchers measured the vitamin D blood levels of 54 asthma patients, along with their lung function, airway hyper-responsiveness and response to steroid drug treatment.
Airway hyper-responsiveness measures the air passages' tendency to constrict, leading to breathing difficulty.
The researchers found that hyper-responsiveness was twice as high in patients with vitamin D levels below 30 nanograms per milliliter, lung function was worse, and the body responded more poorly to steroid therapy.
In addition, the bodies of people with low vitamin D levels produced more or the immune system signaling chemical TNF-alpha, which increases inflammation.
"It may be that vitamin D is acting as a modifier of the immune system or a modifier of steroid response in ways that are relevant to people with asthma," Sutherland said.
"There is a potential that restoring normal vitamin D levels in people with asthma may help improve their asthma."
The study also showed, consistent with prior studies, that overweight or obese participants were significantly more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Scientists believe that because fat sequesters vitamin D in the body, people with more body fat need higher levels of the vitamin.
Previous studies have shown that being overweight increases the risk of asthma. The new study suggests that vitamin D might at least in part explain that connection.
Asthma treatment also, in turn, increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
"It is ... known that glucocorticoids [steroids used in asthma treatment] increase the destruction of vitamin D, thus making patients with asthma at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency, which in turn decreases lung function and makes their disease worse," said Michael F. Holick, of Boston University.
Sources for this story include: www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/cont....
Simple Squares, a delicious raw food bar with a unique herb flare
(NaturalNews) Sometimes it is the simple things in life that truly impress, and this is precisely the case with Simple Squares, a unique new raw food bar. Created by Kimberly Crupi Dobbins, a certified Holistic Health Counselor, Simple Squares have been designed as a healthy, raw nut and honey confection that is an alternative to junk food sweets.
Dobbins originally came up with the idea for Simple Squares during her time at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Columbia University's Teachers College. She was advised not to eat wheat, dairy or refined sugar, and decided to come up with a simple recipe for food bars that was raw, sweetened naturally and nutritious. Thus became Simple Squares.
Simple Squares are free of wheat, dairy, soy and gluten, they contain no refined sugars, and they are completely uncooked and raw. One of the most unique aspects about Simple Squares is the flavors in which they come. Rosemary and sage are the two herbal flavors, and the company also makes a coconut variety.
The squares are composed of a nut blend that includes cashews and almonds, and they are gently sweetened with honey. They also contain flax, vanilla and sea salt, which together form a delicious sweet and salty treat.
The sage and rosemary are really the focal point of flavor in those two varieties, but are not so strong as to overwhelm the bars. In fact, each flavor in the bars is accentuated in its own way, delighting the palate with a savory bouquet of natural, wholesome ingredients. But in my opinion, the rosemary and sage are truly unique and have a delicious flavor unlike any other bar I have tried.
The simple aspect of the bars is embodied in their seven simple ingredients which are never cooked, preserving every nutrient and enzyme that is naturally present in the raw ingredients. And all this in a small but dense bar that makes a great snack or dessert. It is just the right size to satisfy a sweet tooth without tipping the scales or causing a sugar rush.
There are all kinds of bars out there, some simple and some complex. Simple Squares have a simple blend of ingredients that are complex in their respective flavors. I was so impressed by how delicious these bars were when I first tried them that I almost decided to eat only one half and save the other for later... Almost.
Though the bars are currently not certified organic, the Simple Squares company is currently in the process of having its bars organic and kosher certified. And though marketed as a confectionary snack, Simple Squares are rich in protein and nutrients, making them comparable to many of the other food and protein superfood bars available on the market.
In my opinion, Simple Squares are far from simple when it comes to taste, quality and nutrition; they really are a superfood in disguise.
To learn more about Simple Squares and to try some for yourself, please visit www.simplesquares.com
Dobbins originally came up with the idea for Simple Squares during her time at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Columbia University's Teachers College. She was advised not to eat wheat, dairy or refined sugar, and decided to come up with a simple recipe for food bars that was raw, sweetened naturally and nutritious. Thus became Simple Squares.
Simple Squares are free of wheat, dairy, soy and gluten, they contain no refined sugars, and they are completely uncooked and raw. One of the most unique aspects about Simple Squares is the flavors in which they come. Rosemary and sage are the two herbal flavors, and the company also makes a coconut variety.
The squares are composed of a nut blend that includes cashews and almonds, and they are gently sweetened with honey. They also contain flax, vanilla and sea salt, which together form a delicious sweet and salty treat.
The sage and rosemary are really the focal point of flavor in those two varieties, but are not so strong as to overwhelm the bars. In fact, each flavor in the bars is accentuated in its own way, delighting the palate with a savory bouquet of natural, wholesome ingredients. But in my opinion, the rosemary and sage are truly unique and have a delicious flavor unlike any other bar I have tried.
The simple aspect of the bars is embodied in their seven simple ingredients which are never cooked, preserving every nutrient and enzyme that is naturally present in the raw ingredients. And all this in a small but dense bar that makes a great snack or dessert. It is just the right size to satisfy a sweet tooth without tipping the scales or causing a sugar rush.
There are all kinds of bars out there, some simple and some complex. Simple Squares have a simple blend of ingredients that are complex in their respective flavors. I was so impressed by how delicious these bars were when I first tried them that I almost decided to eat only one half and save the other for later... Almost.
Though the bars are currently not certified organic, the Simple Squares company is currently in the process of having its bars organic and kosher certified. And though marketed as a confectionary snack, Simple Squares are rich in protein and nutrients, making them comparable to many of the other food and protein superfood bars available on the market.
In my opinion, Simple Squares are far from simple when it comes to taste, quality and nutrition; they really are a superfood in disguise.
To learn more about Simple Squares and to try some for yourself, please visit www.simplesquares.com
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Longevity guru Peter Ragnar joins NaturalNews Talk Hour
(NaturalNews) This week's NaturalNews Talk Hour features Peter Ragnar and "Serious Strength for EVERY Body". Are YOU ready to generate some serious strength? Peter will reveal (scientifically) how to stimulate great inner and outer strength without spending hours living in the gym. Our show begins this Thursday evening at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern, and registration is FREE. Simply enter your email address in the registration form on the right column of this page and you'll receive call-in details for the broadcast.
I really love all the goodies in the Talk Hour – thank you for all the hard work that goes into producing these shows! - Pam A.
What is Serious Strength?
Serious strength is not only about lifting weights, but about lifting the spirit and reinforcing your resolve to conquer life's obstacles. Peter likes to call this "character". His philosophy and teachings are designed to keep us from becoming a casualty of mediocrity.
Prepare to re-discover that dogged determination, that inner drive, that white-hot fire of intensity to be more than you are – more than you thought you ever could be – at any age! This is NOT about having a bronzed, buffed, beach-boy body with six-pack abs. Serious strength is all about an unquenchable burning desire that's revealed by rugged, steel-cable tendons and ligaments and animal-like strength and muscles.
Discover the Real YOU
Ultimately, we are a self-surviving, self-generating, self-healing organism – unless we override our biological makeup mentally. Periodic testing allows us the opportunity to "discharge our strength". Nietzsche said "life itself is will to power; self-preservation is only one of the indirect and most frequent results." During the show, Peter will expose the awesome power of our minds, energy healing and developing immortality.
Jonathan Landsman, Host of the Talk Hour says, "Peter is one of the most amazing human beings on the planet. His intelligence, experience and honesty make him one of the greatest leaders in natural health today. Within minutes of listening to Peter – you realize the unlimited power and potential within us."
Peter is a best-selling author attracting an international audience. He's written over twenty-five books and published courses on every aspect of personal development. He feeds the thirst for those special individuals who are on the quest for human excellence.
He presents unsurpassed physical skills and amazing feats of strength. His latest course, Serious Strength for Seniors and Kids Under 65, demonstrates that fitness, strength, and youthfulness can be achieved and maintained at any age. He continues to shatter his own lifetime records. Having read more that 10,000 books on every conceivable subject has made Peter an engaging and entertaining guest for the national media and with audiences everywhere.
Are YOU Ready? This program will enlighten, inspire and motivate you to reach your greatest human potential. Experience the energy and vitality of Peter Ragnar. Share this program with everyone you love. Register now using the email form in the right column, and you will be emailed show details. Space is limited - Register Now!
I really love all the goodies in the Talk Hour – thank you for all the hard work that goes into producing these shows! - Pam A.
What is Serious Strength?
Serious strength is not only about lifting weights, but about lifting the spirit and reinforcing your resolve to conquer life's obstacles. Peter likes to call this "character". His philosophy and teachings are designed to keep us from becoming a casualty of mediocrity.
Prepare to re-discover that dogged determination, that inner drive, that white-hot fire of intensity to be more than you are – more than you thought you ever could be – at any age! This is NOT about having a bronzed, buffed, beach-boy body with six-pack abs. Serious strength is all about an unquenchable burning desire that's revealed by rugged, steel-cable tendons and ligaments and animal-like strength and muscles.
Discover the Real YOU
Ultimately, we are a self-surviving, self-generating, self-healing organism – unless we override our biological makeup mentally. Periodic testing allows us the opportunity to "discharge our strength". Nietzsche said "life itself is will to power; self-preservation is only one of the indirect and most frequent results." During the show, Peter will expose the awesome power of our minds, energy healing and developing immortality.
Jonathan Landsman, Host of the Talk Hour says, "Peter is one of the most amazing human beings on the planet. His intelligence, experience and honesty make him one of the greatest leaders in natural health today. Within minutes of listening to Peter – you realize the unlimited power and potential within us."
This week's guest: Peter Ragnar
Peter Ragnar - "Serious Strength for EVERY Body" Thu. May 27thPeter is a best-selling author attracting an international audience. He's written over twenty-five books and published courses on every aspect of personal development. He feeds the thirst for those special individuals who are on the quest for human excellence.
He presents unsurpassed physical skills and amazing feats of strength. His latest course, Serious Strength for Seniors and Kids Under 65, demonstrates that fitness, strength, and youthfulness can be achieved and maintained at any age. He continues to shatter his own lifetime records. Having read more that 10,000 books on every conceivable subject has made Peter an engaging and entertaining guest for the national media and with audiences everywhere.
Are YOU Ready? This program will enlighten, inspire and motivate you to reach your greatest human potential. Experience the energy and vitality of Peter Ragnar. Share this program with everyone you love. Register now using the email form in the right column, and you will be emailed show details. Space is limited - Register Now!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wild foods on camera: Saguaro cactus fruit picking with David Wolfe
(NaturalNews) If you've never seen a band of raw foodists picking wild saguaro cactus fruit, you're in for a real treat. When I used to live in Tucson, I went out with David Wolfe, Raw CEO and several other wild foods enthusiasts to pick raw saguaro cactus fruit from the Sonoran desert. It's one of the craziest and most bizarre fruit picking events you've ever seen, and I've got the video to prove it!
Check out the video experience with David Wolfe right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5C-...
Additional footage from our 3-day wild foods adventure is available in a second video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50xY...
Saguaro Cactus Fruit is one of the most delicious wild foods you'll ever taste. It's like eating nature's candy! And you'll never find it available for sale because picking Saguaro Cactus Fruit is illegal on public lands. (In these videos, we picked them on private land with the permission of the property owner.)
Saguaro Cactus Fruits are also extremely difficult to harvest. They require a deep commitment to wild foods and the willingness to work in 112-degree temperatures in the desert sun, surrounded by the hazards of the desert (jumping cholla plants, rattlesnakes, etc.)
But we love a challenge, so we joined David Wolfe's cactus fruit picking adventure and headed into the Sonoran desert north of Tucson, Arizona to grab some of this fruit for ourselves. It's hard work!
David Wolfe is the founder of Sunfood (www.Sunfood.com) and the key educator at The Best Day Ever (http://www.thebestdayever.com), a popular longevity website that's filled with thousands of hours of audio and video content (membership required).
David is one of the most dynamic and fascinating persons I've ever met, and his knowledge of wild foods is extraordinary. He's been living on a 100% raw foods diet for well over a decade, and he continues to travel the world, exploring wild foods and sharing his knowledge with others through a variety of educational events.
I'm often a guest speaker at David's longevity events, by the way, so you'll likely see me in person at some of his future events in California or other locations.
We've got more footage of our Sonoran cactus fruit picking adventure, too, so watch for that to be posted shortly!
Enjoy the two videos we have for you right now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5C-...
here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50xY...
Check out the video experience with David Wolfe right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5C-...
Additional footage from our 3-day wild foods adventure is available in a second video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50xY...
Saguaro Cactus Fruit is one of the most delicious wild foods you'll ever taste. It's like eating nature's candy! And you'll never find it available for sale because picking Saguaro Cactus Fruit is illegal on public lands. (In these videos, we picked them on private land with the permission of the property owner.)
Saguaro Cactus Fruits are also extremely difficult to harvest. They require a deep commitment to wild foods and the willingness to work in 112-degree temperatures in the desert sun, surrounded by the hazards of the desert (jumping cholla plants, rattlesnakes, etc.)
But we love a challenge, so we joined David Wolfe's cactus fruit picking adventure and headed into the Sonoran desert north of Tucson, Arizona to grab some of this fruit for ourselves. It's hard work!
David Wolfe is the founder of Sunfood (www.Sunfood.com) and the key educator at The Best Day Ever (http://www.thebestdayever.com), a popular longevity website that's filled with thousands of hours of audio and video content (membership required).
David is one of the most dynamic and fascinating persons I've ever met, and his knowledge of wild foods is extraordinary. He's been living on a 100% raw foods diet for well over a decade, and he continues to travel the world, exploring wild foods and sharing his knowledge with others through a variety of educational events.
I'm often a guest speaker at David's longevity events, by the way, so you'll likely see me in person at some of his future events in California or other locations.
We've got more footage of our Sonoran cactus fruit picking adventure, too, so watch for that to be posted shortly!
Enjoy the two videos we have for you right now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5C-...
here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50xY...
Two-year-old toddlers being dosed up with antipsychotic drugs
(NaturalNews) Children between the ages of two and five are being treated with antipsychotics at twice the rate they were ten years ago, according to a study conducted by researchers from Columbia University and published in the journal Health Affairs.
"It is a worrisome trend, partly because very little is known about the short-term, let alone the long-term, safety of these drugs in this age group," researchers Mark Olfson said.
Although a handful of antipsychotics have been approved by the FDA for use in children, they are intended for older children because few if any studies have been conducted into the effectiveness or safety of the drugs in younger children.
Researchers examined prescription data on more than one million children between the ages of two and five. They found that from 1999-2001, approximately one out of every 1,300 children in this age group was being treated with an antipsychotic drug. By 2007, the rate was one in every 630. Among the oldest children (five-year-olds), the rate has always been higher. In 1999-2001, one in every 650 children was receiving an antipsychotic, while in 2007 one in every 329 was.
Although the drugs are intended for the treatment of severe conditions such as schizophrenia and some forms of autism, the study found that they were being used most commonly for hyperactivity, disruptive behavior, and children with mental developmental disabilities.
Olfson noted that antipsychotics should only be used in four- and five-year-olds as an absolute last resort, when no other form of non-drug therapy has been effective. He questioned whether there is ever any justification for giving the drugs to two- or three-year olds. Yet the study found that less than 50 percent of children under the age of six who are on antipsychotics have ever received any mental health services, including therapy or even a health assessment by a mental health professional.
"You don't see the kinds of mental health services you would expect to see if we were dealing with the most profoundly disturbed toddlers," Olfson said.
Few studies have been done into the effects of psychotropic drugs on a child's developing brain.
Sources for this story include: www.businessweek.com.
"It is a worrisome trend, partly because very little is known about the short-term, let alone the long-term, safety of these drugs in this age group," researchers Mark Olfson said.
Although a handful of antipsychotics have been approved by the FDA for use in children, they are intended for older children because few if any studies have been conducted into the effectiveness or safety of the drugs in younger children.
Researchers examined prescription data on more than one million children between the ages of two and five. They found that from 1999-2001, approximately one out of every 1,300 children in this age group was being treated with an antipsychotic drug. By 2007, the rate was one in every 630. Among the oldest children (five-year-olds), the rate has always been higher. In 1999-2001, one in every 650 children was receiving an antipsychotic, while in 2007 one in every 329 was.
Although the drugs are intended for the treatment of severe conditions such as schizophrenia and some forms of autism, the study found that they were being used most commonly for hyperactivity, disruptive behavior, and children with mental developmental disabilities.
Olfson noted that antipsychotics should only be used in four- and five-year-olds as an absolute last resort, when no other form of non-drug therapy has been effective. He questioned whether there is ever any justification for giving the drugs to two- or three-year olds. Yet the study found that less than 50 percent of children under the age of six who are on antipsychotics have ever received any mental health services, including therapy or even a health assessment by a mental health professional.
"You don't see the kinds of mental health services you would expect to see if we were dealing with the most profoundly disturbed toddlers," Olfson said.
Few studies have been done into the effects of psychotropic drugs on a child's developing brain.
Sources for this story include: www.businessweek.com.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Natural health news gets nuttier: research shows eating nuts lowers cholesterol
(NaturalNews) NaturalNews has covered how eating pistachios lowers the risk of lung cancer (http://www.naturalnews.com/027732_p...) and how a diet rich in nuts may help prevent age-related blindness (http://www.naturalnews.com/026369_r...). Walnuts appear to have breast cancer-fighting properties, too (http://www.naturalnews.com/026115_w...). And now there's even more reason to be nuts about nuts -- scientists have found new evidence that nuts are heart healthy because they dramatically improve blood cholesterol levels, without drugs.
"Dietary interventions to lower blood cholesterol concentrations and to modify blood lipoprotein levels are the cornerstone of prevention and treatment plans for coronary heart disease," Joan Sabate, M.D., of Loma Linda University and colleagues stated in their report, which was just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. "Recently, consumption of nuts has been the focus of intense research because of their potential to reduce coronary heart disease risk and to lower blood lipid (fat and cholesterol) levels based on their unique nutritional attributes."
The Loma Linda University researchers investigated data from 25 international nut consumption trials involving 583 women and men with high cholesterol or normal cholesterol levels. Each study compared a control group of research subjects to a group assigned to specifically eat nuts regularly. None of the study participants took cholesterol lowering drugs such as Big Pharma's widely prescribed statins.
On average, the people in the trials who ate about 67 grams (approximately 2.4 ounces) of nuts each day had an overall reduction in total cholesterol levels of 5.1 percent. Even more important, there was a 7.4 percent drop in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is known as the "bad" cholesterol, and a significant 8.3 percent change in the ratio of LDL cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol that protects from heart disease.
The news got even better when the scientists looked at the effect of nut consumption on high levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream. These blood fats, when excessive, are known to contribute to the development of heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease; triglycerides may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, too. The Archives of Internal Medicine report showed that eating nuts didn't change healthy levels of triglycerides in the body. However, in people with high levels, a diet rich in nuts caused triglyceride levels to take a 10.2 percent nosedive.
Bottom line: the researchers concluded the results of their study support the inclusion of nuts as a natural dietary therapy aimed at improving blood cholesterol levels. "Nuts are a whole food that have been consumed by humans throughout history. Increasing the consumption of nuts as part of an otherwise prudent diet can be expected to favorably affect blood lipid levels (at least in the short term) and have the potential to lower coronary heart disease risk," the researchers stated.
For more information:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
http://www.naturalnews.com/nuts.html
"Dietary interventions to lower blood cholesterol concentrations and to modify blood lipoprotein levels are the cornerstone of prevention and treatment plans for coronary heart disease," Joan Sabate, M.D., of Loma Linda University and colleagues stated in their report, which was just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. "Recently, consumption of nuts has been the focus of intense research because of their potential to reduce coronary heart disease risk and to lower blood lipid (fat and cholesterol) levels based on their unique nutritional attributes."
The Loma Linda University researchers investigated data from 25 international nut consumption trials involving 583 women and men with high cholesterol or normal cholesterol levels. Each study compared a control group of research subjects to a group assigned to specifically eat nuts regularly. None of the study participants took cholesterol lowering drugs such as Big Pharma's widely prescribed statins.
On average, the people in the trials who ate about 67 grams (approximately 2.4 ounces) of nuts each day had an overall reduction in total cholesterol levels of 5.1 percent. Even more important, there was a 7.4 percent drop in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is known as the "bad" cholesterol, and a significant 8.3 percent change in the ratio of LDL cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol that protects from heart disease.
The news got even better when the scientists looked at the effect of nut consumption on high levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream. These blood fats, when excessive, are known to contribute to the development of heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease; triglycerides may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, too. The Archives of Internal Medicine report showed that eating nuts didn't change healthy levels of triglycerides in the body. However, in people with high levels, a diet rich in nuts caused triglyceride levels to take a 10.2 percent nosedive.
Bottom line: the researchers concluded the results of their study support the inclusion of nuts as a natural dietary therapy aimed at improving blood cholesterol levels. "Nuts are a whole food that have been consumed by humans throughout history. Increasing the consumption of nuts as part of an otherwise prudent diet can be expected to favorably affect blood lipid levels (at least in the short term) and have the potential to lower coronary heart disease risk," the researchers stated.
For more information:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...
http://www.naturalnews.com/nuts.html
Pomegranates reduce the risk of breast cancer
(NaturalNews) Regular consumption of pomegranate may help prevent breast cancer, according to a study conducted by researchers from the City of Hope and published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.
Researchers tested 10 different naturally occurring pomegranate compounds, all of them in the ellagitannin family of chemicals. They found that some of the ellagitannins significantly reduced the activity of the enzyme aromatase in the laboratory.
In the body, aromatase transforms the hormone androgen into the hormone estrogen. Because 75 percent of breast tumors contain estrogen receptors and use the hormone to fuel their growth, aromatase inhibitors are a popular form of treatment for slowing the growth of breast tumors in post-menopausal women.
Pharmaceutical aromatase inhibitors include the AstraZeneca drug Armidex, the Pfizer drug Aromasin and the Novartis drug Femara.
"We were surprised by our findings," researcher Shiuan Chen said. "We previously found other fruits, such as grapes, to be capable of the inhibition of aromatase. But phytochemicals in pomegranates and in grapes are different."
Of the 10 chemicals tested, urolithin B was the most effective at aromatase inhibition. Researchers offered two caveats to their findings, however. First of all, the body does not absorb ellagitannins into the blood very effectively from the digestive tract. Second of all, the researchers tested very high doses of the chemicals, much higher than those found in pomegranate. This suggests that an actual pomegranate-based cancer treatment may still be far in the future.
"We do not recommend people start taking this as a replacement for the [aromatase inhibitors]," Chen said. "[Pomegranate compounds] are not as potent as the real drugs so we think that the interest probably is more on the prevention end rather than in a therapeutic purpose."
Pomegranate juice has been shown to be rich in a wide variety of antioxidants that are believed to reduce the risk of not only cancers, but also other chronic conditions such as Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease.
Sources for this story include: www.reuters.com; www.webmd.com.
Researchers tested 10 different naturally occurring pomegranate compounds, all of them in the ellagitannin family of chemicals. They found that some of the ellagitannins significantly reduced the activity of the enzyme aromatase in the laboratory.
In the body, aromatase transforms the hormone androgen into the hormone estrogen. Because 75 percent of breast tumors contain estrogen receptors and use the hormone to fuel their growth, aromatase inhibitors are a popular form of treatment for slowing the growth of breast tumors in post-menopausal women.
Pharmaceutical aromatase inhibitors include the AstraZeneca drug Armidex, the Pfizer drug Aromasin and the Novartis drug Femara.
"We were surprised by our findings," researcher Shiuan Chen said. "We previously found other fruits, such as grapes, to be capable of the inhibition of aromatase. But phytochemicals in pomegranates and in grapes are different."
Of the 10 chemicals tested, urolithin B was the most effective at aromatase inhibition. Researchers offered two caveats to their findings, however. First of all, the body does not absorb ellagitannins into the blood very effectively from the digestive tract. Second of all, the researchers tested very high doses of the chemicals, much higher than those found in pomegranate. This suggests that an actual pomegranate-based cancer treatment may still be far in the future.
"We do not recommend people start taking this as a replacement for the [aromatase inhibitors]," Chen said. "[Pomegranate compounds] are not as potent as the real drugs so we think that the interest probably is more on the prevention end rather than in a therapeutic purpose."
Pomegranate juice has been shown to be rich in a wide variety of antioxidants that are believed to reduce the risk of not only cancers, but also other chronic conditions such as Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease.
Sources for this story include: www.reuters.com; www.webmd.com.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Gaia Herbs achieves industry breakthrough in herb potency, safety and traceability
(NaturalNews) I'm a big fan of herbal products, but have you ever wondered whether the ingredients that are supposed to be in those products are actually present in their correct potency? Did you ever wonder where the herbs really came from?
As you'll discover here, one company has suddenly and dramatically changed the entire medicinal herbs landscape by offering consumers a kind of X-Ray vision (without the X-Rays) into the potency, origin and safety of the exact herbs that are inside each bottle.
This innovation is called "Meet Your Herbs," and I first became aware of it at a recent natural products expo in California where I happened to catch a glimpse of someone carrying a bag emblazed with the slogan. The "Meet Your Herbs" phrase made instant sense to me because I've been living in Ecuador for the last two years where I've finally been able to grow and meet many of the medicinal herbs I used to buy solely as finished product.
The company sporting this slogan turned out to be Gaia Herbs, a company that I had never written about before. Determined to find out what "Meet Your Herbs" meant, I tracked down their booth and headed over. In minutes, I found myself standing with the CEO and founder of the company, a man named Ric Scalzo. So we rolled video and asked him about the story of Meet Your Herbs.
You can watch this video interview yourself here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjpt...
• Each bottle of Gaia Herbs comes with a unique ID number printed right on the label.
• Simply go to the Gaia Herbs "Meet Your Herbs" website (www.MeetYourHerbs.com) and enter this ID number.
• You can then instantly see the entire matrix of data on precisely which herbs went into that very bottle! This information describes the scientifically tested potency of the herbs, the actual origin of the herbs (where they were grown), the heavy metals testing results, which extraction method was used, and so on.
• This matrix of data is provided for each herbal ingredient in the formula!
Ric describes it as "A traceability matrix. Meet your herbs is the vehicle through which we empower consumers to trace the origin of the plant product from seed to finished product."
I call it a breakthrough in the herbal products business. To my knowledge, no one has ever done this before. And being able to see the potency, origin and testing results for the exact herbs that are in your bottle takes away all the guesswork. Instead of basing your trust in a product on the company's reputation, you get the actual proof of exactly what's in that product and where it came from.
All of a sudden, the guesswork is gone. Now you know exactly what you're getting in every bottle.
Gaia Herbs grows most of its own herbs, by the way. The company has a 250-acre farm near Asheville, North Carolina, and they process the herbs they grow in a 45,000 square foot certified organic processing facility. They are a "seed to finished product" company that grows, harvests and processes their herbs from start to finish. (It's extremely rare in the industry to find anyone doing this, by the way.)
There at the booth, the company kindly offered me a sample of their "Meet Your Herbs" products, so I choose the Adrenal Health formula as I was on a rather grueling tour schedule that demanded a lot of energy. Using the unique ID number on the back of the bottle, I was later able to look up exactly where these herbs were grown, how potent they were, how they were extracted, how well they scored on the heavy metals tests and many other factors.
Try it yourself! You can see exactly what went into the bottle of herbs that I was given!
Go to www.MeetYourHerbs.com and enter ID# 97534819
There, you'll see the complete analysis of the herbs in my bottle of Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health. You'll see, for example, that the herbs were received by Gaia Herbs on January 15, 2010, then they were tested using the HPLC method which revealed a biomarker concentration of 59.63 for the active phytochemical Rosavins.
You can get similar information for all the herbs used that same bottle of Adrenal Health.
Amazing, huh? As you can see, this changes everything in the herbal products industry.
Even pharmaceutical don't give you all this information. In fact, pharmaceuticals don't dare tell you where they came from or how they were manufactured because many of those high-priced pills are actually made in other countries where quality control standards are virtually non-existent. But with this "Meet Your Herbs" innovation, Gaia Herbs has surpassed the quality standard of the pharmaceutical industry while simultaneously opening their herb traceability to the public with full transparency!
• Rhodiola root
• Holy Basil leaf
• Ashwagandha root
• Wild Oats Milky Seed
• Schisandra berry
... and each of these herbs is verifiably potent thanks to the "Meet Your Herbs" traceability matrix.
A Gaia Herbs bottle of 120 veggie capsules (containing a liquid concentrate of the herbs) normally sells for $44.95.
Through a special arrangement with Gaia Herbs, we are able to offer a limited supply of these "Meet Your Herbs" Adrenal Health bottles (120 capsules per bottle) at just $29.24. That's a 35% savings over the retail price.
When you buy three bottles of Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health from the NaturalNews Store, the price per bottle drops to just $26.32 per bottle, or a savings of over 40% off the retail price!
Click here to take advantage of this exclusive NaturalNews discount on this very high potency Adrenal Health herbal formula.
Using potent liquid extracts of herbs -- and packaged under the same "Meet Your Herbs" traceability matrix -- this Antioxidant Supreme formula contains the following ingredients:
• Bilberry
• Hawthorn berry
• Ginkgo leaf
• Green Tea
• Rosemary
• Prickly Ash
• Astaxanthin
I could write an entire article on each of these herbal ingredients (and I have on some). They each have their own special properties for supporting good health, and in combination, they make an antioxidant recipe that's unique across the entire industry. (See the complete description from Gaia Herbs below.)
Because this Antioxidant Supreme formula is created using the same philosophy and commitment to quality and potency that Gaia Herbs brings to all its other products, I think you'll find this to be one of the most beneficial antioxidant supplements you've ever taken. Try it yourself and you'll see why this is one of the newest additions to my list of top herbal supplements.
Antioxidant Supreme normally sells for $25 for a 60 capsule bottle. Through our NaturalNews Store, we're able to offer it directly to our readers for just $16.24 -- a 35% savings off the retail price!
When you purchase three Antioxidant Supreme bottles from the NaturalNews Store, the price drops to $14.62 per bottle, or over 40% off the retail price.
Click here to take advantage of this NaturalNews discount Antioxidant Supreme.
Remember, even pharmaceuticals don't dare give you access to all this information!
Naturally, only a company that has full confidence in the potency, safety and efficacy of its products would dare reveal all these details about its products. That's why this "Meet Your Herbs" program is so exciting: It puts Gaia Herbs at the top of the credibility list in the herbal products industry.
That's why I personally have started buying Gaia Herbs formulas for my own use. It's also why I made an effort to help get them into our NaturalNews Store. I don't promote products that I wouldn't use myself and recommend to family and friends, and after doing my homework on Gaia Herbs, I can confidently say that this company has earned my full recommendation.
In fact, I probably need to place my own order before all of you buy up the entire inventory at the NaturalNews Store. Here's the link to the Gaia Herbs specials at our store: http://store.naturalnews.com/index....
We also have other specials still in place there, including deep discounts on raw organic maca, Himalayan crystal salt, Orange TKO liquid cleaner, organic vanilla bean powder and much more...
Enjoy these amazing products at these fantastic prices! (Believe me, many people here are working very, very hard to keep bringing you these extraordinary discounts in the very best natural health products in the world.) Thank you for your support!
Adrenal Health enhances the body's physiologic response to stress. Stress is defined as any situation or condition that causes undue physical, emotional and/or mental strain on the body. When one experiences stress, in any form, the adrenal glands secrete specific hormones that have a profound effect on the body. One can imagine the adrenal glands as little "hats" that sit on top of the kidneys. These hats secrete hormones such as cortisol and DHEA in response to stress. Over time, as one experiences stress on a daily basis, the adrenal glands can function less optimally, secreting unhealthy levels of these stress-related hormones. Overworking of the adrenal glands can lead to something called adrenal stress. Nervousness, poor memory, difficulty with concentration and decision-making, cravings for sweets, weight gain and compromised sleep are all associated with failure to maintain healthy levels of these two hormones.
• Supports Healthy Adrenal Functions
• Supports Calmness and Freedom from Excitability
• Promotes Adaptation to Stress
• Supports Healthy Adrenal Functions
• Supports Calmness and Freedom from Excitability
• Promotes Adaptation to Stress
SUGGESTED USE
Take 2 capsules with a small amount of water 2 times daily after meals. Not to be used during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs, please consult with your Doctor before using this product. Keep away from children. Use only as directed on label.
The Adrenal Health formula can have a profound influence on the body, helping to maintain a healthy response to stress by supporting the adrenal glands and nourishing the nervous system. Select herbs within the formula contain compounds recognized for their ability to support the health and function of the adrenal glands and maintaining normal secretion levels of key stress-related hormones such as cortisol.*
Rhodiola rosea root supports the functioning of the adrenal glands and encourages a healthy response to physical, emotional and mental stress by normalizing cortisol levels and other stress-related hormones. If used regularly, it enhances the body's natural resistance and adaptation to stressful influences. Rhodiola rosea root is classified as an adaptogen, which represents a class of herbs that help the body adapt to stresses of various kinds. In order to achieve this classification, a plant must be harmless and must have a normalizing, broadspectrum action that supports homeostasis, particularly when under stressful influences.*
Holy Basil has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to support a healthy response to stress, nourish the mind and elevate the spirit. Revered by Ayurvedic practitioners as "the incomparable one," this herb's documented actions on the body date back thousands of years. Today, we know that holy basil contains a variety of constituents, including eugenol, camphor, caryophyllene, ursolic acid, luteolin and apigenin that function collectively to normalize stress hormones and enhance adrenal function. The properties inherent in this herb make it ideally suited for helping to support a healthy adrenal system and stress response.*
Ashwaghanda, often referred to as "Indian Ginseng," is a common herb used in Ayurvedic medicine (from India) to support mental and physical vitality and stamina. It contains steroidal compounds and additional chemical constituents that advance the body's natural resistance and adaptation to stressful influences. Ashwaghanda also supports mental endurance, promotes total metabolic efficiency and encourages an overall sense of well-being.*
Schizandra berries provide powerful antioxidant protection, particularly from free radicals and other toxins in the environment that may cause cellular damage. Regarded as a popular adaptogenic agent, schizandra berries are unique in that they hold a remarkable blend of five distinct flavor properties collectively serving to promote overall health and vitality. Namely, bitter, sweet, sour, salty and hot. Schizandra berries function to enhance the body's natural resistance and adaptation to stressful influences, support mental endurance and promote overall metabolic efficiency.*
Wild Oats milky seed contains numerous compounds that promote a vital nervous system while working to ease temporary nervous stress, weakness, and exhaustion.*
* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
During the winter flu season, most people increase their intake of Vitamin C and other antioxidants. One of the best formulas I've found and use on a consistent basis is Anti-Oxidant Supreme – Liquid Phyto Caps. Liquid caps means just that – the capsules are filled with a liquid formula carefully prepared to fight germs, viruses, bacteria by naturally boosting the immune system with some of the best defense in natural health. Because the capsules are filled with liquid, the body processes the supplements quickly and gently. Boosting the Immune System Naturally.
Natural ways to boost the immune system, especially during flu season, include eating right, exercising, getting sunlight, drinking plenty of liquids and getting enough rest; but even when we do this, there are times when weaknesses inherent in our own bodies requiring us to work a little harder at keeping the immune system strong and healthy. This is where Anti-Oxidant Supreme – Liquid Phyto Caps comes in. Not only does it boost the immune system naturally, it also works with your own body chemistry to keep fighting the good fight of health.
Why Are Antioxidants Important?
Antioxidants have an important job of fighting off free radicals that can wreak havoc in the body. These free radicals lead to all sorts of illnesses and deterioration of the body and mind. During the winter months especially, when flu season is in full force, taking a good antioxidant is very important. Anti-Oxidant Supreme – Liquid Phyto Caps helps destroy the free radicals that lead to a compromised immune system. They do this because of the special free radical destroyers that include the following ingredients: Bilberry, Hawthorn berry, Ginkgo leaf, Green Tea, Rosemary, Prickly Ash and Astaxanthin.
A Close-Up Look at the Ingredients
The above-mentioned seven ingredients are excellent antioxidants and help deliver the powerhouse free radical fighters to various parts of the body that need them most. Not only that, but some of these ingredients are especially good for various organs in the human body. Let's take a closer look at the ingredients in Anti-Oxidant Supreme – Liquid Phyto Caps.
Bilberry - This berry is especially excellent for eyes, heart, connective tissue and blood vessels. It also helps strength and protects the digestive tract as well as the skin. Some believe it has special significance in blood/brain function, and destroys free radicals that attack these areas of the body.
Hawthorn berry is especially good for heart health, protecting the cardiovascular system with its potent antioxidant activity.
Ginkgo leaf has amazing antioxidant properties. The nuts were used traditionally but the leaves only rarely. This versatile herb's antioxidant effects are espeically pronounced in the brain, nerves, and cardiovascular system. Not only does Gingko fight the oxygen free radicals, it seems to also eliminate excessive nitric oxide, which happens to be yet another type of free radical.
Green Tea has been used in the east for centuries, and in recent years has become popular here in the west. It contains polyphenols and flavonoids which both help create antioxidant activity.
Rosemary leaf is a powerful antioxidant that supports cognitive abilities and helps fight against poor memory, digestive problems and bad circulation.
Prickly Ash bark is a strong and successful circulatory stimulant and nerve tonic that has powerful antioxidant function. It is known to help distribute the other antioxidants throughout the body, simply by increasing circulation in the person using it.
Astaxanthin helps protect cell membranes with its antioxidant properties.
• Whole Plant Derived Anti-Oxidants
• Rich in Several Plant Flavonoids Known to be Powerful Free-Radical Quencher
• Formulated to Support and Promote Wellness throughout the Body
• Rich in Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC's)
• Organ-Specific Antioxidant
SUGGESTED USE Take 1 capsule 2 times daily between meals. Not to be used during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs, please consult with your Doctor before using this product. Keep away from children. Use only as directed on label.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
As you'll discover here, one company has suddenly and dramatically changed the entire medicinal herbs landscape by offering consumers a kind of X-Ray vision (without the X-Rays) into the potency, origin and safety of the exact herbs that are inside each bottle.
This innovation is called "Meet Your Herbs," and I first became aware of it at a recent natural products expo in California where I happened to catch a glimpse of someone carrying a bag emblazed with the slogan. The "Meet Your Herbs" phrase made instant sense to me because I've been living in Ecuador for the last two years where I've finally been able to grow and meet many of the medicinal herbs I used to buy solely as finished product.
The company sporting this slogan turned out to be Gaia Herbs, a company that I had never written about before. Determined to find out what "Meet Your Herbs" meant, I tracked down their booth and headed over. In minutes, I found myself standing with the CEO and founder of the company, a man named Ric Scalzo. So we rolled video and asked him about the story of Meet Your Herbs.
You can watch this video interview yourself here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjpt...
Proof of what's in the bottle
The "Meet Your Herbs" slogan describes what can only be called a true breakthrough in medicinal herb products. Here's how it works:• Each bottle of Gaia Herbs comes with a unique ID number printed right on the label.
• Simply go to the Gaia Herbs "Meet Your Herbs" website (www.MeetYourHerbs.com) and enter this ID number.
• You can then instantly see the entire matrix of data on precisely which herbs went into that very bottle! This information describes the scientifically tested potency of the herbs, the actual origin of the herbs (where they were grown), the heavy metals testing results, which extraction method was used, and so on.
• This matrix of data is provided for each herbal ingredient in the formula!
Ric describes it as "A traceability matrix. Meet your herbs is the vehicle through which we empower consumers to trace the origin of the plant product from seed to finished product."
I call it a breakthrough in the herbal products business. To my knowledge, no one has ever done this before. And being able to see the potency, origin and testing results for the exact herbs that are in your bottle takes away all the guesswork. Instead of basing your trust in a product on the company's reputation, you get the actual proof of exactly what's in that product and where it came from.
All of a sudden, the guesswork is gone. Now you know exactly what you're getting in every bottle.
Check out their Adrenal Health formula
As you might guess, I found all this instantly fascinating, so I wanted to try one of the products for myself. (We've also made these herbal products available through the NaturalNews Store at a huge discount so you can try them, too. See below for more...)Gaia Herbs grows most of its own herbs, by the way. The company has a 250-acre farm near Asheville, North Carolina, and they process the herbs they grow in a 45,000 square foot certified organic processing facility. They are a "seed to finished product" company that grows, harvests and processes their herbs from start to finish. (It's extremely rare in the industry to find anyone doing this, by the way.)
There at the booth, the company kindly offered me a sample of their "Meet Your Herbs" products, so I choose the Adrenal Health formula as I was on a rather grueling tour schedule that demanded a lot of energy. Using the unique ID number on the back of the bottle, I was later able to look up exactly where these herbs were grown, how potent they were, how they were extracted, how well they scored on the heavy metals tests and many other factors.
Try it yourself! You can see exactly what went into the bottle of herbs that I was given!
Go to www.MeetYourHerbs.com and enter ID# 97534819
There, you'll see the complete analysis of the herbs in my bottle of Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health. You'll see, for example, that the herbs were received by Gaia Herbs on January 15, 2010, then they were tested using the HPLC method which revealed a biomarker concentration of 59.63 for the active phytochemical Rosavins.
You can get similar information for all the herbs used that same bottle of Adrenal Health.
Amazing, huh? As you can see, this changes everything in the herbal products industry.
Even pharmaceutical don't give you all this information. In fact, pharmaceuticals don't dare tell you where they came from or how they were manufactured because many of those high-priced pills are actually made in other countries where quality control standards are virtually non-existent. But with this "Meet Your Herbs" innovation, Gaia Herbs has surpassed the quality standard of the pharmaceutical industry while simultaneously opening their herb traceability to the public with full transparency!
Get Gaia Herbs Adrenal Formula at 35% off
The Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health product is a concentrated herbal liquid inside vegetarian capsules. It's made with:• Rhodiola root
• Holy Basil leaf
• Ashwagandha root
• Wild Oats Milky Seed
• Schisandra berry
... and each of these herbs is verifiably potent thanks to the "Meet Your Herbs" traceability matrix.
A Gaia Herbs bottle of 120 veggie capsules (containing a liquid concentrate of the herbs) normally sells for $44.95.
Through a special arrangement with Gaia Herbs, we are able to offer a limited supply of these "Meet Your Herbs" Adrenal Health bottles (120 capsules per bottle) at just $29.24. That's a 35% savings over the retail price.
When you buy three bottles of Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health from the NaturalNews Store, the price per bottle drops to just $26.32 per bottle, or a savings of over 40% off the retail price!
Click here to take advantage of this exclusive NaturalNews discount on this very high potency Adrenal Health herbal formula.
I'm raving about Gaia Herbs Antioxidant Supreme
Gaia Herbs has a full line of herbal products, of course, and there's one more in particular I'd like to tell you about. It caught my eye as one of the most unique and potent formulas I've seen yet in the natural products industry: Gaia Herbs' Antioxidant Supreme herbal formula.Using potent liquid extracts of herbs -- and packaged under the same "Meet Your Herbs" traceability matrix -- this Antioxidant Supreme formula contains the following ingredients:
• Bilberry
• Hawthorn berry
• Ginkgo leaf
• Green Tea
• Rosemary
• Prickly Ash
• Astaxanthin
I could write an entire article on each of these herbal ingredients (and I have on some). They each have their own special properties for supporting good health, and in combination, they make an antioxidant recipe that's unique across the entire industry. (See the complete description from Gaia Herbs below.)
Because this Antioxidant Supreme formula is created using the same philosophy and commitment to quality and potency that Gaia Herbs brings to all its other products, I think you'll find this to be one of the most beneficial antioxidant supplements you've ever taken. Try it yourself and you'll see why this is one of the newest additions to my list of top herbal supplements.
Antioxidant Supreme normally sells for $25 for a 60 capsule bottle. Through our NaturalNews Store, we're able to offer it directly to our readers for just $16.24 -- a 35% savings off the retail price!
When you purchase three Antioxidant Supreme bottles from the NaturalNews Store, the price drops to $14.62 per bottle, or over 40% off the retail price.
Click here to take advantage of this NaturalNews discount Antioxidant Supreme.
A breakthrough in herbal product trust and traceability
In all, what you're seeing here with Gaia Herbs is breakthrough innovation that gives consumers unprecedented transparency in knowing WHAT's in the bottle, WHERE it came from, HOW potent it is, and HOW it was tested.Remember, even pharmaceuticals don't dare give you access to all this information!
Naturally, only a company that has full confidence in the potency, safety and efficacy of its products would dare reveal all these details about its products. That's why this "Meet Your Herbs" program is so exciting: It puts Gaia Herbs at the top of the credibility list in the herbal products industry.
That's why I personally have started buying Gaia Herbs formulas for my own use. It's also why I made an effort to help get them into our NaturalNews Store. I don't promote products that I wouldn't use myself and recommend to family and friends, and after doing my homework on Gaia Herbs, I can confidently say that this company has earned my full recommendation.
In fact, I probably need to place my own order before all of you buy up the entire inventory at the NaturalNews Store. Here's the link to the Gaia Herbs specials at our store: http://store.naturalnews.com/index....
We also have other specials still in place there, including deep discounts on raw organic maca, Himalayan crystal salt, Orange TKO liquid cleaner, organic vanilla bean powder and much more...
Enjoy these amazing products at these fantastic prices! (Believe me, many people here are working very, very hard to keep bringing you these extraordinary discounts in the very best natural health products in the world.) Thank you for your support!
Description of Adrenal Health formula from Gaia Herbs
[Editor's note: The following text is provided by Gaia Herbs.]Adrenal Health enhances the body's physiologic response to stress. Stress is defined as any situation or condition that causes undue physical, emotional and/or mental strain on the body. When one experiences stress, in any form, the adrenal glands secrete specific hormones that have a profound effect on the body. One can imagine the adrenal glands as little "hats" that sit on top of the kidneys. These hats secrete hormones such as cortisol and DHEA in response to stress. Over time, as one experiences stress on a daily basis, the adrenal glands can function less optimally, secreting unhealthy levels of these stress-related hormones. Overworking of the adrenal glands can lead to something called adrenal stress. Nervousness, poor memory, difficulty with concentration and decision-making, cravings for sweets, weight gain and compromised sleep are all associated with failure to maintain healthy levels of these two hormones.
• Supports Healthy Adrenal Functions
• Supports Calmness and Freedom from Excitability
• Promotes Adaptation to Stress
• Supports Healthy Adrenal Functions
• Supports Calmness and Freedom from Excitability
• Promotes Adaptation to Stress
SUGGESTED USE
Take 2 capsules with a small amount of water 2 times daily after meals. Not to be used during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs, please consult with your Doctor before using this product. Keep away from children. Use only as directed on label.
The Adrenal Health formula can have a profound influence on the body, helping to maintain a healthy response to stress by supporting the adrenal glands and nourishing the nervous system. Select herbs within the formula contain compounds recognized for their ability to support the health and function of the adrenal glands and maintaining normal secretion levels of key stress-related hormones such as cortisol.*
Rhodiola rosea root supports the functioning of the adrenal glands and encourages a healthy response to physical, emotional and mental stress by normalizing cortisol levels and other stress-related hormones. If used regularly, it enhances the body's natural resistance and adaptation to stressful influences. Rhodiola rosea root is classified as an adaptogen, which represents a class of herbs that help the body adapt to stresses of various kinds. In order to achieve this classification, a plant must be harmless and must have a normalizing, broadspectrum action that supports homeostasis, particularly when under stressful influences.*
Holy Basil has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to support a healthy response to stress, nourish the mind and elevate the spirit. Revered by Ayurvedic practitioners as "the incomparable one," this herb's documented actions on the body date back thousands of years. Today, we know that holy basil contains a variety of constituents, including eugenol, camphor, caryophyllene, ursolic acid, luteolin and apigenin that function collectively to normalize stress hormones and enhance adrenal function. The properties inherent in this herb make it ideally suited for helping to support a healthy adrenal system and stress response.*
Ashwaghanda, often referred to as "Indian Ginseng," is a common herb used in Ayurvedic medicine (from India) to support mental and physical vitality and stamina. It contains steroidal compounds and additional chemical constituents that advance the body's natural resistance and adaptation to stressful influences. Ashwaghanda also supports mental endurance, promotes total metabolic efficiency and encourages an overall sense of well-being.*
Schizandra berries provide powerful antioxidant protection, particularly from free radicals and other toxins in the environment that may cause cellular damage. Regarded as a popular adaptogenic agent, schizandra berries are unique in that they hold a remarkable blend of five distinct flavor properties collectively serving to promote overall health and vitality. Namely, bitter, sweet, sour, salty and hot. Schizandra berries function to enhance the body's natural resistance and adaptation to stressful influences, support mental endurance and promote overall metabolic efficiency.*
Wild Oats milky seed contains numerous compounds that promote a vital nervous system while working to ease temporary nervous stress, weakness, and exhaustion.*
* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Gaia Herbs' description of Antioxidant Supreme
Anti-Oxidant Supreme - Liquid Phyto Caps by Gaia HerbsDuring the winter flu season, most people increase their intake of Vitamin C and other antioxidants. One of the best formulas I've found and use on a consistent basis is Anti-Oxidant Supreme – Liquid Phyto Caps. Liquid caps means just that – the capsules are filled with a liquid formula carefully prepared to fight germs, viruses, bacteria by naturally boosting the immune system with some of the best defense in natural health. Because the capsules are filled with liquid, the body processes the supplements quickly and gently. Boosting the Immune System Naturally.
Natural ways to boost the immune system, especially during flu season, include eating right, exercising, getting sunlight, drinking plenty of liquids and getting enough rest; but even when we do this, there are times when weaknesses inherent in our own bodies requiring us to work a little harder at keeping the immune system strong and healthy. This is where Anti-Oxidant Supreme – Liquid Phyto Caps comes in. Not only does it boost the immune system naturally, it also works with your own body chemistry to keep fighting the good fight of health.
Why Are Antioxidants Important?
Antioxidants have an important job of fighting off free radicals that can wreak havoc in the body. These free radicals lead to all sorts of illnesses and deterioration of the body and mind. During the winter months especially, when flu season is in full force, taking a good antioxidant is very important. Anti-Oxidant Supreme – Liquid Phyto Caps helps destroy the free radicals that lead to a compromised immune system. They do this because of the special free radical destroyers that include the following ingredients: Bilberry, Hawthorn berry, Ginkgo leaf, Green Tea, Rosemary, Prickly Ash and Astaxanthin.
A Close-Up Look at the Ingredients
The above-mentioned seven ingredients are excellent antioxidants and help deliver the powerhouse free radical fighters to various parts of the body that need them most. Not only that, but some of these ingredients are especially good for various organs in the human body. Let's take a closer look at the ingredients in Anti-Oxidant Supreme – Liquid Phyto Caps.
Bilberry - This berry is especially excellent for eyes, heart, connective tissue and blood vessels. It also helps strength and protects the digestive tract as well as the skin. Some believe it has special significance in blood/brain function, and destroys free radicals that attack these areas of the body.
Hawthorn berry is especially good for heart health, protecting the cardiovascular system with its potent antioxidant activity.
Ginkgo leaf has amazing antioxidant properties. The nuts were used traditionally but the leaves only rarely. This versatile herb's antioxidant effects are espeically pronounced in the brain, nerves, and cardiovascular system. Not only does Gingko fight the oxygen free radicals, it seems to also eliminate excessive nitric oxide, which happens to be yet another type of free radical.
Green Tea has been used in the east for centuries, and in recent years has become popular here in the west. It contains polyphenols and flavonoids which both help create antioxidant activity.
Rosemary leaf is a powerful antioxidant that supports cognitive abilities and helps fight against poor memory, digestive problems and bad circulation.
Prickly Ash bark is a strong and successful circulatory stimulant and nerve tonic that has powerful antioxidant function. It is known to help distribute the other antioxidants throughout the body, simply by increasing circulation in the person using it.
Astaxanthin helps protect cell membranes with its antioxidant properties.
• Whole Plant Derived Anti-Oxidants
• Rich in Several Plant Flavonoids Known to be Powerful Free-Radical Quencher
• Formulated to Support and Promote Wellness throughout the Body
• Rich in Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC's)
• Organ-Specific Antioxidant
SUGGESTED USE Take 1 capsule 2 times daily between meals. Not to be used during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs, please consult with your Doctor before using this product. Keep away from children. Use only as directed on label.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
New research: olive oil can prevent ulcerative colitis
(NaturalNews) Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that brings untold pain and misery to about 120,000 people of all ages in the UK and over a million in the US. It produces inflammation and sores in the lining of the rectum and colon that bleed, produce pus and cause frequent diarrhea. This is a serious disease that often causes hospitalization. In fact, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 25 to 40 percent of people suffering from ulcerative colitis eventually have their colons removed because of massive bleeding, severe illness, rupture of the colon, or risk of cancer.
Powerful side effect-laden drugs like steroids are used to dampen down symptoms but there's no cure. However, scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have discovered there could be a way to stop ulcerative colitis from developing in the first place. The preventative treatment is simple, healthy, inexpensive and easy to find -- olive oil.
UEA researchers announced this news recently at the Digestive Disease Week conference held in New Orleans. Their findings revealed that people with a diet rich in oleic acid are far less likely to develop ulcerative colitis. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid found in abundance in olive oil. It is also a component of peanut oil, grapeseed oil and butter.
The research team, led by Dr. Andrew Hart of UEA's School of Medicine, studied over 25,000 people between the ages of 40 and 65 who lived in Norfolk, in the UK. The research participants were part of the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Diet and Cancer) study between 1993 and 1997. None of these EPIC participants were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the beginning of the study. They all kept detailed food diaries which were later studied by nutritionists who analyzed exactly what nutrients and fatty acids the study participants were consuming.
By 2004, 22 of the research subjects had developed ulcerative colitis. When the researchers compared the diets of these people to those who did not develop the disease, they found the study participants with the highest intake of oleic acid had a 90 per cent lower risk of developing ulcerative colitis.
"Oleic acid seems to help prevent the development of ulcerative colitis by blocking chemicals in the bowel that aggravate the inflammation found in this illness," Dr. Hart said in a statement to the media."We estimate that around half of the cases of ulcerative colitis could be prevented if larger amounts of oleic acid were consumed. Two-to-three tablespoons of olive oil per day would have a protective effect."
Additional studies are underway in several countries to further document the potential of oleic acid to prevent colitis, the UEA researchers stated. In addition, they noted that oleic acid should also be assessed in the future as a possible treatment for those already suffering from the disease.
For more information:
http://www.uea.ac.uk/mac/comm/media...
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddis...
Powerful side effect-laden drugs like steroids are used to dampen down symptoms but there's no cure. However, scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have discovered there could be a way to stop ulcerative colitis from developing in the first place. The preventative treatment is simple, healthy, inexpensive and easy to find -- olive oil.
UEA researchers announced this news recently at the Digestive Disease Week conference held in New Orleans. Their findings revealed that people with a diet rich in oleic acid are far less likely to develop ulcerative colitis. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid found in abundance in olive oil. It is also a component of peanut oil, grapeseed oil and butter.
The research team, led by Dr. Andrew Hart of UEA's School of Medicine, studied over 25,000 people between the ages of 40 and 65 who lived in Norfolk, in the UK. The research participants were part of the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Diet and Cancer) study between 1993 and 1997. None of these EPIC participants were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the beginning of the study. They all kept detailed food diaries which were later studied by nutritionists who analyzed exactly what nutrients and fatty acids the study participants were consuming.
By 2004, 22 of the research subjects had developed ulcerative colitis. When the researchers compared the diets of these people to those who did not develop the disease, they found the study participants with the highest intake of oleic acid had a 90 per cent lower risk of developing ulcerative colitis.
"Oleic acid seems to help prevent the development of ulcerative colitis by blocking chemicals in the bowel that aggravate the inflammation found in this illness," Dr. Hart said in a statement to the media."We estimate that around half of the cases of ulcerative colitis could be prevented if larger amounts of oleic acid were consumed. Two-to-three tablespoons of olive oil per day would have a protective effect."
Additional studies are underway in several countries to further document the potential of oleic acid to prevent colitis, the UEA researchers stated. In addition, they noted that oleic acid should also be assessed in the future as a possible treatment for those already suffering from the disease.
For more information:
http://www.uea.ac.uk/mac/comm/media...
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddis...
Friday, May 14, 2010
Vitamin D deficiency finally being recognized as increasingly common
(NaturalNews) Doctors are becoming increasingly concerned about growing rates of vitamin D deficiency, leading many of them to recommend that people get more sun or even take supplements.
Vitamin D has long been known to play an important role in bone health. Deficiency can lead to osteoporosis in adults, and in children and some adults can lead to a bone-softening disease known as rickets.
Although the vitamin is synthesized by the body upon exposure to sunlight, people living far from the equator can have trouble producing enough of it in the winter time. For this reason, numerous governments began fortifying dairy products with vitamin D decades ago, leading directly to a near-elimination of rickets. The disease is starting to make a resurgence, however, even as researchers start to believe that humans may need higher levels of the vitamin than previously thought.
Although the U.S. government recommends a daily vitamin D intake of 200 to 600 IU per day, researchers are increasingly suggesting amounts of closer to 1,000 IU. These amounts are based on new studies finding that higher levels of vitamin D can help regulate the immune system and prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's.
"It helps boost your ability to fight infection, and it also reduces some destructive inflammation in your body, including inflammation with periodontal disease," said Mark Ryder of the University of California-San Francisco. "Every five or 10 years, a new vitamin becomes the vitamin of the moment. The hot one right now is probably vitamin D, and so far all of the evidence looks encouraging."
Yet even according to the lower government standards, at least one in three U.S. residents are not getting enough vitamin D.
"We've become a culture that shuns the sunshine and doesn't drink milk," said Dr. Donald Abrams of San Francisco General Hospital.
Sources for this story include: www.sfgate.com.
Vitamin D has long been known to play an important role in bone health. Deficiency can lead to osteoporosis in adults, and in children and some adults can lead to a bone-softening disease known as rickets.
Although the vitamin is synthesized by the body upon exposure to sunlight, people living far from the equator can have trouble producing enough of it in the winter time. For this reason, numerous governments began fortifying dairy products with vitamin D decades ago, leading directly to a near-elimination of rickets. The disease is starting to make a resurgence, however, even as researchers start to believe that humans may need higher levels of the vitamin than previously thought.
Although the U.S. government recommends a daily vitamin D intake of 200 to 600 IU per day, researchers are increasingly suggesting amounts of closer to 1,000 IU. These amounts are based on new studies finding that higher levels of vitamin D can help regulate the immune system and prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's.
"It helps boost your ability to fight infection, and it also reduces some destructive inflammation in your body, including inflammation with periodontal disease," said Mark Ryder of the University of California-San Francisco. "Every five or 10 years, a new vitamin becomes the vitamin of the moment. The hot one right now is probably vitamin D, and so far all of the evidence looks encouraging."
Yet even according to the lower government standards, at least one in three U.S. residents are not getting enough vitamin D.
"We've become a culture that shuns the sunshine and doesn't drink milk," said Dr. Donald Abrams of San Francisco General Hospital.
Sources for this story include: www.sfgate.com.
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