Categories
The Best Years In Life

Common Chemicals may Delay Pregnancy and Inflict Much Worse

by Tony Isaacs

(NaturalNews) A new study suggests that chemicals known as perfluorinated chemicals, which are pervasive in food packaging, pesticides, clothing, upholstery, carpets and personal care products, may delay pregnancy. Other studies and evidence have indicated that the chemicals are responsible for far greater harm than just delayed pregnancy.

The Latest Study

"These widespread chemicals apparently lower the fertility in couples trying to get pregnant," said lead researcher Dr. Jorn Olsen, chairman of the Department of Epidemiology at UCLA`s School of Public Health who headed the study. The report is published in the Jan. 29 online edition of Human Reproduction. And it follows on the heels of a report linking another common plastic chemical, bisphenol A (BPA), to developmental problems in fetuses and infants.

For Olsen`s study, his team collected data on 1,240 women who participated in the Danish National Birth Cohort. Danish women in the study who had high levels of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) took longer to get pregnant.

The researchers took blood samples from the women and interviewed them on how long it took them to become pregnant. The researchers found that blood levels of PFOS ranged from 6.4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) to 106.7 ng/ml. For PFOA, levels ranged from 1 ng/ml to 41.5 ng/ml. Olsen`s group then divided the women into four groups, depending on how much of the chemicals were in their blood.

Women in the three groups with the highest levels of PFOS took from 70 percent to 134 percent longer to get pregnant than women with the lowest PFOS levels, the team reported. It took women with the highest PFOA levels 60 percent to 154 percent longer to get pregnant compared with women with the lowest levels of this chemical. Why these chemicals would delay pregnancy isn`t known, Olsen said, but they may affect hormones involved in reproduction.

Recent animal studies have found these chemicals may have a variety of toxic effects on the liver, immune system and developmental and reproductive organs, he noted. In addition, previous studies by the same researchers found that PFOA may affect the growth of fetuses and two other studies linked PFOA and PFOS to impaired fetal growth.

After decades of evidence of harm from these chemicals, in 2006 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finally had commitments from eight manufacturers of PFOA to voluntarily reduce emissions and product content of PFOA and related chemicals in the United States and overseas by 95 percent by 2010, and to work toward eliminating emissions and product content of these chemicals by 2015. This action was brought on because the chemical was associated with "systemic and developmental toxicity."

Sources of PFOA

Food, drinking water, outdoor air, indoor air, dust, and food packagings are all implicated as sources of PFOA to people. Contaminated food and drinking water are thought to be the largest contributors, while consumer products such as impregnation sprays (textile treatments), treated carpets, and coated food contact materials are considered as minor.

PFOA is also formed as an unintended byproduct in the production of fluorotelomers and is present in finished goods treated with fluorotelomers, including those intended for food contact. Also, fluorotelomers can be metabolized into PFOA. In an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) study, fluorotelomer-based paper coatings (which can be applied to food contact paper in the concentration range of 0.4%) were found to contain 88,000-160,000 ppb PFOA, while microwave popcorn bags contained 6-290 ppb PFOA. Toxicologists estimate that microwave popcorn could account for about 20% of the PFOA levels measured in an individual consuming 10 bags a year if 1% of the fluorotelomers are metabolized to PFOA. Fluorotelomer-based paper coatings are used in direct food contact because of their lipophobicity; the coatings give papers resistance to oil soaking in from fatty foods. Fluorotelomer coatings are used in fast food wrappers, candy wrappers, and pizza box liners. PAPS, a type of paper fluorotelomer coating, and PFOA precursor, is also used in food contact papers.

From Sludge to Food

PFOA can form as a breakdown product from a variety of precursor molecules. PFOA precursors can be transformed to PFOA by metabolism, biodegradation, or atmospheric processes. The OECD identified 615 chemicals that potentially break down to form PFCA. However, not all of these chemicals have the potential to break down to form PFOA. A majority of waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) that have been tested output more PFOA than is input, and this increased output has been attributed to the biodegradation of fluorotelomer alcohols.

PFOA and PFOS were detected in "very high" (low parts per million) levels in agricultural fields for grazing beef cattle around Decatur, AL. The approximately 5000 acres of land were fertilized with "treated municipal sewage sludge, or biosolids." PFOA was also detected in the blood of the cattle. The water treatment plant received process wastewater from a nearby perfluorochemical manufacturing plant. 3M says they managed their own wastes, but Daikin America "discharged process wastewater to the municipal waste treatment plant." If traced to meat, it would be the first time perfluorochemicals were traced from sludge to food.

On February 15, 2005, the USEPA`s Science Advisory Board (SAB) voted to recommended that PFOA should be considered a "likely human carcinogen."

On May 26, 2006, the USEPA`s SAB addressed a letter to Stephen L. Johnson. Three-quarters of advisers thought the stronger "likely to be carcinogenic" descriptor was warranted, in opposition to the USEPA`s own PFOA hazard descriptor of "suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity, but not sufficient to assess human carcinogenic potential."

Evidence of Harm versus Industry Denial and Coverup

In what has been a consistent pattern of denial the American Council on Science and Health, an organization which is widely perceived to be an industry mouthpiece and which admits to receiving industry funding but refuses to disclose sources and amounts, labeled the idea that "PFOA Causes Low Birth Weight Babies" as #4 on their Top Ten Unfounded Health Scares of 2007, arguing that "PFOA affecting birth weight by four ounces does not imply any real harm to the babies – they were all of normal weight."

Although the chemical industry would have us believe that any health issues will soon become moot because these chemicals are being phased out in the United States due to their toxic effects, they remain in the environment and in the body for decades, and have been linked to developmental and numerous other problems. In 2003-2004 99.7% of Americans had detectable PFOA in their blood serum. However, concentrations of PFOA in US blood serum have declined by 25% in recent years. Despite a decrease in PFOA, the related chemical PFNA, a longer chained perfluorinated carboxylic acid, is increasing in the blood of US consumers.

Facial birth defects, an effect observed in rat offspring, occurred with the children of two out of seven female DuPont employees from the Washington Works facility from 1979-1981; however, DuPont does not accept any responsibility from the toxicity of PFOA. With other highly exposed populations, a 2000 3M epidemiology study recorded statistically significant increases in cholesterol, triglyceride, and triiodothyronine levels and a statistically significant decrease in HDL with increasing levels of PFOA. A 3M funded study found workers who were highly exposed to PFOA had twice the odds of dying from prostate cancer and stroke when compared to other workers at the same plant.

In response, 3M`s spokesman said, "nothing in this study changes our conclusion that there are no adverse health effects from PFOA."

A DuPont report on the rate of occurrence of carcinoid tumors at their Washington, WV plant gave "preliminary evidence for a cancer cluster." DuPont responded by stating that they did not have any reason to believe the increase from the Washington Works plant was due to any specific chemical. In a May 2008 preliminary report released by West Virginia University (WVU), PFOA was linked to liver, thyroid, immune system, and cholesterol changes considered harmful in the population around DuPont`s Washington, WV plant. In a quick response to the release of the WVU report, DuPont`s spokesman highlighted the preliminary nature and the legal issue of the industry dominated C8 Science Panel being the only court appointed authority on study results. The C8 Science Panel also criticized the WVU release, labeling the graphs as "simple" that related PFOA to several blood tests because they did not represent a thorough data analysis. In October 2008, when the C8 Science Panel released findings, PFOA was only linked to high levels of cholesterol.

Despite DuPont asserting that "cookware coated with DuPont Teflon non-stick coatings does not contain PFOA," residual PFOA was also detected in finished PTFE products including PTFE/Teflon cookware. Additionally, a New York State Department of Health study detected PFOA in the gas phase coming from new nonstick cookware and microwave popcorn bags in research funded by a 2005-2006 $17,700 grant from the Consumers Union.

In the face of all the evidence of PFOA harm to humans, DuPont`s position continues to be that the data does not prove PFOA causes health effects.

On December 13, 2005, DuPont announced a settlement with the EPA in which DuPont will pay $10.25 million in fines and an additional $6.25 million for two supplemental environmental projects without any admission of liability.

Categories
Featured Articles

Universal Vaccine for the Flu? Look No Further Than Vitamin C and Zinc

by Mike Adams

(NaturalNews) The mainstream media is ablaze today with talk of an important new discovery that could lead to a "universal vaccine" that ends all colds for a lifetime. This universal vaccine, researchers say, would target a common configuration of proteins that occurs in virtually all cases of influenza, including H5N1 (bird flu), the Spanish flu strain and even the common cold.

It all sounds promising until you realize the reality of the situation. First, this "universal vaccine" concept is remarkably naive in ignoring the astounding ability of viruses to generate immunity to vaccines due to clever mutations. In fact, the action of influenza in the wild right now demonstrates this quite well: Each year's flu shot vaccine is essentially useless against the current influenza strains actually circulating among the population. They only protect people against last year's flu. And that's not very useful.

Why do you think we have MRSA and other superbugs running rampant in our hospitals these days? Because viruses and bacteria have a remarkably ability to rapidly develop immunity to vaccines. Even the targeting of a common protein receptor site is not beyond the reach of mutating viruses, and for scientists to think these viruses cannot mutate their way around a chemical vaccination is remarkably arrogant.

Second, the drug companies will never replace their annual flu shots with a one-time universal vaccine that you only need once in your lifetime. Why? Because the annual flu shot ritual is a great way to pocket some pharmaceutical profits while training the population to follow orders. The fear-mongering of flu infections and the herding of the population to flu shot injection centers is an important ritual in expanding the power of the Cult of Pharmacology. That's not something the drug companies will easily let go of.

(By the way, according to the scientific literature, flu shots are only effective in about 1% of the population. The other 99% are wasting their time and money.)

By thirdly — and perhaps most importantly — we already have far better universal solutions that halt flu infections. They're called vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D.

The real cause of the flu: Nutritional deficiency
In fact, it is nutritional deficiency that causes susceptibility to the common cold, not vaccine deficiency. Ask anybody who lives a natural health lifestyle and takes their nutrition seriously, and you'll find that they might only catch one cold every five or ten years. I haven't had a cold for probably eight years or so (can't remember exactly, because it's been so long), and of course I would never even think of getting a flu shot.

Flu shots are only for ignorant people who live on junk food diets and don't know anything about health. Flu shot clinics are like the McDonald's of modern medicine: It's where the uneducated, immune-suppressed people go because they don't know any better. And the flu shot industry (Big Pharma, clinics, etc.) preys upon these people in much the same way McDonald's preys upon low-income consumers who have no idea they're eating their way to lifelong nutritional imbalance.

Flu shots are for people who microwave their food and buy instant macaroni and cheese. They're for people who have been cajoled into avoiding vitamins (they're dangerous, didn't you know?) and who live on pharmaceuticals and junk food.

Flu shots are the mythology of modern medicine, much like the superstitions of commercial fishermen who run their boats in circles after leaving port in order to eliminate any "bad juju" that might ruin their catch.

Want new technology for defending against the flu? Your immune system is the best technology on the planet for accomplishing that. You just have to give it the proper fuel: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, zinc, trace minerals, superfoods and healthy nutrition!

Categories
Featured Articles Uncategorized

Aloe Vera Heals Burns and Digestion Problems

by Melanie Grimes

(NaturalNews) Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that has long been used to treat burns. It is useful for treating digestive complaints, as well as skin conditions. Aloe can be taken internally or used externally.


Aloe
was mentioned by Pliny the Elder and also in the New Testament. "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes," (John 19:3940). It is long been in use as an herbal medicine in the Orient and Asia.

Raw Aloe is an antibacterial as well as an antifungal, and has helped heal streptococcus growths on skin. But the two main uses of Aloe Vera are to treat burns and to soothe the stomach lining, as in the treatment of ulcers. Raw and processed Aloe Vera can be used for both of these treatments, however it is more common for processed Aloe Vera to be used as a drink and for the raw plant to be used directly or skin complaints and for wound healing. 
Raw Aloe Vera is best when obtained directly from a fresh plant. The leaves are long and pointed. Because the plant is a succulent, the leaves feel a bit squishy to the touch. When you break off the tip of an Aloe Vera plant, it will ooze for a short time and then seal itself. The plant will continue to send out new shoots that can be used in a similar manner.

To use raw Aloe Vera, simply break or cut the leaf one to two inches from the tip. With a sharp knife, cut through the thick, green, bark layer and you will see a gelatinous, clear, substance. Rubbing that clear liquid side against the skin applies the healing agent in the Aloe. 
Aloe Vera can be used to soothe the pain of sunburn, burns, insect bites, and other skin irritations. Treatment can be repeated as frequently as needed as there are no side effects. If using Aloe Vera from a fresh plant, keep the leaf portion in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for repeated usage.

There are also many commercial sources of Aloe Vera that are processed only to a small degree so that they maintain all of the healing energy with very few additives. These are readily available in most health food stores and pharmacies. 
When Aloe is processed into a drink, the gel is frequently removed so that larger quantities can be drunk. Taken internally, it heals stomach ulcers and heartburn, and in general soothes the digestive tract. Aloe Vera has been shown to control blood sugar levels in diabetes and to aid cholesterol reduction. There are some adverse effects reported from ingesting Aloe Vera. These include diarrhea and kidney trouble.

Aloe Vera, a healing herb for thousands of years, is easy to grow in a pot on a sunny windowsill. Its healing leaves can be a balm to your body and soul.

 
Purchase Organic Aloe Vera
Categories
Featured Articles

Omega-3s May Prevent Obesity-Related Complications

Nutritional Outlook Magazine
February 21, 2009
 
Increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may protect against obesity-related damage of the liver, which may lead to diabetes, says a new study published in the FASEB Journal.
Two types of lipids derived from omega-3 fatty acids – protectins and resolvins – were the cause of the protective effect, according to findings.

"Our study shows for the first time that lipids called protectins and resolvins derived from omega-3 fatty acids can actually reduce the instance of liver complications, such as hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, in obese people," said researcher Joan Claria from the University of Barcelona.

Researchers studied four groups of mice with an altered gene making them obese and diabetic (ob/ob mice). One group of animals was given an omega-3-enriched diet, another group was given a control diet, a third group was given DHA, and the last group received only the lipid resolvin. The interventions lasted for five weeks, after which the researchers report that mice in the omega-3-rich diet group experienced less liver inflammation and improved insulin tolerance.

Further analysis showed that the omega-3s inhibited the formation of omega-6-PUFA-derived eicosanoids, related to inflammation, while the formation of omega-3-derived resolvins and protectins was also triggered.

“Taken together, these findings uncover beneficial actions of omega -3-PUFAs and their bioactive lipid autacoids in preventing obesity-induced insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis,” concluded the researchers.

Commenting independently on the research, Gerald Weissmann, MD, editor-in-chief of the FASEB Journal said,"Doctors are always looking for simple and easy ways to counter the harmful effects of obesity, and the great thing about this study is that the information can be used at dinner tonight."

"It's not unlikely that eating lots more fish or a simple switch to canola oil will make a difference."

Purchase Flax Seed Oil
Purchase Omega 3-6-9

Categories
Featured Articles

Silica Holds Great Promise For Preventing Alzheimers & Building Strong Bones

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
February 14, 2009

Silicon reduces aluminum accumulation in rats: relevance to the aluminum hypothesis of Alzheimer disease.

Bellés M, Sánchez DJ, Gómez M, Corbella J, Domingo JL.

Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Rovira i Virgili University, Reus, Spain.

In recent years, a possible relation between the aluminum and silicon levels in drinking water and the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) has been established. It has been suggested that silicon may have a protective effect in limiting oral aluminum absorption. The present study was undertaken to examine the influence of supplementing silicon in the diet to prevent tissue aluminum retention in rats exposed to oral aluminum. Three groups of adult male rats were given by gavage 450 mg/kg/day of aluminum nitrate nonahydrate 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Concurrently, animals received silicon in the drinking water at 0 (positive control), 59, and 118 mg Si/L. A fourth group (-Al, – Si) was designated as a negative control group. At the end of the period of aluminum and silicon administration, urines were collected for 4 consecutive days, and the urinary aluminum levels were determined. The aluminum concentrations in the brain (various regions), liver, bone, spleen, and kidney were also measured. For all tissues, aluminum levels were significantly lower in the groups exposed to 59 and 118 mg Si/L than in the positive control group; significant reductions in the urinary aluminum levels of the same groups were also found. The current results corroborate that silicon effectively prevents gastrointestinal aluminum absorption, which may be of concern in protecting against the neurotoxic effects of aluminum.

PMID: 9651136 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Purchase Silica

Categories
Featured Articles

Baking Soda Boosts Athletic Performance by Alkalizing the Body

by David Gutierrez

(NaturalNews) Baking soda can indeed increase athletes' speed, according to a pair of recent studies giving confirmation to a belief that scientists have long been skeptical of.

For years, professional athletes have sworn by "soda doping," the practice of taking baking soda before competitive sporting event in order to improve speed and endurance.

In the first study, researchers from Loughborough University gave baking soda to nine swimmers, finding that eight of them reduced their time in a 200 meter race by an average of 1.5 seconds.

"At the last Olympics, the top four swimmers in the men's 200 meter freestyle were separated by just 1.4 seconds," lead researcher Jonathan Folland said. "So, in theory, it could be the difference between winning a medal and not."

In the second study, researchers from the American College Sports Medicine gave either a capsule of baking soda or a placebo pill to a number of runners in an 800 meter dash. A number of those taking baking soda suffered from indigestion, a well-known side effect.

"If you took out the participants who experienced negative side-effects … you'd see an average improvement in running times of about 2.2 seconds," said lead researcher Ronald Deitrick. "For a relatively short running distance, that's very significant."

Swallowing baking soda can also cause diarrhea.

Researchers believe that baking soda increases athletes' speeds due to its well-known alkaline nature – the same nature that makes it function well as a cleaning product or antacid. Baking soda, scientists believe, prevents the buildup of the waste products of anaerobic exercise, such as lactic acid, that can lead to soreness or fatigue.

The new findings raise the question of whether baking soda should be added to the list of banned substances in sporting competitions.

"It comes down to whether or not the athlete has a competitive advantage by taking an aid," Deitrick said. "And in the case of sodium bicarbonate, I believe the answer is yes. It violates the spirit of fair play by artificially enhancing performance."

Categories
Featured Articles

Abdominal Fat may Play Role in Migraine Headaches

by Susanne Morrone

(NaturalNews) According to ScienceDaily (Feb. 13, 2009) – a new study shows overweight people between the ages of 20 and 55 may have a higher risk of experiencing migraine headaches. The author of the study is B. Lee Peterlin, DO, of Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.

The study consisted of 22,211 participants who were asked by researchers to report whether they suffered from either migraine or severe headaches. In the 20 to 55 age bracket, on average, those with larger waistlines were more likely to have migraine attacks than people of the same age who had smaller waistlines.

To ascertain abdominal obesity, measurements were taken by waist circumference and with total body obesity. This was calculated by using the body mass index based on a person`s weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may result in health problems. The study found that age, gender and the way that body fat is distributed affected the risk of migraine.

Thirty-seven percent of women between the ages of 20 to 55 with excess abdominal fat reported migraines compared to 29 percent without excess abdominal fat. Regarding men in the same age group, 20 percent of those with abdominal obesity reported migraines as compared to 16 percent of those without abdominal obesity.

In women 20 to 55 years of age with excess belly fat, the odds of migraine went up 1.3 times after adjusting for heart disease risk factors and for total body obesity. Over the age of 55, total body obesity was not associated with migraine in men or women. In women over 55 years with large waistlines, the odds of migraine actually decreased.

"These results, while still in the early stages, suggest that losing weight in the stomach area may be beneficial for younger people who experience migraine and especially so for women," said Dr Peterlin. He added, "Men and women have body tissue distributed in different ways. After puberty women show more fatty tissue deposits in the hip and thigh area while men predominantly have more fatty tissue in the belly region. After menopause, women show more fatty tissue in the belly area as well. For some diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, excess fat around the waistline appears to be a stronger risk factor than total body obesity."

Dr. Peterlin is also a member of the American Academy of Neurology and will be presenting these findings at the American Academy of Neurology`s 61st Annual Meeting in Seattle, April 25 to May 2, 2009.

Categories
Health & Freedom

Home Foreclosure Solutions

by Ben Taylor

After months of hearing the news stories about the increasing number of home foreclosures that are occurring in this country, I recently spoke to a friend who has some expertise in this area as a licensed mortgage broker. He told me that there are legal actions that can be taken to greatly reduce the burden on those struggling to pay their mortgages and is in fact working with a group that does loan modifications.
It is a disconcerting time in America when the fruit of the labor of the common man and woman, as well as that of their children, are being confiscated by unlawful income taxation and are then being used to bail out major banking and ‘lending’ institutions who are themselves the primary cause of our nation being on the verge of a total economic collapse. It is incomprehensible that our so-called government would ignore the plight of the citizens and further add to their un-payable debt burden with even more debt. Is there anyone in the halls of Congress who understands that the financial problems we have now is because of that government debt? Rather than bailing out the bankers, why isn’t this government bailing out the payer of taxes by paying off the mortgages of the American citizen?

Without quoting exact numbers here, I understand that it would take only a fraction of the bailout money already wasted to pay off the home mortgages of all Americans …and by the way, it would be done with the money of those citizens! It simply proves who owns our ‘government’ and it ain’t “The People”! It is those very same ‘criminals of usury’ who have no conscience about taking our money and then buying new jets, giving bonuses to already wealthy executives, and wasting it on retreats to Palm Springs and trips to Vegas. I suspect that what we know about may only be the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

The possession of private property is one of the foundation stones this nation was built upon. If we do not own property, then we will soon have no Right to own property and will be little more than serfs on the plantations of the money lenders who will still be able to buy their influence in government. No matter what it takes, we cannot allow things to deteriorate any further; we must force changes and correction within our financial system, as well as with the political system that unlawfully takes the fruit of our labor (which is not income, it is already our property) and taxes us out of that property to give it to a banking system that is “hell-bent-for-leather” (literally) on leaving America in the dust of a one world government.

Categories
Health & Freedom

Colloidal Silver; Silver Bullet or Silver Bust? Part III

(or A Layman’s Guide to Using Colloidal Silver)
By Ben Taylor

Since the subject of tooth care came up, I must also interject a short side story here. In view of the fact that silver soap can be an effective tooth care product and silver is under attack by the EPA as a ‘pesticide’, is the question of the dangers of fluoride. One of the most dangerous products people keep in their homes is toothpaste with fluoride. A recent television episode of CSI had a homicide scenario where an adult female died from the ingestion of two tubes of fluoride toothpaste. For the average adult, one tube can cause death. This should scare the heck out of parents who have small children in their homes. This one example gives us an indication of the disregard for health and safety when it comes to ‘profit’ that dominates many large companies and their partners in crime, the FDA and the EPA. This dangerous poison is not only irresponsibly put into toothpaste, but is injected into the water supplies of all America cities without regard to scientific fact. As usual, when the force of ‘government’ gets behind something even the truth, as well as public safety gets steamrolled.

Now back to silver bullets.

For sinuses two of the most effective tools to use are a mist sprayer/squeeze bottle and better yet, a nebulizer. Most colds start in the nose and as soon as you feel that hot and scratchy sensation, get your mist sprayer and fill it half with silver so that with each squeeze, liquid and air mix to form a fine mist of colloidal silver. If you catch it before it creeps down the throat, you can often stop it in the sinuses with this economical little tool. …But if a cold gets past the sinuses and down into the bronchial tubes or the lungs, the best piece of equipment is a nebulizer, powered by a small but powerful compressor that produces a fine vapor that is inhaled into the mouth and then exhaled thru the nose or vice-versa. For more advanced stages of congestion, 1-3 drops of Lobelia can also be added to the colloidal silver or to a little distilled water. Lobelia is an herb used as a natural respiratory and lung cleanser. Do not use chlorinated or fluorinated water for this purpose; use either pure colloidal silver or distilled water.

The above topical and respiratory uses of silver are relatively easy to figure out, but it is the internal problems, such as Hep-C or Crohn’s that sometimes present a more difficult issue of ‘how much to use’. My only rule of thumb is this, I use whatever it takes to do the job and if that doesn’t work, I use a little more. My personal use of colloidal silver is simple, I brush my teeth with it in my soap and then I use about a ¼ ounce a day on normal days and if I feel that I’m catching a bug, I will hit it hard with ½ to 1 ounce every 3-4 hours until the symptoms are gone. It seldom takes me more than an 8 oz. bottle, but I find that even avid users of silver are way too timid about more aggressive use whether if for a cold or for a more serious issue. We all have simply been intimidated by media disinformation into being scared of using effective silver quantities, at least for short periods of time.

Long-term, heavy use of silver simply for maintenance purposes I do not advocate, but short-term heavy use will usually be the difference in how effective your silver therapy will be. The aggressive use of silver seldom if ever has to be long-term and should not be for very many, although I have heard of some persistent problems that took more time to resolve, such as Herpes or Candida. Even silver can have difficulty tracking down viruses (like Herpes) that tend to go dormant and hide in the base of the spine (Herpes Simplex II) or the joint of the jaw (Herpes Simplex I) and then travel along nerves rather than thru the bloodstream. Colloidal silver (particle silver) gets into the blood stream relatively easy when taken in volume, but seems to have a much more difficult time getting to the tissue of the nerves. Candida, if it has become systemic and gotten into the bloodstream, may also require a much larger ‘volume’ of silver to bring it into contact with all the yeast spread throughout the body.

Some of the easiest problems to handle with silver are of the stomach, the bladder, the kidneys, the liver and the intestinal tract. These are all areas where particle silver is the most effective since it is better able to survive the hydrochloric acid of the stomach and of the chloride environs of the body. Stomach, bladder, and kidney issues generally respond reasonably well to smaller amounts (a few teaspoons or tablespoons) of silver than does the intestines, colon, and liver because of their function in the digestive system. These last three generally require a number of ounces and even multiple bottles depending of course on the severity of the problem. It is simply common sense; when there are systemic problems that are widespread in the body or if there are large numbers of microbes to deal with, it may require more silver to do the job. Therefore, one cannot expect much results if treating these type issues with simply a teaspoon or two of silver.

It is important to remember that with a heavier usage of silver, especially for more than a few days or a week, one should take Acidophilus and/or Pro-biotics an hour or so afterwards to replenish the colon flora that is essential for proper digestion. Silver kills bacteria/flora and as far as I know has no built in programming to distinguish good bacteria from bad. Often times ‘bad bacteria’ is simply an overgrowth of what might otherwise be ‘good bacteria’. Such problems are often caused by the use of patented antibiotics, which by the way are responsible for the deaths of thousands of people every year. Dr. Henry E. Simmons, former director of the FDA’s Bureau of Drugs, in 1972 Senate subcommittee hearings stated that antibiotics were, at that time, responsible for from 30,000 to 150,000 deaths. The numbers may be much higher now. Eating live culture yogurt is also a good option, but costs more than the bottled Probiotic supplements. I personally make a habit of consuming Acidophilus, yogurt and Probiotics every day regardless of how much silver I use.

As I was finishing up this article, I received another question about the shelf life of colloidal silver. Nano-particle colloidal silver lasts longer if stored at warmer temperatures. I have boiled colloidal silver on a stove and in a microwave and there seems to be no amount of heat that affects it. But cold is a different matter. If nano-particle silver is exposed to cold, even refrigerator cold, the particles can agglomerate, causing some color change. At temperatures near or below freezing, the particles can fall out altogether. You know this has happened because the liquid will become clear with a dark silver residue on the bottom. Ionic silver seems unaffected by either heat or cold. Therefore warm is better for your nano-particle colloidal silver storage.

          To sum things up here in regard to silver use, I reiterate that I am not addressing the use of silver produced with chemical processes, silver nitrates, saline silver solutions, or silver in protein, or any high ppm and large particle silver. My recommendation is only for nano-particle colloidal silver produced electrically in distilled water. As referenced in this three part article, I believe the use of ionic silver is very effective topically and in areas where it does not need to get into the bloodstream. Particle silver is by far the best for use inside the body where it must pass through the stomach or requires getting into the bloodstream to be effective.

          I have seen research reference to the body cell’s having silver receptors. If this research is true, then silver must be considered an essential mineral to the good health of the body and regular maintenance use (1-3 teaspoons per day) will help to maintain some beneficial essential trace level of silver. If the intent is for a therapeutic use of silver, then much larger short-term servings may be required for effective results. Just remember, it is only the long-term abusive use of the wrong kind of silver products that may over time produce issues such as Argyria, but an aggressive short-term use of nano-particle silver in distilled water is not a problem. So don’t let the propaganda machines of the Pharma-industrial complex and their ‘government’ agency shills such as the FDA and the EPA scare you away from nature’s safest and most perfect natural anti-biotic.

Categories
Health & Freedom

Colloidal Silver; Silver Bullet or Silver Bust? Part ll

(or A Layman’s Guide to Using Colloidal Silver)
By Ben Taylor

I only advocate and recommend the use of either colloidal silver, which is silver particles suspended in water or ionic silver, which is silver ions suspended in water or a combination of these products. I believe that particle silver products are best for any condition beyond the stomach, but ionic silver products are just as good topically or any place that doesn’t have to pass thru the stomach or into the bloodstream. Some proponents even claim that the sublingual use of ionic silver, which if held in the mouth for a time without swallowing, can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

Although I have heard anecdotal evidence that such use of ionic silver can be effective, other credible sources such as colloid expert and researcher Frank Key believe that, “any silver ions that manage to arrive in the bloodstream will combine with the chloride to form silver chloride within a few seconds. Basically, there is no way to get silver ions into the human body in such a way that they will survive in the ionic form. This is easily demonstrated by using a "silver ion selective electrode" (ISE). A silver ISE will respond only to the presence of silver ions. Human blood serum contains 3300 – 3900 ppm of chloride owing to the sodium and potassium chlorides present. This compares with about 3600 ppm of chloride in the stomach due to hydrochloric acid.”

Key suggests that as proof, “have a subject ingest 250 mL of ionic silver or any substantial amount for that matter. Ingested silver (nano-particles) can generally be found in the bloodstream within 15 – 30 minutes after ingestion so the same would apply to ions if they are going to be present. Draw a small sample of blood from the subject after 15 to 30 minutes and test for the presence of silver ions using the silver ISE. The result will always be negative or a value that is indistinguishable from noise regardless of how much ionic silver is ingested. The same blood sample when tested using atomic absorption/emission spectroscopy will detect the presence of silver from the silver chloride present.”

Although any product containing silver will have anti-microbial benefit, I generally advise against the long-term or regular use of silver proteins, silver in saline solutions, silver nitrates, any silver produced with a chemical process, and generally any large particle or high PPM silver solution. I would use these type products if nothing else was available, but when silver in distilled water is available, there is simply no reason to have to deal with the skin discoloration possibilities that these other products may have if overused.

Contrary to what the media propaganda would lead you to believe, the condition called Argyria develops only with prolonged and heavy use of these other silver products, but I do believe that colloidal silver (silver in distilled water) in any reasonable therapeutic use will not cause this condition. Certainly this very rare occurrence is not reason for anyone to be averse to using one of mankind’s safest and most effective natural germ-killers. Just remember, we should be reasonable with anything we put into our bodies, even health supplements; an aspirin or two will kill a headache, a bottle of aspirin may kill you. This holds true with anything you consume; there is a toxic effect level with almost all products. Iron and copper are essential for healthy bodies and their deficiencies can be devastating to the body’s chemistry, but there are levels at which they too can cause adverse effects. Plain water consumed excessively can cause death by diluting and depleting the body’s electrolytes. The bottom line is, when you consider the tens of thousands of deaths and organ failures caused by most over-the-counter and other ‘FDA approved drugs and medicines’, any risk with silver pales in comparison to any OTC headache drug.

Let’s get back to the purpose of this article, which is to try to help develop for you a better grasp of effectively using silver. There is a minimal maintenance level of silver consumption at which our cells are able over time to develop a stronger immunity to germs. But as with anything, it may vary greatly from person to person, depending on each body chemistry, body size and lifestyle. The effective amount for sedentary individuals may not be adequate for more active people; as with all nutrients and minerals, they are constantly being depleted via sweating, urinating and stool elimination. A side note here: If you are that sedentary person, supplements may not be enough to overcome the bad health that will result from inactivity, but at the very least, silver may still reduce issues caused by microbes.

The simple and unadulterated scientific fact is, silver kills germs; bacteria, virus, and fungi on contact; that no one can credibly deny. According to research by Beiersdorf the maker of Curad bandages and one of the world’s largest medical supply companies, silver when brought into contact with germs inhibits their growth by deactivating their oxygen metabolism enzymes. In turn, this destroys the microbe’s cell membranes, stopping the replication of its DNA. For therapeutic purposes, the silver key in the lock is bringing the silver into contact with the one-celled organism and how easy or difficult that is depends on where the silver needs to go and how wide spread or systemic the microbial infection actually is.

For issues in the ears, eyes, sinuses, throat, and the skin, it is very simple matter, because there is easy access to those places. For the ears, a flush works very well by lying on your side or tilting your head and simply filling the ear with silver, either ionic or colloidal; even a few drops may work on mild ear infections. For the eyes, drops will usually do the trick, but for more serious infections, an eye wash cup to do a flush is best. In the case of cuts and abrasions you can apply directly to the damaged area and for a puncture, a plastic squeeze/mist sprayer bottle can be used to ‘pressure force’ silver into the puncture wound. Just a mild warning here; there are beneficial bacteria on the surface of the skin, just as there is in the digestive system, so any heavy use of or ‘flushing’ with silver should be specific to the affected area and should be short-term. If silver is overused, it can result in dry scaly and flakey epidermal layers. If you experience this, simply discontinue use for a short time and the skin will return to normal.

Colloidal and ionic silver are both very effective in getting rid of most conditions of the gums and can be a powerful deterrent to cavities by rinsing the mouth after brushing. Believe it or not, the best tooth paste I’ve ever used is a soap, Utopia Naturals Silver Aloe Skin Care Bar, made with colloidal silver, Aloe Vera, plant minerals and essential oil of juniper (itself an anti-bacterial agent). This unorthodox sounding ‘tooth paste’ was recommended to me by a retired lawyer/engineer and now south Texas rancher friend. I had sent him several bars to use as skin therapy since he spends most of his time out-of-doors working his cattle and goats and gets lots of abrasions and wind and sun damage to his skin. A month or so later, he called me and told me the story of how he had cured his gum infections using the skin therapy soap. He said he had developed a persistent gum problem that nothing seemed to get rid of, but as he was reading the ingredients of the soap one night, he thought, “There’s nothing in here that could be harmful, so why not try it as a ‘toothpaste’?” Within two weeks, his gum problems had cleared up. Now, I will use nothing else, although I have improved his discovery a little by sprinkling a bit of baking soda on the soap before applying it to my toothbrush.

Continued in Part III