Month: November 2010

Conditions that Produced Salmonella Contaminated Eggs

The large egg factory farms routinely ignore common sanitation sense as well as treat the egg producing hens inhumanely. They are individually cooped up in cages so small they cannot even turn around. Those small cages are stacked to warehouse ceilings and jammed up against each other horizontally.

The chickens are never let out to graze or be in sunlight. They are force fed commercially produced chicken feed, which originally was thought to be the source of the latest Salmonella outbreak. Injecting hens with antibiotics or vaccines are band-aid solutions that just add toxins to the mix.

But recent FDA inspections of the key factory farms, which caused 2000 known cases of Salmonella to require recalling a half million eggs, exposed "disgusting" unsanitary conditions that created the Salmonella bacteria and infected the crowded chickens.

Organic Versus Bogus Organic Eggs

Organic egg producing guidelines demand constant access to open spaces for chickens to graze and to find grass and insects for food. Organic feed has to be used in the hen houses, which are not allowed to be crowded to the point of immobilizing the hens.

Antibiotics and steroids are not allowed to be injected in organic food producing animals. Instead, they are treated humanely. An overlooked point by the mainstream media is that poorly treated animals are stressed. That stress creates toxins even without adding antibiotics and hormone additives.

But don`t make assumptions on eggs labeled organic. An organic farming watchdog group, the Cornucopia Institute of Madison, Wisconsin, has done their own investigation of egg producers who claim to be organic, and several are really not true to organic guidelines.

Cornucopia wants to protect the honest organic small farmers from unfair competition by the big factory farm posers.

These fraudsters tend to pack their hen houses as badly as the non-organic factory farms, and they then put a small door at the end of the house as access to a small lot that cannot accommodate all the hens inside. This is an example of what they do to falsely comply with free range access guidelines.

Yet the USDA certified organic labels appear on their cartons to unfairly compete with small farmers who seriously concern themselves with producing wholesome high quality organic eggs.

Processed Food Diet Leads to Skewed Omega Fat Balance
The ideal ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fats is ideally 1:1. Evolutionary scientists believe that this level provides effective blood saturation as it lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke and neurological damage that result from sub-optimal balance. Our modern diet includes excessive quantities of Omega-6 fat primarily from vegetable oils that have been used for frying. Processed foods such as chips and baked products frequently make use of hydrogenated oils to preserve taste and texture and skew the ratio of Omega fats.

A diet consisting of excess amounts of meat, refined foods and meals away from home result in typical Omega fat ratios between 20:1 and as high as 50:1. These levels create a cascade of dangerous metabolic alterations and lead to chronic inflammation and changes in the delicate endothelial lining of the coronary arteries. After years of dietary abuse, our vascular system begins to deteriorate setting the stage for atherosclerosis, blood clots and death.

Establishing the Proper Omega-3 Fat Ratio
Aside from fatty fish, very few foods provide a source of the two key Omega-3 fats. EPA and DHA are the pre-formed fats preferred by our body. Omega-3 fats can be found in walnuts and seeds such as flax and chia but must be converted by the body to EPA and DHA to be available for use. Due to excess body weight and metabolic dysfunction, many people are unable to complete this conversion and must either supplement or consume fish to achieve a healthy dose of EPA and DHA fats.

For some people eating fish is not an option due to mercury contamination of many species. Supplementation is a viable option that has been effective in raising Omega-3 blood concentrations. Research confirms that people taking between 2,000 and 4,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA daily have been able to achieve healthy ratios and experience significant reduction in all cardiovascular risk factors.

Humans have evolved on a diet rich in Omega-3 fats that have been critical to health and cognitive development. Lowering consumption of Omega-6 vegetable oils and supplementing with Omega-3 fish oil will provide documented heart health benefits.

In the first investigation of its kind in humans, researchers administered six grams of the amino acid L-citrulline/L-arginine from watermelon extract to the subjects on a daily basis for six weeks. L-citrulline is converted in the body to L-arginine which is required for the formation of nitric oxide; this is essential for the regulation of vascular tone and healthy blood pressure.

Although L-arginine is available as a dietary supplement, for many people it can cause nausea, gastrointestinal tract discomfort, and diarrhea; whereas, watermelon has none of those effects.

Dubbing watermelon a "functional food," the lead author, FSU Assistant Professor Arturo Figueroa, suggested that it has a vasodilatory effect which may prevent prehypertension from progressing to full-blown hypertension, a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

His co-author, FSU Professor Bahram H. Arjmandi, defined "functional foods" as those "scientifically shown to have health-promoting or disease-preventing properties, above and beyond the other intrinsically healthy nutrients they also supply."

According to the study published in the American Journal of Hypertension, watermelon is the richest edible natural source of L-citrulline, and it is also a good source of vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as fiber, potassium and the antioxidant lycopene.

L-citrulline is also available as a supplement. A previous study by Dr. Figueroa showed that four weeks of L-citrulline supplementation slowed or weakened the increase in aortic blood pressure in response to cold exposure which, combined with hypertension, is associated with higher rates of myocardial infarction. He believes that the optimal dose of L-citrulline is four to six grams a day. Since it would take about 4 pounds of watermelon to get that therapeutic dose, it would be impractical to rely entirely on the whole fruit for the benefits of L-citrulline, as opposed to an extract or supplement.

But it is not only the L-citrulline that contributes to heart health. Because it is rich in potassium, watermelon also helps keep salt from raising blood pressure.

In addition to its benefits in lowering blood pressure, watermelon has a wealth of other qualities to recommend it. For one thing, its name aptly reflects its 92% refreshing and hydrating water content.

Watermelon's bright red color comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant also associated with heart health, healthy arteries and blood flow. Of all fresh produce, watermelon contains the highest level of this compound.

Multiple human studies have shown lycopene's ability to protect against many forms of cancer including prostate, breast, endometrial, lung and colorectal.

The antioxidants found in watermelon also have been found to strengthen the immune system and alleviate symptoms of asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is even believed to play a role in the prevention of diabetes and to reduce serum glucose levels.

Watermelon and other foods rich in lycopene have anti-inflammatory properties; making them natural sunscreens, they prevent and repair sun damage to the skin. This makes watermelon a perfect choice for a hot summer day, but now there are great reasons to enjoy this fruit all year round if you can.

However, average vitamin D levels among the 289 participants in the study hovered around 35.7 nmol/L (14.3 ng/mL), which is still far below Vitamin D Council recommendations of between 125-200 nmol/L (50-80 ng/mL). In other words, even those patients with levels above the threshold used in the study were still severely deficient in vitamin D.

The direct correlation between vitamin D deficiency and disease is observable across the health spectrum. Everything from muscle pain and arthritis, to cancer and autoimmune disorders are aggravated and even caused by having insufficient amounts of vitamin D circulating in the blood (http://www.naturalnews.com/Vitamin_…).

According to the Vitamin D Council, spending 20 to 30 minutes in the summer sun produces roughly 10,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D in white skin, while other sources suggest up to 20,000 IU. Such levels are optimal, and are far higher than current government recommendations of 200 to 400 IU a day.

Conventional detection methods are typically unable to detect pancreatic cancer early enough to do much about it, and prevention methods are rarely spoken about by conventional medical experts. However, there are numerous studies that point to ways people can help prevent the disease from taking hold. After all, there is at least a 20-year window to start making the proper dietary changes now before it is too late.

A 2009 study published in Cancer Causes and Control suggests that eating meat, at least conventionally-raised meat, increases pancreatic cancer risk. Table sugar and potatoes are also implicated, each associated with roughly a 100 percent increased risk of developing the disease.

Highly cooked potatoes are known to contain cancer-causing carcinogens as well (http://www.naturalnews.com/acrylami…), and processed sugars produce insulin-like growth hormone, which studies have shown encourages the growth of cancer cells.

On the other hand, fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce cancer risk, as have vitamin E, vitamin C, and potassium. There are many other foods, supplements, and herbs that help to prevent cancer as well (http://www.naturalnews.com/cancer.html).

"Phthalates and [BPA] … aren't quite identical to the natural hormone molecules in men's or women's bodies, but they come close enough that they occupy the same receptors on estrogen-sensitive tissues and exert their own unique effects on human health," writes David Steinman in his book Safe Trip to Eden.

BPA has been linked with an increased risk of cancer, reproductive and nervous problems, including changes in the brain.

Researchers collected urine samples from more than 5,400 Canadians between the ages of six and 79, testing for traces of BPA. They found traces of the toxin in 91 percent of those tested.

Teenagers might have higher levels because they consume more food relative to their body weight, the researchers suggested, or because they metabolize it differently. Researchers expressed concern that these higher levels might pose an even more severe risk of developmental problems at an age when the body is undergoing major changes.

The average level of BPA found was just over one part per billion, 1,000 times the level at which estrogen is naturally found in the body.

Health Canada has officially designated BPA as a toxic chemical and ordered its removal from baby bottles, but most other countries have yet to follow suit.

"The No. 1 priority at the moment has got to be getting it out of the lining of tin cans," said Rick Smith of Environmental Defense. "When nine out of 10 Canadians have a hormonally active chemical in their body, for which easy alternatives are available … why not make some further changes with respect to BPA?"

Professor Rosalie David, who led the study, said: "In industrialised societies, cancer is second only to cardiovascular disease as a cause of death. In ancient times, it was extremely rare. There is nothing in the natural environment that can cause cancer. So it has to be a man-made disease, down to pollution and changes to our diet and lifestyle."

The research team painstakingly pieced together the development of cancer over the last 3,000 years, much longer than several other scientific papers. They found that cancer only began to emerge as a common disease in the 1700s, and its rate of occurrence dramatically rose during the 20th century.

Some critics attempted to dismiss the findings, arguing that individuals in ancient societies did not live long enough to develop cancer. However, the doctors dismissed this suggestion, noting that the ancient Egyptians enjoyed a long life expectancy and lived long enough to develop other chronic disease like atherosclerosis and osteoporosis.

As may be expected, there was no comment from any of the major cancer charities. This mini-industry, which has been regularly accused of existing only to serve the drug companies that contribute so heavily towards their income, has consistently distanced itself from research that supports the concept of preventing cancer. Instead, these charities maintain focus only on more advanced and more lucrative ways to manage the condition.

Dr Rachel Thompson of the World Cancer Research Fund instead spoke out about the study: 'This research makes for very interesting reading. About one in three people in the UK will get cancer so it is fairly commonplace in the modern world. Scientists now say a healthy diet, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can prevent about a third of the most common cancers so perhaps our ancestors' lifestyle reduced their risk from cancer.'

The conclusion from this research backs the logic offered by many nutritional therapists across the globe; they have continually stated that cancer is an expression of an individual's environment and is also totally preventable, too. Despite the position of many so-called cancer charities, it remains inconceivable that nutrient deficiencies and the choking influence of man-made toxins would not have some sort of effect on the mechanics of the body. This data suggests the effect may be even more than we had imagined.

Unlike commercial skin care products that only mask the symptoms of damaged skin, coconut oil works with your body to protect and heal your skin. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil actually perform like antioxidants, preventing and reversing free radical damage. Free radicals attack the skin`s connective tissues and reduce their ability to regenerate. Coconut oil can be used daily (both internally and externally) to combat this free radical damage and to soften the skin.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the best known natural scar treatment remedies. It`s said to stimulate the formation of collagen, which can improve skin texture and strength. A concentrated vitamin E oil formula (or simply the contents of a vitamin E capsule) can be used directly on scars. (Vitamin E should only be used on scars that have fully healed, as it can interfere with wound healing.)

Aloe Vera

Aloe is known for its ability to regenerate skin tissue. Aloe vera fights inflammation and provides soothing moisture to the skin that maximizes your skin`s restorative properties.

Gotu Kola

This herb has been used for many years in Eastern medicine. Gotu kola is prized for its ability to combat inflammation, speed healing and improve circulation. All of these properties make it an excellent natural scar and stretch mark treatment. Clinical research has demonstrated gotu kola`s ability to improve the appearance of scars. It can be applied topically or taken as a supplement in pill or tincture form.

Tea Tree Oil

This essential oil is known for its uses as an antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral agent. But tea tree oil is also lesser known for its skin healing properties. Many users have reported that applying tea tree oil to scars and stretch marks on a daily basis works to reduce the appearance noticeably. It can be diluted if it causes skin irritation. The only downside is tea tree oil`s strong medicinal odor. And keep in mind that tea tree oil should never be used internally.