Month: May 2012
by Rady Ananda
(Food Freedom News) An international team of researchers recently confirmed that children who drink fresh milk – unprocessed and unpasteurized – have a better immune response to allergens and are far less likely to develop asthma.
Researchers from Indiana, Switzerland, and Germany ran surveys and tests on Swiss and US children aged 6-12 years and submitted their results to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology last month. [1]
Because the Amish emigrated from Switzerland, and are thus genetically similar, the team compared Northern Indiana Amish farm children with today’s Swiss kids. Though rural kids are known to be healthier than city kids, the team found that the Amish have a superior immune response to allergens and asthma than even Swiss farm kids have.
"Finally a health professional in America conducted research into the low incidence of allergies among farm kids," said Kimberly Hartke, publicist for the Weston A. Price Foundation in an email to Food Freedom News. "This research validates what European researchers have already discovered: Raw milk is health-promoting."
Over the past century, the US and Europe have seen a spike in "allergic sensitization" reaching more than half the population of both regions, says lead researcher Mark Holbreich. Concurrently, studies in the last decade continue to demonstrate "that certain populations have a significantly lower prevalence of allergic sensitization and a lower prevalence of asthma."
"In one study, certain whey proteins in farm milk were inversely associated with asthma," said researchers, referring to a 2011 study, which asserted:
"Exposure to farm milk in early life and consumption of raw farm milk have been associated with a reduced asthma and atopy risk, and it has been suggested that this protection might be mediated through receptors of the innate immune system." [2]
Atopy is "a genetic predisposition toward the development of immediate hypersensitivity reactions against common environmental antigens," explains one dictionary.
Holbreich’s team ran a skin prick test on Amish children, most of whom drink raw milk, finding that only 7% of them showed an allergic reaction. They compared this to parental surveys of Swiss kids, both urban and rural. Over 44% of the Swiss non-farm kids suffered from allergies, the parents reported, while 25% of the Swiss farm kids did.
This led the team to conclude that the Amish have additional protective factors, suggesting larger family size may play a role. With 5 or 6 siblings, each child will be exposed to that many more enviro-pathogens, thus gaining the opportunity to develop resistance while the immune system is still developing.
That’s not so for most urbanites who are mostly only exposed to industrial pollutants (rather than microbial pathogens), and denied access to fresh milk beyond their nursing years.
Most US cows are fed a daily regimen of pharmaceuticals, a practice linked directly to antibiotic resistance in humans. The Food & Drug Administration has refused to ban the practice.
Of note, one of the researchers admitted to being funded by the pharmaceutical industry, naming Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline, among others.
Ninety-seven percent of US milk is heated and processed to the point that all probiotics are destroyed, while some pathogens remain.
One probiotic found only in unpasteurized, fresh milk from free-range cows, Lactococcus lactis, became Wisconsin’s state microbe after legislators hailed its unique features which enable the development of cheddar, Colby and Monterey Jack cheese. In fact, when making these cheeses from pasteurized milk, the live bacterium must be added back into the mix to curdle the milk and produce the whey. [3]
As with natural L. lactis, even a genetically reengineered form of it has been shown to break down lactose, allowing those who are lactose intolerant to drink raw milk without ill effects. [4]
In addition to being drug-laden, most US milk has also been adulterated with genetically modified bovine growth hormone (rBST or rBGH), which states and the federal government refuse to disclose on labels.
"The anecdotal evidence is mounting," said Hartke. "But we need more scientific research to affect a change in our nation’s food policies."
One immediate policy change demanded by 90% of the public is that all foods containing genetically modified ingredients, including milk, be labeled.
Connecticut’s Governor Dannel Malloy secretly gutted a GMO-food label bill before the legislature even voted on it. Organizers are asking residents to demand that the Governor restore Section 2 of CT HB 5117, An Act Concerning Genetically Engineered Food:
Phone – 860-566-4840 or 1-800-406-1527
e-mail – http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?a=3998&q=479082
Twitter – @govmalloyoffice
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/GovMalloyOffice
Last month, Vermont Governor Bill Shumlin promised to veto similar legislation. Taking it out of the hands of corporate-owned politicians, Californians will vote on the measure this November.
In Iowa, House Study Bill 585 proposes allowing direct farm to consumer sales of raw milk and milk products. [5] One medical doctor posted an editorial at the Des Moines Register, calling raw milk "child endangerment." After an opposing medical view was posted, [6] the disinformation piece was pulled down, but Dr. Daniel H. Gervich, a board-certified infectious diseases and critical care medicine doctor still practices medicine in Des Moines, despite his sloppy, irresponsible and unscientific claims about milk.
Over a dozen lobbyists have registered their opposition to the bill, including those from allopathic medicine, with its jealousy over nature’s superior ability to heal without harm. Others represent the usual players: Big Dairy, Big Meat, grocery chains, and their government lackeys. [7]
In Minnesota, "Mothers who host 'drop sites’ for their farm buying club are being threatened with criminal charges," adds Hartke. "It’s a new level of intrusion into private contracts between farmers and local customers."
But, some consumers are willing to risk arrest rather than have the state dictate their food choices.
A civil disobedience action and rally will be held next Monday, May 14, to protest the Minneapolis trial of farm buying club manager, Alvin Schlangen. Sponsored by the Farm Food Freedom Coalition, customers and supporters from around the state and country will rally for Schlangen on the first day of his criminal trial at 7:00 a.m. outside the Minneapolis courthouse. Details about the event are on the Raw Milk Freedom Riders website.
As more people join in asserting our earth-born right to eat what nature provides, keep in mind that humans have been drinking unpasteurized animal milk for at least 10,000 years. [8] We co-evolved with these animals and their micro flora and fauna. All the chemical, nano and genetic additives found in factory foods, we did not evolve with; nor are they good for us.
As we watch industry poison our streams, air and land, as well as our foods, it’s not at all surprising that our health has declined over the past 70 years, with 54% of US citizens and their European cousins showing atopy, [1] with a spike in autism, neurological disorders and cancers for every part of the body. [9]
It’s also not surprising that nature knows better than Big Dairy, Big Pharma, or governments what does a body good. Any laws criminalizing natural food, plants or animals have no place on the planet; they are neither valid nor sane, and need not be enforced or obeyed.
Notes:
[1] Mark Holbreich, et al. "Amish children living in Northern Indiana have a very low prevalence of allergic sensitization," 19 April 2012. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Available at http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0091-6749/PIIS0091674912005192.pdf
[2] Georg Loss, et al. "The protective effect of farm milk consumption on childhood asthma and atopy," 16 July 2011. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Available at http://www.mnhlrp.org/images/RawMilkStudy.pdf
[3] Kenneth Todar, "Lactococcus lactis: nominated as the Wisconsin State Microbe," n.d. (ca. Dec. 2009) http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/featured_microbe.html
[4] Zhang W, et al. "Construction and expression of food-grade β-galactosidase gene in Lactococcus Lactis," 17 Jan. 2011. Current Microbiology, 62(2): 639-44. Abstract at http://lactoseintolerance.researchtoday.net/archive/7/1/671.htm
[5] Iowa House Study Bill 585, "An Act providing that certain milk and products using milk may 1 be transferred directly by operators of dairy farms, and 2 making penalties applicable." Proposed 1 Feb. 2012. http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?category=billinfo&service=billbook&GA=84&hbill=HSB585
[6] Sarah Couture Pope, M.D., "Health concerns from raw milk are exaggerated," 10 Apr. 2012. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120410/OPINION/304100044/Another-View-Health-concerns-from-raw-milk-exaggerated
[7] Lobbyist Declarations for HSB585 (Iowa). http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=Lobbyist&Service=DspReport&ga=84&type=b&hbill=HSB585
[8] Richard P. Evershed, et al., "Earliest date for milk use in the Near East and southeastern Europe linked to cattle herding," Nature 455, 528-531 (25 Sept. 2008) | doi:10.1038/nature07180; Received 19 Feb. 2008; Accepted 19 June 2008; Published online 6 Aug 2008. Available at http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v455/n7212/abs/nature07180.html; Also see: M. S. Copley, et al., "Direct chemical evidence for widespread dairying in prehistoric Britain," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 18 Feb. 2003, vol. 100, no. 4. 1524–1529. Available at http://www.pnas.org/content/100/4/1524.full.pdf
[9] Emmanuelle Schick Garcia, "The Idiot Cycle," 2009. (96 mins.) http://www.japanesepopsongs.com/idiotcycle/
by: JB Bardot
(NaturalNews) The foods you eat bring pleasure to your palate and provide your body with powerful healing substances. Most people probably never consider that their morning grapefruit protects their blood vessels or that eating a handful of raw almonds daily can protect them from cancer. Certain heart-healthy foods have a reputation as natural cures to lower blood pressure, reduce symptoms of plaque and improve cardio fitness.
Cardio Protocol
Hawthorne Berry Syrup
Animal proteins
Animal proteins like fresh fish and seafood are high in omega 3 oils, monounsaturated fats and calcium; all of these are helpful in reducing the risk of heart attack and managing high blood pressure problems.
Animal proteins like fresh fish and seafood are high in omega 3 oils, monounsaturated fats and calcium; all of these are helpful in reducing the risk of heart attack and managing high blood pressure problems.
Dr. Liz Applegate, a nationally renowned expert on nutrition and fitness, has created a list of 22 heart-smart foods including clams and salmon, two animal proteins low in fat and calories and high in omega 3 oils and sterols. Clams, in particular, help the body resist the symptoms of plaque buildup. Salmon is high in monounsaturated fats and calcium, both helpful in keeping cholesterol plaque at bay and reducing the risk of heart attack.
Olive oil
Studies of women with high blood pressure who were placed on a diet rich in olive oil for one month showed a marked reduction in their blood pressure levels.
Raw milk cheese
Research indicates that people who have adequate calcium consumption tend to have more luck controlling their blood pressure levels. Raw milk cheeses are high in calcium and low in sodium, making them an excellent food to help with high blood pressure problems.
Vegetables
Corn is an excellent source of folic acid and vitamin B, which protect the arteries and reduce artherosclerosis.
Onions and avocados prevent LDL or bad cholesterol from damaging blood vessel walls.
Tomatoes are high in lycopene, a potent antioxidant that has produced significant results in lowering blood pressure in patients participating in an Israeli study conducted in 2006.
Garlic's natural anti-inflammatory properties may prevent blood clots and improve overall cardio fitness.
Celery is high in vital nutrients and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium, all necessary components in foods that lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack. Eating the entire plant benefits the cardiovascular system.
Choose only organic vegetables and fruits to avoid pesticides and hidden genetically modified plants that may not benefit your heart or your health.
Fresh fruits
Loaded with pectin, a natural fiber that binds to cholesterol and toxins in the blood, apples can clear the blood and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as much as 10 percent over a six-week period, notes Applegate.
Oranges and lemons are high in potassium and fruit pectin. Both aid the body's regulation of blood pressure and reduce cholesterol plaque from arteries.
Grapefruit supplies vitamin C, pectin, folic acid and lycopene, which help prevent symptoms of plaque by flushing LDL cholesterol from arteries and lessen high blood pressure problems.
Beans, legumes and whole grains
Both soluble and insoluble fiber are important for maintaining arterial integrity and controlling high blood pressure problems. Most beans provide soluble fiber, which is high in vitamin B and folic acid helping to reduce plaque and lower blood pressure. Whole grains like oats and oat bran flush unhealthy plaque from the system further protecting against the risk of heart attack and improving cardio fitness.
Chocolate
About 1/2 oz. of dark chocolate daily protects the heart and maintains blood pressure at normal levels. Rich in phenols, chocolate is now on the heart-smart menu for its nutrient-rich contribution that keeps arteries healthy.
by Sayer Ji
(GreenMedInfo) It is an awesome fact of nature that we have trillions of organisms within our body – containing completely foreign DNA – some of which break down toxic chemicals that we humans have created to kill other things, but are now killing us, e.g. pesticides. Who are these strange helpers?
Bacteria!
Wait. Aren’t bacteria supposed to harm us? Aren’t they the enemy in the endless war against infection?
Well, when our immunity fails, some can grow out of bounds opportunistically. But they respond to the environment within which they are raised, not unlike most other creatures. Provide organic, wholesome vegetables, for instance, and you have a hotbed of positive activity in your gut. Provide sugar, processed foods and an increasing burden of chemicals and it can get ugly in there!
Also, believe it or not, ancient bacteria teamed up with our cellular ancestors eons ago to produce the energy-producing organelles within our cells called mitochondria. So, are we really that different from bacteria? No, on some level, we ARE bacteria, spurning some researchers to describe us as "meta-organisms," composed as we are of many different living systems working symbiotically.
So, let’s look at some of the amazing feats of these friendly bacteria….
- Bisphenol A Toxicity: Absorption/Excretion – Bisphenol A (BPA) is an increasingly omnipresent petrochemical derivative with endocrine-disrupting properties (i.e. it messes up your hormones!) and is found in thermal printer receipts, all world paper currency, plastics, and many other consumer goods.[1] Sadly, it is not a matter of whether or not you will be exposed, but to what degree. Enter the probiotics Bifodobacterium breve and Lactobacillus casei. In rats exposed to BPA in their diet, blood concentrations of BPA dropped significantly and it was excreted in their feces 2.4 times more readily than the non-supplemented control group. The researchers concluded that the probiotics "…reduced the intestinal absorption by facilitating the excretion of BPA, and that these probiotics may suppress the adverse effects of BPA on human health."
- Bisphenol A Toxicity: Degradation – Novel, bisphenol A-degrading bacterial strains were isolated from the traditional Korean fermented cabbage dish known as kimchi.[2] Three isolates of Bacillus pumilus were shown capable of degrading BPA. The researchers reported that these food-derived bacteria would make efficient and safer systems for the removal of BPA. Logically, the consumption of kimchi (or the probiotics extracted from kimchi) would enable a human’s gastrointestinal tract to break down this harmful chemical, as well.
- Insecticide Toxicity – Here comes kimchi to the rescue again! In 2009, the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry revealed that the rather nasty insecticide chlorpyrifos (CP), which has been linked to neurological effects, developmental disorders and autoimmune disorders, may be no match for the bacteria that make possible kimchi fermentation.[3] The researchers found the bacteria in kimchi turned CP into lunch (a source of carbon and phosphorous) and degraded it rapidly until day 3 (83.3% gone!) and degraded it completely by day 9! The superheroes in this story were identified as: Lactobacillus brevis WCP902, Lactobacillus plantarum WCP931, and Lactobacillus sakei WCP904. But then things got even more amazing…..
These toxin-muching superheroes were found to degrade four other insecticides:
- Coumaphos – Insecticide
- Diazinon
- Parathion
- Methylparathion
If you think the chemical-munching and degrading abilities of probiotics are amazing, then consider that probiotics perform thousands of vital functions within our body, and have been clinically researched to prevent and/or reduce the symptoms of close to 200 different diseases. You can view the first-hand research on the benefits of probiotics on GreenMedInfo.com's research page dedicated to the topic.
Healthy Bacteria Depend on the Health of the Soil, and the Health of the Soil Depends on YOU
When it comes to good bacteria, it is important to point out that humans do not live within a vacuum. The quality of the bacteria in our gut reflects the quality of the food we eat, which ultimately depends on the quality of the soil.
If you grow your vegetables in raw human sewage (from unhealthy folks), or factory-farmed animal waste, already preloaded with antibiotic resistant bacteria and chemicals, there is little hope that you will receive sufficient beneficial bacteria from that food.
What is more likely is that you will be exposed to highly pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria which have already survived decades worth of chemical and antibiotic exposure within the human gastrointestinal tract, or loads of zoological antibiotics used on the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), almost guaranteeing your own microflora will be continually challenged with unhealthy, disease-promoting strains of bacteria. This is one of the most disturbing and unspoken aspects of conventionally produced food, but there are others: gamma irradiation, bacteriophage-sprays, etc.
Moreover, new research indicates that our increasingly GMO-based global food production system which depends so heavily on broad-spectrum biocides like the active ingredient in Roundup "weedkiller," namely, glyphosate, is destroying the fertility of the soil. Essential, and culturally ancient, food-starter bacteria – as used in fermented foods like cheese and yogurt – are disappearing in certain regions of the world. The soils have become saturated with herbicides that are destroying the microbial biodiverisity, without which many of the foods that we consume would not be possible. When that lifeline to health which comes from the soil is cut off, our own health is compromised – perhaps irreversibly.
What does this mean? Planetary health and human health are no longer separable — truth is, they never were. We need to move beyond the concept that we can hermetically seal ourselves off from the ecological destruction and mass poisoning occurring all around us by only consuming "organic." If things continue at the pace they are going, the word "organic" will have no meaning whatsoever – other than marketing spin. The case of perchlorate accumulation in organic food makes this problem blatantly clear. In other words, unless we become activists on this issue, we will lose everything.
I believe one good place to start is to support campaigns such as the California Right To Know Campaign which will place Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act on the Ballot for Nov. 6th.
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
(NaturalNews) The following announcement has been issued by the Raw Milk Freedom Riders. A call to action for Monday, May 14th is also included below. The Minnesota government is taking its cue from California and declaring war on fresh milk, threatening to throw moms in jail for providing fresh food to infants and families. Here's the announcement:
Minneapolis, MN — Several Minnesota mothers who organize community access to local fresh farm foods plan to risk criminal charges by openly and publicly defying warnings from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The MDA has threatened several mothers, conducted investigations against them and sent them warning letters that if they continue helping provide fresh food to their friends and neighbors, they will be subject to criminal charges and prosecution. The MDA alleges the Mothers are violating food-handling regulations.
Dozens of individuals who are disgusted with what they regard as MDA's overly aggressive tactics are expected to join in the same activity as these mothers.
"It is absolutely outrageous that during this time of economic crisis our state government is investigating and sending warning letters to mothers and putting farmers on trial who are helping provide communities with fresh foods. It is my right to contract privately with a farmer for the food of my choice just as it is the right of every American," says Melinda Olson a mother and recipient of one of the MDA's letters. "The MDA's harassment against mothers will not work. We plan to ignore this warning and continue operating as we are. MDA should not waste taxpayer money investigating, prosecuting and jailing peaceful farmers and mothers for helping their communities secure fresh foods. Our time to stand up against this tyranny is now!"
In addition to the threatening letters the MDA sent the mothers, MDA has brought charges against two local farmers for supplying their communities with fresh foods. Mothers who rely on the food and delivery service of one of these farmers, Alvin Schlangen, are facing loss of their food supply if Schlangen is jailed on four misdemeanor charges for providing food to his community. The charges against Schlangen stem from alleged handling of food without a permit, mislabeling food, and handling unprocessed, fresh milk, which is a crime according to the MDA.
Action item:
Customers and supporters from around the state and country have planned a rally for Schlangen on the first day of his criminal trial on Monday, May 14 at 7:00 a.m. outside the Minneapolis courthouse. At the rally supporters will sign a "Declaration of Food Independence" and demonstrate non-compliance against what they deem "unjust" regulations. The rally is expected to draw hundreds.
by: Paul Fassa
(NaturalNews) Someone commented on a recent Natural News vaccine article something to this effect: “Why spend time confirming what we know; we need solutions.”
Vaccine and Detoxification Healing Protocol
Avoiding vaccines altogether is obviously the best solution. But that’s getting more difficult every month as the vaccine industry influences the media and creeps into the corruptible offices of governments.
Besides, what about the thousands of vaccine injured cases that have already occurred? There are many who need help after realizing vaccine dangers the hard way.
This article is intended to jump start you on the right research path for vaccine injury solutions. There are no quick fix formulas. But the interventions referenced in this article have proven track records. Check out what makes sense.
In case a vaccination is unavoidable
Dr. Russell Blaylock, retired neurosurgeon and author of Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life and other books, came up with what to do immediately before and after a vaccination to prevent a cytokine storm. A cytokine storm occurs when the immune system has been abnormally stimulated to a point where it attacks healthy cells.
This jeopardizes the brain and nervous system to the point of seizures, paralysis, and permanent inflammatory brain damage manifesting as different conditions within the autism spectrum. Attorney Alan Phillips posted Dr. Blaylock’s complete instructions on his site (http://www.pandemic-flu-guide.com/forced-vaccination.html).
Homeopathy for healing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ASDs can include a wide range of neurological disorders that occur after vaccinations. They can be mild or horrific, and they can be called one of several names. But a vaccine injury under any other name is still a vaccine injury.
Amy Lansky’s son became severely autistic while receiving his scheduled vaccines. She found a homeopathic doctor in Northern California who treated her son to rapid improvement then complete recovery.
Amy cautions that handling ASD with homeopathy has a major caveat: The practitioner has to be good and should be experienced with ASD. So she has provided a list of recommended homeopathic practitioners in Australia, Belgium, Canada, India, and the USA (http://www.impossiblecure.com/referrals.php).
She’s become a homeopathy advocate and written the book Impossible Cure. Amy’s excellent 2009 article can be accessed with the first source link below. (1a)
The famous Dutch homeopathic autism spectrum specialist Dr. Tinus Smits MD passed away in April 2010, but the English version of his website for Post Vaccination Syndrome (PVS) information remains and can be accessed today. (1b source below)
He also left a legacy of a PVS protocol for homeopaths called CEASE (Complete Elimination of the Autistic Spectrum Expression). Intensive CEASE trainings for homeopaths are scheduled throughout the world in 2012 (http://www.cease-therapy.com/).
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
HBOT therapy involves feeding oxygen into a compression chamber. The increased pressure forces more oxygen into tissues. HBOT has had success with autism and other neurological problems.
The HBOT clinic in New Mexico is central headquarters for other clinics in the USA. (2a source below)
You can also purchase a portable HBOT chamber for the home. (2b source below)
by: J. D. Heyes
(NaturalNews) If you are known by your friends for your "winning smile" or are otherwise concerned about your dental health – and you're a sports drink-a-holic – you might want to consider using a different option to help energize before workouts or quench your thirst after.
That's because, according to a new study published recently in the peer-reviewed General Dentistry journal, sports and energy drinks cause irreversible damage to teeth by eating away at the pearly, shiny outer layer of enamel.
Specifically, researchers found, the drinks contain a high acidity level, which is responsible for the damage. What's more, say the experts, many people are under the impression that consuming sports drinks is a healthier alternative.
"Young adults consume these drinks assuming that they will improve their sports performance and energy levels and that they are 'better' for them than soda," Poonam Jain, BDS, MS, MPH, lead author of the study, said. "Most of these patients are shocked to learn that these drinks are essentially bathing their teeth with acid."
According to the study, researchers examined the acidity in 13 sports and energy drinks, finding that levels vary between brands and flavors of the same brand(s). Researchers tested acid levels by submerging samples of human tooth enamel in the different drink samples for 15 minutes, then in artificial saliva for two hours, repeating the process four times a day for five days. Samples were stored in fresh artificial saliva the rest of the time.
"This type of testing simulates the same exposure that a large proportion of American teens and young adults are subjecting their teeth to on a regular basis when they drink one of these beverages every few hours," Jain said.
Sports drinks cause less damage than energy drinks, but…
Researchers found that after only five days damage was already evident.
They did discover one caveat, however. Energy drinks caused significantly more damage than simple sports drinks. "In fact, the authors found that energy drinks caused twice as much damage to teeth as sports drinks," said a summary of the findings.
What makes the results so compelling is the widespread utilization of sports and energy drinks, especially among young adults. Researchers noted that between 30 and 50 percent of U.S. teens consume energy drinks daily, while as many as 62 percent consume at least one sports drink per day.
What's more, damage to tooth enamel is permanent, and without that protective outer layer, teeth are more prone to cavities and are much more likely to decay — not a good thing for youngsters who hope to keep their real teeth well into their twilight years.
An ounce of prevention?
"Teens regularly come into my office with these types of symptoms, but they don't know why," says Jennifer Bone, DDS, MAGD, spokeswoman for the Academy of General Dentistry. "We review their diet and snacking habits and then we discuss their consumption of these beverages. They don't realize that something as seemingly harmless as a sports or energy drink can do a lot of damage to their teeth."
There are other factors to consider as well. Such drinks are heavy in sugar, and high sugar content is a leading cause of obesity, which itself leads to a host of health problems such as diabetes and heart trouble. Such poor dietary habits will hit you both in the belly and the wallet.
Bone recommends limiting intake of sports and energy drinks. She also says it's important to either chew sugar-free gum or rinse your mouth out when you finish.
"Both tactics increase saliva flow, which naturally helps to return the acidity levels in the mouth to normal," she said.
by: PF Louis
(NaturalNews) It's good to know more about simple herbs to protect us against infections as well as cure us from infections and disease. Some herbs can be consumed directly; some need to be made into teas or tinctures, while others are offered as essential oils or in capsules as supplements. Here are five choices linked to articles explaining in greater detail.
Natural Cellular Immune Booster Protocol
Garlic
This one is easy to use with food on a daily basis. The technical botanical term for garlic is Allium sativa. It has been used throughout history as an antibiotic. Russians have used it so often that they consider it Russian penicillin.
This one is easy to use with food on a daily basis. The technical botanical term for garlic is Allium sativa. It has been used throughout history as an antibiotic. Russians have used it so often that they consider it Russian penicillin.
Recent research has discovered that it also boosts all other antioxidant activity in one's body.
Garlic's broad antimicrobial spectrum incorporates antifungal, antiparasitic, antiprotozoan, and antiviral attributes in one food source. Garlic is most potent chewed or crushed raw.
Cat's claw
The best cat's claw comes from Peru. Avoid Northern Mexico-Southern Texas cat's claw. It lacks efficacy and is potentially poisonous. The Spanish name is una de gato. Scientifically it's known as Uncaria tomentosa.
Cat's claw has come into research prominence since the 1970s after centuries of use by Peruvian Indians for a wide variety of ailments. Cat's claw has been discovered to have anti-cancer properties that can be added to other natural cancer therapies.
Clove
Clove's healing properties go beyond its popular use as an analgesic applied to gums for toothache pain. It is antifungal, antiviral, and antibiotic. It can handle some bacterial strains that medical antibiotics can't touch.
It's the main component of the legendary Four Thieves oil that helped some survive the great medieval European plague. Of course, Four Thieves oil is mixed with other essential oils.
But clove oils do exist alone, and the fresh organic buds can be used to make a powerful, antimicrobial pathogen tea.
Oregano
Oregano is most potent as an essential oil. Many consider wild Mediterranean mountain oregano the best. Oregano also combats a wide spectrum of pathogenic microbes. It has also shown the ability to fight off yeast infections, including Candida, especially in conjunction with clove bud oil.
Elderberry
The black elderberry, or Sambucas nigra, is easy to have on hand for colds and flus. It's sold commercially as tinctures or syrups. It is more effective than pharmaceuticals, including Tamiflu, with absolutely no side effects and is much less expensive.
Of course, you can make your own tincture with a very long shelf life cheaply as well. Instructions are at the bottom of this article, along with curative test results.
Essential oils are very strong and potent. Use caution, especially with the multi essential oil Four Thieves. Follow the manufacturer's advice closely by using it topically, aromatically, or ideally mix a few drops in fresh unsweetened juice to drink.
Consuming essential oils straight is at best unpleasant and at worst causes bad reactions. But diluted properly, it's very effective consumed orally.
These five herbs can be used according to one's health situation in conjunction with each other or most other herbs.
by Andrew Hough
Common chemicals found in household products may be causing a range of medical problems such as cancer, reduced fertility and obesity, Europe's environmental watchdog has warned. The European Environment Agency (EEA) warned other items such as cosmetics and medicines which contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) could be harmful to humans.
Detoxification Healing Protocol
In a study published on Thursday, officials said there was strong evidence of harm and cautioned against their use but stopped short of recommending a complete ban.
The agency warned that five classes of chemicals needed more scrutiny.
These included phthalates, which are often found in pesticides bisphenol A and other PCBs, which are used to make plastics parabens that are increasingly found in sunscreen and chemicals used in contraceptive pills.
It found those chemicals which disrupt the hormone system “may be a contributing factor behind the significant increases in cancers, diabetes and obesity, falling fertility and an increased number of neurological development problems in both humans and animals”.
The agency said that in recent decades, there has been a “significant growth” in many human diseases and disorders including breast and prostate cancer, male infertility and diabetes.
It added that many scientists believe the growth was connected to the “rising levels of exposure to mixtures of some chemicals in widespread use”.
The agency said the link between some diseases and these disrupter chemicals was now fully accepted.
The findings, in a report titled “The impacts of endocrine disrupters on wildlife, people and their environments”, were made following a review of scientific studies literature commissioned by agency over the past 15 years.
"Scientific research gathered over the last few decades shows us that endocrine disruption is a real problem, with serious effects on wildlife, and possibly people,” said Jacqueline McGlade, the EEA Executive Director.
“It would be prudent to take a precautionary approach to many of these chemicals until their effects are more fully understood."
She said the real problem was not a single chemical but the “cocktail effect” of many of them together.
The human and animal endocrine system is the source of several hormones that control bodily functions such as the reproductive system, metabolism, growth and a person’s mood.
by: Christina Luisa
(NaturalNews) There are certain antioxidant-packed "power foods" that boost, protect, and prime us for a longer, healthier life, both externally and internally.
Here are the top 8 foods with powerful anti-aging properties that are built to better our health and appearance while also encouraging longevity. They should be added to your arsenal of daily health-promoting tools in order to keep you looking and feeling great no matter how many years you've got under your belt.
Leafy greens and cruciferous veggies
We're always hearing natural health experts and nutritionists touting leafy greens – and with good reason. These impressive, nutrition-packed veggies contain folate, calcium and other nutrients that support bone health, protect against cognitive decline and help prevent age-related eye problems (http://chealth.canoe.ca). More significantly, these green veggies boast powerful anticancer properties.
Diets high in cruciferous veggies like broccoli also help reduce the risk of memory loss. Crucifers and leafy greens like kale, Swiss chard, escarole, beet tops and spinach make delicious additions to all kinds of dishes, including stir-fries, salads, stews and soups.
Apricots
This little peach-like fruit may appear fragile but it packs a potent anti-aging punch. The bright orange exterior of apricots comes from carotenoids, powerful antioxidants that help prevent heart disease, reduce bad cholesterol levels and protect against cancer. Our bodies convert the carotenoid beta-carotene into vitamin A, which contributes to healthy eyes, skin, hair, gums and glands.
Years of research has proven that apricots possess the highest levels and widest variety of carotenoids of any other food. They are also excellent at regenerating body fluids, detoxifying the body and quenching thirst (http://blog.everythingantiaging.com).
Berries
Scientists have found that berries have some of the highest antioxidant levels of any fruits (measured as ORAC). Kale and spinach are the only vegetables with ORAC values as high as fresh berries (http://berryhealth.fst.oregonstate.edu). Fresh berries are also chock full of phytochemicals and color pigments called anthocyanins that have been associated with a lower risk of certain cancers, urinary tract health, memory function and healthy aging.
Berries are great sources of quercetin, a flavonol that works as both an anti-carcinogen and an antioxidant, protecting against cancer and heart disease. The anti-inflammatory properties of berries is thought to slow down the loss of mental function that is often associated with aging. Researchers report that blueberries might even help slow down the cognitive deterioration that comes with Alzheimer's disease. For an extensive list of scientific studies that document the anti-aging properties of berries, visit this site: http://berryhealth.fst.oregonstate.edu
Olive oil
Italians are known for their long lifespan and ability to age gracefully, and this should come with no surprise considering that olive oil is a huge staple in their Mediterranean diet. Olive oil is packed with the best health-forming fats available in the form of omega-3 fatty acids. These necessary fats not only help to keep you lean and heart-healthy by reducing inflammation, they also lower cholesterol and improve skin circulation and digestion. All of these factors lead to a healthier body and a longer life.
Wild Alaskan salmon
The huge antioxidant boost you'll get from wild salmon will get your skin glowing faster than almost any other type of fish. Wild salmon's pink hue comes from a diet of nutrient-rich krill; this offers a healthy dose of the beneficial pigment astaxanthin, which has notable anti-inflammatory properties. Another antioxidant in salmon, the mineral selenium, protects healthy skin cells by fighting off free radicals. It also helps the thyroid function properly, which keeps both your weight and overall health in check.
Tomatoes
Eating tomatoes may help protect your skin, according to German researchers (http://alternativeremedies.boomja.com/index.php?ITEM=115590). Volunteers swallowed a daily shot of tomato paste mixed with extra virgin olive oil or just plain olive oil for 10 weeks. After daily exposure to UV light, the tomato group had 40 percent less sunburn than those who consumed only olive oil. The magic ingredient in tomatoes is lycopene, which protects skin from the oxidation that results from sun damage and leads to wrinkles. Drizzling tomatoes with a little healthy fat like olive oil helps you better absorb the lycopene.
Raw almonds
Almonds are packed with hard-to-get vitamin E, and just one small handful offers half your daily dose. Raw almonds are the healthiest form of this nut, delivering a higher nutritional content in a pure, unprocessed form.
When researchers from several leading medical schools looked at the impact of different vitamins and minerals on speed, coordination, and balance in people over age 65, the only one that made a difference was vitamin E. Volunteers with the weakest physical performance had the lowest levels of E, whereas more agile participants had adequate amounts of the vitamin in their system. This power vitamin keeps us coordinated by neutralizing free radicals in both our muscles and nervous system.
Avocado
Brimming with the highest quality omega 3s, avocado is one of the most alkalizing foods available. Avocados are also very high in vitamin E, which is essential for glowing skin, shining hair and keeping wrinkles off your face. Have a raw avocado salad or cover some fresh avocado with lemon and sea salt for a nutritious snack.