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Vitamin D is Now the Most Popular Vitamin

by William B. Grant, Ph.D.

(Orthomolecular Medicine News Service) There were 3600 publications with vitamin D in the title or abstract in 2012 according to PubMed.gov . This brings the total number of publications on vitamin D listed at PubMed to 33,800 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). This total compares to 35,100 on vitamin C or ascorbic acid, 21,700 on vitamin E, 19,100 on vitamin A, 17,600 on folate, and 12,000 on vitamin B12. However, since the beginning of 2000, there have been 20,500 publications on vitamin D but only 16,300 publications on vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Thus, vitamin D is the most popular vitamin even though strictly speaking it is not a vitamin. Instead, it is a necessary hormone that can be made in the body through the action of ultraviolet-B (UVB) light. However, it can also be obtained orally through the diet or supplements.

Vitamin D3-5 Cholecalciferol

Top 16 Vitamin D Papers of 2012

The following list of top vitamin D papers for 2012 was selected from a search at PubMed.gov at the end of 2012. The list started out with 60 of candidate papers. This list was then sent to a panel of vitamin D researchers and advocates, who added a few more papers, then voted on the entire list. The final list has papers from a variety of health effects. Many other fine papers could not be included due to space limitations.
4,000 IU vitamin D3 was of great help during pregnancy

A topic that generated considerable interest this year was the role of vitamin D during pregnancy. In a pair of papers, researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina discussed the findings and implications of their randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy [Hollis et al., 2012; Wagner et al., 2012]. Over 300 women were enrolled in the study. Women were assigned to take supplements containing 400, 2000, or 4000 IU/d vitamin D3 or a placebo. No adverse effects were found such as hypercalcemia or hypercalcuria. This study found that it took 4000 IU/d to raise serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels to about 40 ng/ml (To convert to nmol/l, multiple ng/ml by 2.5.), a nearly optimal level of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is the active or hormonal metabolite of vitamin D which among other things controls the expression of several hundred genes. (See Hossein-nezhad and Holick [2012] for a summary of the effects of vitamin D on fetal development.) In the study, those taking the higher vitamin D doses had significantly reduced risk of primary Cesarean section delivery and pre-eclampsia. Other adverse pregnancy outcomes occur with vitamin D deficiency such as premature delivery and low birth weight, but too few women were enrolled in this study to find statistically significant results on these conditions.
Mounting evidence that vitamin D deficiency is an important risk factor for autism

A study from Saudi Arabia examined the relation between serum 25(OH)D level and anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG) auto-antibodies in autistic children near the age of eight years [Mostafa and Al-Ayadhi, 2012]. There was a very strong inverse relation between the two levels (r = -0.86, p<0.001). The serum 25(OH)D levels in autistic children averaged 19 ng/ml, while that for healthy children averaged 33 ng/ml. Both autistic and healthy children had about six hours of sun exposure per week. The reason that MAG is relevant to autistic children is that MAG is a compound that promotes regeneration of young neurons. Anti-MAG auto-antibodies appear to play a role in some autoimmune disorders relating to neurons through attacking cells that maintain a healthy nervous system. Serum anti-MAG auto-antibodies are strongly related to autism measured with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. This provides very strong evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated in some way with autism. Whether increasing serum 25(OH)D levels for those with autism reduces the symptoms of autism remains to be determined.
Low vitamin D during pregnancy is associated with childhood language impairment

A study in Perth, Australia measured serum 25(OH)D levels at 18 weeks into pregnancy, and then measured language impairment of the offspring at 5 and 10 years of age. It found that women with serum 25(OH)D levels below 18 ng/ml had children with twice the risk of clinically significant language difficulties compared to those with 25(OH)D levels above 28 ng/ml. Exactly why is not currently known, but there are many possibilities. It is noted that in the United States in the early 2000s, white women of childbearing age had mean 25(OH)D level of 26 ng/ml while black women of childbearing age had mean 25(OH)D level of 14 ng/ml. Both of these levels are low by current standards. As explained below, skin color is directly relevant to serum vitamin D levels produced by exposure to sunlight.
Higher vitamin D is associated with lower all-cause mortality rates

A topic of interest at the other end of life was the relation of mortality rate to serum 25(OH)D levels. A meta-analysis of 11 observational studies and 60,000 individuals found a reduction in risk over about 10 years for highest vs. lowest category of 25(OH)D level of mortality of 29% [Zittermann et al., 2012]. Comparing graded levels of intake, the reduction in risk was 14% for an increase of 5 ng/ml, 23% for an increase of 10 ng/ml, and 39% for an increase of 20 ng/ml in plasma levels of 25(OH)D, starting from a median of ~11 ng/ml. The participants starting with the lowest levels of serum 25(OH)D received the greatest benefits. Those who started with higher serum levels, closer to optimal (30-40 ng/ml), received less benefit from additional vitamin D. This relation between starting serum 25(OH)D levels and health outcome is not surprising because it is similar to many other health studies. Since 25(OH)D levels likely changed over the duration of the studies, and some participants died of unrelated causes, the actual effect of serum 25(OH)D level on mortality rate is greater than these estimates.
And less cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is an important contributor to mortality rates. A study of 11,000 patients in Kansas was reported. The patients had a mean age of 58±15 years, a body mass index of 30±8 kg/m2, and a mean serum 25(OH)D level of 24±14 ng/ml [Vacek et al., 2012]. Serum 25(OH)D levels below 30 ng/ml was significantly associated with several cardiovascular-related diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes. After a period of 5.5 years, those with serum 25(OH)D levels below 30 ng/ml had twice the mortality rate of those with higher 25(OH)D levels.
And less risk of diabetes mellitus type 2

In a 2.7-year study of 2000 prediabetics, participants with the highest third of 25(OH)D levels (median, 30.1 ng/ml) had a reduction in risk of 28% for developing diabetes mellitus type 2 compared with participants in the lowest third (median, 12.8 ng/ml) [Pittas, 2012].
. . . and less diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM)

An observational study on insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was based on 1000 U.S. military service personnel who developed this disease between 2002 and 2011 [Gorham et al., 2012]. They had provided blood samples between one and ten years prior to developing T1DM. They were carefully matched with another thousand service personnel who did not develop T1DM. There was a reduction in risk of 78% for developing T1DM for those with serum 25(OH)D levels above 24 ng/ml compared to those with levels above 24 ng/ml. This finding is highly statistically significant and is one of the strongest studies of its type.
Fewer bacterial and viral infections

The effect of vitamin D in reducing risk of infections is a topic of increasing interest. Vitamin D reduces risk of infections primarily by strengthening the innate immune system, primarily by inducing production of cathelicidin, a polypeptide with antimicrobial and antiendotoxin properties. It also shifts production of cytokines, a type of cell signaling molecule, away from proinflammatory ones, and has a number of other actions on both the innate and adaptive immune system [Lang et al., 2012]. While the effects of vitamin D have been found mostly for bacterial infections, some have also been reported for viral infections such as influenza, HIV, and hepatitis C [Lang et al., 2012]. In a supplementation study in Sweden involving 140 patients with frequent respiratory tract infections (RTIs) using 4000 IU/d vitamin D3, those in the supplementation group increased their serum 25(OH)D level to 53 ng/ml while those in the placebo group had levels near 27 ng/ml [Bergman et al., 2012]. Those taking vitamin D3 had a 23% reduction in RTIs and a 50% reduction in the number of days using antibiotics.
The benefits of vitamin D in reducing risk of cancer

One of the important and well-documented effects of vitamin D is reduced risk of cancer and increased survival after cancer diagnosis. There were 400 publications on vitamin D and cancer in 2012 according to PubMed.gov. Evidence from ecological, observational and laboratory studies have identified over 15 types of cancer for which higher solar UVB light and/or serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with reduced risk. Two of the papers are especially noteworthy. One, a study from Norway involving 658 patients with either breast, colon, lung, or lymphoma with serum 25(OH)D levels determined within 90 days of cancer diagnosis were followed for up to nine years [Tretli et al., 2012]. Compared to those with levels <18 ng/ml, those who originally had levels >32 ng/ml had a reduction in risk for dying from cancer of 66%. To a cancer patient, this would be a lifeline.

Another cancer paper reported the results of supplementation with 4000 IU/d vitamin D3 of those with low-grade biopsy-assayed prostate cancer [Marshall et al., 2012]. Forty four patients successfully completed the one-year study. Twenty four of the subjects (55%) showed a decrease in the amount of cancer; five subjects (11%) showed no change; 15 subjects (34%) showed an increase. In comparison, with a historical group of 19 patients, only 4 (21%) had reductions in the amount of cancer, 3 (16%) showed no changes, and 12 (63%) showed an increase in cancer. Thus optimal vitamin D supplementation appears to be useful for treating those with cancer.
Falls and fractures

The classical role of vitamin D is to regulate calcium and phosphate absorption and metabolism, leading to strong bones. A pooled analysis of 31,000 persons (mean age, 76 years; 91% women) participating in randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation who developed ~1000 incident hip fractures and ~3800 nonvertebral fractures found that those with the highest intake (median 800 IU/d; range 792-2000) had a 30% reduction in risk of hip fracture and a 14% reduced risk of nonvertebral fracture [Bischoff-Ferrari et al., 2012]. The role of vitamin D in neuromuscular control also plays an important role in reducing risk of falls and fractures.
Skin pigment adapts slowly to changed ultraviolet environment

Jablonski and Chaplin have published a series of papers on human skin pigmentation and its relation to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) [Jablonski and Chaplin, 2012]. Their primary thesis is that human skin pigmentation has adapted to UVR conditions where a group of people live for 50 generations, or about a thousand years. UVR from mid-day sunlight produces vitamin D, which provides important protection against many diseases, but sunlight also causes skin cancer and destruction of folate. Dark skin protects against free radical production, damage to DNA, cancer, and loss of folate. Thus, dark skin is best in the tropical planes regions while pale skin is best at high latitude regions. Those with skin adapted to UVB between 23° and 46° have the ability to tan, which is an adaptation to seasonal changes in solar UVB doses. However, in recent times, people have moved or traveled to regions where their skin pigmentation is not suited to the local UVR conditions. They discuss three examples: nutritional rickets, multiple sclerosis and melanoma. Their abstract concludes with this observation: “Low UVB levels and vitamin D deficiencies produced by changes in location and lifestyle pose some of the most serious disease risks of the twenty-first century.”
Vitamin D levels for traditionally living Africans

A study on traditionally living Africans near the equator provides information on “normal” 25(OH)D levels. A paper was published on serum 25(OH)D levels of the Masai and the Hadzabe living near 4° S in Tanzania [Luxwolda et al., 2012]. They have skin type VI (very dark), wear a moderate amount of clothing, spend the major part of the day outdoors, but avoid direct exposure to sunlight when possible. The mean serum 25(OH)D levels of Maasai and Hadzabe were 48 (range 23-67) ng/ml and 44 (range 28-68) ng/ml, respectively. This finding suggests that serum 25(OH)D levels in the range of 40-50 ng/ml may be optimal for human health, which is generally consistent with observational studies for a number of health outcomes.

Vitamin D is made by exposure to sunlight to a significant degree only when the sun is 45 degrees or more above the horizon. At the latitudes of North America and Europe, this is summer midday sunlight between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. In the early morning or late afternoon, light-skinned individuals may tan but they hardly get any vitamin D from sunlight. And in the winter, nobody gets much vitamin D from the sun. This explains the health benefits of taking supplements of vitamin D.
Summary and Conclusion

Thus, the evidence that serum 25(OH)D levels above 30-40 ng/ml are required for optimal health continues to mount. It takes 1000-4000 IU/d vitamin D3 to reach these levels in the absence of significant UVB exposure. The evidence comes from a variety of studies including observational and laboratory studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). While RCTs are required to demonstrate effectiveness and lack of harm for pharmaceutical drugs which, by definition, are artificial compounds, they should not be required for vitamin D since it is a natural compound important for all animal life including humans. In addition, RCTs on vitamin D are difficult to conduct due to other sources of vitamin D and reduced conversion of vitamin D to 25(OH)D level at higher serum levels. It will take five years or more before large-scale RCTs testing vitamin D supplements are completed and reported. The adverse effects of oral intake of up to 4000 IU/d vitamin D3 and serum 25(OH)D levels up to 100 ng/ml are practically non-existent except for those individuals with conditions that may lead to hypercalcemia. However, some people have experienced hypertension, irritation and tachycardia at doses above 4000 IU/d. Thus, there seems to be little reason to wait for the RCTs before implementing vitamin D policies of higher oral intake and/or moderate UVB exposure and serum 25(OH)D levels. Everyone in North America and Europe should take a supplement of 1000-4000 IU/d of vitamin D in the winter, and those with dark skin or office jobs should take vitamin D all year long. Supplementation with vitamin D is an inexpensive and very effective way to produce huge health benefits.

For further information on vitamin D, the interested reader is directed to these websites: http://www.Grassrootshealth.net, http://www.VitaminDCouncil.org, and http://www.VitaminDWiki.com. Dr. Grant is director of http://www.sunarc.org .
Appreciation is expressed to all the scientists who have reviewed and contributed to this paper:

Barbara J. Boucher, M.D., Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Diabetes, Blizard Institute, London

John J. Cannell, M.D., Vitamin D Council, San Luis Obispo, CA

Brant Cebulla, Vitamin D Council, San Luis Obispo, CA

Cedric F. Garland, Dr. P.H., professor of Family and Preventive Medicine in the UCSD School of Medicine, and member of the Moores UC San Diego Cancer Center, LaJolla, CA

Afrozul Haq, Ph.D., Institutes of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine; Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Robert P. Heaney, M.D., Osteoporosis Research Center, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE.

Perry Holman, Vitamin D Society, Canada

Johan E. Moan, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiation Biology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Stefan Pilz, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

Jörg Reichrath, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Dermatology; The Saarland University Hospital; Homburg/Saar, Germany.

And, the Editorial Review Board of the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, listed further below.

References:

1. Bergman P, Norlin AC, Hansen S, Rekha RS, Agerberth B, Bj”rkhem-Bergman L, Ekstr”m L, Lindh JD, Andersson J. Vitamin D3 supplementation in patients with frequent respiratory tract infections: a randomised and double-blind intervention study. BMJ Open. 2012;2(6). pii: e001663.

2. Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC, Orav EJ, Lips P, Meunier PJ, Lyons RA, Flicker L, Wark J, Jackson RD, Cauley JA, Meyer HE, Pfeifer M, Sanders KM, St„helin HB, Theiler R, Dawson-Hughes B. A pooled analysis of vitamin D dose requirements for fracture prevention. N Engl J Med. 2012;367(1):40-9.

3. Gorham ED, Garland CF, Burgi AA, Mohr SB, Zeng K, Hofflich H, Kim JJ, Ricordi C. Lower prediagnostic serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration is associated with higher risk of insulin-requiring diabetes: a nested case-control study. Diabetologia. 2012 Dec;55(12):3224-7.

4. Hollis BW, Wagner CL. Vitamin D and pregnancy: Skeletal effects, nonskeletal effects, and birth outcomes. Calcif Tissue Int. 2012 May 24. [Epub ahead of print]

5. Hossein-nezhad A, Holick MF. Optimize dietary intake of vitamin D: an epigenetic perspective. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2012;15(6):567-79.

6. Jablonski NG, Chaplin G. Human skin pigmentation, migration and disease susceptibility. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2012;367(1590):785-92.

7. Lang PO, Samaras N, Samaras D, Aspinall R. How important is vitamin D in preventing infections? Osteoporos Int. 2012 Nov 17. [Epub ahead of print]

8. Luxwolda MF, Kuipers RS, Kema IP, Janneke Dijck-Brouwer DA, Muskiet FA. Traditionally living populations in East Africa have a mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of 115 nmol/l. Br J Nutr. 2012;108(9):1557-61.

9. Marshall DT, Savage SJ, Garrett-Mayer E, Keane TE, Hollis BW, Host RL, Ambrose LH, Kindy MS, Gattoni-Celli S. Vitamin D3 supplementation at 4000 international units per day for one year results in a decrease of positive cores at repeat biopsy in subjects with low-risk prostate cancer under active surveillance. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97(7):2315-24.

10. Mostafa GA, Al-Ayadhi LY. Reduced serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in children with autism: relation to autoimmunity. J Neuroinflammation. 2012;9:201.

11. Pittas AG, Nelson J, Mitri J, Hillmann W, Garganta C, Nathan DM, Hu FB, Dawson-Hughes B; Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and progression to diabetes in patients at risk for diabetes: an ancillary analysis in the Diabetes Prevention Program. Diabetes Care. 2012;35(3):565-73.

12. Tretli S, Schwartz GG, Torjesen PA, Robsahm TE. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and survival in Norwegian patients with cancer of breast, colon, lung, and lymphoma: a population-based study. Cancer Causes Control. 2012;23(2):363-70.

13. Vacek JL, Vanga SR, Good M, Lai SM, Lakkireddy D, Howard PA. Vitamin D deficiency and supplementation and relation to cardiovascular health. Am J Cardiol. 2012;109(3):359-63.

14. Wagner CL, Taylor SN, Dawodu A, Johnson DD, Hollis BW. Vitamin D and its role during pregnancy in attaining optimal health of mother and fetus. Nutrients. 2012;4(3):208-30.

15. Whitehouse AJ, Holt BJ, Serralha M, Holt PG, Kusel MM, Hart PH. Maternal serum vitamin D levels during pregnancy and offspring neurocognitive development. Pediatrics. 2012;129(3):485-93.

16. Zittermann A, Iodice S, Pilz S, Grant WB, Bagnardi V, Gandini S. Vitamin D deficiency and mortality risk in the general population: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95(1):91-100.

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Featured Articles

Iodine Therapy For Thyroid and Immune Support

by Jonathan Landsman

(Internet) Did you know that doctors once considered iodine to be one of the most beneficial medicines on the planet? Naturally, this was before the pharmaceutical cartel seized control of conventional medicine.

A lack of iodine can make it difficult to properly detoxify the body; create thyroid dysfunction and promote cancer cell growth. In fact, Dr. David Brownstein, iodine expert suggests that most of the population is grossly deficient in this valuable mineral. Find out how iodine therapy can help eliminate dis-ease and promote optimal health – fast!

[Sponsor Products: Lugol’s Liquid Iodine, Thytrophin PMG,  Natural Cellular Immune Booster Protocol]

Is your modern lifestyle robbing you of iodine?

In the 1920s, goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland was a common health problem until we added iodine to salt. But, today, many people have reduced their iodized salt consumption and added chlorine, fluoride and bromide to their diets. The problem is – chlorine, fluoride and bromide lower natural iodine levels within the body by blocking iodine receptors.

Keep in mind, chlorine is commonly used to help “purify” the water in place of iodine. According to conventional dentists – who have been brainwashed by the biggest corporations in the world – fluoride will help “strengthen our teeth” – yeah right. And, bromines replaced iodides in most commercially sold baked goods – since the 1980s. All three of these elements are extremely toxic for the thyroid and dangerous for the rest of our body.

Did you know that bromide can cause depression, headaches, hallucinations or even schizophrenia? And, by the way, there are no long-term studies that show fluoride has any beneficial effect on human health.

The connection between Iodine and breast cancer rates

Observational studies suggest there is a strong connection between thyroid dysfunction and breast cancer. Currently, one in seven American women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Yet, thirty years ago, when iodine consumption was much higher than it is today – one in 20 women developed breast cancer. Need I say more?

It’s interesting to note that women in Japan, that consume high levels of dietary iodine, have much lower rates of breast cancer and thyroid problems. But, when those women move to the United States and adopt a Western diet, including much less iodine – their rates of breast cancer and thyroid diseases increase dramatically! Vitamin D; iodine supplementation and fresh, organic whole foods would turn a sick nation around – overnight! It’s time to wake up humanity to a better way of living.

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Ask Utopia Silver

Mountain Cedar Oil Benefits

Ben,
I purchased some cedar oil from you and used 2 dropper fulls of the oil into my dog’s bath soap. I need to say that it smells awesome……..left the dogs with a beautiful glossy coat, and killed every flea on them.  They haven’t scratched for days.
Also, I notice that the instructions on the bottle say it can be used orally, 2 drops.  What are the benefits of cedar oil taken orally?

BTW……………I love the smell.  Reminds me of the hill country.

Gary in Texas

****

Hello Gary,

Juniper and Cedar Oil are claimed to be beneficial for the following:

Arthritis and Rheumatism
Relieving allergies
Reducing inflammation and toxins
Relief of Menstration and PMS systoms
Enhancing circulation
Relieving Gout
Potent anti-bacterial
Thanks for the comments.
Ben in Utopia

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Featured Articles

Saccharin and Sugar Found More Addictive Than Cocaine

by Sayer Ji

(GreenMedInfo.com) Sugar and artificial sweeteners are so accessible, affordable and socially sanctioned, that few consider their habitual consumption to be a problem on the scale of say, addiction to cocaine.  But if recent research is correct their addictive potential could be even worse.

Almost 40 years ago, William Duffy published a book called Sugar Blues which argued that refined sugar is an addictive drug and profoundly damaging to health.  While over 1.6 million copies have been printed since its release in 1975, a common criticism of the book has been that it lacked sufficient scientific support.

Today, William Duffy’s work is finding increasing support in the first-hand, peer-reviewed and published scientific literature itself. Not only is sugar drug-like in effect, but it may be more addictive than cocaine.  Worse, many sugar-free synthetic sweeteners carry with them addictive properties and toxicities that are equal to, or may outweigh those of sugar.

Back in 2007, a revealing study titled, “Intense sweetness surpasses cocaine reward,”  found that when rats were given the option of choosing between water sweetened with saccharin and intravenous cocaine, the large majority of animals (94%) preferred the sweet taste of saccharin. This preference for sweetness was not attributable to its unnatural ability to induce sweetness without calories, because the same preference was found with sucrose; nor was the preference for saccharin overcome by increasing doses of cocaine.

A common argument against the relevance of animal studies like this to human behavior is that rats differ too profoundly from humans. However, even insects like forager bees have been found to respond in a similar way to humans when given cocaine, experiencing an overestimation of the value of the floral resources they collected, with cessation of chronic cocaine treatment causing a withdrawal-like response.

Researchers believe that intense sweetness activates ancient neuroendocrine pathways within the human body, making obsessive consumption and/or craving inevitable. The authors of the cocaine/saccharin study summarized this connection as follows:

“Our findings clearly demonstrate that intense sweetness can surpass cocaine reward, even in drug-sensitized and -addicted individuals. We speculate that the addictive potential of intense sweetness results from an inborn hypersensitivity to sweet tastants. In most mammals, including rats and humans, sweet receptors evolved in ancestral environments poor in sugars and are thus not adapted to high concentrations of sweet tastants. The supranormal stimulation of these receptors by sugar-rich diets, such as those now widely available in modern societies, would generate a supranormal reward signal in the brain, with the potential to override self-control mechanisms and thus to lead to addiction.”

In a previous article, “Is Fructose As Addictive As Alcohol?”, we looked at the addictive properties of isolated fructose in greater depth, including over 70 adverse health effects associated with fructose consumption. It appears that not only does fructose activate a dopamine- and opioid-mediated hedonic pathway within the body, but like excessive alcohol consumption, exacts a significant toll on health in exchange for the pleasure it generates.

The drug-like properties of common beverages and foods, have been the subject of a good deal of research over the past few decades. Wheat and related grains, for instance, are a major food source of opioid peptides. These pharmacologically active compounds, also found in milk, coffee and even lettuce, may even explain why ancient hunters and gatherers took the agrarian leap over 10,000 years ago.  Likely, the transition from the Paleolithic to Neolithic was motivated by a combination of environmental pressures and the inherently addictive properties made accessible and abundant due to the agrarian/animal husbandry mode of civilization. For more on this, read our essay “The Dark Side of Wheat.”

As far as synthetic sweeteners, an accumulating body of toxicological research indicates they have a wide range of unintended, adverse health effects beyond the aforementioned problem of addiction. For a comprehensive list, view our Artificial Sweetener Research page.

One clear implication of these findings is that one is best served consuming natural sweet foods, including honey, or fruit like apples. Not only are these easier to consume in moderation, but they have a profound set of “side benefits” as well. To learn more read our recent explorations of the following alternatives:

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Featured Articles Silver Archives

SILVER RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHY

This amazing bibliography was assembled by Dr. A. Bart Flick, the developer of the silver infused wound bandaging material Silverlon.

1. Addicks, L. et al.: Silver in Industry, Reinhold Pub. Corp., NY 401-450, 584-597 (1940). Extensive bibliography on silver for water purification.
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10. Becker, R.O. and Esper, C., Electrostimulation and undetected malignant tumors, Clin. Orthop., 161, 336, 1981.
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14. Berger, T.J., Spadaro, J.A., Bierman, R., Chapin, S.E., and Becker, R.O., Antifungal properties of electrically generated metallic ions, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 10, 856, 1976.
15. Block, Seymour, Ed.: Disinfection, Sterilization and Preservation, Chapter 18; Lea & Febiger & Co., Philadelphia, 3rd Ed (1983). Extensive bibliography.
16. Bolton, L., Foleno, B., Means, B., and Petrucelli, S., Direct-current bactericidal effect on intact skin, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 18, 137, 1980.
17. Bolton, M., The effects of various metals on the growth of certain bacteria, Am. Phys., ?, 174, ?.
18. Bragg, P.D. and Rainnie, D.J., The effect of silver ions on the respiratory chain of Escherichia coli, Can. J. Microbiol., 20, 883, 1974.
19. Buckley, W.R.: Localized Argyria, Arch. Dermatol. 88: 531-539, 1963.
20. Bult, A., Silver sulfanilamides and related compounds for dermatological application, First International Conference on Gold and Silver in Medicine, Bethesda, MD, May 13-14, 1987.
21. Burke, J.F., and Bondoc, C.C., Combined burn therapy utilizing immediate skin allografts and 0.5% AgNO3, Arch. Surg., 97, 716, 1968.
22. Burleson, R., and Eiseman, B., Mechanisms of antibacterial effect of biologic dressings, Ann. Surg., 177, 181, 1973.
23. Burleson, R., and Eiseman, B., Effect of skin dressings and topical antibiotics on healing of partial thickness skin wounds in rats, Surg. Gynecol. Obstet., 136, 958, 1973.
24. Butts, A., The chemical properties of silver, Silver-Economics, Metallurgy, and Use, ed. Butts, A., Krieger, Huntington, NY 1975, 123.
25. Carr, H.S., Wlodkowski, T.J., Rosenkranz, H.S., Silver-sulfadiazine: in vitro antibacterial activity, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 4, 585, 1973.
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About:

Dr. Flick has been a leader in the creation of noninvasive healing technologies for more than thirty five years. After receiving his Medical Degree he continued with specialty training in Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. Following his orthopedic residency Dr. Flick received advanced training in Pain Management, and Wound Management.

Over the years Dr. Flick’s multidisciplinary approach to healing has resulted in numerous patents and the development of innovative medical products that speed the healing process, alleviate pain and reduce swelling. He has worked with the Food and Drug Administration to achieve regulatory approval for numerous medical devices.

As an Senior Research Scientist at the University of Georgia, Dr. Flick has developed several new antimicrobial products that have been shown to be effective in eliminating harmful microbes, bacteria, viruses and fungi from open wounds and ulcerations.

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Customer Testimonials

Crohn’s Disease & Sweat Gland Infection

Hi Utopia,
I became aware of your site & product through a friend that is a toxicologist with a biotoxicity testing firm. He had had a severe bacterial infection of the sweat glands under his armpits.
He had been to a number of doctors & nothing they did was working for him. He decided to go online & search for alternative treatment that would bring him some relief. He quit taking the other medicines the doctors had him on & started taking the advanced colloidal silver. His problem went away & he has not had any additional flare-ups for the past several months. He told me about the ACS & mentioned some of the other things that the testimonials had said it helped them with. One of the things he mentioned was Crohn’s Disease & since a close friend of mine has that disease I went to your site to investigate. I have since referred them & number of others to the site & several have gone to the site & ordered the product. It has helped several of them with some of the things that they took it for as well as some things they didn’t expect it to help.name withheld

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Uncategorized

Tetrycycline

Utopia,
I had taken tetrycycline for acne rosecea for 27 years, and that after finally trying it for shingles for about 2 months, …and then being taken off of quinaglute for irregular heart beat, I also went off of tetrycycline to see if by chance my rosecea might have gone away, like maybe I had ” outgrown it ” and now today is the 428 th day without tetrycycline and I do all the things that was disallowed when I had rosecea, like avoidance of the Vegas summer sun, alcohol, spices, coffee etc. I now enjoy them all and show not even the slightest symptoms of it returning. I have had so many write me with Rosecea and wanting to know if I was for real etc. and so I have tried to answer somewhere under 100 inquiries and cannot keep up with them all.Robert in Nevada

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Ask Utopia Silver

Zeolite

Hi,
I got the zeolite and am wondering if I can mix it in with the camu camu, nopal, and aloe vera that I mix up for a daily drink.  I usually use a bit of juice with the water when mixing those two.
Would you please let me know the dosage as well as how zeolite is taken.  Do you mix with water and how often should it be taken?

Thank you for your time and reply.
Janet in New Mexico

*****

Hi Janet,
You can mix it in almost any liquid drink, but it may make those drinks let enjoyable to consume. I usually mix mine in water, but occasionally I mix it with my green drink.For Therapeutic use- 1-3 Tablespoons per day in 6-8 oz. of water for 2-4 weeks. If you have been exposed to radiation or heavy metals, you may need to use in larger quantities for a longer period. With radiation exposure, iodine may be necessary.
Ben in Utopia.

Categories
Healing Protocols

Eye Infections and Eye Strain

• Eye infections (caused by bacteria or other microbes)- 1-3 drops of colloidal silver every couple of hours for mild irritations usually works within a day. For more serious infections, use an eye cupand flush with colloidal silver.

• Sties- An old folk remedy is using a 10-14K gold ring. Place a newly cleaned ring on the sty and it is often gone in a only a few hours. As part of the cleaning, rinse with distilled water. A drop of colloidal gold is the modern day version of this.

• Red eye from chlorine – milk. This is great for people who have sensitive eyes to chlorine while swimming. Just put some milk in an eye dropper (if you can’t locate one, just dip a paper towel in milk and wring it out to make drops) and put a drop or two in each eye. This will normally take away the redness and eliminate the stinging.

• Foreign objects in the eyes– warm milk. Same as the above remedy, be sure to use warm milk, Soothes the sandpaper feeling in the eyes and also draws out foreign objects that are in the eye. Follow this with a flush with colloidal silver to prevent infection.

• Burning eyes from welding– green tea bags, water. Take the tea bags, soak in cold water for about 10 minutes. Lie down and cover your eyes with tea bags. After they start feeling better take off eyes.

• To revitalize tired eyes, treat yourself to a soothing chamomile (Matricaria recutita) compress twice a day. The chamomile soaks through your eyelids, soothing eye tissue and reducing swelling in the capillaries. Make the compress by steeping one teaspoon dried chamomile flowers or one chamomile tea bag in one cup boiling hot distilled  or carbon filtered water for 20 minutes. Strain. Allow the tea to cool, soak a washcloth in it, wring it out, lie down, and place it over your closed eyes for 15 to 20 minutes.

• Boil some green tea in a little distilled or carbon filtered water and let it cool. Dip two gauze pads in this brew and place the gauzes on each eye for 15 minutes. Make sure you keep dipping the cotton wads into the liquid, as soon as gauzes dry up.

• Another effective treatment for tired eyes, wash them with cold distilled or carbon filtered water, several times a day. This treatment reduces inflammation, moisturizers the skin /tissues, relaxes the eyes & provides relief from eyestrain & fatigue.

• Lavender oil offers gentle relief for tired and strained eyes. Add a drop of lender oil to 500 ml (two½ cups) of water and shake the solution well. Dip two cotton wool pads in the liquid, squeeze out the excess water and place one pad over each eye.

• To improve eye health and capillary circulation, take 3-5 enzymes on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and just before bed.

• Supplements essential for eye health are beta-carotene (Vitamin A ), Zinc , Vitamin E, Vitamin B Complex, Selenium, and Plant Minerals . (See also Vision Aid and Rx Eye )

• Eliminate processed sugars and white (bleached) flour from your diet.

• Foods recommended for eye health- fresh organic carrot juice, raw cabbage, cauliflower, squash, green vegetables, broccoli, sunflower seeds and watercress.

• If much time is spent reading, at the computer or watching television, eye damage will result if the eye isn’t properly exercised. As with any muscle in the body held in the same position for extended periods, muscle fatigue and even atrophy will result. This occurs when the eyes are focused at the same distance and on a narrow area for long periods. This can be alleviated by very simple eye exercises that step through a series of focus on objects at different distances. A good time to do these exercises is when driving. Start by focusing for a few seconds on the steering wheel or the odometer, then focus the eyes to the dash or windshield wipers, then to the front of the hood of your car, then to another car or object a few car lengths ahead, then to an object a block or two ahead. Keep refocusing until your eyes reach the horizon and then start the same progression in reverse back to your dash or steering wheel. Many people drive as if in a trance, focused on only one point directly in front of their car, oblivious to everything else. This exercise will not be a distraction, but will break that fixation ‘habit’ and will help train you to pay better attention to a broader range of what is happening around your vehicle.

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Ask Utopia Silver

Colloidal or Ionic Silver

Q:
Hello there
I am looking for ionic colloidal silver but i can only find advanced colloidal silver and ionic silver. What is the difference between these two and is there such thing as ionic colloidal silver??

Yours sincerely,
Yvonne R.

A:
Hi Yvonne,

Yes, we have an ionic silver. Actually a colloid is a suspension of particles in a liquid medium and ions are not particles, so technically ionic silver is not truly colloidal silver,  …but both ionic and particle silver are usually generically called “colloidal silver”. Our Ionic Silver is, http://www.utopiasilver.com/products/ionicsilver/ Read, http://www.utopiasilver.com/faq/ionic-non-ionic.htm There are those who claim that particle silver is less effective and there are those who claim that ionic silver is not effective, but the truth is both can be very effective. Ionic silver does have some limitations that particle silver doesn’t, but we sell both and have no axe to grind either way.

Ben in Utopia