Category: The Best Years In Life

by: Tony Isaacs

(NaturalNews) It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month again and from shore to shore the country is awash in a sea of pink – from pink ribbons and donation boxes to pink products, charity promotions, celebrities by the score and even pink cleats on NFL players. Tragically, most people are unaware of the dark history of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) and of the players past and present who have misused it to direct people and funds away from finding a true cure while covering up their own roles in causing and profiting from cancer.

The Founding of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Most people are unaware that the BCAM idea was conceived and paid for by the British chemical company Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), a company that both profited from the ever-growing cancer epidemic and contributed to its causes. The American subsidiary of Imperial Chemical Industries, ICI/Astra-Zeneca, manufactures tamoxifen, the world`s top-selling cancer drug used for breast cancer. ICI itself is in the business of manufacturing and selling synthetic chemicals and is one of the world's largest producers and users of chlorine.

Although BCAM was co-founded along with two non-profit organizations and although some big name companies were quick to associate with BCAM, for the first several years, BCAM`s bills were paid by ICI's Zeneca Pharmaceuticals.

As the controlling sponsor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), Zeneca was able to approve – or veto – any promotional or informational materials, posters, advertisements, etc. that BCAM uses. The focus is strictly limited to information regarding early detection and treatment, avoiding the topic of prevention and the role toxins may play. A further look at the major players in breast cancer awareness may give plenty of insight as to why a growing number of critics are asking why such is the case.

Take Zeneca for example; it later merged into Astra-Zeneca and in 2008, ICI/Astra-Zeneca changed its name to AzkoNobel and reported annual sales of over 22 Billion Dollars. ICI has long been among the world's largest manufacturers of pesticides, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Its Perry, Ohio, chemical plant was once identified as the third-largest source of potential cancer-causing pollution in the United States, releasing 53,000 pounds of recognized carcinogens into the air in 1996.

After Zeneca acquired the Salick chain of cancer treatment centers in 1997 and then merged with the Swedish pharmaceutical company Astra to form AstraZeneca, creating the world`s third-largest drug concern, Dr. Samuel Epstein, a professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health stated, "This is a conflict of interest unparalleled in the history of American medicine."

"You`ve got a company that`s a spinoff of one of the world`s biggest manufacturers of carcinogenic chemicals, they`ve got control of breast cancer treatment, they`ve got control of the chemoprevention [studies], and now they have control of cancer treatment in eleven centers – which are clearly going to be prescribing the drugs they manufacture."

The breakdown of $14 Billion in profits for ICI in 1997 was 49 percent from pesticides and other industrial chemicals, another 49 percent from pharmaceutical sales, and the remaining 2 percent from health care services including 11 cancer treatment centers. Zeneca's herbicide acetochlor is classified by the EPA as a "probable human carcinogen", and AstraZeneca sold it until a corporate reorganization in 2000, accounted for around $300 million in sales in 1997. Their product tamoxifen citrate (Nolvadex) accounted for $500 million in 1997 sales. Cancer prevention would clearly conflict with Zeneca's business plan.

Quickly jumping onboard the tamoxifen bandwagon was the National Cancer Institute, which announced in April 1998 that breast cancer could be "prevented" by treating women continuously with a powerful drug called tamoxifen. The New York Times editorialized on April 8th that treating women with tamoxifen is a "breast cancer breakthrough." However, The Times acknowledged that treating 1,000 women with tamoxifen for five years would prevent 17 breast cancers but would cause an additional 12 cases of endometrial cancer and 20 cases of serious blood clots in the same 1,000 women.

As recent studies have shown, the risks implied in those less-than breakthrough figures were vastly understated. Last month, Natural News reported a study just published in Cancer Research which concluded that long-term use of tamoxifen increases the risk of getting aggressive cancer in the other breast by 440 percent.

See:
http://www.naturalnews.com/027123_c…

Other large corporations which contribute to breast cancer awareness also have a vested interest in breast cancer. General Electric sells upwards of $100 million annually in mammography machines. General Electric has also been a major polluter of carcinogenic PCBs in the Hudson River. An estimated million pounds of PCBs lie buried at the bottom of a 40-mile stretch of the Hudson, where GE dumped PCB oil until the mid-1970s, contaminating the entire 200-mile length of the river below Hudson Falls

DuPont, another huge chemical company and major polluter, supplies much of the film used in mammography machines. Both DuPont and GE aggressively promote mammography screening of women in their 40s, despite the risk of its contributing to breast cancer in that age group. And while biotech giant Monsanto sponsors Breast Cancer Awareness Month's high profile event, the Race for the Cure, it continues to profit from the production of many known carcinogens.

Another large player is Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), with their Tour of Hope and promotions such as 10 cent donations for drug store sales of selected BMS products. BMS is also the manufacturer of Taxol (under the trade name of Paclitaxel), considered to be "the gold standard" of chemo drugs. As Natural News reported earlier this month, the so-called gold standard has more than lost its luster, as was presented at 27th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium:

"German investigators from Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena, have shown that taxol (the "gold standard of chemo") causes a massive release of cells into circulation.

"Such a release of cancer cells would result in extensive metastasis months or even years later, long after the chemo would be suspected as the cause of the spread of the cancer. This little known horror of conventional cancer treatment needs to be spread far and wide, but it is not even listed in the side effects of taxol."

See:
http://www.naturalnews.com/027028_c…

The list of corporate donors and players in Breast Cancer Awareness goes on and on, including other chemical and pharmaceutical companies, cosmetic companies, fast food restaurants, donut and cookie makers, and many more. They all share the common traits of promoting "awareness" which does not include the role their own products play, and promoting early screening through mammograms. Likewise, other charities and foundations, and their sponsors, have joined the pink bandwagon. Once again, they have common links of promoting early detection, primarily through mammograms, and of remaining mostly silent about toxins and other environmental factors.

In part two of this series we will take a look at the some of the other foundations and charities that have become involved in Breast Cancer Awareness, including The American Cancer Society – "the world`s wealthiest non-profit organization".

by: Tony Isaacs

(NaturalNews) Prior to the advent of patentable and more profitable antibiotics, medicines containing silver were the most widely prescribed infection fighters by doctors and there were no fewer than 34 different approved prescription and over the counter medications which contained silver. Now, after the elimination of most large particle and silver nitrate products and after improved technology has made nano-sized particles that require far less parts per million, colloidal silver proponents claim that it is safer and more effective than ever. At the same time, however, it has become the subject of increasing attacks by mainstream medicine, which labels colloidal silver as a scam, as quackery and as a dangerous substance with no proven value.

When it is pointed out that colloidal and nano-silver are used by NASA, Potters for Peace, the Hong Kong Subway System, Cure-Aid, and major hospital burn units, the detractors often concede that perhaps it works externally; however, they maintain that when it is taken internally it causes dangerous toxicity due to silver build-up. In a familiar refrain when it comes to silver and other alternatives to mainstream drugs, it is also claimed that colloidal silver taken internally has no "scientifically" proven benefits. One of the most widely publicized warnings is that colloidal silver causes people to turn blue due to a skin condition known as argyria.

Yet, the EPA says that 90-95% of ingested silver particles are eliminated from the body within two days and 99% are gone within a week (1). Furthermore, the bluest of the blue people, "Papa Smurf" Paul Karason was given a clean bill of health at Mount Sinai Hospital. (2) Karason, like the Montana senator who has bluish skin, did not actually take colloidal silver. Instead, he took large quantities of home-made ionic silver made with tap water and contaminated with salt for a prolonged period of time.

When it comes to scientific studies regarding the benefits of internal silver, last year it was reported that researchers in Hungary found specific silver receptors on human tissue – an indication that silver plays an important role in human health. (3) A joint study between the University of Texas and Mexico University published in the Journal of Nanotechnology showed that silver nano-particles of sizes 1-10nm attached to HIV-1 prevented the virus from bonding to host cells. (4)

Another study, conducted by the Department of Microbiology at Kyungpook National University in Daegu, Korea, and published in the prestigious Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, found that nano-silver was comparable in effectiveness to Amphotericin B, one of the most powerful prescription antifungal drugs known to man, which is often used intravenously to cure serious systemic fungal infections. The same study also found that nan-silver was superior to the well-known anti-fungal drug fluconazole (popularly known as Diflucan). (5)

In a recently completed study conducted by researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine and the University of Akron, Ohio, and presented at the 105th International Conference of the American Thoracic Society, researchers infected a group of mice with the bacteria Pseudomona aeroginosa. Psuedomona aeroginosa is a common cause of bacterial pneumonia in humans, especially those on ventilators, those with cystic fibrosis or those with compromised immune systems. Once infected, all the mice then inhaled aerosolized nano-particles once per day. In half of the mice, these particles contained antimicrobial particles known as silver carbene complexes (SCCs).

Mice that inhaled the SCCs had significantly lower concentrations of bacteria in their lungs than mice inhaling placebo nano-particles. Most significantly, none of the mice in the SCC group died, while all the mice in the control group did. (6)

Were all those doctors who prescribed silver products and the scientists who conducted the studies liars, scammers and/or quacks? Or could it be that mainstream medicine and its advocates are attacking colloidal silver because it really does represent a threat to the hundreds of billions in profits from patented drugs?

Meanwhile millions of people around the world are taking colloidal silver and reporting cures of pneumonia, staph, candida, MRSA, Chrohns, Lyme, the H1N1 flu, and much more.

by: Tony Isaacs

(NaturalNews) It was revealed that a handful of the activist agencies which were behind the petition to the EPA to regulate nano-silver as a pesticide received funding from pharmaceutical giant Merck, which annually has hundreds of billions of dollars in profits from patented antibiotics which colloidal silver poses a risk to. Now, further investigation has discovered that the initial revelations may just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Merck and other pharmaceutical companies funding of the groups who support the EPA petition.

The actual source of the funding that was first revealed in emails and colloidal silver blogsites was the John Merck Fund, which was set up in 1970 by Serena Merck, the widow of Merck Pharmaceuticals CEO George W. Merck. The recipients of funding who are signees on the petition to the EPA were identified as:

Center for Food Safety
$1,305,000.00 (1999 – 2005)

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
$490,000.00 (1992 – 2003)

International Center for Technology Assessment
$247,500.00 (1999)

Consumers Union of the United States
$90,000.00 (2000 – 2001)

Greenpeace
$80,000.00 (2000 – 2002)

Friends of the Earth
$45,000.00 (1992 – 2000)

Subsequently, it was discovered that a second Merck foundation, the Merck Family Fund, gave a $200,000 grant for 2006-2007 to another petitioner, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition.

The Center for Food Safety (CFS), which along with its sister organization the International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) initiated the EPA petition and enlisted the other groups which signed off on the petition, received the second largest amount of funding of any group from the John Merck Fund. The largest recipient by far of Merck funding was the Tides Center/Tides Foundation, whose total funding of almost $2.7 Million dwarfs the combined total of $1.75 Million given to the CFS and the ICTA and CFS.

Tides Foundation & Tides Center
$2,693,000.00 (1989 – 2005)

http://www.activistcash.com/foundat…

As it turns out, the Tides Foundation and Tides Center are also actively involved in the petition to regulate silver, as well as the source of funding and support to several of the other groups who signed the EPA petition. Their position became apparent to one and all when they posted a press release urging support of the EPA petition:

http://www.tidescenter.org/news-res…

The Tides Foundation is described by Activistcash.com as quickly becoming "the 800 pound gorilla for activist funding." As reported on ActivistCash:

"The Tides foundation was established in 1976 by California activist Drummond Pike, Tides does two things better than any other foundation or charity in the U.S. today: it routinely obscures the sources of its tax-exempt millions, and makes it difficult (if not impossible) to discern how the funds are actually being used."

Activistcash went on to report:

"In practice, "Tides" behaves less like a philanthropy than a money-laundering enterprise (apologies to Procter & Gamble), taking money from other foundations and spending it as the donor requires. Called donor-advised giving, this pass-through funding vehicle provides public-relations insulation for the money`s original donors. By using Tides to funnel its capital, a large public charity can indirectly fund a project with which it would prefer not to be directly identified in public. Drummond Pike has reinforced this view, telling The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Anonymity is very important to most of the people we work with."

Due to the efforts of many foundations to keep their funding activities anonymous, it is difficult to determine the true scope of pharmaceutical company funding for the Tides group as well as the individual activist groups. However, information on the Tides Center`s website and other web searches found that the Tides Center itself is a big source of funding and support to several of the other groups not listed as direct recipients of funding from Merck.

For example, the Center for Environmental Health is itself a a project of the Tides Center.

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy received previous funding and had previous connections with the Tides Foundation.

The Clean Production Action is a Tides Center project.

Food and Water Watch receives donations from the Tides Foundation.

Though not listed as a recipient of funding from Merck or the Tides Center, The Loka Institute, which has no current offices, was previously provided office space and a mailbox in Washington, DC by the International Center for Technology Assessment in their own offices.

Lest one think that Merck is the only Big Pharma company funding the activist groups directly or else indirectly funneling money to them through the Tides Foundation and Tides Center, a quick internet search found the following listed as the top funding recipient from the Pfizer Foundation:

Tides Foundation & Tides Center
$300,000.00 (2003 – 2004)

Thus far, the EPA has taken no action on the petition, though it is widely expected to make a ruling by early fall, and many expect that silver will indeed be regulated as a pesticide. Such an action would have the effect of banning virtually all the colloidal silver products currently used by millions of people to combat infections and pathogens of all kinds. In many instances, mainstream medicine has no answer for some of the deadliest of pathogens, such as MRSA.

The environmental groups would have us believe that they are primarily concerned with new products that incorporated "nanosilver" into their makeup such as computer keyboards, clothing and other textiles that were impregnated with nanosilver for antimicrobial purposes. However, it appears clear that the true agenda of the petition to the EPA is to constrain colloidal silver. Colloidal silver represents a huge threat to the billions of dollars in profits Big Pharma annually rakes in from less effective, less safe and far more expensive patented antibiotic drugs.

Such an agenda becomes obvious when one looks at the list of products singled out for banning that was part of the petitions and finds the three largest producers of colloidal silver specifically listed among the products. Many more colloidal silver products were later added as an addendum.

As an example of the subterfuge, one of the environmental groups which signed the petition, Friends of the Earth, sent emails this past spring to concerned members who used colloidal silver to assure them that they had no desire or intention to regulate colloidal silver. Then in June they published a position paper which stated, "We believe that all over-the-counter colloidal silver products should be immediately withdrawn from the market and their sale should be banned (unless approved as a drug by the appropriate regulatory agency)."

Source: Friends of the Earth (FOE), June 2009 report "Nano and Biocidal Silver: Extreme Germ Killers Present a Growing Threat to Public Health" pg. 13

Similarly, in March of this year, just before the EPA closed the door to public comments on the campaign to regulate silver as a "pesticide," the environmentalists published an article claiming that a "major new clinical study" had proven that silver harms human cells.

What the environmentalists failed to report in their article is enlightening. First of all, it turned out that the study they cited was hardly "major." Indeed, it was a very small study conducted by a virtually unknown research group in China.

It also turned out that the group conducting the study was in cahoots with two major pharmaceutical companies who are major producers of prescription antibiotic drugs. And finally, the study itself merely demonstrated the well-known fact that silver kills e. coli bacteria by damaging its cellular structure and preventing it from replicating.

In other words, the study was on bacterial cells, not human cells.

The justification for considering silver to be a pesticide in the first place is because it kills bacteria, viruses and other single celled pathogens, which the environmental groups have defined as "pests". Using the same definition would apparently also make common bleach, rubbing and drinking alcohol, aerosol disinfectants, and antibiotic and antiviral drugs "pesticides" as well – but only silver has been singled out.

One wonders why environmental groups are seemingly in bed with Big Pharma to begin with on the issue of silver, which is a natural element that has been in our waters, soils and plants since mankind first put down footsteps in the sands of time. Where is the concern over all of the drugs that are polluting our drinking water? According to a recent investigative report from the Associated Press, "U.S. manufacturers, including major drugmakers, have released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceutical drugs into waterways that often provide drinking water for millions of Americans – contamination the federal government has consistently overlooked…"

According to the Associated Press report, "…trace amounts of a wide range of pharmaceuticals – including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones – have been found in American drinking water supplies…pharmaceuticals have now been detected in the drinking water of at least 51 million Americans."

The figures reported may be merely the tip of the iceberg since, as the report itself states, "Most cities and water providers still do not test." The report also notes, "Some scientists say that wherever researchers look, they will find pharma-tainted water."

The AP report also noted that "Pharmaceutical makers typically are excused from having to submit an environmental review for new products, and the FDA has never rejected a drug application based on potential environmental impact."

Furthermore, according to the AP report, the Big Pharma companies do not even need to submit environmental reviews for their drugs, which are now contaminating the drinking water of tens of millions of American men, women and children.

But colloidal silver, which has never been demonstrated to contribute to environmental pollution, is being singled out by the environmental groups (backed by their Big Pharma paymasters) for extreme and completely unwarranted environmental regulations that will literally drive most if not all colloidal silver manufacturers and vendors completely out of business. And it`s all being pulled off in the name of "protecting the environment."

In short, Big Pharma produces hundreds of billions of dollars a year worth of prescription drugs and millions of pounds of these drugs annually end up polluting our environment, yet the environmental groups remain silent with nary a single call to regulate Big Pharma`s drugs as environmental pollutants. In other words, Big Pharma is polluting the environment with drugs, but, rather than opposing Big Pharma, the environmentalist groups are taking money from them and ruthlessly attacking the most popular natural health alternative to the prescription antibiotic drugs produced by Big Pharma.

Given the information outlined above, one can only wonder what other pharmaceutical funding is linked to activist groups such as the ones listed in this article. One shudders to think of how many activist groups have been corrupted by funding from Big Pharma and other companies with agendas that are anything but in the public interest.

It is easy to see how such hypocrisy and subterfuge can corrupt decision making, the same as can pay lobbyists and political funding. Obviously it would be in the distinct public interest to require full disclosure of funding sources for every organization which petitions a government agency or legislative body to see where there might be funding sources that would stand to benefit as a result of the desired action or legislation.

Similarly, it would also be in the public interest to require full details of all the activities and efforts of lobbyists, including expenses and the details of each meeting held by lobbyists with government officials. While we are at it, we would also be a better informed and better served citizenry if every elected official`s vote on any measure included donations and links to any companies or other entities affected by such legislation.

Granted, such reforms are a tall order, but until we see such altruistic change all the talk about true transparency in government is merely lip service – and the words from our own lips will continue to have little chance of reaching the ears of those captured by the special interests who have bought them off and rigged the process in their favor.

Notes:

The complete list of groups who signed the petition to the EPA is: The International Center for Technology Assessment, the Center for Food Safety (the sister organization of the CTA), Beyond Pesticides, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, ETC Group, Center for Environmental Health, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition , Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Clean Production Action, Food and Water Watch, the Loka Institute, the Center for Study of Responsive Law, and Consumers Union.

by Tony Isaacs

Popular film star chose to "starve his cancer" and refused to consider alternative treatments. Patrick Swayze, the star of movies such as "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost", died Monday at age 57 after a 20 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Although Swayze outlasted his original prognosis of only having a few months left to live, he refused to seek any natural or alternative treatments to help boost his immune system and nourish his body in addition to fighting his cancer – instead following the advice of his doctors to "starve out" the cancer.

During a one-hour "Barbara Walters Special" interview he told Ms. Walters that he "kept his mind open to miracles", but unfortunately he closed his mind to any hope of such miracle coming from outside mainstream medicine, whose track record against pancreatic and other difficult cancers is far from miraculous.

Mr. Swayze also indicated that he did not want any advice from others on alternative treatments. According to Swayze, though he had taken some "specific immune system Chinese herbs," he said he hasn't tried many alternative therapies because he learned from his mainstream doctors that if "you feed your body, you feed the insatiable voracious appetite of the cancer."

Shortly after the interview with Ms. Walters, Mr. Swayze was hospitalized for pneumonia and tabloid newspaper ran photographs of him in April along with reports that the cancer had metastasized and that his weight had dropped to 105 pounds.

After the news about Swayze's cancer and the advice he was following appeared, the following article was posted at Natural News, which resulted in considerable flack from mainstream outlets:

"Patrick Swayze's Misguided Faith in Mainstream Medicine "

Now, sadly, it appears that the fears voiced in the article have come to pass.

No one can say for sure whether alternative treatments might have saved or at least prolonged his life or how much better Mr. Swayze's quality of life might have been if he had opted for less harsh and possibly more effective alternatives. However, those who advocate natural health and bemoan the failure of mainstream cancer treatments recognize that it makes little sense to starve the body, because doing so further diminishes the natural immune system. The immune system is the natural first line of defense against cancer and other illness, and cancer is only able to gain a foothold in the first place by overcoming the immune system.

Among the alternatives Mr. Swayze might have explored in addition to nourishing his body were oleander, black cumin seed oil (Nigella Sativa) and pancreatic enzymes – all of which have had success against pancreatic cancer, especially when combined with a healthy and nutritional diet and lifestyle that builds up the body instead of replenishes it. Efforts by this author to get information to Mr. Swayze about alternatives which might have offered hope proved fruitless, though it appears unlikely that such information would have made a difference, given his statements on his chosen course of treatment.

Although Mr. Swayze's star status should make his loss no greater or lesser than anyone who succumbs to cancer, perhaps his example of placing his faith in treatment that has such a poor track record will stand as an example for others to look outside the box that mainstream cancer treatments has placed us in.

May he rest in peace.

by: Tony Isaacs

(NaturalNews) A new study presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology held in Orlando, reported that a chemotherapy drug intended to help save cancer patients` lives instead often resulted in life-threatening and sometimes even fatal allergic reactions.

The study from the Research on Adverse Drug Events and Reports (RADAR) program at Northwestern University`s Feinberg School of Medicine identified 287 unique cases of hypersensitivity reactions submitted to the FDA`s Adverse Event Report System between 1997 and 2007 with 109 (38 percent) deaths in patients who received Cremophor-based paclitaxel, which is a solvent-administered taxane chemotherapy.

Since adverse event reports are generally considered to only represent from 1 to 10 percent of actual incidences, the number of hypersensitivity reactions and deaths is likely much higher.

Two patients who died from an allergic reaction had early-stage breast cancer, which had been surgically removed, and were being treated with Cremophor-containing paclitaxel to prevent the cancer from coming back. Both of these patients had received medications before the chemotherapy to reduce the risk of hypersensitivity reactions. Another four women with early-stage breast cancer experienced life-threatening anaphylaxis reactions. Each of them had received prior medications to prevent the reactions.

The study was led by Charles Bennett, M.D., a professor of hematology/oncology at Northwestern`s Feinberg School and the RADAR program coordinator and Dennis Raisch, who is a professor of pharmacy at the University of New Mexico.

"The deaths of women with early-stage breast cancer are particularly disturbing because without the adverse reaction, they could have likely had 40 years of life ahead of them," Bennett said.

RADAR investigators also found that 22 percent of all fatalities occurred in patients who had received prior medication to prevent hypersensitivity reactions. Another 15 percent of the patients who had received such premedication experienced respiratory arrest that was termed to be life threatening.

The severe allergic reactions found in the study are believed to be caused by a chemical solvent derived from castor oil, Cremophor, which was utilized to dissolve insoluble drugs prior to their injection into the blood stream.

Paclitaxel which contained Cremophor has been associated with hypersensitivity reactions ranging from mild skin conditions to more severe conditions such as anaphylaxis and cardiac collapse. Anaphylaxis is an acute and severe systemic hypersensitivity skin allergic reaction which can be fatal. Symptoms
develop rapidly, often within minutes and even seconds.

Current product labeling for Cremophor containing paclitaxel in the U.S. includes a black-box warning alerting physicians and patients of potential toxicity and recommending the use of corticosteroids and other medications before chemotherapy to reduce the risk of severe hypersensitivity reactions.

by: Tony Isaacs

(NaturalNews) Feeling stressed? Stop and smell the roses. Or perhaps get a good whiff of lavender, lemon, mango, mint, coriander or other fragrant plants.

We`ve all heard the old adage that we should take breaks and "stop and smell the roses" to relieve stress. Now, scientists in Japan have reported the first scientific evidence that inhaling certain fragrances does indeed alter gene activity and blood chemistry in ways that can reduce stress levels.

The study, which appears in the American Chemical Society`s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, exposed lab rats to stressful conditions while inhaling and not inhaling linalool, which is a fragrance found naturally in lavender, mint, coriander, bergamot, lemon, mango and many other fragrant plants. After inhaling linalool, the rats which were exposed to stressful conditions had stress-elevated levels of neutrophils and lymphocytes return to near normal levels (both neutrophils and lymphcytes are key parts of the immune system).

In all, linalool is found in over 200 species of plants, mainly from mints, scented herbs, laurels such as cinnamon and rosewood, and citrus fruits. It is also found in some birch trees and other plants and has even been found in some fungi. The majority of the fragrant plants which contain linalool are noted for having a floral scent with a touch of spiciness.

The scientists also found that inhaling linalool reduced the activity of more than 100 genes that are normally significantly elevated in stressful situations. The findings could form the basis of new blood tests for identifying fragrances that can soothe stress, the researchers say. While linalool has been one of the most widely used substances to ease tension and emotional stress, until the new study the ways in which linalool affected the body had been an unsolved puzzle to scientists.

Aromatherapists have long believed in the power of fragrance to lower stress levels – and aromatherapy for stress relief has been popular for ages, although until the Japanese study there`s been little scientific evidence to support it. Now it appears that just like the advice our mothers and grandmothers gave us to "eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away", the advice "stop and smell the roses" from time to time may be yet another popular bit of old time wisdom that rings true.

In time, perhaps we will also discover proof that many fragrances soothe stress and have other health benefits as well. Who knows, we may even find that fragrances bring back pleasant memories of simpler times, such as the odors of fresh baked breads, apple pies, cinnamon rolls and a nice hot bowl of stew.

Utopia Naturals Soaps

by: Tony Isaacs

(NaturalNews) During a recent natural health seminar in Utopia, Texas Naturopathic Doctor Ken O`Neal gave a presentation on digestive enzymes and the vital role they play in our health and longevity. As Dr. O`Neal explained, until the advent of modern farming and food preparation most people got ample digestive enzymes from the plants they picked and ate – consuming a great deal of them more or less ripe from the vine.

A ripe fruit or vegetable freshly picked contains the most digestive enzymes it will ever have. Only a couple of hours off the vine will result in significant deterioration. Pick a fruit or vegetable that is less than ripe and then ship it via cold storage to your local grocers and it may have less than 10% of the enzymes of a fresh picked ripe fruit or vegetable. Add to that our over-farmed and mineral-depleted soils to the lack of time between crop plantings and lack of sufficient micro-organisms, which convert available minerals to bioavailable forms the plants can utilize, and the end result is crops that have far less available nutrients and enzymes than those decades ago.

Digestive enzymes play key roles in our health by enabling our bodies to digest and utilize all the nutrients we ingest to the greatest extent possible. Moreover, these enzymes also play a key role in the elimination of toxins and the digestion and removal of scar tissue that builds up inside all of us as we age.

A recent article in natural news detailed how houseplants helped remove toxins and pollutants from our air (See: http://www.naturalnews.com/025587_N…). According to Dr. O`Neal, it is the digestive enzymes in the plants that enable them to remove the toxins.

When it comes to our bodies, there are at least 45 essential nutrients that the body needs to carry out normal bodily functions – and likely more when you include all the vital trace minerals. "Essential" means that the body cannot manufacture them and they must come from outside sources.

Proper metabolic function requires at least 13 kinds of vitamins and 20 kinds of minerals, in addition to fats, carbohydrates and water. All of these items combine to ensure that when food is consumed it gets broken down to its basic component parts for absorption and then is transported by the blood stream throughout the body.

Nutrients, including enzymes, work together with each other and act as catalysts to promote absorption and assimilation. Without digestive enzymes, the body cannot absorb nutrients in food which are not properly broken down.

Over the years, the body slowly but surely loses its ability to produce enzymes and major drops occur roughly every ten years. At first, such drops may not be that apparent, but as time goes by we ultimately begin to discover that we cannot tolerate or enjoy certain foods like we once did. We may also notice a reduction in stamina, and most likely what that means is that we are running low on enzymes.

In one of his reports on anti-aging, noted alternative health voice Jon Barron noted the important role digestive enzymes play in anti-aging in his report on digestive enzymes:

"Dr. Howell, in his book on enzyme nutrition, puts it quite clearly when he says that a person's life span is directly related to the exhaustion of their enzyme potential. And the use of food enzymes decreases that rate of exhaustion, and thus, results in a longer, healthier, and more vital life.

"Enzymes are proteins that facilitate chemical reactions in living organisms. In fact, they are required for every single chemical action that takes place in your body. All of your cells, organs, bones, muscles, and tissues are run by enzymes.

"Your digestive system, immune system, blood stream, liver, kidneys, spleen, and pancreas, as well as your ability to see, think, feel, and breathe, all depend on enzymes. All of the minerals and vitamins you eat and all of the hormones your body produces need enzymes in order to work properly. In fact, every single metabolic function in your body is governed by enzymes. Your stamina, your energy level, your ability to utilize vitamins and minerals, your immune system — all governed by enzymes.

"As it happens, they are produced both internally (most notably in the pancreas and the other endocrine glands) and are present in raw foods that we eat. At birth we are endowed with a certain potential for manufacturing enzymes in our bodies, an enzyme "reserve," if you will. Nature intended that we continually replenish that reserve through proper nutrition and eating habits. Unfortunately, that just doesn`t happen. Let`s take a look at why.

"Most people believe that when you eat a meal it drops into a pool of stomach acid, where it`s broken down, then goes into the small intestine to have nutrients taken out, and then into the colon to be passed out of the body — if you`re lucky. Not quite.

"What nature intended is that you eat enzyme rich foods and chew your food properly. If you did that, the food would enter the stomach laced with digestive enzymes. These enzymes would then "predigest" your food for about an hour — actually breaking down as much as 75% of your meal.

"After this period of "pre digestion," hydrochloric acid is introduced. The acid inactivates all of the enzymes, but begins its own function of breaking down what is left of the meal.

"Eventually, this nutrient rich food concentrate moves on into the small intestine. Once food enters the small intestine, the pancreas reintroduces digestive enzymes to the process. As digestion is completed, nutrients are passed through the intestinal wall and into the blood stream.

"That`s what nature intended. Unfortunately, most of us don`t live our lives as nature intended!"

To read the full report, see: http://www.jonbarron.org/anti-aging…

At the aforementioned seminar, Dr. O`Neal provided further information via his lecture and handouts about the many benefits that a good regimen of systemic enzyme therapy from diets and supplementation could provide. Here is the major topics he reported:

Major Functions of Systemic Enzyme Therapy

Fights Inflammation:

Inflammation is the cause of pain associated with many different conditions such as sports injuries, muscle sprains, sciatica, chronic back pain and even arthritis and fibromyalgia. Systemic digestive enzymes can be a healthy alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as acetominiphen, ibuprofen and aspirin.

Digestive enzymes help reduce joint and muscle inflammation, act as a natural pain reliever, and help reduce C-Reactive proteins, a marker for inflammation. In addition, digestive enzymes may lower inflammation by removing toxins and debris in the circulatory system and may reduce the inflammation associated with Sjogren`s syndrome

Fights Fibrosis

Fibrosis is a type of scar tissue formation which contains fibrin (which is a type of protein) and it can form masses or web-like formations throughout the body's tissues, muscles, and organs. Excess fibrous tissue is marked by the body as "foreign proteins". When there is a build up of excess fibrin, systemic enzymes can help reduce these so called "foreign" proteins. Removing the buildup of fibrin via digestive enzymes may may help fight the aging process and may reduce fibromyalgia symptoms, endometriosis, uterine fibroid tumors, pulmonary fibrosis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Digestive enzymes may also reduce thickening of the blood from fibrin deposits and unclog the microcirrculation system, thus increasing circulation, reduce spider veins and wrinkles, increase penile functionality and increase healing capabilities by reducing post-operative scar tissue.

Immune System Modulation:

When the immune system is run down and/or impaired, digestive enzymes can help increase immune response, producing more Natural Killer cells and improving the efficiency of white blood cells, all of which can lead to improved immunity. These enzymes can also speed healing, increase the body`s defense mechanism by modulating our immune system, prevent the rejection of transplanted and health-restoring organs and tissues, modulate the cell-signaling pathway that triggers immune activation and balance the entire body synergy.

Fights Blood Contamination:

Blood often becomes contaminated with toxins when the liver is over burdened and its capacity to cleanse the blood is diminished. Blood can also become contaminated when excess fibrin builds up and causes the blood to become too thick. The result of such contamination and thickening may end up being a perfect environment for blood clots to form. When systemic enzymes are taken, their presence in the blood can help aid the normal liver functions by helping to clear excess fibrin and reduce the stickiness of blood cells, which can in turn help minimize one of the leading causes of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots.

Systemic digestive enzymes in the blood can also break down dead material to small enough sizes that it can immediately pass into the bowel and can help maintain a normal blood flow prevention of blood clots and platelet aggregations within the blood vessels.

Other digestive enzyme benefits for the blood include assisting in the liver`s detoxification process to help maintain cleaner blood, improving the functionality of white blood cell receptors and their ability to fight off infection, and improving homeostasis

Fights Viruses:

Viruses have an exterior protein coating that is used to bond the viruses to the DNA in our cells so they can replicate, which often results in harm. Systemic enzymes can disrupt this outer protein wall and render viruses inert by inhibiting replication. In addition, digestive enzymes which include Serrapeptase content can help improve anti-virals abilities to kill viruses, can serve as internal filters to clean the circulatory system, and can lower viral loading

Dr. O`Neal also explained one reason that digestive enzymes, particularly pancreatic enzymes which contain chymotrypsin, are so effective as a tool in fighting many cancers, such as pancreatic cancer: they help break down the protective coating cancer cells encapsulate themselves in.

Note: Doctor Ken O`Neal, or Dr. Ken as he is most often known as, became an MD almost 40 years ago, but became increasingly disillusioned by mainstream drugs and treatments that appeared to be mostly treating symptoms and managing illness instead of curing it. So he began to study and turn to nature more and more as time went by. Fourteen years ago Dr. O`Neal earned his degree as a Naturopathic Doctor and has been using his scientific knowledge of the human body combined with the healing powers of nature ever since.

Jarro Zymes
Pro Biotics
Intra Max

The famed herbal healer Dr. Shulze said, "If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper. It is more powerful than any other."

In particular cayenne pepper is good for the heart and circulatory system and can be a lifesaver in the event of a heart attack – if you have concerns over heart attacks, never leave home without it!

From the healing text of Dr. Christopher:

"In 35 years of practice, and working with the people and teaching, I have never on house calls lost one heart attack patient and the reason is, whenever I go in–if they are still breathing–I pour down them a cup of cayenne tea (a teaspoon of cayenne in a cup of hot water, and within minutes they are up and around)."

Some of the other medicinal or health benefits of the Cayenne pepper include:

Cayenne pepper added diet helps avoid stomach aches, gas and cramps. Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine recommends cayenne for proper digestion as it stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva.

Cayenne pepper improves the effectiveness of other herbs.

Topical application of cayenne pepper causes irritation in the applied area; thus, it helps distract the nerves from joint pains due to arthritis.

Cayenne added water can be used to gargle with, to cure sore throats.

The capsaicin in cayenne pepper stimulates secretions, which helps to clear the mucus from nose and lungs by clearing the sinuses and causing sweating. Cayenne pepper added tea is good for colds and flu.

When any body part is sick, the blood flow to that area is usually affected. Cayenne helps to remove that blockage and stimulates the blood flow so that the vitamins are properly delivered to all areas of the body and waste is removed.

In addition to it`s ability to stop heart attacks, cayenne helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Cayenne also helps to dissolve fibrin which causes formation of blood clots and it reduces triglyceride levels.

Smelling cayenne helps cure headaches. Topical application of capsaicin also helps to relieve them.

Cayenne pepper is a source of beta-carotene which is helpful in reducing symptoms of asthma.

Vitamin A, or beta-carotene, in cayenne pepper, gives protection against invading pathogens by helping the development of healthy mucus membranes in the nasal passage, lungs and urinary tracts, thereby giving immunity to infections.

When added to food, cayenne helps weight loss due to aiding proper digestion. It also reduces excess appetite due to mal-absorption.

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin that has the ability to prevent ulcers.

Beta-carotene contained in cayenne pepper works as a good antioxidant that prevents or repairs the damages caused by free radicals, helping prevent atherosclerosis and colon cancer.

Cayenne is also very effective in relieving diabetic complications like nerve damage and heart disease. It gives temporary relief of pain from psoriasis, herpes zoster, neuralgia, and toothache.

Cardio EZ

by: Tony Isaacs

(NaturalNews) As we age, our bones begin to erode, which to some extent is normal and a natural result of aging. However, some of us lose so much bone that our skeletons become weakened and deformed and in severe cases we incur loss of bone density in multiple places. That is osteoporosis, and it frequently causes fractures of the hip, spine and forearm. At its worst, bones can become so frail that they can crack and break under the body's own weight!

The meaning of the term `osteoporosis` originates from `osteo`, which means bone, and `porosis` which implies thinning or becoming more porous. Hence, osteoporosis literally means `thinning of bone`. Medically speaking, Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone in which the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced which means one has a low bone mass and deteriorating bone tissue. In simple words, the bones become thin, brittle and may be easily broken. Bone mass (bone density) is the amount of bone present in the skeletal structure. The higher the density the stronger are the bones. Bone density is strongly influenced by genetic factors, which in turn are sometimes modified by environmental factors and medications.

If osteoporosis is not prevented in the early stages or if left untreated, it can progress painlessly until the bone tends to break. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist. The fracture caused by osteoporosis can be either in the form of cracking (as in a hip fracture), or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine). Though the spine, hips, and wrists are common areas of osteoporosis-related bone fractures, almost any skeletal bone area is susceptible to osteoporosis-related fracture.

The consequences of osteoporosis may impair a person for life. A hip fracture may impair a person`s ability to walk and may cause permanent disability or even death despite hospitalization and major surgery. The Spinal or vertebral fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity. Osteoporosis can cause a person to stoop forward and appear to have a hump on his or her spine. While osteoporosis occurs in men and pre-menopausal women, the problem is predominant among postmenopausal women.

Anyone can get osteoporosis, but women are more likely to get it than men. They have lighter bones than men, and they lose bone rapidly after menopause, because their bodies are producing less estrogen. But men aren`t immune, especially if they drink heavily, smoke or have taken steroid drugs.

But your bones don`t have to crack under the strain of this disease. You can slow, stop or even reverse bone loss.

One natural remedy for osteoporosisis is fish oil containing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and GLA (gamma linolenic acid), which not only are effective safeguards against osteoporosis, but also improve the skin and brain function and avoid cardiovascular problems. Light exercise is also recommended, such as walking, dancing, aerobics or bouncing on trampolines. Calcium and magnesium supplements, in the ratio of 2 or 3: 1 respectively, would also help increase bone density.

Factors Contributing to the Loss of Bone Density and Strength:

Excess phosphorus intake through drinking too many sodas, particularly colas, causes the body to balance this phosphorus by drawing calcium from the bones.

Magnesium deficiency is a huge factor for osteoporosis. Magnesium is actually more important than calcium for bone growth and bone density. As many as 90 percent or more of us are deficient in magnesium.

Among women the deficiency of Estrogen (a group of hormones) post menopause has been correlated to a rapid reduction in BMD.

The increased risk of falling associated with aging, leads to fractures of the wrist, spine and hip, and in many instances the fall is actually caused by the breaking of a bone when taking a step, especially when stepping downward on stairs or stepping off porches.

Other hormone deficiency states can lead to osteoporosis, such as testosterone deficiency. Glucocorticoid or thyroxine excess states also lead to osteoporosis.

Not eating foods rich in Calcium, Vitamin D and Phosphorous can also cause bone loss. Calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency from malnutrition also increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Some medicines can inhibit the body`s ability to absorb calcium. This may cause the bones to weaken. These medications include cortisone/corticosteroids, anticoagulants, thyroid supplements, and some anti-convulsive drugs.

Other illnesses or diseases, such as over-active thyroid, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis may also cause bone loss. A disease such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia can cause changes in a person`s estrogen level and lead to osteoporosis.

Other significant factors leading to the onset of osteoporosis include: smoking cigarettes, high intake of alcohol, tea or coffee, low levels of physical activity (weight bearing exercise), and family history.

Sedentary lifestyle is a major factor in osteoporosis. Exercise strengthens bones – inactivity encourages the body not to rebuild unused resources.

Consuming too much fat in our diets can contribute to osteoporosis as well. Vegetarians are shown to have greater bone mass than meat eaters.

Excess alcohol consumption interferes with calcium absorption.

Drinking too much coffee. A study of 84,484 patients showed a correlation between bone fractures and heavy coffee consumption.

The evidence is overwhelming that smoking, particularly heavy smoking, boosts bone loss.

A lack of natural vitamin D, which can be obtained by exposure (not over-exposure) to sunlight, is also an important factor in bone loss.

Not enough Vitamin K in the system is an often overlooked contributor to osteoporosis. New research has shown that this little known vitamin is the key to calcium balance in the body.

Trace minerals, which most of us are deficient in due to our mineral depleted soils, are necessary for the transport and absorption of calcium.

Prescription drugs can increase bone loss. These include cortisone, blood thinners, antacids containing aluminum, chemotherapy, lithium, and certain antibiotics.

Birth control pills reduce the folic acid content in the body.

Excess consumption of dairy products actually causes bone loss, contrary to what many might believe. This is due to the high animal fat content in dairy products, and the lack of CLA in modern dairy products.

Excess salt and sugar consumption in junk foods leach calcium from the bones into the urine.

Fluorides destroy collagen, the glue which adds strength to the bones.

Exercise to Build Strong Bones:

Exercise aerobically for 20 minutes a day at least three days a week. The best aerobic exercise for strong bones is one you will continue doing, because if you don`t do it for life, the bone-building benefits fade. Exercise for at least thirty minutes using weight-bearing exercise such as walking or jogging, three times a week. This regime has been proven to increase bone mineral density, and reduce the risk of falls by strengthening the major muscle groups in the legs and back. You may prefer running, biking, swimming or aerobic dance classes. Aim for quality, not quantity, when you exercise.

Walking in chest-deep water for about 30 minutes at least three times a week is a suggested remedy, especially if you`ve already had a fracture or two, since the water will help support your body weight and take stress off bones and joints. Work yourself up to 30 minutes at least three times a week.

Make your "exercise equipment" a chair and the floor. To complement water walking, do some easy muscle -strengthening exercises in a chair or on the floor. Such exercises can include abdominal curls, shoulder blade squeezes and back extensions.

To do back extensions, lie on the floor on your stomach, with a pillow under your hips and your arms at your sides. Using only your back muscles, not your arms, raise your upper body a few inches off the floor. Hold for as long as comfortable, then relax downward. Work up to doing this six to ten times a day.

Dietary and Other Tips for Handling Osteoporosis Without Medications

Vary your diet. Bones are not made from calcium alone. Instead, bones are an amalgam that includes various minerals such as zinc, boron and copper. These trace elements can be ingested through a varied and broad-based diet that includes mostly unprocessed foods, such as whole grains, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish and lean meat. Foods high in boron (a mineral that helps the body hold calcium) are beneficial for those affected by osteoporosis. Boron is found in apples, pears, grapes and other fruit, as well as in legumes, nuts and honey. Manganese is another beneficial mineral. Traces of manganese are largely found in pineapples, nuts, spinach, beans and whole wheat.

Bones need nourishment from calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and phosphorous. A poor diet lacking these essential vitamins and minerals contributes to osteoporosis. Foods rich in calcium are especially necessary to maintaining healthy bones. Dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), salmon, sardines, almonds, dark green leafy vegetables and broccoli are good sources of calcium. It is recommended that one should include 1500mg of calcium daily either via dietary means or via supplementation. For measurement purposes, it is important to note that an 8 oz glass of milk contains approximately 300 mg of calcium. Calcium supplements are an effective alternative option. These come in a variety of forms. The body can absorb only about 500 mg of calcium at one time and so intake should be spread throughout the day.

Magnesium is essential for good bone growth and density. The recommended daily minimums are 320 mg for women and 400 for men, but optimum daily amounts are more like 500 to 700 mg. Dietary sources include dark green leafy vegetables and nuts, but it is difficult to get enough magnesium through diet alone so supplementation is advised for most people. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 people do not get enough magnesium daily and that over 90% of the US population is magnesium deficient.

Brussels sprouts are known to prevent diseases like cancer, birth defects, osteoporosis and heart trouble. Brussels sprouts provide essential vitamin K (this vitamin activates a protein found in bones, called osteocalcin, which holds calcium molecules in place) helps protect against osteoporosis.

Change your life style by quitting cigarette smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and exercising regularly. It is important to note that a few studies have suggested an adverse effect of calcium excess on bone density and reports indicate the milk industry has been misleading customers. It has been reported that excess consumption of dairy products may cause acification, which leeches calcium from the system. Therefore, it is claimed that vegetables and nuts are a better source of calcium and milk products are better avoided. It is noteworthy to observe that man alone continues to drink milk after the age of weaning and one has only to look at cows, which get all of their calcium from grass and vegetable forage and have some of the largest and strongest bones of any animal.

Monitor your medications. Some drugs can hasten bone loss. Those most likely to cause problems: corticosteroids, which are prescribed for a variety of conditions such as rheumatic disorders, allergic conditions and respiratory disease; L-thyroxine, a thyroid medication; and furosemide, a diuretic often used against fluid retention associated with high blood pressure and kidney problems.

Avoid colas and other carbonated soft drinks which get their sharp taste from phosphoric acid, which contains phosphorus, a mineral that in excess amounts causes your body to excrete calcium.

Salt lightly, and choose healthy sea salt for added minerals. As with phosphorus, too much salt causes your body to excrete calcium. Avoid products with more than 300 milligrams of salt per serving.

Almond Milk is calcium rich and a good remedy to help with osteoporosis is calcium-rich almond milk. One can have the almond milk by soaking the almonds in warm water, peeling and blending them with either cow`s milk or better still, goat`s milk. Drink only raw organic milk.

Herbs That Can Help Osteoporosis

Dandelion Tea helps build bone density.

Red Clover has been shown to improve bone mineral density (it also lowers LDL cholesterol).

Chaste Berry contains vitexicarpin and vitricin, which help to keep hormone levels in balance. It is advisable to take at least 250 mg a day of a standardized extract of this herb for two to three months.

Dong Quai has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It is advisable to take 250 mg of a standardized extract of dong quai daily as a tonic herb.

A recent study indicates that the popular herb Black Cohosh may help prevent osteoporosis. Most studies recommend an intake of either 20 or 40 mg of black cohosh extract twice a day.

A handful of sesame seeds had every morning may also help osteoporosis.

Dietary Supplementation Tips for Osteoporosis:

Aim for maximum absorption. Spread your calcium supplements out over the day rather than taking them all at once.

Magnesium, calcium and phosphorus are all essential for proper bone growth and density. Try to get 1,000 milligrams a day of calcium, even if you haven`t reached menopause. And they suggest 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams a day for postmenopausal women who are not getting ERT.

Most women consume far less than those amounts. Reaching 1,000 milligrams through diet alone means drinking a quart of skim milk a day or eating two cups of low-fat yogurt or four cups of low-fat cottage cheese.

Figure out, realistically, how much calcium you can get through your diet, then make up the rest with supplements. Dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach are excellent sources of calcium.

Get enough vitamin D. For maximum protection, aim for 600 international units of vitamin D per day (three times the Recommended Dietary Allowance).

Plant derived trace minerals are the best source of invaluable trace minerals. Minerals are the building blocks of the enzymes necessary for the utilization of all other vitamins, etc. (rock minerals are a waste of money since only 5-15% can be broken down by the body before being eliminated. Minerals already digested by plants are potentially 100% absorbable.

Glucosamine, Chondrotin, and Collagen are important for bone and joint health (and all of these are available in a product called Liquid Life Joint Care, which also contains aloe and bovine colostrum).

Silica (from horsetail and/or shavegrass) works with calcium to maintain strong bones and is especially effective in combination with GTF Chromium.

GTF Chromium (GTF Chromium is a complex known as Glucose Tolerance Factor and is made by fermenting nutritional yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with chromium.)

Inositol/IP6 modulates the behavior of bone-forming and bone-destroying cells to help prevent osteoporosis.

Besides being an excellent pathogen destroyer, Colloidal Silver also helps bone, tissue and nerve regeneration.

Caution: Do not take bone drugs for osteoporosis. Evidence has shown that they produce abnormal bone growth and actually make bones more brittle. They also can have serious and even life threatening side effects!

Coral Calcium
CalMag Citrates
Bone Up

by Tony Isaacs

(NaturalNews) My search for a possible cancer cure began in late 2004 when I found out that my cousin, lifelong friend and running buddy, Jeff Johnson, had been diagnosed as having stage-three melanoma. The cancer had appeared out of nowhere and so it was quite a shock to my cousin and everyone close to him. As luck would have it, I had spent a lot of time the previous four years or so working on my dream of someday posting a website aimed at helping aging baby boomers and others live longer, healthier and happier lives. Naturally, a lot of my research involved searching for ways to ward off and treat diseases and ills such as cancer, Alzheimer`s, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney and liver disease, and so forth.

When I found out about my cousin, I already had a head start on knowing where and how to look, and so I began to redouble my efforts and focus my research more on cancer. As a result of my research, I found a lot of very good information about fighting cancer and other diseases, boosting our immune systems and improving health in general – much of which you may find in my simple "How to Live a Long and Healthy Life" book. However, it was not my research that led me to finding out about the magical, miraculous oleander plant – it was a card game!

Yes, the way I first heard about the healing powers of oleander happened one evening when I was sitting down at a friendly card game and mentioned my cousin`s cancer. An acquaintance of mine, whom I had known for a few years and who had worked for the American Medical Association at one time, looked across the table at me and, as serious as could be, said "I know a cure." He then proceeded to tell me an amazing story of what he knew about oleander. Later, I found others who told me essentially the same basic story, although each person seemed to have a slightly different version. I fully expect that the story is headed toward becoming a modern day legend someday. Although the versions I heard have differed somewhat, the basic story line I believe to be essentially correct is as follows:

In the early 1960`s a Turkish doctor by the name of Huseyin Ziya Ozel was searching for a cure for his pet dog`s cancer when he noticed that a large number of Turkish villagers referred to him came from high altitudes and he thought that perhaps there was more to the story than just the higher incidence of skin cancer associated with higher altitudes:

In many versions of the story, Doctor Ozel was reported to have observed Turkish villagers drinking an oleander remedy and curing their cancer, which pretty much correlates with the description of Oleander Leaf on the American Cancer Society website, where it states that Doctor Ozel started his study of oleander because of folk traditions that suggested that an extract from oleander was active against leukemia. It should be noted that Doctor Ozel`s daughter Sumru disputes this version and states that Doctor Ozel "studied folkloric remedies and discovered that poultices made of crushed oleander leaves and flour were applied topically to wounds and produced amazingly fast healing of the wounds." The author suspects that this version may have been put forward to put distance between what Ozel observed and what he later patented in order to protect the patent from challenges.

According to Ozel`s daughter, Doctor Ozel made an observation that the majority of cancer patients referring to him were coming from an altitude above 600 meters. He thought that there should be a correlation between the rate of cancer occurrence and some environmental influence.

Whatever the actual truth, Doctor Ozel obviously did observe Turkish villagers using oleander and did review that use as well as a number of environmental factors, and he proceeded to continue his research on oleander based on what he found.

Further research showed that Nerium Oleander was most abundant in lower altitudes and practically did not exist at high altitude. Satisfied that he may have determined the cause of the villager`s good health, Doctor Ozel became intrigued with the plant and began to prepare and work with various extracts of Oleander himself in 1966 while he was the head of the surgical department at Mugla State Hospital of Turkey.

Doctor Ozel first conducted animal studies to determine that the substance was non-toxic and, once he determined the toxicology and effects of Nerium Oleander Extract (or NOE), he conducted further experiments and developed his treatment in various forms until he eventually started tests on terminal human cases.

After initial success in treating human cancer patients with NOE, Doctor Ozel began discussing his findings with other professionals in his field. He sought analysis of the extract from various Turkish laboratories to understand the empirical results. They were unable to characterize the extracted compounds. In the hope of gaining assistance from the government or research organizations, he prepared a paper to present his first human cases at the Fourth Balkanic Medical Days Symposium held in Ankara on 20 September 1973.

The cases presented were all considered terminal cases when the patients came to Doctor Ozel. By law, he could not treat patients with an experimental drug, such as NOE, unless they had exhausted all other conventional treatment methods with no response or were diagnosed as advanced stage, terminal cases. At the symposium he was able to call the attention of the scientific community to NOE and how the extract had shown to be efficacious on cancer cases of different varieties. He was sure that his presentation would trigger serious and abundant research on NOE, and that it finally could be put into service for mankind.

The response from the scientific community was less than overwhelming. The skepticism centered mainly on the fact that the presentation contradicted what little literature there was on oleander species. Clearly the results presented could not be explained as an extension of prior art but Turkish scientists strongly denied the facts that Doctor Ozel had presented without any further research. To conclude, the medical community was reluctant to accept the results. Doctor Ozel was undaunted by the criticism and lack of support for the ideas presented. He continued his research and patients continued to seek treatment.

In 1974, he published additional case reports in the Turkish Medical Journal "Dirim". Doctor Ozel resigned from his position as Chief Doctor at Mugla State Hospital that same year in order to be able to work on NOE and initiate research on the subject,

Doctor Ozel contacted various universities in Istanbul. Years passed and he realized that no serious scientific research could be performed in any of the local universities. In the meantime, his old patients referred new ones to him, and more cancer patients presented themselves to him as word of the results of the treatment spread.

In 1985 he started to look for research facilities abroad. During 1986-1987 some tests performed in Europe proved the effect of NOE on the immune system as well as cancer tumors. The studies showed that it was at least six times as potent as the most active commercially available immune-stimulants (Schizophyllan, Krestin and Lentinan, which were patented by the Japanese in the 1980s).

In 1988, a research team was formed at Munich University Pharmacology Institute to isolate the active components contained in the N.O. extract. Several polysaccharides were identified that might be responsible for some part of the immune activity. On 17-22 July 1990, the initial results were presented as a poster at the symposium of Biology and Chemistry of Active Natural Substances (BACANS) which was held in Bonn, Germany. The presentation was published in Planta Medica 1990-56:66. However, no single component of the extract was found to be the sole source of its benefits. Instead, the activity is induced by a complex mixture of components contained in the extract, acting synergistically to modulate the immune system.

Since the early 1970`s, Doctor Ozel has been treating patients with advanced and inoperable cancer as well as a wide variety of other of illnesses. His results have been truly remarkable. In fact, so fantastic were the stories of his success that Doctor Ozel had to endure long periods of controversy from the Turkish medical establishment and there were those who tried to charge the good doctor with being a charlatan. Happily, the truth of his successes won out and such charges were dropped from consideration when his results were proven. Scores of patients rose up to defend the good doctor, testifying about how they had been cured when all other treatment options had failed.

The patented name of Doctor Ozel`s oleander extract is Anvirzel, whose trademark was once owned by Ozelle Pharmaceuticals, which was formed by Doctor Ozel`s son and other investors. Today, trademark rights are in dispute. Unfortunately, since Doctor Ozel had claimed that oleander was a cure for cancer, as opposed to a natural supplement, and since his extract was patented and given a trademark, the FDA now considers oleander as an unproven medicine which, because of the toxicity of the raw plant, must have its safety and effectiveness proven before the FDA will allow its use even as an herbal supplement, and so it is very difficult to obtain herbal supplements which contain oleander in the United States.

Today, the lengthy and costly three-phase FDA trial process for approval of Anvirzel or any other oleander extract, is far from over, although many people and millions of investor dollars are counting on it ultimately being approved. In 2000, Ozelle Pharmaceuticals had successful phase I FDA trials conducted on Anvirzel, but subsequently ran into investor problems and had to reorganize. Although Ozelle continues to publish plans that it will soon begin phase II trials with Anvirzel, such plans have not yet reached fruition and funding appears to continue to be a major problem for Ozelle.

In the interim, a competing company, Phoenix Biotech, also obtained a patent for Anvirzel in Honduras and has applied for a U.S. patent as well, and a clinic has been established in Honduras by the name of Salud Integral. For the past eight years, the clinic has successfully treated a number of patients, many of whom travel from the United States for initial diagnosis and treatment, as well as three-month supplies of Anvirzel for various cancers, hepatitis-C, psoriasis and other immune disorders.

Within just the past three years, a third competing company appeared by the name of Shimoda Atlantic Oncology Biosciences, and claimed to have developed its own oleander extract named Xenavex which it claimed was much stronger due to an ethanol extraction method. As it turned out, I and others exposed the company as a fraud that was created to cheat investors and the drug was actually a heart medication imported from Russia. Furthermore, although the imported Russian medicine does have slightly higher concentrations of oleandrin, the ethanol extraction method results in the loss of other compounds that researchers believe work together in a synergistic way to make oleander extract so powerful (over 500 trace compounds have been identified in an aqueous, or water, oleander extract, including vital long-chain polysaccharides that are lost in ethanol extraction methods because they precipitate out during the extraction process).

Sadly, I must report that it may be many years, if ever, before an oleander based medicine wins FDA approval. The simple fact is that it takes hundreds of millions of dollars to get a new drug successfully through all the FDA trials, and this pretty much bars competition to all but the very large pharmaceutical companies. Many feel that if the issue ever went to court, the patent itself would be hard to defend, since it is based on a common plant and a centuries-old folk remedy. Others feel that, because of the billions of dollars in profits at stake for the trillion-dollar world pharmaceutical industry and their myriad cancer treatments, no oleander medicine will ever be approved in the United States.

The best hope as of the time of this writing appears to be the development of an oleander based tablet by Phoenix Biotech which is reported to be have a much stronger concentration of oleandrin and the other cardiac glycosides while losing none of the other essential synergistic compounds. Only time will tell if a major pharmaceutical company with the requisite funds will pick up this new oleander product from Phoenix, shepherd it through FDA trials, and finally bring it to market.

Live Long, Live Healthy, Live Happy!