Did You Know? Important Health Info for the Healthy Lifestyle Conscious

(1) high blood pressure has been linked to dementia? (New research is discovering that high blood pressue (hypertension) fuels a kind of scarring linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease and oher dementias later on down the road. These scars can begin building up in your middle age, decades before memory problems will appear.

Scientists have long noticed that some triggers for heart disease--high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes-- seem to increase the risk of dementia.)

(2) every year 10 to 15 percent of people with mild cognitive impairment will develop dementia as compared to 1 to 2 percent of the general population?

(3) according to projections, heart disease will kill approximately 400,000 Americans this year (2010)? (This is due primarily to smoking and obesity.)

(4) pasture or grass-fed dairy is higher in vitamin E, beta-carotene, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), and omega-3s, among other nutrients, than their conventional, grain-fed counterparts? (Since only 10 to 15 prcent of dairy farms are pasture-based (cows are free to roam outdoors in pastures, feeding on grass,) 85 to 90 percent are confinement farms (cows are kept primarily indoors and fed grain.) However, pasture-based dairy farming is highly beneficial to all concerned. This includes the farmer, you the consumer, the products, the land, and the environment.

Pasture-fed cows are healthier than their grain-fed counterparts, and live longer. The cull rate -- the number of cows that must be taken out of the milking herd each year -- is 30 to 50 percent per year for confinement herds. In pastured herds the cull rate is generally around 15 percent.)

(5) sedentary people who incorporated exercise into their daily routine reduced their C-reactive protein (CRP) by 30 percent? (CRP is a measure of inflammation in your body.

(6) most lower back pain is caused by too much sitting? (Although the 21st century, along with the greater part of the 20th century, has brought tremendous time and labor-saving innovations, it has also brought along health invading side effects. One of these side effects is minor lower back pain caused by too much sitting.

Today almost everything is computerized. This has increased many times the number of people who sit for 8 or more hours a day. Entertainment has contributed to the increae in sitting too. With the advent of 24/7 television, video games, and the internet, sitting has become a way of life.

Sitting for long periods of time places stress on your hip flexor muscles. But there is a non-pharmaceutical way to alleviate the pain. It is a particular exercise which will stretch your hip flexors.

Take a runner's stance with your right foot forward and left foot back. Make certain that both feet are planted firmly on the floor. Place your hands on your hips, and with your back and hips in straight alignment, push forward with the hips while keeping an erect posture. Push only until you feel a tolerable amount of tension. Hold for a count of ten. Switch sides by reversing your foot stance, and repeat.

Next is an exercise which will stretch your back while you are in bed. Lie on your back. Now very slowly bring your right knee to your chest. Go only as far as it feels comfortable. With your hands on your shin, hold for 10 to 20 seconds. Slowly release and lower your leg to a five count. Repeat with your left leg.
More on lower back pain-- and how you can treat or prevent it.

Perform this exercise 5 to 6 times in the morning before getting out of bed, and in the evening.)

(7) the percentage of Americans who have eaten 3 or more snacks between the years 1977 and 2002 has increased from 11 percent to 42 percent?

(8) health authorities recommend 1 tablespoon of healthy fat for every 45 pounds of body weight? (Not all fat is bad. Listed below are the fats that you should incorporate into your daily eating plan.

Trans fats: Not all trans fatty acids are bad for you. The only trans fats you should avoid altogether are the man-made ones. You will find these in many packaged processed foods. However there is one trans fatty acid found in nature that is good for your health. This trans fat is known as CLA (conjugated linoleic acid).

Saturated fats: Contrary to what has been circulated by mainstream medicine, your body needs some saturated fats. There is one caveat though. Avoid all saturated fats from conventionally-raised beef. Get it instead from grass-fed beef and your eggs from grass-fed hens.

Another good source of saturated fat is coconuts. Make certain that the coconut product you purchase is extra-virgin, organic.

Monounsaturated fats: The one monounsaturated fat I whole-heartedly recommend is extra-virgin olive oil.)

(9) vegetables in the 1950s were 50 percent more nutritious than their modern day counterparts according to data from the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)?

(10) Alzheimer's disease passed diabetes in 2008 to become America's 6th leading cause of death?

(11) only 10 - 15% of US dairy farms are pasture-based? (Where cows are allowed to graze on pastures eating the food they were created to eat--grass. Numerous studies have shown that grass-fed cows are healthier and produce nutrient-packed milk. This milk contains much greater amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid.)

(12) grip strength is strongest just after an exercise session?

(13) according to Mission: Readiness, an organization of retired admirals and generals, 75% of Americans aged 17 to 24 are unable to join the military? (The number one reason is obesity!)

(14) the agricultural lobby is now more powerful than the pharmaceutical in Washington?

(15) in a recent study 16 volunteers were placed on a controlled diet which included high levels of fructose, and the fructose produced new fat cells around their hearts, livers, and other digestive organs?

(16) evidence continues to mount that saturated fat does not lead to increased risk of heart disease or stroke? (A brand new analysis of 21 previous studies finds that there are no clear associations between increased risks of stroke and heart disease. The studies included about 345,000 adults. They surveyed dietary habits and health events from 5 to 23 years. There were no increased risks of developing strokes and heart disease between the lowest and highest intakes of saturated fat.)

(17) many poultry producers, with the full knowledge of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), add water and salt to the chicken you buy at the supermarket to pump up their profits? (The added sodium (salt) can increase the weight of chicken by up to 15 percent. That means if you purchase a 7 pound chicken, a pound of that will be water. Centers for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) say that the chicken industry makes about a $2 billion profit from American consumers this way every year.

Besides exploiting our hard-earned money, this practice of adulterating chicken in harmful to our health. Most adults should not consume any more than 1,500mg of sodium a day. But the average American is ingesting closer to 4,000 mg. Excess sodium is a major risk factor for stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic illnesses.

By reducing sodium consumption to recommended daily limits, about 100,000 lives could be saved annually. Recently the Institute of Medicine called for drastically lower sodium levels in our food supply.)

(18) egg yolks have one of the highest concentrations of biotin (a B vitamin) found in nature? (Eating egg whites alone may lead to a biotin deficiency. Many people believe that egg yolks will interfere with weight loss or raise cholesterol levels. This belief from the medical community has been proven wrong by many studies.)

(19) since the introduction of genetically-modified crops in 1996, and in the space of 9 years, multiple chronic illnesses rose from 7 to 13 percent of the population, food allergies jumped in an even lesser amount of time, and many other ailments have been on the rise?

(20) a study has shown that the body absorbs far fewer of the antioxidant phenolic from blueberries when combined with milk?

(21) excess body fat reduces the amount of vitamin D you can absorb from the sun?

(22) the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) has received more reports of negative health reactions from aspartame than from all other food additives combined?

(23) when your body doesn't receive the nutrients that it requires (which it doesn't because of the standard Amrican diet [SAD], it will crave sweets?

(24) Ajinomoto, the manufacturer of the artificial sweetener aspartame is re-branding it under the name AminoSweet? (Aspartame is more popularly known as Equal and NutraSweet. Don't be deceived by the new name and marketing blitz. This sweetener is toxic and the cause of many health problems, and can lead to chronic disease. AminoSweet is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Avoid this and all other artificial sweeteners.)

(25) gastric bypass surgery is fast replacing heart surgery as the leading revenue source for hospitals?

(26) 1 out of every 3 children in the United States is obese? (This is primarily due to lack of exercise (too much TV watching and video game playing), too much processed food, and high soda consumption.

Eating fresh and locally grown food and meals prepared from scratch would reduce the obesity rate. Eating with the entire family at the dinner table would also contribute to a healthy weight.

As little as 30 years ago, food that was available in the home, at school, and on Main Street was mainly fresh and locally grown.)

(26) there is a heated controversy between the sugar and the artificial sweetener industry and nutrition experts on whether sweeteners are harmful to your health? (Nutritionists implicate sugar and artificial sweeteners in adding empty calories to the diet and promoting weight gain. On the other side are industry leaders who say their products are natural and do not promote health concerns. Interestingly enough, the American Heart Association (AHA) sides with the nutrition experts. The AHA released a scientific statement which says that a high intake of sweeteners are implicated in many negative health issues including obesity, high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease and stoke.)

(27) according to a new analysis, 92 percent of American Black children may be deficient in vitamin D? (This analysis was conducted by Harvard Medical School, the University of Colorado-Denver, and Massachusetts General Hospital. The study was published in the journal Pediatrics. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers an adequate level of vitamin D to be 50 nanomoles per liter. However, many researchers say that 75 nanomoles per liter is necessary for good health.)

(28) the number of Americans taking antidepressants doubled in 10 years, from 13.3 million in 1996 to 27 million in 2005? (230 million prescriptions are filled in the United States for antidepressants very year; this makes them one of the most prescribed drugs. According to recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 20 Americans are depressed. The aforementioned statistics prove that antidepressants are useless.

Antidepressant drugs are no more effective than sugar pills. As a matter of fact, a few studies show that sugar pills may produce better results than the drugs themselves!)
SSRIs may boost risk of cataracts.

(29) according to the most recent research, the recommended dosage for oral vitamin D supplementation is 35 IUs per pound of bodyweight?

(30) before 1980, almost all pharmaceutical clinical research was publically funded, but now is nearly all funded by drug and other medical industries? (Can you spell conflict of interest? Nationwide, the pharmaceutical bill tops $200 billion a year! When a pharmaceutical company sponsors a study, the odds are five times greater that the findings will favor its product.

Studies show that most Americans on prescription drugs are overmedicated. The large majority of physicians prescribe medication through a genuine interest in their patient's health.

Continuing education lectures and seminars are funded 70 percent by drug and medical industries. Doctors are mandated to attend these activities in order to maintain their licenses to practice. Pharmaceutical companies dominate the scene as a source of information for doctors.

It is unfortunate that many Americans would rather take a pill to address a medical issue than make a change in their lifestyle. The pharmacuetical industry is only too glad to oblige.

Study after study has shown that exercise and a healthy diet are far more effective to lasting health and to resolve a medical issue than medication.

(31) folic acid is the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate?

(32) the average American ate 4 pounds of sugar a year, and in 1800 it was 18 pounds, and by 1900 it rose to 90 pounds?

(33) pregnancy-related deaths seems to have risen in the united States over the past 10 years? (They have tripled in California. Among the leading preventable causes are hemorrhage, DVT-caused pulmonary emboli and uncontrolled blood pressure.

Medical science has no idea on what is causing this troubling increase. It has, however, three suspects:

(34) you should toss your teflon, non-stick cookware and replace with glass or ceramic?

(35) ALA (alpha linolenic acid) although good for your health, is no substitute for animals sources of omega-3 (EPA and DHA)? (ALA comes from plant foods such as walnuts. This form of omega-3 acid must be converted by your body into EPA and DHA. This process is not easily carried out. Being overweight, or having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes makes the conversion even more difficult. Over 50 percent of your brain is composed of DHA omega-3.)

(36) third-hand smoke is every bit as dangerous as second-hand smoke? (While second-hand smoke is being exposed to cigarette smoke while in the presence of a smoker, third-hand smoke is being exposed to the toxins and particles from cigarettes from smokers after they have left. Toxic gases and particles which are invisible to the naked eye cling to your clothing, skin, hair, and room furnishings.)

(37) using laxatives can be dangerous? (The frequent use of some laxatives over a period of time--weeks or months--can decrease your colon's natural ability to contract, and make constipation worse. In severe cases, laxative abuse can damage the nerves, muscles, and tissues of your large intestine.
Source: Mayo Clinic)

(38) 24 out of 100,000 American children die every year from type 1 diabetes (AKA juvenile diabetes)? (1 out of every 100,000 children died from type 1 diabetes in 1890. Scientists estimate that the number of deaths among children because of juvenile diabetes increases by 3 percent with no signs of slowing down.)

(39) 50 percent of Americans will develop some form of cancer sometime in their lifetime?

(40) 1 in 6 Americans is either pre-diabetic or diabetic?

(41) 60 percent of Americans are overweight?

(42) over 10 million Americans are taking anti-depressants?

(43) 50 percent of people over 85 years old will develop Alzheimer's disease?

(44) globally, someone dies of heart disease every 34 seconds?

(45) 1 in 6 Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder?

(46) the form of CoQ10 (co-enzyme Q10) in most commercial supplements is poorly absorbed? (Most people over 50 years of age have a hard time converting CoQ10 into its usable form. The form of CoQ10 in many store-bought supplements is known as ubiquinone. It is very, very difficult for your body to absorb this form. Ubiquinone is also a cheap form of CoQ10. The most biologically active form of CoQ10 is ubiquinol. Your body absorbs up to 8 times more ubiquinol.

Co-enzyme Q10 provides a boatload of health benefits: (1) increased energy and stamina (2) improved metabolism (3) weight loss (4) cell protection (5) better cardiovascular health (6) may promote neurological health (7) maintain blood sugar levels.)

(47) pasteurization makes much of the calcium in milk insoluble? (Too much calcium is bad for you; this is especialy true if most of it comes from supplements. An intake of more than 3,000 mg of calcium pr day has been associated with elevated blood calcium levels, or hypercalcemia. This condition can cause calcium to build up outside of your bone cells leading to soft tissue calcification.

The best source of calcium known is raw milk. The next best source is dark, green leafy vegetables including spinach and turnip, collad, and mustard greens. Sesame seeds are another great source. Calcium from dietary sources are usually better absorbed than from supplements.

As far as bone health, strength and density is concerned, medical science has focused exclusively on calcium. Your bones are composed of a dozen minerals of which calcium is just one. By concentrating just on calcium supplementation will likely worsen your bone density and increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.

Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption. It is important that you get enough magnesium. This is needed to balance your calcium intake.)

(48) your joint pain could be caused by gluten? (Gluten is present in wheat, barley, and rye. It is in almost all processed food (salad dressings, deli meats, beer, potato chips, soy sauce, envelope glue--to name a few) used as a texture enhancer and thickening agent. Up to 66 percent of people with celiac disease showed symptoms of joint inflammation.)

(49) According to John Gofman, M.D., Ph.D. – a nuclear physicist and a medical doctor, and one of the leading experts in the world on the dangers of radiation, 50 percent of the death-rate from cancer is in fact induced by x-rays?

(50) New research suggests that if a pregnant woman has optimal vitamin D levels during her pregnancy and then maintains them in her baby once delivered, this should radically reduce if not virtually eliminate the child’s risk of getting type 1 diabetes?

(51) muscle takes up about 1/3 the volume of fat?

(52) studies show that exercise alleviates all types of pain? (Exercise strengthens your muscles and oils your joints. This reduces the likelihood of you reinjuring yourself. Exercise releases natural pain-relieving endorphins which boosts your mood, and fights the inflammation associated with a number of painful conditions too.)

(53) a minority of the American population can get by with less than 6 hours of sleep a night? (Scientists have just discovered a genetic mutation which enables some people to be fully functional with 20 to 25 percent less sleep than average. It is estimated that less than 1 percent of people have this trait. There are two likely signs which are common for these individuals: you wake up regularly without an alarm clock, and at the same time every day.)

(54) the world market for diet foods is projected to exceed $200 billion by 2015? (Diet foods includes those labeled sugar-free, low-fat, low-calorie, zero-calorie, no-sugar, and no fat. Over 1.6 billion people worldwide are overweight. Europe dominates the global diet foods market. One of the largest diet foods market is the UK; Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing market for diet foods.)

(55) omega-3 deficiency is the 6th biggest killer of Americans? (Read this article.)

(56) it is even more difficult for a person who is overweight, diabetic, or has high blood pressure or high cholesterol to convert plant-based ALA omega-3 into animal-based EPA and DHA omega-3s?

(57) there is a huge clump of plastic waste floating in the Pacific Ocean that is twice the size of Texas? (Plastic from discarded bottled water is a heavy contributor to this 'island' of plastic; bottled water consumption reached 9 billion gallons in 2008 bringing massive revenues of $11 billion.

Bottled water costs you the consumer an average of $1.50 per bottle which is almost 1900 times the cost of tap water!

Bottled water is no safer than tap water. About 40 percent of the time, bottled water is nothing more than bottled tap water which may or may not have received any additional treatment.

Almost all municipal water suppliers have to adhere to stricter purity standards than the bottled water industry. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires large municipal water suppliers to test their water for contaminants sometimes several times a day. Depending on the particular contaminant, the FDA only requires bottled water manufacturers to test their products once a week, once a year, or once every four years.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested several bottled waters. They discovered 38 low-level contaminants in the water tested. An average of eight contaminants were found in the ten brands tested. They included disinfection byproducts (DBPs), caffeine, Tylenol, nitrate, industrial chemicals, arsenic, and bacteria.

This makes bottled water no better or worse than ordinary tap water. But bottled water has the added health complication of the plastic container. It leaches harmful chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA).

Phthalates and BPA mimic the hormones in your body. That threat alone pushes the hazards of bottled water considerably.

These chemicals can cause:

• Structural damage to your brain
• Hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, and impaired learning
• Increased fat formation and risk of obesity
• Altered immune function
• Early puberty, stimulation of mammary gland development, disrupted reproductive cycles, and ovarian dysfunction
• Changes in gender-specific behavior, and abnormal sexual behavior
• Stimulation of prostate cancer cells
• Increased prostate size, and decreased sperm production

Globally, 1.5 million tons of plastic are used every year to manufacture water bottles. The manufacturing process releases chemicals like nickel, ethylbenzene, ethylene oxide, and benzene. The Sierra Club says that the United States itself uses 1.5 million barrels of oil to make plastic water bottles. Most of these bottles end up in landfills.

What is the alternative to buying bottled water in order to be able to drink pure water? Make a one-time investment in a revese osmosis system. This can be connected to your tap water. It will soon pay for itself and you will realize huge savings in this global economic downturn.

(58) beef is the best source of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)? (CoQ10 is responsible for the production of energy in your entire body. It improves heart functioning and helps prevent disease; CoQ10 strengthens every organ in your body too.)

(59) the American state that ranks the highest in health is Vermont? (It has a low obesity rate and a high doctor to populace ratio.)

(60) 10 years ago an average American woman's waist was two inches smaller than it is now, and that eighteen year olds were fifteen pounds lighter in the 1970s? (One reason for 21st century Americans being bigger and heavier is uneven government food production subsidies. Take a look at the following list:

• meat/dairy- 73.8%
• grains- 13.2%
• sugar/oil/starch/alcohol- 10.7%
• nuts/legumes- 1.9%
• vegetables/fruits- 0.4%

I emphasized nuts/legumes and vegetables/fruits to show that the government subsidizes these essential nutrients with the least amount of your tax dollars!

The lion's share of government subsidies goes to bolstering meat and dairy production. Unfortunately, it is not organic and free- ranged animals which are receiving this money. Rather it is conventionally-raised, factory-farmed animals. These products are contributing heavily to chronic disease and the sickening of Americans.

Agricultural lobbyists wield a lot of power. In fact, Dr. Mercola says that they are even more powerful than the pharmaceutical industry lobbyists.

Meat, dairy, grains, and sugars and starches all contribute heavily to America's obesity epidemic and soaring healthcare costs. In a sense, our federal government is actually promoting sickness and obesity.

Former USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) insider and contributor to the original Food Guide Pyramid Luise Light is highly critical of government partnering with the agricultural industry. A nutritionist, Louise exposed how government bows to industry interests and plays a key role in America's obesity epidemic.

A recent New York Times article says, "Thanks to lobbying, Congress chooses to subsidize foods that we're supposed to eat less of."

Crops currently subsidized by the government are corn, wheat, soy, and rice. These are all grains. Corn is processed into high fructose corn syrup, a cheap sugar alternative which is a part of nearly all processed food. It contributes in a large measure to ever expanding waistlines.)

(61) antibacterial soaps have been linked to altered hormones and antibiotic resistance? (MSNBC reports that the FDA has begun a safety review of the chemical triclosan. Triclosan is an antibacterial which can be found in many consumer products such as soaps and toothpastes.

Triclosan is a chlorinated phenolic compound. Research discloses that this chemical has both estrogenic and androgenic activity. Triclosan has also been associated with hormone disruption in animals.

Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts is calling on stringent limits on the use of triclosan. "Despite the fact that this chemical is found in everything from soaps to socks, There are many troubling questions about triclosan's effectiveness and potentially harmful effects, especially for children."

The FDA on the other hand does not believe that there is sufficient evidence to change the consumer use of triclosan at the present time. Evidence however abounds. One study revealed that triclosan can alter hormone regulation. Other studies show that bacteria that have been exposed to triclosan could potentially become resistant to antibiotics.

Triclosan has been around for about 30 years now. Other than soaps and toothpastes, it is also used in detergents, deodorants, clothing, and children's toys.

Although triclosan has been in use for 30 years, its long-term and accumulated use has many people concerned. Smoking didn't produce cancer and other negative health effects immediately either. It was decades later that these deadly results manifested themselves.

Listen to what the AMA (American Medical Association) said of triclosan in 2000:

"Despite their recent proliferation in consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their efficacy when used in such products or any need for them, but increasing data now suggest growing acquired resistance to these commonly used antimicrobial agents.

"...In light of these findings, there is little evidence to support the use of antimicrobials in consumer products such as topical hand lotions and soaps."

In the meantime, antibiotic-resistant diseases have sharply risen over the years. They now present a greater health threat than HIV/AIDS. The by now normal use of antibacterial soaps and hand-wipes, and the routine use of antibiotics in our food supply are undoubtedly major contributors.

The Emerging Contaminants Workgroup of the Santa Clara Basin Watershed Management Initiative (SCBWMI) issued a paper on triclosan in 2006 which explains in everyday language the mechanism by which triclosan may cause resistance.

"Unlike bleach and soap that destroy and dislodge bacteria microbes, triclosan works by interfering with a specific bacterial enzyme. Non-specific antiseptics, such as alcohol, merely break open the cell and, therefore, are not the type of chemical to which bacteria could develop resistance.

On the other hand, triclosan’s mode of action is different from alcohols and peroxide. Triclosan is fat-soluble and easily penetrates the bacterial cell wall. And once inside the cell it attacks an enzyme that is used to produce fatty acids that are vital to cell function.

This mode-of-action could ultimately lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. Through continual use of triclosan, non-bacterial strains would be killed, leaving only the bacteria whose enzyme system has evolved to resist the presence of triclosan.

Some microbiologists fear that the commercial and personal overuse of triclosan could reduce the effectiveness of currently useful antibiotics. For instance, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis targets the same enzyme system."

There is no evidence whatsoever that antibacterial soaps are more effective than plain old-fashioned soap and water. There is though abundant evidence that triclosan-containing products threaten long-term health.

Dr. Sarah Janssen of the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a recent press release:

"It's about time FDA has finally stated its concerns about antibacterial chemicals like triclosan.

The public deserves to know that these so-called antibacterial products are no more effective in preventing infections than regular soap and water and may, in fact, be dangerous to their health in the long run."

Source: MSNBC April 8, 2010.

(62) obese individuals are at greater risk of suffering from RLS (restless leg syndrome) than those of normal weight? (Restless leg syndrome is characterized by a prickling, crawling sensation and an urge to move the legs for temporary relief. Ten percent of Americans suffer from RLS. Exactly how RLS works is not clearly understood.

Current research from the Harvard Medical School suggests that obese individuals are one and a half times more likely to suffer from RLS. Looking at 88,667 men and women sufferers, researchers discovered that the obese were at a 42 percent increased risk of developing this affliction. Excess abdominal fat proved to be particularly threatening. People with the largest waist circumferences had a 60 percent increased risk of RLS.

Harvard researchers caution that their findings represent an association, not a cause.)

(63) some commonly prescribed drugs can cause hair loss? (Prescription drugs such as blood pressure drugs including ACE inhibitors, diuretics, beta-blockers, and angiotensin receptor blockers may cause hair loss--some permanent. Other classes of drugs may also cause hair loss. These other classes include some cholesterol-lowering statins and birth control pills.)

(64) hormone-treated, U.S. meat has been banned throughout the European nations since 1989?

(65) from early childhood to late middle age, your metabolic rates diminish by an average of 10 percent?

(66) the natural form of fluoride found in nature and in your teeth and bones is known as apatite? (Technically, apatite is calcium fluoro-chlorohydroxyl phosphate. The fluoride added to toothpaste and to municipal water supplies is not this natural form. In actuality, that fluoride is a waste product from phosphate fertilizer plants.)

(67) twice as many black babies die in infancy as do white babies?

(68) black women have a three-fold greater risk of dying during pregnancy than white women?

(69) the famous alternative medicine doctor, Dr. Andrew Weil, is being threatened with criminal prosecution by both the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)? (Here is the letter Dr. Weil has received informing him of possible prosecution: "If your firm fails to take corrective action immediately, FDA may take enforcement action, such as seizure or injunction for violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act without further notice."

What did Dr. Weil do to bring down the wrath of the FTC and FDA? He dared to make true statements about his immune-boosting formula which contains astragalus. His website contains the following statement:

"During the flu season, I suggest taking a daily antioxidant, multi-vitamin-mineral supplement, as well as astragalus, a well-known immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu."

There is a not too subtle conflict of inrerest between the FDA and the pharmaceutical companies. In 1992, Congress passed the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. This law authorized pharmaceutical companies to pay user fees to the FDA in order to speed up drug approval. This act which is not in the consumer's best interest, effectively places the FDA on Big Pharma's payroll.

The FDA is virtually dependent on the very industry it is supposed to regulate. This is akin to putting a fox in charge of the hen house!)

Dr. Andrew weil, MD is a pioneer in the field of holistic health and founder and director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona.

(70) a high sugar diet shuts down the gene that makes digestive enzymes? (It doesn't matter how much of a nutrient-dense and organic diet you eat if your body can't absorb the nutrients from food. Having a body that manufactures digestive enzymes enables it to absorb and digest all the nutrients that you give it.

Your body produces three types of digestive enzymes, one each for proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Protease is the enzyme that digests proteins. Be aware that parasites, fungus, bacteria, and viruses are protein too. Without protease, these substances will threaten your health.

The digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates is called amylase. Amylase also breaks down pus (dead white blood cells.)

Lipase digests fats.)

(71) Americans get about 25 percent less sleep than they did 100 years ago? (Prior to the invention of the light bulb by Thomas Edison, Americans averaged 10 hours of sleep per night.)

(72) even a food product that claims to be high in fiber may lack the nutritional punch you'd expect? (The processed fiber added to many processed, packaged foods is finely ground. This fine fiber doesn't slow digestion, lower cholesterol, or improve regularity like that of whole, natural foods. This finding was put out by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI.)

As always, it is better to get nutrients such as fiber from whole natural foods such avocadoes, beans, and leafy greens.)

(73) spirulina and chlorella may be the oldest foods on earth? (Both are categorized as superfoods because they are packed with nutrients. For instance, one pound of spirulina has the nutritional power of 1,000 pounds of various vegetables.)

(74) popular and widely prescribed antidepressants known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may heighten the risk of seniors developing cataracts? (The percentage risk increase has been calculated at about 15 percent.

A quote from a report in U.S. News & World Report says:

"Strong links to cataract risk were found for three specific SSRI drugs: fluvoxamine (Luvox), venlafaxine (Effexor) and paroxetine (Paxil), the researchers found. Each contributed to an elevated risk of 39 percent, 33 percent and 23 percent, respectively.")

(75) your blood is composed of 80 percent water? (If water lost is not replaced on a daily basis, your blood will thicken and force the heart to work harder. This raises your risk of having a heart attack.)

(76) people with chronic insomnia have an elevated risk of dying?

(77) your brain will lose 5 to 10 percent of its weight over the course of life? (It was once thought that it wasn't possible to grow new brain cells. New research however has dispproved that widely held belief.

Exciting new research co-led by biologists Elizabeth Gould and Charles Gross both of Princeton University shows that a herb is able to stimulate new brain cell growth. This study was published in the Journal of Science.

The herb, known as Gotu kola, was given to adult macaque monkeys. It grew new brain cells in them. Results imply that the identical result can be expected in humans.

Gotu kola helps the brain to produce more growth factors. This herb can be taken in one of three ways: (1) as an extract, take 10 drops daily (2) as a dried herb; make a tea and take three times daily and (3) as a powered herb (also available in capsules,) take 400 to 600 mg (milligrams), 3 times daily.

Two of the most important structures the brain replaces are neurites and dendrites.

On the nutrient side, acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) stimulates the brain to make growth factors that help maintain and rebuild neurites and dendrites. The best sources of ALC are grass-fed beef, poultry, fish, and dairy products. You can purchase ALC as a supplement from your local health food store. Take 500 mg, two times a day on an empty stomach.)

(78) by the time you reach 50 years of age, you will have lost 40 percent of your lung capacity?

(79) regular exercise reduces insulin levels which create a low sugar envirnoment that discourages the growth and spread of cancer cells?

(80) a recent report reveals that there are 287 toxins present in newborn babies' blood? (The most predominate toxin present in infants' blood results from the breakdown of DDT. DDT was banned 40 years ago!)

(81) ABC Morning News carried a new study about soda's weakening affect on your bones? (June 30, 2010. The news piece found that diet and regular soda leeches valuable minerals from your bones thereby weakening them. Researchers concluded that sodas should be consumed minimally.)