Current Health News and Studies Concerning Nutrition & Exercise

December 21, 2010: Distilled water has been and is now the water of choice for some health enthusiasts. Lately however, studies have shown that the long term negative health impact outweighs any short-term benefit.

Distillation is the process where water is boiled to remove impurities and contaminants; the resulting vapor condenses and the purified water droplets collected.

Distilled water is an active absorber, and when it makes contact with air, it quickly absorbs carbon dioxide and becomes acidic.

The short-term benefit of distilled water is that it is a detoxifier. Since it is free of dissolved minerals and other particles, it is enabled to absorb toxic substances from your body and eliminate them.

The downside to this is that the longer distilled water is consumed, the more acidic your body becomes; it also demineralizes your body and you therefore may develop mineral deficiencies.

You can rapidly lose electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and trace minerals, which can cause cardiac irregularities, high blood pressure, and cognitive/emotional disturbances.

Distilled water has an inadequate supply of calcium and magnesium. According to a paper writen by F. Kozisek of the World Health Organization (WHO,) distilled water low in calcium and magnesium is associated with:

• cardiovascular disease
• higher risk of bone fracture in children
• neurodegenerative disease
• motor neuronal diseases
• pre-term births, low birth weights, and preeclampsia
• various types of cancer
• increased risk of "sudden death"
• acute magnesium and calcium deficiency, weakness, fatigue and muscle cramping

Although it is commonly believed that distilled water is contaminant-free, the reality is far different.

Any contaminant that vaporizes at a temperature lower than the water, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and disinfection byproducts, will be condensed and actually concentrated in the distilled water. So what you end up with is water that contains even more dangerous contaminants than what you started with.

And added to that, distilled water will pull the contaminants out of any container in which it sits because it is acidic and demineralized.

Many distillers that are currently marketed are made of metal; the water will pull toxic metals such as nickel from the container. And plastic bottles contain several toxic chemicals which will be pulled out.

Almost all treated water supplies contain disinfection byproducts (DBPs.) These byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are dangerous.

DBPs are formed when water treatment disinfectants such as chlorine, chloramines, and chlorine dioxide react with natural organic matter in the source water.

Research has found out that DBPs are about 10,000 times as toxic as chlorine. Although chlorine, fluoride, and pharmaceutical drugs are hazardous, DBPs may certainly outweigh them in terms of toxicity.

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are Cancer Group B carcinogens, meaning they've been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. They've also been linked to reproductive problems in both animals and humans, and human studies suggest that lifetime consumption of chlorine-treated water can more than double the risk of bladder and rectal cancers in certain individuals.

The fact that any contaminant that vaporizes at a lower temperature than water makes the distillation process extremely dangerous. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and trihalomethanes (THMs) vaporize at a lower temperature than water. That means that they will be boiled and condensed.

A volatile organic compound is a chemical that vaporizes at a lower temperature than water and has carbon in it. And there are hundreds of thousands of volatile organic compounds out there, including benzenes, trihalomethanes, and trichloroethylene.

Many of the industrial organic solvents are very dangerous to you. They are carcinogenic at low levels too.

Heavy metals such as lead will not vaporize and are this left behind. Chlorine however will be changed into chloroform during the process, and be present in the water you drink.
Source: Mercola.com

December 22, 2010: Osteoporosis is defined as a disease which results in porous and fragile bones. Contrary to popular perception, men can be afflicted too.

Osteoporosis strikes 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men in the United States; this disease can rsult in an increased risk of loss of height, fractures of the hips, wrists, vertebrae, and chronic pain.

Unfortunately the media has only focused on calcium as a means of strengthening the bones. However, the bones are composed of at least twelve minerals. To target only one out of twelve minerals for supplementation will result in an unbalanced bone structure which will negatively affect skeletal integrity.

Dr. Robert Thompson who wrote a book entitled The Calcium Lie recommends using unprocessed salt rather than calcium for bone nutrient supplementation. I suggest you use Himalayan salt for this purpose.

Pharmaceutical drugs such as Boniva, Fosamax, or Actonel are not the answer to osteoporosis relief or prevention. The simple truth is that these drugs' manufacturers hide the complete story of what they do.

Boniva, Fosamax, and Actonel will increase bone density; but there is more. They destroy bone cells called osteoclasts. Osteoclasts destroy the bone as part of the natural bone regeneration process. When this happens, your bones are left with osteoblasts which will increase bone density but not bone strength!

Building bone density but not strength leaves your bones powerless to engage in the natural process of building new bone, and the ability to constantly readjust themselves to varying applied forces.

Thicker bones with less strength results in a greater risk of bone fractures. And then there are the side effects of osteoporosis drugs. They have been associated with:

• an increased risk of ulcers
• eye problems such as blurry vision, pain and swelling
• thigh bone fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw
• liver damage and renal (kidney) failure
• atrial fibrillation
• esophageal cancer
• low blood calcium levels

A study performed on laboratory rats shows that onions helps to decrease bone loss and osteoporosis. I suggest including onions in your diet.

Other nutrients absolutely essential for bone health are vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Another very important nutrient is vitamin K.

December 22, 2010: A new study from researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill points to a reduced risk of diabetes by increasing magnesium intake. Dr. Ka He and associates say that people who consumed the most magnesium from food and supplemental sources were half as likely to develop diabetes over the next 20 years as those who took the least.

The researchers say that this result is reasonable because magnesium is necessary for the proper functioning of several enzymes needed to help the body in processing glucose.

Researchers used 4,497 men and women ages 18 through 30 in their study. None of the participants were diabetic at the study's beginning.

The study's duration was 20 years; in that period, 330 participants developed diabetes. People with the highest magnesium intake averaged 200 milligrams for every 1,000 calories consumed. They were 47 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those who took lower levels.

It was also discovered by the researchers that as magnesium levels increased, several levels of inflammation decreased. Resistance to the hormone insulin also decreased. Greater levels of magnesium was associated with a lower insulin resistance.

"Increasing magnesium intake may be important for improving insulin sensitivity, reducing systemic inflammation, and decreasing diabetes risk...," states the lead researcher.

December 22, 2010: A study of the eye reveals that the retina is composed of large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. It is therefore not surprising that an observational study has found that people who suffered from advanced macular degeneration, including blood vessel problems and atrophy in the retina, were less likely to consume foods containing considerable amounts of omega-3s.

Life Extension (December 3, 2010) writes, "The finding adds evidence to that of other research ... concerning the benefit of nutritional components against macular degeneration. High amounts of omega-3s have been measured in the retina of the eye, and may be essential to eye health."

The macula is located in the center of your retina. Cone cells are located in the macula. These cells produce color vision and are used for reading and fine central vision.

Macular degeneration comes from deteriorating cones which results in the loss of central vision. During the progression of age-related macula degeneration, the retina begins to develop small and fragile blood vessels. Many times these vessels leak blood and other fluid which further damages the retina.

One specific type of omega-3 has been found in the retina. This omega-3 is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA.) This fatty acid can be found in animal sources of omega-3 fatty acids only. Studies have shown that DHA is especially helpful in fighting AMD (age-related macula degeneration.)

The latest study shows that people who consumed the most animal-based omega-3s had a 60 percent reduced risk of AMD compared to those who took the least amount. A 2009 study also found that those with the highest consumption of omega-3 fats were 30 percent less likely to progress to the advanced form of the disease over a 12-year period.

Because of the alarming amount of mercury in fish, not to mention other toxins like PCBs, I heartily recommend krill oil as your source of omega-3 fatty acids.

December 23, 2010: Athletic performance is not only dependent on skills, ability, and constant training, but on any equipment used and gear worn. This is as true for the casual, non-professional as well as the professional athlete.

Women who work out have an important concern which men don't -- their bras. The correct type of bra worn is as important or even more so than than your footwear.

Women can do irreversible damage to their breasts if they are not properly supported. Cooper's ligaments suspend and shape your breasts. These ligaments can be stretched out through high impact sports activities. If that happens, your breasts will sag the rest of your life.

Time, care , and thought should be given to proper support. The right support is very important for any athletic activity.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Portsmouth (England) found that 'encapsulation' bras are best for restricting motion. These bras surround the breasts on all sides and are not dependent on cup size.

Straps are a consideration too. Bernadette Wallace who is a spokeswoman for Hanes-brands Inc. suggests wearing bras with cushioned straps that are wider across the top to reduce pressure on the shoulders.

Needless to say, fit is crucial. The starting point to finding the right fit is to find your lingerie size. Fortunately this is fairly straightforward.

Wrap a tape measure snugly across your rib cage just underneath the breasts. Add 5 to get your band size. Next use the tape to measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust. Subtract that measurement from the band size to get your cup size.

• Cup size A: 1-inch difference
• Cup size B: 2-inch difference
• Cup size C: 3-inch difference
• Cup size D: 5-inch or greater difference

Size doesn't remain static so perform this measurement on an annual basis.

Next go to the website for the brands that you are considering buying to find fitting guides and model suggestions based on your specific sports activity and preferences. Examples are: Nike (nike.com/nikeos/p/nikewomen/en_US/brafinder) and Champion (championusa.com/Champion.catalog/PFLanding.aspx?ID=99.)

When you are finally ready to purchase, take several sizes of the bra you are considering into the dressing room and do the "bounce test." Jump up and down while watching yourself in the mirror. If your busts "spill," the bra is too small.

Because the bra is for athletic activities, the band needs to fit tighter than it does for everyday, leisurely activities. But you don't want the tightness to the point of causing physical pain.

If you are wearing an underwire, make certain that it's on your rib cage and not cutting across the breast tissue. Along with that, make sure the back is level from side to side and not pulling up in the middle.
Choosing the right size bra is crucial.
Source: Muscle&Performance magazine (January, 2011.)

December 23, 2010: Doctors have discovered that simple heat is able to kill cancer cells. Evidence is very strong as to the effectiveness of heat treatment which only targets cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells undamaged.

Although heat treatment works, scientists are not sure how. One belief is that fevers fight infection partly by helping your immune system become very sensitive and therefore better able to find and fight threats -- like cancer -- that it might otherwise have missed.

Further, your immune system is capable of destroying cancer cells and perhaps does so on a daily basis. Cancer only develops when a group of cells is overlooked. Heat stimulates the immune system enabling it to eliminate more advanced and aggressive forms of cancer.

Another theory suggests that heat treatments kill cancer cells directly. There have been seemingly overnight cures using heat treatment.

That success may be due to the fact that many tumors have poor blood circulation, making them prime targets for cell death due to overheating.

Heat treatments work and many doctors are using it on their patients regardless of the exact mechanism. Texas Oncology, an independent cancer treatment facility, has acquired the BSD-500 Hyperthermia System from its maker, BSD Medical Corporation, for use on its patients.

"We have known for years that hyperthermia was a promising treatment against cancer in the laboratory ... Thanks to many dedicated scientists and clinicians, we now have very good clinical data and an excellent delivery device to offer our patients. Texas Oncology, along with US Oncology, is very excited to bring this technology to our patients and our network of doctors," says Barry N. Wilcox of Texas Oncology.

The BSD-500 uses external or internal antennas, or both, to induce hyperthermia in the body or in a tumor directly. It has received pre-market FDA approval for the treatment of cancer as either a standalone treatment or in conjunction with radiation therapy.

The Hope4Cure Institute, a private clinic in Mexico, offers hyperthermia therapy as a standalone treatment. Its medical director Antonio Jimenez is a cancer researcher who believes in non-invasive cancer treatments. Other clinics use hyperthermia alongside of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments.

December 24, 2010: Here is another nail for the coffin of fluoridation. A new study shows unmistakebly that fluoride in water causes brain damage in children. This study was pre-published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

This isn't the only study showing that fluoride causes brain damage in children. There have been 23 others. According to experts, the difference between this latest study and the others is that the scientific proof is overwhelming. They believe that this study could prove fatal to the common practice of water fluoridation.

"This is the 24th study that has found this association ... [B]ut this study is stronger than the rest because the authors have controlled for key confounding variables and in addition to correlating lowered IQ with levels of fluoride in the water, the authors found a correlation between lowered IQ and fluoride levels in children's blood," says Paul Connett, Ph.D., director of the Fluoride Action Network (FAN.)

Tara Blank, Ph.D., Science and Health Officer at FAN adds:

"This should be the study that finally ends water fluoridation. Millions of American children are being exposed unnecessarily to this neurotoxin on a daily basis. Who in their right minds would risk lowering their child's intelligence in order to reduce a small amount of tooth decay, for which the evidence is very weak [emphasis mine.]"
Source: NaturalNews.com.

December 28, 2010: Factory farming or CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) relies heavily on antibiotics. The nature of this operation makes the use necessary.

Antibiotics are routinely given to animals in order to make them grow faster and to protect them from diseases which are caused by stressful and overcrowded conditions. This practice leads to new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as the now-widespread form of staph (MRSA) known as ST398.

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) describes a number of strains of bacteria. It is a man-made problem created by the excessive use of antibiotics.

A report issued in 2001 by the Union of Concerned Scientists estimated that the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics accounted for 70 percent of the total antibiotic use in the United States.

Up to now, the amount of antibiotic use by factory farms has been unknown. But now the FDA released its first-ever report on the subject. In 2009, 29 million pounds of antibiotics were used in the United States.

Studies have shown that when you reduce the use of antibiotics in meat production, human disease caused by antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria is significantly reduced as well.

There is a way to avoid antibiotics; avoid factory-farmed meat. Make certain that you buy organic, grass-fed, free-ranged meats or organic pasture-raised chickens.

December 31, 2010: The November 6, 2010 online issue of the New York Times ran a story which reveals the duplicity of the U.S. government in regards to the dairy industry.

According to the Times' story, Domino's Pizza's sales were declining last year when an organization by the name of Dairy Management offered to help. They created pizzas for Domino's which contained 40 percent more cheese; Dairy management then put together a $12 million marketing campaign.

Duplicity comes into play because Dairy Management is not a privately run company, but rather a creation of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA.) One of the projects of the USDA is an anti-obesity program which discourages some of the very products Dairy Management promotes!

"...I]n a series of confidential agreements approved by agriculture secretaries in both the Bush and Obama administrations, Dairy Management has worked with restaurants to expand their menus with cheese-laden products..." (N.Y. Times.)

It is very likely that you are familiar with the work of Dairy Management. They're the geniuses who created the "Got Milk" campaign. They were also behind the ads a few years ago stating that consuming more dairy products would help in weight loss. I should point out that there have been no studies backing up that claim.

The N.Y. Times reported that Dairy Management's budget in large measure comes from a government-mandated fee on the dairy industry. In addition, several million dollars a year comes from the Agriculture Department.

Dairy Management, in an effort to increase sales of dairy products, has been aggressively marketing cheese to fast food chains in order to increase sales. They were behind Domino's $12-million marketing campaign for its recent creation, the Wisconsin. This pizza has six cheeses on the pie and two in the crust.

As reported in the Times' article, Dairy Management is responsible for:

• Pizza Hut's Cheesy Bites pizza
• Wendy's dual Double Melt sandwich concept
• Burger King's Cheesy Angus Bacon cheeseburger and TenderCrisp chicken sandwich (both of which contained three slices of cheese plus a "cheesy sauce")

The National Dairy Council is a part of Dairy Management. Actively supporting the dairy industry, Dairy Management advises grocers in grocery store chains on how to arrange their dairy aisles in order to maximize sales.

Executive managers within Dairy Management are paid handsomely for their efforts. Their chief executive was compensated over $633,000 in 2008 while other high level officials earned more than $300,000 each.

Although their efforts into finding studies to back up the claim that dairy can help in weight loss, it has not panned out. No additional studies which have been conducted verifies the claim. But Dairy Management continues to push the health claims of dairy.

The N.Y. Times states:

"Meanwhile, Dairy Management, which allotted $12.4 million for nutrition research in 2008, has moved on to finance studies on promising opportunities, including the promotion of chocolate milk as a sports recovery drink and the use of cheese to entice children into eating healthy foods like string beans."

While the USDA-backed Dairy Management continues to support the dairy industry, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) together with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) continue to raid legitimate raw milk farms. More and more people are drinking raw milk, and it is seen as a major threat to dairy products from factory-farmed cows.

I stopped drinking pasteurized milk when I discovered how the cows are treated, and how the process of pasteurization and homogenization destroyed the nutrient content of milk.

Are you, like me, lactose intolerant? This is the inability to digest the milk sugar lactose. If you are, you will be happy to know that you can drink raw milk and never suffer the symptoms of lactose intolerance. The reason is that the enzyme that breaks down lactose, lactase, is destroyed in the pasteurization process, but remains intact in raw milk.

The sale of raw milk is banned by law in my state -- New Jersey. But my neighboring states Pennsylvania and New York permit it. Are you intersted in buying raw milk? Check here to see if sales are permitted in your state. This link will enable you to find farms which sell raw milk. For those of you who live outside of the United States, this link will tell you where you can purchase it in the country in which you reside.

January 6, 2011: Scientists have discovered that the primary muscle building mechanism in the human body is a complex protein known as mTOR. This protein is a part of the insulin pathway. When activated, mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signals the muscle to increase protein synthesis.

There are three primary activators of mTOR in muscle:

• growth factors and insulin
• amino acids
• muscle overload (such as lifting weights)

Muscles are completely inhibited during exercise. But immediately afterwards they are reactivated and further stimulated by insulin and amino acids. With the proper nutrition, mTOR bolsters protein synthesis at a level which exceeds the rate of protein breakdown leading to a positive protein balance which results in muscle gain.

mTOR is very sensitive to insulin and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) hormonal stimulation; IGF-1 itself is reliant upon growth hormone and intense exercise. But it still needs insulin to accomplish the building of lean body weight (muscle.)

This all comes together during the recovery period right after exercise; the time immediately following intense exercise is known as the window of opportunity. Insulin can kick in while IGF-1 is at its maximum. This is the perfect time to feed your muscles.

Since mTOR is a part of the insulin pathway, it can be thwarted by insulin resistance. This is the reason high glycemic meals and diets can potentially prevent muscle development.

The primary nutritional trigger for mTOR are the essential amino acids -- particularly leucine. Studies reveal that intravenous administration of amino acids increase the rate of muscle protein synthesis after exercise and simultaneously lower the rate of muscle protein breakdown. Dietary protein seems to be the primary factor in muscle nourishment.

Recent studies have been reporting substantial benefits of the high protein, low carbohydrate diet on muscle conditioning and weight loss. A key element in this diet regimen appears to be the high intake of the amino acid leucine, which is part of the branch chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine).

Besides the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis, leucine has also shown the capacity to modulate insulin and blood sugar.

Dietary protein provides the 20 naturally occurring amino acids and nine essential amino acids. Although all amino acids contribute to building your body's protein, a few have additional metabolic roles. One of these is the branched chain amino acid (BCAA) leucine.

Unlike other amino acids which serve primarily as building blocks for muscle protein, leucine also signals your muscle to increase protein synthesis. Incredibly, leucine has been shown to stimulate your muscle protein synthesis even during times of food restriction or after prolonged physical hardship.

The highest concentrations of leucine and branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are found in dairy products; particularly quality cheese and whey protein. And even though leucine is relatively abundant in our food supply, it is often wasted as an energy substrate or used as a building block rather than an anabolic agent.

This fact necessitates increasing leucine consumption beyond just meeting maintenance requirements!

But only leucine from food can achieve the anabolic atmosphere without side effects. Using leucine as a free form amino acid can be highly counterproductive.

Intravenous administration of free form amino acids including leucine can cause severe hyperglycemic reactions and insulin resistance.

Based on nitrogen-balance measurements, the requirement for leucine to maintain body protein is 1-3 grams daily. And to optimize its anabolic pathway, it has been estimated that leucine requirement should be about 8g - 16g daily.

Leucine Content of Common Foods (per 100 grams)
Whey protein concentrate	8.0g
Raw chedar cheese	3.6g
Lean beef	1.7g
Salmon	1.6g
Almonds	1.5g
Chicken	1.4g
Chick peas	1.4g
Raw eggs	1.0g
Egg yolk	1.4g
Sheep's milk	0.6g
Pork	0.4g
Cow's milk	0.3g

In order to meet the minimum amount of leucine (8 grams) for anabolic purposes, you need to consume 3 ounces of whey protein. In comparison, you would need to eat 1-1/2 pounds of chicken, over one pound of almonds, or one-half pound of raw cheddar cheese.

Studies have reported that dietary protein has a beneficial stabilizing effect on insulin levels when entering the circulation from ingested food. In other words, protein food benefits your body's glycemic control.

Branch chain amino acids can serve as excellent sources of fuel during intense exercise sessions. Over 80 percent of dietary BCAAs are absorbed. It is likely that the body spares BCAAs specifically to fuel your muscles.

Scientists now know that BCAA and leucine reach your muscle directly to serve as emergency fuel. BCAA contribute carbon to synthesize glucose via the alanine glucose cycle. Called gluconeogenesis, this process converts BCAA into alanine and glutamine which then serve as carbon donors to the production of glucose.

This fueling mechanism is so efficient that it persistently keeps blood sugar from overspiking or overplummeting. In other words, amino acids serve as primary fuel during times of intense physical or nutritional stress. They could be the ideal fuel for athletes engaged in anaerobic activities such as weight lifting and bodybuilding.

How can what is known about leucine be put into a practical methodology that can benefit even seniors battling sarcopenia?

Increase your intake of leucine rich foods such as high quality whey protein, raw cheese and organic, pasture-raised eggs

Increase the gap between meals to potentiate the anabolic effect of each meal

Feed your muscle with quality whey protein after exercise. Make sure the whey protein is derived from grass fed cows and is cold processed. Note that whey protein is the fastest to assimilate among all protein foods. Its anabolic impact after exercise is unmatched. Whey protein is also ideal for muscle fueling before exercise. It has the highest content of leucine and BCAA among all foods

Increase your intake of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables to support your muscle antioxidant defenses and allow recuperation and buildup

Stay away from any product made with added fructose. Fructose is the worst fuel for your muscles

Start your morning with a whey protein meal to cover your minimum leucine requirement. This will allow all additional protein meals to become increasingly anabolic (by releasing extra leucine for anabolic purposes)

Use whey meals as a primary source of protein during the day to grant maximum protein/leucine loading efficiency with minimum digestive stress

Have your slow assimilating proteins (eggs, cheese, fish or meat) at night to grant a steady release of leucine and a long lasting anabolic impact during the sleeping hours

Add coconuts to a whey protein meal. Coconuts contain MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides.) They have the capacity to swiftly convert to energy without spiking insulin and without the need for bile acid digestion. MCT can help shift leucine's pathway from fueling into muscle building

Keep your diet clean from chemicals, pesticides and preservatives to minimize the metabolic stress on your body. Accumulated metabolic stress and toxicity present major obstacles to muscle recuperation and buildup

For maximum results, try to eat two protein-rich meals after exercise, each consisting of at least 20 grams of protein. It can range from 20 grams to 30 grams. Adhering to those guidelines will prevent nitrogen waste.

Source: Ori Hofmekler. Ori Hofmekler is the author of The Warrior Diet, The Anti-Estrogenic Diet, Maximum Muscle Minimum Fat, and the upcoming book Unlocking the Muscle Gene/North Atlantic Books. Source material used is on Mercola.com.

January 9, 2011: A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that breastfed babies turn up healthier and more vibrant than babies who are not breastfed.

Lead researcher Enrico Garcia Artero and his colleagues from the University of Granada determined that breastfeeding leads to increased muscle mass, greater athletic performance, and overall improved health as children grow into adolescence.

"Our objective was to analyze the relationship between the duration of breastfeeding babies and their physical condition in adolescence. The results suggest further beneficial effects and provide support to breastfeeding as superior to any other type of feeding," stated Dr. Artero.

The research team evaluated over 2,500 breastfed and non-breastfed children. They observed that the breastfed group had larger leg muscles compared to the non-breastfed group by having both groups engage in a horizintal jumping test.

Test results also showed that the longer a child was breastfed, the better he performed physically in life.

"Until now, no studies have examined the association between breastfeeding and future muscular aptitude. However, our results concur with the observations made as regards other neonatal factors, such as weight at birth, are positively related to better muscular condition during adolescence," said Dr. Artero.
Source: Eurekalert.org

January 13, 2011: The news media has announced that Michael Douglas, American actor and son of star Kirk Douglas, has been cured of cancer. Michael Douglas says himself that he has "beat cancer."

Michael Douglas had been diagnosed with throat cancer, and had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

I am a movie buff and I love Michael Douglas as an actor; however the use of the word "cure" is a stretch in light of what actually happened. The therapy only shrank a cancer tumor in size. This is hardly a cure.

A "cure" is when all traces of the disease has been destroyed, and a recurrence of the original cancerous cells will not occur. Unfortunately, cancer cells have a habit of growing back -- usually within a few years. If the cancer patient has a history of smoking and drinking, it is usually within 5 years.

January 13, 2011: Rigorous scientific studies have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that placebos work. This applies to "fake" surgeries as well as "sugar pills."

It has been estimated that up to 50 percent of U.S. physicians prescribe placebos to their patients having them believe they are actually receiving an actual treatment. Although the patient doesn't have to contend with the negative side effects of a pharmaceutical drug, it is nevertheless a deceptive practice.

Now a new study has been published which proves that the placebo effect works just as well if the patient knows that he is taking a sugar pill.

Harvard University researchers designed a study to determine if the benefiits of the placebo effect would remain if the patient knew he was receiving a placebo. The study consisted of 80 patients suffering from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome.)

The 80 patients were divided into two groups. One group, the control group, didn't receive anything; the other group was given a placebo which was described as being "like sugar pills."

The results were astonishing to say the least. Almost 60 percent of the patients receiving the placebo reported feeling adequate relief from IBS symptoms; and that's not all. They also reported almost identical improvements to patients who took the strongest IBS medications. Only 35 percent of those given nothing reported adequate relief.

The Harvard researchers commented that the volunteers didn't have to believe in the placebo effect. They took the pills regardless, and the "fake" pills worked just the same!

January 15, 2011: Most people know arsenic as a deadly poison -- and it is. It is used in pesticides.

But used in small amounts, arsenic can be therapeutic. It has been used in medicine for over 2,000 years.

Arsenic was the main therapy for treating a type of leukemia known as chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in the 17th century.

A Dutch population study discovered that low arsenic levels concentrated in drinking water didn't increase cancer rates in people who drank it; at the same time it reduced skin cancer rates.

At present, an arsenic compound arsenic trioxide (ATO) is FDA approved for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Georgetown University Medical Center (Washington, DC) resarchers, headed by Aykut Uren, discovered evidence that arsenic might be a therapy for hard or impossible to treat types of brain tumors as well as connective tissue tumors. Years of research have revealed a common pathway (the hedgehog/GLI1 signaling pathway) that is activated in tumors called medulloblastomas and connective tissue tumors known as Ewing sarcoma (ES). This activation causes cancer tumors to grow and spread.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation contained an article describing how Georgetown researchers used the arsenic trioxide compound to shut down that pathway in mice models of ES and medulloblastoma. This led to the dramatic suppression of the growth of cancer cells.

Dr. Uren explained that this pathway is also commonly activated in other cancers, including colon, pancreatic, and basal cell skin cancer. That means the arsenic compound can and should be tested immediately on these other types of cancer.
Source: www.NaturalNews.com.

January 18, 2011: A little known use of vitamin C for the body is collagen. Collagen can be found as a basic structure in all almost all parts of your body -- skin, bones, teeth, blood vessels, eyes, heart, etc.

Believe it or not, collagen is stronger than steel wire. It is part of an elastic-like substance known as elastin. Collagen makes up the connective tissue that holds your body together.

Your body needs vitamin C to make collagen -- lots of vitamin C. A failing immune system, loss of teeth, ulcerated gums, and broken blood vessels are a few consequences of inadequate vitamin C intake.

The RDA (recommended daily allowance) of vitamin C is for the most part met by your diet. But the RDA is only meant to prevent a dietary deficiency of a nutrient. Optimization of your health requires amounts greater than the RDA.

The RDA of vitamin C for adults has been set as 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women. Fruits and vegetables contain the highest amounts.

Your body's moving joints are known as synovial joints; the connective tissue that holds them together and lubricates your cartilage is called synovial fluid.

Synovial fluid is straw-like in color and made almost entirely of collagen. Its other components are blood plasma, hyaluronic acid, and some other proteins.

Synovial fluid doesn't only lubricate though. It is an antibacterial too, and your body uses it to fight afflictions such as arthritis.

Age takes its toll on your joints. Strain and the wear and tear of constant use and exercise can allow pollutants into the joints and as a result, synovial fluid can leak out. Reactions to medications can also allow this to happen.

Based on his extensive medical and nutrition experience, Dr. Al Sears recommends 3,000 mg (milligrams) of vitamin C daily if the state of your health is good. Oranges, bell peppers, collard greens, papaya, and peppermint leaves are chock full of vitamin C.

Dr. Sears recommends a minimum of 6,000 mg of vitamin C for pregnant women. In times of stress or sickness, up to 20,000 mg can be taken.

Other nutrients should be taken to support joint and cartilage health. Glucosamine is one. A study that was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that glucosamine helped completely relieve the joint pain of 80 percent of its participants, and 70 percent had improved joint mobility. Dr. Sears recommends 500 mg twice a day with food.

Researchers found that there is a direct correlation between joint problems and the amount of selenium present in your body. The best source of selenium is Brazil nuts. According to studies, just 55 mcg (micrograms) of selenium a day could reduce your chance of osteoporosis by up to 15 percent. Brazil nuts have 544 mcg in one ounce.

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital to joint health. They will prevent inflammation.

January 19, 2011: The Framingham Heart Study is a gold standard work that was initiated in the 1940s. It is considered the most reliable source of data on heart disease in existence because it has no ties whatsoever to any drug company.

The Framingham Heart Study has proved from data gleaned over 60 years that high HDL (high density lipoprotein) is directly related to a lower risk of heart disease.

The powerful pharmaceutical companies want to keep the public in the dark concerning the truth about heart disease. One truth is that it isn't cholesterol that causes heart disease and heart attacks, but plaque buildup. Another truth is that 75 percent of the people who suffer heart attacks have normal total cholesterol.

The fact of the matter is that if you keep your HDL (good) cholesterol high, you have little risk of heart disease. HDL can lower coronary disease no matter what the level of LDL (bad) cholesterol. HDL carries plaque out of your arteries.

Living a healthy lifestyle will guarantee you a high level of HDL. Here are a few nutrients which will raise HDL levels:

• Niacin. This nutrient can boost HDL by as much as 24 percent
• Omega-3 fatty acid
• Eat more protein and reduce carbohydrate consumption

January 21, 2011: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has done it again in working on behalf of the public. They have painstakingly reviewed the websites of bottled water companies. The task involved over 170 varieties of water.

The EWG's goal was to answer three questions. (1) Did the companies disclose the origin of the water? (2) how the water was treated? and (3) did the companies reveal the results of tests to ensure water purity?

More than half of the bottled water products failed the transparency test. Almost 20 percent didn't say where their water comes from, and an additional 32 percent did not disclose any information on treatment or purity of water.

"Only three brands earned the highest possible ... Gerber Pure Purified Water, Nestle Pure Life Purified Water, and Penta Ultra-Purified Water ...," (Yahoo Green.)

Nestle Pure Life Purified Water is the only brand which answers the first two questions right on its label. As to the third question, it provides information for obtaining information on the water quality test report.

EWG's report listed the six absolute worst bottled water brands as being:

• Whole Foods Italian Still Mineral Water
• Vintage Natural Spring Water
• Sahara Premium Drinking Water
• O Water Sport Electrolyte Enhanced Purified Drinking Water
• Market Basket Natural Spring Water
• Cumby's Spring Water

Although it is commendable that a few bottled brands are transparent, it does not alter the fact that bottled water is 1900 times as expensive as ordinary tap water and there are other dangers.

Drinking from plastic bottles carries its own risks exclusive of its content. Bottled water in general contains many low-level contaminants such as arsenic, industrial chemicals, and nitrates. And bottled as well as tap water contain fluoride.
The dangers of bottled water.

January 24, 2011: LaLanne revolutionized fitness training and introduced weight training to America. He pioneered the now popular concept of gym memberships for women as well as men. The common belief back in those early days was that training with weights made athletes "musclebound" and slow and masculinized women.

(Photo Left: Jack and Elaine LaLanne.)

Jack LaLanne is known as the "godfather of fitness." He was born on September 26, 1914 in San Francisco, California. Jack wasn't always the fitness advocate that the world now knows him as. He tells the story of how his mother rewarded him by giving him sweets.

His diet made Jack a "sugarholic." At the age of 15 his mother took him to a health lecture given by nutritionist Paul Bragg. At some point during the lecture, Paul asked Jack what he had eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He replied, "Cakes, pies, ice cream!"

Jack LaLanne had severe health issues. He wore glasses, suffered from severe headaches, and had pimples and boils. Bragg promised Jack that if he exercised and ate healthfully, he would regain his health.

Bragg's health message made a lasting impression on Jack. And by his own testimony, and that of people who knew him, Jack never had another cake, pie, or ice cream. He also gave up coffee and tea.

Jack discovered the Berkeley YMCA and free weights. This is how he built his trademark muscular, and tapered physique.

After he graduated from high school, Jack started his own business selling his mother's healthy bread and cookies. He then opened a basic gym and began training police officers and firefighters.

"When I first started out, I was considered a crackpot. The doctors used to say, 'Don't go to that Jack LaLanne, you'll get hemorrhoids, you won't get an erection, you women will look like men, you athletes will get muscle-bound' -- this is what I had to go through," says Jack.

Continuing, he says:

"I became a voracious reader and I absorbed everything that would help me to improve myself. Gray's Anatomy was my bible. During college, I studied pre-med to become a medical doctor and I also went to Chiropractic College and graduated; however, I was more interested in helping people by convincing them to take preventative measures, before they became ill."

Jack opened what is considered to be the nation's very first fitness center, LaLanne's Physical Culture Studio, in Oakland, California in 1936. He was only 21 years of age.

Not only did Jack pioneer a public health studio, he also invented weight machines still in use today. The leg extension machine, pulley machines using cables, and machines using weight selectors were all inventions of Jack.

The Jack LaLanne Show was first broadcast in 1952. Because of limited finances, the only time slot he could afford was the early mornings. His audience was largely comprised of children.

He got a dog he named Happy to appeal to the kids. The Jack LaLanne Show was televised from Hollywood, California.
Sources: www.latimes.com; www.jacklalanne.com

January 25, 2011: "There is nothing in the natural environment that can cause cancer. So it has to be a man-made disease, down to pollution and changes to our diet and lifestyle."

This statement was made by Professor Rosalie David, co-author of a recently published study assessing whether cancer is in fact a "new" disease.

This conclusion was reached after researchers examined literally hundreds of fossil records, mummified Egyptian remains, and disease references from classical literature. Until modern times with its rampant pollution and poor dietary choices, tumors were rare.

The Daily Mail reported the following:

"Tumors were rare until recent times when pollution and poor diet became issues, the review of mummies, fossils and classical literature found ... Despite slivers of tissue from hundreds of Egyptian mummies being rehydrated and placed under the microscope, only one case of cancer has been confirmed.

"Dismissing the argument that the ancient Egyptians didn't live long enough to develop cancer, the researchers pointed out that other age-related disease such as hardening of the arteries and brittle bones did occur.

"Fossil evidence of cancer is also sparse, with scientific literature providing a few dozen, mostly disputed, examples in animal fossil ... Even the study of thousands of Neanderthal bones has provided only one example of a possible cancer."

The visiting professor at Manchester University in England, Michael Zimmerman, stated:

"The virtual absence of malignancies in mummies must be interpreted as indicating their rarity in antiquity, indicating that cancer-causing factors are limited to societies affected by modern industrialisation."

Professor Zimmerman and his associate Rosalie David examined hundreds of Egyptian mummies; they were rehydrated and analyzed under a microscope. After scrutinizing slivers of tissue from these remains, only one case of cancer was confirmed.

And keep this in mind, experiments have shown that tumors should have been better preserved by the process of mummification than healthy tissue.

Researchers have also examined thousands of Neanderthal bones. The results yielded only one possible case of cancer.

Ancient Egyptian texts were also examined by researchers. They concluded that the cancer-like cases they came acoss were more than likely cause by leprosy or varicose veins.

It wasn't until the 17th century that researchers saw the first descriptions of operations for breast and other cancer types.

Reports of confirmed cancers didn't appear in scientific literature until the past 200 years or so. Scrotal cancer was found in chimney sweeps in 1775 and nasal cancer in snuff users in 1761.

Professor Rosalie David said:

"There is nothing in the natural environment that can cause cancer. So it has to be a man-made disease, down to pollution and changes to our diet and lifestyle.

"The important thing about our study is that it gives a historical perspective to this disease. We can make very clear statements on the cancer rates in societies because we have a full overview. We have looked at millennia, not one hundred years, and have masses of data.

"Yet again extensive ancient Egyptian data, along with other data from across the millennia, has given modern society a clear message � cancer is man-made and something that we can and should address."

I have always suspected that cancer was on an upward spiral because I didn't hear much about it in the '60s and even early to mid '70s. The very first time I became aware of cancer personally was through my brother's wife's sister having developed it in the early '70s.

A few known cancer-causes are:

• Pesticide- and other chemical exposures
• Pharmaceutical drugs
• Processed and artificial foods (plus the chemicals in the packaging)
• Wireless technologies, dirty electricity, and medical diagnostic radiation exposure
• Obesity, stress, and poor sleeping habits
• Lack of sunshine exposure and use of sunscreens
• Emotional distresses

Source: The Daily Mail

January 26, 2011: The nation's food and beverage manufacturers and retailers have jointly announced the launch of a new nutrition labeling scheme. According to their press release, this represents the most significant revamping of the nutrition label since the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.

This new initiative is called Nutrition Keys. This is how the front of package label will look (photo right.)

The front of package labeling is the direct result of a personal request from Michelle Obama in March, 2010. Says Pamela G. Bailey, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Grocery Manufacturers Association:

"We share First Lady Michelle Obama's goal of solving childhood obesity within a generation. Today's announcement would not have been possible without her leadership. Food and beverage companies have a strong track record of providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and this program represents a significant milestone in our ongoing effort to help consumers construct a healthy diet."

Some packaged food goods will have "nutrients to encourage" information. These are nutrients essential to a healthy lifestyle but are unfortunately underconsumed by the populace at large. They are: potassium, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and protein.

The Nutrition Keys initiative is jointly sponsored by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and Food Marketing Institute (FMI.) Together they represent the majority of food and beverage products that are sold locally.

Although noteworthy, a healthy lifestyle means keeping the consumption of these processed foods and sugar-laden beverages to a minimum. The vast majority of your food should be minimally processed and whole -- just as you would find it in nature.
Source: Grocery Manufacturers Association

January 30, 2011: The attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the murders of six civilians in Arizona is the latest in a seemingly never-ending stream of national tragedies. Again heightened security and tougher gun control laws are being looked upon to curb this senseless violence.

But, as with chronic disease such as cancer or heart disease, band-aides just cover and temporarily relieve the symptoms. The root cause of the disease still remains.

Some people are also suggesting that political rhetoric may have been the spark that set off the fuse which was the gunman. But is that really the cause, or does it lie in what America eats, or doesn't eat?

Kimberly Hartke, a publicist for the Weston A. Price Foundation, writes:

"Our USDA dietary guidelines currently advise to restrict meat and eggs, in favor of vegetables and grains ... Could our government policies be misguided and leading us down the wrong path? ... Let's stop focusing exclusively on the environmental influences in the home and in our culture, but start looking at the internal influence of the Standard American Diet on mental health," (Hartke Is Online, Jan. 10, 2011.)

Studies have shown a correlaton between a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids and aggression. Joseph Hibbeln, a psychiatrist and physician who works at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that we are suffering from widespread diseases of deficiency. Deficiency in the essential fats the brain needs and the nutrients needed to metabolise those fats is causing of a host of mental problems from depression to aggression.

Research on aggression was conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a part of the NIH. For participants, the researchers advertised for aggressive alcoholics.

Eighty alcoholics volunteered for the double-blind study. After a three week detox program, half of the participants were randomly given 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA; the other half were given placebos. They were placed on this regimen for three months.

Although the study is yet ongoing, the nurse administering the pills has seen remarkable changes in the volunteers given the omega-3s rather than placebos. An earlier pilot study with 30 participants who had violent records, and who were given omega-3s, had their hostilities reduced by one-third.

Weighing in on the subject, Dr. Joseph Mercola says:

"In fact, not getting enough omega-3 fats is known to change the levels and functioning of both serotonin and dopamine (which plays a role in feelings of pleasure), as well as compromise the blood-brain barrier, which normally protects your brain from unwanted matter gaining access. Omega-3 deficiency can also decrease normal blood flow to your brain, an interesting finding given that studies show people with depression have compromised blood flow to a number of brain regions..." (www.mercola.com.)

That omega-3 fatty acids can make such a noticeable impact is understandable when it is realized that your brain is 60 percent fat by dry weight. Essential fatty acids (omega-3s) compose 20% of the nerve cells' membranes. The synapses, or junctions where nerve cells connect with other nerve cells, contain even higher concentrations of essential fatty acids - being made of about 60 percent of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.

Unless you're like an ostrich with its head buried in the sand, you see that violent episodes such as that which killed six in Arizona are on the increase. Rampant and explosive violence has not been seen on such a large scale at any past time in industrialized Western nations.

Soya oil consumption in the United States only accounted for 0.02 percent of all calories available in 1909. In 2000, it soared to a whopping 20 percent! Soya and other vegetable oils such as canola, corn, peanut, and safflower are omega-6 based. The delicate balance between omega-3 and omega-6 has been breached with an increased intake of omega-6 and a decreased intake of omega-3s.

Omega-6 fats from oils such as soya, corn, and sunflower accounted for 1% of energy supply in the early 1960s in the UK; by 2000 they were nearly 5%.

By the way, did you know that alcohol depletes your brain of omega-3 fatty acids?

"[Dr.] Hibbeln and his colleagues have mapped the growth in consumption of omega-6 fatty acids from seed oils in 38 countries since the 1960s against the rise in murder rates over the same period. In all cases there is an unnerving match. As omega-6 goes up, so do homicides in a linear progression. Industrial societies where omega-3 consumption has remained high and omega-6 low because people eat fish, such as Japan, have low rates of murder and depression." (www.Guardian.co.uk.)

At one time fish was a great source of esential fatty acids; it is still. But due to its high concentrations of mercury and other pollutants, I can no longer in good conscience recommend it.

However a much better source of of essential fatty acids is krill oil.

Studies have also implicated sugar consumption to violent acts. A study by researchers from Cardiff University in the United Kingdom showed a correlation between participants eating sweets in childhood on a daily basis, and violence in their adult life.

Research begun in 1970 on 17,500 ten year olds found that of those who went on to commit violent crimes in adulthood, nearly 70 percent ate candy every day, compared to 42% who did not go on to commit violent crimes.

February 1, 2011: In this news article concerning intravenous vitamin C, I related how Dr. Hugh Riordan used vitamin C to treat stage 3 and 4 cancer patients. It proved to be very effective in conjunction with other treatments.

Here's another remarkable story. In 1976 Dr. Linus Pauling took 100 terminally ill people and fed them 10 grams of vitamin C daily. The vitamin C was administered orally and intraveneoulsy. The average lifespan of these patients after being declared terminal was almost one year. They had no other treatment.

Dr. Pauling compared the 100 patients with 1,000 other terminally ill patients who were not given vitamin C. They lived an average of only 38 days!

Dr. Ewan Cameron, who worked along with Dr. Pauling in treating cancer patients with vitamin C, researched the records of over 1,800 incurable cancer patients and found that those who were given any type of vitamin C treatment lived twice as long as those who were not similarly treated.

A 2006 study by the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association looked at patients who chose to undergo high-dose vitamin C therapy with no other treatment.

One woman had multiple lesions in her chest, and decided to get injections of 65g twice a week. After 8 months, her chest x-rays were normal. A man with a bladder tumor that had spread into his muscle had the tumor removed. In cases like his, the cancer usually returns in a short time. He opted for high-dose vitamin C injections monthly over four years. And nine years later, he was in good health with no spread of cancer.

A woman who had been diagnosed with lymph node cancer received 5 weeks of radiation treatment but refused chemotherapy. She chose instead to get intravenous vitamin C. A little over a year later no trace of lymphoma could be found. She was still cancer-free after ten years.

A study was published in the 1996 volume of Prostate. Researchers found that vitamin C killed prostate cancer cells.

Why aren't intravenous vitamin C and the other cancer therapies and cures broadcast on CNN and other mainstream news outlets? Listen to what Dr. Al Sears, an alternative medicine doctor has to say:

"...The modern medical establishment does want you to see [are] the studies funded by drug companies that show very low doses of vitamin C don�t help cancer patients. Or the ones where patients with a rare colorectal cancer don�t benefit from high doses of orally administered vitamin C.

"[Because] vitamin C is naturally occurring. If something occurs in nature, it can�t be patented. To patent something, you have to prove that you invented or created something exclusive or new.

"If a drug company can�t patent a therapy, they can�t corner the market. Other companies are free to produce the same thing at a lower price. Competition drives down prices and profits far below what drug companies are used to."

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. The RDA is not nearly enough to kill cancer cells.

Dr. Linus Pauling took megadoses of vitamin C ... between 12,000 and 18,000 mg a day. Dr. Sears says that these megadoses aren't necessary though.

Red and green chili peppers are loaded with vitamin C. They contain 242 mg per 100 grams. The fruit guava has 228 mg per 100 grams. Oranges and strawberries only contain about 60 mg per 100 grams by comparison.

The champion of all fruits as far as vitamin C content is the acerola cherry; it has 1,678 mg per gram!

Respecting herbs, thyme and parsley are good sources.

Vitamin C, also known as ascobic acid, can be supplemented. An effective dose is 1,500 mg twice a day. Pregnant women should get at least 6,000 mg of vitamin C a day; but when sick or under stress, the dosage should be bumped up to 20,000 mg.

February 2, 2011: A new study undertaken by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, and published in the journal PloS One, associated increased risk for violence and homocidal behavior with certain pharmaceutical drugs.

The study itself used data from the FDA's (Food and Drug Administration) Adverse Event Reporting System. Findings from the study have identified 31 drugs which are disproportionately linked to violent behavior.

The 10 top drugs identified in order of danger are:

• Varenicline (Chantix): The anti-smoking medication Chantix affects the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which helps reduce craving for smoking. Chantix is 18 times more likely to be linked with violence than other drugs.
• Fluoxetine (Prozac): A well-known SSRI antidepressant. Prozac is 10.9 times more likely to be linked with violence in comparison with other medications.
• Paroxetine (Paxil): An SSRI antidepressant, Paxil is also linked with more severe withdrawal symptoms and a greater risk of birth defects compared to other medications in that class. It is 10.3 times more likely to be linked with violence compared to other drugs.
• Amphetamines: (Various): Amphetamines are used to treat ADHD and affect the brain's dopamine and noradrenaline systems. They are 9.6 times more likely to be linked to violence, compared to other drugs.
• Mefoquine (Lariam): A treatment for malaria, Lariam has long been linked with reports of bizarre behavior. It is 9.5 times more likely to be linked with violence than other drugs.
• Atomoxetine (Strattera): Used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Strattera affects the neurotransmitter noradrenaline and is 9 times more likely to be linked with violence compared to the average medication.
• Triazolam (Halcion): A benzodiazepine which can be addictive and used to treat insomnia. Halcion is 8.7 times more likely to be linked with violence than other drugs, according to the study.
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox): An antidepressant that affects serotonin (SSRI). Luvox is 8.4 times more likely than other medications to be linked with violence.
• Venlafaxine (Effexor): A drug related to Pristiq in the same class of antidepressants, both are also used to treat anxiety disorders. Effexor is 8.3 times more likely than other drugs to be related to violent behavior.
• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq): An antidepressant which affects both serotonin and noradrenaline, this drug is 7.9 times more likely to be associated with violence than other drugs.

Source: Healthland.Time.com

February 3, 2011: Going into his 10th year as New York City's mayor, Michael Bloomberg is continuing his efforts towards banishing sugary drinks. New York's Health Department has launched a new TV ad:

"Don't drink yourselves sick. Go with water, seltzer, fat-free milk or unsweetened teas instead."

The new TV ad pulls no punches. It features decaying toes and an unconscious man being treated with a defibrillator.

Health Department spokesperson Zoe Tobin told the Daily News: "We're trying to educate people about the potential harmful health consequences of sugar drinks. We call them hard-hitting and realistic."

February 5, 2011: Duane Graveline is uniquely qualified to talk about the dangers of statins or cholesterol lowering drugs. He is a retired medical doctor who had a family practice as well as being a former USAF (United States Air Force) flight surgeon and former NASA (National Aeronautics Space Administration) astronaut.

In 1999 Dr. Graveline's cholesterol reached 280. He was prescribed Lipitor.

"When they suggested Lipitor (10 mg), I went along with it because I had no reason to be particularly worried about statin drugs. I had used it a year or so before my retirement, but I wasn't a big user."

After about six weeks, Dr. Graveline experienced a unique form of amnesia known as transient global. This form of amnesia prevents the formation of new memories, and you can no longer communicate. Communication is prohibited because the person afflicted cannot remember the last thing that was spoken to him.

Dr. Graveline returned to his present state of mind about six hours later in a neurologist's office. Despite his doctor's reasurances that his memory loss wasn't due to Lipitor, he refused to take it anymore.

His medical problem didn't resurface during the remainder of the year. But while undergoing his next physical, Dr. Graveline's cholesterol level was still at 280. His doctors urged him to reconsider his stance on Lipitor and Dr. Graveline relented.

During the interval, Dr. Graveline had spoken to a number of doctors and pharmacologists concerning what he had experienced. They all assured him that statins weren't responsible. However he reduced the dosage of Lipitor to 5 mg.

"... E]ight weeks later, I had my second, and my worst episode. In this one, I was a 13-year-old high school student for 12 hours... This is what convinced me, when I finally woke up, that something was wrong with the statin drugs. And yet, the doctors were, for years after that, still saying that this was just a remarkable coincidence ..."

Dr. Graveline wrote of his nightmarish experiences, and published them in a book entitled Lipitor: Thief of Memory.

Currently more than 2,000 cases of transient global amnesia associated with statin use has been reported to the FDA's MedWatch program.

Other serious medical problems have been linked to statin use. They include:

• Personality changes / mood disorders
• Muscle problems, polyneuropathy (nerve damage in the hands and feet), and rhabdomyolysis (a serious degenerative muscle tissue condition)
• Sexual dysfunction
• Immune suppression
• Pancreas or liver dysfunction, including a potential increase in liver enzymes
• cataracts

A form of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) may be a result of statin use too. In 2007 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Ralph Edwards, the director of Sweden-based Vigibase, documented ALS-like symptoms in statin users worldwide. Dr. Graveline states that the FDA resists seeing this link and refuses to issue a warning.

Dr. Graveline says, "[W]e have anecdotal evidence that if you stop the statin drug early enough, some of these cases regress. That's why we thought it was important that FDA issue a warning, but they haven't ..."

Research began coming out in 2001 of the importance of cholesterol in memory formation. It turns out that statins block the mevalonate pathway which consequently blocks CoQ10and dolichols. Dolichols are vital to cell processes including:

• Glycoprotein synthesis
• Cell identification
• Cell communication
• Immunodefense
• Neurohormone formation

According to Dr. Graveline, dolichols influence all the hormones involved with your mental condition, including your emotions and moods. And if you do not have sufficient dolichol, your entire process of neurohormone production will be altered-with potentially devastating results.

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