Antidepressants risk breast cancer return

These fluoride based antidepressants SUPPRESS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND THE THYROID. Perhaps if people used vitamin E - which is effective in reducing and eliminating hot flashes as well as helping mood and improving immunity - this would not be an issue.

Some antidepressants may risk breast cancer return
By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Medical Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. – Breast cancer survivors risk having their disease come back if they use certain antidepressants while also taking the cancer prevention drug tamoxifen, worrisome new research shows.

About 500,000 women in the United States take tamoxifen, which cuts in half the chances of a breast cancer recurrence. Many of them also take antidepressants for hot flashes, because hormone pills aren't considered safe after breast cancer.

Doctors have long known that some antidepressants and other medicines can lower the amount of tamoxifen's active form in the bloodstream. But whether this affects cancer risk is unknown.

The new study, reported Saturday at a cancer conference in Florida, is the largest to look at the issue. It found that using these interfering drugs — including Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft — can virtually wipe out the benefit tamoxifen provides.

Many doctors question the magnitude of harm from combining these medicines, and a second, smaller study suggests it may not be very large.

But the bottom line is the same: Not all antidepressants pose this problem, and women should talk to their doctors about which ones are best.

"There are other alternatives we can consider" that are safer, said Dr. Eric Winer, breast cancer chief at the Dana-Farber Cancer Center in Boston.

He had no role in the study, which was done by Medco Health Solutions Inc., a large insurance benefits manager. Researchers used members' medical records to identify 353 women taking tamoxifen plus other drugs that might interfere with it, and 945 women taking tamoxifen alone. Those taking a drug combo did so for about a year on average.

Next, researchers checked to see how many were treated for second cancers in the following two years. Breast cancer recurred in about 7 percent of women on tamoxifen alone, and in 14 percent of women also taking other drugs that could interfere — mainly the antidepressants Paxil and Prozac, and, to a lesser extent, Zoloft.

If women want to take an antidepressant, "you probably want to stay away from those three," said Medco's chief medical officer, Dr. Robert Epstein.

No greater breast cancer risk was seen in women taking the antidepressants Celexa, Lexapro or Luvox with tamoxifen, and there are reasons to think that other antidepressants may be safe as well, Epstein said.

A second study led by Dr. Vincent Dezentje of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands found little risk from combining tamoxifen and popular antidepressants. However, only 150 women in the study took such combos for more than two months, and they were compared to women taking combos for a shorter time — not to women using tamoxifen alone.

The Dutch and Medco studies were presented at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The federal Food and Drug Administration has been considering a change to tamoxifen's label to warn about the antidepressants drugs and a gene variation some women have that can make tamoxifen less effective. An advisory panel unanimously recommended a change in 2006, but the agency is still considering it.

"This is a very controversial area," said Dr. Claudine Isaacs, a breast specialist at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Until these data are absolutely clear, I would avoid drugs that impact on tamoxifen metabolism."

Breast cancer is the most common major cancer in American women. More than 182,000 new cases were diagnosed last year, and it caused nearly 41,000 deaths.

On the Net:
Cancer meeting: http://www.asco.org
Cancer institute: http://www.cancer.gov

Routine aspirin benefit queried

The use of ASA in this context is a risk that should have been known to doctors who are required to study pharmacology and physiology.

Longterm use of ASA and even other blood thinning drugs like coumadin may cause destruction of the cell wall membrane leading to a type of free-radical destruction originating from the rupture of cellular lysosomal membranes. Lysosomes are digestive substances found in each cell. They are designed to digest and eliminate waste from the cell. When the membranes are ruptured prematurely, cell contents are digested and destroyed. Silent bleeding and death may ensue.

Omega 3, garlic, cayenne, willow bark, natto or other natural supplements may do as well or better, and without such a high risk of harm.

Routine aspirin benefits queried
Low-dose aspirin should not routinely be used to prevent heart attacks and strokes, contrary to official guidance, say UK researchers.

Analysis of data from over 100,000 clinical trial participants found the risk of harm largely cancelled out the benefits of taking the drug.

Only those who have already had a heart attack or stroke should be advised to take a daily aspirin, they found.

The Lancet study should help clarify a "confusing" issue, GPs said.

The NHS drugs watchdog, the National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), has not made a ruling in this area.

But experts in the UK, US and Europe recommend aspirin for people who have not already had a heart attack or stroke, but are at high risk of cardiovascular disease because of factors such as age, blood pressure and cholesterol level.

“ We don't have good evidence that, for healthy people, the benefits of long-term aspirin exceed the risks by an appropriate margin ”
Professor Colin Baigent, study leader

This strategy, known as primary prevention, is based on the result of studies looking at predicted risks and benefits in this population.

But the latest research provides clearer evidence because it is based on data from individuals, the researchers said.

They looked at heart attacks and strokes and major bleeds - a potential side effect of aspirin - in six primary prevention trials, involving 95,000 people at low to average risk and 16 trials involving 17,000 people at high risk - because they had already had a heart attack or stroke.

Use of aspirin in the lower-risk group was found to reduce non-fatal heart attacks by around a fifth, with no difference in the risk of stroke or deaths from vascular causes.

But it also increased the risk of internal bleeding by around a third.

Balance

However, in those patients who had already had a heart attack or stroke and were at risk of having another, the benefits clearly outweighed the chance of adverse events, the researchers said.

Study leader Professor Colin Baigent from the Clinical Trial Service Unit at the University of Oxford, UK, said drug safety was vital when making recommendations that affected tens of millions of healthy people.

"We don't have good evidence that, for healthy people, the benefits of long-term aspirin exceed the risks by an appropriate margin."

He added: "I think the guideline groups will find it useful to have the data analysed in that way."

Professor Steve Field, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the issue had been confusing for GPs and patients.

"There is no definitive guidance and it makes it bewildering when you have a series of papers which then hint it would be beneficial to take aspirin."

He added that many patients would buy aspirin over the counter - either on the advice of their GP or under their own steam - because it was cheap.

"This important study does suggest people shouldn't take aspirin unless indicated by disease."

Ellen Mason, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation said: "It is better for doctors to weigh up the benefit and risk of prescribing aspirin on an individual basis, rather than develop a blanket guideline suggesting everyone at risk of heart disease is routinely given aspirin."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/8072215.stm
Published: 2009/05/28 23:11:43 GMT © BBC MMIX

Irradiated Foods May Cause Serious Brain Damage

A possible contributor to neurodevelopmental problems and neurological disorders has been uncovered in irradiated food.

Findings in a recent scientific study show that irradiated foods may cause severe neurological damage in cats, including paralysis, visual problems, and movement disorders.

Cats fed a diet of irradiated foods suffered from degradation of myelin, a protective insulator of nerve fibers in the central nervous system ane neurons in the brain.

Loss of the myelin sheet leads to diseases such as multiple sclerosis and impairs the central nervous system. This may result in movement disorders, cognitive problems, pain, and loss of feeling.

Some of the damage in the cats was reversible when they were taken off the irradiated food diet, showing promise for people with MS leading a more normal life with dietary intervention. However, the newly developed myelin was not as thick as the original myelin.

Unfortunately, irradiated foods are increasing and are not required by law to be labeled. Many so-called fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats are approved for irradiation with a dose of radiation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the claim of preventing bacteria growth and preserving freshness.

Scientists were quick to dismiss the potential for similar demyelinating in humans. "We think it is extremely unlikely that [irradiated food] could become a human health problem," Ian Duncan., a professor at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, explained.

Others cite the rise in autism, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological disorders along with many studies which show food irradiation produces known toxic and carcinogenic chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects.

Reference

Duncan ID, Brower A, Kondo Y, Curlee JF Jr, Schultz RD. Extensive remyelination of the CNS leads to functional recovery. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Apr 2.

and from our main domain, added in 1998.

Food irradiation exposes food to the equivalent of 30 million chest X-rays.

Irradiation creates new chemicals in foods called radiolytic products. Some of these products are known cancer-causing substances (like benzene in irradiated beef). Others are unique to the irradiation process and no one knows what effects these have on human health.

Irradiation destroys essential vitamins and nutrients that are naturally present in food. No studies have been done to show that a long-term diet of irradiated foods is safe. Safer, well-tested alternatives to irradiation exist.

Irradiation plants pose environmental threats to workers and surrounding communities. The transportation of nuclear materials to irradiation facilities also poses severe public health risks.

For information about Food & Water, or for hard copies of this Action Alert, 1-800-EAT-SAFE.

and food irradiation.

Mobile phones 'more dangerous than smoking'

UPDATE: 29 May
Professor warns of cellphone health hazards

TOP 100 EMF Resources

MOBILE phones DO increase the risk of brain cancer, scientists claimed yesterday.

The chances of developing a malignant tumour are "significantly increased" for people who use a mobile for ten years.
The shock finding is the result of the biggest ever study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organisation.

Scientists found a type of brain tumour called glioma is more likely in long-term mobile users.

French experts analysed data from 13 countries, including Britain.

They cross-referenced various types of tumours with mobile use.

Researchers admit the cause is unknown, but it is thought radiation from handsets could be the trigger.

Study chief Professor Elisabeth Cardis said: "To underestimate the risk would be a complete disaster."

Just a reminder, as more word of hearing loss is coming. The increase is believed to be associated with Blue Tooth ear adapters since states are adding more hands free laws. Cordless phone use at home and increased use of cell phones in place of land lines also are implicated.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1814931.ece

March 30, 2008
Mobile phones 'more dangerous than smoking'
By Geoffrey Lean

Brain expert warns of huge rise in tumours and calls on industry to take immediate steps to reduce radiation

Mobile phones could kill far more people than smoking or asbestos, a study by an award-winning cancer expert has concluded. He says people should avoid using them wherever possible and that governments and the mobile phone industry must take "immediate steps" to reduce exposure to their radiation.

The study, by Dr Vini Khurana, is the most devastating indictment yet published of the health risks.

It draws on growing evidence – exclusively reported in the IoS in October – that using handsets for 10 years or more can double the risk of brain cancer. Cancers take at least a decade to develop, invalidating official safety assurances based on earlier studies which included few, if any, people who had used the phones for that long.

Earlier this year, the French government warned against the use of mobile phones, especially by children. Germany also advises its people to minimise handset use, and the European Environment Agency has called for exposures to be reduced.

Professor Khurana – a top neurosurgeon who has received 14 awards over the past 16 years, has published more than three dozen scientific papers – reviewed more than 100 studies on the effects of mobile phones. He has put the results on a brain surgery website, and a paper based on the research is currently being peer-reviewed for publication in a scientific journal.

He admits that mobiles can save lives in emergencies, but concludes that "there is a significant and increasing body of evidence for a link between mobile phone usage and certain brain tumours". He believes this will be "definitively proven" in the next decade.

Noting that malignant brain tumours represent "a life-ending diagnosis", he adds: "We are currently experiencing a reactively unchecked and dangerous situation." He fears that "unless the industry and governments take immediate and decisive steps", the incidence of malignant brain tumours and associated death rate will be observed to rise globally within a decade from now, by which time it may be far too late to intervene medically.

"It is anticipated that this danger has far broader public health ramifications than asbestos and smoking," says Professor Khurana, who told the IoS his assessment is partly based on the fact that three billion people now use the phones worldwide, three times as many as smoke. Smoking kills some five million worldwide each year, and exposure to asbestos is responsible for as many deaths in Britain as road accidents.

Late last week, the Mobile Operators Association dismissed Khurana's study as "a selective discussion of scientific literature by one individual". It believes he "does not present a balanced analysis" of the published science, and "reaches opposite conclusions to the WHO and more than 30 other independent expert scientific reviews".

Some scientists admit to 'false' results

No need to say more, from UPI

EDINBURGH, Scotland, May 29 (UPI) -- A meta-analysis of surveys by researchers in Scotland, questioning scientists about their misbehaviors, found 2 percent admitted they had "fabricated" results.

Daniele Fanelli of the University of Edinburgh and colleagues said the meta-analysis focused on behaviors that actually distort scientific knowledge -- excluding data on plagiarism and other kinds of malpractice -- and extracted the frequency of scientists who recalled having committed a particular behavior at least once, or who knew a colleague who did.

The analysis, published in the journal PLoS One, found, on average, across the surveys, around 2 percent of scientists admitted they had fabricated, falsified or altered data to "improve the outcome" at least once, and up to 34 percent admitted other questionable research practices -- including "failing to present data that contradict one's own previous research" and "dropping observations or data points from analyses based on a gut feeling that they were inaccurate."

In surveys that asked about the behavior of colleagues, 14 percent said they knew someone who had fabricated, falsified or altered data, and up to 72 percent said they knew someone who had committed other questionable research practices, Fanelli said.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/05/29/Some-scientists-admit-to-false-results/UPI-11091243575781/

What's in Your Soy?

For those who believe soy is good and Silk brand products are something other that in it for the $$$ -

Soy Risks

Soy Score Card

Complete report
Excerpt below from page 27 of 54 of Behind the Bean Report

Another brand of soymilk that chose not to participate in our scorecard project was the industry’s largest producer of soymilk, in addition to other soy products, Silk. WhiteWave, which markets Silk soymilk, is a subsidiary of Dean Foods. Dean Foods is the largest processor and distributor of dairy products in the United States, with $11 billion in sales in 2007.57 In his book, Organic Inc., author Sam Fromartz provides an excellent account of WhiteWave’s transformation from a small, values-driven company to a subsidiary of the corporate giant Dean Foods. When Steve Demos, the founder of WhiteWave, started manufacturing soymilk and tofu, he “wanted to prove to the profit-makers that [he] had a better model, based on values.”58 After Dean Foods bought WhiteWave in 2002, the company’s quest to increase profitability for shareholders would soon clash with WhiteWave’s values. Our own research, including conversations with organic farmers, adds to this story.

Oren Holle is an organic farmer in Kansas who is also the president of the Organic Farmers’ Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM), an organic farmers’ marketing cooperative. After Dean Foods bought WhiteWave and sought to increase production of its organic soymilk, Holle, along with representatives of the Kansas Organic Producers Association, met with WhiteWave representatives to explore a possible partnership between WhiteWave and organic farmers. He recalls, “We proposed to work diligently within the Kansas Organic Producers cooperative and partner with several other OFARM member cooperatives to supply superior quality beans with guarantees of being U.S. grown through the established organic audit trail process. While they ‘talked the talk’ about purchasing the beans from U.S. producers, when the pricing structure was proposed to make the venture modestly profitable for the U.S. growers, the bottom line answer was that if we weren’t willing to provide the beans at a price equal to or less than the cost of available beans from China our proposal couldn’t be considered further. End of negotiation.”

Merle Kramer, a marketer for the Midwestern Organic Farmers Cooperative, observes, “Companies like White Wave had the opportunity to push organic and sustainable agriculture to incredible heights of production by working with North American farmers and traders to get more land in organic production, but what they did was pit cheap foreign soybeans against the U.S. organic farmer, taking away any attraction for conventional farmers to make the move into sustainable agriculture.”

Today, WhiteWave is moving away from using organic soybeans altogether, claiming that there is an organic soybean shortage in the United States. It is clear, however, that WhiteWave is not an innocent victim of this shortage. Years ago, the company had the opportunity to work with American farmers to convert farm acres to organic soybean production, but they chose instead to source from China.

H1N1 Fast-track Vaccine to be Tested by Navy

UPDATE:11 June, 09
So Now it's a Pandemic?
------------
Another "lab rats r us" scenario on its way to be tested on perhaps unwilling people as a "direct order" to participate in human trials.

SAN DIEGO, May 21, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Vical Incorporated /quotes/comstock/15*!vicl/quotes/nls/vicl (VICL 2.13, -0.12, -5.33%) announced today that in the two weeks since launching its program to develop a vaccine against H1N1 influenza (swine flu), the company has completed development of a prototype H1 vaccine, produced an initial supply of research-grade material, and initiated immunogenicity testing in animals. Assuming a successful outcome of this testing and a commitment for program-specific external funding, the company is ready to advance directly to large-scale cGMP manufacturing of vaccine for human clinical trials to be conducted by the U.S. Navy. Read more...

UPDATE on swine flu from Dr. Niman

Another Health Insurance Scam Coming from Congress?

UPDATE: 3 June
More to appease the insurance industry, and is he taxing the fancy perk enjoyed by your member of Congress?
Obama Said to Be Open to Taxing Health-Care Benefits

Please recall that the US is the only place where health benefits are tied to employment and ditated by Big Insurance. Let Max Baucus know just what you think, Teddy Kennedy too!
----------------------------------------------------
If you have CON-cerns about health insurance make sure you take the time to listen to this discussion from Bill Moyers Journal.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/05222009/watch2.html

Both Dr. Wolfe and Dr. Himmelstein tell it like it is. To top it off you'll hear from other just what Senator Max Baucus is up to in the way of protecting his Big Insurance buddies at the expense of the uninsured and under-insured, as well as state and federal government.

Change isn't growing in DC and around the Beltway in case you have missed this.

Just another good reason why you need to become your own best health advocate. And one reason Natural Health News and our associated sites are here to help.

AND

If you think Big Insurance isn't going to block this on every point they can, read this article:THE INFLUENCE GAME.

Fix is hard for Medicare, Social Security

If you ask me, just MOS.

Another perspective

and read more here too...

New Cell Phone Health Update

Updated today from simply4health

13 August, 2008

There is great controversy surrounding EMF and the use of related devices.

Please consider this new article and this special report.

Purchase items for your cell and cordless phones.

Diabetes Featured

In my newsletter, herbalYODA Says!, the featured topic in the forthcoming issue is Diabetes.

Publishing tomorrow morning at 9 AM, you'll find 10 information packed pages with a great amount of nutritional information about how to improve and prevent diabetes, as well as develop a plan to recover.

To receive this issue of herbalYODA Says! you'll need to subscribe today. Sign up at the bottom of the page, here.

And our next segment on BlogTalkRadio focuses on Food Allergy. Listen Live tomorrow morning at 9 AM.

You can listen LIVE or visit the program archives anytime.

Today's Drug Promoting Insanity

As I've been saying lately, what we have in the US is medical care, not health care. And the medical care we have ranks very low in comparison to many other countries.

There are many reasons for this poor state of affairs, and here are a few reasons why things are as they are -

1. Older people should take anti hypertensive drugs even if they do not have hypertension.

This idea seems to be the brainchild of some medical researchers in the UK. They believe a "polypill" made up of the standard drugs used currently as the cookie cutter treatment for blood pressure will prevent heart disease and stroke.

My choice would be vitamin E and magnesium, plus a more customized individual plan for anyone concerned about these issues.

2. The anti-cholesterol drug fenofibrate (Tricor or Triglide)appears to reduce risks of amputation for diabetics by as much as 36 percent, a study has found. This drug runs about $75 for 90 pills. And it has some great side effects I know everyone wants to experience, especially when hit with their impact by surprise because the prescriber overlooked explaining them, as required by law.

The study was published in a special edition on diabetes by The Lancet, which included another study on how rigorous monitoring and control of blood sugar reduces heart attacks.

Well, just for starters, how is amputation directly related to controlling blood sugar and reducing heart attacks?

Perhaps these medical whiz kids need to go back to the drawing board to read the research that says anti-cholesterol drugs do not reduce risk of heart attack, and they don't really do much for LDL or blood sugar lowering either.

However, if a person with diabetes takes adequate amounts of vitamin E daily, they will find that they can prevent neuropathy and the reduce the risk of losing toes, feet, or limbs.

And because vitamin E is an oxygenator it can act to lower blood pressure as doing is increased over time.

A little Alli-C thrown in the mix easily increases the benefits, and garlic has some blood sugar lowering effect as well.

Then there is Kufner's Powder, heavily laden with B vitamins and trace minerals, shown in the very first hospital based study to reverse gangrene in a limb of an older man with diabetes. And consider enzymes, especially lipase, it might be beneficial.

Seems to be another indication we need more open minds and more creative thinking in medicine now days...

3. "A study by Cancer Research UK found that pancreatic cancer can spread quickly to a tumor, despite a healthy blood supply, and gave evidence why conventional cancer treatments such as Eli Lilly and Co's Gemzar were often ineffective.

The study found that combining cancer treatment Gemzar with Infinity Pharmaceutical's experimental drug IPI-926 made the treatment work better in mice with pancreatic cancer."

Yes, the treatment works better in mice!

And the statistics are not good: "Pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in 230,000 people across the world each year, with 7,600 new cases in Britain and 37,000 new cases in the United States, according to Cancer Research UK."

So what might you do?

Well, there is a natural treatment that has been proven in an FDA funded study that seems to get up to an 83% cure rate.

It has lots of vitamins and enzymes, plus a different nutritional approach.

And after you've looked over just these three items consider that in 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued an alarming report titled "To Err is Human," detailing the toll of preventable medical errors in the U.S; it estimated that up to 98,000 Americans die annually from them.

Comments on this study show that now a decade later as more than 100,000 people are dying from the same cause, as the CDC reports, why aren't the "right" questions being asked.

Are we really hoping for reform in medical care?

Something Exciting This Way Comes

Over the past few years I've developed a great relationship with TerraCycle. The Garbage Moguls were so kind to donate some of their worm poop fertilizer for one of the prizes at my non-toxic home and garden talk at last Friday at GreenFair.

Now they've got something new going on and it's going to be big.

My friends at TerraCycle will be meeting with Pepsi next week about this exciting new project. This collaboration means a great expansion for their projects, room for more people to recycle the bags and earn some money for their favorite organization. (We'd be happy to receive donations for CHI.)

IT’S IN THE BAG: PACKAGING FROM MAJOR SNACK BRANDS GETS A NEW PURPOSE


PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay and TerraCycle Partner to Start Chip Bag Brigades to Upcycle Used Packaging

Plano, TX, April 29, 2009 – Frito-Lay North America, a division of PepsiCo, today announced a new partnership with TerraCycle, an upcycling company that will take used packaging from Frito-Lay snack products and turn them into affordable, quality goods. Through this joint program, consumers and local community groups can earn money by collecting the used packaging, and at the same time redirect packaging from landfills.

Over the past few years, the company’s packaging initiatives have made some significant strides. This includes reducing the amount of plastic in packaging by 10% and over the last five years eliminating 12 million pounds of materials used to make the snack bags. This month, the company announced that in 2010 its SunChips brand will be introducing a fully compostable bag made from plant-based renewable material. Marking the company’s latest effort, Frito-Lay will be the first snack food company to fund the collection and upcycling of its used packaging.

“Consumers interact everyday with our company and our brands through packaging,” said Gannon Jones, vice president, portfolio marketing, Frito-Lay North America. “The TerraCycle program builds on our existing efforts to minimize the impact of packaging, while also engaging and rewarding our consumers for being part of the solution.”

The company is asking consumers to form Chip Bag Brigades; for every bag a brigade collects and sends to TerraCycle, Frito-Lay will donate two cents to their charity of choice. Initially, there will be 1,000 collection sites and more are expected to be added during the year. The goal of the program is to engage at least 150,000 people and divert more than 5 million bags from landfills. Consumers can learn more about forming Chip Bag Brigades at www.fritolay.com/terracycle .

The packaging from all the company’s popular brands, such as Lay’s potato chips, Doritos and Tostitos tortilla chips and Cheetos cheese flavored snacks, will be used to make quality, affordable products such as purses, pencil cases and tote bags, which will be available at major retailers like Wal-Mart by late 2009.

This packaging innovation is in line with the commitment by PepsiCo, Frito-Lay’s parent, to reduce the company's impact on the environment through water, energy and packaging initiatives.

About TerraCycle
In 2001, Tom Szaky, a Princeton University Freshman, founded TerraCycle in hopes of building an eco-capitalist company built on waste. After winning countless business plan contests, Tom dropped out of Princeton to pursue his dream of founding the world’s most environmentally friendly company. Seven years later, TerraCycle’s eco-friendly products have received a myriad of social and environmental accolades and are sold at major retailers like The Home Depot, Target, Wal-Mart and Whole Foods Markets. TerraCycle’s business plan and products made from waste received a Zerofootprint Seal of Approval, won The Home Depot’s Environmental Stewardship Award twice and recently won the 2007 Social Venture Network Innovation Award. Please visit www.terracycle.net to learn more.

Buy TerraCycle products online!

Why it pays to rely on nutritional supplementation

UPDATE: 11 June: BOO to BELO. BELO Broadcasting reports tonight on its KREM TV news outlet about Reglan yet makes no reference to safe B complex.
------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the medical newsletters I receive arrived today with an article focused on the care of women who are pregnant.

The topic of the article was on treating a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) or severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

The medical model of today is to offer drugs. The drugs offered in this report were metoclopramide (Reglan) plus diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Reglan has a caution for use during pregnancy. Benadryl contains aspartame which is not recommended for use in pregnancy.

May 18, 2009 — A protocol including metoclopramide plus diphenhydramine may be helpful for hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), the most severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, according to the results of a retrospective cohort study reported in the May issue of the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.HG, the most severe form of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, is intractable vomiting associated with weight loss of at least 5% of prepregnancy weight, dehydration, ketonuria, and hypokalemia. Second only to preterm labor, HG is a leading cause of hospitalization during pregnancy.

There is no gold standard for HG treatment, but droperidol (Inapsine Pregnancy: Category C: INAPSINE administered intravenously has been shown to cause a slight increase in mortality of the newborn rat at 4.4 times the upper human dose. At 44 times the upper human dose, mortality rate was comparable to that for control animals. Following intramuscular administration, increased mortality of the offspring at 1.8 times the upper human dose is attributed to CNS depression in the dams who neglected to remove placentae from their offspring. INAPSINE has not been shown to be teratogenic in animals. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. INAPSINE should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.) and diphenhydramine have been used since 1998. Warnings about the cardiovascular toxicity of injectable droperidol, including QT prolongations, serious arrhythmia, and sudden death, were issued by the US Food and Drug Administration in December 2001 and subsequently by Health Canada. A new HG protocol replacing droperidol with metoclopramide has been used since June 2002 but has not previously been evaluated.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2009:143:43-49.

Depletion of B complex vitamins in pregnancy is related to nausea and vomiting as well as HG based on nutritional research.

The use of B vitamins will resolve this issue and they do not cause risk to the fetus or the mother's health.

Our nutritional powder, RK BioBlend, has helped many people over the years with this health concern in a safe and effective manner. The B vitamins also help prevent birth defects related to many issues especially neural tube defects (Spina Bifida).

Perhaps you'd like your toast and butter spread with nutritional yeast?

Bisphosphonates, X-Rays and Your Jaw

It amazes me that - for the most part - people who have been prescribed the bisphosphonate osteoporosis drugs have no knowledge that these drugs have serious risks.

One of the main risks is that they are based in fluoride compounds. Fluoride is known to cause this type of reaction - that is "swiss cheese" bone structure that leads to brittle and weak bones.

Now it seems that medical pundits want you to be exposed to cancer causing ionizing radiation in x-ray diagnosis of the problem of rotting jaw bone, a serious side effect of these drugs.

In order to prevent reliance on the drugs that are commonly used in medical care for osteoporosis, we have developed a protocol that is based on natural treatment and people who choose it, after we provide them with the educational material that is required, seem to do very well with getting healthier bones.

X-rays Help Predict Permanent Bone Damage From Bisphosphonates

ScienceDaily (2009-05-12) -- Bisphosphonates have been found to place people at risk for developing osteonecrosis of the jaws (a rotting of the jaw bones). Dentists, as well as oncologists, are now using X-rays to detect "ghost sockets" in patients that take these drugs and when these sockets are found, it signals that the jawbone is not healing the right way. Early detection of these ghost sockets can help the patient avoid permanent damage to their jawbone. ... > read full article

Why Health Care is So Costly

I guess this means that Quaker Oats is a drug too. Better watch those little kids eating their morning oatmeal or Cheerios, they're now all addicts and have to be referred to the Drug Czar's office...

Popular cereal is a drug, US food watchdog says
Tue May 12, 2009

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Popular US breakfast cereal Cheerios is a drug, at least if the claims made on the label by its manufacturer General Mills are anything to go by, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said.

"Based on claims made on your product's label, we have determined that your Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal is promoted for conditions that cause it to be a drug," the FDA said in a letter to General Mills which was posted on the federal agency's website Tuesday.

Cheerios labels claim that eating the cereal can help lower bad cholesterol, a risk factor for coronary heart disease, by four percent in six weeks.

Citing a clinical study, the product labels also claim that eating two servings a day of Cheerios helps to reduce bad cholesterol when eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, the FDA letter says.

Those claims indicate that Cheerios -- said by General Mills to be the best-selling cereal in the United States -- is intended to be used to lower cholesterol and prevent, lessen or treat the disease hypercholesterolemia, and to treat and prevent coronary heart disease.

"Because of these intended uses, the product is a drug," the FDA concluded in its letter.

Not only that, but Cheerios is a new drug because it has not been "recognized as safe and effective for use in preventing or treating hypercholesterolemia or coronary heart disease," the FDA said.

That means General Mills may not legally market Cheerios unless it applies for approval as a new drug or changes the way it labels the small, doughnut-shaped cereal, the FDA said.

General Mills defended the claims on Cheerios packaging, saying in a statement that Cheerios' soluble fiber heart health claim has been FDA-approved for 12 years, and that its "lower your cholesterol four percent in six weeks" message has been featured on the box for more than two years.

The FDA's quibble is not about whether Cheerios cereal is good for you but over "how the Cheerios cholesterol-lowering information is presented on the Cheerios package and website," said General Mills.

"We look forward to discussing this with FDA and to reaching a resolution."

Meanwhile, the FDA warned in its letter that if General Mills fails to "correct the violations" on its labels, boxes of Cheerios could disappear from supermarket and wholesaler shelves around the United States and the company could face legal action.

According to General Mills, one in eight boxes of cereal sold in the United States is a box of Cheerios. The cereal debuted on the US market in 1941.

Copyright © 2009 Agence France Presse.

Natural Health Tip - PPI

For most people who would like a natural replacement for anti-acid drugs start first by getting a true evaluation of the hydrochloric acid level in your stomach.

If it is low then consider using Betaine HCl supplements.

In addition, consider that drinking fluids with a meal lowers the available HCl and digestive enzymes produced by your body to help in digestion and metabolism. Drink liquids before you eat, chew your food very thoroughly, and wait a good hour or so to drink more liquid.

Using high quality digestive enzymes, like our full spectrum blend, with each meal will help substantially especially if you are older than 35.

A taste of Celtic salt, a cayenne capsule, a glass of apple cider vinegar tea or just sipping a glass of tepid water will go a long way to improve the acid problem you may be facing.

Another good suggestion is to use bitters. Contact us for our effective formula.

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, Today - 12 May

For some years I served as a health advocate and resource person for a hospital based FMS/CFIDS (fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue) support group. My focus - of course - was natural healing options for these concerns.

With today being FMS Awareness Day, I thought I would post some information I've recently received about the benefit of ADVENTURX for FMS and CFIDS.

The report provided me with the following feedback -

ADVENTURX helped improve sleep and was very instrumental in raising energy levels throughout the day as well as supporting exercise programs. The most positive statement is that the daily use of ADVENTURX showed that the results "held", and of a natural course, because of more restful sleep, pain levels were reduced and pain perception was less frequent.

Additionally we have updated our FMS protocol to include ADVENTURX along with the other formulas used since we developed the HeartLeaf Remedies in the mid 90s.

You'll find posts here at Natural Health News about the drugs promoted for FMS and learn about the very risky problems they can create.

For more information, please contact us.

Alzheimer's: What you won't see on HBO series

UPDATE:

More surprising research suggests that Natto may be helpful at halting other developments as well—this time, offering protection for your aging brain.

New research shows that Natto enzyme also has the ability to cleave and degrade the amyloid protein deposits that characterize Alzheimer’s disease. That makes Natto one of the only known compounds with this crucial ability —reinforcing its role as a powerful natural substance that can play an important role in a number of factors involved in your longevity and lasting health.

UPDATE:

Minerals for Health and Reducing Risk of ALZ
Medicine uses pharmacy to treat symptoms and numb pain with drugs yet little attention is paid to the disease and what causes it. This concept was very clear during the most recent episode of the ALZ special.

I guess I wonder why we aren't more creative when the following information is clearly known.

Aluminum is replete in processed food, food coloring (Lake), some medicine like coated aspirin (46.5 mg) and vaccines (Al as a preservative increases ALZ risk by 10%). Dialysis Dementia was caused by fluorine (effects thyroid function) and aluminum in water before treated/distilled water began to be used. Aluminum is used to clear turbidity in water and it is found in other environmental factors.

Aspartame and Aluminum (sort of) have a love affair.

It seems as if there is a campaign to scare all the Baby Boomers into thinking they will succumb to this frightening disease, and they might. But they also can prevent it, so where is the prevention model?

In India where fluoride effects health at high levels, dementia is almost missing. Is the reason the high use of turmeric instead of salt & pepper?

Turmeric contains Boron which reverses dementia. Three parts of Boron are lost for each part of absorbed Aluminum.

Yttrium and Boron both act to promote the absorption of selenium (selenium helps iodine work to feed the thyroid).

Silicon helps hold the brain together, and it is lost trying to reduce levels of Aluminum. The amino acid Proline enhances Silicon. As we age we have less amino acids to help in these biochemical reactions that promote health.

Silicon along with Magnesium and Calcium help bind Aluminum.

Horsetail tea is a good source of usable silicon.

To me this seems a more plausible approach with inexpensive and readily available nutrients, rather than a vaccines that just didn't quite work or some other questionable pharmaceutical cocktail.

--------------------------------------
It is highly unlikely you will hear or read any of this in mainstream media.

This week we have the spotlight on Maria Shriver because her father has Alzheimer's dis-ease. HBO is running a series on this health issue and it is suggested that since so many baby boomers are projected to get it, the medical system will fail.

Again, I'm using the term "medical system" because it has nothing to do with health.

And I'm also suggesting that there is a lot of very helpful information about and around that has to do with your health if you should have a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis. Because this information isn't "medical" you probably won't come across it in mainstream outlets.

Some of this information is already in posts here at Natural Health News, and I'll try to list some at the end of this post.

Some other tips you might find helpful -

Several studies established that at least 67% of people living in the new care industry homes for Alzheimer's have thyroid dysfunction. Fluoride is a known thyroid disruptor, and it is found in may drugs as well as water and foods, dental products and related to environmental exposure.

Vitamins E, C and B12 help reduce problems of dementia -

Thyroid and B12 supplementation were standard weapons for aging in medical care decades ago.

Vitamin B3

B3 + Flaraxin

Flu shots and Alzheimer's - Rate 10 times higher after shots.

Avoid aspartame and sucralose.

Club Moss has been used for many years as an effective diuretic that eases many conditions associated with suppressed urine, including the flushing of stones and gravel from the kidneys and gallbladder, accumulation of fluids in the tissues that produce swelling (edema), bladder irritation, cystitis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis. It is used in certain cases for Alzheimer's.

Guardian 18.2.06 "DRUG REACTIONS DEPEND ON AGE"
There are big differences in the way children & adults process medical drugs. Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin say the difference is so large that drug companies should consider the safety consequences. Over 12 enzymes in organs & tissues play key roles in enabling drugs to work or breaking them down into safe by-products. This varied wildly & children are especially likely to suffer bad reactions to medical drugs tested on adults.

Folic Acid Protects The Brain
A certain amount of mental decline is considered a normal component of aging; however, severe cognitive dysfunction related to aging is regarded as pathologic. Many researchers are studying methods to improve memory and other cognitive functions as we age. In a study of healthy people, ages 50-75, folic acid supplementation (800 micrograms daily for three years) resulted in better memory and cognitive speed scores compared to those who took a placebo. Individuals taking folic acid had memory scores comparable to people 5.5 years younger, and cognitive speed scores of people 1.9 years younger. The as-yet unpublished study, presented in June at the Alzheimer’s Association meeting, did not look at possible prevention of Alzheimer’s disease with folate, but did show that moderate folic acid supplement can slow age-related cognitive decline.
Miller AL. The methionine-homocysteine cycle and its effects on cognitive function. Altern Med Rev 2003;8(1):7-19.

Three studies show dietary supplements improve health of seniors - Three recent clinical studies showed that dietary supplements can treat nutritional deficiencies in the elderly, boost their immune systems, combat short-term memory loss, reduce risks of Alzheimer's, and improve seniors' overall health. The first, conducted at Memorial University of Newfoundland, concluded that supplementation with moderate amounts of 18 vitamins, minerals, and trace elements improved short-term memory and overall cognitive abilities and strengthened immune system function in 86 elderly people treated over the course of one year. A separate study published in the May 2001 issue of Neurology found that seniors with low levels of folate and vitamin B12 have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A third study, published in the August 2001 issue of Nutrition, showed that nutritional deficiencies greatly increase with age, and that supplement use helps eliminate these deficiencies in the elderly. However, a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that the age group over 65 is least likely to discuss dietary supplements with doctors. PRNewswire, September 10, 2001

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/02/folate-deficiency-associated-with.html

An apple (or two) a day can keep your memory from fraying...Apples and apple juice boosts the memory boosting brain chemical acetylcholine.

Taking Care of Your Brain is Possible

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/12/vitamins-for-alzheimers.html

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/red-wine-studies.html

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/08/11/2331197.htm?site=science

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/07/more-risks-with-soy-tofu-may-raise-risk.html

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/03/5-billion-in-sales-no-benefit-from.html

Black Box Avastin now gets FDA nod for brain treatment

Some of the many articles about Avastin here at NHN, back to 2006 and earlier -
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/11/black-box-for-avastin.html
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/11/using-more-drugs-not-less-for-cancer.html
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/05/brain-cancer.html
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/03/bad-decision-on-avastin.html
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2007/12/dr.html
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2006/09/drug-gets-new-warnings.html
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2006/07/drugs-generator.html

Please reaview them and then follow with the FDA's latest action

Avastin approved for brain cancer therapy

WASHINGTON, May 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Avastin (bevacizumab) to treat patients with glioblastoma multiforme -- a form of brain cancer.

"GBM is a rapidly progressing cancer that invades brain tissue and can impact physical activities and mental abilities," the FDA said. "It affects about 6,700 persons in the United States every year."

Following initial treatment with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, the cancer nearly always returns, the agency said.

"This type of cancer is very resistant to therapy and thus challenging to treat," said Dr. Richard Pazdur, director of the FDA's Office of Oncology Drug Products. "Avastin provides a therapy for patients with progressive GBM who have not responded to other medications."

The FDA first approved Avastin in 2004 to treat metastatic cancer of the colon or rectum and it since has been approved for treatment of non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic breast cancer.

Avastin is manufactured by Genentech Inc. (NYSE:DNA) of San Francisco.

Here's a catchy little tune

Aloha !

Here's our theme song! I know it's not the greatest recording, but maybe it's good enough to inspire someone, possibly Ronny and the Daytona's or Jan and Dean to record it!

Mahalo,
Willy Banta, Pahoa



Here are the lyrics so you can sing along -

Little GMO (Genetically Modified Organism)
as sung to Little GTO by Ronnie & The Daytonas new lyrics by Willy Banta c Ain't Yer Music
If you can make a better recording, please do. If you would like to add video, go ahead or send me some pix and I'll compile it! Thanks for watching?

Little GMO, you're not a friend of mine
Yeah I worry about you every time I dine
cause they won't put a label on the food I buy yi yi
I'm gonna spit it out, shout it out, close 'em down GMO

No more, no more GMO (no no more no more GMO)

Little GMO you're made by Monsanto
you look like the real thing, there's no way I can know
you stole the patent from God now, so even He can't grow woe woe
He wants to spit up, shout it out, close 'em down GMO

No more, no more GMO (no no more no more GMO)

Gonna tell my grocer to not buy GMO
tell my friends and neighbors everything they should know
where they grow you is a secret, youre everywhere I go woe woe
threaten living thing on earth,
Are there side effects? They're not too sure...
I'm gonna throw 'em out, shout it out, close 'em down GMO

Medical Schools Fail the Test

I for my part am ashamed of medicine, considering what an utter fraud it has come to be. Paracelsus (1493-1541)

Some years ago there was an interesting study completed at Harvard's School of Public Health. The study showed that only about 20 percent of medical practice was effective.

Now some decades later we still see troubling issues in medical care.

from Robert Watson, CEO, VRP -

"In other news, the American Medical Student Association released its report card ranking medical schools by how well these institutions monitor and control drug industry money and perks. The results suggest that many professors are on the dole for the drug companies and their schools aren’t doing much about it. For example, Harvard Medical School received a failing grade because it either has no policy or implements policies that don’t have a substantial effect on how faculty interacts with Big Pharma, including accepting gifts and meals, providing consulting to the drug companies and participating in industry-funded speaking relationships. Other medical schools to receive a failing grade include Louisiana State University, University of Florida, and Tulane University. Of the more than 150 schools evaluated, 43 received a failing grade, 27 received a D, and 8 schools received a C. Although a number of schools did receive an A or B, there is still a lot of room for improvement. With such conflicts of interests occurring in medical school, is it any wonder conventional medicine often shuns nutritional supplements in favor of pharmaceutical drugs?"

NCI Issues Warning on Chemo Drugs

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has issued a very negative report on the drug Adriamycin (doxorubin) as well the other anthracycline drugs (epirubicin and idarubicin). As we reported here in 2007, prominent oncologists had begun to warn their colleagues and the public that use of this toxic class of drugs was unnecessary in as many as 92 percent of the breast cancer patients who received it. This point of view has now been given powerful support by a new Canadian study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (O'Malley 2009), with an accompanying editorial by Dr. Slamon (Slamon 2009).

The authors of the new article studied 438 tumor specimens from premenopausal women who had node-positive breast cancer and were given adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. All the women received either a regimen known as "CEF" which contained, in addition to the standard drugs cyclophosphamide and 5-FU, epirubicin (an anthracycline); or they received an older regimen, "CMF" which contained, in addition to cyclophosphamide and 5-FU, the non-anthracycline methotrexate.

Scientists then looked for the presence or absence of certain markers on the cancer cells, called TOP2A and HER2. Their key finding was that patients whose tumors showed changes in these markers did indeed survive longer after receiving CEF (the anthracycline-containing regimen) than those treated with CMF. But they also showed that patients who did not have TOP2A changes had no significant improvement in survival (O'Malley 2009).

As Slamon commented in his accompanying editorial: "This report is the latest in a series of publications that question the generalized assumption that there is an incremental benefit to all breast cancer patients who receive anthracycline-based adjuvant therapy as opposed to non-anthracycline-containing adjuvant therapy" (Slamon 2009).

Slamon's remarkable editorial is available free of charge at the JNCI Web site. I urge all readers who are seriously interested in this question to study it carefully (link below). It contains much fascinating information on how the anthracyclines became part of the standard of care for adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy.

Why does all this matter? Even in the world of toxic chemotherapy, Adriamycin (and its fellow anthracyclines) are notoriously dangerous: Slamon refers to the "well-known, long-term, and life-threatening problems associated with anthracyclines" (Slamon 2009). These adverse effects include cardiac toxicity including congestive heart failure as well as bone marrow dysfunction, including acute leukemia and myelodysplasia. These serious adverse effects have long been known. However, Slamon now presents data showing that "longer follow-up...of breast cancer patients who received adjuvant anthracyclines for their breast cancers indicates that our initial assessments may have underestimated these long-term toxicities" (Slamon 2009). In other words, the news about the long-term effects of anthracyclines is worse than we thought.

Slamon makes the further point that earlier assessments of the risks and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy lumped all patients together in a rather crude way. "We now know that the molecular diversity of human breast cancers is much more complex and that clinical benefits derived from various systemic therapeutic interventions can be profoundly affected by the molecular subtype of the disease" (ibid.)

Since 2007 he has been courageously warning about the danger of the anthracyclines and calling for individualizing cancer treatment based on molecular characteristics of the tumor. I wholeheartedly agree. But I would argue that the issue is even larger. Oncology (like modern medicine in general) has a tendency to put patients into cookie cutter molds. The reason may be economics - it's more cost-effective to treat patients en masse with minimal time spent dealing with their individual characteristics.

But modern science (not to mention ancient humanism) tells us that each person is different, and that treatment should be individualize based on all aspects of the person. The molecular characteristics of the tumor are one important new part of that. But I would argue that this individualization should include chemosensitivity testing of tumors, the creation of autologous vaccines, and a more holistic approach that takes into account the psychological and social needs of the patient.

the above article is courtesy Ralph Moss, PhD.

Read more about supplements and how they help the health of people taking chemo.

Flu and Anti-Health Statements

Over the past four years or so I have experienced a number of events having to do with using my intellectual material, found on my web sites, without recognition and without request. I am aware that the person responsible for this activity has done the same to several other people I know.

A couple of months age I experienced a scathing attack that is defamatory, by this person, who is basically engaged in an SEO operation, backed by an organization that refuses to disclose any information about its principals or its operation. I do know that they maintain some 500 or so web sites of various quality. I have read - as well - some comments about this organization using backlinks unknown to web site owners.

I do not know this person's motives, or those of his handlers, because I do not know him, except by his activities.

Currently we have been fed a story regarding "swine flu" by the mainstream media. We are hearing that a drug known to be harmful and a cause of death is what should be used for this "new flu". Here at Natural Health News we published the Tamiflu information originally in 2005, and reposted with updates this past May 1.

Now read this report on Tamiflu. One does have to wonder exactly what Mike Adam's mission is... and you have to be the judge.

According to Mike Adams, “Technically speaking, there is zero credible scientific evidence that Tamiflu works to treat swine flu infections.” But in the same page he goes on to say, “Take Tamiflu if you can get it. It's a very effective antiviral drug. If I were infected with swine flu and offered some Tamiflu, I'd take it, too.” Adams excuses the dangers saying, “I'm not against Tamiflu. It's a very effective anti-viral drug, thanks to the fact that it's derived from a natural anti-viral herb. Tamiflu is derived from a Traditional Chinese Medicine herb called star anise.” First of all Japanese star anise contains anisatin, which can cause severe inflammation of the kidneys, urinary tract and digestive organs. Secondly, in 2005, there was a temporary shortage of star anise due to its use in making Tamiflu. Late in that year, a way was found of making shikimic acid artificially. A drug company named Roche now derives some of the raw material it needs from fermenting E. coli bacteria!"

With this kind of mis-information I do have to wonder what kind of a health advocate you find in the "Health Ranger".

Perhaps you too might ask exactly what are his motives. And remember Adams is not a person with a background in health, medicine, or pharmacology. While he may have an interest in health, his mission and activities are still a deep and dark secret.

Tamiflu is not an effective drug based on the facts we have obtained and also from adverse reports. It is a drug that has now been proven to be 100% resistant to any effective activity against a virus.

If you take the time to read about Tamiflu in the posts on Natural Health News or from other credible resources - not sensationalists - you will find very similar information.

For additional discussion regarding Mike Adams and his activities please read more here

Doctor Offers Health Care Outside Insurance System

Dr. John Muney should be applauded for his courageous stand against Big Insurance in his effort to offer a creative and affordable way for people to have basic medical care.

It is also good to know that someone is willing to take a stand against the "established norms of the U.S. health system".

People do need to recognize that insurers have a stranglehold on medical care and is the major reason for high cost and controlled access to care.

I'm just hoping to see more follow Dr. Muney's lead.

Obviously the "experts" being relied on to come up with reform in the new administration haven't moved off of a square called 'no-sum-change' since leaving the White House discussion weeks ago.

Maybe we shouldn't be relying on these "experts".

"The more things change, the more they stay the same."

NB: I recently chose to refrain from using the term 'health care' because what we really have is 'medical care'. It is a system of illness and disease management for the most part today.

Health Care inherently includes freedom of access to care of choice, regardless the provider. It is focused on healing and cure. Any person seeking care is the person in charge, after all, they are paying in one way or another.

N.Y. doctor offers flat-rate care for uninsuredBy Claudia Parsons

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A New York doctor is offering flat-rate health care for the uninsured for $79 a month, but he has run afoul of state insurance regulations in a case that challenges the established norms of the U.S. health system.

U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged a major overhaul of the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare industry, which operates on a system of private health insurance and state-funded Medicare and Medicaid programs for the elderly and poor.

The United States spends more on healthcare than any other country, but at least 46 million people have no insurance.

Dr. John Muney, president of AMG Medical Group, said he started the program in September after noticing that many of his patients were losing their jobs, and therefore, their health insurance coverage.

About 500 people have registered for Muney's $79-a-month plan, accounting for 15 percent of patients at the practice, which has offices in each of New York's five boroughs.

The monthly $79 fee -- roughly equivalent to the price of a Starbucks coffee a day -- covers unlimited preventive visits and onsite medical services such as minor surgery, physical therapy, lab work and gynecological care.

Ilana Clay, a 28-year-old who works in marketing for a jewelry firm, said she signed up in March because she could not afford her employer's health insurance, which would have cost around $300 a month.

"I hadn't been to a doctor in a couple of years at that point," she told Reuters. She had a scar removed in a quick onsite procedure that was covered by the plan.

Muney said another patient came in with a tumor on her finger: "Somebody else asked $3,000 to remove it. The first visit, we were able to remove it, 15 minutes it took us."

BILL TO CHANGE STATE LAW

So far the program has not turned a profit, but Muney said he estimates that it could be profitable with 4,000 patients. In the meantime, he said, his motive is to give something back and provide a model of how healthcare can be more efficient.

"Our healthcare system lends itself to abuse, fraud and waste," he said, adding that bypassing insurers saved on administrative costs, which he said were about 25 percent of the price of care. "With this model, we're bypassing all that."

Muney said he received initial complaints from state insurance authorities in November. "The law says you can do preventive checkups unlimited, but if they come for sick visits you have to charge your overhead costs," he told Reuters.

In February he received a letter instructing him that he must charge that minimum cost, which he calculates at $33 a visit -- a price he says will deter people from signing up.

Troy Oechsner, deputy superintendent of the state insurance department, said the rules were designed to protect consumers.

"Our concern is ... making sure that consumers can rely on any promises made to them and that they will get the services they paid for when they need them," he said.

New York State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell said on Thursday he would present a bill to exempt primary health care providers from the insurance regulations in question.

"This is something he's doing to give back, as a service to the community in tough times," Powell said of Muney. "I think any common person would say this is a good thing, however, we know the health insurance companies are going to fight it."

Copyright © 2009 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Death Risk Ups with Cancer Anemia Drugs

If doctors were not so terribly fearful of B12 shots and the fact that they will do much to prevent anmeia of chemotherapy then perhaps the following article would not have to be posted.

The one they do need to know however, is that if they really do have to do a lab test, the correct lab test is INTRACELLULAR B12.

Our RK BioBlend was tested at a leading cancer center and found to protect the red blood cells during chemo.

Drugs To Combat Anemia In Cancer Patients Increase Risk Of Death, Study Suggests

ScienceDaily (2009-05-07) -- The use of drugs to encourage red blood cell formation (erythropoiesis-stimulating agents) in cancer patients with anemia increases the risk of death and serious adverse events such as blood clots, found a new study. ... > read full article

Read more

B Vitamin Heaven

Honey Adds Health Benefits

UPDATE: 7 May 2009
Honey users may wish to be warned of antibiotic treated honey imported from China, but labelled otherwise.

Prosecutors say men lied about source of honey

-----------------------
Originally posted 12/26/08

For thousands of years raw honey has been a healing food and medicine. Now studies show that it offers much in the way of naturally sweetening and preserving food, serving as good alternatives to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and chemical food preservatives.

Honey soothes a sore throat or cough, helps you sleep better, heals wounds, and provides a good source of energy when participating in high energy demand activity.

When purchasing honey make sure you use a reliable supplier and that the honey has not been heated. Once heated, such as many cooking sources suggest (the worst is microwaving), honey becomes as damaging to health as HFCS.

Honey Adds Health Benefits, Is Natural Preservative And Sweetener In Salad Dressings

ScienceDaily (2008-12-24) -- Antioxidant-rich honey is a healthy alternative to chemical additives and refined sweeteners in commercial salad dressings, said a new study. ... > read full article

Related Articles:
Honey as Medicine,
Honey as Food,
High Fructose Corn Syrup,
More on HFCS,
Congress undermines health,
HFCS blocks calcium,
HFCS Dangers.

One reader comments that "Manuka honey is an excellent all round for the medical cabinet and skin care".

Not pi, Not SR, Just Plain Odd

Math buffs awed by Odd Day

from the Seattle PI
SAN FRANCISCO -- Prepare to be awed by Odd Day.

For the mathematically challenged, Thursday's date, 5/7/09, is one of only six this century that will feature three consecutive odd numbers.

Numbers lovers say the rare occurrence is an excuse to celebrate.

"The previous stretch of six dates like this started with 1/3/1905 - 13 months after the Wright Brothers' flight," said Ron Gordon, the Redwood City teacher who enthusiastically promotes these numerical holidays, like Square Root Day on 3/3/09.

Gordon is offering a prize of $579 to those who celebrate the date with the most zeal or who get the most people involved in an Odd Celebration.

Odd Day

Source: AP

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/square-root-day.html

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/yummy-pie-oh-my-its-perfectly-pi.html

There's a Dent in Denture Care Consumer Products

ABC News Coverage May 2009

UPDATED 6 May
The issue of toxicity in denture cream products recently met with a critical mass when Good Morning America discussed this issue on a very recent program.

You can find that information here...

Originally posted 17 April
Health Considerations of Consumer Products: Zinc and other Issues with Denture Adhesive Creams

Several years ago complaints began to surface regarding the use of dental adhesives and the development of neuropathy as an adverse effect of using denture adhesive creams.

The reports came from people who were thought to be suffering with hypocupremia (copper deficiency) and hyperzincemia (excess zinc) which may have resulted from chronic excessive use of denture adhesive creams. Most recently, denture cream lawsuits are being investigated regarding adhesive creams such as Super Poligrip and Fixodent. There are, however, other health problems that may be associated with ingredients found in denture adhesive creams.

According to available ingredient information on popular dental adhesives they may include some or all of the following ingredients: Polymethylvinylether Maleic Acid Calcium-Zinc Salt, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Cellulose Gum, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Saccharin, Flavor, Red 27 Aluminum Lake and Yellow 6 Aluminum Lake. Combinations of this group of chemicals raise concern.

Consumers are well advised to read product labels carefully to evaluate if any ingredient may lead to an adverse event.

Both Calcium and Zinc are essential minerals. Calcium is most commonly known to be stored in bone and teeth, and is important to skeletal and muscle health. One of many of zinc’s functions is in the health of the immune system and assisting vitamin A use in forming bone and teeth.

Copper is also an essential mineral, however in sufficient amounts, copper can be poisonous and even fatal. Zinc may act to cause heavy metal poisoning similar to lead when the body stores excess amounts. Zinc and copper are antagonists to each other; as one rises in the blood, the other decreases. Excessive zinc has been linked to neuropathy.

Unidentified is “Flavor” and it is well established that this category may include MSG, a flavor enhancer and neuro-excitotoxic substance. Synthetic flavorings may be petroleum based. Mineral oil and petrolatum are petroleum based ingredients. Petroleum based products have been reported to effect lung function and other mucous membrane function in the gastrointestinal tract.

Cellulose gum is often used either as a bulking agent, an emulsifier, stabilizer and thickener. It is known chemically as Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

Silicon Dioxide is a commonly used ingredient often used as a flow agent or hydration factor. Since it takes on water, extended exposures may cause drying of the skin or other tissue, and may be an abrasive when used in a hydrated form. It is known as a gastrointestinal irritant and may be connected with GI obstructions.

Fluoride is known to react with silicon dioxide to form hexafluorosilicic acid which is considered to be corrosive and may cause fluoride poisoning or swelling of lung tissue. Fluoride is also considered to be a thyroid suppressive substance with many health risks. Impaired thyroid function may be associated with immune suppression and other health concerns.

In addition, silicon dioxide reacts chemically with zinc salts.

Sodium saccharin has a controversial history as an artificial sweetener. This substance is banned in many countries, including Canada, but was allowed in the United States as long as the product is labeled to contain saccharin which may increase the risk of cancer. In 2000 the labeling requirement was discontinued by Congress. Older research showed an increase risk of bladder cancer when using saccharin.

Both Red 27 and Yellow 6 are Aluminum Lake colorings. Some research has proposed that aluminum is a factor in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. These are naphthalene-azo dyes.

The gum like paste that forms the base material for these adhesive creams is Polymethylvinylether Maleic Acid (PVM/MA). This is a synthetic polymer used as a film forming or thickening agent. Ingestion of excessive amounts of these substances may cause nausea, abdominal pain, burning sensations, vomiting or diarrhea. They may also be drying to skin.

Authors of a study at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
involving people using dental creams found very large and varied amounts of zinc concentrations in the products. They concluded that use of the creams in excessive and chronic use patterns may result in trace element imbalance and serious neurologic disease.

Should you have questions about using these products, contact your dental or other health care provider.

This article is part of a consumer health education series written by Gayle Eversole, DHom, PhD, MH, NP, ND, of Creating Health Institute, in collaboration with Bernstein Liebhard, LLP, who sponsors the consumer advocate website, www.ConsumerInjuryLawyers.com.

You can follow this link to read more about a denture cream lawsuit, Fixodent lawsuit or Poligrip lawsuit. 12/11/08

Supplements Are Very Useful for FLU

As they say "Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain". And in this case please make note that the man behind the curtain is today from the Natural Products Association telling you not to use supplements for flu.

In my opinion, this is gross mis-information.

I say that because we know that specific supplements, as written about in prior Natural Health News posts, provide you with information about using supplements safely for flu.

You can also find several posts about the problems, including death, and resistance with Tamiflu and Relenza.

Please take the time to read and don't forget to ask questions.

Liver Damage Behind Hydroxycut Recall

FDA Announces Recall Of Diet Pill Hydroxycut

WASHINGTON -- Government health officials announced the recall of popular weight loss pill Hydroxycut, after reports of liver damage and other health problems.

Food and Drug Administration officials said Friday that Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario, the manufacturer of Hydroxycut, has launched a nationwide recall of the dietary supplement, used by people trying to shed pounds and by body builders to sharpen their muscles.

"The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risk. Adverse events are rare, but exist. Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products," said Linda Katz, M.D., interim chief medical officer of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems, including liver damage requiring a liver transplant, according to a FDA's Web site. The FDA also has received a report of one death due to liver failure. Other reported health problems include seizures, cardiovascular disorders and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage.

Hydroxycut is advertised as made from natural ingredients. It accounts for about 90 percent of the market for weight loss supplements, with sales of about 1 million bottles a year.

Dietary supplements are not as tightly regulated by the government as medications. Manufacturers don't need FDA approval ahead of time before marketing their products. The list of products being recalled by Iovate currently includes:

Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
Hydroxycut 24
Hydroxycut Carb Control
Hydroxycut Natural

The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.

I have highlighted in bold the ingredients I would question - especially aspartame - and I would note that for many people the standardized herbs are much more like drugs and will effect them in some potentially untoward manner. There is a high caffeine quotient in this product and this can contribute to cardiovascular events. None of the herbs are certified as organic and my have high levels of herbicides and pesticides. Do look at all the potential issues.

Ingredients in Hydoxycut
Garcinia Cambogia Extract Fruit and Rind - Standardized for 60% - Hydroxycitric Acid , Gymnema Sylvestre Extract Leaf - Standardized for 25% Gymnemic Acids , Soy Phospholipids Supplying Phosphatidyl Ethanolam NOPE , Phosphatidyl Serine , Phosphatidyl Choline , Rhodiola Rosea Extract Root - Standardized for 5% Rosavins , Withania Somnifera Extract Root - Standardized for 1.5% Withanolides , Caffeine-Free Green Tea Extract as Camellia Sinensis - Leaf - Supplying Polyphenols - Catechins - Epigallocatechin Gallate , Caffeine-Free White Tea Extract as Camellia Sinensis - Leaf - Standardized for Polyphenols - Catechins - EGCG , Caffeine-Free Oolong Tea Extract as Camellia Sinensis - Leaf - Standardized for Polyphenols - Catechins - EGCG , Microcystalline Cellulose , Hydroxypropyl Cellulose , Polyvinylpyrrolidone , Croscarmellose Sodium , Sodium Chloride , Sodium Glycolate , Vegetable Stearate , Magnesium Stearate , Coating , Polyvinyl Alcohol , Titanium Dioxide , Polyethylene Glycol , Talc , FD&C Yellow No. 5 , FD&C Yellow No. 6 , Silica , Acesulfame Potassium , Maltodextrin , Propylene Oxide Propylene Oxide

Find information on legal rights and product issues here.