Malnutrition Equals Obesity

While this article from Gary Scattergood is written about the issue of malnutrition in the UK it is certainly appropriate to raise the same question in the US.

In the late 60s when I was in college earning my NP degrees I studied nutrition as an integrated part of the the curriculum.  Certainly we knew then that malnutrition was an issue directly related to health, not some obscure thought.  Even then we knew cancer for instance was a nutritional disease as were many hospital related deaths.

Disease now is just thought of as a deficiency of some pharmaceutical drug and the problem is not addressed from all possible and interrelated issues.

 

Shame on health providers, shame on dietitians, government, and big business along with seemingly ignorant legislators.

Put the spotlight on malnutrition instead of obesity

The UK is in dire need of a national strategy to tackle malnutrition, which is at least as big a problem to public health and the public purse as obesity.

According to Dr Elizabeth Weekes, from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London, widespread attention on the so-called obesity epidemic was overshadowing the fact that 3M people in the UK were either malnourished, or at severe risk of malnutrition, at any time.

One million of those are over 65 years old and 400,000 of them live in London. The problem is more likely to be experienced in deprived areas and it is likely that “far more people are malnourished now than they were 10 years ago” due to the economic climate and government welfare cuts.

Don’t recognise a problem

“The problem we have in the UK is that people don’t recognise we have a problem [with nutrition] or, if they do think we have a problem, they think it is about obesity.

“Malnutrition costs at least as much to health and social care costs as obesity,” said Weekes at the Government Knowledge conference ‘Beating the Nutrition Recession: Tackling Food Poverty’ in London last month.

She added there were “millions of reasons” why malnutrition occurs including physical, psychological and social factors. The consequences, she said, however, were clear.

“Malnourished people are more prone to illness, less likely to recover from illness and the cost of treating someone who is malnourished in hospital is twice that of someone who is well-nourished.”

Weekes said she was particularly alarmed by the results of a recent survey, which showed that 60% of carers in the community were concerned about the nutritional intake of a patient. Furthermore, 16% of recipients reported fears  that a patient was underweight or had a very small appetite and yet had no sources of nutritional support or advice.

“Another figure that staggered me was that 55% of people being cared for use nutritional supplements,” she added.

 

Another stark figure she revealed was that 70% of malnourished people who were admitted to hospital were more malnourished when they left.

She told delegates it was essential a national malnutrition strategy was formulated.

“The Malnutrition Taskforce (an independent group of experts across health, social care and local government) is calling for a national strategy, particularly for the elderly, but I feel quite strongly it should be for everyone,” she added.

EletroMagnetic Field Intolerance Syndrome

To note - Since 1978 some states have had regulations covering employee exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) because of known hazard. 

Clinical and biological description of the electromagnetic field intolerance syndrome (EMFIS)

Presentation of Prof. Dominique Belpomme at 8th National Congress on Electrosmog, Berne, 2011

Prof. Belpomme is Professor of Clinical Oncology, University Paris-Descartes. He practices medical Oncology and Environmental Medicine at the Alleray-Labrouste Clinic (Paris). He is also president of ARTAC (Association for Research and Treatment against Cancer) and Chairman of ISDE-France (International Society of Doctors for Environment). http://www.artac.info/

Clinical and biological description of the electromagnetic field intolerance syndrome (EMFIS)

Between May 2008 and March 2010, 425 patients reporting hypersensitivity to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) were examined in a clinical and biological setting. Ninety-five per cent of them clearly reported the repeated occurrence and disappearance of symptoms linked to the presence or absence of EMFs. Three clinical phases were distinguished: an initial stage during which EMF exposure can induce headaches, a sensation of heating in the ear and other parts of the body, especially the upper part of the body, tinnitus, ocular abnormalities, myalgia, and, in some cases, dermatitis and symptoms such as chest tightness, palpitations, tachycardia and nausea. A second phase is characterized by insomnia, chronic fatigue and depressive tendencies, attention deficit, troubles with concentration, immediate memory loss, behavioral problems, and anxiety, during which the initial symptoms may occur every time the patient is exposed to EMF sources.

In addition to the detection of brain vascular hypo-perfusion (decreased blood flow in certain areas of the brain), predominantly in the limbic area, blood tests revealed increased histamine levels in 36% of patients, an increase in heat shock proteins in 45%, a decreased level of melatonin in 33%, and vitamin D deficiency in 70% of patients.

Specific observations and tests were also included, proving that cerebral suffering was due to EMFs. There is a third phase, suggesting that an EMF intolerance syndrome may correspond to a pre-Alzheimer’s disease state. In a recent interview (September 2010), Pr Belpomme stated that 'there is an important link between electromagnetic fields and neuro-degenerative diseases, notably Alzheimer s. The risk of Alzheimer s, which can arise in young persons from age 45, is moreover much more important than the risk of cancer.' The therapy for treating persons suffering from EMFIS includes prescription of omega 3 s, anti-oxidants, vitamin D, and anti-histamines.


Excerpts from Metro-France interview with Prof. Dominique Belpomme, President, ARTAC, September 2010

There is a proven link between electromagnetic fields, cancer and leukemia. We (ARTAC and our Swedish colleagues) also studied an important link to neuro-degenerative diseases, notably Alzheimer s. The risk of Alzheimer s, which can appear in young persons from age 45, is much greater than the cancer risk.

Since last year, in my consultations in environmental medicine, I have been seeing between 10-20 sick persons every week. More and more parents are coming to see me for their children who have headaches, memory, concentration and language problems, and dyslexia.

This is a major public health risk. There is a neuro-generative pathology probably linked to the opening of the blood-brain barrier through EM waves and/or toxic substances. These troubles can be minor, such as headaches, or much more serious such as the beginning of Alzheimer s.

Based on the more than 400 persons who have consulted me, we have established a diagnostic test which rests essentially on a cerebral pulsed echodoppler technique and on blood tests. These permit us to see evidence of an increase in certain stress proteins which translate into the existence of brain pathology.

We have established treatment to make these symptoms regress, however this does not prevent a recurrence. Thus, there is the necessity of adding protective measures to this treatment: creation of 'white zones', notably in public establishments and in public transport. We must do as for smoking: forbid Wi-Fi in certain zones, as in libraries. We must forbid installation of relay antennas near nurseries and schools. These are urgent protective measures to be taken, but are unfortunately not being applied.

My discourse goes against financial and economic interests, but one should not sacrifice the well-being of these sick persons for the interests of political and public authorities.

A major public health risk exists. Studies show that from 10 to 50% of the population could be affected by intolerance to EM fields in the next 25-50 years. We will have to pay the consequences if we do not take precautionary and preventive measures now.

There are many doctors who do not recognize this pathology and thus, deny the evidence. But a growing number understand that something is happening and refer sick persons to me. It is they whom we should rely on and that is why I am organizing in April 2011, the Third Colloquium of the Paris Appeal at UNESCO, which will be followed by an intensive course to train professionals in environmental pathologies.

(Note: 300 doctors, researchers and health professionals attended the Colloquium on 'Children's Health and the Environment' and 43 doctors and health professionals followed the course in environmental medicine.)

Try Prevention for a Change of Pace

 It amazes me that with all these campaigns raising money for "cures" that so far so little is focused on prevention.  Its my guess that if we focused on prevention - in the true sense of public health - we'd gain major health improvements.

from SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN  60-Second Science -  April 23, 2010

Public Health: Try the Prevent Defense

Prevention of infectious diseases in specific regions may be a better strategy than trying to develop a cure. Karen Hopkin reports

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s more than a folksy aphorism when it comes to infectious diseases. Because according to a report in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, it’s more cost effective to reduce the cases of a disease in hard-hit areas than to struggle to find a cure. [Robert Dunn et al., http://bit.ly/90xLbM]

The trick, say the scientists, is identifying the populations most at risk. To figure out where disease-prevention dollars would be best spent, the scientists crunched the numbers. They looked at the diversity of disease-causing organisms and at the number of victims in regions all around the world. And they examined a variety of variables, from climate conditions to the money spent on health care.

Their finding, perhaps not surprisingly, is that the places where infections are most rampant are those with the largest populations and the worst disease-control measures. The good news is: the data show that efforts to control these scourges do work. So where eradication has failed, prevention can help.

The scientists note that reducing illness in heavily populated, poor areas also lowers the chance of a disease spreading to uninfected regions. Just as it’s in your best interest to keep your neighbor’s house from going up in flames.

HEP C - and another effective natural treatment

UPDATE: 20 April, 2010
Having worked extensively with people who have Hep C it is always good to educate people about the natural and helpful options available to the Hep C community.

It is even more rewarding to see the results of natural care when you consider the profit motive from Big PhRMA that really doesn't correct the problem.

Of course prevention is critical but considering human health needs in a more humane way is too.

Warehoused Hepatitis C Patients May Boost Merck, J&J

ORIGINAL POST 2/2/09
I have approximately 26 posts here at Natural Health News about Hep C.

I am pleased to be able to add a new one this morning.

RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Chinese Herbal Medicine and Interferon in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials

Results. Chinese herbal medicine significantly increased seroreversion of HBsAg and was equivalent to interferon alfa in seroreversion of HBeAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA; Chinese herbal medicine combined with interferon alfa significantly increased seroreversion of HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV DNA. The Chinese herbal medicine active component bufotoxin combined with interferon alfa significantly increased HBeAg and HBV DNA seroreversion. The Chinese herbal medicine active component kurorinone was equivalent to interferon alfa in seroreversion of HBeAg and HBV DNA.

October 2002, Vol 92, No. 10 | American Journal of Public Health 1619-1628
© 2002 American Public Health Association