Spare Tires

Having a large waistline can almost double your risk of dying prematurely even if your body mass index is within the 'normal' range, according to a new study of over 350,000 people across Europe, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.The study provides strong evidence that storing excess fat around the waist poses a significant health risk, even in people not considered to be overweight or obese. It suggests that doctors should measure a patient's waistline and their hips as well as their body mass index as part of standard health checks, according to the researchers, from Imperial College London, the German Institute of Human Nutrition, and other research institutions across Europe.Comparing subjects with the same body mass index, the risk of premature death increased in a linear fashion as the waist circumference increased. The risk of premature death was around double for subjects with a larger waist (more than 120cm or 47.2in for men and more than 100cm or 39.4in for women) compared to subjects with a smaller waist (less than 80cm or 31.5in for men and less than 65cm or 25.6in for women). Body mass index is commonly used to assess if a person is of 'normal' weight. Each 5cm increase in waist circumference increased the mortality risk by 17% in men and 13% in women. The ratio of waist to hips was also revealed as an important indicator of health in the study. Lower waist-hip ratios indicate that the waist is comparatively small in relation to the hips. The ratio is calculated by dividing the waist measurement by the hip measurement.An increased risk of mortality may be particularly related to storing acidic fat around the waistline because acidic fatty tissue in this area secretes other acidic waste products such as cytokines, hormones and metabolically active compounds that can contribute to the development of chronic dis-eases, particularly cardiovascular dis-eases and cancerous conditions.Although the main new finding of this study is that waist size increases the risk of premature death independently of body mass index (BMI), the study does support earlier findings showing that a higher body mass index is significantly related to mortality. The lowest risk of death was at a BMI of approximately 25.3 in men and 24.3 in women. The new research forms part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), one of the largest long-term prospective studies in the world.Professor Elio Riboli, the European coordinator of the EPIC study from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "Although smaller studies have suggested a link between mortality and waist size, we were surprised to see the waist size having such a powerful effect on people's health and premature death. Our study shows that accumulating excess fat around your middle can put your health at risk even if your weight is normal based on body mass index scores. There aren't many simple individual characteristics that can increase a person's risk of premature death to this extent, independently from smoking and drinking. "Professor Riboli added: "The good news is that you don't need to take an expensive test and wait ages for the result to assess this aspect of your health - it costs virtually nothing to measure your waist and hip size. Doctors and nurses can easily identify people who need to take certain steps to improve their health by routinely monitoring these measurements. If you have a large waist, you probably need to increase the amount of exercise you do every day, avoid excessive alcohol consumption and improve your diet. This could make a huge difference in reducing your risk of an early death." According to Dr. Robert O. Young, Director of Research at the pH Miracle Living Center, "the waistline is another measurement of an alkaline or an acidic lifestyle and diet. The larger the waistline the more acidic the lifestyle and diet. The waistline also correlates to the health of the small and large bowel. The larger the waistline the more congested or constipated the bowel. The key to a smaller waistline is simple - starting living and eating an alkaline lifestyle and diet."

Cancer Risk with Grilled Chicken

A new PCRM study in Nutrition and Cancer: An International Journal found that grilled chicken items at leading chain restaurants are birds of a feather when it comes to increasing cancer risk. An analysis of 100 grilled chicken items from McDonald’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Chili’s, Applebee’s, Outback Steakhouse, and T.G.I. Friday’s found that all contained PhIP, the most abundant of a group of carcinogens called heterocyclic amines (HCAs)—and the HCA likely to contribute most to overall cancer risk.
The results, compiled from independent laboratory tests commissioned by PCRM scientists, found that the levels of PhIP contained in grilled chicken entrées, many of which are considered "healthy" menu selections, could contribute significantly to a person’s total intake of carcinogens and may play a role in the development of breast, prostate, and other cancers.
"Grilled chicken is the largest source of PhIP, a potent carcinogen," said Kristie M. Sullivan, M.P.H., a PCRM toxicologist who is the lead author of the new study. "We found this carcinogen in every single sample of grilled chicken taken from restaurants in every part of California."
As Americans increase their consumption of grilled or barbequed chicken (from 43 percent of households surveyed in 1997 to 51 percent of households in 2003) and eat outside of the home an average 5.6 times a week, it’s especially important that they understand the cancer risks associated with the consumption of grilled chicken served in popular restaurants and fast-food chains.
The study found that all 100 samples of grilled chicken contained detectable levels of PhIP, which is found at particularly high levels in grilled and pan-fried chicken.

Chain--- Item ---PhIP Present
Applebee’s Grilled Italian Chicken Caesar SaladHoney-Grilled Chicken Entrée YES
Burger King Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich YES
Chick-fil-A Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich YES
Chili’s Grilled Caribbean Chicken SaladGuiltless Chicken Platter Entrée YES
McDonald’s Grilled Chicken Salad—Caesar YES
Outback Steakhouse Chicken on the Barbie YES
T.G.I. Friday’s Cobb Salad with Grilled ChickenGrilled Chicken Flavor Shots Entrée YES

According to recent studies, 70 percent of U.S. dietary intake of HCAs is PhIP, which along with other HCAs, is formed from the creatinine, amino acids, and sugar found in muscle tissue and is produced by long cooking times and hot temperatures. As mutagens, HCAs can bind directly to DNA and cause mutations—the first step in cancer development.
Shorter cooking times may reduce HCA formation, but undercooking increases risk of foodborne illness. Simple steps, such as avoiding the consumption of grilled chicken in favor of plant-based protein sources, can reduce one’s cancer risk.
All samples for this study were collected in California, because California’s Proposition 65 states that consumers must be warned about products that contain known carcinogens. For more than a decade, PhIP has been on the California governor’s list of chemicals known to cause cancer. In 2006, PCRM went to court under California’s Proposition 65 to compel the seven restaurant chains to warn consumers about the carcinogens formed in their grilled chicken.

Could Vitamin A be the New Hope in Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Discovery: Vitamin A Derivative Normalizes Cell Growthby S. L. Baker, features writer (NaturalNews) What if a substance was found that normalizes out-of-control cell growth? The result could be a way to treat and prevent cancer. And a new study offers hope that discovery may have already been made. Scientists from the University of Chicago have just published groundbreaking research in the journal Cell which concludes a powerful compound exists that can restore a healthy balance to cell processes. It's not a new chemotherapy agent or drug but one derived from nature -- retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A. According to the American Cancer Society, estrogen fuels the growth of two out of three breast cancers. The female hormone can spur on cancer by altering the expression of certain genes, resulting in breast cells that become malignant and proliferate. The University of Chicago study found that retinoic acid can also alter these same estrogen-sensitive genes. But instead of causing cells to grow without restraint, a hallmark of cancer, retinoic acid restored normal balance to the cells and inhibited their growth. "This work reveals important insights on the interplay between vitamin A and estrogen action," said Myles Brown, MD, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, in a statement to the media. "These insights will hopefully lead to new approaches for the prevention and treatment of the most common form of breast cancer."Retinoic acid has already demonstrated cancer fighting effects in previous studies and it is currently used to treat a rare form of leukemia. In addition, earlier research has associated retinoic acid with the halting of breast cancer cell proliferation. For the new study, Kevin White, PhD, professor of human genetics and director of the Institute for Genomics and System Biology at the University of Chicago, and colleagues focused on documenting cell receptors for the vitamin A derivative. They used a process dubbed ChIP-chip analysis that combines chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), which locates where the retinoic acid receptors are bound to the genome, with micro-array gene-chip analysis, which measures the expression levels of specific genes. This merging of techniques allowed the scientists to map out the complete genetic effects of retinoic acid and its receptors in a cell line provided by patients who had estrogen-fueled breast cancers. The results showed that 39 percent of the genomic regions bound by the estrogen receptor known as alpha overlapped with the estrogen receptors bound by retinoic acid.What's more, they discovered that estrogen and retinoic acids receptors often competed to activate or repress many of the same genes. For example, estrogen increased expression of the same 139 genes that retinoic repressed and retinoic acid activated 185 genes that estrogen repressed. For approximately140 genes, estrogen and retinoic acid had the same effect.So what does all this mean? As the scientists explained in their press statement, they now have evidence that estrogen and retinoic acid carry on a kind of "cross talk". So, although they can have opposite effects, certain estrogen and retinoic acid receptors on cells activate each other and normalize each other. That provides what the researchers call "an additional level of control for achieving a balanced regulation of expression."
Vitamin A - the secret nutritional weapon against cancer?The study also uncovered another way retinoic acid could help fight breast cancer. Some of the genes that are expressed in malignant breast tumors don't have estrogen receptors so anti-estrogen drugs can't be used as therapies. That makes so-called double or triple negative breast cancers extremely difficult to treat and, subsequently, they carry poor prognoses. However, in the new study, the researchers found these forms of cancerous cells did respond positively to the vitamin A derivative.The new study may have produced a new way to help predict long-term survival for breast cancer patients, too. When the researchers compared the effects of retinoic acid on tissues from 295 breast cancer patients with the results from the scientists' initial study using a typical breast cancer cell line, they discovered that the more strongly a tumor responded to retinoic acid, the greater the chances of long-term survival and a lack of relapse."Understanding all the components of this process could be used against breast cancer in three ways," said Dr. White, in the media statement. "It suggests new ways to think about preventing the disease in those at high risk. It offers molecular tools that could provide a more precise diagnosis and predict outcomes. It could also be used to enhance current therapies, making existing drugs, such as tamoxifen, that selectively block estrogen's effects even more powerful, or even to develop new anti-cancer drugs."As reported earlier in Natural News (http://www.naturalnews.com/025495_c...), researchers are also studying vitamin D to see what role it may play in fighting breast cancer. It appears to help protect against breast cancer by keeping normal cell growth in check.For more information:http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/c...http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/...

This is fresh local fruit season, choose wisely!

Fruits are Loaded with Nutrients/ by Dr. Phil Domenico/ Natural News
It’s hard to beat fruits. They provide an abundance of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, essential oils, antioxidants, fiber, and anti-inflammatory substances. Many are alkaline-forming, so they help counteract the strongly acidic Western diet that eats away at our bones. High levels of potassium in fruit balance high salt diets to help prevent high blood pressure. They also help manage blood sugar, regulate bowel function, and strengthen blood vessels, bones, nails, teeth, skin and hair. Humans could not survive long without healthy fruit. Antioxidant content may be the most compelling reason for loading up on these wonderful foods. Oxidative stress from eating, illness or injury, produces excess free radicals that damage cells and tissues. Skipping antioxidants, over time, may ultimately lead to heart disease, cancer, allergies, and other inflammatory diseases. However, not all fruits are created equal. Fruits like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, grapefruit and fresh cranberry have the best antioxidant content, followed by apples, peaches, pears, plums, oranges and dates. The exotic juices of pomegranate, mangosteen, acái and goji berry are also unbeatable for antioxidant protection. Whole fruit is best, but juices are acceptable, especially if not concentrated and no sugar is added. Unfortunately, people are attracted to the super sweet juices and fruits like bananas, grapes and orange juice. Yet, even these are superior to most of the sweetened junk that we feed our kids. Choosing organic fruit is another important consideration, especially for children, who are more susceptible to the dangers of pesticides and other toxins. Organic fruit has also been shown to contain more antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals than conventional fruits. It may cost more, but the cost to health from eating inferior fruit is much greater. Fruits are best eaten on an empty stomach. Indigestion is on the rise in the U.S., and one reason is from eating fruits with other foods. Fruits pass quickly though the stomach and are rapidly digested in the intestines. If fruit is eaten with other foods, it is kept waiting in the stomach, where it may ferment and produce gases and harmful compounds. Digestive processes are also disrupted and the fruit’s nutritive value is compromised. Therefore, it is best to eat fruit as a snack in between meals, especially about 30 minutes before a meal to get the best antioxidant boost. Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service, investigating the effects of antioxidants on after-meal oxidative stress, found that grapes, kiwi and wild blueberries were high performers when it came to raising blood levels of important antioxidants. As a general rule, fruit should not be eaten at the end of a meal. However, most people do not have digestive problems with berries after eating. So, if you insist on dessert after a meal, go with berries. Our early ancestors would not recognize the fruits available in today’s supermarkets. Scientists in the last century have selectively bred fruits to have a long shelf life, few seeds, less fiber and a powerfully sweet taste. Wild fruits are typically less sweet, and much richer in micronutrients than cultivated fruits, particularly in minerals (e.g., copper, iron, calcium) and the vitamins C, E, K, beta-carotene and folic acid. The vitamin C intake of our fruit-eating ape cousins is estimated to be 2-6 grams, compared about 60 mg for humans (one hundred times less!). Wild fruits are also much richer in the millions of "background" nutrients essential to good human health, such as bioflavonoids, terpenes, phenols, carotenes, and many more. For much more information regarding the good foods our ancestors ate, pick up the book "Deadly Harvest" by Dr. Geoff Bond. The biggest problem with modern fruits has as much to do with what is present in them as what is absent. Starchy and processed fruits are loaded with sugar. Fruits rich in sugar can aggravate pre-existing ailments, such as diabetes, allergies, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions. Dried fruits are nearly as bad, since the sugar is concentrated, and the drying process destroys many of the micronutrients. Frozen fruit retains much of its antioxidant content, but canned fruit should be (garbage) canned. Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can also be obtained through dietary supplements. Obviously, fruits and vegetables provide a greater wealth of nutrients than do supplements, but getting these nutrients in the diet somehow is the most important consideration. Even gummy bear antioxidants are better for kids than no fruit at all. Plus, antioxidant supplements can provide higher quantities of vitamins C, E, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and many plant flavonoids than fruits and vegetables. The content of these nutrients in fruits varies from farm to farm and year to year. And, with the deterioration of our soil, less and less of these nutrients are found in food. Fortunately, many essential antioxidants can be found in a high quality multivitamin, which every man, woman and child should be taking daily.If you're not interested in the chemistry of all the wonderful things found in fruits and vegetables, just shop for color. The colorful pigments in blueberries, raspberries oranges, pomegranate, purple tomatoes, etc., are chemicals that protect them from the sun. These pigments are antioxidant rich and protect people in the same way they do plants. So, if you have a little boy or girl at home with a diarrhea problem, or an inflamed bun, the last thing you want to do is stop all fruits (as an ignorant physician recently recommended to a friend). Certainly stop the sugary juices, but not the whole fruit, especially organic, non-starchy varieties. Switch to water, perhaps with a little pomegranate juice for flavor and antioxidant punch. Make your own fresh fruit sauces or smoothies, or find a good organic brand of baby food that contains these antioxidants. Good food means good health. So, when it comes to food, we must take health into our own hands.

Yoga Takes Away Stress, Pounds, Toxins, Cholesterol and Cravings

(NaturalNews) Yoga has long been associated with stress reduction and increased flexibility, but not everyone realizes that yoga can also help them lose weight, lower their cholesterol, and eliminate harmful toxins. Yoga practitioners can even learn how to control their cravings for unhealthy foods.Yoga is one of the most holistic activities there is, focusing on mind, body, and spirit. When done properly, the benefits are endless. It can ease your anxiety, improve your coordination, strength, and posture, and help you lose pounds and inches. That's because it combines deep breathing, relaxing meditation, and limbering poses.Breathe Deeply, Burn FatWhen you breathe deeply and consciously - instead of taking short, shallow breaths - you not only feel more relaxed, you burn more calories. Studies have shown that regular deep breathing burns up to 140% more calories than riding a stationary bike! (Of course, breathing deeply won't help you lose weight if you're also inhaling cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, sodas, and packaged meals. Eating a vegetarian diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in sugar and processed foods is also essential for weight loss and maintenance.)To lose the most weight, practice Bikram yoga, which is a mix of low-key twisting poses and cardio exercises performed in a room where the temperature has been raised higher than 100 degrees, or Ashtanga Yoga, which combines complex yoga poses with deep breathing techniques.The twisting poses stimulate your internal organs, which in turn boosts your metabolism, helping you to lose weight. And because Bikram yoga is practiced in such hot temperatures, your body sweats out toxins, which also helps you to shed pounds. Yoga also reduces stress hormones and increases insulin sensitivity, so your body kicks into a fat-burning mode and burns food as fuel rather than storing it as fat.Doing just one session of yoga will help tighten your muscles and improve your posture, making you look and feel five pounds leaner. The more you practice yoga, the more patience and self control you learn. As you become more disciplined, you become better able to ignore cravings for unhealthy food, which is a key component of any effective weight loss program.Inverted Yoga-Decreased CholesterolYou can control your cholesterol and blood pressure by doing yoga and eating plant-based foods (meat, eggs, and dairy products are the only dietary sources of cholesterol.) When you practice inverted yoga poses, including the plough pose, the headstand, and the crane pose, your legs and abdomen are higher than your heart, which increases your circulation and allows blood to flow throughout your body. Inverted yoga poses not only improve your cardiovascular health, they stimulate your brain and glandular system, and relieve pressure on your abdominal organs. Another type of yoga, known as integrative yoga therapy, is sometimes used to alleviate certain medical conditions, including clinical depression, asthma, back pain, arthritis, and even insomnia and multiple sclerosis.Karmic Benefits of YogaWhile yoga undoubtedly has many physical benefits, it can also be good for your soul. One of the main tenants of yoga is ahimsa, a Sanskrit term meaning to do no harm to any living being. It is one of the reasons why serious yoga practitioners advocate a total vegetarian diet. Sharon Gannon, a founder of Jivamukti, one of the best known yoga centers in the U.S., has even produced a video on the philosophical connection between yoga and vegetarianism.There's virtually no limit to what yoga can do for your body and your spirit. You are never too out of shape to take up yoga. In other words, "Never too late, never too old, never too bad and never too sick to do this yoga and start from scratch again," says Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram yoga. If you've been struggling to lose weight, eat healthily, and improve your strength, posture, and flexibility, fitting yoga into your lifestyle is a wise and healthy choice.

No, I haven't added this to my treatment, just passing it on.

(NaturalNews) The active ingredient in marijuana appears to target cancerous brain cells for destruction while leaving healthy cells alone, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Complutense University in Madrid, and published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.Researchers first conducted an experiment in mice that had been engineered to carry three different grafts of human brain cancer. They injected the mice daily with the molecule tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) near the site of the tumors once each day. The chemical appeared to stimulate the cancerous cells to engage in a process known as autophagy, in which cells initiate their own breakdown."These results may help to design new cancer therapies based on the use of medicines containing the active principle of marijuana and/or in the activation of autophagy," researcher Guillermo Velasco said.THC belongs to a class of chemicals known as cannabinoids, named after the cannabis (marijuana) plant in which they occur. It is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana consumption.In a followup experiment, the researchers extracted and analyzed brain tissue from two patients with an aggressive form of brain cancer known as "recurrent glioblastoma multiforme." The patients were treated with THC for either 26 or 30 days, then the researchers extracted and analyzed another sample.After examining the brain tissue under an electron microscope, the researchers discovered that THC treatment resulted in death of cancerous cells but had no effect on healthy ones. The researchers were also able to discover the signaling pathway by which THC acts.The research opens up the possibility that cannabinoid research could yield "a new family of potential antitumoral agents," the researchers wrote.Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and aggressive form of primary brain tumor. Without treatment, the average patient lives only three months after being diagnosed with the cancer. Treatment extends the average life expectancy after diagnosis by less than a year.Sources for this story include: rawstory.com; health.usnews.com.

"Update" after treatment #8, and Idle minds

Today was my eighth chemotherapy treatment, and all is still well! I went into treatment today a little despondent due to the lump on the right side of my neck and the one under my chin still so apparent and it's "pulling" nature. But when I viewed the tumor markers that were drawn last week, it showed drastic reduction in the amount /size of tumors. The numbers are still somewhat above the norm, but with significant reduction in results! My hemoglobin and hematacrit; the oxygen carrying red blood cells, have increased back up to 12.2/35.9, their lowest only being 11.5/33.8! The white blood cells staying between 8-10-very good. Oncology measures my immune system by a calculation called an ANC, they want the results to stay above 1,500, mine have stayed between 6,343 to 8,190! Chemo can deplete your platelets-which aid in clotting, mine have stayed high! So why have I been feeling a little down lately? I'm sure that having too much time on my hands causes an idle mind--leading to mild depression over the whole aspect of me on chemo. But I have to look at the reality of what is happening cellular, my blood work remains great, the tumors are shrinking, I still feel good without any side-effects! Thanks be to God, and to the wheatgrass. Please do yourself a favor and view these websites to make a real change in your health: www.phsolutions4u.com and www.hippocratesgreenhouse.com, and http://www.healfastwithgrass.com/ As far as my idle mind and depression, I just have to keep working on it with excerpts like the following:
A Secret Scrolls message from Rhonda Byrne, Creator of The Secret
"How do I stop my negative thoughts?" - is a question that I have been asked many times. If you have ever asked this question then you will feel such enormous relief in knowing the answer, because it is so simple. How do you stop negative thoughts? You plant good thoughts!
When you try to stop negative thoughts, you are focusing on what you don't want - negative thoughts - and you will attract an abundance of them. They can never disappear if you are focused on them. The "stop" part is irrelevant - the negative thoughts are your focus. It doesn't matter if you are trying to stop negative thoughts or control them or push them away, the result is the same. Your focus is on negative thoughts, and by the law of attraction you are inviting more of them to you.
The truth is always simple and it is always easy. To stop negative thoughts, just plant good thoughts! Deliberately plant good thoughts! You plant good thoughts by making it a daily practice to appreciate all the things in your day. Appreciate your health, your car, your home, your family, your job, your friends, your surroundings, your meals, your pets, and the magnificent beauty of the day. Compliment, praise, and give thanks to all things. Every time you say "Thank you" it is a good thought! As you plant more and more good thoughts, the negative thoughts will be wiped out. Why? Because your focus is on good thoughts, and what you focus on you attract.
So don't give any attention to negative thoughts. Don't worry about them. If any come, make light of them, shrug them off, and let them be your reminder to deliberately think more good thoughts now.
The more good thoughts you can plant in a day, the faster your life will be utterly transformed into all good. If you spend only one day speaking of good things and saying "Thank you" at every single opportunity, you will not believe your tomorrow. Deliberately thinking good thoughts is exactly like planting seeds. As you think good thoughts you are planting good seeds inside you, and the Universe will transform those seeds into a garden of paradise. How will the garden of paradise appear? As your life!
May the joy be with you,
Rhonda Byrne "The Secret"... bringing joy to billions

Water

The Importance of Water for Good Health ; by Kevin Gianni, "Renegade Water Secrets"
www.renegadewatersecrets.com
Water is the basis of all life. Ultimately there is no fire inside any living organism anywhere so if we look at what is going on in each cell we really see that each cell is a water bag. If we look at every cell in our body, in every plant, in every single living thing, it's just little water bags of little nutrients. Water is a primary substance of all life. We've heard the word hydration before. We know that hydration is critical to being healthy. We found out through Dr. Batmanghelidj's book, Your Body's Many Cries for Water, that most people's hunger pains are actually just thirst pains and if we can get each one of those little water bags hydrated then we're going to feel a whole lot better and we're going to detoxify a whole lot faster.The human body is 60% water, the human body is 80% water, the human brain is 93% water. I don't know how much any of that is true. We're basically water, secondarily fats and oil and it's probably an 80/20 thing. We're mostly water. 30% to 20% are fats and oils, proteins and other things on down the line but the key thing is how you're feeling about your own hydration. I really feel like I have done too much water at times. Literally drank myself until I was dehydrated and I've drank too little water as most of us have done. We've got to know the balance in between and that's something that we're going to work on here in this recording.
In a world today with plastic bottles and all kinds of plastic everything, we've got to be aware that there are binders in plastic that are toxic to the human organism that actually are implicated in cancer especially breast cancer and can interfere with hormones or hormone disrupters and therefore, probably as a good beginning, we want to either get on to well water and then filter it down right in our own home, right in the line where it's coming in or if we're on municipal water, we want to take that water and do the best we can to purify it so that it doesn't carry any contaminates in it and its either renewed or we get water delivered to us in glass, if possible or non out-gassing plastics. These are options. Having said all that, part of the way to actually make that water hydrate you is to realize that we're not really spring water on the inside... like the water bags which we call ourselves consists of water and salt. Therefore, we're more like an ocean on the inside and we may want to consider adding a pinch or two per gallon, maybe even more of sea salt to drinking water in order to maintain a balance of hydration.Ocean water is, from a mineral perspective, identical to chlorophyll which is identical to hemoglobin or our blood. So those three substances -chlorophyll, our blood, and ocean water -- are identical with one exception and that is in ocean water the amount of sodium is drastically higher. In chlorophyll the amount of magnesium is drastically higher and in human blood the amount of iron is drastically higher. Other than that, all the other mineral ratios should be about the same.When I look at the herbs, I look at the herbs as a giant water bag. It's like a giant cell and that cell is mostly salty because most of the oceans are filled with salt. Therefore, when we look at our own organism we have to consider that we're the salty ocean on the inside and therefore some salt with our water may be what's required in order to keep us hydrated.Dr. Norman Walker and Dr. Bernard Jensen, both of them spent about 60 to 65 years on that particular subject. That is, determining exactly what kinds of minerals are used in the digestive process and keeps our digestive organs healthy, meaning our stomach, small intestine and large intestines or colon and what they found out is that the small intestine and the large intestine require mineral salt in order to retain moisture in those environments to stop constipation and to allow bowel movements to occur regularly and for detoxification to happen smoothly.With the minerals in water, and there are so many different types of water -- distilled, spring, all these different types -- it sometimes gets so confusing. What are some of the minerals besides salt that we're looking for to get a full spectrum water? One of the minerals of course is silica. Silica is what gives water a kind of creamy smoothness. You'll see silica in spring waters in the way that the water kind of rolls on itself and then it becomes very hyper-organized and really just gets that almost mystical appearance especially when its very cold, when you actually tap that kind of water you discover that its silica content is high and if you want to know more about silica well you can just study crystals because crystals are made of silica.
Silica is extremely important for bone growth. We know that when we're young, we have a high silica content in our body and tissues. When we're old, we have a low silica content. We know that silica nutrition is important for anti-aging. In addition to that, silica wraps itself around or actually contains other minerals and those minerals are what we call high energy partials that are also found in water. Those are the minerals that respond to our consciousness. What that means is that if we bless water, it improves the water. We know that if we put intention into our water that it changes the structure of the water... We know this from Dr. Masaru Emoto's work and much metaphysical work before that. There's something in the water that's responding and it appears to be high energy particles that are held into the water by silica. That's where we are with the signs from all this and these high energy particles are often mostly misidentified where mainstream science is right now, but not where cutting edge science is. These high energy particles resist the cut/burn/poison chemical theory of science. That's how we test for everything, we cut it, we burn it, we poison it and then we analyze it and that theory causes certain types of matter to be left out of the equation. For example, if you put certain types of high energy particles through that theory, what you'll end up out on the other side is what is called carbon so it will be misidentified as carbon when in fact it was never carbon. It just appears to be carbon because it's black to spectrum emission and absorption so it appears to be black like charcoal but in fact it's not actually carbon. That's probably the best way to describe it. These minerals can also be misunderstood or misidentified as iron, aluminum and in fact silica as well.Water is a living thing. That's what makes the whole earth alive. Every single organism exists, in my perception, as a vehicle for the ennoblement of water into consciousness. Every organism exists as a vehicle for the ennoblement of water into consciousness. Let's say you go and you drink water from the spring. You brought that water into your organism. If in fact your body is a holy temple, then what you've done is you've brought the water in and nobled that water and made it part of your consciousness. That to me is really the fundamental understanding about water that changes it from something about: "I've just got to drink this to be hydrated" into more of the spiritual side of what water is about and what our role here is on the planet as storers of water instead of just drinkers of water.

The Ten Foods and Drinks to Stave off Heart Disease and Cancer

Heart dis-ease due to acidity is the main killer of men over 35, and cancer due to acidity is number two and surging upwards. According to Dr. Robert O. Young, Director of Research at The pH Miracle Living Center, "the prime forces behind these killers is acidic "Man" food and drink, which is usually defined as variations of steak and potatoes with gravy, charcoal-grilled Polish sausage, bread, beer, coffee, and other renditions of cancerous-inducing heart attack on a plate or in a glass. But did you know there are ten alkaline "Man" food and drink that are actually good for men? Food and drink that help men shine in the board room, the bedroom, and on the ball field, golf course or tennis court?Here are the ten "Man" food and drink that can help men stay muscular, stay vigorous, and stave off heart dis-ease and a cancerous prostate:1) Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and Green Cabbage. President George H. W. Bush famously said that he didn't like broccoli, and since he was president, he didn't have to eat it. But if the former president becomes over-acidic and starts showing signs of hyper or hypoglycemia (diabetes), he may allow broccoli on his plate after all.New research from the University of Warwick in England found that eating broccoli could reverse the vascular damage to blood vessels caused by metabolic and dietary acids that cause diabetes.The scientists believe the chemical in broccoli responsible for the heart-healthy effect is sulforaphane, which promotes the creating of alkaline buffers that protect blood vessels, and reduces the amounts of metabolic and dietary acids that cause cell damage. Crucifer vegetables such as broccoli, Brusselssprouts and cabbage, have been tied to a lower risk of strokes and heart attacks. People with diabetes face up to a 500 percent increase in risk of developing cardiovascular dis-eases thatare linked to damaged blood vessels caused by metabolic and dietary acids. They also risk other health problems such as kidney dis-ease which is also caused by an excessive amount of metabolic and/or dietary acid.High blood sugar or acid levels can cause levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to increase three-fold to buffer the sugar and increased acidity. Sulforaphane activates a protein called nrf2 which protects the blood and lymphatic vessels and lowers the increase of acidity by 73 percent."Our study suggests that compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli may help counter processes linked to the development of vascular disease in diabetes," said Warwick Professor Paul Thornalley. He added that in the future it will be important to see if eating a diet rich in broccoli and other crucifer vegetables will benefit diabetics. "We believe it will," he said.According to Dr. Robert O. Young, a Director of Research at the pH Miracle Living Center, "sulforaphane compound found in broccoli is a powerful antacid or alkaline buffer that protects the blood, the blood vessels and other organs that sustains life. Broccoli is one of the most powerful vegetables for anti-aging! That is why I included broccoli florets and broccoli sprouts in my latest anti-oxidant/anti-aging products called, Doc Broc Power Plants and pHruits and pHolage."2) Oysters. Men have valued oysters as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years, and there is some basis for this belief. Eating a few oysters everyday (and real men prefer them raw, right?) provides an abundant supply of the antioxidant mineral zinc, which is used by the body in numerous processes, from cell repair to DNA synthesis. Oysters are nature's single best source of zinc, providing almost 100 mg per gram. Research shows that zinc improves the function of the male reproductive system and may protect against prostate cancer.3) Avocado. Avocado are nature's sports snack for men, being easily opened with a butter knife and with its own biodegradable wrapper. Some might look at the tear-drop shape (the shape of the testes) and think in terms of the ancient medical Doctrine of Signatures, which held that the key to the usage of plants was indicated by the plant's form and shape. Whether true or not, active men benefit from the avocado because they are in fact chock-full of potassium, a mineral that plays an essential role in cardiac, skeletal, and muscular health. Avocado contains more potassium per gram then a banana with less acidic sugar. It is key to regulating heartbeat and blood pressure. Throw a avocado in your gym bag--just one replaces the potassium lost during an hour of hard exercise. Also, keep in mind that avocado contains a phytonutrient called luctein which helps to prevent and/or reverse a cancerous reproductive system.4) Hemp Meal, Hemp Protein and Hemp Oil. Hemp is big in healthful omega-3 fatty acids, and 3 tablespoons meets the American Heart Association recommendation. Omega-3 fatty acids protect the heart by lowering acidic triglyceride [blood acid bound to fat] levels and reducing aches and pains. And of course eating Hemp meal, Hemp Protein or Hemp Oil is 100% legal and contains NO acidic THC, as found in fermented Hemp or marijuana leaves.5) Almond or Brazil Nuts. It takes a real man with tools to crack open these babies, but the effort is worth it. They are loaded with selenium and magnesium, which are heavy-duty antioxidants that protect prostate health and helps to prevent a cancerous condition and/or heart dis-ease. Selenium also helps keep the aging process at bay, supports the white blood cells to maintain alkalinity, and helps lower acidity which in turn lowers cholesterol. Two nuts a day should keep selenium levels high.6) Alkaline grains such as Quinoa, Buckwheat and Millet. White bread is for sissies--eat flavorful whole sprouted grains that are rich in fiber. Several commercial sprouted grains provide as much as six grams of fiber in two slices, which is a good start toward the 30 grams a day recommended for men by the Harvard School of Health. The fiber and bran in whole sprouted grains help lower blood acidity and thus cholesterol, move acidic waste through the alimentary canal, and make it more difficult for the body to convert acidic starches to the acid, glucose.7) Low Sugar Fruits like Black Berries. These are what our hunter-gatherer ancestors grabbed up and ate along the trail while they tracked down the wooly mammoth-our ancestors knew instinctively (well, maybe they did) that berries sharpened their wits and thereby upped their chances of a successful hunt. Berries of all kinds-the darker and more colorful the better-contain a health-protecting flavonoid called anthocyanin, which may help slow down aging and keep the brain from declining.8) Fresh Green Juices. Drinking your green vegetables, green fruit and green grasses are full of chlorophyll and will help to build hemoglobin, the main component of blood. As you build healthy blood you can then build healthy body cells, including bone, muscle and skin keeping your body young, healthy and strong.9) Whole Mineral Salts. While enjoying these alkaline Man Food and Drink, ingest at least 10 grams of unprocessed mineral sea salts every day. The body needs salt to maintain its alkaline design and to make sodium bicarbonate to buffer dietary and metabolic acids. When you ingest whole unprocessed sea salts every day you protect yourself from ALL sickness and dis-ease.
10) Eat Your Green Veggies and Fruit. Eat an overall balanced alkaline pH Miracle diet that includes proper alkaline green vegetables and fruit.

Antibiotic and Cancer Link?

OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTIS LEADS TO RESISTANCE - AND CANCER TOO?

In an editorial published in last week's British Medical Journal (BMJ), a group of prominent medical researchers and infectious disease experts led by Sweden's Professor Otto Cars called for a concerted worldwide effort to combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. (Cars, 2008)
Antibiotic resistance - the emergence of new strains of bacteria, which are impervious to a broad range of antibiotics - has become a very serious public health threat. New and deadly bacterial infections are emerging for which few, if any, of our current antibiotics are effective, and we can no longer take for granted that potentially life-threatening infections such as pneumonia or bacterial meningitis will be amenable to treatment with antibiotics, as they once were. An article in the medical journal The Lancet has documented that 70 percent of all hospital-acquired infections among newborns in developing countries are now untreatable with standard antibiotic regimens (Zaidi, 2005). The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Europe's equivalent of our Centers for Disease Control) has stated that the most important disease threat in Europe is from micro -organisms that have become resistant to antibiotics (European Center, 2007).
TWO MAIN CAUSES
The growing problem of antibiotic resistance has come about largely as a result of two separate kinds of antibiotic misuse: the over-prescription of antibiotics in clinical medicine, and the widespread agricultural practice of feeding antibiotics to livestock. Of the two, agricultural antibiotic use is undoubtedly the more insidious and the greater culprit. To be sure, there are certain legitimate uses for antibiotics in agriculture: the prevention and treatment of infectious disease among livestock being the prime one. However, the vast majority of antibiotics used in agriculture serve no therapeutic purpose at all, but are given to healthy livestock purely in order to promote rapid weight gain so that animals more quickly reach their slaughter weight while consuming less food.
While the practice of feeding antibiotics to livestock has now been banned outright by the European Union, it is still legal and continues apace in the US. Seventy percent of all antibiotics consumed in the USA - 24 million pounds of antibiotics per year - goes into such non-therapeutic uses, and more than half of the antibiotics used are identical to those used in humans. This has unquestionably resulted in the emergence of many new strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria, which in turn are responsible for various life-threatening infections in humans. The National Academy of Sciences has estimated that the annual cost of treating such infections is approximately $30 billion per year, and rising. At least 76 million cases of food-borne illness occur each year in the US, including 40,000 cases of Salmonella and 73,000 cases of antibiotic-resistant E. coli 0157-H7, the latter being clearly correlated to the use of antibiotics in cattle.
A LINK TO CANCER?
However, it is with the overuse of antibiotics in medical practice that I am primarily concerned here. In clinical situations, antibiotics are routinely prescribed inappropriately, for example for conditions caused by viruses, which are not responsive to antibiotics. Part of the problem is that patients commonly pressure their physicians to prescribe antibiotics for colds and upper respiratory infections - self-limiting illnesses for which antibiotics are not only not needed but not effective. Physicians themselves are far from blameless, though: most ear infections in children do not require antibiotics, but 97 percent of US physicians nevertheless treat ear infections with immediate antibiotics: 15 million prescriptions for antibiotics are handed out annually for this reason (Spiro, 2006).
Not only is such overuse of antibiotics contributing directly to antibiotic resistance and the emergence of dangerous new pathogens, research shows that it may also have a significant effect on the risk of developing cancer.
A 2004 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) provided substantial evidence that frequency of antibiotic usage is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Several studies have confirmed a link between frequent antibiotic usage and an increased incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Now Finnish scientists have published a study in the International Journal of Cancer showing a link between frequency of antibiotic use and the long term risk of several other kinds of cancer, including cancers of the lung, ovary, prostate and colon (Kilkkinen, 2008). The researchers found that antibiotic use was particularly strongly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer: individuals who received 2-5 prescriptions for antibiotics over the period 1995-1997 exhibited a 79 percent increase in relative risk for lung cancer.
Let me emphasize that these studies do not show that antibiotics cause cancer; they simply indicate that the more courses of antibiotics a person takes over time, the greater the risk of developing certain cancers. The reasons for this association are still obscure, and it will take a great deal more research to establish the precise nature of the link. It is quite possible, for example, that people who succumb to repeated infections for which antibiotics are prescribed may have an underlying immune inadequacy, and therefore may be more likely to develop cancer. Or those very infections and inflammatory conditions themselves may have a predisposing effect. Whatever the nature of the link, one thing is clear: the gratuitous and unnecessary use of antibiotics, whether in agriculture or in medicine, represents a potentially serious threat to public health, and needs to be urgently addressed. ~~~ Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D. www.cancerdecisions.com

"Laughter is the Best Medicine"

Your Attitude Affects How Long You Will Live ; by Deanna Dean/ Natural News

Many of you may be familiar with the extraordinary life and story of Norman Cousins, diplomat, editor and author. He died in 1990 but in the mid 1960s he was diagnosed with a fatal disease and told that his death was imminent. Almost completely paralyzed, Cousins decided to leave the hospital, throw away his medications, check into a hotel and surround himself with things that would make him laugh. He watched Laurel and Hardy movies, read positive message books, enjoyed comic books from his childhood, and pored over inspirational writings.Detailed in one of his books, "Anatomy of an Illness," Cousins chronicled his journey and the unbelievable restoration to complete health with another kind of medicine: laughter along with a changed outlook and attitude.Can optimists really heal themselves? Can humor impact your health? If you make statements like, "I'm sick with worry" or "I'm scared to death", could you be fueling an illness?Long tern and current research now tells us that the mind and immune system are inexorably connected and do not exist independently. For example, if you expect illness, you increase the odds of getting an illness. If you expect good health, your chances of enjoying good health are increased by that attitude.Duke University reported in the journal Medical Care that the way we perceive our health has a dramatic effect on our actual health. They found that in a group of 3,000 heart patients who were asked to rate their health, those who said it was "very good," had three times the survival rate of the others who answered "poor" regardless of the variables in their health.Johns Hopkins University confirms what Duke University reported and says that their researchers interviewed more than 5,000 people over the age of 65, and regardless of risk factors, those who saw themselves as having poor health, roughly doubled their risk of death within five years. Hard to believe, but pessimism proves to be more deadly than congestive heart failure or smoking 50 or more packs of cigarettes every year.Gunnar Engstrom, MD, a professor at Lund University in Sweden has studied self-ratings of health and says, "A positive attitude about health can ward off mental distress and may help provide important protection against diseases."In 1973 Dr. Grossarth-Maticek tested the attitude of thousands of elderly residents in Heidelberg, Germany. Amazing results surfaced twenty-one years later when he compared the test scores with their current health: "the 300 people who had scored highest turned out to be thirty times more likely to be alive and well 21 years later than the others."A seven year study at the University of Texas found that people with an upbeat attitude about life could actually delay ageing suggesting that psychosocial factors play a role along with genes and physical health in determining how fast we age.They speculate that positive emotions might alter the chemical balance of the body. Leading the research, Dr. Glenn Ostir told BBC News Online: "I believe that there is a connection between mind and body -- and that our thoughts and attitudes/emotions affect physical functioning and overall health."Past president of the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor, Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D. and clinical psychologist in Irvine, California says, "Humor stimulates laughter and we know that physiological stimulation through laughter leads to a number of health benefits by reducing stress and boosting antibodies that fight infection. The research, particularly on heart disease, is dramatic. People who are chronically angry are four to five times more likely to have a heart attack than people who are not."There are other studies revealing that depressed people may be 42 percent more likely to develop diabetes. Sadness seems to stack the odds against you.John Barefoot, Ph.D. research professor at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, initiated a 25 year study of medical students from the 1950s and discovered at the end of the study in 1980 that the ones who had been hostile were the ones who were more likely to have died. Later expanded studies have confirmed those same findings.Support groups can have a powerful impact on your health as well when you're dealing with sadness and depression or a circumstance that is painful. In a study at Stanford University researchers found that cancer patients who were included in a support group lived longer.Our mind is a powerful weapon that can be used to defeat our enemy, disease, or as an ally to heal us and give us great health and a long life. Maybe there is something to the old adage, "Laughter is the Best Medicine"

"Update", after chemo # 7, and Giving Thanks!

Good Morning! It is a beautiful Sunday and I, as always give thanks that I am alive and well to enjoy another blessed day! I had my 7th chemotherapy treatment a couple of days ago, and am still feeling improvement without side effects. I saw the oncologist on the same day, and he was amazed at the quick reduction in my "lumps", that my lab work still looks great, and that I was smiling--alot, and looked so vibrant! He said that most of his patients need some type of intervention by now in regards to red and white blood cell count, and wanted to know what I am doing to keep myself so healthy. This time, he really listened to what I had to say about the role that proper nutrition--including the wheatgrass juicing that I was doing, he even asked additional questions! See website; http://www.healfastwithgrass.com/. The doctor did suggest that I may need to be on chemotherapy long term, possibly years, due to the inoperable and the extent of the cancer, but I know that once the neck, chest, and breast tumors have shrunk enough, my immune system will reverse the rest. I will not go beyond where the chemotherapy would start doing more harm than good. I have also increased my exercising, something not easily done for me---but I really do feel better after! The peace and general love that I am feeling is so uplifting! It increases my health and positive attitude by leaps, so the more I put out of these elements, the better I am! It also reflects in those around me, they also seem more at peace and happier! "Be the change that you want to see in the world"! I will leave you with a couple of quotes that I like, have a great healthy day, give thanks, and smile---alot!

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny. -Ghandi

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our sometimes- powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." -Henri Nouwen
Raising my goblet to friends who really care, even just a little bit.

Sex----for Health too!

AN ACTIVE SEX LIFE IS ALKAZING & HEALTHY//BY DR. ROBERT YOUNG http://www.phmiracleliving.com/ When you have "sex" on your mind, chances are "alkalizing" is the last thing you're thinking about - but the two actually go hand-in-hand! Sex promotes both our physical and psychological health which in turn may help to maintain the alkaline design of the body. The following are eight ways in which having sex can help to alkalize the body: 1) Sex Reduces Stress. Scottish researchers studied the sexual activity of 24 women and 22 men, then put them in stressful situations such as public speaking. The subjects who had intercourse withstood stress better than those who either abstained from sex or engaged in other sexual activities. The reduction of stress helps to reduce metabolic acids. 2) Sex Increases Metabolism. Sex burns up 85 calories in 30 minutes, and 40 half-hour sessions will burn about 3500 calories, which is enough to lose one pound of acidic weight/fat. 3) Sex Builds Cardiovascular Health. English researchers found fear of a stroke during sex is groundless. They followed 900 men for 20 years and found no connection. On the other hand, they found that the men who had sex at least twice a week reduced their risk of a heart attack by half compared to men who had it less than once a month. 4) Sex Helps Lymphatic Circulation. The lymphatic system functions with the contraction of muscles. Sex helps to activate the lymphatic system which in turn helps to move acids out of the tissues that can cause aches and pains. 5) Sex Helps To Reduce Acidity. When having sex dietary and metabolic acids are eliminated through perspiration from increased lymphatic circulation and through respiration from heavy breathing. 6) Sex Builds Immunity. Having sex several times a week has been linked with raising levels of the antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA), which helps to buffer acids that produce the symptomology of a cold, according to researchers at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 7) Sex Builds Bonds. Sex raises the level of the hormone oxytocin, known popularly as the "love hormone," which results in building trust and strengthening relationship bonds. The more contact - including hugs - the higher the level of this "love hormone." 8) Sex Lowers Pain. As the love hormone oxytocin builds, endorphins rise, which results in lowering of acidic pain. If aches and pains are better after sex, it's because of oxytocin levels. 9) Sex Lowers Risk of Prostate Cancer. Frequent ejaculations in young men may lower the risk of prostate cancer in later years. Australian researchers studied men with and without prostate cancer, and found frequent ejaculations in men in their 20s offered protection, but found no such link for men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. 10) Sex Promotes Sleep. Oxycontin is at the forefront again - it helps both men and women sleep, which in turn promotes healthy alkaline weight and lower blood pressure. (Although women would almost universally say it had a much stronger effect on men, who are wide-awake one minute and sound asleep the next minuet. ******************************************

To scent or not to scent?

IN THE PURSUIT OF FRAGRANCES// BY DR. ROBERT YOUNG/ www.phmiracleliving.com
A University of Washington study of top-selling laundry products and air fresheners found the products emitted dozens of different chemicals. All six products tested gave off at least one chemical regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, but none of those chemicals was listed on the product labels."I first got interested in this topic because people were telling me that the air fresheners in public restrooms and the scent from laundry products vented outdoors were making them sick," said Anne Steinemann, a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering and of public affairs. "And I wanted to know, 'What's in these products that is causing these effects?'" She analyzed the products to discover the chemicals' identity."I was surprised by both the number and the potential toxicity of the chemicals that were found," Steinemann said. Chemicals or acids included acetone, the active ingredient in paint thinner and nail-polish remover; limonene, a molecule with a citrus scent; and acetaldehyde, chloromethane and 1, 4-dioxane."Nearly 100 volatile organic compounds were emitted from these six products, and none were listed on any product label. Plus, five of the six products emitted one or more carcinogenic 'hazardous air pollutants,' which are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to have no safe exposure level," Steinemann said.Steinemann chose not to disclose the brand names of the six products she tested. In a larger study of 25 cleaners, personal care products, air fresheners and laundry products, now submitted for publication, she found that many other brands contained similar chemicals.Because manufacturers of consumer products are not required to disclose the ingredients, Steinemann analyzed the products to discover their contents. She studied three common air fresheners (a solid deodorizer disk, a liquid spray and a plug-in oil) and three laundry products (a dryer sheet, fabric softener and a detergent), selecting a top seller in each category. She bought household items at a grocery store and asked companies for samples of industrial products.In the laboratory, each product was placed in an isolated space at room temperature and the surrounding air was analyzed for volatile organic acidic compounds, small molecules that evaporate from the product's surface into the air.Results showed 58 different volatile organic compounds above a concentration of 300 micrograms per cubic meter, many of which were present in more than one of the six products. For instance, a plug-in air freshener contained more than 20 different volatile organic acidic compounds. Of these, seven are regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws. The product label lists no ingredients, and information on the Material Safety Data Sheet, required for workplace handling of acidic chemicals, lists the contents as "mixture of perfume oils."Manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients used in laundry products and air fresheners. Personal-care products and cleaners often contain similar acidic fragrance chemicals, Steinemann said. And although cosmetics are required by the Food and Drug Administration to list ingredients, no law requires products of any kind to list chemicals used in fragrances."Be careful if you buy products with fragrance, because you really don't know what's in them," she added. "I'd like to see better labeling. In the meantime, I'd recommend that instead of air fresheners people use ventilation, and with laundry and make-up products, choose fragrance-free versions."
　

An Anti-Cancer Diet?

An Anti-Cancer Diet?
Some foods have specific cancer fighting properties.
As we learn more and more about the causes of cancer, it’s not unusual to hear newly diagnosed people wonder if they could have avoided their disease—like you can heart disease—by eating better. The short answer is a qualified yes, but not because there’s such a thing as "the anticancer diet." Still, studies show that people who eat low-fat, high-fiber diets have lower rates of cancer.
Not surprisingly, this type of diet contains lots of fruits and vegetables—and very little red or processed meat. In fact, a study last year found that these two foods increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 30 percent. A different study of 500,000 people aged 50 to 71 also linked eating red meat to lung cancer and an elevated risk for cancer of the esophagus and liver. So an anti-cancer diet—if one existed— would cut way back on meat and load up on the fruits and veggies. Vegetables contain lots of vitamins and minerals and an astonishing variety of phytonutrients, like carotenoids and flavonoids, that have a positive impact on health. Research reports that carotenoids, for example, protect us against some cancers, as well as heart disease and macular degeneration. The best known, alpha- and beta-carotenoids are found in carrots and leafy greens respectively.
No one would suggest that there’s a "magic" food out there, but some foods seem to have specific cancer fighting properties; here are some of the most recent discoveries:
• Black Raspberries Studies at Ohio State University found that eating this fruit may protect high-risk people from esophageal cancer, a particularly deadly form with only a 15 percent 5-year survival rate. The berries reduced an oxidative stress marker by 58 percent and increased the levels of a protective enzyme by 37 percent.
• Cruciferous Vegetables Members of this group—including broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower—appear to reduce bladder cancer risk by roughly 40 percent. They contain a class of phytonutrients called isothiocyanates (ITCs). You’ve got to eat them raw to get the full benefit, however—cooking cuts the ITCs by 60 to 90 percent.
• Red Tomatoess The carotenoid lycopene provides a dose of prevention against prostate, breast, and lung cancers. You can buy lycopene as a supplement, but at least one study has shown that eating the whole tomato inhibited prostate cancer more effectively. Lycopene is more concentrated in tomato paste and for some reason it’s better absorbed from cooked tomatoes.
• Garlic This aromatic food, which has innumerable culinary uses, has long been known in the herb world for its antiseptic properties. Now researchers have discovered that people who eat 5 cloves of garlic a week have 30 percent less risk of colon cancer than those who eat only 1. The likely reason: the same sulfur-containing compounds that give garlic its odor also contain antioxidant flavonoids and the vitamins A and D.
• Flax Seeds The phytoestrogens in this health food contain lignans, which are similar to, but weaker than, natural estrogen. Researchers think they reduce the risk of hormone-driven cancers (breast and uterine) by blocking excessive estrogen production.
Sweet Alternatives
Americans have a colossal sweet tooth—we average 2 to 3 pounds of refined sugar a week—and all that sucrose, dextrose, and high-fructose corn syrup raises blood insulin levels and depresses the immune system. The insulin spikes can lead to insulin resistance and Type-2 diabetes, and a depressed immune system leaves us prone to viral and bacterial infections—and to more serious chronic diseases. The natural, unrefined sweeteners listed below can satisfy your sugar cravings without undermining your health.
Honey This classic sweetener contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. It also has antibacterial properties. Even so, don’t give honey to children less than a year old; it may contain spores that cause infant botulism.
Agave Syrup Also known as honey water or agave nectar, this Mexican sweetener comes from the heart of the agave cactus—a plant held sacred by the Aztec. Lighter and less viscous than honey, it dissolves easily in hot or cold beverages. It is 50 percent sweeter than sugar, but with fewer calories. It also gets absorbed more slowly, thus avoiding a spike in insulin levels.
Stevia This age-old sweetener can’t be sold as a sugar substitute—even though it’s 100 times sweeter than sugar and calorie-free. For some reason, the FDA says it has not been proven safe as a food additive. Yet studies show stevia helps lower blood sugar, which would make it a good sugar substitute for diabetics.
Salt of the Sea
The debate about the role of salt in cardiovascular disease (CVD) got a little testy last May when a sizable study found that people who ate the least amount of salt were 80 percent more likely to die from CVD than the quartile that ate the most. Critics immediately pointed to earlier studies linking high salt intake with a number of health risks including high blood pressure and CVD. However, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)—a nationwide study undertaken every 10 years—seems to support the new information. NHANES associated a low-salt diet with a 400 percent higher risk of heart attack in men.
Actually, this seems to make sense. We have more salt in our body than anything other than water. We need it to digest our food, and our heart, adrenal glands, liver, and kidneys can’t function without it.
The problem may very well lie with "refined" salt, the type you’ll find in salt shakers and hidden (in huge quantities) in processed foods. Refined salt contains three ingredients: sodium chloride (more than 98 percent), iodine (.01 percent), and anti-caking materials (up to 2 percent). Unrefined sea salt, on the other hand, contains more than 80 minerals, many of which play essential roles in our body’s chemistry.
Perhaps it’s time to get your salt and your minerals in one food. Just bear in mind that you want unrefined sea salt—the type that’s produced by evaporating sea water.
Sop Up Excess Cholesterol
That old "hearty bowl of oatmeal" phrase contains more truth than its coiner every dreamed of. Yes, oatmeal will keep you full until lunch, but more importantly it will go a long way toward keeping your heart healthy as well, by lowering cholesterol levels by as much as 20 percent. Based on earlier research that showed oatmeal’s special ability to lower LDL cholesterol—the "bad" kind—the FDA decided about 10 years ago to allow manufacturers of oatmeal, oat bran, and oat flour to put heart-health claims on their labels. More recently, researchers have figured out how this hearty grain does its cholesterol-fighting thing.
Oatmeal contains lots of soluble fiber, which binds to bile acids and inhibits the formation of micelles, chemical compounds that help the gut absorb cholesterol and other fats. With fewer micelles present, those fats simply pass through the digestive tract untouched—without contributing to high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
In addition, the fiber-bound bile acids also get flushed—instead of reabsorbed as usual—causing a bile acid deficit. And guess how they’re made—by converting blood cholesterol to new bile salt acids in the liver.
In essence the soluble fiber found in oatmeal acts like a sponge to sop up cholesterol in the digestive tract and it causes the body to draw cholesterol from the blood. That’s a twofer, well, actually, make it a threefer because oatmeal seems even more likely to target the small, dense LDL particles (called pattern B), which scientists think may pose more risk than the larger, fluffier pattern-A LDL particles

The "Not Milk Man" on Ice Cream Month"

July is National Ice Cream Month I can think of no unhealthier substance eaten by so many people than ice cream. Picture the Japanese cuisine, and sushi immediately comes to mind. Imagine a representative Korean food and you think of kim chee or hot/pickled cabbage/bok choy. Italy is pasta marinara. France is snails (yeech). Germany is beer. The United States of Atherosclerosis? Ice cream. I received a press release from Marti Pupillo proclaiming July as National Ice Cream month. You might want to ask Marti a question or two. She's the media representative for the International Dairy Foods Association, or IDFA. Sample questions can be found at the conclusion of today's column. Marti Pupillo - IDFA, the press release: In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation's population. President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities." The International Ice Cream Association (IICA) encourages retailers and consumers to celebrate July as National Ice Cream Month. In 2008, National Ice Cream Day will be Sunday, July 20. The U.S. ice cream industry generates more than $21 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens. About 9% of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream, contributing significantly to the economic well-being of the nation's dairy industry.
Rather than knock ice cream as I have done on 435 previous occasions, I challenge you to replace cuisine's worst possible food with some of the best alternatives. Let's compare one-pint portions of alternatives to one pint of rich vanilla ice cream. (Fat, sugar, and fiber are expressed in grams. Cholesterol levels are in milligrams. All data is derived from USDA's Nutrient Database.) ITEM (Pint)....CAL----FAT---SUGAR---FIBER---CHOL. Ice Cream.....1064---69.32---88.40---0.0----392 Strawberries..0092---00.86---14.08---5.8----000 Blueberries....0168---00.98---29.48---7.2----000 Cantaloupe....0106---00.60---24.52---2.8----000.
Five Question for Marti (202-737-4332) 1) What did President Reagan mean when he called ice cream "nutritious?" 2) Since 1 slice of Armour bacon contains 3 milligrams of cholesterol, and since there are 392 milligrams of cholesterol in one pint of rich vanilla ice cream, would I be getting the same cholesterol contained in 131 slices of bacon if I consumed that pint? 3) Is cholesterol good for you? 4) Regarding those tens of thousands of cows being slaughtered in California this week because of tuberculosis...they've been milked for the past six months and that milk has been turned into ice cream and distributed nationally. Should I be concerned for my health, or should I just be grossed out that I've been eating processed body fluids from diseased animals? 5) Is it fair to still call California cows "happy cows?" 6) President Reagan used to nod off toward the end of his term during cabinet sessions and get confused with facts when speaking to reporters. Do you think that the Alzheimer’s he developed and eventually died from contributed to his decision to call ice cream "nutritious?" "Those foods should be chosen which best supply the elements needed for building up the body. In this choice, appetite is not a safe guide. Through wrong habits of eating, the appetite has become perverted. Often it demands food that impairs health and causes weakness instead of strength. We cannot safely be guided by the customs of society. The disease and suffering that everywhere prevail are largely due to popular errors in regard to diet." - Ellen G. White.
Robert Cohen http://www.notmilk.com/

Smile, your fillings are showing!

Mercury Fillings Shattered! FDA, ADA Conspiracy to Poison Children with Toxic Mercury Fillings Exposed in Groundbreaking Lawsuit
The FDA has, for decades, ridiculously insisted that mercury fillings pose no health threat whatsoever to children. While dismissing hundreds of studies showing a clear link between mercury amalgam fillings ("silver fillings") and disastrous neurological effects in the human body, the FDA denied the truth about mercury and effectively protected the mercury filling racket that has brought so much harm to so many people. For over a hundred years, a cabal of "mercury mongers" made up of the American Dental Association, mercury filling manufacturers and indignant dentists have reaped windfall profits by implanting toxic fillings into the mouths of children, all while insisting that mercury -- one of the most toxic heavy metals known to modern science -- posed no health threat whatsoever."Silver-colored metal dental fillings contain mercury that may cause health problems in pregnant women, children and fetuses", the Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday after settling a related lawsuit. As part of the settlement with several consumer advocacy groups, the FDA agreed to alert consumers about the potential risks on its website and to issue a more specific rule next year for fillings that contain mercury, FDA spokeswoman Peper Long said. Millions of Americans have the fillings, or amalgams, to patch cavities in their teeth. "Dental amalgams contain mercury, which have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses," the FDA said in a notice on its Web site Mercury filings can be a focal point for acidic toxicity and poisoning of the blood and tissues. Mercury is known to be one of the most dangerous and toxic substances on the planet. Many people are unaware that "silver" amalgam dental fillings are actually 50% mercury. The American Dental Association (ADA) refuses to publicly state that dental amalgam fillings contain a high level of mercury, and adamantly denies that the mercury escaping from them can cause serious health issues.
It is proven that fillings lose their mercury content. According to Joyal Taylor, DDS, one dental researcher removed fillings that had been in a patient's mouth for five years. He also removed twenty year old fillings from another patient's mouth. He tested the percentage of mercury content in both fillings, and found that the five year old fillings had lost one half of their mercury, and the twenty year old fillings had lost all of their mercury. Fillings tend to fracture at the edges and begin to crumble away, and mercury is absorbed by the roots of the teeth as well as the surrounding bone and adjacent gum tissue." Every day, we do things that can increase the release of mercury vapor from amalgam fillings: brushing our teeth, using a water pick, chewing gum, and consume hot foods and drinks can all release up to 300 parts per million of mercury colloids. Any levels over 1 part per million can be cytotoxic to the blood and tissues. Removing amalgams without special precautions increases mercury blood levels for a period of time. Such a concentrated release of mercury can severely exacerbate existing neurological conditions. It is best to consult with your Dentist about removing your mercury filings over a 6 to 12 month period of time so the body can adequately remove this highly acidic material out through the elimination organs. .
The FDA's stonewalling on this issue has been nothing less than a circus of politically-motivated denials, much like the Big Tobacco executives swearing under oath that "Nicotine is not addictive." In similar style, the FDA insisted for decades that "Mercury is not toxic." Both statements, as any sane person can readily conclude, are the outbursts of lunatics. Sadly, those lunatics somehow remain in charge of our nation's food, drugs and cosmetics (and dental care), meaning that any real progress to protect the People must come from outside the FDA.The lawsuit settlement was reached on Monday with several advocacy groups, including Moms Against Mercury, which had sought to have mercury fillings removed from the U.S. market. While the FDA previously said various studies showed no harm from mercury fillings, some consumer groups contend the fillings can trigger a range of health problems such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Mercury has been linked to brain and kidney damage at certain levels. Amalgams contain half mercury and half a combination of other metals

If it's good enough for rats!

If it's good enough for rats!

The following is an account of an interesting three-part experiment comparing the effects of raw foods versus cooked foods in rats. This account is taken from a book titled Goldot, by Lewis E. Cook, Jr. and Junko Yasui:"It has been found that a group of rats who were fed diets of raw vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains from birth grew into completely healthy specimens and never suffered from any disease. They were never ill. They grew rapidly, but never became fat, mated with enthusiasm, and had healthy offspring. They were always gently affectionate and playful and lived in perfect harmony with each other. Upon reaching an old age, equivalent to 80 years in humans, these rats were put to death and autopsied. At that advanced age, their organs, glands, tissues and all body processes appeared to be in perfect condition without any sign of aging or deterioration.A companion group of rats were fed a diet comparable to that of the average American and included white bread, cooked foods, meats, milk, salt, soft drinks, candies, cakes, vitamins and other supplements, medicines for their ailments, etc. During their lifetime, these rats became fat and from the earliest age, contracted most of the diseases of modern American society including colds, fever, pneumonia, poor vision, cataracts, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and many more.Most of this group died prematurely at early ages, but during their lifetime, most of them were vicious, snarling beasts, fighting with one another, stealing one another's food and attempting to kill each other. They had to be kept apart to prevent total destruction of the entire group. Their offspring were all sick and exhibited the same general characteristics as the parents.As this group of rats died one by one or in epidemics of various diseases, autopsies were performed revealing extensive degenerative conditions in every part of their bodies. All organs, glands, and tissues were affected, as were the skin, hair, blood, and nervous system. They were all truly total physical and nervous wrecks. The same conditions existed in the few which survived the full duration of the experiment.A third companion group of rats was fed the same diet as the second group to an age equivalent to about forty years in humans. They displayed the same general symptoms as the second group. They were sick and vicious so that they had to be separated to prevent them from killing each other and stealing one another's food. At the end of this initial period, all rats in this group then received the natural (raw) diet of the first group of rats. Within one month, the behavioral pattern had changed completely so that the now docile, affectionate, playful creatures were once again able to live together in a harmonious society and from this point on never suffered any illness.Several rats were put to death and autopsied at the end of the initial period revealing the same general deterioration as that exhibited in the second group of rats. However, the remaining rats lived out the full duration of the experiment, to the equivalent of 80 years in humans, and when they were autopsied there were no signs of aging or deterioration or disease just as those in the first group. The obvious disease, degeneration, and deterioration of body parts evident in their first half of life had been completely reversed and excellent health restored.The same principles apply to human life as there is only one Truth! Thus, it may be concluded that sick people may be restored to health simply by choosing the proper diet and observing the other rules of health. There is no mystery. There is no external force that will help –- all healing is accomplished within the body, by the body, in accordance with the laws of organic life and health."About the Author:Paul F. Eilers is an independent nutrition researcher and writer. His main interest is in cutting-edge nutrition that improves health and reverses illness. For further information, visit http://www.PaulsHealthBlog.com　

Toxic tunnels

WHAT MAKES YOUR BODY TOXIC?
Each year the average American consumes 150 lbs of sugar and 566 cans of soft drinks ("liquid candy") . According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that is equal to "52 teaspoonfuls of added sugars per person per day." Can you imagine yourself sitting at the kitchen table gobbling down 52 teaspoons of white sugar – every single day? Well, that’s exactly what most of us are doing without even realizing it! Junk food consumption has increased drastically in the last few decades. Compared to 1981, in 2001 the average American consumed in one year: 45 large bags of potato chips - up 78%; 120 orders of French fries - up 130%; 190 candy bars - up 80%; 120 pastries or desserts - up 95%; 150 slices of pizza - up 143% What long-term effects may we expect from such progressive dietary degeneration? A shocking movie called Super Size Me documents precisely what physical and psychological changes take place when one consumes too much junk food. Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock decided to become a human guinea pig by eating three meals a day for 30 days at McDonald’s. The film centers around the impact this had on his health and life. Scores of cheeseburgers, hundreds of fries and dozens of chocolate shakes later, the formerly strapping 6-foot-2 New Yorker - who started out at a healthy 185 pounds - had packed on 25 pounds. But his supersized shape was the least of his problems. Within a few days of beginning his drive-through diet, Spurlock, 33, was vomiting out the window of his car, and doctors who examined him were shocked at how rapidly Spurlock's entire body deteriorated junk foods and soft drinks contain dangerous additives, chemicals, and many are laced with excitotoxins such as MSG and aspartame. Excitotoxins are "substances added to foods and beverages that literally stimulate neurons to death, causing brain damage of varying degrees." No one’s put it better than nutritionist, Carol Simontacchi, in her best-selling book The Crazy Makers: "Food industries want only to destroy our bodies and our brains, all in the name of profit."
Our health has become a victim of someone else’s profit. No wonder nearly half of the U.S. population has at least one chronic condition, and 60 million have more than one.
Our modern unhealthy diet and lifestyle will first have a devastating effect on the colon, before damaging other organs. This is where the saying "death begins in the colon". Understanding that our quality of life is determined by our daily choices, we have the power to improve our health and well-being quickly and dramatically. Good nutrition is a key factor, but our health depends not only on what nutrients we eat, but how much of those nutrients are absorbed and how well and regularly the body’s waste products are eliminate
Any cleansing program should begin in the colon, the last portion of the digestive system. The colon’s job is to compact the chime, absorb water, and receive B-vitamins that are produced by healthy intestinal bacteria. One of the most renowned nutrition experts in the world, Dr. Bernard Jensen, D.C., Ph.D., author of many popular health books, states; "In the 50 years I’ve spent helping people to overcome illness, disability and disease, it has become crystal clear that poor bowel management lies at the root of most people’s health problems. It is the bowel that invariably has to be cared for first before any effective healing can take place. We could actually compare the function of the colon in our bodies to a sewer system in a large city. Just imagine for a second what would happen if the sewers in our area became clogged by some debris. Undoubtedly, within a short time the whole neighborhood would be filled with filth and an unbearable stench. This is the same process that occurs in our bodies when the elimination system is not functioning properly. When the colon is clean and healthy, we experience an overall well-being. When it is congested with stagnant waste, poisons back up into the system and pollute the inner environment. This is called autointoxication or self-poisoning. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing autointoxication (a process whereby you are poisoned by substances produced by your own body as a result of inadequate digestion and elimination); Allergy or intolerance to certain foods. Bad breath and foul-smelling gas and stools., constipation, diarrhea, sluggish elimination, irregular bowel movements, frequent congestion, colds, viruses, flatulence or gas and frequent intestinal disorders, frequent headaches for no apparent reason, general aches and pains that migrate from one place to another, intolerance to fatty foods, low energy; loss of vitality for no apparent reason, lower back pain, lowered resistance to infections, needing longer sleep time, pain in your liver or gall bladder, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), breast soreness, vaginal infections, skin problems; rashes, boils, acne. Every cell of our body is affected by self-poisoning. When the toxins accumulate in the nervous system, we feel irritable and depressed. We feel weak if they back up into the heart, bloated if they reach the stomach and our breath is foul if they reach the lungs. If the poisons try to escape through our skin, rashes and blotches develop, or we look pale and our skin appears wrinkly. If the toxins make it to the glands, we feel fatigued, lethargic, our sex drive may cease and we appear to look much older than our actual age. ~~What can we do?~~cut back on the junk, increase dietary fiber, water, and exercise!