Documentary: The Disappearing Male

Documentary: The Disappearing Male

August 31, 2013 | 76,180 views

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By Dr. Mercola

The chemical industry is only 100 years old, but in this short time they’ve created substances that may now be threatening human survival.

A handful of these chemicals are detailed in the film The Disappearing Male, which gives an educational glimpse into exactly why environmental chemicals, and particularly the gender-bending kind, are so detrimental.

It’s becoming quite clear that chemicals in the environment are prompting significant changes to animals, especially males, and that extends to human ‘animals’ as well.

Infertility Rates are Rising as Sperm Counts Drop

One couple in the film described the waiting room at their infertility clinic as similar to an emergency room – packed with lines extending down the hall. Infertility is more common than many think these days. An estimated 1 in 6 American couples struggle with getting pregnant each year1 and there's compelling evidence that hormone-disrupting environmental chemicals are partly to blame.

The problem with low sperm counts has become so severe that the World Health Organization has had to continually drop what’s considered a ‘normal’ sperm count to lower and lower levels over the last several decades, lest too many men be classified as infertile.

Chemicals that may disrupt sperm count and quality are pervasive in today's modern world. They lurk in personal care products, food containers, medical tubing, toys and more. Bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates are two of the most well known culprits.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA is a common ingredient in many plastics, including those in water bottles and children's toys, as well as the lining of most canned goods. It was recently discovered that even many cash register receipts contain this chemical. BPA is so pervasive it has been detected in the umbilical cord blood of 90 percent of newborn infants tested!

Recent studies have confirmed suspicions that BPA is affecting male fertility, primarily by reducing semen quality. One such study, which provides the first epidemiological evidence of an adverse effect on semen quality, was published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.2 The researchers found that higher urine levels of BPA were significantly associated with:

1. Decreased sperm concentration
2. Decreased total sperm count
3. Decreased sperm vitality
4. Decreased sperm motility

Compared with those who did not have detectable levels, the men with detectable levels of BPA had more than:

• Three times the risk of lowered sperm concentration and lower sperm vitality
• Four times the risk of lower sperm count
• Twice the risk of lower sperm motility

In women, BPA can also reduce chances of successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) by interfering with oocyte (immature egg cell) quality. Two recent studies attest to this. One found an inverse association between BPA concentration and normal fertilization,3 and the other found that "BPA was detected in the urine of the majority of women undergoing IVF, and was inversely associated with number of oocytes retrieved and peak estradiol levels."4

Phthalates

Phthalates are another group of chemicals that wreak havoc with reproductive health. Exposure to phthalates can lead to incomplete testicular descent in fetuses, reduced sperm counts, testicular atrophy or structural abnormality and inflammation in newborns.

Phthalates are commonly found in vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, nail polish, plastic bags, food packaging, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage bags, intravenous medical tubing, and more.

A 200% Increase in Male Genital Birth Defects

Gender-bending chemicals are the likely culprit behind a 200% increase in male genital birth defects in recent years, the film cited, highlighting one woman who believes her son’s undescended testes falls into this category.

Congress passed the Food Quality Protection Act in 1996, which required the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) to screen pesticides and other environmental chemicals for their potential to affect the endocrine systems of both animals and humans. According to the EPA:5

“In the 1990s, some scientists proposed that certain chemicals might be disrupting the endocrine systems of humans and wildlife. A variety of chemicals have been found to disrupt the endocrine systems of animals in laboratory studies, and compelling evidence shows that endocrine systems of certain fish and wildlife have been affected by chemical contaminants, resulting in developmental and reproductive problems.”

However, despite the fact that nearly two decades have passed since the beginning of the program, the market is literally flooded with chemicals that have the potential to wreak havoc on reproductive health, especially when exposure occurs in utero or during childhood (as is often the case).

The strongest evidence showing that exposure to environmental chemicals can lead to disruption of endocrine function comes from the bizarre changes seen in a number of wildlife species, such as male fish transforming into females; frogs developing a variety of defects like multiple testes or ovaries; and hermaphrodite bears, just to name a few.

The effects are being seen in humans as well. The endocrine-disrupting chemicals phthalates, for instance are linked to testicular atrophy or structural abnormality. In experiments on rats, phthalates have demonstrably blocked the action of fetal androgens, which affects gender development in male offspring, leading to undescended testes at birth and testicular tumors later in life.

Studies have also found that boys whose mothers had high phthalate exposures while pregnant were much more likely to have certain demasculinized traits and produce less testosterone.

The more a pregnant woman is exposed to high levels of phthalates, the greater the risk her son will have smaller genitals and incomplete testicular descent, leading to impaired reproductive development. The chemical also appears to make the overall genital tracts of boys slightly more feminine. It is believed that phthalates have these adverse effects because they reduce testosterone synthesis by interfering with an enzyme needed to produce the male hormone.

Even the Most Vulnerable Are Being Inundated with Gender-Bending Chemicals

Studies have shown that premature babies are exposed to extremely high concentrations of phthalates, which are widely used to make plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in medical tubing and other medical equipment. With each plastic tube that a newborn is hooked up to, the rate of phthalate exposure increases. And for those premature infants who spend weeks and months in the neonatal intensive care unit, the exposure levels can be extraordinary.

A report released by the nonprofit organization Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI) found that male infants exposed to phthalates through medical procedures are most at risk of suffering health effects.6 The phthalate di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, or DEHP, in particular, is raising concern because of research linking it to:

Disturbed lactation	"Decreased dysgenesis syndrome": A syndrome involving cryptorchidism (undescended testicles), hypospadias (birth defect in which opening of urethra is on the underside of the penis instead of at the end), oligospermia (low sperm count), and testicular cancer
Interference with sexual differentiation in utero	Enlarged prostate glands
Impaired ovulatory cycles and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)	Numerous hormonal disruptions
Early or delayed puberty	Breast cancer and uterine fibroids

A typical American comes in regular contact with some 6,000 chemicals and an untold number of potentially toxic substances on a less frequent basis. There are approximately 75,000 chemicals regularly manufactured and imported by US industries, so you could be exposed to any number of them. Disturbingly, most of them have never been adequately tested for safety for adults, let alone their impacts on the most vulnerable among us, our children.

The chemical industry has, in fact, resisted testing chemicals on developing bodies, as might occur when a fetus is exposed in utero, likely because they’d have trouble explaining away all the ill effects that are likely to be revealed. Furthermore, there is absolutely no toxicology research that takes into account the effects of multiple, simultaneous chemical exposures and their resultant synergistic toxicity, which is what actually happens to exposed populations in the real world.

The Chemical Industry Is One of the Most Powerful Lobbyists

Like the biotech, pharmaceutical and processed food industries, the chemical industry wields incredible power over Congress, and uses it to have bills passed in their favor – and regulatory violations overlooked. Perhaps that is why, despite the proven risks, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has denied a petition to ban BPA from food packaging. The FDA and most other US regulatory agencies are backed by pro-industry, pro-corporation advocates who often have massive conflicts of interest when it comes to protecting the health of the public.

In fact, the revolving door between private industry and government oversight agencies like the FDA is so well established these days, it has become business as usual to read about scandal, conflicts of interest and blatant pro-industry bias, even when it flies in the face of science or the law. The fact is, if you want to stay safe, you can’t depend on the FDA, the EPA or any other government agency; you’ve got to look out for yourself.

Protecting Yourself in a Chemically Driven World

No one knows what health consequences to this toxic chemical cocktail will cause to an adult, let alone a developing baby. Unfortunately, it is our future generations, and possibly the species as a whole, who will likely pay the heftiest price for this lack of safety concern, as an embryo and fetus develop at a much faster rate than adults.

While this development occurs, cell division and growth is rapid -- and these rapid changes provide many opportunities for mistakes to occur. It’s clear that boys appear to be at particular risk but, really, no one is safe. I encourage everyone with children or grandchildren to review Theo Colburn's Our Stolen Future, which is one of the BEST resources on this topic. Further, while you make the switch to remove and reduce chemicals around your home, remember that one of the ways to significantly reduce your toxic load is to pay careful attention to what you eat.

Organically-grown, biodynamic whole foods are really the key to success here, and, as an added bonus, when you eat right, you're also optimizing your body's natural detoxification system, which can help eliminate toxins your body encounters from other sources. Rather than compile an endless list of what you should avoid, it's far easier to focus on what you should do to lead a healthy lifestyle with as minimal a chemical exposure as possible:

1. As much as possible, buy and eat organic produce and organic free-range foods to reduce your exposure to pesticides and fertilizers.
2. Rather than eating conventional or farm-raised fish, which are often heavily contaminated with PCBs and mercury, supplement with a high-quality purified krill oil, or eat fish that is wild-caught and lab tested for purity.
3. Eat mostly raw, fresh foods, steering clear of processed, prepackaged foods of all kinds. This way you automatically avoid artificial food additives, including dangerous artificial sweeteners, food coloring and MSG.
4. Store your food and beverages in glass rather than plastic, and avoid using plastic wrap and canned foods (which are often lined with BPA-containing liners).
5. Have your tap water tested and, if contaminants are found, install an appropriate water filter on all your faucets (even those in your shower or bath).
6. Only use natural cleaning products in your home.
7. Switch over to natural brands of toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics. The Environmental Working Group has a great database7 to help you find personal care products that are free of phthalates and other potentially dangerous chemicals. I also offer one of the highest quality organic skin care lines, shampoo and conditioner, and body butter that are completely natural and safe.
8. Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances.
9. Replace your non-stick pots and pans with ceramic or glass cookware.
10. When redoing your home, look for "green," toxin-free alternatives in lieu of regular paint and vinyl floor coverings.
11. Replace your vinyl shower curtain with one made of fabric, or install a glass shower door. Most all flexible plastics, like shower curtains, contain dangerous plasticizers like phthalates.
12. Limit your use of drugs (prescription and over-the-counter) as much as possible. Drugs are chemicals too, and they will leave residues and accumulate in your body over time.
13. Avoid spraying pesticides around your home or insect repellants that contain DEET on your body. There are safe, effective and natural alternatives out there.

Vitamin C, Shingles, and Vaccination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, August 27, 2013 Vitamin C, Shingles, and Vaccination Opinion by Thomas E. Levy, MD, JD (OMNS Aug 27, 2013) The pharmaceutical industry, and many doctors, appear to be making great efforts by to get as many people as possible vaccinated against shingles. Even if such an intervention was highly effective in preventing shingles, which certainly has not been shown to be the case, the information below should make it clear that such vaccinations are unnecessary. The side effects that would be suffered by a significant number of individuals need never occur in the first place. The real problem is that what is discussed below generates relatively little income for anybody in the healthcare industry. Regardless, you need to decide for yourself. Shingles is an infection resulting from the varicella zoster virus, usually manifesting in areas supplied by spinal nerves, known as dermatomes. More commonly known in medical circles as Herpes zoster, the infection is typically characterized by a blistering skin rash of extraordinary pain for most individuals. The initial infection with the virus is usually remote from the shingles outbreak, typically occurring in childhood when chickenpox is contracted. For years the virus remains latent in nerve cell bodies or autonomic ganglia. It is when the virus, for unclear reasons, breaks out of these storage sites and travels down the nerve axons that shingles occurs. Left to itself along with mainstream therapies that include analgesics, antiviral agents like acyclovir, and corticosteroids, the rash will generally resolve in two to four weeks. The pain is generally lessened little by analgesics. Some unfortunate individuals can experience postherpetic neuralgia, a syndrome of residual nerve pain that can continue for months or years following a shingles outbreak. Treatment of Shingles with Vitamin C The clinical response of shingles to vitamin C therapy is decidedly different from its response to traditional therapies. While there are not many reports in the literature on vitamin C and shingles, the studies that do exist are striking. Frederick Klenner, MD, who pioneered the effective use of vitamin C in a wide variety of infections and toxin exposures, published the results of his vitamin C therapy on eight patients with shingles. He gave 2,000 to 3,000 mg of vitamin C by injection every 12 hours, supplemented by 1,000 mg in fruit juice by mouth every two hours. In seven of the eight patients treated in this manner, complete pain relief was reported within two hours of the first vitamin C injection. All patients received a total of five to seven vitamin C injections. Having had shingles myself years before I knew of the efficacy of vitamin C therapy, I can assert that this is nothing short of a stunning result on what is usually a painful and debilitating disease. Furthermore, the blisters on Dr. Klenner's patients were reported to begin healing rapidly, with complete resolution within the first 72 hours. As with other infectious conditions, Dr. Klenner hastened to add that treatment needed to continue for at least 72 hours, as recurrence could readily occur even when the initial response was positive. Dr. Klenner also found a similar regimen of vitamin C just as readily resolved the blistering lesions of chickenpox, with the recoveries usually complete in three to four days. Similar clinical response by chickenpox and shingles to vitamin C is further evidence, albeit indirect, that the chickenpox virus and the later appearing Herpes zoster virus are the same pathogen (Klenner, 1949 & 1974). Even before Dr. Klenner's observations were published, another researcher reported results just as astounding when measured against today's mainstream therapies. Dainow (1943) reported success with 14 shingles patients receiving vitamin C injections. In another study, complete resolution of shingles outbreaks was reported in 327 of 327 patients receiving vitamin C injections within the first 72 hours (Zureick, 1950). While all of this data on vitamin C and shingles is quite old, there is an internal consistency among the report in how the patients responded. Until further clinical trials are conducted, these results stand. They clearly show that vitamin C should be an integral part of any therapeutic approach used on a patient presenting with shingles. Vitamin C and Viruses Vitamin C has a general virus-inactivating effect, with herpes viruses being only one of many types of virus that vitamin C has neutralized in the test tube or has eradicated in an infected person (Levy, 2002). As with the inactivation seen with other viruses mixed with vitamin C in the test tube (in vitro), two early studies were consistent with the clinical results later seen with vitamin C in herpes infections. Vitamin C inactivated herpes viruses when mixed with them in the test tube (Holden and Resnick, 1936; Holden and Molloy, 1937). The most important factor in the treatment of any virus with vitamin C is to give enough, for a long enough period of time. Certain chronic viral syndromes do not promptly resolve with vitamin C administration, but there is yet to be an acute viral syndrome that vitamin C cannot resolve promptly, unless the patient already has extensive tissue/organ damage and is literally only moments away from death. Vitamin C therapy can never be considered a failure in an acute viral syndrome until multiple forms have been used in large doses together. While a majority of acute viral syndromes will rapidly resolve with properly-dosed vitamin C of any kind, resistant cases need to be subjected to a multi-pronged approach to vitamin C administration. Such a regimen can include, but not necessarily be limited to: 1,000 to 5,000 milligrams of liposome-encapsulated vitamin C orally daily Bowel tolerance doses of vitamin C as sodium ascorbate orally daily 1,000 to 3,000 mg daily of fat-soluble ascorbyl palmitate orally daily Intravenous vitamin C, 25,000 to 150,000 mg per infusion, depending on body size, as frequently as daily, depending on the severity of the infection Vitamin C accumulating inside viral particles can rapidly destroy viruses by that approach. The spike of the bacteriophage virus is laden with iron, and the focal Fenton reaction is probably how it penetrates its host cell membrane (Bartual et al., 2010; Yamashita et al., 2011; Browning et al., 2012). Viruses accumulate iron and copper, and these metals are also part of the surfaces of viruses (Samuni et al., 1983). As such, wherever the concentrations are the highest, vitamin C will focally upregulate the Fenton reaction, and irreversible viral damage will generally ensue. Fenton activity and its upregulation is the only really well-documented way by which viruses, pathogens, and also cancer cells can be killed by vitamin C, and it is the stimulation of this reaction by vitamin C that makes it therapeutically effective in resolving many infections and cancers (Vilcheze et al., 2013). Vitamin C helps resolve infections of all varieties, but its effect on acute viral syndromes are especially dramatic and prompt, and it should always be part of any treatment protocol for an infected patient. (Dr. Thomas Levy is a board-certified cardiologist as well as an attorney. He is the author of several books, including Curing the Incurable: Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, and Toxins.) References: 1. Bartual, S., J. Otero, C. Garcia-Doval, et al. (2010) Structure of the bacteriophage T4 long tail fiber receptor-binding tip. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107:20287-20292. PMID: 21041684 2. Browning, C., M. Shneider, V. Bowman, et al., (2012) Phage pierces the host cell membrane with the iron-loaded spike. Structure 20:326-339. PMID: 22325780 3. Dainow, I. (1943) Treatment of herpes zoster with vitamin C. Dermatologia 68:197-201. 4. Holden, M. and E. Molloy (1937) Further experiments on the inactivation of herpes virus by vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid). Journal of Immunology 33:251-257. 5. Holden, M. and R. Resnick (1936) The in vitro action of synthetic crystalline vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on herpes virus. Journal of Immunology 31:455-462. 6. Klenner, F. (1949) The treatment of poliomyelitis and other virus diseases with vitamin C. Southern Medicine & Surgery 111:209-214. PMID: 18147027 7. Klenner, F. (1974) Significance of high daily intake of ascorbic acid in preventive medicine. Journal of the International Academy of Preventive Medicine 1:45-69. 8. Levy, T. (2002) Curing the Incurable. Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, and Toxins. MedFox Publishing, Henderson, NV. 9. Samuni, A., J. Aronovitch, D. Godinger, et al. (1983) On the cytotoxicity of vitamin C and metal ions. A site-specific Fenton mechanism. European Journal of Biochemistry 137:119-124. PMID: 6317379 10. Vilcheze, C., T. Hartman, B. Weinrick, and W. Jacobs, Jr. (2013) Mycobacterium tuberculosis is extraordinarily sensitive to killing by a vitamin C-induced Fenton reaction. Nature Communications 4:1881. PMID: 23695675 11. Yamashita, E., A. Nakagawa, J. Takahashi, et al. (2011) The host-binding domain of the P2 phage tail spike reveals a trimeric iron-binding structure. Acta Crystallographica. Section F, Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications 67:837-841. PMID: 21821878 12. Zureick, M. (1950) Therapy of herpes and herpes zoster with intravenous vitamin C. Journal des Praticiens 64:586. PMID: 14908970 Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness. For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org Find a Doctor To locate an orthomolecular physician near you: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n09.shtml The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource. Editorial Review Board: Ian Brighthope, M.D. (Australia) Ralph K. Campbell, M.D. (USA) Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. (USA) Damien Downing, M.D. (United Kingdom) Dean Elledge, D.D.S., M.S. (USA) Michael Ellis, M.D. (Australia) Martin P. Gallagher, M.D., D.C. (USA) Michael Gonzalez, D.Sc., Ph.D. (Puerto Rico) William B. Grant, Ph.D. (USA) Michael Janson, M.D. (USA) Robert E. Jenkins, D.C. (USA) Bo H. Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sweden) Peter H. Lauda, M.D. (Austria) Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D. (USA) Stuart Lindsey, Pharm.D. (USA) Jorge R. Miranda-Massari, Pharm.D. (Puerto Rico) Karin Munsterhjelm-Ahumada, M.D. (Finland) Erik Paterson, M.D. (Canada) W. Todd Penberthy, Ph.D. (USA) Gert E. Schuitemaker, Ph.D. (Netherlands) Robert G. Smith, Ph.D. (USA) Jagan Nathan Vamanan, M.D. (India) Atsuo Yanagisawa, M.D., Ph.D. (Japan) Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D. (USA), Editor and contact person. Email: omns@orthomolecular.org This is a comments-only address; OMNS is unable to respond to individual reader emails. However, readers are encouraged to write in with their viewpoints. Reader comments become the property of OMNS and may or may not be used for publication. To Subscribe at no charge: http://www.orthomolecular.org/subscribe.html To Unsubscribe from this list: http://www.orthomolecular.org/unsubscribe.html

24 Apple Cider Vinegar Cures

24 Apple Cider Vinegar Cures24 Apple Cider Vinegar Cures

by Mike Barrett 

April 24th, 2012 

Updated 08/29/2013 at 9:34 am

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Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular home remedies for a number of conditions, and is often utilized as a powerful cure when common medical interventions offer no relief. It can even be used as a cleaning agent around the house. Health professionals have been utilizing apple cider vinegar to enhance lifestyle changes and target certain ailments for ages, and chances are one of these apple cider vinegar cures can help enhance your own life.

Just a Handful of Apple Cider Vinegar Cures – Treating 24 Issues Naturally

Here are just a few of many apple cider vinegar uses and apple cider vinegar cures:

• Acne - Apple cider vinegar is one of the popular home remedies for acne that has been circulated by alternative health professionals for quite some time. The reason why apple cider vinegar can help with acne has to do with how it naturally kills the bacteria that causes acne to grow. The best part? It can help with mild, moderate, or even severe acne cases.
  
  
  
  
• Hair Problems - Rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar after shampooing can help give your hair a beautiful and healthy luster and shine. It can also aid in certain hair problems like dandruff and hair loss.

• Acid Reflux – Acid reflux is one of the most common ailments to be cured using ACV. While probably surprising, acid reflux is actually caused by too little acid, not too much – which is what the vast majority of people believe. You may find your acid reflux diminished and soon vanished by simply ingesting apple cider vinegar as it says on the directions (1-2 teaspoons mixed with 8oz of water taken 3 times daily), but increasing the amount used from 1-2 teaspoons to as many as 5 teaspoons may prove to be more beneficial for you. Stay away from dangerous acid-reflux drugs called Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) as they are dangerous and unnecessary.

• Strep Throat – Strep throat seems to happen to all of us, but it stands no chance against the power of apple cider vinegar. Perhaps the most effective method for strep throat treatment, apple cider vinegar can help treat strep when you simply gargle with the liquid after it has been diluted in a glass of warm water. The amount of ACV used may vary from person to person, but using 1-3 teaspoons in 8oz of water may be enough.

• Sinus Infection - Apple cider vinegar is a hailed sinus infection treatment, with countless individuals attesting to the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar against the health issue. One of the most powerful ways to use ACV is to mix 8oz of warm water with 2 tbsp of ACV and 1 tbsp of honey. The sinus infection could vanish within just a few days.

• Nasal Congestion - Potassium can help decrease mucus production, and apple cider vinegar is full of it. Vinegar also contains acetic acid, which prevents bacteria growth—possibly even those that would cause nasal congestion. Try drinking several times a day, especially before bed: 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup of warm water, and 1 teaspoon of local honey.

• High Blood Pressure - High blood pressure is experienced by nearly 68 million adults in the United States alone — that’s 1 in 3 adults. But just a few tablespoons of ACV daily for 30 days can makes worlds of difference. People’s blood pressure has gone from 150/80 to 130/80 in just a month while taking 2 tablespoons of ACV a day. Many others have experienced the same scenario, and blood pressure medications are often chucked.

• Weight Loss - Apple cider vinegar can suppress your appetite, increase metabolism, aid in digestion, and reduce water retention – all of factors having to do with weight and weight loss. Over time, you should see improvement just from adding ACV to your daily diet.

• Open and Clean Pores - To clean your pores, soak cotton balls in apple cider vinegar and dab/place them on your face. This will help to clean your pores and improve skin health.

• Cellulite and Stretch Marks - Mix apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water and a bit of honey and rub on the areas needed, then rinse with warm water. It won’t get rid of your stretch marks for good, but it should help reduce their appearance.

• Foot Problems - Apple cider vinegar can also solve foot fungus problems, as well as athlete’s foot and foot odor. In order to reap the benefits, leave your feet in warm water with apple cider vinegar and allow to air dry.

• Hiccups – One 13-year-old girl with chronic hiccups found that a mixture of ACV and sugar was able to provide hiccup relief. Hiccups are often caused by either low stomach acid slowing the digestion of protein, fatty sugary foods slowing the stomach from emptying and encouraging fermentation, or eating too much. ACV can be a great solution for hiccups restoring the acid balance in the stomach and eases irritating spasms of the diaphragm. It also triggers nerves in your throat and mouth which are responsible for the hiccup reflex.

• Swimmers Ear - Apple cider vinegar is a great disinfectant. Create a mixture with rubbing alcohol and water for maximum effect and use it as an ear dropper. This is considered one of the best home remedies for swimmer’s ear because it acts faster than any other method.

• Common cold - ACV is a fantastic immune booster, protecting and strengthening your body against the common cold.

Of course there are other apple cider vinegar cures other than the ones listed above. Apple cider is truly a great home remedy since it is all natural and generally quite cheap. Make sure you buy high quality organic with the ‘mother’ when shopping for the right brand. You truly don’t want to miss out on the benefits of apple cider vinegar has to offer.

Apple Cider Vinegar Cures are Also Great for:

• Itching
• Bee stings
• Mosquito bites
• Detoxing
• High blood pressure
• Disinfecting wounds
• Warts
• Cough
• Diabetes
• Menstrual Cramps

Additional Sources:

Rodale

LiveStrong.com/article/113943

Tipnut

American Diabetes Association

hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb44.pdf

Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/apple-cider-vinegar-cures/#ixzz2dToGeik3 

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Natural Alternatives for Infection

36 Natural Alternatives for Infection

Posted on: Friday, July 6th 2012 at 5:00 am

Written By: Pat Robinson

Most people have issues with bacterial or viral infections from time to time. Unnecessary antibiotics ARE dangerous! Antibiotics damage the integrity of the microbial balance in the gut. The healthy gut microflora is 70-80% of the immune system. Impaired immune systems are less effective at healing the body.

Plant products have historically been consumed and utilized for their anti-microbial and health boosting benefits. Many plant materials are being researched for their therapeutic value for our immune health.

Here are 36 natural substances which have been studied to help to support our body's immune system to heal itself!

1. Manuka honey fights serious infection caused by MRSA
2. The inhalation of tea catechin appears to suppress MRSA infection in the elderly.
3. Tea tree topical preparations are superior to standard topical regimen for the clearance of MRSA colonization.
4. Garlic and tea have antibacterial activity against Klebsiella, as well as drug resistant strains of Saphylococci, Enterococci and Psedomonas aeruginosa.
5. Water extract of garlic has antimicrobical activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria and Candida species, and many other microbials.
6. The compound found within garlic known as allicin has antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
7. Probiotic therapy has therapeutic value in treating Klebsiella infection in children.
8. Susceptibility to ear disease in children may be a result of deficiencies of zinc and vitamin A.
9. Topical nanocrystalline silver dressing may provide an alternative treatment for MRSA infected wounds to oral antimicrobials.
10. Cranberry may reduce the risk of urinary tract infections by inhibiting biofilms in the bladder.
11. Probiotic strains from breast milk are superior to antibiotics in the treatment of infectious mastitis.
12. Honey may have a therapeutic role in treating refractory chronic rhinosinusitus.
13. Honeydew and manuka honey has strong antimicrobial activity against multi-drug resistant pathogens.
14. Cinnamon verum bark has the highest antimicrobial activity, particularly against antibiotic resistant strains, of 13 essential oils tested.
15. A number of plant oil extracts inhibit multi-resistant strains of bacteria and yeast.
16. Clove, guava and lemongrass exhibit the highest synergism rate with antimicrobial drugs.
17. Thyme and Eucalyptus oil have antibacterial activity against MRSA isolates.
18. Compounds isolated from Bay leaf have anti-MRSA activity.
19. The essential oil of dill and peppermint enhances the antimicrobial activity of nitrofurantoin against enterobacteria.
20. Grape seed extract has bactericidal effects on MRSA.
21. A combination of Citricidal (grapefruit seed extract) and geranium oil showed the greatest anti-bacterial effects against MRSA.
22. Rosemary has activity against drug-resistant bacterial and fungal pathogens.
23. Propolis exhibits antimicrobial effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to various antibiotics and some microorganisms.
24. Cumin essential oil exhibits anti-Klebsiella activity.
25. Green tea exhibits anti-MRSA activity.
26. Mango seed kernel extract may potentially be useful as an alternative therapeutic agent or an adjunctive therapy along with penicillin G in the treatment of MRSA infections.
27. Wormwood, tarragon and eucalyptus contain the compound pipertone which reduces antibiotic resistance against Enterobacter cloacae.
28. Alpinia galanga contains a compound with activity against multi-drug resistant bacteria.
29. Elecampane (Inula helenium) has potent antisaphylococcal activity, including against MRSA.
30. Lavender oil has antimicrobial activity against methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
31. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG inhibits invasion of cultured human respiratory cells by macrolide-resistant group A streptococci.
32. Lime has potent antibacterial activity against multiple drug resistant E. coli.
33. Nigella sativa has anti-bacterial activity against clinical isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
34. Nutmeg contains a compound with potent anti-biofilm activity against oral bacteria.
35. Olive leaf extract demonstrates antimicrobial activity against Campylobacter jejuni, Helicobacter pylori and Staphylococcus aureus [including meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)].
36. Cinnamon and Oregano, containing cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol, respectively, exhibit powerful antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-resistant strains of Campylobacter jejuni isolates.

Pat Robinson was in the medical industry for decades. She has invested over 10,000 hours learning about natural alternatives, reading hundreds and hundreds of medical research studies, and assisting thousands of people about holistic health issues.

Pat is passionate about sharing the amazing power of the body to heal itself.

Pat's Farmacy focuses on wellness promotion through whole food nutrition, so that you can Heal Thyself!

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of GreenMedInfo or its staff.

Certain antibiotic drugs cause permanent nerve damage. Here is what you need to know about the risks and what you can due to help your body heal naturally.

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By Dr. Brent Hunter

Posted Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 11:03am EDT

Keywords: antibiotic alternatives, antibiotics, black box warning, Cipro, FDA, nerve damage, Peripheral neuropathy, vitamin d, Wellness Achiever, Wellness Lifestyle

Certain antibiotic drugs cause permanent nerve damage. Here is what you need to know about the risks and what you can due to help your body heal naturally.

Black Box Warning: May Cause Permanent Nerve Damage

A certain class of antibiotics have been issued a new black box warning because they cause serious nerve damage. Black box warnings are the most serious and often deadly side effects of drugs that are literally outlined in a black box on the package insert. Fluoroquinolones, such as Cipro, Levaquin, and Floxin were prescribed to over 23 million people in 2011 alone. They are commonly prescribed for respiratory and urinary tract infection. These are relatively simple conditions that have many natural and safe treatment alternatives. However, antibiotics are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in America. Those hoping to find health from a pill are in for a very serious and very dangerous surprise.  These drugs cause peripheral neuropathy within a few days of starting the medication. The nerve damage may last for months or it may be permanent even when the drug is stopped. They do not cause this nerve damage in every person who takes them; however, you are playing Russian Roulette every time you take most prescription drugs. You may be the one who is permanently affected. Is it worth the risk simply for a possibly quicker recovery from an infection?

Peripheral Neuropathy Explained

Peripheral nerves are nerves that run from your spinal cord to every muscle and organ in your body. They are the lines of communication between your brain and the rest of your body. Neuropathy is a general term referring to nerve damage; nerves that no longer work properly.

While peripheral neuropathy is commonly diagnosed in the arms and legs because those areas are easier visualized, it also occurs in the nerves that control your organs. Pain and numbness are common early signs of peripheral neuropathy in the arms or legs. It then progresses as muscle problems such as weakness and loss of muscle control.

Ever wonder how something as simple as an antibiotic can cause death? One of the many ways is their effect on the autonomic nervous system – nerves controlling the organs that keep you alive. Peripheral neuropathy nerve damage affects these nerves as well. This causes problems with digestion, heart problems, breathing problems, and kidney and liver dysfunction. Ultimately, this can lead to death due to organ failure.

Other Side Effects of These Antibiotics

This particular class of antibiotics also carries another black box warning issued by the FDA in 2008. That warning was for sudden rupture of tendons, the tissue that connects your muscles to your bones. As if this two side effects are not enough, antibiotic drugs, like Cipro, have pages and pages of additional side effects from allergic skin reactions to deadly anaphylactic shock. Antibiotics also cause deafness in infants, children, and adults alike. Cipro causes sensitivity to sunlight that makes it difficult to be in direct sunlight. Of course, this reduces your body’s production of Vitamin D, further weakening your immune system, which allowed the infection to develop in the first place!  We could go on and on about the various, dangerous effects of antibiotic drugs. However, I think that we have already covered enough ways that they can kill you. See Drugs.com for more.

Healthy Alternatives to Antibiotics

If you have a bacterial infection, what can you do to heal without the potentially deadly side effects of antibiotic drug treatment?

1. Wait it out.

While most infections are not pleasant, they usually pass with few problems and no permanent damage.

• Side note: Your child’s pediatrician may have told you that certain infections may cause deafness in your infant child if not aggressively treated with antibiotics. The truth is that there is no research comparing the risks. There is, however, ample research documenting that aggressive antibiotic treatment does cause deafness in infants. The vast majority of cases of deafness associated with childhood illnesses are in those who were treated with high doses of antibiotics.

2. Get some sunshine.

Vitamin D is a strong immune system supporter. Adequate vitamin D levels are essential for a healthy immune system. Your body’s only natural source of vitamin D is sunshine. If you are in an environment where this is not possible, it is easy and inexpensive to supplement your diet with vitamin D3.

3. Eat more Antimicrobial foods.

Many foods are designed with the natural ability to kill off dangerous bacteria. These include Coconut products like coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut butter; raw, unpasteurized honey; and vegetables such as garlic, onions, and cabbage.

4. Eat fermented foods.

Raw, fermented foods, such as raw sauerkraut, raw pickles, and cultured vegetables contain probiotics that strengthen your body’s normal immune response.

5. Consume antimicrobial herbs and spices.

Many herbs and spices have antibacterial properties. A few antibacterial heroes in this category are turmeric, ginger, and chili peppers.

6. Exercise in short, quick bursts.

While an infection may cause you to feel tired and rundown, exercise – especially in short bursts – actually increases your energy levels and stimulates your immune system to speed natural healing.

7. See your chiropractor.

Stress on your nerves weakens your immune response drastically and increases your risk of most infections from UTIs to the flu. Receiving chiropractic adjustments regularly – especially when you are sick – removes this nerve stress and dramatically increases your rate of healing.

The best thing about these natural alternatives to antibiotics is that none of them will kill you and they will actually make you healthier!  Including all of these as part of a wellness lifestyle creates a strong, disease-proof body that has no need for antibiotic drugs.

Did you find this article helpful?

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Sources for this article include:

http://www.wellnessachiever.net

http://www.fda.gov

http://www.webmd.com

http://www.drugs.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Sugar Can Become Toxic

How Sugar Can Become Toxic

August 28, 2013 | 23,608 views

By Dr. Mercola

Mice fed a diet containing 25 percent sugar – the equivalent of three cans of soda daily – were twice as likely to die as mice fed a similar diet without sugar. 1

Such was the finding of a new 58-week University of Utah study, which once again highlights the early death sentence many Americans may receive for indulging far too often in this sweet treat.

While the mice did not display obvious signs of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, they were nonetheless significantly affected by the sugar. Male mice fed sugar were 26 percent less territorial and produced 25 percent fewer offspring, for example.

Said study author James Ruff in Time:2

“The [mice] are having fewer offspring because they are having a hard time competing, they’re less effective at foraging and raising young. That is due to lots of perturbations across their physiology.

Since most substances that are toxic in mice are also toxic in people, it’s likely that those underlying physical problems that cause those mice to have increased mortality are at play in people.”

A 19-Fold Increase in Sugar Consumption in Just Three Centuries

In Sugar Love: A Not so Sweet Story,3 author Rich Cohen chronicles the, often bloody, history of sugar and humans’ love affair with this sweet poison. One of the most noteworthy statistics is this: in 1700, the average Englishman ate four pounds of sugar a year.

This has increased steadily to reach 77 pounds of sugar annually for the average American today, which amounts to more than 22 teaspoons of added sugar daily.

And therein lies the problem. Consuming small amounts of sugar may not be a problem, but consuming sugar by the pound certainly is. As Dr. Richard Johnson, who was interviewed for the article, said:

“It seems like every time I study an illness and trace a path to the first cause, I find my way back to sugar. Why is it that one-third of adults [worldwide] have high blood pressure, when in 1900 only 5 percent had high blood pressure?

Why did 153 million people have diabetes in 1980, and now we’re up to 347 million? Why are more and more Americans obese? Sugar, we believe, is one of the culprits, if not the major culprit.”

This isn’t simply a matter of consuming ‘empty calories,’ either, as the American Heart Association would have you believe.

“It has nothing to do with its calories,” endocrinologist Robert Lustig stated. “Sugar is a poison by itself when consumed at high doses.”4

Why Calories from Sugar and Fructose May Increase Your Risk of Serious Disease

According to Dr. Lustig, fructose is "isocaloric but not isometabolic." This means you can have the same amount of calories from fructose or glucose, fructose and protein, or fructose and fat, but the metabolic effect will be entirely different despite the identical calorie count.

This is largely because different nutrients provoke different hormonal responses, and those hormonal responses determine, among other things, how much fat you accumulate.

Half of the sugar the average American consumes in a day is fructose, which is 300 percent more than the amount that will trigger biochemical havoc. And many Americans consume more than twice that amount! Thanks to the excellent work of researchers like Dr. Robert Lustig, as well as Dr. Richard Johnson, we now know that fructose:

• Is metabolized differently from glucose, with the majority being turned directly into fat.
• Tricks your body into gaining weight by fooling your metabolism, as it turns off your body's appetite-control system. Fructose does not appropriately stimulate insulin, which in turn does not suppress ghrelin (the "hunger hormone") and doesn't stimulate leptin (the "satiety hormone"), which together result in your eating more and developing insulin resistance.
• Rapidly leads to weight gain and abdominal obesity ("beer belly"), decreased HDL, increased LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated blood sugar, and high blood pressure—i.e., classic metabolic syndrome.
• Over time leads to insulin resistance, which is not only an underlying factor of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but also many cancers.

This is why the general rule that you can lose weight only by counting calories simply doesn't work. After fructose, other sugars and grains are likely the most excessively consumed foods that promote weight gain and chronic disease.

This also includes food items that are typically viewed as healthy, such as fruit juice or even large amounts of high-fructose fruits. What needs to be understood is that when consumed in large amounts, these items will also adversely affect your insulin, which is a crucially potent fat regulator.

So even drinking large amounts of fruit juice on a daily basis can contribute to weight gain... In short, you do not get fat because you eat too many calories and don't exercise enough. You get fat because you eat the wrong kind of calories. As long as you keep eating fructose and grains, you're programming your body to create and store fat.

The Fat Switch: Unveiling the Five Basic Truths That Can Help You Lose Weight

Dr. Johnson discovered the method that animals use to gain fat prior to times of food scarcity, which turned out to be a powerful adaptive benefit. His research showed that fructose activates a key enzyme, fructokinase, which in turn activates another enzyme that causes cells to accumulate fat. When this enzyme is blocked, fat cannot be stored in the cell.

Interestingly, this is the exact same "switch" animals use to fatten up in the fall and to burn fat during the winter. Fructose is the dietary ingredient that turns on this "switch," causing cells to accumulate fat, both in animals and in humans. His latest book, The Fat Switch, dispels many of the most pervasive myths relating to diet and obesity. There are five basic truths that Dr. Johnson explains in detail in the book that overturn current concepts:

1. Large portions of food and too little exercise are NOT solely responsible for why you are gaining weight
2. Metabolic Syndrome is actually a healthy adaptive condition that animals undergo to store fat to help them survive periods of famine. The problem is most all of us are always feasting and never undergo fasting. Our bodies have not adapted to this yet and as a result, this beneficial switch actually causes damage to contemporary man
3. Uric acid is increased by specific foods and causally contributes to obesity and insulin resistance
4. Fructose-containing sugars cause obesity not by calories but by turning on the ‘fat switch’
5. Effective treatment of obesity requires turning off your fat switch and improving the function of your cells' mitochondria

I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book, which is a useful tool for those struggling with their weight. Dietary sugar, and fructose in particular, is a significant "tripper of your fat switch," so understanding how sugars of all kinds affect your weight and health is imperative.

Is Any Amount of Sugar Safe?

Excess sugar consumption has been clearly linked to health problems like diabetes,5 heart attack6 and much more, so it’s likely that the less sugar you eat, the better, and this is particularly true when it comes to fructose. As a standard recommendation, I advise keeping your TOTAL fructose consumption below 25 grams per day. For most people, it would also be wise to limit your fructose from fruit to 15 grams or less, as you're virtually guaranteed to consume "hidden" sources of fructose if you drink beverages other than water and eat processed food.

Fifteen grams of fructose is not much -- it represents two bananas, one-third cup of raisins, or two Medjool dates. Remember, the average 12-ounce can of soda contains 40 grams of sugar, at least half of which is fructose, so one can of soda alone would exceed your daily allotment.  

I realize that there is a controversy over fructose from fruits. I believe that the average American will benefit from following these fructose restrictions, as many are seriously overweight. But for those who are fit and normal body weight, I suspect you could increase those levels significantly if the fructose is from WHOLE fruit, not juice, and not suffer any complications. More than likely you would receive health benefits from the phytonutrients in the fruit as long as you were fit and not overweight.

In his book, The Sugar Fix, Dr. Johnson includes detailed tables showing the content of fructose in different foods -- an information base that isn't readily available when you're trying to find out exactly how much fructose is in various foods. I encourage you to pick up a copy of this excellent resource. You can find an abbreviated listing of the fructose content of

Why Mammography Is Unscientific And Harmful

Why Mammography Is Unscientific And Harmful

Posted on: Wednesday, August 28th 2013 at 5:30 am

Written By: Rolf Hefti

Getting a mammogram seems like a "no-brainer." The diagnostic test detects, by emitting allegedly harmless ionizing radiation, breast cancer early, thus it prevents the premature demise of the patient. Yet, many solid scientific facts invalidate these, on the surface, seemingly legitimate, highly plausible notions or claims about the value of mammography.

Some "Inconvenient" Facts Women Should Know About Mammography

"The interaction with the unaccountable, self-regulating business called "modern medicine" is analogous to buying a used car from a stranger: you never really know what you're getting because of the things you're not being told. And what is not being disclosed can (seriously) hurt you."

(Rolf Hefti, in "The Mammogram Myth: The Independent Investigation Of Mammography The Medical Profession Doesn't Want You To Know About", 2013)

Would you (still) have mammograms if you knew that:

● many, if not most, "breast cancers" detected by screening with mammography are non-cancers;

● practically all non-cancers get treated with biopsies, surgery, radiation therapy, and other orthodox cancer treatments. That is, many essentially healthy women receive unnecessary treatments, therefore they get seriously injured -particularly because these treatments frequently induce secondary cancers;

● primary tumors tend to spread (metastasize) predominantly after a person received surgery, radiation or chemo therapy, and early detection of breast cancer by mammography increases the use of these invasive cancer treatments;

● early detection of breast cancer by mammography does not decrease (or only non-significantly) the mortality rate because the orthodox theories on cancer progression, from early to advanced stages, rest on flawed research and erroneous medical dogmas;

● mammography increases total mortality;

● a single mammogram can cause severe, complex DNA damage, the type of genetic injury that increases the risk of (breast) cancer;

● the lowest possible dose of ionizing radiation increases the risk of cancer, and medical x-rays are probably the principal cause of breast cancer;

● ionizing radiation doesn't merely cause genetic defects but induces other damaging, systemic cell-destabilizing disruptions and carcinogenic effects (which, however, are ignored by the medical profession in their assessment of the safety of x-rays);

● the claim that the low radiation exposure from mammograms is a "hypothetical" risk is derived from corrupted raw databases on irradiation (the corruption, i.e., "re-adjustment" of the data, entailed to hide the great toxicity of radiation (at low levels). This allows big corporate entities, such as the medical industry, to claim "officially" that low dose medical x-rays are a small, "speculative" or "negligent" risk);

● the highly influential pro-mammogram research studies that led to the global introduction of mammography are seriously flawed;

● the medical orthodoxy has a long history of denying the various real dangers of mammography and exaggerating the benefits of mammographic screening, respectively;

● an extensive, intricate web of politics, corruption and bias in science research, vested interests, incestuous interrelationships between the cancer industry and government authorities, and sociological factors obfuscate or hide the real facts about mammography from the public at large;

● you have a small chance of receiving a benefit but great odds of getting harmed?

All of the statements above are comprehensively referenced and discussed in my recently released (e)book The Mammogram Myth: The Independent Investigation Of Mammography The Medical Profession Doesn't Want You To Know About.

At http://www.TheMammogramMyth.com, I disclose some more compelling details about "The Mammogram Myth".

An (e)book Kindle version of "The Mammogram Myth" is available for purchase, for only $7.99, from Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EJWYG7S (non-affiliate link)

For an (e)book version in multiple formats (e.g., ePub, MOBI, PDF, HTML), at a one-time purchase ($7.99), go to Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/344427 (non-affiliate link)

Rolf Hefti is an independent health researcher and the author of "The Mammogram Myth: The Independent Investigation Of Mammography The Medical Profession Doesn't Want You To Know About". He is also the founder and editor of http://www.Supplements-And-Health.com where he publicizes his investigative findings, mostly for free. To get updates on the release of his latest articles, special reports, and other works sign up for his free newsletter at his site.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of GreenMedInfo or its staff.

The little food that carries the biggest club against disease

August 28, 2013 The little food that carries the biggest club against disease We are exposed to a multitude of stresses during our lives, from toxins, to lack of nutrition, to background radiation. Scientists use animal models to evaluate stresses that can harm us. Now, three new studies show how we can deal with these stressors with a tasty little food. In the first study, researchers fed berries to animals for two months. Then they exposed them to irradiation. This is a model of the ability of the brain to clear toxic accumulations (from radiation in this case). The researchers found that berries conferred significant protection compared to the controls. Berries stimulated a natural housekeeping process in their brains called autophagy, the ability to eat up accumulating toxic products. A second study published last year in the Annals of Neurology was huge. In this study, the researchers followed over 16,000 women from 1976 through 2001. They found that the women who ate plenty of blueberries and strawberries experience slower mental decline with age than women who consume fewer of the flavonoid-rich fruits. True, this was a survey study. But the results were quite in line with what I'd expect. Those reporting eating the most berries had delayed cognitive decline by up to 2.5 years. And a third study supported the benefits of berries on your heart. This one involved 93,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study. The researchers followed them beginning in 1991. Those with the highest intake of anthocyanins from berries enjoyed a stunning 32% reduction in heart attack risk, even after adjustment for body mass index, physical activity, saturated fat intake (not really a risk), and family history. The researchers found that the specific flavonoids found in berries, especially flavan-3-ol compounds, did the trick, as compared to other bioflavonoids. They zeroed in on anthocyanins rich foods: blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, black currants, and even eggplant (note the purple color). The flavonoids found in these foods are extraordinarily powerful. Dark chocolate also provides flavonoids of this class.

Okra (Lady Fingers) RAW for Diabetes etc.

Many people in the world are suffering from Diabetes. Here is an easy cure for diabetes. Lady finger a natural vegetable which can be used as a cure for diabetes. Instead of painful and expensive treatment available in the market

Lady Finger An Easy Cure For Diabetes

How To Control Diabetes From Lady Finger?

Here is the simple tip to control diabetes from lady finger. Take two or three lady fingers. Cut them from the centre and put them into the glass full with the water. Leave them for the full night. In the morning remove lady finger and drink the water before breakfast. Repeating the same process every day will help you to reduce your sugar level. This simple tips is better than many other painful treatments. Fresh lady finger is better than cooked one.

How Raw Lady Finger Can Help in curing Diabetes?

Low G.I Food:

the word G.I stands for Glycemic index. The person who is suffering from diabetes should take diet enriched in Glycemic index. Approximately 20 G.I is present in okra. That is very low. Diabetic patients can easily use Okra recipes as their meal to fill their stomach and also control their diabetic level.

Fight Kidney Diseases:

lady finger is also good to prevent your body from different kidney diseases. It is considered that high sugar level effect your both kidneys badly. So by taking okra daily will prevent your kidneys. Have an moderate amount of okra daily if you are a diabetic person.

Soluble Fibers:

Soluble fibers are very important to keep your kidneys healthy. They play their role in digestion of carbohydrates. Lady finger is enriched with soluble fibers. It slow down the digestion process and hence lower the sugar level in blood. These are some of the main reasons for you to select lady finger as a diet to control diabetes.

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5 Poison ‘Medicines’ Women Should Avoid and Replace with Natural Remedies

5 Poison ‘Medicines’ Women Should Avoid and Replace with Natural Remedies

by Christina Sarich 

July 1st, 2013 

Updated 08/27/2013 at 8:09 am

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While science is always developing, the western world is slow to alter its ways in the face of evidence pointing to the dangers or inefficiency of new medicine and realizations that old treatments could replace current medicines. Further, it is no different than some of the decisions we make with our health. Everyone could make some beneficial changes, and a woman’s well-being is often neglected especially due to hard-sticking health myths. Here are 5 ‘medicines’ that can easily be replaced with more natural alternatives:

1. Uva Ursi Instead of Antibiotoics

Antibiotics are already over-prescribed for many ailments, and they are causing bacteria to become stronger and more resistant to the prescription drugs that are often prescribed. Urinary tract infections are often stubborn and are primarily treated in allopathic medicine with more than one type of antibiotic. This type of infection can happen often in women, and is sometimes referred to as ‘the honeymooner’s disease.’

Uva Ursi, also known as bearberry, has been used for centuries as a natural diuretic and homeopathic treatment for ailments like urinary tract infections, bladder inflammation, and other inflammatory diseases primarily due to two chemical constituents: arbutin and hydroquinone. The herb is also full of antioxidants and has an astringent affect, so it naturally fights unwanted bacteria. Conversely, antibiotics disrupt the natural flora of the gut and wipe out all the good bacteria in the bladder and urethra so that persistent urinary tract infections are more likely to occur.

2. Chrysin in Passion Flower Extracts Instead of Breast Cancer Drugs

Many of the estrogen-stopping drugs found in aromatase-inhibitors made by the pharmaceutical companies can wreck havoc on a woman’s body. They are often used to treat breast cancer, but with prolonged use they cause liver inflammation and even cancer. Chrysin, a naturally occurring flavanoid in passion flower, has shown to effectively reduce inflammation which leads to this type of cancer through the Cox 2 pathway.

3. Stop Giving Your Baby BPA-Filled Teething Rings and use Baltic Amber Instead

While many baby teething rings are filled with BPA (biosphenal A), an industrial chemical which can adversely affect your baby’s brain and development, Baltic amber teething necklaces and rings made with real amber and not counterfeit are full of succinic acid. Baltic amber specifically has an 8% concentration of this beneficial natural compound. Amber found in the Baltic region has been used throughout Europe for centuries as a natural antibiotic and cure for numerous ailments.

4. Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps Instead of Medications that Harm the Endocrine System

There are two types of menstrual cramps: primary and secondary dysmenorrheal. They are both equally debilitating for millions of women. Instead of popping Midol like candy, try increasing your omega 3 fatty acids, eat more magnesium and try acupressure. These will all save endocrine system from producing more stress hormones, which can happen due to the high levels of caffeine in products like Midol. Overuse of Ibuprofin or aspirin can also adversely affect your gastrointestinal system. Check out our home remedies for menstrual cramps page for more natural alternatives.

5. Breathe, Meditate or Do Yoga Instead of Taking Anti-Depressants

A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association said that many medications like Paxil and Prozac were no more effective than a placebo pill, but they have a whole lot of unsavory side effects. If you are feeling blue, try taking a deep diaphragmatic breath, as suggested by a recent NPR program, meditate (it has been proven to be more effective at reducing pain than morphine) or do some yoga, which naturally relieves deep emotional and psychological tensions from the body.

Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/5-medicines-women-avoid-replace-natural-remedies/#ixzz2dBjMrb4H 

Follow us: @naturalsociety on Twitter | NaturalSociety on Facebook

New 3D Mammograms May Triple Your Radiation Exposure

New 3D Mammograms May Triple Your Radiation Exposure

August 27, 2013 | 11,083 views

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By Dr. Mercola

Breast cancer has become big business, and routine mammography is one of its primary profit centers. While mammograms are touted as the best way to prevent breast cancer death, studies suggest otherwise.

The fact that you are reading this article gives you an enormous advantage, as most women are unaware of the mounting research indicating routine mammograms harm far more women than they save.

Despite the facts, the industry is fighting tooth and nail to keep mammography alive by downplaying or outright ignoring its significant risks.

One of industry’s latest tactics is introducing a “new and improved” type of mammogram called 3D tomosynthesis, which is basically a CT scan for your breasts. Tomosynthesis is a clever re-branding of the status quo.

The multi-millions of dollars spent on creating these invasive machines could have been better utilized for educating women about cancer prevention; developing less dangerous technologies, such as ultrasound and infrared imaging; and inventing completely new and safer technologies.

3D Tomosynthesis: Three Steps Down on the Ladder of Progress

Two of the greatest mammogram risks are high radiation exposure and compression of breast tissue, which potentially causes cancer cells to spread. 3D tomosynthesis does not reduce or eliminate either of these risks!

In fact, with this “new and improved” technology, your radiation exposure is even greater than from standard mammograms—and by a significant margin. This is disturbing, as we know that all levels of ionizing radiation can cause cancer.

According to one study,1 annual screening using digital or screen-film mammography on women aged 40–80 years is associated with an induced cancer incidence and fatal breast cancer rate of 20–25 cases per 100,000 mammograms. Meaning, annual mammograms cause 20-25 cases of fatal cancer for every 100,000 women getting the test.

The 3D mammogram requires multiple views in order to achieve three-dimensionality, so it stands to reason your total radiation exposure would be considerably higher than from a standard 2D mammogram.

With mammography, each breast is X-rayed at least twice—once from top to bottom and once diagonally from the outside in. With tomosynthesis, the X-ray tube rotates around the breast. Twenty-five exposures are taken, with up to two pictures per second. Multiple images result in higher radiation exposure. But the picture gets even worse...

3D mammography is not a stand-alone diagnostic test—it’s typically an add-on to the standard mammogram. So, not only do these 3D images prolong your exposure to radiation, but if you’ve already had a regular mammogram, they further compound your risk. This is certainly NOT progress—it’s a huge step backward, making breast cancer screening even more dangerous than before.

3D Mammograms May Actually TRIPLE Your Radiation Dose

Just how much more radiation are you getting with these new 3D mammograms? There are different estimates in circulation, partly because some folks are not including the radiation exposure from the standard mammogram into the total. When you add the 2D and 3D scans together, utilizing tomosynthesis at least doubles your radiation exposure, and some estimates have your exposure tripling, such as this 2011 study published in Radiology Today,2 which states that:

"Because the digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) exam requires two additional exposures over a standard mammogram, the total radiation dose from the combined 2D and tomosynthesis examination is three times that of a standard mammogram."

The authors note that both scans (2D and 3D) are required because studies done prior to FDA approval failed to conclusively show better sensitivity of 3D alone, compared to 2D imaging.3 They also state that it’s too early to know how useful this new breast imaging technology will be. Some insurance companies—Aetna4 for one—have rejected it, citing “insufficient evidence of its effectiveness.”

The bottom line is, the industry reports tomosynthesis has 1.5 to 2 times the radiation dose. The FDA reports it has double the dose. And the radiologists, who are looking at total exposure, report triple the dose over conventional mammograms. You can see this comparison in a chart on page 8 of an FDA Executive Summary, “Average Glandular Dose per Breast.”5

Tomosynthesis is being touted by the industry as being particularly helpful for identifying cancer in women with dense breast tissue. However, these women already have a four to six times greater risk of developing breast cancer. Knowing that ionizing radiation is a direct cause of cancer, how can a test that triples your radiation exposure be of any benefit if you have potentially cancer-prone breasts to begin with?

Smarter CT Scanning of Kids Would Prevent Over 3,000 Childhood Cancers Each Year

Women are not the only ones being excessively irradiated with unnecessary medical scans. Children are receiving more CT scans than ever, and CTs expose them to much more radiation than standard X-rays. The average American child gets seven radiation scans by the age of 18. One CT scan exposes your child to 100 to 500 times more ionizing radiation than a standard X-ray. Your child’s growing body is even more sensitive to radiation than yours, being more likely to develop radiation-induced cancers, such as leukemia and cancers of the brain, lungs, thyroid and colon.

Previous studies have estimated that at least one-third of CT scans in children are medically unnecessary. How many children could be saved from cancer if these unnecessary CTs were eliminated and replaced with safer diagnostic tests? A team of researchers actually set out to answer this question. They calculated that smarter CT scanning of kids would prevent 3,020 children from developing radiation-induced cancers each year.6

Did You Know That 30 Percent of Breast Tumors Go Away on Their Own?

Getting back to breast cancer, it is important to realize that, if your immune system is healthy and strong, it’s capable of ridding your body of tumors—even cancerous ones. According to breast surgeon Susan Love of UCLA, at least 30 percent of tumors found on mammograms would go away if you did absolutely nothing.7 These tumors appear to be destined to stop growing on their own, shrink, and even go away completely. Nearly everyone has cancerous and pre-cancerous cells in their bodies by middle age, but not everyone develops cancer. The better you take care of your immune system, the better it will take care of you.

One way to strengthen your immune system is to minimize your exposure to mammograms and other sources of ionizing radiation, especially mega sources such as these new 3D scans and CTs. But you can also build up your immune system DAILY by making good diet and lifestyle choices.

Breast Cancer Prevention Strategies

Cancer screening does NOT equate to cancer prevention. Although early detection is important, using a screening method that in and of itself increases your risk of cancer is simply not good medicine. Preventing breast cancer is far more important and powerful than simply trying to detect it after it has already formed, which is why I want to share my top tips on how to help prevent this disease. The American Institute of Cancer Research estimated that about 40 percent of US breast cancer cases could be prevented if people made wiser lifestyle choices, and I believe that estimate is far too conservative.8, 9 Below are my top breast cancer prevention strategies.

• Avoid sugar, especially fructose. All forms of sugar are detrimental to health in general and promote cancer. Fructose, however, is clearly one of the most harmful and should be avoided as much as possible.
• Optimize your vitamin D Levels. Vitamin D influences virtually every cell in your body and is one of nature's most potent cancer fighters. Vitamin D is actually able to enter cancer cells and trigger apoptosis (cell death). If you have cancer, your vitamin D level should probably be between 70 and 100 ng/ml. Vitamin D works synergistically with every cancer treatment I'm aware of, with no adverse effects. I suggest you try watching my one-hour free lecture on vitamin D to learn more.
• Please consider joining one of GrassrootsHealth’s D*Action vitamin D studies to stay on top of your vitamin D performance. For more information, see my previous article "How Vitamin D Performance Testing Can Help You Optimize Your Health."
• Get Vitamin K2. Remember that if you opt for oral vitamin D3 supplements, you also need to increase your vitamin K2 intake, as vitamin D increases the need for K2 to function properly. See my previous article "What You Need to Know About Vitamin K2, D and Calcium" for more information.
• Get plenty of natural vitamin A. There is evidence vitamin A also plays a role in helping prevent breast cancer. It's best to obtain it from vitamin A-rich foods, rather than a supplement. Your best sources are organic egg yolks, raw butter, raw whole milk, and beef or chicken liver.
• Lymphatic breast massage can help enhance your body’s natural ability to eliminate cancerous toxins. This can be performed by a licensed therapist, or you can learn to do it yourself.
• Avoid charring your meats. Charcoal or flame-broiled meat is linked with increased breast cancer risk. Acrylamide—a carcinogen created when starchy foods are baked, roasted or fried—has been found to increase breast cancer risk as well.
• Avoid unfermented soy products. Unfermented soy is high in plant estrogens, or phytoestrogens, also known as isoflavones. In some studies, soy appears to work in concert with human estrogen to increase breast cell proliferation, which increases the chances for mutations and cancerous cells.
• Improve your insulin receptor sensitivity. The best way to do this is by avoiding sugar and grains and making sure you are exercising, especially with Peak Fitness.
• Maintain a healthy body weight. This will come naturally when you optimize your diet and exercise. It's important to lose excess body fat because fat produces estrogen. One of the most effective strategies I’ve found for this is intermittent fasting.
• Drink a half to whole quart of organic green vegetable juice daily. Please review my juicing instructions for more detailed information.
• Get plenty of high-quality animal-based omega-3 fats, such as krill oil. Omega-3 deficiency is a common underlying factor for cancer.
• Curcumin. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin in high concentrations shows immense therapeutic potential in preventing breast cancer metastasis.
• Avoid drinking alcohol, or at least limit your alcoholic drinks to one per day.
• Breastfeed exclusively for up to six months. Research shows breastfeeding can reduce your breast cancer risk.
• Avoid wearing underwire bras. There is a good deal of data that metal underwire bras can increase your breast cancer risk.
• Avoid electromagnetic fields as much as possible. Even electric blankets can increase your cancer risk.
• Avoid synthetic hormone replacement therapy. Breast cancer is an estrogen-related cancer, and according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer rates for women dropped in tandem with decreased use of hormone replacement therapy. (There are similar risks for younger women who use oral contraceptives. Birth control pills, which are also comprised of synthetic hormones, have been linked to cervical and breast cancers.)
• If you are experiencing excessive menopausal symptoms, you may want to consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy instead, which uses hormones that are molecularly identical to the ones your body produces and do not wreak havoc on your system. This is a much safer alternative. 
• Avoid BPA, phthalates, and other xenoestrogens. These are estrogen-like compounds that have been linked to breast cancer. An alarming new study about glyphosate (the active chemical in Roundup weed killer) found it to be highly estrogenic, driving breast cancer cell proliferation at extremely low exposures—in the parts-per-trillion range.10
• Make sure you're not iodine deficient, as there's compelling evidence linking iodine deficiency with breast cancer.
• Get enough sleep: Proper sleep is essential for optimal health, and it helps metabolize stress hormones better than any other known entity.
• Epsom salt baths (20 minutes, three times per week) are a simple, inexpensive way to get magnesium into your body.

Take Control of Your Health to Avoid Becoming a Statistic

Most women are unaware of the mounting research indicating routine mammograms harm far more women than they save. Many also don’t realize the “new and improved” 3D tomosynthesis mammogram actually ends up exposing them to more cancer-causing radiation than the older version.

Please understand that there are other screening options, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and you have a right to utilize them all. Also remember that in order to truly avoid breast cancer, you need to focus your attention on truly preventative strategies, which may necessitate your making some lifestyle changes.

Educating yourself is a major part of being proactive with your health. Peter C. Gotzche, MD of the Nordic Cochrane Centre recently published a groundbreaking book, Mammography Screening: Truth, Lies and Controversy.11 It offers a comprehensive take on the evidence, and a critical look at the scientific disputes and the information provided to women by governments and cancer charities. It also explains why mammography screening is unlikely to be effective today.