Sugared-up rats forget, research shows
Sydney - Putting rats on what Australian researchers called a cafeteria-style diet for less than a week caused irretrievable memory loss.
“We were surprised at how fast it was,” University of New South Wales pharmacologist Margaret Morris said on Tuesday.
“Within six days of the diet the animals performed less well on a spatial memory task.” Morris told national broadcaster ABC that sugar alone rather than the sugar-fat combination typical in poor diets might be the culprit. She said memory impairment was not reversed when the rodents were switched back to a healthy diet.
Rats fed fat, cakes, biscuits and a 10 percent sugar solution consumed five times more energy than those in the control group. They performed worse in memory tests than those on a healthy diet.
The memory loss was evident even before the rats put on weight. “We suspect these findings may be relevant to people,” Morris said.
In a study using human volunteers that was published by the Sydney researchers two years ago, people fed junk food for five days showed slower reaction times after five days than those in the control group.
The latest study, published in the journal Brain, Behaviour and Immunity, concluded that “relatively short exposures to diets rich in both fat and sugar, or rich in sugar, impair hippocampal-dependent place recognition memory prior to the emergence of weight differences.” - Sapa-dpa
Source: Sugared-up rats forget, research shows
‘Safe’ sugar levels toxic for mice
Paris - Sugar is toxic for mice in dosages that in humans would equal a “safe” diet that includes three cans of soda per day, scientists said on Tuesday.
Mice fed a diet in which sugar contributed a quarter of their daily calories did not become obese or ill, yet died younger and had fewer babies than animals on a healthy diet, said the team - raising red flags about “added sugar” levels some consider safe for humans.
“Added sugar” is a term used for the refined stuff that is added to sweet drinks, baked goods and candy rather than the natural sugars found in fruit, vegetables and milk products.
For their experiment, scientists in the United States split 156 mice into two groups - one fed a normal, healthy diet while the other had naturally-occurring carbohydrates comprising a quarter of their diet replaced by added sugar.
After 26 weeks, the two groups were placed together to live, compete and breed for a further 32 weeks, during which time all the mice were fed the same diet, said a study in the journal Nature Communications.
By the end of the experiment, 35 percent of the female mice fed the high-sugar diet died - double the 17-percent death rate for the other group.
Males on the sugary diet sired 25 percent fewer offspring than those on a healthier diet, and controlled 26 percent less territory.
“We have shown that levels of sugar that people typically consume - and that are considered safe by regulatory agencies - impair the health of mice,” said biologist James Ruff of the University of Utah, who co-authored the study.
He referred specifically to a recommendation of the US Institute of Medicine (IOM), which advises on American health policy, that added sugar be limited to 25 percent of energy intake - the level tested in the study.
The high-sugar mouse diet was meant to replicate the diet of between 13 and 25 percent of Americans - in which three cans of soda or its equivalent in “added sugar” contribute more than 400 calories or about a quarter of daily calories.
“In the end, we have to ask ourselves the question - if it makes a mouse sick do we want it in our bodies?” said Ruff.
The study claims to show the lowest level yet of sugar consumption to adversely affect mammalian health - previous research had used concentrations much higher than realistic equivalent human doses.
Despite differences in mortality and procreation success, there was no measurable difference between the obesity or blood sugar levels of the two groups of mice, the team added.
This implied that “sugar consumption could be harming people even if they are of healthy weight and have normal blood measurements at their doctor's office,” Ruff told AFP.
The World Health Organisation recommends an added sugar limit of 10 percent of daily calorie intake, while the American Heart Association advises women to limit their added sugar to 100 calories per day, about six teaspoons of sugar, and men to 150 calories or 9 teaspoons.
Sugar consumption in the American diet had increased by 50 percent since the 1970s, accompanied by a dramatic rise in diabetes, obesity and heart disease, said the study authors.
Previous research had shown the average American to be consuming about 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day, some 355 calories.
“I have reduced refined sugar intake and encouraged my family to do the same,” said the study's senior author Wayne Potts.
The team insisted the wild mice used in the experiment were an “excellent” animal model for human diet tests, having closely adapted to our diet since the advent of agriculture about 10 000 years ago.
One critic, however, said the ratio of sugar was higher than that ingested by most people, in Britain at any rate.
Food studies in the UK have pointed to an average sugar intake of 11 percent of total calories, as high as 17 percent among children in low-income homes - “far less than the amount of sugar given to these mice,” said Catherine Collins, principal dietitian at St George's Hospital in London.
“It is an interesting piece of work on sugar that doesn't really translate to the diet of an average UK child or adult,” she said.
The IOM declined to comment. - Sapa-AFP
Source: ‘Safe’ sugar levels toxic for mice
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Warning: Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics May Cause Permanent Nerve Damage
By Dr. Mercola
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning that fluoroquinolone antibiotics, taken by mouth or injection, carry a risk for permanent peripheral neuropathy. The safety announcement states:1
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs be updated to better describe the serious side effect of peripheral neuropathy.
This serious nerve damage potentially caused by fluoroquinolones may occur soon after these drugs are taken and may be permanent... The topical formulations of fluoroquinolones, applied to the ears or eyes, are not known to be associated with this risk.
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the arms and/or legs, characterized by “pain, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, or a change in sensation to light touch, pain or temperature, or sense of body position.”
This is not the first warning FDA has posted about this family of antibacterial drugs. In 2008, they posted a black box warning about severe tendon damage. Now having the additional warning for severe and sometimes-permanent nerve damage, there should be NO question in your mind about the danger of these drugs, and I strongly recommend avoiding them if at all possible.
Just Say “Know”
Fluoroquinolones, a class of synthetic antibacterial drugs, are the only types that directly inhibit bacterial DNA synthesis. Several drugs in this class have been taken off the market due to their deadly adverse effects, but six of them remain FDA-approved for use in the United States:
Due to their tremendous health risks, fluoroquinolones should be reserved for treating serious bacterial infections that won’t respond to any other treatment, when the patient is made fully aware of the potential for serious adverse events. Instead, they’re often inappropriately prescribed for mild conditions like sinus, urinary tract and ear infections.
In fact, fluoroquinolones are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the United States. I highly recommend you take pause before filling a prescription for these drugs, especially if you have a “routine infection” that has not been treated by other agents that have a safer side effect profile.
You should not expose yourself to this degree of risk unnecessarily! The dangerousness of fluoroquinolones definitely warrants some serious discourse with your health care provider about whether they are really necessary, versus safer treatment options.
Fluoridated Pharmaceuticals Can Be Extremely Damaging to Your Nervous System
Fluoroquinolones may be the deadliest antibiotics on the market. Besides nerve damage, they have been associated with damage to other body systems, including your musculoskeletal system, eyes and kidneys. What makes these particular drugs so hazardous?
It has to do with the fact that fluoroquinolones are antibiotics whose potency has been “kicked up” by the addition of a fluoride molecule. Fluoride increases permeability into hard-to-penetrate tissues, such as your brain.
Fluoroquinolones are quinolones with fluoride molecules attached—so they penetrate your blood-brain barrier. This ability to penetrate sensitive tissues is what makes fluoride such a potent neurotoxin, able to get into your brain and damage your central nervous system.
In terms of peripheral neuropathy, the FDA was not exactly quick to take action. Twelve years ago Dr. Jay Cohen documented the following fluoroquinolone-related reactions, and as you can see, nervous system problems topped the list.2 Yet it took more than a decade—and many destroyed lives—for the FDA to take action.
Levaquin, the best-selling antibiotic in 2010, actually faces thousands of lawsuits per year from people who have been seriously harmed by taking it. The serious reactions reported from Levaquin include:
Fluoroquinolones Destroy Collagen
Animal studies have shown that fluoroquinolones are directly toxic to collagen synthesis and promote collagen degradation.4 Fluoride disrupts collagen synthesis, which may be part of the reason that fluoridated pharmaceuticals can damage your muscles, tendons, cartilage, ligaments and other structures.
The fluoroquinolones seem to have an especially detrimental effect on your musculoskeletal system, presumably related to this adverse effect on collagen, which can lead to tendon damage and actual tendon ruptures. This resulted in the FDA’s issuing of a black box warning about tendon damage in 2008.5 Fluoroquinolones are not the only drugs “suped up” by the addition of a fluoride molecule. Prozac (fluoxetine), Prevacid, Baycol, and Dalmane (flurazepam) are also fluorinated.6
If you or someone you love are placed on these dangerous antibiotics, for whatever reason, one of the ways you can compensate for this toxicity is by taking magnesium. It likely binds to the drugs and prevents it from causing the collagen damage. In fact animal studies have shown that magnesium deficient animals can develop similar damage to those exposed to fluroquinolone drugs. Lack of extracellular magnesium impairs the function of integrins which are transmembrane proteins that connect the cells to the extracellular matrix proteins which provide the functional strength for collagen.
Are We Heading for Even MORE FDA Warnings?
Two other recent studies may foreshadow even more warnings about fluoroquinolones, in terms of liver toxicity and greater risks for people with diabetes. Are we nearing the time when these drugs should be yanked off pharmacy shelves altogether, rather than just receiving more warnings on their labels?
Moxifloxacin and levofloxacin were found to increase the risk for acute liver toxicity in people age 66 and up. The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in August 2012. The authors recommended FDA consider regulatory warnings regarding acute liver toxicity.
Oral fluoroquinolones cause an increased risk of dysglycemia (high blood sugar or low blood sugar reactions) for those with diabetes, according to a study in the August 14, 2013 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases
Read the rest of Dr.Mercola's article HERE
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/25/fluoroquinolone-antibiotics.aspx
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning that fluoroquinolone antibiotics, taken by mouth or injection, carry a risk for permanent peripheral neuropathy. The safety announcement states:1
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs be updated to better describe the serious side effect of peripheral neuropathy.
This serious nerve damage potentially caused by fluoroquinolones may occur soon after these drugs are taken and may be permanent... The topical formulations of fluoroquinolones, applied to the ears or eyes, are not known to be associated with this risk.
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the arms and/or legs, characterized by “pain, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, or a change in sensation to light touch, pain or temperature, or sense of body position.”
This is not the first warning FDA has posted about this family of antibacterial drugs. In 2008, they posted a black box warning about severe tendon damage. Now having the additional warning for severe and sometimes-permanent nerve damage, there should be NO question in your mind about the danger of these drugs, and I strongly recommend avoiding them if at all possible.
Just Say “Know”
Fluoroquinolones, a class of synthetic antibacterial drugs, are the only types that directly inhibit bacterial DNA synthesis. Several drugs in this class have been taken off the market due to their deadly adverse effects, but six of them remain FDA-approved for use in the United States:
Due to their tremendous health risks, fluoroquinolones should be reserved for treating serious bacterial infections that won’t respond to any other treatment, when the patient is made fully aware of the potential for serious adverse events. Instead, they’re often inappropriately prescribed for mild conditions like sinus, urinary tract and ear infections.
In fact, fluoroquinolones are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the United States. I highly recommend you take pause before filling a prescription for these drugs, especially if you have a “routine infection” that has not been treated by other agents that have a safer side effect profile.
You should not expose yourself to this degree of risk unnecessarily! The dangerousness of fluoroquinolones definitely warrants some serious discourse with your health care provider about whether they are really necessary, versus safer treatment options.
Fluoridated Pharmaceuticals Can Be Extremely Damaging to Your Nervous System
Fluoroquinolones may be the deadliest antibiotics on the market. Besides nerve damage, they have been associated with damage to other body systems, including your musculoskeletal system, eyes and kidneys. What makes these particular drugs so hazardous?
It has to do with the fact that fluoroquinolones are antibiotics whose potency has been “kicked up” by the addition of a fluoride molecule. Fluoride increases permeability into hard-to-penetrate tissues, such as your brain.
Fluoroquinolones are quinolones with fluoride molecules attached—so they penetrate your blood-brain barrier. This ability to penetrate sensitive tissues is what makes fluoride such a potent neurotoxin, able to get into your brain and damage your central nervous system.
In terms of peripheral neuropathy, the FDA was not exactly quick to take action. Twelve years ago Dr. Jay Cohen documented the following fluoroquinolone-related reactions, and as you can see, nervous system problems topped the list.2 Yet it took more than a decade—and many destroyed lives—for the FDA to take action.
Levaquin, the best-selling antibiotic in 2010, actually faces thousands of lawsuits per year from people who have been seriously harmed by taking it. The serious reactions reported from Levaquin include:
Fluoroquinolones Destroy Collagen
Animal studies have shown that fluoroquinolones are directly toxic to collagen synthesis and promote collagen degradation.4 Fluoride disrupts collagen synthesis, which may be part of the reason that fluoridated pharmaceuticals can damage your muscles, tendons, cartilage, ligaments and other structures.
The fluoroquinolones seem to have an especially detrimental effect on your musculoskeletal system, presumably related to this adverse effect on collagen, which can lead to tendon damage and actual tendon ruptures. This resulted in the FDA’s issuing of a black box warning about tendon damage in 2008.5 Fluoroquinolones are not the only drugs “suped up” by the addition of a fluoride molecule. Prozac (fluoxetine), Prevacid, Baycol, and Dalmane (flurazepam) are also fluorinated.6
If you or someone you love are placed on these dangerous antibiotics, for whatever reason, one of the ways you can compensate for this toxicity is by taking magnesium. It likely binds to the drugs and prevents it from causing the collagen damage. In fact animal studies have shown that magnesium deficient animals can develop similar damage to those exposed to fluroquinolone drugs. Lack of extracellular magnesium impairs the function of integrins which are transmembrane proteins that connect the cells to the extracellular matrix proteins which provide the functional strength for collagen.
Are We Heading for Even MORE FDA Warnings?
Two other recent studies may foreshadow even more warnings about fluoroquinolones, in terms of liver toxicity and greater risks for people with diabetes. Are we nearing the time when these drugs should be yanked off pharmacy shelves altogether, rather than just receiving more warnings on their labels?
Moxifloxacin and levofloxacin were found to increase the risk for acute liver toxicity in people age 66 and up. The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in August 2012. The authors recommended FDA consider regulatory warnings regarding acute liver toxicity.
Oral fluoroquinolones cause an increased risk of dysglycemia (high blood sugar or low blood sugar reactions) for those with diabetes, according to a study in the August 14, 2013 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases
Read the rest of Dr.Mercola's article HERE
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/25/fluoroquinolone-antibiotics.aspx
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
12 mistakes even good doctors make
By Daily Mail
London - General practitioners act as the gatekeepers when it comes to our health – they decide whether they should treat you or whether you need specialist attention. It is a challenging role, since a family doctor needs some understanding of a broad range of physical and psychological conditions.
With even specialists overwhelmed by the rate of medical developments, are there ways GP care could be improved?
Urologist Chris Eden said: “I struggle to remain current with the latest research in prostate cancer and can’t imagine trying to keep abreast of advances in all specialities.”
We ask some of the UK’s leading medical specialists to identify how doctors could enhance the care they provide.
Faulty heartbeat
Dr Glyn Thomas, a cardiologist at the Bristol Heart Institute, said: “People who suffer with atrial fibrillation – irregular heart rhythm – are five times more likely to have a stroke; and those strokes are also more likely to be fatal.
“Atrial fibrillation patients should be prescribed an anticoagulant such as warfarin to prevent the blood clotting.
“GPs often prescribe aspirin instead because they fear the risk of internal bleeding. This is nonsense. Not only does aspirin carry the same risks of bleeding, it’s ineffective as an anticoagulant.
“Warfarin reduces the risk of stroke by 64 percent; aspirin reduces it by 0 percent. The bleeding risk is the same.”
‘Warfarin does need careful monitoring, which perhaps is why GPs might not prescribe it, but I think the main reason is they are concerned, wrongly, about excess bleeding.”
Abdominal pain
Dr Peter Fairclough, Harley Street consultant gastroenterologist, said: “I see patients needlessly referred after an attack of upper abdominal pain, which their GP says is gastritis. They recommend investigation with an endoscopy.
“These patients have gallstones. They won’t be picked up through an endoscopy but with blood tests or ultrasound.”
Bloated stomach
Professor Gordon Jayson, oncologist and ovarian cancer specialist at The Christie Hospital in Manchester, said: “GPs need to listen carefully when a women in her 50s complains of abdominal pain and bloating. It’s easy to think it’s IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) – and in most cases, it will be.
“But the symptoms could be those of ovarian cancer. The difference is that whereas IBS pain will come and go, the pain from ovarian cancer will be progressive and constant.
“If it’s the latter, a GP needs to do a blood test for the chemical CA125.
“If it’s caught early, 95 percent of cases are treatable.”
“For a GP with only a few minutes to make a diagnosis, IBS is going to be faster and a far more likely diagnosis than ovarian cancer. A study by Target Ovarian Cancer found four in five GPs wrongly thought women with early-stage ovarian cancer had no symptoms.”
Migraine
Dr Andrew Dowson, director of headache services at King’s College Hospital, London, said: “Many GPs will miss a diagnosis of migraine as they think this type of headache has to have an aura preceding an attack, but only one in 10 patients has an aura and only 40 percent of these will get them all the time.
“A GP needs to recognise the other main symptoms such as one-sided throbbing, nausea or light and sound sensitivity.”
Eczema
Andrew Wright, dermatology professor at the University of Bradford, said: “The routine seems to involve the GP having a quick look, then prescribing a cream, but little direction is given about how much to use. A 30g tube may be given with a request to come back in two weeks if there’s no improvement.
“The patient thinks the cream must last two weeks, under-treats themselves, the eczema gets worse, they go back to the GP, who refers them to a specialist.
“If GPs could give proper direction, it would save us all a lot of time.
“GPs also shouldn’t prescribe aqueous cream – not even to wash with. It’s incredibly damaging to skin, especially children’s.”
“As a consequence, it breaks the skin down, making eczema worse. Very worryingly, many people are still given it as a moisturiser as it’s the cheapest option.
“Research has shown more than half of children who used it suffered an immediate bad reaction, such as stinging.”
Blocked nose
Henry Sharpe, a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon at East Kent Hospital, said: “About 5.2 million people see their GP with a blocked nose. Many will be given antibiotics or nasal spray on the assumption that the cause is congestion.
“But a blocked nose can be anything from complications of a deviated septum to polyps.
“I’d like to see referrals to an ENT department if the congestion goes on for over a month. Antibiotics won’t work if it is not a bacterial infection; steroid sprays can have side-effects.”
Shoulder pain
Professor Tony Kochhar, shoulder surgeon at South London Healthcare NHS Trust and BMI The Sloane Hospital, said: “GPs should refer patients with shoulder pain for an ultrasound scan before any other treatment.
“The anatomy of the shoulder is so complex. It’s very hard for a GP to find the cause.
“If there is a tear, and a GP sends the patient for physiotherapy – where they’ll often be told to work through the pain – that tear can get worse.”
Mucus in throat
John Rubin, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in London, said: “I see a lot of patients who have suffered with a post-nasal drip and whose GP has referred them. In fact, it could be something as simple as acid reflux. So rather than referring to a specialist, I’d like GPs first to try a frontline treatment, such as Gaviscon.”
Painful joints
Dr Andrew Bamji, a rheumatologist at Chelsfield Park Hospital, Orpington, said: “Patients with rheumatoid arthritis do much better if they are referred quickly, within four weeks of diagnosis.
“I’d like to see GPs do better at spotting signs of the disease at its early stages – swelling with the joint pain, morning stiffness and generally feeling under the weather.
“And one red flag, which can get missed, is anaemia. Eight out of 10 sufferers have this.”
Swollen leg
Eddie Chaloner, consultant vascular surgeon at Lewisham Hospital, says: “Patients with a swollen leg are often given antibiotics because they’re told they have an infection. It’s usually superficial phlebitis – where a vein becomes inflamed and a blood clot forms.
“Usually it goes away on its own. Antibiotics wouldn’t have any effect.
“If there hasn’t been any recent wound or surgery and there’s no pus, infection is unlikely to be the cause.”
Middle-aged spread
Christopher Eden, a urologist and prostate cancer specialist at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, said: “Many GPs will advise overweight men in their 40s and older to have a cholesterol test. But men in this bracket are also at risk of prostate cancer, so I wish GPs would offer them a PSA test, too.”
Hearing loss
Dr Myles Black, an ear, nose and throat and thyroid surgeon at East Kent University Hospital, said: “GPs sometimes dismiss sudden hearing loss as ear wax or fluid from an ear infection or cold when it could be caused by sensorineural hearing loss, which requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent hearing loss.
“What distinguishes sensorineural hearing loss from the blocked-up feeling you get with a cold is that the hearing disappears completely, usually in one ear. With a cold, that hearing may just be muffled.
“Sensorineural hearing loss – caused when a cold, virus or infection travels to the inner ear – needs speedy treatment with steroids and it worries me that patients could be needlessly losing their hearing because GPs don’t get enough training at medical school to diagnose sensorineural hearing loss.
“Yet it can be picked up easily using a tuning fork.”’ (This is placed on the forehead and, if hearing is normal, the sound will be heard equally in both ears.)
Source: Daily Mail
London - General practitioners act as the gatekeepers when it comes to our health – they decide whether they should treat you or whether you need specialist attention. It is a challenging role, since a family doctor needs some understanding of a broad range of physical and psychological conditions.
With even specialists overwhelmed by the rate of medical developments, are there ways GP care could be improved?
Urologist Chris Eden said: “I struggle to remain current with the latest research in prostate cancer and can’t imagine trying to keep abreast of advances in all specialities.”
We ask some of the UK’s leading medical specialists to identify how doctors could enhance the care they provide.
Faulty heartbeat
Dr Glyn Thomas, a cardiologist at the Bristol Heart Institute, said: “People who suffer with atrial fibrillation – irregular heart rhythm – are five times more likely to have a stroke; and those strokes are also more likely to be fatal.
“Atrial fibrillation patients should be prescribed an anticoagulant such as warfarin to prevent the blood clotting.
“GPs often prescribe aspirin instead because they fear the risk of internal bleeding. This is nonsense. Not only does aspirin carry the same risks of bleeding, it’s ineffective as an anticoagulant.
“Warfarin reduces the risk of stroke by 64 percent; aspirin reduces it by 0 percent. The bleeding risk is the same.”
‘Warfarin does need careful monitoring, which perhaps is why GPs might not prescribe it, but I think the main reason is they are concerned, wrongly, about excess bleeding.”
Abdominal pain
Dr Peter Fairclough, Harley Street consultant gastroenterologist, said: “I see patients needlessly referred after an attack of upper abdominal pain, which their GP says is gastritis. They recommend investigation with an endoscopy.
“These patients have gallstones. They won’t be picked up through an endoscopy but with blood tests or ultrasound.”
Bloated stomach
Professor Gordon Jayson, oncologist and ovarian cancer specialist at The Christie Hospital in Manchester, said: “GPs need to listen carefully when a women in her 50s complains of abdominal pain and bloating. It’s easy to think it’s IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) – and in most cases, it will be.
“But the symptoms could be those of ovarian cancer. The difference is that whereas IBS pain will come and go, the pain from ovarian cancer will be progressive and constant.
“If it’s the latter, a GP needs to do a blood test for the chemical CA125.
“If it’s caught early, 95 percent of cases are treatable.”
“For a GP with only a few minutes to make a diagnosis, IBS is going to be faster and a far more likely diagnosis than ovarian cancer. A study by Target Ovarian Cancer found four in five GPs wrongly thought women with early-stage ovarian cancer had no symptoms.”
Migraine
Dr Andrew Dowson, director of headache services at King’s College Hospital, London, said: “Many GPs will miss a diagnosis of migraine as they think this type of headache has to have an aura preceding an attack, but only one in 10 patients has an aura and only 40 percent of these will get them all the time.
“A GP needs to recognise the other main symptoms such as one-sided throbbing, nausea or light and sound sensitivity.”
Eczema
Andrew Wright, dermatology professor at the University of Bradford, said: “The routine seems to involve the GP having a quick look, then prescribing a cream, but little direction is given about how much to use. A 30g tube may be given with a request to come back in two weeks if there’s no improvement.
“The patient thinks the cream must last two weeks, under-treats themselves, the eczema gets worse, they go back to the GP, who refers them to a specialist.
“If GPs could give proper direction, it would save us all a lot of time.
“GPs also shouldn’t prescribe aqueous cream – not even to wash with. It’s incredibly damaging to skin, especially children’s.”
“As a consequence, it breaks the skin down, making eczema worse. Very worryingly, many people are still given it as a moisturiser as it’s the cheapest option.
“Research has shown more than half of children who used it suffered an immediate bad reaction, such as stinging.”
Blocked nose
Henry Sharpe, a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon at East Kent Hospital, said: “About 5.2 million people see their GP with a blocked nose. Many will be given antibiotics or nasal spray on the assumption that the cause is congestion.
“But a blocked nose can be anything from complications of a deviated septum to polyps.
“I’d like to see referrals to an ENT department if the congestion goes on for over a month. Antibiotics won’t work if it is not a bacterial infection; steroid sprays can have side-effects.”
Shoulder pain
Professor Tony Kochhar, shoulder surgeon at South London Healthcare NHS Trust and BMI The Sloane Hospital, said: “GPs should refer patients with shoulder pain for an ultrasound scan before any other treatment.
“The anatomy of the shoulder is so complex. It’s very hard for a GP to find the cause.
“If there is a tear, and a GP sends the patient for physiotherapy – where they’ll often be told to work through the pain – that tear can get worse.”
Mucus in throat
John Rubin, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in London, said: “I see a lot of patients who have suffered with a post-nasal drip and whose GP has referred them. In fact, it could be something as simple as acid reflux. So rather than referring to a specialist, I’d like GPs first to try a frontline treatment, such as Gaviscon.”
Painful joints
Dr Andrew Bamji, a rheumatologist at Chelsfield Park Hospital, Orpington, said: “Patients with rheumatoid arthritis do much better if they are referred quickly, within four weeks of diagnosis.
“I’d like to see GPs do better at spotting signs of the disease at its early stages – swelling with the joint pain, morning stiffness and generally feeling under the weather.
“And one red flag, which can get missed, is anaemia. Eight out of 10 sufferers have this.”
Swollen leg
Eddie Chaloner, consultant vascular surgeon at Lewisham Hospital, says: “Patients with a swollen leg are often given antibiotics because they’re told they have an infection. It’s usually superficial phlebitis – where a vein becomes inflamed and a blood clot forms.
“Usually it goes away on its own. Antibiotics wouldn’t have any effect.
“If there hasn’t been any recent wound or surgery and there’s no pus, infection is unlikely to be the cause.”
Middle-aged spread
Christopher Eden, a urologist and prostate cancer specialist at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, said: “Many GPs will advise overweight men in their 40s and older to have a cholesterol test. But men in this bracket are also at risk of prostate cancer, so I wish GPs would offer them a PSA test, too.”
Hearing loss
Dr Myles Black, an ear, nose and throat and thyroid surgeon at East Kent University Hospital, said: “GPs sometimes dismiss sudden hearing loss as ear wax or fluid from an ear infection or cold when it could be caused by sensorineural hearing loss, which requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent hearing loss.
“What distinguishes sensorineural hearing loss from the blocked-up feeling you get with a cold is that the hearing disappears completely, usually in one ear. With a cold, that hearing may just be muffled.
“Sensorineural hearing loss – caused when a cold, virus or infection travels to the inner ear – needs speedy treatment with steroids and it worries me that patients could be needlessly losing their hearing because GPs don’t get enough training at medical school to diagnose sensorineural hearing loss.
“Yet it can be picked up easily using a tuning fork.”’ (This is placed on the forehead and, if hearing is normal, the sound will be heard equally in both ears.)
Source: Daily Mail
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Patent for Artificial Sweetener Aspartame Verifies it is E. Coli Excrement
With the patent for the very popular artificial sweetener aspartame recently being released to the public domain comes the bizarre news that it is actually “harvested” from the excrement of GM E. coli bacteria.
Wait, what? What are we drinking when we decide to gulp down a soda that’s been sweetened with “artificial sweetener”? Yes. You heard right. E. coli excrement. Pretty disgusting.
Apparently the E. coli are grown in tanks and, as they defecate, their faecal matter is harvested because it contains aspartic acid-phenylalanine amino acid –the protein needed to make the aspartame. These faecal proteins are then treated with methanol to produce the artificial sweetener.
Did you get that, Gnarly patriots? Something innocuously labelled “artificial sweetener” on the back of that soda (or something else) is actually excrement from a deadly bacteria. Oh wait, excuse me, excrement that’s been treated with methanol. Awesome. Thanks, Monsanto.
Pop quiz: Who doesn’t use artificial sweeteners in any of their products? That’s right, my little urchins of health and common sense, Gnarly doesn’t.
Source: http://gognarly.com/blog/patent-for-artificial-sweetener-aspartame-verifies-it-is-e-coli-feces/
Wait, what? What are we drinking when we decide to gulp down a soda that’s been sweetened with “artificial sweetener”? Yes. You heard right. E. coli excrement. Pretty disgusting.
Apparently the E. coli are grown in tanks and, as they defecate, their faecal matter is harvested because it contains aspartic acid-phenylalanine amino acid –the protein needed to make the aspartame. These faecal proteins are then treated with methanol to produce the artificial sweetener.
Did you get that, Gnarly patriots? Something innocuously labelled “artificial sweetener” on the back of that soda (or something else) is actually excrement from a deadly bacteria. Oh wait, excuse me, excrement that’s been treated with methanol. Awesome. Thanks, Monsanto.
Pop quiz: Who doesn’t use artificial sweeteners in any of their products? That’s right, my little urchins of health and common sense, Gnarly doesn’t.
Source: http://gognarly.com/blog/patent-for-artificial-sweetener-aspartame-verifies-it-is-e-coli-feces/
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Why do illnesses get worse at night?
By THEA JOURDAN
IOL Lifestyle
London - Any hospital casualty doctor will tell you the revolving doors really start spinning after midnight as patients with severe asthma, acute heart failure, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) start being admitted to hospital with life-threatening problems.
This is also the time when waiting times are longest - official statistics show patients visiting Accident & Emergency (A&E) face much longer delays in the early hours compared to the daytime or evening.
Lack of staff and specialist services are largely to blame, and there have been growing calls for high-quality emergency care to be available seven days a week.
But there are also physiological reasons why illnesses deteriorate at night - not least the fact that you’re lying down. Here we look at some of the conditions which deteriorate when dark descends, and how to reduce symptoms.
ASTHMA
Night-time coughing is common in people with asthma, with 61 percent saying it prevents them sleeping well.
Every day in the UK, 200 people with asthma are hospitalised because they are struggling to breathe - many arriving for emergency treatment during the early hours.
“People with asthma tend to experience worsening symptoms at night, including breathlessness and wheezing, which may lead to A&E attendance,” says Deborah Waddell, a specialist asthma nurse at Asthma UK.
“There are theories this could be related to the body’s circadian rhythm (24-hour cycle). Levels of hormones such as the stress hormone cortisol change at night, which impacts airways.
“After midnight breathing rates are at their slowest, resulting in less effective transfer of oxygen into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide out of the body through the lungs.”
Bedrooms are also full of common asthma triggers - including house dust mites in bedding, mattresses, soft toys, carpets and curtains.
Ventilation is often poor - made worse by double-glazed PVC windows which do not permit draughts - and mould spores proliferate in warm, damp environments.
A horizontal posture may contribute. ‘The cough, when lying down, could be due to pressure on the diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest and abdomen), especially if someone is overweight, has gastric reflux, or post nasal drip, where mucus runs from the nose into the back of the throat.’
Research shows people who have personal asthma action plans - detailing steps to take when symptoms worsen - are four times less likely to be admitted to hospital as an emergency, Deborah Waddell says.
ARTHRITIS
Around 10 million Britons suffer from arthritis, which causes painful inflammation in cartilage and bone in the joints. The most common form is osteoarthritis due to wear and tear, often in the knees, hips and hands -this usually affects the over-50s.
“Periods of prolonged rest, like sleep, can make pain worse,” explains Philip Conaghan, professor of musculo-skeletal medicine at the University of Leeds and spokesperson for Arthritis Research UK.
“We’re not sure why, but it’s probably due to joint linings becoming congested with excess fluid used to bathe cells, and protein waste products when joints are immobile for a length of time.
“These are always present but are usually flushed away from joints and excreted by the body’s mechanisms. This process slows down at night, leading to stiffness and pain which can wake people.”
Other musculoskeletal conditions such as bursitis in the shoulder - inflammation of tiny fluid-filled sacs responsible for smooth action of joints and tendons - can become more uncomfortable at night. “The pressure of the person’s weight causes problems, and turning over can be painful.”
Disturbed sleep patterns due to pain can cause fatigue and depressed mood, making daytime symptoms worse. Professor Conaghan advises people with night-time arthritis pain to talk to their GP about swapping from short-acting pain killers, such as paracetamol, to ones that are long lasting.
“If you are getting severe pain in the middle of the night, see your GP and discuss your concerns,” he says.
MENOPAUSE
Waking drenched in sweat is a common symptom of the menopause, caused by the body’s inability to regulate body temperature.
“We’re not sure about the mechanism but it seems the hormone oestrogen, which falls during the menopause, plays an important role in the functioning of the hypothalamus, the temperature regulation system within the brain,” says Dr Edward Morris, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Night sweats are similar to hot flushes in daytime, but they can feel worse. “When in bed, fully insulated by your duvet, you prevent heat loss,” he explains.
“You’re also asleep, so not aware your temperature is rising until quite a long way down the process. If women are awake during the day when the same thing happens, they simply open a window or remove clothing.”
As well as hormone replacement therapy, which boosts oestrogen levels, remedies include “icing” bedding - popping pillows and sheets in the freezer for an hour before bed - and a well-ventilated bedroom.
HEADACHES
One of the most painful types of headache, cluster headaches (also known as alarm clock headaches) typically occur around 2am.
“These are excruciating headaches which can occur at the same time each night. They are so painful they are sometimes known as suicide headaches because people who have them literally want to die,” says Dr Andy Dowson, director of headache services at King’s College Hospital and chairman of Migraine Action’s medical board.
In fact, 50 percent of people who suffer from migraines - first cousins of alarm clock headaches - say that their condition regularly wakes them from sleep during the night.
“This may be related to sleep cycles; when people move between periods of deep sleep, rapid eye movement sleep (REM), and almost waking,” says Dr Dowson.
The area at the bottom of the brain, known as the brain stem, is involved in regulating this sleep cycle and it also plays a role in influencing migraine. “In trials we have found that the early stage of migraine originates in the hypothalamus, which is in the brain stem,” says Dr Dowson.
Common triggers include skipping meals, certain foods and bright or flickering lights. Unfortunately some triggers, such as changes in weather, may bring on migraine attacks but can’t be avoided.
Medications that make migraine less likely to occur include anti-depressants, beta-blockers and anti-histamines. In 2010 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approved the use of Botox as a preventative for chronic migraine.
HEART DISEASE
When an attack has started, a class of drugs called triptans (available over the counter) can help to alleviate the symptoms.
Around half of heart attack deaths occur within one hour of the attack, and most heart attacks occur in the early hours of the morning, from 4am onwards - when A&E staff levels are lower.
Early morning heart attacks are linked to the platelets in the blood becoming stickier and more prone to clotting.
This is possibly because of overnight fasting or hormonal changes linked to the body’s 24-hour clock.
“Additionally, the effect of medication taken the day before starts wearing off at this time. The combination of effects means heart attacks are more likely in the hours before dawn,” explains Martin Cowie, professor of cardiology at Imperial College, London.
Taking aspirin daily helps make platelets less sticky; taking high blood pressure drugs at night could help, but speak to your doctor before changing your routine.
GASTRIC REFLUX
Reflux of stomach acid into the throat is a common cause of indigestion and heartburn.
It happens when the muscular ring (sphincter) at the lower end of the gullet relaxes too much, allowing the stomach’s acidic contents to flow back up.
It doesn’t necessarily mean the valve is faulty - smoking and pregnancy hormones (which relax all muscles in the body) can cause it to relax, while eating too much at one time can make the valve open, say researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US. If you are susceptible, reflux can worsen at night because of gravity - being horizontal makes it easier for stomach contents to pass sideways into the throat. Elevation can prevent this. Tim Worthington, a consultant gastrointestinal surgeon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, suggests using a pillow to prop yourself up.
Lifestyle changes, such as not eating too late at night, sticking to a low-fat diet, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and acidic foods, can help.
Over-the-counter remedies tend to contain calcium carbonate or foaming agents that neutralise acid in the stomach.
Prescription drugs reduce stomach acid production - these include H2 receptor antagonists (Ranitidine), proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole) and anti-acid medication. In very serious cases, surgery can tighten the sphincter.
SHINGLES/COLDS
Many people say symptoms of viruses such as shingles and colds are worse at night. A study published in 2008 in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management showed pain from shingles, caused by the same virus as chicken pox and affecting older people, does worsen at night.
Shingles pain can lead to unintentional weight loss, sleeplessness, depression and disability.
“It is not clear why shingles pain gets worse at night, but it could be to do with levels of neurotransmitters, chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to target cells, and hormones involved in pain perception, rising at night,” says John Oxford, a professor of virology at Queen Mary College University of London.
He adds that people can become more anxious at night, which amplifies pain sensations. With colds, he says, the explanation may be more prosaic. “The lining of your airways constantly carries debris and fluid out of the lungs into the throat. This process becomes less effective because you’re horizontal, causing congestion and coughing.”
For shingles, calamine lotion and anti-histamines (a medicine often used to treat allergies) may prevent itching, while paracetamol can help to reduce painful symptoms.
Some shingles pain may be eased by tricyclic anti-depressants because they affect levels of certain chemicals in your body.
HEART FAILURE
Around 750 000 Britons suffer from heart failure, where the heart is too weak to pump enough blood around the body.
When the heart can no longer pump out enough of the blood it receives from the lungs, fluid builds up in the chest, known as acute heart failure, which can be life-threatening.
Patients with acute heart failure are most likely to need emergency hospital treatment at around 3am.
“Heart failure patients often have congestion of fluid in their legs and ankles during the day,” explains Professor Cowie. “If they go to bed at 10pm and lie horizontally, this gradually moves into the chest.
“Three to five hours later, pressure in the blood vessels has built up so much it can force fluid through the lung tissue and into airways.” Sleeping propped up on pillows can help.
The problem is that if you need to go to hospital, though you’re more likely to see an experienced consultant after midnight than you would have been ten years ago, “you may not see a specialist when you need it, which can make a big difference to outcomes,” says Professor Cowie.
BRONCHITIS
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes a collection of conditions causing lung damage, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, causing inflammation in the lungs, often along with permanent damage to the airways.
In a recent study, 76 percent of COPD patients reported frequent night-time wakening because symptoms worsened at night.
Studies have found less air passes through lungs during deep sleep, and dropping body temperature at night affects lung function.
The body also responds less efficiently to increasing carbon dioxide levels in the blood during sleep, so breathing rates do not rise in the same way as during the day to expel it from the body.
Excess carbon dioxide eventually causes someone to wake up, often gasping for breath and “oxygen-deprived”. This leads to exhaustion and worse symptoms during the day.
Dr Nick Hopkinson, spokesman for the British Lung Foundation and a consultant chest physician at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, says: “Most patients don’t find they’re breathless when they go to bed, but if they wake out of breath, it suggests their COPD is getting worse or could indicate another condition exacerbating symptoms, such as heart failure or asthma.” Keeping the room cool and propping themselves up with pillows can help. - Daily Mail
Source: IOL Lifestyle
IOL Lifestyle
London - Any hospital casualty doctor will tell you the revolving doors really start spinning after midnight as patients with severe asthma, acute heart failure, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) start being admitted to hospital with life-threatening problems.
This is also the time when waiting times are longest - official statistics show patients visiting Accident & Emergency (A&E) face much longer delays in the early hours compared to the daytime or evening.
Lack of staff and specialist services are largely to blame, and there have been growing calls for high-quality emergency care to be available seven days a week.
But there are also physiological reasons why illnesses deteriorate at night - not least the fact that you’re lying down. Here we look at some of the conditions which deteriorate when dark descends, and how to reduce symptoms.
ASTHMA
Night-time coughing is common in people with asthma, with 61 percent saying it prevents them sleeping well.
Every day in the UK, 200 people with asthma are hospitalised because they are struggling to breathe - many arriving for emergency treatment during the early hours.
“People with asthma tend to experience worsening symptoms at night, including breathlessness and wheezing, which may lead to A&E attendance,” says Deborah Waddell, a specialist asthma nurse at Asthma UK.
“There are theories this could be related to the body’s circadian rhythm (24-hour cycle). Levels of hormones such as the stress hormone cortisol change at night, which impacts airways.
“After midnight breathing rates are at their slowest, resulting in less effective transfer of oxygen into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide out of the body through the lungs.”
Bedrooms are also full of common asthma triggers - including house dust mites in bedding, mattresses, soft toys, carpets and curtains.
Ventilation is often poor - made worse by double-glazed PVC windows which do not permit draughts - and mould spores proliferate in warm, damp environments.
A horizontal posture may contribute. ‘The cough, when lying down, could be due to pressure on the diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest and abdomen), especially if someone is overweight, has gastric reflux, or post nasal drip, where mucus runs from the nose into the back of the throat.’
Research shows people who have personal asthma action plans - detailing steps to take when symptoms worsen - are four times less likely to be admitted to hospital as an emergency, Deborah Waddell says.
ARTHRITIS
Around 10 million Britons suffer from arthritis, which causes painful inflammation in cartilage and bone in the joints. The most common form is osteoarthritis due to wear and tear, often in the knees, hips and hands -this usually affects the over-50s.
“Periods of prolonged rest, like sleep, can make pain worse,” explains Philip Conaghan, professor of musculo-skeletal medicine at the University of Leeds and spokesperson for Arthritis Research UK.
“We’re not sure why, but it’s probably due to joint linings becoming congested with excess fluid used to bathe cells, and protein waste products when joints are immobile for a length of time.
“These are always present but are usually flushed away from joints and excreted by the body’s mechanisms. This process slows down at night, leading to stiffness and pain which can wake people.”
Other musculoskeletal conditions such as bursitis in the shoulder - inflammation of tiny fluid-filled sacs responsible for smooth action of joints and tendons - can become more uncomfortable at night. “The pressure of the person’s weight causes problems, and turning over can be painful.”
Disturbed sleep patterns due to pain can cause fatigue and depressed mood, making daytime symptoms worse. Professor Conaghan advises people with night-time arthritis pain to talk to their GP about swapping from short-acting pain killers, such as paracetamol, to ones that are long lasting.
“If you are getting severe pain in the middle of the night, see your GP and discuss your concerns,” he says.
MENOPAUSE
Waking drenched in sweat is a common symptom of the menopause, caused by the body’s inability to regulate body temperature.
“We’re not sure about the mechanism but it seems the hormone oestrogen, which falls during the menopause, plays an important role in the functioning of the hypothalamus, the temperature regulation system within the brain,” says Dr Edward Morris, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Night sweats are similar to hot flushes in daytime, but they can feel worse. “When in bed, fully insulated by your duvet, you prevent heat loss,” he explains.
“You’re also asleep, so not aware your temperature is rising until quite a long way down the process. If women are awake during the day when the same thing happens, they simply open a window or remove clothing.”
As well as hormone replacement therapy, which boosts oestrogen levels, remedies include “icing” bedding - popping pillows and sheets in the freezer for an hour before bed - and a well-ventilated bedroom.
HEADACHES
One of the most painful types of headache, cluster headaches (also known as alarm clock headaches) typically occur around 2am.
“These are excruciating headaches which can occur at the same time each night. They are so painful they are sometimes known as suicide headaches because people who have them literally want to die,” says Dr Andy Dowson, director of headache services at King’s College Hospital and chairman of Migraine Action’s medical board.
In fact, 50 percent of people who suffer from migraines - first cousins of alarm clock headaches - say that their condition regularly wakes them from sleep during the night.
“This may be related to sleep cycles; when people move between periods of deep sleep, rapid eye movement sleep (REM), and almost waking,” says Dr Dowson.
The area at the bottom of the brain, known as the brain stem, is involved in regulating this sleep cycle and it also plays a role in influencing migraine. “In trials we have found that the early stage of migraine originates in the hypothalamus, which is in the brain stem,” says Dr Dowson.
Common triggers include skipping meals, certain foods and bright or flickering lights. Unfortunately some triggers, such as changes in weather, may bring on migraine attacks but can’t be avoided.
Medications that make migraine less likely to occur include anti-depressants, beta-blockers and anti-histamines. In 2010 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approved the use of Botox as a preventative for chronic migraine.
HEART DISEASE
When an attack has started, a class of drugs called triptans (available over the counter) can help to alleviate the symptoms.
Around half of heart attack deaths occur within one hour of the attack, and most heart attacks occur in the early hours of the morning, from 4am onwards - when A&E staff levels are lower.
Early morning heart attacks are linked to the platelets in the blood becoming stickier and more prone to clotting.
This is possibly because of overnight fasting or hormonal changes linked to the body’s 24-hour clock.
“Additionally, the effect of medication taken the day before starts wearing off at this time. The combination of effects means heart attacks are more likely in the hours before dawn,” explains Martin Cowie, professor of cardiology at Imperial College, London.
Taking aspirin daily helps make platelets less sticky; taking high blood pressure drugs at night could help, but speak to your doctor before changing your routine.
GASTRIC REFLUX
Reflux of stomach acid into the throat is a common cause of indigestion and heartburn.
It happens when the muscular ring (sphincter) at the lower end of the gullet relaxes too much, allowing the stomach’s acidic contents to flow back up.
It doesn’t necessarily mean the valve is faulty - smoking and pregnancy hormones (which relax all muscles in the body) can cause it to relax, while eating too much at one time can make the valve open, say researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US. If you are susceptible, reflux can worsen at night because of gravity - being horizontal makes it easier for stomach contents to pass sideways into the throat. Elevation can prevent this. Tim Worthington, a consultant gastrointestinal surgeon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, suggests using a pillow to prop yourself up.
Lifestyle changes, such as not eating too late at night, sticking to a low-fat diet, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and acidic foods, can help.
Over-the-counter remedies tend to contain calcium carbonate or foaming agents that neutralise acid in the stomach.
Prescription drugs reduce stomach acid production - these include H2 receptor antagonists (Ranitidine), proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole) and anti-acid medication. In very serious cases, surgery can tighten the sphincter.
SHINGLES/COLDS
Many people say symptoms of viruses such as shingles and colds are worse at night. A study published in 2008 in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management showed pain from shingles, caused by the same virus as chicken pox and affecting older people, does worsen at night.
Shingles pain can lead to unintentional weight loss, sleeplessness, depression and disability.
“It is not clear why shingles pain gets worse at night, but it could be to do with levels of neurotransmitters, chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to target cells, and hormones involved in pain perception, rising at night,” says John Oxford, a professor of virology at Queen Mary College University of London.
He adds that people can become more anxious at night, which amplifies pain sensations. With colds, he says, the explanation may be more prosaic. “The lining of your airways constantly carries debris and fluid out of the lungs into the throat. This process becomes less effective because you’re horizontal, causing congestion and coughing.”
For shingles, calamine lotion and anti-histamines (a medicine often used to treat allergies) may prevent itching, while paracetamol can help to reduce painful symptoms.
Some shingles pain may be eased by tricyclic anti-depressants because they affect levels of certain chemicals in your body.
HEART FAILURE
Around 750 000 Britons suffer from heart failure, where the heart is too weak to pump enough blood around the body.
When the heart can no longer pump out enough of the blood it receives from the lungs, fluid builds up in the chest, known as acute heart failure, which can be life-threatening.
Patients with acute heart failure are most likely to need emergency hospital treatment at around 3am.
“Heart failure patients often have congestion of fluid in their legs and ankles during the day,” explains Professor Cowie. “If they go to bed at 10pm and lie horizontally, this gradually moves into the chest.
“Three to five hours later, pressure in the blood vessels has built up so much it can force fluid through the lung tissue and into airways.” Sleeping propped up on pillows can help.
The problem is that if you need to go to hospital, though you’re more likely to see an experienced consultant after midnight than you would have been ten years ago, “you may not see a specialist when you need it, which can make a big difference to outcomes,” says Professor Cowie.
BRONCHITIS
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes a collection of conditions causing lung damage, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, causing inflammation in the lungs, often along with permanent damage to the airways.
In a recent study, 76 percent of COPD patients reported frequent night-time wakening because symptoms worsened at night.
Studies have found less air passes through lungs during deep sleep, and dropping body temperature at night affects lung function.
The body also responds less efficiently to increasing carbon dioxide levels in the blood during sleep, so breathing rates do not rise in the same way as during the day to expel it from the body.
Excess carbon dioxide eventually causes someone to wake up, often gasping for breath and “oxygen-deprived”. This leads to exhaustion and worse symptoms during the day.
Dr Nick Hopkinson, spokesman for the British Lung Foundation and a consultant chest physician at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, says: “Most patients don’t find they’re breathless when they go to bed, but if they wake out of breath, it suggests their COPD is getting worse or could indicate another condition exacerbating symptoms, such as heart failure or asthma.” Keeping the room cool and propping themselves up with pillows can help. - Daily Mail
Source: IOL Lifestyle
Friday, 4 October 2013
World's Oldest Are All Smokers
Meticulously accurate compilation by Wanda Hamilton
SMOKERS DIE "EARLY"...
While this cannot really be considered scientific evidence, it is a fact nevertheless that .....
The oldest people on Earth all tend to be smokers.
According to the World Health Organization and the statisticians of the anti-tobacco cartel, however, these are (or will be) all premature deaths, for the simple reason that they are smokers. Therefore, these individuals did (or will) add to the smoking-related death epidemic figures that the charlatans of the numerous anti-tobacco organizations keep waving in front of politicians, media, and public.
Says who that smoking kills? Good habits such as smoking are the secret of goodlife- In spite of the drumming propaganda, every record of super-longevitybelongs to smokers. Here is the case of Zhang Shuqing, a centenarian inPixian, Sichuan, China, turned 100 on May 7, and who "buried" his own daughter - probably a non smoker! - eight years ago. Jokes aside, one is to think and really ponder on this. Record-setters of longevity are ALL smokers with a lot of other "bad" habits: Zhang also eats like a pig, including adaily bowl of pork fat! A paradox? Hold on: what is a paradox? Something contrary to scientifically established facts, or contrary to BELIEFS passed as scientific facts? Let's face it: if smoking were such a "bad" habit Zhang and so many like him would not be here to prove the opposite, would they?
Every smoker who dies is logged as a tobacco-related death to beef up mortality statistics and imply that those who don't smoke are either immortal, or live much longer lives. And when they die (...sorry, IF they die) they are not logged as a tobacco-related deaths even if they died of the identical diseases of smokers. ... How else do you think that the anti-tobacco cartel builds up its statistical garbage about the "smoking epidemic?"
The Big 115: another ancient smoker has a birthday party - August 28, 2006 - A reader tipped us off to this story of the ex-smoker, never-drinker who was already six when the U.S. seized Puerto Rico from Spain in 1898. "I never damaged my body with liquor," said Mercado, who quit a 76-year smoking habit when he was 90. Happy birthday, Mr. Mercado del Toro!
The tobacco death toll - February 26, 2003 - Mercilessly, tobacco keeps harvesting an endless number of premature victims. Day after day millions of cigarettes are produced by criminals who KNOW that each and every one of their customers will DIE - and there is no escape, and no more unquestionable truth: if you smoke, you die. This is the case of the late John McMorran, of Lakeland, Florida. He smoked cigars, drank beer and ate greasy food - and now he has paid the dear price for a life turned that stands as an insult to the health crusaders. John was born June 19, 1889, in a log cabin in Michigan, and he was the oldest American living - but he could have lived longer. And that is not all; it is well known that smoking causes blindness and ear problems. In fact, "McMorran's eyesight failed in his final years, and people needed to shout for him to hear them. "What a waste. This is what tobacco does to you. May this epitaph stand as warning to the young, so that they learn to NEVER make John's mistakes, and turn into statistical deaths.
The Italian Massacre -February 26, 2003 - In the meantime, we get a full dimension of what tobacco does to people in other countries as well. The Italian daily "Libero" has just reported updates on the Tobacco Massacre of Milan last February 6th. Out of a population of 2.2 million in that city, there are 646 people whose lives will, inevitably, be cut short - shortly after they turn 100. Two ofthem are already 110, five are 109 and 12 are 106. Another 217 are only 100,167 just turned 101, and 115 are 102. But that's not over. Over 35,000 Milanese are in the age range between 85 and 94, and another 92,000 are between 75 and 84. You can see them in the polluted Italian city with their dogs, in the typical little bars, indulging in despicable habits such as coffee, grease-filled brioches, alcohol and - worst of all - smoking Tuscan cigars that stink more than any diesel tailpipe, poisoning their peers. Some of them even "do" cigarettes, having indulged in the deadly habit for over 94 years. Imagine how dirty their lungs are. According to the daily, in fact, the overwhelming majority of these people either smokes, drinks, or eats fatty foods. Most even do it all. No wonder the heroic health authorities must intervene to stop the carnage. It's either now or never!
Tobacco Claims Two More - The Philippines lost one of that country's most prolific and beloved composers and lyricists. Levi Celerio, who wrote the lyrics for more than 4,000 folk, Christmas and love songs, died after a bout of emphysema. Obituaries noted that Mr. Celerio was a chain smoker. He was 91. He is survived by his third wife and the 12 children he managed to father despite the impotence caused by tobacco. From the other side of the world, the United Kingdom mourns the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. The mother of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother was a bon vivant who loved horse racing, gin cocktails and, sadly, cigarettes. It was the latter, the beastly coffin nails, that did her in. She was 101 years old.
Television Pioneer's Life Cut Short - "His trademark cigar rarely left his hand. In an interview two years ago, Berle said he'd smoked cigars since he was 12. "I figure if George Burns can smoke 20 cigars a day his whole life and live to be 100, why should I worry if they're bad for me?" We note the passing of Milton Berle with sadness and anger at a creative life cut short by excessive tobacco use. Mr. Berle died Wednesday from colon cancer. He was 93.
Smoking Kills Famous Director - Succumbing to a life time of smoking, Hollywood director Billy Wilder died Wednesday at the age of 95. The 6-time Oscar winner directed such classics as "Some Like It Hot" and "Sunset Boulevard". His 1955 movie "The Seven Year Itch" made a contemporary icon of Marilyn Monroe's pose over a New York subway vent. The premature deaths of these two well-known victims of tobacco give added urgency to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's campaign to eliminate smoking from movies. Once smoking is banished from the silver screen, the focus can be shifted to the people who make and star in the movies. The carnage must be halted.
Gregorio Fuentes - Cut Down By Tobacco Before His Time - Gregorio Fuentes, who skippered Ernest Hemingway's fabled fishing boat, the Pilar, for more than 20 years and is said to have been the writer's inspiration for the embattled fisherman in "The Old Man and the Sea," has died. He was 104. Fuentes died of cancer Sunday at his home in Cojimar, the quiet Cuban fishing village about 10 miles east of Havana where Hemingway used to dock the Pilar. Smoking until the end, Fuentes is sad proof that tobacco kills.
John Berry - John Berry, a rugged-faced pipe smoker, a stage and movie director, writer and actor who made more than 50 films and, entangled in the blacklist, exiled himself from Hollywood during the anti-Communist inquests of the 1950s, died Nov. 29, 1999 at his home in Paris. He was 82. Another premature, tobacco-related death, no doubt.
Isabella Gibson ready to celebrate her 99th - Another smoker approaches one century of life. Gambling, smoking, and enjoying life does not seem to have cut short the life of this person, though she will certainly be logged as yet another "premature, tobacco-related death" by the crooked statistics desing to create numbers proving the Lie of the Century. Isabella seems to be still in good health, notwithstanding osteoporosis (smoking-related, no doubt). Happy birthday, Isabella -- and keep on smokin'!
Wencelao Moreno: another victim bites the dust - It's with extreme sadness that we report the sad demise of Wencelao Moreno of a smoking related illness. Mr. Moreno, better known as "Senor Wences" of the "Ed Sullivan Show" was 103. During the benighted era when ash resided in ash trays rather than dictating policy in Washington, Senor Wences joked, drank and smoked with his puppets on T.V. All his puppets died of secondhand smoke decades ago. Although his premature passing is sad, his death is warning to us all that smoking kills.
Mme Jeanne Calment, who was listed as the world's oldest human whose birth date could be certified, died at 122. She had begun smoking as a young woman. At 117 she quit smoking (by that age she was just smoking two or three cigarettes per day because she was blind and was too proud to ask often for someone to light her cigarettes for her). But she resumed smoking when she was 118 because, as she said, not smoking made her miserable and she was too old to be made miserable. She also said to her doctor: "Once you've lived as long as me, only then can you tell me not to smoke." Good point! [USA Today, "Way to go, champ," 10/18/95].
When Mme. Calment died at 122 in l997, the new longevity champ became 116-year-old Marie-Louise Meilleur, of Canada. Mme. Meilleur had chain-smoked all her adult life (as her grandson said, "She always had a cigarette dangling from her lips as she worked,"--AP, 8/15/97, reported in Miami Herald, p. 2A). She did give up smoking, however, when she was nearly 100.
The world's oldest man is (unless he has died since the last report I have, which is l997) Christian Mortensen, ll4 in l997, who has been a cigar smoker for most of his life--and still smokes them. [San Francisco Chronicle, "114 and Still Smoking," Peter Fimrite, 8/5/97, p.A13].
Britain's oldest man, George Cook, died at 108 in his sleep in September, l997. He "smoked heavily for 85 years before giving up tobacco at the age of 97," ("World Briefs," Houston Chronicle, 9/29/97).
The Scottish Daily Record (12/15/97) reported on Ivy Leighton, 100, who smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 84 years, but cut down somewhat after her 100th birthday. April claimed smoking was the key to her long life.
There are two men who claim to be the world's oldest living humans, but their birth dates cannot be certified. One is Ali Mohammed Hussein, who claimed to be 135, of Lebanon. He "smokes like a chimney," but does not drink alcohol [CNN World News, "Born in l862," Brent Sadler, 5/13/l997].
The title is also claimed by Narayan Chaudhari, a Nepalese man who says he is 141. However, his birth date also cannot be certified. He too is a heavy smoker and says the secret of his longevity is "raw tobacco and no alcohol." [Nando net, Agence France-Press, "Nepalese man claims to be 141, which would make him world's oldest", 2/12/98].
Source: Forces - The Evidence http://www.forces.org/evidence/hamilton/other/oldest.htm
Further reading
Top 10 Oldest People Ever
http://listverse.com/2010/02/07/top-10-oldest-people-ever/
125 Year Old Woman Claimed Smoking Pot Everyday Was Her Secret to Long Life
http://valetudocafe.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/125-year-old-woman-claimed-smoking-pot-everyday-was-her-secret-to-long-life/
Effect of cigarette smoking on nitric oxide, structural, and mechanical properties of mouse arteries
"In summary and in conclusion, the present study demonstrates that CS has an immediate and substantial effect on structural and elastic properties of mouse coronary arteries which highly correlated with a decrease in NO bioavailability. Moreover, long-term CS exposure can cause an irreversible deterioration of structural and elastic properties of coronary arteries. The decrease in NO bioavailability in vessel wall stiffness may explain why CS is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease. The observed recovery of NO bioavailability after short-term, but not long-term, smoke cessation is an important public health message."
This research was supported in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grant 2-R01-HL055554-06 and by a University of California, Irvine, Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center award.
http://ajpheart.physiology.org/content/291/5/H2354.full
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
SMOKERS DIE "EARLY"...
While this cannot really be considered scientific evidence, it is a fact nevertheless that .....
The oldest people on Earth all tend to be smokers.
According to the World Health Organization and the statisticians of the anti-tobacco cartel, however, these are (or will be) all premature deaths, for the simple reason that they are smokers. Therefore, these individuals did (or will) add to the smoking-related death epidemic figures that the charlatans of the numerous anti-tobacco organizations keep waving in front of politicians, media, and public.
Says who that smoking kills? Good habits such as smoking are the secret of goodlife- In spite of the drumming propaganda, every record of super-longevitybelongs to smokers. Here is the case of Zhang Shuqing, a centenarian inPixian, Sichuan, China, turned 100 on May 7, and who "buried" his own daughter - probably a non smoker! - eight years ago. Jokes aside, one is to think and really ponder on this. Record-setters of longevity are ALL smokers with a lot of other "bad" habits: Zhang also eats like a pig, including adaily bowl of pork fat! A paradox? Hold on: what is a paradox? Something contrary to scientifically established facts, or contrary to BELIEFS passed as scientific facts? Let's face it: if smoking were such a "bad" habit Zhang and so many like him would not be here to prove the opposite, would they?
Every smoker who dies is logged as a tobacco-related death to beef up mortality statistics and imply that those who don't smoke are either immortal, or live much longer lives. And when they die (...sorry, IF they die) they are not logged as a tobacco-related deaths even if they died of the identical diseases of smokers. ... How else do you think that the anti-tobacco cartel builds up its statistical garbage about the "smoking epidemic?"
The Big 115: another ancient smoker has a birthday party - August 28, 2006 - A reader tipped us off to this story of the ex-smoker, never-drinker who was already six when the U.S. seized Puerto Rico from Spain in 1898. "I never damaged my body with liquor," said Mercado, who quit a 76-year smoking habit when he was 90. Happy birthday, Mr. Mercado del Toro!
The tobacco death toll - February 26, 2003 - Mercilessly, tobacco keeps harvesting an endless number of premature victims. Day after day millions of cigarettes are produced by criminals who KNOW that each and every one of their customers will DIE - and there is no escape, and no more unquestionable truth: if you smoke, you die. This is the case of the late John McMorran, of Lakeland, Florida. He smoked cigars, drank beer and ate greasy food - and now he has paid the dear price for a life turned that stands as an insult to the health crusaders. John was born June 19, 1889, in a log cabin in Michigan, and he was the oldest American living - but he could have lived longer. And that is not all; it is well known that smoking causes blindness and ear problems. In fact, "McMorran's eyesight failed in his final years, and people needed to shout for him to hear them. "What a waste. This is what tobacco does to you. May this epitaph stand as warning to the young, so that they learn to NEVER make John's mistakes, and turn into statistical deaths.
The Italian Massacre -February 26, 2003 - In the meantime, we get a full dimension of what tobacco does to people in other countries as well. The Italian daily "Libero" has just reported updates on the Tobacco Massacre of Milan last February 6th. Out of a population of 2.2 million in that city, there are 646 people whose lives will, inevitably, be cut short - shortly after they turn 100. Two ofthem are already 110, five are 109 and 12 are 106. Another 217 are only 100,167 just turned 101, and 115 are 102. But that's not over. Over 35,000 Milanese are in the age range between 85 and 94, and another 92,000 are between 75 and 84. You can see them in the polluted Italian city with their dogs, in the typical little bars, indulging in despicable habits such as coffee, grease-filled brioches, alcohol and - worst of all - smoking Tuscan cigars that stink more than any diesel tailpipe, poisoning their peers. Some of them even "do" cigarettes, having indulged in the deadly habit for over 94 years. Imagine how dirty their lungs are. According to the daily, in fact, the overwhelming majority of these people either smokes, drinks, or eats fatty foods. Most even do it all. No wonder the heroic health authorities must intervene to stop the carnage. It's either now or never!
Tobacco Claims Two More - The Philippines lost one of that country's most prolific and beloved composers and lyricists. Levi Celerio, who wrote the lyrics for more than 4,000 folk, Christmas and love songs, died after a bout of emphysema. Obituaries noted that Mr. Celerio was a chain smoker. He was 91. He is survived by his third wife and the 12 children he managed to father despite the impotence caused by tobacco. From the other side of the world, the United Kingdom mourns the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. The mother of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother was a bon vivant who loved horse racing, gin cocktails and, sadly, cigarettes. It was the latter, the beastly coffin nails, that did her in. She was 101 years old.
Television Pioneer's Life Cut Short - "His trademark cigar rarely left his hand. In an interview two years ago, Berle said he'd smoked cigars since he was 12. "I figure if George Burns can smoke 20 cigars a day his whole life and live to be 100, why should I worry if they're bad for me?" We note the passing of Milton Berle with sadness and anger at a creative life cut short by excessive tobacco use. Mr. Berle died Wednesday from colon cancer. He was 93.
Smoking Kills Famous Director - Succumbing to a life time of smoking, Hollywood director Billy Wilder died Wednesday at the age of 95. The 6-time Oscar winner directed such classics as "Some Like It Hot" and "Sunset Boulevard". His 1955 movie "The Seven Year Itch" made a contemporary icon of Marilyn Monroe's pose over a New York subway vent. The premature deaths of these two well-known victims of tobacco give added urgency to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's campaign to eliminate smoking from movies. Once smoking is banished from the silver screen, the focus can be shifted to the people who make and star in the movies. The carnage must be halted.
Gregorio Fuentes - Cut Down By Tobacco Before His Time - Gregorio Fuentes, who skippered Ernest Hemingway's fabled fishing boat, the Pilar, for more than 20 years and is said to have been the writer's inspiration for the embattled fisherman in "The Old Man and the Sea," has died. He was 104. Fuentes died of cancer Sunday at his home in Cojimar, the quiet Cuban fishing village about 10 miles east of Havana where Hemingway used to dock the Pilar. Smoking until the end, Fuentes is sad proof that tobacco kills.
John Berry - John Berry, a rugged-faced pipe smoker, a stage and movie director, writer and actor who made more than 50 films and, entangled in the blacklist, exiled himself from Hollywood during the anti-Communist inquests of the 1950s, died Nov. 29, 1999 at his home in Paris. He was 82. Another premature, tobacco-related death, no doubt.
Isabella Gibson ready to celebrate her 99th - Another smoker approaches one century of life. Gambling, smoking, and enjoying life does not seem to have cut short the life of this person, though she will certainly be logged as yet another "premature, tobacco-related death" by the crooked statistics desing to create numbers proving the Lie of the Century. Isabella seems to be still in good health, notwithstanding osteoporosis (smoking-related, no doubt). Happy birthday, Isabella -- and keep on smokin'!
Wencelao Moreno: another victim bites the dust - It's with extreme sadness that we report the sad demise of Wencelao Moreno of a smoking related illness. Mr. Moreno, better known as "Senor Wences" of the "Ed Sullivan Show" was 103. During the benighted era when ash resided in ash trays rather than dictating policy in Washington, Senor Wences joked, drank and smoked with his puppets on T.V. All his puppets died of secondhand smoke decades ago. Although his premature passing is sad, his death is warning to us all that smoking kills.
Mme Jeanne Calment, who was listed as the world's oldest human whose birth date could be certified, died at 122. She had begun smoking as a young woman. At 117 she quit smoking (by that age she was just smoking two or three cigarettes per day because she was blind and was too proud to ask often for someone to light her cigarettes for her). But she resumed smoking when she was 118 because, as she said, not smoking made her miserable and she was too old to be made miserable. She also said to her doctor: "Once you've lived as long as me, only then can you tell me not to smoke." Good point! [USA Today, "Way to go, champ," 10/18/95].
When Mme. Calment died at 122 in l997, the new longevity champ became 116-year-old Marie-Louise Meilleur, of Canada. Mme. Meilleur had chain-smoked all her adult life (as her grandson said, "She always had a cigarette dangling from her lips as she worked,"--AP, 8/15/97, reported in Miami Herald, p. 2A). She did give up smoking, however, when she was nearly 100.
The world's oldest man is (unless he has died since the last report I have, which is l997) Christian Mortensen, ll4 in l997, who has been a cigar smoker for most of his life--and still smokes them. [San Francisco Chronicle, "114 and Still Smoking," Peter Fimrite, 8/5/97, p.A13].
Britain's oldest man, George Cook, died at 108 in his sleep in September, l997. He "smoked heavily for 85 years before giving up tobacco at the age of 97," ("World Briefs," Houston Chronicle, 9/29/97).
The Scottish Daily Record (12/15/97) reported on Ivy Leighton, 100, who smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 84 years, but cut down somewhat after her 100th birthday. April claimed smoking was the key to her long life.
There are two men who claim to be the world's oldest living humans, but their birth dates cannot be certified. One is Ali Mohammed Hussein, who claimed to be 135, of Lebanon. He "smokes like a chimney," but does not drink alcohol [CNN World News, "Born in l862," Brent Sadler, 5/13/l997].
The title is also claimed by Narayan Chaudhari, a Nepalese man who says he is 141. However, his birth date also cannot be certified. He too is a heavy smoker and says the secret of his longevity is "raw tobacco and no alcohol." [Nando net, Agence France-Press, "Nepalese man claims to be 141, which would make him world's oldest", 2/12/98].
Source: Forces - The Evidence http://www.forces.org/evidence/hamilton/other/oldest.htm
Further reading
Top 10 Oldest People Ever
http://listverse.com/2010/02/07/top-10-oldest-people-ever/
125 Year Old Woman Claimed Smoking Pot Everyday Was Her Secret to Long Life
http://valetudocafe.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/125-year-old-woman-claimed-smoking-pot-everyday-was-her-secret-to-long-life/
Effect of cigarette smoking on nitric oxide, structural, and mechanical properties of mouse arteries
"In summary and in conclusion, the present study demonstrates that CS has an immediate and substantial effect on structural and elastic properties of mouse coronary arteries which highly correlated with a decrease in NO bioavailability. Moreover, long-term CS exposure can cause an irreversible deterioration of structural and elastic properties of coronary arteries. The decrease in NO bioavailability in vessel wall stiffness may explain why CS is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease. The observed recovery of NO bioavailability after short-term, but not long-term, smoke cessation is an important public health message."
This research was supported in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grant 2-R01-HL055554-06 and by a University of California, Irvine, Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center award.
http://ajpheart.physiology.org/content/291/5/H2354.full
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
A 111-year-old's secret to a long life? 20 cigs a day and a pint of sherry for breakfast
By Judy Broadbent
DOROTHY PEEL celebrated her 111th birthday yesterday and says her longevity is down to booze, cigs and never having had children.
Widow Dorothy has enjoyed a tipple for years and has smoked for most of her life.
She said: “I drank regularly throughout the day. In the morning I had half a pint of sherry, for lunch a gin and tonic and around 7pm a small ginger ale with a bit of whisky. These days I just have a sherry now and again.
“I decided to pack in smoking when I was 103 because I got bronchitis and the doctor warned me my life was in danger!
“I used to smoke 20 a day but not any more. I have been tempted to have the odd cig at Christmas or New Year along with pink champagne, which is my favourite drink of all time.
“So much for smoking and drinking isn’t good for you. I am living proof that a little of what you fancy does you good. And I think not having had kids has helped. That’s probably why I look and feel so good.”
Dorothy, of Bridlington, east Yorkshire, vividly remembers the sinking of the Titanic and being bombed out twice in the war when she lived and worked as a secretary in Hull.
She said: “Everyone was really shocked when the Titanic sank. There was sadness everywhere. I’ve lived through two world wars. In the second, the shelter I was in was bombed but I wasn’t scared really.
“A bomb fell next door and my neighbours were killed. That was sad.”
Dorothy has lived in residential care for the past 13 years.
Her key worker Alison Gibson said: “She gives us a run for our money! She is wonderful, is independent, loves to choose her own clothes and dress herself.
“She will not wear slippers and insists on wearing her bespoke court shoes with a 2in heel. She’s very elegant and knows her own mind.”
The oldest woman in the UK is Grace Adelaide Jones who is 113 and lives in Bermondsey, south-east London.
Source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/341603/A-111-year-old-s-secret-to-a-long-life-20-cigs-a-day-and-a-pint-of-sherry-for-breakfast
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
DOROTHY PEEL celebrated her 111th birthday yesterday and says her longevity is down to booze, cigs and never having had children.
Widow Dorothy has enjoyed a tipple for years and has smoked for most of her life.
She said: “I drank regularly throughout the day. In the morning I had half a pint of sherry, for lunch a gin and tonic and around 7pm a small ginger ale with a bit of whisky. These days I just have a sherry now and again.
“I decided to pack in smoking when I was 103 because I got bronchitis and the doctor warned me my life was in danger!
“I used to smoke 20 a day but not any more. I have been tempted to have the odd cig at Christmas or New Year along with pink champagne, which is my favourite drink of all time.
“So much for smoking and drinking isn’t good for you. I am living proof that a little of what you fancy does you good. And I think not having had kids has helped. That’s probably why I look and feel so good.”
Dorothy, of Bridlington, east Yorkshire, vividly remembers the sinking of the Titanic and being bombed out twice in the war when she lived and worked as a secretary in Hull.
She said: “Everyone was really shocked when the Titanic sank. There was sadness everywhere. I’ve lived through two world wars. In the second, the shelter I was in was bombed but I wasn’t scared really.
“A bomb fell next door and my neighbours were killed. That was sad.”
Dorothy has lived in residential care for the past 13 years.
Her key worker Alison Gibson said: “She gives us a run for our money! She is wonderful, is independent, loves to choose her own clothes and dress herself.
“She will not wear slippers and insists on wearing her bespoke court shoes with a 2in heel. She’s very elegant and knows her own mind.”
The oldest woman in the UK is Grace Adelaide Jones who is 113 and lives in Bermondsey, south-east London.
Source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/341603/A-111-year-old-s-secret-to-a-long-life-20-cigs-a-day-and-a-pint-of-sherry-for-breakfast
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
Smoking secrets of oldest man
A Cambodian tiger hunter said to be the world's oldest man has died at the age of 122, according to his relatives.
Sek Yi, who was also a martial arts expert, attributed his longevity and that of his 108-year-old wife Long Ouk, to smoking and the power of prayer.
In an interview a few days before his death, he said: "When I was young I used to chew betel, but people made fun of me saying I was like a woman, so I took up smoking."
His records were destroyed by Khmer Rouge guerillas during the "Killing Fields" persecution in the 1970s. But researchers believe he was born in 1881.
That was the year Wyatt Earp and his brothers shot down the Clanton gang in the gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
In Britain, Lillie Langtry, the Prince of Wales's mistress, made her debut as an actress at the Haymarket Theatre in London, while in New York, Thomas Edison switched on the first electric lights, supplying 85 customers.
When he was 21, British Forces were winning the Boer War, while a London to Folkestone trial was organised to show cars could be a reliable means of transport.
As World War II broke out, Sek Yi was already 58.
In his later years, he was revered in Cambodia for his great age.
His family said he died peacefully in his sleep after a short illness.
He will be buried next Monday in his village, Tuk Young, about 120 miles from the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.
The oldest fully authenticated age for any human is the 122 years and 164 days of Frenchwoman Jeanne-Louise Calment, who died in 1997.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-200361/Smoking-secrets-oldest-man.html
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
Sek Yi, who was also a martial arts expert, attributed his longevity and that of his 108-year-old wife Long Ouk, to smoking and the power of prayer.
In an interview a few days before his death, he said: "When I was young I used to chew betel, but people made fun of me saying I was like a woman, so I took up smoking."
His records were destroyed by Khmer Rouge guerillas during the "Killing Fields" persecution in the 1970s. But researchers believe he was born in 1881.
That was the year Wyatt Earp and his brothers shot down the Clanton gang in the gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
In Britain, Lillie Langtry, the Prince of Wales's mistress, made her debut as an actress at the Haymarket Theatre in London, while in New York, Thomas Edison switched on the first electric lights, supplying 85 customers.
When he was 21, British Forces were winning the Boer War, while a London to Folkestone trial was organised to show cars could be a reliable means of transport.
As World War II broke out, Sek Yi was already 58.
In his later years, he was revered in Cambodia for his great age.
His family said he died peacefully in his sleep after a short illness.
He will be buried next Monday in his village, Tuk Young, about 120 miles from the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.
The oldest fully authenticated age for any human is the 122 years and 164 days of Frenchwoman Jeanne-Louise Calment, who died in 1997.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-200361/Smoking-secrets-oldest-man.html
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Scientists Confirm Artificial Sweeteners Cause Obesity
Ivan de Araujo, professor and lead author of the study out of Yale University School of Medicine (YUSM), has discovered that artificial sweeteners cause the brain to crave more high-caloric alternatives.
Araujo said: “The consumption of high-calorie beverages is a major contributor to weight gain and obesity, even after the introduction of artificial sweeteners to the market. We believe that the discovery is important because it shows how physiological states may impact on our choices between sugars and sweeteners. Specifically, it implies that humans frequently ingesting low-calorie sweet products in a state of hunger or exhaustion may be more likely to ‘relapse’ and choose high calorie alternatives in the future. The results suggest that a ‘happy medium’ could be a solution; combining sweeteners with minimal amounts of sugar so that energy metabolism doesn’t drop, while caloric intake is kept to a minimum.”
Araujo’s team found that eating foods with artificial sweeteners causes the body to become hungry and increase the desire for more sugar later.
Dopamine is the chemical that sends messages to the brain and controls behavior, emotional response and pleasure. Dopamine plays an influential role in addiction as well.
By monitoring mice, researchers identified specific brain circuits that fired up as the mice were fed sugar, than artificial sweeteners.
Araujo said : “According to the data, when we apply substances that interfere with a critical step of the ‘sugar-to-energy pathway’, the interest of the animals in consuming artificial sweetener decreases significantly, along with important reductions in brain dopamine levels.”
When the “hungry mice – who thus have low sugar levels – are given a choice between artificial sweeteners and sugars, they are more likely to completely switch their preferences towards sugars even if the artificial sweetener is much sweeter than the sugar solution.”
David Ludwig, professor at Harvard University asserts that artificial sweeteners lead to weight gain because they “desensitize the taste buds” by tricking the brain into thinking that something sweet has been consumed.
Researchers at Purdue University have analyzed studies and data regarding the correlation between the consumption of diet soda and the body mass index (BMI) of those customers using the product. Findings show that the artificial sweeteners are the culprit for health problems and dietary issues.
Artificial sweeteners used in diet soda tricks the body into thinking that it is consuming calories; yet this has disastrous effects physiologically.
Susan Swithers, behavioral neuroscientist and professor of psychological sciences for Purdue University said: “Honestly, I thought that diet soda would be marginally better compared to regular soda in terms of health. But in reality it has a counterintuitive effect. You’ve messed up the whole system, so when you consume real sugar, your body doesn’t know if it should try to process it because it’s been tricked by the fake sugar so many times.”
Swithers explained that “accumulating evidence suggests that frequent consumers of these sugar substitutes (such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin) may also be at increased risk of … metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
Swithers and Professor Terry Davidson discovered that while “artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body’s natural ability to ‘count’ calories based on foods’ sweetness. This finding may explain why increasing numbers of people in the United States lack the natural ability to regulate food intake and body weight. The researchers also found that thick liquids aren’t as satisfying – calorie for calorie – as are more solid foods.”
Davidson pointed out: “The body’s natural ability to regulate food intake and body weight may be weakened when this natural relationship is impaired by artificial sweeteners. Without thinking about it, the body learns that it can use food characteristics such as sweetness and viscosity to gauge its caloric intake. The body may use this information to determine how much food is required to meet its caloric needs.”
When artificial sweeteners are used, the experience inhibits the body’s natural ability to judge the caloric intake of the content of the food taken in.
Swithers warns: “Increased consumption of artificial sweeteners and of high-calorie beverages is not the sole cause of obesity, but it may be a contributing factor. It could become more of a factor as more people turn to artificial sweeteners as a means of weight control and, at the same time, others consume more high-calorie beverages to satisfy their cravings.”
Traditionally, Stevia was used to “prevent pregnancy” and “some researchers have expressed concern that stevia might have an antifertility effect in men or women.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) admitted that oral administration of S. rebaudiana (Stevia) “was reported to cause a severe, long-lasting reduction in fertility”; however results of testing were “poorly specified or of variable quality.”
Based on this, there is an assumed “safe” dose of Stevia. Currently there is no official “safe” dose of Stevia.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have reported that Stevia caused prepubescent rates to have a significant reduction in testosterone production over a period of 60 days.
This means that the effect that causes infertility is still effective over time; even if given small doses over a period of time. There is a cumulative effect to Stevia.
According to the European patent , aspartame, the artificial sweetener, is derived from the feces of genetically modified E. coli bacteria.
The patent mentions “cloned microorganisms” when referring to the genetically modified E. coli bacteria. These organisms are engineered to an enlarged peptide that is used to create aspartame.
These bacteria produce proteins which contain the aspartic acid-phenylalanine amino acid segment used to manufacture the sweetener.
Found here, this article was first published on Occupy Corporatism.
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
Araujo said: “The consumption of high-calorie beverages is a major contributor to weight gain and obesity, even after the introduction of artificial sweeteners to the market. We believe that the discovery is important because it shows how physiological states may impact on our choices between sugars and sweeteners. Specifically, it implies that humans frequently ingesting low-calorie sweet products in a state of hunger or exhaustion may be more likely to ‘relapse’ and choose high calorie alternatives in the future. The results suggest that a ‘happy medium’ could be a solution; combining sweeteners with minimal amounts of sugar so that energy metabolism doesn’t drop, while caloric intake is kept to a minimum.”
Araujo’s team found that eating foods with artificial sweeteners causes the body to become hungry and increase the desire for more sugar later.
Dopamine is the chemical that sends messages to the brain and controls behavior, emotional response and pleasure. Dopamine plays an influential role in addiction as well.
By monitoring mice, researchers identified specific brain circuits that fired up as the mice were fed sugar, than artificial sweeteners.
Araujo said : “According to the data, when we apply substances that interfere with a critical step of the ‘sugar-to-energy pathway’, the interest of the animals in consuming artificial sweetener decreases significantly, along with important reductions in brain dopamine levels.”
When the “hungry mice – who thus have low sugar levels – are given a choice between artificial sweeteners and sugars, they are more likely to completely switch their preferences towards sugars even if the artificial sweetener is much sweeter than the sugar solution.”
David Ludwig, professor at Harvard University asserts that artificial sweeteners lead to weight gain because they “desensitize the taste buds” by tricking the brain into thinking that something sweet has been consumed.
Researchers at Purdue University have analyzed studies and data regarding the correlation between the consumption of diet soda and the body mass index (BMI) of those customers using the product. Findings show that the artificial sweeteners are the culprit for health problems and dietary issues.
Artificial sweeteners used in diet soda tricks the body into thinking that it is consuming calories; yet this has disastrous effects physiologically.
Susan Swithers, behavioral neuroscientist and professor of psychological sciences for Purdue University said: “Honestly, I thought that diet soda would be marginally better compared to regular soda in terms of health. But in reality it has a counterintuitive effect. You’ve messed up the whole system, so when you consume real sugar, your body doesn’t know if it should try to process it because it’s been tricked by the fake sugar so many times.”
Swithers explained that “accumulating evidence suggests that frequent consumers of these sugar substitutes (such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin) may also be at increased risk of … metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
Swithers and Professor Terry Davidson discovered that while “artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body’s natural ability to ‘count’ calories based on foods’ sweetness. This finding may explain why increasing numbers of people in the United States lack the natural ability to regulate food intake and body weight. The researchers also found that thick liquids aren’t as satisfying – calorie for calorie – as are more solid foods.”
Davidson pointed out: “The body’s natural ability to regulate food intake and body weight may be weakened when this natural relationship is impaired by artificial sweeteners. Without thinking about it, the body learns that it can use food characteristics such as sweetness and viscosity to gauge its caloric intake. The body may use this information to determine how much food is required to meet its caloric needs.”
When artificial sweeteners are used, the experience inhibits the body’s natural ability to judge the caloric intake of the content of the food taken in.
Swithers warns: “Increased consumption of artificial sweeteners and of high-calorie beverages is not the sole cause of obesity, but it may be a contributing factor. It could become more of a factor as more people turn to artificial sweeteners as a means of weight control and, at the same time, others consume more high-calorie beverages to satisfy their cravings.”
Traditionally, Stevia was used to “prevent pregnancy” and “some researchers have expressed concern that stevia might have an antifertility effect in men or women.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) admitted that oral administration of S. rebaudiana (Stevia) “was reported to cause a severe, long-lasting reduction in fertility”; however results of testing were “poorly specified or of variable quality.”
Based on this, there is an assumed “safe” dose of Stevia. Currently there is no official “safe” dose of Stevia.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have reported that Stevia caused prepubescent rates to have a significant reduction in testosterone production over a period of 60 days.
This means that the effect that causes infertility is still effective over time; even if given small doses over a period of time. There is a cumulative effect to Stevia.
According to the European patent , aspartame, the artificial sweetener, is derived from the feces of genetically modified E. coli bacteria.
The patent mentions “cloned microorganisms” when referring to the genetically modified E. coli bacteria. These organisms are engineered to an enlarged peptide that is used to create aspartame.
These bacteria produce proteins which contain the aspartic acid-phenylalanine amino acid segment used to manufacture the sweetener.
Found here, this article was first published on Occupy Corporatism.
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
Sugar named 'most addictive and dangerous substance' of our time, worse than cigarettes and alcohol
by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer
(NaturalNews) While the rest of the world is busy obsessing over the dangers of cigarettes and alcohol, the head of Amsterdam's health service in the Netherlands is trying to raise awareness about a much bigger and more pervasive health threat: sugar. According to Paul Van der Velpen, sugar is the most dangerous and addictive substance of modern times, and more needs to be done in the interests of public health to make people aware of the many harms caused by this ubiquitous drug.
Van der Velpen delves into the actual science behind how the body responds to sugar as opposed to protein and fat. In his letter, Van der Velpen explains that sugar intensifies food cravings, for instance, and causes people to eat far more than they otherwise would without it. Additionally, he points out that sugar also disrupts normal food metabolism, eventually leading to addiction.
"Just like alcohol and tobacco, sugar is actually a drug," writes Van der Velpen, in an English translation from the original Dutch. "This may seem exaggerated and far-fetched, but sugar is the most dangerous drug of the times and can still be easily acquired everywhere ... The use of sugar should be discouraged. And users should be made aware of the dangers."
"Sugar is actually a form of addiction," adds Van der Velpen. "It's just as hard to get rid of the urge for sweet foods as of smoking. Thereby diets only work temporarily. Addiction therapy is better ... Health insurers should have to finance addiction therapy for their obese clients."
Full article at : http://www.naturalnews.com/042209_sugar_addictive_substances_cigarettes.html
Sources for this article include:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
You can read Van der Velpen's full letter, as translated into English using Google Translate, here:
http://translate.google.com or
The original Dutch article, here:
Suiker, de gevaarlijkste drug van deze tijd
http://www.ggd.nl
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
(NaturalNews) While the rest of the world is busy obsessing over the dangers of cigarettes and alcohol, the head of Amsterdam's health service in the Netherlands is trying to raise awareness about a much bigger and more pervasive health threat: sugar. According to Paul Van der Velpen, sugar is the most dangerous and addictive substance of modern times, and more needs to be done in the interests of public health to make people aware of the many harms caused by this ubiquitous drug.
Van der Velpen delves into the actual science behind how the body responds to sugar as opposed to protein and fat. In his letter, Van der Velpen explains that sugar intensifies food cravings, for instance, and causes people to eat far more than they otherwise would without it. Additionally, he points out that sugar also disrupts normal food metabolism, eventually leading to addiction.
"Just like alcohol and tobacco, sugar is actually a drug," writes Van der Velpen, in an English translation from the original Dutch. "This may seem exaggerated and far-fetched, but sugar is the most dangerous drug of the times and can still be easily acquired everywhere ... The use of sugar should be discouraged. And users should be made aware of the dangers."
"Sugar is actually a form of addiction," adds Van der Velpen. "It's just as hard to get rid of the urge for sweet foods as of smoking. Thereby diets only work temporarily. Addiction therapy is better ... Health insurers should have to finance addiction therapy for their obese clients."
Full article at : http://www.naturalnews.com/042209_sugar_addictive_substances_cigarettes.html
Sources for this article include:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
You can read Van der Velpen's full letter, as translated into English using Google Translate, here:
http://translate.google.com or
The original Dutch article, here:
Suiker, de gevaarlijkste drug van deze tijd
http://www.ggd.nl
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
Thursday, 12 September 2013
How Do I Pasteurize Raw Milk at Home?
It’s actually very easy to pasteurize your own milk on the stovetop. An added bonus is that your milk won’t need to stand up to long distance shipping and prolonged storage, so you can pasteurize it safely using lower heat and less time than many industrial milk producers use. All you need is a stainless steel pot and a simple kitchen thermometer. Just follow these simple steps for home pasteurization:
— Tabitha Alterman, senior associate editor
Source: http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/pasteurize-raw-milk-at-home.aspx#axzz2efxHP7SE
- Pour the raw milk into the stainless steel pot. If you have a double boiler, that will work even better to keep the milk from scalding. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can put one stainless steel pot inside a larger pot with a few inches of water at the bottom. If you can’t achieve this setup, then you’ll just need to be careful to heat the milk gently.
- Slowly heat the milk to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring occasionally. If you are not using a double boiler, stir frequently to avoid scalding the milk.
- Hold the temperature at 145 F for exactly 30 minutes. You may need to increase and decrease the heat to keep the temperature constant.
- Remove the pot of milk from the heat and place it in a sink or large bowl filled with ice water. Stir constantly until the temperature drops to 40 F.
- Store pasteurized milk in the refrigerator.
— Tabitha Alterman, senior associate editor
Source: http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/pasteurize-raw-milk-at-home.aspx#axzz2efxHP7SE
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Coffee May Contribute To A Healthy Liver
Study leader Paul Yen, M.D., associate professor and research fellow at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School. Credit: Duke-NUS
A team of researchers suggest that increased coffee intake may reduce fatty liver in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
And here you thought it was just delicious.
Worldwide, 70 percent of people diagnosed with diabetes and obesity have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the major cause of fatty liver not due to excessive alcohol consumption. It is estimated that 30 percent of adults in the United States have this condition, and the authors in Singapore say its prevalence is rising there.
There are no effective treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease except diet and exercise.
Using cell culture and mouse models, the study led by Paul Yen, M.D., associate professor and research fellow, and Rohit Sinha, Ph.D of the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School's Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program in Singapore, observed that caffeine stimulates the metabolization of lipids stored in liver cells and decreased the fatty liver of mice that were fed a high-fat diet.
These findings suggest that consuming the equivalent caffeine intake of four cups of coffee a day may be beneficial in preventing and protecting against the progression of NAFLD in humans.
Or tea. But coffee is the Official Drink of Science.
"This is the first detailed study of the mechanism for caffeine action on lipids in liver and the results are very interesting," Yen said. "Coffee and tea are so commonly consumed and the notion that they may be therapeutic, especially since they have a reputation for being "bad" for health, is especially enlightening."
The team said this research could lead to the development of caffeine-like drugs that do not have the usual side effects related to caffeine, but retain its therapeutic effects on the liver. It could serve as a starting point for studies on the full benefits of caffeine and related therapeutics in humans.
Citation: Rohit Anthony Sinha, Benjamin L. Farah, Brijesh K. Singh, Monowarul Mobin Siddique, Ying Li, Yajun Wu, Olga R. Ilkayeva, Jessica Gooding, Jianhong Ching, Jin Zhou, Laura Martinez, Sherwin Xie, Boon-Huat Bay, Scott A. Summers, Christopher B. Newgard and Paul M. Yen, 'Caffeine stimulates hepatic lipid metabolism via autophagy-lysosomal pathway', Hepatology September 2013 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26667
Source: Science 2.0 http://www.science20.com/news_articles/coffee_may_contribute_healthy_liver-118696#.UhKF-NGv2aw.facebook
Related articles
Daily Dose Of Caffeine May Ease The Effects Of Liver Fibrosis
http://www.science20.com/news_articles/daily_dose_caffeine_may_ease_effects_liver_fibrosis
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
A team of researchers suggest that increased coffee intake may reduce fatty liver in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
And here you thought it was just delicious.
Worldwide, 70 percent of people diagnosed with diabetes and obesity have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the major cause of fatty liver not due to excessive alcohol consumption. It is estimated that 30 percent of adults in the United States have this condition, and the authors in Singapore say its prevalence is rising there.
There are no effective treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease except diet and exercise.
Using cell culture and mouse models, the study led by Paul Yen, M.D., associate professor and research fellow, and Rohit Sinha, Ph.D of the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School's Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program in Singapore, observed that caffeine stimulates the metabolization of lipids stored in liver cells and decreased the fatty liver of mice that were fed a high-fat diet.
These findings suggest that consuming the equivalent caffeine intake of four cups of coffee a day may be beneficial in preventing and protecting against the progression of NAFLD in humans.
Or tea. But coffee is the Official Drink of Science.
"This is the first detailed study of the mechanism for caffeine action on lipids in liver and the results are very interesting," Yen said. "Coffee and tea are so commonly consumed and the notion that they may be therapeutic, especially since they have a reputation for being "bad" for health, is especially enlightening."
The team said this research could lead to the development of caffeine-like drugs that do not have the usual side effects related to caffeine, but retain its therapeutic effects on the liver. It could serve as a starting point for studies on the full benefits of caffeine and related therapeutics in humans.
Citation: Rohit Anthony Sinha, Benjamin L. Farah, Brijesh K. Singh, Monowarul Mobin Siddique, Ying Li, Yajun Wu, Olga R. Ilkayeva, Jessica Gooding, Jianhong Ching, Jin Zhou, Laura Martinez, Sherwin Xie, Boon-Huat Bay, Scott A. Summers, Christopher B. Newgard and Paul M. Yen, 'Caffeine stimulates hepatic lipid metabolism via autophagy-lysosomal pathway', Hepatology September 2013 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26667
Source: Science 2.0 http://www.science20.com/news_articles/coffee_may_contribute_healthy_liver-118696#.UhKF-NGv2aw.facebook
Related articles
Daily Dose Of Caffeine May Ease The Effects Of Liver Fibrosis
http://www.science20.com/news_articles/daily_dose_caffeine_may_ease_effects_liver_fibrosis
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
Friday, 16 August 2013
New Study: Mortality rate doubles for females eating refined white sugar
(NaturalNews) In what is arguably the most shocking food study conducted since the Seralini "GMO rats" study released last year, researchers at the University of Utah have found that even a small amount of refined sugar consumption resulted in a doubling of the death rate of female mice.
Fed merely the equivalent of three cans of soda a day, females experienced a 100% increase in death rates, and males experienced a sharp drop in fertility. Males were also found to have impaired ability to hold territory, according to the study authors.
"Our results provide evidence that added sugar consumed at concentrations currently considered safe exerts dramatic adverse impacts on mammalian health," the researchers explain. (SOURCE)
One of the study authors, James Ruff, explained that even though the mice did not show observable symptoms of obesity or diabetes, a careful monitoring of their behavior showed that they died more frequently and reproduced less frequently.
The study was brilliantly designed to mimic the real-world competitive living environment among mice, forcing them to compete for territory (nesting beds) and reproductive partners. Interestingly, the study found that the toxic effect of feeding the mice refined white sugar was equal to being inbred mice (i.e. offspring of first cousens).
Read the rest of this shocking article at: http://www.naturalnews.com/041629_refined_sugar_mortality_experiment.html
New Study: Low Levels of Sugar harms Health, Reproduction and Self-defense!
A new study from the University of Utah has shown that mice—often used in such tests because they display very similar reactions as do humans—eat a diet of 25 percent extra sugar, females died at twice the normal rate and males were a quarter less likely to hold territory and reproduce.
The extra sugar—equivalent to a human diet plus three cans of soda a day—was analysed in a toxicity test developed at the University of Utah.
“Our results provide evidence that added sugar consumed at concentrations currently considered safe exerts dramatic adverse impacts on mammalian health,” the researchers say in the study released by the journal Nature Communications.
“This demonstrates the adverse effects of added sugars at human-relevant levels,” says University of Utah biology professor Wayne Potts, the study’s senior author. He says previous studies using other tests fed mice large doses of sugar disproportionate to the amount people consume in sweetened beverages, baked goods and candy.
“I have reduced refined sugar intake and encouraged my family to do the same,” he adds, noting that the new test showed that the 25 percent “added-sugar” diet – 12.5 percent dextrose (the industrial name for glucose) and 12.5 percent fructose – was just as harmful to the health of mice as being the inbred offspring of first cousins.
Even though the mice didn’t become obese and showed few metabolic symptoms, the sensitive test showed “they died more often and tended to have fewer babies,” says the study’s first author, James Ruff, who recently earned his Ph.D. at the University of Utah.
“We have shown that levels of sugar that people typically consume – and that are considered safe by regulatory agencies – impair the health of mice.”
The new toxicity test placed groups of mice in room-sized pens nicknamed “mouse barns” with multiple nest boxes – a much more realistic environment than small cages, allowing the mice to compete more naturally for mates and desirable territories, and thereby revealing subtle toxic effects on their performance, Potts says.
“This is a sensitive test for health and vigor declines,” he says, noting that in a previous study, he used the same test to show how inbreeding hurt the health of mice.
“One advantage of this assay is we get the same readout no matter if we are testing inbreeding or added sugar,” Potts says. “The mice tell us the level of health degradation is almost identical” from added-sugar and from cousin-level inbreeding.
The study says the need for a sensitive toxicity test exists not only for components of our diet, but “is particularly strong for both pharmaceutical science, where 73 percent of drugs that pass preclinical trials fail due to safety concerns, and for toxicology, where shockingly few compounds receive critical or long-term toxicity testing.”
The experimental diet in the study provided 25 percent of calories from added sugar – half fructose and half glucose – no matter how many calories the mice ate. Both high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar (sucrose) are half fructose and half glucose.
Potts says the National Research Council recommends that for people, no more than 25 percent of calories should be from “added sugar,” which means “they don’t count what’s naturally in an apple, banana, potato or other nonprocessed food. … The dose we selected is consumed by 13 percent to 25 percent of Americans.”
The diet fed to the mice with the 25 percent sugar-added diet is equivalent to the diet of a person who drinks three cans daily of sweetened soda pop “plus a perfectly healthy, no-sugar-added diet,” Potts says.
Ruff notes that sugar consumption in the American diet has increased 50 percent since the 1970s, accompanied by a dramatic increase in metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, fatty liver and cardiovascular disease.
Read the entire release here.
The above article was first published at: http://davidduke.com/new-study-sugar-is-toxic-to-mice-in-safe-doses/?fb_source=pubv1
Sources for the above article include:
Related articles
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease, infertility and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic infertility treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/infertility_homeopathy.html
Fed merely the equivalent of three cans of soda a day, females experienced a 100% increase in death rates, and males experienced a sharp drop in fertility. Males were also found to have impaired ability to hold territory, according to the study authors.
"Our results provide evidence that added sugar consumed at concentrations currently considered safe exerts dramatic adverse impacts on mammalian health," the researchers explain. (SOURCE)
One of the study authors, James Ruff, explained that even though the mice did not show observable symptoms of obesity or diabetes, a careful monitoring of their behavior showed that they died more frequently and reproduced less frequently.
The study was brilliantly designed to mimic the real-world competitive living environment among mice, forcing them to compete for territory (nesting beds) and reproductive partners. Interestingly, the study found that the toxic effect of feeding the mice refined white sugar was equal to being inbred mice (i.e. offspring of first cousens).
Read the rest of this shocking article at: http://www.naturalnews.com/041629_refined_sugar_mortality_experiment.html
New Study: Low Levels of Sugar harms Health, Reproduction and Self-defense!
A new study from the University of Utah has shown that mice—often used in such tests because they display very similar reactions as do humans—eat a diet of 25 percent extra sugar, females died at twice the normal rate and males were a quarter less likely to hold territory and reproduce.
The extra sugar—equivalent to a human diet plus three cans of soda a day—was analysed in a toxicity test developed at the University of Utah.
“Our results provide evidence that added sugar consumed at concentrations currently considered safe exerts dramatic adverse impacts on mammalian health,” the researchers say in the study released by the journal Nature Communications.
“This demonstrates the adverse effects of added sugars at human-relevant levels,” says University of Utah biology professor Wayne Potts, the study’s senior author. He says previous studies using other tests fed mice large doses of sugar disproportionate to the amount people consume in sweetened beverages, baked goods and candy.
“I have reduced refined sugar intake and encouraged my family to do the same,” he adds, noting that the new test showed that the 25 percent “added-sugar” diet – 12.5 percent dextrose (the industrial name for glucose) and 12.5 percent fructose – was just as harmful to the health of mice as being the inbred offspring of first cousins.
Even though the mice didn’t become obese and showed few metabolic symptoms, the sensitive test showed “they died more often and tended to have fewer babies,” says the study’s first author, James Ruff, who recently earned his Ph.D. at the University of Utah.
“We have shown that levels of sugar that people typically consume – and that are considered safe by regulatory agencies – impair the health of mice.”
The new toxicity test placed groups of mice in room-sized pens nicknamed “mouse barns” with multiple nest boxes – a much more realistic environment than small cages, allowing the mice to compete more naturally for mates and desirable territories, and thereby revealing subtle toxic effects on their performance, Potts says.
“This is a sensitive test for health and vigor declines,” he says, noting that in a previous study, he used the same test to show how inbreeding hurt the health of mice.
“One advantage of this assay is we get the same readout no matter if we are testing inbreeding or added sugar,” Potts says. “The mice tell us the level of health degradation is almost identical” from added-sugar and from cousin-level inbreeding.
The study says the need for a sensitive toxicity test exists not only for components of our diet, but “is particularly strong for both pharmaceutical science, where 73 percent of drugs that pass preclinical trials fail due to safety concerns, and for toxicology, where shockingly few compounds receive critical or long-term toxicity testing.”
The experimental diet in the study provided 25 percent of calories from added sugar – half fructose and half glucose – no matter how many calories the mice ate. Both high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar (sucrose) are half fructose and half glucose.
Potts says the National Research Council recommends that for people, no more than 25 percent of calories should be from “added sugar,” which means “they don’t count what’s naturally in an apple, banana, potato or other nonprocessed food. … The dose we selected is consumed by 13 percent to 25 percent of Americans.”
The diet fed to the mice with the 25 percent sugar-added diet is equivalent to the diet of a person who drinks three cans daily of sweetened soda pop “plus a perfectly healthy, no-sugar-added diet,” Potts says.
Ruff notes that sugar consumption in the American diet has increased 50 percent since the 1970s, accompanied by a dramatic increase in metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, fatty liver and cardiovascular disease.
Read the entire release here.
The above article was first published at: http://davidduke.com/new-study-sugar-is-toxic-to-mice-in-safe-doses/?fb_source=pubv1
Sources for the above article include:
- http://www.newswise.com/articles/sugar-is-toxic-to-mice-in-safe-doses
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130813111722.htm
- http://science.naturalnews.com/sugar.html
- http://science.naturalnews.com/Fructose.html
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- American Diabetes Association peddling nutritional nonsense while accepting money from manufacturer of candy and sodas
- High-Fructose Corn Syrup and Diabetes: What the Experts Say
- The Harmful Effects of Sugar and Choosing Healthy Alternatives
- The politics of sugar: why your government lies to you about this disease-promoting ingredient
- Sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and type II diabetes
- Why Organic Palm Sugar is the next big thing in natural sweeteners
- Guess How many Teaspoons of Sugar in Two Thin Slices of Whole Wheat Bread?
- Dr. William Davis — Must See Videos on Why Modern Wheat is Toxic to Your Health!
- Exercise is Essential but What You Eat and How Much is most Important for Health!
- Low Carb, High Protein Diet Reduces Seizure Rate in Epilepsy Sufferers
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease, infertility and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic infertility treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/infertility_homeopathy.html
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Medicinal Chemist Gives 3 Reasons Why He Doesn’t Vaccinate
Parents Should Question Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness by Using Vaccine Exemption
by Shane Ellison, MS, ThePeoplesChemist.com
Instead of using an unproven hypothesis to question parents who have opted out, pro-vaccine parents should be questioning the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. With dozens of vaccines being forced on the public, some healthy skepticism could go a long way toward raising a vibrantly healthy child.
My background as a medicinal chemist taught me to rely on proven research. I learned to be less sensitive to emotional arguments and more sensitive to facts supported by reproducibility. This is one of the main principles of the scientific method. It refers to the ability of a test or experiment to be accurately reproduced. As a parent, I have a responsibility to use my training to make decisions for my family. Especially when it comes to potentially dangerous vaccinations.
In my own research, I have uncovered facts that every parent should be aware of. Here are three primary reasons why I have not and will not vaccinate my own children and why I’ve used vaccine exemption forms for public school and more:
Reason #1: Vaccination Does Not Always Mean “Immunization”
Vaccines are purported to work by triggering the body’s natural immunity. By injecting weak or dead infectious agents through our skin, it’s believed that the body will create the appropriate immune defense. They are even called “immunizations.”
And while this idea is over two hundred years old, it’s not nearly as effective as the pharmaceutical companies, doctors and government agencies want you to believe.
At best, vaccines boost our defenses only temporarily. That’s because your immune system is programmed to recognize and attack invaders that come through the biological “front door.” That would be your nose, mouth and eyes. It doesn’t work properly when we shove infection into our body with a needle.
The World Health Organization (WHO) underscored this fact in their report titled, Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. They wrote that, “Children under two years of age do not consistently develop immunity following vaccination.” Therefore, vaccines can fly “below the radar” of our immune system.
Not only does this weaken the immune system, it renders many vaccines ineffective.
And history proves this to be the case…
The Polio Vaccine
Polio is the most feared childhood illness. It has caused paralysis and death for much of human history. The world experienced a dramatic increase in polio around 1910. Epidemics became regular events. They were the driving force behind a great race toward the development of a polio vaccine. The vaccine was developed in 1953 and an oral version came soon after.
But the vaccines came too late. Thanks to better hygiene, sanitation and nutrition, the rates of polio infection had already plummeted as documented in my book, Over-The-Counter Natural Cures. And it’s a good thing, because both forms were a total failure. In fact, instead of preventing polio… they actually caused it!
Medical journals around the world have exposed this outcome. The Medical Journal of Australia discovered “the relation of prophylactic inoculations [polio vaccines] to the onset of poliomyelitis [polio]” as far back as 1951.
And the trend has continued…
In a 2007 article, entitled “Nigeria Fights Rare Vaccine-Derived Polio Outbreak,” Reuters showed how the vaccine itself ignited outbreaks of polio in Nigeria, Chad and Angola.
And according to The Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, the polio vaccine program launched by Bill Gates paralyzed 47,500 children in 2011 alone. And those injured by the vaccine died at twice the rate of those infected by “wild” polio!
Whooping Cough
The same scenario was repeated in the case of the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine. Between 1900 and 1935, mortality rates due to whooping cough dropped by 79 percent in the United States. Yet, the vaccine (DTP and DTaP) wasn’t introduced until 1940.
Today, those who have been “immunized” are the most susceptible to whooping cough.
Researchers with the CDC publicly stated in 2002 that, “the number of infants dying from whooping cough is rising, despite record high vaccination levels.” In 2009, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recognized the trend too. In the article titled, “Whooping Cough Vaccine not as Powerful as Thought,” the publication highlighted a recent cluster of 18 whooping cough-infected students. Seventeen of those students – 95% of those infected – had been immunized with five doses of DTaP vaccine.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
The measles vaccine is no different. In 1957, the MMR shot became widely used in an effort to eradicate measles, mumps, and rubella. The The CDC insisted that it would eliminate mumps in the United States by the year 2010.
But rather than preventing mumps and measles, the vaccine has actually caused widespread epidemics. Outbreaks have become the norm. And those who have suffered the most were “vaccinated.”
Between 1983 and 1990, there was a 423% increase in measles cases among vaccinated individuals. Then in 2006, the largest mumps outbreak in twenty years occurred. Among those infected, 63% were “immunized,” as shown by Neil Miller in Vaccines: Are They Safe and Effective? Others found similar results.
In The Journal of Infectious Diseases, scientists from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine wrote, “Vaccine failure accounted for a sustained mumps outbreak in a highly vaccinated population.”
In his book, How to Raise a Healthy Child In Spite of Your Doctor, the late Dr. Robert Mendlesohn, MD showed that vaccinated individuals are 14 times more likely to contract mumps than unvaccinated.
These stunning vaccine failures led the Iowa Department of Public Health to conclude that, “…Our most important public health tool against this disease—2 doses of MMR vaccine—is not providing the necessary levels of protection to control mumps in the U.S. population.”
Even the Mayo Clinic – a bastion of mainstream medicine – states that, “vaccine failure has become increasingly apparent.”
Flu Vaccine Failure
The flu vaccine has proven just as worthless…
In 2007, the CDC reported that it had “no or low effectiveness” against influenza or influenza-like illnesses. The data showed that the flu vaccine protected no more than 14% of those who received it. And this wasn’t some fluke. The vaccine is rarely any more effective than that.
Even The New York Times reports that, “The influenza vaccine, which has been strongly recommended for people over 65 for more than four decades, is losing its reputation as an effective way to ward off the virus.”
Doctors who do their homework understand that vaccines are ineffective. Dr. Ira Goodman MD, FACS, ABHIM, a surgeon from Loyola Medical School is one of them. Through email correspondence, he told me he is against vaccines simply because “they don’t work!”
The failure of vaccines has finally gone mainstream. But instead of admitting that they don’t offer protection, health officials and the pharmaceutical companies are pushing for MORE vaccines as the solution. When you consider the number of outright toxins contained in these experimental concoctions, the implications are chilling.
Reason #2 Vaccines Expose Kids to Toxins
According to fact sheets put out by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), vaccines are brimming with toxins. These include dozens of chemicals, heavy metals and allergens. They also include numerous objectionable ingredients, such as monkey kidney cells and aborted fetal tissue.
Formaldehyde is just one of many chemicals found in vaccines. And according to the FDA, “Excessive exposure to formaldehyde may cause cancer.” Another ingredient in the cocktail is a chemical known as 2-phenoxyethanol. This comes with an FDA warning which states that, “It can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants.”
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg…
In addition to mercury and aluminum, many vaccines are also spiked with antibiotics like neomycin, polymyxin B, streptomycin and gentamicin. These drugs aren’t even approved for uninfected children!
Despite this emerging toxic threat, Parenting Magazine and Dr. Paul Offit stated that, “In theory, healthy infants could safely get up to 100,000 vaccines at once.” Are you kidding me? He won’t be testing that theory on my children. I wonder if he’s willing to stab himself that many times to prove it?
I queried numerous physicians via email and phone to find out if they shared Dr. Offit’s ideas. They didn’t. Dr. Suzanne Humphries, MD was adamant that, “Vaccines put children at risk for a form of kidney disease called nephrotic syndrome. This can be caused by a common ingredient – Bovine Serum Albumin. Doctors just give children steroids to suppress the symptoms, never knowing what the cause was.”
If parents need further proof of toxicity, they can read vaccine package inserts. The insert for the DPT vaccine from Sanofi Pasteur warns that, “A review by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found evidence for a causal relation between tetanus toxoid and both brachial neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome [pain and loss of nerve and motor function].” Makers of the Tripedia vaccine for DTaP state that certain outcomes are so frequent that they had to list them. These reactions include:
Vaccine supporters will insist that the benefits outweigh these toxicity risks. But that would only be true if vaccination was the only road to immunization.
Reason #3 Kids Can Build Immunity Naturally
We are all at risk from various “biological nasties.” Invisible threats are everywhere…A single gram of feces can contain more than 10 million viruses, 1 million bacteria, 1,000 parasite cysts and 100 parasite eggs.
The goal is to minimize risk by increasing our immunity, naturally. In Over-The-Counter Natural Cures, I showed how innate and adaptive immunity act as our God-given protection from biological nasties.
But, you have to support these Gatekeepers of health with proper nutrition, hygiene, sanitation and natural medicine like andrographis. Just as hand washing saved millions from infant mortality in a hospital setting, healthy habits minimize exposure and boost our natural defenses. The science supporting this won the Nobel Prize in 2011!
Bruce Beutler and Jules Hoffmann discovered that we are hard-wired with special receptors that recognize foreign invaders and activate our immune response. Ralph Steinman then found that special cells of the immune system possess the unique capacity to activate the immune response, which clears biological nasties from the body. And all of this occurs without vaccination!
Decline in Disease Not Caused by Vaccination
Further research has shown that the historical decline in infectious diseases – that parents are now vaccinating against – were not the result of inoculation, like doctors blindly and wrongly assert. Instead, the decline began years before the vaccines were introduced thanks to improved habits of hygiene, sanitation and nutrition that raised our natural immunity.
Differences among immunity reflect the importance of healthy habits…Ever wonder why two people (even in the same household) can be exposed to the same virus while one of them is laid up in bed for a week and the other doesn’t feel the slightest effect?
And why is it that while nearly 50 million people died from the Spanish flu in 1918… the case fatality rate was from two to five percent? That means that 95 to 98 percent of those who contracted the flu recovered fully. And that says nothing of the hundreds of millions of people who came into contact with the virus, but never became ill at all.
The difference is our individual immune system.
And the bottom line is that your habits have a great deal of control over it, as shown in Nobel winning science. Work with it to acquire protection.
There are no Silver Bullets Against Infection, but You Have Options
There is no silver bullet, though.
Despite our best efforts at nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, the immune system can still fail. Fortunately, in many cases, emergency medicine can help.
With all this science and technology at our fingertips, I’m not willing to risk my children’s health on the antiquated vaccine theory… nor the toxic brew they contain.
That doesn’t make me a religious “nut job” or conspiracy theorist. It simply means that I am an informed and caring parent with healthy kids who don’t need to rely on risky medicines or “herd immunity.” And since herd immunity is nothing more than an antiquated theory – and not something that is actually protecting kids form infections – pro-vaccine parents shouldn’t give a shit about my non-vaccinated kids or my use of vaccine exemption forms.
Source: ThePeoplesChemist.com by Shane Ellison, MS
RealPharmacy.com
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
by Shane Ellison, MS, ThePeoplesChemist.com
Instead of using an unproven hypothesis to question parents who have opted out, pro-vaccine parents should be questioning the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. With dozens of vaccines being forced on the public, some healthy skepticism could go a long way toward raising a vibrantly healthy child.
My background as a medicinal chemist taught me to rely on proven research. I learned to be less sensitive to emotional arguments and more sensitive to facts supported by reproducibility. This is one of the main principles of the scientific method. It refers to the ability of a test or experiment to be accurately reproduced. As a parent, I have a responsibility to use my training to make decisions for my family. Especially when it comes to potentially dangerous vaccinations.
In my own research, I have uncovered facts that every parent should be aware of. Here are three primary reasons why I have not and will not vaccinate my own children and why I’ve used vaccine exemption forms for public school and more:
Reason #1: Vaccination Does Not Always Mean “Immunization”
Vaccines are purported to work by triggering the body’s natural immunity. By injecting weak or dead infectious agents through our skin, it’s believed that the body will create the appropriate immune defense. They are even called “immunizations.”
And while this idea is over two hundred years old, it’s not nearly as effective as the pharmaceutical companies, doctors and government agencies want you to believe.
At best, vaccines boost our defenses only temporarily. That’s because your immune system is programmed to recognize and attack invaders that come through the biological “front door.” That would be your nose, mouth and eyes. It doesn’t work properly when we shove infection into our body with a needle.
The World Health Organization (WHO) underscored this fact in their report titled, Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. They wrote that, “Children under two years of age do not consistently develop immunity following vaccination.” Therefore, vaccines can fly “below the radar” of our immune system.
Not only does this weaken the immune system, it renders many vaccines ineffective.
And history proves this to be the case…
The Polio Vaccine
Polio is the most feared childhood illness. It has caused paralysis and death for much of human history. The world experienced a dramatic increase in polio around 1910. Epidemics became regular events. They were the driving force behind a great race toward the development of a polio vaccine. The vaccine was developed in 1953 and an oral version came soon after.
But the vaccines came too late. Thanks to better hygiene, sanitation and nutrition, the rates of polio infection had already plummeted as documented in my book, Over-The-Counter Natural Cures. And it’s a good thing, because both forms were a total failure. In fact, instead of preventing polio… they actually caused it!
Medical journals around the world have exposed this outcome. The Medical Journal of Australia discovered “the relation of prophylactic inoculations [polio vaccines] to the onset of poliomyelitis [polio]” as far back as 1951.
And the trend has continued…
In a 2007 article, entitled “Nigeria Fights Rare Vaccine-Derived Polio Outbreak,” Reuters showed how the vaccine itself ignited outbreaks of polio in Nigeria, Chad and Angola.
And according to The Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, the polio vaccine program launched by Bill Gates paralyzed 47,500 children in 2011 alone. And those injured by the vaccine died at twice the rate of those infected by “wild” polio!
Whooping Cough
The same scenario was repeated in the case of the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine. Between 1900 and 1935, mortality rates due to whooping cough dropped by 79 percent in the United States. Yet, the vaccine (DTP and DTaP) wasn’t introduced until 1940.
Today, those who have been “immunized” are the most susceptible to whooping cough.
Researchers with the CDC publicly stated in 2002 that, “the number of infants dying from whooping cough is rising, despite record high vaccination levels.” In 2009, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recognized the trend too. In the article titled, “Whooping Cough Vaccine not as Powerful as Thought,” the publication highlighted a recent cluster of 18 whooping cough-infected students. Seventeen of those students – 95% of those infected – had been immunized with five doses of DTaP vaccine.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
The measles vaccine is no different. In 1957, the MMR shot became widely used in an effort to eradicate measles, mumps, and rubella. The The CDC insisted that it would eliminate mumps in the United States by the year 2010.
But rather than preventing mumps and measles, the vaccine has actually caused widespread epidemics. Outbreaks have become the norm. And those who have suffered the most were “vaccinated.”
Between 1983 and 1990, there was a 423% increase in measles cases among vaccinated individuals. Then in 2006, the largest mumps outbreak in twenty years occurred. Among those infected, 63% were “immunized,” as shown by Neil Miller in Vaccines: Are They Safe and Effective? Others found similar results.
In The Journal of Infectious Diseases, scientists from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine wrote, “Vaccine failure accounted for a sustained mumps outbreak in a highly vaccinated population.”
In his book, How to Raise a Healthy Child In Spite of Your Doctor, the late Dr. Robert Mendlesohn, MD showed that vaccinated individuals are 14 times more likely to contract mumps than unvaccinated.
These stunning vaccine failures led the Iowa Department of Public Health to conclude that, “…Our most important public health tool against this disease—2 doses of MMR vaccine—is not providing the necessary levels of protection to control mumps in the U.S. population.”
Even the Mayo Clinic – a bastion of mainstream medicine – states that, “vaccine failure has become increasingly apparent.”
Flu Vaccine Failure
The flu vaccine has proven just as worthless…
In 2007, the CDC reported that it had “no or low effectiveness” against influenza or influenza-like illnesses. The data showed that the flu vaccine protected no more than 14% of those who received it. And this wasn’t some fluke. The vaccine is rarely any more effective than that.
Even The New York Times reports that, “The influenza vaccine, which has been strongly recommended for people over 65 for more than four decades, is losing its reputation as an effective way to ward off the virus.”
Doctors who do their homework understand that vaccines are ineffective. Dr. Ira Goodman MD, FACS, ABHIM, a surgeon from Loyola Medical School is one of them. Through email correspondence, he told me he is against vaccines simply because “they don’t work!”
The failure of vaccines has finally gone mainstream. But instead of admitting that they don’t offer protection, health officials and the pharmaceutical companies are pushing for MORE vaccines as the solution. When you consider the number of outright toxins contained in these experimental concoctions, the implications are chilling.
Reason #2 Vaccines Expose Kids to Toxins
According to fact sheets put out by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), vaccines are brimming with toxins. These include dozens of chemicals, heavy metals and allergens. They also include numerous objectionable ingredients, such as monkey kidney cells and aborted fetal tissue.
Formaldehyde is just one of many chemicals found in vaccines. And according to the FDA, “Excessive exposure to formaldehyde may cause cancer.” Another ingredient in the cocktail is a chemical known as 2-phenoxyethanol. This comes with an FDA warning which states that, “It can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants.”
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg…
In addition to mercury and aluminum, many vaccines are also spiked with antibiotics like neomycin, polymyxin B, streptomycin and gentamicin. These drugs aren’t even approved for uninfected children!
Despite this emerging toxic threat, Parenting Magazine and Dr. Paul Offit stated that, “In theory, healthy infants could safely get up to 100,000 vaccines at once.” Are you kidding me? He won’t be testing that theory on my children. I wonder if he’s willing to stab himself that many times to prove it?
I queried numerous physicians via email and phone to find out if they shared Dr. Offit’s ideas. They didn’t. Dr. Suzanne Humphries, MD was adamant that, “Vaccines put children at risk for a form of kidney disease called nephrotic syndrome. This can be caused by a common ingredient – Bovine Serum Albumin. Doctors just give children steroids to suppress the symptoms, never knowing what the cause was.”
If parents need further proof of toxicity, they can read vaccine package inserts. The insert for the DPT vaccine from Sanofi Pasteur warns that, “A review by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found evidence for a causal relation between tetanus toxoid and both brachial neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome [pain and loss of nerve and motor function].” Makers of the Tripedia vaccine for DTaP state that certain outcomes are so frequent that they had to list them. These reactions include:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Anaphylactic reaction
- Cellulitis (a bacterial skin infection)
- Autism
- Convulsion/Seizures
- Brain dysfunction
- Low muscle tone and strength
- Nerve damage
- Hyperventilation/apnea
Vaccine supporters will insist that the benefits outweigh these toxicity risks. But that would only be true if vaccination was the only road to immunization.
Reason #3 Kids Can Build Immunity Naturally
We are all at risk from various “biological nasties.” Invisible threats are everywhere…A single gram of feces can contain more than 10 million viruses, 1 million bacteria, 1,000 parasite cysts and 100 parasite eggs.
The goal is to minimize risk by increasing our immunity, naturally. In Over-The-Counter Natural Cures, I showed how innate and adaptive immunity act as our God-given protection from biological nasties.
But, you have to support these Gatekeepers of health with proper nutrition, hygiene, sanitation and natural medicine like andrographis. Just as hand washing saved millions from infant mortality in a hospital setting, healthy habits minimize exposure and boost our natural defenses. The science supporting this won the Nobel Prize in 2011!
Bruce Beutler and Jules Hoffmann discovered that we are hard-wired with special receptors that recognize foreign invaders and activate our immune response. Ralph Steinman then found that special cells of the immune system possess the unique capacity to activate the immune response, which clears biological nasties from the body. And all of this occurs without vaccination!
Decline in Disease Not Caused by Vaccination
Further research has shown that the historical decline in infectious diseases – that parents are now vaccinating against – were not the result of inoculation, like doctors blindly and wrongly assert. Instead, the decline began years before the vaccines were introduced thanks to improved habits of hygiene, sanitation and nutrition that raised our natural immunity.
Differences among immunity reflect the importance of healthy habits…Ever wonder why two people (even in the same household) can be exposed to the same virus while one of them is laid up in bed for a week and the other doesn’t feel the slightest effect?
And why is it that while nearly 50 million people died from the Spanish flu in 1918… the case fatality rate was from two to five percent? That means that 95 to 98 percent of those who contracted the flu recovered fully. And that says nothing of the hundreds of millions of people who came into contact with the virus, but never became ill at all.
The difference is our individual immune system.
And the bottom line is that your habits have a great deal of control over it, as shown in Nobel winning science. Work with it to acquire protection.
There are no Silver Bullets Against Infection, but You Have Options
There is no silver bullet, though.
Despite our best efforts at nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, the immune system can still fail. Fortunately, in many cases, emergency medicine can help.
With all this science and technology at our fingertips, I’m not willing to risk my children’s health on the antiquated vaccine theory… nor the toxic brew they contain.
That doesn’t make me a religious “nut job” or conspiracy theorist. It simply means that I am an informed and caring parent with healthy kids who don’t need to rely on risky medicines or “herd immunity.” And since herd immunity is nothing more than an antiquated theory – and not something that is actually protecting kids form infections – pro-vaccine parents shouldn’t give a shit about my non-vaccinated kids or my use of vaccine exemption forms.
Source: ThePeoplesChemist.com by Shane Ellison, MS
RealPharmacy.com
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.
Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/
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