Monthly Archives: September 2011

Sept.29.11-10 Minutes of Exercise

10 Minutes of Exercise a Day May Keep the Doctor Away

The above headline is from a June 2, 2010 article in the publication, Medill Reports Chicago, from the Medill School Northwestern University. This article, and several others on the same subject, were based upon a study published in the May 2010 journal “Science Translational Medicine”.

The results of the study basically show that even just 10 minutes of brisk exercise per day trigger metabolic changes that can last up to an hour and can have a positive effect on your health. The study also shows that those who are already fit get more benefit from their exercise than from those who are just starting out.

Dr. Robert Gerszten of Massachusetts General Hospital, and one of the authors of the study showed that metabolic changes began in people after only 10 minutes on the treadmill, and were still measurable 60 minutes after people cooled down.

To Download this Article: 10 Minutes of Exercise a Day May Keep the Doctor Away
In this study 70 healthy people were put on a treadmill. The researchers found that more than 20 metabolites changed during exercise and caused naturally produced compounds involved in burning calories and fat as well as improving blood-sugar control.

Dr. Gregory Lewis, a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and lead author of the study spoke about how profound this study’s findings were by saying, “Its basically like the ultimate intervention. Our large-scale objective is to try and unlock some of the mystery behind why exercise has such beneficial effects.” He added, “What other medicine can you think of that would be associated with living longer, better brain function, better cardiovascular function, better blood vessel function, less depression?”

Dr. Charles Burant, professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, who was not involved in the research responded to the study by saying, “We know that exercise is good for you; the question is why it is good for you, and this paper is a start of understanding this a little bit more.

Dr. Gerszten summed up the benefits of having this new type of information by saying, “The studies to date are really what we like to think of [as] the first comprehensive chemical snapshot of exercise. We have a chemical snapshot of what the fit person looks like. Now we have to see if making someone’s metabolism look like that snapshot, whether or not that’s going to improve their performance.”

 

Sept.29.11-Top 10 Human Medications Poisonous to Pets

From a January 7, 2010 article on Veterinary Practice News comes a warning for pet lovers about pets being poisoned by medications intended for humans. Justine A. Lee, DVM, DACVECC, associate director of veterinary services at Pet Poison Helpline reports that when it comes to pets being poisoned by medications, “they are unfortunately very, very common.”

Surprising to most people is that human medications are the most common type of poisoning that animals are exposed to. On the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) website is listed the Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2008. The first item on the list is “human medications”. The ASPCA notes that, “For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCAs list of common hazards.”

The Veterinary Practice News article was more specific and listed the types of medications that are most commonly ingested by animals. These are:

  1. NSAIDs (e.g. Advil, Aleve and Motrin)
  2. Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol)
  3. Antidepressants (e.g. Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro)
  4. ADD/ADHD medications (e.g. Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin)
  5. Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta)
  6. Birth control (e.g. estrogen, estradiol, progesterone)
  7. ACE Inhibitors (e.g. Zestril, Altace)
  8. Beta-blockers (e.g. Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg)
  9. Thyroid hormones (e.g. Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid)

   10.Cholesterol lowering agents (e.g. Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor)

The ASPCA reported that they receive over 50,000 calls per year on pets being poisoned by medications. They warn that, “Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor.”

To Download this Article: Top 10 Pills Poisonous to Pets

Sept 28.11-Backpack Safety

Back to School and Backpack Safety

Several news stories and articles have appeared speaking to the issue of backpack safety in school children. One article from the Aug. 1, 2007 issue of the Okeechobee News starts off by noting that backpacks can be purchased anywhere, but very few people ask about the construction of these packs. The article suggests that parents ask the following questions. “How wide are the shoulder straps? Does it disperse weight evenly? Does the bag have a waist belt to disperse weight to the hips?”

The Okeechobee News article reports that according to the the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), there are more than 21,000 backpack-related injuries each year. The article notes that increased weight is a major issue. The result, as they suggest, is that, “This increase in weight can be correlated to an increase in children seeing chiropractors.”

On July 12, 2007, the California publication, The Acorn, also published a story on backpack safety. In this story they quote Dr. Gerard W. Clum of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress who advises, “Backpacks weighing more than 15 pounds that are slung over a shoulder produce an imbalance in the rib cage.” He continued by saying, “This type of repetitive strain can also initiate arm and hand numbness, headaches or backaches.”

The July 20, 2007 Toledo Free Press also ran a story on backpacks where they offered tips by the American Chiropractic Association to “help prevent the needless pain that backpack misuse could cause the students in your household.” These tips included:

 Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 10 percent of his or her body weight.

 The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline.

 A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively.

 Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back.

 Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps.

 The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack fits to your child’s body.

 If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child’s teacher.

To Download this Article: BackpackSafety

Sept.26.11-More Children Going to Chiropractors

The June 6, 2002 issue of the Boston Globe reports on a phenomenon becoming more common, children under chiropractic care. The story states: “Chiropractors’ offices, once filled with middle-aged construction workers, over-the-hill athletes, and migraine headache sufferers, are taking on a younger look these days as more and more parents are bringing their children in for exams. For many children, trips to the chiropractor have become a weekly event, squeezed between sports practices, orthodontist appointments, and piano lessons.”

Not surprisingly, the article also presents an opinion from a medical doctor, Dr. Robert Baratz, who said, “Show me a medical doctor who says, ‘You’re here for hypertension. Oh, why don’t you bring your kids in, too.’” In spite of these antiquated opinions, the Globe reported that in 1998, children made 420,000 visits to Boston-area chiropractors. This is according to a study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Local chiropractors say that figure has steadily grown since that study..

The article justifies the increased usage of chiropractic care by suggesting there is an increased need. “To understand why, look no further than Little Leaguers’ mud-stained uniforms, laptops flipped open on the edge of beds, and excessively heavy backpacks. Add in high-heel and platform shoes worn by teenage girls, hours in front of Nintendo and, in some cases, too much studying and not enough exercise, and you’ve got a lot of young, aching backs.” The Boston Globe also suggests, “The bigger reason children are getting treatment, though, appears to be parental experience. Some 27 million adults frequented chiropractors’ offices in 2001, up from 22 million in 1996, according to the American Chiropractic Association. As more adults find relief from their back pains through chiropractic treatment, they’re taking their kids in for checkups, too”.

Probably the most telling part of the article were the patient comments. One explains ‘I started coming to the chiropractor because I had a lot of tension in my back working in front of a computer all day,” said Audet, of Sharon. “When I first saw kids here, I thought it was kind of weird. But after my husband and I had been coming for four or five years, I thought, ‘Why not have them try it?’”

The chiropractors interviewed in the article explained that most younger patients have no symptoms, but come in for wellness and preventative care. They further explain that the children come in for correction of subluxations to allow the body to function healthier.

To Download this Article: MoreChildrenGoingtoChiropractors

Sept.22.11-Back Pain Sufferers Benefit from Chiropractic Care

A study published in the June 2010 issue of The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, showed that people who used what the study called “Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)” received a “great deal” of benefit. Chiropractic was included in what this medical study defined as CAM care.

The study received attention in a number of news stories including an article in the July 4, 2010 Medical News Today, and in a June 30, 2010 Business Wire release by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. The study surveyed people who had suffered from back pain and had used at least one CAM therapy in the last 12 months. Of these participants the results showed that over 60% found remarkable relief using the top six CAM treatments. Those treatments were chiropractic care, massage, yoga/tai chi/qi Cong, acupuncture, herbal therapies, and relaxation techniques – with chiropractic care being the most popular choice. The Medical News Today story reported that back pain is the second leading reason people walk into a doctor’s office in the U.S. The survey looked at a total of 17 CAM therapies choices. Of those, Chiropractic care was the most popular approach at 74 percent, with massage a distant second at 22 percent. Dr. Gerard Clum, Foundation for Chiropractic Progress spokesperson and president of Life Chiropractic College West noted, “What we are seeing with these studies is compelling evidence that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for back pain sufferers more and more, that light is chiropractic care and other CAM approaches. ” One of the interesting findings of the study was that an overwhelming number of the people in the survey did not go to a CAM practitioner because of a referral from a medical doctor. In fact only 24 percent of respondents with back pain who received CAM stated that care came at the suggestion of their conventional medical practitioner.

In their study conclusion, the authors of the study stated, “CAM is used by 40% to 60% of the population yearly, and back pain is the most common medical condition for which people use CAM. Using a nationally representative survey, our analyses documented that the majority of respondents who used CAM for back pain perceived great benefit and identified specific factors associated with perceived benefit.” In the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress release on the study Dr. Clum summed up the study by stating, “Back pain sufferers should be made aware of all treatment options, especially alternatives that have been scientifically proven to provide relief. While chiropractic care has in the past been considered alternative there is now a case to be made for making it the first choice for patients and in the process making interventions like injections and surgery the alternative approach.”

To Download this Article: Back Pain Chiro

Sept.21.11- Flu Jabs Could be a Waste of Time

This article, and several others on the same subject, were initiated because of a report appearing in the October 28, 2006 issue of the prestigious British Medical Journal (BMJ). In the BMJ report, Dr. Tom Jefferson notes that many studies on flu vaccinations were of poor quality and showed evidence of bias.

Dr. Jefferson is the coordinator of the vaccines section of the Cochrane Collaboration, an independent group that reviews research and tests its validity. According to the Telegraph article Dr. Jefferson has analyzed the best available evidence showing the impact of vaccination on the population. He states, “I am interested in the gap between evidence and policy. I have looked at the facts. All I can say is that I have not found the evidence.” After an extensive review of scientific studies available on Flu vaccinations, Dr. Jefferson found that up to the age of two, infants were no better off getting the vaccination than getting a placebo. Likewise, he also found that there was little evidence of benefit for older children as well. Contrary to common vaccination recommendations he could not find enough evidence of benefit for people with chronic chest problems, asthma and cystic fibrosis. The report even points out the lack of consistent evidence in elderly populations. Dr. Jefferson noted the wide swing in statistics and attributes this inconsistency to biased reporting and inconsistencies in surveillance. In healthy populations, the BMJ report showed no evidence of need for Flu vaccine. The evidence showed among healthy people under 65 who received a flu vaccination, there was no effect on possible hospital stay, time off work, or death from influenza and its complications.

Dr. Jefferson’s report calls into question the aggressive vaccination policies and recommendations. The report noted, “The large gap between policy and what the data tell us (when rigorously assembled and evaluated) is surprising.” In concluding his report, Dr. Jefferson remarks on the common fear spread about Flu predictions which commonly make the general press and send masses scurrying to get their shots, “The optimistic and confident tone of some predictions of viral circulation and of the impact of inactivated vaccines, which are at odds with the evidence, is striking.”

As a side note, 28 news outlets reported on this finding from the BMJ. It is interesting to note that no mainstream US news outlets covered the story and only 3 news publications of any kind in the US even carried this story.

To Download this Article: Flu Jab

Sept.14.11-America Spends More For Mediocre Health Care Than All Other Nations

America Spends More For Mediocre Health Care Than All Other Nations

A new study, the National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance, shows that the U.S. health care system is fragmented, wasteful and in some cases dangerous, and is particularly poor at serving the very young and the very old.

Despite the fact that the United States spends more on health care than any other country, it has the highest infant mortality rate among nearly two dozen industrialized nations, and the lowest life expectancy after 60.

The study, released by the Commonwealth Fund’s Commission on a High Performance Health System, assigned scores to 37 indicators of health outcomes, quality, access, equity and efficiency. On average, the United States scored 66 out of a possible 100.

Improvements in the health care system could lead to 150,000 lives and $100 billion saved annually. Currently, one-third of patients report a medical, medication or lab test mistake, and a quarter of U.S. adults have had to wait at least six days to receive care when they needed medical attention.

If you’re wondering why medical mistakes like the one I recently described are being reported with greater frequency, you’ll want to review this first-ever National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance.

Among the benchmarks cited in the report with the correspondingly low U.S. scores:

  • Infant mortality = 39 out of 100
  • Needless emergency room visits that could’ve been treated in an office visit = 23 out of 100
  • Adults receiving recommended screenings and preventative care = 61 out of 100

The United States spends 16 percent of its gross domestic product on health care, or $2 trillion, every year. Since the CDC and FDA are focusing on crazy treatments and toxic drugs, I can’t imagine these scores improving any time soon.

This is why I lost my faith in the modern health care system many years ago.

It is all too obvious that it is focused on the “business of unnecessary medicine” rather than true healing. The belief of quantity over quality is a powerful contributor to the downfall of the traditional medical community. By the end of the decade, health care costs are expected to rise to $3 TRILLION. This is largely due to the costs of drugs and surgery and a reliance on a medical system that does not treat the cause of disease.

The only way to improve the state of health care in America:

You simply must take better responsibility for your own health, address the true cause of your disease and move away from needless drugs and surgical procedures that merely mask your problem.

Care, not treatment, is the answer.

Drugs, surgery and hospitals are rarely the answer to chronic health problems. Following a healthy diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are the basic pillars of optimal health. Effective interventions for the underlying emotional wounding behind most chronic illness are key.

 

AN OPTIMAL SPINE EQUALS OPTIMAL HEALTH as well!

To Download this Article: mediocrehealthcare

Sept.14.11-Mercury and HFCS

The new report comes from researchers including David Wallinga, MD, director of the IATP’s food and health program. They bought 55 products that list high-fructose corn syrup first or second on their list of ingredients, which means high-fructose corn syrup was a leading ingredient in those products.

Wallinga’s team sent samples of those products to a commercial lab, which checked the levels of total mercury in each sample.

“Overall, we found detectable mercury in 17 of 55 samples, or around 31%,” write Wallinga and colleagues.

Here is the list of those products:

  • Quaker Oatmeal to Go bars

  • Jack Daniel’s Barbecue Sauce

  • Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup

  • Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce

  • Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars

  • Manwich Gold Sloppy Joe

  • Market Pantry Grape Jelly

  • Smucker’s Strawberry Jelly

  • Pop-Tarts Frosted Blueberry

  • Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup

  • Wish-Bone Western Sweet & Smooth Dressing

  • Coca-Cola Classic: no mercury found on a second test

  • Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt

  • Minute Maid Berry Punch

  • Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink

  • Nesquik Chocolate Milk

  • Kemps Fat Free Chocolate Milk

Wallinga and colleagues caution that their list was “just a snapshot in time; we only tested one sample of each product. That clearly is not sufficient grounds to give definitive advice to consumers.”

Mercury exposure at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. A form of mercury called methylmercury is particularly risky to a baby’s developing brain and nervous system, according to background information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Wallinga points out that the lab only tested for total mercury levels, not methylmercury or other types of mercury. He also notes that the EPA has a “reference dose,” or upper limit, for methylmercury intake but not for other forms of mercury.

Where Did the Mercury Come From?

Wallinga’s report doesn’t prove that the mercury in the tested products came from high-fructose corn syrup, but “I’m hard pressed to say where else it would come from,” Wallinga tells WebMD.

Wallinga explains that mercury can be used to make caustic soda, which is one of the products used to make high-fructose corn syrup. That’s outdated technology; mercury isn’t needed to make caustic soda, notes Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, in a statement emailed to WebMD.

To Download this Article: Mercury & HFCS

Sept.8.11-America’s Healthcare

Dear AFC Patients,

Thousands of medical reports have been examined, the numbers have been tallied, and the conclusion is sobering: the American medical system is the leading cause of death and injury in the United States.

The medical profession and the media have always claimed that the leading causes of death, for both men and women, are heart disease and cancer. Records show us that in 2001 cancer claimed 553,251 lives, with heart disease in the lead with 699,697 attributed deaths. But when medical reports were more closely examined, analysts found that 783,936 deaths—in a single year–were directly related to medical care misdiagnosis and carelessness.

Never before has a complete overview of the medical field been examined where medicine related deaths have been combined and totaled. Here are some of the horrific results derived from a one-year period:

  • Adverse Drug Reactions: 106,000 people dead with $12 billion in expenses.
  • Medical errors: 98,000 dead with $2 billion in expenses.
  • Bedsores leading to other complications: 115,000 dead with $55 billion in expenses.
  • Hospital acquired infections: 88,000 dead with $5 billion in expenses.
  • Outpatient mishaps: 199,000 people dead with $77 billion in expenses.
  • Unnecessary Procedures: 37,136 people dead with$122 billion in expenses.
  • Surgery-Related complications: 32,000 people dead with $9 billion in expenses.

What our healthcare system doesn’t tell you is that the human body is a powerful entity, designed to heal itself during times of illness or disorder. The spine plays a very important role in this process. If spinal vertebrae are misaligned, malfunctions and health disorders can arise. That’s why it’s so important to receive regular chiropractic adjustments.

More importantly, chiropractic adjustments are safe and involve no medicine or radical invasive procedures. In fact, it’s one of the safest and healthiest forms of care available. If you are dealing with a health problem, or are just feeling ‘under the weather’, consider chiropractic care before you put your life in the hands of the number one killer in America.

Yours in health,
Robert Berry, DC

[Source: Death By Medicine, Gary Null PhD, Carolyn Dean MD ND, Marin Feldman MD, Debora Maslo MD, and Dorothy Smith, PhD.]

To Download this Article: AmericasHealthcare

Sept.7.11-Top 5 Ingredients to Avoid in Deodorant

Top five ingredients to avoid in deodorant

by Danna Norek

(NaturalNews) Deodorant is an essential toiletry that most Americans have in their medicine cabinet today. Many are still unaware of the hidden dangers in the active ingredients of modern day deodorant. They continue to use these potentially hazardous chemicals on their underarms as a way of reducing perspiration and odor.

The primary ingredient used in most antiperspirants is aluminum. Aluminum is a metal, which is used in antiperspirants to help block the sweat from escaping the pores. Aluminum has been linked to breast cancer in women and has also been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Several studies have shown a link between increasing antiperspirant use and rising rates of female breast cancer and prostate cancer in men. However, the FDA has not committed to classifying it as a carcinogen. Their position remains one of “wait and see” as more definitive studies are released.

Parabens are a family of synthetic preservatives that are often found in deodorants as well. In fact, parabens are contained in an alarming amount of our body care products. A random sampling of 100 human urine specimens performed by the CDC showed that all 100 contained parabens. This demonstrates the high absorption rate of chemicals we place on our skin.

The largest concern is that the absorption of these chemicals will disrupt our delicate hormonal balance. This can lead to things like early puberty in children and an increased risk of hormonal cancers. Paraben exposure has also been linked to birth defects and organ toxicity.

Propylene glycol is another common ingredient that is used in antiperspirants and deodorants. This is a petroleum based material that is used to soften cosmetic products due to its slick consistency. It is a cheap way to make skin care products more easily applicable to the skin.

The argument that propylene glycol is safe in small amounts has been questioned by consumer safety advocates. In large quantities, studies have shown that it can cause damage to the central nervous system, liver and heart.

This chemical is even found in many of the processed foods we eat today. Logical thought follows that decreasing our exposure to propylene glycol is the prudent thing to do. It is for this reason that using skin care products that are propylene glycol free is becoming popular in health conscious circles.

Phthalates are another class of chemicals that are often used in deodorants and antiperspirants that you may want to avoid. Phthalates are used in cosmetics, synthetic fragrances, plastics, body care products and medical goods. They help to dissolve other ingredients and to create a better consistency.

The problem with phthalates is that they have been linked to a variety of health issues. High phthalate blood and urine levels in women of child bearing age have been linked to a higher risk of birth defects. This suggests that phthalates may disrupt hormone receptors as well as increase the likelihood of cell mutation.

Triclosan is another common ingredient included in commercial deodorants. It is utilized as the odor killing part of antiperspirants for its anti-bacterial properties. It is also commonly used in antibacterial soaps, hand wipes and gels.

Triclosan is actually classified as a pesticide by the FDA. It is also classified as a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. This classification has prompted some companies to remove it from their products. However, it still can be found as an ingredient in some formulas.

Sources :
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009…
http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/563
http://www.thedailygreen.com/enviro…
http://www.health-report.co.uk/ethy…
http://www.naturalingredient.org/sy…

To Download this Article: Top5ingredientstoavoidinDeodorant

Page 1 of 2
1 2