Underground Health.com

Preventing Osteoarthritis

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:01:00 +0000

If you have a family history of osteoarthritis then you have a higher chance of developing the disease yourself. Besides genetic predisposition, osteoarthritis can be present in those who are overweight or those who routinely put stress on the particular joint. Injury is also a culprit.

Osteoarthritis affects the joints in the body, most commonly the spine, hips, knees, feet and hands. It is caused by the wearing down of cartilage between these joints, causing bones to rub together. This causes discomfort and a decrease in mobility to the area.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting 21 million people in the United States. It can be caused by a number of factors. While it is more frequently found in those over 45, it can occur in younger people. Under 45, men are more likely to develop the disease than women, while over 45 women are more likely to develop it than men.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent the onset of the disease, and it's easier than you think. It's about taking care of your body, which hopefully you're doing already as good health is the key to combating any form of disease, as well as education.

If you are overweight you are far more likely to develop osteoarthritis than someone who isn't. This is because the extra weight puts unnecessary stress on the joints. Keeping in shape also helps to prevent many other diseases, such as heart disease.

Keep fit, not only to keep your weight in healthy range but also to work your joints. Aerobic exercises that work as much of your body are especially important; they revitalize your circulatory system and keep your heart rate up, as well as keep your joints limber. Make sure not to over exert yourself, especially if you feel pain in a joint, as this may only cause to exacerbate the condition you are trying to prevent. Discuss with your doctor what kinds of exercises are best for you. Osteoarthritis in the hands is the most genetically predispositioned form of the disease, so if you are at risk ask your doctor if there is anything you can do.

Injury to the joints can also cause the onset of osteoarthritis. Be sure to wear protective gear, like wrist guards for instance, when deemed necessary.

There have been some foods and supplements that have been reported to decrease your chances of getting the disease. While some initial results have proved encouraging, studies are still continuing for conclusive results. None of the supplements have been reported to carry side effects though, and are part of a healthy lifestyle.

An anti-inflammatory is just what you're looking for. Anti-inflammatory properties can be found in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fatty fish like salmon or albacore tuna. Since our North American diet is severely lacking in fish on a regular basis, try an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement such as Omega Daily.

Early detection is important. If you feel a recurring pain in your joints, or a stiffness that won't go away, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you find the best way to deal with the pain.

Prevent Hair Loss with Natural Nutrients

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:58:00 +0000

Are you losing your head because you're losing your hair? Although it's quite normal to lose a few strands daily, excessive hair fall can lead to bald patches and ultimately, baldness. This is especially true for men who, unlike women, are prone to baldness due to their genetic makeup. Testosterone, the same hormone which makes you feel manly and all, is the culprit. Once this hormone comes in contact with your hair follicles, it's converted into DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, which shrinks your strands and thickens your scalp. This reduces blood flow to your scalp and makes your strands unhealthy, thus, promoting hair loss.

Fortunately, not all men are doomed to this fate. According to Profollica.com, a well-known scientists have found out that men with reduced levels of DHT in their scalps experience minimal hair fall. This does not mean that they are less manly since they still produce normal testosterone levels. What this means is that they have DHT blockers in their scalps to prevent shrinking strands and thickening scalps. So before contemplating a sex change, picking out your future toupee, or considering follicle transplants, consider hair care systems with natural nutrients and vitamins which act as DHT blockers to prevent hair loss.

Nutrients and Food Sources that Prevent Hair Loss

1. Zinc

One of the most popular hair loss prevention minerals is zinc. Studies show that severe deficiency of this mineral leads to baldness and other scalp problems. People with reduced or less-than-normal amounts of zinc in their bodies usually experience excessive hair fall and premature graying. This mineral is also valuable for minimizing the effects of stress which promotes excess DHT production.

As it's, eating zinc-rich foods or taking a mineral supplement can effectively minimize hair fall. Some food sources rich in zinc include the following: wheat germ, egg yolks, spinach, whole grains, mushrooms, and red meat. However, care should be taken in eating these or taking supplements. A daily does of zinc over 12 mg can cause decreased iron absorption and anemia.

2. Biotin

A component of the B complex group, Biotin is often referred to a Vitamin H or hair vitamin. This is because it promotes hair growth while preventing loss. It metabolizes fatty acids which fuel the growth and repair of hair follicles, thus reducing breakages caused by DHT. It also staggers the premature aging of the hair strands by keeping them moisturized and nourished. Excellent sources of Biotin are cooked eggs, milk, liver, kidney, and yeast. Although no exact amount is pegged as the ideal dose of Biotin, its sources are high in fat which can cause other health problems.

3. Protein

Hair is almost 90% protein so it makes sense that this nutrient is among the top hair regrowth agent. Shampoos and conditioners list protein, or at least its derivatives, as their main ingredients. But protein does not boost hair regrowth, it only strengthens the strands to help them endure combing, styling, and heat exposure -- added stress which aggravates DHT production. With its ability to increase strand thickness by as much as 45%, protein, in regulated amounts, is the most common solution to thinning hair. Common sources for this nutrient include red meat, legumes, milk, and eggs.

As good as protein is for your hair, it needs to be taken carefully because excesses of this nutrient promotes fat intake and dehydration. Increased fatty acids can boost oil production in the scalp which can block and weaken hair follicles. Likewise, dehydration will cause hair to become brittle and dry.

4. Vitamin A

Retinol, carotenoid, or carotene -- this terms only mean one thing: Vitamin A. Unknown to many, this popular vision enhancer is also our hair's best friend. It's an antioxidant that promotes healthy sebum production in your scalp. It allows your hair to produce just the right amount of oil to moisturize the strands but not too much that it blocks the pores in your scalp. Normal sebum production is equal to less chances of DHT damage. Sources for this vitamin includes yellow or orange vegetables, leafy greens, milk, fish oils, and meat. However, doses exceeding the daily requirement of 2,500 IU can be toxic and cause health problems.

5. Vitamin E

Since blood circulation aids in hair growth, an antioxidant which promotes this is necessary. Vitamin E works well for this even though it's more popular as an anti-aging nutrient. Aside from promoting healthy blood flow, Vitamin E also reduces the appearance of graying hair , another effect of DHT, hence, making you look young and your hair, thick. Cold-processed vegetable oils, soybeans, leafy greens, dried beans, and nuts are excellent sources of this nutrient. As good as it's, you should be careful in consuming E-rich foods since it can increase high blood pressure. The recommended dose for this one is 400 IU.

Growing Your Hair Safely Using Natural Hair Supplements

Although it's good to try to prevent or treat hair loss by eating naturally healthy food, there is always the danger of consuming too much vitamin and mineral sources. Instead of alleviating your less-than-hairy problem, you might end up with more dangerous side effects. This is the problem spotted by makers of hair care systems. Instead of risking your hair further, you can opt to use specially-formulated hair supplements.

One of the leading hair treatment systems today is Profollica which is made from all-natural DHT blockers. Its website, Profollica.com lists natural ingredients like Kigelia Africana, Salvia Sclarea, and Panax Ginseng Root extracts -- proven effective hair loss retardants -- as its main ingredients. These herbs are effective in maintaining healthy hair and preventing its loss. It provides the needed nutrients like vitamins and minerals and other organic ingredients which further improve hair regrowth. By using a natural hair loss treatment system like Profollica, you get the benefit of healthy strands minus the side effects.

Increasing Sex Drive And Getting Harder Erections, Naturally

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Have you ever wanted sex to last longer than you could go? If you answered yes, then you are probably among men who encounter the same problem in bed.

Indeed, the inability to last longer is something that many men regard as their biggest sexual problems. While most may view erection as dependent on sex drive, this is not always the case- sometimes the drive is present but the penis just does not cooperate. A decrease in sex drive and a not-so-firm erection can be caused by several factors.

First on the list and the most popular among the biological problems of a man is a low libido. Libido is considered the sex drive of the body and is primarily influenced by the brain, which, in turn, dictates what the body does. Generally speaking, the conditions of the libido are dependent on the four sexual stimuli distinguished by doctors:

-visual stimulus, which depends on the physical appearance
-tactile stimulus, which depends on touch- particularly in the sensitive areas like the nipples and penis
-auditory stimulus, which is the main reason behind the success of phone sex
-olfactory stimulus such as titillating perfume scents

When a man's libido rises, according to the aforementioned stimuli, the sex drive correspondingly follows and increases.

Another biological cause of erection problem is premature ejaculation, wherein the man comes too soon even though his partner has not reached an orgasmic state yet. This situation usually results in sexual dissatisfaction and frustration, which eventually causes break-ups among some sexually active relationships. Of course, this situation does not naturally happen without reasons. Premature ejaculation is commonly brought about by the excitement. His excitement causes him to ejaculate quickly because even before he begins penetrating his penis, his sexual fantasies stimulate his sex drive. Premature ejaculation can also be caused by sexual taboos. In some cultures, sex is prohibited so men are forced to ejaculate quickly. More commonly in North America, ejaculating too soon can be the result of frequent masturbation or anxieties.

Sex drive and erection problems can also be influenced by erectile dysfunction or what doctors call weak erection, wherein the penis is often flaccid and is always unable to attain erection. Unknown to many men, erectile dysfunction is not only manifested in not having an erection in the first stages of the sexual experience. Conditions wherein the man is able of erection but does not sustain until his partner reaches orgasm can also be counted as instances of erectile dysfunction. Because of the extent of such sexual problem, it is not surprising that this particular erection dilemma is rampant among men nowadays.

Fortunately, today, lots of supplements and methods are produced to revitalize men and improve their sexual performance. Compared to penis pumps and other penis enhancement devices, doctors recommend more supplements and pills that are helpful in any erection problem. Usually, these supplements, like VigRX Plus™, are rich in natural ingredients such as Saw Palmetto Berry, Extract, Asian Red Ginseng, and others---all of which smoothen blood circulation, increase stamina, and produce more energy hormones.

Experts combine these natural ingredients in just one capsule to produce a supplement that contains the necessary factors to help a man become stronger and long-lasting in bed, naturally. Pills like VigRX Plus™ can relieve men of their erection problems, given that they keep to their intake schedule. These supplements typically have ingredients such as Epimedium Leaf Extract, Icariin, and Cuscuta Seed, all of which help enhance the libido, promote erectile function, and treat premature ejaculation.

If the customer is lucky enough, he can also take advantage of the benefits of other contents in penis enhancement pills, including blood flow increase, revitalized performance in bed, and other aphrodisiacal effects. According to Dr. Khalid Alzwahereh of VigRX Plus™, the herbs contained by such supplements have the ability to help balance the cardiovascular and the nervous systems, which are the main parts that keep the body healthy.

The results of natural sexual enhancement pills like VigRX Plus™ are not without proof. Users of such supplements and even doctors have been sending in testimonies and great reviews about these products, deeming them as the kind of solution that people were looking for. Even professional endorsers have experienced positive changes, not only in their sexual lives, but also in their relationships with other people. Luke Adams, for instance, has achieved a longer-lasting and much firmer erection with his frequent use of VigRX Plus™. His libido also increased and so did the duration and volume of his ejaculation.

With these claims, modern pills and supplements really must work to increase sex drive and get harder erections for men. By just adhering to the regular consumption of penis enhancement pills like VigRX, men do not need to experiment on tools like penis pump or undergo a surgery to increase their libido and achieve hard erections. Instead, they can simply go for the safer, less-hassle method.

Getting Her Interested in Sex

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:35:00 +0000

Loss of sexual interest among women is a serious problem that often causes stress among couples. According to Dr. Holzapfel of Sunnybrook and Women's College Hospital in Toronto, about 30% of women in every age range are experiencing loss of sexual interest. The reasons behind this loss vary from woman to woman, so men can only speculate as to why their partners have no sexual appetite; but men who are eager to bring back the sexual enthusiasm of their partners seek professional help to solve this problem.

Based on sexual medicine counseling, biological and sociological factors play major roles in women's libido. Among biological factors, the most common are medical condition, hormonal changes, physical changes, and pregnancy. If one is suffering from any medical condition such as depression and taking anti-depressants or other medications, he or she has the possibility of losing or diminishing sexual cravings because some medications are known to pull down the body's libido level. Pregnant women often lose sexual urges because of Hyperprolactinaemia, an abnormal level of prolactin in women that often result in low libido. Women's low testosterone level and estrogen level also drag their sexual appetite down.

As mentioned, sociological factors also influence the decrease of sexual interest of women. Among the most important of these factors is women's relationship with their partners. For most women, an unhealthy relationship hinders them to enjoy sexual intercourse. Usually, couples do not practice open communication regarding their problems, which is why most women prefer to keep their emotions to themselves; this discretion, in turn, leads to depression and loss of sexual interest.

Given that these are common reasons for loss of interest, it's easier to get back to enjoying sex. The very first step to regain sexual interest is to regain assertiveness and confidence in oneself. Women are often found guilty of thinking about the welfare of their children or husbands that they tend to forget about their own personal needs including their sexual desires. This kind of distraction ensues even in the middle of intercourse and consequently, women easily have less appetite for sex, achieve weak orgasm, or worse, shut themselves out from sex.

In such case, doctors advise women to give more time for themselves and think of their sexual needs. Giving more time for themselves also means that women who have kids must hire babysitters from time to time to enjoy their lives. This enjoyment does not necessarily mean dating men, but it can be going out to see a movie, shopping, or leisure bathing--- simple pleasures that women can enjoy alone. With these 'private' pleasures, it is strongly believed that women will eventually recognize their needs for intimacy.

Once women have made time for themselves and taken back their self-assurance, non-sexual reconnection comes in. Non-sexual reconnection means getting close to a husband or partner without necessarily engaging in sex. According to David Schnarch, Evergreen Marriage and Family Health Center's director, a simple 5 to 10-minute hug can rekindle women's desire to engage in sex. If women are already connected with their partners, they can talk to them about what they like their partners to do to have better sex. For example, they might want to go to other places like hotels to have a change of environment or want to do new sexual positions that they think will give them faster and longer orgasms. Women can also read pornographic materials or watch pornographic videos with their partners to boost sexual urges.

If the whole experience is hindered by concerns like vaginal dryness, women can trust lubricants and libido boosting products to solve their problem and at the same time, still maintain their newfound or regained sexual confidence. These libido boosters, such as Provestra, contain natural ingredients including red Raspberry leaf extract, Damiana leaf, Licorice root, Valerian root, black Cohosh root, and Ginger root. The red Raspberry leaf extract is a female tonic that regulates women's uterine contractions while the Damiana leaf is an old aphrodisiac used by ancient generations and trusted by the contemporary medical community. The Licorice root, Valerian root, and black Cohosh root components of libido boosting products, like Provestra, also function as adrenal glands tonifiers, hormonal function enhancers, tension reducers, and stress relievers. The black Cohosh root, in particular, improves the contraction of the vagina and uterine, while the Ginger root serves as a stimulant that boosts the functions of other herbal ingredients.

In most cases, however, women who suffer from loss of sexual interest do away with the formalities of resolving the issue and merely resort to a simple solution---Provestra or other libido boosting products that suit their bodies. Such products are specially developed to help women who have lost their sexual appetite to bring their enthusiasm back. These products naturally restore sexual drive, improve foreplay pleasures, enlarge the clitoris, heighten sexual sensation, speed arousal, prolong orgasm, and enhance women's fertility by strengthening their reproductive systems. Other benefits of libido boosters like Provestra include more sound sleep, less menstrual cramps, and larger breasts.

Indeed, there are many natural methods to get that sexual urge back and address the lack in sexual interest. But always keep in mind that aside from being something that is expressed in physical form, sexual desire is also a psychological aspect. So to simplify life and easily take back the attitude in sex, women can either take libido boosting products or be open to sexual intercourse. Or, they can simply do both to ensure high level of sexual drive and energy.

Why Do We Age?

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:17:00 +0000

The fountain of youth - such metaphorical piece of myth that alludes to immortality has been used over and over again on different forms of literature both in the past and in the present. Oftentimes, the fountain of youth's classification as myth is challenged from time to time with some expeditions or travels that claim to have finally found the fountain's location. Nonetheless, this recurring symbol of eternal youth in most forms of literature and art, verifies man's innate affinity with immortality.

In our contemporary setting, this longing for immortality is almost within mankind's grasp with the promise of better technologies and sciences in the near future. However, to completely grasp and understand the means of acquiring eternal life or a very long life span in the very least, one must first see the process behind our aging. This question kept many brilliant scientists hell-bent on searching for clues and theories that may answer such relentless query.

Through the course of these scientific explorations on the realm of human aging, scientists were able to come up with a term that refers to the human aging process - senescence. This term refers to a degeneration implication that manifests itself as people get old. Senescence is believed to be the result of a biochemical deregulation that is a natural component of life.

However, the effects of senescence vary among different species. Take for example a bat and a rodent, both of them are classified as mammals and both are of the same size, but a bat generally lives longer than a rodent for the former can live up to 30 years while the latter usually have a life span of only two to three years. However, some animal species such as rockfish, turtles, and lobsters display a certain trait known as the negligible senescence. This trait enables these specific animal species to live through a longer period of time compared to other species. Some of these species can even live for an unbelievable span of 200 years.

Findings through extensive studies that were carried out by various scientists imply that this peculiar trait is a result of evolutionary and genetic factors that rule over these animals' life longevity. However, scientists still find it hard to assimilate this kind of trait to humans and the reason behind it is fairly simple: we humans live under a completely different environment compared to those animals that possess the negligible senescence trait.

The best that we humans can do for now is to first determine the various factors that fuel the process of aging and to address these factors accordingly. One of the most obvious reasons or factors behind aging is stress. In a nutshell, the dynamics of stress simply say that constant beatings and punishments that our bodies take from everyday tasks lead to hormone disturbance which can ultimately lead to cell damage.

Furthermore, the degeneration of the hypothalamus, a gland that resides in your head, is also one of the determining factors of aging. The hypothalamus is solely responsible for setting the "traffic" of various hormones to other glands. Through the course of time, the hypothalamus becomes weary and tends to be inaccurate in releasing proper amounts of hormone to other glands in the human body. This leads to imbalanced hormone levels which cause damage to tissues.

External factors brought about by the environment are also some of the very viable reasons behind the aging process. Environmental harms such as pollution, radiation, contaminants coupled with self induced stress, and poor nutrition inflict damage on human cells. Significant damage is instantly inflicted upon these cells once they are exposed to such harmful external factors. Cells play a very substantial role on the process of aging because they contain valuable information for the human body's development. Whenever a cell reproduces or divides itself, it makes sure that the new cell is of the same level with the previous cell that it originated from. If that previous cell received any slightest form of damaged from the previously mentioned factors, it will then spawn new cells that possess slightly deformed information sets. This will then start a trend of degenerated cells which leads to what is commonly known as the aging process.

Among these scientific theories that deal with the process of aging the Free Radical Theory tends to be the most popular among contemporary American health buffs. This theory suggests that extremely reactive chemicals, which the term free radicals refer to, are responsible for inflicting damage to the human body's tissues. In general, however, these free radicals are not completely bad for the human body for they also serve numerous purposes for the body's development. But what is damaging to the human body, especially to the tissues, is the free radicals' ability to reproduce itself in excessive amounts. Free radicals are endowed with an extra electron which makes them more capable of stealing electrons from other molecules which they tend to do frequently. This act subsequently leads to a very dangerous cycle that can burnout the cells from constantly repairing damaged molecules.

With these various theories that try to decipher the process of aging, certain medical solutions are also devised to combat the inevitable aging ritual. The most common among these medical solutions are taking vitamin C and vitamin E supplements to combat stress and to balance out the damage induced by free radicals in the body. Another effective method is to lessen your average intake of junk foods and substituting it with healthier food choices such as fruits and vegetables.

But the most effective means to combat the toll of aging today is through the consumption of high quality GenF20 HGH or Human Growth Hormone precursors. The GenF20 HGH supplement is proven to increase energy levels that can make you a lot more productive by enabling you to perform more tasks efficiently. This supplement also lowers cholesterol plus improves brain, vision, and immune function. These are only some of the capabilities of the GenF20 HGH supplement in controlling the aging process, but nonetheless the GenF20 supplement is, by far, the most advanced dietary supplement that can control the process of aging. These advances that were made in the light of combating factors that leads to premature aging, can truly give reaffirmation in believing that the fountain of youth that every man longs for is truly within reach.

Research Shows Organic Foods Are Healthier

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:07:00 +0000

Sure, you may think organic foods are better for you. But, have you ever seen any proof that the higher-priced organic foods you purchase are actually any more healthy than their conventional counterparts? Have you ever questioned if they are really more healthy? You're not alone. Even agencies that offer health related advice on the foods we eat have been questioning if organic foods are really more nutritious, often siting the lack of scientific evidence. These questions may finally be answered. Recent research provides scientific evidence that organic foods are indeed healthier and it may change opinions about these foods.

In recent (largest of its kind) study at Newscastle University UK, researchers have found that eating organic foods vs. conventional foods may provide many benefits which convention foods do not. In addition to increasing lifespan, these foods contain higher levels of antioxidants and flavanoids which are many times absent in chemical treated foods and produce. These antioxidants help our bodies fight off disease and cleanse our body of harmful substances.

Newcastle University has spent over £12m on a study sponsored by the European Union and findings show that in addition to higher antioxidant levels, organic foods actually have much lower levels of fatty acids. The researchers found that organic cattle produced milk as much as 80% higher in antioxidants. Most other organic fruits and vegetables contained 20% and 40% more nutrients than their chemically altered counterparts.

In a statement, Professor Carlo Leifert said: "We have shown there are more of certain nutritionally desirable compounds and less of the baddies in organic foods or improved amounts of the fatty acids you want and less of those you don't want. Our research is now trying to find out where the difference between organic and conventional food comes from. What we're really interested in is finding out why there is so much variability with respect to the differences. What in the agricultural system gives a higher nutritional content and less of the baddies in the food?"

In fact, the study showed differences so large in some cases that choosing organic is like eating an extra portion of fruit or vegetables each day. To provide accurate samples for the research, both organic and conventional test crops of fruits and vegetables were grown in a controlled environment and cattle we're raised on at farm in Northumberland.

In addition to raising consumer awareness, the research will help organic farmers to improve their quality and farming methods. It will give them more knowledge of how the nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables is affected by agricultural variables.

The main question remains, will the project findings help consumers realize that organic foods are much healthier and not just a higher priced lifestyle choice? The Food Standards Agency, which provides general food advice to consumers, plans to review the evidence from the research and will determine if it will change its advice. Others in the food industry hope the research will contribute to a large-scale change. Ultimately, the choice is that of the consumer. Armed with proof that organic foods are much healthier, it could help them justify the higher cost of eating organic. The health benefits speak for themselves.

Health Insurance Covering My Claim? Forget About It

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:24:00 +0000

If you have ever considered using complementary or alternative medicine (CAM for short), you may have asked yourself "will my insurance cover this". The answer will probably disappoint you. The truth is, very few health plans cover complementary or alternative medical treatments. It's almost as if the insurance companies are in cahoots with big medicine and the drug companies. They turn their cheek at the idea of CAM being an accredited form of treatment for disease, illness, or injury. It's time for them to wake up and start recognizing these alternatives and paying for these services. In my opinion, if a treatment exists that is proven to be effective and safe, my health insurance should cover it. The problem is, most alternative medical treatments are not endorsed or approved by FDA or the major governing bodies. This bureaucratic poppycock is preventing many people, including myself, from seeking the treatments we need and desire.

I think it's about time large insurance companies start modifying the qualifications for acceptable treatments. In this country, we are free to do darn near whatever we want. Why can't we be free to choose our medical treatments? Technically we are free to choose, if we have deep enough pockets to pay 100% of the cost. I imagine that leaves the majority of us accepting the treatments our insurance company will pay. Let me tell you, this very rarely includes CAM. If you would like to see if any insurance companies in your state cover CAM claims, your state insurance department may be able to help you find some answers. These departments often provide consumer publications, such as profiles and ratings of insurance companies. They do not provide recommendations or advice on specific companies. An insurance agent who health insurance directly or brokers may also be a resource. If your wondering if your current plan covers CAM, simply call your company and ask them directly. Good Luck! (If your insurance provider covers CAM, please let me know as I am trying to find a major provider that does).

With the cost of health insurance sky rocking, I can't help but question why these institutions don't step up and take a more aggressive stance on paying for alternative and complementary health treatments. Often times, CAM proves to be a superior remedy to its conventional counterpart. At any rate, I'm not expecting this to change anytime soon. Until enough noise is made, nothing will change. But, if enough of us raise our voices, maybe we will be heard. Too many people are unable to seek the treatments they desire. Often these uninsurable treatments turn out to be the best form of medicine available. This nonsense needs to stop.

Treating Mesothelioma And Other Forms Of Cancer With Alternative Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:07:00 +0000

There's some promising news for those battling various types of cancer including Mesothelioma. A Clinic Specializing in treating and curing cancer has been achieving amazing results. Founded in 2003, Immuno-Technologies Cancer Clinic (ITL)uses alternative and complementary medicine to combat cancer and stop it at it's source. The website states, "At ITL Cancer Clinic we use alternative and complementary cancer medicines to treat cancer aggressively with few or no side effects. The core alternative cancer treatments at ITL are state of the art immune therapies to train the patient's own immune system to recognize and destroy tumor tissue. Our team of M.D., and Ph.D. scientists offer the most advanced immune treatments for cancer". The ITL Cancer Clinic works with patients with all types of tumors including, but, not limited to:

* basal cell carcinoma
* bladder cancer
* brain tumors
* breast cancer
* cervical cancer
* colon cancer
* head and neck cancer
* lung cancer (non-small cell)
* malignant melanoma
* mesothelioma
* multiple myeloma
* non-Hodgkin's lymphomas
* ovarian cancer
* pancreatic cancer
* prostate cancer
* renal cell cancer (kidney cancer)
* skin cancer
* tumors
* uterus cancer

ITL uses similar methods as other Cancer clinics around the world with one major difference. None of the ITL patients receive a placebo. This means everyone who is acceptable as a treatment candidate receives real treatment. They rely heavily on various cancer vaccines each patient has a customized treatment plan created to fit their own personal needs. According to the website, the clinic has treated many peritoneal mesotheliotics who have achieved "remarkable" results.

About ITL
Immuno-Technologies Cancer Clinic (ITL) is located 30 minutes (by plane) from Miami in Freeport, Bahamas. The Clinic and the alternative cancer treatment research center is directed by Dr. John Clement. For more information about the clinic and the treatments they offer, visit http://www.immunemedicine.com/index.asp

Doctor Gets Death Threats For Revealing Secret Fat Loss System

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:35:00 +0000

A new breakthrough secret is all you now need in order to forever shed countless pounds, stay healthy, and add many years to your life!

A lady doctor from Arizona has blown the lid off the best-kept secret in weight loss ever discovered -- and this has the whole diet food and drug industries turned upside down and in nothing less than a torrential uproar.

Her name is Dr Suzanne Gudakunst, and she's marching to the beat of a different drum.

And no, nothing about her "secret" is difficult -- nor does it require that you do something completely out of the ordinary or anything unnatural.

Instead, the Arizonian boasts proudly "...this is something that I caught onto just before 2002 when there was so much research and exploration going around concerning the human colon and digestive system working in harmony with nutritional absorption, and I started doing independent studies just to test things at first ... but which I later expanded on after seeing some fantastic results."

This same woman medical practitioner went on to accurately determine a definitive correlation between harmful plague and parasitic infestations of the human bowel tract, and people suffering chronic obesity -- and who despite intense diet and exercise appeared to be unable to lose any weight whatsoever.

Over the course of six years the Arizona doctor developed a number of natural treatments for the removal of these same harmful, even life-threatening plaques and rapidly reproducing digestive parasites -- and when applied to even worse-case patients suffering extreme obesity (98% of which were in immediate danger of dying) she saw a 100% effectiveness and success rate.

She then borrowed from her research on the severely obese, and applied the same strategies on milder cases of overweight persons -- only to find the same effectiveness and quality results as described above (although the individual weight loss per subject wasn't nearly as much as those obese patients 100 lbs to 200 lbs or more overweight).

So powerful is her secret that she's able to reverse diabetes, rid illness altogether in people suffering from cancer (linked directly to poor diet and overweight factors), as well as an elimination of an entire spectrum of serious and otherwise life-threatening diseases.

Nearly 100% of all her case subjects were told in the alternative by "conventional doctors" that they either had just months or years to live, or they would never live a life anything resembling remotely a "normal" existence -- yet after applying Dr Suzanne's treatments saw a complete contradiction to others doctors' prognoses.

Again, nothing about her secret is unnatural or requires someone to do any major action or modification in their lives.

In fact, her entire treatment is based completely on built-into-nature 'protection agents' scattered throughout the world in the form of select herbs, extracts, and organic constituents, and which can be found in a variety of plants -- but when combined in specific combinations and carefully chosen amounts make for a solution to what is perhaps the world's worst ever plague: OBESITY (and the illnesses and diseases resulting from it -- or at least severely aggravated or exacerbated by it).

Now to everyone else's great gain, whether suffering from just a few extra pounds and inches, to those extremely fat and overweight, this brave, bold lady doctor is releasing to the general public her secret for forever destroying the tight unrelenting closed-fist of obesity's stronghold over the now more than 40% of Americans labeled obese, and others worldwide.

But she's not promising any of us for how long.

Some experts and sociologists suggest that in the bigger scheme of things, the world will never tolerate a discovery of such magnitude, any more than it would be realistic to expect a car that runs on water (even if very real) to ever become commercially available to the general public for day-to-day use.

One well-respected and famous diet & wellness author wrote years ago that if anyone ever "truly unlocked the keys to permanent fat loss, they may actually suffer the same fate as JFK."

It is currently available at:

=> Top Secret Fat Loss Secret

...so you may want to head on over there now and get it and before someone or "something" gets it forever yanked out of ever getting in YOUR hand at least.

It's in a very easily readable format and is quickly and readily understood and mastered by anyone with even a 4th grade reading level.

While you're there, why not scroll down and review for yourself the huge successes others are now having with this incredible breakthrough in rapid, massive weight loss and extremely improved and enhanced health, now made freely available to the rest of us?

Aspartame Kills!

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:56:00 +0000

Updated 2/1/08

Most people should know by now that aspartame, the sugar substitute found in many foods and drinks including diet soda, is extremely dangerous and bad for our health. I've compiled a list of links to various sites so you can read and find out just how dangerous, and potentially deadly this stuff is. Make sure you're always checking the labels on the foods you eat and drink. If it's advertised as "zero calories" just stay away from it. I don't encourage consuming large amounts of sugars, but from a raw health standpoint, you're far better off eating and drinking foods and beverages containing sugar than those sweetened with aspartame. Here's some interesting information:

http://www.321recipes.com/aspartame.html

Aspartame and Multiple Sclerosis - Neurosurgeon's Warning

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/

I hope that's enough for you to realize that aspartame is a poison and it should be banned by the FDA. If you're wondering if there is an alternative way of sweetening, the answer is yes. A cool alternative herbal sweetener exists and it's called stevia. It's all natural and according to Stevia.com, "Stevia has many excellent properties. The body does not metabolize the sweet glycosides from the stevia leaf or any of its processed forms - so there is no caloric intake. Stevia doesn't adversely affect blood glucose levels and may be used freely by diabetics". But why isn't this amazing natural sweetener being used in our foods? Although it has never been shown to be dangerous, the FDA is continuing to push to ban it. Hmmm. Doesn't that make you wonder what their main objective is, our health and safety or money, money, money???

Update:

Thursday, January 31, 2008 by: David Gutierrez

(NaturalNews) The FDA has sent a warning letter to the Hain Celestial Group, instructing the natural and organic food producer to relabel certain products that contain the sweetener stevia. The letter concerned the Celestial Zingers To Go tea and drink mix products, which the FDA charges are being labeled and marketed as food products, even though an ingredient they contain -- the stevia herb -- has not been approved for use in foods in the United States.

Stevia, derived from a South American plant, has become popular as a sweetener because it has 300 times the sweetness of table sugar but almost no impact on blood glucose levels. Its taste is said to have a slower onset than that of sugar and to last longer.

Stevia has been approved for use in food and beverage products in a number of countries, including Brazil, Canada, China and Japan, but to date the FDA has only approved it as an ingredient in dietary supplements.

In response to the warning letter, Hain Celestial Group removed the term "iced tea mix" from all labels of the products in question, and made the words "herbal supplement" much more prominent.

In light of the increasing popularity of stevia and the fact that companies like Hain Celestial have apparently been trying to get around regulations of its use, the FDA said that it expects to soon receive a petition to approve the sweetener for use in foods. Reportedly, both the Coca-Cola Company and Cargill are interested in producing stevia-sweetened products, with Coca-Cola having filed 24 patent applications related to the sweetener.

But the FDA said that current information is not sufficient to prove stevia safe as an ingredient for food.

"Data and information necessary to support the safe use have been lacking," the FDA's letter to Hain Celestial read. "In fact, literature reports have raised safety concerns about the use of stevia, including concerns about control of blood sugar and the effects of reproductive, cardiovascular and renal systems."

Consumer health advocate Mike Adams, a long-time supporter of stevia, disagrees. "The FDA has been stalling on stevia approval for well over a decade in order to protect the profits of aspartame," Adams said. "Stevia is safely used around the world by hundreds of millions of consumers with absolutely no problems, while aspartame is tied to seizures, blindness, headaches and other serious neurological problems. The FDA once ordered the destruction of books containing stevia recipes. That's how desperate this criminal organization is to protect the profit racket of aspartame," Adams concluded.

Link FDA Threatened Celestial Tea Company over Use of Natural Sweetener Stevia

How To Live Longer In Five Easy Steps

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:59:00 +0000

Here's the secret on how to live longer... There is no secret! And while there is no guarantee that any of us are going to live to an old age, let alone reach the century mark, we can help our chances with a little effort. Here's my list of five simple things we can implement in our daily routine to give us the best shot at longevity.

1. Eat Right- Probably the easiest way of helping increase our life expectancy. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in sugars and fats will add a good 5 years. Stay away from Trans Fat, it will kill you!

2. Don't use drugs- This includes alcohol. Drugs and alcohol destroy our bodies and probably knock a good 5 to 10 yeas off live expectancy if used regularly.

3. Regular Exercise- Daily exercise keeps our bodies fit and helps us maintain proper body weight. 5 years added.

4. Relaxation- Stress has been proven to cause early death. If you want to live to an old age, you better find a way to release all of those stresses life can dish us. Make sure you take time to keep yourself mentally in check. Take vacations and spend time doing activities you enjoy. Don't take life so serious; it's never as bad as it seems. I'll give it 7 years.

5. Laugh- Laughter lightens the mood and keeps our spirits up. It helps keeps us motivated when times get tough. Laughter is a simple cure for many of life's obstacles. Try to remember that something bad that happens today will almost certainly be insignificant a year from now. Laugh a little more. It'll give you 3 years.

Okay, now let's add it up.
Eat Right +5
No Drugs +5-10
Exercise +5
Relaxation +7
Laughter +3

That's an additional 25-30 years! The average life expectancy is around 75-80. By practicing these in our daily lives, we should easily be able to hit that magical 100 mark!

Disclaimer: Life insurance companies paid me to write this...

Deadly Chlorine In Your Water

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:05:00 +0000

Is my water safe? This is a very important question, and one you need to ask yourself. After researching safety issues with household water, I've come to a frightening conclusion. The water found in 99% of homes supplied with city water is too dangerous for drinking or bathing. I found some interesting quotes from our friends over at Holistic Health Tools. Here's what some leading authorities on the subject had to say:

"Drinking tap water that is chlorinated is hazardous if not deadly to your health."
HEALTHY WATER FOR LONGER LIFE - DR. MARTIN FOX

"The drinking of chlorinated water has finally been officially linked to an increased incidence of colon cancer. An epidemiologist at Oak Ridge Associated Universities completed a study of colon cancer victims and non-cancer patients and concluded that the drinking of chlorinated water for 15 years or more was conducive to a high rate of colon cancer." Health Freedom News, January/February 1987

"Known carcinogens are found in drinking water as a direct consequence of the practice of chlorination" MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LAB - FRANCIS T. MAYO, DIRECTOR

"Cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among those whose water does not contain chlorine." US COUNCIL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

"Although concentrations of these carcinogens are low...it is precisely these low levels which cancer scientists believe are responsible for the majority of human cancers in the United States." REPORT BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND

"The cause of atherosclerosis and resulting heart attacks and strokes is none other than the ubiquitous chlorine in our drinking water." CORONARIES/CHOLESTEROL/CHLORINE - DR. JM PRICE

Chlorine gas was used despicably during WWI. When the war was over, the use of chlorine was diverted to poisoning the germs in our drinking water. All water supplies throughout the country were chlorinated. The combination of chlorine and animal fats results in atherosclerosis, heart attacks and death."
WATER CAN UNDERMINE YOUR HEALTH - DR. N.W. WALKER, D.S.

After reading these quotes, I'm certain you are concerned. Fortunately, there are several solutions to help clean up your water supply. First, you can go out and buy what's called a whole house water filter. Basically, this filter is installed on the main water line coming in the home and therefore it filters the chlorine out of the entire water supply. This is best option, but pricey. These units can run $1000 or more. And if you live in an apartment complex, this probably isn't an option (unless you can convince the landlord to buy a unit for the entire building!). A second solution, which I recommend if your budget is limited or if you rent, is to purchase and install individual filters on your faucet and in the shower(s). This is what I've done in my home. These can run anywhere from $20-$100 depending on the quality. When purchasing, be certain to note the filter lifespan as you will need to buy replacement filters.

In my opinion, our state and federal government needs to develop a method of filtering toxic chlorine out of the water supply. Millions of people are being exposed to cancer causing carcinogens everyday, and most don't even know it! Many just assume that their water is fine and they drink and bathe without suspecting a thing. Ultimately, until our government steps up addresses this problem, we’ll need to fend for ourselves. Water is the most basic element of life, and it's being poisoned! For the sake of protecting you and your family, get water filters installed right away.

Natural Remedies For Common Ailments

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:39:00 +0000

By: Lee Dobbins

Some of the best remedies for common ailments seem to have been forgotten in today's society where a trip to the pharmacy can yield a medicine that will cure anything. The next time you have one of these common ailments, try doing what grandma did and take a trip to your kitchen cabinet instead of to the drug store. It will be kinder on your wallet as well as your health!

While supplements of vitamin C, D and zinc will shorten the lifespan of a common cold, a hot lemon drink is also extremely good. Cool lemon juice and honey are a great soother for a sore throat and gives the body much-needed vitamin C at the same time The juice of one lemon in a glass of water is sufficient.

When you have the cold or flu the constant rubbing of tissue on your nose and lips can cause chaffing and soreness. Try a smear of Vaseline or petroleum jelly on those sore lips and nose.

A 'streaming cold' where the nose and eyes water profusely, can be inconvenient and even embarrassing but believe it or not, you can help alleviate these runny symptoms with an onion. Simply dip a slice of onion into a glass of hot water for two seconds, then sip the cooled water throughout the day. In fact, onion is a good thing to have around when you have a cold and putting half an onion on the bedside table at night can get rid of your cold symptoms because its odor is inhaled while you sleep.

For those unpleasant times when you suffer from diarrhea, two tablespoons of brown vinegar will usually fix the problem.

In addition to common kitchen products, many herbs can be used to treat ailments instead of expensive drugs. For example, if you suffer from headaches dizziness or tinnitus, you might try feverfew leaves.

The Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils are useful for treating a variety of respiratory ailments. These are excellent for the treatment of colds and coughs. They can be massaged into the chest or burned in an oil burner to help clear the airways and prevent congestion. Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic and can be dabbed on cuts, bites and stings. It is often used to treat spots and pimples and when diluted with water, acts as a mouth gargle (keep in-mind it should never be swallowed).

The herb black cohosh is a powerful relaxant as well and is extremely effective in easing painful menstrual cramps. Ovarian cramps will be relieved as well as bringing on a delayed menstrual cycle. It is also effective in the treatment of arthritis, osteo-arthritis, rheumatic pain and neurological pan. In small doses, appetite and digestion are greatly improved and is very beneficial for the nervous system in general.

Lee Dobbins enjoys learning and writing about herbs and home remedies. Please visit www.herbs-home-remedies.com for more on alternative healing.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com

Activated Charcoal – An Amazing Natural Remedy!

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:31:00 +0000

Activated charcoal is one of the most amazing natural remedies I've ever encountered. It's definitely one of my favorites. It is so useful in fact, that I decided I needed to share it with everyone! The topic of charcoal itself sounds pretty dull and boring. My goal, of course, is not to bore readers with useless information; it's to give you insight on real solutions to your everyday health needs. Activated charcoal has many useful applications. The most common use is in the case of accidental ingestion of a poisonous substance. It has saved the lives of many who have consumed toxic levels of chemicals (including household cleansers) and drugs (including sedatives, narcotics, and painkillers). If you have kids like I do, this is reason enough to have activated charcoal readily available! Ironically, activated charcoal can also be used externally to treat painful internal ailments. This is achieved through using a poultice. My wife and I have used charcoal on many occasions. I take it every time I have an upset stomach or gas. It works every time! The most recent application was during Christmas 2007. On Christmas Eve, we prepared a large seafood dinner. After eating the dinner, Rebekah began to feel sick. Food poisoning sick. We immediately mixed up some activated charcoal powder with water and drank it. She felt better within an hour. She went from near vomiting to feeling great that fast! I never became ill, but surely the preventative measure I took helped my cause.

Here's the technical jargon on activated charcoal. It's a highly adsorbent substance. I said adsorbent, not absorbent. Adsorption is a process in which atoms and molecules move from a bulk phase (such as a solid, liquid, or gas) onto a solid or liquid surface. In other words, the toxic substance attaches to the surface of the charcoal. Because charcoal is not "digested," it stays inside the GI tract and eliminates the toxin when the person has a bowel movement. Activated charcoal is excellent at preventing the absorption of many poisons from the gastrointestinal tract.

Activated charcoal has several benefits and common uses. In addition to being a natural anti-poison first-aid remedy, many non-emergency uses have recently been discovered. Activated charcoal has been shown to eliminate fungi, viruses, and bacteria from the body. Activated charcoal can also adsorb gases, especially in the lower intestine, and thus help to relieve flatulence and gas pains. It also takes the smell out! For all you ladies out there who have husbands with stinky gas, this may finally be a solution! I recommend having them try the activated charcoal pills. It's an easier way to take charcoal, and you can bring it with you wherever you go. What about all those stings and bug bites your kids get? Try mixing activated charcoal powder with water to make a paste to relieve the itching of insect bites and stings. In addition, current research is showing that charcoal may provide many more potential health benefits like helping lower cholesterol and improving general cardiovascular health.

It should be noted that while activated charcoal has many benefits, there are some minor precautions to keep in mind. Activated charcoal can cause dehydration. You must drink plenty of water when taking activated charcoal. In addition, it should not be taken with other medications as it will adsorb them and cause them not to be effective. Some less common side effects may include pain or swelling of stomach, constipation, and vomiting. These rare side effects are likely due to lack of fluids. Drink water! Also important to note, milk products may decrease the ability of the charcoal to work. Don't eat or drink dairy when taking charcoal.

Activated charcoal is a must have for everyone. It's not expensive; you can buy a bottle for under $10! If you have kids, you need to have this stuff on your shelf. Kids can get into trouble so easily, and you may not have time to get them to a medical facility before it's too late. I recommend researching activated charcoal on Google; you'll find some good information on its uses and the proper way to administer it. If you're reading this don't have any activated charcoal, get some right away! Activated Charcoal is so simple, yet so amazing. It's one of my favorite natural remedies and it can literally save lives!

A Safe Alternative To Dangerous Prescription Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:27:00 +0000

UPDATED-SEE BELOW

Alternative medicine's day is coming. Natural remedies are helping people from around the world find solutions to their health problems. Drug companies don't like this. Drug companies need people to visit the doctor so doctors can prescribe their drugs and they can make money. A lot of money. Prescription drugs can be very dangerous. Ironically, many of the substances found in these drugs are natural. When these natural substances are modified and mixed with synthetic additives you get a prescription drug. While they (drugs) treat the symptoms, they can also cause harmful, sometimes deadly side effects. Just look at all of the lawsuits. Prescription drugs can be on the market for several years before people realize just how dangerous they are. By then, thousands of people have consumed them and now have serious health risks. These are the same drugs that were found to be safe by our very own FDA. This is ridiculous. It's all about money. I heard a rumor that the FDA receives something like $100 million or more every time they approve a drug. I don't know if this is true, but it would make sense because of how much these big companies charge and earn selling these drugs. Thankfully, we have an alternative ways of solving our health problems. These methods are both safe and effective. I'm referring to what's called Complementary Medicine. Common names for this type of healing include faith healing, folk medicine, holistic medicine, natural medicine, unconventional medicine, unorthodox medicine.

I was introduced to natural medicine about five years ago. I was shocked when I began to research just how dangerous prescription drugs are. Since that time, I have sparingly used pharmaceuticals and try to use only natural remedies. I eat a good diet rich in natural foods including fruits and vegetables. I must admit we do need certain prescription drugs. In the case of terminal illness, certain drugs and treatments may be the only means of preserving life. It is acceptable to have side effects when it comes to life or death. Preserving life is always worth the cost both financially and physically. Other instances where I believe prescription drugs are justified are incurable ailments where strong suppression is required such as HIV. What I don't understand is how physicians can keep prescribing dangerous drugs that cause severe side effects to people who don't fall into these two categories. Some of these people aren't even sick. I could go into the doctor's office tomorrow, tell them I'm depressed, and they'd give me a prescription on the spot. That very drug may cause side effects far worse than the original ailment. It's unbelievable how easy it is to get a prescription. Doctors are all too often are freely writing these prescriptions. Drug companies have admitted to giving gratuities and other "kick backs" to doctors and clinics for prescribing certain drugs. I guess the memo is, "push more of our drug and we'll give you more gifts and financial aid". What the hell is going on here? When I go to the doctor, I want to know he's looking out for me, not his own pocket book! Isn't a healthy six figure income enough? I bet we would all be shocked if we found out what really goes on behind the scenes. It's a business of pushing dangerous drugs on decent people who are looking for honest help. It's unethical and just plain wrong. These drugs all too often cause side effects that are more severe than the condition they are intended to treat.

I have personally experienced the side effects of prescription medication. Years ago, prior to gaining knowledge of alternative medicine, I was prescribed certain prescription drug for anxiety. I was going through some major life changes, and felt like I needed something to level me off. I went in and confided in my doctor and she gave me a drug called xxxxx. She told me not to worry about side effects or dependency. I trusted my doctor and I took the drug for six months. Bad decision. During that time, I became very detached and very much indifferent about everything in my life. In addition, I gained 50 pounds! I'm not exaggerating. My diet didn't change, I simply added the drug and I went from 180 to 230 lbs. in six months. It took me over 3 years of being off that drug to get back to my normal weight. And then there was a biggest challenge, addiction. I became addicted to it. If you have ever been addicted to a prescription drug you know what it's like trying to wean off it. It was a terrible time in my life. I lost many friends and my family suffered as well. But, with a lot of work and dedication, I overcame my addiction. Fortunately, I was able to recover and today I am 100% healthy and will never use a drug like that again. That experience caused me to have a major attitude adjustment towards prescription drugs and western medicine and really got me involved in holistic healing and natural medicine.

We as a nation have grown up being taught to trust our doctors. We confide in them our most private ailments and rely on them to "fix us". Wouldn't it be wonderful it they were looking out for our best interest and not that of the pharmaceutical companies and in some cases their own financial gain? I don't know if this will change anytime soon, but it will someday. I developed a website that shares some of the natural methods of healing. I encourage you to come and check it out. I've included a health blog on the site and hope people find the information helpful. By sharing knowledge with others, I hope to change the way people look at health and medicine. We need to stop trusting big business, which is always driven by profit, and start using our human instincts and the natural resources of our wonderful earth.

*UPDATE*
NewsTarget) By: Mike Adams
Actor Heath Ledger has become the latest high-profile fatality caused by prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals. He was found dead in his New York City apartment earlier today, and apparently died from the fatal effects of the pharmaceuticals found near his body. No foul play was suspected in his death and no illegal drugs were found in his apartments.

Update: The pharmaceuticals found near his body were prescribed to him and apparently consisted of an antidepressant drug and the frequently-prescribed sleeping drug Ambien, according to press reports. Ambien is the powerful mind-altering drug known to contribute to "sleep driving" and other bizarre events where patients taking the drug wake up to find themselves driving around town, shopping or walking the sidewalks in their sleepwear.

No evidence of suicide attempt
Police reports indicated there was no sign of a suicide attempt. No suicide note was left behind, and Ledger had not told anyone he planned to attempt suicide. The only significant evidence found at the scene of his death consisted of pharmaceuticals prescribed in his name as well as an over-the-counter medication that has not yet been named. Ledger's family has publicly stated that they believe his death to be an "accident" and not a suicide.

While an autopsy has not yet been performed, it appears that Ledger was most likely killed by the side effects of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals that had been legally acquired via prescription and over-the-counter purchases. FDA-approved pharmaceuticals are highly toxic substances and currently kill nearly 100,000 Americans a year, even when taken as directed, according to the American Medical Association.

The mass drugging of America, led by the FDA and Big Pharma
The FDA's legalization of direct-to-consumer drug advertisements in 1998 has led to a landmark increase in the promotion of drugs for sleep disorders, sadness, shyness and other emotional problems that used to be considered a normal part of life. Now, drug companies engaged in disease mongering are persuading Americans to think of down days, poor moods or sleep problems as "diseases" requiring chemical treatment. The result has been a huge increase in the consumption of mind-altering drugs by consumers, many of which have been implicated in the violent school shootings that have taken place in America over the last several years.

The brand names of the pharmaceuticals being consumed by Ledger are not yet known. While Ledger's death is merely one among a hundred thousand Americans killed each year by pharmaceuticals, his celebrity status does garner more attention than a typical consumer killed by pharmaceuticals. And it begs the question: Would Heath Ledger still be alive today if he were treated with natural medicine instead of dangerous pharmaceuticals?

Or put another way, was Ledger killed by pharmaceutical side effects?

Unlike synthetic chemical pharmaceuticals, natural sleep medicines (like valerian root, chamomile, and melatonin) have no such fatal side effects and are used safely by hundreds of millions of people around the world to enhance health and normalize the body's natural rhythms (which greatly improves sleep, sex drive, mental alertness and other functions). Such medicines, however, have been censored and attacked by the Food and Drug Administration, an agency whose employees and drug approval panel members have been caught accepting bribes and kickbacks from the drug companies that manufacture competing high-profit pharmaceuticals -- just like the kind that killed Heath Ledger.

While we all mourn the loss of yet another talented young soul to dangerous pharmaceuticals, I also mourn the deaths of the other 99,000+ Americans whose lives are prematurely ended by pharmaceuticals every year. Pharmaceuticals have become the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, killing children, adults and senior citizens in record numbers. As Ledger's death so clearly demonstrates, no one is immune to the dangers of pharmaceuticals -- not even the wealthy or famous. The only people who are truly safe from the devastating health effects (and fatalities) caused by pharmaceuticals are, indeed, those informed consumers who choose to avoid taking such medicines altogether.

As NewsTarget continues to report, there are now numerous natural cures that are well known to reverse depression, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, kidney stones and hundreds of other health conditions. Pharmaceuticals are made obsolete by the new scientific findings showing that the natural medicine found in foods, superfoods and medicinal plants works better (and is safer) than artificial medicine. Those consumers who wish to live long, healthful and happy lives are now switching to natural medicine in record numbers. (NewsTarget readership, in particular, is up over 300 percent from one year ago...)

Until this nation stops pushing pills for every symptom, mood, behavior and "syndrome" that can be invented by Big Pharma, we are sadly going to witness many more people needlessly killed by pharmaceuticals. While Heath Ledger gave us so much in his life, even his death can hopefully serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals and the desperate need to protect ourselves from the harmful system of profit-focused pill-popping medicine now practiced by conventional doctors and drug companies in the USA.
Actor Heath Ledger Apparently Killed by FDA-Approved Pharmaceuticals (update 1)
Update II: Heath Ledger Death Update: Six Pharmaceuticals Found - Antidepressants, Sleep Meds and More

We Are Responsible For What Our Kids Eat

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:26:00 +0000

**UPDATED- SEE BELOW**

In a recent study at the medical college of Georiga, it was determined that kids who are mildly overweight, not even obese, have a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Lead researcher, Dr. Yanbin Dong says the findings should be a "a wake-up call for parents, for caretakers for the community and for pediatricians." To read the full article, click here.

This research reaffirms the fact that we as parents must do a better job monitoring the eating habits of our children. We have the duty to ensure our children are healthy. If we let them eat whatever they want, it's going to affect their health their entire life. It may even shorten their life. I don't know of any parent who wants to see their children have health problems. This is common sense folks. It starts with us. If we eat unhealthy foods our kids will too. We can't just let them go out and eat fast food and have a bunch of candy at school. It may take more time, money, and preparation, but creating a healthy diet routine will help ensure the health of our kids for the rest of their lives. It's time we start making a difference. Ignorance is no excuse. We need to step up and be better parents.

UPDATE I
Consumers Advocate Group Urges Ban on Marketing to Children

The Underground Healthcare Revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:12:00 +0000

by William B. Ferril, MD

Power complexes historically begin to falter long before the ruling elite realizes that the oppressed are organizing. Czarist Russian elitists did not fully appreciate the formidable force of organized peasants. The French revolutionaries similarly surprised their oppressors by the magnitude of underground support for a new way of doing things.

The uprising against the dominant medical industrial complex is no different as it meets the same old slumbering elitist components.

While the elitists smugly continue pandering their symptom control methods, which always have side effects, a better way continues to gather momentum. Slowly but surely, the downplayed art of healing is being rediscovered and is increasingly practiced within the alternative community. More western humans with each passing day leave the dominant medical treatment model. Often their departure centers on a sense that something very important is missing from mainstream medicine’s approach to health versus disease.

Some of us argue that mainstream medicine has lost its soul. Instituted in place of the soul—from which all healing effects emerge—are the symptom control treatment strategies. But symptom control always comes with a price, and that price is paid within its practitioner’s bodies, manifesting as side effects and toxicities. A vicious cycle follows when these side effects and toxicities are treated with yet more symptom control modalities.

True healing has but one side effect—its impact on the medical industrial complex’s bottom line.

The medical industrial complex is a profit-oriented system. The multi-conglomerates that make up this system exist to make money. The system works quite simply: products (pharmaceutical drugs for instance) developed by this industry for sale to the public are sensationalized through the media. Of course, the pursuit of maximum profit provides a disincentive to share more effective healing strategies. Meanwhile the downsides of these products (side effects and toxicities) are minimized.

To protect its profits, the medical industrial complex conducts various disinformation campaigns. The media, with its own advertising revenue goals to consider, is generally all too happy to promote these half-truths, which engender fear in those who seek alternative counsel.

Common methods of disinformation include: the results of poorly run studies trashing various alternative modalities; the professional opinion of ‘certified’ experts; and the mantra about the “lack of scientific data” when they know very well that it is they who control which data are collected in the first place.

If you’re in the system but rock the boat, consequences can be quick and severe. Dr. John Lee relates in the introduction of his book, Some Things Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause that his reputation initially suffered at the hands of the complex. However, he adds that the complex underestimated the power of the international women’s network regarding what works.

Owners
A medical system run by the profit interests of the medical industrial complex is analogous to a diet of junk food. Although junk food tastes like real food, it will harm the body if it is continuously ingested. And so it is with modern medicine.

I call a living human being in the possession of a body an “owner”. American owners are bombarded by clever advertising schemes that encourage the consumption of injurious ingredients, whether fast foods or mainstream medicine’s latest drugs and procedures. In the case of junk food, until recently almost everyone seemed to eat them. But slowly, more owners are catching on to the fact that these processed foods are harmful. Owners have become aware that processed foods—altered by chemicals, hormone mimics and nutrient depletion—will injure the body. The food industry’s media campaigns still tout the latest clever come on, but there are less vulnerable owners with each passing year.

Similarly, the underground healthcare revolution cultivates an awareness of the consequences that follow from our obedience to the profit-generating dictums of mainstream medicine.

My Medical History
Part of the success of the dominant medicine paradigm arises from the incomplete education of physicians on; 1. what science has revealed, and 2. the verifiable results of other healing modalities. I, too, was a victim of my complex-funded education. Without realizing it, I became a believer in the corrupted mainstream view of the medical universe. As a consequence, I have been unintentionally guilty of prescribing treatments that were not in my patients’ best interest. I believed in a system of health care where side effects and toxicities were treated with more medications and procedures. I regretfully remember discouraging patients from seeking or continuing alternative treatment modalities. However, I thank several of my doggedly stubborn patients who continually pointed out to me the inconsistencies of my educational paradigm. To my credit, I kept mulling over in my head the unexplainable outcomes in patient healing when they adhered to fringe advice. As the years ticked by, I continued to collect inconsistencies that were unexplainable using the mainstream view of health versus disease.

A major breakthrough occurred when I married my wife, Brenda, about ten years ago. Brenda is a Chiropractor. Initially, I humored myself by offering her space in my office. I still remember with humility witnessing what two hands accomplish compared to my medical training for a variety of afflictions. My wife also began to instruct me in the importance of medicinal herbs, colon health, and nutritional supplements.

As often happens, part of the solution for my brainwashing was to be found right in the place where I had set up my medical practice, the Flathead Indian Reservation. I practiced for many years amongst these wonderful people before I was asked to begin praying in their lodges with them. Once the initiation began, I came to view things differently. It was a gradual process, like so many other important steps in life. So gradual, in fact, that my favorite medicine man nicknamed me ‘slow learner’.

This medicine man began to patiently teach me about the matters of the heart. To protect his privacy and ways, he shall remain anonymous. He comes from a long line of medicine people and is a full blood. He has taken no short cuts. He knows the songs, the prayers, the language and the medicines. He was a traditional Indian before it was trendy. Like the few others of his kind, he lives a lifestyle that respects all of creation.

One of his first lessons for me concerned his observation that I was a typical white person who did not know how to pray for myself. He taught me that life was a prayer. He taught me songs to sing with my prayers. Slowly I began to change. Part of the change allowed a renewed interest in how we heal from chronic degenerative disease.

About four years ago my inner voice began to say, “walk off the abyss”. Initially I clung to my comfy life and possessions. However, the internal discontent grew stronger and the inner voice cried out more often. About the time I consented to walking off the abyss into the unknown, an Amish family approached me about buying my farm. Somehow, I was able to walk away from a piece of land that I loved dearly. I sold my practice and other encumbering possessions.

While running on the beach in Oregon three months later it came to me that I was to write a book about how the body heals itself. It was really slow going at first. Looking back on it I am grateful that I was very naïve about the long and difficult task I was undertaking. During the past three and one half years, I have realized that I am one of the warriors in the transforming revolution for the empowerment of the people in regards to their healing choices. When I say that I am a warrior for health care change, I do not mean to imply I have great importance by myself. Rather, I am one of many channels through which love’s light travels through and expresses itself. I am more accurately described as Pooh Bear, in The Tao of Pooh. For some reason the angels are working through me to deliver an important message about how we heal. How we heal has little to do with the dominant medical system with regards to its treatment strategies for the diseases of middle age.

Seven Principles of Healing
The middle-aged body wants to heal itself. Around middle age there are seven interrelated principles of health that tend to falter. Unless all are attended to, the chronic degenerative diseases of middle age begin to insidiously propagate. The result is deterioration of the body form. Common examples of these imbalances, which arise from one or more faltering principles of health, include: obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, hormone imbalance, and diabetes. Each of these common diseases can be healed without side effects when all seven principles of health are rebalanced.

The achievement of balance requires the afflicted owner’s active participation. When this first requirement continues to be ignored, symptom control medicine becomes the only treatment possibility. However, for owners willing to take an active role in their own disease solution there are many cases where the above diseases heal or at least stabilize.

The seven interrelated principles are:
1) Preventing rust formation within the tissues
2) Preventing hardening processes within the blood vessels
3) The hormones giveth and the hormones taketh away
4) You are what you supply and absorb
5) Take out your cellular trash water
6) Avoid low voltage cell syndrome
7) Maximize the ratio between the energies that heal and the energies that maim the body tissues

The underground revolution in health care choices is particularly impacted by principle seven. This principle concerns the quality of the life energies’ integrity, an important consideration almost completely ignored by mainstream medicine because of its overwhelming preoccupation with disease and symptoms. This mainstream approach can be likened to the ‘slab of meat’ perspective. The slab of meat is all that is left when the mysterious life energies are removed from consideration. As a person and as a healer I take exception to this inhumane approach. There is more to people than their symptoms, and besides, no one wants to be treated like a slab of meat during a medical exam.

Fortunately, these important life energies form a common denominator between many alternative-healing modalities. Chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditative prayer, and chakra energy work all, each in their own way, reinvigorate the life energy field. The life energy field improves because these modalities share something important in common—they facilitate a release of the chaotic energies while facilitating the rhythmical energies.

I recently attended a course in Denver offered by the American Board of Holistic Medicine and sat for the exam. Unlike other medical conferences that I have attended, this group was committed to seeking the truth. Part of the course emphasized the healing power of love itself. Other parts of the course taught us about how to properly refer patients to chiropractors, acupuncturists, homeopaths, massage therapists, energy workers and herbalists.

Sometimes the messenger of truth does not possess an official title. For example, there was a medical intuitive there who could see the life energies within. She counseled numerous conference attendees and the physicians in attendance believed her.

The underground healthcare revolution bears the burden of educating those who are unaware. As in other times of exponential change, the dominant power elitists are largely unaware of the strength and conviction within the alternative health care movement. Let them slumber into oblivion. A new day is not far off.

Bill Ferril is an MD who lives in Montana. Each of these 7 principles of health is explained in his book, The Body Heals. To contact Dr. Ferril, or find out more about his book and teachings, visit his website at http://www.thebodyheals.com

Natural Medicine Works

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:13:00 +0000

Here's another article that reaffirming what we all know, alternative medicine really works.

Overwhelming Proof That Natural Medicine Works
By Jon Herring, Guest editor, Total Health Breakthroughs

In spite of the fact that many pharmaceutical drugs are just synthetic versions of healing compounds that are found in nature, there is a pervasive myth (no doubt fostered by the drug companies) that drugs have been proven to work, while natural remedies have not. Dr. Michael T. Murray, N.D., a professor of natural medicine and the author of more than 20 books, has compiled more than 50,000 scientific articles that prove the opposite is true. In his words:

One of the great myths about natural medicines is that they are not scientific. The fact of the matter is that for most common illnesses there is greater support in the medical literature for a natural approach than there is for drugs or surgery.

So to maintain or improve your health, do what the pharmaceutical companies do when they develop a new drug: Look to nature. Not only will you find therapies that work, they will be safer and less expensive than their synthetic alternatives.

This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise's Total Health Breakthroughs, offering alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com

Processed Meats Not Fit For Human Consumption

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:35:00 +0000

I found this article by Mike Adams (The Health Ranger) and was compelled to post it here.

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has just completed a detailed review of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer. Its conclusion is rocking the health world with startling bluntness: Processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives.

Processed meats include bacon, sausage, hot dogs, sandwich meat, packaged ham, pepperoni, salami and virtually all red meat used in frozen prepared meals. They are usually manufactured with a carcinogenic ingredient known as sodium nitrite. This is used as a color fixer by meat companies to turn packaged meats a bright red color so they look fresh. Unfortunately, sodium nitrite also results in the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines in the human body. And this leads to a sharp increase in cancer risk for those who eat them.

A 2005 University of Hawaii study found that processed meats increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent. Another study revealed that every 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 50 percent. These are alarming numbers. Note that these cancer risks do not come from eating fresh, non-processed meats. They only appear in people who regularly consume processed meat products containing sodium nitrite.

Sodium nitrite appears predominantly in red meat products (you won't find it in chicken or fish products). Here's a short list of food items to check carefully for sodium nitrite and monosodium glutamate (MSG), another dangerous additive:

Beef jerky
Bacon
Sausage
Hot dogs
Sandwich meat
Frozen pizza with meat
Canned soups with meat
Frozen meals with meat
Ravioli and meat pasta foods
Kid's meals containing red meat
Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants
Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks

If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used? The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970's but was overridden by the meat industry. It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to "ban bacon." Today, the corporations that dominate American food and agricultural interests hold tremendous influence over the FDA and USDA. Consumers are offered no real protection from dangerous chemicals intentionally added to foods, medicines and personal care products.

You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:

Always read ingredient labels. Don't buy anything made with sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate. Don't eat red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions. And finally, eat more fresh produce with every meal. There is evidence that natural vitamin C found in citrus fruits and exotic berries (like camu camu) helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, protecting you from the devastating health effects of sodium nitrite in processed meats. The best defense, of course, is to avoid eating processed meats altogether.

This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise's Total Health Breakthroughs, offering alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com