Alternative Health News October 2, 2007

The mainstream media is amusingly irrational when it comes to reporting scare stories. The latest example involves the lead content of Mattel toys made in China. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a third recall of Mattel toys involving over 700,000 toys containing unacceptably high levels of lead paint (over .06 percent lead). Irrational parents are rushing back to retailers in droves, turning in their Mattel toys to "save their children" from the dangers of lead paint. Mattel, for its part, is being rightly blasted in the media for selling shoddy products made with toxic heavy metals.

But here's the interesting part in all this: Parents directly poison their children every day with products far more dangerous than Mattel toys. Don't believe me? I'll name twenty things in this article that are far more dangerous to children than Mattel toys. It doesn't mean Mattel toys are safe, of course. They apparently do contain unacceptably high levels of lead, and there's no question about the toxicity of lead. But children don't eat toys nearly as often as they eat some other toxic substances given to them by their parents, and even as parents are herding back into retailers to refund their toxic lead-laden toys, they're returning home and poisoning their children with many other products that are far worse.

The press, of course, reports nothing about these other toxic products. And why? Because they're made in America.

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Top 20 things that are more dangerous to children than lead paint in Mattel toys by NewsTarget - September 5, 2007

The Denmark National Food Institute recently concluded a study that indicates that hermetically sealing cheeses, lunch meats, and the like in plastic vacuum packs on your grocer's shelf may be ramping up the potency of Listeria bacteria 100-fold, turning it into a super killer. The purpose of the vacuum pack, of course, is to protect the food from contamination and to seal it off from oxygen, which can contribute to spoilage -- and shorter shelf life. Unfortunately, that oxygen deprived environment is a bonanza for Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that thrives in low oxygen and environments and kills 25 percent of the people it infects.

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Vacuum-packed Food Ramps up Listeria by Jon Barron - September 2, 2007

Instead of bulging biceps, maybe Popeye should be shown with smooth, unblemished calves. Here's why: A recent study published in the Journal of Vascular Research has found that the protein MPG that causes the prevention of varicose veins is activated in the presence of adequate vitamin-K.

Spinach is one of the highest sources of dietary vitamin K, containing 380 micrograms of Vitamin K per 100 grams, about 1 cups worth.

Although not as familiar to the public as vitamins A, the B vitamins, and vitamins C, D and E, vitamin K research has been conducted since the late 1920's. Vitamin K, (the 'K' stands for the German word 'Koagulation'), is important for clotting the blood, bone health, preventing hardening of the arteries and now, it would seem, prevention of varicose veins.

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Can Greens Prevent Varicose Veins? by NewsTarget - September 10, 2007

Four years ago, the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) decided to add fluoride to the tap water of millions of Californians as of October 2007.

Since then, the American Dental Association (ADA), scientists at Harvard University, and the prestigious National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences have all raised serious concerns about the safety of fluoridated water for infants and young children.

Specifically, both the NRC and the ADA warn that infants under the age of two years old may be overexposed to fluoride, since their water intake is greater than that of adults pound for pound.

The MWD is planning on adding 0.8 parts per million fluoride to its public water supply. This would expose more than 64,000 children to levels of fluoride that exceed the federal government’s acceptable daily intake for a child.

The CDC estimates about 30 percent of children who drink fluoridated water have some degree of fluorosis – an unsightly staining and pitting of the teeth.

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Fluoride in Southern California Tap Water Puts 64,000 Kids at Risk by Dr. Mercola - August 24, 2007

You have just been diagnosed with cancer. Your oncologist is pushing you to begin chemotherapy immediately. You know that chemotherapy will make you sick, your hair fall out and leave you completely debilitated and dependent on someone to care for you. You will suffer severe side-effects that may leave your nervous system damaged, weaken your bones or damage your heart. You also realize that chances are your cancer will return after months of grueling treatments. You think maybe you would like to try alternative medicine but your oncologist is against it and you know of others who tried that route and died. What you may not know is this: Cancer can be healed naturally, and is done so every day, but it takes more than a multivitamin, a few supplements and a daily bowl of blueberries to accomplish complete healing.

Begin with an herbal blood/lymph tonic that includes herbs to build the blood, cleanse the blood, inhibit bacteria, and boost the white blood cells, the red blood cells, and the immune system. An example of a combination of herbs for a tonic that would fit the above criteria is: anise seed (anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial and appetite stimulant), astragalus (helps trigger immune cells), blue violet/sweet violets (has a good reputation for it’s anti-cancer properties through its blood purifying ability), burdock (has been shown to have anti-cancer properties; removes uric acid from body), chaparral (anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-tumor), fennel (excellent for digestion; supports spleen and gallbladder) dandelion root (a rich source of vitamins and minerals), licorice root (shows a broad range of anticancer activity in vitro; antibody production is enhanced; inhibits growth of several DNA and RNA viruses), oregon grape (stimulates white blood cells known as macrophages; excellent for the blood), red clover (clinical evidence has shown there is basis for its long-standing reputation as an anti-cancer herb though purifying the blood), yellow dock (excellent for purifying blood supplied to the glands; improves function of the intestines, kidneys, liver and lymph glands; eliminates pollutants including lead and arsenic).

The kidneys need to be supported because they are the organs that filter the blood. They are responsible for separating urea, mineral salts, toxins and other waste products from the blood to be discarded in the urine while it sends clean blood back into the body. They also conserve water, salts, and electrolytes. Prescription medicine is the biggest cause of kidney toxicity with heavy metals from pollution a close second. When the kidneys are weak due to congestion they are unable to completely filter waste products from the blood, which is why an herbal kidney formula needs to be incorporated in all cancer treatments. A good kidney formula might contain cilantro (removes heavy metals), cleavers (clears obstructions, reduces swelling, and is also excellent for the lymphatic system making it a wise choice for any kidney tonic when the body has cancer; it will keep the lymph clear), horsetail (clears uric acid), hydrangea root (reduces backache due to kidney pain and dissolves obstructions) gravel root (dissolves kidney stones), uva ursi (antibiotic properties), sandalwood (antiseptic), marshmallow root (high Vitamin A content; it is also good to clear mucus buildup in the kidneys and anywhere else in the body), sarsaparilla (blood purifier; kidney circulation), saw palmetto (urinary & prostate support).

The liver is part of the digestive system. It stores carbohydrates, fats, and proteins until it can break them down. The main purpose of the liver is to clean out fluids and to clear toxins from the blood. The liver is a highly vascular tissue so it is important that the body’s circulation is in good condition otherwise the liver may become congested. If the body is sick with cancer the liver needs help. It needs to be cleansed while at the same time built up. Some of the herbs you might choose for a liver tonic to both cleanse and heal the liver are: agrimony (not only helps the liver but also supports the intestines) barberry (aids in the secretion of bile and helps regulate digestive problems), bupleurum (liver specific but it also works for inflammation and pain), dandelion (helps bile duct inflammation and gives gastric balance while supporting the gall bladder and pancreas) horehound (for chronic liver illness), parsley (supports blood vessels and capillaries), pau d’ arco (clears out liver poisons and fungus), licorice (provides energy and works to heal hepatitis and liver lesions), milk thistle (liver diseases and gallbladder support), oregon grape (a hepatic which means it is specific for treating the liver while at the same time a powerful blood cleanser), wild yam (for bilious colic, indigestion and spasms).

Now we look to the colon. The purpose of the colon as an eliminative organ is to remove waste material by mass muscular contraction called peristalsis. In my experience I have found that nearly 75% of cancer patients have suffered from some form of chronic constipation during their lives. I consider constipation when the bowels do not move at least once a day. When the bowels do not move daily poisons can accumulate in the colon. Depending on where the poison accumulates in the colon will depend on where cancer develops for there is a point on the colon for every organ and system in the body. Any of these points, if clogged, toxic, or full of old fecal matter, will eventually bring illness to that part of the body the colon signifies. The bowel must be swept clean of all debris. Some people will need a gentle nudge while others require a greater nudge. Herbs that can be used in combination for healing the colon are: aloe vera (has anti-cancer properties; has a long reputation for bowel health; rich in over 200 nutrients), barberry (for bacteria, not only in the bowel, but anywhere in the body), black walnut hull (for parasites), cascara sagrada (anti-biotic effects on harmful bacteria in the colon; restores nerve tone to the colon; cleanses the intestines, builds the bowel, treats a sluggish gallbladder, kills intestinal parasites), cinnamon (kills parasite eggs), cramp bark (eases cramping), fenugreek seed (clears out hardened mucus), gentian (for digestive function including production of stomach acid to break down foods) marshmallow root (helps heal gastritis; is smooth moving; fibrous so it also sweeps and cleans), plantain (clears toxic waste from the body), red raspberry leaf (has anti-cancer properties including ellagic acid), rhubarb (anti-bacterial; eases stomach pain; mild laxative), and yucca (reduces toxins in the alimentary canal; aids digestion; relieves pain; reduces inflammation; breaks up mineral deposits).

Bones also need to be protected so that cancer does not invade to them. Calcium-rich herbs along with red blood cell building herbs will protect the bones as well as give a boost to bone marrow: codonopsis (it stimulates the growth of red blood cells, enhances T-Cell transformation; enhances the spleen and lung), gota kola (strengthens the connective tissue), ho-shou-wo (lumbago, weak bone, sinew and cartilage), horsetail (bones, skin and nails; high in silica), nettles (anemia; red blood cells), oatstraw (heart, nerves, nutritive; calcium; used for general debility), red clover (calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, copper, iron, thiamine, and vitamin C), red raspberry (acts as a nutritive; rich in calcium), rose hips (source of vitamin K), suma (powerful immune stimulator).

It only takes 4 or 5 tonics to heal the blood, lymphatic system, urinary system, digestive system, circulatory system and skeletal system depending on the herbal combinations chosen. The reason is because most herbal combinations will include herbs that treat other organs and conditions as well. Horehound, licorice and blue violet along with marshmallow are excellent for the lungs. Licorice root also supports the adrenal glands. Many of the kidney herbs treat the prostrate. The lymphatic herbs will treat the breast. Herbs in the colon/bowel tonic will treat fungus and Candida. Plantain will eliminate poisons in the body and yucca can help with inflammation while black walnut kills parasites. Bupleurum will help with pain and inflammation.

To read the full article, follow this link :

For Successful Healing, Cancer Must Be Treated as a Multi-System Disease by NewsTarget - September 11, 2007

Elevated blood sugar can increase women's risk of pancreatic, skin, urinary tract, womb and breast cancer, according to a Swedish study published in the journal Diabetes Care.

The link between a diet high in junk food and high levels of blood sugar has been solidly established, as has the fact that elevated blood sugar can lead to Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, sometimes called adult onset diabetes, occurs when the body becomes desensitized to the sugar-regulating hormone insulin, and has been shown to lead to increased cancer risk. However, the Swedish study demonstrated a correlation between blood sugar levels and cancer risk, independent of the occurrence of diabetes.

Researchers studied nearly 65,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 60 for 13 years. They found that the 25 percent of women with the highest blood sugar had a 26 percent higher chance of developing cancer than the 25 percent with the lowest blood sugar levels. Breast cancer risk in particular was increased only among pre-menopausal women. Blood sugar levels did not correlate with cancer risk in men.

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Eating diet of processed foods proven to raise cancer risk in women by NewsTarget - September 11, 2007

The body never becomes accustomed to frequent and drastic changes in time zones, and people who frequently fly between three or more time zones are almost certain to experience a number of significant health problems, according to a study conducted by researchers at the United Kingdom's Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences and published in The Lancet.

Jet lag results from the body's inability to quickly readjust its circadian rhythms (a number of physiological processes related to time of day). According to the study, jet lag causes poor and interrupted sleep, irritability and mood changes, digestive problems, hampered mental functioning, menstrual disruptions, a drop in athletic performance and even short-term psychiatric disturbances.

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Jet lag proves harmful, disruptive to health and performance by NewsTarget - September 13, 2007

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound found in tea, may reduce the association between high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and diabetes, according to researchers from Rutgers University.

HFCS, a liquid sweetener commonly used in soft drinks that contains both fructose and glucose, has been accused of causing diabetes, particularly in children, and a recent study further supported this theory.

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Tea Extract Could Reduce HFCS-Diabetes Link by Dr. Mercola - August 30, 2007