artificial sweeteners shock horror

Artificial Sweeteners

Most artificial sweeteners are artificially produced chemicals whose metabolism strains the liver, the most important organ for detoxification. Artificial sweeteners also confuse the brain. The enzymes in your mouth begin a cascade that primes your cell receptors for an insulin surge, and when it doesn’t arrive the brain feels cheated and craves more sweets.

Almost all of the independent research on artificial sweeteners, from saccharine to aspartame, show toxicity in animal studies.

Sucralose (Splenda) is simply chlorinated sugar; a chlorocarbon, a group of substances known to be poisonous. In test animals Splenda produced a myriad of toxic effects including enlarged, damaged livers and calcification of the kidneys.

The most controversial of the lot is Aspartame, sold by the Searle pharmaceutical company under the name Nutrasweet. It has a long history of toxicity in animal studies and was repeatedly denied approval by the FDA since the 1960s. A 1980 FDA Board of Inquiry, comprised of three independent scientists, confirmed that it "might induce brain tumors." The substance was only allowed on the market in 1981 after political interference in the FDA on behalf of Searle. Aspartame contains the excitotoxin aspartate as 40% of its molecular structure, and many health activists have proposed a link to early onset Parkinson's disease. Its metabolism produces methanol (wood alcohol), a toxin to the liver and nervous system. The methanol is further metabolized to produce formaldehyde, a neurotoxin which causes brain damage.

Since aspartame came on the market in l981, it has accounted for more than 75 percent of the complaints reported to the FDA's Adverse Reaction Monitoring system. The most common adverse reactions attributed to aspartame include headaches, dizziness, attention difficulties, memory loss, slurred speech and vision problems, a cluster of neurological symptoms which have become so common they are actually referred to as "aspartame disease".

An attempt to ban Aspartame in New Mexico failed in 2006.
If you can't wean yourself off sweet-tasting foods, use Stevia, a completely natural substance derived from a South American herb, stevia rebuadiana. First published accounts of this herb go as far back as 1576 by Spanish physician Francisco Hernandez in his book, "Natural History of Plants of the New Spain" after Spanish conquistadors arrived on the shores of South America. Today stevia is widely used in Japan, South America, China, Germany, Korea and Israel, and others. Stevias' safety has been repeatedly proven through extensive scientific testing and hundreds of years of use. Stevia actually balances blood sugar levels, and is safe for use by both diabetics. Unlike aspartame, stevia reduces the craving for sweets.

Are you short of vitamin B12 ?

Are you short of vitamin B12 ??. If you are a vegetarian you probably are -these symptoms may ring a bell.
The B12 Deficiency Support Group (which is now a charity)has brought you this page to support anyone who suffers from any of a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue (or overwhelming tiredness, may be diagnosed as ME, PV CFS - Post Viral Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), pins and needles (including strange feelings in the face, arms, legs, numbness, "socks and gloves"), loss of power (haven't got strength in your arm or leg, can't swallow, difficulty with eyesight), memory and thinking problems (sometimes called "the fogs", could develop into dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease), digestive problems (frequently called Crohn's disease), infertility and/or menorrhagia, and autoimmune disease.
www.b12d.org

mercury in your mouth

getting interested in this because I have a lot of amalgam fillings in my teeth.

from David Saxon MD :

"The major source of mercury poisoning in the United States is dental amalgam. Dental amalgams are usually alloys composed of mercury, silver, and tin with small amounts of copper and zinc. These alloys solidify at room temperature and are used to fill in cavities, or build up tooth surfaces for restoration. Dental amalgams contain about 50% mercury, and mercury has been shown to be more toxic than lead, cadmium, and arsenic. Mercury vaporizes at room temperature. The temperature in your mouth is much higher.


Fifteen Facts about Mercury and Dental Amalgams

1. Mercury vapor is the common manner in which mercury comes out of amalgam.
2. Mercury from amalgam binds to sulphydryl groups. These exist in almost every enzymatic process in the body. Mercury from amalgam will thus have the potential of disturbing all metabolic processes.
3. Mercury vapor is absorbed directly into the brain.
4. Mercury from amalgam will result in a slow build up of mercury in body tissue.
5. Mercury crosses the blood-brain barrier.
6. Mercury is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease.
7. Mercury crosses the placenta.
8. Mercury will cause an increase in number and severity of allergies.
9. Mercury from amalgam will migrate through the tooth.
10. This rate of migration is increased if a gold crown is placed over a tooth filled with amalgam.
11. In the brain, mercury from amalgam is stored preferentially in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
12. Micro-mercurialism is principally characterized by neurological symptoms.
13. Mercury from amalgam may be stored in every cell in the body. Each area affected will produce its own set of symptoms.
14. Brain levels of mercury are in direct linear proportion to the number of amalgam surfaces in the mouth.
15. Dental personnel are severely effected by exposure to mercury."

so the next step is to look at removal and detox - will keep you posted ( if I have any brain cells left!)

"pain is a disease"

at Parsons Chiropractic we offer fast relief from back and neck pain so its interesting to see this article from the Times:

"Chronic pain needs to be recognised as a disease in its own right, experts say.

The hospital doctors and academics argue this would lead to more momentum for official strategies and funding to help patients.

Nearly 8m people in the UK are suffering ongoing problems with pain. But only 2% of them end up seeing specialists - and a quarter believe their doctors do not know how to treat their pain, research shows.

Prescriptions worth a total of £584m are written every year for painkillers. And pain - including back problems - is the second most common reason cited by incapacity benefit claimants for not working.

Dr Beverly Collett, a consultant in pain medicine from University Hospitals of Leicester and chairman of the Chronic Pain Policy Coalition campaign group , said: "This problem has huge ramifications for society as a whole. Pain is difficult to treat.

"Many patients are seeking reasons for what is behind the pain - but in the vast majority of cases, you can't find one. We are trying to get it taken more seriously - and there's a push, particularly in Europe, to say it is a disease in its own right."

Researchers are examining the idea that changes in the spinal cord and brain have the effect of maintaining pain in sufferers, making it an ongoing problem that can lead to depression or anxiety.

Experts believe more training would help GPs in assessing the severity of patients' pain.

Distraction

Non-medical interventions such as physiotherapy and encouraging patients to stay active can also play a role, with some work showing that distraction can help patients avoid feeling pain.

Professor Steve McMahon, from the Wolfson Centre of Age Related Diseases at King's College London, said the number of new drugs developed to treat pain in the past decade was "very small".

Another expert, Irene Tracey, Nuffield professor of anaesthetic science at Oxford University, said: "There is a cultural problem where it's thought that there is a benefit from suffering. We have to get over this. It's not acceptable for people to suffer significant pain in the 21st century."

By Jane Dreaper, Health correspondent, BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8543561.stm

Chia

have just come across Chia seeds - so am eating them for energy - so far so good :

Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family that grows abundantly in southern Mexico. In pre-Columbian times they were a main component of the Aztec and Mayan diets and were the basic survival ration of Aztec warriors : one tablespoon was believed to sustain an individual for 24 hours. The Aztecs also used chia medicinally to stimulate saliva flow and to relieve joint pain and sore skin.

When chia seeds are submerged in water the seeds open up, often absorbing nine times their weight in water, and form a tasteless gel that helps to keep your body hydrated.

Chia gel is made up of 90% soluble fiber, which benefits the digestive track. The soluble fiber forms a wall between carbohydrates and the body, allowing a slow release into the body, giving the feeling of being full which a great way to control the appetite. This has been suggested to be very helpful for people, like diabetics, who have trouble controlling their sugar levels.

The chia seed has twice the protein of any other seed or grain and five times the calcium of milk. Chia seeds also contain boron which is a trace mineral that helps with the absorption of calcium. The essential fatty acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6 are also present in the seeds.

Incorporating chia seeds into the daily diet has shown to enhance the nutrient absorption of all foods, including nutritional supplements. It has its uses as an aid for GERD, ulcers, gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Other suggested chia seeds health benefits include: assisting physical activity (endurance), added nutrition, as well as controlling weight or sugar levels.

The best way to consume chia seeds is to take them only after being soaked in water (or dry with some other liquid) so they do not absorb the fluid within your body possibly leading to dehydration. The seeds may be added to water, juice and other foods.

chiropractic - what I do

I see a wide variety of people in my offices in Leyland and Ormskirk, Lancashire, UK
eg. Those with simple joint and muscle problems,
injuries in professional and recreational football players, golfers, weight lifters and international bodybuilders,
and those seeking help with more severe conditions, such as migraine headaches, coccydenia, certain types of vertigo (dizziness related to neck problems)
and musculoskeletal problems arising from stroke or nerve damage.
call 01772 431133 (Leyland) or 01695 581529 (Ormkirk)

SO WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN THE LAST 2065 YEARS ?????

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." -- CICERO , 55BC

EVIDENTLY, NOTHING

sunburn tip

Wellness Tip: Need to soothe minor sunburn? Try this relieving home remedy. Mix 1/2 c. honey and 1 c. milk. Apply the mixture to sunburned area. Leave on as long as possible to ease the pain and to prevent skin from peeling. Reapply as needed to ease discomfort and promote healing. Severe sunburn can produce swelling, blisters, nausea, fever, and chills. Seek professional medical attention if these symptoms arise.

transcendental meditation for health - dont miss out

great article how meditation good for your health
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8601795/How-meditation-could-help-your-health.html

coconut oil - truths and lies

Heart Diseases:

There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for the heart. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. However, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Weight Loss

Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress the pancreas, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.

Digestion

Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids

Liver: The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases as they substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.

Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.

Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.

Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.

Bones: As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium which are necessary for development of bones. Thus coconut oil is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.

Also coconut oil is often preferred by athletes and body builders and by those who are dieting. The reason behind this being that coconut oil contains lesser calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance of athletes.

Why are We Misinformed?

In one word: economics. Beginning with a flawed study four decades ago, continuing through the 1950s, intensifying in the 1980s, and again in the 1990s, the misinformation about coconut oil has been promulgated by such economically motivated organizations as the American Soybean Association (ASA), the Corn Products Company (CPC International) and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). They are aided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many of whose key personnel are recruited from and return to the vegetable oil industry. Previously, coconut oil was widely used in baked goods and fried goods until their publicity campaigns, based on erroneous information, totally discredited coconut oil and caused its nearly complete elimination from the American diet.

The studies were done to show that coconut oil, and all saturated fats, were bad for one's health because they raised serum cholesterol levels. However, these studies were done on hydrogenated coconut oil, and all hydrogenated oils produce higher serum cholesterol levels, whether they are saturated or not. Recent research shows that it is the presence of trans fatty acids that causes health problems, as they are fatty acid chains that have been altered from their original form in nature by the oil refining process.

Although many studies at the time had also shown research to the contrary, the mud stuck and by the mid 60’s the reputation of all saturated oils in America had been destroyed.

Critical modern research is starting to show that dietary changes based on the evidence presented by these early studies were at the very least premature and at worst placed the health millions of people at risk. However, time will only tell whether the greatest crime of this initiative will have been the bundling of all saturated fats, whether from meat, dairy or vegetable source together under the one label: Deadly Diet.

The travesty of this action was that one of nature’s most amazing resources, tropical oils, and especially coconut oil with all its functional, nutritional and pharmaceutical possibilities, has been lost to modern medicine for decades.

Finally, after years of denial, The FDA and CSPI are now talking about the harmful effects of trans fatty acids, evidence of which has been accumulating since the 1950s. Nonetheless, they continue to disparage coconut oil and take no effective action to limit TFAs, which already have been banned in some European countries. TFAs will finally be listed on food labels, starting in 2006 — why has it taken them so long! TFA dangers have been known for decades and continue to cause disease! News items coming from the USDA and FDA still lump TFAs with saturated fats, which are natural and do contain nutrients vital for our bodies. The current FDA Consumer's Guide to Fats was last updated in 1999 and consistently warns against (all) saturated fats, while failing to mention any harmful effects of trans fatty acids.

How effective is this brainwashing? Many of you will not believe the facts on these pages and will continue to avoid coconut oil and coconut milk out of health concerns. Despite the proven benefits. We invite you to investigate further.

2. How much coconut oil should I take ?

Researchers state that the optimal amount for an adult is between 3 and 4 tablespoons per day. This equates to the amount of medium chain fatty acids a nursing child would consume in one day from mother's milk. It is best to use coconut oil three times a day at meal times. I recommend that you begin with a smaller amount and build up to the recommended dosage if necessary.

thanks to Kiran Patil et al

magnesium oil

To say that magnesium is important in health and medicine is certainly an understatement. Magnesium is required for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Today's dietary intake is woefully deficient in this essential mineral with Western diets containing more and more processed foods and longer transport times. Not only is magnesium lost through these processes but foods rich in the mineral do not appear as often in our diets as they used to (wholegrains, nuts, seafood, dark green vegetables). The result is that normal consumption levels are only half they were 50 years ago! Magnesium Oil offers supplementation in a completely natural, safe and easily absorbable way. By applying Magnesium Oil either topically or in a soak, magnesium can be absorbed 5 times faster tan if taken orally.

• Essential for the effective absorption of calcium, maintaining healthy teeth and bones.
• Enhances the efficiency of the body’s immune system.
• Eases discomfort from joint and muscle pains when applied directly.
• Reduces muscle spasm, over-excited nerves and relaxes blood vessels.
• Encourages dramatically improved sleeping patterns. Recommended for sufferers of Restless Leg Syndrome.
• Essential for fundamental cellular production and storage of energy and protein synthesis (ATP)
• Ideal for sportsmen and women to help relax muscles and keep them oxygenated, reducing damage and speeding up recovery time.
• Helps to lower blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol levels, enhancing heart health.

Signs of Magnesium Deficiency

The classic physical signs of low magnesium are:^{1 2 3}

Neurological: Behavioral disturbances Irritability and anxiety Lethargy Impaired memory and cognitive function Anorexia or loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Seizures Muscular: Weakness Muscle spasms (tetany) Tics Muscle cramps Hyperactive reflexes Impaired muscle coordination (ataxia) Tremors Involuntary eye movements and vertigo Difficulty swallowing

Metabolic: Increased intracellular calcium Hyperglycemia Calcium deficiency Potassium deficiency Cardiovascular: Irregular or rapid heartbeat Coronary spasms Among children: Growth retardation or “failure to thrive”

statin dangers

I hope Dan will forgive me for copying this post :

HEART ATTACK ENTREES AND SIDE ORDERS OF STROKE

by Dan Yachter on Monday, June 27, 2011 at 1:56am

A study found that statin drugs are associated with destroying heart muscle function. Statin use is known to be associated with heart muscle disease, muscle weakness and rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. For the study, myocardial function was evaluated in 28 patients. According to Green Med Info:

“There was significantly better function noted ... in the control group vs the statin group”.

Clinical Cardiology December 2009; 32(12):684-9

(resource information below from Mercola.com).

Statins Fail Miserably at Heart Attack Prevention

Lies, lies, and more lies! The JUPITER study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2008,boasted that statin drugs could lower the risk of heart attack by 54 percent, the risk of stroke by 48 percent, the risk of needing angioplasty or bypass surgery by 46 percent, and the risk of death from all causes by 20 percent. As you might suspect, the funding for this study came from none other than Astra-Zeneca, the maker of statin drug Crestor -- and once again, we find that industry-funded claims of health benefits for highly profit-producing drugs need to be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism. Two years after the original study came out, three articles were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine refuting the claims laid down by the industry-funded JUPITER study.

One of these studies titled “Cholesterol lowering, cardiovascular diseases, and the rosuvastatin-JUPITER controversy: a critical reappraisal,” carefully reviewed the methods and the results of the JUPITER trial and concluded that the trial was flawed and the results "do not support the use of statin treatment for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases …"In addition, a second study, a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials, found no evidence to back up the JUPITER trial claim that statins can reduce your risk of death when used as primary prevention against heart disease.

Increased Risk of Stroke, Serious Side Effects: A new study found that statin drugs actually increase your risk of having a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain if you've already had one before. Among such patients, the risk of a second stroke was 22 percent in those who took statins compared with 14 percent in those who did not. There are two reasons why this might happen: the drugs may either lower your cholesterol too much, to the point that it increases your risk of brain bleeding, or they may affect clotting factors in your blood, increasing the bleeding risk.

At GreenMedInfo.com you can see 71 diseases that may be associated with these drugs, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are actually over 900 studies showing the risks of statin drugs, which include: Cognitive loss, acidosis, sexual dysfunction, immune system depression, neuropathy, frequent fevers, increased risk of cancer, serious degenerative muscle tissue condition, anemia, cataracts, pancreatic dysfunction, liver disease.

Are You Taking a Statin for No Reason?

For certain individuals who are at very high risk of dying from a heart attack, statin drugs may be useful -- but this is only true if you have strong heart attack risk factors (NOT if you simply have "high" cholesterol levels). It is important to note that it is also not necessary for you to remain on the drug for the rest of your life. Once your cholesterol ratios have been optimized by a course of treatment on statins, you can safely go off them if you have changed your diet, started exercising, and are getting chiropractic adjustments/removing nerve interference on a regular basis.

Dr. Mercola states: “I have seen a number of people with total cholesterol levels over 250 who were actually at low risk for heart disease due to their elevated HDL levels. Conversely, I have seen many people with cholesterol levels under 200 who had a very high risk of heart disease, based on their low HDL. Further, if you take statin drugs unnecessarily, there's a good chance your cholesterol levels will become too low, which is dangerous since your body NEEDS cholesterol -- it is important in the production of cell membranes, hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that help you to digest fat. Cholesterol also helps your brain form memories and is vital to your neurological function. There is also strong evidence that having too little cholesterol INCREASES your risk for cancer, memory loss, Parkinson's disease, hormonal imbalances, stroke, depression, suicide, and violent behavior – so keeping your cholesterol high enough is important”.

humour?

"How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the light bulb has to want to change."