Natural Remedies 2
Avoid colds and flu by eliminating sugar and enlisting the natural duo
(NaturalNews) When given the opportunity our body has the amazing capacity to thwart many diseases and illnesses including the common cold and influenza. When we provide our immune system with the necessary tools to fight bacteria and viruses, vibrant health will always be the natural result. The typical processed food diet is void of the nutrients we require to fuel our immune system, and we become a magnet for a host of circulating pathogens that cause suffering for millions each year. Proper diet and targeted natural immune nutrients will help you and your family prevent cold and flu by boosting your innate immune responses.
Eat Natural Foods, Avoid Sugar to Boost Immunity
Diet is the single most important lifestyle process that is within your control to help your immune system. Simply put, sugar suppresses our immune system by inhibiting the ability of white blood cells to engulf bacterial and viral invaders.
The results of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) demonstrates that the amount of sugar in two sweetened beverages lowers immune response by 50% for up to five hours after drinking or eating. A diet filled with complex carbohydrates has no detrimental effect on immunity and the high nutritional content of fresh vegetables, nuts and seeds provide the building blocks required to mount a healthy attack as needed.
Vitamin D Activates Killer T Cells
Health conscious individuals who ensure proper blood levels of vitamin D appear to have the ultimate defense against the cold and flu. The journal Nature Immunology provides details of the synergy between the sunshine vitamin and our adaptive immune killer T cells. Vitamin D is shown to provide the activation key that stimulates T cells into action when invaders are detected.
Virtually every cell in our body has a vitamin D receptor that is only filled when sufficient amounts are circulating in the blood. A deficiency in this essential compound leaves the cellular receptor open and available for viral hijacking. A separate AJCN study shows that vitamin D is far superior to vaccines at preventing the flu. Maintain your vitamin D blood levels between 50 and 70 ng/ml for optimal protection.
Vitamin C Prepares Immune Cells for Action
Vitamin C has been shown to increase the number of infection-fighting white blood cells and to stimulate the production of interferon. Interferon provides a protective coating to the surface of cells that prevents penetration by viruses. Research published in the Journal of Immunology explains that up to 5 grams of vitamin C are needed daily to activate the production of interferon for general health and up to 1 gram every hour should be used when fighting a cold or the flu.
The importance of a strong immune response cannot be underestimated. Elimination of sugar and processed carbohydrates from your diet should be the first step in boosting your front line response. Adding natural nutrients including vitamins C and D have proven effective in providing top notch protection against the common cold and flu virus.
Article References:
About the author: John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.
Vitamin C Mega Dosing - Big Pharma suppresses an inexpensive powerful cure
(NaturalNews) A recently publicized dramatic recovery from virtual death using IV high dose vitamin C created a strong impression in New Zealand and Australia. The highly publicized event down under brought to light a marginalized existing therapy that is inexpensive, safe, and effective.
Despite the abundance of stubborn medical naysayers, there is a growing group of MDs who are practicing orthomolecular medicine and psychiatry. Orthomolecular medicine and psychiatry specialize in mega-dose supplementation for a variety of conditions.
Alan Smith: Rescued from Death by Vitamin C
This story was featured in New Zealand/Australia TV`s version of "60 Minutes". Alan Smith was lying near death in a coma and on life support in a New Zealand hospital with complications from last year`s Swine Flu. The doctors had decided to pull the plug on his life support system since there was no hope for Alan`s survival. Alan`s family disagreed and insisted on the hospital`s administering IV high dose vitamin C as a last resort.
Despite having nothing to lose with a hopeless patient for whom they were about to take off life support, every hospital MD refused to administer IV mega dose C. The family had to enlist an attorney to coerce the hospital into following their request. It took several weeks of urging and referrals for available practitioners from American MD Thomas Levy before vitamin C therapy was reluctantly administered.
After 13 days of mega dose IV vitamin C administration, Alan Smith walked out of the hospital. He had been in a coma for nine weeks! The scurvy condition that exacerbated his Swine Flu may have been part of his leukemia. Less publicized but even more impressive is that he is now leukemia-free a year after his coma recovery.
Mega dose IV vitamin C has been used to cure cancer before, although the orthomolecular physicians prefer to keep a low profile about this. They prefer to promote it as a useful adjunct to other forms of cancer treatments. This appears to be partly a strategy for keeping the Medical Mafia off their backs.
Beyond Anecdotal
Mainstream medicine tends to dismiss this type of incident as anecdotal. But orthodox medicine also dismisses reams of research papers and case studies of other successful vitamin C recovery cases from orthomolecular physicians. Instead, medical profession authorities focus on poorly conducted or biased studies by mainstream institutions.
Dr. Levy is among several doctors in the USA and Australia who have used IV high dose vitamin C to cure extreme cases of infectious disease in thousands of cases. And there are cancer cases that have benefited as well. Thousands of successful orthomolecular case studies exist, yet the Medical Mafia claims there is no documentation proving vitamin C`s efficacy.
Important Caveats
The mega doses of vitamin C are well beyond bowel tolerance of ingested vitamin C. So they have to be administered by IV to bypass the digestive system. The resultant high blood levels of vitamin C flips this antioxidant into an oxidizing mode. Cellular oxidation eliminates bacteria, viruses, and even cancer cells.
Dr. Riordon`s protocol requires a check for G6PD enzyme deficiencies. Though this deficiency is very rare, ensuring it`s not there is important. This enzyme is needed to maintain membrane blood cell integrity. If lacking, the high oxidation from mega dose C can cause hemolysis, which ruptures blood cells and empties their contents.
It is also important to maintain sufficient blood levels of copper while mega dosing IV vitamin C. Mega doses of IV Vitamin C depletes this mineral, which may lead to serious complications for someone already in bad shape.
-Paul Fassa has managed to survive the Standard American Diet (SAD) and his youthful folly by deprogramming gradually from mainstream health ideology and studying holistic health matters informally with his wife while incorporating them into his lifestyle as a vegetarian. He also practices Chi-Lel Chi Gong, and he is trained as a polarity therapy practitioner. He is dedicated to warning others about the current corruption of food and medicine and guiding others toward a better direction for health. You can visit his blog at http://healthmaven.blogspot.com
Canadians turn to natural supplements instead of flu shots
It’s that time of year again, when anyone coughing in the subway sparks a round of dirty looks.
As Canadians get ready to fight the cold and flu season, more people are turning to vitamins and minerals, instead of flu shots, to banish a runny nose.
In fact, two thirds of us are taking natural supplements, while only 12 per cent opt for the jab, according to an Ipsos Reid poll.
Natural supplements are a $3.5 billion industry in Canada, with some natural health retailers reporting spikes of 25 per cent in supplement sales when the cold weather hits.
Catherine Deslippe of Nutrition House says she has noticed more customers requesting products that boost overall immunity this flu season instead of cures for those already spluttering on their morning commute.
The most popular selling products include vitamin C, Boiron Oscillococcinum (a.k.a Oscillo), oil of oregano, Echinacea, and Golden seal, according to the Canadian Health Food Association.
So, why are more Canadians turning towards purported natural cures?
“Some of my clients say that even when they got the flu shot they still got the flu,” says naturopathic doctor Natasha Turner of the Clear Medicine clinic and author of The Hormone Diet. “Other people are worried about adverse reactions or preservatives,” she adds.
Over the last two years Dr. Turner has noticed a growing number of emails in her inbox asking about alternatives to the flu shot. She attributes them to a heightened awareness surrounding flu prevention after last year’s H1N1 outbreak and the growing amount of research on the immune boosting powers of vitamin D.
To ward off colds Dr. Turner recommends taking daily doses of 2,000-5,000 iu of vitamin D and probiotics in the morning. As soon as you feel flu symptoms coming on she suggests boosting your vitamin intake to 10,000 iu for three days and adding the Indian herb andrographis to your routine.
Ipsos Reid poll attributes the one third of Canadians who avoid natural supplements to their high cost. Despite this they expect a 17 per cent increase in the number of Canadians using vitamins, minerals and supplements over the next year.
As the numbers of Canadians taking natural products climbs, the Health Canada website warns that “natural health products, like drugs, may have potentially serious side effects. Any substance, whether natural or synthetic, that has an effect on the body, has the potential to be a risk to health.”
The website suggests keeping your doctor informed of any natural supplements you might be taking, using products that are Health Canada approved (you can tell by the DIN, NPN or DIN-HM on the label), being skeptical of any health-related claims for potentially serious conditions and staying aware of any reaction or interactions with other drugs you are taking.
This year 106 natural health products have been recalled from the Canadian market by Health Canada.
Some Bacteria are Good for Our Kids
It’s easy for parents to get obsessed with keeping their kids away from bacteria, especially in cold and flu season. But not all bacteria are bad for children. The same probiotic bacteria that have become a popular adult remedy for stomach and digestive concerns may have limited benefits for certain illnesses in children according to new studies.
The data isn’t strong enough yet for anyone to be advocating adding probiotics to infant formulas or giving them to seriously ill children or pregnant women, but, they do seem to be helpful in preventing diarrhea due to viral infections and may shorten the illness in healthy kids.
This finding is outlined in a new American Academy of Pediatrics report that summarizes the findings from several scientific studies on the active ingredients in the various probiotic pills, yogurts, milks and juices that have hit the market of late. The report was published Monday in the journal, Pediatrics.
Probiotics may also help prevent diarrhea in kids who are taking antibiotics, great news for parents with infection prone kids. The AAP says, however, that they need more evidence before they can recommend the treatment for more serious conditions like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease.
They also warn that children with compromised immune systems or who use intravenous catheters should not receive probiotics because serious infections have been reported.
Good for the gut
BACTERIA generally get bad press. After all, aren't they the cause of many diseases? But like most things in life, bacteria can be divided into the good and the bad. As a matter of fact, did you know that the number of bacterial cells in our body outnumber our cells by about 10 to one?
Most of these bacteria are obviously not harmful to us, and indeed, some actually help our body to function better. One example of this would be the bacteria in our digestive system, which forms the largest bacterial community within our body.
These microorganisms help our body to resist invasion by other foreign, potentially harmful microorganisms, regulate the immune system, and perform metabolic activities, among others. And it is these functions that are the basis behind probiotics.
Probiotics, as defined by the World Health Organisation, are "live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host".
After all, if some bacteria are good for our body, wouldn't more of the same be better?
Dr Sampo Lahtinen would probably say yes. The Health and Nutrition R & D (research and development) group manager for Danisco Finland - an international Danish company that specialises in food ingredients, enzymes and bio-based solutions - was in Kuala Lumpur this week in conjunction with the launch of the company's latest probiotic product, Kordel's Protect.
"When we think of the immune system, one of the major systems is the gut. Many immune defences are in the gut. And they are doing this together with the bacteria in the gut," he told reporters at a group interview. Probiotics, he said, have different effects on the immune system.
"In some cases when the immune system is low, probiotics can help boost it. In some cases, the immune system is too high and overreacting.
"In these cases, we can use probiotics to suppress the immune system - for example, in the case of allergies.
"So, in this way, we can use probiotics to maintain the balance of the immune system," he said.
According to Dr Lahtinen, our gut bacteria (and also the bacteria in probiotics) does this through a combination of various mechanisms that are still being researched.
"The bacteria can stop pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) from attaching to the gut wall because they are already attached there.
"They also trigger production of anti-bacterial defence cells from the body's immune system," he said, explaining that the presence of these non-harmful bacteria puts the immune system on "alert", but does not trigger the full-on defence system of the body.
A study on children
Dr Lahtinen said that a prospective, randomised, double-blind study involving 326 children aged three to five years old from a day-care centre in Shanghai, China, was conducted by his colleague from Danisco US.
The study, which was published in the print version of the Pediatric journal last August, was conducted during the winter and flu season from Nov 2005 to May 2006.
The children were randomly divided into three groups. One group took a placebo, another group took just Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, and the last group took a combination of L. acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis (subspecies lactis Bi-07). Both groups taking the bacteria products showed a significant decrease in the number of times they had fevers, coughs and were prescribed antibiotics as compared to the group on placebos. This was particularly obvious for antibiotic prescription, which showed a 77% significant risk reduction for children taking the combination of bacteria, as compared to those on the placebo.
The same group also showed a significant decrease in the number of times the children had runny noses, compared to the placebo group. However, while the group on the product showed a larger decrease than those taking just L. acidophilus NCFM for all the symptoms, statistically speaking, both groups did not show any significant difference when compared to one another. This means that taking just L. acidophilus NCFM seemed to work just as well as taking both bacteria.
The same results were seen when the researchers compared the number of days the children experienced their symptoms. There was a significant decrease in the number of sick days the children in both bacteria groups had, as compared to the placebo group, but no significant difference between the two bacteria groups.
Dr Lahtinen said: "The study showed that we do get good effects with Lactobacillus, but better with the combination." He added that the probiotics can also be taken by adults, especially the elderly, who need the boost to their immune system.
"It is taken in a single dose a day, and the first effects will happen quite soon. You will see a reaction within a couple of weeks," he said. On the duration of the effects, he said that "the benefit is as long as you take it". He added that people tend to take probiotics at certain times, like when it is flu season or if they are going to travel a lot, and also during potentially stressful periods, like exam time.
Strengthen your immune system the natural way
(NaturalNews) Using natural remedies, foods and exercise to strengthen one's immune system is far better than reaching for a chemical based product from the local pharmacy. These products merely suppress the symptoms of colds and flu, instead of allowing the body to heal naturally.
Diet plays a huge role in building up one's immune system because we derive essential nutrients from what we eat, as well as from supplements that we may use. If we give our bodies less than the best by pumping them full of chemical medications and processed foods, they will respond by malfunctioning and eventually shutting down. They were not designed to deal with non-natural items.
Keeping your immune system in good condition also helps prevent fatigue. Daily exercise is also a proven immune system booster. Even taking a walk with Fido around a few blocks will benefit you as well as your furry friend, as it promotes oxygen flow and blood circulation throughout the body.
Sugar is one of our biggest enemies, as it suppresses the immune system drastically. All processed foods and drinks should be avoided, as nearly all of them contain sugar, as well as a host of other artificial ingredients which do no good whatsoever. Incorporate fresh, whole foods such as organic fruit and vegetables, free range meats, organic fish and raw unsalted nuts into your diet and avoid processed dairy products and factory farmed meats at all costs.
A daily dose of Echinacea has been shown to strengthen the immune system drastically. A few other herbs and supplements which may help in this regard are chamomile, Siberian ginseng, wild indigo, goldenseal, stinging nettle, rosehip, rosemary, peppermint and thuja. A lot of these herbs and supplements are used to help the body to cope with stress, which is also known to greatly suppress the immune system. Vitamin D3, vitamin C and zinc are also extremely powerful immune system boosters. Onions, horseradish and garlic are also excellent in this regard.
If you are a smoker, you will by now know that this suppresses your immune system severely, so the best remedy for this is to stop this habit, as it offers no health benefits whatsoever.
A yummy way to boost your immune system is to take 3 carrots, an apple, an orange and half a beet (beetroot) and put them through a juicer, and enjoy this drink with your breakfast each day. Adding some mint to your hot bath will also help stimulate antibodies and kill any bacteria that may have accumulated in the mucous membranes.
Home Remedies can Prevent Colds and Flu
(NaturalNews) Home remedies can help build immunity, reduce symptoms and prevent the onset of colds and the flu. Many of these folk medicines can even be found in your kitchen cabinet. Natural remedies are inexpensive, compared to over-the-counter cold remedies, and they do not suppress symptoms but rather allow the body to cleanse and heal itself.
Lemon and Honey Cough Syrup
A spoon of honey has long been used as a cough syrup to sooth a sore throat. Adding a squeeze of lemon helps break down the mucus in the throat as well.
Chamomile Tea Treats Congestion
Matricaria recutita, known as chamomile, can be used to reduce nasal congestion. Inhaling or drinking chamomile tea has been a folk remedy for thousands of years. Chamomile is soothing to the digestion and also helps induce sleep.
Raw Foods Increase Vitality
Adding raw vegetables and fruits to the diet is advised for anyone wanting to increase their vitality and health. Raw foods are filled with healthy nutrients in their natural state. Raw foods contain micronutrients and enzymes needed by the body, many of which are damaged by the heat of cooking foods.
Peppermint Tea Lowers Fevers
Peppermint tea from the Mentha piperita plant has been used to lower fevers as well as to clear the sinuses. It can be combined in tea with other herbs, such as elderflowers or yarrow, to help break a fever.
Probiotics Build Immunity
Probiotics are the healthy bacteria that live in the digestive tract. The body needs the "good" bacteria to break down food and contribute to healthy digestion. Some folk wisdom suggests that immunity begins in the gut, and adding probiotics to the diet helps build that immunity.
Elderflowers Reduce the Symptoms of Cold and Flu
Elderflowers, from the Sambucus nigra plant, have been shown to reduce the duration of colds and flu symptoms. The plant is both an antibacterial and an antiviral.
Ginger Tea is Antiviral
The herb ginger kills viruses and can be drunk as a tea or eaten in food. Ground ginger can also be applied as a poultice on the chest or throat to speed healing and stimulate the lymph glands.
Gargle with Turmeric for a Sore Throat
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory herb and gargling with turmeric can soothe and heal a sore throat. Salt can also be added to the warm water for a healing gargle.
About the author
Melanie Grimes is a writer, award-winning screenwriter, medical journal editor, and adjunct faculty member at Bastyr University. She also teaches homeopathy at the Seattle School of Homeopathy and the American Homeopathic Medical College.
A trained homeopath, she is the editor of the homeopathic journal, Simillimum, and has edited alternative and integrative medical journals for 15 years. She has taught creative writing, founded the first Birkenstock store in the USA and authored medical textbooks.
Her ebook on Natural Remedies for the Flu is available at:
Chiropractor explains "How to be free from fear of the flu"
John Duff, chiropractor with Renovare - Wellness by Design, came prepared with footnotes and statistics last Friday when he made a presentation about flu vaccination procedures practiced in the United States. One of his first statements concerned his point of view.
"My point of view in this country, we have freedom of choice," Duff said. "Maybe it (the flu) is not as scary as we've been led to believe."
Going back in time, Duff referred to flu cases and treatment studies performed in 1918 in Ohio. Of those patients treated with the flu vaccine who later contracted the flu, one in 15 died. Duff said of those who did not receive the vaccine, but instead were treated by a chiropractor and later contracted the flu, only one of 918 died. He said it was the Ohio study that led to certification and licensure of chiropractors.
Duff is not an advocate of flu vaccinations. He cited information about the causes of flu and colds:
- Vitamin D deficiency (D is not a vitamin, he said, but an antimicrobial agent)
- Eating too much sugar and too many grains
- Not getting enough sleep
- Not getting enough exercise
- Inadequately managing emotional stressors
He said the main things that weaken our systems are:
- Poor diet
- Overuse of antibiotics
- Excessive toxic/allergic load
- Chronic stress or chronic infection
- Lack of deep, restful sleep
- Leaky gut, or dysbiosis
- Constipation or low stomach acid
Duff suggested an immune boosting protocol that calls for the following:
- Avoid all refined sweeteners and sugar for 48 hours.
- Take 10 tablets of D-3 5000 each day for three to five days.
- Get enough sleep and rest.
Duff has a lending library at his office, 8466 W. Peoria Ave., where individuals can read all about vaccines. To learn more about Vitamin D deficiency, visit www.vitamindcouncil.org.
Cinnamon, Ginger and Onions Strongly Protect Us from Colds and Flu
(NaturalNews) In the fall as the weather gets cooler ailments tend to affect our Lungs in the form of coughs, sinus issues, colds and flu. In Traditional Chinese Medicine autumn relates to the metal element which corresponds to the Lungs. The taste that strengthens the Lungs is pungent: the spicy flavor of foods and spices like cinnamon, ginger and onions.
In traditional Chinese medical theory, when one gets sick with colds or flu it is thought that an external pathogen has invaded the system. Western medicine similarly holds that colds and flu are caused by bacteria or viruses. Each of the five tastes (sweet, salty, bitter, sour and pungent) has a specific action. The pungent taste has the action of pushing outward and dispersing unwanted "invaders" through the skin, as evidenced by sweating.
When coming down with a cold or flu the herb to take is actually a food: scallions. Known as the Chinese herb cong bai, scallions release the pathogen by inducing sweating. Simmer scallion or other onion along with garlic and ginger and drink the broth to keep a cold or flu from going deeper.
If a cold or flu has gone deeper and has affected the muscles, the herb of choice is cinnamon, known in Chinese as gui zhi. Cinnamon is warming and can help when the person is feeling weak especially if sweating does not help them feel better. In this case, cinnamon will warm, strengthen and increase immunity.
Fresh ginger (sheng jiang) is also warm and releases the pathogen. Ginger is especially good if the person feels cold and is coughing. Similar to cinnamon, ginger strengthens the immunity for weaker people who are sweating without relief of symptoms.
A nice tea for the fall, especially when feeling chilled and trying to recover from a cold or flu, is made by simmering a couple of cinnamon sticks and sliced fresh ginger in water for at least 20 minutes, strain and drink as needed.
If there are heat symptoms such as a sore throat or fever, switching to a cooler herb which still releases the pathogen is appropriate. One such herb is field mint, or bo he. Flowers such as chrysanthemum (ye ju hua), honeysuckle (jin yin hua), and dandelion (pu gong ying) mix well with mint to cool the body and release the pathogen.
One important note: herbs such as ginseng, astragalus and bee pollen also strengthen the immune system, but these herbs have a sweet taste and will actually strengthen pathogens. They are wonderful to take as prevention, but if you end up coming down with a cold or flu, stop taking them and switch to one of the above remedies. Once the illness has passed completely, it is safe to take the sweet strengthening herbs again.
References:
Bensky, Dan and Gamble, Andrew. Chinese Herbal Medicine, Materia Medica. Eastland Press, Seattle.
Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods. North Atlantic Books. Berkeley, CA.
Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine. Acupuncture, A Comprehensive Text. Eastland Press. Seattle.
About the author: Melissa Sokulski is an acupuncturist, herbalist, and founder of the website Food Under Foot, a website devoted entirely to wild edible plants. The website offers plant descriptions and use information, photographs, videos, recipes and more. Visit her at www.FoodUnderFoot.com. Melissa also runs The Birch Center for Health in Pittsburgh, PA, and provides excellent up-to-date articles and information about general health, wellness and Chinese medicine on The Birch Center's Blog.
Eating meat will kill you
[Correction: Stop eating factory-farmed meat or poison yourself, both physically and morally.]
This is the tacit ultimatum boiling in the hearts of 21st century Americans, whether you are aware of its looming presence or not. Every time you slice into a piece of steak, order a chicken sandwich or bite into a sausage, there is a quiet but unwavering voice, whispering, a living animal is dead because of you, and only you. The implications of that statement are tough to fess-up to, which is why most people ignore the question. People like meat, and in order to continue their carnivorous habits they willfully suppress the looming ethical question of what it really means to eat an animal.
Meat won't kill you with cholesterol, or heart disease. [Correction: It definitely doesn't help those things.] People have been eating meat for millennia and we are still alive. If we still ate the kind of meat that Caesar ate, we would be in good shape.
Unfortunately, the meat we eat is essentially poison. Just about every piece of meat you have ever eaten (beef, chicken, pork) has come from a factory farm. They account for 99 percent of the meat market and have systematically figured out ways to destroy everything they touch - the product, the environment, their workers, everything.
Basic research uncovers that fact and there are a lot of facts to uncover. Michael Pollen, the prophet of the vegetarian community, has written extensively on the subject, and Jonathon Safran Foer's latest book, Eating Animals, tackles factory farming from a moral perspective.
A few obvious problems lie in the ubiquitous use of antibiotics that have spawned Bird Flu, Swine Flu and the 1918 influenza pandemic that killed 3 percent of the world's population. Or the hormone injections used to beef up chicken breasts, the consequences of which can be seen in young girls getting their periods in third grade.
Eat meat or keep your children alive.
According to the UN, factory farming is responsible for more greenhouse gas that all planes, trains and cars combined.
Eat meat or save the environment.
There are more arguments, more stats, more gut-wrenching stories that exist. But none of them matter if you purposefully keep yourself ignorant of factory farming, because, hell, you like eating meat. I like eating meat too, but that is the end of the argument. I like meat but I don't need meat. And no matter what logic you use in a pro-carnivorous argument, it will always pare down to this simple, irrevocable conclusion: you are selfish. [Correction: You are too selfish to give up an immediate pleasure, despite the horrible long-term cost.]
Eat meat or live with yourself.
The crisis of what we eat is a tidal wave waiting to crash down on America like a nuclear bomb. It is being held back by the factory-farm corporations who have hijacked the USDA much like a mafia infiltrating a police department. It is time for a correction indeed, one that begins with you asking yourself a question that you don't want to answer.
Stop eating meat or die.
Strong immune systems can help fight global infections
As the H1N1 pandemic comes to an end, we should remain alert for more to come.
Steady expansion of our global society during the past 10 years is a primary reason for increased health scares, observers say.
With the rapid movement of people and goods around the world, the chances are much greater for widespread infections like influenza, E. coli or even just the common cold. Trends also show that up to 50 per cent of the global population has growing health concerns.
"Even for the healthiest people, and for those who don't travel much, there are immune challenges every day," says Sherry Torkos, pharmacist and author of the Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.
"Globally, the most common ailments causing serious discomfort, in addition to financial burdens and loss of productivity, are influenza, the common cold, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, E. coli, diarrhea and asthma."
Torkos says that a lifestyle with a smart balance of exercise and rest, plus a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts and seeds will go a long way to support a healthy immune system and build resistance to disease.
"Also popular as an extra measure are nature-based supplements like the proprietary extract of American ginseng and reishi mushrooms, which is sold by the brand name Immunity-Fx. These diet and lifestyle options all combined form a pro-active approach to better health, and should give you a big edge for fighting off all the invisible and unknown germs," she said.
The latest health trends to watch are as follows:
GLOBALIZATION
In addition to the increased travel of people and goods, there is also an increasing population density in urban areas, which very readily enables the spread of infections. In the past, flu would hit a region generally once per year, but now it's more frequent -- causing outbreaks throughout the year and affecting 15 to 20 per cent of the population.
HOME COOKING
As eating out increases and home cooking declines, knowledge of household food-safety practices has declined too. As a result, many food-borne infections are caused in the kitchen.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
The overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics has lead to resistance -- the bugs are becoming stronger than the drugs. This makes it more difficult and more expensive to treat infections. Understanding health trends around the world will arm us too, observers say. Be good to yourself and strengthen your immune system whenever you can.
© Copyright (c) Coquitlam Now
Flu Shot or Not? One Local Doctor Says No
With doctors’ offices, pharmacies and major retail outlets offering instant flu prevention for the approaching winter, getting the shot has almost become a rite of fall everyone’s expected to participate in, and there’s an impression of irresponsibility if you don’t.
But one doctor in Boone is suggesting his patients shouldn’t get the shot. In an email before flu promotions began, local physician Dr. Matt Brown said he does not recommend taking this year’s flu vaccine, and in a telephone interview with High Country Press said that over the years he has “been gradually reducing the number of flu shots” he administers.
“My patients know I am not a big fan of immunization. [I tell them that] if they take the right things, like Vitamin D, [that is] a better way to prevent infections,” he said.
Brown’s practice is called High Country Proactive Health. He’s a traditional medical doctor certified as a lifestyle medicine practitioner by the Ohio-based Wellness Forum, a group of health care professionals promoting the use of the best of conventional medicine while helping patients face the underlying causes of their ills instead of automatically using drugs.
Brown recommends that his patients take matters into their own hands to avoid the flu. Being proactive means healthy habits such as eating high-quality food, taking nutritional supplements, getting regular exercise, practicing rules of hygiene, reducing stress, getting fresh air, enough sleep and getting to bed at the first sign of symptoms to help the body cure itself, he said.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that everyone six months and older get the flu vaccine.
“While flu is unpredictable, it’s likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses and regular seasonal viruses will cause illness in the U.S. this flu season,” the CDC website states. “The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season.”
The CDC’s information, available in a printout in places like Walgreen’s, outlines who is at risk from flu, the reasons, the benefits and risks of taking the shot.
But, Brown said, “There is too much risk involved and not enough benefit. There is clearly a risk of…post-vaccine side effects.”
He cited the potential of contracting the Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can lead to paralysis of the diaphragm and the need for a ventilator.
“Some viruses are more associated with this syndrome [than others],” Brown said, “but it has happened this past season…it happens every year.”
In his email to his 1,600 patients on August 31, Dr. Brown said he doesn’t recommend this year’s vaccine specifically because “all manufacturers are incorporating the H1N1 strain...I am very concerned about the safety of H1N1 vaccine. [I] didn’t recommend [it] last year and certainly don’t recommend combining it with any other vaccine.”
The H1N1 vaccine “was not thoroughly researched. It underwent a clinical trial [of 230 people] and was then released to the public,” Brown said. He believes this was inadequate.
Brown acknowledged that his position may be unique for a medical doctor in the High Country and that his responsibility is to his own patients.
“I am making sure that my patients know I don’t want them taking this vaccine,” he said, adding that “the model that’s done for flu assumes that [people] are eating the standard American diet…[and are] not careful with hygiene.
“The patients in my practice are much more conscious of their diet,” he said, and by informing them, the decision “becomes their personal choice. They understand the risks they are incurring.”
“Quite a few” of his patients have taken the vaccine, but “most have not,” he said.
Apart from proper eating, the simplest, cheapest, safest thing to do is to take Vitamin D, he said, which he described as “critical” to immunity.
“Vitamin D…protects against…bacterial and viral pathogens. If you are eating right and taking Vitamin D, then your risk of getting the flu is much lower,” Brown said. “And avoid a lot of sugar. It screws up the white blood cell function which fights infections.”
Study: Humidifiers may aid in reduction of airborne flu viruses
LONDON and BOSTON (Sept. 27) A study sponsored by Kaz, the manufacturer of Vicks humidifiers, found that such devices as humidifiers may play a role in reducing airborne flu viruses in the home.
The study, "Modeling the airborne survival of influenza virus in a residential setting: The impacts of home humidification," was published in the open-access, peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health. The study examined the role of heat and humidity indoors and found that when homes are kept at the optimal 40% to 60% relative humidity level, airborne flu virus survival time decreases -- up to 30% for homes with radiant heat and 17% for homes with forced air heat. The researchers also suggested that since the water vapor levels in the air during the winter time are low, consumers should use a device known as a hygrometer to determine whether or not the humidity indoors is at an optimal level.
"Eliminating a considerable share of airborne influenza viruses through the use of a humidifier could be very beneficial to households this winter," said Ted Myatt, senior scientist at consulting firm Environmental Health and Engineering Inc., and biological safety officer at the Harvard Institute of Medicine in Massachusetts. "However, families should be careful not to go overboard with over-humidifying, because the optimal relative humidity range for indoor comfort and decreased influenza is between 40% and 60%."
In related news, Kaz recently launched a Facebook page devoted to informing families about some of the best defenses against colds and the flu.
The Claim: Gargling With Saltwater can Ease Cold Symptoms
THE FACTS - Nothing but time can cure the common cold, but a simple cup of saltwater might ease the misery this winter.
A sore, itchy throat and respiratory congestion are some of the more common symptoms of a cold, and gargling with saltwater seems to help for several reasons. A saline solution can draw excess fluid from inflamed tissues in the throat, making them hurt less, said Dr. Philip T. Hagen, editor in chief of the “Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies,” which is due out in October. Dr. Hagen pointed out that gargling also loosens thick mucus, which can remove irritants like allergens, bacteria and fungi from the throat.
In a randomized study published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2005, researchers recruited almost 400 healthy volunteers and followed them for 60 days during cold and flu season. Some of the subjects were told to gargle three times a day. At the end of the study period, the group that regularly gargled had a nearly 40 percent decrease in upper respiratory tract infections compared with the control group, and when they did get sick, “gargling tended to attenuate bronchial symptoms,” the researchers wrote.
Other studies have also found gargling helpful against sore throats and congestion.
According to the Mayo Clinic, for best results, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a full glass of warm water and gargle the solution for a few seconds before spitting it out. Adults who want a more palatable remedy against cough and sore throat can try mixing warm water with lemon and honey. No need to spit it out.
THE BOTTOM LINE - Gargling with a saline solution can ease symptoms of a cold.
Cold, Flu, Chicken Pox Oh My
Kick the Symptoms Naturally. With the school year about to begin if it has not for some and entering into fall season of yes the dreaded flu, bring out the Kleenex.
Did you know there are greater than one hundred strains of cold affecting rhinovirus, yes the reason we need the Kleenex. Children from first grade and up manage to get a cold on average six to ten each year.
As we all know there is no cure for the common cold but the cold sure does come with an array of associated symptoms like fever, aches and pains and the dreaded cough.
A great many parents have concerns now about over the counter medications especially since the recalls on a lot of medication such as Tylenol. They have every right to be concerned. There are no home remedies that can make that cold go away faster however, they can alleviate a lot of the symptoms and make the child feel a whole lot better. Dr. SheelaSheela R. Geraghty, assistant professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio, states that medicines will receive symptoms is now debatable. Dr. Geraghty advice is fluids and make them comfortable. So know that over the counter medicines are either subject to recall or may not even work, why should we even subject our children to the substances that are in them. We can use the things available that our ancestors used before there were such things as a Wal-Mart pharmacy.
First thing we need to know off hand is that the cold and flu are two totally different illnesses. Therefore, they need to be treated slightly different.
Colds
-Fever can reach up to 102 degrees, -Stuffy and or runny nose, -Sore Throat, -Cough, -Wheezing, -Fatigue, -Muscle Aches, -Headache, -Watery Eyes
Flu
-Fever goes over 102 degrees, -Stuffed Nose, -Nausea, -Chills and Sweats, -Fatigue, -Muscle Aches, usually in area of arms, legs and back, -Cough, -Headache, -No Appetite
Supplements
These are the most used cold and flu supplements that are recommend by a number of healthcare practitioners.
Vitamin C (colds) and not given in high doses. Some studies have shown that Vitamin C can decrease the length of a cold by 24 to 36 hours.
Recommended Doses:
ages four to eight either sex 25mg a day
ages nine to thirteen either sex 45 mg a day
ages fourteen to eighteen for boys 75mg a day and girls 65mg a day
Echinacea (colds) studies are half and half on the effects. One half states it works well as a treatment the other side states it will reduce the duration of the cold and the severity of it by 10% to 30%. Besides the debate many of the healthcare practitioners do agree on one point, that it does aide as a treatment for colds. One issue with echinacea if there is allergy to ragweed or any flowers consult primary care physician before using. The dosage is based on age and weight so check amounts on bottle.
Zinc (colds) give zinc as in lozenges. Some studies have shown it can shorten the duration of the cold and ease symptoms. According to the National Institute of Health the proper dosage for children under eighteen years of age 10 mg a day by mouth if capsule and for lozenges 23 milligrams every two hours do not go past six each day.
Elderberry Extract (flu) referred to as Sambucol. Sambucus Black Elderberry Extract is available for children. Dosage is one teaspoonful in a small amount of water, mix well and use four times a day.
Indian Echinacea has been studied and the outcome has shown it does improve colds greatly. As long as providing it is taken within three days of the start of the cold.
Honey mixed in either tea or warm lemon water helps relieve the coughing at nighttime so the child can get some rest. Studies have indicated it does suppress coughs. You need to use two teaspoons at bedtime.
Hyland's Products for children are all natural and homeopathic medicines. They have a whole assortment for children for colds and flu. The difference in homeopathic medicines which are sold is they must be made according to the guidelines set forth of the FDA finished pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices(GMP's). All the facilities of Hyland's manufacturing are inspected by the FDA. They even have a store locator where you can find the products. One place that carries the products is most Walmart stores.
Essential oils can provide numerous benefits for colds and help alleviate the symptoms of a child's cold.
Lavender can be used two ways. First by taking a cloth which can be wrapped around child's feet. Soak the cloth in water containing a few drops of lavender. Wrap around their feet. This can bring down the fever. Second method is to soak a cloth in warm water which contains two drops of lavender oil. Dab their forehead, neck, arms, legs with the cloth.
Eucalyptus is used to help decrease congestion. Two ways can be applied. First by using cold mist humidifier. Besides the obvious reasons of they do cost less price wise and on your electric bill, they are much safer for children. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the humidifier. Second method, take a cotton ball with a few drops of the oil and dab on child's pillowcase.
Remember when using humidifiers they need to be wiped down each day with nine parts water and one part bleach.
Thyme can also be used to decrease congestion in lungs and nose. Add four drops of the oil to humidifier.
Chamomile tea can help relax them to sleep. Sage tea is used for decreasing congestion and reducing fever or you can use Lemon Balm tea instead.
For headaches try ice pack and getting rest in dark room. Also, lavender, chamomile or peppermint in humidifier. A few drops can be placed on cloth to inhale. Use a few drops of preferred oil mixed with carrier oil (like olive oil) and rub in temples.
Chicken Pox those tiny red spots usually on upper back or chest. As a mom from experience I can honestly say your child can be thoroughly covered with them.
Baking soda can help reduce the itching. Put some baking soda in some water. Mix. Sponge down the child with the water. You can also have them take a cool bath with the baking soda added to the water.
Vitamin E oil will also relieve the itching and it does help the marks left by the pox fade away.
Herbal teas used such as chamomile, basil and lemon balm help alleviate the symptoms. You may add honey, cinnamon or lemon. Give several cups each day.
Bergamont oil used in humidifier or add a few drops to a cool bath. If you purchase a base cream you can add a few drops in the cream. It will relieve the itching.
Oatmeal can be used to relieve itching. In blender grind up two cups of rolled oats till it is a fine powder. Add the oatmeal plus one cup of baking soda to warm bath water and have child soak for about fifteen to twenty minutes.
The most known and common one that does have health benefits mom's homemade chicken soup.
As far as I am aware all these remedies are perfectly safe for children and have been known to be effective.
Special notation if you do notice your child become worse instead of showing signs of improvement contact health care practitioner immediately.
Farmers' Market Recipe: Roasted Garlic
Many of the root vegetables are beginning to show up at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, including garlic. Being a root vegetable, garlic stores well, so stock up.
After choosing garlic heads that are firm and tight skinned, store them in a well ventilated, cool (60 degree) and dry location. They will keep for three to five months. To keep them longer, place unpeeled garlic cloves, or peeled and chopped garlic in a plastic bag and freeze.
Garlic has been used for a myriad of medicinal purposes for thousands of years by both the Chinese and Egyptian cultures. Why or how exactly garlic works is still being studied, but, according to the American Pharmaceutical Association’s "Practical Guide to Natural Medicines," garlic has an ability to fight bacteria and fungi, prevent blood clots, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, reduce high blood sugar, soothe the digestive tract, lower cholesterol levels, and help treat colds and flu.
A culinary staple for its unique and pungent flavor, garlic takes on a totally different sweet taste and soft buttery consistency when it’s roasted. The next time you’re roasting meat or other root vegetables, put some garlic in the oven and experience its delicious flavor.
Although the recipe that follows indicates roasting garlic at 375 degrees, it can be roasted in either a cooler or hotter oven (from 350-450 degrees) by increasing or reducing the roasting time.
Roasted Garlic
1 head garlic*
2 teaspoons olive oil
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove any excess papery skin from the head of garlic, being careful to keep the head intact. Using a serrated knife cut a 1/4- to 1/2-inch off the top of the garlic head to expose the tops of the cloves. Place garlic head cut-side up on aluminum foil and drizzle with olive oil.
Seal the garlic in the foil and place on a baking sheet or in a muffin tin and bake for 45 minutes. Allow to cool. Keep garlic in cloves until ready to use. To use, separate clove from head, and squeeze roasted garlic out the top of the clove.
Suggested uses for roasted garlic: Spread it on your favorite cracker or crusty bread. Mix with butter, spread on Italian bread, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and broil. Mix with 1/2-cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons scallions, salt and pepper to taste. Stir into hot quartered or mashed potatoes. Add to soups, stews or casseroles.
This recipe can be sampled from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market on High Rock Avenue at the Cornell Cooperative Extension table. Ingredients marked with an asterisk (*) are available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. The market is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. For other safe methods to store, preserve and enjoy garlic, call Cornell Cooperative Extension at 885-8995, or e-mail Diane Whitten at dwhitten@cornell.edu.
