The Momentum of Healthy Alternatives

"Progressive" Hair Dye Products Containing Lead Acetate

2009-11-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Lead acetate is used as a color additive in "progressive" hair dye products. These products are applied over a period of time to achieve a gradual coloring effect.
In order to be approved for this use, a color additive petition was required to establish safety. The safety data submitted in support of this petition included results from trials on humans using the products. In the trials, people using the product under controlled conditions of use were monitored for the amount of lead in their bloodstream. No significant increase in blood levels of lead was seen in the trial subjects and the lead was not shown go be absorbed into the body through such use.

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Lead Acetate in "Progressive" Hair Dye Products

Public Health Alert, dosing errors with Tamiflu

2009-11-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

FDA issued a Public Health Alert to notify prescribers and pharmacists about potential dosing errors with Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for Oral Suspension. U.S. health care providers usually write prescriptions for liquid medicines in milliliters (mL) or teaspoons, while Tamiflu is dosed in milligrams (mg).

The dosing dispenser packaged with Tamiflu has markings only in 30, 45 and 60 mg. The Agency has received reports of errors where dosing instructions for the patient do not match the dosing dispenser.

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Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for Oral Suspension

Body Building Products Containing Steroids

2009-11-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

Adverse event reports received by the FDA for body building products that are labeled to contain steroids or steroid alternatives involve men and include cases of serious liver injury, stroke, kidney failure and pulmonary embolism (blockage of an artery in the lung).

Due to the potentially serious health risks associated with using these types of products, the FDA recommends that consumers immediately stop using all body building products that claim to contain steroids or steroid-like substances.

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Body Building Products (Containing Steroids or Steroid-like Substances)

Military mental health experts mobilize against trauma

2009-11-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

Mental health experts who work with troops back from deployment talked this weekend about the latest efforts to treat disorders such as post-traumatic stress, efforts that are particularly relevant in light of the traumatic shootings at Fort Hood.

The 4,400 psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and students in the field meeting here also heard a lot about emotions that affect Americans, including presentations on fear, worry and anxiety from a host of experts

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Military Mental Health

Lowering the risk of children's cancer with Prenatal multivitamins

2009-11-23T19:56:00.001-07:00

Expectant mothers who take multivitamins fortified with folic acid not only guard against birth defects, but also reduce the risk of three common childhood cancers, according to new research.

Women considering pregnancy have long been advised to take folic acid to prevent congenital defects such as spina bifida. But these latest findings suggest that supplementing with a multivitamin containing folic acid may be even better.

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Prenatals and Cancer

How to fake a vitamin study

2009-11-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

Faking a vitamin study to show supplements as harmful is extremely easy to pull off. Just use synthetic forms of the vitamins and avoid using natural, food-sourced vitamins. These synthetic vitamins – which are really just industrial chemicals – may be called "Vitamin E" or "Vitamin A" or even "Vitamin C" but they have no functional resemblance to the real vitamins that occur in nature.

Every study over the past two decades that has sought to discredit Vitamin E, for example, focused on using synthetic Vitamin E in order to show harm. It is curious that no researcher from the world of conventional medicine will ever test the natural, full-spectrum vitamins, nutrients and phytochemicals that appear in nature. You know why? Because they would discover a universe of natural medicine that makes patented prescription drugs obsolete.

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How to fake a vitamin study

The Cost of dying

2009-11-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

Last year, Medicare paid $50 billion just for doctor and hospital bills during the last two months of patients' lives - that's more than the budget of the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Education.

And it has been estimated that 20 to 30 percent of these medical expenditures may have had no meaningful impact. Most of the bills are paid for by the federal government with few or no questions asked.

Every medical study ever conducted has concluded that 100 percent of all Americans will eventually die. This comes as no great surprise, but the amount of money being spent at the very end of people's lives probably will.

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Last Two Months of Life Cost Medicare $50 Billion Last Year

Top 10 Most Common Toxins

2009-11-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

A modern high-tech society has its perks(like having access to the

Internet and digital cameras and MP3 audio players to name a few of my favorites.) But as with most things in life and in nature, whether you call it yin and yang, balance or the principle that opposites attract, with the upside comes a significant downside.

For all of the conveniences and advances that we have grown so accustomed to comes a slew of environmental toxins -- chemicals and other materials largely from industry and carelessness -- that have very much saturated our water, our food and the very air we breathe.

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How to Avoid the Top 10 Most Common Toxins

$894 billion health care bill, who is fooling who?

2009-11-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

House Democratic leaders unveiled a plan that would extend coverage to 36 million Americans and include a public option. A sweeping health care bill Thursday that includes a more moderate version of the government-run public health insurance option.

A combination of versions passed by three House committees -- includes what is termed a "negotiated rate" public option. It will cost $894 billion over 10 years and extend insurance coverage to 36 million Americans, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. The biggest problem is the increase of taxes and the program not going into effect for 2 more years.

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$894 Billion Health Insurance

FDA Warns Bayer About Two Unapproved Aspirin Products

2009-11-21T21:10:00.001-07:00

On Oct. 28, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters to Bayer HealthCare regarding two over-the-counter (OTC) products that combine aspirin with a dietary supplement into a single pill. The products are not approved by FDA.

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What action is FDA announcing?

"Iatrogenic "

2009-11-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

Deaths Every YearThis article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) is the best article I have ever seen written in the published literature documenting the tragedy of the traditional medical paradigm. This information is a follow-up of the Institute of Medicine report which hit the papers in December of last year(2001), but the data was hard to reference as it was not in peer-reviewed journal. Now it is published in JAMA which is the most widely circulated medical periodical in the world. The author is Dr. Barbara Starfield of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health and she describes how the US health care system may contribute to poor health.

Notice the date above. Here is the sad part about all of this, the problem still exists and has not gotten better.

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Doctors Are The Third Leading Cause of Death in the US, Causing 250,000

Acai Berry What Is It?

2009-11-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Studies are ongoing, though, and the jury is still out.

The acai berry is an inch-long reddish, purple fruit. It comes from the acai palm tree (Euterpe oleracea), which is native to Central and South America. It is a relative of the blueberry, cranberry, and other dark purple fruits.

Research on the acai berry has focused on its possible antioxidant activity. Theoretically, that activity may help prevent diseases caused by oxidative stress such as heart disease and cancer.

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What is the acai berry?

Helping The Heart With Gum Disease Treatment

2009-11-19T18:35:00.001-07:00

Treatment for gum disease could also help the heart. One of the first clinical trials to demonstrate that an intensive treatment for periodontitis (gum disease) directly improves the health of blood vessels.

This study, reported in the latest edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, may have relevance for the prevention of heart attacks and stroke.

Periodontitis is a common inflammatory disease of the gums, affecting up to 40 per cent of the world's adult population. It is a bacterial infection of the tissue that supports the teeth in the mouth. If untreated, it can cause progressive bone loss around the teeth, and eventual tooth loss.

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Treatment for gum disease could also help the heart

Vitamins and Good Sense

2009-11-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

Vitamin studies always seem to stir controversy, but certainly not visions of death. On that score, last week's report on antioxidant vitamins, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, was a doozy. The researchers concluded that people taking the antioxidants vitamins A, its precursor beta carotene, and vitamin E, for whatever reason, at whatever dose, and for however long, may be putting their lives in jeopardy. But before you toss out your vitamin pills, let's examine this alarmist study a little bit closer.
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Vitamins and Good Sense

Creatine = More Energy

2009-11-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Creatine is one of the primary chemicals used during muscle contraction. It is also an important ingredient for memory and the brain's other functions.

During its movement through the body, creatine delivers nutrients and energy to the body's cells. And as it moves away, it carries waste in the form of hydrogen away from the working muscles and cells. This process improves cell respiration rates, which improves the body's ability to handle oxygen and carbon monoxide.

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Creatine is energy

Preventing Cancer with Fruits and Vegetables

2009-11-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Fruit and vegetable are well known in their abilities to maintain a better health and at the same time preventing cancer. While published information in medical journals about fruits and vegetables preventing stroke is new and not as well researched, consuming the photochemical that fruits and vegetables posses it a tremendous step in the right direction for countering cancer and it has been documented time and time again.

So, if it is so well established how did we get away from such a great way of thinking?
This is not what our grandparents taught us? Somewhere between point "A" and point "C" the health factor deviated from its course.

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Study After Study Have Shown How These Can Prevent Cancer

How To Prevent the Flu

2009-11-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

There are alternative steps that you can take however to avoid becoming a flu victim. Of course as with all measures they are  not “guaranteed” but if you adopt them, your chances of coming down with the flu are considerably lessened and in the event that you do succumb to it your recovery will certainly be much quicker and the impact less severe.  If you do come down with the flu…please remember, flu is a virus. ANTIBIOTICS have NO effect on viruses.

DO NOT ASK FOR OR ACCEPT ANTIBIOTICS FOR YOUR TREATMENT.

The key in avoiding the flu and many other ailments is building a strong immune system. The importance of a strong immune system goes way beyond protection from flu and viruses. What needs to be appreciated is that without a healthy immune system other body systems will not function correctly. A case in point is the digestive system. A healthy digestive system depends on a healthy immune system which is why nutrients for the immune system are so important.

Here are the steps that you need to take to achieve a healthy immune system:
1. Get adequate sleep.
2. Eat a nutritious diet.
3. Maintain a reasonable level of exercise.
4. Avoid stress.
5. Supplement with nutrients that have a scientifically proven record for building up immune systems.

The first four points are self explanatory but point five is tougher to do.

Activating an under active system can be achieved in several ways:

Stimulate macrophage production and activity with complex sugars or polysaccharides. Examples include: Astragalus promotes resistance against disease and appears to help restore normal immune function for cancer patients. It is also a powerful antioxidant and protects the liver from toxins. Echinacea has profound immune-enhancing effects and anti-viral activities.

Ginkgo biloba improves blood supply throughout the body and is a powerful antioxidant.

St. John’s Wort is a natural blood purifier and fights viral infections.

Other herbs that are used to boost the immune system protecting the body against infection and disease include ginger and quercetin,

The immune system can be maintained or returned to normal by providing immune boosters such as vitamins A, E and C, minerals, other antioxidants and super anti-oxidants particularly proanthocyanadins and quercitin.

Probiotics introduced to the digestive tract are good bacteria that promote a healthy functioning digestive system and help to destroy harmful bacteria.

A kinder and gentler approach to restoring proper immune function will produce better results over the long run.

NASAL FLU VACCINE...

2009-11-18T12:16:00.002-07:00

The “patent medicine” manufacturer of Flu-Mist, the flu vaccine given by nasal spray, is still at it. I listened to a radio advertisement for the product today. The manufacturers MedImmune/Wyeth, have earmarked $25M for direct to consumer advertising and another $75M for marketing to Doctors. They will have a highly convincing sales pitch, “wouldn’t you rather use a nasal spray instead of being poked with a needle.” What you have to consider is if it really is worth taking.

Consider what the manufacturer has to say about this nasal vaccine:
1. It is not approved for children under 5 years of age because it increases the risk of asthma attacks.
2. They admit it is only effective in about 50% of the people who take it.
3. It is not approved for adults over 50 years of age as trials have not shown it to be either effective or safe for that age group.
4. Typical side effects are sore throat, coughing, runny nose and nasal congestion. Aren’t these the symptoms of the flu? WHY would anyone give themselves flu symptoms?

BUT... this is the biggest point to bear in mind!
5. It should only be taken by HEALTHY people who do not have compromised immune systems. This is somewhat ironic given that these are the very group of people who are the least susceptible to the flu. It is those people who have sub standard immune systems that are most at risk and these people should not take this product.

Most people do not know the state of their immune system so I guess that a lot of people will get sick after taking this vaccine...

Final straw.......this article is 5 years old and parts of it were published in Oct of 2004. Same old stuff and nothing has changed including how the vaccine is made, just remarketed to increase sales and fear.  Oh and those figures in the first paragraph have actually tripled so have the earnings. When will we learn?

Watch the videos

Swine Flu Vaccination Comes With A Big Risk Factor

2009-11-18T12:02:00.001-07:00

The biggest risk comes from the additives (or contaminants) within the vaccine. The most controversial one being thimerosal. there is a very strong scientific line of thinking that relates the increasing incidence of Autism to this substance which is injected via vaccines into babies. Not only is the finger being pointed at thimerosal as being the villain in the case of Autism but it is being suggested that it is a contributing factor in the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s.   Many cases of Guillemin-Barre syndrome have also been reported.

One of the worlds leading immunogeneticists and biologists Hugh Fudenberg MD suggests that if an individual has had five consecutive flu shots, their chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease is ten times greater than if they had only had a maximum of two shots. (Dr Fudenberg is considered a world authority on the matter with over 850 papers published in peer reviewed journals.)

Dr Fudenberg claims that this is due to the mercury and aluminum in flu shots. These toxins build up in the brain causing cognitive dysfunction.

Of course not everyone agrees with his and other experts findings. In fact a group of Toronto MD's disagreed to such an extent that they went to nursing homes and asked people with Alzheimer's if they remember getting a flu injection? Most could not remember getting one. If this was not such a serious subject this would be funny given that many patients cannot even remember
their own spouse's name! Anyway, this “research” was reported by the media as being “proof” that the flu shots were safe. The media neglected to mention that the “research” was tagged with a disclaimer which said "Because of the self reported nature of the risk factor questionnaire we cannot exclude the possibility of recall bias."

Pneumonia and the link to Heartburn Drugs

2009-11-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

Widely used heartburn and ulcer drugs such as Nexium, Pepcid and Prilosec can make people more susceptible to pneumonia, probably because they reduce germ-killing stomach acid. Which means create more problems for your digestive tract by making the acids in the stomach less effective.

The biggest health risks occurred with more powerful acid-fighting drugs called proton pump inhibitors, these are sold in the United States under such brand names as Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec. Over nearly three years, users of these drugs faced almost double the risk of developing pneumonia compared with former users. Those that fought it naturally had none of the side effects.

Users of another class of acid-fighting drugs that includes cimetidine and famotidine -- sold in the United States as Tagamet and Pepcid -- also faced an elevated risk which compound into other health related issues. The acid in normal stomach fluids generally kills harmful bacteria; suppressing it with drugs to treat heartburn and ulcers may make the body more hospitable to such germs, which may then infect the lungs and cause pneumonia. This in turn can lead to hospitalization and even death.

These heavily promoted medicines are among the most widely prescribed drugs worldwide, with almost $13 billion in sales in 1998 alone. Millions of Americans take these drugs, which are heavily advertised in "ask your doctor about ..." TV commercials.

The next time you sit down to watch your favorite TV show, count how many Drug commercials come on.......it will shock you.

Common Sense on Natural Alternatives Verses Pharmaceuticals

2009-11-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

Natural Will Always Be Better

Controversy it seems is a common factor with natural alternative and their studies. Since there are more then two sides to this topic the playing field seems to be expanding daily. A good portion of this information is actual research, while another segment is overall product usage from consumers like you and I.

Pharmaceutical companies dictate a good portion of this topic buy producing study after study on why their product is superior over a natural alternative. The amount of advertising dollars that is spent each year by these companies is ridiculous, not to mention phenomenal. Let's say they have a product which mimics a natural alternative, and then they promote it through a fear tactic with advertising. Now they use the FDA's studies as a backing post. They also promote with their own in-house studies which gives it a more legitimate feel.

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The Common Sense of Natural

A bit disconcerting on what's what

2009-11-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

As of now, there are limited quantities of H1N1 vaccines available, but are increasing on a daily basis. Both the Nasal Spray and injections are available.What is interesting, and a little disconcerting, is that members of the medical community have opposing views as to whether or not you should rush to get vaccinated.This is to say that there is only one H1N1 vaccine but it has 2 opposite views.Some doctors are recommending that we get vaccinated against Swine Flu at the first opportunity while other doctors are currently against it.

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Doctors who have concerns about the vaccine

Video 1

Video 2

Alternative Therapies More Popular Now

2009-11-12T19:52:00.001-07:00

Trends in Alternative Therapies Are More Common Now Then with Our Grandparents

Alternative therapies have become more popular in the last 20 years and is growing. Over the past couple of decades, new studies are showing that 90% of Americans believe that alternative medicine may help a wide variety of health conditions. With three key ingredients, eating right, exercise and plenty of non-related stress activities.

Trends indicated that vitamins and herbs were by far the most common form of alternative therapy used, with over 40% reporting this was their therapy of choice. Massage was indicated by 29% of those polled as the second most common therapy, followed by aromatherapy, yoga, and homeopathic products.

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Alternative Therapies

Congress is Going to Change How We Take Our Vitamins

2009-11-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

Time Will Tell How This All Plays Out
We knew this was coming. It appears that the Congress wants to control and limit what types and amounts of supplements we use to enhance our health and wellness. All in the name of "SAFETY" for the public...as if prescription medication is safe!

Can anyone tell me of someone they personally knew that died from taking nutritional supplements? Can anyone tell me of anyone they knew that died as a result of properly prescribed medications? Not to mention the fact of the increased cost that will go along with it. It's time to get a better understanding of who your Representatives are and why this is happening. Maybe it is time to let them know that they are being put on notice.

Keep in mind that the pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest lobbies on the hill not to mention in the world. Make no mistake they have an agenda and it is in full motion. It would seem that they have an interest in the vitamin supplement business.

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Congress Alert

Antioxidants and malnutrition disease

2009-11-08T08:46:00.001-07:00

America has been bombarded in recent years with advertisements touting the health benefits of antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta carotene. But a new study from the University of Florida and Washington University in St. Louis suggests that they may be far more important to children in other parts of the world who have a severe form of malnutrition called kwashiorkor.
Based on the study, which uncovered the mechanisms by which kwashiorkor works, the researchers may be able to begin designing treatments to drastically reduce the fatality rate from kwashiorkor, a leading cause of juvenile death in Third World countries...

Because of the lack of antioxidants in the diet of many children who suffer from kwashiorkor, their bodies undergo oxidative stress, in which particles called free radicals destroy healthy cells, the researchers found.
"Now that we've established that oxidative stress may be involved, simple oxidative therapies, like giving the children doses of various antioxidants, can help," Leeuwenburgh said. "Giving these children antioxidant supplements as well as supplemental proteins could increase their life spans."

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Antioxidants and what role they play

Everyday Products and the Dangerous Chemicals Within Them

2009-11-06T12:38:00.002-07:00

Chemical Reations from the Beauty Products Used Everyday

The average person is not allergic to most personal care products, even though all of the products contain ingredients that could set off a chemical reaction in or on your body. This is not exactly what anyone wants to hear.

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Chemical Reaction

The Absorption Factor for Vitamins and Minerals

2009-11-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

Most of their digestive problems result from not having enough acid in the stomach and the food that they eat is not being broken down sufficiently. Unfortunately they take anti-acids that compound the problem. Digestive enzymes help prevent upset stomach, bloating and other digestive ailments believe that improper digestion as a result of the lack of digestive enzymes and decreased stomach acid as we get older is the cause of a lot of illness.

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The Absorption Factor