I have commented before on how easy it is to discredit something by setting up your own criteria, and then announcing that it has failed to meet them.  Just off the top of my head, consider the study that found St. John's Wort failed to help major depression .  What a lot of publicity that got, with not one of the reporting entities thinking to mention that - wait for it - NO-ONE EVER CLAIMED IT DID.  That's right - St. John's Wort has only ever been recommended for minor depression, and as the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine says:

An analysis of the results of 37 clinical trials concluded that St. John's wort may have only minimal beneficial effects on major depression. However, the analysis also found that St. John's wort may benefit people with minor depression; these benefits may be similar to those from standard antidepressants. Overall, St. John's wort appeared to produce fewer side effects than some standard antidepressants.  (my emphasis).

In much the same way, the words "evidence based medicine" are often used to discredit alternative treatments,  the implications being that since they cannot pass the same standard as allopathic medicine, they are not effective.

That is why I found this report in Dr. Moss's newsletter so interesting:  talk about payback! The British Medical Journal of Clinical Evidence has found that of around 2500 prescription treatments evaluated by a panel of experts, only 13% were definitely beneficial, while an amazing 46% showed no evidence of usefulness whatsoever.  Take that, big Pharma!

Are most current medical treatments backed by solid evidence of effectiveness?

 

I thought we had heard the worst about synthetic hormone replacement, but it would appear not.  Whether a women is using estrogen alone, or estrogen and progestin, the results are in and they are not pretty. 

Bottom line ,whether you started young or after menopause, whether you have taken it for a long time or a short time, the risk of stroke increases by about 39%.  If you are on high doses, the increased risk is 62%

"The advice to women is, if you are on HRT, you should be on the lowest dose that will control your symptoms," Liu said. "In addition, you should be monitored and evaluated, and if you are going to continue on it; you need to understand what the risks are."

We need to make everyone aware that there is another option, without the grief, and that is a NATURAL approach to hormonal imbalances.

The Vitamin Lady writes about Menopause - first class passage.

HRT increases stroke risk

Progesterone cream with herbs

Estrogen Cream

 

 

I know of nothing that makes me angrier than having the Goverment step in to regulate against information. 

It really makes me wonder where this is all going to end - even the most inconsequential  problems are being codified.  As an example, they are introducing legislation in California to make it illegal to drive with your dog in your lap - can they really believe it possible to legislate against all manifestations of lack of intelligence?? - do they have data on pooch-in-lap-caused accidents? 

What set me off this time is far more serious, however - Monsanto (incredibly rich makers of recombinant bovine growth hormone) feels that it is UNFAIR to label milk that is not hormone laced, hormone free - why?  Because it may suggest that the hormone free milk is in some way BETTER.  We certainly feel that it is better, but that is not the point:  we have the right to know! 

Citizens for Health has more information about this attempt to flummox us, together with a little reward (for those of us who eat Ben and Jerry's icecream) for doing the right thing.

Find out more about it here.

 

These attacks on supplementation are getting to be so old hat, I almost didn't react to this one.  But I know some people must be wondering whether to give up vitamins, or give up reading, so I am posting a rebuttal which I hope will lay those fears at rest.

Bad science+ bad media+vested interests=confused consumers 

And on the positive side:

Health Impact Study Shows Dietary Supplement Usage Could Save Billions in Health Care Costs

Health Impact II Study Finds Seniors Who Take Certain Dietary Supplements Live Longer, More Independent Lives - posted by a Senior who is living a long, independent life taking LOTS of vitamins! Moi-meme.

Health Impact Study IV Updates Previous Studies, Shows Select Dietary Supplements Could Save $24+ Billion In Health Care Costs

I have been saying for years that the more the hands of people interfere between the original food and our mouths, the worse off we are.  Seldom, however, do I come across quite such an excellent illustration.

In my article on Prostate health I wrote"There is a connection between drinking milk and prostate cancer - and the worst offender is low fat milk,  as researchers at the Fox Chase Cancer Center (Philadelphia) discovered. Men who reported the highest intake of low-fat milk were 1.5 times more likely to develop prostate cancer compared to men who had the lowest intake, but whole milk intake was NOT found to be linked to increased risk."

Now it appears that whole fat milk is not only not connected to increased risk, but is found to reduce risk.

Dietary intake of vitamin K and risk of prostate cancer

Effect of food composition on human absorption of Vitamin K

Even better would be whole, RAW milk - got REAL milk?

In view of the truly astonishing number of people who are taking antacids, this research is of great importance: as we know, many elderly people are being diagnosed with mental deterioration, when a B12 deficiency should be suspected.
 

Keywords:	HEARTBURN, ACID REFLUX, STOMACH ULCER - Vitamin B12, B12 Deficiency, Proton-Pump Inhibitors, PPI, Histamine(2) Receptor Antagonists, H2 Blockers
Reference:	"Do Acid-lowering agents affect vitamin B12 status in older adults?" Dharmarajan TS, Norkus EP, et al, J Am Med Dir Assoc, 2008; 9(3): 162-7. (Address: Department of Medicine, Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA. E-mail: dharmarajants@yahoo.com ).
Summary:	In a cross-sectional study involving 659 elderly subjects, aged 60-102 years, results indicate that prolonged use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) may be associated with a significant decline in serum vitamin B12 levels. Patient demographics, serum B12 levels, use and duration of use of histamine(2) receptor antagonists (H2 blockers) and PPIs, and oral vitamin B12 supplementation were assessed. Acid-lowering agents (H2 blockers and PPIs) were used by 54% of the participants, where the average duration of use was 18.2 months. No association was observed between the use of H2 blockers and serum vitamin B12 levels. On the other hand, PPI use was associated with diminished vitamin B12 levels. Additionally, oral vitamin B12 supplementation (RDA) during PPI use was observed to slow the decline in B12 status, but not prevent it. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "B12 status declines during prolonged PPI use in older adults, b ut not with prolonged H2 blocker use; supplementation with RDA amounts of B12 do not prevent this decline. This report reinforces that B12 deficiency is common in the elderly and suggests that it appears prudent to monitor periodically B12 status while on prolonged PPI use, to enable correction before complications ensue."

 B12 Status Declines during Prolonged Use of Proton-Pump Inhibitors (Acid-Lowering Agent)

The liquid B12 (Methylcobalamin) I personally use and recommend.

The Vitamin Lady writes about helping indigestion naturally

The FDA is after the bio-identical hormones again.  For an interesting review of what has been going on, and links to contact Congress, go to the American Health Freedom site:

Act Today to Preserve Your Access to Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy!

 

In 2008, a study at P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center showed for the first time that a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching the cell's core energy source, or mitochondrion, and crippling its function. The study is published in the March  2008 edition of the journal, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.

The study also showed that when the pancreatic cancer cells were doubly assaulted (pre-treated with the antioxidant, resveratrol, and then irradiated) the combination induced a type of cell death called apoptosis, an important goal of cancer therapy.

Mounting evidence shows red wine antioxidant kills cancer

I am proud to say I still have my appendix - and since my 71st birthday was yesterday, I think I am probably going to hang on to it on a life long basis.

I remember how they used to casually whip out tonsils when I was a child, assuming (such hubris!) that nature had hiccuped and tonsils had no function to speak of in the human body.

Despite the debunking of the "useless tonsils" theory, the same attitude has prevailed for appendixes (I know - it should be appendices, but this is English as she is spoken).

Now, finally, the function of the appendix may have been discovered:

The Appendix Has a Purpose After All: Repopulating the Gut with Friendly Flora

 

 

Visit this link to make your mark - each of us can make a small contribution to the growing swell of environmental concern!

http://www11.earthhourus.org/

I brought my children up on raw milk, and still pick it up (for my Irish wolfhounds :0) once a week.  I do not believe that the government has the right to tell me that I have to buy pasteurized milk, any more than it can stop me from eating raw lettuce or Steak Tartare - these days a far more hazardous proposition.

Yet despite  all this, the FDA continues to exceed its authority even harrassing suppliers of raw milk for PETS!

Read a raw milk Dairy's description of its pristine record on contaminants.

Where can you find raw milk?

The FDA and Raw Milk (scroll down when you reach this link!)

 

 

This will teach me to write a newsletter when I am in a hurry, and without checking the facts  - though in my defense, I still think it is valid and useful information!!

Many people wrote in to keep me honest, telling me that snopes.com refutes the info, and this was my reply:

Keeping me honest, I see! 

 

The link to where to buy gas was written some time ago, and speaks of funding bin Laden:  I am more concerned about the Saudi Royal family:  if they were in truth our allies, they would feel our pain and influence OPEC to lighten up, don't you think? As it is, they DO support schools, or madrassas, that teach fundamentalist Islam and are the breeding grounds for future terrorists - so I do not wish to send them any more of my money than I have to.

 

It ends by saying that they have not found any gas at $3.00 a gallon - well, if only it were still that low! 

 

 As for the link about pumping the gas: basically, my interpretation of what they say is that all the facts are true, but the gain is slight- I am all for being as efficient as possible at all times!  Even the big truckers are slowing down, though all they gain is 1 mile per gallon!  A million minimals adds up to something - remember the Eddie Murphy movie, where he had the Bank computer redirect all the fractions of dollars that resulted from every day transactions, and ended up rich? As for who wrote it - somewhat irrelevant, if it is useful information.

 

Thanks for being in touch. Yours for cars that run on air,

 

Lynn

Most children want A's - but it looks as though D's is what they need.  I think we all know that diabetes is becoming a major childhood health problem.  New research is suggesting that Vitamin D3 may be protective.  I tell you ,  Grandma with her Cod Liver Oil REALLY knew best!!

Vitamin D3 linked to reduced diabetes risk in children

I usually cast a cursory glance over the Gott column, just to see how conflicted he might be that day.  This one takes the cake!

Some poor person writes to say that they have iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency - the word "iatrogenic" immediately raised the red flag, so I read on.

Dr. Gott calmly tells us that iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency is one of THE MOST COMMON forms of adrenal problems.  It obviously comes as absolutely no surprise to him.  What is the consequence?  This condition requires you to take synthetic Cortisol for the rest of your natural existence, or risk death. As he puts it, "without normal levels of Cortisol, your body cannot function properly."

I know you are panting to know - what causes this common condition?  "It is caused by excessive or chronic use of glucocorticoid medication (such as prednisone) which essentially .... shuts down the adrenal glands".

What is one of the most common uses of this type of medication?  INHALERS FOR OUR CHILDREN.

Here is a selection of immediately available links found through Google about the dangers:

Monitor growth when using glucocorticoids in children

Glucocorticoid induced osteopenia and osteoporosis

Glucocorticoids and the risk for cardiovascular disease

Are there alternatives?  Yes, and please, for the sake of your future health and that of your kids, consider them.

The Vitamin lady writes about natural help for Asthma

The Vitamin lady writes about controlling Inflammation naturally

 

 

Fluoride may be implicated in neurological disorders in children.

The Organic Consumer's Association suggests that you check out the warning label on your toothpaste tube. It notes that the amount of fluoride in a single brushing (.25 mg) should not be swallowed, and if so, the label says you should contact a Poison Control Center. Interestingly, that's the same amount that's in an average glass of tap water. Learn more and watch: http://www.fluoridealert.org/

THIS IS SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR CHILDREN.  You would think that in view of the increasing problems with autism and ADD/ADHD, even a suspicion that there might be a connection would have our officials leaping around like spring lambs to do something, anything, to bring it under control. HA!

Fluoride linked to brain abnormalities and reduced IQ in children