Theobromine, an ingredient in Chocolate, is more effective at helping coughs than codeine,  the current standard of medication.

This won't come as news to Solaray, whose great product, Broncholair, has been on the market for years .. but validation is always good!

Read about it here.

Be sure to scroll up to the next post, too!

Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, the positive results for research on Vitamin E continues, as for Parkinson's,  Alzheimner's, cardiovascular support , and now -  Diabetes.

This study finds that certain diabestics taking Vitamin E can cut their riskof heart attack by 55%.

Notice though, that even with the good news, this reporter can't resist starting with a reference to the flawed meta-analysis!

^{Adding 1 cup of oatmeal, 3/4 of a cup of brown rice, or 2 slices of real whole grain bread a day to one's diet can block weight gain of as much as 3.5 lbs.}

This should mean that as of reading this, people will instantly decide not to eat white bread except on special occasions, when it can be thought of as cake: in my childhood, my Swedish foster mother baked rye and whole grain breads for everyday, and white bread for special feast days and treats. 100 grams of white bread has .2 grams of fiber: whole wheat has 1.6. White rice has .3 grams of fiber, brown has .9 per 100 grams. One half cup of oatmeal has 7.7 grams of fiber - you get the picture! 

It's everywhere! It's everywhere! Prescription drugs in our water supply.

The first time I brought this to your attention was through Rachels newsletter in 2000, detailing the research in Europe and the concerns in the US over hormone contamination, among other drugs.

The came the report on anti-depressants in the water supply in the UK ( my Blog Monday Aug 09th 2004 - you may need to scroll down a way)

Now Canada is becoming alarmed - with traces of prescription drugs turning up in their tap water.

Does anyone believe the US is immune from this problem??

Two snippets about colon cancer in the news recently:  one (EurekAlert) determines that obesity ( here a BMI of over 40) raises the risk of neoplasia by a factor of 5.2.  

The other, published in the Nov. 17 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, suggested that high levels of selenium in the blood translated into a 34% lower risk of colon cancer.

This is also supported by an older study from 1977, which showed selenium was protective against chemically induced cancers of the colon. 

Read my article about the importance of Selenium here.

It is unconscionable that Doctors continue to prescribe anti-depressants to children in the face of the evidence of the harm they do. 

From suicidal thoughts, to violence, to increased depression later in life, I thought I had seen the worst of the effects.

But now a study is also suggesting that the bone health of children on these drugs may be affected. Read about it here.

What is needed is agreement that studies should be done on natural support for these childhood ills: like many natural health practicioners, I feel that diet (and particularly Omega 3 fatty acids) plays a large part in this problem.

What do you think?

An interesting study for any one dealing with this problem;

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=174512&rendertype=abstract

and a source for the supplement mentioned:
http://www.vitaminlady.com/Jarrow/SacchBoul.asp

ANNOUNCING (proudly) the addition of Healthnotes to www.vitaminlady.com.

This is truly the ultimate resource.  From serious stuff like the nutrients and herbs recommended to support a specific health condition; through wanting  to know whether a nutrient will interact with your medication; to  having a head of cauliflower lurking in your fridge and needing  some recipe ideas;  the answers are here.

Often this is where I go to check a fact or answer a question, and now it is yours - with my compliments.

Please let me know what you think of it! The button is on the left top of almost every page in my web. Enjoy!

Thinking about how to start this posting about the alarm bells and Vitamin E, I found myself chuckling.  But in a sad sort of way.  It is just incredible to me how the news media in this country will run with a story, without making any effort at all to a) discover what level of science it represents and b) soliciting alternative points of view from reputable organizations. One would think that this were a new Stone Tablet descending from Mount Sinai.

Here are comments by the Linus Pauling Institute, very much to the point.

Here is the commentary from the NNFA, the National Nutritional Foods Association:

Vitamin E Study Questioned by NNFA

Despite the literally thousands of studies on vitamin E, many confirming its positive effects on cardiovascular health and other conditions, an article published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine that studied just a handful suggests that “high-dose” vitamin E (400 international units (IU) or more) is associated with a greater risk of dying.

Although the researchers themselves acknowledged the limitations of their study when applied to most healthy people, they have nevertheless called for a reduction in U.S. dietary guidelines for vitamin E, which currently recommend an upper limit of 1,500 IU.

The research, which analyzed clinical trial data from 19 studies, focused on nine that involved dosages of vitamin E over 400 IU. Most of the patients in the studies were over 60-years of age and had chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and Alzheimer's. The reported increased risk of deaths associated with higher doses of vitamin E was only slightly higher than the risk among those not taking the supplement. The studies reviewed, some of which were more than 10 years old, were of varying quality and contained a wide range of dosages.

“This is arm chair science at its worst,” said David Seckman, NNFA's executive director and CEO. “Researchers are well aware that casting doubt on any product that has had overwhelmingly positive findings is a formula for getting noticed. Unfortunately, many in the press are all too willing to lend credence to research that is not conclusive.”

For more information on vitamin E, including its health benefits, clinical applications and other science-based findings, go to: www.supplementinfo.org

Here is another commentary from an Immunologist and Nutritionist.

My previous posting may have some relevance here, too!

Some interesting and positive research is being done on the anti-aging and health promoting effects of DHEA.

However, when you read this article detailing the research, you will notice that the quality of dietary supplements is mentioned as a concern TWICE, and the very fact that DHEA is available over the counter is commented on adversely once.

In a moment I will tell you why I mention this.  First, let me recommend that you also read my article on DHEA, in which you will notice that I stress the importance of monitoring your levels of the hormone.

Now, why do I bring the comments to your attention?  There is a threat again to our right to choose natural therapies.

I want you to be aware that the large drug companies are concerned about the trend in people's perceptions of drugs:  they are seeing many consumers turn away from drugs to more gentle therapies, and they want two things:  they want to make sure that if there are alternatives, they will be the ones providing them; and that any alternative will be strictly regulated by the same medical/drug partnership that is in place at the moment.

Please take a moment to read this article, which lays it out for all to understand and see: http://www.vrp.com/newsletters?c=1099741307212&k=/contactus#3  then click on "Dietary Supplements under Imminent Threat"

It is important for you to understand that this is not hysteria, but a genuine threat to our Health Freedom.

There are some superfoods out there, some of which should be added to our menu every day.  For an idea of what I mean, and a list, read my article on the ideal diet.

One of these superfoods is walnuts, which have now been shown to reduce both cholesterol and c-reactive protein.  Here is a report on the study:  note particularly the air of genuine surprise when they mention that the FDA has approved the claim! 

Vitamin D has been quite a bit in the news recently, for everything from cancer to osteoporosis.  This article  (appropriately in the Herald Sun) gives a rundown on its importance, pointing out that humans evolved as nudists around the area of the Equator - and got LOTS of sunshine - all over!

Consider adding Cod Liver Oil to your winter supplement regimen, just in case.

I am an enthusiastic user of potpourri and essential oils, because of the presence in my house of numerous pets.  Among them, an extremely elderly Irish Wolfhound and a couple of cats.  But I don't use chemical room sprays or those things you stick into outlets.  And now I know why.