Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, is often viewed as an aesthetic problem, but if you’re carrying extra weight around your middle your physical health, including that of your brain, could be at risk. Excess belly fat is already well-known to play a starring role in the development of chronic diseases like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Even in people who aren’t obese, excess belly fat increases the risk of death from cardiovascular problems.1 The risks of belly fat, however, do not stop there. Researchers at Loughborough University in England have revealed that carrying excess weight around your midsection may affect your brain health, even leading to a concerning decline in brain volume.2 Brain shrinkage, in turn, increases your risk of memory loss and other cognitive problems. Excess Belly Fat Linked to Brain ShrinkageThe study involved more than 9,600 participants with an average age of 55, who received scores for both body mass index (BMI), a flawed formula that divides your weight by the square of your height, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Your waist-to-hip ratio is a more reliable indicator of your future disease risk than BMI because a higher ratio suggests you have more visceral fat — a measure BMI tells you nothing about. The participants also received structural MRI, which provided brain images, allowing researchers to measure the volume of gray and white matter in the brain. After accounting for other risk factors, such as smoking and exercise levels, the researchers found a slight link between BMI and lower gray matter volume. However, a much more significant connection was found for people with both high BMI and WHR. “The combination of overall obesity and central obesity was associated with the lowest gray matter compared with that in lean adults,” the researchers noted.3 Specifically, participants with a BMI and WHR in a healthy range had an average gray matter brain volume of 798 cubic centimeters. This dropped to 786 cubic centimeters among those with a high BMI and high WHR.4 For the study, people with a BMI above 30 were considered obese while central obesity was determined by a waist-to-hip ratio above .90 for men and .85 for women. Study author Mark Hamer, Ph.D., said in a press release:5
Why Might Belly Fat Shrink Your Brain?The featured study isn’t the first time belly fat has been linked to brain shrinkage. In 2010, researchers also found visceral fat is associated with lower brain volume, this time among healthy middle-aged adults.6 As for why visceral abdominal fat may negatively impact your brain, the researchers speculated the following mechanisms:
According to a study in the Annals of Neurology, “[A]dipose-tissue derived hormones, such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin or ghrelin, could also play a role in the relation between adipose tissue and brain atrophy.”9 Overall, it’s suggested that brain atrophy itself could be the main reason behind the association between increased visceral fat and cognitive decline and dementia.10 Obesity Also Linked to Brain AgingCarrying excess weight throughout your body is also known to influence your brain health. For instance, a study published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging found structural changes in the brains of overweight and obese people — changes typically seen in far older individuals. In this case, it was white matter volume that decreased in relation to obesity, corresponding to an estimated increase of brain age of 10 years.11 In short, obesity may increase your risk of neurodegeneration, possibly due to the increase in inflammatory agents produced. Other research has also linked obesity with cognitive decline. For instance:
Further, the onset of symptoms moved up by 6.7 months for each unit increase in midlife BMI. Those with a high BMI were also more likely to have greater amounts of amyloid proteins in their brain.14 Belly Fat Is Linked to Certain Mental Health ConditionsYour mental health may also suffer from excess belly fat, which has been linked to conditions such as anxiety and depression. Postmenopausal women who had abdominal obesity were significantly more likely to struggle with depression than those without it (37.6 percent versus 27.5 percent respectively), leading researchers to conclude that "visceral fat accumulation was an independent and positive factor significantly associated with the presence of depressive symptoms."15 Among women, waist-to-height ratio is also associated with anxiety. Data from 5,580 Latin American women between the ages of 40 and 59 were evaluated. Overall, those with waist-to-height ratios in the middle and upper thirds were at significantly higher risk for anxiety than those with less abdominal obesity.16 Those with the greatest abdominal obesity were also the most likely to actually exhibit outward signs of anxiety. Generally speaking, a woman is considered obese if her waist measurement is more than half of her height measurement. Losing belly fat is key for both your brain health and your overall health. Cardiovascular deaths, too, have been found to be 2.75 times higher for those of normal weight and big bellies compared to those with both a normal BMI and a normal waist-to-hip ratio.17 It’s also important to recognize that monitoring your belly fat may be even more important than watching BMI. Strategies for Targeting Belly FatContrary to popular belief, focusing on abdominal exercises is not the ticket to reducing belly fat. While they will help you to build a stronger core, nutritional changes will also be necessary to burn stubborn belly fat. That being said, exercise is important too, especially fat-burning high-intensity interval training. One of the great things about exercise is that it can help you burn fat while also benefiting your brain. Physical exercise helps build a brain that not only resists shrinkage, but also increases cognitive abilities by promoting neurogenesis, i.e., your brain's ability to adapt and grow new brain cells. Other factors linked to both brain health and belly fat include:
Chronic stress may also increase your risk for visceral fat gain over time,22 which means addressing your stress levels is imperative for both your brain and your belly. A Ketogenic Diet Burns Fat, Boosts Brain HealthPerhaps most important of all is paying attention to your diet. While reducing your intake of processed foods and eliminating added sugars is important, I recommend going a step further and adopting a ketogenic diet if you’re struggling with belly fat or interested in protecting your brain health. When your body burns fat as its primary fuel, ketones are created, which not only burn very efficiently and are a superior fuel for your brain, but also generate fewer reactive oxygen species (ROS) and less free radical damage. A type of ketone called beta-hydroxybutyrate is also an important epigenetic player, having significant effects on DNA expression, increasing detoxification pathways and your body’s own antioxidant production. Beta-hydroxybutyrate also stimulates specific receptors on cells called g-proteins. When these receptors are tagged by this beta-hydroxybutyrate during mild ketosis, it helps reduce the activation of pathways that lead to inflammation, and inflammation is a driver in most all chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, as well as are implicated in belly fat. For the best results, however, combine nutritional ketosis with intermittent fasting. The ketogenic diet provides many of the same health benefits associated with fasting and intermittent fasting, but when done together, most people will experience significant improvements in their health. The details are provided in my book "Fat for Fuel," but here is a summary of how to implement these two strategies as a cohesive health program. The “Ultimate Ketogenic Diet Beginner’s Guide” is also excellent reading if you’re new to this way of eating. If you’re not sure whether your midsection is carrying an unhealthy amount of extra weight, your first step should be to determine your waist-to-hip ratio. To do so, get a tape measure and record your waist and hip circumference. Then divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference. For a more thorough demonstration, please see the video below. If you fall into an at-risk zone, implementing the strategies above can help you to not only shed the fat but also improve your health significantly.
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/24/bigger-belly-brain-shrinkage-link.aspx
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Like autism among children, Alzheimer's among seniors has reached epidemic proportions, with no slowdown in sight. On the contrary, evidence suggests the trend is worsening. At present, Alzheimer's affects about 5.4 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.1 The World Health Organization predicts that by 2050, 1 in 6 adults will be living with dementia. It's important to realize that dementia is a lifestyle-predicated disease, and there are many strategies that will help prevent this kind of neurodegeneration. In essence, anything that will help optimize your mitochondria will also help prevent Alzheimer's. You can learn more about these Alzheimer's prevention strategies in this previous article. Here, the focus is on specific nutrients shown to play an important role in brain health and cognition, starting with marine-based omega-3, which contains two long-chained fatty acids that are vital for brain health: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). 1. Marine-Based Omega-3 Fat: DHAThe influence of marine-based omega-3 fats on physical and mental health has been the subject of intense research for decades, and there's compelling evidence they can help ameliorate a variety of psychiatric illnesses and degenerative brain disorders, including Alzheimer's. In my new book, "Superfuel," cowritten with James DiNicolantonio, Pharm. D., we expain how DHA is an essential structural component of your brain, and is found in high levels in your neurons, the cells of your central nervous system. When your omega-3 intake is inadequate, your nerve cells become stiff and more prone to inflammation as the missing omega-3 fats are substituted with omega-6 instead. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Once your nerve cells become rigid and inflamed, proper neurotransmission from cell to cell and within cells become compromised. Low DHA levels have been linked to memory loss and Alzheimer's disease, and some studies suggest degenerative brain diseases may potentially be reversible with sufficient DHA. For example, in one study,2 elderly volunteers suffering from memory deficits saw significant improvement after taking 900 milligrams (mg) of DHA per day for 24 weeks, compared to controls. Another study3 found significant improvement in verbal fluency scores after taking 800 mg of DHA per day for four months, compared with placebo. Furthermore, memory and rate of learning were significantly improved when DHA was combined with 12 mg of lutein per day. I never previously realized this but DHA also stimulates one of the most important transcription factors that regulates cellular oxidation and reduction, and aids in detoxification, the Nrf2 pathway.4 Additionally, it also increases heme oxygenase 15 (a protein produced in response to oxidative stress) and upregulates antioxidant enzymes — all of which are important for brain health. In addition, DHA is a precursor for the signaling molecule protectin, which is synthesized in response to oxidative stress. (When found in your central nervous system it's referred to as neuroprotectin, or NPD1.) As explained in a 2011 paper in the journal Nutrients:6
2. Marine-Based Omega-3 Fat: EPAEPA, meanwhile, appears to be particularly beneficial in the treatment of depression,7 as it helps lower levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta and prostaglandin E2 — three immune chemicals that tend to be elevated in those with depression. A stumbling block has been to get sufficiently large amounts into your brain. To raise your brain level of EPA, you'd need to consume impractically large amounts of fish oil, for example. One theory is that degradation by pancreatic enzymes renders the EPA incapable of passing the blood-brain-barrier.8 However, recent research9 has discovered something really interesting. By using a lysophospholipid form of EPA (LPC-EPA), they were able to increase the EPA level in the brain of mice 100fold. Even more remarkable, LPC-EPA also doubled the DHA level in the brain, whereas free EPA had no effect on DHA levels. The authors further noted that:
Papasani Subbaiah, professor of medicine and biochemistry and molecular genetics in the UIC College of Medicine and corresponding author, told MedicalXpress:10
The Importance of Phospholipid-Bound Omega-3There are a number of drawbacks to fish oil, and the lack of phospholipids is one of them. DHA and EPA are water insoluble and therefore cannot be transported in their free form in your blood. They must be packaged into lipoprotein vehicles such as phospholipids. This is primarily why the bioavailability of krill oil is so much higher than fish oil, because in fish oil, the DHA and EPA are bound to triglycerides. When you consume fish oil, your liver has to attach it to phosphatidylcholine in order for it to be efficiently utilized by your body and brain. Phospholipids are also one of the principal compounds in high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which you want more of, and by allowing your cells to maintain structural integrity, phospholipids help your cells function optimally. Importantly, your brain cannot readily absorb DHA unless it's bound to phosphatidylcholine, and while krill oil contains phosphatidylcholine naturally, fish oil does not. As the name implies, phosphatidylcholine is composed partly of choline, the precursor for the vital neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which sends nerve signals to your brain, and choline itself is crucial for brain development, learning and memory, as you'll see in the next section. Recent research11 by Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D., also highlights the value of DHA bound to phospholipids, showing this form may actually reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in those with the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) gene, which lowers the typical age of onset of this degenerative brain disorder. Two hallmarks of Alzheimer's are amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles, both of which impair normal brain functioning. Alzheimer's patients also have reduced glucose transport into their brains, and this is one of the reasons why plaque and tangles form and accumulate in the first place. According to Patrick,12 DHA encourages your brain's uptake of glucose by regulating the structure and function of glucose transporters, proteins located at your blood-brain barrier. While eating DHA-rich fish has been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's in APOE4 carriers, taking fish oil has not demonstrated the same efficacy. According to Patrick, this variation in response appears to be related to the different ways in which the two forms of DHA are metabolized and ultimately transported into your brain. When the triglyceride form of DHA is metabolized, most of it turns into nonesterified DHA, while the phospholipid form is metabolized primarily into DHA-lysophosphatidylcholine (DHA-lysoPC). While both of these forms can cross the blood-brain barrier to reach your brain, the phospholipid form does so far more efficiently. According to Patrick, people with APOE4 have a faulty nonesterified DHA transport system, and this may be why they're at increased risk for Alzheimer's. The good news is that DHA-lysoPC can bypass the tight junctions, thereby improving DHA transport, and for those with one or two APOE4 variants, taking the phospholipid form of DHA may therefore lower their risk of Alzheimer's more effectively. 3. Choline Helps Fight Alzheimer's DiseaseOther recent research13 demonstrates the importance of choline for brain health and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter required for the proper function of your brain and nervous system, playing a role in fetal brain development, memory, muscle control, mood and gene expression. As reported by Science Daily:14
Choline helps protect against Alzheimer's by:
4. Phosphatidylserine Boosts Cognitive FunctionPhosphatidylserine is another supplement that can help improve cognitive function15 and protect against Alzheimer's disease.16 Phosphatidylserine is an amino acid derivative that is highly prevalent in neural tissue and plays an important role in the cellular function in your brain. While your body can synthesize it on its own, you can also get it through food (such as mackerel, cod, egg yolks and organ meats) and/or a phosphatidylserine complex supplement.17 Phosphatidylserine has a unique structure that makes it both hydrophilic, meaning it's attracted to water and hydrophobic, or repelled by water. With this structure, phospholipids are able to arrange themselves into a phospholipid bilayer — two parallel layers that form a major component of the human cell membranes. In brain cell membranes, the phospholipid bilayer acts as a "gatekeeper," regulating the entry beneficial substances, basically nutrients, water and oxygen, while eliminating metabolic waste.18 In one study,19 supplementing with 400 mg of phosphatidylserine increased the speed of calculations done in short-term memory by 20 percent in a group of healthy adults. In another, it improved cognitive function of geriatric patients at a dosage of 300 mg per day for six months.20 Taken with DHA, it's also been shown to improve behavior and short-term auditory memory in children with ADHD.21 In patients with Alzheimer's, phosphatidylserine helps inhibit amyloid beta and interferon-gamma-induced microglial activation.22 5. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Protects Against Neurotoxic InsultsAcetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) has many beneficial effects on brain metabolism, protects against neurotoxic insults, and has been shown to benefit certain forms of depression. In one study,23 healthy mice given ALCAR for 25 days at a dose of about half a gram per kilo, were found to have increased levels of the neurotransmitters noradrenaline and serotonin. According to the authors, this is "consistent with ALCAR's potential efficacy for depressive symptoms." In another study,24 ALCAR was found to improve the clinical condition of patients with degenerative cerebellar ataxia (a condition resulting in the loss of control of bodily movements). According to the authors, "statistically significant improvement of some symptoms and a slow progression of the disease in both groups of patients" were observed. 6. Vitamin D Protects Against Memory LossActivated vitamin D receptors increase nerve growth in your brain, and researchers have also located metabolic pathways for vitamin D in the hippocampus and cerebellum, areas involved in planning, information processing and memory formation. According to research25 published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, low vitamin D is associated with poorer brain function, and increasing levels may help keep older adults mentally fit. Vitamin D has also been shown to improve a number of brain disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease.26 In one six-year study,27 those with severe vitamin D deficiency were more than twice as likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's than those with higher levels. Even those with moderate deficiency had a 53 percent increased risk for all forms of dementia, and 69 percent increased risk for Alzheimer's specifically. According to the authors, "Our results confirm that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a substantially increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease." The findings also suggest there's a threshold level of circulating vitamin D, below which your risk for dementia increases. This threshold was found to be right around 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). Higher levels were associated with good brain health. I recommend getting your vitamin D level tested twice a year, and taking whatever dosage required to achieve and maintain a vitamin D level between 60 and 80 ng/mL (150 and 200 nmol/L). Ideally, you'd want to raise your level by getting sensible sun exposure, but if you cannot, consider an oral vitamin D3 supplement balanced with magnesium and vitamin K2. 7. Vitamin B12 Deficiency Wreaks Havoc on Cognitive FunctionVitamin B12 is another important player. Research28 shows people with high levels of markers for vitamin B12 deficiency are more likely to score lower on cognitive tests and have a smaller total brain volume, which suggests a lack of B12 may contribute to brain shrinkage. Mental fogginess and problems with memory are two of the top warning signs that you have vitamin B12 deficiency, and this is indicative of its importance for your brain health. Finnish researchers have also found that people who consume foods rich in B12 may reduce their risk of Alzheimer's in their later years.29 For each unit increase in the marker for vitamin B12 (holotranscobalamin) the risk of developing Alzheimer's was reduced by 2 percent. Another study30 found that supplementing with B vitamins, including B12, helps to slow brain atrophy in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. Vitamin B12 deficiency is widespread and many have trouble absorbing this nutrient properly from food sources. Blood tests for vitamin B12 are not always a reliable indicator of B12 status, so watching for symptoms of deficiency and increasing your dietary and supplemental intake is a practical alternative to blood testing. B12 is available in its natural form only in animal food sources such as seafood, beef, chicken, pork, milk and eggs. If you rarely or never consume these animal products, you're at particularly high risk of B12 deficiency. The good news is vitamin B12 supplementation is completely nontoxic and inexpensive, especially when compared to the cost of laboratory testing. I recommend an under-the-tongue fine mist spray, as this technology helps you absorb the vitamin into the fine capillaries under your tongue. 8. MCT Oil Boosts Brain PerformanceOne of the primary fuels your brain needs is glucose, which is converted into energy. Your brain actually manufactures its own insulin to convert glucose in your bloodstream into the food it needs to survive. If your brain's production of insulin decreases, your brain literally begins to starve, as it's deprived of the glucose-converted energy it needs to function normally. This is what happens to Alzheimer's patients — portions of their brain start to atrophy, or starve, leading to impaired functioning and eventual loss of memory, speech, movement and personality. In effect, your brain can begin to atrophy from starvation if it becomes insulin resistant and loses its ability to convert glucose into energy. Fortunately, your brain is able to run on more than one type of energy supply. It can run on both glucose and ketones, and ketones are actually better. Ketones are what your body produces when it converts fat as opposed to glucose) into energy, and a primary source of ketone bodies are medium chain triglycerides (MCT). While coconut oil is one healthy option, MCT oil is a more concentrated source of ketones, so it tends to be more appropriate for clinical uses. Most commercial brands of MCT oil contain a 50/50 combination of C8 and C10 fats (the "C number" stands for the carbon length of the MCT). My personal preference is straight C8 (caprylic acid), as it converts to ketones far more rapidly than do C10 fats, and will give you higher levels of ketones. You can learn more about MCTs and the differences between them in my previous article, "The Many Health Benefits of MCT Oil." Ketones appear to be the preferred source of energy for the brain in people affected by diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and maybe even ALS, because in these diseases, certain neurons have become insulin resistant or have lost the ability to efficiently utilize glucose. As a result, neurons slowly die off. The introduction of ketones may rescue these neurons and they may still be able to survive and thrive. In multiple studies, ketones have been shown to be both neurotherapeutic and neuroprotective. They also appear to lower markers of systemic inflammation. As noted by Mental Health Daily:31
9. Probiotics Feed Your Second BrainAs your "second brain," the state of your gut also plays an important role in your neurological and psychological health. Probiotics have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and decrease pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's, including amyloid plaques and tangles. In one study,33 the probiotic strain L. plantarumMTCC1325 was identified as having these "anti-Alzheimer's properties." In another study,34 published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 60 elderly patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's received either a placebo or a probiotic milk products containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus fermentum for 12 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, participants underwent a standardized cognitive assessment and a highly sensitive c-reactive protein test, which is a powerful marker of inflammation. As reported by neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter:35
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/24/nutrients-for-brain-health.aspx Estimates suggest up to 20 percent of the general population experience chronic constipation,1 characterized by hard, dry and difficult to pass stools, and/or having less than three bowel movements per week. Chronic constipation also accounts for at least 8 million annual doctor's visits in the U.S.2 While temporary constipation can be the result of simply eating poorly for a day or two, chronic constipation has been linked to a number of other, more serious health problems, including diverticulitis, kidney disease,3 colorectal and gastric cancer, ischemic colitis and Parkinson's disease.4 So, having regular bowel movements is not just a matter of comfort, it also has important health implications. Following are several of my top tips for getting and staying regular. 1. Stay Properly HydratedPerhaps the most basic of all recommendations is to make sure you're drinking enough water each day. While using thirst as a guide to how much water you need is an obvious way to ensure your daily needs are met, it's important to realize that by the time your thirst mechanism kicks in, you're actually already in the early stages of dehydration. So, don't ignore the initial sensations of thirst. Hunger, and sugar cravings in particular, can also be a sign that your body is crying for water. Other common telltale signs of dehydration include:5,6
Using the color of your urine is one of the best ways to track your individual hydration status from day to day.7 Concentrated, dark-colored urine is a sign that your kidneys are retaining fluids to maintain your bodily functions, and is a good indication that you need more water. Ideally, drink enough water to turn your urine a light-colored yellow. Just be aware that vitamin B2-containing supplements will turn your urine a bright, almost fluorescent yellow, making it more difficult to judge your water needs by the color of your urine. Frequency of urination can also be used to judge your water intake. A healthy person urinates on average about seven or eight times a day. If your urine is scant or if you haven't urinated in several hours, that too is an indication that you're not drinking enough. 2. Eat More FiberEating a high-fiber diet is a classic recommendation for maintaining regularity and lowering your risk of hemorrhoids. There are two main types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Ideally, you need both on a regular basis. Digestive-resistant starches — found in chilled, cooked potatoes,8 seeds, tapioca starch and unripe tropical fruits such as banana, papaya and mango — can be considered a third type of fiber, differentiated from insoluble fiber by the fact that many of their benefits result from the fermentation process that occurs as they move through your large intestine.9 Like insoluble fiber, digestive-resistant starch is not broken down as it travels through your digestive tract and therefore adds bulk to your stool. They're also powerful prebiotics. By slowly fermenting in your large intestine, they feed gut bacteria that support optimal health. Soluble fiber, found in cucumbers, blueberries, beans and nuts for example, dissolves into a gel-like texture that slows digestion and helps feed beneficial bacteria. Insoluble fiber, found in dark green leafy vegetables, green beans, celery and carrots, does not dissolve and stays basically intact as it moves through your colon. By adding bulk to your stool, insoluble fiber helps move food through your digestive tract faster for healthy elimination. Sometimes referred to as roughage, insoluble fiber also helps clean your colon and remove food particles that, if stuck to the walls of your colon, may cause bloating, pain and constipation. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests daily targets for women and men at 25 and 38 grams of fiber respectively,10 while the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends getting 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed. I believe both of these may be insufficient for optimal health. My recommendation for daily fiber intake is 25 to 50 grams per 1,000 calories consumed. When adding more fiber to your diet, do it gradually, and be sure to drink plenty of water along with it. Without sufficient amounts of water, the fiber will not pass smoothly through your system, and may actually worsen constipation instead. 3. Eat These Top Four Foods for RegularityWhile whole foods in general will help optimize your gut health, and many different kinds of leafy greens, root vegetables, fruits, berries, seeds11 and mushrooms12 will provide healthy fiber, some foods are better for preventing and treating constipation than others. Four top contenders, shown to have a beneficial impact on chronic constipation are: • Fermented vegetables — I strongly recommend incorporating fermented foods to help "reseed" your gut with beneficial bacteria that will help you regain and maintain bowel regularity. The video above includes a short demonstration of how to make your own fermented foods at home. • Organic nonpasteurized kefir — In one 2014 study,13 patients with functional constipation who consumed 500 milliliters of probiotic kefir daily for four weeks significantly improved their symptoms, increasing stool frequency and consistency, and reducing straining and the need for laxatives. According to the authors, the results "suggest that kefir improves bowel satisfaction scores and accelerates colonic transit." • Artichoke — Very long-chained inulin extracted from globe artichoke has been shown to improve intestinal microbiota by having a prebiotic effect.14 In another study,15 daily supplementation with 15 grams of inulin from chicory improved constipation and quality of life in elderly people with constipation. • Kiwi — According to a 2013 study,16 "Clinical studies in a range of adult populations consistently indicate that kiwifruit are a highly effective dietary option to promote laxation. This, together with emerging evidence for the putative effects of kiwifruit in beneficially promoting gastric emptying … suggests that kiwifruit are physiologically active throughout the gastrointestinal tract." 4. Try These Top Five Supplements if You're ConstipatedCertain supplements can also help improve your regularity, whether you're struggling with constipation or diarrhea. Among them: • Organic psyllium17 — Taking organic psyllium three times a day could add as much as 18 grams of fiber (soluble and insoluble) to your diet. Ideally, you'll want to get around 50 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed, so you'll want to use psyllium in addition to a veggie-rich diet. A report18 funded by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Foundation found that were U.S. adults over the age of 55 with heart disease to take psyllium dietary fiber on a daily basis, it could cut health costs by nearly $4.4 billion a year by reducing coronary heart disease-related medical events by 11.5 percent. Just keep in mind that psyllium is a heavily sprayed crop, which means many sources are contaminated with pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. For this reason, only use organic unsweetened psyllium husk. • Magnesium — One of the most popular short-term natural supplements that is effective against constipation is magnesium.19 It both softens stool (by drawing water into your intestines) and relaxes your muscles, allowing for easier elimination and less straining. Begin by taking 200 milligrams of oral magnesium citrate each day and gradually increase the amount until the consistency of your stool improves. (Magnesium comes in several forms including chelate, threonate, citrate and sulfate. Citrate is the form that has the most effect on your intestinal tract and helps produce loose stools.) • Pancreatic enzymes — In one small pilot study,20 the pancreatic enzyme lipase was found to improve stool consistency and reduce bloating, cramping and urgency in patients struggling with diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). • Probiotics — A systematic review and meta-analysis21 published in 2014 concluded that probiotics help improve "whole gut transit time, stool frequency and stool consistency" in patients with functional constipation. B. lactis was found to be particularly helpful in this regard. • Sporebiotics — Spore-based probiotics are part of a group of derivatives of the microbe called bacillus. Sporebiotics do not contain any live bacillus strains, only its spores — the protective shell around the DNA and the working mechanism of that DNA — which makes them particularly beneficial when you have to take antibiotics, as the spores are not affected by these drugs. In one recent study,22 otherwise healthy people who struggled with loose stools who took Bacillus subtilis C-3102 daily for eight weeks saw significant improvement. The consistency of stool "approached the normal state" after the first four weeks. 5. Squatting Enhances EliminationSitting on your toilet may be comfortable, but placement of your knees and upper legs at 90 degrees to your abdomen actually pinches off your anal canal and makes having a bowel movement more difficult. On the other hand, when you squat, your knees are brought closer to your abdomen, which changes the relationship of your rectum and sphincter, positioning your organs and muscles in a way that relaxes your rectum. This maximizes the efficiency of your evacuation. When you're in a squatting position, muscles around your rectum and pubic bones are allowed to relax, thereby encouraging complete emptying of your rectum and cecum without straining. It also reduces the potential for stagnation of stool in your lower intestines and subsequent accumulation of toxins that impact the growth of your gut microbiome. While squatting without support can be challenging if you're not used to it, using an inexpensive foot stool can help you achieve the proper body position while keeping you stable. In one study,23,24,25 discussed in the short video above, 71 percent of patients who used a toilet foot stool reported their bowel movements were faster, and 90 percent experienced less straining. After the study was completed, two-thirds of the participants said they'd continue using the foot stool. 6. Consider Installing a BidetLast but not least, consider installing a bidet in your bathroom. While many Americans are leery of the bidet at first, once you've tried one, you're likely to never want to be without it. For those who aren't familiar with how they work, a bidet looks similar to a toilet but it is designed to help you freshen up after toilet use. Most modern bidets have one or more jets that spray water, allowing you to straddle the device for a cleansing far superior to toilet paper. Today, there are also easy-to-use bidet seats that you can put atop a regular toilet, and bidet toilets, which are like a toilet and a bidet in one (a wand under the seat sprays water). A simple bidet attachment can be bought for $50.26 Aside from improving your health and hygiene, which is priceless, this kind of attachment will pay for itself in a year or less in toilet paper alone. As noted by bidet.org,27 "If you are constipated the water from the bidet can relax and stimulate your sphincter muscles, making it easier to have a bowel movement and requiring less straining and pushing. This can prevent hemorrhoids, anal fissures and even rectal prolapse." Many of these issues are quite painful. By thoroughly cleansing the area with warm water and then gently patting it dry with a clean towel, you may minimize your risk for infection, and avoid the pain of wiping with toilet tissue. A bidet may also minimize pain and discomfort associated with anal fistulas, anal itching, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and IBS. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/23/effective-way-to-improve-constipation.aspx Using convoluted logic to protect their profit margins, Big Soda, and particularly Coca-Cola, is using some of the same strategies in China that got them into public relations trouble in the U.S. Sweetened beverages have been identified as a major contributor to the rising rate of obesity and diabetes around the world, including a meteoric rise in China. In light of this evidence, many public health organizations are beginning to take a stand against added sugar, including the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Although science has demonstrated glucose and fructose are metabolized differently, some public health organizations continue to claim obesity is a matter of consuming more calories than you burn. Evidence shows sugar wields harmful metabolic effects beyond simple calories and appears to be addictive, leading some to suggest elimination and not moderation is the best option. However, this would significantly impact Big Sodas profit margin as all of their products contain sugar or sugar substitutes. To offset the push for better health through eating nutritious foods, the food, chemical and biotechnology industries built an intricate and powerful system to manipulate public and scientific opinion. For instance, Coca-Cola funded the Global Energy Balance Network aimed at producing confusing information about soda science.1 Once their astroturfing tactics were discovered, the group was disbanded. In much the same way AstroTurf mimics real grass, astroturfing is the practice of masking the sponsors of a message or organization so it appears as though it originates from a grassroots effort. One 12-ounce can of regular soda has 33 grams of sugar and 36 grams of net carbohydrates, far more than your body can safely handle in a day. As soda sales are dropping in the U.S., Big Soda has identified a market ripe for the picking, where oversight is limited and free media coverage is not allowed. Big Soda Finds a Burgeoning Market in ChinaToday, China is Coke's third largest market by volume,2 as the industry battles public opinion after the U.S. Surgeon General called on all Americans to fight obesity by reducing their sugar intake. Big soda has not given up without a fight as they blocked New York City's ban on large drink sizes and lobbied against soda restrictions. The industry has funded exercise specialists to promote physical activity as the best solution to obesity in an effort to divert attention away from the proven link between what you eat and your weight. As sales are plummeting, the industry recognizes it's losing the battle. A Gallup Poll3 in 2014 revealed 63 percent of Americans were actively trying to avoid soda, as compared to 41 percent polled in 2002.4 As the number of nations raising a price on sugary drinks with taxes continues to rise, this year topping 30, the U.S., China and Australia have not followed suit.5 Each of these countries struggle with an epidemic of obesity and health related problems, including cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. China continues to have vastly underdeveloped markets for products associated with an "American way of life," which Big Soda, and particularly Coca-Cola, has been able to take advantage of. With a substantial population, huge growth potential remains for the conglomerate, making it "critically important to the future growth of our business," according to Coke chairman of the board and former chief executive officer Muhtar Kent.6 Industry Efforts Wildly Successful Without Watchdog Organizations and Free MediaCoca-Cola's efforts have been dangerously successful, in part because of their close relationship with the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) — a corporate funded organization founded by a former Coca-Cola senior vice president.7 Ostensibly, the organization claims to bring together scientists from industry, government and academia to "provide science that improves public health." The organization is funded by food and beverage corporations, such as Nestle, McDonald's, Coke and PepsiCo, and has established standard levels of giving expected from their participating organizations. However, evidence suggests the organization is a front aimed at influencing science and policies to benefit corporate interests over public health. According to internal documents, the organization is funded by the food and agriculture industries with influence extending to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Emails obtained by U.S. Right to Know8 through freedom of information act (FOIA) requests, reveal the CDC director, charged with preventing heart disease and stroke, has tried to help ILSI influence the WHO to back off anti-sugar talks. Ever since ILSI's inception, Coca-Cola has maintained close ties and has gone to great lengths to shift the blame for obesity away from sugar and onto exercise. Their close relationship in China goes significantly further than what the ILSI has been able to achieve in the West.9 In an investigative report published in the BMJ by Susan Greenhalgh, an anthropologist at Harvard University who has studied science policy in China, alleges Coke has quietly influenced how China has tackled growing rates of obesity by promoting exercise over nutrition.10 She began corresponding with scientists in China as she was originally interested in chronicling the history of obesity in the country. China's obesity rate has been especially pronounced; in 1991, 20 percent were obese, but by 2011 it had risen to 42 percent of the population. According to Greenhalgh,11 "The major takeaway is that Coca-Cola's influence is global. It has been able to quietly influence the science and policy of chronic disease, including obesity." ILSI's Close Ties With China Influences Governmental PolicyGreenhalgh's investigation centered on the ILSI organization, which infamously was once accused by WHO as having received money from the tobacco industry, which it then used to promote research downplaying the effects of secondhand smoke. The organization now has more than 12 branches in several countries, including China, and a particularly close relationship with the Chinese government. From 2004 to 2015, ILSI-China sponsored or cosponsored six international obesity conferences featuring scientist who promoted fitness, not diet, as the key to preventing and lowering obesity rates.12 The ILSI-China headquarters is located inside the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the equivalent of the U.S. CDC.13 Without the freedom to publish investigative pieces in the way possible in the U.S. and other countries, state-run publications do not criticize the government's relationship with ILSI-China. In Greenhalgh's conversations with Chinese scientists she found they didn't appear bothered by the industry's close ties, as scientists are elsewhere.14 In a report from UNICEF, childhood obesity skyrocketed after 1990. According to the researchers, 15 "China is home to a staggering number of obese children." One Chinese government campaign, Happy 10 Minutes, encourages children to exercise for 10 minutes each day in what would seem to be a positive step toward improving public health.16 However, the initiative emphasizes exercise over nutrition, against most research demonstrating you can never out-exercise what you eat. It happens the fitness-is-best message has been the handiwork of Coca-Cola and other food and beverage giants that have helped to shape decades of public policy on obesity and diet-related illnesses. The industry's efforts to manipulate nutrition science and policy in the U.S. is well-documented. In a paper published in the Journal of Public Health policy, researchers wrote:17
Big Soda Wants to Avoid Any Blame for Rising Rates of ObesityThe stunning influence Coca-Cola is wielding in China was in part developed to protect their financial interests and to engender as much support as possible to lay blame for obesity on any other doorstep except sugary beverages. Coca-Cola's influence over Chinese society began in the late 1970s when it began exploiting limited opportunities for Chinese researchers to access funds.18 ILSI began promoting the narrative that all foods and drinks could potentially be part of a healthy diet. Interestingly, this was the core message of the Global Energy Balance Network, which Coca-Cola believed could be used as a "weapon" to "change the conversation" about obesity and divert attention away from their products.19 A rising urban population with access to disposable income and a growing demand for international cuisine has driven obesity to the point China now lays claim to the title as having the largest overweight population in the world, bumping the U.S. to second place.20 There are more than 43 million men and 46 million women in China classified as overweight. But, while ILSI continues to push exercise over eating nutritional foods, there has been no shortage of research linking excessive sugar consumption with obesity, and the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages appears to have a particularly strong link. UCLA researchers found adults who drank at least one sugar-sweetened beverage a day are 27 percent more likely to be overweight or obese.21 Even those who only drank soda occasionally had a 15 percent greater risk, and a growing number of studies have linked rising childhood obesity rates to increased consumption of sugary beverages as well. As Marion Nestle, Ph.D., who holds a master's degree in public health from University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, wrote in The Guardian:22
China Focuses on Reducing Rising Obesity Without Addressing Dietary ChangesIn response to a progressively unhealthy lifestyle, the Chinese government has initiated a Healthy China 2030 plan with the aim to make China healthy by 2030. The blueprint for the plan includes promotion of health as a habit and the goal to bump the population's life expectancy by four years. WHO believes this may be a move to put health at the center of the country's entire policymaking machinery. Interestingly, food and beverage companies have also jumped on the bandwagon, heralding Healthy China 2030 as a positive step in public health policy. The excitement of the food and beverage industry may be related to what appears to be their influence on the policy.24 In reading through the plan it's easy to see key indicators of their influence, including frequent exercise, integrating sports and exercise with medical care, and promoting physical exercise. The plan calls for developing a well-balanced diet by improving knowledge and literacy rates, reducing nutritional deficiencies and reducing the average daily salt intake by 20 percent. However, the plan does not discuss any other nutritional changes, sugar intake or what a balanced diet may look like. Choosing Healthier Beverages Reduces Your Risk of Obesity and Ill HealthDon't fall into the trap of reaching for a soda when you're thirsty. For a discussion of the other side effects of drinking sweetened beverages, including links to research demonstrating a higher risk of depression, metabolic syndrome, stroke and dementia, see my previous article, "Give Up Soda." Instead, consider swapping out your soda for clean water, a cup of black organic coffee, fresh juicing or tea. Each of these options have significant health benefits associated with consumption, taste great and offer some of the same energy boosting effects you're looking for in caffeinated sodas. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/23/coke-manipulate-public-health-policy-in-china.aspx It is unfortunate how many fail to fully appreciate the impact your oral health has on your overall health. The delicate balance of bacteria in your mouth may be as important to your health as your gut microbiome. For example, periodontal disease affecting the soft tissues and bone is triggered by an increase in a gram-negative oral anaerobes bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis. This bacterium impairs your immune response, while dental cavities are linked to Streptococcus mutans.1 Research has connected periodontal disease to Type 2 diabetes2 and finds failing to brush twice a day increases your risk of dementia by as much as 65 percent. Good oral hygiene may also lower your risk of pneumonia by 40 percent.3 Antibacterial mouthwashes and rinses also adversely affect your oral microbiome. In a recent statement4 from the American Dental Association (ADA), they reaffirm the importance of flossing to oral hygiene and the reduction of tooth decay and gum disease, which develops when plaque builds up on the teeth and along the gum line. According to the ADA, these interdental devices, such as floss, are essential to taking care of your teeth and gums. However, researchers have now discovered5 use of dental floss may actually increase your exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of man-made, persistent chemicals manufactured for use in food packaging, household products and in the workplace.6 Dental Floss Use Linked to Higher PFAS LevelsAccording to a study led by Silent Spring Institute in collaboration with the Public Health Institute in Berkeley California, results suggest certain types of behavior, including flossing, may contribute to elevated levels of PFAS chemicals.7 Researchers believe this is the first study to show an association between Oral-B Glide dental floss and higher exposure to PFAS — water- and grease-proof substances linked with numerous health problems. The study was published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology as a special issue dedicated to PFAS. Past research has demonstrated exposure increases directly from products being used and foods wrapped in PFAS-containing packaging. Since the chemicals are persistent in the environment, you may also be exposed through indoor air and dust or contaminated drinking water.8 Although scientists have known PFAS compounds are used in Oral-B Glide floss, Courtney Carignan, associate professor of food science and toxicology at Michigan State University, who was not a part of the study, states this finding suggests it may be more important than expected.9 In a response to Buzzfeed, Proctor & Gamble, owner of the Oral B and Crest brands, said it stands by the safety of all its products.10 In addition to blood levels, the researchers analyzed the chemical makeup of dental floss finding six brands tested positive for fluorine, an element indicating the presence of PFAS compounds. The products testing positive were:11
Another expert not involved in the study pointed out fluoride, which also contains fluorine, is sometimes added to dental products. However, study author Katie Boronow from Silent Spring Institute, said none of the products were advertised to contain fluoride for dental health.12 Boronow stressed the goal of the study was to get a clearer idea of how chemicals are absorbed, aside from contaminated drinking water or PFAS chemical contamination at work.13 'Forever Chemicals' Are Found in Multiple ProductsUntil recently, most PFAS chemicals were commonly referred to as PFC, or perfluorinated compounds. PFAS is now used by the scientific community and decision-makers in order to include the entire class of chemicals characterized by a chain of fluorine carbon bonds, among the strongest in chemistry. The stability of PFAS means they are persistent in the environment and in your body, thus becoming known colloquially as "forever chemicals." Additionally, science is now beginning to understand the wide range of potential health effects, including several types of cancers, elevated cholesterol and a negative impact on liver function. PFAS have caused quite a commotion in recent times. During this past year alone, the state of Minnesota settled a lawsuit against 3M,14 the EPA held a PFAS summit during which they threw out some members of the press,15 and the Trump Administration attempted to suppress data on the effect PFAS have on public health, believing it would cause a "public relations nightmare."16 This class of industrially produced chemicals are found in many products, including fire retardant foam, food packaging and cosmetics. Water sources supplying more than 30 communities across the U.S. are contaminated with dangerously high levels of PFAS chemicals,17 stain resistant chemicals with an interesting relationship to water. The chemicals may be both attracted to and repelled by water, making them a unique class that remains intact in water, air and bodies for thousands of years.18 Manufacturers may have found them useful in camping gear, carpeting and nonstick cookware — that is until you consider the health trade-off. Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals Pollute Water Supply for MillionsIn the report19 the Trump administration tried to suppress, data detailed widespread PFOA contamination and suggested the chemicals are dangerous at levels at least seven to 10 times lower than the EPA's current safety threshold. The current advisory level for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water is 70 parts per trillion (ppt), but environmental groups have long said this is still far too high. The report from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recommends the levels should be dropped to 7 ppt and 11 ppt for PFOA and PFOS respectively. A study by Harvard University20 found 16.5 million Americans have detectable levels of at least one form of PFAS in their drinking water and nearly 6 million are drinking water containing PFAS at or above the current EPA safety levels. Should the EPA drop their safety level according to a ASTDR's recommendations, it would drastically increase the number of Americans who are legitimately at risk. The highest concentration levels of PFASs were found in watersheds near industrial sites, military fire training areas and wastewater treatment plants, but private wells were also found to be contaminated. Testing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, revealed 19 municipal wells, representing 28 percent of the city's water, have high levels of PFAS as a result of liberal use of firefighting foam by the South Dakota Air National Guard and Sioux Falls fire department decades ago. This toxic legacy persists since PFAS doesn't break down in the environment. The wells were originally tested in 2011 but results were not released to the residents until 2016, when further testing led to more wells being shut down. At least 12 wells have been found contaminated at levels above 200 to 3,500 times the EPA's advisory level of 70 ppt.21 The U.S. Department of Defense report at least 126 water systems near military bases are contaminated due to their use of firefighting foam. While other countries are now using foam without these toxic chemicals, the U.S. military continues to use those manufactured with PFAS. Sharon Lerner, a reporting fellow at The Investigative Fund and an investigative journalist for The Intercept and other major media outlets reports:22
Toxic Cookware Has Been Polluting Water for DecadesThe perception has been that what is on dental floss or your cookware likely stays in place. However, multiple studies demonstrate toxic chemicals have been leaching from your household products and contaminating your body and the environment. One of the PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, also known as C8), has been found to be more dangerous than previously thought. DuPont manufactured PFOA to make Teflon cookware for nearly 50 years. Throughout that time, the company defended the safety of the chemical despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. To this day, DuPont continues to resist accountability for any health problems resulting from exposure. These battles continue to play out in the court system as DuPont fights allegations C8 has triggered multiple health problems. The legal battles uncovered internal documents demonstrating DuPont was fully aware of the danger to the public and employees and yet continue using it. After seven years of research, the results of which are detailed in more than three dozen peer-reviewed papers, the C8 science panel has linked PFOA to:24
Serious Health Risks Associated With PFASThe list of health risks associated with PFAS continues to grow. The ASTDR's report notes evidence of negative liver, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, reproductive and developmental effects. Other studies have revealed subtle effects, such as an increased risk of obesity in children, when exposure occurred in utero.25 In May 2015, more than 200 scientists from 40 countries signed the Madrid statement warning about the harms of PFAS chemicals and documenting the following potential effects from exposure:26
Take Steps to Reduce Your ExposureSince governmental agencies are exceptionally slow at regulating the toxins you may be exposed to in the products you purchase, it is up to you to limit your exposure making safer lifestyle choices. Consider the following to limit how much PFAS chemicals you come into contact with each day.
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/23/dental-floss-toxic-chemicals-exposure.aspx 30 Tips in 30 Days Designed to Help You Take Control of Your Health This article is included in Dr. Mercola's All-Time Top 30 Health Tips series. Every day during the month of January, a new tip will be added that will help you take control of your health. Want to see the full list? Click here. Vaccines have quickly become Big Pharma's most lucrative profit center. Currently valued at more than $34 billion a year, the vaccine industry is projected to exceed $49 billion by 2022.1 There are several reasons for this rapid growth. Not only are vaccines priced much higher than pills, but governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are also engaged in the marketing of vaccines. These unethical partnerships, which use both taxpayer and NGO money, advance misleading research intended to frighten the public. Worse, they discredit vaccine critics who raise legitimate safety and efficacy questions and even discredit the families and victims of vaccine injuries themselves. To cash in on vaccine profits, Big Pharma, governments and NGOs have cast all vaccines as "life-saving." One of the clearest examples is the attempt to present the HPV vaccine as an "anticancer" vaccine, even though there's not a single shred of evidence that it actually has an impact on cervical cancer rates. Meanwhile, mounting evidence of serious harm and death caused by the HPV vaccine is being ignored or cast aside as "coincidental." To Avoid Vaccine Injury, Educate Yourself About the RisksThe official stance repeated by most mainstream media is that vaccines have been thoroughly researched, that "hundreds" of studies have proven their safety, and that no link between vaccines and health problems, such as autism, have ever been found. It sounds definitive enough, and is often repeated as established fact. Yet it's far from the whole truth. Importantly, the vaccine industry has long shied away from evaluating vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations to determine potential differences in general health outcomes. The few independent scientists who have attempted such an investigation have little comfort to give to those who believe vaccines are essential for health, and mandatory use of vaccines by all children is the only way to protect society from disease. Vaccine May Actually Be Doing More Harm Than GoodOne such study,2 published in 2017, examined health outcomes among infants 3 to 5 months old following the introduction of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and oral polio vaccine in Guinea-Bissau, which took place in the early 1980s. This population offered the rare opportunity to compare vaccinated and unvaccinated children due to the way the vaccines were rolled out in the West African country. Shockingly, researchers discovered "DTP was associated with fivefold higher mortality than being unvaccinated." According to the authors, "All currently available evidence suggests that DTP vaccine may kill more children from other causes than it saves from diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis." In short, the researchers concluded that DTP vaccine weakened the children's immune systems, rendering them vulnerable to a whole host of other often deadly diseases and serious health problems. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that children receive 69 doses of 16 vaccines by the time they're 18 years old, with 50 doses of 14 vaccines given before the age of 6.3 This, despite the fact that no thorough investigation has ever been conducted to determine how all of these vaccines actually affect a child's health. What's worse, no one is tracking the health outcomes of children who adhere to the federally recommended childhood vaccine schedule and state mandatory vaccination programs. Lawyers with the U.S. Justice Department also defend vaccines in the federal vaccine injury compensation program (VICP), commonly referred to as "vaccine court," which means the U.S. government has a stake in maintaining the illusion that vaccines are a necessary lifesaving measure that causes minimal harm. High Vaccination Rate Does Not Translate Into Better Infant HealthWhat we do know is that: • The U.S. has the highest vaccination rate in the world, with 94 to 96 percent of children entering kindergarten having received multiple doses of vaccines4 • The U.S. also has one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates of any developed nation5,6 • 1 in 6 American children has a developmental disability, which includes ADD, ADHD, autism, hearing loss, learning disabilities, mental disabilities, seizures and stammering — many of which are also listed or known side effects of vaccines • 54 percent of children have a diagnosed chronic illness, including anxiety, asthma, behavioral problems, bone and muscle disorders, chronic ear infections, depression, diabetes, food and/or environmental allergies and epilepsy. This list again mirrors many of the acknowledged side effects of vaccines, and the rise in prevalence of these diseases parallel the rise in required vaccines, yet vaccine promoters insist that these illnesses are in no way associated with vaccinations Common Vaccine Side EffectsBoth the U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court have also admitted that government licensed and recommended childhood vaccines are "unavoidably unsafe,"7 and possible side effects that are actually listed on vaccine inserts include:
Vaccines also have the highest number of recalls of any drug, which speaks to their "unavoidably unsafe" nature. Victims have also received compensation from the federal vaccine injury compensation program (VICP) for the following (and other) injuries:
The Vaccines-Autism Link RevivedAccording to the latest survey,8,9 1 in 40 American children between the ages of 3 and 17 is now on the autism spectrum. This shocking update was published in the journal Pediatrics in December 2018. In 2014, the rate was 1 in 59; in 2010, it was 1 in 68; in 2000, it was 1 in 150.10 To say we're looking at exponential growth would be an understatement. But do vaccines have anything to do with this trend? According to a Full Measure report11 by award-winning investigative reporter and former CBS correspondent Sharyl Attkisson, Dr. Andrew Zimmerman, a pediatric neurologist, was the pro-vaccine expert witness the government used to debunk and turn down autism claims in vaccine court.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., chairman of The World Mercury Project, was the one who convinced Zimmerman to speak out about the cover-up. In a sworn affidavit, dated September 7, 2018, Zimmerman states that, in 2007, he told DOJ lawyers he had "discovered exceptions in which vaccinations could cause autism."
A week after this 2007 meeting, the DOJ fired him, saying his services would no longer be needed. According to Zimmerman, the DOJ then went on to misrepresent his opinion in future cases, making no mention of the exceptions he'd informed them of. Kennedy has now filed a fraud complaint with the DOJ Inspector General. William Thompson, Ph.D., a senior scientist at the CDC's National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, has also confessed to covering up links found between vaccines and autism, in this case the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. According to Thompson, this scientific fraud was committed for the express purpose of covering up potential safety problems so the agency would be able to maintain that the MMR vaccine had been proven safe to give to all children. By eliminating the incriminating data, the link vanished, and this research has been cited as proof ever since that vaccines don't cause autism. Attkisson's report also reveals how Congressmen who wanted to investigate the autism-vaccine link were bullied, harassed and threatened. Dan Burton (R-IN), Dr. Dave Weldon (R-FL) and Bill Posey (R-FL) are among 11 current and former members of Congress and staff who told Attkisson they were warned to drop the vaccine safety issue by PhRMA lobbyists. Vaccines Can Have Serious Consequences for Adults TooWhile children are more susceptible to vaccine damage than adults, grownups can and have been seriously injured and killed by routine vaccinations as well. It's important to realize that no vaccine is 100 percent safe for everyone. As reported by CNN, an oncologist with London's Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust recently died following a routine yellow fever vaccination:12
Might Vaccine Reaction Rate Be as High as 1 in 10?In the video above, Del Bigtree,13 an Emmy Award-winning producer of "The Doctors" talk show for six years, and one of the producers of the documentary, "Vaxxed," discusses vaccine safety, or rather the lack thereof. In it, he recounts how, in 2010, the CDC hired a company to automate the federal vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) in such a way that any potential vaccine reactions reported to doctors participating in the Harvard Pilgrim HMO would automatically be uploaded into the VAERS database. Remarkably, preliminary data showed that out of 376,452 individuals given 45 different vaccines, 35,570 possible vaccine reactions were identified. This means nearly 1 in 10 people suffered a reaction after vaccination concerning enough to be reported, yet the official CDC mantra is that the risk for serious vaccine injury or death is 1 in 1 million. Unfortunately, while the creation of VAERS in 1986 was an opportunity to get a firmer grasp of the number of potential vaccine reactions, injuries and deaths occurring after vaccinations given in the U.S., the CDC didn't follow through, and the project fell by the wayside. Medical Errors Are the Third Leading Cause of Death in the USWhile I've focused a lot of attention on vaccines and the necessity for educating yourself about their risks in this article, vaccines are by far not the only hazard presented by the medical industry. In fact, medical errors in general are the third leading cause of death, killing an estimated 250,000 Americans each year,14,15 an increase of about 25,000 people annually from data published in 2000.16 Side effects from drugs, taken as prescribed, account for the vast majority of iatrogenic deaths, but unnecessary surgeries, medication errors in hospitals, hospital-acquired infections and other medical errors occurring in hospitals also claim their fair share of lives. Research17 published in 2013 estimated that preventable hospital errors kill 210,000 Americans each year — a figure that comes very close to the latest statistics. However, when deaths related to diagnostic errors, errors of omission, and failure to follow guidelines were included, the number skyrocketed to 440,000 preventable hospital deaths each year. 10 Tips to Avoid Medical HarmHow can you avoid becoming one of these statistics? Aside from educating yourself on the risks and benefits of vaccines, here are several additional suggestions:
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/22/tips-to-avoid-medical-harm.aspx Ice cream giant Ben & Jerry's' efforts to dismiss a lawsuit brought against it by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has been rejected. The District of Columbia Superior Court ruled that the suit, which alleges Ben & Jerry's used "smoke and mirrors" marketing aimed at covering up the true sources of its dirty dairy, will move forward. Ben & Jerry's is the fourth top-selling ice cream brand in the world, and thanks to its acquisition by Unilever in 2000, has tripled its sales over the last decade and a half, reaching $1.23 billion in sales in 2016.1 Despite its prolific growth, it's still viewed by many as a socially responsible, environmentally friendly company — an image it has carefully crafted and worked to maintain, including via social media campaigns targeting young adults. However, instead of being a true champion for the environment, Ben & Jerry's continues to source its milk largely from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), betraying both the environment and their customers' trust. Judge Rules Against Ben & Jerry's, Allows Lawsuit to Move AheadBen & Jerry's promotes its ice cream as made from milk from "happy cows" supported by its "Caring Dairy" program, a set of standards for cow care, planet stewardship and farmworkers that are supposed to go beyond the CAFO status quo. According to Ben & Jerry's:2
It sounds good in theory, and looks good in print, but the reality is not so pretty. According to OCA, Ben & Jerry's sources its milk and cream from a cooperative in St. Albans City, Vermont. About 360 farms deliver dairy to the co-op, and fewer than 25 percent of them actually meet the Caring Dairy standards. Further, all the milk at the co-op is mixed together, so Ben & Jerry's receives a mixed vat of Caring Dairy and, primarily, CAFO milk. "[E]ven if some of the milk comes from a farm that actually meets those standards, Ben & Jerry's can't truthfully claim that all of their milk and cream come from dairies that meet the company's 'Caring Dairy' standards," OCA noted.3 Indeed, and the judge agreed. While Ben & Jerry's filed a motion to have OCA's deceptive labeling and marketing lawsuit dismissed, Judge Neal Kravitz stated that the allegations were sufficient to advance a claim that consumers could be misled by Ben & Jerry's' labeling and marketing. "A reasonable consumer could plausibly interpret Ben & Jerry's' labeling and marketing as affirmatively (and inaccurately) communicating that the company's ice cream products are sourced exclusively from Caring Dairies and/or other humane source," he wrote.4 Consumers Could Be Misled About Glyphosate in Ben & Jerry'sIn their suit, OCA also claimed that Ben & Jerry's' marketing could lead consumers to assume that the ice cream contained no harmful chemicals, such as the herbicide glyphosate. Kravitz agreed, noting, "The court concludes that the facts alleged in the complaint are sufficient to support a plausible claim that consumers would be misled by Ben & Jerry's' statements into believing the company's ice cream products contain no traces of chemicals like glyphosate."5 For all their talk about sustainable agricultural practices, if you look at Ben & Jerry's' ice cream labels, you'll notice that they don't mention organic. As such, pesticide usage is fair game and residues are par for the course. In July 2017, OCA reported that 10 of 11 samples of Ben & Jerry's ice cream they tested came back positive for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, and/or its main metabolite AMPA.6 The fan favorites Phish Food, Half Baked and Americone Dream are just a few examples found to contain glyphosate or its metabolites. Also in 2017, OCA called on Ben & Jerry's to immediately transition to using only organic ingredients, including milk, "or face a national and international consumer boycott." Ben & Jerry's responded by stating their products are safe to eat and contain only trace levels below those allowed by regulatory standards. However, daily exposure to even ultra-low levels of glyphosate for two years led to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats in one study.7 After being forced into the negative publicity spotlight, Ben & Jerry's released a "vision of sustainable agriculture," with claims that they would stop using ingredients made with crops chemically dried using glyphosate by 2020, which only applies to their nondairy ingredients. They also claimed that they would come out with a new product line in 2018 that would include organic dairy in the base mix, slated to represent up to 6 percent of total U.S. sales.8 Unfortunately, it seems they have no intention of sourcing the bulk of their dairy from organic sources in the near future, although they did roll out a small selection of light ice cream made with organic milk and cream. As it stands, however, Ben & Jerry's is contributing to the many problems caused by industrialized agriculture, including getting dairy from farms that are polluting Lake Champlain and Lake Carmi in Vermont's Franklin County, the suit alleges. Ben & Jerry's Claims to Be GMO-Free but Is Made With Milk From GMO-Fed CowsWhile Ben & Jerry's doesn't claim to be organic, they do claim to use non-GMO ingredients in their pints and ice cream shops. "We reached this non-GMO milestone in 2014 when we completed the transition of all plant-based ingredients in all* (sic) of our ice cream flavors to non-GMO," they claim.9 For people looking to avoid GMOs, this may seem like a green light to embrace Ben & Jerry's, but here's a juicy little fact: Ben & Jerry's uses conventional, i.e., CAFO, dairy, which is a leading consumer of genetically engineered crops via GMO animal feed. So while their ice cream may not use GMOs directly, it is certainly contributing to the proliferation of GMO crops in the environment. According to the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, "In the United States, livestock have been fed genetically engineered crops since these crops were first introduced in 1996 … Because the majority of corn … and soybeans … are used for livestock feed, it is clear that the livestock industry is a major user of genetically engineered crops."10 If Ben & Jerry's truly wanted to support the GMO-free movement, they have a simple fix at their disposal: Switch to organic ingredients, which, for dairy, means it comes from cows fed only pasture or organic, non-GMO feed. The Non-GMO Project described animal feed as "the key to a non-GMO future," pointing out, "When large-scale livestock and poultry farmers make the switch to non-GMO feed, the face of U.S. agriculture will change."11 Even mainstream companies like yogurt maker Dannon have committed to sourcing non-GMO feed for the animals producing their milk. Yet, Ben & Jerry's keeps stalling. While they could be a major driver to a more sustainable planet, instead they only state, "We are actively seeking cost-effective options for farmers within our supply chain to convert to non-GMO animal feed." Meanwhile, this caveat exists on their Non-GMO Standards webpage:12
Is Ben & Jerry's Exploiting Farmworkers?Part of Ben & Jerry's' deceptive marketing spin involves the migrant workers on Vermont's dairy farms. The company pays less than the cost of production for its dairy, which makes it impossible to attract a local workforce. Most of Ben & Jerry's' dairy comes from farms where workers, mostly from Mexico, are paid low wages, expected to work long hours with little (or no) time off and poor living conditions. As is the case with their spin on environmental responsibility, Ben & Jerry's claims to support a Milk with Dignity agreement, which they developed in partnership with migrant worker rights organization Migrant Justice. They tout that 72 farms, with an estimated 250 migrant workers, are signed up for the program, which is supposed to offer basic farmworker protections, such as minimum wage, one day off a week, eight hours off per 24 hours of work, a bed and running water. Yet, as of August 2018, zero of the 72 farms were actually in compliance with the agreement. What's more, the program is voluntary, which means any of the farms can opt out at any time. Michael Colby, president of Regeneration Vermont, explained:13
Support the Companies Doing Dairy the Right WayThe purpose of OCA's lawsuit is to bring attention and awareness to the fact that one of the biggest "environmentally friendly" ice cream makers in the U.S. is actually supporting an industry that harms animals, the environment and public health. Whether Ben & Jerry's will clean up their act remains to be seen. Colby told Vermont Public Radio that the judge's recent ruling may ultimately force their hand:14
Still, the fact remains that as long as consumers continue to buy Ben & Jerry's' products as is, they have little incentive to change. You can take a stand now by choosing only organic, grass fed ice cream in lieu of Ben & Jerry's. You can also send Ben & Jerry's a message using the online contact form at the bottom of their contact page letting them know why you've chosen to no longer purchase their products. Better yet, call Ben & Jerry's directly (802-846-1500) and ask the company to fulfill their mission statement and go organic. OCA has also created a petition15 to encourage Ben & Jerry's to convert to organic and stop hoodwinking customers into thinking they're organic by claiming to be all-natural and environmentally responsible. I also encourage you to look for The American Grassfed Association (AGA) logo on dairy (and meat), as it ensures the animals were born and raised on American family farms, fed only grass and forage from weaning until harvest, and raised on pasture without confinement to feedlots.16 By buying grass fed or pastured dairy products, you are making a solid choice toward protecting, not polluting, the planet — something Ben & Jerry's would be wise to also consider. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/22/ben-and-jerrys-lawsuit-moves-forward.aspx In the U.S., virtually all newborn babies have their heels pricked when they're between 24 and 48 hours old, typically before they leave the hospital. The purpose is to collect drops of blood to test for certain genetic, metabolic and congenital disorders, including phenylketonuria (PKU), cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and others. This newborn genetic screening started in the 1960s with screening for PKU and is now required in all 50 states, although each state runs its own program. Today, all states test for at least 29 disorders, with some testing for more than 60, but some health care providers may still refer to it as the "PKU test." The conditions included are those that can be effectively treated when caught early, preventing death or disability. Not only is this the only test babies receive that's performed by the state department of health, but it's also mandatory, except in some cases of religious exemption. Every year, nearly 4 million U.S. babies receive newborn screening, and more than 5,000 are identified as having one of the screenable conditions.1 Parents, in the hazy first hours after having a child, may or may not remember their baby receiving the heel prick — and won't hear much else about it, unless their baby is diagnosed with one of the conditions. Yet, in some states, the blood drops taken from the child are not simply disposed of after the test. Instead, they're sent to storage facilities that, in some cases, keep them indefinitely, raising serious concerns about privacy, patients' rights and the right of informed consent. California Runs a Biobank Housing Every Newborn's BloodCalifornia is among a handful of states that store newborn blood spots indefinitely. When CBS station KPIX asked six new moms about the test, and subsequent storage of the leftover blood spots, they were shocked. State law requires that parents be informed of their right to have the samples destroyed, but the information is hidden on Page 13 of a 14-page genetic screening pamphlet given to women along with a stack of other papers in the hours after giving birth — hardly a time when most parents will commit to sorting through folders of paperwork. The pamphlet is supposed to be given to women once before their due date and again in the hospital before the heel prick, but there is no one tracking whether this actually occurs, and many parents say they received the information only after the test was performed, if at all. In a larger poll of California parents, three-quarters similarly were unaware that the state stored leftover blood spots indefinitely, and two-thirds weren't even sure if they received the newborn screening information. California has been storing blood spots since 1983 and has collected more than 9.5 million samples since 2000, according to CBS.2 According to state law, parents don't need to opt-in to having their baby's blood spot stored because blood specimens collected in a hospital or medical facility are not your property but become that of the state.3 According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):4
What Are the Blood Samples Used For?The simplest explanation is that dried blood spots can be used if retesting is required or if the parents need further testing of the baby, but there are far more uses than this. California's newborn screening program uses residual blood spots for quality control, such as ensuring tests are accurate, as well as to develop new tests to add to the panel. They're also used for additional research:5
However, it’s not only government researchers who have access to the samples. According to CBS, California’s biobank has sold 16,000 blood spots since 2013, totaling about $700,000. Private researchers can obtain the blood spots for $20 to $40 each, and though they must meet certain criteria for their request to be granted, it’s possible that the samples could fall into the wrong hands. When asked whether it was possible for blood spots to be requested for a certain purpose but used for another, Fred Lorey, the former director of the California Genetic Disease Screening Program, told CBS, "I want to say no … But I'm not ready to say no because I know how humans can be sometimes."6 Law Enforcement May Also Access the Blood SamplesAside from researchers, blood spots have been used by coroners to identify bodies as well as by parents looking for paternity testing. Law enforcement can also gain access to blood spots if they have a court order, and in this case the blood spots are identified. "[Consumer Watchdog's Jamie] Court points to the recent case of the Golden State Killer. Investigators used public ancestry sites to identify a murder suspect using decades-old unidentified DNA from a crime scene," CBS reported.7 While California states that their screening program does not store information about babies' DNA or store a "DNA profile" or DNA database, there's debate over whether blood spots can truly stay anonymous. In California, the blood spots are given only a number and are stored in a separate building from the identifying information, which is removed from the server and microfiched after a few years. Yet, according to Court, "There is no such thing as de-identified DNA … The very nature of DNA is that it identifies you and your genetic code specifically."8 The Citizens' Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) even went so far as to question whether newborn genetic screening could be the new eugenics, noting, "the eugenic programs of the 20th century may now have transformed themselves into 21st century State and Federal 'public health genetics' programs."9 They suggest that informed written parent consent is needed to protect citizens, including newborns, and recommend the following protective strategies: • Allow parents to choose the conditions for which their child is tested • Destruct current state newborn DNA repositories • Require informed written consent before newborn blood is taken for: ◦ Newborn genetic screening ◦ Government storage of test results and newborn DNA ◦ Research using newborn DNA and newborn genetic test results "Finally," CCHF states, "State legislatures should privatize newborn genetic screening programs to protect citizens from State genetic registries, State ownership of citizen DNA, government research projects, and intrusive government interference in private family and medical decisions."10 Families Sue Government for Using Stored Blood Spots Without PermissionIf you're thinking that storing babies' blood spots without parents' consent sounds like an overreach of government or legal authority, you're not the only one. In 2008, five families sued the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Texas A&M University for just that. The state had changed its policy regarding newborn screening samples in 2002 from destroying them to giving them to researchers. The suit alleged that this violated the parents' rights under the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. The case was settled and DSHS was required to publically list where the blood spots had been used for research. In addition to giving them to pharmaceutical companies, the samples were provided to the U.S. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, prompting another lawsuit that DSHS acted with deception in distributing the samples.11 Although the case was ultimately dismissed, Texas destroyed millions of stored blood spots and now requires parents to opt-in to the storage program while disclosing whether they're planning to distribute the sample and to whom. Newsweek reported that while most people are supportive of allowing states to keep blood spots and store them, provided they give permission and receive explanations, it deserves a second thought:12
CCHF also highlighted a case in Michigan in which parents sued the state for storing and using their child's blood without their consent. A judge dismissed the case, claiming the actions did not cause "harm," but CCHF disagreed, pointing out the following instances of harm that result from the storage of newborn DNA:13
Can You Protect Your Baby's Privacy?If you like the idea of having your newborn screened for genetic diseases but don't want your child's blood spot stored, you may be able to opt out. First, contact your state health department and find out what the storage policies are for blood spots taken for newborn screening. CCHF maintains data on how long state governments keep the samples as well as opt-out forms for Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.14 California also allows parents to request that their baby's blood spots be destroyed, via this form. While it's clear that large databases of newborn blood samples provide unprecedented research opportunities, there's also the potential for such samples to be used in unforeseen ways that threaten privacy. At the very least, parents have the right to informed consent not only about genetic testing for their child but also how their related blood samples are used in the future. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/22/baby-pku-test.aspx Bees provide a vital function to sustain life on Earth. Without their tireless service through the pollination of trees and crops, we would simply not be able to put food on the table. Through pollination, the simple transfer of grains of pollen from one plant to another, bees fertilize the flowers of crops and other plants, ensuring seed production. Some plants rely on wind, others are self-pollinating, but most need the services of natural pollinators such as honey bees. In addition to providing benefit to the agricultural industry, they also pollinate wild plants and flowers, helping preserve natural forests and a wealth of flowering plants. An indirect benefit of honey bees, yet a crucial one, are the wild plants they pollinate which feed numerous animal species. Loss of the honeybee would mean a collapse of the natural ecosystem, beginning with vegetation and ending with the animals that rely on this vegetation as a food supply, including humans. The process of turning flower nectar into honey is one marvel happening in the beehive. Health benefits from bee products are significant, including bee propolis and royal jelly. However, it is important the products you consume are from a pesticide-free source as products created in the hive are concentrated. Unfortunately, this becomes more difficult each year as more farmers use neonicotinoids pesticides. In one sampling collected around the world, researchers found 75 percent of honey collected were contaminated with neonicotinoids and 45 percent contained two or more pesticides.1 Honey, Pollen, Propolis and Royal JellyIn this interview with Chris Kresser, Carly Stein, owner of Bee Keepers Natural, describes the variety of products produced by a healthy hive, the benefits to human health and the necessity for protecting the bee population. The first product is honey, which is a source of food for the bees, providing the insect with necessary carbohydrates. The honey is rich in enzymes and minerals and raw honey is a powerful antioxidant with natural antiviral properties. Bee pollen is a product many have been taking for years, and is the main source of protein for the bee, used to fuel their athletic endeavors each day of carrying almost half their body weight in flower pollen back to the hive. Bee pollen is packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B and more protein per gram than any animal product. In essence it is an all-natural, food-based, bioavailable nutrient boost.2 Bees make propolis from tree resin and use it to line the hive as a natural immune system, protecting the insects inside from outside germs. Propolis contains over 300 natural and powerful compounds to support immunity. Bees also line the front entrance of the hive with propolis in order to decontaminate themselves before coming in. If honey is the carbohydrates, pollen are the proteins and propolis is the immune system, then royal jelly is the superfood of the hive. This is the substance the hive uses to create the queen bee. Within the first three days of development, all larvae are fed royal jelly. Then only one larvae, destined to become the queen, will exclusively eat royal jelly.3 The queen grows significantly larger than the rest of the bees and may lay up to 1,500 eggs a day, while other females do not develop reproductive organs. She can live three to five years, as compared to regular foraging bees, which may live only six to eight weeks. Royal jelly has been used cross-culturally for decades. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners use it to improve fertility and as a hormone stabilizer with known immune modulating properties. Western medicine, researchers have evaluated the effects it has on the brain, specifically on focus, memory and reducing the potential of dementia. Effect of Royal Jelly on Brain HealthNootropics are substances that may improve cognitive function, specifically executive function such as memory, creativity or motivation. They are sometimes called “smart drugs” as are used to improve mental performance and have gained popularity in a highly competitive society valuing speed and performance. Royal jelly is one of those substances. Royal jelly is unique in that it contains proteins, sugars, fats and amino acids.4 However, it is the compound acetylcholine in the royal jelly that likely gives it its nootropic effects. Acetylcholine is an abundant neurotransmitter, found in your central and peripheral nervous system. It helps to activate pain responses, regulates your endocrine system and rapid eye movement sleep function.5 Deficiencies can lead to myasthenia gravis, characterized by muscle weakness. Although there are foods with an abundance of choline, a precursor to acetylcholine, royal jelly is the only food source containing acetylcholine. This essential nutrient is used by the brain in mood, mental alertness, concentration and memory functions, qualities that dim or are lost with cognitive impairment and dementia. In fact, acetylcholine activity is a target of Alzheimer drugs that block the breakdown of this neurotransmitter to reduce symptoms.6 Royal jelly has a beneficial role in neural functioning and findings support the potential neuroprotective role of royal jelly.7 Oral administration of royal jelly in an animal model produced a promising avenue for ameliorating neuronal functioning through regeneration of hippocampal granule cells, necessary in the cognitive process.8 In a recent study evaluating the worldwide use of neonicotinoid pesticides and the link to the declining bee populations, researchers found the pesticides had an adverse effect on the acetylcholine the bees produced. The authors believe this is a new discovery of how the neurotoxic effects of the pesticides may be killing honeybees.9 Royal Jelly May Facilitate Stem Cell ResearchThree days after a mammalian egg is fertilized, the inner cell mass can be isolated, containing embryonic stem cells designed to develop into a baby. Stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they have the ability to turn into any type of tissue in the mammal from which they came. Adult stem cells are multipotent, meaning they have the ability to form a subset of tissue but are limited.10 In order for researchers to successfully use embryonic stem cells, they must be kept in their native state as long as possible. Since embryonic stem cells have the potential to grow into different cells serving specialized functions, they are valuable for research. However, growing embryonic stem cells in the lab creates a challenge as their natural inclination is to quickly move out of their pluripotent state to differentiate. In a recent study11 by Stanford University scientists, the team found royalactin, also known as major royal jelly protein 1, could stop embryonic cell differentiation and keep the cells in their embryonic state for up to 20 generations in culture. Normally, scientists use an inhibitor factor to prevent differentiation when grown in culture. The researchers also identified a protein with similar qualities found in mammals, which they named Regina. In their next step, the team plans to investigate whether this mammalian equivalent of royalactin has the ability to affect cell regeneration and wound healing in adult animals.12 Propolis, the Original AntibioticStein calls propolis the original antibiotic, in reference to the strong association it has in supporting your immune system through antimicrobial action. Propolis has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine as an antimicrobial and antioxidant, and for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Through the inhibition of the activity of certain enzymes that synthesize glucans from sucrose, bee propolis has been found to prevent the formation of dental plaque.13 Propolis is also used for canker sores and infections caused by bacteria, including tuberculosis and upper respiratory tract infections triggered by viruses.14 Propolis has been used for cancer of the nose and throat, for warts and for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems, including H. pylori infections in people with peptic ulcer disease. Direct application to the skin may be used for wound cleansing, genital herpes, cold sores and minor burns.15 Studies have also found oral care with propolis as a mouthwash in individuals undergoing chemotherapy helps to improve oral health, reducing symptoms of oral mucositis, common in those undergoing chemotherapy.16 In a study17 where a suspension of propolis and zinc was given to children who had recurrent acute otitis media (ear infections), researchers found it significantly reduced the risk for new episodes. Propolis was also proven effective against microbes found in saliva samples from those suffering periodontitis, suggesting it may be used therapeutically to inhibit oral microbial growth.18 A study19 evaluating the efficacy of a natural propolis extract given in cases of acute and chronic rhinopharyngitis in children found it lowered the incidence and sometimes suppressed the viral microbial flora in the upper airways. Another study20 demonstrated propolis extract was an effective treatment against pancreatitis in animals. Benefits From Propolis at HomeDue to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, propolis may be used to:
Contraindications and Side EffectsAs a natural supplement, propolis and royal jelly are relatively safe for most people as they do not cause toxicity. However, certain contraindications stem from insufficient long-term studies and pre-existing allergies. If you fall into any of the categories below it would be best to avoid the use of these supplements.22
How You Can Help Improve the Bee PopulationEntomologists around the world are tracking the rapidly declining number of insects, and are concerned by the data they're collecting. As noted by the distinguished Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson, Ph.D.:23
If you are unsure of how the collapse of bee colonies may affect you, consider when one Whole Food store removed all produce from plants dependent on pollinators, it ended up pulling 52 percent of its produce from the store shelves, including apples, lemons, onions, broccoli and melons.24 More than 700 bee species are headed toward extinction in North America, according to a report from the Center for Biological Diversity.25 A variety of factors influence this decline, not the least of which is the use of pesticides, which significantly alter the population’s growth, which I discussed in “Latest Major Threat to Bees and Trees.” Over the 2015-2016 winter, more than 28 percent of bee colonies were lost, representing an increase of nearly 6 percent compared to the previous winter. To avoid harming bees and helping other pollinators visiting your garden, eliminate the use of toxic pesticides and lawn chemicals and instead opt for organic weed and pest control alternatives. Consider growing your own pollinator-friendly plants from organic untreated seeds. Stein points out when you support growers who are growing the right way, using pesticide-free alternatives, it makes a difference. Support your local farmers who are choosing organic, pesticide-free agricultural practices. Maintaining a hive in your own garden requires only about an hour of your time each week and you'll benefit from your own homegrown, raw honey. Additionally, you can provide your backyard bees with water, as bees get thirsty too. Add a bowl of water surrounded by rocks and mulch so the bees have something to perch on and drink. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/21/royal-jelly-bee-propolis-health-benefits.aspx Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body and the second most common intracellular cation1 (positively charged ion) after potassium. It’s required for the healthy function of most cells in your body, but is especially important for your heart, kidneys and muscles. According to one scientific review,2 which included studies dating as far back as 1937, low magnesium actually appears to be the greatest predictor of heart disease, and other recent research shows even subclinical magnesium deficiency can compromise your cardiovascular health.3 Low magnesium will also impede your cellular metabolic function and deteriorate mitochondrial function, and as a component necessary for the activation of vitamin D,4,5,6 magnesium deficiency may also hamper your ability to convert vitamin D from sun exposure and/or oral supplementation. While the reasons for prioritizing magnesium could fill several books, here I’ll review how it can benefit a few really common health problems and conditions, starting with its influence over vitamin D. Magnesium Activates and Regulates Vitamin DTwo studies published last year have shed new light on the interactions between magnesium and vitamin D, warning that low magnesium impedes your body’s ability to properly utilize vitamin D, even when its present.7 As noted by Mohammed Razzaque, professor of pathology at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania, coauthor of the first study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association in March 2018,8 "By consuming an optimal amount of magnesium, one may be able to lower the risks of vitamin D deficiency, and reduce the dependency on vitamin D supplements.” A second study,9 published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in December 2018, also concluded that your magnesium status plays an important role in your vitamin D status. Overall, people with high magnesium intake were less likely to have low vitamin D. They also had a lower mortality risk from cardiovascular disease and bowel cancer. As explained by Dr. Qi Dai, professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the lead author of this study, “Magnesium deficiency shuts down the vitamin D synthesis and metabolism pathway.” What’s more, magnesium was found to have a regulating effect, raising and lowering vitamin D based on baseline levels. In people who had a baseline vitamin D level of 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) or below, magnesium supplementation raised their vitamin D level. However, in those who started out with higher vitamin D levels (50 ng/mL or 125 nmol/L), magnesium supplementation lowered their vitamin D. Magnesium Is Empirically Recommended for All Migraine SufferersAccording to some statistics,10 migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world, affecting an estimated 1 billion people. Migraine attacks are typically recurring, of moderate to severe intensity, many times occurring only on one side of your head. Along with throbbing, piercing or “burning” pain, other common symptoms include nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness, numbness in your extremities or face, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, smell and touch.11,12 While the root cause for migraines continues to be debated, certain nutritional deficiencies have been found to exacerbate the condition, and magnesium deficiency13,14,15 ranks high on this list, as does vitamin D deficiency.16,17 Research shows migraine sufferers are more likely to suffer from magnesium deficiency than non-migraineurs,18 and since magnesium administration is both easy and safe, researchers have noted that empiric treatment with a magnesium supplement is justified for all migraine sufferers.19 In one placebo-controlled study,20 daily intake of 600 milligrams of magnesium in the form of trimagnesium dicitrate for 12 weeks reduced the frequency of migraine attacks by nearly 42 percent, compared to less than 16 percent in the control group. In many cases, receiving a high dose of magnesium can also abort an attack in progress. The most effective way to administer magnesium for migraine would be to get an intravenous (IV) infusion. Barring that option, magnesium threonate may be your best option for an oral supplement. It has superior absorbability compared to other forms of magnesium, and its superior ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it more likely to have a beneficial effect on your brain. Magnesium More Effective Than Antidepressants for DepressionAnother incredibly common health problem in which magnesium plays an important role is depression, as it acts as a catalyst for mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin. Research21 published in 2015 found a significant association between very low magnesium intake and depression, especially in younger adults. Research22 published in PLOS ONE demonstrated magnesium supplementation improved mild-to-moderate depression in adults, with beneficial effects occurring within two weeks of treatment. In fact, the effects of magnesium were comparable to prescription SSRIs in terms of effectiveness, but without any of the side effects associated with these drugs. Participants in the treatment group received a daily dose of 248 milligrams (mg) of elemental magnesium for six weeks, while controls received no treatment. According to the authors, “It works quickly and is well tolerated without the need for close monitoring for toxicity." Emily Tarleton, a graduate student in clinical and translational science and the bionutrition research manager of the University of Vermont's Clinical Research Center, told Science Daily:23
Magnesium Improves Brain PlasticityMemory impairment occurs when the connections (synapses) between brain cells diminish. While many factors can come into play, magnesium is an important one. As noted by Dr. David Perlmutter, a neurologist and fellow of the American College of Nutrition:24
The specific brain benefits of magnesium threonate were demonstrated in a 2010 study25 published in the journal Neuron, which found this form of magnesium enhanced “learning abilities, working memory, and short- and long-term memory in rats.” According to the authors, “Our findings suggest that an increase in brain magnesium enhances both short-term synaptic facilitation and long-term potentiation and improves learning and memory functions.” Magnesium Boosts Heart HealthMagnesium is also important for heart health. As explained by British cardiologist Dr. Sanjay Gupta,26 magnesium supports heart health via a number of different mechanisms. For starters, it combats inflammation, thereby helping prevent hardening of your arteries and high blood pressure. It also improves blood flow by relaxing your arteries, and helps prevent your blood from thickening, allowing it to flow more smoothly. All of these basic effects are important for optimal heart function. Indeed, low magnesium has been linked to a higher risk for:
A recent paper in the Open Heart journal warns that even subclinical deficiency can lead to cardiovascular problems. According to the authors:30
Magnesium Is Required for Hundreds of Biochemical ReactionsThe importance of magnesium becomes even more evident when you consider it is involved in more than 600 different biochemical reactions in your body, which play important roles in:
Other Health Problems Associated With Magnesium DeficiencyConsidering the widespread influence of magnesium, it’s no great surprise that deficiency can snowball into significant health problems. In addition to what’s already been mentioned, other common pathologies associated with magnesium deficiency include:45,46,47
Are You Deficient in Magnesium?When it comes to measuring your magnesium level, keep in mind that a regular serum magnesium is a poor choice, as only 1 percent of the magnesium in your body is actually found in your bloodstream. Your best bet is to get an RBC magnesium test (which measures the amount of magnesium in your red blood cells) and track your signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Checking your potassium and calcium levels can also be helpful, as low potassium and calcium are common laboratory signs of magnesium deficiency.54 Among the more common signs and symptoms of magnesium insufficiency are:55,56
A more exhaustive list can be found in Dr. Carolyn Dean’s blog post, “Gauging Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms,”59 which will give you a checklist to go through every few weeks. This will also help you gauge how much magnesium you need to resolve your deficiency symptoms. Most People Can Benefit From Magnesium SupplementationUnfortunately, magnesium insufficiency or deficiency are extremely common around the world, both among adults60 and teens,61 in part due to the fact that most people don’t eat enough plant foods. If you frequently eat processed foods, your risk of deficiency is magnified. However, even if you eat plenty of greens (magnesium is actually part of the chlorophyll molecule responsible for the plant’s green color), you are unlikely to get enough, due to most foods being grown in mineral depleted soils. Magnesium absorption is also dependent on having sufficient amounts of selenium, parathyroid hormone and vitamins B6 and D, and is hindered by excess ethanol, salt, coffee and phosphoric acid in soda. Sweating, stress, lack of sleep, excessive menstruation, certain drugs (especially diuretics and proton-pump inhibitors) also deplete your body of magnesium.62 For these reasons, most people probably need to take supplemental magnesium. Taking a magnesium supplement is particularly advisable if you:63
How to Boost Your Magnesium LevelThe RDA for magnesium is around 310 to 420 mg per day depending on your age and sex,67 but many experts believe you may need 600 to 900 mg per day.68 Personally, I believe many may benefit from amounts as high as 1 to 2 grams (1,000 to 2,000 mg) of elemental magnesium per day, as most of us have EMF exposures that simply cannot be mitigated, and the extra magnesium may help lower the damage from that exposure. When it comes to oral supplementation, my personal preference is magnesium threonate, as it appears to be the most efficient at penetrating cell membranes, including your mitochondria and blood-brain barrier. Other effective ways to boost your magnesium level include: • Taking Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) baths, as the magnesium will effectively absorb through your skin • Using a topical solution — I prepare a supersaturated solution of Epsom salt by dissolving 7 tablespoons of the salt into 6 ounces of water and heating it until all the salt has dissolved. I pour it into a dropper bottle and then apply it to my skin and rub fresh aloe leaves over it to dissolve it. This is an easy and inexpensive way to increase your magnesium and will allow you to get higher dosages into your body without having to deal with its laxative effects. Magnesium can be taken with or without food. If you’re also taking calcium, take them together. If you exercise regularly, consider taking your calcium and magnesium in a ratio of one part calcium to two parts magnesium with your pre-workout meal. While the ideal ratio of magnesium to calcium is thought to be 1-to-1, most people get far more calcium than magnesium from their diet; hence, your need for supplemental magnesium may be two to three times greater than calcium. Eat More Magnesium-Rich FoodsLast but not least, while you may still need magnesium supplementation (due to denatured soils), it would certainly be wise to try to get as much magnesium from your diet as possible. Dark-green leafy vegetables lead the pack when it comes to magnesium content, and juicing your greens is an excellent way to boost your intake. Greens with the highest magnesium levels include:
Other foods that are particularly rich in magnesium include:69
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/21/low-magnesium.aspx |
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