Sweet, healthy and delicious, and inexpensive to boot, pineapples are one of the world's most desired fruits. On average, the world eats more than 26,000 tons of pineapples each year.1 But hidden beneath their low-price tag lies an industry riddled with heavy pesticide use, water pollution, deforestation and the exploitation of farmworkers, who are forced to work in risky conditions and for low wages. The dark side of the pineapple industry is rooted in Costa Rica, the world leader in pineapple production, producing more than 6.4 million pounds each year.2 The featured film, "The Bitter Price of Tropical Fruits," produced by Arne Lorenz and Petra Pommerenke, explores the true cost of Costa Rica's pineapple production, revealing how large-scale producers use pesticides and cheap labor to maximize their profits. The film begins in the early morning hours of a wholesale market in Hamburg, Germany, where pineapple and other exotic fruits from around the world, including melons, bananas, mangos and oranges, make their way into the country. Germany is one of the largest consumers of pineapple in the EU, importing more than 150,000 tons each year, the majority of which comes from Costa Rica, according to the film. The pineapple and banana trade are inextricably linked. The same handful of multinational companies controls both markets. These companies include Dole, Del Monte, Chiquita and Fyffes. Prices are kept low by the monopoly and the power held by supermarkets. In Germany, consumers pay just €1 to €3 ($1.15 to $3.44) per pineapple, regardless of the brand. Four Major Chains Control 85 Percent of Germany's Food SalesIn Germany, the largest purchasers of exotic fruits are supermarkets and discount chains, which sell more than 90 percent of the nation's imported goods. The buying power held by these retailers makes them important players in the global food trade, as well as the global pineapple trade. This power allows supermarkets in Germany to dictate market prices. This theory is supported by Franziska Humbert of the international charity Oxfam International, who helped conduct a study on growing pineapples in Costa Rica. She says that small suppliers are blocked by big retailers from selling their goods on the German market.
The supermarkets' power has grave consequences for the producers in their home countries. That's the message Jorge Mora, president of the Central American Regional Association for Water and the Environment (ARCA) in Costa Rica, wants to convey. According to Mora:
Who Profits From Pineapple Production?The film breaks down the economics of pineapple production, illustrating who earns what. Supermarkets and discount chains profit the most, pocketing nearly 43 percent of the total profits involved in pineapple production. Producers, often the major international fruit companies such as Dole and Chiquita, come in second, earning about 25 percent of the proceeds. Farmworkers earn less than 10 percent. Can consumers buy pineapple with a clear conscience? The film heads to Costa Rica to find out. A dream destination for many tourists from the U.S. and Europe, Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforest-dense country with untouched beaches that stretch for miles along the coastline of the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean. Costa Rica's rich flora and biodiverse rainforests make it a model country for ecology. Costa Rica is doing well economically, too, as it's one of the richest countries in Central America. Agriculture is the backbone of Costa Rica's wealth. Its tropical climate is ideal for growing many different kinds of tropical fruit, which can be grown all year-round. Pineapple is one of Costa Rica's most valuable crops. More than 43,000 hectares of land are devoted to growing pineapple in Costa Rica. The industry employs 32,000 people and exports 2 million tons of the fruit — worth about $1 billion — each year.3 BittersweetWhile the world enjoys an insatiable taste for pineapple, small farmers in Costa Rica are suffering. The growing demand for pineapple is creating conflicts between producers and traditional farmers and livestock owners, who are increasingly marginalized by large plantations run by international companies. Jorge Castro is one of those farmers. Castro has lived and farmed in the area for 35 years. Today, he must cross endless pineapple plantations just to get to his land. He's one of the few farmers left who has not sold out to the pineapple companies. But living alongside pineapple plantations isn't easy. Castro says a bloodsucking fly drawn in by the harvest waste from pineapple production is killing his cattle. The flies cause a lot of stress when they bite the cattle, he says. This causes them to produce less milk and can even stop them from reproducing. Castro's neighbor has lost 15 animals to the flies, and nothing is being done about it, despite making local officials aware of the problem. "The scales have tipped in favor of big business," he says. Pineapple Farming Is Polluting Costa Rica's WaterFlies are the least of their worries in El Milano, Costa Rica, where toxic agrochemicals used to grow pineapple are polluting the water supplies of many communities. The pesticide pollution is so bad that the groundwater is deemed unusable for decades, according to the film. Locals are forced to rely on state-supplied drinking water that's dropped off twice a week by tank trucks alongside the road at distribution sites. Every sip of water that doesn't come from a tank truck poses a health risk, particularly to children. The film shows El Milano resident Xinia Briceno as she carries state-supplied water into her home. This is the woman's job, she says. But it's too hard for some women, who, as a result, use the polluted water and sometimes end up with health problems. "We can't say for sure it's the chemicals, but there are lots of miscarriages," says Briceno. Despite Costa Rica's small geographical size and eco-friendly image, it uses more pesticides than any other nation in the world. Costa Rica applies 18.2 kilograms [kg] of pesticides per hectare, whereas the U.S. uses about 2.5 kg per hectare.4 It also has the longest list of approved agrochemicals, according to the film, and while its lagoons and wetlands are protected, pesticide contamination in the water remains a huge problem. In certain areas of Costa Rica, the groundwater is contaminated with Bromacil, a weedkiller commonly used on pineapple and other citrus crops. Bromacil, which works by interfering with photosynthesis, is considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be a possible human carcinogen. Animal studies show dogs fed Bromacil experienced vomiting, watering of the mouth and muscular weakness, and sheep died after being fed 250 milligrams/kg doses of the weedkiller over a period of four days.5 The Costa Rican Water and Sanitation Institute (AyA) is the authority responsible for supplying El Milano with clean water. Yamileth Astorga, president of AyA, admits that intensive pineapple farming is a big problem in Costa Rica, as it's forcing more and more towns to give up their water sources. Unfortunately, there's no sign of change in the near future. The largest pineapple plantations are located near the border of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Many of the people who work on the plantations are illegal workers brought into the country from across the border by a subcontractor that passes them on to the producers as cheap labor. The migrant workers often earn less than the national minimum wage and are forced to work daily in conditions that expose them to toxic agrochemicals. One farmworker interviewed in the film, who asked to remain anonymous, said that workers normally get bonuses when working with toxic chemicals. But he has never received such a bonus. Costa Rica's Pineapple Industry Influences PoliticsThe film crew tried to get the other side of the story from the operators of pineapple plantations, but no one wanted to speak on camera. The Costa Rican Association of Pineapple Producers (CANAPEP) wouldn't comment, either. When the film crew showed up for their scheduled interview, they were met with hostility and told not to film the building or its sign. Once inside, the film crew realized they were the ones being recorded. Cameras were set up around the room, recording footage that was being streamed to an unknown location. CANAPEP criticized the film crew for speaking with employee representatives, and for meeting with Jorge Mora. When the situation threatened to escalate, the film crew stopped the interview. A few days later, CANAPEP published a scathing press release complaining about their one-sided reporting. The reach of the conventional pineapple industry extends to the world of politics, too. Costa Rica's former Minister of Agriculture, Luis Felipe Arauz Cavallini, wrote a letter to his ambassador to Germany asking him to exert influence with a TV station and to prevent negative reporting about Costa Rica's agriculture. Arauz Cavallini wrote, "I appeal to you to get your offices to sort out and correct this matter with the television station prior to the publication of this documentary." Critical reporting on workers' rights and the environmental conditions on pineapple plantations is not wanted, notes the film. But Costa Rica does have alternatives to conventional pineapple cultivation and its poverty wages and heavy pesticide use. The film shows a plantation surrounded by rainforests that's trying to use organic farming practices. Pesticides aren't used on this plantation and the workers are from surrounding villages. Organic Pineapple FarmingOrganic pineapple production can be costly and time-consuming, as the sweet fruit has a lot of natural predators. The film interviews Freddy Gamboa, an organic farmer who says weeding requires the most work. It rains a lot here, which is good for pineapples, but good for weeds, too, he says. Since herbicides are prohibited in organic farming, Gamboa's plantation uses plastic sheets to suppress weed growth. Removing the plastic post-harvest proves difficult, but without it, there would be no organic pineapple farming, he says. Despite the hardships, Gamboa believes in organic farming:
Only 1 percent of pineapple exports to Europe are organic, according to the film. A recent scandal involving fake organic pineapple exported from Costa Rica to the U.S. did not bode well for the industry's reputation. American consumers reportedly paid premium prices for more than $6 million in pineapples that were falsely sold as organic. Lawmakers in Costa Rica have accused two certifiers, one in California and the other in Germany, of labeling pineapples "organic" that were farmed with toxic chemicals. Business Insider reports:6
Using Permaculture to Grow PineapplesThe majority of pineapples grown in Costa Rica are cultivated on land that was once rainforest. Even organic pineapple farming can be problematic, as it entails a monoculture that requires land at the expense of the rainforest. But it doesn't have to be this way. The film features Manuel Mittelhammer, a forester and licensed assessor who checks and verifies sustainable and organic crop cultivation on behalf of various organizations. His specialty is permaculture. Permaculture involves the growing of various food crops in the forest, which is their natural environment. The film shows Mittelhammer inspecting a permaculture operation where cacao, papayas, bananas, pineapple and other crops are grown together. This creates an ecosystem in which each variety benefits the other — this is the original, natural setting for pineapples. Here, the ground is green and biodiversity is high. The pineapples are vigorous and strong. It's clear that chemicals haven't been used here in years, says Mittlehammer, a good indicator, he adds. In a permaculture operation, nature regulates almost everything without chemicals or plastic. However, the producers in the rainforest can't keep up with the pressure of prices put on them by supermarkets. Their returns would be too low and the product much too expensive to supply the European market. Mittlehammer says:
Pesticides in PineapplesThe film concludes by revealing the results of a water sample taken from the edge of a Piña Fruit pineapple plantation. It tests positive for a cocktail of toxic pesticides, including three that are linked to cancer, and are banned in Europe. When confronted with the results, Grupa Acon, the operator of the Piña Fruit plantation, denies using the pesticides. Test results for Piña Fruit pineapples purchased in Germany show only traces of pesticides, but the crown of the pineapple is a different story. Test results show the pineapple's crown is contaminated with diazinon, a dangerous insecticide absorbed by the skin that can damage human DNA and possibly cause cancer. The lab technician warns consumers to handle the crown with caution, and to rinse your knife, so as to not contaminate the fruit. Diazinon insecticide is banned in the EU. While testing found that the chemical didn't exceed allowable limits in the fruit, the same cannot be said for the pineapple's stud. The maximum levels for the fungicide fludioxonil in the fruit and husk were massively increased in 2015 when the manufacturer pushed to make the allowable limit 700 times higher, according to the film. The EU attributes the decision to easing trade barriers, but for consumers, it means eating pineapple that just a few years ago would have been classified as hazardous waste. In the end, it's up to consumers to decide if they're willing to pay more for organic pineapple. Consumer demand has the potential to incentivize supermarkets to apply pressure to producers to maintain social and environmental standards. But in order to achieve that, consumers will have to pay fair prices, and inspections must be enforced to uphold the standards on farms. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/29/who-profits-from-pineapple-production.aspx
0 Comments
The featured video, produced by the South China Morning Post, opens with these words: "If cockroaches make you uncomfortable … this could be your worst nightmare." Indeed. Most of us would do almost anything to avoid a daily work environment that involves contact with millions of teeming roaches. In China, however, cockroaches are big business. A number of Chinese cities contending with explosive population growth are finding cockroaches to be a helpful solution to the ever-increasing problem of food waste disposal. With landfills approaching capacity in some areas, it's roaches to the rescue. Not only do these pesky insects eat food scraps, but they also are a source of animal feed and an ingredient in some health and beauty products, as well as medicines. Though you may find it hard to believe, cockroach breeding farms in China are the real deal. Roaches to the Rescue: China's Unusual Urban Waste Disposal SystemCockroaches are big business in China, where, according to Reuters, teeming colonies of them are entrusted with the serious job of devouring tons of kitchen waste.1 Though the thought of millions of cockroaches together in one location sounds like something from a horror movie, it is actually the foundation of an innovative urban waste disposal system. The goal: Reduce the amount of food-related garbage deposited in landfills. The issue of food waste is particularly problematic in large Chinese cities with rapidly expanding populations. Because roaches have voracious appetites and are easy to house, they are, it seems, the perfect match for China's garbage problem. These so-called cockroach farms are maintained in humid, near-dark conditions, which are ideal for the insects. When the bugs eventually die, they are usually transformed into animal feed. On the outskirts of Jinan, for example, the capital of eastern Shandong province, a billion cockroaches are being fed about 50 metric tons of kitchen waste a day. That's an amount equivalent in weight to seven elephants. With respect to how the garbage makes its way to the roaches, Reuters states:2
While some people despise cockroaches and others are disgusted by them, Li Yanrong, general manager of Shandong Qiaobin, sees these hardy insects only for their beneficial qualities. In 2017, Li told China Daily:3
Li claims cockroaches are able and willing to devour almost anything. He says they can consume up to 5 percent of their body weight every day. "Cockroaches have been eating plants and organic matter since hundreds of millions of years ago," he said. "They are experts in waste composting."4 Cockroaches Picking Up Where Pigs Left Off After Swine Fever OutbreakLi is not the only one enthused about roaches. "Cockroaches are a biotechnological pathway for the converting and processing of kitchen waste," says Liu Yusheng, president of Shandong Insect Industry Association and entomology professor at Shandong Agricultural University.5 This is particularly the case because it's currently illegal to feed human food waste to pigs in China. Roaches have come to the forefront, in part, due to the Chinese nationwide ban on using food waste for pig feed.6 That ban, which has fueled the growth of the cockroach industry, came about as a result of African swine fever outbreaks first detected in August 2018.7 In October 2018, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a statement saying, "After the provinces with outbreaks and neighboring provinces completely banned feeding of kitchen waste to pigs, the epidemic was greatly reduced, which fully demonstrates the importance of completely prohibiting the feeding of waste [to pigs]."8 The industry is primed to grow even more as a result of the new laws around pigs and food waste. In the past three years, Liu notes the number of cockroach farmers in Shandong alone has tripled to about 400. "There have been huge developments in cockroach breeding and research in the past few years," said Liu.9 Novel Uses for Cockroaches Include Health and Beauty ApplicationsBeyond eating waste, cockroaches are valued for other reasons, including their eggs. Li told China Daily his company can earn 36.5 million yuan ($5.3 million) a year by selling protein feed produced from cockroach eggs.10 "A cockroach begins laying eggs when it is 4 months old. It lays one egg each week and can lay eggs for eight months," Li said.11 In addition, roaches are being considered for their potential usefulness in health and beauty products and medications. As presented in the featured video, in Sichuan, a privately held company called Gooddoctor Pharmaceutical Research, established in 1998, is raising about 6 billion cockroaches. Geng Funeng, president of Gooddoctor, who appears in the video, says he hopes the international science community will one day recognize the value of roaches for medicine. "Insects are a complete and living organism," Geng states in the video. He told the Sydney Morning Herald he personally eats 10 of them a day.12 "They contain multiple compounds to benefit our health," he added. "I think the problems in our lives can be better solved with living solutions." Beyond the use of cockroaches in medications, researchers at Gooddoctor are also investigating the possibility of using roach extracts in beauty masks, diet pills and even hair-loss treatments.13 Another source says it can be used to treat diabetic ulcers and severe skin wounds.14 "The essence of cockroach is good for curing oral and peptic ulcers, skin wounds and even stomach cancer," asserts Wen Jianguo, manager of Gooddoctor's cockroach facility.15 According to Reuters, "At Gooddoctor, when cockroaches reach the end of their life span of about six months, they are blasted by steam, washed and dried, before being sent to a huge nutrient extraction tank."16 "They really are a miracle drug," Liu added. "They can cure a number of ailments and they work much faster than other medicine."17 In 2013, Liu told The Telegraph a cream made from powdered cockroaches had been used in some Chinese hospitals as a treatment for burns and for cosmetic facial masks in Korea.18 Beyond that, The Telegraph reported a syrup invented by a drug manufacturer in Sichuan promises to cure duodenal ulcers, gastroenteritis and pulmonary tuberculosis.19 "China has the problem of an aging population," said Liu. "So, we are trying to find new medicines for older people, and these are generally cheaper than Western medicine."20 Cockroaches Used to Feed Chickens and HumansAt Shandong Qiaobin, Li and his employees bake and mill dead cockroaches into high-protein powder that is added to chicken feed. He claims the powder has been found to "reduce body fat and boost immunity in the 1,000-plus chickens he has raised."21 The South China Morning Post calls out the high protein content of cockroaches, suggesting they can be useful as food not just for animals, but humans as well.22 Consumer Reports notes the use of insect protein in energy bars and other food items sold in the U.S. In a 2014 review of such products, they stated:23
According to Liu, restaurants in major cockroach-farming provinces like Shandong, Sichuan and Yunnan already sell cockroach dishes for human consumption.24 Very often, he notes, molting cockroaches are seasoned with salt or spices and then deep-fried or stir-fried. Although nobody has made a commercial venture selling edible cockroaches on a large scale, Liu said he believes businesses will soon make the move. "They can easily mill the molting cockroaches and make flour with them," he said.25 Given the increasing interest in insects as food, in May 2018, the 2nd International Conference "Insects to Feed the World" was held in China to discuss the role of insects in helping to sustain human life and promote nutrition.26 In 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (U.N.) published a report suggesting people start eating insects as a possible solution to global food shortages.27 As for the types of insects most commonly eaten for food, the U.N. notes the following breakdown:28
As members of the same order as termites, cockroaches rank No. 6 on the list of most commonly eaten insects. You can learn more about the U.N. report by checking out my article "Eat Insects, Save the World." Speaking of roaches as a food source, more intriguing still is the notion of cockroach milk as a potential super food. Yes, that's right, cockroach milk. A certain type of cockroach (Diploptera punctata), found mostly in the Pacific Islands, is the main source of this bug beverage. A 2016 study29,30 from India asserts cockroach milk contains more than three times as much energy as cow's milk. That said, the researchers indicated there is a lack of evidence roach milk is safe for human consumption, so further investigation is needed. To learn more about this, you may want to read my article "Cockroach Milk — The Most Nutritious?" Roach milk aside, the potential for other roach-inspired food products has captured the interest of at least one cockroach farmer in Sichuan province's rural Yibin city. He sells about 22 pounds of cockroaches a month to two local restaurants, where they are used in various dishes. Says Li Bingcai:31
Cockroaches Are a Lucrative Business in ChinaWhile it is clear there is money to be made across the board with cockroaches and cockroach breeding farms in China, it seems operations focused on using roach extracts for medicinal purposes are among the most lucrative. As reported by The Telegraph,32 Wang Fuming operates a cockroach farm in China's Shandong province, where he houses more than 22 million of the insects in concrete bunkers in the suburbs of Jinan. Wang raises the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) exclusively and sells his output to pharmaceutical companies for top dollar. Previously, Wang says he bred a particular type of wingless, flightless cockroach (Eupolyphaga sinensis) whose dried body is prized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The increases in demand for the American cockroach are such that from 2011 to 2013 he claims to have quintupled production to more than 100 tons a year. "There are hundreds of species of cockroaches, but only this one has any medicinal value," says Wang."33 According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Gooddoctor's 2017 sales amounted to 6.3 billion Chinese yuan ($914 million). Their best seller, worth $1 billion yuan ($145 million), was a cockroach-containing "Recovery New Potion" that can be consumed orally or used on your skin. While using legions of cockroaches as waste composters or as food and medicine continues to make news in China, most people in the U.S. and other Western nations still consider this insect as nothing more than an unwanted pest. Unless you are looking to shock your family or friends by eating cockroaches, I recommend waiting for researchers in China and elsewhere to further develop the science around how cockroaches may benefit human health. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/29/cockroach-farming-in-china.aspx Did you know that pure argan oil, called "liquid gold"1 or "the Gold of Morocco" because of its outstanding health benefits, was once made with the help of tree goats — particularly their droppings? The fruit of the argan tree is a favorite food of tree-climbing goats. The undigested seeds, where the oil comes from, are carefully picked by locals out of the animals' poop (more on this later).2 But that was a long time ago, and you'll be relieved to know that most of the Moroccan argan nuts today are painstakingly picked from the trees and the oil handmade by all-female, local cooperatives.3 Although a bottle of high-quality argan oil can fetch a high price, the benefits that it offers surely make it worth every cent. Here's everything you need to know about argan oil. What Is Argan Oil?Argan oil is made from the seeds of the small fruit of Argania spinosa, a slow-growing tree that's native to Southwestern Morocco and in the Algerian province Tindouf, located in the Western Mediterranean area.4 The argan fruit appears like a shriveled golden apple, with a thick peel and a fleshy and bitter pulp. The seeds are almond-shaped, resembling a dried olive. Each seed contains one to three oil-rich kernels.5 As mentioned above, tree goats were essential in argan oil production in the past. The fruit, which accounts for as much as 84 percent of their diet,6 is eaten whole by the goats. However, the nuts are not digested, and are instead excreted in the goat's feces. The droppings were then gathered by locals and opened to get the seeds inside. The seeds were then cracked, roasted and ground to produce the oil.7 However, local co-ops no longer rely on this method, as they seek to deliver only high-quality argan oil, good enough for export. Instead, they now collect the fruit from trees and manufacture the oil by hand, peeling the fruit to extract the seed. This method, albeit much more difficult, yields a higher quality oil for export.8 To make argan oil, locals hand-crack the nuts in between two stones, to get the raw kernels out from within the hard shell. These kernels are then hand-ground using a stone grinder, and placed in a mill with water to produce a dough-like mixture. This dough is then hand-kneaded for hours to extract the oil.9 Because of this tedious process, each worker takes as much as three days to make a single liter of argan oil — no wonder it can fetch a very high price,10 selling for around $300 or more per liter.11 The increase in demand for argan oil has led to a surge in oil-making co-ops. In 1999, there were only three argan oil co-ops; in 2010, the number had risen to 150.12 Nevertheless, this has definitely helped the economic landscape of Morocco. According to one analysis, the "argan boom" has helped increase the number of Moroccan girls attending secondary school.13 To ensure the sustainability of the oil, and to protect the eco-region on which more than 1,200 other plant and animal species thrive, UNESCO designated the argan forest in Southwestern Morocco as a biosphere reserve in 1998.14 Argan Oil's Benefits and Uses Come From Its Many ConstituentsThe benefits of this amber-colored oil15 have been well-known for many centuries, going back as far as 600 BC. The Phoenicians used it not just for enhancing their appearance, but for healing as well. Today, argan oil is widely used in both cosmetic and culinary applications.16 The composition of organic argan oil is what makes it extremely beneficial. Not only is it rich in vitamins A, C and E, but it boasts of beneficial fatty acids too, including oleic, linolenic, linoleic, stearic and palmitic, to name a few. It also contains antioxidants and other constituents like tocopherols, carotenes and triterpene alcohols. All of these components work together to provide the moisturizing and rejuvenating effects that argan oil is now known for.17,18 3 Argan Oil Skin Health Benefits You'll LoveArgan oil is one of the natural, plant-based oils that can be beneficial for your skin, as it can potentially help repair the natural skin-barrier function.19 Topical application of this oil may help boost cell production, making your skin healthier and providing ample moisture. This oil may also protect against premature aging. Published in the Menopausal Review journal, a study conducted on postmenopausal women found that argan oil helped maintained hydration in the women's skin by upholding its barrier function and water-holding capacity.20 You can add argan oil to your lotion or body cream to experience its restorative properties. Here are some benefits it can offer for your skin:21
5 Argan Oil Benefits for Your Face: How to Add It to Your Beauty RegimenArgan oil is a popular addition to many beauty regimens today because of its moisturizing ability. This is mainly due to its smaller molecular size, which allows it to sink into the skin quicker, compared to other oils like coconut oil and olive oil. It hydrates your face but without causing acne breakouts.25 What's more, a study26 has found that it may even reduce sebum levels in people with oily skin — meaning it can potentially help minimize the appearance of acne. MindBodyGreen offers several tips on how to use argan oil for your face:27
3 Argan Oil Benefits for Your HairMoroccan argan oil is often added to different shampoo and conditioner products, and for plenty of good reasons. For one, it coats the hair shaft and protects the hair from dryness and environmental damage. It also nourishes the hair, helps repair split ends and makes the hair less prone to breakage caused by styling and brushing, keeping it more manageable.28 Natural Living Ideas lists several ways that argan oil may help boost hair health, which include:29
For men who like growing their facial hair, this oil may be helpful. In fact, argan oil is an ingredient of "beard oil" — a hydrating product that not only helps tame and soften beard hair, but works as a styling agent, too.32 Final Note: Use Argan Oil as a Great Carrier OilArgan oil may do wonders by itself, providing your face, body and hair with moisturizing and rejuvenating effects. However, you can also use it with your favorite essential oils, too. Many herbal oils are too concentrated to be directly applied on the skin without causing any irritation, so diluting them with a mild carrier oil like argan oil is your best course of action. Remember, before using argan oil or any other essential oil, make sure to do a skin patch test to ensure that you have no sensitivities or allergies to this oil. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Argan OilQ: Where does argan oil come from? A: Argan oil is made from the seeds of the small fruit of the argan tree (Argania spinosa). It is usually produced by local, all-female cooperatives. They hand-crack the nuts in between two stones and extract the raw kernels from the hard shell. The kernels are then hand-ground with a stone grinder and mixed with water to form a dough, which is then hand-kneaded for hours and then pressed to release the oil. Q: What is argan oil used for? A: Argan oil is widely used in both cosmetic and culinary applications. It is often applied topically due to its moisturizing and hydrating properties. Q: Is argan oil good for your skin? A: Yes. Argan oil has a smaller molecular size compared to other oils, which allows it to sink into the skin quicker, providing better moisturizing and hydrating effects but without clogging the pores.33 Q: Does argan oil help with acne? A: Yes. A study has found that argan oil may help reduce sebum levels in people with naturally oily skin, meaning it may help avoid acne from forming.34 Q: What does argan oil smell like? A: Unrefined argan oil has a slight nutty smell, but some varieties may have a stronger nutty aroma.35 Q: Is argan oil good for your hair? A: Yes. Argan oil coats the hair shaft and protects the hair from dryness and damage, while providing nourishment, repairing split ends and making it more resilient to withstand styling and brushing. Q: How can you use argan oil for hair growth? A: You can apply it directly on your hair, add it to your favorite hair product or use it as a leave-in conditioner. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/27/xdjm18-herbal-oils-18mcsa-argan-oil.aspx We’re in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic in the U.S., and the synthetic opioid fentanyl has now surpassed heroin and oxycodone as the leading cause of overdose deaths. In 2016, fentanyl was involved in nearly 30 percent of drug overdose deaths, accounting for more than 18,300 deaths that year.1 It’s a sharp rise from 2011, when the drug was involved in just 4 percent of such deaths. In 2011, oxycodone, the active drug in prescription painkillers such as Percodan and Percocet, was responsible for the most overdose deaths. The title then transitioned to heroin from 2012 to 2015,2 and now fentanyl. The rate of drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl doubled each year from 2013 through 2016, from 0.6 per 100,000 in 2013 to 5.9 in 2016, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics.3 "Fentanyl is so deadly in the geographic regions where it's been flooding in, deaths soared like we've never seen before,” Dr. Andrew Kolodny, cofounder of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, told CNN.4 What Makes Fentanyl so Deadly?Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Originally developed as a pharmaceutical drug for the treatment of cancer pain (typically administered in the form of a patch on the skin), fentanyl soon became a drug of choice for abuse. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies fentanyl as a Schedule II substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse, and abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.5 According to the DEA:6
Fentanyl has a number of street names, ranging from China White and Apace to Great Bear and He-Man, but the ones that are the most fitting are Poison and Murder 8. When fentanyl is ingested, it produces a sense of well-being or euphoria that reduces anxiety and aggression. The high is intense, but it’s also only temporary, giving way to drowsiness, trouble concentrating and apathy. If too much is taken, fentanyl can also lead to slowed respiration, reduced blood pressure, nausea, fainting, seizures, coma and death. “As the dose is increased,” the DEA notes, “both the pain relief and the harmful effects become more pronounced. Some of these preparations are so potent that a single dose can be lethal to an inexperienced user. However, except in cases of extreme intoxication, there is no loss of motor coordination or slurred speech.”7 Psychological and Physical Dependence Are Common With Fentanyl UseBecause of fentanyl’s potency, it’s easy to quickly become dependent. A person who’s physically dependent on fentanyl will experience withdrawal symptoms when drug use is discontinued. At first, this may be in the form of a runny nose and sweating, but it will progress into irritability, cravings for the drug, depression, increased heart rate and blood pressure, chills, flushing and excessive sweating.8 As for psychological dependence, this can continue even after the physical need for the drug has passed, and may cause the person to think about using the drug and have trouble coping with daily activities without it.9 Both prescription and “black market” fentanyl are problematic. Prescription varieties, which exist in tablet, nasal spray, patch, injectable and lozenge formulations, may be obtained by patients, physicians or pharmacists distributing them, as well as via theft or fraudulent prescriptions. Illegally produced fentanyl can also be found, typically in powder or tablet formulations and sometimes in combination with heroin. Fentanyl has also been identified in counterfeit pills meant to mimic oxycodone. According to the DEA, data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System reveals increasing reports on both pharmaceutical and illegal fentanyl by federal, state and local forensic laboratories in the U.S., increasing from 5,400 reports in 2014 to more than 14,600 in 2015.10 The rise in fentanyl usage is a sign that the opioid epidemic may get worse before it gets better. As Dr. Harshal Kirane, director of addiction services at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City, said in a news release, "It represents an evolution of the opioid crises in which patterns have shifted to a much more potent drug, putting users at a greater risk of overdose and death."11 Are Doctors Prescribing Fentanyl for Everyday Pain?The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved fentanyl for treating breakthrough pain in cancer patients — a type of severe pain that occurs despite the patient being treated with other painkillers. Yet, in a complaint filed by the U.S. government, it’s alleged that Insys, which manufactures Subsys, a fentanyl under-the-tongue spray, focused its marketing campaign on treating pain in general. The complaint is the result of an investigation into five whistleblower cases filed by former Insys sales representatives as well as workers of a pharmacy benefits manager that processed insurance claims for Subsys.12 Subsys was approved in 2012 and approached sales of $500 million just three years later. This dramatic rise in sales was not happenstance but a carefully orchestrated marketing ploy of a highly addictive drug. In May 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it was intervening in the five whistleblower lawsuits, which accuse Insys of paying illegal kickbacks and defrauding federal health programs in the marketing of Subsys. The complaint further reveals some of the tactics Subsys used to get doctors to write more prescriptions. Among them, a pain specialist from Florida was taken to a strip club and a shooting range by Insys executives. Medicare has paid more than $3 million for Subsys prescriptions from this one doctor, since 2012. In another case, sales reps offered another Florida pain specialist a full-time job for his girlfriend, if he could increase his prescriptions of Subsys. He wrote prescriptions for 60 units over the course of just two days, and his girlfriend received the job a month or two later. Meanwhile, while the drug was only supposed to be used for cancer patients, Insys sales reps frequently promoted the drug for off-label uses to doctors without cancer patients, for treating chronic pain ranging from back pain to headaches. In fact, up to 90 percent of Subsys prescriptions are for off-label uses,13 even though the potential for deadly overdose is high. Stat News reported on one such death — 32-year-old Sara Fuller, who was prescribed the Subsys to treat pain from car accidents and fibromyalgia. A year later, she died from a drug overdose, with a toxicology screen showing a lethal level of fentanyl in her blood.14 Is Your Doctor Paid by Opioid Makers?Many are not aware that doctors receive payments from pharmaceutical companies, even those marketing dangerous opioid drugs. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health15 used the online Open Payments Program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reveal opioid-related payments to physicians between August 2013 and December 2015. More than 375,000 nonresearch opioid-related payments were made to more than 68,000 physicians, totaling more than $46 million. This amounts to 1 in 12 U.S. physicians receiving money from drug companies producing prescription opioids. The top 1 percent of physicians received nearly 83 percent of the payments, and fentanyl was associated with the highest payments. You can also use Open Payments to search and find out what (if any) payments your doctor has received from the pharmaceutical industry, along with the nature of the payments. Are Opioids Necessary for Pain Relief?A case could be argued for giving fentanyl to a terminally ill cancer patient near the end of his life. That case gets much harder to support, however, when the patient is dealing with moderate or even severe pain from other causes, such as backache or fractures or other injury, as the risks are just too high. What’s more, such drugs may not even be necessary to provide adequate relief. Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests, for instance, that less risky opioid-free options may work just as well.16 The study evaluated the effects of four different combinations of pain relievers — three with different opioids and one opioid-free option composed of ibuprofen (i.e., Advil) and acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) — on people with moderate to severe pain in an extremity, due to bone fractures, shoulder dislocation and other injuries. The patients had an average pain score of 8.7 (on a scale of zero to 10) when they arrived. Two hours later, after receiving one of the pain-relief combinations, their pain levels decreased similarly, regardless of which drug-combo they received. Specifically, pain scores fell by: 17
“For patients presenting to the ED with acute extremity pain, there were no statistically significant or clinically important differences in pain reduction at two hours among single-dose treatment with ibuprofen and acetaminophen or with three different opioid and acetaminophen combination analgesics,” the researchers concluded.18 Think Carefully Before Taking Opioids for PainAccording to the CDC, the number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. has never been higher. From 1999 to 2016, 197,000 people have died from overdoses related to prescription opioids alone.19 It’s not uncommon for a person to start taking an opioid due to an injury, only to become dependent on the drug. Then, when their prescription runs out and their doctor won’t prescribe anymore, they turn to the black market and may soon start taking heroin, fentanyl or a combination of the two. Tolerance is also a common side effect of opioids, which means if you take such drugs for a chronic condition, like back pain, you might need to take more and more of the drug to get the same pain relief over time — which also puts you at risk of overdose. If you’re in pain, it can make you feel desperate for relief, but think carefully before resorting to opioids. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are generally safer options than opioids, but even these come with risks, which is why I recommend exhausting nondrug options for pain relief first. Chiropractic adjustments,20 massage and acupuncture21 are examples of therapies that can get to the root of your pain, whereas tweaking your diet can also lead to relief from chronic pain conditions. There are even topical options, such as capsaicin cream, which is made from hot peppers, that are proven to decrease pain without the use of drugs.22 The opioid overdose epidemic has gotten so bad that even the CDC recommends talking to your doctor about ways to manage pain that don’t involve prescription opioids, and admits that some of the natural options below “may actually work better and have fewer risks and side effects”:23
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/27/overdose-medicine-causes-death.aspx Most people today live in a sea of radiofrequencies emitted from wireless technologies of all kinds, from routers to smartphones, tablets, baby monitors, TVs, appliances, smart meters and many more. According to many experts, chronic, heavy exposure could have severe repercussions for our health, especially that of children, who are now exposed even before birth. Research also suggests interaction with social media, games and apps online produces a number of effects, both physical and psychological. Heavy Use of Wireless Devices Changes Brain Structure in ChildrenIn the largest long-term study1,2,3 of brain development and youth health in the U.S., the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study,4 reveals the brains of the most prolific users of electronic devices look different compared to those who use smartphones, tablets and video games less frequently. In all, more than 11,000 children will be followed for a decade to assess how various childhood experiences and environments affect brain development and psychological health. As noted by the researchers,5 "The data will provide a resource of unprecedented scale and depth for studying typical and atypical development." These preliminary findings, based on the brain scans of 4,500 9- to 10-year-olds, reveal children who use electronic devices for seven hours or more each day have premature thinning of the brain cortex, the outer brain layer that processes information from the five physical senses (taste, touch, sight, smell and sound). The exact ramifications of this anomaly are still unknown. According to Dr. Gaya Dowling, a researcher with the National Institutes of Health, which is sponsoring the $300 million study, thinning of the cortex is thought to be part of the brain maturation process, so what these scans are showing is that this process is being sped up in children who get a lot of screen time6 (7-plus hours a day). They cannot prove that the changes are definitively caused by the screen time, and the full effects won't be known until years from now, as the emotional and mental health outcomes of these children are evaluated. Still, preliminary results suggest as little as two hours of screen time per day may impact cognition, resulting in lower scores on thinking and language tests. American Academy of Pediatrics' Guidelines for Screen TimeAccording to the "Growing Up Digital" report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), published in October 2015:7
The report cites data from research showing infants under the age of 1 do not effectively learn language from videos, whereas they do learn language from live interactions. Up to age 2, live presentations are far superior for language processing and learning compared to video presentations. According to the report, "It is clear that very young children need 'contingent interaction — two-way social interchange — to promote learning." This is also noted in the 60 Minutes report8 (see featured video). Research shows that babies do not transfer what they learn from the iPad to the real world, or from two-dimensional interaction to three-dimensional reality. For example, the ability to play with virtual Legos does not transfer over into the skill of manipulating real Lego blocks. Despite such concerns, the 2015 AAP guidelines for screen time for children relaxed its recommendations, noting that "Parents should model responsible media use," and that media content and diversity are important considerations, but that video games can be "powerful tools for learning because they help youth work toward reward," and "engage in experimentation." Previous guidelines — developed before the popularity of iPads and smartphone apps designed for young children — discouraged all screen time for children under the age of 2, and recommended a limit of two hours of screen time for kids older than 2. The updated guidelines removed specific time limits, stressing the need for parental control instead. Recommendations include setting limits for screen time at every age, avoiding displacement (i.e., not letting screen time dominate and take the place of face-to-face interactions and creative play), addressing digital etiquette, engaging in digital media use together, and establishing definitive media-free zones and periods, such as during meals and at bedtime. Digital Media Is Designed To Be AddictiveWhile the AAP's guidelines may be based in what seems to be common sense of good parenting, the reality is that many parents have just as much trouble moderating their usage as their children. What's worse, young children, especially those under the age of 2, are far more susceptible to addictive behavior than older children and adults. The fact that apps and social media are designed to be addictive adds to the challenge. Last year, Tristan Harris, a former Google product manager, revealed how smartphone apps and social media feedback are designed to get you hooked.9 Behavior patterns are often etched into neural pathways,10 and when those behaviors are also linked to hormone secretion and physiological responses, they become even more powerful. In fact, Harris describes the reward process of using a smartphone as "playing the slot machine."11 Google has discovered a way to embed that reward system into the apps on your phone. In the video below, Harris describes the process, known in programming circles as "brain hacking," as they incorporate knowledge of neuropsychology into the development of digital interfaces that boost interaction. For instance, getting likes on Facebook and Instagram, the "streaks" on Snapchat or cute emojis on texts are all designed to boost your engagement and keep you coming back. Harris describes it as a race to the bottom of the brainstem where fear and anxiety live, two of the most powerful motivators known to advertisers. Both advertisers and computer software developers use these techniques to write code that will engage your attention.12 Research discussed in the featured 60 Minute segment reveals that addiction to smartphones and social media is indeed a reality, triggering the release of dopamine — a neurochemical involved in cravings and desire that promotes impulsive and compulsive behavior. Indeed, many, both children and adults, exhibit signs of addiction to their electronic devices. Many even sleep with their smartphones right next to them in bed, or directly under their pillow — a trend that is bound to cause severe harm to both their mental and physical health. Screen Time Linked to Sleep DeprivationThe radiation alone is a significant hazard and is known to disrupt sleep, but the blue light from the screen, plus the beeping and pinging when messages and other notifications come in are bound to interrupt sleep as well. This does not even factor in the influence of microwave radiation from cellphones influencing melatonin, which regulates your sleep-wake cycle. When your melatonin production is disrupted, it can have long-term health effects, as shown in a 2013 animal study13 which assessed the effects of cellphone radiation on the central nervous system. Exposure to cellphone radiation for just one hour a day for one month caused rats to experience a period of delay before entering rapid eye movement deep sleep — a phase necessary for restorative sleep. Another study14 published in 2015 found that 1.8 GHz frequencies affected rats' circadian rhythm and decreased their daily production of melatonin. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (which help prevent cellular damage) were also decreased. Low melatonin is used as a marker for disturbed sleep.15 It comes as no great surprise then that sleep deprivation among teenagers rose by 57 percent between 1991 and 2015. Many do not even get seven hours of sleep on a regular basis, while science reveals they need a minimum of eight and as much as 10 hours to maintain their health. The research clearly shows that heavy computer and cellphone users are more prone to insomnia.16 For example, one 2008 study17 revealed that people exposed to radiation from their mobile phones for three hours before bedtime had more trouble falling asleep and staying in a deep sleep. Universal Smartphone Use Has Dramatically Altered Social InteractionsSmartphones and tablets have also had a tremendous impact on youths' social interactions, which has significant ramifications for their psychological health. For example, teens today are far less likely to want to get a driver's license than previous generations, and a majority of their social life is carried out in the solitude of their bedroom, via their smartphones. As of 2015, 12th-graders spent less time "hanging out" and socializing with friends than eighth-graders did in 2009. While this makes them physically safer than any previous generation, this kind of isolation does not bode well for mental health and the building of social skills required for work and personal relationships. In fact, today's teens are also far less prone to date than previous generations. In 2015, 56 percent of high school seniors dated, nearly 30 percent less than boomers and Gen Xers. Not surprisingly, sexual activity has also declined — down by about 40 percent since 1991, resulting in a 67 percent drop in teen pregnancy rates. Depression and Suicide Risk Rises in Tandem With Increased Screen TimeAvoiding the drama of those early love experiences has not had a positive effect on emotional health, however. Data from the annual Monitoring the Future survey reveals the more time teens spend online, the unhappier they are, and those who spend more time than average on in-person relations and activities that do not involve their smartphone are far more likely to report being "happy."18 Results such as these really should come as no surprise. Spending time outdoors has been scientifically shown to dramatically improve people's mood and significantly reduce symptoms of depression.19 Interestingly, it doesn't matter what type of screen activity is involved. They're all equally likely to cause psychological distress. Between 2012 and 2015, depressive symptoms among boys rose by 21 percent. Among girls, the rise during that same time was a whopping 50 percent20 — a truly remarkable increase in just three years' time. Rates of teen depression, self-harm and suicide have also dramatically risen. Emergency room visits for self-harming behavior such as cutting has tripled among girls aged 10 to 14, and data suggest spending three hours or more each day on electronic devices raises a teen's suicide risk by 35 percent.21 Between 2007 and 2015, the suicide rate for 12- to 14-year-old girls rose threefold — a gender trend that can in part be blamed on a rise in cyberbullying, which is more common among girls. The suicide rate among boys doubled in that same time frame.22 The issue is not entirely black-and-white, however. Recent polling23 by the Pew Research Center reveals 81 percent of teens say social media helps them feel more connected to their friends, and 69 percent say it helps them interact with a more diverse group of people. Sixty-eight percent also said they feel they have people online to whom they can turn for support during rough times. On the other hand, 45 percent admit they feel overwhelmed by the drama on social media, and 43 percent feel pressured to only post content that presents them in a good light. Still, recent research shows that limiting social media usage has a definitive, and beneficial, impact on mental health. The study24 in question recruited 143 undergraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania who were randomly assigned to either use social media (Facebook, Instagram and/or Snapchat) as usual for three weeks, or limit their usage to 30 minutes per day. According to the researchers, "The limited use group showed significant reductions in loneliness and depression over three weeks compared to the control group. Both groups showed significant decreases in anxiety and fear of missing out over baseline, suggesting a benefit of increased self-monitoring." How Electronic Devices Trigger Anxiety, Depression and Memory ProblemsAside from purely psychological factors, one of the reasons for why social media use tends to raise a child's risk for anxiety and depression25 has to do with the fact that smartphones emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs).26 Research27,28 by professor Martin Pall, Ph.D., reveals EMFs activate voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) embedded in your cell membranes. This releases a flood of calcium ions which, through a cascade of effects, result in the creation of hydroxyl free radicals — some of the most destructive free radicals known to man. In turn, this decimates mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, their membranes and proteins, ultimately resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction. Your brain has the highest density of VGCCs in your body, which is why excessive EMF exposure is associated with depression and neurological dysfunction, including dementia. According to Nicholas Carr, author of the book, "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains," millennials are experiencing greater problems with forgetfulness than seniors.29 This is the "dark side" of neurological plasticity that allows your brain to adapt to changes in your environment. This type of plasticity is one way your brain recovers after a stroke has permanently damaged one area. Aside from reduced cortical thickness (found in other studies30,31 beside the ABCD study), long-term internet use has also been linked to a loss of white matter32,33 and impaired cognitive functioning.34 It is impossible to ignore that these devices are changing your child's brain structure, and the experience is also increasing exposure to microwave radiation and large amounts of blue light at night, thereby impacting his or her body's ability to produce melatonin. So, if your child or teen is showing signs of anxiety, depression or cognitive problems, please, do what you must to limit their exposure to wireless technology. Teach them more responsible usage. At bare minimum, insist on their turning off phones and tablets at night, and to not sleep with their phone beneath their pillow or directly near their head. Really try to minimize the presence of electronic devices in their bedroom and, to protect everyone in your household and instill the concept of "off times," shut down your Wi-Fi at night. As noted in 60 Minutes, what we're dealing with is a completely uncontrolled experiment on our children, and while it's still too early to determine all of the ramifications, preliminary findings strongly suggest precautions are necessary to protect our children's physical health and mental well-being. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/27/effects-of-screen-time-on-brain-development.aspx Dollar stores such as Dollar General and Dollar Tree (which also owns Family Dollar) are becoming a primary source of food for many families. The chains feed more Americans than Whole Foods,1 which isn't surprising when you consider there are 30,000 Dollar General and Dollar Tree stores across the U.S. — outnumbering Walmart's and McDonald's' combined — compared to 446 Whole Foods locations. The dollar store chains also claim to have their sights on yet another 20,000 locations. The problem with this trend is that dollar stores typically do not carry fresh food; it's primarily ultra-processed packaged foods and canned foods, which we know is a recipe for ill health in the long term. Sadly, dollar stores specifically target urban neighborhoods and small towns where economic struggles are commonplace,2 turning these areas into food deserts as they push out smaller, already struggling grocers. As reported by Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR):3
Driving this trend is the U.S. government's subsidy of processed food, both through the Farm Bill and through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This sets the stage for discount stores to monopolize the food market, which subsequently leads to poorer diets, higher disease rates and associated health care costs. In truth, food subsidies and health care really cannot be separated, as the nation's diet is a primary contributor to chronic disease and therefore drives our health care expenditures. The idea that big box stores and dollar stores are doing Americans a favor by making inexpensive food more available is a twisted one, as it's really just making people sicker. Racial DiscrepanciesILSR also notes that dollar stores tend to target areas based on race rather than income. Using Tulsa, Oklahoma, as an example, ILSR shows how these stores are congregated in census tracts with more African-American residents, even though there are low-income Caucasian areas as well.
How a near-total diet of ultra-processed food affects health and longevity can be seen in the city's mortality statistics. Life expectancy in north Tulsa, which is predominantly black, is a staggering 14 years lower than that of the south. In an effort to address this disparity, Tulsa's city council has enacted a dollar store ordinance that limits dollar stores in the northern part of Tulsa and provides incentives for full-service grocers instead. As reported by ILSR:4
Who Benefits From Government Food Subsidizes?In the U.S., 12.4 percent of the population, some 40 million in all as of 2017,5 live at or below the poverty line and rely on a monthly allotment of food stamps through SNAP to cover their food bill. Today, these monies are doled out once a month via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. Disturbingly, the fastest-growing group of people on food stamps are people who have jobs and work year-round. Ironically, many of them work in the very same big box stores and discount outlets that profit from the SNAP benefits their employees are forced to use due to low wages. In 2017, the program distributed $76 billion worth of EBT transfers, and across the country there are about 240,000 retailers approved by the federal government to accept EBT cards (i.e., food stamps). A 2014 article6 in Slate Magazine addressed a little-discussed facet of the food stamp subsidy — which stores actually profit from this program, funded by tax dollars, and how much. As it turns out, this data is actually kept confidential.
Discount Stores Likely Gain the Most From SNAPThe confidentiality of SNAP sales information is in sharp contrast to other government programs, where you can find out how much a participating business is getting paid. What is known, however, is that sales of staple items typically spike on days when SNAP benefits are distributed, both at grocers and discount stores. Walmart's annual report for 2014 listed cuts in SNAP payments as a potential risk factor for declining sales, as that same year the U.S. government cut SNAP by $8 billion over the next decade. And, according to Slate, Walmart likely receives about 18 percent of all food stamp spending in the U.S., based on the company's own estimates, making it "the biggest single corporate beneficiary of SNAP."7 Other players include Target, Costco, 7-Eleven and, of course, dollar stores. Slate notes:
By Encouraging Junk Food, Government Subsidies Drive Rising Health Care CostsAs mentioned at the beginning, by encouraging dollar stores and other discount stores to accept EBT, the food stamp program has become a driving force of ill health. Poor people receive money to buy food, but if all that's available in their neighborhood is dollar stores, the food they buy will be limited to ultra-processed foods that cannot support optimal health. As a result, they get sick, and must rely on more government aid to receive health care, which then drives up those costs. The U.S. government also subsidizes junk food ingredients — commodity crops such as corn, soy and wheat — over healthy foods via the Farm Bill, despite dietary guidelines calling for healthy portions of fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Considering this is what farmers get paid to grow, it's no wonder that processed corn, soy and wheat products such as bread, soda, pizza, pasta, cookies and doughnuts account for a majority of calories in the U.S. diet. Considering these foods are a primary driver of weight gain, it's also not surprising that people who consume the most subsidized foods have a far greater risk of obesity — 37 percent greater, according to research published in 2016.8 As noted by Integrative Nutrition,9 "While the subsidies were initially implemented to support struggling farmers and to secure America's food supply, the subsidies program has unintentionally supported the creation of a health epidemic." Food Subsidies Cannot Be Separated From Health CareA September 2017 article10 in The Conversation by Dariush Mozaffarian, professor of nutrition at Tufts University, hit the nail on the head, pointing out that in order to fix America's health care, we must make food a priority. Cost is one of the primary challenges of most health care related issues, be it access or the expansion of Medicaid. But changing how care is delivered is never going to solve the problem of how we're going to afford to care for everyone. We really have to shift our focus to food, as poor diet is the primary driver of chronic ill health, both in children and adults. Research11 has shown as much as 40 percent of American health care expenditures are for diseases directly related to the overconsumption of sugar (a key staple in processed and ultra-processed food). Time magazine12 cites data13 showing food insecurity incurs $77.5 billion in added health care expenditures. Children in food-insecure homes are also less likely to perform well academically, thereby perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Adding insult to injury, once you have a chronic disease such as diabetes, you're less likely to be able to manage your condition well if you cannot afford real food. According to Mozaffarian, his research suggests poor diet is the cause of nearly half of all deaths from heart disease, stroke and diabetes in the U.S. "To put this in perspective, about twice as many Americans are estimated to die each year from eating hot dogs and other processed meats (~58,000 deaths/year) than from car accidents (~35,000 deaths/year)," Mozaffarian writes, adding:
Ultra-Processed Junk Food — A Sick Idea That's Making People IllAbout 90 percent of the money Americans spend on food goes to buy processed food,14,15,16 which matches up nicely with data17 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which suggests 90 percent of Americans don't eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain good health. While that's bad enough, research18 reveals nearly 60 percent of the food Americans eat is not just processed but ultra-processed, defined as:
Less than 1 percent of daily calories comes from vegetables. Those ultra-processed foods account for 90 percent of the added sugar consumption in the U.S., and the dangers of eating too much added sugar have been well-established. Research has even suggested refined non-vegetable fiber carbs such as potatoes, bagels and breakfast cereal are as risky as smoking, increasing your risk for lung cancer by as much as 49 percent.19 The 2015-2020 U.S. dietary guidelines20 even recommend limiting your sugar intake to a maximum of 10 percent of your daily calories.21 (No sugar limit was ever included in earlier guidelines.) The difference between processed foods and ultra-processed foods in terms of sugar content is quite dramatic. The researchers found that about 2 percent of the calories in processed foods came from added sugars. By definition, unprocessed or minimally processed contained none. Ultra-processed foods, meanwhile, got 21 percent of their calories from added sugars! Protect Your Health by Eating Real FoodThere's no doubt we have serious health epidemics on our hands — and that a majority, if not all of them, are linked to our government's subsidy of junk food over real food, and a system that encourages the use of SNAP benefits in discount stores selling nothing but ultra-processed food. There are no quick and easy answers here. All you can do is remember that your diet really is the foundation upon which your health is built, and that eating a processed food diet is a recipe for long-term disaster. Studies have repeatedly shown that real food is more expensive than processed fare, and there's no denying the fact that there are areas where the only food retailers available are dollar stores and gas stations. Still, if you have access to real food, I encourage you to take the time to learn how to cook from scratch and make the most of any leftovers. Also consider growing some of your own. To learn more, see my previous article on creating edible gardens in small spaces. I've also written about how you can garden during the winter. This clearly requires a bit more dedication and planning, but it can be done if you have the will. One of the easiest foods to grow at home, even if you're new to gardening and have limited space, is sprouts. A highly-concentrated source of enzymes, vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, sprouted seeds are a true superfood that many overlook. In fact, the protein, vitamin and mineral content of many sprouted seeds far surpass that of organic homegrown vegetables. Also emphasize foods high in healthy fats, such as avocados, coconut oil, butter and nuts. The high fat content will provide you the calories you need despite smaller portions and keep you satiated longer (opposed to high-sugar, low-fat meals which will have you craving more food in a matter of hours). Healthy fats will also promote efficient fat burning and support mitochondrial health, which is essential for cellular functioning. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/26/dollar-store-food.aspx Food allergy, a serious and potentially life-threatening medical condition, affects a growing number of Americans. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), 1 in 13 children now has a food allergy and every three minutes a food reaction sends someone to the emergency room.1 Food allergies are also estimated to affect nearly 4 percent of adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).2 While they are most common in babies and children, food allergies can develop at any age. Adults may even develop an allergy to foods they've previously eaten for years with no problem. More than 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions, but the eight major food allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, wheat, soy and fish.3 However, as evidenced by the British teenager who recently died after eating sesame,4 this seed is also an emerging concern. The number of hospitalizations for food allergies have tripled from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s.5 Nearly 40 percent of children with food allergies have experienced a severe reaction, such as anaphylaxis. Typical food allergy symptoms may begin with hives, rash, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. This may be followed by coughing and wheezing. In severe cases, anaphylaxis can occur, which is when your throat swells and you may not be able to breathe. The rising prevalence of food allergies has been particularly noticeable in the West, where there is also rising numbers suffering vitamin D deficiency.6 Nearly 7 percent of children in the U.K. and 9 percent of those in Australia suffer from food allergies.7 Is It a Food Allergy or Intolerance?Sensitivities and food reactions are often mistaken for allergies. A true food allergy is mediated by the immune system and triggered by an antibody reaction to a protein in a specific food or drink. While most develop during childhood, the most common allergies known to develop in adults are allergies to shellfish, tree nuts and peanuts.8 Food sensitivity, also called food intolerance, is an unpleasant — usually gastrointestinal — reaction to something you've swallowed, but is not mediated by your immune system.9 For instance, a true allergy to milk is different from lactose intolerance, which triggers gastrointestinal symptoms from an inability to digest proteins in the milk.10 Type 1 food allergies involve immunoglobulin-e (IgE), an antibody in the blood and mast cells found in all body tissues. Food allergies mediated by IgE are triggered after you've eaten a food for the first time, after which cells produce IgE for the part of the food triggering the allergic reaction, called an allergen. IgE is released and attaches to the surface of mast cells. This process sets the stage for the next time you’ve eaten a food with the specific allergen. The protein interacts with IgE and triggers mast cells to release histamine. Since some food allergens are not broken down by heat or stomach acid, they cross immediately into your bloodstream and may cause reactions throughout your body.11 IgE reactions may start with itchiness in your mouth, followed by symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. If the allergen reaches your blood, it can trigger a drop in blood pressure; in your skin you may experience hives or eczema; and in the lungs it may trigger wheezing. Each of these reactions can take a few minutes or a couple of hours to develop and signal an immediate food allergy. A second type of food allergy, Type 3, also called delayed food allergy, is mediated by immunoglobulin-g (IgG). These reactions occur hours and possibly even days following your exposure to the allergen. Individuals who suffer from Type 3 food allergies are often allergic to more than two types of food, and larger amounts of food over multiple meals are needed to provoke this reaction.12 You may experience some of the same types of symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between an IgE and an IgG response. Foods triggering an IgG response are often favorite foods eaten in larger amounts. IgG responses do not typically show up on a skin test. Rising Prevalence of Allergies Corresponds to Increasing Vitamin D DeficiencyFood allergies associated with IgE affects 3 percent of the population, with severe effects on daily life. Manifestations of the allergy are not only gastrointestinal, but also affect other organ systems and may lead to an anaphylactic response.13 While vitamin D also has known effects on lung and immune system development, as well as support of the immune system after birth,14 including asthma and allergic responses, it is also significant in the regulation of IgE. The increase in allergies and sensitivities to foods is likely related to environmental factors and Western lifestyles. Developing nations have lower rates of allergic responses, and individuals with allergies are likely to live in urban rather than rural areas. Although there is no single explanation for the rise in prevalence, one significant factor is the overwhelming vitamin D deficiency suffered by those who live in urban areas.15 The link between vitamin D deficiency, which has almost doubled in just over a decade in the U.S.,16 and poor regulation of IgE responses, may be a significant factor. Both of these play a role in the development, severity and course of allergic diseases, and help explain, at least in part, why so many adults are now developing food allergies. Australia has the highest rate of confirmed food allergies, with one study finding 9 percent of 1-year-olds suffering from egg allergy.17 Australia initiated one of their most successful health campaigns to increase use of sun screen in 1981 with the slogan “Slip! Slop! Slap!”18 At the time, the campaign was aimed at lowering melanoma rates, which the government believed was the result of spending too much time in the sun. Today, nearly 25 percent of Australia's population is deficient in vitamin D. Despite these numbers, Choosing Wisely Australia, an initiative of NPS MedicineWise,19 does not recommend having routine testing for vitamin D unless you're specifically at risk, including those who:20
Considering the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, I strongly recommend getting your vitamin D level tested regardless of whether you fit into a high-risk category or not, and to make sure you’re actually within the ideal range of 60 to 80 ng/mL, and if below 60 ng/mL, take proactive steps to optimize your level. The fact of the matter is, most people are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency these days. Early Exposure to Allergens May Reduce Allergy RiskIn addition to vitamin D deficiency, a theory of dual allergen exposure may also explain the rise in pediatric food allergies. This was the basis for the LEAP study from King's College London, in which they evaluated how early exposure to peanuts may affect the development of a peanut allergy.21 The prevalence of peanut allergy in children has doubled in the past 10 years in countries where parents are advised to avoid exposure to peanuts during pregnancy, lactation and infancy. The researchers randomly assigned 640 infants, 4 to 11 months old, with a history of severe eczema, egg allergy or both, to either eat or avoid peanuts until they were 60 months old. The children were assigned to groups based on preexisting sensitivity to peanut extract, determined by a skin-prick test. Of the 98 participants treated who initially had a positive peanut allergy test, 35 percent of those who avoided peanuts had a peanut allergy at 60 months, compared to just 10 percent of those who consumed peanuts. Dr. Gideon Lack, lead investigator for the study, commented:22
These results have been validated in subsequent studies, finding late introduction of fish and eggs is associated with an increased risk of allergy development.23 A metadata analysis from the Imperial College London, which evaluated 146 studies with over 200,000 children, also concluded that feeding egg between the ages of 4 and 6 months may reduce the child’s risk of developing an egg allergy.24 Other Health Benefits of Vitamin D OptimizationVitamin D deficiency has become so widespread it's been called a pandemic by a Harvard Medical School researcher.25 The short list of health benefits attributed to vitamin D optimization include improving your immune system, strengthening muscles, bones and teeth and improving your cardiovascular health. Over the past decades, thousands of studies have evaluated the benefits of vitamin D and have linked low levels to a host of chronic health conditions. In fact, this site was one of the leaders to help catalyze interest in vitamin D over 15 years ago. Unfortunately, some studies claim supplementation at amounts over 4,000 IUs/day may lead to health problems. Research by GrassrootsHealth negates such concerns, showing toxicity is not an issue until you hit 30,000 IUs a day.26 What’s more, the recommended vitamin D level and dosage established by the National Academy of Medicine is actually the result of a mathematical error that has never been corrected. You can read more about this in my previous article, “Are Americans Really Getting Too Much Vitamin D? A Critical Look at Recent Media Warnings.” There is a long list of studies confirming the correlation between vitamin D status and cancer risk. Maintaining sufficient levels of vitamin D also helps to lower all-cause mortality and risk of Type 2 diabetes. During pregnancy, optimal levels of vitamin D help to reduce the percentage of preterm birth, and subsequently higher risks of ADHD, asthma, autism and vision problems associated with early birth. Low levels of vitamin D are also associated with depression, metabolic syndrome,27 cardiovascular disease28 and lung disease.29 Maintain Healthy Levels to Help Prevent DiseaseMy recommendation is to get your vitamin D level tested twice a year, when your level is likely to be at its lowest (midwinter) and highest (midsummer). This is particularly important if you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy or if you have cancer. Research30 suggests it may require 9,600 IUs of vitamin D per day to get a majority (97.5 percent) of the population to reach 40 ng/mL, but individual requirements can vary widely. If you've been taking a certain amount of vitamin D3 for a number of months and retesting reveals you're still not within the recommended range, then you know you need to increase your dosage. Over time, with continued testing, you'll find your individual sweet spot based on your usual safe sun exposure and have a good idea of how much supplementation you need to maintain a year-round level of 60 to 80 ng/mL, which research suggests is the ideal range for optimal health and disease prevention. GrassrootsHealth offers vitamin D testing through its D*Action study, and has an online vitamin D calculator you can use to estimate your vitamin D3 dosage once you know your current serum level. The Synergism Between Vitamin D3, Magnesium, Calcium and Vitamin K2Pamela Lutsey, public health researcher at the University of Minnesota, points out excessive vitamin D may cause over absorption of calcium, which in turn may result in calcium deposits in your heart and kidneys. Indeed, it is important to maintain not only the proper balance of vitamin D and calcium, but also magnesium and vitamin K2. Lack of balance between these four nutrients is why calcium supplements have become associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and why some experience symptoms of "vitamin D toxicity." I use quotation marks here, because the problem is not so much excess vitamin D as it is a lack of vitamin K2. Part of the explanation for these adverse side effects is that vitamin K2 is what keeps calcium in its appropriate place. If you're K2 deficient, added calcium can cause more problems than it solves, by accumulating in the wrong places. Similarly, taking megadoses of vitamin D supplements without sufficient amounts of K2 can lead to inappropriate calcification, which is what Lutsey is suggesting. While the optimal ratios between vitamin D and vitamin K2 have yet to be established, Dr. Kate Rheaume-Bleue (whom I've interviewed on this topic) suggests for every 1,000 IUs of vitamin D you take, you may benefit from about 100 micrograms (mcg) of K2, and perhaps as much as 150 to 200 mcg. Maintaining an appropriate calcium-to-magnesium ratio is also important, as magnesium helps keep calcium in your cells so they can function better. Historically, mankind ate a diet with a calcium-magnesium ratio of 1-to-1,31 but Americans tend to have a higher calcium-to-magnesium ratio in their diet, averaging about 3.5-to-1. Magnesium and vitamin K2 also complement each other, as magnesium helps lower blood pressure, which is an important component of heart disease. So, anytime you're taking magnesium, calcium or vitamin D3, remember to take all the others into consideration as well, as they all work synergistically with each other. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/26/vitamin-d-deficiency-can-lead-to-increased-allergies.aspx While you might expect eating at fast-food restaurants would negatively affect your health, you may not think purchasing food at Whole Foods Market, hailed for high food standards, may do the same thing — not due to the quality of the food itself, but rather the packaging in which they're sold. Deli foods and hot food bars use packaging coated with fluorinated chemicals in order to prevent grease from leaking through. Fluorinated chemicals and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are so ubiquitous that many are now detected in infants at birth.1 The two PFCs receiving the most publicity have been perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), once widely used to make nonstick cookware and as a key ingredient in stain-resistant fabrics.2 Both have been associated with cancer, miscarriages, thyroid problems and more. While they have been phased out of use in the U.S., they are part of a family of PFCs, many of which are still in use across the U.S. and Europe. Some stores have begun changing policies and others have been built on the premise of selling high quality, safe foods.3 However, the pervasive nature of PFCs and other toxic chemicals sometimes make it difficult for companies to live up to their own standards. Grocery Store Chain Linked to Cancer Causing ChemicalA study released by consumer watchdog groups Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families and Toxic-Free Future4 reveals Amazon’s recently acquired grocer — Whole Foods Market — was the biggest offender in their analysis of paper products coming in contact with food. They found high levels of fluorine in five of the 17 items, four of which were containers in the salad and hot food bar.5 In all, samples from 20 stores across 12 states for a total of 78 samples, were tested. Whole Foods Market spokesperson Rachel Alkon told CNBC in an emailed statement:6
According to the researchers, in many cases retailers have PFAS-free packaging widely available and competitively priced for use in the bakery and deli. The study found no PFAS treatment in trays used for cook-at-home food. The tests were focused on store brand, rather than name brand products, so the study was not a complete survey of the market. In previous testing, researchers found PFAS in sandwich wrappers, french fry boxes and bakery bags. Since the chemicals migrate into food and contaminate compost piles and landfills after disposal, the use of PFAS leads to unnecessary long-term exposure to harmful chemicals for humans, wildlife and the environment. Ranking Well in One Analysis Is Not a Blanket RecommendationIn this recent study sponsored by Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families and Toxic-Free Future, Trader Joe's was the only company that had zero items with PFAS.7 A spokesperson from Trader Joe's pointed out they ask vendors to avoid using PFC substances. Additionally, the stores do not have food bars or delis, so takeout containers are typically not found. However, in another analysis by the same watchdog group, Trader Joe’s did not fare so well. In their Safer Chemicals, Healthier Families Mind the Store campaign report, which analyzed 14 key safer chemical criteria, Trader Joe's received an “F,” alongside other companies such as Panera Bread, Publix, Subway, Starbucks and McDonalds. Mind the Store provided an in-depth evaluation of how each company scored in each criteria, along with recommendations on steps the companies could take to improve.8 They found many retailers failed to address the chemical safety of their products. Almost half lacked even the most basic public chemicals policy. Unfortunately, food retailers seriously lagged behind other companies in reducing chemical hazards, such as phthalates and PFAS in packaging and other food contact materials.9 The researchers concluded the financial, legal and regulatory risks associated with toxic chemicals continues to grow and retailers cannot afford to wait for slow-paced government regulation to catch up with the backlog of untested chemicals. 10 Relying on self-policing by the chemical industry and product manufacturers will also not satisfy the concerns of consumers who are demanding greater transparency and safer products. Their recommendations include publishing a written safer chemicals policy for each company with developed goals and metrics, and embracing radical transparency to meet rising consumer demand for full public disclosure.11 Testing Difficult Due to Pervasiveness of Thousands of ChemicalsThe Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compile and keep a list of chemical substances manufactured or processed in the U.S.12 The list includes nearly 85,000 chemicals, among which 10,000 are allowed to be added to food and food-contact materials, either directly or indirectly. However, few of them have been properly tested for safety. Fluorine and bisphenol compounds are among the chemicals currently used in food packaging with known negative health effects on humans and animals. These man-made chemicals leach from the containers or wrappings into the food. A recent study analyzed water bottles from nine countries and found at least 93 percent had some sign of contamination from microplastics or plastic debris.13 The concern with exposure to microplastics containing bisphenol is that bisphenol is a hormone disrupting chemical that interferes with important pathways affecting the thyroid gland. The chemical also inhibits the effects of testosterone.14 Ingesting even low doses of chemicals from plastics over the course of years may interfere with your body’s ability to maintain homeostasis. Unfortunately, since most are exposed to these chemicals from many sources simultaneously, it's difficult to measure their health impact specifically. Still, compelling evidence has linked these chemicals with obesity, diabetes and problems with reproductive development. Animal studies reveal disturbing specifics when exposure is measured in animals comparable to humans. How Fluorine and Bisphenol Affects Your HealthBisphenol-A (BPA), commonly found in plastics, effects aquatic animals in a variety of ways, including as an estrogen imitator, blocking sex hormones and disrupting the thyroid hormone system.15 Chemical substitutes, such as bisphenol-S (BPS), are often structurally very similar to BPA and have similar effects on animals. BPA has a significant effect on oocyte development, the precursors to female eggs, in rhesus monkeys.16 A review of the literature on plastic ingestion in humans and animals reported a wide range of effects, including dysfunctional sperm development, testicular damage and effect on thyroid hormones essential for normal neurological development.17 In 2006, the EPA determined PFOA is likely a human carcinogen.18 These chemicals are also known to be endocrine disruptors, producing birth defects, reproductive problems and other serious health problems in humans. For example, researchers found women with higher levels of PFAS have 16 times greater risk of miscarriage than women with lower levels,19 while a recent study from Italy found boys with higher levels of PFAS had shorter and thinner male genitalia than those who had not been exposed.20 A report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) on global contaminants, based on 50,000 pages of regulatory studies and documents, include health concerns as cancer, organ damage, hypothyroidism, birth defects and immune system problems. PFCs are commonly found in takeout containers and sandwich wrappers, nonstick pans, popcorn bags, stain-repellent or water-repellent clothing, carpeting, furniture and certain cosmetics. Many of the earlier studies done on animals were performed by toxicologists giving animals doses much higher than what humans would be exposed to. However, Dr. Frederick vom Saal, endocrinologist and professor emeritus at the University of Missouri, explains that since plastic mimics hormones and are part of a complex feedback system, they don't have a linear effect related to dose. In one study he found phthalates in food packaging had an adverse effect at doses many times lower than previously imagined.21 He goes on to say:22
American Academy of Pediatrics Demands Urgently Needed OversightIn the face of growing evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), issued a policy statement calling for reforms to the U.S. food additive regulatory process to protect children. While some additives are put directly into food, others have an indirect effect. This includes plastics, glues, dyes and different types of coatings used for processing and packaging. Of most concern to the AAP are bisphenols, phthalates, PFCs, perchlorates, artificial food coloring, nitrates and nitrites. Dr. Leonardo Trasande, one of the authors of the new AAP policy statement23 commented:24
At the moment it's up to consumers to manage their own exposure to chemicals since there is a surprising lack of regulatory oversight in the industry. Substances that are considered “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) fall into a category created for food items with a long history of use and no evidence of harmful side effects. The AAP believes the current list of accepted polymers is too long, as the FDA doesn't test chemicals on the list, leaving the decision up to the manufacturing companies, which don't show any peer reviewed evidence before placing their products on the GRAS list. The AAP also explained their deep concern with the current lack of proper assessment for food additives in their statement. The first of two reasons for this may be that manufacturing abilities far outpaces evidence-based research, making it nearly impossible to produce evidence guaranteeing complete safety. With the way chemicals are now allowed into the market, this places the burden of proof on regulators instead of manufacturers. The second reason may be the result of lobbying by the chemical industry. For instance, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, Dow Chemical spent close to $14 million in 2016 to lobby congress and federal agencies, and the American Chemistry Council, an umbrella organization lobbying on behalf of plastic manufacturers, spent between $5 million and $13 million lobbying annually since 2009.25 Take ActionToxic chemicals hide in many products you use on an everyday basis. As noted by Mind the Store in their Retailer Report Card,26 "It's time retailers put the interests of our families' health above the special interests of chemical corporations. Big retailers can innovate to reduce or eliminate toxic chemicals from the products they carry and safeguard our health." If you agree, take action by contacting the CEOs of all 19 retailers with a failing score. Mind the Store makes it easy through their Action Network page. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Limit Your Exposure to Reduce Your Health RisksConsidering all the potential sources of toxic chemicals, it's virtually impossible to avoid them all, but that doesn't mean you have to sit silently by while corporations use your home, water, air, food and body as a convenient chemical dumping ground. Until change occurs on a global scale, you can significantly limit your exposure by keeping a number of key principles in mind.
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/26/toxic-whole-foods-to-go-containers.aspx Christmas Day is a time for family, friends and others who have touched our lives deeply. On this day, I hope you are sharing in the joy of the season with loved ones, and I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for subscribers like you, who help, support and share our vision for a naturally healthier, happier world, every day of the year. Mercola.com seeks to be your trusted source of reliable and accurate health information, supported by the best available science. But it is only because of you, our family of subscribers, that our influence has spread not only in the United States, but in other countries as well — now translated into nine languages and serving some 12.25 million unique visitors each month. It is my sincere hope that, with our continuous service, you will stay motivated to take control of your health, and help others do the same. It's a sad fact that medical and health truth can take years, and frequently decades, before gaining widespread recognition. By shedding light on important findings, I aim to give you a significant head start, and to arm you with the information you need to avoid becoming yet another tragic statistic. With every article you read here, you build your knowledge base of how to address the roots of disease before it even starts. Within your own sphere of influence, you have the power to help others preserve and enhance their health by sharing these health tips, and we know that many of you eagerly do. Enjoy One of My All-Time Favorite Movies: 'It's a Wonderful Life'Released in 1946, "It's a Wonderful Life" still captures the hearts of new viewers seven decades later — a testament to its quality, even though it was a box office failure at the time of its debut. Perhaps it's because it's such a wonderful metaphor for your power to change the world that it has stood the test of time. It's one of my personal all-time favorites. In the film, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) spends his entire life giving up his big dreams for the good of his town, Bedford Falls. But come one Christmas Eve, he is dismayed and suicidal over a misplaced bank deposit and the plotting of the evil millionaire, Mr. Henry Potter, who wants to take over the town. Just when George's spirit is about to be broken, his guardian angel, Clarence, falls to Earth and shows him how his town, family and friends would've turned out had he never been born. At the time, in 1946, Time magazine declared the film was "possibly the best movie of the year," noting it was the "skilled balance of fantasy, sentimentality and quality" that made the film stand out above the crowd.1
Despite glowing reviews, the film failed to recoup the $2.3 million spent on the production. Some have suggested it might have been too "dark" for the 1946 postwar holiday season. The film didn't become a Christmas classic until the 1970s, after its copyright had expired and it began being aired on television on Christmas Eve. The ending to this movie, if any of you still haven't seen it, will bring tears to your eyes and remind you of how many lives YOU touch every day. So, this holiday season, I want to thank you for your loyalty and support, and wish you peace, joy and health on this special day. I'd like to leave you with one final thought — an idea for what to gift those on your Holiday shopping list, as quoted by novelist Oren Arnold. The best part? These gifts don't come from a store and they keep on giving all year long.
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/25/merry-christmas-from-dr-mercola.aspx Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for subscribers like you, who help, support and share our vision for a naturally healthier, happier world, every day of the year. Google recently announced the top health searches for 2018.1,2,3 Ketogenic diet and keto dishes were popular, although top billing still went to junk food items, with unicorn cake coming in at No. 1. Below, I’ll review the Top 10 internal Mercola.com searches for 2018 — the articles and information people have turned to again and again. Below each search term heading, the most popular article of the year is hyperlinked; just click on it to read the full article. No. 1 — High Blood PressureA blood pressure reading of 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is considered healthy. High blood pressure (hypertension) is typically considered anything over 140/90 mmHg, although the latest guidelines4 from the American Heart Association now have 130/80 mmHg as the cutoff for a diagnosis of hypertension. In the U.S., an estimated 1 in 3 have high blood pressure, and another 1 in 3 have prehypertension.5 High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and dementia,6 adding further weight to recommendations to get your blood pressure under control in order to protect not only your heart but also your long-term cognitive health. “High Blood Pressure Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia” reviews the latest research linking hypertension with a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease; factors that can affect your blood pressure reading; common causes for high blood pressure; and, natural ways to normalize your blood pressure without drugs. Beet juice, for example, has been found to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure.7 The beneficial effects are related to the nitrate found in beetroot juice. Your body converts the nitrate into bioactive nitrite followed by nitric oxide (NO), the latter of which helps relax and dilate your blood vessels. High-intensity exercise such as the Nitric Oxide Dump will also trigger NO production in your body. A number of essential oils can also be helpful, including lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, bergamot, rose, frankincense, rosemary, lemon balm and clary sage.8 More information can be found in the popular article “Essential Oils Lower Blood Pressure.” Salt-related hypertension is also a concern for many. In “Why a Low-Sodium Diet Might Wreck Your Health,” I interview James DiNicolantonio, Pharm.D., about his book, “The Salt Fix: Why the Experts Got It All Wrong — and How Eating More Might Save Your Life.” A key take-home message here is that processed foods and sugars may have a far greater impact on your blood pressure than salt, and that your sodium-to-potassium ratio is far more important a factor than the amount of salt you eat. No. 2 — Ketogenic DietMany of the disease epidemics facing us today — including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and dementia — could be turned around by educating people about the benefits of a cyclical ketogenic diet, i.e., a diet high in healthy fats, moderate in protein and low in net carbohydrates (total carbs minus fiber). “Burn Fat for Fuel” details how burning fat for fuel improves mitochondrial function, and why cycling in and out of nutritional ketosis is recommended once your body is able to efficiently burn fat. In this article, I also review the benefits of intermittent fasting and longer water fasts, as well as the fats to eat more of and which ones to avoid. No. 3 — BeetsBeets have gotten loads of beneficial press in the past year, as research demonstrates the beneficial impact of plant-based nitrates on your heart health. In “Why Some Nitrates Are Healthy While Others Are Harmful,” I review the ins and outs of healthy versus unhealthy nitrates. Your microbiome converts the nitrates found naturally in plant foods into beneficial nitric oxide, while the nitrates in cured and processed meats raise your risk of cancer by being converted into carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds due to the presence of proteins and heme in the meat. No. 4 — Vitamin DWe’re continually learning more and more about the benefits of vitamin D — and how vitamin D works with other nutrients to optimize health. “Without Magnesium, Vitamin D Supplementation May Backfire” explains why optimizing your magnesium level is so important for effectively raising your vitamin D level. Like vitamin K2 and calcium, magnesium is a crucial cofactor when trying to raise your vitamin D, as it’s required for the activation of vitamin D. Without sufficient amounts of magnesium, your body cannot properly utilize the vitamin D3 you’re taking, and research shows improving your magnesium status can actually allow you to raise your vitamin D level while taking lower doses. To assess your magnesium level, check your RBC magnesium level and track signs and symptoms of magnesium insufficiency to determine how much magnesium you need. Low potassium and calcium are also common laboratory signs indicating magnesium deficiency. Remember that the only way to determine how much sun exposure is enough and/or how much vitamin D3 you need to take is to measure your vitamin D level, ideally twice a year. According to the latest research, a level between 60 and 80 ng/mL appears to be ideal for optimal health and disease prevention. No. 5 — Intermittent FastingFasting upregulates autophagy and mitophagy — natural cleansing processes necessary for optimal cellular renewal and function — and triggers the generation of stem cells. The cyclical abstinence from food followed by refeeding also massively stimulates mitochondrial biosynthesis. All of this is needed for optimal health and disease prevention, which is why fasting has such a powerful regenerative effect. Research shows fasting is a powerful lifestyle tool for combating obesity, insulin resistance and related health problems, including cancer. There’s even evidence to suggest fasting can help prevent or even reverse dementia, as it helps your body clean out toxic debris. While water-only fasting is the most effective, it can also be the most problematic, as it forces fat-soluble toxins out of your fat cells. If you’re highly toxic and your detoxification pathways aren’t working well, this could actually be dangerous. Fortunately, research has confirmed that similar results (albeit not as profound) can be achieved through intermittent fasting, i.e., following a meal-timing schedule where you’re fasting for at least 16 hours every day and eating all of your meals within eight consecutive hours. While some intermittent fasting plans place no restrictions on the foods you eat (only when and/or the number of calories), recent evidence suggests intermittent fasting is far more effective when combined with a ketogenic diet. This makes sense considering both strategies improve your fat burning ability and have similar rejuvenating and regenerating effects. All of this is reviewed in the popular article “Why Intermittent Fasting Is More Effective Combined With Ketogenic Diet.” No. 6 — Flu Shot FactsFlu protection is a common yearly concern, online search data reveal. Two of the most-read articles for 2018 were “The Big Bad Flu Data — What You Need to Know About Vaccine Effectiveness and Alternatives,” and “New York City to Require Flu Shots for Preschoolers and California Moves to Eliminate Vaccine Exemptions for the Poor.” As noted in “The Big Bad Flu Data,” the vaccine effectiveness against influenza for the 2017/2018 seasonal flu vaccines was just 36 percent, meaning for a vast majority of people, it offered no protection at all. What’s more, research shows the flu vaccine does not result in significantly fewer or lessened symptoms should you contract the flu. In fact, there’s plenty of evidence suggesting flu vaccinations render you more susceptible to illness, both in that season and the following one. The article also provides the details of research showing vitamin D optimization would protect far more people than flu vaccinations. The second article discusses the ongoing concern of mandatory flu vaccinations for school-aged children, and the elimination of vaccine exemptions. It also reviews a number of studies questioning the validity of annual flu vaccination as a public health measure. No. 7 — Sucralose (Splenda)Sucralose (sold under the brand name Splenda) is one of the main competitors to aspartame, and both of these artificial sweeteners can have serious health consequences, raising your risk of obesity, diabetes and other chronic health problems. One of sucralose’s mechanisms of harm is the destruction of beneficial gut bacteria. “New Splenda Studies Confirm Its Dangers” reviews research showing sucralose is not a biologically inert compound; it is in fact metabolized, and accumulates in fat cells — something that the industry has long denied — and has toxic effects in your liver. The article also lists commonly reported side effects, and other scientific findings that question its overall safety in the long term. I also review how to determine whether you might be having a reaction to artificial sweeteners, and how to file an adverse reaction report with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. No. 8 — ProbioticsMore attention than ever is being put on your gut health, and understandably so because 70 to 80 percent of your immune function resides within your gastrointestinal tract. Your gut bacteria can also influence your behavior and gene expression, and have been shown to play a role in a variety of diseases, including obesity, diabetes, autism and Parkinson’s disease. While fermented foods and a healthy low-sugar, high-fiber diet are foundational for gut health, probiotic supplements can also be beneficial. In “Go With Your Gut,” I review the influence of your gut microbiome on your health, and how to identify a high-quality probiotic supplement. I also discuss the benefits of sporebiotics, which in some ways are superior to conventional probiotic supplements, especially if you’re taking them concurrently with an antibiotic, or to reseed your gut following a course of antibiotics. 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 means they are not affected by antibiotics. No. 9 — BerberineA number of new supplements have gained recognition in the past year, with berberine, a powerful AMPK activator, being among the most popular and most-searched-for. AMPK is an enzyme that plays an important role in body fat composition, inflammation, blood lipids, mitophagy (mitochondrial autophagy) and mitochondrial biogenesis. It also stimulates five other critically important pathways: insulin, leptin, mTOR, IGF-1 and PGC-1α. In “PQQ, Berberine and Other Mitochondrial Enhancers,” I interview Dr. Michael Murray, a naturopathic physician and author of several books, about the benefits and action of berberine. For example, berberine has been shown to protect against oxidative stress associated with Parkinson’s disease, and has many of the same benefits as the diabetic drug metformin, but without the side effects. No. 10 — CancerAs you’d expect, cancer is also on the list of most-searched-for health concerns. Clearly, prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to cancer, and while diet is paramount (with cyclical keto and fasting topping the list of all-natural cancer prevention strategies), specific nutrients and supplements show great promise as well, curcumin being one of the most potent and most well-studied. When it comes to cancer treatment, more people than ever before are forgoing conventional chemotherapy and are starting to take control of their own cancer treatment and care. Overall, years of research supports the sanity of this trend, as studies have repeatedly shown chemo is nowhere near as effective as most people think, and actually hastens death when given to severely ill patients. Two of the most popular cancer-related articles for the year were “How Curcumin Targets Cancer” and “Chemotherapy Is Losing Its Luster,” which address prevention and treatment respectively. The remarkable benefits of nutritional ketosis and fasting as adjuncts to conventional cancer treatment are also detailed in “Metabolically Supported Therapies for the Improvement of Cancer Treatment,” which features an interview with Dr. Abdul Slocum and Travis Christofferson, author of "Tripping Over the Truth: How the Metabolic Theory of Cancer is Overturning One of Medicine's Most Entrenched Paradigms.” from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/24/top-google-health-search-2018.aspx |
Nia Pure NatureThe Provider of premium Quality Health Products To Live Better Lives Archives
March 2022
Categories |