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The Philippines Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry has become the latest regulatory body to approve the use of genetically engineered (GE) “Golden Rice” for direct use as food or feed, as well as for processing.1 The so-called FFP approval is being heralded as a solution to rising rates of vitamin A deficiency in the country, as the rice is engineered to produce beta-carotene. However, serious questions remain about the GE rice’s safety, as well as its ability to actually increase vitamin A levels in those who are deficient. Despite these key outstanding questions, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand have also given Golden Rice a green light, which suggests it could appear on your dinner plate soon. Philippines Says Golden Rice Is SafeAfter conducting a biosafety assessment, the Philippines Department of Agriculture announced that Golden Rice was as safe as conventional rice, granting it FFP approval. In a news release, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) executive director John de Leon stated, “With this FFP approval, we bring forward a very accessible solution to our country’s problem on vitamin A deficiency that’s affecting many of our preschool children and pregnant women.”2 Before the rice will be made available to the public, approval for commercial propagation will still be required. However, PhilRice has already partnered with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the current makers of Golden Rice, to move forward with taste tests of the GE rice. According to IRRI:3
It’s a major step forward for the GE rice, as it’s the first approval in a country where rice is a staple food, and vitamin A deficiency is also a significant problem. In the Philippines, per capita white rice consumption is about 315 grams (0.69 pounds) daily, which is fifteenfold higher than in the U.S.4 Providing a beta-carotene rich source of rice indeed sounds like a lifesaving solution, but the GE rice has repeatedly failed to deliver. FDA Refuses to Give Golden Rice a Nutrient Content ClaimGolden Rice has been making headlines for two decades as a solution to vitamin A deficiency, a condition that affects 250 million preschool-aged children worldwide.5 As the leading cause of preventable blindness in children, it’s estimated that up to 500,000 children become blind each year due to vitamin A deficiency, and half of them die within a year of losing their sight, according to the World Health Organization.6 Golden Rice has already gone through multiple changes before its latest version — GR2E — received regulatory approval for use in food. The first Golden Rice, GR1, failed, as it contained too little beta-carotene to even make a dent in vitamin A deficiency.7 The next version, GR2, was developed by biotech giant Syngenta, and the latest version, GR2E, contains three added genes. “Two specify enzymes in the β-carotene biosynthesis pathway, and are taken from bacteria and maize,” Independent Science News reported. “The third specifies a (nonantibiotic) selectable marker protein used in the modification process.”8 The FDA approved Golden Rice, using data supplied by IRRI, but noted that its beta-carotene content is too low to warrant a nutrient content claim. Health Canada similarly wrote that even if all rice and rice products in the country were replaced with Golden Rice, it would result in only a very small (0.8% to 8%) increase in beta-carotene intake daily.9 IRRI is already countering the finding, essentially stating that it will work better in the Philippines simply because the average Filipino consumes much more rice than the average American:10
Will Eating Golden Rice Alleviate Vitamin A Deficiency?Controversy has surrounded Golden Rice since its creation, in part because it’s uncertain whether widespread planting of this GMO will benefit those who are vitamin A deficient. IIRI’s Russell Reinke, a rice breeder, stated that eating about 1 cup of Golden Rice daily would supply 50% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for an adult.11 This was in an article published by the Genetic Literacy Project, a well-known front group for the GMO industry, which also states:12
There is concern, however, that the beta-carotene in Golden Rice may degrade with storage. One study revealed that after three weeks of storage Golden Rice retained only 60% of its beta-carotene and this dropped to 13% after 10 weeks.13,14 Further, there are concerns that even the GR2E rice may contain only negligible quantities of beta-carotene. The FDA reported that the rice contained only 0.50 to 2.35 ug/g of beta-carotene compared to, say, the 111 ug/g found in spinach, although sometimes higher levels have been reported.15 In cases where higher levels were reported, this was often the result of misleading or skewed statistics, such as:16
“In other words,” Independent Science News reported, “the low levels communicated to FDA seem to be the most accurate and realistic.”17 Golden Rice Approval ‘Irresponsible and Completely Misguided’The conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A is also questionable. A 2009 study found Golden Rice is an effective source of vitamin A because it “is effectively converted to vitamin A” in healthy adult volunteers18 — but those who could theoretically be helped by the additional beta-carotene in Golden Rice are, for the most part, not healthy adults, nor would they have regular access to key nutrients needed to absorb vitamin A, like fat. Even the study that concluded Golden Rice is an effective source of vitamin A fed the rice to healthy adults along with 10 grams of butter,19 something that may not occur in a real-life setting. There are fundamental questions that need to be asked, too, such as whether the answer to malnutrition lies in replacing one micronutrient at a time, instead of helping people to grow nutritionally balanced, healthy foods. Greenpeace Southeast Asia-Philippines is among the NGOs that blasted the Bureau of Plant industry’s (BPI) approval, calling on the government to “immediately reverse the faulty decision, which the environment group maintains is based on insufficient data.” They said the approval processed did not take into account socio-economic impacts to farmers and indigenous peoples, or the rice’s effects on local culture, adding:20
WHO Promotes Gardens, Breastfeeding for Vitamin A DeficiencyFighting back against vitamin A deficiency isn’t a matter of introducing GE rice into the environment but, rather, targeting the lack of healthy food spurring the deficiency in the first place. Toward this end, WHO has already implemented a campaign featuring a variety of non-GMO methods for combating vitamin A deficiency, such as:21
High-dose vitamin A supplementation has also yielded improvements, reducing mortality by 23% overall and by up to 50% for those with measles.22 Biotech giants like Syngenta are going to continue pushing for Golden Rice to gain approval worldwide, while GE rice varieties that contain additional iron and zinc, or have a low glycemic index, have also been developed. Some have said that a “Green Gene” revolution — one that looks at GMOs as the solution to feeding the world — is inevitable, but GMOs often create more problems than they solve. “The last Green Revolution produced more food,” a Bulletin of the World Health Organization, stated, “but much of it didn’t reach the people who most needed it.”23 What’s more, in a survey of childhood nutrition in 63 developing countries, improving the level of women’s education was the most important factor related to better child nutrition. “According to these figures, if improving rice productivity affected food availability it would contribute to 26% of the causes of improvement in child nutrition, whereas improving the status and education of women would more than double that effect,” the Bulletin noted.24 from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/12/31/gmo-rice.aspx Since 2015, we’ve seen the slow and steady erosion of vaccine informed consent rights across the U.S., as the forced vaccination lobby led by the pharmaceutical industry, medical trade and government health agencies have put pressure on state legislatures to mandate every federally recommended vaccine for children and adults while simultaneously eliminating vaccine exemptions. If the fight for GMO labeling has taught us anything, it’s that industry is willing (and able) to spend whatever it takes to strong arm government into eliminating individual rights and freedoms to protect and boost their own profits. This tactic is even more evident in the vaccine industry, which has everything to gain and nothing to lose by making sure laws are passed to force people to buy and use vaccines they don’t want or need for themselves and their minor children. Residents of California, Washington, Maine and New York all lost vaccine exemptions this year, as detailed in “Vaccine Exemptions Under Attack in 2019” and, earlier this month, the New Jersey legislature rammed through a bill that repealed the religious and medical vaccine exemptions. The GMO fight five years ago did teach us another important lesson, though, and that is the value and importance of victories in smaller states, which are easier to win — largely due to the reduced cost of advertising and education. This is one of the reasons why making a donation to support Maine’s “Yes On 1” campaign is so important, regardless of where in the United States you live. ‘Yes on 1 Maine’ to Reject Big PharmaAs explained in the featured video by Mainers for Health and Parental Rights, the Maine legislature passed a law, LD798, in June 2019 that revoked religious and philosophical/personal belief vaccine exemptions and blocked access to education and certain types of employment in Maine for those without all state-mandated vaccines. As explained on RejectBigPharma.com:1
Support Maine’s ‘Yes on 1’ CampaignA people’s veto petition to overturn Maine’s new vaccine law garnered a total of 95,871 signatures — far more than the 63,067 signatures required to ensure a place on the March 3, 2020, ballot approved by the Maine secretary of state.2 What this means is that Maine will be the first state to put government vaccine mandates to a popular vote. To help them succeed and set the precedent for other states to follow, they need your donor support. As mentioned, smaller states are easier to win because there are fewer people to educate on the issue at hand, which means less money is required for advertising. Maine has an advertising saturation point of about $3 million, meaning if you spend $3 million, you will reach a majority of residents and further advertising will not make a significant difference. The “Yes on 1 Reject Big Pharma” campaign needs to raise at least $1 million to stand a chance against the wealthy and powerful vaccine industry’s deep pockets. If the freedom fighters in Maine can raise more, even better. YOU can make a difference by making a donation to this campaign today! >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Why Vote Yes on 1?As stated by campaign manager Cara Sacks in the featured video:
If you live in Maine, be sure to personally participate in this crucial vote March 3, 2020. If you’re unclear about what LD798 means for you and your children, check out the “Yes on 1 Myths vs. Reality” page.3 As noted on RejectBigPharma.com, when you vote Yes on 1, you’re saying yes to:4
New Jersey Fights Draconian Vaccine MandateIn related news, New Jersey families mounted a stunning public defense of the religious and medical vaccine exemptions in that state as protests by several thousand New Jersey citizens were held December 16 outside the capitol building in Trenton. Parents held signs and chanted, asking legislators to vote “NO” on a highly unpopular bill — S2173 — that proposed to not only remove the religious vaccine exemption for all children in day care and schools, but also to effectively eliminate the legal right for physicians to grant a medical exemption that does not conform with narrow federal ACIP vaccine contraindication guidelines or fails to be approved by state health officials. Four days earlier, on December 12, hundreds of parents traveled to the state capitol to attend a senate health committee hearing on S2173. According to Children’s Health Defense legal counsel, Mary Holland, who testified at the hearing:5
In a December 12, 2019, Facebook post, John Gilmore with the New York Alliance for Vaccine Rights commented, in part:6
By December 16, when a large crowd began to form outside the capitol building in opposition to the blatant attempt by the New Jersey senate leadership to ram through legislation eliminating vaccine exemptions just like had been done in New York, Maine and California earlier this year, it was clear that there were cracks forming in what was supposed to be an easy “yes” vote on the floor of the Senate. As the afternoon and evening wore on and the chants grew louder, the vote became less certain as several Democrat senators indicated they had serious concerns about the bill and would vote “no.” At about 8:30 p.m., the senate adjourned without taking a vote. Reportedly, the legislation could be voted upon when the senate reconvenes in early January, and New Jersey citizens are urged to contact their state senators now and ask for a “no” vote in January, and to contact Gov. Paul Murphy and ask for a veto of any legislation eliminating vaccine exemptions. Other New Jersey vaccine legislation that moved forward this year was A1576 that eliminates the right of any employee working in a health care facility to decline an annual flu shot for religious or conscientious beliefs. Also passed was A1991, which requires students attending college in New Jersey to get meningococcal B vaccine. For more detailed information on the status of vaccine bills in New Jersey or other states and to get talking points that can help you speak with your legislators, become a user of the free NVIC Advocacy Portal and stay up to date with bills introduced in your state so you can take action to defend your legal right to make voluntary decisions about vaccination. Medical Overreach Is Going ViralIndeed, everywhere we look, we find signs of out-of-control Big Pharma influence. In addition to vaccine exemptions being eliminated, forcing parents to play Russian roulette with their children’s health, doctors are also working closely with departments of children and family services (DCFS) in states to remove newborns from the custody of their parents if the parents refuse the vitamin K shot. In September 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against hospitals in Illinois, including Silver Cross, University of Chicago Medical Center and Christ Hospital; the American Academy of Pediatrics; the DCFS; and certain pediatricians. The lawsuit was filed by Illinois families who had their babies taken from them after they refused the vitamin K injection, vaccines or antibiotic eye treatment, none of which are required by law in Illinois.7 Recordings of a meeting of members of the Illinois Department of Health's Perinatal Advisory Committee have since been released, revealing that doctors were plotting to take custody of newborns to administer nonmandatory treatments in violation of the parents' rights.8 As reported by PJ Media,9 one of the pediatricians named in the suit, Dr. Jill Glick, is accused of "[conspiring] with DCFS officials … to implement a DCFS policy that all of them knew was illegal, and [making] sure that Illinois pediatricians and hospitals carried out this policy using coercive threats … designed to enforce compliance with their desires that no parent be allowed to refuse the prophylactic medical procedures at issue in this case.” A Freedom of Information Act request revealed an email from Glick written in August 2017, which suggested parents should be forced to accept such procedures in order to send a clear message to parents who "do not see the medical community as the expert."10 We Must Protect Informed Consent at All CostNational Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) co-founder and president Barbara Loe Fisher’s 2017 article, “From Nuremberg to California: Why Informed Consent Matters in the 21st Century,” spells out why we must fight against this kind of government and Big Pharma overreach.
Government Licensed Vaccines Are ‘Unavoidably Unsafe’Those who claim vaccines are safe and effective for all are stating an opinion that is not backed up with well-established scientific facts. Everyone has a right to have an opinion, but opinion should not be turned into laws that restrict or eliminate the human right to freedom of thought, religious belief and informed consent to medical risk-taking. In 1986, the U.S. Congress passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act that acknowledged federally licensed and recommended vaccines can injure and kill children. In 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court reiterated Congress’ established protocol and declared FDA-licensed and CDC-recommended vaccines to be “unavoidably unsafe.”22 Reports published by physician committees at the Institute of Medicine between 1991 and 2013 also confirmed that:
All the while, Big Pharma, medical trade groups and government health agencies lobby for the elimination of vaccine exemptions33 and the removal of civil rights such as education, employment and health care for those who decline one or more federally-recommended or state-mandated vaccines. You can be sure that the pharmaceutical industry and doctors administering vaccines would not wield this kind of power if people could actually sue them for vaccine injuries and deaths. As it stands, they have everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose by pushing for more vaccine mandates and the elimination of exemptions. Take a Stand Against Big Pharma Today!You can take a stand for informed consent right now, today, by making a donation to support Maine’s “Yes on 1” ballot initiative. If you’re a Maine resident, also be sure to mark your calendar to cast your vote March 3, 2020. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/12/31/maine-vaccination-laws.aspx As explained in "The Health Benefits of MSM," sulfur is the third most abundant mineral in your body and plays important roles in a variety of bodily processes, including metabolism and detoxification, and for maintaining the proper shape and structure of proteins and enzymes. Sulfur-containing amino acids increase your levels of glutathione and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and these two play important roles in health and fitness. Glutathione BasicsGlutathione comprises three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate and glycine. It's commonly referred to as "the master antioxidant," as it is your body's most powerful antioxidant, and is found inside every cell in your body. Antioxidants combat free radicals — highly reactive particles that bounce around the cell, damaging everything they touch. Most originate during the process of metabolism but they can also arise during exercise, and from exposure to toxins, irradiation and toxic metals. Because free radicals are so destructive, cells have a network of defenses designed to neutralize them. This antioxidant network is composed of numerous components that include vitamins, minerals and special chemicals called thiols (glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid). Glutathione differs from other antioxidants in that it is intracellular, and has the unique ability of maximizing the activity of all the other antioxidants, including (but not limited to) vitamins C and E, CoQ10 and alpha lipoic acid. It also removes toxins from your cells and protects you from the damaging effects of radiation, chemicals and environmental pollutants. NAC BasicsNAC is a precursor to and rate-limiting nutrient for the formation of glutathione.1 Glutathione is poorly absorbed so, in many cases, it's easier to raise your glutathione by taking NAC instead. In emergency medicine, NAC is used as an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity resulting from an overdose.2 Mortality due to acetaminophen toxicity has been shown to be virtually eliminated when NAC is promptly administered. It is believed the liver damage acetaminophen causes is largely due to the fact that it can deplete glutathione, which is secreted by your liver in response to toxic exposure. On a side note, NAC supplementation can also help "pre-tox" your body when taken before alcohol, thereby minimizing the damage associated with alcohol consumption — a tidbit that may be useful to know in light of approaching New Year's celebrations. Taking NAC (at least 200 milligrams) 30 minutes before you drink can help lessen the alcohol's toxic effects. Vitamin B6 may also help to lessen hangover symptoms. While the most common use of NAC is for liver support, it's also showing promise as a neuroprotectant.3 Scientists are currently investigating it as a treatment for Parkinson's disease, which has been linked to glutathione deficiency in the substantia nigra, a region that houses dopamine neurons.4 Research looking at autopsied brains suggests Parkinson's patients have barely detectable levels of glutathione in this brain region. Subsequent studies have found glutathione deficiency in the substantia nigra is common in a number of other neurodegenerative conditions as well, including Alzheimer's disease.5 Another area where NAC shows particular promise is in the treatment of mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder,6 depression7 and substance use disorders.8 Dozens of additional health benefits are also reviewed in a November 29, 2019, SelfHacked article.9 Glutathione Helps Regulate Epigenetic Disease MechanismsOne factor that can help explain the wide-ranging benefits of NAC and glutathione is glutathione's role in the regulation of epigenetic disease mechanisms.10 As noted in a November 2017 paper in Free Radical Biology and Medicine:11
The following graphic12 illustrates how glutathione influences pathological changes in gene expression. NAC Improves Cardiovascular and Mitochondrial FunctionAccording to a 2018 study,13 NAC supplementation may be useful for the prevention of cardiovascular problems in older people. As you might expect, oxidative stress can over time induce metabolic and functional changes that speed cardiovascular aging and dysfunction, and your glutathione levels declines with age, putting you at greater risk. In this study, aging mice received either NAC or a combination of NAC and glycine. After seven weeks, their cardiac function was assessed, showing those receiving NAC plus glycine had improved several parameters of their cardiovascular function, including:
NAC alone did not impart these cardiovascular benefits, although both groups had decreased levels of inflammatory mediators. The NAC and glycine combination also improved mitochondrial function and upregulated mitochondrial genes in the heart that are normally downregulated with age. According to the authors, "Our data indicate that NAC+Gly supplementation can improve diastolic function in the old mouse and may have potential to prevent important morbidities for older people." Glutathione Deficiency Lowers Vitamin D Levels in the ObeseOther recent research14 published in Scientific Reports shows that glutathione deficiency can induce epigenetic changes in genes that regulate vitamin D metabolism in the liver. Emerging evidence also suggests glutathione metabolism plays a role in the epigenetic regulation of oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions, the authors note. According to this paper,15 obesity has been correlated with low levels of glutathione and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 — especially in Type 2 diabetics and the obese16 — and when obese mice were fed a glutathione-deficient diet, it downregulated vitamin D metabolism genes and vitamin D receptors in the liver. As a result, oxidative stress increased. According to the authors, their findings suggest glutathione supplementation could help reduce the risk of vitamin D deficiency in obese individuals. Supplementation with L-cysteine, a rate-limiting precursor to glutathione, has also been shown to increase vitamin D levels and reduce oxidative stress, the paper notes, which supports the link between glutathione and vitamin D. Glutathione and NAC Ameliorate Exercise-Induced StressAs mentioned earlier, exercise is one of the ways through which free radical production increases and, with it, oxidative stress. Provided you get enough rest between bouts, this oxidative stress is actually part of what makes exercise so beneficial. That said, as noted in a 2005 paper,17 "Effective regulation of the cellular balance between oxidation and antioxidation is important when considering cellular function and DNA integrity as well as the signal transduction of gene expression." In other words, excessive exercise can cause more harm than good. As explained by the authors:18
Exercise Boosts Your Glutathione LevelThe 2005 paper above goes on to explain how exercise affects your glutathione level, and thus your health, fitness and risk of disease. In short, when you engage in intense exercise, your blood level of glutathione significantly decreases while circulating levels of oxidized glutathione increases, indicating that it's been used inside the muscle to quench free radicals produced during the exertion.19 Considering the importance of glutathione to counteract free radicals, effective regulation of glutathione levels when exercising is a significant concern. The good news is that the more you exercise, the higher your base levels of glutathione get. This adaptation allows your body to effectively deal with the increase in free radicals that the exercise brings about. While exercise itself will boost your glutathione level over time, raising glutathione through supplementation is an oft-used strategy among athletes. As mentioned, glutathione supplementation is ineffective due to its poor absorption, so NAC is generally considered a much better choice. According to the authors of the 2005 paper cited above:20
Other studies have also confirmed that NAC supplementation helps delay muscle fatigue during exercise, thereby improving endurance. In one study,21 NAC infusion increased the time to exhaustion by 26.3%. NAC's ability to reduce fatigue and improve cellular redox (oxidation reduction) also hints at its potential benefit for those struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The Glutathione Depletion Theory of CFSAs explained by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CFS, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME, is characterized by "overwhelming fatigue that is not improved by rest."22 The fatigue is frequently such that it challenges your ability to perform even the most common of daily life tasks, such as showering or preparing a meal. The role of glutathione in this condition is addressed in "A Simple Explanation of the Glutathione/Methylation Depletion Theory of ME/CFS"23 by the late Rich Van Konynenburg, Ph.D., developer of the methylation protocol used by many in the CFS community.24,25 According to Van Konynenburg, oxidative stress "is probably the best-proven biochemical aspect of chronic fatigue syndrome," and in order for your oxidative stress to overwhelm your system, something must be placing excessive demands on your glutathione supply. Several examples were already listed above, such as inadequate antioxidant and/or excessive pro-oxidant intake, toxic exposures and physical injuries. Long-term emotional stress can also be a factor. As noted in Van Konynenburg's article:
The B12-Glutathione ConnectionVitamin B12 helps your body convert food into glucose for energy, and fatigue is one of the symptoms of low B12 levels.26 Interestingly, many with CFS have elevated B12 levels. Their bodies simply cannot use it properly, and one potential culprit is low glutathione. "The best test to reveal this is a urine organic acids test that includes methylmalonic acid. It will be high if the B12 is being sidetracked, and this is commonly seen in people with CFS," Van Konynenburg states, adding:27
The Basic Biochemical Mechanism of CFSThe methylation cycle also regulates your body's use of sulfur, and the production of sulfur-containing substances, including glutathione. CFS patients often have abnormal levels of sulfur metabolites. Once you understand the interconnectedness of glutathione, B12 and the methylation cycle, it becomes easier to see how chronic CFS arises. As explained by Van Konynenburg:28
All of these factors will ultimately decimate your immune function as well, allowing pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi to take over. CFS patients will frequently have several infections ongoing at the same time. Low glutathione also impedes your body's natural detoxification pathways, allowing toxicity to build over time, thereby causing ever-increasing dysfunction. The Answer for CFSSo, how do you turn this chain of events around? As noted in Van Konynenburg's article:29
An outline of Van Konynenburg's simplified methylation treatment plan for CFS can be found in HealthRising.org.30 At the core of this treatment is the use of specific supplements, including folate, B12, a multivitamin, SAMe and phosphatidyl serine. In his protocol, he explains the theory behind the use of each of these supplements, how they impact the methylation cycle, and their interactions with other supplements. My take-home message here is that glutathione and NAC supplementation may not always be the ideal way to go. People with CFS may be better supported by a customized assessment by an experienced clinician that may also include methyl folate and methyl vitamin B12. General Dosing and Safety Guidelines for NACFor many others, however, NAC can be safely used to boost glutathione levels. For more information about how NAC can benefit your health, see "The Many Benefits of NAC." It's widely available as an oral dietary supplement and is relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, like glutathione, NAC is poorly absorbed when taken orally, although it's better than glutathione. According to some studies,31,32 NAC's oral bioavailability may range between 4% and 10%, which is why the recommended dosage can go as high as 1,800 milligrams (mg) per day. Its half-life is also in the neighborhood of two hours, which is why most study subjects take it two or three times a day. No maximum safe dose has yet been determined, but as a general rule, it's well-tolerated, although some do experience gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea or constipation. Should this occur, reduce your dosage. It's also best taken in combination with food, to reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal effects. Also keep in mind that since NAC boosts glutathione, which is a powerful detox agent, you may experience debilitating detox symptoms if you start with too high a dose. To avoid this, start low, with say 400 to 600 mg once a day, and work your way up. Also, if you are currently taking an antidepressant or undergoing cancer treatment, be sure to discuss the use of NAC with your physician, as it may interact with some antidepressants and chemotherapy. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/12/30/glutathione-nac-for-health-and-fitness.aspx Although irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and irritable bowel disease (IBD) sound similar, they are two distinct conditions with a few similar symptoms. IBD is classified as a disease that causes inflammation of the intestinal tissue. Several gastrointestinal diseases are part of the IBD group, with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's occurring most frequently.1 The director of Cedars-Sinai Inflammatory Bowel Immunobiology Institute says the severity of the condition may depend on genetic markers and the effects of the gut microbes on your immune system. The most prevalent indication of both IBS and IBD is diarrhea. IBD may also present with anemia, fever, bloody stool and extreme weight loss. IBS may trigger constipation, diarrhea or both as the condition affects the intestinal tract. Some complain of being gassy or bloated, and up to 70% who are diagnosed with IBS have suffered from severe food poisoning in the past. IBS is a functional disease, which means the symptoms you have may not produce a diagnosis through exams or procedures. The intensity and severity of the condition may vary from person to person and can be induced by certain foods, the size of a meal or stress. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, up to 15% of adults in the U.S. have IBS.2 Symptoms of the condition frequently disrupt life and social interactions, and the current treatment methodologies have traditionally focused on diet, lifestyle and stress. Peppermint Oil Helps Soothe Your GI SystemPeppermint is an herb that has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient Egyptian times. Dried leaves were found in the pyramids, and ancient Greeks and Romans used it to help with stomach issues.3 Researchers have studied the effect of peppermint and peppermint oil on the digestive tract, finding it helps those with IBS. In 2015,4 two scientists conducted a literature review of 16 clinical trials and evaluated the use of enteric-coated peppermint oil as a treatment of IBS. They concluded that in comparison to the drug treatments, peppermint oil was a better choice for alleviating symptoms and improving the quality of life. They recommended that those with IBS who do not have serious constipation or diarrhea should take one to two capsules three times a day for 24 weeks. The authors of a second, recently published systematic review and meta-analysis of 33 trials found similar results. They wrote:5
The goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicines in the treatment of IBS symptoms. The team from the University of Tasmania evaluated studies that looked at 18 herbal remedies. Stephen Gaffner, chief science officer at the American Botanical Council, believes the review is well done and has provided a useful update. He said:6
Sustained Release Delivers Oil Directly to the IntestineThe vast majority of the trials used essential oil and the analyses suggested there was good safety and efficacy in the short-term management of IBS. Despite being a benign condition, IBS does have a detrimental effect on quality of life and creates a substantial financial impact. In another study,7 scientists looked at a sustained release delivery model for peppermint oil to improve tolerability and release the oil in the small intestines. Using a placebo controlled clinical trial, 72 participants were randomized into two groups. At the completion of the trial, those receiving the intervention experienced better improvement and reduced severe gastrointestinal symptoms with few adverse events. Economic and Societal Burden Associated With IBSOf those diagnosed with IBS, 30% see their physician for the symptoms.8 While they do not experience significantly different abdominal issues than those who don't seek medical treatment, they do present with higher levels of anxiety and reductions in their quality of life. IBS accounts for up to 12% of the total number of primary care visits and the cost to society is estimated to start at $21 billion, which includes direct and indirect medical costs as well as loss in productivity and work performance.9 In one literature review10 designed to evaluate the costs of IBS in the U.K. and the U.S., researchers found the average number of days off work each year attributed to the condition ranged between 8.5 and 21.6. The magnitude of the economic burden appeared to be increased by a factor of 1.1 to 6 when compared to levels within a control group. Protect Your Gut, Protect Your BrainThe importance of protecting your gut microbiome cannot be overstated. It plays a key role in your mental health and in the development of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Poor gut health may also increase your risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, liver disease and cardiovascular disease. Advances in science have made it clear the organisms living in your gut play a major role in your health, both mental and physical. In one article, authors have suggested even severe and chronic mental health problems may be alleviated using specific probiotics aimed at reducing inflammation in the gut. Often called the second brain, the human gut has 20 million neurons and houses close to 100 trillion microorganisms responsible for influencing biological and emotional function. Your two nervous systems —the central nervous system in your brain and the enteric nervous system in your gut — are in constant communication through the vagus nerve. Researchers have examined the influence gut bacteria has on emotions by using participants who have IBS. Research shows in patients with IBS, nerves in the gut are more active than in healthy people. This has led to speculation pain is the result of a hypersensitive nervous system. Some have used hypnosis to dampen the hypervigilance in the nervous system and have successfully been able to ease the pain associated with the condition. The effectiveness was confirmed using brain imaging demonstrating down regulation of activation of pain centers in the brain. Vitamin D Insufficiency Increases Risk of IBSIn a review published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers note in seven of the published studies looking at vitamin D status and IBS prevalence, vitamin D deficiency was prominent in those with IBS. In one of the studies, 70% of participants with IBS showed improvements in their symptoms while on a vitamin D regimen. Bernard Corfe, Ph.D. and senior lecturer in oncology at the University of Sheffield in the U.K., was lead scientist on the study and told reporters: "It is evident from the findings that all people with IBS should have their vitamin D levels tested and a large majority of them would benefit from supplements." The authors of a second study looked at gene expression and variations as well as serotonin pathways, finding that those with IBS tended to have lower levels of vitamin D. The expression of genetic biomarkers for IBS also appeared to be modulated by vitamin D. According to the authors:
Regular, sensible sun exposure is the best way to optimize your vitamin D status, but many will need to take an oral vitamin D3 supplement, especially during the winter months. The only way to gauge whether you might need to supplement is to get your level tested, ideally twice a year, in the summer and winter when your level is at its peak and low point. A Clean Diet Leads to a Healthier GutIf you struggle with IBS, or any other type of gut related issue, a significant part of your answer may be in avoiding genetically engineered (GE) foods of any kind. Plant incorporated Bt toxin is exempt from the requirement of a tolerance level for residues. The original claim was the Bt toxin produced in the plant would be destroyed by the digestive system and therefore posed no health risk. However, researchers have found the toxin in 93% of pregnant women tested in 2011 in Quebec, Canada. It may produce a wide variety of immune responses and is typically associated with allergies, infections and inflammatory responses. GE plants are designed to be resistant to herbicides and pose nearly identical problems. Since they are not required to be clearly labeled in the U.S., it's best to seek out fresh, organic foods whenever possible and avoid processed foods to protect your gut health. More Strategies to Reduce Symptoms of IBSEating a clean diet, taking peppermint oil and optimizing your vitamin D levels are healthy ways to start controlling symptoms of IBS. Here are several more options to help reduce symptoms: • Get checked for parasites -- Some physical conditions simulate IBS, such as a parasite infection. Have your stool checked for parasites and to find out of you need to be treated. • Boost healthy bacteria in your gut -- Lowering your intake of sugar and processed foods automatically creates an environment to support the growth of good bacteria. Consider further enhancing the process by eating fermented foods and/or taking a high-quality probiotic supplement. • Boost your fiber intake -- Additional fiber may be helpful to control IBS symptoms. Organic psyllium tends to be particularly helpful for this, and is my personal favorite. Psyllium is adaptogenic, meaning if you're constipated it will soften your stool and help increase your bowel frequency. If you have loose stools and frequent bowel movements, it will help with stool formation and decrease the frequency of bowel movements. If you decide to use psyllium, make sure it is organic, as the risks of pesticide residue in nonorganic products far outweigh the benefits. Another good source is whole, organic flaxseed. Grind it fresh at home and add 1 or 2 tablespoons each day to your food. • Address emotional challenges -- Many with IBS have an unresolved emotional component contributing to their physical problem. Meditation, prayer and psychological techniques like the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) are all strategies you can use to effectively address emotional challenges. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/12/30/peppermint-oil-for-irritable-bowel-syndrome.aspx 1 Which of the following statements is true?
2 Which of the following is one of the main contributors to heart disease?
3 A growing number of seniors are prescribed antidepressants despite only 14.3% meeting the criteria for a depressive episode. In seniors, depression is associated with:
4 Exercising vigorously at least three times a week can:
5 What is the biggest danger of excessive cleaning?
6 Which of the following is a crucial longevity molecule required by longevity-related enzymes and DNA repair?
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/12/30/week-110-health-quiz.aspx Dr. Mercola Interviews the Experts This article is part of a weekly series in which Dr. Mercola interviews various experts on a variety of health issues. To see more expert interviews, click here. Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt is well known for his successful treatment of neurological illness and Lyme disease with integrative medicine. Originally from Berlin, Germany, Klinghardt has practiced medicine in the U.S. for over 35 years. He also sees patients in England and Switzerland. In Switzerland, he was part of a group that instigated a change in the constitution, making alternative medicine a constitutional right of all citizens. That includes homeopathy, neurotherapy, acupuncture and all other hands-on healing techniques.
Here, we discuss the importance of detoxification for general health and the treatment of disease, and review some of Klinghardt's top tips for detoxification. Dr. Richard Straube, a German toxicologist, developed a blood-washing procedure (apheresis) where toxins are filtered from the blood and can then be analyzed using affordable lab testing.
Toxicity and Infectious Disease Go Hand in HandWhen your body is contaminated with man-made toxins, your body tends to compartmentalize them. Eventually, those body compartments will reach a certain threshold of toxicity, at which point your immune system can no longer control the microbial growth in that area. "These become the areas where the microbes are domiciled, whether it's Bartonella, Lyme, Babesia or herpes viruses. They're not everywhere, but at the same time they've very strictly set up housekeeping in certain body compartments," Klinghardt explains. For this reason, you can no longer distinguish between the toxicity and the infection, because they go together. As Klinghardt notes, "It's a package deal."
Toxins can be either water or fat soluble. Two major water-soluble toxins are the vaccine preservative thimerosal (mercury) and the herbicide glyphosate. According to Klinghardt, they tend to be sequestered in areas such as the kidneys, lungs and bones. Examples of fat-soluble toxins are benzene derivatives, insecticides, pesticides and herbicides. They like to settle in the fatty tissue, which makes them potent neurotoxins, since your brain is composed primarily of fat. Water- and fat-soluble toxins require differing methods of detoxification. Detoxification Strategy for GlyphosateWhile you may have over 20,000 chemicals in your body, two that are particularly hazardous to your brain are glyphosate and aluminum. Glyphosate is an analog of the amino acid glycine.1 It attaches in places where you need glycine. Importantly, glycine is used up in the detoxification process, hence many of us do not have enough glycine for efficient detoxification. To eliminate glyphosate, you need to saturate your body with glycine. Klinghardt recommends taking 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of glycine powder twice a day for a few weeks and then lower the dose to one-fourth teaspoon (1 gram) twice a day. This forces the glyphosate out of your system, allowing it to be eliminated through your urine. I personally have been taking 1 gram twice a day for some time now. The glycine is inexpensive and actually tastes sweet. Ideally it is best to take it around the time you are eating food that might be contaminated with glyphosate.
How to Detox AluminumAluminum is even more sinister. Stephenie Seneff, Ph.D., has shown that aluminum, when it gets in the extracellular space, completely changes the voltage on the cell walls — the voltage-gated channels — and has a profound effect on the microstructure of that matrix.2
One common ailment related to aluminum toxicity is underactive thyroid (hypothyroid), which is incredibly common these days. Aluminum hydoxides — such as that found in antiacids — actually interferes with intestinal absorption of thyroid hormones.3 Being a metal, it also has an affinity for the nervous system, and tends to collect in your brain, spinal cord and the enteric nervous system of the gut.4 In all of these places, it blocks vital functions. To eliminate aluminum, you need to increase your intake of silica. Klinghardt recommends using silica-rich herbs for this, such as cilantro. "Dr. Yoshiaki Omura did a study5 20 years ago where he showed that you could decrease aluminum content in the animal model very quickly just by giving a cilantro extract," he says. Other good options are horsetail (which is also high in silica) and a liposomal silica product called BioSil. Citric acid has also been shown to mobilize aluminum. An easy and inexpensive strategy is to squeeze some lemon into a bottle of water and drink it throughout the day. Malic acid — apple cider vinegar — is another. You can also buy malic acid in capsule form, or use magnesium malate.
How to Eliminate Fat-Soluble ToxinsTo eliminate fat-soluble toxins, Klinghardt recommends a combination of sauna and binding agents such as chlorella, ecklonia cava (a brown algae), and enterous gel such as methylated silica and zeolite. One or more of these should ideally be taken daily. When you do sauna therapy, the released toxins are then bound by these agents, allowing them to be safely eliminated rather than being reabsorbed.
Address ParasitesMany parasites, especially worms, but also fungi and Candida, can absorb multiple times their body weight in toxins. For example, many worms are able to concentrate lead 300fold compared to the tissues of the host. The parasite load of a host is also a bioindicator for the toxicity of that host's environment.
Unfortunately, there are few effective tests to assess your parasite burden. Klinghardt uses autonomic response testing (ART), and prescribes various cocktails of antiparasitic drugs based on that testing. Knowing that parasites are loaded with toxins, you want to coax them out of the tissues and into the gut, where they can be safely expelled. Klinghardt uses the Gubarev protocols for this. These are enema protocols developed by a Russian scientist. Once no more parasites are to be found, he puts the patient on antiparasitic agents such as Rizol Kappa and Rizol Gamma — ozonated plant oils from BioPure.
Rectal Ozone TherapyKlinghardt also uses ozone therapy, preferring rectal ozone administration to injection. "We have a lot of our patients buy an inexpensive ozone machine and do rectal ozone every day," he says. Klinghardt has worked with one of the leading parasitologists in India, studying the impact of parasites on illness. Not surprisingly, they found a direct, linear relationship between the colonic count of anaerobes and the patient's health. The more anaerobes the patient had in their feces, the sicker the person was. At that time, they did not have ozone available, and ended up treating patients with rectal oxygen. "It was very successful as a strategy to get people out of chronic illness," he says. Ozone is an even more effective option. Avoiding EMF Is Also Important for Effective DetoxificationIn a previous interview, we also discussed the importance of avoiding electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation from cellphones, modems and Wi-Fi routers when treating chronic disease, as this exposure will exacerbate illness, including infections. Klinghardt comments:
To protect against EMF, Klinghardt recommends the Building Biology approach to EMF remediation, which involves shielding your home, especially your bedroom. For internal protection, he recommends taking tincture of rosemary and/or tincture of propolis. As for addressing retroviruses, Klinghardt has developed an herbal mix called RetroV powder6 made by Ki Science, which contains 10 herbs. It's been shown to be superior to the eight drugs available for silencing retroviruses. Citrus tea and broccoli sprouts are two additional powerful tools against retroviruses. More InformationTo learn more, visit Klinghardt's website at klinghardtinstitute.com. If you're interested in treatment, you can contact the Sophia Health Institute, which has clinics in Seattle and Marin County, California. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/12/29/top-tips-to-detox.aspx If you're interested in healthy living, you won't want to miss this interview with anti-aging scientist James Clement, author of "The Switch: Ignite Your Metabolism With Intermittent Fasting, Protein Cycling, and Keto," While a lawyer by trade, he has since transitioned into a full-time research position, running his own antiaging research laboratory. From Lawyer to Full-Time ResearcherClement wrote "The Switch" because he saw that many still don't understand the basics of health and longevity. The "switch" refers to the switch between activating and deactivating the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which is the central topic of discussion here. His book also covers how to upregulate your mitochondrial function and other important pathways for health and longevity, such as NAD+.
60 Minutes Interview with Harvard Geneticist Professor George Church What Sets Supercentenarians Apart?Supercentenarians are the rare individuals who have made it to the age of 110 and beyond. According to Clement, there are only 50 to 80 supercentenarians in the entire world at any given point. In the U.S., an estimated 120,000 people make it to 100, but only 20 of them make it to 110. As Clement began working with these supercentenarians, he realized that what set them apart was the fact that, up until the age of 105 to 108, they'd really had the health of someone in their 70s and 80s. They have no age-related diseases, and typically die from sudden onset immune failure followed by pneumonia. This suggests that improving your immune function is an essential criterion to make it past 100. Clement goes so far as to say that, in many respects, supercentenarians age normally, while the rest of us age at an accelerated rate. The basis of his book is essentially how to normalize your aging, thus allowing you to optimize your life span. It's worth noting that while your lifestyle plays a tremendous role, there's also a strong genetic influence. Siblings of supercentenarians have a 17 times greater chance of reaching 100 years old than the rest of us, for example, and many female supercentenarians have a mutation in the IGF-1 pathway. This makes them short in stature, so 5 feet is about the size of the normal supercentenarian woman. In men, it tends to be a growth hormone mutation that similarly makes supercentenarian men somewhat shorter than the average man. Importantly, these mutations limit mTOR and turns on autophagy, which is what gives these people such a head-start on longevity. But there are ways for the rest of us to limit mTOR and increase autophagy as well. The SwitchThe target of rapamycin (TOR), from which mTOR derives, is an evolutionary mechanism that started with bacteria. All organisms need nutrition, and the ability to make proteins and reproduce. When nutrition is scarce, as it tends to be from time to time in the natural world, the organism must venture out to seek more resources.
Anabolism is what allows you to grow and increase muscle mass, whereas catabolism is the process of breaking down, repairing and removing old worn-out cells. Importantly, catabolism is the phase that cells enter when resources are scarce. The cells essentially slow down protein production and cell division at this time, and activate the process of autophagy, which gets rid of misfolded proteins and dysfunctional organelles. These old, worn-out proteins and organelles are recycled by lysosome, which breaks them down into their base component parts and then releases them back into the cell. These components can then be used to make new amino acids capable of rebuilding new proteins. This natural clean-out and regeneration process is why activating autophagy on a regular basis is key for health and longevity. The same process occurs in your mitochondria, which is called mitophagy.
Why Cycling Through Feast and Famine Is so ImportantOne common mistake, which I also made, is continuously inhibiting mTOR. It's really important to cycle back and forth between inhibition and activation of mTOR. The anabolic state triggers cell growth, and that includes stem cells — cells that can become any cell needed, anywhere in your body.
Meal Frequency and TimingBased on the evidence, time-restricted feeding appears to be one of the essential keys to optimal health and longevity, as there's no other way, really, to cyclically activate and deactivate mTOR and autophagy. You have to have a period of famine, a restriction of nutrients, to enter into a catabolic state. The question then becomes, just how long does this famine need to be? To be sure, eating throughout the whole day is a prescription for metabolic disaster. Research by Dr, Satchinanda Panda suggests 90% of people eat across a span of 12 hours a day, and many across even longer timespans, which clearly is not doing them any favors.
I too was on a four-hour eating window for many months, but I'm now starting to think that perhaps this window also needs to change from time to time. Four to eight hours is probably the sweet-spot, and I now think shrinking the eating window down to four hours a few times a week is enough. How to Incorporate Exercise for Optimal ResultsThe timing of exercise can also play a role. If you're fasting for 20 hours and eating within a four-hour window, aggressively working out about two hours before you break your fast will suppress mTOR and activate autophagy even further, increasing metabolic markers such as 5 AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and decreasing insulin-like growth factor (IGF), at least in your muscle. As noted by Clement, this strategy will actually allow you to achieve the benefits of a two- to three-day long fast.
Generalized Rules of ThumbSo, to summarize, having large amounts of dairy and/or animal proteins for 12 hours a day or more is a prescription for metabolic disaster, as it prevents the suppression of mTOR and activation of autophagy. One of the easiest solutions is to restrict your eating window to four to eight hours each day, fasting the remaining 16 to 20 hours and, ideally, exercising a couple of hours before your first meal.
At present, I'm experimenting with an updated cyclical time-restricted eating strategy that can be summarized as follows:
Each day, right before I eat my first meal, I will do a really hard blood flow restriction (BFR) training workout. Knowing how the body loves variability and uses that to optimizing the whole system, avoiding anything that is too monotonous makes sense to me. Clement is a proponent of BFR as well.
The Importance of NAD+Overall, NAD+ may be one of the most important longevity molecules that we know of. As explained by Clement, NAD+ is a coenzyme needed by longevity-related enzymes called sirtuins. It's also required for DNA repair. Finding data on NAD+ sorely lacking, Clement began his own research, starting with a clinical trial testing intravenous (IV) NAD+ in elderly people, in collaboration with Dr. John Sturges. Clement also underwent the treatment, which involved an infusion of 1,000 milligrams of NAD+ per day for six straight days, finding it remarkably effective for tremors he'd had since he was 20 years old.
NAD Plummets With AgeNAD+ levels plummet by the time you're 60 years old, and is nearly undetectable by the time you're 80. NAD+ is a crucial part of the longevity puzzle, as it's essential for repairing broken DNA. Broken DNA is not something that occurs once in a while. Single-stranded DNA breaks occur about 125 times an hour in every cell of your body, and double-stranded breaks occur about 25 times per day in every cell. DNA breaks are further accelerated if you're exposed to high levels of electromagnetic fields, which virtually everyone in the developed world are.
While IV NAD+ is available, it's cost prohibitive at $1,000 per IV. Fortunately, there are less expensive ways to raise your NAD+. Two precursors to NAD+ are nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), both of which are available in supplement form. NAD+ patches are also available, and all of these are far more economical than IV. A 1,000-milligram dose of NR has been shown to double your NAD+ level. The problem is that for the elderly, doubling a grossly deficient level is not enough. In people with near-undetectable levels, the NAD+ levels need to be increased by 10 to 100 times. So, while taking an NR or NMN precursor for six months will double your level, you may still be depleted. Clement's study revealed many older people need 4 or 5 grams a day for a period of time to restore more youthful levels, which could end up being costly at today's price of NAD supplements. To circle back to exercise and time-restricted eating, both of these strategies will increase nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) by about 30%, and NAMPT is the rate-limiting enzyme for the recovery of NAD+ from its metabolic breakdown product, nicotinamide. In other words, implementing time-restricted eating and fasted exercise will naturally increase your NAD+ levels even without taking any NAD+ supplements. More InformationClement also reviews the possibilities of using CRISPR technology for gene editing, so for additional information, please listen to the interview in its entirety, or read through the transcript. He also discusses how his laboratory is pushing the limits to minimize the transitional period from discovery to integration into clinical medicine.
It was to this end, also, that Clement wrote "The Switch: Ignite Your Metabolism With Intermittent Fasting, Protein Cycling, and Keto," which I highly recommend adding to your library. Reading through it, and implementing the strategies covered in this book can go a long way toward warding off age-related diseases and optimizing your longevity. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/12/29/strategies-that-will-help-you-live-longer.aspx Blood is a living tissue made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. The main role of blood in your body is to transport oxygen. It also plays a role in fighting infection, regulating your pH level and temperature, and transporting nutrients and hormones. It also has specialized cells to promote blood clotting. One factor in blood type — A, B, AB or O — is hereditary and determined by the presence or absence of two antigens, A and B. Your blood type is determined together with a third antigen called Rh factor. Plasma, a mixture of water, protein, fat and salts, is responsible for transporting red blood cells throughout the body.1 Plasma carries proteins that help maintain your fluid balance, while platelets are small fragments of cells the body uses to help with blood coagulation. When your physician orders a complete blood count (CBC), the report includes information about red blood cells, protein content, white blood cells and platelets. A CBC helps diagnose different conditions. When donating blood,2 you’ll answer multiple questions about your health history to ensure the blood may be safely used. The donation process takes about 1.5 hours for whole blood and two hours for plasma. It is safe to donate whole blood every eight weeks, as your body needs between four and six weeks to complete the replacement process. Vast Volume of Blood Sent Overseas Despite Deficit in the USDespite many areas of the U.S. struggling to meet the needs of local residents for blood transfusions, an analysis of the blood market shows the U.S. is a major exporter, providing up to 70% of the world’s plasma.3 The majority of plasma exported from the U.S. goes to European countries. For example, Germany purchases 15% of all blood products exported by the U.S. followed closely by China and Japan. MintPress News reports this is a result of other countries banning the practice on medical and ethical grounds. Of the 1,000 plasma donation centers located around the world, there are 700 in America.4 Many of the donation centers allow people to donate their plasma twice a week. Vermont is one area the American Red Cross identified as experiencing a critical blood shortage in January 2019.5 The blood donation center in Burlington had posted signs offering free donuts and movie tickets, hoping to entice people to give blood. However, the Red Cross reports a mere 3% of Americans routinely do this. Mary Brant, Red Cross communication manager for Northern New England, explains “the need for blood is constant and varies on a day-to-day basis.” Every day the region must gather 500 units to meet the needs of the regional hospitals. The Red Cross manages 40% of the U.S. blood supply. To meet the need, they must collect 13,000 donations of whole blood and 2,500 platelet donations every day. But despite shortages in the U.S., blood accounts for “well over 2% of total U.S. exports by value,” according to Mint Press News and the Observatory of Economic Complexity.6,7,8 Blood Centers Focused in Poor NeighborhoodsThe short answer for the blood shortage is money. Plasma is a valuable commodity and based on a growing demand has led to a sharp increase in the number of for-profit collection centers that pay their donors for plasma.9 Since the U.S. allows people to sell their blood, they have now become the third largest exporter with global sales skyrocketing from $5 billion to $20 billion in 15 short years. By 2016, the industry was responsible for 1.6% of the total exports from the U.S. To put this in perspective, the export of human blood is currently worth more than the export of all corn and soy products covering much of America’s Midwestern states.10 However, this industry is built on the backs of poor Americans. Two companies, Grifols and CSL, dominate the market by targeting low socioeconomic groups in large cities across the U.S. In Cleveland, the majority of donors make more than one-third of their money from donating plasma. Andrew Watkins spoke to Mint Press News. He sold his blood for nearly 18 months in the Pittsburgh area. He commented on the process and how the companies target lower socioeconomic groups:11
Leveraging Blood Money for Food and ShelterThe reporter for MintPress News spoke to a number of people who consistently sold their plasma and were fully cognizant of how the system was exploiting their position. However, this exploitation also includes serious health consequences that have not been well-studied.12 Losing plasma two times weekly lowers protein count in the blood, leading many donors to an increased risk of liver and kidney dysfunction and more infections. Those who regularly donated reported feeling chronically fatigued and some were bordering on anemia. Payment methods were described as “predatory” as the first payments may be $75 but they are subsequently reduced to $20 to $50. A combination of chronic donations with variable payments leave many in a permanent state of mental fatigue with bruised and punctured arms. The centers are kept at 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the plasma. Cooled blood is returned to the donor “in a painful process that feels as if ice is being inserted into the body.” Exploitation of the poor reaches an all-new low in the clinics along the U.S. Mexican border. Each week, thousands from Mexico cross the border on temporary visas to visit the 43 blood donation centers that prey on these individuals. MintPress News reports a Swiss documentary identified few checks on blood cleanliness accepted by these for-profit donation centers. One social worker from Georgia commented on the situation in which he found himself:
Seeking Young Blood: Students Trade Plasma for BooksBig Pharma is also going after students. One campaign from Grifols targets working class students, promising them money for books in exchange for their plasma.13 The push for young blood is in high demand in Silicon Valley, where companies are focusing on a push toward antiaging technology. Despite having no clinical evidence the process works, one company charges $8,000 for an infusion of young blood to aging executives. The co-founder of PayPal, Peter Thiel, has become a committed customer. MintPress News reports he is spending large amounts of money to fund startups focused on antiaging technology. He has been vocal about “the ideology of the inevitability of the death of every individual,” claiming humans have been conned into believing immortality is not possible and believes his own ability to live eternally is close. Liver Disease May Drive Thirst for Blood in ChinaIn a report from WinterGreen Research,14 scientists found high demand in China, where a major cause of death is liver disease. They identified 400 million in China with different liver ailments including viral hepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nearly 400 metric tons of serum albumin were consumed in China in 2017, accounting for half of the total global use of serum albumin. While this supply could easily be acquired from those in China, many became afraid to donate after thousands of farmers developed HIV from unsanitary needles used to collect blood in the 1990s. A result of this is the necessity to import 60% of the needed serum albumin as demand rises with an increasing number getting sick and the Chinese population fearful of donating. Despite Toxic Chemicals, US May Be One of the Safest SourcesThe report identified the quality of blood collected in the U.S. is better than what may be collected in China, giving American companies an edge. However, it is important to note while the U.S. may be one of the safer sources of blood, the notation is made as a comparison against others and not based on an evaluation of the source. In other words, environmental contaminants in the U.S., including known carcinogens and radioactive substances, are part of your body’s toxic burden passed on with blood and plasma donations. This comes from a wide range of sources, including pesticides found in agriculture and in the home, preservatives, industrial chemicals and wastes, air pollution and building materials.15 In a report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG),16 scientists identified more than 1,400 known or likely carcinogenic chemicals to which we are exposed on a daily basis. In their analysis they found 420 chemicals measured in a diverse population and identified nine in nontrivial levels, exceeding EPA safety standards. Author of the report and senior scientist for EWG, Curt DellaValle, commented on the difficulty of associating exposure to disease:17
This toxic load is a real concern as questions about how these chemicals react together have not been answered. The most recent general report by the CDC on exposure to environmental toxins was published in 2009,18 in which they found detectable levels of 212 chemicals in the blood and urine of participants from across the nation. Exposure to toxins has not declined, as more are released in personal care products, cleaning supplies and building material without adequate safety testing. Take care to reduce your exposure by using products the EWG has tested safe from their Skin Deep database19 and consider using nontoxic cleaning products. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/12/28/human-blood-export.aspx Have our bodies and environments become too clean? For decades, manufacturers of cleaning products and chemicals have scared people into enacting a household version of "germ warfare." If you believe the advertising, no kitchen counter, floor or tub is really clean unless all germs have been annihilated with harsh chemicals. These same companies also exhort people to over-clean themselves with toxic shampoos, soaps and body washes. Yet, daily bathing only became a practice with the relatively recent invention of indoor plumbing; over 100 years ago, many thought wetting the whole body at once instead of taking sponge baths was dangerous and would invite diseases like pneumonia. The featured documentary, "Washing Away Health: Navigating Cleanliness, Wellness and Resistance in a Microbial World," from Cleaner World Productions, explores the significant dangers of overcleaning our bodies and environments. These risks range from exposing ourselves to dermatological and respiratory side effects from cleaning products to disrupting our microbiomes and immune systems. We Are Washing Away Health, Says Revealing DocumentaryExcessive cleaning is becoming harmful to ourselves, our homes and our environment. That is the message "Washing Away Health" delivers. In it, experts detail the burgeoning microbial resistance triggered by our obsession with cleanliness, and the surprising health ramifications of being too clean.1 People who grow up on farms or live in developing countries don’t tend to have the food allergies, asthma or other "First World problems" we see in places that are overcleaning, says Laura Kahn, author of “One Health and the Politics of Antimicrobial Resistance,” who is featured in the video. The reason may be found in the hygiene hypothesis. If a child is raised in an environment saturated in disinfectant soaps and cleansers, they may not able to build up resistance to disease through normal exposure to dirt and germs. This could explain why many allergies and immune-system diseases have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled in the past few decades — we have become too clean. Not being exposed to microbes and pathogens can create an excessively clean immune system that can actually begin "attacking itself,” explains Kahn. Sarah Crawford, president of Bio Green Clean,2 a company that makes phosphate-, fume- and fragrance-free cleaning products, agrees, saying, "There is something to be said for 'healthy germs’." Ads Mislead People Into OvercleaningIt is no coincidence that so many people overclean their homes with harmful products — the commercials are everywhere, says Alexandra Scranton, director of science and research at Women’s Voice for the Earth. “Washing Away Health” shows examples of ads for Lysol and Mr. Clean cleaners that could make anyone think their home is teeming with germs, and that they’re negligent if they don't use a harsh chemical onslaught. In actuality, soap and water are just as effective, the narrator points out. Similar "fear marketing” was used to sell cleaning products with antibacterial agents, which the FDA has since banned from consumer soaps.3 Adding antibacterial agents to hand, body, dish and laundry soaps and other personal care products did not make them clean any better, but allowed manufacturers to charge more for "new and improved" items. They tremendously worsened antibiotic resistance and, since soap is “by nature antibacterial” anyway — a point Kahn makes — antibacterial chemicals are redundant. Consider triclosan, one of the antibacterial agents added to soap and found in Colgate's Total toothpaste until recently.4 Triclosan not only contributes to the development of bacterial resistance, but also increases the amount of bisphenol-A (BPA) you absorb when handling thermal receipt paper or other BPA-containing products. According to PubChem, triclosan also has been detected in human breast milk. Additionally, triclosan:5
According to research published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, triclosan has also been linked to a role in cancer development, possibly due to its estrogen disruption activity.6 Resistance, Pollution, Algae and MoreThe routine and widespread use of antibiotics on factory farms is seen as the primary driver of antibiotic resistance. Because of the extreme crowding of livestock in these concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), antibiotics are used as a "substitute" for cleaning and hygiene, says Kahn. "These animals did not evolve to live in such crowded facilities," she says: In Scandinavian countries where livestock antibiotics have been phased out, antibiotics resistant bacteria have greatly diminished, showing that a reversal of resistance is indeed possible if you attack it at the source. In the video, Matthew Wargo, professor of microbiology at the University of Vermont, details factors that affect resistance, such as bacterial competition and how bacteria can confer resistance to each other. A microscope demonstration of such transference is shown in the video. Excessive cleaning also causes other environmental harm. The single use plastic containers of harsh cleaning products significantly add to global plastic pollution says Martin Wolf, director of product sustainability and authenticity at Seventh Generation, adding that Seventh Generation products are made from recycled materials. The phosphates in cleaning products also contribute to algae blooms — with huge plumes of discolored water that can lead to fish die-offs and municipalities being forced to cut off water to residents, notes Crawford of Bio Green Clean. Toxic algae is an constant problem in Lake Erie, closing beaches, wrecking tourism, endangering pets and contaminating drinking water.7 Cleaning Products More Dangerous Than Many ThinkMany don’t give a second thought to cleaning with harsh chemicals, forgetting that when you inhale them or allow them to come into contact with your skin, they will enter your bloodstream directly, bypassing your liver and kidneys, which are part of your natural defense system against toxins. Also, the more frequently harsh cleaning products are used, the more risks people face, according to medical studies. For example, a 2017 study found that nurses who used disinfectants once a week or more had up to a 32% higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than those who didn't.8 Even if you not do not personally use harsh cleaning products, the buildings they are used in are also made unsafe, “Washing Away Health” points out. Ventilation systems do not completely remove the chemicals, either, warns Carol Westinghouse, president and founder of Informed Green Solutions. Crawford says harsh cleaners can even be deadly: She recounts hearing stories of cats that, having walked across floors cleaned with Swiffer WetJet, died after licking their paws. Fragrance added to cleaning products, even when natural, can also be harmful, says Wolf. Less Washing Can Bring Back BalanceOvertreating bacteria, viruses and even fungi results in disruption of natural environments and a paradoxical resistance to the very cleaning products supposed to eradicate them, according to the experts in "Washing Away Health." A similar phenomenon occurs with personal care items. The natural, beneficial bacteria that live on human skin and the sebum on our hair are also disrupted by excessive cleansing. Our microbiomes and immune systems are also compromised by overcleansing. While manufacturers of personal care products have convinced people they will smell awful or will be offensive without the use of their harsh products, the opposite is actually true. It’s primarily overcleansing that causes odor-causing bacteria to overgrow, as it disrupts your body's natural systems of balance. All of that said, there are instances in which germ vigilance is required. Cuts, for example, need to be properly cleaned, and disinfecting food preparation areas is a good idea. Medical facilities also need to be vigilant about cleanliness and disinfection. In our day-to-day lives, however, we should not go overboard. Solutions From ‘Washing Away Health’There are several encouraging trends highlighted in “Washing Away Health” that imply the problem of "too much cleanliness" is being addressed. Michelle Thompson, an industrial hygienist at the Vermont Department of Health, says the Envision Program was created in Vermont in 2000 to create healthier, safer schools with fewer asthma triggers. In 2012, Act 125, a green cleaning law, was passed in Vermont. Westinghouse speculates that steam cleaning will begin to replace harsh chemical cleaners. Already, she says, there are portable steam cleaners that can be used commercially or residentially. Kahn thinks there is great promise in the use of viruses called bacteriophages to clean. As explained by the Leibniz Institute, phages:9
To prevent further antibiotic resistance, all the experts featured in “Washing Away Health” stress the importance of not demanding antibiotics from a doctor or using antibiotics for nonbacterial infections. They also urge you to vote with your wallet. Do not buy risky cleaning products that overclean and wash away health. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/12/28/washing-away-health-documentary.aspx |
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