The World Health Organization has officially announced that cell phone use can cause cancer! This is after many years of surgeons operating cancerous brain tumors on the side of the head where people use their cell phone most.
Dr Mercola says that kids should NOT be allowed to use cell phones except for emergencies! You will understand why when you click the 2nd link below.
The folllowing are items that my family and I use to protect ourselves -
EP2 Stress Pendant and explanation of how it works:
http://www.ewater.com/Products/EP2/
Cell phone protection chip (it uses German technology to protect against all 6 frequencies, some of which are missed by other chips on the market):
http://www.ewater.com/Products/EDOT/
Whole house protection lamp:
http://www.ewater.com/Products/ESLL/
In my family we each have a pendant and both our cell phones have the chip (together we get 99% protection). Be sure to glue the chip to the outside of the cell phone if it doesn't fit inside where the battery is or inside the phone cover. I have mine inside the phone cover so I can easily transfer it to a new cell phone if needed. We also have the special salt lamp that protects the entire house.
About Me
- Miriam
- I have a health ministry for friends, family, and health lovers world-wide. I choose natural options whenever possible and avoid chemicals, food additives, etc. even in my cosmetics. I eat mostly organic whole foods. You’ll find lots of healthy recipes and great health research on this site.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Is This Natural Hormone One of the Keys To Slowing Brain Aging?
Posted By Dr. Mercola | August 11 2011 |
Melatonin is best known as a sleep hormone because of its action controlling the circadian cycle. But melatonin also has antioxidant properties, and may have an important anti-aging role.
A recent study looked at artificially aged mice to determine the effects of melatonin on aging. Such mice are used as a model to study the fundamental mechanisms of aging because they develop markers also found in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
According to the study, as reported by Green Med Info:
“... [T]reatment with melatonin ... was able to reduce oxidative stress and the neurodegenerative calpain/Cdk5 pathway ... and ... markers of cerebral aging and neurodegeneration ... indicating the neuroprotective and anti-aging effect of melatonin.”
Sources:
Revista de Neurologia May 16, 2011; 52(10): 618-622
Green Med Info
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
It's well known that lack of sleep interferes with metabolism and hormone production in a way that is similar to the effects of aging. One way that this may occur could be related to the action of melatonin, the "sleep" hormone secreted by your brain.
Normally, your brain produces melatonin in a daily rhythm that peaks at night, around 9 or 10 p.m. This makes you sleepy, and it is these regularly occurring secretions that help regulate your sleep cycle. If you're not getting enough sleep, there's a good chance your melatonin production is not up to par either, and this could have far-reaching impacts on your health, even accelerating the aging process of your brain.
The Powerful Antioxidant Effects of Melatonin
In a new study, artificially aged mice treated with melatonin had reduced oxidative stress and markers of cerebral aging and neurodegeneration, indicating the melatonin offered both neuroprotective and anti-aging effects. Melatonin actually has antioxidant properties that may help explain its important anti-aging role, as it helps to suppress harmful free radicals in your body and even slows the production of estrogen, which can activate cancer.
Melatonin's immediate precursor is the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is a major player in uplifting your mood. And, like serotonin, melatonin plays important roles in your physical and mental health. Studies have shown that insufficient melatonin production can set you up for:
Decreased immune function Accelerated cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth (including leukemia)
Blood pressure instability Decreased free radical scavenging
Increased plaques in the brain, like those seen with Alzheimer's disease Increased risk of osteoporosis
Diabetic microangiopathy (capillary damage) Depression and/or seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Beware This Common Mistake Can Destroy Your Melatonin Production
The consequences of sleep deprivation are so intense because your circadian rhythm has evolved over hundreds of generations to align your physiology with your environment, and your body clock assumes that, like your ancestors, you sleep at night and stay awake during daylight hours.
If you confuse the situation by depriving yourself of enough hours of sleep or not sleeping when it's dark outside, you send conflicting signals to your body. One of these consequences can be a lack of melatonin production, which can be detrimental to your health.
So, what can you do to protect this fragile system?
One of the most important tips to remember is to sleep in complete darkness, as this is what allows your body to produce melatonin.
Inside your hypothalamus is a group of cells called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN), which controls your biological clock by responding to light. Light reaches your SCN via your eye's optic nerve, where it tells your biological clock it's time to wake up. Light also causes your SCN to initiate other processes associated with being awake, such as raising your body temperature and producing hormones, like cortisol.
On the flip side, the lack of light reaching your SCN triggers melatonin production, which helps you sleep -- and this is why sleeping in total darkness is so important. If there is even the tiniest bit of light in your room it can disrupt your circadian rhythm and your pineal gland's production of both melatonin and serotonin.
This is the "hidden" secret that most people tend to ignore, but which can dramatically improve the quality of your sleep and your health. Personally, I sleep in a room that is so dark you can't see your hands in front of your face . It is wise to liberally use blackout shades and drapes to achieve this.
Remember that any light is problematic, even that from televisions and other gadgets. Computer screens and most light bulbs emit blue light, to which your eyes are particularly sensitive simply because it's the type of light most common outdoors during daytime hours. As a result, these items can easily disrupt your melatonin production.
Electromagnetic Fields Can Also Disrupt Your Sleep
Additionally, I recommend checking your bedroom for electro-magnetic fields (EMFs) as these too can disrupt your pineal gland's production of melatonin, and may have other negative effects as well. To do this, you need a gauss meter. You can find various models online, starting around $50 to $200. Some experts even recommend pulling your circuit breaker before bed to kill all power in your house.
At a bare minimum, move alarm clocks and other electrical devices away from your head. If these devices must be used, keep them as far away from your bed as possible, preferably at least three feet. Also avoid keeping cell phones and portable phone bases on your night stand. Cell phone chargers should be kept at least four feet away from your bed, while portable phone bases and wireless routers should be kept as far away from your bedroom as possible. Avoid running electrical cords underneath your bed.
Unfortunately, none but a few communities in the US require that wiring in the walls be placed in metal-clad conduit. This is primarily done for fire prevention, but it also essentially eliminates the electric fields. Therefore, more than likely, you are exposed to electric fields that radiate from the wires in the wall at the head of your bed when you are sleeping. The solutions are to move your bed three feet away from the wall, or turn off the power circuit to your bedroom.
To check for the presence of electric fields in the walls, you can purchase an inexpensive low voltage e-field detector. They are commonly available at most local electrical, electronic and hardware stores. A widely used e-field tester is the Non-contact Adjustable Voltage Detector, AC 5-1000V, available from All-Spec Industries and ToolUp.com, as well as other online sources. This device will also allow you to check for the presence of electric field exposure throughout your home and workplace.
Last but not least, beware of what's on the other side of your bedroom wall, and under the floor. Avoid sleeping with your head against a wall that has electric meters, circuit breaker panels, televisions or stereos, for example, on the other side. All of these are source of magnetic fields that you should sleep at least four feet away from to limit dangerous exposure.
Optimizing Melatonin Production and Regulating Your Body Clock
Melatonin production is stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light, which is why your levels should be highest just prior to bedtime. This perfectly orchestrated system allows you to fall asleep when the sun sets and awaken refreshed with the sunrise, while also providing potential anti-aging and disease-fighting benefits.
Therefore, if you are having trouble sleeping, a signal that your melatonin production is off, I suggest you make sure you're sleeping in total darkness and also turning lights down prior to bedtime.
As mentioned earlier, TVs and computers emit significant blue light, which will tend to decrease your melatonin if you work past dark, so ideally you'd want to turn these items off once the sun goes down. For use in the evening, you can purchase "low blue lights," which emit an amber light instead of the blue that suppresses melatonin production. Therefore, these bulbs are ideal for areas such as your bedroom, bathroom, or living room in the evening.
Additionally, the quality of light you're exposed to during the day also matters when it comes to maintaining a healthy rhythm. While most of us are over-exposed to light in the evenings, most of us are also under-exposed to light during the day!
Most incandescent- and fluorescent lights emit very poor-quality light. What your body needs for optimal functioning is the full-spectrum light you get outdoors, but most of us do not spend much time outside to take advantage of this healthy light. Using full-spectrum light bulbs in your home and office can help ameliorate this lack of high-quality sunlight during the day.
Remember, when your circadian rhythms are disrupted, your body produces less melatonin, which means it has less ability to fight cancer, and less protection against free radicals that may accelerate aging and disease. So if you're having even slight trouble sleeping, I suggest you review my 33 Secrets to a Good Night's Sleep for even more helpful guidance on how to improve your sleep-wake cycle and get restful sleep.
If you've made the necessary changes to your sleep routine and find you're still having trouble sleeping, a high-quality melatonin supplement may be helpful. For instance, the amount of melatonin you create and release every night varies depending on your age. Children usually have much higher levels of melatonin than adults, and as you grow older your levels typically continue to decrease.
Researchers believe this may explain why many older adults occasionally experience disrupted sleep patterns. With less melatonin in their blood, the stimulus to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake feeling rested can potentially be compromised, which is why some older adults may benefit from extra melatonin -- likewise if you perform night shift work, travel often and experience jet lag, or otherwise suffer from occasional sleeplessness due to stress or unexplained reasons.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/08/11/is-this-natural-hormone-one-of-the-keys-to-slowing-brain-aging.aspx
Melatonin is best known as a sleep hormone because of its action controlling the circadian cycle. But melatonin also has antioxidant properties, and may have an important anti-aging role.
A recent study looked at artificially aged mice to determine the effects of melatonin on aging. Such mice are used as a model to study the fundamental mechanisms of aging because they develop markers also found in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
According to the study, as reported by Green Med Info:
“... [T]reatment with melatonin ... was able to reduce oxidative stress and the neurodegenerative calpain/Cdk5 pathway ... and ... markers of cerebral aging and neurodegeneration ... indicating the neuroprotective and anti-aging effect of melatonin.”
Sources:
Revista de Neurologia May 16, 2011; 52(10): 618-622
Green Med Info
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
It's well known that lack of sleep interferes with metabolism and hormone production in a way that is similar to the effects of aging. One way that this may occur could be related to the action of melatonin, the "sleep" hormone secreted by your brain.
Normally, your brain produces melatonin in a daily rhythm that peaks at night, around 9 or 10 p.m. This makes you sleepy, and it is these regularly occurring secretions that help regulate your sleep cycle. If you're not getting enough sleep, there's a good chance your melatonin production is not up to par either, and this could have far-reaching impacts on your health, even accelerating the aging process of your brain.
The Powerful Antioxidant Effects of Melatonin
In a new study, artificially aged mice treated with melatonin had reduced oxidative stress and markers of cerebral aging and neurodegeneration, indicating the melatonin offered both neuroprotective and anti-aging effects. Melatonin actually has antioxidant properties that may help explain its important anti-aging role, as it helps to suppress harmful free radicals in your body and even slows the production of estrogen, which can activate cancer.
Melatonin's immediate precursor is the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is a major player in uplifting your mood. And, like serotonin, melatonin plays important roles in your physical and mental health. Studies have shown that insufficient melatonin production can set you up for:
Decreased immune function Accelerated cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth (including leukemia)
Blood pressure instability Decreased free radical scavenging
Increased plaques in the brain, like those seen with Alzheimer's disease Increased risk of osteoporosis
Diabetic microangiopathy (capillary damage) Depression and/or seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Beware This Common Mistake Can Destroy Your Melatonin Production
The consequences of sleep deprivation are so intense because your circadian rhythm has evolved over hundreds of generations to align your physiology with your environment, and your body clock assumes that, like your ancestors, you sleep at night and stay awake during daylight hours.
If you confuse the situation by depriving yourself of enough hours of sleep or not sleeping when it's dark outside, you send conflicting signals to your body. One of these consequences can be a lack of melatonin production, which can be detrimental to your health.
So, what can you do to protect this fragile system?
One of the most important tips to remember is to sleep in complete darkness, as this is what allows your body to produce melatonin.
Inside your hypothalamus is a group of cells called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN), which controls your biological clock by responding to light. Light reaches your SCN via your eye's optic nerve, where it tells your biological clock it's time to wake up. Light also causes your SCN to initiate other processes associated with being awake, such as raising your body temperature and producing hormones, like cortisol.
On the flip side, the lack of light reaching your SCN triggers melatonin production, which helps you sleep -- and this is why sleeping in total darkness is so important. If there is even the tiniest bit of light in your room it can disrupt your circadian rhythm and your pineal gland's production of both melatonin and serotonin.
This is the "hidden" secret that most people tend to ignore, but which can dramatically improve the quality of your sleep and your health. Personally, I sleep in a room that is so dark you can't see your hands in front of your face . It is wise to liberally use blackout shades and drapes to achieve this.
Remember that any light is problematic, even that from televisions and other gadgets. Computer screens and most light bulbs emit blue light, to which your eyes are particularly sensitive simply because it's the type of light most common outdoors during daytime hours. As a result, these items can easily disrupt your melatonin production.
Electromagnetic Fields Can Also Disrupt Your Sleep
Additionally, I recommend checking your bedroom for electro-magnetic fields (EMFs) as these too can disrupt your pineal gland's production of melatonin, and may have other negative effects as well. To do this, you need a gauss meter. You can find various models online, starting around $50 to $200. Some experts even recommend pulling your circuit breaker before bed to kill all power in your house.
At a bare minimum, move alarm clocks and other electrical devices away from your head. If these devices must be used, keep them as far away from your bed as possible, preferably at least three feet. Also avoid keeping cell phones and portable phone bases on your night stand. Cell phone chargers should be kept at least four feet away from your bed, while portable phone bases and wireless routers should be kept as far away from your bedroom as possible. Avoid running electrical cords underneath your bed.
Unfortunately, none but a few communities in the US require that wiring in the walls be placed in metal-clad conduit. This is primarily done for fire prevention, but it also essentially eliminates the electric fields. Therefore, more than likely, you are exposed to electric fields that radiate from the wires in the wall at the head of your bed when you are sleeping. The solutions are to move your bed three feet away from the wall, or turn off the power circuit to your bedroom.
To check for the presence of electric fields in the walls, you can purchase an inexpensive low voltage e-field detector. They are commonly available at most local electrical, electronic and hardware stores. A widely used e-field tester is the Non-contact Adjustable Voltage Detector, AC 5-1000V, available from All-Spec Industries and ToolUp.com, as well as other online sources. This device will also allow you to check for the presence of electric field exposure throughout your home and workplace.
Last but not least, beware of what's on the other side of your bedroom wall, and under the floor. Avoid sleeping with your head against a wall that has electric meters, circuit breaker panels, televisions or stereos, for example, on the other side. All of these are source of magnetic fields that you should sleep at least four feet away from to limit dangerous exposure.
Optimizing Melatonin Production and Regulating Your Body Clock
Melatonin production is stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light, which is why your levels should be highest just prior to bedtime. This perfectly orchestrated system allows you to fall asleep when the sun sets and awaken refreshed with the sunrise, while also providing potential anti-aging and disease-fighting benefits.
Therefore, if you are having trouble sleeping, a signal that your melatonin production is off, I suggest you make sure you're sleeping in total darkness and also turning lights down prior to bedtime.
As mentioned earlier, TVs and computers emit significant blue light, which will tend to decrease your melatonin if you work past dark, so ideally you'd want to turn these items off once the sun goes down. For use in the evening, you can purchase "low blue lights," which emit an amber light instead of the blue that suppresses melatonin production. Therefore, these bulbs are ideal for areas such as your bedroom, bathroom, or living room in the evening.
Additionally, the quality of light you're exposed to during the day also matters when it comes to maintaining a healthy rhythm. While most of us are over-exposed to light in the evenings, most of us are also under-exposed to light during the day!
Most incandescent- and fluorescent lights emit very poor-quality light. What your body needs for optimal functioning is the full-spectrum light you get outdoors, but most of us do not spend much time outside to take advantage of this healthy light. Using full-spectrum light bulbs in your home and office can help ameliorate this lack of high-quality sunlight during the day.
Remember, when your circadian rhythms are disrupted, your body produces less melatonin, which means it has less ability to fight cancer, and less protection against free radicals that may accelerate aging and disease. So if you're having even slight trouble sleeping, I suggest you review my 33 Secrets to a Good Night's Sleep for even more helpful guidance on how to improve your sleep-wake cycle and get restful sleep.
If you've made the necessary changes to your sleep routine and find you're still having trouble sleeping, a high-quality melatonin supplement may be helpful. For instance, the amount of melatonin you create and release every night varies depending on your age. Children usually have much higher levels of melatonin than adults, and as you grow older your levels typically continue to decrease.
Researchers believe this may explain why many older adults occasionally experience disrupted sleep patterns. With less melatonin in their blood, the stimulus to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake feeling rested can potentially be compromised, which is why some older adults may benefit from extra melatonin -- likewise if you perform night shift work, travel often and experience jet lag, or otherwise suffer from occasional sleeplessness due to stress or unexplained reasons.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/08/11/is-this-natural-hormone-one-of-the-keys-to-slowing-brain-aging.aspx
Monday, August 8, 2011
ORAC Versus Cap-e Test (does your anti-oxidant supplement actually work)
Healthy Lifestyle Trainer
8 Principles of a Healthy Lifestyle by Pascal Durand, Trainer/Nutrition Consultant
ORAC Versus Cap-e Test
ORAC or CAP-e?
The CAP-e assay (Cell-based Antioxidant Protection in Erythrocytes) is a new method for evaluating the antioxidant potential of natural products such as:
Monavie
Goji juice,
Noni juice,
Jusur
based on the concept that many antioxidant products are only of biological relevance if they are able to penetrate living cells.
The CAP-e antioxidant protection test is the new industry standard specifically developed to investigate how bioavailable the antioxidants are to the cells.
This cell-based testing has emerged as a new technology to assess the complex biologic protective mechanisms in the cells. It is a cell-based assay for the evaluation of whether antioxidants in natural products are capable of penetrating and protecting live cells from oxidative damage (free radical damage) – it is designed to measure the antioxidant bioavailability of a product at the cellular level. Put simply, the test can tell what is going on inside the cells of our bodies after consuming the supplement.
eXfuze is one of the only companies using CAP-e as its testing method to determine the effect and penetration of the product in human body cells.
Most products that use antioxidants as a marketing claim today have used ‘chemical based’ methods to base their claims on (refer to ORAC testing below)
This was for a good reason, because until recently it was quite expensive to do batch-to-batch tests in a “cell-based system”. With the introduction of the CAP-e, “cell-based testing” is now an affordable and more superior alternative to the “chemical-based” methods.
STUDY DESIGN FOR CAP-E TESTING
The CAP-e assay is performed by allowing red blood cells to absorb antioxidants from a physiological liquid containing soluble product. All compounds not absorbed into the cell are then removed. The cell is exposed to oxidative stress. An indicator dye shows the degree of intracellular damage to the cell, in the presence versus absence of serial dilutions of the test product.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH ORAC (CHEMICAL BASED) TESTS?
Most testing in the liquid nutrition industry has focused on biochemical assays of oxidative chemical reactions in nutrient fluids. Until recently, ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) has been the standard in the liquid nutrition industry as an easy, inexpensive method to test body fluids or extracts of nutrients for antioxidant levels. However, this does not measure the abilities of the antioxidants to actually penetrate the cells, where the oxidative damage occurs. Clearly, there are more complex mechanisms of benefit at work than the limited series of chemical reactions measured by ORAC. Additionally, the solvents used in extracting a nutritional agent for ORAC testing can alter the chemical reactions being measured, giving a misleading result.
There are many superfruit products on the market touting the high levels of antioxidants that they contain. Many tout their ORAC (Oxidative Radical Absorbance Capacity) testing values. The question is are they accurate figures and more importantly, are they even relevant from a cellular standpoint?
Be aware of magic bullet. Do not be fooled by scams like most of multi level markettings who sell magic juice who can cure everything.
I believe in some supplements and healthy nutrition (whole food). Follow my 9 principles, if you need more help, feel free to contact me.
If you are far from West Palm Beach, try to hire a very knowledgeable lifestyle personal trainer.
http://www.healthylifestyletrainer.com/?s=cap-e
8 Principles of a Healthy Lifestyle by Pascal Durand, Trainer/Nutrition Consultant
ORAC Versus Cap-e Test
ORAC or CAP-e?
The CAP-e assay (Cell-based Antioxidant Protection in Erythrocytes) is a new method for evaluating the antioxidant potential of natural products such as:
Monavie
Goji juice,
Noni juice,
Jusur
based on the concept that many antioxidant products are only of biological relevance if they are able to penetrate living cells.
The CAP-e antioxidant protection test is the new industry standard specifically developed to investigate how bioavailable the antioxidants are to the cells.
This cell-based testing has emerged as a new technology to assess the complex biologic protective mechanisms in the cells. It is a cell-based assay for the evaluation of whether antioxidants in natural products are capable of penetrating and protecting live cells from oxidative damage (free radical damage) – it is designed to measure the antioxidant bioavailability of a product at the cellular level. Put simply, the test can tell what is going on inside the cells of our bodies after consuming the supplement.
eXfuze is one of the only companies using CAP-e as its testing method to determine the effect and penetration of the product in human body cells.
Most products that use antioxidants as a marketing claim today have used ‘chemical based’ methods to base their claims on (refer to ORAC testing below)
This was for a good reason, because until recently it was quite expensive to do batch-to-batch tests in a “cell-based system”. With the introduction of the CAP-e, “cell-based testing” is now an affordable and more superior alternative to the “chemical-based” methods.
STUDY DESIGN FOR CAP-E TESTING
The CAP-e assay is performed by allowing red blood cells to absorb antioxidants from a physiological liquid containing soluble product. All compounds not absorbed into the cell are then removed. The cell is exposed to oxidative stress. An indicator dye shows the degree of intracellular damage to the cell, in the presence versus absence of serial dilutions of the test product.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH ORAC (CHEMICAL BASED) TESTS?
Most testing in the liquid nutrition industry has focused on biochemical assays of oxidative chemical reactions in nutrient fluids. Until recently, ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) has been the standard in the liquid nutrition industry as an easy, inexpensive method to test body fluids or extracts of nutrients for antioxidant levels. However, this does not measure the abilities of the antioxidants to actually penetrate the cells, where the oxidative damage occurs. Clearly, there are more complex mechanisms of benefit at work than the limited series of chemical reactions measured by ORAC. Additionally, the solvents used in extracting a nutritional agent for ORAC testing can alter the chemical reactions being measured, giving a misleading result.
There are many superfruit products on the market touting the high levels of antioxidants that they contain. Many tout their ORAC (Oxidative Radical Absorbance Capacity) testing values. The question is are they accurate figures and more importantly, are they even relevant from a cellular standpoint?
Be aware of magic bullet. Do not be fooled by scams like most of multi level markettings who sell magic juice who can cure everything.
I believe in some supplements and healthy nutrition (whole food). Follow my 9 principles, if you need more help, feel free to contact me.
If you are far from West Palm Beach, try to hire a very knowledgeable lifestyle personal trainer.
http://www.healthylifestyletrainer.com/?s=cap-e
Is Your Multivitamin Toxic?
Post date: Thursday, August 4, 2011 - 20:51
Is Your Multivitamin Toxic?
In episode #11 (season 2) of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a woman poisons her husband with the chemical sodium selenite. Strange as it may sound, this exotic murder weapon, and it’s close cousin, sodium selenate, are listed as “nutrients” on the labels of most mass-markets vitamins. Even though both sodium selenite and selenate are classified as dangerous and toxic to the environment by regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Union, they are the primary forms of the mineral sold on the mass market today. In fact, most mass-market vitamins contain chemicals that the EPA does not allow in our public drinking water at levels above 50 parts per billion per liter. According to the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) standards, the highest allowable level of selenium in public drinking water is 50 parts per billion (equivalent to 50 micrograms, dry weight). To get a sense of how small an allowable limit this is, 50 parts per billion is equivalent to a tablespoon of water in an Olympic-size swimming pool.
How can vitamin manufacturers advertise something as being a “nutrient” when the EPA—out of concern for our health—has barred it from our drinking water at all but exceedingly minute levels? Have sodium selenite/selenate really been shown to be toxic? A brief perusal of toxicology reports from the Hazardous Substances Databank (toxnet.nlm.nih.gov) and PUBMED (pubmed.gov) shows that both forms can be carcinogenic and genotoxic and may contribute to reproductive and developmental problems in animals and humans. The question is not whether these minerals have toxicity, but rather, at what level they overwhelm our capacity for their detoxification and/or biotransformation into non-toxic metabolites?
A word should be said here about the differences that exist between inorganic minerals and biologically active ones:
The selenium that is found in foods like brazil nuts, mustard seeds, and fresh produce grown in selenium-rich soil is infinitely different from the biologically inert forms being put in some multivitamins. In fact, i.e., sodium selenite/selenate can cause cancer, whereas the selenium found within food, or laboratory chelated forms like selenomethionine have all been shown to prevent and combat cancer.
The basic principle that explains this difference is that when you isolate a nutrient or vitamin out of the food complex within which it is naturally found, and where it is inseparably bound to thousands of known and unknown food factors (e.g., enzymes, protein chaperones, glyconutrients, etc.) it is no longer as beneficial to life. This is especially true in the case of vertebrate mammals who are equipped to get their minerals from the plants they ingest or through the biotransformation of inorganic minerals to organic ones by microflora in their gastrointestinal tracts.
The primary reason that sodium selenite/selenate are preferred by some vitamin manufacturers over safer, more beneficial forms like chelated or yeast-grown selenium is because it is more profitable to use raw materials of lower quality.
“You get what you pay for” is a saying that almost always rings true for dietary supplements. Buying industrial waste products, or chemicals that are considered hazardous waste, and repackaging them as “dietary supplements” can be extremely profitable.
Indeed, this is not the first time in American history that such a hoax has been perpetuated on the public. The FDA-approved use of fluoride in our drinking water and the use of radioactive cobalt-60 culled from nuclear reactors for the IRRADIATION OF conventional food illustrates how industrial waste products with known toxicity are eventually converted into commodities or technologies “beneficial to health.” Whereas initially these substances have very high disposal costs for the industries that excrete them into our environment, the liability is converted — through the right combination of lobbying, miseducation and “checkbook science” – - back into a commodity, with the environment and consumer suffering health and financial losses as a result.
Unfortunately, inorganic forms of selenum are not the only problem with mass-market vitamins. Take the multivitamin Centrum, for instance, whose manufacturer Wyeth is one of the most powerful pharmaceutical companies in the world. This vitamin contains the following chemicals:
Chemical: Amount Found in Centrum/ EPA Maximum Allowed Limit in 1 Liter of Drinking Water
1) Sodium selenite : 55 mcg/ 50 mcg
2) Nickelous sulfate: 5 mcg/ 100 mcg
3) Stannous chloride (tin): 10 mcg/ 4 mcg
4) Ferrous fumarate (iron): 18 mg/ .3 mg
5) Manganese sulfate: 2.3 mg/ .05 mg
6) Cupric sulfate: .5 mg/ 1.3 mg
In the left hand column above you will see the quantities of inorganic minerals found within each dose of Centrum. In the right hand column are the maximum quantity allowed by the EPA in one liter of drinking water In the case of stannous chloride (tin), ferrous fumarate (iron) and manganese sulfate there are significantly higher doses in Centrum than are considered safe for human consumption in a liter of water. Although the others listed are at levels well under the EPA’s allowable limit, it is simply amazing that they are found in a product for human consumption at any quantity given their known toxicity.
So, if these chemicals are toxic, how can they be marketed as beneficial to our health?
As of today no law forbids the use of these substances in dietary supplements, despite laboratory research demonstrating their toxicity in animals, and epidemiological and occupational data demonstrating their actual or potential toxicity in humans. This is due to the widespread acceptance in the U.S. of a a chemical and drug industry-friendly “weight of evidence” standard for toxicological risk assessment. Rather than using the “precautionary principle,” which dictates that a substance that is suspected of being harmful should be duly regulated in order to minimize the public’s exposure, the “weight of evidence” paradigm requires a panel of government appointed experts must evaluate all available toxicological data, and must come up with a consensus that the evidence, unequivocally, demonstrates the substance in question poses a serious health risk. Until such an assessment can be made, a number of substances with obvious toxicity are “innocent until proven guilty” and can be portrayed by irresponsible and/or uneducated manufacturers as being beneficial to human health. It is sad and ironic that at a time when smaller dietary supplement manufacturers are being accused of being “unregulated” and having poor quality standards (even when they are incurring great costs by using vastly superior ingredients) that massive pharmaceutical companies who have every resource at their disposal are allowed to market toxic chemicals to consumers under the banner of USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or “pharmaceutical grade” quality, and get away with it.
Ultimately, we need to use common sense in our purchasing decisions and realize that sometimes companies will intentionally mislead the public—with the complicity of regulatory bodies like the FDA—and will advertise a product that has no health benefits; or worse, may actually detract from our health. The fact that Centrum may or may not be “the #1 doctor multivitamin brand” is irrelevant, considering that one does not ordinarily go to a doctor to seek wise counsel on nutrition. It is simply not their specialty.
The irony is that billions of dollars in health care cost —and the suffering these costs represent—could be saved every year if Americans took the simple step of taking a good multivitamin every day. It is advisable to look for product manufacturers that use high quality ingredient, including those from whole foods, as they are easier for our bodies to absorb and to utilize and therefore contribute more significantly to filling the voids in our diet.
For a toxicological analysis of Centrum, visit GreenMedInfo.com's Consumer Advocacy Page of Centrum: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/vitamin/centrum
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/your-multivitamin-toxic-0
Is Your Multivitamin Toxic?
In episode #11 (season 2) of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a woman poisons her husband with the chemical sodium selenite. Strange as it may sound, this exotic murder weapon, and it’s close cousin, sodium selenate, are listed as “nutrients” on the labels of most mass-markets vitamins. Even though both sodium selenite and selenate are classified as dangerous and toxic to the environment by regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Union, they are the primary forms of the mineral sold on the mass market today. In fact, most mass-market vitamins contain chemicals that the EPA does not allow in our public drinking water at levels above 50 parts per billion per liter. According to the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) standards, the highest allowable level of selenium in public drinking water is 50 parts per billion (equivalent to 50 micrograms, dry weight). To get a sense of how small an allowable limit this is, 50 parts per billion is equivalent to a tablespoon of water in an Olympic-size swimming pool.
How can vitamin manufacturers advertise something as being a “nutrient” when the EPA—out of concern for our health—has barred it from our drinking water at all but exceedingly minute levels? Have sodium selenite/selenate really been shown to be toxic? A brief perusal of toxicology reports from the Hazardous Substances Databank (toxnet.nlm.nih.gov) and PUBMED (pubmed.gov) shows that both forms can be carcinogenic and genotoxic and may contribute to reproductive and developmental problems in animals and humans. The question is not whether these minerals have toxicity, but rather, at what level they overwhelm our capacity for their detoxification and/or biotransformation into non-toxic metabolites?
A word should be said here about the differences that exist between inorganic minerals and biologically active ones:
The selenium that is found in foods like brazil nuts, mustard seeds, and fresh produce grown in selenium-rich soil is infinitely different from the biologically inert forms being put in some multivitamins. In fact, i.e., sodium selenite/selenate can cause cancer, whereas the selenium found within food, or laboratory chelated forms like selenomethionine have all been shown to prevent and combat cancer.
The basic principle that explains this difference is that when you isolate a nutrient or vitamin out of the food complex within which it is naturally found, and where it is inseparably bound to thousands of known and unknown food factors (e.g., enzymes, protein chaperones, glyconutrients, etc.) it is no longer as beneficial to life. This is especially true in the case of vertebrate mammals who are equipped to get their minerals from the plants they ingest or through the biotransformation of inorganic minerals to organic ones by microflora in their gastrointestinal tracts.
The primary reason that sodium selenite/selenate are preferred by some vitamin manufacturers over safer, more beneficial forms like chelated or yeast-grown selenium is because it is more profitable to use raw materials of lower quality.
“You get what you pay for” is a saying that almost always rings true for dietary supplements. Buying industrial waste products, or chemicals that are considered hazardous waste, and repackaging them as “dietary supplements” can be extremely profitable.
Indeed, this is not the first time in American history that such a hoax has been perpetuated on the public. The FDA-approved use of fluoride in our drinking water and the use of radioactive cobalt-60 culled from nuclear reactors for the IRRADIATION OF conventional food illustrates how industrial waste products with known toxicity are eventually converted into commodities or technologies “beneficial to health.” Whereas initially these substances have very high disposal costs for the industries that excrete them into our environment, the liability is converted — through the right combination of lobbying, miseducation and “checkbook science” – - back into a commodity, with the environment and consumer suffering health and financial losses as a result.
Unfortunately, inorganic forms of selenum are not the only problem with mass-market vitamins. Take the multivitamin Centrum, for instance, whose manufacturer Wyeth is one of the most powerful pharmaceutical companies in the world. This vitamin contains the following chemicals:
Chemical: Amount Found in Centrum/ EPA Maximum Allowed Limit in 1 Liter of Drinking Water
1) Sodium selenite : 55 mcg/ 50 mcg
2) Nickelous sulfate: 5 mcg/ 100 mcg
3) Stannous chloride (tin): 10 mcg/ 4 mcg
4) Ferrous fumarate (iron): 18 mg/ .3 mg
5) Manganese sulfate: 2.3 mg/ .05 mg
6) Cupric sulfate: .5 mg/ 1.3 mg
In the left hand column above you will see the quantities of inorganic minerals found within each dose of Centrum. In the right hand column are the maximum quantity allowed by the EPA in one liter of drinking water In the case of stannous chloride (tin), ferrous fumarate (iron) and manganese sulfate there are significantly higher doses in Centrum than are considered safe for human consumption in a liter of water. Although the others listed are at levels well under the EPA’s allowable limit, it is simply amazing that they are found in a product for human consumption at any quantity given their known toxicity.
So, if these chemicals are toxic, how can they be marketed as beneficial to our health?
As of today no law forbids the use of these substances in dietary supplements, despite laboratory research demonstrating their toxicity in animals, and epidemiological and occupational data demonstrating their actual or potential toxicity in humans. This is due to the widespread acceptance in the U.S. of a a chemical and drug industry-friendly “weight of evidence” standard for toxicological risk assessment. Rather than using the “precautionary principle,” which dictates that a substance that is suspected of being harmful should be duly regulated in order to minimize the public’s exposure, the “weight of evidence” paradigm requires a panel of government appointed experts must evaluate all available toxicological data, and must come up with a consensus that the evidence, unequivocally, demonstrates the substance in question poses a serious health risk. Until such an assessment can be made, a number of substances with obvious toxicity are “innocent until proven guilty” and can be portrayed by irresponsible and/or uneducated manufacturers as being beneficial to human health. It is sad and ironic that at a time when smaller dietary supplement manufacturers are being accused of being “unregulated” and having poor quality standards (even when they are incurring great costs by using vastly superior ingredients) that massive pharmaceutical companies who have every resource at their disposal are allowed to market toxic chemicals to consumers under the banner of USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or “pharmaceutical grade” quality, and get away with it.
Ultimately, we need to use common sense in our purchasing decisions and realize that sometimes companies will intentionally mislead the public—with the complicity of regulatory bodies like the FDA—and will advertise a product that has no health benefits; or worse, may actually detract from our health. The fact that Centrum may or may not be “the #1 doctor multivitamin brand” is irrelevant, considering that one does not ordinarily go to a doctor to seek wise counsel on nutrition. It is simply not their specialty.
The irony is that billions of dollars in health care cost —and the suffering these costs represent—could be saved every year if Americans took the simple step of taking a good multivitamin every day. It is advisable to look for product manufacturers that use high quality ingredient, including those from whole foods, as they are easier for our bodies to absorb and to utilize and therefore contribute more significantly to filling the voids in our diet.
For a toxicological analysis of Centrum, visit GreenMedInfo.com's Consumer Advocacy Page of Centrum: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/vitamin/centrum
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/your-multivitamin-toxic-0
Mold—A Hidden Pandemic in America? (Vitamin D helps)
Living in South Florida, I find mold a common occurrence in homes, work and schools. So when Mercola.com released this article, it really made an impression on me.
I have personally worked with a family whose son was missing school due to allergy type reactions. His teacher was not helpful and pressuring the mother for allowing her son to "skip" school. The mother felt strongly that the portable school room in which her son attended class had a mold problem. I was able to suggest homeopathic remedies to help lessen the reactions and the mold in his system along with recommended the use of an excellent air purifier for his bedroom. At least at home, his breathing would be safe. An interesting note to this situation is that later in the school year, the teacher actually ended up in the hospital due to the mold in the classroom. Obviously the school had to address this issue and the boy is doing very well now.
Here in an article found in Mercola.com, http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/30/dr-thrasher-on-the-health-dangers-of-mold.aspx?e_cid=20110730_DNL_art_1
I have included a portion of his info below.
Dr. Jack Thrasher has a PhD in cell biology from the UCLA School of Medicine, and is an expert on the impact of mold on human health. he discusses the health effects of toxic molds and bacteria, as well as his recommendations for remediation.
Jack Thrasher, PhD, is extremely knowledgeable on the topic of mold and how it impacts your health. Interestingly, from a toxicity point of view, some mycotoxins that molds produce are actually far more toxic than heavy metals, in terms of concentration. Mold mycotoxins also tend to affect more biological systems in your body than pesticides or heavy metals do.
According to Dr. Thrasher, the prevalence of mold in America is so great, he refers to it as pandemic. As many as 40 percent of all American schools and at least 25 percent or more of all homes are believed to be affected by mold and microbial growth due to water intrusion. A large portion of the problem stems from shoddy construction.
How to Detect a Mold Problem
Clearly, the first step would be to conduct a visual inspection. A musty, mildew odor is a tip-off that you need to check the area in question for any visible signs of mold. If you can't see any visible traces of mold, Dr. Thrasher recommends taking an air sample, and using a moisture meter to determine the moisture level in the area.
"I use a moisture meter on every wall of the building or the home looking for hidden moisture. The moisture content of wood flooring, for example, should be no more than 10 to 12 percent. I'm finding floors that have moisture content of 48 percent. Exterior walls shouldn't have anything more than 15 percent, and I'm finding exterior walls with 40, 50, 60 percent.
There are certain bacteria that do not release their spores into the air very regularly and you won't find them in the air… So become educated as to what to look for and how to look for it, and don't accept somebody coming in, taking an air sample and saying, "There is nothing wrong with this because the indoor counts are less than outdoor counts." That's wrong logic. Certain species of mold grow indoors much more regularly than they do outdoors. So you have to look at the species of mold, not just the spores."
A better option is to do 24-hour monitoring. However, this type of testing cannot be performed by a typical mold inspector. You need to hire a high-level mold expert for this type of air testing. (I'll list several sources for finding a qualified expert below.) Dr. Thrasher also suggests interviewing the expert in question to find out who they typically work for.
"If they're doing work for insurance companies stay away from them," he says. "You want somebody who is unbiased… [Also] ask them the question, "If you take the airborne mold in the indoor environment can it hurt you or cause toxic reaction?" If the person says, "No, don't worry about it. All it can do is cause allergies," then stay away from that person. That person is not well informed."
After air sampling, Dr. Thrasher also takes swab and bulk samples of the mold growth; actually cutting out a piece of the affected area if necessary, for proper lab testing. Dr. Thrasher explains what he typically tests for:
"We culture for the bacteria. We culture for the mold. We do what we call ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index), which is an EPA test that was developed by a group in the EPA. This is a PCR-DNA analysis for 31 different species of mold… that is very inexpensive, relatively speaking. It costs $350 to do that test… [W]e take swab samples looking for endotoxins. We also look for… polysaccharides called 1,3-beta-D-glucans… We want to get a good idea what's going on in the indoor environment."
Next Step: Remediation
As soon as you've identified the problem, you have to stop the water intrusion and remediate the problem at its source.
"Let's say you have an infested wall that's in the middle of the home between the living room and say, the adjoining den; what is recommended is that the whole area must be walled off from the rest of the house… In other words, you drape them with a plastic and you have to tie the plastic down with masking tape so that that area will not, theoretically, contaminate the rest of the house," Dr. Thrasher explains.
While you can clean affected metal objects, all organic materials (such as wood, particle board, and carpets) must be completely removed and replaced. You want to make sure that the contractor you hire for the job uses a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filtration machine to trap minute particles, and that they're meticulous when using it.
WARNING!! Be Careful How You Chose Your Remediator
There is no question that a high quality air purifier can help control mold issues but it will NOT remediate against them. You can use the best air filters and purifiers and they will never solve the problem if you continue to have water intrusion into you home that increases the humidity and feeds the growth of the mold.
You will need to stop the water at its source and carefully remove and clean the mold infested materials. While this may superficially seem an easy task, let me assure you that it isn't.
You need to find a qualified expert and professional that is certified by one of the agencies below. I would also suggest getting several bids for the work. You can find contractor or professional listings on the following sites. Both the IICRC and NORMI are certifying organizations for mold remediation, but the IICRC certification is perhaps the most widely used:
IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
ACAC (American Council for Accredited Certification)—a certifying body that is third-party accredited.
The IAQA (Indoor Air Quality Association)—a membership organization with no certification program (the ACAC handles this by agreement)
RIA (Restoration Industry Association)
NORMI (National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors)
Keep in mind that a mere certification or listing may not be enough. Also evaluate the remediator's qualifications and insurance (liability as well as workman's comp). With the ACAC, there are a few different levels.
How to Clean Up Minor Surface Mold
If you have just a small area of surface mold, you probably don't have to call in an expert. However, only attempt to clean it if it's limited to the surface of a small area. You cannot "clean" deep-rooted mold. Dr. Thrasher has one word for those of you who have bought into the home-remedy advice to "kill off mold" with ammonia or bleach: Don't.
"What happens is you'll kill the mold but you'll leave the carcass behind," Dr. Thrasher explains."The carcass will disintegrate and release toxins into the air. So you really went from one problem (mold growth) to another problem; dead mold and the release of all of their toxins… and then once water is reintroduced in the environment, the mold will grow right back to the surface."
However, for minor visible surface mold on say a baseboard, or on a piece of furniture, you could use a little bit of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and vinegar to wipe it off.
"I just use the concentrated vinegar and baking soda," he says."All you need is a couple of tablespoons [of baking soda] to a quart of water. The vinegar I just take straight out of the bottle… I generally do the vinegar first and then follow it with the baking soda… The vinegar will kill the mold and the bacteria but you're going to leave residue on the surface and so you scrub the surface to try to get rid of the residue.
Air Purifiers - make sure you purchase the right one!
Thanks to recommendations by Jordan Rubin, my family depends on the technology of "Healthy Perceptions" and their Aclare Air zone Purification system - it is a must in my household. You can learn more at : http://healthyperceptions.com/
"As many of you know, for many years I worked with various physicians and was able to prove to them that mold caused significant health problems. Are you now seeing suspect diagnoses in your children like chronic sinusitis (documented as being mold induced in 95+% of cases), or bronchitis or asthma, all of which can be due to mold? We have three of these Aclare units in our home, and as health care workers begin to understand the mold link to serious diseases and learning disorders, I am certain that John and his family will sell out of these incredible units..." Doug Kaufmann , "Know the Cause"
"A healthy environment leads to a healthy life. Toxins in the air we breathe can have a negative impact on many systems of the body. To ensure the air I breathe is as healthy as possible, I use the Aclare Air Purifiers made by Healthy Perceptions. I have used these air purifiers in every room of my home for the last five years. I have often used the portable units in hotel rooms when I travel. The health of my family is a primary concern of mine and I trust the health of the air we breathe to Aclare Air Purifiers and you should to." Jordan Rubin, CEO of Garden of Life & CEO of Beyond Organic
Could Your Health Problems be Related to Mold?
Common health problems that can be attributed to poor and potentially toxic indoor air quality include:
Frequent headaches
Depression
Neurological problems; poor concentration and forgetfulness
Joint aches and pains
Skin rashes
Muscle wasting
Chronic fatigue
Stomach & digestive problems, such as dysbiosis, leaky gut, and frequent diarrhea
Allergies
chronic sinusitis
Asthma or trouble breathing
It's important to determine whether or not your health problems are indeed due to mold, in order to properly treat it. Most doctors will simply prescribe an antibiotic for chronic sinusitis, for example. But if your sinusitis stems from bacteria- and mold growth in your home, it's not going to clear up.
This article is not to alarm but to educate - yes, these symptoms can be caused by several other health concerns.
During my consultations, I have helped to point many in the direction of researching mold in their lives due to the mold reactions that I find during the LSA Pro screening. I have also found that homeopathics work very well with strengthening the body during this time.
Vitamin D Fights Mold Allergies
Researchers found that vitamin D not only reduced the production of a protein driving the allergic response to mold, it also increased production of the proteins that promote tolerance.
This means vitamin D may not only help treat mold allergy, it may help prevent it as well.
This makes perfect sense when you consider that sufficient vitamin D is also imperative for proper functioning of your immune system, and virtually everyone who is sickened by mold has an immune system that is functioning well below par.
For asthmatics, who are among those most impacted by this particular mold, the benefits are even greater, as optimal vitamin D levels can help lessen asthma severity and symptoms in addition to reducing the risks of an allergic reaction to mold.
As I mentioned in the beginning, this mold issue is something I wanted to make those who follow Palm Beach Nutrition & Wellness away of.
Knowledge and education are key to our health - followed by being proactive in the way we live, eat and the supplements we take.
I hope you find this article informative - if you want more info, here are the links:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/30/dr-thrasher-on-the-health-dangers-of-mold.aspx?e_cid=20110730_DNL_art_1
http://healthyperceptions.com/
Have a healthy day ~ Kim Butler, Natural Health Counselor
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Super seaweed: Nutritionist looks to the ocean for "incredible" food
Note from Miriam:
I am sure you don't eat sushi everyday, so get your seaweed in a tasty shot of Seven+. (Shhhhh....just don't tell my kids they're drinking it!)
So glad I don't have to spend $450 in one weekend to harvest my own fresh seaweed, but I get it every single day in a powerful extract form in my delicious little shot! Life is good!
Submitted by Heather Reese, KOMO Communities Reporter
Thursday, July 14th, 11:54am
Jennifer Adler holds kelp pickles in her downtown Seattle office. Kelp is a type of seaweed.
Blueberries...spinach...walnuts.
We've been hearing for years about so-called "super foods" packed with nutrients. But one Seattle nutritionist says - look to the ocean to find one super food that trumps them all.
"The nutrition in seaweed is incredible," said Jennifer Adler. "It makes kale look like iceberg lettuce."
Adler runs her private practice, "Passionate Nutrition," out of two offices in downtown Seattle and Bainbridge Island. She originally got interested in the healing powers of food as a high school student - after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She later moved to Seattle to attend Bastyr University, where she now teaches.
"It's about using food as medicine," Adler said.
In addition to health benefits, seaweed is said to be good for the hair, skin and nails. Adler said many people mistake her for being younger than 37-years-old, which may be credited to her daily intake of the green stuff.
"The key with seaweed is a little bit all the time," Adler said. So a once-in-awhile seaweed salad from your favorite sushi restaurant won't cut it.
Adler claims you can add seaweed to almost anything - like smoothies, soup, or even pasta dishes. "If you add small amounts of seaweed to food, people don't even know it's there," she said.
And like anything else - fresher is better. Adler began harvesting her own seaweed straight from the ocean about eight years ago.
"The minerals in the ocean are the same as the minerals in our blood," Adler explained, "so seaweed from the ocean is perfect for our bodies."
Every summer, she takes groups of people out to Lopez Island to harvest seaweed. "It really has to come from clean waters," she said. Her students spend the weekend hiking, kayaking and learning how to be sustainable in their harvesting.
Adler said everybody in the class is able to harvest enough seaweed to last an entire year. They learn how to dry and pickle their pickings, and a professional chef shows the students how to incorporate sea vegetables into meals.
"Everything we eat during the weekend has seaweed in it," Adler said. "(The students) walk away being empowered with their health."
If you can't get out and harvest your own seaweed, there are several health food stores around town that carry it. Adler recommends getting one-to-three grams everyday.
"It's a powerhouse food," Adler said. "I can't think of anything that compares to it."
The process of harvesting seaweed is similar to that of crab fishing, where you have to obtain an inexpensive license. There is still space available in Adler's summer sessions. The cost of the weekend is $450, including everything except transportation to and from Lopez Island. Sign up online.
http://downtownseattle.komonews.com/news/health/super-seaweed-nutritionist-looks-ocean-incredible-food/653140
I am sure you don't eat sushi everyday, so get your seaweed in a tasty shot of Seven+. (Shhhhh....just don't tell my kids they're drinking it!)
So glad I don't have to spend $450 in one weekend to harvest my own fresh seaweed, but I get it every single day in a powerful extract form in my delicious little shot! Life is good!
Submitted by Heather Reese, KOMO Communities Reporter
Thursday, July 14th, 11:54am
Jennifer Adler holds kelp pickles in her downtown Seattle office. Kelp is a type of seaweed.
Blueberries...spinach...walnuts.
We've been hearing for years about so-called "super foods" packed with nutrients. But one Seattle nutritionist says - look to the ocean to find one super food that trumps them all.
"The nutrition in seaweed is incredible," said Jennifer Adler. "It makes kale look like iceberg lettuce."
Adler runs her private practice, "Passionate Nutrition," out of two offices in downtown Seattle and Bainbridge Island. She originally got interested in the healing powers of food as a high school student - after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She later moved to Seattle to attend Bastyr University, where she now teaches.
"It's about using food as medicine," Adler said.
In addition to health benefits, seaweed is said to be good for the hair, skin and nails. Adler said many people mistake her for being younger than 37-years-old, which may be credited to her daily intake of the green stuff.
"The key with seaweed is a little bit all the time," Adler said. So a once-in-awhile seaweed salad from your favorite sushi restaurant won't cut it.
Adler claims you can add seaweed to almost anything - like smoothies, soup, or even pasta dishes. "If you add small amounts of seaweed to food, people don't even know it's there," she said.
And like anything else - fresher is better. Adler began harvesting her own seaweed straight from the ocean about eight years ago.
"The minerals in the ocean are the same as the minerals in our blood," Adler explained, "so seaweed from the ocean is perfect for our bodies."
Every summer, she takes groups of people out to Lopez Island to harvest seaweed. "It really has to come from clean waters," she said. Her students spend the weekend hiking, kayaking and learning how to be sustainable in their harvesting.
Adler said everybody in the class is able to harvest enough seaweed to last an entire year. They learn how to dry and pickle their pickings, and a professional chef shows the students how to incorporate sea vegetables into meals.
"Everything we eat during the weekend has seaweed in it," Adler said. "(The students) walk away being empowered with their health."
If you can't get out and harvest your own seaweed, there are several health food stores around town that carry it. Adler recommends getting one-to-three grams everyday.
"It's a powerhouse food," Adler said. "I can't think of anything that compares to it."
The process of harvesting seaweed is similar to that of crab fishing, where you have to obtain an inexpensive license. There is still space available in Adler's summer sessions. The cost of the weekend is $450, including everything except transportation to and from Lopez Island. Sign up online.
http://downtownseattle.komonews.com/news/health/super-seaweed-nutritionist-looks-ocean-incredible-food/653140
World Health Organization (WHO): Cell phone use can increase possible cancer risk
WHO: Cell phone use can increase possible cancer risk
By Danielle Dellorto, CNN
May 31, 2011 1:49 p.m. EDT
Cell phone use 'possibly carcinogenic'
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Experts say there are ways to minimize cell phone radiation
It's in the same "hazard" category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroform
Until now, WHO has said no adverse health effects have been established
The cell phone industry maintains that there is no conclusive evidence of danger
(CNN) -- Radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization. The agency now lists mobile phone use in the same "carcinogenic hazard" category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroform.
Before its announcement Tuesday, WHO had assured consumers that no adverse health effects had been established.
A team of 31 scientists from 14 countries, including the United States, made the decision after reviewing peer-reviewed studies on cell phone safety. The team found enough evidence to categorize personal exposure as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
What that means is they found some evidence of increase in glioma and acoustic neuroma brain cancer for mobile phone users, but have not been able to draw conclusions for other types of cancers
"The biggest problem we have is that we know most environmental factors take several decades of exposure before we really see the consequences," said Dr. Keith Black, chairman of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Is your cell phone safe? Dr. Gupta explores cell phone safety How to use your cell phone safely Can cell phones cause cancer?
RELATED TOPICS
Smartphones
Consumer Electronics
Cancer
The type of radiation coming out of a cell phone is called non-ionizing. It is not like an X-ray, but more like a very low-powered microwave oven.
"What microwave radiation does in most simplistic terms is similar to what happens to food in microwaves, essentially cooking the brain," Black said. "So in addition to leading to a development of cancer and tumors, there could be a whole host of other effects like cognitive memory function, since the memory temporal lobes are where we hold our cell phones."
Wireless industry responded to Tuesday's announcement saying it "does not mean cell phones cause cancer." CTIA-The Wireless Association added that WHO researchers "did not conduct any new research, but rather reviewed published studies."
The European Environmental Agency has pushed for more studies, saying cell phones could be as big a public health risk as smoking, asbestos and leaded gasoline. The head of a prominent cancer-research institute at the University of Pittsburgh sent a memo to all employees urging them to limit cell phone use because of a possible risk of cancer.
"When you look at cancer development -- particularly brain cancer -- it takes a long time to develop. I think it is a good idea to give the public some sort of warning that long-term exposure to radiation from your cell phone could possibly cause cancer," said Dr. Henry Lai, research professor in bioengineering at University of Washington who has studied radiation for more than 30 years.
Results from the largest international study on cell phones and cancer was released in 2010. It showed participants in the study who used a cell phone for 10 years or more had doubled the rate of brain glioma, a type of tumor. To date, there have been no long-term studies on the effects of cell phone usage among children.
"Children's skulls and scalps are thinner. So the radiation can penetrate deeper into the brain of children and young adults. Their cells are at a dividing faster rate, so the impact of radiation can be much larger." said Black of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
In February, a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, revealed radiation emitted after just 50 minutes on a mobile phone increases the activity in brain cells. The effects of brain activity being artificially stimulated are still unknown.
Neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta says Tuesday's announcement, "dealt a blow to those who have long said, 'There is no possible mechanism for cell phones to cause cancer.' By classifying cell phones as a possible carcinogen, they also seem to be tacitly admitting a mechanism could exist."
Manufacturers of many popular cell phones already warn consumers to keep their device away from their body and medical experts say there other ways to minimize cell phone radiation.
The Apple iPhone 4 safety manual says users' radiation exposure should not exceed FCC guidelines: "When using iPhone near your body for voice calls or for wireless data transmission over a cellular network, keep iPhone at least 15 millimeters (5/8 inch) away from the body."
BlackBerry Bold advises users to "keep the BlackBerry device at least 0.98 inch (25 millimeters) from your body when the BlackBerry device is transmitting."
The logic behind such recommendations is that the further the phone is from the body, the less radiation is absorbed. Users can also use the speakerphone function or a wired earpiece to gain some distance.
Users can text instead of talk if they want to keep the phone away from their faces.
Finally, cell phones emit the most radiation when they are attempting to connect to cellular towers. A moving phone, or a phone in an area with a weak signal, has to work harder, giving of more radiation. So users can avoid using their cell phones in elevators, buildings and rural areas if they want to reduce their exposure, experts say.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/05/31/who.cell.phones/index.html
By Danielle Dellorto, CNN
May 31, 2011 1:49 p.m. EDT
Cell phone use 'possibly carcinogenic'
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Experts say there are ways to minimize cell phone radiation
It's in the same "hazard" category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroform
Until now, WHO has said no adverse health effects have been established
The cell phone industry maintains that there is no conclusive evidence of danger
(CNN) -- Radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization. The agency now lists mobile phone use in the same "carcinogenic hazard" category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroform.
Before its announcement Tuesday, WHO had assured consumers that no adverse health effects had been established.
A team of 31 scientists from 14 countries, including the United States, made the decision after reviewing peer-reviewed studies on cell phone safety. The team found enough evidence to categorize personal exposure as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
What that means is they found some evidence of increase in glioma and acoustic neuroma brain cancer for mobile phone users, but have not been able to draw conclusions for other types of cancers
"The biggest problem we have is that we know most environmental factors take several decades of exposure before we really see the consequences," said Dr. Keith Black, chairman of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Is your cell phone safe? Dr. Gupta explores cell phone safety How to use your cell phone safely Can cell phones cause cancer?
RELATED TOPICS
Smartphones
Consumer Electronics
Cancer
The type of radiation coming out of a cell phone is called non-ionizing. It is not like an X-ray, but more like a very low-powered microwave oven.
"What microwave radiation does in most simplistic terms is similar to what happens to food in microwaves, essentially cooking the brain," Black said. "So in addition to leading to a development of cancer and tumors, there could be a whole host of other effects like cognitive memory function, since the memory temporal lobes are where we hold our cell phones."
Wireless industry responded to Tuesday's announcement saying it "does not mean cell phones cause cancer." CTIA-The Wireless Association added that WHO researchers "did not conduct any new research, but rather reviewed published studies."
The European Environmental Agency has pushed for more studies, saying cell phones could be as big a public health risk as smoking, asbestos and leaded gasoline. The head of a prominent cancer-research institute at the University of Pittsburgh sent a memo to all employees urging them to limit cell phone use because of a possible risk of cancer.
"When you look at cancer development -- particularly brain cancer -- it takes a long time to develop. I think it is a good idea to give the public some sort of warning that long-term exposure to radiation from your cell phone could possibly cause cancer," said Dr. Henry Lai, research professor in bioengineering at University of Washington who has studied radiation for more than 30 years.
Results from the largest international study on cell phones and cancer was released in 2010. It showed participants in the study who used a cell phone for 10 years or more had doubled the rate of brain glioma, a type of tumor. To date, there have been no long-term studies on the effects of cell phone usage among children.
"Children's skulls and scalps are thinner. So the radiation can penetrate deeper into the brain of children and young adults. Their cells are at a dividing faster rate, so the impact of radiation can be much larger." said Black of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
In February, a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, revealed radiation emitted after just 50 minutes on a mobile phone increases the activity in brain cells. The effects of brain activity being artificially stimulated are still unknown.
Neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta says Tuesday's announcement, "dealt a blow to those who have long said, 'There is no possible mechanism for cell phones to cause cancer.' By classifying cell phones as a possible carcinogen, they also seem to be tacitly admitting a mechanism could exist."
Manufacturers of many popular cell phones already warn consumers to keep their device away from their body and medical experts say there other ways to minimize cell phone radiation.
The Apple iPhone 4 safety manual says users' radiation exposure should not exceed FCC guidelines: "When using iPhone near your body for voice calls or for wireless data transmission over a cellular network, keep iPhone at least 15 millimeters (5/8 inch) away from the body."
BlackBerry Bold advises users to "keep the BlackBerry device at least 0.98 inch (25 millimeters) from your body when the BlackBerry device is transmitting."
The logic behind such recommendations is that the further the phone is from the body, the less radiation is absorbed. Users can also use the speakerphone function or a wired earpiece to gain some distance.
Users can text instead of talk if they want to keep the phone away from their faces.
Finally, cell phones emit the most radiation when they are attempting to connect to cellular towers. A moving phone, or a phone in an area with a weak signal, has to work harder, giving of more radiation. So users can avoid using their cell phones in elevators, buildings and rural areas if they want to reduce their exposure, experts say.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/05/31/who.cell.phones/index.html
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