as use of statins became widespread, serious side effects emerged.

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs were once viewed as "wonder drugs" and as major players in the fight to reduce cardiovascular disease. But as use of statins became widespread, serious side effects emerged. Side effects, coupled with the lingering question of whether or not statins actually lower the risk of heart attacks, have sent more people looking for natural, effective ways to reduce their cholesterol levels.

"Anything viewed as a magic pill isn't going to work," says nationally recognized anti-aging expert Dr. Erika Schwartz. "I think it's time for Americans to understand that and to stop becoming victims of thinking that this is a magic bullet.

"Statins are a perfect example of that," she says. "They lowered cholesterol levels, even though there was no data to connect the lowering of cholesterol with a lower of incidence of heart disease and heart attacks.

"Actually, if you look at the trend from the American Heart Association, there are fewer heart attacks because people in American eat better and exercise. It's not because of the statins.

"Statins actually cause a lot of problems," Dr. Schwartz says. "In my own practice, I've had patients who've ended up in the hospital with muscle pains, liver problems — a lot of toxicity."

One of the biggest problems caused by statins is that they deplete the body of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which affects energy production at the cellular level, says Dr. Schwartz.

In addition, the results of studies showing the ability of statins to prevent heart attacks are mixed. The best course of action, says Dr. Schwartz, is to lower cholesterol levels naturally.

A couple of supplements can help. They are:

Red yeast rice. "Statins were developed from red yeast rice," says Dr. Schwartz. "The only difference is that red yeast rice is natural, and it doesn't have any side effects." Dr. Schwartz recommends 1,200 milligrams daily.

Niacin or B3. Niacin is a B vitamin. Dr. Schwartz recommends taking 100 milligrams three times a day, and increasing the dosage up to 1,000 mg three times a day. If your skin flushes, you have what is called a "niacin flush" and have surpassed your tolerance.

Of course, eating right and exercising are at the top of the list of "must do's" for lowering cholesterol levels. "Saturated fats are the biggest culprits," says Dr. Schwartz. And beware of high-protein diets.

"High protein diets are great, but high proteins with high fat don't work," she says. "Eliminate that bacon!

"Keep everything in balance, and don't look to a drug to keep things in balance for you," recommends Dr. Schwartz.

Read More

UK Jobseekers who reject help for alcohol and drug addiction face benefits cut

Unemployed people suspected of suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction will have their benefits cut if they refuse treatment for their condition, the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, will signal on Wednesday. In a sign of the government's new benefits regime, which lies at the heart of Duncan Smith's cost-cutting welfare changes, staff in Jobcentre Plus offices will be encouraged to cut the jobseeker's allowance of claimants who reject treatment for addiction. The new rules will come into place in October 2013 when the universal credit, which is designed to wrap benefits into one payment, is introduced. A new claimant contract lies at the heart of the universal credit reforms. Claimants will have to sign a contract in which they agree to look for work in exchange for an undertaking from the government to support them while they do so. Government sources said the contract would allow Jobcentre Plus staff to say that a suspected addict is in breach of their commitments if they refuse help for alcoholism or drug addiction. Duncan Smith will give a flavour of the new rules when he addresses an event in parliament organised by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). He will say: "The outdated benefits system fails to get people off drugs and put their lives on track. We have started changing how addicts are supported, but we must go further to actively take on the devastation that drugs and alcohol can cause. "Under universal credit we want to do more to encourage and support claimants into rehabilitation for addiction and starting them on the road to recovery and eventually work. Getting people into work and encouraging independence is our ultimate goal. Universal credit will put people on a journey towards a sustainable recovery so they are better placed to look for work in future and we will be outlining our plans shortly." It is understood that the work and pensions secretary will not make a formal announcement on Wednesday of the powers that will be handed to Jobcentre Plus staff. Duncan Smith wants to use the event to focus on what he regards as the positive work AA does in helping to treat alcoholism. A government source said: "Iain wants to focus on the brilliant work Alcoholics Anonymous does in changing people's lives. He really wants to encourage people who have drink problems to go to AA for treatment. It will transform their lives and will help them into work." The source said Duncan Smith believes it is right to give jobcentre staff powers to cut benefits if an addict refuses treatment because they can detect signs of trouble. The source said: "The universal credit will allow staff in Jobcentre Plus offices to say: this person has been unemployed for some time. The staff know if people are addicted to alcohol. They know the people they are dealing with. "But we want this to be positive and to be about signposting people to superb organisations that can help them. This is about changing their lives. It is very important to support addicts into the workplace." But if claimants refuse they will have their benefits docked. "There will be sanctions," the source said, citing cuts to the jobseeker's allowance as an example. Ministers believe that one indicator Jobcentre Plus staff can use to see whether a claimant is an addict is the amount of times they apply for a crisis loan. "If you are applying for that up to 10 times a year then that is a sign of a chaotic life," one source said. Analysis by the Department of Work and Pensions shows that almost 40,000 people claim incapacity benefit with alcoholism declared as their "primary diagnosis". Of these, 13,500 have been claiming for a decade or more. There are about 160,000 "dependent drinkers" in England who receive one or more of the main benefits. There are 1m violent crimes a year that are related to alcoholism and 1.2m admissions to hospitals a year related to alcoholism. Universal credit is the most important element of Duncan Smith's welfare reforms, developed during his years in opposition through his Centre for Social Justice, which is designed to achieve his central goal of encouraging people into work. It will integrate tax credits and out-of-work benefits into one payment, with the aim of smoothing the transition to work. Labour has given the universal credit a cautious welcome, though it has taken issue with the scale of benefit cuts. Lord Low of Dalston, the vice-president of the Royal National Institute of Blind People who sits as a crossbencher, told peers this year: "Though it has some very sensible and progressive things at its core, in the shape of the universal credit, nevertheless it goes too far to most people's consciences in the way in which it takes vital support away from some of the most needy in our society."

Read More

'Queen of Disco' Donna Summer 'thought she became ill after inhaling 9/11 particles'

The 63-year-old singer, who had hits including Hot Stuff, Love to Love You, Baby and I Feel Love, died in Florida on Thursday morning. She had largely kept her battle with lung cancer out of the public eye. But the website TMZ reported that the singer had told friends she believed her illness was the result of inhaling toxic dust from the collapsed Twin Towers. On Thursday night tributes were paid to the singer, considered by many to be the voice of the 1970s. A statement released on behalf of her family — husband Bruce Sudano, their daughters Brooklyn and Amanda, her daughter, Mimi from a previous marriage and four grandchildren — read: “Early this morning, surrounded by family, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. "While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy.

Read More

Scientists uncover potential treatment for painful side effect of diabetes

Why diabetics suffer from increased pain and temperature sensitivity is a step closer to being understood and effectively treated. See Also: Health & Medicine Diabetes Pain Control Neuropathy Joint Pain Fibromyalgia Back and Neck Pain Reference Diabetes mellitus type 2 Diabetic diet Chronic pain Back pain Research published in the journal Nature Medicine reveals that a multi-national collaboration between scientists from Warwick Medical School in the UK, and universities in Germany, New York, Australia and Eastern Europe, has discovered key information around one of the most distressing side effects of diabetes. Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), which is abnormal and persistent pain experienced by roughly 50% of patients with diabetes, impairs patients' quality of life and affects sleep, mood, mobility, ability to work, relationships, self-esteem and independence. Currently there is no clear understanding of how abnormal glucose metabolism produces heightened pain in diabetics, but this study offers vital new insights. The Warwick team of Dr Naila Rabbani and Professor Paul Thornalley have worked for 30 years on a reactive compound produced excessively from glucose in diabetes called methylglyoxal (MG). The new research led by Professors Angelika Bierhaus, Peter Nawroth and colleagues convincingly shows that MG is a new culprit in pain discomfort and, having pinpointed its relevance, further research is being undertaken to develop ways of inhibiting its activity and therefore reduce pain. Professor Thornalley from the University of Warwick, explained:  “MG appears to attack and modify a key protein in the nerve endings called ‘Nav 1.8’ causing nerves to become super-sensitive to pain and extremes of temperature.  So diabetics typically develop a heightened sensitivity to hot and cold, accompanied with intense pain. “This collaborative research indicates that using small peptides to ‘scavenge’ the problem-causing compound will lead to a reduction in pain and opens up new routes to develop accurate, targeted drug treatments to help diabetics.” He added that an additional research programme at Warwick is currently investigating ways to increase the amount of an enzyme, glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), which removes MG catalytically. “With global rates of diabetes increasing each year, our research is offering valuable insight into the science behind why glucose metabolism causes so many side effects and ultimately how we can develop treatments to improve patient care and outcomes.”

Read More

BUSH TEA in high demand

THE demand for herbal therapy, including bush teas which have been used for hundreds of years, particularly for diabetes management, is growing significantly in most developing countries.

Dr Perceval Bahado-Singh, director of research and development at the Bio-Tech R&D Institute, made this claim in an address on "The potential of Caribbean plants for the management of Diabetes Mellitus: Exploitation for its use in diabetes management" at a recent

 

Herbal medicines are consumed as bush teas for decades and an entire tea industry in Jamaica and the Caribbean has been built around bush teas.  1/2

 

conference on diabetes in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

He said studies had indicated that this growth in popularity was not only because herbal remedies were relatively inexpensive but also because "they form better cultural acceptability and in some instances have minimal side effects".

But Dr Bahado-Singh acknowledged that recent data had indicated that many herbal medicines had some side effects or show little or no efficacy, because "there are no defined dosage levels or standards for administration".

"For this reason, I wish to strongly reaffirm the crucial advice from our recently launched book entitled Caribbean Herbs for Diabetes Management: Fact or Fiction? that 'herbal therapy should not be used as a substitute for conventional therapy and that herbal remedies should not be viewed as an effective substitute for conventional agents such as oral hypoglycemics and insulin."

He said herbal medicines and in particular bush teas played a role in the management of diabetes and that it was therefore the responsibility of scientists to properly inform clinicians, health practitioners and the general public on the proper dosages and safety when using these natural remedies.

"We should also exercise great caution when dispelling these cultural practices without strong, recent up-to-date, extensive scientific validation to substantiate these pronouncements to the public," he advised.

Dr Bahado-Singh said that most folkloric herbal medicines were consumed as bush teas for decades and an entire tea industry in Jamaica and the Caribbean had been built around bush teas.

"I would like to point out that bush teas and herbal therapy, like all conventional drugs, possess side effects. In some instances, they are no more dangerous or harmful to diabetics than some of the current pharmaceutical drugs which are prescribed to patients and most, if not all, possess some side effects, some that have been fatal.

"Take, for example, metformin — one of the most widely used diabetic pharmaceutical drugs — has side effects, some of which include nausea, indigestion and diarrhea...

"However, we should therefore endeavour as scientists to build on the experiences from the years of traditional uses of bush remedies and folklore practices, which can often provide us with useful guidelines to the selection, preparation and application of herbal formulation as well as their potential drug development. In order to achieve clinical acceptance vigorous methods of scientific and clinical validation need to be applied to prove their safety and efficacy," he suggested.

The researcher said scholarly studies had demonstrated that the demand for herbal therapy was growing exponentially, especially in developing countries.

He cited Dr Henry Lowe's work with plants that had been scientifically proven to have anti-diabetic properties based on extensive research, most of which was carried out by the University of the West Indies. The plans inlcuded periwinkle, ceraZsee, annatto, cashew, dasheen and bird pepper, among others.

"These studies have indicated that this growth in popularity in the use of herbal remedies is not only because herbal remedies are relatively inexpensive, but also because they form better cultural acceptability and less recognised side effects unlike many pharmaceutical agents as mentioned before..

"However, other studies have indicated that many herbal medicines have some side effects and may also lead to drug interactions and may show little or no efficacy, because there are no defined dosage levels or standards. (Even so) many diabetic patients in the developing world cannot afford the modern medicines and technologies, and thus, in many cases, have no alternative but to rely on traditional healers or using their own herbal remedies to manage their condition.

"Very often these raw herbs picked from gardens or in the bushes, could be contaminated by other unknown herbs, be associated with dangerous soil-borne pathogens and create health care challenges which are additional to those associated with unknown dosage levels and lack of standardisation," said Dr Bahado-Singh.

 

Read More

Persistent cough 'could be lung cancer warning'

The public should be vigilant about persistent coughs as they could be a sign of lung cancer, a new government advertising drive is warning. The campaign, which is being run in TV, radio, print and online media, recommends people with coughs lasting three weeks visit their GP. Research has shown the public are much more aware that lumps and bleeding are warning signs of cancer than a cough. But the ads make clear persistent coughs should also raise alarm bells. The push is being backed by celebrities including comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, TV star Linda Robson and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Read More

TOXIC : 30 of the 'Most Wanted' Toxic Ingredients & Pollutants

 

TOXIN	WHERE USED	WHAT IT DOES	HEALTH HAZARD
Acesulfame K	Food products and carbonated drinks	Artificial sweetener	Possible carcinogen; disrupts thyroid function
Aspartame (NutraSweet)	Used in soft drinks	Sugar substitute	Seizures, headaches and dizziness. Can activate cancer hormones in humans
Benzaldehyde	Perfume, hairspray, laundry and dishwasher products	Fragrance	CNS depressant; causes kidney damage and irritation to lungs, throat, eyes
Benzyl Acetate	Perfume, fabric softener, deodorant	Fragrance and food flavouring; also a solvent	Irritates respiratory tract. Carcinogenic, linked to pancreatic cancer
Bisphenol-A (BPA)	In plastic bottles used by the food and toiletries industry	Chemical used to harden plastics; synthetic oestrogen	Damages DNA and sperm in men; mimics oestrogen and disrupts hormones
Bronopol	Facial exfoliants, moisturisers, make-up removers, body wash	Anti-bacterial preservative in cosmetic and pharmaceuticals	Releases formaldehyde and carcinogenic nitrosamines
Butyl benzyl phthalate	Floor tiles; upholstery	Plasticizer for vinyl and foam products	CarciButyl benzyl phthalatenogenic
Colours (e.g. Tartrazine, Sunset yellow, etc)	Used in cosmetics and food products (juices, cereals, coffee)	Add artificial colouring	All coal tar dyes are carcinogenic; evidence that colours may react with other chemical ingredients
Di-,Tri-, Mono-ethanolamine (DEA, TEA and MEA)	Children's bubble bath, shower gel, shampoo, facial cleansers	Foaming agent	Hormone disruptor; can release cancer causing nitrosamines; liver and kidney cancer
Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)	Fragrance base in perfumery and cosmetic products	Used a plasticizer in PVC and plastic products	Damages gastro-intestinal and respiratory tracts; endocrine disruptor; can cause irregular heart patterns
DMDM Hydantoin	Antiperspirants, multiple skin and hair products	Formaldehyde-forming preservative	Joint pain, depression, headaches, insomnia, asthma
Fluoride	Toothpaste, water, food products	Allegedly prevents cavities and strengthens teeth	Neuro toxin associated with dementia, depression and central nervous system disorders
High Fructose Corn Syrup	Used in fruit drinks, desserts and cakes	Food sweetener	Causes obesity, raises cholesterol and increases risk of diabetes, liver damage and stroke
Hydrogenated Oil	Margarine, spreads, crackers and biscuits	Increases the shelf-life of food products	Linked to heart disease, cell deterioration and nutritional deficiencies
Hydroquinone	Skin products	Skin lightener and moisturiser	Has been shown to cause skin cancer in rats
Imidazolidinyl Urea	Baby bath soap, body products, nail polish, antiperspirants	Antimicrobial preservative	Releases formaldehyde. Asthma, chronic fatigue, heart palpitations; carcinogenic
Isopropyl alcohol	Hair colourants, body and hand lotions, after-shave	A solvent and denaturant (toxic substance that changes another substance's natural qualities)	Depression, headaches, dizziness, nausea, narcosis
Lead and Mercury	Hair dye, amalgam fillings, infant vaccinations	Preservative	Neuro toxin, also linked with ADHD
Limonene	Shaving cream, air freshener, varnish remover	Fragrance and food flavouring; insecticide	Respiratory problems. Carcinogenic
Linalool	Hand lotion, shaving cream, after shave and perfume	Mainly used as a  fragrance; but also flea and cockroach insecticide; mosquito repellent	Eczema; Central nervous system disruptor. Narcotic. Attracts bees and wasps.
Methylene chloride	Aerosol sprays, paint stripper; tea and coffee	Solvent used to decaffeinate coffee and tea	Carcinogen and CNS disruptor; reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood
Nano particles	Sunscreens, make-up, mascara, eyeshadow, antiperspirant	Micro-fine particle technology (smaller than 100 nanometers)	Faster absorption of chemical ingredient; greater damage to skin and organs
Petrolatum (Mineral Oil)	Baby Oil, vaseline	Surfactant and binding agent	Acne, premature skin ageing. Inhibits skin's ability to breathe and expel toxins
Monosodium glutamate	Used in sausages, salad dressing, canned soup and fizzy drinks	Increases the shelf-life of instant and ready-made food	An excito-toxin that suppresses nerve impulses and causes cell death
Parabens	Multiple toiletries and cosmetic products	Preservative	Implicated in breast cancer due to oestrogenic properties
Propylene glycol (PG), (PEG)	Used in anti-freeze,  brake fluid, shampoo, shower gel, moisturizers	Industrial wetting agent and solvent	Dermatitis, liver and kidney damage
Silica	Face powder, eyeshadow	Caking agent	Easily inhaled; crystalline silica listed as carcinogenic
Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)	Engine de-greaser used in shampoo, toothpaste, etc	Foaming agent	Forms cancer-causing nitrosamines  when reacting with other chemicals. Damage to eyes and skin; collects in heart, lungs, liver and brain
Sodium nitrite	Used in foods like sausages, bacon and other processed meat products	Colour-fixing chemical used to create red pigment in meat	Potentially carcinogenic
Triclosan	Soaps, toothpastes and deodorants	Anti-bacterial	Central nervous system disruption. Detected in breast milk; interferes with testosterone

• Researchers found a whopping 287 different toxins in the blood of newborn babies
• Or that every year, 10,000 cases of cancer are caused by fluoride in tap water
•  Or that popular air fresheners in your home emit the dangerous carcinogenic toxin,formaldehyde
• Or that dozens of baby’s bottles contain a toxic substance that’s been linked to breathing problems, lung damage, asthma and infections in babies? 
•  Or that every year, we breathe in as many as 120,000 different toxins that can affect our health? 
•  Or that sunscreens may actually increase your risk of getting skin cancer
• Or that people with even modest levels of phthalates (used in fake tan, face creams and perfumes) in their bloodstream are twice as likely to develop diabetes

 

In one shocking recent study, researchers at the University of Reading in the UK found that 99 per cent of all  tissue samples taken from 40 women who had undergone mastectomies for breast cancer contained at least one paraben - and that 60 per cent of the samples contained five parabens.

 

Parabens - a synthetic chemical compound of para-hydroxybenzoic acid - are used as a preservative in thousands of toiletries and cosmetic products to extend their shelf-life - such as shower gels, moisturisers, toothpastes and underarm deodorants.

 

But so widespread is their use that they're even used to inhibit microbial growth in prescription medicines and foods, such as processed meat products.

 

Parabens are known to have an oestrogen-mimicking effect - and oestrogen is well known to play a key role in the development, growth and progression of breast cancer.

 

 

The real gut-wrenching, make-your-blood-boil scandal is that corporations and the powers that be have known all about these dangers for decades, and yet still continue to use all these chemicals like sodium lauryl sulphate and DEA in their products.

 

And here’s what I mean...

 

Take, for example, the petrochemical industry. Just like the pharmaceutical industry, the petrochemical industry has a huge amount of power and influence.

 

It employs tens of thousands of people. It’s a major exporter around the world. And it pays billions in tax to government coffers each year.

 

On the face of it, it’s one of our most successful industries.

 

But the petrochemical industry has ONE very big problem...

 

What to do with the toxic waste by-products from the production of petroleum and other industrial chemicals?

 

These waste by-products are extremely hazardous not only to human health, but also to the environment.

 

So, the choice for the petrochemical companies is simple:

 

EITHER...

 

SPEND millions of dollars disposing of these toxic products properly in line with strict, hazardous waste regulations...

 

OR...

 

EARN millions of dollars by selling these by-products to be used as ingredients, for example, in toiletries, cosmetics and household goods.

 

No need to guess which option they go for . . .

 

For the toiletries and cosmetics industry, too, there is a choice: 

 

EITHER... 

 

SPEND a fortune on expensive, natural, organic ingredients and essential oils,

 

OR...

 

PACK their products with dirt-cheap chemical waste products.

 

It’s shocking to think that whenever you see pictures of workers at petrochemical processing plants moving large metal drums of chemicals with a skull and crossbones symbol on them, they’re wearing special protective space suits and breathing apparatus...

 

And yet these chemicals will soon end up in expensive toiletry and cosmetic products which are applied directly onto your skin!

Read More