Herbs for Liver health

Detox Your Liver with These Natural Herbs

Saturday, November 28, 2009 by: Elizabeth Walling, citizen journalist

Read the entire article on NaturalNews

In our literally toxic modern society, maintaining liver health is more important than ever.
These natural herbs provide potent results in detoxifying and restoring the liver:

Milk Thistle.
By far the most famous herb for liver health, milk thistle contains antioxidant flavonoids, which protect liver cells from damage by preventing toxin absorption and enhancing regeneration.
Milk thistle is a part of most popular liver tonics, and it can also be ground fresh and sprinkled over food.

Artichoke.
Thought to have a protective effect on liver cells, artichoke can aid liver regeneration and improve its function.
It also supports bile production, which is important for digestion and assimilating valuable nutrients.
Some clinical studies show artichoke can lower triglyceride levels, as well.

Dandelion.
This herb makes an ideal liver treatment because it is highly effective and generally very safe (it is also quite inexpensive).
All parts of the flower can be useful, but dandelion root is the most popular liver remedy, while the leaves are known for promoting kidney health.

Licorice.
This remedy was often used in Eastern medicine to treat liver problems. One study reported licorice increased the production of interferon, which may explain this herb's unique ability to defend liver health from harmful toxins.

Keep in mind that any of these herbs should be used in conjunction with lifestyle factors which promote liver health, such as

• avoiding alcohol, caffeine and tobacco;
• staying active with regular exercise (even walking and yoga are highly beneficial);
• avoiding processed foods filled with junk sugars and chemical additives; and finally,
• learning to manage stress and developing healthy sleeping habits.

Lyme Protocol by Jon Barron

Lyme Disease, Bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi: Health Blog by Jon Barron

Lyme Disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria is particularly hard to kill, and the use of antibiotics, in most cases, only temporarily suppresses it — allowing it to resurface with even greater intensity down the road. When dealing with Lyme, the key is twofold:

Attack the bacteria directly.
Optimize your immune system so that it can hold the bacteria in check.

The Baseline of Health®program is designed to do both of these things and is highly recommended when dealing with Lyme, but that said, a general program that can be helpful would include:

For 30 Days
Olive leaf extract, but make sure you use one that’s 20% oleuropein kills bacteria.
Grapefruit seed extract kills bacteria.
Colloidal silver kills bacteria. Note: I am not normally a fan of colloidal silver, he has said that it may help with Lyme disease. If you can use the colloidal silver for 30-60 days to kill the bacteria. Then you can rebuild your intestinal flora with a good probiotic.
Proteolytic enzymes at detox level doses can actually "digest" the bacteria in the blood.
Immune builders such as Echinacea and Acemannan.

After 30 Days
Stop the olive leaf, grapefruit seed extract, and colloidal silver to rebuild your intestinal flora.
Probiotics will be needed to rebuild the intestinal bacteria.
The use of a garlic based formula will help continue to attack the bactera, but without harming the intestinal flora.
Continue with the immune builders.
Continue with proteolytics at detox levels for 90 days, then take down to maintenace levels.

As a side note, some people have reported great success using my Super Viragon formula (which contains a number of the antipathogens listed above) with Lyme disease. Others no. Since no one has reported exactly how they used the formula, it’s tough to evaluate.

The protocol for using Super Viragon aggressively involves using a bottle a day for the first 2 days and then 10 droppers a day for the next 2 weeks. I don’t know how many of the people who said that the Super Viragon did not help with their Lyme disease actually used that protocol, so the verdict is still out.

On another note, some success has been claimed for intravenous vitamin C treatements with Lyme disease. You might want to explore that on the net.

Natural Antibiotics for Lyme Disease

Full article - an excerpt from the book, The Top 10 Lyme Disease Treatments

T.O.A. Free Cats Claw, also known as Samento
Cats Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a powerful herb that has been long used to treat a broad variety of health problems.
Although Cats Claw has proved somewhat helpful in the treatment of Lyme Disease, it has not been considered a breakthrough treatment.
Recently, however, a discovery was made about a specific form of Cats Claw herb, known as T.O.A.-free Cats Claw.
This particular form is devoid of tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (T.O.A.’s).
Cats Claw lacking these T.O.A.’s is a completely different herb than common Cats Claw and has been found to possess amazingly effective antibiotic qualities as well as several other very important healing properties.

The most notable research about this T.O.A.-free Cats Claw was a controlled clinical study administered by Dr. Lee Cowden, M.D., a highly respected Fort Worth cardiologist. Dr. Cowden’s research examined the effects of T.O.A.-free Cats Claw on 28 people who had confirmed Lyme Disease. The study was 10 weeks long and included diet, detoxification, and nutrition components. All 28 people were ill and disabled by Lyme Disease and flat-out broke from attempts to treat it. All of them had also failed conventional antibiotic therapy.
The results of Dr. Cowden’s study were impressive. I talked with Dr. Cowden several times, and he explained to me that many of the study participants had shown improvement, some of it dramatic. Since this research was conducted, many Lyme Disease sufferers have used T.O.A.-free Cats Claw with satisfying results. Because of these encouraging reports, the herb has earned its place as a useful Lyme Disease therapy.

Some researchers and proponents of T.O.A.-free Cats Claw have claimed (or alluded to the possibility) that it is the cure for Lyme Disease, if used long enough. Unfortunately, most available evidence does not support such impressive claims.
T.O.A.-free Cat’s Claw does have direct antibiotic properties and is also an anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulator. The antibiotic component of the herb is attributable to the considerable quantities of quinovic acid glycosides found in the herb, which are natural precursors to pharmaceutical antibiotics known as Quinolones.

As an antibiotic, T.O.A.-free Cats Claw has antibacterial benefits, but it carries with it the same problems with decreasing efficacy that all antibiotics have. Three participants in the online Lyme-and-Rife discussion group conducted an unofficial, unscientific trial of the herb while undergoing treatment with rife machines. Their goal was to determine whether or not the herb eventually “stopped working,” in much the same way that all antibiotics “stop working” due to developing bacterial resistance. The three found that the T.O.A-free Cat’s Claw (brand name Samento®) had an initial beneficial impact, inducing herx reactions and improvement, but eventually it simply suppressed the Lyme Disease bacteria, leading to stagnated progress and even loss of previously made gains. While using Samento® the Lyme Disease patients noted that ultimately their herx reactions and the improvement achieved with rife machines was decreased. These three people concluded that T.O.A.-free Cat’s Claw, as any antibiotic, can be beneficial for that short period of time before the bacteria develop resistance to the herb. After that point, using the herb becomes counterproductive. These conclusions should be included in any evaluation of the herb as therapy.
The two brands of T.O.A.-free Cats Claw commonly purchased by Lyme Disease sufferers are:
Nutramedix, product name “Samento®.” Most Lyme Disease sufferers use the liquid Samento®, www.nutramedix.com, 1-800-730-3130
Nutricology, product name “Prima Uña de Gato”, www.nutricology.com, 1-800-545-9960
Extensive additional information about T.O.A.-free Cats Claw can be found on the Lyme-and-rife online discussion forum. You can find help with dosing schedules and also read about the trials conducted by Dr. Cowden and the three Lyme Disease sufferers who used Samento® in conjunction with rife machine treatment.
Because Cats Claw is derived from the same substances that comprise the quinolone class of antibiotics, it shares similar side effects. Most notably, both the quinolone antibiotics and Cats Claw have been associated with tendon damage. This occurrence is quite rare, and new research shows that this side effect may be avoided if intracellular magnesium levels are brought back up to healthy levels (See Chapter 10). Nonetheless, proceed with caution when using Cats Claw.
Colloidal Silver
There are hundreds of websites and dozens of books about the groundbreaking and remarkable antibiotic capabilities of colloidal silver. CS possesses a broad-spectrum, powerful action against many microbes.
One of the dozens of books available is Micro-Silver Bullet, written in 1997 by Paul Farber, N.D., Ph.D., who himself had antibiotic refractory Lyme Disease and gained victory over it by using CS. The book is a very valuable resource for Lyme Disease sufferers. Other useful books include:
Colloidal Silver: Antibiotic Superhero
The Wonders of Colloidal Silver
Colloidal Silver: Making the Safest and
Most Powerful Medicine on Earth for the Price of Water
Colloidal Silver Today: The All-Natural, Wide-Spectrum Germ Killer
Colloidal Silver: The Hidden Truth
Accurate and informative websites:
www.silvermedicine.org
www.silver-colloids.com
silverlist.org
health.groups.yahoo.com/group/colloidalsilver
health.groups.yahoo.com/group/colloidalsilver2

There is far too much important information about colloidal silver to include in this chapter.
The important facts are that properly made colloidal silver may be the most effective non-pharmaceutical antibiotic available and is probably of more value than any pharmaceutical antibiotic in existence.

Many companies sell CS, and it is also quite easy and affordable to make at home with an easily constructed, low voltage, colloidal silver generator. The quality of available CS varies greatly—additional information about what constitutes good and bad CS can be found through the above websites.
Good CS is a powerful antibiotic, poorly made CS is worthless.
Of all the antibiotics discussed in this book, including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, colloidal silver has garnered the largest number of successful user reports.
A detailed presentation of colloidal silver therapy and its benefits is beyond the scope of this book, but I would strongly encourage you to research CS thoroughly.
If any antibiotic out there is capable of fighting Lyme Disease successfully, CS is probably it.

While colloidal silver is a profoundly powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent, you should be aware that silver toxicity is possible if you cross an unspecified threshold. Cases of irreversible skin discoloration have resulted from excessive use; this condition is known as argyria. Therapeutic use of colloidal silver should be approached cautiously.
Olive Leaf Extract
Another natural supplement with antibacterial qualities is Olive leaf extract, a very powerful natural antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal. It has broad spectrum activity against many microorganisms and is beneficial to the immune system. It can also be used against Candida infections.
The book Olive Leaf Extract By Dr. Morton Walker is an excellent source of information about this powerful herb.
The most trusted, highest quality brands of olive leaf extract are:
Ameriden, www.ameriden.com, 888-405-3336
East Park Research, www.eastparkresearch.com, 800-345-8367, (their Olive leaf extract product is called “d-lenolate”)
Teasel Root Extract
Teasel Root extract has been found by some Lyme Disease sufferers to be an excellent natural antibiotic option which is effective against Borrelia Burgdorferi.
Teasel Root can be obtained from:
www.jeansgreens.com
An additional brand is SpiroNIL, available at various online stores.
Sarsaparilla Officinalis
Sarsaparilla, of the genus Smilax, is an herb that was once widely used as a Syphilis treatment. Because Lyme Disease and Syphilis are both spirochete infections, some Lyme Disease sufferers have used Sarsaparilla with good results (i.e., producing herx reactions and improvement).
Sarsaparilla Officinalis can be purchased from:
www.sourcenaturals.com
Product name “Smilax.”
Several people have complained of irritated kidneys while using Sarsaparilla, and information available on the oral intake of Sarsaparilla associates it with kidney damage. Consult your physician before beginning this herb.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
(not to be confused with grape seed extract)
Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful natural antibiotic that has produced herx reactions and improvement in Lyme Disease sufferers who use it. It is also commonly used for the prevention and treatment of Candida.

The brand of grapefruit seed extract most commonly purchased by Lyme Disease community members is:
www.nutriteam.com
Product name, “NutriBiotic Tablets”
Lauricidin®
Lauricidin® is a derivative of lauric acid, a component of coconuts. The antimicrobial properties of coconut oil have long been known. Lauricidin® harnesses these properties in a concentrated formula.
Lauricidin® has also been found to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial actions against a wide range of microorganisms.
Some researchers have also speculated that Lauricidin® has a helpful effect in removing the neurotoxin associated with Lyme Disease infection, through a soap-like or emulsifying action. This effect may result in breaking up infective Lyme Disease colonies.
Lauricidin is a very promising and useful antimicrobial that has been shown, through user reports, to have a strong effect against Lyme Disease.
More information and purchasing options can be found at:
www.lauricidin.com.
Lauricidin is a frequent topic of discussion on the Lyme-and-rife online discussion forum.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen fruit can be used as an effective non-pharmaceutical antibiotic. There is so much information available about mangosteen that a separate chapter in this book was justified. See Chapter 7 for more information.
Systemic Enzyme Supplementation
Systemic enzyme supplementation (known as Wobenzym or Wobenzyme) as described in Chapter 6, can serve as a non-pharmaceutical antibiotic. In fact, it has proven to be highly effective and without side effects. Systemic enzyme supplementation offers many healing properties which benefit Lyme Disease sufferers.
Stephen Buhner Lyme Protocol
In his book, Healing Lyme (available from www.amazon.com), Stephen Buhner describes an anti-Lyme protocol which uses various antibacterial herbs and supportive supplements. Many Lyme Disease sufferers have reportedly been helped by employing his protocol.

Lyme Disease & Rife machines

What is Lyme disease? (naturalnews)
Lyme Disease: A National Health Crisis Now Sweeping across the Country
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
by: Barbara L. Minton, citizen journalist

Lyme disease was discovered in the 1970s in a suburb of Old Lyme, Connecticut when a mysterious outbreak of what appeared to be arthritis affected several neighborhood children. Since then, reports of the disease have increased dramatically, with Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin being the states with the greatest amounts of diagnoses.

Lyme is in all 50 states and there have been cases reported in Europe.Like syphilis, Lyme disease is caused by spirochetes, long slender coiled bacteria. But just because it is a spirochete does not mean it is easy to diagnose and treat, like syphilis.

The Lyme spirochete has many more genes that are dedicated to evading detection by tests and by the immune system.The disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick. Immature deer ticks can be very small, about the size of the head of a pin. Adults are slightly larger, but both have the potential to transmit the disease.Symptoms of Lyme often mimic symptoms of other diseasesThe first symptom of Lyme is usually a ring-like red rash that begins three to thirty-two days following the bite of an infected tick. This rash is circular and grows larger over a few days or weeks. The center of the rash is usually clear and has been described as looking like a bull's eye. Often the rash is accompanied by one or more nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, chills and fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and joint and muscle pain. Sometimes this bull's eye rash never forms. In its absence, doctors must rely on other symptoms combined with an assessment of the likelihood of exposure to an infected tick.The similarity of Lyme symptoms to symptoms of other diseases makes it difficult to diagnose Lyme in its initial stages. This is where the problems lies. If Lyme is not caught and treated in its initial stage it is not curable and can result in total physical and mental devastation to its victims and emotional devastation to their families. If the disease is not properly diagnosed in its initial stages and treated, fever, severe headache, stiff neck, heart irregularities, paralysis, decreased consciousness, excruciating and constant pain with numbness and weakness in the arms and legs, toe pain, eye pain, brain inflammation that causes loss of the ability to concentrate and remember, and arthritis result.Lyme affects men, women and children. A person with established Lyme disease experiences the feeling of being in constant torment. Insomnia usually untouchable by medication becomes chronic. Lyme is reported to be as disabling as chronic heart failure and as painful as post operative surgery. People who are not diagnosed until the later stages may end up severely crippled or contorted, and confined to wheelchairs. Children with Lyme are frequently unable to attend school on a regular basis and often require home schooling although some lose their ability to read and study. They no longer see their friends and peers, or if they do, they find them unable to understand the gripping nature of their disease. Read More




Lyme Disease and Rife machines website





Helpful:

• Olive Leaf


• IV Colloidal Silver followed by an IV push


• Oral Colloidal Silver along with licorice root


• Take protease for Herxheimer Reaction (The Herxheimer reaction (also known as Jarisch-Herxheimer or Herx) occurs when large quantities of toxins are released into the body as Spirochetal bacteria die, due to antibiotic treatment or rapid detoxification)


• Protease also attacks the protein coating - active Lyme goes into cyst form when you take antibiotics


• More -


• Sample Chapter from the book INSIGHTS INTO LYME DISEASE TREATMENT
  by Connie Strasheim
  This book is based on interviews with 13 Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners. Each practitioner is given one chapter in which to share their healing strategies. Below is the chapter for Steven J. Harris, MD, of Redwood City, CA. Insights into Lyme Disease Treatment

COPD & Asthma

Dr. Tony Zhang says COPD & Asthma are caused by type 1 immune reaction. Usually there is some nutrient deficiency.

Most common:
Vitamin D (take 2,500 UI daily)
Vitamin C
Magnesium (can relax bronchial smooth muscle and opens up the lungs, lowers blood pressure too)
Lecithin increases lung resilience (Lewis Labs granules can be added to a smoothie, or buy liquid)

Vitiligo Protocol by Dr. Zhang

Vitiligo Protocol

1. Polysaccharides, like aloe vera (Lily of the Desert)
2. Probiotics (help digest polysaccharide)
3. L-Tyrosine (amino acid that gives the body what it needs to make melanin)

Additional suggestions from Martie Whittekin:

B vitamins, especially sublingual B12, and folic acid

Vitamin C

Topical: antioxidant creams with gingko, Vitamin C, Green Tea, Carotenes

Eczema Protocol - Dr. Zhang

To cure eczema you need to reset your digestive system.

1. Detox using plant polysaccharides - like aloe vera
2. Take Daily Oat Fiber (can also eat steel cut oats and crushed flax seeds)
3. Take daily probiotic

Antibiotics like Cipro are Causing Your Tendon & Rotator Cuff Problems

Common antibiotics cause tendon ruptures; Public Citizen demands black box warnings
Wednesday, August 30, 2006 by: NaturalNews, citizen journalist

Full article
(NaturalNews)
"Tendon ruptures associated with these drugs continue to occur at a disturbing rate, but could be prevented if doctors and patients were more aware of early warning signals, such as the onset of tendon pain, and switched to other antibiotics," said Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group."

According to the Public Citizen's petition, Achilles tendons were the most frequently ruptured, which can cause sudden, severe pain and difficulty walking. It added that tendon ruptures in rotator cuffs, shoulders, biceps, hands and thumbs had also been reported. The petition theorized that the ruptures could be occurring because fluoroquinolones are toxic to tendon fibers and may restrict blood supply in tendons, where it is already limited.
Read the rest of the story

What are fluoroquinolone antibiotics? click here for a list

From the FDA - A black box warning
Background Information
A warning about the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in patients taking fluoroquinolones was previously added to the prescribing information for fluoroquinolones. However, FDA’s recent evaluation of the medical literature and the post-marketing adverse event reports submitted to the Adverse Events Reporting System (AERS) confirmed that serious reports of tendinitis and tendon rupture with the fluoroquinolones continue to be reported in similar or increased numbers.
Tendinitis and tendon rupture most frequently involves the Achilles tendon, and rupture of the Achilles tendon may require surgical repair.

Tendinitis and tendon rupture in the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps, and the thumb have also been reported.

The risk of developing fluoroquinolone-associated tendinitis and tendon rupture is especially increased in patients over 60 years, in those concomitantly taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants.
Tendon rupture can occur during or after completion of fluoroquinolone use; cases occurring up to several months after completion of therapy have been reported.

Tendon rupture is a serious adverse event that could potentially be prevented or reduced in frequency or severity by appropriate use of a fluoroquinolone, patient selection, and careful monitoring.

Therefore, FDA is notifying the makers of the fluoroquinolones of the need to add a Boxed Warning to the prescribing information for fluoroquinolones to highlight and strengthen the existing warning about the increased risk of fluoroquinolone-associated tendinitis and tendon rupture. FDA is also notifying the makers of fluoroquinolones of the need to develop and distribute a Medication Guide to alert patients about these possible side effects.
*This notification was made under FDA’s new authority to require safety labeling changes
*****************************************************************************
more bad news
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic side effects can be very serious, even permanent.

Fluoroquinolones—have all been documented to have side effects such as tendon and nerve damage. In 1986, the FDA gave its first approval of a fluoroquinolone antibiotic in the United States ─ norfloxacin (Noroxin), and reports of severe side effects started cropping up soon thereafter.
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria that cause infections such as pneumonia, cystitis, prostatitis, and sinusitis.

Despite the benefits of fluoroquinolones, the potential side effects are serious and should not be overlooked.
Many Fluoroquinolones PrescribedMany fluoroquinolone antibiotics were approved and released on the U.S. market, including:
· ciprofloxacin / Cipro® in 1987· ofloxacin / Floxin® in 1990· enoxacin / Penetrex® in 1991· lomefloxacin / Maxaquin® in 1992· levofloxacin / Levaquin® in 1996· trovafloxacin /Trovan® in 1997· gatifloxacin / Tequin® in 1999· moxifloxacin / Avelox® in 1999

Tendon Damage Is Prevalent
As the use of fluoroquinolones increased in the late 1990s, more reports of their damaging side effects accumulated in the FDA's database. Finally, in 2004, the FDA required updated warnings on the packaging for all of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics used in the U.S. The revised labeling cited nerve damage and tendon rupture as possible side effects of the drugs.
Other Side Effects of Fluoroquinolones
Tendon damage and nerve injuries are not the only possible side effects of the fluoroquinolones; other potential adverse events following treatment with these medications are:
· heart problems
· Stevens-Johnson syndrome
· hypoglycemia
· kidney stones
· seizures
· confusion, hallucinations
· tremors
· easy bruising or bleeding
· unusual thoughts or behavior
· nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite
· sudden pain or swelling near joints

More info:
The mechanism by which fluoro-quinolone antibiotics cause this problem is not clear.
In animal studies, they can cause arthropathy.
There is evidence of collagen depletion and disruption of the extracellular matrix.
The antibiotics in this class available in New Zealand are
ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin.
They are best avoided in children, adolescents and pregnancy.
Care should be taken when prescribing for those on steroids.
If tendon pain develops, the antibiotic should be stopped and the patient advised to rest the limb and avoid exercise. Diagnostic ultrasound is the most convenient and cheapest way to prove the diagnosis.

Suzanne Somers speaks out against the conventional cancer industry: mammograms, chemotherapy vs. alternative cures

Wednesday, November 18, 2009by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger

Read entire article on NaturalNews

(NaturalNews)

As the author of the New York Times bestseller, "Knockout: Interviews with doctors who are curing cancer," Suzanne Somers is making waves across the cancer industry.

Her powerful, inspired message of informed hope is reaching millions of readers who are learning about the many safe, effective options for treating cancer that exist outside the realm of the conventional cancer industry (chemotherapy, surgery and radiation).

Recently, Suzanne Somers spoke with NaturalNews editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, to share the inspiration for her new book Knockout. "People are just starving for some new information... for other options, for hope in [treating] cancer," she explained.

Mammograms causing more harm than good

In the NaturalNews interview, Somers also discusses the problems with mammograms.

When asked for her thoughts on the US government's sudden change in position that now says women under 50 should never receive mammograms, Somers explained:

"I have information so shocking in Knockout about mammograms that I have
been reluctant on television to even bring it up, because to say anything
negative about mammograms is going against the gold standard. So I was thrilled
when I saw this report yesterday. Nobody's saying the real truth [about the harm
caused by mammograms]. They don't want to open Pandora's Box ...you mean a lot
of the women who faithfully had mammograms got their cancer from
mammograms?"

Here's a short list of some of the health experts she mentions (many more are listed in her book):

Dr. Julian WhitakerLos Angeles, CA

http://www.whitakerwellness.com/

Dr. BurzynskiHouston, TX

http://www.burzynskiclinic.com/

Dr. GonzalezNew York, NY

http://www.dr-gonzalez.com/index.htm

Ralph Moss

http://www.cancerdecisions.com/

Dr. Russell Blaylock

http://www.russellblaylockmd.com/

Dr. ForsytheNevada

http://www.drforsythe.com/

Read More Here

Surviving Holiday Feasts

by Surina A. Jordan,
Ph.D. Holistic Nutrition
journalist, speaker, and counselor for holistic living.
She is the author of Got Cancer? Congratulations! Now You Can Start Living

View full article
The holiday season for many of us brings with it a mixture of issues and challenges. Aside from hits to our budget for glittery outfits and gifts, the next biggest challenge is to prevent overeating and weight gain.
The fact that most Americans suffer from irregular metabolisms makes us more susceptible to weight gain during this time of year. The reason for the season is to appreciate life at the spiritual level, spend time with family and friends, meet people and do things that we don't have the opportunity to do any other time of the year. Food is used as the common thread, and as a major element of an affirming, wholesome environment in which to be social.

Here are a few suggestions that will help you push back from the table and override those impulses to overeat.

Start thinking of food differently
The holiday season is the perfect time to become a more conscious eater.
Conscious eaters don't eat because food is present.
They make decisions around food based on what the body needs to be healthy. Appearance and stature are not built solely upon foods that taste good.
Each time you eat, choose a little for taste and a lot for your health and beauty.
Don't be fooled! Most food looks good, but not all food is good for you.

Eat colorful foods
If your meals include fruits and vegetables that are at least of 3 different colors, you have the nutritional properties of a healthy meal. Also eat foods that have few ingredients and little processing.
Remember that every non-food ingredient (preservatives, fats, additives and fillers) that is eaten causes the body extra work.
Prior to digestion, the body must rummage through these non-foods to find nutrients that the body can use for cell development and repair.
This extra work takes energy [life] out of the body.

Never arrive at an event hungry
It is almost impossible to control your food choices when you are hungry.
The desire for large volumes of whatever looks and tastes good is too strong.
Have a bowl of soup or a piece of fruit, yogurt or toast.
This will send the body a message to stay calm. Use a smaller plate and start with smaller portions.
This makes it safer to go back for a little more.

Protect your metabolism
Many of us skip meals to save calories in an effort to reduce weight.
Others go on diets that yield rapid weight loss initially (which is probably water). Rapid weight loss is a trap.
It can destroy your metabolism.
The metabolism is the manner and rate of speed at which the body uses the food we eat.
The best way to reduce weight is to reduce the overall volume of food eaten at each meal and to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Animal protein is the major source of cholesterol.
Vegetables and grains provide a better source of protein. Improper eating puts the body into a starvation mode.
The body goes into crisis and slows down the metabolism. Thus, much of what is eaten is stored as body fat.

Plan your meals
Develop a food strategy before it is time to eat. Decide what you are going to eat (and drink) and determine your limits before you go out.
Remember that the peak energy level for the body is when the sun is most intense (around noon-2 p.m.).
This is when you should eat your heaviest meal.
If you are eating after 7 p.m., eat less and low fat. If appropriate prepare a covered dish to contribute to the meal. This ensures that there will be something there for you to eat.

Exercise
Don't forget to dance! It will ease hunger and increase your thirst. Any kind of dance is a great workout and easy to do during this time of year. A brisk walk or jog (for 15-30 minutes daily) is also good. Regular aerobic exercise is essential for good health and weight control.

During the holiday season, there is no healthy substitute for self-control and a commitment to eat consciously.
As time goes on, dieting, improper eating and poor health can alter our metabolism making it easy to gain weight.

As you remember the reason for the season, take the high road of self-discipline making food choices that let you have fun, feel good and look great the next morning.

Women in 40's Should STOP Routine Mammograms

The $5 Billion a year industry won't like this report.....

Federal task force makes radical change in breast cancer screening
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 16, 2009; 4:58 PM

Women in their 40s should stop routinely getting annual mammograms, and older women should cut back to one scheduled exam every other year, an influential federal task force has concluded, challenging the use of one of the most common medical tests.

In its first reevaluation of breast cancer screening since 2002, the federal panel that sets government policy on prevention recommended the radical change, citing evidence that the potential harms of all women getting annual exams beginning at age 40 outweigh the benefits.
"We're not saying women shouldn't get screened. Screening does save lives," said Diana B. Petitti, vice chairman of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which released the recommendations Monday in a paper being published in Tuesday's Annals of Internal Medicine. "But we are recommending against routine screening. There are important and serious negatives or harms that need to be considered carefully."
The task force's new guidelines -- which also recommend against teaching women to do regular formal self-exams of their breasts and concludes there is insufficient evidence to continue routine mammograms beyond age 74 -- immediately triggered intense debate.
Several patient advocacy groups and many breast cancer experts praised the shift, saying it represented a growing recognition that more tests, exams and treatments are not always beneficial and, in fact, can harm patients. Mammograms produce false-positive results in about 10 percent of cases, causing anxiety and often prompting women to undergo unnecessary follow-up tests, sometimes-disfiguring biopsies, and unneeded treatment, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
But the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology and other experts condemned the change, saying the benefits of routine mammography have been clearly demonstrated and play a key role in reducing the number of mastectomies and the death toll from one of the most common cancers.
"Tens of thousands of lives are being saved by mammography screening, and these idiots want to do away with it," said Daniel B. Kopans, a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School. "It's crazy -- unethical, really." Some questioned whether the new guidelines, coming in the midst of an intense debate about the health-care system and costs, were designed more to control spending than to improve health. In addition to prompting fewer doctors to recommend mammograms to patients, they worried, the move would prompt Medicare and private insurers to deny coverage of many mammograms.
The new recommendations took on added significance because under health-care reform legislation pending in Congress, the conclusions of the 16-member task force would set standards for what preventive health-care services insurance plans would be required to cover at little or no cost.
About 39 million women undergo mammograms each year in the United States, costing the health-care system more than $5 billion a year.

Petitti denied that the panel was influenced by the health-care reform debate or cost issues.
A spectrum of women's health advocates, breast cancer experts and public health researchers praised the new guidelines.
"It's about time," said Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, a Washington-based patient advocacy group. "Women deserve the truth -- and the truth is the evidence says this is not always helpful and can be harmful."

Susan Love, a well-known breast cancer expert at the University of California at Los Angeles, agreed. "I think that we've oversold early detection. We got carried away with a slogan," Love said. "We're not saying don't do it. Some women should get routine screening. But not all. We think in our society that more is always better. What we're saying is, 'It's not.' "
While the American Cancer Society said it has no plans to changes its guidelines, the National Cancer Institute said it would reevaluate its recommendations in light of the task force's conclusions.

The change is the latest development in a long controversy about mammography. The American Cancer Society and other groups have long recommended that women regularly undergo the tests every one or two years beginning at age 40 to catch tumors.
More than 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the United States, and the disease kills more than 40,000, making it the second most common cancer after skin cancer and the second leading cause of death from cancer among women after lung cancer.
Deaths from the disease have dropped significantly in the United States and elsewhere since routine mammograms became common. But there has been intense debate about how much of that reduction was because of screening and how much was because of other factors, such as improved treatment.

Many experts have begun to raise questions about a number of routine screening methods, including the PSA blood test for prostate cancer, as well as mammography, because the screening often triggers false alarms and catches pre-cancerous growths and tiny tumors that would never become life-threatening but nonetheless prompt treatment.
The new guidelines were based on a comprehensive analysis of the medical literature, including an update of a Swedish study involving some 70,000 women, new results from a British trial involving more than 160,000 women and data from more than 600,000 women from the U.S. Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium.
In addition, the task force commissioned an unusual study funded by the National Cancer Institute that involved six independent teams of researchers conducting separate mathematical modeling studies of the risks and benefits of 20 different screening strategies.

While annual mammography for all women beginning at age 40 reduced the death rate from breast cancer by at least 15 percent, the modeling studies indicated that the added benefit of starting before age 50 was modest, the researchers concluded.

For every 1,000 women screened beginning at age 40, the modeling suggested that just 0.7 deaths from breast cancer would be prevented, while 480 women would get a false-positive result and 33 more would undergo unnecessary biopsies.

"What isn't in the model but is an issue is how many extra imaging tests are done to follow up on things that turn out to be falsely positive, and the harm of the anxiety that goes along with that," Petitti said. "Then there's the whole other line of problems that come into play, which is where there are some breast cancers detected that grow very slowly and would never have killed you."
Cutting back to biannual screening of women age 50 and older would maintain 81 percent of the benefits of screening annually while reducing by half the number of false-positives, the computer modeling study estimated.

Read the rest

Obesity Epidemic

Outback's Aussie Cheese Fries

2,900 calories ** 182 g fat ** 240 g carbs
Even if you split this "starter" with three friends, you'll have downed a dinner's worth of calories before your entree arrives. Follow this up with a steak, sides, and a dessert and you could easily break the 3,500 calorie barrier.

(NaturalNews)

Why There is an Obesity Epidemic (Opinion)

Monday, November 16, 2009

by: Hesh Goldstein, citizen journalist

The number of extremely obese adults has quadrupled since the 1980`s to about 4 million. That works out to about 1 in every 50 adults. The original theory was that extreme obesity was a rare condition; this has changed to the realization that overeating and under-activity is the single most contributing factor to obesity. Unfortunately, along with obesity come diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and a decreased life span.

By "super sizing the fries", with Outback`s Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing complete with 2,900 calories and 1,638 coming from fat, you get enormous amounts of cholesterol to kill anything that`s ever lived.
A "Six Meat Pizza" with extra cheese, cholesterol and heart disease accompanied by a 7-11 "Big Gulp" 500 calorie drink, containing 46 teaspoons of sugar to keep a person up for days, creates this epidemic not only plaguing adults but creating the same problem in teens and pre-teens

Read the rest

Liquid Chlorophyll Gives More Than Fresh Breath

• Liquid chlorophyll assists with
  · purifying the blood,
  · deodorizing the digestive tract,
  · supporting the kidneys and bladder.
  · alkalinizing the body and
  · helping to promote cell strength and immune response.
  ********************************************
  Got Bad Breath? Try Chlorophyll for Halitosis
  Friday, October 16, 2009

by: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Taken from the green pigment in plants, chlorophyll is very similar in chemical structure to human hemoglobin. The difference is that where hemoglobin contains iron, chlorophyll contains magnesium.

Chlorophyll

• antibacterial


• anti-inflammatory


• promotes wound healing


• promotes new tissue growth


• relieve gas and bloating


• prevents gallstones.


• eliminates bad breath.


• contains many useful trace nutrients, especially magnesium.


• is helpful when treating ailments as varied as bad breath, canker sores, chronic constipation, menstrual cramps, vaginitis, and mononucleosis, as well as in rebuilding blood after a major bleed or in rebuilding bone tissue after a break.

*********************************************

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults

by Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND

Chlorophyll Can Help Treat Cancer
Thursday, June 12, 2008 by: Ella Andersen, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) Chlorophyll is a pigment found in dark green plants that is important for photosynthesis to take place; however, this pigment does more than just facilitate energy production in plants. According to Michael T. Simonich of the Linus Pauling Institute, chlorophyll actually helps fight cancer cell growth and acts as an antioxidant in the body.
**********************************
http://www.energiseforlife.com/wordpress/2009/02/11/health-benefits-of-liquid-chlorophyll/

• chlorophyll, being highly alkaline, also gives the body the following benefits:
  


• Anti Carcinogenic: Chlorophyll protects against a whole host of carcinogens found in fungus-laden foods such as nuts and grains, the toxins from cooked meats, and air-borne carcinogens (from pollution).


• It blocks the metabolism in the body of harmful chemicals known as procarcinogens that damage DNA. Studies published in the journals Carcinogenesis and Food and Chemical Toxicology clearly display that chlorophyll inhibits carcinogenesis.


• Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory: containing high levels of the vitamins A, C and E, chlorophyll has strong antioxidant capacity and has also been found to help reduce inflammation.


• Chelation of Heavy Metals: chlorophyll is one of the most important chelates in nature. It’s ability to bind to and remove toxic heavy metals such as mercury makes it an extremely powerful healer.


• Antiseptic: while chlorophyll doesn’t actually have antiseptic properties of its own, it, quite remarkably, DOES have the ability to aid our body’s tissue in destroying germs. By strengthening tissue, it increases the disease resistance of cells and, at the same time, prevents the growth of bacteria!


• Treats Bad Breath: This one is a real bonus and really works! Chlorophyll has a double-action remedy for bad breath. Firstly, as a deodoriser, it will eliminate odors in the mouth and throat, but secondly (and more importantly) it promotes a healthy digestive tract - which is the primary reason for bad breath.


• Rapid Delivery of Magnesium: this has a highly alkalising effect on the body and helps to deliver much needed oxygen to cells and tissues.


• Contains vitamin K, C, folic acid, iron, calcium, protein: which are all also essential in building and repairing red blood cells and boosting our immune system.
  ***********************
  
  
  

A Cure Has Been Found for Macular Degeneration

The following is found HERE

As a rule everyone should have their eyes examined at least once each year for glaucoma and Macular Degeneration (MD).
Why your vision fades with age:
1. Free radicals from sunlight and pollution alter cells and cause lenses clouding.
2. Degeneration of the macula can be caused by reduced blood flow, oxygen starvation, smoking, and over exposure to the sun
3.Conjunctivitis and other infections can cause serious damage to your eyes.
4.Aging cells require nutritional building blocks to reproduce normally.
5. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and other problems can cause problems with your eyes.
6.Eye muscle cells age, weaken and fail to rebuild without the nutrients listed in this report.


New research proves that Macular Degeneration (MD) can be cured
Micro Current Stimulation (MCS) which like acupuncture for the eyes. This procedure has proven results that will improved eye site from 20/100 to 20/60 and from 20/25 to 20/20. MD is the destruction of cells in the central part of the retina. A new revolutionary (MSC) treatment will reverse the disease. This treatment will re-generate the cells in the retina as it re-charges the cells and give them new life. This procedure increases the cells production of an energy chemical called ATP which creates new protein. Based on reports from patients this procedure has astonishing results. To learn more about this procedure call 1-800 262 3164.

Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Here's something you might want to try for cholesterol:


check http://www.vitacost.com/ for these products that helps lower cholesterol:

kyolic aged garlic and Red Yeast Rice with CoQ10
http://www.kyolic.com/product/category/kyolic-formulas/

http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Red-Yeast-Rice-CoQ10-with-No-Flush-Niacin

by the way, don't think 240 is a big problem for a cholesterol level.
Cholesterol is an important compound in the body, and you don't want it too low.
Makers of statin drugs would like everyone to be on their drugs, including kids.
These drugs are dangerous!!

"Blood cholesterol levels between 200 and 240 mg/dl are normal. These levels have always been normal. In older women, serum cholesterol levels greatly above these numbers are also quite normal, and in fact they have been shown to be associated with longevity. Since 1984, however, in the United States and other parts of the western world, these normal numbers have been treated as if they were an indication of a disease in progress or a potential for disease in the future. "
read the rest of this article:
http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/fats_phony.html

Are You Pouring on the Pounds - ??

read article

New Campaign Asks New Yorkers if They’re “Pouring On the Pounds”Health Department encourages consumers to choose beverages with less sugar
-->
August 31, 2009 – It’s hard to overeat without noticing it. By contrast, soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages can sneak up on you, adding hundreds of calories to your diet each day without ever filling you up. In a new effort to highlight the health impact of sweetened drinks, the Health Department is confronting New Yorkers with a bold question: Are you pouring on the pounds? The agency’s new public-awareness campaign, which includes posters in the subway system and a multilingual Health Bulletin, goes live today and will run for three months

Rethink Your Drink
It’s no secret that soft drinks have gotten bigger over the years. Soda used to come in 6.5-ounce bottles. Today, 12-ounce cans are considered small and 20-ounce bottles are typical. A single super-sized soda can pack as many calories as three to four regular cans of soda.
Fruit juice is more nutritious than soda, and rarely consumed in such large portions, but it is just as rich in calories. Whole fruit has fewer calories and has plenty of fiber.

The Health Department advises parents not to serve their kids punch, fruit-flavored drinks or “sports” and “energy” drinks. Most of them are low in nutrients and high in empty calories. The best way to stay hydrated while exercising is to drink water. Coffee and tea drinks also pack more calories than many consumers realize.

New Yorkers are often surprised when they see how many calories are listed on menu boards for these popular drinks.

The Health Department recommends these simple strategies to avoid pouring on the pounds: If you drink coffee or tea, order it plain and flavor it yourself. If you order a sugar-sweetened beverage, ask for a “small.” When you shop for beverages, read the labels and choose products with fewer than 25 calories per 8-ounce serving. And if you enjoy sugar-sweetened beverages, make them an occasional treat and not a daily staple.
“When people count calories, they too often forget to include the liquid ones, said Cathy Nonas, director of the Health Department’s Physical Activity and Nutrition Programs. “We need to start thinking of the sugar in sweetened drinks as unwanted, wasted calories. These calories provide no nutritional benefits and can lead to weight gain. Water and other zero-calorie beverages are a better choice.”
Data on the consumption of soda and sweetened-beverages comes from the Health Department’s 2007 Community Health Survey and Youth Risk Behavior Survey. For more information, New Yorkers can go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cdp/cdp_pan.shtml or call 311.

read more

###

Dr. Oz Hypes Vaccines & Profits From Them Too

Conflicts of interest? Dr. Mehmet Oz

owns 150,000 option shares in vaccine technology company

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 by: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor

(NaturalNews)

Dr. Mehmet Oz is a huge promoter of vaccines.

He's been on television reinforcing fear about H1N1 swine flu and telling everyone to get vaccinated.

But what he didn't tell his viewing audience is that he holds 150,000 option shares in a vaccine company that could earn him millions of dollars in profits as the stock price rises.

It is in Dr. Oz's own financial interest, in other words, to hype up vaccines and get more people taking them so that his own financial investments rise in value.

Evidence describing these facts was delivered to NaturalNews by a private investigator named Joseph Culligan (http://webofdeception.com/oprah.html#oz).

That evidence includes an SEC document detailing how Dr. Oz. bought options on stocks for SIGA Technologies in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009. SIGA Technologies (stock symbol SIGA) is a vaccine technology company with many advanced developments whose success depends on the widespread adoption of vaccines.

According to SEC documents, Dr. Mehmet Oz. currently holds 150,000 option shares on SIGA Technologies, purchased for as little as $1.35 back in 2005.

At the time of this writing, SIGA Technologies is trading at $7.10, making those options bought in 2005 worth $5.75 in profits today.

If all the 150,000 options purchased by Dr. Oz. were exercised today, they would be worth roughly $180,000 in profits (they were bought at different prices, not all at $1.35).

This is all revealed in what the SEC website calls an "insider transaction" document (link below).

These options won't expire until the years 2015 - 2019, and the higher the stock price of SIGA gets before then, the more profit can be realized when these options are cashed out.

You can see the 2019 expiration date in this "insider transaction" form: http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/...

If the stock price of SIGA Technologies could be pumped up even more -- say, from someone hyping up vaccines in front of a national audience -- these options could mathematically be worth millions of dollars.

Just to clarify, by the way, SIGA Technologies doesn't currently manufacture a vaccine for H1N1 swine flu. It focuses on future vaccine technologies that could be applied to many different vaccines down the road.

Read the rest of the story

Xanthan Gum and Gluten Sensitivity

Could Xanthan Gum Sensitivity be Complicating your Celiac Disease Recovery?

article from Celiac.com 12/03/2008 -

Xanthan Gum is a polysaccharide used as a binder in many gluten-free products.

In the production of xanthan gum, sucrose or glucose is fermented by a bacterium, Xanthomonas campestris.
After a four-day fermentation period, the polysaccharide is precipitated from a corn-based growth medium with isopropyl alcohol, dried, and ground into a fine powder.
When added to a liquid medium, a slippery, sticky gum is formed, and this substance works well in holding baked goods together, or keeping separate liquid ingredients in suspension in salad dressings and sauces.

While the above description doesn't make it sound very appetizing, what's the problem with xanthan?
Some people develop an allergy to xanthan, with gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Even consumption of a very minor amount can lead to days and days of recovery and many trips to the bathroom.
Hmm.
Sound like anything we've heard before?
And that's the problem.
Experiencing a xanthan reaction can make you question your gluten-free diet, make you think you were accidentally exposed to gluten, or mystify you completely.

A xanthan reaction can also precipitate migraine headaches, skin itchiness, and for those exposed to large amounts, such as bakery workers, nose and throat irritation.
Symptoms of xanthan sensitivity become more prevalent with increasing exposure, so that can be one important clue.
If you've suddenly started baking alot, or become addicted to a new brand of gluten-free cookies, and you start to have increased gastrointestinal symptoms, you may want to consider ruling out an adverse reaction to xanthan gum.

What's a body to do?
Guar gum makes a good substitute, and it is also less expensive.
How did I become aware of this?
Well, actually I have known about this for quite awhile, but since xanthan gum is in so many gluten-free products, I thought that sensitivity to xanthan must be a rare and isolated occurrence.
Then two things happened to change my mind. I began baking a lot of gluten-free products for a business venture, and suddenly started having some gastro-intestinal problems, after being healthy for so long.
I didn't have the severe pain of a gluten reaction, but otherwise my symptoms were eerily similar, particularly the bloating.
I had already decided to lay off the baking (and tasting) as much as I could, and had narrowed the possibilities down to either tapioca starch or xanthan gum. Then, a student in one of my cooking classes let me know that she had a severe allergy to xanthan, and described her symptoms.
They were identical, except in severity.I reformulated my recipes using only guar gum for my next stretch of gluten-free baking, and I had no problem at all. I certainly hope that I do not develop a reaction to Guar gum, which is the ground carbohydrate storage portion of the guar bean.

I have not seen reports of allergy or sensitivity to guar gum, but will do a little more research for my own knowledge, which I will share in the future.
By no means am I advocating that all people following a gluten-free diet give up products made with Xanthan gum.
But, if you do not feel that the diet is helping you, and are still symptomatic, a sensitivity to Xanthan gum is one possibility that needs to be ruled out.

Send This Note To Your School Principal - H1N1

Parents: Send this note to your school principal to protect your child from swine flu vaccinations

by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor (NaturalNews)

After reading about the forced vaccination of a Brooklyn schoolgirl who ended up in the hospital, many parents are concerned about how they might protect their own children from school-based vaccination schemes.

To help parents protect their children, I've written a letter that you may copy, modify and use as a warning to the principal of the school(s) where your own children are students.
This letter will serve as a warning to the school principal that if your child is vaccinated without your permission, you will unleash a hellstorm of legal action and media attention that every school principal desperately wishes to avoid.
(Feel free to modify this letter to tone down the language a bit if you already have a friendly relationship with your local school principal.)
Once you're satisfied with the language, print and sign this letter, then have it notarized so the signing date can be proven in court.
When that's complete, mail a copy to your school using registered mail (so you have proof it was delivered),
then print off another copy for your child to carry with them at all times.

Instruct your child that if they are called to the nurse's office to be injected with the vaccine, they should produce this note and show it to the nurse.
You may also instruct your child to protect themselves by running from the nurse's office and calling you at home or work (print your phone number on the back of the note).
Role-play this scenario to make sure your child understands exactly what you're asking them to do.
Otherwise, they will usually just do what they're told at school, especially if they are threatened with getting into trouble by school teachers or nurses.
This letter hasn't been reviewed by a lawyer.
If you want a stronger legal angle for your letter, take this to your lawyer and ask them to beef it up with more "lawyer language."
This letter, by the way, is offered as-is, with no guarantees. It's simply being published here on NaturalNews as a public service to give concerned parents something they can use to help protect the health of their children from overzealous vaccination schemes.
(Note: You may need to alter the gender references in the letter below if your child is a girl. The note is written using "he.")
A letter for your school principal (and nursing staff)From: (Your name here)Date: (Insert date here)

RE: Request for NON-vaccination of my child (insert child's name here)
Dear Principal Johnson (and the nursing staff),

This letter is to inform you that as a parent of a child in your school, I do not consent to any H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccination of my child, (insert child's name here), and that if my child is subjected to such a vaccine without my permission, I will consider that a gross violation of not only my parental rights, but the civil rights of my child.

The H1N1 swine flu vaccines currently being given to schoolchildren in America were approved by the FDA using an unlawful waiver that allowed the vaccines to be approved with absolutely no credible scientific testing. No adequate safety or efficacy testing has been conducted on any of the swine flu vaccines, and those children who are being injected with the vaccines are being treated as human guinea pigs.

H1N1 swine flu has also turned out to be so mild that it can be easily overcome with a healthy immune system aided by healthy levels of circulating vitamin D. My child takes vitamin D supplementation and therefore has an extremely healthy, active immune system that can easily mount its own antibody response against swine flu or other forms of influenza. Because of his immune system health and nutritional regimen, my child poses no health threat as a "carrier" of the swine flu, even without being vaccinated.As a parent, part of my responsibility to my child is to protect them from potentially dangerous chemicals or unproven medications that may cause neurological side effects.
A previous batch of swine flu vaccines in 1976 are now known to have caused Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a serious neurological disorder that can cause paralysis or death. The risk of such side effects may be small, but they are permanent and not worth the claimed protection against a disease that, according to CDC statistics, is many times less virulent than regular seasonal flu.Please make note that my child is not to receive any vaccinations without my prior written consent, and that if my child is subjected to vaccines of any kind without such permission, I will immediately seek legal counsel in an attempt to hold your school responsible for all long-term medical costs potentially associated with the vaccine side effects.
I will also sue for violation of my child's civil rights.Should such a scenario unfold, I also plan to go public with this story at both the local and national levels in order to bring increased awareness to this gross violation of parental rights. A copy of this signed and dated letter will be made available to the press to prove that I clearly and specifically requested my child NOT be vaccinated.
I will also be happy to provide this documentation to whatever state regulators or law enforcement investigators may become involved at that point.
You may avoid all of this by honoring my request to safeguard my child from any and all H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccines being given at your school.

Regards,(Your name here)(Notary stamp here)

Final Note: If your child is violated with a vaccine without your permission, please contact NaturalNews so that we may bring awareness to your story (if you wish).

Your credibility will be greatly improved if you have a signed, notarized and dated letter (along with proof of mail delivery) stating your desire to avoid having your child vaccinated.

Make Your Own Flu Caps

From Liz Lipski:

This remedy originally came from Joy Gardener's book, "Healing Ourselves". For over 30 years I've been making, and recommending these homemade flucaps. I keep them on hand. They work nearly every time within 24 hours.

Take equal parts:
cinnamon
cayenne
slippery elm
goldenseal

I typically take 2 tsp of each.
Mix in a small bowl.
Then fill empty 00 capsules with them.
Take 2 every 2-4 hours until you feel better. Typically within 24 hours you'll be on the mend.

Of course, I hope that none of you actually get the flu this year! And remember to keep your vitamin D levels up...vitamin D is also flu protective and can modulate the flu even if you do get it.

Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN, CHN
Director of Doctoral Studies
Educational Director
Hawthorn University

Michael Pollan's Favorite Dietary Do's and Dont's

Michael Pollan's Favorite Dietary Do's and Don'ts
summarized by Dr. Mercola November 03 2009

Click here to see the full article and further detail on the "rules"

Earlier this year, Michael Pollan posted a request for reader’s rules about eating.
Within days, he had received more than 2,500 responses. Here are some of Pollan’s 20 favorites:

1. Don’t eat egg salad from a vending machine.

2. Don’t eat anything that took more energy to ship than to grow.

3. If you are not hungry enough to eat an apple, then you’re not hungry.

4. Eat foods in inverse proportion to how much its lobby spends to push it.

5. Avoid snack foods with the “oh” sound in their names: Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Ho Ho's, etc.

6. No second helpings, no matter how scrumptious.

7. It’s better to pay the grocer than the doctor.

8. You may not leave the table until you finish your fruit.

9. You don’t get fat on food you pray over. (Meals prepared at home, served at the table and given thanks for are more appreciated and more healthful than food eaten on the run.)

10. Breakfast you should eat alone. Lunch you should share with a friend. Dinner, give to your enemy.

11. Never eat something that is pretending to be something else (artificial sweeteners, margarine, etc.)

12. Don’t yuck someone’s yum. There is someone out there who likes deep-fried sheep eyeballs and, well, more power to them.

13. Make and take your own lunch to work.

14. Eat until you are seven-tenths full and save the other three-tenths for hunger.

15. I am living in Japan and following these simple rules in preparing each meal: GO HO – incorporate five different cooking methods, GO SHIKI – incorporate five colors, GO MI – incorporate five flavors.

16. One of my top rules for eating comes from economics. The law of diminishing marginal utility reminds me that each additional bite is generally less satisfying than the previous bite. This helps me slow down, savor the first bites, stop eating sooner.

17. Don’t eat anything you aren’t willing to kill yourself.

18. When drinking tea, just drink tea. I find this Zen teaching useful, given my inclination toward information absorption in the morning, when I’m also trying to eat breakfast, get the dog out, start the fire and organize my day.

19. When you’re eating, don’t talk about other past meals, whether better or worse. Focus on what’s in front of you.

20. After spending some time working with people with eating disorders, I came up with this rule: Don’t create arbitrary rules for eating if their only purpose is to help you feel in control.

Think Before You Pink - Breast Cancer Action

Think Before You Pink
Interview with Barbara Brenner
Sunday, November 01, 2009
by: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor

(NaturalNews) Breast Cancer Action (www.BCaction.org) is one of the few non-profit cancer organizations recommended by NaturalNews. They're the creators of the Think Before You Pink campaign that encourages consumers to exercise more skepticism about the idea that "buying more pink stuff" can somehow help women with cancer.

Mike: Can you tell us about Breast Cancer Action?



Barbara: Yes, the website is http://www.bcaction.org/ and we have a companion website, which people can get to from http://www.bcaction.org,/ which is http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org/.



Mike: You have been running that for several years now. I think six or seven years, right?



Barbara: It is six years old actually. We started as a formal campaign in 2002. We have been asking questions like this in other context for longer, but as a formal campaign it launched in 2002.



Mike: Okay, outstanding. I have seen more coverage of the "Think Before You Pink" campaign in the mainstream media this year. It seems like it is starting to have some impact. What are you seeing?

Barbara: Well it is interesting. I think there is a contrast of things going on. It is clearly having an impact. We start asking questions and all of a sudden look who else is asking questions.

The Komen Foundation is asking questions or asking people to ask questions.

Not the same questions we are asking because they can't.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation – for which transparency is actually a problem – is starting to encourage people to ask questions.

That is all good in terms of transparency. There is more attention to the issue.

At the same time, it seems that every year there is more marketing.

I am not sure how long this can go on.

I think there is a contrast. It is interesting. As the critique emerges there are more people understanding the critique and asking questions from a consumer side. I think the companies don't get it yet. That is a bigger problem.

Mike: What are some of the most outrageous examples of these pink ribbon license products or companies marketing with pink ribbons but not really contributing to breast cancer prevention?



Barbara: Well who works on prevention besides some advocacy organizations and some researchers? Bless them! It is all sort of in the mind's eye.

Let me talk about prevention for a minute because this is actually very important. We have been running this campaign since 2006. The focus has been on transparency and accountability.Do we know… there are six questions we want people to ask.

They are on the website.

How much money from your purchase actually goes to breast cancer?

Is there a cap?

What's the maximum they will donate?

How much money was spent by the company on marketing?

Was it more than they gave to breast cancer, because that will tell you it is more about the company's bottom line than it is about women who are sick.

Are the funds being raised in a way that it is your money that is being given a corporate label or is it with the corporate money that is going?

To what breast cancer organizations does the money go, and what types of programs does it support? It is not enough to say we support breast cancer. Excuse my French, but what the hell is that?

Specifics. Well, what does the program do?



This is the sixth question and the question that women are the only ones asking, which is

what is the company doing to assure that its products aren't contributing to the epidemic.

That is the prevention question. There are four industry groups that are trying to have it both ways. They want to tell you they care deeply about women's lives, which is why they put a pink ribbon on something.