The May 2008 edition of the Health Gazette Ezine was published on schedule, today, May first. It has been emailed already and is also available to subscribers in the archive.

This month we discussed the problems caused by pharmaceutical drugs in an article titled: Medical Drugs and Toxicity - No Way to Heal.

In this edition we briefly discuss some of the known serious health problems that have resulted directly from the use of prescription drugs. The illness from drugs causes significant distress to people worldwide so it seems an appropriate topic on May Day, given the use of "Mayday" as the universal distress call.

Various problem pharmaceuticals have resulted in death and suffering that affects individuals and in some cases can last generations. Serious side effects even when known -- or at least documented -- are frequently ignored by prescribers, or so it would seem. The truth is they often remain ignorant of the problems the drugs can cause. Then, of course, there are all the as yet unrecognized and undocumented unwanted side effects.

If you could use a few more details then why not subscribe to the Health Gazette Ezine -- it's free. Go here to subscribe to the Health Gazette. Just complete the form.

This month we discussed the importance of healthy fats and oils. Many people have been told to cut fats from their diets and unfortunately, that's exactly what they have done! Care must be taken when modifying dietary fats to ensure that ample essential fatty acids are still consumed.

In this edition we explain what good fats and bad fats are. Naturally, we don't just peddle the orthodox lines about cholesterol. Do you know what good and bad fats are? Do you know the risks from consuming bad fats? What about the risks from not consuming good fats? If you could use a few more details then why not subscribe to the Health Gazette Ezine -- it's free. Go here to subscribe to the Health Gazette. Just complete the form.

Another issue addressed in the edition is the use of natural antibiotics. We answer a reader's question about natural antibiotic use for dental infections.

But what happened to our impeccable record of always publishing on time? What happened to the February edition? Yes, we know some people who keep up with our schedule from our RSS feed are wondering what happened last month. Well, the good news is the February edition was also published on time. The bad news is that we forgot to announce it here.

So, just to complete the notice, our February Ezine Edition of The Health Gazette was indeed published on time. The feature article was titled Liver Cleansing Herbs and along with a list of the important herbs, the importance of caring for the liver was emphasised. A reader's question about using Hawthorn for heart conditions was answered, including a usage guide.

If you are not already subscribed to the Ezine Edition you may be missing out on some very helpful information. Remember, subscription is free. I invite you to subscribe now.

So we were interested to read a statement by Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas), Republican Presidential candidate for 2008, under the title "Health Freedom". Here it is:

Americans are justifiably concerned over the government’s escalating intervention into their freedom to choose what they eat and how they take care of their health.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in order to comply with standards dictated by supra-national organizations such as the UN‘s World Food Code (CODEX), NAFTA, and CAFTA, has been assuming greater control over nutrients, vitamins and natural health care providers to restrict your right to choose the manner in which you manage your health and nutritional needs.

I have been the national leader in preserving Health Freedom.

I have introduced the Health Freedom Protection Act, HR 2117, to ensure Americans can receive truthful health information about supplements and natural remedies.

I support the Access to Medical Treatment Act, H.R. 2717, which expands the ability of Americans to use alternative medicine and new treatments.

I oppose legislation that increases the FDA‘s legal powers. FDA has consistently failed to protect the public from dangerous drugs, genetically modified foods, dangerous pesticides and other chemicals in the food supply. Meanwhile they waste public funds attacking safe, healthy foods and dietary supplements

I also opposed the Homeland Security Bill, H.R. 5005, which, in section 304, authorizes the forced vaccination of American citizens against small pox. The government should never have the power to require immunizations or vaccinations.

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/health-freedom/

There are definitely some encouraging signs here of recognition of serious problems in healthcare administration and threats to health freedom. It would be very interesting to see where other candidates stand on these very issues.

The featured article in the December edition is titled: Varicose Veins: Prevention and Treatment. This commonly experienced but little discussed condition does not have to be suffered until it becomes bad enough for surgical intervention. Contrary to popular opinion some treatment is available and it does not involve the use of dangerous drugs. Many people will be interested to read the steps to prevention.

Remember that access to the Ezine edition is free. Subscription is available via forms on most of our web sites. One is available by clicking through to the Health Products Site.

This edition features an article titled Dealing with Memory Problems. Many people notice that their memory is not quite as good as it once was. Typically, people are told that memory declines with aging and they are frequently encouraged not to worry about it. Not worrying is indeed good advice because worrying won't help. However, there are many things that will help and these can be found in the article.

Whether you feel the need, have been advised to do something about your memory by someone concerned for your wellbeing, or simply want to enhance and make the most of your memory, you will find plenty of useful information in this month's edition. As with many other things related to your health and enjoyment of life, don't put off taking action to take care of your memory and overall mental functioning. Preventing decline is always a good idea.

Subscription forms are available on each of our websites. One is available by clicking through to the Health Products Site.

The October edition has a main article by Dr jenny Tylee that explains why it is important for most people who consume a typical diet in western developed nations to eat less meat. Marketing campaigns like "Feed the Man Beef" and many others that promote alternatives to beef have been very successful. Furthermore, many people have come to regard the quantity of meat they consume as a direct reflection of the affluence they have achieved. Unfortunately this means that far too many people eat far too much meat.

If you eat meat and are concerned about your general health or specific problems like developing cancer or osteoporosis then you should read the October edition. The Ezine edition is available to subscribers only. Subscription is free and safe. You will find subscription forms available at several places in our sites. One is available by clicking through to the Health Products Site.

This month the feature article addresses the important issue of prostate health. We focus on the wonderful herb Saw palmetto but we also cover several other important things that men can do to ensure prostate wellbeing.

The Ezine edition is available to subscribers only. Subscription is free and safe. You will find subscription forms available at several places in our sites. One is available by clicking through to the Health Products Site.

The August 2007 edition focusses on solving gallbladder problems. Many people suffer from cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) and/or cholelithiasis (gallstones). Unfortunately, orthodox practitioners are quick to recommend cholecyctectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder).

The main article in this edition presents some insights into why we need our gallbladders and why removal is not such a good idea in most cases. Dietary and herbal medicine approaches for dealing with gallbladder complaints are presented.

Subscribers also receive a 40% discount coupon for the already reduced price Safe Colon Cleansing Your Good Health Guide 2 volume set. No one who takes their health seriously should be without these guides. They present a path to complete inner cleansing and detoxification.

New subscribers are welcome and can access our private archive. Subscription is free.

In this edition we have a brief article outlining the many common chemical toxins to which almost everyone is exposed every day in the average home. We recommend avoiding them as far as possible. We also advise to keep internal cleansing systems in good working order.

At last, the Safe Colon Cleansing Your Good Health Guide 2 volume set is available. Published by Tribar Press it was quietly released a few hours ago on our Health Products Site. It can be found here: http://www.healthproductssite.com/health-guides/cleansing/inner-cleansing.php.

It will also be released on its own domain, probably within a week. On its dedicated domain it will be marketed with some additional products as bonuses, representing astonishingly good value.

Safe Colon Cleansing Your Good Health Guide 2 volume set is for people who are serious about their health. It lays out an approach for achieving lasting good health and vitality. In volume one Dr Peter Tylee provides details for achieving complete inner cleansing. He exposes just how poorly understood proper colon cleansing is, even among those who regularly promote "colon cleansing" in one form or another. In volume two Dr Jenny Tylee provides over 300 recipes that all conform to the recommended diet and nutritional program explained in the first volume.

Subscribers to The Health Gazette Ezine Edition will this month be given a coupon for a significant discount on the purchase price of the set. This is a way of saying thank you to subscribers, some of whom have waited a whole year for today's publication.

Now I pleased to announce that the June 2007 Ezine Edition has been prepared and will be published on time. Subscribers will already find it on the archive site and it will be in your mailbox very soon.

This month we take a look at essential fatty acids (EFAs). As someone pointed out recently, these have become the modern-day equivalent of vitamin C. They certainly do seem to be well promoted don't they? We examine just what they are and what they do, without the all too widely encountered hype.

As I always say by way of reminder, the ezine edition is free but is currently only accessible to subscribers. Subscription to the Ezine edition may be completed using any of the forms online at the Vitamin and Herb sites listed below or at our Health Products Site. Membership of the main Health Gazette site is not a subscription to the Ezine and will not provide access to it or its archive. You are welcome to subscribe to the Ezine using one of the forms mentioned above and to join this Health Gazette site using the form at http://www.The-Health-Gazette.com.

Enjoy life. Be well.

Scientists report a link between dental fluorosis and periodontal disease in the June 2007 Indian Journal of Dental Research. (1)
 
Dental fluorosis - white spotted, yellow, brown stained and/or pitted teeth - is a visual manifestation of fluoride overdose during childhood. Dental fluorosis afflicts from 1/3 to 1/2 of U.S. schoolchildren, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. (2)
 
Inhabitants of the Davangere district of India were studied where natural water fluoride levels ranged from 1.5 to 3.0 parts-per-million (ppm) which is similar to fluoride levels allowed in U.S. water supplies (up to 4 ppm). The sample consisted of 1,029 subjects between 15 and 74-years-old.
 
As the degree of dental fluorosis increased, periodontitis (advanced gum infection) increased. "The results suggest that there is a strong association of occurrence of periodontal disease in high-fluoride areas," write Vandana and Reddy.

"Surprisingly, studies have not paid attention to the periodontal status in high-fluoride areas from a research perspective," the authors write.

"In addition to inflammatory process, which remains common to high- and low-fluoride areas, the fluorosis induced changes in hard and soft tissues of periodontium requires attention to suspect fluoride as an etiological (environmental) agent for periodontal disease," the authors conclude.

Two thirds of U.S. public water suppliers purposely add fluoride chemicals (silicofluorides) in an attempt to reduce tooth decay in tap water drinkers.  Some U.S. communities have natural fluoride levels up to 4 ppm.

"How much longer do the American people have to be the guinea pigs in the U.S.' fluoridation experiment," asks lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation.

The National Research Council advises more studies are required on fluoride's effects on reasoning ability, endocrine functions, the immune deficient, fertility, gastric response,  bladder cancer, kidney and liver enzyme functions and more. (3)

Studies already link fluoride to cancer, genetic defects, IQ deficits, thyroid dysfunction, kidney, tooth and bone damage. (3a)  But government officials want even more studies before they condemn fluoridation.

"Who will decide when fluoride's mounting risks outweigh its questionable benefits. The individual or the government?" asks Beeber. Fluoridation leaves it in the hands of the government.

"Fluoridation chemicals are in short supply these days," (5) says Beeber, This would be a good time to gracefully bow out of water fluoridation.

                                                             
 
Further information: Contact:  Paul S. Beeber, Esq  516-433-8882
President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc
PO Box 263
Old Bethpage, NY  11804

http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
 
http://www.FluorideResearch.Org
 

References:

1) Assessment of periodontal status in dental fluorosis subjects using community periodontal index of treatment needs, Vandana KL, Sesha Reddy M, Indiana Journal of Dental Research 18(2) 2007

http://www.ijdr.in/temp/IndianJDentRes18267_150451.pdf

2) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/figures/s403a1t23.gif

3) http://www.fluorideaction.net/health/epa/nrc/excerpts.html

3a) http://www.FluorideAction.Net/health

4) http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_248.pdf

5) Fluoride shortage affecting water, The Indiana Courier Press, by John Lucas May 11, 2007
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/may/11/fluoride-shortage-affecting-water/

The USDA has announced a controversial proposal, with absolutely no input from consumers, to allow 38 new non-organic ingredients in products bearing the USDA Organic" seal. Most of the ingredients are food colorings derived from plants that are supposedly not "commercially available" in organic form. But at least three of the proposed ingredients, apparently backed by beer companies, including Anheuser-Busch, and pork and food processors, represent a serious threat to organic standards, and have raised the concerns of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), as well as a number of smaller organic companies and organic certifiers.

Specifically, OCA disagrees with what we are calling the "Budweiser exemption," allowing conventionally grown hops produced with pesticides and chemical fertilizers, to be used in beers labeled as "USDA Organic". Also, OCA strenuously objects to the USDA's proposal to allow the use of conventionally raised factory-farmed animals' intestines as casing for sausages labeled as "organic." OCA is also disturbed that the USDA public comment period on this proposal is only seven days, leaving concerned consumers little time to mobilize. “We are outraged about this latest sneak attack from the USDA. This proposal is blatant catering to powerful industry players who want the benefits of labeling their products ‘USDA organic’ without doing the work to source organic materials. If passed, this proposal will weaken the organic seal and show the public that the USDA represents the interests of industry and not consumers,” says Ronnie
Cummins, Executive Director of OCA.

In response to the USDA proposal OCA has written a petition that will be presented to the USDA towards the end of the public comment period. The petition reads:

Speaking from the perspective of organic consumers, we support the NOP for clarifying to producers that if an item is not on the National List, it cannot be used in conventional form. However, we do not support a number of the NOSB's 38 recommended additions to the National List. Notably, we are opposed to the addition of casings from processed intestines, hops (without specific listings), fish oil, beet juice, lemongrass, rice starch and whey protein.

AMS-TM-07-0062 claims that these exceptions must be added to the list to offer concessions to countless companies who have violated the National Organic Standards in the past by using conventional ingredients that were not on the National List. These same companies have been given months to petition the NOSB for inclusion of desired conventional ingredients on the National List. In contrast, the general public has only been allocated 7 days to comment.

The full petition text is available online at: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=11401

In my opinion "USDA Organic" is largely a joke and something of an international laughing stock. As they say: "When is non-organic produce organic? When it's labeled in the USA." Unfortunately this tarnishes all of the really organic produce from America, but that's the price you must pay for tolerating the nonsense perpetrated by the USDA. Sorry, but that's how it works.

As for the items that have so irritated the OCA all I can say is, there really is no problem at all here. You see, nobody should be consuming that highly processed garbage anyway, 'organic' or not! So it is the principle of labeling as organic things which are not able to meet the standards reasonably understood by that term which is the real concern. Afterall, where will you draw the line if these items are passed as organic?

So sign the petition to protect some meaning in the 'USDA Organic' labeling. But also stay right away from beers and sausages, organic or not, if you value your health.

The Center for Food Safety, Consumers Union, Food and Water Watch, The Humane Society of the United States, the American Anti-Vivisection Society, Citizens for Health, the Consumer Federation of America and the Organic Consumers Association joined together to send a strong, unified message to the FDA that the public opposes the introduction of cloned animals in food. Today is the last day of a public comment period that began in January in response to FDA’s proposal to allow products from cloned animals in the food supply unlabeled. Members of the meat and dairy industries, and several nonprofit organizations urged the Agency to take time to consider comments from the widest possible sample of Americans in consideration of the untested nature of cloning technology.

Recent public opinion polls show the majority of the American public does not want milk or meat from cloned animals in their food.  A December 2006 poll by the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. consumers were uncomfortable with animal cloning. The comments submitted today strongly reinforce this national sentiment.

“Food from cloned animals has no place on our supermarket shelves or on our dinner tables,” said Andrew Kimbrell, Executive Director of the Center for Food Safety. “FDA needs to heed consumer concerns and ban animal clones in food.”

Another controversial aspect of FDA’s plan is that labeling of any kind on meat or milk products from clones or their offspring would not be required.  This would rob Americans of their right to choose what they eat and feed their families.

“More than 145,000 people have said ‘No’ to unlabeled food from clones,” said Ronnie Cummins of the Organic Consumers Association.  “People are tired of the biotech industry meddling in the food system, tired of government rubber-stamping approvals, and tired of not having the right to choose what they eat and feed to their families.”

"This flood of public comments should send a strong signal to FDA that the public is not ready for food from animal clones, and if such food is put on the market they want it labeled" said Michael Hanson of Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, and author of CU's scientific critique of FDA's risk assessment. "We hope the agency will listen and rethink their proposal in light of public sentiment and the many unanswered questions about the science of animal cloning."

“The FDA’s potential approval of meat and milk from cloned animals, and their belief that labeling of such food would be unnecessary if it were approved, flies directly in the face of the fact that a strong majority of the American public is concerned about the potential dangers that such food represents,” said Frank Herd Jr., Executive Director of Citizens for Health. “The FDA already has a questionable record with regard to its approval process; why should we believe that food from clones is safe when the ‘studies’ the FDA cites to support their position were conducted by some of the same biotech firms that would profit from the approval?” Herd added, “We at Citizens for Health advocate for the freedom to make health choices.  In the event that the FDA does approve food from clones, it must require such food to be clearly labeled in order for consumers to make a truly informed choice about what they put in their bodies.”

Citing animal welfare concerns, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) have also asked the FDA to block sales of products from cloned farm animals and their offspring.

“Animals who go through the cloning process suffer terribly. Death and deformities in cloned animals is the norm, not the exception" said Tracie Letterman, Executive Director of AAVS. “Just because we can clone animals for food, doesn’t mean we should.”
              
“American consumers are increasingly concerned about the treatment of animals raised and slaughtered for food,” said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “Considering the numerous studies that have shown that animals in cloning research can and do suffer, the FDA must disallow cloned animals and their progeny and surrogate mothers in food production industries.”

In its risk assessment of cloned food, the FDA claims to have evaluated extensive peer reviewed studies on the safety of food from clones to support its conclusion, yet a recent report issued by the Center for Food Safety, Not Ready for Prime Time, shows the assessment only references three peer-reviewed food safety studies, all of which focus on the narrow issue of milk from cloned cows.  What is even more disturbing is that these studies were partially funded by the same biotech firms that produce clones for profit.  None of the studies focus on the safety of meat from cloned cows or pigs, or milk or meat from the offspring of cloned animals, and there was absolutely no data on milk or meat from cloned goats, – all major issues critical to determining the safety of the proposal.

“FDA’s willingness to allow the sale of meat and milk from cloned animals is yet another example of the Agency’s disregard for safety in the face of industry pressure,” said Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch.  “The FDA should not be allowed to use a skimpy body of evidence to allow this controversial product onto consumers’ dinner tables.”

Proponents of animal cloning have asserted that the technology will lead to better and less expensive dairy and meat products, but Chris Waldrop, Director of the Food Policy Institute at the Consumer Federation of America says this simply isn’t true, “Consumers don’t want or need cloned animals for food. Cloning will not produce safer or cheaper milk and meat. Having cloned cows produce more milk won’t reduce milk prices. U.S. farmers already produce more milk than we drink and the government is required to buy the surplus. Since 1999, dairy support programs have cost taxpayers over $5 billion.”

The FDA has said it will review all the public comments, and will likely make a decision on food from cloned animals by the end of the year.

The programs are driven by user input and they keep in touch via scheduled emails and SMS messages. The programs can be viewed as a cross between a course, a self-help book and a personal coach. By means of innovative technology the programs prompt users to focus on their goals and assignments, helping them to stick with their new habits. This is very effective for changing thoughts and habitual behaviors.

The programs have been developed in conjunction with experts in the subject areas, in addition to a professional curriculum development team. For every program Growerz seeks the input of experts to ensure the information is both valid and useful. Currently Growerz offers two programs - Quit Smoking, a guide to flicking the habit for good; and Depression, a guide to recovery for the depressed – with more programs slated for release in the coming months. Programs are offered online, as a series of PDF documents or as audio files so that users can consume the material in the manner that best suits their learning style. Participation online drives the programs, essentially customizing them for every user.

“We know there are many people who cannot afford a personal coach but have found that self-help books don’t work because they are too easily cast aside,” Martine Tylee, CEO of Growerz, said. “To make real and lasting changes you need more than a book, you need someone to reach out to you ... to remind you of the changes you should be making. Growerz achieves that with emails and SMS messages, which have been scheduled to the customer’s time-zone.”

Growerz offers two membership options: full membership, providing unlimited access to the entire range of programs and billed on a monthly basis, and program membership with which customers purchase each program separately.

To celebrate the launch of this innovative service, Growerz is offering a 50 percent discount on the first month for full members. This means the first month is being offered for $14.95 instead of $29.95. The promotion runs until 15 June 2007.