You may unknowingly be exposing yourself everyday with toxic chemicals that can cause irritation to eyes, skin, internal organs and even raise your risk for cancer.
Most of these everyday products pollute the environment, but more importantly, they pollute your body.

Manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients in their products, and many of these chemicals have never been tested!!

Read more about what’s in your house, and what you can use thats safer.

FearLess Revolution – FearLess Blog – 8 Household Cleaners You Should Avoid: “”

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Take a look at these foods and you’ll find a common theme.

The majority of them contain antioxidants, fiber, protein, omega 3 fatty acids and other nutrients (potassium, magnesium and B-vitamins).

The protective effects of these foods include lowering cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, as well as prevention of certain cancers. They also have beauty benefits for your skin and circulation.

Try them out for your health and beauty…

12 Beautiful Foods for 2012 – YouBeauty.com: “”

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The number of Americans doing yoga has grown from an estimated 4 million in 2001 to 20 million in 2011.
But is it for everyone? For some, according to Glen Black who studied in Pune, India, at the institute founded by B. K. S. Iyengar, yoga is likely to cause harm.

Don’t get me wrong, yoga can be incredibly healing and rejuvenating. It can lower blood pressure, help with depression and instill calmness in this crazy, busy world. But some might take it too far and not listen to their bodies.

The concern is in the extreme twisting motions and forceful hyperextension positions, especially of the head and neck. In rare cases, it can cause blood clots, swelling and constriction of arteries and even stroke. This article demonstrates that some people have been injured while doing yoga, even with supervision.

The key message is that “Awareness” is much more important than rushing through a series of poses.

How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body – NYTimes.com: “”

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Here is the best of 2011 health breakthroughs:

1. HPV (Human Papilloma virus) Testing- Cervical screening with both a pap smear and HPV is more sensitive in detecting high risk viruses that can cause cervical cancer than a pap smear alone.

2. New Brain Imaging to detect early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s effects 4 million people in the U.S. and is expected to increase to 20 million in the next 4 decades.

3. Malaria Vaccine- this vaccine tested on children in sub-Saharen Africa showed almost a 50% decrease in the risk of infection. This is the first vaccine against a human parasite.

4. Generating Stem Cells Artificially- researchers are now able to combine the DNA of a human and combine that with genetic material of an egg to generate stem cells. This cuts the need for using an embryo for stem cell production.

5. Mindfullness Meditation causes changes in grey matter of the brain according to a 2011 study in the Journal Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging. It especially effects the areas of learning, memory processes and emotions.

6. Healthy Men Do Not Need PSA (prostate specific antigen) Screening for Prostate Cancer- The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommend against screening men with this test since it does not save lives and can lead to unnecessary treatments. Men should discuss whether to get screened with their doctors.

7. Recall on Cantaloupe from Jensen Farms in Colorado due to deadly Listeria outbreak. An estimated 146 people were infected with this food poisoning from 28 states according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).

8. Researchers Sequence Genes of Virulent Bacteria- Scientists led by Harvard Medical School and Children’s Hospital in Boston sequenced the whole genome of bacteria samples from patients with cystic fibrosis infected with a bacteria called Burkholderia dolsoa. This bacteria is highly resistant to antibiotics. This discovery may lead to new drug therapies.

9. Hepatitis C drug breakthrough- Four new Hepatitis C drugs increased cure rates up to 70%.

10. HIV Treatment as Prevention- This was voted the most important breakthrough of 2011! The anti-retroviral drug used to treat HIV showed a 96% decrease in transmitting the virus to an uninfected partner.

Wishing you a healthy Happy New Year!

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Some interesting research is emerging on whether a certain type of bacterial infection may be the cause of colon cancer. Two research groups in British Columbia and Massachusetts have reported a strong association between Fusobacterium species and colorectal cancer. Both groups found that this species of bacteria was much more prevalent in colorectal tumors than in healthy colon.

The interesting thing about this study was that they both had similar results in very different geographical regions. These bacteria are typically found in the mouth and are a cause of dental cavities and plaque. Now we realize the Fusobacterium species invade colorectal cells and produce a significant inflammatory response. Some recent studies have linked these bacteria with inflammatory bowel disease which is associated with risk for colorectal cancer.

If future studies establish that this bacteria triggers colorectal cancer, who knows…..we may be able to treat this type of cancer with antibiotics and eventually a vaccine.

References: Kostic AD et al. Genomic analysis identifies association of Fusobacterium with colorectal carcinoma. Genome Res 2011 Oct 18; [e-pub ahead of print]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gr.126573.111).

Castellarin M et al. Fusobacterium nucleatum infection is prevalent in human colorectal carcinoma. Genome Res 2011 Oct 18; [e-pub ahead of print]. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gr.126516.111).

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We don’t often think about the effects of low cholesterol since the subject of conversation is often the negative cardiovascular effects of high cholesterol. But cholesterol is not as bad as it’s reputation portrays. It is essential to life and is the “mother hormone” from which all hormones are made including estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and aldosterone.

Cholesterol protects the nucleus and all the genetic information in each cell. The outer lipid layer of each cell is made of cholesterol which acts as a protective barrier allowing certain nutrients into the cell. Some research suggests that cholesterol is protective, in that it stores heavy metals and toxins to avoid inflammatory exposure to our immune system.

If cholesterol becomes too low (less than 150), cells can become vulnerable and hormones have the potential to be out of balance. Women can skip periods and it can raise the risk of osteoporosis. It is important to look at the sub-fractionations of cholesterol, which includes the good (HDL) and the bad (LDL) levels, as well as triglycerides. Cholesterol and other fats are important, as long as they are in balance. Follow-up with your doctor for further testing and evaluation.

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Here is more information on how quickly BPA (Bisphenol A) can accumulate in our body and the damage it can do.

When you open cans of soup, fruits or vegetables, look for the white covering that lines the soup cans. Those are the cans you want to Avoid! The study was done with Progresso soups, but most cans in general are a problem. BPA is a chemical found in plastic bottles, beverage and food cans, and dental sealants.

Read more…

Canned soup increases BPA levels – USATODAY.com: “”

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There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance.

~Joseph Addison

So if you haven’t heard, healthy bacteria in our digestive tracts are good for us. What you may not have known is really HOW important these bacteria are, in addition to the viruses, fungi and other organisms that live in us.

Before you run over to the hand sanitizer, let’s look at the research. According to scientists, humanity’s microbial inhabitants, known as the “microbiome” is more diverse, more complex and more intricately involved than we once thought.

A 5-year, $175 million U.S. Human Microbiome Project is underway in which scientists are sampling the mouth, airway, skin, gut and urogenital tract of healthy adults and deciphering the genetic codes of key microbes. Yes..these bugs are everywhere and are associated with vital functions such as digesting food, absorbing essential nutrients and fighting off disease causing entities. They may even be able to use microbes as markers to determine the onset of a variety of diseases.

So why do some people get diseases more readily, such as tooth decay, asthma, ulcerative colitis and even cancer and others don’t? Studies are underway to look at exactly this question.

One interesting finding is that babies born by C-section miss out on these crucial organisms acquired through the mother’s birth canal. The birth canal is heavily colonized with bacteria. The lack of this bacteria soup may predispose a child to asthma and allergies according to Maria Dominguez-Bello, a University of Puerto Rico biologist who has been studying microbiota around the world. After looking at the overuse of antibiotics to treat ear infections and the antibiotics added to animal feed, we see how easy it is to wipe out this healthy flora. Our ancient microbiota is being altered by the extensive use of antibiotics in pregnancy and in children.

According to Sarkis K. Mazmanian of the California Institute of Technology, gut bacteria has figured out a way to network with our immune system so it doesn’t attack them. The interaction between these two systems has a remarkable way of dampening the inflammatory response, especially from hyperactive immune systems. Inflammation plays a role in many diseases including asthma and food allergies, as well as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, heart disease and many forms of cancer. Those that don’t have enough of these bacteria, have a higher incidence of these diseases.

Could this play a role in our obesity problem? Some studies have indicated that these gut microbes secrete messengers to the cells lining the gut and turn “off” or “on” certain hormones, such as leptin and ghrelin. These hormones regulate metabolism, hunger, and a sense of fullness. For example, thin mice get fatter when their gut bacteria is replaced with the microbes of obese animals.

Research is also emerging about these microbes and how they affect the brain. Together with genetics, this may influence brain chemistry and the corresponding behaviors such as anxiety, stress, depression, ADHD and even autism.

There’s alot to learn about these amazing bugs that we acquire from the time we are born. By respecting their complexity, we hope to find clues to their roles in how they keep people healthy and cause illness.

Reference: Stein, R. “Good bugs’ may be key to staying healthy”, The Washington Post, Oct. 11, 2011.

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Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, especially with high frequency sounds. Much the same as presbyopia which is a condition where the lens of the eye losses its ability to focus on near objects as we age.

There are few effective treatments for presbycusis, but a recent study may shed some light on an important antioxidant that may help.
A study was done with 60 patients (average age was 71), to look at effective treatments for presbycusis. The patients were randomly assigned to receive 160 mg per day of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), 50 mg per day of Vitamin E, or placebo for 30 days. Compared with Vitamin E, CoQ10 improved audiometric thresholds significantly. The best part is that the improvement in hearing lasted 6 months after treatment!
There have also been some smaller studies showing benefit in using zinc to help with age-related hearing loss. CoQ10 might work by enhancing the production of mitochondrial energy (the energy storage units of the cells) or decreasing oxidative stress in the apparatus of the ear.

Reference: Guastini L et al. Water-soluble coenzyme Q10 formulation in presbycusis; long-term effects. Acta Otolaryngol. 2011; 131:512-517.

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Eating right is always best. But here are some things to consider about supplements and whether to take them or not…

Should You Quit Taking Vitamins?: “”

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When it comes to finding a cure….we haven’t even started!

You can’t help but see pink ribbons, t-shirts, professional athletes wearing pink armbands and even pink painted lines on soccer fields without knowing it’s breast cancer awareness month.

As I start to see the pink procession of color, I can’t help to ask how far we’ve come in our goal of curing breast cancer.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure continues to grow every year and there is no lack of breast cancer awareness with all the publicity and signs of pink. “Support your pink…Your purchase will go toward finding a cure”.

The numbers are daunting. More than 1 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. The good news is that we are saving more lives and the death rate has dropped by one third due to new drugs and treatments. Every time you purchase something with a pink ribbon on it, you are making a contribution to the research for more drugs and testing to treat and help prolong one’s life with breast cancer. That’s a good thing! But there’s something missing. How can we find a “Cure” if all we’re doing is finding more treatments?

The fact is that the number 1 risk for breast cancer is age. Gender, or being female, is number 2. Men account for only 1% of all breast cancer cases. There are many risk factors for breast cancer which can be reviewed at http://bit.ly/ng2z4r.

I recommend the book, “Better Breast Health for Life!” by The Breast Health Education Group. It outlines proactive things you can do to PREVENT breast cancer. Here are a few highlights and recommendations for prevention:

1. Alkalinize your diet
2. The use of iodine
3. Anti-cancer/Anti-inflammatory diets
4. The benefits and types of soy to use
5. Environmental Estrogens-Xenoestrogens
6. Vitamin D and other supplements
7. Other tests- thermography, estrogen metabolites, etc.

Let’s continue to find more treatments, but let’s try to reduce the risk of breast cancer with dietary, environmental and lifestyle factors and change our statistics.

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Fibrocystic breast changes are the most common benign breast condition among women ages 20-50. Women who have this condition know what this feels like; lumpy, dense, painful and tender breast tissue especially premenstrually in a woman’s cycle.

A recent study at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston compared breast density in over 1000 postmenopausal women who had breast cancer and women who did not have breast cancer. Women with 50% or higher breast density on mammogram were 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer over a 15 year period than women with less than 10% breast density. It could be that cancers are more difficult to spot in dense breasts, or there could be some other underlying reasons. Breast density is graded, or classified using a system called “BiRads” on mammogram.

While the cause for these fibrocystic changes is unknown, it is believed to be due to hormone imbalances, usually due to an excess ratio of estrogen to progesterone. I also find that this condition is inherited in which other female members in the family also exhibit these symptoms.

Although the typical medical treatments include birth control pills and diuretics to decrease the symptoms, there are many dietary interventions and nutritional supplements that benefit women with fibrocystic changes. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Avoid Caffeine- Studies have shown a 65-88% resolution of fibrocystic breast changes after avoiding caffeine for 1-6 months. Yes, that means coffee, tea, cola and chocolate. Just reducing these products may not make a difference. It is best to avoid them completely.

2. Bioresponse DIM- This supplement has the active compounds of cruciferous (brassica) vegetables. It is much more concentrated than what you could eat of these vegetables, and research has shown this product promotes healthy estrogen metabolite balance.

3. Vitamin E- Many women have found moderate to complete relief of symptoms with 600-800 IU daily.

4. B Vitamins- Many women are B-vitamin deficient. These vitamins are vital in helping the inactivation of estrogens by the liver.

5. Iodine supplementation- clinical studies have shown significant improvement in women with fibrocystic breast changes. Iodine is an essential mineral for normal thyroid function. Also consider getting your thyroid level checked.

6. Liver Detox- last but not least, consider a liver cleanse. Breast tissue is a storage house for estrogen as well as toxins. High levels of either results in inflammation and contributes to fibrocystic breast symptoms. A liver detox and elimination diet will aid in the detoxification of estrogens and toxins in the liver.

References:
1. Patrick, Lyn, “Iodine: Deficiency and Therapeutic Considerations”. Alternative Medicine Review, Vol 13,
Number 2, 2008. p. 116-127.
2. Harvard Health Publications: Harvard Medical School. “The Breast Density-Breast Cancer Connection”. 2000-2011.

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This article needs to be addressed before it gets misconstrued. In my opinion, it is over-generalized and biased with the information given.

The quote that strikes me as humorous is, “Many experts consider taking extra vitamins and minerals unnecessary — at least for most in the Western world, where eating a healthful diet is relatively easy.” Yup, it may be available, but it sure isn’t easy, as our obesity rate continues to climb.

Yes, there are specific needs for pregnant and lactating mothers, vegetarian women and the elderly. But what about those that are under significant amounts of stress with work (or lack of), taking care of kids, insomnia, illness, etc. Lets face it…we all have stress in our lives that leads to adrenal fatigue. This lifestyle causes deficiencies in vitamins, especially C and B vitamins, and important minerals such as magnesium and zinc. We burn quickly through these nutrients and our diet for sure won’t supply us with all that we need.

Good nutritional health is directly proportional to the vitamins and minerals from our food. The nutritional content of food today is significantly different from the foods produced 70 years ago. Our soils are depleted of minerals and nutrients due to the overuse of inorganic fertilizers and erosion and farming practices that deplete these nutrients from our foods.

The other question is what type of supplements were used in this study? Were they store bought brands filled with fillers and binders that decrease the bio-availability of the active nutrients, or quality brand supplements with well backed research?

I believe most of us need some basic supplements, even if it’s just a quality multivitamin/mineral supplement. Do you eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables per day?

Vitamin and mineral supplements increase risk of death in older women – latimes.com: “”

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PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing has been under review for quite some time. Does this screening test really save lives? Apparently not according to the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF). You probably remember this organization from the 2009 controversy about mammogram screening.

The US. Preventative Services Task Force had already recommended against testing men older than 75, claiming that the potential risks outweighed the benefits. The issue was whether testing younger men would be any different.

The Task Force came to this conclusion by reviewing scientific literature about PSA screening including studies and treatment. After about 10 years, the results showed small or no reduction in prostate cancer-specific mortality and was associated with risks of treatment. What does that mean?

It means according to the USPSTF, The PSA test does not save lives and can lead to unnecessary treatments that can cause impotence, incontinence and other complications. Even if prostate cancer is found, it most likely is benign and would not be the cause of death.

This news has stirred up alot of controversy. Some experts will continue to screen younger men under 65, claiming that screening saves lives. There are others that continue to screen over age 75, especially since prostate cancer is rare under age 50 and most deaths occur after age 75. The problem is that risk of surgery and radiation treatment is most dangerous after age 70.

So what are men to do? Just as it was recommended when the USPSTF stated that mammograms could be avoided in a women’s 40′s, men need to talk to their doctors on whether doing the PSA screening test is a good choice for them. Hopefully, someday we will have screening markers to help determine which cancers are slow-growing and benign, and which ones are aggressive that need treatment.

In the meantime, you will hear more and more about this topic, and the best advice is to talk to your doctor and discuss the pros and cons on whether you should get tested.

Healthy men don’t need PSA test for prostate cancer, panel says – The Boston Globe: “”

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