Less Radiation IS Better for Your Health

UPDATE: 12/29/10
The Radiation Boom: A Pinpoint Beam Strays Invisibly, Harming Instead of Healing

By WALT BOGDANICH and KRISTINA REBELO  Published: December 28, 2010

The initial accident report offered few details, except to say that an unidentified hospital had administered radiation overdoses to three patients during identical medical procedures. Complete article

I was most fortunate to have known and worked with John Gofman.  He was early on, at the beginning of the mammogram scam, boldly outspoken against exposing breast tissue to ionizing radiation on a routine basis.

He said:

"Ionizing radiation may well be the most important single cause of cancer, birth defects and genetic disorders... The stakes for human health are very, very high in radiation matters. It is essential that people take no chance that conflict-of-interest is producing radiation databases which cannot be trusted." 

For many years he had the X-Rays and Health program to campaign for reduction in all x-ray exposure and to achieve lowering dose rates used in all forms or medical x-ray.

John was also the recipient of the Right Livelihood Award. Much of his work remains on ratical.org


Of course today x-ray exposure is increased with the forced exposure tied to flying and airport screening.


Now at last we learn that Heath care providers are pledging to stop the overuse of radiation on patients during medical exams.

Well done my friend!

"The Hopi believe this is the Fourth World. There were seven worlds created at the beginning. The first three were each destroyed in turn because the humans inhabiting them had diverged too far from their original sacred path of connectedness with and respect for all life on Mother Earth. Their prophecies (see "Book of the Hopi" by Frank Waters) describe the possibility of such a destruction of the Fourth World (in the forms of uranium mining, the existence of powerlines, and the atomic bomb):

If we dig precious things from the land, we will invite disaster.
Near the Day of Purification, there will be cobwebs
spun back and forth in the sky.
A container of ashes might one day be thrown from the sky,
which could burn the land and boil the oceans.


KOYAANISQATSI
ko.yan.nis.qatsi (from the Hopi Language)   n.   1. crazy life.   2. life
in turmoil.   3. life out of balance.   4. life disintegrating.
5. a state of life that calls for another way of living."

Walking Boosts Brain Benefit

The essential fatty acids are important nutrients for everything from brain function to cell function. Of course healthy fat is critical and omega 3 boosts brain health as it promotes cellular integrity.

ScienceDaily (Dec. 1, 2010) — The discovery by UCLA biochemists of a new method for preventing oxidation in the essential fatty acids of cell membranes could lead to a new class of more effective nutritional supplements and potentially help combat neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and perhaps Alzheimer's.

Exercise is proven to benefit health because it is an activity that improves oxygen levels and improves circulation.  Now it is sure that walking makes brain fitness a sure thing.

And as another medical and health writer explains: "Activity, for a start, generally boosts blood circulation. Brain function may be enhanced by enhanced blood supply to this organ through improved delivery of oxygen and key nutrients".

The health benefits of walking are so well known that a fifth-grader could probably recite them. A daily dose of 30 minutes of brisk walking is good for your heart, lungs, muscles, blood pressure and bones.

Now we find out it's also good for your brain.

A study released last month by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh shows that walking a few miles per week can stave off the progress of Alzheimer's disease. According to the BBC, the study proves that "people who walk at least [5 miles] a week have bigger brains, better memories and improved mental ability compared to those who are more sedentary."

This follows an earlier study released in August. Led by Dr. Arthur F. Kramer, researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have shown that walking not only builds up your muscles, but also builds up the connectivity between brain circuits. This is important because as we age, the connectivity between those circuits diminishes and affects how well we do every day tasks, such as driving. But aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, helps revive those flagging brain circuits.

"Almost nothing in the brain gets done by one area -- it's more of a circuit," Kramer explained to ScienceDaily. "These networks can become more or less connected. In general, as we get older, they become less connected, so we were interested in the effects of fitness on connectivity of brain networks that show the most dysfunction with age."

Neuroscientists have identified several distinct brain circuits, and one of the most intriguing is the default mode network (or DMN), which dominates brain activity when a person is least engaged with the outside world -- either passively observing something or simply daydreaming. Previous studies found that a loss of coordination in the DMN is a common symptom of aging and in extreme cases can be a marker of disease.

The study: For one year, Kramer's team followed 70 adults who ranged in age from 60 to over 80 years old. All of them were sedentary before the study began. The participants were divided into two groups. One did aerobic walking, while the others served as a control group that did toning, stretching and strengthening exercises.

Brain function was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain networks and determine whether aerobic activity increased connectivity in the DMN or other brain networks. The researchers measured participants' brain connectivity and performance on cognitive tasks at the beginning of the study, at six months and after a year of either walking or toning and stretching. A group of young adults, ages 20 to 30, was also tested for brain function for comparison.

The results: Those who walked briskly reaped the biggest benefits -- and not just physically, Kramer writes in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. As the older people became more fit, the aerobic exercise actually improved their memory, attention and several other cognitive processes. In fact, the coherence among different regions in the brain networks increased so much, it actually mimicked that of the 20-somethings.

Specifically, at the end of the year, DMN connectivity was significantly improved in the brains of the older walkers, but not in the stretching and toning group. The walkers also had increased connectivity in parts of another brain circuit called the fronto-executive network, which aids in the performance of complex tasks, and they did significantly better on cognitive tests than did their toning and stretching peers.

Kramer says even moderate aerobic exercise will enhance the function of specific brain structures and improve the coordination of important brain networks. But it must be aerobic to work. Toning and stretching aren't enough to reap the benefits.

"The higher the connectivity, the better the performance on some of these cognitive tasks, especially the ones we call executive control tasks -- things like planning, scheduling, dealing with ambiguity, working memory and multitasking," Kramer said. These are the very skills that tend to decline with aging, he said.

The gotcha: It doesn't happen overnight. It took a full year of walking for the results to be seen. Even the six-month test results showed no significant brain changes. The group that did the stretching exercises saw no cognitive benefit.

This isn't the first study to reach this conclusion. Recent research from the Harvard School of Public Health tracked more than 18,000 women ages 70 to 81 and concluded that the more active we are, the better our cognition. Specifically, walking one-and-a-half hours a week at a pace of one mile in 16-20 minutes gives the full cognitive benefits.

Walking may just be the wonder drug of old age.

And for the benefit of your heart Lifting weights strengthens your heart

Clothes and Formaldehyde

Most people come into regular contact with 6,000 chemicals and an untold number of potentially toxic substances, one is formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde serves a number of purposes. It is frequently used in fabrics to give them a variety of "easy care properties" as well as being a common component of pressed-wood products. Formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals, and may cause cancer in humans. Other common adverse effects include fatigue, rashes and allergic reactions. Choosing all-natural materials for your clothing and furniture can help cut down on your exposure.

Wash and then wear; unwashed clothes may have formaldehyde
By Carolyn Cairns, Consumer Reports

Fri, Nov 19, 2010Buying new clothes can be exciting, and some people can’t be bothered with the seemingly wasteful practice of washing new clothes before wearing them. But one Consumer Reports staffer who recently experienced headaches and a sore throat suspects that his impatience may be the cause. He wore his recent purchase before sending it for a spin in the washer to rid it of the chemicals commonly used to keep new clothes looking, well, new.

Substances like formaldehyde and many other allergenic compounds are used in fabrics for a variety of reasons, such as to help them resist wrinkles and shrinkage. Since just one wash can eliminate or reduce levels of a number of these substances (along with any wayward bug that might have come from the person who tried the shirt on before you!), it’s a good idea to wash new clothes that will be worn against the skin before you put them on.

The U.S. doesn’t regulate formaldehyde levels in clothing. But certain other countries do, and a recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office noted that levels in textile products they tested here in the U.S. met the most rigorous standards established elsewhere—about 75 parts per million for items that are in direct contact with the skin.

But that might not be enough for some people. By some estimates, about 9 percent of the U.S. population is so sensitive to formaldehyde that even low level exposures could be enough to set off an uncomfortable rash, or a severe allergic reaction. And a few items GAO tested did reach as high as 200 ppm. According to the GAO report, allergic contact dermatitis characteristic of formaldehyde exposure includes redness, swelling, blisters and flaky dry skin that can burn or itch.

Fortunately for our staffer, his symptoms were limited. Only a patch test will tell for certain if formaldehyde or other fabric treatments were the cause. Then again, it may just have been a reaction to shelling out cash for new duds.
from Consumer Reports

STOP GMO approvals at FTC

Over the past few years Natural Health News has been educating you about GMO ingredients in vitamins, margarines, and other products.

Now, The Institute for Responsibility asks that before December 10 you Tell the FTC: GMOs are not “Natural” or “Green”

Join us in telling the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it is misleading for companies to classify genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as “Natural” or “Green.” We have until December 10th to let the FTC know, as they are revising their Green Guides. 

Genetic engineering doesn’t happen in nature. Scientists force genes from bacteria and viruses into plant DNA, which result in dangerous side effects. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine urges all doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets to everyone.

GMOs are not “Green.” GMOs use far more herbicides, damage soil and marine ecology, harm beneficial insects, and cross pollinate. Their self-propagating genetic pollution will outlast the effects of climate change and nuclear waste!

Tell Quaker, Kellogg’s and others: “Stop misleading us”

Quaker’s “Natural” Granola contains corn flakes and soy lecithin. Kellogg’s Kashi brand “All Natural” Frozen Chicken Florentine uses soy flour and canola oil. Surprise! These are derived from GM plants.

The FTC should insist that these and other companies either remove their “Natural” claim, or better yet remove their GMOs altogether. Furthermore, no company should proclaim GMOs as “Green.”

Act NOW! and thank you.

S 510 and YOU

Not bad for a list to ponder, but just where in this bill was there anything to really address the core issue of factory farming?

How the new food safety bill might affect you

Here's How You Can Contact Your Member of Congress to help stop the vote in the House of Representatives.

Don't Ya Just Love Bad Media Reporting

This is an excerpt from one of my recent newsletter issues. I'm including it because the latest mainstream medicine/media cartel would like you to be scared away from using supplements of any kind, and in this case calcium and vitamin D.

"The base level for vitamin D for both adults and children is 50 nanograms/mL If your level is below 50 then you will use it as fast as it is made, and you may be at risk for deficiency. This is more of a concern for people of color, those who do not go in the sun, those who are confined or live in climates where it is darker in winter, and those who wear clothing that covers the entire body.


Blood serum levels above 80 ng/mL allow for reserve storage. Levels above 200 ng/mL are thought to be toxic. The optimal range at all times is between 50 and 80ng/mL for adults and children."

Now that you know what your serum D3 level should be, are you willing to be frightened into believing you get all the nutrients you need from food?

If you are following the Big AG Food Safety Bill in the US Senate perhaps they will offer you more should you wish to fall into the trap that they have set for you and your health.

Think about it!

When I was growing up vitamin D was believed to be a very important nutrient. In some areas of medicine and health care it remains important today. Yet now it is a serious concern because of the 30+ years of non fat and low fat diets that keep you from absorbing nutrients in need of fat.

Calcium, by the way, requires vitamin D in adequate stores, a healthy thyroid (tough when you have fluoride in your water and drugs), a healthy parathyroid, and healthy fats in your diet (not soy and canola oil).

Vitamin D is Critical

I do think calcium is oversold. My belief is that you need about 800 mg daily, taken with food, and in the correct form.

You can order the vitamin D test and thyroid panel, or other tests, from our organization. Many states allow you to order your own. We also provide a service that includes interpretation of what lab results mean for your health. Help yourself to quality supplements, including vitamin D here

If you have concerns about "stones" try more vitamin C and drinking more pure water.  If you are getting care for kidney health issues then choose vitamin D2.

Use the Natural Health News search box to check out all out vitamin D posts, all 8 pages...

IOM is WRONG...

A new report, released 11/30/10 by the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, says that few people are vitamin D deficient. The scientific research says otherwise.
The new Institute of Medicine (IOM) report says that persons between the ages of 1 and 70 do not need more than 600 IU of vitamin D daily—and makes the outrageous claim that few people are actually vitamin D deficient. This is especially troubling considering we’re moving rapidly into the thick of flu season, when people need more vitamin D, not less.
This is the government’s first official vitamin D recommendation since 1997. Despite raising the new vitamin levels by 300% for most Americans, the IOM guidelines are still in contrast to overwhelming scientific evidence that confirms the significant medical benefits of higher vitamin D levels, and that one-third of Americans are vitamin D deficient.
Changes in US lifestyles mean that many people in the US get less exposure to the sun and often inadequate dietary levels of vitamin D. The New York Times reports that a number of prominent doctors have advised vitamin D supplementation for a wide variety of illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Their research shows that more and more people know their vitamin D levels because they are being tested for it as part of routine physical exams.
The IOM is wrong in its findings, wrong in ignoring the bountiful scientific research that indicates the need for higher levels of vitamin D in our system, and wrong for not educating folks about the ability of vitamin D to combat the flu. Our campaign to end the silence on vitamin D is one attempt to educate the public and get the government to listen to the clear scientific findings. (Source:ANH)

and other experts disagree

World AIDS Day 2010

World AIDS Day 2010 is all about raising awareness to tackle HIV prejudice and help stop the spread of HIV.

Most read from 8 pages of posts on HIV/AIDS at Natural Health News

Natural Health News: World AIDS Day: activists and HIV-positive ...
Participants include Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Ambassador and U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Eric P. Goosby, and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, assistant to the president ...

Natural Health News: Scientific Foundation for Homeopathy Discovered
A NOBEL laureate who discovered the link between HIV and AIDS has suggested there could be a firm scientific foundation for homeopathy. French virologist Luc Montagnier stunned his colleagues at a prestigious international conference ...

HIV/AIDS Risk to Vets
What also concerns me is the lack of attention to natural treatment that is able to stop the transmission of HIV to AIDS, and other therapy outside the use of anti-retrovirals that have severe health risks of their own. ...

Politics, HIV/AIDS and GMO Drugs
The AIDS epidemic has been a world wide environmental and public health issue wince the concept was thrown out in the Nixon Administration by Henry Kissinger. It was Kissinger that led the Department of defense to a plan for bio warfare ...