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Use selenium to protect against cancer

2012-05-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) In a recent radio interview, Doctor Peter Glidden, N.D. (naturopathic doctor) disclosed that a daily intake of 200 mcg of selenium produces an effective protection against cancer. He wondered aloud why this information is not part of public knowledge in the "War against Cancer."

He pointed out that several standard randomized double-blind placebo trials over several years have shown that breast cancer risk is reduced by 82% with a daily intake of just 200 mcg of selenium. The same dosage reduced colon and rectal cancer by 69%, prostate cancer risks were reduced by 54%, and even lung cancer risks were reduced by 39% for the trial that included smokers.

Selenium disrupts the carcinogenic process early and helps prevent tumors from forming. It inhibits DNA mutations and functions as an antioxidant.

Though recognized only recently (1957) as an essential trace mineral, it has also been discovered to promote thyroid functioning by converting stored thyroid T4 hormones into active T3 hormones, something a properly functioning endocrine system requires.

Endocrine balance is also part of cancer prevention, especially for breast and prostate cancers. So it's obvious why selenium has shown the greatest promise as a preventative for both types.

Best selenium sources and amounts

Plant sources are safer than the several seafood sources of selenium. But most topsoil is mineral deficient because of the prevailing poor monoculture large scale farming practices. This has been known since the 1930s.

Processed Big Ag foods will have lower selenium contents, among other nutritional deficiencies. Smaller scale organic farming does treat topsoil well enough to foster higher mineral contents, another reason to go with unprocessed organics.

Many consider Brazil nuts an excellent source of accessible food based selenium. Brazil nuts also contain healthy fats and sufficient vitamin E to assist the selenium's optimum functioning. In addition, Brazil nuts are high in magnesium, another extremely vital mineral lacking in our topsoil. Magnesium is involved in over 300 metabolic processes, qualifying it to be considered the master mineral.

The RDA (recommended daily allowance) for selenium is 50 mcg. Just one Brazil nut will provide more than that.

But the RDA isn't enough, as usual, especially for functioning as a cancer preventative. The trials mentioned above used 200 mcg of selenomethionine as a supplement daily for several years. Considering a high average of 100 mcg of selenium from the subjects food sources, this brought the total to 300 mcg of selenium intake daily.

This 300 mcg amount is also the very conservative recommended upper limit of daily selenium intake, above which is considered a risk for toxicity. Some upper limit panel members considered 800 mcg the break point for toxicity. But a conservative mean was agreed upon at 300 mcg.

Two or three Brazil nuts a day with a mostly organic diet should serve one well.

Other good organic plant sources include wheat germ, oats, sunflower seeds and mushrooms. Eggs and poultry are also good selenium sources. Tuna, salmon, shrimp, and halibut are good sources of seafood selenium.

But when it comes to seafood, let the buyer beware. Mercury and PCB levels can be high depending on the water source. Fukushima makes the Pacific scary; The Gulf of Mexico is contaminated, and farm-raised fish tend to be contaminated from crowded conditions and by what they're fed.

While you maintain adequate selenium levels, make sure you keep up your zinc levels up too. Zinc and selenium combined offer many benefits, including higher cancer protection.

For a more detailed comprehensive coverage of selenium, go here (http://www.naturalnews.com/016446.html)

Sources for this article include:

http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/selenium.html

http://www.alignlife.com

http://drglidden.com/health_info
http://www.longevinst.org/nlt/newsletter9.htm

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035822_selenium_cancer_minerals.html#ixzz1uUld79z5

by: PF Louis

News from www.Borganic.org

Green tea intake may reduce the risk of gynecologic cancers

2012-05-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Before undergoing a fermentation process that turns it into the black tea widely enjoyed by millions of Americans today, green tea, also known as Camellia sinensis, naturally contains a variety of antiviral and anti-cancer compounds with many proven health benefits. And a recent review published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research explains that consuming green tea can specifically help prevent against ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and various other forms of gynecologic cancer.

Green tea is gaining worldwide attention for its myriad of catechins, flavonoids, polyphenols, and other nutritive compounds that each possess their own unique healing capabilities. Green tea polyphenols, for instance, have proven chemo-protective properties, while green tea catechins have proven antiviral and immuno-modulating properties. Together, these compounds synergistically fortify the body and protect it against the development and spread of malignant cancer cells.

After combing the PubMed database for all English-language studies pertaining to green tea intake and the development of gynecologic cancers published between 1962 and 2010, a research team from the Colorado State University (CSU) Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences discovered a definitive relationship between the two. Four case-control studies in particular demonstrated that green tea intake is inversely related to ovarian cancer risk.

"During the past three decades, at least 17 epidemiologic studies have evaluated tea and ovarian cancer risk; however, only four case-control studies (one in Australia, two in the United States, and one in China) have published results specifically for green tea intake and ovarian cancer risk," says the study. "The combined odds ratios (ORs) from those four studies show a significant inverse association between green tea intake and risk for ovarian cancer."

Besides protecting against ovarian cancer, green tea may also prevent against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which some say is linked to the development of cervical and other invasive genital cancers. Though evidence from published studies is not conclusive, it appears as though green tea catechin ointment may provide positive benefits in treating premalignant cervical lesions and external genital warts (EWGs) as well.

Green tea protects against other forms of cancer, too

Gynecologic cancers are not the only types of cancer that respond to green tea, however. Generally, green tea compounds inhibit the formation of all cancer-causing compounds, and also help expel them from the body. Even the American Cancer Society (ACS) now admits, albeit in a round-about way, that green tea helps protect against cancer by blocking new cancer-feeding blood vessels from forming in the body (http://www.cancer.org).

"The forms of cancer that appear to be best prevented by green tea are cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, including cancers of the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, and colon; lung cancer, estrogen-related cancers, including most breast cancers; and prostate cancer," writes Michael Murray, N.D., and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., in their book The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods.

When consuming green tea products, be sure to consume only the organic varieties, as conventional varieties can contain high levels of pesticide residues, as well as fluoride content. All tea leaves, in fact, tend to uptake fluoride compounds from the soil, which is why it is important to seek out varieties that are grown in low- or no-fluoride areas.

Sources for this article include:

http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/435/071136-435.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21595018

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035792_green_tea_cancer_molecular_nutrition.html#ixzz1uKPy1wYl

by: Jonathan Benson

News from www.Borganic.org

Discover a common yard weed that's proven to kill cancer cells

2012-05-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Most natural health advocates know that dandelion is a good liver tonic. But now research is showing that it's also a cancer fighter. This research discovery occurred at Windsor University in Windsor, Canada.

A Windsor University biochemist, Siyaram Pandey, reluctantly took up dandelion research from a Windsor oncologist's suggestion. Dr. Caroline Hamm noticed a few cancer patients who had been drinking dandelion tea seemed to be getting better.

Siyaram Pandey was initially skeptical. "She said it could be coincidental but it couldn't hurt to see if there is anything to it." So Pandey plunged into the research by working on leukemia blood samples with their own dandelion root extract. He and Dr. Hamm were amazed to find the leukemia cells were forced into apoptosis, or cell suicide.

More amazing to them was the fact that non-cancerous cells were left alone. In other words, the dandelion root extract targeted only the cancer cells, which is not true with chemotherapy pharmaceuticals that kill everything in their paths.

They experimented with other types of cancer cells in vitro (lab cultures) and found the same results. Their initial grant of $60,000 has recently been boosted with another $157,000 grant, bringing their total funding to $217,000.

Don't expect much from the medical monopoly

The research team has applied for Canadian authorization to proceed with phase one clinical trials. However, there is a high probability that this research will quietly vanish unless Big Pharma can figure a way to synthetically reproduce dandelion's active cancer fighting ingredients.

This sort of disinterest has already occurred recently in Canada (http://jaybanks.ca), so don't expect oncologists to be pushing dandelion teas for cancer. Natural cures cannot be patented. No patent equals no big money for Big Pharma, which equals no interest.

Beyond no interest there can be outright suppression, as there was with Canadian Nurse Rene Caisse's Essiac herbal tea that cured cancer patients and Laetrile in the USA. Thankfully, there is always knowledge and there will always be dandelions.

Perhaps one of the cancer patients Dr. Hamm noticed was John DiCarlo. He had been admitted to the hospital for aggressive leukemia treatments. All of the treatments failed and he was sent home to die. Someone recommended he try dandelion tea, and within a few months his leukemia was history. He was 72 years old when the cancer clinic pronounced him leukemia free.

Adding dandelion root powder to other natural cancer cures

Another dramatic story involved a USA Midwest farmer who cured his unremittingly painful prostate cancer with homemade dandelion root powder. He wrote up the instructions in a local newspaper, and the newspaper article was copied onto an internet news website complete with typos and all (http://www.rense.com/general74/DANDI.HTM).

The farmer, George Cairns, warns that creating the powder from dandelion roots has to be done exactly according to his instructions. A half teaspoon of the powder in water or juice daily, no sodas or hot beverages, will be sufficient to take care of cancer after a few months.

As you may have noticed, there are contradictions between the two anecdotal cures. One used tea and the other said no hot beverages. That happens occasionally in the world of natural cures.

That's why it's important to employ two or three do-it-yourself natural approaches for dealing with cancer. Avoiding sugar, processed foods, and meat is recommended as well. The cancer diet platform is organic vegetarian with juicing.

The freshness and quality of any herbal remedy is vitally important. Inexpensive and accessible dandelion root tea or powder can be added to any natural cancer protocols for more healing potential.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com

http://www.cbc.ca

http://zerotoherotv.com

http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1486676/pg1

http://www.whale.to/w/orthodox_herbs.html

About the author:
Paul Fassa is dedicated to warning others about the current corruption of food and medicine and guiding others toward a direction for better health with no restrictions on health freedom. You can visit his blog at http://healthmaven.blogspot.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035754_dandelion_cancer_prevention.html#ixzz1tpgEHrPl

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Use raw honey for health, skin, hair, and more

2012-04-30T08:16:00.001-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Raw honey is more than just a natural sweetener. Honey has a variety of uses in your beauty regimen and for medicinal purposes. Raw honey, which is not pasteurized or refined, can be especially useful because of its nutritional properties. Although you may have heard about the benefits of raw honey, you might be surprised at some of the creative ways it can be used:

Eight new ways to use raw honey

1. Stock up for emergency food stores. - Raw honey has a long shelf life because of its high sugar content and naturally occurring enzymes. In fact, some say raw honey can last indefinitely. This makes honey an ideal (and delicious) food to add to your emergency stockpile.

2. Sooth a sore throat and ease your cough. - Raw honey is well known for being the perfect cold remedy. A blend of raw honey and fresh lemon juice can be taken as needed to treat a sore throat or cough.

3. Boost your athletic performance. - Don't waste your money on commercial energy gels that contain food additives and artificial coloring. Research has shown honey is effective for improving athletic performance. A spoonful of raw honey before aerobic activity can provide an energy boost plus a variety of important nutrients.

4. Treat minor cuts, scrapes and burns. - Raw honey is an ancient remedy for cuts, scrapes and burns due to its natural antibacterial properties. Simply clean the area, dab on a small amount of raw honey, and wrap as normal. Change wrapping at least once daily until the area is healed. The honey may also help to reduce scar formation.

5. Make a simple sugar scrub. - Soften your skin by exfoliating with a mixture of raw honey, sugar and sweet almond oil. Store the mixture in a glass jar and use as needed. You'll save a fortune if you exfoliate with this instead of using those expensive department store scrubs.

6. Use as a glossing treatment for hair. - Coat your hair with raw honey and let it sit for ten minutes before washing as usual. Honey works as a clarifying and conditioning treatment, making your locks shiny and smooth.

7. Improve your sleep. - A spoonful of honey before bed (by itself or in a cup of warm herbal tea) is a natural sleep remedy that can help you relax and fall asleep faster.

8. Enjoy a honey facial. - Massage a teaspoon of raw honey into your face and let it sit for 10-30 minutes before rinsing with cool water. This simple honey mask can smooth your skin, fight wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce redness, and help with blemishes.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

http://www.homestead.org/karynsweet/honeyhealth.htm

http://voices.yahoo.com

About the author:
Elizabeth Walling is a freelance writer specializing in health and family nutrition. She is a strong believer in natural living as a way to improve health and prevent modern disease. She enjoys thinking outside of the box and challenging common myths about health and wellness. You can visit her blog to learn more:
www.livingthenourishedlife.com/2009/10/welcome.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035721_raw_honey_hair_first_aid.html#ixzz1tXMbXKa6

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High vitamin D level essential to prevent chronic inflammatory diseases

2012-04-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) The connection between cellular saturation of the prohormone vitamin D and development of chronic conditions ranging from cancer, dementia, stroke and heart disease have been well documented among forward-thinking scientists for at least a decade now. The specific mechanism of action has not been well documented though, as most studies have not drawn a clear line between blood levels of vitamin D and disease prevention.

Researchers from National Jewish Health reporting in The Journal of Immunology have discovered specific molecular and signaling events by which vitamin D inhibits inflammation to help prevent and possibly even treat a host of potentially deadly diseases. Current levels considered satisfactory by most medical professionals did not inhibit the inflammatory cascade, leading to the progression of many forms of disease. Conversely, individuals that maintain significantly higher blood levels of vitamin D had lower levels of inflammatory markers known to aggravate disease progression and were protected against the major killers so prevalent today.

High vitamin D status inhibits inflammatory messengers to prevent chronic disease

The study author, Dr. Elena Goleva noted that this research "goes beyond previous associations of vitamin D with various health outcomes. It outlines a clear chain of cellular events, from the binding of DNA, through a specific signaling pathway, to the reduction of proteins known to trigger inflammation." Current guidelines call for minimum vitamin D blood serum levels of 20 ng/ml, a benchmark set decades ago that was intended to prevent rickets in children and promote bone health. Researchers conducting this study found improvement in inflammation levels at a minimum of 30 ng/ml, leaving millions at risk for chronic disease.

Scientists conducting this study examined the specific mechanisms exhibited by vitamin D to act on immune and inflammatory pathways. They incubated white blood cells with different saturation levels of vitamin D and then exposed the culture to an inflammatory molecule known to promote intense inflammatory responses. Cells exposed to low levels of vitamin D (less than 15 ng/ml) produced excessive levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha, associated with disease development and progression. The highest level of inflammatory inhibition occurred at 50 ng/ml and above as cells become fully saturated with the prohormone and maximum immune response is observed.

Researchers identified a new location where the vitamin-D receptor appears to bind directly to DNA and activate a gene known as MKP-1, interfering with the inflammatory cascade promoted by long-term stress and a highly refined, processed food diet. Dr. Goleva concluded "The fact that we showed a dose-dependent and varying response to levels commonly found in humans also adds weight to the argument for vitamin D's role in immune and inflammatory conditions." Maintain your vitamin D blood levels above 50 ng/ml (measured with the 25(OH)D test) to afford maximum protection against chronic inflammatory-mediated diseases.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.jimmunol.org
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120223103920.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/242123.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-02/njh-rdh022212.php

About the author:
John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035694_vitamin_D_inflammatory_disease_prevention.html#ixzz1tS1KAYEH

news from www.Borganic.org

Starbucks bows to public pressure, removes 'bug juice' from strawberry flavoring

2012-04-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) On Thursday, April 19, Starbucks Corp finally bowed to public pressure and announced, via its blog, that it would no longer use carmine, the crushed beetle food coloring it had switched to using in its strawberry flavoring back in January of this year. Instead, by late June all stores will begin using the natural, tomato-based extract lycopene.

The January 2012 announcement that it would begin using the beetle-based food dye was met with an enormous wave of criticism. No wonder! According to Thermo Scientific, "Cochineal is a natural red color from the egg yolks and other parts of the dried female insect Dactylopius coccus Costa, a parasite of the prickly pear cactus ... it requires 70,000 insects to make one pound of color. The product, which in its processed form is usually called Carmine, is a crumbly solid or a powder." The real news is that it took Starbucks four months to realize that the public might not find that very appetizing.

Lycopene - a solid choice

At any rate, better late than never! Prior to the failed carmine experiment, Starbucks had actually been switching its ingredients to less toxic, more natural sources. This latest ingredient switch is a solid move that other companies that use carmine should emulate. Lycopene, a red pigment found in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grape fruit, and other reddish-colored produce, is an excellent choice to replace the insect juice. Known as an antioxidant with cancer and other disease-fighting capabilities, lycopene also doesn't have the 'yuck' factor nor the allergic reaction history associated with the ingredient it is replacing. Though anyone who frequents Starbucks should be aware of the sugar and caffeine in the desserts and beverages they purchase and consume there, the replacement of cochineal extract with lycopene is certainly a step in the right direction as well as a testament to the effectiveness of public pressure.

As always, truth-in-labeling is key

This story is yet another example of how important truth-in-labeling laws really are. When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to some degree, finally recognized the rights of vegetarians, kosher adherents, those who could be allergic, as well as the general public to know whether or not insects are in the food supply, public pressure could be pointed in the right direction. Thankfully, Starbucks wasn't allowed to make this switch under cover of darkness.

Prior to 2011, companies that used the crushed beetle-juice were not required by the FDA to admit it on their labeling. They weren't even required to use technical names such as carmine or cochineal extract. Instead, though some did label it voluntarily, most would slyly list the ingredient as 'color added.' Nobody knew just how many products contained the insect-based dyes.

However, when the FDA changed their labeling requirements in 2009 (effective in 2011), they only required the technical name. Even now, the word 'carmine' doesn't connote insect-origins, except to those who already know or take the time to look it up. The Juice Products Association said they supported the labeling requirement, but opposes any requirement to specifically label the food dyes as insect-derived. Of course they do. Who would want to eat it then? This is the same logic GMO producers use to resist labeling their products as genetically modified.

Who would want to eat it? The answer would put the likes of Monsanto out of business.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479233,00.html
http://www.phadia.com
http://www.reuters.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/023959.html
http://www.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Scott is a blogger, writer, and researcher, primarily focused on how to raise healthy kids despite a system and status quo that makes it as difficult as possible. He and his wife, Kim, live in the hills of east Tennessee with their four small children. He holds an MBA from East Tennessee State University. Scott and Kim blog about parenting, marriage, healthy lifestyle, nutrition, and homesteading at www.amorefieldlife.com.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035697_Starbucks_carmine_insects.html#ixzz1tLi8IZWK

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7 medicinal herbs and spices that help lower blood pressure

2012-04-26T21:11:00.001-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) High blood pressure is an epidemic that is currently sweeping across America. The fast lifestyle of fast food, soda and stress is starting to catch up on the average American, so much so that an estimated one in every three Americans has high blood pressure. This puts them at risk of heart disease, stroke and even kidney disease. Moreover, this condition is costing the country 93.5 billion dollars in health care services.

Putting too much faith in the medical establishment to find a cure for your high blood pressure may no longer be advisable in the least. The number of prescription drugs on the market and the cascade of variations suggest that a cure for blood pressure is not in the offing anytime soon.

Despite all the consequences associated with high blood pressure, it is still a condition that is preventable and easily managed. Observing a healthy balanced diet and enjoying an active, healthy lifestyle can help avoid the risk of high blood pressure as well as reduce one that is already elevated.

High blood pressure - A package of woe

There is no one identifiable cause for high blood pressure. A combination of factors like stress, alcohol, smoking, weight and lack of physical activity seem to have to come together to produce this problem, which is further compounded by family history and age.

Although it is a condition that if left unattended could gravitate to something worse, high blood pressure is not a disease. Taking proactive measures in preventing heart diseases, stroke and even kidney disease by managing your blood pressure may be the best decision you can make today.

While the idea of drug-free high blood pressure management through the use of herbs and spices has slowly been gaining ground, it is still treated with skepticism by the medical establishment. The reliance on prescription drugs, however, has not in any way shown that high blood pressure could be cured through this manner. There are still reports by patients who are currently using drugs to manage their high blood pressure that their condition has not shown any improvement, nor their quality of life. Instead, they have to deal with side effects and drugs that are expensive to maintain.

Spice up your life

In a published study featured in the Journal of Medicine, it was revealed that common spices can protect from heart disease and the deterioration brought about by aging. In the said study, researchers discovered a connection between the phenol content of certain herbs and spices and their capacity to prevent glycation and formation of AGE compounds that are responsible for premature aging and heart disease.

As a way to manage your blood pressure, herbs and spices are a fantastic way to increase the medicinal value of your food. Below are some herbs and spices you may have been enjoying with no idea as to their value:

1. Garlic - Garlic contains allicin, a substance which has antibacterial, antioxidant, lipid lowering and anti-hypertension properties. In a pilot study made at Clinical Research Center of New Orleans on whether garlic could lower blood pressure, nine patients with severe hypertension were given a garlic preparation containing 1.3 % allicin. Sitting blood pressure fell with a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure only five to 14 hours after the dose. Moreover, it was proven in a 2009 study that fresh garlic has more potent cardio-protective properties than processed garlic.

2. Cinnamon - Cinnamon not only prevents heart disease, it can also prevent diabetes. The Center for Applied Health Sciences in Ohio conducted a study of 22 subjects, half of which were given a 250mg of water soluble cinnamon daily while the other half were given placebo. It was discovered that those who drank cinnamon had a 13 to 23 percent increase in antioxidants connected with lowering blood sugar levels.

3. Onions - Onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant flavonol found to prevent heart disease and stroke. In a research study published in the Journal of Nutrition, subjects with hypertension experienced a decrease in their blood pressure by 7mmHg systolic and 5 mmHg diastolic as opposed to those who were taking placebo.

4. Olives - This herb is a significant part of the Mediterranean diet, recognized to be one of the healthiest in the world. Oil made from olives has been found to reduce blood pressure. In a study conducted on the importance of olive oil, Dr. L. Aldo Ferrara, Associate Professor at the Frederico II University of Naples in Italy discovered that the daily use of 40 grams of olive oil reduced the dosage of blood pressure medication in hypertensive patients by about 50 percent. Polyphenols in extra-virgin olive oil was credited for the significant reduction of blood pressure.

5. Oregano - This herb contains the compound carvacrol which has been proven to be effective against blood pressure. In a study conducted on animal subjects, by researchers from Eskisehir Osmangazi University in Turkey, carvacrol was found to reduce heart rate, mean arterial pressure as well as the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

6. Hawthorn - This herb has been traditionally used to treat high blood pressure. In one study conducted in Reading, UK, 79 type-2 diabetic patients were randomized to receive 1200 mg of hawthorn extract while another group received medication for high blood pressure. Results revealed that patients taking hawthorn by the end of the 16th week showed a reduction in their mean diastolic pressure.

7. Cardamom- In one study published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 20 subjects newly diagnosed with primary hypertension were administered 3 g of cardamom powder. After the end of the 3 months, all the subjects experienced feelings of well-being without any side effects. Moreover, the study was able to demonstrate that blood pressure was effectively reduced. It also improved antioxidant status while breaking down blood clots without significantly altering blood lipids and fibrinogen levels.

Taking advantage of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of spices and herbs is an excellent way to boost your body's health. Herbs have low calorie content, increase the medicinal value of your food and allow you to use natural forms of lowering blood pressure. Mix them up with your soups, salads, fish and meat and vegetable dishes. It's a healthier and cheaper alternative to keeping bottles of prescription drugs and synthetic supplements.

Sources for this article:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/
http://www.naturalnews.com/033656_blood_pressure_treatments.html
http://orlandobchealth.com/the-blood-pressure-hoax/
http://www.allicinfacts.com/allicin01.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8361870
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19722587
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20361714

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035689_medicinal_herbs_spices_blood_pressure.html#ixzz1tD7aHnoh

by: Aurora Geib

News from www.borganic.org

Parsley is a blood purifying superfood

2012-04-18T12:55:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Parsley is considered the world's most popular garnish. Parsley was originally cultivated in Europe and the Middle East but has become a staple in American cuisine. This herb has remarkable healing and blood purifying benefits that classify it as a superfood.

Parsley has been revered throughout history and used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The Greeks made crowns of parsley to bestow upon their sports champions. It was used for the Hebrew celebration of Passover as a sign of rebirth in the spring. The Romans used it to deodorize corpses before funerals.

It contains a unique combination of nutrients that make it a powerful superfood. The volatile oil compounds myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene have been shown to inhibit tumor cell formation. Additionally, parsley is rich in flavonoids-including apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin that have strong anti-oxidant properties.

Parsley also contains about three times the amount of vitamin C by volume as an orange. Vitamin C is extremely important for healthy immune function and youthful skin & joints. Additionally, it contains carotenoid anti-oxidants lutein and zeaxanthin which enhance eye function and help the body neutralize damage from UV radiation.

Super rich in chlorophyll

Parsley is super rich in chlorophyll, the energy producing substance that gives herbs and plants its characteristic green color. Chlorophyll helps to alkalize the body, purify blood, and form new red blood cells. In addition, the chlorophyll and flavonoids in parsley help to enhance cellular glutathione formation. Higher levels of cellular glutathione allow the body to detoxify and heal more effectively.

Through these properties, parsley is able to improve cellular oxygenation properties. Increased oxygenation = increased cellular energy = increased detoxification & healing mechanisms.

Parsley is a fantastic source of folic acid which is extremely crucial for its ability to reduce homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an inflammatory mediator that is linked with cardiovascular disease and brain degeneration. Folic acid is also important for pregnant women as it plays a critical role in fetal development. It is also an important nutrient for cancer prevention.

Parsley is also known as a powerful diuretic that reduces blood pressure and enhances kidney function. In particular, parsley increases sodium and water excretion thru urine and increases potassium reabsorption into the kidneys. This is particularly useful for anyone with poor circulation, swelling, cellulite, and other cardiovascular problems.

Juiced parsley is also believed to stimulate uterine contractions during labor. This juice has also been used to enhance skin and hair texture. It is also thought to reduce inflammation and mucous formation throughout the body. This is why many individuals see results using parsley to reduce symptoms of asthma, allergies, bronchitis, & urinary tract infections.

The rich chlorophyll content is also a great body odor and breath freshener. Chlorophyll acts as an anti-mutagen and it reduces odor causing bacteria which are responsible for producing bad breath and body odor. Parsley combines well with garlic and onions and reduces the strong pungent body odor these sulfur rich foods are known to cause.

Parsley dipped in apple cider vinegar is especially useful for reducing body odor and improving digestive function. The natural acids, chlorophyll and enzymes present in this food combination synergize to enhance the intestinal microflora. This is one of the best aids for neutralizing acid reflux, gas and bloating.

Sources For This Article Include
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=100
http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Parsley-A-Bad-Breath-Solution?&id=816422
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsley
http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/parsley.html

About the author:
Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He is a Maximized Living doctor. His expertise is in weight loss, customized nutrition & exercise, & structural corrective chiropractic care. For more information go to www.exodushc.com To find a Maximized Living doctor near you go to www.maximizedliving.com Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance phone consultations to help you beat disease and reach your health goals

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035599_parsley_superfood_blood.html#ixzz1sQLITK8D

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Americans are killing themselves with sugar

2012-04-14T15:07:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Sugar and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are not just in soft drinks, pastries, and candies. They are hidden in most processed foods, condiments and sauces. Sometimes the sweetening ingredients in those foods and condiments are disguised as dextrose or corn syrup (which is most likely genetically modified) instead of sugar or HFCS.

So sugar is ubiquitous in the standard American diet (SAD). The food like substances from convenience stores, fast food stops, and even upscale restaurants are usually loaded with either sugar or HFCS.

High fructose corn syrup has become the sweetener of choice because it's cheaper and sweeter than sugar. Many say it's worse for you as well. Much of HFCS goes directly to the liver before it is metabolized anywhere else. What isn't used for energy from HFCS is stored as fat. Excess sugar also gets stored as fat.

Even some infant formulas contain sugar or HFCS amounts equivalent to a can of soda. They're getting hooked on sugar early. Sugar and HFCS tend to be addictive.

Since sugar became a household commodity in the 18th Century, sugar consumption has increased from four pounds per person annually to 180 pounds annually for half the American population. HFCS use has increased over ten thousand percent since its introduction into processed foods and beverages in the 1970s.

Health issues with sugar and HFCS

Obesity is obvious. Obesity levels are higher now than ever before. One-third of Americans are obese and another third are overweight. Eating a low fat diet only hurts your health. Our bodies need natural, good fats (http://www.naturalnews.com/035069_low_fat_diet_myths_weight_loss.html).

Obesity and overweight conditions usually lead to pre-diabetes and diabetes type 2, which can also cause kidney disease. If dietary habits remain the same, high blood pressure and artherosclerosis (clogged and hardened arteries) can occur, leading to heart attacks and strokes.

Coinciding with increased HFCS use is a sharp rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a precursor to sclerosis of the liver.

Many tend to make a couple of bad mistakes upon realizing they need to cut down or completely eliminate sugar and high fructose corn syrup from their diet. The first is to use artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and Splenda (sucralose). That's just trading physical problems for neurological issues, while still getting fatter in the meantime (http://www.naturalnews.com/022785.html).

However, you can use naturally plant based Stevia as a healthy sugar replacement.

Another mistake is to cut out obvious sweets and sodas while continuing to frequent fast food places and eat processed food meals at home. The gradual transition from the standard American diet should be toward cutting out processed and fast food meals completely, since most are laced with sugar or HFCS.

Studies are beginning to determine that consuming lots of sugar or HFCS leads to cancer. Anaerobic cancer cells do thrive on sugar. They depend on fermenting glucose (sugar) for their energy because they've lost the ability to metabolize with oxygen (http://www.naturalnews.com/024827_cancer_sugar_women.html).

That's why alternative cancer treatments strictly forbid sugar consumption. Of course, mainstream oncology does not even discourage sugar. It's widely understood that we all contain some free floating cancer cells that have not developed into tumors.

Natural fructose in fruit is okay. But high added sugar/HFCS consumption will only encourage cancer cells and cause the other health issues mentioned in this article.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.foxnews.com

http://nutritiondiva.quickanddirtytips.com

http://healthmaven.blogspot.com/2012/04/sugar-is-toxic.html -
VIDEO CBS 60 Minutes Report

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035566_Americans_sugar_disease.html#ixzz1s3UcBpdK

By by: PF Louis

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Baked goods sold in USA contain potassium bromate, a carcinogen banned in Europe but allowed in the US due to chemical loophole

2012-04-12T10:48:00.001-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Much of the flour sold in the United States has been treated with potassium bromate, which causes the flour to bulk up, strengthens the dough, and makes bread rise more rapidly. This decreases the time needed for baking (thereby reducing costs) and also allows the use of low quality flour that might otherwise be unsuitable for baking. There's only one problem with this: Potassium bromate causes cancer.

Potassium bromate is so widely accepted as a carcinogen that it has been banned in the European Union, Canada and even in China. U.S. law only allows the chemical to be used as an ingredient in food because it was first approved by the FDA back in 1958, before modern anti-cancer legislation went into effect. The fact that the ingredient has actually received FDA approval makes it much more difficult for it to be subsequently banned.

Most potassium bromate breaks down during the baking process, but tests have confirmed that trace amounts can remain in finished baked goods. Unfortunately for the careful consumer, U.S. law does not require that potassium bromate be listed as a separate ingredient on food labels. This is yet another example of the government making sure that you don't learn the truth about what's in your food.

See astonishing videos about this subject at www.FoodInvestigations.com

The only reliable away to avoid this poisonous ingredient is to buy organic flours and baked goods. Products sold in California must carry a warning label if potassium bromate has been used.

Source: 25 Amazing Facts About Food, authored by Mike Adams and David Guiterrez. This report reveals surprising things about where your food comes from and what's really in it! Download the full report (FREE) by clicking here. Inside, you'll learn 24 more amazing but true facts about foods, beverages and food ingredients. Instant download of the complete PDF. All 25 facts are documented and true.

Additional sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/028443_food_additives_dangers.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_bromate

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035542_potassium_bromate_baked_goods_cancer.html#ixzz1rqnIqPBl

By Mike Adams

News from www.Borganic.org

Take a vitamin D supplement during pregnancy

2012-04-09T07:51:00.001-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) A study published in the March 2012 issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Association of Pediatrics, has shown again how important vitamin D3 supplementation is during pregnancy. This study measured the vitamin D level of pregnant women and then observed language development in their children at different ages (2, 5, 8, 10, 14, and 17 years of age).

The study found that women who had a vitamin D level less than 46 nmol/L during pregnancy were at least twice as likely to have children with language difficulties at ages 5 and 10 years compared to women with a vitamin D level of 70 nmol/L or higher.

This finding is especially interesting because most labs place the normal limit of serum 25(OH)-vitamin D in the 30 range, rather than the 70 range. Many vitamin D experts have said that a range of 60 to 100 is ideal, and this study suggests that at least during pregnancy these higher levels of vitamin D are ideal. In order to achieve these levels pregnant women need to take a significantly higher level of vitamin D3 than is found in most prenatal or calcium supplements. A supplement in the range of 5,000 to 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily is usually required to raise serum vitamin D levels to these levels.

Vitamin D taken during pregnancy has shown other benefits for later childhood as well. Several studies have shown that higher vitamin D levels during pregnancy are associated with less respiratory problems during childhood. A study published in January 2011 in Pediatrics showed that newborns with a higher cord blood level of vitamin D had less respiratory infections during infancy and less asthma during early childhood. Four previous studies showed that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was associated with less asthma during childhood as well.

Pregnant women should take a high quality prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement that contains folate. In addition during pregnancy it is important to take vitamin D, an omega-3 fatty acid supplement with DHA, and probiotics, all of which have proven to have positive health benefits for babies.

Whitehouse, AJO, et al. Maternal Serum Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy and Offspring Neurocognitive Development. Pediatrics 2012; 129:3 485-493; published ahead of print February 13, 2012, doi:10.1542/peds.2011-2644

About the author:
Dr. Randall Neustaedter, OMD, has practiced and taught holistic medicine for more than thirty years in the San Francisco Bay area, specializing in child health care. He is a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of Chinese medicine, author of The Holistic Baby Guide, Child Health Guide and The Vaccine Guide. Visit his website, www.cure-guide.com, to register for a free newsletter with pediatric specialty articles and follow him on Facebook, at Dr. Randall Neustaedter, OMD.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035507_vitamin_D_supplements_pregnancy.html#ixzz1rYWfAxqf

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Antidepressant drug sales plummet as patents expire and patients flee to safer alternatives

2012-04-03T18:05:00.002-07:00

(www.borganic.org) The market for antidepressant drugs is quickly drying up as patents on long-time blockbusters like Lexapro, owned by Forest Laboratories, and Seroquel, owned by AstraZeneca, continue to expire. And because they are unable to develop new multi-billion-dollar blockbuster drugs to take their places, many drug manufacturers are ditching the antidepressant business altogether, especially as studies continue to emerge showing that antidepressants are largely useless and cause more harm than good.

A recent Reuters report appears to bemoan the fact that development of a new antidepressant drug ceased after it was discovered that the drug was ineffective. Highlighting an overall trend of failure in this area of drug development within the drug industry, the report actually positions drug companies as victims that will stand to lose billions of dollars in profits as a result of their collective failure to come up with new drug options.

According to projections compiled by Thomson Reuters Pharma, worldwide sales of antidepressant drugs are expected to drop by more than half in the next four years. While antidepressant drugs raked in $15 billion in 2003, they are expected to fetch less then $6 billion by 2016 -- and there is no indication that this downward trend will slow any time soon.

Drug-makers also appear to be abandoning research and development of new antidepressants because an increasing number of patients are waking up to the ugly truth about their deadly side effects, and ditching them for safer alternatives. One such reminder of this disturbing truth came in the form of a 2010 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which found that antidepressants are basically useless for the vast majority of people who take them (http://www.naturalnews.com/028498_antidepressants_clinical_trials.html).

Antidepressants are also exceedingly dangerous, as they can lead to suicidal or homicidal tendencies in some patients. A study conducted by drug giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), for instance, revealed last year that its own antidepressant drug Paxil actually make patients worse off mentally, as they are more prone while taking the drug to attempt taking their own lives or the lives of others (http://www.naturalnews.com).

So rather than feel sorry for the drug industry which will have to "suffer" by taking in a few less billion dollars every year, the mainstream media and the public should be chiding Big Pharma for peddling these dangerous drugs in the first place, all the while having exploited the public all these years by charging obscene prices for them.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.reuters.com

http://www.utsandiego.com

http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com

http://www.investorplace.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035444_antidepressants_drug_sales_alternatives.html#ixzz1r1upZJfh

by: Ethan A. Huff

News from www.Borganic.org

The medicinal benefits of Jamaican Dogwood

2012-04-02T07:28:00.001-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Jamaica is known for its beautiful beaches, smiling people and sweet reggae music but the little island offers much more than just the typical tourist scene. The Caribbean climate enlivens the growth of lush jungles and rich vegetation. With the plants comes the medicine, so it no surprise that Jamaica has deep roots in bush medicine and herbal healing. One revered herb that comes to us from the Jamaican bush doctor is Piscidia erythrina, or Jamaican Dogwood.

Bush doctors used Piscidia for insomnia, pain, anxiety, nervous tension, acne, uterine disorders, hysteria and neuralgias like sciatica, toothaches, and migraines. Also, it was used as an external wash for any skin compliant. To cure a headache, crushed leaves are tied around the head so one can inhale the essence. For a sprain, the leaves are beaten and tied around the injury, as an anti-inflammatory.

Western medicine and Piscidia

Although currently under utilized by western medicine, many naturopaths and herbalist still use it today. Piscidia's rich phytochemistry of isoflavones, glycosides, tannins, resins, organic acids, volatile oils and β-sitosterol explain it's versatile actions. Piscidia was also popular in early 20th century America amongst the Eclectic doctors who opposed "conventional" medicine's use of harsh modalities like bleeding, chemical purging and mercury-based medicines. The Eclectics used Piscidia to control pain, especially if opium was not tolerated. It can reportedly even relieve cluster "suicide" headaches and migraines that are unresponsive to other medications.

Piscidia is a strong antispasmodic because of the isoflavones as well. Studies show it reduces cramping better than any other botanical and is reportedly 20x stronger than the closest competition, Viburnum opulus. Eclectics found it relieved the spasmodic element of pertussis, asthma, violent whooping coughs and bronchitis. It is a beneficial addition to cough syrups because it helps control nighttime coughing and promotes a restful sleep.

The Eclectics used Piscidia for all women's woes. Conventionally, this is supported because of the isoflavones. It is recommended for dysmenorrhea and endometriosis, especially with hormone imbalances. Also it increases blood flow to relieve uterine stagnation, deliver nutrients and remove debris. Piscidia additionally reduces excessive flow by preventing small veins from breaking. For PMS, patient reports indicate Piscidia can be more effective than synthetic OTC drugs. The Eclectics recommended it paired with Viburnum for false labor pains and threatened abortion. It helps control erratic pains and promotes rest but does not interfere with normal uterine contractions. Piscidia synergistically harmonizes and promotes the effectiveness of other herbal uterine remedies like Cimicifuga, Viburnum, Senecio, Helonias, Pulsatilla and Dioscorea.

Although there are no human studies, animal studies report that Piscidia possesses weak cannabinoid and sedative activities, as well as antitussive, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic actions. In a comparative investigation on mice CNS activity, Piscidia erythrina produced pharmacological effects between the sedative action of Valeriana and the anti-anxiety activity of Passiflora. The sedative qualities can pacify an overactive nervous system to resolve insomnia, pain, irritation, anxiety, tiredness and depression.

Jamaican Dogwood was recommended for many other ailments as well. It increases secretions, strengthens a weak heart, slows the pulse, increases arterial tension, relieves burns, mites, scalds, eye afflictions, hemorrhoids, toothaches, periodontal membrane inflammation, and alveolar abscess. It was also given during any inflammatory fever and rheumatism. Additionally, Piscidia's isoflavones enhance vitamin and mineral absorption. β-Sitosterol is an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating constituent that interferes with hyperplastic prostatic tissue growth factors and is supported by extensive research to relieve BPH.

Like so many of our most powerful medicines, Jamaican Dogwood is, potentially toxic. One should always consult a naturopathic doctor for proper dosing before adding it to any health plan.

Sources for this article include
1. Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Vermont: Healing Arts Press.
2. University of Maryland medical center: Medicinal Reference "Jamaica Dogwood"
3. Robertson, Diane. 1988. Jamaican Herbs: Nutritional and Medicinal Values. Jamaican Herbs Limited. Kingston, Jamaica.
4. Zampeiron, Eugene. 1999. The Natural Medicine Chest. Natural Alternatives Health, Education and Multimedia Inc. NY.
5. Grieve, M. (2010). A Modern herbal: Jamaican Dogwood
6. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998
7. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996
8. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996
9. 1995-2011 "Jamaican Dogwood" Therapeutic Research Faculty, publishers of Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Prescriber's Letter, and Pharmacist's Letter.
10. Costello CH, Butler CL . An investigation of Piscidia erythrina (Jamaica Dogwood) . J Am Pharm Assoc 1948 ; 37 : 89-96.
11. Aurousseau M et al. Certain pharmacodynamics properties of Piscidia erythrina. Ann Pharm Fr 1965 ; 23 : 251-257.
12. Della-Loggia R et al . Evaluation of the activity on the mouse CNS of several plant extracts and a combination of them . Riv-Neurol 1981 ; 51 : 297-310
13. University of Florida: Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Florida forest trees: Fishpoison tree (Piscidia piscipula)
14. 2001. Piscidia erythrina. ABC Homeopathy
15. Norton, K.J. 2009. Endometriosis and Piscidia erythrina. http://www.worldwidehealth.com
16. Eric Yarnell, Kathy Abascal. Alternative and Complementary Therapies. June 2007, 13(3): 148-152. doi:10.1089/act.2007.13306.
17. Felter, H.W., & Lloyd J.U. (1898) King's American Dispensatory: Piscidia. Jamaica Dogwood.
18. Ellingwood, F. (1919) American Materia Media, Therapeitcs and Pharmacognosy. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine, AZ.
19. Ayensu, E. (1981). Medicinal Plants of the West Indies. Reference Publications, Inc. Michigan.
20. Della, L., Zilli, C., Del Negro, P., Readaelli, C., & Tubaro, A. (1988). Isoflavones as spasmolytic principles of Piscidia erythrina. Progress in Clinical and Biological Research. Institute of Pharmocology and Pharmacognosy, Univerity of Trieste, Italy.
21. Yarnell, E. (2003). Photochemistry and Pharmacy for Practioners of Botanical Medicine. Healing Mountain Publishing. Washington.

About the author:
Lindsay Chimileski: I am a graduate medical student currently pursuing dual degrees in Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture, expecting to graduate in 2013. I have a passion for health education, patient empowerment and the restoration of balance- both on the individual and communal level. I believe all can learn how to live happily, in harmony with nature and in ways that support the body's innate ability to heal itself.

Please note: I am not a doctor and not giving any medical advice, just spreading the word and love of natural living, and the pressing health revolution.

http://blossomingconsciousness.com/
http://harmoniousvibrations.blogspot.com/

follow me @harmoniousvibes on twitter

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035423_Jamaican_Dogwood_Piscidia_medicine.html#ixzz1qtY6xRIh

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Organic Dandelion gets scientific acceptance as an antioxidant and "novel" cancer therapy

2012-03-31T09:44:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Dandelion is the bane of immaculate lawn enthusiasts, but holds healing secrets that few people realize. Dandelion is a delicious super-food to add to salads and soups. It contains substantial vitamins and a host of plant-based minerals, especially potassium. The herb stimulates the flow of bile from the liver into the gall bladder, making dandelion a key ingredient in liver cleanse formulas. It helps to break down liver fats and is an effective diuretic. The scientific community has been frenetically studying dandelion recently, due to encouraging evidence that dandelion suppresses the growth and invasive behavior in several types of cancer.

Scientists "approve" dandelion extract as an effective oxidative stress inhibitor

Scientists at the University of Annunzio Chieti-Pasaca in Italy compared extracts of tumeric, dandelion, rosemary, and artichoke in a study released in 2010. The researchers acknowledged the positive effect that these herbs have on the liver and gallbladder, and wanted to compare their anti-proliferation (spreading), antioxidant (combating free radical activity), and protective effects. While tumeric had the greatest antioxidant effects, dandelion also had these qualities. The scientists confirmed that these herbs are useful healing aids in modern phytomedicine.

The oxidative stress-reducing effects of dandelion extract was tested on rats with liver damage from carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), a chemical used in fire extinguishers and refrigerants which is highly toxic to the liver. Water-based dandelion extract, or dandelion tea, was observed to significantly reduce the amount of oxidative stress and inflammation present in the livers of rats.

Medical researchers are enthusiastic about the effects of dandelion on various cancers

Medical science is finally beginning to accept the positive results from natural dietary supplements in healing cancer. Just in the past few years, clinical research has been published stating the benefits of herbal supplements such as dandelion for cancer. Here are a few studies:

The International Journal of Oncology published a 2008 clinical study showing the positive effects of dandelion leaf tea. Dandelion leaf tea decreased breast cancer cells, but dandelion root tea did not. Researchers went on to test prostate cancer cells and found similar results. The scientists concluded that dandelion extract may be considered a "novel" anti-cancer agent.

The Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a study in January 2011 which tested the effects of dandelion root tea on leukemia cells. The study showed that dandelion root tea killed leukemia cells through a process called apoptosis. It is believed that dandelion root tea signals a "kill switch" on leukemia cell receptors. Researchers found it "interesting" that dandelion root tea did not transmit the same "kill switch" signal to healthy cells. These scientists also believed that dandelion should be considered a "novel" non-toxic anti-cancer agent.

The International Journal of Oncology published a 2011 report that a dietary supplement containing dandelion as one ingredient suppresses the growth of prostate cancer cells.

In yet another 2011 study performed with dandelion, dandelion root extract was clinically proven to induce apoptosis in human drug-resistant melanoma cells without poisoning or damaging healthy cells. Once again, tests proved that dandelion root extract should be considered a "novel" and non-toxic therapy for even drug-resistant forms of cancer.

Sources for this article include:

Medline.gov. "Antiproliferative, protective and antioxidant effects of artichoke, dandelion, tumeric, and rosemary extracts and their formulation," L. Menghini, et al. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology April-June 2010; 23(2): 601-10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20646355

Wiley Online Library.com. "Amelioration of oxidative stress by dandelion extract through CYP2E1 suppression against acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in Sprague-Dawley rats," Chung My Park, et al. Phytotherapy Research, September 2010; 24(9): 1347-1353. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.3121/abstract

Spandidos Publications.com. "Suppression of growth and invasive behavior of human prostate cancer cells by ProstaCaidTM: Mechanism of activity," J. Jang, et al. International Journal of Oncology. June 2011; 38(6): 1675-82. http://www.spandidos-publications.com/ijo/38/6/1675

Pubmed.gov. "Evaluation of aqueous extracts of Taraxacum officinale [dandelion] on growth and invasion of breast and prostate cancer cells," S.C. Sigstedt, et al. International Journal of Oncology, May 2008; 32(5): 1085-90. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18425335

Pubmed.gov. "Selective induction of apoptosis through activation of caspase-8 in human leukemia cells (Jurkat) by dandelion root extract," P. Ovadie, et al. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology. January 2011; 133(1): 86-91. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20849941

Pubmed.gov. "The efficacy of dandelion root extract in inducing apoptosis in drug-resistant human melanoma cells," S.J. Chatterjee, et al. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011; 2011: 129045. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21234313

About the author:
This article is provided courtesy of Donna Earnest Pravel, owner and senior editor of Heart of Texas Copywriting Solutions.com. Get free biweekly tips on natural healing and herbs by visiting her blog, Bluebonnet Natural Healing Therapy.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035418_dandelion_cancer_therapy_herbs.html#ixzz1qigLuRYt

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Three benefits of dark chocolate that will help you lose weight

2012-03-30T10:29:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 68 percent of adults over the age of 20 are overweight, half of whom are considered obese. Of course obesity is also strongly linked to many other health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. The economic costs are enormous. A 2011 article in the The Lancet estimates the annual medical costs of these diseases will increase by as much as $60 billion by 2030. While there is no magic solution to weight loss, research supports a number of health benefits of dark chocolate for this purpose including reduced insulin sensitivity, increased feelings of fullness and reduced stress and cortisol levels.

1. Reduce insulin resistance with dark chocolate

Insulin, which is released by the pancreas when blood sugar rises, has the job of escorting blood glucose into the cells. Repeated release of insulin due to too much sugary food causes the cells to develop resistance to insulin preventing it from doing its job and depriving the cells of needed nutrition. Now the body fears starvation, calls for more food and signals a need to store fat to protect against starvation. The result? Weight gain.

Substituting dark chocolate for some of the sugary foods may help reduce insulin resistance. A 2005 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on research in which 15 healthy individuals ate either white or dark chocolate for 15 days. At the end of this time those who ate the dark chocolate experienced significantly higher insulin sensitivity and significantly lower insulin resistance compared to the white chocolate group. As a nice bonus, the dark chocolate group also experienced lower blood pressure.

This is not an isolated study. Research published in 2012 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and based on a meta-analysis of 42 studies of chocolate and cocoa, supported the connection between dark chocolate consumption and significant reductions in serum insulin which caused resistance to insulin to decrease. They also found chocolate associated with consistent reductions in blood pressure.

2. Chocolate helps stop food cravings

Reductions in food cravings between meals can help prevent overeating and this means foods that promote feelings of fullness can be important for weight loss. Once again healthy dark chocolate may be part of the answer. A study from Denmark reviewed in a 2008 edition of Science Daily found that dark chocolate, compared to milk chocolate, was more filling and also lessened cravings for unhealthy foods.

Sixteen lucky study subjects ate either dark or milk chocolate and then gave feedback on how hungry they felt over the next several hours. At the two and a half hour mark they were given as much pizza as they could eat. Researchers recorded calorie intake for each individual and found that it was 15 percent less for those who had previously eaten dark chocolate. The same group also noted lower cravings for snack foods (sweet, salty or fatty) compared to the milk chocolate group.

3. Chocolate reduces stress and cortisol levels

Stress triggers release of cortisol which causes the body to secrete more insulin leading to overeating. In a 2009 study published in the Journal of Proteome Research, 30 subjects who suffered from anxiety consumed 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate daily for two weeks. Urinalysis showed a resulting reduction in the excretion of cortisol prompting the scientists to conclude chocolate can alter human metabolism.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm

http://www.thelancet.com

http://www.ajcn.org/content/81/3/611.short

http://www.ajcn.org/content/95/3/740.abstract

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081210091039.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111123612.htm

About the author:
Celeste Smucker is a freelance writer who writes about health and health care, real estate, and sales and marketing. Visit Writing 4 All Reasons.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035405_dark_chocolate_weight_loss_health.html#ixzz1qchiSXzo

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Vegetarians beware: Starbucks admits to using beetle extract in popular drink coloring

2012-03-30T10:23:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) For being a multinational corporate food and beverage giant, Starbucks has actually been among the most proactive in ridding its offerings of toxic additives and artificial colors, and switching to natural alternatives. But the company's recent decision to change its Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino blended beverage formula has the vegan community in an uproar, as ground-up beetles now constitute part of the drink's natural coloring components.

According to reports, Starbucks switched its formula back in January, replacing a formerly-vegan coloring agent with the beetle-derived agent. And a vegan Starbucks barista reportedly captured a photo of the beverage's ingredients list recently, which is not posted on the Starbucks corporate website, and sent it to ThisDishIsVegetarian.com, a vegan news blog devoted to animal rights issues.

You can view a picture of the Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino ingredients list at: http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com

The ingredient in question is cochineal extract, which is made from the ground-up bodies of cochineal beetles. This primarily South American and Mexican insect naturally produces a substance known as carminic acid that can be extracted, mixed with either aluminum or calcium salts, and turned into carmine dye.

Even though carmine extract is technically considered to be natural, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that the additive must be properly labeled on foods, a mandate that went into effect in early 2011. Prior to that ruling, cochineal extract and other bug-derived additives had to be labeled as either "artificial colors" or "color added," according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Vegans have long enjoyed Strawberries & Creme Frappuccinos precisely because they have always contained only vegan ingredients, which is why there is currently a groundswell of customer backlash. Starbucks says it made the switch as part of ongoing efforts to make its food and beverages healthier, but in the process, it failed to properly disclose this information to the public.

Daelyn Fortney, co-founder of ThisDishIsVegetarian.com, is now pushing for Starbucks to revert back to vegan natural colorings like red beet, black carrots, or purple sweet potatoes, which are commonly used to create red colors in natural foods. Going one step further than this, Michael Jacobson, Executive Director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), says Starbucks should just use strawberries to color its strawberry beverages.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.suntimes.com

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c3

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035408_Starbucks_cochineal_extract_food_color.html#ixzz1qcdZnEKd

by: Jonathan Benson

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Citrus fruit may help lower the risk of stroke in women

2012-03-29T09:53:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) A study recently carried out at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom and published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that a compound found in citrus fruit can help lower the risk of ischemic stroke. The research showed that women who consumed high amounts of oranges and grapefruit had a 19 percent lower risk of stroke than women who did not regularly consume any citrus fruit.

Citrus flavonoids improve brain blood flow

The study looked at how a very specific subclass of flavonoids founds in citrus fruit impacted on the risk of stroke. Flavonoids are phytochemicals that are generally responsible for the yellow, red and blue pigmentation in fruits and vegetables, and can also be found in tea, wine and cacao. Numerous studies have shown that flavonoids have a powerful antioxidant potential, surpassing even vitamins C and E. Scientists have recently discovered that flavonoids may even trigger mechanisms inside the body that inhibit tumor growth. While all plant foods are sources of flavonoids, they are highly concentrated in citrus fruits, onion, berries, parsley, green tea, red wine and dark chocolate (with a very high pure cacao content).

Earlier studies had suggested that citrus flavonoids have beneficial effects on capillary permeability and blood flow. Lead study author and nutrition professor, Aedin Cassidy, talked about taking this research a step further. "Studies have shown higher fruit, vegetable and specifically vitamin C intake is associated with reduced stroke risk. Flavonoids are thought to provide some of that protection through several mechanisms, including improved blood vessel function and an anti-inflammatory effect," she explained.

Oranges proved most effective against stroke

Dr. Cassidy's team looked at 14 years worth of research data, which included reports from nearly 70,000 women who had detailed their dietary habits. The women mentioned their fruit and vegetable intake every four years. The researchers then investigated the relationship among six main classes of flavonoids and the risk hemorrhagic, ischemic and total stroke. Since the various types of flavonoids are biologically different, no association was found between total flavonoid intake and stroke risk. However, when the researchers looked closely at each sub-class, they discovered that citrus flavonoids can significantly lower the risk of ischemic stroke.

Although the participating women had primarily consumed orange and grapefruit juice, the science team recommends that people eat the entire fruits, as they have less sugar and considerably more fiber than commercially available fruit juices.

A number of other studies have also turned to the relationship between citrus consumption and intracerebral hemorrhage. One of the studies found oranges to be more effective against stroke than other fruits, while another one revealed that pears and apples also promote capillary health and improve brain blood flow. In spite of this data, Dr. Cassidy believes more research is needed to confirm the association between specific flavonoids and the risk of stroke, as well as to understand why such an association occurs.

Sources for this article include:

http://stroke.ahajournals.org

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120223182638.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2480745

About the author:
Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others, using the Internet as her medium. She discusses topics in a straight forward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. She has authored and published hundreds of articles on topics such as the raw food diet and green living in general. In 2010, Michelle created RawFoodHealthWatch.com, to share with people her approach to the raw food diet and detoxification

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035387_citrus_fruit_stroke_risk_women.html#ixzz1qWeo6rDA

News from www.Borganic.org

Pink slime factories shuttered after massive public backlash

2012-03-29T08:42:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) For several decades now, the conventional beef industry has secretly been lacing ground beef products with an industrial, ammonia-laced byproduct known as "pink slime," a disturbing fact that recently came to the forefront of national attention after Food Network chef Jamie Oliver first drew attention to its existence. And consumer backlash has been so strong ever since that a number of supermarket chains, restaurants, and even schools have decided to stop supplying it, which has caused its primary producer, Beef Products Inc. (BPI), to close three of its four manufacturing plants.

USA Today and others are reporting that Dakota Dunes, South Dakota-based BPI is temporarily closing its Waterloo, Iowa; Garden City, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas plants for an indefinite period of time as a result of widespread consumer rejection of pink slime products. Workers at these plants will continue to receive pay and benefits for the next 60 days, but it is unclear what will happen after these next two months expire, should the plants continue to remain closed.

Meanwhile, BPI is launching an aggressive public relations campaign to fight back against its critics, which includes claiming that pink slime is "100 percent beef," and that it is a highly-nutritious and safe product. And many in the media are jumping onboard this propaganda bandwagon by spinning the situation back against consumers, who are technically victims that have been been duped all these years into buying ground beef products that were secretly adulterated with pink slime.

In case you missed the original story, pink slime, which is officially known as "lean finely textured beef," is basically a low-cost ground beef filler composed of beef scraps that are mashed, processed with a chemical ammonia solution, and turned into an unappetizing pink paste, the pictures of which have circulated the internet in recent months (http://www.naturalnews.com/035255_pink_slime_USDA_school_lunches.html).

This pink slime has been added to roughly 70 percent of all ground beef products since the 1990s, but few were aware of it. Pink slime is obviously not labeled on ground beef packages, and the only way consumers can know for sure that they are not consuming it is to buy local or organic ground beef, or to watch the beef being ground fresh before buying it.

BPI, mainstream media launch attack on consumers for rejecting pink slime

It is abundantly clear that the vast majority of American consumers are not interested in feeding their children a highly-processed additive that has been treated with toxic ammonia, which is why the product is being pulled from grocery store shelves, restaurant menus, and schools all across the country. But BPI is not going down without a fight, as it is launching a campaign that basically insults the intelligence of Americans by claiming that pink slime is no different from real beef.

But according to former U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist Gerald Zirnstein, pink slime is not actually meat, nor is it as nutritious as meat, a sentiment to which his former colleague Carl Custer also agrees. And Kit Foshee, a former executive at BPI, appears to hold the same view, having told ABC News that pink slime is processed from fat and cuts that would otherwise not ever be used as food.

"Microbiologically safe and nutritionally complete are two different issues," said Custer to ABC News, referring to BPI's claim that pink slime contains little fat and is pathogen-free. "It may be pink [but], nutritionally, it is not equivalent to whole-muscle tissue" (http://abcnews.go.com).

Sources for this article include:

http://www.guardian.co.uk

http://yourlife.usatoday.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035396_pink_slime_factories_ammonia.html#ixzz1qWNThvc8

by: Jonathan Benson

News from www.Borganic.org

Beets help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease

2012-03-28T11:09:00.001-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) It figures: one of the least tasty vegetables turns out to be among the healthiest - beets. Fortunately, raw beets work well for juicing. Beets mixed with juiced fresh carrots, some apple and some greens thrown in then topped off with a freshly squeezed lemon provides a tasty vegetable juice.

Beets lose a lot of their nutritional value if cooked more than 15 minutes. This means the the most delicious beet entree offered, beet soup with a couple of dollops of sour cream, won't support your health as much as raw beets.

In addition to juicing, you can thinly slice or shred them for a raw topping on salads, which is actually pretty tasty. Buying organic beets with the attached plant greens gives you an added nutritious vegetable to steam or juice. Beet greens are a lot like chard.

When separating the beets from their plant leaves, leave an inch or so of the plant attached to the beet. This prevents the beets from "bleeding." When you're ready to use the beets, peel the outer skin with a good peeler and slice or dice appropriately for your food or juice application.

What health value comes from this effort?

Beets are widely known to help create red blood cells. The red pigment color of beets is from a group of phyotonutrients known as betalains. Betalains are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying agents that are richer in beets than other plant foods.

Beet betalains provide some cancer prevention capacity, especially against colon cancer. In vitro (test tube or petri dish) lab tests have reported beet betalain suppression of human cancer cells.

The anti-inflammatory aspect of betalains helps prevent many chronic diseases and promotes cardiovascular health. Early research indicates the betalains support nerve and eye tissue better than most other anti-oxidants.

It has been observed that betalains provide a more varied and higher antioxidant value than most other vegetables containing beta-carotene. In addition to the high betalain phytonutrient content, beets are very high in vitamin C, folate (a natural source of folic acid), manganese, magnesium, and potassium. The fiber in beets is similar to carrots and supports gastrointestinal health.

When it comes to detoxing, certain enzymes in beet betalains stimulate glutathione production and connect toxins to glutathione molecules. Then the toxins are neutralized and excreted harmlessly (http://www.naturalnews.com/027114_glutathione_antioxidant_GSH.html).

Beeturia, pink or red urine, occurs rarely after consuming beets. Beeturia could be an indicator of a low iron metabolism capacity at worst. A more likely occurrence is pink or red water surrounding one's stool after consuming beets.

Dr. John Douillard DC, who also specializes in Ayurvedic medicine, recommends using the red stool from beets as a marker for your digestive cycle. If it happens less than 12 hours after consuming beets, it's likely your digestive cycle is too short and you're not absorbing enough nutrients.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=49

http://www.aimforherbs.com/remakingbeets.html

http://healthforu.info/health/healthfood/Beets-Health-Food.php

About the author:
Paul Fassa is dedicated to warning others about the current corruption of food and medicine and guiding others toward a direction for better health with no restrictions on health freedom. You can visit his blog at http://healthmaven.blogspot.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035377_beets_cancer_cardiovascular_disease.html#ixzz1qR7265A4

News from www.Borganic.org

Curcumin found to prevent brain degenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's

2012-03-28T10:31:00.001-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Curcumin, the bioactive compound found in the Indian curry spice turmeric and commonly referred to as 'holy powder', has been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat wounds, infections, and other health problems. Today researchers are using the power of the evolving science of epigenetics to reveal how curcumin is crucial in the fight against many forms of cancer, as it causes metastatic cells to undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis.

Researchers from Michigan State University, publishing the result of a study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry have found that this amazing natural compound is able to prevent the destructive formation of alpha-synuclein proteins that are the hallmark presentation in many neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin is one a very select group of structures that is able to cross the delicate blood-brain barrier to affect biochemical and electrical activities in the brain. The turmeric derivative has demonstrated the unique capability to prevent clumping or aggregation leading to disease development.

Curcumin aids protein folding to prevent brain tangles and degeneration

The team lead researcher, Dr. Basir Ahmad and scientists conducting the study commented "Our research shows that curcumin can rescue proteins from aggregation, the first steps of many debilitating diseases... more specifically, curcumin binds strongly to alpha-synuclein and prevents aggregation at body temperatures."

The team used precise lasers to study the split-second formation of proteins known as 'protein folding'. Normally, proteins are folded at lightning fast speed at the direction of genes and DNA sequences. Damage to DNA caused by poor diet and lifestyle factors from epigenetic alterations results in mis-folded proteins and neurodegenerative disease.

Researchers found that when curcumin attaches to alpha-synuclein it not only stops clumping, but it also raises the protein's folding or reconfiguration rate. By slowing the speed that the proteins form, curcumin effectively inhibits abnormal protein clumping to prevent tangles and damage to the nerve synapses. Chemical and electrical communications are retained that help to help prevent the early manifestation of Parkinson's disease.

Curcumin can be added to the diet with liberal use of the Indian curry spice in meal preparation. Many people do not enjoy the taste of curry infused foods. For those individuals, nutrition advisors recommend a standardized supplement (std. to 95% total curcuminoids for maximum bioavailability) providing 300 to 500 mg daily to prevent neurodegenerative decline.

Sources for this article include:
http://news.msu.edu
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/243166.php
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-curcumin-parkinson-disease.html
http://www.nutraingredients.com

About the author:
John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035380_curcumin_degenerative_disease_brain.html#ixzz1qR5AJnCQ

News from www.Borganic.org

Beware dangerous new advice to use daily aspirin to prevent cancer

2012-03-27T11:10:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Before anyone jumps on the latest mainstream media bandwagon and begins taking daily aspirin to prevent cancer, there are several strong reasons to hesitate. To begin with, the study which produced the media storm was flawed and the claimed benefits are highly questionable.

The new aspirin study was conducted by Professor Peter Rothwell at the Stroke Prevention Research Unit at Oxford University. According to the study, taking an aspirin a day could reduce your risk of cancer within three years after beginning the therapy. Only two years earlier, Professor Rothwell published a previous study which suggested that protective benefits would be seen only after 10 years of daily aspirin use.

The new findings are actually just a re-analysis of about 90 previously published studies. For unexplained reasons, the new analysis failed to look at several major US trials which failed to find any protective benefit from aspirin. Also, the average dose of aspirin in the studies which were examined was far above the recommended "safe" dose of 75 mg.

Professor Rothwell appears to have come full circle regarding aspirin. In 2007 he published a study which found that aspirin was a major cause of stroke in the elderly and had caused a sevenfold increase in strokes over the past twenty five years among elderly patients. At the time, he warned that aspirin could soon replace high blood pressure as the leading cause of stroke among the elderly.

Notably, Professor Rothwell has received honoraria for serving on advisory boards, clinical trial committees and giving talks from some pharmaceutical companies with an interest in anti-platelet agents, including Bayer, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi-BMS and Servier.

The catch is that there really is no safe dose of aspirin.

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a synthesized version of a compound originally discovered in willow bark. One of the more common dangerous side effects of the regular use of aspirin is intestinal bleeding. Other side effects include ulcers, kidney dysfunction, and stroke.

Here are just a few indications of how harmful aspirin can be:

* Researchers from Virginia Medical School, who examined medical records of hospital deaths, estimated that the drug is killing around 20,000 in the US alone.

* Randomized clinical trials testing aspirin in 5011 elderly people showed that use of aspirin caused a 4-fold increase in hemorrhagic stroke and a 1.6- to 1.8-fold increase in ischemic stroke.

* As noted in the 1999 Associated Press article titled "The Silent Epidemic", death by analgesics (over the counter pain killers such as aspirin and other NSAIDs) is the 15th most common cause of death in America.

* The American Journal of Medicine reported that conservative calculations estimate that approximately 107,000 patients are hospitalized annually for NSAID-related gastrointestinal complications and at least 16,500 NSAID-related deaths occur each year among arthritis patients alone

* Each year 1600 children with Reye's syndrome and other allergies die from taking aspirin.

* Rather than being a nutrient, aspirin is an anti-nutrient. It depletes the body of life-saving nutrient folic acid as well as iron, potassium, sodium, and vitamin C. Symptoms of folic acid depletion include anemia, birth defects, elevated homocysteine (itself a significant heart disease risk factor), fatigue, headache, insomnia, diarrhea, increased infection and hair loss.

Millions of people already take daily aspirin due to doctors' advice and mainstream propaganda that daily aspirin will prevent heart attacks and strokes. What aspirin does is enable thinner blood to be more easily pushed through clogged arteries.

When it comes to preventing cancer, strokes, heart attacks and other illness, by far the best and healthiest plan is to eat a healthy diet and lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

Sources:

http://www.wddty.com
http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(98)00072-2/abstract
http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/29/5/887.full
http://www.wddty.com
http://the-health-gazette.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035369_aspirin_prevent_cancer_side_effects.html#ixzz1qNmaAzFl

author:
Tony Isaacs

News from www.Borganic.org

Ten ways to spot a pervasive low energy problem from adrenal fatigue

2012-03-26T11:23:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) Feeling run down and fatigued often or chronically can be connected to adrenal fatigue. Even hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone production) is often related to adrenal fatigue.

Unfortunately, modern mainstream medicine only recognizes the extreme version of adrenal fatigue known as Addison's disease. It's actually pretty rare, around four out of 100,000 are diagnosed with Addison's disease, which is usually connected to a severe autoimmune disease.

What is termed adrenal fatigue, or non-Addison's hypoadrenia, is not part of mainstream medical literature, except as a debunk item. They ignore it because their testing methods are not measuring lower hormonal levels from depleted adrenals.

So when someone is experiencing known hypoadrenia symptoms, most of which are listed below, he or she has a good chance of being told nothing's wrong or worse, getting misdiagnosed and put on pharmaceuticals.

But holistic health practitioners, along with an increasing number of MDs, say that adrenal fatigue does exist and does cause problems that reduce optimal health, probably leading to even more debilitating diseases.

Some call it the 21rst Century Stress Syndrome. Most of us know that we are living with more toxic levels of day to day stress than ever before.

The adrenal glands come in pairs, with each one located above each kidney. They are involved with producing and distributing 50 hormones. When kicked in by the sympathetic nervous system's "fight or flight" stimulus, the adrenal glands crank up the cortisol.

Even low level chronic stress creates higher cortisol levels that make it difficult to really relax while messing up one's sleep cycles and digestion. It also produces symptoms similar to hypothyroidism.

Ten obvious adrenal fatigue symptoms

(1) Fatigue is a given. It can manifest as very slow to awaken fully after a good night's sleep or chronic.
(2) Low sex drive or sexual energy.
(3) Strong cravings for sugar, salt, and fats.
(4) Dizzy or light headed while getting up quickly from sitting or prone positions.
(5) PMS or menopausal symptom increase.
(6) Mood swings that were uncharacteristic earlier in life.
(7) Mental fogginess with memory issues.
(8) Hormonal imbalance and/or depletion.
(9) Constant muscular tension leading to hypertension and high blood pressure. Inability to relax completely.
(10) Autoimmune issues: constantly catching colds or allergic reactions.

There are a few more, however these are the most salient and common symptoms to alert you to the possibility of adrenal fatigue, which is an actual condition that affects many.

Avoiding or reversing adrenal fatigue

Many recommend yoga, especially mastering the corpse pose for total relaxation. Meditation done regularly is an excellent stress reducer.

Lifestyle changes include better sleep, rest, and naps when needed with some form of exercise all help diminish the effects of too much cortisol accumulated from constant stress.

Many health experts point to vitamin B12 as vital for adrenal and thyroid health. Oral supplements are difficult to assimilate, so it's important to use a B12 sublingual version or B12 patch with methylcobalamin B12.

The most commonly used B12, cyanocobalamin, is disdained as counterproductive to B12 assimilation by experts. Avoid it.

According to Dr. Sherill Sellman, a non-junk food diet with minimal stimulants, alcohol, sugar, and sugar substitutes helps greatly.

She recommends increased magnesium, and B-complex with more attention to B5. She considers high dose vitamin C with smaller doses spread out through the day as highly supportive to adrenal health.

A really good way to easily assimilate mega doses of vitamin C is with liposomal encapsulated vitamin C. You can buy it online or make your own. Find out more here (http://www.naturalnews.com).

Sources for this article include:

Video adrenal seminar (lengthy): http://youtu.be/SM9vDjCuhvQ

http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm

Medical estabishment arrogance: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adrenal-fatigue/AN01583

Dr. Sellman (short video): http://youtu.be/WD3Ovw2CK0o

About the author:
Paul Fassa is dedicated to warning others about the current corruption of food and medicine and guiding others toward a direction for better health with no restrictions on health freedom. You can visit his blog at http://healthmaven.blogspot.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035356_adrenal_fatigue_low_energy_solutions.html#ixzz1qFTzowmC

News from www.Borganic.org

Sugar takes on high fructose corn syrup in high stakes legal battle

2012-03-26T11:19:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) In what has all the appearances of the pot calling the kettle black, two of the unhealthiest and most widely consumed items in the American diet are headed to court to decide which one is more evil. Big Sugar is taking on Big Corn and their High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) in a landmark battle scheduled to go before a Los Angeles federal judge this week.

Sugar producers are accusing their corn industry rivals of false advertising by casting HFCS as "nutritionally the same as table sugar" and claiming that "your body can't tell the difference." The sugar group contends that HFCS is far less healthy than table sugar and is demanding that the Corn Refiners Association ads be halted as well as demanding payment of unspecified monetary damages.

Medical research on the metabolic effects of consuming sugar versus high fructose corn syrup has consistently indicated heightened risks from the liquid sweetener, said Michael I. Goran, director of the Child Obesity Research Center at USC's Keck School of Medicine.

"There's definitely a difference in metabolic fate and outcome of fructose ingestion relative to glucose," Goran said, noting that HFCS contains more fructose, as its name implies. "So the more you tip the scale toward fructose, the more those negative effects kick in."

A battle between unhealthy giants to see which is worse

High fructose corn syrup was invented in 1957. It took another 20 years to develop a low-cost production method for HFCS. After tariffs that drove up the cost of imported cane and beet sugars, and federal subsidies that drove down the cost of corn, HFCS usage quickly exploded. In 1972, the average American consumed about 1.2 pounds of the HFCS. By 1999, average consumption had ballooned to over 63 pounds.

The reason that food makers have flocked to HFCS in recent decades is because it is cheaper to make, helps stabilize foods, allows for better browning of baked goods and provides a more concentrated sweetness than the same amount of sugar.

In the last ten years, HFCS usage has plummeted by more than 20% as consumers have grown increasingly wary of the sweetener which has been blamed for America's large and expanding obesity epidemic and a wide array of other health problems, including liver damage, diabetes, heart problems and even mercury consumption. About a decade ago, the surgeon general first expressed alarm over the rapid and ubiquitous spread of the sweetener in processed foods and concerns about HFCS have mounted ever since.

Because of its tarnished image the association representing corn growers, processors and distributors has applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to officially change the name of HFCS to "corn sugar", a move vehemently opposed by the sugar industry.

It isn't just Big Sugar, however, that opposes high fructose corn syrup's efforts to rebrand itself.

"If sugar wanted to change its name to 'highly nutritious vitamins' we would oppose that too," said James S. Turner, a Washington attorney who heads pro-sugar's Citizens for Health.

Both sugar and HFCS rake in hundreds of billions of dollars per year. Though HFCS is considered the unhealthier of the two, table sugar is also horribly unhealthy. The World Health Organization has labeled refined sugar as a leading cause of illness in the world today. Both should be avoided.

According to the USDA, the average American consumed 888 calories per day from sweeteners with an average consumption of 35 pounds of high fructose corn syrup and 47 pounds of sugar per person in 2010 - more than triple the per-capita sweetener intake elsewhere in the world.

Sources included:

http://www.latimes.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/029951_HFCS_corn_sugar.html
http://www.dailyfinance.com

About the author:
Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts
The Best Years in Life website for those who
wish to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer,
healthier and happier lives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and
articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's
Natural Enemy" and is working on a major book project due to be published
later this year. He is also a contributing author for the worldwide advocacy
group "S.A N.E.Vax. Inc" which endeavors to
uncover the truth about HPV vaccine dangers.

Mr. Isaacs also has The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. In addition, he hosts the Yahoo Oleandersoup Health group of over 2500 members and the CureZone Ask Tony Isaacs - Featuring Luella May forum, where he also serves as the local moderator for the Cancer Alternatives forum. Mr. Isaacs serves as a consultant to the "Utopia
Silver Supplement Company and he and his partner Luella May recently began hosting The Best Years in Life Radio Show for Rumor Mill News on the Micro Effect Radio Network.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035358_sugar_high_fructose_corn_syrup_lawsuit.html#ixzz1qFSyK62x

News from Borganic

Use proven natural remedies and herbs to treat joint pain

2012-03-22T10:42:00.002-07:00

(www.borganic.org) Though typically referred to as a single condition characterized by chronic joint pain, arthritis is actually a collective grouping of more than 100 different diseases involving joint inflammation for which many conventional doctors simply prescribe pain drugs as a one-size-fits-all solution. But rather than resort to a lifetime of taking chemical toxins that fail to address the root causes of arthritis, why not try some natural, herbal alternatives that have been proven to provide lasting benefits without causing negative side effects?

Whether you or someone you know suffers from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout, there are many herbal remedies known to treat arthritis-causing inflammation and pain symptoms. And many of these remedies do more than just treat the systems, as they systemically enhance the body's ability to heal joint tissue and protect it from further damage.

Lemon verbena extract and omega-3 fish oil

In 2011, researchers from Spain published a study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM) revealing how lemon verbena extract combined with omega-3 fish oil is a powerful weapon in defeating chronic joint pain. After just nine weeks of treatment, patients taking this combination experienced as much as a 78 percent reduction in their pain symptoms, based on trusted scientific assessments of pain (http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/444/011264-444.html).

"The nutritional supplement containing standardized lemon verbena extract (14 percent verbascoside, w/w) and fish oil omega-3 fatty acid reduced symptoms of pain and stiffness significantly, and improved physical function as shown by WOMAC (Western Ontario McMaster) and Lequesne's scores after nine weeks of treatment," wrote the authors (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22087615).

Organic sulfur

Organic sulfur, the precursor of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate, two sulfur-based amino acids commonly found in arthritis supplements, is crucial to maintaining bone and joint health. And yet this important nutrient has largely disappeared from the modern food supply due to the advent of chemical-based fertilizers used in industrial agriculture, which have depleted bioavailable sulfur from soils and disrupted the natural sulfur cycle (http://www.naturalnews.com/026797_sulfur_organic.html).

This is why any attempt to quell arthritis pain must include supplementation with bioavailable, organic sulfur crystals, also known as methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), derived from natural plant sources. Many mainstream MSM formulas contain processed sulfur that is largely ineffective, so be sure to look for pure, organic sulfur crystals in "flake" form rather than in powder or capsule form (http://www.organicsulfur-msm.ca/cellular_matrix_study.html).

Nettle leaf

Nettle leaf, also known as "stinging nettles," is an herb that has long been used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation. Rich in natural boron, silicon, and other minerals, nettle has been shown in a number of studies to effectively treat all forms of arthritis, as well as tendinitis and bursitis. Nettle leaf can also be made into a topical cream useful in relieving arthritis symptoms externally (http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/benefits-of/nettles-leaf).

"[A]ll except one respondent were sure that nettles had been very helpful (in treating joint pain) and several considered themselves cured," wrote authors in a 1999 study out of Plymouth Postgraduate Medical School in the U.K. concerning nettle leaf.

Sources for this article include:

http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/444/011264-444.html

http://www.herbalremedies.com/arthritispain.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035318_joint_pain_natural_remedies_herbs.html#ixzz1prvYRItx

by: Ethan A. Huff

News from www.Borganic.org

The five best home remedies for colds, coughs and the flu

2012-03-22T09:14:00.002-07:00

(www.Borganic.org) From the pantry to the bedside, home remedies you can make in a snap help prevent seasonal colds or cure a stubborn case of the flu.

Garlic tea immune enhancer

A well-known immune system strengthener, garlic shines as an antibacterial and antiviral herb for fighting colds, coughs and the flu. One of the best ways to take advantage of garlic's healing properties is by drinking fresh garlic tea. Sweetened with a little raw honey, it's delicious and helps to heal what ails you. Peel 2 to 3 cloves of fresh garlic and lightly crush them with the side of a wide knife blade. Add them to 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for another 15 minutes. Strain the garlic and allow the tea to cool to mouth temperature. Add raw honey, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. Drink as much as desired.

Red onion and raw honey cough syrup

A wonderful home remedy for adults or kids suffering from a cough uses brown cane sugar, raw honey or stevia and red onions to make a soothing and tasty cough syrup. Wash, peel and slice the entire onion horizontally. Starting with the base of the onion, layer the slices in a bowl alternating with layers of raw honey or brown sugar. Stevia powder works well for this home remedy too; however, it is extremely sweet. Continue adding layers of onion and sweetener until the entire onion is reconstructed in the bowl. Cover and allow the sweetened onion to remain in the bowl on your counter for about 12-15 hours or overnight. The next day, there will be about a cup or more of sweet syrup in the bowl. The cough syrup contains a range of nutrients, vitamins and minerals from the onion and the honey to help fight infection and soothe sore throats and quiet a cough. Take a spoonful as needed. Has no onion-y taste.

Raw honey and lemon for sore throats

A mixture of fresh lemon juice and raw honey provides soothing relief for sore throats and helps stop the tickle that stimulates coughing. Raw honey -- with all its components including royal jelly, propolis and bee pollen -- is high in nutrients and enzymes which kill bacteria and viruses. The vitamin C and antioxidants found in fresh lemons boost the immune system, speeding healing. Together these two home remedies are a powerhouse for getting over a cold and sore throat. Mix the juice of 1/2 the lemon with 2 to 3 tablespoons of honey and sip throughout the day as needed.

Chicken soup antiviral

Chicken soup really does act to knock out a cold or the flu and hasten healing. As long ago as the 12th century, the Jewish physician Maimonides recommended consuming chicken soup to fight colds and flu. Take advantage of the high antioxidant properties and nutrients found in organic vegetables and chicken. Although non-organic chicken soup may relieve some cold symptoms, it also supplies the body with pesticides, growth hormones, herbicides and antibiotics that are not recommended for well being. Go organic all the way and get well quickly.

Mullein tea for coughs and congestion

Mullein tea is well-known for relieving chest congestion from coughs, colds and the flu. It acts as an expectorant, loosening trapped mucous and soothing sore throats. Make mullein tea by filling a tea ball or strainer with dried mullein herb and steeping in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Sweeten with raw honey and drink as needed to relieve symptoms.

Sources for this article include:
University of Maryland Medical Center: Cough
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/cough-000042.htm

Health911.com: Coughs
http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_coughs.htm

Linus Pauling Institute: Garlic and Organosulfur Compounds
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/garlic/

Office of Health Promotion University of Utah: Cold, Flu and Sore Throat
https://www.sa.utah.edu/ohp/top/ColdFluorSoreThroat.htm

HolisticOnline.com: Herbal Medicine for Flu
http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Flu/Flu_herbal-medicine.htm

About the author:
JB Bardot is trained in herbal medicine and homeopathy, and has a post graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle. You can find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001364941208&ref=tn_tnmn or on Twitter at jbbardot23

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