The environment in your home may be making you sick. Indoor air quality is often ignored. There are hundreds of factors that create indoor air pollution that may be affecting your health. It is impossible to remove ourselves from ALL toxic exposure but we can take small steps to clean our home environments and reduce our toxic exposure.
Especially in the winter when we spend more time indoors the health of our indoor air is especially important. Cases of carbon monoxide and radon poisoning inside homes increase during the winter. Here are a few of the most potential sources of dangerous toxins.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, are often found in our indoor air. VOCs have been linked to many health issues, including cancer and neurological problems. VOCs have many industrial uses and there are also naturally occurring VOCs in the air, water and soil, often these compounds find their way into our homes.
Benzene is a common solvent and is present in many common items including gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics, and rubber. In addition it is used in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and dyes. Relatively low levels of chronic exposure causes headaches, loss of appetite, drowsiness, nervousness, psychological disturbances and diseases of the blood system, including anemia and bone marrow diseases.
Formaldehyde is in furniture and fixtures. The formaldehyde is the worst culprit in the home. It is identified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Formaldehyde is a colorless and flammable chemical used in many household products, building materials, furniture, and carpets. It is also found in "wrinkle-free" and preshrunk clothing. Fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves and kerosene heaters, are significant sources of formaldehyde. Since this toxic gas may be floating around in your home, it is essential to keep the home well ventilated, especially at night.
Two of the major sources of formaldehyde include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and particleboard (pressed wood products) used in manufacturing of the office furniture. Other consumer paper products, which have been treated with UF resins, include grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels. UF resins are used as stiffeners, wrinkle resisters, water repellents, fire retardants and adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backings and permanent-press clothes.
Formaldehyde is a highly reactive chemical, which combines with proteins in the body and can cause allergic contact dermatitis. It irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat with the most widely reported symptoms to include irritation of the eyes and headaches. Formaldehyde exposure may create asthma symptoms. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research has identified causation between formaldehyde exposure and a rare type of throat cancer in long-term occupants of mobile homes.
Cleaning products often contain ethylene based glycols and chlorine (bleach). The most dangerous chemicals are those found in floor cleaners, paints, plastics and synthetic fibers. The typical household has over three gallons of toxic cleaners in it.
According to the EPA, this water-soluble solvent (ethylene based glycols) is classified as a hazardous air pollutant. Bleach based cleaning products can react with other chemicals to create volatile chlorinated compounds, which can be deadly if inhaled. A European study (2008) found that breathing in chlorine-based compounds could "significantly increase the cancer risk."
The bug spray we spray in our homes contains chemicals that can affect the nervous system, endocrine system and hormone levels. Some insecticides may even be carcinogenic (cancer causing).
Dry cleaning chemicals contain PERC or percloroethylene. PERC has a distinct smell on dry cleaned clothes. PERC and several other dry cleaning byproducts like carbon tetrachloride are known liver carcinogens. Help protect yourself by removing the plastic wrap from your clothing and airing them out in the garage or outside for 24 hours before you wear them.
For those of us with indoor winter allergies to mold, dust and pet danger, indoor air quality is very important. These allergens and chemical compounds in the air make allergy symptoms worse and can trigger other respiratory ailments, such as asthma.
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) scientists in the 1980s examined common indoor houseplants as a way to promote clean air. They researched plants, which could serve as oxygen producing sources on long space flights. This benchmark research on plants and indoor air quality found certain plants were more effective than others at removing harmful compounds from the air.
Marc Hachadourian, plant scientist and a director at the New York Botanical Garden, tells us all plants through a photosynthetic process filter out carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as a byproduct. Filtering pollutants and storing them is a byproduct of the plant’s life process.
NASA has developed a list of the best plants for absorbing benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Research the plant species before you buy it and introduce it into your home as some species are toxic to animals.
Research has demonstrated plants lower stress levels of people working in office environments compared to where there are no plants. Studies also demonstrate getting outdoors in nature helps stress levels as well.
NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) findings, from a 2-year study, suggest plants in your office or home are not only decorative, but are useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings ---natural way of combating “SICK BUILDING SYNDROME”. Sick Building Syndrome refers to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene that are often found in our indoor air. Formaldehyde is in furniture and fixtures.
Because living plants are extremely efficient at absorbing air contaminants in the, they have been launched into space as part of the biological life support systems and will likely be used on orbiting space stations.
Plant studies have revealed that Philodendron, Spider plant and the Golden Pothos plants are effective in removing formaldehyde molecules. Gerbera daisy and chrysanthemums are rated superior in removing benzene from the environment. Other good performers are Dracaena Massangeana, Spathiphyllum, and Golden Pothos. Plant researcher, Wolverton has determined that plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria are all important in removing trace levels of toxic vapors.
TOP 10 plants most effective in removing
Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Carbon Monoxide from the air are:
Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifritzii
Chinese Evergreen – Aglaonema Modestum
English Ivy Hedera Helix
Gerbera Daisy Gerbera Jamesonii
Janet Craig – Dracaena “Janet Craig”
Marginata – Dracaena Marginata
Mass cane/Corn Plant – Dracaena Massangeana
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Sansevieria Laurentii
Pot Mum – Chrysantheium morifolium
Peace Lily – Spathiphyllum
Warneckii – Dracaena “Warneckii”
Although plants can be of great help in eliminating airborne toxins, a highly sensitive person should avoid introducing these chemicals into your home at all. Start by eliminating toxic cleaning products. It can be as simple as purchasing "green" and non-toxic products at your local natural market. You can even make your own homemade cleaning products. For example vinegar and water is a great disinfectant and degreaser while baking soda sprinkled with clove oil can be used to scrub and disinfect your bathroom.
https://weather.com/health/allergy/news/best-plants-for-cleaner-indoor-air
http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html
http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/indoor-plants-combat-air-pollution
http://www.naturalnews.com/z036962_indoor_air_toxic_chemicals_cleaning_products.html
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Vertigo Has Many Causes
Since I had a vertigo attack last week it has been fore front in my thoughts. The trigger was a combination of changeable weather and an inner ear virus. I could not stop the nausea on my own so I ended up in the emergency room. A week later I am still trying to retrain my inner ear equilibrium. I decided it was a good time to republish my article on migraine and vertigo.
For many of us migraine and vertigo are related to lifestyle choices. This is not a criticism: it is an acceptance of reality because sometimes we do not even know which choice led to manifesting a migraine. Modern life can be toxic—especially modern chemistry. Migraine triggers include: Foods, Stress, Sensory stimuli, Changes in wake-sleep pattern, Physical environment factors, Changes in the weather, Hormonal changes, and Medications.
I painted my living room—the chemicals in the paint created a feeling of anxiety, my throat and lungs hurt, and my vision blurred. In another case I did not realize that I was hyper-reactive to the nitrites and sulfites used as food preservatives. I was drinking red wine for my health and the next thing I know I have a headache, blurred vision and racing heart.
I have learned from experience that the toxicity, in processed foods and manmade environmental toxins, has an accumulative effect—especially when mixed with emotional and mental stress. It is the accumulative effect that is never or seldom scientifically researched. Each individual chemical or medication is studied on its own and this skews the information we are given on product usage, or from physicians. For me it is the cumulative effect of food sensitivities along with my individual structural self that creates the “perfect storm” that are my migraines.
Food and chemical sensitivities, and allergic reactions are a huge, complex, and highly individual topic. If you have true allergic reactions, it is essential to understand these thoroughly with the help of a physician, as allergic reactions can be deadly. Many of us are aware of foods, medications, chemicals, and other issues that trigger our migraines. However we also need to be aware that physical body structural issues and concerns can trigger migraines.
Migraine symptoms can be frightening. Some individuals experience extreme head pain while others do not. Others will have very odd visual experiences. I once watched the face of the person I was talking to pixilate into colored lights. I have also had objects disappear from my visual field. It is not unusual for one’s first reaction to be—do I have a brain tumor? Stay calm, to avoid panic and anxiety, as these will worsen symptoms by raising your blood pressure. If you are away from home I recommend you do not drive and be honest enough to call family or friends for help.
Many people get nauseous, sensitive to light and sound, or have visual disturbances. If your migraine symptoms are severe and include vertigo you may require a trip to a physician. You can learn to deal with migraine and vertigo to limit their severity.
It is thought that a migraine occurs when swollen blood vessels in the brain press on nearby nerves, causing pain. Migraines can trigger feelings of vertigo. Vertigo occurs when there is a mismatch of information from two or more of these systems in the Central Nervous System. Central Nervous System coordinates and integrates sensory input from the visual, vestibular, andproprioception systems. (Proprioception is the unconscious perception of movement and spatial orientation arising from stimuli within the body itself.)
It is important to know the difference between dizziness and vertigo. Vertigo is the feeling that you or your environment is moving or spinning. Dizziness is a disturbed sense of one’s relationship in space. To physicians dizziness refers to problems with a variety of body systems including circulation, cardiovascular, eyes, brain, and ears. Vertigo is a hallucination of motion frequently caused by inner ear dysfunction. Unsteadiness is a sense of “falling” and may be due to problems with the ear, brain, or nerves. Lightheadedness typically occurs with rapid changes in position and is usually due to a circulation problem such as low blood pressure.
A vertigo migraine is simply another name for what many medical professionals call a vestibular migraine, which is ultimately a migraine that is accompanied by a sense of vertigo. Cervical vertigo is a vertigo or dizziness that is provoked by a particular neck posture. Misaligned Temporo-mandibular joints can cause migraine because of their proximity to the ear.
Vertigo Symptoms
• Visual Aura
Manifests as a flicker in your peripheral vision, spots in your visual field or flashes of light.
• Altered Perception
The room may begin to spin around you, or your surrounding may begin to tilt either up or down.
Dizziness
Caused by that spinning or tilting impression from the vertigo.
• Instability
An overwhelming sense of instability, wobbliness, shakiness, or lack of coordination that may force to sit back down or find a chair almost immediately.
• Nausea
Queasiness which may result in vomiting or retching
• Head Pain
Vertigo migraine will be the severe head pain, overarching throb or a sharp, piercing pain (not every one experiences severe head pain)
• Ringing in the ears
30% of the population will experience vertigo symptoms at sometime in their lifetime. Vertigo, which is an inner ear (vestibular) disorder, can be treated with pharmacological therapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy, surgery or a combination. Because vertigo can be caused by problems in the brain or the inner ear it is important to get a specific assessment from a physician.
Vertigo can be caused by:
• Migraine, a severe form of headache may also cause vertigo. The vertigo is usually followed by a headache. There is often a prior history of similar episodes but no lasting problems.
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is rarely serious and can be treated. It is characterized by the sensation of motion initiated by sudden head movements or moving the head in a certain direction.
• Vertigo may also be caused by inflammation within the inner ear due to a viral or bacterialinner ear infection is characterized by the sudden onset and may be associated with hearing loss.
• Meniere's disease has abrupt onset of severe vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, as well as periods in which the individual is symptom-free.
• Acoustic neuroma is a nerve tissue tumor that can cause vertigo with one-sided ringing in the ear and hearing loss.
• Vertigo can be caused by: 1.) Decreased blood flow to the base of the brain or, 2.) Bleeding into the back of the brain characterized by vertigo, headache, difficulty walking, and inability to look toward the side of the bleed.
• Vertigo is often the presenting symptom in multiple sclerosis.
• Head trauma and neck injury may also result in vertigo, which usually goes away on its own
For certain vertigo conditions a physical therapist will teach the patient the Epley or Semont maneuvers. The Epley or Semont maneuvers movements are designed to help to move calcium debris from any sensitive parts of the inner ear. Gaze Stabilization exercises for vestibular rehabilitation work by improving the neurological connection between the eye and the ear. Balance Exercises are used to improve the neurological reflexes between movement and visual input. Alternative activities such as yoga, Tai Chi or sports like golf and bowling can also improve balance and ease dizziness.
I developed a personal protocol for dealing with my migraine symptoms. My first step is to take an antihistamine. Antihistamines can be used to short circuit migraine and vertigo symptoms in the early stages by helping to eliminate inflammation. If the migraine is food related I take a digestive enzyme and drink plenty of water.
I once had a strong reaction to food preservatives at a restaurant. I was a little bit panic-ed as I get visual disturbance and should not drive. I ordered a big cup of black coffee and the caffeine worked!
For a migraine put your hands in hot water, as hot as you can stand, to help equalize blood circulation away from your brain—or try a hot pack on you stomach. Homeopathic treatments work quiet well but should be tailored to you as a whole person—check with a homeopathic physician or a good homeopathic website. For visual aura problems homeopathic Belladonna works for me. Cervical vertigo and misaligned Temporo-mandibular joints can be treated by a chiropractor.
For my particular needs, I have experienced great improvement by taking supplemental magnesium. Also, have found that if I feel dizzy, disoriented, and clumsy this signals avestibuloocular reflex issue. In this case I go to the chiropractor as soon as possible to check forCervical vertigo (provoked by a particular neck posture) or Misaligned Temporo-mandibular joints.
On occasion I have had a vertigo migraine that caused me to go to the emergency physician and stay in bed for a couple of days. Obviously, my inner ear (balance reflex) was off. When this occurred I found I needed to practice sitting up and walking in order to short circuit the vertigo.
A natural migraine management plan might include supplemental B vitamins, Coenzyme Q10, Magnesium, Calcium, Folate, Omega 3, Vitamin D, Biotin, and Melatonin. If you have a tendency to migraine you might try these lifestyle changes if they are appropriate to you as a unique individual.
1 Rise slowly in the morning to a sitting position at the edge of your bed. Find a spot on the nearest wall to fix your eyes on to steady any dizziness you feel. Stay in bed sitting upright until the dizziness subsides.
2
Limit your exposure to bright light and loud noises. Avoid direct sunlight during the onset of this condition for at least three consecutive days.
3
Sit quietly away from noise. Sitting with your feet up, comfortably relaxing, will help abate the headache.
4
Drink plenty of water, because hydration is a key component to recovery. Avoid alcohol consumption, which will aggravate the condition and/or lengthen your recovery period.
5
Eat a balanced diet. Choose foods like sweet potatoes or a whole grain like brown rice, quinoa, barley and oats. Limit caffeine and chocolate intake over the three days following an acute onset of migraine vertigo.
6
Breathe in slowly and fully expanding your lungs to ease the headache and the pressure. Inhale through your nose, and then exhale through your mouth five times, repeating three times or more, if needed.
7
Move your neck slowly from side to side, shoulder to shoulder. Gently roll your head forward and around while sitting upright in a chair. Do this movement three times with 20 to 30 seconds rest in-between.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1836134-overviewhttp://ptjournal.apta.org/content/84/4/373.full#sec-19
http://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/vertigo/
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Iodine for Cancer Prevention and Optimal Health
After my breast cancer surgery, my alternative health physician strongly recommended adding iodine to my diet. (I used iodized salt—so what is the big deal.) I did not ask why—I should have. I always have better compliance with instructions when I know the why behind doing something. I knew iodine is needed for the cells to convert food into energy and for normal thyroid function. (No one wants a goiter.) But what effect does iodine have on cancer?
Lynne Farrow is a journalist, researcher, former college professor, speaker and activist. Her own experience with breast cancer led to her discovery that iodine is a medicine with proven benefits reaching back 15,000 years.
Iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone. The body does not make iodine, so it must be made an essential part of our food choices. Most of us believe iodized salt is the answer. Author Lynne Farrow asks do we get enough iodine from iodized salt? After her research she asked does iodized salt contain any iodine at all?
The report, Iodine Nutrition: Iodine Content of US Salt by Dasgupta et al, discusses the “Iodine Gap.” This gap refers to the amount of iodine that’s supposed to be in iodized salt compared to the amount actually be measured by the time you use it. The researchers tell us salt is a poor food product to fortify because chloride competes with the iodine making it less effective.
In her book, The Iodine Crisis: What You Don't Know About Iodine Can Wreck Your Life, Farrow explains how iodized table salt is actually a nutritional scam that provides a false sense of security. “The outdated government recommendation (RDA) states that an adequate amount of iodine can be consumed from less than the 250 mcg [about] half teaspoon of iodized salt. She tells us they never factored in that the current bromide pollution purges iodine. They never factored in that iodine “evaporates” from salt containers. Or, that the form of iodine in salt doesn’t absorb well into the body. Research scientists debunked the myth that you can get enough iodine from iodized salt.
An iodine deficiency causes serious problems including frustration, depression, mental retardation, poor perception levels, goiter, abnormal weight gain, decreased fertility, coarse skin, chances of stillbirth in expectant mothers, constipation and fatigue. The World Health Organization reports iodine deficiency is one of the leading causes of mental retardation all over the world.
Good food sources of iodine include shellfish, deep-water whitefish, canned sardines, canned tuna, lobster, oyster, clams, cod, haddock, halibut, herring perch, salmon, sea bass, and shrimp. Dulles, kelp, and seaweed also contain dietary iodine. Iodine is also found in garlic, lima beans, Swiss chard, summer squash, sesame seeds, soybeans, turnip greens and spinach.
Specific health benefits include:
Regulating metabolism that affects the efficiency of body’s organ system and body processes, such as, absorption of food; sleep cycles, and the transformation of food into usable energy.
Iodine is essential to the creation of the hormones thyroxin and triodothyronine that influence heart rate, blood pressure, body weight, body temperature, and protein synthesis. Iodine helps maintain optimal energy levels of the body by the efficient use of calories. The healthy skin, teeth and hair need adequate amounts of iodine. It speeds up hair growth and increases follicle strength, while lack of this mineral can result in hair loss. It is needed for normal growth and maturity of reproductive organs.
A deficiency in iodine can actually make a woman infertile. It is essential that pregnant women get good amounts of iodine to prevent stillbirths or neurocognitive conditions in the newborn babies and to avoid gestational hypertension, which can result in a number of complications during infancy. Many pregnant women do not realize they must consume enough iodine for herself and her child since a great deal is lost every day as it passes into breast milk.
Iodine is used to treat hypothyroidism a condition characterized by an under-active thyroid gland, which results in the general slowing down of all bodily processes as the chemical balance in your body goes off track. Symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, dry skin, trouble concentrating, constipation, cramps, and leg swelling. Untreated hypothyroid ism can result in conditions such as heart failure or a coma.
Iodine acts as a relief for fibrocystic diseases and is widely used in therapies, both alternative and modern. Lynne Farrow tells us that salt is iodized with potassium iodide,
which may be helpful to the thyroid, however, the breasts and ovaries need iodine as well as iodide. She warns women are taking the wrong iodine.
Iodine has cancer prevention properties. It is anti-carcinogenic and can boost the immune system by enhancing the activity of antioxidants throughout the body. Research studies have shown that cancer cells shrink after being injected with iodine. They even undergo apoptosis (automatic cell death) and are then replaced with healthier cells. Studies have demonstrated a positive connection in iodine’s ability to induce apoptosis in breast cancer carcinoma cells.
Studies demonstrate that thyroid cancer patients show an improvement in symptoms after increasing their intake iodine intake. Thyroid cancer is far more common in people who are iodine deficient.
Iodine ensures programmed cell death (apoptosis), which is essential in the creation of new organs and the removal of malignant cells like cancer cells or diseased cells. Iodine flushes out chemical toxins like fluoride, lead, mercury, and biological toxins. It has antibacterial qualities and is particularly effective against Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) in the stomach, which contributes to ulcers and may cause gastric cancer.
Consult a good alternative physician when reviewing your individual iodine needs, especially if you are pregnant. Caution is recommended: Iodine intake of more than 2,000 mg could be dangerous, especially in people suffering from kidney ailments or tuberculosis. Different people’s bodies will react differently to dose amounts so be observant.
Farrow says don’t skimp on the cheap cost of iodine supplementation this may create expensive problems down the line. She warns that processed table salts often come with aluminum anti-caking chemicals, which contribute to Alzheimer’s issues.
Lynne Farrow currently serves as the Director of Breast Cancer Choices, Inc. This nonprofit organization scrutinizes the evidence for breast cancer procedures and treatments. Farrow, editor of IodineResearch.com, has compiled materials for both beginning and advanced iodine investigators. Visit Lynne's website at LynneFarrow.net
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/minerals/health-benefits-of-iodine.html
http://www.jcrows.com/iodine.html
http://iodineresearch.com
LynneFarrow.net
Lynne Farrow is a journalist, researcher, former college professor, speaker and activist. Her own experience with breast cancer led to her discovery that iodine is a medicine with proven benefits reaching back 15,000 years.
Iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone. The body does not make iodine, so it must be made an essential part of our food choices. Most of us believe iodized salt is the answer. Author Lynne Farrow asks do we get enough iodine from iodized salt? After her research she asked does iodized salt contain any iodine at all?
The report, Iodine Nutrition: Iodine Content of US Salt by Dasgupta et al, discusses the “Iodine Gap.” This gap refers to the amount of iodine that’s supposed to be in iodized salt compared to the amount actually be measured by the time you use it. The researchers tell us salt is a poor food product to fortify because chloride competes with the iodine making it less effective.
In her book, The Iodine Crisis: What You Don't Know About Iodine Can Wreck Your Life, Farrow explains how iodized table salt is actually a nutritional scam that provides a false sense of security. “The outdated government recommendation (RDA) states that an adequate amount of iodine can be consumed from less than the 250 mcg [about] half teaspoon of iodized salt. She tells us they never factored in that the current bromide pollution purges iodine. They never factored in that iodine “evaporates” from salt containers. Or, that the form of iodine in salt doesn’t absorb well into the body. Research scientists debunked the myth that you can get enough iodine from iodized salt.
An iodine deficiency causes serious problems including frustration, depression, mental retardation, poor perception levels, goiter, abnormal weight gain, decreased fertility, coarse skin, chances of stillbirth in expectant mothers, constipation and fatigue. The World Health Organization reports iodine deficiency is one of the leading causes of mental retardation all over the world.
Good food sources of iodine include shellfish, deep-water whitefish, canned sardines, canned tuna, lobster, oyster, clams, cod, haddock, halibut, herring perch, salmon, sea bass, and shrimp. Dulles, kelp, and seaweed also contain dietary iodine. Iodine is also found in garlic, lima beans, Swiss chard, summer squash, sesame seeds, soybeans, turnip greens and spinach.
Specific health benefits include:
Regulating metabolism that affects the efficiency of body’s organ system and body processes, such as, absorption of food; sleep cycles, and the transformation of food into usable energy.
Iodine is essential to the creation of the hormones thyroxin and triodothyronine that influence heart rate, blood pressure, body weight, body temperature, and protein synthesis. Iodine helps maintain optimal energy levels of the body by the efficient use of calories. The healthy skin, teeth and hair need adequate amounts of iodine. It speeds up hair growth and increases follicle strength, while lack of this mineral can result in hair loss. It is needed for normal growth and maturity of reproductive organs.
A deficiency in iodine can actually make a woman infertile. It is essential that pregnant women get good amounts of iodine to prevent stillbirths or neurocognitive conditions in the newborn babies and to avoid gestational hypertension, which can result in a number of complications during infancy. Many pregnant women do not realize they must consume enough iodine for herself and her child since a great deal is lost every day as it passes into breast milk.
Iodine is used to treat hypothyroidism a condition characterized by an under-active thyroid gland, which results in the general slowing down of all bodily processes as the chemical balance in your body goes off track. Symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, dry skin, trouble concentrating, constipation, cramps, and leg swelling. Untreated hypothyroid ism can result in conditions such as heart failure or a coma.
Iodine acts as a relief for fibrocystic diseases and is widely used in therapies, both alternative and modern. Lynne Farrow tells us that salt is iodized with potassium iodide,
which may be helpful to the thyroid, however, the breasts and ovaries need iodine as well as iodide. She warns women are taking the wrong iodine.
Iodine has cancer prevention properties. It is anti-carcinogenic and can boost the immune system by enhancing the activity of antioxidants throughout the body. Research studies have shown that cancer cells shrink after being injected with iodine. They even undergo apoptosis (automatic cell death) and are then replaced with healthier cells. Studies have demonstrated a positive connection in iodine’s ability to induce apoptosis in breast cancer carcinoma cells.
Studies demonstrate that thyroid cancer patients show an improvement in symptoms after increasing their intake iodine intake. Thyroid cancer is far more common in people who are iodine deficient.
Iodine ensures programmed cell death (apoptosis), which is essential in the creation of new organs and the removal of malignant cells like cancer cells or diseased cells. Iodine flushes out chemical toxins like fluoride, lead, mercury, and biological toxins. It has antibacterial qualities and is particularly effective against Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) in the stomach, which contributes to ulcers and may cause gastric cancer.
Consult a good alternative physician when reviewing your individual iodine needs, especially if you are pregnant. Caution is recommended: Iodine intake of more than 2,000 mg could be dangerous, especially in people suffering from kidney ailments or tuberculosis. Different people’s bodies will react differently to dose amounts so be observant.
Farrow says don’t skimp on the cheap cost of iodine supplementation this may create expensive problems down the line. She warns that processed table salts often come with aluminum anti-caking chemicals, which contribute to Alzheimer’s issues.
Lynne Farrow currently serves as the Director of Breast Cancer Choices, Inc. This nonprofit organization scrutinizes the evidence for breast cancer procedures and treatments. Farrow, editor of IodineResearch.com, has compiled materials for both beginning and advanced iodine investigators. Visit Lynne's website at LynneFarrow.net
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/minerals/health-benefits-of-iodine.html
http://www.jcrows.com/iodine.html
http://iodineresearch.com
LynneFarrow.net
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Cardboard Furniture for the Disabled
Children and adults with physical disabilities have so many challenges; we ask what can I do to help? Alex Truesdell asked this question and was inspired to start the Adaptive Design Association (ADA). In a public television interview she explained teachers, therapists, and parents can build innovative and therapeutically appropriate adaptive equipment. If you need building plans she and her dedicated volunteers are just a computer click, phone call or letter away.
Truesdell has pioneered the use of cardboard boxes to create strong, lightweight and functional adaptive devices, such as chairs, tables and supports for walking. She says a major problem for parents is that adaptive equipment is very expensive and can be heavy and bulky. Good design is functional for the person and the caregiver.
Because a child grows and needs change, adaptive devices can become obsolete quickly. This is one reason why cardboard is an excellent construction material. Truesdell describes her mission as one of engagement. Families, schools, and communities can come together in the process of designing and building adaptive equipment each specific child’s size and needs. Appropriate adaptive devices enhance the child’s social, physical and academic development.
“ADA envisions a day when adaptive design services are widely recognized as an indispensable resource for children and all people with disabilities; and customized equipment is being produced quickly, affordably, and locally.”
Truesdell, who trained as an early childhood teacher, was working at Perkins School for the Blind in Boston in 1981. There she met Erin, an infant with severe multiple disabilities. “I had never heard of adaptive technology, but suddenly found myself waking up in the night thinking of adaptations. I rolled towels into bolsters, carved notches in toys, and threaded straps through seat backs.” With the help of her Uncle, a skilled builder, they transformed ideas and frustrations into highly customized solutions for Erin.
Alex set up a small workshop in her basement where she made adaptive devices and assistive technology for her students. Eventually she was hired by the Perkins School to start the Assistive Device Center. In 1998, Truesdell relocated to New York City where she started the adaptive design center. She added an internship program for women re-entering the workforce through Alternatives To Incarceration.
Alex and Antoinette LaSorsa and developed a pilot program and in 2001 established the independent nonprofit Adaptive Design Association. Since its creation ADA has trained “over 1200 therapists, teachers, and parents in adaptive design techniques, and has created over 3000 pieces of adaptive equipment for children with disabilities.”
Whether the equipment is a stroller seat insert for an infant with cerebral palsy, an adapted toothbrush handle for a woman with paralyzed hands, or a tactile communication board for an adolescent who is deaf-blind, the Adaptive Design Association believes that no one should go without customized equipment. Adaptive and assistive Technology is redefining “possibilities” for children and adults with disabilities. This enables individuals with disabilities to be more independent, productive, and integrated into the mainstream of society and community life.
Over the 17-year history of ADA, they have helped thousands of New York City children and provided hundreds of hands-on classes and internships to future designers and builders. Adaptive Design Centers have been established in Guatemala City, Toronto, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Brazil, Boston, Montreal, San Diego, Romania, Holland, and two new projects beginning in Portland, Oregon and La Paz, Bolivia.
ADA has an email newsletter and online forum and blog. Participants share adaptations, photos, accomplishments, and questions with a wider adaptive design community across the world. To join the Forum as a contributor, they ask that you email talya@adaptivedesign.org with your first post idea.
The mailing address is:
Adaptive Design Association, Inc.
313 West 36th StreetNew York, NY 10018
ADA reminds us that there are children (as well as adults and seniors) in every community who need custom adaptations. Just as certainly, every community is filled with people who would love to be part of the design and fabrication of those adaptations. “With a small workspace, skilled staff, and a group of savvy volunteers—an Adaptive Design Center can play a key role in transforming our understanding of disability in education, employment, transportation, recreation, rehabilitation, veteran services, and senior care.”
http://www.adaptivedesign.org
http://www.fyeye.org/adaptive-design.html
Truesdell has pioneered the use of cardboard boxes to create strong, lightweight and functional adaptive devices, such as chairs, tables and supports for walking. She says a major problem for parents is that adaptive equipment is very expensive and can be heavy and bulky. Good design is functional for the person and the caregiver.
Because a child grows and needs change, adaptive devices can become obsolete quickly. This is one reason why cardboard is an excellent construction material. Truesdell describes her mission as one of engagement. Families, schools, and communities can come together in the process of designing and building adaptive equipment each specific child’s size and needs. Appropriate adaptive devices enhance the child’s social, physical and academic development.
“ADA envisions a day when adaptive design services are widely recognized as an indispensable resource for children and all people with disabilities; and customized equipment is being produced quickly, affordably, and locally.”
Truesdell, who trained as an early childhood teacher, was working at Perkins School for the Blind in Boston in 1981. There she met Erin, an infant with severe multiple disabilities. “I had never heard of adaptive technology, but suddenly found myself waking up in the night thinking of adaptations. I rolled towels into bolsters, carved notches in toys, and threaded straps through seat backs.” With the help of her Uncle, a skilled builder, they transformed ideas and frustrations into highly customized solutions for Erin.
Alex set up a small workshop in her basement where she made adaptive devices and assistive technology for her students. Eventually she was hired by the Perkins School to start the Assistive Device Center. In 1998, Truesdell relocated to New York City where she started the adaptive design center. She added an internship program for women re-entering the workforce through Alternatives To Incarceration.
Alex and Antoinette LaSorsa and developed a pilot program and in 2001 established the independent nonprofit Adaptive Design Association. Since its creation ADA has trained “over 1200 therapists, teachers, and parents in adaptive design techniques, and has created over 3000 pieces of adaptive equipment for children with disabilities.”
Whether the equipment is a stroller seat insert for an infant with cerebral palsy, an adapted toothbrush handle for a woman with paralyzed hands, or a tactile communication board for an adolescent who is deaf-blind, the Adaptive Design Association believes that no one should go without customized equipment. Adaptive and assistive Technology is redefining “possibilities” for children and adults with disabilities. This enables individuals with disabilities to be more independent, productive, and integrated into the mainstream of society and community life.
Over the 17-year history of ADA, they have helped thousands of New York City children and provided hundreds of hands-on classes and internships to future designers and builders. Adaptive Design Centers have been established in Guatemala City, Toronto, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Brazil, Boston, Montreal, San Diego, Romania, Holland, and two new projects beginning in Portland, Oregon and La Paz, Bolivia.
ADA has an email newsletter and online forum and blog. Participants share adaptations, photos, accomplishments, and questions with a wider adaptive design community across the world. To join the Forum as a contributor, they ask that you email talya@adaptivedesign.org with your first post idea.
The mailing address is:
Adaptive Design Association, Inc.
313 West 36th StreetNew York, NY 10018
ADA reminds us that there are children (as well as adults and seniors) in every community who need custom adaptations. Just as certainly, every community is filled with people who would love to be part of the design and fabrication of those adaptations. “With a small workspace, skilled staff, and a group of savvy volunteers—an Adaptive Design Center can play a key role in transforming our understanding of disability in education, employment, transportation, recreation, rehabilitation, veteran services, and senior care.”
http://www.adaptivedesign.org
http://www.fyeye.org/adaptive-design.html
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Chocolate for Health, Happiness, and Love
Heart-shaped
boxes of chocolates are a symbol of Valentine’s Day around the world. The roots
of Valentine’s Day go back to Ancient Roman times. Chocolate candy gift giving
is a recent development; could it be the result of chocolate’s reputation as an
aphrodisiac?
St.
Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday first appeared in the writings of Chaucer
in 1382. During the medieval period there was a new focus on chaste courtly
love and this is when the familiar symbols of love began to appear--knights
would give roses to their maidens and celebrate their beauty in songs from
afar.
By
the 1840s, Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday was celebrated in most of the
English-speaking world. Richard Cadbury, a British chocolate manufacturer,
created what was then called “eating chocolate.” Cadbury began marketing the
new chocolate and sold them in beautifully decorated boxes.
Chocolate
is made from cocoa beans, which are the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. Due
to its many health effects, the Mayans considered hot cocoa the drink of gods.
The scientific name of the cocoa tree, Theobroma cacao, was derived from the
Greek words theo (God) and broma (drink). The Swedish naturalist Carl Von Linné
named the tree in the 1700s. Chocolate had great symbolic social, religious,
and economic importance in both New and Old World cultures.
Although
cacao is native to Central and South America, Africa now grows about 70% of the
world’s cacao. The football shaped pod, or fruit, grows from the branches or
straight out of the trunk. The pods encase a sticky white pulp and about 30 or
40 seeds. The pulp tastes both sweet and tart and is eaten or used in making
drinks. If you to bite into a seed straight out of the pod, it is incredibly
bitter.
Drinkable
chocolate has been used for years to treat ailments. Spanish explorers brought
chocolate back to Europe in the 16th century where sweetened warm versions
considered a health elixir were consumed. From the 16th to 19th centuries, hot
chocolate was valued as a special drink, as well as taken as a medicine. In
France during the 17th century, the French drank it to fight against fits of
anger and bad moods.
Modern
research has discovered that chocolate reduces levels of stress hormones in the
body. Cocoa’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties come from the
abundant flavonols. It is best to avoid the overly processed chocolate, found
in the candy aisle, which contains added sugar and saturated fatty acids that
counter cocoa's inherent health benefits. It is best to choose the dark,
flavanol-rich chocolate bars.
Should
you worry about eating chocolate? Researchers, Katz DL, Doughty K, Ali A. of
Yale University, tell us the research indicates the benefits of moderate cocoa
or dark chocolate consumption outweigh the potential risks of over consumption,
including increased risk of weight gain.
Cocoa
contains more antioxidants than most foods and has anti-inflammatory effects beneficial
to heart health. Cocoa may directly influence insulin resistance and as a
result reduce the risk of diabetes. Further, cocoa consumption may stimulate
the immune response. Cocoa can protect nerves from injury and inflammation,
protect the skin from oxidative, UV radiation damage, and improve cognitive
function and mood.
A
9-year study of over 30,000 women in Sweden found that those who consumed up to
an ounce of high-quality chocolate high in cocoa content 1 to 3 times per month
had a 26% lower risk of developing heart failure. Women who ate 1 to 2 servings
per week displayed a 32% heart failure risk reduction. The European Heart
Journal reported that daily dark chocolate consumption over a 4-week period
improved concerns in patients with congestive heart failure.
Research
continues to demonstrate that antioxidants, such as those in cacao, help
prevent cancer, heart disease, age-related macular degeneration and aging in
general because they fight free radicals in the body.
A
Cornell University study shows the antioxidant concentration in hot cocoa is
almost twice as strong as red wine. Cocoa's antioxidant concentration is two to
three times stronger than that of green tea and four to five times stronger
than that of black tea. Professor Chang Yong Lee added that more antioxidants
are released when it's heated up.
The
flavonoids help your body process pout nitric oxide improving blood flow,
helping to lower blood pressure and improve heart health. Flavonoids also help
prevent the blood platelets from mingling together and forming clots. This
sounds much healthier than taking blood thinning medication. Recent research
demonstrates chocolate, like aspirin, has a biochemical effect that reduces the
clumping of platelets, which cause blood to clot.
The
American Association for the Advancement of Science reports drinking hot
chocolate can help you think better. The flavonoids increase the blood flow and
oxygen to the brain. Researchers think dementia could be treated with cocoa
which works by increasing blood flow to the brain.
The
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in partnership with candy maker Mars,
Inc. have launched a three-year study on the topic, Will Taking Chocolate Pills
Improve Heart Health? It will be the first large study, involving 18,000
people, to look into the potential role of cocoa flavanols in high-dose form,
without the added sugar and fat of chocolate.
Chocolate
has been shown to produce higher levels of physical energy and mental
alertness. Cacao is: Anti-inflammatory Anti-carcinogenic Anti-thrombotic,
Lowers Alzheimer's risk, Anti-diabetic and Anti-obesity. It improves liver
function for those with cirrhosis, is neuro-protective and improves
gastrointestinal flora. It also reduces stress hormones, and symptoms of
glaucoma and cataracts. It can slow the progression of periodontitis, improve
exercise endurance, may help extend lifespan, and protects against preeclampsia
in pregnant women.
Commercial
instant hot cocoa mixes should be avoided. Most popular mixes list cocoa as
down on the list of ingredients behind higher-level ingredients such as sugar,
corn syrup and a medley of vegetable oils. These ingredients tend to eradicate
any benefits the cocoa may have to offer. There are several websites on how to
make healthy versions of instant cocoa from scratch.
Jaymi
Heimbuch of the website Mother Nature Network suggests one of the easiest ways
to include more cocoa in you diet is to sprinkle it over fresh fruit. She gives
us these tips for buying cocoa powder:
•
Look for certified fair trade. There are many great brands to choose from, and
you're helping to ensure workers get a living wage.
•
Look for organic. It's true that not all organic cocoa tastes as good as
non-organic, so you'll have to test a few out and see what you like best. But
if you can, go for organic.
•
Look for a higher fat content. Yep, you read that right. The really good cocoa
that has lots of flavor (and therefore is more satisfying and you won't need to
use as much) has as much as 24 percent more fat than the cheap stuff.
•
Make sure you're getting unsweetened cocoa powder, and not something that has
sugars mixed in. Avoid packages labeled "ground chocolate" as this is
a basically powdered chocolate bar with added stuff we're trying to avoid in
the first place. Make sure the only ingredient is cocoa.
Any
time, not just Valentine’s Day, is a great time for giving chocolates to those
we love! And don’t forget yourself----have a headache? It’s hot cocoa time.
Read
more: http://www.mnn.com/food/beverages/stories/7-health-benefits-of-drinking-hot-cocoa#ixzz37wYTB3Fj
Antioxid
Redox Signal. 2011 Nov 15;15(10):2779-811. doi: 10.1089/ars.2010.3697.
Epub
2011 Jun 13.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention
Winter in St. Louis has been gloomy—week after week of gray
sky. On the very occasional day we had sunshine, I made a point of taking a
walk. I am a sun lover and have a habit of getting out in the sun everyday when
the weather cooperates—before 11:00, or after 3:00—I don’t like to use
sunscreen. Skin needs to be bare to turn the sun’s light into Vitamin D.
Dr. Mercola, on his health and wellness website, tells us
vitamin D is one of the simplest solutions to wide-ranging health problems. He
considers vitamin D deficiency to be pandemic in the United States. Many
Americans are not aware that they may be lacking this important nutrient.
Vitamin D is not a regular vitamin; rather it is a steroid
hormone that you get primarily from either sun exposure or supplementation. Marcela
states vitamin D has the ability to influence genetic expression that produces
many of its wide-ranging health benefits. Research studies have shown that
increasing levels of vitamin D3 can prevent many chronic diseases. They believe
the incidence of several types of cancer
could be slashed in half.
Dr. Mercola interviewed Dr. Michael Holick, a leading
vitamin D researcher, who expounds on these and many other health benefits of
vitamin D in his book, The Vitamin D Solution. Holick, an MD and a PhD, tell us
D also fights infections including colds and the flu. It regulates the
expression of genes that influence your immune system to attack and destroy
bacteria and viruses.
Dr. Holick says. "We had shown many years ago that
during the winter time, if you live [north of] Atlanta, Georgia, you basically
cannot make any vitamin D in your skin from about November through March.
Obviously, you need to either take a supplement or use a tanning bed or an
ultraviolet light that will produce vitamin D... I typically recommend, if
you're going to go out into the sun, expose your arms, legs, abdomen and back,
two to three times a week for about half the time it would take to get a mild
sunburn... [W] hen you make vitamin D in your skin, it lasts two to three times
longer in your body.”
Dr. Edward Group, DC, and NP, recommends vitamin D3 because
it is the most bioavailability form of vitamin D. Group warns we are all at risk to be
deficient of this crucial element. Vitamin D is essential for the
regulation of calcium and phosphorus in the body and maintaining proper bone
structure.
The easiest and most reliable way to get vitamin D is
through sun exposure. To produce enough vitamin D, the hands, face, arms, and
legs need to be exposed to sunlight a minimum of two to three times a week for
a quarter of the time it takes to develop mild sunburn. Exposure time varies
with age, skin type, season, and time of day. Group tells us good levels of
vitamin D can be restored by sunlight quickly---6 days of casual sunlight
exposure without sunscreen can make up for 49 days of no sunlight
exposure. Vitamin D is stored in
body fat during periods of sunlight and i.e. then released when sunlight is
gone.
If you live in Canada and the northern half of the US you
are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. D deficiency also occurs in sunny
climates when people are stay indoors more, cover up outside, or consistently
use sunscreens to reduce skin cancer risk. Older people are at risk for vitamin
D deficiency because they are less likely to spend time in the sun, have fewer
“receptors” in their skin to convert sunlight to vitamin D, may not get vitamin
D in their diet, and may have trouble absorbing vitamin D or may have more
trouble converting dietary D to a useful form because of aging kidneys.
Studies show the risk for vitamin D deficiency in people
over 65 years of age is high. Nearly 40% of older people, even in sunny climates
such as South Florida, don’t have enough vitamin D in their systems. Dr. Group
reports vitamin D supplements may be needed by older people, individuals living
in northern latitudes, and “for dark-skinned people who need extra time in the
sun, but don’t get it.”
Vitamin D supplements prevent bone loss in people taking
drugs called corticosteroids and when taken with calcium seems to improve bone
density in people with existing bone loss caused by using corticosteroids.
Older people who do not have enough vitamin D tend to fall more often than
those with adequate levels Also, vitamin D, in combination with calcium may
prevent falls by decreasing body sway and blood pressure especially in women
and those living in hospitals or residential care facilities. Taking a specific
form of vitamin D called cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) along with calcium seems
to help prevent bone loss, Osteoporosis (weak bones), and bone breaks.
Some research shows a high-dose vitamin D supplement plus
calcium may lower risk of developing certain types of cancer. Those taking
vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) have a 49% reduced risk of cavities. Research
shows school aged children taking a vitamin D supplement during winter have a reduced
chance of developing seasonal flu, as well as, asthma attack triggered by a
cold or other respiratory infection. Individuals with lower vitamin D levels
are more likely to be obese while women taking calcium plus vitamin D are more
likely to lose weight and maintain their weight.
Research over the last few years demonstrates a correlation
between Alzheimer’s
disease and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is
a potent immune system modulator, which modulate the immune response
and strengthen immune defenses. A study showed high dose Vitamin D
supplementation resulted in RA symptom improvements in an
astonishing 89% of patients and 45% of patients obtaining complete remission.
If you choose to use a tanning bed to increase vitamin D
synthesis, Dr. Holick recommends protecting your face, and to only go in for
half the time recommended for tanning. The tanning bed you're using needs to
put out UVB radiation. It is the UVB that interacts with the skin to create
vitamin D.
Many tanning beds on the market that only put out UVA, which
creates a tan. UVA rays are the ones responsible for skin damage and they do
NOT make your skin produce vitamin D. He tells us beds tend to vary between
three to 10 percent UVB and the higher the percentage of UVB the better. There
are also beds that make UVB only. A UVB only bed won't make you tan. However,
for the health benefits a UVB tanning bed is certainly a great option.
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/3-amazing-health-benefits-vitamin-d3/
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-929-VITAMIN%20D.aspx?activeIngredientId=929&activeIngredientName=VITAMIN%20D
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