Music Helps Alleviate Symptoms And Treatment Side Effects

 A Systematic review of 52 studies on music therapy showed that music had a beneficial effect on anxiety, pain, fatigue, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure in cancer patients.

Some of these individual studies suggested that listening to music may reduce the need for anesthetics (drugs that cause a loss of sensation) and analgesics (pain meds) as well as decrease recovery time and duration of hospitalization.

 The study's authors concluded that "music interventions may have beneficial effects on anxiety,
pain, fatigue and quality of life in people with cancer"

The reason music can have an effect on so many different health issues is because it activates the relaxation response and deactivates the stress response.

When the relaxation response is activated our heart rate will drop, our breathing will slow down, our blood pressure will be reduced, our anxiety will go away, and our pain will be reduced or eliminated (calming the body down can reduce or shut off inflammation therefore reducing or shutting off pain)

 Incorporating music into our lives in one of many natural health strategies we can utilize to help
us relax and calm our bodies down when we are going through health issues or a health crisis.

* the music that was used in these studies was soft classical music. Fast paced and aggressive music will have an opposite effect !!!

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006911.pub3/abstract;jsessionid=ECAAD5F0228DB1DC3C6573ED2FD8EA21.f03t02?systemMessage=Wiley+Online+Library+will+be+unavailable+on+Saturday+3rd+September+2016+at+08.30+BST%2F+03%3A30+EDT%2F+15%3A30+SGT+for+5+hours+and+Sunday+4th+September+at+10%3A00+BST%2F+05%3A00+EST%2F+17%3A00+SGT+for+1+hour++for+essential+maintenance.+Apologies+for+the+inconvenience

Televised Fluoride Debate

Journalist Cameron Bennett moderated the debate, which aired on Wednesday as part of the Thinking Green series on Sky Channel’s FACE-TV.

As Paul points out at the beginning of the debate, it has taken 12+ years of challenging NZ's fluoridation proponents to a public debate to find someone willing to defend the practice. 

So this is a rare event that we need to get as many people as possible to watch.  Please share this video on your social media pages, and with friends, family, and decision-makers via email. 

For more information check out The Fluoride Action Network.
http://fluoridealert.org/

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Use During Pregnancy Can Cause Behavioral Problems

A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics showed that pregnant woman who used Acetaminophen (Tylenol) had an increased risk of having children with behavioral issues.

The data showed that woman who used Acetaminophen (aka Paracetamol) between the 18th and 32nd week of pregnancy had a 42% increased risk of a child with conduct problems and hyperactivity symptoms.

Using Acetaminophen during the 32nd week was also associated with a 29% increased risk of the child having emotional symptoms and a 46% increase in total behavioral difficulties.

I see Acetaminophen being popped like candy where ever I go. Many people mistakenly believe this drug is safe or benign because it is sold over the counter. The truth is that Acetaminophen is a dangerous drug. It is well known that it destroys the liver and just recently it was linked to Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive issues. A new study also pointed to another troubling possible side effect of this drug; it's ability to reduce empathy in people.



Sources:
Association of Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy With Behavioral Problems in Childhood: Evidence Against Confounding.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27533796

When you take acetaminophen, you don't feel others' pain as much
http://scan.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2016/05/27/scan.nsw057

Can Your "Natural" Greek Sea Salt Kill A Rat?

I grew up with Kalas Greek Sea salt just as many other Greek families have.

A few years back I looked at the nutrition label and to my surprise there was an E number designated as one of its ingredients. E536.

In countries within the European union (and Switzerland) "E numbers" are codes that have been designated to food additives that have been approved for consumption.

These "E numbers" are sneaky because you have to decode them to figure out what exactly they are.

When I see an E number I personally will not consume it (or at least I try to avoid it)

So what is the E number in Kalas sea salt?

Potassium Ferrous Cyanide

Now the European Food Safety Authority has deemed this chemical safe, but I would personally not want to consume this.

I looked up the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Potassium Ferrous Cyanide
and this is what I found:

1) It is mutagenic (meaning it can mutate) to bacteria and yeast

2) It is a skin irritant, and hazardous to ingest or inhale.

3) 1600 mg/kg of Potassium Ferrous Cyanide can kill a rat !!!


In fairness this is a very small amount of cyanide. It contains a maximum of 10 ppm of the entire chemical Potassium Ferrous Cyanide.

1) Why would I want my body using its nutrients and resources to detoxify this compound when it can be using them for more important functions.

2) Why does salt need an anticaking agent?

3) I'd rather not eat chemicals that can kill a rat !!

Again, I am not trying to be an alarmist. This is a very small amount that is being used in Kalas Sea Salt, but I rather eat salt that does not contain any additives, especially additives that are toxic.

I personally would recommend using Himalayan sea salt or Celtic sea salt.

So Can Kalas Sea Salt kill a rat? No. There is a very small amount of Potassium Ferrous Cyanide in it, but I wouldn't eat this salt because the msds says this chemical is hazardous when ingested.

Cholesterol Drugs Shown To Be Worthless Again

Researchers reviewed data on close to 70,000 people and found out that there was no link between
what main stream medicine calls "bad cholesterol" and the death of people over the age of 60 due to cardiovascular disease.

In fact the study which was published in The BMJ open journal showed that 92% of those with high cholesterol lived longer !!

One of the authors of the study, Dr Malcolm Kendrick stated:

 “What we found in our detailed systematic review was that older people with high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels, the so-called “bad” cholesterol, lived longer and had less heart disease.”

Another researcher from the study, Professor Sherif Sultan stated:

“Lowering cholesterol with medications for primary cardiovascular prevention in those aged over 60 is a total waste of time and resources, whereas altering your lifestyle is the single most important way to achieve a good quality of life”

Dr Uffe Ravnskov who was the lead author said "there was no reason to lower high-LDL-cholesterol"

* This is what I have been saying for nearly a decade. Not only are statin drugs worthless, they are very dangerous medications that can destroy the liver, nervous system, muscles, immune system, as well as every cell in your body.

To get a better understanding of how cholesterol lowering medications destroy health check out a blog that I wrote a couple of years ago

Cholesterol Does Not Cause Heart Disease

Sources

http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/6/e010401.full

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/06/12/high-cholesterol-does-not-cause-heart-disease-new-research-finds/

Did Your Dermatologist Tell You That SunScreens Are Toxic & Carcinogenic?

It's Almost Summer Time and many people are slathering on sunscreens & sunblocks to protect them selves from the sun.

The problem is that most sunscreens are carcinogenic & highly toxic products.

Many sunscreens contain endocrine disrupting chemicals that act like the hormone estrogen.
oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, are all considered toxic and carcinogenic.

If that wasn't bad enough, most commercial sunscreens are contributing to male infertility because of ingredients that they contain which mimic the "female hormone" progesterone.

These endocrine disrupting chemicals are able to be absorbed through the skin and effect sperm cells.

"Progesterone plays a vital role in a sperm's ability to mature and fertilize a female egg. It controls the attraction of a sperm cell toward a female egg, as well as the sperm's ability to move and break through barriers to reach the egg. "

Not only can many sunscreens contribute to infertility and cancer, but they can lead to vitamin D deficiency !!

I personally don't use sunscreens, I might consider using a sunblock if I'm going to be exposed to really hot temperatures.

My strategy that has worked well so far is to sit under an umbrella and cover my skin as much as I can when I am at the beach. I take my shirt off when I go swimming, then sit back under a umbrella and or a shady spot while covering my skin again with clothing or a towel.

Sunblocks are a better option. They usually contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are considered physical barriers rather than chemical barriers. (make sure that they don't contain the estrogen mimickers mentioned above.

Check the EWG List of safe sunblock alternatives

I also want to mention that besides the above mentioned strategies that I use, I make sure to ingest loads of antioxidants during the summer and when I know that I will be exposed to high temperatures.

Antioxidants and colorful pigments contained in vegetables and fruit peels help protect our skin.
When we eat them they actually get implanted in our skin, protecting us from sun damage !!

Make sure you are drinking lots of vegetable juices with the skin, and taking advantage of the sunprotecting nutrients in seaweed.

Don't be scared of the sun. Get plenty of sun, just make sure that you don't burn :)


The trouble with sunscreen chemicals
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/

Evidence mounts that sunscreen could weaken sperm
http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/14/health/sunscreen-sperm-male-fertility/

Low Sugar, gluten free meal ideas

Plain Whole Fat Greek Yogurt

I recommend the brand Fage which has 18 grams of protein and 10 grams of fat.
The high protein & high fat content makes this food very satisfying, and will keep you from craving food for a while. You can use it as a dip for vegetables. Carrots, celery, and steamed broccoli are some of my favorites veggies that I like to use along with it.

 

Avocado

 

This is an excellent food that will keep you satisfied and will help keep your blood sugar stable.

Researchers have found that adding a half an avocado to your lunch will "decreased desire to eat by 40 percent over a three-hour period, and by 28 percent over a five-hour period after the meal, compared to their desire to eat after a standard lunch without avocado"

 

You can add it to salads, make guacamole and use as a dip for veggies, add it to burgers (no buns),

and any meat or fish.

 

 

Whey Protein

 

Whey protein is an amazing source of nutrition. It contains compounds that are highly building and immune enhancing. If that was not enough it is an excellent way to lose weight because it has the ability to shut off the hunger center in the brain.

Make sure to avoid most commercial brands since they often contain toxic sweeteners and preservatives.  Many of them are also created with high temperatures which destroy the whey.

My favorite brand is Whey Factors. It is the most quality brand that I know of and is the one I personally use.

Add about 2-3 oz of water into a blender.
Add 1 scoop of chocolate Whey Factors Whey Protein
Add one frozen banana (freeze banana overnight)
1/4 teaspoon vitamin c powder or 1 teaspoon Camu powder
sprinkle in some cinnamon powder.
Add a handful of raw walnuts and unsalted raw peanuts.
1 Tablespoon virgin coconut oil (I like adding udo's oil blend and coconut oil)

* I like my shake thick like the consistency of a thick milk shake.

Blend and Enjoy :)

 

 

 

Organic Eggs-omelets, scrambled, hard boiled these are all good ways to enjoy natures perfect food.  Try 3 of them cooked in butter. Make sure that you don't overcook them. Add a side of veggies with them.

 

 

Nuts-My favorites are walnuts, brazil nuts, pecans, cashews, and macadamia. I don't recommend almonds grown in the United States anymore because they have been steamed or gassed which kills their enzymes. You can put them in salads, smoothies, or eat them as nut butters.

 

 

Salads- eat a big salad every day. Avoid processed dressings.

 

 

Broccoli, Kale, or Cauliflower

 

Steam it for about 5 minutes or until it has a nice green color. Make sure to not overcook.

After add butter and Himalayan or Celtic sea salt to the vegetables.

 

This will be extremely satisfying and will taste incredible !!

 

 

Meats- organic, grass fed is best. Stay away from cured meats.

 

Fish- fish is good but many of them are high in mercury and you must stay away from farm raised fish which is raised in disgusting conditions. Familiarize yourself with the mercury content of the fish that you eat. 

 

 

Cheese is a good as long as you are not intolerant to it. Stay away from processed cheese.

 

Fermented Foods-organic sauerkraut, pickles, yogurt, kefir, kombucha are excellent sources of

beneficial bacteria that can help you process food and assist your immune system. Try to eat some fermented food every day.