More on Vaccine Issues

This following document is a very important evaluation of the latest AAP and CDC spin on vaccines.

There are risks to health involving vaccines. It is a known fact for many years. Unfortunately you may not be receiving the information you need to meet the informed consent standard.

A few issues ago our opt-in newsletter, herbalYODA Says! focused on informed consent issues.

Press Release
For Immediate Release:Feb 6, 2009
Response to Dr. Ari Brown and the Immunization Action Coalition

Informed consent is a crucial element of the foundation upon which ethical medical practice rests. Providing patients, parents, or guardians with an honest assessment of the risks and benefits of any medical procedure requires the physician to be, to the best of his or her ability, “informed.”

Read Full Document: Response to Dr. Ari Brown and the Immunization Action Coalition

The full response was produced by Thoughtful House Center for Children in response to one written by Dr. Ari Brown titled “Clear Answers and Smart Advice About Your Baby’s Shots,” which attempts to deal with the vaccine-autism controversy. Brown is an official spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her document [1], is endorsed and published by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC), a US organization funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the vaccine manufacturers. In short, it is the public relations arm of those who are legally and ethically responsible for vaccine safety. Given this background, one might reasonably expect a comprehensive, well researched, and persuasive overview. Since the topic of vaccination is so important and because we have major concerns about the accuracy of much of what this document says, we are providing a point-by-point response.

We are most grateful to the Editor and staff of Medical Veritas for their expert assistance in the review and editing of this document. The article will appear in Medical Veritas 2009;6:1907-1924.

Andrew J Wakefield, MB, BS, FRCS, FRCPath

Propecia and PSA

While there is quite a lot of evidence that the PSA is a very outdated and inaccurate test for this men's health concern, it contiues to be the most commonly used lab test for prostate cancer screening.

On 5 February, Johns Hopkins reports that the hair loss drug Propecia may inaccurately reflect PSA status.

Propecia and Your PSA February 5, 2009
By Johns Hopkins Health Alerts; www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com

If you're a man who takes the hair-growth drug Propecia, you should let your doctor know before you have your next PSA test, as it could affect the accuracy of the results.

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures an enzyme produced almost exclusively by the glandular cells of the prostate. It is secreted during ejaculation into the prostatic ducts that empty into the urethra. PSA liquefies semen after ejaculation, promoting the release of sperm.

Normally, only very small amounts of PSA are present in the blood. But an abnormality of the prostate can disrupt the normal architecture of the gland and create an opening for PSA to pass into the bloodstream. Thus, high blood levels of PSA can indicate prostate problems, including cancer.

A blood test to measure levels of PSA was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1986 as a way to determine whether prostate cancer had been treated successfully and to monitor for its recurrence. Today, however, PSA tests are FDA approved for prostate cancer detection and are widely used to screen men for the disease.

Now research suggests that the hair-growth medication Propecia (finasteride) significantly lowers a man's PSA level, producing misleading results and potentially masking the presence of prostate cancer.

Propecia is the same medication as Proscar, which is used to control benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The difference is the dosage -- 5 mg per day for Proscar vs. 1 mg for Propecia. Proscar is known to artificially lower PSA levels by about half, and doctors interpreting PSA results in these men compensate by doubling the PSA value. But Propecia's impact on PSA level has not been formally studied until now.

The researchers in the study which was reported in the journal Lancet Oncology (Volume 8, page 21) assigned 355 men age 40-60 to take either Propecia or a placebo (inactive pill) for 48 weeks. For analysis purposes, the men were grouped by age: 40-49 and 50-60. By the end of the study period, PSA levels among men in the younger group had dropped by an average of 40%; in the older group, PSA declined by an average of 50%. Among men taking the placebo, the PSA levels of the younger men had not changed, and the levels of the older men had risen by an average of 13%.

Bottom Line: If you use Propecia, be sure to let your physician know so that your PSA results can be adjusted accordingly.
© 2009 Medletter Associates, LLC. All rights reserved.

Fat Burning Foods

Want to lose weight the natural way? Then get to know now
what are the fat burning foods that could help you burn your
excess and stubborn fats naturally.

When you go for fat burning foods, you won't need to take
those fat loss pills and supplements widely promoted
nowadays. But of course, you need to be disciplined and do
some exercises. Some weight loss programs may help you
eventually.

Right now, here is good list of fat burning foods. These
foods are believed to burn more calories than the calorie
content of the food itself, thus fighting stored fat:

* Foods with chillies or red chillies - these can
greatly help as chillies actually contain capsaicin that is
good for increasing metabolism.

* Vitamin C rich fruits - include oranges, limes,
lemons, tangerines, guava, and grapefruit. These fruits are
known for having fat burning properties that cause dilution
of fat.

* Apples and Berries - have great fat burning
properties. Pectin found in apples help in absorbing water
from food which helps in releasing the fat deposits from
the body as well as restrict the cells to absorb the fat.

* Dairy products - include cheese, milk and yogurt at
most. Calcium in these products was discovered to increase
fat breakdown in fat cells, thus helps in boosting weight
loss.

* Vegetables - includes asparagus, cabbage, carrot, beet
root, sweet potatoes, and broccoli. These all have great fat
burning properties.

* Nuts - act like fuel so the body can burn fat. Eating nuts
will make a person full, so lessens the tendency for a person
to overeat.

These foods have the potential to burn fats, but of course success
will still depend on the person. Nonetheless, these foods must be
accompanied by exercise to make the most out of their fat
burning potential.

Exercises For Lower Abdominals – Medicine Ball Workout Routines

I'm not exactly sure what it is but just about everyone these days is interested in getting really nicely defined abdominal muscles. It could be because of the media culture that we live in or perhaps it's because 6 or even 8 pack abs are are really pleasant to look at. Whatever the reason, chances are good that if you are reading this article you too want to know how to get ripped abs.

Your abdominal muscles consist primarily of three different muscle groups: upper abs, lower abs, and obliques. Many fitness enthusiasts simply do not understand the basic concepts behind lower abdominal exercises and unfortunately waste much of their precious time doing ab routines that just don't work For example, you have likely tried doing sit ups, crunches, and leg lifts in the hopes of developing your abdominal muscles.

While recommended by fitness professionals and coaches the world over, sit ups, crunches, and leg lifts only really work the upper abdominal muscles. If you want to get 6 or even 8 pack abs then you are going to need to incorporate a few medicine ball exercises into your abdominal workout routine. Gyms have varying degrees of medicine balls some of which weigh as much as 25 pounds. For these exercises an 8-10 pound ball is recommended. Also, you should aim to do 8-10 sets of each exercise with 8-10 reps per set.


Knee Lifts – Lay flat on your back and place the medicine ball tightly between your knees. While still keeping your back firmly against the ground, raise your knees along with the medicine ball ¾ of the way towards your head and back down again for a total of 8-10 sets. Remember to keep your head and back firmly planted against the ground.

Upright Leg Raises – To do this exercise you will need a standing dip machine. A standing dip machine will allow you to remain upright and raise your legs at the same time. Once you have secured yourself in the dip machine place the medicine ball between your feet and lift your legs upwards until they reach a 90 degree angle with your body and then lower them back down again. If you are unable to locate a standing dip machine then you can lay down on your back instead of standing upright.

Medicine Ball Passes – Lay completely flat on the ground with your arms stretched behind your head and your legs pressed firmly against the ground. Place the medicine ball in your hands that are stretched behind your head and simultaneously raise your arms and legs towards one another and pass the ball from your hands to your feet while lowering your arms and legs back down to the ground. Then raise your legs and pass the ball back to your hands. Rinse and repeat.

Oblique Twists – Assume the same position you did for the knee lifts. Place the ball between your knees and twist your knees left and then to the right and back again. Alternatively, you can place the ball in your hand and with your knees in the upright position twist your body toward your left knee then your right knee and back again.

lower abdominal workout,lower exercises,exercise abdominals

Not Balanced

I was visiting a friend recently and happen to notice two tubs of that margarine on her counter claiming to reduce cholesterol.

I've spoken against the use of these plant sterol products in classes I teach, in articles I've written, and in posts here at Natural Health News.

I always advise the use of unsalted butter (organic or BST free when ever possible) blended with high quality olive oil not sold in plastic.

Additionally I suggest the use of coconut oil.

The plant sterol mania coupled with the mis-information about cholesterol leaves out mention of the negative nutrition associated with the two oils relied on as some sort of miracle cure.

This morning a blog visitor mentioned a site that has some information that supports my theory on the use of canola and soy oil.

I am particularly moved by the supporting data this site offers, and here is a quote -

From The Journal of Nutrition. "Being a scientific journal it is a little difficult to read, but in summary, the content states that feeding two generations of rats with Canola oil as opposed to Soybean oil actually reduced the lifespan of the second generation of rats by about 20%! It also reduced the lifespan of the first generation, but by a smaller amount.

Erucic acid is the toxic component of Canola Oil, and the Australian Governement's website has the following very interesting article about the negative effects of erucic acid: http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/Erucic acid monograph.pdf. In summary, the researchers found that just one dose of erucic acid was enough to cause the buildup of fatty deposits in the heart muscles of rats!

For access to more information

Here's hoping you do more investigation and learn what I've been trying to educate people about for a good decade or longer.

And move on past those tubs of chemicals and any thing else you find that contains "plant sterols". They just aren't for your best health.

The recipe I've used since I owned a first edition of "Laurel's Kitchen" is simply one half cup high quality extra virgin olive oil not sold in plastic and 1 stick of organic or BST free unsalted butter. Soften the butter and blend in the olive oil.

and VOILA - now you have your own "spread". And this one promotes health! Keep refrigerated but know that it is always spreadable.

Laurel's recipe has a few added ingredients but I dropped those years ago. If you like a little salt please use ONLY farmed Celtic salt or Tao salt. That trendy pink salt just has too much fluoride for health.

UPDATE: A reader objected to my comment on Pink Salt. I chose not to publish her comment because it contained a commercial site link.

You may find out more about the fluoride in Pink Himalayan salt here -
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/01/salt-may-be-health-scam.html
and I will remind readers that farmed salt is not a product that contains excessive amounts of this dangerous element. Fluoride IS cumulative and it damages the pineal gland, other organs, teeth, bone, and body function, no matter the source.

Not Smart

I might today wish that I had a phone in my shoe. It might be that those texting gadgets are today's version. Dialing and thumb or finger actions seems to promote some problems. We do know from actual use that ADVENTURX helps, and this is based on some old and well known scientific research regarding the use of minerals and vitamins for this and similar conditions such as Carpal Tunnel.

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/05/blackberry-thumb.html

Balance Training - Get A Complete Workout

Athletes in any sport must focus on several areas of the
body during their training. A strength-based workout
consists of much more than basic stamina and physical
strength; you can train for boxing by using kettle bells,
power bags and boxing rings to focus on your upper body.

This process will enable you to work on your flexibility,
provide a total body workout and will help you to become
aware of mobility limits. One simple way to achieve this is
to focus on balance training in your workout.

Balance training is used by many athletes, martial artists
and physical therapists around the world. It is a
concentrated focus on your body, of maintaining position and
coordination through time and movement. The power bag is one
example and is a useful tool that can be included in your
stretches before and after working out and it can be used
with equipment or be used free standing.

The balance ball is another example. This tool will stretch out
under-used muscles and help to increase movement, which will
limit any muscle adhesion.

While useful, balance training isn't something that you can
just rush into. Many physical trainers will tell you
outright what balance exercises will work for you and which
ones to avoid, as well as which ones can be dangerous based
on your current level of training.

As always, any training should be done in moderation and all
athletes should ease into their training as they go. Always
consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.

The use of balance training combined with other,
muscle-group orientated training will have a
significant impact on your results.