Science shock: Statins DOUBLE the risk of diabetes!

Science shock: Statins DOUBLE the risk of diabetes!

A long-term study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine has shown that statin users are more than twice as likely to develop diabeteshttp://www.truthwiki.org/natural_help_for_diabetes/ compared to those who didn't use statins. Additionally, they're a whopping 250 percent more likely to develop the disease in conjunction with complications – including nerve, kidney and eye damage – than non-statin users.(1)



The research, which tracked individuals through a database for nearly a decade, set out with the objective to "examine the association between statin use and new-onset diabetes, diabetic complications http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=106&t=34925, and overweight/obesity in a cohort of healthy adults." After assessing statin users and nonusers during this time, researchers concluded that, "Diabetes, diabetic complications, and overweight/obesity http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=119were more commonly diagnosed among statin-users than similar nonusers in a healthy cohort of adults."(2)

Heart expert: Side effects of statins are 'alarming'

Professor Ishak Mansi, a heart specialist at the University of Texas who led the study, called the findings "alarming," adding that such a correlation "was never shown before." It's even made him think twice when it comes to how he prescribes such drugs. Of people with heart disease, he says, "I am sceptical [sic] about the prescribing guidelines for people at lower risk ... I am concerned about the long term effects on the huge population of healthy people on these drugs who continue for many years."(1)

Interestingly, Mansi doesn't entirely advocate that people stop statin drug use since "... statin therapy is a cornerstone in treatment of cardiovascular diseases and have been clearly shown to lower mortality and disease progression." Hmmm. Sounds like somewhat of a PR sound-bite to us. At the same time though, he suggests that having an awareness about the risks that were turned up in the study may be motivating factors for some to stop smoking or lose weight http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=27562, which are known heart stressors.(1)

Of course, this isn't the first time evidence has been furnished proving statins' bad rap.

Time and again, it's been shown that statin drugs are harmful

Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, wrote about the problems associated with this cholesterol-lowering class of drugs not too long ago, honing in on a study in which scientists found that statin drugs http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=27197 "deactivate" the stem cells that are involved with the body's cellular repair. As a result, mental and physical decline is virtually inevitable, with side effects ranging from muscle pain and fatigue, to diabeteshttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/dd/diabetes/diabetes_3.php and liver dysfunction.(3)

In that instance, the findings were published in the American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology. The journal's abstract mentions the "adverse clinical effects" of statin drugs, noting that they "impaired the expression of DNA repair." It was made clear that a slew of side effects are linked to statin drugs; in addition to the ones already mentioned, cataract formation and memory loss are health problems that individuals could develop.(4)

Why then, are people still being prescribed something known to destroy their health, rather than improve it?

Bad for our health, good for Big Pharma's wallets

Of course, we know why: profit.

With about 100 million people worldwide being prescribed statin drugs, it's easy to see why Big Pharma http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=65 wouldn't want the script pad to get dusty. So goes the all-too-familiar situation in which the medical community makes an enormous amount of money by turning patients into profit, despite that fact that these drugs wreak havoc on their body. Diabetes http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=92&sid=0a3cc67eb44e43efb4fc827deb45da22, weight gain, cataracts, loss of mental capacity and some muscle pain to boot? Sure, why not? After all, it's "helping" to lower that darn cholesterol, so it's worth it, right?(3)

Nope.

Our health is going from bad to worse, all while most medical professionals tell us to keep giving prescription drugs a whirl. If we question any ill effects, we're typically told to "just give it time," or simply prescribed another brand and told to "hang in there" and see how that one pans out.

We deserve better than this.

Sources for this article include:

(1) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3425192/Heart-drug-statins-DOUBLES-risk-diabetes-according-alarming-10-year-study.html

(2) http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11606-015-3335-1

(3) http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=33414

(4) http://ajpcell.physiology.org/content/early/2015/07/23/ajpcell.00406.2014

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New field of nutrigenomics reveals how what you eat now can prevent future disease

New field of nutrigenomics reveals how what you eat now can prevent future disease

Kansas State University (K-State) researchers have joined a growing number of scientists who say a relatively new medical field known as nutrigenomics could change the future of public health forever. How? By tailoring strategies to prevent diseases before they can happen -- diseases that might otherwise be in a person's future because of his or her genetic makeup.



The key to this revolutionary stop-disease-before-it-happens strategy isn't a new drug, vaccine or sophisticated gene therapy. Instead, it is eating specific foods.

K-State researchers recently published an academic journal article in Food Technology outlining the potential for nutrigenomics, a field that studies the effects of food on gene expression. Simply put, scientists could eventually recommend specific foods for an individual based on his or her genetics that will prevent future diseases -- especially those that tend to "run in families", such as certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and even obesity.

"Nutrigenomics involves tailoring diets to someone's genetic makeup," Koushik Adhikari, K-State assistant professor of sensory analysis, said in a statement to the media. "I speculate that in five to 10 years, you would go to a genetic counselor or a physician who could help you understand your genetic makeup, and then a nutritional professional could customize your diet accordingly."

Nutrigenomics combines molecular biology, genetics and nutrition to pinpoint how gene expression can be regulated through specific nutrients. That's important because nutrients have been shown to affect gene expression through transcription factors (biochemical entities that bind to DNA and either promote or inhibit transcription of genes).

Nutrigenomics does not involve genetically modifying a food's DNA by splicing and adding genes. Instead, nutrigenomics http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4159 focuses on using foods' natural phytochemicals, nutrients and other components to promote better health. And while current mainstream medicine's preventive recommendations that involve diet -- such as eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to lower the risk of cancer -- are generalities for the overall population, nutrigenomics research involves developing specific health recommendations that can be modified to an individual's needs.

"Scientists are looking at the molecular mechanisms in the body," Adhikari explained in the media statement. "At the molecular level, you can look at what specific nutrients can do to your body that would trigger genes to act properly, in a healthy way."

"That is where I think the main focus of nutrigenomics is going to be in the future," Adhikari said. "It could tell you that you have the propensity for certain chronic diseases so that you could modify your diet accordingly." He added, for example, that with a better understanding of how nutrients alter gene expression, there is a potential that food could be used instead of medication to combat problems like high cholesterol http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/hh/highbloodcholesterol.php.

K-State researchers in human nutrition are currently working on these kinds of studies. For example, they are investigating the impact plant chemicals have on preventing different types of cancers. They are also studying how the Chinese fruit known as wolfberry could be used to improve vision. These research projects are designed to not only answer whether specific nutrients prevent a disease http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/conditionanddisease.php, but also how they exert their health benefits.

For more information: 
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/mar10/nutrigenomics30510.html

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Massive food inflation strikes Canada... consumers paying $8 for a head of cauliflower, $3 for a single cucumber

Massive food inflation strikes Canada... consumers paying $ 8 for a head of cauliflower, $3 for a single cucumber

Due to a "perfect storm" of inflationary factors – not the least of which being the continuing drop in oil prices http://collapse.news/2015-08-24-oil-prices-plummet-below-40.html – Canadians are seeing the effects of a weakening currency reflected in food prices at the supermarket.



$3 cucumbers, $8 for a head of cauliflower, grapes at $10 per bag – the spiraling cost of foods, particularly those imported from Canada's neighbor to the south, has consumers there reeling from sticker shock.

Social media platforms have been inundated lately with complaints about the rising food costs, and the offset in low prices at the gas pump has not been enough to make up the difference for Canadians who are now paying more for almost all imported goods.

It's one thing having to forego buying a new iPhone http://www.glitch.news/2015-09-28-the-lies-behind-apples-encryption-boasts-the-fbis-backdoors-to-the-iphone.html or other luxury items, but not being able to afford the foods one is accustomed to is particularly frustrating for the average consumer.

So what's behind the collapse of the Canadian dollar?

From The New York Times:

As prices for commodities have dropped, the value of the Canadian dollar has fallen, a direct link to an economy that is dependent on oil and other resources. It makes imports, like fresh American vegetables during the dark Canadian winter, look especially costly. Two years ago, one Canadian dollar was worth 93 American cents. On Wednesday, it stood at 69 American cents.

Canada imports 80 percent of its produce – much of it comes from California where the prolonged drought http://www.nutritionalanarchy.com/2015/03/18/what-if-the-drought-causes-californias-food-supply-to-collapse/ has caused prices to rise in terms of American dollars. This, combined with other factors, has caused prices for fresh fruits and vegetables to skyrocket – many items now cost more than three times what they did as recently as one year ago:

Iceberg lettuce sells for 3 Canadian dollars, up from the typical 90 Canadian cents. One head of broccoli goes for $4, compared with $1.50 for two in the past. Last winter, a head of cauliflower was selling for 2.50 Canadian.

U.S. food prices expected to rise

At the moment, food prices in the United States are maintaining an average growth rate, but the future is not so bright. In fact, many are predicting a steady rise in food costs in the coming years.

From CheatSheet.com:

There is plenty of concern over the future of food prices in America right now, and for good reason. Even big business is growing wary. Most of the western United States is experiencing a drought of epic proportions, which is most certainly going to have an effect on food prices nationwide. Droughts, along with the changes they force on supply lines, increased transportation costs, and destruction of livestock and farmland, all play a pivotal part in determining food prices.

Grow your own!

The only way to protect yourself from rising food costs is to produce as much of it on your own as you possibly can. Self-reliance is more crucial than ever in the face of global insecurity – both in terms of currency fluctuations and extreme weather patterns that individuals have very little control over.

If you're not already growing your own fresh produce, it's time to get started.

One of the best ways to do so is with the Food Rising Mini-Farm Grow Box http://foodrising.org/Index.html system developed by Natural News founder Mike Adams, the Health Ranger.

The Food Rising system is an inexpensive and revolutionary method that can be utilized for growing fresh organic produce http://www.organicfoods.news/ without the need for electricity or a large garden space.

The Mini-Farm Grow Box System is a self-watering, non-circulating hydroponic system that makes growing your own organic fruits and vegetables a simple and easy task. The system requires very little tending, and all the open-source plans are available for free on the http://foodrising.org/ website.

Stop worrying about the rising cost of food – start your own organic garden today!

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/21/business/dealbook/in-canada-5-cauliflowers-cost-more-than-a-barrel-of-oil.html?_r=1

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-13/canadians-are-going-loonie-on-social-media-about-skyrocketing-grocery-bills?cmpid=twtr1

http://www.cheatsheet.com/business/8-states-with-the-highest-food-costs.html/?a=viewall

http://foodrising.org/Index.html

http://www.glitch.news/2015-09-28-the-lies-behind-apples-encryption-boasts-the-fbis-backdoors-to-the-iphone.html

http://collapse.news/2015-08-24-oil-prices-plummet-below-40.html

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The illusion of choices in choosing a restaurant - Toxic factory food from a handful of suppliers

The illusion of choices in choosing a restaurant - Toxic factory food from a handful of suppliers

There are dozens of chain restaurants from which we can choose when we go out to eat. Some are fast-food eateries with counters for ordering, and others are traditional sit-down table service restaurants. Probably McDonalds is the most well-known fast-food chain, but dozens of other chains dot the landscape of towns and cities throughout America. (Story by John P. Thomas, republished from http://healthimpactnews.com/2015/the-illusion-of-choices-in-choosing-a-restaurant-toxic-factory-food-from-a-handful-of-suppliers/.)



As of 2012, there were 263,944 fast food restaurants in America with a combined revenue of well over $100 billion.[1]

If we set aside all the reasons for eating in specific fast-food restaurants, and only focus on the quality of food that is served, then where should we eat? Which restaurants offer the least toxic food?

It might appear that we have dozens of choices, but this is actually an illusion. The difference between one fast-food restaurant and the next is negligible when considering the high levels of toxic ingredients that are in the food.

Restaurant Cooking used to be just like Home Cooking



When people traveled across America in the first half of the twentieth century up through the 1960s, they would have found numerous diners or mom & pop restaurants of one kind or another. These restaurants featured regionally authentic recipes that matched what people cooked in their homes. The restaurant not allowed were bigger than home not allowed, and mom & pop prepared food in larger quantities. If they had been cooking at home, the meals they prepared would have been the same, and they would have obtained the raw ingredients from the same sources.

Even institutional not allowed such as hospitals and nursing homes cooked much of their food from scratch just as was done in most American homes through the 1960s. All that began to change in the 1970s as regional factory size "not allowed" began to prepare frozen foods for wholesale distribution to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, military bases, fast-food eateries, and even some of America's most well-known restaurants.

A network of food factories are now supplying most all fast-food eating establishments with ready to eat food they can defrost and serve, or with prefabricated food they can defrost, heat, and serve. Sometimes even first-class table-service restaurants may serve factory food in addition to what their chefs prepare.

Don't Assume Restaurant Food is made in the Restaurant

When you go out and eat meals at chain restaurants, you are most likely consuming food that was produced in a factory. This can even be the case for some independent restaurants. Food factories use assembly line technology reminiscent of automobile assembly lines. Football stadium size factories crank out "food" products by the ton. The equipment they use and the processes they employ have no resemblance to home cooking or even to cooking that could be done in a local restaurant.

Factory produced food is produced and distributed by several large companies who specialize in providing products for all types of restaurants. America's largest manufacturer of prepared food for restaurants is Sysco. This is how they describe themselves:

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates 194 distribution facilities serving approximately 425,000 customers. For Fiscal Year 2014 that ended June 28, 2014, the company generated sales of more than $46 billion.[2]

Sysco is not the only source of factory food that is sold to restaurants. There are others who compete with them to provide raw food, semi-prepared food, and completely cooked food. Restaurants often receive daily deliveries of perishable and non-perishable food from these suppliers.

In 1970, the commercial food service market that was served by companies such as Sysco was a 35 billion dollar per year industry. Today, it has grown to become a 255 billion dollar industry. [3]

Read more at http://healthimpactnews.com/2015/the-illusion-of-choices-in-choosing-a-restaurant-toxic-factory-food-from-a-handful-of-suppliers/.

Sources:

[1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/20/fast-food-truths_n_4296243.html

[2] http://www.sysco.com/

[3] http://www.sysco.com/about-sysco.html

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Exposure to toxic heavy metal cadmium accelerates cellular aging

Exposure to toxic heavy metal cadmium accelerates cellular aging

Research conducted at the Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH) at George Washington University has found that exposure to the heavy metal cadmium wreaks havoc on cells, making them age faster and, in turn, accelerating the onset of health complications. The study, which was the largest ever to assess the way cadmium impacts parts of DNA which rest on the ends of chromosomes -- called telomeres -- was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.(1)



Telomeres help preserve the functioning of chromosomes, acting as a protective "barrier" that helps protect the genetic code and, ultimately, helps keep overall health in tact. The longer they are, the more they aid in the process. Shorter ones, however, are an indication that health setbacks are more likely to kick in. While shortening of telomeres is a part of the normal aging process, toxins such as cadmium can render cells unable to divide and, eventually, quicken the development of chronic diseases.(1)

Study affirms that even low levels of heavy metals are dangerous

"We looked at heavy metals in this study and found a strong association between exposure to low levels of cadmium and telomere shortening," said Ami Zota, ScD, MS, an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at Milken Institute SPH. "Our findings suggest that cadmium exposure can cause premature aging of cells. And they add to other evidence indicating this heavy metal can get into the bloodstream and trigger kidney disease and other health problems."(1) 

For the study, Zota and her colleagues examined the blood and urine samples taken from over 6,700 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for a few years. The telomere lengths of these participants were measured, followed by a measurement of cadmium in the samples. When the adults were broken up into fourths based on the levels of cadmium discovered in the bloodstream, it was discovered that those in the highest cadmium group had telomeres that were approximately 6 percent shorter than those in the lowest group.(1) 

"People with the highest cadmium exposure had cells that looked on average 11 years older than their chronological age," Zota said, adding that even people in the highest group of exposure still had very tiny amounts of metal in their bloodstream. "This study adds to evidence suggesting that no level of exposure to this metal is safe."(1)

Sources of cadmium range from contaminated foods to certain children's toys

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal, which the World Health Organization (WHO) considers a "major public health concern," linking it with a host of health problems from respiratory issues and cancer to cardiovascular disease. According to Zota, those who are commonly exposed to cadmium usually are ones who inhale tobacco smoke, reside near industrial sites and consume fruits and vegetables grown in contaminated soil.(1)

WHO reports that "Food constitutes the main environmental source of cadmium for non-smokers" and that "Some crops, such as rice, can accumulate high concentrations of cadmium if grown on cadmium-polluted soil."(2)

Perhaps what comes to mind for many people are the numerous warnings about rice from China. At one time fairly recently, the Food and Drug Administration of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, discovered that 8 out of 18 samples of rice tested from restaurants and canteens had cadmium levels exceeding national limits.(3)

Exposure to cadmium involves more than just food, tobacco and industrial site proximity; recent findings have uncovered that it lurks in some popular children's toys.

In a report called "Toxic Tidings," Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx) expressed an increased sense of urgency in passing the Child Safe Products Act. Details of the report, which were made public around the 2014 holiday season, mentioned that common children's toys such as pencil cases decorated with Spongebob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer, as well as a Hello Kitty ring set, tested positive for cadmium and cobalt. In this instance, the findings were mainly discovered at various New York dollar stores.(4)

More details about the cadmium and telomere length study, titled "Associations of Cadmium and Lead Exposure With Leukocyte Telomere Length: Findings From National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2002," can be found here http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/12/10/aje.kwu293.(5)

Sources for this article include:

(1) http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-12/gwum-het120814.php

(2) http://www.who.int/ipcs/features/cadmium.pdf[PDF]

(3) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/world/asia/cadmium-tainted-rice-discovered-in-southern-china.html?_r=0

(4) http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/toxic-tidings-report-lists-dangerous-toys-article-1.2049387

(5) http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/12/10/aje.kwu293

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10 Fruits Rich in Calcium

10 Fruits Rich in Calcium

As you’re likely aware, calcium is an absolutely essential mineral that helps support development of healthy teeth, bones, muscles, and much more. Calcium plays an integral role in the secretion of a number of hormones and enzymes that are vital for your body function efficiently. As such, it’s important to get adequate calcium; dietary is best but supplementation may also be necessary for many people. Research has repeatedly discovered relationships between calcium deficiency and serious illness such as osteoporosis. Getting enough calcium is a goal everyone needs to be consciously working to achieve.



If you’re trying to adopt (or already have adopted) vegan or vegetarian dietary habits then you may be looking for alternatives to the dairy and meat products that are often mistakenly considered to be the only food sources of calcium available. We’re all aware that fresh organic fruits provide many beneficial nutrients but you may be surprised to learn that, for a number of fruits, calcium is one of those nutrients.



Why Do We Need Calcium?

Calcium is frequently associated with healthy skeletal health and that association is accurate. However, calcium is needed by the body for much more and calcium deficiency can cause more problems than weak bones and teeth.

Research has established that a low dietary intake of calcium is a risk factor for developing high blood pressurehttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/hh/highbloodpressure.php. Conversely, increased dietary calcium intake has been shown to help lower blood pressure in persons with hypertension. [1]

Oddly enough, the Department of Chemical Pathology at Dumfries and Galloway District Hospital in the United Kingdom has published information that shows calcium deficiency to be a cause of rickets. [2]

10 Fruits High in Calcium

Making conscious eating decisions is important if you’re going to meet your daily nutritional requirements, it won’t happen by accident. With this comes a thin line between routinely getting the nutrients you need, without it being too routine. If you’re eating the same thing every single day, you’re going to get bored. Here are ten delicious fruits you can alternate between are great sources of calcium, not to mention other nutrients!

1. Oranges and Tangerines

Loaded with 43 mg of the recommended 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily intake for the average person, oranges and tangerines also contain a powerful amount of vitamin C and that makes them an excellent choice.

2. Dried Apricots

As if their delicious taste wasn’t enough, dried apricots contain 5mg of calcium in a 100g serving. A perfect choice for everyone, but especially hikers, bikers, and campers.

3. Kiwi

This tropical fruit looks rejuvenating because it is. Kiwi provides 34 mg of calcium per 100g serving. To put that into perspective, a single cup contains 60 mg.

4. Dates

Dates are a tasty treat and each date contains around 15 mg of calcium.

5. Dried Figs

Dried figs may be the best fruit source of calcium there is? At 241 mg of calcium per cup and 13 mg per each individual fig, on average, a small serving of dried figs can go a long way in achieving the goal of adequate calcium intake.

6. Rhubarb

A New York court decided in 1947 that rhubarb, then labeled a vegetable, could be considered a fruit. Despite the identity crisis, what’s solid is rhubarb as a calcium source, containing 348 mg of calcium in a single cup.



7. Prickly Pears

An exotic treat, prickly pears, also known as red tunas, contain 58 mg of calcium per each pear.

8. Prunes

In addition to aiding the colon, prunes (specifically dried prunes) can offer up 75 mg of calcium in a single cup.

9. Mulberries

Mulberries are not sold in many grocery stores and can be hard to find. It’s a shame too, they contain up to 55 mg calcium in 1 cup. If you can find them, try them, they’re great!

10. Kumquats

Kumquats have a rich flavor, are high in vitamins A and C, and contain up to 12 mg of calcium. These little power pellets can be a great boost.

Getting Enough Calcium is Essential

Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake positively impacts your bone health by providing the micronutrients and antioxidants that are absolutely essential to promote healthy bone formation and good health. Develop a healthy rotation habitually enjoying the fruits on this list, organic when possible, and not only will you experience the benefits of getting enough calcium, but also the other health benefits that accompany a diet rich in fresh fruits

by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

• IntraCal™
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References:

1. Pörsti I, Mäkynen H. Dietary calcium intake: effects on central blood pressure control http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8588115. Semin Nephrol. 1995 Nov;15(6):550-63. Review.

2. Ramasamy I. Inherited disorders of calcium homeostasis http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18474231. Clin Chim Acta. 2008 Aug;394(1-2):22-41. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2008.04.011. Epub 2008 Apr 22. Review.

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