Fiber does not prevent colorectal cancer! Dec. 26, 2005

According to an article in the December 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical association, fiber does not prevent colorectal cancer.

This report appears to be in conflict with numerous other studies that show a definite relationship between a diet high in natural plant fiber and the risk of these cancers.

While many people reading this report and listen to commentary regarding it will use the news headlines to justify their continued use of the typical American diet, some will read between the lines and recall that health and disease are not dependent upon any one single ingredient, but upon a whole lifestyle.

Although the mere addition of fiber to the diet may not ward off cancer of the colon or of other organs, the application of the whole spectrum of well recognized health promoting lifestyle practices will certainly improve one's odds.

A wise person will not be misled by a statistic, even if correct, but will be guided by a wealth of well-integrated information. (Click here to read more about health)

Can a mother be too careful? Dec. 26, 2005

Can a mother be too careful in her efforts to protect her precious child from other people's germs?

If the findings of Lead author, Richard McNally, of Newcastle University are correct, leukemia and brain tumors may be more common in children who have been sheltered too much.

This, and a number of previous studies, suggest that a certain amount of exposure to infections is necessary for the development of the immune system.

While no one would recommend exposing kids to life threatening infections to make them stronger, it just may be wise to let the kids get some of the common colds and flu's, rather than trying too hard to protect them. (Click here to read more about health)

Save a life, push on a chest! Dec. 26, 2005

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is too complicated for the common Joe.

Too many people are afraid of it, and too often it doesn't get done.

Now, the American Heart Association, in keeping with a review of numerous studies by an international team of scientists, has revised its guidelines for CPR.

Now it's simply, push on the chest.

If there is no one that can give the rescue breaths, at least everyone can push on a chest.

And a life may be saved.

In fact, the more times a person pushes on the chest, the better off the patient is, because there is more blood flow to the brain and other vital organs," says Dr. Michael Sayre of Ohio State University.

Life expectancy reaches all time high of 77.6 years. Dec. 19, 2005

Life expectance in the United States is now at 77.6 years, due in part to dropping rates of heart disease, cancer and strokes - the leading killers.

Time was when most of the increase in life expectancy noted in developed countries was attributable to immunization and the elimination of high child mortality from infectious disease.

Not any more.

Most of the improving statistics today are due to improved medical care and alterations in life style practices made possible by findings in scientific studies - many of which have been done on Seventh-day Adventists.

Unfortunately, longevity is not always accompanied by good health, happiness, nor without significant cost.

Only in the new earth will the true pleasure of long life be fully realized. (Click here to read about heaven)

Marketing responsible for the bad health of America's kids. Dec. 19, 2005

Marketing practices presently being used by food and beverage companies are largely responsible for placing children at high risk for health problems tomorrow, according to J. Michael McGinnis, who headed an Institute of Medicine study into the effects of advertising on children's eating practices.

Their study confirmed what most parents already know, that kids "force" parents to buy the food items they see advertised on TV and the Internet, foods that make people fat and sick.

In the year 2004, the industry spent $10 billion on marketing food and beverages to kids, most of which were high calorie, high fat products.

For this $10 billion investment, kids spent $200 billion and influenced the purchase of even more.

While McDonald's has tried to switch to healthier foods, and has become the world's biggest consumer of apples, by and large, the industry has failed in its attempt to change the nation's eating habits for the better.

They say, people do not buy food that is low in salt and fat and sugar.

Perhaps, but if they were to make really good tasting healthy food, perhaps that would all change.

Good, health promoting food can look and taste good. (Click here to read more)

HIV therapy works. Dec. 5, 2005

Many have believed that the use of anti-retroviral therapy to treat HIV/AIDS in poor third world countries would not be effective.

HIV/AIDS patients are often very sick, and frequently have other serious diseases like tuberculosis, diabetes, malaria, etc. complicating the HIV infection.

For this reason and because the medication requires careful laboratory testing and monitoring which is not available in most areas, merely providing the retro-viral medication would not be expected to be effective.

Now, a recent study done in Haiti reveals that even in a poor country, outcomes similar to those in the wealthier West may be expected - so long as the same quality of care is given - a fact that will require long-term international support.

So, yes, HIV/AIDS can be treated in poor countries, if professional help can be made available as was done in the Haiti study.

Unfortunately, this study does not answer the question since it was only done on carefully selected patients.

Only those who stuck with the treatment program received the benefit. (Click here to read more about health)

GM modified field peas cause allergic reaction in mice. Dec. 5, 2005

When scientists removed a gene from common beans and transferred it into field peas, the field peas caused allergic lung damage in the mice that ate them.

This was an unexpected finding since the beans from which the gene was taken did not produce any untoward reaction in the mice.

Ever since genetic engineering has been applied to the foods we eat, we have been reassured that it is safe.

Scientists working in the fields of genetic modification, claim the food is safe.

This may be, but some critics claim that we really do not know this for certain, since many of the scientists making the claims are employees of the companies that grow and market their GM products.

On the other hand, the fact that these modified field peas were identified before reaching the market should give us a little reassurance regarding food safeguards.

While there may or may not be significant risk of using genetically modified food products, some see a much greater risk in the very principle and practice of "messing" with God's creation and attempting to make it better. (Click here to read more)

Wash your veggies! Dec. 5, 2005

Wash your veggies lest you get sick!

During the years 2002 and 2003, there were 31 outbreaks of food born infections with salmonella and E. coli caused by fruits and vegetables as compared to only 29 from poultry.

Tomatoes and sprouts have been the biggest problems, but certainly not the only ones.

While "addicts" to animal food products will surely use these studies to support their practice of killing and eating animals, it is still true that plant food items are much more beneficial to health than food items coming from animal sources.

Just be sure to wash your veggies before you eat them. (Click here to read more about health)

Breastfeeding is good for mothers too! Dec. 5, 2005

Breastfeeding is not only good for babies, but it is good for mothers as well.

Mothers who breast feed their babies for one year decrease their risk of developing diabetes type 2 by 15%, and the risk continues to drop the longer one continues to nurse the baby.

Benefits last at least up to 15 years following the last baby to be nursed.

These findings of a study by Harvard Medical School were reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Nov. 23, 2005.

Of course, we shouldn’t be surprised should we if things work to our advantage when we use them according to the original design? (Click here to read more about health)

Preschool not for preschoolers! Nov. 28, 2005

Preschool is not for preschoolers if findings of a recent study conducted at U C Berkley are to be believed.

While it is true that kids gained cognitive skills (knowledge) in preschool, it came at the expense of social and emotional development.

Bruce Fuller, sociologist and co-author of the study said, "On average, the report finds that the earlier a child enters a preschool, the slower his or her pace of social development."

Children spending 15 hours or more per week in preschool displayed more negative social behaviors than their stay-at-home peers.

In America, nearly two thirds of 4 year-olds attend preschool the year before starting kindergarten, and a number of governors and mayors are pushing for universal preschools.

More than one hundred years ago a lady by the name of Ellen White wrote under divine inspiration that the home was the very best place for a child to spend the most important years of his/her education.

This study from U C Berkley now comes as somewhat of a rebuke to those who have ignored her admonition. (Click here to read more)

AIDS patients, laboratory for Bird flu mutation? Nov. 28, 2005

Dr. Robert Webster, of St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, told a conference organized by the Council on Foreign Relations in New York that patients with AIDS could be laboratories where the Avian flu virus, H5N1, might mutate to become contagious among humans.

Bird flu kills by over-stimulating the immune system creating a "cytokine storm."

Cytokines are chemicals released by the immune system to destroy unwanted invaders, but when released in excessive amounts, are capable of destroying healthy cells as well.

Some scientists reason that if AIDS patients are not able to produce cytokines - an unknown at this point - they may not be killed by the Bird flu virus.

But if not, the bird flu virus may live in the AIDS patients where it could develop the ability to spread among humans more readily.

The greatest risk of this occurring is in Africa where AIDS has its highest incidence, and where recognition of Bird flu could be difficult because of its resemblance to tuberculosis and malaria. (Click here to read more about health)

Hamburgers cause asthma! Nov. 21, 2005

Kids who eat just one hamburger a week increase their chances of getting asthma by 75% and of wheezing by 100%.

The study led by Dr. Kristen Wickens from the Wellington medical school in New Zealand recorded the diet of 1321 students aged 10 to 12 years and compared their diet with symptoms of asthma and wheezing.

The more hamburgers they ate, the higher the incidence of wheezing and asthma.

While it has often been theorized that asthma was due to increasing air pollution, the evidence seems to point otherwise.

Tokyo has only a fifth as much asthma as Wellington but much higher pollution levels.

Researches postulated salt and other components of junk foods may also be contributing to the findings. (Click here to read more about health)

Coffee is good for women! Or is it? Nov. 21, 2005

A study reported in the November 9, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association declared that women who habitually drink coffee do not have a higher risk of having high blood pressure as a result.

These findings are quite different from a recent study in men showing a definite relationship between coffee consumption and hypertension.

It was interesting that while coffee appeared to be "safe" for women, cola drinks were associated with increased elevations of blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a risk factor for strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.

Whether or not the findings are confirmed by other studies, coffee, both with and without its caffeine, causes numerous adverse effects on vibrant health.

For those desiring the very best of health, just plain water can't be beat. (Click here to read more about health)

One out of three cancers blamed on diet. Nov. 14, 2005

One out of every three cancers that develop is believed to be associated with the diet we eat.

Accordingly, changing one's diet may be among the most effective ways to reduce one's risk of getting cancer- next to quitting smoking.

Studies presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research made a powerful argument for switching from a diet high in animal food products to one rich in fruit and vegetables.

One study presented at the meeting reported on the incidence of breast cancer among Polish women living in America compared with their counterparts back in the "old country."

Women living in Poland ate 30 pounds of cabbage per year on average compared to 10 pounds for American Poles. Those that ate the most cabbage had the lowest incidence of cancer.

In another study, juice from broccoli sprouts was rubbed on the skin of hairless mice after they had been exposed to ultraviolet light equivalent to sunbathing twice a week for 20 weeks.

Mice painted with the broccoli extract had half the number of skin cancers as the controls.

Researches noted that the extract appeared to inhibit the cancer producing effects of the ultra violet light rather than merely acting as a sunscreen.

The chemicals, glucosinolates, appear to be the effective agent in the cabbage family of plants that is responsible for their anti-cancer effects. (Click here to read more about health)

Placebos do work! Nov. 7, 2005

Placebos really do work - at least if the patient believes he/she will receive help from the look-alike pill.

Recent brain imaging research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (pet) scans have revealed that the placebo effect is real and works by release of opioids from the areas of the brain that provide the relief of symptoms.

The placebo effect is closely related to the expectations of the patient to get the indicated help.

Opioids are chemicals produced in the brain by the brain cells that are similar to the opioids found in poppies and other narcotic and pain relieving drugs.

Medical professionals have used placebos for centuries, often in a last ditch attempt to relieve symptoms when nothing else was working, or in an attempt to learn whether a patient's symptoms were real or just faked.

Now we know the effects may be very real - a finding that will complicate drug research that through the years has assumed that placebos didn't do anything to the brain and could therefore be used to compare results with the actual drug.

This information is interesting also in that now we have a plausible explanation why many alternative medications and procedures may appear to work.

If a pretty starch pill will cause relief of pain, why shouldn't acupuncture or homeopathic medicines do the same thing?

The answer now appears to be, they can!

Also interestingly, if opioids can be released from the brain by belief and expectation, one might wonder one might be able to "learn" how to activate his own opioid centers by thought processes or by safe and simple natural treatments. (Click here to read more about health)

Big "Mac" counts calories!

Before the end of 2006, anyone anywhere in the world who buys a Big Mac will see on the package it is wrapped in just how many calories they will be eating.

McDonald's, the world's largest fast food provider has made this decision in the face of the rapidly increasing epidemic of obesity and related diseases - an epidemic often blamed, at least in part, on the example McDonald's has set.

This announcement by the McDonald company "just happened" to coincide with the ruling of a District Court Judge in New York that declared that plaintiffs must provide more specific data to back up their allegation MacDonald's food makes kids fat and that its advertising is deceptive.

A Bib Mac contains 530 calories.

That is 27% of a 2000 calorie diet.

It also supplies 43% of one's recommend daily fat intake and 42% of one's salt intake.

And that is not including the fries and coke!

No! McDonald's is not in the business to make people healthy.

That is our own responsibility! (Click here to read more about health)

The Tamiflu "rush" is on! Nov. 2, 2005

The Tamiflu "rush" is on!

Threats of a bird flu pandemic have begun a "rush" by frightened people to stockpile Tamiflu,  the influenza drug, for possible need later.

This "rush" poses several problems.

Those with the least risk of dying from the flu if such a pandemic should occur have access to the drug while those in greatest need may not be able to obtain it.

Some strains of the bird flu virus are already resistant to the drug, making it of real possibility that the stashed medicines will not provide the anticipated benefits.

Finally, the bird flu scare is still nothing more than that - a scare that is turning huge profits for the Roche Pharmaceutical Company.

Don't forget your phytochemicals! Oct. 24, 2005

The new word on the block about phytochemicals is that they may stop arthritis in its tracks.

Researchers at John Hopkins have discovered that a class of compounds found in plants (phytochemicals) that are known to protect human cells from cancer causing chemicals and other toxic agents, can also interfere with enzyme reactions in joints that cause the inflammation of arthritis.

These phytochemicals are found in the cruciferous plants like broccoli, cabbage, etc.

Their function in the body is to stimulate the production of phase 2 enzymes, chemicals that interfere with harmful inflammatory enzymes that destroy the joints.

While these findings are preliminary, they provide just one more reason to replace our meat, milk and eggs with lots and lots of veggies, if we wish to keep our joints healthy  - or to improve those already hurting. (Click here to read more about health)

Conscience clause vetoed by Wisconsin governor. Oct. 24, 2005

Health care providers can no longer claim conscience as the reason to refuse to take part in abortions, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research or human cloning.

In vetoing the legislation regarding the conscience clause, Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle said the bill would place physician's political views above the "best interests" of the patient, thereby denying needed medical services.

Chris Taylor, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, agreed.

While Taylor and the governor may be correct in surmising inconvenience for those seeking the procedures in question, it would seem that since these are not usually life-threatening emergency procedures, physicians and other health care providers should have some rights as well - and all the more so when conscience is involved.

Flu virus of 1918 epidemic, recreated. Oct. 24, 2005

The virus that caused the flu pandemic of 1918 has been recreated in the laboratory and is now being held in a high security government laboratory in Atlanta, Georgia.

That pandemic, known as the Spanish flu, was caused by one of the deadliest flu viruses ever, killing an estimated 50 million people in a very short period of time.

Re-created from a man who died of the flu and whose tissue was taken from the frozen Alaska tundra, the virus has been tested in mice, demonstrating its original virulence.

In explaining the reason for recreating the virus, government and military researchers who did the research say it has already provided valuable information that helps to explain its deadly characteristics - information that may be useful in protecting from future similar epidemics.

This may be especially valuable at this time when another similar bird virus is threatening to cause another pandemic similar to the one of 1918.

On the other hand, now that the genetic sequence of the virus has been worked out and published for the world to see, any "good" molecular biologist terrorist will be able to recreate the virus.

The "most powerful strategy" to combat AIDS. Oct. 24, 2005

Dr. Freya Spielberg, a researcher at the Center for AIDS Research at the University of Washington, is quoted as saying that " A rapid, over-the-counter, widely available test  is the most powerful strategy we have to bring down HIV infections."

"If we're going to win the war against AIDS, we need to make HIV testing as easy as pregnancy testing," Spielberg said.

These comments have been made as Federal drug regulators are considering allowing a Pennsylvania company to sell the first rapid, at-home AIDS test.

Those who argue in favor of self-testing for HIV reason that many people would change sexual behavior if they knew they were spreading the disease thereby - a likely story indeed for most people!

Of perhaps greater import is the likelihood that many HIV positive people would begin treatment much earlier than they do now, thus taking them out of the pool of most infective people at an earlier date.

What the authorities are all apparently overlooking is the fact that HIV spread is almost exclusively the result of ignoring a principle of life outlined in the Bible thousands of years ago that tells us not to commit adultery.

They are forgetting that there would be no AIDS if we humans respected the principles governing our creation.

Furthermore, they are forgetting too that in spite of at-home HIV testing, and in spite of medicines to control the rapid death decree pronounced upon those that get AIDS, adultery is one of the practices most threatening the survival of the human society.

One must wonder just how long a loving God can wait before He must act to prevent our total destruction. (Click here to read more about God's love)

Good news for women! Oct. 24, 2005

Cancer of the breast is no longer the threat it used to be.

In fact, women with breast cancer are more likely to die of some other cause than the cancer according to figures released by Cancer Research UK.

Whereas during the early 90's, women that had breast cancer localized to the breast had only a little better than a 50% chance of surviving 10 years, today, those same women have an 80% chance of living 10 years and 72% chance at 20 years.

Other recently available medications promise continued improvement of even these statistics.

While younger women and those whose disease has spread beyond the breast when first treated do not have as cheery an outlook, great improvements have been and are continuing to be made for them as well.

When combined with health promoting lifestyle practices, breast cancer should soon cease to be a death decree for all who are diagnosed. (Click here to read more about health)

No protection from Bird "flu"! Oct. 24, 2005

As the threat of the bird flu pandemic looms over the world society, no one seems to have an answer as to how to deal with it when it comes, if it comes.

Work is being done on a vaccine against the virus, but authorities note that there is no way enough vaccine can be made to impact the spread of the pandemic and the likely lose of many millions of lives around the world.

Likewise, antiviral medications are being stockpiled in many nations, but supplies are unlikely to be sufficient to make any kind of impact on the expected pandemic.

When all is said and done, authorities and the public are left vulnerable and afraid.

Fortunately, until now, there have been no verified reports suggesting the bird virus is becoming a human disease with the ability to spread from one to another.

Irrespective of this, rather than languishing in fear, there are many things we can do on our own to prepare for a pandemic should one occur.

Human disease depends upon two factors: the virulence of the virus and the power of the person to resist.

While we may not be able to increase our resistance by vaccine, we may do so by health promoting life style practices.

Ample evidence has been published indicating that a diet containing large amounts of natural, unrefined plant foods, when combined with regular exercise, ample rest, the drinking of water in place of other drinks and the avoidance of junk foods and harmful substances promises one maximum protection from all forms of disease, including such as the bird flu! (Click here to read more about health)

New vaccine presents a new challenge to parents. Oct. 17, 2005

A new vaccine that appears to be 100% effective in preventing cancer of the cervix in women promises to present new challenges to parenting.

In order to be effective, the vaccine will need to be given before intimate sexual contacts begin, but by giving the vaccine to their children, parents are essentially saying they expect the kids to begin having sexual relations - and endorsement of sorts to the practice.

On the other hand, if parents do not have the children vaccinated, and since more than 75% of teens engage in sexual activities beginning at the average age of 15, they are risking exposing them to the risks of cancer.

Cancer of the cervix is caused by a virus that is sexually transmitted - its risk rising in direct proportion to the number of sexual contacts one has.

The vaccine is expected to appear on the market in about one year. (Click here to read more about health)

FDA proposes tighter controls on brain tissue. Oct. 17, 2005

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed changes in the rules regarding control of mad-cow disease.

Whereas brain and spinal cord tissue have been banned form cattle feed since 1997, those tissues were permitted for use in chicken, pig and pet foods.

The FDA now proposes to eliminate these tissues from all animal feed.

Unfortunately, as critics of the proposal observe, the FDA proposal does not eliminate other sources of the infectious agent in mad-cow disease.

Blood, poultry liter and fat, all potential sources of the mad-cow prions, are not included in the proposal.

Federal agents reason that though it may be impossible to eliminate all risk of spreading the disease through animal feed, one must make judgment calls based upon evaluation of the risks and benefits. They contend that the proposed rules have weighed the evidence and concluded they have chosen the correct solution.

Given this decision, the risk of contracting mad-cow disease may be decreased, but not eliminated.

People will continue to die from the ingestion of diseased tissue - unless, that is, they are willing "go vegetarian." (Click here to read more about health)

Seventeen million people die prematurely each year of preventable disease. Oct. 17, 2005

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 17 million people die of chronic disease each year somewhere in the world - and most of these are entirely preventable, it says.

The disease entities responsible for the majority of these premature deaths include heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

Smoking, lack of physical activity and unhealthy diets are the greatest contributing causes to these diseases that affect low and middle-income people as well as the rich.

We know the diseases responsible for the premature deaths, we know the primary causes of those deaths, and we know how to prevent them.

Yet, for reasons that are explainable only by the fact that we are human and subject to destructive temptations, we continue to do what we don't want to do.

The Bible gives an answer to the dilemma.

That answer is to turn one's life over to God and let him change the desires and fight the battles with the evil one.

Yes, WHO and international governments will spend billions of dollars, and will effect a little change, but the battle with self will not be changed until each one of us get down on our knees and honestly and sincerely turn to our loving God. (Click here to read more)

Americans continue to grow fatter! Oct. 17, 2005

Americans and growing fatter and fatter.

The incidence of obesity has doubled during the past thirty years.

65% of adults are obese or overweight and 31% of children are overweight or at high risk of becoming so.

While for the past five years the percentage of people who are overweight has not increased, those that are overweight are continuing to getter ever fatter.

Furthermore, as people are getting older, they are also getting fatter.

In fact, if present trends continue, nine out of ten men and seven out of ten women will become overweight as they age.

These findings by the CDC's Health and Nutritional Survey, the NPD Group, a leading market research firm, the Framingham Study and others give reason for concern because overweight and obesity are directly related to most of the diseases that bring so much pain and suffering and that are primary cause of escalating health care costs. (Click here to read more about nutrition and health)

Fruits and vegetables build strong bones in kids. Oct. 10, 2005

Boys that eat generous quantities of fruit and vegetables have stronger bones.

In a study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day gave stronger bones than those that ate only one serving, even though both groups were eating adequate amounts of dairy products.

While exercise and the use of calcium supplements also helped to increase bone strength, veggies were better.

Vegetables and fruit not only contain calcium, but they are also rich sources of other minerals that help to control levels of acid in the body, thus preventing bone loss that often occurs with the consumption of milk, meat, sodas, etc.

Plants foods also contain vitamin K, a nutrient essential for the formation of bone cells.

The message is – feed those kids lots of fruit and vegetables.

They’ll be stronger and healthier kids – and adults. (Click here to read more about health)

Phytoestrogens fight lung cancer. Oct. 10, 2005

People who eat lots of fruits and vegetables and other foods of plant origin containing high levels of phytoestrogens (hormones found in plants that resemble human hormones) have a significantly lower incidence of lung cancer, according to a recent article by researcher, Matthew Schabath, and reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The effect was greater in non-smokers than in those who were former smokers.

Evidence is accumulating that suggests other kinds of cancer may also be prevented by diets high in the plant hormones.

Soy products are one of the most well recognized sources of plant hormones. (Click here to read more about health)

Measure your waist! Oct. 3, 2005

The size of your waistline is one of the easier, cheaper and more important indicators of your risk of dying of heart disease.

Though nearly everyone is aware that obesity is related to increased risk of heart disease, many people do not realize that abdominal obesity is especially bad.

High blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, all contributors to heart disease, are elevated in persons with a big belly.

Unfortunately, though exercise and diet are fully able to control all of these risk factors, abdominal fat will be about the last thing to leave - regardless of the exercise program you choose.

But it's never too early to begin gaining control. (Click here to read more)

Help for the common cold! Oct. 3, 2005

Vicks First Defence, a product of Procter and Gamble, hitting the market in September is marketed as the first clinically proven treatment to stop the common cold.

The product, a viscous gel, is said to coat the cold virus so that it cannot invade the cells in the upper respiratory track where they normally reproduce before spreading throughout the body.

To be effective, the gel must be used at the time of first development of symptoms.

In pre-market tests, healthy people challenged with a rhinovirus (cold virus) demonstrated a significant reduction in both the incidence and duration of cold symptoms.

But before you spend your hard earned cash at the pharmacy, it is possible you can accomplish the same thing, or more, by using a few simple home remedies - drink lots of clean, fresh water, inhale the steam from boiling water, get a good night's rest and avoid tobacco, alcohol, and junk foods.

These things work, and they cost nothing. (Click here to read more about health)

More good news about veggies! Sept. 26, 2005

There is more good news about veggies.

Cruciferous veggies may help to prevent lung cancer, one of the most resistant forms of cancer and one of the most common causes of death.

Everyone knows that broccoli is good for health, but two studies reported in the September 15, issue of "Cancer Research" reveal that all of the other cruciferous vegetables also contain the beneficial isothiocyanates present in broccoli.

Collards, Kale, cauliflower, radishes, horse radish, turnips, watercress, bok choy, cabbage (including Chinese cabbage) and rutabagas are all examples of vegetables that not only taste good, but may protect one from developing cancer as well.

Scientists are already working to create cancer-fighting drugs from the active compounds found in these plants, but the truth is, we do not know if the compounds will be effective when removed from the other ingredients present in the veggies.

Better yet, we would all be wise to make it a point to change our dietary habits away from animal products and refined plant foods to an abundance of natural, mostly unrefined plant foods. (Click here to read more about health)

Prevent cancer with beans, nuts and cereals! Sept. 26, 2005

Beans, nuts and cereals contain a natural compound that inhibits the growth of tumors.

The substance, inositol pentakisphosphate, works by interfering with an enzyme that promotes the development of cancer.

In animal studies, Dr. Marco Falasca, of UCL's Sackler Institute, says the compound kills cancer cells grown in the laboratory and enhances the effect of drugs against ovary and lung cancer cells.

Anticipating the future, Falasca hopes to see this compound harnessed and used to treat human cancers.

Inositol pentakisphosphate is non-toxic, even in high doses, and hence holds great promise for the future.

Fortunately, there is no need to await the future.

Now is the time to eliminate cancer enhancing foods as found in animal food products and refined "junk foods" and incorporate generous amounts of beans of all kinds, nuts of all kinds and whole grains of all kinds into our diets.

These natural foods are inexpensive, tasty and readily accessible almost everywhere on the planet.

Better yet, they not only prevent cancer, but diabetes, obesity and many other prevalent diseases of our society.

Try some today. (Click here to read about nutrition)

Olive oil to relieve pain! Sept. 12, 2005

Olive oil has been found to contain a compound with the same basic molecular action as Ibuprofen, the popular non-steroidal pain reliever that is believed to also reduce the incidence of colon cancer, heart attacks, strokes and a number of other diseases.

Though Oleocanthal, the name given the newly discovered compound by its researchers, inhibits Cox -1 and Cox – 2 molecules to relieve pain just as I buprofen, the content of the substance in olive oil is so low it would require nearly a pint to get the same effect as a therapeutic dose of Ibuprofen.

It is presently unknown what dose of olive oil would be necessary to accomplish the apparent disease prevention attributes of Ibuprofen.

On the other hand, this information is very interesting in view of the use olive oil has played in treating wounds and other medical ills all through recorded history.

Perhaps further research will unlock other secrets of Olive oil still hidden.

Mushrooms, even better that coffee! Sept. 12, 2005

Mushrooms, the common everyday variety of button mushrooms contain higher levels of antioxidants than many other good, natural anti-oxidant containing foods.

Exotic mushroom varieties like Shiitake, have even higher levels of the antioxidant.

Given the attention coffee is receiving in the press as an antioxidant, consumers must know that Mushrooms are many times better sources than coffee. (Click here to read more)

Coffee, American's favorite antioxidant. Sept. 5, 2005

Coffee is certainly not the best, but for Americans, it is by far the most favored and most common source of their antioxidants.

Joe Vinson and colleagues of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, studied the antioxidant content of 100 different food items and compared their findings with a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture describing how much of each kind of food Americans eat.

Next in highest consumption to coffee was black tea.

Bananas, dried beans and corn followed, in that order of frequency of consumption.

Dates, cranberries and red grapes, some of the best antioxidant containing foods, are not regularly on the American menu.

Perhaps it is time for American's to "wake up," but without the coffee - if they would appreciate better health! (Click here to read more about health)

Water and juice only for grade school kids. Aug. 29, 2005

Grade school kids will only be able to get water and 100% fruit juice from their school's vending machines in the future.

Responding to public health concerns of expanding obesity among school children, members of the American Beverage Association have agreed to eliminate soft drinks from the machines.

Middle and high school students will still be required to use discretion when looking for an energy boost at their schools.

(Click here to read more about health)
 

French fries cause breast cancer! Aug. 29, 2005

Feeding kids French fries increases their risk of developing breast cancer when they grow up.

New cure for prostate cancer? Aug. 29, 2005

Men with biopsy-proven prostate cancer are being cured by diet and other lifestyle modifications.

Scientists from the University of California in San Francisco studied 93 men that decided to forego conventional treatment for their prostate cancer.

The men were randomized to two groups, one group of which was placed on a diet of natural vegan (plant-based) foods along with exercise, stress management, group meetings, etc.

The other group continued their usual health practices.

Men in the group consuming the plant-based diet all saw their PSA levels drop and experienced improved overall health and sense of well being - in direct proportion to their faithfulness in following the prescribed lifestyle modifications.

Furthermore, serum extracted from their blood suppressed the growth of prostate cancer cells in the test tube as well.

Those men that made no changes in lifestyle watched as their PSA levels continued to rise.

Longer term studies will prove interesting to see if the improvements continue indefinitely. (Click here to learn about this lifestyle)

Vioxx was apparently not the "miracle" drug it was said to be! Aug. 29, 2005

Merck, the makers of Vioxx, the "miracle" drug that got arthritics walking again, lost its first suit that claimed the "miracle" drug was responsible for the death of the husband of Carol Ernst.

Ernst was awarded $24.4 million for economic loss and mental suffering and an additional $229 million for punitive damages related to Merck's hype promotion and sale of the drug when it knew of its risk of causing death.

The case draws attention to the priority the drug industry places on profit over patient welfare, but it also points out the fact that most all medications come not only with a high price tag, but with health risks as well.

Vioxx was so popular because it relieved arthritis pain without causing as much distress of the stomach and digestive track as other arthritis medicines did.

And these are just two examples of drugs the "work"  - but not without risk.

How much better if people would just alter their life style instead of resorting to drugs.

Ample research now confirms the health benefit of a mostly unrefined plant based diet, a good exercise program, lots of pure water to drink, etc. - often working even better than high risk drugs.

Yet people to often prefer drugs.

Strange! (Click here to read about health)

To scan or not to scan! Aug. 22, 2005

To scan or not to scan is the question.

Helical CT x-ray scanning now has the capability of identifying growths in the lungs as small as 5 millimeters in diameter (less than 1/5 inch) for a cost of about $300.

Some physicians are recommending that the special x-ray should be used for screening all smokers for lung cancer, hoping thereby to catch the disease early when it might be curable.

Other equally as informed physicians contend that it is too soon to make such recommendations.

They correctly state that not all growths identified on helical CT are cancers.

To make a diagnosis, expensive and high risk needle biopsies must be done at a time when there is no good evidence that knowing the results and operating will actually save lives.

Others reason that,  while this might be true, follow up CT's to watch for rapid growth might eliminate the risks of biopsies and still provide the potential benefit of early diagnosis.

Knowing human nature, it will not be long before this test will be used to routinely screen for lung cancer.

People want to know.

What's strange is, not that they want to know, but that they are unwilling to avoid tobacco when they know its high risk of causing cancer and other diseases. (Click here to read about quitting smoking)

Atkins files Chapter eleven! Aug. 22, 2005

Atkins Nutritionals Inc. has filed for bankruptcy court protection, attributing its loss to plummeting sales of its low-carb foods.

Only a couple years ago Atkins Nutritionals was one of the most promising investment opportunities around as nearly 10% of the American population hopped on the Atkins bandwagon for touting easy, rapid weight loss.

But just as many nutrition professionals predicted, the bubble has now burst as people have discovered the fallacies of Dr. Atkins’ “success story.”

Man was designed to enjoy and prosper on a diet of plant foods.

Animals were created for the enjoyment and service of man, not as gourmet delights.

While the Atkins company plans to re-organize and recover lost revenue, that seems unlikely when less than 2% of Americans continue to believe Atkins’ claims to health and happiness. (Click here to read more about health)

FDA stops use of antibiotic because of its danger to humans. Aug. 15, 2005

The FDA has put a stop on the use of an antibiotic used to treat pneumonia in chickens because of its affects on humans.

When the drug is used to treat Campylobacter pneumonia in chickens, it causes the infecting bacterium to develop resistance to, not only that antibiotic, but to other antibiotics used to treat Campylobater infections when they occur in humans.

Whole flocks of chickens may die when infected with the Campylobacter germs unless adequately treated.

In humans, the disease produces cramping abdominal pain, fever, bloody diarrhea and sometimes arthritis or life-threatening infections of the blood.

Just one more reason to go vegetarian! (Click here to read more about health)

China mobilizes health workers against mysterious pig disease. Aug. 15, 2005

China has mobilized 50,000 health workers to visit an estimated 1.4 million farm homes to register their pigs.

More than 31 people have died from a mysterious disease apparently caused by Streptococcus suis, a bacterium commonly found in pigs.

Authorities do not know where the disease started, nor why it is causing such serious and fatal illnesses.

A wide public health campaign has been initiated to alert people to the risk and advising everyone not to eat meat from sick pigs.

Exports of pork from the province have been suspended.

The epidemic is occurring only about a couple years following the SARS epidemic, and while China is trying to contain a major outbreak of bird flu.

Who would have ever dreamed we would see so many troubling epidemics in our day when we have so many fantastic antibiotics that we thought could control anything?

Maybe the Bible's predictions of plagues and epidemics are right after all! (Click here to read more about health)

We have "fouled our own nest!" Aug. 1, 2005

In referring to a recently released report by the U. S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Jerome A. Paulson, associate professor of pediatrics at George Washington School of Medicine and Health sciences had this to say about the presence of toxic chemicals the CDC found in our bodies, "we have fouled our own nest."

The CDC study examined the blood and urine of 2400 children and adults for the presence of 148 different toxic chemicals found in our environment.

It was the most comprehensive study of this type ever done.

Dozens of pesticides and toxic compounds were found to be present in the bodies of those tested, with many of the highest levels in those most vulnerable to the toxins, the children.

While lead levels and second hand smoke levels had decreased markedly from the late 70's, more than 100 other chemicals including mercury and other heavy metals, pesticides and cosmetic residues were very common.

While scientists do not know the meaning of these findings, there is evidence that many of these chemicals adversely affect the function of our brains, our hormone levels and our immune functions, undoubtedly contributing to a variety of illnesses and disease processes.

Plans call for the CDC to continue to expand their testing to include 500 chemicals during the next four years.

Unfortunately, it is estimated there are 80,000 chemicals in commercial use today - of which we know little or nothing about their effects on our health.

Knowing this, should we be surprised when our kid's memories and vocabularies are impaired, their sexual orientation jumbled, they become more susceptible to infections or we ourselves become more prone to develop cancers?

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Skeptics win again! July 25, 2005

The skeptics win again.

Praying for sick people really does not provide any benefit.

That is the conclusion of a scientific study done on more that 700 heart patients in one of the most extensive studies ever done evaluating the effects of prayer on healing.

In the study, heart patients from nine different hospitals were divided into four equal groups.

For one group, 12 congregations of religious people from around the world prayed for the patients.

Praying persons included various Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists.

Another group were treated with soothing music, touch, imagery and stress reducing breathing exercises.

A third group was both prayed for and were treated with the music, touch, breathing and imagery, and the forth group had none of the above.

The patients were followed for six months and their outcomes compared.

There were no substantial differences.

Prayer added nothing to the care of these patients.

And who is surprised?

No one should be!

There is nothing magic about prayer.

There is no power in prayer per se.

Prayer only changes things when God and man work in a true faith relationship - in which God is free to respond according to His wisdom and love - and man is willing to trust his all into God's care, knowing God will respond in ways designed to extent that relationship into all of eternity.

The skeptics win again, but in winning, they are also the losers! (Click here to read more about prayer)

Meth abuse - a "bigger problem" than we thought! July 18, 2005

Methamphetamine abuse is a "bigger problem" than many people think!

In a recent survey of over 500 sheriff's departments around the nation, more than half considered methamphetamine the "most serious" problem they have to deal with.

Not only are the jails becoming overcrowded, but other county agencies are also getting caught up in the crackdown, sometimes being forced to find homes for children left homeless by their parents habits, etc.

While the county sheriffs see the effects of "Meth" and have to deal with it, the recent White House Office of National Drug Control Policy reported that marijuana, not meth, is still the number one drug problem in the U.S. accounting for an estimated 15 million users - as compared to one million addicted to meth.

These numbers, of course, do not even consider the problem of coke and heroin in America as in many other nations of the world. (Click here to read more about Bible prophecy for our times)

Fake foreign drugs are coming! July 4, 2005

Faced with rapidly expanding health care costs, the Bush administration is looking for ways to cut its $330 billion Medicaid bill by $15 to $20 billion.

One of the ways to do this is by reducing the cost of medications by importing them from other countries.

Bills presently before Congress would allow the importation of drugs from 26 foreign nations.

Believing that many of these medications will be counterfeits, substandard and potentially dangerous to life and health, and since most would end up in minority neighborhoods, minority health care providers are vigorously opposed.

Furthermore, they note, though the government and HMO’s may benefit by the cheaper drugs, little of the cost savings will be enjoyed by the people for whom they are intended.

Unfortunately, western society, the rich and the poor alike, have come to depend upon pills to keep them alive rather than depending upon the practice of life preserving health habits that would eliminate most of the “need” for expensive medications to begin with. (Click here to read more about health)

Junk food and sodas fail to get a passing grade! June 27, 2005

Junk food and sodas have failed to get a passing grade in New Jersey schools and are on the way to being expelled.

As of the beginning of the 2007 school year, schools will be prohibited from selling high fat, high sugar foods during the school day.

Even whole milk will be rationed or replaced with skim milk.

New Jersey Richard Codey noted that the new law will set kids on a lifelong course that will give them longer, healthier and more enjoyable lives.

The governor is right.

Many good studies now firmly attest to the benefits of good nutrition for school children, making them better learners, less disruptive and healthier. (Click here to read more about healthy living)

Only 100% effective way to prevent AIDS! June 27, 2005

The AIDS pandemic continues to grow in America, and abstinence is the only 100% effective way to avoid it.

So says the U.S. Communicable Disease Center (CDC).

More than 1 million Americans are now infected with the disease, the highest number recorded since the disease was first identified in the early 80's.

Men who have sex with men, and Afro-American young men have the highest incidence of the disease.

And though we now have drugs that effective keep HIV infected people alive, they do not alter the seriousness of the disease, and by creating a false sense of security, may actually be a factor in its spread.

Whereas "safe sex" has been the standard byword for prevention in the past, the CDC is acknowledges there is only one really good way to prevent HIV/AIDS, and that is abstinence.

To be 100% safe, one must not only practice sexual abstinence, but abstinence of IV drugs and all other high risk practices.

Good news about the bad news of diabetes. June 20, 2005

There is a bit of good news amidst the bad news about the rapidly increasing incidence of diabetes.

The good news is that during the past decade, there has been a decrease of about one third in the incidence of complications related to diabetes.

Hospitalizations for diabetics are down as are the number of persons requiring dialysis for diabetes related kidney failure.

While this is certainly good news for diabetics, it is still true that the health habits of Americans are despicable.

Obesity continues to plague our society, and diabetes type 2, once a disease of middle and old age is now showing up even in teenagers and children.

This is not a good sign for the future of America's health. (Click here to read more about health)

NSAIDs are "generally safe!" June 20, 2005

Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs are "generally safe" according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials.

Maybe this is true, but the report published in the recent British Medical Journal showing that even ibuprofen, commonly sold under the trade names of Advil and Motrin increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, should not be taken lightly.

Though apparently not as risky as the COX-2 inhibitors, the risk to the heart remains and adds to the already well know risks which include serious gastrointestinal bleeding.

As with everything in life, potential risks must always be weighed in comparison to potential benefits.

For many suffering from debilitating arthritis, the benefits of pain relief may far outweigh the risks.

Better yet, many, if not most people suffering from pain could be pain free without any pain meds just by altering life style practices.

There is now ample evidence that a diet based on natural, unrefined plant foods, regular exercise, the drinking of ample amounts of water in preference to other drinks and other related lifestyle changes could prevent and relieve many of the illnesses we now suffer.

And they could save money in the process. (Click here to read more about healthful living)

You may prevent childhood asthma! June 13, 2005

Your child may not have to be included among this generation's growing asthma statistics, but you will need to begin early to avoid it.

Researchers involved in the Canadian Childhood Asthma  Prevention Study discovered that timely asthma-prevention measures begun during early infancy may prevent asthma later in childhood.

In their study, one group of children were breast fed, began solid food late, and were protected from exposure to pets, mites and second-hand smoke.

When the study children were compared with the controls at age seven, only 14.9% of them had asthma as compared to 23% of the controls.

While in this study asthma was not eliminated, we have learned that asthma is related to lifestyle practices.

Indeed a number of other studies assure us that careful attention to lifestyle practices may not only prevent asthma, but may also treat it effectively. (Click here to read more about health)

AIDS pandemic quickens pace! June 13, 2005

In spite of international efforts to slow the spread of AIDS, United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, says that the pandemic is spreading faster than the best efforts to bring it under control.

Among the educated young people in some of Africa's capital cities, rates of HIV/AIDS infections are on the decline, and about 12% of Africa's poor are now getting retroviral therapy - both signs of progress on the African continent.

In other parts of the world the news is not so hopeful.

Peter Piot, head of the U.N. campaign to combat AIDS, notes that as a world society, the globalization of AIDS is just beginning.

There are many epidemics of AIDS, he says, and Eastern Europe and Latin America are among the leaders.

Education, drugs, and money are all helpful in combating this lethal disease, but until the world society wakes up to the fact that sex is the primary cause for the pandemic, there seems little hope of controlling it.

Until we humans are willing to live by the "rules" God designed for us when He created us, there is little likelihood the pandemic will be stopped any time soon. (Click here to read more)

Prayer put to the test - again! June 6, 2005

140 patients with breast cancer are being studied at the California Pacific Medical Center to see if prayer makes any difference in their healing.

Under the direction of Marilyn Schlitz, vice president for research and education at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and a senior scientist at the California Pacific Medical Center, the patients will be separated into three groups at the time they have reconstructive surgery.

Patients in one group will be prayed for but will not be told.

Patients in another group will be told they are the subject of prayer, and a third group will serve as a control, neither receiving prayers nor expecting them.

At the time of surgery, each of the patients will have small fabric tubes placed in the groin to be removed eight days later and analyzed for collagen growth, a recognized measure of healing.

Numerous previous studies have looked at the influence of distant prayer and have produced mixed results.

Many have been very convincing that prayer hastens healing, reduces complications and prevents deaths.

Others have failed to reveal benefit, and a few have actually reported negative effects.

Will this study be more definitive?

Probably not!

The fact is, there are within our world two distinct forces that have the capacity to alter the outcome of life.

God, who created us and who sustains our life moment by moment has the power to heal at will. He alone is wise enough and loving enough to know when and how to use that power.

Satan too has power, not to heal, but to deceive even the most doubting.

Scientific studies will never be able to distinguish the two - but faith alone.

Skeptics are right. The government should not waste its resources on studies of this type. (Click here to read more)

Exercise reduces recurrence of breast Cancer. June 6, 2005

A study of breast cancer among nurses in the Nurses' Health Study, reported in the May 25 issue of the Journal of the Am