〉Wealth is a Decision
- A Prosperous Heart & Moneyby Judy on January 11, 2024
Did you know that you have prosperity hidden in your heart? Did you also know that the heart is a treasure house of everything good or evil? There are people with an evil heart who tries to control life, but reap devastation on their own life. An evil heart destroys it’s very own life. However, The post A Prosperous Heart & Money appeared first on Wealth is a Decision.
- Habits Transform Lifeby Judy on August 1, 2023
Some people believe forming habits makes life monotonous! Habits reduce our mental output. Can you imagine having to decide every morning if you should brush your teeth and comb your hair? What is a habit? Habits are mental shortcuts you develop after you have discovered a formula that is beneficial to your life. Having found The post Habits Transform Life appeared first on Wealth is a Decision.
- Your Mind is a Powerful Forceby Judy on June 29, 2023
We can change our conversation, but how many of us will change our thoughts? We live in a good world with bad people wanting chaos and good people wanting peace and harmony. Each person live in their own world and their thoughts determines the outcome of life. What kind of decisions and thoughts does it The post Your Mind is a Powerful Force appeared first on Wealth is a Decision.
- The Power of Thoughtsby Judy on June 27, 2023
You are the architect of your own life. It’s yours to construct or to dismantle. By the power of thoughts you are either building up or destroying yourself. The question is are you building the right house? Our mind is always at work constructing mental images it never stops working for or against us. The The post The Power of Thoughts appeared first on Wealth is a Decision.
- Putting the Pieces Togetherby Judy on January 9, 2023
There are wonderful meaningful years in every person life. Times were heroic medallions are achieved. Only you know the sacrifices and training it took to reach the goal. If, you haven’t reached the place of achieving the goal now is a good time to develop a few new skills. During the years, I’ve established myself The post Putting the Pieces Together appeared first on Wealth is a Decision.
〉Moral Issues
- Christians Need to Stand Up and Speak Upby Andrew Wommack on April 4, 2024
Let me be blunt. There are a lot of woke ministers out there these days who are misusing the Bible to say Jesus would approve of abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, and… Read More
- Gay Nationalists— Buttigieg and ‘husband’ proselytize youth by Alex McFarland on March 28, 2024
Remember the San Francisco Gay Men’s Choir and their 2021 video singing, “We’re coming for your children?” Remember that? At the time, as many conservatives and “traditional morality” voices expressed concern,… Read More
- The Two-State Solution for Israel is No Solution at All: We Must Allow Israel to Protect Itself Both Now and, In the Future.by Richard Harris on March 11, 2024
On October 7, 2023, the terrorist organization, Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza strip since 2007, savagely attacked thousands of innocent Israeli citizens. It has been called Israel’s 9/11. But… Read More
- Persecution Will Come, But We Will Winby Andrew Wommack on March 7, 2024
Christians are hated today. Christians are being persecuted. Christians are being stood against. None of that should really be a surprise. We hear about these things happening in Muslim nations… Read More
- Is Your Pastor, Church, or Religious Organization Woke (And Why You Owe It to God to Leave If They Are)?by Alex McFarland on February 21, 2024
American Christianity includes over 200 denominations. One of the fastest growing is the orthodoxy of Woke. Woke Christianity is the single greatest threat to the modern church since the first… Read More
〉Politics & Policy
- Trump Tells 100K Supporters on Wildwood Beach: ‘We Will Win New Jersey’on May 12, 2024
- WATCH: 'Queers for Palestine' Block Entrance to Disney World, Then Florida Men Show Upon May 12, 2024
- Mother Of Married Suspect Who Allegedly Strangled, Raped Woman On NYC Street Kept Vigil To Turn Him In: REPORTby John Oyewale on May 12, 2024
Mother Of Married Suspect Allegedly Caught On Video Strangling, Raping Woman In The Street Stayed Up All Night To Turn Him In: REPORT
- Miranda Cosgrove Recounts Terrifying Encounter With Stalker Who Allegedly Killed Himself In Her Yardby Mariane Angela on May 12, 2024
'That’d be so hard'
- Newsom's Revised Budget Is a Joke; He's Laughing All the Way to Rome to Pontificate on Climate Changeon May 12, 2024
〉The Stream
- Killing the Boy Scoutsby John Stemberger on May 11, 2024
The post Killing the Boy Scouts appeared first on The Stream.
- The Problem With AI Is Peopleby John Stonestreet & G.S. Morris on May 11, 2024
The post The Problem With AI Is People appeared first on The Stream.
- Don’t Let the Far Left Demoralize You Into Staying on the Sidelines in the War for Our Nationby Albin Sadar on May 11, 2024
When a former Soviet KGB agent named Yuri Bezmenov defected to the West from Russia in 1970, he set about exposing the KGB’s strategies to spread propaganda and keep the Soviet people in line with their political overlords’ agendas. The... The post Don’t Let the Far Left Demoralize You Into Staying on the Sidelines in the War for Our Nation appeared first on The Stream.
- Sunny Side of The Stream: Helping Mothers and Saving Babies — a Tale of Three Heroesby Aliya Kuykendall on May 11, 2024
What could be more honoring to a mother than supporting and protecting her and her children? Here are three amazing stories of people who know how to treat the mothers around us with the respect, courage, and support they deserve.... The post Sunny Side of <i>The Stream</i>: Helping Mothers and Saving Babies — a Tale of Three Heroes appeared first on The Stream.
- ‘Flynn’ Is a Powerful, Heartbreaking Film About the Deep State’s Persecution of a Patriotby John Zmirak on May 10, 2024
The post ‘Flynn’ Is a Powerful, Heartbreaking Film About the Deep State’s Persecution of a Patriot appeared first on The Stream.
〉Family Values
- TODAY: Former Congressman Jody Hice Publishes New Book, Sacred Trust: Election Integrity and the Will of the Peopleon April 2, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, April 2, Family Research Council (FRC) Senior Vice President Jody Hice, published a new book, Sacred Trust: Election Integrity and the Will of the People. In addition to being a former Member of Congress and former pastor, Hice serves as president of FRC Action, the legislative affiliate of FRC....
- Former Congressman Jody Hice Publishes New Book, Sacred Trust: Election Integrity and the Will of the Peopleon March 25, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday, April 2, Family Research Council (FRC) Senior Vice President Jody Hice, will publish a new book, Sacred Trust: Election Integrity and the Will of the People. In addition to being a former Member of Congress and former pastor, Hice serves as president of FRC Action, the legislative affiliate of FRC....
- FRC, Dr. Michael New Unveil Initial Findings in Joint Study on Perinatal Hospiceon March 13, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Family Research Council (FRC), together with Dr. Michael New, Assistant Professor of Social Research at the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America, released the first phase results of a study of 11 perinatal hospice programs surveying 82 mothers who participated in these programs. ...
- FRC Commissions Mobile Billboard Demanding POLITICO Stop Demonizing Christians Voters, and Attacking Religious Freedomon March 5, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council today announced a new mobile billboard campaign that is traveling around Politico's DC headquarters and its New York bureau in response to recent comments from POLITICO national investigative correspondent Heidi Przybyla on MSNBC claiming that anyone who believes their rights are derived from God are "Christian nationalists."...
- FRC Files Amicus Brief in SCOTUS Case Over FDA's Reckless Approval of Abortion Pillon March 5, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council (FRC) along with post-abortion expert Dr. Martha Shuping submitted an amicus brief last week in the case of U.S. Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, which is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court and will be argued on March 26. At issue in the case is the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of the abortion drug mifepristone and the agency's 2016 and 2021 removals of health safeguards for women and girls. Dr. Shuping, a North Carolina psychiatrist, has witnessed first-hand the psychological trauma women have experienced because of abortions, including through the effects of intimate partner violence....
〉Natural Health
- Beyond Medicine: 'Being Mortal' Challenges Healthcare's Approach to Death and Dyingby Dr. Mercola on May 11, 2024
This video from the "Frontline" series, titled "Being Mortal," follows Dr. Atul Gawande as he explores the complex relationships between doctors, patients, and end-of-life decisions. Based on his best-selling book "Being Mortal," Gawande discusses how medical training often falls short in preparing doctors for the realities of death and dying. The documentary highlights personal stories, including Gawande's own experiences with his father's illness and death, to illustrate the challenges in balancing hope with realistic outcomes and the importance of quality life in the face of terminal illness. Overall, "Being Mortal" encourages a shift in perspective within the medical community and society at large, urging a balance between curing illness and fostering meaningful, dignified final days for patients. Gawande emphasizes the importance of personal choice and the value of life until its natural end. He also highlights the futility of aggressive medical interventions when someone is at the end of life. It oftentimes will not improve the patient's quality of life and may actually lead to prolonged suffering instead. This is oftentimes extremely difficult for doctors, who are trained to exhaust all avenues for an ailing patient. However, as noted by Gawande, "the two big unfixables are aging and dying. You can't fix those." The question then becomes, how do you let go, and how do you talk about death and dying in a compassionate way? Dueling Narratives This kind of heart-based education may be particularly important in light of the recent trend that promotes euthanasia as a practical solution to the economic cost of caring for the elderly. As noted by Dr. Mattias Desmet in an April 25, 2024, article:1 "A few weeks ago, the director of a government health insurance fund stated in an article published on the website of Belgian national television that euthanasia should be considered as a solution for the rapid ageing of the population. Exactly. Old people cost too much money. Let's kill them. These … are the words of only one man. Yet such words are not printed in the newspapers in such a guileless way if there is not a certain tolerance for such messages in society. Let's face it: some people want to get rid of the elderly. And these people look suspiciously lot like those who blamed you for being a heartless criminal when you suggested that the corona measures would do the elderly more harm than good. Upon a closer examination, the sentimental 'protection of the elderly' during the corona crisis was rather cruel and absurd. For instance: why were the elderly dying in hospitals not allowed to see their children and grandchildren? Because the virus could kill them while they were dying? Beneath the surface of the state's concern about the elderly lurks exactly the opposite: the state wants to get rid of the elderly. Soon there might be a consensus: everyone who wants to live beyond the age of seventy-five is irresponsible and egoistic … Jacques Ellul taught us that, for propaganda to be successful, it must always resonate with a deep desire in the population. Here is what I think: society is suicidal. That's why it is more and more open to propaganda suggesting death is the best solution to our problems." While "Being Mortal" calls for the enhancement of dignity and quality of life for the elderly through improved medical and societal practices, Desmet warns that the current societal and economic pressures and political narratives could lead to complete opposite — diminished care and respect for the elderly. Basically, the two sources highlight a potential ethical crisis in how modern societies value life at its later stages. Which way will we go? Time will tell, but I sure hope we collectively decide to move in the direction indicated by Gawande. As noted by Frontline, "The ultimate goal, after all, is not a good death but a good life — to the very end." When the Dying Are Young It's even more complex and emotionally excruciating when you're dealing with a younger person with an incurable condition. Gawande speaks to the husband of a 34-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer during pregnancy. A few months later, she was diagnosed with yet another cancer, this time in her thyroid. He candidly admits that even though he knew the situation was hopeless and that she would assuredly die, he couldn't bring himself to propose the family spend what little time they had enjoying each other. Instead, he went along with their wishes to try one experimental treatment after the other. "I've thought often about, what did that cost us?" her husband says. "What did we miss out on? What did we forgo by consistently pursuing treatment after treatment, which made her sicker and sicker and sicker. The very last week of our life, she had brain radiation. She was planned for experimental therapy the following Monday … We should have started earlier with the effort to have quality time together. The chemo had made her so weak … It was exhausting and that was not a good outcome for the final months. It's not what we wanted it to be. In the last three months of her life, almost nothing we'd done — the radiation, the chemotherapy — had likely done anything except make her worse. It may have shortened her life." This case was a turning point for Gawandi. He found it "interesting how uncomfortable I was and how unable I was to deal well with her circumstances." Her untimely demise, and his inability to help her and her family to make the best use of the little time she had left led him on a search to find out how other doctors were handling these difficult circumstances. Palliative Care Physicians Specialize in End-of-Life Care As noted in the film, talking about and planning for death is so difficult, there's an entire specialty — palliative care physicians — dedicated to these tasks. Many doctors will skirt these conversations with patients altogether, referring them to a palliative care specialist instead. Gawandi interviews palliative care physician Kathy Selvaggi about how best to go about discussing death with a patient. "Her technique is as much about listening as it is about talking," he says. When asked what would be on her checklist for what doctors ought to do, she replies: "First of all, I think it's important that you ask what their understanding is of their disease. I think that is first and foremost, because oftentimes what we say as physicians is not what the patient hears. And, if there are things that you want to do, let's think about what they are, and can we get them accomplished? You know, people have priorities besides just living longer. You've got to ask what those priorities are. If we don't have these discussions, we don't know … These are really important conversations that should not be waiting the last week of someone's life, between patients, families, doctors, other health care providers involved in the care of that patient." Difficult Conversations Gawandi goes on to recount the conversation he finally had with his parents, and how important that ended up being. "There's no natural moment to have these conversations, except when a crisis comes, and that's too late. So, I began trying to start earlier, talking with my patients, and even my dad. I remember my parents visiting. My dad and my mom and I sat in my living room, and I had the conversation, which was, 'What are the fears that you have? What are the goals that you have?' He cried, my mom cried, I cried. He wanted to be able to be social. He did not want a situation where, if you're a quadriplegic, you could end up on a ventilator. He said, 'Let me die if that should happen.' I hadn't known he felt that way. This was an incredibly important moment. These priorities became our guideposts for the next few years, and they came from who he was as the person he had always been." He also talks about how infuriating it was to hear his father's oncologist hold out unrealistic hope in the same way he'd done in the past: "As the tumor slowly progressed, we followed his priorities, and they led us and him to choose an aggressive operation and then radiation. But eventually paralysis set in and then our options became chemotherapy. So, the oncologist lays out eight or nine different options, and we're swimming in all of it. Then, he started talking about how 'You really should think about taking the chemotherapy. Who knows, you could be playing tennis by the end of the summer.' I mean that was crazy. It made me very mad. This guy's potentially within weeks of being paralyzed. The oncologist was being totally human and was talking to my dad the way that I have been talking to my patients for 10 years, holding out a hope that was not a realistic hope in order to get him to take the chemotherapy." When a patient is running out of time, they need to know that Gawandi says, so that they can plan what needs planning and make the best of what's left. "We were still, in the back of our minds thinking, was there any way to get 10 years out of this?" Gawandi says. His father, himself a surgeon, finally said no, "and we needed to know that." "Medicine often offers a deal. We will sacrifice your time now for the sake of possible time later. But my father was realizing that that time later was running out. He began really thinking hard about what he would be able to do and what he wanted to do, in order to have as good a life as he could with what time he had. I guess the lesson is you can't always count on the doctor to lead the way. Sometimes the patient has to do that." As Life Runs Out, Joy Is Still Possible The film also features the case of Jeff Shield, whose story poignantly illustrates the end-stage journey of a person dedicated to "dying well." As his options for treatment dwindled and the effectiveness of medical interventions decreased, Jeff faced the reality of his condition with remarkable clarity and foresight. As his physical world began to narrow down to the confines of his home and eventually his bed, Jeff's emotional and social worlds expanded significantly. He made a conscious decision to focus on the quality of life rather than prolonging it at all costs. This decision marked a profound shift in his journey, moving from aggressive treatments to embracing moments of peace and connection with his loved ones instead. Surrounded by family and friends, Jeff's home became a place filled with love, sharing, and support. His discussions about the future, his acceptance of the nearing end, and his arrangements for his own care allowed him to take control of his journey in a way that aligned with his values and desires. This control and the presence of his loved ones helped him find peace in his final days. Jeff's story is a powerful testament to the idea that even as the physical space of a person diminishes, their emotional and relational world can grow immensely. His end-stage journey, marked by profound connections and a peaceful acceptance of his fate, highlights the importance of focusing on what truly matters at the end of life — comfort, love, and dignity. "Jeff Shield's words about his last weeks being his happiest seemed especially profound to me because they were among his last words. He died just hours afterwards," Gawandi says. "In medicine, when were up against unfixable problems, we're often unready to accept that they are unfixable, but I learned that it matters to people how their stories come to a close. The questions that we asked one another, just as human beings, are important. What are your fears and worries for the future? What are your priorities if time becomes short? What do you want to sacrifice and what are you not willing to sacrifice?"
- How Light Exposure Plays a Role in Cognitionby Dr. Mercola on May 11, 2024
Can bright light exposure lead to a sharper mind and heightened alertness? Researchers from the University of Liège in Belgium sought out the answer to this. In the 2024 preprint study titled "Regional Response to Light Illuminance Across the Human Hypothalamus,"1 they investigated how light exposure affects cognitive function in humans. According to Neuroscience News,2 "The study … is described by the editors as of fundamental importance, and represents a key advancement to our understanding of how different levels of light affect human behavior." Light Affects the Emotional and Executive Areas of Your Brain For context, prior research conducted on animals established that light exposure affects many subcortical structures,3 which are the parts of your brain that play "a pivotal role in cognitive, affective and social functions in humans."4 Now, the researchers are investigating if the same effects are seen in humans, making the study a first of its kind. Speaking to NeuroScience News,5 lead author Islay Campbell, Ph.D., from the University of Liège, Belgium, commented: "Translating findings on how light exposure affects the brain in animal models to humans is a difficult process, as the later maturation of the cortex in human beings enables much more complex cognitive processing. In particular, the question of whether hypothalamus nuclei contribute to the stimulating impact of light on cognition is not established." The Effects of Light on the Hypothalamus Campbell and her team recruited 26 participants to complete two cognitive tasks designed to stimulate the emotional and executive areas of the hypothalamus while being subjected to varying levels of light intensity.6 They used seven Tesla MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machines to monitor brain activity in real time and record the results. The hypothalamus is responsible for managing the endocrine system. Essentially, it acts as a central station, receiving signals from other parts of your brain to release and inhibit hormones essential for maintaining life. These include the thyroid gland, adrenal gland and reproductive organs. The hypothalamus also helps regulate your appetite and temperature.7 Inside the hypothalamus, which all mammals have, lies the center master clock – the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). The SCN cannot function on its own but requires environmental stimuli to synchronize the body clock. This allows you to follow a pattern of wakefulness and sleep.8 The hypothalamus is generally divided into two areas regions — anterior and posterior. The anterior region handles the production of hormones needed by the body, while the posterior region is where oxytocin and vasopressin are stored after being produced in the anterior region. Oxytocin and vasopressin are hormones that perform crucial functions such as maintaining mood and regulating temperature.9 For the study, the researchers subdivided the two parts of the hypothalamus into five. This approach helped them identify which specific areas of the hypothalamus experienced a reaction while under light exposure. Here’s an illustration from the study to help you visualize the intricacy of the divisions. Image credit: eLife, "Regional Response to Light Illuminance Across the Human Hypothalamus," Figure 2A10 Light Intensities Can Have Varying Effects on Different Parts of the Hypothalamus The participants were asked to get an MRI scan one week before the trials began. They were also required to get around seven hours of sleep, and were prohibited from consuming caffeine and alcohol, as well as undergoing strenuous exercise.11 To create the test environment, the researchers used a lightbox that illuminated a cable on both ends, allowing them to vary the intensity while the participants performed the tasks.12 The participants were then asked to complete two tests to identify the effects of light exposure on their cognition. Here’s a breakdown, summarized in a report by Sleep Review:13 1. Executive task — The participants were asked to determine if the current sound played to them was the same as one they heard two playbacks earlier, or if it contained the letter "K." 2. Emotional task — They were asked to determine the gender of a voice that used either a neutral tone or angry tone. Throughout the study, the participants were alternatively placed in darkness or exposed to bursts of light exposure through four levels of illumination. The researchers noted:14 "In the executive task, participants were exposed to 30s to 70s (median 30s) of light blocks separated by 10s of darkness (< 0.1 lux) and the light blocks were repeated 11 times for each light condition. For the emotional task, participants were exposed to 30 to 40s (median 35s) light blocks separated by 20s of darkness (< 0.1 lux) and the light blocks were repeated five times for each light condition." Once results were recorded, the researchers noticed that higher light intensity increased activity in the posterior hypothalamus among the participants.15 At the same time, higher light intensities resulted in decreased activity in the anterior and ventral sections of the hypothalamus. Furthermore, higher light intensities resulted in better performance in the executive task.16 The Role of the Hypothalamus in Your Cognitive Function The response to this preprint study is positive, as it could not only help identify light’s effects on various brain structures but may also support further research into noninvasive treatments for sleep problems and cognitive fatigue. According to Neuroscience News, "The strength of evidence is praised as compelling, supporting the authors’ analyses of the complex interplay between light exposure, hypothalamic activity, and cognitive function."17 Previously published evidence also support the findings of this research. In a 2020 study18 published in Physiology & Behavior, researchers noted that sections of the brain such as the cortex, hippocampus and amygdala have been studied extensively in the role of cognition, but not the hypothalamus. Through the course of their research, they observed that the hypothalamus may play a role in cognition:19 "Such hypothalamic control of memory-related synaptic machinery may enable gating/thresholding/permissive/tagging operations within yet poorly defined logic gates for memory updating. Hypothalamic signals may thus facilitate cost-benefit analysis of learning and memory in real-world settings." In another study,20 published in Frontiers in Neurology, authors noted that light exposure increases physiological arousal in the brain, leading to increased alertness. The data from this preprint study clearly illustrate that light exposure can have a profound effect on your cognitive performance. So, how can you take advantage of it? Through a process called photobiomodulation (PBM), which is actually one of my favorite biohacks. How Photobiomodulation Can Benefit Your Health PBM refers to the process of using light therapy to benefit your health. Typically, this process involves using red and near-infrared wavelengths (with enough intensity) that your body can utilize. One of the most notable benefits of near-infrared exposure is the increase in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production in your mitochondria. Essentially, ATP is the energy currency used to power biological processes essential for life, such as muscle contractions, ion transport and chemical synthesis.21 As noted in a study published in Biology Letters, near-infrared exposure helped increase ATP in animal subjects and even reduced inflammation. Fruit flies exposed to near-infrared light also gained a significant increase in lifespan.22 Another fantastic benefit of near-infrared exposure is melatonin production — 95% of melatonin is produced in your mitochondria in response to near-infrared light. The melatonin released by your pineal gland account for just 5% of the melatonin in your body.23 Now, you might be wondering how mitochondria underscore these benefits. According to published research, your mitochondria play an important role in cognition. Here’s a succinct explanation, according to a study24 published in Mitochondrion: "Mitochondria have a crucial role in brain development and neurogenesis, both in embryonic and adult brains. Since the brain is the highest energy consuming organ, it is highly vulnerable to mitochondrial dysfunction. This has been implicated in a range of brain disorders including, neurodevelopmental conditions, psychiatric illnesses, and neurodegenerative diseases." In another study, published in the International Journal of Molecule Sciences,25 mitochondrial dysfunction has been implied to be a common mechanism involved in the most recognizable features of Alzheimer's disease. Linking all points together, harnessing the power of PBM can help boost mitochondrial health. In turn, healthy mitochondria can help maintain optimal cognitive function. Can Home Saunas Provide the Same Benefits as PBM? Electric saunas designed for your home typically emit far-infrared light, which can still provide detoxing benefits. However, with some tinkering, they can be modified to function as a PBM device as well, which can save money since you won’t need a dedicated PBM device. You can modify your sauna by using incandescent heat bulbs that emit the majority of their energy as near-infrared light. While it may take some work, the effort will be worth it. If you want to save time and energy, consider near-infrared bulbs from SaunaSpace.26 All their bulbs contain metal guards that prevent the glass from accidentally breaking and injuring you. Use the instructions to hang the new incandescent bulbs in your old sauna. This simple trick can increase the benefits you experience in your sauna since you’re also getting the benefits of PBM from the new bulbs. Done correctly, eight incandescent red bulbs can heat up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit in about 20 minutes, which is far better than typical far-infrared saunas. It’s also good to test your sauna for electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation. If it does have EMFs, I recommend shielding your sauna as best as you can to protect your health. As for the actual sauna session, it’s always important to start out slowly. Listen to your body so you can decide how much heat stress you can tolerate. Ideally, sauna sessions should last anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes. Also, remember to stay hydrated before, during and after, since you’ll be sweating a lot. Sunlight Is the Ideal Light Source While a PBM device (or a modified sauna) can be a fantastic addition to your health routine, you shouldn’t shun proper sun exposure. Ideally, spend more time outdoors whenever possible. Only use PBM devices to get red and near-infrared light you need if you cannot get enough regular sun exposure. Humans need direct sun exposure in order to optimally thrive, and while artificial lighting sources offering specific light spectrums may be helpful for various problems, ideally, we need the full spectrum of light that natural sunlight offers. If you’re going out to get sunlight, I recommend doing it during solar noon. For those living in areas that implement Daylight Saving Time, it should be 12:30 to 1:30 PM. Scheduling your daily walk around this time allows you to maximize the benefits of ultraviolet B rays and near-infrared radiation from the sun. Blocking Blue Light at Night Can Help Transform Your Sleep Last but not least, light exposure during the day has a major impact on your sleep quality, which in turn affects health in countless ways. Getting bright light exposure first thing in the morning and mid-day helps properly "set" your circadian clock, while bright light from artificial lighting and screens in the evening prevents melatonin release, inhibiting sleep. Normally, your brain starts progressively increasing the hormone melatonin around 9 or 10 pm, which makes you sleepy. Melatonin acts as a marker of your circadian phase or biological timing. In a nutshell, this hormone influences what time of day or night your body thinks it is, regardless of what time the clock on the wall displays. Besides regulating your sleep cycle, it also provides other important health benefits, including helping to prevent cancer. Somewhere between 50 and 1,000 lux is the activation range within which light will begin to suppress melatonin production. However, wavelength is also important. Red and amber lights will not suppress melatonin while blue, green, and white lights will. The reason for this is because these are the wavelengths are the most common outdoors during daytime hours. So, you’ll want to avoid the blue light wavelength after sunset. This includes artificial light, and light emitted by electronics such as your TV, computer, and other electronic screens. The blue light range (400–490 nm) can also induce photoreceptor damage in your eyes, so besides disrupting your sleep this is another potential problem with light emitting screens. As noted in one recent study,27 "it is important to consider the spectral output of LED-based light sources to minimize the danger that may be associated with blue light exposure." Ways to Limit Blue Light Exposure at Night There are several ways to avoid blue light in the evening depending on your lifestyle and personal preferences: 1. Turn off or dim all lights after sunset and avoid watching TV or using light emitting electronics for at least one hour before bedtime (ideally two hours or more). Research28,29 shows that using an electronic device within one hour of bedtime can delay falling asleep for more than an hour. Another study30 that compared melatonin profiles in individuals exposed to standard room light (<200 lux) vs. dim light (<3 lux) found that exposure to room light before bedtime shortened the time of elevated melatonin levels by about 90 minutes. That means it may take you an extra hour and a half before you’re sleepy enough to fall asleep once you’re in bed. Combine room light and electronic displays right before bed and it’s easy to see how sleep may remain elusive for hours on end. 2. After sundown, shift to a low-wattage bulb with yellow, orange or red light if you need illumination. A salt lamp illuminated by a 5-watt bulb is an ideal solution that will not interfere with your melatonin production. If using a computer or smart phone, install blue light-blocking software like f.lux. The program automatically alters the color temperature of your screen as the day goes on, pulling out the blue wavelengths as it gets late. 3. One of the easiest solutions is to use amber colored glasses that block blue light. This way, you don’t have to worry about installing programs on all your devices, or buying special light bulbs for evening use. Once you have your glasses on, it doesn’t matter what light sources you have on in your house. Studies31,32,33 have confirmed that when using blue-blocking glasses, people produce as much melatonin as they do in dim light, even if they’re in a lit room or using light emitting technology. Other studies34 have shown that people using blue-blocking glasses had major improvements in both sleep quality and mood. Shift workers who use them before bedtime (i.e. in the morning when it’s bright out) also report improved sleep.35
- How to Make a Natural Odor Eliminatorby Dr. Mercola on May 11, 2024
Editor's Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published December 18, 2017. If you're like most people, you enjoy opening your dryer door and removing clothes, sheets and kitchen towels that have a fresh, clean scent. And on days you forgot to take out the garbage, you'd probably prefer to never come home again to find the smell of your house resembling a cross between a spoiled potato and a wet dog. If you're like most people, you may also find yourself reaching for the store-bought, chemically concocted fabric softeners, room sprays and candles promising to cover up or mask unpleasant household smells, even if you're not sure what they're made of. Whether or not you're bothered by the strong scents you encounter when you walk into the cleaning aisle at your local supermarket, those heady fragrances are loaded with toxins that are anything but good for you or anybody else. In fact, more than 100 volatile organic compounds (VOCs — read: carcinogenic) waft their way through your home from the laundry products you use, including detergents, liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets.1 If you're looking for a product that can cut through odors, but you'd rather use something that's all-natural and free of artificial fragrances and dyes, here's some good news — you can make your own, and all you need are four ingredients. Recipe for an All-Natural, Homemade Odor Eliminator This recipe for a completely natural fabric and room freshener spray rivals anything you can buy at your local supermarket or dollar store, but without the toxic ingredients. In fact, other than water, the other three ingredients contain powerful and unique healing properties. Here's all you need: 1 cup (8 ounces) of water 6 droppers of colloidal silver (about 1/2 tablespoon) 40 drops of lavender oil (about 1/2 teaspoon) 40 drops of eucalyptus oil (about 1/2 teaspoon) Mix the ingredients in a glass measuring cup, then pour into a spray bottle and shake gently before each use. It's that easy. (Note — it's always a good idea to test a small corner of any fabric before applying essential oils.) The ingredients in this spray are derived from plants and minerals, quite unlike those chemical-laced offerings designed to make your laundry, kitchen, furniture, bathrooms and other areas of your household smell nice. The formula has been carefully considered, as for one thing, lavender essential oil is recommended for clothing as opposed to other oils like lemon that may stain your clothes. Eucalyptus and lavender both contain a number of purifying compounds, and colloidal silver has powerful antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. The Attributes of Lavender Oil Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) oil has been used for millennia, as far back as the ancient Greeks and Romans.2 It was often used in bathwater for both purification and fragrance, hence, the word "lavender" which means "to wash" in Latin.3 Lavender is a natural disinfectant and deodorant that's been used in the most primitive settings, even for mummification.4 Today, it's a common ingredient in laundry soap, shower gels, candles and drawer sachets. Lavender oil is also an effective and soothing emollient to massage into your skin. Add it to an Epsom salt foot bath for sore, tired feet, and be aware that vaporized lavender oil is effective as a muscle relaxer. The light fragrance is also noted for helping relieve insomnia.5 One reason lavender is effective for all these purposes and in healing is because of its VOCs, explaining why it's so soothing added to a hot compress to ease the pain of sprained muscles or tendons. With over 150 different components, pure lavender oil is chemically complex, with antifungal, antidepressant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and numerous other "anti" properties that do more than smell nice.6 Eucalyptus Oil — Uses and Description If you're unfamiliar with the smell of eucalyptus, suffice it to say that it's strong, so it doesn't take a lot to produce a unique, sweet, woody smell used in early surgical forays as an antiseptic — even to clean urinary catheters in 19th century England.7 The oil of Eucalyptus globulus — and there are around 500 types8 — has been shown in clinical studies to treat pain and inflammation associated with bronchitis, colds, rhinosinusitis and asthma.9 As an antiseptic, the oil is effective used on wounds, burns and ulcers. Besides stimulating your immune system, the oil also has the ability to exert pain relief and alleviate anxiety.10 Somewhat similar in terms of fragrance to mint, eucalyptus is often used in mouthwashes, cough drops, ointments and cleaning products because the clean scent seems to penetrate your nasal passages, but in a good way. Beauty products containing eucalyptus also impart moisturizing benefits. The chemical makeup of eucalyptus includes limonene and alpha-terpineol. Cineol is the most prominent constituent, taking up 84.39% of total oil volume in the plant.11 Colloidal Silver Effective Against Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens Silver used against pathogens is, surprisingly, not a new thing. In fact, Hippocrates explained its abilities against pathogenic bacteria in around 400 B.C. In modern times, clinical studies have identified colloidal silver as strong enough to eradicate even antibiotic-resistant super pathogens. Interestingly, research shows that silver has the capacity to multiply the effectiveness of antibiotics as much as a thousand times.12 A study published in BioMed Research International13 reported that silver added to an antibiotic called vancomycin rendered it powerful enough to kill gram-positive bacteria such as staph and strep. It can also defeat gram-negative bacteria like those implicated in dangerous infections associated with hospitals, such as E. coli.14 Another study15 revealed that a small amount of silver added to the same antibiotic obliterated a urinary tract infection caused by tetracycline-resistant E. coli. There's also clinical evidence that silver is effective for faster wound-healing16 and may boost immunity by helping fight off infections.17 As an added boon, it has a long shelf life. Over the last several decades, the use of silver as an antibacterial faded into the background as a seemingly old-fashioned remedy. But that was before super bugs came along. Today, silver's effectiveness and versatility has proven itself once again as a dramatically effective mineral against illness and disease. Toxic Ingredients in Cleaning, Laundry and Deodorizing Products If you're an avid label reader, you may be dismayed to find that many of the chemicals used to make air fresheners and other cleansing and laundry products may not even be listed. Toxin Detective observes:18 "That's because most companies keep fragrance ingredients a secret since they can claim that they are ‘confidential business information' and trade secrets. This scent ingredient secrecy occurs wherever synthetic fragrances are found (perfumes, cosmetics, personal care products and cleaning products to name a few), and it is especially egregious when it comes to air fresheners because fragrance makes up most of the product." Some of these ingredients include phthalates, which are known hormone disruptors, and a nerve-deadening chemical that imparts the ability to stop smelling bad smells because it literally blocks your olfactory nerves. That's how it so effectively "masks" other odors. In addition, the VOCs from your dryer and household venting system include acetaldehyde, acetone and ethanol. The Environmental Protection Agency uses terms like "neurotoxic," "hazardous," "linked to cancer," "developmental toxin" and causing potential nervous system damage to describe these chemicals. Further, these chemicals are almost instantly absorbed into your system when you inhale them, which may explain the woozy feeling you may experience when you walk down the candle, perfume or cleaning aisles referred to earlier, as they can affect your respiratory, neurological, endocrine and immune systems. One study19 notes that fragrance products can cross your blood-brain barrier, and many of the thousands of chemical agents in fragrances have psychoactive properties, just like psychoactive drugs. Incredibly, that's what the majority of American households spray in their bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, cars, offices and worst of all, nurseries. Here's a sobering study — fragrance reactions in the workplace are now so common that detrimental effects are being compared to those of secondhand smoke.20 The sad fact is, not only are companies not required to fully disclose all the ingredients they use, there's really no way of knowing the percentages they're using. You may already be aware that pet birds have been known to fly through the mist of a spritz of room freshener and drop dead on the spot. Tips for Eliminating Persistent, Noxious Odors Some odors are not just more annoying than others, but those are the ones that often seem to be the most difficult to get rid of. In getting rid of dirt, grime and other unpleasant stains and substances, the smell will often depart at the same time. When the time comes to eliminate hard-to-handle household smells, here are some methods using natural ingredients you may already have on hand: • Pet smells — Assuming you've cleaned out your cat box, rather than using cat litter or carpet cleaners loaded with chemicals to eliminate odors, certain surfaces call for different cleaning methods. Natural cleaners like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or baking soda can be used on fabrics and carpeting as well as wood and other hard surfaces. Resist the urge to rub or scrub; blotting with a wet paper towel actually does a better job, although it may need repeated applications. • Bathroom smells — A toilet cleaner alternative consists of a combination of 1/2 cup of baking soda and about 10 drops of tea tree essential oil into the toilet bowl, followed by 1/4 cup of vinegar. Scrub with a toilet brush. • Laundry smells — Using a gallon-sized jug, add 2 cups of baking soda and 2 cups of white vinegar. When the mixture stops foaming, add 4 cups of hot water and essential oils of your choice to desired strength. (You could try using 20 drops each of lavender and lemongrass oil.) Shake before each use and add about 1 cup for large loads in the rinse cycle.21 You may not be able to avoid coming into contact with harmful substances created in a misguided attempt to improve the not-so-pleasant smells you encounter from day to day. However, you can keep from adding to them by putting together your own homemade products that will make you healthier, rather than causing harm.
- Why You Should Always Use Organic Red Onionsby Dr. Mercola on May 10, 2024
Editor's Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published June 26, 2017. Have you ever sat in a restaurant and smelled the tantalizing sizzle of sautéed onions moving past to another table? You may wonder why you didn't order the same thing, and resolve to get out some onions and other veggies for your next evening's meal. But did you know there's a difference between all the onion varieties in the way they impact your health? Besides the fact that both red and white onions are a low-glycemic food,1 a study has determined that red onions are superior in many ways, one of the most important being the dramatic influence they had on study participants' cancer risk. It also turns out that, among five onion varieties, red onions kill between three and four times more cancer cells than the yellow and white ones. The Canadian study,2 no doubt prompted at least in part because cancer is that country's leading cause of death, noted that the high levels of flavonoids, specifically quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol, in the five onion types were shown to "exert potential anticancer activities." Further: "All onion varieties exhibited antiproliferative activity similar to purified flavonoids. The cytotoxic effects of the Stanley and Fortress onion varieties were strongest among the selected cultivars."3 What other nutritional benefits do red onions have compared to white onions? Besides being milder, one advantage is antioxidant activity, which is one reason they have a greater ability to protect against cancer. One study4 lists stomach, colorectal, oral, laryngeal, esophageal and ovarian cancers as being types the properties in red onions help reduce. In fact, stomach cancer risk was cut in half. While both red and white onions help to thin your blood, red onions are better at it due to their rich flavonoid presence. One more bit of wisdom — the outside skins of onions contain the highest nutrients. If you should remove the two outermost layers, you'd also be removing 75% of the anthocyanin content, which you do not want to do. Scientists suggest eating at least one red onion per week to get the most nutritional benefit. There are numerous delicious ways to do this — cut them up in cold salads or toss them into your sautéed veggies. More From the Canadian Onion Study To test the capabilities of the different onion cultivars, the researchers utilized a newly developed technique to extract quercetin and other compounds, then placed them in direct contact with human colorectal cancer cells. All five onion species were deemed "excellent" at exterminating the cells, according to co-author Suresh Neethirajan, Ph.D., associate professor at Dalhousie University. However, it was the Ruby Ring, a red onion variety, that contained the highest total phenolic content, natural compounds produced by plants. The onions used in the study that had the highest concentrations of quercetin compared to other onion varieties from around the world happened to be grown in Ontario, but the authors of the study say it's likely that the same findings would take place if the same type of red onions were grown elsewhere. Funding for the study came from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The scientists who used the quercetin-extraction technique, involving heated water in a pressurized container, say they hope their work will soon lead other scientists to use this or similar methods for quercetin extraction. Stressing that the technique did not utilize toxic solvents or chemicals like other methods use for this purpose, they also hope quercetin from red onions "will one day be added to a variety of fortified foods and even medicines." However, rather than waiting for that day, you can extract the same healing compounds by eating them whole. Studies like this one are helpful because, when you're getting ready to make a large green salad with all the good greens and other veggies, you'll know which type to put in your shopping cart, or better yet, which onion seeds or bulbs to plant in your garden. Quercetin, Anthocyanins and Other Disease-Fighting Compounds A plethora of studies have already determined that quercetin can help lower heart disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis and high blood pressure risks. It can also help reduce the rate at which cancer cells grow, particularly ovarian, prostate, endometrial, breast, colon and lung tumors. If you're an onion lover, you'll be happy to know that red onions provide 25% of the flavonols you need per day, according to a chart produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).5 A study notes6 that onions contain about 25 different anthocyanins. This is the plant pigment that supports the onion's free radical-scavenging activities. Free radicals are partial molecules responsible for inflammation leading to other health damaging conditions, as they steal electrons from many of your body's proteins, damage your DNA and cause numerous aspects of other serious disease. Anthocyanins are the compounds responsible for the dark red, purple and blue colors in fruits and vegetables. In fact, they are so powerful that many scientists recommend eating dark-hued vegetables — red cabbage, purple grapes, blackberries, kale, strawberries, blueberries and beets, for example — for this very reason; they contain more of this compound. As an article in Time explains: "The researchers recently found that onions are effective at killing breast cancer cells, as well. They say that onions appear to disrupt communication between cancer cells and promote an unfavorable environment for their growth, encouraging them to die. The next step, they add, will be testing these theories in human trials."7 Allicin is another compound found in members of the allium family, which includes onions, leeks, shallots, scallions and the herbs garlic and chives. When they're cut or crushed, the allicin produced has also been found to be heart-protective, to lower blood pressure, and both prevent and treat cancer. Organically Grown Onions: Are They More Nutritious? In 2013, a huge group of studies — more than 200, actually — were scrutinized to see if organically grown foods had any more to offer compared to those produced conventionally. Many scientists ultimately concluded they were not. Others begged to differ. Since then, further reviews have determined just the opposite. In the longest-running study ever on the issue, organic foods were found to contain more health-benefiting phytochemicals, and that flavonoid levels and antioxidant activity in organic onions are higher than in conventional onions. According to Science Daily:8 "The authors propose that the conflicting results from previous research on organic and conventional crops' phytochemical content could be a function of short study periods and the exclusion of variables such as weather … Over the six-year study, measurements confirmed that weather could be a factor in flavonoid content, regardless of whether they were grown under organic conditions." Experts determined that flavonols from the Red Baron onion decreased in 2010 when temperatures were lowest, and increased in both 2011 and 2014 when the climate had both higher temperatures and lower moisture. Researchers reported that antioxidant activity was higher in Red Baron and Hyskin organic onion varieties, and the flavonols were as much as 20% higher in the organic veggies. Naturally, it's good to know what other nutritional benefits come from red onions. Heal With Food9 says that just half of a red onion has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent several disorders and diseases, many of them related, such as: Prevention and control of intestinal polyp formation Inhibiting the rhinoviruses that cause the common cold Treating psoriasis Slowing the replication of such viruses as the herpes simplex virus that leads to cold sores Reducing the risk of stomach cancer by 50% In Case You're Looking for More Chromium, a trace mineral, is yet another compound contained in onions that is able to control glucose levels, Heal With Food10 says. "This is great news for those who suffer from insulin resistance as chromium is an essential for insulin activity in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. A lack of chromium-rich foods, such as onions, in diet may lead to insulin resistance and impaired blood sugar control and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, there is some evidence suggesting that severe chromium deficiency may make weight loss more difficult or even cause weight gain." Fiber is a very important component to your diet, and onions don't disappoint. While you need both soluble and insoluble fiber, and most foods provide both, red (or purple) onions contain more soluble than insoluble fiber. Week& has a good explanation for why it's so important: "Soluble fiber attracts fluid in your gut, creating a slow-moving gel. This slows digestion, which allows vitamins and minerals to absorb through intestinal walls. Insoluble fiber from the skins of onions sweeps out your gut like a broom and helps you have regular bowel movements. According to the Colorado State University Extension, you need 14 grams of dietary fiber for every 1,000 calories you consume. Based on a 2,000-calorie diet, you need 28 grams of daily fiber. Purple onions offer about 1.5 grams per 1/2-cup raw serving."11 Minimal heating keeps most of the healthy compounds in onions, but the more they're heated, the more of the nutrition they lose. The George Mateljan Foundation,12 dedicated to the healthiest ways to cook and eat, says that sautéing or steaming onions, the most recommended methods, follow three basic guidelines from the annals of food science research in terms of retaining the most nutrients possible, and they're very simple and straightforward: Minimal heat exposure Minimal cooking duration Minimal contact with cooking liquid One more thing — vitamin C, another abundant nutrient in raw red onions, does several important jobs throughout your body. It helps wounds heal and allows for greater elasticity, helps to build collagen and has antioxidant capabilities that expand the free radical-fighting job done by flavonoids. Women need 75 milligrams (mg) per day, but men require 90 mg a day. Luckily, it's not a difficult task, no matter how you prepare your onions, as you get about 12 mg in a single half-cup serving.
- ‘Ozempic Face’ — A Troubling Side Effect of Weight Loss Drugsby Dr. Mercola on May 10, 2024
Prescriptions for weight loss medications have skyrocketed in recent years. By the end of 2024, the market valuation is expected to grow to a whopping $21.09 billion.1 Today, one of the most popular options are GLP-1 agonist drugs that are sold under two names, Ozempic and Wegovy. Both are from the Novo Nordisk drug company — Ozempic is sold as a diabetes drug, while higher-dose Wegovy is approved for weight loss.2 The popularity of GLP-1 agonist drugs for weight management has boomed in recent years, and it shows — quite literally. Today, more users are struggling with a side effect dubbed the "Ozempic face"3 — a condition that occurs when a person loses too much facial fat, leading to a hollowed, gaunt appearance, as a result of taking these drugs.4 How Do GLP-1 Mimetics Work? Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists work by boosting the hormone GLP-1. The drug was first approved in 2017 to manage blood sugar levels in diabetics, and, in 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy to address obesity.5 Semaglutide is the active ingredient in both. Your body naturally makes GLP-1 in the small intestines,6 and its primary function is to slow down digestion, increase satiety, block glucagon secretion (a hormone used to control blood sugar levels) and trigger the pancreas to release insulin.7 When used as an injectable medication, semaglutide mimics the hormone, so the medication binds to the receptor and triggers the same effects. As a result, the passage of food through your stomach slows down, making you feel fuller longer. According to an article published in El Pais:8 "Ozempic gives the feeling of being forever full, so that you can say goodbye to snacking, and be satisfied with smaller portions of food. Soon, though, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation can appear. After a few months, the ‘Ozempic face’ may show up in the form of prematurely aged skin." Trims Inches Off the Waist, but Adds Years to Your Face When you take semaglutide, it doesn’t just cause you to shed fat from specific body problem areas; it can also deplete your facial fat resulting in lost volume.9 When your body slims down very rapidly, the elasticity of your skin, especially on the face, can be severely affected.10 The result — sunken eyes, fine lines, indents and wrinkles, drooping cheeks, sagging skin (including under the chin) and changes in the size of the lips and chin.11,12 Semaglutide has helped some to slim down, but at the cost of ageing skin, particularly in your face. In a Forbes article, Mojgan Hosseinipour, D.O., a board-certified dermatologist, says, "Subcutaneous facial fat provides structural support; with volume loss, there is an accelerated aged appearance of the face with noticeable lines and wrinkles."13 These physical effects may be more apparent in people with thin faces who have experienced drastic weight loss. Aesthetic doctor, Mar Mira, explains in an El Pais article:14 "[I]n overweight or obese patients, weight loss does not usually result in significant facial skeletonization. However, shadows underneath the cheeks may be accentuated by reabsorption of fat compartments, and facial flaccidity can become more pronounced around the jowls and jaw line due to the loss of temporal and preauricular fat compartments, which are usually the first to be reabsorbed during the aging process." Skincare Companies Are Taking Advantage of the Ozempic Face A 2023 study15 notes how the increasing number of people with Ozempic face are impacting the field of plastic surgery. According to the researchers, "As the popularity of Ozempic grows, facial plastic surgeons must be aware of both the impact on facial appearance and perioperative considerations." The study also mentions that methods like dermal fillers, skin tightening techniques and surgery may be needed to manage excess skin and restore a patient’s facial volume. This has prompted some skincare companies to prepare for the surge of people who may want to address the aging effects caused by Ozempic. In a Bloomberg article, skincare firm Galderma’s CEO Flemming Ornskov said their Sculptra skin treatment, which boosts collagen production, and other fillers can help "restore" patients’ facial features.16 Some physicians have also commented on the changes they see among people who took Ozempic. In an article published in Allure, Julius Few, MD, a Chicago-based, board-certified plastic surgeon, says, "I have seen a number of patients for facelifts who are on Ozempic, and the way their tissue behaves is not the same. The skin has more of a doughy consistency." What’s more, Few comments that people in their 20s and 30s are now going beyond fillers — they’re also inquiring about procedures like facelifts, which are usually tailored for those over 50 years old.17 Ozempic’s Side Effects Can Be Alarming But aside from the facial changes, Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs can have other more disturbing side effects. A Woman’s World magazine article,18 for example, demonstrated the drastic weight loss that Sharon Osbourne underwent after taking Ozempic. The 70-year-old TV personality lost a whopping 42 pounds. Image from: Woman's World, September 29, 202319 The change to her facial appearance is noticeable and has become one of the most startling examples of the Ozempic face. However, the article quotes an interview with Piers Morgan that Osbourne did back in September 2023, where she further shared her unpleasant experience after using the drug:20 "At first, I mean, you feel nauseous. You don’t throw up physically, but you’ve got that feeling. It was about two, three weeks where I felt nauseous the whole time. You get very thirsty and you don’t want to eat. That’s it. You can’t stay on it forever. I lost 42 pounds now and it’s just enough. I didn’t actually want to go this thin, but it just happened, and I’ll probably put it all on again soon." Reality TV personality Scott Disick has also spoken up about his dramatic weight loss courtesy of Ozempic, and that he is "seeking help" to get off the drug after fans raised their concerns over his alarming transformation, including his gaunt face and sunken eyes. He has stopped taking the drug and is now working with a nutritionist to manage his weight.21 Image from: Twitter, Page Six, March 19, 202422 Others who have been prescribed GLP-1 agonist drugs to address other health issues have also spoken up about the nasty effects of Ozempic. In a Today article,23 hospital worker Jeannine DellaVecchia said she took the drug to "treat symptoms related to insulin resistance caused by congenital adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovary syndrome." Despite losing 30 pounds, she opted to stop using Ozempic because the side effects were "just too much." Aside from the noticeable facial changes, DellaVecchia also struggled with appetite loss, nausea and vomiting.24 Image from: Today, Aug. 14, 202325 Using Weight Loss Drugs Can Have Disastrous Consequences on Your Gut Health The problem with GLP-1 agonists is that if they cause food passage to slow too much, it can lead to health issues, particularly gastrointestinal disorders. One 2023 study26 noted that people who are taking GLP-1 agonists had an increased risk of pancreatitis, bowel obstruction and gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). A study27 using data from Eudravigilance, Europe’s system for analyzing adverse reactions to medications, also found that aside from gastrointestinal concerns, metabolic, nutritional, eye, renal, urinary and cardiac disorders also occurred in people who took semaglutide. One study notes28 the effects on the kidneys occur more often in people who also have adverse gastrointestinal disorders when taking the drug. And, as with DellaVecchia’s experience noted above, many people developed "cyclic-vomiting syndrome" — a condition where a person vomits multiple times in a day. According to a CNN article:29 "Emily Wright, 38, a teacher in Toronto, started taking Ozempic in 2018. Over a year, she said, she lost 80 pounds, which she’s been able to keep off. But Wright said she now vomits so frequently that she had to take a leave of absence from her job. ‘I’ve almost been off Ozempic for a year, but I’m still not back to my normal,’ Wright said." Instead of Ozempic, Increase Your GLP-1 Naturally With Akkermansia Taking medications to lose weight is one way to endanger your health. Ozempic was designed as a long-term drug. In other words, to maintain your weight loss, you must stay on the drug. One study30 found that a year after stopping semaglutide, participants gained back two-thirds of the weight they lost — a condition called the "Ozempic rebound."31 Instead of relying on GLP-1 agonists, consider colonizing your gut with Akkermansia muciniphila to boost your GLP-1 levels naturally. Akkermansia is a type of bacterium that naturally secretes a GLP-1-inducing protein, which raises systemic levels of GLP-1. Research32 confirms its ability to improve glucose homeostasis and ameliorate metabolic disease through this mechanism. According to the researchers:33 "A. muciniphila increases thermogenesis and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion ... by induction of uncoupling protein 1 in brown adipose tissue and systemic GLP-1 secretion ... [An] 84 kDa protein, named P9 ... is secreted by A. muciniphila. [We] show that purified P9 alone is sufficient to induce GLP-1 secretion ..." How to Restructure Your Microbiome Akkermansia, highly beneficial bacteria in your large intestine, plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health and should constitute about 10% of the gut microbiome. However, it is absent in many individuals, likely due to inadequate mitochondrial function and resultant oxygen leakage in the gut. Eating foods that support Akkermansia, such as polyphenol-rich fruit, and other beneficial bacteria, and avoiding foods like linoleic acid — found in vegetable and seed oils in most processed foods — that destroy these bacteria, will help to restructure your microbiome in a positive way. You can also use an Akkermansia probiotic supplement. One of the reasons Akkermansia is so important is because it produces mucin, a thick, protective gel-like substance that lines various parts of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract. Mucin forms a protective barrier on the gut lining, shielding the epithelial cells of the intestinal wall from mechanical damage, chemical irritation from stomach acids and digestive enzymes, and pathogenic organisms like bacteria and viruses. Mucin also supports the immune system by trapping potential pathogens and other foreign particles, which are then expelled from the body through the digestive process. It also contains antibodies and antimicrobial peptides that help fight off infections. Lastly, mucin serves as a food source for other beneficial gut bacteria. This relationship is essential for digestive health, as the bacteria fed by Akkermansia aid in digestion, produce essential nutrients and help maintain an overall balance of gut flora. Avoiding Linoleic Acid Can Help With Weight Management The abundance of linoleic acid (LA) in our diet is another reason why many are struggling with obesity or are overweight. This omega-6 fat is found in seed oils like sunflower, soybean, rapeseed (canola), cottonseed, corn and safflower, and reducing your intake can help support a healthy weight. Make sure to avoid all processed foods, as these also contain high amounts of LA, as well as grain-fed chicken and pork. Ideally, cut your LA consumption down to below 5 grams per day, which is close to what our ancestors used to get before chronic health conditions became widespread. LA is found in nearly all ultraprocessed foods, fast foods and restaurant foods as well. This is why it’s best to prepare the majority of your food at home. For more information on linoleic acid, read my article "Linoleic Acid — The Most Destructive Ingredient in Your Diet."
- Symptoms of Diverticulitis and How to Treat Itby Dr. Mercola on May 10, 2024
Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of small pouches called diverticula that can develop along the walls of your intestines. The formation of these pouches is known as diverticulosis, a common condition that typically causes few or no symptoms. However, when these pouches become inflamed or infected, it leads to diverticulitis, which can be painful and may lead to serious complications. Diverticulosis is common in the U.S. and other parts of the world where heavily processed diets are the norm. It’s estimated that 30% of Americans over 50 have diverticulosis, which rises to 50% of those over 60% and 75% in people over 80.1 Most often, the condition affects the sigmoid colon, a section of the large intestine near the end of the digestive tract. Among those with diverticulosis, about 4% develop diverticulitis.2 What Are the Symptoms of Diverticulitis? You can have diverticulosis and not know it, since it often causes no symptoms. But in the case of diverticulitis, it’s typically a different story. Common symptoms include:3 • Abdominal pain — When diverticula become inflamed, they cause the surrounding tissues in the intestinal wall to also become inflamed. This inflammation can lead to pain that’s typically felt in the lower left side of the abdomen and may be severe. The pain may also spread to your pelvis and back. In people of Asian descent, diverticulosis may occur more often in the first part of the colon, so diverticulitis in that region may cause pain in the upper right abdomen.4 • Bowel changes — The inflammation associated with diverticulitis can affect the movement of the bowel, leading to disruptions in the normal rhythm of digestion. This can result in constipation or diarrhea, along with bloating and gas. Feelings of fullness can also occur. • Nausea and vomiting — Gastrointestinal irritation may lead to nausea while increased movement of the intestines in an attempt to expel irritants and bacteria may lead to vomiting. In more severe cases, the inflammation can lead to a partial or complete blockage of the intestine, which can trigger vomiting. • Fever — When diverticula become inflamed, they can also become infected, usually by bacteria. The fever is a sign that your body is actively fighting an infection. • Rectal bleeding — As diverticulitis progresses, the inflamed diverticula can cause small blood vessels to stretch and rupture, leading to bleeding. This can result in blood appearing in the stool. Diverticulitis can be classified as acute, which occurs suddenly and often causes intense abdominal pain, fever and nausea, or chronic, with persistent symptoms due to the ongoing inflammation. More severe cases can lead to serious complications, which are sometimes the first sign of the disease. Each year, about 200,000 people are hospitalized due to diverticulitis, while 71,000 are hospitalized with diverticular bleeding.5 Complications may include:6 Abscesses Perforation, or a hole, in your colon Fistulas, an abnormal tunnel between your colon and another area of the body, such as your bladder Intestinal blockages Peritonitis, an infection of the abdominal cavity What Causes Diverticulitis? Certain genes may increase your risk of diverticulitis, but lifestyle factors also play a role, including:7 Eating ultraprocessed foods Inactivity Using certain medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids Obesity Smoking While a number of factors contribute to diverticulitis, a disrupted microbiome and eating a highly processed, low-fiber diet are chief among them. Dietary fiber is crucial for maintaining a healthy digestive system. It helps to bulk up your stool and softens it, making it easier to pass through the colon. This reduces the strain and pressure in your colon during bowel movements. When your diet lacks sufficient fiber, your stools become harder and smaller, requiring your colon to exert more pressure to move them along. This increased pressure can cause your colon's muscular wall to develop weak spots. Over time, the continuous pressure may force the inner lining of your colon through these weak spots in the muscle layer, forming diverticula. Further, a diet low in fiber keeps the intra-colonic pressure elevated because of the harder, smaller stools and the greater effort needed to expel them. This sustained high pressure is believed to not only contribute to the formation of diverticula but also increase the risk of these diverticula becoming inflamed or infected, leading to diverticulitis. As noted in Cureus:8 “Many theories have been suggested for the different etiologies of diverticular disease, and the most common cause is believed to be a low-fiber diet. It is believed that diets low in fibers are associated with increased intra-colonic pressure, which leads to diverticula formation.” Diverticulitis Linked to Gut Microbiome Composition Researchers with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in collected stool samples from 121 women with severe diverticulitis and compared them to stool samples from 121 women without the condition.9 They conducted a detailed analysis of the overall microbial community structures and metabolomic profiles in the collected samples, revealing significant differences between the groups. Women with diverticulitis had more pro-inflammatory agents such as the microbe Ruminococcus gnavus, 1,7-dimethyluric acid and various histidine-related metabolites. There was also a notable depletion of butyrate-producing bacteria, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a reduction in anti-inflammatory ceramides. The study highlighted how microbial composition may influence the protective association between a fiber-rich diet and diverticulitis, suggesting that dietary fiber's protective effects can be significantly altered by a person’s existing gut microbiota composition. A review published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine further described gut microbiota’s potential role in diverticulitis, noting:10 “Changes in microbiota composition have been observed in patients who were developing acute diverticulitis, with a reduction of taxa with anti-inflammatory activity, such as Clostridium cluster IV, Lactobacilli and Bacteroides. Recent observations supported that a dysbiosis characterized by decreased presence of anti-inflammatory bacterial species might be linked to mucosal inflammation, and a vicious cycle results from a mucosal inflammation driving dysbiosis at the same time. An alteration in gut microbiota can lead to an altered activation of nerve fibers, and subsequent neuronal and muscular dysfunction, thus favoring abdominal symptoms’ development.” Restoring Your Gut Microflora and Cellular Energy Production Are Key Dysbiosis, or an imbalance of microbial communities, in your gut plays a central role in the development of diverticulitis.11 A balanced gut microbiota helps reduce inflammation in the colon. Certain beneficial bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These SCFAs help maintain the health of the colon lining and prevent inflammation that can lead to diverticulitis. A robust intestinal barrier can also prevent bacterial fragments from entering your bloodstream, whereas a compromised barrier allows these harmful fragments through while blocking SCFAs. However, most people have dysfunctional mitochondria, and if you don't have enough mitochondria, you can't create cellular energy efficiently enough to ensure a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Your gut contains primarily two types of gram-negative bacteria: beneficial and pathogenic. The beneficial ones include obligate anaerobes, which cannot survive in the presence of oxygen and are essential for health. They do not produce harmful endotoxins and contribute positively by producing SCFAs like butyrate, propionate and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Proper gut function requires energy to maintain an oxygen-free environment in the large intestine, where 99% of gut microbes reside. Insufficient energy leads to oxygen leakage, which harms obligate anaerobes while not impacting the facultative anaerobes, thereby disrupting the balance of the microbiome. Pathogenic bacteria, or facultative anaerobes, can survive in oxygen and are harmful, as they possess endotoxins in their cell walls. In short, enhancing mitochondrial energy production is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut environment. When you do that, it helps suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria and support beneficial microbial populations, which in turns reduces your risk of diverticulitis. Widespread use of antibiotics can also disrupt the microbiome by killing both beneficial and harmful bacteria, leading to a dominance of pathogenic bacteria which produce harmful endotoxins. Optimizing your mitochondrial function is, however, one of the most important strategies you can do to optimize your cellular energy, so it’s at the core of almost everything that you do to improve your health. How to Restructure Your Microbiome Akkermansia, highly beneficial bacteria in your large intestine, plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health and should constitute about 10% of the gut microbiome. However, it is absent in many individuals, likely due to inadequate mitochondrial function and resultant oxygen leakage in the gut. Eating foods that support Akkermansia, such as polyphenol-rich fruit, and other beneficial bacteria, and avoiding foods like linoleic acid — found in vegetable and seed oils in most processed foods — that destroy these bacteria, will help to restructure your microbiome in a positive way. You can also use an Akkermansia probiotic supplement. One of the reasons Akkermansia is so important is because it produces mucin, a thick, protective gel-like substance that lines various parts of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract. Mucin forms a protective barrier on the gut lining, shielding the epithelial cells of the intestinal wall from mechanical damage, chemical irritation from stomach acids and digestive enzymes, and pathogenic organisms like bacteria and viruses. Mucin also supports the immune system by trapping potential pathogens and other foreign particles, which are then expelled from the body through the digestive process. It also contains antibodies and antimicrobial peptides that help fight off infections. Lastly, mucin serves as a food source for other beneficial gut bacteria. This relationship is essential for digestive health, as the bacteria fed by Akkermansia aid in digestion, produce essential nutrients and help maintain an overall balance of gut flora. Increasing CO2 Likely Beneficial Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a driver of energy production, as it improves the delivery of oxygen into your cells. While CO2 is typically thought of as nothing more than a harmful waste product of respiration, and a “pollutant” that endangers the planet, the reality is that it’s essential for most life on Earth. In fact, CO2 appears to be a more fundamental component of living matter than oxygen.12 “Really, every condition you can think of, both physiological and mental, can be remediated, and in many cases cured, by increasing endogenous CO2 production and decreasing degradation,” Georgi Dinkov says. Importantly, CO2 allows for more efficient energy production in your mitochondria, which is why people who live or spend time at higher altitudes tend to be healthier and have fewer chronic health problems such as asthma. The reason for this is because the pressure of CO2 relative to oxygen is greater at higher altitudes. In order to have sufficient CO2 production, you need healthy mitochondria, because CO2 is produced exclusively in the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria. If you have mitochondrial dysfunction, if you're hypothyroid or have high levels of inflammation, as is the case in diverticulitis, then you will not be producing enough CO2. While it’s important to optimize your endogenous (internal) production of CO2, exogenous delivery or supplementation will produce the greatest benefits, as you can deliver far greater amounts than your body can produce. Such strategies include: Breathing into a paper bag Drinking carbonated water and other carbonated beverages CO2 baths A special suit into which CO2 is pumped Taking small amounts of baking soda in your drinking water A book written in 1905 by Achilles Rose, M.D. discusses delivery by rectal insufflation. During rectal CO2 insufflation, a small tube or catheter is inserted into the rectum, and a controlled amount of CO2 is gently infused. This is a highly effective way to deliver CO2. I am currently in the process of setting up an IRB (Institutional Review Board) approved study that will be exploring the therapeutic value of administering CO2 gas rectally to reverse the damage caused by decades of excess LA consumption that caused a radical decrease in mitochondrial function and cellular energy production resulting in a compromised oxygen gradient differential in the large intestine that allows pathogenic bacteria to become squatters and occupy the spaces of the obligate anaerobic species like Akkermansia that provide benefits and do not produce toxic endotoxin.
- Nanoplastics Linked to Heart Attacks and Strokeby Dr. Mercola on May 9, 2024
Nanoplastics — particles less than 1 micrometer in size, or 1,000th the average width of a human hair — have emerged as a significant environmental concern due to their widespread prevalence and potential health hazards to humans and wildlife alike. These microscopic fragments result from the degradation of larger plastic debris and can also be manufactured directly for various applications. Nanoplastics have become ubiquitous in ecosystems around the world, from urban waterways to remote oceanic and terrestrial environments. Their pervasive presence is attributed to the widespread use and disposal of plastic materials globally. Environmental Hazards Nanoplastics pose several environmental hazards, including: Biodiversity loss — Nanoplastics can harm aquatic and terrestrial organisms, leading to reduced biodiversity. They have been found to cause physical and chemical stress in marine life, affecting growth, reproduction, and survival rates. Ecosystem disruption — Their presence in water bodies and soil can alter the chemical composition and physical properties of these environments, disrupting ecosystems' balance. Food chain contamination — Nanoplastics can accumulate in the food chain, potentially leading to higher concentrations in top predators, including humans. Microplastics Found in Food, Including Infant Formula The environmental contamination is so severe, many foods now contain them, including chicken, pork, seafood, beef and plant-based meat alternatives, whether processed, minimally processed or unprocessed.1 The more processing a food has undergone, however, the more plastic it contains. Researchers estimate that Americans consume up to 3.8 million pieces of micro- and nanoplastics per year from protein alone.2 The reason for this is because meats are packaged in plastic. Recent research has also confirmed the presence of microplastics in all samples of infant formula tested (30 in all).3 The most frequently identified plastics were polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. According to the authors, children fed exclusively infant formula likely consume an average of 49 microplastic particles per day. Nanoplastics Linked to Heart Attacks and Stroke The potential health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on humans have long been debated, but a recent study4 published in the New England Journal of Medicine marks a significant step in understanding the health implications of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure. Microplastics and nanoplastics, defined by their minuscule size, can migrate through body tissues, potentially causing oxidative stress, tissue damage and inflammation. Individuals with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid artery tissues have a 353% higher risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes. The study in question analyzed tissue from 257 individuals undergoing carotid endarterectomy to identify plastics in arterial plaques, revealing the presence of polyethylene (associated with asthma, hormone disruption, reproductive issues and dermatitis5) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC, linked to liver and reproductive damage6), among others. As reported by the authors:7 “Polyethylene was detected in carotid artery plaque of 150 patients (58.4%), with a mean level of 21.7±24.5 μg per milligram of plaque; 31 patients (12.1%) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride, with a mean level of 5.2±2.4 μg per milligram of plaque. Electron microscopy revealed visible, jagged-edged foreign particles among plaque macrophages and scattered in the external debris. Radiographic examination showed that some of these particles included chlorine.” Disturbingly, individuals with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid artery tissues were found to have fourfold higher risk of suffering a cardiovascular event such as heart attack or stroke over the next three years compared to those without such plastics. They were also more likely to die from any cause. As reported by the authors: “Patients in whom MNPs [microplastics and nanoplastics] were detected within the atheroma were at higher risk for a primary end-point event than those in whom these substances were not detected (hazard ratio, 4.53).” A hazard ratio (HR) of 4.53 means that people with microplastics in their arteries have a 353% higher risk of suffering a potentially lethal cardiac event than those without microplastics. Should Microplastic Exposure Be Considered a Cardiovascular Risk Factor? Lead author Raffaele Marfella emphasized the need for further research to confirm these findings,8 although the study already suggests a strong association between plastics and cardiovascular events in people with atherosclerosis. The study's implications are significant, according to pediatrician Dr. Philip Landrigan, who stressed the importance of addressing the potential cardiovascular risks posed by microplastics and nanoplastics in an accompanying editorial:9,10 “Although we do not know what other exposures may have contributed to the adverse outcomes among patients in this study, the finding of microplastics and nanoplastics in plaque tissue is itself a breakthrough discovery that raises a series of urgent questions. Should exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics be considered a cardiovascular risk factor? What organs in addition to the heart may be at risk? How can we reduce exposure?” Nanoplastics Pose Severe Hazards for Animals and Humans CNN, which reported the findings, also highlighted research linking nanoplastics and microplastics to other potential harms, such as:11 Chronic inflammation — The presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in arterial plaques was linked to increased inflammation. Chronic inflammation, in turn, is a hallmark of most chronic diseases, not just cardiovascular disease, suggesting that plastic exposure could exacerbate or increase susceptibility to a wide variety of conditions. Dysfunction of cells, organs and endocrine system — Nanoplastics, due to their small size, can migrate through tissues of the digestive tract or lungs into the bloodstream, invading individual cells and tissues in major organs. This can potentially interrupt cellular processes and deposit endocrine-disrupting chemicals, affecting the body's normal functions. Oxidative stress and tissue damage — Studies in animals have shown that exposure to micro- and nanoplastics may cause oxidative stress, tissue damage, and inflammation in cells. These effects could lead to various health issues, depending on the extent and duration of exposure. Impaired cardiac function — Animal studies have also indicated that micro- and nanoplastics can alter heart rate and impede cardiac function, posing additional risks to cardiovascular health. Risks to fetuses and young infants — Research in pregnant mice has found plastic chemicals in the brain, heart, liver, kidney, and lungs of the developing fetus within 24 hours after the mother ingested or inhaled plastic particles. This suggests that plastics can cross the placental barrier, potentially affecting fetal development. Previous studies have also found microplastics in the human placenta12 and human breast milk13 — clear evidence that a mother’s plastic exposure can be directly transferred to her child both before and after birth. Microbiome alterations — Studies have also found that microplastics can alter the makeup of microbial communities, reducing diversity14 and increasing the exchange of antibiotic-resistant and metal-resistant genes.15 Progesterone Counteracts Xenoestrogen Exposure From Plastics In the featured video at the top of this article, best-selling author and high-performance coach Siim Land reviews the research linking arterial nanoplastics to a near-fourfold higher risk of cardiovascular events. As noted by Land, microplastics contain xenoestrogens, which have been linked to obesity, infertility, cancer and more. Indeed, estrogen is a known carcinogen,16 and plastics is perhaps one of the most ubiquitous sources of estrogen for men and women alike. Estrogen is also antimetabolic and radically reduces the ability of your mitochondria to create cellular energy in a form of ATP by depending on aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect) which radically impairs oxidative phosphorylation. To counteract the hazards of this estrogenic exposure you can use progesterone, which is a natural estrogen antagonist. Progesterone is one of only four hormones I believe many adults can benefit from. (The other three are thyroid hormone T3, DHEA and pregnenolone.) As a general recommendation, most adult males and non-menstruating adult women would benefit from taking 25 to 50 mg of bioidentical progesterone per a day, taken in the evening one hour before bed, as it can also promote sleep. For optimal bioavailability, progesterone needs to be mixed into natural vitamin E. The difference in bioavailability between taking progesterone orally without vitamin E and taking it with vitamin E is 45 minutes versus 48 hours. Pre-menopausal women can also take progesterone but it is the last half of their cycle, approximately 14 days after the last day of their period and stopping when period returns. Another good reason for taking progesterone with vitamin E is because it binds to red blood cells, which allows the progesterone to be carried throughout your body and be distributed to where it’s needed the most. Simply Progesterone by Health Natura is premixed with vitamin E and MCT oil. You can also make your own by dissolving pure USP progesterone powder into one capsule of a high-quality vitamin E, and then rub the mixture on your gums. Fifty milligrams of powdered progesterone is about 1/32 teaspoon. Do not use synthetic vitamin E (alpha tocopherol acetate — the acetate indicates that it’s synthetic). Natural vitamin E will be labeled “d alpha tocopherol.” This is the pure D isomer, which is what your body can use. There are also other vitamin E isomers, and you want the complete spectrum of tocopherols and tocotrienols, specifically the beta, gamma, and delta types, in the effective D isomer. I do not recommend transdermal progesterone, as your skin expresses high levels of 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which causes a significant portion of the progesterone you're taking to be irreversibly converted primarily into allopregnanolone and cannot be converted back into progesterone. Preventing Exposure Is Key Of course, prevention — minimizing your exposure — really needs to be your first line of defense against microplastics. While that sounds easy enough, it can be tricky business, for the simple reason that micro- and nanoplastics are all around us, in our food, water, household dust, clothing, household and personal care items and even the air we breathe. That said, making a concerted effort to rid your household of plastic can go a long way toward minimizing your and your children’s exposure. Here are a few pointers to get you started: Filter your tap water and avoid water bottled in plastic — If you need to buy bottled water, opt for glass bottles. Also make sure the filter you use to purify your tap water can filter out microplastics. Boil hard tap water — If you have hard tap water, consider boiling it before using it for cooking or drinking, as hard water traps more microplastics. Recent research shows boiling hard tap water for five minutes removes up to 90% of the microplastics in the water.17 Choose alternatives to plastic packaging — Opt for products packaged in glass, metal, or paper instead of plastic. This can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that potentially breaks down into microplastics. At home, use wax paper, parchment paper or paper bags to store foods rather than plastic wrap. Use reusable containers — Replace single-use plastic bottles, cups, and containers with reusable alternatives made from safer materials like stainless steel or glass. Never microwave plastics — Heat can cause plastics to leach chemicals into food. Use glass or ceramic containers for microwaving. Avoid plastic cutting boards — Opt for wood or glass cutting boards instead. Opt for natural fibers — Whenever possible, choose clothing and other textile products made from natural fibers like cotton, wool and linen, as synthetic fabrics such as polyester shed microfibers and leach xenoestrogens. Wash synthetic clothes less frequently — When washing synthetic textiles, use a microfiber filter in your washing machine to trap synthetic fibers and prevent them from entering the water system. Opt for food grade cosmetics and personal care products — Some cosmetics, toothpastes, and personal care products contain microbeads or other plastic particles. Look for products free of these materials. Ideally, opt for all-natural, food grade products. How to Detox Microplastics Even if you’re diligent about avoiding plastics, some exposure will likely remain, so detoxing is another important strategy. Land cites research showing that blood donation can lower the levels of certain plastic chemicals in your blood, such as PFAS. If your iron levels are high, getting regular phlebotomy would help you kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, as blood donation is also the only way to lower your iron level. One of the most effective ways to excrete microplastics from your tissues though is through sweating. I recommend using a near-infrared sauna with low EMFs for this purpose, as the near-infrared rays can penetrate far deeper into your body than far-infrared. Other benefits of sauna use include improved cardiovascular fitness and reduced all-cause mortality, lower blood pressure, reduced dementia risk, improved mental health, strengthened immune function, improved athletic endurance, reduced inflammation, stem cell activation, improved insulin sensitivity and a reduction in stress hormones. General Guidance for Sauna Use Classical Finnish saunas are typically heated to 170 degrees F. or higher. An infrared sauna will rarely get that high, however, which means you may need to stay in a bit longer to get a good sweat. A benefit of SaunaSpace’s near- and mid-infrared bulbs is that you’re heating up from deeper within, so the air temperature doesn’t need to be as high as a traditional sauna for you to sweat. As a general recommendation, stay in the sauna for 20 to 30 minutes, or until you reach subjective fatigue, which is a sign that you’ve maxed out the benefits you’re going to get. It’s not about reaching a point of suffering — just that point where you’re feeling mildly anxious and tired and want to get out. As for the frequency, research has consistently shown that it’s dose-dependent, so the more often you do it, the greater the benefits. The sweet spot seems to be right around four times a week, because you’ll also be losing minerals along with toxins. So, you need to rehydrate and replenish those minerals to avoid mineral deficiencies. For more details, including how to build your own near-infrared sauna, see “Near-Infrared Sauna Therapy — A Key Biohack for Health.”
- How Hugs Heal — Have You Had a Hug Today?by Dr. Mercola on May 9, 2024
Editor's Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published May 20, 2017. From the time you were born until the day you die, touch is an important part of your emotional and physical health. Infants deprived of touch grow up with developmental and cognitive delays, attachment disorders and a higher risk of serious infections.1 On the other hand, premature infants who are held skin-to-skin exhibit better cognitive skills, are more resilient to stress and have more organized sleep patterns, even 10 years later.2 These early touch-based interventions demonstrate the need for touch in psychological regulation. The benefits of touch don’t diminish with age. The late Virginia Satir, psychotherapist and generally acknowledged as a pioneer in family therapy,3 spoke about the importance of touch and hugs as it relates to a person’s emotional health, saying:4 "We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth." This may represent the minimum and optimum thresholds to generate sufficient oxytocin, a hormone released by your pituitary gland in response to physical touch. The simple act of hugging may not only increase your bond with others but may also boost your physical and emotional health. The Importance of Touch In the absence of touch, children become almost unrecognizable, developing personality disorders and other conditions that make it difficult for them to live in society.5 Historical reports of children who grew up "feral," or in the wild without the benefit of touch, show they often have difficulty assimilating into a group. Touch is the primary language to communicate compassion and is fundamental to communication, bonding and health.6 It supports the immune system, reduces stress, encourages sleep and has no side effects. It doesn’t drain your batteries but recharges you instead. Western cultures often experience a deficiency in touch. Before he passed in 1974, psychologist Sidney Jourard completed a study in which he measured touch between friends in the U.S., England, France and Puerto Rico.7 In England, people didn’t touch at all. In the U.S., friends touched up to two times an hour. This is in deep contrast to friends in France who touched up to 110 times in an hour, or in Puerto Rico where they touched up to 180 times in an hour. Health Benefits of Oxytocin Humans are wired so that hugs make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Whether it’s a mother-child embrace, a hug from a friend or a squeeze from your significant other, research suggests these touches deliver some real emotional and physical health benefits.8 The basis for several of the benefits psychologists associate with hugging is the result of the release of oxytocin. Also called the "love hormone" or "cuddle hormone," it is released from your pituitary gland, triggering a flood of emotions depending upon the environment in which you associate the hormone.9 In other words, in cases where the hormone was released during situations that were not pleasant, such as during poor relationships, it can make you less accepting of people. The hormone was first recognized for the role it played in bonding mother and child during pregnancy and nursing. While oxytocin appears to be related to the bond a mother feels with her infant, those interactions also increase the amount of oxytocin secreted by the infant.10 The bonding experience of oxytocin is not limited to infancy, but also translates into adulthood, triggering feelings of trust and support between people who hug. These reactions are the result of actions as a neurotransmitter on the emotional center of the brain. It promotes feelings of contentment and may even promote monogamous behavior,11 especially in men who are already bonded to a woman.12 The release of oxytocin with hugging triggers feelings of compassion for the other person, a necessary form of connection and support during times of psychological stress or grief. Feelings of intimacy and closeness give you an optimistic sense of where you fit socially and a positive sense of well-being.13 Relationship Between Hugs and Cortisol The release of oxytocin reduces your levels of stress hormone, or cortisol. This reduction in stress, combined with a sense of emotional support, appears to support your immune system and make you less susceptible to the common cold.14 Research has found your perceived social support and the number of hugs you give and get could predict your susceptibility to developing a cold, finding that hugs could explain 32% of the beneficial effect.15 Even those who got a cold had less severe symptoms when they had more frequent hugs. The pressure of a hug may stimulate your thymus gland, responsible for the regulation and balance of your white blood cells,16 another way in which hugging may support your immune system. This reduction in cortisol and perceived stress may also help you stay calm during a stressful event, such as a presentation at work or a medical test. The reduction in stress also lowers your heart rate17 and blood pressure,18 which may reduce your potential risk for heart disease. The reduction of stress may also have a direct response on the prevention of other diseases. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine has carried out multiple studies on the significance of touch and found a reduction in pain, lowered glucose levels in children with diabetes and improved immune system in people with cancer.19 Hugs Each Day May Help Keep Depression at Bay A hug is also one of the easiest ways to demonstrate appreciation and acknowledge the person you are hugging as important to you. Nearly 55% of all communication is nonverbal,20 so a single gesture of hugging is an excellent method of communicating love and care. Hugs stimulate your brain to release several other chemicals that affect your mood and emotions. The first, dopamine, is a hormone that evokes pleasure in the brain. Endorphins are also released, helping to reduce pain and feelings of sadness.21 According to Debra Castaldo, Ph.D., relationship expert and couples and family therapist:22 "We also know that hugging our loved ones promotes healthy emotional attachment and intimacy, which is the foundation of a happy, healthy long-term relationship." Unfortunately, with age, the number of touches and hugs received often goes down. Seniors who live alone may not experience touch on a daily basis.23 Affection may make a big difference in the emotional and physical health of seniors. Sharon Farber, Ph.D., commented in Psychology Today:24 "Being touched and touching someone else are fundamental modes of human interaction, and increasingly, many people are seeking out their own professional touchers and body arts teachers — chiropractors, physical therapists, Gestalt therapists, Rolfers, the Alexander-technique and Feldenkrais people, massage therapists, martial arts and T’ai Chi Ch’uan instructors. And some even wait in physicians’ offices for a physical examination for ailments with no organic cause — they wait to be touched." Hug Evolution — Mindful Hugging Yogi masters also recognize the health benefits associated with physical touch, specifically with hugging.25 The late Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, who made hugging meditation famous, was a global leader whose key teaching is that through mindfulness, people can learn to live in the present moment.26 He believed that a good hug may have life-changing effects on the individual. He wrote about his pursuit of hugging meditation:27 "When we hug, our hearts connect and we know that we are not separate beings. Hugging with mindfulness and concentration can bring reconciliation, healing, understanding and much happiness." Hugging meditation can be practiced with your mother, father, sibling, spouse or even a tree, according to Hanh. The practice begins with the recognition of each other's presence and then an embrace that encompasses three deep breaths. The first breath is designed to help you acknowledge your presence in the present moment. With the second breath, you become aware of the presence of the other, and with your third breath, you celebrate with gratitude your presence with the other person. Hanh believed that hugging in such a way brings reality into the present moment, and possibly reconciliation. At the same time, this practice releases the other health benefits mentioned above. Fun Facts About Hugging Hugs are healthy for your emotional and physical well-being. Even a 10-second hug may give you most of the benefits listed above. Those health benefits may include reduced fatigue, improved heart health and reduced depression.28 Cuddling, a longer form of hugging, with your partner, releases more dopamine and may increase your sexual desire.29 Hugging may also reduce fear of and worry about mortality. One study found that even hugging an inanimate object, like a teddy bear, may reduce these fears.30 The release of oxytocin from hugging may also help reduce social anxiety.31 Getting a hug right before going to a party where you don't know anyone may help you feel more confident and social. Researchers found marriages where couples hugged frequently lasted longer than those where they rarely hugged.32 A national holiday was founded in 1986 to encourage hugging.33 It has been recognized by the U.S. Copyright Office but is not a public holiday. The purpose is to help people show more emotion in public in a country where this type of display is not common. Founder Rev. Kevin Zaborney from Michigan encourages people to hug in public and post to social media every January 21 with #NationalHuggingDay. The person who is giving the hug gets as much benefit as the person being hugged, although you may experience greater benefit from hugging someone you trust. 5 Ways to Get Your Hug On In this short video, Cordero Roman does an inexact social experiment on hugging. Watching the video, you may be able to "feel" the difference between the hugs just from the individuals' experience on film. It may be difficult to get hugs each day living in a country where physical touch is not encouraged, or if you live alone. If you put your mind to the task, there may be ways to get healthy touch. These suggestions may feel like they are out of your comfort zone, but you won't enjoy the results unless you take the first step: Teddy bear — While not as satisfying as hugging another person, hugging an inanimate object may help reduce fear and anxiety. Greetings — While it may feel strange at first, make it a habit to greet your friends with a hug. Ask before you hug. This may be more difficult between two men. However, unless you step out of your comfort zone and ask, you won't find friends who are looking for the same nonsexual touch contact. Therapeutic touch — Chiropractors, massage therapists and reiki masters all must touch you to practice their craft, and most understand the health benefits associated with touch. You'll likely not get a massage daily, but it may be something you can work into your monthly schedule. Give one — You may not get one unless you give one. If you usually do not hug your children, siblings, parents or friends, then it may be up to you to take the first step and initiate a hug. Be mindful — Some people don't want to hug fearing cold viruses. Others don't want to hug or may be afraid of how another person may interpret the hug. Be mindful of how the other person feels and seek out others who may also want a hug that day. Remind yourself as you meet people, others do need hugs each day. As you look for opportunities, more will appear.
- Key Strategies to Reduce Your Cortisol Levelsby Dr. Mercola on May 9, 2024
Interest in the adverse effects of elevated cortisol levels has been on the rise — a topic I've been dedicated to shedding light on for my readers. As reported in a recent article in the Huffington Post,1 "According to Google Trends, there has been a huge uptick in people searching the words ‘high cortisol’ as we all learn more about cortisol and how different levels of it can impact our health." Many people think of cortisol simply as the stress hormone, but that is not its main role in your body. Cortisol is primarily your body’s protective mechanism to keep your glucose levels from dropping dangerously low, preventing you from going into a hypoglycemic coma and dying.2 However, its mechanism of action contributes to its long-term consequences and makes elevated cortisol levels undesirable. It is also one of the factors that made me radically revise my recommendations about low-carb diets. What Is Cortisol and How Does It Work? Cortisol belongs to a class of steroid hormones called glucocorticoid.3 The term "gluco" means glucose (sugar),4 while "cortico" indicates its origin in the adrenal cortex.5 While its role in maintaining glucose balance is recognized, cortisol's primary function was often emphasized to be the regulation of inflammatory responses to stressors. However, that is not true. Cortisol’s main purpose in your body is to increase your blood sugar when there’s not enough glucose in your bloodstream and your liver does not have enough glycogen reserves. It does this by sacrificing your lean muscles, bones and even brain tissue, breaking them down into amino acids that your liver then converts into glucose through a process known as gluconeogenesis.6 This is what made me realize that being on a chronic low-carb diet is not a good idea. While both low-carb and fasting are helpful short-term interventions for those who are overweight and metabolically inflexible, it’s important to add carbs back into your diet once you’ve regained metabolic flexibility. Otherwise, these strategies will backfire and lead to decreased metabolic health, compromised mitochondrial function and impaired metabolism. Cortisol also uses up stored fat through a process known as lipolysis.7 While this might seem beneficial, the problem with it is that cortisol primarily targets the beneficial peripheral and subcutaneous fat, leaving behind the harmful visceral fat surrounding your internal organs, which contributes to inflammation. So, while cortisol may initially exert anti-inflammatory action, having consistently high levels of it also leads to inflammation and compromises your immune system. Ultimately, whether your body is producing high amounts of cortisol due to chronic stress or to compensate for the lack of healthy carbs in your diet, this is not a state you want to be in for a prolonged period if you want to live a long and healthy life. Elevated Cortisol Levels Is Highly Catabolic In a previous interview about cortisol and its association with carbohydrates and glucose, Georgi Dinkov, who is an expert on the work of the late Ray Peat, Ph.D.,8 an author and pioneer in nutrition, bioenergetic medicine, environmental factors and regenerative processes, commented: "I think there's hardly a chronic condition where you don't see cortisol implicated, and usually, in the majority of cases, it is elevated cortisol, not low cortisol. In fact, the only situation in which low cortisol becomes problematic is probably Addison's disease, which is adrenal failure. And that's very rare." The catabolic nature of elevated cortisol is responsible for its negative effects. It not only damages brain tissue, contributing to brain atrophy seen in conditions like dementia and depression,9 but also accelerates aging,10 which is something very few in the longevity community are even aware of. To stay healthy as you age, you need to build healthy tissues, but chronically high cortisol levels prevent that. Additionally, cortisol stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that trigger food cravings,11 putting you at risk of unhealthy eating habits. Reduce Your Fat Intake Before Increasing Carbs in Your Diet Given the health ramifications of cortisol, it’s clearly important to take every proactive step possible to maintain optimal levels of this hormone. One strategy that can help you achieve this is to increase your carb intake so that your body no longer has to generate glucose to raise low blood sugar. Carbs are also a better fuel than fat because they generate less reactive oxygen species in your mitochondria. However, before increasing your carb intake, it’s crucial to consider two key points — when to increase it and the best type of carbs. Before you increase carbs, make sure you’re no longer on a high-fat diet. This is because your body can only burn one fuel at a time — either fat or glucose. It has a "switch" called the Randle Cycle that decides which fuel you burn. When you eat a lot of fat, the Randle Cycle switches your body to burn fat for fuel. But if you're eating high-carb while still on a high-fat diet, your body will not be able to burn the excess glucose (carbs) for energy. Instead, it stays in your bloodstream, raising your blood sugar levels and putting you at risk of chronic diseases like diabetes. To make the metabolic switch happen, you need to lower your fat intake below 30% of your calories per day. I created the figure below to help you visualize it, so you can better understand this vital concept. Choose Your Carbs Wisely Although consuming more carbs is recommended for lowering cortisol, it’s important to be mindful of the type of carbs you consume. You should avoid processed foods and snacks because these junk carbs contain ingredients like linoleic acid and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). These disrupt your gut microbiome and contribute to endotoxin production, which is a major driver of increased cortisol and inflammation. "Yakult’s Nutritionist and Science Manager UK & Ireland, Dr. Emily Prpa spoke with us to discuss just how these [high cortisol] levels can be tackled … Dr. Prpa added that nourishing our gut microbiome is essential. This means loading up on fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Dr. Prpa said: ‘[These foods] are packed with anti-inflammatory compounds and prebiotic fibres that support gut health,’" The featured Huffington Post12 article reports. While I agree with eating more fruits and vegetables, I respectfully disagree with the advice to load up on grains because they contain numerous substances that can disrupt your health and contribute to endotoxin production, including inflammatory lectins,13 gliadin (an immunotoxic protein)14 and glyphosate residues.15 Grains also contain resistant starches, which are a type of complex carbohydrate. If you have an impaired gut microbiome, complex carbs can worsen your health by increasing the concentration of endotoxin in your body. You should avoid legumes, beans, lentils, uncooked potatoes, green bananas and pasta for this same reason. Moreover, while I believe ripe fruits and starches like white rice are ideal carbs, it’s important to note that they’re rich in fiber, which will feed endotoxin-producing gut bacteria UNLESS your gut health is optimal. If you experience problems eating complex carbs that result in bowel issues, then consider temporarily restricting your carb intake to very simple carbohydrates such as fruit juice, which is easier to digest. Once your gut health improves, you’ll be able to incorporate more fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and starches. Carefully Introduce Complex Carbs Into Your Diet Complex carbs have long been thought to be beneficial for the gut microbiome, whereas simple carbs (sugar) have been linked to aging. So, what is it that makes supposedly beneficial complex carbohydrates problematic for your health? Indeed, complex carbohydrates nourish your gut microbiome, but they can also feed pathogenic bacteria, which thrive in your gut when you’re exposed to metabolic poisons like linoleic acid16 and xenoestrogens.17 These can impair your mitochondrial energy production and reduce carbon dioxide levels in the intestine, creating an environment conducive to pathogenic bacteria growth. When these harmful bacteria consume complex carbs, they proliferate. When larger numbers of the bacteria eventually die, they release high levels of lipopolysaccharide, an endotoxin that further compromises cellular energy production. The solution is to improve your mitochondrial function and their ability to produce enough cellular energy. Once you achieve that, you can benefit from complex carbs again. Until then, it’s best to carefully introduce complex carbs into your diet. Start with fresh fruit juice, and if you can tolerate that, try healthy whole ripe fruits. Some of the ripe fruits I recommend include: Oranges Tangerines Mango Grapes Melon Watermelon Pineapple (keep intake moderate as it contains serotonin) Once you can tolerate whole fruits, you can add more forms of complex carbs into your diet. Cooked starches such as potatoes and white rice are good options. Potatoes contain water-soluble oxalates, though, which can be problematic, so make sure to boil them to lower their oxalate content. You can also increase the amount of resistant starch,18 which doesn’t spike your blood sugar, by cooking, refrigerating, and reheating before eating. Incorporate Stress-Lowering Strategies for Optimal Results Aside from switching to a high-carb diet, you should also address your stress levels to keep your body from producing excessive cortisol. As reported in the featured HuffPost article,19 "Dr. Prpa advised that incorporating relaxation techniques and self-care can reduce cortisol levels, giving our gut a chance to reset and activating our parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us to relax." "Stress doesn’t just affect our mental state; it’s got a profound impact on our gut health too. When stress levels soar, our gut bacteria – the unsung heroes of digestion – can take a hit," Dr. Prpa elaborated. The Huffington Post lists the following techniques to help you relax, according to the mental health charity, Mind:20 Do things you enjoy, like reading, taking a bath, watching movies, playing with pets or trying new recipes. Engage in active relaxation activities like going for walks or doing yoga, Pilates or gentle stretching. Take a few minutes each day for deep breathing. Keep your shoulders down and relaxed when doing so. Place a hand on your stomach; it should rise and fall as you breathe in and out. Try painting, drawing, crafting, music or baking for fun. Spend time outdoors, being in the moment as you take note of trees, plants and animals. Imagine yourself in a peaceful place. Listen to your favorite music. Take a break from your phone for an hour to unwind. Consider Taking Progesterone An in vivo study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology21 linked high cortisol levels to the increased expression of the enzyme 1β-HSD1, which is responsible for converting inactive cortisone into active cortisol. Fortunately, some substances can block the activity of 11β-HSD1, thereby reducing tissue cortisol levels. These include aspirin, emodin and progesterone. These substances also boost the activity of another enzyme called 11β-HSD2, which can help deactivate cortisol. Of these three, progesterone may be one of the most beneficial, as it has many other health benefits. I generally recommend a daily dose of 30 to 50 milligrams of bioidentical progesterone, ideally taken in the evening before bed, as it can also promote sleep. Combine it with natural vitamin E (look for supplements labeled "d alpha tocopherol") to increase its bioavailability. You can also dissolve about 1/32 teaspoon of pure USP progesterone powder into one capsule of high-quality vitamin E, and then rub the mixture on your gums. Aside from blocking cortisol, progesterone also helps deactivate adrenaline, another potent stress hormone. As noted by Dinkov in another interview about hormone replacement: "There are human studies demonstrating that when you administer progesterone, even in its nonoptimal form — such as just the powder without the long-chain fatty acids and definitely without the tocopherols — even in that form, a single dose [100 to 200 mg] is sufficient to drop cortisol and adrenaline by about 60%."
- Want an Efficient and Inexpensive Way to Wash Your Produce?by Dr. Mercola on May 8, 2024
Editor's Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published November 11, 2017. Once upon a time, polishing an apple on your jeans was all it took to clean off dirt or dust before taking your first juicy bite. Nowadays, however, there are a few other things besides dirt to consider when getting your produce ready to eat. Pesticide residue is a common term today, unfortunately, and one that must be taken into consideration, whether you're eating pears from an orchard, spinach from the grocery store or peppers from your local farmers market. Both small farmers and large corporate crop producers routinely use pesticides, but some of the chemicals they use absorb into the food that will later be eaten, Science Daily reports.1 Not just the fruits and vegetables themselves but entire trees, orchards, fields and soil are sprayed with toxic chemical pesticides to protect against pests and fungal diseases. Only in the last handful of years has anyone stopped to ask whether the foods coming out of those fields were healthy any longer. The potentially toxic effects that have been uncovered have made consumers and consumer groups more than a little nervous, and for good reason. Fortunately, research has found one surprisingly simple way to wash some of the pesticides off your produce, using a substance you probably already have in your kitchen — baking soda. Baking Soda Works Better Than Bleach to Remove Pesticides From Produce Washing fruits, vegetables and herbs to remove residue is the food industry's standard procedure, but questions have arisen regarding its effectiveness. Does rinsing your carrots, plums or cauliflower do the job before eating it? How about holding it under the faucet and rubbing it with a bit of dish soap? A 2017 study2 offered a surprisingly simple and affordable tip on how to get rid of toxic pesticides that contaminate food, and it's not what is currently being used. The research team approached the problem with a study on which method would be better for reducing toxins on produce. Lili He and colleagues from the University of Massachusetts used apples to examine the effectiveness of commercial and homemade washing agents to remove both surface and internalized residues. Science Daily reports: "The researchers applied two common pesticides — the fungicide thiabendazole, which past research has shown can penetrate apple peels, and the insecticide phosmet — to organic Gala apples. They then washed these apples with three different liquids: tap water, a 1 percent baking soda/water solution, and a U.S.-EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)-approved commercial bleach solution often used on produce."3 Using highly specialized analysis, the scientists found that surface pesticide residues on apples that had been treated 24 hours prior4 were removed most effectively using baking soda. The team tried tap water and even Clorox bleach, and neither worked as well as the baking soda, which is highly alkaline, probably because the pesticides degrade faster in baking soda, which makes them easier to physically remove by washing.5 Super-sensitive testing procedures were used to detect the levels of thiabendazole (a systemic fungicide, pesticide and parasiticide) and phosmet (a nonsystemic pesticide), but the researchers didn't test any other cleaning methods, such as vinegar, or test the washing solutions against the plethora of other pesticides often used on apples, CNN observed.6 According to Reuters, the EPA mandates that, after harvest, apple producers soak their produce in bleach water for two minutes, but that's designed to remove bacteria and other "organic matter," not to get rid of pesticides.7 Daily Mail noted that 80% of the thiabendazole was removed after 12 minutes of gentle scrubbing with the baking soda solution, while it took 15 minutes to remove 96% of the phosmet.8 What 'Pesticide Toxicity' Means for Humans Both substances tested have been deemed potentially carcinogenic, and not just the use of but the problems from them are becoming more widespread. In fact, far from being a harmless substance, Science Direct9 contends that with phosmet exposure, the elderly, children and pets are most at risk. Further, the EPA's User's Guide10 on the risk for pesticide toxicity in humans assesses such factors as calculating residue levels, aggregate and cumulative exposure, equations for acute and chronic effects, and cancer "endpoints." In spite of that, a Reuters article observes that the EPA's stance on pesticides is that "They can hurt humans, too, but most of us are exposed to amounts so tiny that they don't pose a risk."11 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also contends that "Pesticide residues do not pose a safety concern for U.S. food."12 Interestingly, another Reuters article13 reported findings from another study at a Boston clinic on the eating habits of 325 women and their newborns. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that:14 Eating more fruits and vegetables with high levels of pesticide residue was associated with an increased risk of miscarriages early in pregnancy. Women who ate the highest amounts of fruits and vegetables with high levels of pesticide residue (more than two servings a day) were 18% less likely to have a baby compared with women who ate the lowest amounts of these foods — less than one serving a day. Pollutants, like pesticides, could be contributing to "unexplained" fertility problems. Jorge Chavarro, senior study author from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, stated it was already known that: "Women occupationally exposed to pesticides and women exposed to pesticides used in agriculture by virtue of living in or near agricultural production areas experience greater risk of infertility, pregnancy loss and other adverse reproductive outcomes. Our study is the first to show that exposure to low doses of pesticide residues, such as those achieved by consuming conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, may also have adverse health effects. This was actually very surprising to me."15 Pesticide Exposure Is Not as Harmless as Some Agencies Claim In case you need more information on why pesticides are considered potentially deadly, and washing your produce thoroughly is an important step to take before eating it to remove as much as possible, National Geographic published an article in 2013 on the potentially lethal effects of organophosphates (the class of chemicals that phosmet belongs to) after at least 25 children in India died from pesticide exposure.16 Dana Boyd Barr, an exposure scientist at Emory University in Atlanta, noted that organophosphates "are considered junior-strength nerve agents because they have the same mechanism of action as nerve gasses like sarin." The article noted: "Upon entering the body — through ingestion, inhalation or contact with skin — organophosphates inhibit cholinesterase, an enzyme in the human nervous system that breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that carries signals between nerves and muscles. When cholinesterase is inactivated, acetylcholine builds up in the nerves, which become overactive. Victims of organophosphate poisoning typically die because they can't breathe."17 Here's another example: "Pet groomers and veterinary workers have become poisoned after skin contact with flea dips containing phosmet (organophosphate). In one case the dog being bathed shook his coat and showered the worker with fluid from the dip. Symptoms included skin irritation, shortness of breath, abdominal cramping and nausea."18 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that all produce at least be washed under running water, even if you don't plan to eat the skin. (Cutting into an unwashed cucumber, carrot or cantaloupe exposes the flesh to potential toxins and bacteria on the peel.) Firm produce should be scrubbed with a brush, then dried with a clean towel.19 A Domino Effect: Problems With Pesticide Use Still, health experts maintain that the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh any potential pesticide risk. Ideally, however, look for organic varieties. To reiterate He's study, Science Daily20 revealed an interesting domino effect and other pertinent information regarding how fruits, vegetables or other foods that have been sprayed with pesticides are affected: Using a 10-milligram (mg) solution of baking soda, it took 12 and 15 minutes, respectively, of soaking to remove most of the thiabendazole and phosmet surface residues from the apples following a 24-hour exposure. Thiabendazole and phosmet (to a lesser extent) penetrated inside the fruits, but the thiabendazole penetrated four times deeper and therefore could not be completely washed away even using the baking soda washing solution. The food industry typically uses the post-harvest washing method of a bleach solution for two minutes, which does not effectively remove pesticide residues on the surface of apples. The baking soda method removes surface pesticide residues on apples better than plain water or bleach, but while baking soda can degrade thiabendazole and phosmet, making them easier to remove with a thorough washing, it couldn't remove chemical residues that had penetrated the apple peels. Because of the chemical penetration into the apples, peeling is more effective to remove the pesticides. However, peeling also removes the healthy bioactive compounds the peels contain. The Baking Soda Solution: 'Wash Your Fruits and Vegetables' He and her research partners used a concentration of about 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 2 cups of water in their experiments — an effective ratio. "You don't need to be precise. Just adding a little bit is better than not adding it," she explained. It can also be used for washing other types of produce. It might not work for everything, "but it's a general method."21 Significantly, as lead of the study, not only did He admit that she'll be washing her children's fruits and vegetables longer and adding baking soda, she also did not eat the apples after they'd been tested. Dr. Philip Landrigan, a researcher at the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, advises people to eat organic as often as possible, but to at least wash your fruits and vegetables.22 However, Motoko Mukai, a toxicologist in the department of food science at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, contends that even produce labeled as organic can't be trusted altogether, concluding, "It's not entirely pesticide-free. I would still wash before consuming it."23 She adds that cooking, blanching or juicing may also help remove chemical toxins,24 but not entirely. A 2012 study25 showed that organic foods have a 30% lower risk of pesticide contamination in comparison with conventionally grown foods. One way they know that is that people who make it a habit to eat organic foods whenever possible have fewer pesticides in their bodies, as indicated via urine testing.26 In addition, it was found that pregnant women with higher levels of pesticides in their bodies, particularly one known as chlorpyrifos (CPF), were more likely to give birth to children with a lower birth weight, a lower IQ and neurodevelopmental problems.27 So choosing organic is great, but even better are your efforts to get the word out about how you can take control of your own and your family's health by doing what you can to avoid illness from pesticide contamination. The statistics on pesticides in food are real. As Landrigan suggests, "Avoid using pesticides within homes or on lawns and gardens. Join with friends and neighbors to urge reduction in pesticide use in schools, parks, playing fields and other areas used by children and pregnant women."28
〉Arts & Entertainment
- Law Roach Name-Drops Designers He Says Refused To Dress Zendayaon May 12, 2024
The stylist has worked with the "Challengers" actor since she was a teenager.
- Whoopi Goldberg On Why She's Not Meant For Marriage: 'I Don't Care How You Feel'on May 11, 2024
The "View" co-host cares a lot about the feelings of some people — just not a potential spouse.
- Ricki Lake Says Whether She Plans To Return To Daytime TVon May 11, 2024
The former talk show host reflected on her popular "Ricki Lake" program, which ran from 1993 to 2004.
- I Was 'Supermom.' When I Suddenly Became Disabled, I Expected Empathy — Not This.on May 11, 2024
"In my darkest moments, school officials who used to applaud my parenting now wondered if I was up for the task."
- 18 Actors Who Quit Or Were Fired From The TV Shows They Starred In And How Long Each Series Lasted Without Themon May 11, 2024
Honestly, "The Office" was low-key better without Michael Scott...