GMO's , Thyroid Conditions, and Premature Babies - Connected?

In the newspaper today there were three seemingly separate news articles. One was in a column that appears weekly called Healthy Living written by Joe and Teresa Graedon (PeoplesPharmacy.com). The headline read: Thyroid dysfunction is almost at epidemic levels. It goes on to say that there are about 100 million thyroid prescriptions filled yearly, and that it is one of the most common health problems we are have in America, and no one seems to know the reason for this.

Another article, from Associated Press, announced More than 1 in 10 births is premature, calling this an obstetric epidemic. Most of the world's preemies are born in Africa and Asia, but it's a problem in America too. Worse, experts don't have an explanation for the high U.S. preemie rate. There is some speculation that it has to do with poor prenatal care and poverty. Perhaps, but the third article I read today makes me think something in our food has more to do with thyroid dysfunction and the high preemie rate than simply poverty.

You may have heard of the ballot initiative to require labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods. There was coverage of the dozens of people who gathered in front of the Board of Elections office in Norwalk, CA and elsewhere in the state to deliver the nearly 1 MILLION signatures to get the initiative on the ballot. What does this political story have to do with the first two? Well, in my opinion, I believe that the thyroid issues, and the preemie issues and many other unexplained health issues are long term outcomes of consuming genetically engineered foods.

Consider this: Monsanto's RoundUp is a known endocrine disruptor, and has been linked to non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and even highly diluted can destroy human DNA. Yet more than 80% of the U.S. soy crops are RoundUp Ready. Those crops are fed to livestock, its byproducts of oil, lecithin etc are used in processed foods and fast foods. That's just one GMO food most of us has been eating for years without our awareness. Is it no wonder that babies are being born early and there is a near epidemic in metabolic diseases?

More Genetically Engineered health articles for your consideration:

Toxicity of GM Corn on Mammalian Health :

"Our analysis clearly reveals for the 3 GMOs new side effects linked with GM maize consumption, which were sex- and often dose-dependent. Effects were mostly associated with the kidney and liver, the dietary detoxifying organs, although different between the 3 GMOs. Other effects were also noticed in the heart, adrenal glands, spleen and haematopoietic system. We conclude that these data highlight signs of hepatorenal toxicity, possibly due to the new pesticides specific to each GM corn. In addition, unintended direct or indirect metabolic consequences of the genetic modification cannot be excluded."

Genetically Modified Foods: Are They a Risk to Human/Animal Health? :

"GM foods may cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics.

They can also produce allergies."

Monsanto and GM Foods: Health Risks :

"Out of 20 female rats fed the GM tomato, 7 developed stomach lesions."

Frankly, I am of the opinion that we need, as a nation, to get back to basics. Grow our own foods, cook our own meals and heal our wounds and diseases with fresh herbs and whole foods. This track we're on, where we spray to kill, pop a pill to heal, it's all wrong and we're paying the long term price.

Naturally Managing Arthritis Pain

Tips for Natural Arthritis Pain Management

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are painful conditions that affect millions of people all over the world. Though the arthritis cause for each is different, it doesn’t change the fact that the pain can be constant and a drain on the sufferers energy levels thereby decreasing their quality of life.

If you are an arthritis sufferer, you should see your doctor for advice on a treatment plan that’s best for you. But if you’re not interested in popping pills for managing rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis pain, then consider this sampling of natural arthritis pain relief remedies.

Essential oils:

Six drops each of rosemary and chamomile mixed into four ounces of sesame oil. Gently warm the oil and massage into the arthritic joints. A little oil goes a long way so use just a dab at a time. It’s better to apply a little of this remedy several times a day instead of a lot all at once.

Two Essential oil blends for Rheumatoid Arthritis pain relief:

• Eight drops German Chamomile 
• 10 drops Lavender 
• Two drops Peppermint 
• Eight drops Eucalyptus
• Mix this blend in two tablespoons grape seed oil and massage into joints morning and before bed.
•  --------------------------------------------------------

•  Eight drops Rosemary 
•  Seven drops Lavender
• 10 drops Frankincense 
•  Five drops Ginger 
• Mix the essential oils in two tablespoons grape seed oil and massage into joints as above.

Two Essential oil blends for Osteoarthritis pain relief:

• 13 drops Ginger
•  Eight drops Black Pepper 
•  Four drops Cedarwood 
•  Five drops Cypress 
• Mix the essential oils in two tablespoons grape seed oil and massage into joints as above.
• ------------------------------------------------------

• 15 drops Sandalwood
• Five drops Ginger 
• 10 drops Nutmeg  
• Mix the essential oils in two tablespoons grape seed oil and massage into joints as above.

 Juice therapy for chronic arthritis pain:

•  Drink two 8 oz glasses of black cherry juice a day. Fresh, organic juice is the best choice, but jarred juice from concentrate provides arthritic pain relief.   
•  Juice fresh veggies high in beta-carotene such as broccoli and spinach, those high in copper such as ginger and carrots. 
• Pineapple juice is high in bromelain an enzyme that is a strong anti-inflammatory.

 Avoid citrus fruits and vegetables in the nightshade family which include eggplant and tomatoes.

Tea:

            A cup of ginger tea with one tablespoon of castor oil added and drunk before bed is helpful to manage arthritis pain.

Hydrotherapy:

•  Immersing the affected arthritic joints and exercising in a warm pool heated to 85 degrees is beneficial.  
•  Warm moist heat packs applied to the painful joint for up to 20 minutes every four hours is helpful. 
• During severe flare-ups, use a cold pack for no longer than 20 minutes every four hours. When pain lessens after a day or two of cold treatment, switch to the warm compress.

           

           

Easy Home Remedies for Sinus Congestion

Tis the season for colds, allergies and general sinus congestion, and it seems I’m surrounded by folks with stuffy heads. Here are some quick tips for getting natural sinus congestion relief.

• An Ayurvedic method to relieve sinus congestion: Using a few drops of fresh squeezed garlic juice in an eyedropper (yes, garlic juice, preferably organic, use a garlic press,) tilt your head back and put the drops into your nose. Remain with your head back for about five minutes, then straighten up and let juice drain into a tissue. This method may be used once a day to clear sinus congestion, and up to three times a day during a severe sinus conditions – morning, mid-day and at night.
• Barley Green can be helpful for sinus problems.
• Juice organic apples and dark grapes and drink at room temperature on an empty stomach.
• Fill a medium sized mixing bowl halfway with boiling water; put in two to three drops of eucalyptus essential oil along with a drop of peppermint oil in the water. Hover your head over the bowl with a towel draped over your head and bowl. (Essentially you’re creating your own mini steam sauna for your head.) Breathe normally. You should feel relief within a few minutes.

Note: You may have a sinus infection if:

·       your sinus pain doesn’t improve after three to five days

·       your eyelids and/or nose swell up

·       you have green or bright yellowish mucous discharge

See your doctor if you think you have a sinus infection!

Get into Cool Season Leafy Green Super Foods!

Healthy Green Vegetables

Spinach, Kale, Rapini, Dandelion

by Ronald Steriti, NMD, Ph.D.

The following is a discussion of some of the interesting foods that are now available at some grocery stores. Be forewarned, besides having odd tastes (because they are unfamiliar) you may also get some odd looks from the cashiers as they try to figure out what you are buying. Greens are prepared by submerging them in water to wash them and then cooking them either with steam or by frying them.

Spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a native of Asia introduced into Europe about the fifteenth century. Spinach contains nitrogenous substances, hydrocarbons, and iron sesqui-oxide. Spinach contains chlorophyll, which has a chemical formula remarkably similar to that of hemoglobin. The combination of chlorophyll and iron make spinach beneficial for treating anemia. During the war, wine fortified with Spinach juice was given to French soldiers weakened by hemorrhage.

 

Dandelion Greens

Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are unwelcome guests in lawns, but they have a long medicinal history. Dandelion leaves have been used for hundreds of years to treat liver and gallbladder problems. These medicinal actions are attributed to taraxacin, which is a bitter. Dandelion leaves have high amounts of vitamin D, and moderate amounts of vitamin C and B as well as iron, silicon, magnesium, zinc and manganese.

Kale

Kale (Brassica oleracae var acephala) contains calcium, potassium, vitamin A and C. Kale is the common names for non-heading types of cabbage (mostly of the variety acephala), cool-weather crops of the mustard family. They are grown for their edible greens and, in Europe, for fodder.

Collard greens

Collard greens (Brassica oleracae var acephala), called Colliard, coleworts and collie greens contains calcium, potassium, vitamin A and C. Collard greens originated in the Mediterranean basin and were a favorite food of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Rapini

Rapini, which also called broccoli raab, Choi sum and Chinese flowering cabbage, is used in Italian and Chinese cooking. Rapini is high in vitamins A, C and K.

References

A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve, originally published 1931

Cracking the Common Cold - by Ronald Steriti, NMD, Ph.D.

Cold and flu season is coming soon. There are several theories of health that try to explain why we get the common cold and flu. This article covers a few of them and discusses several natural cure for the common cold.

The germ theory states that there is a germ, typically an influenza virus, that we catch from other people, which causes the common cold. Linked with this is the concept of susceptibility. The germs seem to have a better chance of infecting us when we forget to wear a coat on a cold day, or when we have been working too hard and not getting enough sleep. It is well known that stress depresses the immune system, which is the bodies defense against disease.

• Vitamin C is probably the most well known natural cure for the common cold and flu. Vitamin C increases macrophage activity (one of the cells of immune system), and has an anti-histamine effect which helps reduce the runny nose. Under stress most animals (except humans) make significant amounts of vitamin C from glucose. Therefore vitamin C is considered the stress vitamin.
  

• Echinacea is the most well known herbal cure for the common cold. It supports the immune system and increases the production and activity of white blood cells, lymphocytes and macrophages (cells of the immune system). Echinacea can be taken both to prevent a cold and to treat one. Many companies make echinacea glycerites which are suitable for children.
  

• Garlic is another cure for the common cold that has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Louis Pasteur confirmed its anti-bacterial action in 1858. Many people eat a raw clove of garlic a day to help support their cardiovascular system. Due to its heavy odor, many people prefer taking garlic capsules. The active part of garlic is allicin, which unfortunately is destroyed by cooking.
  

The story, however, doesn't end with the germ theory of disease. The important questions are: Why do some people not get colds? Why do some people catch a lot of colds? And, why do some people catch colds that last for months? According to the germ theory it is because some people have better immune systems, or because some people catch stronger germs. But suppose the problem isn't germs at all? What if the germs were a symptom of some deeper cause?

 

Opponents of the germ theory of disease argued that the internal milieu was more important than the germ. In other words, one should concentrate on keeping the body clean and in proper working order. They emphasized the importance of detoxification, and believed that mucous and runny noses were the bodies way of ridding itself of toxins. As this was a healing effort of the body, they believed it should not be suppressed with drugs like anti-histamines.

 

In today's post-industrial world there are hundreds of thousands of toxic chemicals commonly used. These include heavy metals such as lead found in lead pipes, mercury found in fillings and cadmium in smoke, as well as chemicals used to preserve foods, plastics for food containers, chemical fertilizers, herbicides for the lawns, and pesticides for ants and other household pests. The list is almost endless.

 

Proponents of detoxification recommend annual “Spring Cleaning” of the body. This is accomplished in several ways. Herbs used to treat the liver and colon are commonly used. These include milk thistle and dandelion for the liver and psyllium seed for fiber. In Ayurvedic medicine, the Triphala formula is used for internal cleansing.

 

Chinese Medicine has a different perspective. It focuses on balance. In one aspect it recommends balancing the four tastes: sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Most people prefer the sweet and salty tastes, and a few like sour things such as lemon water. Most people, however, avoid bitter tasting foods. Interestingly most of the healing herbs are bitter. So are many of the greens like Rapini, Swiss chard, and dandelion greens.

 

The Chinese people eat a vegetable called Bitter Melon, which looks similar to a cucumber, but tastes terrible (extremely bitter). It is an acquired taste, according to the clerk at the Chinese grocery store, but many Chinese people believe that eating one per month will keep them healthy (similar to “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”). Ayurvedic medicine has an herb called Neem (Azadiracta indica) which is touted as the most bitter plant known. Neem is commonly used in India, both as a healing herb, in hair shampoos, and in toothpaste.

 

Several different theories have been proposed for preventing and treating the common cold. These included well-known supplements like vitamin C, Echinacea and garlic. The role of detoxification in preventing disease was also discussed, as well as the Chinese theory of the four tastes. Hopefully this advice will help you avoid catching the common cold. If not, perhaps the best advice still is “get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluid”.

 

About the Author

Ronald Steriti graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, a four-year full-time accredited Naturopathic medical school. He also has a Doctorates Degree in Electrical Engineering. Dr. Steriti assists people to regain and maintain their health using herbs, homeopathy and nutrition to support their body’s natural healing abilities. He has a private practice in Naples, Florida and invites you to call him and discuss your health needs. Dr. Steriti can be reached at 239-659-2684.

Omega 3 Oil for Good Health by Ronald J. Steriti, NMD, Ph.D

Olive oil photo courtesy of Wikimedia

Fresh omega 3 oil is one of the most beneficial foods for your health. Fresh oil is a source of essential fatty acids, which help keep the skin healthy and the hair shiny. The human brain is almost entirely composed of unsaturated fatty acids. Fats add taste to meals and give one a feeling of fullness when eaten. Years ago fresh oil was delivered by truck, in the same way as milk. Now the oil found in most supermarkets has been processed into a form which is not readily used by the body, and is unhealthy.

Fresh oil becomes rancid fairly quickly, even when kept in a refrigerator. Modern technology solved this problem by using high temperatures and preservatives. These techniques change the molecular structure from one that is very healthy (the cis configuration) to one that is unhealthy (the trans configuration). The result is oil that can be kept for extended periods at room temperatures without going rancid.

Oil is composed of fatty acids which are chains of hydrogen and carbons attached to a glycerine molecule. Saturated fatty acids have a single long chain of hydrocarbons, whereas unsaturated fatty acids have smaller chains of hydrocarbons that branch off the main hydrocarbon chain. Omega 3 fatty acids have the branch at the third carbon, and omega-6 fatty acids have the branch at the sixth carbon.

Walnut photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

Omega 6 oil from nuts

Oils made from safflower, sunflower, and corn are rich in linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 fatty acid.

Omega 3 oil from fish and flax seed

Oils made from flax seed, walnut, and soy are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega 3 fatty acids. Fish oil contains eicosapentatonic acid (EPA) and docasahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are omega 3 fatty acids.

Flax Seed photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

Omega 3 oil fatty acids

Omega 3 oil fatty acids form prostaglandin E3 which has been found to decrease inflammation, platelet aggregation, and triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol. The omega-6 fatty acids form prostaglandin E1 which has been found to inhibit cholesterol synthesis and decrease blood pressure.

An important question is what is the best oil that I can buy? Extra virgin olive oil, a mono-saturated fatty acid, is perhaps the best choice in a grocery store. Unfortunately few grocery stores carry fresh, cold-pressed oils. In health food stores, one can usually find flax and borage seed oils, as well as mixtures such as Udo’s Blend, in the refrigerator. These oils can be taken internally for health and added to food for flavor.

Much of the information about oil can be found in Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill by Udo Erasmus (Alive Books, 1993), The Natural Pharmacy edited by Linenger (Virtual Health LLC, 1998), and Nutritional Influences on Illness, 2nd edition, by Werbach (Third Line Press, 1996).

Addendum

Most traditional Italian restaurants serve virgin olive oil on a plate to dip fresh baked bread into (instead of butter). This is a very old Italian tradition, particularly in Northern Italy. Many restaurants serve their own cold pressed extra virgin flavored olive oil. They have a distinctive flavor and a slight greenish tinge that is characteristic of high quality olive oil.

Effects of Energetic Healing on Depression and Stress

Reiki photo courtesy of ABMP.

Long-Term Effects of Energetic Healing on Symptoms of Psychological Depression and Self-Perceived Stress

The following is a summary by Pat Cougar of the research article " Long-Term Effects of Energetic Healing on Symptoms of Psychological Depression and Self-Perceived Stress" by Adina Goldman Shore, PhD. Originally published in the May/June 2004, Vol. 10, No. 3 issue of Alternative Therapies magazine, reprints of the original article may be obtained by contacting: InnoVision Communications, 169 Saxony Road, Suite 103, Encinitas, CA 92024; phone, (866) 828-2962 or (760) 633-3910; email, alternative.therapies@innerdoorway.com

Dr. Adina Goldman Shore's article is the result of a one-year study of the effects of Reiki, a form of energy healing, on psychological depression and self-reported stress. The study investigated the hypothesis that it is the Reiki energy itself, and not the "hands on" touch, that is the healing factor, and examined the long-term effects of Reiki on depression and stress. Dr. Shore also provides some basic information regarding the uses of Reiki, including it usefulness in psychotherapy.

Forty-five participants with symptoms of depression and stress volunteered for this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Hands-on (touch) Reiki, Distance (non-touch) Reiki, and distance Reiki placebo. Participants were not aware of which group would be receiving placebo Reiki. Twelve Reiki Masters, and three second degree Reiki practitioners were chosen to conduct the one to one and one-half hour sessions. Each participant received one treatment weekly for six weeks. The article describes the protocols for the selection of Reiki practitioners and participants for the study, as well as uniformity in the manner in which sessions were conducted.

Three tests, designed to measure levels of depression and stress, were administered to each participant before and after the series of six sessions. One year later, the participants retook the three tests. After testing was completed, the control/placebo group received another six weeks of Reiki treatments, this time with actual Reiki, and the three tests were administered to this group again.

Findings of the study demonstrated that there were no changes in the control/placebo group until they received the six sessions of actual Reiki a year after the first six placebo sessions. Both the hands-on and the distance Reiki were effective in relieving symptoms of depression and stress. Distance Reiki was shown to be slightly more effective than hands on, which ruled out touch as the causative factor, although the difference may have been influenced in part by the project's design (please see original article for details). The results of the placebo group served to rule out any changes due to expectations of the participants. Re-testing a year later demonstrated that the positive results of the six Reiki treatments had remained intact.

Dr. Shore suggests combining Reiki with traditional forms of treatment for psychological depression, because of Reiki's effectiveness, and cost reduction. She encourages further studies of energy healing on other psychological and physiological disorders.