Five Reasons Why You Should Be Taking a Multivitamin!

Five Reasons Why You Should Be Taking a Multivitamin

Many if not most doctors will claim that you get all the vitamins you need from your daily diet. They say this because they have almost no nutritional training at all. It's not good medical practice, nor is it good science, but you will more than likely get this advice from most medical professionals.

Needless to say the vitamin-mineral formula you take should have certain things in it. A good high end formula will run you about $30 to $40 a month. Don't shortchange yourself by buying some cheap supplement you see at Walmart or your local CVS.

There is no substitute for quality, so spend some extra money on the most worthwhile thing you CAN spend it on...YOUR HEALTH!

With that said...there are many reasons for using a good multivitamin, but here I will list just five of the most important reasons.

1) Poor food choices.

People mostly eat what they like. The problem with this is that our modern processed diet is engineered to make people crave these foods that are lacking in good nutrition. Most people give no thought at all as to how beneficial the foods they eat actually are.

I am not saying that you can eat diet of junk food and make up for it by taking vitamins. Eat as clean and nutritious a diet as your lifestyle and time will allow, but, using a high grade multivitamin will help fill in the gaps left from your daily diet.

2) Deficiencies caused by lifestyle and environment.

The environment we live in and our busy stressful lifestyles can actually cause us to burn through certain nutrients faster than we otherwise would. Most of us are deficient in nutrients like vitamin-d (which is actually a hormone), magnesium, and choline.

Using a good multivitamin can help address these deficiencies, even though good eating and stress relief is still essential for health.

3) Food absorption is aided by certain nutrients.

Most people aren't aware that certain vitamins and minerals are needed by your body in order to absorb your food properly. B vitamins in particular are needed in order for your body to take up nutrients properly and convert them to energy.

Since the b-vitamins (unlike some others) are water soluble and get eliminated from your system in your urine and stool, you need to supply them to your body every day. This makes a very strong argument for supplementing on a daily basis.

4) Nutrient depleted soils.

It is a known fact that our soils have been systematically depleted of important minerals though over-farming and lack of crop rotation. Modern fertilizers only put back nitrogen, and phosphorous. Many other minerals and trace minerals are needed for the body to function properly, and the food

grown in our depleted soil does not contain them.

5) To make up for age related malnutrition.

Most people are not aware (but would not be surprised to learn) that older people don't absorb nutrients as efficiently as younger people do. Thus they can still have nutritional deficiencies even if they eat correctly.

Some high end multivitamin formulas have digestive enzymes in them to help people absorb the nutrients in their food, which is why vitamin supplements should be taken with meals.

Recent evidence indicates that you should stay away from multivitamin formulas with added iron, because this can increase risk of heart disease. Iron is extremely reactive and adding extra to our diet via supplement form is probably not a good idea. 

Companies that I like for quality and price are Jarrow Formulas, Pure Encapsulations, Thorne, and Life Extension. 

Eat as well as you can within your personal circumstances, and do add a good multivitamin and multimineral supplement to your daily diet  for some extra insurance against nutritional deficiencies.

3 Simple Ways to Lower Cholesterol Naturally

How can you lower cholesterol naturally without drastically altering your lifestyle and micromanaging your meals? It IS very simple, but first a few words about cholesterol levels and heart disease. The impact of cholesterol levels on heart disease has been greatly exaggerated. 

Here are a few facts about the relationship of cholesterol levels to heart attacks and strokes:

• Half of all heart attack victims have normal cholesterol levels
• In the famous Framingham Study people with the highest cholesterol levels lived the longest
• In this same study it was found that people with the lowest cholesterol levels had the highest rate of death from all causes.

How could this be? Aren't we told that cholesterol causes heart disease and that we can never get it TOO low? Well this is a myth, and medical science has been caught flat footed to explain this to a confused public.

The truth is that while cholesterol is involved in the process of atherosclerosis, it does not cause or initiate this process. Atherosclerosis involves small dense highly inflammatory cholesterol particles called Lp(a) that get lodged in the arteries and form plaques that can block blood flow and if the plaques harden and break off they can travel upstream and cause blockages in smaller arteries called “ischemic strokes.”

The small dense highly inflammatory LDL particles get lodged in artery walls and cause the damage that leads to heart attacks and strokes. If your cholesterol levels are high (above 250) and you have these particles, you are at increased risk for heart disease. If however your cholesterol is high and your LDL particles are the large low density type, then your risk is very low.

Inflammation is the key when you are trying to determine your risk for heart disease and there are several tests that can be helpful. C-reactive protein, serum homocystiene, and fasting blood sugar, will tell you more about your risk of heart disease than the standard cholesterol profile that most doctors still use. So with all this said, why would you still want to lower cholesterol?

The answer is that you don't want to lower it by artificial means, using statin drugs block production of cholesterol which is a normal and necessary process. You want to lower cholesterol naturally by eating a diet of fresh non-processed foods, getting enough fiber, getting enough vitamin-D, exercising properly, and keeping inflammation low in your body.

Cholesterol is also an antioxidant, and it increases in response to inflammation in your body. So when your cholesterol is lowered naturally it means that your body does not have to make as much cholesterol to synthesize vitamin-D and fight oxidation in your body. So with that said, here are some of the simple steps you can take to keep your cardiovascular system healthy and thus your cholesterol at naturally optimal levels.

Make sure you get enough vitamin-D

When your vitamin-D levels are low, your body makes more cholesterol which in turn it uses to bio-synthesize vitamin-D. Thus you need to get at least 20 minutes of daily sunlight or if you live in a cold climate take supplemental vitamin D3 daily. How much? According to Dr. Stephen Sinatra, the minimum daily intake for a normal healthy person should be 2,000 units a day. If you have a medical condition check with your doctor to see if taking a vitamin-D supplement is safe in your particular instance.

Limit your intake of carbohydrates to under 150 grams per day

This includes both simple and complex carbs. Ideal carbohydrates would be non-starchy vegetables. Limit grains especially wheat, and stay completely away from simple sugars like deserts and alcohol. I little indulgence in these things from time to time is ok, but not on a steady basis.

Avoid long slow cardiovascular exercise

You need about 15 minutes of vigorous exercise 3 times per week. This can be in the form of circuit weight training, internal training, kettlebells, sprints on a track or elliptical machine, or an exercise system such as PACE by Dr. Al Sears. Long duration cardio training can raise your levels of stress hormones and actually accelerate the aging process.

Short brief but intense bouts of exercise have a much healthier effect on your hormonal system, and your blood lipid profile. Doing these simple things on a daily and weekly basis, you can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease, and you will get a leaner better looking body as well. When you lower cholesterol naturally your health benefits across the board.

It's All About ATP!

It's all about ATP! Yep, that's the long and short of it. Who says understanding antiaging and health has to be complicated? All you have to do is understand why ATP (adenosine triphosphate) powers everything in our body from our muscles, to our brain, and all bodily functions.

When ATP is high, we are healthy and robust. When it's low we are weakened, tired, and sick. Our bodies make this important molecule every second that we are alive. It's estimate that your body produces something like 140 lbs. of this molecule every single day just to keep you alive and functioning.

Knowing this, don't you think that helping your body to make ATP more efficiently should be the highest thing on your priority list when it comes to good health. Not convinced yet? Well, consider what can happen when the human body can't make enough ATP:

Congestive heart failure Dementia Weak immune system Rhabdomylosis (muscle wasting disease) Physical and mental fatigue Chronic pain Cancer Diabetes Chronic inflammation

The list goes on, but I think you get the picture!

Everything you do is powered by ATP, from reading this blog, to brushing your teeth, to playing tennis, to breathing is dependent on the energy you get from this amazing molecule.

Without going into a long winded explanation of the chemistry involved, all you need to know is that your body makes ATP from the nutrients in your food specifically sugars and fatty acids. ATP is called the currency of energy in your body. Without it you could not live for even a few seconds!

Knowing this, doesn't it make sense to ensure that your body has everything it needs to make ATP efficiently? This is what Dr. Stephen Sinatra's “metabolic Cardiology” protocol is all about.

Dr. Oz - Best Anti-Aging Tips

For years Dr. Oz has been teaching people across the country to live healthier and better by emphasizing the things we all have control over. Now he gives you his best anti-aging tips based on his medical experience and common sense. Notice the emphasis he puts on a diet that you love. His reasoning is that if you enjoy something, you are much more likely to do it consistently!

He explains that while aging is inevitable we CAN control the rate at which we age, and remain happy, healthy, and active no matter what age we are! Check out my page on Dr. Oz at this link:
Dr Oz – Promoting Antiaging and Integrative Medicine

Earthing and Antiaging Skincare

Earthing just may be one of the best forms of antiaging skincare, and it isn't even something you use on your face! Surprised? Well...I sure was when I tried it, because that was NOT the result that I was looking for, but it was part of the benefit I got. Let me tell you about my experience.

I first learned about Earthing (or grounding as it's also called) from a video clip of Dr. Stephen Sinatra talking about what he called "Caveman medicine." This was all about making electrical contact with the Earth (as in the ground beneath your feet) with your body.

At first I was skeptical, not about whether it had ANY benefit, but that something so simple could have that much of a positive effect. Still, this intrigued me, because Dr. Sinatra is a renowned cardiologist, and frankly, MD's tend to be very logical and evidence based people.

They just don't get much into the touchy feely stuff that you might associate with something called Earthing. Yet here he was telling us that this simple connection to the Earth's electrical energy could have all kinds of health benefits, with absolutely no risk, not to mention very little expense.

Dr. Sinatra related how even just walking on a beach with wet feet would cause you to absorb electrical ions into your body that would act as natural antioxidants and reduce inflammation, as well as lowering your stress levels.



I noted that years ago, while visiting my aunt's cottage at a local lake, I would feel amazingly relaxed and pain free by the end of the day. I chalked it up to a stress free day, spent with family, and just relaxing by the water.

The idea that I was absorbing the Earth's electrical energy was something that never entered my mind. I also notice that my skin seemed to look healthier, something which I attributed to the sun, fresh air, and the water, but again, looking back I think the Earthing effect was a big reason for that.

I reasoned that Dr. Sinatra's explanation on the video clip seemed to fit the circumstances perfectly, and so maybe there WAS something to this Earthing thing after all. So I broke down and bought a grounding pad for $59.00, just to try out the theory.

I used the grounding pad under my feet when working on the computer, and even slept on it at night. I noticed the effect within a day or so, and it was profound, no doubt about it, something very different was happening, and I felt great!

What did I notice? Mainly that I felt very relaxed and stress free, like nothing was worrying me, and I didn't have a care in the world. I also noted a lack of pain or stiffness in my body, and let me tell you, for a 57 year old with over 25 years of competition level weightlifting training on my body, that's saying something!

Old weightlifters typically suffer a lot of chronic nagging injuries, aches, and pains, due to years of handling weights that most people could only roll across the floor let alone lift. This is what hard training does, and it's pretty much inevitable.

But here I was feeling less pain than I did in my 30's and being amazed that something this simple and inexpensive could make that kind of difference. I tend to be good at connecting the dots on a lot of things, and my experiences at the lake visiting my aunt, and the explanations of Dr. Sinatra for why I experienced the benefits just seems to fall into place like pieces of a puzzle.

It makes logical sense that your skin also benefits from antioxidant effects, which the grounding pad will supply. This is because free electrons from whatever source function as antioxidants to suppress free radicals. IN the case of Earthing, this was antiaging skincare that didn't even involve anything applied to your skin, like a cream or a lotion. This is because free radical damage (which Earthing prevents) is the reason your skin ages and loses it's beauty as you get older.

Grounding has noticeably improved the look of my skin, something that I didn't anticipate but of course I'm very pleased with. In fact, it's a more beneficial form of antiaging skincare than anything else I've ever done!

I am still Earthing and still getting the benefits of it. I don't present this as some kind of cure for any disease, or as a panacea for health problems, but the theory seems sound, and I felt the benefits even in light of my skepticism, and now would not ever give up my grounding pad.

I run the antiaging website called Longevity and Antiaging Secrets, and I decided to become an affiliate for these grounding products. You can read more about Earthing and grounding pads and their benefits at the link below.

http://www.longevity-and-antiaging-secrets.com/body-grounding.html

However honestly, you can find these pads all over the Internet, on Amazon, and other websites. They are all about the same price, because I think they are all made by the same manufacturer. You can pick them up pretty much everywhere.

Give Earthing a try, and I'm sure you will discover for yourself how something very simple and basic can change your health for the better! They don't cost much, and again from my experience they are one of the best things you can do for your health.

Body Grounding - Wellness on Autopilot!

Body Grounding - Wellness on Autopilot!

Body Grounding - My Experience......

Body grounding was the subject of a recent page on my antiaging site, but I admitted that when I wrote the page I had not experienced it's alleged benefits yet. That all changed last week when I purchase my first grounding pad.

Grounding or earthing as it's also called, is simply the act of being in contact with the Earth's electromagnetic charge. This requires either having your bare feet on the ground such as grass or even concrete, OR using some kind of grounding pad or strap that connects you with a true ground.

You actually absorb free electrons from the Earth, which act as antioxidants in your body, fighting inflammation and reducing oxidative stress. Most of us think of antioxidants as coming from nutritional supplements of some kind, but surprise.....they can also come from the Earth itself!

The mat I am using has a wire that plugs into the 3rd hole in an electrical outlet. When you purchase the mat, there is a tester included that you plug into the outlet to ensure that it is grounded properly. The tester lights up if there is a true ground connection being made.

I have been using the mat while writing at the computer and also for sleeping. There is a REAL difference that I can feel.

Waking up in the morning without the usual stiffness is a welcome change. I have done barbell squats (very demanding for me) 3 times so far this week. I normally do them only once. I am not having any problems with soreness, which is unusual, as squats are a killer for me.

Everything from a sense of physical and mental well being to less pain, stiffness, and more rapid recovery from exercise are all indications that body grounding (at least in my case) is everything it's supposed to be and more.

This is one of THE most significant new health related discoveries that I have made in years. Within days I have been sold on the grounding pad. I would strongly suggest that all of you discover this easy and convenient way of helping your body ward off pain, fatigue, and stress.

Give grounding a try, you will be more than glad you did!

PHYSICIAN EDUCATION BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE INITIATIVES CME

PHYSICIAN EDUCATION BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE INITIATIVES CME
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011 TORONTO
EARLY BIRD SAVE $125 BOOK BY MARCH 31ST

Designed For All Healthcare Providers - MDs, NDs, DOs, sports doctors, general practitioners, laser hair removal specialists, endocrinologists, internists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, OB /GYNs, plastic surgeons, chiropractors, dermatologists, RNs, weightloss clinic’s, dieticians, nutritionists, anti-aging specialists, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, homeopathic doctors, and cardiologists, etc.

PRESENTER / EDUCATOR:
Erika T. Schwartz, M.D. – Founder and Chairperson of the Age Management Institute, Founding Director of the not for profit Bio-Identical Hormone Initiative and a senior faculty member of the Bio-Identical Hormone Institute, NYC. A member of NAMS, MSSNY, AACOG, AFTRA/SAG, NYSSIM as well as board of managers and trustees of SUNY-Downstate.

A cum laude graduate, AOA honor society member, from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Dr. Schwartz trained at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY in Internal Medicine and Critical Care. Upon completion of her postgraduate training, at the age of 28, she became the first woman and youngest doctor to be named Director of Emergency Medicine at Westchester County Medical Center—New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. Since the start of her distinguished career, Dr. Schwartz has been committed to empowering patients and teaching physician’s compassion alongside with scientific and clinical information. She has lectured at Harvard, authored the seminal article on the use of hormones in wellness and disease prevention in the prestigious peer reviewed publication Medical Clinics.


AGENDA: See full agenda online

TOPICS COVERED:
Entire symposium will be captured in a binder includes all slides & books
Method of physician participation in the learning process: This course is comprised of five units and includes text, graphics, case studies, multimedia
features, powerpoint slides, and audio/transcript. This course focuses on how to approach the use of bio-identical hormones in your practice in relation to aging, prevention, and overall health and wellness for men & women. Also presented is state of the art research data on hormones, transdermal versus oral methods of delivery, explanation of the Women’s Health Initiative study and the Million Women study, clinical protocols and numerous case studies. This symposium will teach you how to improve the quality of life for you and your patients by bringing hormones into balance and understanding how to achieve this goal. Opportunity to become part of A Network of Leading Physicians.

THE UNITS:
1. History of hormones
2. Scientific data on hormones, bio-identical versus synthetics; Transdermal versus oral studies: WHI and Million Women study explained
3. Male hormone deficiency research data, protocols for replacement and support for your practice
4. Thyroid deficiency scientific research, treatment protocols for your practice
5. Clinical studies reviewed and analyzed, protocols on hormone therapies and support for your practice

The *Restore™ Program – A 5-Step Self-Care Plan
www.RestoreDirect.com • Web Based BHRT Management Program • Complimentary to Healthcare Providers • Custom
Formulations • MD’s & Nurse Practitioners (NDs in B.C.) can Prescribe with Confidence • Advance Hormone Testing • NTx
Boneloss Analysis • Patient Symptom Monitoring • Natural Hormone Experts • Ongoing Case Management

Advanced Course with Basic Introduction
ƒ Comprehensive Protocols for Treating Adult Male/ Female Hormone Deficiencies
ƒ Introducing Hormones into Your Current Practice
ƒ Symptoms of Hormone Imbalances
ƒ Correct Dosing Protocols for Proper Hormone Optimization
ƒ Utilizing Advanced Testing Protocols
ƒ Distinguish How Different Molecules Act Differently in the Human Body
ƒ What are Bio-Identical Hormones & How are They Different to Synthetic Hormones?
ƒ How to Treat Menopause & Perimenopause
ƒ Estrogen, Progesterone, DHEA & Pregnenolone Deficiencies
ƒ The Psychological Impact of Deficiencies
ƒ How to Treat Thyroid & Adrenal Imbalances
ƒ Andropause – Treating the Adult Male – Erectile Dysfunction – Low Libido
ƒ Discover Why Testosterone Levels are Crucial for Sexual Functioning
ƒ Iodine Treatments for Females
ƒ Evaluate Case Studies and Gain Knowledge of Treatment Regimens
ƒ Extensive Q & A with Dr. Erika, MD
ƒ Network with Leading Physicians

SYMPOSIUM FEE:
• $899.00 CDN + HST - Limited Seating!! Includes breakfast & lunch
• Add a staff member for only $750 (early bird discount is not applicable for staff member fee)
• Refresher Course Fee: $350 (for past attendee’s only-includes new material, After March 31st $450)
• Pay at the door, event day $999 ($899 + admin fee $100)
• CME Credits are available through Bio-Identical Hormone Initiatives


TO REGISTER CONTACT: 647 884 0663

10 Foods to Lower Blood Sugar

10 Foods to Lower Blood Sugar

Adult Flu Shot Vaccine Injury Nightmare

This story is an example of the dangers of flu vaccines that are increasingly being peddled at drugstores, airports, ad other public places.

Adult Flu Shot Vaccination Nightmare

This is a warning to all of you that you CANNOT depend on the government to protect your health. YOU must take responsibility for determining what is safe to put in your body! 

Sugar and Fat - The Deadliest Diet Combination

I originally intended to write a web page on this topic and I still may, but for the moment I would rather spin off a blog post on it. For those of you who may be wondering what the most serious dietary mistake is, I won't keep you in suspense about it. It's eating a large amount of fat and carbohydrate in the same meal.

Examples would be a Big Mac, large coke and fries. Or just eating a sugar desert immediately following a fatty meal.

The reasons this is a problem is that the combination of fat and sugar causes blood sugar (and in turn insulin) to be elevated for a long period of time, much longer than normal.

The longer blood sugar and insulin stay elevated, the more problems are caused. Insulin is a "growth hormone" with receptors in many of the body's tissues. Chronically elevated insulin is asking for problems, because it causes hypertrophy (growth) in tissues that you really don't want to grow, such as internal organs and cartilage.

It is also a causative factor in obesity because it shuts down fat burning in your body. Let the scientists and doctors debate the cause of obesity for the next 20 years. Trust me when I tell you its caused by elevated glucose and insulin levels and the suppression of lipolysis. That's a fancy word for fat burning.

Smart food combining will go a long way toward helping you lost weight and get leaner. A quick rule of thumb is to make sure you are eating a quality protein source at every meal. You can combine protein and carbohydrate, or protein and fat in one meal, but NEVER combine a large amount of carbohydrate and fat.

This one tip will help you win the battle of the bulge. If you avoid refined carbohydrates as much as possible, controlling your weight will be a lot easier. 

Proper Nutrition Essential in Comprehensive Cancer Care

Proper Nutrition Essential in Comprehensive Cancer Care
By Jack P. Bleeker

Proper nutrition is important for all individuals, but can be critically important for those who are battling cancer. For this reason, proper nutritional regimens are now being included in comprehensive cancer treatment plans and are a staple of integrative oncology. While proper nutrition cannot, in and of itself, cure cancers, it can provide strength and health to a patient who will need it as they battle their disease. It is not only symptoms of aggressive cancers like mesothelioma, but also their treatment with methods like chemotherapy that will demand proper nutrition.

Malnutrition can be extremely harmful to a cancer treatment regimen, and must be kept in mind when considering each individual patient’s treatment roadmap. Cachexia and anorexia are common causes of malnutrition in cancer patients. Nearly all patients who develop extensive disease will battle anorexia, with common symptoms being weight loss and loss of appetite. Cachexia is a debilitating wasting syndrome causing weakness and loss of weight and is particularly common in those battling cancers of the lung (such as pleural mesothelioma), pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract. Cachexia is similar to starvation in healthy individuals, but cancer patient’s bodies are unable to make the adjustments to slow down the use of nutrients.

Proper eating habits for those battling cancer and undergoing cancer treatment can help fight the breakdown of muscle strength, enhance tissue reconstruction, and stave off infection in those with compromised immune health. Those who are able to maintain their health through nutrition and exercise will typically be eligible to receive more aggressive dosages of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Each individual patient’s treatment plan will require the advice of cancer specialists and physicians who are able to make an assessment of the patient’s overall health. Dr. David Sugarbaker of the Brigham and Womens Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA will work closely with each of his patients battling thoracic cancers, including malignant mesothelioma, and develop an individual mesothelioma treatment guide, including recommendations on proper cancer nutrition.

While malignant mesothelioma is far from the only cancer that demands proper nutrition in patients, it is particularly important given the current lack of a mesothelioma cure in those patients battling aggressive later-stage disease. That being said, all cancer patients will benefit from the strength and overall health that proper and sound recommendations doctors and nutritional specialists can provide them with. Cancer patients as well as family members and caregivers seeking further information about proper nutrition in cancer care should seek the advice of these individuals and apply them to a patient’s particular circumstances and needs.

Reference
National Cancer Institute. Overview: Nutrition in Cancer Care 2005
Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University. Nutritional Resources Overview . Boston, MA 2009

Information courtesy of Mesothelioma.com
4/29/2010

Fish Oil, DHA, and Depression

Fish oil has become really popular in the last few years as a great source of omega-3 fats, which are needed by the human body. However what most people don't know is that there is good information indicating that fish oil may help people with depression, because it is rich in something called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which is a fatty acid that's critical for proper brain function.


Sixty percent of the brain and the nerves are made up of fats, thus they are vitally important for a healthy nervous system. DHA is the primary fatty acid in brain tissue, and a shortage of this fatty acid is associated with mental dysfunction.


While eggs and organ meat have small amounts of DHA, the best food source is seafood, preferably cold water fish like salmon, mackeral, and bluefish. The best form of DHA supplement is fish or krill oil that has been processed to be free of mercury and PCB's. This is referred to as "pharmaceutical grade."

If the purpose of your supplementation of fish oil is improved brain function, then you need a fish oil supplement where there is a high ration of DHA to EPA. Most high grade lines of fish oil supplements make formulations that emphasize DHA content over EPA.

Do yourself a favor and add a quality high DHA content fish oil to your daily nutritional regimen.  Your brain will thank you for it!

The Aftermath of Health Care "Reform"

Hello all,

It appears that the infamous "health care reform bill" will pass and be enacted into law. What I would suggest is that if this does happen, then everyone should check the stock pages and see what the passing of this legislation has on the stock prices of the large insurance and drug companies.

My guess is that their stock will jump considerably, and I say that because you have the government mandating that people buy their products. This is an example of what I call "crony capitalism," or "corporatism."

There are many people in our country who do not understand that nothing truly detrimental to large corporations is ever done in this country. From the election of Barack Obama to this pending health care legislation, you can bet that large companies will come out on top. That is always the case!

This is the reason that I take a dim view of the health care bill. It is a sweetheart deal between large corporations and the Federal Government. Contrary to the beliefs of many, this is NOT socialism in any way shape or form.

It is corporatism and is totally consistent with US government policy under successive presidential administrations.

So lets see just how this plays out on the stock market, and how these legislative changes actually affect the bottom line of large insurance and pharmaceutical companies. I am betting their stock prices will reflect an anticipation of better revenues for these companies, and that will show once and for all that President Obama's policies are good for corporate America, but perhaps not so good for the American consumer!

Another Voice in the Health Care Debate

Hello all,

     I stumbled upon an op-ed piece by Michael Pollan of the New York Times about the health care bill currently being fought over in Congress. His editorial piece really hits the nail on the head as he explains how the federal government is subsidizing both health care and the food industry that is causing obesity in this country.

Big Food vs. Big Insurance

Pollan argues quite correctly that NO health care system can compensate for the bad eating and lifestyle choices that American's make.

Ironically says Pollan, it may turn out to be the insurance industry that will push for healthier food choices by Americans because it will simply be too cost prohibitive to allow the current system to continue without significant changes to our national eating habits.

Until now insurance companies have found it more cost effective to refuse to cover certain individuals with chronic illnesses. However under a mandate where they cannot refuse coverage for pre-existing conditions, the insurance companies will have a powerful economic incentive to attack the causes of chronic disease.

This could get REALLY interesting and may indeed bear out the belief that "the market" will ultimately find a solution to our health care problem that encompasses encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Medical Freedom

Hello all!

I thought I would post today about a subject that is near and dear to my heart, and that is medical freedom. You might be asking yourself just what I mean by this. What I mean is the freedom to choose the kind of health care and medical treatment you want, as well as the freedom to use nutritional supplements for yourself and your family.

You might wonder why this is an issue at all, and you may be surprised to learn that this freedom is under assault by our government even as we speak. Just so that everyone understands where I am coming from, this is not a criticism of Barack O'Bama because he is a liberal Democrat, and I have traditionally leaned Republican.

This is because the health care bill that he is championing has provisions in it that will limit our freedom to choose and I think that is perhaps the greatest threat that it poses to us and our country.

The monopolies that corporate business seeks to impose on all of us through various mandates are disguised as benefits. What they really are is an attempt by big business to force all of us into a one size fits all model of health care that THEY control.

This is not "socialized medicine" as you have perhaps heard or been led to believe. This is "corporatized medicine," where the large insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies get to monopolize the system completely.

You may have heard the expression "evidence based medicine," which is another word for "drug based" medicine being pushed by the pharmaceutical industry.  What's wrong with medicine based on evidence you ask?

Well, just remember that this "evidence" they are talking about comes from research and clinical trials that the drug industry pays for and controls. We are already seeing incidences of scientists cooking the data and hiding some of the side effects that showed up in these clinical trials because their work is being funded by the companies who's products they are testing.

This is called a "conflict of interest," and is rampant throughout the system that is supposed to be provided accurate and unbiased information. Listen to Dr. John Abramson explain how this came about and what the implications are for our medical system:

This is only about 8 minutes long but well worth watching!  Continuing with my point about evidence based medicine, it becomes clear that the evidence the drug industry bases its claims of safety and effectiveness upon is not reliable. Yet those in government, pretty much bribed by the drug industry continue to push for regulating nutritional supplements, and continue to attack holistic or alternative medical therapies as dangerous and unproven.

The truth is that the products of the pharmaceutical industry are the ones that are dangerous and unproven, and unfortunately they are what will be sold to an unsuspecting public as "evidence based medicine."

The Health Care Reform Act

OK, I guess it's time for me to weigh in on this so-called "Health Care Bill.” From my perspective it is a huge mistake! Why?

Just think about who actually benefits or probably would benefit when the final legislation passes (that is if the House and Senate can agree on a final bill).

The insurance companies are the big winners in this scenario. Why? Well….just think about it. The government is going to force millions of people to become customers of the insurance companies, THAT’S WHY!

If any of you reading this are in business, imagine how it would benefit you if the government made it mandatory that people buy your product or service. But wait…this really only applies to BIG BUSINESS, not the little guy!

Private health insurance is still preferable to anything run by government for obvious reasons. The government wants to enshrine health coverage as a right, which it is not. Real rights are based on freedom from government restriction, not entitlements that foster more dependence on government.

It is also likely that the final bill will have some sort of “prescription drug coverage,” in it. So you, me, and everyone else will be taxed so that the pharmaceutical industry can peddle their toxic “medications” compliments of the American taxpayer.

This is NOT reform in any meaningful sense of the word. It is a gift to the insurance industry, and likely the pharmaceutical industry as well.

So you might ask, what WOULD constitutive reform? Well, there are a few things, which would be a step in the right direction such as:

• The ability to purchase individual health insurance across state lines


• Allowing insurance companies to really customize plans to meet people’s needs


• Protecting our access to nutritional supplements


• Truth in labeling regarding foods that have GMO, or are irradiated


• Truly reforming the FDA and making it protect the consumer rather than the drug industry


• Expand health savings accounts and give people and insurance companies more freedom in creating market based solutions to health care funding


• A news media that actually reports the truth and gives the public factual information, instead of the corporate propaganda machine that we now have

These are by no means the only things that would help. I know there are other approaches, which I have not even thought of, but these would be a good start.

Our health care system is bankrupting our country, NOT because the free market has failed, but because the free market has not had a chance to work.

We do not have a free market health care system. What we have is a hybrid system with some free market aspects, and many government restrictions which in some cases serves the interests of corporate monopolies rather than the consumer.

Unless and until this changes, no health care system in which the US government is involved will actually work the way it should.

Another problem is that the public has been led to believe that free market solutions to health care will not work because the profit motive is somehow inherently unethical and uncompassionate. They have been told that ANY health care bill no matter how bad is better than not doing anything at all.

Well… that is a false choice. The proposed bill IS worse than nothing at all, because it sends us in the wrong direction. It is typical of politicians to think they can “mandate” health, and that by passing legislation they can improve the health of the nation.

They have sold people on the idea that “government” will make them healthy, and that health is a measure of how good their “health care plan” is.

This is FALSE. The true path to health for the vast majority of people is better diet, more exercise, and overall healthier lifestyles. However the problem with the idea that government can make this happen, is that government offers all the wrong incentives toward these ends.

Government does not and cannot truly empower people, because by it’s very nature, it seeks to make people more dependant on it. Only when this changes (which is why we need smaller government) will things truly change for the better.

The truth is that the free market can and will come up with innovative and effective solutions given the right incentives and less governmental interference.

What to do?

Let your representatives in Congress know how you feel about this issue. Let them know in no uncertain terms that you DO NOT want government mandated health insurance, more prescription drugs, less choice, and restrictions on your right to make health choices for yourselves and your children.

They DO respond to public pressure and opinion, and your voice as part of the collective voices of all citizens in America WILL turn the tide and force them to rethink this issue.

High Homocysteine Levels

Hello all,

I just finished my homocysteiene page! I learned about this issue the hard way, when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer.

It seems that there is a gene called MTHFR which results in undermethylation of the amino acid cysteine. This causes homocysteiene to build up in the body and is a promoter of heart disease and cancer.

The way to address this problem is with a nutritional supplement called a "methyl donor."

Check out my web page here:

Dangers of High Homocystiene Levels

George

Organic Acid Analysis

Did you know that there is a test that can identify genetic errors that affect your metabolism and help you customize your nutrition to prevent chronic illness? It is called organic acid analysis and is described in my latest web page.

Arm yourself with the facts and protect your health with this powerful diagnostic tool. Read all about the Organic Acid Test on my website!

The Five Tibetan Rites

Hi,

If you want to slow aging, boost energy, calm & focus the mind and improve general health and well being, check this proven program out.

Carolinda Witt and her team have modernized the famous anti-aging routine called The Five Tibetan Rites – calling it "T5T" for short: They have boosted its already powerful benefits and made it even easier to learn.

You'll learn how to do this ancient once-secret, anti-aging routine in 10 simple steps. And, it will only take you just 10 – 15 mins per day once learnt.

These are the same steps that Carolinda Witt has used in teaching thousands of students, through workshops, books, DVD’s & CD’s.

The best thing is -- these techniques are already proven and you can literally start applying them right now.

To find out more -- just go to:

http://www.t5t.com

... and if you have any further questions -- just let me know!

Kind Regards,

Susan