Pharmaceutical companies are one of the biggest, if not the biggest, advertisers supporting mainstream news. Due to this reality, objective reporting can be hard to find. After all, no one wants to bite the hand that feeds them.

So when you hear about a celebrity being anti-vaccine or a celebrity speaking out against forced vaccines, they are often vilified. Like the rest of the population, their stand on the issue may not be black or white. Many who are labeled as anti-vaccine just want to see vaccines get cleaned up; they don’t believe mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde or any other toxic ingredients should be included in vaccines. Many are alarmed by the number of vaccines given to children, the practice of giving multiple vaccines at once, and the industry’s lack of liability.

Celebrities who publically question the safety or effectiveness of vaccines open themselves up to media attacks. They are often portrayed as stupid, anti-science, or dangerous to the public. And, since the public has become so polarized on this issue, any celebrity who openly criticizes the safety or efficacy of a single vaccine or vaccine ingredient risks alienating much of their fan base.

You might be surprised to learn what these celebrities have actually said or written about vaccines. Many “anti-vaccine” celebrities are actually better vaccinated than many of their critics. There are probably many more “anti-vaccine” celebrities, but these are the ones with the courage to speak out and deal with the backlash and the mainstream media spin.

Robert Deniro & Vaxxed Documentary:

Grace and I have a child with autism and we believe it is critical that all of the issues surrounding the causes of autism be openly discussed and examined. In the 15 years since the Tribeca Film Festival was founded, I have never asked for a film to be screened or gotten involved in the programming. However this is very personal to me and my family and I want there to be a discussion, which is why we will be screening VAXXED. I am not personally endorsing the film, nor am I anti-vaccination; I am only providing the opportunity for a conversation around the issue.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdCU2DfMBpU

Is Jenny McCarthy Anti-Vaccine?

Jenny McCarthy is arguably the most famous critic of vaccines. What’s not commonly known is that she isn’t all that opposed to them, but that isn’t how she is portrayed by mainstream media. Wikipedia even calls her an anti-vaccine activist. The truth is, her views aren’t black and white on the subject. She dares to question vaccine safety and the recommended vaccine schedule. She says, “We need to get rid of the toxins, the mercury—which I am so tired of everyone saying it’s been removed. It has not been removed from the shots.”

Jenny McCarthy has called for vaccine companies to develop less toxic vaccines with a safer schedule. She believes that a re-emergence of certain diseases will be the wake-up call we need in order to demand that vaccine companies make safer vaccines.

I am not anti-vaccine. …I’m in this gray zone of, I think everyone should be aware and educate yourself and ask questions. And if your kid is having a problem, ask your doctor for an alternative way of doing the shots.”

Jenny McCarthy has pointed out how people paint her as anti-vaccine when in fact, she believes that vaccines are a good thing. She believes that people should do their own research and ask their doctors questions. Parents should look for alternatives to the current vaccines and a different schedule.

The ironic thing is my position has always remained the same. People just never listened to it. Literally, throughout the years, I have said the same thing over and over again. But people will only read headlines instead of looking back and seeing what I’ve been saying.”

Jenny McCarthy has stuck to her position of making vaccines safer through the years, despite the attempts by mainstream media to paint her as a crazy anti-vaxxer.

I believe in the importance of a vaccine program and I believe parents have the right to choose one poke per visit. I’ve never told anyone to not vaccinate. Should a child with the flu receive six vaccines in one doctor visit? Should a child with a compromised immune system be treated the same way as a robust, healthy child? Shouldn’t a child with a family history of vaccine reactions have a different plan? Or at least the right to ask questions?”

Even though she has always stuck to her position of making vaccines safer and parents exercising their right to choose an alternate vaccination schedule, people have continued to attack her and try to portray her as being anti-vaccine.

Aidan Quinn Says His Child is Vaccine Damaged

“She was a normal child,” Aidan Quinn says. “Way above normal, in fact. And then she received a vaccination. She got a 106 degree fever, she turned blue, and she woke up the next day a completely damaged child after that.” His daughter, Ava, was so severely damaged that she lives in a special care facility and comes home on weekends, where she has to be watched every second.

For more on Aidan Quinn’s anti-vaccine views:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRB2TLFvc3s

Kristin Cavalari Will Not Vaccinate Her Children

Kristin admitted on Fox News while she was pregnant with her second child that she does not plan to ever vaccinate them due to autism fears.

You know what, I’ve read too many books about autism, and the studies…There is a pediatric group called ‘Homestead’…or…shoot—‘Homestead’ or ‘Home First.’ Now I’m pregnancy brain, I gotta confuse them…but they’ve never vaccinated any of their children and they’ve never had one case of autism. And now, one in 88 boys is autistic which is a really scary statistic.”

Here’s the thing: At the end of the day, I’m just a mom. I’m trying to make the best decision for my kid. There are very scary statistics out there regarding what is in vaccines and what they cause — asthma, allergies, ear infections, all kinds of things. And we feel like we’re making the best decision for our kids.” 

Alicia Silverstone is Adamantly Anti-vaccine

Alicia Silverstone took her views about vaccinations and boldly laid them out in her book, The Kind Mama. Silverstone gave extensive parenting advice including suggesting that parents reconsider getting their children vaccinated. She tells parents that proper nutrition can block the diseases that vaccinations protect children from. She also said she has witnessed a child become autistic immediately after a vaccination.

While there has not been a conclusive study of the negative effects of such a rigorous one-size-fits-all, shoot-’em-up schedule, there is increasing anecdotal evidence from doctors who have gotten distressed phone calls from parents claiming their child was ‘never the same’ after receiving a vaccine,” Silverstone writes in The Kind Mama. “And I personally have friends whose babies were drastically affected in this way.”

Billy Corgan is an “Anti-Vaxxer”

I say ‘propaganda’ because, in my heart, there is something mighty suspicious about declaring an emergency for something that has yet to show itself to be a grand pandemic,” Corgan writes on his new blog. “Our American President Obama has declared a national emergency about this virus, which he in his own words said was, at this point, a preventative measure. So, why declare an emergency if there isn’t one?”

“I do not trust those who make the vaccines, or the apperatus [sic] behind it all to push it on us thru fear. This is not judgment; it is a personal decision based on research, intuition, conversations with my doctor and my ‘family’. If the virus comes to take me Home, that is between me and the Lord.”

Corgan is obviously anti-vaccine, and he also criticizes a mandatory vaccination law in Massachusetts, stating: “Soon, you won’t even have the choice to live OR die as you wish!”

Charlie Sheen Appears to be 100% Anti-Vaccine

Dr. Peter Waldstein, a Bev Hills pediatrician, treated Charlie and Denise’s two kids. Charlie was pissed that the doc was immunizing his kids because he holds a strict anti-vaccine stance. He considers vaccines to be poison. Charlie sent Waldstein a letter demanding he no longer treat the children. The doctor fired his own letter back saying he would treat them if need be, no matter what. After failing to stop his children’s vaccinations by legal means, Charlie showed his disdain for vaccines by paying the outstanding $380 bill via a messenger with a big box filled with 7,600 nickels.

Donald Trump is Not Anti-Vaccine, Though He is Critical

I’m all for vaccinations, but I think when you add all of these vaccinations together and then two months later the baby is so different then lots of different things have happened. I really — I’ve known cases.” Donald Trump said. “I’ve seen people where they have a perfectly healthy child, and they go for the vaccinations and a month later the child is no longer healthy.”

Rob Schneider is Outspoken For Freedom of Choice and Vaccine Dangers

This policy of one size fits all Vaccine schedule for every child is as absurd as giving the same eye prescription glasses to every child. The fact is EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT and there is currently NO SYSTEM or thought to which child could be more susceptible to adverse reactions including permanent injury and death from any Vaccine or Vaccine ingredients.”

We couldn’t find any proof that Rob Schneider is 100% anti-vaccine. He has made it clear that he’s against mandated vaccines, that vaccines can do harm, and that the CDC has covered up evidence that vaccines cause autism. He is also outspoken against current, conventional vaccine practices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxYtPD3eIUw

https://youtu.be/xv_IaLHwgAQ

Mayim Bialik Wants Us To Choose Our Vaccines Carefully

Mayim Bialik, with a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA, is the most formally educated out of all of the celebrities mentioned in this article. Mayim Bialik, or Dr. Bialik, if your prefer, is known to be “anti-vaccine,” but her views are a bit more conventional, and not nearly as “radical” as she may be portrayed.

The number of vaccines that you and I received when we were kids is a third or a fourth less than what kids get now. So my feeling is you can really do whatever you want, just like I get to do whatever I want, but I don’t inherently think that no one should get the flu, for example. And that’s my personal opinion.”

Jim Carrey is Not 100% Anti-Vaccine

Jim Carrey is not anymore anti-vaccine than Jenny McCarthy or Andrew Wakefield. He is clearly against vaccines including certain toxic ingredients that have been shown to be harmful and he is against mandatory vaccinations, the MMR vaccine, and the sheer number of vaccines recommended on the vaccine schedule.

“The truth is that no one without a vested interest in the profitability of vaccines has studied all 36 of them in depth. There are more than 100 vaccines in development, and no tests for cumulative effect or vaccine interaction of all 36 vaccines in the current schedule have ever been done. If I’m mistaken, I challenge those who are making such grand pronouncements about vaccine safety to produce those studies.

“If we are to believe that the ruling of the ‘vaccine court’ in these cases mean that all vaccines are safe, then we must also consider the rulings of that same court in the Hannah Polling and Bailey Banks cases, which ruled vaccines were the cause of autism and therefore assume that all vaccines are unsafe. Clearly both are irresponsible assumptions, and neither option is prudent.”

“In this growing crisis, we cannot afford to blindly trumpet the agenda of the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or vaccine makers. Now more than ever, we must resist the urge to close this book before it’s been written. The anecdotal evidence of millions of parents who’ve seen their totally normal kids regress into sickness and mental isolation after a trip to the pediatrician’s office must be seriously considered. The legitimate concern they and many in the scientific community have that environmental toxins, including those found in vaccines, may be causing autism and other disorders (Aspergers, ADD, ADHD), cannot be dissuaded by a show of sympathy and a friendly invitation to look for the ‘real’ cause of autism anywhere but within the lucrative vaccine program.”

“With vaccines being the fastest growing division of the pharmaceutical industry, isn’t it possible that profits may play a part in the decision-making? That the vaccine program is becoming more of a profit engine than a means of prevention? In a world left reeling from the catastrophic effects of greed, mismanagement and corporate insensitivity, is it so absurd for us to wonder why American children are being given twice as many vaccines on average, compared to the top 30 first world countries?”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Adamantly Anti-Mercury

Kennedy is an environmental attorney who has been tirelessly working to remove pollutants like mercury from our rivers and streams and now our vaccines. He has presented an impressive body of scientific evidence before Senator Barbara Mikulski, who brushed him off. She suggested that Kennedy bring his evidence to Sen. Bernie Sanders who “cares about brain health.” Mikulski made it readily apparent that the argument that mercury causes harm doesn’t interest her. It has consumed Kennedy for decades.

Kennedy has argued that if mercury was dangerous enough to remove from some vaccines, why isn’t it dangerous enough to remove from all vaccines? He also accuses the federal government of knowing and ignoring the dangers of mercury in vaccines. He openly accuses the CDC of blatant corruption. When the CDC says vaccines are safe, Kennedy argues that we can’t trust them.

They get the shot, that night they have a fever of a hundred and three, they go to sleep, and three months later their brain is gone,” Kennedy said. “This is a holocaust, what this is doing to our country.”

His comparison of vaccine damage to the holocaust offended many people. There was a public outcry over his poor choice of words. Kennedy stated,

I want to apologize to all whom I offended by my use of the word holocaust to describe the autism epidemic. I employed the term during an impromptu speech as I struggled to find an expression to convey the catastrophic tragedy of autism which has now destroyed the lives of over 20 million children and shattered their families.”

Bill Maher is Anti-Flu Shot and “Pro-Common Sense”

Maher has clearly spoken out against the flu shot, but states that he is not an anti-vaxxer, thoough he does question the current vaccine schedule.

I’m not an anti-vaxxer; I never have been. I’m an anti-flu shot guy. I think that’s bullsh*t and I think the fact that it was 23 percent effective this week bears that out. But if Ebola was airborne, I’d get the vaccine tomorrow.”

Robert Rodriguez Says Meeting Dr. Andrew Wakefield Changed Our Lives

We are forever grateful. His wise and measured advice about vaccinations helped us dodge a bullet . . . Our fourth son [had] multiple allergies and repeated infections . . . We now fully realize [he] would have been a victim of immune overload had we followed the regular vaccine schedule . . . [He] is [now] bright and healthy . . . This book provides a terrifying insight into what has been happening behind the scenes as efforts redouble to silence Dr. Wakefield . . . It is a wake-up call to those who think [he] is anything other than a modern day hero fighting for all of our children.”

Conclusion

Most of the celebrities mentioned in this article are not anti-vaccine, but rather pro-safety. Objections to the number of vaccines, or toxic ingredients are more common than objections to the practice of vaccination. Check out How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children.

Further Reading:

• Doctors Against Vaccines – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research
• Scientists Against Vaccines – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research
• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children
• Influenza Vaccine – A Comprehensive Overview of the Potential Dangers and Effectiveness of the Flu Shot
• The MMR Vaccine – A Comprehensive Overview Of the Potential Dangers and Effectiveness
• How Plumbing, Not Vaccines, Eradicated Disease
• Autism and Vaccines: CDC Whistleblower Exposes Vaccine Dangers, Lies, and Cover-ups

Sources:

1. Meet Hollywood’s Anti-Vaxx All-Stars – The Daily Beast
2. Aidan Quinn: Elementary star says you have to learn to live with life’s jokes – The Star.com
3. Kristin Cavallari Defends Anti-Vaccine Stance: “We’re Making the Best Decision for Our Kids” –Us Weekly
4. Celebrities Take a Stand on Vaccination Debate – TWC
5. Central‘Clueless’ actress Alicia Silverstone says parents should skip vaccinations, avoid diapers in new book – National Post
6. Billy Corgan Chimes In On Swine Flu Vaccine Debate – Twenty-Four Bit
7. Charlie to Dr. –I’ll Nickel You to Death – TMZ
8. Donald Trump’s Latest Paranoid Conspiracy Theory: Vaccines Cause Autism – The New Civil Rights Movement, LLC
9. Rob Schneider Demands Answers on CDC MMR Fraud- The Canary Party
10. Actress Mayim Bialik on TV, Science, and the Combo – NPR
11. The Judgment on Vaccines Is In?? – Jim Carry, Huffpost Healthy Living
12. Robert Kennedy Jr.’s belief in autism-vaccine connection, and its political peril – The Washington Post
13. Robert Kennedy Jr. warns of vaccine-linked ‘holocaust’ – The Sacramento Bee
14. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apologizes for ‘holocaust’ remark in speech against California vaccine law – Fox News – Politics
15. Callous Disregard – Andrew Wakefield

Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet.  A whole egg contains all the nutrients required to turn a single cell into a baby chicken.  Pasture-raised eggs are one of the richest sources of bioactive nutrients that enhance hormone function, reduce inflammation, improve fat-burning, and enhance brain function.

Chickens are designed to naturally graze on grass, weeds, worms, and insects.  When they are able to do this, they bioaccumulate omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoid antioxidants and major minerals like magnesium.

It is a great idea to consume pasture-raised, organic eggs. Unless you have an immune sensitivity to them (lab test) or feel tired, have to clear your throat, feel inflamed, etc. than you want to have these as a staple item in your diet.

Eggs Are a Dense Source of Bioactive Compounds

Eggs provide nutrients that help to prevent human health degeneration. One study released in 2005 provided that eggs contain 18 vitamins and minerals, some of which are commonly deficient in the western diet.  Carrots seem to get all the credit for its carotenoid content, but this pigment also gives yolk its yellow/orange color.

Carotenoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that play a role in the central nervous system and are responsible for eye and vision wellness. Carotenoids are required for vitamin A production, assist in neural retina function, and provide protective macular pigment (responsible for field of vision in the center of the eye). Lack of this key nutrient is linked to macular degeneration and cataract formation.  A study published by the Journal of Alzheimers Disease released in 2014 states that a link exists in carotenoid intake and cognitive function observed by Alzheimer’s patients.^1-4

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two types of carotenoids and are an essential dietary component because the body’s tissue does not synthesize these compounds on its own. Specifically, aside from being found in the yolk of eggs, lutein and zeaxanthin are naturally occurring in dark leafy greens.

Providing more reason to not limit egg consumption to egg whites, egg yolk is a source of lecithin, choline, and phosvitin. Lecithin provides cellular support and aids in the secretion of bile, which inhibits the buildup of stones in the bladder. Among metabolism promoting factors, choline is essential for brain development. The choline content alone in egg yolks is one reason why pregnant women supplement their diet with eggs. Phosvitin is a protein that chelates iron ions, or in other words behaves as an antioxidant in the removal of metals, and assists in detoxifying the body. Specifically, phosvitin aids in inhibiting excessive melanin synthesis in skin.^{3, 5}

The choline content alone in egg yolks is one reason why pregnant women supplement their diet with eggs. Phosvitin is a protein that chelates iron ions, or in other words behaves as an antioxidant in the removal of metals, and assists in detoxifying the body. Specifically, phosvitin aids in inhibiting excessive melanin synthesis in skin.^{3, 5}

Eggs Are a Nutritive Powerhouse

Eggs provide a valuable source of protein, especially for individuals with gout because it does not contain purine (3). One entire large egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and is a good source of protein for vegetarians.⁶

Mostly found in the yolk, biotin is a B-complex vitamin that contributes to metabolic pathways by serving as a transport mechanism for vitamins and minerals into eggs during development and makes eggs an excellent source of this nutrient. Also responsible for the vitamin and mineral transportation, riboflavin and iron are two other nutrients found in trace amounts in both egg whites and egg yolks.⁷

Sources:

1. Nolan JM, et al. Macular pigment, visual function, and macular disease among subjects with Alzheimer’s disease: an exploratory study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2014 Jul;42(4):1191-202. PMID: 2502431
2. Shapira N. Not All Eggs Are Created Equal: The Effect on Health Depends on the Composition. Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2011 Mar-Apr;27(2):264. DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2010.11.01
3. Miranda JM, et al. Egg and Egg-Derived Foods: Effects on Human Health and Use as Functional Foods. Nutrients. 2015 Jan;7(1):706-729. DOI: 3390/nu7010706
4. A 2010 Report and Scorecard by The Cornucopia Institute: Scrambled Eggs: Separating Factory Farm Egg Production from Authentic Organic Agriculture  Link Here
5. Iishikawa S, et al. Egg Yolk Phosvitin Inhibits Hydroxyl Radical Formation from the Fenton Reaction. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. 2004 May; 68(6): 1324-1331. DOI: 1271/bbb.68.1324
6.  Berkeley Wellness: The Sunny Side of Eggs
7. White HB, et al. Biotin-binding protein from chicken egg yolk. Assay and relationship to egg-white avidin. Biochem J. 1976 Aug;157(2):395-400. PMCID: 1163865

Stevia is called Kaahe-he, which means sweet herb, by the native Indian tribe in Paraguay that has used this local herb for centuries for everything from a sweetener for teas to an ingredient in medicines. The Japanese were the first to purify stevia extract in the 1970s and have since used stevia in many of their fermented foods. Stevia is now cultivated in several countries including the United States, China, Brazil, and Mexico. It can be purchased in liquid, powder, or tablet form and is found in both food and dental hygiene products.¹

Health Benefits of Stevia

Stevia a natural anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer agent. It contains zero calories, yet it is up to 300 times sweeter than sucrose, which makes it an excellent sugar substitute. This “miraculous Paraguay herb” may be called such because of its therapeutic properties in controlling type-2 diabetes, preventing cancer, aiding in weight control, and improving overall human health. ^2,3

Scientists have identified general health benefits in individuals who consume products derived from stevia. Perhaps the best sweetener on the market, stevia does not appear to have negative health risks associated with consumption as do other sugar alternatives.

While researchers are still working towards identifying how the body utilizes all components contained in stevia, what is understood clearly benefits human health.

Stevia Effectively Breaks Down Sugar and Fat

Some research has found that stevia acts as an anti-hyperglycemic agent, or high blood sugar antagonist, because of its ability to lower glucose levels by up to 35% in healthy individuals and approximately 18% in patients with type-2 diabetes. ²

A 2010 study compared the effects of stevia to other sweetener products. ⁵ Healthy individuals who consumed stevia had significantly lowered postprandial glucose levels compared to those who consumed sucrose. In other words, the body appeared to stabilize blood sugar much more efficiently than traditional table sugar following food intake. Lower insulin levels were also measured in individuals who consumed stevia compared to those who ate aspartame and sucrose.

A 2015 report, yet to be published in Food and Chemical Toxicology, provides greater support that stevia products reduce insulin resistance not only by enhancing insulin secretion but also by improving both glucose metabolism and the breakdown of fat and bile acid which aids in weight control. ⁶

The wave-like effect of repeating spikes in blood glucose followed by a dramatic drop leads to insulin resistance, which causes diabetes. Stevia may therefore be an excellent sugar alternative for individuals with metabolic conditions such as diabetes or hyperglycemia or for those with energy imbalances and problems controlling weight.

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Agent

Some studies have found that the phagocytic function of cells, referred to as cellular eating because a cell will completely engulf and process particles, aids the immune system in protecting the body from potential threats when stevia is consumed. ² Two water-soluble compounds contained in stevia, chlorphylls and xanthophylls, have also been named as the reason why stevia exhibits anti-inflammation and cancer protective properties.

Chlorophylls and xanthophylls have been concluded to not only protect the body from the effects of carcinogens linked to numerous health concerns and disorders, but these components have actually been shown to limit tumor-promoting cell growth. ⁷

Related Reading:

• What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good
• Healing Allergy Inflammation With Stinging Nettle
• Turmeric’s Anti-inflammatory Properties Explained

Sources:

• Kobus-Moryson M, and Gramza-Michałowska A. Directions on the use of stevia leaves (Stevia Rebauidana) as an additive in food products. Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment. 2015 Jan;14 (1), 5-13 DOI 1644-0730
• Salvador RR, Sotelo MH, Paucar LM. Study of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) ad a natural sweetener and its use in health benefit. Scientia Agricultural. 2014 Sep;5(3):157-163. ISSN: 2077-9917
• Chatsudthipong V, and Muanprasat C. Stevioside and related compounds: therapeutic benefits beyond sweetness. Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2009 Jan;121(1):41-54. PMID: 19000919
• Non-Nutritive Sweeteners (Artifical Sweeteners) – American Heart Association
• Anton SD, Martin CK, Han H, et al. Effects of stevia, aspartame, and sucrose on food intake, satiety, and postprandial glucose and insulin levels.Appetite2010;55(1):37-43. PMCID: 2900484
• Holvoet P, et al. Stevia-derived compounds attenuate the toxic effects of ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver of obese mice: A transcriptomic and metabolomics study. Food Chem Toxicol. 2015 Mar;77:22-33. PMID: 25554529
• Lin K-H, Hsu C-Y, Huang Y-P, et al. Chlorophyll-Related Compounds Inhibit Cell Adhesion and Inflammation in Human Aortic Cells. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2013;16(10):886-898. DOI: 1089/jmf.2012.2558

In a nutshell, dietary supplements help us get all the necessary nutrients needed for building lean muscle mass. When combined with a good diet, they can improve your training performance and results. However, there are some big truths and even bigger lies about supplements. While experts agree that vitamin or mineral supplementation is beneficial in our diets, they also point out that they are supplements, not replacements, and that they should fill in the nutrient gaps, not take over our diet.

Secondly, supplements are of little use if you don’t push hard in the gym. The same goes if you are feasting and overeating three times a day. In other words, you should make everything else right before supplements enter the scene. This includes regular training, proper diet, and enough recovery period and sleep.

Dietary Supplements, Supplement Food

Dietary supplements are not designed as a substitute for food. They simply cannot replace all the nutrients that whole foods contain. They can patch nutrient holes here and there, but the true power lies on the plate, not in the powder. There’s no doubt that whole foods are the best source of nutrients, as they contain phytochemicals, fibers, and other elements that contribute to good health. They simply cannot be simulated with a pill or a supplement powder.

Supplements and Health

Supplementation is a great way of boosting nutrients like calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, which modern lifestyle and popular foods often fail to contain. In this case, vitamin and mineral supplements are helping the body alleviate nutrient deficiency and reduce the risk of chronic medical conditions. And while it’s true that you can build a good body based on proper diet like guys did back in the 50, it’s much more time consuming, and it requires regular tours to the supermarket. For bodybuilders, supplements are the more convenient way of ingesting enough muscle-building nutrients.

Fibers

Fiber has many advantages in maintaining normal cholesterol levels. It regulates the amount of cholesterol our body absorbs from food. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes are natural sources of fiber. And while, as always, it’s better to ingest fibers directly from food, you can enhance fiber intake by 25 to 30g of fibers from supplements. Psyllium husk, which is a common ingredient in fiber supplements, is known to reduce the level of bad LDL cholesterol while raising good HDL cholesterol.

Creatine

The role of creatine monohydrate supplements is to boost the creatine level in you muscle tissue. The level of creatine phosphate in muscles is directly related to the amount of weight you can lift and your ability to perform short-term maximum strength reps. High-intensity anaerobic workout performance can be increased by creatine supplementation.

Glutamine

This amino acid makes up over 61% of your skeletal muscle. Its benefits include improving immune function, which is crucial for athletes in high-intensity training. It was also shown that glutamine may prevent muscle catabolism. Glutamine supplements are believed to boost the amount of growth hormone levels.

BCAA

The group of branch chained amino acids consists of valine, leucine, and iso-leucine. These amino acids are compounds that your body cannot generate, so their level must be increased through diet and supplements like casein protein. Not only has BCAA supplementation shown better results in gaining strength and muscle mass, but it is also essential for energy production during workouts, while reducing post-exercise muscle soreness.

Editor’s Note:

Creatine is hard on the kidneys. There’s much debate about this, but it’s a fact. This is why creatine is known to cause flatulence. Do not take creatine if you have any kidney related health issues. Other supplements commonly taken by body builders are typically acidic and toxic to the body, but the supplements mentioned above can be purchased from qaulity companies. I recommend you avoid bodybuilding supplements from body building companies.

Also, when body building, be sure to eat an alkaline diet. No matter how much protein you feel you need, if you’re eating an acidic diet full of refined foods and factory farmed meats, your body will stay sore longer. Speed up recovery time by eating a diet that is balanced with lots of produce and healthy fats. When the body is healthy, bodybuilding is easier and much more beneficial for overall health.

Recommended Supplements:

• Shillington’s Total Nutrition Formula (Perfect source of protein with vitamins and minerals)
• Hemp Protein & Fiber Powder (Additional protein and a great fiber)
• Arctic Cod Liver Oil (Get some vitamin D and omega 3s for better muscle recovery)
• Liquid Light (Mineralize the body and balance the pH while supporting vitamin bioavailability)
• Bio-Gest (For anyone eating large amounts of meat at a time)

Further Reading:

• 80% Raw Food Diet
• Total Nutrition – Make your own Homemade Multivitamin and Mineral Formula
• The Vegan Bodybuilder
• What to Expect When You Hire a Personal Trainer
• Training and Your Heart Rate

Sources:

• Casein Protein Powder – Supplement Empire
• Branched-chain amino acid supplementation does not enhance athletic performance but affects muscle recovery and the immune system  – NCBI
• Health Benefits of Dietary Fiber – NCBI

Guess what? The nice folks charged with taking care of everyone have finally decided we were getting too much fluoride. The U.S. Public Health Service changed our drinking water standards for the first time since 1962.

The previously agreed upon level of fluoride was 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, the amount of fluoride found in a single use of 95% of the toothpastes available on the market in the United States.

Is Fluoride Even Necessary?

Advocates claim that the addition of fluoride to the water supply is the reason for the decline in tooth decay since the 1950s. These same advocates ignore the fact that the same decline in decay rates occurred in all western countries. The majority of European countries that do not use fluoride have seen a 75% reduction in tooth decay over a forty-year period.

Fluoride’s Unsafe History

Where does fluoride come from? Before fluorine gas (the element that fluoride is derived from) was isolated, chemists dealing with it suffered from severe injuries, especially to the soft tissues of the respiratory tract. Manmade fluoride comes from industrial waste, and the FDA hasn’t carefully assessed it.

Forty percent of 12-15-year-olds in America show signs of fluorosis, an overexposure to fluoride that causes white spots on teeth. The deputy surgeon general is citing fluorosis as the main reason for the lowering of the recommended amount of fluoride in drinking water. Unfortunately, that’s not the only reason to reduce and eliminate fluoride in our drinking water.

Harvard scientists decided that the effect of fluoride on the young brain was a high priority topic of study, as several studies have found children’s IQs were reduced by fluoride exposure. It has also been linked to damaged learning and memory centers in the brain.

Fluoride is also toxic for bones, as the chronic ingestion of fluoride has been linked to skeletal fluorosis. It’s clear that the rate of dental damage from fluoride is on the rise, and it makes sense that the same damage is occurring in the skeletal system. There have also been links between fluoride and damage to the kidneys and thyroid.

Say No to Fluoride

With the growing tide of research confirming that fluoride is harming the brain and bones as well as the teeth it’s purportedly designed to help, 0.7 of fluoride per liter of water as the new standard still seems high considering it’s merely the low end of the previous recommendation. The fact that it has taken more than 50 years for the Public Health Service to lower the levels of fluoride in our water in the face of damning evidence shows how unwilling our government is to consider current research.

While the lowering of the recommended amount of fluoride is a step in the right direction, it is not enough. There are things that you can do to take care of and protect yourself even further. Learn about the best water to drink (see links 8 and 2 below) and learn how to make your own fluoride free toothpaste.

Further Reading:

• What’s the Best Water for Detoxifying and For Drinking?
• Symptoms of Dehydration & Benefits of Proper Hydration – Are you Getting Enough Water?
• Why Water Fluoridation Continues, Despite Flying in the Face of Science
• What’s in Your Water?

Sources:

• Feds Say It’s Time To Cut Back On Fluoride In Drinking Water – Shots, Health News from NPR
• Heal Cavities, Gum Disease, Naturally with Organic Oral Care – Toothpaste Recipes Included – Organic Lifestyle Magazine
• Why Water Fluoridation Continues Despite Flying in the Face of Science – Organic Lifestyle Magazine
• Tooth Decay Trends In Fluoridated Vs. Unfluoridated Countries – Fluoride Alert
• Fluorine – Chemistry Explained
• Fluoride & IQ: The 43 Studies – Fluoride Alert
• What are the long-term effects of ingesting fluoride on our bones? – com
• What’s the Best Water for Detoxifying and Drinking? – Organic Lifestyle Magazine

Due to an HIV outbreak among needle users, Indiana governor, Mike Pence, declared a public health emergency for Scott County, a rural area 30 miles north of Louisville. On April 10th, there were 95 confirmed cases of HIV and 11 preliminary positive cases. On May 5^th, the count has risen to 140.

The state has waived its ban on needle exchange programs and is currently encouraging resident drug users to step forward and exchange their needles. Needless to say, few are taking the government up on the offer and critics say the program is not being run according to best practices.Lack of information and misinformation on HIV continues, and infection continues to spread.

Beginning of HIV/AIDS in America

Although it is believed HIV/AIDS started in Africa, AIDS was first identified in the United States. In 1981, a number of young, white men were contracting rare diseases, a rare type of pneumonia (Pneumocystis Pneumonia Carinii) and a rare type of cancer (Kaposi’s Sarcoma). Common denominators included a devastated immune system, opportunistic and rare infections, and a common sexual orientation – the young men were gay. In 1982, cases among heterosexuals were identified, with half of them being confirmed IV drug users. The next identified group were persons with hemophilia who had received blood products.

In 1984, the virus, HIV, was identified as the cause of AIDS. Our government did not launch an AIDS education campaign until 1988. Discrimination is blamed for much of the spread of the disease due to an early attitude of self-righteous belief that the disease would remain limited to gay men and IV drug users, thus eliminating “undesirables” from our society.

By 1986, when a heat treatment was developed to kill HIV in blood products, it is estimated that half of the Americans with hemophilia had already contracted HIV from our blood supply.

HIV Prevalence

Prevalence of a disease is the number of persons living with the disease at any given time. The 2011 estimate of HIV infection in the United States was 1, 201,100 of which 160,300 (14%) were yet to be diagnosed.

Current HIV Infection Stats

Today the CDC reports an estimated 50,000 new cases of HIV infection are diagnosed each year. The latest data was obtained in 2010 with 47,500 new cases that year. Two-thirds of these cases were reported within the gay community. Black/African Americans comprise the second most infected population with 8 times the infection rate of Caucasian Americans.

Gay and bisexual youth, aged 13 to 24, show a 22% increase in estimated new infections from 2008 to 2010, according to the CDC. This age group accounts for 26% of annual new cases. Unfortunately, 50% of these infected youth do not know they are infected. Rates of infection for young black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latino young men are the highest.

Conclusion

Safe sexual practices could eradicate this disease, but this will never happen as long as so many remain uneducated about HIV and how it spreads.

Further Reading:

• How Viruses Work and How to Prevent Them Naturally
• Make Your Immune System Bulletproof with These Natural Remedies

Sources:

• HIV Outbreak in Indiana Tops 100 Cases – NBC News
• History of HIV & AIDS in the U.S.A. – AVERT
• Rural Indiana Struggles to Contend With H.I.V. – Outbreak- N.Y. Times
• HIV Among Youth – CDC

In the spring of 2014, a Bourbon County, Kansas farmer sought hospital treatment. Eleven days later, he died. His symptoms included fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and a rash. Blood work showed thrombocytopenia (reduced platelet count, which inhibits clotting making the patient more susceptible to bleeding) and leukopenia (reduced white blood cell count, inhibiting immune response to the pathogen). The patient said he had been bitten by ticks.

The CDC determined the man suffered from a never before encountered RNA virus of the genus Thogotovirus, viruses that are found around the world. There is no cure for Bourbon virus. There has not yet been another identified case of this virus. Scientists do not know if this virus affects other animals.

Naturally, there is concern about whether there is a new virus spreading from tick to tick and across the animal kingdom that we have little to no treatment for, but we can remain vigilant and take care of ourselves and our pets to lessen the likelihood of exposure.

How to Avoid Tick Bites

The first step to avoid tick bites is vibrant health. Parasitic creatures are more drawn to unhealthy humans (and pets) than truly healthy ones. Part of the attraction is our smell, which is affected by our health, the products we put on our skin, and the foods we eat. Onions and garlic repel pests – both mosquitoes and ticks. And both are very good for you.

Tick Repellent Spray

There are a number of essential oils that repel ticks and mosquitoes as well. Nan Martin of Experience Essential Oils recommends this recipe for dogs and humans:

Tick Spritz Recipe

• 1 cup of Distilled water
• 2 Drops Geranium Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Palo Santo Essential Oil
• 1 Drop Myrrh Essential Oil
• 4 Drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
• 1 Drop Peppermint Essential Oil
• 1 Drop of Thieves Hand Soap or Castile Soap (emollient)

Place in a spray bottle and shake. Spritz when needed

(No cats! Don’t use essential oils on cats!)

Wear long sleeves and long pants in the woods to avoid tick bites. Always check for ticks when you have been in the woods or in bushy areas. If you find an embedded tick, cover it with an undiluted essential oil. This will probably cause the tick to back out.

Anti-Virus Protocol

If you have been bitten by a tick, this is the time to follow the healthiest and cleanest diet. Remember that sugar feeds viruses and bacteria. There are several natural means to boost your immune system. Check out How Viruses Work and How to Prevent Them Naturally and Make Your Immune System Bulletproof With These Natural Remedies.

Sources:

• This Man Died Days After This Red Spot Showed Up. When The Docs Figured Out Why? They Freaked – Sun Gazing
• New Tick-Borne Disease Identified In Kansas Man, Kills Him In 11 Days – Medical Daily 
• Bourbon Virus – CDC
• Tick Repellent – Experience Essential Oils