Glyphosate, the extra secret ingredient in the majority of our food supply, will now have a harder time going incognito. After the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a criticism of the FDA and the USDA’s current herbicide monitoring practices, the FDA, the highest food safety administration in the land, announced they have finally developed a “streamlined method” designed for testing foods like corn and soy for glyphosate, the active ingredient in the world’s most popular herbicide, Roundup.

Roundup use has been on the rise since its introduction in 1974, and the amount of glyphosate residue considered “safe” has ballooned by a factor of 17. The EPA allows fifty times more glyphosate to be sprayed on corn now than they allowed in 1995. Continued claims that Roundup is safe, though it was recently labeled a possible human carcinogen by the World Health Organization, and claims that residue levels are of no concern, though the FDA wasn’t even testing glyphosate residue levels on crops, has further tarnished the reputations of the EPA, the USDA, and the FDA. 

Reasons or Excuses?

It’s kind of crazy that the FDA, the organization tasked with monitoring herbicides, has not been testing for the world’s most used herbicide. It’s like getting an STD test at a clinic and not testing for syphilis. The FDA cites the cost of testing as the reason for excluding glyphosate from their testing. Adding glyphosate testing to six of the FDA’s facilities has an estimated cost of 5 million. Monsanto makes 5 billion dollars a year in revenue from glyphosate while also supplying the FDA with some of the highest ranking individuals working there. Is it too far of a stretch to wonder if neglecting to test for Roundup residue was really an issue of cost?  Or was it an excuse to allow one of the largest corporations to keep selling massive amounts of a substance increasingly recognized as detrimental to human health?

Living in the Now

The study by the WHO that identified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic” has been a game changer. It’s possible we wouldn’t know about the lack of reliable glyphosate testing without that study, as the GAO report criticizing the FDA’s lax practices was actually released in 2014. While that timeline definitely fits, there are also other factors prompting this announcement from the FDA.

Independent testing companies like Abraxis and MIcrobe have seen an uptick in requests for glyphosate testing after the WHO study was published. Small companies, advocate groups, and doctors are among the customers asking for this information more than ever before. Test requests at some labs have increased from a few a year to a few a week, indicating that food transparency is a rising interest. Test results showed glyphosate residues in a variety of products from honey to soy sauce to infant formula.

Keep the Ball Rolling

Here’s the good news: public pressure can produce results. We still don’t know the extent to which herbicides like glyphosate can affect our health,  but we’ll never know without proper study of all available information. The push for food transparency is on its way to making a big difference in our health and our quality of life.

Related Articles:

• MIT Researcher Reveals the Correlation Between Monsanto’s Roundup and Autism
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Understanding and Detoxifying Genetically Modified Foods
• Glyphosate Drenched Crops
• Scientists Against GMOs – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research

Sources:

• FDA to Start Testing For Glyphosate in Food – Civil Eats
• Fears Over Roundup Residue Prompt Private Testing – Reuters
• The FDA Will Began Testing Food For Glyphosate, the Most Heavily Used Farm Chemical Ever – Newsweek

It is no surprise that conventional doctors and alternative practitioners do not tend to see eye-to-eye on the subject of food allergies. While conventional medical doctors acknowledge type 1hypersensitivity reactions (immediate reactions), there is little belief in delayed, hidden, or unrecognized allergic reactions and the role they play in acute and chronic medical conditions.

Alternative health care practitioners are more likely to understand the role of hidden allergies – how they impact the immune system and the gut and how addressing and eliminating these food sensitivities are essential to restoring health. Undetected food allergies are often related to recurrent infections, autoimmune diseases, diseases of the bowel, and ADHD. The book, Nutritional Medicine, lists more than 80 food allergy related conditions and diseases.

Reactions can occur hours or days after ingesting an allergen and they may not occur every time the food is ingested, making the identification of offending foods difficult to impossible, especially when several foods are at fault. Since medical testing for food allergies works well for 1 hypersensitivity allergens but is inconclusive for hidden allergens, the only way to identify hidden food allergies is through a well-planned and executed elimination diet.

Before You Start Your Elimination Diet

First make a list of every symptom you have from the top of your head to your toes. List every ache and pain, every rash, every digestive symptom, etc. It doesn’t hurt to rate severity, too.

How To Do an Elimination Diet

A thorough elimination diet generally excludes the following:

• All known allergens
• All milk products including cheese, butter, yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, etc.
• All corn and corn products including corn oil and high fructose corn syrup
• All artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives
• Chocolate
• Refined sugar
• Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines)
• Wheat
• Soy
• Eggs
• Coffee and tea
• Alcohol
• Any food that is eaten 3 times a week or more
• Tap Water (Drink pure spring water or distilled water from safe containers)

Care must be taken if eating any processed foods. Read the label carefully to be sure the product does not have any ingredients on the elimination list.

While the list above may work well for an elimination diet, we recommend taking the elimination diet a few steps further.

• Eat only organic foods. You may be reacting to pesticide residues.
• For the duration of the elimination diet (which is hopefully followed by a healing diet) eliminate all processed foods.
• Eliminate gluten (wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, triticale)
• Eliminate all sugars
• Eliminate nuts and seeds
• Eliminate trans fats, artificial sweeteners, MSG, and GMO foods

So what do you eat? Plenty of fresh, raw, organic fruits and veggies (except for corn and citrus fruits); meat if you desire (but be sure it is organic); rice, gluten-free oats, and other gluten-free grains;  organic oils (not corn); and organic beans.

If you experience severe withdrawals the first few days of the diet, vitamin C may help. Try taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C up to four times a day.

Before You Reintroduce Foods

After 2-3 weeks, if hidden food allergies were a problem, you should be feeling much better. Before you begin challenging your body with foods that were eliminated from your diet, go over your symptom list and circle every symptom that is no longer present and rate the severity of those that remain.

Now you want to reintroduce one food at a time to see which foods provoke symptoms. It helps to keep a detailed food diary at this point.

How To Reintroduce Foods

Reintroduce one eliminated food at a time (one a day) to check for a reaction. Make a note in your food diary as to whether or not there was any reaction and what the reaction entailed. If there was no reaction at breakfast, challenge yourself with the food again at lunch. If there was no reaction at lunch, challenge again at dinner. Whether you reacted or not, eliminate the food again and test the next food on your list the following day. Reactions include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Cramps or stomach ache
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Rash
• Dark circles under the eyes
• And any symptom that has reappeared from your list

Some foods require special testing.

• Eggs – Hard boil the eggs. Test with egg whites one day and egg yolks another day.
• Dairy – Test milk, kefir, yogurt, and butter on the same day. Test individual cheeses one day at a time.
• Citrus fruits – test each one on a separate day. Lemon and lime juice can be added to water. For the other citrus fruits, eat whole fresh fruit.
• Corn – be sure you test with organic corn on the cob or frozen organic corn.

If you experience joint pain that is relieved through the elimination diet, challenge with a possible allergen (a food you have removed from your diet) every other day, instead of each day, as it may take up to 48 hours for joint pain to appear. Other reactions generally appear within ten minutes to 12 hours.

While identifying and eliminating allergens from your diet is an essential step towards regaining your health, it is more important to heal the gut and permanently remove unhealthy foods from your diet.

Foods To Eliminate For Good

So first, there is no reason to ever reintroduce artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, MSG, GMOs, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, or refined sugar back into your diet.

A Truly Healthy Diet

A healthy diet consists of 80% fresh, raw, organic produce. If you eat meat and dairy, it should also be organic. If you have any chronic health problems, especially any autoimmune disease, you probably suffer from a permeable gut, often called leaky gut syndrome. It would be wise to learn all you can about healing the gut, reducing Candida in your system, and increasing the good bacteria.

Heal the Gut to Eliminate Allergies

When you heal the gut and continue to eat a healthy diet, food allergies to dissipate, even severe allergies that have caused anaphylactic reactions in the past. It is also not unusual for someone who has eradicated their food sensitivities to find their allergies surface once again after just a day or two of eating refined sugar or drinking alcohol, which promotes Candida, inflames the gut, and causes allergies. If food allergies are potentially a result of vaccine damage, check out the leaky gut article below and How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children. Be sure to check out all of the following articles for more on eliminating allergies permanently.

Recommended Reading:

• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Allergy Free in Five Days (foods, dander, dust, seasonal, etc.)
• 80% Raw Food Diet

Sources:

• Nutritional Medicine by Alan R. Gaby, M.D.
• The Simple Elimination Diet That Could Change Your Life Forever – Mind Body Green

That old saying, “Big things come in small packages,” can certainly refer to the adrenals, the endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys. These tiny powerhouses are responsible for a myriad of functions within the body, including the production of hormones, some of which are essential for survival. The adrenals are well-known for their function in how the body responds to stress, but their lesser known functions are also involved in the regulation of blood pressure, the secretion of sex hormones, and immune response. Understanding a little about how the adrenals work can bring a greater understanding of why these tiny glands can be at the root of seemingly unrelated health conditions such as allergies, asthma, and reproductive imbalances.

Each adrenal gland has two distinct parts, each responsible for secreting specific hormones vital to life or wellbeing. The cortex comprises the outer portion of the gland and produces the hormones hydrocortisone (cortisol), corticosterone, aldosterone, and small amounts of sex hormones. Cortisol plays a critical role in metabolism, cardiovascular function, and blood pressure while its sidekick corticosterone is the VIP hormone that is responsible for healthy immune response and inhibiting inflammation. Aldosterone handles the body’s levels of water and sodium; thus, it is critical for the minute-to-minute regulation of blood pressure. Unlike the adrenal cortex, the medulla or inner portion of the adrenal gland secretes the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. We can live without them, but when they are disrupted or impaired, quality of life and well-being are compromised, for they play an important role in how we handle life’s stresses and can affect blood sugar levels as well as blood pressure.

The Body’s Foundation for Good Health and Homeostasis

In conventional medicine, serious disorders including Addison’s Disease, Cushing’s Syndrome, and other diseases of the adrenal cortex are most readily recognized and treated, but imbalances within both the cortex and medulla can slip between the cracks. From the holistic view of things, both portions of the adrenal glands and all of their hormones are taken into account in order to get a bigger picture of what is going on in the body when it comes to depression, anxiety disorders, female hormone imbalance (including PMS), and menopausal havoc. The superficial symptoms of adrenal-rooted illnesses are too often treated with pharmaceutical medications, so the primary cause is never addressed, and a lifetime of suffering can result.

The average individual in our modern times steps on an ambition-fueled treadmill that begins in childhood. Gone are the days when our bodies lived in harmony with the natural cycles of seasons and light. Modern convenience and technological wonders have enabled us to burn the candle at both ends, and despite the fact that most of us claim to enjoy it, our core ability to fight disease has been severely compromised. Epidemic conditions such as chronic allergies, food and environmental sensitivity, asthma, diabetes, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia were considered rare just a few decades ago. Allopathic and alternative medicine offer many approaches, but according to cutting-edge, holistic-minded medical doctors, resolution will be nowhere in sight as long as the role of adrenal function is ignored.

Adrenal imbalance can manifest as, or play a role in, low immunity, insomnia, infertility, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, pain syndromes, PTSD, eating disorders, and failure to recover from or conquer addiction. The adrenals may be small and misunderstood, but in essence, there is no quality of life if they are not functioning properly. We must provide them adequate nutrition along with any needed lifestyle changes, supplements, and alternative modalities such as bodywork and clinical aromatherapy. Prolonged physical, mental, and/or emotional stress, lack of rest, poor diet, antibiotics, and continual stimulation of the nervous system via electronics contribute to adrenal compromise. Some people are born with adrenal weakness while others acquire it through life circumstances. Most of us, no matter how health-conscious, are susceptible, but there are many ways we can help the body to restore core vitality and balance. Here are some wonderful ways:

Herbal Allies for Adrenal Support

Due to medication contraindications and other factors, please consult your health care practitioner before taking herbal supplements.

There are many herbal formulas on the market that are purported to boost energy by stimulating the adrenals, but nothing could be more detrimental to compromised adrenal function. Herbs that nourish the glands and support the parasympathetic nervous system can be highly beneficial for regaining the balance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (hpa).

American White Ginseng

American white ginseng is an excellent herb to support the body’s endocrine system during times of stress. It also promotes healthy immunity and resilience after illness, as it provides nourishment to the adrenals and sex glands. Considered gentler than Korean ginseng, American white is recommended for adrenal exhaustion and non-diabetic hypoglycemia.

Korean Ginseng

Korean ginseng is an age-old herb that is considered a tonic for the body and an elixir for longevity. It is excellent for improved stamina and balanced hormones, and it is recommended for both men and women.

Tip: Be sure your source of Korean ginseng is authentic. If the product seems inexpensive, its integrity is usually compromised.

Damiana

Fragrant and calming, damiana is nourishing to the adrenals and the reproductive system. It is excellent for frayed nerves, low libido, menopausal and perimenopausal discomfort, and hormonal-based anxiety.

Tip: Damiana can be combined with licorice for adrenal support.

White Willow Bark

White Willow Bark is an excellent herb for pain reduction and overall adrenal support. It works best when brewed into a tea.

Caution: Do not use white willow bark is you are allergic to aspirin. Check with your doctor if you are taking blood thinners.

Licorice Root

This sweet root supports the adrenal cortex, which in turn, helps the body regulate and utilize cortisol. It also helps the body’s production of DHEA, a hormone that helps the body respond to stress. It is an excellent herb for the nourishment of tired adrenal glands, especially when combined with other herbs such as ginsengs, juniper berries, or damiana. It can also be very useful for asthmatic or allergic conditions and is excellent for lung support.

Caution: Avoid licorice if you have high blood pressure and check with your physician if you are taking blood pressure medicine.

Juniper Berries

These small, purple-black berries from the evergreen shrub support adrenal function, boost immune response and help the organs eliminate toxins. They work especially well when combined with damiana for adrenal health.

Maca

Maca root balances the endocrine system and is especially beneficial to the adrenals and reproductive system. It is wonderful when added to a morning health shake.

Kava Kava

Kava kava root stimulates the production of various neurotransmitters, chemicals that work hand in hand with hormones in the body. It is an excellent herb for anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, mental agitation, and adrenal function.

Tip: Be sure to purchase kava kava from a reputable source for product quality.

Caution: Do not take with alcohol, medications, or antidepressants. Do not take if you have liver or kidney disease.

Lavender Flowers

Beautifully fragrant lavender helps the body maintain equilibrium and is unsurpassed during times of stress. It helps the body to find balance and is beneficial for adrenal support, blood sugar regulation, neurotransmitter production, and overall nervous system homeostasis. It is helpful for insomnia, low immunity, allergies, and muscle tension.

Tip: Lavender is available in bulk form and can be made into a lovely tea. Be sure to purchase non-sprayed/organic flowers.

Helpful Vitamin Supplements for Adrenal Health

Pantothenic Acid

Pantothenic Acid, also known as B-5, is essential for adrenal support and is highly useful for illness and addiction recovery, times of stress, and lack of energy. B-5 works hand in hand with other B vitamins, especially biotin.

Vitamin B Complex

B complex is the body’s ally for better adrenal and nervous system health as well as healthy immunity and overall endocrine function.

Tip: Look for a formula that has a balance of all B vitamins in equal ratios (50-100 mg.)

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids

Like B vitamins, vitamin C is crucial in healthy adrenal and immune function. The adrenals use more vitamin C than any other organ and use it to release hormones. During times of stress, vitamin C is used up in the body at an alarming rate.

Essential Oils and Clinical Aromatherapy

Black Spruce Essential Oil

Blue spruce essential oil is recommended during times of prolonged stress because it decreases excessive cortisol, a stress hormone secreted by the adrenals.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the evening before bed. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops in Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Balsam Fir Essential Oil

Balsam Fir Essential Oil brings equilibrium to the endocrine and nervous systems. It is an excellent choice after a long work day or stressful conditions.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the morning and evening before bed. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Pine Needle Essential Oil and Pine Bark Essential Oil

Pine needle and pine bark essential oils help the adrenals and nervous system restore core vitality and life force.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops in Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Juniper Berry Essential Oil

Juniper Berry Essential Oil is invigorating and nourishing to the adrenals, lungs, and immune system. It is excellent for afternoon slumps and hard-to-get-going mornings.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the morning or early evening. Inhaling this oil will help restore energy. It can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops in Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Geranium Essential Oil

Unsurpassed for adrenal support and female hormone balance, geranium essential oil helps the body find equilibrium and supports immunity. It is excellent for PMS, perimenopause, menopause, and adrenal fatigue during hormonal shifts.

Application: Apply 2-3 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily. It can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is the go-to essential oil for balancing the body, restoring the nervous system, and endocrine support.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the evening before bed. It can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense is an overall balancer for the endocrine system that is especially effective for imbalances of the pituitary, adrenals, and nervous system. It is unsurpassed for adrenal exhaustion and related disorders of the nervous system and highly useful for chronic anxiety, panic attacks, certain forms of depression, and insomnia.

Application: Apply 2 drops of undiluted essential oil to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the morning and evening before bed. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Yland ylang regulates adrenaline and balances the body during stress and after a fight-or-flight response. It also supports the female reproductive system.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the evening before bed. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt. Place a drop on the hand and inhale for immediate calm to frayed nerves and a racing heart due to anxiety and to regain equilibrium during or after a panic attack. Ylang ylang can also be combined with neroli essential oil for this purpose.

Lifestyle Changes

Unplug

Unplugging from computer screens, devices, phones, television, and overall electronic distraction for periods of time can have a tremendously positive impact on our overall health. Cortisol levels soar when we are engaged in these activities, especially in the evening.

Remove devices from the bedroom; turn off cell phones during meals. Try to eliminate excuses for not taking time away from electronic devices so the body, namely the brain, can have some down time. Only then can the adrenals restore vitality and the nervous system kick into parasympathetic mode- the mode that turns off stress hormones, encourages healthy digestion, and promotes better sleep.

Get More Sleep and Rest

Take a cat nap. Go to bed an hour earlier each night. Close your eyes for ten minutes. Look into adrenal support if you suffer from insomnia. The body only heals during REM sleep, and without it, adrenal function is severely impaired and remains so. All the vitamins, supplements, meditation, yoga, and good food in the world cannot do us much good until the body receives adequate rest and sleep. Shifting priorities is essential.

Avoid Conflict and Agitation

Most adrenal-aware doctors agree that emotional stress is a major factor in adrenal exhaustion, and until we change our responses or eliminate the problem entirely, the adrenals cannot recover. Sometimes choices in our lives must be aligned with our higher good. Self-preservation is not selfishness.

Play and Make Time for Pleasure

Playing and seeking healthy pleasure signal the body to step out of the fight-or-flight stress mode. Enjoyable, non-competitive games, activities, and hobbies contribute to our body’s long-term good health.

Conclusion

The adrenals can determine our quality of life, so it is to our benefit that we remember to take care of these precious glands. If we don’t put our health and emotional needs on the to-do list, the adrenals will certainly be our tough teachers who show us what we need to do to get back in alignment. Life is meant to be more than survival, accomplishment, and getting ahead. Our adrenals remind us that joy, pleasure, rest, and calm are not only the best medicine the doctor can order but our reason for being here. Be well!

For more information check out The Adrenal Fatigue Center.

OLM Recommended Reading:

• Natural Remedies for Adrenal Fatigue
• Understanding Stress, Chronic Stress, and Adrenal Fatigue
• Hypothyroidism – Natural Remedies, Causes, and How To Heal the Thyroid
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good

Sources:

• Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome by James L. Wilson
• Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome: Reclaim your Energy and Vitality with Clinically Proven Natural Programs by Michael Lam
• Chronic Fatigue Unmasked: What You and Your Doctor Should Know About the Adrenal Syndrome, Today’s Most Misunderstood, Mistreated and Ignored Health by Gerald Poesnecker
• The Edge Effect: Achieve Total Health and Longevity with the Balanced Brain Advantage by Eric R. Braverman
• Tired of Being Tired: Rescue, Repair, Rejuvenate by Jesse Lynn Hanley
• Multidimensional Aromatherapy by Marlaina Donato

Foria, a California company, has found a way to combine two of this today’s biggest issues -women’s rights and marijuana – into one tiny item: a suppository.

Oddly enough, the meeting of these issues has resulted in a treatment that’s better than ibuprofen for PMS and menstrual discomfort. The suppository, marketed under the name Relief, consists of organic and biodynamic THC and CBD (the active cannabinoids in the product) and organic cocoa butter. THC and CBD have been chosen for their ability to relax the nerve endings in the pelvis and surrounding areas while blocking out pain and soothing inflammation. The jury is out on whether Foria’s product is able to regulate hormones to the point that PMS is alleviated permanently, but women looking for an alternative to damaging ibuprofen, antidepressants, or synthetic hormones could do worse than use the THC and CBD in Foria’s suppositories for cramps, mood swings, and other menstruation issues.

Why You Can

Long-term use of antidepressants and pharmaceuticals with synthetic hormones impedes the body’s ability to produce its own hormones, and prolonged use of ibuprofen can cause kidney and liver damage. Herbal remedies like chaste tree berry, cohosh, dandelion root, and wild yam have been shown to relieve PMS symptoms.

Marijuana’s primary PMS relief comes from its status as an antispasmodic, muscle relaxant, and anti-anxiety substance. Foria’s Relief has found that these qualities result in a significant reduction in cramps and other menstruation issues. In contrast to conventional PMS relievers, the amount of cannabis used in Foria’s Relief is not enough to disrupt estrogen levels.

Why You Can’t

Sounds like it’s worth a try, doesn’t it? But here’s the bad news: you can’t get it unless you live in Colorado or California. There’s also the issue of price and it’s not clear how long the suppository works. At 11 dollars for each one, they have the potential to be rather expensive. There is also the issue of drug tests. While medical marijuana is legal is CA and all marijuana is legal in CO, people working jobs that require negative drug tests will have to be careful about their usage.

The Messy Details

Foria is in a unique position with this product – a new frontier, if you will, in marijuana medication. Inserting medications rather than ingesting them has the potential for its own problems, although the company is being transparent with their growing process and quality controls. Not everyone can afford or attain this product. But this is an interesting development in using marijuana as medicine, and with the current flux state of marijuana policy, it pays to be prepared.

Recommended Reading:

• Recent Twin Studies Show Marijuana Is Not Responsible For Adolescent Cognitive Decline
• Marijuana Laws by State
• Mental Health, Physical Health & B Vitamins – Nature’s Valium
• Smoking Marijuana to Cure Cancer
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• Understand Hypothyroidism – Prevention and Natural Remedies
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases

Sources:

• Cannabis Suppositories Actually Exist and They’ll Cure Your Cramps and Pain – Green Rush Daily
• Frequently Asked Questions – Foria
• Marijuana Laws By State – Organic Lifestyle Magazine

In an ideal world, every professional to whom we trusted our safety or wellbeing would be brilliant and infallible.  They’d never have a bad day, make a careless error, or put us at risk in any way. But in reality, even the most qualified and experienced medical professionals make mistakes. And unfortunately, some of these slip-ups can put lives in danger.

In fact, one study (link below) showed that each year, between 210,000 and 440,000 patient deaths occur due to preventable hospital or doctor errors.  This fact is not meant to alarm you or convince you to lose faith in doctors, but to help you understand that it’s important to do everything in your power to make sure that these dangerous mistakes don’t happen to you.

1.  Check Background

The first step to ensuring that you get the best possible medical care  is to do your homework on the hospitals and doctors you choose, particularly if surgery is involved. You can start online, but keep in mind that there isn’t one master database out there that lets you see everything about a given doctor’s background.

Visit your state’s medical board website to find information like medical license status, education, certifications, legal and disciplinary actions.  Next, head to the Federation of State Medical Boards’ Doc Info site, where you can pay $10 for the full profile of a doctor practicing in any state. Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for doctors to be sued, so finding a record of legal action taken against your doctor isn’t necessarily a red flag since many are thrown out or won by the doctor.  If you see several records of legal action, however, you should do some more digging online to find news stories that can provide more information.

Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for doctors to be sued, so finding a record of legal action taken against your doctor isn’t necessarily a red flag since many are thrown out or won by the doctor.  If you see several records of legal action, however, you should do some more digging online to find news stories that can provide more information.

It’s also important to research the hospital where you’ll be treated, as many grave mistakes are not the fault of one physician but a facility’s flawed system that doesn’t have enough checks in place to prevent wrongdoing.

2.  Tell Everyone Who You Are

You may feel silly doing so, but you should get in the habit of repeating your full name, birthdate and the procedure you’re having done to each and every technician, nurse and doctor with whom you interact.  Many errors are caused by a simple mix-up related to these critical details.

3.  Confirm Your Identity

According to the American Hospital Association, your hospital staff should always use at least 2 different ways to confirm your identity. So in addition to asking you to state your name and date of birth, request that they check your bracelet to be sure that you are the person who is supposed to be where you are before any action is taken. If there is a barcode on your bracelet, this should also be scanned electronically. On that note, the first thing to do when your bracelet is put on is to confirm that all information on it is correct.

4.  Request Chart Checks

A nurse, doctor, or technician confirming your procedure is not enough – just because they state the right procedure doesn’t mean that correct information is reflected in your chart. So, be sure to also ask that they confirm the procedure details in your chart every step of the way.

5.  Ask the Surgeon for Marking

Prior to a surgical procedure, it’s common for patients to be asked to mark the surgical site on their own bodies. But this doesn’t guarantee that the surgeon will know about that marking unless he or she is in the room with you when it occurs. So, don’t make any markings without your surgeon present.

All of this may sound like overkill or paranoid behavior, but the fact is that many major medical errors can be traced back to mistakes made during these processes. In 1995, for example, Willie King of Tampa woke from surgery to discover that the wrong leg had been amputated. What led to this horrific mistake was the fact that several documents cited the incorrect leg, which was also the one prepped for surgery. This may have been prevented had he been more involved in pre-operation procedures.

6.  Forget Politeness

One of the most important ways to reduce the likelihood of mistakes being made in your treatment is for you to stop worrying about being polite. If a hospital staff member gets your name almost right when they ask you to confirm your identity, correct them. If your name is Anna Smith and the nurse says, “Annie Smith,” it could be because there is another patient being treated named Annie Smith, and if you don’t speak up, you might end up undergoing the wrong procedure.

If there’s ever even the smallest indication that something is wrong, stop everything and refuse to go further until it’s sorted out. At worst, you might feel a little embarrassed for making a fuss, and at best, you avoid being the victim of a mix-up that could mean serious injury or your life.

7.  Bring Support

Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a friend or family member with you to be another set of eyes and ears making sure that everything is as it should be.  There are times when you may be unconscious, in pain, or disoriented and having an advocate there could mean all the difference.

We, as patients, cannot control everything that happens to us when we’re in a doctor’s or hospital’s care.  But the good news is that we’re not powerless in the process either. By being vigilant and attentive to everything that goes on, you can help prevent becoming the victim of medical malpractice.

Recommended Reading:

• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Besieged by Guilt: Ex-Pharmaceutical Employees Speak Out …
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• Make Your Immune System Bulletproof with These Natural Remedies
• 12 Things We’d Say about Health If It Weren’t for Lawsuits
• Doctors Against Vaccines – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research

Sources:

• A New, Evidence-based Estimate of Patient Harms Associated with Hospital Care – Journal of Patient Safety
• Links to State Medical Boards – AMA
• Physician Data Center – Federation of State Medical Boards

Do you eat soy? Drink it? Supplement with it? Does the debate going on about the pros and cons of this now common legume concern you?

In the West, soy is no longer just for vegetarians or the health conscious. Meat eaters are also getting a dose, albeit second hand, as in fact some 98% of soy protein meal is used as feed for livestock. The animals eaten are likely to have been subsisting on soy themselves! Soy has made its way into popularised gluten-free products, and various health claims as to its prostate protecting, cardioprotective, and hormone balancing see it an ever-increasing commodity in the shopping basket.

Data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (2003) indicates that in most European and North American countries soy protein consumption is under 1 gram (g) per day; however, particular subgroups (vegans, vegetarians, and infants on soy-based formula for example) have higher rates of consumption. Many Asian countries consume much more soy protein per capita; most notably the Japanese at 8.7 g; Koreans, 6.2–9.6 g; and Indonesians, 7.4 g. The notably reduced rates of reproductive cancers and osteoporosis in these countries were originally hailed as evidence that soy properties (in particular the hormone-mimicking isoflavones in soy) are health promoting, anti-cancer agents. The increased incidence of other diseases such as cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, and thyroid disease seem to be forgotten in this dialogue. The high salt content of many of the traditional Asian soy foods may be in part to blame for these increased cancer risks. There is much more to the soy story than just the marketing hype.

Traditional Asian diets include soy in whole food preparations such as edamame (whole soybeans), miso, tofu, tempeh, nato, and soy flour. Many of the traditional soy products are fermented – a process that can reduce and eliminate some of the undesirable qualities from soy including endocrine disrupters, enzyme inhibitors and other antinutrients like phytic acid (a potent mineral absorption blocker) and enzymes that lead to trypsin inhibition (trypsin is an important digestive secretion).

In Europe and America, there is an ever-increasing trend towards using soy as animal feed, as a replacement for other foodstuffs, and as a “bonus” health ingredient added to products such as bread. In the West, soy is generally consumed  in a highly processed form: soy protein isolate (SPI).

SPI is a highly processed product and is the key ingredient in most soy foods that are designed for their palatability in the Western diet. SPI is used to imitate meat and dairy products. Textured vegetable protein (TVP) is found in the vegetarian option or low-cholesterol products (sausages/burgers etc.) and sold on its own is also made from SPI. SPI is in soy baby formulas. The isolate is also utilised for various protein fortified foods, for supplements, and for protein and meal replacement shakes.

As SPI is not fermented, a number of other processing steps must be taken to remove unwanted properties. The process is highly chemical, leaching aluminium into the product from processing vats, denaturing proteins in the  heat treatment, and  introducing the development of further unwanted chemicals such as the carcinogen lysinoalanine (in alkaline processing).

Since the 1970s, soy lecithin has been widely used in food manufacturing as an emulsifier and sold in health food shops as a food supplement. The recent call for fewer trans fatty acids has resulted in a reduction in the use of partially hydrogenated soybean oil; however, soy protein ingredients play functional roles in baked goods, processed meats, and other products. Soy ingredients are also used to add nutrition to processed foods. If you are eating something packaged right now, take a look at the label!

On top of the concern that soy may not be entitled to its proclaimed status as a health food, the more sinister side to soy is the relationship between soy and disease. Soy is considered a goitrogen and is thus linked to reduced thyroid function. Suspected health threats from soy intake range from the mild – hypothyroid patients may need to increase their thyroxine medication, to the extreme – soy causes thyroid disease, various cancers, and serious hormonal issues in both male and female consumers.

In the USA and other major production countries, the vast majority of soy is genetically modified (GMO). In the EU, GMO products are required to be labelled as such (this is not a requirement in the US), but there is increasing concern about GMO contamination of non-GMO crops and the insidious infiltration of GMO (and other hazards) into the globalised food manufacture chain.  We are ever more likely to be eating foodstuff such as soy in a way nature never intended. The safety of GMO produce is a long way from being confirmed. many scientists agreeing that is a dangerous gamble with unpredictable health consequences.

So should we be eating soy?  A recent (2015) research project from the University of Illinois looks to have provided a key to unlocking the conflicting evidence. Researchers studying genes, soy, and breast cancer found that the compounds in minimally processed soy flour stimulate genes that suppress cancer, whilst highly processed soy isoflavones stimulate oncogenes that promote tumor growth. Genistein, the controversial dominant isoflavone in soy, was equally present in both diets used in the animal experiment. The purified isoflavones also negatively affected immune function, whereas soy flour had a positive impact on immunity. This finding supports the hypothesis that it is the synergistic action of properties in whole soy that confer health benefits, whereas highly processed isoflavones have the potential to produce the opposite effect.

The message at this stage is what we will always fall back to: eat as close to nature as possible. GMO foods have no place at our table. Highly processed anything is unlikely to be health promoting. If you couldn’t make it in your own kitchen, you probably shouldn’t be eating it! Moderate servings of traditionally prepared foods, provided you have good thyroid health and are not allergic (soy is a major allergen), may confer health benefits, but SPI is to be avoided.

Author

Gemma Hurditch is a Naturopath and a Bachelor of Health Science in Complementary Medicine.  She lectures at CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine) in the UK.

Recommended Reading:

• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children
• The Power of Our Hormones and How To Balance Them
• Understand Hypothyroidism – Prevention and Natural Remedies

You have probably heard the good, old mantra – it is not food that is making you fat, it is the chronic lack of physical activity. In some cases, the adage is true: you cannot expect to lose weight unless you get up and start working out. Unfortunately, tough trainings alone will not get you far on your slimming path because excess weight and obesity cannot be always pegged on sedentary lifestyle alone. Hormones, diet, gender, age, genes, and certain medical conditions also play an important role when it comes to the figures on the scale, and there are numerous science-based facts to support this.

Health Issues and Medications Can Trigger Obesity

Although scientists have not yet figured out all of the complex connections between body mass and hormones, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was found to be a factor in obesity and chronic weight issues. Around 50% of women diagnosed with PCOS are either overweight or obese, and some studies show that 70% of them suffer from insulin resistance, a condition that also contributes to weight gain. Other health issues hiding behind the obesity label include Cushing’s disease (a condition characterized by the excess production of cortisol in the adrenal glands) and hypothyroidism (an insufficient production of the thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands). Depression and disruption of sleep cycles can also fuel an existing weight problem, but medications used to remedy them do not always promise hope. In fact, some drugs can even trigger weight gain.

Certain Medications Can Contribute to Weight Gain

The list of medications linked to unwarranted weight gain and obesity includes certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, oral contraceptives, a few diabetes and high blood pressure medications, and most corticosteroids. This is bad news for both patients with chronic disorders and the pharmaceutical industry, but it is true: treating one problem can impact the development of another health issue, especially in terms of body mass. In these cases, physical activity can promote weight loss, but trainings alone will not be an effective remedy for obese and overweight persons whose primary cause of body mass problems is concealed behind pharmaceutical products and not just a sedentary lifestyle and an improper diet.

No Amount of Physical Activity Can Burn Thousands of Calories

We all know that habitual consumption of starchy foods, sweets, and too much trans fat inevitably shows in the belly area – but workouts are not a sufficient lifestyle change to reduce waistline inches. Do not fool yourself. According to the simple laws of physics, the more empty calories you eat, the chunkier you will be, and no amount of training will produce a visible effect without long-term dietary adjustments. Our bodies are intelligent mechanisms; they use fuel obtained through food for everyday activities, and store extra calories as fat for a rainy (i.e. foodless) day. This means that overweight and obese people (those of us with more than 20% weight than is considered ideal for our build, age, and gender) have surplus energy accumulated as fat, and they need to burn it off. Admittedly, you cannot starve for days and weeks on end so that your body could shed all the built-up fat – but what you can do is watch your daily calorie intake and swap foods that promote weight gain for figure-friendly alternatives. Of course, an odd cheat day is okay as it can help keep leptin levels and your dieting motivation in check, but bear in mind that cheat days occur usually once a week, not every time you feel sad, lonely, or bored.

Heredity Is a Force to Be Reckoned With

Some people use genetics as an excuse to justify their extra pounds, but heredity is not just a phrase to be thrown around lightly. Although their share in the total obesity count is relatively limited, certain hereditary conditions such as Prader-Willi syndrome can in fact be a major stumbling block on the quest for a lean figure. Certain studies note that heritability estimates for corpulence are surprisingly high (typically >0.70), as four genes in the human DNA (MC4R, PCSK1, POMC and BDNF) are responsible for monogenic and polygenic obesity. In addition to that, defects in eight genes have been linked to appetite regulation disorders, and there are also scientific studies that argue weight and body shape can be influenced by as many as 97 different gene variants. Although training can help with the fat-to-muscle ratio, certain genetic factors can get in the way of weight loss success and cause persistent chubbiness in spite of everyday workouts and an active lifestyle.

Although exercising is inextricable from increased muscle mass, weight loss, and a slender shape, it will produce little or no results unless other long-term factors that contribute to your weight problems are tackled as well. This means that you should run medical tests and establish the real reason behind your chubby looks, such as a lack of hormonal balance, insulin resistance, heredity, or simply one too many trips to the cookie jar.

Recommended Reading:

• How I Lost Over 150 Pounds, and How My Life Changed
• The Power of Our Hormones and How To Balance Them
• Is Your Gut Health Making You Fat?
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• After taking antibiotics, this is what you need to do to restore healthy intestinal flora

Sources:

• Obesity and the polycystic ovary syndrome – NCBI
• Sleep and obesity – NCBI
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Weight Gain – Web MD
• Screening for Cushing’s Syndrome in Obese Patients – NCBI
• Thyroid and Obesity: An Intriguing Relationship – Endocrine Society
• Depression and Obesity – Everyday Health
• Is Your Medicine Cabinet Making You Fat? – Medicine Net
• Are Your Meds Making You Gain Weight? – Web MD
• The truth about fats: the good, the bad, and the in-between – Harvard Health Publications
• The Truth About Cheat Days – Symmetry Gym
• Need to know Nutrition for children withPrader Willi Syndrom; A Guide for Parents and Carers – Prader Willi Syndrome Association
• ‘Obesity genes’ help determine size and shape, studies find
• Genetics of obesity and the prediction of risk for health