Help support the GMO labeling campaign in California

2012 could be the beginning of the end for Frankenfoods in the US as GMO’s could lose their ability to operate by stealth in at least in one state. Californians may vote later this year on whether to require mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food and food…

Benefit from castor oil

(NaturalNews)”No drug exists that has the ability to improve lymphatic flow; however, the job can easily be handled through the topical application of Castor oil,” said Dr David G. Williams. In addition to increasing the flow of lymph, Castor oil can increase lymphocyte…

White tea, witch hazel proven by scientists to reduce inflammation and fight cancer

Rose, witch hazel and white tea may sound like the refrain from a folk song, but the trio of natural substances delivers both health and skin benefits through their ability to halt inflammation say British researchers. Health issues including cancer, arthritis and diabetes…

BPA plastics chemical found to feminize males

(NaturalNews) Don’t worry, be happy. Just ignore the fact that countless researchers have warned time and time again that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA for short) is a major hormone disruptor and is a huge threat to human health. After all, we must all be safe because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would have banned the stuff long before now if there was really any problem, right? If you agree with the above, you might also think the deadly radiation still spewing from nuclear reactor meltdowns in Japan is nothing to worry about, either. But the truth is always better than sticking your head in the sand, and this is exactly what the FDA seems to be doing when it comes to BPA. Here’s the latest breaking news on what has become an environmental nightmare for both humans and possibly wildlife while the FDA does nothing but express “some concern” that BPA might not be perfectly safe. University of Missouri researchers have evidence that BPA causes male deer mice to lose their masculinity and behave more like females. In fact, female mice sense something isn’t quite “right” about BPA exposed males and don’t want to mate with them. The scientists conclude that exposure to BPA during human development could also be wreaking havoc on hormones and distorting and disrupting behavioral and cognitive traits that are unique to each sex and important in reproduction. “The BPA-exposed deer mice in our study look normal; there is nothing obviously wrong with them. Yet, they are clearly different,” said Cheryl Rosenfeld, associate professor in biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and investigator in the Bond Life Sciences Center, in a statement to the media. “Females do not want to mate with BPA-exposed male deer mice, and BPA-exposed males perform worse on spatial navigation tasks that assess their ability to find female partners in the wild.” “This study sets the stage for BPA researchers to examine how BPA might differentially impact the behavioral and cognitive patterns of boys versus girls,” Rosenfeld added. “Investigators looking for obvious BPA-induced differences, such as chromosome deletions or DNA mutations, could be missing subtle behavioral differences that eventually lead to long-term adverse outcomes, including demasculinization of male behaviors with a decreased reproductive fitness.” For the new study, the researchers fed female deer mice a BPA-supplemented diet for two weeks prior to breeding and throughout lactation. The mothers were given a dosage equivalent to what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers a non-toxic dose for pregnant women to ingest. When the deer mice offspring were weaned at 25 days of age, they were fed on a non-supplemented BPA diet. Then, after the rodents matured into adults, their behavior was tested to study each mouse’s ability to navigate a maze to safety. Male deer mice normally have an enhanced spatial navigational ability. It’s important because it allows them to find female mates that are dispersed throughout the environment. Female deer mice do not need to search for mates so their navigational abilities have not been enhanced by evolution. But when the University of Missouri researchers tested the navigational skills of male mice that had been exposed to BPA early in their development, something was terribly wrong. Each male mouse had two five minute opportunities per day, for seven days, to try to find their way in to a home cage through one of several holes placed around the edge of an open maze. What’s more, the maze was marked with a set of visible navigational cues to help the animals. Yet many of them could not find the exit. On the other hand, all the male mice who had not been exposed to BPA found the correct exit quickly – some on the first day. Adding to the strong evidence that the BPA dramatically changed the ability of the male mice to navigate normally, the scientists found that the non-BPA exposed mice quickly learned the most direct approach to finding the correct hole, while the exposed males appeared to sort of randomly and inefficiently wander around looking. The female deer mice also were turned off by potential mates who had been exposed to BPA. In a mate choice experiment, the scientists measured the females’ level of interest in a stranger male by observing specific behaviors, such as nose-to-nose sniffing and the amount of time the female spent checking out her potential partner. According to Dr. Rosenfeld, both non-exposed and BPA-exposed females strongly preferred control males over BPA-exposed males. “These findings presumably have broad implications to other species, including humans, where there are also innate differences between males and females in cognitive and behavioral patterns,” Rosenfeld said in the media statement. “In the wide scheme of things, these behavioral deficits could, in the long term, undermine the ability of a species such as the deer mouse to reproduce in the wild. Whether there are comparable health threats to humans remains unclear, but there clearly must be a concern.” This research, which is set for publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , is the latest in a mounting and damning array of studies showing the dangers of BPA. For example, as NaturalNews has covered extensively, BPA has been found to cause precancerous conditions, kidney and developmental problems in animals. And research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that humans could be walking time bombs of health problems related to the ingestion of BPA, which is found in virtually all packaged foods. The JAMA study reported for the first time that the chemical might well be linked to the epidemic of heart disease and diabetes in this country (http://www.naturalnews.com/024207_BPA_health_plastics.html). Editor’s note: NaturalNews is opposed to the use of animals in medical experiments that expose them to harm. We present these findings in protest of the way in which they were acquired. For more information: http://www.naturalnews.com/BPA.html http://www.missouri.edu/

Vitamin D promotes memory and cognitive function in seniors

(NaturalNews) A lack of vitamin D has already been linked in several studies to depression. Now it appears a deficiency of this crucial nutrient could also play a role in robbing the brain of the ability to process information correctly and clearly. Defined as a person’s ability to process thoughts, cognitive function includes memory and the ability to learn new information, as well as speaking and reading comprehension. Aging is known to affect cognitive function in many people, resulting in memory loss and difficulty thinking of the right words while speaking or writing. But what if a lack of vitamin D could be the culprit that is causing or contributing to cognitive impairment in many elders — and not simply aging by itself? If that’s the case, it offers hope that adequate vitamin D could help keep minds agile and memory sharp. Research headed by epidemiologist Katherine Tucker with the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, and published in Journals of Gerontology raises that possibility. Metabolic pathways for vitamin D have been found in the hippocampus and cerebellum — areas of the brain involved in planning, processing, and forming new memories. So it appears a lack of vitamin D could disrupt these cognitive processes. Dr. Tucker and her colleagues studied more than 1,000 elders receiving home care. The research team investigated associations between measured levels of vitamin D in the blood of these people, who were all between the ages of 65 and 99, and compared them to results of neuropsychological tests. The participants were then grouped by their vitamin D status, which was categorized as deficient, insufficient, or sufficient. The researchers noted in a statement to the media that older people needing home care have an elevated risk of not getting enough vitamin D because of their exposure to sunlight is often limited. And, in fact, only 35 percent of the research subjects had sufficient vitamin D levels in their blood for health. Those elders who did have adequate vitamin D scored far better on cognitive tests than those in the deficient and insufficient vitamin D categories, particularly on measures of executive performance, which included cognitive flexibility, perceptual complexity, and reasoning. The associations persisted after taking into consideration other variables that could also have influenced performance on the cognitive ability tests. Another new study just presented at the Endocrine Society’s 92nd Annual Meeting held in San Diego provides more disturbing evidence that older adults commonly have low vitamin D levels. Researchers from the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam investigated approximately 1,300 Dutch men and women age 65 and older and found almost 50 percent were deficit in vitamin D. For more information: http://biomedgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/64A/8/888.abstract?sid=0007591c-0f9e-4df7-bd44-dee95244c8bb http://www.naturalnews.com/vitamin_d.html

New research: flavonoid quercetin fights viral infections, protects against chronic lung diseases

(NaturalNews) Asthma, cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are serious and even life-threatening conditions. However, these health problems share something with a usually minor infection — the common cold. The connection? Rhinovirus (RV), a single-stranded RNA virus from the picornaviridae family, causes the majority of colds and RV is also known to trigger exacerbations of CF, asthma and COPD. But now University of Michigan at Ann Arbor scientists have found that a natural substance, the flavonoid quercetin, puts the brakes on the ability of RV to replicate. It also fights inflammation. According to their research just presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2010 International Conference held in New Orleans, quercetin could be a treatment for rhinovirus-caused infections and could be particularly beneficial for people with serious underlying chronic lung diseases. That’s great news not just for people looking for a possible cure for the common cold but especially for those suffering from conditions like COPD and CF that rob them of the ability to breathe. For example, COPD (which includes emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis) causes coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms. According the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, COPD is a major cause of disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. CF is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the US. It causes the body to produce a thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and can lead to life-threatening lung infections. For their study, the University of Michigan research team decided to test quercetin on cells infected with RV. A phytochemical found in the skins of apples, red onions and other foods, quercetin is known to be a powerful antioxidant with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. So the scientists hypothesized that quercetin might reduce the ability of RV to spark an inflammatory response. That’s important because inflammation causes oxidative stress which can disrupt the function of epithelial cells (cells that line cavities and structures) inside airways, negatively impacting the ability to breathe. Their lab experiments with RV infected cells showed that the researchers were right. The results suggested that quercetin actually inhibited the ability of the virus to replicate. The flavonoid also appeared to reduce the RV-triggered immune system response that can cause cytokines (proteins that are secreted by specific cells of the immune system) to induce excess inflammation. “Therefore, quercetin may be beneficial in the treatment of viral infections, particularly in patients with underlying chronic lung disease,” the researchers stated. As NaturalNews has previously reported, evidence has been accumulating over the past several years that shows phytonutrients such as quercetin are powerful protectors of health (http://www.naturalnews.com/027409_foods_meals_fruits.html). For example, the flavonoid may protect brain cells and help prevent dementia (http://www.naturalnews.com/002509.html). A study by University of South Carolina research found quercetin can boost exercise endurance, too (http://www.naturalnews.com/026591_quercetin_health_placebo.html). For more information: http://www.thoracic.org/newsroom/press-releases/resources/late-breaking-abstract-pdf/quercitin.pdf http://www.naturalnews.com/quercetin.html http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html http://www.cff.org/AboutCF/

Vaccination Quackery Appears in Plain Sight

(NaturalNews) There was a mumps outbreak in the New York area late 2009 through early 2010 that surprised many because virtually all those infected had been vaccinated for mumps. Approximately 80% of the almost 2000 afflicted had received the required two shots of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) three in one vaccines. So what are regional health authorities recommending as a solution? A third dangerous MMR shot! Even a CDC reviewed site admits that mumps in children is a mild disease, and once you’ve had the mumps, you won’t get it again. You’ve been immunized by having it! Mumps and measles used to occur mostly with children well before puberty. What’s weird about this outbreak is that the average age for the afflicted is 15! In some communities years ago, parents would intentionally expose their kids to children with measles, mumps, or chickenpox to confer future immunity, successfully. So what’s with all these vaccinations? Questioning Medical Authority The CDC reported that it takes two shots to immunize against mumps. The fact that almost all of those who came down with the mumps did receive both shots was ignored with that comment . Administering a third MMR shot is raising the stakes for vaccine injury or long term bad health from this vaccination to purportedly prevent mild childhood diseases. Vaccines are loaded with toxins such as thimerosal (mercury), aluminum, and formaldehyde, and they’re bypassing much of the immune system by injecting live attenuated viruses directly into the blood. And there are those who think that a three phase vaccination provides the greatest risk of a cytokine storm, when an overly stimulated immune system feeds on the host with terrible, even lethal consequences. Double Speak and Double Think In his novel 1984 , George Orwell explained double speak as the ability to make contradictory statements in one statement and double think as the ability for others to hold those contradictions simultaneously. For example: Newborns are required to receive hepatitis B vaccinations; hepatitis B is transmitted sexually or by sharing needles. Huh? Reporting on the outbreak, mainstream media (MSM) said the CDC told them that the MMR vaccine was not 100% effective against mumps, but 75% to 85% effective. The percentage range of the mumps victims who did receive both MMR vaccinations was 75% to 85%! These two statements were printed very near each other in the same body of an MSM report. If you agree to double speak, you’re conditioned with double think. Since an attenuated live virus is being pumped into the blood, the very disease vaccinated against can be given. So if a third shot is administered, maybe closer to 100% of the “immunized” will come down with mumps? Vaccine Industry Scientist Blows the Whistle Investigative journalist Jon Rappaport interviewed a former vaccine scientist in 2009 who used the pseudonym Dr. Mark Randall to avoid harassment and pension loss since he was once of “the inner circle”. Here’s a small sampling from this revealing interview. “The decline of disease is due to improved living conditions,” [After investigating] I realized I was working in a sector based on a collection of lies.” Most dangerous? “The DPT shot.. The MMR. As far as I’m concerned, all vaccines are dangerous.” … “They can actually cause the disease they are supposed to prevent. They can cause other diseases …” (Source below) Sources for more information: A Must Read – Rappaport Interviews “Randall” http://www.alternative-doctor.com/vaccination/rappaport.htm Two Vaccines Don’t Work; Public Officials Push for a Third Jab, by Heidi Stevenson http://gaia-health.com/articles151/000188-two-mumps-vaccines-don%27t-work-so-public-officials-push-a-third-jab.shtml CNN Mumps Outbreak Report (which was later updated to almost 2000 cases instead of over 1000) http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/08/mumps.outbreak.northeast/?hpt=Sbin CDC Vaccine Information FAQ Site Reviewed by CDC http://www.vaccineinformation.org/mumps/qandadis.asp Three Phase Vaccinations More Likely to Create Cytokine Storms. http://blogs.healthfreedomalliance.org/blog/2009/07/30/three-stage-vaccinations-may-create-perfect-cytokine-storm/ About the author Paul Fassa has managed to survive the Standard American Diet (SAD) and his youthful folly by deprogramming gradually from mainstream health ideology and studying holistic health matters informally with his wife while incorporating them into his lifestyle as a vegetarian. He also practices Chi-Lel Chi Gong, and he is trained as a polarity therapy practitioner. He is dedicated to warning others of the corruption of food and medicine in our time, and guiding others toward a better direction for health. You can visit his blog at http://healthmaven.blogspot.com

Natural compound in marine sponges could halt cancer metastasis

(NaturalNews) A research team at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research has discovered a natural compound found in marine sponges that reduces the movement of cancer cells. This could be an important breakthrough in stopping the often deadly spread of cancer throughout the body — a process known as metastasis. What’s more, the compound (dubbed sceptrin) is virtually non-toxic. The research, just published in the American Chemical Society (ACS) journal Chemical Biology , was headed by Sanford-Burnham scientist Kristiina Vuori, M.D., PhD, in collaboration with Phil S. Baran, Ph.D., of the Scripps Research Institute. The scientists tested the impact of sceptrin on multiple tumor cell types, including cervical, breast and lung cancer cells. To encourage cancer cells to behave like those that spread in the body, the researchers cultured cancer cells with growth factor to stimulate their ability to move. The cells were then treated with varying amounts of sceptrin. The results? Remarkably, the sponge compound restricted cancer movement in all the cancer cell lines. Sceptrin’s effectiveness in halting cancer cell movement was found to become stronger in increased concentrations. Additional tests revealed that the compound has the ability to put the brakes on malignant cell mobility because it keeps the cells from contracting — and the cells must contract in order to travel throughout the body. The sceptrin research is significant because currently there is little that can be done to prevent metastatic cancer. When cancerous cells break away from a malignant tumor, they move through the bloodstream or lymph system and travel to other parts of the body, ending up in any organ or tissue. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the most common sites of metastasis are the lungs, bones, brain and liver. Regular readers of NaturalNews will recognize that the sceptrin study is another step toward proving scientifically that there are effective natural therapies for cancer. For example, researchers have found that mango fruit halts the growth of breast and colon cancer cells (http://www.naturalnews.com/027992_mango_brst_cancer.html) and tumeric and black pepper may not only prevent certain cancers but may also be helpful in treating malignant tumors (http://www.naturalnews.com/027831_turmeric_piperine.html). For more information: http://www.sanfordburnham.org/default.asp?contentID=896 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/metastatic http://www.naturalnews.com/breast_cancer.html

TSA lies exposed: Full-body scanner machines do save and transmit images, secret documents reveal

(NaturalNews) The TSA has been lying to the American people about full-body scanners. The agency has insisted that these “digital strip search” machines are incapable of save, storing or transmitting the images they take. This, we are told, makes it okay for people to be digitally strip-searched. But secret documents uncovered by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (www.EPIC.org) have revealed that these machines do indeed posses precisely such capabilities. According to TSA specification requirement documents that have been uncovered by the EPIC, all full-body scanners purchased by the TSA must have the ability to both save and transmit the scanned images of air passengers. The documents were obtained by EPIC through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. They have also been shared with CNN, which has viewed the documents and published a story about what they reveal. These documents contradict the claims of the TSA, which include the statement that “the system has no way to save, transmit or print the image.” TSA misleads the public The TSA’s own “imaging technology” page (http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/imaging_technology.shtm) claims, “This state-of-the-art technology cannot store, print, transmit or save the image. In fact, all machines are delivered to airports with these functions disabled.” That in itself is an interesting statement because by stating those functions are “disabled,” it also admits that the machines inherently have these functions . And just because the machines are delivered with the functions disabled doesn’t mean those functions can’t be re-enabled at the flick of a switch. In other words, these machines are designed and constructed with the ability to save, store and transmit the images. “I don’t think the TSA has been forthcoming with the American public about the true capability of these devices,” said the Executive Director of EPIC, Marc Rotenberg in a CNN interview. “They’ve done a bunch of very slick promotions where they show people — including journalists — going through the devices. And then they reassure people, based on the images that have been produced, that there’s not any privacy concerns. But if you look at the actual technical specifications and you read the vendor contracts, you come to understand that these machines are capable of doing far more than the TSA has let on.” (http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/01/11/body.scanners/) In other words, the TSA is telling the public and the press one thing, but the machines they’re buying are capable of something far more insidious, these documents reveal. Is the TSA intentionally lying to the public in order to mislead people over the real capabilities of these machines? If these full-body scanners can save, store and transmit images, then it’s only a matter of time before some rogue TSA employee finds a way to copy off the images or display them on the screen so that they can take snapshots with their own portable cameras. The TSA says it’s protecting your privacy. But its own scanner specification documents tell a different story: The TSA won’t even buy these machines unless they can save, store and transmit revealing images of air passengers. Sources for this story include: CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/01/11/body.scanners/ TSA.gov: http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/imaging_technology.shtm EPIC: www.Epic.org