New research: sporadic type of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (mad cow) results from surgery

(NaturalNews) There is probably no more horrific and frightening incurable disease than Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Also known as the human form of mad cow disease, this degenerative, always fatal brain disorder strikes about one person in every million worldwide each year, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). CJD results in the brain literally being turned into sponge-like, hole-filled tissue (the reason the disease is also known as spongiform encephalopathy ). It usually runs a rapid course, causing failing memory, hallucinations, lack of coordination and visual disturbances followed by total mental deterioration, involuntary movements, blindness and coma. Although some cases are known to be caused by eating meat containing mad cow disease-causing infectious prions, by far the most common form of the illness is known as sporadic CJD. The NINDS says sporadic CJD accounts for at least 85 percent of the cases. Supposedly, sporadic CJD just strikes out of the blue for no particular reason. But Spanish scientists say they’ve found compelling and disturbing evidence that people are infected with the disease during operations. “Based on the monitoring records of spongiform encephalopathy in two Nordic countries, we studied the possibility of transmission of the sporadic form of CJD through general surgery,” Jesus de Pedro, main author of the study and head of prion monitoring in patients at the National Epidemiology Center of the Carlos III Health Institute in Madrid, said in a statement to the press. The research team’s study, just published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry , came to this startling conclusion: the sporadic form of CJD strikes after a person has surgery — usually at least 20 years after an operation. The data suggests, Dr. DePedro stated, the disease enters and spreads much more quickly within the central or peripheral nervous system due to surgical procedures. So what makes this evidence so strong — and why hasn’t anyone noticed a clear surgery/CJD association before now? According to the authors of the new study, the key to finding the surgery and CJD connection was computerized surgery records kept in hospitals in Sweden and Denmark since the early l970s. These records allowed the researchers to see if people who had developed CJD had been surgery patients in past decades. With virtually no exceptions, they had been. Bottom line: the new findings point to an external and preventable cause for so-called sporadic CJD. It also raises the question about the true causes of other mind robbing maladies. “It may signify a shift in our understanding of the nature of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” the research team stated. “We might, therefore, ask ourselves if other types of motor neuron diseases can be transmitted through surgery and be latent for decades, such as those where risk factors, particularly physical professions and activities or certain sporting activities, for example, which are more likely to lead to surgery, have already been indicated.” For more information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20547628 http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cjd/detail_cjd.htm

Gourmet "truly raw" organic almond butter now available from Sicily

(NaturalNews) Thanks to efforts by the USDA and the Almond Board of California, it is illegal for commercial almond producers in the United States to sell raw almonds. The almonds now have to be fumigated with chemicals or pasteurized (cooked) to meet “food safety requirements” that really have nothing to do with food safety but everything to do with killing your food. See my related CounterThink Cartoon at: http://counterthink.com/The_Killing_of_California_Almonds.asp Because of this unfortunate situation, health-conscious consumers in the USA who love almonds and almond products (such as almond butter) have been forced to purchase almonds from other countries. You see, almond growers in Italy can sell raw almonds to the USA without any problem. That’s perfectly legal. Only U.S.-based producers are required to kill their almonds with heat or chemicals. (Just another brilliant move in Washington to destroy the livelihoods of U.S. farmers, isn’t it?) In any case, it now turns out that the best truly raw almond butters come from Sicily, Italy, where the “tuono” and “correnta” varieties are known for their robust aromas and flavors. They are the gourmet almonds of the world, and they’re used quite liberally in the Mediterranean Diet. I love almond butter. It’s a delicious and highly nutritious natural nut butter that I use on everything from raw sandwiches to mouth-watering desserts. Now, through a special arrangement we’ve once again managed to put together for you, we’ve acquired a few thousand jars of raw, organic almond butter from Sicily, made from some of the finest almonds in the world. And as you’ve come to expect, we’ve managed to make this available directly to you at a ridiculously good price. You see, since the USDA required that all California almonds be fumigated or pasteurized, the price of raw almonds has skyrocketed. A 16 oz. jar of truly raw almond butter can now set you back $25 at retail. Crazy, huh? We’re trying to bring that price back down to Earth with the fantastic pricing we’re able to achieve due to our large reach and low overhead. While supplies lies, we’ve got 16 oz. glass jars of organic, raw almond butter from Sicily for just $13.95 ! (That’s a savings of nearly 40% over the usual retail price of $22.95.) Click here to take advantage of this special now . This is for the good stuff! This is truly raw, truly organic, gourmet Italian almond butter made from Sicilian almonds. Raw almond butter doesn’t get any better than this! (Taste it yourself and you’ll see!) The price, though, does get better: When you purchase a 3-pack of this raw almond butter, the price per jar drops to just $12.56 per jar, or a 45% discount off the usual retail price. Click here for the 3-pack special of this raw almond butter . As with all our store specials, this is only good while supplies last. (We received a single shipment of a few thousand fresh jars, and when they’re gone, they’re gone…) While you can probably find a better price on pasteurized, non-organic almond butter , I’m confident you won’t find a better price on raw, organic, non-fumigated almonds that are truly raw and nutritionally intact. This is “premium” almond butter at a non-premium price. And unless the Almond Board of California reverses its decision requiring the fumigation of California almonds, you’ll probably never see a price this low again on truly raw almond nut butter. Historical information about almonds Here’s some interesting information about almonds, provided by our supplier of this remarkable raw almond butter: Almonds are mentioned as far back in history as the Bible. The Bible’s “Book of Number” tells the story of Aaron’s rod that blossomed and bore almonds, giving the almond the symbolism of divine approval. Through history , almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. They were a prized ingredient in breads reserved to Egypt’s pharaohs. Their exact ancestry in unknown, but almonds are thought to have originated in China and Central Asia. Explorers ate almonds while travelling the “Silk Road” between Asia and the Mediterranean. Before long, almonds trees flourished in the Mediterranean, especially in Spain and Italy. Almonds were central to many cultural traditions around the world. In classical times Romans presented gifts of sugared almonds to important dignitaries as well as personal friends. At weddings they also tossed almonds to the bride and groom as a symbol of fertility. Today, Italians and Americans give guest at weddings a bag of sugared almonds, representing children, happiness, romance, good health and fortune. In Sweden, cinnamon-flavored rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is a Christmas custom. Find it, and good fortune is yours for a year. Cultivating almonds it’s a tradition that comes from afar. The earliest varieties of almonds were found in China carried by traders down the ancient silk road to Greece, Turkey, and the Middle East. Nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Pacific Coast Ranges is California’s fertile Central Valley, home to one of the oldest and most beautiful flowering fruit trees. Unlike other flowering fruit trees that bear edible fruit, this tree’s “pearl” is the delicious nut found inside the fruit, the almond. Botanically, the sweet almond is considered a stone fruit, closely related to the cherry, plum, apricot, and peach. The almond’s botanical name comes from the Greeks who called them “amygdalon.” Almonds are a surprisingly source of calcium: Although we would have to consume 330 calories’ worth of almonds to get a significant quantity of this bone-supporting mineral, almonds are higher in calcium than all other nuts. Almonds are also a significant source of magnesium, and they supply a healthy amount of vitamin E. These sweet, versatile nuts have the highest dietary fiber content of any nut or seed; like all nuts, almonds are a good source of protein and they are cholesterol free. Vitamin E, considered a powerful antioxidant, is plentiful in almonds. They’re also high in magnesium, containing even more than spinach. They’re abundant in phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and trace amounts of the B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin. Click here to see all the NaturalNews Store specials . (And enjoy your raw almond butter!)

Few Women Truly Understand the Risks of Mammograms

(NaturalNews) One in three breast cancers detected by mammograms would never have posed a threat to the patient’s life, making all the treatments that follow unnecessary, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Nordic Cochrane Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, and published in the British Medical Journal . “The question is no longer whether overdiagnosis occurs, but how should we react to it,” said H. Gilbert Welch of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, author of an accompanying editorial. “It’s not an imperative to be screened; in fact, it’s a close call.” Overdiagnosis refers to the detection of a non-life threatening cancer. In general, breast cancers come in three types: aggressive cancers that spread before they can be detected, cancers that spread slowly enough to be detected and treated early, and cancers that spread so slowly they pose no threat. Unfortunately, mammograms are best at detecting cancers in the latter category and not in the first two, and there is no way to distinguish the cancers from each other without watching them progress. In the new study, researchers examined breast cancer rates in parts of Australia, Canada, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom both before and after national screening programs begin. If mammograms are actually saving lives, then there should have been an increase in the number of aggressive breast cancer cases being diagnosed. Yet while the rate of cancer diagnosis did increase, there was no increase in diagnosis of the dangerous kind. The researchers estimated that for 2,000 women who receive mammograms regularly over a 10-year period, one life will be saved and 10 women will be needlessly treated for cancer — including chemotherapy, radiation and even breast removal. “For too long, we’ve taken a brain-dead approach that says the best test is the one that finds the most cancers — but that’s wrong,” Welch said. “The best test is the one that finds the right cancers and nothing else.” Sources for this story include: bulletin.aarp.org.

Natural substance in breast milk destroys cancer cells

(NaturalNews) Breast milk is documented to be the best food possible for infants and breastfeeding is known to have enormous health benefits for moms, too. It turns out, however, that breast milk has even more amazing properties. Swedish researchers have found that it contains a compound that kills cancer cells in humans. The substance, dubbed HAMLET (which stands for Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumor cells), is comprised of a protein and a fatty acid. Although found naturally in breast milk, scientists are not sure if HAMLET develops spontaneously or if it requires interaction with the acidic digestive system of a newborn. HAMLET was first discovered by chance several years ago by researchers who were investigating the antibacterial properties of breast milk. Scientists soon began testing it on cancer cells and the findings were nothing short of astounding. For example, studies in the lab showed that HAMLET was able to kill 40 different types of cancer cells. What’s more, in animal studies the natural substance was found to be effective in killing one of the most deadly types of brain cancers — glioblastoma. However, HAMLET was only recently tested for the first time on humans. Scientists at Lund University and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden tried HAMLET on patients suffering from cancer of the bladder. The result? After treatment with the breast milk-derived therapy, the cancer patients excreted dead cancer cells in their urine. The Swedish research team is working to see if the compound can be eventually developed into a viable cancer therapy. Next on their agenda: tests to see if HAMLET can treat skin cancer, a variety of brain tumors and tumors in the mucous membranes. So what exactly does HAMLET do that makes it such a potent cancer fighter? In a paper recently published in the science journal PLoS One , scientists Roger Karlsson, Maja Puchades and Ingela Lanekoff of the University of Gothenburg discussed research showing how the substance appears to interact with cell membranes. Using a fluorescent red tracking substance to show the exact location of HAMLET, the researchers clearly demonstrated that the compound binds to the membranes of tumor cells, killing them. However, HAMLET does no harm whatsoever to surrounding healthy cells. For more information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20186341 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-04/uog-sib041910.php http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/64/6/2105 http://www.naturalnews.com/breast_milk.html

Hormone replacement therapy now linked to cataracts

(NaturalNews) For decades, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was pushed by the medical establishment as a kind of youth elixir that offered all sorts of remarkable benefits. Take the hormones Big Pharma concocts from pregnant horses’ urine and chemicals and middle-aged and older women would supposedly have better sex lives, fewer wrinkles, protection from heart attacks and no more hot flashes. Only, it was all a huge myth. In fact, as the years passed and rates of breast cancer soared in women who took HRT, the truth began to be revealed. HRT didn’t protect health at all. In fact, it caused breast and ovarian cancer (http://www.naturalnews.com/027617_HRT_drugs_ovarian_cancer.html), upped heart attack risk and was even linked to brain shrinkage (http://www.naturalnews.com/025371_women_brain_health.html). Now it turns out there’s yet another danger from HRT. New research headed by Birgitta E. Lindblad, MD, of Sundsvall Hospital in Sweden and just published in Ophthalmology , the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, provides evidence that taking HRT causes cataracts. This is no minor potential side effect, either, because vision problems can be devastating. The eye’s lens becomes cloudy and stiff when a cataract develops, sometimes making it difficult to read, drive or even see facial expressions clearly. The eight year prospective study of over 30,000 postmenopausal women compared the cataract status of women who had taken HRT to those who had not used the hormones. The results? The research subjects who were taking or who had ever taken HRT had significantly higher rates of cataracts so severe they had to be removed. Those who drank and also took hormone replacement therapy appeared to be at an even greater risk of serious cataracts. “If future studies confirm the associations we found, increased risk for cataract removal should be added to the list of potential negative HRT outcomes,” Dr. Lindblad said in a statement to the media. The research team documented that 4,300 cataract removal surgeries were performed in research study participants between 1997 and 2005. In women who had ever taken HRT, the risk for cataract removal was increased by 14 percent. For current HRT users, the increase in risk soared even higher to 18 percent when compared with women who never used HRT. What’s more, the longer a woman took HRT, the more the risk for cataracts increased. Dr. Lindblad explained in the press statement that estrogen receptors have been detected in the eye’s lens and naturally occurring estrogen made inside the body may protect eyes from cataracts. But the estrogens like those used in HRT don’t function in the body the same way. Instead, the typically prescribed forms of HRT increase levels of C-reactive protein — and previous studies have associated C-reactive protein with cataract development. Fortunately, there are ways to help prevent cataracts. In addition to avoiding HRT, regular vigorous exercise has been shown to protect against cataracts (http://www.naturalnews.com/025755_health_cataracts_nutrition.html). Astaxanthin, a nutrient derived from microalgae and also found in wild salmon, has also been found to benefit eye health and help prevent cataracts (http://www.naturalnews.com/026325_astaxanthin_Amazon.html). For more information: http://www.naturalnews.com/HRT.html http://www.aao.org/newsroom/release/20100301.cfm http://www.healingfoodreference.com/cataracts.html

Exercise can fight aging

(NaturalNews) A recent study conducted by researchers from Saarland University in Germany has found that engaging in long-term physical activity results in an anti-aging effect. Telomeres, the protective caps found on the ends of cell chromosomes that gradually shorten with age, were found to shorten more slowly in athletes who exercise regularly. Every time a cell divides, its telomeres get a little bit shorter and the cell becomes slightly more susceptible to dying. Telomeres have been compared to the plastic ends on shoelaces that prevent them from unraveling. Recent telomere research has discovered that the shortening of telomeres is directly correlated to the aging process as cell integrity slowly degrades over time. In the study, researchers evaluated two groups of healthy, non-smoking people and two groups of professional athletes. The one athletic group was composed of athletes averaging 20 years old who were members of the German national track and field team while the other athletic group was composed of middle-aged runners who had been training since they were young. Researchers found that in both groups of athletes, physical exercise had led to the activation of the telomerase enzyme which is responsible for producing and stabilizing telomeres. Telomerase activation led to a reduced shortening of telomeres in the athletes’ leukocytes, white blood cells that protects the body against infection and disease. The most visible effect was noticed in the middle-aged participants who had been engaging in regular endurance training for several decades. Other scientists believe that even moderate levels of exercise are responsible for slowing down the aging process and even reversing it. Many studies have shown that engaging in regular physical activity helps to prevent the onset of chronic disease and can help to lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. By slowing down the aging process, other diseases like cancer, stroke, and diabetes can also be prevented. A similar study conducted in Sweden found that regular exercise also contributes to increased intelligence and boosted learning ability. More than 1.2 million 18-year-old Swedish men who enlisted for military service were evaluated. Researchers found that their intense physical training resulted in increased IQ and improved learning abilities. Regular exercise increases blood flow to the brain which many believe helps to improve nerve function. Exercising also produces sweat which works to cleanse the body of toxic buildup and improve overall well being. A whole array of benefits can be achieved by regularly exercising. Sources for this story include: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8385700.stm

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