« August 2006 | Main | October 2006 »

September 29, 2006

Samambaia Rainforest Herb Prevents Skin Cancer and Sunburn, Treats Psoriasis and Inflammation

The South American rainforest herb Samambaia can be used to treat a wide array of health disorders, from inflammation and psoriasis to coughs and kidney disorders, according to Leslie Taylor's www.Rain-Tree.com.

Samambaia -- a medicinal fern that grows in Latin America's drier tropical forests -- has been used historically by Amazonian Indians such as the Boras and Witotos to treat fever, whooping cough and kidney disorders. Indigenous Hondurans have long used the plant as an all-natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and malignant tumors. Some Peruvian tribes have used the roots of the plant -- the rhizome -- for peptic ulcers, diarrhea and pain in joints and tendons. Samambaia is used throughout the Amazon as a tonic for detoxification and immune support.

Even today, samambaia is used in herbal remedies in Brazil and Peru as a tonic, expectorant, sweat-promoter and blood cleanser. Supplements of the plant can treat a wide variety of skin problems, including boils, abscesses and ulcers. It also acts as a natural sunscreen to prevent sun-induced skin damage, which can lead to skin cancer and other skin problems.

Continue reading "Samambaia Rainforest Herb Prevents Skin Cancer and Sunburn, Treats Psoriasis and Inflammation" »

September 28, 2006

Interview with Dr. Russell Blaylock on Devastating Health Effects of MSG, Aspartame and Excitotoxins

Mike: I'm here with Dr. Russell Blaylock, and I'd like to explore some of the more advanced aspects of some of the things you are working on. Dr. Blaylock, I think readers know the basics of both MSG and aspartame, but can you review what you've already written about excitotoxins?

Dr. Russell Blaylock: I have three books. The first one is the excitotoxin book, "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills," and the latest one is "Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life." The third one is "Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients," which is directed at nutritional treatments for cancer. It contains some material about aspartame and MSG.

Excitotoxins have been found to dramatically promote cancer growth and metastasis. In fact, one aspartame researcher noticed that, when cancer cells were exposed to aspartame, they became more mobile, and you see the same effect with MSG. It also causes a cancer cell to become more mobile, and that enhances metastasis, or spread. These MSG-exposed cancer cells developed all of these pseudopodians and started moving through tissues, which is one of the earlier observations from cancer.

Continue reading "Interview with Dr. Russell Blaylock on Devastating Health Effects of MSG, Aspartame and Excitotoxins" »

September 27, 2006

Cod Liver Oil: The Number One Superfood

Doctor Price was right, as usual. Cod liver oil is very good for you, more than you ever knew. Research studies ranging from 1918-2001 give cod liver oil an A+ rating. This marvelous golden oil contains large amounts of elongated omega-3 fatty acids, preformed vitamin A and the sunlight vitamin D, essential nutrients that are hard to obtain in sufficient amounts in the modern diet. Samples may also naturally contain small amounts of the important bone- and blood-maintainer vitamin K.

There is hardly a disease in the books that does not respond well to treatment that includes cod liver oil, and not just infectious diseases but also chronic modern diseases like heart disease and cancer. Cod liver oil provides vitamin D that helps build strong bones in children and helps prevent osteoporosis in adults. The fatty acids in cod liver oil are also very important for the development of the brain and nervous system. "If you want to prevent learning disabilities in your children," said David Horrobin, distinguished medical and biochemical researcher, "feed them cod liver oil."

Continue reading "Cod Liver Oil: The Number One Superfood" »

Permananet Side Effects from Statin (Cholesterol) Drugs

I was still in practice, twenty years ago, when lovastatin, the first statin drug, became available for use by we primary care physicians.

We learned to expect liver inflammation and occasional muscle aches and pains. With the dosages used at that time and with a relatively small number of patients on the early statins, the side effect issue impressed me as being acceptable. This is no longer true.

Today, with more potent drugs, millions of people taking them and doses triple and quadruple those of the past, our side effect profile has radically changed. Now, cognitive damage, emotional and behavioral change, neuropathies and even neuro-degenerative damage are increasingly recognized as associated with statin drug use. But there is something even more perverse - the element of permanence of some of these consequences.

Continue reading "Permananet Side Effects from Statin (Cholesterol) Drugs" »

29th Suspected Case of Mad Cow in Japan

A cow in northern Japan is suspected of having the country's 29th case of mad cow disease, an official said Tuesday.

Preliminary tests on the animal at the Ishikari Livestock Hygiene Service Center in Hokkaido prefecture on Japan's northernmost main island were positive, said Hokkaido official Hiroyuki Takeuchi. Final test results could be known by the end of this week, he said.

The cow died at a ranch and was brought to the hygiene center for initial testing.

To date, Japan has confirmed 28 animals infected with the fatal illness - known formally as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE - since the first case in Japan was defected in 2001. Since then, Tokyo has begun taking steps to check every cow that is slaughtered or dies at ranches before it enters the food supply.

Continue reading "29th Suspected Case of Mad Cow in Japan" »

GM Yeast Enters US Wine Production

The first wines produced with a strain of genetically modified yeast will appear on US shelves this year, according to California yeast distributor American Tartaric Products Inc. The two genes inserted into yeast ML01 are intended to help the yeast wipe out chemicals in red wine, which are associated with headaches and migraines in some consumers. Experts are also hoping to affect the wine’s taste.

EU markets will not be affected, since regulations there do not allow GM grapesnor GM yeasts to be used in making wine. Opinions among European winemakers differ on this issue: French winemakers are already using GM enzymes to extract certain components and other European producers are interested in exploring using genes in wine production. Others are skeptical, unable to reconcile genetic modification with the long tradition of wine production as an art.

One of California’s main commercial competitors in the wine industry, Australia, is officially opposed to using the GM yeast.

Source