UnSymmetrical

Men who smoke marijuana frequently have significantly less seminal fluid, a lower total sperm count and their sperm behave abnormally, all of which may affect fertility adversely, a new study in reproductive physiology at the University at Buffalo has shown.

This study is the first to assess marijuana's effects on specific swimming behavior of sperm from marijuana smokers and to compare the results with sperm from men with confirmed fertility. Marijuana contains the cannabinoid drug THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is its primary psychoactive chemical, as well as other cannabinoids.

Results of the study were presented on October 13, 2003 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine in San Antonio.

Continue reading "Sperm From Marijuana Smokers Move Too Fast Too Early, Impairing Fertility, UB Research Shows" »

Posted by Vitamin Z at 09:36 AM | Permalink

Commercial pressures and influences in medicine are so great that it can never be considered a true science. As a result, major discoveries that don't earn a pharmaceutical billions of dollars usually get discarded or forgotten.

Take, as an example, the groundbreaking work of Dr Frank Apperly, from the University of Melbourne, who discovered in 1941 that sunlight could have a protective effect against many cancers, including breast, lung, prostate and colon. By studying cancer statistics for North America, he noted that people who live nearer to the equator have far lower incidence of cancer.

Over the 65 years since, many studies have confirmed and added detail to Dr Apperly's initial observation. Not surprising as sunlight is the richest source of vitamin D, which is an essential anti-carcinogenic.

Continue reading "Sunlight Could Have a Protective Effect Against Many Cancers" »

Posted by Vitamin Z at 10:39 AM | Permalink

First comes nausea and diarrhea. Then the facial muscles relax, followed by kidney failure, paralysis and often death.

It's a medical crisis in Panama, where contaminated cough syrup, antihistamine tablets, calamine lotion and rash ointment have killed 34 people since July. More than 40 others have been hospitalized, at least half in critical condition.

The government has recalled 24 types of medication produced by Panama's national health system, suspended production at all government pharmaceutical factories and even gone door-to-door to issue warnings and collect contaminated products.

But people keep dying.

"We are facing a crisis," said David Abrego, director of a government clinic evaluating hundreds of people who fear being poisoned. "The people are apprehensive. There's a lot of tension and nervousness."

Continue reading "Contaminated Medicine Kills 34 in Panama" »

Posted by Vitamin Z at 05:58 PM | Permalink

The present U.S. policy of encouraging people to get seasonal flu shots is supported only by thin medical evidence, a study found.

Research on the efficacy of vaccines on either children or the elderly, two main targets of the policy, are either flawed or don't show a clear benefit, according to the study, published today in the British Medical Journal. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its Web site says getting a shot is ``the single best way to protect against the flu.''

``The large gap between policy and what the data tell us is surprising,'' the author, Tom Jefferson, coordinator of the Cochrane Vaccines Field, wrote in the paper. The organization, which is part of the U.K.-based Cochrane Collaboration, was founded to facilitate the gathering of evidence on inoculations.

Continue reading "Study Finds Little Evidence to Support U.S. Flu Vaccine Policy" »

Posted by Vitamin Z at 10:05 AM | Permalink

The following explains why berries are an important part of any diet, and how they might protect against cancer.(em)

A doctor from the U.S. FDA once said that Laetrile contains "free" hydrogen cyanide and, thus, is toxic. I would like to correct that misconception:

There is no "free" hydrogen cyanide in Laetrile. When Laetrile comes in contact with the enzyme beta-glucosidase, the Laetrile is broken down to form two molecules of glucose, one molecule of benzaldehyde and one molecule of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Within the body, the cancer cell-and only the cancer cell-contains that enzyme. The key word here is that the HCN must be FORMED. It is not floating around freely in the Laetrile and then released. It must be manufactured. The enzyme beta glucosidase, and only that enzyme, is capable of manufacturing the HCN from Laetrile. If there are no cancer cells in the body, there is no beta-glucosidase. If there is no beta-glucosidase, no HCN will be formed from the Laetrile.

Continue reading "Laetrile and the Life Saving Substance Called Cyanide" »

Posted by Vitamin Z at 10:05 AM | Permalink

A new case of Prostate Cancer is diagnosed every 3 minutes in America and every 15 minutes a man dies from prostate cancer.

Posted by Vitamin Z at 03:43 PM | Permalink