Cancer Update from John Hopkins

Cancer Update from John Hopkins

This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well.

Please circulate to all you know; Cancer update

John Hopkins - Cancer News from John Hopkins

No plastic containers in micro

No water bottles in freezer.

No plastic wrap in microwave...

A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.

Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.

Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.

He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers...

This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body...

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food.

Cover food with a paper towel instead.

Magnets Can Strengthen Your Mind

Magnets Can Strengthen Your Mind

Tests in mice have shown that stimulating the brain with a magnetic coil appears to promote the growth of new neurons in areas associated with learning and memory.

If there is a similar effect in humans, it could lead to new ways of treating age-related memory decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) refers to the use of a magnetic coil to induce electric fields in the brain tissue, which activates or deactivates groups of neurons.

It's thought that this process, called long-term potentiation (LTP), may help to strengthen brain circuits, thereby aiding learning and memory. It has previously been used experimentally to treat a range of brain disorders, including depression and schizophrenia, and to rehabilitate people after a stroke.

In the latest experiment, mice were given TMS for five days, after which their brains were analyzed for evidence of cell proliferation. Proliferation was enhanced in all areas of the brain tested, and there were large increases in the proliferation of stem cells in the dentate gyrus hippocampus. These cells are believed to play a crucial role in memory and mood regulation.

NewScientist.com May 24, 2007

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Magnet therapy is very exciting, and I have been intrigued with it for some time. While it rarely treats the cause of the problem, it certainly is far less dangerous than using drugs and, used wisely, is typically without side effects.

This is one type of therapy I would encourage you to consider and be sensitive to what future studies show that further document its efficacy and indications.

But beware because FDA regulations render it illegal to market any magnet therapy product that claims to treat any "significant" condition such as cancer, HIV, AIDS, asthma, arthritis, or rheumatism. So you will have to add the pieces together yourself because anyone who seeks to sell them to you will be clamped down by the FDA, as we all know that the primary purpose of the FDA is to "protect you."

Nevertheless, I've previously written about magnets to help with depression and even recently to avoid shark attacks, but now researchers have uncovered another potential: warding off Alzheimer's disease and age-related mental decline.

As the population continues to age, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease is expected to increase some 70 percent.

We are in the midst of an Alzheimer's epidemic. About 4.5 million people are affected today, and it is estimated that this number will increase to 7.7 million by 2030. Experts are calling this great increase in Alzheimer's cases a "looming public health disaster" that could potentially turn into an unmanageable health care crisis. So any potential cure deserves attention.

However, while this type of magnet therapy sounds promising, the best option when it comes to Alzheimer's and mental decline is to avoid it entirely. Mental decline is NOT a normal part of aging, and you can help protect your brain and mind by:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising
• Challenging yourself
• Avoiding toxins like mercury and aluminum

Related Articles:

Depressed? Magnets Might Help

Vitamin D and Brain Development (PDF)

Antidepressants Promote Brain Cell Growth

Drink Soda and Damage Your DNA

Drink Soda and Damage Your DNA

Research from a British university suggests that sodium benzoate, a common preservative found in many soft drinks, has the ability to switch off vital parts of DNA.

This could eventually lead to diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson's.

When a UK professor of molecular biology and biotechnology tested the impact of sodium benzoate on living yeast cells, he discovered that it was damaging important DNA in the cells' mitochondria.

Mitochondria serve as the "power stations" for cells, and damage to them can lead to serious cell malfunctions associated with aging and age-related disease. The damage caused by sodium benzoate was great enough to cause the mitochondria to stop functioning.

Sodium benzoate occurs naturally in berries in small amounts, but is used in large quantities to prevent mold in soft drinks such as Sprite, Diet Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Dr Pepper. It is also added to pickles and sauces.

The Independent May 27, 2007

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

I am still shocked every time I reflect on the fact that the number one source of calories in America comes from soda. To me it is an absolutely mind-boggling fact. Of course, all I have to do to knock my senses back to reality is go to a standard grocery store on a busy weekend and see what people are stuffing in their shopping carts.

We clearly have a long way to go to share even the most fundamental, basic nutrition concepts to the typical highly deceived and manipulated consumer. This new danger from sodium benzoate is simply one among many, as sodas are among the worst possible "foods" you can consume.

Professor Peter Piper, the UK expert who discovered the problem, says that the soft drink preservative can "totally inactivate" and "knock out" cells' mitochondria. The end result is an increased risk of a slew of diseases.

Sodium benzoate has previously also come under fire because, when combined with the vitamin C in many soft drinks, it forms benzene, a cancer-causing chemical linked to leukemia. In one study, at least five brands of soft drinks were found to contain excessive benzene levels.

Sodium benzoate is used freely in the United States and the UK. Fortunately, you can protect your health from this dangerous substance by not drinking soda (and not allowing your kids to either).

This is one of the easiest -- and most significant -- things you can do for your health; and aside from the good news that you won't have to worry about damaging your DNA, giving up soda (if you drink it) can reduce your risk of diabetes, obesity, and cancer. If you struggle with an addiction to soda, I strongly recommend you consider Turbo Tapping as a simple yet highly effective tool to help you stop this health-sucking habit.

So put down the can of soda, and pick up a glass of clean water instead.

Related Articles:

The Amazing Statistics and Dangers of Soda Pop

Soda Causing Nutritional Deficiencies in Children

One Soda a Day Increases Diabetes Risk 85 Percent

What happens to Pepsi or Coke with Mentos or Polo

Last week a little boy died in Brazil after eating MENTOS and drinking Coca-Cola / PEPSI together.

One year before the same accident happened with another boy in Brazil . Please check the experiment that has been done by mixing Coka-Cola (or Coka-Cola Light) with MENTOS .

So be careful with your self eating MENTOS (POLO's) and drinking COCA-COLA or PEPSI together.

CHECK THIS OUT...

Are Cell Phones Affecting Your Brain?

Author:
Karen Barrow

Medical reviewer:
Medically Reviewed On: September 14, 2006
Published on: September 14, 2006

It's always by your side, and when it's not, you are chatting away with it by your ear. Cell phones have made keeping in touch much easier, but what are they doing to your health?
A new study by Italian researchers finds that the electromagnetic fields emitted by cell phones may not be as innocuous as they seem, but they may not be all that harmful, either. Ultimately, it seems, cells phones do change your brain's activity, but whether this helps or harms is still not understood.

For the study, researchers fitted 15 men between the ages of 20 and 36 with a specialized helmet that contained a cell phone near the left ear. While wearing the helmets, the cell phone was turned on for a period of 45 minutes without the knowledge of the participants. The helmet measured the brain activity of the participants both while the phone was turned on and while it was off.

While the phones were on, there was increased brain activity in the cortical region of the left side of the brain, which is responsible for movement and language. This region of the brain remained in the excited state for as long as one hour after the phones were turned off.
It is common for cell phone users to use their phones for a similar length of time, certainly over the course of the day. But it is not known whether this increased brain activity would be beneficial or harmful to a person.

Electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted by cell phones, have been used by doctors in the past to treat migraines and even depression. But there has also been some connection between electromagnetic fields and an increased number of seizures in people with epilepsy.
"Theoretically, it might be both dangerous in all those conditions in which cortical excitability is [already] enhanced, like in epilepsy, or it might be beneficial in all those conditions with a need for higher excitability, as in post-stroke recovery or Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Paolo M. Rossini, professor of neurology at the University Campus-Bio-Medico in Rome, Italy
If there is a risk to using cell phones, Rossini states that more research is needed to determine which people should limit their use and who should maybe avoid cell phones altogether.
"More research is needed in order to produce safety guidelines, particularly for 'at risk' populations like people with different kind of brain damage, children etc.," said Rossini

©2007 Healthology, Inc.

Cocaine Busted by the FDA

Cocaine Busted by the FDA

Cocaine is the brand name of an energy drink produced by Redux Beverages. It is being marketed as "The Legal Alternative" to actual cocaine, and its logo is spelled out in what looks like a white powder.

The FDA has sent Redux Beverages a letter stating that they are illegally marketing the drink as both a street drug alternative and a dietary supplement. As evidence, the FDA has cited slogans such as "Speed in a Can," "Liquid Cocaine" and "Cocaine -- Instant Rush."

Dietary supplements also cannot carry claims to prevent or treat a disease. Cocaine's maker claims that the ingredient inositol helps prevent hardening of the arteries.

The FDA says the drink is a new drug and, as such, cannot be sold without federal approval.USA Today April 11, 2007Chicago Sun-Times April 12, 2007CBS News April 11, 2007
Dr. Mercola's Comment:

This slapdown by the FDA comes right on the heels of a proposed ban of the ridiculous energy drink Cocaine by Chicago aldermen. "Cocaine" is supposedly 350 percent stronger than Red Bull.

"Cocaine" is one of some 500 energy drinks launched last year, but this particular drink has countless numbers of fans, mostly teens. Coca-Cola has ventured into the very same realm as of late with its dubious "fat-burning" Enviga.

"Cocaine" should be avoided by all pregnant women as caffeine has been associated with birth defects. The high levels of sugar will also push your health in the wrong direction.
Generally you will want to avoid specialty drinks and soft drinks, as these could have an enormous negative influence on your long-term health. If nothing else, soft drinks, energy drinks and fruit drinks are tainted with sugars that will raise your insulin levels, contribute to a host of diseases and accelerate your aging process.

Diet drinks are also harmful, because they're loaded with artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Obviously, I believe you should avoid ALL soda, but I am firmly convinced that diet sodas are far more harmful than regular sodas. That says quite a bit as nearly everyone who knows me understands that I am no major fan of high-fructose corn syrup.

Your best and safest choice: Drinking clean, fresh water.

Related Articles:
Don't Be Fooled by Coca-Cola's Newest Green Tea Energy Drink
Do Energy Drinks Really Give You Energy?
Are You Overdosing on Caffeine With Energy Drinks?

Ibuprofen and Aspirin Can be a Deadly Combo

Ibuprofen and Aspirin Can be a Deadly Combo

The common painkiller ibuprofen could boost the likelihood of heart problems in high-risk patients with osteoarthritis.

Researchers examined the cardiovascular health of more than 18,000 osteoarthritis patients over the age of 50.

The patients were taking part in the Therapeutic Arthritis Research and Gastrointestinal Event Trial (TARGET), and were either taking a high dose of lumiracoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

Patients whose risk of cardiovascular disease was deemed low during the study remained that regardless of their drug regimen. But 10 percent were considered to be at high risk of a heart attack or stroke; some of these patients were taking low-dose aspirin for this problem.
When these high-risk patients were taking both aspirin and ibuprofen, they were nine times as likely to have heart attacks and strokes over the course of a year as those on lumiracoxib. Previous studies have suggested that ibuprofen interferes with the effects of aspirin.

Among high-risk patients not taking aspirin, the rate of heart attacks or strokes was higher for those on COX -2 inhibitors and ibuprofen than it was for those on naproxen.Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases April 5, 2007WFTV.com April 6, 2007Science Daily April 5, 2007
Dr. Mercola's Comment:

You might think that since you have grown up with Tylenol and it has been available without a prescription that it is a safe drug to use for pain, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Some 56,000 people end up in the emergency room each year from misuse of acetaminophen (Tylenol), and it is actually the most common cause of liver failure, not hepatitis C as you might believe.

The ability to purchase painkillers like Tylenol or ibuprofen over the counter doesn't mean they are any safer, more effective or better for your overall health than a prescription drug that can be just as deadly.

If you're concerned about the safety of an over-the-counter (OTC) drug you've been taking for a while or remain skeptical, I urge you to review the seven common misconceptions about the true safety of such medicines. Over-the-counter drugs can have serious side effects and can even result in death if taken incorrectly.

Two years ago the FDA published a study showing that smokers who used OTC painkillers for at least six months more than doubled their chances of dying from a stroke or heart attack.
And, as with prescription drugs, OTC drugs can also interact with foods, other medications, and existing medical conditions and cause some major problems.

Your best bet for treating your pain safely and effectively: Review this list of natural alternatives I posted in a previous article.

Considering that ibuprofen and aspirin worsen your risks of breast cancer by 50 percent, I'm not surprised to learn this over-the-counter (OTC) drug combo can harm the health of patients in other ways as well.

Related Articles:
Danger: Regular Aspirin or Tylenol Can Hurt Your Kidneys
Even Long-Term Use of OTC Painkillers Can be Deadly
Take Tylenol at Your Own Risk