Salmon caught near Seattle proven to be inundated with antidepressent ,cocaine and more
(DrEddyClinic News) We're all familiar with horror stories about juveniles on drugs, but normally it's humans that are involved, not fish. This case, however, involves juvenile chinook salmon http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1292 who never had the chance to "Just Say No."
Disturbing new research has indicated that young salmon found in Puget Sound tested positive for more than 80 different drugs, including cocaine, antidepressants and dozens of other medications used by humans.
When researchers tested the water at and near sewage treatment plants in the estuaries of Puget Sound near Seattle, Washington, they discovered high levels of drugs and personal care products – at some of the highest concentrations found anywhere in the nation.
The tissues of migratory chinook salmon and local staghorn sculpin also contained these compounds – even in the fish found in estuaries far from the sewage treatment plants where the water was previously considered "pristine."
As reported by The Seattle Times:
"The medicine chest of common drugs also included Flonase, Aleve and Tylenol. Paxil, Valium and Zoloft. Tagamet, OxyContin and Darvon. Nicotine and caffeine. Fungicides, antiseptics and anticoagulants. And Cipro and other antibiotics galore.
"Why are the levels so high? It could be because people here use more of the drugs detected, or it could be related to wastewater-treatment plants' processes, said Jim Meador, an environmental toxicologist at NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle and lead author on a paper published this week in the journal Environmental Pollution."
Sewage treatment plants unable to cope
The presence of these drugs in the water appears to be related to the inability of the wastewater plants to fully remove these chemicals http://www.toxicchemicalsnews.com/ during treatment. But high fecal coliform counts in some areas of the Sound suggest that leaky septic tanks may also be contributing to the problem.
Some of the drugs found in the fish and the water of Puget Sound http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=27172 are difficult to remove using standard sewage treatment methods:
"Treatment plants in King County are effective in removing some drugs http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=65 in wastewater, but many drugs are recalcitrant and remain. Seizure drugs, for instance, are very hard to remove, and ibuprofen levels are knocked down — but not out — during treatment, said Betsy Cooper, permit administrator for the county's Wastewater Treatment Division."
Who is really to blame?
But the blame should not be placed entirely on the treatment plants, according to Cooper. "You have treatment doing its best to remove these, chemically and biologically," she said, "but it's not just the treatment quality, it's also the amount that we use day to day and our assumption that it just goes away."
Shamefully, our own drug dependence is now poisoning other species as well. We have become a nation of drugged-out zombies http://www.zombie.news/, but that doesn't give us the right to turn fish and other animals into the same.
Maybe it's time to start realizing that prescription pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter remedies and illicit drugs are doing us – and our environment – far more harm than good.
We've bought into the Big Pharma-created myth that there is a chemical solution to all our problems – physical and mental – when in reality these substances are the cause of much of our "dis-ease" and general out-of-balance lifestyles.
The obvious solution
Although Western pharmaceutical medicine arguably has some value, almost everything these drugs are designed to treat can be more effectively dealt with using natural methods which promote healing http://www.naturalmedicine.news/ rather than dependence.
And one of the obvious lessons from the situation in Puget Sound is that when you make bad decisions at one level, there will be negative effects on other levels as well. We don't live in a vacuum, and our unhealthy lifestyles have an impact on all living things.
We're simultaneously poisoning ourselves and our surroundings. Maybe it's time for another approach ...
Sources:
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/drugs-flooding-into-puget-sound-and-its-salmon/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/fish-test-positive-cocaine-cocktail-7443169
http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1292
Women with larger behinds are healthier and more intelligent
(DrEddyClinic News) It turns out that having a little "junk in the trunk" is a good thing, health wise. Not only does having a larger derriere boost overall health, but it's tied to increased intelligence and lower risk of chronic disease, according to researchers at the University of Oxford and Churchill Hospital in the United Kingdom.
Fat distribution is important, say researchers, and if you're going to have some, it's best to have it below the waist, as it helps to serve as a barrier against heart disease, diabetes and other conditions linked to obesity.
"It is the protective role of lower body, that is [thigh and backside] fat, that is striking. The protective properties of the lower-body fat depot have been confirmed in many studies conducted in subjects with a wide range of age, BMI and co-morbidities," scientists wrote in the Journal of Obesity.
Apple-shaped vs. pear-shaped
Comparing your body shape to that of a fruit can help you identify whether or not you're on the right track. If you're pear-shaped, you're probably in a good place, researchers say. If you're apple-shaped, you may want to embark on a healthier lifestyle.
Individuals with belly fat have more obesity-related problems than those who carry extra weight on their hips, thighs and butt.
"There's a lot of evidence that shows that the fat depots are not the same in the body," said Dr. Robert Kushner, a professor of medicine specializing in obesity at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Belly fat "is more metabolically active," explains Kushner, meaning it has a greater effect on the brain and overall body, compared to fat stored in the lower half, which tends to be more stable and invokes fewer cytokines or proteins associated with insulin resistance and the onset of diabetes.
"There's a whole range of these hormonal markers that seem to be more preferentially released from the belly," he adds.
Regulating weight gain in the brain
Another factor tied to fat distribution in women http://www.womenshealth.news/ is leptin. Leptin levels, crucial for regulating appetite, are correlated with a bigger derriere, too. In individuals who are obese, their brain stops responding to the hormone entirely, causing the person to develop leptin resistance, which is similar to insulin resistance, reports http://elitedaily.com/news/world/big-butt-healthy-butt-study-says-women-big-butts-healthier/ Elite Daily.
"Having a big butt also favors leptin levels in the female body, which is a hormone responsible for regulating the weight, and the dinopectina, a hormone with anti-inflammatory, vascular-protective and anti-diabetic attributes. The adipose tissue of the buttocks traps harmful fatty particles and prevents cardiovascular disease."
Big butt equals big brains
Maintaining a larger behind requires significant amounts of Omega 3 fats http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=33213, which are proven to boost brain function, memory and cognitive abilities. Research also shows that children born to women with wide hips are more intelligent compared to those conceived by thinner and less curvy mothers.
Sources:
http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2010/8/omega-3-fatty-acids-increase-brain-volume/page-01
http://elitedaily.com/news/world/big-butt-healthy-butt-study-says-women-big-butts-healthier/
http://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutritional-information-27/dieting-to-lose-weight-health-news-195/could-a-bigger-bottom-boost-health-634861.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/butt-thigh-fat-make-healthier/story?id=9534982
http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=33213
Harmful Organism Cleansing: The Health Benefits of Anamu
(DrEddyClinic News) Brazilians call it anamu, Peruvians call it mucura, the English refer to it as garlic guinea weed. Whatever the name, anamu, or Petiveria alliacea, is native to many parts of South America, Mexico, Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean. Anamu has a strong, garlic-like odor and equally powerful therapeutic properties that have been used by herbal enthusiasts all over the world.
Why is Anamu Beneficial?Anamu contains tannins and other compounds that have known beneficial qualities. Also found in many berries and fruits, tannins are strong antioxidants that are resistant to swelling and redness. Anamu also contains dibenzyl trisulfide, a unique sulfuric compound that’s exhibited some interesting behavior in the laboratory. [1]Anamu and Harmful OrganismsAnamu roots and leaves have been used to help the body purge harmful organisms. [2] According to the Department of Chemistry at State University of New York at Albany, anamu root has demonstrated resistance to both bacteria and fungus. [3] Anamu is popular in Argentina for fighting certain viruses. [4] Extracts of anamu leaves and stems have been used as a control agent for cattle ticks. [5]
Other Health Benefits of AnamuBesides its efficacy against harmful organisms, many cultures have utilized anamu flowers, leaves, and roots to remedy negative health conditions as well as immune system support.In Brazilian folk medicine, anamu leaves and root may be made into a tea reputed to help reduce fever http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/ff/fever.php, lessen muscle spasms, relieve pain, and calm the nerves. [6] In other Amazonian traditional medicine systems, anamu is used to promote detoxification via urine production and resist irritation. [7] Like many other botanicals, anamu has exhibited antioxidant activity which helps fight free radicals and reduce oxidative damage. [8] In animal studies, extracts from anamu leaves and stems have been observed to reduce blood sugar. [9]Anamu PrecautionsIf you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant, it’s best if you avoid anamu. Some studies have shown that it may stimulate uterine contractions which can lead to abortion. [6] Additionally, anamu has a blood thinning effect. If you have blood disorders, you should talk to your healthcare provider before taking the herb or any supplement that lists it as an ingredient.by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFMReferences:1. Williams LA, Rosner H, Levy HG, Barton EN. A critical review of the therapeutic potential of dibenzyl trisulphide isolated from Petiveria alliacea L (guinea hen weed, anamu) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17621839. West Indian Med J. 2007 Jan;56(1):17-21.2. Lopes-Martins RA, Pegoraro DH, Woisky R, Penna SC, Sertié JA. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a crude extract of Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12046866. Phytomedicine. 2002 Apr;9(3):245-8.3. Kubec R, Kim S, Musah RA. The lachrymatory principle of Petiveria alliacea http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12657295. Phytochemistry. 2003 May;63(1):37-40.4. Ruffa MJ, Perusina M, Alfonso V, Wagner ML, Suriano M, Vicente C, Campos R, Cavallaro L. Antiviral activity of Petiveria alliacea against the bovine viral diarrhea virus http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12138331. Chemotherapy. 2002 Jul;48(3):144-7.5. Rosado-Aguilar JA, Aguilar-Caballero A, Rodriguez-Vivas RI, Borges-Argaez R, Garcia-Vazquez Z, Mendez-Gonzalez M. Acaricidal activity of extracts from Petiveria alliacea (Phytolaccaceae) against the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: ixodidae) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20042296. Vet Parasitol. 2010 Mar 25;168(3-4):299-303. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.11.022. Epub 2009 Dec 2.6. de Lima TC, Morato GS, Takahashi RN. Evaluation of antinociceptive effect of Petiveria alliacea (Guiné) in animals http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1841991. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 1991;86 Suppl 2:153-8.7. Duarte MR, Lopes JF. Leaf and stem morphoanatomy of Petiveria alliacea http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16242265. Fitoterapia. 2005 Dec;76(7-8):599-607. Epub 2005 Oct 19.8. Okada Y, Tanaka K, Sato E, Okajima H. Antioxidant activity of the new thiosulfinate derivative, S-benzyl phenylmethanethiosulfinate, from Petiveria alliacea L http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327337. Org Biomol Chem. 2008 Mar 21;6(6):1097-102. doi: 10.1039/b715727d. Epub 2008 Feb 18.9. Lores RI, Cires Pujol M. Petiveria alleaceae L. (anamú). Study of the hypoglycemic effect http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2100880. Med Interne. 1990 Oct-Dec;28(4):347-52.
Prevent Childhood Leukemia
(DrEddyClinic News) Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow. Every year there are 2000-3000 children diagnosed with this cancer in the United States. Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer and is most common in children under the age of 10. But in Asia those statistics look very different. They have a much lower rate of childhood leukemia http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/cc/leukemia.php than western countries. The Loyola University Medical Center has done research to find out why.
Researchers think the link between the lower amount of childhood leukemia in Asia is due to Turmeric. Turmeric is a spice that is commonly used in Asian cooking. Loyola professor Moolky Nagabhushan said in a statement, "Some of the known risk factors that contribute to the high incidence of childhood leukemia http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=78 are the interaction of many lifestyle and environmental factors. These include prenatal or postnatal exposure to radiation, benzene, environmental pollutants and alkylating chemotherapeutic drugs." Nagabhushan went on to say that his studies showed that the principle coloring agent in turmeric, curcumin, mitigated the effects of some of the risk factors.
Western cultures can get these same effects by cooking with turmeric. You can purchase the spice at your local health food store. You can also get the same benefits by taking turmeric supplements.
A study at the University of California Berkley found that eating certain fruits could lower children's risk of developing leukemia. The study, which was called the Northern California Childhood Leukemia Study, looked at 328 children that had been diagnosed with leukemia between the ages of 2 and 14. They compared their diets to children of the same age, gender, ethnicity and region who did not have leukemia. The study found that children who regularly ate oranges and/or bananas during their first two years of life had a reduced risk of developing childhood leukemia. Oranges are full of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a well known antioxidant and is also known for its anticancer effects. Bananas contain a high amount of potassium. Potassium is a mineral that has also shown to have some anti-cancer benefits.
The research showed that the risk for developing childhood leukemia was 51% lower in the children who ate oranges/bananas regularly. The study also showed that drinking orange juice was also found to be protective. The risk dropped 46% compared with children who rarely or never drank orange juice.
Once again studies show that by feeding our children healthy, balanced diets they will have a reduced risk of cancers and all diseases in general.
Resources:
http://bastyrcenter.org/content/view/741/
http://www.acor.org/ped-onc/diseases/leuk.html
http://www.sunrosearomatics.com/research.asp#turmeric
About the author:
Maddie is a health and fitness enthusiast who likes to research and write about all health and green living topics. She writes about herbal remedies http://www.sassafrasstation.com/herbal-remedies/natural-remedy for Sassafras Station, a health and fitness website, and edits the blog at http://www.sassafrasstation.com/blog/ .
Inflammatory bowel disease drugs can increase leukemia risk
(DrEddyClinic News) One class of drugs used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may increase the risk of blood and bone marrow diseases sevenfold, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University Hospital of Nancy-Brabois in France and published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
The drugs studied, known as thiopurines, are intended to provide symptomatic relief and reduce flare-ups by reducing inflammation.
"In order to make appropriate, informed decisions about thiopurines, patients and providers need to be well-educated about the risks and benefits of this treatment," researcher Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet, MD, PhD, said.
"We hope these findings encourage other researchers to investigate more about the drug[s] and [their] potentially harmful effects."
Sevenfold increase in risk
IBD http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/ii/inflammatoryboweldisease.php is an umbrella term for a variety of conditions and is most commonly used to describe Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These separate conditions are united by a pattern of alternating flare-ups or relapses (characterized by inflammation and irritation of the bowels, with digestive and other symptoms) and periods of remission which are symptom-free.
Crohn's disease is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the deep layers of the intestinal wall. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain (particularly in the lower right side), diarrhea, weight loss and sometimes bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of the colon or rectum and is also marked by abdominal cramps, diarrhea and bleeding.
For the current study, researchers examined 19,486 people who were participating in the Cancers Et Surrisque Associe aux Maladies inflammatoires intestinales En France study, which took place between May 2004 and June 2005. Three years later, the researchers followed up to see which patients had been diagnosed with incident myeloid disorders, including myeloid leukemia and the bone marrow disorder myelodysplastic syndrome.
In that time, five of the patients had developed an myeloid disorder. Four of them had previously been exposed to thiopurines. Among patients exposed to thiopurines, the rate of myeloid disorders was seven times higher than expected; in contrast, the rate was no higher than expected among patients not exposed to the drugs. This suggests that it is the drugs, rather than IBD, that raises the risk of leukemia and bone marrow diseases.
Alternative treatments may be safer
Although the absolute risk of myeloid disorders was still small even in patients who took thiopurines, the researchers noted that IBD patients should be made aware of all their treatment options, including nutrition.
According to the American Gastroenterological Association, which publishes Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, eating certain foods and avoiding others can help prevent or lessen symptoms during IBD flare-ups.
Studies have also suggested that supplementing with certain nutrients may also help prevent IBD or IBD flare-ups. A 2011 study conducted by researchers from the Innlandet Hospital Trust in Norway and published in the journal Nutrition Research, for example, found that higher vitamin B6 intake in IBD patients was associated with less frequent and less severe disease symptoms.
Vitamin D in particular has shown promise as a way to prevent and treat IBD, perhaps due to its effect in regulating the immune system (Crohn's disease in particular is suspected of being an autoimmune disorder).
Finally, at least one study -- conducted by researchers from Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, and published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology in 2008 -- found that hypnosis could reduce the inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis.
"This work shows that a single short session of hypnosis can return some of the chemical changes in the bowel associated with inflammation back towards normal in patients with ulcerative colitis," senior researcher Dr. David S. Rampton said.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.gastro.org/news/articles/2014/08/06/exposure-to-inflammatory-bowel-disease-drugs-could-increase-leukemia-risk
http://www.gastro.org/patient-center/digestive-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease
http://www.dreddyclinic.com/mercury_detox_procedures.htm
http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31516%22
Ginger Supplements Might Ease Inflammation Linked to Colon Cancer
(DrEddyClinic News) -- A small, preliminary study finds that ginger root supplements seem to reduce inflammation in the intestines -- a potential sign that the pills might reduce the risk of colon cancer http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/cc/colorectalcancer.php.
However, more study needs to be done, and the researchers aren't yet recommending that people head to the supplements' aisle or start gobbling up more ginger at meal times.
"If you want to add ginger to part of a healthy diet, that's great. But you can't make any conclusions about definite health benefits" based on the study findings, said lead author Suzanna M. Zick, a naturopathic physician and research associate professor at University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.
The study, funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, was published online Oct. 11 in Cancer Prevention Research.
Ginger, an herb, is found in supplements and in many foods such as ginger snaps and Asian dishes. Research has supported its use to treat stomach problems such as nausea and vomiting; the U.S. National Library of Medicine says it's "likely safe," although some people may develop mild side effects.
Previous research in animals has suggested that ginger can reduce inflammation but isn't potentially toxic to the stomach like aspirin, Zick noted. And scientists have linked chronic inflammation in the gut to colon cancer, suggesting that easing this inflammation could reduce the risk of the disease.
In the new study, Zick's team randomly assigned 30 people to take pills containing 2 grams of ground ginger root extract or a "dummy" placebo pill each day for 28 days. They measured the level of inflammation in the participants' intestines before and after the test period.
The amount of ginger in the pills is equivalent to 20 grams of raw ginger root, the authors said. That is probably well beyond what most people would eat in their regular diet, Zick noted. As for cost, she said that a month's supply of similar ginger supplements typically runs about $10 to $30.
The researchers found that the level of inflammation in the subjects who took the ginger pills fell by an average of 28 percent, while staying about the same in those who took the placebo.
If more funding becomes available, the researchers hope to launch a larger study, Zick said. But for now, she said, "if you want to embrace ginger because you like the taste, go ahead," but there's no solid evidence that it prevents colon cancer.
Dr. Andrew Chan, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, said the findings are promising because they hint at how ginger may prevent colon cancer.
It's already clear that people with inflammatory conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome are at higher risk of colon cancer, he noted. "We know there are anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin that appear to have anti-cancer properties. And we know there are certain basic mechanisms which seem to be common to both inflammation and cancer," he said.
Still, Chan said, "it's much too early to tell whether ginger has anti-cancer properties."
More information
There's more on ginger at the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/961.html
Yerba mate tea kills colon cancer cells
(DrEddyClinic News) A recent scientific study found that yerba mate tea induces death in human colon cancer cells. Scientists discovered that in vitro cancer cells died when exposed to the bioactive compounds present in one cup of the beverage long valued for its medicinal properties by South American traditional healers.
Caffeine compounds cause cell death
University of Illinois associate professor of food chemical and toxicology Elvira de Mejia stated "The caffeine derivatives in mate tea not only induced death in human colon cancer cells, they also reduced important markers of inflammation." Mejia observed that this is important since inflammation can lead to cancer progression. Her study was published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research in latter part of 2011.
In the in vitro study, de Mejia and former graduate student Sirima Puangpraphant first isolated, and purified, then treated human colon cancer http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/cc/colorectalcancer.php cells with caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) derivatives from mate tea. As the scientists increased the CQA concentration, cancer cells died. "Put simply, the cancer cell self-destructs because its DNA has been damaged," de Mejia said.
Inducing apoptosis, or cell death, is one of the tactics medical researchers have been trying to create through pharmaceutical anti-cancer drugs. However research has also discovered that natural medicines also possess this capability. The new University of Illinois study now demonstrates that yerba mate is one of those substances with this cancer-fighting power.
Yerba mate stops inflammation
The study suggests that the mate tea compounds not only have potential as anti-cancer agents but may also be effective against other diseases associated with inflammation. However, since the colon and its microflora play a major role in the absorption and metabolism of caffeine-related compounds, the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of mate tea may be most potent against bowel cancer. "We believe there's ample evidence to support drinking mate tea for its bioactive benefits, especially if you have reason to be concerned about colon cancer," de Mejia noted.
The scientists will also soon publish the results of a further study on yerba mate and colon cancer. The new study compares the development of colon cancer in rats that drank only mate tea against a control group that drank only water.
Sources:
ScienceDaily http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123115539.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Falternative_medicine+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+%26+Medicine+News+--+Alternative+Medicine%29
http://www.patexia.com/feed/compounds-in-mate-tea-induce-death-in-colon-cancer-cells-2306
http://zeenews.india.com/ayurveda/yerba-mate-brew-bumps-off-colon-cancer-cells_1032.html
http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/cc/colorectalcancer.php
