HealthBeat News

Category: Family Health

  • Seven Inconvenient Truths About the 2009 H1N1 Flu Pandemic

    Seven Inconvenient Truths About the 2009 H1N1 Flu Pandemic

    by Dr. Dana Myatt

     

    “Selective reporting” about the H1N1 virus and vaccine make it sound like getting a vaccination for the “pandemic flu” is a no-brainer. Thinking men and women should know the under-reported scientific conclusions and plain vanilla government statistics concerning this year’s “Panic-Demic” before making this seemingly simple but potentially life-threatening decision.

    To that end I present these “inconvenient truths” (fully referenced) for your consideration. Please note that it is extremely politically incorrect to question the value of the flu vaccine.

    In Health,
    Dr. Myatt

    Seven Inconvenient Truths About the 2009 H1N1 Flu Pandemic

    by Dr. Dana Myatt

    1.) What is a “Phase Six” Pandemic? (Probably NOT what You Think)

    Contrary to popular thought (and most dictionaries), “pandemic” does not mean “large numbers” in WHO / CDC language. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Pandemic Phase Descriptions, “pandemic” refers to distribution, not numbers or severity. Here is the WHO criteria for pandemics:

    • A “Phase 4” pandemic means only that a virus is transmissible between humans.
    • A “Phase 5” pandemic means only that one viral disease has been seen in two countries.
    • A Phase 6 pandemic means only that one viral disease has been seen in three or more countries.

    Again, the term “pandemic” does NOT refer to numbers of people affected or severity of the disease. (1)

    For perspective, The WHO announced as of 20 September 2009 that there have been 3917 total deaths worldwide from H1N1, on par with world-wide mortality from any seasonal or other flu for this time of year. (2) Malaria kills an average of 3,000 people every day in southeast Asia. (3)

    2.) Is The H1N1 Flu Really a Danger to the U.S.?

    Of less than 4,000 flu-related deaths world-wide, only 211 have occurred in the US as of August 2009. (4) This represents a death total lower than from seasonal flu for years 2005 through 2008 in the U.S. (5)

    Adding H1N1 and seasonal flu together, flu-related deaths are still lower this year compared to previous “non-pandemic” years.

    Not only is the total flu rate lower this year in the U.S., but the H1N1 flu has been much milder than predicted here and abroad. (6-10)

    According to the WHO, most H1N1 infections are mild, occurring in numbers comparable to seasonal flues, with fast recovery and mostly without need for medical care. Mortality rates so far have been only a fraction of the number of those reported each year from seasonal flu. WHO also acknowledges that “Large outbreaks of disease have not yet been reported in many countries…” (11)

    Harvard researcher Mark Lipsitch, PhD, explained at an Institute of Medicine meeting that on a 1 to 5 scale — with 5 being a 1918-like pandemic — this swine flu pandemic is a 1. Deputy Director of the CDC’s flu division, Daniel Jernigan, MD, concurs. “We are likely to have numbers that look very similar to what Dr. Lipsitch had,” Jernigan said. (12)

    3.) Why H1N1-related deaths are actually smaller than reported in the U.S.

    As of August 2009, ALL flu-associated deaths in the U.S. are being reported together. H1N1, seasonal flu and “influenza-like illness” (ILI) are added together to give the “flu mortality rate.” Reported illness and death totals, now include “influenza-like illness” (ILI) that in some cases may not be any form of flu at all. (13)

    Other reports concede that a portion of reported H1N1 deaths have actually been caused by pneumonia, not the H1N1 virus itself. (14)

    Because the new reporting system tallies deaths from all types of flu, the reported numbers of total flu deaths are not all attributable to H1N1. This means the true H1N1 mortality rate is only a portion of the total reported. Remember that deaths from all types of flu added together are lower in the U.S. this year than from the four previous “non pandemic” years before. (5,13)

    3.) Flu vaccines provide little or no protection from the flu.

    Vaccination is claimed to prevent the spread of influenza, protect individuals from acquiring the disease, and do so to a high degree of efficacy. Unfortunately, the majority of scientific studies do not support these claims. In fact, meta analyses (“master studies”) that look at large numbers of scientific studies and their outcomes, show the opposite. Influenza vaccine is minimally or not at all effective for most age groups. Here is how the numbers break down.

    In children under two:

    In children under the age of two, influenza vaccines are no more effective than placebo. (15)

    One meta analysis evaluating fifty-one published studies with 294,159 observations found “no efficacy” in children under the age of two. (16) The authors conclude that “It was surprising to find only one study of inactivated vaccine in children under two years, given current recommendations to vaccinate healthy children from six months old in the USA and Canada.”

    Simply put, the authors question why the U.S. is targeting children under the age of two for vaccination when the studies show the vaccine to be ineffective in this age group.

    In children over two:

    The same meta analysis found influenza vaccines effective 33% of the time in children over the age of two. (16) Followed to it’s logical conclusion, this means the flu vaccines are ineffective 67% of the time in children over the age of two.

    Another study found influenza vaccine ineffective up to age 5. (17)

    In healthy adults:

    A meta analysis evaluating 25 studies conducted on 59,566 adults age 14-40 found a mere 6% decrease of clinical influenza in those vaccinated. The conclusion: “Universal immunization of healthy adults is not supported by the results of this review.” (18)

    The recent update to this study, pooling 38 published studies encompassing 66,248 healthy individuals aged 16 to 65 years, found that “serological flu” (lab numbers) were reduced but actual cases of flu were not reduced. This meta analysis concluded that improvements in overall flu rates in those vaccinated “was extremely modest.” (19)

    In seniors:

    Seniors over age 70 account for 75% of all flu-related deaths. Since 1980, the vaccination rate in seniors has increased from 15% to 65% but the death rate from flu has not declined. The authors conclude that “the evidence is insufficient to indicate the magnitude of a mortality benefit, if any, that elderly people derive from the vaccination program.” (20)

    Contrary to popular belief, studies have found that secondary pneumonia in seniors is not decreased by flu vaccination, and that reduction of mortality through influenza vaccination has been greatly overestimated in this age group. (21,22)

    5.) “Fast track” approval of flu vaccines, especially H1N1, leaves safety questions unanswered.

    “Fast track” approval means that influenza vaccines do not have to go through the normal regulatory procedures. The H1N1 vaccine approval was especially fast because of the “pandemic” designation. One of the approved 4 vaccines was approved after testing in only 221 people for 21 days. (23) Another was approved after testing on 175 adults for 21 days. (24).

    The World Health Organization (WHO) admits that people who get vaccinations will be the “field testers” of their safety. From the WHO website:

    “Time constraints mean that clinical data at the time when pandemic vaccines are first administered will inevitably be limited. Further testing of safety and effectiveness will need to take place after administration of the vaccine has begun. (Author’s italics)

    … On the positive side, mass vaccination campaigns can generate significant safety data within a few weeks. (Author’s italics) (25)

    In other words, we won’t know the safety of these vaccines until we vaccinate millions of people (45 million is the U.S. “target” for October) (26,27); the side effects experienced by those vaccinated will be the “safety data.”

    The U.S. Government conferred immunity from prosecution to drug manufacturers of the H1N1 vaccine in July 2009. (28)

    6.) Vaccines May Be More Dangerous than the Flu Itself.

    In 1976, 200 soldiers at Fort Dix were stricken with the flu, with one reported death. A pandemic was declared and nearly 40 million people in the U.S. received the 1976/H1N1 vaccine before the campaign was stopped due to an increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome, a paralytic autoimmune disease. (29)

    More than 500 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome were reported, 25 of which resulted in death. This “pandemic that wasn’t” never spread beyond Fort Dix. (30)

    In a recent statement by the The American Academy of Neurology, experts said they don’t expect the 2009 H1N1 vaccine to increase risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome or other autoimmune disease but they acknowledged that this is a concern with any pandemic vaccine. (31)

    Mild short-term reactions to the vaccine can include soreness, redness, or swelling at vaccination site, low grade fever, runny nose, headache, chills, tiredness/weakness and body aches and pains. (32) These symptoms are very much like the flu itself.

    Life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (a paralytic autoimmune disease) can also occur. (33)

    These short-term side effects of influenza vaccination are easier to observe because of their close proximity to vaccination, beginning within minutes to several weeks. Long-term and/or cumulative effects of vaccinations are more difficult to monitor, and questions remain about the long-term safety of vaccines.

    For example, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in adults and autism in children has skyrocketed in the last several decades. These rates are continued to increase. (34,35)

    The cause of these increases is not known. Some camps maintain that these neurological disease escalations may be caused by vaccinations, especially since many vaccines still contain mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde and other neurotoxic compounds. (36-39)

    The US government, CDC, FDA, and drug manufacturers claim there is no correlation between vaccines and these diseases, (40-43) although many question the quality of evidence used to draw this conclusion. (44,45)

    7.) “Herd Immunity” Remains Speculative

    “Herd immunity” (community immunity) is the belief that if a portion of society gets vaccinated, weaker members of “the herd” who do not respond satisfactorily to the vaccine (children under two and seniors over 65) will be protected from the flu because those around them have been vaccinated. Much evidence contradicts the concept of “herd immunity.” (46-49)

    If healthcare workers get vaccinated, they purportedly decrease the risk of influenza in their high-risk patient, hence the “heavy push” that borders on mandate for health care workers to receive the vaccine. One large meta analysis found “no high quality evidence that vaccinating healthcare workers reduces the incidence of influenza or its complications in the elderly in institutions.” (50)

    Conclusions

    My purpose in presenting these statistics and studies is to assist the reader in drawing independent conclusions about the true risk of H1N1 flu and advisability of vaccination for same.

    We are each responsible for our own “due diligence” when making decisions concerning our health, although many people defer to the media and government for their directives.

    Here are the points I see from these studies and statistics:

    1. The safety and effectiveness of H1N1 vaccines has not been proven.
    2. The transmissibility of H1N1 flu is small and the severity mild compared to seasonal flu.
    3. My risk of getting the H1N1 flu is small; my risk of dying from this flu is quite small and no greater than for any seasonal flu.
    4. Flu vaccines confer little if any protection from influenza viruses in my age group.
    5. There is much conflicting “proof” that by getting a vaccination, I help make others around me safer through “herd immunity.”
    6. There are known short-term and possibly unknown long-term side effects from vaccines.

    All things considered, I’m going to pass on the H1N1 flu vaccine. I believe there are far safer, better-proven methods to increase my resistance to H1N1 and make sure I have a mild case of it (as most cases are) if I do contract the flu.

    If you’d like to see what natural measures I am personally taking, please subscribe to HealthBeat News here.

    My plan for increasing natural resistance to the H1N1 and other flues will be in next week’s online edition of HealthBeat News.

    The fully referenced version of this article with links to government websites can be viewed here.

  • More Concerns About H1N1 And Vaccines – Dr. Crafton Warns Us…

    Doctor Denham B Crafton III, a good friend and dentist now practicing in Vermont, sends us information and updates about dentistry and the health impacts of mercury – a special interest for him – from time to time. This morning he sent us this cautionary note regarding mercury in H1N1 vaccines and about the grim specter of “enforced isolation” for persons exhibiting symptoms that could possibly be related (or not!) to infection with a viral illness.

    Here is Dr. Denny’s note, as we received it, with minor edits for clarity and formatting:

    As a concerned Health Care Practitioner, I have been following the “news” about H1N1 / (not) Swine flu  closely…thus far, the mortality rate is lower than last year’s flu, which essentially means it isn’t terribly consequential, despite what the “mainstream media” would have you believe.

    Last week the Federal government authorized the use of 4 different “Swine Flu Vaccines”… all 4 have never been tested on humans.   This is extremely poor thinking on behalf of the Federal Government (gee, what’s new?)  Of course, the manufacturers cannot be sued for negligence / malpractice under existing Federal legislation.

    Making matters even worse, most of these vaccines are actually produced in China… if that doesn’t raise your index of suspicion, it should. Chinese products over the past few years, especially in critical medical components, have  become increasingly suspect – from ethylene glycol in toothpaste to seriously contaminated Heparin (imported by Baxter Pharmaceuticals) last year… in short, this is very bad policy.

    Now, making things even worse, the standards relating to the presence of toxic materials in vaccines are being suspended.

    You read that right: suspended [see below] Only Plutonium is more toxic than mercury.

    Personally, I am refusing any vaccinations and I am strongly recommending against any vaccinations for H1N1. The H1N1 virus is obviously a laboratory product – and what hasn’t been widely reported is that many of the deaths associated with Swine Flu appear to be directly associated with Vitamin D deficiency.

    Making matters worst of all, the “government” has targeted pregnant women and children under age 3 as being “high risk” for flu and consequently, these groups are targeted for vaccination.

    Do your own research, be suspicious of anyone recommending any vaccination for this flu – most likely the death toll from the vaccine will be higher than the flu itself.

    The CDC has composed a draft for an “isolation order” as a template for state and local officials to impose quarantines. According to the document officials are able to impose a quarantine without a definite confirmation or evidence that the person in question is even ill. According to the CDC a person who has the H1N1 virus will exhibit symptoms of a “fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.” Under the order, anyone who is suspected to be exposed or is reasonably suspected to be exposed with H1N1 can be quarantined. This broad definition could apply to anyone and exposes this power grab for what it is.

    Click here for more information >>> CDC Drafts “Isolation Order” for H1N1

    Washington’s Secretary of Health, Mary Selecky, is temporarily suspending the limit of the amount of Mercury allowed in the H1N1 vaccine in an effort to ensure the highest risk residents of Washington (pregnant women and children under three) get vaccinated when it becomes available.

    Secretary Selecky states that she does not want anything in the way of protecting people if the mercury-free vaccines run out of stock. The suspension is to last six months, effective through March 23, 2010, and it only applies to the swine flu vaccine currently in production. The law, however, still requires that any pregnant or lactating women or guardians of children under 18 be told that they are receiving a vaccine with more mercury than is usually permitted, while the limits are suspended. As of now, vaccination remains on a voluntary basis.

    Click here for more information >>> Mercury Limits Suspended for H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine to Improve Access

  • 7 Reasons To Take Take Grape Seed Extract

    7 Reasons To Take Take Grape Seed Extract



    by Dr. Dana Myatt

    Grape seed extract is on my list of “must take” supplements.” Here’s why.

    Grape Seed Extract Lowers Risk of Heart Disease

    Proanthocyanidin (OPC), a powerful antioxidant found in grape seeds, grape skins, strawberries and French maritime pine bark, has anti-inflammatory properties which have been shown to promote normal blood flow and thus benefit the cardiovascular system. In Doctor Myatt’s words, OPC’s prevent “blood sludge” that can cause strokes and heart attacks. OPC’s work like aspirin (only better and safer) to prevent abnormal blood clotting. OPC’s may be a superior answer for those who need thinner blood (like people with arrhythmias) as a safer alternative to coumadin. OPC’s are also derived from pine bark (the grape seed extract is slightly more potent and less expensive. You will often see the terms proanthocaynadin, OPC’s, and grape seed extract used interchangeably).

    In one study, 38 cigarette smokers were divided into two groups and received either 500 mg of aspirin or 125 mg of Proanthocyanidin. After taking these doses, each subject smoked a cigarette, which is known to increase blood platelet aggregation (blood clumping). After two hours, blood samples were analyzed. Both groups has greatly reduced platelet aggregation, but those in the aspirin group had increased bleeding times while those in the OPC group did not. Other studies in smokers have also shown the anti-aggregation effect of OPC’s.

    In another study, 30 people were given Proanthocyanidin and 10 were given placebo. People in the Proanthocyanidin group had significant reduction in blood pressure, capillary (small blood vessel) leakage, and blood vessel inflammation, all risk factors for heart disease. There were no negative side effects or adverse changes in blood chemistries from Proanthocyanidin.

    Grape Seed Extract A Boon to Diabetics (and those who don’t want to be diabetics)

    Proanthocyanidin benefits the cardiovascular system by decreasing inflammation and improving blood viscosity in both normal and diabetic subjects. These effects can be especially important to diabetics. New research shows that OPC’s have even more benefits for diabetics by helping to lower blood sugar levels and improving microcirculation.

    OPC’s were administered to diabetic patients. Leg ulcers (which often result in gangrene and loss of limbs in diabetics) healed 25-29% faster in the group taking OPC’s. This is a significant benefit for diabetic patients and could help prevent loss of limbs that often occurs in diabetes.

    OPC’s have also been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. Researchers looked at the effect that Proanthocyanidin has on alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose molecules. In this study, Proanthocyanidin was compared to acarbose, a synthetic drug (sold under the brand name Precose) that inhibits alpha-glucosidase. Proanthocyanidin was found to be 190 times more potent at inhibiting alpha-glucosidase, producing a greater delay in glucose absorption. At higher concentrations, OPC’s greatly slowed the entrance of carbohydrates into the blood stream compared to the drug.

    Another study showed that Proanthocyanidin improved the level of microangiopathy (small blood vessel abnormalities) decreased capillary filtration, improved symptoms and reduced edema in 18 out of 18 diabetic patients, with no subjects dropping out of the study due to adverse side effects. There were no improvements seen in the control group.

    OPC’s have been shown in French trials to help limit the progression of diabetic retinopathy. In one study, 60% of diabetics taking 150 mg per day of OPCs from grape seed extract had no progression of retinopathy compared to 47% of those taking a placebo.

    Another trial including 77 subjects with type 2 diabetes, (half receiving 100 mg of Proanthocyanidin and half received a placebo daily), showed after 12 weeks that subjects in the Proanthocyanidin group had significantly lowered their plasma glucose levels compared to placebo. Proanthocyanidin subjects were also found to have improved artery function. In another trial of 30 type 2 diabetics, researchers found that increasing doses of Proanthocyanidin (doses of 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg) lowered blood sugar levels in a dose-dependent fashion. (The more grape seed extract, the lower the blood sugar levels). Subjects who received 100 to 300 mg of Proanthocyanidin had the most significant lowering of their fasting glucose levels.

    Anti-Cancer Effects of Grape Seed Extract

    Talc (talcum powder) increases “ovarian neoplastic transformation” (turns cells of the female ovary into cancerous cells). A brand new study showed that Proanthocyanidin blocked this talc-induced cancerous change in ovarian cells. PC’s have also been shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in breast cancer cells but not in normal breast tissue.

    OPc’s reduce four factors know to stimulate cancer cell growth: blood sugar levels, insulin levels, free radical and inflammation. This means that OPC’s may be a potent factor not only in cancer prevention but also in cancer treatment. (See our medical paper on cancer diet and nutrition for cancer for full details).

    But Wait! There’s More! (More Benefits of Grape Seed Extract)

    If heart-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer effects aren’t enough to make you consider adding grape seed extract to your supplement regimen, here are a few more benefits of this amazing flavonoid for you to consider:

    * anti-allergenic (grape seed stabilizes histamine release and so acts as a natural anti-histamine, without any drowsy side-effects). Asthmatic children who took Proanthocyanidin were able to decrease their asthma medications.

    * improves skin elasticity by increasing collagen in the skin. For this reason, OPC’s are often used in skin rejuvenation programs.

    * prevents varicose veins by strengthening blood vessels and increasing collagen (same reason it helps improve aging skin).

    * helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease by blocking the formation of beta amyloid (a protein associated with Alzheimer’s).

    * Reduces symptoms of endometriosis. This is JUST IN today in Family Medicine journal, yet another study showing positive benefit.

    I Don’t Know About You, But…

    The proven (but non-FDA-approved, blessed or verified) effects of grape seed extract (aka Proanthocyanidin, OPC’s etc.) are just too great for me to overlook. I personally take 100mg, 3 times per day with meals and will continue to do so. The new research coming out on this important herb convinces me that I’ve made a good decision. Learn more about Grape Seed Extract here.

    * The term “pycnogenol” originally denoted the generic proanthocyanidin (OPC) extracts derived from pine bark as researched by Jacques Masquelier, Ph.D.  However, Pycnogenol® is now a registered trademark of Horphag Overseas Ltd., referring specifically to their brand of maritime pine extract. Jacques Masquelier, Ph.D., the original discoverer of OPC’s, initially researched maritime pine as the source of proanthocyanidins. 

    In 1951, Professor Masquelier patented a method of extracting OPC’s from pine bark, and in 1970 used this same technique to extract OPC’s from grape seed.

     

    References
    1.)Inhibition of smoking-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin and pycnogenol. Thromb Res. 1999 Aug 15;95(4):155-61.
    2.) Pine bark extract reduces platelet aggregation. Integr Med. 2000 Mar 21;2(2):73-77.
    3.) Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol) after oral administration to healthy volunteers. BMC Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Aug 3;6:4.
    4.) Inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 activity by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). Biomed Pharmacother. 2006 Jan;60(1):5-9. Epub 2005 Oct 26.
    5.) Diabetic ulcers: microcirculatory improvement and faster healing with pycnogenol. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2006 Jul;12(3):318-23.
    6.) Oligomeric procyanidins of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) effectively inhibit alpha-glucosidase. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2006 Nov 10.
    7.) Rapid relief of signs/symptoms in chronic venous microangiopathy with pycnogenol: a prospective, controlled study. Angiology. 2006 Oct-Nov;57(5):569-76.
    8.) Procyanidolic oligomers in the treatment of fragile capillaries and diabetic retinopathy. Med Int 1981;16:432–4 [in French].
    8.) Retinopathies and OPC. Bordeaux Medicale 1978;11:1467–74 [in French].
    9.) Contribution to the study of procyanidolic oligomeres: Endotelon in diabetic retinopathy (in regard to 30 observations). Gaz Med de France 1982;89:3610–4 [in French].
    10.) Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II. Life Sci. 2004 Oct 8;75(21):2505-13.
    11.) French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol dose-dependently lowers glucose in type 2 diabetic patients.Diabetes Care. 2004 Mar;27(3):839.
    12.) Pycnogenol reduces talc-induced neoplastic transformation in human ovarian cell cultures.Phytother Res. 2007 Mar 14; [Epub ahead of print]
    13.) Selective induction of apoptosis in human mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) by pycnogenol. Anticancer Res. 2000 Jul-Aug;20(4):2417-20.
    14.) Nutritional and Botanical Considerations in the Systemic Treatment of Cancer: 2006 Update. http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/cancer2006update.htm
    15.) Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the management of childhood asthma. J Asthma. 2004;41(8):825-32
    16.) Stabilization of collagen by polyphenols. Angiologica 1972;9:248–56 [in German].
    17.) Non-enzymatic degradation of acid-soluble calf skin collagen by superoxide ion: protective effect of flavonoids. Biochem Pharmacol 1983;32:53–8.
    18.) Pycnogenol protects neurons from amyloid-beta peptide-induced apoptosis. Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2002 Jul 15;104(1):55-65.
    19.) Pine Bark Extract Reduces Symptoms of Endometriosis. J Reprod Med. 2007;52:000-000.

  • Summer Is Here – Time for Sunscreen!

    By Nurse Mark

     

    One reader recently unsubscribed from HealthBeat News, complaining that while he felt that our information (always offered free of charge) was accurate and valuable, he thought we were becoming "too commercial" – interested only in selling Dr. Myatt’s consultations and products. Hmmm… and just what does this fellow think funds all this great free information that comes every couple of weeks in this newsletter?

    It’s true, we often suggest to people with complicated questions that a consultation with Dr. Myatt would save them time, trouble, and money in the long run, and we often do link vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements mentioned in our articles to the appropriate product pages – mostly because there is usually a wealth of additional information about the item there but yes, there is also the opportunity to click the "Buy now" button…

    There are also many articles that sell nothing. They provide information and techniques and strategies that folks can implement for free and use without charge to improve their health and their lives. How often does that happen? Useful information for free! Crazy, right?

    Even crazier, Dr. Myatt will actually recommend products and send people to websites that don’t make her one thin dime! Why does she do that? Because it really is all about you, the reader, the subscriber, the patient. You have come to trust that HealthBeat News and Dr. Myatt’s suggestions, recommendations, and advice are straight up and honest. We will not abuse that trust, and if keeping your trust means that we tell you where to get the very best of something, even if it is not something we sell, then that’s what we will do for you.

    So, with that in mind, (and that was a long-winded introduction, wasn’t it!) Dr. Myatt sent along this link to a comparison of a number of different brands of sunscreen and asked that I include it for you in HealthBeat News.

    Summer is here, and sun protection is important to good health – but there is no sense slathering on a sunblock to protect your skin if it is filled with toxic and damaging chemicals!

    See how your favorite brand measures up with this report from The Environmental Working Group.

    Remember, sunshine is important to and necessary for our good health – but a sunburn is not!

  • Baby Carrot, Chlorine and More Urban Legend.

    Baby Carrot, Chlorine and More Urban Legend.

    By Dr. Myatt

    Sheesh. Do people really believe everything they read, good and bad, on the internet?

    I received this note from a patient:

    Subject: carrots

    The FDA loves you and me so much!

    Did you know?

    The following is information from a farmer who grows and packages carrots for IGA, METRO, LOBLAWS, etc

    The small cocktail (baby) carrots you buy in small plastic bags are made using the larger crooked or deformed carrots which are put through a machine which cuts and shapes them into cocktail carrots – most people probably know this already.

    What you may not know and should know is the following:

    Once the carrots are cut and shaped into cocktail carrots they are dipped in a solution of water and chlorine in order to preserve them (this is the same chlorine used in your pool). [Dr. Myatt’s NOTE: In all due fairness, it’s also the same chlorine used in your municipal water purification. You’re getting chlorine when you drink tap water and shower, not just when you eat baby carrots!]
    Since they do not have their skin or natural protective covering, they give them a higher dose of chlorine.

    You will notice that once you keep these carrots in your refrigerator for a few days, a white covering will form on the carrots. This is the chlorine which resurfaces. At what cost do we put our health at risk to have esthetically pleasing vegetables?

    Chlorine is a very well-known carcinogen, which causes Cancer. [Dr. Myatt’s Note: Chlorine by itself is not a known carcinogen. It becomes a carcinogen when it combines with certain organic material. Your municipal tap water is a bigger risk than "baby" carrots.]

    I thought this was worth passing on. Pass it on to as many people as possible in hopes of informing them where these carrots come from and how they are processed.

    I used to buy those baby carrots for vegetable dips. I know that I will never buy them again!!!!

    The patient wrote: "Is anything safe to eat?"

    My answer: yes, but I think most people would do well to stop reading unsolicited junk emails from non-medical sources. There’s a lot of "junk information" on the ‘net, even more than there is junk food in the grocery store!

    Baby carrots are often larger carrots that were too misshapen to sell and have been whittled down. Their chlorine content is no bigger than any other pre-washed vegetables in the store. The chlorine from your tap water, especially if you bathe in it, poses a far bigger risk due to concentration and combination with organic products. (I’m putting the finishing touches on a water quality article for an upcoming HealthBeat).

    Here’s the scoop from Snopes on "baby carrots":
    http://www.snopes.com/food/tainted/carrots.asp