HealthBeat News

Blog

  • Are GMO Foods Safe To Eat?

    Are GMO Foods Safe To Eat?

    By Dr. Dana Myatt

    Many people don’t even know what a "GMO food" is, much less whether or not such food is safe to eat. GMO stand for "Genetically Modified Organism," and the truth is that you are almost certainly already eating GMO foods without knowing it because there are no label requirements for manufacturers and growers to list GMO’s in food. Since these foods are already in our daily food supply, shouldn’t we understand something about the "pros" and "cons" of their use?

    Let’s take a look at what "GMO" is all about.

    Genetically Modified Organisms are plants or animals that have been "genetically engineered" to contain genes from an entirely different plant or animal. The resulting organism is called transgenic or GMO (genetically modified organism).

    Genetic engineering is different than traditional cross breeding, where genes can only be exchanged between two closely-related species. In genetic engineering, genes from completely different species are inserted into each other. For example, scientists in Taiwan have inserted jellyfish genes into pigs in order to make them glow in the dark.(1) My pondering: why do we need "glow in the dark" pigs?

    The Extent of GMO Foods in the U.S. Food Supply

    It is legal for farmers in the U.S. and a very few other countries such as Argentina to produce and sell GMO foods for human and animal consumption without making mention of this on the label. In other places including Europe and Japan, GMO foods are banned until adequate testing confirms that they are safe for human consumption and for the environment. Currently, approximately 70% of all processed foods in American supermarkets contain GMO ingredients.(2) Genetically engineered foods that have been approved for consumption and are already in current use include alfalfa, cherry tomatoes, chicory, corn, cotton, flax, papaya, potato, rapeseed (canola), rice, soybeans, squash, sugar beets, and tomatoes.(3)

    Why Manufacturers Favor GMO Foods

    On the "pro" side of the GMO question, manufacturers argue that genetically modified crops can be bred to resist disease or damage from chemicals, thus making harvests more stable. Most genetically engineered crops grown today are bred to be resistant to herbicides and /or pesticides so they can withstand the rigors of weed killer without being killed. Proponents claim that genetically engineered crops use fewer pesticides, but in reality GE plants often require more chemicals than non-GE crops.(4) The reason this occurs is because weeds grow resistant to pesticides, requiring higher levels of weed killer to subdue them. Because the GMO food-crops are resistant to higher doses of herbicides, the higher doses can safely be used without killing the food plants. Naturally, this exposes the food crops to higher levels of chemicals, but because the GMO crops are resistant, they are not killed. Instead, they wind up in the grocery store, often containing significantly higher levels of the chemical toxins they have been bred to withstand.(5)

    This resistance of GMO plants to chemical toxins works so well that some GMO crops are actually classified as pesticides. For example, the New Leaf Potato was genetically engineered to produce Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) toxin in order to kill any pests that attempted to eat it. This potato was designated as a pesticide and as such was regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) which regulates food. Safety testing for these potatoes was not as strict as with food because EPA regulations had never anticipated that people would intentionally consume pesticides as food. These GMO "not intended as food" potatoes did in fact make it into grocery stores (they have since been taken off grocery store shelves), but this case underscores how GMO foods whose safety is unknown can make it into our "protected" food supply. (6)

    Most of the GMO produce is approved for human consumption, even without your knowledge of what it is or that you are eating it.

    Potential Dangers of GMO Foods

    One of the biggest concerns over GMO foods is simply that their safety has not been tested. The science of genetic engineering is relatively new, and we simply do not know what effects can result from putting DNA of one species into another species. The practice might prove to be safe. On the other hand, we may be creating incredibly dangerous "Franken Foods" and "Franken animals," the long-range effects of which are entirely unknown and little-studied at this point. Opponents to genetic engineering state that GE foods must be proven safe before they are sold to the public and I must agree.

    Potential problems that could arise with genetic engineering include:

    • Allergic reactions. There are two main concerns regarding allergic reactions.
      The first is with known allergens. For example, if genes from peanuts were inserted into another commonly consumed food such as tomatoes, and considering that these GMO modifications are not required to be labeled, a person with a known peanut allergy could no longer deliberately avoid peanut-containing foods. Some people have such severe reactions to particular foods that the allergy can be life-threatening.
      The second concern is the possibility of creating new allergies. The new combinations of genes and traits have the potential to create allergic reactions that have never existed before.
    • Antibiotic resistance. Most GMO food contains antibiotic resistant "marker genes" that help producers track the transfer of genetic material to the host plant or animal. We already know that many GMO foods can be bred to be resistant to toxic chemicals, bacteria and viruses. Will genetically engineered foods which are bacteria-resistant increase human resistance to antibiotics when consumed? We don’t know, but having seen the rise of "Super Bugs" (bacteria which are resistant to all known antibiotics because of the overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics) gives us serious cause for concern.
    • Nutritional degradation. Genetic engineering can change the nutritional value of food, and this has not been studied as to whether such changes may improve nutrition or seriously degrade the nutritional composition of foods.(7)
    • Environmental damage. Insects, birds and wind can carry genetically altered pollen to far away locations, pollinating plants and randomly creating new species that would carry on the genetic modifications. Until more is known, we could be creating a "Pandora’s box" of genetic mutations. (I’m feeling the plot of a seriously scary movie in here somewhere).
    • Super-weeds. GE crops can cross-pollinate with weeds, potentially creating super weeds that could become difficult if not impossible to control.
    • Irreversible Gene mutations. Scientists don’t yet know if the forced insertion of one gene into another gene could destabilize the entire organism, and encourage mutations and abnormalities. Likewise, no one knows if or how eating mutated food could affect people’s own DNA.
      Genetic pollution cannot simply be "cleaned up." Unlike chemical or nuclear contamination that can be removed from the environment, genetically engineered organisms cannot simply be "recalled" or "cleaned" by a SuperFund.

    How to Avoid GMO Foods

    Until more is known — or until ANYTHING is known — about the safety of GMO foods, those who want to steer clear of GMO-containing foods can do so by following these steps:

    • Look for foods labeled GMO-free. Today, almost all
      major brands have GMO ingredients. Foods that are GMO-free go out of their way to say so on the label. www.truefoodnow.org features a shoppers guide to brands that are GMO-free.
    • Buy organic foods. USDA regulations governing organic food do not permit genetically-modified fruits and vegetables, and organic meats cannot come from animals that were fed GMO crops. Eating organic is a much surer way to avoid GMO foods. Better yet, buying local organic foods further reduces the likelihood of GMO contamination.
    • Grow your own! Raise a portion of your vegetables at home. You can grow 10 vegetables in a 4’x4′ plot using the easy micro garden system that I have talked about before. Sprouts are easy to grow indoors. Consider raising a few chickens (a simple "chicken tractor" allows even city-folk to harvest their own eggs, and chickens make a great "bio-organic composting machine." "Pigs with wings" is what we call ours).

    GMO "Factoids"

    • 4 countries have 99% of the world’s GE acreage, they include: US (68%), Argentina (22%), Canada (6%), China (3%) (8)
    • Over 75% of US-grown soybeans in 2003 were bioengineered.(9)
    • Herbicide tolerant GE crops have created weed resistance, causing pesticide use to increase by 70 million pounds between 1996 and 2003.(10)

    My Ten Cents Worth on GMO Foods

    The unsuspecting public (that’s you and I, folks!) are continually acting as guinea pigs for everything from foods and drugs to environmental chemicals and cosmetics. AND SO FAR, THE TRACK RECORDS OF THE SAFETY OF THESE ITEMS DOES NOT FAVOR THE PUBLIC. Personally, I don’t like being forced to "test" the safety of every new chemical, drug and "technique" that Big Industry dreams up without my consent. Isn’t this what, ostensibly, the FDA, the USDA, the EPA and other government-acronymed groups (GAG’s) are supposed to be protecting us from? Yet you and I are still exposed to hazardous chemicals and techniques that are "approved" before their safety is truly verified. I don’t know about you, but I’m not happy about this.

    I take good care of myself. Why should I let the government use me as a test subject for so many potentially dangerous chemicals and now (perhaps even worse), gene-splicing experiments? Until I have proof that me, the honeybees (11) and the environment are safe from GMO crops, I’m going to stay as far away from them as I can. I believe we should be more circumspect about what we are creating, and the safety of same, before we unleash genetically modified organisms on an unsuspecting public.

    References
    1.) Hogg, Chris, “Taiwan breeds green-glowing pigs.” BBC News, January 12, 2006.
    2.) California Department of Food and Agriculture. “A Food Foresight Analysis of Agricultural Biotechnology: A Report to the Legislature,” January 1, 2003.
    3.) Center for Food Safety, “The Hidden Health Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods.” Food Safety Review, Spring 2000.
    4.) Benbrook, Charles M., “Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops on Pesticide Use in the United States: The First Eight Years,” BioTech InfoNet, November 2003.
    5.) Ibid.
    6.) U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Biotechnology Consultation, Note to the File, BNF No. 000033, March 25th, 1996.
    7.) Center for Food Safety, “The Hidden Health Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods.” Food Safety Review, Spring 2000.
    8.) Union of Concerned Scientists. “Genetically Engineered Foods Allowed on the Market” February 16, 2006 (accessed August 1, 2006).
    9.) California Department of Food and Agriculture. A Food Foresight Analysis of Agricultural Biotechnology: A Report to the Legislature. January 1, 2003.
    10.) Ibid.
    11.)     Where the H#!l are The HoneyBees? HealthBeat News, 03/29/07.

  • 7 Good Reasons To Take Take Grape Seed Extract

    7 Good 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 called "pycnogenol" when they are derived from pine bark (the grape seed extract is slightly more potent and less expensive. You will see the terms pycnogenol, OPC’s, 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 Pycnogenol. 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 Pycnogenol and 10 were given placebo. People in the Pycnogenol 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 pycnogenol.

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

    Pycnogenol 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 Pycnogenol on alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose molecules. In this study, pycnogenol was compared to acarbose, a synthetic drug (sold under the brand name Precose) that inhibits alpha-glucosidase. Pycnogenol 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 pycnogenol 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 Pycnogenol and half received a placebo daily), showed after 12 weeks that subjects in the Pycnogenol group had significantly lowered their plasma glucose levels compared to placebo. Pycnogenol subjects were also found to have improved artery function. In another trial of 30 type 2 diabetics, researchers found that increasing doses of pycnogenol (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 Pycnogenol 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 pycnogenol 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 pycnogenol 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 was recently reported 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 pycnogenol, 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.

    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) effective
    ly 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.

  • Senile Dementia Linked to Common Nutrient Deficiency

    Senile Dementia Linked to Common Nutrient Deficiency

    Here’s something Big Pharma hopes you never learn: simple nutrient deficiencies are at the root of most diseases.

    Did you know that a single nutrient deficiency can cause everything from miscarriage and birth defects to cancer, heart disease, depression, hearing loss, osteoporosis and senile dementia?

    In the case of the above-mentioned maladies, the missing nutrient is folic acid, a B complex vitamin. You’ve probably read in the news about recently completed studies that link folic acid deficiency to senile dementia, but these are certainly not the first studies to make this connection.

    Folic acid, a water-soluble B vitamin, gets its name from the Latin “folium,” meaning foliage, because dark green leafy vegetables are a rich source of the nutrient. Folic acid is needed for nucleic acid (RNA and DNA) and red blood cell production. It is also required for energy production, especially in the brain and nervous system. Pregnant women have been advised to take folic acid because it is necessary for normal development of the spinal cord and central nervous system of the human embryo. This connection is so well-known that the U.S. government has mandated that foods be “fortified” with folic acid. In spite of this fortification, studies show that as many as 61% of the population may still be folic-acid deficient.

    It’s not just pregnant women and their developing babies that need folic acid.

    Folic acid, along with vitamin B6 and B12, keep homocysteine levels normal. homocysteine is an “intermediate” metabolic product that increases the risk of heart disease and premature brain aging when it occurs in high concentrations. Premature brain aging was the subject of this recent study, which continues to show a connection between folic acid deficiency and senile (age-related) dementia.

    In one more recent study, researchers in the Netherlands evaluated the speed of thinking and memory, two functions known to decline with age. Over 800 subjects, ages 50 to 70, took 800 micrograms of folic acid daily for three years. At the end of the study, re-testing showed that the subjects who took folic acid had “significantly improved domains of cognitive function that tend to decline with age.” In other words, mental function of the folic acid group didn’t just remain the same, it actually got better over the course of the three year study. This is not the first study to connect folic acid with preserved mental function, but it is one of the largest and longest studies.

    Folic acid deficiency is widespread in our culture due to the processing of grain and vegetables. Although it is found in green leafy veggies, cooking destroys folic acid. It is also present in organically-raised (grass-fed) beef liver, brewer’s yeast and asparagus. (And how much of these foods do YOU eat?) Many experts feel that it is nearly impossible to get a recommended daily dose of folic acid from food alone, and several population studies have confirmed this. Big Government obviously agrees with this assessment since they have required fortification of our food supply with folic acid.

    Supplementation is an easy an inexpensive “insurance policy” against the dangerous effects of folic acid deficiency, but most “one per day” vitamins contain too small a dose to do any good. The recommended optimal daily dose (NOT the “RDA” minimal daily dose), is 400-800mcg per day. Remember that folic acid is a B complex vitamin, and when one B vitamin is low, the rest of the B complex is also usually low and should be supplemented.

    Is it any wonder that Big Drug Companies support the “push” to outlaw vitamin supplements, given how many drug-treated diseases are actually caused by nutrient deficiencies? You’ve been warned while vitamin supplements are still legal: Don’t let a simple nutrient deficiency like low folic acid sneak up on you in the form of failing memory or heart disease. Supplement now, or face the prospects of declining years filled with prescriptions for (insert name of dementia Rx du jour / cardiac Rx du jour here) as answers to the effects of folic acid deficiency, brought to you by Big Pharma. Face it: there’s a real reason they hope you’ll never learn about this important nutrient…

    P.S. My Maxi Multi Optimal Dose daily multi vitamin/mineral/trace mineral/antioxidant formula has always contained 800mcg of folic acid, because the importance of higher levels of this vitamin is not “new news” in spite of yet another study. Learn more about Maxi Multi’s here >>>

    References

    1.) Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in older adults in the FACIT trial: a randomized, double blind, controlled trial. Lancet. 2007 Jan 20;369(9557):208-16. Su7mmary: Folic acid supplementation for 3 years significantly improved the types of cognitive function that typically decline with age.
    2.) Effects of folic acid supplementation on hearing in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Jan 2;146(1):1-9. Summary: Folic acid supplementation slowed the rate of hearing loss (speech frequencies) in aging population.
    3.) Low folate status is associated with impaired cognitive function and dementia in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Dec;82(6):1346-52. Summary: Low folic acid levels are associated with cognitive decline and food fortification with this vitamin is not sufficient to correct the problem.
    4.) High homocysteine and low B vitamins predict cognitive decline in aging men: the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Sep;82(3):627-35. CONCLUSIONS: Low B vitamin and high homocysteine concentrations predict cognitive decline.
    5.) Homocysteine versus the vitamins folate, B6, and B12 as predictors of cognitive function and decline in older high-functioning adults: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging. Am J Med. 2005 Feb;118(2):161-7. CONCLUSION: In high-functioning older adults, low folate levels appear to be a risk factor for cognitive decline. The risk of developing cognitive decline might be reduced through dietary folate intake.
    6.) Homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 in mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jul;80(1):114-22. CONCLUSIONS: Relative folate deficiency may precede Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia onset.
    7.) Homocysteine and B vitamins in mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2005;43(10):1096-100. Summary: Subclinical folate deficiency appears to precede dementia.

  • A Look Back At HealthBeat News In 2008

    The year 2008 was a busy one for us at HealthBeat News – with newsletters every month bringing you articles that were informative, groundbreaking, and even controversial.

    Let’s look at some of the high-points:

    In January we looked at IODINE – The “Missing Mineral” for Thyroid, Heart, Immune and Cancer Protection. Dr. Myatt is a top expert on the relationship between this mineral and health, and because of her extensive research she now recommends Iodine Testing for many of her private practice patients.

    February brought us a clinical report on the beneficial effects of Fish Oil – More Good News About Fish Oil – For Diabetes and Weight Loss. This report, produced by conventional researchers, in a conventional clinical setting, and reported in conventional mainstream medical journals, tells us in conventional terms what we have always known: Fish Oil is beneficial in normalizing diabetes, and for helping to reduce belly fat in dieters.

    Nurse Mark wrote an article in February that brought in plenty of comment both good and bad. You see, since Nurse Mark is usually the first person anyone talks to when calling The Wellness Club he bears the brunt of the calls wanting information – and the displeasure of those who call wanting "freebies" such as free medical advice. One angry reader even wrote in to take Nurse Mark to task for suggesting that even though a person might not be disposed to spend actual money on alternative health care (as opposed to "insurance" money for drugs or surgery) so they could stay healthy, that person would likely scrape up the money to repair their car so they could get to work – healthy or not… How dare he be so heartless! See what you think when you read Can’t Afford Natural Care And Treatments – So What To Do?

    In March Dr. Myatt and Nurse Mark gave readers the first look at a major research work that had been consuming much of their time over the previous months: Could A Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Be Causing Your Symptoms? This research also led Dr. Myatt to begin using and to carry for her patients and Wellness Club Members a new product: B-Extreme. This research paper should be required reading for anyone with any neurological disease, and is especially pertinent to sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, or Cognitive Impairment.

    Dr. Myatt also published a paper Twenty-Five Surprising Benefits of a Dietary "Non-Nutrient" extolling the virtues of fiber in the diet – another fully-referenced article for you, the HealthBeat reader, and Nurse Mark took a hard look at our drinking water and why it might be turning guys into "girlie-men" in Are There Female Hormones In Your Drinking Water? Whew! A busy time!

    In April Dr. Myatt created a bit of controversy with her article Soy: Risks and Benefits. Soy is often considered to be the darling of the "natural foods" crowd, and is especially revered by vegetarians and vegans. Dr. Myatt stood up to the "natural" party line by suggesting that in many cases not only is soy not a "wonder food" but that it can in some cases be downright detrimental to human health. Comments ranged from the expected outrage of those unaccustomed to having their dietary beliefs challenged, to praise from a number of readers including some clinicians for her willingness to "tell it like it is".

    We also reviewed 10 Dangers of Carbohydrates and Dr. Myatt exposed the dangers of Fungus, Yeasts and Molds: Hidden Cause of Many “Unexplained” Diseases. While they may sound like doom and gloom, article such as these provide us with the information we need to make healthy choices and avoid the dangers around us. In that same vein, Dr. Myatt discussed dietary fats and their relationship to health in Big Fat Lies!

    Nurse Mark followed up with an article in May that exposed the dangerous hypocrisy of the "Anti-Fat, Anti-Cholesterol" movement, and the source of their misinformation. Saturated Fats: Another Big Fat Lie exposed the origins of the campaign against saturated fats and how the efforts of one man were aided and abetted by Big Industry – in the form of the soy industry – to achieve market dominance over another – the tropical oils (palm oil and coconut oil) industry. This was an eye-opening expose!

    Dr. Myatt similarly exposed the fallacies of "conventional wisdom" – natural conventional wisdom this time – when she gave us the truth about teflon in Teflon – Is It Safe?  This was another article that generated a firestorm of feedback from both sides – from the acolytes of some well-known holistic "gurus" who wrote in outrage that the pontifications and pronouncements of their heroic health crusaders might be challenged, to a number of calmer readers who wrote with their appreciation for a well-researched look at a common concern and to express their thanks to Dr. Myatt for being willing to depart from the "natural" party line regarding teflon.

    In June we reported that Dr. Michael LeFevre of the US Preventive Services Task Force had made a very bold statement: Conventional Medicine Finally Admits PSA Screening For Prostate Cancer is a Bust included an eye-popping statement from this  prominent doctor, researcher and policy-maker: "The benefits of screening for early prostate cancer are unknown. There are substantial harms associated with detection and treatment of prostate cancer, and the research fails to show a reduction in prostate cancer death and a net improvement in a patient’s well-being". Yikes! Now that’s news!

    June also gave us an amazing about-face on the part of the FDA regarding mercury amalgam dental fillings: FDA Forced To Change Position On Toxic Mercury Fillings! told us that the FDA quietly removed from it’s webpage all it’s claims that there is no scientific evidence of danger from mercury-containing fillings, and adopted a more neutral tone where it now admits: “Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetus." Can you imagine the uproar this must have caused in the pro-mercury halls of the American Dental Association?

    And those were just a few of the highlights from the first half of 2008 – in an upcoming HealthBeat Newsletter we’ll look at some of the great, and controversial articles from the second half of last year…

  • ‘Tis the season… for Colds and Flu!

    ‘Tis the season… for Colds and Flu!

    Millie called me just the other day from Wisconsin – to say that lots of people were coming down with colds there and to stock up on Immune Boost and Vitamin C.

    It’s that time of year folks – here is some information to help you keep yourself healthy while those around you are coughing, sneezing and snuffling.

    First, make sure your immune system is in the very best shape possible:

    • Get regular exercise: exercise stimulates the immune system. Just 10 minutes of good, all-out exercise each day is all it takes!
    • Use immune-enhancing herbal formulas – Immune Support is one of the very best.
    • Practice stress reduction.
    • Use positive visualization and affirmations – Dr. Myatt’s Body / Mind video will help you develop this skill.
    • Practice meditation or a relaxation technique.

    Give your body the raw materials it needs to keep your immune system fit:

    • Eat plenty of protein. The body needs generous protein for maintenance and repair.
    • Avoid fruit juices and sugars – sugars suppress the immune system.
    • Be sure to use a good multi-vitamin. Dr. Myatt’s MaxiMulti is the very best available.
    • Drink 64 ounces (2 quarts) of pure water or herb teas (non-caffeinated) daily.
    • Be well-rested.

    If you do catch something, start Dr. Myatt’s Acute Immune Protocol right away.

    The "acute protocol" should be started for all active infections: colds, flu, other respiratory, skin, dental and internal infections. In many instances, antibiotics are unnecessary. This protocol may also be used alone for acute infections.

    • B.A.M. (Broad Anti Microbial): Suggested dose: 60 to 80 drops, 3 to 4 times per day. Take in a small amount (1 to 2 ounces) of water on an empty stomach (at least 15 minutes before meals or between meals).
    • Immune Boost: 1 teaspoon, 3 to 4 times per day. Take with B.A.M.
    • Bromelain: 2 caps, 3 to 4 times per day between meals.
    • Vitamin C (buffered): 1,000 mg every two hours throughout the day.
    • Whey protein: 2 scoops per day (more if desired). Try A SuperShake or a Myatt Muffin with whey added!
    • selenium: 1,000mcg per day until symptoms subside.

    Immune Boost and B.A.M. are potent liquid tinctures that keep indefinitely, so I recommend having them on hand right now. Don’t wait until you need them to place an order! Those two days waiting for them to arrive can make the difference between having a full-blown cold or other infection or staying well! Bromelain, vitamin C and selenium also keep well and should be on hand in your medicine cabinet. I also recommend having a bottle of Inspirol inhalant on hand for colds and sinusitis. This super-powerful inhaler is hard to find in most health food stores but WOW! Does it do a great job of opening the sinuses and clearing your head and lungs!

    With these items on hand, colds and other winter infections and ailments don’t stand a chance!