http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?utm_content=article2804&utm_source=hn20091105&utm_campaign=hn&utm_term=jan55qld@yahoo.com&utm_medium=email&ProdID=2804&campaign=email-hn-hn20091105&et_cid=13478949&et_rid=10046393&et_lid=Can+a+Single+Vitamin+Prevent+Premature+Aging
Research shows that, among diabetics, AGEs are the main culprit behind aging that’s accelerated a full 20 to 40 years faster than non–diabetics—taking the form of conditions like arterial plaque and hardening of arteries, kidney disease, retinopathy and peripheral nerve damage.12 But even non–diabetics need to watch out for these dangerous byproducts, as your levels only increase with age, and pave the way to any number of other serious diseases—including Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and macular degeneration.

The good news is that there’s a way to block and even reverse the damage these AGEs can cause—and a single B vitamin may be your secret weapon.13

In recent years, scientists have discovered that benfotiamine—a synthetic, fat–soluble form of thiamine, or vitamin B1—is a potent AGE blocker. In fact, clinical studies show that this form of the vitamin is as much as 430 percent more bioavailable than its water–soluble counterpart, which has a modest absorption rate of only four to six percent.14–16

This superior absorption rate offers one reason for the powerful protection benfotiamine offers against AGEs—a benefit that’s been borne out in a number of animal and human studies. In one study, for example, researchers found that type 1 diabetics given 600 mg of benfotiamine daily experienced a 40 to 62 percent drop in just four weeks of levels of carboxymethyllysine (CML) and methylglyoxal — two predominant AGEs implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, blood vessel complications and atherosclerosis.17

Further trials show that supplementing with benfotiamine can also significantly reduce pain associated with diabetic neuropathy (that is, peripheral nerve damage), while helping to regulate heartbeat—results that don’t correspond to standard B–complex supplementation.18–19 And finally, animal studies suggest that benfotiamine offers critical protection against diabetic retinopathy, too.

In a 36–week study of three groups of rats—two of which were diabetic or hyperglycemic, along with one set of healthy controls—researchers found that rats receiving benfotiamine had retinas as healthy as controls by the end of the study. Those diabetic rats that did not receive benfotiamine, however, suffered severely damaged retinal blood vessels as a result.20

The bottom line: Even if you’re already taking a B–complex, adding an additional daily dose of benfotiamine—readily available in capsule form through Vitamin Research Products—can provide a critical extra layer of protection against AGE damage at any age.

References:

1.Metz T et al. Pyridoxamine, an inhibitor of advanced glycation and lipoxidation reactions: a novel therapy for treatment of diabetic complication. Arch Biochem Biophys 2003, 419:41–49.

2. Anderson M, Heinecke J. Production of N–epsilon–(carboxymethyl)–lysine is impaired in mice deficient is NADPH oxidase. Diab 2003, 52:2137–43.

3. Zieman S, Kass D. Advanced glycation end product cross–linking: pathophysiologic role and therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease. Congest Heart Fail 2004, 10:144–49.

4. Howes K et al. AGE (advanced glycation end products) receptors in age–related macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2004, 45:E–abstract 2286.

5. DeGroot J et al. Accumulation of advanced glycation end products as a molecular mechanism for aging as a risk factor in osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum 2004, 50:1207–15.

6. Drinda S. et al. Identification of the receptor for advanced glycation end products in synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 3–26–2004.

7. Choei H. Glyceraldehyde–derived advanced glycation end products in Alzheimer’s disease. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 2004, 108:189–93.

8. Lueth H–J et al. Age–and stage–dependent accumulation of advanced glycation end products in intracellular deposits in normal and Alzheimer’s disease brains. Cerebral Cortex advance access published online July 6, 2004.

9. Santana R. et al. A role for advanced glycation end products in diminished bone healing in type I diabetes. Diab 2003, 52:1502–10.

10. Nagariaji R. et al. Pyradoxamine inhibits alpha–dicarbonyl–www.ed modifications of lens proteins in diabetic rats. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2002, 43:E–abstract 2382.

11. Alderson N et al. The AGE inhibitor pyridoxamine inhibits lipemia and development of renal and vascular disease in Zucker obese rats. Kidney Int 2003, 63:2123–33.

12. Karachalias N et al. Accumulation of fructosyl–lysine and advanced glycation end products in the kidney, retina and peripheral nerve of streptozotocin–induced diabetic rats. Biochem Soc Trans 2003, 31:1423–25.

13. Babaei–Jadidi R et al. Prevention of incipient diabetic neuropathy by high–dose thiamine and benfotiamine. Diab 2003, 52:2110–20.

14. Woelk H et al. Benfotiamine in treatment of alcoholic polyneuropathy: an 8–week randomized controlled study (BAP I study). Alcohol Alcoholism 1998, 33:631–38.

15. Frank T et al. High thiamine diphosphate concentrations in erythrocytes can be achieved in dialysis patients by oral administration of benfotiamine. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2000, 56:251–57.

16. Greb A, Bitsch R. Comparative bioavailability of various thiamine derivatives after oral administration. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1998, 36:216–21.

17. Lin J et al. Benfotiamine inhibits intracellular formation of advanced glycation end products in vivo. Diab 2000, 49 (suppl 1): A143.

18. Sadekov R. et al. Diabetic polyneuropathy treatment by milgamma–100 preparation. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 1998, 98:30–32.

19. Simeonov S et al. Therapeutic efficacy of “Milgamma” in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. Folia Med (Plovdiv) 1997, 39:5–10.

20. Hammes H et al. Benfotiamine blocks three major pathways of hyperglycemic damage and prevents experimental diabetic retinopathy. Nat Med 2003, 9:294–99.

I'm also getting extremely tired when I add in progesterone(natural supposedly). I've tried twice now for various lengths of time, and 3 different types(trouches, vaginalsuppositories and capsules swallowed). I seem to get very fatigued on days I take progesterone. not 100% sure if the cause but probable. I will have to try to see if any research has been done on progesterone and B1. If it is lowering B1 progesrone has a much larger effect than oestrogen. I was not on B1 (at least regularly)when trialling progesterone this year.

Ok this article
Hormonal modulation of reproduction-specific thiamin carrier protein in the rat
seems to say progesterone has NIL effect on thiamine bining, so it can't be that

Comments

Squalene - NEVER allow it to be injected into your body!
It is included in some flu vaccines , including the swine flu vaacine, it was possibly a cause of the problems with the anthrax vaccine

I won't be getting any flu vaccines- especially the swine flu vaccine, Make your own informed decision , but I'd avoid it any way I could!

Here's why it's bad
"In addition to the viruses and other additives, many vaccines also contain immune adjuvants like aluminum and squalene.

The purpose of an immune adjuvant added to a vaccine is to enhance (turbo charge) your immune response to the vaccination. Adjuvants cause your immune system to overreact to the introduction of the organism you’re being vaccinated against.

Adjuvants are supposed to get the job done faster (but certainly not more safely), which reduces the amount of vaccine required per dose, and the number of doses given per individual.

Less vaccine required per person means more individual doses available for mass vaccination campaigns. Coincidentally, this is exactly the goal of government and the pharmaceutical companies who stand to make millions from their vaccines.

Will There Be Immune Adjuvants in Swine Flu Vaccines?

The U.S. government has contracts with several drug companies to develop and produce swine flu vaccines. At least two of those companies, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline, are using an adjuvant in their H1N1 vaccines.

The adjuvant? Squalene.

According to Meryl Nass, M.D., an authority on the anthrax vaccine,

“A novel feature of the two H1N1 vaccines being developed by companies Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline is the addition of squalene-containing adjuvants to boost immunogenicity and dramatically reduce the amount of viral antigen needed. This translates to much faster production of desired vaccine quantities.”[v]

Novartis’s proprietary squalene adjuvant for their H1N1 vaccine is MF59. Glaxo’s is ASO3. MF59 has yet to be approved by the FDA for use in any U.S. vaccine, despite its history of use in other countries.

Per Dr. Nass, there are only three vaccines in existence using an approved squalene adjuvant. None of the three are approved for use in the U.S.

What Squalene Does to Rats

Oil-based vaccination adjuvants like squalene have been proved to generate concentrated, unremitting immune responses over long periods of time.[vi]

A 2000 study published in the American Journal of Pathology demonstrated a single injection of the adjuvant squalene into rats triggered “chronic, immune-mediated joint-specific inflammation,” also known as rheumatoid arthritis.[vii]

The researchers concluded the study raised questions about the role of adjuvants in chronic inflammatory diseases.

What Squalene Does to Humans

Your immune system recognizes squalene as an oil molecule native to your body. It is found throughout your nervous system and brain. In fact, you can consume squalene in olive oil and not only will your immune system recognize it, you will also reap the benefits of its antioxidant properties.

The difference between “good” and “bad” squalene is the route by which it enters your body. Injection is an abnormal route of entry which incites your immune system to attack all the squalene in your body, not just the vaccine adjuvant.
Your immune system will attempt to destroy the molecule wherever it finds it, including in places where it occurs naturally, and where it is vital to the health of your nervous system.[viii]

Gulf War veterans with Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) received anthrax vaccines which contained squalene.[ix] MF59 (the Novartis squalene adjuvant) was an unapproved ingredient in experimental anthrax vaccines and has since been linked to the devastating autoimmune diseases suffered by countless Gulf War vets.[x]

The Department of Defense made every attempt to deny that squalene was indeed an added contaminant in the anthrax vaccine administered to Persian Gulf war military personnel – deployed and non-deployed – as well as participants in the more recent Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP).

However, the FDA discovered the presence of squalene in certain lots of AVIP product. A test was developed to detect anti-squalene antibodies in GWS patients, and a clear link was established between the contaminated product and all the GWS sufferers who had been injected with the vaccine containing squalene.

A study conducted at Tulane Medical School and published in the February 2000 issue of Experimental Molecular Pathology included these stunning statistics:

“ … the substantial majority (95%) of overtly ill deployed GWS patients had antibodies to squalene. All (100%) GWS patients immunized for service in Desert Shield/Desert Storm who did not deploy, but had the same signs and symptoms as those who did deploy, had antibodies to squalene.

In contrast, none (0%) of the deployed Persian Gulf veterans not showing signs and symptoms of GWS have antibodies to squalene. Neither patients with idiopathic autoimmune disease nor healthy controls had detectable serum antibodies to squalene. The majority of symptomatic GWS patients had serum antibodies to squalene.”[xi]

According to Dr. Viera Scheibner, Ph.D., a former principle research scientist for the government of Australia:

“… this adjuvant [squalene] contributed to the cascade of reactions called "Gulf War Syndrome," documented in the soldiers involved in the Gulf War.

The symptoms they developed included arthritis, fibromyalgia, lymphadenopathy, rashes, photosensitive rashes, malar rashes, chronic fatigue, chronic headaches, abnormal body hair loss, non-healing skin lesions, aphthous ulcers, dizziness, weakness, memory loss, seizures, mood changes, neuropsychiatric problems, anti-thyroid effects, anaemia, elevated ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Raynaud’s phenomenon, Sjorgren’s syndrome, chronic diarrhoea, night sweats and low-grade fevers.”[xii]"

above copied from Mercola's site
The full article is here

Other reasons not to get vaccines are

Flu vaccines can also contain a number of chemical toxins, including ethylene glycol (antifreeze), formaldehyde, phenol (carbolic acid) and even antibiotics like Neomycin and streptomycin.

In addition to the viruses and other additives, many vaccines also contain immune adjuvants like aluminum and squalene.

also from the above article

The decison, of course, is entirely your own.. I just wanted you to know all the sides before you make an informed choice.
I think it's better to know what is injected into your body before you allow it.

Avoiding the swine flu
1. The swine flu is a fairly mild flu except for pregnant women about to give maybe.. maybe I'd be considering home birth after a young healthy woman here died of swine flu apparently after childbirth . It was in a neigbouring suburb to me, Liverpool in Sydney. No details have been ereleased by the hospital that I have heard of...
Then again, this is the ONLY case I have heard of...

2. Don't hang around if people have the flu, at least when its not necessary for you to help- change your plans if need be and avoid. Wearing a mask by the infected flu patient does not seem to help. My mother(80) offered a lift to a friend's son back home from the doctors . They waited together for about 20 mins. He wore a mask, but my Mum still got the flu. This could have been easily avoided as the friends son could have gone home as origianlly planned in the taxi. The flu was relatively mild but still enough to knock you! and my Mum was over it in days, probably not the swine flu. No idea what kind of flu though. She had it the last week of August 2009 in Brisbane, Australia. A lot of people have the flu there, but it doesn't seem to be the swine flu asx the symptoms are not respiratory and noone is going to the docs abour it either.
Looks like the masks don't work effectively though...

Comments

Comments

Liver-Supporting Botanical May Also Improve Joint Health

by VRP.com

In a recently published clinical trial, researchers evaluated a popular botanical known for its role in liver health to determine if it also has anti-inflammatory activity in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee.

In this study, silymarin, a constituent of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) long used to support liver health, was compared to 2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), piroxicam and meloxicam, in 220 patients with painful knee osteoarthritis (OA). Study subjects received one of 5 possible treatments: 300 mg per day of silymarin, 20 mg per day of piroxicam, 15 mg per day of meloxicam, or a combination of silymarin with piroxicam or meloxicam.

At the beginning of the study and after 8 weeks of treatment, subjects were evaluated for serum levels of cytokines interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-8, and the complement proteins C3 and C4. Interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-8 are cell signaling molecules and pro-inflammatory mediators. Complement proteins C3 and C4 are immune system proteins believed to play a role in some diseases such as arthritis.

The results showed that supplementation with silymarin significantly reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-8, C3, and C4 after 8 weeks compared to the levels at the beginning of the study. Piroxicam reduced interleukin-8, but did not reduce interleukin-1 alpha. Meloxicam significantly elevated serum levels of interleukin-1 alpha but did not affect interleukin-8. Additionally, the NSAIDs showed a slight increase in serum levels of complement proteins after 8 weeks. However, combining silymarin with piroxicam, but not meloxicam, significantly reduced the cytokines interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-8 and serum levels of complement proteins C3 and C4.

The researchers concluded, "Silymarin reduces the elevated levels of interleukins and complement proteins, when used alone, or in combination with NSAIDs for the treatment of knee OA."

Reference:

Hussain SA, Jassim NA, Numan IT, Al-Khalifa II, Abdullah TA. Anti-inflammatory activity of silymarin in patients with knee osteoarthritis. A comparative study with piroxicam and meloxicam. Saudi Med J. 2009 Jan;30(1):98-103.

Comments

Comments

Boros LG, Brandes JL, Lee WN, Cascante M, Puigjaner J, Revesz E, Bray TM, Schirmer WJ, Melvin WS.

Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Columbus 43210, USA. Iboros@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu

The objectives of this review are to (a) explain the mechanism by which thiamine (vitamin B1) promotes nucleic acid ribose synthesis and tumor cell proliferation via the nonoxidative transketolase (TK) pathway; (b) estimate the thiamine intake of cancer patients and (c) provide background information and to develop guidelines for alternative treatments with antithiamine transketolase inhibitors in the clinical setting. Clinical and experimental data demonstrate increased thiamine utilization of human tumors and its interference with experimental chemotherapy. Analysis of RNA ribose indicates that glucose carbons contribute to over 90% of ribose synthesis in cultured cervix und pancreatic carcinoma cells and that ribose is synthesized primarily through the thiamine dependent TK pathway (> 70%). Antithiamine compounds significantly inhibit nucleic acid synthesis and tumor cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo in several tumor models. The medical literature reveals little information regarding the role of the thiamine dependent TK reaction in tumor cell ribose production which is a central process in de novo nucleic acid synthesis and the salvage pathways for purines. Consequently, current thiamine administration protocols oversupply thiamine by 200% to 20,000% of the recommended dietary allowance, because it is considered harmless and needed by cancer patients. The thiamine dependent TK pathway is the central avenue which supplies ribose phosphate for nucleic acids in tumors and excessive thiamine supplementation maybe responsible for failed therapeutic attempts to terminate cancer cell proliferation. Limited administration of thiamine and concomitant treatment with transketolase inhibitors is a more rational approach to treat cancer.

Comments

I found the Scottish docs utubes(4 of) interesting, especially as he thinks peroxynitration and peroxidation are involved, as I suspected back when 2003? Great someone with his drive and intelligence has also come to this thought. Wish I could have him for a doc!

Ldn for MS- symptoms, numb in legs, fatigue...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6R1GAZ6L9rk&feature=channel_page
Part 2 - on ldn, pain reduction, sleep improved, movement, ability to walk then drive and independence from wheelchair bound
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kYoxKctjVoY&feature=channel

Ldn for stomach pain, headaches, curled up in ball with pain, hair falling out - diagnosis here of Crohn's disease (another autoimmune disease)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EodqDy1DxoE&feature=related

ldn success stories
1. Male, numbness & tingling, fatigue, depression, poor coordination, blader frequency
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8sHEWweXfEo&feature=related
fatigue improved first day, bladder frequency within a month, two months back to sports etc

2.Female, speech issues, swallowing problems, pain, heat-cold sensitive, loss of muscle control in calves of legs, fatigue
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_OnYXB-NkX4&feature=channel

3. female, MS, symptoms incl. dropping things, balance off, difficult to get out of a chair, couldn't type
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz52KK5IhOc&feature=related

ldn for pancreatic cancer treatment, together with intravenous alpha lipoic acid (alpha lipic acid can reverse liver disease, and appears to alter some of the cancer growth genes). Pancreas, liver
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WqRwXEnPYKk&feature=channel

LDN Conference Best of Dr Skip Part 1 _ study un by pharmacy
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HuIQcm1Ixmg&feature=related
84% people taking ldn had NO exacerbations since starting ldn
The rest include those who stopped taking ldn, sometimes due to hospital stopping the ldn medication

as well as a really good ldn summary to give to your doctor
http://goodshape.net/LDNHighlights.html

Dose : From listening to Dr Tom Gilhooly on the utube links below the dose can be as low as 1mg to start with, and from many sites and users up to 4.5mg may be required

Doctors on ldn
Dr. Phil Boyle
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZGQqYTVBg&feature=related

Dr Tom Gilhooly- from Scotland
patient symptoms incl. tremour in right hand
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pGcnzy8Gv5E&feature=channel
(also into Nutritional medicine wrt. MS- eg omega3, vitD)
Part 2 bladder control frequency, study for ldn- going to try to measure beta endorphins
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ0ZmKFUDT4&feature=channel

Part 3 peroxynitrates(ONO)- chemical that damages, NO synthase & endophorins (possible antiaging effect of ldn via this mechanism, which is what i've noticed in photos of someone on ldn)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dzoWGI6s9kw&feature=channel

Part 4- psorasis
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Qpgh9kfaAMY&feature=channel

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8313092875696096715&hl=en
Video on ahsta.com website 2007 Dr. Pat Crowley & Dr Bernard Bihari (neurologist)(about 6 mins into video)

Other doctors, including Dr Gluck
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DAZ1fQKdOC8

Other possible uses for ldn

ldn for autism? (similar immune test panel results to MS) CD4 cell count raised by ldn- so considered and HIV in Africa as this has a lowered CD4 count
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=30EGZzgKID4&feature=related

ldn for HIV trial in Africa - subjects had already lowered immune systems (as measured by CD4 count)but not as yet AIDS, theory is that ldn may work by raising immune system as measured by CD4 count.
Autoimmunity is not involved here, but a purely lowered immune system via a virus. Hopefully it will help. It will be interesting to hear the outcome
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DAZ1fQKdOC8&NR=1
=======================

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1nmqe5M1DGM&feature=related
Histopathology Spinal cord--Multiple sclerosis, myelin lessened in spinal cord
Note: demyelination generically is a normal part of the CNS reaction to injury (eg injury from a traffic accident?), goes hand in hand with odema englyosis?

Demyelination from B12 deficiency = Histopathogy
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MbvQd1EDjFY&feature=related
-----------------------------------

Ldn may work by reducing glutamates ?

----------------------------------------------------
reducing autoimmune disease
http://autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/natural_healing_in_autoimmune_disease

http://www.ahsta.com/Features/ElaineMoore/RepositoryofArticles/tabid/175/Default.aspx

http://www.ahsta.com/Community/Forumactive/tabid/208/forumid/95/threadid/1758/scope/posts/Default.aspx My post on acupuncture. Possibly ldn and acupuncture both have similar results with lesssening of MS-type symptoms as they both may be working by raising endorphins? I was only having acupuncture for pain after a traffic accient and tightness in my muscles, everything else I hadn't really put down to the acupuncture until I read about ldn rasing endorphins and its effects..and realised I'd had similar effects from acupuncture
-----------------------------------

ldn users in ahsta
http://www.ahsta.com/Community/ForumArchivesreadonly/tabid/110/forumid/45/scope/threads/Default.aspx
http://www.ahsta.com/Community/ForumArchivesreadonly/tabid/110/forumid/45/threadid/442/scope/posts/Defaut.asp
-----------------------
found this thread on users of ldn for depression etc

I posted here
-------------------------------------

I'm looking into this for autoimmune thryoid disease(TPO and TG antibodies),although my thryoid is almost destroyed now.. it "felt" like it was self destructing after the traffic accident , and an ultrasound later showed it had almost..very little tissue left.
I've also had other autoimmune "MS-like" symptoms including balance,tingling/numbness in feet, loss of muscle strength in knees and legs, bladder control and frequency, intense pain,stiffness which exacerbated after a traffic accident but its difficult to say for sure if it was the accident or the stress from the accident exacerbating some underlying autoimmune susceptibility which had come and gone over the years. I think acupuncture helped resolve it at least temporarily.
No brain white plaques ever found on MRI luckily, although back in 2003 some vague white patches called non-significant were found, so no diagn osis of MS, just most of the early symptoms.
I feel a bit of stiffness and fatigue coming back after 2 weeks off acupuncture. I also had something like rheumatoid arthrits many years ago which went with exercise at the gym for a few hours a day over 9 months. So I guess I have some underlying autoimmunity and perhaps the endorphins increase help me control it?
--------------------
******
Edited to add:
http://www.webspawner.com/users/introtoldn/index.html
An Introduction to Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), story about someone who also had depresssion and more links

http://www.ldn-database.carnebeach.com/index1.html
Good page of links to sites, including how to get ldn in the US
******
http://www.ahsta.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=BaBWsPqGYyg%3d&tabid=210&mid=942
Elaine's Chat on ldn
Elaine's book on ldn
Elaine on how to make a low dose of ldn from tablets http://goodshape.net/HomemadeLDN.html
---------------
buying ldn
so far have found these
http://www.webspawner.com/users/howtoobtainldn/index.html
The least expensive option for obtaining LDN is to purchase 50 mg Naltrexone tablets online without a prescription from either of these two sources:

The River Pharmacy (Canada)
or
AllDayChemist (India), but still loooking
-------------------
For those of you in the first 3 months of LDN therapy Dr. Bob
Lawrence from the UK who has MS & uses LDN himself explains why the temporary increase in MS symptoms.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LDN_Users/message/6815
-------------------------------------------
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19041189

Med Hypotheses. 2008 Nov 26. [Epub ahead of print] Links

Low-dose naltrexone for disease prevention and quality of life.
Brown N, Panksepp J.
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, United States.

The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) for the treatment and prophylaxis of various bodily disorders is discussed. Accumulating evidence suggests that LDN can promote health supporting immune-modulation which may reduce various oncogenic and inflammatory autoimmune processes. Since LDN can upregulate endogenous opioid activity, it may also have a role in promoting stress resilience, exercise, social bonding, and emotional well-being, as well as amelioration of psychiatric problems such a autism and depression. It is proposed that LDN can be used effectively as a buffer for a large variety of bodily and mental ailments through its ability to beneficially modulate both the immune system and the brain neurochemistries that regulate positive affect.

-------------------------------------
This is a copy and paste from LDN-Users
Here is the beginning of the ldn conference
http://www.skipspharmacy.com/vid/suzieintoldn08-webpreset.mov
the audio is a little weird -had some issues at the beginning but its audible and these great ladies are not to be missed Suzie, Aletha, Vck and Deidre
I split it in two and part one is uploading to u-tube as we speak for anyone new -- all the ldn videos live here
http://www.youtube.com/user/TropicalDawg
and if you go to playlists...
Part 1 on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOkwBnRTKY8

Part 2 on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvl9OmxnJM8
-----------------------------------

IF YOU Have TRIED LDN, pls click "Leave a comment" and let us know how it went. Positives and negatives, thanks :-)

Comments

I had this one sided shingles back in 2004, but I'm never heard of Valtrex. I must look it up!
http://www.valtrex.com/shingles/whatis_shingles.html
mmm sounds strong, but perhaps worth considering if it does shortedn the time and make it less likely to reoccur, as my shingles lasted a long time
I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone who has taken Valtrex as a comment. I must remeber about the B12 for nerve pain too. Actially my nerve pain in my jaw/face reduced to almost gone after some B12 shots a couple of months ago. I never put the two together before, hmmmmm

Question
Do you recommend the Shingles vaccine, which is live, in CFS and Fibromyalgia patients?
A
ANSWER
Dear A,

I am not quick to offer shingles vaccine in CFS. I am quick, at first sign of a painful one sided (can't cross the body vertical midline ) rash suggestive of early shingles, to treat with Valtrex 1,000 mg 4-5x day for 5-10 days. If begun early, it usually aborts the attack very quickly (add some B12 shots to decrease the risk of persistent nerve pain).

L&B,
Dr. T

Comments

See Figure 1; (enlarged clear figure below)
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/136/10/2653

Figure 1 (above) enlarged;
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/vol136/issue10/images/large/2653fig1.jpeg

Better diagrams of Stahl's than those he has on the Deplin website. See Figure 2 and Figure 5;
http://www.cnsspectrums.com/aspx/articledetail.aspx?articleid=1267

An article from 2006 entitled "New and Emerging Treatment Options for Neuropathic Pain".
Treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) using a combination of L-methylfolate, P-5-P, and B12. See paragraph 10, not counting the abstract.
http://www.ajmc.com/Article.cfm?Menu=1&ID=3156

Comments

Here's another, a dancer.
http://www.uq.edu.au/nuq/jack/dancer.gif
or find here
http://www.procreo.jp/labo/labo13.html  (this one rotates faster for me!)
To me, I perceive the dancer rotating clockwise.
Which way does she rotate to you?

This is thougt by some to be related to switching bwetween brain hemispheres, and possibly related to depression, bipolar etc.
For more info read here
http://www.uq.edu.au/nuq/jack/rivalry.html
http://www.uq.edu.au/nuq/jack/jack.html

"Sticky" Switch Hypothesis:
Pettigrew JD and Miller SM 1998 Proc. Roy. Soc. B 265: 2141-2148A "sticky" interhemispheric switch in bipolar disorder?

This paper is a little technical, but is not intended purely for a clinical readership (There is even a yin-yang symbol, for the complementarity of the cerebral hemispheres, in one of the figures that gets Jack into hot water in some stodgy settings!).

The important new finding is that bipolar subjects switch more slowly between rivalling perceptual alternatives. This "slow switching" trait seems to have a large genetic component, based on a high correlation in identical twins The trait seems accurately to position a subject in the bipolar spectrum, with slower rates of switching involving proportionately greater risk of bipolar disorder. The finding continues to be replicated in larger numbers of subjects in different centres. In addition, we discovered a study from the days before medication, that has essentially the same message (Hunt et al J. Abnormal Soc. Psychol 27: 443.1933).

Unexpected Confirmation of Unihemispheric Effect on Mood:

I just read about Prof.Jack Pettigrew in an old uni Mag (1999) I found lying around the house, and I thought it worth mentioning on here.
He mentions "coping " mechanisms like pets, exercise, diet, omega-3 /omega-6 oils, mediatation,music that people employ to keep their "balance".
The article says Jack did a medical degree but his experience as an intern in neuro-surgery led to a change in direction to research.
The brain does not heal well and people die. He found it very chastening as people he cared about died. If you're a bit sensitive you just can't do it , it knocks you around way too much. The distressing lack of power to save people drove him to become one of Australia's most eminent ..
Prog. Pettigrew "came out" as a sufferer of bipolar himself while he & his team were fielding accolades for their research findings on bipolar.
I thought a few people may be interested in having a browse thru his website.

The article also states "Professor Pettigrew believes that early undiagnosed episodes of manic depression "kindle" the brain. Pressure mounts until sometime later in life, internal mechanisms fire while the brain is stuck in one hemisphere, kindling the full blown disorder."

I am not sure of this but I suspect I have a "degree of bipolar", and I often think maybe everyone has, its just how big that degree is?.. although I must admit that as a teenager I thought some people didn't seem to have the lows or highs I had, or the drive?, and must have a pretty montonous life..now I think maybe it's way more peaceful?
These days I am too "wiped" to have that drive.
OTOH maybe I am normal, it should be normal to experience lows and highs to some extent.
I've often wondered also if "hyper" thyoid is not similar to the highs and "hypo" thyroid to the lows of bipolar to some extent or even wondered if the switching that some of us have experienced with thyroiditis or hashimotos or thryoid antibody "attacks" is not one of the "causes" of bipolar or similar/related to some extent at least  to early (not full blown) bipolar?

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Ok, opinions please!

my input below:
I get a type of tinnea between my toes (and so does my Dad, its genetic) which is cured very easily by Advantan cream. Advantan is a prednisolone cream, called Methylprednisolone Aceponate 1mg/g and also contains Benzyl alcohol, so if that's a fungus its cured by prednisolone.

I'm not sure if all fungi are white? What about all the plants , there's bright orange etc?

I know psorasis is partly fungal, I could prevent an outbreak on my daughter by a heavy hit of penicillin at outbreak of the high temp that preceeded the bod outbreaks of it. I could get relief by sunbathing in the ocean.. ie salt and sun combo would partly clear it up and eventually it would go away.
Also baths of dilute potassium permanganate also helped, . .. even stronger help than the ocean water and sunlight.
The Potassium permanganate stains the nath but it can be removed at a later date with calcium, lime rust.
( Creams foir partiual help_The best cream for relief was a cream used to treat fungus as well as
..and now I've forgotten the name, but we only used that on her face and sparingly.
The rest of the body we had a 6% salicylate and cold tar cream I think.. I'd need to check if I can find any old bottles)
these "cures" do indicate that psorasis is at least partly fungus, I think.

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I have published an edited version of my 1989 Autobiography on this site.
The book is not widely available.

It is the story of my successful battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia which began 32 years ago.

I hope it may help someone.
If you know of anyone who may need to read this story, please make them aware of this site.

Here's the links   thru the whole story below. 
The story is a inspirational and yet an easy, captivating read. 

Life After Leukaemia  Chapter 1  by mytime on 2007-07-28 

Chapter 2   by mytime on 2007-08-03

Chapter 3   by mytime on 2007-08-03
Chapter 4   by mytime on 2007-08-03
Chapter 5   by mytime on 2007-08-04
Chapter 6   by mytime on 2007-08-06
Chapter 7   by mytime on 2007-08-09
Chapter 8   by mytime on 2007-08-09
Chapter 9   by mytime on 2007-08-14
Final Chapter   by mytime on 2007-08-14 

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http://www.springerlink.com/content/c13762u7x0m3h147/

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Healthy arteries are in a state of vasorelaxation, where the blood vessel walls are less stiff and experience a lower degree of tension. As arteries age, they experience a decline in vasorelaxation. This decline is thought to be due to the accumulation of excessive ceramide, a group of amides that are formed when a fatty acid links to a long-chain base.

In the current study, researchers thought that the ceramide accumulation that causes arteries to stiffen might be due to the age-related loss of glutathione in the cells lining the blood vessel walls.

Researchers gave old rats (R)-alpha-lipoic acid (LA), an agent known to induce glutathione synthesis. The scientists then measured vasorelaxation, glutathione and ceramide levels in the animal’s aortic endothelial cells.

Before the old rodents were given the (R)-lipoic acid, vasorelaxation was decreased. Prior to treatment, glutathione levels in cells lining the aorta were more than 30 percent lower and ceramide levels were three-fold higher compared to young rats. When the old animals were given (R)-lipoic acid, however, vasorelaxation improved and levels of glutathione rose. Ceramide levels also fell in the animals given (R)-lipoic acid.

The researchers concluded, “Decreased endothelial glutathione was partly responsible for the age-related loss of vascular endothelial function and lipoic acid might be therapeutically evaluated to treat endothelial dysfunction.”

Reference:

Smith AR, Visioli F, Frei B, Hagen TM. Lipoic acid significantly restores, in rats, the age-related decline in vasomotion. Br J Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 25. Published online ahead of print.

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Unfortunately in Vancouver, and I've seen nothing like these anywhere else in the world!
Pls let me know if you know of any. Fluoride is very difficult to remove and before seeing this product I had thought reverse osmosis was the ONLy way.. but that is expensive, consumes a LOt of energy, and slow, and removes ALL beneficial minerals, trace elements etc as well

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Stem Cell Enhancement
Fucoidan’s Novel Role in Tissue Repair and Heart Health

...In adults, stem cells and progenitor cells help to repair the body, replenishing specialized cells and maintaining the normal turnover in regenerative organs, such as blood, skin or intestinal tissues. Stem cells mobilize to a diseased or injured site where they repair or replace damaged tissue. Remarkably, this means they have the ability to reverse disease and injury. After a heart attack, for example, stem cells can replace damaged heart muscle with new muscle cells...

A caution to eating a lot of any seaweed where its source is unknown
Brown seaweed is also very good at soaking up heavy metals in the ocean, and some forms are actually used for this!.. It may also naturally seem to contain or mop up arsenic(one of the "heavy metals")

It does have many benefits.. pity we pollute the ocean without any thought!

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...synergy between acetyl carnitine arginate and acetyl carnitine in regrowing neurites and dendrites...

In addition, acetyl carnitine arginate protects neurons against the toxicity caused by the presence of beta amyloid plaque found in old brain cells.5 Beta amyloid production is strongly implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and is found in great abundance in Alzheimer’s brains

...the buildup of lipofuscin, another oxidized protein found in all older cells, was reduced in brain cells when acetyl carnitine was fed to rats ...

...acetyl carnitine increases serotonin and dopamine output in rat brains...

Conclusion

Acetyl carnitine increases the effects of nerve growth factor 100 times when in NGF’s presence. It increases the expression of nerve growth factor receptor sites, which nerve growth factor acts on to regrow neurites and dendrites. Acetyl carnitine arginate mimics the effects of nerve growth factor itself. The two supplements act synergistically.

Uridine is another supplement that has been shown to regrow neurites and dendrites during growth and development stages in vivo orally. It has been shown to stimulate neurite-dendrite outgrowth in older animals, too, while improving their mental abilities.

Gotu kola improves cognition in older animals while stimulating neurite-dendrite growth and out branching in key areas of the brain because of the presence of several active principals called asiaticosides. It improves cognition and outgrowth in both older animals and also during the growth and development stages of younger animals

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The following link is to a web page that contains a link to a Panorama programme, and a link to a transcript of the television programme.

http://zakstar.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/silvermercury-amalgam-fillings/
This is really worthwhile watching.
If it "sticks" at all, just move the slide slightly in front, this worked for me.

Contains good footage of the xrays of a sheep where the mercury had spread, and much more.

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Ankylosing means fusing together. Spondylitis indicates inflammation of the vertebrae. Both words come from the Greek. So, AS describes the condition by which some or all of the joints and bones of the spine fuse together. Entire fusing of the spine is unusual. Many people will only have partial fusion

What actually happens?

Inflammation occurs at the site where certain ligaments or tendons attach to bone (enthesis). This is followed by some erosion of bone at the site of the attachment (enthesopathy). As the inflammation subsides, a healing process takes place and new bone develops. Movement becomes restricted where bone replaces the elastic tissue of ligaments or tendons. Repetition of this inflammatory process leads to further bone formation and the individual bones which make up your backbone, the vertebrae, can fuse together...eg your neck?

may occur after prolonged bed rest eg after a car accident
also
gene related
What is the risk of passing it on to my children?

If a parent has AS there is a 50% chance that the B27 gene will be passed on to a child. However, not everyone with the B27 gene will go on to develop AS

Are any other diseases associated with AS?

A skin condition called psoriasis is associated with AS. Psoriasis causes scaly patches on the skin and scalp. It can also lead to a slightly different form of arthritis

My daughter and son have psorasis, so maybe I might have this gene?
My Mother's neck is fused together she was told, I think my Xrays look fine still?

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My wife is 45, and she walks for exercise regularly. She is not overweight, but she does eat an average amount of fatty food, and at least an average amount of sugar. You recommend against surgery, but I didn't find any explanation about what is so bad about having surgery. The doctor makes it seem like a very common, low risk surgery that is very effective with essentially no side effects. Considering that she already has such a large number of stones, we are thinking that trying to treat the stones with taurine and beet concentrate might not be that effective for the number of stones that she has. It might be too late for that.

What exactly are the considerations of having the gall bladder removed? What are the possible side effects, and how often can they occur? What effect does not having a gall bladder have on the body? The doctor is telling us that the body adapts to not having a gall bladder and learns to function normally again, and only a very small percent of people have any negative effects at all from the surgery. What do you think about that? Thanks for your help.

DM COMMENT: Normally I do not address individual health complaints, so readers please do not send those in as there is no way that it can effectively be addressed in this format. However, this question represents a very common problem I believe it needs an answer at it will serve to help many individuals who read this.

First of all, I believe it is nearly criminal what traditional medicine is doing to our public when it comes to managing this problem. It is RARELY ever indicated to remove someone’s gallbladder. If one ignores warning symptoms and does not address the reasons why their gallbladder is not functioning properly, than the disease can progress to the point where the pancreas is inflamed or the gallbladder is seriously infected and may have to be removed to save a person’s life. However, it is important to have a proper perspective here. Nearly ONE MILLION gallbladders are removed every year in this country and it is my estimate that only several thousand need to come out.

So, not only are surgeons removing these organs unnecessarily, but in their nutritional ignorance they are telling patients that their gallbladders do not serve any purpose and they can live perfectly well without them. This is a lie. The gallbladder serves an important digestive function. It is required to emulsify fats. What is emulsification? One can easily understand this concept when washing greasy dishes. It is nearly impossible to properly clean greasy dishes without soap as the soap emulsifies the fat so it can be removed. Similarly, the gallbladder stores bile and bile acids, which emulsify the fat one eats so it can be properly transported through the intestine into the blood stream. Anyone who has had their gallbladder removed will need to take some form of bile salts with every meal for the rest of their life (I use and recommend Beta Plus from Biotics Research), if they wish to prevent a good percentage of the good fats they eat from being flushed down the toilet. If one does not have enough fats in the diet, their entire physiology will be disrupted, especially the ability to make hormones and prostaglandins.

So, let’s get back to the original question. If one has gallbladder disease it can be evidenced by:

1) Pain when pressing on the gallbladder, which is directly under the last rib on the right on the same plane as one’s nipple. This is usually due to gallbladder “sludge” (thick bile).

2) Stone on a gallbladder ultrasound.

3) Greasy stools that are loose and tend to float to the top of the toilet bowl. This indicates improper fat absorption.

Then what is the proper course of action?

Long time readers of this newsletter will be very familiar with the essential first step. It is imperative to clean up the diet.

One has to stop the sugars, and reduce the grains and eliminate all fluids but water. The gallbladder is frequently infected when it is diseased so large amounts of good bacteria will also be helpful in correcting the problem.

If gallbladder stones are present then it will be necessary to get them out. The gallbladder flush seems to work quite well for that.

Gallbladder Flush
AT BEDTIME take the following:

5 ounces CLASSIC coke
6 oz. Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
THE NEXT MORNING UPON AWAKENING:
10 ounces Citrate of Magnesium.
FOR NEXT 30 DAYS:

Drink 4 oz. apple juice FIRST THING in the morning and LAST thing at night. This will help to decrease the side effects of the flush such as nausea and headache. It will be helpful to watch the toilet with bowel movements, as the following the flush usually hundreds of stones will be dumped out of the gallbladder.
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I have read variations of the gallbladder flush, but most seemt o use the lemon juice and olive oil combo, usually afer a liquid fast for a day to give the gallbladde a rest first I guess? The oil should stimulate the gallbladder to empty. I've not a lot of knowledge on this, so It's listed here for interest only-----------------------------------------

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By Anthony J. Brown, MD

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 10 - Ethanol intake is well known as a potential cause of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients and now new findings from an animal study shed light on the mechanisms involved, according to a report in the January issue of Endocrinology.

The findings show that alcohol produces "a massive redistribution of blood flow within the pancreas," lead author Dr. Ake Sjoholm, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, told Reuters Health.

Using various techniques, Dr. Sjoholm along with Dr. Zhen Huang, also from the Karolinska Institute, showed that pancreatic islet blood flow is increased by about fourfold in rats after an injection of ethanol. Whole pancreatic blood flow, by contrast, was not affected.

"The magnitude of the alcohol effect on islet blood flow surprised us," Dr. Sjoholm said. Ethanol injection also amplified insulin secretion and resulted in hypoglycemia.

Further experiments showed that these effects were prevented by a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and by atropine.

Summing up, the investigators write: "Our findings demonstrate that ethanol acutely exerts substantial influences on pancreatic microcirculation by evoking a massive redistribution of pancreatic blood flow from the exocrine into the endocrine part via mechanisms mediated by nitric oxide and vagal stimuli."

The take-home message for clinicians? "They should advise their diabetic patients (or patients with liver problems) to be very careful with alcohol, especially if they are also treated with hypoglycemic sulfonylureas since these drugs may potentiate the alcohol effect," Dr. Sjoholm emphasized.

Endocrinology 2008;149:232-236.

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http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=469543&fulltextType=RV&fileId=S0950268806007175

Abstract

In 1981, R. Edgar Hope-Simpson proposed that a ‘seasonal stimulus’ intimately associated with solar radiation explained the remarkable seasonality of epidemic influenza. Solar radiation triggers robust seasonal vitamin D production in the skin;
vitamin D deficiency is common in the winter, and activated vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, a steroid hormone, has profound effects on human immunity.
1,25(OH)2D acts as an immune system modulator, preventing excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines and increasing the ‘oxidative burst’ potential of macrophages.

Perhaps most importantly, it dramatically stimulates the expression of potent anti-microbial peptides, which exist in neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, and in epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract where they play a major role in protecting the lung from infection.
Volunteers inoculated with live attenuated influenza virus are more likely to develop fever and serological evidence of an immune response in the winter.
Vitamin D deficiency predisposes children to respiratory infections.
Ultraviolet radiation (either from artificial sources or from sunlight) reduces the incidence of viral respiratory infections, as does cod liver oil (which contains vitamin D).

An interventional study showed that vitamin D reduces the incidence of respiratory infections in children. We conclude that vitamin D, or lack of it, may be Hope-Simpson's ‘seasonal stimulus’.

(Accepted August 5 2006)

posted by Bob
8th Oct 2006

NB- Only take a teaspoon of cod liver oil once or twice a week.
For small children (under 7) 1/2 teaspoon; less for toddlers.
Over-dosing can be dangerous. Too much Vitamin A can cause death.
I just keep to a dose on weekends, so I can remeber when to take it.
Vitamin D3 can be taken instead, or preferably, as well as, if "higher VitD3" is prescribed by your doc.
If Hyperthyroid use VitD3 or cod liver oil with caution as possibility it may worsen the condition.

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HEALTH: World Cancer Research Report findings favour organic meat

Findings from a co-joint report by the World Cancer Research fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research of a “convincing link between processed meats and colorectal cancer” is good news for Australian organic meat retailers.

The report states there is solid proof that high levels of processed meat containing nitrite and other preservatives increase the risk of cancer in the colon and rectum; two key organs of the digestive system.

Nitrites are barred from use in the processing of organic meat.

The findings come as no surprise to Steve Povey, meat processor certified by Australian Certified Organic, and owner of Brisbane butcher shop, ‘The Meat-Ting Place’.

He has specialised in the production of non-nitrite, preservative free and organically cured ham and bacon for the last ten years and says the benefits have brought in customers via doctor’s referrals.

“People come to us after seeing their doctors, who have associated high nitrite levels with a range of problems; gout, shingles, nervous rashes and so on,” says Mr. Povey.

“We receive customers from the age of eighteen and up wanting to decrease the chemical build up in their bodies. People consistently eating our meat say they feel better in themselves – and, some senior customers say it tastes like meat used to sixty years ago.”

Sodium Nitrite is added to conventional processed meat for preservation purposes and is the reason meat retains its recognisable red colour.

It is particularly high in foods such as ham, bacon, pastrami, salami, sausages and frankfurters; and fast foods.
The report found the consumption of red and processed meats to increase with income and particularly high in western countries.

Australia’s consumption of cured ham and bacon has almost doubled from 4.6kg to 8.7kg per person in the sixty years up to 1999, according to the last official records.

Organically cured meat means Australians can bring home the bacon, minus the carcinogens.

Link to World Cancer Research Fund Report ‘Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a global perspective,’: http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/?p=ER

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GOOD TASTE: Organic Christmas - where fare is fair and the taste is in tradition

...Stephen Povey from The Meat-ing Place who specialises in preservative free and organically cured Christmas ham. “Our senior customers say it tastes like meat used to sixty years ago,” he says.

And organic turkey is renowned for providing a more tender feature of the Christmas lunch fare. “People say organic turkey is juicer than conventional,” says Matthew Jamieson, poultry producer from Sunforest in NSW. “Our birds take longer to raise, and they’re raised outdoors on very high standard chemical-free feed and that makes a big difference.”

Preparing organic Christmas meals and treats at home, or putting organic chocolates in the Christmas stocking is also one way to keep the kids hyper-activity levels at a low and possibly avoid some of the after-effects of indulging in overly processed foods.

Natural colours and flavours, no harmful additives or preservatives, the prohibition of hydrogenated or trans-fats and fruit inclusions in organic processing all contribute to a healthier holiday nibble.

On the alcoholic front, certified organic wine producer Scott Wright says organic wine is perfect for people with allergies who want the Christmas cheer to last.

“Certainly lower levels of sulphur dioxides, if people have allergies, lead to lower levels of headaches. And of course there is the value in knowing the wines are produced without synthetic chemicals in an ethical way.”

... www.bfa.com.au.

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I haven't tried these supps, but I think they are worth looking at by anyone who has chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia.

If anyone tries any, I'd be lovely if you could add a comment below sometime letting us all know how they worked for you..or didn't as the case may be

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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/460393?mpid=17770
Cadmium's Disguise Dupes the Estrogen Receptor

activities. Moreover, in utero exposure to cadmium affected mammary gland development and onset of puberty in female offspring—both prototypical endocrine disruptor-like responses.
...They found that cadmium chloride induced potent estrogenic responses in rats at doses that are comparable to the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (7 µg per kg per week) recommended by the World Health Organization.Background exposures in most human populations fall below that level...

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The same goes for STATINs which do lower cholesterol, but may cause muscle damage, skin peeling and red and itchy and more !

Remember.. they don't test these tablets for everything.. so it may be years before any increase in other effects show.. and then only if deaths or near deaths are noticed usually.
e.g. take VIOXX
Tablets that have lesser side effects more stay unrevealed.. like fatigue, poor memory, or "cloudy" thinking.
It's best NOT to be in a new "drug" trial if possible, and to make sure any tablets have been on the market for at least 5 years if possible, if not longer! VIOXX was a bit over 5 years.

Warning - this video is technical and over 1 hr long, but Click here to hear about cox-II inhibitors and aspirin, prostaglandins and NSAID's

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The principal antiobesity drugs have a "modest" effect on weight loss, and their effect on cardiovascular health "remains unknown," according to a BMJ meta-analysis.

Researchers examined 30 double-blind placebo-controlled studies involving orlistat, sibutramine, or rimonabant (a cannabinoid type-1 receptor antagonist not available in the U.S.). The studies all had high attrition rates, averaging over 30%.

The drugs' effects:

Orlistat reduced weight more than placebo by 2.9 kg, but produced gastrointestinal side effects, such as oily spotting and fecal urgency;
Sibutramine provided a 4.2-kg reduction, but raised blood pressure and pulse rate; and
Rimonabant produced a 4.7-kg weight loss, but had a "worrying" incidence of psychiatric disorders.

Commenting on the lack of mortality data offered in the studies, the authors remind us that "drugs that improve surrogate end points, such as weight loss, may not ultimately improve more clinically relevant outcomes."

BMJ article (Free)

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Jeffrey Smith’s website www.seedsofdeception.com also gives you a more in-depth overview of GMO laced products

Unfortunately GMO food does not confine itself ONLY to the USA, even though the foods may be genetically engineered (and patented) there; so unfortunately it affects most of us. Parts of Europe has banns on GMO foods?, but Australians have no way of knowing. It is not labelled.
Africans have protested about their food aid being GMO seeds, which may unknowingly contaminate their own seed store for food., and future survival(the seeds may not be fertile over generations, and patents may be extracted etc.) and longer term full health effects are not known.

The early part of this video talks about the tryptophan scare that occurred in 1989 in the US. Symptoms included raised eosinophil count(white blood cells), and many symptoms of pain in muscles,memory loss, muscle weakness, hair falling out, tightened even locked muscles, leathery skin,breathing difficulties, even death.
From what I could work out before listening to this video,the l-tryptophan food supplement was found to be from only one company, Showa Denko, sold in the US, and thought to have some contamination due to the process this company used, which noone else used and is not done any more. That's all I had heard previously.

This video mentions Showa Denko was genetically modifying the bacteria used in producing the l-tryptophan from Dec 24th 1988 (strain 5) that was the cause of the symptoms , including death.
Previous genetically engineered strains also had previously documented symptoms.. just not to the same extent. So he believes it was the genetic modification of the strain of bacteria that caused the deaths and symptoms.

The FDA, 1990 had been told about these cases and the genetic modification, but kept silent...

worth a listen

Video then goes on suggesting many of the present day problems may be linked to GMO foods, which most of us have no way of knowing if we are eating or not. I know Soy and corn (maize) from the US should be avoided, and soy flour is even in most bread these days. I'm not sure of other seeds? There's cotton-seed oil and canola (rapeseed)oil too.

Genetic modification
Genetically modified canola which is resistant to herbicide was first introduced to Canada in 1995. Today 80% of acres sown to canola are sown with genetically modified canola.[13]

Introduction of the genetically modified crop to Australia generated considerable controversy.[14] Canola is Australia's third biggest crop, and is often used by wheat farmers as a break crop to improve soil quality. As at 2003 the only genetically modified crops in Australia were non-food crops: carnations and cotton. In 2003, Australia's gene technology regulator approved the release of canola altered to make it resistant to the herbicide Glufosinate ammonium.[15]

Australia now has GM canola and genetic mods may spread to other farms, even different types of foods, at the very least noone can prove it will not and it is feasible ,. We should have made australia the uncontaminated country for a marketing advantage instead of following what the Us wants us to do.. if the US rules it is not allowing free trade, then stuff.. yes as an Australian I am/was prepared to wear any consequences of a stand against the US on this.
Europe still seems to have some sense, or maybe it just doesn't follow what the US wants as readily..
posted from Australia, "the 52nd US state". I heard someone in the US point out to Howard that Australia was its own sovereign nation ....sigh, too easy to go over his head ( I know I should retract this comment, as it really doesn't do me any credit.. just its something I do feel strongly about, and it would have been sooo easy not to follow the US( countries have been to war for far less), and so beneficial for us, and NOT-beneficial to the US as far as marketability of our crops/anaimals etc goes forever into the fiuture, not to mention immediate and future profitability to the US for seeds)

 ( also Does Donating GMO Crops to End Hunger Make Any Sense?.  My cautious side wonders whether  a mutation of the GM seed might cross with normal seed rendering them infertile or making the normal seed display undesired properties like needing more pesticides, or even just not having the wholesome natural goodness needed.. e.g. recall the l-tryptophan contamination in 1989? etc.. any such thoughts are dismissed though as my stupidity in not understanding genetic engineering. I have similar concerns on bacteria inside an animals guts that eats GM foods, or even on further up the food chain  that eat the animals fed GM foods)

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ECONOMIC PROBLEMS WITH GE (Jeffrey Smith)
Genetically Modified Catastrophe
HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH GE (Jeffrey Smith)
Genetically Modified Foods Present Unprecedented Health Dangers
HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH GE (Dr Judy Carman)
Is GM Safe to Eat?
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH GE http://www.btinternet.com/~nlpWESSEX/Documents/enivironmentalproblems.htm
PESTICIDE PROBLEMS WITH GE http://www.btinternet.com/~nlpWESSEX/Documents/pesticideproblems.htm
LEGAL PROBLEMS WITH GE
http://www.btinternet.com/~nlpWESSEX/Documents/liabilityproblems.htm
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http://www.gefreeaustralia.org/

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Update received on 22 Nov 2207

ORGANIC INDUSTRY AT RISK;
VICTORIA & NSW POISED TO RELEASE GE CANOLA
AN APPEAL FOR CONCERNS TO BE VOICED TO STATE GOVERNMENTS
Dear Organic Advantage subscriber,

Once again the organic industry is faced with the daunting task of protecting the integrity of its industry from the introduction and contamination of GE canola crops. At this present there is a distinct possibility that Victoria and NSW states may relax the present moratorium.

This would immediately put at risk of contamination both organic and non-GE conventional grain producers and processors. Increased costs for the organic sector as a result of this contamination would include testing, segregation, clean down of equipment etc.

Late pressure on both state governments, including from many backbenchers, appears to be having an affect. We ask if you would please call and email the Premier and Agriculture Minister in each state to voice your concerns for the organic sector and Australian markets in general.

The contact details are:
Premier of Victoria John Brumby
Tel 03 9651 5000, Email: john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au

Agriculture Minister of Victoria Joe Helper
Tel 03 9658 4670, Email: joe.helper@parliament.vic.gov.au

Premier of NSW Morris Iemma
Tel (02) 9228 5239, Email: thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au

Agriculture Minister of NSW Ian McDonald
Tel (02) 9228 3344, Email: macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au

Please also read the press release below from GE FREE AUSTRALIA.

GE FREE AUSTRALIA, PRESS RELEASE, 22 NOV 07

Coles joins food industry in speaking out against GE Food Crops

Supermarket giant Coles has joined industry leaders in speaking out against genetically engineered (GE) food, as the Victorian Government looks set to announce the lifting of their ban on the commercial growing of GE food crops.

When asked what Coles' position was, at a Parliamentary forum on Tuesday, Coles representative Chris Mara stated that, "Coles listens to our customers and over 90% do not want GM ingredients in their food and Coles whole private label range of
'Smart Buy', 'You'll Love Coles' and 'Coles Finest' exclude all GM ingredients in response to customer concerns."

Coles statements come hot on the heels of Goodman Fielder, Australia's largest food company, Tatiara Meats, Australia

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[[...Researchers at Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, have discovered that deficiency of thiamine – Vitamin B1 - may be key to a range of vascular problems for people with diabetes. They have also solved the mystery as to why thiamine deficiency in diabetes had remained hidden until now...]]

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/561885?src=mp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6935482.stm

My comment I've been pushing this point :-) in this blog
blood sugar control involves B1, and B1 should be expected to be used up far more quickly with higher levels of blood sugar as found in diabetes, and in the metabolic syndrome as well!
Just processing the excess carbs eaten in many modern diets uses up higher B1

and yes, B1 testing was always a bit difficult, as enzyme levels will vary starting out higher (increased levels )with early deficiency as the body struggles to maintain the needed levels from a lowered B1 level left in blood and reducing with longer term / more pronounced deficiency(as found in Asia with white rice diets) as the body realises it can't use all the enzyme it has put out due to lowered B1 and stops over producing.
With the western high carb diets , the higher enzyme levels of transketolase should be more common, indicating a increased need for B1 by the body.
http://tealady-health.blog.co.uk/2006/07/10/b1_and_diabetes~947428

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On rosiglitazone my Mum has had 3 MI's , almost died, and a fracture to ankle.. She has gained weight, and lately her blood sugar levels are not well controlled.
Admittedly the weight gain is probably due to not cutting down sufficiently on food intake despite not being able to walk much any more after the fracture and sore knees.. BUT she does puff extremely easily and find it difficult to catch her breath since her heart attacks..
There us NO known heart attacks anywhere else in family history on any side of family, so it's not genetic.

Guess what, I won't be following in her footsteps, at least with metaformin and then rosiglitazone.

Nissen Responds to Rosiglitazone Debate at ADA Meeting
"Nissen lamented the fact that in the eight years since the approval of rosiglitazone no definitive end-point trials have been published, despite the signal of increased risk of ischemic events observed in the earliest studies. "
Heartwire 2007

"it is important to wait for cardiovascular-end-point trials before making regulatory decisions".   
What incentive is there to run these cardiovascular-end-point trials  .. It's been  8 years without having run any?

. These end points were primarily collected as serious adverse events." Despite these limitations, however, "patients and providers should consider the potential for serious cardiovascular effects of treatment with rosiglitazone for type 2 diabetes"

 "Nathan reminded the audience that rosiglitazone, at this time, is intended for glycemic control to prevent microvascular and neurologic complications, not for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.".. good to see how their logic 

ADOPT Analysis Shows Rosiglitazone Increases Risk of Fracture in Women
Not unlike a prizefighter battered and bruised, rosiglitazone continued to take it on the chin this week with an analysis of ADOPT expanding upon the increased risk of fracture among diabetic women taking the controversial TZD.
Heartwire 2007
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Cochrane Review Urges Caution on Rosiglitazone Use
The new review found no evidence of any benefits with the drug over other available treatments for diabetes and, because of side effects such as edema, fractures, and possible increased risk of MI, recommends that other antidiabetic medications be used in preference.
Heartwire 2007
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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/560402?src=mp
U.S. Senators: FDA Pulled Reviewer off Glaxo Drug
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FDA Advisory Panels Acknowledge Signal of Risk With Rosiglitazone, but Stop Short of Recommending Its Withdrawal
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/560709?src=mp 
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Rosiglitazone Story a Reminder of Need for FDA Reform

August 8, 2007 (Boston, MA) - The man who chaired the recent FDA advisory panel hearing on rosiglitazone summarizes the sorry saga as follows: "A new 'wonder drug,' approved prematurely and for the wrong reasons by a weakened and underfunded government agency subjected to pressure from industry, had caused undue harm to patients."

That's the synopsis of Dr Clifford Rosen (St Joseph Hospital, Bangor, ME), whose Perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine this week argues that the FDA's advisory panel's struggle to resolve safety concerns about the drug should serve as a reminder for the ways in which the drug-approval process could be improved [1].
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The entire class of thiazolidinedione drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes must carry boxed warnings about the drugs' ability to cause or worsen heart failure, the FDA announced late yesterday.

The affected drugs are Avandia (rosiglitazone), Actos (pioglitazone), Avandaryl (rosiglitazone and glimepiride), Avandamet (rosiglitazone and metformin), and Duetact (pioglitazone and glimepiride).

The action addresses the FDA's worry that "despite the warnings and information already listed in the drug labels, these drugs are still being prescribed to patients without careful monitoring for signs of heart failure," says the agency's chief of drug evaluation and research.

FDA announcement
Rosiglitazone alert
Pioglitazone alert


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Another research group analyzed four long-term, randomized controlled trials of rosiglitazone in which cardiovascular safety was a prespecified endpoint; some 14,000 patients were included. Overall, rosiglitazone increased the risk for MI by 42%.

Long-term Risk of Cardiovascular Events With Rosiglitazone
A Meta-analysis
Sonal Singh, MD; Yoon K. Loke, MBBS, MD; Curt D. Furberg, MD, PhD
JAMA. 2007;298:1189-1195.

Context Recent reports of serious adverse events with rosiglitazone use have raised questions about whether the evidence of harm justifies its use for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Objective To systematically review the long-term cardiovascular risks of rosiglitazone, including myocardial infarction, heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality.

Data Sources We searched MEDLINE, the GlaxoSmithKline clinical trials register, the US Food and Drug Administration Web site, and product information sheets for randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published in English through May 2007.

Study Selection Studies were selected for inclusion if they were randomized controlled trials of rosiglitazone for prevention or treatment of type 2 diabetes, had at least 12 months of follow-up, and monitored cardiovascular adverse events and provided numerical data on all adverse events. Four studies were included after detailed screening of 140 trials for cardiovascular events.

Data Extraction Relative risks (RRs) of myocardial infarction, heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality were estimated using a fixed-effects meta-analysis of 4 randomized controlled trials (n = 14 291, including 6421 receiving rosiglitazone and 7870 receiving control therapy, with a duration of follow-up of 1-4 years).

Results Rosiglitazone significantly increased the risk of myocardial infarction (n = 94/6421 vs 83/7870; RR, 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.91; P = .02) and heart failure (n = 102/6421 vs 62/7870; RR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.52-2.88; P < .001) without a significant increase in risk of cardiovascular mortality (n = 59/6421 vs 72/7870; RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.63-1.26; P = .53). There was no evidence of substantial heterogeneity among the trials for these end points (I2 = 0% for myocardial infarction, 18% for heart failure, and 0% for cardiovascular mortality).

Conclusion Among patients with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes, rosiglitazone use for at least 12 months is associated with a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction and heart failure, without a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular mortality.
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UPDATE Dec 2007
Guidelines Revised for Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

New information suggests additional hazards associated with the use of either thiazolidinedione, and rosiglitazone in particular may result in an increased frequency of myocardial infarctions...

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/566734?src=mp
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Might help.. vinegar at bedtime
Vinegar at Bedtime Moderates Waking Glucose Level in Type 2 Diabetics
Results of a study published in the November issue of Diabetes Care suggest that a dose of vinegar taken at bedtime may favorably impact waking glucose concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Reuters Health Information 2007

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