The Alternative Medicine Blog

5 Everyday Things That Are Bad for You

by Guest Author Mary Ward

Most of us are looking for ways to live healthier lives. And, many times we feel that, for the most part, we’re avoiding the things that are really bad for us. However, there may be some everyday items you’re still using that are bad for your body. Here are some common things in your home you might want to avoid.

1. Teflon – this non-stick coating used for many years on pans can be very harmful. The gases released when the pans are heated to a high temperature can be noxious – it has even been known to kill birds. In addition, as the pans get worn, the Teflon coating flakes off into our food and eventually ends up in our water system. The EPA’s outside science board has listed the PFC chemical used to make Teflon as a “likely human carcinogen”.
2. Carpet – Whether your carpet is new or old, it likely contains chemicals that are dangerous to your body. New carpets contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), some of which are on the EPA’s list of extremely hazardous substances. Old carpet may be even worse, as some of the chemicals used in carpets in years passed have been banned. Other substances, such as adhesives and stain resistors may be dangerous when breathed in.
3. Plastic food containers – Most of our plastic food containers are harmless, unless they are exposed to heat. Plastics used to make food containers contains bisphenol A. When exposed to heat, the plastic melts just a little and the bisphenol A leaks into your food. The substance is believed to be related to an elevated risk for breast cancer, prostate cancer and diabetes. So, for the sake of your health, don’t microwave in plastic or drink from a plastic drink bottle that’s been exposed to heat. This same substance is found in most food cans, because it helps keep the food from tasting like the can. It’s believed to be safe in food cans as long as you don’t heat up the can itself.
4. Microwave popcorn – The fumes from microwave popcorn have been shown to be toxic, because of the substance diacetyl, which gives the popcorn its buttery taste. Several cases of lung disease have been directly related to inhaling large amounts of diacetyl. Check your microwave popcorn labels carefully. Many companies have already removed the substance from their brand because of health concerns, but it is still in a few brands.
5. Your humidifier – A humidifier need not be dangerous if it’s cleaned properly, but many people fail to clean theirs as often as needed. Humidifiers that are not kept clean can harbor all sorts of harmful bacteria, such as legionella, which causes respiratory infections, and several types of mold. Your humidifier should be cleaned with bleach at least twice a week if you use it regularly.

We all want to live in a safe home, and it’s frightening that there are so many items we take for granted that might be harming us. Keep your eyes open for things in your home that might make it less safe for your family.

That is great advice. Thanks Mary.

Beste Gesundheit,

Werner

Mary Ward is a freelance writer and likes writing about medical education topics, such as how to research and choose among online X-ray tech schools, how to apply for online college grants, and more.

Heart Disease is now Accepted to be an Inflammatory Condition

Heart disease is now accepted to be an inflammatory condition and not due to excess cholesterol.

There is a growing consensus that CRP (c-reactive protein) levels, which can be measured via blood tests, are an indicator of inflammation bearing a risk of increased risk for heart disease. C-reactive protein is elevated after injury, fever, and infection. Continued high CRP levels may cause a chain reaction as seen in atherosclerosis i.e. coronary plaque, narrowing of the vessel’s lumen, thrombus formation, decreasing blood flow to the heart causing a hear attack [1].

A new liposomal formulation of Gemcitabine is active in an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer accessible to bioluminescence imaging

It seems there is slowly but surely a certain target area of searches on the Alternative Medicine Blog emerging. The area of most interest seems to be in response to my post dealing with Pancreatic Cancer. Just recently Dinora posted a comment that was very heart warming and brought back memories of my dad's struggle with cancer. Here it is. "I definitely agree with you, we need to become more educated. My husband has Pancreatic Ca and this only helps me reinforce my thoughts of both western and alternative medicine. It is nice for someone like me that is 24-7 by my husband's bedside in the hospital and out to try to research on a lot of different alternatives. However, I know it needs to be done,but your article will give me a jump start. Thank you."

It seems that Dinora is doing the right thing in researching everything there is to know about her husband's disease. On the other hand, it encouraged me to hone in on the subject of pancreatic cancer in coming posts, to help Dinora and other's to find answers to pressing questions. Such as:

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency

I am intrigued by the intermediary of glucose, Glucose-6-phosphate. After tearing out my hairs dealing with this sucker last week it becomes pretty obvious how important G6P is.

Having a major role in 5 metabolic pathways, it follows than that it is very common in cells. Following along this line of thought, it should also come as no surprise that the most common enzyme deficiency on this planet has to do with G6P. About 400 million people are affected by Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency which can cause hemolytic anemia. [1]

The enzyme Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase plays a role in the oxidative stage of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway, converting glucose-6-phosphate to 6-phosphoglucono-d-lactone. Not only does this enzyme catalyze the above conversion, a by-product of this conversion is none other than the ever so important NADPH. The whole step uses NADP+ and Mg2+ to produce before mentioned NADPH + H+.[2]

Deficiency of this enzyme causes accumulation of glucose, and a reduction of NADPH. It is suggested that the deficiency of G6PD might be directly related to the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension in African Americans.[3]

It seems that the only treatments for G6PD deficiency are:[4]

* Prevention: avoidance of foods and drugs that may cause hemolysis
* Blood transfusions, dialysis
* Splenectomy (removal of the spleen)
* Folic acid supplementation

When one considers the magnitude of G6PD deficiency as it might be the cause of not only hemolytic anemia, but also hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2, it comes as a surprise that the only four options for treatment should be a radical surgery, nutritional steps for prevention, or blood transfusions/ dialysis.

I can't help but wonder how come that there are no other treatments available? Is it too big of a problem to solve?

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucose-6-phosphate_dehydrogenase_deficiency
2. http://www.biochem.arizona.edu/classes/bioc462/462b/glycolysis.html
3. Gaskin RS, Estwick D, Peddi R (2001). "G6PD deficiency: its role in the high prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus". Ethnicity & disease 11 (4): 749–54
4. Treatment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucose-6-phosphate_dehydrogenase_deficiency

5 Super Foods for Weight Loss

By Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS

Look, let's get real. Some foods make it really difficult to lose weight. They create their own self-sustaining cravings ("Betcha can't eat just one!") and play havoc with your blood sugar and, ultimately, your waistline.

But some foods do just the opposite.

By now almost everyone knows how great foods like broccoli and blueberries are and how they can help you lose weight -- but here are some foods you may not have thought of when you first saw the title of this article. Yet every one of these foods (and one beverage) meets at least one major criteria of being a super food for weight loss.

Characteristics of a Healthful Diet

As many of you might know I have been working in the food and hospitality industry as a chef for about 25 years. Over these many years I have seen my share of fad diets come and go. I have made nutrition and the consequences of healthy eating my "life project," if you will. As part of this effort I am currently working on my Masters Program in Human Nutrition. As you can imagine, these studies involve a lot of reading, and many hours in the library researching the subject of nutrition. My name is Werner Absenger and people always seem to ask me about diets that work. In this review I shall tackle the dilemma you might face when trying to choose foods that contribute to a balanced, adequate diet. I will try to explain why diets that restrict foods and food intake too severely, generally do not work.

First, we need to clarify the definition of a balanced and adequate diet. Adequate diets, despite differences in the kinds of foods eaten, share several things. An adequate diet is made up of foods that provide sufficient essential nutrients. Essential nutrients are substances your body needs for normal growth and health but can not make itself to sustain sufficient levels. Essential nutrients must be consumed through food. You know the major; essential nutrients better as proteins, vitamins, minerals. In addition, an adequate diet provides sufficient calories to meet; caloric needs to cover the body's basic metabolic functions and energy requirements for daily activities. A balanced diet provides neither too much nor too little of nutrients and other food components. An example would be fat and fiber (Brown, 2008).

Are Chiropractors Qualified to Function As Primary Care Physicians?

Are Chiropractors Qualified to Function As Primary Care Physicians?

Chiropractors have many of the attributes of primary care providers and often describe themselves as such. Others say that chiropractic has more of the attributes of a limited medical profession similar to dentistry or podiatry. In this paper I will try to answer the question: Are Chiropractors Qualified to Function As Primary Care Physicians? I will use resources such as admission requirements to Chiropractic schools and general educational path and requirements for some one to become a chiropractor. Then based on this information I will try to draw a conclusion.

Ever since D.D. Palmer founded the first chiropractic school there was much misconception about the profession of chiropractic. It did not matter that people preferred chiropractic to the so-called allopaths in the early part of the 20th century. The American Medical Association was set to literally wipe out the Chiropractic profession. With publication of the Flexner report this was almost accomplished. Chiropractors had to literally fight for recognition and under some circumstances chose jail to protest the bias against their profession (Keating, C., 2005). Chiropractic profession went underground so to speak.

Lately the chiropractic profession has flourished again, under seemingly less than ideal conditions. A big boost to chiropractors was the success in an antitrust lawsuit against the AMA (Keating, C., 2005). This seemed to boost the chiropractic profession, but also new research seemed to indicate that chiropractic is actually a valuable tool in the treatment of some ailments (Bronfort, Evans & Haas, 2005). With this new research, a renewed trust by the public in chiropractic care one must ask the question: Are Chiropractors Qualified to Function As Primary Care Physicians?

Follow Up on MLPNA's "April Awareness" Seminar

Some of my readers might know that on occasion, I emerge from behind my laptop and venture from cyberspace into the "real" world to lecture on topics pertaining to modalities of Alternative medicine in brick and mortar locations in front of "very real" people. Such was the case again on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. I was invited as speaker in front of an incredible audience of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) at a seminar that was part of their continued education credits. Let me just pause here and thank Kathy Eagan, President of the Muskegon, Newago, Oceana District of the Michigan Licensed Practical Nurses Association to allow for the opportunity to share my knowledge of Antioxidants with the LPNs. It was a great pleasure giving this talk and there were some questions I was unable to answer due to time constraints and my limited knowledge on the subject of some of the questions. I promised the nurses I would post the answers right here. Read on...

Can Your Morning Cereal Give You a Heart Attack?

By Al Sears, MD

You've had it drummed into your head for the past 50 years that eating grains is the best way to avoid heart disease. But the result of millions of Americans following misguided dietary advice couldn't be clearer: rates of heart disease (and diabetes) have skyrocketed over 900%.

In other words, the massive shift to a grain-based diet has been a wholesale health disaster. I'll show you why -- and give you some advice on what you should really eat for lifelong heart health.

Lady Doc Gets Death Threats for Revealing TOP SECRET Fat Loss Secret to General Public

A new breakthrough secret is all you now need in order to forever shed countless pounds, stay healthy, and add many years to your life!

A lady doctor from Arizona has blown the lid off the best-kept secret in weight loss ever discovered -- and this has the whole diet food and drug industries turned upside down and in nothing less than a torrential uproar.

Her name is Dr. Suzanne Gudakunst, and she's marching to the beat of a different drum.

And no, nothing about her "secret" is difficult -- nor does it require that you do something completely out of the ordinary or anything unnatural.

Instead, the Arizonian boasts proudly "...this is something that I caught onto just before 2002 when there was so much research and exploration going around concerning the human colon and digestive system working in harmony with nutritional absorption, and I started doing independent studies just to test things at first ... but which I later expanded on after seeing some fantastic results."

Go directly to her site => Top Secret Fat Loss Secret <= or continue reading about her amazing discovery...