Women Who Take Lipitor® May See No Healthy Results

Weekly Health Report

Women spend billions of dollars each year on Lipitor and other statin drugs that lower cholesterol. Now a new study of all the research data associated with this drug raises serious questions as to whether or not the all of this cash is buying any healthy benefits.

Sales of Lipitor account for over $12 billion in annual revenues worldwide. It is widely prescribed by doctors for both men and women as a way to lower cholesterol levels in the body. People who take it believe they are able to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke. Pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer Inc., markets Lipitor as being beneficial for those adults with a risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers at Cornell University recently assembled and evaluated all of the scientific data and test results available on Lipitor. It may come as a surprise to a lot of people that they were able to find no statistically significant supporting scientific evidence to show that women who take Lipitor were getting any protection from cardiovascular problems. The results of the study were published in the September issue of the university’s Journal of Empirical Legal Studies.

“Our findings indicate that each year reasonably healthy women spend billions of dollars on drugs in the hope of preventing heart attacks, but that scientific evidence supporting their hope does not exist,” the study’s authors said.

Pfizer widely advertises Lipitor as a means to reduce the probability of heart attack for people who have a mixture of risk factors for heart attack, such as age, high blood pressure, low HDL levels (high-density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol), family history or smoking. It appears from the research that study findings of benefits for the male population have simply been extrapolated to include women as well. Of course, Pfizer makes no mention of this in its advertising or product labeling regarding use by women.

It is most interesting to note that none of the studies that included women with a mixture of risk factors provided any statistically significant support for prescribing Lipitor or other statins to protect against cardiovascular disease, researchers said. Pfizer’s claims of clinical proof that Lipitor reduces the risk of heart disease in women appear to be unfounded and aimed more at marketing billions of dollars worth of the product than providing any real help.

This research gives credence to looking at methods beyond drugs to achieve cholesterol reduction and overall heart health. A combination of a healthy diet with reduced intake of meats and dairy products, in conjunction with exercise, has been shown to improve cholesterol levels. A wellness consultation with a natural healthcare professional would be a good place to start to arrive at a diet and exercise program which promotes healthy living for both women and men.


Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

“As I see it, every day you do one of two things: build health or produce disease in yourself.” Adelle Davis (1904 - 1974)

Why Are Physicians Afraid of Physicians?

Adopted from TIME Magazine - May, ‘06

"While there are bad doctors practicing bad medicine who go undetected, that's not what scares other physicians the most. Instead, they have watched the system become deformed over the years by fear of litigation, by insurance costs, by rising competition, by billowing bureaucracy and even by improvements in technology that introduce new risks even as they reduce old ones."

Long gone are the days of going to a medical doctor who utilizes his time and training to make the best decisions regarding your health. No one knows this more then your very own medical doctor. The strong resistance to treatment, hospitals, taking drugs, or going to a doctor at all sends home a very powerful message of extreme caution to all of us.

"It requires almost a stroke of luck to enter a U.S. hospital and receive precisely the right treatment - no more, and no less. A landmark Rand Corp. study published in 2003 found that adults in the U.S. received, on average, just 54.9% of recommended care for their conditions." In other words, there’s just better than a 50/50 chance you won't be harmed or the victim of negligence when you see your medical doctor. We live in hazardous times when it comes to medicine.

While, in the case of an emergency like a tumor, clogged artery, kidney stone, or compound fracture, medical technology is beyond amazing. But, something like treating a simple infection or childhood illness - can cause mega problems. "A patient with anything but the simplest needs is traversing a very complicated system," says Dr. Donald Berwick, a pediatrician and president of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. "And as the machine gets more complicated, there are more ways it can break."

Without question, over treatment is the most critical problem. Doctors afraid of "missing something" and insurance that rewards testing, surgery, and expensive drugs creates a "dangerous impulse towards excess." Any good doctor knows when a cyst on your ankle or wrist is not a tumor. Any good doctor who sees a healthy child with a cough knows that agreeing to surgery and antibiotics is potentially a risk worse than the condition.

You always have 2 choices: to work on building and maintaining your health vs. treating symptoms and illness with drugs and surgery. While there are some magical medial solutions to emergencies out there, every day we learn that the field of medicine is replete with dysfunctions, conflicts of interest, overt concern for profit, and the bottom line: dangerous chemicals.

Getting sick is a risky proposition. Invest today in your health. You may not like eating well and exercising. You might not like making time for them either. You may be "anti-alternative," against things that are different like chiropractic and nutritional support. However, if you want to prosper later, you invest now.

LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER. IF WE DON’T, THEN WHO WILL? PLEASE, TELL THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND LOVE ABOUT WHAT YOU LEARN HERE IN THIS OFFICE.

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

When Soft Drink Consumption Rises, So Do The Risks of Cardiovascular Disease

Have you ever taken a good look around the tabletops of a fast food restaurant and observed what people are drinking? A quick survey will probably reveal that a majority of the patrons are enjoying a large, extra-large or super-sized refillable soft drink along with their meal. This is likely quite a change from what you would have seen at a restaurant table 40, 30 or even 20 years ago.

The effects on the population regarding this increased soft drink consumption and the health of individual drinkers was the research topic of a recent study at the Boston University School of Medicine through the Farmingham Heart Study. Researchers found that persons consuming more than one soft drink per day had an increased risk of the factors that are associated with heart disease. Interestingly, both regular and diet soft drinks were seen as equal contributors to these threats to heart health.

These factors of heart disease risk have been clustered into a group of symptoms know as “Metabolic Syndrome.”
This grouping includes excess waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides (fats), elevated glucose levels, and a lower level of the good HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein). According to the researchers, three or more of these factors present in the body indicates a higher risk for heart disease and for diabetes as well.

“We were struck by the fact that it didn’t matter whether it was a diet or regular soda that participants consumed, the association with increased risk was present,” said Ramachandran Vasan, M.D., and professor at Boston University School of Medicine. “In those who drink one or more soft drinks daily, there was an association of an increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome.”

The Farmingham Study involved some 9,000 personal observations made in middle-aged men and women at 3 different times over a 4 year period. When this study began, researchers immediately observed that persons consuming more than one soft drink per day had a 48 percent higher presence of metabolic syndrome than those consuming one drink or less a day.

Also interesting was the increased risk noted over the course of the study for persons who had no evidence of a metabolic risk at the start, but who consumed one or more soft drinks per day. At the end of 4 years, those who consumed this amount of soft drink had a 44 percent higher risk of developing new-onset metabolic syndrome. Also noted for this group was a 31 percent greater risk of developing new on-set obesity, a 30 percent increase in developing increased waist size, a 25 percent increase in triglycerides and glucose levels, and a 32 percent risk of having lower HDL levels. These results were published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

With obesity statistics for American adults and children rising each year and with the onset of diabetes also rising, a change in lifestyle and health practices is obviously overdue.

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.”
Gautama Siddharta

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

Flossing Your Spine for Health and Longevity

I see it day in and day out, the difference that exists between people who “get it”… the why’s and how’s of spinal hygiene, and those that don’t. One of the saddest things to witness for me is someone who comes to me for help, but is too far gone to make any significant improvements. In frustration I wonder how could they let things get this bad, how could they ignore the warning signs? Looking at x-ray after x-ray I can’t help but think: this could have been avoided if they just knew better!

Of the many goals we have in this office, awareness of personal choices is perhaps the biggest one. For instance, the concept of good dental hygiene is really just a series of healthy personal choices that we learned to make while we were young. Consider the following basic principle: maintaining healthy teeth and gums to prevent damage and decay requires consistent health practices like brushing, rinsing, and flossing. Most people understand this to be as true as 2+2=4. So, why the mental block when it comes to spinal hygiene? Herein, is both our greatest frustration and challenge in being health care advocates.

One of the major benefits of getting your spine adjusted by a Doctor of Chiropractic is similar in nature to that of flossing your teeth. You have been taught to floss your teeth to ensure that no hidden food particles remain behind that can lead to the formation of a cavity. By the same token, we adjust your spine to ensure that no hidden joint stress remains behind that can lead to disc decay and joint arthritis. As you use a daily brushing and rinsing strategy to promote health in the future, we use exercises, stretches and ergonomic advice to promote health in the future. We all have regular, routine dental checkups. We should all, and I mean everyone, have regular spinal checkups.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are just talking about bones here... the ones in your mouth versus the ones in your back! They will respond favorably to healthy personal choices and practices, just as they will rot and decay from neglect and abuse.

I have seen enough rotting, decaying spines to know that maintenance and prevention is the way to go. I have also seen the quality of life in many people increase dramatically simply because they decided to start “flossing their spine” on a regular basis.

Are you looking for a means by which to ensure a great state of health and function well into the future? Your spine is part of that equation, and there is no way around that fact.

I for one do not want to be on medication when I am older. I do not wish to need the assistance of a cane, walker or wheelchair. I plan on having the strength, mental clarity, and ambition to be as active as any 80, 90, or 100 year old has ever been. I do not have all the answers, but I do know that the only way this is possible is through awareness of my personal choices.

Society did make dentistry a no brainer for me as a kid, but the rest seems up to me to figure out as an adult. In any case, my goal of having a healthy mind and healthy body seems worth the effort. And, I am hoping to educate and motivate as many people as possible to do the same.

“To preserve health is a moral and religious duty, for health is the basis of all social virtues. We can no longer be useful when we are not well.”
Samuel Johnson

Speak up and educate others,


Dr. Craig

University Sets National Example For Reduced Medical Industry Funding

Stanford University is setting the example for others to follow in severely reducing the ability of medical companies to influence the content of continuing medical education programs. The school will no longer accept support from pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing companies for specific programs in continuing education for practicing physicians.

Continuing medical education programs (CME) are classes that Stanford offers to help practicing physicians stay current in their fields. Legally, doctors must participate in such programs to remain licensed to practice medicine.

In recent years, pharmaceutical and medical device companies have attempted to exert their influence on the content of such courses through the infusion of a huge increase of cash grants to colleges and universities. Between 1998 and 2006, these industries have quadrupled CME program funding from $301 million to $1.2 billion, according to the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

Keeping this commercial influence out of the CME programs at Stanford Medical School is what the decision regarding funding is all about. “We want CME to be unbiased and science-driven, and we don’t want it to be influenced by marketing,” says Dean Philip Pizzo, M.D. “We want our educational activities for whomever we are serving – whether it’s our own faculty or our colleagues in the community, locally or globally – to be true to the science and the evidence, and not be influenced by any kind of financial industry support.”

This Stanford University decision follows on the heels of a 2006 policy change which banned gifts, free meals and industry marketing at the university’s Medical Center. The school began to scrutinize interactions with industry in its educational and clinical areas in 2005. This latest ban on CME monies went into effect on Sept. 1, 2008.

Under the previous approach to CME, the industry often dictated the content of the programs that were frequently held outside of the campus environment in hotels or convention centers. The company sponsors would then be allowed to put up booths and provide advertising and marketing information to doctors in attendance.

The university’s goal for the future will be to bring any CME program presented to the campus environment to a new educational and learning center slated to open in 2010. Industry money will still be accepted into a general CME fund, but not for specific industry-driven programs. The university also plans to seek educational funding from philanthropic organizations. Dean Pizzo said he hopes Stanford’s new approach to physician education will serve as a model for other medical schools around the country.

Dr. Craig’s Comments:

What an outstanding move to make by Stanford University. Did you know how influenced the average medical doctor is by the pharmaceutical industry? It is true. This is has been happening for quite some time now. The “marketing of meds and unnecessary procedures” to medical doctors has got to stop! Science and meaningful purpose should always guide a doctor’s decision making process – not the almighty dollar.


Speak up and educate others,


Dr. Craig

Chirpractic Offers Solutions To A Physically Declining Nation

As a nation, the United States is heading toward a sedentary, obese and very unhealthy condition. Individual sickness, unhealthy eating, pharmaceutical drug intake and personal disability are all on the rise. Lost time at work and even the costs for premature death add up to billions of dollars annually.

The question of where to turn for a healthier lifestyle, one which is based on sound practices, together with the elimination of pain and reduced sickness eludes many, many people. Yet, the solution is staring Americans right in the face daily.

The answer lies in Chiropractic.

A chiropractor, by training and experience, offers a great deal more to the public than merely skeletal system adjustments and increased function of the nervous system of the body. This alone is a tremendous service, but it is only part of a chiropractor’s many skills which could help to put an entire nation back on the track to better health and fitness.

There was a time in the United States, not long ago, that the call went out from President John F. Kennedy to increase the fitness level of America. This occurred in the early 1960s when the President’s Council on Physical Fitness helped to set standards for both the youth and the adults of America to achieve a better state of well-being. Strides were nicely being made in this direction, but that was over 40 years ago, and now the nation has lapsed back into a state of physical apathy and decline.

Chiropractors, by training, know a great deal about physical fitness, in addition to a lifestyle enhanced by wellness and a more healthful living that is free of drugs. A personal visit to a chiropractor may not put an entire nation back on the track to better health, but it would help one person, you, and that is a great start!

Here are just a few of the benefits of getting more fit under the guidance of a chiropractor: A chiropractor will act as a personal counselor on health and wellness. An overall exercise program that fits a person’s lifestyle and interest will be discovered and encouraged. By the way, overall fitness is known to increase a person’s well-being and do wonders for a person’s back, which is often the source of pain for many people. Finally, improving fitness can help to impact a person’s life and society as well through reduced healthcare costs, visits to physicians, dependency on pharmaceutical drugs and even lost time from work.

There is a study that points to how this individual effort on a small scale could impact and entire area. It is reported that if one sedentary person out of 20 in the state of Michigan were to get on a regular exercise program, the filter down cost savings in the state would total over $575 million annually.

How do you turn the fitness of a nation around you ask? The answer is one person at a time. The solution starts with a Chiropractic consultation. It’s a visit that could add years to your life, increase your productivity, make living more fun and help out the physical fitness level of a declining nation – all at the same time.

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

The Spine-Brain Connection: A New Twist to the "Brain-Body Connection"

With technology advancing and the ability to measure brain activity and health improving each year, studies and theories about the brain-body connection are finding ever-increasing popularity.

Advancements in brain-body research are incredibly important, as the brain is responsible for all body function, thought and social interaction. The more we discover about the functions of the brain and the pathways in which it communicates with cells and the senses, the more likely we can expand our mental, emotional and functional capacities and overcome disease.

The Real Connection: With so much thought going into the brain and how it keeps the body going, we bet you're wondering what keeps the brain going. The answer is pretty simple: Your body. While the brain keeps the body developing and moving along, it is the nutrients that come from the body through eating, drinking, breathing air and the products of cellular function that keep the brain developing and moving along.

Important nutrients the brain needs for survival such as oxygen, glucose and neurotrophins (nutrients that keep neurons strong) get from the body to the brain through the cerebro-spinal (brain-spine or spine-brain) fluid (CSF) that flows from inside your spinal canal. This fluid gets from the spine to brain with the use of a CSF "pump." This CSF pump doesn't use electricity. The power for the pump is generated by the normal movements of the spine.

For the CSF pump to move effectively, you need a healthy spinal column. Irregular or reduced motion of the spine will lead to an abnormal and reduced flow of oxygen, glucose, neurotrophins and other important nutrients to the brain. That's why the spine-brain connection is so important. A bad back or neck will literally give you a bad brain.

The Damage: News stories concerning tragedies in which oxygen was cut off to the brain for too long a period during near-drowning incidents are very popular. Because of these reports, we all know that the effect of spending too much time without air causes brain damage. A lack of normal nutrient support to the brain will lead to damaged brain tissues and aberrant brain functions resulting in a significant increase in risk of disease process both in the brain and organ systems of the body.

Because many people suffer from undetected spinal imbalance and misalignments called subluxation, they lose the CSF pumping mechanism. As a result, nutrients are not delivered to the brain in the right quantity and quality. A poor spine-brain connection has been the cause of the average brain beginning to atrophy (shrink and deteriorate) by the age of 25.

Additionally, it's important to recognize that, for the brain to do any communicating with the body it must send the signals through the spinal column. Within the spinal column lies the brain stem and spinal cord. Again, misalignment or poor placement of the spine would then traction (abnormally stretch) the brain that could lead to poor development, altered brain function, and potentially reduced output of important glandular chemical hormones.

Off of the spinal cord emanate the spinal nerves. These nerves bring brain signals to all of the organ and muscle functions in the body. If the spinal nerves were to suffer from pressure or damage from the spinal column, it could affect heart, lung and glandular functions. This would, in turn, affect the brain due to abnormal levels of oxygen, blood and chemicals flowing to it.

Good Spine Hygiene: The success of the "brain-body connection" is linked to the health and function of the spinal column. This new twist, however, gives us the "spine-brain connection." Damage, misalignment (subluxation), altered curves and imbalance of the spine will lead to an ineffective "brain-body connection." That's why, regardless of symptoms, people who want their brains to "talk" to their bodies should make sure to establish proper spinal hygiene, which consists of the following criteria:

- Exercises to strengthen the paravertebral musculature (back muscles), abdomen and quadriceps (front of legs) which all become weak or atrophied due to sitting too often.
- Proper stretching of anterior musculature including the pectorals (chest) and anterior deltoids (front of shoulders) as well as calves and hamstrings.
- An evaluation by a chiropractor for proper spinal alignment and correction of spinal curves. (childhood checkups!)

An unhealthy spine-brain connection can lead to almost any disorder of the brain or body. Fortunately, the spine-brain connection can be enhanced by a chiropractor. Certain types of chiropractic can even improve or even completely restore this important connection.

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

Chiropractic’s Near-Death Experience

Almost 90 years ago, an illness plagued the U.S. that would have made anthrax seem like the hiccups. More than a million people died with what was called the St. Louis Flu in 1918. If you got the St. Louis Flu, you were going to die.

Strangely enough, around that same time, chiropractic, the only American born health care profession, was close to extinction or near-death, only 23 years after its discovery. In the time just after the end of World War I, laws against slander were so lenient that medical doctors were allowed to openly attack the chiropractic profession without any regard to truth, legality or the best interest of the patients.

Because medical doctors were making it so hard to have a practice, chiropractors were making mostly house calls. In 1918, chiropractors in Wisconsin began going door-to-door adjusting anyone who had the St. Louis Flu.

As a result, an amazing thing occurred. Not a single person with the St. Louis Flu who was adjusted by a chiropractor died.

The news about Chiropractic swept across Wisconsin and eventually the whole country. Within a short period of time, chiropractic became so well known as the best defense against the St. Louis flu that it saved the profession. Unfortunately, many of the myths and legends started by medical doctors way back then persist today.

After the St. Louis Flu had come and gone and chiropractic began to take off, the major medical association realized they failed to eliminate the profession. As a last ditch effort, the state medical boards began offering chiropractors medical licenses, figuring if you can't beat them, control them. Not a single chiropractor took their offer!

Chiropractic never pretended to be a cure for St. Louis Flu, anthrax, back pain, headaches, or cancer back in 1918 or today. Chiropractic simply removes pressure, pinching, tension and interference from the brain stem, spinal cord and nerves. This maximizes your body's God-given strength and its ability to heal and protect itself without the use of dangerous drugs or surgery.

Chiropractic allows your body to be as healthy as possible.

For this reason, Chiropractic is alive and well – like never before!

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

GARDASIL DEATHS, ADVERSE REACTIONS SHOULD GET YOUNG WOMEN TO THINK TWICE!

The fast-track approach to getting the cervical cancer protection drug Gardasil® through the approval process may be on its way to haunting both the drug maker Merck & Co., and the approving agency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was recently revealed that at least 18 women have died in the past 2 years after receiving injections of the drug.

Gardasil is aimed at preventing the cancer-causing risks of the Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is considered to be the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. Of the 30-some known strains of the virus, many are not harmful and go away on their own. Fifteen known strands of the virus can lead to cancer, with two of them causing the most cases. The drug Gardasil is aimed at protecting woman from only four of these known viruses.

The FDA approved Gardasil in June of 2006 after only 6 months of review. Typically, new drugs are reviewed for at least 10 months, but cancer drugs are often put on this fast-track approval process. Gardasil received unanimous approval from the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) and full FDA approval followed soon after.

Since then, it is reported that some 8 million young women between the ages of 9 and 26 have been injected. Three separate doses of the drug are given over a 6 month period at $120 each for a total of $360.

Now it has been learned by the watchdog group Judicial Watch that there have been 8,864 adverse reaction reports to the FDA since Gardasil was approved. These include the 18 deaths, 140 “serious” complications (27 considered life threatening), as well as 45 spontaneous abortions or miscarriages, plus cases of neurological disorders and blood clots.

As these issues come to light, parents and young women will have decisions to make regarding the advertised benefits of the drug versus a growing number of adverse reaction reports. “Given all the questions about Gardasil, the best public health policy would be to reevaluate its safety and to prohibit its distribution to minors. In the least, governments should rethink any efforts to mandate or promote this vaccine for children,” said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch.

This seems sage advice given the fact that Merck is advertising this drug by alleging to protect women from cancer, and while it does not even know if Gardasil itself might cause cancer! A report to the FDA on Merck’s testing protocol said this: “Gardasil has not been evaluated for the potential to cause carcinogenicity or genotoxicity.” In plain language this means, that they don’t know if Gardasil causes cancer or genetic damage to the cells that can cause cancer.

Merck also doesn’t know for sure how Gardasil will react when given in conjunction with any one of the common teenage vaccines. One in particular is the Menactra® vaccine for meningitis. Some very severe reactions to this vaccine alone are part of the 8,864 reports.

DR. CRAIG’S COMMENTS: Think twice, do your own research, and then think twice again before putting substances like Gardasil into your body. Your doctor may be doing what they “think is right”, but that does not mean that it is your best, or healthiest option! Clearly, the pharmaceutical industry’s influence on the American Medical Association is strong, and warrants a little skepticism on your part. We must take responsibility for our own health. Be proactive and educated - there is no better way than this!

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

RISE IN C-SECTION DELIVERIES REACHES NEAR ONE-THIRD OF ALL U.S. BIRTHS… BUT, WHY?

The number of Caesarean Sections performed in United States hospitals has soared over those performed just a decade ago. Charges by U.S. hospitals for the procedure have netted over $17.4 billion annually for these operations alone.

According to the most recently available numbers provided the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the number of women who now have the C-section procedure is nearing 1/3 of all births. About 1.3 million women in 2005 gave birth through a C-section. This figure represents a 38 percent increase over 1995. That year, about 800,000 C-sections were performed in the U.S.

C-sections have their rightful place in deliveries when complications would be thought to put either the mother or the child at risk. An umbilical cord wrapped around the child’s neck or a breech delivery would be two common reasons for a C-section delivery. More recently, C-sections are being performed for many other reasons including convenience, a feeling by attending physicians that the procedure reduces lawsuit risk and even the idea that this type of delivery is better for the mom and child than a normal vaginal delivery.

The area of sharpest decline in vaginal deliveries occurred in the case of those mothers who had previously given birth via C-section. Vaginal deliveries of subsequent children dropped 60 percent from 157,200 in 1995 to just 63,300 in 2005. Apparently some doctors and hospitals are not allowing a woman to consider and attempt vaginal delivery following a C-section delivery.

Another major contributing factor to the increase in C-sections would logically be financial. In 2005, hospitals charged a total of $17.4 billion for about 1/3 of the deliveries through C-section. Hospitals took in just $21.3 billion for the remaining 2/3 of the deliveries. Clearly, the profit lies in C-section deliveries!

Consider the difference in costs based on 2003 figures as provided by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

- Vaginal birth with no complications: $6,239
- Vaginal birth with complications: $8,177
- C-section with no complications: $11,524
- C-section with complications: $15,519

At about $5,000 more for an uncomplicated C-section and over $7,000 more for a complicated procedure above vaginal delivery, is it really any wonder that the medical profession, as well as hospitals, might like to see the number of C-sections rise even higher in the years to come?

DR. CRAIG’S COMMENTS: There is a time and place for the C-section procedure. However, the child’s health and future well being should supersede all other variables. Natural child birth has too many benefits to be dictated by hospital protocols. Benefits of a natural birth: less stress to the baby’s spine, muscles and nerves, better lung function, improved immune system, reduced chance of asthma and allergies… to name but a few. Is it just a coincidence that we are seeing a decline in the health of infants and children, or is it more a matter of our meddling with God’s design and the natural order of life?

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

What you need to know about this year’s Flu Shot controversy

News reports have been flooding us with articles warning that the impending flu season may be the worst in years. Even though it is difficult to separate the facts from the hype, a close evaluation of the flu vaccine will reveal that serious questions must be raised about the recommendations that are routinely touted, namely high efficacy with little risk. Anyone considering a flu shot should become informed about the substances coming through that needle, and should be determined to investigate the safety and efficacy issues that are still unresolved.

The vaccine virus
Each year, a new vaccine is developed that contains three different viruses (one influenza B and two influenza A strains). CDC officials select the new viruses based on which viruses were prevalent during the flu season in China and Australia the previous year. The CDC admits that the viruses selected for the new vaccine are chosen on the basis of an "educated guess."

What's in a flu shot?
The influenza virus is grown in "specific pathogen-free" (SPF) eggs. Eggs are tested for a variety of agents-usually between 23 and 31-to confirm the absence of those specific pathogens. Laboratories limit the number of agents that are screened due to the shear abundance of potential viruses and/or bacteria to choose from. In addition, screening for every potential agent would be cost prohibitive. If none of the tested agents are detected, the vaccine is reported as "pathogen free."

However, it should be understood that there is a distinct difference between "pathogen free" and "specific pathogen-free." In its July 1996 report, the Institute of Medicine acknowledged that "although it is not possible to produce a completely uncontaminated animal, it is possible to produce an animal [or egg] certified to be free of specific pathogens." Viruses that are harmless to their animal host, however, may be potentially harmful to humans.

During the manufacturing process, antibiotics (neomycin, polymyxin B and gentamicin) are added to eliminate stray bacteria found in the mixture. The final solution can contain the following additives in any combination: Triton X-100 (a detergent); polysorbate 80 (a potential carcinogen); gelatin; formaldehyde; and residual egg proteins. In addition, many of the influenza vaccines still contain thimerosal as a preservative. Thimerosal (mercury) is being investigated for its link to brain injury and autoimmune disease.

Does the flu shot protect?
There are no guarantees that the influenza viruses selected for the vaccine will be the identical strains circulating during a given flu season. In fact, it has recently been announced that this year's flu vaccine does not include the strain that is being reported by doctors in the community called the "A Fujian" strain. Outbreaks have been reported in Texas, Colorado and elsewhere that involve strains that do not match the current flu vaccine. CDC tests have confirmed that more than 80 per cent of the 55 strains of influenza virus isolated thus far are the A Fujian strain. Even so, the CDC still maintains that the current vaccine could provide cross-protection against the new variant, but the fact is, no one knows for sure.

Moreover, the majority of illnesses characterized by fever, fatigue, cough and aching muscles are not caused by the influenza virus. Non-influenza viruses (e.g., rhinoviruses respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], adenoviruses, and parainfluenza viruses) can cause symptoms referred to influenza-like illnesses (ILI). Certain bacteria, such as Legionella spp., Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, have been documented as the causes of ILI.

Notably, these microbes are not part of the flu vaccine. Unless an organism's antigen is contained within the vaccine, there is no protection conferred by the vaccine. It is estimated that most adults will average 1-3 episodes of ILI, and most children will average 3-6 episodes. The CDC also admits that "many persons who have been vaccinated against influenza can still get the flu".

A serious concern: Alzheimer's Disesase
Hugh Fudenberg, MD, an immunogeneticist and biologist with nearly 850 papers published in peer review journals, has reported that if an individual had five consecutive flu shots between 1970 and 1980 (the years studied), his/her chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease is ten times higher than if they had zero, one, or two shots.

Dr. Boyd Haley, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky, Lexington has done extensive research in the area of mercury toxicity and the brain. Haley's research has established a likely connection between mercury toxicity and Alzheimer's disease. In a paper published in collaboration with researchers at University of Calgary, Haley stated that "seven of the characteristic markers that we look for to distinguish Alzheimer's disease can be produced in normal brain tissues, or cultures of neurons, by the addition of extremely low levels of mercury."

Does this prove that the mercury contained in the influenza shot can be directly linked to Alzheimer's? No, absolutely not. But further research in this area is critically needed because the absence of proof is not the "proof of absence."

Flu vaccine now for children
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) adopted a resolution effective March 1, 2003 that expanded the use of the influenza vaccine to include children aged 6-23 months. The recommendations also included vaccinating those aged 2 to 18 years who live in households containing children younger than 2 years of age.

The flu vaccine most commonly given to children is Fluzone, a trivalent vaccine grown in chicken eggs. Harvested with formaldehyde and containing the recommended ratio of 15 ug of each of the three prototype viral strains, each dose of Fluzone also contains 25 ug of mercury. The new CDC recommendations include giving the influenza vaccine to children beginning at six months of age and then annually, for the rest of their lives. Children less than age 9 receiving their first flu shot, two doses of vaccine are recommended, with a minimum interval of one month between the two doses. However, the CDC does not provide a direct reference to substantiate this recommendation.

On June 17, 2003, the FDA approved an intranasal influenza vaccine for use in healthy persons aged 5-49 years. Flumist is a live-virus vaccine that can cause a litany of problems. Please, do your research before using this drug!

Alternatives?
If you choose not to receive the flu shot, have a discussion with your doctor regarding other options. However, some simple and possibly quite effective things you can do for yourself to prevent the flu include: 1) avoid white sugar; 2) exercise regularly; 3) get adequate sleep; 4) eat a healthy diet, omitting trans-fats; 5) drink plenty of purified water daily and 6) wash your hands. A common way people contract viral illnesses is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after their hands have been contaminated with a virus. The CDC states, "the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands."We are so used to taking medications-for prevention and treatment-that it is difficult to comprehend that these modest recommendations are really the most powerful ways to minimize the likelihood of getting the flu.

Making the decision
You may decide to consult a physician who is schooled in alternative medicine to assess a variety of options for you and your family. What is most important, in the end, is to become as informed as possible regarding your options for keeping healthy and avoiding the flu.

Speak up and educate others,


Dr. Craig

MAXIMIZED HEALTH REPORT

LATEST ESTIMATE FOR MEDICAL ERRORS SETS COSTS AT THE $1.5 BILLION MARK

The latest medical error cost figures have just been released. Incredibly, the cost of potentially preventable surgical errors in the United States is now recorded at almost $1.5 billion annually.

This astounding total comes from estimated figures released in July by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). It represents the additional costs for medical services that are passed along to employers and their healthcare providers.

- Two categories of additional care required accounted for the major recipient of extra care dollars. Researchers found the insurers’ average payment for acute respiratory failure totaled $28,218, which added 52 percent more to medical costs. Next were post-operative infections, which required $19,480 additional dollars for a total of 48 percent higher costs.

- When medical errors occurred, nursing costs rose as well by $12,196 for a 33 percent cost increase. Metabolic problems such as kidney failure or uncontrolled blood sugar contributed $11,797 in added dollars for a 32 percent increase.

- Next came the additional care and handling associated with blood clots, vascular problems and pulmonary difficulties. This total came to $7,838 at 25 percent more. Open wounds associated with errors added $1,426 or 6 percent more.

The research work was conducted by the AHRQ’s William E. Encinosa and Fred J. Hellinger, both PhDs. Results of their study were published in the journal Health Services Research. AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. said, “Like the physical and emotional harm caused by medical errors, the financial consequences don’t stop at the hospital door. Eliminating medical errors and their after effects must continue to be top priority for our healthcare system.”

Also mentioned in this study was the fact that 1 out of every 10 patients who died within 90 days of their surgery did so because of preventable error. Of these, one-third occurred after discharge from the hospital.
These figures came from a nationwide sample of 161,000 employer-insured patients age 18 to 64 that had surgery in 2001 and 2002.

Medicare has announced that as of October 2008, it will discontinue certain payments to hospitals for preventable medical error. It will be interesting to see how placing the financial burden on hospitals for post-error handling affects the number of surgical errors in this country.

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. “New AHRQ Study Finds Surgical Errors Cost Nearly $1.5 Billion Annually.” July 2008.

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION NOW WANTS CHOLESTEROL SCREENING FOR TODDLERS

It’s hard to say if it’s simply a sign of the times or the continuing search by drug companies to find new and untapped markets for their products. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is now recommending cholesterol testing for children as young as 2 years old and even recommending cholesterol lowering drugs in some older children.

The AAP has made the call for screening and treatment a part of their policy with a statement called “Lipid Screening and Cardiovascular Health in Childhood.” This screening is mainly directed at children in families that have a history of high cholesterol levels in their background. Other familial factors that could trigger a screening would be frequency of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.

Screening for children that meet these specifications should begin sometime after their 2nd birthday and before the age of 10, says the AAP. Previous AAP screening recommendations were far less specific regarding targeted ages for testing to start.

Previously, the AAP never recommended cholesterol drugs for children under 10. That specification has been lowered now to include younger children to whom drugs are being recommended. “For children who are more than 8 years old and who have high LDL (bad cholesterol) concentrations, cholesterol-reducing medications should be considered. Younger patients with elevated cholesterol readings should focus on weight reduction and increased activity while receiving nutrition counseling.”

Most cholesterol lowering drugs have serious side effects. There is no question that obesity is a problem of increasing proportion throughout American society. It is truly unfortunate that it is becoming a factor in very young children and a sad comment on diet, sedentary lifestyles and a lack of exercise throughout our culture. Children need to be encouraged to “get out and play” and get the body moving. This will go a long way to promote good health and strong bodies.

Parents who are looking for ways to improve the lifestyle and health of their children would be wise to consult a chiropractor for expertise and advice on this subject. It is important not only to keep children off drugs, but also to develop a way of good healthy thinking that will have them choosing exercise and fitness rather than a trip to the medicine cabinet for everything that ails them in their future years.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics. "New AAP Policy on Lipid Screening and Heart Health in Children." Press Release. July 2008.

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

P.S. September 30th is the deadline for Family Wellness and Prevention Month. All family members and significant others receive a complimentary wellness evaluation and screening, at no charge. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to go the extra mile when it comes to the health of your loved ones!

FDA TO REQUIRE BLACK BOX WARNING FOR CIPRO® AND SIMILAR ANTIBIOTICS

It’s taken over 12 years since an original petition was filed, but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is finally getting around to putting a Black Box Warning label on the antibiotic Cipro® and other similar antibiotics.

Back in 1996, the watchdog group Public Citizen initially presented evidence to the FDA in the form of a petition to require stronger warning labels for all drugs containing fluoroquinolone antibiotics due to reported increased risks of patients developing tendonitis or experiencing tendon rupture. These types of antibiotics are widely prescribed for gastrointestinal, respiratory and urinary infections. The FDA honored the 1996 petition, but warnings about the product were buried in a list of possible reactions and considered inadequate.

Public Citizen reviewed the FDA’s adverse events database form 1997 to 2005 and found enough evidence of tendon problems to submit another warning petition in 2005. During this period of time, there were 262 cases of tendon ruptures reported and over 500 cases of tendonitis and other tendon disorders. Ruptures of the Achilles tendon were the most sudden and severe. Other areas of the body affected include the rotator cuff, the biceps, the hand and the thumb. (Tendons are tough fibrous tissue that connect muscles to joints.)

The reason that fluoroquinolone drugs affect the tendons in this manner is not completely known. One theory is that these antibiotics are toxic to tendon fibers and may cause a decrease in the blood supply to tendons, a part of the body that already operates on a limited blood supply.

The recent FDA action to raise the status of Cipro® to a Black Box Warning is the result of a suit filed against the FDA by Public Citizen for failing to honor petition requests from over 2 years ago. The FDA will now issue a notice to all manufacturers of fluoroquinolone drugs to add a boxed warning regarding the likelihood of developing tendonitis or experiencing tendon rupture. Manufacturers will also be directed to develop a “medication guide” for patients.

Persons who are taking Cipro® or other fluoroquinolone drugs should be instructed to stop taking them immediately if they develop tendon pain. Symptoms may include swelling, inflammation and tears of a tendon.

Persons who are over 60 years of age are considered to be at higher risk of tendon-related problems. Also in the higher risk category is anyone taking steroids, as well as persons who have had organ transplants, according to the FDA.

The following list of medications are being targeted by the FDA for Black Box Warnings: Cipro®, Cipro
XR®, Proquiin XR®, Factive®, Levaquin®, Avelox®, Noroxin® and generic ofloxacin, also marketed as Floxin®.

Source: The US Federal Drug Administration. “Information for Health Care Professionals.” July 2008. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/HCP/fluoroquinolonesHCP.htm and Public Citizen. “FDA Should Warn of Tendon Ruptures Linked to Cipro, Levaquin, Other Antibiotics in Same Class.” Press Release. August 2006. http://www.tradewatch.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=2262


Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

WITH A WILL OF IRON AND INTENSE STUDY CHIROPRACTOR OVERCOMES OSTEOPOROSIS

This August, the eyes of the world turned to Beijing, China, where we were treated to marvelous performances by the crème de la crème of the athletically trained world. We marveled at their skill, were reminded frequently of their sacrifices and were totally impressed with their high level of conditioning.

Yet it is just this fashion of training regimen that lead to some severe health difficulties for one past Olympic-quality athlete. His name is Keith McCormick and he is a chiropractor, a member of the 1976 Olympic team and most recently a competitor in the 2005 Iron Man competition in Hawaii. In retrospect, it is his continued ability to be able to compete in Iron Man events that is most remarkable.

The reason is that 53-year-old Dr. McCormick suffers from osteoporosis. A number of years ago this world-class athlete became aware of his condition. “I was an Iron Man competitor, Olympic athlete, a young male with no risk factors – not your typical osteoporosis patient. I was 45 and had the skeleton of a 100-year-old woman.”

A typical road to follow for anyone with this type of a diagnosis would be to take a drug for the problem.
However, this avenue did not sit well with a man trained as a chiropractor with a much higher wellness approach to healing. “Anything I do, I go all out,” he said. “I’m not going to rely on someone else. They just wanted to give me medicine. I wanted to find out why this happened and fix it the right way.” Basically, he followed the age-old advice of “physician health thyself” and decided to do something positive about his condition.

What Dr. McCormick found through his extensive research that went on for some 2 years is that he was overtraining. For a 1982 Iron Man competition he averaged 35 hours per week of working out, which included 450 miles per week on his bicycle. It turned out that this was just too much work for his skeletal system to handle.

The result of his study was a new training schedule and just as importantly, a new diet. Armed with his new knowledge, he ate better and cut down on his workout time. “I rested more, and I had an impeccable diet – no sweets, lots of fruits and vegetables and nothing too high in protein which can lead to calcium loss. My whole way of attacking dietary nutrition was an aspect I paid more attention to. I realized it's important that if I train I need to fill my cup afterward.”

This portrait of Dr. McCormick’s success in looking at his health situation and doing something about it is a scenario that all can benefit from – world class athlete or not. Whether you want to find out more for yourself or simply consult a chiropractor to put you onto a healthy lifestyle, the choice is yours.

Source: Chiropractic Research. “Iron Man Chiropractor Beats Osteoporosis.” January 2006. http://www.chiropracticresearch.org

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

P.S. September 30th is the deadline for Family Wellness and Prevention Month. All family members and significant others receive a complimentary wellness evaluation and screening, at no charge. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to go the extra mile when it comes to the health of your loved ones!

MAXIMIZED HEALTH REPORT

MEDICAL ERRORS ARE PREVENTABLE WHEN PATIENTS GET INVOLVED IN TREATMENT

The number of medical errors in the United States borders on hard to believe. Wrong-site surgeries, incorrect drug prescriptions and hospital stay errors are way to frequent.
This brings up the question, “Is it possible for the average patient to reduce the risk of experiencing a medical or prescription error? According to the New York State Health Department the answer is yes, and the organization has provided a lengthy list of advices to “help prevent medical errors.”

Number one in importance is this: “The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your healthcare team.” This means that a person should actively take part in each and every decision because research shows that patients who are more involved in their care tend to get better results.

Imagine trusting your doctor to do surgery on your left knee only to find out upon awakening that the procedure was done on your right leg? According to the advisory, wrong-site surgery is something that should be 100% preventable and patient involvement with a doctor prior to surgery can go a long way to preventing it. “The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons urges its members to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before surgery,” says the advisory. Get involved and get it right would be the advice.

Regarding hospital stays, it’s best to select a hospital where many patients have already received the procedure you need. Infections received in a hospital are sometimes more dangerous than the procedure, so make certain everyone in the hospital who has any contact with you washes their hands. When leaving the hospital, get specific instructions for your continued recovery.

Medication errors are way too frequent. Here are some simple things to do to help prevent them. It starts with fully informing a doctor if you are taking any medications, have any allergies or any prior adverse drug reactions. Make sure that you can read the prescription written by the doctor and get it rewritten if you can’t. When getting the prescription filled, make sure you ask the pharmacist if the one you’re getting is what was prescribed. Don’t be afraid to ask the pharmacist lots of questions about taking the medication.

Finally, learn to speak up when you have questions, and make the doctor answer no matter how busy he seems or how quickly he wants to get you out of the office so he can get on to the next patient. Take a family member or advocate with you if you need help doing this. Also, learn everything you can about your condition and treatment. There is a wealth of information available these days over the internet, for instance. The more you know the more you can have a say in your own correct treatment. This will go a long way to providing you with a good chance for a healthy recovery and avoiding becoming a medical statistic.


Source: The New York State Department of Health. “20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors.”

Family Wellness and Prevention Month

I want you to think of someone that is very dear to you. Think of someone who lives with you or near you. It could be a child, your spouse, a boyfriend or girlfriend, a sister or brother, etc. Who is that person to you? Say their name right now to yourself.

Wouldn’t you like to be able to just know that this person is going to end up having a life filled with health and happiness, a life that seldom experiences sickness and dis-ease? If you could, you would do anything to guarantee it wouldn’t you?

The uncertainty of not being able to know if a loved one will remain healthy is so uncomfortable that people literally try not to think about it. This line of thinking or lack thereof is exactly what fuels a family healthcare crisis.

Research is revealing that disease and degenerative disorders are more prevalent than ever before. Nowadays, even kids are at risk for developing health problems. The pharmaceutical industry is actually targeting kids and young adults as the new market for increased profits. What does that say to you? To me, it is saying that they know you are counting on modern medicine far more than you should for HEALTH-care.

The reason for this negative trend is that children and adults receive little to no preventative healthcare on a regular basis. People are sheepishly waiting for symptoms and emergency situations to present themselves before they take action. This is reactive thinking, and is often associated with heavy consequences.

Preventative healthcare is more important now than any other time in history. Health maintenance and disease prevention requires proactive thinking. Take a moment and consider the possibilities that await your loved ones if they remain reactive instead of proactive. Yes, I am referring to children as well.

What are you doing right now to guarantee the health of your loved one? What is your strategy to support them, what is your plan to help them protect their health? You know someone that has problems, but is neglecting to take action to get help. You also know someone who falsely believes that they only need health care when they have a problem – and not until it’s bad enough.

There is a way to better guarantee the future health status of your family. You can get to a point where you just know they are on the right path to taking care of their health proactively. You also can get a point where you don’t have to worry so much about how they will feel in 10, 20, 30, or 40 years.

They need to be taught, like I was, how to think and act differently in order to have a life filled with health, and thus happiness. Your family needs and deserves a healthcare plan that is actively promoting health maintenance and disease prevention. We can help you and your loved ones develop such a plan!

This month is Family Wellness and Prevention Month. It is a month that we dedicate to offering any and all family members a complimentary health service. Our Wellness Evaluation will assess 3 important areas:

· How the body is developing and aging physically
· Determine if the body is toxic or deficient in any way
· Assess the body’s current level of stress, and ability to handle stress in the future

Don’t let your loved one’s health fall victim to chance and circumstance. Schedule their appointment ASAP!

Speak up and educate others,


Dr. Craig

Don’t be a Victim - Take Control of Your Health Now - part 5

A chemical called 1,4-dichlorobenzene, or 1,4-DCB, could harm your lungs.

It is found in air fresheners, toilet deodorizers, and mothballs, and is present in the blood of nearly all Americans. 1,4-DCB is the chemical that gives mothballs their distinctive smell.

The finding came as part of a National Institutes of Health study that looked at 11 household chemicals. All 11 chemicals are emitted as gasses by common household products. 1,4-DCB was the only chemical in the study which was linked to lung damage.

Those who had the highest amounts of the chemical in their blood showed diminished lung function, which could be serious for those with asthma or other lung problems. Reduced lung function is also a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

Air fresheners have been linked to cancer in the past, and this new study may demonstrate one reason why. It really is quite amazing that this chemical found in air fresheners, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, is present in the blood of 96 percent of Americans.

This is especially alarming as this toxic chemical has been associated with so many health problems. In general you want to avoid having any benzene derivative chemicals in your body as they have very similar toxic side effects.

It's best to avoid using any chemicals in your home. However, that is a nearly impossible achievement in this day and age. What you can do, however, is limit your exposure as much as possible.

Artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances can pollute the air you are breathing, with 1,4-DCB and other chemicals. If you are using air fresheners because you like the scent, therapeutic essential oils are an excellent and safe alternative.

NOTE: This is just one of the many ways you can reduce your body’s CHEMICAL BURDEN (exposure to chemicals that are harmful to your health). You may never have thought that air fresheners could be unhealthy, but now you know. Keep in mind…

There is usually a safer, healthier alternative to products that contain harmful chemicals – you just have to look for them.

What you don’t know about your adrenal gland:

Fatigue and lethargy is one of the most common complaints amongst adult patients. If you have symptoms such as tiredness, fearfulness, allergies, frequent influenza, arthritis, anxiety, depression, reduced memory and difficulties in concentrating, insomnia, worn-out, inability to lose weight after extensive efforts, you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue (technically known as hypoadrenia).

Adrenal fatigue has a broad spectrum of non-specific yet often debilitating symptoms. The onset of this disease is often slow and insidious. Patients are told that they are stressed and need to learn to relax more. Yes, we all know that "stress kills" to a large extent. But, the question is how? And, what are the solutions?

The real truth is that stress is not a mysterious entity at all. Our body has a built-in mechanism to deal with it. Being able to handle stress is a key to survival, and the control center in our bodies is the adrenal glands. When our adrenal glands become fatigued and unable to handle stress, dysfunctional physiological symptomatology sets in… in other words – the body stops working properly!

Adrenal fatigue was first described in the medical texts in the 1800s as a clinical condition. It was one of the most prevalent conditions, afflicting almost every adult in one way or another. Despite effective diagnostic tools and treatment programs, most conventional physicians were simply not informed and not prepared to treat adrenal fatigue as a serious threat to health. This condition was seldom diagnosed as a sickness for the past 50 years. Instead, it was considered as a condition whereby no treatment was available other than to tell the patient to "relax". Why was this so? The reasons were simple. Laboratory tests were unable to detect any abnormality, until recently. Today, adrenal fatigue can be accurately diagnosed, overcome and treated properly.

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

-Tendency to gain weight and unable to lose it, especially around the waist.
-High frequency of flu and other respiratory diseases – symptoms tend to last longer than usual. -Tendency to tremble when under pressure.
-Reduced sex drive.
-Lightheadedness, especially when rising from a laying down position.
-Unable to remember things.
-Lack of energy in the mornings and also in the afternoon between 3 to 5 pm.
-Need coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning.
-Crave for salty, fatty, and high protein food such as meat and cheese.
-Increase symptoms of PMS for women; periods are heavy and then stop, or almost stopped on the 4th day, only to start flow again on the 5th or 6th day.
-Pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reasons.

Conclusion: Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome is real and probably afflicting you in more ways than one. Adrenal glands can be restored to optimum health naturally by adhering to healthy living principals. Proper rest, together with specific nutritional diets and removal of stressors are key components to adrenal fatigue recovery. Restoring adrenal gland function is one of the 3 key aspects to the unique wellness formula we use here at Maximized Health. If you or someone you know would like to have their adrenal gland tested please ask a member of our Team – we would be happy to help you take another step closer to a healthier you!

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

Don’t be a Victim - Take Control of Your Health Now - part 4

Cancer-Causing Benzene Still in Drinks

The FDA has acknowledged that benzene, a carcinogen, has been found in U.S. soft drinks at four times the limit considered safe for drinking water.

This contradicts earlier FDA statements that the levels of benzene were insignificant. Organizations such as the Environmental Working Group have accused the FDA of concealing information about benzene in soft drinks.

Benzene has been linked to leukemia. It can form in soft drinks made with vitamin C and sodium or potassium benzoate.

Benzene is not something you want to be consuming as it has been linked to leukemia and other health problems. It is usually found in pollutants such as car exhaust fumes. Ironically, the main reason it’s in soft drinks these days is because some manufacturers have added vitamin C to their beverages in an effort to make them seem healthier.

Why are they still allowed to do this? Because about 15 years ago, when the problem first surfaced, the FDA decided to leave it up to the soft drink industry to determine the best way to lower benzene levels in soft drinks. So there are no regulations telling soda manufacturers not to add vitamin C to drinks with benzoate preservatives, and after a few years had passed and the problem was off the headlines for a while, vitamin C went right back in. So much for the government watchdogs who are supposed to be guarding our health from just this kind of problem.

Of course, the entire idea of adding vitamin C to a soft drink to make it “healthier” is ludicrous in the first place, even if doing so didn’t result in a cancer-causing toxic brew. It’s sort of like slapping a happy-face sticker on a toxic waste dump. Soft drinks, the leading source for calories in America, are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, and they increase your obesity risks by 60 percent. A bit of vitamin C is not going to fix that.

And diet soft drinks, despite what you may think, are no better for your weight, and usually contain health-harming artificial sweeteners as well. Without question, as bad as regular sugar-laden sodas are, they are far superior to the artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas.

Of course, asking whether diet or regular soft drinks are better is like asking whether you prefer getting hit in the head with a sledge hammer, a baseball bat or a golf club. None of the choices are good; it is all a matter of the lesser of two health evils.

One of the easiest things you can do to optimize your health is to replace soft and sugary sweet fruit drinks with clean fresh water. There just is simply NO excuse to be drinking soda in my book, none, absolutely none.


P.S. If you need help “getting off the soft drinks” please ask a member of the Maximized Health Team. We have solutions to this problem that we would be happy to share with you!

LOOKING FORWARD TO A LAUGH MAY BE

An old adage claims that “laughter is the best medicine.” When it occurs, it’s usually a pretty good indicator that a happy moment has happened. But, what about anticipated laughter? Would looking forward to some happy times in the future produce an equally beneficial effect on a person today?

That’s what researchers at the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine wanted to find out when they embarked on an anticipated laughter study. Their goal was to determine if they could detect positive changes in the body of a person who was anticipating the enjoyment of a future event.

Sixteen men at Loma Linda University volunteered for the experiment. The study involved the entire group sitting down and watching a funny video. Half of the group was informed 3 days in advance that this is what was going to occur. The rest of the group received no such advance information.

Researchers then tested the entire group to see if the movie had any effect on hormones in their body that affected stress. Interesting changes were noted in the group that had the advance information. Those men who watched the video had an average 39 percent decrease in cortisol, a 38 percent drop in dopac and a 70 percent reduction of epinephrine. These are all known to be hormones related to stress. At the same time, their endorphin level went up 27 percent and their growth hormone levels rose 87 percent. According to researchers, endorphins and growth hormones are known to reduce the effects of stress and have a beneficial effect on the immune system.

Interestingly, none of these positive changes were experienced by the 8 men who were not told they would be watching a funny video.

This information raises some interesting possibilities for dealing with stress and helping people to stay healthy, according to Lee Berk, an assistant professor of family medicine at the Susan Samueli Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. “This study shows that even knowing you will be involved in a positive, humorous event days in advance reduces levels of stress hormones in the blood and increases levels of chemicals known to aid relaxation,” said Berk. This has profound implications for complementary treatment of disease and for maintaining a person’s wellness.”

Using this data, it makes good sense to plan a date in the future to do something enjoyable, rather than running out on the spur of the moment. A person can really get their full value out of an event by making a plan to do it, fully anticipating its arrival and then enjoying it in the moment. It seems that planning to have a good laugh is just about as valuable as the laughter itself.

Source: The University of California, Irvine. “Expecting a Laugh Boosts Stress-Busting Hormones.” Press Release. November 2002.

Start now! Get out those calendar books and start planning some fun times. Any ideas you can come up with are good ideas. List as many fun events as possible and schedule them in a way that looking forward to their arrival brings a better state of health and wellness into your life.

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

Don’t be a Victim - Take Control of Your Health Now - part 3

The 10 Most Common Toxins: The following toxins are among the most prevalent in our air, water and/or food supply. This list is by no means all-inclusive, as thousands of other toxins are also circulating in our environment. Keep reading to find out tips to avoid these toxins and others as much as possible.

1. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls): This industrial chemical has been banned in the United States for decades, yet is a persistent organic pollutant that's still present in our environment. Risks: Cancer, impaired fetal brain development. Major Source: Farm-raised salmon. Most farm-raised salmon, which accounts for most of the supply in the United States are fed meals of ground-up fish that have absorbed PCBs in the environment and for this reason should be avoided.

2.Pesticides: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and 30 percent of insecticides are known to be carcinogenic. Alarmingly, pesticide residues have been detected in 50 percent to 95 percent of U.S. foods. Risks: Cancer, Parkinson's disease, miscarriage, nerve damage, birth defects, blocking the absorption of food nutrients. Major Sources: Food (fruits, vegetables and commercially raised meats), bug sprays.

3.Mold and other Fungal Toxins: One in three people have had an allergic reaction to mold. Mycotoxins (fungal toxins) can cause a range of health problems with exposure to only a small amount. Risks: Cancer, heart disease, asthma, multiple sclerosis, diabetes. Major Sources: Contaminated buildings, food like peanuts, wheat, corn and alcoholic beverages.

4.Phthalates: These chemicals are used to lengthen the life of fragrances and soften plastics. Risks: Endocrine system damage (phthalates chemically mimic hormones and are particularly dangerous to children). Major Sources: Plastic wrap, plastic bottles, plastic food storage containers. All of these can leach phthalates into our food.

5.VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): VOCs are a major contributing factor to ozone, an air pollutant. According to the EPA, VOCs tend to be even higher (two to five times) in indoor air than outdoor air, likely because they are present in so many household products. Risks: Cancer, eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment. Major Sources: Drinking water, carpet, paints, deodorants, cleaning fluids, varnishes, cosmetics, dry cleaned clothing, moth repellants, air fresheners.

6.Dioxins: Chemical compounds formed as a result of combustion processes such as commercial or municipal waste incineration and from burning fuels (like wood, coal or oil). Risks: Cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders, chloracne (a severe skin disease with acne-like lesions), skin rashes, skin discoloration, excessive body hair, mild liver damage. Major Sources: Animal fats: Over 95 percent of exposure comes from eating commercial animal fats.

7.Asbestos: This insulating material was widely used from the 1950s to 1970s. Problems arise when the material becomes old and crumbly, releasing fibers into the air. Risks: Cancer, scarring of the lung tissue, mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer). Major Sources: Insulation on floors, ceilings, water pipes and healing ducts from the 1950s to 1970s.

8.Heavy Metals: Metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many areas of our environment, can accumulate in soft tissues of the body. Risks: Cancer, neurological disorders, Alzheimer's disease, foggy head, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels. Major Sources: Drinking water, fish, vaccines, pesticides, preserved wood, antiperspirant, building materials, dental amalgams, chlorine plants.

9.Chloroform: This colorless liquid has a pleasant, nonirritating odor and a slightly sweet taste, and is used to make other chemicals. It's also formed when chlorine is added to water. Risks: Cancer, potential reproductive damage, birth defects, dizziness, fatigue, headache, liver and kidney damage. Major Sources: Air, drinking water and food can contain chloroform.

10. Chlorine: This highly toxic, yellow-green gas is one of the most heavily used chemical agents. Risks: Sore throat, coughing, eye and skin irritation, rapid breathing, narrowing of the bronchi, wheezing, blue coloring of the skin, accumulation of fluid in the lungs, pain in the lung region, severe eye and skin burns, lung collapse, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) (a type of asthma). Major Sources: Household cleaners, drinking water (in small amounts), air when living near an industry (such as a paper plant) that uses chlorine in industrial.

Dr. Craig’s advice: Don’t get paranoid and depressed – just get proactive by reducing your exposure to the above listed chemicals. In addition, learn to reduce the toxins in your body through our nutritional cleansing and detoxifying programs. Our next seminar on Cleansing and Detoxifying the Body will be August 13th & September 3rd. RSVP is required and availability is limited.

INDIVIDUALIZED CHIROPRACTIC PROGRAMS PROVIDE

Why would a parent not take a child to see a chiropractor? The basic answer might come down to no information or incorrect information.

Here are three basic reasons why not: 1. They don’t know about Chiropractic, 2. They don’t know about the potential benefits of Chiropractic or, 3. They think that a Chiropractic adjustment might be too rough for a child and cause pain or damage.

Once a person finds out about Chiropractic and begins to understand its benefits, it is point number 3 that must be understood and dispelled, as apparently, some parents think that a Chiropractic adjustment will be "too rough" for their youngster.

Chiropractors understand that all bodies are different and tailor their adjustments and the amount of pressure required based on the individual they are treating. A big football playing man in his 20s, a little old woman in her 70s and a child of 10, will all be looked at and evaluated for their individual needs.

In this way, it could be said that a Chiropractic adjustment can be as individual as a handshake. A strong man shaking hands with another strong man will give him a lot more pressure than if the same man was shaking hands with his grandmother or the child. When parents realize this and bring their child in for an adjustment, the results can be quite remarkable. Consider this case of a 7-year-old girl.

This child had been suffering from asthma since the age of 4. By the time she came to see a chiropractor, she had been treated medically with 10 different medications. Attacks of coughs and wheezing were daily occurrences. Physical activity was almost out of the question. Emergency room visits sometimes reached 5 per year. A test of lung capacity revealed she was operating at about 50 percent of her lung capacity.

An exam by her chiropractor revealed subluxations (partial dislocations) in the vertebrae at the middle of her spine. An individual program was tailored to handle these restrictions. With just one adjustment, some of the tightness in her chest disappeared and her coughing was reduced. After just 4 weeks of treatment, she was able to put aside her inhaler and get back to participating in swimming and running sports. After 3 months, her lung capacity was just about normal and all medications were stopped.

Had her parents avoided taking her to a chiropractor because of a fear that an adjustment might be too rough and cause her pain, the child might well be on her way to a dozen more medications, further restrictions of activity and even worse breathing problems. Is Chiropractic for children too? By all means. Miracles can occur each and every day in Chiropractic with the right adjustment, tailored to the individual’s size, age, shape and need.

Source: Dynamic Chiropractic. “Chiropractic: As Individual as a Handshake.” July 2008.

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig

Don’t be a Victim - Take Control of Your Health Now - part 2

Here is the FULL VERSION of "Don't Be a Victim - Take Control of Your Health Now - part 2"

People think they are immune to disease until they develop a serious health condition - without warning.

Genetic causes do not in anyway explain the explosive increases in diabetes, cancers, and heart disease… but increasing concentrations of environmental poisons penetrating our bodies via our air, water, food and medicines does explain how bad things can get for the uninformed consumer! For instance… not only are chemicals used in foods, but chemicals used in everyday plastics are contributing to the rise in disease statistics. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one such compound to avoid as much as possible.

BPA is an estrogen-mimicking chemical used to make hard plastics and epoxy resins, found in numerous products that you probably use every day, including:

-Polycarbonate plastic baby bottles
-Large water-cooler containers and sports bottles
-Bottle tops
-Microwave-oven dishes
-Canned-food liners
-Some dental sealants for children
-Water supply pipes

The use of BPA is so pervasive - industry uses more than 6 billion pounds of BPA a year - that scientists have found that 95 percent of people tested have dangerous levels of BPA in their bodies. Some of the biggest victims in all are your children, who may be exposed to the chemical while in utero, and quite literally “fed” the chemical via plastic baby bottles and toys (which they often put in their mouths).A major problem with BPA is that it doesn’t stay in the plastic. It leeches into whatever food or beverage you put in a plastic container, canned good, or plastic baby bottle. Even worse, if you microwave the containers or bottles, or place hot liquids or food into them, BPA is released 55 times more rapidly!

The Good News and the Bad News

On the upside, BPA supposedly does not stay in your body long after you’re exposed. The bad news is that the chemical is so pervasive that scientists believe you’re simply being continually exposed to it from food, air, dust, and even just by touching items that contain BPA. Hence, your exposure is greater than what your body can dispose of on a regular basis and levels can rise to the point of causing biological harm.

According to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s Smart Plastics Guide, adverse effects from BPA exposure include:

-Structural damage to your brain
-Hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, and impaired learning
-Increased fat formation and risk of obesity
-Altered immune function
-Early puberty, stimulation of mammary gland development, disrupted reproductive cycles, and ovarian dysfunction
-Stimulation of prostate cancer cells

Of 115 published animal studies, 81 percent found significant effects from even low-level exposure to BPA, so there’s probably no real safe limit.
As a side note, NONE of the 11 industry-funded studies found any significant effects, whereas 90 percent of the government-funded studies did. Yet another piece of “coincidental evidence” that shows the power of money. Always check who funded the study before drawing your final conclusions about the results.

Making Healthier Choices in a Toxic World

Sadly, even if BPA does eventually get restricted or banned (as Canada is currently proposing), there are countless other dangerous chemicals still out there. The EPA approves new man-made chemicals to the tune of some 700 every year!

Still, every step you take toward reducing or eliminating a toxin from your life is a good one and well worth the effort, I believe. Personally, I do not wait for a government restriction to begin reducing my exposure to BPA. The evidence that has amassed thus far is enough to convince me.

To be fair, you probably can’t completely eliminate your exposure to BPA, even if you decide to move to Canada (since it’s likely in the air, water, and food supply too), but you can certainly reduce it by eliminating the most obvious culprits.

The following tips will not only reduce your exposure to BPA, but also to many of the other dangerous plastics chemicals as well.

10 Tips to Reduce Your Exposure to BPA

1. Only use glass baby bottles and dishes for your baby. If you use a bottle to carry your water in, hold out for the one we are introducing in about 10-12 weeks, as it will be the only one on the market for this purpose.
2. Give your baby natural fabric toys instead of plastic ones
3. Store your food and beverages in glass -- NOT plastic -- containers
4. IF you choose to use a microwave, don’t microwave food in a plastic container
5. Stop buying and consuming canned foods and drinks
6. Avoid using plastic wrap (and never microwave anything covered in it)
7. Get rid of your plastic dishes and cups, and replace them with glass varieties
8. If you opt to use plastic kitchenware, at least get rid of the older, scratched-up varieties, avoid putting them in the dishwasher, and don’t wash them with harsh detergents, as these things can cause more chemicals to leach into your food
9. Avoid using bottled water; filter your own using a reverse osmosis filter instead
10. Before allowing a dental sealant to be applied to you, or your children’s, teeth, ask your dentist to verify that it does not contain BPA

Look at the Plastic Recycling Labels

There’s no getting around reading labels these days, and this is no exception.

In the event that you do opt to use plastic containers for your food, be sure to avoid those marked on the bottom with the recycling label No. 7, as these varieties may contain BPA.

Containers marked with the recycling labels No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 do not contain BPA (however they may contain other unsavory chemicals that you’re best off avoiding by using glass instead).

Speak up and educate others,


Dr. Craig

STIMULATING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IMPROVES

Now there is some actual proof that measurable changes to the body’s nervous system occur as a result of a Chiropractic adjustment.

“By stimulating the nervous system, we can improve the function of the whole body,” said Dr. Heidi Haavik-Taylor. “This is something that chiropractors and their patients have known for years, and now we have some scientific evidence to prove it.”

Dr. Haavik-Taylor has been researching the effects of Chiropractic on the nervous system for the past 7 years. Her study included the use of an electroencephalograph (EEG) to measure brain waves before an adjustment and how these waves were altered afterwards. Her work was conducted at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic where she is director of research. Her findings were published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

The research involved 12 subjects who were documented as having reoccurring neck pain. All of the adjustments involved manipulations of dysfunctional cervical joints. Using a series of EEG evaluations, researchers were able to show that signals are carried by the nervous system to the brain and change the way muscles are controlled.

“This is the first time that anyone has used EEGs to prove that there are definite changes to the way the brain processes information after Chiropractic care.”

Dr. Haavik-Taylor summed up the action in very simple terms. “The process is like rebooting a computer. The signals that these adjustments send to the brain via the nervous system reset muscle behavior patterns.”

People who have enjoyed successful Chiropractic adjustments can certainly relate to the findings of this research. Is it any wonder that people frequently notice immediate changes in the way they feel or the way a particular part of their body is functioning after an adjustment – and in many cases, notice it immediately? If body systems do indeed reboot along the lines of a computer, changes can happen quickly with marvelous results.

Even the president of the New Zealand Chiropractors Association, Dr. James Burt, was favorably impressed. “Dr. Haavik-Taylor’s work is ground-breaking on an international level by proving that Chiropractic adjustments do alter and benefit the nervous system.”

Source: The New Zealand Chiropractors Association. Media Release. “New Science Behind Chiropractic Care.” November 2007.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0711/S00116.htm


Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig


P.S. Be sure to read “Don’t be a Victim - Take Control of Your Health Now” - part 2.

Don’t be a Victim - Take Control of Your Health Now - part 1

The following series of newsletters will be some of the most serious I have ever published. Please, be sure to read and share every letter with the most serious of intentions.

I once heard a person say, “I would rather not know what’s in the food I eat”. Nowadays, the truth is - the foods you buy and eat WILL act as an agent of either health or disease. You can choose to ignore this fact or educate yourself, and thereby avoid becoming a victim of circumstance, i.e. long term diet-related chemical poisoning.

Food is not considered junk just because of high fat or sugar content, there is a long list of poisonous chemicals used by the food industry that are striking people down with illnesses, like diabetes. And, there are many serious nutritional deficiencies in today's food that diminish the body's capacity to deal safely with these chemicals and heavy metals - with magnesium and selenium deficiencies at the top of the list.

For instance, according to Dr. Ellen Silbergeld, a researcher from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, the poultry industry's practice of using arsenic compounds in its feed is something that has not been studied: "It's an issue everybody is trying to pretend doesn't exist". Arsenic exposure is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus. Inorganic arsenic is considered one of the prominent environmental causes of cancer mortality in the world. Toxic chicken consumption may contribute significant amounts of arsenic to total arsenic exposure of the U.S. population according to the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

"Arsenic acts as a growth stimulant in chickens - develops the meat faster - and since then, the poultry industry has gone wild using this ingredient," says Donald Herman, a Mississippi agricultural consultant and former Environmental Protection Agency researcher who has studied this use of arsenic for a decade. This can lead to prostate cancers. It can also cause neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and immune system abnormalities. The feeding of arsenic to chickens in the United States releases hundreds of tons of arsenic into the environment every year in the form of poultry manure, which is spread on fields as fertilizer.

The observation of the relation between arsenic exposure and diabetes mellitus is further supported by studies carried out in Sweden and Bangladesh. In Sweden, case-control analyses of death records of copper smelters and glass workers revealed a trend of increasing diabetes mellitus with increasing arsenic exposure from inhalation. In Bangladesh, prevalence of diabetes mellitus among arsenic-exposed subjects was about five times higher than unexposed subjects.

Another example is Alloxan. Studies show that Alloxan, the chemical that makes white flour look "clean and beautiful" destroys the beta cells of the pancreas. Scientists have known of the alloxan-diabetes connection for years, yet there seems to be a conspiracy that defends the integrity of the FDA, which allows dangerous chemicals that can cause diabetes to be used in drugs and food. A growing body of research shows that pesticides and other contaminants are more prevalent in the foods we eat, in our bodies, and in the environment than we thought, all confirming the chemical nightmare in progress.

According to research conducted by Dr. H.J. Roberts, a diabetes specialist, a member of the ADA, and an authority on artificial sweeteners, aspartame:

1) Leads to the precipitation of clinical diabetes.
2) Causes poorer diabetic control in diabetics on insulin or oral drugs.
3) Leads to the aggravation of diabetic complications such as retinopathy, cataracts, neuropathy and gastroparesis
4) Causes convulsions.

The FDA's own toxicologist, Dr. Adrian Gross told Congress that without a shadow of a doubt, aspartame can cause brain tumors and brain cancer and violated the Delaney Amendment which forbids putting anything in food that is known to cause cancer. It is a monstrous crime to poison the food and water supplies yet this is exactly what the FDA has been approving and undoubtedly they are, in large part, responsible for flaming the diabetic winds. As the use of MSG and aspartame grows, the incidence of obesity and disease appears to be growing.

MSG causes a very large insulin response after it is ingested since there are glutamate receptors in the pancreas. MSG opens calcium channels, thus constricting blood vessels - this may put diabetics with high blood pressure at risk by negating calcium channel blocker medication. In 1968, John W. Olney, M.D., a respected researcher at Washington University Medical School, and member of the National Academy of Science, found that mice in his laboratory that were being used to replicate a 1957 study, in which the administration of MSG had resulted in retinal damage, had become grotesquely obese. Since 1969, many scientists have confirmed Dr. Olney's findings of damage to the hypothalamus from MSG with resulting obesity. Even the rats used in obesity, diabetes and exercise studies are made obese by injecting MSG. MSG may cause food addiction and though efforts have been made to reduce its use in processed and restaurant foods, it remains hidden by semantics, now called such things as "hydrolyzed protein". Scientists in Spain have recently concluded that MSG when given to mice increases appetite by as much as 40%.

There is abundant literature demonstrating that MSG and aspartic acid cause hypothalamic lesions which, in turn, can cause gross obesity. Although there are a number of causes for obesity, there is no question that one of the main causes for the obesity epidemic is the ever increasing use of MSG and aspartame in the food supply.

We know that the hypothalamus is very immature at birth. The damage to this structure of the brain by MSG leads to severe endocrine problems later in life, among them decreased thyroid hormone, increased tendency toward diabetes, and higher cortisone levels than normal. A child consuming a soup containing MSG plus a drink with NutraSweet will have a blood level of excitotoxins six times the blood level that destroys hypothalamus neurons in baby mice.

And, we are just beginning to hear that a massive mistake has been made with genetically modified foods, which can only fan those diabetic winds. Dr. Arpad Pusztai, for instance, has already shown that genetically-manipulated foods can, when fed to animals in reasonable amounts, cause very gradual organ and immune system damage. Another study, carried out by Dr. Irina Ermakova at the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, at the Russian Academy of Sciences, found that more than half of the offspring of rats fed on modified soybean died in the first three weeks of life, six times as many as those born to mothers with normal diets. Dr. Manuela Malatesta and colleagues in the Universities of Pavia and Urbino in Italy, showed that mice fed on GM soybean experienced a slowdown in cellular metabolism and modifications to the liver and pancreas. Researchers are reviving fears that GM food damages human health and certainly would not be indicated for children or for people with diabetes.

There is without question a link between the life changing disease known as diabetes and the chemicals found in processed foods and pharmaceutical medications. So, how can you better avoid the grip of diabetes? How can you lessen the effect it may have on your life? How can you help a friend or loved one who has diabetes? How can you ensure that you do not fall victim to the effects long term diet-related chemical poisoning?

4 pieces of advice:
1. Educate yourself on what is in your food. Be aware of what you are putting into your body that would allow and promote disease processes like diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
2. Find a support system, like our Wellness Center, which continually promotes education and awareness.
3. Learn more about detoxifying and cleansing the body to undo the damage you may have already created in the past (attend our future workshop on Nutritional Cleansing)
4. Read and forward this newsletter series to as many people as possible!

More to follow next week…

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig