FLU FOR YOU? or Prevention

The fact is the practice of flu vaccination in the elderly is not based on evidence, but an article of faith.
Should the Elderly Get the FLU jab? 

Use the search window in the right column to find our numerous posts on vaccines, flu, vitamin D, vitamin C, and more Natural Health News to keep you healthy and well...

From Dr Eisenstein
 

The risk of children suffering from flu can be reduced by 50% if they take vitamin D, doctors in
Japan have found. The finding has implications for flu epidemics since vitamin D, which is
naturally produced by the human body when exposed to direct sunlight , has no significant side effects, costs little and can be several times more effective than antiviral drugs or vaccines according to research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Only one in ten children, aged six to 15 years, taking the sun shine vitamin in a clinical trial came down with flu compared with one in five given a dummy tablet. Mitsuyoshi Urashima, the Japanese doctor who led the trial, told The Times that vitamin D was more effective than
vaccines in preventing flu.

Vitamin D was found to be even more effective when the comparison left out children who were already given extra vitamin D by their parents, outside the trial. Taking the sunshine vitamin was then shown to reduce the risk of flu to a third of what it would otherwise be.

Dr. Damien Downing, a doctor and medical consultant has publicly stated that governments "do like" epidemics as a chance to impose their will. The London based doctor has been advising patients to increase their vitamin D intake rather than get the vaccine.

You might be shocked to know that there are many physicians in both Canada and the United
States who prescribe as much as 50,000 IU of vitamin D daily as a treatment for a long list of
chronic diseases.

Dr. John Cannell, MD, suggests high dose vitamin D (50,000 IU) be consumed for three days at the first sign of a cold or the flu. If you have an infection, the truth is you need more vitamin D. In other words, vitamin D acts as a natural antibiotic. It works against every type of microbe (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites).

Vitamin D deficiency is common during the winter months, especially in countries far north of
the equator. Vitamin D acts as an immune system modulator, preventing excessive production of inflammatory cytokines and increasing macrophage (a type of white cell) activity. Vitamin D
also stimulates the production of potent antimicrobial peptides in other white blood cells and in epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract, protecting the lungs from infection.

50 Percent Reduction In Flu Infections Using Vitamin D

Altogether 354 children took part in the trial. Vitamin D was found to protect against influenza A but not against the less common influenza B.

The trial, which was double blind, randomised , and fully controlled scientifically, was conducted by doctors and scientists from Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan.
The children were given a daily dose of 1200 IUs (international units) of vitamin D over a period of three months. In the first month children in the group taking the vitamin became ill just as often as those taking the dummy tablet. But by the second month, when the vitamin level in the children’s blood was higher, the advantage of the vitamin was clear.

The Japanese scientists, writing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, say that the anti-
viral drugs zanamivir and oseltamivir reduce risk of flu infection by 8 percent in children who
have been exposed to infection, compared with a 50 percent or greater reduction with vitamin D.

Antivirals are typically more effective than vaccines for the influenza virus which suggests that
both forms of medical intervention would consistently fail in similar studies when pitted against
vitamin D.

Antivirals are expensive, and possibly toxic. Vitamin D additionally supports bone health but is believed to reduce risks of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other illness, including various bacterial and viral infections.

The Japanese finding supports a theory that low blood levels of the sunshine vitamin occurring in winter explain why flu epidemics generally peak between December and March.

1. Get a Vitamin D blood test25(OH)D
2. Make sure your whole family has adequate blood levels of Vitamin D this flu season (>50 to 80ng/ml). Most children and adults Vitamin D blood level is <30ng font="" ml.="">
3. Adults .................................. 5,000 IU daily.
4. Children ............................... 1,000 IU/25lbs.
5. Chronic conditions....................... 10,000IU daily 
6. At the first symptoms of a cold or flu 1,000IU/ lb. daily for 7 days.
 
Examples:
 50 lb daily         50,000IU daily.   
 
100 lb daily       100,000IU daily.
150 lb daily       150,000IU daily.
200 lb daily       200,000 IU daily.

NB from Natural Health News: 

Vitamin A will assist in protecting lung health and against pneumonia. Vitamin E is also helpful to carry oxygen across the alveolar membrane in the lungs into the blood.

Healthy fat in your diet is required to absorb Vitamins A-D-E-K.

Add adequate daily vitamin C and probiotics. Always stay hydrated.
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Just Let Your Natural Beauty Shine This Summer

Summer is a time to celebrate natural beauty. Indeed, with such a wonderful chance to spend time at the beach or the cabin, who has time to worry about putting on makeup?

Of course, for many people, the thought of going "au naturale" can be daunting. Most of us have wrinkles, noticeable pores, and skin discoloration that we don't want ruining our fun in the sun, and taking away from our sun-kissed summer glow. And on top of that, many of us consider eye makeup a must have for any public outing, and can't bear the thought of leaving the house without it.

The good news, however, is that at medical spas, you can address get summer-ready in no time with effective and non-invasive procedures and products. This article will address three of the most exciting summer procedures you can get at a medical spa.

3D Skin Rejuvenation for a New You

Most of us have at least one - but probably a few - skin conditions that we'd love to live without. That's why we go to great lengths to hide them from sight, often sacrificing summer fun like swimming or sun tanning.

Thankfully, 3D Skin Rejuvenation, which is available at major medical spas, effectively addresses multiple skin conditions including: redness, wrinkles, sun spots, sagging skin, and large pores. What's more, unlike other laser treatments that only address one or two conditions and therefore oblige you to combine treatments, 3D Skin Rejuvenation has all your skin needs covered!

This treatment is available to men and women of any age, and can be found at cutting-edge medical spas. While most commonly used on the face and neck, the treatment is excellent for hands, arms, and the abdomen (so you can feel confident in that new bikini). 3D Skin Rejuvenation is non-invasive, and results can be seen immediately, which means you can walk out of the medical spa and into a sizzling summer with confidence.

Pearl Photo Facials to Address Sun-Damaged Skin

Unfortunately, many skin problems are actually triggered by our love of summer. Alas, wrinkles, sun spots, and other skin can result from catching up on some rays. And while we try our best to protect our skin in the summer, sometimes our efforts still leave us with some damage or unsightly spots.

Fortunately, Pearl Photo Facials from leading medical spas are a non-invasive procedure that can reverse sun-related skin damage. And the news get even better: It only takes about 3-4 days for your damaged skin will peel off and reveal the fresh, bright, and beautiful skin hiding underneath.

Also remember that you can combine Pearl Photo Facials with other skin procedures to get the most out of your medical spa experience. That means you can take care of those other pesky skin problems, while taking a stand against existing sun damage!

LATISSE Eye Lash Enhancement for Glamorous and Low-Maintenance Lashes

With LATISSE, you can put your mascara tube aside for the summer without worrying about sparse, dull eyelashes. LATISSE is an eye lash enhancement product available at medical spas that helps you grow fuller, darker eyelashes in only 8-12 weeks. Imagine waking up on your summer vacation with beach-ready eyelashes. You won't have to worry about your mascara bleeding while in the sun or the water!

Plus, if you want to put on some extra eye makeup for an ultra-glam night on the town, it won't interfere with your LATISSE applications. So now, you can face the heat -- or all of your fun summer adventures -- with effective, safe and popular medical spa products like LATISSE.
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Get Lost in the Natural Beauty of Seychelles



All the 115 islands of Seychelles are divided in to two islands, inner and the outer islands. Blessed with a tropical climate throughout the year, Seychelles is an anytime visit place, one can reach this place by air and through sea. The nonstop scheduled flights of Air Seychelles are available every time from France, Italy, Mauritius, Singapore and South Africa. One can also reach the island cruising through ship. Previously, Seychelles was not a developed area but today it is regarded as one of the most developed area with high standards of living.

The Seychelles Tourism Board is collaboration between the public and private sector. It tries their best to provide one of the best holidays in Seychelles to all the tourists and the vacationers who come here to spend their leisure time. Seychellois have a very rich culture. At all the social gatherings plenty of food and drinks are served to celebrate any particular occasion. The Creole cuisine mainly consists of fish, rice, meat, fruits and food crops. One of the interesting dishes is the Bouyon Kreson or the water cress soup that is prepared by mixing ingredients like potato, watercress, egg, milk and butter. Other delicious dishes include the palm heart salad and the potato curry. Some of the most rare and endemic flora like Bilenbi Maron and Bwa Bannann are found here. Children can have a wonderful time out here watching one of the rarest bird species on earth, the Paradise Fly catcher. Visitors eagerly wait for the moment to watch giant tortoises laying eggs. It is the lifetime experience to watch these calm animals giving birth to the new ones.

If you are planning to go for a holiday in Seychelles or is in Seychelles then you are really lucky as there are some important events that are yet to be organized in the coming months. Currently, the Cultural Bazaars are being held. In August the South East Monsoon Sailfish Tournament and in September World Tourism Day is held with great zeal and enthusiasm. There are many special deals and offers provided by various travel websites for Seychelles and hence before fixing a holiday one must do an online research and go for the best deal.

Seychelles is mainly famous for its islands and hence one should always visit the islands given below and enjoy their holidays in Seychelles

Mahe: It is one of the largest islands in Seychelles that is located on the north eastern part of the country. It earned its name from the name of the British Governor Bertrand-François Mahe de La Bourdonnais. The capital city Victoria city is famous for tuna fishing and canning industry.

Praslin: Located 44 kms away from Mahe, Praslin is the second largest island. It has a total population of 6500 people. The island is home to some of the best hotels and resorts. The lush green tropical forests are always one of the best places to visit.

LaDigue: Every hotel at LaDigue organizes buffet evenings twice a week which is another important reason for the tourists to pay a visit to this place. Moreover, the foot tapping music played by the local musicians adds to the entertainment factor.
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Costa Rica - The Natural Beauty

Ideally located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua towards the north, the Pacific Ocean towards the west and south, the Caribbean Sea towards the east and Panama towards the south-southeast Costa Rica is one of the happening tourist destinations.

Costa Rica is generally considered to be a very safe travel destination. Costa Ricans as a whole are honest and friendly. Statistically,Costa Rica has a low crime rate as compared to other countries.

There are many places in the Caribbean and Central America that offer unique things to do, but Costa Rica brings it to a new level with a combination of exciting and interesting activities on land, on the beach, and at sea.

Just as tourist tastes are varied, so are the tourist attractions that Costa Rica offers in the form of natural beauty, sun and sea, hospitality, history, adventure, and fun. All these attractions are concentrated in a small area where distance does not present a problem.

Attractions:

Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica is littered with volcanoes. Some are active, like the popular Arenal which offers visitors views of red falling lava at night and constant rumbles throughout the day.

Nosara Wildlife Rescue

Nosara is reminiscent of the Land Time Forgot with its untainted natural beauty and relative isolationism. This paradisaical getaway is home to the Nosara Wildlife Rescue (NWR), which serves as a place of healing for Costa Rican wildlife - especially howler monkeys. If you are an animal lover, NWR offers an enriching experience of close encounters with Costa Rica's wildlife in their natural habitat.

White Water Rafting

Costa Rica is famous for its rivers of warm water, exciting & diverse whitewater and incredible scenery. Whitewater rafting is a great way to experience Costa Rica.

Tortuguero

Refreshing and relaxing, exquisitely evergreen the Tortuguero canals is a must-see while in Costa Rica.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde's variable climate and high altitude has helped produce an extremely high biodiversity. It is home to over 100 species of mammals, more than 400 species of birds, thousands of insect species and around 2500 species of plants - containing the largest number of orchids in the world. Monteverde is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges worldwide.

Tamarindo Beach

Tamarindo is a beautiful beach town that is equally a tropical paradise as well as a multicultural hotspot.

Tamarindo is the most developed beach on the Nicoya Peninsula and one of Costa Rica's best-known surf spots.

Montezuma

Montezuma Bordered by Waterfalls on the North and South you will find an international community that knows how to enjoy life. Numerous Unique Beaches are framed by Jungle covered cliffs, with a lively Beach side Village at the Center of it all. When you arrive in Montezuma you will find Excellent Restaurants, Eclectic Shops, and a variety of Nightlife awaiting your enjoyment.

Corcovado National Park

A beautiful black sand beach and rain forest combination on the undeveloped Osa Peninsula. Only problem is getting there.

Costa Ballena

Costa Ballena is located on the south Pacific coast between Dominical and Uvita. Much of this area is within the protection of Marino Ballena National Park which is a marine park with the purpose of protecting dolphins, whales and other sea life

One of the most interesting creatures that can be found here are the Humpback Whales, which come down to rear their young annually.

Rain Forest Aerial Tram

The Rain Forest Aerial Tram - Pacific allows visitors to discover the hidden secrets and hanging gardens of the Transitional Tropical Rain forest from a totally different perspective.
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How Using Organic Natural Beauty Products Can Give You Flawless Skin



From time immemorial women have loved to pamper their skin. It is this desire that attracts them to beauty and skin care products that will nourish their bodies. Many ladies are more than happy to invest their time and money on rejuvenating natural beauty products and handmade skin care products. Listed below are some of the most common natural toiletries women regularly use.

Natural Make-Up Remover

Organic liquid Castile soap mixed with water is a pure and natural product that can be used for cleansing the skin to remove make up. By placing a few drops on a wash cloth or in a sink full of water to wash your face will remove make up and cosmetics from the face.

You can also use plain olive or coconut oil to remove mascara and oil based make up as well as waterproof ones. They are great for the skin and will nourish it in a natural way. Microfiber is another beauty product that works really well, it will even remove mascara and other heavy eye makeup without the use of soaps or alcohol based cleansers or toners. Natural microfiber works really well with all skin tones.

However, if you have really oily skin and prefer not to introduce any extra oil to your skin, the liquid castile soap in water is more than sufficient to do the trick.

Moisturizers and Lotions
For some people, pure coconut oil is all they need to help moisturize their face and body. It is a beautiful oil with lots of natural goodness. It contains collagen and naturally occurring lauric acid which is easily absorbed by the skin. If you don't like the scent of coconut, you can buy fractionated coconut oil, which is still natural but has been deodorized to remove the coconut scent. If you have acne prone skin, the coconut oil's anti-bacterial natural properties is known to help this condition.

On the other hand, if you have dry skin and worry about your skin drying out, using natural lotion bars with skin hydrating properties can work magic in helping you prevent aging in a healthy way. You can make your own homemade lotion bar and add some zinc oxide to it for its sunscreen benefits and added protection from the elements.

Natural Exfoliating Products

For certain skin type's sugar or salt scrub are ideal handmade skin care products when exfoliation is needed. You can make your own scrub by simply mixing equal parts of oil, be it coconut or olive oil to sugar or salt and your body exfoliating product is ready. To make your scrub extra special, you can add drops of essential oils like Neroli, Lavender or Geranium that are known to have skin revitalizing properties to the scrub and use it on the whole body.

These days, there are many expensive products available in the beauty and skin care industry with farfetched claims on the outcome to expect in exchange for their outrageous prices. However, more often than not there are plenty of natural alternative that are much cheaper and nourishing for the body that you can make yourself.

Remy Baker is an online entrepreneur and the author of Scent2Riches Perfume Making from Home Guide. Remy loves everything about handmade craft and perfume making, she's enjoys showing people the tricks of the trade; especially how to make perfumes for $5 or less.
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More reason to skip skim

UPDATE:  Crazy to see all the frenzy over the news that the FDA is going to stop allowing trans-fats in food. What you aren't hearing is exactly how the oils suggested to be substituted are in fact trans-fats with low smoke points and damaging to the heart.

Here are a few articles to help you consider the finer facts, and accurate ones as well.


~~~~~~~~~

In the 80s when the trend went to no fat and low fat diets we advised our clients and students to keep healthy fats alive in their diets. 

FAT FACTS written in 2002

This quote is from May 2013
"Skim milk is not helpful for losing weight, as numerous studies have revealed, and in a recent study of 10,500 school-age children, it was actually harmful in terms of weight gain and loss of calcium absorption as a result of the “skimming” process. The fat content in whole milk slows sugar absorption and improves calcium uptake."
UPDATE: 4 Nov, 2013 - Now it seems everyone is again jumping on my wagon when it comes to sound nutrition information regarding healthy fat.

Oscar Will lll wrote this in 2011
Cut to the present, and the idea that corn, soy and other vegetable oils are preferred for optimal health continues to be dominant, yet the United States still has high rates of cardiovascular disease. We are overweight and unhealthy despite five decades of low-fat and no-fat health advice and faddism. How could the medical community, our Food and Drug Administration and so many others be so wrong about dietary fats? Read his full article here.
But even more apropos is a recent piece by UK doctor John Briffa, MD.

Briffa calls mainstream medicine to task on this faulty fat fiasco, and I am with him 100%He too combines the faulty fat fiasco right along with a great new expose on the great cholesterol caper.  Yes there is fallacy in the drug dictate that you all need cholesterol drugs and low cholesterol (NOT).
Last Saturday, The Times newspaper here in the UK carried a piece I wrote about the relative merits of butter, margarine and cholesterol-reducing spreads. I think it’s great we have got to the point where a major, ‘serious’ newspaper is commissioning and publishing pieces that challenge nutritional orthodoxy and do not swallow food industry misinformation […] Complete article
And he says more of what he has already said about cholesterol, as have I for many years, (use the search box for my cholesterol posts).  

So, won't you agree, it is now about time for the about face.

Selections from more than 30 articles at Natural Health News
 
Jul 08, 2006
Review finds current vitamin D recommendations insufficient to achieve healthy blood levels. A review published in the July, 2006 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which sought to determine the optimal ...
Dec 22, 2011
It's no longer enough for top-line chefs and adventurous home cooks to eat grass-fed steaks; those steaks need to be finished with duck fat or real butter. ... Nutrition science is beginning to turn the idea that all fat is bad for you on its head, with high-profile nutritionists like Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health and a professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School, working to debunk the idea that low-fat diets are ...
Feb 21, 2011
The comes the low-fat/non-fat diet and all kinds of health problems reach new, high levels. More drugs, less benefit, more cases, no recovery, lack of prevention too! High levels of cholesterol do not predict the risk of stroke.
Aug 10, 2006
The along came the no-fat and low-fat diet schemes, so along came behavioral and glandular problems because we had not fat to feed the brain, hormone production and strong healthy cell walls (yes indeed, these are made ...
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More on Cell Phone and EMF Health Risks

For almost twenty years I have been writing about the risk of EMF and cell phone use to your health. This new study is of concern because we do know of the real impact of oxidation stress on the body.  Perhaps it is time to rethink your reliance on cell phones, tablets,and all microwave devices.
Cellphones cause oxidative stress, may up cancer risk
TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- There  is considerable oxidative stress on the tissue and glands close to a cellphone when in use and this may increase cancer risk, Israeli
researchers say.

Dr. Yaniv Hamzany of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of  Medicine and the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department at the  Rabin Medical Center looked for clues in the saliva of cellphone users.

Since the cellphone is placed close to the salivary gland when in use, he and fellow researchers Raphael Feinmesser, Thomas Shpitzer, Dr. Gideon Bahar and Rafi Nagler of Tel Aviv University and Dr. Moshe Gavish  of the Technion in Haifa examined the saliva content of 20 heavy-user patients, defined as speaking on their phones for a minimum of 8 hours a  month.

Most participants speak much more, Hamzany said, as much as 30-40 hours a month. Their salivary content was compared to that of a control group, which consisted of deaf patients who either do not use a cellphone or use the device exclusively for sending text messages and other non-verbal functions.

The study, published in the journal Antioxidants and Redox Signaling,  found compared to the control group, the saliva of heavy users showed indications of higher oxidative stress -- a process that damages all aspects of a human cell, including DNA -- through the development of toxic peroxide and free radicals -- a major risk factor for cancer.

Although the study didn't uncover a conclusive "cause and effect" relationship between cellular phone use and cancer, the research adds to  the building evidence cellphone use might be harmful in the long term, the researchers said.

SOURCE:  UPI http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2013/08/06/Study-Cellphones-cause-oxidative-stress-may-up-cancer-risk/UPI-40681375764470/#ixzz2bCzYApRt
Selections from more than 30 posts on Natural Health News 
Jun 26, 2010
A user should avoid use of mobile in rural areas or a car where the cell phone uses more power and the SAR value can be ten or hundred times higher than the normal," they suggest. This group of scientists is also planning to ...
Sep 27, 2012
Recently, Congress tasked its investigative arm, the General Accountability Office (GAO), to consider the health risks of mobile phones and to report back to Congress. While a previous report published in May 2010 by the US ...
Jul 20, 2011
San Francisco supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation aimed at helping consumers reduce their exposure to cellphone radiation, a move that industry groups denounced but that Supervisor John Avalos ...
Dec 21, 2009
Congratulations to those legislators who take an interest in the health of thier constiuents. San Francisco is working on a similar regulation as Maine. Cell phone and EMF links to cancer has clearly been established in ...
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