It doesn’t take more than an evening of watching television or reading a few magazines to see that Big Pharma is trying to promote the mindset that there’s a pill for everything. But despite billions of dollars spent on consumer advertising, Washington lobbying, and the wooing or bribing of doctors right from the beginning of med school, the industry has some serious problems with credibility that may just eventually bring it down. Continue reading “FTC Censorship Delays Big Pharma’s Inevitable Failure to Dominate our Health”
Could FTC Censorship of Supplements Increase Violent Behavior?
When we think about dietary supplements, we usually think of our physical health. But our mental and emotional health can also be helped with vitamins, minerals, herbs, and so on. The usual prescription for our emotional health is drugs.
Antidepressants, for example, are the most widely prescribed type of drugs in the U.S. However, there are also several natural remedies for depression which studies show are as, if not more, effective than drugs. They are also safer than prescribed drugs for the patients. In fact, FTC censorship of natural remedies for depression could even put the family members, friends and neighbors of those patients in danger.
How are antidepressant drugs dangerous to the family, friends and neighbors of the depressed person? According to a recent study, antidepressant drugs are among the top 10 legal drugs linked to violence toward others.
The new study, conducted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices and published in the journal PloS One, reviewed the items in the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System and isolated 31 drugs that have the most reports of violent behavior towards others.
Researchers point out that, although the drugs may sometimes be given to those who already have a history of violent behavior, the propensity to violent behavior while taking these particular drugs stands out – even when history and other factors are considered. In other words, it really looks like the drugs themselves might be the problem.
Here is the countdown on the top ten offenders:
10. Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), an antidepressant and anti-anxiety drug, is 7.9 times more likely to be associated with violence than other drugs.
9. Venlafaxine (Effexor), also prescribed for depression and anxiety, is 8.3 times more likely than other drugs to be related to violent behavior.
8. Fluvoxamine (Luvox), another antidepressant, is 8.4 times more likely than other medications to be linked with violence.
7. Triazolam (Halcion), a benzodiazepine used to treat insomnia, is 8.7 times more likely to be linked with violence than other drugs.
6. Atomoxetine (Strattera), used to treat the symptoms identified as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is 9 times more likely to be linked with violence than the average medication.
5. Mefoquine (Lariam), a treatment for malaria, is 9.5 times more likely to be linked with violence than other drugs.
4. Amphetamines, various types, used to treat the symptoms identified with ADHD, are 9.6 times more likely to be linked to violence than other drugs.
3. Paroxetine (Paxil), another antidepressant, is 10.3 times more likely to be linked with violence. And, by the way, is also linked with more severe withdrawal symptoms and a greater risk of birth defects than other similar medications.
2. Fluoxetine (Prozac), the antidepressant everyone’s heard of, is 10.9 times more likely to be linked with violence than other drugs.
1. Varenicline (Chantix), the anti-smoking drug, is 18 times more likely to be linked with violence.
How’s that for depressing?
So, what are the natural remedies that could help with depression so we can avoid this violent behavior? According to the Mayo Clinic, a few of the common herbal remedies and other supplements you might try include the following:
“St. John’s wort. Known scientifically as Hypericum perforatum, this is an herb that’s been used for centuries to treat a variety of ills, including depression. It’s not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat depression in the United States. Rather, it’s classified as a dietary supplement. However, it’s a popular depression treatment in Europe. It may be helpful if you have mild or moderate depression.
“SAMe. Pronounced “sammy,” this is a synthetic form of a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. The name is short for S-adenosylmethionine. It’s not approved by the FDA to treat depression in the United States. Rather, it’s classified as a dietary supplement. However, it’s used in Europe as a prescription drug to treat depression.
“Omega-3 fatty acids. Eating a diet rich in omega-3s or taking omega-3 supplements may help ease depression and also appears to have a number of other health benefits. These healthy fats are found in cold-water fish, flaxseed, flax oil, walnuts and some other foods.”
The Mayo Clinic also mentions acupuncture, yoga and massage therapy as other options used to treat depression.
Studies have also shown exercise to be effective. In fact, more effective than antidepressants.
It’s not uncommon for depression to stem from physical conditions like nutritional deficiencies and imbalances, hormonal problems, allergies and so on. Strangely enough, antidepressant-deficiency isn’t among them.
Check with your health practitioner to get tested and find out if one of those physical conditions applies to you. Chances are your regular family doctor won’t be trained in how to do that kind of testing – and if he or she does, count yourself very lucky – so it might be best to find an alternative, integrative or functional medicine practitioner to dig in and find out what’s doing on.
When you get your recommended program, and if the FDA or FTC censorship hasn’t already put the manufacturers of these natural remedies out of business, you can follow your health practitioner’s advice and get the supplements you need. You may even get better, without side effects, and without giving your neighbor a black eye!
Creative Commons Attribution: Permission is granted to repost this article in its entirety with credit to Wellness Truth Network and a clickable link back to this page.
Eating colorful vegetables linked to longer life
Reprint from (NaturalNews) People who eat more brightly colored vegetables live longer and may have a lower risk of cancer and heart disease, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Continue reading “Eating colorful vegetables linked to longer life”
FTC Censorship Of Safe Nutritional Supplements Forces Reliance on Dangerous Drugs
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA–(Marketwire – Feb. 15, 2011) – In the wake of the FTC crack-down on manufacturers of dietary supplements, a new report shows that not even one death occurred from vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids or other dietary supplements in 2009. FTC censorship of dietary supplements is allegedly intended to protect consumers. In light of this new report, says the Wellness Truth Network, it is difficult to see just why the FTC is so concerned. Is the commission really acting in the best interests of Americans?
The report, prepared by the American Association of Poison Control Centers and published in the journal Clinical Toxicology, details the data collected by 60 coast-to-coast poison centers for the U.S. National Poison Data System. According to the report, no fatalities were associated with herbs or nutritional supplements for the entirety of 2009.
In contrast, adverse reactions from drugs that are properly prescribed and properly administered cause about 106,000 deaths per year, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In fact, prescription drugs are now the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S.
Additionally, some sources have reported as many as 700,000 visits to U.S. hospital emergency rooms each year as a result of adverse drug reactions.
Ironically, some of the drugs causing adverse reactions and fatalities are given for conditions that could be successfully addressed with some of the safe nutritional supplements being targeted by FTC censorship.
According to Bob Held, CEO of Wellness Truth Network (WTN), “Treatment and prevention of Diabetes with nutritional supplements could, for example, prevent the nausea, diarrhea, low blood glucose, skin rash or itching, and weight gain caused by some medications prescribed for diabetics. The effort to control those side effects might also lead to prescriptions for additional medications that, in turn, could have their own side effects that may also have to be controlled by additional drugs. It’s a never-ending cycle.”
Despite the availability of drugs for Diabetes, more than 70,000 Americans die from Diabetes each year. And, with more than 2 million new Diabetes cases being diagnosed each year, it’s obvious that the drug route is not controlling this epidemic.
“The public wants healthy solutions,” says Held. “It’s hard to figure out just who or what the FTC is protecting by trying to prevent the use of nutritional supplements. One thing we know for sure, it’s not the health of Americans.”
For more information, please contact
Doug Hay & Associates
Doug Hay
877-226-3823
doug@doughayassoc.com
Creative Commons Attribution: Permission is granted to repost this article in its entirety with credit to Wellness Truth Network and a clickable link back to this page.
FDA and FTC Censorship Does Not Focus on Preventing Real Health Risks
Years ago, a doctor told me to stay away from hospitals. He was an M.D. – you would think his attitude would be somewhat different. What was the reasoning behind that advice? Patient deaths, injury and other mishaps were rampant in the hospital setting. As studies were done and the problems in hospitals were exposed, action was apparently taken to protect patients. However, according to recent studies, there has been very little improvement. Shouldn’t the focus of the FDA and FTC censorship be on protecting us from these dangers? Continue reading “FDA and FTC Censorship Does Not Focus on Preventing Real Health Risks”
Why Almost Everything You Hear About Medicine Is Wrong
(Newsweek) (Page 1 of 2)
If you follow the news about health research, you risk whiplash. First garlic lowers bad cholesterol, then—after more study—it doesn’t. Hormone replacement reduces the risk of heart disease in postmenopausal women, until a huge study finds that it doesn’t (and that it raises the risk of breast cancer to boot)…. Continue reading “Why Almost Everything You Hear About Medicine Is Wrong”
ANH-USA to File Health Claim for Vitamin D—and It’s All Thanks to You! (Plus a Vitamin D Update)
Reprint from ANH-USA
In addition to this exciting announcement, we have some troubling news to report: more conflicts of interest over the Institute of Medicine’s vitamin D report, and more evidence from a top Harvard expert that the IOM recommendations fly in the face of good science. What is really going on here? Continue reading “ANH-USA to File Health Claim for Vitamin D—and It’s All Thanks to You! (Plus a Vitamin D Update)”
The USDA’s Organic Deception
Reprint from Farm Wars.
By Barbara H. Peterson
Organic is organic, or is it? It would seem that it is all a matter of perspective when one takes a stroll through the mountains of documents on the FDA and USDA websites.
The word “organic” is fast becoming a high-dollar money-maker for corporations smart enough to jump on the bandwagon and start marketing their products as “made with organic ingredients,” or “certified organic.” Even Monsanto is taking advantage of this burgeoning market, and people naïve enough to believe that what we have traditionally thought of as pure, organic food, is still that way, are being duped.
It makes perfect sense, however, in a Machiavellian sort of way. Flood the food supply with poisons, then lead people to believe that the only safe choice left is USDA Certified Organic. Then buy up the organic companies one by one, and start changing the “organic” rules from the inside out via the bought and paid for government agencies so that you can reap the profits from those trying to escape the poisons.
Click to enlarge
So let’s take a closer look at just what the word “organic” refers to according to these government agencies. You might be surprised at what we find. The fact that the very agencies (FDA and USDA), which are supposed to be protecting our organic food supply, are intensely active in its adulteration will become apparent.
What is “Certified Organic?”
In the USDA Certified Organic Program, there are four categories established for labeling purposes:
Section 205.301 establishes the organic content requirements for different labeling provisions specified under this program. The type of labeling and market information that can be used and its placement on different panels of consumer packages and in market information is based on the percentage of organic ingredients in the product. The percentage must reflect the actual weight or fluid volume (excluding water and salt) of the organic ingredients in the product. Four categories of organic content are established: 100 percent organic; 95 percent or more organic; 70 to 95 percent organic; and less than 70 percent organic. (Organic Labeling Preamble)
If an item is labeled 100% Organic, then it is supposed to contain nothing but organic ingredients and processing aids that are organically produced.
Products labeled Certified Organic must contain 95% organic ingredients.
Up to 5 percent of the ingredients may be nonagricultural substances (consistent with the National List) and, if not commercially available in organic form pursuant to section 205.201, nonorganic agricultural products and ingredients in minor amounts (hereinafter referred to as minor ingredients) (spices, flavors, colorings, oils, vitamins, minerals, accessory nutrients, incidental food additives). The nonorganic ingredients must not be produced using excluded methods [GMO], sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation. (Organic Labeling Preamble)
70-95% Organic, labeled “Made with Organic Ingredients,” can contain the kitchen sink in the 5-30% of ingredients that are not organic. They can be grown with pesticides, but without the sewage sludge, and cannot be irradiated or genetically modified organisms (GMO).
70% Organic, which is labeled “Contains Organic Ingredients,” can contain the kitchen sink along with the pesticides, sewage sludge, irradiation, and GMOs.
Organic Labeling Preamble Chart
A Matter of Perspective
Let’s say that you have a product that you think is better than its conventional counterpart because it has “certified organic” ingredients. So you buy it and think that you are getting healthier because you are eating mostly good, pure food. It is the word “organic” that led you to believe this. However, if an organic ingredient is mixed with conventional ingredients, doesn’t it become polluted? It’s like putting gasoline in a glass of pure water and charging a premium for that water because it only contains 30% of the contaminant. 30% contamination is probably better than 100%, but would you want to drink it? The whole glass of water is poisoned due to the gasoline, yet the companies selling this product would like you to believe that because it contains pure water it is good. They also know that they can charge you premium prices for that flawed perception.
The FDA and USDA would like us to believe that using “certified organic ingredients” somehow makes the poisons they allow in the other 30% okay, and companies charge through the nose for these adulterated products. It is a matter of perspective. Just how much gasoline in your water are you willing to tolerate just so you can live under the illusion that you are consuming a more pure product? And just how high a price are you willing to pay for it?
Organic Sleight of Hand
“USDA Certified Organic” is a big business, and the deception is great. With a bit of sleight of hand, by simply moving a word around a bit, you have a complete subterfuge.
(1) Use of “Organic” in Product Names. The NOSB, State organic program (SOP) managers, certifying agents, and a large number of individual commenters strongly recommended that USDA prohibit use of the term, “organic,” to modify an ingredient in a product name if the ingredient, itself, is not produced organically. The examples offered were “organic chocolate ice cream” and “organic cherry sweets” in which the ice cream and candy are at least 95 percent organic but the chocolate and cherry flavoring is not organically produced. We agree with commenters that such product names can be misleading and would be a violation of section 205.300(a). In the examples, the word, “organic,” precedes the words, “chocolate” and “cherry,” and clearly implies that those ingredients are organically produced. The chocolate and cherry flavorings must be organically produced to be used in this way. If the product is at least 95 percent organically produced but the flavoring is nonorganic, the word sequence must be reversed or the word, “flavored,” must be added to the name; e.g., “chocolate organic ice cream” or “chocolate flavored organic ice cream.” A sentence has been added to section 205.300(a) to specify that the term, “organic,” may not be used in a product name to identify an ingredient that is not organically produced. (Organic Labeling Preamble)
So, you see how “organic chocolate ice cream” means that both the chocolate and the ice cream are organic, but if you reverse two words and make it “chocolate organic ice cream,” the chocolate is not organic. Or if you are really adept at manipulation, you can actually manufacture “organic beer” with conventional hops, label it “USDA Certified Organic,” and charge a premium price for it. See the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, which includes hops as one of the approved non-organic substances allowed in USDA Certified Organic products.
Government Treachery
If the FDA is here to help us instead of make money for its corporate owners, don’t you think this agency would demand that labeling be perfectly clear? If the USDA is here to help us, why would it have allowed the gross pollution and treachery that abounds in the National Organics Program (NOP) to have even gotten a foothold in what was the last bastion of safety left in our food supply?
ORGANIC IS ORGANIC. When it is mixed with non-organic ingredients, it is no longer organic, and no amount of agency double-talk will change that. When you play word games to trick people into purchasing something because they see the word “organic” on the label because you have led them to believe it is safe and better than the rest, all in the name of corporate profits, then organic or not, you are one of the bad guys. Period.
Neotame
Wikipedia
Neotame can be included in USDA Certified “Contains Organic Ingredients” without labeling. As I stated in a previous article “USDA Certified Organic’s Dirty Little Secret: Neotame,” Neotame does not have to be labeled. Period. Why? Because the FDA approved it as a general purpose sweetener, and it is designated as a “flavor, or flavor enhancer.” And since it is not a protein hydrolysate, the following applies:
If the flavor consists of two or more ingredients, the label either may declare each ingredient by its common or usual name or may state “All flavor ingredients contained in this product are approved for use in a regulation of the Food and Drug Administration.” Any flavor ingredient not contained in one of these regulations, and any nonflavor ingredient, shall be separately listed on the label. (FDA)
A document taken from the FDA site even states that pre-approval studies indicated that Neotame is not safe, yet it “was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for general use in July 2002” (Wikipedia).
Sweetos
Enter Sweetos. Sweetos is Neotame. It was created for human and animal use.
EnSigns Health Care Pvt Ltd and The NutraSweet Co USA have recently launched ‘Sweetos’, a cattle feed sweetener. Sweetos has been developed with neotame, a high intensity sweetener.
Amino acids based sweetener Neotame is 8,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than sugar and is a patented product of the NutraSweet Co USA. Ensigns is one of the leading manufacturers of Sweetos, low calorie sweeteners for the food industry. Together the two companies have launched this sweetener to be added to cattle feed. (Business Standard)
Organic livestock feed uses a similar type of labeling system as human food.
(c) Products sold, labeled, or represented as “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).” Multiingredient agricultural product sold, labeled, or represented as “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))” must contain (by weight or fluid volume, excluding water and salt) at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients which are produced and handled pursuant to requirements in subpart C of this part. No ingredients may be produced using prohibited practices specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (2), and (3) of §205.301. Nonorganic ingredients may be produced without regard to paragraphs (f)(4), (5), (6), and (7) of §205.301. If labeled as containing organically produced ingredients or food groups, such product must be labeled pursuant to §205.304. (d) Products with less than 70 percent organically produced ingredients. The organic ingredients in multiingredient agricultural product containing less than 70 percent organically produced ingredients (by weight or fluid volume, excluding water and salt) must be produced and handled pursuant to requirements in subpart C of this part. The nonorganic ingredients may be produced and handled without regard to the requirements of this part. Multiingredient agricultural product containing less than 70 percent organically produced ingredients may represent the organic nature of the product only as provided in §205.305. (GPO Access)
As in human food regulations, the non-organic ingredients in “Made with Organic Ingredients” and “Contains Organic Ingredients” can contain the kitchen sink.
The question must be asked: Do we really want our cattle to be consuming feed that is made with a neurotoxin? How will it affect the animals that eat it? And just how will eating these animals affect us?
Endless Compromise
When did we learn to accept anything less than the best? When did we acquiesce to inferiority? To the endless compromise of our food supply? Why do we think that we somehow deserve to be robbed blind, lied to, poisoned for profit, and cheated every step of the way by the corrupt corporate system that acts like a black hole – sucking in everything and giving nothing back in return except abject misery? And why do we seem to like it? Why do we keep going back for more instead of ridding ourselves of these pariahs? Do you really want to know why? Because we have been trained that way! That’s why we accept “organic beer” made with conventional hops, and USDA Certified “contains organic ingredients” food items that have been poisoned with the likes of Neotame. We accept these things because we have been conditioned to think that this is somehow okay. It’s time to change our way of thinking.
It’s time to stop bowing to multi-national corporations who may or may not be what we think they are. Know your food producer. Know what you are eating. Become a food warrior, and fight for the right to not be deceived. Know how to read labels and figure out what the ingredients really are. The more people that wake up to the reality that we are surrounded by people who couldn’t care less about our health and are actually out to do us harm as long as they can profit by it, the better our chances of survival. Make no mistake about it. We are in a food war, and that is a war for our very lives.
The Newest Dangerous Sweetener to Hit Your Food Shelves
By Dr. Mercola:
Since 2002 an artificial sweetener called neotame has been approved for use in food and drink products around the world, although so far its use appears to be very limited. Continue reading “The Newest Dangerous Sweetener to Hit Your Food Shelves”
US Government to Europe: Give This to Your People Or There Will be “Some Pain”
A WikiLeaks release of U.S. diplomatic cables has revealed that the Bush administration planned ways to retaliate against Europe for its refusal to use genetically modified seeds. Continue reading “US Government to Europe: Give This to Your People Or There Will be “Some Pain””