Abha Light Foundation
 Alternative Medicine in the News
August 2009      edition 35
published weekly
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Didi
in this issue
:: Vegetarians less susceptable to cancer
:: FDA Admits Paracetomol Drug is Main Cause of Liver Failure in U.S
:: Yoga Takes Away Stress, Pounds, Toxins, Cholesterol and Cravings
:: Try Some Lemongrass in cooking as well as a medicinal herb
:: NutraSweet Linked to Leukemia and Lymphoma
:: Try Stevia instead for a healthy sugar substitute
:: Toilet Paper Rolls Become Prime Pest Repellent
:: Chemical-Free Mosquito Control
Vegetarians less susceptable to cancer
In a fresh study of food habits and cancer, 61,566 British meat eaters, fish eaters and vegetarians were followed by scientists for 12 years. The study showed that vegetarians have a smaller risk of developing cancer compared to their meat eating counterparts.

"This is strong evidence that vegetarians have lower rates of cancer than meat eaters" said co-author of the study, Dr Naomi Allen.

The study included people between 20 and 89 years old. Nearly half of the participants were vegetarians. The researchers took into account many different variables such as lifestyle, age, body mass index, alcohol intake, contraceptive use in women, smoking, and physical activity. The results of the study were adjusted accordingly after these variables. This is the largest report so far on food habits and cancer and is part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Of the British population today, one out of three persons develops cancer in their lifetime, and according to this research more than 2 million people could avoid cancer by changing their diets. The overall risk for cancer was decreased by 12 % in vegetarians compared to the meat eaters. There was an even bigger difference in some cancers, like stomach, bladder and leukemia, where vegetarians were affected up to 45 percent less. The biggest difference was the risk of a quite rare cancer of the bone marrow, multiple myeloma, where the vegetarians had a decreased risk of 75 percent. The vegetarians did not have a reduced risk in all cancers though; breast and prostate cancer were at about the same rate as for carnivores, and the risk for cancer in the bowel was slightly higher.

As for the fish eaters (those who ate fish but no other meat), they actually had the lowest rate of cancer, 18 percent lower than meat eaters. But they were also the smallest group in the study and possibly a less trustworthy statistic.

The director of health information at Cancer Research UK, Sara Hiom, said: "These interesting results add to the evidence that what we eat affects our chances of developing cancer. But the links between diet and cancer risk are complex and more research is needed to see how big a part diet plays and which specific dietary factors are most important."

"The relatively low number of vegetarians who developed cancer in this study supports Cancer Research UK's advice that people should eat a healthy, balanced diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fat, salt and red and processed meat."

Sources:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health
http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal
FDA Admits Paracetomol Drug is Main Cause of Liver Failure in U.S.

The drug in question is acetaminophen. [NOTE: also known as Paracetamol and contained in Panadol, Hedex Action, Maramoja and a number of other pain relievers. read the label] It's in prescription and all too popular over-the-counter drugs including Tylenol and Excedrin. According to the FDA, taking too much will kill you and the government agency also admits this chemical is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. Acetaminophen is responsible for 56,000 emergency room visits and 456 deaths annually, according to studies done between 1990 and 1998. In spite of this, billions of doses are sold each year.

The FDA rarely admits the damage the drugs they've approved do. In fact, in recent years, the drug approval agency has been in the spotlight for doing precisely the opposite; they`ve been caught hiding this information from public view.

The harmfulness of the substance is highlighted by the fact that people are dropping dead from inadvertently consuming "too much" and that begs some pretty serious questions.

Questions like - "If taking too much accidentally has a decent chance of killing me, isn't it likely that taking even the recommended amount is doing some damage?" And, "If it's doing damage, how am I to know what damage it`s actually doing?" And even, "Why are doctors prescribing drugs that are known to be harmful to me?"

The last question might be the most important one because in allopathic, drug-centered medicine prescribing harmful chemicals in the name of "health" and of a "cure" is done all too often. Then, the consequences of those chemicals are often blamed on the disease, or are seen as another problem that appears down the road. According to your medical provider the harmful chemicals you`ve been consuming and your health problems are completely unrelated. Besides, they will say, you "need" the drugs.

In any case, liver failure isn't a problem to be taken lightly; it's often synonymous with death.

Your liver is such an important organ that according to the American Liver Foundation, "Anything that keeps your liver from doing its job - or from growing back after injury - may put your life in danger."

Using a substance that impairs your liver is all the more tragic when it's combined with other chemicals, which is often the case with drugs. This is because your liver is the organ that breaks down those substances. If your liver is slowed from doing that job by the acetaminophen, it means the other chemicals will remain in your body longer, and they too, are often toxic.

In a small step in the right direction, FDA panelists voted to eliminate acetaminophen from prescription drugs that also include other medications and to lower the recommended dosage amounts. The FDA, however, is not required to follow the advice of the panel and what they will actually do remains to be seen.

In the nineteen years since data collection began on the harmfulness of acetaminophen, it can be extrapolated that over a million emergency room visits and 8,000 deaths have stemmed directly from the use of this drug. For those who are keeping track, over two and a half times as many people were killed from this drug as were killed on that fateful day in September, 2001. And unfortunately, acetaminophen is but one drug, of many drugs, that cause significant harm to the population - all with the stamp of the FDA.

In light of the facts, it's about time a serious conversation took place to stem the use of this drug, although eliminating its use entirely makes a lot more sense. Hopefully, more conversations about other harmful drugs will follow and ideally, with a lot less pain and tragedy in the meantime - and a much faster reaction time by those who are supposed to be protecting our health.

Sources:
FDA panel: Eliminate Vicodin, Similar drugs
http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopSt...
FDA May Restrict Acetaminophen
http://www.webmd.com/pain-managemen...
FDA Scientist Warned About Vioxx in August
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=...
The Progression of Liver Disease
http://www.liverfoundation.org/educ...
Yoga Takes Away Stress, Pounds, Toxins, Cholesterol and Cravings

Yoga has long been associated with stress reduction and increased flexibility, but not everyone realizes that yoga can also help them lose weight, lower their cholesterol, and eliminate harmful toxins. Yoga practitioners can even learn how to control their cravings for unhealthy foods.

Yoga is one of the most holistic activities there is, focusing on mind, body, and spirit. When done properly, the benefits are endless. It can ease your anxiety, improve your coordination, strength, and posture, and help you lose pounds and inches. That's because it combines deep breathing, relaxing meditation, and limbering poses.

Breathe Deeply, Burn Fat
When you breathe deeply and consciously - instead of taking short, shallow breaths - you not only feel more relaxed, you burn more calories. Studies have shown that regular deep breathing burns up to 140% more calories than riding a stationary bike! (Of course, breathing deeply won't help you lose weight if you're also inhaling cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, sodas, and packaged meals. Eating a vegetarian diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in sugar and processed foods is also essential for weight loss and maintenance.)

To lose the most weight, practice Bikram yoga, which is a mix of low-key twisting poses and cardio exercises performed in a room where the temperature has been raised higher than 100 degrees, or Ashtanga Yoga, which combines complex yoga poses with deep breathing techniques.

The twisting poses stimulate your internal organs, which in turn boosts your metabolism, helping you to lose weight. And because Bikram yoga is practiced in such hot temperatures, your body sweats out toxins, which also helps you to shed pounds. Yoga also reduces stress hormones and increases insulin sensitivity, so your body kicks into a fat-burning mode and burns food as fuel rather than storing it as fat.

Doing just one session of yoga will help tighten your muscles and improve your posture, making you look and feel five pounds leaner. The more you practice yoga, the more patience and self control you learn. As you become more disciplined, you become better able to ignore cravings for unhealthy food, which is a key component of any effective weight loss program.

Inverted Yoga-Decreased Cholesterol
You can control your cholesterol and blood pressure by doing yoga and eating plant-based foods (meat, eggs, and dairy products are the only dietary sources of cholesterol.) When you practice inverted yoga poses, including the plough pose, the headstand, and the crane pose, your legs and abdomen are higher than your heart, which increases your circulation and allows blood to flow throughout your body. Inverted yoga poses not only improve your cardiovascular health, they stimulate your brain and glandular system, and relieve pressure on your abdominal organs. Another type of yoga, known as integrative yoga therapy, is sometimes used to alleviate certain medical conditions, including clinical depression, asthma, back pain, arthritis, and even insomnia and multiple sclerosis.

Karmic Benefits of Yoga
While yoga undoubtedly has many physical benefits, it can also be good for your soul. One of the main tenants of yoga is ahimsa, a Sanskrit term meaning to do no harm to any living being. It is one of the reasons why serious yoga practitioners advocate a total vegetarian diet. Sharon Gannon, a founder of Jivamukti, one of the best known yoga centers in the U.S., has even produced a video on the philosophical connection between yoga and vegetarianism.

There's virtually no limit to what yoga can do for your body and your spirit. You are never too out of shape to take up yoga. In other words, "Never too late, never too old, never too bad and never too sick to do this yoga and start from scratch again," says Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram yoga. If you've been struggling to lose weight, eat healthily, and improve your strength, posture, and flexibility, fitting yoga into your lifestyle is a wise and healthy choice.

References:
Natural Sexy Skinny, "The Skinny On Yoga," http://theskinnyonyoga.blogspot.com/
WebMD.com, "The Health Benefits of Yoga," http://www.webmd.com/balance/the-he...
JivamuktiYoga.com, "Yoga and Vegetarianism," http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/
Try Some Lemongrass in cooking as well as a medicinal herb

Related to citronella, this bulbous, greyish green tropical grass is widely uses a favored herb in cuisines and medicine.

Lemongrass is a very fibrous grass and comes in long, slender stalks about a foot long, normally with its coarse, flat, grassy blades already cut off. Choose thick, light green stalks that feel firm all along its length and that are not dried out and wilted. They usually require further trimming before they can be used. Cut off the woody root tip of each stalk until the purplish-tinted rings begin to show. Remove the loose, dry outer layer(s) and use only the faintly colored, dense inner stalk that holds together when cut into shorter segments or into concentric rings. Usually, the top third of the stalk is dry and fibrous and, if so, should be trimmed off.

For soups and simmered dishes, cut the trimmed stalk at a very sharp angle into inch-long pieces, exposing its fragrant interior. Smash with the flat blade of a cleaver or heavy knife to bruise and release the aromatic oils before adding to these dishes. The stalk may be cut crosswise, then split in half lengthwise to expose the wetter interior, or easier yet, sliced at a long slanted angle, then bruised. In soups, lemongrass serves as a stock ingredient to flavor the broth; the tough pieces are not meant to be chewed and eaten.

For salads, cut with a sharp knife into very thin rounds, breaking up the fibers that run the length of the stalk. When slicing, if the outer layer seems fibrous, peel it off before proceeding. Such thinly sliced rounds of the inner stalk can be easily chewed with other salad ingredients for a refreshing burst of lemony herb flavor.

Lemongrass is now widely available all over the country and can even be found in some chain supermarkets. Its mild, delicate, but yet exotic, flavor has made this tropical herb popular in East-West cuisines. So there is no reason to use the inferior dry or powdered kinds. lemongrass can be easily grown in any frost-free area, or in a planter to bring indoors in winter; it is not particular about soil as long as it gets plenty of moisture. Root a stalk by submerging the root end in a glass of water, or insert directly into damp soil and keep well watered. One stalk easily multiplies into fifty in no time and forms a large clump. lemongrass grown in cool-weather areas tends to be more grassy with smaller and shorter stalks tinted a deep purplish green.

Wrap well in plastic before storing in the refrigerator to keep the stalks from drying out. Depending on how fresh the stalks are when bought, they can keep for one to three weeks. If you must substitute with dry lemongrass, simmer in water to make stock for soups and soak in warm water to soften a little before chopping and pounding in a mortar to make a chilli/curry paste. Since the powdered kind does not substitute well and the dried pieces do not soften enough to chew, skip lemongrass entirely in salads that require thinly sliced rounds.

Beyond its popularity as a culinary herb, lemongrass is highly regarded by traditional herbal doctors for its profuse healing qualities.
It has been used for centuries to treat colds and flu, stomach cramps and indigestion, flatulence and urinary dysfunctions, fatigue, easing arthritic pain, back pain and menstrual irregularity and yeast infections. Especially suited for digestive problems in children.

Infusions of lemongrass are said to be good for the fire element and an effective treatment for conditions arising from too much wind. Its essential oils are reputed to contain a substance similar to insulin and, therefore, can be used in the treatment of diabetes.
NutraSweet Linked to Leukemia and Lymphoma

Research has shown a connection between lymphoma, leukemia, and aspartame as far back as 2005. The FDA approved this synthetic sweetener for use in 1981. Currently used in over six thousand products, aspartame is sold under many different brand names, including NutraSweet, Equal Measure, and Spoonful. It can be found in soda, desserts, yogurt, and even in chewable vitamins.

In the first year after its approval, the FDA received over 600 consumer complaints about health issues. Migraine headaches and dizziness, insomnia, joint pain, memory loss, hives, rash, abdominal cramping, hallucinations, seizures and even deaths were reported related to aspartame consumption. The FDA contacted the Center for Disease Control who did not find any consistent issues. Recently, in the spring of 2009, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also concluded that aspartame showed no carcinogenic potential at the allowable daily intake (ADI) of 40/mg/kg.

Over 900 studies have been published on aspartame, including one in May 2009 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. This recent article investigated the link between formaldehyde and lymph cancer. A study in 2007 on rats showed that aspartame ingestion caused formaldehyde buildup to such a degree that the rat's skin became yellow.

Since 1987, formaldehyde has been listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a probable human carcinogen. Used as an embalming agent, formaldehyde has been indicated in birth defects, and in environmental allergies. It has been shown to cause both lymphoma and leukemia in lab rats and in humans. It is known that aspartame turns into formaldehyde in the body, but it has been thought that this formaldehyde was then being eliminated quickly. However, a study in 1998 demonstrated that dietary aspartame binds to tissues in protein. It was found in liver, kidney, and blood. The report suggested that the buildup of aspartame was cumulative; that is, it continues to build up without being excreted, causing more damage over time. This report concluded that "aspartame consumption may constitute a hazard because of its contribution to the formation of formaldehyde adducts."

Based on these findings, it is wise to avoid aspartame and artificial sweeteners. Even sugar is a better alternative than the substitute. Drink regular sodas instead of diet, or even better, diet soft drinks can be replaced with club soda mixed with a few ounces of fruit juice. Use honey or molasses to sweeten foods and to bake. Though aspartame has government safety approval, the facts and the studies suggest that avoiding aspartame is good for your health.
Try Stevia instead for a healthy sugar substitute

Extracts from the leaf of the Stevia plant have been found to be high in antioxidants that prevent the DNA damage that leads to cancer, according to a new Indian study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. "These results indicate that Stevia rebaudiana may be useful as a potential source of natural antioxidants," said lead author Srijani Ghanta, of the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology in Kolkata.

Stevia rebaudiana is a South American shrub that grows in semi-arid areas of Brazil and Paraguay. The leaves of the plant have been used for generations as a sweetener, originally by the Guarani people and more recently throughout South America and Asia. A campaign of intimidation against stevia companies by the FDA has so far prevented the sweetener from being approved for use in foods in the United States or Europe, but it is currently sold as a supplement and has gained mainstream acceptance as a safe, natural, calorie-free sweetener.

Stevia as a powerful antioxidant
In the research on stevia mentioned here, researchers used two different chemicals (methanol and ethyl acetate) to obtain extracts from the leaves of the stevia plant. These extracts were found to contain a variety of antioxidants including apigenin, kaempferol and quercitrin.

The antioxidant activity of the extracts was tested with a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay to determine how much extract would be needed to remove half of the free radicals from a solution. For methanol extract, 47.66 micrograms per milliliter extract were needed, while only 9.26 micrograms per milliliter were needed of ethyl acetate extract. When tested against hydroxide radicals, the amount of ethyl acetate needed dropped to 3.08 micrograms per milliliter.

The researchers then tested the extracts' ability to protect DNA strands against damage by hydroxide radicals. It only took 0.1 milligrams per liter of ethyl acetate extract to inhibit DNA strand damage. DNA damage has been linked to a variety of diseases, especially cancer, reproductive problems and developmental defects. Halting DNA damage is also a key to longevity.

Spoon for spoon in sweetness, stevia cheaper than sugar! It's available in Kenya through Foratram International (0722-827199), Abha Light Foundation (0710-620323).
Health services at the New
Abha Light House

massage Call us for an appointment. 0710-620323

· Homeopathy, nutritional therapy & detox
- Didi Ananda Ruchira, DIHom, KSoH

· Chiropractic
- Dr Chimareni Mango, DC

· Homeopathy, reflexology & reiki
- Jackie Morris, DHom, KSoH
Looking for an affordable space to hold a workshop or class?
Hotels too expensive?
Consider our Abha Light House in Kilimani

Call us! 0710-620323

Affordable and easy to access, our meeting space can hold about 20 people, with desks, and up to 40 people, seats only.

We have 2 classrooms with beautiful parquet floors, a lovely garden patio (also good for meetings), whiteboards, projector, computer and connectivity for your presentations.

Ideal for small groups that find hotels too expensive. Ideal for yoga or meditation groups, or NGO workshops.

We also have a vegetarian kitchen to prepare teas and light (veggie-based) meals.

Book for daytimes or evenings. On a one-time basis or for regular meetings.
Stevia Available At Abha Light

Stevia Did you know that 50g of Stevia is equivalent in sweetness to 8.5 kg of sugar?

Economical and healthy for you too. Safe for diabetics. Try it!

Available through our Head Office or any of our clinics in Kenya. Stop by or call us at 0710-620323
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Toilet Paper Rolls Become Prime Pest Repellent
http://www.motherearthnews.com, by LES OKE

Start saving your toilet paper rolls now for carrot-planting time this spring.

Cutworms are a perennial problem in our carrot patch. Because of its nocturnal nature, this pest is hard to eliminate by conventional means.

My wife, Jane, and I came up with a rather interesting solution to the problem. I wondered, what would happen if we took toilet paper rolls, filled them with soil mix and planted carrots in one open end like a soil block? We could transplant the carrots after they had germinated in the tube. The cutworms wouldn't have a chance.

Our environmentally friendly and practical solution works great. It also turns out that the extra depth of soil in the toilet roll provided a perfect growing medium for root vegetables.
Simply fill the tubes with potting soil or compost, but don't pack too tightly. Place each full tube on a tray.

Take a small stick and make a 1/4-inch-deep hole in the soil of each tube. Put four seeds of your favorite carrot variety in the hole and cover. The carrots germinate in about a week and should be transplanted when the taproots emerge from the tube bottoms.

Normally, we plant the carrot blocks 12 inches apart in 12-inch rows. This provides lots of space for easy cultivation. When actually planting each block, be sure to hold the bottom, which is open. Next, really soak them so the paper tube will deteriorate in the soil, allowing the carrots to grow. Dig a small hole leaving 1/2-inch of the tube sticking up above the soil level. This absolutely foils cutworms and allows very close hoe work.

After planting, we sometimes mulch the blocks depending on the moisture level of the soil. To grow good root crops requires a steady supply of water, and mulching helps. Then just sit back and watch the carrots grow.
Chemical-Free Mosquito Control
http://www.motherearthnews.com

You can outsmart mosquitoes with these homemade, Earth-friendly solutions.

A Mother Earth News reader shares this tip for getting rid of unwanted pests with mothballs....

Herbal Insect Repellent
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons total of any combination of the following essential oils: basil, cedarwood, citronella, juniper, lemon, myrrh, palmarosa, pine, rose geranium and/or rosemary (available at health food stores)
  • 1 cup 190-proof grain alcohol (available in liquor stores)
Place ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously. Transfer to small bottles for storage. To use, rub a small amount on any exposed skin (test first to be sure your skin will not be adversely affected by the repellent) or dab it on clothing.

Experiment a little to find which essential oils work best with your body chemistry. If you're lucky, you also will like the way they smell; otherwise, add a few drops of peppermint oil to fine-tune the fragrance.

If you are bitten
Follow this advice from James Duke, Ph.D., author of The Green Pharmacy.
Plantain (Plantago, various species; grows in Kenya too.) is one of the best herbs to treat bug bites. To use the plant as first aid for a mosquito bite, crush a few leaves and rub them on the bite.

Medical Disclaimer: The information contained within does not take the place of medical diagnosis or prescription. See your health care provider in case of sickness.

Editorial Disclaimer: Publication of these articles are to promote food for thought. The opinions expressed in these articles may not be the opinion of editors.