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Alternative Medicine in the News
March 2010 edition 63
published weekly
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Bitter melon (Kerela) extract could be the new chemo for fighting breast cancer
24 February 2010
Bitter melon can fight breast cancer, and could even be as powerful as
chemotherapy, a new study reports.
Its extract, which can bought as a dietary supplement in natural health
stores, is a highly effective killer of breast cancer cells in
laboratory tests, researchers from the Saint Louis University have
discovered.
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is used in folk medicine in India,
China and Central America to treat diabetes, but this discovery opens
up major new possibilities for a natural therapy that doesn't come with
the debilitating effects of chemotherapy,
(Source: Cancer Research, 2010; February 23, 2010; doi:
10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-3438).
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Killer drug may finally be taken off the market three years - and 3000 deaths - late
24 February 2010
Avandia - the discredited type II diabetes drug - continues to be
prescribed by doctors, and is still killing around 100 people every
month, even though it was identified as being potentially lethal three
years ago.
Astonishingly, the drug has stayed on the market despite the findings
of a report in 2007 that demonstrated it was killing around 19 per cent
of patients, and was causing non-fatal heart problems in a further 8
per cent.
Its manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has been fighting hard to keep
the drug on the market, but its days may finally be numbered, according
to confidential papers circulating within America's drug regulator, the
Food and Drug Administration.
Avandia (rosiglitazone) causes around 500 heart attacks and 300 cases
of heart failure every month, the report discloses, and was responsible
for 304 deaths in the third quarter of 2009.
Two of the report's authors, David Graham and Kate Gelperin, are
calling for Avandia to be removed from the market - finally.
(Source: New York Times, February 20, 2010).
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Women being conned about breast cancer screening
Western medicine relies heavily on convincing people that they need
some sort of drug or surgery to remedy their ills and gain health.
Studies often contain manipulated facts and skewed statistics that
paint a favorable picture of some new procedure or treatment while
shrouding the truth about the risks involved. The alleged benefits of
breast cancer screenings are no exception as women are continually
tricked into believing that mammograms will greatly benefit them when
the facts show that they are largely ineffective.
Using an
approach called mismatched framing, cancer studies will present side
effects in absolute terms while exaggerating benefits in relative
terms. When two different metric systems are used to present one set of
findings, the results are deceptive albeit technically true.
One
statistic says that regular breast cancer screenings reduce the number
of breast cancer deaths by 25 percent. While this sounds like a large
amount, the truth of the matter is that out of every 1,000 women who
get regularly screened, only one extra life would be saved. Apart from
screening, four out every 1,000 women will die from breast cancer; with
screening, only three would die. The reduction from four to three
represents the 25 percent statistic.
However the other half of
the story is that 20 percent of those 1,000 women who get screened will
be unnecessarily treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Up
to 500 of them will undergo a needless biopsy due to an inaccurate
screening. These monumental risks are never mentioned alongside the
glowing endorsements that deceptively use the 25 percent reduction
figure to lure women into continuing with screenings.
Drug
behemoth Pfizer did the same thing with its Lipitor drug, claiming that
those with multiple risk factors who take it will be 36 percent less
likely to have a heart attack. When evaluated in absolute terms, two
out of every 100 people who take Lipitor will have a heart attack;
three out of every 100 people who do not take Lipitor will have a heart
attack. The absolute increase in negative side effects among those who
take Lipitor versus those who do not is not mentioned in context with
the 36 percent reduction claim.
A study conducted by BMJ, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and The Lancet
found that about 33 percent of papers published in medical journals
fail to use consistent metrics when presenting study findings. The
result is a misrepresentation of the truth by the illness industry,
drug companies, and the doctors and journalists who aid them in their
deception.
Sources for this story include: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...
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Make Gourmet Olive Oils Infused with Herbs
Olive oil is made from crushing and pressing of olives to extract the
oil. Studies have shown time and again that people who use olive oil in
place of animal fats or unhealthy hydrogenated fats have lower rates of
heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and asthma.
Infusing olive oil with herbs will add to the health benefits, provide
a tasty alternative to plain olive oil and can also be bottled to make
delicious, healthy gifts for loved ones.
Choosing the Best Quality Olive Oil
Choose
an oil that is as fresh as possible, preferably under a year old. Fresh
oil tastes noticeably different than older oil as the quality of old
oil can deteriorate and become stale.
Labels can often be
misleading and a label reading extra virgin is no guarantee of quality.
Unfortunately, as with virtually all modern agricultural farming and
production, a lot of factory produced olive oil is stripped of its
health enhancing nutrients. To find the best organic olive oil, look
for an extra virgin olive oil that is cold pressed, unfiltered and
looks cloudy. It is possible to find real olive oil that is made in the
traditional way, usually on small family run estates.
Caution
needs to be exercised when infusing olive oil with fresh ingredients,
especially garlic. This is due to the risk of botulism toxins that can
develop from fresh ingredients combined with oil that is kept at room
temperature. Reduce this risk by adding lemon juice and a little salt
prior to warming the oil and keeping the finished product refrigerated.
Do not consume infused olive oil that looks or smells bad since this
may mean that the oil is contaminated with botulism. Use infused oils
within a couple of months since they are perishable.
Drying Herbs and Herb Branches to Make Infused Olive Oil
Wash
and dry herb branches of choice. All herbs, including barks, rinds and
stalks must be dried properly. Good choices to make infused oils
include rosemary, basil and oregano. Lightly bruise dried herbs to
release flavor. Place them in a clean decorative glass container, cover
with warmed olive oil, and seal tightly. Leave in a cool, dark place to
infuse for a couple of weeks. Taste. If the flavor is not strong
enough, add more fresh herbs, re-seal and allow to stand for another
week.
Either strain or leave the herbs in the oil. If the herbs
are left in, the flavor will become stronger as it stands. Infused oils
should be refrigerated. They are highly perishable and can turn rancid
quickly. It is not necessary to stick to one herb when making infused
oil, try combinations such as basil, thyme, rosemary and a few cloves
of garlic. It is preferable to remove garlic cloves before storing.
Sources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?...
http://www.living-foods.com/article...
http://www.howtodothings.com/food-a...
http://www.naturalnews.com/027505_o... |
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MalariX now on sale
Homeopathic anti-malarial medicine now available
 We are happy to announce that our excellent malaria medicine is now registered with the Kenyan Pharma and Poisons Board and is available though tel: +254710620323 sales@abhalight.org - Healthy U outlets
Elixir, Village Market ABC Pharmacy
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Make your own bath salts
Bath salts, especially scented varieties, are a luxurious addition to
your bath time routine. They offer many added benefits that you might
not expect to get from something as simple as tossing a little salt
into your bath. For reducing pain, repairing damaged skin, and
literally washing away stress, bath salts have many healing properties.
GOOD FOR THE BODY
Bath salts can be therapeutic and aid in the
relief of sore, achy muscles and joints, and minor work related
injuries or sports injuries. Just draw a hot bath, but not so hot as to make your skin red.
Add a generous amount of bath salt, and take a nice long soak. Before
you know it, you will feel your muscles and joints beginning to loosen
up.
Other health benefits include stimulating circulation, helping
to fade bruising and minor scars, reducing the inflammation and pain of
arthritis, relieving back and leg pain, and relaxing muscle spasms.
Bath salts are also wonderful for healing feet. Whether you
stand on your feet for several consecutive hours per day and simply
want to soak them, or if you suffer from foot ailments such as corns
and calluses, bath salts will make a big difference. Simply prepare a
pan of warm water, and add a handful of bath salts. Soak your feet
until the soreness subsides, or until the skin is softer and suppler,
depending on what kind of healing your feet need.
Bath salts work great for exfoliation of the feet as well as
many other areas of the body. You should also soak your feet before
exfoliating. Soak them in the preparation described above then apply
more salt with a cloth dampened with warm water. Gently rub thickened
and dried areas of skin until smooth, and rinse thoroughly. Apply to
hands, elbows, and knees in the same way to invigorate and restore the
skin (exfoliating should be done before bathing).
While bath salts may help remove excess oil and toxins from your
skin, they will not dry out your skin. If your skin is already dry or
cracked, or if you suffer from itching and irritation due to dryness,
bath salts will help heal these problems. They are also helpful in
reducing the discomfort and unsightly appearance of skin diseases such
as psoriasis.
GOOD FOR THE MIND
Bath salts, especially those mixed with essential oils can help
promote greater relaxation. A leisurely soak in nice warm bath with a
scented salt can actually help reduce your level of stress.
You will feel rejuvenated and better able to cope with life's
demands, once you are no longer overwhelmed by anxiety and pressure.
You will be able to concentrate better and think more clearly, when you
allow yourself to relax and unwind.
Another benefit of literally washing away the tension of the day
is the ability to enjoy a more restful night's sleep. Take your bath an
hour or so before getting ready for bed and engage in only relaxing,
quiet activities from that point on. You will be amazed at how
refreshed you will feel once you have incorporate this routine.
Here's an easy recipe:
2 cups Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salts) (available at Lab & School supplies)
1/2 cup sea salt (available at supermarkets)
4 tablespoons baking soda (available at supermarkets)
OPTIONAL:
10 drops of your favourite essential oil fragrance
3 teaspoons glycerine
Mix all together, sore in a glass jar.
Use 1-2 cups per bath and soak yourself for 20 minutes or more.
Can also be used for foot-baths.
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Parasites in Your Gut Actually Help Protect You From Allergies
{Didi's comment: No onder so many people have allergies these days - they destroy their friendly flora through repeated dosings of antibiotics}
Humans and gastrointestinal parasites might have co-evolved in such a
way that the parasites actually help regulate to human immune system to
prevent against allergies, according to a study conducted by
researchers from the University of Nottingham.
Researchers
believe that over the course of millions of years, gastrointestinal
parasites have evolved an ability to suppress the human immune system
as a survival mechanism. Because parasitic infestation has been so
common throughout human evolutionary history, the human immune system
has in turn evolved to compensate for this effect.
This means
that if the parasites are removed, the immune system may actually
function too strongly, resulting in maladaptive immune responses such
as asthma, eczema and other allergies.
To test this hypothesis,
researchers used drugs to eliminate hookworm infection in a 1,500
children between the ages of six and 17 who were living in a rural
village in central Vietnam. This region was selected for its very low
rates of allergies and high parasitic infestation rate. Two-thirds of
all children in the area are infested with hookworm or other
gastrointestinal parasites.
The researchers found that once the
children were no longer infected with parasites, their rates of dust
mite allergies significantly increased. This supports the hypothesis
that parasites help regulate immune responses.
"The next step is
to understand exactly how and when gut parasites program the human
immune system in a way that protects against allergies, and for such
studies, follow-up from birth will be essential," said researcher
Carsten Flohr.
Researchers hope that understanding the
relationship between parasites and the human immune system could lead
to a better overall understanding of allergies.
"The prospects
of further studies in this area are very exciting, as we could see
groundbreaking treatments for asthma and other allergies developed as a
result," said Elaine Vickers of Asthma UK, which funded the study.
Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk.
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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.
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