It’s nice to know that our government agencies in charge of protecting us and preventing disease operate on a system of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…and even if it is broke, give it a few more days before you fix it”. We sell guns to Mexican drug runners in “hope” of tracing them and preventing further crime while at the same time they are conducting armed raids of farmers markets. Should it really be a surprise that the USDA was well aware that ground turkey produced by Cargill was contaminated with salmonella but did nothing about it until over 70 people got sick and 1 person even died? That’s exactly what happened.

So let’s get this straight: raids are conducted on raw milk farms because of their “pathogenic” products that are sold among private food co-ops, but the pathogens that are in meat products and are produced for the masses are OK to let slide until the bodies start piling up? Of course agencies like the USDA maintain their sterling reputation by jumping to action when someone actually does finally die from something like this. Once recalls are announced, they’re heroes again. Why though if they knew about the contamination in 2010 would they take no action at all until deaths occurred in 2011?

Some people are calling this a “false flag” attack, one designed to cause an increase in fear over food safety. With the current state of things, and the newly adopted “food safety modernization act” it makes sense that government agencies like the USDA and FDA would want to encourage people to call for stricter regulations. We’ve already seen a case of someone threatened with jail time for growing vegetables in their own front yard, and before long you won’t be allowed to in your back yard either.

Sources:

Wall Street Journal

You may remember a story from a few months back in which a mother was charges with neglect by Child Protective Services for pursuing natural treatments for her child rather than continuing to adhere to a regimen of psychoactive drugs. After realizing the debilitating effects that Risperdal was having on her daughter, Maryanne Godboldo began holistic treatments for her daughter, and subsequently was charged with child neglect while her daughter was essentially kidnapped by CPS. In the latest development of this case, the manufacturer of the drug, Johnson & Johnson are being sued by federal and state governments for hiding dangerous effects and deceptive marketing to the tune of $1 billion.

While it comes as news to some, Johnson & Johnson has actually been under fire over Risperdal for a number of years. Failure to disclose harmful side effects, doctor pay offs, questionable sales practices, marketing to children, these are just a few of the activities that the US Department of Justice has been watching.

What’s actually sad about this situation is that the government isn’t getting involved because the drug can do damage, they’re getting in the mix because other suits exist against J&J over money paid by Medicare and Medicaid for prescriptions. Once again, it’s all just a big money game. What may even be worse is that this drug will likely not be pulled from the market. No, the government will make its money back and slap the pharma giant on the wrist before putting them back to work crafting more pills.

So far J&J has been ordered to pay over $500 million in just South Carolina and Louisiana over deceptive marketing and making misleading safety claims. The state of Texas is next in line, and has a trial scheduled for the fall already. The state of Texas has spent over $500 on its own on Risperdal since it came to market.

Sources:

Associated Press

Rueters

Many people dealing with chronic pain from conditions such as fibromyalgia could very well be seeking treatment from all the wrong places. It’s an extremely complex condition, and can also come with other issues like irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis. Dr. Daniel Arkfeld of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California says that “There are usually other things triggering it, so you have to individualize treatment for each patient.” For some of these patients, relief lies in their diets and lifestyles. Medication usually only reduces the symptoms of fibromyalgia up to 50%, and to get the other half of their lives back a number of people are turning to dietary changes.

One survey showed that 42% of people’s symptoms were worsened by certain foods. This can be in part to certain chemicals in food that trigger excess inflammation and increased sensitivity in the spinal cord which can have neurological effects. Organic foods produced without the use of pesticides and preservatives can be a great place to start, as these are the most likely to cause chemical reactions of this nature, and even something as simple as cutting back on red meat consumption has been a help with numerous patients.

A lot of cases of chronic pain are accompanied by chronic fatigue. A lot of people try to substitute caffeine for actual rest, and in doing so are causing more harm than good. Caffeine can stay in your system for hours after you’ve consumed it and prevent you from getting the real rest your body needs. Dr. Kent Horloff, MD is the founding medical director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, and he says that “Caffeine is a loan shark for energy. We recommend not using a lot.” He also suggests a low sugar and low carbohydrate diet for those suffering from fibromyalgia as a vast majority of patients have low adrenal functioning which can affect their metabolism and lead to hypoglycemia.

Just because Dr. Horloff recommends a low sugar diet doesn’t mean you should run to the artificial sweeteners though. Aspartame, which is what is used in most sugar free products can actually cause the activation of the group of neurons which increase pain sensitivity. Other artificial sweeteners like xylitol can cause flare ups of IBS too. In some cases, you may just have to try a process of elimination over the course of a few weeks to see what foods have effects on your pain. Fresh, organic foods are the best choices for a healthy lifestyle, and some studies have shown that supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals like magnesium can have big impacts on conditions like fibromyalgia due to its effects in regulating and inhibiting nerve receptors.

Not many people go anywhere these days without their cell phone. We’re the most connected society, and yet we still have astronomical rates of depression and related conditions. Cell phones have a bad reputation in the world of health, whether it’s their links to carpal tunnel syndrome or their potentially dangerous radiation that could increase risk of brain cancers. There are steps you can take to avoid these few negative aspects such as using headsets or speech to text applications, and they’re well worth it because your phone could be a lot more beneficial to your health than you know. Here are a few ways how:

Millions of Americans are on one or more type of prescription medication, and at the same time many of us fail to adhere to the proper medication schedules for those drugs. Missing doses can make big differences over time, so how about an alarm or text message to remind you when to take the next one? CareSpeak is an application that offers a medication management service for free that can not only remind you when your next dose is, but even when to refill your prescription.

The American Diabetes Association published a study recently that found patients who used a mobile coaching application as well as following their doctors treatment guidelines had better results with managing type 2 diabetes. The study of 163 participants found that among those using such applications had a 1.9% decrease in their glycated hemoglobin as opposed to only a 0.7% decrease in those who did not. Glycated hemoglobin is a very important factor in determining how well diabetes is being managed.

The Lancet published a study recently that suggests cell phones may even help in smoking cessation. Their study involved around 6,000 smokers over a 6 month period, and found that those who received support from friends and family in the way of text messaging were twice as likely to quit as those who didn’t.

With the high prevalence of smart phones and their increasing popularity and availability, there are literally thousands of applications out there to help manage and improve your health.

Sources:

The Lancet

CareSpeak

American Diabetes Association

It’s no secret that war is hell, and since the war in Iraq began over 8 years ago thousands of families have suffered. What many seem to forget, or perhaps just fail to talk about are the effects of war on those soldiers lucky enough to come home with their lives intact, and subsequently their families. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects thousands of those who have seen combat, or even been close to it and because of it the suffering goes far beyond the front lines. Last year alone, there were actually more suicides or attempted suicides among US soldiers than lives lost in combat. Typically, those who return home with PTSD are treated with antidepressants, and a new study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that these treatments as well as advanced treatments with antipsychotic drugs are completely ineffective.

Earlier this year JAMA published research that showed those who had PTSD also experienced multiple other long term health issues like depression, headaches, and memory problems than those who were not diagnosed with PTSD. PTSD is the most common of the psychiatric disorders noted among soldiers who have been in combat, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says that nearly 90% of those who are diagnosed with it are prescribed antidepressants. According to the most recent JAMA study, antidepressant use in veterans with PTSD had negative results, so they moved on to prescribing antipsychotic drugs even without any evidence to support the idea that they actually work.

A 6 month trial with more than 350 patients on antipsychotic drugs that are used to help treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia that was randomized and placebo controlled found absolutely no difference between the drugs and placebos. Not only were there no differences in results regarding PTSD, but the drugs showed no improvement in overall quality of life, paranoia, anxiety, or reduction of depression symptoms. The real message to take away from this is that these powerful drugs have no beneficial qualities in helping our veterans, but instead come with a host of side effects that include confusion, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, vision problems, and seizures among many others.

Sources:

Journal of the American Medical Association

Over the past few years, more and more people have become aware that flu vaccines not only contain harmful additives, but that they just don’t work. One of the supposed side effects that manufacturers admit is that flu vaccines should by all accounts give you the flu, but many people didn’t even get that last season. While there is still controversy stirring about its potential to cause things like autism, and the known fact that there were huge spikes in fetal demise and still birth among pregnant women who got vaccinated, the wheels are turning yet again to find a way to market and sell vaccines this coming flu season. This time, it’s a vaccine to end all vaccines. One that is effective against ALL strains of the flu.

That’s what they’re saying to sell it at least, that every strain of influenza has some common denominators that never change and that this version is engineered along those guidelines so that it will work against every type of the flu you can imagine. Swine flu, bird flu, platypus flu probably even –you’re covered is what they want you to believe. A fine marketing campaign is certainly needed when the CDC essentially admitted last year that flu vaccines are useless, and that’s why people need to be vaccinated each year.

Remember that the best way to boost your immune system and avoid the flu is not in a syringe. It’s getting plenty of rest, and keeping up levels of vitamin D.

Sources:

USA Today

It’s no secret that one of the biggest stars of the medical world as of late is vitamin D. With more and more research showing just how vital it is in supporting immunity and curing a number of conditions, it was only a matter of time before big pharma tried to capitalize on it. Rather than supporting the idea of getting plenty of sunlight for natural vitamin D absorption, or even supplementation for that matter, Rockwell Medical has taken it upon themselves to dub vitamin D a “drug” by filing an abbreviated new drug application with the FDA for an injectable form of vitamin D that they’re calling “Calcitrol”.

Calcitrol is simply vitamin D3 that is combined with sterile fluids and other additives in a syringe, and claims to be the most active form of vitamin D in the body. Because of this potency, it can also be helpful in treating cancer along with other serious conditions. It’s marketed primarily for treating kidney disease patients. While all this is wonderful and true, keep in mind that it’s still a vitamin and not a drug.

It’s good that vitamin D is gaining more respect in regard to treating serious diseases, but the way that it’s being done is less than optimal. Before long it won’t be surprising to see supplemental vitamin D pulled from the market, and require a prescription to obtain. It’s already happened with certain forms of vitamin B that were available for low costs until a big pharmaceutical company developed a “drug” that contained it. At that point, it was deemed “unfair” to big pharma and the supplement was pulled.

Sources:

MarketWatch

Many recent studies have brought into question the approval process that the FDA uses for new drugs. A great number of them get pulled from the market within months of being approved, and in most cases it’s due to insufficient testing time or lack of transparency in the first place. The latest fiasco involves a cardiac drug called Multaq that is designed to help control atrial fibrillation, a common type of irregular heartbeat. While the media downplays the results, the study shows that if you suffer from atrial fibrillation you’re actually better off if you don’t take any drugs for it at all.

The study consisted of 3,000 patients over age 65, and 32 of the ones taking Multaq died from heart attack or stroke while only 14 members of the placebo group met a similar fate. More than twice the number of patients on the drug died than those just taking a sugar pill for a heart condition. You would quite literally be better off popping a tic-tac twice a day than taking this drug.

Multaq was approved in 2009, and even after these findings the FDA isn’t ordering if off the market. Instead, they are just recommending patients to talk to their doctors about their doubled risk of death. The entire process for drug approval should be reevaluated, and major changes put in place. The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that found that only half of the new drugs introduced to the market in the last 10 years had proper data prior to approval, yet were ushered in anyway.

Sources:

Associated Press

For centuries it has been known that numerous medicines and even cures exist in nature. Far before even the most basic form of prescription drug came to be, our ancestors used what was around them to treat their ailments. With the change that comes now in the form of government regulations as the result of partnerships with big pharmaceutical companies, there are plenty of things that big brother doesn’t want you to know. So before the hammer comes down, here are some amazing food cures that really work.

Celery contains multiple compounds that can help to lower blood pressure. Apigenin is one compound that dilates the blood vessels to help treat hypertension, while another chemical called 3-n-butylphthaide relaxes arteries and lowers adrenaline. An animal lab study at the University of Chicago showed that when given a purified form of 3-n-butylphthaide, the animals experienced a 12 point drop in systolic blood pressure. Even 4 stalks of celery daily can potentially reduce the level of hypertension in most people.

When you think about omega 3 fatty acids, most people think of fish oil. The truth is, olive oil has similar effects as an anti-inflammatory. Olive oil contains a natural chemical compound called oleocanthal, that blocks inflammatory enzymes. Studies have shown that people who consume more extra-virgin olive oil have less arthritis related inflammation, and one report stated that its effects were similar to that of ibuprofen. Substitute extra-virgin olive oil when cooking, just a tablespoon or 2 can make a difference. Another study from the Boston University School of Medicine found that those who had higher vitamin C intake were 3 times less likely to have arthritic progression than those who had lower levels.

A large portion of US citizens battle with diabetes on a daily basis, and with the ongoing obesity epidemic it’s only likely to continue. Most Americans are deficient in a mineral called chromium, which helps the body’s cells to respond better to insulin. Foods like onions, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and beef are high in this mineral. In most cases, diabetics who eat more of these foods and bolster their chromium levels have lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Also helpful is another study that showed the use of cinnamon to lower blood sugar levels by 20%. This is because of a compound found in cinnamon that can actually mimic the effects of insulin.

Most people who regularly suffer migraines have lower amounts of magnesium in their brain, and studies have proven that increased intake of magnesium and foods containing it can dramatically reduce both the occurrence and severity of migraines. Participants of a German study who took a magnesium supplement for 12 weeks had over a 40% decrease in migraines compared to the 15% in the placebo group. Magnesium from food is the best source, as your body puts it to work right away.

Two of the items mentioned above are available in supplement form (vitamin C, and magnesium) right here at Trusted Health Products. The difference you get if you try our products is a completely pure manufacturing process, and a system of formulation that no other product on the market has. You also get a 100% money back guarantee for 90 days, no questions asked, because we’re so confident they’ll make a difference in your life. Click below to learn more or to order.

Vitamin C and More

Krebs Cycle Magnesium

Since the introduction of Prozac in 1987 there has been a massive amount of controversy surrounding the theories of chemical imbalances in the brain, and how to treat them. We call it controversy because of the fact that fewer people experience these imbalances than are made out to be by the media and of course by pharmaceutical companies. This is not a situation where these imbalances were discovered, and then drugs were created to fix the problem. No, it’s more a matter of drugs that were already in existence being found to have effects on the brain being pushed for other purposes. As Dr. Marcia Angell writes, their excuse is that “fevers are caused by too little aspirin.”

Dr. Angell has written a 2 part article in the New York Review of Books in which she analyzes 3 books regarding theories that mental illnesses come from brain chemical imbalances and the rise or “epidemic” of mental illness in the US. The best news about these articles is that they’ve garnered a lot of attention from other journalists who are joining her crusade, and Forbes magazine even said “psychopharma is looking like an idea whose time has passed.”

Overmedication is not new news by any means, however. At least 10% of Americans over age 6 are on some form of antidepressant. What do 6 year olds have to be depressed about? Half a million children in the US are on antipsychotic drugs, which were once reserved for…you guessed it, psychotics! It’s hard to really believe it’s anything more than a money game, as in 2010 alone pharmaceutical companies spent over $6 billion marketing to doctors in the US, and another $4 billion marketing directly to patients and consumers.

Most “patients” who take 1 type of antidepressant or similar drug will also take another to counter side effects. Over 2 million Americans are hospitalized each year from adverse drug reactions and more than 100,000 die from them. Most who start on these drugs will never come off them, and will spend a lifetime on disability. In fact, since 1987 (when Prozac started it all) there has been a 250% increase in disability pay for mental illness for adults. What’s scarier is that for children it was a much larger increase, actually 35 times higher.

Sources:

“The Illusions of Psychiatry”

“The Truth About the Drug Companies”

Forbes