http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/01/news/economy/occupy-may-day/index.htm

May Day has of recent history has served as a day of protests, with workers currently marching in Moscow and Havana, and protests underway in Madrid and the US.

This is just opposite from the original Celebration of Beltane, the dawning of SUMMER and Union with Divine Love in the Goddess Tradition from which Mai- Day stems……

MAY 1ST, 2012

This year, the Occupy movement has organized protests in 125 U.S. cities, according to Occupywallst.org. The theme is a general work strike to create “a day without the 99%:” no work, no shopping, no banking.

Related story: Why Occupy Wall Street isn’t about a list of demands Planned events include New York’s “Occupy Guitarmy,” in which Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello will lead musicians from midtown’s Bryant Park to downtown’s Union Square. In Los Angeles, protesters are planning a “4 Winds” march to descend on the city from all directions.

Protesters in Oakland, Calif., had originally planned an attempt to shut down the Golden Gate Bridge in support of a local labor union. That plan was called off on Sunday, but organizers in the San Francisco Bay Area have scheduled picket lines and many other demonstrations.

It’s unclear how many people will turn out for the various events planned across the country. Organizers of the original Occupy event in September called for 20,000 people to descend on Wall Street. A few hundred turned out for Day 1 but it kickstarted a movement that garnered widespread public attention.

May Day protests near you? Share photos, video For May Day, Occupy organizers have called specific attention to Chicago because the city is hosting the NATO Summit on May 20. The magazine Adbusters, which spearheaded the original Occupy Wall Street event, called Chicago “the focal point of this global spiritual insurrection” because of the summit.
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The Historic Origins of May Day
The Goddess was worshiped in an ancient ritual at the beginning of summer. This ritual became later known as the Beltane Celebration. The Goddess was called Maya, Maia, May or Mai in Northern Europe. Thus the name, MAY DAY. She was later known as Flora in Rome and Kore in Greece. Raising the Maypole became symbolic for the ancient fertilization ritual/worship during the ancient Goddess Epoch. There the Priestesses Served as a vehicle for the male to unite with the Goddess, The Mother of Creation, as well as to impregnate the Priestesses, who were to bring forth a new generation of children dedicated to The Mother. We can hardly imagine the sober and Divine aspects of this traditional Union ceremony, as we attempt to ‘view’ this past Epoch through the looking glass of our modern intellect, with our current understanding of sexual encounters that have no intention to connect us with The Supreme.

Then when Christianity came forth, this ancient Union/Ritual Day was debased through that lens, and the holy-day was given to Mother Mary. As an way to move the masses from their celebration, the Maypole was created, and it symbolically represented the real union of Female and Male,  as the lingam or penis of God, and it entered the yoni or vagina of the Earth instead of mating physically with a living Priestess. Thus by raising the Maypole, the villagers symbolically fertilized the Earth’s body so that the Earth would be fruitful during the growing season and provide a bountiful harvest. After the erection, decoration and dances around the Maypole, (traditionally there were celebrations and dancing and singing in the fields) the villagers, for a time, continued to hide their Mai-day celebration — of union in the fields. Yet with the temples of Her worship destroyed, and the living Wisdom of the Priestesses gone, the Beltane tradition slowly faded from existence, while the symbolic holiday of May Day took hold. In today’s tradition, May Day may is yet known as the crowning of The Queen of May.

Yet further removal from the Mother has also occurred: May 1st is now called the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, the patron saint of workers, in the Catholic religion. The seeding of the ground had been completed by this date, and this day is set aside to give farm laborers a day off.

Disclaimer: Please note that only your own physician can determine your precise needs, but in order to give you some information these answers are based upon the ‘average person’ and clinical/ published results.

I am currently taking synthetic thyroid but wish to move to a natural thyroid, what dosage of the natural thyroid supplement is equal to the synthetic version?

This is a difficult question to answer, at least to be precise because there is no standardized equivalent about transferring from a synthetic thyroid to a natural one, much depends on the blood work and how you feel.

One of the issues that can cause complication is that Synthetic Thyroids such as Synthroid® only contain T4, this has to be converted inside the body into T3 the active form of thyroid; however for some patients this process is sometimes poor and therefore leads to lower than required T3 levels. However as a natural thyroid such as Armour® and Westhroid and Nature Throid contains 4 – 5 thyroid hormones (T1, T2, T3 and T4), and not just ONE, it means that the body doesn’t need to ‘struggle’ to convert into T3 etc. And it is one of the reasons why Armour® and other natural Thyroid supplements are considered by many to be superior products.

A good expression of an active, healthy thyroid is shown by our body temperature. If you take your temperature before getting out of bed, over a couple of weeks it should be pretty consistently in the range of 97.8 to 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is regularly less than that it could be that you are in need of taking thyroid, especially with other hypothyroid symptoms. If you are on thyroid medication and the body temperature is low in the morning, then a little more thyroid may be is required. Yet, if your temperature is high, with a higher than 75 beats per minute when resting, and you are feeling hot with pounding heart keeping you awake at night, and you are taking thyroid replacement, then then perhaps less thyroid is required.

Dr. Ward Dean says, “don’t treat the blood, treat the patient” so sometimes a little more thyroid can overcome low energy,  poor temperature control, poor sleep etc. However you should ensure that your resting pulse rate does not rise above 65-75 beats per minute.

Dr. Thierry Hertogue recommends that the synthetic thyroid is (ideally) reduced by a quarter each week and that the natural thyroid is introduced by a quarter dose each week, therefore within a month the natural Thyroid can be introduced.

A typical regime would be in week 1 the levothyroxine is reduced to 75mcg (I appreciate that tablets are often 50mcg but that would be 1 ½ tablets) and introduce natural thyroid at 15mg. Week 2 levothyroxine 50mcg and natural thyroid 30mg, week 3 levothyroxine 25mcg and natural thyroid 45mg, week 4 levothyroxine 0mcg and natural thyroid 60mg and thereafter 60mg daily.

This regime is of course dependent upon body temperature, blood tests and the health of the patient. It may be that your final natural thyroid dose will be slightly lower or higher than 60mg – but that is the typical average dose for a patient.

Can I take my vitamins, minerals etc at the same time as my natural thyroid supplement?

There is no harm in taking both thyroid (Armour®, ERFA® Westhroid, Nature Throid or Nature®) and vitamins together at more or less the same time. Natural Thyroids such as Armour® are best taken in the morning, and one tip is that chewing the thyroid tablet carefully helps you to get some it of sublingually, therefore it is faster into the bloodstream – there is virtually no flavor so it is not unpleasant.

Should natural thyroids be taken on an empty stomach or with food?

There are no specific instructions from the manufacturer, but most products are fat soluble and therefore best taken with food, this is also likely to be the case with the natural thyroids.

Is it a good idea to take a break my thyroid treatment from time to time?

It is believed to be generally good practice with most types of medications, particularly hormones to give occasion breaks or alterations to the patterns and dosages etc.

Thyroid is a hormone that is particularly prone to potential ‘down regulation.’ In other words, over doing the supplementation can cause permanent lack of production of natural thyroid. However, this is rare when it comes to a natural thyroid such as Armour®, Nature® or ERFA® because the synthetics typically only contain T3 or T4.

Marios Kyriazis M.D. wrote a piece about why differing/uneven supplementation (for all supplements – not just thyroid) may be beneficial and gave a strong scientific argument with references in the Journal of Antiaging Medicine which is now called Rejuvenation Research although there isn’t a definitive clinical proof for it.

I am currently taking 100 mg of levothyroxine (T4) daily. Can you tell me what dosage I should take of natural thyroid? Also, should I start with a lower dose of natural thyroid or start with the equivalent of what I am taking now? Also, should I take the required dosage once a day or divide it into two doses? I take quite a lot of vitamins, minerals and other supplements. Do I need to take these at a different time from natural thyroid?

Unfortunately there is no exact science in transferring from a synthetic thyroid to a natural one; much depends on the blood work and how you feel. A good expression of an active thyroid is body temperature. Take your temperature upon rising from bed it should be in the range of 97.8 to 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit, if it is less than that it could be that a little more thyroid is required, if more than that then perhaps less thyroid is required. However as my good friend Dr. Ward Dean says, “don’t treat the blood; treat the patient” so sometimes a little more thyroid can overcome low energy, poor temperature control, poor sleep etc. However you should ensure that your resting pulse rate does not rise above 65-75 beats per minute.

Dr. Thierry Hertogue recommends that the synthetic thyroid is (ideally) reduced by a quarter each week and that the natural thyroid is introduced by a quarter dose each week, therefore within a month the drugs are switched.

This regime is of course dependent upon body temperature, blood tests and the health of the patient. It may be that your final natural thyroid dose will be slightly lower or higher than 60mg- but that is the typical average dose for a patient.

Natural thyroid is best taken in the morning; some believe that chewing the tablet carefully is the best way to take it. There are no known complications taking it with other vitamins/ nutrition.

I now take 100 mcg of Synthroid® every day. I want to take a similar amount of Armour®. Could your experts advise me on how much Armour I should take a day to be approximately equal?

It is a difficult question to answer, at least to be precise because there is no standardized equivilant. One of the issues that causes the  complication is that Synthroid® ‘only’ contains T4, this has to be converted inside the body into T3 the active form of thyroid, however for some patients this process is sometimes poor and therefore leads to lower than required T3 levels. However as natural thyroid contains all 4 thyroid hormones (T1, T2, T3 and T4), it means that the body doesn’t need to ‘struggle’ to convert into T3 etc. And it is one of the reasons why Armour is considered by many to be a superior product.

The best way is to continue monitoring the situation as you do now, with blood work to maintain the levels you require. However, some good physiological actions to monitor were recommended by Ward Dean, M.D. as follows:

“In the 1940s, Dr. Barnes realized that the blood tests were usually inaccurate. Consequently, he developed a simple test to confirm suspected low thyroid function using an ordinary thermometer. He found that normal underarm or oral temperatures immediately upon awakening in the morning (while still in bed) are in the range of 97.8 to 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit. He believed that a temperature below 97.8 indicated hypothyroidism; and one above 98.2, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Dr. Barnes recommended that the underarm temperature taken immediately upon awakening be used to diagnose hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, even today’s highly sophisticated tests are no more accurate than the tests used in Dr. Barnes’ era. Therefore,

If a patient exhibits hypothyroidism symptoms and his temperature is below 97.8 it is typical to prescribe one grain (60 mg) of Natual, Desiccated Thyroid daily. If no improvement is noted in two or three weeks, the dose needs to be increased. At each step, the morning temperature and heart rate are monitored. If the suspected hypothyroid symptoms are still present and the temperature is still sub-normal, it is safe to continue to increase the dosage provided that the patient’s heart rate goes no higher than the mid-70s, and no symptoms of hyperthyroidism are evident, (agitation, anxiety, poor sleep, tremor of hand, palpitations).

Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone is very safe. There is little risk of excessive thyroid dosage if: (1) the patient feels well; (2) the temperature remains below 98.2; (3) the pulse is less than 75 beats per minute; and (4) the thyroid function  tests remain normal. (Note that most hypothyroid patients feel best with sub-normal TSH levels).”

With this in mind and considering that your current Synthroid® medication is low-mid range in its dose, you may want to start as Dr. Dean suggests at 1-grain (60mg) of natural thyroid and monitor the situation to see if more is required. Please note that natural thyroid  is now also available in 90mg tablets, which means there is now a step between 1 and 2 grains (which probably wasn’t around when Dr. Dean wrote said article).

The synthetic thyroid I am currently taking says I should not take vitamins etc., within 4 hours of taking thyroid- does this advice also apply to Armour® thyroid?

I can’t imagine why the synthetic thyroid manufacturers make that recommendation unless they have concerns that some of the vitamins will contain iodine (or iodide) that could lead to an increased thyroid release; however this is only likely to be the case if both the thyroid dose and the vitamin doses are high.

We see no harm in taking both NATURAL THYROID and vitamins together at more or less the same time. One tip is that chewing the Armour tablet carefully helps to get some it of sublingualy, therefore faster into the bloodstream- in my opinion there is virtually no flavor to them so it is not unpleasant.

Should thyroid be taken on an empty stomach or with food? If with food, is it better with carbs or protein?

There are no specific instructions from the manufacturer, but most products are fat soluble and therefore best taken with food, this is also likely to be the case with the natural thyroid. A heavy protein meal may be best avoided. We hope this helps.

Dosage:

One grain (equivalent to 60mg) or higher dosages are potent and usually require temperature monitoring and occasional blood tests.   Persons with more-serious thyroid conditions are often be prescribed one grain. Dosages under a physician’s guidance can often reach three to five grains daily. Dosages of more than one grain are usually increased by a grain over one to two weeks. Quarter grain and half grain whole thyroid supplements (15mg to 30mg)) provide less potency and are used to support an aging thyroid condition. However, long-term use of low dose whole thyroid extracts may also require occasional breaks and monitoring.

Caution:

Reduce or stop thyroid supplementation if you feel unwell, your rising-from-bed-in-the-morning temperature is over 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit, your resting pulse is more than 75 beats a minute or your thyroid function blood tests are abnormal.

The dramatic improvements that many of my patients have achieved on thyroid therapy often appear miraculous!
Ward Dean MD, Florida

There’s no question that many of my problems were thyroid related, within days of taking the supplements my symptoms were either gone or being alleviated!
B.D., California.

WHERE:

Myers Park Baptist Church – Cornwell Center

2001 Selwyn Ave Charlotte

WHEN: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 10:00 AM

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* To Manage Your Levels With Sound Nutrition

*Ditching Low Fat & No Fat Foods Increases Health!

*Cholesterol Is The Building Block For ALL Steroidal Hormones – Estrogens, Progesterones, Testosterone

*The Important Relationship Between Vitamin D And Cholesterol

* The Role Of Cholesterol In Chronic Inflammation * The Role Of Cholesterol In Depression

Dr. Emi Miller has had a practice in Integrative and Holistic Medicine for the past 25 years. She is a Naturopathic Physician, Licensed Acupuncturist, Registered Nurse, Certified Holistic Nurse and Interfaith Minister. She is Nationally Certified In Asian Bodywork Therapy and a Diplomat of NCCAOM.

She is offering a 25% Discount on the first treatment!

Call: The Art of Living Center, 1201 East Blvd. 704-332-1201

Read on and let your state officials know about the above ruling, and that you do not want Fluoride in YOUR drinking water to be harming the health of your babies, children, and yourself. This is very possible to be changed now. Thank Heavens….. and finally…..

toward your good health,
Emi

CDC & AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION: NO FLUORIDATED DRINKING WATER/TOOTHPASTE FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN UNDER 8 YEARS
A new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association finds once again that, contrary to what most people have been told, fluoride is actually bad for teeth.*

Exposure to high levels of fluoride results in a condition known as fluorosis, in which tooth enamel becomes discolored. The condition can eventually lead to badly damaged teeth. The new study found that fluoride intake during a child’s first few years of life is significantly associated with fluorosis, and warned against using fluoridated water in infant formula.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is of a similar opinion. According to their website:

“Recent evidence suggests that mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water on a regular basis may increase the chance of a child developing … enamel fluorosis.”

Sources:

Journal of the American Dental Association October 14, 2010; 141(10):1190-1201
CDC May 28, 2010

The authors noted:

“Results suggest that prevalence of mild dental fluorosis could be reduced by avoiding ingestion of large quantities of fluoride from reconstituted powdered concentrate infant formula and fluoridated dentifrice.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also followed suit, warning on their Community Water Fluoridation page that mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water on a regular basis may increase the chance of a child developing enamel fluorosis.

They also state:

“In children younger than 8 years of age, combined fluoride exposure from all sources—water, food, toothpaste, mouth rinse, or other products—contributes to enamel fluorosis.”

This is as far as the CDC warnings go, however, and they continue to state that water fluoridation is safe — and dental fluorosis is only a “cosmetic” problem. In reality, neither of these assertions is true.

HOW TO HAVE FLUORIDE-FREE WATER:

The best way is to let your congress people know that Fluoride is unsafe, it is a failed experiment, that never was tested for safety before it was added to our drinking water! Tell your local and state representatives to stop adding it to our water.

Water filters typically do NOT remove Halogens such as Fluoride…

Brita filters do not remove halogens (Bromine, Chlorine, Iodine, Fluorine) Check with your water filter company to be sure….

Pur Filters do not remove Flouride

Ways to Decrease/Remove Artificially Added Fluoride

* For your children and yourself, use unfluoridated toothpaste.

* Reverse Osmosis Filtration

Reverse osmosis systems are not good in the long term, as they also remove all minerals.. and natural minerals are needed to build/maintain healthy bones.

Reverse Osmosis is used to purify many kinds of bottled water (not all), so some bottled waters are unfluoridated.

* Activated Alumina Defluoridation Filter
These filters are used in locales where fluorosis is prevalent.

* Distillation Filtrated Water

Distilled water also has all minerals removed….
There are commercially available distillation filters that can be purchased to remove fluoride from water.

These Methods Do NOT Remove Fluoride

* Boiling Water
This will concentrate the fluoride rather than reduce it.

* Freezing Water
Freezing water does not affect the concentration of fluoride.

Steps to Reduce Fluoride Exposure

* Don’t take fluoride supplements.

* Read labels on bottled beverages.
Unless they are made using distilled or reverse-osmosis water, they are probably made with fluoridated public water.

*excerpt from: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/11/13/cdc-and-ada-now-advise-to-avoid-using-fluoride.aspx

PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR DAUGHTERS, SONS, GRANDCHILDREN

Essential Tips and Facts ~

See that long list of ingredients on the back of the bottle? Some probably aren’t as safe as you’d hope.

We like to think of our world as ‘SAFE’.  We like to think that the government is somehow protecting us from harm-full chemicals.  Please read the following. Be Safe. Take care of yourself.

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COSMETICS ARE NOT SAFE. THEIR INGREDIENTS ARE NOT RE-VIEWED

Myth – If it’s for sale at a supermarket, drugstore, or department store cosmetics counter, it must be safe.
Fact – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no authority to require companies to test products for safety. FDA does not review or approve the vast majority of products or ingredients before they go on the market. The agency conducts pre-market reviews only for certain color additives and active ingredients in cosmetics classified as over-the-counter drugs (FDA 2005, 2010).

Myth – The cosmetics industry effectively polices itself, making sure all ingredients meet a strict standard of safety.
Fact – In its more than 30-year history, the industry’s safety panel (the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, or CIR) has assessed fewer than 20 percent of cosmetics ingredients and found only 11 ingredients or chemical groups to be unsafe (FDA 2007, CIR 2009, Houlihan 2008). Its recommendations are not binding on companies (Houlihan 2008).

Myth – The government prohibits dangerous chemicals in personal care products, and companies wouldn’t risk using them.
Fact – Cosmetics companies may use any ingredient or raw material, except for color additives and a few prohibited substances, without government review or approval (FDA 2005, FDA 2000).

More than 500 products sold in the U.S. contain ingredients banned in cosmetics in Japan, Canada or the European Union (EWG 2007b).
Nearly 100 products contain ingredients considered unsafe by the International Fragrance Association (EWG 2007c).
A wide range of nanomaterials whose safety is in question may be common in personal care products (EWG 2006).
22% of all personal care products may be contaminated with the cancer-causing impurity 1,4-dioxane, including many children’s products (EWG 2007d, CDC 2009).
60% of sunscreens contain the potential hormone disruptor oxybenzone that readily penetrates the skin and contaminates the bodies of 97% of Americans (EWG 2010, Calafat et al 2008).
61% of tested lipstick brands contain residues of lead (CSC 2007).

Myth – Cosmetic ingredients are applied to the skin and rarely get into the body. When they do, levels are too low to matter.
Fact – People are exposed by breathing in sprays and powders, swallowing chemicals on the lips or hands or absorbing them through the skin. Studies find evidence of health risks. Biomonitoring studies have found cosmetics ingredients – like phthalate plasticizers, paraben preservatives, the pesticide triclosan, synthetic musks, and sunscreens – as common pollutants in men, women and children. Many of these chemicals are potential hormone disruptors (Gray et al. 1986, Schreurs et al. 2004, Gomez et al. 2005, Veldhoen et al. 2006). Products commonly contain penetration enhancers to drive ingredients deeper into the skin. Studies find health problems in people exposed to common fragrance and sunscreen ingredients, including elevated risk for sperm damage, feminization of the male reproductive system, and low birth weight in girls (Duty et al. 2003, Hauser et al. 2007, Swan et al. 2005, Wolff et al. 2008).

Myth – Products made for children or bearing claims like “hypoallergenic” are safer choices.
Fact – Most cosmetic marketing claims are unregulated, and companies are rarely if ever required to back them up, even for children’s products. A company can use a claim like “hypoallergenic” or “natural” “to mean anything or nothing at all,” and while “[m]ost of the terms have considerable market value in promoting cosmetic products to consumers,… dermatologists say they have very little medical meaning” (FDA 1998). An investigation of more than 1,700 children’s body care products found that 81 percent of those marked “gentle” or “hypoallergenic” contained allergens or skin and eye irritants (EWG 2007a).

Myth – ‘Natural’ products are always safer.
Fact – Products labeled natural  often contain synthetic chemicals, and even truly natural or organic ingredients are not necessarily risk-free. The global, plant-based pharmaceutical market, valued at $19.5 billion in 2008, relies on the ability of “natural” chemicals – like those used in some natural cosmetics – to significantly alter body functions, a far cry from innocuous (BCC Research 2006, 2009). On the other hand, products labeled “organic” or “natural” can ALSO contain petrochemicals and no certified organic or natural ingredients whatsoever. Products certified as organic can contain as little as 10% organic ingredients by weight or volume (Certech 2008). FDA tried establishing an official definition for the term “natural,” but these protections were overturned in court (FDA 1998). Research shows that 35 percent of children’s products marketed as “natural” contain artificial preservatives (EWG 2007a). READ LABELS CAREFULLY.   Organic Products can contain harm-full CANOLA OIL, and ingredients that do NOT SAY ‘Organic’.

Myth – FDA would promptly recall any product that injures people.
Fact – FDA has no authority to require recalls of harmful cosmetics. Furthermore, manufacturers are not required to report cosmetics-related injuries to the agency. FDA relies on companies to report injuries voluntarily (FDA 2005).

Myth – Consumers can read ingredient labels and avoid products with hazardous chemicals.
Fact – Federal law allows companies to leave many chemicals off labels, including nanomaterials, ingredients considered trade secrets, and components of fragrance (Houlihan 2008). Fragrance may include any of 3,163 different chemicals (IFRA 2010), none of which are required to be listed on labels. Fragrance tests reveal an average of 14 hidden compounds per formulation, including potential hormone disruptors and diethyl phthalate, a compound linked to sperm damage (EWG & CSC, 2010).

Myth – Cosmetics safety is a concern for women only.
Fact – Surveys show that on average, women use 12 products containing 168 ingredients every day, men use 6 products with 85 ingredients (EWG 2004), and children are exposed to an average of 61 ingredients daily (EWG 2007a). The industry-funded CIR safety panel incorrectly assumes that consumers are exposed to just one chemical at a time, and personal care products are the only source of exposure (EWG 2004).

Authors: Jason Rano, Legislative Analyst, and Jane Houlihan, Senior Vice President for Research.

References
BCC Research. 2006. Plant-Derived Drugs: Products, Technolog, Applications. Report Code BIO022D. June 2006. http://www.bccresearch.com/report/BIO022D.html.

BCC Research. 2009. Safety Botanical and Plant-Derived Drugs: Global Markets. Report Code BIO022E, February 2009. http://www.bccresearch.com/report/BIO022E.html.

Calafat AM, Wong LY, Ye X, Reidy JA, Needham LL. 2008. Concentrations of the sunscreen agent benzophenone-3 in residents of the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004. Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Jul;116(7):893-7.

Certech Registration Inc. 2008. International organic standard – Natural and natural organic cosmetic certification. IOS Cosmetics. Issue 01. April 2008. http://www.certechregistration.com/IOS_cosmetics_standard.pdf.

CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2009. Ingredients found unsafe for use in cosmetics (9 total, through December, 2009). http://www.cir-safety.org/findings.shtml.

CSC (Campaign for Safe Cosmetics). 2007. Lead in lipstick. http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=223.

CSC (The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics). 2009. No more toxic tub. http://www.safecosmetics.org/downloads/NoMoreToxicTub_Mar09Report.pdf.

Duty SM, Singh NP, Silva MJ, Barr DB, Brock JW, Ryan L, et al. 2003. The Relationship between Environmental Exposures to Phthalates and DNA Damage in Human Sperm Using the Neutral Comet Assay. Environ Health Perspect 111(9): 1164-9.

EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2004. Exposures Add Up – Survey Results. http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/research/exposures.php.

EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2006. EWG Comments to FDA on Nano-Scale Ingredients in Cosmetics. Docket: FDA Regulated Products Containing Nanotechnology Materials. Docket number: 2006N-0107. http://www.ewg.org/node/21738.

EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2007a. Safety Guide to Children’s Personal Care Products. http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/special/parentsguide/summary.php.

EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2007b. Cosmetics with banned and unsafe ingredients. Table 1 – Banned in other countries. Accessed June 21, 2010. http://www.ewg.org/node/22624.

EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2007c. Cosmetics With Banned and Unsafe Ingredients. Table 2 – Unsafe for use in cosmetics, according to industry. Accessed June 21, 2010. http://www.ewg.org/node/22636.

EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2007d. EWG research shows 22 percent of cosmetics may be contaminated with cancer-causing impurity. http://www.ewg.org/node/21286.

EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2010. EWG’s 2010 sunscreen guide. Nanomaterials and hormone disruptors in sunscreens. http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/full-report/nanomaterials-and-hormone-disruptors-in-sunscreens/.

EWG & CSC (Environmental Working Group and Campaign for Safe Cosmetics). 2010. Not so sexy. Hidden chemicals in perfume and cologne. http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=644

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 1998. Clearing Up Cosmetic Confusion” by Carol Lewis. FDA Consumer magazine. May-June 1998. http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/cosmetic-confusion/398_cosm.html.

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2000. Ingredients prohibited & restricted by FDA regulations. June 22, 1996; Updated May 30, 2000. http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/SelectedCosmeticIngredients/ucm127406.htm.

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2005. FDA authority over cosmetics. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-206.html.

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2007. Compliance Program Guidance Manual. Program 7329.001. Chapter 29 – Colors and Cosmetics Technology. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/cosmetics/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/ComplianceEnforcement/ucm073356.pdf.

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2010. Regulation of non-prescription products. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-206.html.

Gomez E, Pillon A, Fenet H, Rosain D, Duchesne MJ, Nicolas JC, et al. 2005. Estrogenic activity of cosmetic components in reporter cell lines: parabens, UV screens, and musks. Journal of toxicology and environmental health 68(4): 239-251.

Gray TJ, Gangolli SD. 1986. Aspects of the testicular toxicity of phthalate esters. Environmental health perspectives 65: 229-23.

Hauser R, et al. DNA damage in human sperm is related to urinary levels of phthalate monoester and oxidative metabolites. Hum Reprod. 2007;22(3):688-95.

Houlihan, J. 2008. Statement of Jane Houlihan on Cosmetics Safety: Discussion Draft of the ‘Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act’ Legislation: Device and Cosmetic Safety. Before the Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, United State House of Representatives. May 14 2008. http://www.ewg.org/node/26545.

IFRA (International Fragrance Association). 2010. Ingredients. IFRA survey: Transparency list. http://www.ifraorg.org/public/index_ps/parentid/1/childid/15/leafid/111.

Schreurs RH, Legler J, Artola-Garicano E, Sinnige TL, Lanser PH, Seinen W, et al. 2004. In vitro and in vivo antiestrogenic effects of polycyclic musks in zebrafish. Environmental science & technology 38(4): 997-1002.

Swan SH, Main KM, Liu F, Stewart SL, Kruse RL, Calafat AM, et al. 2005. Decrease in anogenital distance among male infants with prenatal phthalate exposure. Environ Health Perspect 113(8):1056-61.

Veldhoen N, Skirrow RC, Osachoff H, Wigmore H, Clapson DJ, Gunderson MP, et al. 2006. The bactericidal agent triclosan modulates thyroid hormone-associated gene expression and disrupts postembryonic anuran development. Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 80(3): 217-227.

Wolff MS, Engel SM, Berkowitz GS, Ye X, Silva MJ, Zhu C, Wetmur J, Calafat AM. 2008. Prenatal phenol and phthalate exposures and birth outcomes. Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Aug;116(8):1092-7.

Essential Tips and Facts
See that long list of ingredients on the back of the bottle? Some probably aren’t as safe as you’d hope.
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Photo: Bee in sunlight, Melbourne 2009, Suzanne Coutanceau

10:30 AM ~ NOON ~ 2001 SELWYN AVE ~ CHARLOTTE AND LEARN:

THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF FATS AND OILS IN A HEALTHY DIET

With so much contradictory and confusing information about which Oils and Fats are Healthy, and which are Unhealthy, many of us are rightfully confused.

Come and hear the latest research ~ that is turning around 35 Years of incorrect programming ~ which encouraged us to eat low fat and no fat foods….

WHAT ???  YES !! Learn WHY these foods are UNHEALTHY ~ Causing us to age prematurely, to GAIN WEIGHT, to make our skin and muscles sag, our immune systems fail … and more!!

It is ESSENTIAL that we find out what Fats and Oils -ARE- Healthy ~ for ourselves, our children, and grandchildren and friends.

The new information may be confusing to many of us, as it changes everything we have come to believe is ‘GOOD FOR US’

During the months of JUNE & JULY I am also offering a FREE HEALTH SCREENING SESSION at my Charlotte office… That’s a $195.00 VALUE ~ To the first 15 people who sign up from this invite. Please call my office number to schedule your FREE SESSION.

CLASS FLYER SMALL THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF FATS & OILS

May 27, 2011
By Ethan A. Huff @ Natural News:

A landmark new study out of Canada exposes yet another lie propagated by the biotechnology industry, this time blowing a hole in the false claim that a certain genetic pesticide used in the cultivation of genetically-modified (GM) crops does not end up in the human body upon consumption. Researchers from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Sherbrooke Hospital Centre in Quebec,  Can., have proven that Bt toxin, which is used in GM corn and other crops, definitively makes its way into the blood supply, contrary to what Big Bio claims — and this toxin was found in the bloodstreams of 93 percent of pregnant women tested.

Published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology, the study explains that Bt toxin enters the body not only through direct consumption of GMOs, but also from consumption of meat, milk and eggs from animals whose feed contains GMOs. Among all women tested, 80 percent of the pregnant group tested positive for Bt toxin in their babies’ umbilical cords, and 69 percent of non-pregnant women tested positive for Bt toxin.

Study: Mothers to be were tested

Toxins implanted into GM food crops to kill pests are reaching the bloodstreams of women and unborn babies, alarming research has revealed.

A landmark study found 93 per cent of blood samples taken from pregnant women and 80 per cent from umbilical cords tested positive for traces of the chemicals.

Millions of acres in North and South America are planted with GM corn containing the toxins, which is fed in vast quantities to farm livestock around the world – including Britain.

However, it is now clear the  toxins designed to kill crop pests are reaching humans and babies in the womb – apparently through food.

It is not known what, if any, harm this causes but there is speculation it could lead to allergies, miscarriage, abnormalities or even cancer.

To date the industry has always argued that if these toxins were eaten by animals or humans they would be destroyed in the gut and pass out of the body, thus causing no harm.

Food safety authorities in Britain and Europe have accepted these assurances on the basis that GM crops are effectively no different to those produced using conventional methods.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388888/GM-food-toxins-blood-93-unborn-babies.html#ixzz1NptJu3B7

http://www.naturalnews.com/032510_unborn_babies_GMOs.html

Landmark Study Finds 93 Percent Of Unborn Babies Contaminated With Monsanto’s Genetically Modified ‘Food’ BT Toxin

Five Element Treatment Protocols of Asian Medicine

The Five Element Theory of Asian Medicine recognizes that all Organ Systems work with each other throughout the 24 hour cycle of each day to keep our body in good working order. Each Organ System works on an hourly schedule, and in its turn creates the enzymes and hormones it has responsibility for, including taking in its daily nourishment and conducting cell reproduction and tissue repair.

When the organ before it, called its “MOTHER” is weak, it cannot receive proper energy, and it also becomes weak, unable to give energy to its own “CHILD”, the next organ system in line. Thus the entire system becomes affected and illness occurs.

It is the goal of the Five Element Practitioner to determine which of the organ systems is the cause of the current illness, and then to treat the whole body with energetic forms of healing including appropriate Nutrition Therapy, based on each person’s condition — as their body relates to each Season, Locality, and their Pulse Diagnosis.

www.integrativeholistichealth.org 

OUR EARTH’S TROUBLED IMMUNE SYSTEM

One of our nation’s senior scientists, Dr. Huber, Purdue University Professor Emeritus of plant pathology. alerted the federal government to a newly discovered organism that may have the potential to cause infertility and spontaneous abortion.

Dr. Don Huber, professor emeritus at Purdue University, believes the appearance and prevalence of the unnamed organism may be related to the nation’s over reliance on the weed killer known as Roundup and/or to something about the genetically engineered Roundup-Ready crops. In a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the professor called on the federal government to immediately stop deregulation of roundup ready crops, particularly roundup ready alfalfa.
January 16, 2011

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

A team of senior plant and animal scientists have recently brought to my attention the discovery of an electron microscopic pathogen that appears to significantly impact the health of plants, animals, and probably human beings. Based on a review of the data, it is widespread, very serious, and is in much higher concentrations in Roundup Ready (RR) soybeans and corn—suggesting a link with the RR gene or more likely the  presence of Roundup.  This organism appears NEW to science!

Unique Physical Properties

This previously unknown organism is only visible under an electron microscope (36,000X), with an approximate size range equal to a medium size virus. It is able to reproduce and appears to be a micro-fungal-like organism. If so, it would be the first such micro-fungus ever identified. There is strong evidence that this infectious agent promotes diseases of both plants and mammals, which is very rare.

http://farmandranchfreedom.org/gmo-miscarriages

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/sign/dr_hubers_warning/

View the full video interview with Dr. Huber here

BEE COLONIES COLLAPSING – All colonies had a fungus and virus

Applying proteomics-based pathogen screening tools in 2010, researchers announced they had identified a co-infection of invertebrate iridescent virus type 6 (IIV-6) and Nosema ceranae in all CCD colonies sampled.[18] The study is the first to conclude that co-factors, the virus and fungus, were present in all of the collapsed colonies studied.[19] However, scientists in the project emphasize additional research is still needed to consider how environmental factors like temperatures, drought and pesticides might play a role, if any, in CCD.[19]

FROGS AND BRAND NEW FUNGUS  — Bd — An Invasive Species Whose Origin Is Not Known

Everyone knows that frogs are in trouble and that some species have disappeared, but a recent analysis of Central American frog surveys shows the situation is worse than had been thought.

Under pressure from a fungal disease, the frogs in this biodiversity hot spot are undergoing “a vast homogenization” that is leaving behind impoverished communities that increasingly resemble one another.

Bd (a new microscopic fungus) is an invasive species whose origin is not known.

The fungus is devastating to frogs because it infects the skin, a much more important organ in amphibians than in other vertebrates. Many frogs breath and drink through their skin and use it as we use our kidneys to maintain the proper concentrations of ions such as sodium and potassium in their bloodstreams. As frogs sicken, their skin peels or sloughs off.

Hoping to find a data set appropriate for the kind of analysis he had in mind, Smith got in touch with Lips, a scientist who has monitored amphibian declines in Central America for many years.

“The basis of this paper is her decades of work in this area,” says Smith, “and the astonishing data set they produced.”

Lips had species lists from six sites both before and after Bd appeared, and she was able to obtain data from two more sites, for a total of eight.

At her study sites, Lips and her graduate students had walked transects during the day and also by night carrying flashlights, looking for frogs, salamanders and reptiles, listening for their calls, and sifting the streams for tadpoles.

“We already knew,” Smith says, “that at each site we were losing roughly half the species. Our analysis confirmed this. Before the fungus, an average 45 species were observed at each site; after the fungus, the average was only 23.

In homogenizing the frog communities, the fungus erased chapters in evolutionary history.

Homogenization also knocked out ecological diversity. Before the invasion there was a good mix of species in the region. Some species lived in streams, others on land, in trees and underground. But the primarily aquatic fungus killed most of the water-loving species.

“Now the frog communities are typified by terrestrial species,” says Smith, “which has changed the whole way the system works ecologically.”

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/09/22/mcdonalization.frogs

WHITE- NOSE SYNDROME — BRAND NEW FUNGUS — KILLING BATS

Bats eat mosquitos, that carry such diseases as West Nile Virus, and other insects, and their loss may lead to increase use of pesticides, damage to forests and agriculture and potential pulic health risks.

http://farmandranchfreedom.org/gmo-miscarriages

Dr. Miller serves patients from Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Kannnapolis, Matthews, Raleigh, Durham, Salisbury, Asheboro, Asheville, Albemarle, Indian Trail, Monroe, Weddington, Rock Hill, Lancaster, Mooresville, Davidson and Huntersville and other cities and towns throughout the United States.

Services Offered Include: Health and Wellness Consultations, Individualized Nutritional Programs, Allergy & Hormone Testing, Meridian Balancing, Meditation/Stress Reduction; Herbs and Botanical Supplements, Health Counseling and therapeutic exercises.  Dr. Miller brings Balance and Healing into the lives of her patients through uncovering and teaching them the root cause of their illness. She offers many skills to Restore, Create and Maintain Wellness with deep caring, and an infusion of hope and joy.

For More Info: www.integrativeholistichealth.org