We just read another report of someone dying from an infected mosquito bite. This time it was a 13 year old boy. Dying from a mosquitoe bite he wasen't even aware of. Only sick a week. So sudden. So sad. Didn't seem to matter that this boy was healthy and active before. The disease called Eastern Equine Encephalitis killed him via a mosquito bite. We've posted on this danger before.
The CDC now says virus infected mosquitoes are in every US state. Check out previous posts. And here a couple more helpful links from the government about the West Nile Virus.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/WNVmyths.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/prevention_info.htm
Saturday, July 30
Friday, July 29
Consumer Lab Testing
How many times have we wondered if this or that vitamin really contains what the label says it should? And what about purity? How do we really know?
One answer to these questions is: Consumer Lab. They are independent lab testing many of these products. And the results are posted on their web site as well as newsletter. Some of the companies they double check get upset with their published results. How would we know whats in some of these bottles unless some professional would test them for us? Its understandable those that are found misleading would be unhappy.
We need services like this to help us sort things out. How would we know without someone testing? We would rather not swollow all the health supplement advertising. We prefer to know from an unbiased source just what this or that pill really contains.
So I want to share one of the places that has helped me. I make nothing from posting this. We all need to be informed about this stuff and appreciate professional independent testing labs like this one.
Here are a few subjects taken at random from their site this morning.
Problems Found with Eleven Multivitamins
21 Magnesium Supplements Tested — Two Fail
Key Ingredient Missing in Some Arthritis Supplements
June 20, 2005 — Quality problems widespread among ginseng products sold in Japan. — Nearly two-thirds of products fail ConsumerLab.com testing due to pesticide contamination and missing or substandard ingredients
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
http://www.consumerlab.com/
One answer to these questions is: Consumer Lab. They are independent lab testing many of these products. And the results are posted on their web site as well as newsletter. Some of the companies they double check get upset with their published results. How would we know whats in some of these bottles unless some professional would test them for us? Its understandable those that are found misleading would be unhappy.
We need services like this to help us sort things out. How would we know without someone testing? We would rather not swollow all the health supplement advertising. We prefer to know from an unbiased source just what this or that pill really contains.
So I want to share one of the places that has helped me. I make nothing from posting this. We all need to be informed about this stuff and appreciate professional independent testing labs like this one.
Here are a few subjects taken at random from their site this morning.
Problems Found with Eleven Multivitamins
21 Magnesium Supplements Tested — Two Fail
Key Ingredient Missing in Some Arthritis Supplements
June 20, 2005 — Quality problems widespread among ginseng products sold in Japan. — Nearly two-thirds of products fail ConsumerLab.com testing due to pesticide contamination and missing or substandard ingredients
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
http://www.consumerlab.com/
Thursday, July 28
Echinacea: Doesn't Work..?
What is the most popular herbal product in US..? Echinacea. Millions spend about $150 Million per year for it. And now we learn it does not work. Our money has been wasted. Nothing can cure the common cold. It still takes around 7 days to get rid of it. No matter what.
This and more comes to us from a federally funded research project of National Institutes of Health, reported in todays New England Journal of Medicine. The research seemed to prove Echinaea could not prevent the common cold; nor could it cure the common cold. So save your money.
Yet many of us know people who would swear taking Echinacea helped them in ways they could measure. Maybe so. It just might help a little if we really believe it will. The placebo benefit can be helpfully real. Also, it just may be the researchers used a smaller dose in their studies than the people who claim it helped them. I don't know. I do know that sales will suffer even more than they already have due to previous negative test results of this popular herbal product.
This and more comes to us from a federally funded research project of National Institutes of Health, reported in todays New England Journal of Medicine. The research seemed to prove Echinaea could not prevent the common cold; nor could it cure the common cold. So save your money.
Yet many of us know people who would swear taking Echinacea helped them in ways they could measure. Maybe so. It just might help a little if we really believe it will. The placebo benefit can be helpfully real. Also, it just may be the researchers used a smaller dose in their studies than the people who claim it helped them. I don't know. I do know that sales will suffer even more than they already have due to previous negative test results of this popular herbal product.
Wednesday, July 27
West Nile Virus update
News reports confirm this West Nile Virus is active in USA and we would be wise to take precautions. Many states have tested and found this problem in local mosquitoes. Inspectors in East Baton Rouge Parish , Louisiana found this virus in 41% of the mosquitoes tested.
They also found this Virus in dead birds. And that seems to be the way mosquitoes become infected. They bite the birds. Our concern is being bitten by one of those same mosquitoes. Some never even notice but others get sick. And some have died from it. Especially amongst the elderly and young.
It helps to drain any standing water. And use repellent with DEET, especially around dusk or dawn. Long sleeves, etc, also protects. Check screens for holes. Report dead birds. The virus was found in Bluejays and Crows in our area.
Read older post here.
They also found this Virus in dead birds. And that seems to be the way mosquitoes become infected. They bite the birds. Our concern is being bitten by one of those same mosquitoes. Some never even notice but others get sick. And some have died from it. Especially amongst the elderly and young.
It helps to drain any standing water. And use repellent with DEET, especially around dusk or dawn. Long sleeves, etc, also protects. Check screens for holes. Report dead birds. The virus was found in Bluejays and Crows in our area.
Read older post here.
Tuesday, July 26
Second Hand Smoke
Do you know any Non-Smokers with lung cancer..?
I have known a few and it always puzzled me. Until I started reading many of the medical reporting on smoking and lung cancer. One main reason for lung cancer striking a non-smoker is Second Hand Smoke.
Second Hand Smoke kills thousands every year. Including children. Did you ever hear a smoker say smoking may cause cancer but thats only his concern, not ours..? Well, that isn't true. It should concern smokers and non-smokers because every year thousands die from it and even more thousands suffer health problems because of it.
I'll never forget the story of one young mother who was enjoying perfect health. Or, so she thought. Until the day she coughed up blood. And what a terrible shock when her doctor told her she had inoperable cancer. She had never smoked.
But her family did. Second hand smoke is toxic not only to others but especially to children. Thousands need hospital help each year because of the side effects from breathing in the smoke from nearby smokers. And thousands of children also die from this. This is shocking stuff.
The good news is we can stop smoking and actually add years to our life and life to our years. And we will be helping others do the same. Its not the easiest thing to kick but I can tell you from experience its one of the best things we can do for our future. And the future of non-smokers we live with. There are so many medical reports confirming the great health value that comes to those that quit. We can actually undo a lot of the damage already done. That will help us to live longer and to live better. Do this for yourself. Do this for others.
http://www.smokefree.gov/
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/how2quit.htm
I have known a few and it always puzzled me. Until I started reading many of the medical reporting on smoking and lung cancer. One main reason for lung cancer striking a non-smoker is Second Hand Smoke.
Second Hand Smoke kills thousands every year. Including children. Did you ever hear a smoker say smoking may cause cancer but thats only his concern, not ours..? Well, that isn't true. It should concern smokers and non-smokers because every year thousands die from it and even more thousands suffer health problems because of it.
I'll never forget the story of one young mother who was enjoying perfect health. Or, so she thought. Until the day she coughed up blood. And what a terrible shock when her doctor told her she had inoperable cancer. She had never smoked.
But her family did. Second hand smoke is toxic not only to others but especially to children. Thousands need hospital help each year because of the side effects from breathing in the smoke from nearby smokers. And thousands of children also die from this. This is shocking stuff.
The good news is we can stop smoking and actually add years to our life and life to our years. And we will be helping others do the same. Its not the easiest thing to kick but I can tell you from experience its one of the best things we can do for our future. And the future of non-smokers we live with. There are so many medical reports confirming the great health value that comes to those that quit. We can actually undo a lot of the damage already done. That will help us to live longer and to live better. Do this for yourself. Do this for others.
http://www.smokefree.gov/
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/how2quit.htm
Monday, July 25
Anti-Depressants=Suicide..?
FDA Public Health Advisory
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There have been reports of higher suicide risk amongst Anti-Depressant users. Some were like rumors but others were more scientific, leading the FDA to a new review of the available data. Will probably take a year but it will be worth it. The more any of us know......the better.
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It would be a shocking sadness to know someone took prescription drug for depression and then become worse. Suicidal. .
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More details from FDA site: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/SSRI200507.htm
Sunday, July 24
Prevent Blindness America
Another good site to bookmark. If you have any concern about eye problems for yourself or for others, scoot over to this highly respected PBA web site.
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They even have an 800 number to call with questions. Founded
1908, they are the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety org.
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Sign up for their free newsletter. You can also read the latest issue online.
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And check out their New free guide for Parents. (July 19, 2005)
" The Newborn, Infant and Toddler Vision Guide."
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Over 20 million school age children have a vision problem. And 1 in 20 pre-schoolers.
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