The functional condition of the cardio-vascular system, the immune system, digestion, liver and gland function, microbe (like bacteria, parasites and candida), toxins, stress, and free-radical damage can be seen through my microscope.
I use my microscope in evaluating the shapes, sizes and other properties of your individual blood cells to help reveal some startling nutritional disorders. Improper digestion for one. Improper digestion is linked to many chronic conditions from which you can suffer. Certain vitamin deficiencies can be detected by microscopy as well.
To fortify yourself against disease, you often take vitamins and supplements. But often these vitamins are assimilated only minimally and sometimes not at all. If your vitamins and foods you eat are doing what they should be, your blood cells should have good shape and size, something which can be detected under my microscope. If not, then your vitamins, supplements, or foods are not being assimilated. You can take all the supplements you want, but if you don't have the enzymes to catalyze absorption, OR your body is in need of detoxification, nothing will happen. Would you like to know for sure ?
Call for an appointment (250) 652 9582. Outside the Victoria, BC area–call 1-877 537 8333
Friday, August 24, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Skin Care Product Ingredients to Avoid - By Gloria MacTaggart
A recent online article quoted a dermatologist's statement that just because something contains natural rather than artificial chemical ingredients doesn't mean that it's better for you and that those with sensitive skin should simply use mild, fragrance-free soaps, cleansers and lotions.
While it is true that some natural substances are toxic and some chemicals are not and that some people do have reactions to natural products, I would venture to say that, generally speaking, you're safer putting aloe vera on your skin, for example, than some of the commonly used chemicals. However, it can be difficult to tell which chemicals are dangerous and which ones aren't. The trick lies in choosing natural skin care treatment that is effective and avoids the major offenders.
What are the major offenders?
Although there are several chemicals to be avoided, two of the most prevalent are petroleum and propylene glycol.
Petroleum, petroleum jelly and mineral oil:Petroleum-based products are among the most commonly used ingredients in skin care treatment products - including many that are labeled 'natural'.
Many studies have verified these ingredients to be dangerous. For example, a hospital study showed that infants are 11 times more likely to get systemic candidiasis from the use of petroleum-based skin care products. The candidiasis stopped when the hospital discontinued use of the products. Another study, this one conducted by Columbia University, found that the breast tissue of women with breast cancer contained significantly higher levels of petroleum than women without breast cancer.Mineral oil is a by-product of the distillation process that turns petroleum into gasoline. It forms a film over the skin that gives the illusion of softness without actually changing anything about the skin. Like petroleum, it is not 'skin care treatment', it simply masks the skin's actual condition while clogging the pores, preventing the absorption of oxygen and moisture, and inhibiting the process of expelling toxic wastes.
Propylene glycol. The major ingredient in antifreeze, propylene glycol is used in skin care treatment products to facilitate the absorption of other ingredients and to prevent the product from melting or freezing in extreme heat or cold. The labels of many skin care products, natural and otherwise, now carry a notice stating that is does not contain propylene glycol. You will find many arguments that this product is safe: the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) warns propylene glycol users to avoid skin contact as it can cause liver and kidney damage, but some say that the MSDS refers only to highly concentrated forms of the chemical and that the amounts used in skin care products are relatively insignificant - which is true.
Nevertheless, a thorough review of government and industry research conducted and published by Scorecard designates propylene glycol as suspected of causing respiratory toxicity, skin or sense organ toxicity, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Additionally, because propylene glycol facilitates absorption through the skin you absorb more of any other chemicals in the products. Its sister, ethylene glycol, is even worse.The level of toxicity in our environment has been the subject of many news stories, propositions for new laws - even the weather forecast includes an air quality index to let us know if it's safe to go out of our house. Anyone informed of these dangers would want to reduce their risk. Getting industry under control is obviously a long battle, but we can, at the very least, reduce exposure in our own household by avoiding those chemicals listed above and choosing safe natural skin care treatment products.
________________________________________________
While it is true that some natural substances are toxic and some chemicals are not and that some people do have reactions to natural products, I would venture to say that, generally speaking, you're safer putting aloe vera on your skin, for example, than some of the commonly used chemicals. However, it can be difficult to tell which chemicals are dangerous and which ones aren't. The trick lies in choosing natural skin care treatment that is effective and avoids the major offenders.
What are the major offenders?
Although there are several chemicals to be avoided, two of the most prevalent are petroleum and propylene glycol.
Petroleum, petroleum jelly and mineral oil:Petroleum-based products are among the most commonly used ingredients in skin care treatment products - including many that are labeled 'natural'.
Many studies have verified these ingredients to be dangerous. For example, a hospital study showed that infants are 11 times more likely to get systemic candidiasis from the use of petroleum-based skin care products. The candidiasis stopped when the hospital discontinued use of the products. Another study, this one conducted by Columbia University, found that the breast tissue of women with breast cancer contained significantly higher levels of petroleum than women without breast cancer.Mineral oil is a by-product of the distillation process that turns petroleum into gasoline. It forms a film over the skin that gives the illusion of softness without actually changing anything about the skin. Like petroleum, it is not 'skin care treatment', it simply masks the skin's actual condition while clogging the pores, preventing the absorption of oxygen and moisture, and inhibiting the process of expelling toxic wastes.
Propylene glycol. The major ingredient in antifreeze, propylene glycol is used in skin care treatment products to facilitate the absorption of other ingredients and to prevent the product from melting or freezing in extreme heat or cold. The labels of many skin care products, natural and otherwise, now carry a notice stating that is does not contain propylene glycol. You will find many arguments that this product is safe: the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) warns propylene glycol users to avoid skin contact as it can cause liver and kidney damage, but some say that the MSDS refers only to highly concentrated forms of the chemical and that the amounts used in skin care products are relatively insignificant - which is true.
Nevertheless, a thorough review of government and industry research conducted and published by Scorecard designates propylene glycol as suspected of causing respiratory toxicity, skin or sense organ toxicity, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Additionally, because propylene glycol facilitates absorption through the skin you absorb more of any other chemicals in the products. Its sister, ethylene glycol, is even worse.The level of toxicity in our environment has been the subject of many news stories, propositions for new laws - even the weather forecast includes an air quality index to let us know if it's safe to go out of our house. Anyone informed of these dangers would want to reduce their risk. Getting industry under control is obviously a long battle, but we can, at the very least, reduce exposure in our own household by avoiding those chemicals listed above and choosing safe natural skin care treatment products.
________________________________________________
Sunday, August 12, 2007
"WHOLE" SALT
Today I was reading an article about salt water by Richard A. Bowen. (http://healthtruthrevealed.com:80/full-page.php?id=10590122108&&page=article) He claims that salt water can be a great help to those of us who suffer from constipation. He also claims that salt water is great for detoxification of the body. I would agree whole heartedly with his statement. However, he did not make it extremely clear that it must be the “right” kind of salt that you use. Regular table salt purchased in the local grocery store will not do. It has had all the natural minerals stripped from it, leaving only sodium
chloride. You must use salt that is whole and unprocessed.
It is no coincidence that our body fluids are salted with sodium or that the ocean
is salted with sodium rather than some other element. Salt in its natural form is at
the foundation of life and without it we would die.
According to Dr. Robert O. Young, when you have sugar cravings it is not the
need for sugar but your need for salt. Take a small amount of salt and your
cravings will go away and you will have renewed energy.
If you want to have better bones and muscles – eat more salt.
Contrary to what we have been told, if you want to maintain
healthier blood pressure eat more of the right kind of salt, it must
be free from added iodine or caking agents. Your health depends on it.
chloride. You must use salt that is whole and unprocessed.
It is no coincidence that our body fluids are salted with sodium or that the ocean
is salted with sodium rather than some other element. Salt in its natural form is at
the foundation of life and without it we would die.
According to Dr. Robert O. Young, when you have sugar cravings it is not the
need for sugar but your need for salt. Take a small amount of salt and your
cravings will go away and you will have renewed energy.
If you want to have better bones and muscles – eat more salt.
Contrary to what we have been told, if you want to maintain
healthier blood pressure eat more of the right kind of salt, it must
be free from added iodine or caking agents. Your health depends on it.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Antibiotics Absorbed By Vegetables
Evaluating the impact of livestock antibiotics on the environment, University of Minnesota researchers have found that many vegetables uptake the antibiotics. The study, in the Journal of Environmental Quality, shows that food crops can readily accumulate antibiotics from soils spread with cattle manure.
The findings were based on a greenhouse study involving three food crops: corn, lettuce, and potatoes. The plants were grown in soil modified with liquid hog manure containing sulfamethazine, a commonly used veterinary antibiotic. The researchers found that the antibiotic was taken up by all three crops.
The antibiotic was found in the plant leaves and concentrations in the plant tissue increased as the amount of antibiotic present in the manure increased. Worryingly, it also diffused into potato tubers, which suggests that other root crops - such as carrots and radishes - may be particularly vulnerable to antibiotic contamination.
Source: http://www.scienceagogo.com
The findings were based on a greenhouse study involving three food crops: corn, lettuce, and potatoes. The plants were grown in soil modified with liquid hog manure containing sulfamethazine, a commonly used veterinary antibiotic. The researchers found that the antibiotic was taken up by all three crops.
The antibiotic was found in the plant leaves and concentrations in the plant tissue increased as the amount of antibiotic present in the manure increased. Worryingly, it also diffused into potato tubers, which suggests that other root crops - such as carrots and radishes - may be particularly vulnerable to antibiotic contamination.
Source: http://www.scienceagogo.com
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Mercury in Fish
The health harms of mercury are well known: mercury is a potent neurotoxin that accumulates in animals and the environment. Fetuses and young children are particularly vulnerable as mercury poisons the developing brain, causing delayed development, memory and attention problems, decreased IQ and mental retardation.
Higher doses similarly impair adults and can also increase the risk of heart attacks. It is estimated that up to 100,000 Illinois women have sufficiently high blood-mercury levels to put an unborn child at risk of developmental problems. People get most of their mercury from eating fish—and now tuna sushi, like canned tuna and many local sport fish, has been shown to be contaminated with too much mercury to be eaten safely on a regular basis.
http://www.seaturtles.org/press_release2.cfm?pressID=304
To test your mercury levels for various types of fish go to: http://gotmercury.org/
Higher doses similarly impair adults and can also increase the risk of heart attacks. It is estimated that up to 100,000 Illinois women have sufficiently high blood-mercury levels to put an unborn child at risk of developmental problems. People get most of their mercury from eating fish—and now tuna sushi, like canned tuna and many local sport fish, has been shown to be contaminated with too much mercury to be eaten safely on a regular basis.
http://www.seaturtles.org/press_release2.cfm?pressID=304
To test your mercury levels for various types of fish go to: http://gotmercury.org/
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