Oasis Advanced Wellness Natural Health Blog

Friday, June 20, 2008

Ron Paul Switches Political Gears

Today's post is a good news bad news scenario: The bad news is that Ron Paul, champion of health freedoms and other sane policies that allow Americans to govern themselves, has given up his bid for President. The good news is that he is not ceasing to spread his vision, but is now focusing on educating people and on political races at lower levels of government where it is easier to have a substantial impact and realistically overcome the establishment.

It was exciting to see someone with such values running for national office, but in the world of politics such as it is, to take on the major parties with all their clout and financial support is truly a David and Goliath story, and one which was a longshot from the start. However, just because Mr. Paul did not get a place on the ballot in November does not mean that his efforts were wasted. The Paul campaign has given many people food for thought and introduced the public to different ways of handling issues that may result in much fruit down the road. It would be much more powerful to influence a change in the overall way Americans think than to simply have one man in power for a time who marches to a different drummer.

Kudos to you and your supporters Ron! We are grateful for your hard work and willingness to stand for truth and the liberty of all free-thinking Americans.

Ron Paul Formally Ends Prez Campaign, Starts "Campaign For Liberty."

By Sarah Lai Stirland
June 12, 2008 10:04:46 PM
Categories: Election '08

Texas congressman Ron Paul will formally end his presidential campaign this evening and announce the launch of a new project called the "Campaign for Liberty," reports ABC News.

The group will fund the campaigns of political candidates at all levels of government, and work as an educational outreach effort. According to the project's new web site:

The work of the Campaign for Liberty will take many forms. We will educate our fellow Americans in freedom, sound money, non-interventionism, and free markets. We'll have our own commentaries and videos on the news of the day. I'll work with friends I respect to design materials for homeschoolers.

Politically, we'll expand the great work of our precinct leader program. We'll make our presence felt at every level of government, where just a few people with our level of enthusiasm can make a world of difference. We'll keep an eye on Congress and lobby against legislation that threatens us. We'll identify and support political candidates who champion our great ideas against the empty suits the party establishments offer the public.

We will be a permanent presence on the American political landscape. That I promise you. We're not about to let all this good work die. To the contrary, with your help we're going to make it grow -- by leaps and bounds.

The campaign will stream Paul's speech about the subject from a rally in Houston, Texas at 9 pm central time.

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/06/ron-paul-formal.html

Labels: Natural Health Freedom

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Enjoy Your Pets Safely

The therapeutic value of owning a pet can be very significant, and relationships with animals can bring much pleasure and healing into our lives. However, our pets can be at risk for infections and disease just as we humans are. Today's article discusses some tips that can help you and your pet to stay well and avoid disease.

It is possible for animals to pass along disease to humans, and this is particularly an issue for individuals who have a compromised immune system or for young children whose immune systems are not yet fully developed. It is wise to be aware of some basic practices that will lessen the risk of illness for both you and your pets. Preventative health care is a wonderful philosophy to live by, and it can apply to your cat, dog, or other pets just as much as it much as it can to the rest of the family.

Deadly Diseases You Can Catch From Your Pet
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
By Jessica Ryen Doyle

Pets can serve as wonderful companions -- and owning one certainly has many physical and mental health benefits.

However, with the summer months upon us, it is likely your pets will be spending more time outdoors, leaving them prone to zoonotic diseases -- diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

A Corpus Christi, Texas, man and his daughter spent weeks in the hospital because of a diseased cockatiel bought from a PetSmart store, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday by the man's family.

Joe De La Garza, 63, later died of psittacosis, KRIS 6 News reported.

"There have been over 250 zoonotic diseases identified," said Dr. Roger Mahr, past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "There is a particular focus on household pets."

They are definitely an area of concern. More than 60 percent of U.S. households have pets and the value of that companionship has been recognized.

Zoonotic diseases, which present themselves in the form of bacteria, viruses and fungal infections, can be transmitted from animals to humans four ways, Mahr said:

1. Direct contact with the animal or the animal's surroundings;

2. Oral ingestion of the animal's feces or things that have touched the animal's waste;

3. Aerosol contact, including contaminated droplets in the air such as when the animal sneezes or when a bird stirs up its feathers and/or waste from the cage and the human breathes it in;

4. Vector-borne transmission, including fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.

Mahr, a Chicago-area veterinarian, said the following are common diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans:

*Parasites. Internal parasites such as hookworms or roundworms can produce larvae, which can migrate through the human's body and go through various body organs, including the eyes or skin. External parasites include fleas and ticks.

*Rabies. Transmitted through the saliva of an animal, vaccines are available. Take precautions when you are around strange animals that could bite.

*Ringworms. A fungus that lives on the skin of dogs and cats, the spores can be transmitted from the body of the animal to the human through direct contact.

*Psittacosis. This is a bacterial infection that is frequently transmitted by birds. Usually, a bird with psittacosis will be asymptomatic, Mahr said. By the time a person has developed the disease, he or she will have respiratory flu-like symptoms. People might not realize their illness is life-threatening until it has already affected major organs like the heart, liver or kidneys, he added.

*Salmonella. "We hear about it in food," Mahr said, "but it's an intestinal bacteria that's also carried through feces, particularly in reptiles and amphibians." Mahr said parents should discourage young children from handling frogs and snakes.

*Leptospirosis. This is a bacterial infection transmitted by handling infected urine and then touching your mouth. A vaccine is available, Mahr said.

"The No. 1 way to prevent the transmission of these diseases is to wash one's hands," Mahr said. "Wash your hands before preparing food and after handling pets, especially after cleaning up their waste -- even if you are just cleaning their cage or handling their bedding."

Besides hand-washing, Mahr suggested these tips to prevent transmission of zoonotic diseases:

*Make sure your pet has regular veterinary check-ups and receives the necessary vaccinations and preventative medications;

*Clean up litter boxes and waste in the yard immediately after the pet relieves itself;

*Wear gloves when cleaning up any waste material and when cleaning your fish tank;

*Avoid walking your pet in wooded areas where ticks and mosquitoes live, or areas where rodents and raccoons may be; they carry diseases, too;

*Check your pet on a regular basis for parasites, particularly after it has been outside;

*Avoid letting your pet lick your face. Animals have bacteria and sometimes yeast infections that live in their mouths. For children or people with suppressed immune systems, this can be especially dangerous;

*Be careful of cat scratches. Cats can carry bacteria on their paws and nails.

Mahr cautioned that if a pet is coughing persistently or has diarrhea, it shoud be taken to the veterinarian immediately. These can be symptoms of zoonotic diseases.

http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,368502,00.html

Labels: Health Warnings

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The World According to Monsanto

Today's post is a video of an investigative film that documents some very disturbing information regarding the activities of one of the worlds largest international mega corporations. Monsanto has a long history of being controversial, including a track record of covering up and lying about known safety hazards related to their products. In recent years they have been pioneers in the bio-engineering field, and are heavily involved in the trend towards GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) in the food supply. This video highlights much of the company's sordid past, as well as some of the dangers, known and unknown, of their current business interests centered around the development and sale of GMOs.

There is much to be alarmed about in this report, but one of the most upsetting factors involves a governmental, legal, and civil system that protects a corporation such as Monsanto rather than being an advocate for the health and safety of the public. Under such conditions, lying about the hazards of the products a company produces becomes a good business decision simply because the amount of money that can be made far outweighs any penalties that may be assessed if they are caught. This has led to the destruction of many lives in the past, and will continue to enable such shameful activities by companies like Monsanto until this travesty of justice is remedied.

Education is our most powerful tool when it comes to exposing the parties involved in such corruption, so I hope you will take the time to watch this video in its entirety, and share it with as many people as possible. The integrity of the food supply for future generations is at stake.

Labels: Health Warnings

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

WARNING: Beware of Chemical Exposure in Your Bathroom

New research is now indicating that millions of plastic shower curtains sold in this country may be making your bath an even more toxic place than it typically already is. Between cleaning and personal care products laced with dangerous chemicals, water treated with fluoride, chlorine, and other poisons, and now the hazards of PVC shower curtains, your daily shower may be exposing your family to a slew of health risks.

As stated in the article below, there are alternatives to a PVC shower curtain, and you would do well to invest in one. Another key step is to eliminate hazardous cleaning and care products. It is also advisable to install a water filtration system that will eliminate toxins from the water supply. The heat and humidity in a bathroom only exacerbate the problems of air and water quality. Protect your lungs, skin, and overall health by taking these suggested steps for safety.

We live in a very toxic society. Becoming aware of environmental pollutants and toxins is imperative toward good health and well-being. However, it could actually be life-saving for those fighting disease or illness.

PVC shower curtains harmful to your health
By MIke Dias
Jun 16, 2008 - 12:03:53 PM

If you're you have plans to purchase PVC shower curtain anytime from now, you might want to think again. An environmental organization has discovered that this type of curtain may pose a risk to your health because it emits a large number of toxic compounds.

Last week, the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) , a U.S non-profit organization based out of Falls Church, VA which is dedicated to protecting communities from exposure to dangerous environmental chemicals, in the air, water and soil, published a report indicating that polyvinyl chloride curtains release a variety of harmful chemicals when newly unpacked and used, at least for the first month.

The PVC shower curtains are not just sold in one or two small corner stores in your neighbourhood. These products retail from many if not all national major outlets such as Wal-Mart, Target and Sears and could affect millions of people in the United States.

The title of the report: "Volatile Vinyl -- The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell" may be deemed alarmist by some sceptical critics, but its content should be nothing to ignore. The 44-page report summarizes a two-part study carried out on plastic shower curtains purchased from Bed Bath and Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. The report provides some detailed insight into the nature of this type of curtains and lists the various chemicals and harmful elements contained which can be dangerous to our health.

For further clarification, the PVC shower curtains were tested for two things, the concentrations of chemicals involved in the make-up of these curtains and the volatile organic compounds (VOC) present when unpacked. These volatile organic compounds are released into the atmosphere after these curtains are unpacked and hung up.

The study showed the curtains released over 108 VOCs over a 28-day period. Twenty-eight days later 4 VOCs were still able to be detected in the air. These organic compounds have been linked to diseases such as cancer, and reproductive toxicity and they are also known to cause conditions such as kidney and liver damage as well as damage to the central nervous system and other important parts of the body.

The test meant to determine the chemical make-up of the PVC curtains found some worrisome chemicals including phthalates, which have been associated with reproductive problems such as shortened pregnancy duration in women and premature breast development in girls. These chemicals can also cause damage to sperm and other male reproductive functions.

The study also found that high heat and humidity promoted the release of these dangerous chemicals from the shower curtains.

Some skeptic scientists disagree with the report published and even the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has refused to ban PVC shower curtains despite the complaints of the CHEJ and the fact that 7 of the chemicals found in the study have been listed as hazardous air pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The level of VOCs present in the curtains is 16 times higher than the recommended guidelines for indoor air quality as stipulated by the U.S Green Building Council and Washington State Indoor Air Quality Program.

Certain retailers have commenced plans to phase out PVC shower curtains but their efforts haven't been an outright and immediate ban. IKEA however has engaged in major steps to drop such curtains in favour of alternatives which are viewed as much more environmentally friendly.

Despite all the pussyfooting and apparent delays by the bureaucracy to give a final verdict on the issue, consumers are launching into action with various efforts condemning the use of PVC shower curtains and demanding that they be banned.

PVC is one of the most used forms of plastic in the world so it is apparent why there seems to be some hesitation to launch a full-scale ban on such products by the government, the economic and financial factors also have to be considered as well.

For individuals who are more concerned about their safety than what the government intends to do now or in the future, the best thing for them to do would be to replace their PVC shower curtains with options which are much more environmentally friendly such as the ethylene vinyl acetate shower curtains which are stocked by a number of major retailers in the United States and all over the globe as well.

http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/M_edicare_54/061612032008_PVC_shower_curtains_harmful_to_your_health_printer.shtml

Labels: Health Warnings

Monday, June 16, 2008

Grape Juice Bolsters Memory

If you have forgotten to drink your grape juice lately, perhaps you should up the dosage. Recent research indicates this beverage that is so rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, and other natural substances may be the latest "brain food" discovery as well. This particular study documents the effects of grape juice on elderly people, citing improvements in several areas of cognitive thinking in those who included grape juice in their diets.

It is wise to make sure that the grape juice you are consuming is organic. Several quality companies bottle organic Concord grape juice. Remember that it doesn't take a huge amount -- usually 1 cup two-times daily for those who are experiencing memory concerns. For those that are healthy, 1/2 cup daily is a good preventative amount.

If the use of grape juice and other fruits, vegetables, and whole foods can have a significant effect on senior citizens, a lifestyle that incorporates such foods from an early age must have an even greater influence on wellness. Studies such as these should encourage us to mentor and coach the next generation, primarily through leading by example, as to how important it is to eat well. Modeling healthy lifestyle choices at home is the best way to combat all the negative nutritional messages we are bombarded with every day in the media. Learning about how to cook and eat well is a wonderful project that is educational and fun, and can include family members of all ages.

Pilot Study Showed Improved Memory Skills in Older Adults with Early Memory Decline

CONCORD, Mass., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- As America's baby boomers continue to age, the number of people 65 years of age and older is expected to double to 70 million by 2030. As such, age-related cognitive decline and incidence of chronic conditions, including Alzheimer's, heart disease, diabetes and cancer, is on the rise. Research supports that good nutrition -- particularly a diet including phytonutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and their juices -- plays an important role in the aging process and may help slow and possibly even reverse age-related physical and mental declines.

Results from a recent pilot human study suggest that including Concord grape juice in the diet may provide benefit for older adults with early memory decline. This study represents the first placebo-controlled human study to investigate whether regular consumption of a polyphenol-rich food or beverage could have beneficial effects against age-related cognitive decline.

The results were presented at the 38th annual scientific meeting of the American Aging Society in Boulder, Colo., May 30-June 2, 2008. The study, led by Robert Krikorian, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, included 12 adults with early memory decline. Participants drank a total of 15 to 21 ounces, depending on body weight, of either Concord grape juice or placebo daily, divided among meals, for a 12- week period. The beverages were equal in calorie and sugar content but only the Concord grape juice contained natural polyphenolic compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Participants who drank the Concord grape juice showed significant improvement in list learning and trends suggested improved short-term retention and spatial memory.

According to Dr. Krikorian, "These results with Concord grape juice are very encouraging and certainly warrant additional study. A simple, easy-to- incorporate dietary intervention that could improve or protect memory function, such as drinking Concord grape juice daily, may be beneficial for the aging population."

Study collaborators included Tiffany Nash and Marcelle Shidler from the University of Cincinnati as well as James Joseph and Barbara Shukitt-Hale from the USDA-ARS Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Joseph and Shukitt-Hale's ground-breaking animal research has previously shown that supplementation of certain polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables resulted in improved cognitive function in animal models. In fact, this human study was a natural next step based on their 2006 publication in Nutrition where they reported that polyphenol-rich Concord grape juice supplementation in the diet of aged rats resulted in beneficial effects on memory and cognitive function.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/drinking-polyphenol-rich-concord-grape-juice-may-improve-memory-in-older-adults,415257.shtml

Labels: Natural Health and Well Being