Category: Interesting Information

Information I want to share in a non-essay form

Interesting Information: Magnesium Stearate: A Dangerous Ingredient in Your Supplements

Interesting Information:  November 16, 2015

Magnesium Stearate:

A Dangerous Ingredient in Your Supplements

While watching “The Truth About Cancer:  A Global Quest,” the issue of magnesium stearate in supplements came up several times.

What, I thought?  More magnesium, and I’m already taking two kinds on purpose.  That’s probably enough…

So, I went and checked, and sure enough, there it was in the Curcumin I was taking AND a potassium/iodine supplement I was taking.

Mercy!!

Apparently magnesium stearate is used as a binder in supplements and can be made of something like cotton seed oil, as that’s cheap.

I googled around and came up with this Mercola post, which speaks to WHY magnesium stearate is…toxic.  It can cause serious absorption issues.  I certainly don’t need absorption issues with all the food allergies (leaky gut) I already have.

Check out YOUR supplements, and read Mercola’s post?

A Dangerous Ingredient in Your Supplements

Interesting Information: The Annual Physical Exam and Losing Insurance

Interesting Information:  November 5, 2015

The Annual Physical Exam and Losing Insurance

I lost my AARP Advantage plan this fall.

Why?

I’m not sure, but I’m wondering if it’s because I’ve not had a formal annual physical for about three years.  I’ve seen my primary care doc, but not in a way that allows for the checking off of the “annual physical” box–which would carry a different fee structure.

The AARP Advantage Plan is serviced by United Health Care–a huge insurance company.

About six months ago, I began to get calls from United Health wanting me to have a nurse come to my home.  I explained that I was really healthy and did not need a nurse.  Then I got some computerized robo calls asking for the caretaker of Louisa Enright (my name was horribly mispronounced).  I hung up on those.  Then I got a notice that my insurance plan was not being renewed.

I don’t know if AARP has made changes, or if United Health Care dropped this plan with AARP, or if United Health Care just dropped me because I had not had an a formal physical they could recognize.  The AARP representative seemed surprised when I called and said this plan was being dropped.

(I take good care of myself and am very conscious of my health and my body.  And a year ago, I had blood tests and worked with a PhD nutritionist to fine tune minerals and vitamins.)

Maybe United Health believes that having people go to a yearly exam saves them money in the long run.

Maybe.  Maybe not.

I feel like I am encouraged to do tests that are not good for my health or my body–like a mammogram, for instance.  And, frankly, hospitals are not safe places these days.  I have heard too many stories of people getting blood tests and walking away with some sort of infectious disease–some of which are not curable.

Here’s a conspiracy theory for you:  is there a profitable connection between the insurance companies and all the tests that are run?  I do know that insurance companies own hearing aid companies.  Maybe they own testing companies in some way as well.  Or, medical practices.  I wish someone would do this research as it is beyond my capabilities.

Remember, too, that docs rely on tests like annual physicals as part of their paychecks.  AND, many have financial relationships with testing companies.   So, it’s a rigged system that the smart consumer needs to recognize as such.

More importantly, I really felt I was being bullied by the insurance company.  I grew up in an era when you went to a doctor when you were sick.  And that doctor knew you well enough to see if you needed additional tests, etc.  There is a way that the health system in America is making people sicker and sicker, rather than curing them.  The over prescription of drugs is an easy way to make you sick.  Getting tests that involve radiation and smashed breast tissue is another.  And the truth is in on mamographies:  they do not catch fast-growing cancers and result in over-doctoring for no good reason and no improved outcome.

Anyway, Mercola has a recent post on the ins and outs of annual physicals–which includes tests that are probably useful.

Annual Physical Exams May Do More Harm Than Good

I’ve gotten new insurance.

And United Health Care (which has plans of its own in Maine) has had the doctor’s office call personally to schedule an appointment–which happened just after I had gotten new insurance that would take place immediately.

I set a date because I am afraid that if I don’t I’ll lose the new insurance too.

I’ve been bullied into this action, and I am NOT HAPPY about it.

I’ll go and courtesy and get the annual physical block checked off.  The doc will get her annual physical exam fee.  The insurance company will be happy.

It’s a rigged system driven by money, not good health considerations.

We are no longer “the land of the free,” but are still “the brave” to try to manage our lives outside all the industry tyranny that has us by the throat.

Interesting Information: Vaccines: Mercury in Flu Shots

Interesting Information:  November 3, 2015

Flu Shot Season

Everywhere I go these days, there are signs advertising the availability of not only flu shots, but a host of other vaccines as well.

Who, may I ask, in the grocery store is qualified to give a flu shot???

Who in the grocery store is going to help you when you have a possible reaction.  (The most recent awards of the vaccine court have been for adults hurt by the flu shot.)

This analysis came through my Facebook account this morning, but it is not new information.

IMG_0706

NO AMOUNT OF MERCURY IS SAFE FOR HUMANS.

Giving this shot to a pregnant woman has never been tested for safety for her or for the baby.

Ditto for children or the elderly.

I heard an ad on the radio coming home today for a “super flu shot” for the elderly.

Dear god…

…do not forgive them for they do know what they are doing.

Interesting Information: Greenland Is Melting Away – The New York Times

Interesting Information:  October 30, 2015

Greenland is Melting Away

This video story came through the other day, and I have not seen anything quite like it.

I thought you might like to see a scientific expedition story “told” in a different way–by using drone footage, interesting shots, and so forth.  Just keep moving down through the text and pictures.

Source: Greenland Is Melting Away – The New York Times

Interesting Information: Statin Drugs Video from the Bought Movie Website

Interesting Information:  July 27, 2015

Statin Drugs Video

From the BOUGHT Movie Website

Here’s a little video (5 minutes I think) about statin drugs.

Statins are prescribed for inflammation, even though the drug harms your muscles.

Inflammation is caused by poor diet, especially eating too much sugar.  (Remember that grains and white carbs turn into sugar–so eat them in moderation.)

Why not just change your diet?

It amazes me that in the face of all the evidence of the dangers statins pose that docs still prescribe them.

I think some docs are profitting, but I also think if docs don’t follow the “standards of care,” which include statins, they can be and are punished.  So it is up to us to be informed consumers.  As has been true from the beginning of medicine, there are some caring wonderful docs and some who are just leaches on society.  And it’s harder than ever telling who is who.

There is a lot of info on statins on this blog, including the work of Dr. Stefanie Seneff, who runs a research team out of MIT.

Statin Drugs – Bought Movie.

Interesting Information: The Bee Cause Project Goes National

Interesting Information:  July 17, 2015

The Bee Cause Project Goes National

I am so proud of my DIL Tami Enright’s work to save the bees.

The Savannah Bee Company turned her loose to figure out ways to put bee hives in places where they would be safe and educate people about bees–places like schools, stores (Whole Foods is a sponsor and has a hive), parks/preserves/conservation land, and so on.

Here’s an email from Tami about the next big push:  taking The Bee Cause to a national level.

So, pass on the word to folks you know who would be interested in this project in YOUR location.

 

Dearest “Tami” supporters:

I hope this email finds you all well and enjoying your summer!  I wanted to share some exciting news…

BeeCause is spreading its wings across the United States!  The last two years of Charleston-based observation hive installations has given us the necessary foundation and insight we needed to expand our program across the country.  This last Spring we were able to test our  “remote install” model and donated observation hives to schools in 6 states!  And, we have 1,000 requests from folks all over the world.  SO….

Today, we launched a fundraising campaign that will allow us to donate a BeeCause observation learning hive to every US state!  This can be accomplished if each state is able to raise $2,000! 

The donation site with a video showing our progress thus far is below:

http://www.gofundme.com/beecauseproject

If you would like to support our efforts, please share this link with your friends and family locally and across the country.  It is a lofty goal – $100,000, and will require all Tami and honeybee supporters to come together.  You all know first-hand the impact our program has had in my life and on our community.  Let’s get out the buzz about this initiative.  

Hope you enjoy the video…and thank you in advance for any donations you make on the GOFUNDME site!  

xo

Tami

Tami Enright, Executive Director + Beekeeper

The Bee Cause Project

thebeecause.org

703.400.4473

Interesting Information: Vaccines: The Forgotten History Of Vaccines

Vaccines:  July 6, 2015

THE FORGOTTEN HISTORY OF VACCINES

When anyone questions the safety and efficacy of vaccines, someone ALWAYS says “the polio vaccine saved lives.”

But…it didn’t.

And there is a very swarmy and nasty history surrounding the polio vaccine.

I can forgive folks for buying into the smallpox vaccine.  Though that’s a swarmy history as well as it dates to the 1700s and involves many types of vaccines, many of which were killers.  But the polio vaccine comes in 1954, and the developers KNEW THERE WERE PROBLEMS.  They went ahead anyway.

Bottom line, I’m realizing, is that no one understands why a killer disease comes into being and then wanes.  And no one knows how our immune systems work.  We do know that each individual’s immune system is VERY DIFFERENT from all others–so a one-size-fits-all vaccines is a huge problem for way too many people–even if you’re assuming vaccines are safe and work–which is also not true.

This is a longer article with tons of good information from a credentialed, reputable source.  At least scroll down to the polio section if you do nothing else.

The Forgotten History Of Vaccines & Disease Everyone Should Know | Collective-Evolution.

Interesting Information: One Family Revitalizes A Small Town With, Yes, Quilts

Interesting Information:  Jiuly 6, 2015

One Family Revitalizes A Small Town With, Yes, Quilts

Here’s a heartwarming story.

The town is Hamilton, Missouri.  The business is Missouri Quilt Company.  The owner is Jenny Doan.

The business draws people to the town, yes.  But the business also has a terrific web site with tons of free videos.  And the business specializes in pre-cut fabric–which is meant to make quilting FAST and easy.

Now, what is also fun is this piece of history:  JC Penny started in this same little town–as a salesman.  Years later he returned to open his 500th JC Penny store in Hamilton.

Yeah small town businesses.  (I hope you’re supporting yours and not the Big Box stores.)  And yeah quilts!

One Family Revitalizes A Small Town With, Yes, Quilts : NPR.

Interesting Information: Beware: “Non-GMO” Cheerios Oats Still Sprayed With Roundup

Interesting Information:  June 28, 2015

Beware:  “Non-Gmo” Cheerios Oats Still Sprayed With Roundup

Why?

To dry them out before harvest–which is another “efficiency” short cut devised by industrial food folks.

BUT, the real issue here is that we cannot trust industry to play fair–so we cannot trust the labels industry puts on our food.

And now, industry is fighting tooth and toenail NOT to have to label foods properly.

All we want is clean healthy normal food that isn’t drenched with heinous, dangerous chemicals.  Right?

Again, my rule is that if it comes in a box or most cans, don’t buy it.

“Non-GMO” Cheerios Oats Still Sprayed With Roundup, Supplier.

Interesting Information: Wait! Read This Information Before Taking A Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic

Interesting Information:  June 18, 2015

Common antibiotic linked to serious, potentially-deadly side effects

A family member recently sent me this information.  THANKS!

The family member wrote:  “My friend…took just one pill and his Achilles tendon ruptured. He has been dealing with pain and muscle atrophy for months…”

BEFORE you take a fluoroquinilone antibiotic, READ THIS INFORMATION!

Here are some product names for this drug:

  • Noroxin® (norfloxacin)—Merck and Co.
  • Cirpo® Cipro XR® (ciprofloxacin)—Bayer HealthCare
  • Levaquin® (levofloxacin)—Janssen Pharmaceuticals
  • Avelox® (moxifloxican)—Bayer HealthCare
  • Factive® (gemifloxican)—Cornerstone Therapeutics
  • Ofloxacin—generic

Here’s some info from the article below:

Charles Bennett, M.D. is a leading researcher on fluoroquinolones.  He spoke with KOB 4 from his office at the University of South Carolina.

“You’re talking about hundreds of thousands of people with a side effect,” Dr. Bennett said.

Dr. Bennett’s work in 2004 led the FDA to add a black box warning to fluoroquinolones.  A black box warning is the highest level of a warning the FDA can add to a drug to encourage doctors and consumers to read the potential side effects. 

Dr. Bennett is now petitioning the FDA to add another warning regarding possible mitochondrial toxicity.  In short, mitochondrial toxicity is a breakdown of your body’s cells.

In April, 2013, the FDA released its own research findings that showed a link of fluoroquinolone usage to mitochondrial toxicity.  The same report shows the toxicity could lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and ALS. 

Common antibiotic linked to serious, potentially-deadly side effects | KOB.com.