Monday, 27 February 2012
Saturday, 25 February 2012
How to Improve Your Brain Health
How to Improve Your Brain Health
10 Ways to Increase Memory, Concentration, and Cognitive Abilities
Read more at Suite101: How to Improve Your Brain Health: 10 Ways to Increase Memory, Concentration, and Cognitive Abilities | Suite101.com http://l-pawlik-kienlen.suite101.com/how-to-improve-your-brain-health-a53255#ixzz1nSNS5h6e
A healthy brain not only improves your memory and concentration, it reduces the risk of Alzheimers and other diseases. Here are 10 ways to increase your cognitive skills.
Improving your brain health can protect you from dementias, increase your memory, and sharpen concentration. Everything you do affects your brain and intellectual skills.
“Whenever you read a book or have a conversation, the experience causes physical changes in your brain,” says science writer George Johnson, author of In the Palaces of Memory. “It's a little frightening to think that every time you walk away from an encounter, your brain has been altered, sometimes permanently.”
These expert-endorsed tips will improve the way your brain functions and increase your overall health.
10 Ways to Improve Your Brain Health
1. Do “neurobic” exercises to strengthen neural pathways. Certain cognitive exercises and brain games can create new associations between different brain parts, says neurobiologist Lawrence Katz of Duke University. Neurobics include getting dressed or showering in the dark, switching what you normally wear on one side to the other (e.g., put your watch or bracelet on your opposite wrist), using your opposite hand to brush your teeth, and cooking ethnic foods that you’ve never prepared before.
2. Limit your alcohol intake to keep your brain "big." The more alcohol you consume, the lower your brain volume becomes. Scientists at Wellesley College in Massachusetts found that low to moderate levels of alcohol helps protect your health from cardiovascular disease, but heavy drinking shrinks brains. These researchers define heavy drinking as more than 14 drinks per week, moderate drinking as 8 to 14 drinks per week, and low as less than 7 drinks per week. To improve your brain health, keep the alcohol consumption to a minimum.
3. Try something new to sharpen concentration. An active brain can slow the mental decline that comes with age. “A lifetime of good mental habits pays off,” says University of Alberta researcher Dr. Dennis Foth. “People who are curious at a young age are more likely to be mentally active and stay active as they age. And we found it's never too late to start. With a little effort, even people in their 70s and 80s can see dramatic improvements.” Memorizing poetry, learning a new musical instrument, or taking Spanish or French lessons are great ways to increase memory and sharpen concentration.
Read This Next
* How to Improve Brain Function
* Foods That Increase Brain Power
* How to Improve Memory and Brain Power
4. Smell the sandalwood to increase your memory. “Natural scents have a direct pathway to the brain and research shows that some chemical constituents of aromatherapy oils, particularly…sesquiterpenes can cross the blood-brain barrier and increase oxygen flow to the brain,” says Michelle Schoffro Cook, doctor of natural medicine and author of The Brain Wash. Extra oxygen increases energy, immune function, positive moods, and learning. Frankincense and sandalwood are particularly effective at increasing oxygen levels in the brain. Aromatherapy also decreases stress (and stress decreases brain health).
5. Do the tango to strengthen cognitive abilities. Dance requires twists and turns that strengthens brain connections. Learning the cha-cha-cha can nourish brain cells, which translates to cognitive skills in the real world. “Exercise can protect the brain against environmental toxins by counteracting free radicals and reducing inflammation,” says Schoffro Cook, author of The Brain Wash. Physical activity is one of the best ways to promote the growth of new brain cells and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.
6. Sleep to boost memory. Your brain requires huge amounts of energy to function properly; sleep boost memory and allows your brain to process information. “Though it's not sexy, the traditional sleep advice is still effective,” says Dr Rachel Morehouse of the Atlantic Sleep Centre. Sleep little – if at all – during the day because naps rob you of sleep at night. To improve your overall brain health, get up and go to bed at set times. Stay active but avoid exercising in the evening because it keeps you awake. Wind down before you go to bed with music or a book. To improve your memory, enjoy healthy food, eat light meals at night, and avoid caffeine.
7. Volunteer to lower your stress and increase mental functioning. “Good Samaritans have been found to have lower stress levels and a sense of well-being, factors that add up to better overall health, including brain health,” says Schoffro Cook, author of The Brain Wash. The brain benefits of volunteering include increased mental functioning and better communication skills. The key may be in the “helper’s high” – the sense of calmness and well-being that comes from helping others. Volunteering can also improve your brainy health by raising your self-esteem and feelings of self-efficacy.
8. Socialize with people to improve your memory. Talking can increase memory and cognitive skills, says Oscar Ybarra, a psychologist at the University of Michigan. Further, he believes that visiting with a friend or neighbor may be as helpful as doing a crossword puzzle. About his study, he said, “Short-term social interaction lasting for just 10 minutes boosted participants’ intellectual performance as much as engaging in so-called ‘intellectual’ activities for the same amount of time.”
9. Strive for variety. Don’t rely on a particular practice, supplement, or food to improve your brain health. Instead, incorporate different activities into your life. For instance, take a child hiking if you normally spend time with adults; go for a run instead of the usual yoga class. The more you challenge your brain and body, the healthier and stronger they become. Playing brain games can also improve your brain health.
10. Reduce your exposure to neurotoxins. Harmful chemicals, food additives, and chemically altered ingredients can harm your brain and body health. While it’s not possible to completely eliminate pollution from your environment, you can limit it. Pure products, organic produce, natural fragrances, whole foods, and fresh air will improve your brain health and sharpen concentration
Read more at Suite101: How to Improve Your Brain Health: 10 Ways to Increase Memory, Concentration, and Cognitive Abilities | Suite101.com http://l-pawlik-kienlen.suite101.com/how-to-improve-your-brain-health-a53255#ixzz1nSNfGgF9
10 Ways to Increase Memory, Concentration, and Cognitive Abilities
Read more at Suite101: How to Improve Your Brain Health: 10 Ways to Increase Memory, Concentration, and Cognitive Abilities | Suite101.com http://l-pawlik-kienlen.suite101.com/how-to-improve-your-brain-health-a53255#ixzz1nSNS5h6e
A healthy brain not only improves your memory and concentration, it reduces the risk of Alzheimers and other diseases. Here are 10 ways to increase your cognitive skills.
Improving your brain health can protect you from dementias, increase your memory, and sharpen concentration. Everything you do affects your brain and intellectual skills.
“Whenever you read a book or have a conversation, the experience causes physical changes in your brain,” says science writer George Johnson, author of In the Palaces of Memory. “It's a little frightening to think that every time you walk away from an encounter, your brain has been altered, sometimes permanently.”
These expert-endorsed tips will improve the way your brain functions and increase your overall health.
10 Ways to Improve Your Brain Health
1. Do “neurobic” exercises to strengthen neural pathways. Certain cognitive exercises and brain games can create new associations between different brain parts, says neurobiologist Lawrence Katz of Duke University. Neurobics include getting dressed or showering in the dark, switching what you normally wear on one side to the other (e.g., put your watch or bracelet on your opposite wrist), using your opposite hand to brush your teeth, and cooking ethnic foods that you’ve never prepared before.
2. Limit your alcohol intake to keep your brain "big." The more alcohol you consume, the lower your brain volume becomes. Scientists at Wellesley College in Massachusetts found that low to moderate levels of alcohol helps protect your health from cardiovascular disease, but heavy drinking shrinks brains. These researchers define heavy drinking as more than 14 drinks per week, moderate drinking as 8 to 14 drinks per week, and low as less than 7 drinks per week. To improve your brain health, keep the alcohol consumption to a minimum.
3. Try something new to sharpen concentration. An active brain can slow the mental decline that comes with age. “A lifetime of good mental habits pays off,” says University of Alberta researcher Dr. Dennis Foth. “People who are curious at a young age are more likely to be mentally active and stay active as they age. And we found it's never too late to start. With a little effort, even people in their 70s and 80s can see dramatic improvements.” Memorizing poetry, learning a new musical instrument, or taking Spanish or French lessons are great ways to increase memory and sharpen concentration.
Read This Next
* How to Improve Brain Function
* Foods That Increase Brain Power
* How to Improve Memory and Brain Power
4. Smell the sandalwood to increase your memory. “Natural scents have a direct pathway to the brain and research shows that some chemical constituents of aromatherapy oils, particularly…sesquiterpenes can cross the blood-brain barrier and increase oxygen flow to the brain,” says Michelle Schoffro Cook, doctor of natural medicine and author of The Brain Wash. Extra oxygen increases energy, immune function, positive moods, and learning. Frankincense and sandalwood are particularly effective at increasing oxygen levels in the brain. Aromatherapy also decreases stress (and stress decreases brain health).
5. Do the tango to strengthen cognitive abilities. Dance requires twists and turns that strengthens brain connections. Learning the cha-cha-cha can nourish brain cells, which translates to cognitive skills in the real world. “Exercise can protect the brain against environmental toxins by counteracting free radicals and reducing inflammation,” says Schoffro Cook, author of The Brain Wash. Physical activity is one of the best ways to promote the growth of new brain cells and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.
6. Sleep to boost memory. Your brain requires huge amounts of energy to function properly; sleep boost memory and allows your brain to process information. “Though it's not sexy, the traditional sleep advice is still effective,” says Dr Rachel Morehouse of the Atlantic Sleep Centre. Sleep little – if at all – during the day because naps rob you of sleep at night. To improve your overall brain health, get up and go to bed at set times. Stay active but avoid exercising in the evening because it keeps you awake. Wind down before you go to bed with music or a book. To improve your memory, enjoy healthy food, eat light meals at night, and avoid caffeine.
7. Volunteer to lower your stress and increase mental functioning. “Good Samaritans have been found to have lower stress levels and a sense of well-being, factors that add up to better overall health, including brain health,” says Schoffro Cook, author of The Brain Wash. The brain benefits of volunteering include increased mental functioning and better communication skills. The key may be in the “helper’s high” – the sense of calmness and well-being that comes from helping others. Volunteering can also improve your brainy health by raising your self-esteem and feelings of self-efficacy.
8. Socialize with people to improve your memory. Talking can increase memory and cognitive skills, says Oscar Ybarra, a psychologist at the University of Michigan. Further, he believes that visiting with a friend or neighbor may be as helpful as doing a crossword puzzle. About his study, he said, “Short-term social interaction lasting for just 10 minutes boosted participants’ intellectual performance as much as engaging in so-called ‘intellectual’ activities for the same amount of time.”
9. Strive for variety. Don’t rely on a particular practice, supplement, or food to improve your brain health. Instead, incorporate different activities into your life. For instance, take a child hiking if you normally spend time with adults; go for a run instead of the usual yoga class. The more you challenge your brain and body, the healthier and stronger they become. Playing brain games can also improve your brain health.
10. Reduce your exposure to neurotoxins. Harmful chemicals, food additives, and chemically altered ingredients can harm your brain and body health. While it’s not possible to completely eliminate pollution from your environment, you can limit it. Pure products, organic produce, natural fragrances, whole foods, and fresh air will improve your brain health and sharpen concentration
Read more at Suite101: How to Improve Your Brain Health: 10 Ways to Increase Memory, Concentration, and Cognitive Abilities | Suite101.com http://l-pawlik-kienlen.suite101.com/how-to-improve-your-brain-health-a53255#ixzz1nSNfGgF9
Passionflower Herbal Tea Recipe
Passionflower Herbal Tea Recipe
To 1 tbsp. dried herb (include stems) add 1 cup boiling water steep for 10 min. drink at bedtime for restlessness and insomnia, or during the day to calm anxiety.
The flowers can add a tasty and decorative touch to salads, or used to make a syrup. The fruit can be eaten raw or made into jams, jellies, or wine. Our native Passion flower fruit is most commonly called Wild Apricot, and is not the tropical Passionflower which yields Purple Passion Fruit. It is smaller than the Purple Passion Fruit but can be used in recipes that call for the tropical variety. The seeds may contain a minute amount of cyanide like properties, and one should not eat them in large amounts - just to be on the safe side.
http://www.altnature.com/gallery/passionflower.htm
To 1 tbsp. dried herb (include stems) add 1 cup boiling water steep for 10 min. drink at bedtime for restlessness and insomnia, or during the day to calm anxiety.
The flowers can add a tasty and decorative touch to salads, or used to make a syrup. The fruit can be eaten raw or made into jams, jellies, or wine. Our native Passion flower fruit is most commonly called Wild Apricot, and is not the tropical Passionflower which yields Purple Passion Fruit. It is smaller than the Purple Passion Fruit but can be used in recipes that call for the tropical variety. The seeds may contain a minute amount of cyanide like properties, and one should not eat them in large amounts - just to be on the safe side.
http://www.altnature.com/gallery/passionflower.htm
Menstrual-Cramps
Menstrual-Cramps
Natures Solution
Concern: Menstrual-Cramps
Remedy: Ginger Tea
Why it works:
Ginger contains two substances, gingerols and shagaols, that tone the muscles of the digestive tract, neutralize stomach acid and stimulate the production of digestive juices.
Ginger is often used as a general remedy to settle the stomach.
It also has numerous pain-reducing and anti-cramping compounds.
How to use it:
There are several ways to take ginger.
You can eat a piece of fresh, peeled ginger, up to a half-inch piece, four times a day, as needed.
Or you can steep a piece of fresh ginger in hot water to make tea.
Health food stores also carry crystallized ginger, where fresh ginger is infused with sugar to make a sweet yet pungent treat.
Ginger is available in powdered, tablet form as well.
What to watch out for:
Ginger can hinder your blood's ability to clot, so avoid it in the few days before and after any surgery or if you are on blood-thinning medication.
If you are suffering from morning sickness, check with your doctor before self-prescribing ginger.
Other remedies to consider:
Menstrual-Cramps Remedy: Peppermint
Why it works:
Peppermint is prized for antispasmodic and antigas properties, among other benefits.
It's also a mild stimulant, you'll often see it in tea that is labeled "refreshing" or "restorative."
This multitasking herb has a mild numbing effect as well.
How to use it:
Make tea out of one to two ounces of dried peppermint leaf and eight ounces of water.
It's also available in capsule form.
Make sure it's enteric-coated.
Buy it from a reputable health food store and read the package for dosage.
What to watch out for:
Don't use peppermint if you suffer from acid reflux.
Because peppermint relaxes the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach, it can encourage stomach acid to flow upward, making heartburn or indigestion caused by acid reflux worse.
Menstrual-Cramps Remedy: Evening primrose oil
Why it works:
Evening primrose oil is a good source of gamma-lineolic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that is often found to be lacking in women who are suffering from PMS.
The body converts GLA into prostaglandins, which act like hormones to regulate certain bodily functions such as inflammation and muscle contraction.
In Europe, evening primrose oil is often used to treat the bloating, cramping and breast tenderness associated with PMS.
How to use it:
Take up to two teaspoons of evening primrose oil a day, with food.
Menstrual-Cramps Remedy: Raspberry leaf tea
Why it works:
Raspberry leaf tea has been used for many years by women to ease menstrual cramps.
Researchers believe it could be the plant's pycnogenol that helps ease uterine muscle contractions.
Raspberry leaf tea is also a traditional remedy for the discomfort associated with the third trimester of pregnancy and is used to help prepare the uterus for birth.
How to use it:
Brew a tea using dried or fresh raspberry leaves.
Allow it to steep for up to 10 minutes.
Menstrual-Cramps Remedy:
Kava kava (Piper methyscticum)
Why it works:
Kava grows naturally on islands in the South Pacific.
There, it has traditionally been brewed into a beverage and served to promote a sense of calm and well-being.
It is a natural tranquilizer with none of the foggy side effects of other prescription calming agents.
It also has compounds that help relax uterine muscles.
How to use it:
Take a few drops of tincture under the tongue as needed.
What to watch out for:
There have been numerous reports of liver failure in people who take kava kava in Europe.
NOTE *** Do not use it for extended periods of time (more than one month), or at all if you have liver problems, regularly consume alcohol or are on any medication that also compromises liver function.
Natures Solution
Concern: Menstrual-Cramps
Remedy: Ginger Tea
Why it works:
Ginger contains two substances, gingerols and shagaols, that tone the muscles of the digestive tract, neutralize stomach acid and stimulate the production of digestive juices.
Ginger is often used as a general remedy to settle the stomach.
It also has numerous pain-reducing and anti-cramping compounds.
How to use it:
There are several ways to take ginger.
You can eat a piece of fresh, peeled ginger, up to a half-inch piece, four times a day, as needed.
Or you can steep a piece of fresh ginger in hot water to make tea.
Health food stores also carry crystallized ginger, where fresh ginger is infused with sugar to make a sweet yet pungent treat.
Ginger is available in powdered, tablet form as well.
What to watch out for:
Ginger can hinder your blood's ability to clot, so avoid it in the few days before and after any surgery or if you are on blood-thinning medication.
If you are suffering from morning sickness, check with your doctor before self-prescribing ginger.
Other remedies to consider:
Menstrual-Cramps Remedy: Peppermint
Why it works:
Peppermint is prized for antispasmodic and antigas properties, among other benefits.
It's also a mild stimulant, you'll often see it in tea that is labeled "refreshing" or "restorative."
This multitasking herb has a mild numbing effect as well.
How to use it:
Make tea out of one to two ounces of dried peppermint leaf and eight ounces of water.
It's also available in capsule form.
Make sure it's enteric-coated.
Buy it from a reputable health food store and read the package for dosage.
What to watch out for:
Don't use peppermint if you suffer from acid reflux.
Because peppermint relaxes the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach, it can encourage stomach acid to flow upward, making heartburn or indigestion caused by acid reflux worse.
Menstrual-Cramps Remedy: Evening primrose oil
Why it works:
Evening primrose oil is a good source of gamma-lineolic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that is often found to be lacking in women who are suffering from PMS.
The body converts GLA into prostaglandins, which act like hormones to regulate certain bodily functions such as inflammation and muscle contraction.
In Europe, evening primrose oil is often used to treat the bloating, cramping and breast tenderness associated with PMS.
How to use it:
Take up to two teaspoons of evening primrose oil a day, with food.
Menstrual-Cramps Remedy: Raspberry leaf tea
Why it works:
Raspberry leaf tea has been used for many years by women to ease menstrual cramps.
Researchers believe it could be the plant's pycnogenol that helps ease uterine muscle contractions.
Raspberry leaf tea is also a traditional remedy for the discomfort associated with the third trimester of pregnancy and is used to help prepare the uterus for birth.
How to use it:
Brew a tea using dried or fresh raspberry leaves.
Allow it to steep for up to 10 minutes.
Menstrual-Cramps Remedy:
Kava kava (Piper methyscticum)
Why it works:
Kava grows naturally on islands in the South Pacific.
There, it has traditionally been brewed into a beverage and served to promote a sense of calm and well-being.
It is a natural tranquilizer with none of the foggy side effects of other prescription calming agents.
It also has compounds that help relax uterine muscles.
How to use it:
Take a few drops of tincture under the tongue as needed.
What to watch out for:
There have been numerous reports of liver failure in people who take kava kava in Europe.
NOTE *** Do not use it for extended periods of time (more than one month), or at all if you have liver problems, regularly consume alcohol or are on any medication that also compromises liver function.
Small red moles
Small Red Mole on Skin
Jun 14, 2011 | By Carolyn Williams
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/283088-small-red-mole-on-skin/#ixzz1nSD0yvK1
Moles may be a normal part of your skin and come in a variety of colors, including red. In addition, small, red moles may appear on your skin in response to certain medications. Any moles that change color should be examined by a medical professional as changes in color may indicate emerging serious health conditions.
Types
Moles can vary in color, from white to black and dark brown to red, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. These types of moles are not significant in terms of your overall health. If your dermatologist tells you that you have atypical nevus or dysplastic nevus, don't be alarmed. Both are technical terms that mean you have a mole that varies in appearance from a standard mole. These moles have a higher tendency to become cancerous, however, so you should schedule yearly exams to keep an eye on your health, the Mayo Clinic recommends.
Significance
Check your moles on a regular basis. While most moles are not symptomatic of melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, some are. Moles that suddenly turn red or have one area that becomes red need immediate attention, regardless of size or the amount of color change. Your doctor may need to take a biopsy, where a portion of the mole -- or all of the mole, is removed and sent to lab for testing. Red moles are not more prone to cancer than other moles, according to Mayo Clinic.
Time Frame
Most moles develop by the time you are 20, according to the Mayo Clinic. A small red mole that appears after you reach 20 is not necessarily cause for concern. But if the mole is itchy, painful, crusted or oozing or suddenly becomes red, seek a doctor's opinion, Mayo Clinic recommends.
Considerations
If you suddenly develop a small, red mole on the skin, it could be due to a side effect of medication. Pimecrolimus, a cream prescribed to treat atopic dermatitis, can cause small, red moles to appear in the treated area. Contact your doctor for advice on whether to continue treatment or switch to an alternate medication.
Prevention/Solution
To minimize the growth or creation of moles, practice good sun protection, according to the Mayo Clinic. While small, red moles may not be dangerous to your health, they can be unsightly. Wear a hat and long sleeves. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Use a wide-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin when your outdoors.
If the mole is distracting or uncomfortable, such as in an area that you regularly shave, have your dermatologist remove it to avoid constant irritation and minimize the risk of cancer growth, the Mayo Clinic recommends.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/283088-small-red-mole-on-skin/#ixzz1nSC7LNBG
Jun 14, 2011 | By Carolyn Williams
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/283088-small-red-mole-on-skin/#ixzz1nSD0yvK1
Moles may be a normal part of your skin and come in a variety of colors, including red. In addition, small, red moles may appear on your skin in response to certain medications. Any moles that change color should be examined by a medical professional as changes in color may indicate emerging serious health conditions.
Types
Moles can vary in color, from white to black and dark brown to red, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. These types of moles are not significant in terms of your overall health. If your dermatologist tells you that you have atypical nevus or dysplastic nevus, don't be alarmed. Both are technical terms that mean you have a mole that varies in appearance from a standard mole. These moles have a higher tendency to become cancerous, however, so you should schedule yearly exams to keep an eye on your health, the Mayo Clinic recommends.
Significance
Check your moles on a regular basis. While most moles are not symptomatic of melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, some are. Moles that suddenly turn red or have one area that becomes red need immediate attention, regardless of size or the amount of color change. Your doctor may need to take a biopsy, where a portion of the mole -- or all of the mole, is removed and sent to lab for testing. Red moles are not more prone to cancer than other moles, according to Mayo Clinic.
Time Frame
Most moles develop by the time you are 20, according to the Mayo Clinic. A small red mole that appears after you reach 20 is not necessarily cause for concern. But if the mole is itchy, painful, crusted or oozing or suddenly becomes red, seek a doctor's opinion, Mayo Clinic recommends.
Considerations
If you suddenly develop a small, red mole on the skin, it could be due to a side effect of medication. Pimecrolimus, a cream prescribed to treat atopic dermatitis, can cause small, red moles to appear in the treated area. Contact your doctor for advice on whether to continue treatment or switch to an alternate medication.
Prevention/Solution
To minimize the growth or creation of moles, practice good sun protection, according to the Mayo Clinic. While small, red moles may not be dangerous to your health, they can be unsightly. Wear a hat and long sleeves. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Use a wide-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin when your outdoors.
If the mole is distracting or uncomfortable, such as in an area that you regularly shave, have your dermatologist remove it to avoid constant irritation and minimize the risk of cancer growth, the Mayo Clinic recommends.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/283088-small-red-mole-on-skin/#ixzz1nSC7LNBG
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Phenylpropanolamine
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
I would like to thank those of you who expressed condolences on the
recent passing of my mother. She suffered a hemorrhagic stroke while
she was driving home from my house at 7:30 and passed away at 8:30. My
mother's stroke and passing was an enormous shock to my family because
she did not have any symptoms or risk factors for a stroke. Just the
week before she had gone to her doctor for a check up and received a
clean bill of health. She did, however, develop a cold while she was
visiting me and had taken Alka Seltzer Cold Plus for 3 days. Since her
passing, we have learned that Alka Seltzer is one of the many cold
medicines that contains Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) which can cause
hemorrhagic stokes or cerebral bleeding even with the first use. I am
forwarding a list of other medications that currently use PPA. These
medicines are supposedly being recalled but my mother just purchased
this medication less than two weeks ago. Pharmaceutical companies
have known about this danger for years, we unfortunately, did not.
I urge you to review the list of medicines with PPA and avoid these
medications. All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are dangerous.
You may want to try calling the 800 number listed on most drug boxes
and inquire about a REFUND. Please read this CAREFULLY. Also, please
pass this on to everyone you know. STOP TAKING anything containing this
ingredient. It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke
(bleeding in brain) among women ages 18-49 in the three days after
starting use of medication. Problems were not found in men, but the FDA
recommended that everyone (even children) seek alternative medicine.
The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:
Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or or ange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief
Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Rel! ief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head
Triaminic Syrup ! ! Cold & amp;am p; Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough
I just found out and called the 800# on the container for Triaminic and
they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following
medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and
seizures in children:
Orange 3D Cold & Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold & Cough Berry
3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant
They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on
the box so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them,
and they will also issue you a refund. If you know of anyone else with
small children,
PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!
DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed. They
can then pass it along to their families.
To confirm these findings please take time to check the following:
www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/
InformationbyDrugClass/ucm150738.htm
I would like to thank those of you who expressed condolences on the
recent passing of my mother. She suffered a hemorrhagic stroke while
she was driving home from my house at 7:30 and passed away at 8:30. My
mother's stroke and passing was an enormous shock to my family because
she did not have any symptoms or risk factors for a stroke. Just the
week before she had gone to her doctor for a check up and received a
clean bill of health. She did, however, develop a cold while she was
visiting me and had taken Alka Seltzer Cold Plus for 3 days. Since her
passing, we have learned that Alka Seltzer is one of the many cold
medicines that contains Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) which can cause
hemorrhagic stokes or cerebral bleeding even with the first use. I am
forwarding a list of other medications that currently use PPA. These
medicines are supposedly being recalled but my mother just purchased
this medication less than two weeks ago. Pharmaceutical companies
have known about this danger for years, we unfortunately, did not.
I urge you to review the list of medicines with PPA and avoid these
medications. All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are dangerous.
You may want to try calling the 800 number listed on most drug boxes
and inquire about a REFUND. Please read this CAREFULLY. Also, please
pass this on to everyone you know. STOP TAKING anything containing this
ingredient. It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke
(bleeding in brain) among women ages 18-49 in the three days after
starting use of medication. Problems were not found in men, but the FDA
recommended that everyone (even children) seek alternative medicine.
The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:
Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or or ange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief
Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Rel! ief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head
Triaminic Syrup ! ! Cold & amp;am p; Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough
I just found out and called the 800# on the container for Triaminic and
they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following
medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and
seizures in children:
Orange 3D Cold & Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold & Cough Berry
3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant
They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on
the box so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them,
and they will also issue you a refund. If you know of anyone else with
small children,
PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!
DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed. They
can then pass it along to their families.
To confirm these findings please take time to check the following:
www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/
InformationbyDrugClass/ucm150738.htm
The Honey You Should Never Buy
The Honey You Should Never Buy - It May Be Tainted with Lead and Antibiotics
Posted By Dr. Mercola | January 28 2012
By Dr. Mercola
Bees have been dying off around the world for more than a decade now, a phenomenon that has been named "Colony Collapse Disorder," or CCD.
The U.S. and the U.K. both reported losing a third of their honeybees in 2010. Italy lost half.
The die-offs have spread to China and India, in addition to many other countries.
A third of the U.S. food supply requires the assistance of the honeybee.
The collapse of bee colonies is probably multifactorial, rather than a response to one type of toxic assault.
Although experts don't yet understand all of the underlying factors and how they interact to cause our pollinators to disappear, they agree about one thing: if we allow this to continue, our already-limited global food supply is at risk, which means more than 7 billion humans occupying this planet are at risk as well.
The common honeybee pollinates 130 different crops in the U.S. alone, including fruits, vegetables and tree nuts.
Without our bees, almonds, pumpkins, watermelons and other varieties of melon, and even vanilla, could completely disappear.
Haagen-Dazs donated $250,000 to research into bee colony collapse disorder because it says the honeybees are responsible for 24 of its 60 ice cream flavors, including strawberry, toasted pecan and banana split.
As usual, at the core of the problem is big industry, which is blinded by greed and enabled by a corrupt governmental system that permits the profit-driven sacrifice of our environment. Unfortunately, this motivation reflects an extreme shortsightedness about the long-term survival of the human race, as well as of our planet. Not only are commercial agricultural practices harming honeybee colonies, but your own health is being compromised by deceptive marketing practices about the "honey" you buy, some of which isn't really honey at all, despite what it says on the label.
Honey: Nectar of the Gods
Pure, natural, unfiltered raw honey has an abundance of medicinal and nutritional uses, including the following:
A bounty of nutrition, including enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals Promotes the growth of friendly bacteria in your intestinal tract
Good for your skin
Helps with occasional sleeplessness
Promotes heart health by reducing homocysteine levels
Tames allergies
Can help fight viruses, such as herpes, and bacteria, such as that present in chronic sinusitis
Helps sooth a cough
Helps prevent tooth decay
A special kind of honey that has healing benefits far exceeding that of ordinary honey is called Manuka honey. Manuka honey is made by bees that feed off the flowers of the Manuka bush, a medicinal plant native to New Zealand. Fake honey is unfortunately common in this era of food manipulation and control. Some Chinese brokers sell a mixture of sugar water, malt sweeteners, corn or rice syrup, jaggery, barley malt sweetener or other additives, and label it "honey". A recent report by Food Safety News reveals just how often they get away with this trickery.
Is Your Honey Fake?
In a new report by Food Safety News, more than 75 percent of the honey on American supermarket shelves may be ultra-processed—to the point that all inherent medicinal properties are completely gone—and then smuggled into the country by the barrel drum. Nearly all of this fake honey is made in China. Some of these brokers will even create bogus country of origin papers. All 60 jars of "honey" tested by FSN came back negative for pollen (including Sue Bee and Winnie the Pooh brands), which is a clear sign of ultra-processing.
According to FSN:
"The removal of these microscopic particles from deep within a flower would make the nectar flunk the quality standards set by most of the world's food safety agencies. The food safety divisions of the World Health Organization, the European Commission and dozens of others have also ruled that without pollen, there is no way to determine whether the honey came from legitimate and safe sources."
Millions of pounds of honey that have been banned by the European Union are being smuggled into the U.S. from China. Much of this honey is tainted with illegal antibiotics, including chloramphenicol, which can cause DNA damage and cancer, and heavy metals like lead. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that any product that's been ultra-filtered and no longer contains pollen IS NOT honey.
In their investigation, FSN discovered the following:
76 percent of honey samples bought at grocery stores (such as TOP Food, Safeway, QFC, Kroger, Harris Teeter, etc.) were absent of pollen
77 percent of the honey from big box stores (like Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, and Target) were absent of pollen
100 percent of the honey sampled from drug stores (like Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and CVS Pharmacy) were absent of pollen
The good news is, all of the samples from farmers markets, co-ops, and natural stores like Trader Joe's had the full, proper compliment of pollen, as did organic brands from common grocery stores. But fake honey—the sorry substitute that it is—might be the ONLY thing even remotely resembling honey that you'll be able to get if we don't find a way to save our honeybees from total global collapse.
HUMANS are Casing the Demise of the Bees
Each year, commercial beekeepers have reported unprecedented losses. Steve Ellis, secretary of the National Honey Bee Advisory Board and a beekeeper for 35 years, had so many abnormal bee die-offs that he'll qualify for disaster relief from the USDA.
The main theories are the following:
Malnutrition of the bees due to destruction of their food supply, causing irreparable damage to their immune systems, which makes them more vulnerable to toxic exposures and pathogens, like viruses and fungi
Toxic pesticides, especially the newer systemic pesticides, insecticides, and genetically engineered crops, are a massive source of toxic exposure to the bees
Microwaves from cellular phones have been shown to cause CCD within 10 days, apparently by affecting the bees' communication with the hive and disrupting their navigational ability
Changing global climate, drought, and migratory stress brought about by moving bee colonies long distances to provide pollination services
The EPA claims that new systemic pesticides are safer for humans because farmers can use less of them. However, experiments show that agricultural chemicals that are safe for bees when used alone are lethal in combination. Farmers increasingly combine sprays. They also destroy nearly all flowering weeds, depriving bees of essential nutrients from different kinds of pollen.
Bee Very Afraid...
While much has been made over the "mystery" surrounding CCD, the problem began shortly after neurotoxic pesticides, which are known to be particularly toxic to honeybees, took over the global insecticide market. These relatively new pesticides are called neonicotinoids. Two prominent examples, Imidacloprid and Clothianidin, are used as seed treatments in hundreds of crops.
Virtually all of today's genetically engineered Bt corn is treated with neonicotinoids. A Purdue University study found multiple sources of pesticide exposure for honeybees living near agricultural fields, including high levels of Clothianidin in agricultural machinery exhaust, in the soil of unplanted fields near those planted with Bt corn, and on dandelions growing in those fields. The chemicals were also found in dead bees near hive entrances and in pollen stored in the hives.
Bee colonies began disappearing in the U.S. shortly after EPA allowed these new, toxic insecticides to be used. Even the EPA itself admits that "pesticide poisoning" is a likely cause of the collapse of bee colonies.
These insecticides are highly toxic to bees because they are systemic, water soluble, and very pervasive. They get into the soil and groundwater where they can accumulate and remain for many years and present long-term toxicity to the hive. They enter the vascular system of the plant and are carried to all parts of it, as well as to the pollen and nectar.
These chemicals affect insects' central nervous systems in ways that are cumulative and irreversible. Even minute amounts can have profound effects over time. Foraging insects may become disoriented and unable to find their way back to the hive.
Jim Frazier from Penn State sampled hives from across the U.S. and found an average of six different pesticides in each hive, with one hive testing positive for 31 different pesticides, some of which are of the systemic varieties. Beekeepers everywhere are concerned for their own livelihood, in addition to being fearful of the broader implications of CCD. But one small Colorado beekeeper has served as a one-man sting operation in exposing the EPA's negligence on this issue.
Courageous Beekeeper Battles Negligent Regulators on Behalf of Bees
Colorado beekeeper Tom Theobald became concerned about the effects systemic pesticides were having on his bee colonies. Theobald discovered that EPA allowed Bayer Crop Science, manufacturer of Clothianidin, to market its pesticide for public use without safety studies. Clothianidin has been used commercially for eight years now, with no good safety studies to back it up. Theobald uncovered the documents proving that Congress gave Bayer a thumbs-up to market their product while awaiting the results of a safety study, promised to be complete within 18 months.
And guess who conducts and funds honeybee studies?
The pesticide companies themselves… the fox is again guarding the henhouse. The EPA merely receives the report from the pesticide company, has its scientists make a recommendation, and then EPA administrators make a decision about product safety, supposedly based on good science. In this case, there is NO good science to be found—at least coming from Bayer.
The supposedly scientific research by Bayer proved to be woefully inadequate. Bayer performed the study on one 2.5-acre plot of land planted with canola seed. However, this is a mere fraction of the area foraged by a typical bee colony. In fact, the average area foraged by such a colony is 28,000 acres! Theobald called Bayer's study a "mockery of science" because it was nowhere near an accurate representation of the bees' natural habitat.
So, Theobald wrote an article for the July 2010 issue of Bee Culture, which created quite the buzz. The EPA changed their tone in response to his article, admitting the Bayer study was deficient. Nevertheless, they haven't pulled Clothianidin from the market. According to the Pesticide Action Network:
"Governments in Italy, Germany, France and elsewhere have already taken action against neonicotinoids to protect their pollinators. And beekeepers there are reporting recovery. Yet regulators in the U.S. remain paralyzed, apparently captive to industry-funded science and a regulatory framework that finds chemicals innocent until proven guilty."
No Simple Answers—Persistence is Key
Saving the honeybee will require much more than removing one or two pesticides from the market. It will require a complete change in the mindset and values of industry, and the regulators they hold captive. There is no force for change greater than that fueled by public outrage, so I encourage you to spread the word. Educate your friends, your family… your grocery bagger!
If the goal of pesticides is to increase food yield to more easily feed 7 billion human beings, this goal falls flat on its face if it leads to the collapse of our food chain.
As Tom Theobald says, we can eliminate this one product, maybe, but that won't solve the problem. In a year or two, there will just be another equally dangerous chemical, unless we can change the conditions that lead to the problem. And this means we must yell loud enough to awaken our government from its stupor.
Some folks are doing just that. Honeybee sanctuaries are springing up everywhere, as the award-winning documentary Queen of the Sun shows. Many city dwellers are becoming smalltime backyard beekeepers. If you are interested in supporting the cause, you can check out some of the following websites to guide you in how you can help.
Queen of The Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? - Official Trailer [HD]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekoeQodrVoM&feature=player_embedded
Posted By Dr. Mercola | January 28 2012
By Dr. Mercola
Bees have been dying off around the world for more than a decade now, a phenomenon that has been named "Colony Collapse Disorder," or CCD.
The U.S. and the U.K. both reported losing a third of their honeybees in 2010. Italy lost half.
The die-offs have spread to China and India, in addition to many other countries.
A third of the U.S. food supply requires the assistance of the honeybee.
The collapse of bee colonies is probably multifactorial, rather than a response to one type of toxic assault.
Although experts don't yet understand all of the underlying factors and how they interact to cause our pollinators to disappear, they agree about one thing: if we allow this to continue, our already-limited global food supply is at risk, which means more than 7 billion humans occupying this planet are at risk as well.
The common honeybee pollinates 130 different crops in the U.S. alone, including fruits, vegetables and tree nuts.
Without our bees, almonds, pumpkins, watermelons and other varieties of melon, and even vanilla, could completely disappear.
Haagen-Dazs donated $250,000 to research into bee colony collapse disorder because it says the honeybees are responsible for 24 of its 60 ice cream flavors, including strawberry, toasted pecan and banana split.
As usual, at the core of the problem is big industry, which is blinded by greed and enabled by a corrupt governmental system that permits the profit-driven sacrifice of our environment. Unfortunately, this motivation reflects an extreme shortsightedness about the long-term survival of the human race, as well as of our planet. Not only are commercial agricultural practices harming honeybee colonies, but your own health is being compromised by deceptive marketing practices about the "honey" you buy, some of which isn't really honey at all, despite what it says on the label.
Honey: Nectar of the Gods
Pure, natural, unfiltered raw honey has an abundance of medicinal and nutritional uses, including the following:
A bounty of nutrition, including enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals Promotes the growth of friendly bacteria in your intestinal tract
Good for your skin
Helps with occasional sleeplessness
Promotes heart health by reducing homocysteine levels
Tames allergies
Can help fight viruses, such as herpes, and bacteria, such as that present in chronic sinusitis
Helps sooth a cough
Helps prevent tooth decay
A special kind of honey that has healing benefits far exceeding that of ordinary honey is called Manuka honey. Manuka honey is made by bees that feed off the flowers of the Manuka bush, a medicinal plant native to New Zealand. Fake honey is unfortunately common in this era of food manipulation and control. Some Chinese brokers sell a mixture of sugar water, malt sweeteners, corn or rice syrup, jaggery, barley malt sweetener or other additives, and label it "honey". A recent report by Food Safety News reveals just how often they get away with this trickery.
Is Your Honey Fake?
In a new report by Food Safety News, more than 75 percent of the honey on American supermarket shelves may be ultra-processed—to the point that all inherent medicinal properties are completely gone—and then smuggled into the country by the barrel drum. Nearly all of this fake honey is made in China. Some of these brokers will even create bogus country of origin papers. All 60 jars of "honey" tested by FSN came back negative for pollen (including Sue Bee and Winnie the Pooh brands), which is a clear sign of ultra-processing.
According to FSN:
"The removal of these microscopic particles from deep within a flower would make the nectar flunk the quality standards set by most of the world's food safety agencies. The food safety divisions of the World Health Organization, the European Commission and dozens of others have also ruled that without pollen, there is no way to determine whether the honey came from legitimate and safe sources."
Millions of pounds of honey that have been banned by the European Union are being smuggled into the U.S. from China. Much of this honey is tainted with illegal antibiotics, including chloramphenicol, which can cause DNA damage and cancer, and heavy metals like lead. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that any product that's been ultra-filtered and no longer contains pollen IS NOT honey.
In their investigation, FSN discovered the following:
76 percent of honey samples bought at grocery stores (such as TOP Food, Safeway, QFC, Kroger, Harris Teeter, etc.) were absent of pollen
77 percent of the honey from big box stores (like Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, and Target) were absent of pollen
100 percent of the honey sampled from drug stores (like Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and CVS Pharmacy) were absent of pollen
The good news is, all of the samples from farmers markets, co-ops, and natural stores like Trader Joe's had the full, proper compliment of pollen, as did organic brands from common grocery stores. But fake honey—the sorry substitute that it is—might be the ONLY thing even remotely resembling honey that you'll be able to get if we don't find a way to save our honeybees from total global collapse.
HUMANS are Casing the Demise of the Bees
Each year, commercial beekeepers have reported unprecedented losses. Steve Ellis, secretary of the National Honey Bee Advisory Board and a beekeeper for 35 years, had so many abnormal bee die-offs that he'll qualify for disaster relief from the USDA.
The main theories are the following:
Malnutrition of the bees due to destruction of their food supply, causing irreparable damage to their immune systems, which makes them more vulnerable to toxic exposures and pathogens, like viruses and fungi
Toxic pesticides, especially the newer systemic pesticides, insecticides, and genetically engineered crops, are a massive source of toxic exposure to the bees
Microwaves from cellular phones have been shown to cause CCD within 10 days, apparently by affecting the bees' communication with the hive and disrupting their navigational ability
Changing global climate, drought, and migratory stress brought about by moving bee colonies long distances to provide pollination services
The EPA claims that new systemic pesticides are safer for humans because farmers can use less of them. However, experiments show that agricultural chemicals that are safe for bees when used alone are lethal in combination. Farmers increasingly combine sprays. They also destroy nearly all flowering weeds, depriving bees of essential nutrients from different kinds of pollen.
Bee Very Afraid...
While much has been made over the "mystery" surrounding CCD, the problem began shortly after neurotoxic pesticides, which are known to be particularly toxic to honeybees, took over the global insecticide market. These relatively new pesticides are called neonicotinoids. Two prominent examples, Imidacloprid and Clothianidin, are used as seed treatments in hundreds of crops.
Virtually all of today's genetically engineered Bt corn is treated with neonicotinoids. A Purdue University study found multiple sources of pesticide exposure for honeybees living near agricultural fields, including high levels of Clothianidin in agricultural machinery exhaust, in the soil of unplanted fields near those planted with Bt corn, and on dandelions growing in those fields. The chemicals were also found in dead bees near hive entrances and in pollen stored in the hives.
Bee colonies began disappearing in the U.S. shortly after EPA allowed these new, toxic insecticides to be used. Even the EPA itself admits that "pesticide poisoning" is a likely cause of the collapse of bee colonies.
These insecticides are highly toxic to bees because they are systemic, water soluble, and very pervasive. They get into the soil and groundwater where they can accumulate and remain for many years and present long-term toxicity to the hive. They enter the vascular system of the plant and are carried to all parts of it, as well as to the pollen and nectar.
These chemicals affect insects' central nervous systems in ways that are cumulative and irreversible. Even minute amounts can have profound effects over time. Foraging insects may become disoriented and unable to find their way back to the hive.
Jim Frazier from Penn State sampled hives from across the U.S. and found an average of six different pesticides in each hive, with one hive testing positive for 31 different pesticides, some of which are of the systemic varieties. Beekeepers everywhere are concerned for their own livelihood, in addition to being fearful of the broader implications of CCD. But one small Colorado beekeeper has served as a one-man sting operation in exposing the EPA's negligence on this issue.
Courageous Beekeeper Battles Negligent Regulators on Behalf of Bees
Colorado beekeeper Tom Theobald became concerned about the effects systemic pesticides were having on his bee colonies. Theobald discovered that EPA allowed Bayer Crop Science, manufacturer of Clothianidin, to market its pesticide for public use without safety studies. Clothianidin has been used commercially for eight years now, with no good safety studies to back it up. Theobald uncovered the documents proving that Congress gave Bayer a thumbs-up to market their product while awaiting the results of a safety study, promised to be complete within 18 months.
And guess who conducts and funds honeybee studies?
The pesticide companies themselves… the fox is again guarding the henhouse. The EPA merely receives the report from the pesticide company, has its scientists make a recommendation, and then EPA administrators make a decision about product safety, supposedly based on good science. In this case, there is NO good science to be found—at least coming from Bayer.
The supposedly scientific research by Bayer proved to be woefully inadequate. Bayer performed the study on one 2.5-acre plot of land planted with canola seed. However, this is a mere fraction of the area foraged by a typical bee colony. In fact, the average area foraged by such a colony is 28,000 acres! Theobald called Bayer's study a "mockery of science" because it was nowhere near an accurate representation of the bees' natural habitat.
So, Theobald wrote an article for the July 2010 issue of Bee Culture, which created quite the buzz. The EPA changed their tone in response to his article, admitting the Bayer study was deficient. Nevertheless, they haven't pulled Clothianidin from the market. According to the Pesticide Action Network:
"Governments in Italy, Germany, France and elsewhere have already taken action against neonicotinoids to protect their pollinators. And beekeepers there are reporting recovery. Yet regulators in the U.S. remain paralyzed, apparently captive to industry-funded science and a regulatory framework that finds chemicals innocent until proven guilty."
No Simple Answers—Persistence is Key
Saving the honeybee will require much more than removing one or two pesticides from the market. It will require a complete change in the mindset and values of industry, and the regulators they hold captive. There is no force for change greater than that fueled by public outrage, so I encourage you to spread the word. Educate your friends, your family… your grocery bagger!
If the goal of pesticides is to increase food yield to more easily feed 7 billion human beings, this goal falls flat on its face if it leads to the collapse of our food chain.
As Tom Theobald says, we can eliminate this one product, maybe, but that won't solve the problem. In a year or two, there will just be another equally dangerous chemical, unless we can change the conditions that lead to the problem. And this means we must yell loud enough to awaken our government from its stupor.
Some folks are doing just that. Honeybee sanctuaries are springing up everywhere, as the award-winning documentary Queen of the Sun shows. Many city dwellers are becoming smalltime backyard beekeepers. If you are interested in supporting the cause, you can check out some of the following websites to guide you in how you can help.
Queen of The Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? - Official Trailer [HD]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekoeQodrVoM&feature=player_embedded
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