Natural Health News

A new study by researchers has found that even light or moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking or cycling, can substantially reduced your risk of early death.

The study combined the results from the largest studies around the world on the health impact of light and moderate intensity physical activity. Although more activity is better, the benefits of even a small amount of physical activity were very large in the least physically active people.

Science Daily reports:

“The good news from this study is that you don't have to be an exercise freak to benefit from physical activity. Just achieving the recommended levels of physical activity (equivalent to 30 minutes daily of moderate intensity activity on 5 days a week) reduces the risk of death by 19 percent ... while 7 hours per week of moderate activity (compared with no activity) reduces the risk of death by 24 percent”.

Children's visits to emergency rooms for serious food-allergy reactions may be on the rise.  Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston found that the number of food-induced allergic reactions treated in their ER more than doubled over six years.

There was an even greater rise in the number of serious, potentially life-threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis.  The number of anaphylaxis cases nearly tripled.

According to Reuters:

“The reasons for the increases cannot be gleaned from the data. But the findings are in line with studies pointing to a general increase in food allergies among U.S. children in recent years ... 3 million school-aged children in the U.S. had a food allergy in 2007, which was up 18 percent from 10 years earlier.”

The rate of breast cancer in Western countries is 10 percent higher in the left breast than in the right. This also is true for the skin cancer melanoma. Researchers have suggested a surprising explanation for this -- and for the dramatic increase in rates of breast cancer and melanoma over the past three decades.

In Japan, there is no correlation between the rates of melanoma and breast cancer, and there is no left-side prevalence for either disease. The rate of breast cancer in Japan is also significantly lower than in the West.

This may be due to differences in sleeping habits in Japan and Western countries. Previous research has shown that people prefer to sleep on their right sides, possibly as a way of reducing weight stress on the heart. This is most likely the same in both the East and the West, but the futons used for sleeping in Japan are mattresses placed directly on the bedroom floor, in contrast to the elevated box springs and mattress of beds used in the West.

According to Scientific American:

“... [A] 2007 study in Sweden conducted between 1989 and 1993 ... revealed a strong link between the incidence of melanoma and the number of FM and TV transmission towers covering the area where the individuals lived ... Consider, however, that even a TV set cannot respond to broadcast transmissions unless the weak electromagnetic waves are captured and amplified by an appropriately designed antenna. Antennas are simply metal objects of appropriate length sized to match the wavelength of a specific frequency of electromagnetic radiation.”

In the U.S., bed frames and box springs are made of metal, and the length of a bed is exactly half the wavelength of FM and TV transmissions.  The maximum strength of the field develops 75 centimeters above the mattress, so when sleeping on your right side, your left side will be exposed to the highest field strength.

Believe it or not, she has the seem the movie only once.  She wasn't coached to say anything, nor was she forced to make the video.

Susan Shaw, an internationally recognized marine toxicologist, author and explorer, shows evidence the toxic Gulf of Mexico oil slick is being kept off of beaches only at devastating cost to the health of the deep sea.

An updated edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders may include diagnoses for "disorders" such as toddler tantrums and binge eating.  This could mean that soon, no one will be classed as normal.

Leading mental health experts warned that a new edition, which is being revised for publication in 2013, could devalue the seriousness of mental illness.  New additions include "mild anxiety depression," "psychosis risk syndrome," and "temper dysregulation disorder".

According to Reuters:

“The DSM is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and contains descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. It is seen as the global diagnostic bible for the field of mental health medicine.  The criteria are designed to provide clear definitions for professionals ... and for researchers and pharmaceutical drug companies seeking to develop new ways of treating them.”

Vitamin D may become the most talked-about and written-about supplement of the decade. A huge part of the population is deficient in this essential nutrient.

Every tissue in your body, including your brain, heart, muscles and immune system, has receptors for vitamin D, meaning that this nutrient is needed at proper levels for these tissues to function well.

According to the New York Times:

“Studies indicate that the effects of a vitamin D deficiency include an elevated risk of developing (and dying from) cancers of the colon, breast and prostate; high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease; osteoarthritis; and immune-system abnormalities that can result in infections and autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.”

Low levels of vitamin D could account for the high incidence of several chronic diseases in the U.S. For example, he said, in the Northeast, where sun exposure is reduced and vitamin D levels consequently are lower, cancer rates are higher than in the South.

If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection, you’ve probably heard of the home remedy of drinking cranberry juice.  Scientists are still not exactly sure how the fruit juice functions as a natural antibiotic, but a new study has provided a bit more insight.

The bacteria responsible for more than 95 percent of urinary tract infections are a pathogenic strain of E. coli.  These bacteria have tiny arm-like appendages called fimbriae that anchor them to the surfaces of urinary tract cells.

Live Science reports:

“... [C]ranberry juice blocks the E. coli fimbriae from grabbing onto urinary tract cells. Cranberries contain large amounts of a chemical called proanthocyanidin, or PAC. PAC functions almost like a shield -- it forces the fimbriae to crumple so they can’t attach to surface of the cells in the urinary tract.”

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reviewed health department inspection reports at all 107 North American arenas and stadiums that are home to Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Hockey League and National Basketball Association.

At 30 of the venues, more than half of the concession stands or restaurants had been cited for at least one "critical" or "major" health violation. These violations pose a risk for food borne illnesses that can make someone sick or even prove fatal.

One of the most dangerous violations was food not being properly cooked, reheated or held at safe temperatures, because that allows the growth dangerous bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus aureus.

In addition, according to ESPN:

“In the past few years, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and Angel Stadium in Anaheim were cited with dozens of critical violations for rodent infestations. The violations ended up on local TV stations and in newspapers. Lucas Oil Stadium faced $3,500 in fines, and the violations in Anaheim angered officials with the city, which owns the stadium.”

Babies whose mothers are attentive and caring tend to grow up happy and well-adjusted children -- and the psychological benefits may extend well beyond childhood.

A new study followed nearly 500 infants into their 30’s.  It found that babies who receive above-average levels of affection and attention from their mothers are less likely to grow up to be emotionally distressed, anxious, or hostile adults.

CNN reports:

“What's more, the link between the emotional health of adults and their mothers' affection was evident even though the mothers and babies were observed for a single day, when the babies were just 8 months old.”

Humans lack a key enzyme found in many animals and plants that reverses severe sun damage.  For the first time, researchers have witnessed how this enzyme works at the atomic level to repair sun-damaged DNA.

Scientists were able to observe the enzyme, called photolyase, inject a single electron and proton into an injured strand of DNA. These subatomic particles healed the damage in a fraction of a second.

According to Physorg:

“[Researchers] synthesized DNA in the lab and exposed it to ultraviolet light, producing damage similar to that of sunburn, then added photolyase enzymes. Using ultrafast light pulses, they took a series of ‘snapshots’ to reveal how the enzyme repaired the DNA at the atomic level.”

A new analysis by the Environmental Working Group suggests Americans are being exposed to bisphenol-A through a surprising route: paper receipts.

EWG found bisphenol-A on 40 percent of the receipts it collected from supermarkets, automated teller machines, gas stations and chain stores. In some cases, the total amount of BPA on the receipt was 1,000 times the amount found in the epoxy lining of a can of food.

According to the Washington Post:

“Sonya Lunder, a senior analyst with the environmental group, says BPA's prevalence on receipts could help explain why the chemical can be detected in the urine of an estimated 93 percent of Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

Research suggests that low doses of bisphenol-A can interfere with your endocrine system and cause a range of health effects, including reproductive problems and cancer.

A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment.  What’s more, at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication.

To address the issue of insomnia, an overwhelming 96 percent of the clinicians recommended at least one prescription medication in a typical month and 88 percent recommended an over-the-counter medication. The sleep medications prescribed ranged from antihistamines to sedating medications to antidepressants.

According to Eurekalert:

“The researchers report that past studies have found that behavioral treatments such as relaxation techniques, sleep restriction and cognitive behavioral therapy are effective for childhood insomnia ... [L]ittle data exists about the safety and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for the treatment of insomnia and other sleep disturbances in children and adolescents. In addition, there are currently no medications specifically approved for use as hypnotics in children under the age of 18.”

The cutest dancing baby ever!

After seeing patients die or suffer serious complications following Lap-Band surgery, Dr. Neelu Pal began quietly calling patients about to undergo the procedure, telling them she feared for their safety.  She was fired weeks after hospital authorities learned about it.

During her time at NYU Langone Medical Center's Surgical Weight Loss Program, Pal witnessed two surgeons -- Dr. Christine Ren and Dr. George Fielding -- implant gastric bands into as many as 20 patients in a single day.  Fielding and Ren are also paid consultants of Allergan Inc, the Botox and breast implant maker which is the leading manufacturer of the gastric band.

And their business could soon increase even more if U.S. regulators grant permission to perform the procedure on overweight teens.

Reuters reports:

“Ren was an investigator in an Allergan-sponsored clinical trial studying the use of bands on teens. And the company has an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval to market the device to teens as young as 14. A decision could come any time.”

Forests and other natural settings can reduce stress, improve moods, reduce anger and aggressiveness and increase overall happiness.  Forest visits may also strengthen your immune system by increasing the activity and number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells.

Many studies show that after stressful situations, people recover faster and better in natural environments than in urban settings. Blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and levels of stress hormones all decrease faster in natural settings.

In addition, according to Science Daily:

“Depression, anger and aggressiveness are reduced in green environments and ADHD symptoms in children reduce when they play in green settings.”

For people with chronic heartburn, too much running and jumping can induce acid reflux. However, the right type of exercise may actually improve the condition.

Short bouts of fairly moderate exercise at least a couple of times a week can cut the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, in part because it reduces body mass index.

The New York Times reports:

“... [T]he specific exercise is crucial. Scientists found that aerobic exercises with the highest ‘agitation of the body,’ like vigorous running, consistently induced acid reflux, even in people who did not have chronic heartburn ...  Another factor is body position. Bench presses, leg curls or any other exercise that involves lying flat sharply raise the risk of acid reflux.”

A shocking interview with top EPA official Hugh Kaufman reveals that the NOAA and the EPA are covering up the lethal effects of neurotoxic pesticide dispersants, and lying about Gulf Oil Spill water samples to save BP billions of dollars in fines.

This is a statement directly from a top EPA official that U.S. government agencies are doing inadequate and improper testing of Gulf waters and lying to the public about the dangers of Corexit.

Alexander Higgins Blog reports:

“In the interview Hugh Kaufman then goes on to discuss how independent water tests performed by a local news station directly contradicted EPA test results and proved that the director of the EPA lied under oath in a congressional hearing about water samples taken from the Dauphin Island Alabama area.”

San Francisco has signed cell phone radiation labels into law -- but the industry isn’t about to accept it without a fight.

The Cellular Telephone Industries Association (CTIA) has filed a complain in federal district court, claiming the new law supersedes the FCC's authority to regulate radio emissions.

In addition, according to the CTIA’s lawsuit:

“[T]he Ordinance will ... also confuse and mislead the public ... The message conveyed by the Ordinance is that safety of FCC-compliant devices depends on their SAR level.”

A new study shows that people who spend more time sitting during their leisure time have an increased risk of death -- regardless of daily exercise.

Researchers tracked the activity levels and death rates in more than 123,000 healthy people for 13 years. They found women who spend over six hours a day sitting during leisure time were 40 percent more likely to die more quickly. Men who spend more time sitting have a 20 percent increased risk of death.

According to Paging Dr. Gupta:

“Prolonged time sitting suppresses your immune system, which may increase the risk of cancer and other diseases. And your blood isn’t circulating as it should when you’re sedentary for long periods of time ... It also has metabolic consequences – increasing your resting blood pressure and cholesterol levels.”