WARNING: May result in
rapid fat loss, major
health improvements and
extremely impressed relatives!
Worker Bees’ Daily Bites:
What’s shakin’, Apples? I’m here to highlight the best links to get your week off to an informed and healthy start:
Do you trust Big Pharma? You shouldn’t. (I know we said we’d lay off those guys for a while, but this is pretty important news. Official laying-off begins now.)
Dairy Ads Pulled
Finally! Sara practically passed out from joy at this news. (She has researched the Big Moo and Blunder Tonic diet deception extensively.) Want to lose weight? Start here.
More Scams Debunked
Deer velvet is my personal favorite. Come on, gimme a break! This site is no-frills but nicely summarizes some popular supplement scams. I disagree with the last one. What do you think?
Buy Milk in the Dark
This milk advice is one of the most odd, but useful, health tips I’ve seen yet. Buying milk that’s been exposed to fluorescent light destroys precious nutrients. (As you’ll note from reading our assorted research into Big Moo, I think your best bet is to buy raw milk from a reputable local source, but this is not recommended by the federal government.)
Mother’s Milk Vs. Nestle
To say I’m bothered by the fact that Nestle pushes baby formula on new mothers in regions that lack potable water would be an understatement. Breast-feeding is the obvious choice for nourishing infants in impoverished areas where clean water and good food are scarce for mom, let alone baby, but apparently Nestle would rather turn a quick profit and shove sugary formula (deficient in EFAs) down newborns’ throats. Thousands of babies are dying as a result. Read about it here. I for one am boycotting Nestle. They make a LOT of products – they’re the biggest food company in the world. Fortunately, they don’t typically make healthy food, so it’s easy to avoid supporting them.
Technorati Tags: oxycontin, deer velvet, Nestle, baby formula, dairy ads
Posted By: Elliott
I’ve gotten so many great health questions from you all this week, I’m still working through several of the emails. (Sorry for the delay – I haven’t forgotten you! I encourage you to post your questions in the Forum, so that along with my tips, you’ll get the whole gang to help you out.) There were a few questions this week regarding various quack products and FDA warnings that I’ve been asked a number of times over the years, so let’s set the record straight here at MDA.
1. Sandra recently asked me about transfer factor supplements – do they work, and should we be taking them?
“Transfer factor” is derived from bovine colostrum and is said to enhance immunity and muscle performance, among other claims. Like glandulars, this is a product without much to back it up. Not only is there no reputable scientific evidence, but it really doesn’t make much common sense. Cow’s milk is for baby cows, after all, and is designed by nature to be perfect for little calves’ growing immune systems, not ours. Although that’s even debatable, as most dairy cows these days are so crowded, sick and drugged up, I doubt they’re passing on much of anything beneficial to their offspring, whom they never meet anyway. A better way to boost your immunity? Reduce stress! Get exercise! Eat mostly vegetables! Enjoy yourself! Honest.
2. Lisa wants to know if oxygenated water is healthier than regular tap or bottled water.
Nope. I wrote a fun piece debunking these much-hyped “mock waters” some time ago, and it was published over at my good friend Gabrielle Reece’s site. You can also read it here. I’ve gotten some questions about reverse osmosis, bottled water safety (it’s coming, Evelyn!), and other H20 issues, so I’ll be posting a more in-depth look at all things liquid very soon.
3. I’ve also gotten a lot of questions about the current web controversy (no, not the Digg debacle): CAM regulation from the FDA.
Joe Mercola, no stranger to controversy, did what I felt was a very fair job of setting the record straight on this issue. (Note: I certainly don’t endorse all that he has to say, but this is a very balanced look at the current panic over CAM). The very knowledgeable Cindy Hebbard of Wisdom of Healing, politely refuted Mercola’s point of view after I recommended she check out his exploration of this issue. I encourage you to read both points of view if you’re curious.
The blogosphere is certainly hopping all over this issue. People’s response to this issue has been overwhelming – with the FDA extending, then short-changing, the public comment period. Health Ranger Mike Adams of NewsTarget ponders: will juice be banned? Will massage oil be available by prescription only? (Here’s what this science blogger I admire has to say).
I am a big proponent of being a squeaky wheel - nothing works better when it comes to getting governments and corporations to change. (That, and voting with your wallet.) And it’s no secret that the FDA is hardly a friend of natural living and often uses obscenely aggressive tactics against perfectly innocent naturopaths, herbal therapists and the like (just read Cindy’s response to me at her blog). Honestly, I’m glad everyone is picking up on this, because it’s a healthy sign of actively involved citizens.
That said, what the FDA is issuing is simply a (rather repetitive) guidance letter, not a regulation. The FDA doesn’t have legislative power, so this is more of a slap in the face than anything. Given that the rules aren’t being changed, it’s annoying, perhaps, and it’s indicative of the FDA’s attitude towards natural health, but it’s not really a “new” threat. Those of us who have been in the natural health industry have been aware of this issue for quite some time, and there’s just nothing scary here. Yes, the wording of “modalities” – meaning therapies – has been changed to “medicines”. But again, there is no cause for grave alarm. (And as you loyal readers know, I harbor no great and abiding love for the FDA. The FDA is the brunt of many a roast here at MDA).
Here’s the deal: as before, as long as any supplement or natural therapy isn’t making a claim of medical treatment or cure, you can expect things to be business as usual. For example, Mike Adams brings up cranberry juice in his blogging about this issue. In accordance with the FDA’s “new” guidance, cranberry juice can’t be marketed as a cure for bladder infections. It can be marketed as being beneficial for urinary tract health. But…this is nothing new.
Tell the FDA you’re unhappy with where they’re putting their attention and resources – but don’t panic. (This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep an eagle-eye on the FDA, of course. These are the folks who have a problem with stevia, after all. I’ve long noticed that new guidance issuances and sudden press releases about the “danger” of vitamins typically coincide with Big Pharma and FDA scandals. Trucking out sensational scares always makes for a nice distraction from the bigger issues.)
Stick around for a look at the environment and food packaging from Sara and a healthy recipe for your weekend brought to you by Aaron. Have a wonderful weekend, Apples!
Most Popular Posts
Technorati Tags: transfer factor supplements, oxygenated water, mock waters, CAM regulation, FDA, naturopaths, herbal therapists, medical treatment
Posted By: Mark Sisson
The Buckler Brief
Bringing you the latest in supplement analysis!
Supplement: butterbur
Use: natural migraine relief
The verdict: worth a try
I don’t normally recommend a lot of herbs, especially the trendier ones, unless they have some serious scientific backing. Butterbur passes my test. Depending on which recent study you check out, Butterbur (taken twice daily at 75 mg a pop) reduces the frequency of migraines by as much as 60 per cent. Supplement News Blog reports that in a double-blind study from Neurology, butterbur was twice as effective as a placebo in offering migraine relief. Personally, I have seen many cases of migraine suffering clear up with a good daily dose of Omega-3’s, a multivitamin, and elimination of sugar from the diet. However, if you’ve done these things and still suffer the agony of migraines, you might want to try butterbur.
Source: Supplement News
Note on the source: I do not endorse melatonin, nor does Mark. The use of hormone supplement therapy is controversial and I believe you’re better off finding natural ways to stimulate the production of your own melatonin through nutrition and exercise, rather than create an artificial dependency. Supplementing frequently with melatonin (other than for recovering from jet lag or other short-term sleep interferences) can cause the body to produce less on its own, therefore triggering a rather vicious cycle of hormone depletion.
Supplement: magnesium
Use: where do I start?
The verdict: absolutely essential and often overlooked!
Magnesium is vital to mental and emotional health, proper sleep, healthy cell function, bone health and, according to new research, reduction of inflammation. Those of you who know me know that inflammation is perhaps my biggest health concern for people. It’s the common culprit behind diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, obesity and many other conditions. I believe the DV for magnesium is much too low. (Here’s some interesting research to get you started if you are curious to learn more. Here’s another handy link.) I’m including these statements on magnesium today because I think this is a critically overlooked nutrient.
Though not a “trendy” supplement (and look for me to debunk plenty of those in future Briefs), I believe we really need to focus our current attention on the importance of magnesium. Many of our current health problems indicate possible magnesium deficiency, and it’s a big enough issue that the WHO has even published their concerns (the WHO is quite conservative and typically doesn’t promote supplementation beyond basic necessity, so when they talk about deficiency issues, you know it’s a big deal. The sad thing is that our Western diet, which is so potentially rich in nutrition, is in practice creating a very deficient, unhealthy population. You may remember we reported on this issue recently.)
Posted By: Elliott
Worker Bees’ Daily Bites:
Catch the clickativity!
Grease the Brain
Another study confirms it: “good fats” (also known as essential fatty acids and Omega-3’s) help stave off Alzheimer’s disease. We recommend eating a “good fat” at every meal. Some favorites:
- wild fish
- olive oil (or another unsaturated vegetable oil such as walnut, avocado or flaxseed)
- nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, and filberts
- DHA-enhanced dairy and eggs
- Avocados
What’s your favorite way to work good fats into your diet?
HRT Stops, Breast Cancer Drops
It’s all over the news: the drop-off in hormone replacement therapy use after 2003 has been linked to the subsequent reduction in breast cancer cases. This news actually came out months ago (Mark blogged about it in December), but many mainstream docs panned it as a case of jumping to conclusions. Which means that tonight, they shall dine on humble pie.
Have you had an experience – positive or negative – with HRT that you’d like to share with others? What do you think is the best natural approach for women who don’t want to take hormone replacements?
Guess Which Nation Is Deficient in Basic Vitamins?
That would be us, as in US…of A. That’s right – in the land of plenty, where food is so plentiful we make it into furniture*, significant percentages of Americans are missing basic nutrients fundamental to life. Scoot yourself on over to WebMD’s helpful article detailing which additional nutrients many Americans are deficient in and which five simple switches can change this around.
Note: the article classifies three major missing vits – A, E, and C – as antioxidants. A is actually not an antioxidant, although this belief persists. All the same, you still need it.
Okay, one more note: the article recommends imbibing juice to get your vitamin C. We recommend whole fruit – this way, you get the added fiber, and you aren’t drinking pesticides. Yech.
And just one more note: remember that vegetables have plenty of fiber and far fewer calories than breads and pastas. Plus, veggies come packed with antioxidants and cancer-preventing compounds. Okay, we’re stopping with the notes. Seriously. Next item.
*By furniture, we mean bean bag chairs. (Something comedian Ted Alexandro has been taking issue with for several years now. Keep fighting the good fight, Ted.)
Cultural Oddity:
There is an actual product, produced by an actual grocery store chain, called Potted Meat Food. It’s for humans, we think. (Warning: this link is not for the faint of heart or sensitive viewers. But we found it so utterly bizarre that a store would actually sell this, we had to pass it on. If you think Spam is disturbing, well…)
Until tomorrow, Apples! The Bees are out.
Posted By: Worker Bee
Worker Bees’ Daily Bites:
All the news, none of the trans fat!
Except for #1 and #4, That Is
Here are 9 – mostly – great ways to get a healthier heart. #1 is Big Moo baloney (for our readers just joining, Mark and the Bees frequently rant about Big Moo marketing deception). #4 is fine, but sometimes an antioxidant supplement is a better bet than relying on a sugary juice. If you’re wanting to lose weight or lower your blood sugar, we recommend eating whole pomegranates or taking a supplement instead of downing the juice.
Flickr fun: thanks to Podchef!
Low-carb lovers: 1; Bran fans: 0
Mark has been invited to join in a conference about this hot study. The scientists will be debating whether or not low-carb is a smart way to go, in light of two new powerful studies that indicate a grain-based diet is not healthy for humans. We’ll keep you updated on the developments!
Moms of America Roll Their Eyes: This Is News?
Yeah, yeah. Three proven ways to get better sleep tonight: journal your worries, eat a tablespoon of peanut butter (just avoid the Peter Pan for goodness’ sakes!), and drink a cup of warm organic milk or chamomile tea. Oh, and send the kids to the grandparents’ house.
Web it out:
Parents, here’s a great review of an important resource for raising resilient children.
Random obesity fact still manages to startle.
Posted By: Worker Bee
Weekly Newsletter
Daily updates via RSS 
(what is RSS?)
©2010 Mark's Daily Apple | Design By The Blog Studio