Corganic

Natural Childbearing

2009-07-09T12:43:00.003-04:00

My friends at the Mental Fitness Center in Rochester, Michigan, are having a discussion panel on Natural Childbearing. Please pass this information along to interested parties. Thanks!

------------------------------------------------------------

Motherhood Mornings

Part 1: Natural Childbearing
Saturday July 18th 10:00am

Are you...
Pregnant? Trying to become pregnant? Preparing for a positive labor/delivery? Postpartum?

Join us for coffee, tea & an enlightening morning of discussion on issues related to natural approaches to childbearing. Discussion panel will include a variety of natural childbirth support professionals (i.e. Doula, Psychologist, Childbirth Educator, Doctor & Midwives) to answer questions on the minds of women.

Discussion topics may include:

Nutrition & wellness related to fertility & pregnancy
Relaxation & fear resolution
Identifying and establishing effective support systems
Discovering dreams, desires & preferences as they relate to birth, postpartum & parenting

Nursing babies are welcome.

Cost: $5 Donation appreciated

Space is limited so reserve your spot soon at …

Mental Fitness Center
425 Main Street Suite 201
Rochester, MI 48307
(248) 601-3111

www.MentalFitnessCenter.org

Peace of Mind... Naturally.

Swine Flu Vaccine on 60 Minutes

2009-07-04T07:32:00.004-04:00

60 MINUTES, Sunday Nov 4, 1979.

Mike Wallace

Documentary on the swine flu epidemics of 1976 in the U.S. It went on air only once and was never shown again... until now.

This is a must see video before accepting any vaccine, especially a swine flu shot.

Need the transcript for the 60 Minutes Swine Flu story?

http://www.whale.to/vaccines/swine.html

Please share with family and friends.

Thank you.

Food Inc Review

2009-06-29T12:17:00.009-04:00

I went to see the movie Food Inc over the weekend at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, MI.

Two thumbs up! I think they did a great job at covering a lot of ground in 94 minutes. It is definitely worth watching if you have any interest in food/nutrition.

I was glad to see people coming into the theater holding giant cups of soda pop and big buckets of popcorn. You hate to always be preaching to the choir - so hopefully this movie will attract lots of "normal" people (not just the granola crowd).

I am glad it didn't focus on health, or animal rights, or becoming a vegetarian, nor did it belabor any point too long. The message was primarily aimed at informing the public that the food supply (from seed to shelf) is almost entirely owned by four or five mega corporations, and there are a multitude of implications from that.

Some of the areas the movie covered:

Crop subsidies (for more great info, check out King Korn)
Genetically Modified Organisms (farmer's can't save seeds to plant next year)
Industrial farms and mega agribusiness
Local farms
Food safety
Health
Human rights
Revolving door in the government agencies - from agribusiness
Illegal workers
Monsanto and the power they wield

Being a member of the Weston A Price Foundation, I was pretty familiar with all of the information covered in the movie. Although, there were a few things that jumped out at me. One of which is that they something that looked like a mini version of the NASA control center. Basically, this mega company had a control center that had real-time live video feeds from about 6 food processing factories around the country. It was kind of "neat" to see how these places operate.

Another eye opener was a meat processing plant that developed a system where they run all the meat through an ammonia bath and then grind it up press it into a rectangle that is about 2 feet by 3 feet, and right into a box. This hamburger meat looked awful (and I am sure it tasted awful too). But, their claim to fame is that there won't be any harmful e coli in the meat. (just other toxins and anti-nutrients)

It was pointed out, that a grain fed cow that is harboring harmful e coli, can effectively rid itself of e coli within a week of eating grass. Hmmmm... Maybe instead of doing all of this chemical processing, they should just let cows eat grass. What a concept!

Another thing that surprised me was the food libel laws. I guess I forgot about the public outcry that was caused by Oprah (beef) in 1996 and the Alar (apples) scare back in 1991. Food libel laws really put a crimp on anybody talking about the awful state of our food.

The final message of the movie was that we can "vote" three times per day by choosing what we eat. They encouraged viewers to buy organic and to buy local. The example of this working was the fact that Walmart started carrying organics, because that is what people were buying. The only downside of "voting" at the supermarket, is that the mega food giants have the government in their back pocket and they don't want foods labelled correctly. They hide the fact that foods are made with genetically modified organisms or that meat is made from cloned animals, etc, etc. So, the only way to truly vote, is by buying direct from farmers.

One last thing, during a part of the movie where they showed this family that eat 3 meals a day of fast food partly because they needed to save money for their medications, a lady sitting behind me asks her husband "Why doesn't Obama focus on the food industry instead of health care?".

Here are two Food, Inc. videos:

Filmmaker Robert Kenner and Michael Pollan explain their new film, "Food, Inc." to John Dickerson.

Food Inc - Official Trailer: An unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry.

Enjoy!

Immediate Moratorium on Genetically Modified Foods

2009-05-22T06:59:00.003-04:00

Press Advisory May 19, 2009

Contact Information:
Dr. Amy L. Dean, D.O.
Public Relations Chair Member,
Board of Directors American Academy of Environmental Medicine
734-213-4901
environmentalmed@yahoo.com

The American Academy Of Environmental Medicine Calls For Immediate Moratorium On Genetically Modified Foods

Wichita, KS - The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) today released its position paper on Genetically Modified foods stating that "GM foods pose a serious health risk" and calling for a moratorium on GM foods. Citing several animal studies, the AAEM concludes "there is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects" and that "GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health."

The AAEM calls for:

A moratorium on GM food, implementation of immediate long term safety testing and labeling of GM food.
Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community and the public to avoid GM foods.
Physicians to consider the role of GM foods in their patients' disease processes.
More independent long term scientific studies to begin gathering data to investigate the role of GM foods on human health.

"Multiple animal studies have shown that GM foods cause damage to various organ systems in the body. With this mounting evidence, it is imperative to have a moratorium on GM foods for the safety of our patients' and the public's health," said Dr. Amy Dean, PR chair and Board Member of AAEM. "Physicians are probably seeing the effects in their patients, but need to know how to ask the right questions," said Dr. Jennifer Armstrong, President of AAEM. "The most common foods in North America which are consumed that are GMO are corn, soy, canola, and cottonseed oil." The AAEM's position paper on Genetically Modified foods can be found at http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html

AAEM is an international association of physicians and other professionals dedicated to addressing the clinical aspects of environmental health. More information is available at http://www.aaemonline.org

Genetically Modified Food and Pregnant Women

2009-05-20T12:42:00.005-04:00

Pregnant Women and Babies at Great Risk

Spilling the Beans, May 20, 2009

http://www.seedsofdeception.com/GMFree/AbouttheInstitute/NewsletterSignup/index.cfm

Among the population, biologist David Schubert of the Salk Institute warns that “children are the most likely to be adversely effected by toxins and other dietary problems” related to Genetically Modified (GM) foods. He says without adequate studies, the children become “the experimental animals.”

The experience of actual GM-fed experimental animals is scary. When GM soy was fed to female rats, most of their babies died within three weeks—compared to a 10% death rate among the control group fed natural soy. The GM-fed babies were also smaller, and later had problems getting pregnant.

When male rats were fed GM soy, their testicles changed color—from the normal pink to dark blue. Mice fed GM soy had altered young sperm. Even the embryos of GM fed parent mice had significant changes in their DNA. Mice fed GM corn in an Austrian government study had fewer babies, which were also smaller than normal.

Reproductive problems also plague livestock. Investigations in the state of Haryana, India revealed that most buffalo that ate GM cottonseed had complications such as premature deliveries, abortions, infertility, and prolapsed uteruses. Many calves died. In the US, about two dozen farmers reported thousands of pigs became sterile after consuming certain GM corn varieties. Some had false pregnancies; others gave birth to bags of water. Cows and bulls also became infertile when fed the same corn.

In the US population, the incidence of low birth weight babies, infertility, and infant mortality are all escalating.

My Comment:

Almost all processed foods contain genetically modified foods. It is imperative that people demand foods to be labeled, so we can make intelligent choices.

More info here:

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/

Insurance Now Covers Autism Therapies

2009-05-12T05:20:00.003-04:00

Blues plan to cover autism therapies for children 2-5
Jennifer Chambers / The Detroit News
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
http://detnews.com/article/20090512/METRO/905120330/Blues-plan-to-cover-autism-therapies-for-children-2-5

Detroit -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan announced Monday it plans to offer coverage beginning July 1 for autism therapies that provide intensive early intervention.

The new benefit option covers children 2 to 5 years old who use a treatment called applied behavioral analysis.

The benefit coverage, which consists of up to 60 treatment sessions, can be used once per child, and will be available for purchase by groups -- such as employers -- that already have outpatient mental health coverage.

My Comment:
Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) can be a key to making dietary changes work. So many parents say "The only thing he will eat is _________" or, "I could never could get him to eat _______".

Here's an article about using ABA to introduce new foods into an autistic child's diet...

"Working with Jeff’s behavioral therapy team (using Applied Behavioral Analysis) principles and occupational therapists together we developed a plan to get Jeff to eat new, natural foods in their natural form. This entire process took six months, but the efforts have paid off."
http://gfcf-diet.talkaboutcuringautism.org/picky-kids-eating-autism.htm

Children Can Recover From Autism

2009-05-08T17:08:00.001-04:00

Leo Lytel was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. But by age 9 he had overcome the disorder. His progress is part of a growing body of research that suggests at least 10 percent of children with autism can "recover" from it — most of them after undergoing years of intensive behavioral therapy.

read more | digg story

Bleach Baths Helps Eczema

2009-04-28T22:01:00.002-04:00

Diluted bleach baths help kids with eczema
Tue Apr 28, 4:52 pm ET

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – New research shows that a regimen of dilute bleach baths and antibiotic nasal ointment can improve symptoms in children with eczema, a common, often itchy, skin condition that can become infected with skin microbes.

"We and others have found anecdotally the addition of dilute (bleach) baths to be helpful in decreasing infection rates and disease severity" in children with eczema, Dr. Amy S. Paller and associates, from the Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, note. The current study, however, is the first to compare this strategy with an inactive "placebo" approach.

SOURCE: Pediatrics, May 2009.

Full story:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090428/hl_nm/us_diluted_bleach_baths_help_kids_with_eczem

My Comment:
How ridiculous!!!

My favorite part of the story:
One patient who complained of skin irritation stopped the baths. However, after he developed a drug-resistant skin infection that sent him to the hospital, he resumed treatment, with no reported side effects.

I say, skip the bleach and take probiotics instead.

Studies from Finland have found that when pregnant or breastfeeding women take probiotics, their babies are significantly less likely to suffer from eczema.

One of the most powerful probiotics on the market today is Bio-Kult.

U.S. Spends $9 billion on Child Mental Illness

2009-04-23T21:21:00.003-04:00

U.S. spends $9 billion on child mental illness
Wed Apr 22, 5:23 pm ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Treating depression and other mental disorders in U.S. children cost $8.9 billion in 2006, making mental illness the most expensive condition to treat in childhood, U.S. government researchers reported on Wednesday.

An estimated 4.6 million children were treated for mental disorders in 2006 at an average cost of $1,931 per child, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported.

But more children were treated for asthma than any other disease or injury, the AHRQ found. It said nearly 13 million children were treated for asthma in 2006 at an average cost of $621 for a total of $8 billion.

Fractures, sprains, burns, and other physical injuries from accidents or violence sent 7 million children to doctors or clinics at a cost of $658 per child or $6.1 billion, the survey found.

The agency gathered data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for the report, available at http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/st242/stat242.pdf

(Reporting by Maggie Fox, editing by Vicki Allen)

My Comment:
Does anyone have any opinion on this? Why is this happening?

Click here to post your comment on my blog.

75 Percent of Moms Deficient in Vitamin D

2009-04-17T06:55:00.002-04:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Women with insufficient vitamin D intake during pregnancy may be at increased risk for birth by cesarean section, study findings suggest.

Of 253 women who gave birth in a Boston, Massachusetts hospital, those deficient in vitamin D were nearly 4-times more likely to deliver by cesarean section than women with higher levels of vitamin D, report Dr. Michael F. Holick and colleagues.

In a separate study, Holick's team identified vitamin D deficiency among more than three-quarters of moms and newborns despite the moms' daily ingestion of prenatal vitamins and 2 glasses of milk during pregnancy.

Source:
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE53F69B20090416

Obama's Organic Food Policy

2009-04-11T08:12:00.004-04:00

What do former President Bush, President Obama and Monsanto have in common?

All three required that the food prepared on their workplace premises was not made from genetically modified food.

The Obama family has wisely opted out of exposing themselves to GM foods by requiring organic--and therefore non-GMO--foods served at the White House. They are even planting an organic garden on the south lawn of the White House, to feature 55 types of vegetables.

However, our government and Monsanto keep telling us that genetically modified food is not only safe, it is the "future of food".

"When these gene-spliced concoctions, such as GM soy, corn, canola, and cottonseed, came on the scene in 1996, the proportion of Americans suffering from three or more chronic ailments was 7%. After just 9 years, that nearly doubled to 13%. GM foods are the prime suspect."

For more information, please read the following article:
Will Obama's Food Safety Team Finally Regulate the Biggest Food Safety Hazard of Our Time
by Jeffrey Smith

Believing in Treatments That Don’t Work

2009-04-06T12:47:00.003-04:00

Believing in Treatments That Don’t Work
April 2, 2009, 10:46 am
By David H. Newman, M.D.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/the-ideology-of-health-care/

Highlights:

In the early throes of a heart attack, caused by an abruptly clotted artery, the stunned heart often beats quickly and forcefully. For decades doctors have administered “beta-blockers” as a remedy, to reduce consumption of limited oxygen supplies by calming and slowing the straining heart. Giving these drugs in the early stages of a heart attack represents elegant medical ideology.

But it doesn’t work....

Other treatments that don't work, but that we still do:

Recent press reports detailing the dangers of cough syrup for children have noted that cough syrup doesn’t work. True: No cough remedies have ever been proven better than a placebo, either for adults or children. Yet their use is common.
Patients with ear infections are more likely to be harmed by antibiotics than helped. While the pills may cause a small decrease in symptoms (for which ear drops work better), the infections typically recede within days regardless of treatment. The same is true for bronchitis, sinusitis, and sore throats. Unnecessary antibiotics are still given to more than one in seven Americans each year for these conditions alone, at a cost of more than $2 billion and tens of thousands of serious adverse medication effects requiring treatment.

Perhaps most importantly, we as doctors and patients must be open to evidence. Pills and surgery are potent symbols of healing power, but our faith in these symbols has often blinded us to truths. Somewhere along the line, theory trumped reality. Administering a medicine or performing a surgery became more important than its effect.

My Comment:

What a great post by a medical doctor! We should all acknowledge that our healthcare system continues to spend money on worthless treatments (at best) or deadly treatments (at worst).

On the flipside, we should be "open to evidence" when it comes to alternative treatments. Whether it is diet, supplements, homeopathy, acupuncture, etc.

Bottom line: It's your health and it's unfortunate that you cannot blindly follow the advice of a medical expert (or a healthcare system). You need to take the reigns and do some homework prior to any treatment (however benign that it may seem).

Low Vitamin D

2009-03-26T04:14:00.004-04:00

Americans Low on Vitamin D
Study Shows Rise in Number of Americans With Low Vitamin D Levels
By Jennifer Warner WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Elizabeth Klodas, MD, FACC

March 25, 2009 -- Low vitamin D levels among adults are fast becoming a growing epidemic and could spell trouble for the future health of the nation, according to a new study.

Researchers found that not only has the number of Americans with low vitamin D levels increased, but average vitamin D levels among adults have also decreased from 1994 to 2004.

Low vitamin D levels are already known to cause rickets in children and weaken bones in adults. Recent studies also have linked low vitamin D levels with cancer, heart disease, infection, and other health problems.

They found the average vitamin D level dropped from 30 nanograms per milliliter to 24 nanograms per milliliter from 1994 to 2004. In addition, the percentage of people with vitamin D deficiency (below 10 nanograms per milliliter) increased from 2% to 6%; fewer people had healthy vitamin D levels of 30 nanograms per milliliter or higher (45% vs. 23%) during the study period.

Full Article:
http://www.webmd.com/news/20090325/americans-low-on-vitamin-d

My Comment:

Do you know any kids (or adults) that are prone to broken bones. Or maybe they have autism (or Multiple Sclerosis). Really, anyone from a northern climate should have their Vitamin D tested. It's a cheap and simple test that any doctor can order. Do it in lieu of a cholesterol test. It's way more important to your health.

What is the optimal level?
25(OH)D levels should be between 50–80 ng/ml, year-round.

The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is the most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body. Alternative Names: 25-OH vitamin D test; Calcidiol 25-hydroxycholecalciferol test.

Medical Gag Order

2009-03-25T05:18:00.003-04:00

Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Medical muzzle
Company restricts online reviews with patient 'gag orders'
by Daniel Simmons

“He likes himself a lot,” he says. “His best friend is a mirror.”

“She is difficult and rigid. She is easily offended by questions, and is often late. She is moody, controlling and the coldest fish known to womankind.”

Do you think patients have a right to speak about their experiences — good, bad or otherwise — to whomever they like? Or do you think doctors have a right to privacy that overrules patients’ rights to speak freely?

"Medical Gag Orders" are one-page contracts have been added to the stack of paperwork their patients sign before care begins. “You agree to refrain from directly or indirectly publishing or airing commentary” about the doctor or your medical care, the contract reads.

And if you do?

The doctor may sue for damages, although there’s no evidence such a suit has been filed yet.

The contracts came about thanks to a Greensboro, N.C., company called Medical Justice Corp. The company incorporated in 2001, founded by neurosurgeon Dr. Jeffrey Segal, who remains its chief executive officer.

For the full article:
http://magazine.angieslist.com/story/online-health-reviews-banned-by-patient-gag-orders

My Comment:
All this is mute if we socialize healthcare. The advantage of the healthcare system in America is that we can choose our doctor. What's funny, is that most people spend more time researching what type of car they are going to buy than they do researching the best doctor for them.

There was never an easy way to find good doctor, especially an alternative doctor. Good luck trying to line up 5 doctors for interviews. I think that the Internet can help solve this problem. Some pediatricians will not accept patients who do not have vaccinations. Likewise, there are some pediatricians that do not want to deal with parents who feed their kids a ton of junk food and wonder why they are sick all the time.

If you haven't heard of Angie's list, it is a pretty cool resource for finding contractors. Companies cannot add their own info. Information can only be added by Angie's list members - the consumers. Unlike other websites, you have to pay to join Angie's list. It's about $50 per year. A small price to pay if you are hiring a contractor and want to check out the top rated contractors in your area.

Angie's list has added healthcare to their system. However, since it is new, it doesn't as many businesses listed as the main contractor area. Each city is different. While there is no listings for Complementary/Alternative Medicine in Detroit, it may be a totally different story in San Francisco.

Here a link to Angie's list:
http://www.angieslist.com/

Michigan Autism Increased 91 Percent

2009-03-22T12:17:00.004-04:00

This post is based on the Detroit News article:
Michigan Could Require Insurance Coverage for Autism

The Michigan Public Schools Autism Prevalence Report estimates 13,839 children in Michigan had some form of autism as of 2008. That number was 7,259 in 2003.

In five short years the rate of autism in Michigan has skyrocketed by 91 percent.

Families pay upwards of $10,000 to $50,000 per year for treatment, or their children go without at a time when autism experts say early intervention is critical.

Eight states have enacted legislation in the last two years to require insurance companies to cover autism treatments. They are: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. Florida's law takes effect April 1, making it the first in the nation.

Michigan could be next.

My Comment:
I don't know all the dynamics of the issue, but I do know that these kids can do better with the right therapy. I would venture to guess, that any state mandate would have negative repercussions.

It is obvious that autism continues to increase and the associated cost with treatment continues to rise.

Is the solution state mandated insurance coverage? Probably not.

We should focus on educating parents about diet and nutrition. These are low cost solutions that parents can do at home and have the potential of improving the outcome of other therapies. Thus reducing the overall financial burden, either by the parents or by the insurance companies.

Secondly, we should focus on prevention.

How does one prevent autism? Diet.

Obama FDA Food Safety

2009-03-15T08:08:00.009-04:00

March 14, 2009
WEEKLY ADDRESS:
President Barack Obama Announces Key FDA Appointments and Tougher Food Safety Measures

Highlights
"We’ve seen a number of problems with the food making its way to our kitchen tables. In 2006, it was contaminated spinach. In 2008, it was salmonella in peppers and possibly tomatoes. And just this year, bad peanut products led to hundreds of illnesses and cost nine people their lives – a painful reminder of how tragic the consequences can be when food producers act irresponsibly and government is unable to do its job. Worse, these incidents reflect a troubling trend that’s seen the average number of outbreaks from contaminated produce and other foods grow to nearly 350 a year – up from 100 a year in the early 1990s."

"The FDA has been underfunded and understaffed in recent years, leaving the agency with the resources to inspect just 7,000 of our 150,000 food processing plants and warehouses each year. That means roughly 95% of them go uninspected."

"As part of our commitment to public health, our Agriculture Department is closing a loophole in the system to ensure that diseased cows don’t find their way into the food supply. And we are also strengthening our food safety system and modernizing our labs with a billion dollar investment, a portion of which will go toward significantly increasing the number of food inspectors, helping ensure that the FDA has the staff and support they need to protect the food we eat."

My Comments:

Bravo to President Barack Obama for highlighting the fact that our food system is not safe and that our government is unable to protect us from food outbreaks.

And bravo to President Barack Obama for tapping city health commissioner Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein to be deputy commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Sharfstein has been recognized as a national leader for his efforts to protect children from unsafe over-the-counter cough and cold medications.

Now the scary part.

The government's actions on protecting the food supply have the opposite effect. By trying to implement more controls, they help create an environment where there are larger agribusiness, which leads to larger outbreaks. (which also dramatically increases the chance of bio-terrorism)

One of the initiatives that the government is trying to push through is called the National Animal Identification System, or simply "NAIS". The idea is that by forcing every farmer to tag every animal with a microchip, we somehow can magically eradicate any problems. The logic is seriously flawed.

The NAIS will drive small and medium-size farmers and ranchers out of business, increasing the consolidation of our food supply into the hands of a few large, multinational corporations. The government is wasting your taxpayer dollars on a program that will lead to increased food prices and decreased quality.

SUBMIT COMMENTS TO THE USDA BEFORE MARCH 16
The USDA has proposed a rule to require all farms and ranches where animals are raised to be registered in a federal database under the NAIS for existing disease control programs. The draft rule covers programs for cattle, goats, sheep, and swine. It also sets the stage for mandatory NAIS animal identification in the future.

It is CRITICAL that the USDA and Congress hear from the hundreds of thousands of people who will be adversely affected by the NAIS program. This includes not only animal owners, but also consumers who care about local and sustainable foods, taxpayers who object to wasteful government programs, and advocates for a safer food system.

Take action by clicking on the link:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26665

For more information on NAIS:
http://farmandranchfreedom.org/

For the full transcript of President Barack Obama's weekly address:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Weekly-Address-President-Barack-Obama-Announces-Key-FDA-Appointments-and-Tougher-Food-Safety-Measures/

For the YouTube link of President Barack Obama's weekly address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjX0iJU3vtY

Antidepressants for IBS

2009-03-01T08:23:00.002-05:00

This appeared on MedScape on a study for IBS

February 27, 2009 — Antidepressants and psychological therapies, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), appear to be effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, at least in the short-term, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 randomized controlled trials.

“Antidepressants appeared to exert their effects independently of any improvement in co-existent depression,” Dr. Alex C. Ford, from McMaster University Medical Center, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, told Reuters Health.

“The take home message for clinicians,” he added, “should be to consider using antidepressants for people who fail first line therapy, and psychological therapies for those with resistant symptoms (i.e., failed more than 1 therapy).”

Of the 32 trials included in the analyses, 19 compared psychological therapies, such as CBT, relaxation therapy and hypnotherapy, with control therapy or usual care; 12 compared antidepressants with placebo; and 1 compared both psychological therapy and antidepressants with placebo.

My Comment:
Wow! This is great that the traditional medical community is recognizing the link between gut health and psychological conditions.

Of course, the traditional medical community's solution is completely wrong. Antidepressants for IBS?!?!

How about diet for IBS!

Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride had a son with autism and discovered that, by curing the gut, you can reverse autism. Also, by curing the gut, you can reverse a myriad of other psychological conditions, including depression - so there is no need to start prescribing antidepressants for IBS. Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride wrote a book called Gut and Psychology Syndrome. While diet plays a HUGE role in curing the gut, the other critical component to gut health is re-establishing the gut flora, the friendly bacteria (think yogurt). It's important to take a therapeutic grade probiotic during the healing process. Once the gut is healed, you will feel like a million bucks!

Detroit Autism Conference

2009-02-20T07:37:00.001-05:00

I am going to be an exhibitor here:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902190382

More info:
http://www.americanmedicalautismboard.com/amab_conference_2009.html

Hope to see you there!

Dan Corrigan
Certified Body Ecologist
http://www.Corganic.com/
http://www.GutAndPsychologySyndrome.com/

Vaccines Didn't Cause Autism, Court Rules

2009-02-12T21:05:00.003-05:00

Click here to watch the autism video.

My Comment:

What a heart-breaking video. It is truly unfortunate that the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) was created in 1988. Prior to this, companies who manufactured vaccines suffered huge loses in civil court over vaccine injuries. Drug companies can no longer be sued a civil court of law until the claim has gone through the VICP.

Read more here:
http://www.talkaboutcuringautism.org/enewsletters_archive/2009/enews-02-09-omnibus.html

On one hand, people argue that vaccines do not cause autism... because not everyone who gets a shot gets autism. I guess that's like saying smoking doesn't cause cancer. There are millions of smokers who don't get cancer.

Do I think vaccines cause autism? No. Do I think they can be a contributing factor? Yes. In some cases, it's simply "the straw that breaks the camels back".

Vaccines were made for healthy, older kids. They were never designed for infants, especially infants who have an impaired immune system.

High Mercury Corn Syrup

2009-01-28T04:52:00.002-05:00

MONDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.

"Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply," said the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Dr. David Wallinga, a co-author of both studies.

Full Article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601831.html

My Comment:
It's funny, if you go to the HFCS propoganda site, it indicates that HFCS is a natural grain product. I guess mercury is all natural too, but I don't think I want to be consuming it.

How does mercury get into HFCS?
"The use of mercury-contaminated caustic soda in the production of HFCS is common."

That's the problem with "processed foods" - you never really know how they are manufactured.

One of the most surprising tidbits of info in the article was the following fact:
"On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average."

I would rather eat 12 teaspoons of cod liver oil a day. ;)

Toddler TV

2009-01-19T07:50:00.003-05:00

In 1999 the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement about media and children. In it, the organization discussed the benefits media education can have as well as the health risks TV poses to children, especially those under the age of two. Specifically, the AAP said:

"Pediatricians should urge parents to avoid television viewing for children under the age of 2 years. Although certain television programs may be promoted to this age group, research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interactions with parents and other significant caregivers (eg, child care providers) for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Therefore, exposing such young children to television programs should be discouraged."

I found that posted on the PBS website:

TV and Kids under Age 3
http://www.pbs.org/parents/childrenandmedia/article-faq.html

You Need 'D' to Avoid a 'C'

2008-12-31T15:09:00.003-05:00

Pregnant women are four times more likely to require a C-section if they have a deficiency in vitamin D.

A study at Boston University links vitamin D deficiency to muscle weakness and high blood pressure. Study author Dr. Michael Holick says both those problems may increase the risk of having a Caesarian section.

He suggests that pregnant women begin talking a vitamin D supplement. "There is no downside to doing this," he says.

read more digg story

Autism in the UK is now 1 in 88

2008-12-15T21:21:00.002-05:00

Autism Rate in the UK is now 1 in 88... and 1 in 54 boys.
Autism catastrophe

Published Date: 28 November 2008.

The most recent government study confirmed that the rate of autism in the UK now stands at one child in 88, with the rate for boys, who are most likely to be affected, around one in 58. Make no mistake, this is a public health catastrophe.

As a result of parental demand, Autism Treatment Trust opened a clinic in Edinburgh in 2006 and to date has arranged comprehensive testing and commenced treatments for more than 300 autistic children. The results of the tests have been striking and a remarkable pattern is emerging: gastrointestinal issues are common, particularly inflammation; food intolerances and allergies feature regularly, as do immune abnormalities and heavy metal toxicity. Many of these children are very ill. All are treatable.

The belief that autism is solely genetic in origin is unsustainable; environmental factors must be at play. You do not get genetic epidemics.

BILL WELSH
President, Autism Treatment Trust
Stafford Street
Edinburgh

read more digg story

Extreme Makeover: Autism foreclosure?

2008-12-11T06:45:00.003-05:00

Millions tuned in four years ago as the ABC hit show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" outfitted the Oak Park, Michigan home according to the family's needs for their teenage son, Lance, who is autistic and blind, and his parents are deaf. And as the family now fends off foreclosure, supporters are rallying to their side again.

read more digg story

My Comment:

It looks like getting an Extreme Makeover is like winning the lottery. I remember driving by the house during the summer months and seeing Lance using the cool swingset that they built.

Watch the Channel 7 New's story on the pending foreclosure:

YouTube video of the Extreme Makeover Home Edition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86TN0bA2QnI

Channel 7 news story:
http://www.wxyz.com/content/news/seenon7priority/story/Extreme-Outpouring-of-Support-for-Vardons/rmDc6vh40UOtwBO1XcT6dg.cspx

Detroit News story:
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081211/METRO/812110392/1409/METRO

Google News stories:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=Vardon+extreme+makeover

Fever Gets a Bad Rap

2008-12-10T05:37:00.002-05:00

As freaked out as you might get, fever is not dangerous! Fever is a good thing because it helps fight the infection that is causing it. You have to get to a temperature above 108 degrees before you need to worry about brain damage.

read more digg story

My Comment:

Great article by a new pediatrician blogger on the Detroit News website. Click on read more to see the entire article or just read the summary below:

"If fever is the only worry sign and the child is over 3 months old, I won't be sending him in. I don't really care what the measured temperature is. It could be 100.4 or 104. If the child is acting OK, I won't be worried. On the other hand, regardless of the degree of fever, if a child is lethargic or so irritable you can't calm him down, you should make that trip into the ER for sure."