Green Living Now News, Edition Seven
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1. Does The Use Of Antibiotics
Cause Breast Cancer?
You've probably heard
that the overuse of antibiotics, both
the internal kind (pop and swallow) and the external kind (in
household products like soap) has led to the creation of new
supergerms, which antibiotics can't kill.
If that's not bad enough, this just in...a new
US study found that
the increased use of antibiotics is linked with an increase in
breast cancer. The study (reported in the February 2004 Journal
of American Medical Association) showed women who took anti-
biotics had a "strikingly higher rate of breast cancer"
than
women who did not.
The pharmacy and health records of 10,219 women,
2,266 of
whom had breast cancer, were examined. That's a pretty large
sample. Researchers found that the risk of breast cancer doubled
in the women who had used antibiotics for more than 500
cumulative days. It didn't seem to matter what condition the
antibiotics were treating. I was surprised to learn that antibiotics
were shown to be an even larger risk factor than hormone
replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy is known
to increase the risk for breast cancer by 30 to 40%, and this study
showed that antibiotics increased the risk of breast cancer by
a
whopping 50%.
Another similar study, published in 2000, found
that women under
the age of 50, who reported taking antibiotics for urinary tract
infections, had elevated rates of breast cancer compared to women
who didn't use antibiotics.
Naturally, the researchers stress that additional
studies are needed
to replicate the results, and that "the study provides no basis
for
doctors to stop prescribing antibiotics, or for women to stop using
them, when medically necessary." I think it all depends on
how one
defines "medically necessary". Personally, I haven't had
to take any
antibiotics in the past 12 years, and my almost twelve year old
daughter has never had to take them. It's my nature to seek out
safer, more natural alternatives to treat any health issues. That
said,
if I had a condition that was very serious or life threatening,
and the
only choice was antibiotics, I'd take them. I'd also take acidophilus
to replace the "good" bacteria. (I've read that acidophilous
should be
taken at the different time of the day from antibiotics to be most
effective).
The study results have
raised questions about the timing of antibiotic
doses, particularly during sensitive times, such as breast
development, adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause. Also,
since antibiotics kill all of the bacteria, the "good"
and the "bad",
there are questions about whether or not the lack of "good"
bacteria in the digestive tract interferes with the body's ability
to absorb cancer-fighting foods. Whatever the case, I'm going
to continue to: steer clear of antibiotics and use natural alternatives,
eat organic foods, drink clean
water, and eliminate my exposure
to as many toxic chemicals as possible personal
care, cleaning
products, paints, pesticides, and more…)
2.
More Fluoride More Cavities?
In 2003 the American
Dental Association and the Centers for Disease
Control gave the state of Kentucky a "Fifty Year Award"
recognizing their
50 years of continuous water fluoridation. In 1992 they were 100%
"optimally fluoridated", and in 2000 they were over 96%
"optimally
fluoridated". So, with all of this fluoridation one would expect
a very
low incidence of cavities, right? So how come in a 2002 article
in the
Cincinnati Enquirer it was revealed that nearly 50% of Kentucky's
2 to
4 year olds have cavities? That's twice the national average!
The Centers
for Disease Control named Kentucky the top state in the country
where
residents lost all of their teeth. 42% of Kentucky's adults are
toothless-the
highest in the country.
What about the kids in Newburgh, NY, another
super fluoridated
community, who have more cavities, and more fluoride caused discolored
teeth than children in never fluoridated Kingston, NY? What's up
with that?
Residents of Hawaii and California, the least
fluoridated US states (13% and
15.7% respectively) are least likely to be toothless, according
to the
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Interestingly, along with
Kentucky,
West Virginia (82.1% fluoridated) has the most toothless residents.
"While fluoride is proclaimed a significant
cavity reducer, there is little, if
any science to support that", according to Paul Beeber, a lawyer
and President
of the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation.
"The prevalence of dental fluorosis now
ranges somewhere between 35%
and 60% in fluoridated communities and between 20% and 45% in non-
fluoridated areas", according to "Trends in Prevalence
of Dental Fluorosis
in North America," Community Dental Oral Epidemiology, June
1994. It
seems that the more fluoride used, the more cavities.
What's dental fluorosis?
It's an irreversible condition caused by excessive
ingestion of fluoride
during the tooth forming years. It is the first visible sign that
a child has been
overexposed to fluoride.
Fluoride doesn't just come from drinking water
and dental products anymore.
It's in fruit juices, carbonated beverages, infant formulas, and
certain cereals.
Food and beverage manufacturers aren't required to identify fluoride
content,
so who knows how much we're all getting. Fluoride is the only water
supply
additive that treats the person, not the water,
What are some of the effects of fluoride?
Fluoride is known to cause
cancer.
The NJ Department of Health found that bone cancer in boys was 2-7
times
greater in areas where water was fluoridated. U.S. Environmental
Protection
Agency (EPA) researchers confirmed the bone cancer-causing effects
of
fluoride at low levels in an animal model. And, a new study has
shown that
the fluoridation of water is linked to uterine cancer deaths.
Fluoride changes bone
structure and strength.
Studies show that fluoridation leads to hip fractures. Fluoride
gradually builds
up in the bones and causes adverse changes to the bone structure.
Neurotoxic and Lowers
IQ
Research in 1995 by neurotoxicologist and former Director of toxicology
at
Forsyth Dental Center in Boston, Dr. Phyllis Mullenix , showed that
brain
damage occurred from fluoride build up in the brain of the animals
tested.
Previously classified government research confirmed the toxic effects
of
fluoride on the central nervous system. For more health effects,
go to: http://www.holisticmed.com/fluoride
What to do?
1. Get a good
water filter to get rid of the fluoride in your drinking
water.
2. My family uses fluoride free toothpaste
(Kiss My Face's Certified
Organic Aloe Vera Toothpaste, "Whitening" or "Triple
Action". I'm
not a big fan of their body care products, but I really like their
toothpaste)
and we've been having terrific dental visits, rarely a cavity. No
fluoride
treatments either.
3. What you eat has a lot to do with cavity
prevention. Stop drinking
carbonated sodas, bottled water and other bottled beverages. Take
your
own filtered water with you to work, school, athletic activities.
Favor
certified organic whole foods, not conventional highly processed
foods.
(That's another article within itself, which I'll address in a future
newsletter.)
Resources:
http://www.holisticmed.com/fluoride/
http://www.rense.com/general60/nationalfluoridedatabase.htm
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
#3.
How to Improve Your Dog's Health
Nature designed cats and dogs to be primarily
meat eaters. The ideal
cat and dog diets include high levels of protein, fats, clean water,
and
very little carbohydrates (grains). Sadly, the majority of commercial
pet
foods, even the "natural" ones, list grains as their top
ingredients. Dry
grain based foods are the opposite of the natural dog and cat diet-high
in
carbs, low protein and fat, and with almost no water. Dried foods,
even
with the best organic ingredients are missing "life energy"And
that's not all.
What's in commercial pet food?
The pet food industry uses the undesirable remnants
of the human food
industry, such as: damaged and diseased parts of meat that don't
pass
inspection, moldy grains, rancid fats, and hormone laden meats.
You'll
also find chemical additives, such as: propylene glycol (known
to cause illness
in dogs), potassium sorbate (common preservative chemically
similar to fat),
ammoniated glycyrrhizin (a potent drug that should be tested
for safety),
propyl gallate (retards spoilage, suspected of causing liver
damage),
ethoxyquin (most suspect as cause of severe health problems
in dogs),
BHT (poorly tested preservative implicated as a cause of
liver damage,
metabolic stress, fetal abnormalities, and serum cholesterol increases),
sodium nitrite (widely used, can produce powerful cancer
causing
substances known as nitrosamines). Artificial colors and flavors
are
also used.
The Natural Diet of Dogs
A recent study by biologists, Ray and Lorna
Coppinger found that the
natural diet of dogs included, "bones, pieces of carcass, rotten
greens
and fruit, fish guts, discarded seeds and grains, animals guts and
heads,
some discarded human food and wastes". Yuck! I know dogs are
scavengers,
but please...Personally I think the ideal dog diet is a home prepared
raw food
diet. Dr. Pitcairn, a holistic veterinarian, (author of, "Dr.
Pitcairn's Complete
Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats") agrees.
When our dog, Diamond (pictured above), was
a puppy, I made organic dog food for him. Yes, it was time consuming,
but I wanted to get him off on the right feet, so to speak. Though
Dr. Pitcairn recommends raw organic meat as the best for dogs and
cats, I was too chicken (pun intended) about salmonella and E-coli.
I've since started adding raw ground organic turkey and raw organic
eggs (mixed into
his dry food) into his diet. For dry food, I use Innova Evo, which
I moisten with warm water. I have also given him raw bones to chew
on occasinoally, though a friend's dog had a problem with a chip
from a raw bone piercing his stomach. Not sure whether to continue
with raw bones.
On the topic or raw food, here's what Dr. Pitcairn
says, "My experience, albeit
it clinical and not based on studies, is that my patients have improved
health
on a raw diet. Furthermore, I have not seen significant parasite
problems. It may
be that the meat sources in this country are especially 'clean'
but I doubt it. I
have read that the typical inspector spends 12 seconds examining
a carcass.
My thought at prsent is that dogs and cats, being carnivores by
nature, are
meant to eat raw meat and do not have a problem doing so. I readily
admit the
limitation of not doing statistical studies or careful evaluations,
in terms of
parasites, of these animals. However, I do feel the actual experience
of
recommending this feeding practice for 20 years does offer some
evidence
of the usefulness and safety of this practice."
Eating a highly processed, grain-based
diet when an animal is designed to eat
a meat-based fresh food diet, is very likely to cause ill health
over time. Beyond
what we feed our dogs and cats, consider the fact that many of use
toxic chemical pesticides (flea and tick products), chemical based
dog shampoos and other grooming products, conventional vaccines
and other medications, and all of the same indoor and outdoor air
pollutants that humans are exposed to.
A few words about natural treats...
Steve Brown and Betsy Taylor, authors of "See
Spot Live Longer", believe, as I
do, that a healthy dog who eats a fresh meat and vegetable diet
often have much
cleaner teeth and healthier gums than other dogs. Diamond's breath
never smells.
Here's what they do NOT recommend for
chews and treats:
1. rawhide because they are high in fat,
add no beneficial nutrients, and can cause blockages in the stomach
or intestines, which can be life threatening.
2. gluten based treats, like "green
treats" promoted for dental health.
(glutens are in grains) A common allergen for dogs.
3. cooked and smoked body parts, though
tracheas and tendons are
digestible and add beneficial cartilage, large enthusiastic dogs
can choke on them. I know that smoked meats aren't good for humans,
and I'm not so sure that smoked bones are so good for dogs either.
Diamond often breaks them into small pieces which I have to throw
away before he swallows them.
4. Bones cooked at high temps may splinter.
Slow roasted bones are okay.
5. RAW BONES ARE THE BEST. They're a
good source of good fats, and calories. Beef or buffalo knuckle
bones are good for large dogs and some small dogs, and slices of
femurs (the round bones) are fine for small dogs. If your dog doesn't
need the extra calories, trim away the fat. Start slowly, 10 minutes
of chewing at a time. Store raw bones in the refrigerator or freezer.
Be sure to thaw before giving them to your dog.
6. Treat balls and food stuffed toys are good.
They provide a challenge and are
interesting to dogs. Diamond has a big "Kong" which we
fill with organic peanut
butter. I also use organic cheese too. This is one toy that you
can safely give most dogs when you leave the house. You can stuff
pieces of high quality dog food into a treat ball too. It's really
important to supervise all chewing activities (except for the Kong).
I'm working to add more pet products to my site.
I've got two organic castile soaps that you
can use to bathe your dog.
Orange
or lavender,
and a new herbal horse
and dog shampoo. Diamond looks so shiny, his hair is soft and
thick, and he smells really good after a bath with organic castile
soap. The horse/dog shampoo leaves him smelling a little bit like
coconuts and makes his hair really shiny and soft.
Make sure to give your cat and dog (and horse)
the same filtered
water that you are drinking, they don't need those extra
chemical contaminants either.
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