“What they found was that those dog owners actually had a lower risk of having recurrent cardiovascular events.” [:07]
The study looks at more than one-hundred eighty thousand people between the ages of forty and eighty-five, who had previously suffered a hear attack or stroke.
Results show dog owners who lived alone, had a 33% reduced risk of death when compared with people who suffered a heart attack and lived alone without a dog.
Doctor Laffin says the relationship between dog ownership and heart health makes sense.
“They can go out for regular physical activity –maybe a walk, jog or even classes like yoga, swimming –those are all great activities that you don’t need a dog to do.” [:10]
Doctor Laffin says getting more physical activity on a regular basis can go a long way towards better heart health and longevity.
Everyone gets anxiety. It’s when you worry about something in the future, which let’s face it, can be tomorrow. A meeting, an interview, an exam, a commute, the weather…so much to worry about, right? Wrong.
STOP those thoughts from spiraling because you’ve no control of tomorrow.
You have THIS moment. Make it a HEALTHY ONE. Repeat that. STAY in the NOW.
Number ONE: Exercise daily. Don’t make excuses like rich people have a personal trainer.
When I was a kid I was influenced by one man I saw on TV. He had nothing, except ONE chair beside him. I was in the first grade when I first saw him.
His name was Jack La Lanne. He spoke about the benefits of daily exercise. I listened. Kids brains are like sponges. Mine absorbed his message. His message is still true.
It is proven your brain benefits at the 45-minute mark. So, if you’re feeling anxious it may be a signal from your body or brain that you need to move.
Look at all the benefits you get simply from walking. Best part? Do it anywhere.
And stay hydrated. Drink water, even when you’re not thirsty. Look at all the benefits of staying hydrated in the photo below.
When people tell me they get headaches, the first thing I ask is how much water they drink. Most say none.
Well, that’s why you have a headache. Most tell me they drink coffee, which DE-HYRDRATES. Your brain needs water.
Your doctor in a rush to get his or her next patient will be too quick to give you pills for headaches or migraines before even asking you this simple question.
If you are prone to headaches –you need to check how much water you should be drinking (use search in my blog to find that) daily and do that. Your headaches will probably magically disappear. You’re welcome.
The times you need to visit a Physician is when you’re doing everything right and you’re still experiencing some sort of pain.
But if you’re not doing the basics of self-care, then you need to make a LIFESTYLE change first to find out if that’s what’s causing your pain. We were created to be healthy and feel good, but we need to take care of ourselves. Here’s that photo magnified.
Speaking of sweat, if you can get to a SAUNA after you exercise, even better. If not, no worries. Can’t get to a sauna? Take a long hot shower or hot bubble bath with Epsom salt afterwards. They now make Epson salt with bubbles.
Try Dr. Teal’s. It contains Magnesium, which can only be absorbed through the skin. CVS sells it. It costs about six dollars. Smells nice too. Like lavender. It’s usually near the soap section. A lot of people lack Magnesium.
Remember, the second you start to feel anxious get up, DRINK WATER, STRETCH, BREATHE and MOVE. Drink water, even when you’re not thirsty. Go for a walk.
WALK. WALK BRISKLY and TAKE DEEP BREATHES (BREATHE IN…AND HOLD FOR 4 SEC. AND breathe out slowly) until the feeling passes. It will. You can do this anywhere, even in a tiny room. Stand up. STRETCH AND HOLD. Then, walk. Every cell in your brain and body benefits when you do this. Don’t focus on what you were worried about. Instead, repeat the words “You can do it…” while breathing. Yes, you CAN walk off anxiety.
Number TWO: Take a good look in your refrigerator and pantry. Toss out the garbage. You don’t need me to tell you what’s garbage. Sugar, soda, junk food, processed foods, white bread, alcohol, cookies, cake, donuts, potato chips.
NOW replace those things with healthy go-to items like alkaline water, almonds, walnuts, blueberries, strawberries, greek yogurt without sugar in lieu of ice-cream or cottage cheese, veggie sticks instead of regular chips, cook veggies in olive oil and garlic, green tea.
Veggie sticks are so yummy I regret blogging about them because like everything else I blog about –it’s suddenly SOLD OUT on store shelves the next day.
I’ve blogged about emotional eating in the past and which foods to reach for when you feel a certain emotion because having different emotions are part of being a human being. Don’t let anyone numb them with pills.
The healthiest thing you can do is try all the good stuff first, because the good stuff works.
The good stuff is what they mean when they say the proof is in the pudding.
Proven healthy lifestyles are proven time and time again from centenarians and those of us who are healthy.
If someone gets through their 40’s and 50’s feeling great with natural energy and no prescription medications they are doing something right.
Unfortunately, there are males and females in their 20’s and 30’s who still think how they look, even if it’s through plastic surgery, or extreme dieting, makes them healthy. Health magazines (which I no longer buy) fuel this misinformation by placing these cropped top people on their covers. That’s insecurity, folks.
The good news is what it means to really be healthy is rising above all that noise.
As I predicted decades ago, the world has shifted conscientiousness regarding health. Take a look at this circle. There’s no bikini in it. There are no six or twelve pack abs for men.
HEALTH comes from inside and it doesn’t need external approval.
There is no longer any denying how interconnected the following are:
Every generation goes through the same feelings as the one before them, so it’s time to start educating ourselves on how to LIVE HEALTHY and PREVENT ILLNESS while living in a crazy world. Even if we live in a healthy bubble and try to shield ourselves from all the craziness –there is no escaping it. Even family members, friends, partner, colleagues, boss, kids, parents, strangers driving near you on the road can infiltrate your peace. You can’t control that.
The healthiest advice anyone can give you is DON’T REACT. The calm one is the healthy one. Did someone less qualified get a position you earned, because they’re related to or know someone? Don’t react. Don’t despair. Didn’t close a deal when something less deserving did? Same thing. It may make you angry. You’ll want to grab a bag of chips or drown your sorrows in ice cream.
Keep your pantry or refrigerator stocked with healthy stuff you can grab instead. A bag of cherries, a large bowl of blueberries or those veggie sticks I told you about earlier. You can snack on a ginormous bowl of these thing and not be left feeling even worse afterwards, as you will with regular chips and junk food.
Number THREE: Turn off TV. Get out in nature instead or read a good book. I’ve been reading a book a day since I was a kid. I thought everyone did until my younger brother laughed and said I was crazy and people are lucky if they read one a year.
Keep that ONE book on your nightstand and reread it when you need inspiration. For non-readers I recommend you start with, “The 7 Laws of Spiritual Success” by Deepak Chopra. I used to give them out as gifts. Little gem of a book. Then, get “The Four Agreements.” These are 2 books you can re-read during stressful times.
My book, “Healthy Within” is one every celebrity who writes a Tell All Memoir should read. The reason is I never mention my ex’s name, or what actually happened. No details. Why? That part is not important. That part is no one’s business. What’s important is how to get through anything that at the time feels like a personal or professional tsunami.
That is the HEAL part in HEALthy. Other than that, it’s tabloid toxicity.
When you’re blaming someone else or pointing out all of your ex’s flaws, people reading it are actually cringing. No one wants someone in they’re in an intimate relationship with to write a kiss and tell, so to speak. There are two people in a relationship or marriage. Two.
Advice to Demi. Let.It.Go
I don’t know who advised her to write this in the first place. It feels like something that should have never been made public. When someone is in the public eye and they reveal they were someone entirely different than we believed them to be –it feels like WE were lied to and betrayed. So, I felt more let down from who I thought Demi Moore was than anything having to do with Ashton. Even when the other person betrays you it’s enough to know it was a betrayal –we don’t need details, thank you. I would have passed on this book. I’m an avid reader and have zero desire to buy it.
NUMBER FOUR: REST. NAP. SLEEP. Allow your brain and body to shut down and reset itself just like you do when your computer has lost it’s charge or starts acting up. Shut it down. Anyone who brags about only getting or needing little sleep isn’t healthy. Every cell in your brain and body is created to regenerate and health itself, but you need to sleep and shut it down in order for it to do what it does naturally. It’s called Beauty Sleep for a reason.
I’ve blogged about foods that help you sleep. If you’re a late-nigh snacker keep bananas, cottage cheese, blueberries and a bag of cherries in your pantry, along with decaf organic tea. Turn off all electronics 2 hours before a set time. Keep the room you sleep in a little chilly. Wear eye shades. Take that hot bath with lavender and you will crash naturally.
If you are on any type of anti-anxiety or depression medication it needs to be under the supervision of a physician, who should ONLY prescribe TEMPORARY low-dose if you are in crisis mode, say after the death of a loved one or other tragedy. It needs to be in combination with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, fancy word for Talk Therapy, to taper you off prescribed medication.
It’s not dealing with what is causing your anxiety or depression. What’s causing it is change and stress from it. That change can come from work, finances, seasons, relationships, age, moving, parenthood –anything in life.
That’s why it’s natural and you need to LEARN healthy coping mechanisms for LIFE. Having a trusted confidante in life to go through ups and downs also helps keep your brain and body in top form.
Healthy relationships are a wonderful buffer against daily stressors in life. It’s having someone in your life to talk to, bounce ideas off of and be there during good times and bad. Healthy relationships proven to be a positive constant in a sea of change. Positive because healthy relationships release all the feel good chemicals and hormones in your body and brain. Love releases oxytocin. When you have LOVE and commitment everything is less stressful.
So what do you do when you don’t have a trusted hand to hold during it all?
Revert to the Four Tips solo, because HEALTHY attracts HEALTHY. Be your best you in mind, body and spirit. Work on healing any past hurts. Put them in the past. Forgive. Move on. YOU need to BE that which you want to attract. Think about that. You want a healthy, intelligent, kind, independent, fun, supportive, honest, loving, faithful, committed, loyal, trustworthy partner?
Post note: I love tea and have blogged about the benefits of tea and my favorites in the past. USA Today and Washington Post now says tea bags contain plastic and that it is toxic. I cut right to the bottom to find out which brands contain plastic bags because not all of them do. Here are brands to avoid.
Mostly, it’s those cute triangle bags. Apparently, it looks like they are made out of paper, but it’s plastic that holds them together. They are cute. Recently, a restaurant served me on that looked was so cute. I commented asking how it was held together Now we know.
Avoid brands in RED
“So which tea bags contain plastic?
Brands that use plastic sealants include Tetley, Twinings’ ‘heat-sealed’ and ‘string and tag’ ranges, Yorkshire Tea and some Aldi tea bags.
Co-Op and PG Tips have all switched to 100% compostable bags.
Abel & Cole and Teapigs using plant-based SoilOn and Clipper makes a plastic-free teabag made from bananas, while some Tetley and Twinings ranges are biodegradable.
But if you want to be absolutely sure your tea is plastic free, loose leaves are the best way to go.” [Source: USA Today, September 2019]
It’s not all tea and it’s not all brands, so get past their hype to the facts. Then, get back to:
Remember, when you have a bad day, week, month or year –don’t call it a bad life. Think of it as a bad season, like leaves falling off a branch in Fall. What do you need for leaves to grow back? Oxygen, water, nourishment, sunshine. Nourish yourself every day and your leaves will return one day at a time. You got this!
Blood pressure. High blood pressure is the second most common cause of kidney disease. High blood pressure may also happen as a result of kidney disease.A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is called high blood pressure. If you have diabetes or kidney disease a target less than 130/80 is recommended. Keeping blood pressure under control is important to lower risk of kidney disease, heart and blood vessel disease, and stroke.
TEST 2: URINALYSIS
Urinalysis. A urinalysis is a test that checks a sample of your urine for the amount of protein, blood (red blood cells and white blood cells) and other things.Protein and red and white blood cells are not normally found in the urine, so having too much of any of these may mean kidney disease.Having protein in the urine is one of the earliest signs of kidney disease especially in people with diabetes.Several other tests can be done to check for protein in urine. One of the tests is called the protein to creatinine ratio. It is the most accurate way to measure protein in the urine. A value of 200 mg/gm or less per day is normal.
A value higher than 200 mg/gm is too high.
Another test, called the albumin to creatinine ratio, is good for people at increased risk for kidney disease—people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history of diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease.
A value of less than 30 mg/gm per day is normal for the albumin to creatinine ratio; a value of 30 mg/gm per day or higher is high and may be a sign of early kidney disease.
With either of these tests, you don’t need to collect a 24-hour urine sample, which may be hard to collect.
TEST 3: GFR
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR is estimated from results of a serum (or blood)creatinine test. The GFR tells how well your kidneys are working to remove wastes from your blood. It is the best way to check kidney function.A serum (or blood) creatinine test alone should not be used to check kidney function. GFR is calculated using the serum creatinine and other factors such as age and gender. In the early stages of kidney disease GFR may be normal. A value of 60 or higher is normal (GFR decreases with age).A GFR number of less than 60 is low and may mean you have kidney disease.Check with your doctor about having the GFR test (a GFR calculator can be found at NKF’s web site)If you are at increased risk for kidney disease (have diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history of diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease), you should find out if you have kidney disease.
A Nephrologist specializes in kidneys, but most people see a Specialist after kidney disease has progressed. More General Practitioners need to check the health of people’s kidneys, so things can be detected early.
The above 3 tests can give you peace of mind. Also, I’ve blogged a lot about Nutrition. You can search under the word Kidney in this blog to find Kidney friendly foods.
For information on upcoming NKF kidney health screenings in your area, visit the KEEP (Kidney Early Evaluation Program) Web site at:
If you have already been diagnosed with kidney disease contact The Flood Sister’s Kidney Foundation at floodsisterskidneyfnd.org for a wealth of information.
Messinas is the global maker of Pulverize, the only safe, tested and trusted weedkiller. Contact: james@messinas.com
One Day After We Post about Pulverize, a safe alternative to Roundup.
We spoke to James Messina following Bayer’s announcement today and he had this to say:
“Speaking for a company who’s already selling an effective weed killer line that uses ingredients found in nature and others that are approved for organic gardening, with availability in more than 8,000 retailers in all 50 states, we are flattered to see that big companies are taking notice of the blueprint we’re laying out.”
“While Bayer takes years to reinvent the wheel, we want consumers to know that PULVERIZE Weed Killers are available today to provide an alternative to the active ingredient glyphosate found in products like Roundup and others. While we may not have their advertising budget, there is a family standing behind these products ready to meet the groundswell of change the public is demanding for effective alternatives, and we’re excited at the brand we’re delivering.” – CEO of Messinas, James Messina
FOLLOWUP INTERVIEW with James Messina, CEO, Messinas:
When did you learn about Bayer’s announcement to invest $5.6B in an alternative, safe weed killer?
JAMES MESSINA: Laying in bed this morning. I was scrolling through the news and sent my team a text of the article screenshot at 5:58 am.
What was your initial reaction to the news?
JAMES MESSINA: I laughed and thought, “I can just see the headline now…’NEW FROM THE MAKERS OF GLYPHOSATE!’ It’s a poorly vailed attempt at righting the ship.
What else do you think about it?
JAMES MESSINA: Personally I don’t think change ever comes from those in power; not governments, not companies…there’s no incentive for those who are in power to change the status quo. They have everything to loose.
I think this is a PR move meant to address the continued assault on their company, their products and their stock price. I think they’ve blown this so bad that the only thing left is for them to get out of it and get back to their core business with a fund set up for the lawsuits…other than that, I just don’t see a way for them to regain the public’s trust.
Why would they start from scratch rather than acquire a trusted brand like yours already in existence, even if you wouldn’t sell? Announcement says development would take years. Makes no sense.
JAMES MESSINA: It makes perfect sense if you know anything about ego. I’ve dealt with this before. Big companies feel like this: with all of our resources and all of our expertise and all of our MONEY, how can we not find this solution internally?!
Why on earth should we pay 100x when we can do it for 10x? BOr worse, they think let’s steal this idea and make them sue us. They’ll run out of money fighting us before they could ever beat us.
Again, I’ve seen this, I’ve lived this, and I’ve fought against these types. Corporate folks who spend their whole lives in big companies have no appreciation for the work small companies do. They don’t understand our motivation.
If you’re making a great living in a machine, you don’t believe small company people who work overtime without overtime pay. You don’t think a guy in his garage can be better than a million dollar lab. It’s like they speak a completely different language.
Is Bayer aware of your product? Have you made them aware of it?
JAMES MESSINA: Oh yeah…check this out. In May of 2018, we got an order through our website from someone at MONSANTO! They used their work email and had the PULVERIZE product sent to their corporate offices. Seeing this, I sent them a letter with it:
MONSANTO Attn: Dan Wright / Paul Ratliff 800 N Lindberg Blvd, Q220 Saint Louis, MO 63167
RE: ORDER NUMBER 10126 FOR PULVERIZE WEED & GRASS KILLER
Dan/Paul,
I wasn’t sure who to address this to, as both of your names were on the order that was forwarded to me, but I wanted to personally thank you both for your interest in Messinas Pulverize® Weed & Grass Killer.
Should either of you or others at Monsanto wish to connect and discuss these products or other Messinas items, please let me know.I would be happy to make myself available.
All my best,
James Messina President
Dan Wright is a Senior Science Fellow at Bayer
Paul Ratliff is Product Development Manager at Monsanto
What is the date of that letter?
JAMES MESSINA: Recent. May 10, 2018
So, Monsanto is aware of you. Did they place an order with you?
JAMES MESSINA: Yes! They ordered two bottles of Pulverize on May 9th, 2018 at exactly 11:05 a.m. and we sent them the products.
Wow. What do you think their motives were? Stealing your secret sauce *laughter*?
JAMES MESSINA: I think they became aware of the product and wanted to evaluate how well it worked. I think they also wanted to send a message to use that we are on their radar. That’s why I sent a note back –to let them know I’m aware and am not going away.
Let me ask you, based on everything we now know about Roundup –do you think there is anything Bayer can do to get back in the public’s good graces? Clearly, the public isn’t buying their announcement today as being a genuine concern for their health and safety.
JAMES MESSINA: I believe that trust is something that is very hard to rebuild for big companies, especially when their motivation comes into question. Had Bayer acted before the first lawsuit in the US, when countries in Asia and Europe started to question the product’s safety, it would have felt different.
Had Bayer moved to re-evaluate the claims of Roundup, or release a statement about their interest in finding organic alternatives, before a jury awarded a couple in California damages in excess of $2,000,000,000, it would have felt different. But they didn’t.
They came out after more than $2.25 billion dollars in damages were awarded in three trials, after more than 13,000 other law suits are still yet to be decided and after multiple countries restricted and/or banned the sale of their product.
It would appear that their motivation may not be as altruistic as people would wish it to be; appearing to be motivated by a stock price that has wiped 45% of their value off the books.
What’s most interesting is that this issue was not Bayer’s problem, originally; it wasn’t until they purchased Monsanto, the maker of glyphosate and Roundup’s trademarks. They brought this fox into their henhouse, and it’s been a problem since the very beginning.
Thank you for your time.
You can view Health Correspondent, Maria Dorfner‘s full interview with Messina on BOLDTV
Photo Courtesy: ASCHA STEINBACH/SHUTTERSTOCK / Farmer sprays crops in Germany.
Wall Street Journal
By Ruth Bender and
Jacob Bunge
BayerAGBAYRY -1.53% plans to invest €5 billion ($5.64 billion) on developing new ways to combat weeds over the next decade, as the German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant seeks to win back trust in its business in the wake of thousands of lawsuits alleging its Roundup herbicide causes cancer.
A big legal fight over the blockbuster weedkiller—inherited with its takeover of Monsanto Co. last year—has plunged Bayer into one of the worst crises in its 155-year history. The company has lost the first three jury trials to plaintiffs claiming Roundup gave them non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with the highest award topping $2 billion. In response, its shares have almost halved over the past year.
BREAKING NEWS today. Bayer announced it will spend $5.6 Billion to create a safe, organic weed killer. It will take years to reach market.
“My two cents: My question to Bayer is why the need to develop your own when one (Pulverize by Messinas) already exists? Do you really care about people’s health or is this about caring about your own image and profits?
I have to say this reminds me of Coca-Cola getting into the water business ONLY after sales for a healthy alternative to toxic soda exceeded sales of soda. The public then learned their water was tap water.
When brands can’t be trusted to put people before profits –people really need to be careful, especially when it comes to health. You can’t replace or buy that back once damaged.”
-Maria Dorfner, CEO, NewsMD
Here’s all you need to know about glyphosate, the main chemical ingredient in Roundup, that is now infiltrating our food. LiveLoveFruit did extensive research to uncover where it’s hiding.
Once you read this check your pantry at home and make healthier choices now that you know. If you want to keep yourself, your family and children healthy know the facts.
Let’s face it TV segments are 2 to 5 minutes tops, so you’re not getting all you need to know in one place. Roundup was first registered in the United States in 1974. We’ve all been exposed to it.
New York City parks and playgrounds use it. When we’re out nature thinking we’re doing something healthy –we’re unknowingly being exposed to toxins. Now that all government official know and all consumers know and The World Health Organization has deemed Roundup toxic –sales of it need to STOP.
SHAME on BAYER for making it a part of their portfolio. We will not stop until it is banned everywhere.
We are grateful to those lawmakers taking a stand. NYC Councilman Ben Kallos has introduced a bill to ban it in all New York City parks and playgrounds. We appreciate his efforts on behalf of public safety and health. It’s not just this generation that is harmed. Glyphosate has been proven to harm DNA that affects future generations. It’s poison.
We are also grateful for Mother’s Across America, who are taking an active stand against it. They continue to grow and will continue their mission of eradicating Roundup from store shelves –educating all consumers about it.
Updated June 13, 2019 to reflect latest EWG test results in late May.
Concern over glyphosate in food is on the rise after Monsanto was found guilty in covering up their cancer-causing product, Roundup. Monsanto has been under scrutiny ever since they were ordered to pay $289 million in damages to plaintiff, Dewayne Johnson.
Just after the first successful trial in taking down Monsanto, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published a haunting reporton the levels of glyphosate in food. According to the independent laboratory tests commissioned by the EWG, popular oat cereals, oatmeal, granola and snack bars come with a heavy dose of the cancer-causing weedkiller, Roundup.
Why Should We Care About Glyphosate in Food?
Glyphosate is the main ingredient found in the popular weed-killer Roundup. Back in 2015, a famous study published by the International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC) came to the conclusion that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans (1).”
The link between glyphosate and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is particularly strong. One study, published in 2008 by Swedish researchers, found that exposure to glyphosate tripled the risk of a subtype of non-Hodgkin called small lymphocytic lymphoma (2).
Another study published in 2003 showed a suggestive link between glyphosate-based herbicide use and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The more pesticides a subject used, the more non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidences increased. Subjects who used five or more of the nine pesticides were “twice as likely to be NHL cases than controls (3).”
Aside from cancer, glyphosate has been associated with a host of health issues, like kidney disease (3), reproductive problems (4), liver damage (5) and birth defects (6).
Glyphosate also interferes with the ability of a plant to uptake nutrients from the soil. Glyphosate, which is a patented chelating agent, binds with nutrients in the soil, and prevents plants from absorbing them. It also acts as an antibiotic (7), which can kill bacteria both in the soil, and our own guts (both of which are incredibly important for plant and human health).
Regardless of the evidence, Monsanto still states that “Glyphosate has a 40-year history of safe and effective use. In evaluations spanning those four decades, the overwhelming conclusion of experts worldwide, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has been that glyphosate can be used safely.” Despite the lawsuit, it seems Monsanto is still in denial.
Products and Brands Filled with Glyphosate
Aside from the EWG report on glyphosate in food, other companies have also done independent testing for glyphosate residues in everyday food products. In 2016, Food Democracy Now! and The Detox Project commissioned tests that found high levels of glyphosate in many American foods – even products that are certified organic or non-GMO.
Below is a complete list of foods that contain glyphosate residues. I’ve combined data from both the report EWG released, as well as the reports released from Food Democracy Now! and the group’s “Detox Project.”
Beer
– Tsingtao Beer
– Coors Light
– Miller Lite
– Budweiser
– Corona Extra
– Heineken
– Guinness Draught
– Stella Artois
– Ace Perry Hard Cider
– Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
– New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
– Sam Adams New England IPA
– Stella Artois Cidre
– Samuel Smith’s Organic Lager
Glyphosate contamination cannot be removed by washing (it is absorbed into the plant while it’s growing). It also is not broken down by cooking or baking.
In order to avoid glyphosate in food, follow the pointers below:
1. Always Look for Non-GMO Project Verified
If you’re purchasing a processed food item (that is, something boxed, bagged or canned), you can make sure it doesn’t contain GMO ingredients by looking for the Non-GMO Project Verified symbol (see below).
The best way to ensure your products are GMO and glyphosate-free is to look for organic products with this Non-GMO verified label. That way, you know you’re eating a good product.
2. Certified Organic is Better Than Non-Organic
By purchasing certified organic foods, you’ll be rest assured that your food doesn’t contain any glyphosate-containing chemicals.
Unfortunately, glyphosate use is so rampant, that some organic foods may contain small amounts of glyphosate residues.
Damaging herbicide drift can travel far, especially when it is applied in mornings when the spray gets hung up and moves with the air mass across fields (due to air temperature differences) (8).
Glyphosate also leaks into the watershed, which means it travels far, and can contaminate surrounding organic fields.
This is probably why Bob’s Red Mill Organic Oats were found with small levels of glyphosate residues. Their response to this?
“Because we at Bob’s Red Mill are dedicated to bringing all of our customers natural, healthy products, whether organic or conventional, we have inquired directly with farmers and with our suppliers to determine if glyphosate desiccation is used by the farmers supplying our products.
The majority of our conventional wheat is grown close to home in the Pacific Northwest where growing seasons are typically longer and the practice of desiccation is as such rarely used.
We’ve been told desiccation is not a practice used by our individual farmers. The growing, harvest and communal storage practices sometimes used by the wheat industry in general make it nearly impossible, however, for our multi-source suppliers to guarantee the practice of glyphosate desiccation is not used with all of the conventional wheat the suppliers sell to us.
We are able to assure our customers, however, that glyphosate desiccation is not a practice used for our organic products as the use of glyphosate is not permitted at any time in the cultivation of our organically grown ingredients. Our Customers who desire to be certain that glyphosate has not been used may wish to choose instead from our extensive line of certified organic products.” (source)
They then go on to state: “We are able to assure our customers, however, that glyphosate desiccation is not a practice used for our organic products, as the use of glyphosate is not permitted at any time in the cultivation of our organically grown ingredients. Our customers who desire to be certain that glyphosate has not been used may wish to choose instead from our extensive line of certified organic products.”
However, their organic products do contain glyphosate, as pointed out in the studies above. As a result, Bob’s Red Mill is facing a federal class action lawsuit.
The good news is that organic foods contain much lower levels of glyphosate compared to their conventional counterparts. This one example doesn’t mean that organic products are bad. Bob’s Red Mill didn’t take their standards seriously when it came to organic products, so all we can do is hope that other companies do.
3. Grow Your Own & Farmer’s Markets
Another great way to ensure your food is grown glyphosate-free is by growing your own food (or sourcing it from farmers you trust at farmers’ markets). By growing your own food, you’ll feel more self-reliable, which is a super great feeling. You’ll also become more connected to the food you eat, as you’ll appreciate the time it took to grow that squash or tomato!
4. Look for Glyphosate Residue Free Labels
The Detox Project, a research and certification platform that uses an FDA-registered food-testing lab to test for toxic chemicals launched their own “Glyphosate Residue Free” label. This label offers more transparency and assures the purchaser that they’re not getting any glyphosate in the food they’re buying.
While these labels aren’t mainstream, the Detox Project is working with food manufacturers and grocery chains to get this label on more products.
Carly Fraser has her BSc (Hons.) Degree in Neuroscience, and is the owner and founder at Live Love Fruit. She currently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with a determined life mission to help inspire and motivate individuals to critically think about what they put in their bodies and to find balance through nutrition and lifestyle. She has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals to re-connect with their bodies and learn self-love through proper eating habits and natural living. She loves to do yoga, dance, and immerse herself in nature.
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Messinas is the global maker of Pulverize, the only safe, tested and trusted weedkiller. Contact: james@messinas.com
CBS THIS MORNING interviewed Dr. Agus, an oncologist for his expert opinion on glyphosate. Let’s just say it’s not a chemical he wants in his own body.
Dr. David Agus, a cancer specialist, joined “CBS This Morning” Thursday to sort out the claims. He says, “We just don’t know” exactly how glyphosate will impact the human body in the long run.
“The problem is when you eat something, say, glyphosate, there’s a 10, 20-year lag before disease and the intervention.”
Agus explains glyphosate emerged in the 1960s as a pipe cleaner, and then started being used as a weed killer. But in the 1990s, “usage went through the roof.”
When asked if he’d willingly put the chemical in his own body, Agus says he “certainly wouldn’t.”
Watch the complete interview with CBS THIS MORNING here:
Maria Dorfner has been covering Medical/Health since 1993 after 10 years of working behind-the-scenes at major networks. She created, produced and co-hosted 7 half-hour health programs airing on CNBC, which she helped launch in 1989. Original programs include Healthcare Consumers co-hosted with Jay Michaels, Healthy Living, Lifestyles and Longevity and more.
She produced medical segments for NBC and NBC Miami, helped launch MedPage Today (sold to CNN), is the co-founder of The Cleveland Clinic News Service (CCNS) and the founder of NewsMD, a full-service production company specializing in health. She produced 21st Century Medicine for DISCOVERY and has been a trusted go-to source in health news for networks. She has also helped raised millions for non-profits and hospitals in need through volunteer work and working on capital campaigns.
She has travelled extensively interviewing a Who’s Who in Health and has produced successfully syndicated major talk shows. She was awarded a Medical Reporting Scholarship from the American Medical Association, won a Media Recognition Award from the American Heart Association, a Freddie Award for Excellence in Medical Reporting and more. She is in Who’s Who in American Women.
She is currently producing Late Night Health radio with host, Mark Alyn and an Executive Producer with NewsMD and AJA Creative Media, working alongside 4X Emmy-award-winning producer, Alex J. Aguiar. Please follow BOLDTV, founded by Carrie Sheffield, a co-production with Al Roker Productions, where Maria will be contribute health stories.
She is the author of 3 books. Healthy Within, PRESSure: Break Into Broadcasting and a family recipe cookbook called, Health Heart and Humor in an Italian-American Kitchen. Books are available on Amazon.
Maria began her career as an intern at NBC on the TODAY SHOW in 1983, while an undergraduate at Pace University, where she majored in English and Political Science. She served as Director of Communications for Ailes Communications, a political consulting firm and producer of programming. NBC awarded her a graduate scholarship to Columbia University. She was Miss Pace University and a Sigma Tau Delta National Honors student in English and a member of the Intercollegiate Model City Council in New York City.
Her lifelong mission in life is to educate and empower people to lead healthier lives.
Raising Awareness: Kidney disease is a “hidden epidemic” affecting more than 850 million people worldwide, renal experts say.
That’s twice the number of diabetics (422 million) and more than 20 times the number of people with cancer (42 million) or HIV/AIDS (36.7 million).
But most people don’t realize that kidney disease is a major health issue.
“It is high time to put the global spread of kidney diseases into focus,” says David Harris and Adeera Levin of the International Society of Nephrology.
Harris is the group’s president and Levin is past president. They note kidney diseases often cause no early symptoms.
And many people aren’t aware of their increased risk for heart problems, infections, hospitalization and kidney failure.
Chronic kidney diseases (ones lasting more than three months) affect 10 percent of men and nearly 12 percent of women around the world.
Up to 10.5 million people need dialysis or a kidney transplant, but many don’t receive these lifesaving treatments due to cost or lack of resources.
In addition, more than 13 million people suffer acute kidney injury. Some will go on to develop chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
Levin says, “Using all these sources of data, and existing estimates of acute and chronic kidney diseases, we estimate approximately 850 million kidney patients — a number which surely signifies an ‘epidemic’ worldwide.”
Kidneys remove waste products and help balance the volume of fluids and minerals in the body. They also produce a hormone that tells the body to make red blood cells, the researchers explained.
“Even if many patients with damaged kidney function don’t feel ill, they’re at high risk for other health problems,” says Carmine Zoccali, president of the European Renal Association — European Dialysis and Transplant Association.
Heart disease deaths due to chronic kidney disease are high — 1.2 million cardiovascular deaths were attributed to kidney disease in 2013.
“The number of people with kidney diseases is alarmingly high, but the public is not aware of this reality. These patients have outcomes and kidney diseases impose a heavy financial burden on health care budgets,” says Mark Okusa, president of the American Society of Nephrology.
The annual per-patient cost of dialysis is $88,195 in the United States.
Even though you can have no symptoms, here are 10 to look out for, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
While the only way to know for sure if you have kidney disease is to get tested, Dr. Vassalotti shares 10 possible signs you may have kidney disease.
If you’re at risk for kidney disease due to high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure or if you’re older than age 60, it’s important to get tested annually for kidney disease.
Be sure to mention any symptoms you’re experiencing to your healthcare practitioner.
You’re more tired, have less energy or are having trouble concentrating. A severe decrease in kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. This can cause people to feel tired, weak and can make it hard to concentrate. Another complication of kidney disease is anemia, which can cause weakness and fatigue.
You’re having trouble sleeping. When the kidneys aren’t filtering properly, toxins stay in the blood rather than leaving the body through the urine. This can make it difficult to sleep. There is also a link between obesity and chronic kidney disease, and sleep apnea is more common in those with chronic kidney disease, compared with the general population.
You have dry and itchy skin. Healthy kidneys do many important jobs. They remove wastes and extra fluid from your body, help make red blood cells, help keep bones strong and work to maintain the right amount of minerals in your blood. Dry and itchy skin can be a sign of the mineral and bone disease that often accompanies advanced kidney disease, when the kidneys are no longer able to keep the right balance of minerals and nutrients in your blood.
You feel the need to urinate more often. If you feel the need to urinate more often, especially at night, this can be a sign of kidney disease. When the kidneys filters are damaged, it can cause an increase in the urge to urinate. Sometimes this can also be a sign of a urinary infection or enlarged prostate in men.
You see blood in your urine. Healthy kidneys typically keep the blood cells in the body when filtering wastes from the blood to create urine, but when the kidney’s filters have been damaged, these blood cells can start to “leak” out into the urine. In addition to signaling kidney disease, blood in the urine can be indicative of tumors, kidney stones or an infection.
6. Your urine is foamy. Excessive bubbles in the urine – especially those that require you to flush several times before they go away—indicate protein in the urine. This foam may look like the foam you see when scrambling eggs, as the common protein found in urine, albumin, is the same protein that is found in eggs.
7. You’re experiencing persistent puffiness around your eyes. Protein in the urine is an early sign that the kidneys’ filters have been damaged, allowing protein to leak into the urine. This puffiness around your eyes can be due to the fact that your kidneys are leaking a large amount of protein in the urine, rather than keeping it in the body.
8. Your ankles and feet are swollen. Decreased kidney function can lead to sodium retention, causing swelling in your feet and ankles. Swelling in the lower extremities can also be a sign of heart disease, liver disease and chronic leg vein problems.
9. You have a poor appetite. This is a very general symptom, but a buildup of toxins resulting from reduced kidney function can be one of the causes.
10. Your muscles are cramping. Electrolyte imbalances can result from impaired kidney function. For example, low calcium levels and poorly controlled phosphorus may contribute to muscle cramping.
HOW IS KIDNEY DISEASE DETECTED?
Early detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease are the keys to keeping kidney disease from progressing to kidney failure. Some simple tests can be done to detect early kidney disease. They are:
A test for protein in the urine. Albumin to Creatinine Ratio (ACR), estimates the amount of a albumin that is in your urine. An excess amount of protein in your urine may mean your kidney’s filtering units have been damaged by disease. One positive result could be due to fever or heavy exercise, so your doctor will want to confirm your test over several weeks.
A test for blood creatinine. Your doctor should use your results, along with your age, race, gender and other factors, to calculate your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Your GFR tells how much kidney function you have.
It is especially important that people who have an increased risk for chronic kidney disease have these tests. You may have an increased risk for kidney disease if you:
are older
have diabetes
have high blood pressure
have a family member who has chronic kidney disease
are an African American, Hispanic American, Asians and Pacific Islander or American Indian.
If you are in one of these groups or think you may have an increased risk for kidney disease, ask your doctor about getting tested.
Flood Sisters Kidney Foundation https://floodsisterskidneyfnd.org
Established by 3 sisters determined to get their Dad off kidney death waiting list. They saved him, and now help other patients connect with donors.
and
Kidney Research Foundation http://www.kidneyresearchfoundation.org
Established by Jim Plante to explore policy options to find a solution to immediately increase number of kidneys available for transplant, educate public on problem and quantify public support for various policy approaches.
Everyone gets anxiety. It’s when you worry about something in the future, which let’s face it, can be tomorrow. A meeting, an interview, an exam, a commute, the weather…so much to worry about, right? Wrong.
Early kidney disease can and should be treated to keep it from getting worse.
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