Vitamin C

“Aiming for the moon and missing it is better than aiming
for the ditch and hitting it.“  ~Author Unknown

It´s another fine day although the beautiful sunshine masks a definite dip in the temperature. Although others see this differently, it would appear that nature has a few cold clearouts before allowing the Spring to settle. I always think we should expect these cold snaps otherwise bugs would ploriferate. R3member, the experts have been known to miss the odd hurricane etc! Let´s get the weather for the days ahead here in the Alicante Province.

Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday
15° C | 8° C	11° C | 6° C	14° C | 5° C	15° C | 6° C	17° C | 7° C

I´ve just been watching how criminals are flooding the world with fake prescription drugs and the BBC highlightede this horrendous problem by showing a family who were given fake syringes by the NHS. Obviously unwittingly, the NHS itself had been duped and the family in the TV show would have been allowing these needles to have been used on their young child had she not complained about their effects on her body. Apparently, there is more profitability in producuing and distributing these drugs than is smuggling cannabis and other drugs. The profit margin can be a s high as 2000%  which is why I have always been very suspicious of the Health industry for many years. Please do not for one minute think I am questioning the hard-working nurses, doctors and support staff. However, there is a huge business of selling legal drugs operating every minute of every day and pharmaceutical companies are making fortunes  from ill health. That´s why I always try to include articles from reswpected doctors and professionals who look critically at their own industry.

It´s relatively easy to spot how drugs can affect the body. However, it´s less easy to spot the psychological harm inflicted on society in subtle ways. TV levels of violence would be a quick reference point. Oh dear. Time flies…..I must rush off to my Spanish class……….

News from Spain

The President of the Government began his interview by acknowledging he had not foreseen the “magnitude” of the economic crisis, as could also be said for the majority of governments around the world.

Regarding the worst crisis in 80 years and whose greatest consequence has been the significant job losses, he said “I feel responsible for each and every one of the people who have lost their jobs”.

He explained to the three journalists who interviewed him at TVE that the Government has implemented 137 economic measures to help those people. He added that the effects would have been more negative had these measures not been implemented. Full Story

..and another thing

Good news + bad advice = bad news

In a UK study, researchers found that middle-aged and older subjects with the highest levels of vitamin C were more that 60 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to subjects with the lowest levels of the vitamin.

That’s the good news.

Now for the bad advice…

When a local newscast here in Baltimore featured this study, the anchor introduced it by suggesting that a couple of glasses of orange juice every day might help prevent type 2 diabetes.

In fact, a glass of orange juice is practically a full day’s serving of type 2 diabetes!

And that’s why newsroom copywriters with a background in newsroom copywriting should not give nutrition advice.

The fruit of an orange is high in unrefined, water-soluble fiber. And that makes it very different (and healthier) than orange juice. Many types of fruit juices (such as orange, grapefruit and grape juices) actually contain as much sugar per serving as a soft drink.

In a previous e-mail I told you about a Tulane School of Public Health study that analyzed dietary and medical records in more than 70,000 subjects. Results showed type 2 diabetes risk increased by nearly 20 percent among subjects who drank one serving of fruit juice daily.

The study also found that three daily servings of whole fruit

————————————————————————————–

An 86-year-old man went to his doctor for his quarterly check-up…

When asked how he was feeling, the 86-year-old replied,
“Things are just great and I’ve never felt better.’

I now have a 20 year-old bride who is pregnant with my child.

‘So what do you think about that Doc?”

The Doctor considered his question for a minute and then began to tell a story.

‘I have an elderly friend, much like you, who is an avid hunter and never misses a season.’

One day he was setting off to go hunting.

In a bit of a hurry , he accidentally picked up his walking cane instead of his gun.’

‘As he neared a lake , he came across a very large male beaver sitting at the water’s edge.

He realized he’d left his gun at home and so he couldn’t shoot the magnificent creature.

Out of habit he raised his cane, aimed it at the animal as if it were his favorite hunting rifle and went ‘Bang Bang’.’

‘Incredibly, two shots rang out and the beaver fell over dead.

Now, what do you think of that?’ asked the Doctor.

The 86-year-old thought for a minute and said,

‘Logic would strongly suggest that somebody else pumped a couple of rounds into that beaver.’
The Doctor replied, ‘My point exactly

————————————————————————————————-

Dear Reader,

Do you ever experience numbness in an isolated area in either of your legs? How about a prickly feeling or leg pain while walking?

If so, it’s time to face the reality that it’s probably not going away. In fact, there’s a very good chance it may be peripheral artery disease (PAD) caused by impeded blood flow in the legs.

Most people with PAD are undiagnosed and unaware there’s a problem lurking. And that’s especially troubling for diabetics, who (along with smokers) are most likely to develop PAD.

The danger: PAD patients are four times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

But new evidence shows that a well-known botanical may reduce these risks.

———————————————————–
One man’s success story
———————————————————–

A few months ago I told you about a study that found ginkgo biloba to be ineffective in reducing risk of heart attack or stroke in people over the age of 75.

But during that six-year study, about twice as many subjects in the placebo group developed PAD compared to the ginkgo group.

That’s not proof that ginkgo prevents PAD, but the suggestion is there. And an HSI member named Bertram agrees.

Bertram writes: “In 2006 I had an accident which threw by intrinsic rhythms off and resulted in elevated blood pressure levels. I researched alternative solutions after I was prescribed a lopressor and coumadin without any satisfactory explanation as to why. My arteries were clean; triglycerides, CRP, sugar and homocysteine were within acceptable levels.

“The doctors, including the chief cardiologist at the Interfaith Hospital in Brooklyn, told me that these drugs were prescribed as a preventative measure to prevent a blood clot even though my heart structure was sound.

“Total bunk! I started using ginkgo in 2006 after stumbling on the site of Dr. Blaylock who recommended ginkgo among other supplements.

“The end result is that I can now go out in the cold or touch ice without suffering from extremely white, blood starved fingers and toes. Today, I can walk in the cold New York…even Ottawa…winter and my fingers and toes remain red. This is evidence that there is blood circulation to my peripheral members.

“I will be 57 in two weeks and today my blood pressure is 110/60. Ginkgo is one of the main reasons for that.”

Those are great results. But I have two notes to add: 1) Beware taking ginkgo biloba with other drugs to address a heart condition, especially warfarin or aspirin. 2) Another HSI member wrote to warn that ginkgo might prompt adverse reactions in diabetics who take metformin.

Ginkgo is one of those very useful botanicals that should be researched before trying, and ideally used under the care of an herbalist or medical professional.

http://clicks.hsibaltimore.com