"Milk" Doesn't do a body good

We have all seen the advertisement with celebrities with painted moustaches on their upper lips with the above caption “Milk” it does a body good”. I’m sure someone on the board of the Dairy Council dreamed that one up. The advertisement should actually say “Milk” it does a baby cow’s body good” that’s what it’s designed for baby cows not humans. Cow’s milk is designed to take an animal that weighs between 80 – 100 pounds at birth to about 550 pound calf within 6 – 10 months. Newborn human babies should drink their mother’s breast milk which is the best for babies. Once human babies are developed they don’t need milk anymore. The Dairy companies would like everyone to believe that you need the calcium in cow’s milk and other dairy products. The truth is milk is very bad for you, the same can be said for all other dairy products such as cheese, half and half, yogurt, ice cream, frozen yogurt, frozen custard, sour cream and all forms of milk such as skim, 1%, 2% whole, low-fat. You can get your calcium from other healthier food sources. Such food sources are Salmon, tofu, kiwi, rhubarb, sardines, collard greens, spinach, turnip greens, okra, white beans, broccoli, peas, brussel sprouts, sesame seeds, bok choy, and almonds are just a few of the nutrient-dense foods can help you meet your calcium needs.

Milk proteins, milk sugar, fat, and saturated fat in dairy products may pose health risks for children and lead to the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and formation of atherosclerotic plaques that can lead to heart disease. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants below one year of age should not be given whole cow’s milk, as iron-deficiency is more likely on a dairy-rich diet. Cow’s milk products are very low in iron. If they become a major part of one’s diet, iron deficiency is more likely. Colic is an additional concern with milk consumption. One out of five babies suffers from colic. Pediatricians learned long ago that cows’ milk was often the reason for Colic. We now know that breastfeeding mothers who are consuming cow’s milk can also have can Colic babies. The cow’s antibodies can pass through the mother’s bloodstream into her breast milk and to the baby. Additionally, food allergies appear to be a common result of milk consumption, particularly in children. A recent study also linked cow’s milk consumption to chronic constipation in children. Researchers suggest that milk consumption resulted in perianal sores and severe pain on defecation, leading to constipation.

Dairy products are acid-producing to the body. There are tons of studies linking the consumption of dairy products to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, migraines, allergies, congestion in the body, asthma and other respiratory conditions—all classic examples of illnesses caused or worsened by acid. Dairy products also coat your mucus membranes and result in thick, slow-moving mucus build-up. This is one of the main reasons why so many children walk around with almost constant stuffy noses and ear infections--their little bodies can't deal with all the mucus and end up with inflammations and infections. If your children catch frequent colds, stuffy nose, congestion, sinus and ear infections one of the first helpful things a parent can do is take their child off of dairy products and you will see a noticeable difference.

Cow's milk also has 300 times more casein than human milk. Casein is a thick, gooey substance that helps form huge cow bones. But inside a human, it's nearly impossible to digest and creates a tremendous amount of acid in the stomach. Yet we are constantly being told through TV commercials and magazines advertisement that “Milk” does a body good”. These advertisements brag how the calcium in milk is essential to grow healthy strong bones. The calcium in cows milk and dairy products is basically useless to a body with acid. When your body is overrun with acid (from acid-forming foods like dairy products and bad food combinations), it depletes minerals, including calcium, from your bones and organs to neutralize the acid.
Many Americans, including some vegetarians, consume large amounts of dairy products. Most Americans are misinformed about dairy products and milk and how it effects on the human body.

Here are seven reasons to eliminate dairy from your diet.

1. Cancer: Several cancers, such as ovarian cancer, have been linked to the consumption of dairy products. The milk sugar lactose is broken down in the body into another sugar, galactose. In turn, galactose is broken down further by enzymes. According to a study by Daniel Cramer, MD, and his colleagues at Harvard, when dairy product consumption exceeds the enzymes’ capacity to break down galactose, it can build up in the blood and may affect a woman’s ovaries. Some women have particularly low levels of these enzymes, and when they consume dairy products on a regular basis, their risk of ovarian cancer can be triple that of other women.
   
2. Cardiovascular Disease: Dairy products—including cheese, ice cream, milk; butter, and yogurt—contribute significant amounts of cholesterol and fat to the diet. Diets high in fat and saturated fat can increase the risk of several chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease. A low-fat vegetarian diet that eliminates dairy products, in combination with weight-bearing exercise, smoking cessation, and stress management, can not only prevent heart disease, but may also reverse it. Non-fat dairy products are available; however, they pose other health risks as noted below.


3. Contaminants: Synthetic hormones, such as recombinant bovine growth hormone, are commonly used in dairy cows to increase the production of milk. Because the cows are producing quantities of milk that nature never intended, the end result is mastitis, or inflammation of the mammary glands. The treatment requires the use of antibiotics, and traces of these and hormones have been found in samples of milk and other dairy products. Pesticides and other drugs are also frequent contaminants of dairy products.


4. Diabetes: Insulin-dependent diabetes (Type I or childhood-onset) is linked to consumption of dairy products. Epidemiological studies of various countries show a strong correlation between the use of dairy products and the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes. Researchers in 1992 found that a specific dairy protein sparks an auto-immune reaction, which is believed to be what destroyed the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.


5. Lactose Intolerance: Lactose intolerance is common among many populations, affecting approximately 95% of Asian Americans, 74% of Native Americans, 70% of African Americans, 53% of Mexican Americans, and 15% of Caucasians. Symptoms, which include gastrointestinal distress, diarrhea, and flatulence, occur because these individuals do not have the enzymes that digest the milk sugar lactose. Additionally, along with unwanted symptoms, milk-drinkers put themselves at risk for development of other chronic diseases and ailments.


6. Osteoporosis: Milk is touted for preventing osteoporosis, yet clinical research shows otherwise. The Harvard Nurses’ Health Study, which followed more than 75,000 women for 12 years, showed no protective effect of increased milk consumption on fracture risk. In fact, increased intake of calcium from dairy products was associated with a higher fracture risk. An Australian study showed the same results. Additionally, other studies have also found no protective effect of dairy calcium on bone. You can decrease your risk of osteoporosis by reducing sodium and animal protein in the diet, increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, exercising, and ensuring adequate calcium intake from plant foods such as leafy green vegetables and beans, as well as calcium-fortified products such as breakfast cereals and juices.


7. Vitamin D Toxicity: Consumption of milk may not provide a consistent and reliable source of vitamin D in the diet. Samplings of milk have found significant variation in vitamin D content, with some samplings having as much as 500 times the indicated level, while others had little or none at all. Too much vitamin D can be toxic and may result in excess calcium levels in the blood and urine, increased aluminum absorption in the body, and calcium deposits in soft tissue.
   
   Consuming a healthful diet of grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and fortified foods including cereals and juices can help you meet your calcium, potassium, riboflavin, and vitamin D requirements with ease, and without the health risk.
   
   

References: 1. Daniel Cramer MD Harvard study on milk. 2. Harvard study on the contaminants in milk. 3. Harvard study, Harvard nurses health study.

Not all sunscreens are created equal

Using sunscreen has always been important for skin protection. More than 1 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. There will be nearly 60,000 new cases of melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, diagnosed this year. Yet amazingly, many of us still aren't serious enough about sun protection and sun safety.

The Environmental Working Group did an investigation and found out that of 1,000 brand names of sunscreens, only 1 of 5 provided adequate protection from both UVA & UVB radiation with few ingredients known or suspected to have health hazards. After 30 years of delay, the government has failed to set mandatory sunscreen safety standards to protect consumers health. In August 2007, the FDA proposed the first ever UVA standards for sunscreen, but the rules are not yet finalized. In the meantime, the sunscreen companies are making misleading claims about product quality as their ineffective products are being sold.

Here are a few tips on what to look out for when buying sunscreen:

• Use SPF 30 or higher for best protection. It should have at least 7% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad spectrum protection.
  
• Avoid oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 as these can cause allergies, and hormone problems.


• Try to avoid spray and powder sunscreens, inhaling sunscreen pose extra risks to your health.


• Don't use Fragrance sunscreens. They can cause allergies and reproductive problems.


• Sunscreen with added big repellant are no good because the pesticide can get absord by the body causing a health problem and poison our system.


• Fewer than 5% of the sunscreens Coopertone,Neutrogena, and Banana Boat are recommended safe and effective.

These have been listed by the EWG as the top 10 sunscreens:

• Blue Lizard (anything without oxybenzone)


• California Baby (anything with SPF 30)


• CVS with zinc oxide


• Jason Natural Cometics Sunbrellas Mineral Base Sunblock


• Kiss my face "Paraben Free Series"


• Olay Defense Daily UV Moisturizer (With Zinc)


• SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense


• Solar Sense Clear Zinc for Face


• Walgreens Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose & Ears


• La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Lait (SPF 30 or higher)
  

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock was the only sunscreen product that the EWG recommended that is manufactured by Neutrogena. None of market leader's in sunscreen such as Coppertone's 48 sunscreen products met EWG's criteria for safety and effectiveness, and only 1 of 115 products from Banana Boat and Neutrogena, the second- and third-largest manufacturers, are recommended by EWG. So choose wisely when buying sunscreen for you and your family and always read the label before purchasing a sunscreen. Your health may depend on it.

Living with Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. Normally the body's immune system makes proteins called antibodies, to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder like lupus, the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against itself. These antibodies called "auto-antibodies" (auto means 'self') cause inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body.

An estimated 1.5 million Americans have a form of Lupus. In 1993 I became on of those 1.5 Americans with SLE. Ninety percent of the people with lupus are women; however men and children also develop the disease.1 About sixteen thousand new cases are diagnosed each year. Asian, African-American, and Hispanic women appear to be at a higher risk for lupus than Caucasian women.2 Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because the illness affects everyone differently, not all patients experience the same symptoms. I was lucky to have done enough research to figure out I had lupus and asked my doctor to test me for lupus, it came out positive for SLE.

There are four types of lupus:

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) - is the most common form of the disease. It is also the most serious, frequently causing swollen, painful joints, skin rash, extreme fatigue and organ damage. Mothers showing no signs of Lupus, can also pass antibodies to their babies during childbirth. This is known as neonatal lupus erythematosus and is very rare.


• Discoid Lupus (cutaneous) - lupus is always limited to the skin. It is identified by a rash that may appear on the face, neck, and scalp. Discoid lupus is diagnosed by examining a biopsy of the rash. In discoid lupus the biopsy will show abnormalities that are not found in skin without the rash. Discoid lupus does not generally involve the body's internal organs. Therefore, the ANA test may be negative in patients with discoid lupus. However, in a large number of patients with discoid lupus, the ANA test is positive, but at a low level or "titer." In approximately 10 percent of patients, discoid lupus can evolve into the systemic form of the disease.


• Drug-Induced Lupus - occurs after the use of certain prescribed drugs. The symptoms of drug-induced lupus are similar to those of systemic lupus. The drugs most commonly connected with drug-induced lupus are hydralazine (used to treat high blood pressure or hypertension), isoniazid (TB drug) and procainamide (used to treat irregular heart rhythms), and certain antibiotics such as minocycline. Drug induced lupus is more common in men who are given these drugs more often. However, not everyone who takes these drugs will develop drug-induced lupus. Only about 4 percent of the people who take these drugs will develop the antibodies suggestive of lupus. Of those 4 percent, only an extremely small number will develop overt drug-induced lupus. The symptoms usually fade when the medications are discontinued.


• Neonatal - is a rare condition acquired from the passage of maternal autoantibodies, specifically anti-Ro/SSA or anti-La/SSB, which can affect the skin, heart and blood of the fetus and newborn. It is associated with a rash that appears within the first several weeks of life and may persist for about six months before disappearing. Neonatal lupus is not systemic lupus. Women with lupus can have children, it is best to get pregnant during remission. Consult your doctor.

Lupus is like a snowflake in that no two cases of lupus are the same, although there is one common link, the immune system. Signs and symptoms may differ from one case to another but they all have a hyperactive immune system that produces excess quantities of antibodies that are directed against the body’s own system. Symptoms may surface suddenly or develop slowly. They can be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Lupus is sometimes characterized by a distinctive rash on the face called malar or butterfly rash. This is where it’s name "Lupus" came from. Lupus is actually the Latin word for "wolf". It is said that the rash resembled a wolf bite. However, the rash does not occur in every case. Most people with lupus do share one characteristic. The disease has the tendency to worsen in episodes known as flares and then to improve or even disappear completely for a time.

The most common signs and symptoms of lupus:

• Rash (face and my appear on the whole body)


• Arthritis


• Kidney problems


• Sensitivity to sunlight and fluorescent light


• Brain or central nervous system problems


• Heart problems – Percarditis, myocarditis, atherosclerosis, valvular heart disease.


• Lung problems


• Mucosal ulcers


• Blood vessel disorders

Other signs and symptoms:

• Fatigue


• Fever


• Raynaud's phenomenon


• Swelling


• Digestive problems


• Hair loss


• Depression


• Percarditis

Experts are still unsure of why autoimmune diseases occur. However, several theories exist regarding key contributors to many diseases such as lupus including heredity, environment and hormones. While lupus isn't directly inherited, research indicates that inheriting certain genes heightens your risk to the disease, which then may be triggered by certain factors, such as:

• Stress


• Hormones


• Lack of rest & sleep


• Sunlight


• Poor nutrition


• Infections

There are some medications that people with lupus may be allergic to or develop and allergic reaction to. Such medications may include but not limited to sulfur medications, codeine and certain antibiotics. If you think you may be allergic or have developed an allergic reaction to a medication contact your lupus medical practitioner immediately.

Using integrated therapies along with your normal medical treatment for lupus may be very beneficial in controlling the illness. It is important to have the support of your family, friends and loved ones.

Here are some safe, natural steps one can take to assist in the treatment of lupus:

• Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine ( Traditional Chinese Medicine)


• Reiki Massage (helps alleviate lupus pain)


• Natural Supplements


• Strong Spiritual Foundation


• Nutrition (eat more organic and natural foods, such as raw vegetables and non-citrus fruits)


• Drinking a lot of safe water (drinking water is vital because it allows the body to function effectively.)


• Meditation & creative visualization


• Biochemic tissue salts


• Glandular extracts


• Exercise


• Yoga

Nutrition is important when you have lupus. High alkaline foods such as the grains buckwheat & millet, lima & soybeans, figs, spinach are just a few. Plenty of raw vegetables for fiber, fruits (non-citrus), raw pineapple, which includes enzymes important for reducing inflammation in joints. (During flare-ups eating raw vegetables may be hard to digest, try juicing them.) Sea vegetables like kelp, dulse, nori are a good source of minerals. Another creative way to supplement a healthy diet is to eat wild greens such as dandelion greens, chickweed, watercress and nettles all are immune enhancers. Nightshade vegetables can increase inflammation and should be avoided; like eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and alfalfa sprouts. Avoid dairy products, red meat, cow’s milk, caffeine, salt, tobacco, alcohol and sugar. If you drink milk try drinking almond or soy milk. You can also try Skim Plus. As a replacement to salt try kelp granules. Agave Nector or Stevia is a good alternative to sugar and they both provide sweetness without the unpleasant “sugar rush” and unhealthy sugar spike caused by sugar. Stevia and Agave Nector can also be used by most diabetics. Try cutting out red meat. If you must have meat try eating fish high in omega-3 like salmon, mackerel, halibut, red snapper, sardines are just a few or organic chicken without the skin (White meat).

Before taking birth control pills consult your doctor that is caring for your lupus. Birth control pills have been known to increase the chances of a flare-up in some lupus patients. Some of the side effects from the medications used to treat lupus may be worst then some lupus symptoms.

Here are a few supplements that may be helpful in controlling lupus symptoms:

• Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement


• Magnesium, Calcium & Zinc ( You can get a vitamin with all three)


• Vitamin A


• Vitamin C


• Co-enzyme Q-10


• D,L-pheylalanine (DLPA


• L-tyrosine


• DHEA


• Primrose Oil & Flax Seed Oil


• Bromelain


• Glucosamine


• MSM


• Acidophilus


• L-Lysine

Some people's system may not be able to support D,L-pheylalanine (DLPA), and L-tyrosine. Stick to basics and know your body. It is always best to get your supplements through your food.

In 2007 my SLE went into remission using all the therapies I have listed. To this day the SLE is still in remission and I am not on any medication. However, it does not mean that disease may not resurface in me again. I still care for myself like I did when I had lupus and will continue to. I never again want to live with SLE. The same year I became lupus free I changed my career and became a holistic health & wellness counselor. Almost 80% of my clients are people with SLE and the other 20% are people with other health issues. Having lupus does not mean you can not live a normal life. Making certain healthy lifestyle changes will assist in helping you live a normal healthy life with lupus.