Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Gardasil: Yup, Still Safe

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2015/07/27/gardasil_new_study_shows_it_s_safe.html
By Phil Plait

HPV
A scourge we can eliminate, if we choose wisely: the human papillomavirus.
Photo by the Laboratory of Tumor Virus Biology

Through an article in Forbes I saw that a new study has been published about the safety of Gardasil, a vaccine for prevention of certain strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV.
HPV is a virus that can lead to genital warts, many types of cancer, and cervical cancer in women, which kills 4,000 women every year in the U.S. alone.
The Gardasil vaccine, on the other hand, caused some people to faint after getting it, and others got mild skin infections—both of which occur somewhat rarely with other vaccines too, as you might expect.
Which sounds worse to you?
The study, published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, looked at the published data about effects from the vaccine and found that it has a “favorable safety profile.” This study comes after many other previous studies that show essentially the same thing. There is no correlation between getting the Gardasil vaccine and seriously adverse effects such as “autoimmune diseases (including Guillain-Barre Syndrome and multiple sclerosis), anaphylaxis, venous thromboembolism, and stroke.”
Mind you, all these things and more have been used by people who attack vaccines as an argument against it. And, just like essentially every claim made by the anti-vaccination movement, these arguments are wrong.
That doesn’t stop them from making them, or from them getting attention by mainstream media; attention they most assuredly do not deserve.
It’s very frustrating; mounds of data show these vaccinations are incredibly low-risk, but it only takes a little bit of doubt and fear to make vaccine rates drop. For example, a young girl died tragically not long after getting the vaccine, and it got a lot of press, but it was later found that she died of a completely unrelated cause. This, sadly, is expected; more than 178 million doses of Gardasil have been given worldwide, and given that huge number it’s a statistical certainty that some young people will die not long after getting them. But as the saying goes, correlation is not causation. The vaccines are not to blame here.
Even more frustrating about this vaccine is that it’s being fought by an unusual group of people; while most anti-vax leanings are not affiliated with any particular political persuasion, Gardasil gets attacked additionally by conservatives who think that girls getting it will become more promiscuous, because HPV is a sexually transmitted disease.
However, this has been shown to be false. Worse, these same people tend to promote abstinence-only education, which has been shown conclusively to be the worst possible sex education; kids taught his way tend to have more pregnancies and more STIs than ones who are taught progressive, healthy sex ed.
It’s like Bizarro world, where everything is backward. All the evidence shows Gardasil to be safe and to be effective against a virus that causes horrific illnesses. It also shows that the claims made by anti-vaxxers are wrong, and that people fighting the vaccine because of their own sexual biases are making things far worse.
And yet they dig in. They insist real science is wrong, that their anecdotes are better, that the entire medical industry is on the take (which is silly beyond reason).
But that’s where we are. When it comes to health issues, especially ones tied to sexuality, reason goes out the window and emotions take over.
That’s why I am very, very clear about this: I and my family are all up to date with our vaccinations, and my daughter has had all three stages of the Gardasil vaccine (we’d have done that if she had been a boy, too). As a parent, as someone who knows and loves someone with an autoimmune disorder, and as a person who knows just how truly awful so many diseases are and how easily and safely they can be prevented, I am a strong advocate for vaccinations.
It’s your body, but it affects literally everyone around you. Don’t listen to the anti-vaxxers, who just want to scare you. Get the facts. And please, talk to your board-certified doctor and find out if there are any vaccinations you need.
How many lives will you save when you do?
Tip o’ the virion to the Refutations of Anti-Vaccine Memes group on Facebook.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

on Turmeric

http://www.doctoroz.com/recipe/dr-sanjay-guptas-calming-creamy-turmeric-tea

Dr. Sanjay Gupta's Calming Creamy Turmeric Tea
Dr. Sanjay Gupta drinks a creamy cup of turmeric tea every night to help calm his nerves, but the benefits of this colorful drink don't end there: A recent study suggests that curcumin, a brain-boosting chemical in turmeric, could help slow the progression of Alzheimer's by helping hippocampal brain cells grow.




Ingredients

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp ginger





Directions

Heat the almond milk in a microwave, stir in the spices and drizzle the honey on top. Enjoy!

http://complete-health-and-happiness.com/turmeric-does-what-chemotherapy-cant-naturally-blocks-cancer-growth/

Turmeric Does what Chemotherapy Can’t: Naturally Blocks Cancer Growth

turmericcancer

Turmeric is an ancient ayurvedic medicine that has been used for centuries throughout Indonesia and Southeast Asia. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Therefore, it  can help fight a number of chronic health conditions from heart disease and diabetes to dementia. Turmeric has been found to reduce the cellular inflammation and oxidative stress that causes degenerative disease. It improves blood flow, leading to improved cognitive function and speeds wound healing.

Did you know that less than a teaspoon a day of turmeric appears to significantly lower the DNA mutating ability of cancer-causing substances?

Researchers at UCLA found that curcumin (the primary component in turmeric) proved these cancer-blocking properties during a study which involved 21 participants suffering from head and neck cancers. The participants were given two chewable curcumin tablets containing 1,000 milligrams of the substance each. After evaluating the results, the lab found  that the enzymes in the patients’ mouths responsible for promoting cancer spread and growth were inhibited by the curcumin supplementation. Thus, curcumin intake halted the spread of the malignant cells.
A recent study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, for instance, found that a dose-dependent administration of curcumin effectively activated apoptosis of liver cancer cells, meaning it prompted these harmful cells to die.

study back in 1987 studied the effects of curcumin on the mutagenicity (DNA mutating ability) of several toxins and found that curcumin was an effective antimutagen against several environmental and standard mutagenic and cancer-causing substances.

Just remember that to get maximum benefits, it needs to be high quality turmeric or curcumin in such a form that  can optimize curcuminoid absorption.

Turmeric is fat-soluble, that means it dissolves in fat. Without fat, the active component in turmeric, curcumin, has a hard time making it past the stomach, into the small intestine, and into the blood where it can provide the greatest benefits. Thus, turmeric is traditionally mixed with a healthy fat and heated. You can optimize turmeric absorption with this traditional“Golden Milk” recipe.

http://healthimpactnews.com/2015/golden-milk-recipe-with-turmeric-and-virgin-coconut-oil/

Golden Milk Recipe with Turmeric and Virgin Coconut Oil 

Health Impact News

Golden-milk
Image by Lynelle Frazier

Drinking Golden Milk Every Day Could Keep the Doctor Away 

Recently, I have been enjoying a hot cup of Golden Milk instead of my coffee, and that’s saying a lot for this coffee addict!  Who wouldn’t enjoy something that’s delicious, creamy and satisfying, and also so good for you?
Golden Milk is an ancient Ayurvedic drink made using turmeric and milk – and it’s one of the best ways I know to incorporate turmeric into one’s daily diet.  Turmeric is known to have so many health benefits due to curcumin, a powerful polyphenol antioxidant that also gives turmeric its beautiful golden color.
Turmeric has been widely studied for its health benefits such as:
  • antioxidant
  • anti-inflammatory
  • aids in digestion
  • anti-parasitic
  • anti-bacterial
  • anti-cancer
  • blood purifier
  • clears the skin
  • Aids Memory and brain function
Making Golden Milk is so easy, and by making a Golden Paste ahead of time, you can enjoy a nice hot cup of Golden Milk in minutes!  Because turmeric is fat-soluble, using virgin coconut oil not only increases turmeric’s health benefits, but it adds one more way to use this healthy fat every day!  I use raw milk, but any milk can be used.  Black pepper’s piperine has also been shown to increase curcumin’s bioavailability by 2000%, and the taste is undetectable in the Golden Milk.
Here’s how to make Golden Paste and Golden Milk:
Golden Paste:
  • 1/2 cup Organic Turmeric Powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 1.5 teaspoons black pepper
  • 5 Tablespoons virgin coconut oil
In a stainless steel pot, cook the water, turmeric and black pepper until it forms a thick paste, stirring and cooking for about 7-10 minutes.  Remove from heat and add virgin coconut oil, using a whisk to fully mix in the coconut oil.  Transfer the Golden Paste into a glass jar with a lid, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You will use this paste to make your Golden Milk below.
Golden Milk:
  • 1 teaspoon Golden Paste
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
  • Honey to taste (optional)
  • Pinch cinnamon (optional)
In a stainless steel pot, gently heat, but do not boil, 2 cups of milk with 1 teaspoon of golden paste.  A whisk is helpful to fully mix the paste into the milk. Add optional vanilla, honey and/or cinnamon.
Next time you think about having a cup of coffee, try some Golden Milk instead. Drinking a cup of Golden Milk every day could keep the doctor away!  Golden Paste can also be used in smoothies, to make salad dressings, in curries, or any way your heart desires, and pets love golden paste too!


http://livingtraditionally.com/turmeric-drink-can-revolutionize-health/


The Turmeric Drink that Can Revolutionize Your Health

The Turmeric Drink that Can Revolutionize Your Health

This is an amazing healing recipe with turmeric, one of the most multi-talented remedies for many different ailments. Turmeric, a key ingredients in the drink, has been used as a spice in Indian recipes and as medicine in Ayurvedic for thousands of years.

Golden Milk Health Benefits

  • Golden milk is a Ayurvedic elixir which has the ability to improve the proper functioning of the whole organism: balancing the nervous system and normalizing the functioning of the digestive system.
  • Golden milk possesses anti-inflammatory properties which are very effective for treating catarrhal diseases and their prevention.
  • Golden milk helps fight infections, improve cognitive ability, helps lubricate the joints, purify the blood, balance blood sugar and even clear the skin.
  • Golden milk is a great way to help curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) be absorbed by your body as it has a hard time getting past the stomach and into the small intestines on its own.

How to make Golden Milk

Ingredients
1/8 tsp. turmeric
½ cup water
1 cup organic milk (or coconut milk)
raw, organic honey to taste
Boil water and turmeric for about 8 minutes as the turmeric has to be fully cooked. In a separate pot, bring the milk to a boil and remove from heat. Combine the two mixtures and add honey to taste.  I would also recommend to add a little nutmeg since it also offers so many amazing healing benefits.
Drink a cup of warm turmeric milk two or three times per day for best results.