Red yeast rice extract XZK cuts risk of dying after heart attack

A form of fermented rice used as a herbal remedy and a colouring agent in food has shown remarkable results in patients who have suffered heart attacks.

Red yeast rice cut the risk of dying from a second heart attack by almost a third, and the risk of a non-fatal heart attack by almost two thirds, a trial in 5,000 people in China showed.

The results sound incredible but the trial was well-conducted and large, and the findings highly statistically significant.

Prevent Mold in the Home

 Rid the area of moisture 

Mold is a tiny fungus that can grow inside the home and cause allergies and other health problems. 

The University of Virginia Health System offers these suggestions to help keep mold out of your home:

Keep GERD (Gastroesophogeal reflux disease) Under Control

Treatment can prevent complications

Gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when a valve in the esophagus opens spontaneously, and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. It can be controlled with a doctor's treatment plan, which is likely to include medication. 

Serious complications can result if the condition is left untreated. Here's a partial list, courtesy of the U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse:

  Warning: Using a mobile phone while pregnant can seriously damage your baby

Study of 13,000 children exposes link between use of handsets and later behavioural problems

Women who use mobile phones when pregnant are more likely to give birth to children with behavioural problems, according to authoritative research.

A giant study, which surveyed more than 13,000 children, found that using the handsets just two or three times a day was enough to raise the risk of their babies developing hyperactivity and difficulties with conduct, emotions and relationships by the time they reached school age. And it adds that the likelihood is even greater if the children themselves used the phones before the age of seven.

How the American Medical Association Got Rich 

By Dana Ullman, North Atlantic Books

The following is an excerpt from "The Homeopathic Revolution: Why Famous People and Cultural Heroes Choose Homeopathy" (Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2007) by Dana Ullman, MPH.

History reveals that the AMA was dictatorially led for the first half of the twentieth century by George H. Simmons, MD (1852-1937) and his protégé, Morris Fishbein, MD (1889-1976). Simmons and Fishbein both served as general manager of the organization and as editor of its journal, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). While these two leaders provided substantial benefit to the organization and to medical doctors, their methods of doing so have been severely criticized, with some historians referring to them as "medical Mussolinis." 

Folic Acid 

Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin that is a member of the B-vitamin family. The name folate is derived from folium, the Latin word for leaf, likely because of its presence in green leafy vegetables. However, it is more commonly taken in supplement form because unlike folate that occurs naturally in food sources, supplemental folic acid is nearly 100% bioavailable.

25 Shocking Facts About the Pharmaceutical Industry 

NSP Products for Sun Protection and Skin Support  

UV exposure is a major risk factor for the development of two types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there were 45,625 new cases of melanoma in the United States in 2003. A total of 7,818 people died from the condition in the same year, making melanoma the deadliest form of skin cancer.  Severity and frequency of sunburns at any age contribute to DNA damage in skin cells and ultimately melanoma development.

Homemade Goat Milk Yogurt is Healthy for You AND your Animal Companions 

There is a lot of talk in the media and amongst health conscious consumers about probiotics and the benefits of cultured foods. The beneficial flora found in cultured foods help to improve digestion and strengthen the immune system and even contribute to the manufacturing of essential vitamins. Our bodies are naturally filled with trillions of these flora microorganisms but they are constantly being diminished and put off balance in battle with fungi, bacteria, viruses and protozoans leading to a wide array of diseases ranging from skin disorders and digestive problems to allergies and asthma and even more acute and chronic debilitating diseases like cancer. Daily supplementing with probiotic products and probiotic containing foods can help to ensure that you and your animal family can live a long healthy life. One sure fire way to ensure that you and your animals are getting the beneficial bacteria required for a healthy digestive system is with freshly made Yogurt right from your own kitchen. 

Hawthorn and Heart Health  

Hawthorn is well-known as being a heart-healthy herb. New research supports the heart benefits of hawthorn.  

Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), a member of the rose family, has been used traditionally for various heart concerns. Leaves, flowers and berries are traditionally used. Hawthorn contains many substances that may benefit the heart. Two groups of substances in particular—flavonoids and proanthocyanidins—are thought to be most responsible for hawthorn’s beneficial effects on the heart. Flavonoids help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow and support a healthy heart rate. Both flavonoids and proanthocyanidins have antioxidant properties. The antioxidant actions of hawthorn may help protect against heart disease and support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CINNAMON   

Cinnamon has become increasingly popular for its positive effects on blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains a phytonutrient called methylhydroxychalcone polymer (MHCP), which has been shown to aid in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range. Different species of cinnamon exist, and some studies have shown that the Cinnamomum cassia species is most effective in promoting healthy blood sugar levels.

FDA announces current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for Dietary Supplements

On June 25, 2007, the FDA released its long-awaited final rule on GMPs for the Dietary Supplement Industry. Critics wonder what took the FDA so long to issue these GMPs since the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 stipulated that the FDA would provide the industry guidance for quality standards in manufacturing. 

 Alpha Lipoic Acid and Longevity

Alpha lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in plant foods such as spinach and broccoli. It is also produced naturally in small amounts by humans.1 In the body, alpha lipoic acid plays a key role in energy production, acts as a powerful antioxidant, helps to regenerate other antioxidants, and helps detoxify harmful compounds.

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