Soy - Panacea or Poison?

Soy "stops cancer and baldness" (1)

"Soy foods can stimulate the growth of oestrogen-dependent tumours and cause thyroid problems." (7)

"Boosting your Soy intake could reduce your risk of breast cancer." (5)

"A British Government report concluded that there is little evidence that soy foods protect against breast cancer or any other forms of cancer. In fact, soy foods may result in an increased risk of cancer." (8)

Confused?

This article on soy will examine the following: - History of the humble soy bean - It's role in the Asian diet - It's role in the western diet - where is it lurking - Critical questions regarding its safety - The guinea pigs

Soy Beginnings The soy plant was initially used as 'green manure' or a cover crop plowed under to enrich the soil, and it became known to the Chinese as 'the yellow jewel'. Soy did not become human food till late in the Chou Dynasty (1134-246 BC), after the Chinese developed a process of fermentation to make it into soy paste, called miso, with the run-off liquid called soy sauce. Tofu came after miso and in Japan, and China it was rarely served as a main course except in monasteries where it was eaten with miso or fish stock. Around 1000 A.D fermented soy foods, natto and tempeh entered the food supply. Modern soy products such as soy-protein isolate and concentrate made using highly processed methods were unknown in Asia till after World War II. Furthermore neither soy milk nor infant formula is traditional in Asia. The first person to manufacture soy milk was actually an American missionary and physician Harry Miller. "Claims that soybeans have been a major part of the Asian diet for more than 3,000 years, or 'time immemorial' are simply not true." (6)

Soy in the Asian diet According to a spokesman for Cancer Research UK "There's a lot of research that countries with a high intake of soy in their diet, such as Japan, tend to have lower rates of prostate cancer and some other types, with the active ingredients in soy thought to be isoflavones." (1). Sounds very compelling, however let's elaborate how much soy is actually in the Japanese and Asian diet. According to the soy industry's own figures Asians eat very little soy; around 9.3 to 36grams per day in China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and Taiwan. In comparison a cup of Tofu is 252grams, or soy milk 240 grams (6). More importantly the quality is hardly comparable, with the Asian countries generally eating their soy already fermented like miso soup, not as tofu, sausages or meat replacement foods. According to Sally Fallon from Weston A Price foundation (leading independent health group) approximately 65% of Japanese calories come from fish while in China the same percentage from Pork. So it is far from the backbone of their diet (8).

Soy in the Western diet Apart from the obvious where else is soy lurking? Research estimates that soy is present in 70% of all supermarket products and widely used in Fast Food chains. Soy is used to bulk out and bind many processed foods such as sausages, lasagne, beef burgers and chicken nuggets (food firms can then put a higher protein value on them). Even the husk is used for fibre in breads, cereals, and snacks. The big one is in vegetable oil- soy is the most consumed vegetable oil in the world and is used in margarines, salad dressings and cooking oils. Food labels simply list soy oil as vegetable oil As well as that 90% of the 200 million tonnes of soy produced annually is used to feed animals (3).

Soy and the Thyroid According to Mary Shomon editor of http://www.thyroid-info.com (9) "Soy products increase the risk of thyroid disease. And this danger is particularly great for infants on soy formula. . .More than 70 years of human, animal and laboratory studies show that soybeans put the thyroid at risk." Dr. Mike Fitzpatrick, an environmental scientist and phytoestrogen researcher who has conducted in-depth studies on soy, particularly the use of soy formulas published in the New Zealand Medical journal. Dr. Fitzpatrick makes it clear that soy products can have a detrimental affect on both adults and infants. In particular, he firmly believes that soy formula manufacturers should remove the isoflavones -- that part of the soy products that act as anti-thyroid agents -- from their products (2) How do researchers induce thyroid cancers in laboratory animals? They use thyroid-inhibiting foods like soy in combination with thyroid boosting drugs like Synthroid. (6) How much soy can impair thyroid problems? Perhaps as little as 30 mg or less than a glass of soy milk. (4)

Soy and reproduction Here is an interesting fact. Tofu is consumed by Buddhist monks to reduce libido. Humans and animals appear to be the most vulnerable to the effects of soy estrogens prenatally, during infancy and puberty, during pregnancy and lactation - all the major phases of hormonal shifts with growth and development. How powerful can soy be to the hormone system? One landmark study showed "that as little as 45mg of isoflavines could alter the length of a premenopausal woman's menstrual cycle." (4) Obviously it's harder to find a cause and effect relationship as there are many potentially triggers to hormonal imbalances and reproductive problems. However in animals this has been more thoroughly tested. According to Dr Mary Enig (world renowned lipid and hormone speCialist) female pigs can only ingest it in amounts no greater than 1% during lactation phase or face developmental problems in the piglets (8).

Soy and the environment Soy was previously considered a good source of protein which attracted vegetarians looking for meat alternatives. But it's a double whammy for environmental and health conscious vegetarians as the effect of soy farming on the environment is dramatic. It is predicted that 10,000 hectares of forest every year in Argentina (20 football fields an hour). If this continues at this rate in fives years time the country's native forests will have disappeared. Similar scenarios are being played out in Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia all thanks to companies like the genetic engineering giant Monsanto. The World Wide Fund for Nature published a report recently calculating that 22 million hectares of forests and savannah in South America (an area the size of Great Britain) will be wiped out by 2020. Crops have also triggered soil erosion, and the widespread use of pesticides and chemicals are destroying some of the world's most delicate habitats. (3).

Soy Business Soy is traded as an international commodity, like oil and gold. It's a multi-billion dollar industry. "The reason there's so much soy in America is because they [the soy industry] started to plant soy to extract the oil from it and soy oil became a very large industry. Once they had as much oil as they did in the food supply they had a lot of soy protein residue left over, and since they can't feed it to animals, except in small amounts, they had to find another market." (2)

Conclusion So Soy's reputation as a health panacea is now badly blemished. It still has some supporters, but it is important to examine their background to ensure they are not just PR mouthpieces for a very powerful Soy industry. Big Soy, like big pharmaceutical, has been a powerful force shaping an attitude to nutrition and health. Given the mounting evidence that does not support Soy as a health food I believe we need to be very nervous about accepting big Soy spin as nutritional gospel.

Your 3d Coach

Craig Burton

References

1. BBC News 2004, Soy stops cancer and Baldness, 14/11/2004

2. http://www.mercola.com/2004/jan/21/soy.htm, Soy: Is it healthy or is it harmful

3. Anthony Barnett, The Observer, They hailed it a wonder food, 7/11/2004

4. http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/articles/Shadow.htm, Sean Carson, The shadow of Soy or, How I stopped loving and learned to worry about the bean

5. www.thehealthierlife.co.uk, Soy Health benefits: why boosting your intake of soy could reduce your risk of breast cancer

6. www.thewholesoystory.com, Whole soy story: The dark side of America's favorite health food. Daniel, K, T

7. New Zealand Medical Journal (vol 113 Feb 11 2000) Soy Formulas and the effects of isoflavones on the thyroid.

8. www.westonaprice.org, Myths and Truths about soy food

9. http://www.thyroid-info.com, Mary Shomon editor.

About the Author:

Craig Burton is the founder of 3d pts, a prominent European based holistic health and fitness coach with more than 15 years experience. He is a Sports Science graduate of Edith Cowan University and has postgraduate accreditations in nutrition, massage, athletic training, and corrective exercise therapy.

Craig is the author of "The 21 Day Roadmap to Health", available at http://www.3dpts.com.

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to forward it to others, just make sure that his name and URL are included. For more information and articles on health and fitness visit http://www.3dpts.com/articles.

To join the FREE monthly Peak Performance Newsletter, to find out more about your current health status with our FREE questionnaire, and to receive our FREE 7 part mini series called "Success strategies for transforming the Body, Mind & Spirit", go to http://www.3dpts.com.

Fibromyalgia and Hypothyroidism Medication Tips

Often found to simultaneously exist, hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia share many symptoms. Extreme fatigue, depression, muscle pain, cold body temperature and foggy thinking are the primary symptoms shared between these two conditions.

While experts have not yet agreed on the cause of fibromyalgia, some believe that like many cases of hypothyroidism, it is an autoimmune disorder. An underactive metabolism is a commonly suggested link between fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism.

Many people with fibromyalgia take thyroid medication for metabolism regulation. The difference between feeling good and not feeling good can be found in the following thyroid medication variables:

Taking the right prescription

Maximizing your medication's effectiveness

Taking the Right Prescription

The testing involved in thyroid evaluation and their subsequent prescriptions can vary greatly, depending on your doctor. The thyroid hormones identified by the medical community for most cases of thyroid dysfunction are thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T3 and T4. The relationship between these substances is complex and continually being looked at and challenged. The "gold standard" of assessing thyroid function is measuring TSH. If this test is returned with a normal lab value, many physicians will cross hypothyroidism off the list of possible diagnoses.

If a TSH level is normal, yet all of the classic signs of hypothyroidism are established (hair falling out, headaches, weight gain, brittle nails, fatigue, cold body temperature, etc.), some informed doctors will probe further. According to respected integrative medicine speCialist, Eric Gordon, MD, the most accurate way to comprehensively assess thyroid health is to test TSH, free T3 and free T4 levels. It is typical for doctors to bypass the testing of free (not currently bound) T3 levels because the body converts it to T4. However, Gordon advises that without including the free T3 evaluation, there is no way to know if the body is doing this conversion properly. According to Gordon, "If you are exhibiting signs of low thyroid, your free T3 will be low despite your TSH being 'normal.' The TSH only shows what is going on in your hypothalamus, not in your liver or elsewhere in your body."

In times of stress, our bodies naturally manufacture reverse T3. In a healthy, properly-functioning body, once the stressor ends, the body stops making the reverse T3 and normal T4 conversion to T3 continues. However, some experts have observed individuals that continue to make reverse T3, initiating the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

With the possible variability involved in hypothyroidism, receiving the correct prescription is crucial to the person's recovery. Most people convert T3 into T4 effortlessly. These people may simply need to supplement with T4 (Synthroid). However, certain individuals may need both T4 with T3 or only T3 to achieve the ideal balance of thyroid hormone. Finding the right medication at the best dosage often requires repeat doctor visits and blood tests to refine your prescription. Working with your doctor to explore all of these options will help assure that you are taking the right medication at the best possible dosage.

Maximizing Your Medication's Effectiveness

A majority of us take daily supplements in conjunction with prescribed medications to sustain our health. A typical morning for people with fibromyalgia consists not just of breakfast, but also of vitamins, minerals, herbs and any prescribed medications. Remembering what to take and when to take it can overwhelm anybody taking a variety of pills, especially if that person struggles with fibro fog. A majority of us take daily supplements in conjunction with prescribed medications to sustain our health. A typical morning for people with fibromyalgia consists not just of breakfast, but also of vitamins, minerals, herbs and any prescribed medications. Remembering what to take and when to take it can overwhelm anybody taking a variety of pills, especially if that person struggles with fibro fog.

The highly respected patient advocate and writer Mary Shomon, shares the following suggestions for taking thyroid medication:

1. Always check the prescription against what you receive. Don't allow generic substitutions, as their ingredients may slightly vary.


2. Most doctors advise taking thyroid hormones on an empty stomach to allow for maximum absorption.


3. Many practitioners advise taking thyroid hormones at least one hour before eating, to allow for maximum absorption.


4. Be consistent about a high-fiber diet. If you start or stop eating foods high in fiber, get your thyroid rechecked, as it may change your absorption.


5. Many experts recommend taking vitamins or supplements with iron at least two to three hours apart from thyroid hormones. Iron can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption if taken too close together.


6. Be careful about taking anything with calcium, including calcium-fortified orange juice, at the same time as thyroid hormones. Allow at least two to three hours apart, so absorption is not affected.


7. Don't take antacids within two hours of thyroid hormones. Allow at least two to three hours apart, so absorption is not affected.


8. Always check with your physician or pharmacist regarding any potential interactions of prescription drugs, herbs and supplements with your thyroid drugs. Some of the better known drug interactions with thyroid medication include antidepressants, insulin, cholesterol-lowering drugs and blood thinners. These interactions could result in making the thyroid medication more or less effective and/or make the other medication more or less effective.


9. Don't stop taking thyroid hormone during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It's necessary for you and your baby's health. Talk to your doctor about adjusting to the right dosage.

Deanna Couras Goodson from http://www.suite101.com/ adds some more valuable suggestions for taking thyroid medication. During a hypothyroidism or fibromyalgia flare-up, struggling with memory is a very real and present issue. Because it is important to be consistent with your thyroid medication dosing, Goodson advises to:

1. Write down a reminder for yourself to take the thyroid medication on a calendar, to-do list or other location you visit frequently.

2. Take advantage of modern technology for reminding you to take the thyroid medication. Examples include creating a screen saver or scheduling pop-up reminders on your computer or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

3. Take your medication the same time each day and keep it in a place that will remind you to take it. An example of this is storing the medication next to your tooth brush, so it is automatically included in your morning routine.

Since finding the right balance of thyroid medication is so critical to recovering from hypothyroidism, anything affecting that balance must be stabilized. Making sure you are taking the right medication at the appropriate dosage can significantly improve one's quality of life. For the many individuals with both fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism, properly medicating with thyroid medication can make living with both of these conditions enjoyable by warming the body and increasing energy levels, while reducing muscular pain and fibro fog.

This article was prepared for FibroManage.com. Visit us to learn more about fibromyalgia symptoms, and the benefits of natural and conventional remedies.

References:


http://www.ericgordonmd.com, Gordon, Eric, MD, On Liver, Thyroid and Toxicity.


http://www.suite101.com/, Goodson, Deanna Couras, Hypothyroidism.


http://www.thyroid.about.com/, Shomon, Mary, How to Take Your Thyroid Medication.


http://www.thyroid-info.com/, Shomon, Mary, Thyroid Drugs: Frequently Asked Questions about Food, Drug and Supplement Interactions.

Smarten Up People, Flush Toxins Away

First of all I want to tell you how fit I am today, then I will tell you how

I used to be. I know you are saying to yourself, why I should be

Interested how this guy feels.

Well my friends there is a darn good reason for this.

My name is Ralph Morton, I am 78 years old and I feel like I am 55.

I play golf on a regular basis and shoot in the high 80's. I walk, don't

take a cart; I guess the reason is I hit the ball right down the middle,

unlike my playing partners whole chase their ball from one side of the

fairway to the other. They of course cover a lot of ground. Many times

they say, I have had the same ball for a couple of years as I never lose it.

They are wrong of course; I have been known to have lost a few.

My point is I am a very different person than I was a few years ago.

Going back about two and a half years ago, I had resigned myself to

getting old, hey, I was 76, my wife and I both didn't realize it, but we

had accepted old age. We didn't play golf any longer, I was fat, and

had no drive at all. Our whole life had changed in just a few months.

We just did the things old people do without thinking, we had just

gradually completely changed our lives.

When I think of it, I guess this is what happens to most married

couples eventually. I was overweight, a lot overweight, and I didn't feel

that I could do anything, you know what I mean, listless, and happy to

just sit down and watch television every night, and get fatter.

It is so easy to get into a routine, and time flies by so fast, and we do

nothing to help to make our lives any better. We just accept things as

they are.

Then, after months of missing my golf, and doing nothing, I made an

amazing discovery. I stumbled over an article that changed my life. I

guess I should have been smarter for the world is much more different

from what it was years ago.

The amazing discovery I made was how toxins are damaging our whole

systems. I realized why I was listless, fat and truly out of shape, no drive

at all. Hey, I didn't like the life I was leading, I could see what was

happening to both my wife and I. We made the decision to change.

The results I have given earlier in this letter. I am playing golf again, my

wife and I are happy again together. We now look forward to every day; it is amazing how things have changed. Our friends look at us, wondering what

has happened to Ralph and Anita.

Someone once said the following to me. What if part of being a human being

was that you were required to carry around your waist 100 lbs of potatoes.

You would place the potatoes in a similar thing as a money belt with pouches.

When you got out of bed in a morning, you would place the belt around your

waist leaving it there until the end of the day. All day you would do your

normal business with these potatoes around your waist. You would do

everything that way, even making love.

What a tremendous relief it would be to take it off at night, wow. You would of course have to put it back on if you decided to make love in bed.

I guess you can see the whole point of this exercise, anyone with the potatoes

stowed in this pouch would be grateful to be rid of them.

Well, it is the same as people been overweight they carry this extra weight, we

Don't call it a pouch we call the thing they carry the weight, we call that a

paunch.

Well my friends I read everything I could about Toxins. Why toxins? Well, the reason I was fat, listless and everything else was simply my system, like everyone

else's was full of toxins.

Here are a couple of things I discovered about why in this modern age we are

bombarded with these pollutions day after day.

Have you ever asked yourself this question, why is it today

we have more obese people? Up 67% of the population are

overweight today. There were a great lot less many years

ago. A few, but in no way were they around as they are

today, and believe me it will get worse. It will not get any

better unless people educate themselves. Unless they know

why this is happening, the problem will continue to grow.

We are all exposed to thousands of toxins and chemicals on a

daily basis at work, in the home, through the air we breathe,

our food and water supply, and through the use of

pharmaceutical drugs. In addition, we are eating more sugar

and processed foods than ever before in human history and

regularly abuse our bodies with various stimulants and

sedatives.

If you never wondered or cared much about the pollution around

us, it's time to change your views and start paying attention

to this problem. For decades, scientists have been studying the

pollutants in our air, water, food, and soil. U.S. industries

manufacture over 6 trillion pounds of 9,000 different chemicals

a year. They dump billions of pounds of industrial chemicals

into our air and water year after year. So now scientists have

started to examine pollution levels in humans and their findings

are deeply disturbing. Research clearly proves that our bodies

are not capable of eliminating all the different toxins and

chemicals we inhale and ingest every day. They simply accumulate

in our cells (especially fat cells), tissues, blood, organs

(such as the colon, liver and brain) and remain stored for an

indefinite length of time causing all kinds of health problems.

1 in 3 people have Cancer (2 billion+!!!!).1 in 4 people die of Cancer.

1 in 8 women have Breast Cancer 17 million people have Asthma.4 million

people have Parkinson's worldwide .2.5 million people have

Multiple Sclerosis.4 million people have Lupus.4.6 million people have

Alzheimer's.40 million people have arthritis.18.2 million people have

Diabetes representing 6% of the U.S. population.16% of the U.S. has

chemical sensitivity and 7% have been diagnosed with Multiple

Chemical Sensitivity .1 million people in the U.S. have Chronic

Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome.24 % of the U.S. experience a

mental illness in their lifetime.1 in 6 children in U.S. suffers from

a developmental, learning, or behavioral disability such as Autism,

Mental Retardation, ADHD, and birth defects. Synthroid, a synthetic

thyroid hormone is the most prescribed drug in the U.S.1 in 11

Americans have overactive bladders.

Toxins have now become one of greatest problems that face humanity

today, there not a great lot an individual can do other than keeping

pressure on our Governments.

Today I am living proof that if you were to take a Natural Cleanse your life will change. When you rid yourself of toxins you have newly found energy. You will

not believe the wonderful feeling you have now that your system is working as it

should.

You have taken the time to read this article, so just take the next step and have

a full cleanse. Make sure you drink a lot of water as that is required.

One further point, by taking the cleanse you will not require those many Vitamins

You have stored in your cupboard, if you read the ingredients that are in the cleanse

You will find all the vitamins covered there.

I know you will thank me for guiding you in the right direction,

I wish you success.

Ralph Morton is the author of"Smarten Up People Flush Toxins Away" he has helped thousands of individuals to lose a lot of weight. Visit his site to find out how you can do a cleanse plus you will be able to listen to to the Gastroenterologist, the good Doctor Becky Natrajan will explain the toxins, and why they must be removed from yoursystem, Visit http://theteam.isagenix.com, after it loads, on the top left click on ISAVIDEOs, and hear what she has to say. Next to that video are one each from ABC and FOX news, explaining the ISAGENIX cleanse. Don't miss these.Any Questions Call 604-536-6813 or Email: noviorbis@telus.net

Your Hidden Weapons of Fat Destruction

You have weapons of fat destruction. And you are hiding them - probably unknowingly. This explains why your waist is being overcome by enemy number one: unsightly belly fat. Are you ready to obliterate it?

As a biochemical evil-doer, belly fat slowly destroys quality of life.

Among men, it yields boobs. It keeps your soldier from standing at attention. Among women, it stores the "junk-in-the-trunk". It smothers sex drive. It zaps life-giving energy. It disrupts mental focus.

This evil-doer is very demanding. Belly fat screams for ice-cream and soda without warning. If you don't yield to its desires, it holds you prisoner by making you feel edgy, light-headed, and generally pissed off until you give in.

This evil doer is a liar. Almost hourly, it tries to convince you that, "One more soda isn't gonna hurt you". At night, it whispers, "Everyone in America is eating chocolate right now, you should be too". When you wonder if you should be exercising it tries to convince you that, "Exercise is not important".

Perhaps the most insidious characteristic of belly fat is its ability to keep you in your comfort zone -your fat comfort zone. Today, 60% of Americans are fat. Our children are following in our fat footsteps. And few people are doing anything about it. Instead, they hold tight to the myth that "carrying belly fat is genetic or a normal part of aging". Wrong.

At 30% body fat, I reveled in my own comfort zone for an entire year before I decided to take military like action. Once I uncovered my hidden weapons of fat destruction, I descended to 11% body fat and gained about 10 lbs of muscle in 90 days and have kept it off ever since. I've seen worse case scenarios do the exact same. In addition to ridding themselves and man-boobs and belly fat, some cured type II diabetes!

Forget about fad diets. Forget about fad supplements. Forget about fad drugs like Synthroid, Xenical, Meridia and the newer Accomplia that have side-effects worse than obesity. Forget about eating some exotic algae or fancy fruit drink to lose fat. If these mass produced and mass selling products were effective we wouldn?t be the fattest country in the world.

As a pharmaceutical chemist, I've uncovered a trove of fat destroying weapons that would make a fat military general envious. Under the proper lifestyle and dietary circumstances the arsenal can be employed by your own body. Is Michael Moore reading?

Human Growth Hormone (hGH), Leptin, IGF-1 and Testosterone

I'm going to spare you the biochemistry lesson. All you need to know is that in addition to being weapons of fat destruction, the above hormones are great for living young, building muscle, obtaining vibrant looking skin and ensuring that your bedroom energy is rockin'.

Unfortunately, if you are sporting belly fat, you probably have very little of them courtesy of surging insulin levels. Insulin prevents your body from unleashing these vital fat destroyers.

The only way to get your weapons of fat destruction back on the front lines is to "increase insulin sensitivity". Don't fret over the science jargon, just keep reading.

Insulin sensitivity is the opposite of insulin resistance (type II diabetes). Sensitivity to insulin means that you won't have much of the fat storing hormone in your fat belly. You will live thin and slim.

Insensitivity to insulin means that your body is resistant to it and therefore does not use it up fast enough. As a result, your belly bathes in it. You get fat.. Simple right? Don't worry, medical doctors usually choke on their words when trying to explain it to patients (future drug eaters of America).

To increase insulin sensitivity, do the following:

1. If it tastes sweet spit it out. Don't complicate this one. I don't care about the mom-in-a-thong promoting the newest health/sports bar. I don't care about the dumb-jock on the verge of "roid-rage" promoting a sweetened protein shake. And I don't care about how scrumptious that organic apple looks. If it tastes sweet spit it out. Maybe save it for birthdays. You'll be having many more by sticking to this rule.

2. Eat three meals per day and space them out by 4-5 hours. No snacking. Meals should be 50% healthy fat, 20% low glycemic carbs and 30% protein.

3. Key nutritional supplements can also be used. Among them are cinnamon (2-6 grams daily) and banaba leaf containing 1% corosolic acid (50-250 mg daily). The best time to use is 30-60 minutes prior to meals. These supplements are safer and more effective than any prescription drug. In fact, using "combinatorial chemistry", drug labs are trying to make a synthetic copy-cat of both as we speak - they've been failing for years.

4. Expose that white belly to God's healing rays! Showering 85% of your body to sunlight for 20 - 45 minutes three to five times per week will increase insulin sensitivity while controlling sugar cravings. Skin damaging sunscreen is not allowed.

5. Use my free, insulin controlling workout (sign up for my free Secret Cures eLetter above) to ensure that you pack on that dormant, sexy muscle.

Some readers will have a momentary lapse in judgment. They will continue to hide their weapons of fat destruction and instead choose to be a "drug eater of America". This is futile and dangerous. Not a single prescription drug address - insulin sensitivity. This is the primary reason none of them reverse obesity, insulin resistance or type II diabetes. They just mask symptoms. This is a stark reminder that Mother Nature provides the best medicine.

Cute, Dimply Fat Eradicated

The above tactics will bring hGH, leptin, IGF-1 and Testosterone front and center. Insulin will decrease (along with blood sugar) and your weapons of fat destruction will emerge. No matter how cute, squishy and dimply your fat might be, it will be eradicated. The shock and awe that follows will leave your peers secretly wondering, "Wow! What did they do to get rid of all that unsightly belly fat?"

But, But, But?

"But, my doctor told me to stay on my med's and that they would control my weight, am I supposed to get off my drugs?"

"But, I heard that Xango would cure my obesity and my toe fungus. Are you saying to stop drinking it?"

"But, I've been overweight my whole life, it runs in my family."

Stop! Don't say another word. Your fat cells are eating your brain. Use your hidden weapons of fat destruction before your quality of life is destroyed.

Shane "The People's Chemist" Ellison has an MS in organic chemistry and has first hand experience in drug design and synthesis. He is an internationally recognized authority on therapeutic nutrition and the author of Health Myths Exposed, The Hidden Truth About Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs and The AM-PM Fat Loss Discovery. Get a 10% discount on these products by visiting http://www.thepeopleschemist.com/foundation.html

Getting the Most from Calcium Supplements

Although a well-balanced diet is the best way to consume vitamins and minerals, some people prefer to take out an "insurance policy" or two in the form of supplements. One thing is for sure; there is no shortage of calcium supplements on the market! Here are some helpful consumer hints to narrow down your selection:

TYPES OF CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS

Calcium Carbonate is the most inexpensive and readily available option. It contains the highest level of elemental calcium (40%), therefore fewer pills may be required in order to reach your desired daily intake. This big amount of calcium is typically accompanied by a big pill. A chewable or liquid version may be preferred for those who find the tablets too big to swallow. Calcium carbonate should be taken with meals or with an acidic beverage such as orange juice. It is alkaline based and requires extra stomach acid for maximum absorption. For some, intestinal distress in the form of gas or constipation. If this happens to you, try upping your dietary fiber intake, and drink more water. If this doesn't help, switch to calcium citrate.

Calcium Citrate usually costs just a bit more than calcium carbonate, and is not quite as easy to find, but on the whole it is an excellent option. Calcium citrate has less elemental calcium (21%), but it is better absorbed than calcium carbonate. It is acidic based, and may be taken at any time in the day, even on an empty stomach! If you are taking acid blockers for indigestion, acid reflux or other intestinal conditions, calcium citrate may be your best option from an absorption point of view.

Calcium Phosphate is rarely recommended. Although some types of calcium phosphate contain high levels of elemental calcium, the average diet already contains too much phosphorous from processed foods.

Calcium Lactate and Calcium Gluconate are both usually well absorbed, but they have a very low rate of elemental calcium (13% and 9% respectively). Calcium Lactate is derived from lactic acid and should not be a problem for milk allergies or lactose intolerance.

Coral & Chelated Calcium are overpriced and over-hyped calcium supplements. They supply no known advantages over any of the calcium compounds noted above. It is best to avoid supplements that contain Dolomite, Bone Meal, or Oyster Shell. These products may be contaminated with lead, mercury, and/or arsenic.

SO WHAT IS THIS ELEMENTAL CALCIUM?

Several different calcium compounds are utilized in supplements, such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and calcium citrate. The elemental calcium represents the actual amount or percentage of calcium in the compound. It is important that you read the labels of calcium supplements to verify the amount of elemental calcium available. How does one do this? Simple! On the nutrition/supplement facts label a % of daily value is listed. This is based upon a 1000mg recommended daily value for calcium. Thus a supplement with a 25% daily value for calcium has 250mg of elemental calcium. Also, be sure to note the serving size, that is the number of tablets, pills, etc. you must take in order to obtain that level of elemental calcium. If you choose to supplement, do not consume more than 2500mg of elemental calcium daily (diet and supplements combined)!

ISN'T THIS STUFF REGULATED?

Calcium supplements are not currently regulated by the FDA. However, when selecting a calcium supplement check the label for the initials USP. This is a guarantee that the product meets with the U.S. Pharmacopeia's voluntary standards for quality, purity (lead content), and tablet disintegration. Since the application for the USP symbol is completely voluntary, some excellent brands may not display it, just to complicate matters a bit. In Canada, specific standards have been created for lead content, quality, and tablet disintegration. Products with a DIN (Drug Identification Number) or GP (General Product) number have met with these standards. If you want more confidence in your vitamins and minerals, check out www.ConsumerLab.com. They test and report on various brands and types of supplements.

ABSORPTION INSURANCE

The body will easily absorb most brand name calcium products. However, if in doubt check for the USP symbol, or try a simple test on a sample tablet. Place it into a glass of warm water or clear vinegar. Stir occasionally. If the tablet dissolves within 30 minutes, then the supplement will most likely dissolve in your stomach as well. Chewable and liquid calcium supplements are a good alternative to ensure proper absorption. As a rule of thumb, calcium, whether from diet or supplements, is best absorbed when consumed throughout the day in increments of less than 500mg.

BEWARE OF INTERACTIONS

If you are taking any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding calcium supplements into the mix. Calcium has been shown to interfere with the absorption of iron supplements, Synthroid for hypothyroidism, bisphosphonate medication for osteoporosis (i.e. Fosamax or Didrocal), and certain antibiotics such as tetracycline. A window of 2 hours or more between the medication and calcium supplementation should prevent an interaction.

OTHER BONE BUILDERS

Calcium supplements are found in varying combinations, often with added vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and Vitamin D. For most healthy individuals, additional supplements of magnesium are not required. Magnesium is abundant in vegetables and nuts, and our daily requirements can be met with that good old "5 servings of fruits and vegetables." Those who believe they may have a magnesium deficiency due to illness should consult a physician. On a different note, sunscreen, age, and increasing indoor activities are depleting the levels of Vitamin D we as humans are producing. This is prompting more recommendations for Vitamin D supplementation. You may opt to take Calcium supplements with Vitamin D, which is great, but not an absolute must. Although Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption, it is taken in and stored in a unique way and at a different rate than calcium.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Ignore the sales pitches and consumer hype when purchasing calcium supplements. The least expensive and most basic brands of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate will typically do the trick!

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Antacids - One Type Of Drug

How The Drug Works

Antacids neutralize stomach acid and increase the pH of the stomach. This action also inhibits activity of pepsin, a digestive enzyme that can be irritating to the stomach lining. They also increase the tone of the muscular valve between the stomach and the esophagus, which helps prevent stomach acids from getting into the esophagus and causing heartburn.

Uses

To treat upset stomach due to excessive acid production (including heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach).

To treat excess acid secretion associated with peptic ulcer (ulcers in the stomach or intestine).

Aluminum Carbonate: To treat or control hyperphosphatemia.

Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide: To treat calcium or magnesium deficiencies, respectively.

Magnesium Hydroxide: To relieve occasional constipation (irregularity).

Other Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe aluminum hydroxide, aluminum carbonate, and calcium carbonate to reduce phosphorus levels in certain kidney conditions. Aluminum hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide with magnesium hydroxide may be used to prevent stress ulcer bleeding (stress ulcers occur with serious illnesses such as life threatening infections or blood loss).

Sodium Content: Some antacids have a high sodium content. Select a low-sodium antacid product if you have high blood pressure, heart conditions, kidney disease, fluid retention, or are on a low-sodium diet. Check package label when available or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Sodium Bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate products can alter normal blood chemistry if used for long periods of time or in excessive doses.

Phenylketonuria: Some of these products contain phenylalanine. Check package label when available or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the possible risks to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if antacids appear in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Tartrazine: Some of these products may contain the dye tartrazine which can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals. Check package label when available or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or if you are planning to take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with antacids, Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with antacids:

Allopurinol (eg, Zyloprim)


Levothyroxine (eg, Synthroid)


Aluminum Products Only


Penicillamine (eg, Cuprimine)


Chloroquine (eg, Aralen)


Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate


Isoniazid (eg, Nydrazid)


Hydantoins (eg, Phenytoin)

Side Effects

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many antacid users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Aluminum-Containing Antacids: Constipation; high aluminum blood levels; low phosphorus levels.

Calcium-Containing Antacids: Appetite loss; nausea; vomiting; dry mouth; increased urination; constipation; stomach pain; thirst; confusion; high blood calcium levels.

Magnesium-Containing Antacids: Diarrhea; high magnesium blood levels; muscle weakness; slow reflexes.

Guidelines For Use

Consult individual product labeling for dosage. Antacids contain a variety of different ingredients. Do not exceed the maximum recommended dosage.

Chewable tablets - Chew thoroughly before swallowing. May be followed with a glass of water.

Suspensions - Shake well before using.

Product choice - Liquid products work faster and have greater activity than other forms. Tablets and capsules may be more acceptable and convenient, particularly when you are away from home or when the liquid would be inconvenient to carry.

Antacids reduce acidity for about 30 to 60 minutes when taken on an empty stomach. Acidity is reduced for about 2 to 3 hours when antacids are taken 1 hour after meals.

Antacids can interfere with the absorption of some drugs. Do not take medication within 2 hours of taking the antacid.

Notify your doctor if "coffee-ground" vomiting or black, tarry stools occur.

Taking too much of these products can cause the stomach to secrete excess stomach acid. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the appropriate dose.,

Long-term use do not take for longer than 2 weeks for the relief of indigestion, unless advised to do so by your doctor. If discomfort continues, consult your doctor.

Store at room temperature (59 0 to 86�F) in a dry place. Refrigeration of liquid antacids may improve the flavor. Avoid freezing. If the taste of one antacid product is not satisfactory, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about switching to another product.

Read more about drugs, drugs and medicines, and also about drugs facts.

Hypothyroidism - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is also known as an under active thyroid. It occurs when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroxine. Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are very subtle and are experienced by people without thyroid disease. Thus, a lot of physicians overlook the symptoms of fatigue, weight gain and depression and attribute them to other causes.

It is a relatively common disease in purebred domestic dogs as well, and can have a hereditary basis in dogs. The risk of developing hypothyroidism tends to increase with age; older women have the highest risk. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism in human beings, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease) and radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck just below the larynx, secretes hormones that control metabolism.

Because thyroid hormone affects growth, development, and many cellular processes, inadequate thyroid hormone has widespread consequences for the body. Women, especially those older than 50, are more likely to have hypothyroidism than men are. In rare cases, hypothyroidism occurs in infants and children.

In hypothyroidism, the thyroid is under active, with too little of the thyroid hormones being released. The thyroid is situated just below your "Adams apple" or larynx. The severity of hypothyroidism varies widely. Patients are classified as "subclinical hypothyroid" if diagnostic findings show thyroid hormone abnormalities, but they do not exhibit any symptoms. Others have moderate symptoms that can be mistaken for other diseases and states. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which account for 99.9% and 0.1% of thyroid hormones present in the blood respectively.

Untreated hypothyroidism in infants can cause brain damage, leading to mental retardation and developmental delays. Every state in the United States tests newborns for hypothyroidism. The hypothalamus is a brain structure that normally signals the pituitary gland to make thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which causes the thyroid to make thyroid hormones. Some medical problems can affect either the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, and interrupt the chain of signals from the brain to the thyroid. Decreased thyroid hormone effect can cause increased levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and a possible change in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In addition, hypothyroidism may result in an increase in insulin resistance.

Causes of Hypothyroidism

The common causes and risk factor's of Hypothyroidism include the following:

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a disease of the thyroid gland where the body's immune system attacks the gland.

Lymphocytic Thyroiditis After Hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid Destruction (from radioactive iodine or surgery).

External beam radiation, which is used to treat some cancers, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma. This radiation treatment can destroy the thyroid gland.

An operation to remove part of the thyroid gland (usually for thyrotoxicosis ), often years earlier.

Radioactive iodine treatment for thyrotoxicosis.

Drugs such as amiodarone, interferon alpha, thalidomide, and stavudine have also been associated with primary hypothyroidism.

Use of radioactive iodine for treatment of Graves disease generally results in permanent hypothyroidism within one year of therapy. The frequency is much lower in patients with toxic nodular goiters and those with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Some sign and symptoms related to Hypothyroidism are as follows:

A puffy face.

Tendency to feel cold.

Joint or muscle pain.

Hoarse voice.

An elevated blood cholesterol level.

Fatigue.

Feeling sluggish and tired.

Weakness.

Choking sensation or difficulty swallowing.

Goiter (enlarged thyroid causing a lump in the neck).

Coarseness or loss of hair.

Shortness of breath with a shallow and slow respiratory pattern.

Treatment of Hypothyroidism

Here is list of the methods for treating Hypothyroidism:

If you have coronary artery disease or severe hypothyroidism, your doctor may start treatment with a smaller amount of medication and gradually increase the dosage.

Hypothyroidism is treated with replacement doses of thyroid hormones. Synthetic forms of these hormones are used, including levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl and other brand names), liothyronine (Cytomel) or liotrix (Thyrolar).

It is treated by replacing the amount of hormone that your own thyroid can no longer make, to bring your T4 and TSH back to normal levels.

The average dose of T4 replacement in adults is approximately 1.6 micrograms per kilogram per day.

Progressive hormone replacement allows your heart to adjust to the increase in metabolism.

Supportive therapy (oxygen, assisted ventilation, fluid replacement) and intensive-care nursing may be indicated.

Permanently decreased metabolism requires lifelong treatment with thyroxine tablets.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for diseases cure and health care information. She also writes articles on healing remedies.