Brazilian Impotence Cure

By On · Add Comment · In asphyxiation, Brazil, Brazilian wandering spider, erection, nitric oxide, spider, Viagra

Imagine getting bitten by a spider, gents, and developing a painful erection lasting for four-days, and then possibly dying of asphyxiation. Sounds harrowing doesn’t it? But this is reality in south-eastern Brazil. The deadly Brazilian wandering spider can be found in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo, and its venom is so intriguing to scientists that they are now studying it as a possible impotence cure, a la Viagra.

Phoneutria nigriventer, the Brazilian wandering spider, is indigenous to Brazil and parts of northern Argentina. It is known as one of the most dangerous spiders in the world. Its venom is so potent and can be delivered at such a quantity that it can be deadly to human beings. Throw in it’s wandering nature and the fact that it searches for cover during the day–often hiding in houses, clothes, cars, boots, boxes and log piles–and it can be a serious risk to people who happen upon and disturb it. It is also known as the “banana spider” because it has been encountered as a stowaway in shipments of bananas.

When bitten by P. nigriventer, men will develop a long-lasting, painful ercetion which ultimately leads to impotence. The potent venom known as PhTx3 acts as a broad-spectrum calcium channel blocker. At deadly concentrations, this neurotoxin causes loss of muscle control and breathing problems, resulting in paralysis and eventual asphyxiation. In addition, the venom causes intense pain and inflammation following an attack.

But it’s the erectile stimulatory effects that have scientists excited (go figure). Viagra (sildenafil citrate) works by increasing nitric oxide in the penis, which opens up the blood vessels and allows the penis to fill, causing erection. The spider venom works in the same way, increasing nitric oxide levels, albeit through a different mechanism. Scientists say that as exciting as this news is, they are years away from developing an impotence drug based on the spider venom. But try they still will.

I don’t know about you, but I’m always pumped-up about erection drugs. And why not? I mean, what’s life for except for furthering life? So spider venom working on the fly is good news in my book, even if one might have to deal with a little discomfort (four days?) along the way.

Unsafe Drinking Water Found in Schools

By On · Add Comment · In drinking water, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Safe Drinking Water Act, schools, toxins, water safety, water treatment

This just in: Thousands of schools across the country have been found to have unsafe drinking water. Contaminants have surfaced at both public and private schools in all 50 states–cities and small towns alike–including lead, pesticides and dozens of other toxins.

The federal government has failed to monitor water safety violations despite them multiplying over the last decade. The contamination is most prevalent at schools with their own water supply–wells, that is–which represent 8 to 11 percent of the nation’s schools. Approximately 20% of schools with water wells has violated the Safe Drinking Water Act over the last ten years, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The number of schools with violations is only a fraction of the country’s 132,500 schools, but it causes concerns since children drink more water per pound of body weight than adults do. Part of the problem is that the monitoring of drinking water in schools is spread too thin among a number of local, state and federal agencies. Finding a solution, experts and children’s advocates say, would require a costly new national strategy for monitoring water in schools.

Some of the findings from the EPA data include:

• Water in about 100 school districts and 2,250 schools breached federal safety standards.

• Those schools and districts racked up more than 5,550 separate violations. In 2008, the EPA recorded 577 violations, up from 59 in 1998 — an increase that officials attribute mainly to tougher rules.

• California, which has the most schools of any state, also recorded the most violations with 612, followed by Ohio (451), Maine (417), Connecticut (318) and Indiana (289).

• Nearly half the violators in California were repeat offenders. One elementary school in Tulare County, in the farm country of the Central Valley, broke safe-water laws 20 times.

• The most frequently cited contaminant was coliform bacteria, followed by lead and copper, arsenic and nitrates.

It seems to me that this problem is only the tip of the iceberg. I point out in my book, The Six Keys to Optimal Health, that the nation’s public water system is a shambles. According to a 2003 National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) study, many community water systems (CWS) had the following problems:

  • polluted water source
  • outdated treatment processes
  • poor maintenance of water treatment and storage systems

It’s high time investigative journalists, like the ones at the Associated Press breaking this story, start reporting this mess with our nation’s water system. Water is the elixir of life–no living thing can survive without it–so it stands to reason that a faulty public water system is essential to our health and safety. Children in Minnesota and Seattle have already gotten sick from drinking contaminated water at their schools. At what point will the entire system come unglued and start causing a real public health hazard? I don’t know, but it’s one of those rare times I endorse the government stepping in, providing funds for the upkeep of this vast system, monitor all source water and its transportation, and shut down schools or any other building violating the Safe Drinking Water Act.

*If you would like to know more about your local drinking water, check here: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.html

Probiotic Straws for Kids.

By On · Add Comment · In antibiotics, L. reuteri, Nestle' corporation, nutritional products, probiotic straws, probiotics
Hooray for nutritional products for kids! I’m thrilled by any product developed for a child’s nutritional consumption. The latest–probiotic straws–to replenish healthy gut bacteria for children that might have had a bout of diarrhea or have been through a round of antibiotics or such, are now available through the Nestle’ corporation.

I am a firm believer in the power of commerce–that is, allowing the markets (peoples’ buying habits) to determine product availability. That’s why I vehemently oppose mandating regulation or restrictions on the food industry. The food industry only produces what people (the market) want(s). So Coca-Cola and Pepsi now both sell bottled water. Why? Simple–it’s a huge market. Duh! Businesses only care about making money. There’s nothing immoral about it (with regard to the food industry)–amoral, for sure; but immoral?..no way.

So although it may be surprising initially to hear that the Nestle’ corp–makers of Quick, Butterfinger, Chunky, Coffee Mate and a slew of other junk food products–is behind the latest health product for kids, it makes complete sense to me. Health and nutrition is a large and growing market; and naturally, parents will want products that also ensure their children’s health and well-being. Can you both be a junk food and health food manufacturer? Sure, why not?

OK, back to the product. Nestle’s Health and Clinical Nutrition (HCN) products has aligned itself with BioGaia, makers of the Probiotic Straw which contains a daily dose of L. reuteri, a “universal” gut organism, meaning it is found throughout the animal kingdom. L. reuteri is already being used in products in 42 countries, including formula products in Europe and Asia.

Probiotics help replenish healthy and useful gut bacteria, which are necessary to ward off opportunistic organisms that could overtake a deficient environment. Probiotics can be taken by children of any age. Vaginal births and breastfeeding lead to greater flora production in children, but probiotic supplements can help enormously. Probiotics can help boost the immune system, and a preliminary Chinese study showed that probiotic supplementation may aid in preventing colds.

Thumbs up to Nestle’s. Yeah, you can manufacture both health and junk together. The market determines what should be available. Some want Hot Pockets, others probiotics. No problem–Nestle’s got ’em.

Sports Anemia for Exercise Fanatics

By On · Add Comment · In chiropractic, exercise, intense, Israeli Defense Forces, military training, overtraining syndrome, sports anemia

Listen up bootcampers: Intense exercise can cause low blood counts. Yes, yes, it’s true–you can overdo it. Do not take this news lightly, especially you youngsters; you are not as invincible as you think.

A recent study looked at incoming recruits for an elite combat unit in the Israeli Defense Forces and found that many (18%) came in anemic–an unusual occurrence for healthy young men. But more alarming was that the numbers tripled to over 50% following six weeks of intense military training. Whoa! The anemia was the iron deficiency-type and is known as sports anemia. Very strange, indeed.

Scientists are unsure of the exact physiological cause of the anemia, but believe that intense exercise is at fault, particularly since 18% came into the training with the condition. Because young men hoping to join the elite forces prepare themselves through intense workouts to begin with, it’s not a total surprise that so many came in iron deficient. But to what degree the recruits developed anemia is startling, and goes to show that too much of a good thing does exist.

I talk about overtraining syndrome in my book, The Six Keys to Optimal Health. It is a real phenomenon, and I see the effects on clients in my West Hollywood/Beverly Hills sports chiropractic practice. No matter how much I preach moderation, there always will be people who deny the data and overdo it anyway. It’s really a shame, because if these same people would just understand that they are actually hampering their growth and progress, they might cool it. I have one client, a female in her forties, who works out every day! That’s too much. And guess what? She’s always injured, hurting and/or tired. She looks, forgive me for saying so, like she’s been run over by a truck most of the time I see her. I tell her to slow down, but she tells me it makes her feel good. Yeah, right.

So here’s the deal: If you are not training for a marathon, triathlon, UFC title bout or any other athletic event, three to four days of moderate to intense exercise is sufficient (and efficient, by the way). Anything more than that and you are risking burnout.

If you are training for an event or special forces–military training units and personnel pay close attention here–too much intensity will put the troops at risk. This is a true military public health issue and needs to be monitored and addressed.

Bye, Bye Moobs

By On · Add Comment · In breat reduction surgery, British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), man boobs, moobs

What’s the latest rage in cosmetic surgery? Man boob reduction. That’s right, ladies–now it’s your turn to wonder.

According to recent reports out of Great Britain, men of all ages in the UK are opting for moob reduction–that is, reducing their man boobs (moobs). The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reports that the number of male breast reduction operations has jumped 1000% since 2003, or from 22 to 323. That’s nearly one moob reduction every freaking day. Nice!

Researchers say the reason for the surge is unclear but think it might have to do with the increase in websites showing what’s available. Douglas McGeorge, past president of BAAPS, said, “I get people coming to me in their 50s and 60s. Men who have never taken their T-shirts off in public before.”

All I can say is, well…uh…thank goodness for modern technology. There, how’s that? No need to make fun…but, well…I can help save you gents a few thousand dollars and some scar tissue, too, you know. How about hittin’ the gym and laying off the booze, soda or Ben & Jerry’s for awhile, boys? Bet those moobs will melt away on their own. Just saying.

TV Comes Between Parent and Child

By On · Add Comment · In attention, child development, children, parents, television, TV, verbal interaction

Want a developmentally-stunted child? Then keep the TV on. Want to be a mentally-absent parent? Again, keep the boob tube running constantly. In fact, if you want to hinder your child’s development to the utmost, then just put the kid in a playpen, leave the TV on, and do your thing, baby. That’s the way.

Damn, that’s hard Campos. No it’s not. The data is out and it’s conclusive: TV makes people stupid!!! Sorry.

Here’s the latest: A team at the University of Massachusetts observed about 50 children, aged 1, 2 and 3 years, who were with a parent at a university child study center. For half of a one-hour session, parents and children were in a playroom without a television; in the other half-hour, parents chose a program to watch.

The researchers studied how much verbal interaction there was between parents and children, whether parents were actively involved in their children’s play, and whether they responded to each other’s questions and suggestions.

The study authors found that while the TV was on, parents spent about 20 percent less time talking to their children and were less active, attentive and responsive to their kids, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the interactions.

This study is important, researchers say, since more than one-third of American infants and toddlers live in homes where the television is on most or all the time, even if no one’s watching. This study challenges the popular notion that television doesn’t affect young children if they are not watching the screen. Wrong! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that parental interaction is imperative in child development. And this study just reinforces how television pulls parents’ attention away from where it is needed the most–the children. So turn off The View ladies (and ESPN, gents), and keep your attention on the kids–they deserve it!

*More info on how TV affects your child.

Americans to Blame for Poor Heart Health

By On · Add Comment · In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exercise, heart risk, high blood pressure, lifestyle behaviors, smoking, sugar

Flash, this just in: Only 10% of American adults have low heart disease risk. You heard right, nine out of every 10 people in the U.S. have at least one risk to their heart health; and the worst part is that these risks are all lifestyle dependent. Not good for a nation bent on pointing the finger at external causes for its poor health rankings.

According to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that looked at four national studies covering tens of thousands of Americans aged 25 to 74, only ten percent had low risk in the following categories:

  • high blood pressure
  • high cholesterol
  • high blood sugar
  • overweight
  • smoking
  • exercise too little

Each one of these categories is significantly impacted by lifestyle behaviors. High blood pressure, cholesterol and weight can all be controlled with regular and moderate exercise. Regular. Three times per week, minimum. Are you doing that?

High blood sugar and weight is directly related to the amount and types of food we eat. The U.S. has a morbid addiction to sugar. I’m not talking just desserts here–oh, we’ve got that too, but what I’m talking about is sugary regular foods: cereals, canned foods, ketchup, BBQ sauce, French toast, scones and muffins for breakfast, and the worst of all–sodas! Hey I’m guilty too, because I have recommended sports replacement bars to my readers. No more! That stuff is sugary shit. I don’t eat them, and I’m not going to recommend them to anyone else, anymore. Pure crap.

And the portions we eat are obscene. We all put away way too much every time we eat out. Sorry, but them’s the facts. Too much food.

And smoking? Like my good friend J.C. says, “Smoke ’em if you got ’em.” But just don’t point the finger at anyone but yourself when it’s time to pay the piper.

This is what really gets me irked about people: A full 90% of citizens are not doing all they can to care for their health, yet somehow it’s somebody else responsibility to take care of them if they fall ill. Sorry, but nobody can do your push-ups for you, no matter how much you demand it.

Mindful Eaters and Slim Yogis

By On · Add Comment · In eating habits, health benefits, mindfull eaters, yoga

More benefits to yoga it seems. Apparently, regular yoga practitioners are more mindful of their eating habits and tend to be slimmer overall than non-yogis, regardless of other physical activity and eating patterns. Just another reason to pick up the practice if your weight and good looks mean anything to you, not to mention all the other health benefits that come along with doing yoga.

Current research at the Frank Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle reports a link between yoga practitioners and “mindful eaters,” people who are better aware of their feelings of hunger and fullness and why they eat. This is in direct opposition to emotional eaters, binge eaters, nervous eaters and all other eaters that eat to soothe anxiety, depression or other mood swings. Although many of the studies participants were engaged in at least 90 minutes of walking or moderate and strenuous exercise, only regular yoga class participation was linked to mindful eating.

According to study leader, Alan Kristal, yoga challenges people to focus and accept their surroundings without judgment, key teachings that might encourage better discipline about eating. “This ability to be calm and observant during physical discomfort teaches how to maintain calm in other challenging situations, such as not eating more even when the food tastes good and not eating when you’re not hungry,” he says.

That may be true, but as a long-time yogi myself I’ll put it more simply: After busting my balls in a grueling hour-and-a-half yoga class, I am certainly NOT going to throw it all away by putting away an extra large pizza. But that’s just me. How’s that for yogic wisdom?

Meat Eaters Function Better

By On · Add Comment · In activities, health, meat, middle-aged

Health information is filled with myth: All people should curb salt, cholesterol is bad for you, and my favorite, eating meat is unhealthy. Oh sorry, red meat…whatever. And then comes science–you know, that objective observation of natural phenomena–to show us where we’ve been foolishly mistaken.

Take eating meat for example: A new study out of Japan showed that middle-aged people that eat meat at least twice weekly have a greater ability to care for themselves with such activities as independent feeding, dressing, bathing, and mobility. Check it: Over 2,300 Japanese men and women, aged 47-59, were observed for nearly twenty years. Of the more than 80% original participants still living, those that were regular meat eaters had significantly less risk for impaired physical function. The researchers did not find the same result for people eating fish or eggs at least once daily. Further, researchers found NO increased risk of dying from eating meat–none, nada, nunca.

All I can say to this is NO DUH! I know we all want to believe the conventional wisdom of the day, because well…it seems so logical; and dammit, it’s what we are told; and we wouldn’t be told what isn’t right, right? Wrong. When it comes to deciphering health information, a certain amount of logic is necessary. For instance, we have evolved as meat eaters–think about this hard Pythagoreans–how the hell is it going to be bad for us? I love what my good friend J.J. always says: Pointing to the sharp pointy teeth in his mouth, “See these; they are called canines; they are for meat eating.” No sh@*!

So now we have a study to show what most level-headed meat eaters already know–meat is not murder, it’s life; part of a magnificent cycle that keeps living organisms inhabiting this beautiful blue planet. The researchers of this current Japanese study believe that eating meat at the level reported in this study may help elderly better preserve muscle mass due to increased protein intake which, in turn, may play a role in elders’ ability to continue to perform daily activities. Let me repeat: No sh@*!

*Check out this great article on the dangers of NOT eating meat.

Jump Rope

By On · Add Comment · In cardiovascular exercise, endurance, jump rope, oscillate, speed rope, stamina

Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack; All dressed in black, black, black…word, you know how it goes. That’s right, bought a jump rope today, ready to get my hops on. An eight dollar investment, and a little time to pick up the skill (I’ve never jumped rope before…Lame-O), and I should be cutting up in no time.

Why jump rope? Best cardiovascular workout you can get, and I’m all about endurance and stamina these days. My plan is four times per week, ten minutes, that’s all…very doable.

Float like a butterfly…

Jumping rope not only gives an arse-kicking cardio workout, it works the legs and abs too. Further, the bouncing motion is in sync with the vibratory oscillations of our cells, atoms and subatomic particles. I, therefore, am going to oscillate.

Flying high now…

I bought a light-weight speed rope. Eight bucks and change at Sports Chalet. Much cheaper than a trampoline, although I’m thinking about one of those too. So, I start this week–anyone else with me?

First I’ll master the rope, then perhaps I’ll attempt catching the chicken. Whaddaya think?

 

Get it Right!

By On · Add Comment · In health, medical care, sick care

Wake up, people! What you are fighting for is not health care–it’s sick care. Get it right. There is nothing wrong with wanting accessible sick care. Since most people believe that getting sick is inevitable, they naturally want accessible, affordable sick care. But don’t call it health care, because there is nothing health about it.

This distinction is creating quite a bit of confusion among otherwise well-informed people, and it’s not their fault. We’ve been brainwashed into thinking medical care is health care. It’s not. One million dollars to anybody who can prove to me that there is a health component to it. Health, not sickness. Health.

The medical definition of health:

the condition of an organism or one of its parts in which it performs its vital functions normally or properly

Which medical procedure fulfills that?

Real health care is that which enhances the health; and in that regard, there are many health care practices: Exercise is health, so trainers you are health care. Nutrition is health, so nutritionists you are health care. A body functioning optimally, smoothly, and without pain is healthy; so chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists and all other body workers, you are health care. Getting proper rest, serenity, and balanced mind and body are health; so yoga instructors, Pilates instructors, meditation teachers, Buddhist monks, and mental health practitioners, you are all health care.

Medicine, psychiatry, rehab, emergency care–you are sick care. Period. Nothing wrong with that; in fact, we need it. Sick care is an integral part of our world, but it’s not health care. So all this debate about health care is erroneous, because nobody is really fighting for health care at all, except the true health care advocates–the practitioners. Let’s get it straight, all right?

An Aspirin a Day???

By On · Add Comment · In aspirin, Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis (AAA), bleeding, medical, prevention

The advice of an aspirin a day has always irked me. I’ve always seen it as the medical machine’s pathetic attempt to jump on the “prevention” bandwagon. “See, we’re progressive; we understand prevention.” Yeah, right…aspirin…prevention…tsk, tsk.

Well, current research shows that for healthy people, an aspirin a day may actually do more harm than good. British scientists with the Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis (AAA) project have uncovered that the risk of bleeding is great enough that its routine use in healthy people “cannot be supported”. Healthy people were those with no underlying cardiac or vascular problems.

Aspirin has been recommended as a blood clotting preventative by medical doctors for about 50 years. In the mid-1980s, despite there being very little conclusive evidence, the FDA was convinced to push aspirin as a preventive drug for heart attacks. Even mega super-star physician, Mehmet Oz in his book, You: The Owners Manual, pushes aspirin as a wonder drug. His Twitter post from two months ago proclaims,

BABY ASPIRIN, taken once daily, is proven to reduce stroke, heart attack, and many cancers. Kudos to those who got it right.

I hate to be the one to tell Dr. Oz, but: It’s not right!!!

I evaluate health from one simple philosophy: The human body, in it’s infinite intelligence, knows exactly what to do and when to do it. Do neglected bodies have internal disruptions such that they are unable to self-regulate efficiently? Absolutely. Are drugs under these circumstances useful? Absolutely. Do healthy people, with their complete capacity to self-heal and self-regulate need a foreign substance, a drug, to keep them functioning properly? Did they 200 years ago? 1000 years ago? We have evolved without drugs, haven’t we?

I’m no proponent of going back to an earlier age for a blue print on how we should live; but to me the answer is obvious. The notion that we need a daily drug to maintain our health and well being is a myth pushed on us by a cultural authority. But thanks to the objective eye of science, we now know–it’s wrong! It looks to me that the real health care crisis in this country is being exposed, and a political and cultural giant is being pounded to its knees.

Gets Yer Swine Flu Shots Here

By On · Add Comment · In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Facebook, swine flu, swine flu vaccine, Twitter

Listen up, people–get your swine flu shots straight away. Seriously. The U.S. government, along with the CDC, really, really wants you to be well. So they are reaching out (and I’m helping) through Facebook and Twitter to let you know–they care.

According to recent reports, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention is turning to social networking sites targeting 50% of the population to spread the fear about the swine flu. The CDC reports that it is urging people to get their annual inoculations–three to be exact–one for the regular flu (the one that doesn’t work), and two for the swine flu (the one that could be dangerous). They would like you to know that despite 50% of health care workers in Hong Kong stating that they wound NOT be getting the vaccine–you should–because you’re American, and well, you’re dumb.

They also want you to know that despite the mild nature of the current swine flu spreading throughout the world, it COULD be deadly. And so in the event that it might…you really need to get inoculated. Please do not fixate on the fact that the vaccines currently in the works have not been thoroughly tested; and please do not spend too much time thinking about that silly little legal immunity thing granted to the vaccine makers–those are simply technicalities.

What is really important is that you are safe. The CDC and the U.S. government want you to know that in these certainly uncertain times, the only thing that is certain is uncertainty.

As I will be posting this on Facebook and Twitter, I certainly hope that I have done my part.

DJ AM Found Dead

By On · Add Comment · In Adam Goldstein, Blink 182, DJ AM, Nicole Richie, Travis Barker
Celebrity Disc Jockey, Adam Goldstein, also known as DJ AM, was found dead in his Manhattan apartment this evening. Police had to break down the door and they found drug paraphernalia in the apartment. Details are being withheld until the Goldstein family is notified.

DJ AM survived a recent brush with death nearly one year ago when a plane carrying him and Travis Barker of Blink 182 crashed in South Carolina. Four people died in that crash, but Goldstein and Barker miraculously survived, despite suffering massive burns. Goldstein, at that time, said he was grateful to be alive. “I can’t believe I made it,” he said. “I’ve prayed every night for the past 10 years. There’s a lot more to thank God for now. … I was saved for a reason. Maybe I’m going to help someone else. I don’t question it. All I know is I’m thankful to be here.”

DJ AM came to fame through his celebrity relationships with Nicole Richie and Mandy Moore, as well as his club spinning vocation. He had talked openly about his previous addictions to crack cocaine, Ecstasy and other drugs, but he claimed he had been drug-free for years.

Well, another sad celebrity loss in a year that saw Michael Jackson, Danny Gans and Billy Mays all overdose on drugs. This is nothing new as musicians, comedians and actors have been dropping yearly to drug overdose for decades. Maybe it’s the pressure or maybe it’s the accessibility, but these high-profile people seem to take it to the limit when it comes to drugs. I know, I’ve been there; but I’ve stopped; and I know the difference between a life on drugs and one that’s clean. No comparison, in my mind, which one is fuller, richer and more rewarding, but that could just be my perspective. What is a shame is that DJ AM also knew, supposedly, the difference; yet he chose to play around one more time.

Once again I’ll say, I’m no teetotaler. I have nothing against anybody’s drug use. Do what you want, really. But if you do care about your life, just remember that every time you play around, even if you think, “Ah, it’s just a little…,” you’re taking a chance. Each time could be the last. That’s all.

RIP DJ AM.

Do As Your Doctor Do

By On · Add Comment · In flu shot, Guillain-Barre syndrome, health care workers, side effects, swine flu vaccine, vaccinated, World Health Organization (WHO)

I don’t know; what do you think? If 50% of health care workers would refuse the swine flu vaccine, do you think there might be something behind that? According to a recent study that polled 2,255 Hong Kong health workers, even during the height of global swine flu panic in May, less than half were willing to get vaccinated. You don’t say…

According to the report, the workers cited being “afraid of side effects,” and having doubts about, “how safe and effective it would be.” Well, no Schlitz. Du-uh-uh-uh-uh.

But what is obvious to you and me, seems like a real head-scratcher for public health authorities, like the World Health Organization (WHO). Bioethicists are debating the ethics of health care workers protecting their patients by getting vaccinated to the pig flu. But if health care workers believe that it’s bogus–as bogus as the regular flu shot (doctors read the data; they know: In the U.S., about 35 percent of health workers get a regular flu shot, while in Britain, only about 17 percent do), and even possibly dangerous–then good luck.

When it comes to vaccinations, freaky side effects usually come about after 1 million inoculations. This was the case in 1976 when a swine flu vaccine was produced then; and the poor suckers who got the stab developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, a temporary paralyzing disorder that can lead to death; however, the numbers were a bit less than one in a million. But I’ll bet you those one in million were none too happy with the results. Add in that pharmaceutical developers will be immune to any lawsuits, and scheiße, who the hell is gonna take the chance.

George Annas, a bioethecist at Boston University says of this recent finding, “Like the lay population, [health care workers] assume they won’t need the shot because they don’t think they will get the flu.” Uh…noooo….since health care workers have a basic understanding of the health sciences, they know when the wool is being pulled over their eyes. Face the facts.

From Drugs to Vaccines

By On · Add Comment · In human papilloma virus (HPV), pharmaceutical, swine flu vaccine, vaccinations

Question: What do you do if you are the pharmaceutical industry and the current health care climate is such that it will be harder to hold long-term patents, and people are getting hip to the dangers of lifestyle drugs?

Answer: Why, step up your development of vaccinations, that’s what.

As I peruse the health news daily, it does not get past me that a very large percentage of stories (30% tonight) are on vaccinations–new ones for swine flu, cervical cancer and other illnesses, as well as finger-wagging at people who choose to not subject themselves or their children to new and untested vaccines. All of it rounded out by stories of the government pushing, pushing, pushing policies and legislation to inoculate us all, against everything. Who’s scared of this scenario, and who’s not? Who is in complete trust and confidence in this latest twist to the, “We the government care about the peoples’ health and well-being,” game?

The latest is the new findings that the human papilloma virus (HPV) is responsible for 50% of all penile cancers.* As a result, the drug-makers that manufacture the vaccine against HPV for girls, Merck and GlaxoSmithKline, say the vaccine can be also used in boys. What do you know? First it was 50% of schoolchildren that we can stick, now we get the other half. Who doesn’t see the rationale behind this?

And if that isn’t scary enough, Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, has signed a decree granting vaccine makers total legal immunity from any lawsuits that result from any new “Swine Flu” vaccine. The vaccine is untested and new, and if anything goes wrong–tough titties; suck it up, it’s for the greater good.

It’s simple: You need to know this stuff to understand where we can take control over our own health. If you think the government knows how to best take care of you, be my guest, Patriot. But if mandatory inoculations of your kids scares the crap out of you, better be prepared to say so.

*Penises blamed for 100%–bad penises, bad, bad…

Teens Overdosing on Ritalin Skyrocketing

By On · Add Comment · In ADHD, amphetamines, children, drugs, overdose, Ritalin, Schedule 2 drugs, speed, teenagers

Here we go again: The numbers of teenagers overdosing on ADHD drugs has risen 76% over the last eight years. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that the number of calls for all cases of ADHD drug misuse involving 13- to 19-year-olds went from 317 calls per year in 1998 to 581 in 2005. Holy moley! Is anyone else disturbed by this as much as I am?

I report in my book, The Six Keys to Optimal Health, that Ritalin and other ADHD drugs are some of the most commonly abused among teens. ADHD drugs are classified as Schedule 2 along with opium, morphine, cocaine, methadone and methamphetamine–that is, they have some medicinal purpose but are highly addictive and have a high potential for abuse. Ritalin and the other ADHD drugs (Adderall and Vyvanse) are the only schedule 2’s that can be obtained through a prescription. See the problem yet?

ADHD drugs are a form of amphetamines (schedule 3 drugs, which have less potential for abuse and dependency than schedule 2’s), yet they have been classified as even more dangerous than the amphetamines. 8-12% of all American children are diagnosed with ADHD. Sales for ADHD drugs totaled about $4.8 billion in 2008, according to data from IMS Health. Do you see the problem yet?

Although the history of ADHD is long in development, it was not classified as a medical disorder until 1987. And then in 1996 the first medication to treat this new medical disorder, Adderal, was approved by the FDA. Now do you see it?..now?..now?

Amphetamines cause abuse, dependence, addiction, tolerance, and overdose. They are illegal to posses in the general public without a prescription for just these reasons, yet Americans are willfully feeding it to their children because some crack science says it’s good for them. Kids that have overactive minds and personalities are tagged with some BS label called ADHD, and their parents are told, “if left untreated, the persistent and pervasive effects of ADHD symptoms can insidiously and severely interfere with one’s ability to get the most out of education, fulfill one’s potential in the workplace, establish and maintain interpersonal relationships, and maintain a generally positive sense of self.” And the kids are given speed. And 581 are ODing every year. Are you seeing the problem yet?

Those of you that really think the American health care crisis has to do with medical insurance should pull your heads out of your asses.

Swine Flu Cramps Style for Collegiate Makeout Artists

By On · Add Comment · In Centers of Disease Control (CDC), college students, Guidance For Response to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the Academic Year 2009-2010, surgical mask, swine flu

Say hello to the modern-day chastity belt: it’s called the surgical mask. College students are being advised to refrain from kissing, but if they must, they should do it through surgical masks. The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) has released it’s 2009-2010 Guidance For Response to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the Academic Year and it’s a doozy. So forget the condoms and forget the home pregnancy tests–horny college students go pick up your make-out masks at the Student Health Services building on the double!

The Guidelines have other very useful tips for our Nation’s students like, If sick

  • Don’t go to class
  • Don’t be around others
  • Professors, ignore absenteeism
  • Get off campus, go home–and don’t take the bus, get a cab
  • If you can’t leave campus, stay in your room, and have either the bravest student, or the most expendable bring you meals
  • Communicate only through e-mail, text and telephone
  • Also if unable to leave campus, the college can provide you with quarantine with all the other unfortunate lepers
  • and many others

Boy, this swine flu’s really got the government scared. Some ideas that did not make it into the Guidelines this year but were considered:

  • Heavy petting to be done only while wearing catcher’s or hockey goalie’s gear
  • Fornication should only be conducted virtually, through the web
  • And any orgy should be conducted singularly, in isolation, although web cam is permissible

So there you have it: Health care as provided by our government. Is it just me or can everybody else not wait for the socialized system to kick in? Woohoo!

Heroin, Best Treatment for Addiction

By On · Add Comment · In addiction, Canadian, crime, heroin, methadone, socialized health system, treatment

Yes, you’ve read the title right: Heroin is the best treatment for heroin addiction. Duh! Who doesn’t know that? Heroin addict, no heroin–big problem. Heroin addict, heroin–no problem!  Every-ting irie, man.

According to Canadian researchers, injections of the active ingredient of heroin work far better than oral methadone for keeping addicts in treatment, away from illegal drugs and out of trouble. You don’t say…and they call this science? May I point out that a heroin addict will sit in a bucket of live crabs if there’s heroin in there.

Even better is the warning by researchers that administering heroin as treatment increases the risk of overdoses and seizures. Ha ha ha ha ha…oh sorry, but sometime I just can’t believe it myself.

So let me get this straight: To keep a heroin addict in treatment, simply give him or her heroin. They’ll stay put, commit less crimes, and it will cost less–$10,000 vs the $50,000 it is estimated to cost a heroin addict on the street. Why that’s a great idea, but is it treatment or is it a subsidy?

Either way, I don’t care. I just marvel at the absurdity of the discovery. I wonder how much the research cost? Must be that awe-inspiring innovation coming out of socialized health systems. Yes, Canada, keep wowing us with your cutting-edge medical science. Can’t wait for some more up-and-coming Canadian breakthroughs like pedophilia aversion training with room full of six-year-olds, and the ever-favorite “tough love” suicide hotline recorded message. We strive to be just like you, O Canada: humanitarian, progressive, and down-right brilliant.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. Nick Campos - All Rights Reserved.