Drinking processed cow's milk causes early death

The idea that consuming calcium-containing milk products is required to sustain healthy bones is quickly fading, as new research continues to unravel one of the food market's biggest myths.

Extensive reporting by Natural News reveals that humans are the only mammals to continue drinking milk past infancy, and that there are actually other sources of nutrition more sufficient for building healthy bones.

A recent study published in The BMJ adds to that theory, suggesting that milk consumption doesn't prevent fractures that are often linked to osteoporosis, a condition involving brittle bones that affects 40 million Americans.

More than 200 million people suffer worldwide from osteoporosis, with the majority of them being women over 60. The most concentrated cases exist in Europe, North America and Japan, all of which consume a significant amount of dairy.

Researchers from Sweden, one of the countries that consume the most dairy per capita, examined the lifestyles and diets of more than 100,000 Swedes dating back as far as 1987 and tracking them until their death, or until Dec. 31, 2010.

The results showed that drinking milk did not reduce bone fractures, and those who drank the most milk where likely to die younger than their counterparts

The data used to reach this conclusion were based on two previous studies, including diet surveys answered by more than 61,000 women between 1987 and 1990. Among them, less than 40,000 of them filled out a more detailed diet survey in 1997. Diet questionnaires completed by more than 45,000 Swedish men were also analyzed, confirms the LA Times.

Not only did the study's results dispel the myth that drinking milk helps prevent bone fractures, but the more milk women drank, the more fractures they had.

More than 17,000 women suffered from some type of fracture, with more than 4,000 of them being hip fractures. The women who drank at least three glasses of milk per day were 16 percent more likely to break a bone, and 60 percent of the avid milk drinkers were more likely to have a hip fracture.

Regimented milk drinkers were 93 percent more likely to die during the study than their counterparts. Those who drank three or more glasses a day were 90 percent more likely to die of cardiovascular disease and 44 percent more likely to die of cancer, compared with women who drank just one glass of milk a day.

Men also experienced a higher risk of death and fractures in conjunction with higher milk consumption, but the distinction was less pronounced than in women.

"Our results may question the validity of recommendations to consume high amounts of milk to prevent fragility fractures," said the study's lead researcher, Professor Karl Michaelsson. While scientists say more studies are needed before making any definitive dietary recommendations, they agree that the role of milk in the U.S. needs to be reevaluated.

Sugar in milk causes aging mice

The risk of early death is likely linked to D-galactose, which is produced by the body as it breaks down the sugar found in milk. Previous studies show that chronic exposure to this nutrient induces "oxidative stress damage, chronic inflammation, neurodegeneration, decreased immune response, and gene transcriptional changes," scientists say.

D-galactose is known to mimic the effects of aging.

Consuming fermented products like yogurt is associated with lower risk for death and fractures

Women with high intakes of fermented dairy products like yogurt, cheese, butter and sour cream experienced lower rates of fractures and premature death than women who consumed less of these products.

Continued research on this subject is expected to change the way our country perceives milk consumption. Some experts are adamant that milk consumption is directly correlated with osteoporosis. After all, Europe and North America both have high rates of milk consumption, directly correlated with high incidences of hip fractures and disease, says The BMJ.

Mexico doesn't consume much milk and also has very low rates of osteoporosis.

Sources:

http://www.express.co.uk

http://www.latimes.com

http://www.greatvistachemicals.com

http://www.osteopenia3.com

http://www.niams.nih.gov

http://www.dairy.co.jp

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/047633_cows_milk_premature_death_osteoporosis.html#ixzz3Ix0SlSbD

Real science: Almost half the population may be infected with a mysterious virus that makes people stupid

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical School have identified a mysterious virus that literally makes people stupid, and it has so far been found in about 45% of the people tested.

The discovery of the "stupid" virus, normally found in algae, was revealed at the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study, entitled "Chlorovirus ATCV-1 is part of the human oropharyngeal virome and is associated with changes in cognitive functions in humans and mice" is found at this link on the PNAS.org website.

The rather shocking take away from the study is that the virus alters the gene expression of brain cells, literally making people perform more poorly on cognitive tests, visual processing and spatial awareness.

So far, 90 people have been tested for the presence of the virus, and 40 tested positive, according to The Independent. [2] "Those who tested positive performed worse on tests designed to measure the speed and accuracy of visual processing. They also achieved lower scores in tasks designed to measure attention," reports the paper.

According to the study abstract, the virus alters gene expression relating to "...synaptic plasticity, learning, memory formation, and the immune response to viral exposure."

This virus, in other words, can truly suppress your brain function, memories and immune response. And it is apparently quite common in humans.

Stupid virus commentary

Fascinatingly, this discovery makes tremendous sense. Have you ever looked at the world around you and wondered why so many people seem intellectually challenged? Now we know that a virus really can alter the function and expression of your brain cells.

At last, there is a scientific explanation that backs up our observations of other people. Half the population may indeed be infected with the "stupid" virus, altering their cognition, memories and awareness. And if this virus alone isn't enough to get the job done, there's always fluoride in the water, brain-damaging mercury in the flu shots, and reality TV shows that are so dumbed down they actually suck your brain cells into the plasma screen vortex.

This virus, in fact, may be crucial to powering the U.S. economy because people infected with it create economic activity by spending money on lottery tickets, cell phone insurance and synthetic children's vitamins laced with aspartame. Without the aid of this virus, much of the economy would grind to a halt and sales of popular sports drinks would collapse to almost nothing.

The next time someone accuses you of doing something stupid, just reply with, "Hey, I got infected with the stupid virus. But what's YOUR excuse?"

Sources for this article include:
[1] http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/10/23...

[2] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/vi...

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/047605_stupid_virus_cognitive_function_gene_expression.html#ixzz3IlFwjqie

Roundup herbicide damages sperm cells, affects reproductive system

Men exposed to even trace amounts of the Monsanto herbicide Roundup are at a serious risk of sperm damage and reproductive problems, according to a new study. Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini and his colleagues from the University of Caen in France found that short-term exposure to Roundup at levels frequently found in water after agricultural sprayings causes long-term fertility issues, including damage to hormonal systems.

Using 15 male rats, the team studied the effects of acute exposure to glyphosate, the most well known ingredient in Roundup, in mammals. The 60-day-old rats were given a water solution containing 0.5 percent Roundup, an amount similar to that found in the natural environment from typical use of the chemical on crops and lawns, for just eight days.

Following this period, the rats were evaluated at days 68 (two months), 87 (three months) and 112 (four months) to look for changes in sperm quality, volume and motility, as well as any alterations to normal gene expression in sperm cells. The team also looked at the rats' hormone levels, as Roundup has previously been linked to endocrine disruption in mammals.

Perhaps not surprisingly, it was discovered that short-term exposure to common levels of Roundup led to alterations in sperm cell gene expression, resulting in an imbalance of the sex hormones androgen and estrogen. The most significant change was an increase in aromatase mRNA, the adrenal enzyme responsible for initiating the biosynthesis of estrogens inside the body.

Specifically, at the four-month mark, Prof. Seralini and his team observed an increase in the expression of GPER1, or G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1. GPER1 helps regulate how estrogen acts in both cells and tissues, effectively mediating hormonal balance. In other words, Roundup directly interferes with the body's production and use of sex hormones, potentially leading to long-term and even permanent health consequences.

"The authors suggested that repeated exposures to Roundup at doses lower than those used in agriculture could damage mammalian reproduction over the long term," explains GMWatch.org. "People exposed to lower doses repeated over the long term, including consumers who eat food produced with Roundup and people who happen to be exposed to others' spraying activities, should also be concerned."

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/047604_Roundup_herbicide_sperm_cells_reproductive_system.html#ixzz3IlDVgc00

Fluoride Intake Increasing Bone Fractures

• Fluoride interferes with bone remodeling, allowing your bones to become excessively mineralized and denser but not any stronger
• Although fluoride increases bone mass, it creates weaker bones that are more prone to fracture
• Patients treated with fluoride had an increase in fracture rates, including spontaneous hip fracture
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• Read more: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/11/11/fluoride-intake-increases-bone-fractures.aspx?e_cid=20141111Z1_DNL_art_2&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art2&utm_campaign=20141111Z1&et_cid=DM60088&et_rid=724563335 

Weirdest Pets from Around the World

Lions and tigers and bears – oh my! There have always been people who have pushed the pet envelope. Elvis had a kangaroo. George Clooney kept company with a not-so-small potbelly pig. Tippi Hendren and her daughter, Melanie Griffith, owned a pet lion. There are plenty of people who think owning a cat or dog is just too boring. Instead, they bring home exotic, wild, or large game animals. Is it completely crazy or kinda cool? Maybe a little of both. You be the judge. Here are the weirdest pets from around the world. 

Jessica the Hippo

If you ask us, it looks Jessica the hippo is smiling. (Photo: Steven Tan/Flickr)

While most people think the lion is the fiercest animal in Africa – it is actually the hippopotamus that is the deadliest. But there seems to be one exception: Jessica, the hippo owned by Tonie and Shirley Joubert of Hoedspruit, South Africa. During the floods in Mozambique in 2000, the Jouberts were on a walk when the discovered the baby hippo the banks of the Blyde River. The calf had been swept away from it’s mother shortly after birth and still had the umbilical cord attached. Tonie, a game ranger, knew how to create a milk formula that the baby hippo could eat. Ever since then the Joubert’s have been parents to “Jessica.” She plays with the dogs, walks through the house (although she has broken a couch and a bed) and even gets massages before to help her sleep. She has grown into a large (weighing close to a ton!), but gentle “daughter” who even has boyfriend hippos that come calling from the surrounding waterholes. Not a traditional pet but a pretty terrific one if you ask us.  

Continue reading: https://www.yahoo.com/travel/weird-pets-101890576922.html

RECIPE: Carrot Coconut Soup

Two words: whole foods. Each ingredient in this carrot coconut soup is real; there’s no modified food starch, potassium chloride, soy protein isolate, caramel color, or monosodium glutamate (MSG), which are examples of the additives commonly found in canned soups.
When you make homemade soup, you control the ingredients, which means that the end product is not only far more delicious but far healthier, too. In the carrot coconut soup recipe that follows, for instance, you’ll find a rich assortment of veritable superfoods, which you get to enjoy in each and every bowl.
Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is made from the expressed juice of grated coconut meat and water. About 50 percent of the fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, which is rarely found in nature. Your body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, a monoglyceride that can actually destroy lipid-coated viruses such as HIV and herpes, influenza, measles, gram-negative bacteria, and protozoa such as Giardia lamblia.
Lauric acid is a type of medium chain fatty acid (MCFAs), which is easily digested and readily crosses cell membranes. MCFAs are immediately converted by your liver into energy rather than being stored as fat.
There are numerous studies showing that MCFAs promote weight loss, including one study that showed rats fed MCFAs reduced body fat and improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.¹
Yet another study found that overweight men who ate a diet rich in MCFAs lost more fat tissue, presumably due to increased energy expenditure and fat oxidation from the MCFA intake.² In addition, coconut milk is rich in antioxidants and nutrients, including vitamins C, E and B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.

Carrots

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene (pre-vitamin A), vitamin K1, vitamin C, and calcium. I generally recommend eating carrots in moderation because they contain more sugar than any other vegetable aside from beets.
However, when eaten as part of an overall healthy diet, the nutrients in carrots may provide you with protection against heart disease and stroke while helping you to build strong bones and a healthy nervous system. In particular, carrots are associated with a 32 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease³ and a lower risk of heart attacks in women.⁴
Antioxidants in carrots, including beta-carotene, may also play a role in cancer prevention. Research has shown that smokers who eat carrots more than once a week have a lower risk of lung cancer,⁵ while a beta-carotene-rich diet may also protect against prostate cancer.⁶
Using carrots in soup may be ideal, as the nutrients such as beta-carotene and phenolic acids appear to increase when carrots are cooked.⁷

Bone Broth

Homemade broth or "stock" is a powerful food as it’s easily digestible, helps heal the lining of your gut, and contains valuable nutrients that promote healing throughout your body.
The gelatin found in bone broth is a hydrophilic colloid that attracts and holds liquids, including digestive juices, thereby supporting proper digestion.
Bone broth also reduces joint pain and inflammation courtesy of chondroitin sulfates, glucosamine, and other compounds extracted from the boiled down cartilage.
Amino acids such as glycine, proline, and arginine in bone broth all have anti-inflammatory effects, and bone broth contains high amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients that play an important role in healthy bone formation. You can learn how to make your own homemade bone broth here.

Sweet Potato

Orange-colored sweet potatoes owe their appearance to the carotenoid beta-carotene. As an antioxidant, beta-carotene can help ward off free radicals that damage cells through oxidation, which can speed up aging and make you vulnerable against chronic diseases.
This antioxidant can help support your immune system, as well as lower your risk of heart disease and cancer. Research shows that sweet potatoes can help regulate blood sugar because of their ability to raise blood levels of adiponectin, a protein hormone created by your fat cells, to help regulate how your body metabolizes insulin.
Sweet potato extract is said to help reduce inflammation in brain and nerve tissue throughout your body. The phytonutrients within sweet potatoes also influence fibrinogen, an important glycoprotein required for blood clotting. Together with thrombin and fibrin, balanced amounts of fibrinogen are important for wound healing and blood loss prevention.

Onions

Onions are rich in sulfur-containing compounds and other phytochemicals that may boost heart health, offer protection against cancer and diabetes, boost bone health, and more.
They’re anti-allergic, anti-histaminic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant, and onions have a particularly high concentration of beneficial polyphenols, with more polyphenols than garlic, leeks, tomatoes, carrots, and red bell pepper.
Onions contain numerous anti-cancer compounds, including quercetin, which has been shown to decrease cancer tumor initiation as well as inhibit the proliferation of cultured ovarian, breast, and colon cancer cells.⁸ As reported by the National Onion Association, onions are considered a dietary anti-carcinogen.⁹

Garlic

Fresh garlic is a potent antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agent with immune-boosting effects. It’s thought that much of garlic’s therapeutic effect comes from its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin, which are also what give it its characteristic smell.
Other health-promoting compounds include oligosaccharides, arginine-rich proteins, selenium and flavonoids. Research has revealed that as allicin digests in your body, it produces sulfenic acid, a compound that reacts with dangerous free radicals faster than any other known compound.¹⁰ This is one of the reasons why I named garlic as one of the top seven anti-aging foods you can consume.

Ginger

Ginger is one of the best natural remedies if you struggle with motion sickness or nausea, and it is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which makes it a valuable tool for pain relief. Ginger also has broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-parasitic properties, to name just several of its more than 40 pharmacological actions.

In addition, ginger shows promise for fighting cancer, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, asthma, bacterial, and fungal infections, and because it is a thermogenic substance, it also has beneficial impacts on metabolism and fat storage.

Turmeric

Turmeric, the yellow-pigmented "curry spice" often used in Indian cuisine, contains curcumin, the polyphenol identified as its primary active component and which exhibits over 150 potentially therapeutic activities, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Curcumin is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, which is one reason why it holds promise as a neuroprotective agent in a wide range of neurological disorders.
Researchers have investigated curcumin for its potential role in improving Parkinson's disease, for instance, along with dementia. Curcumin also has the most evidence-based literature supporting its use against cancer of any other nutrient studied, and it’s also shown promise for many other health benefits, from enhancing wound healing to protecting against cataracts.

Carrot Coconut Soup

This soup takes only about 30 minutes to make, but is packed with flavor and nutrition:

Carrot Coconut Soup11 Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 1 large onion, chopped 1 Tbsp. + 3 cups bone broth 2 Tbsp. fresh ginger, sliced 4 medium cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp curry powder or turmeric 2 cups sliced carrots, about 1/4-inch thick 1 cup sweet potato, cut into about 1/2-inch cubes 5 oz. coconut milk Salt and white pepper to taste Directions: Chop onion and let it sit for at least five minutes to bring out its health benefits. Heat 1 Tbsp. broth in a medium soup pot. Sauté onion in broth over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and ginger and continue to sauté for another minute. Add curry powder or turmeric and mix well with onions. Add broth, carrots, and sweet potato and simmer on medium high heat until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Add coconut milk. Blend in batches making sure blender is not more than half full. When it's hot, and the blender is too full, it can erupt and burn you. Add salt and pepper to taste. Return to soup pot and reheat. Serves 4 Source: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/11/02/carrot-coconut-soup.aspx?e_cid=20141102Z1_SNL_art_2&utm_source=snl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art2&utm_campaign=20141102Z1&et_cid=DM59372&et_rid=713003805

The Dangerous Side Effects of Fluoridated Antibiotics

• Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics that contain fluoride, which allows them to penetrate into sensitive tissues like your brain and central nervous system
• Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are known to cause severe tendon damage and/or rupture, and permanent nerve damage in hands or feet
• Other side effects include acute liver toxicity, acute kidney failure, psychiatric side effects, hearing or vision problems, and other health problems—many of which are permanent
• Fluoroquinolones should be reserved for treating only the most serious bacterial infections that remain unresponsive to other treatments. Avoid them if at all possible
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• Read more: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/11/01/fluoroquinolone-antibiotic-side-effects.aspx?e_cid=20141101Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20141101Z1&et_cid=DM58891&et_rid=713897485