SECRET WAY TO STOP HEART DISEASE

Keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure in check, exercising, and eating a well-balanced diet are common tips your physician recommends to prevent heart disease. Now, doctors have a new one to add to the list, avoiding canned soup. Most canned foods and baby formulas, along with cash-register receipts and certain plastics, contain bisphenol A, or BPA, a hormone-disrupting chemical linked to a growing list of health problems.

A new study published in the journal Circulation is the first of its kind to find a direct link between higher BPA exposure in healthy adults and a greater risk of developing heart disease in the future. "This study takes a lot of the question out of, 'Does BPA really affect heart disease risk? Is this is a real effect?'" says BPA expert Laura Vandenberg, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow of biology at the Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology at Tufts University in Massachusetts. "This research suggests so, and it shouldn't be ignored."

In the latest study, researchers looked at urine samples of about 750 initially healthy adults who later developed cardiovascular disease and compared them to samples from 860 adults who remained heart disease free. "They simply looked at urine collections 10 years ago and checked to see if people developed cardiovascular disease within a 10-year period," explains Vandenberg, who was not involved with this study.

6 Surprising Heart Disease Warning Signs

The initially healthy people who wound up developing heart disease had higher BPA concentrations in their urine at the beginning of the 10-year period, compared to those who stayed heart disease free. "If BPA itself is directly responsible for this increase in risk, the size of effect is difficult to estimate," says senior study author Tamara Galloway, PhD, professor of the University of Exeter. "However, it adds to the evidence that BPA may be an additional contributor to heart disease risk, alongside the major risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels."

Risk of heart attack soars just after loved one dies.

Many researchers have long believed that BPA's most damaging effects harm developing fetuses because they are more sensitive to hormone-disrupting chemicals than adults. "This study suggests that is not a correct premise," Vandenberg says. "Adults are sensitive to this chemical, and probably other chemicals. There probably is no safe period of exposure."

The latest research comes on the heels of a lab study published in December in the online journal PLoS ONE that found even small doses of BPA, ones we're commonly exposed to, could lead to heart arrhythmia, erratic beating that could cause sudden cardiac death.


Here's how to slash your exposure to BPA, another way to keep your heart healthy:

Can it: BPA is one of the most heavily produced chemicals in the world, so it's impossible to completely avoid it. To make a big dent in your consumption, however, cut out as much canned food as possible. The linings in most commercial canned products contain an epoxy BPA resin that leaches into canned soups, baby formulas, and vegetables. For example, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found people who ate a can of Progresso soup for lunch experienced a 1,000 percent jump in bodily BPA levels, compared to those who can-free soup.

Say "no" to trivial receipts:

Your skin readily absorbs the BPA coating on cash-register receipts, so when you make a purchase you don't need a receipt for, like, say, a cup of coffee, ask for no receipt when checking out.

Go plastic free:

Some No. 7 plastics contain BPA, but other plastics contain different harmful compounds, as well. Your best bet is to avoid plastic whenever possible, and never heat plastic in the microwave or clean it in the dishwasher.

CANCER CURE....FOR REAL

Nothing scarier than Cancer...

My Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style asparagus that she pureed and she took 4 tablespoons in the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day. She did this for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage 3 lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week.

Her oncologist said she does not need to see him for 3 months.

THE ARTICLE:

Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy of an article, entitled, Asparagus for cancer 'printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it here, just as it was shared with me: I am a

biochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet to health or over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on his project We have accumulated a number of favorable case histories. Here are a few examples:

Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise.

Case No. 2, a successful businessman 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor

had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.

Case No. 3, a man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable.

The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the Asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared. He is back at his regular business routine.

Case No. 4, a woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by the acting specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.

I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of materia medica', edited in1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates!

We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy.

For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh. I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.

Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening. Patients usually show some improvement in 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases. As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what cures can prevent.' Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to

suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups. The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink.

As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer.

Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth.. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and in acting as a general body tonic. In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good. It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

Please send this article to everyone in your Address Book.

The most unselfish act one can ever do is paying forward all the kindness one has received, even to the most undeserved person.

Hip implants leach toxic metals into blood stream...

Toxic metal hip implants 'could affect thousands more people than PIP breast scandal'

A nurse friend sent me this article. You need to read it...

UK regulators knew of risks but did not warn doctors and patients, alleges BMJ investigation

MHRA announces most patients with metal-on-metal hips should have regular MRI scans

By Claire Bates

Last updated at 3:38 PM on 28th February 2012

Tens of thousands of UK patients may have been exposed to dangerously high levels of toxic metals from failing hip implants, according to an investigation published in the British Medical Journal.

This is despite the risks being known for decades.

Hip implants, like breast implants did not have to pass any clinical trials before they were put into patients.

However, the report reveals that cobalt and chromium ions can seep into the tissues of patients with 'metal on metal' hip implants, causing local reactions that destroy muscle and bone, and leaving some patients with long term disability.

Studies have also shown that metal ions can leach into the bloodstream, spreading to the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and kidneys, before leaving the body as urine. There are also concerns about damage to chromosomes, leading to genetic changes.

Local tissue reactions associated with metal ions were first described in detail as long ago as 1975. However, according to the investigation the manufacturers remained silent in the face of mounting evidence of risk.

'This is one very large uncontrolled experiment exposing millions of patients to an unknown risk. We will only find out about the safety of these devices after large numbers of people have already been exposed,' says Michael Carome, Deputy Director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group.

The study by the BMJ in partnership with the BBC, also revealed that some companies changed the design of the metal hips - making the head of the joint larger - without performing safety trials first.

Experts say it is likely that these changes are responsible for the release of high levels of toxic metals into the body.

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The BMJ said despite concerns being raised, UK and U.S regulators failed to warn doctors and patients of the potential dangers.

They said evidence was mounting about high metal concentrations in patients with articular surface replacement (ASR) hips as early as 2006. But it was another four years until the UK regulator, the MHRA, issued an official safety alert and the ASR hip was recalled from the market.

Instead, it said the MHRA appointed a committee that included company representatives and several consultants to decide the fate of metal on metal hips.

As a result, the regulator concluded patients should be told about the risks, but no alert was issued to surgeons or patients.

During this time, implant rates peaked. In England and Wales over 20,000 large diameter metal on metal hips were implanted thereafter, while in the US, metal on metal hips are still being marketed to orthopaedic surgeons.

Just two hours before the BMJ report was released today, the MHRA published new guidance for British patients with all metal artificial hips.

The regulator said most patients should be followed up throughout their lifetime with regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to check for any potential problems.

The regulator said around 49,000 patients out of 65,000 with all-metal hips were in a high risk category but insisted the scans were a 'precautionary measure.'

Dr Susanne Ludgate, Clinical Director of the MHRA, said: 'Most patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements have well functioning hips and are at a low risk of developing any serious problems.

However, Nick Freemantle, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at University College London says: 'We shouldn’t be in this position where we don’t know and there’s so much uncertainty. The stability of a compound should have been ascertained before it was used widely in people. As yet, we don’t know the consequences of this.'

Dr Fiona Godlee, BMJ Editor in Chief says: 'Hip replacements are one of the great successes of modern medicine. But a combination of inadequate regulation and untrammelled commercialism has caused actual and potential harm for large numbers of patients around the world.

'They should have known about the risks, as the manufacturers and regulators did, but they were not told.

'No pre-market system can ensure all devices are safe, but they can certainly make it more likely,' add Dr Carl Heneghan and colleagues in an accompanying article.

'Creating an independent system for post-marketing analysis for implantable medical devices that is robust and increasing international coordination around device alerts and withdrawals should go some way to sorting out the current mess.'

Full details of the investigation will be broadcast on BBC Newsnight tonight

What is a metal on metal implant?

Traditional hip replacements – carried out since the 1950s – used a metal ball and a plastic socket. In the 1990s, however, metal on metal types became popular.

In these products both the femoral ball, which sits on top of the leg, and the acetabular socket it fits into which is attached to the hip, are made of metal.

It was thought these could cope with more wear and tear.

Around 40,000 have them and they are still being fitted.

What is the concern?

In 2010, regulators became worried about the number of patients needing their operations redone because their muscle tissue had been damaged by the metal on metal hips.

It turned out tiny metal particles were getting into the blood, poisoning it and leaving patients in pain and with lasting damage to tissue. If the problem is not identified early enough, further operations can be more difficult.

Are all MoM hips dangerous?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ordered two types of hip implant manufactured by DePuy to be taken off the market.

Surgeons say their failure rate could be 50 per cent after just six years for full hip replacements, far higher than previously thought. Other metal on metal implants – of which the most popular is the DePuy Pinnacle – may also have higher than average failure rates, but there is not enough evidence yet to be sure.

What should I do if I have one?

If you have a DePuy ASR or ASR XL implant or do not know whether you do, you are advised to see your doctor and ask for a blood test to check the metal level, even if you are not experiencing any pain.

If you have another brand of metal on metal implant you are advised not to panic, but to have an annual check-up for five years. There is a website for ASR patients at asrrecall.depuy.com. DePuy has a helpline on 0800 2794865.

What is happening now?

The MHRA has issued a new alert for everyone with a metal on metal implant because surgeons fear the devices are more dangerous than had been appreciated. It says most patients should have regular MRI scans to monitor the hip. It can be viewed at mhra.gov.uk

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2107640/Toxic-metal-hip-implants-affect-thousands-people-PIP-breast-scandal.html#ixzz1niouRGwW

Michael K Irwin