GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) information exposed by Wikileaks

Wikileaks reveals what appears to be a U.S.-led conspiracy to force GMOs onto European countries. The U.S. drew up ways to retaliate against Europe for refusing to use genetically modified seeds. You can learn more about this by going to:

Democracy NOW where you can listen to what Jeffrey Smith has to say about it on video at http://www.responsibletechnology.org/resources/audio-video   (Definitely watch this!!!!)

The wikileaks cables at http://213.251.145.96/cable/2009/05/09MADRID482.html  and http://213.251.145.96/cable/2009/05/09MADRID482.html

Bladder Health and Prevention of Bladder Infections in Women

Prevention of Bladder Infections -  This material is for educational use only.

 

Urinary Tract Health Urinary tract health is closely related to Reproductive Tract Health. The bladder and urethra are both related energetically to the 2nd chakra. (for explanation of 2nd chakra relationship, see below*) Many woman experience bladder/urethral infections at some time in their life.

Predisposing Factors to Urinary Tract Infections:
•    Obstructions - stones, tumors, strictures
•    New or multiple sexual partners    

•    Stress
•    Diabetes mellitus    

•    Food allergies
•    Chemical sensitivities    

•    Candida overgrowth
•    Bowel toxemia    

•    High sugar intake
•    Rep. vigorous sexual intercourse    

•    Decreased immunity
•    Diaphragm use or misuse    

•    Vesicovaginal fistula
•    Lack of local defense system - this is considered the cause of recurrent UTIs in many women.  A lack of local defense may allow colonization of bacteria on the vaginal vestibule. These women usually have decreased cervicovaginal antibodies to enterobacteria. These factors lead to an increased number of abnormal organisms in the vagina that are capable of ascending the urinary tract through the urethra.
 

Avoid the following to help prevent bladder infections.

•• Nylon underwear

• Sitting on cold floors & hot radiators

• Baths, use showers l  

• Pantyhose    

• Tight pants

• Swimming in chlorinated pools 

• Fried Foods

• Sexual partner with dirty fingers 

• Sugar and processed sugary foods

• Sitting around in wet bathing suits 

• Caffeine and dairy can be a problem for some as well as food sensitivities in general

• Soaps that contain perfumes, colorations 

•Vaginal intercourse after anal intercourse      

• Refined Foods

•Vaginal douches and sprays are generally unnescessary and many can be harmful especially those with    l    alcohol, perfumes, colorations or other chemicals

• Clothing that increases heat and perspiration in the perineal area

Reduce Risk Factors:

•Wipe from front to back when voiding.

•Drink plenty of water.

•Drink nettle tea.

•Urinate after sexual intercourse.

•Keep the genital area clean.

•Urinate whenever you feel the urge.

•Wash clothing with non-scented detergents.

•  Drink unsweetened cranberry juice. Combine a cup of water and a handful of berries in the blender.

If a bladder infection is Suspected:

•Drink plenty of water to flush out the bacteria and prevent spread of the infection to the kidneys.

•Drink unsweetened cranberry juice.

Studies have shown that it's the mannose in cranberry juice that does the job. If the UTI is caused by E. coli  (Bladder infections are often due to coliform bacteria and mostly E coli) the E. coli germs take in the mannose and discover that they can no longer adhere to the walls of the urinary tract. If your UTI is caused by another organism then cranberry juice, mannose may not help at all.

•Avoid caffeine, nicotine, sugar and alcohol.

• Use hot and cold alternating sitz baths: 3 minutes warm and 1 minute cold to improve pelvic circulation.

•Drink rose hip tea for vitamin C content or take Vitamin C to bowel tolerance.

• Drink carrot juice for carotenoids including betacarotene.

•Eat berries or flowers high in flavonoids.

•Eat pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and other foods high in zinc or take zinc 30 mg/day.

            • Vitamin A 25,000 IU/day.

• Use flax oil or seeds if there is chronic inflammation and especially if allergies are suspected.

Herbal Formulas Used for Simple Bladder Infections
Urinary Tract Infection Formula (Liquid extract)
Echinacea spp. (Echinacea)    20-35%
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva-ursi)     20-35%
Barosma betulina (Buchu)     20-35%
Usnea spp. (Old man’s beard)     10-20%
Zea mays (Cornsilk)     10-20%

Actions: This formula is antimicrobial and disinfects the entire urinary tract. It also soothes the urinary tract's mucus membranes, decreases irritation and helps to maintain tissue integrity. It has diuretic qualities and enhances the immune system’s natural resistance to bacterial and fungal organisms.
Indications: A diuretic and antiseptic used for the inflamed and infected bladder and kidneys.

Herb Profiles:
Echinacea spp. (Echinacea) is immunomodulating, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.
Arctostaphylos uva ursi (uva ursi) is a urinary tract antiseptic and diuretic that is specific for urinary tract infections. Research claims it works best in an alkaline pH. The leaves contain arbutin, an antiseptic constituent, which is metabolized into an even more antiseptic constituent called hydroquinone. In alkaline urine, hydroquinone is an effective antimicrobial agent. Uva ursi itself tends to alkalinize the urine and may give it a green tinge.
Barosma betulina (Buchu) is also antimicrobial and astringent.
Usnea spp. (Old man’s beard) is thought of as nature’s "herbal antibiotic" by some herbalists. It does kill many bacterial organisms.
Zea mays (Cornsilk) is a soothing diuretic, mild antimicrobial, vulnerary and demulcent. Glycoproteins in cornsilk increase production of interferon, inhibit IgE formation and enhance IgG and IgM formation. Corn silk has antiviral and antitumor activities.
Liquid extract dosage: 40-60 drops (up to one teaspoon in hard to treat cases), 3-4 times per day. Can be taken every 2 hours if necessary. Do not use at this dosage for more than  72 hours. Reduce dosage to 4 times per day, and finally 3 times per day over a 10 day period.
Adjunct: Mucilaginous teas
Contraindications, Cautions and Words of Wisdom: Urinary tract infections, especially kidney infections, can have serious consequences. If symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, and if there is a fever or pain indicating a kidney infection more aggressive treatment may be necessary. A health care practitioner should always be consulted.

Urinary Tract Infection Formula (Tea)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva-ursi)    10-20%
Althea officinalis (Marshmallow)    10-30%    

   Elytrigia repens (Couch grass)     10-20%
Urtica dioica (Nettles)     10-20%    

   Plantago spp. (Plantain)     10-20%    

   Taraxacum officinalis leaf (Dandelion)    10-20%

Actions: This formula is antimicrobial and disinfects the entire urinary tract. It also soothes the urinary tract's mucus membranes, decreases irritation and helps to maintain tissue integrity. It has diuretic qualities and enhances the immune system’s natural resistance to bacterial and fungal organisms.
Indications: A diuretic and antiseptic used for the inflamed and infected bladder and kidneys.
Herb Profiles:
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva-ursi) (See Arctostaphylos uva-ursi profile above).
Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) is anti-inflammatory, mucilaginous and soothing.
Agropyren repens (Couch grass) is antimicrobial and a diuretic.
Urtica dioica (Nettles) is a nutritious herb with a beneficial effect on the whole urinary tract as well as the nervous system.
Plantago spp.  (Plantain) is soothing and healing to the urinary tract. It assists in restoration and maintenance of normal epithelial tissue lining of the bladder.
Taraxacum officinalis leaf (Dandelion) is used for its diuretic qualities, although its liver support and general stimulation of digestion is useful to almost everyone.
Tea dosage:
Dosage - acute: 2 heaping teaspoons per cup water, 3-4 times per day. Can be taken every 2 hours if necessary, up to a 72 hour period. Reduce dosage to 4 times per day, and finally 3 times per day over a 10 day period.
Adjunct: Mucilaginous teas: Drink as much as possible.
Contraindications, Cautions and Words of Wisdom:
     Urinary tract infections, especially kidney infections, can have serious consequences. If symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, and if there is a fever or pain indicating a kidney infection more aggressive treatment may be necessary. A health care practitioner should always be consulted.

 Additional Informational Links Freely Offered by this Author:

For more information on urinary tract health and the use of herbs and nutrients for the urinary tract go to this link for a pdf on this and other subjects: http://www.herbaltransitions.com/herbalresources.html

You can get detailed information on the above herbs from the book Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth. The materia medica from the first edition of this book is available for free here:  http://www.herbaltransitions.com/BotanCom.html

*  The Second Chakra Energy & The Reproductive Tract Explained
This energy center is in the area around your pelvic region. It is  physically related to the lower abdominal organs such as your sexual organs, bladder, large intestine, pelvis, hips, and lower back. This second energy center is your energetic connection with physical survival and where you relate one on one with other individuals in your life. It is were you are confronted with feeling the need to control your environment. All methods we use to control our environment such as with money, authority, sex, etc are all related through their attachment of this energy center to the body. This center is also related to the creative birth of ideas or projects as well as birth of human beings. This center is about dualism and relationships. (female/male, white/black, yin/yang)
This center gives us  the stamina to take care of ourselves in the world. It supports our ability to physically and financially be able to take care of ourselves, and to grow as an individual interacting with others and learning from our relationships.
This center can become negatively effected when one is afraid of putting their creative ideas into physical form.
It is also negatively affected when you try to control others or allow yourself to be controlled by others, feeling like your hands are tied or being between a rock and a hard place. Feelings of betrayal, or being taken advantage of can cause dis-ease  relating to this energy center. All of these actions in the 2nd chakra can affect the physical organs related to it including the bladder. Learning to dance with this energy in a healthy way will support the physical health of the bladder and other 2nd energy center organs. Learning to be honorable  about our interactions with others, keeping our word and having a honorable moral code will lay the ground-work for personal health in our pelvic region.
In relation to the bladder, be aware when you are feeling "pissed off" with others in your life or you are feeling controlled by others or feeling a need to control others.  These kind of emotions when ignored can lead to poor bladder health including infections. Notice when you fold your hands over the area above your bladder during conversation with others. Notice your feelings. You may be feeling a need to protect this area of your body. Pay attention to your bodies messages.

Your organic eggs may be factory farmed eggs!

Chickens that are raised on grassy fields with some room to run have superior eggs in both flavor as well as nutrients.

How are most of the organic eggs in the United States being raised?

Factory farms where birds are packed into buildings in high densities are raising 80% of the organic eggs on the market. Aviaries have wall-to-wall hens. Sometimes they also have floor to ceiling hens.  US Organic specifications require outdoor access. Some of these factory farms provide no outdoor access although technically it is required. Some provide small outdoor screened in porches and fewer yet provide small areas of dirt with no plant life. Chickens need ample space, fresh air, grass, sunlight and bugs. This factory farming industry has lobbied for cheap feed and factory farm production methods. They are trying to take over the organic egg industry and in so doing are not really selling what we use to consider as an organic egg. To get a real organic egg you need to purchase it from a local farmer at their farm or at the small local health food store or at a farmers market. Real organic eggs are getting hard to find no matter how they are labeled. The best thing to do is grow your own!

These organic factory farms have lobbied for the use of things like synthetic methionine, which has to be fed to birds that are not let out to run in a natural pasture environment. Synthetic methionine was supposed to be phased out 5 years ago. Instead, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) voted to extend its use past October 2010, the current sunset date. It will be 5 years before methionine is reviewed again. These factory farmers have invaded the organic industry and are lobbying for and receiving laws that should not exist in organic production methods.

We need to let the NSOB know that we want stricter organic standards for organic eggs and organic chickens. The regulations clearly state that organic egg producers must give outdoor access to their chickens. The organic factory farmers need to comply with the rules that exist. We must tell them to prohibit small porches as outdoor access areas. Birds need to have outdoor access in grassy areas. Outdoor areas should be at least as big as the henhouse itself. Better yet would be to make the outdoor areas larger than the henhouse, like is required in Europe.  Synthetic methionine should not be given to the birds and would not be needed if they were raised appropriately.

If you want to learn a little more and tell the NOSB you want real organic eggs on the market, go this website http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=13184481 to learn a bit more and if you wish send a comment to the NOSB.

Refuse to purchase "organic" factory farmed eggs and tell your grocer you get your eggs somewhere else if all they sell are these eggs. If you can't grow your own chickens (many cities have laws that allow hens) purchase your eggs from a local organic farmer, go to your local farmers market or call all the grocery stores and ask if they carry local eggs from small organic farms. They are usually around somewhere it is a matter of investigating. Tell your friends and neighbors where to buy them once you find out.

Please forward this blog to others who eat eggs.

Genetically Modified Food is dangerous. Let's get it off the market and out of our diet!

If you eat food that is not organic you are eating GMOs. It may be food you purchase, food a well meaning friend cooked or food from a restaurant. Why be concerned about GMOs (genetically modified organisms)? Well let’s look at the warning sent out by the American academy of environmental medicine last year to its physicians. 

They told their constituents to advise their patients to eat only non-GM (genetically modified) food.

They warned that the GMO animal feeding studies show reproductive problems, organ damage, gastrointestinal problems, immune system problems, and accelerated aging. You can see their position on GMO’s here at  http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html

Studies with animals have shown a 5-fold increase in infant mortality, smaller babies, sterile babies, and inability to have babies by third generation.

There is only one human feeding study currently published. GMO soy was used in this experiment. GMO soy is designed to not die when sprayed with round up spray. It is called round up ready soy. When the people in this study digested food made from GMO soy, the genes inserted in the soybeans they ate transferred into the DNA of the bacteria inside the human subjects. These human subjects now had round up ready gut bacteria. We don’t know if the round up ready soy DNA that transfers to our gut bacteria will they stay there forever or if it may even splice into our own DNA. We don’t know since the research has not been required to be done by the FDA.

GMO corn is designed to create a gene that produces an insecticide. What if the gene in the GMO corn also transfers to our gut bacteria like the soy DNA. It could splice into our gut bacteria and make insecticide in our gut. Worse, it may splice into our own DNA and cause us to make insecticide in other areas of our bodies. We don’t know, as it has never been studied in humans. However in animal studies they have found traces of GMO food DNA in tissues and blood.

The Obama administration said it would require labeling for GMO’s like other countries. However, that has still not happened. It does not help to ask the govt to do anything, as the food safety czar Obama put into place is Monsanto’s former attorney and vice president. (Monsanto leads in GMO patents and has publicly said they want to dominate the food market. They also flood the planet with toxic chemicals sold to farmers and are implicated in the massive farmer suicides in India.) They know if they label GMO foods that most people will not eat them. So Monsanto and the FDA simply don't label them and they ignore the fact that the public wants GMO food labeled as such.

We can stop GMO’s. There is currently a campaign under way to get rid of GMO’s in the United States. All we need is about 5% of shoppers to refuse to purchase GMO’s and they will get removed off the market. Grocers, suppliers and producers will see this 5% as a growing trend and they will realize GMOs are becoming a marketing liability. This happened when people learned of the cancer risk of dairy products that had growth hormone in them. Once 5% of the shoppers refused to purchase the products with growth hormone the sellers removed them from their shelves. We can do this with GMOs by refusing to purchase them also. Tell your grocer you want only non GMO corn, soy, canola oil, cotton oil etc in your food products. Tell them you are not purchasing anything with these items in them unless it states on the package it is organic or at least non GMO. Then follow through. We will see these items removed from our shelves if we get only 5% of us to do this. Be part of the 5%.

What we have to do is find out what is and is not GMO. One place to go is http://nongmoshoppingguide.com/

You can get this in an iPhone application and a pocket guide to help you avoid eating GMO’s when you are shopping.

Here is some quick information to help you:

Here is a list of the GMO foods you commonly find in supermarkets and when you go out to eat in a restaurant. I have listed the percent of each foods chance of being GMO when you purchase it.

Soy 91%, corn 85%, cotton 88% and canola 80-85% (Canada) are all genetically modified if not organic (they are considered the big 4- if it says one of these on the label and does not say organic, assume it is GMO. Of course this includes high fructose corn syrup, corn sweeteners. Maltodextrin, dextrose, soy lecithin, soy protein isolate etc.

As of 2008 sugar in USA is made from GMO sugar beets.

Some zucchini and crook neck squash are modified, most papayas from Hawaii, potatoes, tomatoes

Others: A cigarette called quest, milk from treated cows, aspartame, chymasin in hard cheeses (used in 80% of hard cheese in US).

All organic food is not allowed to contain GMO's.

One last scary thought for meat eaters that are not eating only organic meat. The animal you ate was raised on GM grains if it was fed grain. What happens when we eat that GM fed chicken or beef? 

It is worth noting that GMOs are bad for the planet but those details would make this blog into a book. Briefly I will say that they use hundreds of millions of pounds more herbicide, damage soil ecology, harm beneficial insects, pollute waterways and the water supply, and cross pollinate with wild relatives. Sadly, their self-propagating genetic pollution can persist in the environment permanently.

Where to get more info on GMOS

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/

I strongly suggest you check out this website of Jeffrey Smith. He is the author of "Seeds of Deception" and Genetic Roulette. Watch some of his video interviews. They are well worth the time. 

Another organization that is following and working to stop GMOs is
http://www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.cfm

Please forward this blog to others who wish to eat healthy food!