Imported Pork From ‘Leading Supermarket’ Linked To Hepatitis E Virus Infection

Source: Imported Pork From ‘Leading Supermarket’ Linked To Hepatitis E Virus Infection – True Activist

By True Activist

By: Robin Andrews/IFL Science

Posted on August 22, 2017

Researchers have found that pork products sold at one of the UK’s leading supermarkets may have unknowingly contained hepatitis E (HEV), a strain of the virus that can, very rarely, cause fatal liver damage.

Credit: Neydtstock/Shutterstock

 

Something wicked this way comes. As reported by the Guardian, researchers have found that pork products sold at one of the UK’s leading supermarkets may have unknowingly contained hepatitis E (HEV), a strain of the virus that can, very rarely, cause fatal liver damage. Potentially thousands of people may be at risk.

This finding came about not due to random testing, but because Public Health England (PHE), a government agency that focuses on the medical well-being of the population, wanted to know more about how people with HEV contract it.

For some time, it was thought that HEV wasn’t that prevalent in the UK, and was instead restricted to emerging in developing or low-income nations. Sudden spikes in people found to have HEV in their blood raised the alarm, and groups like PHE have been investigating ever since.

The researchers found that many of those with HEV had shopped at one store – known only anonymously as “supermarket X” – and had regularly purchased ham and sausages from it. As the virus doesn’t appear to be found in British pigs, as per a previous report, it’s likely the infections are occurring thanks to pork products being shipped in from outside of the UK. 

Right now, the virus hasn’t been directly detected in the meat products from supermarket X. This is just a correlation, but it’s extremely unlikely that in this case another, currently undiscovered, HEV transmission vector is to blame.

According to The Times, as many as 200,000 Britons are infected with the virus through imported pork every single year. For most, the infection only brings with it mild, influenza-like symptoms, as well as darker urine, paler poop, and jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Worryingly, it can prove to be deadly to those with pre-existing liver conditions; those who are pregnant are also at a higher risk of suffering from complications.

Confusingly, it appears that both pre-cooked products – like ham – and pork products required to be cooked at home – like sausages – are associated with the prevalence of HEV. There’s a lot to unravel here, but for now, that’s all the details that have been made public as the review continues.

True Activist

Multiple Studies Show that Sugar is Linked to Depression

 With thanks to Doc Stewart at stuartjeannebramhall.com

Research continues to confirm the adverse effects of sugar intake.

Source: Multiple Studies Show that Sugar is Linked to Depression – Waking Times

Anna Hunt, Staff Writer
Waking Times

August 18, 2017

 

“Sweet food has been found to induce positive feelings in the short-term. People experiencing low mood may eat sugary foods in the hope of alleviating negative feelings. Our study suggests a high intake of sugary foods is more likely to have the opposite effect on mental health in the long-term.” ~ Anika Knüppel, Ph.D. student at the Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London

Knuppel’s research supplements many other scientific studies on the link between sugar and mental health. In the end, they all seem to reach the same conclusion: In addition to the physical damage sugar does to our body, an effect on mental health definitely exists. What we presently don’t know is the magnitude or the exact scope of these negative effects.

Sugar Linked to Depression in Multiple Studies

The team at University College London examined the amount of sugar in the diet and common mental health problems in a large sample of 5000 men and 2000 women who were part of the 1980’s Whitehall II study. They compared groups of participants based on their sugar intake and their sex.

The researchers concluded that men with the highest sugar intake had a 23 percent higher chance of suffering a mental disorder. They based this estimated risk on a comparison with other men who consumed the lowest levels of sugar. Interestingly, the analysis did not identify the same link in women.

Knuppel’s isn’t the first researcher to link high-sugar diet to a higher risk of depression. Here are the findings of several other studies conducted over the last couple of decades.

1. A study out of Baylor College, published in 2002, analyzed sugar consumption in six countries. The researchers found that higher rates of refined sugar were associated with higher rates of depression.
2. In Spain, researchers assessed the relationship between consumption of fast food and commercial baked goods (muffins, doughnuts, croissants) and the incidence of depression. They discovered that participants belonging to the group with higher consumption quantities showed an increased risk of depression compared with those belonging to the lowest level of consumption.
3. Another study exposed the link between sugar and depression in 2014. This one evaluated the consumption of various types of beverages in over 260,000 participants with self-reported depression diagnosis. The researchers concluded that frequent consumption of sweetened beverages, especially diet drinks, may increase depression risk.
4. Finally, in 2015, yet another US-based study evaluated the effects of added-sugar and naturally occurring sugar intake in 70,000 women. In conclusion, researchers associated progressively higher consumption of dietary added sugars with increasing odds of depression.

Sugar in the Modern Diet

Research continues to confirm the adverse effects of sugar intake. Consequently, if you seek better long-term psychological health, lowering your intake of sugar may be a beneficial preventative measure.

Unfortunately, people typically eat excessive amounts of sugar. Here are some statistics:

The World Health Organization recommends that people reduce their daily intake of added sugars (that is, all sugar, excluding the sugar that is naturally found in fruit, vegetables and milk) to less than 5% of their total energy intake. However, people in the UK consume double – in the US, triple – that amount of sugar. Three-quarters of these added sugars come from sweet food and beverages, such as cakes and soft drinks. The rest come from other processed foods, such as ketchup. (source)

There are many factors that contribute to mental illness such as depression. Scientific proof continues to point the finger at diet as an important and significant culprit. Therefore, radically reducing or even eliminating sugar altogether may a crucial step to not only treating but curing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Read more articles by Anna Hunt.

About the Author

Anna Hunt is the founder of AwarenessJunkie.com, an online community paving the way to better health, a balanced life, and personal transformation. She is also the co-editor and staff writer for WakingTimes.com. Anna is a certified Hatha yoga instructor and founder of Atenas Yoga Center. She enjoys raising her three children and being a voice for optimal human health and wellness. Visit her essential oils store here.

Fukushima Scientists: Days Of Eating Fish From The Ocean Are OVER

Source: Fukushima Scientists: Days Of Eating Fish From The Ocean Are OVER – Counter Current News

countercurrentnews.info

Source: Neon Nettle

August 5, 2017

Radiation from the Fukushima power plant has been continually leaking since the meltdown as such a catastrophic level, scientists are claiming days of eating fish from the Pacific ocean are over.According to the founder of Nuclear Crimes, Andrew Kishner, the magnitude of the radiation being leaked into the ocean is being “down played” and is “getting worse”.

Kishner has claimed that TEPCO, the company who is in charge of monitoring the plant, has admitted radiation has been leaking into the Pacific Ocean none stop for the past six years. 

He also claimed there is an estimated 300 to 450 tons of contaminated water being leaked from the Fukushima plant every day.

Last month Neon Nettle reported that Tepco confirmed its plans to releases radioactive material from the Fukushima plant into the ocean, stating the decision has already been made”.

According to scientist Ken Buesseler, who has examined the contaminated fish, the level of radiation may not be enough to poison humans. However, his claims were immediately contradicted by the scientists who said there was “no such thing” as safe levels of radiation in food products.

However, his claims were immediately contradicted by the scientists who said there was “no such thing” as safe levels of radiation in food products, adding that the days of “eating fish from the Pacific ocean are over”.

The contaminated water is believed to contain traces of radioactive iodine, cesium, and strontium-89 and 90

The contaminated water is believed to contain traces of radioactive iodine, cesium, and strontium-89 and 90. But despite efforts from the Japanese government to control the problem, the fish have still been affected by the sheer mass of the radiation spewing into the ocean. Many fish is the region have now tested positive for huge amounts of radiation resulting in the closure of fishing industries.

Many fish is the region have now tested positive for huge amounts of radiation resulting in the closure of fishing industries.

New studies reveal that alarming levels of radiation in fish caught off the northwest coast of the United States and in Canada, which has been traced by to the power plant.

 

New Study Reveals Regular Consumption of Marijuana Keeps You thin, Fit, and Active

According to the researchers of this latest study, people who use marijuana more than five times per month have a lower Body Mass Index

Source: New Study Reveals Regular Consumption of Marijuana Keeps You thin, Fit, and Active

anonymous-news.com

By Amando Flavio

July 20, 2017

A new study by a group of scientists from Oregon Health and Science University in the United States has revealed that regular users of marijuana are fit and active than non-users of the plant.

Marijuana has long suffered image assassination. The plant has previously been portrayed as a gateway drug as well as a substance that contributes to crime. It has also been associated with laziness and failure. Consumers of the plant are therefore scorned and ridiculed. But thanks to the recent studies, these negative stereotypes are fast changing. Marijuana is increasingly becoming popular, especially in the U.S.

According to the latest study, people who use marijuana more than five times per month have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than people who do not use marijuana.

“Heavy users of cannabis had a lower mean BMI compared to that of never users, with a mean BMI being 26.7 kg/m in heavy users and 28.4 kg/m in never users”, the researchers wrote in the study.

The study also suggested that people who consume marijuana on a regular basis are more physically active than people who use it sporadically or not at all.

This is not the first time a scientific study has found that users of marijuana are more likely to be fit and active than non-users:

1.A 2016 study published in the Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics found that regular consumers of cannabis have a lower BMI than those who do not use the drug.
2. A 2013 study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that cannabis consumers have 16 percent lower levels of fasting insulin and 17 percent lower insulin resistance levels than non-users. The research found significant associations between marijuana use and smaller waist circumferences.
3. Data published in British Medical Journal in 2012 revealed that cannabis consumers had a lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes and a lower risk of contracting the disease than those with no history of cannabis consumption.

Isabelle C. Beulaygue, a researcher from the University of Miami, noted: “There is a popular belief that people who consume marijuana have the munchies, and so [they] are going to eat a lot and gain weight, and we found that it is not necessarily the case.”

Researchers have not delved deep into why marijuana users appear to be active than non-users, but some preliminary probes suggest that regular users of marijuana may be able to more easily break down blood sugar, which may help prevent weight gain.

Green tea nutrients found to successfully treat scars when used in a cream

Source: Green tea nutrients found to successfully treat scars when used in a cream – NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

by: Rhonda Johansson

July 19, 2017

(Natural News) It’s time to go green — and spread all that loving goodness on your skin. A new study conducted by the University of Manchester found that cream infused with green tea extract significantly reduced the appearance and thickness of newly formed scars. The topical agent, which contained the tea compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), was already shown to be effective for old, keloid scars. This new study suggests that a cream infused with EGCG can be used to treat recent injuries. These results, while still in their initial stages, could have profound implications with how medical treatment and management plans are designed.

Scars are formed when the skin is injured and there is an overproduction of collagen which forms scar tissues. As these tissues heal, they release histamin which causes the injured area to become red and itchy. Most everyone knows not to scratch the inflamed area, as further damage to the area can deepen the scar. However, researchers of this study indicated that EGCG disrupted the skin’s natural response, effectively soothing the area and making the scar appear less red and thick and making the area less itchy.

Green tea helps skin heal

This small study is just one of the numerous studies which prove the health benefits of green tea — especially its efficacy in skin cell rejuvenation. A 2003 study by the Medical College of Georgia found that polyphenols found in green tea eliminated free radicals in the body while safeguarding healthy cells. The most abundant polyphenol in green tea — the same EGCG mentioned earlier — was noted to reactivate dying cells. Dr. Stephen Hsu, the lead author of this study wrote that, “cells that migrate toward the surface of the skin normally live about 28 days, and by day 20, they basically sit on the upper layer of the skin getting ready to die. But EGCG reactivates them. I was so surprised.”

Dr. Hsu and his team also noted that EGCG somehow manipulated basic cell behavior, so that instead of cells dying normally, they reverted back to the dividing stage. Somehow — their team was unable to establish the exact mechanisms involved — EGCG reacted with cell DNA to make them produce more energy. The most obvious result of this interaction is an improved skin condition. This not only has aesthetic value, but practical purposes as well. Dr. Hsu reasoned that if skin healed faster, the injured area would be less at risk of getting infected.

“If skin cells surrounding wounds or infections don’t heal in time, fibroblasts in the connective tissue may rush in to fill the void and cause scar tissue formation,” Dr. Hsu said. “If we can spur the skin cells to differentiate and proliferate, we can potentially accelerate the wound-healing process and prevent scarring.”

Likewise, another study in 2013, published in the International Journal of Surgery concluded that green tea extract dramatically improved the healing process of surgical wounds in rats. Green tea extract was compared to other plant-based derivatives such as  grape seed, lemon, rosemary, and jojoba. While all of these extracts improved wound healing, green tea extract, with its high concentrations of EGCG, proved to be the most effective.

Green tea extract is not limited to severe skin lesions, however. The alternative treatment can be used to reduce the appearance of pimples, nodules, and cysts found in body. Dermatologists are now recommending EGCG-infused products to their patients to reduce the swelling and scarring of acne. Accordingly, these natural treatments are more easily accepted by the body, producing fewer side effects. For the best results, medical professionals recommend both ingesting the compound and topically applying a green tea-infused cream to the affected area. (Related: A Homemade Green Tea and Aloe Skin Toner.)

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

StyleCraze.com

ScienceDirect.com

ScienceDaily.com

LiveStrong.com

Extra-virgin oil may hold the key to preventing the Alzheimer’s disease, exciting new research discovers

Source: Extra-virgin oil may hold the key to preventing the Alzheimer’s disease, exciting new research discovers – NaturalNews.com

With permission from

NaturalNews.com

by: Frances Bloomfield

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

 (Natural News) According to new research, consumption of extra-virgin olive oil may reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The researchers behind the study, which was published in Annals of Clinical and Transitional Neurology, singled out this key component of the Mediterranean diet as an effective preventative measure against the neurological disease.

Led by Dr. Domenico Praticò, the team of researchers carried out their study by utilizing a transgenic mouse model. The mice had been genetically modified to possess the three main characteristics of the disease, namely neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid plaque formation, and memory impairment. Additionally, the team made sure to use mice who were six months old as the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease had yet to manifest in these mice.

Researchers then split the mice into two groups: one that was fed a standard chow diet, and another group that was fed a chow diet with extra-virgin olive oil from the Apulia region of Italy. After three months then six months of treatment, the two groups underwent tests that measured their learning abilities, working memories, and spatial memories.

The group that had been fed extra-virgin olive oil did better on all the tests. When the researchers studied the brain cells of the mice from the olive oil group, they found healthier brain cells with reduced levels of amyloid plaque formations and neurofibrillary tangles, as well as better synapse integrity.

Amyloid plaques are the buildup of toxic proteins in the spaces between neurons. Neurofibrillary tangles, on the other hand, are abnormal masses of twisted protein — tau, to be precise — fibers within nerve cells. Both amyloid plaque formation and neurofibrillary tangles are believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers believe that the promising results can be attributed to extra-virgin olive oil inducing autophagy, which is the natural process of cell destruction. Apart from destroying cells, autophagy also eliminates any toxic debris that accumulated between cells. The subsequent boost in autophagy lead to the disintegration and removal of amyloids and phosphorylated tau, reported MedicalNewsToday.com.

“This is an exciting finding for us,” stated Praticò. “Thanks to the autophagy activation, memory, and synaptic integrity were preserved, and the pathological effects in animals otherwise destined to develop Alzheimer’s disease were significantly reduced.”

As part of their continuing research, Praticò and his colleagues intend on introducing olive oil to mice who’ve already begun displaying symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Usually when a patient sees a doctor for suspected symptoms of dementia, the disease is already present. We want to know whether olive oil added at a later time point in the diet can stop or reverse the disease.” explained Praticò. (Related: Alzheimer’s and dementia rates rise as nations adopt the westernized diet of burgers, fries, steaks and fried chicken)

A brief rundown of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder caused by brain cell death. Since Alzheimer’s disease is chronic, it only worsens over time. Symptoms associated with the disease include: impairments to reasoning and judgment, worsened ability to take in and retain new information, and changes in behavior and personality.

An estimated 5.3 million Americans from all age groups are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, making it the most common type of dementia, or loss of mental ability.

Age, family history, and genetics are all unavoidable risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease; potentially avoidable risk factors for the disease include but aren’t limited to prior head injury, sleep disorders, and factors that increase vascular risk, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Visit HealingArts.news for similar stories.

Sources include:

MedicalNewsToday.com 1

MedicalNewsToday.com 2

OnlineLibrary.Wiley.com

What Happened to My Body When I Didn’t Eat for 21 Days

Source: What Happened to My Body When I Didn’t Eat for 21 Days | Humans Are Free

With permission from

humansarefree.com

By Alanna Ketler, Guest author

July 19, 2017

I recently did the unthinkable – I stopped eating food altogether for 21 days, and you know what happened?

I healed my body, gave my digestive system a much needed rest, cleared up my candida, passed some parasites, and got my cystic acne under control – and would you believe it?

I am still here to tell the story.

I have been battling with what I had been diagnosed as having an issue of candida overgrowth – for almost two years, but now I question whether it may have just been a parasite all along.

There are tons of illnesses out there that are commonly labeled as mystery illnesses because mainstream medicine has neither discovered a cause or a cure, leaving many people in the dark when it comes to healing.

When I first learned about the Master Fast System I felt that the idea of fasting resonated with something that could help me once and for all and I was excited about the idea of challenging myself, although the recommended 40 -108 days felt like a little bit too long for me.

I decided to try out the fast, but customize it towards my needs and what I felt intuitively would help my body.

I did 21 days of the full on master fast system, which means only grape juice mixed with lemon, herbal tea and potent tinctures, daily enemas, a mixture psyllium husk powder, bentonite clay and activated charcoal mixed with grape juice and lemon this is known as plasma “pudding”and daily dry fasts (nothing at all in the system) of between 14 – 18 hours.

Won’t You Lose A Lot Of Weight?

Throughout the 21 days I lost a total of 15 pounds – a lot of which was just water weight.

As you can see from the picture, the main area that shrunk was my stomach, but it’s because it was always so bloated and uncomfortable before.

This fast has completely cleared up the bloating and swelling that was almost a constant in my life for 2 years. This is certainly what sweet relief feels like.

Isn’t Fasting Hard?

Yes. But does that mean that it’s not worth doing?

No. Of course not eating for an extended period of time isn’t easy, but that isn’t because you’re hungry, it’s because of your mental addictions to food.

It’s interesting because we feel we need to eat, but most of us don’t really realize just how addicted to food we really are because it is not only a HUGE part of our culture, but we need to eat to survive.

Not until you go without food do these addictions become apparent.

Fasting is a way to not only clear out the body and give the digestive system a break, but it also is great for clearing out the mind.

It’s amazing how clear the head is when there is nothing in the system, no stimulants or any other distractions. I found I became a lot more aware of my emotions as well.

When something comes up, and you have no escape – in the form of food or anything else, you are forced to sit with it and feel it. That was a very interesting experience throughout this whole thing as well.

I realized that we have a lot of preconceived ideas about food, we believe that we need a certain amount to be healthy, but I strongly believe that if we just tune into our body, give it what it needs, and give our digestive system a break from time to time, we will be fine.

The idea of stuffing our faces with 3 large meals a day seems absurd to me, and things like intermittent fasting actually make a lot more sense.

Is Fasting For You?

I strongly believe fasting is something everyone can benefit from.

But if you are suffering from any digestive health issues, then you especially could benefit from fasting.

There are certain ways to go about it, however, and it is important to do adequate research and choose a method that is suited towards your needs and works for you.

Your Entire Immune System is Regenerated After Fasting for Only 3 Days