Natural Communities Magazine A magazine devoted to the local natural wellness culture.

What do you get when you take a toxic chemical byproduct of the fertilizer processing industry and dump it into the public water supply? Fluoridation!

The fluoridation of public water supplies is one of the most fraudulent public health policies ever dreamed up by the chemical companies, and decades after the scam was first engineered as a way to get rid of toxic waste without paying expensive hazardous materials fees, many cities are finally starting to question the sanity of it. ~Mike Adams, www.naturalnews.com

Grand Rapids, Mich. has become the most recent city to question the practice of fluoridating public water, as part of a growing tendency for local governments to question the use of many chemicals that formerly been taken for granted.

“I think this pattern has been growing because there is better environmental health research that draws connections between low levels of chemical exposure and changes in our bodies,” said Dr. Howard Hu of the University of Michigan. “As the research has become more sophisticated, it shows that environmental toxicants can do other things beyond just kill you: they can stunt your growth, change behavior and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Grand Rapids was the first city in the world to fluoride its public water supply, based on assurances from the government that the chemical reduces the risk of tooth decay while posing no serious risks. But based on a number of studies linking fluoride to problems with the thyroid, kidneys, central nervous system and skeletal system - including cancers - the city’s director of environmental sustainability, Corky Overmyer, has ordered a new review of the scientific evidence concerning the risks and benefits of the chemical.

“This has been on my radar screen for a while,” Overmyer said.

Overmyer says that while he has not drawn any conclusions about the safety of fluoride, the scientific evidence gave him reason enough for concern. Having already gotten chlorine removed from the city’s water supply several years ago, Overmyer did not expect the vicious backlash that developed to his questioning of fluoride. From large medical associations to the mayor and even his own dentist, Overmyer’s decision has drawn fierce criticism.

“I had no idea [fluoride] was that sensitive an issue,” Overymyer said.

Fluoridation opponents have cheered the news, however, confident that the scientific evidence will speak for itself.

“If Grand Rapids falls, that could be the beginning of the end of fluoride,” said Paul Connett, director of the Fluoride Action Network.

Source: www.newstarget.com

Scientists who have spent decades researching the effects of caffeine have stated that a slew of caffeinated energy drinks now on the market should carry prominent labels that note caffeine doses and warn of potential health risks for consumers.

Some energy drinks contain the equivalent caffeine of 14 cans of Coca-Cola, yet the amounts are often unlabeled, and few include warnings about the potential health risks of caffeine intoxication.

Caffeine intoxication is marked by nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, gastrointestinal upset, tremors, rapid heartbeats (tachycardia), psychomotor agitation (restlessness and pacing) and in rare cases, death.

A regular 12-ounce cola drink has about 35 milligrams of caffeine, and a 6-ounce cup of brewed coffee has 80 to 150 milligrams of caffeine. But because many energy drinks are marketed as “dietary supplements,” the limit that the FDA requires for soft drinks does not apply. The caffeine content of energy drinks varies from 50 milligrams to more than 500 milligrams.
 Sources:

* Eurekalert September 24, 2008
* Drug and Alcohol Dependence September 20, 2008 [Epub Ahead of Print]

Dr. Mercola’s Comments:

The U.S. market for energy drinks was a whopping $5.4 billion in 2006. Since its inception in the late 80’s, the energy drink market has grown exponentially, increasing at a rate of 47 percent per year in the U.S., and 55 percent worldwide.

Nearly 500 new brands were launched worldwide in 2006, and 200 new energy drinks hit the U.S. market in the 12-month period ending July 2007 alone, overtaking bottled water as the fastest-growing category in the beverage business.

This is in large part due to highly successful marketing to teenagers and young adults, satisfying their craving for speed, stamina, and “boundless energy.”

But like all quick health fixes, energy drinks come at a price, which in some cases have included death.

What is Caffeine Intoxication?

If you’ve never heard of caffeine intoxication, you’re not alone. It’s not often discussed, as most people won’t consume coffee or soda in amounts high enough, or quickly enough, to suffer an acute effect. But when you consider that some energy drinks contain the equivalent of four or five cups of coffee in one can, you realize how you could easily consume the equivalent of a couple of pots of coffee in very short order.

Among the worst offenders, in terms of caffeine overload, are:

• SPIKE Shooter – 35.7mg/oz (16 oz = 570 mg)
• Cocaine Energy Drink – 33.3 mg/oz (16 oz = 533 mg)
• Redline RTD – 31.3 mg/oz (16 oz = 501 mg)
• Blow (energy drink mix) – 30 mg/oz (16 oz = 480 mg)
• Fixx – 25 mg/oz (16 oz = 400 mg)

Some energy drinks are so high in caffeine they’re served in 1 to 2 ounce “shots.”

Ammo, for example, contains 171 mg, served in a one ounce can. RedLine Power Rush, which comes in a 2.5 oz can, contains 140 mg/oz, giving you the equivalent of about three and a half cups of coffee in one swig.

The symptoms of caffeine intoxication mimic those of anxiety and other mood disorders, and include:

• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Tremors
• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Psychomotor agitation (restlessness and pacing)
• In rare cases: death

The Caffeine in Energy Drinks Does Not Necessarily Equate to Plain Coffee

Needless to say, the effects of drinking an energy drink will be similar to that of drinking a cup or three of coffee, in that when the effect wears off you’ll start feeling lethargic and will likely crave another can (or cup) to boost your energy once again.

As many of you likely know, it can become a vicious cycle of jolting and crashing.

However, a problem related specifically to energy drinks is that no one really knows the net effect of chugging energy drinks like you would coffee. Coffee has caffeine, yes, but it does not contain all those other artificial and energy-boosting ingredients that energy drinks contain.

The synergistic effect of ingesting multiple agents in combination can have a vastly different impact compared to each ingredient by itself. And caffeine, in and of itself, already has its disadvantages.

For example, drinking plain coffee on a regular basis may increase your risk of deadly diseases such as stomach cancer and leukemia. And, pregnant women should definitely not consume caffeine.  There is a substantial amount of research showing that it clearly increases their risk of spontaneous abortion.

Caffeine also has other well-documented problems.

For instance, it may interfere with your body’s ability to keep homocysteine and cholesterol levels in check, most likely by inhibiting the action of the vitamins folate, B12 and/or B6. Additionally, coffee has been previously associated with an increased risk of stroke and rheumatoid arthritis.

Are You in a High-Risk Category That Should Avoid Energy Drinks?

It is fairly self-evident that children should never consume these kinds of drinks, but due to the detrimental health impact of their contents, it would definitely be wise to avoid energy drinks if you:

• Are pregnant or lactating
• Are sensitive to caffeine
• Suffer from anxiety
• Suffer from high stress
• Suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome
• Have high blood pressure
• Are predisposed to cardiovascular disease
• Have any kind of blood clotting disorder

Researchers have previously stated that energy drinks can be deadly when combined with stress or high blood pressure, as it can impair proper blood vessel function and raise your risk of blood clots and stroke.

How to Raise Your Energy Levels – No Caffeine Required

If you’re drinking energy drinks for the reason most people do — to get more energy – know that there are far superior options than artificial energy drinks containing enough caffeine to keep a squadron awake.

Humans are not naturally sluggish or constantly tired — especially not teenagers in the prime of life!

This lethargic state is much more likely brought on by inappropriate lifestyle choices, such as:

• Poor food choices
• Low-quality food
• Stressful lifestyle
• Negative emotions
• Lack of sleep
• Lack of exercise

Increasing your energy levels then, is as easy as remedying these factors by:

• Eating right for your nutritional type
• Increasing your intake of omega-3 fats
• Eliminating grains and sugars from your diet
• Releasing emotional stress and negativity with the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
• Sleeping when you’re tired
• Exercising

For more details, my book Take Control of Your Health, is THE tool that will really help you regain your energy, once and for all. You can also check out my nutrition plan to get started right now, today.

Source: www.mercola.com

We live in a quick-fix culture where we are constantly told by advertisements that a pill or miracle cure is going to fix all our woes. Whether it is stress, anxiety, or poor health, our current culture focuses far too much on the elusive after-the-fact miracle “cure” instead of prevention.

Yet, if we simply focused on improving our daily habits, our health and well-being would improve dramatically. This is where a daily wellness routine is essential.

There are four main components to a successful wellness routine. They are:

1.Exercise
2.Nutrition
3.Spiritual Practice
4.Rest and Relaxation

1. Exercise

With obesity rates soaring, it is clear that exercise is a devalued commodity in our society. Yet, exercise is proven to improve health, alleviate depression and anxiety, and reduce stress. Various experts will suggest varying exercise guidelines to meet every week, such as 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three times per week minimum. Whatever weekly exercise goals you set, they should be in addition to, not a replacement for, your daily exercise.

Your daily exercise should be doable and not require you to take a fitness class to accomplish. This type of exercise is more about moving your body than giving yourself the most challenging workout of your life. Examples of a daily exercise routine include:

1. Taking a walk around the neighborhood in the morning or after work.
2. Performing a simple yoga or qi-gong exercise in the morning or evening.
3. Riding your bike to the park.
4. Dancing to your favorite music in the comfort of your living room.

The important thing to remember is that you need to move your body each and every day to stay healthy and happy. Don’t make exercise in to a huge obstacle to overcome. Find a way to fit more movement into your daily life and your body will thank you for it.

2. Nutrition

Diet and nutrition can be an overwhelming subject. Unless you are one of those people who enjoys counting calories and spending hours in food preparation, adjusting your diet may seem impossible. Try coming up with a moderate diet that provides leeway and space for those moments when you have a chocolate craving. Rather than rigidly trying to subtract specific foods from your diet, add nutritious, healthy options to your existing plate.

For example, if you have a hard time giving up pasta, then add more vegetables to your pasta dishes. Don’t try to go cold turkey on the pasta.

The most important thing to remember with food is moderation. Even if you ate processed foods constantly, you would not become obese unless you overate and neglected to exercise. This is not to suggest that you go on an all-processed foods diet, but to postulate that the simplest way to lose weight is to simply eat less of whatever it is your are consuming. From there, slowly work in healthier options as you shift your diet into one that is more nutritious and life giving.

3. Spiritual Practice

Daily spiritual practice is the positive habit of connecting with a higher power or ideal, whether that is God, nature, or the mystery of the universe. You do not have to be a spiritual person to have a spiritual practice. Atheists, for example, might engage in a spiritual practice that consists of mindful journal writing each morning.

The purpose of daily spiritual practice is to disengage from the petty irritations and distractions of life and open the mind and spirit to see the bigger picture. A daily spiritual practice should nurture, uplift, and inspire.

Examples of daily spiritual practice include:

1. Prayer
2. Journaling
3. Creativity (art, music, writing)
4. Meditation

The benefits of a daily spiritual practice are cumulative and over time will lead to more peace of mind and a greater ability to handle life’s challenges.

4. Rest and Relaxation

In our harried world, the benefits of rest cannot be overstated. Too often we are running on fumes – too little sleep and too much activity. Sleep deprivation has been associated with all sorts of problems, from anxiety and depression to unsafe driving. Some scientists are studying a possible link between sleep deprivation and obesity (the theory is that sleep deprivation disrupts the production of important hormones).

Make sure you allow for adequate sleep time in your schedule. If your work environment allows it, take a cat nap in the afternoon to refresh.

Relaxation is also important. Your mind needs rest and play. If all you did was work from the beginning to the end of the day, you would become less effective overall due to the stress. Spend time relaxing every day, even if it’s just a half an hour to read a favorite book or partake in a hobby.

Putting It All Together

The key to creating a daily wellness routine is to make it simple and not a rigid, inflexible structure that is difficult to maintain. A fluid set of guidelines is often much easier to implement than a hard-set schedule.

Consider making a set of daily guidelines rather than rigid rules to follow. For example:

Each day, I will walk for 20 minutes, eat a little healthier, sleep a little more, and do something nurturing for myself by relaxing and writing in my journal.

Be flexible. There will be days when things are hectic or family and work obligations come up that make it difficult to do everything in your routine. Don’t beat yourself up for not following through all the time. When you expect perfection, you are more likely to skip the routine altogether and keep putting it off for that mythological day in the future when things “clear up.”

Things will never “clear up.” Your life will always be hectic and have its shares of ups and downs and surprises (both good and bad). The time to start your daily wellness routine is today, not tomorrow. By taking baby steps, you are creating a future of better health and well-being for yourself.

About the author
Stephanie Brail is a wellness coach, healer and hypnotherapist. She provides information and perspectives on alternative health, well-being, spirituality, and more at www.feelgoodgirl.com.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/024500.html

Brenton Johnson, an organic farmer and owner of Johnson’s Backyard Garden, came up with this list of top 10 reasons to buy local food, based on his philosophy to live in harmony with the land.

1. Locally grown food tastes better. Food grown in your own community is usually picked within the past day or two. It’s crisp, sweet, and loaded with flavor. Produce flown or trucked in is much older. Several studies have shown that the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1,500 miles.

2. Local produce is better for you. Fresh produce loses nutrients quickly. Locally grown food, purchased soon after harvest, retains its nutrients.

3. Local food preserves genetic diversity. In the modern industrial agricultural system, varieties are chosen for their ability to ripen simultaneously and withstand harvesting equipment. Only a handful of varieties of fruits and vegetables meet those rigorous demands, so there is little genetic diversity in the plants grown. Local farms, in contrast, grow a huge number of varieties to provide a long season of harvest, an array of eye-catching colors, and the best flavors.

4. Local food is GMO-free. Although biotechnology companies have been trying to commercialize genetically modified fruits and vegetables, they are currently licensing them only to large factory-style farms. Local farmers don’t have access to genetically modified seed, and most of them wouldn’t use it even if they could.

5. Local food supports local farm families. With fewer than 1 million Americans now listing farming as their primary occupation, farmers are a vanishing breed. Local farmers who sell direct to consumers cut out the middle man and get full retail price for their crops.

6. Local food builds a stronger community. When you buy direct from the farmer, you are re-establishing a time-honored connection between the eater and the grower.

7. Local food preserves open space. As the value of direct-marketed fruits and vegetables increases, selling farmland for development becomes less likely. The rural landscape will survive only as long as farms are financially viable.

8. Local food helps to keep your taxes in check. Farms contribute more in taxes than they require in services, whereas suburban development costs more than it generates in taxes.

9. Local food supports a clean environment and benefits wildlife. A well-managed family farm is a place where the resources of fertile soil and clean water are valued. Good stewards of the land grow cover crops to prevent erosion and replace nutrients used by their crops. Cover crops also capture carbon emissions and help combat global warming.

10. Local food is about the future. By supporting local farmers today, you can help ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow, so that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, and abundant food.

Source: www.mercola.com