A Natural Environmental Health Facts Ezine

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"A NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FACTS Ezine" Here to Inform and Help You Become Healthier and Happier while Achieving Quality Longevity!

http://www.antibiotic-alternatives.com
Email Lena
928-636-9425
Friday March 23, 2007
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=> IN THIS ISSUE!
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==> Editors' Ranting & or Warnings
==> Something To Think About
==> Health Thought for the day!
==> Showcase Health Spotlight
==> Monthly Spotlight Ads
==> Today's Health Tip
==> Health Today
==> Environmental Report
==> Life Changing Information

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How about that the weather people got it right, almost. It was suppose to be showers but what we got was hours and hours of great rain but along with it came summer type thunder and lightening. Great for a change! Their guess was pretty good! One thing we don't have to guess at is the proper health supplements toward daily good health. You haven't been reading and don't have that information? Just ask!

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Something To Think About
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Why You Don't Want to Use Antibacterial Soap Anymore

The antibacterial agent triclosan, commonly used in certain soaps, is starting to appear in consumer products ranging from socks to toothpaste.

But research shows that under normal household conditions triclosan can react with chlorinated water to produce chloroform, a likely carcinogen.

An initial 2005 study showed that, in the laboratory, pure triclosan reacts with free chlorine to produce chloroform. More recently, follow-up studies on 16 products found that household goods containing triclosan produced either chloroform or other chlorinated byproducts.

In some soaps, the triclosan degraded within one minute of exposure to chlorinated water at temperatures used for household cleaning.

Environmental Science & Technology February 28, 2007

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
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Find out if your Pet Food was recalled!
Dog, Cat Food Recalled After Pet Deaths
Saturday March 17, 2007

A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates is available from the Menu Foods website, . Consumers with questions can also call (866) 895-2708.http://www.menufoods.com/recall

Proven Fact Of Marketing!
Takes a minimum of seven times readings an ad
before the normal buyer will take advantage of your offer...
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Spotlight your product or service here!
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We accept all advertisements in good faith, but the advertisers are completely responsible for the content and accuracy of their advertisements. We do not give any warranties and accept no responsibility. The editor and publisher suggest that you exercise due diligence!
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FDA Pulls 15 Migraine Drugs off Market
Agency's Order Affects 'Unapproved' Drugs Containing Ergotamine
By Miranda Hitti

March 1, 2007 -- The FDA today announced that it has ordered 15 unapproved migraine drugs containing ergotamine off the market.

Those drugs, sold only by prescription, lack a required "black box" safety warning and haven't been reviewed by the FDA for safety and efficacy.

The unapproved ergotamine drugs are unrelated to migraine drugs called triptans such as Imitrex, Zomig, and Maxalt.

The FDA's action also doesn't affect the five FDA-approved ergotamine drugs, which are:

Migergot suppository (marketed by G and W Labs)
Ergotamine Tartrate and Caffeine tablets (marketed by Mikart and West Ward)
Cafergot tablets (marketed by Sandoz)
Ergomar Sublingual tablets (marketed by Rosedale Therapeutics)
It can be hard for patients to identify the 15 unapproved drugs, "particularly because doctors prescribe them and might not know they are unapproved," FDA spokeswoman Sandy Walsh tells WebMD in an email interview.

"The best thing to do is educate yourself about what you are taking, see if the product contains ergotamine, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions," Walsh says.

She notes that many of the 15 unapproved drugs "have been around a long time and never got FDA approval."

'Black Box' Warning Missing
"The biggest concern is the absence of the 'black box' warning" on the 15 unapproved ergotamine drugs, the FDA's Deborah Autor said in a news conference.

"But we have concerns, more broadly, about the safety of all unapproved drugs," says Autor, who directs the Office of Compliance at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The "black box" warning for FDA-approved ergotamine drugs warns patients not to use such drugs if they are also taking certain medications that block an enzyme needed to break down and remove ergotamine from the body.

Autor says that though the FDA hadn't checked its records of adverse events reported with the 15 unapproved ergotamine drugs, "it's clear to us that there's an obvious risk from the absence of the [black box] warning."

The FDA sent warning letters to 20 companies about the 15 unapproved ergotamine drugs. Those companies include eight firms that make the drugs and 12 that distribute the drugs.

Those letters, dated Feb. 26, warn the companies that they have 15 days to respond to the FDA, 60 days to stop making the drugs, and 180 days to get the drugs off the market.

The companies receiving the warning letters can seek FDA approval for the ergotamine drugs, but until they get such approval, "they need to stop manufacturing and distributing these drugs," Autor says.

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FOOD OF THE WEEK
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Gluten-free, Grain Alternative and Nutrient Rich:

One of the grains, relatively unknown, tops in nutrients, is Quinoa. Pronounced keen-wah, this grain is grown in the Andes Mountains in South America where it was once a staple food for the Incas.

Quinoa has a delicious light, nutty flavor. When it cooks, the grain opens up to make tiny spirals. Quinoa contains all eight amino acids and therefore has better protein value than most grains. A nutrient-dense grain; perfect for those who have elevated needs, such as pregnant or nursing mothers.

Quinoa is technically not a grain, it is a dried fruit from the Chenopodium herb family. There are three main varieties of quinoa and the texture, color and flavor differ dramatically. The higher the quality of quinoa seed, the more delicate the flavor. Look for very light and tiny seeds. The bigger, darker seeds have a bittersweet taste.

Vegetarians and people with food allergies will find quinoa a welcome choice; it's gluten-free and provides a remarkable array of nutrients.

It's a complete protein - perfect for the many people who have allergies to common grains - it's a delicious alternative."

Quinoa's greatest hurdle is that it's still relatively unknown to many cooks, even those with an interest in whole foods and natural approaches. For the many people who have limited food choices now you can use quinoa.

A simple breakfast recipe for preparing quinoa;
1 cup quinoa
Pinch of sea salt
1 3/4 cups water

Rinse quinoa well with warm water and drain. Quinoa has a natural coating called saponin that repels insects and birds that creates a bitter taste. Rinsing with warm water removes the saponin.

Place rinsed quinoa, salt, and water in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer 15-20 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork before serving.
Makes 2 1/2-3 cups

For breakfast add a bit of honey and butter or fruit for a great stick-to-the-stomach breakfast grain!

Lunch or Dinner Quinoa

1 cup uncooked quinoa, well rinsed
2 1/4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tbsp. virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 - 2 tsp. honey (to taste)

Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the quinoa and garlic and stir over medium heat for 3 minutes. Pour in the hot water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the chicken base, onion powder, garlic powder and honey. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed. (1 cup Chopped Steamed vegetables can be added if desired) Can be served with any entry´.

Healthy and nourishing adding a bit of change to the diet is great.
Lena

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HEALTH TODAY
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Sinusitis Treatment Now A No! No!

In 2004, the FDA approved the use of Ketek in the treatment of sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. But trouble soon developed. According to a 2006 report in the New York Times, Ketek use had been linked to liver failure in 14 patients, and 23 others experienced serious liver injury. The Times also noted that Ketek might cause blurred vision and loss of consciousness.

Last month, an FDA advisory panel voted 17-2 to discontinue the official approval of Ketek use in treating sinusitis and bronchitis, but voted to keep the approval of Ketek use for community acquired pneumonia (that's pneumonia that's not picked up in a nursing home or hospital).

In other words, Ketek will still be available, and doctors will still be able to prescribe it "off-label" for sinusitis and bronchitis. Will doctors take heed of the new Ketek boxed warning and medication guide, as well as the FDA panel's recommendation that the risks of the antibiotic outweigh the benefits for sinusitis and bronchitis patients?

Some will, some won't. Patients, beware.

Pesticides May up Risk of Diabetes in Pregnancy
March 21, 2007

NEW YORK - Exposure to agricultural pesticides in the first-trimester increases a woman's risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy, research shows.

Previous studies have examined the relationship between pesticides and diabetes, the authors explain, but none have focused on pregnancy-related or "gestational" diabetes.
Dr. Tina M. Saldana from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and colleagues assessed the risk of developing gestational diabetes following pesticide exposures among wives of farmers enrolled in the Agricultural Health Study.

Of 11,273 women who became pregnant within 25 years after entering the study, 506 (4.5 percent) reported having gestational diabetes.

Overall, 57 percent of women reported having mixed or applied pesticides at some time in their life, and the proportion was similar for those with and without gestational diabetes mellitus, the authors report in the journal Diabetes Care.

However, women who mixed or applied pesticides or repaired pesticide-related equipment during the first trimester of pregnancy had a more than twofold increased risk of developing gestational diabetes, the report indicates.

In contrast, there was no increased gestational diabetes risk among women with residential exposures to pesticides or indirect exposures during the first trimester.

Similarly, the researchers note, women who had mixed or applied pesticides at any time before enrollment in the study did not face an increased risk of gestational diabetes compared with those who did not.

Although much is known about common risk factors for pregnancy-related diabetes, "our understanding of whether and how environmental exposures may affect risk is still limited," the authors conclude.

Understanding any potential effect of environmental exposures on glucose (sugar) tolerance during pregnancy "may have substantial public health importance beyond the direct effects on gestational diabetes."

SOURCE: Diabetes Care, March 2007.