​Maybe you can share this with family members and friends who STILL cannot understand your need to consume ONLY organic foods and supplements.
​
It's a known fact that canola oil comes from the rape seed, which is part of the mustard family of plants. Mustard gas was made from rape seeds and used in World War II for genocide. Rape seed is the most toxic of all food-oil plants, much more toxic than soy oil, yet Canada annually exports over 3 million tons of canola seed, over 700,000 tons of canola oil and a million tons of canola “meal.”

Guess who Canada’s #1 buyer is … yep, the U.S.A. (http://www.soyatech.com/)

‘Organic’ canola is genetically modified (GMO) rapeseed. Rape is actually a weed and even insects won’t eat it, so why are millions of people eating canola every day whether it’s organic or not? If canola oil is processed from rapeseed oil, which is highly toxic to humans, can canola legitimately be labeled “organic,” just because the farmers aren’t using pesticides or chemical fertilizers?

Even if canola is labeled organic, major doubt remains about its value to the human body. Canola oil is high in glycosides, which means it inhibits enzyme function. Over the long term, this destroys the protective sheath (coating) surrounding nerves. Once that sheath is gone, nerve damage is being done. So, for the most part, canola oil makes your body more vulnerable to cancer. Now let’s back up a little here.

Rape oil itself causes emphysema, respiratory distress, anemia, constipation and blindness in animals, including humans. So what’s the bottom line? Canola oil actually carries the mutated genes, no matter what kind of “processing” the food “product” is put through. http://www.laleva.cc/food/canola.html

It's now believed that “rapeseed” has a cumulative effect, taking almost 10 years before symptoms manifest. http://www.sdadefend.com/Health/Canola-Hist.htm

Read More: http://thebulletin.ca/organic-canola-is-still-geneti​cally-…/
​
More discussed in this video by The Truther Girls..... http://bit.ly/2jhngcy

 
Just a couple things you can expect to learn in this show:

• RFK Jr shares the real reasons why vaccine manufacturers have no liability and also describes the “precautionary principle"
  
  
• Get a “behind the scenes” look at a “vaccine legislation” meeting with a Congressman in the Rayburn House Building in Washington D.C.
  
  
• Hear the personal story of Davida and Nico LaHood (San Antonio District Attorney) as they describe the differences in their four children (some vaccinated, some not)
  
  
• Mike Adams (“the Health Ranger”) elaborates on the similarities and differences between “vaccinations” and “immunizations”
  
  
• And so much more

​After you watch, help us spread the word by sharing and also commenting in the section below the video.
​​If you know anyone with babies, young children, or who are planning to have kids, they NEED to watch The Truth About Vaccines. Please share this eye-opening information with everyone you know. SiImply copy and paste this link: http://bit.ly/ttav-sign-up-yt into your email.

No matter whether you're pro or anti-vaccines, everyone is concerned about vaccine safety. This eye-opening docu-series will provide you with the hidden truth you need to make informed and empowered decisions to safeguard the health of you and your family.

Thank you for taking the time to inform yourself and gain more knowledge about this important topic.

https://go2.thetruthaboutvaccines.com/docuseries/episode-1/
​

​What’s in a Vaccines? Are Vaccines Effective? ... and ... What About Polio?
​Sign-Up to Watch for Free Now:    http://bit.ly/ttav-sign-up-yt

Welcome to the second episode of the eye-opening documentary series "The Truth About Vaccines".

This is the most comprehensive, in-depth series ever produced on the topic of vaccines.

You can watch each episode for FREE, starting August 17th. 2017. Each episode will be up for 24 hours. We’ll be showing all seven episodes in seven days.

​If you know anyone with babies, young children, or who are planning to have kids, they NEED to watch The Truth About Vaccines. Please share this eye-opening information with everyone you know. SiImply copy and paste this link: http://bit.ly/ttav-sign-up-yt into your email.

No matter whether you're pro or anti-vaccines, everyone is concerned about vaccine safety. This eye-opening docu-series will provide you with the hidden truth you need to make informed and empowered decisions to safeguard the health of you and your family.

Thank you for taking the time to inform yourself and gain more knowledge about this important topic.

More than a third of men suffer from sexual dysfunction. And 40% of women do too. I'm talking about everything from erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness to pain and low libido.

Even if you ask your doctor about sex, they don't want to delve into the subject.  
Men get a quick checkup and a script for Viagra or Cialis.

Women get an antidepressant or maybe Big Pharma's "female Viagra"— or both. But those drugs have nasty side effects. They can even spike your risk for heart attack and stroke.

PRP is a simple treatment. It starts with a small amount of blood drawn from your arm. The blood is run through a centrifuge to separate out plasma with a high concentration of platelets.

This platelet-rich plasma is also rich in powerful proteins called growth factors.

When PRP is injected into an injured area, growth factors promote healing. They regenerate injured tissue.
But these growth factors also get to the root cause of many forms of sexual problems — reduced blood flow.
PRP increases blood flow wherever it's applied. When PRP is injected into tissues, it activates the growth of new blood vessels from existing and damaged blood vessel tissue. That can increase blood flow.1

The P-Shot For Men: 
In erectile dysfunction(ED), low blood flow makes it difficult or impossible for the penis to become erect.
P-shot is short for "Priapus Shot." It's named after the Greek god of fertility. PRP from your own blood is injected directly into the penis. But don't worry — a strong numbing cream makes the shot virtually painless.

A recent clinical study reveals what improved blood flow from PRP can do. It:2

• Increases erection firmness and strength
• Boosts sensitivity and pleasure
• Prolongs sexual stamina and
• Improves penis health

All it takes is 15 minutes… And you'll see results right away. Within two to four weeks, you should feel the full effects. They usually last for 15 to 18 months, or longer.

The O-Shot For Women: 
Low blood flow to the vagina and clitoris can diminish arousal and orgasm. It can also cause vaginal dryness and reduced sexual sensation.

PRP O-shots are injected — virtually painlessly — into an area near the clitoris and an area just inside the vagina — the "o-spot."

A recent pilot study shows that injections of PRP are safe and effective for improving female sexual function. It found that 71% of women3 had:

• enhanced sensitivity
• greater arousal
• increased desire
• less pain during sex
• improved orgasm

Like the P-shot, there's no downtime with the O-shot. You can resume sexual activity within hours. And there's often an immediate improvement in arousal. The effects can last a year or longer.

If you're interested in the P-shot or the O-shot, or in any other type of PRP, call The Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine at 561-784-7852 for details. Or you can visit my website at www.searsinstitute.com.

​​Even if you don't get PRP shots, you can still boost your performance in the bedroom naturally. Here are two natural boosters to improve your blood flow.

2 proven sex boosters for both men and women:
​
​1. L-Arginine and L-Citrulline: 
These amino acids team up to make nitric oxide. This boosts blood flow to give your lovemaking a lift. Great food sources include peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, tuna, chicken, salmon, shrimp, eggs and watermelon. If you want to supplement, I recommend 1,000 mg of L-citrulline and 6,000 mg of L-arginine a day.

​L-Arginine is a natural amino acid that works to maintain your overall health. It encourages peak circulation, promotes immune function and even supports the effects of exercise.** But that's not all--L-Argnine also works to: 

• Promote cardiovascular health.**
• Optimize sexual performance.**
• Help maintain blood pressure that is in normal range.**

L-Arginine is a natural amino acid that is used to synthesize hormones and compounds that are critical for overall health. L-Arginine may be most notable for optimizing synthesis of nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes and opens up the blood vessels, encouraging free-flowing circulation. Arginine’s support of circulation may unlock expansive cardiovascular benefits. Its circulation-boosting benefits help maintain blood pressure that’s already in a normal range. Arginine’s circulatory benefits may also optimize peak sexual performance in men.**

L-Arginine is also used by the body to synthesize creatine. An important compound for wellness, creatine supports the effects of exercise by helping to optimize endurance and build muscle. Arginine promotes protein synthesis as well. Because of these exercise-related bioactivities, L-Arginine is commonly used by athletes as a performance-optimizing supplement.**

L-Arginine promotes immune health by assisting with synthesis of antibodies and T cells. L-Arginine is also used to synthesize both insulin and glucagon, two hormones that help maintain healthy and stable blood sugar levels. Finally, Arginine helps the body synthesize urea, an important compound that enables the excretion of excess ammonia in the body.**
​
L-Arginine Supplements
​A conditionally essential amino acid, arginine can be created by the human body in limited quantities. To achieve optimal Arginine levels, it may sometimes be necessary to consume supplements. L-Arginine supplement products are most often derived from plant sources.

Naturally present in grains such as flour and wheat germ, L-Arginine can also be found in gluten-free sources such as sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin seeds, as well as pine nuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, and peanuts. Arginine can also be found in Phalaris canariensis, a coarse grass found in the Mediterranean.**

Arginine is present in foods that are high in protein. Eating these foods can raise levels of the amino acid in your body. However, dietary supplements are often formulated to enable easier absorption of L-Arginine, and may deliver higher therapeutic amounts than can be achieved through diet alone.**
​
L-Arginine Directions for Use
​Never take L-Arginine or start any nutritional supplement regimen without first consulting your health care professional. The common therapeutic level for L-Arginine is between 500-1000 mg, not to exceed 6,000 mg on a daily basis.**

​L-Citrulline is an important natural amino acid. It enhances the body's use of BCAAs and elevates L-Arginine in the bloodstream in addition to:**

• Supporting exercise and training recovery.**
• Helping to maintain ideal muscle health.**
• Supporting healthy male sexual function.**

​L-Citrulline is an amino acid created and used by the body and found in certain foods, including watermelon. The compound influences other amino acids and is crucial to metabolizing and utilizing protein. The amino acid also functions as a natural precursor of L-Arginine, in turn aiding the production of nitric oxide (NO), which facilitates various key biological processes such as circulation and respiration. With these core biological actions, L-Citrulline has become popular as a sports nutrition supplement for performance-oriented athletes.**
​
Further supporting its role as a sports nutrient, research has shown that supplemental intake of L-Citrulline elevates L-Arginine concentration in the bloodstream and bolsters nitric oxide-dependent signaling. This ability is believed to allow the amino acid to optimize exercise, with studies pointing to benefits for physical performance and recovery.

​It appears to enhance the body’s usage of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) during exercise, potentially assisting bodybuilders and athletes who favor BCAA supplementation during training. Investigations have also indicated that L-Citrulline supports muscle energy metabolism, specifically protein synthesis in muscle, which may hold potential for supporting peak physical performance and healthy aging.**

Scientific findings have additionally suggested the importance of L-Citrulline's key roles in respiration and circulation. The amino acid has been linked to the relaxation of airways for more efficient and full breathing, a property tied to its promotion of nitric oxide production.

​Similarly, the compound's NO-related qualities also help maintain healthy cardiovascular function by relaxing arteries and veins for ideal blood flow, a trait which may in turn benefit men's reproductive wellness. The compound has been studied in recent years for its ability to promote healthy sexual function in men. It also plays an integral role in the urea cycle, helping to cleanse the body via the liver by disposing of the waste product ammonia.**

L-Citrulline Supplements
L-Citrulline supplement products are available as capsules and tablets, as well as in powder form. The nutrient is sometimes paired with L-Arginine in exercise and training-oriented sports nutrition formulas.**
​
L-Citrulline Directions for Use
It is important consult with your physician before starting any regular supplementation. Though no suggested dosage has been established, standard L-Citrulline dosage in capsules and tablets ranges between 500 mg and 1,000 mg.**

​2. Beet Juice: 
​
Beet root has been consumed for centuries due to its health benefits. Rich in vitamin C, potassium, iron, and other beneficial nutrients, beet root can serve as a natural digestion aid as well as:**

• Help maintain blood pressure levels already within a normal range.**
• Promote healthy liver function.**
• Support overall cardiovascular health.**

​Packed with vitamin C, potassium, iron, folate, manganese and other beneficial nutrients, beet root has long been consumed for its health benefits. The Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans consumed beet root juice for supporting skin health and digestion. **
​
Beet roots are the taproots of the beet, or Beta vulgaris, plants. The dark purple-red vegetables have been used as food and dyes, as well as in sweeteners. It has been used in wellness traditions going back for centuries. All parts of the beet root, including its leafy top, can be consumed raw or cooked, and the beet root can be prepared as a juice. However, beet root extract is also offered as a supplement for those that do not like the taste.
Today, beet root is used for promoting healthy circulation, blood pressure levels already within a normal range and in maintaining overall cardiovascular health.** Beet root also contains a compound called betaine, which may even support healthy liver function.**
Beet Root ProductsBeet root, as a vegetable, can be consumed as a food either raw or cooked. It can also be processed into a juice. Beet root extract is available in multiple forms, including capsules and tablets, for those who wish to obtain all of its wellness benefits but do not have time to prepare the vegetable or do not like the taste.
Beet Root Directions For UseTalk to a health care professional prior about beet root benefits before beginning any supplement regimen. A standard beet root recommended daily allowance has not yet been established.
Beet juice has been used since the time of the ancient Romans to improve blood flow.4 It heightens bedroom performance of both men and women by raising nitric oxide levels. Drink it straight or mix a teaspoon of beet powder into fruit juice. You can also get beet capsules online or from health food stores. I recommend 1,000 mg a day.

To Your Good Health.

Sources: 
1. Bennett NT, Schultz GS. "Growth factors and wound healing: biochemical properties of growth factors and their receptors." Am J Surg. 1993. 

2. Chalyj ME, Grigorjan VA. "The effectiveness of intracavernous autologous platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of erectile dysfunction." Urologiia. 2015. 

3. Runels C, Melnick H, et al. "A Pilot Study of the Effect of Localized Injectionsof Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction." J Women's Health Care. (2014) 

4. Hobbs, D.A., et al."Acute ingestion of beetroot bread increases endothelium independent vasodilation and lowers diastolic blood pressure in healthy men: A randomized controlled trial." J Nutr. 2013 Sep.

We know that having the “Vaccine” conversation with others isn’t always easy – and now you don’t need to. We know that the only way we’re going to make a significant impact on the world is to spread this knowledge far and wide. 

​ Did you know that gardening can be a real workout? It’s more than just smelling flowers, after all!

As many regular gardeners know, to fully and successfully grow happy and healthy plants, you have to put in some real bodily work. This (at least in our opinion!) makes this fantastic hobby even more therapeutic and wonderful.

​It may be September, but the gardening season isn’t over yet! During this time of appreciation for the plants you have growing in and around your home, get out there and break a sweat!

Here are some great ways in which you can put your body to work while caring for your plants this day, and every day of the season:

Pulling weeds…
…can help strengthen your lower back, legs, abdomen, arms, glutes & thighs.

Lifting bags of soil, fertilizer, compost, etc…
…can help strengthen your lower back, upper body, legs, glutes, thighs & core.

Carrying buckets of soil, water, etc…
…can help strengthen your grip, forearms & abdominal core.

Mowing the lawn with a pull-start push mower…
…can help strengthen your chest, arms, upper body & core stabilizers.

Overhead hammering of stakes and posts…
…can help strengthen your abdomen, arms & back stabilizers.

Using a large watering can…
…can help strengthen your grip, forearms & biceps.

Chopping wood…
…can help strengthen your abdominal girdle, arms & back stabilizers.

Shoveling soil, compost, hay, etc…
…can help strengthen your arms, abdominal core & muscular endurance.

Digging holes…
…can help strengthen your arms, back, shoulders & legs.

Pushing wheelbarrows…
…can help strengthen your chest, arms & upper body core.

Hoeing & raking…
…can help strengthen your back, arms & core stabilizers.

​How did your garden turn out this year? Do you find yourself feeling the burn when you work? What gardening activities are your favorite, and which do you simply grunt at before doing (for us, it would have to be weeding)?

What to Do: Car Sinking in Water, Only Seconds to React​

​This is the Easiest Way to Escape a Sinking Vehicle.
Knowing How Might Save Your Life Some Day

Lots of people drown each year because their cars become submerged underwater in a crash and they cannot get out. This is something that needs to change, could you get out of an underwater car?
​

This is a lot harder than you would think, Geoff Fahringer an expert diver says that there is not enough time for rescuers to reach you in situations like this, you have to be able to save yourself. The small amount of time you have before the vehicle becomes completely submerged should be the time that you make your escape.

Wasting your time trying to call 911 or things like they won’t do you any good if you’re still trapped inside the vehicle, you would think this would be common sense but it is something people do quite commonly. In the video below Fahringer demonstrates what you need to do in order to get out of a vehicle when it is sinking.
​
Please pay close attention to this video and if ever in the situation implement it into your life. Don’t become another number, be prepared. This knowledge could save your life.

​The Sugar and Cancer Connection: Why Sugar Is Called “The White Death”

As good as it may taste, sugar is NOT your friend. It may “feel” like your friend when it comforts you (due to the beta-endorphin rush in your brain), but sugar is really your ENEMY.

​Truth be told, regular consumption of sugary foods is one of the worst things that you can do for your health. Modern scientific research has shown us, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that sugar in your food (in all its myriad forms) is taking a devastating toll on your health. We’ll explore cancer and sugar further down, but let’s first take a look at the sugar consumption trends over the past 300 years:

In 1890, only 3 people out of 100,000 had diabetes. In 2012, almost 8,000 out of every 100,000 people was diagnosed with diabetes (and this number is rising all the time)!

Creating Our Addiction to Sugar
The “sugar rush” has been targeted at our children. American children are consuming about 10 times as much sugar as they were in 1900, especially in the form of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which is the average American’s greatest source of calories! Highly addictive HFCS contains fructose and glucose, but they are NOT bound together (as they are in table sugar) so the body doesn’t need to break it down.

Therefore, the fructose is absorbed immediately, going straight to the liver, which turns it into fat (VLDL and triglycerides).

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola:
“Fructose also tricks the body into gaining weight by fooling your metabolism (it turns off the appetite-control system). Fructose does not appropriately stimulate insulin, which in turn does not suppress ghrelin (the “hunger hormone”) and doesn’t stimulate leptin (the “satiety hormone”), which together result in your eating more and developing insulin resistance.” This process also suppresses the immune system.

But just because you avoid HFCS doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear. Excess intake of ALL processed sugars results in compromised immune function (decreasing the white blood cells’ ability to destroy bacteria), obesity, and diabetes.

And if that’s not enough, keep in mind that sugar is HIGHLY addictive! That’s right! Dr. Serge Ahmed of Bordeaux, France, has been working with rats and giving them the choice between cocaine and sugar. Guess which one wins, time and again?

That’s right… sugar!

It turns out that the sweet taste of sugar is more rewarding than the high of cocaine.

​You see, sugar produces dopamine − a happy, feel-good chemical − in the brain. People get addicted to eating sugar, whereby they need it to feel “normal” and they undergo “withdrawal” if they cut sugar from their diets. If they go “cold turkey” for a few days, their brain will begin to produce dopamine on its own, but the discomfort of the withdrawal process keeps many “sugar addicts” trapped in their addiction.

​Does Sugar Feed Cancer? Exploring the Sugar and Cancer Connection

Due to the anaerobic respiratory mechanism exhibited by ALL cancer cells, sugar is cancer’s favorite food! What this means is that cancer feeds on sugar. And since half of the white sugar in the USA comes from sugar beets, you should remember that most beets are now genetically modified with all the associated risks of GMOs. This is another reason to keep the “White Death”  out of your diet and reduce your risk of various cancers, isn’t it?

Whether you are currently healing from a type of cancer such as breast cancer or prostate cancer, or are simply trying to maintain good dietary principles, I personally recommend that you avoid white sugar, brown sugar, agave, and all artificial sweeteners such as aspartame/AminoSweet, sucralose, and saccharin. If you have a sweet tooth, it’s best to stick with 100% organic green stevia, xylitol, raw honey, pure maple syrup, molasses, and coconut sugar.

The bottom line… if you want to be and stay healthy, you MUST take control of your sugar intake so that it doesn’t take control over you and your health!

Ending the Sugar Confusion
It’s easy to become confused by the various sugars and sweeteners, so here is a basic overview:

• Saccharide = sugar

 

• Glucose (aka “dextrose” or “grape sugar”), galactose (“milk sugar”), and fructose (“fruit sugar”) are all “monosaccharides” (i.e. single sugar molecules), known as “simple sugars.” The primary difference between them is the way your body metabolizes them.

 

• Glucose is a form of energy you were designed to run on. Every cell in your body uses glucose for energy.

 

• High amounts of fructose are very damaging to the body if it isn’t burned immediately for energy because it travels directly to the liver where it’s converted to triglycerides (fats). Excess triglycerides increase insulin resistance (and insulin production), thus contributing to diabetes in a “back door” fashion.

 

• The simple sugars can combine to form more complex sugars, like sucrose (“table sugar”) which is a “disaccharide” comprised of 50% glucose and 50% fructose.

 

• “Refined” white sugar (pure sucrose) is washed with a syrup solution, then with hot water, clarified (usually chemically) to remove impurities, decolorized, concentrated, evaporated, re-boiled until crystals form, centrifuged again to separate, then dried. By this point, any remnants of “natural goodness” and “nutritional value” have completely disappeared! Quite frankly, white sugar should be considered an “industrial product” rather than “food.”

 

• “Brown sugar” is white sugar mixed with molasses.

 

• “Raw” sugar is not really raw. It has been cooked, and most of the minerals and vitamins are gone. But it’s probably a little better than refined white sugar because it has a little of the molasses remaining.

 

• Aspartame or AminoSweet is a neurotoxic rat poison… need I say more?

 

• Splenda (sucralose) is NOT a sugar, despite its deceptive marketing slogan, “made from sugar.” It’s a chlorinated artificial sweetener in line with aspartame.

 

• Honey is approximately 50% fructose, but in natural (raw and unpasteurized) form contains many health benefits. Buying honey that is local and unpasteurized is best.

 

• Stevia is an extremely sweet herb derived from the leaf of the South American stevia plant, which is completely safe (in its natural form). Green stevia is the whole plant, while white stevia is processed and can often contain other ingredients like natural flavors or dextrose − a form of sugar. 100% organic green stevia in its natural state is what you want.

 

• Agave nectar is made from the agave plant, which is a cactus. Sounds natural, right? Like maple syrup from a tree, or honey from a beehive. Only it isn’t. Agave is HIGHLY processed while the end product does not even remotely resemble the original agave plant. Furthermore, agave is approximately 80% fructose (much higher than honey and maple syrup).

 

• HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) is 55% fructose and 45% glucose. It is mostly genetically modified. Stay away!

 

• Rapadura is the pure juice extracted from the sugar cane (using a press), which is then evaporated over low heat, whilst being stirred with paddles, then sieve ground to produce a grainy sugar. It has not been cooked at high heats or spun to change it into crystals, and the molasses is maintained in the sugar. “Sucanat” is the USA trade name for Rapadura.

 

• Coconut sugar is made from the sweet watery sap that drips from the cut flower buds of the coconut palm. It has a low glycemic index (GI) and is rich in amino acids. It is typically less than 10% fructose, with sucrose being the primary component.

 

• Xylitol is a sweetener known as a “sugar alcohol” (or polyol). Sugar alcohols are neither sugars nor alcohols − they are carbohydrates (with structures that happen to resemble sugar and alcohol). Xylitol is extracted from corn or birch cellulose. Unlike sugar, Xylitol is slowly absorbed, does not cause a rapid blood sugar increase, and does not require an immediate insulin response from the body to be metabolized.
  
• Moreover,  many studies have shown that it actually helps prevent dental cavities, ear infections, and some evidence suggests that it helps prevent gum disease because Xylitol is anti-bacterial. However, Xylitol does have some potential health side effects (most notably gastrointestinal issues) and should be used with caution.

I’m talking about things like known carcinogens, hazardous pollutants, endocrine disruptors and things that target specific organs in the most unpleasant ways. Let’s examine what we know about dryer sheets and your health, then get into simple alternatives for a safer laundry routine.

Dryer Sheets: The Facts
Ever look at a box of dryer sheets? You’ll probably see images of flowers or line-dried laundry and claims of freshness, fabric softening, static reduction and wrinkle fighting power. What you won’t see? A comprehensive list of the chemical cocktail cooked into those sheets. As crazy as it seems, the current United States Consumer Product Safety Commission does not require dryer sheet manufacturers to list actual ingredients, including the chemicals used in fragrance blends.

To help us figure out what’s actually in these products many people use day in and day out, scientists have been studying the sheets and dryer vent exhaust to get a better picture. The results aren’t pretty. Here’s a rundown of some of the compounds detected in dryer sheets and dryer vent exhaust.

In one of the most interesting studies to date, pioneering fragrance researchers Anne Steinemann, PhD, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, looked at the chemicals spewing out of dryer vents. Using new, pre-rinsed organic towels, Steinemann and her team sampled laundry emissions after using scented fabric softening and dryer sheets in clean washers and dryers.

What was coming out of those vents? (And into people’s lungs?) Seven hazardous air pollutants and 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of these, including acetaldehyde and benzene, are not safe at any level. (These are also pollutants that commonly spew out of vehicle tailpipes.) (1)

Acetaldehyde is a common ingredient used in fake fragrance blends. It’s “potentially carcinogenic to humans” and adversely impacts the kidneys, nervous and respiratory systems. (2) While it’s regulated in outdoor emissions, it’s a total free-for-all when it comes to home use. And that’s coming with some serious side effects.

In a 2016 study, Steinemann found 12.5 percent of people blamed scented laundry products spewing from dryer vents for health issues. These include ailments like respiratory issues, runny noses, asthma attacks, skin issues, migraines and even gastrointestinal symptoms. (3) Knowing this, doctors should be putting all of their patients in fragrance-free prescriptions!

The truth is, though, most people have no idea they’re introducing such nasty pollutants into their neighborhoods.

One of Steinemann’s fragrance studies found that acetaldehyde emissions from five leading scented detergent and dryer sheet brands “constitute about 6 percent of automobiles’ acetaldehyde emissions.” That’s a lot. (4) She also comments,

These products can affect not only personal health, but also public and environmental health. The chemicals can go into the air, down the drain and into water bodies. We focus a lot of attention on how to reduce emissions of pollutants from automobiles. And here’s one source of pollutants that could be reduced. (5)

Other dryer sheet and dryer sheet ingredient research unearthed these important findings:

• Forty-four percent of scented laundry products tested spewed at least one carcinogenic hazardous air pollutant. Some of these include acetaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde. (6)
• Some of the more immediate dangers of synthetic scents in laundry products include migraines, asthma attacks, eye and throat irritation and contact dermatitis.
• In one mice study, fabric softening products triggered limited airflow and pulmonary irritation in the animals studied. (7, 8)
• In 2009, nearly 10 percent of the general U.S. population reports irritation from scents coming out of dryer vents. By 2016, that number increased to more than 12 percent. (9)
• In a study focusing on hormone disruptors and asthma triggers in everyday products, Silent Spring Institute researchers found dryer sheets contained some of the highest concentrations of harmful fragrance chemicals. Compounds like acetyl hexamethyl tetralin, isobornyl acetate and phenethyl alcohol also turned up. (10)
•  According to EcoWatch, dryer sheets often contain quaternary ammonium compounds, which can trigger asthma attacks. These cautoionic fabric softeners also routinely trigger reproductive toxicity in animals. Acetone in the sheets can trigger dizzy spells and headaches. Aside from that, up to 10 percent of a dryer sheet’s weight could be comprised of fragrance chemicals. (11, 12)
• Dryer sheet “grades” vary greatly on Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Some “F” products contained quaternary ammonium compounds compounds due to their well-known asthma-trig
• gering properties. Other fabric softening compounds routinely used in dryer sheets are considered toxic to wildlife. (13)

Better Alternatives to Store-Bought Dryer Sheets
The good news is you can survive without dryer sheets. (It’s true!) In facts, humans existed and successfully washed their clothing for hundreds of years without this modern-day scented laundry products. In fact, a dryer sheet patent didn’t even exist until 1969. The creator, Conrad J. Gaiser, went on to sell the patent to Procter & Gamble, which created Bounce dryer sheets. (14)

​You can avoid the chemicals in dryer sheets by using some of these laundry room tactics:

• Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to your washer’s rinse cycle.
• Look for plant-based, unscented laundry detergents. (Or make your own from unscented castile soap.)
• Hang your clothing outside to dry. (You’ll enjoy a drop in your energy bill, too!)
• Add wool dryer balls to your dryer. It also cuts down on drying time. You can add a few drops of organic, therapeutic-grade peppermint essential oil to the balls for a light, natural fragrance.
• Always use plant-based, unscented laundry detergents. Or, make your own homemade laundry soap.
• Beware of “green” laundry products. Even some of them released toxic compounds in some studies.
• Lobby your workplace, apartment complex and/or neighbors to adopt these fragrance-free laundry practices to protect the health of everyone in your community and workplace.

Final Thoughts on Dryer Sheets

• Dryer sheets are among the worst offenders for harboring chemicals linked to hormone disruption and asthma.
• More than 12 percent of the U.S. population reported negative health symptoms associated with dryer vent emissions.
• Many dryer sheets contain chemicals that react with the air to create formaldehyde, a probable human carcinogen.
• Other common dryer sheet pollutants include acetaldehyde and benzene, things also found in vehicle exhaust that are not considered safe at any level.
• To reduce your exposure to dryer sheet chemicals, you can reduce static cling naturally by adding a quarter cup of white vinegar to your washer’s rinse cycle. You can also use wool dryer balls or hang dry your clothing.

​Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea on the rise, new drugs needed
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

Data from 77 countries show that antibiotic resistance is making gonorrhoea – a common sexually-transmitted infection – much harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat.

​The emergence of multidrug- and cephalosporin-resistant gonorrhea in the United States and worldwide  could make gonorrhea much more difficult to treat.

​
​"The bacteria that cause gonorrhoea are particularly smart. Every time we use a new class of antibiotics to treat the infection, the bacteria evolve to resist them," said Dr Teodora Wi, Medical Officer, Human Reproduction, at WHO.

WHO reports widespread resistance to older and cheaper antibiotics. Some countries – particularly high-income ones, where surveillance is best – are finding cases of the infection that are untreatable by all known antibiotics.

"These cases may just be the tip of the iceberg, since systems to diagnose and report untreatable infections are lacking in lower-income countries where gonorrhoea is actually more common," adds Dr Wi.

Each year, an estimated 78 million people are infected with gonorrhoea*. Gonorrhoea can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat. Complications of gonorrhoea disproportionally affect women, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, as well as an increased risk of HIV.

Decreasing condom use, increased urbanization and travel, poor infection detection rates, and inadequate or failed treatment all contribute to this increase.

​Is gonorrhea treatable?
Certainly. Conventional treatment for gonorrhea involves taking antibiotics for a certain number of days or weeks. However, this method has proven to be detrimental in the long run, because more and more strains of gonorrhea are becoming antibiotic-resistant.

As an alternative treatment, try using these home remedies that are known for their powerful antimicrobial properties:1

Garlic
This popular cooking ingredient may help fight gonorrhea thanks to its compound called allicin. Allicin works with garlic’s other compounds to become a powerful antibacterial agent that can fight antibiotic-resistant strains.

To gain this benefit, simply add garlic to your diet regularly. You can crush several cloves of garlic as well and directly apply it to the site of infection, then rinse afterward.2

Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar’s acidic properties can help eliminate bacteria, and apple cider vinegar happens to be one of the best at this. You can add it to your daily diet to help cleanse your organs. You may also add it to your bathwater and soak in it for several minutes, then rinse afterwards.

In addition, women may soak vinegar into a tampon and insert it into their vagina for a few minutes to help treat vaginal gonorrhea.

Echinacea
A popular flower native to America, Echinacea holds potent antibacterial properties that may help treat gonorrhea. Simply purchase Echinacea essential oil, dilute it in a carrier oil and apply it to the infected area, then rinse after a few minutes.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most popular antibacterial solutions around, and is known to help alleviate various infections.

Women can use it to treat their gonorrhea by adding a few drops of diluted tea tree oil on a tampon and then inserting it into their vagina for a few minutes. For men, you can apply the diluted solution directly on the infected areas.

Aloe Vera
The aloe vera species Barbadensis milla is the only one recommended for gonorrhea treatment, because others may worsen the infection. This is one of the top recommended home remedies for gonorrhea, as it has been proven effective against bacterial infections.

Rosemary
This popular cooking herb contains over 40 antibacterial and 20 antiviral compounds. You can create a rosemary solution by mixing 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary in 1 cup of water, which you must take twice a day.

You may also add fresh rosemary to your diet to receive more of its antibacterial benefits at the same time.3

Yogurt
Live and active cultured yogurt contains healthy bacteria strains that can help fight gonococcal bacteria. Women can coat a tampon with plain homemade yogurt and insert it into their vagina to experience relief from pain and itching. Men may also directly apply it to their infected areas.4

But before you use any of these home remedies, it’s important to consult with your doctor first to check for any adverse effects. If using any of the essential oils, make sure to do a skin patch test first to see if any allergic reactions occur.
​
                                                             MORE ABOUT GONORRHEA

​Gonorrhoea Prevention
Gonorrhoea can be prevented through safer sexual behaviour, in particular consistent and correct condom use. Information, education, and communication can promote and enable safer sex practices, improve people’s ability to recognize the symptoms of gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections, and increase the likelihood they will seek care. Today, lack of public awareness, lack of training of health workers, and stigma around sexually transmitted infections remain barriers to greater and more effective use of these interventions.

There are no affordable, rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests for gonorrhoea. Many people who are infected with gonorrhoea do not have any symptoms, so they go undiagnosed and untreated. On the other hand, however, when patients do have symptoms, such as discharge from the urethra or the vagina, doctors often assume it is gonorrhoea and prescribe antibiotics – even though people may be suffering from another kind of infection. The overall inappropriate use of antibiotics increases the development of antibiotic resistance in gonorrhoea as well as other bacterial diseases.

​“To control gonorrhoea, we need new tools and systems for better prevention, treatment, earlier diagnosis, and more complete tracking and reporting of new infections, antibiotic use, resistance and treatment failures,” said Dr Marc Sprenger, Director of Antimicrobial Resistance at WHO. “Specifically, we need new antibiotics, as well as rapid, accurate, point-of-care diagnostic tests – ideally, ones that can predict which antibiotics will work on that particular infection – and longer term, a vaccine to prevent gonorrhoea.

​Sources:

• Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Global surveillance and a call for international collaborative action
  Lead author: Dr Teodora Wi, WHO, Department of Reproductive Health
• Multidrug-resistant gonorrhoea: A research and development roadmap to discover new medicines (PDF)
  Lead author: Dr Emilie Alirol, GARDP/DNDi

​At the STI & HIV World Congress, WHO will host a session on “Tackling antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach”.

More about gonorrhoea

• Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP)
• Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance

​Gonorrhea can be asymptomatic, but when symptoms do appear, they’re often uncomfortable and embarrassing. Fortunately, it is preventable, as long as certain precautionary practices are followed, such as:1

Getting Regular Testing for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Sexually active men and women are recommended to undergo testing for STDs annually. This helps prevent the spread of the infection unknowingly, especially to those who have a new partner or multiple partners.
Ask your partner to undergo testing as well so that if he or she has contracted gonorrhea unknowingly, the infection won’t spread.

Practicing Safe Sex
Asking your male partner to use condoms is one of the best ways to avoid getting gonorrhea. This will also prevent you from getting other forms of STDs or having an unplanned pregnancy.

Refusing Sex From Someone Who Has Symptoms
If your partner exhibits symptoms of gonorrhea, such as a pus-like discharge coming out of their genitals, don’t have sex and ask him or her to undergo testing for STDs.

Not Sharing Sex Toys
If you and your partner incorporate sex toys in your relationship, do not share them as they can become carriers of gonorrhea-causing bacteria. Thoroughly clean and/or cover them with a condom before using to lower your chances of spreading an infection.2

Confirming That the Infection Has Been Cured
If you’re currently undergoing treatment for gonorrhea, strictly follow your doctor’s treatment until the program is finished. After one week, return to your doctor to undergo another test to check if bacteria are still in your system.

Having your doctor confirm you’re cleared of gonorrhea is the last step before having sex again, because there’s a possibility the treatment didn’t work and gonococcal bacteria are still inside you.

Using Ointment on Newborns
Mothers who have gonorrhea will need to get their newborns checked for possible infections. Infants may contract the bacteria as they exit the womb, so an infant-friendly ointment must be used on their eyes.

A Nutritious Diet May Help Prevent Gonorrhea
Your diet plays a big role in preventing gonorrhea. A weak immune system can basically allow gonorrhea to spread unchecked. Try to incorporate these three important nutrients into your diet to boost your defense against gonorrhea:3

•Vitamin C: This vitamin is one of the most essential antioxidants that can help prevent various diseases and boost your immune system. Fruit sources of this nutrient include orange, lemon and grapefruit. For vegetables, you have eggplant, carrot and lettuce.

•Vitamin A: This vitamin is fat-soluble, which means it’s stored in your liver for longer periods of time compared to water-soluble vitamins. It has several important functions, such as helping improve tissue repair, good vision and most importantly, keeping your skin and mucous membranes healthy. Apple, avocado, banana, garlic, asparagus and cucumber are good vitamin A sources.

​•Zinc: This mineral is important to help absorb vitamin A effectively. You can get zinc from foods such as onion, almond, peach, radish and cashew.

Understanding Meat Labels: What Grass-fed, Grain-fed, and Organic Really Means

​Demand for organic products has increased substantially over the last several years. Experts in the industry predict that the organic farming industry will continue to increase no less than 9% annually. This demand for organic goods has been fueled by consumer desire for food produced without chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. (Unfortunately, despite the growth in the demand for organic, the use of chemicals in food production still continues to increase.)

Another area impacted by consumer demand is the meat industry. New meat designations are showing up on packages touting such terms such as “grass-fed,” “grain-fed,” and organic. If you are a health-conscious consumer, this begs the question… how do you know you’re buying the best quality organic meat on the market? Here are some helpful tips for understanding meat labels in the U.S….

Top Quality Beef Rankings to Look ForWith all of the labels to choose from, it can be overwhelming to understand which meats meet the highest standards for the health of your family. The meat labels below generally involve the practice of raising cattle with higher quality stands and fewer chemicals.

The following provides a description of the four best categories in beef production that you can choose from:
​
100% Grass-Fed: The highest quality of organic meat available. Cattle are raised exclusively on a grass-fed diet from birth to slaughter. Grass-fed animal products for ruminants (beef, bison, goat, lamb, and sheep) must meet the four criteria:

• Animals are fed only grass from weaning, with supplemental food only as needed − such as hay, crop residue not containing grain, and other roughage sources
• Animals are never confined to feedlots and only raised on a pasture
• Animals never receive antibiotics or growth hormones
• Animals originate from American farms

Grass-Fed: Cattle have the ability to graze for food but are also provided with supplemental alternatives. Grass-fed cattle may also be fed grain the last 2-3 months of life before slaughter.

Organic: The term “organic” means that the cattle were raised with strict regulations and annual verification of standards being met by a USDA official including:

• Born and raised on a certified organic pasture
• Not confined to a feedlot but must have unrestricted access to naturally graze outdoors
• Sanitary conditions must be maintained
• Cattle cannot be overcrowded
• All synthetic contaminant exposure must be avoided including hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, and artificial fertilizers and pesticides

Disadvantages: May be fed corn and/or grain − although this food source must be organic.

Natural: Standards for this label include minimally processed meat that meet the following criteria:

• Cannot contain artificial ingredients such as preservatives, coloring, or flavoring
• Cannot contain salt or additives

Disadvantages: Can include meat raised in factory feedlots. No verifications to know whether meat contains antibiotics or hormones. Food source for the animal can be genetically modified (GMO).

The Health Consequences of Faster and Cheaper Meat ProductionFactory farming confines animals to a feeding operation and surrounding environment that does not mimic the animal’s natural lifestyle (what it would be in the wild). More than 90% of beef alone produced in the United States is sourced from conventional production systems (factory farms).

Unfortunately, as food chain growth demands cheaper priced food at a faster rate, the animals and the humans who consume them both end up suffering the consequences of these unhealthy practices. Lack of optimal standards results in the following:

• Increased animal stress
• Reduction of the animal product’s nutritional content
• Potential contamination from synthetic chemicals and genetically modified food sources
• Need for antibiotics due to a higher risk for illness and bacterial contamination; and
• Increased likelihood of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Such interventions have caused human health problems due to the consumption of this cheap-quality meat. Harmful practices in the past such as feeding cattle other cattle meat resulted in the neurological disorder we now know as mad cow disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

The Nutritional Difference Between Factory Farmed and Organic MeatToday we pack animals into cages and subject them to unnatural habitats, despite knowing that these practices lower the nutritional content of the meat product. Conventionally raised animals contain lower amounts of key vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Data from three decades of research shows that grass-fed animals have a healthier nutrient profile compared to grain-fed animals. Grass-based diets support a healthier fatty acid ratio of omega-3 fats to omega-6 fats as well as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and compounds used to produce CLA and omega-3 fats. These studies also support that grass-fed animal products contain higher levels of vitamin A, E, and the antioxidant powerhouses glutathione and superoxide dismutase.

Grain-Fed Meat Can Be Hazardous to Your HealthCattle that are raised on a grain-based diet contain a significantly higher fat content than grass-fed meat. Animals raised on grain or those predominantly grass-fed but finished with a grain-fed diet contain higher amounts of inflammatory fats that increase free radical activity and trigger chronic disease.

​This conventional meat further offers fewer compounds required for the metabolism of essential fatty acids α-linolenic acid (αLA) and omega-3 fats.