Vital Votes Health Blog - Natural Health Articles by Dr. Mercola

Some Dog Foods Deliver Toxic Doses of Fluoride

Dr. Mercola — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:33:53 GMT

With the memory of the melamine pet food scare still fresh in the minds of many, the Environmental Working Group is publicizing a new threat: potentially toxic doses of fluoride in dog food.

An EWG analysis found troubling levels of fluoride in 8 of 10 dog foods tested. The concentration of fluoride was up to 2.5 times higher than the safe level the EPA sets for drinking water. Some puppies may be exposed to five times this limit.

The fluoride in dog foods originates in bone meal and animal by-products. EWG recommends choosing dog food brands free of bone meal and meat by-product ingredients like chicken by-product meal, poultry by-product meal, chicken meal and beef meal.

FDA Changes Tylenol Warnings

Dr. Mercola — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:33:53 GMT

FDA advisers have recommended lowering the maximum dose of over-the-counter acetaminophen -- the key ingredient in Tylenol, Excedrin and many other pain-killing medications.

The advisers' vote followed the release of a report last month which found that severe liver damage and even death can result from a lack of consumer awareness that acetaminophen can cause such injury.

Many people may take more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen-based pain relievers in the mistaken belief that taking more will be more effective without posing health risks. And consumers may also not know that acetaminophen is present in many over-the-counter products, including remedies for colds, headaches and fevers, making it possible to exceed the recommended acetaminophen dose accidentally.

Holistic Auto Repair

Dr. Mercola — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:33:53 GMT

Here’s a unique way to diagnose a car’s problems.

Lack of Sleep Hits Women Harder

Dr. Mercola — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:33:52 GMT

Research suggests that lack of sleep raises a woman's risk of heart disease more than it does for a man.

Sleeping less than the recommended eight hours a night has been linked to a raised risk of heart problems. But researchers found that levels of inflammatory markers -- indicators of heart disease -- vary significantly with sleep duration in women, but not men.

The study found levels of a molecule called interleukin-6, which is known to trigger inflammation, were much lower in women who reported sleeping eight hours compared to those who slept for only seven hours.

Levels of the molecule known as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, which is linked to heart problems, were significantly higher in women who reported sleeping for five hours or less.

Walnuts Can Cut Your Cholesterol

Dr. Mercola — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:33:52 GMT

A meta-analysis of walnuts by Harvard scientists has found that diets rich in these nuts can significantly reduce cholesterol levels. This supports growing evidence suggesting that walnuts can improve healthy blood lipid ratios.

In their investigation of thirteen studies, the researchers demonstrated that walnut-rich consumption decreased total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol during short term trials.

Their analysis joins a growing body of science that has linked nut consumption, also including almonds and macadamias, to improvements in markers of cardiovascular health.

Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes

Dr. Mercola — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:33:52 GMT

According to experts, about 70 percent of women experience hot flashes, weight gain, loss of libido and other symptoms as they enter menopause and their hormone levels fluctuate sharply.

Gynecologists estimate that a third of women seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms are on conventional prescription hormones. Another third are on prescription bio-identical therapy. The remaining third either tough it out or are searching for other remedies, including natural supplements. They may try, for example, a supplement of phytoestrogens derived from soy and red clover, or black cohosh capsules.

In 2002, a study suggested that women on conventional hormone therapy were at greater risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke and blood clotting. As a result, the market for alternative treatments has soared, and there are now more than 500 products that aim to relieve symptoms associated with menopause, including capsules, tablets, teas, gels and creams.

Journalist Accuses WHO of Plan to Commit Mass Murder

Dr. Mercola — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:33:51 GMT

Austrian investigative journalist Jane Burgermeister has started a lawsuit against the World Health Organization, accusing them of complicity in the intentional release of deadly viruses by Baxter Labs. When a Czech scientist tested their vaccines, he found that they contained live H5N1 and live H3N2 viruses.

Burgermeister alleges that mandatory vaccines will be purposely contaminated with diseases.

Burgermeister’s charges include evidence that Baxter deliberately sent out 72 kilos of live bird flu virus, supplied by the WHO in the winter of 2009. She claims this is proof that drug companies and government agencies are actively engaged in distributing deadly biological agents in order to trigger a pandemic.

Infant Colic Linked to Depression in Fathers