Aspartame Linked To Leukemia and Lymphoma!

Aspartame Linked to Leukemia & Lymphoma in Groundbreaking Study

December 9, 2012 by Joe Martino

Each year, Americans consume about 5,250 tons of aspartame in total. 86 percent of this aspartame (4,500 tons) is from the consumption of diet sodas. Diet soda is the largest dietary source of aspartame  in the U.S. A study recently published at the beginning of December 2012 links the consumption of Aspartame to increased risk of Lymphoma and Leukemia. The study was conducted by the Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA and Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA. The study was a follow up after a 22 year period of data collection including frequent dietary and health check ups of the study group.

We have covered the subject of aspartame on several occasions that included findings that deomstrate how aspartame damages the brain. This new study suggests that as little as a single 355ml can of diet soda daily greatly increases the risk for cancers in men and women. It can also increase the risk of multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in men. The results of this study forces us to really look at the effects of aspartame as there has never been a more comprehensive, long term study ever done on the topic. It is important to note that this can also reveal many more serious diseases and illnesses as data is observed even further.

The Most Comprehensive Study to Date on Aspartame

This study tracks over two million person-years giving it a huge pile of data to generate results from. Researchers prospectively analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study for a 22-year period. A total of 77,218 women and 47,810 men were included in the analysis, for a total of 2,278,396 person-years of data. It is not just the sample size of this study that makes it impressive, it is also the thoroughness with which aspartame intake was assessed in comparison to previous studies. Over the course of the study, every two years participants were given a detailed dietary questionnaire, and their diets were reassessed every four years. Shockingly, previous studies done on aspartame who revealed no link between aspartame and cancer in humans, only assessed participants’ aspartame intake at one point in time. This poses a major weakness in the accuracy of previous studies.

The combined results of this new study showed that just one 12-fl oz. can (355 ml) of diet soda daily leads to:

- 42 percent higher leukemia risk in men and women (pooled analysis)
- 102 percent higher multiple myeloma risk (in men only)
- 31 percent higher non-Hodgkin  lymphoma risk (in men only)

This is a powerful set of results as it leaves little to ponder about when it comes to the long time talked about risks of aspartame on our health. The results were based on multi-variable relative risk models, all in comparison to participants who drank no diet soda. It is important to note that it still remains unknown why only men drinking higher amounts of diet soda showed increased risk for multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but the continuation of this study may reveal these results later.

Most of the past studies showing no link between aspartame and cancer have been criticized for being too short in duration and too inaccurate in assessing long-term aspartame intake. This new study solves both of those issues. The study in fact shows a positive link to cancer and it should come as no surprise given that a previous best-in-class research study done on animals (900 rats over their entire natural lifetimes) showed strikingly similar results back in 2006. More worrying is the follow up mega-study, which started aspartame exposure of the rats at the fetal stage. Increased lymphoma and leukemia risks were confirmed, and this time the female rats also showed significantly increased breast (mammary) cancer rates. This raises a critical question: will future, high-quality studies uncover links to the other cancers or diseases in which aspartame has been implicated?

My Own Thoughts
I have been researching aspartame and other health related ilnesses for a few years now and have found a lot of different information as it relates to effects of various substances on health. This study stands out from many as it illustrates the importance of conducting research that is of quality and done over time. While we cannot confirm with 100% accuracy that this was the key factor in these ilnesses, we can confirm that it does play a big role. Also, when we look at what exists today as studies that are in favor of Aspartame being safe, we find that there are many weaknesses behind them that would produce poor results in accuracy.

Of course we can always go back to what feels natural and what would make sense when we look at our foods and I think this is something that we dont require  a scientific analysis to observe. Of course this is my opinion but, when we are adding chemicals that are synthetic and created in a lab to our food, it does not reflect naturally occurring elements that we are designed to consume. The human body was not designed to take in these types of substances through nature, which makes perfect sense as to why the majority of chemicals found in foods today have numerous links to serious health affects. This isn’t to say the body can’t handle all synthetics, but instead just shows that we should not be surprised to find out results like this.

If previous research on the subject was not enough, there is now undeniable evidence that suggests we should not be consuming aspartame at all in our diet. Switching over to sugar sweetened soda is also not a good alternative as this study also found that men consuming one or more sugar-sweetened sodas daily saw a 66 percent increase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has become clear that having no soda at all in our diet is the ideal way to go. This would not only remove the aspartame and sugar risks, but it will also help in keeping your body in a more alkaline state.

Sources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16507461
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23097267
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17805418

The Health Benefits of Drinking Young Coconut Milk!

Young Coconut Milk
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There is nothing more pleasant like having a glass of fresh coconut milk from a young coconut. Available at more places than ever, you can find these little young coconuts at Asian markets or Whole Foods Market.

Try a velvety smoothie made with just the flesh and water of a young coconut, scraped out of the shell and blended in the VitaMix blender or NutriBullet. You will feel a pure bliss from this heavenly nectar.
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Benefits of Coconut Milk:
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1. Helps to reduce toxic blood sugar places:
Glucose intolerance may cause manganese deficiency in your body. Coconut milk is a rich source of manganese. Whole grains, legumes and nuts are some other excellent sources of manganese.
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2. Keeps skin and blood vessels flexible and elastic:
Copper is a very important mineral for most of the bodily functions. Copper and vitamin C help to maintain the flexibility and elasticity of the skin and blood vessels.
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3. Aids in building strong bones:
Coconut milk is not rich in calcium, but it is rich in phosphorus. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient that the body needs for strengthening bones. It is must to take phosphorus with calcium particularly to prevent bone loss because it supplies phosphate to the body.
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4. Helps to prevent anemia:
Lack of iron is the most common nutrient deficiency among the people throughout the world. Iron deficiency in body does not allow the body to develop enough hemoglobin for keeping sufficient oxygen levels in red blood cells, resulting in anemia. Each cup of coconut milk supplies the body with nearly a quarter of daily value of iron.
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5. Relaxes muscles and nerves:
Whenever you feel muscle cramps or muscle soreness caused by excess acidity, have some food along with coconut milk. It is rich in magnesium and can help you in relieving the problem caused by tissue acidoisis. One of the functions of magnesium is it acts as a gate block in many nerve cells. If magnesium is not present in body, nerve cells become very active because of calcium that activates nerves. Excess contraction of muscles is caused by over-active nerve cells saturated in dietary and/or metabolic acids.
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6. Helps in Controlling Weight:
This can be good news for people who are trying to reduce weight. Coconut milk makes you feel full very quickly because of high concentrations of dietary fiber.
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7. Decreases the risk of joint inflammation:
Selenium is an important antioxidant. It controls the free radicals and thereby helps in relieving the symptoms of arthritis. It is observed that people with low levels of selenium may suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
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8. Helps in lowering high blood pressure:
People who are concerned about their blood pressure will not face any problem consuming foods containing potassium. Potassium is an alkaline mineral that helps in lowering blood pressure levels in the body by keeping the delicate alkaline pH of the body fluids at 7.365.
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9. Helps in maintaining healthy immune system:
Coconut milk helps in warding off the aicds that result in colds and coughs by keeping the immune system healthy. It supplies vitamin C to the body which helps in circulation of the lymph and blood and the removal of dietary and metabolic acids..
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10. Promotes the health of prostate gland:
Zinc plays a vital role in promoting the health of the prostate gland. A preliminary study showed that it buffers acids that cause cancerous cells.
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4 Major Benefits of Mediterranean diet

Illustration of the Mediterranean diet. © Shutterstock / Africa Studio

Mediterranean diet identical to the consumption of lots of fruits and vegetables that are rich in various vitamins and minerals your body needs. In addition, this diet is also often recommend the consumption of olive oil as well which counteract the fat intake of cholesterol.

In addition to weight loss, Mediterranean diet seems to provide other health benefits to the body. What is it? Check out more as reported by the Huffington Post following.

Ward off dementia

A study from the United States have recently proved that the Mediterranean diet can ward off dementia in the elderly.

Preventing type 2 diabetes

Because the recommended consumption of high fiber, the Mediterranean diet can aid digestion and prevent significant change in blood sugar.

Protect the heart

Dishes such as bread, red meat, or processed foods in the Mediterranean diet is not recommended. Consumption of red wine is more advisable than alcohol. All that was associated with heart health and prevent stroke.

Ageless

Who does not want to look younger inside and out? To achieve this, the Mediterranean diet lived enough. Because the diet lowers the risk of muscle weakness to 70 percent.

There have been many studies also mention that this diet does have tremendous benefits for the body. So, interested in the Mediterranean diet?

Indian scientists find syringes without pain

Illustration of a syringe. © 2012 Shutterstock / Wallenrock

Indian scientists managed to find a way without using needles to vaccinate at all.

Scientists at King's College London for the first time demonstrated their ability to provide life-dried vaccine into the skin without the traditional needle and found this technique is strong enough to activate specific immune cells in the skin.

The technical advancements offer a potential solution to the challenge of providing a live vaccine to some resource-limited countries globally, including India, without the need for refrigeration. A cheaper alternative to syringes, will also eliminate the risk of contamination of needles and pain-free.

"We have found that it is possible to maintain the effectiveness of live vaccines by means of drying the sugar and apply it on the skin by using a micro needle. We also discovered the role of certain cells in the skin that acts as a monitoring system," said Dr. Linda Klavinskis of King College told the Times of India.

This latest discovery involves a silicone mold to make micro needles made ​​of sugar that can be dissolved when inserted into the skin.

Reason for leaving current slimming diet

Illustration of dietary supplements. © shutterstock.com / digieye

Many women who crave a slim body like a model that did everything possible for his body to be slim. They even eat a variety of dietary supplements or medications that promise slimming slim body in a short time.

Eits, wait, already secure is that you consume a slimming product. Although help you lose weight quickly, many dietary supplements that have health risks. Instead of late should avoid these products to keep the body healthy. This reason does not consume dietary supplements reported by all women stalk.

1. Dietary supplements do not help you lose weight

Some weight loss pills are claimed to reduce fat absorption. So you can eat as much without worry fat. This is wrong.

2. Do not believe the ads

You often see ads that show body slimming sexy because it has been regularly taking the drug. There is no instant way to slim down. You will just be wasting a lot of money by buying slimming drugs without getting results.

3. Research studies for dietary supplements

Each dietary supplements have clinical research, so which one should you believe? First of all you should know that the company creates a slimming product and provide the results of his own research. You should change your diet in a natural way rather than supplements.

4. Think before you eat

Before you eat something that you have to understand what you swallow. You should have knowledge about diet. Knowledge will help you to get the type and amount of food during the diet proper.

5. There is no diet that instant

Remember if there is no body turn into slimmer in no time. If there is certainly cause side effects in the future. Do a diet naturally, although it took a long process but it will make a healthy body without any side effects.

6. Appreciate your life

Using a wide range of slimming products just the same you become the guinea pig producers. You do not want to be fooled with a variety of products that promise slimmer in an instant but it is risky. Appreciate your life to make wise choices!

7. Side effects

Chemicals contained in dietary supplements will feel the impact of bad when you've been taking them. Eating a diet pill just spend the money and time. Stop using it right away rather than take the risk.

Dietary supplements on a regular basis will not change your life for the better. Think of the risk before taking the supplements for the health of your life.

5 Avoid foods that cause flatulence!

Illustration of salt. © shutterstock.com / Gayvoronskaya_Yana

Flatulence will make you feel uncomfortable. This health problem occurs because of excess gas in the intestines. Constipation, overeating, poor eating habits, swallowing air, irritable bowel syndrome and PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is a common cause of bloating. Certain foods can also cause abdominal bloating due to excess gas in the intestines. Here are some foods that you should avoid because it can cause flatulence, as reported Boldsky.

1. Spicy foods

Spicy foods can increase your metabolism although it tasted delicious. However, spicy foods interfere with the digestive process and can also cause inflammation of the stomach.

2. Cabbage

This is one of the foods that can produce gas as digested slowly, causing bloating

3. Fried foods

Greasy food can not be digested easily, causing gas and bloating.

4. Salt

Foods high in sodium can hold water in the body that cause stomach feels bloated. Avoid salty foods such as processed foods.

5. Dairy products

Lactose intolerance can also increase the risk of stomach bloating. So, you should avoid all dairy products if you suffer from such intolerance.

Here are some foods that can cause flatulence. You can still eat them but in limited quantities.

Suicidal ideation appeared to be 'contagious' among teens

Illustration of teenage depression. © Shutterstock.com / Suzanne Tucker

As with any disease, it turns out the idea to commit suicide can be contagious among teenagers. Research shows that teens who classmates never done or attempted suicide have a higher risk to commit suicide.

The research was conducted in adolescents aged 12-17 years. His teens who died by suicide at higher risk of committing suicide than teens who do not have a friend who died from suicide.

The idea that suicide could be 'contagious' has been around for centuries, said Dr. Ian Colman who study mental health at the University of Ottawa. Past research that supports this idea, but no one focuses on teens and students.

"There are many things that surprise from this study. We were surprised at the long-term effects as well as the power of influence," said Colman, as reported by the NY Daily News.

Colman and colleagues used data from the national survey of 8,000 Canadian adolescents aged 12-17 years. They were asked about the suicide of their classmates, friends, and their thoughts about suicide. After that, the researcher met them again two years later.

For children aged 12-13 years who had a school friend who died by suicide, about 15 percent reported never thought seriously about suicide, while seven percent actually tried it. In children the same age but did not have a friend who committed suicide, the trend is only three per cent and two per cent.

This result is similar to the trend in children aged 14-17 years. However, children who do not have friends who have committed suicide in this age are more likely to do or think about suicide as their own.

Knowing the results of this research it helps parents always keep the moral health of children and instill good morals. This is to prevent children affected by events experienced by their friends, or affected by bad idea to commit suicide.