Don't forget to ask this question when changing meds

 I have noticed a trend with my patients.  Often, their doctor will prescribe a medication with the guidance of, "We'll see how this works".  Alternatively, if patients are experiencing symptoms that may be a side-effect of a medication, the doctor will lower the dose (or substitute the medication altogether) and say, "We'll see if this helps."  The question I encourage my patients to ask is "When?"  "When will we know if this is working or not?  If it helps, should I know that within a week, or is this the sort of thing that takes months to work (if it does at all)?  By what point can we make a judgement?"  I think this simple follow-up question will help inform patients, and also help physicians to make adjustments earlier if necessary.  So when your doctor suggests you try something, really anything, ask when you should notice the difference.  This is not just for medications, it's also for diet and lifestyle modifications as well.  For example: "Stop eating gluten and see if that helps."  Then you ask, "After how long should I notice a benefit if in fact Gluten was the problem?"  And it may be the case that it will take a very long time to notice.  I used to drink a lot of milk and had a lot of phlegm.  I learned that dairy causes phlegm and drastically reduced my dairy intake.  It took 5 years before my phlegm started clearing up.  But I know it would've just kept getting worse if I didn't make the change.  

Ask about the timeframe.  And Be Well.

  

Physical therapists want to do colonoscopies?

Physical therapists in Illinois were recently informed that they cannot perform acupuncture (which they call dry-needling) by the IL department of professional regulation. In response to this, they have introduced an amendment to their practice act to allow them to perform "invasive, non-surgical techniques". They have no training in acupuncture and that is why the State of IL told them they cannot do it. This amendment does not address that concern, but the real problem is that the wording of this amendment would grant them the ability to do a whole host of procedures for which they are not trained. If they can do "Invasive, non-surgical techniques" then they can give injections (including cortisone and epidurals), draw blood, perform colonoscopies, trans-vaginal ultrasounds, insert urinary catheters and Naso-Gastric (feeding) tubes, and many other procedures for which they are not trained. If you think this is not a good idea, please contact your state senator and representative and ask them to vote "no" to HB 1457 amendment #2. The vote will be soon, so please call or email them today. You can find your representative's contact information here http://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/

Our blog has moved to www.acfom.com/blog .  

I love treating neck pain

 Pain patients generally respond very well to acupuncture, but I think I find the fastest and most-reliable response from patients with neck pain.  Yesterday I again had a new patient who has had neck pain for over a year.  She got whiplash in a car accident and the pain never improved.  I had her move her head side-to-side to establish a baseline for range of motion and for pain.  Then I put two needles into her left wrist and two needles into her right hand and had her move her head again.  The range of motion was increased back to normal and the pain was gone.  I may take a few times to get the pain away forever, but I love the immediate relief that acupuncture can provide these patients.

American Academy of Pediatrics concludes that acupuncture is safe for children

We have known this for thousands of years, but it is still nice that the Western community recognizes it.  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/acupuncture-for-kids-deemed-safe-by-pediatricians/

The Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies is one of the few acupuncture journals that is recognized and cataloged by the National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health.  The have just published my research report.  http://www.jams-kpi.com , look for the Articles in Press section.  I developed a technique that was clinically proven to improve test taking and memory; and reduce anxiety.  The above link has a free PDF download available under "Articles in Press". 

I am excited.  I don't know many other acupuncturists who have had their research accepted by the Western medical community.  

The Asian Diet has been named a Top Diet by US News and World Report

The Asian Diet has been named a Top Diet by US News and World Report

Every year, US News and World Report ranks the best diets.  In 2013, The Asian Diet made it on the list.  They refer to it as the “Traditional Asian Diet” because there is not just one specific Asian Diet and because the diet is Asia is changing lately as the Western diet is creeping into their culture (with disastrous effects).  But my book, The Asian Diet: Simple secrets for eating right, losing weight, and being well, was a main source that US News and World Report consulted in evaluating the Traditional Asian Diet.  22 experts evaluated 29 different diets.  Read the whole article here at http://health.usnews.com/best-diet .  Here’s what they had to say about the Asian Diet.  

Overall, this diet plan was ranked at #11, but came in 4^th among plant-based diets.  One reviewer wrote “the nutritional balance is better than most other plant-based or vegan diets”.  Some of the negative aspects the reviewers pointed out reflect their interpretation of the traditional Asian diet and do not reflect the Asian Diet as it is explained in my book.  I will discuss them later. 

Will it help you lose weight?  Probably. Research suggests people in Asian countries who follow this dietary pattern weigh less than their Western counterparts. That’s likely because it’s high in healthy foods that keep hunger at bay: whole grains, vegetables, and bean products, for example.

Is it good for cardiovascular health?  It’s likely. Asian diets are low in fat, especially the saturated variety, and high in fiber, due to an emphasis on fruits and veggies, whole grains, and rice. And they’re in line with the medical community’s widely accepted definition of a heart-healthy diet that keeps cholesterol and blood pressure in check and heart disease at bay.

Is it good for prevention or control of diabetes?  The diet appears to be a viable option for both.  Studies have shown that this type of diet can improve glucose tolerance as well. 

Is it safe?  The experts found no possible harmful effects of following this diet plan. 

Is it nutritious?   Absolutely.  Following the Asian Diet, you should have no trouble staying within the recommended amounts for:  Fat,  protein, carbohydrates, salt, fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamin B-12, and vitamin D.  No supplementation is necessary when following the Asian Diet.

Is it easy to follow?  The authors said that if you don’t like rice, noodles, legumes, and vegetables, then it may be hard.  But, it is hard to be healthy if you are avoiding vegetables.  We don’t just feed our tongues, so one of the things we need to do in order to improve our health is to increase the variety of foods that we eat.  If you don’t like vegetables, suck it up and eat some anyway. 

Will I be hungry?  No.  With so many fiber packed foods, and with no calorie cap, you shouldn’t go hungry.

A write-up of the reviewers work stated that you should eat a lot of Asian vegetables in order to follow this diet.  This is absolutely not what I advocate.  One of the principles that all the Asian cultures follow is that they eat locally-produced food. 

Another problem is that they were not sure that this diet could lead to sustained weight loss.  But they also said it is hard to follow and that Asians abandon this type of diet when they come to America.  When they do this, their incidence of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer all go up.  The food marketers of America have great influence and we need to be diligent to keep our diets good and balanced.   I have a lot of Asian patients who were raised with an Asian diet, adopted the American diet for themselves and have suffered the consequences.  When they return to the Asian Diet, they lose weight, feel better, and have fewer health problems. 

Another slight against this diet was that it can be more expensive to follow.  There is a great Italian proverb that says, “It is better to pay the grocer than the doctor.”  We literally are what we eat.  Every day, millions of our cells die.  We make new ones from the raw material we put in (food).  If you were building a house, you would want to get the best lumber you could get, right?  It’s the same thing with feeding yourself.  Invest in good building materials and your body will be much stronger and more resilient. 

Another negative was that it is not a clearly-defined plan.  I address this in my book.  People love being told exactly what to do- for a while.  The South Beach Diet was very popular for this reason.  But after about six weeks, people start resenting being told what to do and abandon these very-prescriptive diets.  The Asian Diet is not an all-or-nothing proposition.  It gives you the principles and leave you free to figure out how to implement them.  However, in the next edition of the book, I may add a sample, suggested plan for people to model their own plans after. 

Overall I am thrilled that US News and World Report has included the Asian Diet in their rankings and rated it well.  I am glad that more people will get exposed to these principles; and I am grateful that they used my book in their research.  If more people ate this way, we would not have such grave concerns about the growing health crisis in our country.  If you have not yet read it, check out www.theasiandiet.com today and order your copy. 

help studying for the nccaom herbal board exam

I have just published an album of songs to help students and practitioners learn and remember Chinese medicinal herbs and formulas.  They are available as an album called "Supplemental Herb Songs" at www.cdbaby.com/cd/jasonbussell . 

This work was inspired by the work of Joe Curcio.  He wrote and recorded 58 songs covering over 70 formulas.  Each song goes through each verse three times.   The first time, you listen, second time, you sing along, and the third time you sing solo.  This helped me a lot, but I wished there were more songs.  So I wrote 38 more songs covering 56 more formulas, following the same format.  You can preview the songs with lyrics at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHpaABCjLqg and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leuT7CWs2lI . 

Whoever can benefit from my songs should also buy Joe's.  His are also available at www.cdbaby.com under the title "Tunes on Tangs and Songs on Sans".

And as a bonus, at the end of the lyrics (listed under "album info"), I have included some herbal mnemonics that were also helpful in my studying.  Things like:
"Di Yu  know that you’re bleeding?  (Do you know that you’re bleeding)
Because Di Yu (Sanguisorbae Radix) cools the blood and stops bleeding.

Huai Hua Mi?  Huia Mi?  Huai am I bleeding out my ass? (why am I bleeding)
Because Huai Hua Mi (Sophorae Flos Immaturus) treats bloody dysentery, bleeding hemorrhoids and heat in the LI; (as well as coughing blood, nosebleeds and uterine bleeding).


You do not need to buy the album to see the mnemonics. 


I hope this can help you. 


-Jason

New press for The Asian Diet

My book The Asian Diet, has been reviewed and I have been interviewed recently.  Check out the latest press. 

ThePublicAsian.com

Diet-Sage.com


Everydiet.org

Tummytuckcost.com sent in this nice review:
"The Asian Diet is a straight-to-the-point and reliable book about dieting and weight loss. The problem of obesity in America is worsening to a point where a quarter of the adult population is medically obese. The book tells us that there is a historically proven eating habit that can remedy the problem. If we were to point out a flaw i

n the book, it would be the title. There is a preponderance to fall back to Chinese Cuisine. Not that we're
complaining. The Chinese culture has the oldest continuous record of food recipes and faithfully handed down the generations. The book also mentions Traditional Chinese Medicine, which to the Western culture boils down to tea drinking and acupuncture. There's a lot more. On our side of the spectrum, cosmetic surgery presents a quick and largely cosmetic solution to obesity. Bariatric and lapband surgeries are dangerous and presents a lifestyle that is extremely difficult to maintain. Get the copy of the book
now before it's too late!

Report from the Wilmette Summerfest

July 13th and 14, practitioners from A Center for Oriental Medicine  provided free acupuncture treatments at the Wilmette Summerfest and Sidewalk Sale.  Although there were rain storms both day, we still managed to treat 105 patients.  The first day, Jason and Lisa treated 50 patients, the second day Jason treated 55.  Of the 105, only four reported that they did not experience benefit.   101 reported feeling better within two minutes of the treatment.  We helped people with neck pain, knee pain, arthritis, headaches, menstrual pain, tendonitis tinnitus, sinus pain and pressure, cloudy vision, tense shoulders, poor focus, and more.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs work.  Oriental Medicine is the longest-studied, least invasive, and safest healing system out there.  It should be our first line of defense. 

Free Acupuncture at the Wilmette Summerfest

Once again, the practitioners of A Center for Oriental Medicine will offer free acupuncture treatments to all comers at the Wilmette Summerfest in Wilmette, Illinois.  The event runs from 9-4 on Friday July 13th and Saturday July 14th.  We will be in a tent near 1113 Central Ave in Wilmette.   Patients must be 18 years or older or have a legal guardian present to provide consent. 

Bring all your friends.  This is your chance to see what has helped Billions of people without have to pay anything.  Treatment takes only 2 minutes.  Come experience acupuncture for free.   

Aspartame is NOT better than sugar

This article is taken from http://www.naturalnews.com/035126_aspartame_side_effects_withdrawal.html .  Please visit their web site.

(NaturalNews) If you have been drinking diet soda and chewing gum, chances are you have been enjoying aspartame in generous quantities. Aspartame is a popular sugar substitute that can be found in diet soda drinks, chewing gum, fruit spreads and sugar-free products to name a few. It is also known by the brand names, Sweet One, NutraSweet and Spoonful. Despite its popularity in the market, what many do not know is that aspartame accounts for 75 percent of side effect complaints received by the Adverse Reaction Monitoring System (ARMS) of the US Food and Drug Administration.

Can aspartame be addictive?

Yes, according to Dr. Betty Martini, popular anti-aspartame advocate. She explains that it is an "addictive, exitoneurotic, carcinogenic, genetically engineered drug and adjuvant that damages the mitochondria." Moreover, Dr. Janet Hall, another famous advocate against aspartame, shares on her website that all artificial sweeteners create an artificial need for more sweetness. She goes on to add that forced sweetness, being a class of altered food, is a trap that cause people to become addicted to sweeter tasting food with no nutritional value.

Recent studies have shown that aspartame is addictive because it affects the absorption of dopamine in the brain.

Side Effects of Aspartame

Aspartame is made up of 3 components: phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol. Understanding the effects of aspartame will require us to look into its genetic make up.

In its website, manufacturers of aspartame continue to assure the public that low-calorie sweeteners are effective for weight reduction, weight maintenance, reduction of tooth decay, management of diabetes and reduction of risks associated with obesity. They claim that consumers of low-calorie, sugar-free beverages were able to incorporate these products into a healthy lifestyle not because they need to manage their weight (since a majority of people use low-calorie foods and beverages for reasons other than dieting) but because use of low-calorie products is part of a healthy lifestyle.

Despite the benefits cited in the aspartame website, independent studies have been shown that aspartame is not as safe as it appears to be. In a recent study conducted by researchers from the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine and at Columbia University Medical Center, it was discovered that those who drank diet soft drinks on a daily basis were more likely to contract vascular diseases compared to those who took none.

Supporters of aspartame insist that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are found in many foods. What they have conveniently left out, however, is that the said neurotoxins are harmless only when consumed with other nutrients like fats, amino acids (protein) and carbohydrates. On their own, they are absorbed by the nervous system in large concentrations causing the stimulation of brain neurons and cell death. Symptoms of the conditions include headaches, confusion, balance problems and seizures.

Methanol, on the other hand, is also a highly toxic substance. It is released in the small intestine gradually with the assistance of chymotrypsin and then broken down into formaldehyde: a chemical used for embalming which is a carcinogen that causes birth defects, retinal damage and DNA replication.

Again, supporters of aspartame insist that methanol is safe because it is found in vegetables and fruit juices. What they neglect to mention, however, is that methanol in vegetables and fruit juices is bound with pectin and the body does not possess the digestive enzyme to break down pectin and release ethanol into the body. Furthermore, ethanol, the methanol toxicity antidote, is found in natural sources of methanol, inhibiting the metabolism of methanol and giving the body sufficient time, through the lungs and kidneys, to clear it. Methanol found in aspartame is easily absorbed because it is in a free form.

Aspartic acid, methanol and phenylalanine and their breakdown in the body are cumulative because of their fast absorption and slow excretion.

In 1984, studies conducted revealed that the toxicity of NutraSweet (aspartame) to living organisms. The State of Arizona arrived at findings which showed that aspartame in carbonated drinks can break down into free methanol in temperatures of 99 degrees Fahrenheit. On May 13, 1998, the University of Barcelona also arrived at results revealing that aspartame was transformed into formaldehyde in the bodies of living creatures, and on later examination formaldehyde had spread through the vital parts of the body.

"Artificial sweetener disease"

The US Food and Drug Administration has received reports of 92 medical health problems resulting from aspartame, ranging from abdominal pain to migraines, dizziness and hives. Aspartame poisoning is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms mock other syndromes. It changes the ratio of amino acids in the blood, lowering or blocking levels of hormones like dopamine and tyrosine that are necessary for bodily function.

Since aspartame cannot be detected through lab tests and x-rays, these diseases and disorders may actually be a toxic load. Below are some specific health conditions that are associated with aspartame you might want to recall next time you open a can of diet soda:

1. Cancer - The Ramazzine Foundation, a European Cancer Research Center, conducted a study on aspartame which revealed that aspartame increases the risk of cancers (lymphoma, leukemia and breast cancers). Despite the National Cancer Institute's stand that no such connection was ever firmly established between aspartame and cancer, it might well be worth thinking that what is harmful to rats is also harmful to humans. Moreover, the dismissive stand of regulatory bodies concerning aspartame is merely based on the absence of data that can conclusively support such a connection and NOT on a finding that establishes that aspartame does not cause cancer.

2. Mental disorders and degeneration of brain cells - Excessive ingestion of artificial sweeteners, according to researchers from the University of Praetoria and the University of Limpopo, may lead to various mental disorders and the degeneration of the brain. Publishing in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers noted that aspartame appeared to cause excessive signals, damage and even death to nerve cells. Since aspartame disrupts the functioning of the cell's energy source, it will lead to a cascade of effects on the whole system.

3. Headaches - As early as 1994, a study conducted published on PubMed.gov showed that ingestion of aspartame was associated with headaches. Subjects in the study revealed that they experienced headaches 33 percent of the time when taking aspartame compared to 24 percent when on placebo treatment. Moreover, Dr. Robert Milne and Blake More in their book "Headaches" report that headaches are the most reported side effect given by those who take products containing aspartame. They add that in a University of Parkinson's at Florida study, it was found out that the incidences of migraines doubled for a majority of test subjects who took aspartame. Their headaches lasted longer and were marked by significant signs of shakiness and diminished vision.

4. Weight gain and increased blood sugar - Aspartame is not a healthy alternative for diabetics or those wanting to lose weight. Contrary to popular belief, a recent study has shown that regular consumption of diet soft drinks is strongly connected with abdominal obesity and that aspartame can increase blood sugar. Researchers from the University of Texas Health Center San Antonio reported in a study that, as a group, 70 percent of those who drank diet soft drinks gained weight as opposed to those who did not. Moreover, those who drank 2 or more diet sodas regularly experienced an increase in their waist circumference by 500 percent more than those who did not drink them.

In another related study that analyzed a possible relationship between intake of aspartame and fasting glucose and insulin levels among 40 diabetes-prone mice, one of the researchers in the study, Dr. Gabriel Fernandes, revealed that heavy aspartame exposure might potentially contribute to the associations noticed between soda consumption and the risk of diabetes in humans.

The above health conditions are just some of the 92 reported medical health problems reportedly associated with aspartame. Despite the stand of aspartame manufacturers that their product has been declared safe for human consumption, it is still strange that there are still reports from sectors who do not stand to benefit from such declarations that aspartame is not safe. Prudence would dictate that avoiding a product may be better in the long run than to discover firsthand that all that was said about it was true. Why? Because you happen to be living proof of it.

How to protect yourself

To keep yourself safe from contracting "artificial sweetener syndrome," it is suggested that you stop taking all products containing this chemical.

If you have brought or stocked up on products containing aspartame, you can arrange to return the products so you can get a refund of your money. If you feel that you may need professional help in getting over the disease, please see your doctor as soon as possible. Take a proactive approach to being healthy.

Finally, for those taking aspartame simply because they want to observe a healthy diet, replace your aspartame habit with real sugar. Although it may have more calories, it offers a far better solution than being poisoned. Those who want to manage their weight problems are advised to seek a healthier course of action like eating more whole foods, vegetables and fruits and getting regular exercise. True and sustainable weight loss cannot be achieved through a quick fix without a change in lifestyle. Set a personal example to be healthy and watch yourself regain your life.

Sources for this article

http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120131092746.htm
http://www.whale.to/a/sbs17.html
http://www.janethull.com/askdrhull/article.php?id=007
http://489679www.nogw.com
http://www.ssvictory.com
http://www.colorado.edu

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035126_aspartame_side_effects_withdrawal.html#ixzz1o4IJXO4p

The Asian Diet: Before and after photos

I received these pictures and story from a woman who is following the advice in my book.


"Dear Mr. Bussell,
I thank you for writing this book.  It has helped me tremendously.  You can see from the attached photos that at one point I was overweight.  As you can also see, I am Asian, so one might think that an Asian would not need to read your book.  We should just know all of this information, right?  Well, I didn't.  


I was raised in a Korean household and ate Korean food and I was in fine shape.  After I moved away from my family, I adopted a much more American diet and quickly started gaining weight.  Now after reading this book, I can see why that difference was so profound.  Now that I understand how food affects me, it is easy to make the better choices.  I still eat a lot of non-Korean food, but by following the principles in your book, I eat much better for myself.   


I never thought I would have a weight problem.  Now that I have read your book, I don't think I ever will again.  Thank you again for writing it.  I tell all my friends about it. 


K.L."

PT's should not be doing acupuncture!

This patient experience was sent to the Illinois Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

"I started going to PT in December of 2010 and Didn't finish until May of 2011 for a simple case of tendinitis in my left foot. They started needling my foot and calf about a month into PT. It was explained to me briefly, but not in great detail... I was told it was a new practice in PT offices and that it would speed up my recovery (it did not). I asked about his training, saying I had a friend who was in school for acupuncture and that it was going to take her years, so how was he able to needle me without that schooling? He said that PT's didn't need to go through acupuncture school because they already knew human anatomy. The needling was usually uncomfortable, but I was willing to do anything to get my foot in running shape again (even taking severe bruising on my calf from "massages"). I became concerned when the following happened. First, I started bruising a lot and the spot they were needling me was always red and swollen for weeks at a time, looking like I had about 10 little bug bites all over my foot. They were itchy and irritating. Then, I saw the PT assistant (a boy younger than me who had dropped out of college and was way too rough when massaging patients) needling himself and getting ready to needle someone else on multiple occasions... something I am quite sure he was not certified or even qualified to do. Overall, my PT experience was bad and dragged out longer than it needed, but the needling was what really made it uncomfortable for me, many times making my foot hurt worse for days after the needling instead of relieving the pain as it was supposed to do. When I went to a real acupuncturist, the experience was completely different and calming and it never hurt at all!" 

Stay away from untrained acupuncture

A Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac) will typically have about 3000 hours of training, 660 of which are supervised clinical practice.  MD"s can take a distance-learning course and become "certified" in 500 hours (although many states do not recognize that certification and do not allow them to practice".  Chiropractors can take 200 hours as part of their schooling and earn their own "certification" (and again many states do not recognize them as qualified and do not allow them to practice acupuncture).  Now physical therapists are "certifying" themselves in acupuncture with 27 hours of classroom instruction and NO supervised clinical practice.  They call it "Dry Needling" and claim it is not acupuncture but is like massage.  It is the insertion of acupuncture needles into acupuncture points  by untrained hands.  Beware and stay away. 

Acupuncture treats nerve pain associated with cancer treatment

Acupuncture 'could ease nerve pain after cancer treatment'

6 December 2011
Acupuncture could reduce severe nerve pain experienced as a result of cancer treatment, according to a new study.
Research published in the Acupuncture and Medicine journal suggested that patients who undergo treatment with drugs such as taxanes, vinca alkaloids or platinum compounds can often develop chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which damages nerves in the calves and feet and could lead to sharp pains as a result.
Out of 11 patients experiencing the peripheral neuropathy, six had acupuncture sessions and commented that the intensity of the nerve signalling improved and pain lessened. In comparison, those who did not receive any acupuncture treatment felt the same.
Authors of the study said: "The data suggest that acupuncture has a positive effect on CIPN, as measured by objective parameters [nerve conduction studies]."
They added that results were similar to those who suffered nerve damage as a result of diabetes and also patients with CIPN from an unknown cause.
Conclusions were made to further the research to distinguish the true benefits of the therapy.
According to the National Cancer Institute Cancer Bulletin, around 30 to 40 per cent of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy experience CIPN.

As found on spirehealthcare.com

If nutritionists sold cars

Introducing the new Chevy Bounce.  The best car in the world.  Most cars have only 20 pounds of rubber.  Our scientists know that rubber is integral to the performance of a car.  So we have made the Chevy Bounce which has over 300 pounds of rubber in it.  No other car can compete with it.  15 times the rubber of a standard car must be better; so buy yours today. 

Here's the point.  Things are more than just the sum of their parts.  Vegetables are good and vegetables have vitamins.  That does not mean that you can give people isolated vitamins and think that they are a substitute for food.  Green Tea causes health benefits.  Green Tea extract has 100 times the ingredients, but is it 100 times as helpful?  I have heard nutritionists argue that no one could ever drink enough green tea to get the benefits.  How then did they discover the benefits before the extract was available?

There is no substitute for good food.  Anyone who tells you different is just trying to sell you something.  

Don't take these drugs!

Writing in AlterNet, Martha Rosenberg says:

"In the pharmaceutical industry's rush to get drugs to market, safety usually comes last.

Long studies to truly assess a drug's risks just delay profits after all -- and if problems do emerge after medication hits the market, settlements are usually less than profits. Remember, Vioxx still made money."

Here are some of the drugs she identifies as being so plagued with safety problems, it's astonishing they're on the market:

Lipitor and Crestor

These worthless statins are so over-prescribed that far too many patients get their side effects -- such as weakness, dizziness, pain and arthritis.

Yaz and Yasmin

These birth control pills were so hyped in their advertisements that they sounded too good to be true -- and they were. 18-year-olds experienced blood clots, gall bladder disease, heart attacks, and strokes. 
(I would add ALL birth controls are dangerous and should be avoided. In my view there is virtually no reason to ever take these dangerous and completely synthetic hormones.)

Lyrica, Topomax and Lamictal

These epilepsy seizure drugs are now prescribed for pain. But all seizure drugs increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and all three drugs can make you lose your memory and your hair.

Humira, Prolia and TNF Blockers

Not only are biologics like Humira and Prolia made from genetically engineered hamster cells, and not only do they suppress your actual immune system, but they can lead to tuberculosis, lethal infections, melanoma, lymphoma and "unusual cancers in children and teenagers". In addition, the Humira warns against the possible side effect of "new or worsening" psoriasis -- a condition it is supposed to treat.
(These drugs should be banned. No reason to EVER take any of them as there are loads of natural therapies that are far superior. Please use my site as resource to find out which ones you can use in these autoimmune conditions like MS, RA and Crohn's.Disease)

Chantix

After 397 reported cases of possible psychosis, 227 domestic reports of suicidal behavior and 28 suicides, the U.S. government banned pilots and air traffic controllers and interstate truck and bus drivers from taking Chantix. It is also linked to angioedema, serious skin reactions, visual impairment, accidental injury, dizziness, muscle spasms, seizures and loss of consciousness.

Ambien

Sleeping pills like Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata and Rozerem only decrease get-to-sleep time by 18 minutes. Then Ambien adds in somnambulism side effects -- people walk, drive, make phone calls and even have sex while they are sleeping.

Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen causes cancer and birth defects. One study showed that 57.2 percent of women on continuous Tamoxifen developed atrophy of the lining of the uterus, 35.7 coexisting hyperphasia and 8.1 percent uterine polyps.

Boniva

After you take Boniva, you have to avoid lying down for at least 60 minutes to "help decrease the risk of problems in the esophagus and stomach." Then you need to wait at least 60 minutes before eating or drinking anything except water, and you must never take it with mineral water, sparkling water, coffee, tea, milk, juice or other oral medicines -- including calcium, antacids, or vitamins.
(I would most definitely include ALL the biphosphonates here, like Fosamax. They are dangerous, loaded with side effects, do not lower fracture risk and should never be taken unless you want to further enrich the drug industry coffers)

Prempro and Premarin

The hormone drugs Prempro, Premarin and Provera cause a 26 percent increase in breast cancer risk, 41 percent increase in stroke risk, 29 percent increase in heart attack risk, and double your risk of blood clots. They have also been linked to deafness, urinary incontinence, cataracts, gout, joint degeneration, asthma, lupus, scleroderma, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and lung, ovarian, breast, endometrial, gall bladder and melanoma cancers.

 

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

The list above includes many of the most dangerous drugs, but the reality is that there's no shortage of dangerous drugs. Even commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are not as benign as most people assume. This is because they are fatally flawed from the get-go, as they in no way shape or form address the cause of the disease and only treat symptoms, which is typically a prescription for disaster if used for the long term.

Is there Such a Thing as a Safe Drug?

It's important to understand that even under the best circumstances -- such as with a drug that has gone through unbiased, stringent, long-term testing -- when it is released into the uncontrolled environment of your body, literally anything can happen.
This is largely because the FDA does not require independent testing but relies on the tests the drug company submits to them, which are flawed.

Unfortunately, studies are frequently biased, results are skewed, and drugs are put on a fast-track to be approved long before anyone knows whether they're safe. Additionally, interactions with other drugs are rarely ever investigated
In essence, it's all a gamble, and there are NO 100 percent safe drugs. And the more drugs you combine, the riskier it gets.

More Dangerous Drugs

In addition to the drugs listed above, here are several more that most doctors won't even take themselves, due to the risks involved:

• Advair – This asthma medicine can make your asthma deadly... It contains the long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) salmeterol, which researchers have found can increase the severity of an asthma attack. Salmeterol-containing drugs such as Advair contributes to an estimated 5,000 asthma-related deaths each year in the US alone.
• Avandia (rosiglitazone) – This diabetes drug can make your health go from bad to worse, as it can cause a heart attack. One study found that people who took rosiglitazone for at least a year increased their risk of heart failure or a heart attack by 109 percent and 42 percent, respectively.
• Celebrex -- This painkiller has been linked to increased risks of stomach bleeding, kidney trouble, and liver damage. And, according to a 2005 study, people taking 200 mg of Celebrex twice a day more than doubled their risk of dying of cardiovascular disease. Those on 400 mg twice a day more than tripled their risk.
• Insulin. While this hormone can save your life if you are a type 1 diabetic, it is predominately prescribed for type 2 diabetics, which is the kiss of death. If you or anyone you know has type 2 diabetes and is on insulin, have them read this article by Dr. Rosedale and get off this insulin ASAP.
• Ritalin – This drug is commonly prescribed to children diagnosed with ADHD, despite the fact it has the same pharmacological profile as cocaine. By definition, Ritalin stimulates your central nervous system, leading to side effects such as increased blood pressure and heart rate.
  
  When taken over a period of years, as Ritalin often is, the drug can cause severe health problems, including cancer. Short-term, it can still lead to chromosomal damage.
  

Americans are Dangerously Over-Drugged

It's important to remember that whenever you chose to treat disease symptoms with a drug, if you take that drug long enough it will invariably end up creating other health problems. This frequently leads to yet another prescription to counteract the side effects from the first one, followed by another one, and another…
It's a vicious cycle that is clearly evident when you review the statistics of prescriptions, which have exploded over the last 75 years.
In 1929, the average American received less than two prescriptions per year. According to the latest statistics from 2009, the average annual prescription rate per capita in the United States is now:

• Almost 4 prescriptions per child (age 0-18)
• Just over 11 prescriptions per adult (age 19-64), and
• More than 31 prescriptions per senior, aged 65 and over!

If these drugs could successfully treat and cure disease, the United States would have the healthiest inhabitants on the planet, based on these statistics. Instead, the rates of preventable diseases like diabetes have skyrocketed, and we're seeing a mounting death toll directly attributable to prescription drugs.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), adverse drug reactions from drugs that are properly prescribed and properly administered cause about 106,000 deaths per year, making prescription drugs the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S.! As a sobering comparison, illegal drugs claim about 10,000 lives annually...
It doesn't have to be that way. I haven't taken drugs in years and my mother is 76 and my dad is 82 and both are drug free because they have been following my health advice.

Do You REALLY Need Those Drugs?

In more recent years, a growing body of studies shows that simple lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise are effective remedies for many common health problems. At the same time, we're seeing more and more evidence of the lethal harm being brought by poorly tested drugs.
To me, the choice is clear.
But a lot of people still do not realize just how effective lifestyle changes can be in treating their disease. Many diabetics, for example, are convinced they need drugs, and resist the idea that treating or even curing their disease is entirely within their own control.
The truth is, type 2 diabetes is virtually 100 percent avoidable and treatable entirely without drugs. If you're still in the dark about how to accomplish this, please see this link.
Other common conditions that can be managed without medication include:

1. Arthritis
2. Diabetes
3. High cholesterol
4. Depression
5. High blood pressure
6. Osteoporosis
7. Heart disease
8. Insomnia

To Medicate or Not to Medicate, That is the Question

Ultimately, it's your body, and it's up to you to decide what works for you.
However, I urge you to research each drug before taking it. Do not believe for one minute that your physician will have all the answers and all the latest research findings at his or her fingertips. They won't.
Most of the knowledge they have comes directly from the lips of drug reps.

Make sure you are aware of the potential side effects of the drug, read the package insert, and remember that even if it lists a side effect as rare, it can still happen to you. Then decide whether the potential benefits truly outweigh the potential risks.

Take Control of Your Health

If you make drugs a last option, not a first choice, you will have taken a major step in the right direction.
It may require a massive thought shift for some people to accept that your body can heal itself and that drugs oftentimes will only hinder the process. But I can't stress enough the importance of the most basic principle of HOW to resolve an illness: finding the underlying cause of the problem.
Masking it with a drug that lessens your symptoms does not fix anything. Disease can only be resolved by addressing its root cause.
What many people fail to realize is that it is possible to maintain optimal health by simply avoiding unnecessary drugs and by understanding the fundamentals of good nutrition and exercise, which include:

• Eliminating sugar/fructose and most grains
• Eating unprocessed, high-quality foods, preferably organic and right for your nutritional type
• Eating your food as close to raw as possible
• Consuming enough omega-3 fats
• Getting appropriate exposure to sunshine to optimize your vitamin D levels
• Exercising regularly

This info comes from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/12/09/15-dangerous-drugs-big-pharma-shoves-down-our-throats.aspx

The CDC and American Dental Association recommend NOT drinking flouridated water

This from Consciousness TV

A new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association finds once again that, contrary to what most people have been told, fluoride is actually bad for teeth.

Exposure to high levels of fluoride results in a condition known as fluorosis, in which tooth enamel becomes discolored. The condition can eventually lead to badly damaged teeth. The new study found that fluoride intake during a child’s first few years of life is significantly associated with fluorosis, and warned against using fluoridated water in infant formula.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is of a similar opinion. According to their website:

“Recent evidence suggests that mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water on a regular basis may increase the chance of a child developing … enamel fluorosis.”

It was 2007 when the American Dental Association (ADA) first warned that parents of infants younger than a year old “should consider using water that has no or low levels of fluoride” when mixing baby formula, due to concerns about fluorosis.

Now the Journal of the American Dental Association has published a study that found increased fluorosis risk among infants who were fed infant formula reconstituted with fluoride-containing water, as well as used fluoridated toothpastes.

The authors noted:

“Results suggest that prevalence of mild dental fluorosis could be reduced by avoiding ingestion of large quantities of fluoride from reconstituted powdered concentrate infant formula and fluoridated dentifrice.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also followed suit, warning on their Community Water Fluoridation page  that mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water on a regular basis may increase the chance of a child developing enamel fluorosis.

They also state:

“In children younger than 8 years of age, combined fluoride exposure from all sources—water, food, toothpaste, mouth rinse, or other products—contributes to enamel fluorosis.”

This is as far as the CDC warnings go, however, and they continue to state that water fluoridation is safe — and dental fluorosis is only a “cosmetic” problem. In reality, neither of these assertions is true.

Dental Fluorosis is a Sign of Excessive Fluoride Intake

Dental fluorosis results in white and brown spots on your teeth. It is only caused by fluoride — typically due to ingesting too much fluoride during your developing years, from birth to about 8 years of age. According to the CDC, about one-third of U.S. children aged 12 to 15 years have very mild to mild forms of enamel fluorosis on their teeth.

Promoters of fluoridation say that these markings are “just cosmetic,” but it can also be an indication that the rest of your body, such as your bones and the rest of your organs, including your brain, has been exposed to too much fluoride also.

As Dr. Paul Connett, a chemist specializing in environmental chemistry, explained in our recent interview:

“We know that 32 percent of American children have been overexposed to fluoride because you have this telltale sign of dental fluorosis, which in its mildest form is little white specs. But when it gets more serious, it affects more of the surface of your teeth and it becomes colored; yellow, brown and orange mottling of the teeth …

The teeth are the window to the bones. If you’ve seen the damage to the teeth, what damage can you not see?”

In other words, if fluoride is having a detrimental, visual effect on the surface of your teeth, you can be virtually guaranteed that it’s also damaging something else inside your body, such as your bones.

Bone is living tissue that is constantly being replaced through cellular turnover. Bone building is a finely balanced, complicated process. Fluoride has been known to disrupt this process ever since the 1930s.

Why it’s Dangerous to Swallow Fluoride

The United States is one of only eight countries in the entire developed world that fluoridates more than 50 percent of its water supply. It is added under the guise that it helps prevent and control tooth decay …

This is in spite of the fact that there never been any demonstrated difference in tooth decay between countries with fluoridated and non-fluoridated water, and no difference between states that have a high- or low percentage of their water fluoridated.

Even promoters of fluoridation concede that the major benefits are topical; fluoride works from the outside of the tooth, not from inside of your body, so why swallow it?

The fluoride added to your drinking water is in fact a chemical waste product! It is NOT something you should use as a supplement to your diet.

There are plenty of studies showing the dangers of fluoride to your health, such as:

• Increases lead absorption
• Disrupts synthesis of collagen
• Hyperactivity and/or lethargy
• Muscle disorders
• Brain damage, and lowered IQ
• Arthritis
• Dementia
• Bone fractures
• Lowers thyroid function
• Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)
• Inactivates 62 enzymes
• Inhibits formation of antibodies
• Genetic damage and cell death
• Increases tumor and cancer rate
• Disrupts immune system
• Damages sperm and increases infertility

As far as tooth decay is concerned, this is not caused by lack of fluoride.

Tooth decay is caused by acids in your mouth, typically created from sugar being metabolized by bacteria (Streptococcus mutans), and as you may already know, the number one source of calories in the United States is high fructose corn syrup.

The acid produced then attacks your enamel. Eventually the bacteria can get into the dentine, at which point tooth decay sets in. So there are far better options for decreasing tooth decay than using a topical or ingested poison, with a chief one being minimizing your intake of sugary foods and eating a healthful diet.

You typically don’t find dental caries in more primitive societies that do not consume vast amounts of sugar like in the United States.

Make Sure Your Children are Not Exposed to Fluoride

One of dentist Bill Osmunson’s main concerns is water fluoridation for infants. The ADA and the CDC now both recommend that infants NOT receive fluoridated water for drinking, nor for making their formula, as fluoridated water contains 250 times more fluoride than mother’s milk.

“We shouldn’t fluoridate water and harm our most vulnerable,” Dr. Osmunson says.

It is my strong belief and recommendation to avoid giving your children fluoridated water.

Unfortunately, the only way to ensure your water is pure enough to drink is by installing ahigh quality water filtration system in your house, such as a reverse osmosis filter that can filter out much of the fluoride and other dangerous water contaminants like disinfection byproducts (DBPs).

Remember that most bottled water also typically contains fluoride, even though it’s not stated on the label, and whatever you do, avoid using “nursery water,” which is fluoridated water sold specifically for infants.

Fluoride in your drinking water is one more reason why breast feeding your infant is so essential. Nature has kept breast milk virtually fluoride-free for a reason.

If you are unable to breastfeed and are instead using formula, make sure the water you use is fluoride-free. Again, for now the best way you can provide pure, fluoride-free water to your family is by using a reverse osmosis filter, which you can install in your home.

Even better, if you are unable to breastfeed use this recipe to make homemade infant formula using raw milk and no water at all.

Keep in mind also that if you are a pregnant woman it is equally important for your water to be fluoride-free, as this chemical can harm your developing fetus.

The Ultimate Solution is to Get Fluoride Out of Tap Water

Even though the ADA and the CDC have issued warnings that parents not use fluoridated tap water to make infant formula, neither of them has openly informed the public!

So there are millions of parents out there using tap water to make up formula, oblivious of the fact that the agencies that promote fluoridation in this country have issued a specific warning against using fluoridated water for this purpose.

Not only that, but by fluoridating the municipal water supply you doom many low-income families to fail to protect their young children from this dangerous drug, even if they have this information, as they simply don’t have the resources to install a reverse osmosis system.

This is why the only real solution is to stop the archaic practice of water fluoridation in the United States.

The Fluoride Action Network is an absolutely phenomenal resource for further education, and they’re doing much to pressure the US government for change. We will be working together to devise a complete game plan to tackle this issue head on. Once we reach the tipping point, which may be as little as 5 percent of the population, we will be able to reverse the policies of water fluoridation.

Our strategy will begin with addressing Canada, because 60 percent of Canada is already un-fluoridated. If we can get the rest of Canada to stop fluoridating their water, we believe the U.S. will be forced to follow.

You can visit www.FluorideAlert.org for the most recent updates and progress, as well as tips on how you can get involved and take action in this important cause.

In addition, I highly recommend getting a copy of Dr. Connett’s new book, The Case Against Fluoride, for more information on the bad science and political agendas that got this toxic chemical in our drinking water and is, at least for now, keeping it there.

Beware: Aspartame has changed name and is calling itself a "natural sweetener"

From the Health Freedom alliance http://healthfreedoms.org/2010/02/15/aspartame-has-been-renamed-and-is-now-being-marketed-as-a-natural-sweetener/

Artificial sweeteners especially aspartame has gotten a bad rap over the years, most likely due to studies showing they cause cancer. But not to worry Ajinomoto the company that makes Aspartame has changed the name to AminoSweet. It has the same toxic ingredients but a nice new sounding name. And if you or your child happens to be allergic to Aspartame, well don’t take it personally it’s just business.
Despite the evidence gained over the years showing that aspartame is a dangerous toxin, it has remained on the global market . In continues to gain approval for use in new types of food despite evidence showing that it causes neurological brain damage, cancerous tumors, and endocrine disruption, among other things.
Most consumers are oblivious to the fact that Aspartame was invented as a drug but upon discovery of its’ sweet taste was magically transformed from a drug to a food additive. HFA wants to warn our readers to beware of a wolf dressed up in sheep’s clothing or in this case Aspartame dressed up as Aminosweet.
Over 25 years ago, aspartame was first introduced into the European food supply. Today, it is an everyday component of most diet beverages, sugar-free desserts, and chewing gums in countries worldwide. But the tides have been turning as the general public is waking up to the truth about artificial sweeteners like aspartame and the harm they cause to health. The latest aspartame marketing scheme is a desperate effort to indoctrinate the public into accepting the chemical sweetener as natural and safe, despite evidence to the contrary.
Aspartame was an accidental discovery by James Schlatter, a chemist who had been trying to produce an anti-ulcer pharmaceutical drug for G.D. Searle & Company back in 1965. Upon mixing aspartic acid and phenylalanine, two naturally-occurring amino acids, he discovered that the new compound had a sweet taste. The company merely changed its FDA approval application from drug to food additive and, voila, aspartame was born.
G.D. Searle & Company first patented aspartame in 1970. An internal memo released in the same year urged company executives to work on getting the FDA into the “habit of saying yes” and of encouraging a “subconscious spirit of participation” in getting the chemical approved.
G.D. Searle & Company submitted its first petition to the FDA in 1973 and fought for years to gain FDA approval, submitting its own safety studies that many believed were inadequate and deceptive. Despite numerous objections, including one from its own scientists, the company was able to convince the FDA to approve aspartame for commercial use in a few products in 1974, igniting a blaze of controversy.
In 1976, then FDA Commissioner Alexander Schmidt wrote a letter to Sen. Ted Kennedy expressing concern over the “questionable integrity of the basic safety data submitted for aspartame safety”. FDA Chief Counsel Richard Merrill believed that a grand jury should investigate G.D. Searle & Company for lying about the safety of aspartame in its reports and for concealing evidence proving the chemical is unsafe for consumption.
The details of aspartame’s history are lengthy, but the point remains that the carcinogen was illegitimately approved as a food additive through heavy-handed prodding by a powerful corporation with its own interests in mind. Practically all drugs and food additives are approved by the FDA not because science shows they are safe but because companies essentially lobby the FDA with monetary payoffs and complete the agency’s multi-million dollar approval process.
Changing aspartame’s name to something that is “appealing and memorable”, in Ajinomoto’s own words, may hoodwink some but hopefully most will reject this clever marketing tactic as nothing more than a desperate attempt to preserve the company’s multi-billion dollar cash cow. Do not be deceived.
Update: As many comments are being posted by readers who are allergic to Aspartame we ask that you please forward this article to as many people as you can.