This New Cannabis Patch Can Effectively Treat Fibromyalgia and Diabetic Nerve Pain – Natural Healing
http://healinglifeisnatural.com/this-new-cannabis-patch-can-effectively-treat-fibromyalgia-and-diabetic-nerve-pain/
Day: 02/22/2018
Google’s new AI algorithm predicts heart disease by looking at your eyes
Experts say it could provide a simpler way to predict cardiovascular risk
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Scientists from Google and its health-tech subsidiary Verily have discovered a new way to assess a person’s risk of heart disease using machine learning. By analyzing scans of the back of a patient’s eye, the company’s software is able to accurately deduce data, including an individual’s age, blood pressure, and whether or not they smoke. This can then be used to predict their risk of suffering a major cardiac event — such as a heart attack — with roughly the same accuracy as current leading methods.
The algorithm potentially makes it quicker and easier for doctors to analyze a patient’s cardiovascular risk, as it doesn’t require a blood test. But, the method will need to be tested more thoroughly before it can be used in a clinical setting. A paper describing the work was published today in the Nature journal Biomedical Engineering, although the research was also shared before peer review last September.
Luke Oakden-Rayner, a medical researcher at the University of Adelaide who specializes in machine learning analysis, told The Verge that the work was solid, and shows how AI can help improve existing diagnostic tools. “They’re taking data that’s been captured for one clinical reason and getting more out of it than we currently do,” said Oakden-Rayner. “Rather than replacing doctors, it’s trying to extend what we can actually do.”
To train the algorithm, Google and Verily’s scientists used machine learning to analyze a medical dataset of nearly 300,000 patients. This information included eye scans as well as general medical data. As with all deep learning analysis, neural networks were then used to mine this information for patterns, learning to associate telltale signs in the eye scans with the metrics needed to predict cardiovascular risk (e.g., age and blood pressure).
Although the idea of looking at your eyes to judge the health of your heart sounds unusual, it draws from a body of established research. The rear interior wall of the eye (the fundus) is chock-full of blood vessels that reflect the body’s overall health. By studying their appearance with camera and microscope, doctors can infer things like an individual’s blood pressure, age, and whether or not they smoke, which are all important predictors of cardiovascular health.
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When presented with retinal images of two patients, one of whom suffered a cardiovascular event in the following five years, and one of whom did not, Google’s algorithm was able to tell which was which 70 percent of the time. This is only slightly worse than the commonly used SCORE method of predicting cardiovascular risk, which requires a blood test and makes correct predictions in the same test 72 percent of the time.
Alun Hughes, professor of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology at London’s UCL, said Google’s approach sounded credible because of the “long history of looking at the retina to predict cardiovascular risk.” He added that artificial intelligence had the potential to speed up existing forms of medical analysis, but cautioned that the algorithm would need to be tested further before it could be trusted.
For Google, the work represents more than just a new method of judging cardiovascular risk. It points the way toward a new AI-powered paradigm for scientific discovery. While most medical algorithms are built to replicate existing diagnostic tools (like identifying skin cancer, for example), this algorithm found new ways to analyze existing medical data. With enough data, it’s hoped that artificial intelligence can then create entirely new medical insight without human direction. It’s presumably part of the reason Google has created initiatives like its Project Baseline study, which is collecting exhaustive medical records of 10,000 individuals over the course of four years.
For now, the idea of an AI doctor churning out new diagnoses without human oversight is a distant prospect — most likely decades, rather than years, in the future. But Google’s research suggests the idea isn’t completely far-fetched.
Ancient DNA Reveals Descendants of a People Allegedly Decimated by Columbus
When Christopher Columbus and his crew landed on the shores of San Salvador Island in 1492 they brought along slavery, war, and disease. But before these calamities began, the Europeans were greeted peacefully by the residents of what is now the Bahamas: The Taíno, considered the first indigenous Americans to feel the full impact of European colonialism, laid down their weapons and brought the foreigners presents. This coexistence did not last long — by 1548 the Taíno population, estimated to have been in the millions, had dropped to only 500 people.
Today, whether or not the Taíno live on is up for debate. Historians, archeologists, and people who claim Taíno heritage have argued for years that the people did not go “extinct,” yet it seems to be standard practice to teach that the Taíno were wiped out. Now, however, their legacy is exonerated: In a paper published Monday, researchers reveal they encountered the first genetic evidence that the Taíno still have living descendants today.
In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences paper, scientists with international research project NEXUS1492 draw this conclusion by explaining what they found when they extracted the DNA of a 1,000-year-old tooth discovered in a site called Preacher’s Cave in the Bahamas. With this tooth, which belonged to a woman who lived 500 years before Columbus landed, they sequenced the first complete ancient human genome extracted from the Caribbean.
Once they had the ancient genome, the researchers compared it to the genomes of 104 living Puerto Ricans and to genomic data on people in 40 present-day indigenous groups from the Americas. They discovered that the Puerto Ricans were more closely related to the Taíno than any other American indigenous group and that 10 to 15 percent of people within the present-day indigenous groups were also closely related to the ancient Bahamian genome. This is proof that the Taíno, in many ways, still exist to this day, despite the fact that their population was nearly decimated upon the Europeans’ arrival.
The newly sequenced genome unearthed two more key discoveries. The first has to do with the Taíno timeline: While scientists had long believed that the Taíno didn’t make it to the Bahamas until 1,500 B.C. — the Caribbean was one of the last parts of the Americans to be populated by humans — the genome suggests that the ancestors of the Taíno originally lived in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, migrated to northern South America, then entered the Caribbean around 2,500 B.C., which is significantly earlier than the researchers expected. Secondly, the genome sequence showed no evidence of inbreeding despite the fact that the individual lived on an island, suggesting that her people had a large connection network over a wide chunk of geography.
“Archeological evidence has always suggested that large numbers of people who settled the Caribbean originated in South America and that they maintained social networks that extended far beyond the local scale,” co-author and Leiden University archaeologist Corinne Hofman, Ph.D., explained in a statement released Monday. “Historically, it has been difficult to back up this with ancient DNA because of poor preservation, but this study demonstrates that it is possible to obtain ancient genomes from the Caribbean, and that opens up fascinating new possibilities for research.”
In the past decade, the ability to analyze ancient DNA has revolutionized archaeology. However, notes Hofman, poor DNA preservation holds back analysis in tropical areas like the Caribbean from reaching the same level of progress. Her team’s success in sequencing the Taíno woman’s genome, however, is a hopeful sign of change. The project itself is an exciting opportunity for researchers and holds plenty of promise for those hoping for a better understanding of their ancestry.
“I wish my grandmother were alive today so that I could confirm to her what she already knew,” Taíno descendant Jorge Estevez explained in a statement accompanying the study. Estev, who works at the National Museum of the American Indian, assisted the project team and was taught in school that his ancestors had gone extinct.
“It shows that the true history is one of assimilation, certainly, but not total extinction…Although this may have been a matter of scientific inquiry for them [the researchers], to us, the descendants, it is truly liberating and uplifting.”
Wheat Contains Not One, But 23K Potentially Harmful Proteins
Despite popular misconceptions gluten is only the tip of a very large iceberg. There are actually 23,788 distinct proteins that have been identified in wheat, any one of which could incite a negative immune reaction in the body.
Most folks don’t realize that when we are talking about health problems associated with wheat, or gluten, we are not talking about a monolithic entity, a singular “bad guy,” solely responsible for the havoc commonly experienced as a consequence of consuming this grain. After all, how could just one villain cause the 200+ different clinically observed adverse health effects now linked in the biomedical literature to wheat consumption?
No, the problem is that “gluten” is an abstraction, and in its perceived singularity profoundly misrepresents the true extent of the problem, much in the way that the tip of an iceberg does not convey the massive threat submerged below …
Gluten is the Latin name for “glue,” and signifies the doughy complex of proteins within the wheat plant, further classified as either gliadins (alcohol soluble), glutelins (dilute acid or alkalis soluble), or other. Because wheat is a hexaploid species (doesn’t that sound creepy?), the byproduct of three ancestor plants becoming one, with no less than 6 sets of chromosomes and 6.5 times more genes than found in the human genome, it is capable of producing no less than 23,788 different proteins – a fact as amazing as it is disturbing.[i]
Disturbing, how?
Well, any one of these proteins could elicit what is known as an antigenic response, i.e. the immune system identifies a wheat protein as other, launches either an innate or adaptive immune response, and attacks self-structures accidentally, as a result.
So, if only one protein could incite an adverse reaction, what would 23,000 different proteins do when presented to the body for processing simultaneously? And what if many of these wheat proteins were disulfide-bonded proteins, that is, “glued” together (Remember, gluten is the Latin word for glue) with the same, sturdy sulfur-based bonds found in human hair and vulcanized rubber – (think bowling ball plastic tough!) – which is to say, impossible for our digestive system to break down fully?*
What would happen is that many of these proteins would pass through our intestinal tract, made more permeable by the dual effects of gliadin (zonulin up-reguation) and wheat lectin (the invisible thorn), hence “opening pandora’s bread box” of autoimmunity and systemic inflammation.
Keep in mind that 23,788 proteins is a very large number. And given the recombinatorial possibilities inherent in such a large number of distinct, different proteins, some of them have emerged — by sheer accident — as nearly identical (homologous) in structure and configuration to both narcotic drugs and virulent components of immune-system activating microbes.
Narcotic Potential
Gliadin can be broken down into various amino acid lengths or peptides. Gliadorphin is a 7 amino acid long peptide: Tyr-Pro-Gln-Pro-Gln-Pro-Phe which forms when the gastrointestinal system is compromised. When digestive enzymes are insufficient to break gliadorphin down into 2-3 amino acid lengths and a compromised intestinal wall allows for the leakage of the entire 7 amino acid long fragment into the blood, glaidorphin can pass through to the brain through circumventricular organs and activate opioid receptors resulting in disrupted brain function.
There have been a number of gluten exorphins identified: gluten exorphin A4, A5, B4, B5 and C, and many of them have been hypothesized to play a role in autism, schizophrenia, ADHD and related neurological conditions. In the same way that the celiac iceberg illustrated the illusion that intolerance to wheat is rare, it is possible, even probable, that wheat exerts pharmacological influences on everyone. What distinguishes the schizophrenic or autistic individual from the functional wheat consumer is the degree to which they are affected.
Immunotoxic Potential
The digestion of gliadin produces a peptide that is 33 amino acids long and is known as 33-mer which has a remarkable homology to the internal sequence of pertactin, the immunodominant sequence in the Bordetella pertussis bacteria (whooping cough). Pertactin is considered a highly immunogenic virulence factor, and is used in vaccines to amplify the adaptive immune response. It is possible the immune system may confuse this 33-mer with a pathogen resulting in either or both a cell-mediated and adaptive immune response against Self.
So, while acknowledging that “gluten” is a problem is a good, first step in the acknowledgment of the dangers of wheat, it is just the beginning of a journey into understanding the true nature, and extent of damage caused by this debilitating food.
The Healing Power of Oats Validated By Science
Grains have gotten a bad rap in recent years, with the rise in popularity of paleo and ketogenic diets turning people away from many carbohydrate foods. But oats have unique health benefits that should be taken into account.
The story of oats is a classic rags-to-riches tale, if ever that could be applied to food. Once considered acceptable food only for livestock, oats are now regarded as one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Valued by the weight-conscious as a filling, low-calorie meal option, and approved by low-carb dieters thanks to a slow-burning, low-glycemic profile. Still a staple food in many countries, oats have finally gone mainstream. And this is a dietary trend with lots of merit.
Oats are a high-energy, low-fat source of complex carbohydrates, providing hours of steady energy without blood sugar spikes or crashes. Oats are low-calorie, easy to prepare, and very versatile, accommodating an array of toppings such as fruits, nuts, seeds, and honey or maple syrup. Oats and groats (the whole-grain kernel without the husk) are always 100 percent whole grain, with germ, endosperm, and nutrient-rich bran intact. Regardless of the variety you choose—rolled, steel-cut, pin oats, old-fashioned, or instant—the high soluble fiber content of oats keeps your energy steady and provides a satisfying sense of fullness. Oats are a great source of important vitamins and minerals, including calcium, zinc, iron, manganese, thiamine, B-vitamins, vitamin E, and folic acid, essential for healthy fetal development. And if those aren’t enough reasons to make oats your new go-to breakfast, here are more powerful health benefits of eating oats that you should know about!
Improves Blood Lipid Profiles (‘Cholesterol’)
While we do not believe that present-day guidelines for lowering cholesterol address the root causes of heart disease, finding natural alternatives to statins drugs, whose toxicity is profoundly underreported, can have life-saving consequences. Therefore, food-based approaches are needed more than ever. Oats have been accepted worldwide by food standards agencies as having a cholesterol-lowering effect when regularly included in the diet. Due in part to this increased awareness, in 2014, a group of international researchers sought to update previous meta-analysis with new findings on oats’ actions on improving blood lipid profiles. Much of this research focused on an isolate in oats called oat beta-glucan, water-soluble polysaccharides derived from the endosperm of oat kernels, known for their cholesterol- and blood sugar-lowering properties. After a review of 28 randomized controlled trials, researchers concluded that subjects who consumed a minimum of 3 grams per day of oat beta-glucan experienced reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol, relative to control subjects. Subjects with the highest pre-trial LDL cholesterol experienced the greatest reductions, indicating a normalizing effect. More studies echo these findings.
Other grains do not have the same effect on blood lipid profiles that has been observed in oats. In 2002, wheat cereal, popularized as an oatmeal equivalent, was tested against oatmeal for cholesterol effects in middle-aged and older men. In this study, 36 overweight men aged 50-75 years, were randomly assigned to consume either wheat or oat cereal for 12 weeks. Both cereals provided the same amount (14 grams) of dietary fiber. Baseline levels of blood lipids were measured, and whole-body insulin sensitivity was frequently sampled via intravenous-glucose-tolerance tests. Researchers concluded that compared with wheat cereal, oats produced lower concentrations of LDL cholesterol without producing adverse changes in blood triacylglycerol or HDL-cholesterol concentrations. There was no impact on blood glucose, prompting researchers to declare that oats may potentially be cardioprotective and safe for individuals with blood sugar sensitivities, two hypotheses that are significantly supported by the following clinical research.
Good for Heart Health
Plant polyphenols are micronutrients in plant-based foods that are responsible for imparting many health benefits when consumed, including bolstering resistance to a host of degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The amount of benefit we get is largely dependent on quantity and quality of polyphenols consumed. A 2006 study on oat polyphenols confirmed previous scientific findings that oats may offer additional heart benefits beyond simply lowering cholesterol. In this study, a polyphenol which is unique to oats called avenanthramide-c, was shown to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, an important factor in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.
Additional heart-healthy benefits were observed in this study on the effects of oat bran on blood lipid profiles in patients with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. In the study, 235 overweight males with high cholesterol were organized into three groups: a control and two test groups. Both test groups were placed on a modified low-fat diet, one of which was also provided 35-50 grams of oat bran supplementation each day. The most significant decreases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B were found in the group receiving oat bran-enriched food. Oats’ benefits to the heart have even been witnessed in the brain. A study published in 2013 examined twenty-seven healthy subjects aged 60 and older who were given supplementation of wild green oat extract for six months. Compared with placebo, wild green oat extract supplementation was shown to relax smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls of systemic and cerebral arteries, confirming results of a similar study from 2006 that used oat polyphenols instead of wild oat extract.
Maintaining healthy blood pressure is another facet of good heart health. A 2010 study sought to assess the effects of consuming whole-grain foods on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in high-risk individuals. Researchers selected middle-aged, otherwise healthy individuals, and created one control group, and two test groups. One test group was fed a modified diet containing wheat grains only, while the other test group was fed the modified diet plus wheat and oat grains, diets they followed for twelve weeks. According to the study, “The primary outcome was a reduction of cardiovascular disease risk factors…which included [reduced] lipid and inflammatory marker concentrations, insulin sensitivity, and blood pressure.” Both systolic and pulse pressure were significantly reduced in the whole grains groups, the most impactful outcome for heart health seen in this trial. These findings and others like them suggest that whole grains, especially those derived from oats, can play a role in the maintenance of good heart health.
Stabilizes Blood Sugar
It’s a common belief that individuals with blood sugar sensitivities should not consume grains, breads, and cereal products. This is generally a good rule to follow, as most commercially-prepared breads and cereals contain simple sugars and denatured (non-whole) grains which have the effect of sending insulin spiking and blood sugar crashing soon after a meal. This is especially true for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, who require low-glycemic grain products to control blood sugar and decrease the odds of progression to insulin-dependency. A 2005 study compared post-meal glycemic response of two oat bran flour products in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that both of the oat flour products decreased glucose excursion from baseline, and oats’ high-beta glucan was an active ingredient in decreasing post-meal glycemic response in subjects.
An earlier study on the power of oat bran sought to determine the long-term effects of oat bran bread products in the diets of subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Bread and other grain-based carbohydrates can be trigger foods for people with blood sugar sensitivities, however, researchers concluded that consuming oat bran-derived bread products actually improved glycemic, insulinemic, and lipidemic responses in test subjects. Such positive study outcomes tend to inspire further research, as scientists’ quest for the holy grail of health steadily continues. In 2015, researchers conducted a large-scale review of the metabolic effect of oats on Type 2 diabetes patients, in an attempt to better understand the mechanisms at work in this exceptional grain. The review included results from fourteen controlled trials and two uncontrolled observational studies published in PubMed database up to August 23, 2015. As compared with control groups, consuming oats significantly reduced concentrations of average plasma glucose concentration, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Oatmeal also significantly reduced acute post-meal glucose and insulin responses compared with the control meal. The study confirmed the beneficial effect of oats intake on glucose control and lipid profiles in Type 2 diabetic patients, paving the way for potential uses for oats in the treatment of Type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes.
Heals the Gut
According to celiac.org, celiac disease is a serious, hereditary autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. An estimated 1 in 100 people are affected worldwide, including 2.5 million Americans who are currently undiagnosed and at risk for long-term health complications.[1] Oats are one of the few gluten-free grains, as long as they are uncontaminated (oats are often processed in plants that also process wheat, barley, and other gluten-containing grains). Beyond their gluten-free status, oats have been observed to have healing effects in individuals with celiac disease. In 2010, a group of researchers, inspired by previous studies showing that consumption of oats improves intake of vitamins and minerals in celiac patients, conducted a study whose aim was to clarify the effect of consuming large quantities of oats on nutrient intakes in celiac patients in remission. The goal for subjects was to consume 100 grams of oats per day. Results showed that intake of vitamin B1, magnesium, and zinc increased significantly during the period of dietary modification.
In addition to increasing nutrient absorption, celiac patients who include oats in their diet may receive further benefits. It is well-known that a gluten-free diet omitting other grains is the only effective treatment for celiac disease. However, according to researchers, “the necessity of excluding oats from the diet has remained controversial.”[2] A study on children with celiac disease found that oats do not trigger systemic auto-antibodies, nor mucosal auto-antibodies in the intestines. Another study on children with newly-diagnosed celiac disease found that despite being previously off-limits to celiac patients, oats appear safe and non-toxic, regardless of age or length of time since diagnosis.
The controversy surrounding oats and celiac has to do with proteins called avenins, similar to gliadin from wheat, which can trigger celiac disease in a small proportion of people,[3] as well as the aforementioned contamination problem. A 2005 study sought to determine if different varieties of oats may exert differing toxicities in celiac patients. In this study, three types of oats were tested: an Italian oat variety called Astra, and two Australian varieties, Mortlook and Lampton. Avenins from Astra and Mortlook showed much higher levels of intestinal activity than the Lampton variety of oats, causing proteins to agglutinate and disrupting lysosomes. Despite being widely tolerated among individuals with celiac disease, this study indicates that caution should still be exercised at the individual level. According to researchers, “It is important to realize that constant, small amounts of active proteins in the diet, such as certain avenins, may prevent complete recovery of the intestinal mucosa in this disease.” It is therefore important for individuals with celiac disease to assess their own level of reactivity to oats in the diet.
Part of the intestinal health benefits of oats lies in their ability to reduce gut permeability, a factor in other intestinal disorders such as leaky gut syndrome and certain allergies. A 2016 study investigated the influence of the dietary fiber oat beta-glucan on nutrient composition and the permeability of intestinal mucus. Pigs were fed a standard diet or a diet containing oat beta-glucan for 3 days, after which samples of tissue and intestinal mucus were collected. Samples indicated that 90% of the oat beta-glucan was released in the small intestine which demonstrated a reduction in permeability through reduced transfer of bile and lipids through the intestinal mucus layer, and a reabsorption of bile by soluble fiber. Researchers concluded definitively that “Increasing dietary oat fiber decreases the permeability of intestinal mucus.” This research is confirmed by studies demonstrating that oats can repair alcohol-induced gut leakiness in animal studies. There is even reason to suspect that tricin, a flavonoid found in oats, can suppress formation of inflammation-associated colon cancer cells, giving rise to the potential use of tricin for clinical trials of colorectal cancer chemoprevention.
Resources
[1] https://celiac.org/celiac-disease/understanding-celiac-disease-2/what-is-celiac-disease/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19412007
[3] Biesiekierski JR (2017).”What is gluten?”.J Gastroenterol Hepatol (Review). 32 Suppl 1: 78–81. doi:10.1111/jgh.13703. PMID 28244676.
26 Powerful Lessons to Learn from Nature
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu
I recently had the honor to hear the empowering Gabrielle Bernstein and Kris Carr speak at the Crazy Sexy Miracles lecture in NYC. The evening was filled with many “AHA moments” but one thing that stood out, in particular, was Kris Carr’s wise suggestion, “If you struggle with mastering patience, acceptance or any lesson, look to nature as your teacher. Kris said “Ask how the stars do it? How does the ocean do it? How do the birds do it?” Therein you will find an illustration and answer of how you should handle your issue. That struck a strong cord in my heart because I’ve had many deeply connected moments with nature and animals where time stands still and I feel one with a higher energy, yet I never thought to look to nature for answers.
It’s the moment you see a beautiful cloud formation while driving, taking in the magnitude of colors during a sunset, seeing autumn foliage, watching flocks of birds migrating or deeply looking into the eyes of your pet. I began to ponder what we are suppose to learn and what other messages I missed by our silent teachers. As I began to become present with nature, these are some of the humbling lessons and answers by tuning into nature and animals.
26 Powerful Lessons to Learn from Nature
1. Trees
As seasons change, we are guided to learn acceptance and non-resistance. A green leaf doesn’t resist turning red when autumn approaches. Trees don’t resist leaves falling when winter arrives. They stand deeply rooted in the ground, with their vulnerability out in the open and branches spread wide, surrendering to the Universe. Do what you will with me, I trust it is for my highest good.
2. Ocean
The vast ocean can’t exist without each particle of water. Each human being plays its part in humanity. We are all one small part of the greater whole.
3. Birds
Birds soaring through the sky represents the limitless freedom and potential available to us if we release our fears. Taking off to fly for the first time can be scary and bring about feelings of fear. Without taking the risk of the first flight, we won’t find the internal freedom we desire. We must dare to take our feet off the ground, spread our wings and soar.
4. Pets
Pets teach us more about love than any person or thing. We understand the true nature of unconditional love without expectations. The true nature of forgiveness is forgetting and letting go of grudges. We learn uninhibited, unreserved affection by giving our full attention. Understanding love is a feeling and doesn’t require words. Love is felt in the heart by making eye connection, being in someone’s presence and through physical touch.
5. Ants and Bees
The community of bees and ants all participate together to benefit all those in their community. We each have our own calling that is best performed by us. Each part is necessary for a functioning family, community, nation and world. Embrace your special responsibility, share it proudly with the world, and always do your best.
6. Bamboo and the Maple Tree
Who said that the bamboo is more beautiful than the maple tree and maple tree is more valuable than the bamboo because it gives out maple syrup? Does the bamboo feel jealous of the maple tree because it is bigger and its leaves change color? The idea of trees comparing themselves to others is ridiculous as should humans comparing themselves to one another. We must compare our growth to who we were yesterday not to the growth of another. Everyone is incomparably unique.
7. Flocks of Birds
I’ve never seen two birds run into each other when they are flying in a flock. Why is that if they never talk to each other? True communication doesn’t always need words. Body language, sensing others` energy and tone can say much more than the actual words we speak. At all times we are communicating through our thoughts and the energy we dispel. Be mindful of your thoughts as the energy behind them affect others and the world.
8. Night Sky
Darkness is necessary to appreciate the light. We need to experience the opposite of what we want so we can appreciate and experience the thing we desire.
9. Sky
No matter what storms are passing, know it is always transient because beyond the clouds, the sky is always blue and the sun is always shining.
10. Rain
Water is required to cleanse negativity in the world and allow a space of clarity. It is through showering and soaking in a tub, that we clear our bodies from the stagnant, negative energy of yesterday and replenish our positive energy. Shower with the intent of cleansing your body, spirit and mind.
11. Clouds
The sky is the backdrop of our mind. The clouds with different formations, speeds and heights represent the frequency, types and speed of our thoughts. As clouds, our thoughts too shall pass. Glide through your thoughts like birds glides through clouds. Don’t resist the clouds, fly through them.
12. Stars
Stars bring beauty and light in the darkness. Instead of succumbing to the darkness of the world, be one of the radiant stars that shines their bright inner light. As we inspire others to be stars, we can light up the night sky with our intentional beams of star light.
13. Wind
Not all things that exist can be seen or heard. Some things need to be felt. Don’t be limited to your 5 senses. Use your intuition and develop the practice of believing in the things you feel.
14. Sunrise and Sunset
The breathtaking colors of a sunrise and sunset show us that colors vibrate energy and have the power to elicit certain emotions and feelings. Be mindful about the colors you surround yourself with.
15. Animals
Zebras do not look at tigers and wish they could hunt like tigers. Accept yourself as you are, know your weaknesses and strengths and embrace your unique beauty and gifts.
16. Preys
Animals who are prey don’t over analyze and plan in advance the ways they are going to outsmart a predator in the future. When the threat approaches their fight or flight kicks in, when the threat is gone, they go back to grazing without a thought in mind about the predator. Don’t dwell in a space of fear of the future and regret of the past when the threat doesn’t exist. That’s the breeding ground of stress, anxiety and regret.
17. Gardens
Have faith in tomorrow. We plant seeds of hope today, nourish them with love and attention with the faith that our labor will result in fruits in the future. We can’t impatiently force a garden to grow on our terms. A seed will sprout into a plant when the time is right. A fruit will fall from the tree when it is ripe and ready. They grow not because they are forced to, because they let go and allow divine energy and timing to run its course. Be persistent, patient and have trust in divine timing.
18. Natural Disasters
Our earth absorbs the negative energy humans expel as do our bodies. There are times when the earth and our bodies need to recalibrate and dispel the negative energy we absorbed. Mental breakdowns and hitting rock bottom will bring chaos, change and discomfort, but it can be the most positive, life-changing event. Sometimes, we need to be brought to our knees to remember what we are grateful for and start on a new life path.
19. Mountains
Stand firm, poised and majestic like a mountain. Regardless of the external situations life will bring you, remain strong like the mountains do when faced with avalanches, rain storms, and water erosion. Your emotional guidance system should be tough like a rooted mountain, immune to the actions and reactions of others.
20. Flowers
We all carry a different fragrance, color and beauty for the world to enjoy. Flowers don’t discriminate who they share their beauty and fragrance with. They share with all friends, strangers and enemies. True compassion and love comes from sharing your beauty with all you meet.
21. Snakes
It’s necessary to shed your own skin and personality to allow an improved and better version of ourselves to emerge
22. Gravity
The Universe has its own sets of laws that are not man-made and trumps any rule, law or limiting belief set by man. Figure out the Universal laws and make sure you are working with them and not against them.
23. Flow of Water
As we set sail in our life, we take sail through a calm stream. As our dreams get bigger, we are guided to a river with faster currents and more opportunities. Eventually, for our dreams to be realized, we must end up in the vast ocean. We won’t always have the protection of the river banks as our safety net. To achieve our dreams we have to lose sight of the land and sail into open waters, where there are unlimited possibilities for our dreams to manifest. Anything and everything is possible.
24. Butterflies
Butterflies symbolize our entire life cycle metamorphosis. Life is short and from the moment of birth we are constantly changing our form, inside and out. Don’t resist change. Some of the most beautiful wisdom and changes occur as you grow older and transform from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Appreciate each phase of your life before you transform to a new cycle.
25. Streams
There is always a natural undercurrent to water. We have the choice to either flow with the current of life or paddle against the stream. We dispel our energy, creativity and time working against the flow of the Universe. Throw your paddles in the water and let your boat take course in the natural direction of the current. You are being guided to go in the direction you are meant to go.
26. Weather
Just like weather forecasts, nothing is certain in life. We can’t control and prepare for everything. On days when there is suppose to be sunshine, the rain may unexpectedly fall. Don’t let your mood be affected by the weather. Looking to nature and animals, we see beauty and wisdom in the simple and ordinary. We easily take this beautiful world and its many messages and lessons for granted. Don’t wait for extraordinary moments to take your breath away, look to nature and bring that beauty into all that you do and every moment of your life. Tending a garden, folding laundry, consoling your child having a tantrum or cooking a meal- all regular tasks take on a sacred quality when we perform them with the total involvement, acceptance and love.
What is one lesson nature has taught you? You can share it with us in the comment section below 🙂
Chelsea Werner: The Girl with Down’s Syndrome Who Became a Two-Time Champion in Gymnastics
Down’s syndrome is one of the most challenging and debilitating conditions that affect children in the world. It’s a genetic disorder which makes muscular and skeletal development very slow and faulty. And, as a result, Down’s patients end up with brittle skeletons. Chelsea Werner was no different. She was diagnosed when she was a child too.
Parents Encouragement
What’s different, is the way things turned out afterward for her. Her parents despite her diagnosis enrolled her in gymnastics classes. Needless to say, they were very difficult for her.
However, the brave heart ended up participating in her first tournament when she was 8. This is a significant achievement in a world where gymnastics still happens to be one of the most challenging of sports. Life got complicated for Chelsea and her family in 2006 when the state of California dropped gymnastics from its Special Olympics programme. Her father who never gave up on her ended up going to an NPO and seeking financial aid to fuel her career.
Now one must remember this, the phrase “you are all winners” resonates on a spiritual level for participants at any event for Specially Able people. Even the Special Olympics is mainly organized for such participants so that they can socialize.
Chelsea lost thrice in a row. In fact, she came last.
In a world where people give up at the first sight of failure, she started practicing 16 hours every week, which is a huge deal.
It is said, that if you desire something with the bottom of your heart, the universe conspires to unite you with it.
Chelsea desired victory for once in her life.
The best part is, she never thought of her disability as a thing that hindered her in any way. She knew she lost, but not when it came to being differently abled.
And well, the universe did conspire to unite her with her dream. She indeed got her chance and her hard work paid off. All she put her body through paid her, her due.
Her persistent resilience saw her through. She won numerous accolades at the national level. But the jewel of her crown/ the feather in her cap came when she won a world title at the International Down Syndrome Foundation World Championships. She loves her life and is very sociable. Her parents and in extension the whole world is proud of this wunderkind.
3 Buddhist beliefs that will soothe your soul (and make you much happier!)
There’s no denying that life is tough.
We might appear that we’re happy, but deep inside, it’s total chaos. It’s almost like we’re “ducks” – calm on the surface but paddling furiously underneath.
But the worst thing we can do is avoid the difficult aspects of life.
According to Buddhist philosophy, happiness involves embracing and accepting all the different aspects of life, even if they’re negative.
Otherwise we’re turning a blind eye to reality and resisting the natural forces of the universe.
So below, we’re going to go over 3 truths about life Buddhism says we’d all benefit from accepting.
1) Dukka: Life is pain and causes suffering.
This is the first noble truth of Buddhism. You might think that this sounds quite negative. But there’s more to it than simply “Life is tough, so accept it.”
The truth is, we create more suffering in our lives by avoiding difficult emotions.
Buddha is right: Every single one of us will at one point experience unpleasant emotions like anxiety, stress, and sadness.
We often try to avoid these feelings through attaching ourselves to material items and fleeting states of being like excitement. However, doing this often a recipe for more disappointment and sadness in the future.
So rather than fearing suffering, if we choose to be aware of it and accept it, it can ultimately reduce our suffering. Alan Watts says it best:
“There will always be suffering. But we must not suffer over the suffering.”
How can this benefit you in your daily life? Realize that there is power in accepting that death, sickness, suffering and loss are part of life.
You can stop attaching to the thought that life should be easy and pain-free. By doing so, you’re becoming more open to change and uncertainty, which paradoxically will make your life more enjoyable and fun.n
2. Anitya: Life is change.
Anitya means “impermanence” which states that nothing is ever fixed. Everything is changing. The weather changes, our emotions change, we are born and eventually pass away; the only law in the universe is that change is constant.
This concept can help us when we are experiencing difficult emotions as we know they won’t last forever. Our pain will pass.
When we experience joy, we know that the feeling is fleeting, so we better make the most of it while it lasts. Greek philosopher Heraclitus mirrored the belief when he famously said, “You can never step in the same river twice.” All we have is the present moment.
How can this benefit you in your daily life? While embracing the idea of impermanence feels scary, it can actually be quite liberating. It helps us appreciate all the good things we have in life while realizing that the bad won’t last forever.
It’s also the law of the universe, so by embracing this idea, you are literally flowing with all that there is, rather than fighting against it.
3. Anatma: The self is always changing.
In the west, we tend to believe that there is a concrete, constant self tucked away somewhere in us.
Buddhism, however, says that there is no fixed, stable “self”. Our cells, memories, thoughts, experiences always change over time. We give ourselves names, titles and personalities to make it feel like there is a sense of “self”. But this is another idea given to us from our society.
According to Buddhism, our lives are a story we can change. As Thich Nhat Hanh says, “Thanks to impermanence, anything is possible.”
How can this benefit you in your daily life? In the west, we are often told to “find ourselves.” However, by embracing this idea, we can instead create ourselves. If we are having an off day, we can realize that tomorrow will be different. Every day offers new possibilities for us to expand who we are.
Looking to reduce stress and live a calmer, more focused life? Mindfulness is the easy way to gently let go of stress and be in the moment. It has fast become the slow way to manage the modern world – without chanting mantras or finding hours of special time to meditate.
In Hack Spirit’s new eBook, The Art of Mindfulness, we explain how you can use mindfulness practically to help you clear your mind, let go of your worries and live peacefully in the present moment.
By devoting full attention on what we are doing in the moment, we can alleviate suffering, fear and anxiety.
With the power of mindfulness at our fingertips and the beauty of looking deeply, we can find insights to transform and heal any situation.
8 Ways to Stop Being So Hard on Yourself
Why are you so hard on yourself? Do you really think all that self-hatred, self-condemnation, self-judgment, and self-criticism will make things better?
There is this tendency amongst us humans to be hard on ourselves – I guess we honestly believe that by pushing ourselves harder and harder, and by constantly pointing out the many things we think are wrong with ourselves and our lives, something will change.
But you and I know that you attract more bees with honey than vinegar…
8 Ways to Stop Being So Hard on Yourself
1. You are only human
I know you strive for perfection and you want to do everything in a perfect manner. But you have to understand that you are only human. And humans fall, stumble, and make mistakes – it’s all part of our humanity.
2. Rome wasn’t built in a day
It’s a fast-paced world we live in. I get that. But no matter how fast, brilliant, and skillful you may be, some things just take time. And you being hard on yourself won’t make them happen any faster.
“I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of nature.” ~ Paulo Coelho
3. Take time to breathe
“Shallow breathing is the root of all evil but conscious deep breathing restores and secures our souls.” ~ Desmond Green
Pay close attention to your breathing. And whenever you catch yourself falling back into old habits by being hard on yourself and trying to force things into completion, direct your focus back to your breath. By doing so, not only will you learn to be more gentle with yourself, but you will also experience the peace and serenity that comes from being fully present in your body, and fully present in the NOW.
4. Take one step at a time
There is no need to rush. No need to hurry. And no need to force things into completion. Just take one step at a time and trust the natural flow of life.
Know that,
“Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe. Therefore the Master takes action by letting things take their course. He remains as calm at the end as at the beginning.” ~ Lao Tzu
5. Commit to THIS moment
One of the many reasons you are so hard on yourself is because you think that THIS moment right here – where you NOW are, what you NOW are doing, and who you NOW are – is not enough – good enough, perfect enough, fast enough, smart enough, etc..
But THIS moment right here is more than enough – this moment is perfect – this moment is where your life is.
And if you don’t learn to honor, enjoy, and appreciate what’s in front of you, you risk wishing your life away.
6. Be gentle with yourself
Be kind and gentle with yourself.
Let go of negative self-judgments, self-hatred, and self-criticism, and learn to treat yourself with the love and respect you truly deserve. Know that your thoughts have creative power. And the words that come out of your mind give life to that which you affirm.
Affirm only the best!
7. Create your own rules
Instead of unquestioningly adopting the many stereotypical definitions of happiness, fulfillment, and success this world so generously offers us, choose to create your own rules. Define success on own terms. Create your own rules and seek to discover for yourself what true happiness, wealth, and well-being mean to you.
“The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
8. Stop enabling and loving yourself
I know you have a big heart and you want to help everyone. But you have to understand that by trying to save them all, you risk losing all of you.
You are not here to save the world, nor are you here to do the work others need to do for themselves. You are here to be an example for others – to inspire and empower others – to Be better, and Do better, but not to do their work for them. So please, stop enabling and start loving yourself.
“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” ~ Buddha
The CDC’s Fictional Flu Death Stats and Tamiflu’s Lethal Side Effects
“You don’t sell the drug, you sell the disease.”
~ George Merck, founder of Merck
Flu season, or at least reporting on it, has reached a fever pitch … but the flu propaganda telling you it may be dangerous NOT to take Tamiflu and/or the flu vaccine may be a far greater risk to your health than the flu itself.
Take a look at this recent hysterical headline from the Daily Mail UK: “Flu virus has killed THOUSANDS in just ONE week with the death toll set to rise and Tamiflu shortages being reported across the country.” Sounds terrifying, right? They even went out of their way to capitalize THOUSANDS to make the point, presumably, that you or your loved ones could be the next casaulty.
According to the Daily Mail UK ‘report,’ “New CDC statistics show over 4,000 Americans died from the flu or pneumonia during the third week of January.”
Did you notice that despite their headline stating it was “flu virus” which “killed THOUSANDS,” they are referencing CDC statistics which clearly state that it was either the flu or pneumonia. Well, which one is it? Something doesn’t add up here.
The CDC Admits Their Flu Death Statistics Aren’t Based On Confirmed Influenza Cases
The CDC’s own resource page on the topic titled, “Estimating Seasonal Influenza-Associated Deaths in the United States,” clearly states both that, “Seasonal influenza-related deaths are deaths that occur in people for whom seasonal influenza infection was likely a contributor to the cause of death, but not necessarily the primary cause of death,” and even more succinctly: “CDC does not know exactly how many people die from seasonal flu each year.”
So, what is the CDC’s magical formula through which it arrives at its flu death statistics?
The CDC has a far from lucid answer to this question under the subject heading, “What categories does CDC use to estimate flu-associated deaths?”, as follows:
“CDC uses two categories of underlying cause of death information listed on death certificates: pneumonia and influenza (P&I) causes and respiratory and circulatory (R&C) causes. CDC uses statistical models with records from these two categories to make estimates of influenza-associated mortality. CDC uses underlying R&C deaths (which include P&I deaths) as the primary outcome in its mortality modeling because R&C deaths provide an estimate of deaths that include secondary respiratory or cardiac complications that can follow influenza. R&C causes of death are more sensitive to describe flu-related deaths than underlying P&I deaths and more specific than deaths from all causes.”
Yes, you read that correctly. The CDC uses a fuzzy math-based statistical model which identifies influenza as the cause of death even when respiratory diseases like pneumonia, or circulatory causes like cardiac arrest, are officially reported to have been the cause of death. This is all the more suspect when no virus testing is required to be performed in the majority of these cases. Absurdly, the CDC’s own resource page on pneumonia states that, “Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can all cause pneumonia.” Clearly, therefore, influenza alone can not be said to be the cause of all pneumonia deaths. You can see the same pseudoscientific process of arriving at annual flu death statistics exposed in the report below on Canada’s equally propaganda-driven health system:
Nor would the confirmed presence of influenza be sufficient to attribute the primary cause of death to the flu. Influenza, in fact, is a naturally occurring and often subclinical part of the human virome, detectable in human blood along with dozens of other viruses. Nor is influenza strictly ‘other,’ in the sense that its very infectious particle is comprised of host proteins and lipids. Learn more by reading: Why The Only Thing Influenza May Kill Is Germ Theory. Truth be told, we are only beginning to understand the role of viruses in mediating genotype-to-phenotype relationships within the immune system. And as Skip Virgin, PhD, explains brilliantly in a NIH lecture on the virome, many of the viruses we once thought were strictly harmful protect us against deadly bacterial infections and even cancer.
The CDC appears to be aware of the weaknesses of their approach, as evidenced by their feeling obligated to answer the following hypothetical question: “Why doesn’t CDC base its seasonal flu mortality estimates only on death certificates that specifically list influenza?” Their answer powerfully confirms their lack of interest in evidence-based confirmation of their flu death statistics:
“Seasonal influenza may lead to death from other causes, such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It has been recognized for many years that influenza is underreported on death certificates and patients aren’t always tested for seasonal influenza infection, particularly the elderly who are at greatest risk of seasonal influenza complications and death. Some deaths – particularly among the elderly – are associated with secondary complications of seasonal influenza (including bacterial pneumonias). Influenza virus infection may not be identified in many instances because influenza virus is only detectable for a short period of time and/or many people don’t seek medical care until after the first few days of acute illness. For these and other reasons, statistical modeling strategies have been used to estimate seasonal flu-related deaths for many decades. Only counting deaths where influenza was included on a death certificate would be a gross underestimation of seasonal influenza’s true impact.” [bold emphasis added]
As you can see above, they admit that “ Influenza virus infection may not be identified in many instances,” making it impossible to confirm that these are, indeed, flu-related deaths despite their being recording as such. In other words, this is NOT evidence-based whatsoever.
Recently, my colleague RFK Jr. elaborated further on this gross misrepresentation of the truth in his article titled, “Caveat Emptor: Science vs. CDC on Scary Flu Shot Promotions,”:
“CDC’s strategy to use fear to ramp up flu vaccine sales requires the agency to exaggerate both flu risks and vaccine efficacy. Pharmaceutical companies and public health officials vastly overstate flu cases and deaths in order to market influenza “as a threat of great proportions.” Simple fact-checking shows that since October 2017, only 14.7% of the almost 447,000 “flu” specimens tested by clinical laboratories working with CDC have tested positive for influenza. This proportion has remained relatively constant for the past two decades. According to the British Medical Journal’s Peter Doshi, “Even the ideal influenza vaccine…can only deal with a small part of the ‘flu’ problem because most ‘flu’ appears to have nothing to do with influenza.” Actual influenza deaths not only rank lower than the major killers such as heart disease and cancer but also are lower down in the mortality rankings than ulcers and hernias.”
The reality is that these frightening flu death statistics bandied about by the mainstream media and public health authorities as fact are not evidence-based in the least. Just like the CDC and media’s widespread misrepresentation of the flu vaccine as safe and effective, their facts and figures are not grounded in peer-reviewed, published research, as one would expect. But this is actually quite typical for the eminence-based, or cult of authority-based model of medicine and health policy that dominates the sociopolitical landscape today. Evidence has never really played a significant role in the CDC’s policies.
Tamiflu Caused Death Attributed To ‘The Flu’?
So, what happens when someone is treated for flu-like symptoms with Tamiflu and subsequently dies? Do you think the CDC accounts for the possibility that the drug or drugs used contributed to their deterioration or death or do they just blame ‘the flu’? This is an important question to ask, considering that Tamiflu’s lethality has been identified as a possible side effect in the medical literature. For instance:
“CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest Tamiflu use could induce sudden deterioration LEADING TO DEATH especially within 12 hours of prescription. These findings are consistent with sudden deaths observed in a series of animal toxicity studies, several reported case series and the results of prospective cohort studies. From “the precautionary principle” the potential harm of Tamiflu should be taken into account and further detailed studies should be conducted.” [capitalization emphasis added]”
“It is concluded that unchanged oseltamivir has various effects on the central nervous system (CNS) that may be related to clinical findings including hypothermia, abnormal behaviours including with fatal outcome, and SUDDEN DEATH” [capitalization emphasis added]”
Another, 2007 article published in the British Medical Journal addressed Oseltamivir’s Adverse Reactions as follows:
“…Thus adverse reactions to oseltamivir may be roughly classified into three groups: (a) sudden onset reactions related to central suppressive action of oseltamivir-P during cytokine storm, including sudden death, abnormal behaviours, and other sudden neuropsychiatric disorders; (b) late onset reactions such as pneumonia, sepsis, hyperglycaemia, and late onset neuropsychiatric disorders possibly related to inhibition of human cytosolic neuraminidase (sialidase) activity by oseltamivir carboxylate; and (c) allergic reactions and others…”
They listed the manner by which Tamiflu indices death as follows:
“…Of the total 80 deaths, 50 were sudden deaths or deaths from sudden cardiopulmonary arrest (18 in those <10 years old, 32 in those aged 20 or over)…”
Did you catch that? Heart and respiratory deaths — the very ‘causes of death’ attributed to flu by the CDC — were the most commonly reported cause of death from Tamiflu.
Again, what happens when a child, recently vaccinated with the flu vaccine, experiences symptoms of ‘the flu’ [technically over 200 different viruses can cause these symptoms, according to the Cochrane Summaries] and is immediately administered Tamiflu (which is the standard of care)? If a rapid decline in their condition is observed, or if that child dies, how would they differentiate the cause of death from vaccination and Tamiflu (and other co-administered interventions) or ‘the flu’? By default, the medical reporting system attributes the cause of death to the flu, with no differential technique employed to identify possible iatrogenic reactions produced by these presumably ‘life saving’ intervention. The same thing happens with chemotherapy-induced death in cancer patients. It’s standard practice to blame the victim and protect the guilty party, because without this sleight of hand, the business of medicine could not continue.
Amazingly, the toxicological data on Tamiflu makes it clear that one cannot distinguish Tamiflu-induced decline from flu-induced decline. Here’s an excerpt from the Toxnet monograph on Tamiflu under the subject heading Clinical Effects:
“Toxicity is commonly indistinguishable from the underlying influenza illness and the effects of other medications (eg, antihistamines, quinolones) with the potential to cause delirium.”
This is stated again in the document under the subject heading: “SEVERE TOXICITY”:
” In cases of severe toxicity, patients may very rarely develop neuropsychiatric illness including agitation, delirium, hallucinations, and psychosis. This appears to be common with high-dose therapy for critically ill patients with influenza, although whether the cause is directly due to oseltamivir toxicity or the underlying illness remains unclear.” [bold emphasis added]
Children appear to be uniquely susceptible to the toxicity of Tamiflu, and yet, in 2012, the FDA approved its use in children two months or younger. A clue to why they are more susceptible to harm is provided by an animal toxicity study, described as follows:
“LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ In a 2-week study in unweaned rats, administration of a single dose of 1000 mg/kg oseltamivir phosphate to 7- day-old rats resulted in deaths associated with unusually high exposure to the prodrug. However, at 2000 mg/kg, there were no deaths or other significant effects in 14-day-old unweaned rats. Further follow-up investigations of the unexpected deaths of 7-day-old rats at 1000 mg/kg revealed that the concentrations of the prodrug in the brains were approximately 1500-fold those of the brains of adult rats administered the same oral dose of 1000 mg/kg, and those of the active metabolite were approximately 3-fold higher. Plasma levels of the prodrug were 10-fold higher in 7-day-old rats as compared with adult rats. These observations suggest that the levels of oseltamivir in the brains of rats decrease with increasing age and most likely reflect the maturation stage of the blood-brain barrier. No adverse effects occurred at 500 mg/kg/day administered to 7- to 21-day-old rats.” [bold emphasis added]
Source: [Physicians Desk Reference 60th ed, Thomson PDR, Montvale, NJ 2006., p. 2812] **PEER REVIEWED**
Did you catch that? Concentrations of the prodrug in the brains were approximately 1500-fold those of the brains of adult rats, presumably because their blood-brain barriers were not developed.
No wonder even the mainstream media can’t keep from reporting on the “odd side effects” of Tamiflu, particularly in children: USA Today:
Tamiflu may have odd side effects, particularly in children, experts say
As science begins to reveal the role of microbes in our own immunity, it is important to recognize the protest on the part of an establishment deeply invested in the role of routine pharmaceuticals in human health. They will use fear to provoke compliance with chemical interventions, ironically, capable of inducing exactly what they purport to protect you from. Hopefully this information will arm you with awareness and allow you to see media efforts for what they are – sales tactics.
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