The Microwave Factor

Group calls for moratorium on 'dangerous' smart meters

2012-01-28T16:58:00.002-05:00

Group calls for moratorium on 'dangerous' smart meters

Smart meter

Updated: Wed Jan. 25 2012 11:24:27 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

MONTREAL — The fight against Hydro-Quebec's plan to install smart meters across the province continued on Wednesday as a group of Montrealers called for a moratorium, citing the unknown danger of the radio frequency used by the meters.

"We don't know what's the environmental danger if these smart meters are put in our homes,"said Marie-Michelle Poisson.

A resident of Villeray, Poisson refused to be part of the 18-month, 20,000-customer trial where Hydro-Quebec tested the meters in her neighbourhood and other small markets in the province.

A $350 million project, Hydro-Quebec hopes to have the meters installed province-wide by 2017. The meters can transmit accurate power and water data to the utility, removing the need for manual readings and invoices based on prior usage.

"We have a long way to go is to explain to our customers, one by one, that the technology is safe," said Isabelle Courville, president of distribution for Hydro-Quebec.

Courville said the RF emissions from the new wireless device are 100,000 times below recommended limits. Health Canada compares the signals to those emitted by cell phones and wireless Internet routers.

Despite the reassurances, organizers with the Quebec Coalition to Fight Electromagnetic Pollution want the government to enact tougher standards.

According to McGill Science and Society Director Joe Schwarcz, radio frequency studies are conclusive: the meters will not have negative health effects.

"We know that radiofrequency cannot break chemical bonds and in order to induce cancer you need to break chemical bonds," said Schwarcz.

Poisson cited another concern, her feeling that Hydro-Quebec was ignoring her right to choose.

"I don't have a cell phone, I've never had one. As for WiFi, I will be switching back to cables because I have the choice," said Poisson. "With smart meters, you don't have the choice."

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Taverham woman pledges to leave her home of over 45 years if phone mast gets the go-ahead

2012-01-28T16:52:00.003-05:00

Taverham woman pledges to leave her home of over 45 years if phone mast gets the go-ahead

David FreezerSaturday, January 28, 2012
9.19 AM

A Taverham woman is so upset about a proposal for a new phone mast that she says she could be driven out of her home of more than 45 years.

Residents opposed to a phone mast in Springfield Road, Taverham. Anne Nygren, second left.Photo: Bill Smith

Anne Nygren, 66, says the phone mast would leave her bungalow, on the corner of Springfield Road and Fakenham Road, sandwiched between it and an electricity sub-station.

Miss Nygren, the ex-wife of former Norwich Stars speedway rider Olle Nygren, said: “I wouldn’t be able to stay here. A few years ago I used to suffer from the most horrendous migraines. That doesn’t happen any more but I couldn’t just sit here and wait for that to start happening again.”

The application was lodged by Everything Everywhere, which runs mobile providers Orange and T-Mobile, and the 3 network. It is for a 12ft high mast, along with three antennas and an equipment cupboard at its base.

Broadland District Council has no grounds on which to reject the ‘application for prior approval’ as the government’s stance is that phone masts are needed to meet public demand for phone signal.

Phone masts are designated as ‘permitted development’ nationally, so don’t need planning permission, and local councils are not allowed to refuse ‘prior approval’ because of health concerns – as long as the applicant proves the mast complies with World Health Organisation guidelines.

However, an objection was lodged at a meeting of Taverham Parish Council’s planning committee on Monday night, with around 20 people attending the meeting.

The planning committee’s chairman, John Pennells, said: “I’m quite sure there are better places where this can be put that wouldn’t come in to contact with people as much.

“It would seem the first things these companies look for is where the closes electricity supply is, and that is what has happened here.”

Miss Nygren has been photocopying the planning notice posted by the district council and posting through her neighbours’ letter boxes to try and garner support.

She is asking people to help her in her fight by also lodging an objection, before the deadline of next Thursday.

She added: “I’m in my 60s and now I’m well out of my depth because a lot of this I don’t understand.

“The health impact is my prior concern but of course this will depreciate the value of my property as well.

“So it’s what I’m calling spectacularly bad positioning.”

The phone mast would also be within a quarter of a mile of a proposed 15m phone mast for Vodafone and 02, on the corner of Sandy Lane and Fakenham Road, which has also been campaigned against by local residents.

Miss Nygren has been backed by several of her neighbours, including Peter and Mary Westrup, who have also sent a letter of objection, saying they believe the mast will be “visually intrusive” and also citing their health concerns.

The applicant for the phone mast, Everything Everywhere, declined to comment on the situation while the 21-day objection period is still valid.

Has your community been angered by a planning application? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk

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Ron Paul 2012 New Ad Campaign

2012-01-28T09:03:00.002-05:00

One Man`s Tragic Story

2012-01-28T08:44:00.003-05:00

THE TIPPING EDGE – NEEDING TO GO HOME.

My name is Alwyn Lewies and I am 38 years old. I am giving a short background of my life with an illness called Electromagnetic Sensitivity (ES) which I have been struggling with for the past 12 years since exposure from a cell mast.

It started in 2000 with a cell phone tower that was erected at my workplace in Wapadrand, Pretoria. We were approached by a cell phone company who was interested in putting up a tower on my premises and we were assured that the tower would have no effect on us at all.

Unfortunately this wasn’t the truth but the exact opposite than what we were told. Within a brief period since the erection of the first tower, another one appeared only 80 meters away. Four months after these installations, my first symptoms started to appear.

While being at work, I experienced a ‘burning’ sensation in my head. The pain far exceeded that of a normal headache. After going to my doctor, I was prescribed anti-depressants because the doctor said I was experiencing work stress. We thought the stress was the cause for my headaches.

In the beginning my headaches were painful, but bearable. But after some time, the pain became excruciating. I then started to go from one doctor to the next, underwent several tests and brain scans, but all reflected as normal. I started monitoring my pain and realized that I only experienced pain after making a phone call on my mobile phone, and when being close to a cell phone tower.

Research confirmed my assumptions that it was in fact the radiation from these devices that caused my headaches. A short time after, all other electronic devices such as TV’s, electric motors etc. started to affect me. To an extend, I was able to avoid some of these devices, but the cell phone towers were popping up all over the city and was a constant obstacle.

The radiation started to affect me so badly that I wasn’t able to function in any way. I started to experience a new symptom which was the constant ringing in my ears.

As time passed, matters got worse, and I met Dr. Cloete in 2004. For the first time, I was diagnosed with EMS and it was a relief to finally put a name to my illness.

Studies showed that much research has been done, but a cure has yet to be discovered. The best I could do was to boost my immune system as much as possible.

EMS entails that the person is allergic to radiation and electronic devices these allergies affect me the same way that someone suffers from constant hay fever and can’t stand those allergies. Due to the density of the radiation levels, my pain became unbearable to handle. My body simply couldn’t cope with those levels of radiation.

I have met a few people who are also being affected by the radiation.

In 2004 I was forced to seek employment elsewhere at a construction company as my body couldn’t handle the strain of the towers in such close proximity. After two years had passed, I resigned once more after all got worse and I was barely functioning and couldn’t keep track of my thoughts.

Due to a lack of income, we had to sell our house and our family moved in with my parents. The only room where I felt the least pain was on the dining room floor. The electricity had to be switched off at the main switch in order for me to sleep. During the day, I was confined to this small space, because this was the only place in the house with the lowest radiation.

With no improvement after some time had passed, an opportunity came along for me to stay on a sheep farm in the Karoo. My family moved to Cape Town to stay with her parents for the birth of our son. My health improved but the distance between us became a problem. I had to get closer, but I couldn’t move back into the radiation.

I went back to be with them in Cape Town, but I had to sleep in my car every night. I drove to different places to try out where I felt best, but it was very unsafe. This continued for two weeks. After the birth of my son, I was forced to find a place to stay as a family. In June 2007 we found a small cottage in Gordon’s Bay where the radiation was minimal. I was only able to sleep on the kitchen floor where the radiation was lowest. The situation wasn’t ideal, but we were together, and this lifted our spirits.

We managed to stay there for almost a year, but in the beginning of 2009 I felt a new signal in the area which was very strong. The sleeplessness and pain started again and I couldn’t be in the house any longer.

Once more the nightmare started, and I didn’t know what to do, or where to go. The anxiety and uncertainty I experienced was frightening.

The following thoughts were flashing through my mind. I had to leave my wife and two small kids once more and they were too young to understand why I was abandoning them once more. The idea of me having to sleep in my car again was unthinkable and I didn’t know which pain was worse – the burning sensation in my head, or the heartache.

The turmoil continued for two weeks as I slept in my car next to the side of the road where there was no reception. Sleeping in discomfort and fear, the only times I went home was to eat and clean. It was then when I learned about a lady outside a West Coast town called Clanwilliam, who had also been effected from antennae on her office in Cape Town and now also as a result suffered from the same illness and had to leave her family.

I packed the car and left for Clanwilliam, but was unable to afford the accommodation. After taking a trail into the bush, I stayed next to the river without food for several days. I later ended up in a small town in the Cederberg called Wupperthal. It is very secluded from modern society and has no cell phone reception. I managed to rent a small cottage from the Moravian Church who owns the town. There I found relief from my constant pain.

Meanwhile, my family tried their best to visit, but I ended up seeing them only two weekends a month. The distance of 400 km and a very bad gravel road made it a time consuming trip with two young children.

During this period, I did extensive travelling up and down the West Coast and Cederberg and closer to Somerset West in search for a save place to stay, only to come up empty handed. At that stage I spent every second weekend in my car.

In 2009 I had to leave Wupperthal because I wasn’t allowed to rent accommodation for a long period of time seeing that I wasn’t a member of the Moravian church. My only option was to move back to Pretoria. One day I met an engineer who specializes in radiation blockage. He assured me that it was possible to isolate a room from radiation although it would be costly.

During 2010 I did extensive travelling between Pretoria and Cape Town in order to build a safe room, but due to a lack of finances and proper materials it was unsuccessful. I had to remain in Pretoria. In the beginning of 2011 it became clear that my wife was under enormous pressure and I realized that I urgently had to try and get back to them. She struggled to manage with us being apart, the kids and a demanding work.

This forced me to go back and support my family to the best of my ability, while facing the daily agony, no matter how bad. After three months, my body started falling apart from the constant radiation and living in my car. The spot where I spent most of my time was 30 km away from my home.

During this period, I have been inspected by the police, harassed and threatened by people under the influence. On one occasion I was nearly killed when a drunken person crashed his vehicle a few meters from mine. Throughout 2011 I stayed with my family for a period of only 3 months while I spent over 90 nights in my car, thereafter I spent the rest of the year in isolation. It is only by the grace of God that I have managed to stay alive and well through these past years.

I suffered several attacks, similar to epileptic attacks whenever I was exposed to the elements for too long. My wife and I decided that it really was impossible for me to be with them because the next step could be fatal. In the beginning of June 2011 I kissed my family goodbye and left for Pretoria. It felt unreal but I had to push forward for survival.

On arrival at my parents’ house I was shocked beyond my wildest belief. Their house was no longer safe for me to stay at. I started feeling the agonizing sypmtoms where I had previously coped before. A tower had been erected within very close proximity and although I wasn’t sure what type of tower it was, the signal was too strong for me to handle. I thought I had finally run out of options.

I didn’t know where to go or where I was going to sleep. I drove out to a farm 230 km outside Pretoria, close to Polokwane, where I created a man-made tent in the middle of the bush. I have been here since then and haven’t seen my family. In the last 6 months while being thousands of kilometers away.

At this moment I am lonely and cut off from the outside world, friends and family. The only reason I remain here is to sleep and survive. There’s no tower in close proximity of the farm. During the past month my tent, mattress and belongings have been flooded during summer rainstorms.

During the past few years, I have missed several events in my families’ life which can’t be bought. My daughters’ first tooth pulled her first bicycle ride, her first school concert, and my son’s first pictures he drew and the first time he slept without his diaper. I miss the love and support of my wife.

Many other people are starting to show similar symptoms, but it’s being swept under the carpet because the radiation is a multi million rand industry.

In countries such as Sweden, Canada, France, Switzerland and Japan there are certain laws in place to protect citizens from these health hazards. The South African authorities should start looking into this matter because it is becoming a growing concern.

Should the cell phone industry be willing to look into adjusting the cell phone transmissions close to my home in Somerset West, I may have a chance at living a reasonably normal life with my family. I haven’t lived in my home, nor have I slept next to my wife on the same bed in the last 6 years. During the past 6 years I have moved more than 10 times. At his stage I have spent more than 300 nights in my car.

Most of these places are barely livable conditions to stay in. I am tired of being on the run and my body is exhausted I have led a nomadic life and been deprived of my rights being a husband, father and friend. Meanwhile my children are growing up without their father and I’m not leading a fulfilling life. I have a need to be part of my family’s lives, but instead we’re being pulled apart. This is the worse punishment that anyone can endure.

I will continue to fight until the end. I owe it to myself and my family to seek a way to find a normal life. This letter is my last attempt to try and convince the authorities that ES is very real and a life threatening disease. I just want my life back and it really just depends on the cell phone towers closest to my home. I put my trust in God, that He will put the right people on my path that could assist me in ending this terrible nightmare.

At some point in time, the cell phone industry would have to acknowledge that we are facing a major catastrophe which can’t be reversed. I am pleading with them to see the life through my eyes, put them in my position and see things from my perspective. I am pleading for these cell phone towers to be adjusted and that will give me my life back.

I can assure you that it would be the miracle that our family had been praying for the past 11 years. Not just one, but four people’s future could be changed for the better. I implore you to make some small changes that would have enormous positive repercussions in many people’s lives.

I thank you for this opportunity to put my story in writing and sharing it with you. I put all my trust in our system and believe that it won’t be in vain.

Regards

Alwyn Lewies

For further information please contact Adri Lewies : 021 852 4971

adrilewies@gmail.com

Electromagnetic Radiation Research Foundation of South Africa 011 467 1408.

info@emrrfsa.co.za

www.emrrfsa.org

Research on Transfer Factors in Disease Treatment and Prevention

2012-01-28T08:13:00.002-05:00

Research on Transfer Factors in Disease Treatment and Prevention

Transfer factor (TF) ... has been used successfully over the past quarter of a century for treating viral, parasitic, and fungal infections, as well as immuno- deficiencies, neoplasias, allergies and autoimmune diseases. Moreover, several observations suggest that it can be utilized for prevention, transferring immunity prior to infection ...Thus, a specific TF to a new influenza virus can be made swiftly and used for prevention as well as for the treatment of infected patients.

- Giancarlo Pizza et al, 2006

The last century witnessed several important advances in disease treatment and prevention. In 1949, at a time when the benefits of vaccines were becoming apparent and penicillin, along with the sulfa antibiotics developed in Germany, were gaining reputations as wonder drugs, a New York University tuberculosis researcher named Dr. H Sherwood Lawrence made another important discovery. He extracted intracellular fluid from circulat- ing white blood cells in patients who had been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). He then injected the contents of these cells into non-exposed patients. Using a test for an immune response known as delayed type hypersensitivity, he demonstrated that the non-exposed patient’s immune system now recognized TB and responded to it as though it had already fought it. In other words, immunity to TB was somehow transferred from one person to the next via the white blood cell extract.

In the years that followed, Dr. Lawrence began to refer to the mystery components of the white blood cell extract as “transfer factor,” as they somehow transferred immunity from one patient to the next. Research during the decades since suggests that the information contained in the molecules Dr. Lawrence called transfer factor can instruct the immune system to do several different things, thereby influencing immunity via different routes, and might actually come in several – three to be exact – dif- ferent sizes. Thus, rather than one factor, there seem to be multiple factors involved in transferring immunity.

Where Do Transfer Factors Come From, Why Are They Made, and How Do They Work?

Transfer factors appear to be short strands of amino acids and perhaps small bits of ribonucleic acid (RNA). It is thought that transfer factors are manufactured within Helper T-cells; cells that coordinate attacks launched by the immune system. Once released by Helper T-cells, transfer factors influence immune system activity in several ways. Their presence is read by other immune cells as an indication that a Th1-mediated immune battle is under way (see Glossary for a definition of Th1 immunity). This results in the birth of new Helper T-cells, Natural Killer cells and macrophages, the conversion of young lymphocytes into Th1-related immune cells, decreased levels of Th2-related cytokines, increased levels of Th1-related cytokines and a general strengthening of the Th1 response.

In addition, like antibodies, transfer factors bind to specific antigens. In the case of transfer factors, the antigens are located on the surface of infected body cells. New Helper T-cells use the presence of antigen-specific transfer factors to focus the immune response against particular threats. By sticking to antigens on infected cells, transfer factors presumably flag the infected cells for destruction by Cytotoxic T-cells.

In essence, transfer factors are the smaller siblings of antibodies, but operate to facilitate the destruction of infected body cells via cell-mediated immunity rather than the labeling of free-floating antigens via antibody- mediated immunity.

Transfer Factors In Disease Treatment and Prevention

In the last half-century, hundreds of published studies have examined the ability of transfer factors to help the body deal with diseases. A search of MedLine for work on transfer factors yields roughly 1000 relevant publications spanning more than 50 years. Of those studies, 600 exam- ined the therapeutic value of transfer factors in disease treatment and prevention. By all accounts, casting a wider net reveals thousands more relevant publications.

Cancer

Nearly 100 studies have been conducted on the effects of transfer factors on cancer, either in patients suffering from cancer, or on cancerous cells in in vitro preparations – such as cancer cells grown in laboratories.

Based on in vitro (laboratory) studies, there can be little doubt that transfer factors facilitate the ability of lymphocytes to destroy cancerous tissue. In 2006, researchers in Mexico examined the ability of extracts taken from white blood cells from cows to prevent breast cancer cells from further division and to facilitate their destruction (Franco-Molina et al, 2006). The experiment was successful, and the researchers demon- strated a dose-dependent effect of the extract on cancer cells, meaning that more extract led to greater destruction of cancer cells. The extract had no impact on normal, healthy cells, only cancerous cells, indicating that the constituents of the extract, including transfer factors, specifically help the immune system deal with pathogens and do not damage healthy tissue.

In 2005, Pineda and colleagues (Pineda et al, 2005) reported on a fascinating study in which they examined the impact of transfer factors on glioma – brain cancer involving glial cells – in rats. Here is what they found:

“TF reduced significantly the tumour size, and increased CD2+, CD4+, CD8+ and NK cell counts, it also increased the percentage of apoptotic [dying] tumour cells”

Dozens of studies have examined the ability of transfer factors to help humans suffering from cancers of various types. In 1996, the Italian researcher Giancarlo Pizza and his colleagues (Pizza et al, 1996) reported on efforts to treat a form of prostate cancer typically unresponsive to conventional therapies. The authors generated transfer factors that bind to antigens on prostate cancer cells and injected them into sick patients once each month. In the words of the authors,

“Fifty patients entered this study and received one intra- muscular injection of 2-5 units of specific TF monthly. Follow-up, ranging from 1 to 9 years, showed that complete remission was achieved in 2 patients, partial remission in 6, and no progression of metastatic disease in 14. The median survival was 126 weeks, higher than the survival rates reported in the literature for patients of the same stage.”

Thus, compared to the expected length of survival for men with this form of prostate cancer, it appears that transfer factor treatment significantly prolonged the life of patients in the study. Though such findings are promis- ing, the lack of a true control group – a group receiving everything else but the transfer factors – makes it difficult to determine the role that transfer factors actually played in the patients’ disease progression.

During that same year, Pizza and colleagues (Pilotti et al, 1996) reported on a study in which a control group was used. Ninety-nine patients with small cell lung cancer were given transfer factors and their survival times were compared to 257 patients with lung cancer who were not given transfer factors. Those given transfer factors survived significantly longer than those not given the treatment.

Herpes viruses

There are eight known herpes viruses, including the herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2), which cause herpes outbreaks on the face and genitals, the varicella- zoster virus (VZV) that causes chicken pox and shingles, cytomegalovirus (CMV), the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that causes mononucleosis, and the HHV-6 A&B viruses now associated with conditions like ME/CFS and MS. Research evaluating the ability of transfer factors to help the immune system overcome these viruses has yielded overwhelmingly positive results.

Khan and colleagues (1981) examined the ability of transfer factors to prevent relapses in 16 subjects with recurrent HSV-1 (cold sores) and HSV-2 (genital) outbreaks. Patients were injected with broad spectrum transfer factors on a weekly or monthly basis. Following treatment, 8 patients stopped having outbreaks altogether while the remaining 8 exhibited a significant reduction in the frequency of outbreaks. Roughly half of all subjects exhibited low T-cell counts at the study onset, and all patients exhibited an increase in T-cell numbers after treatment with transfer factors.

Pizza et al (1996) reported that 44 patients suffering from recurrent HSV outbreaks – 22 with genital out- breaks and 22 with labial (face) outbreaks – responded positively to treatment with transfer factors specific to HSV-1 and HSV-2. Research from the same lab, also published in 1996 (Meduri et al, 1996), demonstrated the ability of HSV-specific transfer factors to reduce the frequency of outbreaks in those whose outbreaks occurred in the eyes.

Currently, there are several prescription drugs avail- able that are capable of reducing the frequency and duration of HSV-1 and HSV-2 outbreaks. The active component of most such drugs is acyclovir. The drugs differ in the amount of acyclovir that they actually deliver to the body in useable form. When taken daily, it reduces the frequency of outbreaks, and the outbreaks that occur are of shorter duration and lesser intensity. When taken only for acute outbreaks, they shorten their duration but have no impact on the frequency of outbreaks throughout the year.

As discussed above, like acyclovir, transfer factors also reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks. A few studies have directly compared the efficacy of these two approaches against the viruses. Estrada-Parra and colleagues (1995) administered transfer factors to 20 patients suffering from recurrent outbreaks of HSV-1. Most patients had already been treated with acyclovir prior to their inclusion in the study. Broad spectrum transfer factors reduced both the frequency and dura- tion of outbreaks in patients. Their observations led the authors to conclude:

“These results suggest that, at present, TF may be con- sidered the therapeutic agent of choice in the treatment of herpes simplex type 1 disease.”

The findings of the above study are limited by the fact that no direct comparison to acyclovir was actually made. The superiority of transfer factors over acyclovir was inferred from the comparison of current treatment outcomes to the patients’ prior experiences with acyclovir and other drugs.

In 1998, this same group of researchers reported findings from a study in which they directly compared the effectiveness of transfer factors and acyclovir against outbreaks of VZV, the herpes virus that causes chicken pox in kids and shingles in adults. In this study, 28 patients with acute outbreaks of shingles were given either transfer factors or acyclovir for seven days and then monitored for another 14 days. Transfer factors were superior to acyclovir at shortening the duration of the outbreaks. Further, transfer factors, but not acyclovir, increased the number of Helper T-cells and improved other markers of immune function.

Research with lab animals, like that with humans, demonstrates the powerful effects of specific transfer factors against herpes viruses. Viza et al (1985) assessed the efficacy of transfer factors in preventing the deleterious effects of HSV-1 and -2 by adminis- tering HSV-1 and -2 specific transfer factors to mice before exposing them to a normally deadly dose of the viruses. The HSV-specific transfer factor prepara- tion protected the animals from death. Interestingly a transfer factor preparation specific to CMV rather than HSV-1 and -2 did not protect the animals from the lethal dose of HSV.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

At its core, the pathogenesis of HIV and its progres- sion to AIDS involves a debilitating attack on cells that comprise the Th1-mediated immune response, particularly Helper T-cells. It seems logical to expect that transfer factors could be powerful adjuvants in the treatment of HIV given their ability to trigger increased levels of Helper T-cells, as well as Cytotoxic T-cells, Natural Killer cells and macrophages. Cur- rently, only a few studies have examined the utility of transfer factors in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, but the available data are promising.

Carey et al (1987) assessed the impact of transfer factors from healthy controls on immune system function in nine patients with HIV infections that had progressed to full- blown AIDS. They concluded that:

“... administration of transfer factor to patients with AIDS resulted in partial immune reconstitution. Further studies are indicated to examine the clinical efficacy of this immune response modifier in the treatment of AIDS.”

In 1996, Giancarlo Pizza and colleagues reported on a study in which they administered HIV specific transfer factors, in an oral preparation, to 25 patients infected with HIV. They noted clinical improvements or a stabilization of clinical markers in 20/25 patients.

That same year, Pizza and colleagues (Raise et al, 1996) reported the results of a study in which they directly com- pared groups receiving standard antiviral therapy to those receiving combined antiviral therapy and HIV-specific transfer factors. Patients received either Zidovudine alone or in combination with transfer factors. Those receiving the Zidovudine-transfer factor combination exhibited a larger increase in Cytotoxic T-cell counts and in the levels of inter- leukin-2, a critical immune messenger that promotes the genesis of T-cells and promotes the Th1 immune response in general. Interestingly, however, there were no differences between the groups regarding actual levels of Helper T-cells.

A 2002 report from Russian scientists also suggests that transfer factors could play an important role in the manage- ment of HIV (Granitov et al, 2002). The researchers examined immune cell counts in HIV patients administered a com- mercially available oral transfer factor supplement. Fifteen patients were treated with transfer factors alone. Ten patients in a control group were treated with common antivirals for HIVbutnottransferfactors.Treatmentlastedforonlyseven days and immune measurements were taken one week later.

The majority of subjects in the transfer factor group exhibited increased levels of Helper T-cells and Cyto- toxic T-cells. The pattern of cytokine release was altered in transfer factor-treated subjects in a way that facilitates Th1 immune activity. Levels of circulating immune complexes, which reflect the combination of an antibody and an antigen, were reduced to normal levels in 10 of 15 subjects. In the control group, positive changes were as likely to occur as negative changes. In the words of the authors (Granitov et al, 2002):

“We conclude that transfer factors therapy consider- ably improves the immune status of HIV-infected patients and can be recommended in combating the pathogenesis of the disease. Further studies are needed to determine optimal therapy, the necessity to repeat courses of the treatment and the frequency of therapy needed.”

Two recent studies from researchers at the Center for Biological Research in Havana, Cuba, suggest that transfer factors are capable of directly interfering with HIV repli- cation (Ojeda et al, 2000; Fernandez-Ortega et al, 2004).

Using Transfer Factors to Transfer Immunity

It appears that supplemental transfer factors allow a person not previously exposed to a pathogen to skip the immune response normally required to trigger the creation of transfer factors for that particular pathogen. Transfer factors transfer “memory” for immune battles of the past, no matter in which host those battles originally took place. As far as the transfer factor recipient’s immune system is concerned, it has already been exposed to the pathogen, and thus reacts promptly if the pathogen ever enters the body. By preparing the immune system for a pathogen before it enters the body, transfer factors remove the element of surprise critical to infestation by infectious agents and prevent cellular invasion by viruses, mycobacteria and cell wall deficient bacteria.

Let us look at an interesting example in which the ability of transfer factors to transfer immunity was used to protect patients from contracting an illness. In 1980, Steele and colleagues used transfer factors in an effort to immunize young leukemia patients against chicken pox, caused by VZV. In the words of the authors:

“Sixty-one patients with leukemia and no immunity to chickenpox were given dialyzable transfer factor or placebo and followed for 12 to 30 months in a double-blind trial designed to examine the clinical efficacy of transfer factor. Sixteen patients in the transfer-factor group and 15 in the placebo group were exposed to varicella zoster, and most of them had a rise in antibody titer. Chickenpox devel- oped in 13 of 15 exposed patients in the placebo group but in only one of 16 in the transfer-factor group.”

Thus, when patients with leukemia and no resistance to chicken pox are treated with transfer factors for the chicken pox virus, almost everyone develops immunity to the virus.

Availability of Transfer Factors

Until quite recently, transfer factors were only used in hospital settings, most outside of the U.S. They were cus- tom-made for patients from human blood cells in a labora- tory and were not available to the public or to most MDs. In the last decade, several companies began using patented processes to extract transfer factors from cow colostrum and chicken eggs. Such extracts are now widely available. The ability to obtain transfer factors from colostrum and eggs is a remarkable development with the potential to significantly alter the future of disease treatment and prevention.

Summary

Research strongly suggests that transfer factors are effective for helping the body beat an array of disease states that involve faulty or overloaded immune function and can prevent infec- tions before they occur. Transfer factors seem to prime the body for battle against intracellular pathogens, like viruses, mycobacteria and cell wall deficient bacteria, and help quash infections before they can take root. Transfer factors turn non-immune-related white blood cells into immune-related white blood cells and stimulate the birth of new Helper and Cytotoxic T-cells, Natural Killer cells and macrophages. After stimulating an increase in T-cell counts, transfer factors orient these new T-cells toward a target, presumably by influencing the nature of the antigen receptors expressed by the cells. Fur- ther, by binding to antigens on infected body cells, transfer fac- tors paint infected cells for destruction by Cytotoxic T-cells.

Given in supplement form, they can be used to help the body beat infections. Given before infections occur, they act in a manner similar to vaccines and protect the body from becoming infected. While antibodies are at the heart of antibody-mediated (Th2) immunity, transfer factors hold the key to cell-mediated (Th1) immunity.

This article is comprised of excerpts from the book, A Guide to Transfer Factors and Immune System Health, 2nd Edition (North Charleston, SC: BookSurge Publishing, 2009) by Aaron White, PhD.

Before joining the National Institutes of Health last fall, Dr. White was an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Medical Psychology, at Duke University Medical Center.

Glossary

Th1 response: Immune response triggered by Th1 Helper T-cells. Natural Killer cells and Cytotoxic T-cells are used to identify and destroy cells infected with viruses and bacteria. Also important for fighting cancer cells, fungi and parasites. The pathway to cell- mediated immunity. Suppressed in people with many immune- related conditions and infections, like Lyme and HIV.

Th2 response: Immune response triggered by Th2 Helper T-cells. B-cells are used to produce antibodies which label extracellular pathogens for destructon. Pathway to humoral or antibody- mediated immunity. Overactivity here involved in allergies and autoimmune conditions. The response primarily evoked by standard vaccines.

Transfer factors: Strands of amino acids and RNA released by Th1 Helper T-cells. Signal other Helper T-cells to direct resources toward Th1 response. Like antibodies, they bind to antigens, but on the surface of infected body cells rather than on free- floating pathogens. Thought to label infected cells for destruction by Cytotoxic T-cells. Small enough to be absorbed orally. Can transfer immune information from one person or other animal to another. Their importance for disease treatment and prevention could be on par with antibiotics and vaccines.

http://researchednutritionals.com/FactSheets/Explore%20Article%20-%20Transfer%20Factor%20Research%20by%20Aaron%20White%20PhD.pdf

10 Reasons We Need Dennis Kucinich in Congress

2012-01-28T08:02:00.002-05:00

10 Reasons We Need Dennis Kucinich in Congress

By Joseph Connelly

VN Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Joseph Connelly offers 10 reasons why he supports Rep. Dennis Kucinich.

With the 2010 US Census came the usual reapportionment of Congressional seats, shifting the number of representatives each state is allocated based on the state’s change in population. The state of Ohio, from where our nation’s lone vegan Representative hails, is losing two seats (as is New York), while Florida is gaining two and Texas gaining four. The Ohio powers-that-be have combined two Cleveland-area districts, both of which lean heavily Democratic, into one.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich represents one of those two districts, and he is currently in a very tight primary re-election campaign. The Ohio primary takes place on Tuesday, March 6, and it is a fair bet that the winner of the Democratic primary will win the Congressional seat this fall.

In other words, the election that takes place six weeks from today is the real election. I believe it is important to have a voice in Washington standing up for many of the same issues I believe in, and that is why I’m supporting Congressman Dennis Kucinich in his re-election bid.

If you aren’t familiar with Dennis’ record, take a few minutes to get to know him and his policies a little better:

1. Dennis is the leading spokesperson for peace in the Congress. He is the author of the Department of Peace legislation, and he led Democrats in opposing the Bush Iraq War resolution. He is also the recent winner of the Peace Abbey’s Courage of Conscience Award for his tireless advocacy of non-violent conflict resolution in international affairs. Dennis wants to change the US role in the world from one of aggression and dominance to one of cooperation.

2. Dennis is the leading advocate of protecting the globe through reducing carbon emissions; transitioning from coal, oil, and nuclear to wind and solar micro-technologies; and tapping the inventive genius of NASA for environmental solutions through new technologies.

3. As far as I know, Dennis is the only vegan in Congress, his diet and lifestyle an extension of his commitment to nonviolence, compassion, and sustainability. He is also a major spokesperson for supporting locally grown food through regional farm-to-market strategies, and the author of a bill to label and safety test all GMO products.

4. Dennis is married to Elizabeth Kucinich, one of our nation’s leading advocates for diet-based health solutions, as well as a well-known animal-rights activist. Elizabeth is Government Affairs Director for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

5. As the United Nations Representative for Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, Dennis is a leading voice for nuclear disarmament.

6. Dennis is author of Constitutional Amendment HJ Res. 100, which would forbid all private-money contributions in federal elections.

7. He’s also the driving force behind HR 2990, the National Emergency Employment Defense Act (NEED Act), which would create millions of private sector jobs and rebuild America’s infrastructure while paying off the national debt, all without raising taxes.

8. Along with Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Dennis is author of HR 676, the bill to create a universal, single-payer, not-for-profit-health care system.

9. And he’s the author of the Universal Prekindergarten Act, which would make it possible for all children, ages three to five, to have access to full-time pre-kindergarten education.

10. And finally, Dennis is a proponent of Universal College Education, which would enable every young person to attend a public college or university tuition-free.

These are just 10 of the reasons I support Dennis Kucinich for Congress. To learn more about Dennis and support his campaign, please visit his website. Do we really want to imagine a Congress without his voice?

VN Publisher Joseph Connelly first interviewed Rep. Dennis Kucinich in 2003 when he was running for US president.

http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=4127&catId=1

Immunological abnormalities as potential biomarkers in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2012-01-27T19:03:00.000-05:00

Immunological abnormalities as potential biomarkers in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Ekua W Brenu^1,², Mieke L van Driel^1,², Don R Staines^3,¹, Kevin J Ashton², Sandra B Ramos², James Keane², Nancy G Klimas⁴ and Sonya M Marshall-Gradisnik^1,²^*

*Corresponding author: Sonya M Marshall-Gradisnik smarshal@bond.edu.au

Author Affiliations

¹Population Health and Neuroimmunology Unit, Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia

²Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia

³Queensland Health, Gold Coast Public Health Unit, Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

⁴Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA

For all author emails, please log on.

Journal of Translational Medicine 2011, 9:81 doi:10.1186/1479-5876-9-81

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at:http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/9/1/81

Received:	1 April 2011
Accepted:	28 May 2011
Published:	28 May 2011

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Background

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is characterised by severe prolonged fatigue, and decreases in cognition and other physiological functions, resulting in severe loss of quality of life, difficult clinical management and high costs to the health care system. To date there is no proven pathomechanism to satisfactorily explain this disorder. Studies have identified abnormalities in immune function but these data are inconsistent. We investigated the profile of markers of immune function (including novel markers) in CFS/ME patients.

Methods

We included 95 CFS/ME patients and 50 healthy controls. All participants were assessed on natural killer (NK) and CD8⁺T cell cytotoxic activities, Th1 and Th2 cytokine profile of CD4⁺T cells, expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 2 (VPACR2), levels of NK phenotypes (CD56^brightand CD56^dim) and regulatory T cells expressing FoxP3 transcription factor.

Results

Compared to healthy individuals, CFS/ME patients displayed significant increases in IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, CD4⁺CD25⁺T cells, FoxP3 and VPACR2 expression. Cytotoxic activity of NK and CD8⁺T cells and NK phenotypes, in particular the CD56^brightNK cells were significantly decreased in CFS/ME patients. Additionally granzyme A and granzyme K expression were reduced while expression levels of perforin were significantly increased in the CFS/ME population relative to the control population. These data suggest significant dysregulation of the immune system in CFS/ME patients.

Conclusions

Our study found immunological abnormalities which may serve as biomarkers in CFS/ME patients with potential for an application as a diagnostic tool.

http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/9/1/81

Skin cancer rates in Spain rise alarmingly

2012-01-27T18:45:00.000-05:00

Skin cancer rates in Spain rise alarmingly

JULY 2, 2011 • HEALTH • 0 COMMENTS

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

THE rate of skin cancer is alarmingly still on the rise.

Two out of every 100,000 Spaniards will now develop the most dangerous strain of melanoma each year – a seven per cent rise in just one year.

Most worryingly of all, victims appear to be getting younger, with those in their late twenties the most affected group.

Melanoma is an extremely dangerous condition and requires early detection for successful treatment.

Mortality rates are at their highest for those over 50.

According to Miguel Sanchez Viera, the head of the skin cancer unit at USP San Camilio Hospital, if the condition is left undetected, the cancer can spread quickly making the chance for success considerably slimmer.

Meanwhile, sun creams with a factor of at least 30 are being highly recommended by experts as a way to protect yourself from the damaging rays of the sun.

It has emerged that creams with a factor of less than 15 will require the removal of the word ‘protection’ from the package.

The FDA recently announced that sunscreens with a protection factor of less than 15 will have to have a warning label that only recognises the cream’s ability to protect against sunburn, not cancer and aging.

According to recent research by top doctors, sun cream with a factor of 30-plus is the only way to prevent the risk of skin cancer.

http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2011/07/02/skin-cancer-rates-increase-spai/

If A Lot of People in North Carolina Start to Feel Sick...

2012-01-27T18:41:00.000-05:00

World’s first “Super Wi-Fi” commercial network launches in North Carolina

JANUARY 26, 2012BY MIKE FLACY

While the debate over white space spectrum continues to go back and forth between Internet companies and broadcasters, one town in North Carolina is pushing forward with Wi-Fi service in public parks.

As mentioned within a press release earlier today, the first commercial ”Super Wi-Fi” network was launched in Wilmington, North Carolina. Called the “first FCC-approved smart city”, the city is utilizing the white space spectrum located between TV channels to provide wireless access across a public portion of Hugh MacRae park. Due to the lower frequency band, these Wi-Fi signals can travel through varied terrain including buildings and trees. This allows public organizations to setup equipment without the need for line-of-sight. However, speeds are reduced to 10 to 15 Mbps due to the changing landscape. While many current devices can access the network when in close range of the network hardware, commercial devices built for white space access are still at least a year away.

In addition to covering the city park with a free Wi-Fi network, city officials are also using the network to monitor a popular city garden through four video cameras. Some of the cameras can be accessed by the public to check out the garden online and other cameras will be used to monitor the parking lot for security. The city has further plans to utilize the white space spectrum to manage public lighting, water quality monitors, flood valves and river water sensors. By using cameras to monitor areas where flooding may occur, they can respond quicker to the situation.

While residents of Wilmington, North Carolina will still have to rely on broadband Internet services for now, potential speeds of the white space spectrum can reach up to 22 Mbps per channel with a range up to 62 miles. The company in charge of the rollout, Spectrum Bridge, believes that the white space spectrum will eventually be used to manage other city problems such as traffic congestion and energy usage. While the National Association of Broadcasters has frequently argued that allowing consumers to access the white space spectrum will cause havoc on network broadcasts, advocates of using the spectrum want to bring wireless access to rural, under-served areas across the United States.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/worlds-first-super-wi-fi-commercial-network-launches-in-north-carolina/

Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria

2012-01-27T18:36:00.003-05:00

Review

You have free access to this content

Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria

B. M. Carruthers¹,
M. I. van de Sande²,
K. L. De Meirleir³,
N. G. Klimas⁴,
G. Broderick⁵,
T. Mitchell⁶,
D. Staines^7,8,
A. C. P. Powles⁹,
N. Speight¹⁰,
R. Vallings¹¹,
L. Bateman^12,13,
B. Baumgarten-Austrheim¹⁴,
D. S. Bell¹⁵,
N. Carlo-Stella¹⁶,
J. Chia^17,18,
A. Darragh¹⁹,
D. Jo²⁰,
D. Lewis²¹,
A. R. Light²²,
S. Marshall-Gradisbik⁸,
I. Mena²³,
J. A. Mikovits²⁴,
K. Miwa²⁵,
M. Murovska²⁶,
M. L. Pall²⁷,
S. Stevens²⁸

Article first published online: 22 AUG 2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x

Issue

Journal of Internal Medicine

Volume 270, Issue 4, pages 327–338, October 2011

Additional Information(Show All)

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Keywords:

chronic fatigue syndrome;
criteria;
definition;
diagnosis;
myalgic encephalomyelitis

Abstract. Carruthers BM, van de Sande MI, De Meirleir KL, Klimas NG, Broderick G, Mitchell T, Staines D, Powles ACP, Speight N, Vallings R, Bateman L, Baumgarten-Austrheim B, Bell DS, Carlo-Stella N, Chia J, Darragh A, Jo D, Lewis D, Light AR, Marshall-Gradisbik S, Mena I, Mikovits JA, Murovska M, Pall ML, Stevens S (Independent, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Independent, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Physiology and Medicine, Vrije University of Brussels, Himmunitas Foundation, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Medicine,University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Honorary Consultant for NHS at Peterborough/Cambridge, Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK; Gold Coast Public Health Unit, Southport, Queensland; Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University and St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Independent, Durham, UK; Howick Health and Medical Centre, Howick, New Zealand; Fatigue Consultation Clinic, Salt Lake Regional Medical Center; Internal Medicine, Family Practice, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; ME/CFS Center, Oslo University Hospital HF, Norway; Department of Paediatrics, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY; Independent, Pavia, Italy; Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA; EV Med Research, Lomita, CA, USA; University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Pain Clinic, Konyang University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea; Donvale Specialist Medical Centre, Donvale, Victoria, Australia; Departments or Anesthesiology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia; Department of Medicina Nuclear, Clinica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile; Whittemore Peterson Institute, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA; Miwa Naika Clinic, Toyama, Japan; A. Kirchenstein Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia; Department of Biochemistry & Basic Medical Sciences, Washington State University, Portland, OR; Department of Sports Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA USA). Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria (Review). J Intern Med 2011; 270: 327–338.

The label ‘chronic fatigue syndrome’ (CFS) has persisted for many years because of the lack of knowledge of the aetiological agents and the disease process. In view of more recent research and clinical experience that strongly point to widespread inflammation and multisystemic neuropathology, it is more appropriate and correct to use the term ‘myalgic encephalomyelitis’ (ME) because it indicates an underlying pathophysiology. It is also consistent with the neurological classification of ME in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD G93.3). Consequently, an International Consensus Panel consisting of clinicians, researchers, teaching faculty and an independent patient advocate was formed with the purpose of developing criteria based on current knowledge. Thirteen countries and a wide range of specialties were represented. Collectively, members have approximately 400 years of both clinical and teaching experience, authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, diagnosed or treated approximately 50 000 patients with ME, and several members coauthored previous criteria. The expertise and experience of the panel members as well as PubMed and other medical sources were utilized in a progression of suggestions/drafts/reviews/revisions. The authors, free of any sponsoring organization, achieved 100% consensus through a Delphi-type process. The scope of this paper is limited to criteria of ME and their application. Accordingly, the criteria reflect the complex symptomatology. Operational notes enhance clarity and specificity by providing guidance in the expression and interpretation of symptoms. Clinical and research application guidelines promote optimal recognition of ME by primary physicians and other healthcare providers, improve the consistency of diagnoses in adult and paediatric patients internationally and facilitate clearer identification of patients for research studies.

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THE DANGEROUS TRUTH BEHIND MICROWAVES

2012-01-27T18:16:00.003-05:00

THE DANGEROUS TRUTH BEHIND MICROWAVES

By Mike Barrett

America’s most convenient appliance – microwave ovens seem to be an absolute necessity in today’s fast-paced world. They are currently present in at least 90% of homes in America thanks to their ability to cook and reheat foods or beverages in a simple, rapid way.The majority of people use this kitchen appliance without question and often think they are a reasonable alternative to conventional ovens for reheating or cooking. However you may want to think twice before using your microwave, as it could be one of the worst things YOU do to your food.

The way in which microwaves work and affect health

In short, microwave ovens are kitchen appliances which are used to cook or reheat food by emitting microwaves. Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation and are on the low energy end of the energy spectrum, second to radio waves. The waves are generated by something called a magnetron – something found within every microwave oven.

Magnetrons produce an electromagnetic field with a microwave frequency of approximately 2,450 megaHertz (MGz), which is the equivalent to 2.4 gigaHertz (GHz). Microwaves produced within the microwave oven cause dialectric heating – they bounce around the inside of the oven and are absorbed by whatever is placed in the oven.

Don’t believe it? View the scientific research linking microwaves to cancer, diabetes, and nutritional deficiency.

In order for something to heat in a microwave oven, water must be present within the substance. If water is not present, heating will not occur and it would remain cool. The reason for this is that water molecules within the food vibrate at an incredible speed, creating molecular friction which is responsible for the heating of the food. The structure of the water molecules are torn apart and vigorously deformed. This is much different than any other method of cooking, as other methods such as convection ovens heat up food by transferring heat convectionally from the outside inward.

Hans Hertel, a Swiss scientist, states:

“There are no atoms, molecules or cells of any organic system able to withstand such a violent, destructive power for any extended period of time, not even in the low energy range of milliwatts… This is how microwave cooking heat is generated – friction from this violence in water molecules. Structures of molecules are torn apart, molecules are forcefully deformed (called structural isomerism) and thus become impaired in quality.”

You might wonder why food is often unevenly heated when taken out of the microwave. The uneven heating occurs because microwaves work with whatever water molecules are present, and since not all areas of food contain the same amount of water, heating becomes uneven.

While microwave cooking does begin within the molecules where water is present, they don’t actually cook from “the inside out” like many people believe. They actually start with the outer layers while the inner layers are mostly heated and cooked simply by transference of heat from the outer layers. This is oftentimes why you’ll find that the outside of the food is extremely hot while the inside seems to have been absent during the re-heating or cooking.

The Radiation Effects of Microwaves and Other Forms of Non-Ionizing Radiation

Microwaves are in fact radiation. They are classified as non-ionizing radiation – radiation which can change the position of atoms but is not strong enough to alter their structure, composition, or properties. Even though non-ionizing radiation is not strong enough to alter the structure of atoms, it is still able to cause physical alterations. A clear example of how non-ionizing radiation can harm you is the damage caused to your skin and eyes caused by the sun. When you use microwave cooking, you are exposing yourself to microwave radiation.

Other forms of ionizing radiation are visible light, ultraviolet and infrared waves, and waves emitted from televisions, cell phones, and electric blankets.

To learn more about radiation, click here to view our radiation page.

Today we live in a technologically advanced world. We could label the time we live in as the “technology age” as well as the “radiation age”. We are currently bombarded with radiation from almost everything around us: radio towers, televisions, cell phones, microwave ovens, computers, satellites, broadcast antennas, and so much more. Unfortunately, radiation doesn’t go away over time, in fact, it just accumulates.

Although we’ve conducted study after study concluding that no amount of radiation is safe, we don’t really know what all of this means in the long term. But here is what we do know:

When any radiation waves resonate with a body part, the biological effect is intensified. For example, microwave frequencies are very similar to the frequencies of your brain. The effects microwaves have on your brain are greater than those same waves on any other part of the body.

Although studies are done to view the effects of radiation, most of these studies are done for short exposure periods at higher intensities. There is an immense shortage of studies using long exposure periods with low-level radiation. More research simply needs to be done.

Radiation accumulates over time and never goes away.

Due to the amount of radiation everyone is exposed to every day, it is difficult to conduct studies using control groups. Radiation can’t really be controlled anymore due to the unavoidable invasion.

We simply don’t know the long-term effects of microwave radiation, so why risk it by watching your food cook in your microwave day after day and night after night.

Who shouldn’t use microwave ovens and why?

No one should be using microwave ovens. This is especially true for babies, children, if you are pregnant, already suffer from illness & disease, or are already bombarded with more radiation than the average person.

Why?

You may suffer from “Microwave Sickness”

Tissues directly exposed to microwaves are subject to the same deformities molecules go through, and this can in turn cause you to experience “microwave sickness”. Remember, it isn’t just microwave ovens which emit this kind of radiation. Cell phone towers also emit this type of radiation.

People may experience any or all of the following after being exposed to high levels of microwave radiation.

Impaired cognition
Nausea
Vision problems
Depression and irritability
Weakened immune system
Headaches
Dizziness
Insomnia and/or sleep disturbances
Frequent urination and extreme thirst

Robert O. Becker, author of The Body Electric, stated the following on page 314 in his book:

It’s [Microwave sickness] first signs are low blood pressure and slow pulse. The later and most common manifestations are chronic excitation of the sympathetic nervous system [stress syndrome] and high blood pressure.

This phase also often includes headache, dizziness, eye pain, sleeplessness, irritability, anxiety, stomach pain, nervous tension, inability to concentrate, hair loss, plus an increased incidence of appendicitis, cataracts, reproductive problems, and cancer. The chronic symptoms are eventually succeeded by crisis of adrenal exhaustion and ischemic heart disease [the blockage of coronary arteries and heart attacks].

In another book entitled Health Effects of Microwave Radiation, author Dr. Lita Lee also expressed his concern over the use of microwaves. Dr. Lee observed that the symptoms listed above could be caused by certain observations shown below.

Lymphatic disorders were observed, leading to decreased ability to prevent certain types of cancers
An elevated rate of cancer cell formation was observed in the blood
Increased rates of stomach and intestinal cancers were observed
Higher rates of digestive disorders and gradual breakdown of the systems of elimination were observed

Life Energy is Depleted

Foods which haven’t been processed or cooked and are naturally occurring contain life energy which is transmitted from the sun. Biophotons are the smallest physical unit of light which are stored in all life forms. They contain bio-information and are partially responsible the feelings you get which signify well-being and vitality. Foods like naturally grown vegetables and especially sun-ripened fruits are the main source for these biophotons to humans.

Microwaving food, in effect, potentially destroys and depletes the life energy, rendering the food completely dead and lifeless. In addition, the food’s nutritional value is lost and it becomes nearly useless in terms of providing any real health benefit.

Fact: Russians Banned the Microwave Oven After Extensive Studies

Microwaves were first invented by the Nazis in order to provide a method of cooking for their troops during World War II. Seeing as though these microwave ovens have been experimental and new, the US War Department was assigned to research these new devices shortly after the war.

Turns out, the U.S. didn’t really perform the extensive research necessary for the new invention. Instead, the Russians decided to tackle the issue with extreme force.

Intrigued by this new device, the Russians conducted in-depth research to discover the biological effects they might possess. The results were staggering enough to lead to a ban of the new device in the Soviet Union. The ban, however, was later lifted during Perestroika, the political movement responsible for the restructuring of the Soviet Union.

The findings include:

Carcinogenic substances were formed from the microwaving of nearly all foods tested

Microwaving milk and grains resulted in carcinogenic substances being formed through the conversion of amino acids

Microwaving prepared meats caused cancer-causing agents such as d-Nitrosodienthanolamines to form

Microwaving fruits as a method of thawing resulted in the conversion of glucoside and galactoside fractions into carcinogenic substances

Extremely short exposure of raw, cooked, or frozen vegetables converted their plant alkaloids into carcinogens

Carcinogenic free radicals were formed in microwaved plants, especially root vegetables

Structural degradation leading to decreased food value was found to be 60 to 90 percent overall for all foods tested, with significant decreases in bioavailability of B complex vitamins, vitamins C and E, essential minerals, and lipotropics

Twenty years of the Russian research led to the international warning about the damaging biological and environmental effects microwaves possess. The warning also included other similar frequency electronic devices such as cell phones.

Say Goodbye to Your Foods Nutritional Value

Although there hasn’t been as many studies on microwaves as say, the importance of various vitamins and minerals, all of the studies generally agree on one thing: nutritional value is significantly reduced if you microwave food. You’d think that studying microwaves would be at the top of the list, given their place in our society, but evidently their role is not significant enough for more thorough testing.

Note that most of these studies have been done prior to 2000. This may be due to the shift of focus from microwaves to a more prevalent threat to humanity: the intense electromagnetic chaos from electromagnetic devices such as cell phones, computers, and advanced technology. Here are some studies illustrating the detrimental effects of microwaves and microwave cooking.

This study found that broccoli when microwaved with a little bit of water loses up to 97% of its beneficial antioxidants. Steamed broccoli only lost 11% or less. Some amounts of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were also lost. The study was published in the November 2003 issue of The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

Vitamin C in asparagus spears was lost during a 1999 Scandinavian study.

One study found 60 seconds of microwaving garlic depleted the food of it’s allinase, garlic’s primary cancer-fighting ingredient.

Just 6 minutes of microwave heating turned 30-40 percent of the B12 in milk into a dead form, which was found in a Japanese study by Watanabe.

An Australian study recently conducted showed that microwaves cause a higher degree of “protein unfolding” than conventional heating.

A 1992 study found that breast milk lost lysozyme activity, antibodies, and became a more suitable environment for the potential growth of pathogenic bacteria after being microwaved.

Microwaving Food Leads to a Negative Impact on Human Physiology & the Heart

Hans Hertel, a Swiss food scientist, initiated the first tests on microwaved food and microwave cooking to determine how microwaves affect human physiology and the blood. After studying these effects, Hertel concluded that microwaving food leads to food degeneration. These degenerative changes in nutrients caused changes in blood which could cause health problems.

Health issues which could be caused are:

Elevated cholesterol levels

A plummet in leukocytes (white blood cells), which could suggest poisoning

Decreased red blood cell levels

Production of radiolytic compounds

Decreased hemoglobin levels, which might indiciate anemia

Another study found that microwave frequency radiation affects the heart at non-thermal levels – levels which are well below federal safety guidelines. To examine these effects, the study used a 2.4GHz radiation frequency, which is the same frequency emitted by microwave ovens as well as wifi routers.

There is even evidence that this same frequency can cause elevated blood sugar levels in certain people. This points to the possibility that there may be a type 3 diabetes generated by dirty electricity. Here is a video below making a presentation support this. You may find the video “slow”, but it’s well worth 7 minutes of your time.

Editor’s note: The statements in this article are not contrived opinions of the author, but based on a number of different sources that are embedded within the text of this article as well as at the footer of the piece. The author is reporting only on the findings of these sources, studies, and research.

Sources:

http://truththeory.com/2012/01/27/the-dangerous-truth-behind-microwaves/

Tinnitus Is Common in Children With and Without Hearing Impairment

2012-01-27T18:15:00.003-05:00

Tinnitus Is Common in Children With and Without Hearing Impairment

Forty percent of children with normal hearing reported some form of tinnitus.

Recent studies in Sweden suggest that the prevalence of tinnitus in children is increasing. In 2006, researchers in Gothenburg, Sweden, surveyed 756 children undergoing standard audiometric screening about whether they experienced noise-induced or spontaneous tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or other sorts of sound in one's ears) and whether they noticed that their hearing was worse after listening to loud music or other noise (temporary hearing threshold shift [TTS]).

Some form of tinnitus was reported by 41% of the 706 children with normal hearing and 58% of the 50 children with hearing impairment. High-frequency neurosensory hearing loss accounted for most hearing impairment. In logistic regression analysis, the probability of spontaneous tinnitus was 63% in children with both hearing impairment and TTS and 27% in children without hearing impairment or TTS. The probability of noise-induced tinnitus was 59% in children who experienced TTS and 17% in those who did not experience TTS. TTS did not correlate with hearing impairment.

Comment: Most children with hearing impairment and many without hearing loss report tinnitus. Noise-induced tinnitus is particularly common in children who report TTS. The authors hypothesize that, as with adults, spontaneous tinnitus in children without TTS or hearing impairment results from factors other than noise, such as stress or anxiety.

— F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineJanuary 25, 2012

CITATION(S):

Juul J et al. Tinnitus and hearing in 7-year-old children. Arch Dis Child 2012 Jan; 97:28.

Original article (Subscription may be required)
Medline abstract (Free)
http://pediatrics.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2012/125/1

I cellulari fanno male? Il webdocumentario

2012-01-27T18:14:00.001-05:00

26 gennaio 2012

I cellulari fanno male? Il webdocumentario

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I manuali di istruzione dicono di tenerli lontani dalla testa. In molti paesi si raccomanda di non farli usare ai bambini. L'Agenzia internazionale per la ricerca sul cancro li ha inclusi tra i "possibili cancerogeni". Anche il Consiglio superiore di sanità ha consigliato di prendere precauzioni. Lo sapevate? E, se la risposta è no, vi sembrano fatti che non meritano pubblicità? Viaggio nella notizia più (volutamente) confusa dell'ultimo quarto di secolo

di Riccardo Staglianò

http://video.repubblica.it/le-inchieste/i-cellulari-fanno-male-il-webdocumentario/86689/85079

American Academy of Environmental Medicine

2012-01-27T05:50:00.000-05:00

American Academy of Environmental Medicine

6505 E Central • Ste 296 • Wichita, KS 67206

Tel: (316) 684-5500 • Fax: (316) 684-5709

www.aaemonline.org

January 19, 2012

Decision Proposed Decision of Commissioner Peevy (Mailed 11/22/2011)

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

On the proposed decision 11‐03‐014

Dear Commissioners:

The Board of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine opposes the installation of wireless “smart meters” in homes and schools based on a scientific assessment of the current medical literature (references available on request). Chronic exposure to wireless radiofrequency radiation is a preventable environmental hazard that is sufficiently well documented to warrant immediate preventative public health action.

As representatives of physician specialists in the field of environmental medicine, we have an obligation to urge precaution when sufficient scientific and medical evidence suggests health risks which can potentially affect large populations. The literature raises serious concern regarding the levels of radio frequency (RF ‐ 3KHz – 300 GHz) or extremely low frequency (ELF – 300Hz) exposures produced by “smart meters” to warrant an immediate and complete moratorium on their use and deployment until further study can be performed.

The board of the American Board of Environmental Medicine wishes to point out that existing FCC guidelines for RF safety that have been used to justify installation of “smart meters” only look at thermal tissue damage and are obsolete, since many modern studies show metabolic and genomic damage from RF and ELF exposures below the level of intensity which heats tissues. The FCC guidelines are therefore inadequate for use in establishing public health standards. More modern literature shows medically and biologically significant effects of RF and ELF at lower energy densities. These effects accumulate over time, which is an important consideration given the chronic nature of exposure from “smart meters”. The current medical literature raises credible questions about genetic and cellular effects, hormonal effects, male fertility, blood/brain barrier damage and increased risk of certain types of cancers from RF or ELF levels similar to those emitted from “smart meters”. Children are placed at particular risk for altered brain development, and impaired learning and behavior. Further, EMF/RF adds synergistic effects to the damage observed from a range of toxic chemicals. Given the widespread, chronic, and essentially inescapable ELF/RF exposure of everyone living near a “smart meter”, the Board of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine finds it unacceptable from a public health standpoint to implement this technology until these serious medical concerns are resolved. We consider a moratorium on installation of wireless “smart meters” to be an issue of the highest importance.Page 2 CPUC

The Board of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine also wishes to note that the US NIEHS National Toxicology Program in 1999 cited radiofrequency radiation as a potential carcinogen. Existing safety limits for pulsed RF were termed “not protective of public health” by the Radiofrequency Interagency Working Group (a federal interagency working group including the FDA, FCC, OSHA, the EPA and others). Emissions given off by “smart meters” have

been classified by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Possible Human Carcinogen.

Hence, we call for:

• An immediate moratorium on “smart meter” installation until these serious public health issues are resolved. Continuing with their installation would be extremely irresponsible.

• Modify the revised proposed decision to include hearings on health impact in the second proceedings, along with cost evaluation and community wide opt‐out.

• Provide immediate relief to those requesting it and restore the analog meters.

Members of the Board American Academy of Environmental Medicine

http://aaemonline.org/images/CaliforniaPublicUtilitiesCommission.pdf

Public health official report on smart meters

2012-01-26T16:00:00.001-05:00

Public health official report on smart meters

Posted on January 19, 2012 by admin

Santa Cruz County, CA Board of Supervisors directed its public health officer to prepare an analysis of the research on the health effects of Smart Meters in December 2011. Poki Stewart Namkung, M.D. M.P.H., prepared this report: Health Risks Associated With SmartMeters. (see pages 9-18)

Dr. Namkungs report recognizes:

Smart Meters transmit pulsed electromagnetic field radiation (RF) almost continuously 24/7
There are evidence-based health risks of RF
RF exposure can be cumulative and additive
The massive increase in RF public exposures since the mid-1990′s
The controversy between independent and industry science, including lack of funding for independent research
Evidence to support an Electrical Sensitivity (EHS) diagnosis
The public health issue is that Smart Meters are involuntary RF exposures
FCC thermal guidelines are irrelevant for non-thermal public exposures.
The lack of relevant safety standards for chronic pulsed RF

The report summary calls for more government vigilance towards involuntary RF public exposures because, “…governmental agencies are the only defense against such involuntary exposure.”

The report also provides examples of strategies to reduce RF including minimize cell and cordless phone use, use speakerphone when possible, use wired internet connections, avoid setting a laptop on your lap, and more.

Excerpts: “The public health issue of concern in regard to SmartMeters is the involuntary exposure of individuals and households to electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation.”

“There are numerous situations in which the distance between the SmartMeters and humans is less than three feet on an ongoing basis, e.g. a SmartMeter mounted on the external wall to a bedroom with the bed placed adjacent to that mounting next to the internal wall. ”

“…SmartMeters emit frequencies almost continuously, day and night, seven days a week.”

“… exposure is additive and consumers may have already increased their exposures to radiofrequency radiation in the home through the voluntary use of wireless devices …It would be impossible to know how close a consumer might be to their limit, making uncertainty with the installation of a mandatory SmartMeter. ”

“… all available, peer-reviewed, scientific research data can be extrapolated to apply to SmartMeters, taking into consideration the magnitude and the intensity of the exposure.”

“Since the mid-1990′s the use of cellular and wireless devices has increased exponentially exposing the public to massively increased levels of RF.”

” It must be noted that there is little basic science funding for this type of research and it is largely funded by industry.”

“…most research carried out by independent non-government or non-industry affiliated researchers suggests potentially serious effects from many non-ionizing radiation exposures, research funded by industry and some governments seems to cast doubt on the potential for harm.”

“Despite this controversy, evidence is accumulating on the results of exposure to RF at non-thermal levels including increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier in the head (Eberhardt, 2008), harmful effects on sperm, double strand breaks in DNA which could lead to cancer genesis (Phillips, 2011), stress gene activation indicating an exposure to a toxin (Blank, 2011), and alterations in brain glucose metabolism (Volkow, 2011). ”

“Currently, research has demonstrated objective evidence to support the EHS diagnosis…”

“Meeting the current FCC guidelines only assures that one should not have heat damage from SmartMeter exposure. It says nothing about safety from the risk of many chronic diseases that the public is most concerned about such as cancer, miscarriage, birth defects, semen quality, autoimmune diseases, etc. Therefore, when it comes to nonthermal effects of RF, FCC guidelines are irrelevant and cannot be used for any claims of SmartMeter safety unless heat damage is involved (Li, 2011). ”

“There are no current, relevant public safety standards for pulsed RF involving chronic exposure of the public, nor of sensitive populations, nor of people with metal and medical implants that can be affected both by localized heating and by electromagnetic interference (EMI) for medical wireless implanted devices.”

“Many other countries have significantly lower RF/MW exposure standards ranging from 0.001 to 50 ~W/cm2 as compared with the US guideline of 200-1 000 ~W/cm2″

“In summary, there is no scientific data to determine if there is a safe RF exposure level regarding its non-thermal effects.”

This is an excellent report and a must read for all public policy decision makers, and especially utility regulators. Many thanks to Dr. Stewart Namkung, the Santa Cruz Supervisors and to the EMF educators in their area! Please circulate!

http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=6959

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CITATION(S):

I cellulari fanno male? Il webdocumentario

American Academy of Environmental Medicine

Public health official report on smart meters

Public health official report on smart meters