October 15, 2008

Contents:

1. Message for Canadian Horse Lovers
2. FDA to Look at Nano-products...Again
3. It's Flu Season. What do I do?
4. Omega-3s and Your Health

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Message for Canadian Horse Lovers

by Yvonne Allen

Less than one year ago, Angel, a young foal considered by the pharmaceutical industry to be a "byproduct" of the PMU industry, arrived in Langley from Manitoba.

On Oct 4th, 2008 we once again welcomed two young colts, both from the same feedlot with the same destiny that Angel had had until she was rescued and given a chance for a good life. Lucky for her, things evolved in her favor! And lucky also for these two young ones who have been taken in by Margaret Edwards-Jones of Langley, BC.

These weanlings were rescued with the intent to do just that; to rescue them as Angel had been so they too could get a chance for a good life and eventually be sold to good homes, as they make great pleasure and riding horses.

We certainly can't keep them all; however, people like Margaret are making the difference by taking them first hand from these feed lots and promoting these horses as quality equines, built to stand up and excel in many different disciplines.

If you are interested or know of anyone that might be interested in purchasing one of the two yearlings or any of the others available, please contact Margaret at Quest Farms (http://www.freewebs.com/questfarms/).

With hay prices sky-rocketing this year, especially in some of our eastern provinces, many more horses are at risk of being shipped to feed lots due to horse owners not being able to afford these high prices. This is now a growing concern, so please consider what it might mean for you in your life to support a horse by either adopting, supporting a rescue center or even taking on a new hobby that could be life changing!

Horses today play very important and powerful roles which we have already shared with you. Equine Facilitated Therapies has also become very popular and in demand. This even includes in our corporate world and horses like these have much to teach, I promise you this!

Yvonne Allen is founder of Voice for the Horse, www.voiceforthehorse.com.

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FDA to Look at Nano-products...Again

by The Center for Food Safety

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is once again holding an "information gathering" public meeting on nanotechnology, a powerful new technology for taking apart and reconstructing nature at the atomic and molecular level. Like Yogi Berra said, "it's deja vu all over again."

FDA held the same meeting two years ago, in autumn 2006. Even then, the agency was behind the curve: Many products that contain unlabeled nanomaterials, including food and food packaging products, were already on market shelves. Now, two years have passed since that meeting and the agency's continuing stance can be aptly summarized as "all talk, no action."

Many new nano-products continue to come to market, at an average of four to five a week. Unfortunately nano-products are still treated by FDA like any other products or product ingredients; yet scientists agree that nanomaterials are fundamentally different substances that create new and unique risks to human health and the environment and need new forms of safety testing.

A public comment period is open now through October 24, 2008 - Take action now at http://ga3.org/campaign/Nano1/8gx5873r27833j87

Background
Nanotechnology is a powerful platform technology to take apart and reconstruct nature at the atomic and molecular level. It involves the manipulation of matter at the nanometer (nm) scale, one-billionth of a meter. The nano-scale is exceedingly tiny: A human hair is huge by comparison, about 50,000 nm thick; the head of a pin is about 1 million nm across.

Scientists have found that the fundamental properties of matter can change at the nano-scale, creating physical and chemical properties distinct from those of the same material in bulk form. Nanoparticles have unprecedented mobility, and readily enter the human body and gain access to the blood stream via inhalation and ingestion. In addition, the jury is still out on the ease of nanoparticles' ability to penetrate the skin. Studies have raised numerous red flags, with some showing that certain nanoparticles can be toxic to human tissue and cells. Once inside the body, nanoparticles can cross biological membranes, cells, tissues, and organs more efficiently than larger particles. Once in the blood stream, nanomaterials can circulate throughout the body and can be taken up by the organs and tissues including the brain, liver, heart, kidneys, spleen, bone marrow, and nervous system.

By 2010, the nano-food market could be worth $6 billion. Many of the world's leading food companies - including H.J. Heinz, Nestle, Hershey, Campbell, General Mills, PepsiCo, Sara Lee, Unilever, and Kraft - are investing heavily in nanotechnology applications. Nanoparticles of silver, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, materials now used in dietary supplements and food packaging, have been found to be highly toxic to cells in studies. Nano-silver, the most common commercialized nanomaterial, is being used in numerous food packaging items, cutlery, baby bottles, and kitchen appliances and cleaners for its "germ-killing" power. This same powerful strength can destroy important beneficial microorganisms in nature as well.

Moreover, the unregulated commercialization of these products poses unknown dangers to the environment once they are released into the waste stream.

Thus far, nanotechnology-laced products are treated by the Food and Drug Administration like any other products or product ingredients. In 2006, the Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), joined by other consumer health and environmental groups, petitioned FDA to stop ignoring the new dangers presented by these nanomaterials and force manufacturers to label these new nanoproducts, including nano-sunscreens (Docket No. 2006P-2010). In 2008, the CTA filed a similar legal action with the Environmental Protection Agency on the unregulated potential environmental and health dangers of nano-silver consumer products.

Further Resources:
International Center for Technology Assessment 2008 Legal Petition to EPA on Regulation of Nano-silver Products, http://www.nanoaction.org/nanoaction/page.cfm?id=244...
Friends of the Earth, Report, Out Of The Laboratory And Onto Our Plate: Nanotechnology in Food & Agriculture (2008), http://action.foe.org/content.jsp?content_KEY=3965&t..., and http://www.foe.org/pdf/nano_food.pdf
International Center for Technology Assessment 2006 Legal Petition to FDA on Regulation of Nanotechnology and Nano-Sunscreens: http://www.icta.org/doc/Nano%20FDA%20petition%20fina...
Petition Executive Summary: http://www.icta.org/doc/Nano%20petition%20ex%20summa...
Friends of the Earth Report: A Consumer Guide for Avoiding Nano-Sunscreens (2007)
http://www.foe.org/nano_sunscreens_guide/Nano_Sunscr...
Friends of the Earth Report: Nanomaterials, Sunscreens, and Cosmetics: Small Ingredients Big Risks (2006): http://www.foe.org/camps/comm/nanotech/nanocosmetics...
Principles for the Oversight of Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials: http://www.icta.org/doc/Principles%20for%20the%20Ove...
Executive Summary/Press Release of Principles: http://www.icta.org/press/release.cfm?news_id=26
Consumer Reports: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health-fitness/be... 
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies - Consumer Product Database: http://www.nanotechproject.org/44

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It's Flu Season. What do I do?

by Jeda Boughton, Dr. TCM

As we enjoy this wonderful autumn weather it's easy to forget that the flu season is quickly approaching. Soon flu shots will be widely available. For the unsuspecting, the pressure to get one can become overwhelming and it leaves them pondering important questions such as: "Do I need a flu shot?" and "How does it actually work?"

The flu vaccine is meant to provide us with an "immunity" to the impending strain of the virus. However, with the presence of so many different strains, it is difficult for scientists to be entirely sure which one is actually going to hit this year. As a result, they simply formulate a cocktail of viruses in the hope that one of them may provide the right match.

The effects of the flu or common cold can be debilitating and can quickly run you into the ground. Pharmacies, of course, are stocked full with various flu and cold medications. However, whilst these may alleviate the symptoms temporarily, they actually play a larger role in inhibiting our natural defenses. In order to kill a virus your body must first produce mucous to trap the foreign invader. Once held, it then incites a fever to "cook" it. It's much like a fully active war zone inside your body. Although flu and cold medications may stop the fever and dry up the mucous, they do nothing to enrich the immune system or restore balance in the body.

Is there an alternative?
Chinese medicine and acupuncture have been used successfully for centuries to enhance the immune system. Based on the identification of patterns within the body, it aims to highlight any underlying weaknesses or imbalances. When parts of your body are functioning sub-optimally the supporting network breaks down. By restoring balance to your system Chinese medicine and acupuncture help the organs to work together for optimal health, priming your body's defenses against infection.

Combined with specific food choices, Chinese medicine and acupuncture effectively enhance your immune system by seeking to restore long term harmony and balance. Promoting strong vital energy, it strengthens your natural defenses and decreases the risk of contamination from the flu, common cold, and other infections diseases.

My question to you is, how good do you want to feel this winter?

Dr. Jeda Boughton practices traditional Chinese medicine at BodaHealth, 302-1245 West Broadway, Vancouver, 604-733-2632.  www.bodahealth.ca

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Omega-3s and Your Health

by Dr. Sara Kinnon, ND

Omega-3s are getting great attention from the general public, media, and researchers. This attention focuses on improving heart health to preventing cognitive decline. The benefits of omega-3s, however, are not limited to these conditions. In fact, consuming sufficient quantities of omega-3s has far-reaching benefits. 

What are omega-3s? They are an essential fatty acid. This means that every person requires the fatty acid in order to have proper functioning cells. They are deemed essential because they must be obtained from our diet. They are an essential component of each cell's membrane so without proper levels, our cells perform at a suboptimum level.

Omega-3 fatty acids are composed of EPA and DHA. EPA consumption prevents and improves conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and depression, while DHA is helpful in improving cognitive function in the elderly, proper growth and development children, and postpartum depression. Recent research also suggests omega-3s are helpful in preventing cancer, reducing migraines, and in increasing attention in those suffering from ADHD.

Omega-3s are an integral part of my practice. I encourage my patients to include food sources of omega-3s including fish, flax, and walnuts as part of their whole foods diet. Most of my patients are also prescribed an omega-3 supplement as part of their wellness program. Therapeutically, I prescribe it for patients with inflammatory or autoimmune disorders such as asthma or rheumatoid arthritis, depression, pregnancy and lactation, skin conditions, menstrual disorders, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. 

What do patients need to know? Not all supplements are created equal. Most of the research supporting the use of omega-3 supplementation is done on fish oil. Should you be in the position to require supplementation, a high quality supplement is vital. Fish oils should be free of contaminants, and include fish sources that are not endangered, overfished, or farmed. Good sources are anchovies, sardines, arctic cod and herring. There are a few supplement companies that ensure contaminant-free oils so be sure to check the label or ask if you are in doubt. Not only do fish oils need to be contaminant-free, but they should also contain therapeutic levels of EPA and DHA. Often times, mainstream supplements require you to consume numerous pills in order to reach therapeutic levels. 

Many people are concerned about the taste and consistency of fish oil. In my practice, I work with a patient's pill or liquid preference and make recommendations based on that. For example, taking with meals, mixing in smoothies, or freezing the fish oil caps can make the oil easier to digest and much more tolerable.

With our high-stress, busy western lifestyle, our diets are often the first to suffer. To combat the lack of nutrition and support the body's ability to deal with the stress, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is crucial. If you think you might benefit from omega-3s, consult a naturopathic physician who can determine and recommend the right supplement and dosage for your condition. 

Bellevue Natural Health Clinic phone: (604) 913-2262
1467 Bellevue Ave,  West Vancouver, BC
Dr. Kinnon is dedicated to working in partnership with her patients to discover, understand, and address the root cause of their illness or disease. Dr. Kinnon's primary focus is women and children's health. Areas of expertise include infertility, PMS, Menopause, hypertension, detoxification, weight loss, IV therapy, and cancer. Each patient receives an individualized treatment program to guide and empower them on their path to optimal wellness.

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