FDA Unveils Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging

February 11th, 2010

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FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 9, 2010
Media Inquiries: Peper Long, 301-796-4671, mary.long@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Unveils Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging
Initiative to focus on 3 types of procedures with high radiation doses

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced an initiative to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from three types of medical imaging procedures: computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine studies, and fluoroscopy. These procedures are the greatest contributors to total radiation exposure within the U.S. population and use much higher radiation doses than other radiographic procedures, such as standard X-rays, dental X-rays, and mammography.

CT, nuclear medicine, and fluoroscopic imaging have led to early diagnosis of disease, improved treatment planning, and image-guided therapies that help save lives every day. The FDA continues to support a strong dialogue between patients and physicians over the medical necessity and risk associated with these types of imaging studies.

However, like all medical procedures, CT, nuclear medicine, and fluoroscopy pose risks. These types of imaging exams expose patients to ionizing radiation, a type of radiation that can increase a person’s lifetime cancer risk. Accidental exposure to very high amounts of radiation also can cause injuries, such as skin burns, hair loss and cataracts. Health care decisions made by patients and their physicians should include discussions of the medical need and associated risks for each procedure.

“The amount of radiation Americans are exposed to from medical imaging has dramatically increased over the past 20 years,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “The goal of FDA’s initiative is to support the benefits associated with medical imaging while minimizing the risks.”

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AntiCancer – A Way of Life

February 5th, 2010

From TheDailyPaul.com

Submitted by Michael Nystrom on Fri, 02/05/2010 – 10:30
in Daily Paul Liberty Forum

This is for all of us – whether you are suffering from cancer, know someone who is, or don’t have it. All of us have cancer cells in our bodies, but not all of us develop cancer. This is an interview with David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PHD, who beat his own cancer, speaking about how to help our natural defenses to prevent and fight the disease.

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Holistic Practitioner Marketing and Networking Events

January 25th, 2010

New Networking Opportunities for 2010

Resources for Wellness
6th Annual Holistic Expo
March 27, 2010
www.holisticlivingexpo.org

YogaLife Institute*
13th Anniversary
March 27, 2010
Networking @ 6 PM, Celebration @ 8 PM
www.yogalifeinstitute.com

*Join a gathering of holistic practitioners in an informal expo and community night!

Philly Wellness Guide
Spring Event
April 3, 2-5 PM
At Jefferson University
www.phillywellnessguide.com

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Health Starts Here(TM) Launches at Whole Foods Market

January 21st, 2010

Companywide Healthy Eating Initiative Features Educational Tools, Recipes & Programs to Improve Health; Team Member Support & Additional Store Discounts Provide Incentives for Optimum Employee Health

Press Release Source: Whole Foods Market On Thursday January 21, 2010, 10:30 am EST

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — To help shoppers and Team Members who want to improve their health easily and naturally, Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI), a leader in natural and organic foods, announced today that it has launched its “Health Starts Here” initiative at all 289 locations in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“We opened our first store 30 years ago to provide natural foods as a delicious and healthy alternative to the increasing amounts of highly processed foods with artificial ingredients,” says Margaret Wittenberg, global vice president of quality standards and leader of Health Starts Here at Whole Foods Market. “Over the years, we realized that providing the healthiest foods available is simply not enough. We are now deepening our commitment to healthy eating by providing education and support tools to inspire interest in foods that help improve and maintain health and vitality.”

Health Starts Here is the first major program to be launched since Whole Foods Market added a new core value to its mission in October 2009: “Promoting the health of our stakeholders through healthy eating education.” The new program is based on these simple principles for everyday healthy eating:

* Plant-based – Focus on fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Get healthy fats in moderation from fresh plant sources such as nuts and avocados.
* Nutrient-dense – Eat foods with high nutrient content in comparison to total calories. Build menus around plant-based foods to emphasize nutrient-rich meals containing a variety of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants. These foods are naturally lower in fat.
* Whole foods – Choose foods that are real, fresh and natural. When possible, opt for food that is organic, local and seasonal. Avoid highly processed and refined foods, and those with artificial ingredients.

Healthy Eating Partners

Whole Foods Market is featuring two unique third-party healthy eating partner programs to provide easy-to-follow guidance for shoppers and Team Members. Both offer 28-day “getting started” plans while providing plenty of room for personal choices to help those who are interested in starting on their own journey down the road to optimum health.

* Eat Right America’s Chief Medical Officer, Joel Fuhrman, M.D., has discovered through years of research on thousands of patients that a body rich in micronutrients will quickly seek its ideal weight and stay there, while reversing most diet-related chronic conditions. He has also equipped patients with eating plans to help improve their overall health, conquer food cravings, reverse chronic conditions and have more energy. The secrets of superior nutrition, along with many menus and delicious recipes, are offered in a series of books, including “Eat for Health,” as well as audio CDs and DVDs. Also available at Whole Foods Market, or online at www.eatrightamerica.com/wfm, is Eat Right America’s personalized nutritional assessment tool, called “Nutrition Prescription,” which offers individual nutrition and health assessments combined with personalized eating plans.
* The Engine 2 Diet is a plant-strong plan that can help with weight loss, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of disease. Rip Esselstyn, former pro athlete and firefighter, outlines the plan in his “Engine 2 Diet” book and has always taken great interest in achieving optimal health through food. In his book, he combines the wisdom of some of his medical heroes — including his father, the renowned heart specialist, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn — with the real-life account of Rip helping his former firehouse colleagues change their health for the better by eating differently. The book can be purchased at all Whole Foods Market stores. More information can be found at www.engine2academy.com.

In-Store Education

Whole Foods Market will feature free information, recipes, in-store lectures, events and support groups. A selection of supporting educational books and cookbooks will also be for sale alongside the “Engine 2 Diet” book and “Eat Right America” program materials. To help shoppers identify healthy, nutrient-dense foods, stores will post signs with Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI) scores. Created by Dr. Fuhrman, ANDI scoring scale evaluates levels of micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants per calorie in various foods. The higher the concentration of micronutrients in a food, the higher that food will score. For instance, a serving of kale, a dark leafy green, scores 1,000, placing it at the top of the index, while a serving of soda only scores 1.

“We are excited to promote wellness and encourage healthier lifestyles by emphasizing the value of eating nutrient-rich foods and showing people how simple it can be, no matter what dietary path you follow. I like to think of it as ‘Take charge, eat well, feel great,’ as eating for health can truly be delicious, nutritious and enjoyable,” says Wittenberg.

Team Member Support and Incentives

To reiterate the company’s commitment to its newest core value and its long-time “Supporting Team Member happiness and excellence” core value, Whole Foods Market’s Health Starts Here initiative also includes two internal programs for Team Members.

* The Team Member Healthy Discount Incentive offers increased discounts for full- and part-time Team Members (enrolled in the company’s medical plan) who do not use nicotine products and satisfy certain healthy biometric criteria for blood pressure, total cholesterol (or LDL) levels and Body Mass Index (BMI). Team Members already receive a 20 percent discount on purchases at Whole Foods Market stores as an employment benefit, but now, those who voluntarily opt to participate in the incentive plan could receive up to an additional 10 percent discount.
* The Total Health Immersion Program offers Team Members intensive health and wellness education programs geared toward sustaining long-term, positive lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, fitness and empowerment. There will be two rounds of immersion programs offered annually at three different locations in the United States. Participating in the immersion program will allow Team Members, who qualify and who are ready to take charge of their own health, to receive more direct support in making positive lifestyle and dietary changes under the guidance of a medical professional, and at no cost to them.

Shoppers can expect to see information in some stores immediately, while other locations will incorporate this initiative throughout 2010. More information about Health Starts Here can be found now at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/healthstartshere.

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Holistic Practitioner’s Networking Event

January 19th, 2010

Holistic Practitioner’s Networking Event
Sponsored by the Philly Wellness Network and Yoga Living Magazine

Thursday, January 28th from 7 to 8:30

This event is for anyone who has a practice or related business in the integrative holistic field. Please join us. We have had several of these events and they have been wonderfully successful!
Come mingle and relax. You’re going to find that the atmosphere of this event is very welcoming!

Please RSVP to Jeanie at Jeanie@CreateAndHeal.com or call 610-738-0988. Thank you!

Network!

Make connections!

Collaborate-and expand!

Form meaningful relationships!

Improve your business skills!

Find out what’s new in the
holistic community….
and so much more!

Build, grow and develop!

About Creative Healing Arts
Our location:
1568 McDaniel Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
(in the Westtown Business Center at Routes 3 and 352)

Be sure to visit us on the web:
www.createandheal.com

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Holistic Practitioner’s Networking Event

January 7th, 2010

Holistic Practitioner’s Networking Event
Sponsored by the Philly Wellness Network and Yoga Living Magazine

Thursday, January 28th from 7 to 8:30

This event is for anyone who has a practice or related business in the integrative holistic field. Please join us. We have had several of these events and they have been wonderfully successful!
Come mingle and relax. You’re going to find that the atmosphere of this event is very welcoming!

Please RSVP to Jeanie at Jeanie@CreateAndHeal.com or call 610-738-0988. Thank you!

Network!

Make connections!

Collaborate-and expand!

Form meaningful relationships!

Improve your business skills!

Find out what’s new in the
holistic community….
and so much more!

Build, grow and develop!

568 McDaniel Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
(in the Westtown Business Center at Routes 3 and 352)

Be sure to visit us on the web:
www.createandheal.com

Don’t miss our Valentine’s Day Retreat-Shiatsu for Couples!

Join Our Mailing List

Registration:
Unless otherwise indicated, please call
610-738-0988 or email us at
createandheal@yahoo.com to register for classes,
workshops or events.

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Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Found In US

January 4th, 2010

The first case of contagious, aggressive, especially drug-resistant form of tuberculosis was fond in the United States. It is called “extremely drug-resistant (XXDR) TB”.

“Drug resistance is starting to be a very big problem. In the past, people stopped worrying about TB and it came roaring back. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We are all connected by the air we breathe, and that is why this must be everyone’s problem.”

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Doctors’ orders: Avoid insurance

December 23rd, 2009

Many physicians, fed up with patient overload and filing claims, are minimizing insurance-based coverage and offering round-the-clock service for a retainer.

By Parija B. Kavilanz, CNNMoney.com senior writer

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Like a lot of their patients, doctors are sick of long waits in the waiting room and dealing with insurance companies.

That’s why a growing number of primary care physicians are adopting a direct fee-for-service or “retainer-based” model of care that minimizes acceptance of insurance. Except for lab tests and other special services, your insurance plan is no good with them.

In a retainer practice, doctors charge patients an annual fee ranging from $1,500 to as high as over $10,000 for round-the-clock access to physicians, sometimes including house calls.

Other services included in the membership are annual physicals, preventive care programs and hospital visits.

Doctors argue that this model cuts down their patient load, allows them to spend more time per patient and help save the system money.

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Health Care Fraud Endangers Women

December 18th, 2009

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Unnecessary hysterectomy costs the U.S. medical system $17 billion per year. That’s Billion, with a B. This does not even begin to tally up the costs of caring for women damaged by hysterectomy, oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) and related procedures. These findings are explained in The H Word, by Nora W. Coffey and Rick Schweikert. Coffey is the president of the HERS Foundation, located in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Schweikert, a playwright, wrote and directed un becoming, a play depicting the needless hysterectomy of a woman.

Hysterectomy and oophorectomy are offered as the best or only option to women with problems ranging from fibroids to heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. These operations almost always occur without the information required for informed consent. Frequently, they are performed when a woman is under the knife for exploratory surgery. In 98% of these cases, the pathology report comes back normal or with a condition that could have been treated conservatively, meaning that the woman’s reproductive, sexual, and
endocrine organs were removed for no medical reason. The toll in the
Delaware Valley is the same as if the Wachovia Center was filled twice a year, every year, with women whose female organs had been removed!

Anna (not her real name) met the Protest and Play tour in Denver, Colorado. Her experience is more the norm than the exception: “The first of Anna’s three suicide attempts came in the first year after her hysterectomy, but she said that was due to depression related to her complicated childhood. After the surgery she was diagnosed with depression, had back surgery, and began sleeping in a separate bedroom from her husband.” If 49 out of every 50 hysterectomies could be avoided at a savings of $17 billion, and the operation leaves women with an increased incidence of heart disease, osteoporosis, sexual loss, and urinary and bowel problems, why does the
medical establishment still promote it? Coffey and Schweikert take on the AMA, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, hospitals, medical schools, and even Congress. The H Word is a must for any intact or hysterectomized woman of any age. It is also a major contribution to the national health care debate.

See contact information to obtain a review copy of The H Word and to book Nora W. Coffey and Rick Schweikert for speaking engagements and book readings/signings.

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Bayer Admits GMO Contamination is Out of Control

December 14th, 2009

Greenpeace International, Dec 8, 2009

EXTRACT: Bayer has admitted it has been unable to control the spread of its genetically-engineered organisms despite ‘the best practices [to stop contamination]‘(1). It shows that all outdoors field trials or commercial growing of GE crops must be stopped before our crops are irreversibly contaminated.


$2 million US dollar verdict against Bayer confirms company’s liability for an uncontrollable technology

Greenpeace welcomes the United States federal jury ruling on 4 December 2009 that Bayer CropScience LP must pay $2 million US dollars to two Missouri farmers after their rice crop was contaminated with an experimental variety of rice that the company was testing in 2006.

This verdict confirms that the responsibility for the consequences of GE (genetic engineering) contamination rests with the company that releases GE crops.

Bayer has admitted it has been unable to control the spread of its genetically-engineered organisms despite ‘the best practices [to stop contamination]‘(1). It shows that all outdoors field trials or commercial growing of GE crops must be stopped before our crops are irreversibly contaminated.

A report prepared for Greenpeace International concluded that the total costs incurred throughout the world as a result of the contamination are estimated to range from $741 million to $1.285 billion US dollars.(2) The verdict indicates that Bayer is liable for what could turn out to be a large proportion of these costs, as it awards damages in the first two of more than 1,000 currently pending lawsuits. The decision must be used to support all claims for losses incurred by other US farmers whose crops have suffered from GE contamination.

(1) Bayers Defense lawyer, Mark Ferguson as reported in Harris, A. 2009.
Bayer Blamed at Trial for Crops ‘Contaminated’ by Modified Rice. Bloomberg News 4th November 2009, available at:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aT…

(2) E.N. Blue (2007) Risky Business. Economic and regulatory impacts from the unintended release of genetically engineered rice varieties into the rice merchandising system of the US. Report prepared for Greenpeace International, available online at http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press….

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