 Laura Klein (@OrganicAuthorit)2/14/12 3:36 AM GMO Corn Farmer Violations Triple Over Last Year - With genetically modified seeds dominating the U.S.... tmblr.co/Zy7fUyGP4_SY |
Sent from my iphone w/ love!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
@OrganicAuthorit, 2/14/12 3:36 AM
Sent from my iphone w/ love!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Fwd: Whole Fraud: Exposing the Myth of So-Called Natural Foods
please take action
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In 2012, whether we're talking about getting antibiotics out of animal feed or labeling GMOs, we're fighting harder than ever. With the 2012 California Ballot Initiative, and GMO labeling legislation gaining momentum in Vermont, Washington, Connecticut, Hawaii and other states, we have a real chance to hit Monsanto with the skull and crossbones they fear so much - mandatory labels on genetically engineered food. We also plan to step up our efforts to strengthen organic standards and significantly expand the market for organic food and products, especially those produced locally and regionally.
--
Take good care,
Linda
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Fwd: Cease FDA Ties to Monsanto Petition NEWS UPDATE #3
Here is your Third Petition Update 2/8/12 from Frederick Ravid about your Petition TELL OBAMA TO CEASE FDA TIES TO MONSANTO. You are receiving this because you've become a signer. This is NOT spam. This email includes many details. Please read because we're doing our best to openly share this wonderful experience with you as it develops.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Opt out can ONLY be done by you: See the small Subscription Management link at the very bottom of this email if you wish to Opt out. If you do opt out please consider our FACEBOOK GROUP linked below as an alternative. Email replies to this Update asking to Opt Out will not receive a response.
PETITION LINK http://signon.org/sign/tell-obama-to-cease-fda?source=s.em.cr&r_by=2130394&mailing_id=1992
Contents:
- Major Petition News
- By the Numbers Petition Status
- Communication from Members Includes
- Wish List
- Contact Info
Major Petition News
- MoveOn.Org sent the petition out to over 5.5 million members on Monday. Thank you!
- As of 2/8 at 8pm EST you have contributed over 390,000 signatures. Credo and Food Democracy Now reports they have generated an additional ~212,000 signatures on our sister petition(s).
- We are making steady progress behind the scenes and at very high levels with proposed coverage by major Media but we still have a long way to go. See the Wish List below for how you can help.
- I see a great need to produce a BOOK to tell the amazing story of this petition, its background and the issues that drive it. Most Americans don't even know about this problem that strikes such a strong chord with us! A book can go a long way to change that. The various parties have to iron out details, but I am committed to producing this as fast as possible to extend the event horizon of this important work we are doing.
- Our Facebook PAGE at this link is reaching many more than you imagine. In the past 5 days it's reached over 47,000 people. It's a great forum for discussion, sharing, and the lighter side of this effort. If the link doesn't work, here is the long form. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tell-Obama-To-Cease-FDA-Ties-to-Monsanto/105907189534363
- We have a Spanish language version of the petition very close to being released.
By the Numbers Petition Status
- We have >390,000 signatures on our petition & 212,000 signatures from Credo & Food Democracy Now. Our grand total currently tallies >600,000 signatures.
- The actual page count of our physical petition with your comments is >39,000 pages at this time. That's 78 10-ream CASES of office paper! Fortunately it's electronic paper.
- We have ~1,782,000 views on SignOn.org. Remember many support and share but aren't yet ready to sign.
- hundreds of emails, tweets, and retweets
- Over 47,000 people have seen our FACEBOOK PAGE and >6,400 "LIKE" it.
- Those who have seen our Facebook page includes ~7,000 people who are not in the US.
Communication from Members Includes
- Many very personal expressions of gratitude and amazement
- Suggestions of groups with which we can cooperate
- Political themes that support or decry various candidates in this election year
- Resources to share knowledge, such as important documentaries, & links.
- offers of specialized support
- Suggestions of various media outlets that might be interested or targeted for sharing this story.
- amazingly intelligent ideas about legal and regulatory solutions
- volunteerism
- requests for interviews on radio, print and TV
Wish List
- We need the help of writers, researchers, journalism interns, and editors, so if you are such a person or have one to introduce to us, email MonoutofFDA@gmail.com with Subject: BOOK HELP.
- We need a blog or other social media vehicle that permits more flexible content sharing than is available via Facebook. The blog needs the capacity for all of us to upload and share the current Press Release, Videos, Links, Articles, Photos, etc. Email us, Subject: BLOG
- Have you found or produced YOUTUBE videos specifucally about this petition? Or, can you produce YOUTUBE content? Email us: Subject: YOUTUBE.
- If you have media contacts and need our current Press Release, Email us: Subject PRESS RELEASE.
- We need Atlanta-Based Interns who would like to help us communicate and help in the office. Email us, Subject: ATLANTA VOLUNTEER
- If you are an academic, scientist, or physician or know of any who work in Bioscience, or Medicine who would be interested in writing on this topic. Email us: Subject: PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION
- If you are an attorney or elected official and have suggestions for legal or regulatory strategies, let us hear from you. Email us: Subject LEGAL/REGULATORY
- On Facebook, Copy the petition URL, and send an IM to each online Friend with a quick expression of support and enthusiasm on the Chat from time to time. Don't double-send to any individual, use with discretion. This is far more direct and effective than SHARE which tends to offer the link primarily to your close friends and those with whom you frequently communicate.
- Interact with each other via social media and keep us posted of how and where with emails to: Subject: SOCIAL MEDIA
CONTACT INFO
- email: monoutoffda@gmail.com
- twitter follow me on https://twitter.com/#!/FrederickRavid
This message was sent to linda by Frederick Ravid from the SignOn.org system. MoveOn.org Civic Action sponsors SignOn.org, but does not endorse specific campaigns or the contents of this message.
To unsubscribe or report this email as inappropriate, click here: http://www.signon.org/unsub.html?i=1992-2130394-NHCDNO
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Take good care,
Linda
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Fwd: Registered Dieticians Attack Low-Carb Blogger for Publishing the Truth about Nutrition and Diabetes
Health Impact News
Here's the latest:
Here's the latest:
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Take good care,
Linda
Friday, February 3, 2012
What's wrong with our Government
Monsanto to pull GM operation from Britain
LONDON, Feb 3, 2012 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Monsanto Co. said it's leaving Britain due to opposition to genetically modified foods.
Officials at Monsanto -- a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation and leading producer of genetically engineered seed -- said the company is closing its wheat growing operation, based in Cambridge, which employed 125 people, and selling off crop-breeding centers in France, Germany and the Czech Republic, the Daily Mail reported.
Monsanto made its decision public shortly before the British government's final announcement on the prospects for GM food, and after research in Britain found GM farming would have long-term negative impacts.
Three studies conducted for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs found pollen contamination would spread far further than previously believed, "feral" growth of weed killer would persist for years and the heavy use of chemicals associated with these crops could wipe out some species of birds.
The government's findings involved hundreds of public meetings and 37,000 questionnaires. Ninety-three percent of respondents said not enough was known about the long-term effects of these foods on health, and 86 percent said they would refuse to eat the GM food.
www.upi.com
Copyright 2012 United Press International, Inc. (UPI). Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.
--
Take good care,
Linda
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Fwd: Fooducate Blog - Frito Lay Gets Sued. Increasing Pressure to Label GMOs
And so it begins
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Fooducate Blog - Frito Lay Gets Sued. Increasing Pressure to Label GMOs |
| Frito Lay Gets Sued. Increasing Pressure to Label GMOs Posted: 01 Feb 2012 04:18 AM PST Frito Lays is being used in New York by a man who claims he was duped to paying more for product labeled "All Natural" when in fact they are not: In the proposed class-action lawsuit filed in Brooklyn federal court, plaintiff Chris Shake said the snacks actually contain corn and oils made from genetically engineered plants. Shake said he shelled out an additional 10 cents per ounce of chips to buy the allegedly "all-natural" Tostitos and SunChips instead of a product such as Doritos, which makes no such claim. Independent testing conducted on samples of Frito-Lay products labeled "all natural" uncovered the presence of ingredients – including corn and vegetable oils – made from genetically modified plants, the lawsuit said. read more from Reuters… Is the lawsuit justified? According to the manufacturer, their labeling "complies with all regulatory requirements." And truth be told, they are. There is absolutely no definition of "natural" foods in FDA guidelines, nor is there a "natural" certification program like there is for Organic food. So perhaps a better approach would be to sue the government? Or to use democratic means to get the regulatory bodies to make a bold decision to require companies to label ingredients as Genetically Modified? One such means is to petition the government. See for example the online petition on JustLabelIt.org. According to this consumer group, 80% of foods in our supermarkets contain genetically modified ingredients. Not surprising when you add 2+2: - most corn and soy in the US is genetically modified. - most processed foods have some corn or soy ingredient or derivative listed as an ingredient. Is GMO a health risk to consumers? That's a hotly debated issue. But if it is enough of an issue for millions of Americans, then we have a right to know if a food we are about to purchase uses genetically modified ingredients. Unfortunately, our right is being blocked by a strong lobby representing business interests, not ours. So please go ahead and fill out the petition. What to do at the supermarket: To assure you are not buying GMO products you have several options: - Buy organic. Certified organic products do not allow for GMOs. - Buy products labeled "Non-GMO". See the Non-GMO Project for details - Move to Europe. The governments there listened to their constituents and decided to mandate GMO info on products. They required labeling of each GM ingredient. As a result, no manufacturer wanted to risk losing customers and opted for non-GMO ingredients. Get Fooducated:      |
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Take good care,
Linda
Fwd: Monsanto and Big Ag: Partners in Crime
>
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Sixteen states are currently considering legislation to label GMOs. Please contact your state legislators to encourage them to support or introduce GMO labeling bills.
After over 2000 letters from concerned consumers, Fair Trade USA (FTUSA; formerly TransFair USA) has released its revised draft Multiple Ingredients Product Policy. Organic Consumers Association's Fair World Project (FWP) is pleased that FTUSA has incorporated feedback from various stakeholder groups on important issues, especially with respect minimum ingredient requirements for fair trade products and strengthening the commercial availability requirement to source fair trade ingredients. The commercial availability requirement is a particularly crucial market driver to expand markets for fair trade farmers. However, there are a number of critical areas for improvement, which are outlined in the Fair World Project's recent statement regarding FTUSA's new revisions.
Beatrice Blake, guidebook author and community ecotourism expert, has designed a special itinerary for OCA members that visits sustainable coffee farms near Palmichal de Acosta and organic farms in Altamira at the entrance to La Amistad International Park. These community-owned farms are members of ACTUAR, the Costa Rican Rural Tourism Association, which just won the Responsible Tourism Award at the Educational Travel Conference. --
Take good care,
Linda
Fwd: Petition Update: Tell Obama To Cease FDA Ties To Monsanto
If you CARE about the food you're eating - sign this
Here is an update 2/1/2012 at 11:37pm Eastern for our Petition, #Tell Obama To Cease FDA Ties To Monsanto
In this Update:
- The Petition's Status "by the numbers" at this writing
- Media Attention
- Major Themes shared by petitioners and emails to Frederick Ravid
- Housekeeping including email Opt-out instructions
By The Numbers
We have reached over 185,000 signatures. Closing in on 200,000! THANK YOU!
About 1,000,000 people have viewed the petition.
This is now one of the most successful online petitions in hstory, according to SignOn.Org
Participants are signing up from ALL 50 States!
We are still working 20 hour days on growing the viral status and awareness of this Petition, and we WILL share more details about developments and how we will honor your intentions once things settle down to a more normal pace.
Media Attention
Washington Post published an article on the petition at this link. This was linked and quoted very widely on the web by blogs, city newspapers, and other sources.
We have been in contact with all of the major broadcast networks with press releases about the Petition. These include ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and NPR. The news cycle moves quickly and time is of the essence, so act now if you have access.
If you have a relationship with the news desk or producers in any major market or national network, contact us please. If you need a press release, request one via email with the SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE
Major Themes Shared By Petitioners and in emails to Frederick Ravid
- Frustration is expressed at corporate corruption of the FDA's regulatory function.
- Many are very concerned about Monsanto's behavior over history and its implications for HEALTH.
- President Obama is often criticized for allowing this to happen after promising "change we can believe in."
- People notice that The First Lady is involved in Healthy Food initiatives while the President is paying back Monsanto for its big campaign support in his election by giving them this power.
- Many people think Michael Taylor is just now being appointed to FDA and others wonder why we're just now revisiting his appointment.
- People are very happy to find a voice on this topic, which one writer aptly stated " is more important than reforming wall street and banks because it's a "Fork in the road question for the whole biosphere."
- One Potato Farmer said "This Petition has given us farmers so much hope." I replied "You've just mde my day!"
- Many commented that our email update did not easily identify what petition was being discussed, and YES, we hear you!
- A few people are asking how to remove their email address or opt out. This will be addressed below in the Housekeeping Department
- We got some blame-laden finger-pointing email too. Hey, it's a free country!
Housekeeping Department
Email opt-out instructions: SignOn.Org has your email address because you gave it to them when you signed the Petition. The author of this update has NO control over email subscriptions. Below the text of this email you should find a link in a section that says "SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT." The author of this Petition Update CANNOT remove you from the list even if you send your email address in reply. Unfortunately, Replying by email asking to be removed will not help you opt out. The list itself is in SignOn.Org's hands.
Getting Replies To Your Emails
Please understand that we are receiving hundreds of emails and inquiries each day and are unable to respond to all of them. We wish we could, really we do!
We cannot adequately express how gratified we are to have your amazing support!
Please continue to share and support this Petition.
http://signon.org/sign/tell-obama-to-cease-fda?source=s.em.cr&r_by=2130394&mailing_id=1873
This message was sent to linda by Frederick Ravid from the SignOn.org system. MoveOn.org Civic Action sponsors SignOn.org, but does not endorse specific campaigns or the contents of this message.
To unsubscribe or report this email as inappropriate, click here: http://www.signon.org/unsub.html?i=1873-2130394-W5luUt
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Take good care,
Linda
Fwd: Petition Update: Tell Obama To Cease FDA Ties To Monsanto
If you can about the food you're eating - sign this !!!!!!!
Here is an update 2/1/2012 at 11:37pm Eastern for our Petition, #Tell Obama To Cease FDA Ties To Monsanto
CONTACT INFO: Follow Me on Twitter @FrederickRavid, Email: MONOutOfFDA@gmail.com
In this Update:
By The Numbers
We have reached over 185,000 signatures. Closing in on 200,000! THANK YOU!
About 1,000,000 people have viewed the petition.
This is now one of the most successful online petitions in hstory, according to SignOn.Org
Participants are signing up from ALL 50 States!
We are still working 20 hour days on growing the viral status and awareness of this Petition, and we WILL share more details about developments and how we will honor your intentions once things settle down to a more normal pace.
Media Attention
Washington Post published an article on the petition at this link. This was linked and quoted very widely on the web by blogs, city newspapers, and other sources.
We have been in contact with all of the major broadcast networks with press releases about the Petition. These include ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and NPR. The news cycle moves quickly and time is of the essence, so act now if you have access.
If you have a relationship with the news desk or producers in any major market or national network, contact us please. If you need a press release, request one via email with the SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE
Major Themes Shared By Petitioners and in emails to Frederick Ravid
Housekeeping Department
Email opt-out instructions: SignOn.Org has your email address because you gave it to them when you signed the Petition. The author of this update has NO control over email subscriptions. Below the text of this email you should find a link in a section that says "SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT." The author of this Petition Update CANNOT remove you from the list even if you send your email address in reply. Unfortunately, Replying by email asking to be removed will not help you opt out. The list itself is in SignOn.Org's hands.
Getting Replies To Your Emails
Please understand that we are receiving hundreds of emails and inquiries each day and are unable to respond to all of them. We wish we could, really we do!
We cannot adequately express how gratified we are to have your amazing support!
Please continue to share and support this Petition.
http://signon.org/sign/tell-obama-to-cease-fda?source=s.em.cr&r_by=2130394&mailing_id=1873
![]()
Here is an update 2/1/2012 at 11:37pm Eastern for our Petition, #Tell Obama To Cease FDA Ties To Monsanto
CONTACT INFO: Follow Me on Twitter @FrederickRavid, Email: MONOutOfFDA@gmail.com
In this Update:
- The Petition's Status "by the numbers" at this writing
- Media Attention
- Major Themes shared by petitioners and emails to Frederick Ravid
- Housekeeping including email Opt-out instructions
By The Numbers
We have reached over 185,000 signatures. Closing in on 200,000! THANK YOU!
About 1,000,000 people have viewed the petition.
This is now one of the most successful online petitions in hstory, according to SignOn.Org
Participants are signing up from ALL 50 States!
We are still working 20 hour days on growing the viral status and awareness of this Petition, and we WILL share more details about developments and how we will honor your intentions once things settle down to a more normal pace.
Media Attention
Washington Post published an article on the petition at this link. This was linked and quoted very widely on the web by blogs, city newspapers, and other sources.
We have been in contact with all of the major broadcast networks with press releases about the Petition. These include ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and NPR. The news cycle moves quickly and time is of the essence, so act now if you have access.
If you have a relationship with the news desk or producers in any major market or national network, contact us please. If you need a press release, request one via email with the SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE
Major Themes Shared By Petitioners and in emails to Frederick Ravid
- Frustration is expressed at corporate corruption of the FDA's regulatory function.
- Many are very concerned about Monsanto's behavior over history and its implications for HEALTH.
- President Obama is often criticized for allowing this to happen after promising "change we can believe in."
- People notice that The First Lady is involved in Healthy Food initiatives while the President is paying back Monsanto for its big campaign support in his election by giving them this power.
- Many people think Michael Taylor is just now being appointed to FDA and others wonder why we're just now revisiting his appointment.
- People are very happy to find a voice on this topic, which one writer aptly stated " is more important than reforming wall street and banks because it's a "Fork in the road question for the whole biosphere."
- One Potato Farmer said "This Petition has given us farmers so much hope." I replied "You've just mde my day!"
- Many commented that our email update did not easily identify what petition was being discussed, and YES, we hear you!
- A few people are asking how to remove their email address or opt out. This will be addressed below in the Housekeeping Department
- We got some blame-laden finger-pointing email too. Hey, it's a free country!
Housekeeping Department
Email opt-out instructions: SignOn.Org has your email address because you gave it to them when you signed the Petition. The author of this update has NO control over email subscriptions. Below the text of this email you should find a link in a section that says "SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT." The author of this Petition Update CANNOT remove you from the list even if you send your email address in reply. Unfortunately, Replying by email asking to be removed will not help you opt out. The list itself is in SignOn.Org's hands.
Getting Replies To Your Emails
Please understand that we are receiving hundreds of emails and inquiries each day and are unable to respond to all of them. We wish we could, really we do!
We cannot adequately express how gratified we are to have your amazing support!
Please continue to share and support this Petition.
http://signon.org/sign/tell-obama-to-cease-fda?source=s.em.cr&r_by=2130394&mailing_id=1873
This message was sent to linda by Frederick Ravid from the SignOn.org system. MoveOn.org Civic Action sponsors SignOn.org, but does not endorse specific campaigns or the contents of this message.
To unsubscribe or report this email as inappropriate, click here: http://www.signon.org/unsub.html?i=1873-2130394-W5luUt
--
Take good care,
Linda
Monday, January 30, 2012
A MUST READ !!!!!!
|
--
Take good care,
Linda
Sunday, January 29, 2012
@alexandrazissu, 1/29/12 12:03 AM
 alexandra zissu (@alexandrazissu)1/29/12 12:03 AM I told #Obama to Cease FDA Ties to #Monsanto signon.org/s/VKCsMR #signon |
Sent from my iphone w/ love!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
@jazzyhealth, 1/28/12 12:34 PM
 Ms. Lin (@jazzyhealth)1/28/12 12:34 PM Fresh farm pastured "fried" eggs in grassfed butter w/ left over quinoa & steamed carrots for lunch #POW |
Sent from my iphone w/ love!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
@jazzyhealth, 1/22/12 2:00 PM
| Linda (@jazzyhealth) 1/22/12 2:00 PM Grass fed buttered cauliflower, brown rice, pinto beans, garlicky Swiss chard, grass-fed coconut oil "fried" eggs & sardines |
Sent from my iphone w/ love!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
@jazzyhealth, 1/21/12 11:43 AM
| Linda (@jazzyhealth) 1/21/12 11:43 AM Dirty mouth? Gargle with coconut oil! It's a natural anti fungal remedy. While you're at it, swallow a spoonful for good health skin&hair! |
Sent from my iphone w/ love!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Fwd: The Problems with Antibiotics: Possible Alternatives and Damage Control | Mark's Daily Apple - Your Daily Dose
The Problems with Antibiotics: Possible Alternatives and Damage Control
Posted: 23 Nov 2011 09:36 AM PST
Are there any viable alternatives to antibiotics? I just spent the last few posts talking about all the bad things that stem from taking too many antibiotics, and you're likely wondering if there's anything you can do when an infection comes around. Although I wouldn't suggest ignoring your doctor's antibiotic prescriptions for some herb you found on some site online, there are potential alternatives. Not every alternative I list is going to work for you. To be honest, we have yet to confirm many viable alternatives that pack the punch of modern antibiotics. And in many cases, the wallop of conventional pharmaceuticals is exactly what the doctor ordered (in, um, every way). Sure, it could be said that every dose of antibiotics given out is exerting a selection pressure on billions of microbes that will ultimately lead to greater resistance, but when it comes down to it, you don't want to be sick in the here and now.
So, once again, are there any viable alternatives to antibiotics, and if we have to take one, what can we do to mitigate the potential fallout?
First, the alternatives.
Fecal Transplants
Feces is mostly made up of living bacteria. That's why poop-covered greens are often at the heart of these E. coli outbreaks you hear about – the bacteria lives on. Bad for those who like unwashed commercial spinach, but good for fecal transplants. Yes, fecal bacteriotherapy – the transplantation of fecal matter from a healthy human with healthy gut flora into an unhealthy human with unhealthy gut flora via enema or nasogastric tubing (through the nose directly to the gut) – is a promising new procedure. It's particularly effective against recurring C. diff infections, showing "complete resolution" in 92% of 317 patients across 27 studies. C. diff is notoriously antibiotic-resistant (many C. diff infections happen because of antibiotics, in fact); only three antibiotics are currently even remotely effective at combating the nasty infection, but the fecal transplants displace the C. diff and replace the missing good stuff.
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, fecal transplants are a bit of a hard sell. It clearly works, but since it smells of the dreaded "alternative medicine" and there is as yet no randomized controlled trial testing it, few physicians are even aware of or prepared to handle the procedure. Furthermore, most insurance won't cover it. That they often blend the "fecal probiotics" with milk to form a "lactofecal slurry" (my choice of words) probably doesn't help, either. Everyone loves a chocolate milkshake, but c'mon.
All hope is not lost. At-home fecal transplantation using a basic drug store enema kit has been shown to work just as well. (Of course, consult your doctor before proceeding.) And although most fecal transplant research centers on C. diff, it's been shown to resolve antibiotic-related changes in short chain fatty acid production and increased diarrhea. I imagine we'll see a lot more in coming years. Overall, I think fecal transplantation is the most promising antibiotic alternative.
"Natural" Antibacterials
To deal with pathogenic or competing microbes without pharmaceutical intervention, organisms have developed natural antibiotics. So it should come as no surprise that certain naturally-occurring substances have antibacterial properties. Modern and ancient medicine have identified many of these and isolated them, purified them, extracted them, and as I said in the first post, modern antibiotics like penicillin originally stem from naturally-occurring antibiotics that bacteria have been using against each other for millions of years. The problem with recommending natural antibiotics as a replacement is that there exists very little evidence in the literature supporting their efficacy. Plenty of antibacterial compounds exist, often in herbs and spices with long histories of medicinal uses, but that doesn't mean that taking a pill of an extract of that herb or spice will kill whatever's infected you. It might, and I wouldn't be surprised if it did – heck, go through all my Smart Spice posts and you'll see that just about every one has some sort of antimicrobial function – but I can't recommend it because I simply don't know.
One argument (to which I'm somewhat partial) in favor of natural, whole food/herb antibiotics is that they have a long track record of dealing with real-world infections and microbial attacks. That even though modern pharmaceuticals have isolated the compounds with the most powerful effects, whole foods contain a wider range of compounds working in concert and "attacking" the problem from different angles. Anyway, here's the list of some (but not all) foods/herbs with natural antibacterial action, along with some relevant links. I tried to limit the list to only those substances showing efficacy in vivo:
Garlic
Using doses between 1-3 mg/ml, garlic extract was effective against antibiotic-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In another study, garlic extract reduced the viability of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in mice, and lowered inflammation associated with the infection. It's worth noting, however, that a 2003 review (submitted before the other two studies were run) found garlic and other herbs/foods to be mostly ineffective as an in vivo antibiotic. It also concluded that while solid evidence for using herbal replacements is scarce, there's enough in vitro evidence to demand further investigation.
Honey
As a topical antibacterial agent, honey has been used for thousands of years, a role which plenty of clinical studies have confirmed (PDF). Some studies have even found that topical honey works better than systemic/oral antibiotics in treating infected wounds. So, next time you're infected with E. coli, do I recommend taking a tablespoon of raw honey? No, not quite. But you can certainly benefit from applying a dollop to a cut or open wound instead of reaching for the antibiotic ointment. That last link has guidance on how to apply honey to wounds.
Forsythia Suspensa
Forsythia suspensa is one of the 50 "traditional herbs" used in Chinese medicine, and a few studies indicate that it has antibiotic capabilities. In the only in vivo one I could find, oral extracts taken from the dried forsythia fruit proved effective in killing antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus suis, both alone and when combined with amoxicillin in a 4:1 forsythia:amoxicillin ratio. Of course, seeing as how most Chinese medicine sources I could find refer to forsythia suspensa as a broad spectrum antibiotic compound, it's possible that it has systemic effects as well.
Coconut Oil
Coconut fat contains lots of lauric acid, a medium chain triglyceride. In the body, lauric acid turns into monolaurin, a monoglyceride with antibacterial properties also found in human breastmilk. Makes sense, huh? A baby's immune system is pretty undeveloped, especially early on, and some delicious milky antibiotics from Mom are just the ticket. Hmm, I wonder if it works in adults…
Oregano
Speaking of monolaurin, an in vivo study showed that a combination of monolaurin and oil of oregano was effective against staph infections in mice (60% survival rate), even slightly more so than vancomycin (50% survival rate), a type of antibiotic. An in vitro study showed that oregano oil makes conventional antibiotics more effective against E. coli, perhaps lowering the effective dose and subsequent side effects.
Cranberry Juice
It has proven effective at preventing urinary tract infections, but whether or not it can be an effective treatment remains to be shown.
Just be wary. Natural does not mean safe, nor does it mean "less powerful." Think of red yeast rice, which is an over-the-counter statin analog (statin drugs came from it, actually), with all the potentially negative effects of Lipitor and Crestor. Go ahead and eat your garlic, add oregano to soups and stews, use coconut oil like normal – basically, treat food like food – but be careful when treating them like medicines (not that garlic is going to hurt you, of course). I've given you a list of foods with antibiotic properties, so now do your research or find someone who's done theirs to decide if these are right for you. Don't mess around with serious infections; instead, try these alternatives out when it's a minor one, at least at first.
Vitamin D
A thought provoking article by the Vitamin D Council hints at the antibiotic potential of vitamin D megadoses. We already know that vitamin D is crucial for immune support, and numerous testimonials (in this forum and others) of folks taking large doses of vitamin D at the onset of a cold or infection and beating it abound, but the D Council article discusses a little-known role for vitamin D: the expression of the gene involved in producing endogenous antimicrobial peptides, or our body's own antibiotics.
In the short term, megadoses of around 30-40,000 IUs are perfectly safe. Just don't maintain that dosage for longer than a week.
Waiting It Out
For relatively minor conditions, like a middle ear infection, some doctors are recommending that patients simply "watch and wait." A 2005 study put this to the test. Two groups of kids, each with ear infections. One group gets amoxicillin, the other goes home empty handed. The antibiotic group's symptoms resolve quicker than the "watch and wait" group, but not by much. Both groups' infections resolved. Plus, as time goes on, more members of the antibiotic group get sick again, this time with antibiotic-resistant bugs. After 30 days, both groups had essentially identical cure rates. Both were equally effective, but the "watch and wait" group got to keep their gut flora intact.
If it's not life-threatening and it's not impeding your ability to enjoy life, wait a little while. See how your body sorts it out. Check with your health provider first, though.
Maintaining Good Gut Health
Sometimes, antibiotics are necessary. Sometimes, alternatives simply won't suffice and you (or someone you care about) just gotta take the stuff. When that happens (and even when it hasn't happened yet), maintaining good gut health is paramount.
You should already be eating a variety of fermented foods, but the need for dietary probiotics grows more pressing when antibiotics enter the picture. And yes, take probiotics and eat fermented food during your course of antibiotics. Sure, some of them won't make it out, but some will, and most studies show that concurrent probiotic/antibiotic schedules are helpful in avoiding antibiotics-related complications:
- Probiotic supplementation reduces the incidence and severity of antibiotic-related diarrhea.
- A meta-analysis suggests that probiotics can be used to prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics, especially S. boulardii (which I mentioned in yesterday's post as being resistant to antibiotics) and Lactobacilli bacteria, without side effects.
- Kefir taken concurrently with antibiotics was able to resolve a C. diff infection. In a more recent study, however, commercial kefir did not prevent antibiotics-related diarrhea. Every kefir has a unique microbial profile, so it may be that one brand doesn't work in a certain situation, while another brand will.
- In patients receiving treatment for H. pylori, kefir with antibiotics was both more tolerable and more effective than antibiotics alone. Yogurt did not perform so well.
- 227 daily grams of commercial yogurt helped prevent antibiotic-related diarrhea.
- Both yogurt and S. boulardii supplementation performed well against diarrhea.
So, eat yogurt, kefir (real kefir, make your own, make coconut kefir (combo of monolaurin and probiotics?), search for "kefir grains" on Craigslist), sauerkraut, kimchi, and real pickles when you take antibiotics. Focus on variety. Continue to eat them after the antibiotics are done. Don't stop.
Don't always wash your produce (if it's from a farm you trust, like your backyard) and eat some of it raw, because there's a lot of interesting bacteria out there, and most of it – contrary to popular belief – will not kill you. This is a good way to introduce gut flora to your system.
Eat foods that contain soluble prebiotic fiber. You gotta feed the flora, keep it happy.
Go outside. Roll in the mud. Play in the dirt. Pet your pets. Don't stress over washing your hands so much.
Speaking of stress, try to work on that. Chronic stress, whether it's physical, emotional, financial, professional, or traffic-related, can negatively impact your gut flora.
Don't despair.
I know I spent this post series talking about the negative ramifications of antibiotics on one's gut flora. I know there have been some scary articles claiming that your gut flora may never return to normalcy. But really? It's not always so bad. If you've taken antibiotics and are asymptomatic – that is, your digestion is normal, you're not falling ill out of the blue – you probably have nothing to worry about. Continue to eat and live well.
But what if you're one of those who took heaps of antibiotics? What if you've tried the probiotics, the prebiotics, you spend time outdoors, you get dirty from time to time, but you can't shake the poor gut health?
Honestly, I would look into fecal transplants. Here's a link on how to do it at home. Of course, it goes without saying that you should take caution here. As the author says: "My intent is to facilitate information, not to encourage the realization of this protocol without medical supervision. Interested persons should consult with their doctors before doing any procedure of this nature. Donors and recipients should be examined carefully before the intervention." It's a novel therapy. I suggest attempting to find a physician that's willing to monitor and oversee the procedure and your progress.
Other than that, we could all wait around for small interfering RNA-wielding nanomachines, crafted by DARPA, and cold plasma jets to supplant antibiotics entirely, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Now I want to hear from you. What's worked for you? What hasn't? Would you consider a fecal transplant? If you do try it out, let me know how that goes.
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Related posts:
- The Problems with Antibiotics: They Kill the Good Guys and Make You Fat
- The Problems with Antibiotics: Antibiotic Resistance
- The Problems with Antibiotics: More Fallout from Killing Your Flora
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