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Category: healthy living

Published on Leave a comment on Study Finds About 12% of Cancers Are From Infections

Many of us don't think of cancer being caused by viruses. A recent study reported that an estimated 2.3 million new cancer cases throughout the world were from infections. Which is about 12% of all cancer cases.

An oncovirus is a virus that can cause cancer. Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and human papillomavirus (HPV) caused the largest share of these cancers - each causing 4% of new cancers. Vaccines already exist for HPV and HBV (hepatitis B virus) and have been shown to reduce the incidence of cancer.

From CIDRAP: More than 2 million new cancer cases caused by infections in 2024, study finds

Many people fear cancer and want to know what they can do to prevent it. In some cases, genetics, random mutations, or environmental factors are to blame, making it difficult to avoid a diagnosis. A paper published yesterday in The Lancet Oncology, though, calls attention to a preventable cause of cancer—infections. ...continue reading "Study Finds About 12% of Cancers Are From Infections"

Published on Leave a comment on Gut Microbiome Tests Sold To Consumers Are Unreliable and Flawed
Oral microbes Credit: Wikipedia

All sorts of microbiome tests are now available to consumers, but are they any good? The microbiome is the community of microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that live in and on our bodies. Each body part (e.g., sinuses, gut, vagina, skin) has a different microbiome, but the one that has been studied the most (with stool tests) is the gut microbiome.

A recent study by researchers at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) evaluated the performance of seven commercial (sold directly to consumers) microbiome kits or tests that promise to give you an analysis of your gut microbiome (and health advice) by analyzing a stool (fecal) sample that you mail them. The researchers found that the test results do not give you dependable or reliable information about the actual composition of your gut flora.

They also found that for the same stool samples there were major discrepancies among the results from different companies, and even from the results of the same identical samples sent to each company (3 of the same stool sample was sent to each company).They found that the same sample could be labeled healthy vs unhealthy by different providers.

They point out that you can't make conclusions or recommendations on how to improve (gut) health from the results because the results are so flawed. [An earlier study of tests from 31 companies found the same kind of flawed results.]

Why is this happening? This is because there is no government regulation or oversight of the tests - thus the test manufacturers don't have to prove that they are reliable and actually measure what they say they measure. There are no quality assurance requirements. No standardization of tests. [An earlier 2024 study of microbiome tests sold to consumers and manufacturer claims found the exact same thing.]

Bottom line: The tests may sound great, but don't do it! The companies typically just want to sell you their supplements - which you probably don't need!

Instead, try to improve your diet - a diet rich in whole foods and fiber, which will also feed your beneficial gut microbes. This includes fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, seeds, legumes, whole grains. Also, some fish, some dairy, eggs, some olive oil. For example, Mediterranean style diet.

From Medscape: Commercial Microbiome Tests: Unreliable Results

Commercial home tests that analyze stool samples promise insights into a person’s gut microbiome. But how reliable are those results? A study published in Communications Biology delivers a sobering verdict: the tested microbiome analyses do not provide dependable information about the actual composition of the gut flora. ...continue reading "Gut Microbiome Tests Sold To Consumers Are Unreliable and Flawed"

Published on Leave a comment on Eat More Whole Grain Foods For Heart Health
Whole grain breads Credit: Wikipedia

Over the years, study after study has found a link between high whole-grain intake and a reduced risk of a number of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. A recent review of studies also found that ....(drum roll)... eating a diet rich in whole grain foods is good for heart health and lowering chronic inflammation.

The review of 87 studies found that eating 4 to 6 servings of whole grain foods per day benefits heart health in a number of ways. The studies found that daily consumption of this amount of whole grain foods resulted in improvements in body weight, waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides, fasting glucose, insulin resistance, and some markers of inflammation.

There was a dose response effect - the more whole grains eaten, the better the health effects. Best health effects were from 4 to 6 servings daily (60 to 100 grams per day).

Bottom line: Whole grains have a number of health effects and can easily be added into the diet. Examples of whole grain foods: Oatmeal, barley, quinoa, wild rice, bulgur (cracked wheat), farro, millet, buckwheat, rye, spelt, brown rice, popcorn, whole wheat flour, whole grain breakfast cereals, and whole wheat bread and crackers.

By the way, 4 to 6 servings of whole grain foods per day is more than current US guidelines of 2 to 4 servings per day. But both agree that for health benefits need to eat "real whole foods" (not ultra-processed foods).

From Science Daily: Scientists find the whole grain “sweet spot” for better heart health

Eating four to six servings of whole grains each day may improve several major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, according to new research published September 15 in the European Heart Journal. ...continue reading "Eat More Whole Grain Foods For Heart Health"

Published on Leave a comment on August Set A New Record As the Hottest Month Globally

Once again, the global record for hottest month was broken this summer. August was the hottest month globally on record, and this past summer was the hottest on record for the lower 48 states (United States). .

What we are seeing is that month after month new heat records are being set, with the baseline being set higher and higher. And yet these are soon broken. Scientists agree that a big contributing factor is human caused climate change (due to burning of fossil fuels - gas, oil, coal). Are governments taking note and doing something? Hmmm...

Excerpts from NPR: This summer was hot. August shattered global heat records

If you thought this summer felt hotter than normal, you were right. Temperatures around the world were unusually warm, surpassing several heat records, including in the U.S.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration this week announced that for the Lower 48 states, this summer– from June to August– was the warmest in 132 years of record-keeping. ...continue reading "August Set A New Record As the Hottest Month Globally"

Published on Leave a comment on Apparently We Do Not Have A Right To Clean Drinking Water

Do you trust that your drinking water is safe to drink? If the answer is no - you are absolutely correct in being suspicious. A recent ruling by a (Trump appointed) judge in Mississippi ruled that we do not have a right to clean water. Specifically, the US constitution offers no right to clean water or to truthful health information. What??!!

From The Guardian: US federal court says no constitutional right to clean water in Mississippi case

A US appellate court has decided that the federal constitution does not guarantee a right to clean water. ...continue reading "Apparently We Do Not Have A Right To Clean Drinking Water"

Published on Leave a comment on Stop Cold Sores In Their Tracks With Ice Cubes

Stop cold sores by icing them? Yes!

Years ago I read that applying ice cubes to an emerging cold sore can stop it dead in its tracks. Nowadays that method of dealing with cold sores (caused by herpes simplex virus) is not mentioned on medical sites. Yet my experience has been that applying ice and holding it on the emerging cold sore absolutely works.

The sore stops developing at the point when the ice is applied. When applied early in development the cold sore never fully emerges, and so the fluid filled blister and weeping stages never occur.

Instead, it will go directly to the scab stage, or even regress to nothing if you get it early enough. The key is to get ice directly on the spot before the sore fully erupts, and to press or hold the ice directly on it for lengthy periods of time - perhaps a total of 30 to 40 minutes (if it's very early in development) up to one hour. For best results, can do a second time in one day. Repeat on day 2 if needed or desired.

Method: Apply an ice cube directly on the area where the cold sore is emerging (but wrap part of it in a paper towel so you can hold it comfortably). Hold it on the spot till the ice cube melts. Then apply a second ice cube to the area until the ice melts. Perhaps even a third (or 4th?) ice cube. Yes, the skin will be a little red afterwards, but that soon goes away.

Big question: Would this method work for everyone? Don't know of any studies looking at this. But some people on Reddit mention successfully stopping cold sores by using ice cubes ("ice the cold sore"). Here and here and here. Some other comments from Redditt:

"I know this sounds crazy but ice will stop a cold sore in its tracks without fail for me! You have to get the ice on there as soon as you feel the tingle though because once it starts to break skin it's much harder to stop. Let an ice cube melt entirely on it, and then another. And maybe a third lol."

"100% works. Anyone not doing this is suffering for no reason. Ice ice ice it!"

"Ice it. Right when you feel it. It stops it from replicating. Stops it right in it's tracks. Won't even get any blisters. It's amazing!"

"Honestly I put ice in a ziploc bag and hold it up to the spot anytime I feel a cold sore coming, usually gets rid of it but only when you do it right when you feel it coming.

Published on Leave a comment on Hundreds Of Government Datasets Have Been Deleted or Altered

Can you trust government data these days? And what if you can't find government data anymore - that is, data that used to be easy to find, such as air pollution, climate change, health data, whether you live near hazardous chemicals, and certain medical topics? Well... it turns out that the current U.S. government has deleted or altered nearly 400 data sets since January 2025.

So what information can we now trust? It is interesting that the independent news site The Guardian is writing about this, but silence in most of the media in the US.  Ooops. Knowing what information or data has been altered or deleted is very important to know because the US federal government does not have to notify us that that are deleting or altering data sets.

To follow in depth go to the online tracker , the site put together by dataindex.us (the group of researchers and experts that have put together this information in one place). The list is not complete, so they also want YOU to notify them if you know of more deletions and alterations.

Excerpts from The Guardian: Trump 2.0 has deleted or altered nearly 400 US datasets, endangering public health, education and more

A database of federal law enforcement officer misconduct records. A survey measuring physical, sexual and emotional violence against children and youth. Real-time pollution readings collected by air quality monitors from US embassies around the world.

These are among the hundreds of federal datasets that the Trump administration has taken down or altered as part of its aggressive campaign to wipe all mentions of data findings that do not align with the administration’s priorities. ...continue reading "Hundreds Of Government Datasets Have Been Deleted or Altered"

Published on Leave a comment on A Commonly Used Pesticide Is Linked to Thyroid Cancer
Turf Builder Weed and Feed (with 2,4-D)

Exposure to the weed-killer 2,4-D is very common. This pesticide has been used for many years starting with its use in Agent Orange decades ago, as an ingredient in the commonly used Weed and Feed for lawns, even on genetically engineered crops, and on and on. While the pesticide industry tells you it's safe, many studies have found that exposure to it can cause all sorts of health harms.

A recent study found that exposure to 2,4-D is linked to thyroid cancer in rural counties (where the pesticide is used the most). The researchers think that this may be occurring because 2,4-D is "an endocrine disruptor and may be toxic to the thyroid gland".  They also point out that biomonitoring studies find that in rural agricultural areas people (especially women and children) have higher amounts of 2,4-D in their urine.

As mentioned in the following article, other studies also find that 2,4-D exposure has thyroid effects. It also points out that one study found 2,4-D in the bodies of 1 in 3 Americans, and another study found the presence of both 2,4-D and dicamba (both herbicides) in all pregnant midwest women studied in 2020-2022.

While the United States EPA does not view 2,4-D as carcinogenic (cancer-causing), other countries and international organizations do.

Bottom line: To lower your own 2,4-D exposure, eat as many organic foods as possible, and don't use pesticides on your lawn. Organic crops and organic lawn care does not allow the use of 2,4-D.

Excerpts from Beyond Pesticides: Thyroid Cancer Associated With Exposure to the Weed Killer 2,4-D, Study Finds 

In a study of the herbicide 2,4-D and thyroid cancer in the U.S., researchers find that 2,4-D exposure is significantly associated with greater thyroid cancer incidence in rural counties. Utilizing incidence rates for thyroid cancer for 2017–2021 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) database and county-level 2,4-D use data from the U.S. Geological Survey, this research, published in Endocrines, highlights a link between pesticide exposure—in areas where agricultural pesticide use is most concentrated—and disproportionate cancer risks. ...continue reading "A Commonly Used Pesticide Is Linked to Thyroid Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Healthy Soil Contains More Organisms Than All the Humans on Earth

This past week I read an amazing fact, so amazing that I had to verify it by looking at other sources. The fact: One teaspoon of soil from a healthy forest floor contains more living organisms (bacteria, fungi, protists, and nematodes) than there are humans on Earth. And most of the species in that teaspoonful have never been named or described.

I first read this at the Times of India this week. But the actual research quoted in the article is from 2022.  Christine Sprunger, an Assistant Professor of Soil Health at Michigan State University has been studying soil health for years, and has famously argued that "a teaspoon of soil contains more life than there are humans on Earth".

Unfortunately, the important words are "healthy soil". Christine Sprunger, as well as many other scientists, point out that we humans are degrading soil quality throughout the world. Main things degrading soil quality are: land conversion, climate change, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, farming practices that disturb the soil in a negative way (tillage, reduced organic matter inputs, pesticides, pollution, nitrates).

One example of serious soil degradation with terrible consequences was the Dust Bowl in the US. Yes, we need healthy soil!

Excerpts from an Oct. 2022 interview with Christine Sprunger. From Open Access Government: Deteriorating soil health: ‘A teaspoon of soil contains more life than there are humans on earth’

...I think it is first effective to define soil health. The Natural Resources Conservation Service, a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture, defines soil health as “the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans”. Thus, on a global scale there are numerous factors that could potentially threaten these living components, depending on where the ecosystem is. ...continue reading "Healthy Soil Contains More Organisms Than All the Humans on Earth"

Published on Leave a comment on Are Statins Still Needed For Adults Over 75?

Many people are on statins these days for the purpose of lowering total cholesterol levels and so reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. But are they still needed past a certain age?

The results of one study conducted in France compared 2 groups of adults 75 years old and older, and who didn't have a history of heart disease or stroke. One group stopped statins and the other continued statin use. They found that in the group of persons stopping statins there was no increase in death rates in the next 3 years, when compared with those still on statins.

There was no difference in heart attacks and strokes among the 2 groups. However, in the group that discontinued statins - their LDL cholesterol levels did rise.

Of course, there will be a lot of debate over these conclusions. And it is unknown if group differences will develop going forward, that is, in the next few years.

From Medical Xpress: Adults 75 and older who stopped statins had similar three-year survival, trial finds

Stopping statins in adults 75 and older with no history of heart disease or stroke does not increase the risk of death over three years compared with continuing statins, although "bad" cholesterol rose around 50% in those who stopped, according to a randomized controlled trial published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
...continue reading "Are Statins Still Needed For Adults Over 75?"