Cell Phones and Radiation

San Francisco lawmakers are about to vote on a rule that requires cell phone retailers to display radiation emitted for phones sold starting in February 2011. This policy would be the first of its kind in a US city, and lawmakers expect that other cities will follow suit. Check out this video from Good Morning America to learn more about it.

There has been considerable controversy over cell phone usage and possible risk of brain cancer. I work for a radiation physicist, and she is very concerned about the long-term use of cell phones to our general health, especially regarding tumor growth and Alzheimer's disease. As was the case with tobacco, we don't yet know the full risk of using cell phones for many decades, and shorter-term study results have been mixed. Furthermore, we are now using blue tooth wireless headsets and other electrical devices near our heads for many of our waking hours.

I admit, I'm a BlackBerry addict, and no one can take my phone away from me. It's important for both my business and personal life, and it allows me to be connected at all times. To play it safe, I use a wired headset as often as possible when talking on the phone, and I switch to speaker phone when that's not feasible. I also try to use a landline (with a wire, not cordless) when I can. Additionally, my husband and I put our cell phones (and other electrical devices) in an adjoining room instead of keeping them by our heads when we sleep. Most importantly, it's absolutely crucial that children avoid cell phone use for as long as they can, since their brains are rapidly developing and are at an increased risk.

We cannot completely avoid all electromagnetic radiation from cell phones and other devices, but it's wise to do everything we can to reduce our exposure whenever possible.

ADHD and Pesticides

Recently, a large study of 1,139 children found that those with above average levels of pesticide residues in their urine had over twice the likelihood of having ADHD. Upsetting? Yes. Surprising? Not really. The more we expose ourselves (and our rapidly growing and vulnerable kids) to synthetic, foreign chemicals, the more we risk disruption with normal physiologic functioning. Think about it: these chemicals are meant to kill bugs. This study is obviously not the final word, as this area of research is just getting started, but if there's a possibility, why take a chance? In fact, when I shared this information with my family, my mother-in-law promised me that she would only offer organic produce to her future grandchildren and would even take them to a local farm to pick out their own foods!

OK, so pesticides probably aren't so great for kids, or anyone for that matter. What can you do about it without spending a fortune?

First, realize that buying local and/or organic produce can dramatically reduce your exposure to pesticides. Local growers don't have to use as many pesticides because they're not transporting food as far, and often times they have smaller farms that aren't as plagued with crop-threatening bugs. To find local produce, check out the farmers' markets in your area. If you live in Arizona, here's a great resource.

By law, organic farmers are prohibited from using certain pesticides or genetically modified seeds, so I usually buy most organic produce. However, sometimes we can only find organic from South American countries, and there is question as to whether it's truly organic when it comes from another place. To get organic and mostly local produce, I get a delivery box from Nature's Garden Delivered. They have three locations - Arizona, Georgia, and the Ohio River Valley, but they're all locally owned and operated. I can't tell you how much better the fruits and vegetables taste, too! Plus, it doesn't give me an excuse to get organic, local fruits and veggies...they're delivered to my door! There are also other great co-op options in most cities.

The most important thing about buying organic foods is to make sure to keep in mind the "Dirty Dozen." These are fruits and veggies that are notoriously grown with more pesticides when grown conventionally. According to the Environmental Working Group, here they are:

1. Peaches

2. Apples

3. Bell peppers

4. Celery

5. Cherries

6. Nectarines

7. Strawberries

8. Kales

9. Lettuce

10. Imported grapes

11. Carrots

12. Pears

Basically, anything with a very soft skin that you eat (especially fruits) has a higher pesticide residue when grown conventionally. Opt for organic and/or local varieties of these foods. Having trouble finding local strawberries during the winter? That's because they're not in season! Consider getting organic frozen strawberries for smoothies during the winter, or choose in season fruits instead, such as apples and pears.

For a list of the "Clean 15," which are fruits and veggies that have less pesticide residue, check it out here.

Most importantly, make sure to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables, whether or not they're organic, before eating or cooking with them.

One more consideration: it is absolutely imperative that we eat plenty of produce on a daily basis. This report does not mean that we should avoid vegetables and fruits! Conventionally grown produce still is much healthier than potato chips or ice cream. Furthermore, most snack foods are made with corn, wheat, and soy, which can be heavily sprayed with pesticides and even genetically modified, so they're not a replacement for real fruits and vegetables!

Three Crazy Remedies that Might Just Work

It has been a few years since I have stopped seeking conventional treatments and pharmaceuticals for any ache, pain, or scratch. But that doesn't mean that I don't want relief when dealing with everyday health nuisances. Here are three products that I have found quite helpful:

1. Bragg's Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

This "miracle" tonic has been used for years by alternative folks as a "detoxifier," to treat acne or skin issues, or even for weight loss. I don't have personal experiences in those areas with ACV, but I have used it quite successfully for the treatment of heartburn. Sound counter intuitive? The theory is that we often have heart burn because we don't have enough stomach acid (due to pharmaceuticals, aging, stress, or eating less healthy foods that use a lot of stomach acid to digest). Our stomachs almost "over-react" to lack of stomach acid by pumping out almost too much acid. The interesting thing about it is that when you add acid in the form of 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar mixed in at least 4-8 ounces of water to the system, it closes the feedback loop and calms the system. ACV has also been shown to have alkaline effects on the rest of the system, which is considered more ideal.

Of course, this is not recommended for persons who are still on H2 blockers or proton-pump inhibitors (like Nexium or Prilosec), as it just worsens the problem in this case. But if you are having some digestion issues and acid reflux, try 1 tablespoon of Bragg's apple cider vinegar to cold, warm, or even hot water, add a little honey if you can't stand the taste, and drink. It can be taken with or without food, and many alternative practitioners even recommend doing it at night away from food before you go to bed.

Before you go away thinking that I'm absolutely nuts, three quick stories:

a) A medical doctor came into my office, talking about how he practices medicine by seeking the cause of problem, not by just diagnosing drugs. He said, "For example, most people have heart burn because they don't have enough stomach acid, so I usually recommend betaine HCl {basically hydrochloric acid, which is similar to stomach acid} or raw apple cider vinegar."

b) My oh-so-lovable-but-somewhat-stubborn husband was apparently popping 6-8 Tums per day and even had heartburn from drinking water(!?!?). He finally cave and did ACV every night, and within two or three days had almost complete elimination of heartburn. After two weeks, he didn't notice any at all. In my opinion, this is much easier, more effective, and cheaper than OTC drugs for heartburn!

c) One of my best friends starting using ACV, as recommended by her dad, because she had heartburn from eating onions and other seemingly benign foods. After a week, poof, no heartburn!

I have used ACV for a few years and have complete relief. At one point in my life, a gastroenterologist told me I would have to be on Aciphex (a prescription drug) for the rest of my life.

As you can see in the newly added statement at the bottom of the blog, I am not a medical doctor, and this advice is not used to replace that of your own physician. If you want to try it, however, give it a few days (you might feel some slight heartburn at first as your body readjusts), and see how you feel. You might be pleasantly surprised :)

2. Listerine

I'm sure some of you use Listerine for bad breath, but it may actually help with cold sores! My boss recommended it to me as something she has used for years to prevent them before they get big or at least shorten their course. I woke up a few weeks ago with a big, ugly sucker on my lip...I was apparently sleeping during that "window of opportunity" when it's just tingling and you can still do something about it. For the next few days, I soaked a cotton ball in Listerine and pressed it to my lip. It eased the swelling, helped it run its course faster, and made my breath smell good! I don't really know how it works or if any dermatologist would recommend it, but my boss' parents, who were pharmacists, swore by it.

3. Black Tea Bags

After the cold sore incident calmed down, I managed to get a stye on my left eye. What is a stye, you say? It's a bacterial infection caused by staph aureus that can inflame a parts of the eye or eyelid, and in my case it's always at the lash line. I get them when I'm sick or, in this case, when I'm taking certain supplements that are trying to support my immune system by killing little bugs that live within all of us. Lucky me. I read online that regular black caffeinated tea bags, when wetted and placed over the closed eye, can really minimize pain and inflammation. I did it a few times during work (for about 10 minutes at a time), and then for each of two nights I taped it over my eye, and within two days the stye was completely gone. To do this, get a black tea bag, run it under purified water to wet completely, and place it over the closed eye. Cover with a few layers of tissue paper or gauze. Place tape over the tissue and go to sleep. You might be surprised at what happens by morning!

Remember, only you are in charge of your health. I encourage you to think outside the box, do your research, and see how your own body responds.

In good health,

*M*