Distilled Water & Dr. Mercola -- Natural Health Newsletter

Distilled Water & Dr. Mercola -- Natural Health Newsletter

Last September, Dr. Mercola published an article lambasting the use of alkaline drinking water. A few weeks later, I published a rebuttal. I thought that was the end of it. People could read both articles and make their own decision. Silly me! In mid-December, Dr. Mercola published a new article -- this time blasting distilled water. And once again, I find his conclusions unsupportable -- but this time, accompanied by a disturbing twist. So once again, I rebut!

Dr. Mercola's concerns with distilled water

Instead of doing what I did on my last rebuttal, taking on each point one at a time, I'll list all of Dr. Mercola's main concerns about distilled water and quickly show why they don't hold water -- all puns intended. That will leave me time to explore some other related issues. With that said, let me begin by saying that I don't necessarily disagree with any of Dr. Mercola's assertion of facts -- only with the conclusions he draws from those facts.

Genetic switch discovered that turns on pain


(PhysOrg.com) -- Aberdeen scientists have discovered a 'switch' that turns on a gene that lets us feel pain, in a finding that could be a step towards the development of new painkilling drugs.

The University of Aberdeen researchers also found that capsaicin — the compound in chillies that gives them their kick — can also turn the switch on.

The findings published just today in the journal Neuro-signals increase our understanding of the genetic mechanisms behind pain, which is essential for the development of new therapies.

The researchers studied the mechanics of the pain gene known as substance-P - first shown to be involved in chronic inflammatory pain more than 30 years ago.

Clinical practitioners not adhering to evidence-based guidelines for osteoarthritis


New research found clinicians who care for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) are likely not following standard care guidelines that are based on current medical evidence. Researchers noted physicians were prescribing medications for pain and inflammation, or opting for surgical interventions rather than recommending weight loss plans or exercise programs to OA patients. Details of the this study are available in the January 2011 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology.

J&J recalls 50 million more drugs on top of 200 million recalled throughout 2010

J&J recalls 50 million more drugs on top of 200 million recalled throughout 2010

(NaturalNews) Just when it seemed like the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) recall saga had come to a close, the company announced yet another recall that includes nearly 50 million units of Tylenol, Benadryl, Rolaids, Sudafed and Sinutab. According to the official press release from McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the pharmaceutical division of J&J that makes these drugs, the currently-recalled product lots were all produced at the Fort Washington, Penn., plant prior to the April 2010 recall, so the company has decided that it is best to pull them for precautionary purposes.


Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/031072_Johnson_&_drug_recalls.html#ixzz1BmgCLbGP

Try these recipes and keep skin hydrated, smooth and glowing in winter

Try these recipes and keep skin hydrated, smooth and glowing in winter

(NaturalNews) A common complaint in winter is that skin reddens, chaps, dries out and/or flakes. Try some natural solutions to hydrate the skin and keep it moist and supple. Natural, home-made cleansers and moisturizers are wonderful for the face, can prevent pre-mature aging and are surprisingly inexpensive to make

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/031080_healthy_skin_recipes.html#ixzz1BmeXMc4C

Uric Acid May Increase Chances Of Severe Osteoarthritis

Uric acid may increase likelihood of severe osteoarthritis


(PhysOrg.com) -- The amount of uric acid in one's joints may increase the likelihood of severe osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis worldwide, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

Changes Seen In Brain After 8 Week Mindfulness Meditation Program

Mindfulness meditation training changes brain structure in 8 weeks


Participating in an 8-week mindfulness meditation program appears to make measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress.  In a study that will appear in the January 30 issue of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, a team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers report the results of their study, the first to document meditation-produced changes over time in the brain's grey matter.

Pesticides give rise to mutant bed bugs

Pesticides give rise to mutant bed bugs

(NaturalNews) Bedbugs are coming back with a vengeance, and a new study out of Ohio State University says that pesticides and insecticides are at least jointly responsible for spawning a new breed of mutant bedbugs that is genetically-resistant to the very chemicals commonly used to eradicate it..


Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/031083_bed_bugs_pesticides.html#ixzz1BmfXUmKZ

Avocado fat boosts good cholesterol (HDL)

Avocado fat boosts good cholesterol (HDL)

(NaturalNews) The types of fat found in avocados and in olive oil boost levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol without raising levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Toronto and St. Michael's Hospital in Ontario, Canada, and published in theCanadian Medical Association Journal.


Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/031081_avocados_good_cholesterol.html#ixzz1Bme14jVa

Are Drugs In Our Water Harmful?

Probing Question: Are drugs in our water harmful?


Some medications are so prevalent, people jokingly suggest they should be added to the water supply. OK, consider it done. Detectable levels of common pharmaceutical medications have been found in drinking water in the United States and Canada.



Public awareness of this issue spiked after a well-publicized 2008 Associated Press article, but researchers have known for decades that the drugs we throw away or put into our bodies wash out into the water supply, said Albert Jarrett, professor of biological engineering at Penn State.

"Technology has advanced so far that we can now detect things in our water that up until recently we were not able to detect," Jarrett said. "Ten or 15 years ago, we were happy to talk about parts per million; then it became parts per billion. Now it has become parts per trillion."

U.S. House repeals Obama health care reform

U.S. House repeals Obama health care reform

(NaturalNews) The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a repeal of Obama's health care reform, voting largely along party lines at 245 to 189 (three Democrats supported the vote). The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promises to block it from ever coming to a vote there.

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/031062_Obamacare_repeal.html#ixzz1Bmd6Q0CJ

Flu vaccine causing infant seizures; FDA to investigate

Flu vaccine causing infant seizures; FDA to investigate

(NaturalNews) The Sanofi-Aventis flu vaccine known as "Fluzone" is causingfebrile seizuresin children, the FDA revealed yesterday. According to the FDA, 42 cases of seizures have been reported in children receiving the Fluzone vaccine. Most of the children suffering seizures are under the age of two.

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/031075_vaccines_seizures.html#ixzz1BmcTPNCi