Sweden has followed suit with a ban on mercury fillings effective April 1st, 2008, and other countries are now contemplating similar moves.

Amalgam fillings, which unbeknownst to many are composed primarily of mercury, raise the level of mercury circulating in the blood. Mercury is listed as one of the most toxic substances on earth and many who are sensitive to the substance have reported improvements in health upon removal of the toxic fillings. The Norwegian and Swedish bans come at a time when alternative composite fillings have become strong enough to replace amalgams under practically any circumstance.

The issue, however, is as much environmental as it is salutary. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, medical waste incinerators emit 70,000 pounds of mercury into the biosphere each year, making medical use of the metal one of the leading contributors to mercury pollution.

article by Adam Miller, as seen in www.naturalnews.com

Quercitin-C by Cardiovascular Research Ltd is a powerful antioxidant formula with antihistamine properties; it contains a Quercitin - Catechin complex derived from blue green algae and vitamin C. Histamine is a substance that contributes to allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and swelling of soft tissue including the face and lips. Quercitin inhibits the production and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory substances and also works as an antioxidant by scavenging damaging particles in the body known as free radicals. Quercitin, says Alex, is an abundant, naturally occurring flavonoid found in apples, onions, green leafy vegetables, beans and citrus fruits - so your diet should include plenty of these. 

A traditional Chinese medical remedy for seasonal allergies is Reishi mushroom, renowned for its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit histamine release. Planetary Formulas Reishi Mushroom Supreme contains a blend of Chinese herbs for supporting immune defences. The addition of adaptagen or immune boosting ingredients, such as Astragalus and the tonic Eleutherococcus senticosus, makes Reishi Mushroom Supreme an ancient treasure for modern health.

When the surface of the eyes is exposed to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or even pet allergens, an allergic reaction can occur releasing histamines that causes characteristic red, itchy and watery eyes. Try a couple of drops of Potters Allerclear Eye Drops in each eye one or more times daily. Allerclear drops contain the herb Eyebright and are suitable for contact lens wearers, those with sensitive eyes and children.

For sufferers whose allergic symptoms include mild to moderate asthma, research has shown that Pycnogenol by Viridian, a grape seed extract, may provide natural relief from symptoms by improving pulmonary functions.  

Three drops of Oralmat, three times a day taken sublingually (under the tongue) will bypass digestive acids to ensure that the therapeutic ingredients remain intact. Oralmat is a natural, herbal remedy that contains rye grass extract to help modulate the immune system and fight the allergens and irritants that trigger inflammatory and respiratory problems. Oralmat drops are rapidly absorbed into the mucous membranes of the mouth, giving fast relief from asthma, bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis and other inflammatory problems.

Product Recommendations:
Viridian Pycnogenol Pine Bark Extract  - £20.75 for 30 veg capsules
Quercitin-C by Cardiovascular Research - £11.95 for 90 capsules
Oralmat Drops by The Rye Way - £24.99 for 10ml
Planetary Formulas Reishi Mushroom Supreme - £14.29 for 50 tablets
Potters Allerclear Eye Drops  - £4.99 for 10 mls

This is a really valuable guide for those who have no idea where to start and simply can't fathom ditching all the modern conveniences to do their bit for planet Earth. Richard shows that reducing your global footprint really is as simple as taking one step at a time - no need to throw yourself in the deep end, before long you will wonder just why you 'needed' to consume quite so much in the first place.

I found myself nodding in agreement as various issues and dilemmas came to light - particularly when it came to ponderings about why the green advertising isn't aimed squarely at the commercial sector...do they really need all of those office lights on 24/7? The point Richard makes quite clearly is that it just needs to start with one person making a change and we can grow as a conscious community from there.

This book is a great read no matter where you lie on the scale of global awareness and eco-friendliness, it certainly should give those who have put 'going green' in the too-hard basket the confidence that they can make a difference and the motivation to start now. At the very least it is a valuable resource for those simply looking to reduce their household bills.

During the retreat week at Viva Mayr, problems will be analysed in depth, examining both sexes individually. Using different natural treatments such as detoxification, a special alkalizing Viva Mayr diet, and the detection and treatment of any food imbalances or intolerances that may be present.

Zita West and Dr. Stossier can treat hormonal imbalances effectively and naturally using herbal and homoeopathic remedies. They will also give everyone as much advice and self-help assistance as necessary to continue the programme at home.

Dr. Stossier is the first medical specialist to combine the proven traditions of Mayr medicine with the latest developments in successful modern holistic medicine, such as Applied Kinesiology and Orthomolecular Medicine. Using these methods, Dr. Stossier can identify and resolve long-standing complaints such as food intolerances, adrenal and thyroid hormone deficiencies, Candida and other infections of the gut, which can impact on fertility, pregnancy and reproductive health. His clinic in Austria has successfully treated couples who have failed to conceive for many years.

Zita West runs a clinic in central London specialising in complementary therapies that work alongside orthodox medicine to treat issues surrounding fertility and pregnancy. Her team also support women going through IVF and over the years she has helped hundreds of couples to conceive.

The retreat will provide invaluable help and support to couples or individuals experiencing infertility or hormonal imbalances. In combination with Dr. Stossier’s acclaimed Modern Mayr deter programme, it will provide:

For information on attending the retreat, contact the Zita West Clinic on 0207 224 0017 www.zitawest.com or visit www.viva-mayr.com.

It draws on growing evidence - exclusively reported in the IoS in October - that using handsets for 10 years or more can double the risk of brain cancer. Cancers take at least a decade to develop, invalidating official safety assurances based on earlier studies which included few, if any, people who had used the phones for that long.

Earlier this year, the French government warned against the use of mobile phones, especially by children. Germany also advises its people to minimise handset use, and the European Environment Agency has called for exposures to be reduced.

Professor Khurana - a top neurosurgeon who has received 14 awards over the past 16 years, has published more than three dozen scientific papers - reviewed more than 100 studies on the effects of mobile phones. He has put the results on a brain surgery website, and a paper based on the research is currently being peer-reviewed for publication in a scientific journal.

He admits that mobiles can save lives in emergencies, but concludes that 'there is a significant and increasing body of evidence for a link between mobile phone usage and certain brain tumours'. He believes this will be 'definitively proven' in the next decade.

Noting that malignant brain tumours represent 'a life-ending diagnosis', he adds: 'We are currently experiencing a reactively unchecked and dangerous situation.' He fears that 'unless the industry and governments take immediate and decisive steps', the incidence of malignant brain tumours and associated death rate will be observed to rise globally within a decade from now, by which time it may be far too late to intervene medically.

'It is anticipated that this danger has far broader public health ramifications than asbestos and smoking,' says Professor Khurana, who told the IoS his assessment is partly based on the fact that three billion people now use the phones worldwide, three times as many as smoke. Smoking kills some five million worldwide each year, and exposure to asbestos is responsible for as many deaths in Britain as road accidents.

Late last week, the Mobile Operators Association dismissed Khurana's study as 'a selective discussion of scientific literature by one individual'. It believes he 'does not present a balanced analysis' of the published science, and 'reaches opposite conclusions to the WHO and more than 30 other independent expert scientific reviews'.

article by Geoffrey Lean; www.independent.co.uk

There is a more widespread use for Reishi and its immune boosting properties over the winter months however as we try and avoid colds and common illnesses slowing us down. Numerous published studies show Reishi extracts help to enhance the immune system and researchers have concluded that the mushroom helps to modulate many components of the body’s defences, such as the antigen-presenting cells, NK cells, T and B lymphocytes. By boosting your immune system in this way Reishi is thought to help protect you from illness and aid you with recovery.

One of the many pluses of Reishi extracts is that their effects can be felt quickly and there are no side-effects from its use. Within just a matter of days you should start feeling better in yourself from taking good quality extracts of Reishi.

The quality of Reishi mushrooms can vary dramatically however and it has taken until now for a superior product to reach the UK and be launched mainstream.

Mikei Red Reishi Essence is a Reishi extract that couldn’t be easier to use and comes in ready to swallow vegetable based capsules; for general health and well-being only one capsule needs to be taken daily. Extracted from mushrooms grown in Japan, Mikei Red Reishi Essence is the most concentrated and high quality Reishi extract on the market and is now available in the UK from Haeon Limited. Buy online at www.haeon.com or from leading health stores.

REFERENCES:
1/ Lin, Z.; Zhang, H., Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2004 Nov;25(11):1387-95. Review.

2/ Gao, Y.; Chan E,; Zhou, S.; Immunomodulating Activities of Ganoderma, a mushroom with Medicinal Properties.

3/ Nutrition and food safety office in Chinese Disease Prevention and Controlling Centre Mikei Red Reishi Essence Capsule Increasing the immunization function Testing report; 5.

4/ Cheuk W, Chan JK, Nuovo G, Chan MK, Fok M. Regression of gastric large B-Cell lymphoma accompanied by a florid lymphoma-like T-cell reaction: immunomodulatory effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi)? Int J Surg Pathol. 2007 Apr;15(2):180-6.

5/ Lin KI, Kao YY, Kuo HK, Yang WB, Chou A, Lin HH, Yu AL, Wong CH. Reishi polysaccharides induce immunoglobulin production through the TLR4/TLR2-mediated induction of transcription factor Blimp-1. J Biol Chem. 2006 Aug 25;281(34):24111-23. Epub 2006 Jun 23.

6/ Lin YL, Lee SS, Hou SM, Chiang BL. Polysaccharide purified from Ganoderma lucidum induces gene expression changes in human dendritic cells and promotes T helper 1 immune response in BALB/c mice. Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Aug;70(2):637-44. Epub 2006 May 2.

7/ Shao BM, Dai H, Xu W, Lin ZB, Gao XM. Immune receptors for polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Oct 8;323(1):133-41.