The Most Medicated Kids Are Americans

The Most Medicated Kids Are Americans

American children are approximately three times more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication than children in Europe. A new study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health claims that the differences may be accounted for by regulatory practices and cultural beliefs about the role of medication in emotional and behavioural problems.

Julie Zito led a team of researchers from the USA, Germany and the Netherlands who investigated prescription levels in the three countries. She said, "Antidepressant and stimulant prevalence were three or more times greater in the US than in the Netherlands and Germany, while antipsychotic prevalence was 1.5 to 2.2 times greater".

The use of antidepressants, like Prozac, and stimulants, like Ritalin, in children has been the subject of a great deal of controversy and this study quantifies the differences in practice between the US and Western Europe. The authors claim that the differences may be partly due to different diagnostic classification systems, "The US trend of increasing bipolar diagnosis in children and adolescents does not reflect European practice". The authors also mention government cost restrictions in Europe, the larger number of child psychiatrists per capita in the US and the use of two or more different psychotropic drugs in a single year in US children as possible explanations.

Zito concludes that, "Direct to consumer drug advertising, which is common in the US, is also likely to account for some of the differences. The increased use of medication in the US also reflects the individualist and activist therapeutic mentality of US medical culture".

----------------------------
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
----------------------------

The Benefits of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is miraculous. It has SO MANY health benefits it makes it a true wonder-food. However, the most marvelous and amazing benefit it gives comes from the fact that its molecular structure is absolutely identical to hemoglobin except for the center atom. In hemoglobin this is iron, whereas in chlorophyll it is magnesium. This means that when ingested, chlorophyll actually helps to do the job of hemoglobin (hemoglobin is so vital to the health of our blood - in fact, blood is approx 75% hemoglobin). It helps to rebuild and replenish our red blood cells, boosting our energy and increasing our well being almost instantly.



Chlorophyll has the power to regenerate our bodies at the molecular and cellular level and is known to help cleanse the body, fight infection, help heal wounds, and promote the health of the circulatory, digestive, immune, and detoxification systems. Chlorophyll consumption increases the number of red blood cells and, therefore, increase oxygen utilization by the body. Chlorophyll also reduces the binding of carcinogens to DNA in the liver and other organs. It also breaks down calcium oxalate stones for elimination, which are created by the body for the purpose of neutralizing and disposing of excess acid.

Other Chlorophyll Benefits

So in addition to helping to rebuild and replenish our red blood cells, chlorophyll, being highly alkaline, also gives the body the following benefits:

* Anti Carcinogenic: Chlorophyll protects against a whole host of carcinogens found in fungus-laden foods such as nuts and grains, the toxins from cooked meats, and air-borne carcinogens (from pollution). It blocks the metabolism in the body of harmful chemicals known as procarcinogens that damage DNA. Studies published in the journals Carcinogenesis and Food and Chemical Toxicology clearly display that chlorophyll inhibits carcinogenesis.
* Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory: containing high levels of the vitamins A, C and E, chlorophyll has strong antioxidant capacity and has also been found to help reduce inflammation.
* Chelation of Heavy Metals: chlorophyll is one of the most important chelates in nature. It’s ability to bind to and remove toxic heavy metals such as mercury makes it an extremely powerful healer. I’m about to have four mercury fillings removed, and you can bet that I will be getting PLENTY of chlorophyll into my body after the procedure!
* Antiseptic: while chlorophyll doesn’t actually have antiseptic properties of its own, it, quite remarkably, DOES have the ability to aid our body’s tissue in destroying germs. By strengthening tissue, it increases the disease resistance of cells and, at the same time, prevents the growth of bacteria!
* Treats Bad Breath: This one is a real bonus and really works! Chlorophyll has a double-action remedy for bad breath. Firstly, as a deodoriser, it will eliminate odours in the mouth and throat, but secondly (and more importantly) it promotes a healthy digestive tract - which is the primary reason for bad breath.
* Rapid Delivery of Magnesium: this has a highly alkalising effect on the body and helps to deliver much needed oxygen to cells and tissues.
* Contains vitamin K, C, folic acid, iron, calcium, protein: which are all also essential in building and repairing red blood cells and boosting our immune system.

How to Get the Benefits of Chlorophyll

All of the health benefits of chlorophyll are easy to get on a daily basis. The simple way? Eat your greens and drink your greens. I know we are always going on about the importance of greens in your diet, but this is one of the main reasons why - it ensures you’re getting plenty of chlorophyll!

Is That Burger Really Worth It?

By: C L Cohen PhD


Miami Beach – CityDebate.Com – June 15, 2009 - America's meat-based diet is the perpetrator of all sorts of environmental ills. Yet, it is often difficult to imagine how much impact switching to a vegetarian/vegan diet can have in alleviating some of that stress on the planet.

The environmental diet of a meat economy translates into some startling statistics. Yes, statistics can lie and dramatize - there is still plenty of cause for alarm when you look at the toll animal husbandry takes on water, soil, energy, rainforests and economies.

The statistics prove that following a vegetarian - or better still, a vegan diet - is an effective means to make a difference for the Earth.

VEGANISM = ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM

Estimated rate of worldwide tropical rainforest deforestation per minute: 150 acres. Per day: 216,000 acres (roughly the size of Rocky Mountain National Park).

Percentage of tropical rainforest deforestation directly linked with livestock raising: more than 50 percent.

Amount of forest lost for every hamburger produced from livestock raised on what was Central American forest: 55 square feet (size of a small kitchen).

Estimated weight of trees, saplings, seedlings, insects, birds, reptiles, mammals, mosses, fungi and microorganisms killed or displaced for every hamburger produced from Central American forest: 1/2 ton.

Current rate of species extinction due to destruction of tropical rainforests and related habitats: 1,000 per year.

Estimated number of species that will become extinct in Central and South America by the year 2000

if present rate of deforestation continues: 150,000 to 500,000.

Year in which Central and South America will be stripped of tropical rainforest if present rate of deforestation continues: 2010.

How often an acre of U.S. trees disappears: every 8 seconds.

Number of acres of U.S. forest converted into land for grazing livestock and/or growing livestock feed for every acre cleared for urban development: 7 acres.

Amount of trees spared per year by each individual who switches to a vegan diet: 1 acre.

Percentage of U.S. water used for some phase of livestock production: more than 50 percent.

Water needed to produce 1 pound of wheat: 25 gallons.

Water needed to produce 1 pound of meat: 2,500 gallons.

Main source of water for High Plains region of the United States: Ogallala Aquifer. Percentage of water drawn from Ogallala that is used to produce beef: 75 percent.

Estimated cost of subsidizing the meat industry in California with water per year: $24 billion.

1991 budget for child welfare services in California: $425 million.

Average amount of water required daily to feed a person following the standard U.S. meat-based diet: 4,200 gallons.

Average amount of water required daily to feed a person following an ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet: 1,200 gallons.

Average amount of water required daily to feed a person following a vegan diet: 300 gallons.

Amount of water a person would conserve per year by switching from a meat-based diet to an ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet: 1,095,000 gallons (enough to fill 1 1/2 Olympic-sized pools).

Amount conserved by switching to a vegan diet: 1,423,500 gallons (enough to fill 2 Olympic-sized pools).

Amount of U.S. topsoil lost to date: about 2/3.

Percentage of U.S. topsoil loss directly associated with livestock raising: at least 85 percent.

Percentage of total U.S. land area used for any type of agriculture: 52 percent.

Percentage of U.S. agricultural land used for livestock production (including pasture, rangeland and cropland): 87 percent.

Percentage of total U.S. land used for livestock: 45 percent.

Amount of irrigated land used in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon and Idaho) to grow feed and fodder for livestock: 4.6 million acres.

Amount of land used to supply America with Idaho potatoes, Washington apples and Oregon pears: 0.8 million acres.

Average amount of meat eaten by each American annually: 190 pounds.

Number of people who could be adequately fed by the grain saved if Americans reduced their intake of meat by 10 percent: 60 million people.

Amount of waste produced every second by animals raised for human consumption: 125 tons (the weight of 15 African elephants).

Amount of waste produced by animals in the livestock industry that is not recycled: more than half.

Percentage of water pollution that can be linked to wastes from the livestock industry (including manure, eroded soil and synthetic pesticides and fertilizers): more than 50 percent.

Percentage of all raw materials (base products of farming, forestry and mining, including fossil fuels) consumed by the United States that are devoted to the production of livestock: 33 percent.

Calories of fossil fuel expended to get 1 calorie of protein from beef: 78 percent. From milk: 36 calories. From chicken: 22 calories. From soybeans: 2 calories.

Percentage our imported oil requirements would be cut if the United States switched to a vegetarian diet: 60 percent.

Energy equivalent that a family of four would conserve in one year by cutting back meat consumption by 2 pounds each week: 104 gallons of gasoline.

Percentage of Americans who call themselves environmentalists: 76 percent.

Percentage of Americans who are vegetarian: 2.8 percent.

Why is veganism/vegetarianism right smack in the middle of environmental issues?

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, IT TAKES 2,500 GALLONS OF WATER TO PRODUCE ONE POUND OF MEAT.

The best hope is that one of these days, when the animals look to us for a lasting kindness, most of us will have awakened from our sleep.

(PLEASE NOTE THE STATISTICS CITED ABOVE ARE FROM 1990)

Some Words to Think About

He who knows not & knows not that he knows not, is a fool shun him; he who knows not & knows that he knows not, is a child, teach him; He who knows & knows not that he knows, is asleep, wake him; He who knows & knows that he knows is wise, follow him

NEW ULM, Minn., May 25 (UPI) -- A mother and 13-year-old son who allegedly fled after a judge ordered him to undergo chemotherapy have returned to Minnesota, police say.

Daniel Hauser's family wanted to rely on natural healing methods instead of technology, but doctors said he would die without chemotherapy, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported. The teen has a tumor growing in his chest.

Brown County officials said there would be a news conference on the case Monday evening at the courthouse in New Ulm, Minn.

County officials said they had been working with state and federal officials, including the FBI, to find the teenager. The Star Tribune said the Hausers were thought to have gone to Mexico to seek natural healing treatment.

There are up to 50 clinics in Mexican border communities offering cancer patients alternative treatment, the American Cancer Society says.

My son Kevil Murray was diagnosed with testicular cancer almost three years ago. He was given six months to live, unless he did chemo therapy, radiation, and radical surgery. He had one baseball size tumor on his left testicle, and three tumors surrounding his kidney's. Kevil made the choice of doing Gerson Therapy for his cancer. The chemo therapy doctor's called me a murderer, and told me if Kevil were under the age of eighteen, they would have me arrested. My son is living, celebrating his life, and helping others to heal themselves of cancer. He did not lose his hair, vomit, or poison his body with the chemicals and surgeries the medical doctors had planned for him.

It should be a crime for the American Medical Establishment to have the power to force a child, and or parents to adhere to their beliefs that chemo therapy cures cancer. It is a lie. How dare they believe that the human body given the right God given nutrition and detoxification cannot be healed of any disease. How dare they take away our rights to decide for ourselves how we want to heal.

Joey

Someone saved my life tonight! And that person is one of my new favorite
awesome people, Kate! She not only changed out of her PJs to come across
town to pick me up, but she did a lot of other things for me too; she has
a very generous and healing spirit. And Gaffney is really cool too :) I
had such a great time at their house, and I hope I get to meet with them
again!

Swine Flu Advice

The swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by the type- A influenza virus which is a variant of the usual H1N1 flu virus. The H1N1 virus is the same virus that causes the flu in humans. What is different about this virus is that it contains DNA from bird and pig flu strains. How does a virus have DNA from a pig and bird and yet be able to infect humans? Scientists do not know how this mutation came about. Whether it is a man-made virus (created in a lab) or a spontaneous mutation is not known. However, a spontaneous mutation causing this virus is unlikely. I am not sure how this came about, but, hopefully, when the hysteria subsides, we can have a proper investigation which will point out how this mutation occurred.

But, let’s get to the basics. What should you do? Number one, don’t panic. The vast majority of the people ill with the flu have not died. Presently, no one in the U.S. has died of this flu. That is not to say it could not happen, but we must not let the media create a state of panic.

Next, ensure you are taking adequate amounts of vitamin C. If I had one nutrient available to me, it would be vitamin C. I suggest taking 3-5,000mg/day of vitamin C. If you are becoming ill or are ill, I would suggest increasing the vitamin C intake to bowel tolerance. That is, take as much as you can until you have diarrhea. Then, lower the dose until the diarrhea resolves. When you are ill, your vitamin C requirements dramatically increase. Usually, you can tolerate much higher doses of vitamin C when you are ill versus when you are feeling well.

In my office, we routinely do vitamin C IV’s when people are ill. These nutrient IV’s are a fantastic treatment for acute illnesses, especially the flu. If you have access to IV nutrient therapies, be sure to utilize these in times of need.

Ensure you are taking adequate amounts of vitamin D. I frequently have my patients take short-term, larger doses of vitamin D (10,000-50,000Units/day) for 2-5 days at the first sign of the flu.

Iodine is another nutrient that has potent immune stimulating capabilities to it. No virus has been shown to be resistant to iodine. It is important to achieve iodine sufficiency before you become ill.

Also, eating a good diet, free of refined food products helps every condition, including the flu. Lastly, make sure you are well hydrated by drinking adequate amounts of water.

These are the proper steps to take to prevent and treat the flu.

Back to mom’s question. What about Tamaflu? Tamaflu is fraught with side effects including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue and cough. Sounds like the flu to me. Furthermore, the FDA has put a warning label on Tamaflu stating that it can cause adverse effects such as delirium, hallucinations, or other related behavior. Tamaflu has been banned in Japan (for children 10-19 years of age) as it was shown to cause brain infections and psychiatric problems including self harm in some users.

My experience with viral illnesses, such as the flu has been clear; it is best treated with a nutritional and common sense approach. Rest, keep hydrated and take vitamin C.

That advice was similar to what I received from my mother when I was ill as a child. So, to answer my mother—I will recommend following her advice. Drink lots of fluids (preferably water), rest, and take vitamin C. It is a lot safer than Tamaflu and has worked great for my practice.

posted by Dr. David Brownstein @ 10:30 AM