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The Blaylock Wellness Report September 2007
Incredibly, a 2004 survey found that 630,000
infants — 15 percent of all babies born that year
— had mercury exposures exceeding EPA “safe”
levels. The elevated levels were mainly due to a
combination of exposures including vaccinations
containing thimerosal, atmospheric exposures,
seafood, and dental amalgam in pregnant mothers.
So, herein lies the dilemma — should we eat
seafood for the health benefits of omega-3 oils, or
should we avoid it because of the health-destroying
effects of methymercury found in the seafood?
Getting to the Truth
As usual in the field of
nutritional health, experts agree
on little. And, as with all issues,
the truth requires rational
thought, logic, and study. One
has to balance the financial
prejudice of those who say the
seafood supplies are safe with
the findings of more objective
scientists.
During the past decade, over
2,000 scientific articles have
been written on the subject of
methymercury toxicity.
They concluded that
methymercury is infinitely more toxic than
previously thought, especially to developing and
aging nervous systems. The “safe” dose level
continues to fall and some have concluded that
there is no “safe” level of mercury in the body.
Mercury is one of the most poisonous metals
known. Doses less than a millionth of a gram are
toxic to brain cells.
Worse still, mercury, especially
methylmercury, tends to accumulate in fatty
parts of the body and remains for decades. It
is important to understand that the brain is
composed of 60 percent fats.
Mercury interferes with a great number of cell
enzymes and triggers chronic brain inflammation
and excitotoxicity. This is, at least in part, how
mercury from vaccines is connected to autism and
other neurodevelopmental brain problems.
Mercury also plays havoc with the immune
system, causing an impaired immune response
and higher rates of autoimmune diseases.
This is bad news for those whose genetic
makeup has already put them at risk for lupus,
rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile diabetes.
Dr. Jane Hightower, a physician practicing in
San Francisco, studied her patients looking for a
connection between mercury levels in their body
and consumption of fish known to be high in
mercury. She found a strong correlation.
In addition, Hightower found that patients
with high mercury levels complained of memory
loss, mental fog, confusion, a loss of hair, and an
inability to focus.
She also found an increased incidence
of coronary heart disease and general
atherosclerosis. Newer studies
have shown a connection between
atherosclerosis, heart failure, and
blood mercury levels.
A Worldwide Problem
So, just how bad is this problem?
First, this is not just an American
problem, but one which is worldwide.
Studies from Finland, Sweden, the
Faro and Seychelles islands, Germany
and the U.K. all show the same
general levels of contamination.
Where does mercury
contamination come from? There are
four major contributors:
• Coal-burning plants
• Pesticide/herbicide use
• Undersea volcanic eruptions
• Runoff from gold and other mining
operations
Maps of atmospheric mercury accumulations
demonstrate heavy levels along the Arctic Circle,
Europe, the Asian land mass and the Eastern
seaboard of the United States and Canada.
Because mercury accumulates in sea life, the
older, larger predatory fish contain the highest
levels of mercury.
The big fish eat the little fish, concentrating
the mercury in their tissues.
Safer Seafood
Choose seafood that is naturally low in
mercury:
• Clams • Wild Alaskan Salmon
• Shrimp • Sardines
• Crab • Scallops
How Toxic Is
Mercury?
Mercury is one of the
most poisonous metals
known. Doses less than
1 millionth of a gram are
toxic to brain cells.
The “safe” dose level
continues to fall, and some
doctors and scientists have
concluded that in fact there
is no safe level of mercury
for the body.
The EPA and FDA list four fish that should
never
• Tilefish
• Shark
• King mackerel
• Swordfish
Despite this warning, most seafood restaurants
serve one or more of these toxic fish — and most
grocery stores and supermarkets sell them — and
never even warn pregnant women of the danger.
Remember — mercury accumulates in the
body and studies have shown that mercury
accumulates in the fetus in higher concentrations
than in the mother.
In fact, according to a joint EPA-FDA advisory
put out in 2004, women should be warned not
to eat fish high in mercury if they are pregnant
or may get pregnant within a year. Likewise,
because the fetus is smaller and undergoing rapid
development, it is infinitely more vulnerable to
the toxicity of mercury, especially in regard to
brain development.
Unfortunately, the amount of mercury being
deposited in the seas increases every year. Tuna
is of great concern because it is more commonly
eaten, especially by small children.
Generally, tuna is a larger, older fish and
consequently has very high mercury levels.
Americans consume about 1.2 billion cans of tuna
a year.
A recent survey of canned tuna by the
Mercury Policy Project in Montpellier, Vt.,
tested 60 cans of albacore tuna bought at local
supermarkets. They found that 48 of the cans
had mercury levels that exceeded EPA safety
standards.
More shocking was that even the cans labeled
light tuna (from smaller skipjack tuna) often had
high mercury levels. An independent review
confirmed the study’s accuracy.
Tuna steaks served in restaurants have
even higher mercury levels. The joint EPA-FDA
advisory suggests not eating more than six ounces
of albacore tuna per week. Overall, they suggest
limiting the consumption of any fish containing
mercury to 12 ounces a week.
The state of California filed a lawsuit against
several grocery giants and restaurants saying they
violated Proposition 65, which requires that foods
containing toxic substances carry warning labels.
The warning would especially target pregnant
women and women who might become pregnant.
California itself has a major problem with
mercury-contaminated waters.
A recent study by the San Francisco Estuary
Institute in Oakland, which looked at seven
species of fish from the San Francisco bay
(white croaker, shiner surfperch, leopard shark,
California halibut, white sturgeon, striped bass
and jacksmelt), and found not only elevated
mercury levels in some of the fish, but also high
levels of PCBs, dioxins, DDTs, chlordanes (a
pesticide) and PBDEs (a flame retardant).
They found levels that exceed EPA safety
limits for PCBs in 90 percent of samples tested,
dioxins in 69 percent, mercury in 38 percent, and
dieldrin (a pesticide) in 19 percent.
Unfortunately, most people are unaware of
these chemical carcinogens and neurotoxins
contained in many commercial fish. Contaminants
are a particular problem with seafood imported
from communist China, which has been cited
for using industrially polluted waters for seafood
harvesting.
be eaten:
September 2007
The Blaylock Wellness Report Page
Where to Go for
Information on Fish
Oceans Alive, an organization that
focuses on protecting ecosystems and
fisheries, has a Web site (www.oceansalive.
org) that lists the best and worst seafood to
eat in terms of mercury and PCBs pollution.
Their list of the most contaminated seafood
is long:
• Chilean sea bass
• Grouper
• Marlin
• Orange roughy
• Rockfish (rock cod)
• Atlantic salmon (farmed)
On the safe side, Pacific salmon is
considered to be safe, but you must exercise
caution — a number of seafood outlets and
restaurants sell “Alaskan salmon” that is
really Atlantic farmed salmon, which has a
high incidence of mercury contamination.
One Web site offers a free analysis to
determine exact concentrations of mercury
based on fish consumption. Go to
www.gotmercury.org/english/advanced.htm.
• Swordfish
• Tilefish
• Sturgeon
• Bluefin tuna
• Shark
This includes a large percentage of the shrimp
consumed in America.
Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics
Some researchers and doctors insist that the
clamor concerning mercury
in fish is overblown, and we
should not worry. They base this
assumption on a series of studies
that were conducted on children
from the Faroe and Seychelles
islands where the natives eat
seafood that is high in mercury.
They measured the mercury
levels in the children and then measured mental
function using a battery of sophisticated tests.
What they found was that there appeared to
be no serious impact on mental function among
these island children.
A more careful series of tests of the same
children, by independent researchers, did find
problems with learning and other higher brain
functions. Despite this, defenders of mercury
safety made the audacious claim that mercury
actually improved IQ.
When I analyzed these studies, it became
obvious how this sleight of hand was done. A diet
high in fish oils is known to elevate learning ability
and several aspects of higher brain function.
The children with the highest seafood (N-
3 oil) intake were found to have a higher IQ
when compared to those with low intakes of the
beneficial oil. When the children who ate the
most seafood (and had the highest intake of fish
oils) ate fish contaminated with mercury, their IQ
fell between the lower IQ and the higher IQ.
In other words, the mercury blunted the
beneficial effects of the fish oil. However, they
could still say children who ingested mercury
actually had a higher IQ.
This, of course is disingenuous because it was
not the mercury that was working the miracle,
it was the fish oil. The mercury, in fact,
reduced
its effectiveness. Unfortunately, this sort of
manipulation of facts and data is all too common.
It is a reminder of the truth of the old adage that
there are three kinds of lies — lies, damn lies, and
statistics.
My analysis is confirmed by a new study that
found that middle-aged men eating mercurycontaminated
fish had significantly higher rates
of coronary artery disease. This Finnish study,
which lasted 14 years, also found that mercury
counteracted the beneficial effects of omega-3 oils
(N-3 oils) in reducing heart attacks. Other studies
have shown that high mercury
levels increase atherosclerosis
and severely damage the heart
muscle. One study found that the
heart muscle of people dying of
heart failure had mercury levels
thousands of times higher than
normal.
Alarmingly, recent studies
have shown that people in the United States often
have hair mercury levels that even exceed those
found in the Finnish study. One can quickly
appreciate that if you already have cardiovascular
disease, kidney disease or neurological disease,
eating methylmercury-contaminated seafood can
greatly aggravate your condition. The same would
be true for common conditions such as diabetes
and the metabolic syndrome. Unfortunately, most
physicians are totally unaware of this.
There are a number of sources of mercury
contamination for the average person, and here
are some examples:
• The flu vaccine contains a full dose of
mercury as the preservative thimerosal.
• There are varying concentrations of mercury
in the air from various sources.
• Many lakes and streams are contaminated by
mercury from pesticide and herbicide runoff.
• Millions of people still have a type of dental
filling called amalgam, which contains
around 50 percent mercury.
Protect Yourself Against Mercury
An individual’s resistance to mercury toxicity
is quite variable.
This is because many dietary factors can
reduce its toxicity and enhance the body’s
defensive mechanisms.
For example, we know that much of mercury’s
damage is secondary to its ability to generate
numerous free radicals in the body. Hence,
antioxidants, especially those working as a
network, can reduce these free radicals. In part,
this is how fish oils (the DHA components) help
reduce the damage.
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The Blaylock Wellness Report September 2007
Cooking Tip
Here’s a great tip: Cook
your seafood with garlic. Garlic
has been shown to bind and
reduce levels of mercury in the
body, making it less toxic.
Likewise, various nutrients can enhance the
body’s detoxification systems, elevate protective
antioxidant enzymes, and even directly neutralize
mercury within the body.
Selenium
mercury and is why fish, which have high levels
of selenomethionine, are less affected by the
mercury than are humans.
(as selenomethionine) — detoxifies
Flavonoids
particularly vegetables, are especially protective.
This explains why the Japanese are also less
affected, since they have high intakes of both N-3
oils and flavonoids. Americans, and increasingly
other Western countries with their diet of endless
junk foods, are at highest risk.
One obvious thing to do is to choose seafood
that is naturally low in mercury contamination,
such as clams, shrimp, wild Alaskan salmon,
sardines, scallops, crab and other small, relatively
young sea creatures.
For more information on mercury toxicity and
for references, see the chapter “Mercury: The
Silent Killer” in my book, “Health and Nutrition
Secrets That Can Save Your Life,” published in
2006. (For more information on my book, go to
www.russellblaylockmd.com.)
— as found in fruits and
Health and Nutrition Updates
It’s Your Skin — Protect It!
Schools are once again opening their doors, and
parents are rushing towards the beaches and the
great outdoors to get in their last fling in the sun.
This brings us to a very hot topic — skin protection
from sun-induced aging and skin cancers.
Skin cancer is one of the most common human
malignancies in the world and continues to rise,
despite the growing use of sunscreens.
The sun’s rays contain two forms of highenergy
radiation: UVA and UVB. Most attention
has been paid to the UVB type, since it is
associated with the obvious burning and swelling
of the skin, something we call sunburn. This
form of radiation directly damages the DNA of
important skin cells called keratinocytes, as well
as other skin cells.
DNA damage, which accumulates from
receiving a number of sunburns each summer,
eventually leads to the formation of skin cancers
called photocarcinogenesis.
The forgotten longer wavelength ultraviolet
light, called UVA, in fact, makes up 90 percent to
95 percent of the UV spectrum of sunlight. Unlike
its more aggressive cousin, UVA irradiation causes
damage to skin cells and connective tissues by
producing abundant free radicals deep within the
layers of the skin.
Over time this leads to significant aging and
wrinkling of the skin as well as skin cancer. Those
with lighter skin are most vulnerable, but this does
not let people with darker skin off the hook since,
over time, these rays can penetrate their skin as
well.
One of the mysteries of skin cancer, especially
with melanoma (the deadliest form of skin
cancer) involves the steep rise in the incidence
of melanomas despite the increased use of UVBblocking
sunscreens. Recent studies have shown
that the previously ignored UVA rays may in fact
be the culprit.
1
When people use the UVB-blocking sunscreens,
thus avoiding sunburns, they are unaware that
the UVA rays are silently causing the same DNA
damage, only indirectly and over a longer period
of time — years rather than minutes.
The buildup of UVA-induced free radicals
within the melanocyte (from which melanomas
arise) appears to eventually transform into a
highly malignant cancer in some people, which is
prone to spread throughout the body.
Having several serious sunburns early in life
can increase your risk of developing the following:
• melanomas
• squamous cell carcinomas
• basal cell carcinomas
Basal cell cancer is less serious. After age 30,
sun exposure is less often related to basal cell
carcinoma incidence.
In essence, we see that the same processes
triggered by both UVA and UVB irradiation can
accelerate aging of the skin and in some, the
development of a variety of skin cancers most
often squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas.
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Care for Your Skin
Excess exposure to the sun is one of the most
frequent causes of aging of the skin. This is
because of irradiation of the skin cell’s DNA, loss of
collagen, loss of facial muscle tone, and suppression
of the skin’s immunity.
This latter effect is very important, not only
in skin aging, but also in the development of skin
cancers, especially melanomas. You may have
noticed that when you prolong exposure of your
face to the sun, even short of burning, pimples
began to appear.
This is secondary to immune suppression within
the skin as well as the body itself.
Although the sun plays a critical role in skin
aging, it’s not the only culprit. Anything that
increases free-radical generation in the skin
promotes aging. This includes chronic illnesses,
such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune
diseases, chronic stress, smoking, and the use of
certain illicit drugs.
Most of us have noticed the rapid skin aging of
a heavy smoker. One of the real enigmas of modern
society is the dramatic increase in smoking by
young girls who also spend increasing billions on
“age-defying” skin treatments and plastic surgery.
You may also have seen the pictures demonstrating
the dramatic transformation of a young woman who
uses crystal methamphetamine.
This drug also generates enormous storms of
free radicals, which not only fill the body, but the
skin as well.
Special cells lie within the deep layers of the
skin whose function it is to maintain the skin. They
also have the capacity to fix a great deal of damage.
We are finding that a number of plant extracts
enhance the ability of these reparative cells to do
their job.
They work mainly by preventing immune
suppression, protecting the reparative cells from
free-radical damage, and protecting the skin’s
collagen from destruction.
A number of skin care products contain green
tea extract, curcumin, and other flavonoids, which
not only block free radical and lipid peroxidation
damage in the skin, but also restore the skin’s
immunity.
2
Some products contain substances such as
DMAE that not only block free-radical damage but
also restore skin firmness and muscle tone, thus
reducing facial sagging and formation of bags under
the eyes.
reduce bags under the eyes.
Take care to avoid skin-care products that
contain substances harmful to the skin, such as
aluminum, hydrolyzed protein, sodium lauryl
sulfate and petroleum products (petrolatum).
In general, things that retard skin aging also
reduce the risk of skin cancer, since the same
process — free-radical/lipid peroxidation and
inflammation of the skin — causes both.
There is good evidence to suggest that changes
in the skin reflect what is happening to your brain.
Age spots also occur within the brain and are called
lipofuscin, a chemical reaction caused by excess
free radicals and lipid peroxidation both in the
brain and in the skin. Resorting to plastic surgery
alone merely hides the destructive process, which
is eating away at your entire body, including your
arteries. High-sugar consumption increases this
destructive process.
There is a concern over the low levels of
vitamin D-3 in people due to the widespread use
of sunscreens. Vitamin D-3 is critical in preventing
cancers, multiple sclerosis, and osteoporosis.
3 Green tea extract has also been shown to4
Most vitamin D-3 is made in the skin by
exposure to sunlight. Those with darker skin are at
a greater risk of being deficient. Trying to balance
the benefits of preventing skin cancers with
maintaining adequate vitamin D-3 production is
becoming difficult.
Exposing the arms, chest, and back to sunlight
for 30 minutes a day is usually adequate. Following
this method, you can use sun blocker on your face
The Right Kind of Exercise
for Your Skin
There are two things to keep in mind,
in regards to your skin, when it comes to
exercising:
• Excessive exercise, especially aerobics,
increases skin aging.
• Intense exercise dramatically increases
free-radical generation for prolonged periods
of time.
This is evident when you see young
extreme athletes who look much older than
their years.
September 2007
The Blaylock Wellness Report Page
daily and still produce plenty of vitamin D-3. It is
a good idea to have all suspicious moles removed.
Most melanomas arise from flat, pigmented moles.
Those with a strong family history of skin cancer
of any type or who have had a skin cancer should
always use a sun blocker on any exposed skin. The
best sun blockers block UVA and UVB irradiation.
The most highly rated is Neutragena’s Ultra
Shear SPF brand. Vitamin D-3 can be obtained by
supplementation, usually 1,000 IU to 2,000 IU a day.
It is also important to appreciate that oral
antioxidants and flavonoids also protect the skin
against excessive aging and skin cancers.
Media Report Faulty Studies
on Fruits and Vegetables
A recent headline proclaimed that recent
research published in the prestigious Journal of the
AMA (JAMA) discovered that a very high intake
of fruits and vegetables had no beneficial effect on
reducing recurrences of breast cancer.
As with most such stories, it is as if a high priest
had shared his personal conversation with God with
us. And in the modern world, the “scientist” holds a
station rivaled only by the priest of times past.
I have carefully analyzed this article (JAMA
2007; 298: 289-298.) and will share only the most
important points.
First, unlike the impression given to the public,
the study was only designed to see if an extremely
high intake of fruits and vegetables and fiber
combined with a low fat diet could reduce breast
cancer recurrences even more than previously seen
with a high intake of fruits and vegetables. Note that
I said as previously seen with a
and vegetables.
Most Americans eat fewer than two servings of
vegetables a day and then the vegetables are usually
of low nutritional quality. In the study, researchers
noted that in both the test group and the control
group, people were eating, on average, seven
servings of fruits and vegetables a day. That is, both
were eating very high levels of cancer-inhibiting
foods.
In their paper they even state that one of their
previous studies found that there was a threshold
of five servings of fruits and vegetables that had the
maximum effect on cancer risk and recurrence.
Both groups, the test subjects and the controls,
were at that high level of consumption at the start
of the study.
It is true that previous studies have shown that
five servings, in people below age 50, provides the
maximum effectiveness against cancer. Therefore,
we knew basically what the study would show.
A number of studies have shown that people
who eat five servings of vegetables a day reduce
their risk of breast cancer over 50 percent.
It has also been adequately demonstrated that
five servings of vegetables a day reduces breast
high intake of fruits
Raw Vegetables vs.
Cooked Vegetables
There is an ongoing debate among
nutritionists as to the value of raw vs.
cooked vegetables. I have always favored
raw vegetables with a mix of some cooked
vegetables. We know that cooking vegetables
destroys many of the vitamins and some of
the flavonoids and the minerals end up in the
cooking water. But a new study found that the
ability of vegetables to prevent breast cancer
in both pre-menopausal and post-menopausal
women depends on how the vegetables are
prepared.
A German study compared the incidence
of breast cancer in 310 women based on
their intake of raw vegetables, vegetable
fiber, or total vegetables compared to 353
control women on a regular diet.
there was a dramatic 49 percent reduction in
breast cancer in women who ate plentiful raw
vegetables as compared to those who ate small
amounts. Eating large amounts of vegetable
fiber, not grain fiber, reduced breast cancer
incidence 38 percent, and a high intake of total
vegetables (mixed raw and cooked) produced a
43 percent reduction.
Cooked vegetables alone did not reduce
the incidence of breast cancer. Raw vegetables
included green leafy salads, fresh herbs
(parsley, watercress, chives, basil, and dill),
tomatoes, cucumbers, red and green peppers,
carrots, radishes, and cabbage.
I prefer using a wide assortment of
blenderized vegetables, such as kale, collard
and mustard greens, celery, broccoli, Brussels
sprouts, bok choy, and Chinese lettuce.
Blenderizing releases the anti-cancer
flavonoids so that drinking a cup of the mix is
equal to eating five servings of vegetables a
day. You can add some fruits to improve the
taste, such as blueberries, blackberries, etc.
5 They found
cancer recurrence and improves prognosis. So,
basically all this study can say is that eating even a
greater amount of vegetables offers no “additional”
benefit.
Yet, a careful analysis of their data does not
even confirm this conclusion.
For example, they found that people eating
three or fewer servings a day of vegetables had
52 more instances of tumor recurrence than
those eating more than five servings
Likewise, people eating the very high-vegetable
diets had 31 fewer deaths. We must understand
that when 210,000 women develop breast cancer
each year, this translates into thousands of fewer
recurrences and deaths from the disease, to say
nothing of the women who would never get the
disease in the first place.
What this means is that their study indeed
found a strong trend in reducing breast cancer
recurrence when a greater number of vegetables
were eaten each day. In other words, the headline
lied.
The study has a number of other flaws. No
allowances were made for alcohol consumption.
It has been shown that women who drink as little
as 15 grams of alcohol a day dramatically increase
their risk of developing breast cancer, but a high
intake of folate-containing vegetables dramatically
reduces this risk.
There is also evidence from their study that
more of the women who ate very high amounts of
vegetables had worse cancers to begin with.
They also admit that they did not consider
exercise, even though they collected the data.
Studies have shown that regular exercise reduces
breast cancer risk and recurrence of cancers.
One problem I have with all such studies is
that they never study people who eat washed
vegetables. It is ironic that the FDA site warns
that washing all fruits and vegetables to remove
harmful (cancer-causing) pesticides and herbicides
is critical.
Yet, cancer-prevention studies are done that
don’t consider this. In essence, eating pesticidesaturated
vegetables can increase your risk of
cancer or at least severely blunt the vegetables’
cancer-preventing effectiveness.
I have never seen one of these studies that
considered the very high intake of omega-6 oils
(corn, safflower, sunflower, peanut, canola, and
soybean oils) in most Western diets. These are
powerful promoters of cancer growth and spread.
This explains why vegetable extracts have
produced such dramatic results in experimental
animals that are either injected with powerful
carcinogenic compounds or implanted with
human tumors.
The animals are not exposed to MSG,
aspartame, omega-6 oils, or pesticides during the
study as are humans.
An abundant amount of new evidence shows
that most cancers contain glutamate receptors, and
that diets high in glutamate (such as the additives
MSG, hydrolyzed protein, soy protein isolates,
caseinate, and others) cause these cancers to grow
faster, invade more often, and metastasize widely.
In essence, they make many cancers more
deadly. Despite this, most oncologists do not warn
their patients to avoid MSG, food additives, etc.
Almost all processed foods contain one or more of
these glutamate additives.
A number of journals have a sweetheart deal
with major media outlets and release key articles
early to the press, even before being seen by
physicians and researchers, who might criticize the
study. By the time physicians, such as myself, can
respond with an analysis, it’s old news to the media.
Noted author Richard Weaver stated in an
analysis of the new media, “We are told the
time to laugh and the time to cry, and signs are
not wanting that the audience grows ever more
responsive to its cues.”
.
References:
1. Berking C. Hautarzt 2005; 56: 687-696. (in German)
2. Svobodova A., et al., J Dermatol Sci 2007; 46: 21-30
3. Grossman R., Am J Clin Dermatology 2005; 6: 39-47
4. Reichrath J. Prog Biophys Mol Biol
5. Adzersen K.H., et al., Nutr Cancer 2003; 46: 131-137
Please note that this advice is generic
and not specific to any individual. You
should consult with your doctor before
undertaking any medical or nutritional
course of action.
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The Blaylock Wellness Report September 2007eptember 2007
Q: I am taking a statin drug for cholesterol
and my doctor says my triglycerides are too
high as well. Why is that relevant and what
can be done about it?
— Myron R., Glendale, Wis.
A:
triglyceride levels are more important than total
cholesterol. My question is, Why are you taking a
statin drug? You might want to read my newsletter
on the danger of statin drugs. Briefly, there is
powerful evidence that elevated cholesterol by
itself does not cause atherosclerosis (leading to
heart attack and strokes).
In fact, lowering cholesterol too low (as is
commonly done with statin drugs) increases
mortality, especially from brain hemorrhages, and
may increase cancer rates as well.
The major studies on statin use indicate that,
at best, statins do not reduce heart attack rates
any lower than other treatments that do not
lower cholesterol, such as angiotensin-converting
enzyme inhibitor drugs and aspirin.
They also clearly demonstrate that any
effectiveness of the statins is based on their antiinflammatory,
immune-suppression effects and
antioxidant effects and not lowering cholesterol.
So, what sense does it make to take dangerous
statin drugs when other safer alternatives exist?
Newer studies have shown that curcumin,
ellagic acid (from raspberries and pomegranates),
quercetin, natural vitamin E, ascorbate, and
ginkgo biloba work much better and have other
health benefits, such as preventing cancer, another
chronic inflammatory disease.
The best way to lower triglycerides is to
lower your sugar and carbohydrate intake. Both
dramatically increase triglyceride levels. The
reason triglycerides are even connected with heart
attack and stroke risk is because they are also
oxidized and are converted to LDL-cholesterol,
which also becomes oxidized.
Un-oxidized cholesterol, no matter how high
(this has been proven in experimental studies)
does not cause atherosclerosis.
All studies are showing that the people who
develop high rates of heart attack and stroke are
people with prolonged inflammation in their body,
no matter the cause — chronically infected teeth
and gums, viral or bacterial infections, mercury
toxicity, food additive excitotoxin exposure (such
as MSG, hydrolyzed protein, caseinate, etc.) or
hypertension. This is why CRP levels (a measure
of inflammation) are a better indicator of risk than
cholesterol, even LDL-cholesterol.
Studies have shown that people who eat only
a Mediterranean diet reduce their risk of heart
attack by 78 percent. That exceeds statins by 46
percent. All it takes is something American have
far too little of — discipline.
Some studies indicate that elevated
Q: Is there anything I can do to alleviate
the symptoms of shingles?
— Doretta C., Vista, Calif.
A:
reactivation of a dormant chickenpox virus, and
affects a number of nerves in the face, chest,
abdomen, or extremities. It is caused by a loss of
immune function. This is why we see it in the
elderly more often than younger people.
It can also be a sign of an underlying cancer
for the same reason. Usually the pain develops in
the distribution of a particular nerve several days
before the rash appears, which is raised, red, and
blistering. An intense, unrelenting pain called
post-herpetic neuralgia can follow the outbreak of
the rash. Early treatment, within 72 hours of the
Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the
Ask Dr. Blaylock
Attention Blaylock Readers:
Dr. Blaylock welcomes any questions or comments you would like to share.
Each month, he will select a few to be published and answered in the newsletter.
Please remember that he cannot answer every question.
When submitting a question or comment, please include full name, city, and state.
Please e-mail the doctor at:
askblaylock@newsmax.com.
P Paaggee 1 100
The Blaylock Wellness Report SeptAeumgbuesrt 2007
appearance of the blisters, can often terminate an
attack and prevent the severe pain.
The most effective treatment I have found
is a combination of 5,000 IU of vitamin B-12
(methylcobalamin) twice a day, vitamin B-6
(as pyridoxal 5-phosphate) 50 milligrams a day,
vitamin B-1 (as benfotiamine) 200 milligrams a
day, magnesium citrate 500 milligrams twice a day
and DHA oil (Neuromins), 600 milligrams a day
and a vitamin mineral tablet (Extend Core from
www.vrp.com). This regimen should be taken for
three months. Most of these you can get from the
Web site www.vitacost.com.
To prevent recurrences you should stay on the
Extend Core permanently and use beta- 1,3/1,6
glucan 250 milligrams twice a week to be taken
on an empty stomach. The latter supplement
stimulates your immune system.
Q: What is your opinion on pork?
— George D., Pompano Beach, Fla.
A:
from China. Pork that has been fed melaminecontaminated
gluten from communist China
should never be eaten. (See last month’s
newsletter.) I would wait at least another six
months before eating pork for this reason.
Overall, pork is healthier than beef. Like beef,
it does contain a lot of iron, which can promote a
number of diseases, such as cancer, strokes, and
heart attacks; so it should be eaten in moderation
(6 ounces once to twice a week).
To reduce the effects of the high iron, always
eat your meals with lots of vegetables, which bind
the iron and prevent absorption. Tea also prevents
iron absorption. In general, pork is a leaner meat
than beef, especially if it is organically raised. I
would avoid all meat that is injected or animals fed
with antibiotics, hormones, or other additives.
These can cause weight gain, infertility, and
promote cancer growth.
Some processed pork products come
Q: Do you have any suggestions for relief
from tinnitus?
— Brenda W., Anthem, Ariz.
A:
or both ears, is becoming more common because
of poor nutrition, young people exposed to loud
music (concerts and personal players) and those of
us who shoot guns. Loud noises damage the hair
cells in the cochlea of the inner ear.
We also see tinnitus in older individuals,
secondary to poor blood supply as atherosclerosis
of the smaller vessels begins to occur.
A number of studies have found ginkgo biloba
to improve tinnitus and hearing, if the condition is
treated early. Ginkgo protects these delicate nerve
cells against excitotoxicity (a major cause of the
damage), improves blood flow, and slightly thins
the blood, which also improves flow through the
microvessels of the ear. The dose is 320 milligrams
a day of a high-quality extract.
Another product, Vinpocetine (extracted from
the periwinkle plant) also protects these nerves
and dramatically improves blood flow. This is
especially helpful in the elderly. The dose is
10 milligrams a day for one week and up to 20
milligrams a day if needed. It should be taken
before noon to prevent insomnia.
These same nerves are also very dependent
on the B vitamins, especially vitamin B-1 (as
benfotiamine 200 milligrams), riboflavin, vitamin
B-6, niacinamide, folate, and methylcobalamin.
Other antioxidants also help prevent the
progression of hearing loss.
These include curcumin, DHA, hesperidin,
quercetin, vitamin E (Unique-E) and vitamin C
(buffered). ENT physicians also offer a masking
device, which has variable results.
Tinnitus, which is a constant ringing in one
Q: Any ideas on raising one’s HDL without
statins? How can I relieve post-stroke thalamic
pain? I now take neurontin which helps, but
it has a tendency to reduce bone mass with
prolonged use.
— Mike E., Los Altos, Calif.
A:
related. One is a tendency to develop strokes,
which I assume was a minor stroke. You might
want to see my answer to the first question.
Second, is the thalamic syndrome, which is a
response to infarction (stroke) to the thalamus, a
sensory nucleus located deep within the brain.
The symptoms include severe sharp pains,
crawling sensations, burning, hypersensitivity to
touch, or tearing pains.
The pain may not appear for months or even
You have two problems — both closely
August 2007
The Blaylock Wellness Report Page 11
years after a stroke and are typically made worse
with stress, lack of sleep, and exposure to cold.
Studies indicate that the problem is caused
by abnormal discharges of pain fibers within the
thalamus. It all gets very complicated, but suffice
it to say that it resembles a sensory seizure deep
within this brain nucleus. The main culprit is
the glutamate receptors and thus anything that
increases glutamate (or aspartate) also increases
the pain. Neurontin (gabapentin) works by
reducing both glutamate and aspartate in this
nucleus as well as spinal cord.
Magnesium plays a major role in controlling
these haywire impulses by reducing the activity
of the glutamate receptors. Increasing the
magnesium in your diet will help considerably.
Taking 500 milligrams of magnesium malate
or citrate twice a day should be sufficient. It
takes about a week of supplementation to reach
adequate brain levels.
You should also be aware that most processed
foods contain an abundant supply of glutamate
as an additive, such as MSG (monosodium
glutamate), hydrolyzed proteins, soy protein
isolate or concentrate, sodium or calcium
caseinate, carrageenan, stock, broth, natural
flavoring, etc. Also aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal)
also contains an excitotoxin (aspartate). These
all will make your symptoms worse and avoiding
them will make your symptoms better.
Other things that will reduce your symptoms
include DHA, silymarin (milk thistle extract),
natural vitamin E, magnesium ascorbate, vitamin
B-12 and vitamin B-6.
In combination they will reduce the damage
produced by glutamate. Theanine, a component
of white tea, also reduces glutamate levels and
calms the nervous system. It is a very useful sleep
supplement.
At a dose of 200 milligrams to 400 milligrams
twice a day you will be calmer and the pain
should be reduced significantly. Drinking three
cups of strong white tea a day will also help.
To raise HDL levels, I would recommend
krill oil, which has been shown to significantly
increase these levels.
September 2007
About Dr. Blaylock
Dr. Russell Blaylock edits NewsMax.com’s
Wellness Report
neurosurgeon, health practitioner, author, and
lecturer.
He attended the Louisiana State University School of
Medicine in New Orleans and completed his internship and
neurosurgical residency at the Medical University of South
Carolina in Charleston, S.C.
For the past 26 years, he has practiced neurosurgery in
addition to having a nutritional practice.
He recently retired from his neurosurgical duties to
devote his full attention to nutritional studies and research.
Dr. Blaylock has authored three books on nutrition and
wellness, including Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, Health
and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life, and his most
recent work, Natural Strategies for The Cancer Patient. An indemand
guest for radio and television programs, he lectures
extensively to both lay and professional medical audiences on
a variety of nutrition-related subjects.
Also, Dr. Blaylock has been appointed to serve on the
Scientific Advisory Board of the Life Extension Foundation.
He is the 2004 recipient of the Integrity in Science Award
granted by the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Dr. Blaylock serves on the editorial staff of the Journal of
the American Nutraceutical Association and is the associate
editor of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons,
official publication of the Association of American Physicians
and Surgeons.
He previously served as clinical assistant professor of
neurosurgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center
in Jackson, Miss., and is currently a visiting professor of
biology at the Belhaven College, also in Jackson.
Blaylock. He is a nationally recognized boardcertified
PLEASE NOTE:
specific medical advice for any individual. All answers to reader questions are provided for informational purposes only. All
information presented in The Blaylock Wellness Report should not be construed as medical consultation or instruction. You
should take no action solely on the basis of this publication’s contents. Readers are advised to consult a health professional
about any issue regarding their health and well-being. While the information found in The Blaylock Wellness Report is
believed to be sensible and accurate based on the author’s best judgment, readers who fail to seek counsel from appropriate
health professionals assume risk of any potential ill effects. The opinions expressed in The Blaylock Wellness Report do not
necessarily reflect those of NewsMax Media.
All information presented in The Blaylock Wellness Report is for informational purposes only. It is not
Page 12
The Blaylock Wellness Report SeptAeumgbuesrt 2007
The Blaylock Wellness Report (#39) is a publication of
NewsMax Media, Inc., and NewsMax.com. It is published
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online and in print through NewsMax.com.
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Simply go here: http://www.newsmax.com/blaylockreports
This month’s password is: prevention
(Please remember to use lower-case letters.)
Vaccinations: The Hidden Dangers
Save Your Brain: Protect Yourself From the Ravages of Alzheimer’s and Other Diseases
Cholesterol Drugs Are Dangerous
Why Fluoride Is Toxic
Heart Saver: Protect Yourself From Heart Attacks and Strokes
Survive Your Hospital Visit
Health Exams That Can Save Your Life
Prevent Cancer Before It’s Too Late: Part 1
Prevent Cancer Before It’s Too Late: Part 2
Omega-3: Nature’s Miracle Panacea
Autism: The Silent Enemy
The Diabetes Solution
Eliminate Hypertension Forever! The Natural Approach to Curing High Blood Pressure
The Fat Cure: Health Secrets to Losing Weight Permanently
Extend Your Life: 4 Supplements That Will Help You Live Longer
Stomach Health: Stop Acid Reflux, Prevent Cancer & Improve Your Life
Better Digestion: Protect Your Intestines, Colon and Vital Organs from Disease and Cancer
Stop Aging Naturally: Part 1
Keeping Young: Your Sex Life, Looks and Health!
Sleeper Germs: Hidden Infections and Their Link to Disease
Good Sleep: Stop Insomnia, Reduce Stress, Boost Your Total Health
Prevent a Heart Attack: The Truth About Coronary Disease, Cholesterol Medication
Protecting Your Eyes
Anxiety, Panic Disorder & Migraines: Fight Back Using Nature’s Elixirs
Arthritis: Confronting Chronic Joint Pain
Mercury: Save Your Body From Nature’s Deadly Poison
5 Secrets They Don’t Teach Doctors
Probiotics: The Answer to Many Mystery Illnesses
Health Dangers Lurk Within Your Home
Detoxify Your Body
Is the Modern Health-Care System Killing You?
Maintaining Your Memory
Breast Cancer: Beating the Odds
Prostate Cancer: Fighting Back — What Every Man (and Woman) Needs to Know
Colon Cancer: The Hidden Dangers
Key Vitamins That Save Your Heart, Prevent Cancer, and Keep You Living Long
How to Avoid Poisonous Foods
Miracle Tea: Protects Your Heart and Brain While Preventing Cancer
.................................................................................................................Issue 1.................................. July 2004....................Issue 2.................................. Aug 2004.................................................................................................................. Issue 3................................. Sept 2004...................................................................................................................................... Issue 4................................... Oct 2004................................................................ Issue 5.................................. Nov 2004............................................................................................................................. Issue 6.................................. Dec 2004.......................................................................................................... Issue 7.................................. Jan 2005................................................................................................... Issue 8................................... Feb 2005................................................................................................. Issue 9.................................. Mar 2005............................................................................................................. Issue 10.................................. Apr 2005............................................................................................................................ Issue 11................................. May 2005.................................................................................................................................. Issue 12................................ June 2005............. Issue 13................................. July 2005................................................................. Issue 14.................................. Aug 2005.................................................... Issue 15................................. Sept 2005......................................... Issue 16................................... Oct 2005........ Issue 17.................................. Nov 2005......................................................................................................................... Issue 18.................................. Dec 2005................................................................................... Issue 19.................................. Jan 2006............................................................... Issue 20................................... Feb 2006.................................................... Issue 21 ................................ Mar 2006..................... Issue 22 ............................... April 2006.................................................................................................................................... Issue 23................................. May 2006........................................... Issue 24 ................................ June 2006................................................................................................ Issue 25 ................................. July 2006........................................................................ Issue 26 ...................................Aug 2006........................................................................................................... Issue 27...................................Sept 2006................................................................................ Issue 28 ....................................Oct 2006.................................................................................................. Issue 29 ................................... Nov 2006...................................................................................................................................... Issue 30................................... Dec 2006....................................................................................... Issue 31....................................Jan 2007........................................................................................................................... Issue 32....................................Feb 2007................................................................................................................. Issue 33...................................Mar 2007......................... Issue 34.................................April 2007............................................................................................................ Issue 35...................................May 2007........................... Issue 36................................. June 2007.....................................................................................................................Issue 37.................................. July 2007..................................................Issue 38...................................Aug 2007
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Could the U.S. housing recession and
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In the last two years, the DOW went up
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Also, growth in several Asian countries
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Key Points
•
yet . . . it’s barely begun!
Th e housing crash isn’t over
•
remains your lifeboat,
including our latest
recommendation
Why global investing
•
nightmare lurking behind
the housing crash
Th e hidden derivatives
•
the real estate crash
Which sectors will survive
•
Shiller: ‘Th ere’s a scenario
for a major decline’
Yale economist Robert
PLUS:
•
69-percent gains on two
positions
Bank 20-percent and
•
holdings
Earnings updates on your
•
myths about the dollar
Axel Merk dispels seven
•
and Carl Icahn are piling
into railroad shares
Billionaires Warren Buff ett
Longtime readers of Financial Intelligence Report will recall Christopher
Ruddy’s visit with Sir John Templeton, the legendary investor.
As FIR detailed in its February 2005 edition, Templeton had a stark
warning to U.S. investors: They could expect housing prices to fall by as
much as 50 percent when the bubble burst.
So far, that prediction has not unfolded. But it will, undoubtedly.
Already, housing sales and starts are plummeting and inventories are
mushrooming. And all of this is happening even though long-term interest
rates — which determine mortgage rates — have nudged only slightly
higher.
Templeton’s view about the coming residential housing
meltdown is shared by renowned Yale economist Robert
Shiller.
You may recall that FIR spoke with Shiller (see FIR,
April 2006), and he also told our readers about “worrisome
signs” that pointed to a “major decline” in real estate prices,
possibly 40 percent or more before the dust settles.
Recently, Shiller told Money magazine that he still sees disaster looming
for the U.S. housing market.
Shiller was credited with forecasting the dot-com crash with his uncanny
predictions in his book “Irrational Exuberance.” Shiller attributed that stock
crash to “collective consciousness.”
Asked if a similar crash in the real estate market was imminent, Shiller
opined: “It doesn’t seem like we’re there quite yet.”
He also warned that there’s a strong possibility the return on real estate
will actually be “substantially negative” over the next 10 years. (For more
details on Shiller’s thoughts, see “Shiller Sees ‘Worst Case’ Housing Crash”
on Page 5.)
Interestingly, Shiller has a similar take as Templeton on where he’s putting
his own money: global investments. We, too, have stressed that investors
today can no longer put all their chips in the American basket.
John Browne
The Great Housing
Crash of 2008!
Why Global Investing Remains Your Lifeboat
dd1 5/30/07 9:27:40 AM
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booming in many parts of this world,
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broad-based global boom would be great
news for everyone — if it was the result
of natural and sustainable market forces,
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The Mother of All
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Unfortunately, there is lots of evidence that
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In this global bubble, literally hundreds
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bubbles. So when this bubble bursts,
cial ng all previous nancial
it could be the “mother of all
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we
What You Don’t Know
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Destroy Your Finances
It’s no secret that in today’s society,
everyone from the family next door, to
major corporations, to the U.S. government
is deeply in debt.
But while some debt statistics are widely
reported, such as our $8 trillion-plus
national debt, other debt
virtually never mentioned.
gures are
If you’ve never heard of derivatives before,
join the crowd. Less than one person in
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nances . . . and
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In this new report you will learn . . .
•
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How the U.S. real estate boom was made
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Precisely what derivatives are and how nances and investments.
•
fall . . . and exactly when they will bottom
out in major U.S. cities.
How much housing prices are likely to
•
the derivatives bubble and is still a good
investment.
One type of real estate that has escaped
•
CLOs, CPDOs, RMBSs, and CDPCs.
Why many institutional investors LOVE
derivatives. (Hint: Would you like to make
returns 30-times your cost with low risk?)
The many types of derivatives: CDOs,
•
a liquidity implosion.
Why hedge funds are at particular risk in
•
The four tiers of derivatives risk
— senior, mezzanine, equity, and junior.
Where does your bank and insurance
company fall?
•
derivatives over the past seven years.
The enormous, global growth in
•
likely weather the derivatives crisis.
And much more.
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May 2007 Vol. 5 No. 5
Key Points
•
yet . . . it’s barely begun!
Th e housing crash isn’t over
•
remains your lifeboat,
including our latest
recommendation
Why global investing
•
nightmare lurking behind
the housing crash
Th e hidden derivatives
•
the real estate crash
Which sectors will survive
•
Shiller: ‘Th ere’s a scenario
for a major decline’
Yale economist Robert
PLUS:
•
69-percent gains on two
positions
Bank 20-percent and
•
holdings
Earnings updates on your
•
myths about the dollar
Axel Merk dispels seven
•
and Carl Icahn are piling
into railroad shares
Billionaires Warren Buff ett
Longtime readers of Financial Intelligence Report will recall Christopher
Ruddy’s visit with Sir John Templeton, the legendary investor.
As FIR detailed in its February 2005 edition, Templeton had a stark
warning to U.S. investors: They could expect housing prices to fall by as
much as 50 percent when the bubble burst.
So far, that prediction has not unfolded. But it will, undoubtedly.
Already, housing sales and starts are plummeting and inventories are
mushrooming. And all of this is happening even though long-term interest
rates — which determine mortgage rates — have nudged only slightly
higher.
Templeton’s view about the coming residential housing
meltdown is shared by renowned Yale economist Robert
Shiller.
You may recall that FIR spoke with Shiller (see FIR,
April 2006), and he also told our readers about “worrisome
signs” that pointed to a “major decline” in real estate prices,
possibly 40 percent or more before the dust settles.
Recently, Shiller told Money magazine that he still sees disaster looming
for the U.S. housing market.
Shiller was credited with forecasting the dot-com crash with his uncanny
predictions in his book “Irrational Exuberance.” Shiller attributed that stock
crash to “collective consciousness.”
Asked if a similar crash in the real estate market was imminent, Shiller
opined: “It doesn’t seem like we’re there quite yet.”
He also warned that there’s a strong possibility the return on real estate
will actually be “substantially negative” over the next 10 years. (For more
details on Shiller’s thoughts, see “Shiller Sees ‘Worst Case’ Housing Crash”
on Page 5.)
Interestingly, Shiller has a similar take as Templeton on where he’s putting
his own money: global investments. We, too, have stressed that investors
today can no longer put all their chips in the American basket.
John Browne
The Great Housing
Crash of 2008!
Why Global Investing Remains Your Lifeboat
dd1 5/30/07 9:27:40 AM
FIRinBWR0907
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FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT
The popular press is filled with stories extolling the virtues of
eating even more fish. And there’s good reason: After all, higher
intakes of omega-3 oils, the healthy oil found in seafood, have been
associated with dramatic reductions in cardiac deaths, ischemic
strokes, cancers, arthritic pain and disability, as well as acting as a
powerful protectant for the brain.
Is it really safe to eat more fish, and if so, which fish are safe?
This, in essence, is the dilemma for the general public and a
significant number of scientists as well.
A growing number of studies have shown that seafood often
contains significant, and in some instances, very high levels of
mercury. In addition, government regulatory agencies, as well as
private studies, have shown that many fish, including shellfish,
contain high levels of other pollutants, such as PCBs, dioxins, and
pesticides/herbicides.
The EPA (which regulates fish from sports fishing) and the FDA
(which regulates commercial seafood) have set limits for “safe”
mercury levels in seafood, but they do not share their concerns
about contaminants with the general public through the media or
public alerts.
The reason is they are treading a thin line of trying to protect
the public, while, at the same time, not wanting to destroy the
seafood industry. Likewise, they cannot even agree on a “safe” level
of mercury, with FDA levels being much lower than EPA levels.
Independent studies have shown that the type of mercury found
in seafood, called methylmercury (or organic mercury), is highly
toxic to a number of organs and tissues, especially to the developing
brain of fetuses and newborns.
The elderly are also at high risk because age has weakened
their cells, especially brain cells. Recent alerts have been issued
by the regulatory agencies, as well as physician groups, suggesting
that pregnant women should avoid eating fish known to have high
mercury levels.
The Blaylock Wellness Report Is it safe to eat fish?
•
omega-3 oil
— essential for good
health
Fish contains hearthealthy
•
— some contain high
concentrations of
mercury
Know your fish
•
and EPA to safeguard
your fish
Don’t count on the FDA
•
most poisonous metals
— find out why
Mercury is one of the
•
long way to making
mercury less toxic
A little garlic goes a
•
comes from many
sources
PLUS
Mercury contamination
•
from the sun’s UVB rays
. . . but is that enough?
ASK DR. BLAYLOCK
You protect yourself
•
triglycerides; Treatment
for shingles; Should you
eat pork?
Help for high
Americans eat 4 billion pounds of fish a year. That’s 4
trends like eating sushi only promise to boost that figure. The
question is,
Edited by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.
Key Points
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billion. AndShould we be eating all that fish?
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