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As reported by Reuters, the cost of treating diabetes may increase by as much as 68% through 2009…
In their Drug Trend Report, Medco Health Solutions, Inc, reports the number of diabetes prescriptions trails only cholesterol prescriptions. Diabetes scripts are predicted to take first place in year over year growth.
Spending on diabetes drugs is rising 10-20% annually with a number of new drugs soon to come onto market. And of course diabetes is rising in epidemic numbers…
More diabetics + more drugs = many more bucks for big pharma.
Oh yea, I did promise good news…
Medco Chief Medical Officer Robert Epstein:
“While prevention of type 2 diabetes needs to be a national priority, drug treatments can help prevent the onset of complications from diabetes that lead to hospitalizations, more complex treatment and dramatically higher costs.”
You see, it could cost even more.
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read time: 289 words, just over a minute
I was watching CNN House Call this morning. One of the stories was about prescribing Adderall to overweight kids.
Adderall is an amphetamine approved for ADHD prescribing.
According to Wikipedia, the active ingredients are:
1/4 Dextroamphetamine Saccharate
1/4 Dextroamphetamine Sulfate
1/4 dl-amphetamine Aspartate (racemic amphetamine)
1/4 dl-amphetamin Sulfate (racemic amphetamine)
One of the side effects of Adderall is decreased appetite. Thus some docs are prescribing it for the “side effect” rather than the “effect”. This is what they call “off label” prescribing.
(other side effects include: sleep difficulty, headaches, aggression, abnormal thoughts/behaviors, mania, growth suppression).
So they featured one kid and his family – a “success story”. It was a dinner table scene and what was the kid drinking… diet Dr. Pepper.
Now, what’s in diet soda… primarily Aspartame (some brands are switching to Splenda).
What is Aspartame (Nutra Sweet)? L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine.
(Some of the side effects are: headaches, brain tumors, brain lesions, and lymphoma)
Aspartic acid – which is an amino acid – is also known as aspartate.
Now I’m not a chemistry whiz. And I haven’t dug deep. But I was tickled by the dl-amphetamine Aspartate ingredient in Adderall and the L-aspartic acid in aspartame.
I’m not sure if there is a functional difference between the two.
What I do know is that aspartame is an excitotoxin. To put it simply – it’s not good for your brain.
If you notice the side effects of both Aspartame and Adderall, you’ll see there are brain issues.
Additionally, artificial sweeteners tend to make you crave more sweet stuff and mess with your brains ability to signal satiety. (I’ve posted on this a few times).
Just a thought… rather than putting the overweight kid on a strong drug, clean up his diet.
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read time: 291 words, just a minute
Novartis drug Zelnorm has been withdrawn from the market per the request of the FDA.
Zelnorm is for relieving constipation. Apparently the FDA thinks the higher risk of chest pain, heart attack and stroke as a result of relieving constipation with Zelnorm is not a good trade off.
What do I think…
Fe-Fi-Fo-FIBER
Enough with the toilet paper conservation. Eat fiber, don’t get constipated.
Our fine ancestors ate about 100 grams of fiber a day.
Us?… 8 grams. Yup, that would be 92% LESS.
And where do you get fiber…
Veggies, fruit, veggies, legumes, veggies, flax seed, nuts, whole grains.
Not only will be spared constipation, but you’ll get some other massive benefits…
- Fiber slows the rate food and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream – this keeps
blood sugar and cholesterol in ideal balance and prevents blood sugar spikes. In fact fiber can lower blood sugar (which reduces insulin) as well as diabetes drugs.
- Fiber speeds the rate food passes through the digestive track – this quickly eliminates toxins.
- Fiber promotes weight loss by signaling the brain you’re full, stop eating.
- Fiber has bulk with far less calories than “empty calorie” foods.
- Fiber has been shown to reduce colon cancer by as much as a third and breast cancer by nearly 40%.
Soluble fiber is better than insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber gets digested; insoluble fiber does not.
Oh and if you really need extra help with constipation, there’s Glucomannan - a fiber product made from the root of elephant yams. It’s soluable and one of the most viscous fibers known (absorbs up to 50 times its weight in water). So it will bulk up food in your stomach… you feel full more quickly, you eat fewer calories.
Now go eat your veggies.
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read time: 181 words, just a minute
One of the side effects of ADHD drugs is suppressed appetite and weight loss.
Not wanting a let side effect to go to waste, some Docs are prescribing the drugs to teens for weight loss. And here I thought they didn’t really pay attention to side effects.
That would be known as an “off label” use meaning, that’s not what the drug was approved for, there are no studies using the drug for this purpose and such uses are not monitored.
Interesting how parents* have been arrested and their child literally taken away from them and subjected to court ordered harsh medical treatment they did not want and yet it’s ok to give an overweight kid ADHD drugs and a can of soda to gulp em down with.
* Three cases in the news last year:
1. Virginia 16 year old boy with Hodkins who didn’t want another round of chemo
2. Texas 13 year old girl with Hodkins who didn’t want to do radiation after she did chemo
3. Washington mother who didn’t want her 9 month old son to have kidney surgery
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read time: 1,243 words (another wordy one), about 6 minutes
So why are there state legislatures and Governors all racing to require young girls – children – to skyrocket Gardasil to the ranks of mega blockbuster for Merck? After all, they’ve taken a bit of a fall with Vioxx – a drug they with held information about the dangers on resulting in blockbuster sales for them and deaths for innocent people.
Reportedly Virginia Gov. Kaine is going to sign it into law today and Kentucky is not far behind. And of course Texas Gov. Perry didn’t wait around for the Texas Legislature.
The notion of this boggles my mind.
Gardasil was fast tracked and approved by the FDA in June, 2006… 9 months ago and magically a swath of politicians – clearly doing no independent research and spouting the Merck line just as enthusiastically as their paid for commercials – are forcing it on young girls.
Why is this?
Let’s look at some more details about this bandwagon rage likely to turn into a regrettable scandal in the future.
(This isn’t the first post on the topic. You’re welcome to read the prior posts as well).
If you’re considering Gardasil for yourself or your child, or you know someone who is, I could not more strongly encourage you to do your own independent research.
And even then, I would wait awhile for more information to come out. This drug has been on the market a mere 9 months. Taking Vioxx as an example (and there are many other examples), it takes some time before the ramifications and – in some cases – covered up facts come out. Unfortunately, many suffer and sometimes die before that happens.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- Chronic infection with HPV is associated with 70% of cervical cancer cases.
- There are about 150 strains of HPV; 30 are associated with cervical cancer.
- About 1 in 4 US women between 14 and 59 have HPV (CDC). (Males also have HPV and spread it).
- HPV is transmitted during sexual intercourse.
- Condoms reduce the infection rate of ALL HPV strains by approximately 70%.
- Approximately 90% of all infections will be cleared by the immune system. (Poor nutrition, smoking, birth control and weakened immune system decrease your ability to clear the infection).
Cervical Cancer
- Between 1955 and 1992 cervical cancer deaths in the US decreased by 74%. (primarily because of PAP smears – early detection).
- The death rate continues to decline by about 4% a year.
- There are approximately 9,700 incidents of cervical cancer a year (in the US); about half of them in 35-45 year olds.
- There are 3,670 cervical cancer deaths estimated in 2007.
- About 1% of treated pre-cancers progress to cancer.
Gardasil
- Prevents 2 of the HPV strains (types 16 & 18) that are associated with cervical cancer.
- The CDC just last week published a study which found these two strains to be present in 3.4% of the sample population they examined.
- Gardasil was NEVER proven to prevent cervical cancer. It was tested for 4 years. No one in the test group or control group got cancer. Merck ASSUMED an abnormal pre-cancerous PAP was an indication of future cancer. So the claim that Gardasil prevents cancer has NOT been proven.
What they showed was: Gardasil prevents abnormal pre-cancerous PAP smears due to types 16 & 18 HPVs in women who had not been infected prior to receiving Gardasil.
- It is not known what effect giving Gardasil to women who are already infected with types 16 & 18 would have. Because the vaccine itself is a low dose infection, giving it to someone already carrying those strains may in fact increase their likelihood of contracting cancer.
- There was no study of the effect of Gardasil on birth defects. Five of the subjects given Gardasil around the time of conception had babies with birth defects. None of the women in the control group had babies with birth defects during the study period.
- It is not known if Gardasil will pass into breast milk and what effect that will have.
- It is not known if Gardasil effects genes and will thereby effect future generations.
- It is not known if Gardasil effects fertility.
- Merck says Gardasil should not be given to pregnant women.
- Gardasil uses aluminum and polysorbate. These have been known to cause cancer in lab animals and to alter immune responses. Aluminum is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer.
- Merck was only able to estimate the effectiveness of Gardasil for 5 years. There is no definitive guideline for it’s effectiveness, tho it doesn’t appear to be once for life.
There are two rather damning points to grasp here:
1. As stated above, Merck never proved Gardasil prevented cancer, only that it decreased abnormal PAP smears.
2. No one has ever proven HPV causes cancer. Let me explain.
In the Merck study the decrease in total pre-cancerous PAP smears was less than statistically predicted given that Gardasil prevents two HPV strains.
In other words, since Gardasil prevents pre-cancerous PAPs due to types 16 & 18 HPVs, then the total number of pre-cancerous PAPs should decrease by a commensurate percentage. Simple enough. It didn’t.
This led an FDA scientist to question the theory that HPV CAUSES cervical cancer. It’s instead possible that HPV is an “opportunistic infection” that thrives in the presence of cancer cells. It’s a chicken and egg sort of thing.
Remember, no one has ever proven HPV is the cause of cancer. That assumption was made because HPV is often (approximately 70% of the time) – but not always - present with cervical cancer. But again, just because they’re frequent companions, doesn’t prove one leads to the other.
I know we’re talking about the big scary C word – cancer. Merck is fomenting and harnessing that fear and extraordinarily misrepresenting the situation and the impact of their product. And politicians are guzzling down the kool-aid like cool water in the middle of the desert in July. Irresponsible to put it ever so lightly.
- Additionally, you’re not going to contract HPV sitting next to someone infected. It’s passed through sexual contact.
- Having HPV does not guarantee cervical cancer… not even close. It’s CHRONIC infection that’s ASSOCIATED with cervical cancer. A vast majority of people receive the virus and CLEAR it, never knowing.
- Condoms prevent 70% of ALL (not just 2 strains) of HPVs from spreading.
- PAP smears detect pre-cancer. Cervical cancer is very treatable.
Merck is blustering about saving lives. And while every life is precious, there isn’t much support for Gardasil. In my own math I could only come up with 87 lives a year at best IF every woman had received the vaccine every 5 years starting at the age of 9. Keep in mind, those 87 lives could have been saved with other measures (simpler and lest costly) as well.
In the reference stated below, the author figures it would be 1-2 deaths/year of women between 9-26 which is the age range Gardasil is approved for.
- Billions for Gardasil (plus the cost of it’s known and unknown side effects) or not nearly as much for condoms and regular PAP smears… and no side effects.
The Maryland legislature beat the drum. Maryland citizens rose up in protest and quaffed them. I don’t really know why so many legislatures are rushing to play Doctor with other people’s health. Or, in reality rushing to sell Gardasil for Merck. I can only advise you to make an informed choice that’s right for you. And to speak loudly when politicians try to usurp your choice.
Reference:
Telling the truth about the new vaccine Gardasil by Dr. Moira Terese Dolan
medicalaccountability.net/essay_gardasil.html
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read time: 147 words, just a minute
The CDC just published some research in the Journal of the American Medical Association yesterday about HPV rates in women.
This is what they found:
- One in 4 U.S. women between ages 14 and 59 have some form of Human Papilloma Virus. (That doesn’t mean they have a chronic infection, only that they have the virus).
- Women between ages 20 and 24 have the highest rate… 44.8%.
- 3.4% of the full sample group had one of the strains that Gardasil “protects” against.
I did some math over here, assuming Gardasil protected against 13.3% of all HPV related cervical cancer deaths projected for 2007. So let’s update our math, shall we…
-> Projected cervical cancer deaths in 2007: 3,670
-> 70% attributed to HPV: 2,569
-> 3.4% potentially guarded against by Gardasil: 87
And, once again, regular PAP smears – with no side effects – have an excellent track record of detecting cervical cancer.
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read time: 214 words, less than two minutes
Why aspirin? It thins the blood which reduces the risk of clots.
Let’s start off with the BIG deal:
Aspirin can cause internal bleeding.
Studies have shown this. In fact, there was a study that lasted 10 years. Close to 20,000 women over 45 took 100mg of aspirin every other day. There was a similarly sized placebo group.
The results showed women over 65 reduced the RISK of heart attack and stroke by about a third. Sounds good right?
The study also showed 40% increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, in some cases severe enough to require transfusions.
I’ve seen a few comments from doctors in the media following the release of the recommendations. In every case, they expressed some hesitation over this blanket recommendation.
I have no doubt women have already started adding aspirin to their daily regimen.
After all, it’s just an over-the-counter thing.
Yep, so is Tylenol and there are plenty of deaths a year from that as well as untold liver damage. And cigarettes are over-the-counter.
While it may be over-the-counter, that does not guarantee it’s safe. If you’re considering aspirin, I strongly recommend you do your research, talk to a good doctor and very carefully consider the risks.
I would also recommend your first defense is nutrition and exercise.
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read time: 808 words, about 4 minutes
Merck announced that it would suspend lobbying states to require girls – as young as 11 – to submit to Gardasil, the HPV “vaccine”. Yes, Merck was actively lobbying States to require girls as young as 9 to buy their product.
Gov. Perry of Texas has already single handedly and against the wishes of the Texas Legislature and folks of Texas made the vaccine mandatory. Somewhere around 20 states are considering it.
What’s the rush, what’s the push?
Let’s exercise our minds a bit…
- HPV – Human Papilloma Virus – is primarily a sexually transmitted virus.
- There are more than 100 types of HPV, 15 are associated with cervical cancer. Gardasil protects against TWO (Types 16 & 18) that are associated with 70% of cervical cancer cases. And also two (Types 6 & 11) that are associated with genital warts.
- Most women clear the virus, but for some women with certain risk factors and weakened immune system, it can lead to infection.
Chronic infection can – but is not guaranteed to - lead to cervical cancer IF undiagnosed and untreated.
- Death due to cervical cancer dropped 74% between 1955 and 1992. Why?… the pap smear.
- Cervical cancer is slow moving, thus if you regularly get a pap smear, you’ll likely catch any abnormalities early. Survival rate is 92% with early treatment.
- There are estimated to be 3,670 cervical cancer deaths a year. This is in primarily older women (chronic infection, slow moving cancer).
Onto pharmaconomics…
- Gardasil was rushed, er, “fast tracked” by the FDA.
- Clinical trails were with 9 to 26 year olds… there is no study on effectiveness for anyone older.
- Sample size was a MERE 2,000 (1,200 under age 16).
- There were 102 SERIOUS adverse reactions, oh – including 17 deaths.
- Research shows effectiveness for only 5 years.
- Gardasil came out in June, 2006. Through December, 2006 there were 385 adverse event reports made to Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Additionally, the number of reports per month has increased every month. (Reporting is voluntary and generally only a minority of cases are reported).
- Adverse reactions include: numbness and loss of sensation, facial paralysis or Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
- Merck is quoting costs of $360 for the vaccine. This of course does not include the Doctor visit. I’ve read Docs are charging more or not offering it because their reimbursement does not cover their cost.
- Ok, I hippidy hopped over to the 2000 census. Between the ages of 10 and 24 (Gardasil is being recommended for 9-26 year olds), there are 59,711,963 folks. I’m going to assume half are female (because I don’t feel like hunting for the exact number). That makes 29,855,982 females. At $360 each… $10,748,153,340. Yup, $10.7 Billion.
Ohhhh Butttttt, that’s just the U.S. You see because of pap smears, cervical cancer in the US is around 1%. But WORLDWIDE it’s MUCH higher - pap smears aren’t well used in developing countries. (worldwide deaths estimated at 273,500/year; diagnoses 493,000).
- For the quarter ending 31.Dec.2006, Merck had sales of $155 Million for Gardasil alone.
- The estimated number of cervical cancer deaths for 2007 is 3,670 in the US. HPV is associated with 70%… that makes 2,569.
Gardisil acts against 2 of the 15 types of HPV associated with cervical cancer (13.3%). Therefore, assuming women had been receiving this “vaccine” every 5 years for the past 60 years, that would statistically have prevented 342 deaths. (I say every 5 years, because the vaccine is shown effective for only 5 years. I say 60 years because that would cover women who are currently 70 years old and started receiving the vaccine at age 10).
Keep in mind that there was a 74% reduction in cervical cancer deaths attributed to pap smears. Oh yea, there aren’t any adverse side effects with pap smears. Oh yea, they don’t cost as much.
OK, let’s chain a few things together…
-> Cervical cancer is largely positively effected by pap smears.
-> Keeping a strong immune system through good nutrition and lifestyle choices dramatically decreases susceptibility to infections of all kinds as well as numerous diseases.
-> The trial sample group for Gardasil was tiny and short term. The REAL “experiment” is happening now with the people voluntarily taking it.
-> There were adverse effects in the trial and there are adverse effects being reported now “in the field”.
-> Whether or not you want (or want your daughter to) become part of Merck’s experiment is your choice. BUT, do inform yourself. I’ve seen the commercial for the product. It exaggerates the situation and then exploits fear.
-> WOMEN: get smeared regularly… maybe we should make pap smears mandatory.
For all those parents and concerned citizens that held up a big red STOP sign – I salute you. It pushed Merck back.
Here are a few more balanced resources:
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read time: 170 words, about a minute
The FDA has directed manufacturers of the 15 ADHD drugs including Ritalin, Adderall and Strattera to include guides with the drug warning about the risks of increased blood pressure, heart rate and even sudden death for kids with heart problems and heart defects. The guides must also warn about the psychiatric problems such as manic behavior and hearing voices.
The directive comes a year after TWO panels of FDA advisors recommended such guides. Bet it takes less time to approve the drugs.
According to the CDC (latest data from 2003), 7.8% of school-aged kids are “diagnosed” with ADHD. No doubt there may be some kids with a true issue, but I believe most of them have NDD… Nutrition Deficit Disorder.
Remember the commercial “This is your brain”… “This is your brain on drugs”. Well HEY, processed foods, sugar, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup and the myriad of other chemicals in attention-captivating packaging promoted by desire-creating, psycho-advertising are the equivalent of drugs.
Eat real food, get real nutrition.
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170 words, about a minute
More anecdotal evidence is coming out that links statins to cognitive misfunctioning namely brain fog, transient global amnesia and Alzheimer’s like symptoms.
As we said two posts ago in Cholesterol: problem or symptom –
your body manufactures cholesterol in the liver
statins lower cholesterol
Back in 2001 Dr. Frank Pfrieger, of Centre de Neurochimie in France showed that cholesterol in the brain was responsible for developing synapses. Synapses allow communication between neurons. So, no cholesterol… impaired synapses… impaired learning and memory. (Still want to lower your cholesterol?)
But wait, there’s more…
Both LDL and HDL molecules circulating in the blood stream are too large to pass through the blood/brain barrier. Thus, brain cholesterol needs to be manufactured in the brain rather than the liver.
However, those wonderful statins DO pass through the blood/brain barrier. Since researchers are able to show that statins lower cholesterol, it is reasonable to assume – tho it has not been scientifically proven to my knowledge – that statins lower cholesterol in the brain.
Coming attraction: the statin stuper
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