The Looming Future of GMO Technology: Transhumanism, Biocrops, and More

The Looming Future of GMO Technology: Transhumanism, Biocrops, and More
We currently fight against Monsanto and GMOs in the food supply, but a greater threat looms within the near future of GMO technology.

Right now we stand on the forefront of intellectual battle against biotechnology giants such as Monsanto who seek to monopolize the food supply through the extensive use of their genetically modified organisms, but what about tomorrow? It’s crucial that we continue the fight against Monsanto and GMO ingredients within the food, but as many are busy campaigning against the visible roots of GMO technology, the unseen roots of the biotech industry have grown much deeper — deep enough to delay any debate over today’s biotech initiatives until tomorrow.

It’s a powerful technique to utilize within the media, and I will highlight the specific key points in how it is deployed. You see as we are hammering Monsanto day in and day out over their pollution of the seed supply, corporations like Dow AgroSciences are working overtime on separate and far more serious initiatives. Initiatives are being set in motion to extend genetic modification to the human body at large. And it’s no longer being done behind the scenes.

Drugs, Vaccines Grown in Crops

One such direction includes what is known as biopharmaceutical farming. which has already been done to the point in which it contaminated the traditional food supply. For starters, a biopharmaceutical crop is one that actually grows the components of certain drugs or vaccinations. This can include anything from widescale birth control and antidepressants to the latest vaccination being pushed on the public. In the case of the 2002 contamination that actually led to a criminal trial, a company known as ProdiGene decided to begin planting a ton of biopharmaceutical crops that contained ingredients for vaccinations like AIDS, diabates, and diarrhea.

These biopharmaceutical crops, as it turns out, were mixed with traditional crops and the farmers had no idea. Despite this fact along with a series of criminal charges and some bad press, ProdiGene declined to apologize. In fact, they continue to assert that biopharmaceutical crops are the answer. They were eventually hit with $500,000 in fines and some minor words from the USDA, but assert along with Dow AgroSciences that by 2014 they will manage to weasel in around $200 billion worth of biopharmaceutical farming. They even are claiming that 10% of the corn within the US will be biopharmaceutical by that time.

One company even suggested creating spermicidal corn used as a mass contraceptive on the population. In an AlterNet piece covering the issue entitled ‘Spermicidal Breakfast Cereal’, author Carmelo Ruiz-Marrero asks:

“What would happen if contraceptive corn or antibiotic wheat accidentally made it to the supermarket? Nobody knows, but that isn’t stopping agribusiness from pursuing these crops.”

GMO Humanity

Beyond crops, biotech scientists are already creating human hybrid experiments that go past any moral debate and into the realm of pure insanity. With the announcement of the 2045 program, which is essentially a ‘public friendly, soft’ PR version of a mission to create genetically modified ‘super’ bodies called avatars, these creations will ’replace the human body’. That’s the intention at least.

Very few news sources have actually discussed projects like the 2045 program, which is absolutely one of the lightest of the many GMO tech adaption projects that sit under the label of transhumanism and Singularity (the final stage of the 2045 project in which the ‘mind’ of men is turned into a neural network). The project, which is being led by a Russian scientist, Dmitry Itskov, and his team of biotech associates, projects ‘holographic avatar’ bodies available by 2015. From there:

2015-2020 Plan

During this time period scientists are estimating to have created ‘avatar’ bodies which are controlled with a ‘brain-computer’ chip interface system — likely RFID in nature. This chip would be established to issue ‘orders’ to the artificial body and eventually interlink with the artificial brain that comes later.

2020-2025

This time frame involves the linking of the human brain and robot with an ‘autonomous life-support system’, giving way to a new field of transhumanistic developments and further turning the human body into a bio-electronic ‘avatar’.

2030-2035

In this second to last period, ‘human consciousness’ is to be planted into an artificial carrier or ‘brain’ which will then accordingly create what scientists label ‘cybernetic immortality’. Artificial intelligence will emerge with robots likely taking the role of all military, police, and others. These robots will have their own form of artificial ‘consciousness’.

Year 2045

The artificial brain turns into something that has no substance, linking into an ‘internet’ of sorts in which the ‘global consciousness’ network is established. Humanity is set to “become a new species” and forfeit any form of physical materialization.

Ultimately, current GMO tech transforms through time with the final goal being a large scale override of the human race. The ways in which this technology can be manipulated for corrupt and malicious reasons is limitless, and even major players within the transhumanism realm agree that it is far too extreme and immoral. One top Singularity CEO even admitted that yes, Singulairty will not go well for humans. The result will actually be the GMO bodies devastating the human race. He stated in an interview:

“Unfortunately, the singularity may not be what you’re hoping for. By default the singularity (intelligence explosion) will go very badly for humans… so by default superhuman AIs will end up optimizing the world around us for something other than what we want, and using up all our resources to do so.“

So why let biotech companies allow us to get to that point? The reality is that we can resist it, it’s just a matter of even acknowledging the existence of this threat. The future of GMO tech looms eerily above unnoticed to the general public — even to many GMO activists. There is a serious need to fight GMOs in foods on the front lines, but it’s not too late to realize that their real Ace has yet to be played.

Source: naturalsociety.com

Antidepressants During Pregnancy Could Lead to Child’s Neurobehavioral Problems

Antidepressants During Pregnancy Could Lead to Child’s Neurobehavioral Problems
There have been countless studies to date that demonstrate the serious risks of women taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs- a class of antidepressants) during pregnancy. The drugs have been linked to preterm delivery, miscarriage, and increased risk of behavioral issues, autism, and seizures in the child.

There have been countless studies to date that demonstrate the serious risks of women taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs- a class of antidepressants) during pregnancy. The drugs have been linked to preterm delivery, miscarriage,  and increased risk of behavioral issues, autism, and seizures in the child. And for every medial story we see covering these risks, we see a disclaimer about the risks of women going off their anti-depressants. What these arguments in favor of SSRI’s fail to recognize is that there are very real and very effective ways to help depressed women through pregnancy without the use of drugs.

An estimated one-in-ten adults in the United States takes anti-depressants, and the majority of these are SSRI’s. They are the most popular prescription drugs, and people of all ages and all walks of life take them—this includes women who are pregnant.

These wildly popular drugs have wildly dangerous effects, however. It’s been estimated that anywhere from 15 to 30% of babies born to mothers who took SSRIs while pregnant have some neurobehavioral problem. These babies are also far more likely to be born preterm or to not be born at all. And often times, women are not being warned of these effects.

Many within mainstream medicine would argue that the risks of going off of antidepressants while pregnant are greater than staying on them—that a depressed woman is less likely to get her regular check-ups, to eat right, or take care of herself. But, to them, we say—these women are not living in a bubble.

In modern times, we have taken independence to whole new, and frightening levels. There was a time when women would gather around a pregnant woman to help her ensure she would deliver a healthy baby and keep her healthy mind in tact throughout the wild ride of pregnancy. What is missing for many women now is that support system.

We know depression is not a simple case of the blues. But we also know that it’s not just a “chemical imbalance” as many doctors would have you think. Time and time again, you can find cases of people successfully beating depression through natural means—including diet, herbs, exercise, and behavioral therapy when warranted.

Antidepressants During Pregnancy? Try Some Other Solutions

As it stands, if a woman is depressed and finds out she is pregnant, she will ask her doctor and may do some internet research on the topic. What she’ll find is very conflicting information. Here’s to hoping that increasing coverage of the risks of these drugs will lead to a greater amount of information on natural ways to treat depression—both for the sake of the pregnant woman and her unborn child.

Medication during pregnancy simply may not be the best idea. Here are a few tips to shake yourself of depressive feelings:

• Try acupuncture

• Try yoga

• Boost your vitamin D levels by spending time in the sun or supplementing with vitamin D3

• Avoid junk food, fast food, and soda

• Engage in some physical activity

• Take life more lightly

Additional Sources:

CNN

Source: naturalsociety.com

Do You Want Flawless and Younger Looking Skin? Consider Skin Resurfacing!

Factors like ageing, acne, continuous exposure to sun and pollution cause various skin disorders like wrinkles, scars, pigmentation and discoloration. These disorders are unsightly and can affect ones personality and confidence. There are many aesthetics treatment alternatives available in the market for facial skin rejuvenation. Some of the common procedures include chemical peels, face lifts, Botox injections, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing is a revolutionary treatment that has proven very effective in providing remarkable and long lasting results. Full article

Natox As a Natural Botox

Natox As a Natural Botox
Natox is actually a natural anti-wrinkle cream made from 100% absolute organic substances. Natox is more than just an anti-wrinkle cream though. It can provide the effects of Botox without any of the pain or the side effects that usually occurs after repeated usage of this procedure.
Source: EzineArticles.com

Magnesium is a Powerful Natural Anti-Inflammatory Mineral

Magnesium is a Powerful Natural Anti-Inflammatory Mineral
While magnesium has always been known to be a very powerful mineral, a new study involving 3,713 postmenopausal women has fully shown it's anti-inflammatory effects. With 100 mg of magnesium per day, anti-inflammatory properties were experienced.

A study involving more than 3,700 postmenopausal women looked at the effects of dietary magnesium and found something quite promising: that the mineral can have a dramatic impact on inflammation throughout the body. As the trigger to many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, inflammation is often only directly combated when people feel it’s effects. But, with this new research, we learn that we can reduce inflammation throughout the body without drugs and without waiting for the effects to send us to a medical doctor.

The study found “inflammatory indicators in the body such as CRP (C-reactive protein), TNF (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and IL6 (interleukin 6) were all reduced when magnesium intake was increased.” Also, inflammation in the arterial walls was also reduced with magnesium intake.

Inflammation in the walls of the arteries can lead to cardiovascular disease. Inflammation throughout the body can lead to a host of additional diseases including the obvious inflammatory ones like arthritis, but could also be the cause of things like Alzheimer’s. Many natural health experts subscribe to the belief that inflammation is actually at the heart of all disease.

While the study provides good news in the fight against inflammation, we cannot reap the benefits of magnesium without consuming the mineral. And the modern diet is replete of it.

When you consume a steady diet of processed foods, you aren’t getting much of anything in the way of nutritional value; and this includes magnesium. But, rather than running out to get a magnesium supplement to take with your value meal tonight, try including some magnesium–rich foods in your diet. These foods include:

• Dried herbs including coriander, mint, dill, chives, sage, and basil
• Dark chocolate
• Pumpkin seeds
• Flax seeds
• Brazil nuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Molasses

These magnesium-rich foods would make a great homemade trail mix and can help you fight chronic disease while you nosh.

Additional Sources:

WellnessResources

WellnessLetter

HealthAliciousNess.com

Source: naturalsociety.com

Drinking Water Over Fizzy Drinks Slashes Diabetes Risk

Drinking Water Over Fizzy Drinks Slashes Diabetes Risk
There is a simple way to avoid diabetes: choose purified water over sugar-sweetened fizzy drinks. Researchers from Harvard University have tied consumption of carbonated beverages such as soda to diabetes. The key is fructose consumption.

There is a simple way to avoid diabetes: choose purified water over sugar-sweetened fizzy drinks. Researchers from Harvard University have tied consumption of carbonated beverages such as soda to diabetes. The key is fructose consumption.

While pure fructose is naturally occurring in fruit, there are also a number of potent vitamins and nutrients that go along with it that allow for slow absorption (though too much fructose even from fruit is not good). Soda, on the other hand, is essentially liquid fructose — and oftentimes it contains high fructose corn syrup, which is a genetically modified form of fructose that contains mercury.

There are countless reasons to put away the soda and to choose water instead. Not only do fizzy drinks simply not quench your thirst like H2O, they can (and do) destroy your health. And researchers with Harvard University point out yet another reason to avoid the beverages—water can help you drop pounds when replacing fizzy soft drinks.

“There is convincing evidence that regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased risk of obesity and diabetes, and emerging evidence that these beverages increase the risk for heart disease,” says Professor Frank Hu of the Harvard School of Public Health.

Professor Hu and his colleagues suggest that reducing the consumption of sugary drinks can reduce the risk of such lifestyle diseases and help combat obesity as well. Duh.

Soda is just one of the many culprits contributing to the massive consumption of sugar in the United States. This sugar can lead to insulin-resistance, which is a predictor of Type-2 diabetes. And as the Daily Mail points out, diabetes can raise your risk of heart disease by up to five times.

So, if you have weight to lose, want to avoid diabetes and heart disease, and would like to take one small step towards better health—ditch the soda.

But don’t make the mistake of abandoning regular soft drinks only to switch to drinking diet sodas. But why, is diet soda bad for you? All sodas are bad for you and this includes those that tout calorie and sugar-free labels. As a matter of fact, some of the ingredients used in diet sodas could be just as damaging as the sugar and high fructose corn syrup in the regular ones. Most recently diet soda consumption has been linked to depression and kidney function decline.

Instead of reaching for a can of soda or a diet drink, try unsweetened iced tea or a simple glass of water. If you crave something a little more flavorful—add fruit! Fruit-infused waters are a breeze to make and won’t hurt your waistline or damage your life-expectancy.

Additional Sources:

DailyMail.co.uk

Source: naturalsociety.com

5 Benefits of Sunlight You Probably Never Knew About

5 Benefits of Sunlight You Probably Never Knew About
Most of us thank sunlight in terms of natural healing for one thing: the sunshine vitamin - vitamin D. But cavity- and cancer-preventing vitamin D isn't the only reason to spend time in the sun. Here are 5 benefits of sunlight you probably never knew about.

Most of us thank sunlight in terms of natural healing for one thing: the sunshine vitamin – vitamin D. But cavity- and cancer-preventing vitamin D isn’t the only reason to spend time in the sun. Here are 5 benefits of sunlight you probably never knew about.

1. Benefits of Sunlight - Sunlight Helps Kill Pain

In a 2005 study, patients staying on the well-lit side of their hospital unit, thereby receiving about 46 percent greater sunlight exposure, experienced less perceived stress, took 22 percent less analgesic medication hourly, and incurred 21 percent less pain medication cost. Whether they were exposed to sunlight through glass or with windows open is not stated in the study. Natural brightness of sunshine may very well have had these effects on the patients, but keep in mind that some aspects of sunlight, like the ignition of vitamin D production, doesn’t happen through glass.

2. It Can Help You Lose Weight

Sunlight affects our metabolism to the point of helping to burn subcutaneous fat, according to a study published in The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Vitamin D and weight loss are closely tied, with the vitamin being regularly inversely correlated with visceral fat and obesity. One study published in Anticancer Research found that the greater the levels of vitamin D among Hispanics and African Americans, the lower their adiposity, including abdominal obesity.

Want to burn fat? Spend between 10 and 30 minutes in the sunlight, depending on your skin pigment, in the two hours on either side of noon without sunscreen daily in the summer. Winter months will require longer periods in the sun, food rich in vitamin D, or even moderate supplementation.

3. Sunlight Via Solar Cycles May Determine Lifespan

Researchers of a study published in Medical Hypothesis say:

“Persons conceived and likely born during the peaks (MAX approximately 3 years) of approximately 11-year solar cycles lived an average 1.7 years less than those conceived and likely born during non-peaks (MIN approximately 8 years). Increased energy at solar MAX, albeit relatively a small 0.1 percent increase from MIN, apparently modifies the human genome/epigenome and engenders changes that predispose to various diseases, thereby shortening lifespan.”

The researchers believe that this sun-derived variation in the genome may be intended to help us adapt to a changing environment.

4. Sunlight Makes You More Alert at Night

Subjects felt more alert in the evening after 6 hours of daylight exposure compared to those who, in the same study, were only exposed to artificial light. The latter group became sleepier in the evening. For those of us working late into the night (or just trying to stay awake through a movie), spending more time in the sun may help.

5. Plants Aren’t the Only Ones to Convert Sunlight to Energy

Melanin is a paradoxical thing: it adds pigment to our hair and skin and reduces damage to DNA, but an excess of it can turn malignant (melanoma). Researchers who published their seemingly outlandish hypothesis in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine say that the melanin in our skin may act as solar panels and ingest energy from the sun, just like plants, by converting gamma and ultraviolent radiation into metabolic energy.

“Animal inability to utilize light energy directly has been traditionally assumed,” write co-authors Goodman and Bercovich. They cite the avian pectin, a strange organ that “may help cope with energy and nutrient needs under extreme conditions, by a marginal but critical, melanin-initiated conversion of light to metabolic energy, coupled to local metabolite recycling.  …  Melanin and the pectin may have unexpected lessons also for human physiology and medicine.”

Additional Sources:

GreenMedInfo

�

Source: naturalsociety.com

What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About Aging, And Your Momma Didn't Know

What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About Aging, And Your Momma Didn't Know
I don't know about you, but I'd choose natural and I'll reveal why. Up until a couple of years ago, I didn't really think much about hormones and their effect one way or the other on my body. Most of us probably don't until we are faced with some kind of side effects or major health issues, such as:
Source: EzineArticles.com

Anti Aging HGH Supplements

Anti Aging HGH Supplements
Anti aging HGH supplements have been around for many years now and despite some controversy the fact remains that they do work even though the claim of reversing the aging process may be exaggerated in most cases. What is not always mentioned is that there is nothing magical about anti aging HGH supplements.
Source: EzineArticles.com

7 Lifestyle Mistakes That Make You Look Older

Looking fresh faced and youthful is something we all strive for, but you could be sabotaging yourself by making nutrition and lifestyle mistakes that prematurely age you. This article will help you identify those mistakes so you can avoid them and stay looking healthy and vibrant. Full article

Is Human Growth Hormone (HGH) The "Fountain of Youth?"

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) supplements are controversial. Recent clinical studies are showing a surprising trend. Experts now agree that progress is being made. Source

Weight Loss Tip: Sprinkle Red Chili Peppers on Your Dinner – Here’s Why

Weight Loss Tip: Sprinkle Red Chili Peppers on Your Dinner – Here’s Why
Capsaicin, a compound responsible for the hotness of many peppers, is thought to increase the rate at which the body burns fat, ease pain, lower cholesterol and support healthy heart function. The compound is especially studied for its ability to aid in weight loss, where researchers from Purdue University in Indiana found that capsaicin reduces hunger and increases energy expenditure.

Although chili peppers have great culinary value, they are also valued for medicinal benefits. Capsaicin, a compound responsible for the hotness of many peppers, is thought to increase the rate at which the body burns fat, ease pain, lower cholesterol and support healthy heart function. The compound is especially studied for its ability to aid in weight loss, where researchers from Purdue University in Indiana found  that capsaicin reduces hunger and increases energy expenditure.

The study involved 25 adults at a healthy weight and was conducted over a 6 week period. Using ground up cayenne red pepper – something anyone can purchase at their local super market (as with any food, organic is the best option), the researchers measured capsaicin’s role in weight loss.

They found that red pepper consumption ignited a greater natural energy expenditure, “maximizes the digestive process”, and caused people to feel less hungry overall – particularly for fatty, sweet, and salty foods.

“We found that consuming red pepper can help manage appetite and burn more calories after a meal, especially for individuals who do not consume the spice regularly,” said Professor Richard Mattes. “That burn in your mouth is responsible for that effect…It turns out you get a more robust effect if you include the sensory part because the burn contributes to a rise in body temperature, energy expenditure and appetite control.”

Other Research

Another study revealed that adding capsaicin to the diet actually helps to reduce the effect of consumed dietary fat. All three groups of rats had gained weight. However, the rats who received capsaicin in addition to a high-fat diet, gained 8 percent less than the rats that didn’t receive the capsaicin. As a matter of fact, those receiving capsaicin and given the high-fat diet gained only a little  more weight than the rats on a completely normal diet.

Chili Pepper Origin

Chili peppers are thought to have originated in Mexico around 7,000 BC. The fiery “hotness” of these pretty little peppers comes from capsaicin, which is located on the inside of the fruit. While many people think that it is the seeds that produce the heat in a pepper, the heat actually comes from the glands within the fruit, with the hottest part being the placenta that attaches the seed to the pod.

How to Use Hot Peppers

Although capsaicin is available in capsule form, it seems that consuming the actual pepper is more effective than taking a a capsule. Integrating chili peppers into your everyday meals is not as difficult as it might seem. Try sprinkling hot peppers in meats, soups or even on roasted vegetables. Adding a little bit of capsaicin will not make a dish overly hot for those that are sensitive, but will pack a powerful punch when it comes to boosting health and losing weight.

Additional Sources:

Daily Mail

Student.Biology.Arizona.edu

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Source: naturalsociety.com

Is There A Difference Between Anti Aging Cream And Anti Wrinkle Cream?

Is There A Difference Between Anti Aging Cream And Anti Wrinkle Cream?
Whether you're purchasing your aging skin care products online, in the department store or at your local drugstore, you may notice one thing they all have in common: so many different ways of describing the process of getting older and how to age gracefully - if not avoid it altogether - that it can make your head spin. Anti-wrinkle, lifting, anti-aging, toning and firming - with so many types of products and descriptions of how to get rid of wrinkles, how do you even begin the process of finding the right one? How do you differentiate between all the labels?...
Source: EzineArticles.com

Find Your Hot Button

Staying motivated and maintaining that motivation are essential, no matter what your age or position in life. One of the keys we're told is always having something to look forward to. Irrespective of your age, gender, social position, or whatever, this article is well-worth a read. Full article

Useful Information If You Are Considering Botox Treatments

There are many reasons why you might be considering having Botox treatments, and these reasons will be causing you untold anxiety and stress. However, before you sign up for a course of treatments it's important to understand what Botox is, how it can help and why would you not want to use it. Read here

India Signs Mandatory GMO Labeling into Law

India Signs Mandatory GMO Labeling into Law
The labeling of products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) within the nation of India is now mandated by law.

Paving the way for other nations to introduce similar legislation and inform consumers what they’re really putting into their mouths, the labeling of products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) within the nation of India is now mandated by law. The country’s Ministry of Consumer Affairsmakes declared in a June 5, 2012 notice that all GMO-containing packaged foods must be labeled by January 1, 2013 or face legal repercussions.

Each package containing GM ingredients will clearly be labeled directly on the prime real estate of the package as ‘GM’. A warning that many heads of organizations and even bodies within the Indian government are praising for its ability to inform individuals as to what they are really feeding their family.

“The labelling will basically help inform the consumer about the presence of GM content in packaged food products,” said B.N.Dixit, Director, Legal Metrology, Department of Consumer Affairs.

In the wake of crippled labeling attempts inside the United States thanks to Monsanto-backed corporate deception, such as phony campaign materials designed to deceive California’s Prop 37 GMO labeling campaign, this is an extremely bold message by India. A message that will likely be picked up by neighboring countries where citizens have been demanding GMO labeling — or even an outright ban. The move also comes after other countries like Poland already took moves to ban Monsanto’s genetically modified maize.

Even states like New Mexico and Washington are now pushing forward with legislation that would make labeling mandatory.

While the labeling declaration is certainly a victory, some Indian experts are saying that it would be much more of a victory for somewhere like the US, where around 90% of food products are pre-packaged or processed. The opposite is true in India, where much of the food available in local markets is whole food items and raw materials. In other words, the Indian citizens still prepare meals by hand in many cases. This means that they are using non-packaged food items like produce that may not be labeled.

Nonetheless, the law allows for an advancement in the lengthy fight against GMOs, which have been linked to a host of serious illnesses ranging from tumor development to infertility.

Source: naturalsociety.com

Should You Do Facial Exercises To Firm Your Skin?

Should You Do Facial Exercises To Firm Your Skin?
As your skin ages, it doesn't look quite as tight and full as it did in your younger days. This is why women flock to stores and doctors looking for a simple fix to their aging woes, spending literally millions per year hoping this time it will be the solution to wrinkle reduction.
Source: EzineArticles.com

McDonald’s McRib Sandwich a Franken Creation of GMOs, Toxic Ingredients, Banned Ingredients

McDonald’s McRib Sandwich a Franken Creation of GMOs, Toxic Ingredients, Banned Ingredients
McDonald's McRib contains over 70 ingredients, including 'restructured meat' made from pig heart, and ingredients used in making yoga mats banned in Europe.

It’s ‘McRib season’, and thousands across the nation are scrambling to use online websites like the ‘McRib locator‘ to stuff the McDonald’s McRib sandwich down their throats. A sandwich that is not only full of genetically modified ingredients, a medley of toxic fillers and preservatives, but also some ingredients that are actually banned in other nations around the world. But honestly, are you surprised?

The McRib is the result of intensive marketing by McDonald’s. Utilizing the basics of supply and demand through creating scarcity over the McRib by only unleashing the culinary abomination for a fraction of the year that is only known once it is released, McDonald’s fans have been known to ‘hoard’ McRib sandwiches and eat them in extreme excess. It’s even a topic of the popular documentary Super Size Me, where filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (who gorges himself with McDonald’s for 30 days only to find serious health consequences) encounters ‘McRib hunters’ who actually travel the country eating McRib sandwiches.

Related: 3 Fast Food Secret Ingredients

McDonald’s even made McRib fans sign a petition to ‘save the McRib’ online, bringing out a conglomerate of fans to bring back their favorite franken sandwich.

What’s Inside a McDonald’s McRib Sandwich?

But what’s really inside the McRib specifically that makes it such a food abomination? Containing over 70 ingredients, the McRib is full of surprises — including ‘restructured meat’ technology that includes traditionally-discarded animal parts brought together to create a rib-like substance. Here’s some of the disturbing substances found within the McDonald’s McRib sandwich:

A flour-bleaching agent used in yoga mats

Out of the 70 ingredients that make up the ‘pork’ sandwich, a little-known flour-bleaching agent known as azodicarbonamide lies among them. At first glance, this strange ingredient sounds concerning enough to look into. After a little research, you will find that even mainstream media outlets have generated content revealing how azodicarbonamide is actually used in the production of foamed plastics. Foamed plastics like yoga mats and more.

What’s more? In Australia and Europe, the use of azodicarbonamide as a food additive is banned. In Singapore specifically, use of this substance in food can result in a $450,000 fine and 15 years in jail. Thank you McDonald’s for supplying the nation with such healthful ingredients.

‘Restructured Meat’ from Pig Heart, Tongue, Stomach

McDonald’s McRib is famous in some circles for utilizing what’s known as ‘restructured meat’ technology. Since McDonald’s knows you’d never eat a pig heart, tongue, or stomach on your plate, they decided instead to grind up these ingredients and put them into the form of a typical rib. That way, consumers won’t know what they’re putting into their mouths. As the Chicago Mag reported, the innovator of this technology back in 1995 said it best:

“Most people would be extremely unhappy if they were served heart or tongue on a plate… but flaked into a restructured product it loses its identity.Such products as tripe, heart, and scalded stomachs…”

So in other words, it’s not actually a rib. Instead, it’s a combination of unwanted animal scraps processed down in major facilities and ‘restructured’ into the form of a rib. Then, 70 additives, chemicals, fillers, and GMO ingredients later, you have a ‘meat’ product that tastes like ribs.

For a visual representation with a full list, here’s an image summarizing what it calls the ‘McDiabetes McRib’ — complete with GMO indicators (click to enlarge):

Source: naturalsociety.com

The True Story of Human Growth Hormone

Human Growth Hormone was discovered in the 1920's. Since then, efforts have intensified to find an ample supply and use it in a beneficial manner. Source

Meredith Melnick: The Biggest Loser Recap: Jillian's Back

Meredith Melnick: The Biggest Loser Recap: Jillian's Back

Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you haven't yet season Part 1 of NBC's The Biggest Loser Season 14 Premiere.

We've all been waiting and now it's happened ... Jillian's back! After two seasons away, during which she and her partner welcomed two children into the family, America's favorite trainer has returned to the gym and she's not wasting any time. During the first part of The Biggest Loser's Season 14 premiere, three of Jillian Michael's five teammates collapsed in the gym and one quit for good.

But despite her histrionics and real talk, Jillian wasn't the true star of last night's show. That distinction went to the three obese teenagers: 16-year-old Sanjana "Sunny" Chandrasekar and 13-year-olds Lindsay Bravo and Noah "Biingo" Gray. The three teens opened up about what it was like to face the judgment of peers and to have to sit out from their friends' activities because of their weight problems.

"I always feel like people are looking at me and judging me for my weight, not for the person I am," said Sunny in one particularly emotional moment.

The young contestants will remain on The Biggest Loser campus for only the first week and will then move their weight loss efforts back home. They won't participate in weigh-ins or be eliminated, but they will be a major part of the show, which is trying to spotlight the nation's high rates of childhood obesity (which has tripled in the past 30 years).

"With the kids, we wanted to do exactly the opposite of when we work with the adults," trainer Bob Harper told journalists assembled at the 2013 Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour. "We do no breaking down, just lifting up ... It's about getting kids to move around again and getting kids to be kids."

The season premiere of The Biggest Loser is taking place over two days, with the second part Monday at 8 p.m. But during the first two-hour show, we've already caught a glimpse into the struggle of obesity, and it isn't just physical.

"This is far more emotional than I could have ever imagined," said Nicole "Nikki" Davis, a 26-year-old make-up artist from California. During a workout with Jillian, Nikki broke down and admitted that she wasn't ready for a change. The show hinted at underlying emotional problems without ever fully addressing them.

"The reality of it is that there are people who are not ready for the process, and I tend to find that when they are not ready, it's far more damaging than positive to push them. So I never really got anywhere with her -- never even got to engage in any in-depth conversation," Michaels told the Examiner.

"We know she has a very dark past, and I personally don't feel qualified to have handled Nikki's situation. And I don't feel The Biggest Loser was the place she needed to undergo the things she needs to get better."

That's an important message for viewers: do not judge the quitters. In many instances, they are bravely taking care of themselves, despite the disappointment they'll face.

But Nikki wasn't the only one who struggled emotionally. TC, the season's first dismissed contestant, collapsed during a five-mile walk on a treadmill. In response, Jillian ordered him out of the gym, embarrassing him. "I felt worthless," he told fellow contestant, Kate.

"We've been feeling worthless all our lives," Kate sympathized.

During an emotional weigh-in, Jillian's four-person team lost another member when TC -- a 30-year-old father of 3 -- was automatically eliminated for losing the lowest percentage of his body weight. But don't get too upset: in a reveal after the show, TC was shown racing around with his children, 41 pounds lighter and still losing.

Did you watch? What do you think of the new season so far? Tell us in the comments!

Follow Meredith Melnick on Twitter: www.twitter.com/meredithcm

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

5 Common Dieting Mistakes To Avoid

5 Common Dieting Mistakes To Avoid

By Cynthia Sass

"I eat mostly veggies and I still haven't lost any weight!" the woman wailed. A mom of three, she was in my office on her first ever visit to a dietitian, 20 pounds overweight -- and unknowingly derailing herself with her limited diet. Time and again, I see both classic and modern-day eating mistakes that have a huge impact on weight, health, and quality of life. These are the top blunders and the simple solutions I tell clients that will help you, too.

More from Health.com:
16 Ways to Lose Weight Fast
Diet Crutches: What Works, What Doesn't
25 Ways to Cut 500 Calories A Day

Assuming 'Good' Calories Don't Count
I constantly see women overdoing it on whole grains because they're good for them. They are so important for your health, but large portions cause weight gain, period. The other day at a Mexican restaurant, I noticed women ordering gigantic bowls of brown rice with beans and chicken and cheese and guacamole, and it took every inch of willpower not to tell them, "Those foods are all good for you, but together they're way more calories than your body needs at one meal!" The truth is, unless you burn off as many calories as you take in, you'll put on pounds. Even fruit and veggies (gasp!) get converted to fat.

RD Rx: Know what your daily portions should be. Here's a plan for a 5-foot-4, 150-pound woman who walks 30 minutes two to three days a week:

• 4 servings of veggies (1 serving = 1 cup)
• 4 servings of whole grains (1 serving = a slice of whole-grain bread or a half cup of brown rice)
• 4 servings of lean protein (1 serving = 3 ounces of meat or a half cup of beans)
• 4 servings of healthy fat (1 serving = 1 tablespoon of oil or a quarter of an avocado)

Ditching A Food Group (Or Three)
I'm seeing more women on vegan and gluten-free diets, not for ethical or health reasons but to shed pounds. Thing is, if you don't replace those lost carbs, protein, and fat -- a.k.a. macronutrients -- it can lead to weight gain, fatigue, irritability, and digestive issues. You need the Goldilocks approach to macronutrients: not too little, not too much.

RD Rx: Complement a veggie-centric meal with a half-cup of beans, or a couple tablespoons of nuts; get in healthy carbs with gluten-free quinoa or brown rice. You'll see a difference! One vegan client used to eat just raw veggies, oil, and vinegar for dinner. Once she switched to a few cups of roasted veggies with wild rice, herbed lentils, and a few tablespoons of walnuts -- adding carbs and protein -- she broke her weight-loss plateau (thanks, newly revved metabolism) and vanquished her chronic bloating and fatigue.

Not Eating Often Enough
It may be tempting to "save up" calories for dinner out or the weekend, but that can sap energy, mess with your mood, and force your body to burn muscle for fuel -- which slows your metabolism. One study found that when people ate just one large meal late in the day, they upped their risk of prediabetes. I once had a client who stopped losing weight because she moved her afternoon snack to the evening -- which meant a seven-hour stretch of no food between lunch and dinner and two rounds of eating at night, when her activity was low

RD Rx: It's simple: Eat every three to five hours. Once my client moved her snack back to 4 p.m., the scale dial budged again.

Eating Your Feelings
One woman I work with regularly overate. She had a high-pressure job and a demanding family, and she was a perfectionist with a spotless home. I'll never forget the stunned look on her face when I asked how she felt while overeating. "It feels like reckless abandon, like a moment of freedom," she said. Ta-da!

RD Rx: Keep a log of what you eat, how much, and your feelings before and after. It's an eye-opener; one client saw that she craved crunchy or chewy foods when she was mad at her boss or husband. The trick is to replace eating with other coping mechanisms. The perfectionist started going salsa dancing; the thrill of polishing off a pizza dwindled, and she shrank two sizes in three months.

Doing A Quick Fix
Every woman I've counseled has tried a fad diet. A drastic low-cal plan sends your body into conservation mode, so you burn calories slower. It can also cause headaches, moodiness, fatigue, cravings, and, of course, only temporary weight loss.

RD Rx: Jot this on a sticky note for your fridge: NO fad diet is good for my health or happiness. Then avoid them like the plague.

"Common Dieting Mistakes, Solved" originally appeared on Health.com

Also on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Toni Emerson: A New Take On Finding Your 'Life's Purpose'

Toni Emerson: A New Take On Finding Your 'Life's Purpose'

Let's talk about another cliff that we are facing at this time of year. No, not the fiscal cliff, but the "Let's Figure Out My New Year's Resolutions" cliff. If the prospect of sitting down and summoning your purposeful intentions for the upcoming 2013 year daunts you a little, take heart, you are not alone.

It's that time of year when spiritual and self-help leaders encourage us to take stock of our past year's accomplishments (or, God forbid, lack of) and summon our next year's. Now is the time to identify our goals and write down our New Year's resolutions along with the steps we commit to take in order to manifest our dreams and visions into reality.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for taking inspired action to fulfill our goals. A clear, organized mind is the best asset to success. I am also an enthusiastic visionary and planner. However, the "let's empower ourselves" line too often gets blurred with the "let's find our true purpose" line, leaving many people unnecessarily scrambling to find this chimeric, pied-piperish big goal which eludes capture: our life purpose.

There are countless courses out there to help us define our life's overriding purpose. None of them are free, and most of them are helping someone else's business purpose. If you are like me, you've tried a few with very little long-lasting success. Sure, our worth barometer gets pumped up for a while. The excitement of finally aligning ourselves with our true destiny is a "high" that sells at a hefty price!

Invariably though, like any high that is generated from outside sources, this one is followed by a disappointing low when our life goal seems to be shifting through the fingers of destiny. Hmm.... Well, maybe that wasn't our real purpose after all. Maybe we should still search our minds and hearts and find the big one, the one that will carry us through life without ever having to ponder the big questions again.

If only it should be that easy, right? The truth is that very few people have an identifiable, sustainable life vocation, or true calling, that shapes their walk through life and keeps them centered, from the inside out, to fulfill their actions in the world. These people are easily recognizable when we meet them: Their life is a continuous expression of the work they are doing in the world. They have dedicated their entire being to their cause, regardless of success or failure (this is an important distinction that the self-help community generally fails to mention), and oftentimes the cause eclipses their own personal needs or the needs of people around them. Their purpose on earth is to embody their cause and to shepherd it to the world.

These blessed souls are far and few in between. The rest of us are beating to a different drum, the human life drum. Our purpose may not look like anything special or distinct to the outside eye, however, it is no less powerful and worth living. But you won't find it by taking a course or filling out a questionnaire. This purpose is intimately personal and unfolding moment to moment. It is so close to us, woven into our daily lives, that we usually miss it altogether because we are busy looking elsewhere, again, for the big one.

What if our purpose is exactly who we are at this very moment and what we are doing right now? Ask yourself: Which part of me really wants to nail down this elusive life purpose? Is it my mind, my heart, my soul, or my ego? Am I confusing my passions, hobbies, or work endeavors for my life purpose? If you innocently inquire within, in silence, and open yourself for honest answers to come to you, you may be pleasantly surprised. Chances are you will also feel a sense of relief and peace from stopping, even if just momentarily, the self-created drama of hunting down the overriding reason why you are on the earth!

The soul doesn't need a reason to be here. It just is. We, as human beings alive on the earth, are completely purposeful. Every breath we take and move we make are right on target. If we don't have the awareness to recognize that the ambition of purpose clouds our true, authentic calling, then we may need to spin on the spiritual wheel a while longer. Most of us know better, but we pretend not to. Let's face it, it's easier to continue the search or to try several important life purposes on, than to settle into living life in the present moment and to show up for it exactly as we are.

A lot of people accomplish a great deal of good in the world and the holiday season brims with heartwarming stories of exceptional expressions of human compassion. But, authentic purpose doesn't need to look important or to affect change. As a matter of fact, it may not have any outwardly expression. How about that for a new concept? Maybe purpose is still a way for the egocentric mind to steer us further away from living a life anchored in peace and love. It keeps us looking over there, while life is happening over here.

I speak from personal experience, believe me. I tried to identify the important reason I am on this earth, and every time I did (or I thought I did), life always pushed me forward and purpose which seemed set in stone yesterday looks very different today. The rush of excitement and the feeling of victory that I felt were temporarily comforting, but they were followed by real sadness and disappointment when the density of purpose gave way to a less tangible, yet much more powerful, simple state of being. Over the years, purpose became softer, less ego-identifiable. It went from being an outward expression of my deepest desires and goals to an inward wisdom that dropped into my heart and quieted the search.

There is a difference between fulfilling our worldly desires, our dreams, our hopes and merging entirely with our life experience. One doesn't negate the other, but if finding the big purpose keeps us living on the outskirts of our lives, we are not there yet. Purpose to the ego looks very different than purpose to the entire being that we are. It' s ok to leave it undefined, or even to not find it! Life's journey takes care of keeping us right on purpose, whether we recognize it or not.

My purpose is to live life as it comes, to weather the ups and downs and all the in-betweens with an open heart, to be responsible for my actions and reactions. I have goals and ambitions fueled by an enormous amount of passion. Some of these goals get accomplished and many of them do not. That's life. If there is another overriding purpose to my life, I am happy to say that it is none of my business! If you have an overriding purpose, congrats and enjoy the feeling! But if you don't, I invite you to join me and to relax in the knowingness that we are on a fantastic life ride full of opportunities to feel the full spectrum of human emotions -- including the joy of a purposeless life.

Toni Emerson is a writer, a holistic coach and a spiritual activist.

For more by Toni Emerson, click here.

For more on wisdom, click here.

Follow Toni Emerson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@Toni_Emerson

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

11 Home Remedies for Various Ailments

11 Home Remedies for Various Ailments
The next time you think about taking a trip to the drug store, don't! With all the ills of modern allopathic medicine and toxin-ridden pharmaceuticals, it's best to give nature a chance. Nature, after all, offers affordable, effective, and less harmful treatments. Here are 11 home remedies for various ailments and issues.

The next time you think about taking a trip to the drug store, check back here for some various home remedies.

Admittedly, some old-fashioned cures are best left in history books, but the ones we’ve included here are backed by modern researchers and scientists and great-grandma’s stubborn insistence. She didn’t have Neosporin in her bathroom cabinet growing up, and what with all the ills of modern allopathic medicine and toxin-ridden pharmaceuticals, maybe you shouldn’t either. Nature, after all, offers affordable, effective, and less harmful treatments.

Here are 11 home remedies for various ailments and issues.

1. Eat Yogurt for Bad Breath

Good bacteria can trounce bad bacteria, and preliminary research indicates that the good bacteria in yogurt can kill off the bad bacteria causing bad breath, according to John C. Moon, DDS. To get the most from your yogurt, be sure that it’s organic to avoid antibiotics and toxic residue. Remember also that the healthiest animal products come from healthy animals raised in pastures on small farms, not factory farms.

2. Treat Cold Sores with Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm’s antiviral properties counteracts the herpes virus that causes cold sores, according to James Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy. Brew 2 to 4 tablespoons of lemon balm per cup of boiling water; let it cool and dab onto the sore several times daily.

3. Soften Calluses and Corns  with Licorice

This homemade licorice paste can soften hardened skin. Mix a few drops of licorice root extract in a teaspoon of honey and rub onto the rough areas of your feet.

4. Soothe Eczema with Olive Oil

When you treat eczema with antioxidant- and moisture-rich olive oil, you can avoid the toxic sludge of additives found in store-bought treatments and save a few dollars. Simply massage olive oil over the affected area as needed. For serious cases, cover the oily area with plastic wrap or a towel to lock in the moisture.

5. Listen to Music to Help Lower High Blood Pressure

Research from the University of Florence in Italy shows that listening to thirty minutes of soothing music while breathing deeply lowered hypertension in even medicated patients. After one month, readings were 4.4 points lower than in the beginning of the study.

6. Prevent Motion Sickness with Olives and Lemons

Everyone has heard of chewing on moderate amounts of candied ginger (taking into account sugar content) or drinking ginger ale to prevent motion sickness. An alternative remedy is to eat olives or lemons, which reduce the saliva content in your mouth, thereby preventing nausea.

7. Eat Apples to Whiten Teeth

Crunchy produce can gently brush your teeth. Apples also have malic acid that helps remove stains. This is just one of many tips for teeth whitening at home.

8. Drink Baking Soda to Treat Urinary Tract Infections

At the onset of symptoms, mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of water and drink. Drink this mixture once a day in addition to naturally sweetened or unsweetened cranberry juice or another natural remedy to speed up your healing process  Baking soda makes the bladder environment alkaline, which helps prevent the bacteria from multiplying; cranberry juice has been shown to help treat UTIs on numerous occasions.

9. Heal Cuts with Cloves

To prevent cuts from becoming infected, sprinkle on some powdered cloves. Cloves contain eugenol, which is not only antiseptic but also a natural pain-killer.

10. Treat Troubled Skin with Papaya

The papain found in papayas and papaya leaf extract naturally exfoliate your skin, helping to prevent buildup and acne. Mix 2 tablespoons of washed and peeled papaya with 1 tablespoon of dry oatmeal. Pat this onto clean skin and wait 10 minutes before washing with lukewarm water and a washcloth. Do not scrape. Repeat twice monthly for smoother, softer skin.

11. Use Apple Cider Vinegar (or Duct Tape?) to Remove Warts

Using apple cider vinegar is a simple technique to remove warts. Simply apply it directly on the wart using a cotton ball or swab every 12 hours so that the healing process continues. It is also necessary to cover the wart with a bandage. This is just one of many benefits of apple cider vinegar.

Alternatively, a much odder solution involves duct tape. Rather than freezing off warts, a study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine claims that duct tape can remove 85 percent of the wart compared to the 60 percent with the freezing method. First, clean the area and apply a strip of tape slightly larger than the wart. Rub into place.  Remove the duct tape after 3 days and file down the dead skin with a pumice stone or nail file. Repeat until treated. Other treatments include softening the skin with aloe vera, apple cider or white vinegar, papaya, and milkweed.

Additional Sources:

Prevention

Source: naturalsociety.com

Optimism Reduces Stroke Risk, Improves Health

Optimism Reduces Stroke Risk, Improves Health
According to a new study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, optimism may be the key to stroke prevention in addition to improving overall health. Researchers pulled 6044 adults over 50 and asked them to rate their level of optimism based on a 16 point scale. When adjusted for age, each addition point on the optimism scale accounted for a 9 percent decrease in acute stroke risk.

You may be familiar with the idea that a healthy attitude is great medicine. Unfortunately, very few people realize just how in sync the mind and body really are. Laughing can instantly make you feel better just as a positive attitude can help you to be significantly more healthy. In fact, an optimistic attitude towards life can prevent all sorts of physical ailments from developing. According to one study, an optimistic attitude may help prevent you from having a stroke.

Over 6000 adults aged 50 and over were asked to assess their level of optimism on a point scale up to 16 points. After age adjustments, each point on the scale accounted for a 9 percent decrease in stroke risk. The study found that the link between optimism and reduction in stroke risk is very strong. Even when factors such as gender, blood pressure, illness, body mass index, smoking, drinking and physical activity were adjusted, the relationship between attitude and reduction of stroke risk was very clear.

Optimistic People

Optimistic people use positive thinking to deal with difficult problems in their life, big and small – and it works. Those with an optimistic attitude generally have increased resistance to illnesses such as the common cold, a reduced rate of depression, lower amounts of stress and are more energetic. This concept even holds true with old age, according a more recent study. The study, published in Psychosomatic Medicine, says that seniors who maintain a positive outlook despite increasing health problems can reduce—and even reverse—health risks.

It is thought that people who are optimistic can better cope with stress and anxiety, two big factors for overall quality of health. Previous studies have also indicated that people who are optimistic have improved immune system function and a healthier heart compared to those who are pessimistic.

Change Your Attitude

It appears that keeping a stroke and other serious health conditions at bay could be as easy as an attitude adjustment. Simple positive affirmations throughout the day may be helpful reminders of the importance of a positive state of mind. After all, we cannot always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we respond to what happens.

Additional Sources:

IB Times

LiveStrong

Source: naturalsociety.com

Secret Principles of Immortality, Edition 1

I posted a comment at Smithsonian Magazine's article on The World's Oldest Living Things, and at Project Syndicate's article asking the question "Should We Live to 1000?" re-stating a principle that has developed slowly in my mind for about thirty years---and I come from a family of geniuses. The principle is that immortality consists of four distinct categories or principles, which are generally realized alone and individually, without strong support from the others. Source