Healthy by Nature radio show this week
We have a double header of super stars. Fred Pescatore, MD will discuss allergies. (He is the author of The Allergy & Asthma Cure and we’ll tell you how to get a copy free with a purchase.) I’ll ask Jim LaValle, R.Ph.,C.C.N. about his new book, Your Blood Never Lies: How to Read a Blood Test for a Longer, Healthier Life. Call the live show with questions at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.
 
Dangerous experiment
Sigh. I’ve given up wasting time writing letters to the editor of our Dallas paper. My problem this week was with a columnist who labeled as “cranks” citizens who expressed concerns to the city council over fluoride being added to public drinking water. Then a guest columnist piled on the next day.

Fluoride applied directly to teeth seems helpful in preventing tooth decay. However, there is not credible science showing that it provides that same benefit when added to drinking water. In a guest column supporting fluoridation of water, the dean of a prominent dental school talked about the reduction in dental decay and credited fluoridation. He also implied that we should fluoridate because most other cities in the US do. (Mom used to say, “If all your friends were jumping off a cliff would you?”) He forgot to point out that most industrialized countries forbid fluoridation and that the rates of decay have declined just as fast in nations that don’t contaminate their water with fluoride. LINK. (The improvement must be due to another factor…fluoride in toothpaste?) Also, in Australia it was found that any slight difference in decay rates can be more than explained by the fact that fluoride in the water appears to slow the eruption of teeth and therefore teeth are subject to decay for more years.

Fluoridation would be just an expensive fool’s errand if it were safe. However, the 3rd Edition of Clinical Toxicology rates fluoride as being more toxic than lead. (Hence my facetious question in the subject line.) Science has proven that small amounts of pesticides, BPA and mercury accumulate over time and harm us. Fluoride is known to have negative impacts on the heart, nervous system, bones, and thyroid.  It is also mutagenic and increases cancer risk. Even if consuming fluoride did help tooth decay, why should we force it on infants who are years away from developing permanent teeth and on adults that no longer experience tooth decay?

The dentist’s article also compared fluoridation to fortifying salt with iodine. There is just one problem with that notion—we need iodine but there is no nutritional need for fluoride. This guy’s credibility was shot with me when he referred to “amalgam fillings” as “silver fillings”. That is outright flim flam because they contain about twice as much toxic mercury as they do silver. (I’ll discuss all that soon on the sow with a dentist I greatly admire, Dr. Philip Kozlow.)

The website fluoridealert.org offers responsible documented information. Kudos to the Dallas City Council for beginning to listen. Seems to me that a newspaper columnist who belittles concerned citizens without first separating facts from fanciful dogma might be the real crank.

Listener feedback
On last week’s show I mentioned something about Earth Day and climate change. A listener, Gary, kindly sent me links that discuss a fact I had not heard on the evening news. Apparently warming hit the pause button back in 1997. This British government site offers some interesting facts. I really don’t want to get into that debate because I’m not qualified. However, I remember quite clearly being worried after reading a Scientific American magazine article in high school–it warned of the coming ice age. Whatever the case, from a health standpoint I don’t like the idea of polluting the planet and it seems just plain ungrateful for the environment that God gave us.

 2 & 1/2 Day Retreat, Grapevine, TX
I just received word (sorry for the lack of notice) that the Kotsanis Institute is the host site for a retreat that will teach how to truly heal cancer and many other degenerative diseases by removing the cause of disease and providing a healing environment. This event is ideal for cancer patients in early stages, caregivers and nurses, as well as health professionals who want to make a difference. It is May 2 @ 5:00 pm – May 4 @ 5:00 pm (Friday 5pm to 8pm Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5 pm). Details and cost at this LINK.

Last Week Follow-up
LINK to that show in the archives. Dr. Parris Kidd of Doctor’s Best joined us to review what a basic supplement program is and how to separate the “wheat from the chaff” in selecting supplements.

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MY BOOKS:

Fat-Free Folly. Challenges dangerous mainstream thinking about fats. Supported with generous amounts of current science and grounded in a common sense historical framework. Learn how to build health and lose weight while enjoying more delicious food.

Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments. Besides explaining the dangers of these medications and helping fix the real cause (which is seldom too much acid) this book is also helpful for solving other digestive problems.

Aloe Vera – Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy. Research shows that Aloe has benefit beyond skin and digestion–also for immune function, detoxification, nutrient absorption, blood antioxidant levels, blood sugar regulation and more. Learn how to pick the most potent brands.

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2014 Martie Whittekin, CCN