Notable News

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) – More than Difficult!  Chances are you’ve probably heard of C. diff before, or at least its most common (and least pleasant) side effect – the gut-wrenching diarrhea. I know, I know, here I go talking about poop again, but this is important! C. diff infections are becoming more common every year. Studies tell us that 7,000 people are infected each day, and 300 of those die from the infection. So I say the more we know about C. diff, the better.

Okay, let’s start with the basics – just what is C. diff anyway? It’s short for Clostridium difficile, a disease-causing bacterium that most often appears after a person has taken antibiotics. This happens because the good bacteria that are normally present in the intestines (and which help keep our immunity strong) are also destroyed by antibiotics. Basically, when we take antibiotics to fight infection, they kill a lot of the good bacteria in our gut along with the bad, which disrupts our normally healthy intestinal balance. And C. diff is one of those opportunistic little buggers that will quickly take over and multiply if it has the chance, causing a potentially dangerous infection whose symptoms include severe diarrhea, abdominal cramping and nausea.

Interestingly, another culprit in the C. diff epidemic has come to light. The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been associated with a risk for C. diff infection.  PPIs are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux. These drugs suppress the secretion of acid in the stomach. 

But Wait! We Need Our Stomach Acid!  One of the functions of stomach acid is to kill bacteria that comes in with food. When there is not enough stomach acid, as occurs in people taking PPIs, harmful bacteria like C. diff can enter the intestinal tract and quickly multiply.

Can You Say Superbug? Have you heard the term Superbug?  C. diff is a Superbug. Superbugs are bacteria that become resistant to antibiotic treatment, which means that after a while, taking antibiotics won’t do anything to stop the harmful effects of the bug. Antibiotic resistance is largely the result of over-prescribing antibiotics for every little sneeze or sniffle instead of giving the body a chance to fight off the infection on its own, and it’s become a huge concern in the medical community today. I’ll talk about this more in a later post, so stay tuned!

Bottom Line? Our intestinal flora – the friendly bacteria in our intestines – play a major role in our health. One particular probiotic called Saccharomyces boulardii has been found to be especially useful for people with C. diff, particularly those that have recurrent C. diff infections. The reason is because S. boulardii is actually a yeast organism, so it’s not destroyed by antibiotics like most bacteria, which means it can keep working in the body to protect against C. diff – even if you’re taking antibiotics. The bottom line is, maintaining a good balance of beneficial microorganisms (probiotics) in the gut is a vital part of creating digestive health, which as we all know is the foundation for total-body health!

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antibiotics, bacteriology, Clostridium difficile, dangerous infection, Diarrhea, diff infection, diff infections, digestive system, food, Gastroenterology, gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, Gut flora, Health_Medical_Pharma, microbiology, nausea, Probiotic, Saccharomyces boulardii

Colic in babies is one of those conditions that the medical community cannot seem to figure out. Colic occurs in up to 28% of infants. Babies with colic cry for hours, unconsolable, sometimes every day. The cause of colic is unknown and the treatment of colic is uncertain. So many infants suffer from colic and parents are at a loss for how to deal with it. A colicky baby can be quite a handful for new parents who may not feel equipped or emotionally able to handle the situation, especially when doctors don’t provide many answers.

A new study from the University of Texas Health Science Center has found that babies with colic are more likely to have higher amounts of gut inflammation and a bacteria called Klebsiella in their intestines. They also found that the babies who did not have colic had a greater diversity of bacteria in their guts. The lead researcher also suggested that colic may prove to be a precursor to other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease and other gut allergies.

This study is exciting because the next step, researchers say, is to investigate the use of a probiotic to control gut inflammation in these babies. Now they are on to something.

The establishment of healthy gut bacteria, in a vaginally born baby, begins at birth. It then continues during breastfeeding and through contact with the outside world. Many factors can inhibit this process leaving the infant with less-than-optimal gut flora. In many ways these beneficial bacteria act as a partial immune system for the infant. The importance of establishing a healthy and diverse bacterial population in those little guts is vitally important, as this study has pointed out. Renew Life’s Flora Baby was developed specifically for babies and toddlers. It contains five strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria and comes in a powder that can be mixed with liquid.

Learn the ABC’s of Probiotics.

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Bifidobacteria, celiac disease, colic, Flora Baby, gut allergies, IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Klebsiella, Lactobacillus, Probiotics, University of Texas Health Science Center

Summary:
In this video blog I discuss a recent study published in the journal “Pediatrics” that suggest a very odd way to help children that have eczema. What do they suggest? What are some other options? Tune in and find out…

Full Script:

Can you imagine putting your infant or young child into a bath of bleach water with the raw skin associated with eczema? Well that is exactly what a study published in the journal Pediatrics is suggesting. The bleach, being an antibacterial will help eliminate bacteria on the skin as a result of so much scratching.

Julie Block, of the National Eczema Association says this type of suggestion “will help people learn options that they can do at home to empower themselves”.

Sounds more like a punishment to me.

How about all the studies out there now showing that probiotic supplements can greatly reduce eczema in children. Or how about getting your child tested for food allergies and sensitivities, which play a huge role in the development of eczema.

If your worried about the bacteria try getting a natural anti-bacterial cream from your local health food store. I’m willing to bet it won’t contain bleach!

In the meantime, ReNew Life Formulas has an award-winning line of probiotic supplements for children and adults.

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allergies, bacteria, bleach, Brenda Watson, eczema, national eczema association, pediatrics, Probiotics, sensitivities

Summary:
In this video blog I discuss a recent lawsuit by Terry Williams against Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. In her lawsuit Ms. Williams states that she suffers from Aerotoxic Syndrome. What is Aerotoxic Syndrome? Where do you get it? What does it do to your body? Tune in and find out…

Full Script:

Have you ever felt just completely sick after lengthy airplane travel? Headache, nausea respiratory distress and muscle aches? Well airline attendant Terry Williams has, and she is suing both Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. It seems Ms. Williams has fallen victim to Aerotoxic Syndrome, brought on by the toxic chemical laden air that can be circulating in air cabins.

You see, since the early 1960’s, cabin air has typically combined the re-circulated existing cabin air with air coming off the engines. The air pulled into the engines is cooled and compressed and then pumped into the cabin.

A very toxic chemical called tricresyl phosphate is commonly used to prevent wear inside the engines.

Does this chemical really get into the cabin? Well, a secret analysis of 31 airplane cabins from different airlines was done at the University of British Columbia. 28 of them tested positive for High levels of Tricresyl phosphate.

According to a University College of London neruopsychologist, up to 200,000 airline passengers a year may suffer illness from this contaminated air.

From now on, when I fly, I’m bringing along some Renew Life’s Liver Detox. This will help the body to detoxify this harmful chemical more efficiently and quicker.

And don’t forget to visit DetoxStrategy.com, the website of my book, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps.

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Aerotoxic Syndrome, Boeing, Brenda Watson, detox strategy, headache, Liver Detox, McDonnell Douglas, muscle aches, nausea, Terry Williams, tricresyl phosphate

Summary:
In this video blog I discuss a condition that is impacting more and more people each year–Alzheimer’s. In two recent studies it was shown that inflammation in the body can lead to Alzheimer’s. How does inflammation impact your brain? What can you do to reduce inflammation in the body? Tune in and find out…

Full Script:
Just recently a friend of mine was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This has made me be a little more aware of information I come across about Alzheimers.

An article posted last week talks about inflammation being a trigger for Alzheimer’s disease. Two studies quoted in the article support this conclusion.

For some time now scientists have known that a high accumulation of a protein called amyloid beta in the brain is responsible for Alzheimer’s. In this disease, this amyloid beta protein accumulates because a transporter protein, called LRP, that pushes amyloid out of the brain and into the bloodstream malfunctions. Until now, they have not been able to figure out what makes this transporter malfunction. The studies are now showing that the onset of inflammation, especially too much inflammation anywhere in the body can turn off this transport, allowing amyloid beta to accumulate within the brain tissue.

They are also seeing that administering a substance, in this case a pharmaceutical, that reduces inflammation prevents the transport protein from malfunctioning.

There is so much information popping up about the harmful effects inflammation has throughout the body, and this is another very serious example of just that.

There are lots of natural anti-inflammatories available and one of the best is a concentrated high potency omega 3 oil supplement, like the Norwegian Gold Critical Omega. Other great anti-inflammatories are turmeric, boswellia, quercitin and ginger. There are even formulas you can find in your local health food store specifically to reduce the inflammatory process.

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Alzheimer's, amyloid beta, blood stream, boswellia, Brenda Watson, curcumin, ginger, inflammation, lrp, Norwegian Gold Fish Oils, omega-3 oil, turmeric

Summary: In this video blog I discuss the how many people suffer from Omega 3 Deficiency . What are Omega 3’s? How do you get these healthy Omega oils in your diet? What happens if you don’t have enough? The answer to all these questions and more are in this video. Tune in and find out…

Full Script:

Did you know that Omega-3 Deficiency is a major killer? The sixth biggest killer of Americans according to a new study just released. That’s right – according to the study funded by the CDC and performed by Harvard University there are between 72 to 96 thousand Preventable deaths each year due to Omega-3 deficiency.

Many of us in the natural health field have long been touting the health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. From cardiovascular health to brain health to vision health, the benefits are enormous. Unfortunately most Americans get very little in the Standard American Diet. The best food sources of these fatty acids are fish, especially fish like mackerel, sardines and salmon. Omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in some seeds and nuts, like flax seed and walnuts. Although your diet has a tremendously powerful effect on your overall health, these are not foods normally included on a lot of Americans dinner plates.

Thankfully, you can purchase these valuable essential Omega-3 fatty acids in supplement form. Renew Life’s Norwegian Gold Critical Omega is the best on the market. It is highly concentrated, enteric coated and burp-free, thanks to Lipase. You can get tremendous health benefits from just one capsule a day. This newly released study just proves that Omega-3 fatty acid intake, whether in the diet or by supplementation, goes well beyond minor health benefits.

It is a matter of life or death.

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Brenda Watson, CDC, flax seeds, harvard university, norwegian gold critical omega, Norwegian Gold Fish Oils, Omega 3 Deficiency, omega 3 oil supplements, salmon, sardines

Summary:
In this video blog I discuss the use of proton pump inhibitors. A recent study has found why people stay on these drugs for long term use instead of the 6-8 week suggested use. They call it “acid rebound phenomenon”? What is acid rebound phenomenon? What does it to your body? What can you do naturally to help with heartburn? Turn in and find out the answer to these questions and more…

Full Script:
For some time now I have been speaking up about the continued use of the medications prescribed for acid reflux. These medications, called proton pump inhibitors are one of the most commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals on the market. I have many times said that the problem with these meds is that people stay on them long term when if fact they are only meant for a period of six to eight weeks.

Recently results of a study may have revealed the reason why people remain on these drugs long term, something I had suspected for some time now. It seems that these proton pump inhibitors cause what is called an acid rebound phenomenon in the two to three weeks after discontinuing. What this means is when people try to get off the medications they get an increase in gastric acid secretion well above normal which leads to symptoms such as heartburn, acid regurgitation and dyspepsia. This increase in symptoms then results in a resumption of therapy with the medication.

In other words, these meds cause a vicious cycle of acid secretion and heartburn symptoms. This occurred not only in those having symptoms to begin with, but those participants of the study that had no prior history of upper gastric disorders. Interestingly most people who are put on these medications do not need their acid levels turned off, but instead need a good digestive enzyme supplement containing hydrochloric acid ( HCI ). It is much more common to have a low stomach acid level, which mirrors the symptoms of too much acid, such as heartburn and reflux.

If only the Heidelberg Acid test was more readily available around the country, one could truly know if they are producing too much acid in the stomach or in fact have too little. This test involves swallowing a capsule that relays information back to a computer on the amount of acidity within the stomach. Until the time this test is available in your area, try taking a digestive enzyme with HCI (hydrochloric acid) like the Renew Life’s Heartburn Prevention formula. You might be able to avoid the vicious cycle of masking acid reflux symptoms with medication only to experience worse symptoms after discontinuing them.

Thanks again for watching, check back for more of my video blogs

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acid rebound phenomenon, acid reflux, Brenda Watson, gastric disorders, Heartburn, heartburn prevention, Heidelberg acid test, low stomach acid levels, proton pump inhibitors

Summary:
In this video blog I discuss how smoking can lead to brain damage. The National Brain Research Center has found that a chemical in tobacco called NNK provokes an exaggerated response from microglial cells in the brain. What is NNK? How does this create brain damage? Tune and in find out…

Full Script:
Need one more reason to quite those nasty cigarettes? As if lung cancer wasn’t bad enough, how about brain damage?

The National Brain Research Center recently released it’s findings that a chemical in tobacco known as NNK provokes an exaggerated response from the brain’s immune cells called microglia. What does this mean?

Well normally these microglia cells act as the destroyers for unhealthy or damaged brain cells. But when provoked by this NNK chemical in tobacco smoke these immune cells start to attack your healthy brain cells. This, over time, can lead to significant damage within the brain tissue.

I don’t know about you, but at this point in my life I’m trying to do everything possible to keep all those brain cells healthy. Unfortunately smoking is one of the most addictive habits you could have.

If you need help quitting smoking, Renew Life can help. My product called Smoker’s Cleanse has had great success. This product is a combination of three formulas. The first will help cleanse the lungs and body from the toxicity of smoking. The second is a tasty chewable tablet designed with ingredients that have an effect on the brain in reducing the cravings for cigarettes. And the third formulation is to reduce the symptoms associated with quitting, such as irritability and insomnia. Many people have used this formula to not only help cleanse their body from the effects of smoking but to help ease the difficulty associated with quitting.

I hope, for your brain’s sake, it helps you too!

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brain damage, Brenda Watson, effects of smokings, microglia cells, NNK, quit smoking, Smoker's Cleanse, symptoms associated when you stop smoking, The National Brain Research Center

The March of Dimes is a not-for-profit organization whose mission it is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Through research, community services, education and advocacy, they strive to carry out this mission.  March of Dimes might be best known for their recommendations that women of childbearing age to take 400 mcg of folic acid daily to help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.  Because of their far reaching efforts, most women are now aware of the importance of taking this vital nutrient for a healthy pregnancy.

Recently, the March of Dimes has made a new recommendation for pregnant women – the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids.  Specifically, they are recommending that women should get at least 200 mg of DHA daily.  For women concerned about the presence of mercury in fish, or who do not eat fish, they recommend obtaining the DHA from a supplement containing at least 200 mg.

The March of Dimes has added this important nutrient to its recommendations only after careful examination of the existing science.  That science is hard to ignore when it comes to DHA and infant brain development.  Kudos to March of Dimes for their recognition of this essential nutrient. Not only is DHA important for baby, but it is also important for mother.  The baby takes what nutrients she needs from her mother, often depleting the mother’s own stores.  So during pregnancy and throughout breastfeeding, nutrients are funneled to the baby first.  Mom gets whatever is leftover.  Proper diet and supplementation of pregnant and breastfeeding women is crucial for the health of both mom and baby.

Renew Life’s Norwegian Gold Critical Omega contains a balance of EPA and DHA, with 240 mg of DHA.  For those looking for more DHA, Critical DHA contains 500 mg.  Ultimate Fish Oils are third-party tested and certified by the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) for freshness, purity and potency.  The IFOS program is a world leader in Omega-3 testing, ensuring Norwegian Gold oils meet or surpass all world pharmaceutical standards – including the Norwegian Medicinal Standard.

So if you’re considering pregnancy, consider taking a DHA supplement – healthy oils have great benefits.

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Brenda Watson, DHA, DHA Supplementation, healthy pregnancy, help prevent birth defects, IFOS, March of Dimes, norwegian gold critical omega, Norwegian Medicinal Standards, omega-3 fatty acids

If you are in the United States and you eat anything at all purchased from a supermarket you are most likely aware of current food scares.  These scares involve food contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E.coli and salmonella.  We have had many in the past year involving foods such as ground beef, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, peanuts, pistachios and white pepper.

These are frightening events seeing as in 2008 an estimated 325,000 Americans were hospitalized and more than 5,000 people died from tainted food.  Unfortunately the Food and Drug Administration currently has the resources to only inspect less than one percent of the food imported into the United States.  No wonder consumer confidence is falling. There is hope on the horizon for food safety.  A bill is currently in the House of Representatives that will give the FDA more power and funding to implement better safety standards, establish a better inspection program, and allow easier tracking of tainted food products.

In the meantime one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from pathogenic bacteria on food is to take a daily probiotic supplement.  Probiotics, or your good bacteria, found in the digestive tract have the ability to produce substances that kill bad bacteria eaten on food.  These probiotics also crowd out the digestive tract and consume all the food source that bad bacteria would need in order to survive – ReNew Life’s Ultimate Flora Adult Formula Probiotic Supplement can help.

Another means of protection against food-bourne illness is a digestive enzyme formula containing hydrochloric acid, like Renew Life’s ParaZyme.  This acid is what is normally found in a healthy stomach when we eat.  Unfortunately lots of people, as they age and for other reasons, are lacking in this very important substance.  One of the most notable functions of our stomach acid is the natural sterilization for our food.  Without proper stomach acid you are more susceptible to bacteria and parasitic infections.

So protect your family and always have a probiotic and enzyme formula available.

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Brenda Watson, E.coli, Enzymes, FDA, hydrochloric acid, Parazyme, Probiotics, salmonella