Energy Drinks: Ingredients & Dangers

By BrianX | November 23rd, 2004

Since the 1990s, energy drinks have gone from being the latest craze and fad to a permanent fixture in our culture. Given the various seemingly exotic ingredients, here’s a general introduction to the various energy drink dangers and advantages. I won’t go into great biological detail since you could probably write a book about the energy drink craze. Instead I’ll provide you with some information that should let you be a more informed consumer when it comes to energy drinks.

What are Energy Drinks?
An energy drink is a beverage that contains some form of legal stimulant and/or vitamins which are meant to give consumers a short term boost in energy.

The “Magical” Ingredients
In general, these drinks have one thing in common: They all contain a lot of sugar and/or caffeine. These could be considered the “active ingredients.” So before you go bragging about how powerful a certain drink was and how its natural ingredients helped you wake up in the morning or dance all night, consider that you probably got more of a sugar rush than anything else.

Energy Drinks & Marketing
The “thing” about energy drinks is that they are marketed as being all-natural energy boosters loaded with exotic ingredients that popular culture believes to be healthy. Energy drinks are generally marketed towards younger crowds, especially those who go to raves. People are buying energy drinks in record numbers, even at an incredible $2-3 for a can smaller than an average soft drink can. Just FYI, the energy drink industry is worth over a billion dollars in sales annually. Note that Red Bull energy drink leads the way. While Red Bull may have lame TV commercials, energy drinks tend to have cool logo colors and fonts, modern can or bottle shapes, and a “high energy” feel surrounding them. It’s a marketing company’s dream come true!

The Dangers of Energy Drinks: Side Effects & Long-term Effects
I’m just scratching the surface with what I have written here so let me give you some food for thought. When you are considering consuming energy drinks:

Make a mental note that while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is allowing companies to sell and market their energy drink products, there is still very little research that has been done on them. I suspect the FDA allows them to be added simply because they do not pose any immediate danger to energy drink consumers.

The long-term effects of energy drink ingredients, if any, are still not known meaning that drinking a lot of these drinks on a consistent basis may or may not harm you in ways that have yet to be researched.

Energy drink labels are frequently misleading or at least they are so ambiguous that when you buy them you simply believe what you want to believe. Remember that in most cases, the claims being made have not been proven.

It remains unknown as to whether any medical conditions and related prescription medication will interact with energy drinks. If you try an energy drink and react poorly to it, consult a physician.

Body Chemistry
Energy drinks all try to stimulate something in your body that leads to your awakening and feeling as though you have more energy. One big mistake that most people make is that energy drinks will have the same effect on them, regardless of the choice of drink, and ignoring an individual’s unique body chemical make-up.

Think about it this way: We know that alcohol has a unique effect on everyone who consumes it (some people get drunk faster, have different allergic reactions to alcohol, etc), so there is no reason to believe that these drinks will have a different result among various consumers.

Sugar
Many raves don’t sell alcohol but in fact focus on water and energy drink sales. While gaining energy from sugar in and of itself is not such a bad thing, be warned that drinking lots of sugar can make you feel full. Carbonation, which can come from soft drinks as well, also makes you feel full. Ravers who become ill frequently keep dancing or remain active, and fail to re-hydrate as they should, in part because they think they’re full. What ends up happening is that their body shuts down due to the lack of fluids, and they collapse.

Are Energy Drinks Addictive?
Since consumption of energy drinks is so prevalent among youth and frequently associated with raves and the nightclub scene, many wonder about their addictive properties. In fact, the only truly addictive part of energy drink ingredients appears to be caffeine. So if you drink enough cans, you may become addicted to caffeine and ultimately suffer from the effects of the addiction.

Energy Drinks, Alcohol & Death
Bars around the world mix vodka with energy drinks, especially Red Bull. This is mixing a depressant (alcohol) with a stimulant (the energy drink). This can have an effect on your heart and claims have been made that this combination has lead to death. As such, some countries in Europe have banned Red Bull and other energy drinks.

Creatine
SoBe is a popular drink. It contains creatine in such minute amounts that it probably doesn’t have any effect. Same with Ginko.

Taurine
The peculiar thing about taurine is that nobody really knows what it does! There is apparently no evidence that it has any major influence but it is possible that it does indeed have some effect on the body which leads to the feeling of having more energy.

Taurine & Caffeine are Key
One must also account for the mixed effects of the different energy drink ingredients. Consider that drinking different types of alcohol during a night of partying can leave you with an awful hangover. (Of course, you could try the anti-hangover pill). In an energy drink such as Guru for example, it is possible that the taurine enhances the effects of caffeine, giving you a slightly larger boost than if you had drank only one of the ingredients. This is just a theory however since it has yet to be scientifically tested.

Vitamins
Some energy drinks offer a variety of vitamins. It’s important to note that your body will take what it needs and pee off the extra vitamins. So this isn’t a major health booster.

Popular Terms
The most popular energy drinks include Red Bull, Monster, XS (get it - excess), Boost, Crunk, Rockstar, Crunk Juice, Full Throttle, Spark, Amp , Rush, SoBe, Pimp Juice, Shark, Piranha, Red Line, Bookoo, Socko, Fuze, Hype, Guru, and Atomic X.

Update
This BrianX Magazine exclusive article was published in 2004 and since then, a lot of email has come in, mostly from parents who were desperate to get information on energy drinks. In most cases, their children were in the hospital or at least at home with severe issues related to energy drinks. Based on these emails, it would appear that the actual number of people suffering from the adverse effects of these drinks is larger than might be gathered from hospital reports.

RESEARCH ON THE ATLAS & AN ADJUSTMENT

*Special ‘Atlas Adjustment’ Lowers Blood Pressure Better Than 2 Blood Pressure Medications Combined. “This procedure has the effect of not one, but two blood-pressure medications given in combination,” study leader George Bakris, MD, tells WebMD. “And we saw no side effects and no problems,” adds Bakris, director of the University of Chicago hypertension center.

*The more SUBLUXATED the Atlas, the less energy we have for metabolism, healing and thinking –Sperry 1982 NPP

*Research shows that a loss or increase in spinal curves, increases mortality (speeds up death) and takes up to 14 years off your life J. BONE JOINT SURG. AM 1981 JUN;63(5):702-12 Weinstein Sh, Zavala DC, Ponseti IV idiopathic Scoliosis: Long-Term follow-up and prognosis in untreated patients

*Occult Spinal canal stenosis due to C-1 hypoplasia in children with Down Syndrome. Subluxation of the C1 puts pressure brainstem by narrowing the spinal canal. J Neurosurg (6 Suppl Pediatrics) 107:457–459, 2007

*Uncorrected cervical subluxations cause the patient to suffer from loss of balance, along with additional side effects (Cailliet and Gross, 1987)

*The study, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, says that out of 1250 infants chosen at random, 211 of them suffered from nervousness, vomiting, muscular abnormalities, tremors and insomnia. 95% (200) of those children had abnormal cervical (neck) muscle strain indicating vertebral subluxation. When the subluxation was adjusted and the muscle strain removed, an immediate calming often resulted, the children’s crying stopped, the muscles relaxed and thechildren fell asleep. (Relations of disturbances of cranio-sacral mechanisms to symptomatology of the newborn. Fryman V. JAOA. 1966;65:1059)

*Gottfried Gutman, MD addressed what he called "Atlas Blockage" (ANVS) and stressed the importance of having the atlas area of infants examined after birth, especially if the birth was difficult. He treated over 1,000 infants and documented the positive clinical results derived from correction for "Atlas Blockage" by performing specific light force adjustments to the atlas vertebrae. (http://www.icpa4kids.org/research/articles/childhood/ADD_ritalin.htm)

*Atlas malpositions blocks normal neck motion and DRAMATICALLY reduces the amount of endophin production!!! With inadequate endorphin production, pain INCREASES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BODY! In many studies, this has been found to be the major cause of fibromyalgia (Davis 1996; Molina and Wyke 1965)

*Atlas subluxations can cause eye problems, affect ability to speak, taste, smell, execute speech, ability to swallow, and balance (Raymond, 1977; Molina and Wyke, 1965; Cailliet and Gross, 1987)

*The loss of cervical lordosis & (ATLAS SUBLUXATION) reduces the patients lung capacity by up to 30% (Davis, 1996; Korr, 1975; Bernini, Wiesel and Rothman,1982)

*Atlas subluxations affect ORGAN FUNCTION. These phenomena have been demonstrated in such sites as the gastrointestinal tract, urinary bladder, adrenal medulla, lymphatic tissues, heart and vessels of the brain and peripheral nerves. (J Nanipulative Physiol Ther Nov-Dec; 18 (9): 597-602 1995)

*People with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI’s) (in the Atlas area, emphasis. mine) causes supressed immune function J Spinal Cord Med 2000 Summer:23 (2);111-20

* Immune System boosting effects of chiropractic care: T and B lymphocytes numbers, natural killer cell numbers, antibody levels, phagocytic activity and plasma endorphon levles are positively influenced by spinal correcting adjustments (CJA 1993)

*Blocked atlantal nerve syndrome in infants and small children. Gutman G. ICA Review, 1990; July:37-42. Originally published in German Manuelle Medizin (1987) 25:5-10.

• From the abstract:

Three case reports are reviewed to illustrate a syndrome that has so far received far too little attention, which is caused and perpetuated in babies and infants by blocked nerve impulses at the atlas. Included in the clinical picture are lowered resistance to infections, especially to ear-, nose-, and throat infections, two cases of insomnia, two cases of cranial bone asymmetry, and one case each of torticollis, retarded locomotor development, retarded linguistic development, conjunctivitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis, earache, extreme neck sensitivity, incipient scoliosis, delayed hip development, and seizures.

*Absence of T-cells, immune dysfunction, has colds all the time. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association Newsletter. November 1996

·         Male child - Age 5 from a central American country. Prior diagnosis: malformation of cervical spine, severe scoliosis, occiput position severely anterior to cervical spine. Not vocalizing well. Absence of T-cells, immune dysfunction, has colds all the time. Surgery had been considered to correct skull positioning. In the first series of adjustments, we adjusted the lad in a sitting position utilizing the infant toggle headpiece. The Atlas was adjusted ASL. Child was reevaluated in native country and medical staff stated that everything was now normal. Child returned to U.S. for care 6 months later. Vocabulary was now normal. Head position -normal. No colds evident during these months. Scoliosis was greatly reduced.

*Autism, Asthma, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), strabismus and illness susceptibility: a case study in chiropractic management. Amalu WC. Todays Chiropractic. September/October 1998. Pp. 32-47.

• A 5-year-old female with autism, asthma, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome and left-sided strabismus who was experiencing 25 violent temper episode per day, with each episode lasting up to 20 minutes was referred for care. She also exhibited three episodes each day of self-inflicted violent behavior, which included biting her arm, slapping her head and repeatedly banging her head against a full-length mirror. She also had at least one episode of violent behavior each day - hitting people, especially her mother. Speech was limited to a few words such as "mama, dada, milk and walk."
• Chiropractic Management consisted of correction of the atlanto-occipital subluxation with the patient adjusted in the knee-chest posture with contact to the posterior arch of atlas.
• First week of care: After the first adjustment, patient had her first good night's sleep since her mother could remember. Violent temper episodes had reduced to 15 per day with de-crease in intensity. Self-inflicted violent behavior was decreased in frequency. Her speech, vocabulary and sleep patterns had improved.
• Second week: one adjustment. Violent temper episodes at five per day. Right eye showed no more signs of strabismus. Patient began speaking in sentences for the first time. Mother reported a marked decrease in hyperactivity along with a desire to be touched and hugged.
• Third week: One adjustment. Violent temper episodes 2 per day with decreased intensity. Mother stated there was little hyperactivity. Self-directed or outward violent behavior have ceased. Irritable bowel syndrome was much improved.
• Fourth week: no adjustments. All temper episodes, hyperactivity, violent behavior have stopped. Sleeping through the night. Patient was evaluated by two therapists who declared the diagnosis of autism was "incorrect."
• Week 5- 8: a mild return of symptoms, an adjustment was given, and symptoms abated.
  
• Weeks 9-12: no adjustments. The IBS had almost completely resolved. Patient continued to improve over next 8 months; no more asthma attacks.

The Chiropractic Story of Masha and Dasha

The new mother was told that her twin babies had died after birth. However the truth was far different: they were sent to an institute near Moscow to be studied. This was to be the fate of "Masha" and "Dasha", one of the most unusual sets of "Siamese" or conjoined twins ever born.

Identical twins are formed when a fertilized egg divides into two eggs. The two eggs grow into two babies that are identical in every respect. Conjoined or Siamese twins are formed in the same way as identical twins but the eggs, for some reason, don't completely separate; instead, they remain partially attached. It was the unique way in which the twins were connected that caused Soviet scientists to take such an interest in them.

Although Masha and Dasha have four arms, they have only three legs. They stand on two of their legs, one controlled by Masha, one by Dasha (they were five before they learned how to walk) while a third, vestigial leg remains in the air behind them. Their upper intestines are separated but they share a single lower intestine and rectum. They have four kidneys and one bladder, and often disagree on when to urinate. They have a common reproductive system.

Although Masha and Dasha have four arms, they have only three legs. They stand on two of their legs, one controlled by Masha, one by Dasha (they were five before they learned how to walk) while a third, vestigial leg remains in the air behind them. Their upper intestines are separated but they share a single lower intestine and rectum. They have four kidneys and one bladder, and often disagree on when to urinate. They have a common reproductive system.

Because their circulatory systems are inter-connected, the twins share each other's blood. Therefore, a bacterium or virus that enters one twin's bloodstream will soon be seen in the blood of her sister. Yet surprisingly, illness affects them differently. Dasha is short-sighted, prone to colds and right-handed. Masha smokes occasionally, has a healthier constitution, higher blood pressure than her sister, good eyesight and is left-handed.

The twins differing health patterns present a mystery. Why did one become ill with a childhood disease, like measles for example, while the other did not? The measles "bug" was in both of their bodies, in their collective bloodstream; so why didn't both get the measles?

Evidently there is more to "getting the measles" than having the measles "bug". This phenomenon was seen over and over again with the girls (flu, colds, other childhood diseases were all experienced separately). If germs alone had the power to cause infectious diseases, why would one of the twins be disease-free while the other was ill? What was it in their makeup that differentiated one from the other?

The answer was not far to seek. Although Masha and Dasha had common circulatory, digestive, excretory, lymphatic, endocrine and skeletal systems (they were joined at the hips), they had separate spinal columns and spinal cords. This was the only important difference between the two girls.

In Masha and Dasha, nature's "laboratory" devised an experiment that no human researcher could ever duplicate. These extraordinary twins are an invaluable example confirming that there is much more to "catching" a disease than simply breathing in germs; germs can make you sick if and only if your body provides fertile ground to grow in.

The state of your nervous system can determine whether you have high or low resistance to disease. If you are suffering from disease, the health of your nervous system will play a decisive role in whether or not (and how rapidly) you will recover. By keeping your spinal column and nervous system free from subluxation stress, chiropractic care keeps you in a higher state of health.

Masha and Dasha became celebrities when they appeared on a popular national television program in Russia. They were reunited with their mother (their father had since died) and are hopeful: "The past forty years haven't been so good, but things are looking up for the next forty," said Dasha.

Seven Steps to Gorgeous, Radiant Skin

by Sheryl Walters, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) Botox is the fastest growing treatment for wrinkles. 3,181,592 people were injected with botox in the United States alone last year, and it is becoming incredibly popular in another 75 countries where it has been approved. Yet this is a toxic poison so dangerous that it could actually be used as a "weapon of mass destruction." Sure, it may smooth out the wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles, but the results don't seem to be worth it.

According to Public Citizen, who analyzed FDA data on Botox from 1997 to 2006, 180 patients developed life-threatening conditions after being injected with Botox. There were 16 deaths and 87 hospitalizations. Four of the deaths occurred in children under 18. This paralysing poison can also cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), leading to pneumonia and fluid in the lungs.

In addition to botox, people are grasping at their youth through dangerous laser surgeries, toxic chemical peels, and cow collagen injections among others.

Yet the answers to beautiful, glowing skin are in our lifestyles and in nature. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and our overall health is reflected on it. Botox and other techniques can mask the problems for a while, but it the problems will eventually come through, if not on our skin then in our health. No matter what our age, we can make changes in our lives that will show up on our skin.

Here are 7 steps to ensuring beautiful, glowing skin.

1. Avoid Food Intolerances

If you are intolerant to certain foods, it may show up as bags or dark circles under the eyes. Sugar is one of the most aging toxins, since fluctuating blood sugars are highly aging. Cow's milk is linked with acne and poor skin quality. Excess alcohol and other toxins that make the liver overworked can make the skin look overworked. A healthy diet that is filled with foods that nurture is the key to radiant skin.

2. Avoid Free Radicals and Eat Loads of Antioxidants

Free radicals such as house hold chemicals and cigarettes cause aging. The irony is that all of these expensive creams and potions that promise to turn back the years, along with botox and other processes cause free radical damage that will eventually appear on the skin, no matter how much they seem to work in the short term.

But despite our efforts to avoid toxins, we are still going to come into contact with free radicals. Even exercise causes free radicals. Consuming as many antioxidants as possible is the natural antidote. Kale, cabbage, chilli peppers, parsley artichokes and Brussels sprouts are some of the most powerful vegetables. Berries, pineapple, pomegranate, prunes and kiwis are some of the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Raw chocolate, bee pollen, goji berries, and spirulina are just a few of the new super foods shown to dramatically reduce aging, as well as most other health issues.

3. Find Your Optimum Weight and Stay There

The endless cycle of losing weight, gaining it back only to go on yet another diet is terrible for the skin, not to mention dangerous for the body and exhausting for the mind. This constant rise and fall of weight can potentially cause wrinkles and saggy skin. Maintaining your optimum weight keeps skin firm and youthful. Cutting out or at least dramatically reducing the amount of "dead" food such as bread, pasta and rice while significantly increasing the amount of living food like fruits and vegetables is a simple change you can make to find your ideal weight and enjoy optimum health.

4. Limit Intense Sun Exposure

Excess sun exposure can cause skin damage. Yet this fact has been taken to the extreme, making people scared of getting any sun at all. The key is to get short bursts of sun so that you don't get sun burned. Eating plenty of antioxidants will actually make you less likely to get sun burned.

On the other hand, sunscreen has been shown to cause aging and disease, so covering up when the skin has had too much sun is far more effective. Research indicates that broccoli sprouts are an especially good natural sunscreen food, and scientists are attempting to create a sunscreen out of them.

5. Moisturize with Nature's Most Perfect Oil

Coconut oil keeps the skin strong and supple, preventing sagging, wrinkled skin. It protects from free radicals and is a natural sunscreen. It prevents dry skin, blemishes and liver spots. It even has the ability to restore and rejuvenate damaged skin. It heals and repairs, leaving the skin radiant and youthful.

Coconut oil has been used for centuries by people all over the world. It is nature's oldest and most popular moisturizer and youth restorer. Who needs botox and toxic skin creams when there is nature??

6. Ensure you Get Plenty of Essential Fats

Omega-3 fatty acids are a key ingredient for beautiful skin. Most people are seriously lacking in these fats that are vital for vibrant, healthy looking skin. Eczema, dry skin, cracked heels and premature aging are all signs of omega 3 deficiency. Omega-3 fats prevent dehydration in the cells so that the skin cells are strong and full of moisture. Fish oil and Alaskan wild salmon are good sources of omega 3. If you are a vegan, you can use hemp, linseed and chia seeds.

7. Relax Your Facial Muscles

Be aware of your facial expressions. If you frown a lot, try to relax the muscles. This is actually a good form of meditation. Go around your face and discover where there is tension or holding. Breathe into the area and feel it let go. Focus on all of the key muscles groups and feel them melting into relaxation.

The Daily Addiction; The Dangers of Coffee and Caffeine

THE DAILY ADDICTION

The Dangers of Coffee

By Dave Schwartz, Chiropractic Intern

How does this morning routine sound;

Alarm goes off 6:00am, hit the snooze a few times, then reluctantly get out of bed and mosey on down to the kitchen. Thankfully you remembered to set the timer on the coffee pot last night, so a fresh pot of “liquid energy” awaits! Grab a mug, pour…enjoy.

Sound familiar? Well, 54% of America is right along with you. That’s right, 54% of Americans drink coffee every day.¹ 87% of Americans drink coffee on a regular basis!² Here’s one that should get you going: 76% of children consume high amounts of caffeine daily!²

Sound like an addiction?

Before you set the auto timer on your pot of coffee tonight, read through these facts which show the dangerous effects both caffeinated and decaf coffee have on your body. If you are sitting back thinking you’re in the clear because you drink decaf, think again. Decaffeinated coffee is not just as bad as regular, it may be worse.

THE TOP 10 REASONS WHY TO QUIT DRINKING COFFEE

1. ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY

Every time you take a sip of coffee, whether it be regular or decaf, your body responds by releasing adrenaline from your adrenal glands. Instantly your body adapts into a “FIGHT OR FLIGHT” response. This is your sympathetic nervous system in action. Imagine you were walking in the woods late at night and a saber-tooth tiger jumped out at you…what would you do? You’d run like crazy! That is what a sip of coffee is preparing your body for. Sip after sip, mug after mug, pot after pot, your adrenals get “burned out” and you go into adrenal insufficiency. This leads to exhaustion and a feeling of whole body fatigue. ³

*Instant coffee gives you 65-100mg of caffeine, brewed coffee 80-135 and dripped coffee up to 175mg of caffeine⁴

**Some you might be thinking that because you drink decaf you are in the clear because decaf doesn’t contain caffeine. Sorry! Decaf coffee is supposed to have 97% of caffeine removed³, so not only can there be trace amounts anyway, but this 97% rule is never enforced. Starbucks reports that there is up to 15-18mg of caffeine in each 8oz of coffee and that their “smallest” cup size is 12oz.⁵ This is more than enough caffeine to stimulate your adrenals and cause a sympathetic reaction.

2. DECAF COFFEE INCREASES RISK OF HEART ATTACK

Drinking decaf is no longer safe as many seem to say. Decaf has been shown to increase the level of LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol which has been shown to be a strong predictor for heart attacks. Decaf also contains chlorogenic acid which is also found in regular coffee. Chlorogenic acid raises plasma levels of homocysteine which have been found to increase your susceptibility of developing serious heart conditions. ^3,6

3. DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

As your adrenals become overactive, adrenalin is produced in mass quantities. This causes your body to decrease serotonin in your body. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter that functions in the brain. It is responsible for preventing depression and anxiety. When this is decreased in the body, you become depressed and anxious. ³

4. DEVELOP AND WORSENING OF TYPE II DIABETES

According to James Lane, professor at Duke University: “Typically, in people with Type 2 Diabetes, there is a large and persistent rise in glucose after eating a meal. This spike in glucose is even larger and longer-lasting if caffeine is present. So, it’s reasonable to say that caffeine and coffee seem to make diabetes symptoms worse.” ⁶ The danger is the caffeine. Other studies have shown that coffee helps diabetes, however new research is showing that this is due an unknown substance in coffee. The caffeine in regular and decaf worsen diabetes and do not prevent the condition. ⁷

5. ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD) AND HYPERACTIVITY (ADHD)

Caffeine has been said to cause dementia, anaphylaxis (an acute systemic and severe hypersensitivity allergic hypersensitivity allergic reaction), ADD, hyperactivity (ADHD), and reduced mental functioning.³ It does this by over stimulating the mind and body. Consistent caffeine consumption puts your body in the sympathetic state and destroys neuron receptors in the brain leading to attention disorders. The coffee “buzz” you get from a cup of java occurs when caffeine blocks a brain chemical called adenosine. Adenosine prompts feelings of drowsiness and sleepiness. So, when caffeine inhibits adenosine, your brain cannot relax and is under constant stimulation. ²

Remember that caffeine is also in soda. Think about how many adults and even children drink both coffee and soda in one day. I was just in Caribou the other day (don’t worry, I save myself a little caffeine by going with my favorite, chai tea), and a mother in front of me bought two Caramel High Rises for her teenage daughters. Caramel High Rise’s have two shots of espresso in them equating to 180 mg of caffeine!⁸ A large High Rise has 270 mg of caffeine, 24 times the amount found in decaf! (Remember that even 11 mg of caffeine, as is found in decaf, is enough caffeine to stimulate the adrenals and cause harm to your body, just think of what 270mg does.)

6. HEADACHES DUE TO DEHYDRATION

This is the most controversial issue dealing with coffee consumption. If you do a little research you will find that there are conflicting answers as to whether or not coffee consumption causes dehydration. However, think about how many have experienced or heard from their friends that they experienced a headache after drinking a pot or even just a cup of coffee. Thinking physiologically and the effect caffeine has on our body, dehydration from drinking coffee can definitely occur. Caffeine is a natural diuretic. The more caffeine you consume the more water you are going to pull out of your cells and remove through the kidneys and urinary system. If you are not replacing that water regularly, you will become dehydrated. Some signs and symptoms of dehydration include: headaches, thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, and body chills.

To show this, here is an excerpt from research done by F. Batmanghelidj, MD author of “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water”:

“When a body becomes dehydrated, the neurotransmitter histamine is activated. Histamine, in turn, activates prostaglandins, kinins, and vasopressin, in an effort to redistribute available water according to priority. The body’s response to dehydration, when left unchecked, contributes to many other problems, including DNA damage, reduced efficiency of DNA repair system, immune suppression, and irregular protein production in cells, which encourages cancer cell formation. When growth hormone production decreases as we enter our twenties, thirst perception also decreases. As we age and become less aware of being thirsty and drink less water, the water content within cells decreases so that cellular water can be redistributed to the brain and other vital functions. Gradually, we become dehydrated. The negative effects of dehydration are permitted to compound partly because people in modern societies have been taught to use painkillers to mask the pain caused by histamine, prostaglandins, and kinins. Masking the pain does not address the underlying problem of dehydration. Dehydration is especially prevalent among people who drink caffeinated coffee, tea, and sodas. Caffeine dehydrates the body.” ⁹

On a side note, notice the sentence that tells us about growth hormone decreasing when we enter our twenties? That should not happen. This is not only why we are dehydrated, but why we are obese and cannot lose weight! Exercise by BURST TRAINING to restore growth hormone levels!

Coffee causes headaches through dehydration and also through decreasing your magnesium levels because of the caffeine. You need to start hydrating yourself immediately! Your body is 60-70% water…drink at least half your body weight (pounds) in ounces daily to stay hydrated!

7. INCREASED ACIDITY

Coffee is highly acidic! Your body tries to maintain homeostasis as close to a pH slightly above 7.0, meaning your body wants to be in an ALKALINE environment. Maintaining an alkaline environment helps your body stay healthy and fight off cancer. The pH of coffee is 4.9-5.8. Decaf is even more acidic than regular.³ Drinking cups or even pots a day increases the acidity of your body making you unhealthy. You have an increased risk for GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease), heartburn, and acid reflux. ^3,6

8. DISRUPTS METABOLIC FUNCTIONING

Your body metabolizes the best in an alkaline environment and when it becomes acidic you alter bones’ cell function leading to osteoporosis. Other increased risks include: joint diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Iron deficiency, increased loss of magnesium and zinc. ^3,10

A recent study in 2002 reported that drinking four or more cups of decaf led to an increased

risk of rheumatoid arthritis, while drinking 3 cups of tea/day DECREASED the risk! ¹⁰

9. HIGH BLOOD SUGAR

The coffee addiction leads you to a high and then a crash. Many people then think they need a “pick me up” after the crash and they turn to SUGAR! (Doughnuts being the #1 culprit.) Think also about all of those flavored sugar syrups, sweeteners, and creamers you ADD to your coffee.

10. SLEEP DISTURBANCE

Coffee is a stimulant. Studies have found that caffeine can reduce a person’s perceived quality rest and their total minutes spent in slumber. It will also increase the number of times you wake up in the middle of the night especially if you drink it at night and drinking it during the day can through off your circadian (natural) sleep rhythm.

11. BONUS! HOW DECAF BECOMES DECAF

Since listing 10 things was not enough, I thought it would be very informative to show you how decaf becomes decaf. From a natural perspective, any processed foods or processed products made by man are detrimental to your health and well being. The same goes for coffee. You need to ask how they turn caffeinated coffee beans in to decaf. It must involve some sort of processing. There are three common decaffeination methods. ³

The first involves the use of either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. Both of these solvents are supposed to be removed in the end process, but when man messes with God’s work, do you believe that happens? Both of these solvent residues have been found in decaffeinated coffee.

Methylene chloride: carcinogenic, which means cancer causing, by the National Cancer Institute. In lower doses it may cause headaches, fatigue, and behavior similar to being drunk.¹¹

Ethyl acetate: irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, followed by headache, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and unconsciousness. Prolonged exposures may cause clouding of the eye, damage to the lungs and heart and kidney and liver problems.¹²

The second and third decaffeination process uses the “Swiss water or European water” process and supercritical carbon dioxide. When either of these processes is used it leaves the coffee with a high acidity. Here is another shocking fact: Inferior coffee beans that are old or moldy are often used for decaffeination because the process masks the age and the condition of the beans! Sounds like cheap, rotten, acidic coffee to me. The manufacturers are obviously not concerned with YOUR health!

You need to ALWAYS be conscious of what you are putting into your body and where it came from. Caffeine in high amounts is not only addictive but, as you now know, DANGEROUS and DEADLY to your body. You must also apply this knowledge to anything else that contains caffeine, especially soda and diet soda. Always be wary of what you put into your body.

Caffeine can be safe in your body in very low doses and sometimes caffeine ingestion is inevitable throughout the day. However, many Americans OVERDOSE on their daily caffeine. You should be ingesting no more than 100-200mg caffeine per day. Here are some common drinks and their caffeine content¹³:

Red Bull (8.2 oz) 80.0

Mountain Dew 55.0

Diet Coke 45.6

Diet Pepsi 36.0

Tea, Iced 47

Tea, various brands, 30-40

Tea green 15

Hot cocoa 14

Coffee, Instant 65-10

Coffee, Espresso (2 ounces) 100

Coffee, Drip 115-175

Coffee, Brewed 80-135

Coffee, Decaf, brewed 3-4

Coffee, Decaf, instant 2-3

So now what? There are two choices…

A) QUIT DRINKING COFFEE

B) QUIT DRINKING COFFEE OVER TIME

Of course, option A will be the best for the health of your body, however many people will experience “caffeine withdrawals”. These can range from headaches to fatigue or general body soreness. For those who drink copious amounts of coffee, try weaning yourself off. Here are some helpful tips in doing just that.

· Decrease your amount of coffee weekly or daily – slowly decrease the amount of coffee you ingest every day or week if that’s what it takes. Any amount you decrease is a step in the right direction!

· Become addicted to herbal tea - I know many of you coffee lovers are cringing at this piece of advice, but herbal teas have tremendous health benefits and contain half the amount of caffeine as coffee. There are many different flavors and ways to make the tea (such as by adding milk after steeping). Make sure you go organic!

· Try water therapy – start drinking half your body weight or more of water per day in ounces and rehydrate your body. Tendencies are that you won’t feel as thirsty. Try adding the all-natural sweetener Stevia to your glass, which has many different flavors, to get yourself addicted to something healthy!

· “De-Coffetize” your home – get rid of all the coffee in your home and force yourself to switch. Whenever you feel a craving, burst train or drink some tea/water/juice.

· Avoid coffeehouses – you MUST avoid Starbucks, Caribou, and other cafes until you can learn to handle your cravings. Addictions are hard to break and you must constantly be on guard for temptations. Habits are said to be formed in 40 days; the same amount of time Jesus was in the desert and defeated the devil and his temptations.

· Try Natural Coffee – Now that you coffee addicts rejected all of the above, here is one for you. Natural herbal coffee! Now, I haven’t personally tried this product, but I have researched it and it is safe for your body and your taste buds. Many reviewers say that it tastes just like regular coffee, without the caffeine or solvents! The brand is Teeccino Caffeine-Free Herbal Coffee. Here is sample “weaning plan” that will get you un-addicted to coffee:

The Pain-free Way to Wean off of Coffee³

Start by mixing normal coffee 3/4 to 1/4 Teeccino Herbal Coffee. Gradually reduce the percentage of coffee over a two to three week period until 100% Teeccino Herbal Coffee is brewed. Gradual reduction of caffeine is recommended. Side effects such as headaches, fatigue, and brain fogginess can be avoided as the body gradually adjusts to less reliance on stimulants.

Day	Regular Coffee (in tablespoons)	Teeccino Herbal Coffee (in tablespoons)
1-3	4	1
4-6	3	2
7-9	2	3
10	1 ½	3 ½
11	1	4
12 – 13	½	4 ½
14	0	5

Find Teeccino herbal coffee at http://www.teeccino.com/

· GET ADJUSTED! – Subluxation has been proven to disrupt the mind-body relationship. How do you think you could defeat a craving when your brain doesn’t know what your body is doing? For you to defeat this coffee craving make sure you are adjusted regularly! As soon as you start kicking the habit and getting adjusted, your body will begin to heal from the inside out, restoring the innate God-given potential you all have and deserve!

GOOD LUCK AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DON’T KEEP THIS FOR JUST YOU!

EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE TO THEIR GOD GIVEN POTENTIAL!

1 Coffee Consumption Statistics in the United States, http://www.coffeeresearch.org/market/usa.htm

2 CBS News. The Buzz Behind Caffeine. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/21/health/webmd/main689961.shtml

3 Effects of Decaffeinated Coffee on Health. http://www.teeccino.com/decaf.aspx

4 Caffeine content of popular drinks http://www.wilstar.com/caffeine.htm

5 Decaffeinated coffee still contains caffeine, researchers report

http://www.naturalnews.com/020724_caffeine_coffee_caffeine_addiction.html

6 Spilling the Beans. MSN Health and Fitness. http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100153347

7 Diabetes Sufferers: Beware Coffee. CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/29/health/webmd/main3763964.shtml

8 http://www.cariboucoffee.com/page/1/Wild-Coolers-2009---Caramel-High-Rise.jsp

9 F. Batmanghelidj, MD. Physiological Effects of Dehydration: Cure Pain and Prevent Cancer. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2001_August/ai_78177228/

10 Mikuls, T.R et al. 2002. Coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption and risk of rheumatoid arthritis: results from the Iowa Women's Health Study. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 46(1):83-91.

11 Dichloromethane Fact Sheet. http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/34.html

12 Ethyl Acetate Fact Sheet. http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/38.html

13 Caffeine Content of Drinks. http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database

WE WILL NOT CONFORM!!!

(NaturalNews) In observing the outrageous acts of doctors who have turned 13-year-old Daniel Hauser and his mom into "fugitives from the law" over their refusal to submit to toxic chemotherapy treatments, I began to wonder whether existing U.S. law covers the crimes being committed against the Hauser family. It turns out the U.S. PATRIOT ACT already defines these cancer doctors and Child Protective Services zealots as "terrorists."

What is a terrorist? A domestic terrorist is a person who engages in illegal acts that are "dangerous to human life" and which are intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population (among other things).

So let's examine how this might apply to the forced chemotherapy of Daniel Hauser:

 Chemotherapy is dangerous to human life. There's no question whatsoever about that. Even the cancer doctors will tell you chemotherapy is poison.

• The fugitive manhunt for the Hauser family, along with the threat of arrest from Child Protective Services, was part of a campaign to intimidate or coerce a civilian population into bowing to conventional cancer treatments (a political and financial aim).

• The kidnapping of Daniel Hauser by state authorities is a violation of United States law, not to mention the 4th and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

So we actually have all three elements here: Danger to human life, intimidation of a civilian population and the violation of law.
That makes this assault on the Hauser family an act of domestic terrorism!
So why aren't the cancer doctors and CPS kidnappers being arrested and shipped off to Gitmo for interrogation? I'll tell you why: Because in a police state, terrorism is really defined as anyone who acts against the State. Those who work for the State while engaging in acts of terrorism are exempt from terrorism laws.

The way these things work is that state authorities fabricate claims that "children are in danger" and then they use that as justification to firebomb a compound, or kidnap a teenage boy, or arrest the parents, or do whatever they wish to do.

They raid Scientology offices, or the Nemenhah Native American group (http://www.nemenhah.org), or home Bible study groups (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index....) or any other group they can target and label as being outside the mainstream. In effect, they criminalize nonconformity, then they use the excuse that children are harmed by such nonconformities as a justification for criminalizing anyone who resists.

And yet I would argue that conformity is more harmful to children than living an "alternative" lifestyle. Conformity means feeding your children hot dogs, injecting them with over a hundred vaccines by the age of six (not a hundred individual shots, but a hundred vaccines combined into far fewer shots), exposing them to thousands of hours of television violence, taking psychiatric drugs and engaging in other destructive acts that ultimately harm children.

Healthy child rearing is, by definition, alternative in nature. Because most children (mainstream children) are not anywhere close to healthy. The truly healthy children are those raised by parents who reject mainstream junk foods (and medicine) and, instead, raise their children on real, unprocessed food made by Mother Nature.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.          Romans 12:2

4 YEAR OLD BOY GROWS LACTATING BREAST

More than 389,000 children and teenagers were treated last year with Risperdal, a form of medicine known as an atypical antipsychotic. Of these patients, 240,000 were 12 or younger. In many cases, the drug was prescribed to treat attention deficit disorders and bi-polar disorders.

But Risperdal is not approved for attention deficit problems, and its side effects include: weight gain, metabolic disorders, diabetes, seizures, gynecomastia (breast development), aggression, sleeping disorder, severe bowel problems, somnolence, increased appetite, fatigue, upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting, coughing, fever, tremors, muscle stiffness, anxiety, restlessness, dizziness, indigestion, urinary incontinence and muscular tics that can be permanent. More serious side-effects include: neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which can be fatal, tardive dyskinesia, serious and sometimes permanent muscle tics, & hormone disruption (including breasts producing milk and breast development in males). Risperdone has also been known to cause increased thoughts of suicide.

According to experts, these risks are too great to justify its use in treating such disorders. From 1993 through the first three months of 2008m 1,207 children given Risperdal suffered serious problems, including 31 who died.

In a study, which included 1,885 children, performed by the makers of Risperdal, 43 developed abnormal breasts. Below is a video of a 19 year old boy, whom at the age of 14 took the drug Risperdal and developed breasts. You will also watch the story of a 4 year old boy who, after taking Risperdal, grew a lactating breast.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5038367n

When drugs start causing the development of lactating breasts in 4 year old boys, I would say that’s a problem. Would you? When the drug isn’t being taken off the market, I would say that’s an even bigger problem. What do you think? We can all agree that we have illnesses such as Autism, ADHA, Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety, but there is a better way than treating our children with dangerous medications that can permanently damage their bodies. Does the medical model treat the symptoms, or are they actually creating health? Growing breasts on a small child does not sound healthy. Another thing we must ask is if these drugs do this, then what other damage is happening inside the body and going unseen? Is it worth it to trade one disease for another? Somebody has to put a stop to this madness.

Revolution Wellness Center is helping to put an end to the insanity that is being perpetrated by the medical community. Here at Revolution we teach families how to live DRUG-FREE, SURGERY-FREE LIVES so they and their children can LIVE THE LIVES THAT GOD INTENDED them to live! Ask Dr. Suzy or any of our staff ANY TIME for more information on going DRUG-FREE and SURGERY-FREE! We are here as a resource for each of you, your families and friends! We want to empower you to live to your God-given potential the way He intended!

Safe Sunscreens for the Family

Posted by Tiffany 4/21/2009 on NatureMomsBlog: a guide to natural family life!

Over the years we have had drilled into our consciousness that too much sun exposure is bad for our health and the way to avoid damaging our skin is to lather ourselves in sunscreen. A study by The American Cancer Society has stated that 80% of our total lifetime sun exposure occurs within the first 18 years of life so children in particular are at risk. Children are probably the most likely to be to be smothered in sunscreens by well meaning parents too. But is the sunscreen helpful or harmful?

Protection from the sun is important but the chemicals we put on our skin can be harmful, especially to our children and typical sunscreens have LOTS of chemicals.

Over the years the skin care industry has had to increase the level of chemical compounds in sunscreen in order to raise the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) level. Researchers from the University of Southern California have, however, recently found that sunscreen can actually cause more harm than good once it is soaked into the skin.
Upon absorption into the skin, sunscreen can actually form the very dangerous compounds it was meant to block. Researchers found that some commonly used ultraviolet (UV) filters actually soak into the skin’s layers and from there can generate harmful components called reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are substances that can cause skin cancer.

Other research has shown that the greatest increases in the cancer melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical sunscreens are promoted and used widely. Mike Adams of Naturalnews.com often claims that sunscreen is a scam and that we have zero need for it.

In addition to the cancer risk is the effect of sunscreen on children’s development. Many sunscreen chemicals also have estrogen-like effects. Estrogen is a hormone that affects many aspects of the female body development and functions. Too much exposure to toxic estrogenic chemical sunscreens can increase cancers and cause birth defects in children.

Researchers have found estrogenic sunscreens in the breast milk of mothers at about the same levels as other known environmental contaminants such as PCBs. They further believe that exposure could be significantly increased in childhood by the large amount of sunscreen used by bathers, especially children. Children’s organs are more sensitive to estrogen exposure and can develop abnormalities at their early stages (including embryo, fetus and toddler stages) if exposed.

Limiting exposure to sun and seeking out more healthy skin products that do not contain dangerous ingredients (chemical free choices are available) are possible solutions for you to consider for your children. And we can’t forget hat sun exposure is a GOOD thing. We need sunlight exposure for good health so I will rarely apply sunblock to my own kids unless we are going to be in the sun for a prolonged length of time. Otherwise I just let them get some sun and/or use protective clothing to diminish risk. So for a few hours at the zoo…not likely to use it but I will have hats and sunglasses for them and we will be mindful to seek out some shade when we need it. But for an all day trip to the beach…yes I will bring some safe sunscreen.
So what exactly do you need to avoid when choosing a sunscreen? Here are some nasty ingredients you will want to stay away from if you can:

PABA: This is not widely used anymore, but just in case. Many people are very sensitive to this ingredient and can end up with red, itchy skin.

Benzophenone (benzophenone-3), homosalate, and octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate): These chemicals are bad news because they have shown estrogenic activity in lab tests. Oxybenzone is aderivative of benzophenone and it is linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. According to the CDC 97% of Americans are contaminated with this widely-used sunscreen ingredient.

Parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-): Parabens are common in sunscreens so avoiding them may prove difficult. They are preservatives that have estrogenic qualities. They have produced abnormal hormonal effects following on laboratory rodents, particularly male, resulting in decreased testosterone levels and other abnormalities. They have also been found to accumulate in the breast tissue of women with breast cancer.

Padimate-O and Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone): While on the surface of the skin these chemicals appear to prevent UV damage but when absorbed into the skin they can actually damage DNA. There is evidence that the sun’s light may cause these chemicals to become reactive and cause free-radical damage when they’re absorbed. I find it alarming that pediatricians often recommend these very ingredients.

In general if you want to know which sunscreens are usually loaded with the bad stuff….oh just the easy to find ones like Coppertone, Banana Boat, Avon, Nivea, Neutrogena, The Body Shop, etc. Also even some of the ones that appear to be more natural like Kiss My Face or Aveeno have some pretty nasty sunscreens.
In general, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are good choices as they scatter or reflect the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them. And since traditional formulations are not absorbed into the skin (thus the white streaks on the skin), there is less risk of the substance building up in your body. Formulations with nano particles may be absorbed into the skin, although since these are natural minerals there is debate about this being an issue but I will point out the ones I know have them.


Here is a list of some of the safer sunscreens I have found:

TruKid’s SunnyDays sunscreen - Safe and affordable.

California Baby SPF 30 + Sunblock Stick - No Fragrance - My top pick for kids! This is a non chemical sunscreen. It uses non-penetrating titanium dioxide (no nano particles) to protect against the sun. It is also made with organic & sustainably grown ingredients.

California Baby SPF 30 - This is specially for children to be safe and it a favorite among many natural parents. I have used this on my own kids and I really like it. I usually opt for the fragrance free versions.

California Baby SPF 30 + Bug Repellent - This is a good sunblock/bug repellent combo that is DEET free.
Badger Face & Body Sunblock SPF 30 - There was huge run on this sunscreen not long ago and you could hardly get it. It is known to be one of the safest sunscreens out there.

Miessence Organics Reflect Outdoor Balm SPF 15 - I have some if this and I like it…very clean smelling and not sticky. It is also made by a great company with organic ingredients. It has added antioxidants and beta carotene to help nourish skin and protect it.

Lavera Baby and Children Sun Screen Lotion, SPF 30 - Contains organic peach seed, apricot seed oil and calendula and protects against UV A, B and C rays with waterproof protection.

Jason Natural - Sunbrellas Chemical Free Sun Block SPF30+ - Chemical, Fragrance and Paraben Free Complete UVA & UVB Protection Ideal for Sensitive Skin.

Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive Faceblock SPF 25 - Another chemical free sunblock using non-penetrating titanium dioxide. This has a hint of color…most likely to hide the streaky whiteness of the natural titanium dioxide.

Sunscreen SPF 30 by Soleo Organics - Made with Zinc Oxide, it provides 3 hours of water resistant protection without the use of chemical UV-absorbers or synthetic preservatives. This sunscreen is made with nano particles.

Also don’t forget your protective gear…so you won’t need sunscreen as much:

Legionnaire Hats - These hats for kids have flaps on either side that protect the face, head, and neck areas from getting burned. They are also made with UV protective fabric.

Sunday Afternoon’s Kid’s Play Hat UPF 45 - Made of lightweight water-resistant supplex fabric, blocks UVA and UVB rays, rated 45 UPF. Full veil covers back of neck, mesh panels for ventilation, down-sloped flexible brim shades face.

Baby Banz Sunglasses - 100% UV/UVA & UVB ray protection. You can also get a sunglasses/hat combo.