Okay take a look at this statement straight from the CDC website:

In June 2001, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) made recommendations for using smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine to protect persons working with orthopoxviruses and to prepare for and respond to a possible terrorist attack involving smallpox (Source)

Two things to notice here:

1. Look at the date of the recommendation.
2. Look at why they’re recommending a smallpox vaccine.

Questions for you to answer:

1. When was the World Trade Center attacked?  (Answer: September 11, 2001)
2. When was there ever a bio-terrorist attack?  (Answer: Never)
3. If President Bush set aside $509 million for smallpox vaccine production, but people never got the vaccine, where did all the money go?  (It’s been estimated that it would actually cost $1 Billion, and who’s paying for that?  Yes…you the taxpayer).

Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way…without any smallpox or anthrax outbreaks (except the imaginary threats portrayed by the media)…let’s jump into the next money maker “Swine Flu.”

Most people aren’t even aware that Swine Flu is not a “new” thing (I was one of them, until I did the research).  The media portrays this virus as the new superstar alongside what Kanye West is stirring up.  And people bite.  With words such as “Pandemic” and “Outbreak” how can it not get your attention right?  But what the media isn’t coughing up is the 1976 accounts of the swine flu.  Yup, same thing happened back then and we’re going through it all over again, with the exact same reactions.

Let me summarize what played out back then:

• A soldier at Fort Dix was diagnosed with the flu of H1N1 strain.
• NIH told the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) and they planned a mass “vaccination” program.
• The government allocated $137 million for the production of a vaccine.
• The vaccine manufacturers made one request: that the federal government indemnify them against claims of adverse reactions as a requirement for release of the vaccines
• August 2, 1976 – a few men at the American Legion in Philadelphia died from “flu-like” symptoms, but was later discovered they had contracted “Legionnaire’s disease.”  But since the swine flu scare was going around, the media quickly portrayed it to be linked.  Mass hysteria continued.
• Vaccinations commenced
• Reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome from the vaccination surfaces, approximately 565 cases noted and 25 who died.  (I know of a patient who’s family member was affected by this).
• Vaccinations halted after 10 weeks

Here’s a quote that was stated in Reuter’s Health section:

Tests show the swine flu vaccine closely matches the H1N1 virus, which suggests it will protect people well. Children also respond to the vaccine just as they do the seasonal flu, meaning those over 10 need one shot while children 9 and under need two.

Did that say “closely” matches?  Let me let you in on a little immunology secret…your immune system doesn’t function on closely matching in order to be effective.  It’s sort of like a lock & key mechanism…the lock doesn’t open if the key “closely” matches.  It just doesn’t.  The article also states:

Swine flu is already widespread in 21 U.S. states. But the virus so far is proving to be milder than expected, with a death rate similar to that of seasonal flu.

If the death rate is similar to the seasonal flu, why is the media in an uproar over this?  Well, all you have to do is look back into history and see that we’re just repeating what’s been done before.  Unknown scare, media pushes out the message, government responds by allocating tax payer money to drug companies to produce vaccines and people bite.  Give it a few months and people will stop talking about it when Brittney Spears or Paris Hilton hits the town again.  Yup, the swine flu is nothing more than makin’ bacon.

Here’s my critique on this whole situation:

The FDA states: “While elemental mercury has been associated with adverse health effects at high exposures, the levels released by dental amalgam fillings are not high enough to cause harm in patients.” This statement is comparing apples to oranges.  What exactly is high exposure?  Well…what they’re getting at here is an acute exposure to high levels of mercury.  The fact of the matter is that anything at an acute high exposure can induce adverse side effects.  Too much water or even air at an acute exposure can cause adverse health effects.  But what we’re dealing with in this statement is the difference between acute high dose exposure and chronic low dose exposure.  So essentially the basis of this statement is correct, when you just take this statement as it is: acute “low” dose exposure will not induce any harm in comparison to an acute high dose exposure.

Susan Runner (acting director for the FDA division that oversees dental devices) states: “The best available scientific evidence supports the conclusion that patients with dental amalgam fillings are not at risk,” she told reporters on a conference call.  Over the past 20 years, the agency has received just 141 reports of problems in patients with the fillings, she added. Here’s the problem with these statistics: it is very difficult to pinpoint heavy metal toxicity as the ultimate causative factor for a health problem!  Our current medical model does not account for the cumulative effects of low dose exposure and the subtle biochemical changes due to that exposure.  Most chronic diseases cannot be linked to one specific causative factor.  These adverse reports are that of POISONING.  Again, comparing apples to oranges.

Now let’s take a look at the economics behind this.  The FDA’s decision could impact makers of metal fillings, which include Dentsply International Inc and Danaher Corp’s unit Kerr, as well as distributors such as Henry Schein Inc and Patterson Cos Inc. Hmm…I wonder how it can impact these companies?  Charlie Brown, a lawyer for Consumers for Dental Choice, said poorer people or those who receive their health care through large institutions such as the U.S. military are more likely to receive the cheaper, silver-colored fillings and are at greater risk for harm. Oh…yeah now I see it?  Since the economy has been in a decline, more and more people are looking for ways to be frugal.  So when presented with a choice, the majority will always choose the cheaper of the two if they are told that there’s essentially no difference between the two.  This will then drive up the profit margins for the dental supply companies.  Is this part of the economic stimulus package?

Initially the FDA issued a warning regarding dental amalgams (See post here).  Then the “final” verdict was released this past tuesday stating that dental amalgams are safe.  When I did a Google search for “FDA Mercury Fillings”

But then when you click on the link here’s what you get:

Not there anymore (obviously).  It always makes me question when Google has the link in a search, but then the page doesn’t exist anymore and does not direct you to the page where the information was moved to.  Just some food for thought.

When I did find the information on the FDA website here’s a key paragraph:

FDA has reviewed the best available scientific evidence to determine whether the low levels of mercury vapor associated with dental amalgam fillings are a cause for concern. Based on this evidence, FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children ages 6 and above. The amount of mercury measured in the bodies of people with dental amalgam fillings is well below levels associated with adverse health effects. Even in adults and children ages 6 and above who have fifteen or more amalgam surfaces, mercury exposure due to dental amalgam fillings has been found to be far below the lowest levels associated with harm. Clinical studies in adults and children ages 6 and above have also found no link between dental amalgam fillings and health problems.

Very straightforward and to the point.  No frills or gimmicks.  The kind of information that will ease the mind of the average person.  But when I went to dig deeper into their website here’s what I found in the appendix:

On July 27, 2009, FDA issued a final rule that: (1) reclassified mercury from a class I (least risk) device to class II (more risk) device; (2) classified dental amalgam as a class II device; and (3) designated a special controls guidance document for dental amalgam. (Source: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/ucm171120.htm)

So from what I understand here is that it was formely classified as a “least risk” device and then upgraded to a “more risk” device and then the news headlines come out and state that it’s “safe.”  I’ll let you make the call here.

Here is a very interesting video that will present you with a visual of what’s going on with dental amalgams.

Solutions: do your homework so that you can make an informed decision.  Don’t just take some “authority’s” statement to be your answer.  Don’t even take what I’m saying to be your answer.  Look past all the hype and propaganda and get down to the facts.

I have a proposal to all the CEO’s of these dental amalgam companies and those in the FDA who state that these amalgams are safe.  Put your money where your mouth is (literally) and use the products which you promote and state are safe.  Fair enough?  Even if you have no “need” for it, I think you should at least try the product out right?  I’m just saying.

‘Generation RX’ addresses many of the alarming issues surrounding the growing use of ADHD drugs, antidepressants, and anti-psychotic medications among children and teenagers worldwide.

‘For decades, scores of doctors, government officials, journalists, and others have extolled the benefits of psychiatric medicines for children,’ said Miller, the film’s writer and producer. ‘Generation RX unveils ‘the rest of the story’ and explains how this era of unprecedented change in Western culture really occurred — and what price has been paid by society.’

By employing the expertise of internationally respected professionals from the fields of medicine, ethics, journalism, and academia, Kevin P. Miller investigates whether collusion between drug companies and their regulatory watchdogs at the FDA exists. He also focuses on the powerful stories of real families who followed the advice of their doctors — and faced devastating consequences for doing so.

‘Generation RX’ is a film about families who confronted horror and found nowhere to turn for help — and how scores of children have been caught in the vortex of mind-bending drugs at the earliest stages of their growth and development. This powerful documentary also examines whether we have forced millions of children onto pharmaceutical drugs for commercial rather than scientific reasons.

Ultimately, Miller says, ‘Generation RX may help parents decide whether the perceived benefits of these medications outweigh the serious risks to children.’

Critics and Hollywood insiders have already begun hailing ‘Generation RX’ as one of the best documentaries of 2008. Paul Haggis, the Academy Award winning Writer/Director said, ‘Generation RX is a powerful and often chilling eye-opener. Many of the stories stayed with me weeks after viewing, and continue to haunt me now.’ Mike Adams, publisher of NewsTarget and Natural News, says the film ‘delivers a jaw-dropping emotional ride,’ and ‘weaves a terrifying tale of criminal conspiracy. It is one of the best films of 2008.’

Jason Buchanan of the ‘All Movie Guide’ stated, ‘Generation RX is a film that every parent should see.’

‘Generation RX’ is being released by Common Radius Films, an Independent media company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information — to view the trailer, or to obtain a copy of the film, visit the movie’s website at GenerationRxFilm.

We’re being duped! A lie is a lie, even if the truth is being stretched. The word cholesterol has somehow, with the help of media, become a bad chemical. Now Cheerios© claim to help “lower cholesterol.” Let’s look at the whole picture here.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a lipid that is essential to life, especially our cells since the cell membranes are composed of it.

Some of the functions of cholesterol:

• It is a precursor to the steroid hormones made in your body (estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, progesterone, cortisol, aldosterone)
• Precursor for vitamin D synthesis
• Important in the manufacturing of bile, which aids in fat digestion
• Important for the metabolism of the fat soluble vitamins (A D E K)
• Maintains the fluidity of cellular membranes

The Lipid Hypothesis:

In efforts to find the culprit for cardiovascular diseases, researchers began to point the finger at cholesterol being the prime suspect. Finding cholesterol plaques lining the artery walls led researchers to deduce that the narrowing of the space with the vessel was the prime cause for cardiovascular disease. The solution to the problem was to lower the amount of circulating cholesterol. Hooray (right?)!!!  Read on…

Enter the Statins:

In 1971, Japanese researcher Akira Endo discovered that a toxin produced by Penicillium citrinum actually inhibited the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase (the enzyme that makes Cholesterol). Its a natural defense mechanism that these bacteria evolved which would eventually kill the “predator.” This toxin was called Mevastatin. Then in 1976 Merck isolated another toxin from the fungus Aspergillus terreus, which inhibited HMG-CoA reductase, and called it Lovastatin.

Pharmaceutical companies began to isolate HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors from various microbes and then eventually began to synthesize it in the test tube.

Fast forward 25 years and statins become the #1 selling drug in the US, bringing in BILLIONS of dollars for the pharmaceutical industry.

Take home point: statins are toxic compounds meant to kill.

Have we solved the problem?

The logical conclusion you can draw from this is that since cholesterol build up cause cardiovascular disease and statins inhibit cholesterol production, there should be less cardiovascular disease in the US since it’s the #1 selling drug.

Yet according to the CDC, in 2005, heart disease was the leading cause of death, and stroke was the #3 leading cause of death.

Hmm…doesn’t seem like we solved the problem here.

Follow the white rabbit down the money trail…

Show me the MONEY!!!  Lipitor continues to top the list of the best selling drugs worldwide.  In 2006, sales topped $12.9 billion dollars.  Think about that.  The company who manufactures Lipitor is Pfizer.  In 2007 Pfizer listed revenues of $48.8 billion dollars.

In 2005, they maxed their contribution to the re-election of president George W. Bush ($250,000).

A 30 count 20mg bottle of Lipitor costs roughly $114.  Doctors tell you that you’ll need it for the rest of your life…adds up to thousands per person.

So how did lipitor rise to the top of the list?  Well, with MDs buying into the lipid hypothesis and then transmitting false information to their patients and organizations such as the American Heart Association lowering the “acceptable” levels of circulating cholesterol…you can see where this is going.  Tell every patient that they need to get their cholesterol levels checked, have the media express concern over the link between high cholesterol and death, and now you have a recipe for increased sales.

Another point to add in here is that “high cholesterol” has no signs or symptoms.  If it shows up on blood tests, your doc will probably instill some fear in you that you’re “at risk” and then quickly pull out the prescription pad.

Stay tuned for the next installment of the Cholesterol conspiracy…

Some statistics, implicating both the food industry and the government as co-creating factors in the obesity epidemic, include:

• In 2002, consumers spent $174 billion on processed foods.
• 90 percent of foods marketed each year are processed foods.
• Last year, 2,800 new candies, desserts, ice-cream, and snacks were introduced to the marketplace, compared to 230 new fruits or vegetable products.
• The food industry spends $34 billion per year marketing their products.
• $12 billion is spent marketing to children.

The food industry is quick to point out that the choice is always yours — they’re not making you buy something you don’t want. They also want to blame the obesity problem on people’s unwillingness to exercise.

Years past and I ran across this video compiled by Gary Null entitled: Deconstructing the Myth of AIDS. Please watch the video and come to your own conclusions. Are we being duped?