Vitamin C & Your Skin, A Different Perspective on the Flu Vaccine, A Naturopathic Approach to Preventing Ilness AND bonus follow up on weight loss

Follow up Bonus 1st because I'm very excited about this!: A recent article by Dr. Mercola explaining the impact of your habits on genes and how genetic subtypes have predispositions to weight gain. This makes the study of nutrigenomics an exciting study and shows its potential as the future of medicine. This article explains that testing for the FTO gene varient can tell us if you have a predisposition to a slower metabolism. Another example is testing the MTHFR gene to see how your methylation potential, which is needed for detoxification and heart health. Furthermore, as a follow up on my health feedback from last week, the article discusses "the skinny on fat!"

A recent study in Science Direct tested Vitamin C's role in skin health. 

Excerpt:
We propose that vitamin C may protect the skin by promoting fibroblast proliferation, migration, and replication-associated base excision repair of potentially mutagenic DNA lesions, and we discuss the putative involvement of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 and collagen receptor-related signaling pathways.

So, eat your organic oranges!

Flu Vaccine Exposed (Dr. Mercola)
8 minute video on statistics on the flu vaccine that aren't well known.

Excerpt:

What many people do NOT know, however, is that death caused directly by the flu virus is very rare. The vast majority of so-called "flu deaths" are in fact due to bacterial pneumonia - a potential complication of the flu if your immune system is too weak.

Other complications can include ear- or sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic health conditions.

The elderly and people with other pre existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, are at higher risk of developing pneumonia after a bout of the flu.

According to the CDC, the majority of flu vaccines contain thimerosal. Some contain as much as 25 mcg of mercury per dose. This means that it may contain more than 250 times the Environmental Protection Agency's safety limit for mercury.

By now, most people are well aware that children and fetuses are most at risk of damage from this neurotoxin, as their brains are still developing. Yet the CDC still recommends that children over 6 months, and pregnant women, receive the flu vaccine each year.

In addition to mercury, flu vaccines also contain other toxic or hazardous ingredients like:

Aluminum -- a neurotoxin that has been linked to Alzheimer's disease
Triton X-100 -- a detergent
Phenol (carbolic acid)
Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
Betapropiolactone - a disinfectant
Nonoxynol - used to kill or stop growth of STDs
Octoxinol 9 - a vaginal spermicide, Sodium phosphate

A Naturopathic Approach to Preventing the Flu (SF Chronicle)
Naturopathic Medicine focuses on preventing diseases and building health, rather than treating an illness. This article gives an example of one licensed Naturopathic Doctor's approach to working with the body's innate healing power. She recommends dietary changes, lifestyle strategies, and herbal support.

In health, Dr. Sarah :)