The Omnivore June 6, 2005 newsletter

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June 6, 2005 newsletter.

 

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STATINS 'UNDERUSED', WHINES DRUG COMPANY-FUNDED STUDY

 

Although the prescription of statins has skyrocketed in the past

decade, many patients eligible for statin therapy are still not being

prescribed the cholesterol-lowering drugs, according to the authors of

a recent study.

 

The researchers' conclusions, of course, would have had nothing to do

with the fact that their study was sponsored by an unrestricted grant

from one of the major statin manufacturers, would it?

 

No sirree, of course not…

 

Read more at:

 

http://www.theomnivore.com/PLOS_Statins_Underused_2005.html

 

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MEDICAL WHISTLEBLOWERS SPEAK OUT

 

" The pharma-FDA complex has to be dismantled… the American people

have

to insist on that, otherwise we're going to have disasters like Vioxx

that happen in the future. "

 

These are the words of David Graham, the courageous whistle-blower who

has provided the US senate and the public with a very revealing--and

highly unflattering--glimpse of life inside the US Food and Drug

Administration. Graham made the comments during an unprecedented

roundtable of medical whistleblowers sponsored by the Public Library

of Science (PLoS) and the Government Accountability Project.

 

A research scientist from a major pharmaceutical company,

participating in the roundtable on condition of anonymity, said that

" drug companies will not conduct safety studies unless they have to -

meaning basically that they're required by a regulator - and that

rarely happens. "

 

Read more at:

 

http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/node/8035?PHPSESSID=ce71aa1e87ff049b7c70f03d0dd7e\

972

 

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ASPIRIN: NO EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT IN ELDERLY

 

Some health-commentators would have us believe that popping low-dose

aspirin each day is a sure-fire way of cutting our risk of

cardiovascular disease. In large clinical trials, aspirin has indeed

shown an overall mortality benefit in folks with existing coronary

heart disease or ischemic stroke. However, in individuals free of CVD,

aspirin shows a smaller benefit in preventing cardiac mortality, and

this reduced benefit is countered by an increased risk of fatal

bleeding episodes. Despite this, many 'authorities' go right ahead and

recommend that everyone take daily low-dose aspirin.

 

In a recent study, researchers examined the association between

aspirin and mortality among 20,000 men and women aged 70-74 residing

right here in Victoria, Australia. The participants were all initially

free of cardiovascular disease.

 

The researchers found that any benefit of low dose aspirin in the

prevention of heart attacks and ischaemic stroke was offset by excess

gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding events. The findings were

tempered by wide confidence intervals, indicating that the overall

effect of aspirin could be beneficial or adverse.

 

Far better to place one's trust in less toxic natural therapies whose

efficacy has been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials,

methinks…

 

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/330/7503/1306?etoc

 

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STOPPING ASPIRIN

 

If you have been taking aspirin and wish to stop, it is important that

you seek the assistance of a competent medical practitioner. In 2004,

a group of researchers compared over 8,000 first-time heart attack

patients with healthy controls to see if sudden discontinuation of

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin conferred

any increased risk. They found a 52 percent increased risk of heart

attack in those who stopped taking NSAIDs within four weeks of their

cardiac event. The risk was highest in subjects with rheumatoid

arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and for subjects who

discontinued therapy with NSAIDs after previous long-term use(Fischer

LM).

 

There are natural therapies, such as fish oil and aged garlic extract,

that also exert anti-clotting actions. Again, it is advised for anyone

who stops taking aspirin to be monitored by a knowledgeable

professional as they transition from this drug to less toxic natural

therapies.

 

Reference

 

Fischer LM, et al. Discontinuation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

drug therapy and risk of acute myocardial infarction. Archives of

Internal Medicine, Dec 13-27, 2004; 164 (22): 2472-2476.

 

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POLLUTANTS APPEAR TO ALTER BOYS' GENITALS

 

Infant boys who were exposed in the womb to modest concentrations of

certain common plasticizers and solvents developed genital changes

including smaller-than-normal penises, a new study finds.

 

The chemical culprits, known as " phthalates " are used in perfumes,

nail polish, hard plastics, flooring, paints, adhesives, and polyvinyl

chloride plastics.

 

Read more at:

 

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050604/fob1.asp

 

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THE FAMOUS VEGETARIANS THAT WEREN'T

 

According to health writer Chet Day, many famous vegetarian

gurus--including Paul Bragg, Dr. John Tilden, Dr. Herbert Shelton,

Norman Walker--were actually quite fond of fatty animal foods and even

meat. Day also reports that Harvey Diamond (of Fit For Life fame) now

recommends the consumption of range-fed animal foods…

 

http://chetday.com/healthgurus.htm

 

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WHAT AMERICANS NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW TO FIGHT CODEX

 

I've always maintained that, for most degenerative ailments, proper

diet, supplementation, exercise and sound sleep can produce health

improvements and mortality reductions that trample all over anything

that the drug companies can offer. That of course, is exactly what Big

Pharma is currently engaged in all out war on natural therapies.

 

John C. Hammell, from the International Advocates for Health Freedom,

reports on the latest developments in the war against CODEX, the

draconian anti-supplement legislation which Big Pharma and its

bureaucratic lackeys plan to ratify later this year:

 

ACT NOW to Kill CAFTA, FTAA and CODEX!

 

by John C. Hammell, President

International Advocates for Health Freedom.

 

To maintain access to dietary supplements, we MUST defend US

sovereignty.

 

Bear in mind that CAFTA and FTAA would expand the NAFTA hemisphere

wide.

Bear in mind that the WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA & FTAA Trade Agreements all

contain SPS (Sanitary Phytosanitary Measures Language) via which our

dietary supplement laws can be harmonized to grossly restrictive

emerging Codex standards.

 

CAFTA is tentatively scheduled for a markup vote in the Senate on June

14th, and we need to POUND the Senate Finance Committee (see below)

with complaints.

 

The sky is not falling, but we MUST ACT, or we won't be able to stop

this incremental agenda down the road.

 

Please forward this alert widely, and donate to IAHF for an emergency

lobbying trip to Capital Hill so together we can counteract the

pernicious influence of the pharma-dominated vitamin trade

associations which are lying on this issue to their members.

 

Donations can be sent to:

 

International Advocates for Health Freedom

556 Boundary Bay Road

Point Roberts, WA 98281-8702 USA

 

or via PayPal at http://www.iahf.com (see PayPal button on the

scrollbar in interior of the site). You can also order a DVD copy of

" Push Back From the CODEX Cliff " for donations of US$25 or more.

 

For Health Freedom,

John C. Hammell, President

International Advocates for Health Freedom

http://www.iahf.com

jham

800-333-2553 N.America

360-945-0352 World

 

Article:

 

REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP PUSHING TO INTRODUCE CAFTA IN JUNE!

 

May 28: A Bitter Birthday for Bush's CAFTA Bill

 

It's been a whole year since CAFTA was signed, and thanks to the hard

work of concerned citizens like you, the Administration hasn't been

able to get the votes it needs to pass it in Congress.

 

Good work!

 

But it's not over yet: as the Senate goes fishing for votes, we need a

big push against CAFTA to make sure it never sees the light of day!

 

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA also known as

DR-CAFTA) would create a trade and investment bloc that includes Costa

Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican

Republic, and the United States. Senate Finance Committee Chairman

Charles Grassley (R-IA) has indicated that the Committee is

tentatively considering a markup of CAFTA for June 14, 2005 and the

Bush Administration is sending a strong message that they are once

again ready to test whether they have enough votes in Congress to pass

CAFTA.

 

Let's make sure they come up short!

 

The fact that CAFTA has not yet come up for a vote is a testament to

the incredible mobilizing that has taken place by activists against

CAFTA. If the Administration realizes that it doesn?t have the votes

to pass CAFTA, it may never come up for a vote. But with enough

Congress members being tight-lipped about their position, no one knows

exactly what the outcome will be.

 

The good news is that more and more Representatives are realizing that

CAFTA is a raw deal for workers in the U.S. and Central America and a

threat to the environment, public health and safety, and local,

participatory democracy. Bush Administration officials, in a last

desperate attempt to gain support for CAFTA, have tried linking CAFTA

to increased democratic stability and the fight against terrorism. On

the contrary, CAFTA will and already has destabilized the region as

thousands of farmers, workers, students, women, indigenous

communities, and religious groups have taken to the streets in protest

of CAFTA ? often meeting violent repression from local law

enforcement. Lost livelihoods in rural communities, reduced access to

life-saving medicines, an erosion of labor and environmental

protections will outweigh the potential benefits. Additionally, CAFTA

will maintain, if not worsen, the debt crisis facing developing

country members. CAFTA places profits over people, corporate interests

over worker rights, and trade laws over local and national democracies

? it does not bring stability or development to the region!

 

ACTIONS

 

1. Meet with your Senator or Representative while they are in their

home districts over the Memorial Day recess, May 31--June 3.

 

This may be the decisive moment when we can stop CAFTA altogether! To

schedule a meeting call the Capitol switchboard toll free at

1-800-839-5276 or visit www.house.gov or www.senate.gov for the local

contact information for your Representative or Senator. Also, you can

always just stop by the district office next week and talk with staff.

 

PRESSURE THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON CAFTA!

 

The Republican leadership of the Senate Finance Committee has

indicated that they may be the first to act on CAFTA on June 14th.

Though the campaign against CAFTA has thus far focused on the House of

Representatives, it is important to target Senators now as they begin

the process of presenting CAFTA legislation. If one of your Senators

is listed below, then call or drop by the district office to demand a

" No " vote on CAFTA. Let the committee know that we won't let CAFTA go

to the floor without a fight!

 

Republicans

CHARLES GRASSLEY, IA

ORRIN G. HATCH, UT

TRENT LOTT, MS

OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, ME

JON KYL, AZ

CRAIG THOMAS, WY

RICK SANTORUM, PA

BILL FRIST, TN

GORDON SMITH, OR

JIM BUNNING, KY

MIKE CRAPO, ID

 

Democrats

MAX BAUCUS, MT

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, WV

KENT CONRAD, ND

JAMES M. JEFFORDS, VT

JEFF BINGAMAN, NM

JOHN F. KERRY, MA

BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, AR

RON WYDEN, OR

CHARLES E. SCHUMER, NY

 

When you meet with your Rep:

 

& #61623; If you are dropping in or just calling, ask to speak to the

trade

staffer, chief of staff or legislative director.

 

& #61623; Tell them you are a constituent and want to know your Rep's

position

on CAFTA. If you would like to meet with your Rep ask to schedule a

meeting while he/she is in the district.

 

& #61623; If the Rep is opposed to the agreement and will vote against

it,

thank him/her. Ask if your Rep has made his/her opposition public and

encourage him/her to do so. Always ask for a letter to you stating

his/her position.

 

& #61623; If the Rep is undecided, ask your Rep (or staffer) why and

when they

are planning on taking a position. Let them know that you oppose CAFTA

(any personal stories related to how NAFTA hurt your region are

helpful) and urge them to vote no when CAFTA comes up.

 

& #61623; If the Rep is planning to vote for CAFTA, urge them to

reconsider.

Inform the office that you intend to spread the word that the Rep is

voting against their constituents' interests.

 

& #61623; For sample call scripts and suggestions on concerns to

raise, please

visit www.stopcafta.org.

 

2. Organize a local action

 

When phone calls and meetings aren't enough, staging a direct action

is a powerful tool. Public protest brings your concerns to the

attention of policymakers and raises public awareness. For ideas on

local actions and assistance in organizing in your community please

visit the Stop CAFTA web site at:

 

www.stopcafta.org.

 

ALSO, USE THIS FORM LETTER:

 

NO TO CAFTA/FTAA/WTO!—YES to H J Res 27

 

US Dietary Supplement Laws Threatened By Globalization!

 

Senators____________________________

And Congressman ______________________________

 

The WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA and FTAA trade agreements all contain the SPS

(Sanitary Phytosanitary Measures) agreement. Article 3 of SPS states:

" To harmonize sanitary and phytosanitary measures on as wide a

basis

as possible, Members SHALL base their food safety measures on

international standards, guidelines or recommendations. "

 

This makes the supposedly " voluntary " Codex Alimentarius

standard for

vitamins and minerals MANDATORY for all WTO member nations.

 

Passage of CAFTA and FTAA would broaden and deepen the scope of the

SPS agreement, forcing harmonization of not only our dietary

supplement laws to mindless international standards, but it would lead

to the creation of a supranational body similar to the EU in our

hemisphere, and we oppose this clear threat to US sovereignty.

 

When the draft text of CAFTA was first made available on January 28th,

2004 the Governors of all 50 States discovered that they were bound by

the 2,400 page agreement- being specifically listed in chapter 9. A

third have since rescinded their support of CAFTA.

 

Last fall, a WTO tribunal outlawed Utah's ban on gambling,

opening the

door to millions of dollars in penalties against all states with

anti-gambling restrictions. Antigua had charged that Utah's ban on

gambling violated America's obligation not to discriminate against

foreigners providing " recreational services. "

 

CAFTA includes hundreds of pages of grants of vague authority to

foreign tribunals. It wouldn't take long for an activist foreign

judge

to read his own interpretation into language such as the SPS agreement

and force changes to US laws including the Dietary Supplement Health

and Education Act.

 

In addition to these concerns, NAFTA never lived up to the numerous

promises made about it, and our Trade Deficit is worse now than ever,

contributing to the weakening of the dollar. There is no reason to

expect CAFTA or FTAA do anything more than to FURTHER this negative

trend, and lead to the destruction of our nation, and our economy.

 

WTO tribunals have ruled against the USA in 24 cases, many of which

were very costly to our economy. I therefore ask you to vote NO on

CAFTA and on FTAA, and YES on H J Res 27 which removes the US from the

WTO.

 

Signed________________________________

Address__

City_________________________________State____Zip____________

 

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