Simple Tips for Seasonal Flu Prevention

BY Melissa Toye, ACHS Student, Associate of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine

Every year, thousands of Americans become ill from the virus caused by influenza. Influenza is a respiratory virus that can affect individuals in any age group; the very young and very old are most susceptible.

Each year the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the influenza vaccine for every American over six-months of age; however, this vaccine will only protect an individual from three strains of the flu, and many individuals do not feel comfortable with vaccinations. With more than 30 types of influenza in the environment, how can the public better protect themselves? Luckily, there are some things that can easily be done to help keep families healthy.



1. Contain the Spread

According to the CDC, the flu virus is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs and the droplets become air-born. The virus can be spread from a sneeze or cough up to six feet away. Less frequently someone can become infected by touching a contaminated surface. An infected person is contagious one day prior to becoming sick and up to seven days after symptoms start, including: fever (not everyone infected will develop a fever), body aches, runny/stuffy nose, and coughing.

2. Proper Hand Washing

It is important to wash hands after using the restroom, before preparing meals, after sneezing/coughing, or touching an animal. The friction that occurs when hands are rubbed together with soap and warm water is effective in killing and removing germs. However, many do not wash their hands long enough; the CDC recommends washing hands for at least 20 seconds. If adults or children need encouragement to lather up longer, try humming the tune to “Happy Birthday to You” twice.

3. Disinfect Surfaces

Disinfecting the home helps decrease the chance of transmitting the virus to others in the family. All surfaces, from silverware to light switches, should be sanitized during flu season. This can be achieved by simply washing the item in hot, soapy water or using a disinfecting spray. There are many products on the market that are effective in killing viruses on different surfaces, but many are concerned about Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and their effect on our health and air quality. A quick search on the Internet will result in many different essential oil recipes for disinfectants. Marlene Mitchell, CA provided the recipe below[1]:

General Antiseptic Mist
1 oz. Carrier distilled water
2- 3 drops Aloe Vera
3 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
4 drops Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
3 drops Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
4 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Directions: Blend all ingredients into a spray bottle. Spray may be used to sanitize all surfaces.

References
1. Mitchell CA, M. (2009, April 30). Antiseptic spray mist, cold & flu support. Retrieved from AIA website: http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/aromatherapy_formula_library.htm
2. (2011, November 18). Seasonal influenza. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
3. ACHStv video Top 5 Tips for Wellness features ACHS instructors Deborah Halvorson and Scott Stuart, and Dr. Arianna Staruch.

*This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. You should always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health routine. For immediate assistance for a medical emergency, call 911.

ACHS Graduate Kristi Rimkus Launches iApp and eBook Series Cooking Light Done Right

“I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction when people tell me they've tried a recipe and they were pleasantly surprised that ‘healthy’ food could taste good,” says Kristi Rimkus, American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) graduate. “It's even more fun when they tell me how they improved my recipe to meet the tastes of their family. To me, this means they are finding the fun in cooking, and that's what will keep them cooking at home, instead of heading through the local drive through.”

Rimkus, who graduated from the ACHS Certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consulting and Certificate in Wellness Consulting programs, recently launched an iApp based on popular recipes found on her food blog Mother Rimmy's Cooking Light Done Right, as well as an eBook cookbook series, Cooking Light Done Right, available through DigiGlyph Transmedia Publishing (http://digiglyph.org/publications/cooking-light/).

“My goal is to show people how to cook wholesome food that will help them maintain a healthy weight. In the future, I hope to start working with mature women to help them meet their wellness goals,” says Rimkus.

Her inspiration is personal. Fifteen years ago, Rimkus lost 40 pounds. She learned that cooking low calorie, fresh foods for her family was the key to keeping the weight off, and that if the food appealed to them, everyone’s health would be improved.

“Cooking healthy meals became such a passion for me that I decided to learn as much as I could about nutrition. After thoroughly researching schools, I decided that ACHS was the place for me. I made the right choice, and finished a nutrition and wellness certification this past year,” Rimkus says.

After observing the eating habits of her friends and family, Rimkus says, she realized nutrition and lifestyle can be improved to alleviate common issues, like aches, pains, and obesity. By sharing her experience with her friends, family, and clients, Rimkus also hopes to lead by example.

Her ultimate goal is to start a consulting business to help women lose weight and feel fit.

“The second half of life should be full of life and fun,” Rimkus says. “I want to help women enjoy it.”

“Having a Certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consulting and a Certificate in Wellness Consulting from ACHS gives me the confidence to talk about nutrition and wellness because I've studied the subject thoroughly with terrific instructors and fellow students.”

To explore her cooking blog Mother Rimmy’s Cooking Light Done Right, visit http://motherrimmy.com, and download some new recipes! You can also connect with Kristi on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mother-Rimmys-Cooking-Light-Done-Right/198796111691 or email her at motherrimmy@gmail.com.

For more information about the ACHS Certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consulting and a Certificate in Wellness Consulting programs, visit www.achs.edu, call (800) 487-8839, or email admissions@achs.edu.

Image © Kristi Rimkus. (2011). Pictured: Kristi Rimkus with her daughter Lauren.

Honey Recommended over Sugar for Type 1 Diabetic Patients

Anectdotally accepted for years, now encouraging confirmation that honey is better than sugar -  even for diabetics...

Honey and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Source: Type 1 Diabetes - Complications, Pathogenesis, and Alternative Treatments

InTech Open, November 2011 

Aim of the Study

The aim of this work was to compare the effects of honey, sucrose and glucose on plasma glucose and C-peptide levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is by far the most common metabolic and endocrinal disease in children (Peters & Schriger, 1997). The major dietary component responsible for fluctuations in blood glucose levels is carbohydrate. The amount, source (Jenkins et al., 1981; Gannon et al., 1989) and type (Brand et al., 1985) of carbohydrate appear to have profound influence on postprandial glucose levels. The chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes is associated with long-term damage, dysfunction and failure of various organs especially the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels (American Diabetes Association, 2001)...

Honey is the substance made when the nectar and sweet deposits from plants are gathered, modified and stored in the honeycomb by honey bees. It is composed primarily of the sugars glucose and fructose; its third greatest component is water. Honey also contains numerous other types of sugars, as well as acids, proteins and minerals (White et al., 1962; White, 1980; White, 1975). The water content of honey ranges between 15 to 20% (average 17.2%). Glucose and fructose, the major constituents of honey, account for about 85% of the honey solids...

C-peptide is considered to be a good marker of insulin secretion and has no biologic activity of its own (Ido et al., 1997). Measurement of C-peptide, however, provides a fully validated means of quantifying endogenous insulin secretion. C-peptide is co-secreted with insulin by the pancreatic cells as a by-product of the enzymatic cleavage of proinsulin to insulin. Consequently, serum C-peptide level can be used as a true indicator of any change in the insulin level, which is the main determinant of plasma glucose level... 

Conclusions and recommendations

1. Honey has a lower glycemic and peak incremental indices compared to glucose and sucrose in both type 1 diabetic patients and non-diabetics. Therefore, we recommend using honey as a sugar substitute in type 1 diabetic patients.

2. In spite of its significantly lower glycemic and peak incremental indices, honey caused significant post-prandial rise of plasma C-peptide levels when compared to glucose and sucrose in non-diabetics; indicating that honey may have a direct stimulatory effect on the healthy beta cells of pancreas. On the other hand, C-peptide levels were not significantly elevated after honey ingestion when compared with either glucose or sucrose in type 1 diabetic patients. Whether or not ingestion of honey in larger doses or/and for an extended period of time would have a significant positive effect on the diseased beta cells, needs further studies.

Honey: The 'Bee Penicillin' That Could Even Beat MRSA

a well-researched author with concise references to the latest discoveries of the benefits of honey...

Honey: The 'Bee Penicillin' That Could Even Beat MRSA

By Gloria Havenhand, Daily Mail (UK), 11/19/2011

It is often hailed as a natural, healthy sweetener – but in most cases, honey bought from supermarkets today is simply sugar syrup with no nutritional value at all. To reap the true benefits of what was dubbed ‘the food of the gods’ by the Ancient Greeks, you have to look for the raw variety.

Perfectly clear honey has usually undergone a process of ultrafiltration and pasteurisation, which involves heating and passing it through a fine mesh, to ensure it remains runny at any temperature. This strips away many of the unique chemicals and compounds that make it a nutritious and healing health food…

Raw honey is particularly high in polyphenols, an antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, lowering blood cholesterol and combating heart disease. The darkest varieties of honey include heather and hedgerow honey, which have a polyphenol content of 201mg per gram. In contrast, rapeseed oil honey, known in supermarkets as ‘blossom honey’, trails behind at just 71mg per gram.

The white ring of pollen on the top contains B vitamins, Vitamins C, D and E as well as minerals and 31 other antioxidants, although to get close to your recommended daily amounts of each nutrient you need a pollen supplement…

The University of Waikato in New Zealand found that when raw honey was applied to MRSA infected antibiotic-resistant wounds, they became sterile and healed so quickly that patients could leave hospital weeks earlier. Scarring was minimised because peeling back a dressing glazed in honey – as opposed to a dry bandage – did not disturb the new tissue underneath. If you suffer a minor wound or burn, glaze a bandage with raw honey and cover. Change the glazed bandage every 24 hours and any cuts or signs of infection should disappear within a week (if not, see a doctor).

While manuka honey – a variety produced using only nectar and pollen from the manuka bush in New Zealand – gets the majority of press for being antibacterial, a good-quality raw UK honey will also be powerfully antibacterial and can kill E.coli and MRSA…

Raw honey’s anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe chronic skin conditions. Cleopatra famously bathed in milk and honey because of their skin-softening qualities – honey is a natural emollient as it is humectant (it attracts water). Melting half a jar of raw honey into a warm bath will promote healing in patients suffering with skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, too. Mixed with olive oil, raw honey applied to the scalp is also a great tonic for those suffering with a seborrheic dermatitis (a flaky scalp condition).

Download How to Bridge Potential and Profit Teleconference with Michelle Pippin

How can the four simple words, "I can help you," revolutionize your holistic health practice? In our November 22 teleconference, How to Bridge Potential and Profit, marketing expert Michelle Pippin answers this lingering question for you! She also outlines what she thinks are the top five commonly made mistakes when building a holistic health business.

In case you missed the live event, the American College has posted the recording for free download. >> Click here to download the recording How to Bridge Potential and Profit

Be sure to leave a comment and your follow up questions for Michelle! How will you use these holistic marketing suggestions to support your business and reach your goals?

Note this audio file is large and may take a while to download. Please right-click, select Save Link As, and download the MP3 to your hard drive for optimal performance.

Audio files are © ACHS 2011. You may use this recording for personal use only. However, unauthorized distribution, duplication, or broadcast or performance for financial gain is prohibited. This recording is offered as a service and for educational purposes only. No endorsement is implied. Any websites or services mentioned in conjunction with this teleconference recording are the express experience and opinions of the teleconference speaker.

Bee Venom May Help Treat Parkinson's Disease

Clinical trials are currently ongoing in Parisian Hospitals using Bee Venom in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease... 

Bee Venom Protects SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells from 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium-Induced Apoptotic Cell Death

Brain Research, 2011 Oct 6

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Recently, bee venom was reported to protect dopaminergic neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine induced mice PD model, however, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood.

The objective of the present study is to investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of bee venom against Parkinsonian toxin, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP(+)), in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Our results revealed that bee venom pretreatment (1-100ng/ml) increased the cell viability and decreased apoptosis assessed by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity assays in MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Bee venom increased the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression and decreased the pro-apoptotic Bax, cleaved PARP expressions.

In addition, bee venom prevented the MPP(+)-induced suppression of Akt phosphorylation, and the neuroprotective effect of bee venom against MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity was inhibited by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, LY294002.

These results suggest that the anti-apoptotic effect of bee venom is mediated by the cell survival signaling, the PI3K/Akt pathway. These results provide new evidence for elucidating the mechanism of neuroprotection of bee venom against PD.

A Happy Thanksgiving Message and Savory Tomato Soup Recipe to Spice Up Your Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the American College of Healthcare Sciences. We hope that you have a healthy and happy holiday filled with love, light, and joy.

We're thankful to be part of such a wonderful community, and invite you to share your own Thanksgiving message with our ACHS family online here.

Please note, the ACHS offices will be closed Thursday, November 24, in observance of the holiday. We look forward to speaking with you when we return on Friday.

Thank you for being part of our family. Again, Happy Thanksgiving!

Warm regards,
Dorene Petersen, ACHS President

P.S.
Here's a savory recipe for Spicy Tomato Soup, which makes a colorful, flavorful addition to holiday meals!

Ingredients

1 12-oz can of tomato paste
1 16-oz can of tomato puree
2-cups vegetable stock or water
2-t cumin Cuminum cyminum, cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum, ground coriander Coriandrum sativum
1-t cayenne Capsicum annuum or to taste
¼-cup orange juice
2-T coconut milk
2-t finely chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves
Pepper

Directions: Mix the tomato paste, puree, stock or water, cumin, cinnamon, coriander and cayenne. Bring to the boil over medium to high heat, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes. Stir in orange juice, coconut milk, cilantro, and pepper. Simmer for an additional five minutes.

Four cups of coffee a day could help keep womb cancer at bay

Research has linked regular consumption with lower odds of endometrial cancer, the most common form of the disease. 

Women who drank four or more cups a day over many years were 25 per cent less likely to develop the disease than those who limited themselves to less than a cup daily.

Both caffeinated and decaffeinated varieties seemed to help ward off the disease, although tea had no effect, the 26-year study of almost 70,000 women found.

Drunk regularly, coffee may help lower levels of hormones believed to fuel the cancer, the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention reports. Endometrial cancer affects 6,400 British women a year in the UK and kills an estimated 1,000 annually. 

Risk goes up with age, weight and with having a mother who had the disease.

The researchers, from Harvard School of  Public Health in the U.S., said: ‘Increasing exercise and maintaining normal body weight are probably the most important ways to prevent endometrial cancer.

‘However, additional strategies are needed and dietary habits such as coffee drinking could provide one option.’ They cautioned that  adding cream and sugar to the beverage may cancel out the effects, as may smoking.

A total of 672 cases of the cancer, which affects the lining of the uterus, were reported over  the 26-year span of the study.

Senior researcher Edward Giovannucci said coffee could help against cancers associated with obesity, insulin and oestrogen, and that it had been shown to improve insulin resistance.

He said: ‘Coffee has already been shown to be protective against diabetes due to its effect on insulin, so we hypothesised that we’d see a reduction in some cancers as well.’

Professor Giovannucci added: ‘Laboratory testing has found that coffee has much more antioxidants than most vegetables and fruits.’

Read the original article here

Potent Antibacterial Components of Honey Reviewed

Honeybees continue to perplex medical researchers with something as pure and natural as honey... 

Antibacterial Components of Honey

IUBMB Life, 2011 Nov 17

The antibacterial activity of honey has been known since the 19th century. Recently, the potent activity of honey against antibiotic-resistant bacteria has further increased the interest for application of honey, but incomplete knowledge of the antibacterial activity is a major obstacle for clinical applicability.

The high sugar concentration, hydrogen peroxide, and the low pH are well-known antibacterial factors in honey and more recently, methylglyoxal and the antimicrobial peptide bee defensin-1 were identified as important antibacterial compounds in honey.

The antibacterial activity of honey is highly complex due to the involvement of multiple compounds and due to the large variation in the concentrations of these compounds among honeys. The current review will elaborate on the antibacterial compounds in honey.

We discuss the activity of the individual compounds, their contribution to the complex antibacterial activity of honey, a novel approach to identify additional honey antibacterial compounds, and the implications of the novel developments for standardization of honey for medical applications...

Reduce Stress During the Holidays and All Year Long

Many of us live from day to day, not thinking about our health or body until it begins to ache, a joint twinges, a headache starts. Then we try to remedy the problem. But-- wellness is a cumulative concept.

In our view, stress is one of the most harmful issues our bodies have to deal with in the modern world. Stress has been shown to affect our cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine systems, and increases our risk for heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and the common cold.

So this time of year -- when there are lots of seasonal germs on the loose and ample seasonal stressors with upcoming holidays -- taking control of your stress is essential.

Feeling like we are in control reduces stress in our lives. There are several strategies you can use to help regain control, including focusing on daily exercise and nutrition, and making consistent use of support tools like meditation, scheduling, and journaling.

To get started, start small. Make a point to do one simple, satisfying thing for yourself every day. It can be a short walk, making a fresh mug of herbal tea, or even taking an aromatic bath.

As this is the holiday season, we'd like to share our Slow Down Herbal Bath Blend recipe from our Aromatic Gifts Guide, which you can download here. Enjoy!

Slow Down Herbal Bath Blend

• Lavender flowers
• Rosemary leaves
• Peppermint leaves
• Chamomile flowers
• Calendula flowers

Rub the herbs together through a sieve. Weigh out 1 oz and package into herbal sachets for the bath.Hang from the faucet when drawing a bath so that the water will filter through the sachet when filling the tub. Then place the sachet in the water and let it soak in the water while bathing.

How do you manage your stress every day? During the holidays? Leave a comment with your best stress-busting tips (and herbal recipe blends!).

MONSANTO'S MINIONS: The White House, Congress, and the Mass Media

Hamlet Act 1, Scene 4
Marcellus:
'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark'

There's a reason he says "state of Denmark" rather than just Denmark: the fish is rotting from the head down—all is not well at the top of the political hierarchy. Fast forward a few hundred years and substitute USA for Denmark.

For those readers interested in the close links between President Obama, his administration and Monsanto the following paras give the details - at http://www.naturalnews.com/031263_Monsanto_organic_consumers.html.

The United States is rapidly devolving into what can only be described as a Monsanto Nation. Despite Barack Obama (and Hillary Clinton's) campaign operatives in 2008 publicly stating that Obama supported mandatory labels for GMOs, we haven't heard a word from the White House on this topic since Inauguration Day. Michele Obama broke ground for an organic garden at the White House in early 2009, but after protests from the pesticide and biotech industry, the forbidden "O" (organic) word was dropped from White House PR. Since day one, the Obama Administration has mouthed biotech propaganda, claiming, with no scientific justification whatsoever, that biotech crops can feed the world and enable farmers to increase production in the new era of climate change and extreme weather.

Like Obama's campaign promises to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; like his promises to bring out-of-control banksters and oil companies under control; like his promises to drastically reduce greenhouse gas pollution and create millions of green jobs; Obama has not come though on his 2008 campaign promise to label GMOs. His unilateral approval of Monsanto's genetically engineered alfalfa, overruling the federal courts, scientists, and the organic community, offers the final proof: don't hold your breath for this man to do anything that might offend Monsanto or Corporate America.

Obama's Administration, like the Bush and Clinton Administrations before him, has become a literal "revolving door" for Monsanto operatives. President Obama stated on the campaign trail in 2007-2008 that agribusiness cannot be trusted with the regulatory powers of government.

But, starting with his choice for USDA Secretary, the pro-biotech former governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack, President Obama has let Monsanto and the biotech industry know they'll have plenty of friends and supporters within his administration. President Obama has taken his team of food and farming leaders directly from the biotech companies and their lobbying, research, and philanthropic arms:

Michael Taylor, former Monsanto Vice President, is now the FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods. Roger Beachy, former director of the Monsanto-funded Danforth Plant Science Center, is now the director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Islam Siddiqui, Vice President of the Monsanto and Dupont-funded pesticide-promoting lobbying group, CropLife, is now the Agriculture Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative. Rajiv Shah former agricultural-development director for the pro-biotech Gates Foundation (a frequent Monsanto partner), served as Obama's USDA Under-Secretary for Research Education and Economics and Chief Scientist and is now head of USAID. Elena Kagan, who, as President Obama's Solicitor General, took Monsanto's side against organic farmers in the Roundup Ready alfalfa case, is now on the Supreme Court. Ramona Romero, corporate counsel to DuPont, has been nominated by President Obama to serve as General Counsel for the USDA.

Of course, America's indentured Congress is no better than the White House when it comes to promoting sane and sustainable public policy. According to Food and Water Watch, Monsanto and the biotech industry have spent more than half a billion dollars ($547 million) lobbying Congress since 1999. Big Biotech's lobby expenditures have accelerated since Obama's election in 2008. In 2009 alone Monsanto and the biotech lobby spent $71 million. Last year Monsanto's minions included over a dozen lobbying firms, as well as their own in-house lobbyists.

America's bought-and-sold mass media have likewise joined the ranks of Monsanto's minions. Do a Google search on a topic like citizens' rights to know whether our food has been genetically engineered or not, or on the hazards of GMOs and their companion pesticide Roundup, and you'll find very little in the mass media. However, do a Google search on the supposed benefits of Monsanto's GMOs, and you'll find more articles in the daily press than you would ever want to read.

Although Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Democrat, Ohio) recently introduced a bill in Congress calling for mandatory labeling and safety testing for GMOs, don't hold your breath for Congress to take a stand for truth-in-labeling and consumers' right to know what's in their food. In a decade of Congressional lobbying, the OCA has never seen more than 24 out of 435 Congressional Representatives co-sponsor one of Kucinich's GMO labeling bills. Especially since the 2010 Supreme Court decision in the outrageous "Citizens United" case gave big corporations like Monsanto the right to spend unlimited amounts of money (and remain anonymous, as they do so) to buy elections, our chances of passing federal GMO labeling laws against the wishes of Monsanto and Food Inc. are all but non-existent. Keep in mind that one of the decisive Supreme Court swing votes in the "Citizen's United' case was cast by the infamous Justice Clarence Thomas, former General Counsel for Monsanto.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031263_Monsanto_organic_consumers.html#ixzz1eLN1b16S

Lamp Shades- Beautiful Varieties to Brighten Your Home

Lighting is an important aspect that creates a beautiful ambience. Different colors of lights can be used to create various moods. Ever since olden days, lamps have been lit to create an aura of magnificence and serenity. Today different types of lights are being used to enhance the décor of a room. To further accentuate the aura of lights, lamp shades of various varieties are being used extensively in homes, restaurants and corporate offices.

Different Types of Materials Used For Lamp Shades

Lamp shades have the power to transform any ordinary appearing light to a magnificent decorating accessory. These shades are available in a huge variety of designs, shapes, colors and sizes.



Various materials are also used for manufacturing these shades such as glass, paper, pleated fabrics, linen, and porcelain. Exclusive appearing shades made of porcelain, glass and stone are quite expensive but elegant. Shades made of plain paper and translucent paper can also be chosen to amplify the beauty of your room.

An Alluring Variety of Lamp Shades

With such an array of shades available in the markets today, choosing one that suits and accentuates the décor of your home will not be that difficult. Some of the exclusive varieties include the following:

Glass Shades: one of the most elegant and graceful shades include the glass lamp shades which can be found in innumerable designs. The most popular designs include the classical and antique designs. But today the need for stylish and modern outlook has prompted designers to blend contemporary and classical designs to form unique shades. Glass shades are known for its fragility though it possesses incomparable beauty. The various types of glass shades include the ball glass shade, the tulip glass shade, stained glass shade and the reverse painted glass shades.



Antique Shades: the beautiful antique lamp shades bear an uncanny resemblance to the shades used in the Victorian Era. Made of silk, velvet or satin, these shades are exquisite and charming. These shades also include frills and beads which further beautify it. The antique shades are mostly customised and handmade.

Mica shades: these lamp shades are one among the most widely found shades which are still used on table lights, chandeliers, wall and floor lamps. These shades are more suitable for wooden lamps and to enhance the décor of a home with rustic furniture. These shades are also available in both traditional and contemporary styles.

Tiffany shades: known for its undefined beauty, the tiffany shades include different pieces of glass soldered together with a copper border around the glass. Earlier, these shades were made into different shapes such as flowers, animals and forms of nature. A huge variety of these shades can be bought from many of the reputed online stores.

Besides the above mentioned lamp shades, there are many more types of shades which include the brass shades, handmade shades, wooden shades, handcrafted shades, crystal shades and so forth. Some of the other popular shades which can also be bought online include the fancy shades, glass beaded shades and the aluminium shades.

Most Important Industrial Uses of Glass Bottles

Glass bottles have a wide range of utilities compared to the other packaging products. Glass recycling and reuse has a number of environmental advantages. There are a huge number of industries which use bottles made of pure glass for packaging different types of products. In comparison to plastic and other materials, glass is one of the safest and purest forms of storage material which hardly contains any type of chemicals.

Various Uses of Glass Bottles

Unlike the earlier days, glass bottles are used for a variety of useful purposes. Today there are over a hundred industries which use bottles for packing and storing products. The advantageous qualities of these bottles have led to its increased usage in most of the industries these days.



Available in different shapes, sizes and colors, the glass bottles have over a million uses. In addition to being used for decoration and other home uses, it has a wide number of industrial purposes too.

Used in laboratories: Glass bottles are widely used in scientific and medical laboratories for many purposes. It is used for the purpose of storing blood samples. Vial and bottles made of glass is widely used in labs and health centres which further accelerate its demand. The use of reagent bottles which is also a form of laboratory glassware is another notable usage of bottles made of glass.

Perfume industries: Another notable usage of these bottles is in the perfume industries. Bottles of different sizes and shapes are used for storing perfumes. There are a number of online stores that sell a huge variety of bottles which have beautiful designs and gloss finish. Most of these bottles are durable and leak proof.

Showpieces: Glass bottles are also used as showpieces in restaurants and hotels. Known as bottle decenters, these bottles are made of pure and high grade glass material. It is considered to be an epitome of remarkable craftsmanship. These decenters are available in different shapes and sizes. Today it is even used for adorning homes as it accentuates the beauty of your rooms.

Cosmetic industry: Another industry which uses glass bottles is the cosmetic industry. Different types of nail lustre bottles and a variety of skin care products are stored and sold in differently shaped bottles.

Beverages: Glass bottles are also used for storing beverages and liquors. Today the liquor bottles are manufactured with a number of features which include high UV protection, light weight and easy to clean.

Pharmaceuticals: An assortment of bottles with different shapes, sizes and colors are used by the pharmaceutical industries for storing various liquid and semi liquid items. Most of the medicinal bottles are made of pure glass.

Chemical industries: Bottles made of glass is also used in various chemical industries for storing various types of chemicals for agricultural purposes.

Mineral water bottle: It is also used for storing mineral water as it one of the purest packaging forms.

Glass bottles are also available in the form of fancy bottles to store various types of liquids. There are online store which offer customised bottles at realistic price rates.

Basque Propolis Has Strong Activity Against Microbial Strains

Exciting new results of propolis antimicrobial and antifungal action against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Salmonella enterica ...

The Antimicrobial Effects of Propolis Collected in Different Regions in the Basque Country (Northern Spain)

WorldJournal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nov 2011

The antimicrobial activity of 19 propolis extracts prepared in different solvents (ethanol and propylene glycol) (EEP/PEP), was evaluated against some bacterial and fungal isolates using the agar-well diffusion method.

It was verified that all the samples tested showed antimicrobial activity, although results varied considerably between samples. Results revealed that both types of propolis extracts showed highly sensitive antimicrobial action against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi at a concentration of 20% (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisae) with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/ml, with a moderate effect against Streptococcus pyogenes (MIC from 17 to 26 mg/ml).

To our knowledge, this is the first study showing elevated antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria [Salmonella enterica (MIC from 0.6 to 1.4 mg/ml)] and lesser activity against Helicobacter pylori (MIC from 6 to 14 mg/ml), while Escherichia coli was resistant.

This concluded that the Basque propolis had a strong and dose-dependent activity against most of the microbial strains tested, while database comparison revealed that phenolic substances were responsible for this inhibition, regardless of their geographical origin and the solvent employed for extraction. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between EEP and PEP extracts.

Easy DIY Green Cleaning Tips and Recipes from ACHS and Metro's Caran Goodall

Do you know the difference between chlorine bleach and other whitening agents? How about natural ways to get streak-free windows and a sparkling kitchen?

To learn these tips and more, check out our YouTube video Safe, Simple Recipes for a Clean Healthy Home presented at American College of Healthcare Sciences in Portland, Oregon, by Caran Goodall from Metro.



Have you tried these recipes for soft scrub and general cleanser? Or, perhaps you have perfected your own recipes? Let's do a green cleaning recipe exchange! Feel free to post your comments and feedback about the recipes in Safe, Simple Recipes for a Clean Healthy Home and your tried-and-true green cleaning recipes.

Bee Venom May Help Target Symptoms of Dementia and Depression

Apimen is a primary bee venom toxin and with the many other components in bee venom, make it a very sought-after honeybee product, such as its anti-inflammatory action in anti-aging skin creams...

Scientists Discover How to Design Drugs That Could Target Particular Nerve Cells

HealthCanal, 11/10/2011

The future of drug design lies in developing therapies that can target specific cellular processes without causing adverse reactions in other areas of the nervous system.

Scientists at the Universities of Bristol and Liège in Belgium have discovered how to design drugs to target specific areas of the brain.

The research, led by Professor Neil Marrion at Bristol’s School of Physiology and Pharmacology and published in this week’s Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS), will enable the design of more effective drug compounds to enhance nerve activity in specific nerves…

The researchers have been using a natural toxin found in bee venom, called apamin, known for its ability to block different types of SK channel. SK channels enable a flow of potassium ions in and out of nerve cells that controls activity. The researchers have taken advantage of apamin being able to block one subtype of SK channel better than the others, to identify how three subtype SK channels [SK1-3] can be selectively blocked.

Neil Marrion, Professor of Neuroscience at the University, said: “The problem with developing drugs to target cellular processes has been that many cell types distributed throughout the body might all have the same ion channels. SK channels are also distributed throughout the brain, but it is becoming obvious that these channels might be made of more than one type of SK channel subunit. It is likely that different nerves have SK channels made from different subunits. This would mean that developing a drug to block a channel made of only one SK channel protein will not be therapeutically useful, but knowing that the channels are comprised of multiple SK subunits will be the key.”

The study’s findings have identified how SK channels are blocked by apamin and other ligands. Importantly, it shows how channels are folded to allow a drug to bind. This will enable drugs to be designed to block those SK channels that are made of more than one type of SK channel subunit, to target the symptoms of dementia and depression more effectively…

Propolis Shows Anti-Inflammatory Action in Intestines

As usual, Propolis proves its functionality in a mucuos environment with anti-inflammatory activity. I wonder if CAPE will also exhert its anti-tumor properties at the same time...

Catechols in Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester are Essential for Inhibition of TNF-Mediated IP-10 Expression Through NF-κB-Dependent But HO-1- and p38-Independent Mechanisms in Mouse Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Molecular Nutritional Food Research, Oct 31 2011

Scope: 

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active constituent of honeybee propolis inhibiting nuclear factor (NF)-κB. The aims of our study were to provide new data on the functional relevance and mechanisms underlying the role of CAPE in regulating inflammatory processes at the epithelial interface in the gut and to determine the structure/activity relationship of CAPE.

Methods and results: 

CAPE significantly inhibited TNF-induced IP-10 expression in intestinal epithelial cells. Using various analogues, we demonstrated that substitution of catechol hydroxyl groups and addition of one extra hydroxyl group on ring B reversed the functional activity of CAPE to inhibit IP-10 production. The anti-inflammatory potential of CAPE was confirmed in ileal tissue explants and embryonic fibroblasts derived from TNF(ΔARE/+) mice. Interestingly, CAPE inhibited both TNF- and LPS-induced IP-10 production in a dose-dependent manner, independently of p38 MAPK, HO-1 and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

We found that CAPE did not inhibit TNF-induced IκB phosphorylation/degradation or nuclear translocation of RelA/p65, but targeted downstream signaling events at the level of transcription factor recruitment to the gene promoter.

Conclusion: 

This study reveals the structure-activity effects and anti-inflammatory potential of CAPE in the intestinal epithelium.

Honey Reduces Growth & Virulence of E. coli

Honey has to be mankind's best food and medicine... even at low concentration it kills resistant bacteria...

Low Concentrations of Honey Reduce Biofilm Formation, Quorum Sensing, and Virulence in Escherichia coli O157:H7

Biofouling, 2011 Nov;27(10):1095-104

Bacterial biofilms are associated with persistent infections due to their high resistance to antimicrobial agents. Hence, controlling pathogenic biofilm formation is important in bacteria-related diseases.

Honey, at a low concentration of 0.5% (v/v), significantly reduced biofilm formation in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 without inhibiting the growth of planktonic cells. Conversely, this concentration did not inhibit commensal E. coli K-12 biofilm formation.

Transcriptome analyses showed that honey significantly repressed curli genes (csgBAC), quorum sensing genes (AI-2 importer and indole biosynthesis), and virulence genes (LEE genes). Glucose and fructose in the honeys were found to be key components in reducing biofilm formation by E. coli O157:H7 through the suppression of curli production and AI-2 import. Furthermore, honey, glucose and fructose decreased the colonization of E. coli O157:H7 cells on human HT-29 epithelial cells.

These results suggest that low concentrations of honey, such as in honeyed water, can be a practical means for reducing the colonization and virulence of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7.

Antibacterial Strength of Honey Outperforms Artificial Honey

It's best to set the record straight - natural honey is better than manmade honey...

Effect of Honey on Streptococcus mutans Growth and Biofilm Formation

Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 2011 Oct 28

Because of the tradition of using honey as an antimicrobial medicament, we investigated the effect of natural honey (NH) on Streptococcus mutans growth, viability and biofilm formation compared to an artificial honey (AH).

AH contained the sugars at the concentrations reported for NH. NH and AH concentrations were obtained by serial dilution with tryptic soy broth (TSB). Several concentrations of NH and AH were tested for inhibition of bacterial growth, viability and biofilm formation after inoculation with S. mutans UA159 in 96-well microtiter plates to obtain absorbance and CFU values.

Overall, NH supported significantly less bacterial growth compared to the AH at 25 and 12.5% concentrations. At 50 and 25% concentrations, both honey groups provided significantly less bacterial growth and biofilm formation compared to the TSB control.

For bacterial viability, all honey concentrations were not significantly different from the TSB control except for 50% NH. NH was able to decrease the maximum velocity of S. mutans growth compared to AH.

In summary, NH demonstrated more inhibition of bacterial growth, viability and biofilm compared to AH. This study highlights the potential antibacterial properties of NH, and could suggest that the antimicrobial mechanism of NH is not solely due to its high sugar content.

Honey Prevents Oral Mucositis

Honey is an all natural humectant, keeping 'things' moist, like skin, hair, face, throat, even baked goods like cupcakes!

Effect of topical honey on limitation of radiation-induced oral mucositis: an intervention study

Int'l Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dec 2010

The effectiveness of radiation therapy for oral cancer is often outweighed by an adverse effect mucositis, a painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the mouth. 

Drawing on research indicating that honey may promote wound healing, three scientists at Manipal University in Mangalore, India, studied its anti-inflammatory properties to see whether it might prevent severe oral mucositis in patients receiving radiation therapy. 

Their single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial compared the effects of honey with those of Lignocaine, a local anaesthetic. Only one patient in the honey group developed intolerable oral mucositis. 

Because honey is readily available, affordable, and well accepted by patients, the investigators recommend its use in patients receiving radiation therapy for oral cancer.

Winter Celebration Featuring ACHS Graduates November 30 in Portland

Kick off your holiday season with the ACHS Winter Celebration!

Enjoy learning how to make natural gifts for your loved ones. We'll feature how to make:

• Delicious holiday room sprays you can use all year long!
• Winter Blahs Bath Salts
• Peppermint Foot Scrub

With the cold and flu season upon us, come learn about winter wellness tips including how to make:

• All-natural, herbal cough syrup
• Gentle, Peaceful herbal tea

We'll also feature a range of herbs for winter wellness!

Space is limited, so RSVP today. To RSVP, call (503) 244-0726, email registrar@achs.edu, or RSVP here on Facebook.

Can't join us? Check out our full range of Do-It-Yourself gift kits online at http://goo.gl/D9bEM. And, be sure to check out our great educational videos highlighting how to make your own natural gifts below! Subscribe to our YouTube channel for regular updates online at www.youtube.com/ACHStv

We look forward to seeing you!

ACHS Winter Celebration: November 30, 2011 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at American College of Healthcare Sciences, 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland, OR 97239.

Sigh! Flu jab... here we go again. Flu Vaccine Rebranding job to make lots more pennies

Consumer products, particularly branded products, need 'refreshing' from time to time to make sure that the client base doesn't forget them or get bored with them. As we all know, a salesman's nightmare is not having any new story to tell those he needs to sell to, to convince them to stock his product. Pharmaceutical drugs are no exception, many of them having the added problem that when their patent period expires generic competitor manufacturers will pile in with a cheaper "me too" version. Sometimes the efficacy of the old product therefore has to be downplayed, or even trashed, to tell a convincing story which will pump up the attractiveness of the new refreshed product. Remember the pronouncement of Dr Allen Roses of GlaxoSmithKline, in Dec 2003 the worldwide vice-president of genetics at GlaxoSmithKline, who noted that most prescription medicines do not work on most people who take them - "The vast majority of drugs – more than 90 per cent – only work in 30 or 50 per cent of the people"? This was the scene setting for the new story which was that in future drugs would be designed to target just those patients who can benefit most from each medication (called pharmacogenomics)(The Independent. UK. 8 December 2003). And would there be any accountability for all the years the public purse had shelled out for 'useless' drugs, or for the side effects of drugs given to those they would never have worked on? You can bet your bottom dollar not.

So, when we hear the 'new story' for a 'universal flu jab' in place of the old annual flu jab (see NaturalNews below), why should we not yawn?

First, because the researchers in question seem to have decided to try to steal a message which historically has legitimately been the unique preserve of the natural, 'holistic' healthcare community viz. natural remedies are ultimately better for you because they support the body's immune system, not suppress or fight against it, with natural, not artificial substances. For any vaccine to make the same claim, if, as has been the case to date, it contains a laundry list of primary substances and adjuvants which are basically toxic to the body's immune system, and which will be injected in a place which bypasses much of the body's front-line IgA immune system (nose and mouth through to the gastrointestinal tract), would be hogwash - quite apart from the points that NaturalNews feature story by Ethan Huff makes below.

Secondly, because we have heard something like this before. Remember how the adjuvant squalene was added into swine flu vaccine in Europe to boost the immune response/creation of antibodies and how previously it had been in jabs given to Gulf War soldiers? Squalene as an oil molecule consumed normally would have been no problem for the immune system. But injected it had devastating effects on Gulf War veterans and contributed to the cascade of documented reactions called "Gulf War Syndrome".

The symptoms they developed included arthritis, fibromyalgia, lymphadenopathy, rashes, photosensitive rashes, malar rashes, chronic fatigue, chronic headaches, abnormal body hair loss, non-healing skin lesions, aphthous ulcers, dizziness, weakness, memory loss, seizures, mood changes, neuropsychiatric problems, anti-thyroid effects, anaemia, elevated ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Raynaud's phenomenon, Sjorgren's syndrome, chronic diarrhoea, night sweats and low-grade fevers.

So, when we hear of another compound which has been found to "stimulate our own (immune) response ...and boost it to fight and infection", what's the betting that it will turn out to be "hogwash with side effects" for the human guinea pigs who participate in this annual experiment?

---------------------------

(NaturalNews) The medical community is in the process of unveiling a "universal" influenza vaccine that it claims will prevent all flu strains with a single jab. The only problem is that, in the process, the system has inadvertently admitted that current flu shots are medically useless because they fail to target the correct flu strain in many cases, and they do not stimulate a natural flu-fighting immune response even when the strain is a match.

A recent report by CBS 11 News in Dallas / Fort Worth explains that researchers from the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have identified a compound they say spurs the growth of a key protein known as REDD-1, which prevents cells from becoming infected. By injecting this compound into patients, REDD-1 will increase, say the researchers, and thus effectively prevent any strain of flu from taking hold.

But what about current flu vaccines? Dr. Beatrice Fontoura, one of the head researchers involved with the new universal flu shot, explained to CBS 11 that it works differently than current flu shots because it "stimulates our own (immune) response which is already there and boost[s] it to fight an infection."

In other words, flu shots being sold today at pharmacies across the country do not actually promote natural immunity at all, which begs an important question. If current flu shots do not boost the immune response, then what, exactly, are they good for?

Not much, according to a recent study published in The Lancet. Though the mainstream media widely reported that the study's findings showed an effectiveness rate of 60 percent for flu shots, actual data in the study reveal that flu shots help about 1.5 out of every 100 adults. This, of course, translates into a measly 1.5 percent effectiveness rate (http://www.naturalnews.com/033998_i...).

And yet, for years, medical professionals everywhere have been hounding the public to get their flu shots or else face horrific sickness and even death. And those who continue to avoid the flu shot based on concerns about its safety and effectiveness have been routinely dubbed "anti-science," or worse.

Ironically, the CBS 11 piece about the universal flu shot also contains an interview with a woman who admits that she stopped getting the flu shot because it made her sick every single year. Once she stopped getting flu shots, she stopped getting the flu. So why, again, do we even need a universal flu shot?

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034092_universal_flu_shot_vaccines.html#ixzz1d8oAaOqC

ACHS Graduate Emily Stein Named 2012 DETC Outstanding Graduate of the Year

American College graduate Emily Stein says her goal for enrolling in the ACHS Diploma in Holistic Health Practice was to learn about wellness, to improve personal health, and to help others. Over the course of her studies, Stein says, she has learned that the body is an intricate machine requiring a balance between physical and mental health, best maintained by proper nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction.

We're proud to announce Emily has been named ACHS 2012 DETC Outstanding Graduate of the Year! The Distance Education and Training Council is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as an accrediting body, and conducts the Outstanding Graduate program annually. Students are selected for their academic record and the level and quality of their contribution to society and their chosen profession(s).

“We selected Emily for the Outstanding Graduate honor, and to represent ACHS at the spring DETC conference, because she has continually demonstrated a focused commitment to her studies,” says ACHS President Dorene Petersen. “Emily’s instructors commend her dedication to ‘walk the walk,’ which evidences the depth of Emily’s commitment to education, holistic health, and professionalism in the field.”

>>Read more about Emily's experience at ACHS and long-term holistic health career goals in the full-length press release here

We look forward to reading your comments! What are your long-term health goals and/or holistic health career plans?

Propolis Takes the Sting out of Mouth Ulcers

Propolis heals wounds, especially in the mucous linings of the body, which is a very complementary addition to any treatment protocol.  In fact, products are trending towards phyto-apitherapy formulas for even greater appeal...

Bees Take the Sting out of Mouth Ulcers

ScienceDaily (Nov. 17, 2010) 

The healing properties of propolis -- a mixture of resin and wax made by honey bees to seal and sterilize their hives -- have been known for many years. But its use in medicine and food supplements has been limited because the sticky substance is not water soluble and has a strong, off-putting smell.

Now researchers at the University of Bradford's Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science have developed a way of purifying propolis that retains its medicinal properties, but makes it dissolve in water and eliminates its pungent smell. The technique has already led to the development of a new mouth ulcer gel and opens the door to a huge range of other pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications for the substance.

"Propolis is a complex chemical mix and a very useful natural product," explains Centre Director, Professor Anant Paradkar, who led the research. "Propolis has been shown to be anti-microbial, anti-fungal, a strong anti-oxidant, non-allergenic and can boost the immune system. It also promotes wound healing and has anaesthetic properties.

"There is a substantial market for propolis-based products -- particularly in China, the USA and South Asia. The main stumbling block in developing products has been the solubility and odor issues, which our formulation overcomes."

Professor Paradkar's team has been developing the new technique to purify propolis in collaboration with natural medicine manufacturer, Nature's Laboratory. The researchers have helped the company develop a new propolis-based mouth ulcer gel, which has better anaesthetic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties than gels already on the market and is safe for use in children.

"A problem for mouth gels is that adhesion to the skin membrane inside the mouth is difficult -- because of the nature of the surface, the gel can simply slide off," says Professor Paradkar. "As propolis retains some of its stickiness even in a water soluble formulation, when it is applied to specific areas in the mouth, it adheres more effectively."

The Centre has gained funding for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Nature's Laboratory, to further develop the purification system for use at a larger scale and support the creation of new propolis-based products. The aim is, through the KTP, that the company will be able to set up a purification process to increase its own manufacturing capacity.