The Vegan Lifestyle

There are many reasons why we should avoid GMO. Many studies showed that it is toxic, carcinogenic and fatal. It is very dangerous to health and must be avoided and discarded for good.

What is GMO?

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. It is an organism in which its genetic material or DNA has been altered through genetic engineering techniques generally known as recombitant DNA technology. Genetic modification is done by inserting trans-genes from humans, animals, or bacteria into target species or host such as plants and other animals.

There are 3 methods used in recombitant DNA technology: the plasmid method, the vector method, and the biolistic method. Plasmid method was used in the creation of the first recombitant bacteria in 1973, the existing bacterium E. coli expressing a Salmonella gene. Biolistic method uses a gene gun to insert DNA genes to plant or animals. This is the method used when adding pesticide resistance to plants. This is the most controversial method because it is used in making genetically modified crops for food.

GMO can cause many serious health problems to humans. The following are the health risks of genetically modified crops:

• GM food supplement is fatal
• GM crops cause allergies, and other ailments
• The pollen-sterilizing barnes in GM crops can cause kidney damage
• Disease-resistant GM crops can promote human viruses and other diseases
• High lysine in GM corn contains more toxins and can retard growth, and cooking it creates more disease-promoting toxins
• Trans-genes can be transferred to human gut bacteria, and turn it into living gut pesticide factory
• Herbicide-tolerant GM crops have more herbicide residues and can produce herbicides in the intestine to act as endocrine disruptors
• Disease-resistant GM crops develop new plant viruses, and bring more health risks to humans
• Milk from rBGH (recombitant bovine growth hormone) can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases, and increases the rate of twin births
• GM food can create antibiotic-resistant diseases
• A promoter can be transferred into the human DNA and accidentally switch on harmful genes that may produce toxins, allergens and carcinogens, and create genetic instability and mutations
• Genetic modification activates mobile DNA called transposons which can create cell mutations
• GM proteins can be misfolded and may result to prion protein disease
• Pregnant women eating GM food can endanger her offspring

GMO is toxic and dangerous to animals too. Tests done on animals fed with GM food confirmed the fact that GM food are indeed toxic, carcinogenic, and fatal. The following are some of the many documented health risks on cattle, fowls, rats and mice that were fed with GMO:

• Rats fed with GM potatoes and tomatoes developed bleeding stomachs and died
• Rats fed with Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) corn and Bt potatoes had intestinal damages and multiple health problems
• Cows fed with Bt corn died mysteriously
• Sheeps died after grazing in Bt cotton fields
• Rabbits fed with Roundup Ready soy had altered cell metabolism
• Chickens fed with Liberty Link corn died
• Mice fed with Roundup Ready soy had pancreas problems, liver cell problems, and changes in testicular cells
• Cows and pigs fed with GM corn became sterile

The many health risks enumerated above are more than enough reasons to convince us that GMOs are indeed very dangerous to our health. We must avoid it if we want to be healthy and fit.

Have you tried using air beds for convenience and comfort? You will surely like the change from the conventional bed you’ve been using for years.

Air beds are very handy, convenient and comfortable. They are easily set up, no mess and can be used anywhere. You can use it for camping; you can use it during sunbathing on the shore or on your garden. You can use it for your guest or visitors at home during the holidays or celebrations.

Air beds are better than most conventional ones. It is always clean – no fleas, no ticks, no dust mites – no infestation or presence of any allergens. It does not sag badly like the conventional beds and is very good in the prevention of backaches.

There are sizes of air beds to choose from depending on how many will sleep on it, and where it will be used. Some air beds are good for one, some for 2, and still others are good for 3 or more such as the queen size air bed which measures 60″ x 80″.

Air beds come with some accessories such as pillows, a duffle bag to carry it,  and a pump to inflate the bed. Some air beds come with built-in pump to minimize the inconvenience of bringing extra gears when going out such as in camping and in other outdoor activities.

Some air beds have humps on the edges which can be used as a pillow when you forget to bring one. The firmness and softness of air beds are adjustable according to your personal comfort and preference.

Air beds are waterproof and leak proof. There is nothing to worry that the mattress will become soaked when toddlers and kids accidentally spill water on it. It is made of nylon and rubber for durability and easy cleaning with  soap and water.

Air beds are very conducive to good health.  The mattress has a regular comfortable firmness that will not sag unevenly even after many hours of usage. This is good for the whole body especially the back to prevent and minimize backaches which are common when using conventional beds.

Indeed, air beds have many advantages that are good for health. The top corrugation or humps on the mattress ensures proper air ventillation for a comfortable sleep, and it massages the body for better blood circulation.

Herbal Medications For Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory disease of the bronchial tubes or airways. Its symptoms are feeling of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. Breathlessness is caused by the narrowing of the bronchioles (small air passages in the lungs). An asthma attack can be triggered by an allergen to which a patient is abnormally sensitive.These include airborne pollen, mold, and dust. Attacks can also be triggered by physical exercise, emotional stress, cold air, inhalation of cigarrette smoke, noxious fumes from gasolines and paints. It can also be triggered by viral infection in the respiratory tract.

There is no known permanent cure for asthma. Attacks can be prevented by the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as cromolyn sodium and corticosteroids. Drugs that relax and widen the air passages such as albuterol and epinephrine can provide fast relief.

There are other temporary cure for asthma: water treatment, breathing exercises, and some herbal medications. Water treatment includes fomentation on the chest twice a day, and steam inhalation, also done twice a day. Breathing exercises for 10 to 15 minutes 4 times a day, and must be done only when there is no attack.

Sit relax on a chair. Support the back with a pillow. Breathe in through the nose. Purse the lips and pretend you are blowing through a straw. Blow twice as long as you breathe in, and gradually increase the time of blowing. Relax after blowing. Take 3 to 4 normal breaths before starting the pursed breathing again. Do this exercise upon waking up in the morning, and before retiring in the evening.

The following herbal medications can also be used to relieve an asthma attack:

1. Roll 2 dried leaves of thorn apple or talumpunay, and use as cigarette stick every 6 hours.
2. Roll 2 dried leaves of graveyard tree or kalatsutsi, and use as a cigarette stick one in the morning, and one in the evening.
3. Chop and boil one-foot long bark of tamarind tree in 3 glasses of water for 10 minutes. Adults must  drink 1 cup every after meal, and at bedtime. Dosage for children is 2 teaspoons every after meal  and at bedtime.
4. Boil 5 chopped young stems with flowers and leaves of amaranth or kulitis in 5 glasses of water for 10 minutes. Dosage for adults is 1 cup, 4 times a day; and for children, 1/2 cup, 4 times a day. This treatment is good for excessive mucus discharge.

Do you know how to eliminate allergens at home?

Nowadays our environment is polluted with toxic chemicals that can cause allergies and other diseases. Fumes from car exhausts fill the city streets and thoroughfares with smogs, and environmental pollutants  from the chimneys of factories and other industrial plants are scattered around by wind to other places. These pollutants can easily enter our homes, and may cause allergies to members of our family.

The intrusion of this kind of allergens to our home can be reduced by installing window screens, curtains and other draperies. The use of air conditioners and air ionizers is better. These will minimize allergens at home and spare us from allergies and other air borne diseases.

Another kind of allergens also thrive at home. These are the most troublesome and the hardest to eliminate. These allergens comes from dusts, pollens, dust mites, ticks, fleas, bed bugs, and others.

Most of these allergens thrive in rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, furnishings, curtains, and other draperies. They also thrive in our home appliances,  furniture, and in most corners of the home.

The most troublesome of these allergens are the dust mites, ticks, and the lice and fleas of our dogs, cats, and other pets at home. The urine, feces, and saliva of our pets can easily cause allergies to most members of the family.

How can we eliminate these allergens at home?

Cleaning our home everyday is very important. Dusts accumulate on our home appliances and furniture, and they should be cleaned regularly.  Vacuum-clean your carpets and rugs thoroughly and frequently, and  clean them with water and soap every week. Spray tannic acid on carpets and rugs. This acid found in tea, coffee and cocoa is a common ingredient in astringents, and it is a very effective eliminator of allergens from dust, pollen, dust mites, ticks and fleas.

Wash your bedding and linens in hot water every week. Dust mites are not killed in washing machines, and cold-water washing has no effect on them. Use synthetic pillows and comforters. If possible, everything in your bedroom should be washable or contained in nonallergic encasement. If you can afford, sleep on waterbed. Dust mites and bed bugs cannot thrive on them.

Chlorinate your air conditioners. Drop chlorine tablets into the water drains of your air conditioners to kill bacteria. Ensure to unclog the drain for the condensate to flow freely. Molds and bacteria multiply rapidly in stagnant water  and they can be easily blown back into the rooms and scattered around the home.

Dusting your furniture and home appliances regularly is also good. But use oil instead of feathers. Feather duster has danders, pollens, or dust mites in it. Dusting with oil or polish can protect our nose and lung from inhaling the dusts and other allergens.

Bathe your dogs and cats regularly. Use special shampoo to eliminate the fleas and lice of your pets at home. Dog fleas and lice can hide and thrive under the rugs, carpets and curtains. The lice of cats are very small and hardly visible to the naked eye. They hide in rug and carpets, and can easily bite the occupants of the home and can cause them skin allergies.