Glyphosate harms future generations

Exposure to glyphosate-based weedkillers is harmful not only to those with direct exposure but to their children and their children’s children. New research on rats has revealed alarming new evidence of the transgenerational effects of exposure to glyphosate. First generation rats exposed to a dose half that of the amount expected to cause harm experienced no apparent ill effects. However, researchers found increased levels of prostate, kidney and ovarian disease along with an elevated risk of birth defects and a raft of chronic diseases such as obesity, prostate, kidney and ovarian diseases in 2^nd and 3^rd generations of exposed rats. In sharp contrast to the mounting evidence of the harms of glyphosate, the US Environmental Protection Agency has restated its finding that glyphosate does not cause cancer, citing the need to feed 10 billion people by 2050. With court cases implicating glyphosate’s potential for causing cancer piling up, surely it’s time for authorities to put the health of citizens, future generations and the environment ahead of profit?

Serious health threat from yeast resistance

The rise in drug resistant organisms now poses a serious threat to global health. Not only do we live in a world where antibiotics are failing, there's now a Japanese super fungus that's increasingly found in hospitals that could kill you. The yeast-like fungus, Candida auris, has developed multi-drug resistance largely thanks to the overuse of fungicides in agriculture and it’s spreading rapidly in hospitals worldwide. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 30-60% of those infected whilst seriously ill have died. This is a reminder that it’s not just bacteria that are becoming resistant, other types of microbe are too. On the flip side, a new study further reinforces the benefits of organic farming in battling common human pathogens, bolstering the case for the use of organic farming principles not only from an economic but also from an ecological stand point. Going organic has never been easier or more essential for supporting the ongoing health and sustainability of the environment and human health.

Dramatic rise in statin prescription for low risk patients

Changes to official guidelines over the past 30 years has resulted in a staggering 600% increase in the number of over 50’s eligible for statin treatment. Researchers from the National University of Ireland also calculated that the number needed to treat (NNT) of low risk patients, has risen from 40 in the 1990s to 400 in 2016. They found many patients would refuse statin treatment if they were given this information by their doctor. Publishing separately, the same team of researchers found limited evidence to support the effectiveness of statins for primary prevention. They cautioned individual assessment should consider whether the potential harms of taking a long-term medicine outweighs any health risks. This just goes to show why the powers-that-be are concerned about the public exercising their right to fully informed consent. When it comes to medical care that has the potential to harm rather than heal, it’s unsurprising that more and more citizens are saying 'no'.

Millennial health decline

New data from the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Health Index has revealed a shocking decline in the health of Millennials (born 1980-2000) in the US. Although 83% of Millennials consider themselves to be in good or excellent health, the figures show a major decline in health beginning at age 27. Those aged 34-36 have a higher prevalence of 8 out of the top 10 health conditions than Generation X’s (born 1960-1980) at the same age. The largest increases were seen in major depression, hyperactivity and type 2 diabetes between 2014-2017. These data underscore the urgent need for changes in healthcare systems globally to prevent further increases in preventable, lifestyle-mediated diseases — a prime focus of the ANH-Intl health system sustainability blueprint.

Calls for urgent review of radiation risk

In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radiofrequency radiation (RF) as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. Meeting recently, an advisory group of 29 scientists from 18 countries recommended the risks associated with RF radiation should be reassessed as a ‘high priority’. Evidence of harm from RF radiation has continued to mount in recent years, despite the reassurances of Big Tech and governments of the safety of such technology. The reassessment can’t come soon enough, particularly given the current drive to implement 5G networks, given its potential to harm all living things.

Reduce kids screen time and let them play

With increasing evidence pointing to the harms to children from screen time, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued recommendations designed to limit the screen-time of under 5’s. This follows the UK’s Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s (RCPCH) dismissal of the harms of digital overexposure for young children. The WHO guidelines recommend children under 5 spend no more than one hour a day watching screens, whilst those under 18 months of age should avoid screen time where possible. It also recommends children get better sleep and play more. The new guidelines have caused controversy with some arguing for the benefits of screen time for young children as a learning tool. As well as allowing the development of children’s imaginations, time away from screens playing outside helps build robust immune systems.

Food preservative linked to obesity

A potent mould inhibitor widely used as a preservative in food - especially industrially produced bread - has been linked to metabolic disruption increasing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in a new study. Propionate is commonly used in a wide range of ultra-processed foods including packaged bread commonly found in supermarkets. The Real Bread Campaign commented that, “This rings yet another alarm bell over industrial loaf fabricators using additives, neatly underlining one of the reasons that Real Bread bakers don’t. While this is a relatively small study and much more research is needed, to concerned shoppers we repeat our mantra: not all loaves are created equal so always read the label.” These concerns should act as wake-up call to consumers to turn their backs on highly processed foods laden with a laundry list of preservatives. Instead, we should embrace whole foods, minimally processed at most, as close to their natural state as possible. The ANH-Intl Food4Health guidelines give the lowdown on adopting a nutrient-dense, real food diet for you and your family.