Health Time

This study found that the Swedish population’s health generally improved during the early 1990s but suddenly started to deteriorate from 1997 onwards. A connection with the increasing exposure of the population to GHz radiation cannot be ruled out.

PMID:

Pathophysiology. 2009 Jun ;16(1):43-6. Epub 2009 Feb 10. PMID: 19211231

Abstract Title:

Apparent decreases in Swedish public health indicators after 1997-are they due to improved diagnostics or to environmental factors?

Abstract:

The object of this work was to review recent trends in public health in Sweden. Data on different adverse health indicators were collected from official Swedish registries. We found that population health generally improved during the early 1990s but suddenly started to deteriorate from 1997 onwards. This quite dramatic change is not likely to be explained only by improved diagnostics but physical causes need immediately to be searched for. A connection with the increasing exposure of the population to GHz radiation from mobile phones, base stations and other communication technologies cannot be ruled out.

The authors of this study concluded that melanoma is associated with exposure to FM broadcasting.

PMID:

Arch Environ Health. 2002 Jan-Feb;57(1):32-40. PMID: 12071358

Abstract Title:

Melanoma incidence and frequency modulation (FM) broadcasting.

Abstract:

The incidence of melanoma has been increasing steadily in many countries since 1960, but the underlying mechanism causing this increase remains elusive. The incidence of melanoma has been linked to the distance to frequency modulation (FM) broadcasting towers. In the current study, the authors sought to determine if there was also a related link on a larger scale for entire countries. Exposure-time-specific incidence was extracted from exposure and incidence data from 4 different countries, and this was compared with reported age-specific incidence of melanoma. Geographic differences in melanoma incidence were compared with the magnitude of this environmental stress. The exposure-time-specific incidence from all 4 countries became almost identical, and they were approximately equal to the reported age-specific incidence of melanoma. A correlation between melanoma incidence and the number of locally receivable FM transmitters was found. The authors concluded that melanoma is associated with exposure to FM broadcasting.

Among the 11 high-power Korean AM radio transmitter sites included in this study, there were significantly increased incidences of leukemia in 2 areas and of brain cancer in 1 area.

PMID:

Arch Environ Health. 2003 Dec ;58(12):756-62. PMID: 15859510

Abstract Title:

Incidence of cancer in the vicinity of Korean AM radio transmitters.

Abstract:

Results of various studies have indicated a potential association between exposures to electrical and/or magnetic fields and risks of various cancers. The authors used a cross-sectional ecological study design to investigate such a potential association. In areas proximate to 42 amplitude modulated (AM) radio transmitters, 11 high-power study sites (i.e., areas exposed to 100-1500-kW transmission power) and 31 low-power study sites (i.e., areas exposed to 50-kW transmission power) were identified. The incidence of cancer within a 2-km radius of each transmitter was obtained from (a) Korean medical-insurance data for the years 1993 through 1996, (b) population census data for the year 1995, and (c) resident registration data for the year 1995. The authors calculated age-standardized rate ratios for total cancer, leukemia, malignant lymphoma, brain cancer, and breast cancer, and compared the incidence of cancer within 2 km of the high-power transmitters vs. the incidence within 2 km of the low-power transmitters. Four control areas for each high-power transmitter were also selected. The control areas were located in the same, or nearest adjacent, province as the high-power sites, but were at least 2 km from any of the transmitters. Indirect standardized observed/expected ratios for the high-power sites vs. control areas were calculated for each transmitter separately, and for 4 transmitter groupings defined by power level (i.e., 100 kW, 250 kW, 500 kW, and 1500 kW). The authors found no significant increase in age-standardized rate ratios of cancers for high-power vs. low-power sites, with the exceptions of total cancer and of brain cancer in women. Among the 11 high-power sites, there were significantly increased incidences of leukemia in 2 areas and of brain cancer in 1 area. Future studies should incorporate additional detailed exposure assessments and a strong analytical study design to explore the possible association between radiofrequency radiation from AM radio transmitters and cancer.

Children who lived within 2 km of the nearest AM radio transmitter were 2.15 times more likely to have any type of leukemia as compared to those who resided more than 20 km from it.

n/a

PMID:

Am J Epidemiol. 2007 Aug 1 ;166(3):270-9. Epub 2007 Jun 7. PMID: 17556764

Abstract Title:

Radio-frequency radiation exposure from AM radio transmitters and childhood leukemia and brain cancer.

Abstract:

Leukemia and brain cancer patients under age 15 years, along with controls with respiratory illnesses who were matched to cases on age, sex, and year of diagnosis (1993-1999), were selected from 14 South Korean hospitals using the South Korean Medical Insurance Data System. Diagnoses were confirmed through the South Korean National Cancer Registry. Residential addresses were obtained from medical records. A newly developed prediction program incorporating a geographic information system that was modified by the results of actual measurements was used to estimate radio-frequency radiation (RFR) exposure from 31 amplitude modulation (AM) radio transmitters with a power of 20 kW or more. A total of 1,928 leukemia patients, 956 brain cancer patients, and 3,082 controls were analyzed. Cancer risks were estimated using conditional logistic regression adjusted for residential area, socioeconomic status, and community population density. The odds ratio for all types of leukemia was 2.15 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 4.67) among children who resided within 2 km of the nearest AM radio transmitter as compared with those resided more than 20 km from it. For total RFR exposure from all transmitters, odds ratios for lymphocytic leukemia were 1.39 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.86) and 1.59 (95% CI: 1.19, 2.11) for children in the second and third quartiles, respectively, versus the lowest quartile. Brain cancer and infantile cancer were not associated with AM RFR.

These findings show that cell phone use negatively affects sperm quality in men and acts as an endocrine disruptor.

PMID:

Andrologia. 2011 Oct ;43(5):312-6. PMID: 21951197

Abstract Title:

Impact of cell phone use on men's semen parameters.

Abstract:

The objective of the present retrospective study was to report our experience concerning the effects of cell phone usage on semen parameters. We examined 2110 men attending our infertility clinic from 1993 to October 2007. Semen analysis was performed in all patients. Serum free testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) were collected from all patients. The information on cell phone use of the patients was recorded and the subjects were divided into two groups according to their cell phone use: group A: cell phone use (n = 991); group B: no use (n = 1119). Significant difference was observed in sperm morphology between the two groups. In the patients of group A, 68.0% of the spermatozoa featured a pathological morphology compared to only 58.1% in the subjects of group B. Patients with cell phone usage showed significantly higher T and lower LH levels than those who did not use cell phone. No significant difference between the two groups was observed regarding FSH and PRL values. Our results showed that cell phone use negatively affects sperm quality in men. Further studies with a careful design are needed to determine the effect of cell phone use on male fertility.

CBD oil: Have the benefits been overstated?

cbd oil

Sales of the cannabis extract cannabidiol (CBD) have roughly doubled over the past two years in the UK. But some are concerned that CBD products are not all they claim to be.

Alongside reputable sellers, the rapid growth of the industry has attracted “CBD cowboys” – opportunists trying to make a quick profit – according to Mark Reinders, president of the European Hemp Industry Association.

There are two main compounds found in cannabis – CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Unlike THC, CBD is legal, doesn’t make you high and is easily available on high streets and online.

There are now an estimated quarter of a million regular users in the UK, turning to CBD to support general wellness, ease anxiety, sleep problems and chronic pain among other things.

Systematic review: psychedelics appear to be effective in significantly reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and are well-tolerated.

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PMID:

J Affect Disord. 2019 Jul 30 ;258:11-24. Epub 2019 Jul 30. PMID: 31382100

Abstract Title:

Classical psychedelics for the treatment of depression and anxiety: A systematic review.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are prevalent psychiatric disorders that carry significant morbidity. Pharmacological and psychosocial interventions are used to manage these conditions, but their efficacy is limited. Recent interest into the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy using ayahuasca, psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may be a promising alternative for patients unresponsive to traditional treatments. This review aims to determine the efficacy and tolerability of psychedelics in the management of resistant depression.
METHODS: Clinical trials investigating psychedelics in patients with depression and/or anxiety were searched via MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsychINFO. Efficacy was assessed by measuring symptom improvement from baseline, and tolerability was evaluated by noting the incidence and type of adverse effects reported. Risk of bias was assessed.
RESULTS: Seven studies, with 130 patients, were analysed in this review. Three were conducted in patients with depression, two in patients with anxiety and two in patients with both. In a supportive setting, ayahuasca, psilocybin, and LSD consistently produced immediate and significant anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects that were endured for several months. Psychedelics were well-tolerated. The most common adverse effects were transient anxiety, short-lived headaches, nausea and mild increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
LIMITATIONS: At present, the number of studies on this subject is very limited; and the number of participating patients within these is also limited as the treatment under investigations is a relatively novel concept.
CONCLUSIONS: Though further evidence is required, psychedelics appear to be effective in significantly reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and are well-tolerated.

Potential antinociceptive effects of Chinese propolis and identification on its active compounds.

PMID:

J Immunol Res. 2018 ;2018:5429543. Epub 2018 Sep 26. PMID: 30356413

Abstract Title:

Potential Antinociceptive Effects of Chinese Propolis and Identification on Its Active Compounds.

Abstract:

Propolis is an important bee product which has been applied to the treatment of several diseases. The aim of this study was to understand the material basis of Chinese propolis on pain relief; different Chinese propolis fractions (40W, 40E, 70E, and 95E raw propolis extracted followed by 40%, 70%, or 95% ethanol) were prepared, and their antinociceptive effects were evaluated. By analyzing using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, we showed that 40W was rich in phenolic acids, like caffeic acid, while 40E, 70E, and 95E have relatively high levels in flavonoids, like galangin, pinocembrin, and chrysin. Notably, chrysin amounts in 70E and 95E are much higher than those in 40E fraction. Antinociceptive effects by these propolis fractions were evaluated in mice using acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test, and tail immersion test, respectively. We noticed that only 40E fraction showed a significant reduction on acetic acid-induced writhing test. Importantly, in the hot plate test, all groups showed their effectiveness, except for the 70E group. We also noticed that 40W, 40E, and 95E administration caused an increase in the tail withdrawal latency of the mice. These data suggested that the different antinociceptive effects of different fractions from Chinese propolis extracts are directly link to their flavonoid composition.

Google is Taking Censorship of Health Websites to the Next Level

Originally published on www.selfhacked.com

Something interesting happened in the health world recently, and I haven’t seen any news stories about it.

Google is deliberately censoring all “non-mainstream” health websites that have gained any kind of serious traction, without exception.

Taiwanese green propolis might be useful for ameliorating gouty inflammation via inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

PMID:

J Cell Physiol. 2019 Apr ;234(4):4081-4094. Epub 2018 Oct 28. PMID: 30370562

Abstract Title:

Mechanistic insight into the attenuation of gouty inflammation by Taiwanese green propolis via inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Abstract:

Dysregulation of NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is involved in many chronic inflammatory diseases, including gouty arthritis. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome requires priming and activation signals: the priming signal controls the expression of NLRP3 and interleukin (IL)-1β precursor (proIL-1β), while the activation signal leads to the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome and to caspase-1 activation. Here, we reported the effects of the alcoholic extract of Taiwanese green propolis (TGP) on the NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro and in vivo. TGP inhibited proIL-1β expression by reducing nuclear factor kappa B activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. Additionally, TGP also suppressed the activation signal by reducing mitochondrial damage, ROS production, lysosomal rupture, c-Jun N-terminal kinases 1/2 phosphorylation and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein oligomerization. Furthermore, we found that TGP inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome partially via autophagy induction. In the in vivo mouse model of uric acid crystal-induced peritonitis, TGP attenuated the peritoneal recruitment of neutrophils, andthe levels of IL-1β, active caspase-1, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in lavage ﬂuids. As a proof of principle, in this study, we purified a known compound, propolin G, from TGP and identified this compound as a potential inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Our results indicated that TGP might be useful for ameliorating gouty inflammation via inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome.