Are you Eating Cancer-Causing Glyphosate in Your Diet?
There is cancer-causing glyphosate in your diet. You might not know how harmful it is until it is too late. What is it anyway? And how can it affect our body? Read on for more.
What is Glyphosate?
A Swiss chemist working for a pharmaceutical company, Dr. Henri Martin, discovered glyphosate in 1950. Since no pharmaceutical applications were identified the molecule was sold to a series of other companies. and samples were tested for several possible ends uses.
Glyphosate is an herbicide. It is applied to the leaves of plants to kill both broadleaf plants and grasses. The sodium salt form of glyphosate regulates plant growth and ripens specific crops.
This chemical became registered for use in the U.S. in 1974. It is now one of the most used herbicides in the United States. People apply it in agriculture and forestry, lawns and gardens, and weeds in industrial areas.
How does glyphosate work?
Cancer-causing Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill most plants. It works by inhibiting the action of a plant enzyme. The shikimic acid pathway plays a role in synthesizing three amino acids. These are phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan.
Glyphosate lawsuits
“Glyphosate has a 40-year history of safe and effective use. The overwhelming conclusion of experts worldwide … is that glyphosate is safe to use,” Monsanto said. He was ignorant of evidence building against the chemical.
the roundup-related lawsuits have dogged Bayer since it acquired the top-selling brand. It is as part of its $63 billion sales of agricultural seeds and pesticides maker Monsanto in 2018.
The company has spent billions of dollars to settle around 96,000 Roundup cases of about 125,000[1].
What do regulatory agencies in the USA say?
In 2015, a committee of scientists working for the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the WHO evaluated studies and reported that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic.
The latest from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Food Democracy Now. The Detox Project tested various products for glyphosate. They found dangerous levels of glyphosate in everyday American foods.
Glyphosate Products to Avoid
Granola by Quaker, KIND, Back to Nature, Nature Valley
Instant oats by Giant, Quaker, Umpqua, Market Pantry
Whole oats by Quaker, Bob’s Red Mill, Nature’s Path, Whole Foods
Cereal by Kashi, Kellogg’s, including Lucky Charms and Cheerios
Snack bars by Quaker, KIND, Nature Valley, Kellogg’s
Orange juice by Tropicana, Minute Maid, Signature Farms, Kirkland
Crackers, including Cheez-Its, Ritz, Triscuits, Goldfish
Cookies by Annie’s, Kashi, and Nabisco (Oreos)
Chips by Stacy’s, Lay’s, Doritos, Fritos
An alarming study looked into Pesticides in Mississippi compared to air and rain between 1995 and 2007. Glyphosate and its degradation product, aminomethyl-phosphonic acid (AMPA), were detected in ≥75% of air and rain samples in 2007 [2].
How do you avoid glyphosate exposure?
The best way to avoid eating cancer-causing glyphosate is to grow your own plants, vegetables, and fruits. If you don’t have time, source local produce from a farmer’s market you trust.
The Detox Project uses an FDA-registered food testing lab to test for toxic chemicals. Thye recently launched a “Glyphosate Residue Free” label. This way companies can apply to certify their products. Until it rolls out more, you are more likely (but not guaranteed) to avoid exposure by opting for foods labeled “Certified Organic.”
The extent of food industry involvement in peer-reviewed research articles from 10 leading nutrition-related journals in 2018
We all know that evidence supports the food industry’s involvement in nutrition research or agendas. However, food industry involvement in nutrition research has not been systematically explored.
This study, published on December 16th, 2020, aimed to identify the extent of food industry involvement in peer-reviewed articles. It includes leading nutrition-related journals that are examined thoroughly. The goal is to find food industries that support the industry’s interests.
No study has comprehensively examined the extent and nature of food industry involvement in peer-reviewed research.
The study reviewed the top 10 most cited nutrition and dietetics-related journals. The evaluation of food industry involvement was evaluated based on author affiliations, funding sources, declarations of interest, or other acknowledgments.
Principal research findings from articles with food industry involvement, and a random sample of articles without food industry involvement, were categorized according to the extent to which they supported relevant food industry interests.
The Results
Of 1,461, 196 (13.4%) articles reported food industry involvement. The extent of food industry involvement varied by journal, with The Journal of Nutrition (28.3%) having the highest and Pediatric Obesity (3.8%) having the lowest proportion of industry involvement.
Food industry involvement spanned several industry sectors, with processed food manufacturing, dietary supplement manufacturing, and dairy most often represented.
Processed food manufacturers were involved in most articles (77/196, 39.3%). Of articles with food industry involvement, 55.6% reported findings favorable to relevant food industry interests, compared to 9.7% of articles without food industry involvement.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
International Journal of Obesity
Nutrition Research Reviews
Nutrition Reviews,
Journal of Obesity
Pediatric Obesity
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
The Journal of Nutrition.
Future thoughts
Future studies should investigate nutrition-related articles from journals with both nutrition and non-nutrition focus (including, for example, journals in medicine and public health)
Get to know more about glyphosate by watching our full episode here 👇
TIME STAMPS:
00:00 Intro 00:41 Plugs 02:44 Episode Introduction 04:28 About Glyphosate 05:23 How does glyphosate work? 08:05 Glyphosate lawsuits 11:27 What do regulatory agencies in the USA say? 15:43 Glyphosate Products to Avoid 16:39 How do you avoid glyphosate exposure? 18:04 Glyphosate traces in soil, water, and air 21:16 Being vigilant in avoiding Cancer-Causing Glyphosate 23:56 The involvement of the food industry 8:58 Science and spirituality 31:07 The Results 35:25 Huge funding to influence an agenda
Soil degradation and retrogression are two regressive evolution processes associated with the loss of equilibrium of stable soil. So we think that soil degradation and human demise are the end results if this kind of soil condition continues.
Retrogression is primarily due to soil erosion and corresponds to a phenomenon where succession reverts the land to its natural physical state.
Soil is lost due to erosion from wind and water— for example, rivers washing upland or wind blowing dirt away.
Degradation is due to the replacement of primary plant communities by secondary communities. This replacement modifies the humus composition and amount and affects the formation of the soil.
It is directly related to human activity.
What is Soil?
The definition of soil is “The unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the Earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants.” [1].
Soil is one of the world’s most needed resources. We think about animals and this idea of going “plant only” but don’t understand that this might not be the best thing for ourselves and our environment.
When was the last time, if ever, we thought about soil health? It isn’t something that comes to mind as necessary, even when we think about human survival. Ask yourself what do humans need to survive? Water and food.
Water is found in natural bodies of water, but where do you get food from? Soil is required for plants, animals require plants, and as humans, we need to eat animals and plants.
The Soil Profile
As soils develop over time, layers (or horizons) form a soil profile. Most soil profiles cover the earth as two main layers—topsoil and subsoil.
Soil horizons are the layers in the soil as you move down the soil profile. A soil profile may have soil horizons that are easy or difficult to distinguish. [2]
Most soils exhibit 3 main horizons:
A horizon: humus-rich topsoil where nutrient, organic matter, and biological activity are highest (i.e., most plant roots, earthworms, insects, and micro-organisms are active). The A horizon is usually darker than other horizons because of the organic materials.
B horizon: clay-rich subsoil that is often less fertile than the topsoil but holds more moisture. It generally has a lighter color and less biological activity than the A horizon. Texture may be heavier than the A horizon too.
C horizon: underlying weathered rock (from which the A and B horizons form).
Some soils also have an O horizon, mainly consisting of plant litter accumulated on the soil surface.
The properties of horizons are used to distinguish between soils and determine land-use potential.
What is in the soil we use?
Soil contains air, water, minerals, and plant and animal matter, both living and dead. These soil components fall into two categories.
In the first category are biotic factors—all the living and once-living things in the soil, such as plants and insects.
The second category consists of abiotic factors, including all nonliving things—minerals, water, and air.
The most common minerals found in soil that support plant growth are phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen gas. Other less common minerals include calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. The biotic and abiotic factors in the soil make up the soil’s composition.
Minerals
The most significant component of soil is its minerals, accounting for about 45% of its volume. The most common ones are phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. While the less common ones are magnesium, calcium, and sulfur.
Water
Water is the second essential component of soil. It makes up approximately 2% to 50% of the soil volume. It is vital for transporting nutrients to growing plants and soil organisms and facilitating biological and chemical decomposition. Soil water availability is the capacity of a particular soil to hold water available for plant use.
Organic Material
Organic matter is the next primary component found in soils at levels of approximately 1% to 5%. This matter is derived from dead plants and animals and has a high capacity to hold onto and provide the essential elements and water for plant growth. An organic matter has a tall “plant available” water-holding ability and CEC, which can enhance the growth potential of soils.
Gas
Gases and air are the following essential component of soil. They make up approximately 2% to 50% of the soil volume. Oxygen is necessary for root and microbe respiration, which helps support plant growth.
Carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas are also crucial for belowground plant functions like nitrogen-fixing bacteria. If soils remain waterlogged (where gas is displaced by excess water), it can prevent root gas exchange, leading to plant death, a common concern after floods.
Microorganisms
Microorganisms are the final fundamental element of soils. They are present in the ground in high numbers but make up less than 1% of the soil volume. An estimate is that, one thimble full of topsoil hols more than 200,000 microbial organisms.
Earthworms and nematodes are the largest organisms found in soil. The smallest are algae, fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria. Microorganisms are the primary decomposers of raw organic matter. Many decomposers eat up organic matter, water, and air. This is to recycle natural organic matter into humus, rich in plant nutrients [3].
Nutrient Depleted Soil
Nearly 99 percent of the world’s daily calorie intake can be traced back to the soil. The plants and animals we eat require soil to grow. Soil is vital for human survival, yet modern farming and agricultural practices quickly destroy it.
Worldwide, one-third of the Earth’s soil is at least moderately degraded, and over half of the land used for agriculture has some soil degradation.
Due to intense, mismanaged farming, soil nutrients are declining.
Nitrogen stores have decreased by 42 percent
Phosphorus by 27 percent
Sulfur by 33 percent.
Plants require these nutrients for photosynthesis, enzymes, protein synthesis, and more to grow optimally.
As a result of declining soil fertility and selective breeding, the nutritional contents of some fruits, vegetables, and grains have also been compromised.
In a 2004 study using USDA data, 43 garden crops were analyzed to compare nutritional content in 1950 versus 1999. Some nutrients were unchanged, but calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin C were lower in 1999 compared to 1950, ranging from a 6 percent to 38 percent drop [4].
The protein content in corn declined from 30 percent to 50 percent from 1920 to 2001, while the starch content increased [5].
The magnesium content of vegetables and wheat has declined by up to 25 percent. There are trace minerals in vegetable crops. Minerals like manganese, zinc, copper, and nickel, have decreased over the last decades. Toxic minerals like aluminum, lead, and cadmium have increased [6].
The current agriculture methods produce higher yields but deplete and erode soils. Currently, industrial agriculture is destroying the soil. It is being destroyed at 100 to 1,000 times the rate where it is replenished. It is according to the United Nations estimates. According to their report, we only have 60 years left of harvest in many farming regions.
What contributes to soil degradation and human demise?
Monoculture
Many industrial farms grow one single crop, year after year after year. This kind of practice depletes the soil and contributes to carbon loss and soil erosion. Agricultural farms must include perennial crops, legumes, and forages in rotation. This returns the organic matter in the soil, prevents decay, and replenishes nutrients.
For example, legume crop residues can be converted into nitrogen by soil bacteria, reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Additionally, monocropping can threaten food security. With a single crop species on millions of acres, one disease could potentially wipe out an entire food system.
Synthetic Fertilizers
Instead of using organic fertilizers, including crop rotations, cover crops, and manure, modern farms require massive amounts of synthetic fertilizers to grow crops continually.
Nitrogen-based fertilizer production has increased by 9.5-fold since 1960. Fertilizer production consumes fossil fuels in a very energy-intensive process, with non-negligible environmental consequences.
Not all the fertilizers applied are used up by the crops. Fifty percent or more of the nitrogen leaches into the environment. Many inorganic fertilizers destroy soil microbes that have roles in soil homeostasis.
Ammonia, nitrate, and other nitrogen residues make their way to groundwater, rivers, and eventually, the ocean. They reduce oxygen levels, increase algae growth, and damage or death to aquatic life.
Tillage-Based Farming
Farms today till fields to remove crop residues, flatten the land, and generally mix up the topsoil. However, tilling reduces microbe populations in the soil, promotes soil erosion, and releases greenhouse gases. Today, 93 percent of the world’s cropland uses tilling-based methods for production.
Herbicides, Pesticides, and Fungicides
Herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides can help increase crop yield. By keeping weeds and harmful organisms under control. The benefits come with costs. And when this problem continues soil degradation and human demise is going to be our future.
Additionally, pesticide residues make their way into water systems and food. Many health problems have been linked to pesticide exposure, including asthma, neurological issues, and even cancer.
The most well-known herbicide is glyphosate, which is applied to crops for hundreds of millions of pounds each year. Glyphosate has profound environmental and health consequences, covered in this article.
Mismanaged Grazing
Cows and other ruminants have the unique ability to convert grasses and other plants that are inedible for humans into nutrient-dense, edible animal products.
Best practices dictate that ruminants should rotate among different fields, allowing sections of grass to rest and regrow.
But when cows graze on the same land as in many conventional farms, it contributes to soil erosion. It lowers soil carbon reserves. Overgrazing contributed to the loss of about one-fifth of the world’s grasslands
Unfortunately, the importance of ruminant animals has been almost forgotten. Due to rocky terrain, hills, and climate, much of the world’s land isn’t even conducive for growing crops.
In contrast, cows, sheep, and goats can often thrive on these marginal lands. Yet these areas aren’t being fully utilized to raise ruminants for food and to sequester carbon properly. Instead, we have concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFO, where grazing is limited, cows are fed grain residues from an outlying farm.
Unity Between the Human Body and Soil
Our body is from soil and water. Without those 2, there is minimal to no possibility of human life. The quality of soil impacts the quality of our physical, spiritual, and mental selves.
Think about evolution or spirituality – if we stem from one at one point. We were the soil or some component of it, so now we are forever bound to the ground. In that soil, there is life, and from that life, there comes bigger life. Not only does it help in a physical sense but spiritual sense too.
When you eat bad food, you feel sick. This sickness manifests physically, mentally, and even spiritually. If you have food poisoning, how do you move? How does it then change your thinking? How does it influence your beliefs? Soil connects to us.
We are treating soil like some infinite disposable thing. Now take a look at how some humans treat other humans? How toxic people in power treat people below them.
The word human stems from the word “humus” in Latin, which means soil. As translated to “living soil” – as in the ground needed for growth. Less and less nutrient-dense foods can lead to the shunting of human growth and function.
To learn more about soil degradation and human demise, watch the full Episode 96 in this video 👇
SHOW NOTES:
00:00 Intro 00:52 Plugs 02:08 Soil Degradation and Human Demise 07:25 What is soil? 09:54 The layers of soil 12:35 The essential life-building blocks in soil 16:43 Nutrient Depleted Soil 20:37 Soil Erosion: Monoculture 21:58 Soil Erosion: Synthetic Fertilizers 24:21 Soil Erosion: Tillage-Based Farming 25:19 Soil Erosion: Herbicides, Pesticides, and Fungicides 27:35 Soil Erosion: Mismanaged Grazing 30:14 Unity Between the Human Body and Soil 35:20 Wrapping up the episode
In this episode, we will talk about the decline of serum testosterone levels among young Adult Men in the USA. Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays a vital role in the body. It regulates the sex drive, bone mass, and fat distribution.
In addition to that, testosterone is responsible for muscle mass and strength. It is also in charge of sperm production and red blood cells. And small circulating testosterone is converted by the body to estradiol, a form of estrogen.
Mammals have >95% of T fused by Leydig’s cells of the testes and are regulated through the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis.
The adrenal glands also produce testosterone but in small amounts. However, the amount produced depends on gender. So, it means different areas have different amounts.
A Decline of Serum Testosterone Levels in Men
A study from 1999 to 2016 showed that the testosterone levels in young adult men and adolescent males with an average body mass index resulted in a decline, as presented in the 2020 American Urological Association Virtual Experience.
The reason for this decline in testosterone level is attributed to age. It means that the decrease in these levels is time-dependent. However, the overall reduction in testosterone levels is caused by multiple etiologies.
Researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) dating from 1999 to 2016 to analyze serum testosterone level changes in 40-45 AYA males.
This study found a few factors affecting the decline of serum testosterone levels. These are as follows:
Age
Race
BMI
Comorbidity status
Alcohol intake
Smoking
Physical activity levels
Here are acceptable testosterone levels for men by age group
Early Teens: Between 12 to 13 years old, a person should have 7-800 ng/dL. But by 15 to 16 years old, the ng/dL should be 100-1,200.
Late Teens: Anyone between 17 to 18 years old have normal testosterone levels between 300 and 1,200 ng/dL.
Adults: An adult (19 years and older) should have anywhere between 240 and 950 ng/dL.
Mean Total Testosterone Decrease:
1999-2000 (605.39 ng/dL)
2003-2004 (567.44 ng/dL)
2011-2012 (424.96 ng/dL)
2013-2014 (431.76 ng/dL)
2015-2016 (451.22 ng/dL)
An increased BMI is associated with decreased total testosterone levels (P < .0001), with the mean BMI increasing from 25.83 in 1999-2000 to 27.96 in 2015-2016 (P = 0.0006).
It was noted that even men with an average BMI of 18.5-24.9 had declining total testosterone levels of P < .05 during the same time frames.
Limitations of the Study
The study was a cross-sectional study design, a type of observational study. It is self-reported activity leading to potential bias and testosterone levels are only measured once. However, there were no results given on the participant’s symptoms. It is also the most extensive study of its kind.
Potential Causes Of Decline of Serum Testosterone
Increased Obesity/BMI
Diet/phytoestrogens
Declined physical activity
Fat percentage
Marijuana use
Environmental toxins
Increased Obesity/BMI
People with moderate obesity have decreased total testosterone. This decrease could be due to insulin resistance that is associated with reductions in sex hormone-binding globulin. Severe obesity connects with reductions in free testosterone levels.
Researchers believe it is due to a suppressed hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. Obesity also affects iron metabolism and overactivity. It can further contribute to low circulating total T levels.
Diet
A small study conducted in 2016 investigated the dietary patterns associated with serum total T levels and their predictive effect on hypogonadism (low sex drive) and body composition.
Anthropometry, blood biochemistry, and food frequency questionnaires were collected for 125 adult men [1].
People whose diet is mainly composed of bread, pastries, and dairy products and those who rarely eat homemade food or dark green vegetables are most likely at risk for unhealthy body composition.
When the body composition suffers, it can increase visceral fat and decrease skeletal muscle mass. This result can also lead to lower serum total T levels.
How do endocrine disruptors affect the body?
When absorbed in the body, an endocrine disruptor can decrease or increase normal hormone levels, mimic the body’s natural hormones, or alter the natural production of hormones.
Examples: BPA, PFAS, Phytoestrogens, Phthalates, Triclosan &, etc.
Stress Levels Contributes to Decline of Serum Testosterone Levels
Stress can raise your cortisol, which is a hormone that can lower your testosterone once elevated. Reducing stress also reduces testosterone production. So if you want to reduce stress, you must get enough sleep and live a more balanced lifestyle. Exercising also helps and so does proper nutrition in your diet.
Doing Physical Activity
A 2016 study of men with obesity found that regular exercise increased T levels than even losing weight. 41 overweight and obese men completed a 12-week lifestyle modification program (aerobic exercise training and calorie restriction).
They measured serum testosterone levels, the number of steps, and the total energy intake [2]. The best exercises to increase T levels are resistance and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
One study in men found that interval training helps in boosting T levels. The training consists of 90 seconds of intense treadmill running interspersed with 90 seconds recovery periods.
Results show a significant increase in T levels compared to running on the treadmill for 45 minutes straight [3]. So, to rise the T levels in your body, you must do intense exercises for half an hour or so. Running on the treadmill helps but it might slow down your T-level production.
Doing cardio has no evidence that it can impact your T-levels, no matter the gender. However, too much cardio may lower your T-levels.
Can Marijuana Cause a Decline of Serum Testosterone Levels?
A study from 2020 using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2011-2016 had some interesting outcomes. They have studied men who are regular marijuana users and how it had impacted their testosterone levels.
This study had identified all men 18 years old and above who answered the substance use questionnaire and underwent laboratory testing for T levels.
In addition to that, regular THC users were defined as those who use THC at least once per month, every month for at least a year. Does this mean marijuana helps increase the T levels?
Among 5,146 men who met inclusion, 3,027 endorsed using THC at least once in their lives (ever-user). Nearly half of the THC ever-users (49.3%) were regular THC users.
THC use is associated with small increases in testosterone. This means that the rise in T appears to decline as THC use increases. However, T is still higher with any amount of regular use when compared to T in non-users.
Furthermore, this increase was represented by an inverse U-shaped trend with Regular THC users using two-three times per month. It demonstrates the most significant increase in T (+ 66.77 ng/dL) over non-users [4].
Men who smoke it regularly are twice as likely to have sperm with abnormal shape and size. According to one study, males who smoke marijuana at least once a week experienced a reduced sperm count.
Conclusion:
What you believe you believe is what you become. If you think you’ll lose intelligence by basking in the sun, you probably will. The hippocampus is 90% affected by what you believe and your confidence, in my case, at least.
If you believe that you’re smarter than Einstein, your neurons will fire corresponding signals, and you’ll be seriously reading and studying. It’s all about self-discipline and determination.
To watch the full episode of Ep. 94, check out our latest by clicking here 👇
TIME STAMPS:
00:00 Intro 00:52 Plugs 02:11 Episode Introduction 04:02 What is testosterone? 06:00 The fun and exciting time of puberty 07:47 The Decline of Serum Testosterone Levels 11:01 The acceptable testosterone levels for men by age group 13:17 Testosterone decreased by 150 points 15:34 Potential cause of testosterone decrease 15:57 1. Obesity 18:39 2. Diet 20:48 3. Environmental Toxins 22:21 4. Stress 23:19 5. Physical Activity 25:26 6. Marijuana use 29:13 Conclusion 31:54 Wrapping up the episode
In our latest episode, we will be talking about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and their attempts to seize control over this country.
A Story in History
We all want to know what is the reason behind this attack, so we did a little digging and found out interesting facts regarding Ukraine and Russia’s conflict:
Ukraine
Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe after Russia. The country also shares boulders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungry, Romania, and Moldova. The government also has a coastline along the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
After the Russian Revolution, a Ukrainian national movement for self-determination emerged and was internationally recognized as the Ukrainian People’s Republic on 23 June 1917.
In 1922 the Ukrainian SSR helped establish the Soviet Union. Ukraine then regained its independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Kiev
Kyiv is said to be the birthplace of Russia. So naturally, Ukraine’s move toward the Western bloc has made the Russian establishment feel betrayed in the name of having a democratic state.
The national identity and history of Kyiv are more linked to Russia than Turkic states in Central Asia or Baltic states in Eastern Europe.
In addition to that, Moscow’s ruling establishment feels so emotional because the first Russian state was called Kievan Rus, which was established in Kyiv 12 centuries ago.
Even the name of Russia originated in the name of this loose confederation of Eastern Slavic, Baltic and Finnic nations.
Rurik, the founding leader of the Kievan Rus dynasty, has been considered one of the godfathers of the Russian state. Interestingly, Rurik did not have Slavic origins, but he had Viking blood in his veins.
Russian Aggression
Russia has been aggressive with shifting its borders for the past decade. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the breakdown of the KGB, rumors started circulating. The story was that Russia wanted to regain its lost lands, and this began with Crimea in 2014.
Crimean Peninsula became a part of post-Soviet Ukraine in 1991, of which Crimea was a part since 1954. In 2014, Russia annexed the peninsula and established two federal subjects there, the Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol.
However, the territories are still internationally recognized as being part of Ukraine. In 2022 Russia again stepped into Ukraine, this time with unknown goals.
Why did Russia attack Ukraine?
There is much speculation about the rationale for Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch an invasion of Ukraine. No one knows what is going on, and it is hard to tell. We live in the age of the internet and the age of information.
The problem with that is that there is so much information that it is hard to tell what is correct and false. We know that the U.S. has been involved in Ukrainian politics for many years now.
Ukraine’s natural resources may be a reason for this Russian invasion
Ukraine has an abundance of some of the most valuable resources. The extraction of natural gas in Ukraine accounted for one-third of the Soviet Union’s total output in the early 1960s. Although largely unexploited, the country also has the second-biggest known gas reserves in Europe, apart from Russia’s gas reserves in Asia.
Ironically enough, Ukraine depends on gas imports primarily because the USSR began extracting gas on a large scale in Siberia in the 1970s. Germany is also a big consumer of Russia’s natural gas. The country gets 55 percent of its natural gas from Russia, and the bulk of it goes through Ukraine, which earns a transit fee equivalent to $7 billion.
Much of the gas exploration and production have been transferred to Russia, due to which Ukraine’s resources remain untapped. Presently, Russia supplies 40 percent to 50 percent of Europe’s gas consumption via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and the Ukrainian network.
Apart from natural gas, Ukraine is rich in minerals such as iron, coal, titanium, and other non-metallic raw materials. It’s the leading nation for reserves of titanium, iron, and non-metallic raw materials. Many believe that Ukraine’s abundance of minerals could also be one of the probable reasons for this Russian invasion.
Ores such as iron, titanium, and non-metallic raw materials are some of the country’s major exports, iron ore ($3.36 billion), corn ($4.77 billion), semi-finished iron ($2.55 billion), and seed oils ($3.75 billion). Ukraine was the fifth largest exporter of iron ore in the world in 2019, and in the same year, iron ore was the third most-exported product in the country.
Lithium and titanium are some of the precious metals on earth today. The Dobra and Donetsk mines were up for grabs, and there has been cut-throat competition between Chinese Chengxin Lithium and Australia-listed European Lithium. Both the companies want a foothold in the European lithium industry. Some estimates indicate that up to 20 percent of the world’s titanium reserves are situated in Ukraine [1].
Fear of Ukraine Entering NATO and the E.U.
Relations between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started in 1992. Ukraine applied to begin a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) in 2008. However, plans for NATO membership were shelved by the country following the 2010 presidential election, where Viktor Yanukovych won. He preferred to keep the country non-aligned with NATO.
Following the Russian military invasion in Ukraine and parliamentary elections in October 2014, the new government prioritized joining NATO. According to polls conducted between 2005 and 2013, Ukrainian public support for NATO membership remained low. However, since the Russo-Ukrainian War and Annexation of Crimea, public support for Ukrainian membership in NATO has risen dramatically.
Since June 2014, polls showed that about 50% of those asked supported Ukrainian NATO membership. Some 69% of Ukrainians want to join NATO. According to a June 2017 poll by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, it was compared to 28% support in 2012 when Yanukovych was in power.
President Putin has made clear that he sees the country’s aspirations to join the group as a threat to Russia’s borders and its sphere of influence. “Ukraine is an inalienable part of our history, culture, and spiritual space. These are our comrades, those dear to us – not only colleagues, friends, and people who once served together but also relatives, people bound by blood, by family ties.” [2].
Putin’s speech from 2/24/2022 mentions how NATO has broken treaties and international law, instead emphasizing the circumstances they interpret as they think necessary. One reference is the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, and the airstrikes lasted from 24 March 1999 to 10 June 1999.
NATO’s intervention was prompted by Yugoslavia’s bloodshed and ethnic cleansing of Albanians, which drove them into neighboring countries and had the potential to destabilize the region. Then he mentions Iraq, Lybia & Syria. The illegal use of military power against Libya and the distortion of all the U.N. Security Council decisions on Libya.
Syria is another example of the combat operations conducted by the western coalition in that country without the Syrian government’s approval. He quoted, “In many regions where the United States brought its law and order, this created bloody, non-healing wounds and the curse and international terrorism and extremism.”
The U.S. Sanctions that they gave to Russia
Banks/Financials
U.S. President Joe Biden announced sanctions on VEB bank and Russia’s military bank, referring to Promsvyazbank, which does defense deals. The Treasury Department said, “All assets under U.S. jurisdiction will be immediately frozen, and U.S. individuals and entities are prohibited from doing business.”
According to Russia’s central bank data, total Russian banking foreign assets and liabilities stood at $200.6 billion and $134.5 billion, respectively.
One of the harshest measures would be to disconnect the Russian financial system from SWIFT, which handles international monetary transfers and is used by more than 11,000 financial institutions in over 200 countries.
Individuals
The U.S. imposed sanctions on working directly with individuals based out of Russia. They also imposed sanctions against Russian elites close to Putin.
Energy Corporates & Nord Stream 2
America and the E.U. already have sanctions on Russia’s energy and defense sectors, with state-owned gas company Gazprom, its oil arm Gazpromneft and oil producers Lukoil, Rosneft, and Surgutneftegaz facing various types of curbs on exports/imports and debt-raising.
Nord Stream is a system of offshore natural gas pipelines in Europe, running under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
Chips
The White House has told the U.S. chip industry to be ready for new restrictions on exports to Russia if Moscow attacks Ukraine, including potentially blocking Russia’s access to global electronics supplies [3].
Final Thoughts on This Russian Invasion
We don’t want another world war to erupt at this point. The ongoing crisis has left many of us on the edge of our seats. Hopefully, it can still be resolved so that we can all live in peace.
And if you want to watch the full episode on this, click here for more:
TIME STAMPS:
00:00 Intro 00:41 Plugs 01:54 Episode Beginning 06:04 About Ukraine 09:54 Is the birthplace of the Russian Empire in Ukraine? 12:57 When did Russian aggression start? 13:58 Possible reasons why Russia attacked Ukraine 16:39 Ukraine has a lot of natural resources 19:32 Russia’s fears of Ukraine entering NATO and the EU 25:52The Hypocrisy of the West 29:54 The sanctions only affect innocent citizens 36:00 The Financial Sanctions 39:44 Cryptocurrency dragged into war. Is it good or bad? 43:20 The dangers of the government abusing its authority 47:42 Wrapping up the episode
You may not feel your kidneys right now, but it is one of the most hard-working organs in the body. And sometimes, we abuse them unknowingly.
Our kidneys function to filter the toxins and other waste products in our bodies. When kidneys are damaged, it can cause various health issues like heart problems, nerve damage, and weak bones. In addition to that, kidney failure, and anemia are also very common in patients with bad kidneys.
In this episode, and in honor of National Kidney Month, we will talk about kidney health and discuss the ways you can protect your kidneys and improve their health. And if you are experiencing kidney issues or are interested in knowing all about kidney function, this episode is for you.
National Kidney Month
About 1 in 3 American adults is at risk of Kidney Disease. 37 million American adults have kidney disease and most don’t know it. Most people know that the kidneys remove waste products and excess fluid from the body, but they function more than that.
The kidneys also produce key hormones that affect the function of other organs. The chemicals that the kidney produce the following functions:
It helps remove waste produces from the body
Aids in balancing the body’s fluids
Removes the drugs and other toxins from the body
Helps release hormones that regulate the blood pressure
Controls the red cell production
Helps produce an active form of Vitamin D that keeps our bones healthy and strong
Keeps the balance of blood minerals (ex. sodium, potassium, phosphorus)
How Do the Kidneys Function?
The kidneys are located on either side of the spine at the lowest level of the rib cage. They are consist of a functional unit called nephrons. There are about one million nephrons in each kidney, and these nephrons are consist of tiny blood vessels called glomerulus attached to a tubule.
When blood enters the glomerulus it is filtered by the kidneys. The remaining fluid then passes to the tubule. In the tubule chemicals and water is either absorbed or reabsorbed according to the body’s needs, to create the final product being urine.
Fun fact: Your kidneys filter 200 quarts of fluid every 24 hours. About two quarts are removed from the body and 198 quarts are returned to the bloodstream for the body to use [1].
8 Problems Kidney Disease Can Cause:
Heart disease – When the kidneys are not working well, your hormone system, which regulates blood pressure, has to work harder to increase blood supply to the kidneys. When this happens, your heart has to pump harder, which can lead to heart disease.
Heart attack and stroke
High blood pressure
Weak bones – Damaged kidneys can’t change vitamin D to the active usable form and this can lead to bone weakness. In kidney disease, too much parathyroid hormone is released to keep calcium levels in the blood balanced. By taking calcium from the bones the bones become weaker.
Nerve damage (neuropathy) – dialysis can lead to neuropathy pain and muscle atrophy. The exact reasons for this are unknown but several possible causes exist. They include vitamin and mineral imbalances, added pressure from dialysis, and overlapping conditions
Kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease, or ESRD)
Anemia – When your kidneys are damaged, they produce less erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that signals your bone marrow—the spongy tissue inside most of your bones—to make red blood cells
Risk Factors of Kidney Disease
5 Main Risk Factors:
Diabetes (you or your family)
High blood pressure (you or your family)
Heart disease (you or your family
Family history of kidney failure, diabetes, or high blood pressure
Obesity
Additional Risk Factors:
Age 60 or older
Low birth weight
Prolonged use of NSAIDs, a type of painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen
Lupus, other autoimmune disorders
Chronic urinary tract infections
Kidney stones
Different Types and Causes of Kidney Diseases
1. Chronic kidney disease
The most common form of kidney disease is chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is defined as having an abnormality or “marker” leading to decreased kidney function for three months or longer. CKD is a long-term process that is commonly caused by high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is bad for the kidneys because it increases pressure in the glomeruli, damaging the tiny blood vessels, and the glomerular filtration rate decreases.
This is the case why people get put in dialysis to help perform the function of removing extra fluid and waste out of the blood.
Diabetes is another major cause of CKD. The increased blood glucose levels in the blood damage the nephrons by slowly thickening them, causing scarring over time. Eventually, the nephrons begin to leak, causing protein (albumin) to pass through the urine.
2. Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli, causing damage to the filtering part of the kidneys. It can occur from infections, drugs, or another disease such as lupus or diabetes.
Some symptoms to watch out for: pink or dark-colored urine from red blood cells in your urine (Hematuria), foamy urine due to excess protein (proteinuria), and/or fluid retention (edema).
3. Kidney stones
Another common kidney problem occurs when too much calcium is absorbed from foods causing obstructions. When stones pass through, they may cause severe pain in your back and side.
In cases when the stones are too large to pass, treatments can be done to remove them or break them down into small pieces that can pass out of the body.
Stone Removal Options
Shock wave lithotripsy – sends shock waves to break up stones in the kidneys.
Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy – cystoscopy looks inside to find the stone and the ureteroscopy removes the stone or breaks it into smaller pieces.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy – this is ideal for large stones and is done when the doctor inserts a tool directly into your kidney through a small cut made in your back. Doctors can also use a laser to break them into smaller pieces.
4. Polycystic kidney disease
It is characterized by the formation of kidney cysts that enlarge over time and may cause serious kidney damage and even kidney failure.
Keep in mind that individual cysts can be fairly common and usually harmless. Symptoms may be back or side pain, increased abdominal size, blood in urine, and high blood pressure.
5. Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections of any part of the urinary system. UTIs commonly affect the bladder but can travel up and cause fever and pain.
We also have congenital diseases that occur when the baby is developing in the mother’s womb. A common problem with these congenital diseases usually affects the valve mechanisms between the bladder and ureter. Drugs and toxins can also affect the kidneys.
Early Signs of Kidney Disease
Poor appetite
Dry, scalp skin
Frequent urination
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Puffy eyes
Severe Symptoms
Nausea
Vomiting
Changes in urine output
Fluid retention – edema
Anemia
Decreased sex drive
Hyperkalemia
Pink, dark urine (blood in the urine
How is Kidney Disease Detected?
Your healthcare provider will use a blood test to check your kidney function to check your Glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
a GFR of 60 or more is in the normal range.
a GFR of less than 60 may mean you have kidney disease. Learn from the provider how to keep your kidney health at this level.
a GFR of 15 or less is called kidney failure. Most people below this level need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Talk with your health care provider about your treatment options.
Creatinine is another lab test to check to evaluate kidney disease, the normal level being 0.6-1.2mg/dL. This is a waste product formed by the normal breakdown of muscle cells.
If a person has one kidney, a normal level may be about 1.8 or 1.9. As kidney disease gets worse, the levels of creatinine go up.
Another lab test that is checked to evaluate the risk of kidney disease is urine albumin. A healthy kidney doesn’t let albumin pass into the urine.
A damaged kidney lets some albumin pass into the urine. The less albumin in your urine, the better. Having albumin in the urine is called albuminuria.
If you’re in the hospital, a doctor may order a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). This test measures and compares the amount of albumin with the amount of creatinine in your urine sample.
Providers use your UACR to estimate how much albumin would pass into your urine over 24 hours. A urine albumin result of [2]:
30 mg/g or less is normal
More than 30 mg/g may be a sign of kidney disease
How to Stay Healthy and Keep Your Kidneys Going
People with kidney disease should do:
Lower high blood pressure
Manage blood sugar levels
Reduce salt intake
Avoid NSAIDs
Moderate protein consumption
Things everyone should do:
Exercise regularly
Control weight
Follow a balanced diet
Quit smoking
Drink only in moderation
Stay hydrated
Monitor cholesterol levels
Get an annual physical
How is Kidney Failure Treated?
Kidney failure may be treated with hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation. In a critical setting, the patient may be unstable for hemodialysis and will require Continous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT).
Know more about your kidney’s health and watch the full episode here 👇
TIME STAMPS:
0:00 Intro 0:41 Plugs 2:24 Episode Introduction 6:08 How do the kidneys function? 7:26 8 Problems Kidney Disease Can Cause 16:10 Risk factors of kidney disease 18:19 What are the different types and causes of kidney disease? 27:29 Early signs of kidney disease 28:27 How is kidney disease detected? 31:49 How to stay healthy 34:54 Things everyone should do
In this episode, we would like to talk about dental health. Many people don’t know that dental health provides valuable information on someone’s overall health.
Today we know that most chronic illnesses are not down to coincidence, bad luck, or bad genes. Instead, they are the result of constant, silent inflammation in the body and the resulting chronic stress. This kind of inflammation often occurs in the mouth.
It can be found hiding in the tips of inflamed tooth roots, gingival pockets, around implants, in dead teeth, or in the cavities that are left behind whenever a tooth has to be removed.
Although research is constantly revealing new relationships between teeth and the body, doctors and dentists work in two different spheres, our medical care system is structured such that we can’t see the forest for the trees.
Importance of Dental Health
Looking inside someone’s mouth gives clues to their overall health. Did you know that many problems can stem from poor oral health?Good oral health gives a person the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and impacts facial expressions to show feelings and emotions.
Just like in other parts of the body, the mouth houses a lot of beneficial bacteria. But remember that the mouth is the initial entry point into the rest of your body and sometimes these bacteria make a home elsewhere where they can cause damage. Proper oral hygiene keeps these bacteria in stable conditions.
What Contributes to Poor Dental Health
Untreated tooth decay. More than 1 in 4 (26%) adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay.Gum disease. Nearly half (46%) of all adults aged 30 years or older show signs of gum disease; severe gum disease affects about 9% of adults [1].
The main factors that cause oral health are:
Poor hygiene
Diet high in sugar
Sugar changes the acidity in your mouth.
There are 2 bacteria, streptococcus mutants, and streptococcus sobrinus. These bacteria feed on sugar and create plaque on your teeth. When you get your teeth cleaned your dentist removes this plaque. If left unchecked this plaque will eat away at your enamel.
Sugar also attracts bacteria that eat away at your gums and cause gingivitis and gum disease [2].
Alcohol use
Alcohol drinks are usually high in sugar like beer, liquor, and mixed drinks. This leads to the breakdown of enamel, long-term tooth decay, and gum disease.
Alcohol also decreases the amount of natural saliva that acts as a natural antibacterial agent.
Depending on what alcohol you consume it can stain your teeth.
Normal Saliva PH: 6.2-7.6
Smoking
Smoking weakens your body’s infection fighters (your immune system). This makes it harder to fight off a gum infection. Once you have gum damage, smoking also makes it harder for your gums to heal.
You have twice the risk for gum disease compared with a nonsmoker.
The more cigarettes you smoke, the greater your risk for gum disease.
The longer you smoke, the greater your risk for gum disease.
Treatments for gum disease may not work as well for people who smoke.
Prevention
Proper oral hygiene
A well-balanced diet low in free sugars and high in fruit and vegetables, and water as the main drink;
Stopping the use of all forms of tobacco, including chewing
Reducing alcohol consumption
encouraging the use of protective equipment when doing sports.
What Conditions are Linked to Oral Health
Your oral health might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:
Endocarditis
This infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium) typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in your heart.
The study looked at 94 participants where participant’s portal hygiene, gingivitis, and periodontitis statuses were evaluated.
The authors found that oral hygiene and gingival disease indexes were associated significantly with IE-related bacteremia after toothbrushing.
Participants with a mean plaque and calculus scores of 2 or greater were at a 3.78- and 4.43-fold increased risk of developing bacteremia, respectively.
The presence of generalized bleeding after toothbrushing was associated with an almost eightfold increase in the risk of developing bacteremia [3].
Cardiovascular Disease
Although the connection is not fully understood, some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
There are a few theories on why this can occur, according to Harvard:
The bacteria that infect the gums and cause gingivitis and periodontitis also travel to blood vessels elsewhere in the body where they cause blood vessel inflammation and damage; tiny blood clots, heart attack, and stroke may follow.
Supporting this idea is the finding of remnants of oral bacteria within atherosclerotic blood vessels far from the mouth.
Rather than bacteria causing the problem, it’s the body’s immune response – inflammation – that sets off a cascade of vascular damage throughout the body, including the heart and brain.
There may be no direct connection between gum disease and cardiovascular disease; the reason they may occur together is that there is a 3rd factor (such as smoking) that’s a risk factor for both conditions.
Other potential “confounders” include poor access to healthcare and lack of exercise – perhaps people without health insurance or who don’t take good care of their overall health are more likely to have poor oral health and heart disease [4].
Pregnancy and birth complications
Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
Nearly 60 to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease that occurs when the gums become red and swollen from inflammation that may be aggravated by changing hormones during pregnancy.
If gingivitis is not treated, the bone that supports the teeth can be lost, and the gums can become infected. Teeth with little bone support can become loose and may eventually have to be extracted.
Periodontitis has also been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. However, how periodontitis may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes is not yet fully understood [5].
One systematic review looked at periodontal status looked at 22 totaling about 17,00 subjects and concluded that “The present systematic review reported a low but existing association between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes.” [6].
Pneumonia
Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
A study looked at over 122,000 participants with no history of pneumonia with a median age of 52.4.
The mean systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose were 125.5 mmHg and 96.7 mg/dL. While 49.6% of participants had periodontal disease, 2.7% and 6.0% had five or more dental caries and missing teeth, respectively.
According to the self-reported questionnaires, 45.0% of participants brushed their teeth three times or more per day, and 26.0% replied having professional dental cleaning at least once per year.
It concluded that:
The risk of pneumonia was higher in groups with more dental caries and missing teeth. In contrast, the risk of pneumonia was lower in the frequent tooth brushing group and the regular professional dental cleaning group.
There was no significant difference in the risk of pneumonia between groups with and without periodontal disease.
A number of dental caries and missing teeth, and the frequency of tooth brushing and professional dental cleaning, were associated with the incidence of pneumonia.
The risk of pneumonia was significantly higher in the group with a higher number of dental caries and the group with more missing teeth.
Risks of pneumonia decreased significantly in the frequent tooth brushing group and the regular professional dental cleaning group [7].
Fluoride: Is it the best means of fighting tooth decay?
Fluoride is considered an essential part of dental care. Almost all toothpaste contains it. Roughly 73.0% of the U.S. population with public water access in 2018 received water fortified with fluoride. In Germany, however, no fluoride is added to drinking water—and yet rates of tooth decay have dropped.
Fluoride can store and lock calcium and other minerals in tooth enamel, which sounds like a beautiful, helpful attribute. But just like many things, it also comes with unwanted side effects.
There are ongoing studies linking fluoride to chromosomal changes, bone cancer, and impairments to intelligence, while many other studies declare its innocence of these allegations.
The concept of holistic dentistry is based on avoiding overburdening the body with artificial substances as far as possible. If we eat well and get all the nutrients we need, there is no need for additional fluoride. Saliva’s job is to store minerals in teeth. That is its natural function, and it does not require extra fluoride to get the job done.
Tough Foods Make You Tougher
Chewing food is easier to digest. But did you know that adequately chewing our food can protect us from infections? Researchers recently discovered this when they took a closer look at what is known as Th17 cells in our mouths.
These cells are part of the immune system and can ward off harmful bacteria to our health while leaving friendly bacteria in peace.
Furthermore, Th17 cells form in the mouth, so the more we chew, the more cells are produced. In addition to this, eating foods with a more rigid consistency, or simply chewing well, ensures a better immune defense in the mouth.
Good Dental Hygiene Practices
Taking care of your oral health may take a lot of effort. However, if you add them to your daily routine and practice them daily, it will not feel like a chore but more of a natural habit. Here’s how you can practice good dental hygiene:
Brush your teeth twice a day
Use mouthwash daily
Floss daily
Drink more water
Eat more crunch fruits and vegetables
See your dentist twice a year
Watch the full episode on this by clicking here:
TIME STAMPS:
0:00 Introduction 1:00 Sponsor Ads 2:15 Cup of Nurses Introduction 4:04 Episode Introduction 6:36 Importance of Dental Health 10:44 Statistics About Gum Disease 13:28 What Contributes To Poor Dental Health 13:39 Sugar changes the acidity in your mouth! 15:42 How Alcohol Affects Dental Health 18:08 How Smoking Affects Dental Health 21:59 How to Prevent Poor Dental Health 22:45 Conditions Linked to Bad Oral Health: Endocarditis 23:23 Study About People with Endocarditis 25:13 Conditions Linked to Bad Oral Health: Cardiovascular Disease 28:24 Conditions Linked to Bad Oral Health: Pregnancy & Birth Complications 31:51 Conditions Linked to Bad Oral Health: Pneumonia 37:36 Fluoride: The best means of fighting tooth decay? 44:13 Tough Foods Make You Tougher
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