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- Crops absorb pharmaceuticals from sewage sludge spread on farmlands
(NaturalNews) Agricultural crops can absorb pharmaceuticals found in the water used to irrigate them or the sewage sludge used to fertilize them, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Toledo-Ohio and published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
When humans consume pharmaceuticals, active traces of those drugs are excreted in their feces and urine. Modern treatment methods for water and sewage do nothing to remove these biologically active chemicals.
Previous studies have shown that crops grown directly in animal manure can absorb veterinary drugs, and that cabbages grown hydroponically can absorb human drugs. To simulate more natural agricultural conditions, researchers grew soybeans — the second most widely planted crop in the United States — in regular soil. Half the crops were fertilized with solid waste, while the other half were irrigated with chemical-spiked water. In order to simulate the reclaimed sewage or wastewater commonly used in industrial agriculture, the researchers spiked water and waste with the drugs carbamazepine (an anticonvulsant), diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and fluoxetine (Prozac), along with the common antimicrobial chemicals triclosan and triclocarban.
Using mass spectrometry, the researchers then analyzed the plants’ tissues just before flowering and after the production of beans. The plants absorbed carbamazepine, triclocarban and triclosan from both soil and water, although absorption from water was greater. All three chemicals accumulated in root tissues, stems and leaves, while the antimicrobial compounds also accumulated in the beans. Diphenhydramine and fluoxetine accumulated in low concentrations in the roots.
The health effects of this absorption remain unknown, but they could be severe. Triclosan, for example, has been shown to build up in the bodies of humans and other animals.
“Triclosan disrupts hormones, can affect sexual function and fertility, and may foster birth defects,” write Frank Lipman and Mollie Doyle in their book Spent: Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Feel Great Again.
“If you find those compounds in the plant, what are they going to do to the plants or to animals that eat the plants?” researcher Chenxi Wu asked.
Sources for this story include: http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/88/i32/8832news.html.
- Most patients believe their doctors are in league with Big Pharma
(NaturalNews) A new Consumer Reports survey has found that the vast majority of patients on prescription drug medications believe that drug companies have too much influence over their doctors. Roughly half of those interviewed believe that their doctors are so influenced by Big Pharma that they would deliberately write a drug prescription even if a better, safer, non-drug option was available.
Of the nearly 1,200 patients interviewed, nearly half believe that gifts from drug companies influence which drugs their doctors prescribe. And more than 80 percent believe that drug companies offer incentives to doctors to get them to write more prescriptions.
Other concerns include doctors agreeing to be paid spokespersons for drug companies, speaking at drug industry conference and being “wined and dined” by drug company executives in exchange for favors.
According to Dr. Lee Green, these concerns are largely warranted because drug companies are known to participate in this type of unethical behavior. In fact, drug companies have now begun targeting primary care physicians to promote drugs rather than academic doctors because they are easier to convince and manipulate.
The study results are indicative of an overall decline in the public’s trust of doctors, which is leading many people to conduct more research on their own about treatment alternatives. But rather than be concerned about the blatant corruption in the medical and drug industries that is causing this phenomenon, some researchers seem more concerned that people might stop taking their medications as a result.
Some experts suggest that patients question their doctors about connections with the drug industry. If a doctor is unwilling to answer the tough questions and be transparent about potential industry connections, then it is best to look for a new one.
Sources for this story include:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2010/08/consumers-say-big-pharma-influence-on-docs-is-concerning-consumer-reports-survey.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/consumer-reports-survey-patients-doctors-cozy-pharma/story?id=11463918
- Twenty-five percent of patients end up in worse shape after surgery than they were before
(NaturalNews) A new study published in the British Journal of Surgery has found that surgical operations are not always beneficial to patients. According to study data, roughly 14 percent of patients end up with more physical and emotional pain after their surgeries than before them, and about 25 percent experience an overall decrease in strength a year after the procedure.
For the study, more than 400 men and women took a health survey prior to their operations, and at six and 12 months after them. The survey evaluated physical strength capability, levels of pain and mental acuity at these various intervals, and compared them to one another.
A year after their surgeries, 17 percent of patients reported more pain than before, 14 percent indicated reduced functional ability and 16 percent said their mental states had declined.
“Our study showed poor recovery was relatively frequent six and 12 months after surgery and could be partly explained by various physical and psychological factors,” explained Dr. Madelon Peters from the Department of Clinical Psychology Science at Maastricht University, in a report.
Though most surgery patients seem to recover fairly well during the year following the procedure, a significant number do not. One of the serious long-term side effects of surgery is chronic post-surgical pain and according to recent studies, the number of cases of this condition have increased at an alarmingly high rate over the past few years.
Consequently, some experts argue that extra caution must be taken when determining whether or not to undergo surgery. If a surgery is necessary, it is best to apply naturopathic healing techniques, such as supplementing with certain therapeutic vitamins and minerals both before and after surgery, to help ensure an optimal recovery.
Sources for this story include:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/w-uto082510.php
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Originally posted 2010-12-26 17:30:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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