When shopping for jewelry, do you consider what metals make up earrings, bracelets, rings, and other shiny items? A report by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) in California detailed that cadmium was present in numerous jewelry items tested from stores including Ross, Walgreens and Nordstrom Rack . The amount of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, ranged from 40-100% in the items testing positive. Is Cadmium Allowed in Jewelry? Surprisingly, there are no restrictions on the amount of cadmium allowed in adult jewelry in the United States. There is a limit of 0.03% cadmium in children’s jewelry in California, a result of a settlement in 2011, after it was found at high levels in jewelry marketed toward pre-teens. Children are more likely to be exposed to cadmium in jewelry as they might swallow or chew on the metal pieces. The European Commission banned cadmium in all jewelry sold in Europe starting in 2011. Why is Cadmium in Jewelry? At some point cadmium became a popular replacement for lead in jewelry, likely due to an increase in lead restrictions. Cadmium is used to add mass and weight to jewelry and can add a shiny finish. Cadmium has a lower melting point than metals such as zinc, reducing the energy required to melt it into shape. Why is Cadmium Dangerous? Cadmium is a dangerous heavy metal and a known carcinogen. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) lists cadmium as the number 7 most significant threat to human health, based on its frequency, toxicity, and potential for human exposure. Cadmium has a half-life in the body around 10-30 years, meaning that a single exposure event can stick around for nearly a lifetime. As we age, cadmium body burden slowly increases. Cadmium primarily targets kidneys and bones, but can also be detrimental to reproductive health. Although inhalation is the most dangerous route of exposure (10-50% absorption), ingestion (2.5-5% absorption) and dermal (0.5% absorption) exposure are also dangerous, especially at high concentrations. How do I Protect Myself? There is no simple way to tell if jewelry contains cadmium or not just by looking at it. Buying jewelry that is made locally or its metal content verified by the retailer can reduce the risk of cadmium exposure. Non-metal decorative items such as ceramic, leather, plastic, or fiber can be worn instead.  ZRT Laboratory offers two ways to test for exposure to cadmium. Whole blood cadmium is the best indicator of recent exposure (months), while urine cadmium is the best indicator of long-term exposure (years). Overall, it is best to avoid any exposure to cadmium, as it will surely stick around for a long period of time.

I believe we should strive to make informed decisions for ourselves, and our family, rather than succumbing to peer pressure, or fear tactics to influence our actions. Being a child of the 60’s we were encouraged to always “Question Authority”. But in today's world there's far and few who dare take a stand and say “really..is that it? “ Here’s a simple straight forward article about the flu, focusing on the average population. But wait, that’s it? That’s all they have to offer? There’s many proactive steps you can take, that are highly beneficial being left out here. With flu season right around the corner, it’s more important than ever to arm yourself and your loved ones against the virus. And part of that line of defense will be baloxavir marboxil , the first influenza antiviral medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in nearly two decades , the agency announced Wednesday. (wait, did we even have an influenza medication, or flu vaccine 20 yrs ago??) Yes, we need a plan to Avoid the Flu, that should include: stress management (holiday season), getting enough sleep, and nutritious food, limiting sugar intake (it lowers the immune system count within minutes of ingesting), selective public exposure i.e. shop online or less busy times, and start taking an immune system booster. Baloxavir, which will be sold under the trade name Xofluza, is a single-dose medication intended to treat symptoms of acute uncomplicated influenza in people age 12 and older who have experienced flu symptoms for no more than 48 hours. In making its decision, the FDA evaluated results from two clinical trials, involving nearly 2,000 patients, that showed Xofluza to reduce the duration and severity of flu symptoms. Sounds good but the flu virus comes on fast, hard, and not much warning, and once you got it you’re down, and not going anywhere for awhile. Usually when you're sick there's no chance of seeing your PC, so it’s off to urgent care, and who knows what you will be exposed to there. My point being, it could prove a challenge for the ones who need it most (the immune compromised and the elderly), getting to a doctor within the 48 hr. window, to get the medication. (I have faith in Big Pharma, and they'll find a way to provide us with this antiviral when we get our annual flu shot!) “With thousands of people getting the flu every year, and many people becoming seriously ill, having safe and effective treatment alternatives is critical,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said in a statement. “ This novel drug provides an important, additional treatment option.” (Alternatives are always a good thing however using a “novel drug” ?? ) Xofluza will join several other FDA-approved antiviral drugs on the market that treat influenza, such as Tamiflu, a five-day treatment. But Gottlieb still urged families to get their flu vaccinations if they haven’t done so already, as “yearly vaccination is the primary means of preventing and controlling flu outbreaks,” he said in the press statement. (REALLY?) Although effectiveness varies from year to year, the flu vaccine is responsible for keeping millions of people from becoming sick. During the 2016-2017 season, influenza vaccination prevented over 5 million flu illnesses and 85,000 flu-related hospitalizations, according to the CDC. (sounds great, but out of a total of how many cases?) Still, there’s always a chance of catching the flu, even with vaccination ( ah..there’s the small print) . Certain flu strains, such as H3N2, can mutate quickly, which makes it more difficult to develop a vaccine targeted for that particular virus. ( but that is the most common virus??) What’s more, flu strains often change from one season to the next, weakening the efficacy of antiviral medication. (So you're saying it’s a coin toss, and a gamble every year?) “Having more treatment options that work in different ways to attack the virus is important because flu viruses can become resistant to antiviral drugs,” Debra Birnkrant, M.D., director of the FDA’s Division of Antiviral Products, said in a statement. (Yes to more treatment options, take a look at my “When Sick” handout, and many others on my website.) Xofluza will become available to patients across the United States within the coming weeks — and with a hefty price tag. The single-dose medication will cost $150 , although some people may be able to get the drug at a discounted rate. Closing thoughts Yes, it's great to have options, but don't put all your eggs on one basket. Just getting your flu shot by no means guarantees you won’t get the flu, and the antivirals have a limited effect. It still boils down to keeping yourself healthy, and taking good care of yourself when you ARE sick. Being proactive is always the best plan of action.

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein found in our immune-defense system. Human colostrum (pre-milk) has the highest concentration of lactoferrin, followed by human milk, and then cow’s milk. Because it is synthesized by the mammary glands, making it abundant in colostrum and milk, is involved in the initial protection for newborns. It can be found throughout the human body in the secretions of the eyes, nose, mouth, respiratory & intestinal tracts, and in the urinary-reproductive tracts. Lactoferrin comes from the transferrin family, which are iron-binding blood plasma glycoproteins that carry iron to the cells, and control the level of free iron in the blood, and external secretions. Antibacterial activity Lactoferrin's primary role is to sequester free iron, and in doing so, remove the substrate required for bacterial growth. It can also bind to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and destroy them on contact, while being a key element to combat excessive inflammation. It is one of the first factors released by neutrophils (one type of white blood cell) upon encounter with pathogens. Although it also has other antibacterial mechanisms, not related to iron, Lactoferrin not only disrupts the bacterial membrane, but can even penetrate into the cell. It can prevent the attachment of H. pylori in the stomach, which in turn, aids in reducing digestive system disorders. Bovine lactoferrin has more activity against H. pylori than human lactoferrin. Anti fungal activity Lactoferrin and lactoferricin may inhibit growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which is responsible for several skin diseases such as ringworm. Lactoferrin also acts against Candida albicans – a fungal form of yeast- that causes opportunistic oral and genital infections in humans. Lactoferrin appears to play a role in; Being especially helpful for anyone with gut-based infections, anemia, or problems with vitamin B12 uptake. Regulating bone marrow function, and as such has been used to boost the immune system with the goal of preventing cancer. Improving bone health as research indicates, lactoferrin can stimulate bone turnover by slowing down bone resorption, and the speeding up bone formation. For cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, lactoferrin may provide a supplemental treatment option. It increases a cancer patient’s innate immunity and helps reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. In industrial agriculture , lactoferrin is used to kill bacteria during meat processing. Lactoferrin also may be used in conjunction with specific strains of friendly bacteria. Together, lactoferrin and friendly bacteria have been shown to help boost the immune function. Other benefits of lactoferrin include: Stimulating the immune system Preventing damage related to aging Promoting beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract Acting as an antioxidant Transporting vitamin B12 in the body Treats stomach, intestinal ulcers, diarrhea, as well as iron deficiency. Important to note here, if you are having any of the conditions mentioned, than more than likely, you are low on lactoferrin, but it is always best to run some labs and make sure you are not just covering up an even bigger problem brewing underneath. Remember , Inflammation loves, and thrives on iron. Gastrointestinal issues ALL stem from an inflammatory process, and this inflammation leads to malabsorption, which leads to weight gain, anemia and more inflammation, which causes joint pain, migraines, diarrhea and fatigue...and the saga continues.