Ahhhh the Aroma of Bodily Wastes

It seems like not too many years ago smelling bodily wastes as a diagnostic tool would have been dismissed as ridiculous and “primitive.” However I am happy to report that researchers at Warwick University in Coventry, UK are working with technology, developed interestingly by the auto industry, for examining odors in feces, as well as breath, urine and blood as a diagnostic tool for bowel disorders and other health conditions such as diabetes. 

While these scientists are using “electronic noses”, not their own, they are working on an accurate, non-invasive and rapid way to analyze gut and overall health by examining fermentation in the gut, a critical aspect of health, attention to which has been lacking in mainstream medicine. 

For more information visit the Warwick University Institute of Advanced Study and the Warwick University News.

Clipart courtesy FCIT

Cave Therapy for Lungs and Sinuses

I find myself quite intrigued with the therapeutic qualities of salt caves. A simple, low-tech therapy (especially when done in natural caves), salt caves have been used in Eastern Europe and Russia for hundred of years for treating lung and nasal illnesses, particularly asthma and allergies.

Called Speleotherapy, cave therapy involves spending an hour or longer in an underground natural salt or karst (limestone) cave where the combination of minerals and electronegative charge are particularly conducive to treating chronic and allergic respiratory conditions. People suffering from such ailments are recommended to do cave sessions every day for two to three weeks as a whole treatment.

Halotherapy does not involve angels as the name might imply, but is rather therapy in fabricated caves, using special technology that aerosolizes salt, mimicking the natural salt caves. Halotherapy is becoming increasingly popular in the United States and Europe, where spas and clinics are installing fabricated salt caves to be used for allergy and asthma sufferers, as well as for relaxation and preventative care.

Research has found that sodium chloride (salt) especially when delivered with negative ions is beneficial for lungs and sinuses and is mucolytic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and an immune system modulator.

Natural Caves include the Bystrianska cave in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia and the Underground Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre, an independent healthcare facility that is part of the Wieliczka Salt Mine Tourist Route (Kopalnia Soli Wieliczka – Trasa Tusrystyczna) in Poland.

You can find fabricated Halotherapy Salt “Caves" in Rutland, VT, Williamsburg, VA, Illinois, Florida, and other locations in the United States, as well as in London and Lincolnshire, UK. Dr. Margaret Smiechowski, a native of Poland, has brought her knowledge of salt caves to the United States where she is considered an expert in salt therapy installations. For more information about her work see http://www.saltcavevt.com or visit the website of the Pyramid Holistic Wellness Center in Rutland Vermont.

Indium is a company in Estonia that manufactures salt rooms and individual salt “cocoons” – sort of like saunas but rather than heat you are getting aerosolized salt therapy. Indium Top LLC, Paldiski Road 68, Tallinn, 10617 Estonia; Tel: +372 6715 774; Email: iiris@salt-therapy.eu; Web: http://www.salt-therapy.eu

Good News on Swine Flu

BBC news headline on Thursday December 10th was "Swine Flu Less Lethal Than Feared".

65% of French Nurses Refuse Swine Flu Shot

The take on the swine flu and swine flu vaccines in Europe is interesting. Even though every country seems to have their "Gripe" campaign encouraging vaccinations, there is quite a bit of resistance and uncertainty about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. In France, the French Nurses Union (SNPI) has reported that  65% of French nurses are refusing to get the vaccine, and they found nurses and doctors in other countries had similar reservations. A translated version of their news release can be found here.

A Spanish nun, Teresa Forcades, formerly a physician has come out with an informative and interesting video (allow time to watch it as it is just shy of an hour) about the history of flu viruses and the concerns she has about the implications of possible mandatory vaccination laws. To view the subtitled version click here.

Jane Burgermeister, an Austrian journalist has filed lawsuits against two Austrian pharmaceutical companies citing contaminated vaccines. She is also working on suits against the World Health Organization (WHO) and others claiming far-reaching and devastating conspiracies. While some may find Burgermeister's take on the flu vaccine situation straight out of a Dan Brown novel, she is undertaking a daunting task, challenging such enormous, powerful, and potentially dangerous health conglomerates. To read in depth about her theories and legal cases see her Web site The Flu Case.

The bottom line is everyone should have the freedom and right to make choices about their own health care based on full disclosure of information not fear-mongering. If people can make choices  like whether to smoke cigarettes, take drugs, drink copious amounts of soda and sugar, and eat unhealthy-fat laden foods, it seems reasonable that people should also be able to choose  whether or not they want to shoot potentially harmful (and untested) ingredients into their bodies, without fear of reprisals, like loss of jobs, sick days or other disproportionate penalties.