Better brains, naturally.

Jim Carrey Makes a Great Case on Vaccines

It's so frustrating to hear a news commentator or medical "expert" make false health assertions: sugar cannot trigger hyperactivity; diet does not affect Tourette syndrome; there's not really more autism these days, we just know how to recognize it better.  

You feel helpless as you realize that millions of parents and physicians have heard a misleading message spoken with great authority. They are left with this dangling news snippet that forges opinions and may guide actions. As a result, children can be harmed. 

In an excellent blog available today on the Huffington Post, Carrey takes on CNN's Campbell Brown for declaring that vaccines have been proven safe. Brown is just one of many who has done the same in recent months. 

Vaccine safety is a complex issue but Jim Carrey has pared it down to the basics. And there's nothing funny about it. Read here.

Sobering Facts on AntiDepressants

So many antidepressants are being prescribed these days that, well, it's depressing. Even toddlers are now a user group.

Though their judicious use can be valuable, antidepressants are not well researched for long term use nor for the age groups now taking them. Further, dangerous side effects are not fully exposed, and financial conflicts of interest by scientists muddy the waters.    

A reader sent some links to give an idea of the scope of the problem. You can judge for yourself:

A powerful proponent of psychiatric drugs for children under investigation for risperidone research. Here

Development of different movement disorders associated with antidepressant use. Here

Comprehensive list of side-effects with links to their research abstracts. Here

Use of Paxil in Tourette syndrome exacerbates tics. Here

The moral of the story: do your research and be informed when you make decisions on medications, and explore your natural alternatives.

The Latest on Cell Phone Dangers

This 9-minute video from Australia's ABC Lateline program could save your life or, even more likely, your child's. 

In a nutshell, scientists are warning of malignant brain tumors from extended cell phone use, while the industry is vehemently insisting they are safe.

Sound familiar? (Cough-cough-pass the cigarettes.)

Researchers find the problem is worse with those who started using cell phones as teenagers rather than adults. Naturally there is even greater concern for the growing number of young children now using the phones.  

Check out the video or read the transcript.  And as you do, remember that something as significant as a brain tumor is just the tip of the iceburg. Who knows what other more subtle central nervous system effects are taking place from the radiation--from increased tics to impaired concentration to hyperactivity?