Are Your Favorite Supplements in the EU About To Disappear?

On July 5, 2005 we got the word that Codex adopted international guidelines for vitamins and minerals. Just one short week later the bad news came out for the UK’s "Health Food Manufacturers Association" (HFMA) and other groups such as the "Consumers for Health Choice" who have been protesting - to no avail - another law affecting the supplement industry.

"The European food supplements directive is valid, decided a European court ruling today, ending months of uncertainty for much of the region's supplements industry, and disappointing those behind a major effort to overturn the law."

The HFMA and the National Association of Health food Stores (NAHS), responsible for the joint case against the Commission, say the directive threatens up to 5,000 commonly consumed products on sale in the UK because they contain more than 200 nutrients not on the directive's "positive" list of permitted substances.

The trade bodies have today asked the British Prime Minister to intervene in Europe following their defeat.

How will this affect your access to supplements?

For those supplements already on the "approved" list, you might actually see lower prices and more competition because it opens the door for companies supplying supplements on this list to import to your region.

For supplements that are not listed ...you might have to kiss them goodbye after August 1 when the law goes into effect.

...or wait a great deal of time and expect dramatically higher prices while those ingredients go through the process (and expensive testing) to get on the approved list...

Oh --- and don't expect all of the supplements not yet approved to go through the process to get on the list. It's an expensive process. So expensive that the UK released funding to support more supplement dossiers in June.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it wanted to encourage further dossier submission, by giving derogation to all dossiers submitted in the UK or another member state, and supporting the scientific work, in order to protect consumer choice in the UK.

At that time, only 29 dossiers had been submitted to the FSA. A major barrier to their submission was cost, which can go up to €350,000 for the more complex materials, which have little readily available data.

The funding helped push up the number of submissions but the deadline to submit and get on the list was July 12 --- oddly enough, that's the same date that was given for the final court ruling to come out which determined whether or not the directive would go through at all.

In a speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research at the end of May this year, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the rules implied by the supplements directive were "wholly out of proportion to the risks run."

In fact, earlier in April the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice, although not legally binding, stated the European Union's food supplement directive, set to enter into force in August, infringes basic principles of European law and should be rewritten which pushed the directive back into court.

Both Tony Blair's and the senior judge's position on the matter gave quite a bit of hope to groups like the CHC, NAHS and HFMA that the directive would not go through.

But --- the decision has been handed down.

The directive will roll forward with an August 1 entry into law for the EU.

USA and Canadian residents... if you think this won't affect us, well... you just might change your mind when you know more about CODEX and realize it is coming from the World Health Organization, a standard both our countries tend to follow.

If you're a regular reader of BLV Health Watch, you've read past updates I've posted on this subject. If you are new to our newsletter, you can search our archives through this link:

http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news/news-archive.html

I'll try to keep you informed as this story unfolds.

Meanwhile, any feedback our European friends can send our way as to what DOES happen on August 1 ...and in the weeks/months following... would be greatly appreciated. We would like to hear how this directly affects our loyal readers living in the EU.

Sidenote: What is really sad about all of this in my humble opinion is that science has really only begun to study the many benefits that can be derived from plant life on our planet. Many mysteries and wonderful health benefits are being discovered on a regular basis only in recent years --- and I'm certain there are many more to come. Will this directive and/or CODEX prevent access to future incredible discoveries for "we, the people?" If it does, I have a feeling the boomers might have quite a lot to say about it.

What (Or Who) Is Winning The Cancer War?

I'm probably in trouble just for posting this article on our website... and someone may come along insisting I take it down.

So, if you want to read it, you better rush over to our latest edition of BLV Health Watch at:

http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news.shtml

Look for the article:

"Diet Vs. Drugs - What (Or Who) Is Winning The Cancer War?"

Posted July 17, 2005

The new study released will open some eyes. But hurry, I'm not sure how long this article can remain on our site.

Stay well. Be healthy.

We appreciate you!

Animal Feed Staple Might Evolve to Super Food of the Future

South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced this week that it will collaborate with eight other African research organisations in a $17m project to develop a more nutritious sorghum cereal, reports the country's Business Day publication.

Africa grows more than 50% of the world's sorghum, adapted to harsh climatic conditions, which is the dietary staple for more than a half billion poor people worldwide.

But it lacks important vitamins and minerals. According to the CSIR, the new research aims to boost levels of vitamins A and E, iron, zinc, and essential amino acids.

In the West, amid recent high prices for corn and wheat, the resilient sorghum grain has been the focus of research to tease out new functionalities from this cheap, easy to grow food crop.

Used principally for animal feed by 'developed' countries, in a recent ARS (US government) study, food scientist Scott Bean at ARS in Manhattan, Kansas, investigated the kernels of food-grade sorghum, aiming to bring the gluten-free grain into mainstream food products such as breads, biscuits, pizza crusts and noodles.

"We are working on identifying the chemical reasons behind why certain sorghum hybrids are of much better quality – crumb grain, texture of bread – than others," said Scott Bean, lead researcher on the project.

We already know most experts believe the goji berry is possibly the most nutritionally dense food on our planet. It will be interesting to see how the new sorghum of the future measures up.

Stay tuned!

Source: FoodNavigator/Europe

Do You Receive Our Customers-Only Editions?

All customers who have purchased any FreeLife products from our site are manually entered into the customers-only GojiTeam email version of BLV Health Watch. This version of our newsletter provides in-depth reports and feature articles that won't appear on either our website news, nor on our blog.

Our next customers-only edition comes out July 4 and takes a serious look at the new Government Food Pyramid and explains why we haven't yet put it on our website at http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com. The truth is, we might not put it on. Find out why in our next customers-only edition.

One more reason to try a chilled bottle of delicious and highly nutritious Goji Juice today.

Visit http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/gojijuice.html for all the details.

Enjoy!

7 Tips About Ticks And Lyme Disease You Should Know

Tip 1
Despite what you may have heard, deer ticks are not the only carriers of Lyme disease; mosquitoes, fleas, mites and gnats are also carriers.

Tip 2
A tick that carries lyme disease may prompt a bulls-eye rash, but this infamous rash shape appears in fewer than half of all cases of the disease. This is just one of the reasons why Lyme disease is so difficult to diagnose.

Tip 3
Some aromas that will repel ticks and other bugs include lavender essential oil, citronella, cedar oil, rose geranium oil, American pennyroyal oil (also called tickweed), eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil. (If you are searching for a good source of essential oils, contact us. We'd be happy to help.)

Tip 4
We've also heard that eating garlic or taking garlic pills will help keep ticks away. A garlic regimen may repel ticks, but it may also repel your friends and loved ones.

Tip 5
The Center For Disease Control claims on their website that many local health departments, parks, and cooperative extension services have information about the areas most infested with ticks. If you are in a tick-infested area, walk in the center of the trails to avoid contact with vegetation. Wear light-colored clothing, which allows you to see ticks that are crawling on your clothing. Tuck your pant legs into your socks so that ticks cannot crawl up inside of your pant legs. Always check yourself and your children for ticks after being outdoors, even in your own yard.

Tip 6
Some of the more common diseases that you can get from a tick bite include: babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Q-fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Southern tick-associated rash illness, tick-borne relapsing fever and tularemia. Other diseases that you can get from a tick in the United States include anaplasmosis, Colorado tick fever, and Powassan encephalitis. Early tick removal may reduce the risk of infection of some tick-borne diseases.

Tip 7
If you come down with flu symptoms in the summertime, that's a red flag for Lyme disease and you should see a doctor immediately. Other symptoms include unusual joint and muscle pain, stiff neck, confusion, severe headaches and heart palpitations.

Have a safe and tick-free summer!

California Group Threatens Lawsuit For Acrylamide Warning Labels

California's anti-toxics law, Proposition 65, requires companies to warn consumers about products containing chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects.

Acrylamide, a carcinogen that is created when starchy foods are baked, roasted, fried or toasted, was placed on the list in 1990.

But according to the California-based Environmental Law Foundation, dozens of potato chips contain excessive levels of acrylamide without any warning whatsoever. For every product they tested, a one-ounce serving eaten daily exceeded levels that require a cancer warning under Proposition 65.

Learn more about why they are threatening to sue food manufacturers...

Visit: http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news.shtml

Bad Florida Basil Triggers FDA Traceback

Fresh basil, the most probable source of an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in Florida earlier this year, is now the target of an FDA traceback operation.

The outbreak occurred in the State of Florida during mid-March through mid-April.

Read the full story at:
http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news.shtml

New UK Study Suggests Obesity Accelerates Aging Process of Cells

It's well known that smoking can decrease your life span. Many studies have been completed to verify the harm smoking can cause to health.

But its only in recent years that clinical research has turned its attention to obesity and aging.

A new UK study published Tuesday June 13, 2005 in the online version of The Lancet indicates that... in addition to increased risk of health conditions including heart disease, hypertension and respiratory disease... obesity also causes accelerated aging at a molecular level.

"The mean rate of telomere length decrease across all the participants was 27 bp per year. But the telomeres of the obese women were seen to be 240 bp shorter than those of lean women, making them more than nine years ‘older’ in biological terms."

Read the full story online at BLV Health Watch.

They Laughed When They First Heard About Soy...

Just a quick note to let you know our latest articles are posted at:
http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news.shtml

And here's our latest article:

They Laughed When They Heard About Soy Protiens 9 Years Ago But They're Certainly Not Laughing Now!

A little over 9 years ago when Dr. Earl Mindell first talked about the amazing benefits of Non-GMO (Non-Genetically Modified Organism) soybeans, some experts actually laughed at the idea that soy could be as beneficial to the human body as he claimed.

They're not laughing now. In fact, news of the benefits of soy have swept across our nation and stepped from the supplement arena fully into the mainstream.

And not just our nation recognizes its value...

Soy proteins, traditionally formulated in rival products to dairy-based foods, are now being added to regular yoghurts to reach mainstream consumers in France.

Leading yoghurt brand Yoplait introduced its Bioplait yoghurt to the French market, its first, during April and it is now available in most French multiples.
It came at the same time as Danone rolled out its Bio Soya, already available in Spain for two years, in its home market.

But the Yoplait product is the first in France to combine soy and dairy proteins, offering benefits to both sectors. The yoghurt brand can make additional health claims on the product – Bioplait markets the cholesterol-lowering effect of soy and overall benefit for the heart on product packaging and TV advertising – while the soy protein supplier Solae, whose brand also features on the product, reaches a wider consumer base than the dedicated health food buyer.

Our own Soy Miracle Ultimate® Shakes are the ultimate all-natural source of soy, total nutrition and energy! Soy Miracle Ultimate® Shakes help you:

• Keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of coronary heart disease

• Gain a pure and natural isoflavone effect with Non-GMO (Non-Genetically Modified Organism) soybeans

• Stay energized with Dahlulin™, a complex carbohydrate, which maintains stable blood sugar

• Support the health of your entire body with 100% of the Daily Value of all essential vitamins and most minerals

• AND Enhances your body's ability to absorb nutrients

Utilizing 30 years of study and 9 trips to Japan, Dr. Mindell developed the revolutionary Ultra Soy Complex®, his exclusive blend of the most powerful components of the soybean.

The key to these formulations is the special ingredients derived from the highest quality soybeans from around the world synergistically combined in the exact ratio necessary for optimum benefit to the body.

Why do we use Non-GMO soybeans?

Non-GMO soybeans are the most natural type of soybeans because they are produced under the strict Certified Identity Preservation Program to ensure that they are not genetically engineered at any stage. From harvest to production, these soybeans are 100% certified natural!

The Soy Miracle Ultimate® Shakes were specially designed to be a great-tasting source of many important nutrients needed to achieve optimal health. The Soy Miracle Ultimate® Shakes can be used as complete meal replacements or healthy snacks that provide 100% of the Daily Value of 12 essential vitamins along with a complete profile of essential minerals and nutrient cofactors.

My message to those so-called experts who laughed in the past: "It must be pretty hard to eat crow with egg on your face."

By the way, neither the crow nor the egg will give you the same benefits our Soy Miracle Ultimate® Shakes can deliver.

Keep smiling!!

New Estrogen Research - Have Your Genes Been Accidentally Reprogrammed?

New research shows that exposure to harmful chemicals and drugs during critical developmental periods early in life may actually "reprogram" the way certain genes respond to the female hormone estrogen. This genetic reprogramming may determine whether people with a genetic predisposition for a disease actually develop the disease.

Visit BLV Health Watch online for more details.

Which Came First - The Chicken Or The Campylobacter?

The "juice" that always seems to leak out of those packages of fresh chicken you bring home from the supermarket can make a big mess on your kitchen counter. But more importantly, the juice can pose a hazard to your health. Nasty microbes called Campylobacter jejuni can live in that liquid and on the skin of fresh, uncooked poultry.

Thoroughly cooking chicken --- by grilling, frying, roasting, or baking --- kills this food-poisoning microbe. But if you accidentally splash some of the raw juice on food that you'd planned to eat uncooked, such as leafy greens for a fresh salad, you'd be wise to throw them out. Here's why: If the microbe takes hold on those greens, as it is very adept at doing, you might be in for a case of campylobacteriosis food poisoning that you won't soon forget.

New research suggests that Campylobacter may actually originate in the chicken's lungs. Visit our latest edition of BLV Health Watch online to learn more.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Without Sugar

If you've been looking for great alternatives to sugar, check out our latest article "Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth" at Best Liquid Vitamins. In it you will find three safe, all-natural alternatives ...two of which are safe for diabetics.

Enjoy!

RLS... I'll Bet You'll Be Hearing More About This

Ever heard of RLS?

The first time my husband heard about it (more than a year ago) he exclaimed, "That's it! That's exactly how I feel."

It's difficult for most people who have RLS to accurately describe it, and as a result most people are misdiagnosed and/or told it's "all in your head."

In medical fields the term RLS stands for Restless Legs Syndrome and according to a recent Yahoo! News article, as many as 8% of Americans suffer from it to some degree.

As the name suggests, RLS give sufferers a strong compulsion to move their legs. It's not always painful, but it is uncomfortable.

Patients describe the sensation as a pulling, tingling or buzzing feeling in the legs. Some say it feels like bugs are crawling on their legs. This usually happens during the early evening or at night.

Most sufferers are middle-aged and older, though RLS does occur in young people. Pregnant women also seem to get it. Women are slightly more likely to get it than men.

If the attacks are infrequent, they're a nuisance. When people get RLS severely, it can impair sleep.

Now the reason I say you'll be hearing a LOT more about this in future is because...

For starters, this is something that appears to affect most people later in life and from what I hear the drug companies are already rubbing their hands together in anticipation of being able to sell even more of their existing drugs to the Baby Boomer market approaching the later years in their lives.

In fact, the Yahoo! article mentioned above talks about one such company who received recent FDA approval for one of their drugs originally approved for Parkinsons, but now approved for RLS as well.

And it was hinted in the article that several other drug companies are taking stock of their existing inventories to see which of their products will work best so they can rush them through the approval process, too.

Is it the "greed" factor rearing its ugly head? Or do they really care about us? Or maybe I'm just a bit too cynical? The answers to these questions are better left for another time and place.

The news article was passed on to me by --- you guessed it --- my husband, with a note attached: "I haven't felt it in over a year now, thanks to..."

I won't fill in the blank of what helped him. The FDA probably wouldn't approve, since it is an all natural solution that worked for him, and may not necessarily work for the masses ...plus, no clinical studies have been confirmed that it works specifically for this purpose. It was a REAL BONUS for him, and for me... now BOTH of us are getting good sleep!

However, if you're really curious you can always contact us and ask for the full details. We'll be happy to share.

Live Call With Dr. Earl Mindell On Monday

Dr. Earl Mindell will be interviewed LIVE, Monday night at 10 p.m. EST on a special Goji Juice teleconference call. This is your chance to find out all the details on goji and why he believes it is his most important discovery in nutrition, health and wellness...

If you're interested in attending the call, be sure to contact us at Best Liquid Vitamins for the details.

Have a super weekend!

New DNA Test Tackles Deadly Cereal Disease

Did you know there are at least 16 species of Fusarium that can cause head blight, a disease that can reduce yields and contaminate cereals with toxins that can make grain unsafe for food or feed?

It's news to me!

Well, it's not news to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Peoria, Illinois. And they've been hard at work to deal with the problem...

Visit the latest edition of BLV Health Watch online to learn more:
http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news.shtml

Also, take time to view the rest of our articles this week, including:

- New DNA Test Tackles Deadly Cereal Disease
- Teflon And Toxins - Consider This...
- Fun Facts: Natural Sources For Your Vitamin B-6
- Alcohol Related Brain Damage?
- What's Your Mosquito Defense?

See you there!

Teflon And Toxins - Consider This...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

If you're cooking with old scratched, chipped, or worn teflon coated non-stick pots and pans --- throw them out.

Here's why...

I received a recent newsletter that contained the following information:

"In recent years, thousands of pet birds have died as a result of being exposed to a different kind of air pollution - from what has been called Teflon toxicosis. It is caused by dangerous particles and gasses that are emitted when Teflon-coated pans and ovens are heated - overly heated, according to DuPont."

• DuPont's studies show that Teflon will break down and release toxic particles at 446°F.


• Anything over 680°F and Teflon will release at least six toxic gasses, including two carcinogens and a chemical lethal to humans, even at low doses.


• Allow the pan to reach 1000°F, and non-stick coatings will release two known chemical warfare agents.

If you choose to cook with Teflon, do NOT pre-heat the pan, and never allow the fluids in the pan to completely cook off. Also, be aware that many ovens are Teflon-coated and the self-cleaning mechanism can raise the temperature well over 500°F.

Safe alternatives include cookware made with stainless steel and cast iron, neither of which emits harmful pollutants.

Click here to learn more about the dangers of Teflon from the Environmental Working Group.

In the weeks ahead we'll be bringing an important feature article to Best Liquid Vitamins on the subject of toxins. You'll be surprised how many damaging chemicals are currently in your home at this very minute. Stay tuned!

Finally, our new look has launched

We've been working behind the scenes for weeks, and finally... as of one hour ago ...the new LOOK has launched. Go ahead and check it out at:

http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com

Let us know what you think. We'd love to hear from you...

Alcohol Related Brain Damage Faster In Women?

Moderation really is KEY ... for women especially.

A recent study in Germany confirms alcohol dependency AND brain atrophy occur in much shorter periods of time for women than for men.

To read the full article, visit:
http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news.shtml

More coming soon. Stay tuned!

What's Your Mosquito Defense?

What's Your Mosquito Defense?

Interesting statistic - there have been 777 cases of West Nile Virus reported in California (23 deaths) and yet, if the CNN news report I recently read is true, only 23 percent of Californians wear insect repellent. Nationwide, only about 40 percent wear insect repellent.

Although the risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old, people of all ages can become ill... and the carrier? A tiny mosquito.

What brought my attention to the information in the first place was my 4-year-old son. He often plays out in our yard and just the other day came into the house all excited by the dead bird he had found in the flower garden.

"Mom! Dad! Look!" He was quite excited by his find. The bird --- a native morning dove --- appeared to be in perfect condition ...other than the fact that it was stone cold dead. No broken neck, so we're assuming it didn't fly into anything. No outward signs of wounds or abrasions. No unusual marks on it. In fact, it almost appeared to be asleep.

Dead birds may be a sign that West Nile virus is circulating between birds and the mosquitoes in an area. Over 130 species of birds are known to have been infected with West Nile virus, though not all infected birds will die.

The Center For Disease Control (CDC) seeks everyone's help for their communities by reporting dead birds as one measure to monitor and track the spread of West Nile Virus.

"By reporting dead birds to state and local health departments, you can play an important role in monitoring West Nile virus. State and local agencies have different policies for collecting and testing birds, so check the Links to State and Local Government Sites page to find information about reporting dead birds in your area. Click here for more info about reporting dead birds and dealing with bird carcasses. "

There are other things we can do to mosquito proof our homes and protect ourselves, such as installing or repairing screens on our homes and limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that hold water.

And then there are mosquito repellents ...and this is where my opinion shifts...

You see, here in the USA they recommend DEET for mosquito repellent. At the end of April/2005 the CDC came out with two more recommendations, repellents containing the chemical picaridin or the oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Now, in Canada when I was a Purchasing Agent for the Ministry, DEET was a banned substance. I wasn't allowed to have any products containing it for use by our people in the field. In fact, even the CDC states to spray DEET on your clothing ...NOT on your skin.

Keeping in mind that your skin is the largest organ on your body, and can absorb almost anything it comes into contact with into your bloodstream in 20 seconds or less ...it just seems to me that we wouldn't want DEET anywhere near our skin, period.

Here's one natural alternative you might want to consider for repelling those nasty mosquitoes this year. It's non-toxic, chemical-free, and part of our home care products - Purifying Mist.

But that's a room deodorizer, you say?

Yes, it's actually quite effective as a room deodorizer and an odor neutralizer. In fact, I like having a bottle handy in the car and have a few handy in the home. (Spray it on your hands after chopping onions and you'll be surprised how effective it can be!)

And yet it has one ingredient that can be very powerful for repelling pesky instects like the mosquito - grapefruit seed extract.

Take a bottle of Purifying Mist with you on your next camping trip and test it for yourself.

http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/homecare.html

Meanwhile ...stay healthy and stay well.

Cellulite Assassinators - Goji Berries In The News Again!

Is Hollywood going crazy for Goji? You bet!!

We've been telling our visitors and readers for some time now about the wide range of powerful benefits goji berries can bring to your diet. An area we haven't really emphasized is weight l-o-s-s.

But it seems the news is just now hitting the scene in a very BIG way.

Just this past week goji berries hit nationwide television, radio airwaves, and the Internet again. In his latest book, "The Cellulite Solution," celebrity Dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad outlines a new plan of attack to destroy those dreaded lumps and bumps that come from cellulite, and he dispels a few myths about who gets cellulite and why.

Dr. Murad's solutions start with some subtle changes to our diet, including one very exotic fruit. "Goji berries are the most nutritionally-dense foods on the market," he revealed. "I call them cellulite assassinators..."

If you'd like to view the short online movie about it, click here.

Meanwhile, if you haven't added Goji Juice to your daily diet, you now have one more reason to begin drinking it today. Enjoy!!

Omega-3 and Omega-6 ...A Little History

Brought to you by,
Best Liquid Vitamins

One of the first associations between omega-3 fatty acids was made by scientists while studying the Inuit (Eskimo) people of Greenland in the 1970s.

As a group, the Inuit suffered far less from certain diseases (coronary heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, psoriasis) than their European counterparts. Yet their diet was very high in fat from eating whale, seal, and salmon.

Eventually researchers realized that these foods were all rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which provided real disease-countering benefits.

Researchers in the field of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have since found that without a sufficient supply of polyunsaturated omega-3s, the body will use saturated fat to construct cell membranes. The resulting cell membranes, however, are less elastic, a situation that can have a negative effect on the heart because it makes it harder to return to a resting state.

Also, nutritionists have come to recognize the importance of balancing omega-3 fatty acids with omega-6 fatty acids in the diet. Because most people on a typical Western diet consume far more omega-6-rich foods (including cereals, whole-grain bread, baked goods, fried foods, margarine, and others), the ratio is out of balance for almost everyone. This means for most Americans the emphasis now needs to be on increasing omega-3s to make the ratio more even.

Vitamin E also plays an important role whenever you take any type of fatty acid. Vitamin E is said to help keep the fatty acids from breaking down too rapidly in the body.

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids, which means that they are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. Therefore, they must be obtained from food.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there are three major types of omega 3 fatty acids that are ingested in foods and used by the body: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Once eaten, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids more readily used by the body.

Sidenote: Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and most omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation.

Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Eating a lot of fish also takes the place of foods rich in saturated fats. Omega-3s are also found in: soybean and canola oils, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts, and leafy green vegetables.

Sidenote: avoid fish harvested in areas where mercury dangers are high.

According to the AHA, patients taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from supplements should do so only under a physician's care. High intakes could cause excessive bleeding in some people.

So there you have it... a little history on omega-3s and omega-6s.


Sources:

AHA Scientific Study - 2002

University of Maryland Medical Center - Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Swedish Medical Center, Seatle WA - Good Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

AHA - Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

BLV Health Watch - - National Toxicology Program Symposium

The NTP (National Toxicology Program), an interagency program within the Department of Health and Human Services, is considered to be at the forefront of developing and using new methods for testing toxicity to predict hazards to humans.

They will be presenting a new refined strategy that will guide the expansion of the NTP to meet emerging research needs, including examining the potential safety issues related to herbal medicines and supplements, cell phone radiofrequency transmissions, and nanoscale materials.

The strategy will also provide a long-term vision that moves toxicology away from an animal-based enterprise, including developing non-mammalian models.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) will present its new strategy "A Roadmap for the Future" at a symposium being held Tuesday, May 10: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ...and... Wednesday, May 11: 9:00 a.m. - noon ...at the National Academy of Sciences, 2100 C Street, NW, Washington, DC

"A Roadmap for the Future" defines how NTP will integrate new methodologies with proven approaches to "test smarter."

For more than 25 years, the NTP has made extraordinary progress in evaluating chemicals and other agents that may be toxic to human health and disseminating this information broadly to inform public health decision-making.

For example, through its extensive testing program, the NTP has evaluated over 2500 agents. In addition, the NTP biannually issues the Report on Carcinogens, which in 2005 identified 246 cancer-causing agents, including for the first time viruses like Hepatitis B and C.

For more information and to view the full release, click here.

BLV Health Watch - Fun Facts

This past month has been filled with fun facts on health and nutrition at Best Liquid Vitamins. If you haven't had a chance to read our latest news online, here's a quick look at some headlines:

- Fun Facts: What Is ...arachis hypogaea?

- Fun Facts: Secret To Better Popping Pocorn Revealed

- Nutrition In Space - A New Outlook On Functional Foods

- Good health might begin in the womb...

- Tips For A Good Night's Sleep

Plus, here's a snapshot some of our recent feature articles:

- Obesity Numbers On The Rise In China

- In A Nutshell, The Recent Ephedra Lawsuit

- Reduced Sugar Cereals Not As Great As They Claim

For all these stories and more, be sure to check out the latest online edition of BLV Health Watch at:

http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news.shtml

Special Note: We're going to be going through some exciting site changes soon. New graphics, new content, and a great new look. We'll also be changing providers for our bi-weekly newsletter... great news for AOL users who haven't been able to subscribe. (Sorry for the inconvenience. We apologize!)

Stay tuned to BLV: http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com

In A Nutshell, The Recent Ephedra Lawsuit

What's up with ephedra? Or should we ask, what's up with ephedrine alkaloids? A court case in Utah last week may have some people confused regarding what's going on with the ban on ephedrine-alkaloid supplements.

In a nutshell, according to one report here's what happened:

Nutraceutical Corporation (a supplement manufacturer that once offered an ephedrine product) filed a suit alleging that the FDA had not proved that low doses of ephedrine-alkyloid supplements were dangerous.

Judge Tena Campbell of the US District Court of Utah agreed, stating that the agency had not met the standard for banning low doses of ephedrine-alkyloids (under 10 mg).

Judge Campbell ordered the FDA to conduct a study that would determine dose-dependent toxicology so the ban of ephedrine alkyloid supplements can be set at a proven toxic level.

A spokesperson for the Nutraceutical Corporation stated that the FDA ban had been overturned.

But an FDA spokesperson stated that the ban is still in effect for higher doses (above 10 mg) of ephedrine products and added that the agency is considering its options "with respect to next steps."

What does that mean? We'll have to wait for the FDA to figure that out and get back to us.

We'll be watching for new developments on this story as they unfold. Stay tuned to BLV Health Watch and our online news at:

http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com

Meanwhile, stay safe and be well!

Latest Health News Headlines From Best Liquid Vitamins

Here is your month-end wrap up for news headlines posted at BestLiquidVitamins.com

To view all these news articles and more, visit:
http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news.shtml

Prozac In The Headlines - Again! April 1, 8:50 AM

Perchlorate Found In Breast Milk -- April 1, 7:46 AM

What You Should Know About FDA Approval -- April 1, 7:32 AM

Faith In Prescription Drugs Slipping -- April 1, 7:07 AM

Massive Food Recall In UK May Have Spread To China -- March 22, 2:02 PM

Update On "Attack On Health Supplements" -- March 19, 6:39 PM

Australia to Assess Herbal Ingredients and Claims -- by March 19, 5:52 PM

Atkins Nutritionals Is Leaving The UK -- March 19, 5:23 PM

Weightloss Headlines - Whole foods needed to stop malnutrition -- March 19, 3:59 PM

Whole Grains Council Officially Launched Its New Food Stamp -- March 19, 2:50 PM

There's more in store for you at:
http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com

Stay healthy! Stay safe! And be sure to visit with us again soon!

Prozac In The Headlines - Again!

An internal document purportedly from Eli Lilly and Co. appears to show that the drug manufacturer had data more than 15 years ago showing that patients on its antidepressant Prozac were far more likely to attempt suicide and show hostility than patients on other antidepressants.

The document also suggests that the company attempted to minimize public awareness of the side effects.

The document, made public Monday, Jan. 03/2005 was provided to CNN by the office of Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., who has called for tightening FDA regulations on drug safety.

The 1988 document indicated that 3.7 percent of patients attempted suicide while on the blockbuster drug, a rate more than 12 times that cited for any of four other commonly used antidepressants.

The document, which cited clinical trials of 14,198 patients on fluoxetine the generic name for Prozac also stated that 2.3 percent of users suffered psychotic depression while on the drug, more than double the next-highest rate of patients using another antidepressant.

In addition, the paper said that 1.6 percent of patients reported incidents of hostility more than double the rate reported by patients on any of four other commonly used antidepressants.

The trials reviewed in the document said that 0.8 percent of users of Prozac reported causing an intentional injury, eight times the rate associated with any of the other antidepressants.

In the paper, titled "Activation and sedation in fluoxetine clinical trials," the authors said that the drug may produce nervousness, anxiety, agitation or insomnia in 19 percent of patients, and sedation in 13 percent of patients.

The existence of the document obtained by CNN and other documents was reported last week by the British Medical Journal. Its editors said the documents had been reported missing from a 10-year-old murder case, and that they had sent them to the Food and Drug Administration for review.

In a long-awaited move, in January 2005 the FDA approved the language for so-called black-box warnings on antidepressants.

The action came four months after a government panel determined the medicines were linked to suicide in youngsters. As a result, the panel recommended drug makers add the warnings in order to alert doctors to the serious side effects.

The recommendation followed 18 months of controversy over the medicines. The episode cast a harsh spotlight on the pharmaceutical industry after it became known that some drug makers failed to disclose links between their antidepressants and suicide.

A black-box warning is the most severe warning that can be issued about a prescription drug. The information is prominently placed on package inserts and in physician reference manuals that are read by doctors nationwide.

The warning was to be added to several widely prescribed drugs, including Effexor, Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac. Only Prozac was approved for children, but doctors are free to prescribe any medication for patients, which explained widespread usage of many pills.

In a letter to drug makers, the FDA wrote in January 2005 that final labeling should be on company Web sites within two weeks and on all products within 30 days, according to the Pink Sheet, an industry publication. A medication guide was also supposed to be available by Jan. 31.

Flash forward to February, 2005...

The Washington Post reports on Feb. 21, 2005:

"Adults taking popular antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide as patients given placebos, according to an analysis of hundreds of clinical trials involving tens of thousands of patients.

The results, published last week in the British Medical Journal, mirror a recent finding of the Food and Drug Administration that the drugs increase suicidal thoughts and behavior among some children and offer support to concerns going back 15 years that the mood-lifting pills have a dark side.

The examination of 702 controlled clinical trials involving 87,650 patients is the most comprehensive look at the subject and is particularly telling because it counted suicide attempts and included patients treated for a variety of conditions, including sexual dysfunction, bulimia, panic disorder and depression."

Since the arrival of Prozac in 1988, these drugs have transformed psychiatry in the United States, even as persistent critics have warned that their benefits were hyped and their risks ignored. A spate of lawsuits in recent years have claimed that the drugs were responsible for violent and suicidal behavior.

Flash forward to March 31, 2005...

Newstarget reports, "The very first week you start taking antidepressant drugs, your risk of committing suicide quadruples. Antidepressants have long been accused of actually causing suicides and violent behavior, and now research is proving it."

Their article cites specific headlines that hit the front pages in many cities, including:

"Don't forget that the high school students who went on a shooting rampage in Colombine were on antidepressant drugs. So was Phil Hartman's wife when she murdered the actor. Time and time again, the most outrageous acts of violence in our nation are frequently linked to people who use SSRIs (antidepressant drugs)."

The New York Times reports, "The year-long debate over whether antidepressant drugs increase the risk of suicide in some children may soon widen to include adults, as English and Canadian scientists are reporting findings from three new analyses of suicide risk in people over age 18 who have taken the medications."

The story on Prozac is not going away...

If anything, it's building in momentum as more and more clinical trials come to light, and further documents are made public.

Here's what really puzzles me about this picture.

We have a 100% juice product that is made from a berry well known to have a major side effect --- it makes people happy. Safe for children, adults, seniors, diabetics, even pregnant women... It's a natural, whole food, unpasteurized and nutritionally dense product that does far more for your health than simply make you feel good.

Then on the other side of the coin, you have a pill that's "supposed" to make you happy --- yet, according to many of the recent reports and clinical studies flying in, it comes with extremely dangerous side effects for some users.

Yet millions (yes, I said millions) would rather pop a potentially dangerous pill.

Do you see something wrong with this picture, too?

Sources:

NewsTarget March 31, 2005 - Antidepressant drugs quadruple risk of suicides, research shows

Washington Post Feb. 21, 2005 - Study Ties Antidepressants To Suicide

New York Times Feb. 18, 2005 - Antidepressant Safety Debate May Include Adult Patients

Star Ledger Jan. 14, 2005 - FDA Approves Antidepressant Warning Language

CNN Jan. 4, 2005 - Document May Reveal Prozac Risk

ParmExec Jan. 4, 2005 - BMJ TURNS OVER MISSING PROZAC DOCUMENTS TO FDA; LILLY DENIES ANY MISSING DOCUMENTS

Massive Food Recall In UK May Have Spread To China

Here in the USA, some important headlines sometimes don't get much airtime... but this news is recent, so maybe it takes time to trickle down to the western media outlets?

Sudan 1 to IV are classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and are banned under European Union rules.

Sudan 1 is a chemical red dye, and prior to 2003 could be found in many ingredients including, salsa, chili sauces, and the like.

Last month it was detected in Worcester sauce manufactured by Premier Foods and several other food products the company produces which prompted one of the largest food recalls in UK history.

Premier Foods informed shareholders on Feb. 24, 2005 that its Branston Hot and Spicy Sweet Pickle and Branston Rich and Fruity Sauce are "at once" being recalled from the shelves.

The news came a few days after the firm set off a chain recall reaction of over 420 well-known processed foods, many of which used the same chili sauce ingredient (which contained the illegal dye) as the one used to produce their Worcestershire sauce.

Used as both a tabletop sauce and food ingredient, the discovery prompted the UK's Food Standards Agency to take immediate action and pull all related products, such as Sainsburys pork sausages and Tesco's chicken and vegetable casserole, out of the consumers' reach.

According to the news in the UK, companies had up to Feb. 24, 2005 to recall products containing the illegal red dye or face prosecution.

"It is their legal responsibility to be checking their foods and to then come to us with any new information on contaminated food products," a spokesperson for the FSA stated to the press.

Food companies failing to do so face prosecution.

That's just the tip of the ice burg. There was a recent report that the problem may have also spread to China with reports that international food maker Heinz has called back chilli sauces and chilli oils that may contain the harmful, and illegal, red dye.

Now... I have to ask... have any similar products been checked here in the USA and Canada?

We'll be watching this story unfold.

Be sure to stay in the loop and subscribe to BLV News.

Australia to Assess Herbal Ingredients and Claims

In a recent news release at NeutraIngredients Europe (11/03/2005) the announcement came out: "Herbal medicines on the Australian market may need to be reformulated after the government’s decision this week to back a wave of expert recommendations to tighten scrutiny of the complementary medicines sector."

The Australian government said it has backed most of the 49 recommendations from the Expert Committee on Complementary Medicines in the Health System, which was formed following the April 2003 recall of more than 1,600 products, many of them supplements, manufactured by Pan Pharmaceuticals.

The recommendations, published 18 months ago, include the introduction of quality standards for all ingredients used in herbal and complementary medicines, and new guidelines to verify claims made by companies.

“The complementary medicines industry is estimated to be worth over $800 million per year so it is vital that Australians feel confident in the industry and its products,” said Australia’s health secretary Christopher Pyne.

The government's response to the report said the toughest option would result in many products being reformulated or relabelled, or even removed from the market.

The report said that complementary medicines "typically contain a larger number of ingredients than prescription or over-the-counter medicines”.

"Consequently, the identification of a particular ingredient as a potential cause of an adverse reaction is often far more difficult in a complementary medicine."

Under the recommendations, any ingredients suspected of causing foetal abnormalities will be banned from use other than in complementary products subject to the same scrutiny as that given to prescription drugs.

Among the positive points for industry, the medicines authority the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has also been asked to draw up a stakeholder group to identify incentives to encourage innovation and research in complementary medicines, including data protection and market exclusivity.

A database will be established to identify researchers and centers of excellence to carry out complementary medicines research in Australia and there will also be action to create greater awareness among all health professionals and consumers of the potential for complementary medicines to interact with other medicines.

The government’s response to the recommendations are published on the TGA website. (pdf format)

http://www.tga.gov.au/cm/cmresponse.pdf

Important Sidenote: It's important to know when shopping for supplements that many herbal ingredients used to manufacture vitamins and nutrition aids come in 3 different grades --- pharmaceutical grade (the highest grade which our manufacturer uses for all products offered here at Best Liquid Vitamins) --- food grade --- and vetrinary grade. Unfortunately the more than 60 products we carry in supplements and self-care are only available in the USA (with the exception of Goji Juice which is now available in more than 11 countries).

Do you know what grade of ingredients you are getting when you purchase your supplements elsewhere?

The Whole Grains Council Officially Launched Its New Food Stamp

The Whole Grains Council Officially Launched Its New Food Stamp

The Whole Grains Council yesterday launched its food stamp to the general public at the Natural Foods Expo West show taking place in Anaheim. (March 2005 Show)

There are three versions of the black and gold stamp:

1) the "good source" stamp for foods containing a half serving of whole grains (8g)

2) the "excellent source" stamp goes on products offering a full serving of whole grains (16g)

3) and the third level – "excellent Source / 100%" – is for foods with a full serving of whole grains and containing no refined grains.

But here's an interesting fact:

The goji berry, which is considered to be the most nutritionally dense food on the planet, contains 13% more protein than even whole wheat.

See http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/gojijuice.html for details.

Our topselling product, Goji Jucie, is 100% juice - and contains over 2.2 pounds of pure sweet goji berry juice in every bottle... but, you won't find the new grain label on the bottle.

The new label is reserved for grain products.

Cockroach Allergens Have Greatest Impact on Childhood Asthma In Many U.S. Cities

Asthma In Inner-City Children - New Study Results Are In
Read Full Story Here: http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/news.shtml

Dust mites and pet allergens were always thought to be the biggest factors that affect asthma in children, but a new study funded by NIEHS states another factor may actually be worse for inner-city children: COCKROACHES

NIH provided $7.5 million to researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and seven other research institutions, including the Data Coordinating Center at Rho, Inc., for the three-year study.

"We found that a majority of homes in Chicago, New York City and the Bronx had cockroach allergen levels high enough to trigger asthma symptoms, while a majority of homes in Dallas and Seattle had dust mite allergen levels above the asthma symptom threshold," said Dr. Rebecca Gruchalla, associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and lead author of the study.

"We also discovered that the levels of both of these allergens were influenced by housing type," noted Gruchalla. "Cockroach allergen levels were highest in high-rise apartments, while dust mite concentrations were greatest in detached homes."

According to NIEHS Director Kenneth Olden, Ph.D. "These data confirm that cockroach allergen is the primary contributor to childhood asthma in inner-city home environments. ...However, general cleaning practices, proven extermination techniques and consistent maintenance methods can bring these allergen levels under control."

Cockroach allergens come from several sources such as saliva, fecal material, secretions, cast skins, and dead bodies. People can reduce their exposure to cockroach allergen by eating only in the kitchen and dining room, putting non-refrigerated items in plastic containers or sealable bags, and taking out the garbage on a daily basis. Other measures include repairing leaky faucets, frequent vacuuming of carpeted areas and damp-mopping of hard floors, and regular cleaning of counter tops and other surfaces.

While cockroach allergen exposure did produce an increase in asthma symptoms, researchers did not find an increase in asthma symptoms as a result of exposure to dust mite and pet dander. "Children who tested positive for, and were exposed to, cockroach allergen experienced a significant increase in the number of days with cough, wheezing and chest tightness, number of nights with interrupted sleep, number of missed school days, and number of times they had to slow down or discontinue their play activity," said Gruchalla.

While cockroaches are primarily attracted to water sources and food debris, house dust mites, microscopic spider-like creatures that feed on flakes of human skin, reside in bedding, carpets, upholstery, draperies and other "dust traps." Dust mite allergens are proteins that come from the digestive tracts of mites and are found in mite feces.

The study results are published in the March issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

New Vermont Law Requires Drug Companies To Disclose Wholesale Prices

"Under state legislation that is the 'first of its kind,' drug manufacturers beginning Tuesday will be required to disclose to Vermont physicians the average wholesale prices of individual drugs and other products in the same therapeutic class," the Wall Street Journal reports.

The law marks an effort to "curb prescription drug prices by putting price information in the hands of doctors," according to the Journal.

However, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America spokesperson Wanda Moebius said, "The law doesn't reflect prices paid by patients with insurance or at a pharmacy, and so it's not a valid representation." She stated that using such disclosures for comparisons is like "comparing apples to oranges"

Read full story here.

My Rant - The Aunt, The Uncle, The Coumadin

Usually I try my best to report the headlines I find ... online and offline ... relating to health and wellness ...without expressing my own personal opinions on the subjects. In fact, I do my best to keep my personal opinions to myself, but a recent conversation I had with my husband's Aunt has me so steamed up I can't help making a few comments here.

Her husband (our Uncle whom we all love dearly) just got out of a 4 day stay in hospital owing to shortness of breath and heart palipitations. They still aren't sure if it was heart related or stroke related but there is one thing for certain, it's a warning sign and warrents some serious lifestyle changes.

Now, here's the part that got me so riled up.

The Aunt fully admits they haven't been eating properly, admits they haven't been getting proper exercise, admits they haven't been making healthy choices ...and yet, believes the medication our Uncle is now taking should take care of the problems he's going through ...that they don't have to worry, since it was a false alarm after all.

Rather than make positive lifestyle changes, their only change is adding prescribed Coumadin (some spell it cumidin, it's also known as Warfarin) to his daily regimine. They wouldn't even consider adding a very healthy 100% juice to his diet as one small positive step towards lifestyle changes.

Do they even look at the Warning Labels on the drugs they take?

For example, here are some potential side effects for Warfarin (coumadin)...

--------- copy -----------

If you experience any of the following serious side effects from Warfarin, stop taking the medication and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· black, bloody, or tarry stools;
· blood in urine or vomit;
· coughing up blood;
· bleeding gums or sores in the mouth;
· decreased urine production;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes;
· severe dizziness or headache;
· easy bleeding or bruising under the skin;
· purple discoloration of the toes or fingers;
· sudden leg or foot pain; or
· unusually heavy menstrual periods.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience
· excessive gas or bloating;
· diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting;
· hair loss; or
· decreased appetite or weight.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

------- end copy ---------

And the worst part, after knowing about the above potential side effects, is that he is already easily bruised. In fact, his skin has grown so paper thin, just brushing against the coffee table can cause a major sore that takes weeks to heal.

Then add to this the fact that he has arthritis and has been taking aspirin and other pain relievers for it (a HUGE no-no with coumadin)... plus, he loves to go trap shooting (was honored for his skill last year) which generally results in very large shoulder bruises every summer.

Sadly, not enough people do heed the warnings for most presecription drugs. When you realize most of those warnings are the bare minimum that most drug companies are forced to apply to their products ...it makes you wonder why people "swear by drugs" to undo damage they have done to themselves. For example, the Washington Bureau reported in conjunction with the amiodarone warning label ruling... "A highly toxic heart drug continues to be prescribed to millions of patients nationwide without the detailed consumer warnings promised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration more than a year ago. "

So my question is --- "Why do many people leave their health up to others and refuse to take responsibility for their own lives and lifestyles?"

My husband's Aunt is not the only one. Sadly many seniors (our Uncle is in his 70's) refuse to think that they themselves could be responsible for the many ailments they have, or know they are in part responsible yet sadly they continue to believe there are magic pills available in these modern times that can wipe out 20 to 40 years or more of poor lifestyle habits. Even worse, because those magic pills are presecribed, many believe there is no danger in taking them.

Most people aren't even aware how many presecription errors are made each year.

Okay... so I'm ranting ...and it's only because I truly care. It hurts to see someone suffering so much, yet angers me to see their stubborn attitudes towards simple little things they could be doing each day to dramatically enhance their health ...and their lives.

Stay well and be healthy...

We care about you!

Life Expectancy in USA Increases to 77.6 Years

According to the preliminary annual mortality report released Monday by... CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, life expectancy for U.S. residents increased to a record 77.6 years and mortality rates for most leading causes of death declined in 2003.

The preliminary report indicates average life expectancy for U.S. residents in 2003 increased by nearly four months from an average of 77.3 years in 2002.

Howard Price of the Washington Times reports final results will be available in September.

Did you know the goji berry is considered by some experts to be the most powerful anti-aging food on our planet? Visit here to learn more.

Fat Acceptance Gone Too Far?

We received an interesting article from William Campbell Douglass II, MD today with the subject line: "Bloated Ballet"

Like us, Dr. Douglass is not too happy about the modern trend toward "fat acceptance" instead of contending with the obesity problem in meaningful ways like sensible nutrition.

We all know the results (and expense) of the problem here in the USA... but did you know the trend is now spreading into Cuba?

According to Dr. Douglass, in neighboring Cuba, there's now a whole new take on this trend: Fat as art.

"Since 1996, that island nation's Danza Voluminosa (Voluminous Dance) ballet company has featured performers that would crush the average Bolshoi ballerina into pulp - some weighing more than 300 pounds. No, this isn't a parody show, and it isn't something out of a Kurt Vonnegut short story. It's REAL ART. And according to a recent AP piece, the players are capable of an astonishing range of dance moves, though naturally the leaps, pirouettes, and Grand Jettes are relatively scarce."

"As you might expect, the troupe caters to a plus-sized audience. And though Cuba hardly endures an obesity epidemic like its Northern neighbor, they are beginning to see an increase in some of the health challenges associated with an overweight population."

Is this going too far?

Shouldn't we all be helping our nations as a whole strive for a healthier population rather than cultivating, or possibly even nurturing, trends such as this?

Maybe I've just been too much of a Sci-Fi fan. After all, my favorite saying is well known by millions... "Live long and prosper."

Here's a thought: Ever notice how rare obesity was in the original Star Trek series?

Oh well... art just as beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder.

Have a super day, everyone.

PS: Did you know goji helps with weight? Click here for details.

A Little Off Topic

Since this is our live online blog, we're always testing out new things online to increase our reach across the Net. We just stumbled across something specific to blogs and blogging that we found interesting and will be testing in the weeks ahead. It's an automated blog link exchange over at BlogLinker.com that looks promising. The WAHM Diary will keep you up to date on how well this little tool performs.

We just thought we should mention it here because we've had several requests for link exchanges from health related sites and thought this would be a great way for us to automatically help you exchange links with our blog.

Have a super healthy day!

Does Exercise Boost Immunity?

An interesting article in the Feb. 2005 edition of The Northern Light magazine brings the focus back onto how good exercise can be for you.

We know that exercise can strengthen the heart, tone your muscles, and help maintain an ideal weight, among its many other benefits.

According to the article, new research at Acadia University in Nova Scotia indicates that people who lift weights for 30 minutes 3 times a week have significantly stronger immune systems than a group that didn't lift weights.

Visit BestLiquidVitamins.com for more on the latest health news.

Perchlorate Has Been Detected in Drinking Water in 26 States

(Get The Latest Health News At Best Liquid Vitamins.)

According to a recent news release by US NewsWire, Perchlorate has been detected in drinking water in 26 states and Puerto Rico, according to an occurrence study released February 9, 2005 by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The AWWA report says, "Most detections are at levels below 12 micrograms per liter."

What's The Concern About Perchlorate In Drinking Water?

According to the California Dept. of Health, perchlorate can interfere with iodide uptake by the thyroid gland. This can result in decreased production of thyroid hormones, which are needed for prenatal and postnatal growth and development, as well as for normal metabolism and mental function in the adult.

What Is Perchlorate?

According to the USA Dept. of Defense, perchlorate (Cl04-) is both a man-made and naturally occurring compound. In solid form, it is a type of salt. Perchlorate dissolves easily and moves quickly in groundwater and surface water. Once dissolved in water it remains in water for a very long time.

Ammonium perchlorate is an efficient and stable oxidizer used in solid fuel for rockets and missiles.

The USA Environmental Protection Agency has established an official reference dose for perchlorate which is consistent with the recommended reference dose included in the National Academy of Science’s January 2005 report. A reference dose is a scientific estimate of a daily exposure level that is not expected to cause adverse health effects in humans.

The reference dose will be used in EPA's ongoing efforts to address perchlorate in drinking water. It is important to note that the reference dose in EPA's draft assessment represents a preliminary estimate of a protective health level and is not a drinking water standard.

According to the EPA, wastes from the manufacture and improper disposal of perchlorate-containing chemicals are increasingly being discovered in soil and water.

Wired News reports, "More recently, perchlorate has been detected in the majority of the nation's milk and lettuce supply. High concentrations of the chemical are thought to disrupt the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism and is linked to the development of motor skills in children."

Their report is based on a study released in November 2004 by the FDA in which 94% of the milk and lettuce samples tested revealed perchlorate contamination. Though the FDA study didn't explore how perchlorate gets into lettuce or milk, scientists believe it enters the water stream through industrial leaks. It is then thought to be taken up by, and concentrated in, plants and animals.

In the above referenced report survey, the FDA found an average concentration of 5.76 parts per billion of perchlorate in the 104 milk samples it studied. In 128 samples of green leaf, red leaf, iceberg and romaine lettuce, the agency found an average concentration of 10.49 parts per billion.

What Are Considered "Safe" Limits For Perchlorate?

Adults can tolerate nearly 25 times more of the potentially toxic chemical perchlorate in their drinking water than previously thought, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday, Feb. 19, 2005.

According to the new EPA guideline, humans can consume up to 0.7 micrograms of perchlorate per day for each kilogram of body weight without experiencing "adverse health effects." Based on the assumption that a 70-kilogram (154-pound) adult drinks 2 liters of water each day, the EPA estimates that 24.5 parts of perchlorate to 1 billion parts of water is a safe limit for water quality.

EPA spokeswoman Cynthia Bergman stressed that 24.5 ppb is just a preliminary figure and added that it was based on the findings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Bill Walker, vice president of the Environmental Working Group's West Coast operations stated in November 2004, people with existing thyroid problems and pregnant women should monitor the total amount of perchlorate they ingest each day.

"We found that there are some people out there -- like the 1.6 million people of child-bearing age -- who are eating a diet very heavy in lettuce," he said. "This could be exceeding the EPA's recommended safe dose."

What Actions Are Being Taken By The Dept. of Defense (DoD) Regarding Perchlorate?

The DoD has an entire task force dedicated to perchlorate.

They have been working collaboratively with EPA, DOE, NASA and a variety of other federal, state, local and tribal entities since the 1990s to better understand and address perchlorate.

DoD has spent $59 million to date on the following initiatives:

• perchlorate detection methods,

• perchlorate occurrence studies,

• human health effects studies,

• pollution prevention measures

• treatment technologies, and

• site assessment and cleanup efforts

The two types of perchlorate most frequently used by DoD are ammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate. Ammonium perchlorate is used in rocket and missile propellants. Potassium perchlorate is used as an oxidizer in pyrotechnics such as training simulators, flares, hand grenade delays, and aircraft countermeasures.

Today, DoD makes every effort to prevent releases of perchlorate into the environment.



Sources:

AWWA Government Affairs - Perchlorate Occurrence Report - PDF file [2.8MB Download Size - Adobi Acrobat Required]

US NewsWire MediaLink Worldwide - Perchlorate Detected in Drinking Water in 26 States...

Dept. Of Defense Percholate Workgroup - Percholate Facts

USA Environmental Protection Agency - Perchlorate

USA Environmental Protection Agency - Perchlorate and Perchlorate Salts Risk Information

Wired News - EPA Sets Perchlorate Guideline

Wired News - Rocket Fuel in Milk, Lettuce

California Dept. Of Health Services - Perchlorate in California Drinking Water:
Overview and Links

USA Food And Drug Administration - Perchlorate Questions and Answers

USA Food And Drug Administration - Exploratory Data on Perchlorate in Food

California State-wide Summary of Perchlorate-Contaminated Sites - Joint GEOTRACKER SWRCB And DTSC Perchlorate Confirmed Contaminant Site Data

Feeling Exhausted? Here's a great tip!

If you often feel fatigued, it could be time to head for the treadmill. According the "The Northern Light" magazine, researchers at the University of Oslo in Norway asked some 6,000 women about their exercise habits and how often they felt tired.

When they followed up 15 months later, they found that study sujects who had exercised at least 20 minutes once a week were, on average, 30% less likely to feel fatigued.

A little exercise goes a long way toward building strength and beating exhaustion!

Read more fun facts at Best Liquid Vitamins!

McDonald's Lawsuits Settled

Two law suits against fast food giant McDonald's have been settled in favor of the plaintiffs.

McDonald's announced in September 2002 that it was voluntarily changing to a cooking oil with less trans fat and that the change would be completed by February 2003. However, McDonald's encountered operational issues and the oil was not changed. Plaintiffs claimed in the lawsuits that McDonald's did not take sufficient steps to inform the public that it had not changed the oil.

In accordance with the settlements in both law suits, McDonald's will pay $7,500 to BanTransFats.com, and $7,500 to Plaintiff Katherine Fettke which she is donating to charity. There are also a large list of other costs McDonald's will be footing the bill on according to the "Terms of Settlement."

For the full details as well as additional information on trans fatty acids, check out the full story at Best Liquid Vitamins in our Natural Health News posted Feb. 15, 2005

Eat healthy and be well. We appreciate you!

Attack on Health Supplements Exposed!

We've been receiving emails about this from sources "very high up" in the Nutrition Industry, including Len Clements (an expert witness often called upon by the FTC for his legal expertise) and many more.

When the first email arrived, I didn't have much time to check deeper into things.

Since then, more than 50 additional emails from several different sources began pouring into my inbox --- all urging us at Best Liquid Vitamins to expose this information to our loyal visitors and customers. I still haven't had time to read through all the shocking reports and news...

Here's a copy of what John Herring wrote:

Can you imagine paying $300 for a bottle of low-potency vitamins? What about having to get a prescription for vitamin C? Think that's farfetched? Think again.

Efforts are underway right now to classify essential vitamins, herbs, minerals, and enzymes as pharmaceutical drugs, putting them under rigorous government regulation and control. Eventually these natural products would be manufactured from synthetic materials and available only by prescription.

"Not in my lifetime," you say? How about August of 2005?

That's when the Directive on Dietary Supplements (legislation that was introduced by a U.N.-sponsored commission) goes into effect in the European Union (EU). Starting in August, vitamin and herbal supplements in Europe will have to be "proven safe and effective" before they can be sold to the public. This will result in a ban on nearly 300 vitamin and mineral ingredients (many of which are in the same form as those found in food) and the removal of some 5,000 products from the market.

But that couldn't happen here in the U.S. Could it?

According to the Federal Register, the FDA Policy on Standards reads: "Where a relevant international standard exists, or completion is imminent, it will generally be used in preference to a domestic standard." So much for national sovereignty.

There is a serious conflict of interest going on.

On the one hand, all of us are being encouraged to eat smarter and get regular exercise, with the belief that we can all get far healthier through choosing proper natural foods we consume through our daily diet. And many medical practitioners also support supplementing your diet to ensure you are getting enough of everything you need to stay healthy.

On the other hand, some powerful force is pushing buttons at very high levels of government.

Are they saying we're not intelligent enough to make healthy choices? Are they implying even our own Doctors are not smart enough to choose safely for us?

I'm a determined Mom who will do everything I can for my child to give him the best support in every possible way.

And something tells me there are a lot more Moms and Dads out there just like me --- who care passionately about the health of their families --- and would do the same.

Are you currently taking supplements that ARE working well for you and your family?

If so, I think you really need to be aware of the plans underfoot. Here's the copy of Len's letter to us:

2/12/2005

MarketWave Alert #46

If you are involved in a nutrition based company, or you just care about your health and your right to choose what supplements you use, please read the notice below. I know a lot of these kinds of warnings make their way through cyberspace all the time, and so many of them are overreactions or completely baseless that it's easy to get jaded and ignore them. Please don't ignore this one. This threat is very real. Although there are those who will claim this CODEX bill described here has a very slim chance of ever passing, I would not underestimate the lobbying power of the drug companies.

The massive public response to the FDA's last attempt to regulate dietary supplements is what got the DSHEA act passed in 1994. It's time to let them know once again how you feel about a Megadose of Vitamin C being declared a drug and quadrupling in price. As hard as it might be to believe that this could actually happen, do what I just did and check it out for yourself. It's scary what's going on right now under the radar of tens-of-millions of American consumers.

Please act now. The clock is ticking and time is almost up.

Len Clements
MarketWave, Inc.

READ THIS VERY IMPORTANT HEALTH MESSAGE BELOW AND CONTACT EVERYONE.

Your right to choose your vitamin, mineral and other supplements may end in June of this year (2005).

After that U.S. supplements will be defined and controlled by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The CODEX ALIMENTARIUS (Food Code) is setting the supplement standard in all countries in the WTO. They will be enforced by the WTO and will over ride U.S. laws. The U.S. President and Congress agreed to this take-over when the WTO Treaty was signed. Violations are punished by WTO trade sanctions, CODEX drastically restricts vitamins, minerals, herbs and other supplements. CODEX met secretly in November, 2004 and finalized step 8 (the final stage), to begin implementation in June, 2005.

The CODE includes:

1) No supplement can be sold for preventive or therapeutic use.

2) Any potency higher than RDA (minimal strength) is a drug requiring a prescription and must be produced by drug companies. Over 5000 safe items now in health stores will be banned, terminating health stores as we now know them.

3) CODEX regulations become binding internationally.

4) New supplements are banned unless given very expensive CODEX testing and approval.

CODEX now applies to Norway and Germany, among others, where zinc tablets rose from $4 per bottle to $52. Echinacea (an ancient immune-enhancement herb) rose from $14 to $153 (both examples are now allowed by prescription only). They are now drugs! Vitamin C above 200mg, niacin above 32mg, vitamin B6 above 4mg are banned over-the-counter. No amino acids (arginine, lysine, camitine etc = essential amino acids!), essential fatty acids (omegas 3, 6, 9, etc), or other essential supplements such as DMEA, DHEA, CoQ10, MSM, beta-carotene, etc, are allowed.

The CODEX rules are not based on real science. They are made by a few people meeting in secret not necessarily scientists. In 1993 the FDA and drug corporations tried to put all supplements under restriction and prescription. But over 4 million Americans told Congress and the President to protect their freedom of choice on health supplements. The DSHEA Law was passed in 1994, which does so. But this will be over ruled by CODEX and the World Trade Organization.

Virtually nothing about it has been in the media. What the drug corporations have failed to do through Congress they have gotten by sneak attack through CODEX with the help of a silent media. What can be done at this late hour?

1) Spread the word as much as possible. Please look at these websites, and inform yourselves fully at http://ahha.org/codex.htm; www.iahf.com. and www.alliance-natural-health.org.

2) Oppose bills S.722 and H.R.3377. These support the CODEX restrictions with U.S. laws, changing the DSHEA law.

3) Support H. R. 1146 which would restore the sovereignty of the U.S. Constitution over CODEX.

4) Express your wishes to the President, Senators and Representatives ASAP.

5) Contact health marketing groups that can get their members to inform the government.

Are you as concerned about this information as I am? If so, send an SOS through this link.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important information and taking action today.

Live long and stay healthy. We appreciate you!

Dr. Earl Mindell To Speak At The United Nations

Late last night, I was on a fairly long phone call with Dr. Earl Mindell, author of the world's number one bestseller and longest selling book on nutrition - The Vitamin Bible For The 21sth Century - getting some additional information from him for a television producer who contacted us expressing an interest in a live interview with him.

That's how we found out about the upcoming event at the United Nations.

Dr. Mindell has been invited to speak before the United Nations on the subject of anti-aging and nutrition in April of this year - 2005.

If you would like all the details, be sure to contact us at Best Liquid Vitamins. We'll be happy to provide more information.

Also, we have a copy of Dr. Mindell's bio for those of you in the press looking for more info. If you would like for us to arrange a connection for a possible future review, article, interview, or television appearance, we'll be happy to help.

Have a wonderful and healthy day!

Don't Overlook The Anti-Aging Properties

Press Release 02-07-2005:

Considered by experts to be the most nutritionally dense food on our planet, many alternative health practitioners and marketers alike are spreading the word about the remarkable health benefits for the goji berry known by its latin term Lycium Barbarum.

The recent printing of "The Doctor's Report" is packed with testimonial after testimonial from several professional Medical Doctors, both on a personal level as well as results they have seen with their patients. With the overwhelming flood of positive health stories pouring in, the number one benefit for this tiny red berry might be easily overlooked.

However, now that the juice form of the original bloodline for the goji berry referenced in Ancient Asian texts has been available for just over a year, long term users have been reporting some pretty amazing anti-aging results that are worth noting.

We've been receiving several testimonials supporting the anti-aging claims and studies, including: darker hair color, more youthful and radiant skin, increased flexibility and stamina, increased mental clarity, and much more.

On one recent call, a gentleman gleefully announced his hair was growing back after 20 years of being bald. Unfortunately we didn't catch his name and don't have before and after pictures to substantiate his claim. He did tell us that he has been drinking the juice daily for just over 11 months. And he was thrilled to tell us he couldn't wait to find out if his barber remembered him. He couldn't wait to see his reaction.

If you passed the goji berry by when the news first broke about this powerful juice, it might be time to come back and take a closer look.

You can contact us at www.bestliquidvitamins.com for a free copy of "The Doctor's Report" as well as any additional information on the subject.

Around our home, one thing has definitely resulted from our daily consumption of the juice. We've all felt the effects of the "happy berry" in more ways than one.

Fun Facts: Plant Sterol Esters - Plant Stanol Esters

Have you ever heard of plant sterol esters and plant stanol esters?

Don't feel bad if you haven't.

There's so much to learn about fruits and vegetables when you start getting into the nuts and bolts of their overall makeup.

Plant sterols are present naturally in small quantities in many fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes, vegetable oils, and other plant sources.

Plant stanols occur in even smaller quantities in many of the same sources. Both stanols and sterols are essential components of plant cell membranes and structurally resemble cholesterol.

For more information on plant sterols and plant stanols, check out the latest edition of BLV News at Best Liquid Vitamins.

We look forward to seeing you there!

HOT! The Latest News On Carcinogens

Here's the latest news on carcinogens from BLV.

The Department of Health and Human Services released its Eleventh Edition of the Report on Carcinogens yesterday (January 31, 2004), adding seventeen substances to the growing list of cancer-causing agents, bringing the total to 246.

For the first time ever, viruses are listed in the report: hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and some human papillomaviruses that cause common sexually transmitted diseases. Other new listings include lead and lead
compounds, X-rays, compounds found in grilled meats, and a host of substances used in textile dyes, paints and inks.

For the full text of the press release, see:
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/news/canceragents.htm

It's a real eye-opener!

7 Tips For Better Sleep

A recent NSF "Sleep in America" poll found that "60% of American adults experience sleep problems".

There are two kinds of sleep in a normal sleep cycle - rapid eye movement or dreaming sleep (REM) and quiet sleep (non-REM). Everyone has about four or five cycles of REM and non-REM sleep a night. For older people, the amount of time spent in the deepest stages of non-REM sleep decreases.

The bottom line on sleeping is this: Adequate sleep is as essential to health and peak performance as exercise and good nutrition.

We've put together a comprehensive article on the subject ...including 7 tips for better sleep... at Best Liquid Vitamins to help everyone have pleasant dreams. Enjoy!

Lastest News - Including the Vitamin E Controversy

Our latest articles are now online in the Best Liquid Vitamins Health News center.

Included in the latest is an interesting article regarding the Vitamin E report that hit the headlines in November 2004. Not everyone agrees with the report, and just wait 'til you find out why.

Also, an important update for all participants in our Customer Appreciation Give Away. We're trying to contact everyone as quickly as we can so they can receive a full sized sample of their choice. If you were a participant but have not yet received an email from us, be sure to contact us. We're eager to announce the results to all our visitors.

Stay tuned --- we have some more exciting events coming your way very soon!

By the way, did you know Dr. Earl Mindell often refers to Goji Juice as "Liquid Love" ...? What a terrific Valentines Day Gift to send to your Valentine this year!

The Looming Milk Controversy?

Fast on the heels of the new Dietary Guidelines released in the USA last week comes both applause from calcium advocates and concerns among some scientists, who say the powerful dairy industry overstates milk's attributes, understates possible health risks and wields too much influence over consumers.

Can milk actually be dangerous to your health? If it comes from the USA, some experts around the world are saying YES!

Has the value of milk in the USA been dramatically overstated?

Is the $21 Billion Dollar milk industry hiding something from us all?

Check out the latest article "The Looming Milk Controversy" at Best Liquid Vitamins, and stay tuned into our Blog as we follow this very interesting, yet slow-breaking news on the health front!

New Dietary Food Guidelines Released By The USA

On January 13 the USA released its new dietary guidelines to the public.

The new U.S.A. dietary guidelines call for Americans to reduce their calorie intake and increase their amount of exercise.

Released by the departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, the guidelines form the basis for federal nutrition programs and will be used to update the U.S. food pyramid for the first time since it was developed 12 years ago.

We believe this update is long overdue.

The new recommendations drew heavily from a series of Institute of Medicine reports that examine which nutrients are necessary for good health, and in what quantities. The reports establish reference values called Dietary Reference Intakes for a number of nutrients, including sodium, water, and fats.

Find out more about it in our News Section at Best Liquid Vitamins.

Congratulations Dr. Mindell - For NNFA President's Award Recipient!

Dr. Earl Mindell was honored by the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) in 2004 as a recipient of the President's Award. This award was created to recognize an individual who has made long-time contributions to the natural products industry, or has made a one-time, uniquely significant impact on the industry.

Although we don't have the full details for this prestigious honor, here at Best Liquid Vitamins, we personally believe Dr. Mindell qualifies in both categories.

His long-time contributions include over 40 years as an author in the natural science field with several best selling books, including his best ever - "The Vitamin Bible" - now in its 25th year of print having sold well over 10 Million Copies worldwide translated into more than 37 different languages.

And without a doubt in our minds, his latest one-time uniquely significant impact surely has to be the formulation and standardization processes used to bring Goji to the world in the form of the highly potent cold-chill processed non-pasteurized juice we love so much - Himalayan Goji™ Juice. The impact this product is having on people is already being experienced in several parts around the world. Congratulations Dr. Earl Mindell! We appreciate all you do!

About The NNFA:

Established in 1936, the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) is the oldest and largest, non-profit trade organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the natural products industry for both retailers and suppliers. The organization is made up of nearly 8,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products, including foods, dietary supplements and health and beauty aids.

NNFA unites a diverse membership, from the smallest health food store to the largest dietary supplement manufacturer. NNFA is recognized for its strong lobbying presence in Washington, D.C., where it serves as the industry watchdog on regulatory and legislative issues.

In 1994, NNFA played a key role in the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). This important legislation strikes a balance between the need for consumers to have access to and information about safe and effective dietary supplements while also preserving the government's interest in protecting the public from unsafe products and false and misleading claims.

In addition to offices in Newport Beach, California, and Washington, DC, NNFA has seven regional offices located throughout the United States and is governed by a 22-member board of directors.

Living with Arthritis

"Arthritis" is actually an umbrella term for more than 100 medical conditions that collectively affect nearly 70 million adults (about one in every three) and 300,000 children in America alone.

Personally, I've suffered with rheumatoid arthritis (diagonosed when I was 22 yrs. old) and also osteoporosis (diagnosed at 25 yrs. of age) for many years. Our recent news item on the subject is just the tip of the ice burg for additional information we'll be bringing to the site for this subject.

Click Here To Read More about what arthritis is and subscribe to our BLV News for updates soon coming to Best Liquid Vitamins.

Beware Of The Risks Involved With Over-Exercising

When it comes to those exercise New Years Resolutions --- we caution "Easy does it!"

Yes, for years we've been saying the cornerstones of good health have always included a proper diet and plenty of exercise, after all ...at Best Liquid Vitamins we're all about health and nutrition.

BUT ... too much of a good thing, well... you know how the rest of the saying goes.

So, how much is too much? Learn more in our recent Fitness And Sports news article. We hope it will help you stay safe and keep that resolution!

Today's Produce May Contain Fewer Nutrients?

Supporters of vitamins and nutrition supplements are about to get some surprising backing in the form of a new study released in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" published in December 2004.

Cynics and skeptics alike often scoffed at supporters when they made claims that the nutritional values in food grown today have dropped in nutritional value. The cynics stated the only studies or documentation to support such claims were done in an old report dating back to the 60's ...not current data.

Well... it's time for cynics to stand aside. Don't miss the full shocking details ... read the article on the most recent study here ...and find out why we are such strong supporters of supplementing your diet with Goji Juice.

Vitamin D Rises In Importance

An article released by the New York Times on Dec. 29, 2004 is pushing the often overlooked and undervalued Vitamin D to the forefront.

We've often heard experts claim eating a balanced diet with enough calcium and Vitamin D is a key step in the prevention of osteoporosis.

However, it's quite possible the often overlooked Vitamin D is far more important to us all. It's even possible the USDA may be raising the RDA on this essential vitamin.

Visit the latest Nutrition News section at Best Liquid Vitamins for the full story.

Yummy new recipes!

We've posted some yummy new healthy recipes on our site this past week. Keep in mind, we generally send out a monthly round up through BLV News with the tastiest, easiest, and healthiest new recipes added to our site. Enjoy!