Sassafras Station Blog

Archive for January, 2010

In a new study, it was found that common chemicals used to protect household items from catching on fire may have an adverse effect on your ability to get pregnant.

This study that was just released joins other studies that have shown adverse health effects caused by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (called PBDE’s).

Many previous studies have been completed on animals, but in this study, pregnant women were tested for PBDE levels and the level was compared to how long it took them to become pregnant.  The study indicates a 10% increase in the level of PBDE resulted in a 30% decrease in the chance of becoming pregnant in a given month.  Simply put, those with higher levels of PBDE in their blood took longer to get pregnant.

You can read the whole story in the LA Times by clicking the link below.

Household chemicals linked to reduced fertility – latimes.com:

The World Health Organization has admitted that their response to the H1N1 epidemic may have been over-exaggerated.

Many people have claimed that the pharmaceutical industry helped to create panic in order to sell more vaccines and make more money.  The World Health Organization denies it was influenced by big business and chose to treat it as the most serious threat possible instead of under-estimate how bad it was.

While I have been one of many people who thought the reaction was rediculous from the beginning, it is good to see that they are at least saying they made a mistake.  Unfortunately, I doubt that it will prevent them from making the same mistake again next time a new “threat” comes about.  All the while, the drug companies are getting richer making vaccines that most people have no real need for.

If you want to read the whole story, check out the link below.

H1N1 Experts Assail ‘Fake’ Pandemic Claim – ABC News:

In a new study, it was found that eating a low carb diet can help you lose weight as effectively as eating a low fat diet and taking the diet pill Xenical or Alli.  In addition to being just as effective, it also has a favorable effect on blood pressure.

This is just another example that eating a healthy diet is just as effective as taking diet pills and better for you.  There are just way too many problems associated with chemical diet pills to make me comfortable using them.  If you choose to use a weight loss supplement, you really should stick with natural supplements because they are safer and usually just as effective.

If you want to read about the study, check out the link below.

Low-carb diet best for lowering blood pressure | Reuters:

I am always looking for new places to get healthy recipes. Not only that but recipes that are quick and easy. I have found a great resource that I wanted to share with everybody. It is a site called Cooking Light (dot com).

Looking at the site today, it has sections on healthy snacks, featured recipes, and lots more good things you may want to try. On the front page today, is a pork chop dish with peas and rice I believe. It makes me hungry just looking at the picture.

I recommend you head over to Cooking Light and check out some of their recipes. When you do, make sure you bookmark the site because I am sure you will keep going back for more. Just click the link below to visit their site. Stay tuned to the blog because I have a feeling I will be featuring some of their tasty recipes in the future.

Click Here Read the Original Article

One of the most talked about things in health has been the national health care reform taking place in the United States. It has been a constant source of debate and seemed destined to be pushed through by a Democratic majority that didn't seem to care what the rest of the country thought about it.

The only thing that stood in the way was the replacement of the late Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy. It was deemed a formality. The position has been a hereditary right to the Kennedy family for longer than anybody cares to remember. Unfortunately for the Democrats, they forgot to tell the voters so the unthinkable has happened . . . the senate lost their ability to force the bill through. I won't pretend to know exactly how it works, but if I understand it right, the Republicans can now filibuster any new bill that comes before the senate.

Now, public opinion will matter more than ever. To learn more about health care reform, check out the link below.

Click Here Read the Original Article