Thursday, June 21, 2007

Mold In Your Vehicle May Cause Fungal Infections

”The rash started on his ankles, and it took us months to realize that he had a fungal infection. Then we found mold growing in the carpet of his SUV and thanks to your information, we used the essential oils products the way you suggested, and got rid of the mold. Now, his fungal infection is gone too.”

Dr. Close goes on to say... Les and Sharon told us their story during the cruise we took in January, 2007, and we have heard similar stories from many other people. Water-damaged vehicles, flooded vehicles, and even vehicles that have been cleaned but the carpets have not been dried properly can all be infested with mold, sometimes toxic mold. Our cars, trucks, SUVs, in fact any vehicle provides an opportunity for high levels of exposure to mold in short periods of time, and over long periods of time when we travel frequently or take long trips.

Read Toxic Mold Q&A to learn more.

There are numerous areas of the United States, and around the world, that are flooded every year. Research shows that many water-damaged vehicles end up being sold in the used car market. So how can you protect yourself from buying a vehicle that may have been flooded or water-damaged? The following article by the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) highlights the problem with flooded vehicles making their way to the used car market, and also offers tips on how to avoid buying a flood-damaged car.

Tips to Avoid Buying a “Flooded Car”

NEW YORK, April 23, 2007 — The deluge from last week’s Nor’easter not only means extensive flooding to homes but to cars as well. Unfortunately, many of these vehicles could be purchased by dishonest auto dealers, cleaned up and then sold, with their flood damage history illegally hidden, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Unscrupulous salvage operators and dealers often try to conceal the fact that the vehicles they are selling have been damaged by a natural disaster, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB home page).

To prevent this type of fraudulent resale of cars to unsuspecting consumers around the country, the NICB home page has been helping law enforcement groups and insurance companies identify and catalogue vehicles damaged by these types of disasters.

“By creating a registry of damaged vehicles that consumers can access when purchasing a used car, the potential for this type of fraud can be greatly reduced,” said Robert M. Bryant, president and CEO of the NICB.

The NICB compiles a database of vehicles affected by such storms, which offers a free search of any car’s vehicle identification number (VIN), so used-car buyers can learn more about the history of the car and whether it has been involved in a claim related to flood damage. It usually takes several months before the flooded cars get into the market. Consumers who suspect a car has been flooded can access this service from the NICB home page.

“To avoid inadvertently purchasing a flood-damaged car, it is important that you only buy a used car from a reputable dealer, have a certified mechanic look for flood damage and check the car’s VIN number,” noted Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I.

The I.I.I. suggests you be on the lookout for the following indicators that a car may have been flooded:

- Mildew, debris and silt in places where it wouldn’t normally be found, such as under the carpeting in the trunk, or around
the engine compartment
- Rust on screws and other metal parts
- Waterstains or faded upholstery; discoloration of seat belts and door panels
- Dampness in the floor and carpeting; moisture on the inside of the instrument panel
- A moldy odor or an intense smell of Lysol or deodorizer being used to cover up an odor problem

If you suspect that your local car dealer is committing fraud by knowingly selling “flooded cars” as regular used cars, contact their insurance company, local law enforcement agency or the NICB at 800-TEL-NICB (800-835-6422).

Cars damaged by flooding, fire or wind are covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.

PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE AND YOUR HEALTH

You can eliminate mold inside your vehicle, by diffusing the Young Living Essential Oil blend Thieves (used in the tests conducted by Dr. Close) continuously for 24 hours inside the vehicle with all the windows closed. When cleaning carpets and upholstery, be sure to use Thieves Household Cleaner. Vacuum up all excess moisture, leave windows and doors open, and do not close the vehicle until carpets have dried completely. After materials have dried, diffuse the essential oil blend Thieves for 24 hours continuously to protect your vehicle and your health.

Learn more about how to get rid of toxic mold and how to buy Thieves.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Grass-Fed Meats - Get Back to a Naturally Healthy Diet... in time for Father's Day and BBQ Season!

by Al Sears, MD
Conventional wisdom tells you to avoid fat whenever possible, especially saturated animal fat. That's too bad. Your body needs fat. It's essential to life. The real problem is that our modern world changed the character of fat. For millions of years, red meat has been humankind's primary source of fat and protein. But today, nutrition "experts" tell you it's deadly. How can that be? Did our bodies change? No. The red meat has changed.

Commercial cattle are fed grain because it's cheap and it fattens them up quickly. Substituting grain for their natural diet of greens makes the animals abnormally fat and leads to a deficiency of the heart-healthy fats still found in wild animals. For meat to be healthy, it needs the right balance of natural omega-6 and omega-3 fats. Studies show that omega-3s prevent irregular heartbeat, reduce arterial plaque, decrease blood clotting, lower blood pressure, and minimize inflammation. But too much omega-6 fat interferes with the functioning of omega-3s and leads to inflammation and heart disease. That's the problem with commercial beef. You get about a 20 times greater ratio of omega-6s than you need and a deficiency of omega-3s. And that's bad news. But there is a solution.

To get back to the healthy diet of our ancestors, eat grass-fed beef. It has the original high ratio of omega-3s in our natural diet. Next to wild salmon, grass-fed beef is your best natural source of omega-3s. Fat Is Not the Enemy By Al Sears, MD People often refer to the "French Paradox." This is the notion that French people eat foods high in saturated fat, but never get fat. To me, that's not a paradox. There's no convincing evidence that saturated fats pack on the pounds. It's more useful to think about the "American Paradox" - a nation full of unhealthy people obsessed with healthy eating. At the root of this disorder is the guilt Americans feel when they eat foods they really love - like steak, eggs, and bacon. All the favorites that we've been conditioned to fear with the dreaded word "cholesterol." Most sources tell you to avoid fat in favor of low-fat, vegetarian, or whole-grain artificial diets. But if you take a closer look (and avoid the commercial interests), you'll discover that the secret to reducing bad cholesterol isn't avoiding fat.

Studies show that if you combine the right nutritional elements you can reduce your bad cholesterol (LDL) as much as, and in many cases more than, the low-fat junk diets or even prescription statin drugs. Avoidance of fat in favor of grains will increase your risk of heart disease, because diets that are high in grains promote high insulin levels. And high insulin levels have been shown to have a direct correlation to heart disease. So here's the key: Choose the right fats (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) and healthy proteins (rich in essential amino acids). Choosing the right fats means eating more fish and the right kind of red meat. Fish is high in omega-3s. It also has a complete mixture of all the essential amino acids in a bio-available, rapidly absorbable protein. And, yes, you can still eat red meat, even steak. But choose cuts of meat from naturally raised, hormone-free, grass-fed animals. That's the important caveat.

Studies show that grass-fed beef gives you one of the best sources of omega-3s. What's more, grass-fed beef has high levels of B vitamins and CoQ10, the most powerful heart nutrient on the planet. Forget the Food Pyramid - Here's My Simple Formula for Getting Lean By Al Sears, MD In 2005, the government issued its latest food pyramid. You've probably seen it.

Over 2,000 supermarkets in 17 states are planning to promote it in their stores. The "new" food pyramid - like the old one - suggests that you eat more grains and carbs than anything else. And, not surprisingly, the big food makers are footing the bill for this "public service" campaign. (When you've spent that much money lobbying politicians to support your high-carb, highly processed, artificial-food-substitute products, why not cash in?) But don't be fooled.

Following this unnatural high-carb diet, while ignoring protein and healthy fats, will only make you fat, sick, and tired. Instead, follow my simple formula for getting lean: High Protein + Low Carbs + the Right Fats + Regular Exercise = Fat Loss

Increase Protein: Quality protein is the key to good nutrition. Protein promotes muscle growth and increases the burning of carbs and fat for energy. Grass-fed beef, fish, lean meats, eggs, dairy, beans, and nuts are all good sources of protein. Decrease Carbohydrates: Starches are a main cause of obesity. Limit your consumption of anything made from grains or potatoes. Get your carbs from unprocessed vegetables that grow above the ground.

Eat Natural Fats: Most modern fat is a health nightmare, but getting enough omega-3 fats is essential for good health. Grass-fed beef is a great choice. Also, try eating unprocessed vegetable fats from avocados, nuts, and virgin olive oil. Avoid corn oil and all hydrogenated oils. Get your animal fat from grass-fed red meat, wild fish, and eggs.

~ My grass-fed meats testimonial ~ Grass-fed meats are the only meats you'll find in my house. I cannot tell you how much different and better they taste... and my body even feels different, much more nourished.

I even get my butter from these guys. When I did my little side-by-side taste test - I had been buying "organic" butter from the supermarket for years - and I swear, the organic butter tasted like poison in comparison. I had to spit it out in the sink it tasted so nasty. I couldn't believe I had been spending so much money on such an inferior product. I spend more on my butter now, but at least it's good for me and tastes the way real butter should taste.

I will never spend one more penny of my money on inferior animal products sold in the stores. Not when we have places like US Wellness Meats, BRAVO!