Your Pet Food May Contain Carcinogens

To wrap up this week's discussion of cancer in pets, I want to highlight Mike Adams' guide, "Pet Health: How to secure your pet’s long-term health, safety and welfare." Adams' believes he's uncovered some startling findings regarding the pet food industry, and he's out to spread the word. For example, Adams claims that several common pet food preservatives have been linked to cancer. Furthermore, he says, "diabetes and cancer have skyrocketed in pets over the last ten years. That's because pet food is now filled with many of the same unhealthy ingredients that are causing these diseases to reach epidemic proportions in the human population" (NaturalNews Insider Alert). The guide also discusses pet exercise and other healthful tips. It's not free, but if you feel like spending $10 to own this guide, click here. I will leave you with this final quote from Adams:

If you saw the headlines about the recent Diamond Pet Food scandal, you know that pet food toxins can be deadly. Nearly 100 dogs died from eating contaminated dog food before the company recalled 34 million pounds of poisonous kibble. That story made headlines around the world, but the real story on pet food remains untold: That common pet food ingredients -- even those found in expensive, brand-name foods -- may be harming your pet right now. (NaturalNews Insider Alert)

Microchip Implants Cause Cancer in Pets

Yesterday, we learned that our canine pets are not immune to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and they too may someday have to struggle through the pains of chemotherapy. Today, I want to present some disturbing information regarding one particular cause of cancer in our pets: animal microchips.

Microchip implants were introduced in the 1980s and have become increasingly popular for pet tracking over the past few years. A recent report reviewed the research conducted on these microchips from 1990 to 2006, and the researchers found "in nearly all cases, researchers concluded that the microchips had induced the cancers."

In light of this upsetting research, animal rights attorney Steven Wise is suing Merck & Co. over claims that its HomeAgain® pet microchip caused malignant tumors in pets. To read more about this case, click here.

Our Furry Friends Can Suffer From Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Too

I have to admit that I never associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with canines before today, but I recently learned that dogs suffer from NHL just like humans do. In fact, the veterinary community has a pretty sophisticated grasp on NHL symptoms, progression and treatment for pooches. For example, according to Powerscout, symptoms of NHL in dogs include:

• Generalized lymph node enlargement (swollen glands)
• Lethargy
• Weight loss & loss of appetite
• Increased drinking/urination
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• Difficulty breathing
  

Diagnosis may be established after, "a thorough and full physical examination including, complete blood count, platelet count, biochemical profile, urinalysis & fine needle aspirate or excisional biopsy of the lymph node. Other tests may include chest and abdominal radiographs, abdominal ultrasound and ultrasound guided aspirates of the liver and spleen for cytologic evaluation, and bone marrow aspirate" (Powerscout).

Once the dog's cancer is identified, it is "staged," meaning the progression of the disease is determined. Then a treatment plan can be decided upon. Canines have many of the same treatment options as humans do, including chemotherapy.

Who knew that our furry friends risk the same battles with NHL as we do?

Alternative Cleaning Products Can Help You Avoid Cancer

The dangers of cleaning products are becoming increasingly understood, and research has established a link between these chemicals and cancer. As much as I would like to use this as an excuse to not clean my room anymore, I realize that safer, alternative cleaning solutions are the real answer. For example, baking soda is a natural abrasive and deodorizer. Vinegar is acidic and therefore great at fending off bacteria and mold. I've scoured the internet (pun intended) and selected several of my favorite environmentally-safe, creative cleaning tips:

• Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean. (Vinegar Tips)
• Baking soda will keep away garbage odors; sprinkle the bottom of the pail, and then sprinkle again after you put a new bag in. (The New Home Maker)
• For stubborn marks in your toilet, sprinkle your toilet bowl with baking soda and then pour vinegar on top of it. It will bubble (think volcano science projects). Use your toilet brush to brush down the sides of your toilet bowl. (Natural News)
• Adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine saves you from buying a separate laundry softener. Vinegar works naturally to soften your laundry and has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent very effectively. (House Keeping)

In addition to being safer, these cleaning products are cheap! For a more thorough explanation of how these substances can be used to clean your home, check out any of the source links.

The Calendar Girls Bare All for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

In the 1998, Angela Baker's husband battled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The British woman and her friends spent enough time in the hospital that they began dreaming up ways to fund blood cancer research. The result of their brainstorming was a modestly naughty calendar featuring women posed nude while performing daily, domestic activities.

The calendar took off and the women quickly became known as the Calendar Girls. "By December of 1999, just nine months after its launch, the calendar had sold 88,000 copies, and raised some $550,000 for leukemia research. That number has grown significantly since then, especially after Workman Publishing released an American version of the calendar" (www.chasingthefrog.com). The story of these unsuspecting models caught on, and in 2003, a highly acclaimed film adaptation was released. In 2008, a theatrical version also debuted in the form of a stage play.

Angela lost her husband to NHL just five months after his diagnosis, but she has gone on to be a tremendously passionate spokesperson and activist for NHL funding. According to the official Calendar Girls website,

Angela sums up the extraordinary story of the Calendar Girls: “I think that we’ve all coped really well with what has happened. We’ve done the most amazing things but we’ve kept our feet on the ground and we’ve never forgotten why we did what we did. We didn’t do the calendar because we wanted to be famous but because we wanted to raise money in John’s memory. It has been the most marvellous experience.”

Today's Lesson: Acrylamide

Acrylamide is a chemical compound that occurs in cooked, starchy foods. Cooking techniques that expose foods to high temperatures, such as frying, roasting and grilling, form acrylamide naturally. Because this chemical is a byproduct of standard cooking practices, it is essentially impossible to cut from a diet altogether.

And studies now show that acrylamide is a probable carcinogen, particularly for women. Specifically, a direct link has been established between acrylamide consumption and ovarian and womb cancer. With this lovely scientific revelation, what's a girl to do?

The European Union has released number of dietary suggestions to reduce the intake of acrylamide. For example,

The EU has now advised people to avoid burnt toast or golden brown chips because they contain higher levels of the substance acrylamide.

The EU called on people not to overcook their food.

They have also recommended eating home-cooked meals which contain much lower amounts of the chemical than processed products, fast food and restaurant meals.

-The Telegraph

Goofy Rap Video with a Real Message

October is Non-Genetically Modified Organism Month, according to Natural News, and in the celebratory spirit of awareness, Natural News activist Michael Adams just released an anti-GMO music video of sorts.

"I'm really excited to be able to sing about the dangers of GMOs and help alert people to what's really in their foods," Adams said. "This is an issue that touches the lives of virtually everyone. Genetically engineered foods have invaded our food supply, and people have a right to know what that means to their health."

-Natural News

Now, I appreciate when passionate advocates embrace alternative means of reaching the public with their message. Sometimes, they can take it to far. I'll let you decide where this viral video falls on the spectrum: