A BIG Chink in Higher Education & Research's Armor

Today's New York Times highlighted an article that exposes some deep concerns for me as a parent, as a health professional, a tax payer, and a citizen who potentially could be harmed by this report.

Having been involved in higher education in one or another my entire adult life I have seen how the competitive environment at these institutions operate. Teaching is less valued. Research dollars, opportunities and promotions are, though this article makes no mention of this point, distributed in a sexist fashion. Research findings are marketed, oft times erroneously (stretching the point to make the news).

Why should you be concerned about this chink in the armor? It pulls into question the very premise of what research offers us as a society, truth & understanding to better our lives. If the research is false, programs, drugs, equipment and treatments can be more harmful to us.

I'm glad to see that a stricter over-sight procedure is being developed. The question is can the field monitor themselves. I for one have very little trust in self-monitoring when money, careers and reputations are at stake. Cover-ups happen.

One need only to look at our banking & mortgage industry collapse of recent times, savings & loans of many years ago, Enron and other corporate debacles.

Self-regulation doesn't work. The one thing our "Forefathers" expressed in their system of government (our ability to govern) was that checks & balances were of prime importance.

This article doesn't surprise me. It does however concern me deeply.  Higher education and it's research are vital to our knowledge and growth. Higher education is also an economic engine in and of itself and many cities and towns rely on that economic flow.

We can't let it fail by not making sure it is held to a higher standard. They will if they as a education and research business don't right these wrongs and clean-up their act.

Rise in Scientific Journal Retractions Prompts Calls for Reform - NYTimes.com:

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When a Pedometer is a GOOD thing

Physical activity. There are so many levels from ADL's just getting out of bed and just standing up to ultra marathons and ironman triathlons and everything in between.

Physical activity is movement and movement of any kind is good.

As a manager of a health promotion program I am constantly in search of new ways to make physical activity inviting, energizing, challenging, motivating....in short engaging.

I want as many people to engage in movement on a regular basis as possible. Until I get 100% involved I believe my job is not complete, not done, not successful.

So I have my work cut out for me because life seems encourage us to do otherwise.  Watch T.V., play video games, surf the internet, send e-mails (and yes, I send e-mails to my staff even when they are less than a half dozen steps away!), Twitter, Facebook...work...work...work...sitting down.

It's the sitting and the stressing for long periods of time that is killing us. So a simple Pedometer can be of value. You can see for yourself just how much you move about everyday. Or perhaps just how much you don't.

Either way, as long as the pedometer doesn't fall off and into the toilet (yes, that happens more than you know) the feedback can be valuable, even motivational.

I bike, I run (at least I keep trying to "run", it's more like jogging these days), I kayak, hike, walk, play badminton, golf, ski, snow shoe, but I can still move more. A pedometer shows me that.

Like eating regularly throughout the day moving throughout the day is as powerful and in some instances more powerful than all the activity I do on a recreational level.

A pedometer encourages me to get those 10,000 steps a day. If I arrive at the end of the day and I'm not complete, out the door I go.

For some the 10K steps a day is ALL they do.

I think that's great! They are my 10K athletes!

Phys Ed: How Staying Active Keeps Us Healthy - NYTimes.com:

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The Right to Be Healthy - Who Decides?

The FREEDOM to be healthy is at risk here.

I am sure there is more to the story from the FDA (I can't believe all FDA employees are blatantly & willingly placing our health at risk), but the fundamental truth is the FDA at the higher levels is a bought federal organization. So in the name of health they are covertly being controlled by "Independent" corporations with a huge interest in making their company profitable, who are NOT at all interested in our health.

A law suit has been filed against the FDA and it's a HUGE uphill battle if you understand who the real players are, BIG money.

You have to realize our processed foods are NOT healthy! They are toxic, full of chemicals and making us sick. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but down the road. And when we get sick those same companies say they can make us well by spending the rest of your life on their drugs. It's a win-win for them.

You've heard the saying: "Pay me now or pay me later." Well in this scenario it's "Pay me now AND pay me later, It's the Law."

It's a lose-lose for those who really want to be and remain healthy in the purest sense of the word.

I don't believe I am healthy if I'm on drugs whether they come in our foods or from the pharmacy or on the streets. I want the right to choose otherwise.

The freedom to choose to be healthy in my mind is at stack here.

Please pay attention.

This is my humble opinion and so far I am thankful that I have the right to express that opinion....

Shocking: The FDA Says You Have No Right To Freedom Of Food | Before It's News:

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If This News Doesn't Concern You, You Must Have Stock in Big Pharma

I will always stand by the notion that Pharmaceuticals have a place, a limited place, in our lives. But pharmaceutical companies are in the business of making money. That is it. No where in the literature does it ever state that drugs cure anything. They manage symptoms. And maybe just maybe by managing symptoms the body just might heal itself. Sometimes to heal we are called on to do some work of our own. I hate to say it, we generally don't. We're geared to take the path of least resistance, the one requiring the least amount of effort on our part.

So this is where we as a society end up. Selling and peddling drugs in the name of health....as long as we give the drug a specific use like a diagnosis...and to help out on the sales we'll create a bigger market by lowering the standards for that diagnosis.

{A story that demonstrates what these companies care most about - It's always about the $$$: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/against-odds-lipitor-became-worlds-080130310.html }

This concerns me as a human, a mother, and as a health professional. I encourage everyone to take a good hard look at what is really happening here. I encourage to look at where you are choosing to spend your money. I encourage you to consider other more holistic alternatives. In fact I encourage you to look at what you are eating, doing and drinking that either aids in you remaining healthy or slowly takes your health away from you.

Living healthy in today's society takes effort I know, but the side effects are wonderful and just think how much money you will save NOT getting sick and NOT spending your money on drugs. I can certainly find some other ways to spend my money!

This news SHOULD concern you. This news SHOULD encourage you to discover healthier alternatives to pharmaceuticals.

Are Psychiatrists Inventing Mental Illnesses to Feed Americans More Pills? | | AlterNet

Yes, School Lunches SUCK! So pack your own!

I totally agree - School lunches suck! There is really no redeeming factor in school lunches. But what I don't read here is: Why not pack your own lunch. And that goes for us parents as well as for our students (read children).

I mean really, we can bitch all we want and we can even fight for change. I really think Jamie Oliver has a point here - Why not TEACH our children and our cafeteria staff to make not only healthy meals, but healthy choices! He has shown how it can be done.

But alas, that takes effort & work. It's just easier to leave it to a service and be done with it. It's easier and cheaper (well not really if it's done well).

OK, it's easier! But we can't be lazy about our own health or the health of our children. So I say take control and pack your own lunch.

And while you are at it, fix your own breakfast and have dinner as a family!

Yes, our school lunches suck and the vending machines at work are no substitute for a healthy snack.

But folks, you have a CHOICE to buy the stuff or pack/fix/prepare your own!

That all said, If we as a society choose to offer lunches to our children, then we should be sure the children's health is considered first and foremost.

Just my thoughts on the matter...

sAq

BBC News - Jamie Oliver says healthy school food standards 'eroded':

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GMO's: Genetically Modified Organisms - The Rights of Consumers v Corporations

The debate over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) and consumer protection is a perfect example of "We the People" v "We the Corporation".

It seems to me so logical that "Yes, of course" all foods should be labeled when they are NOT purely produced by mother nature.

The fact that there is a debate at all screams how the power of large corporations and their profits weigh in more heavily then the health and well-being of the people, the consumer of such foods.

The fact that these corporations are making huge profits and yet having no accountability over the long-range implications of the GMO's on consumer health is an outrage to me.

I believe in the freedom of choice. And in this incidence, as far as the USA in concerned, we are being denied the choice of knowing how our food has been manufactured and produced.

I want to eat healthy. I want to be healthy. I'd like to think corporations will have my best interest in mind while producing these GMO foods, but the truth of the matter is immediate profits out weigh my future health in the long run.

"While the Act includes provisions relating to the genetic modification of organisms,
from the development and production to the release and application of GMOs, as well
as the use of gene therapy, it does not govern the labelling of products that contain GMOs,
or stipulate the need to disclose this information to the consumer," says Natasha Wright,
an associate, at law firm Adams & Adams."

OK I can accept that no one else takes responsibility for my health. But in this case I can not only be informed, I have no way to fight back and hold anyone corporation accountable to the potential adverse health reaction to my body ingesting a multitude of GMO's.

I believe I should have that right to know what I am ingesting, to be informed so that I can make my own decision and choose what I believe best for me.

Right now without labels we are being denied that right.

It's wrong period.

When something is fought so strongly like the fight for GMO labeling in the USA, then I can't help but think that even the corporations who are creating GMO's don't know the long range health consequences and want only to profit now and wipe their hands of future responsibility.

That is just shameful.

South Africa, as this article explains is taking a stand. So should the USA!

Consumers are protected by GMO Act - Adams & Adams:

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Fit to Enjoy a Full Life - Push-ups to Kayaks

When I commune with nature via a hike or kayaking adventure I always return to my real world refreshed and invigorated.

I feel humbled and awed in the presence of Mother Nature. I feel saddened by our disrespect for her beauty and   value to our existence.

When I venture forth into the rather tame reaches of nature I emerge with a much larger heart for not only the wild life it's natural habitat but our humanness as well.

Rarely do I go on adventures alone. A pal or a few pals join me. We each share the moments of taking in the oft times hidden world. We talk about anything and everything. We see nature and each other within the light of Oneness.We are as much a part as we are separate from nature and ourselves.

I have always believed that fitness is NOT always about being buff, having the knock-out body, breaking sound barriers on our bikes, in the water or on our feet. The athletic achievements, though mentally and spiritually uplifting and satisfying in themselves, pale in comparison to living an abundant life.

Being FIT to me, and it is just my opinion, one I base my professional personal training world around, is the ability to DO what you enjoy in life.

Being able to perform 25 full push-ups is not the important thing to me. BUT being able to do those push-ups ALLOWS me to climb rocks, swim in the lakes & oceans, pick up and carry the children in my life, hoist that kayak onto my car and play a game of tennis with one of my favorite people in the world.

That is what being FIT means to me. So I will lift my weights. I will go for runs (or at least do my best). I will do my push-ups and sit-ups.I will feel proud of those athletic achievements (first in my age-group or just NOT last!) and PR's.

But the love I feel, the satisfaction I experience comes when I can take that fit body on adventures in nature with my friends. That fills my heart & mind with love and soothes my anxious soul.

http://www.myspace.com/sherrillaquinn/blog/544480329

Exercise! Don't underestimate the curative properties..

Yes, of course I'm going to jump on an article that highlights exercise as medicine. I'll keep highlighting these articles until it finally dawns on folks that movement is good. Not only is it good for the often over emphasized aesthetic reasons (Ok, I get it sexy bodies sell magazines, products and services), but movement (A.K.A. Exercise) is great for the mind, spirit and our over all health.

Exercise does not have to be difficult. We can vary it up any which way and benefits mount. Sure there are precautions and progressions when first starting out. Sure as you get fitter, you got to change it up, mix it up, challenge yourself. But it's not rocket science folks.

So here is another reason to get yourself moving. There are so many options out there for everyone that you are bound to find something that clicks with you. Clubs, DVD's, YouTube, TV stations, Recreation, hikes, biking trails, pools...come on it's available no matter socio-economic strata you are on...options are available.

BBC News - Exercise should be 'standard part of cancer care'

Check out some of the stats in this article if you need convincing.

In Health Always!!

sAq