US warns of health concern from chemical in food containers

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Bisphenol A, a chemical component used in making baby bottles and other food containers, could be linked to hormone and neurological problems, a US panel has warned.

The Health Department's National Toxicology Program (NTP) said in its preliminary report released Tuesday on Bisphenol A that: "there is some concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants and children, at current human exposures."

"The NTP also has some concern for Bisphenol A exposure in these populations based on effects in the prostate gland, mammary gland, and an earlier age for puberty in females," the report added.

But "these studies only provide limited evidence for adverse effects on development, and more research is needed to better understand their implications for human health," it said.

Still "because these effects in animals occur at Bisphenol A exposure levels similar to those experienced by humans, the possibility that Bisphenol A may alter human development cannot be dismissed," it stressed.

The chemical is common in containers used for food such as baby bottles, dishes and food storage containers meant for microwave use.

5 ways to look younger

Get an extra hour of sleep each night
There is a reason it is called "beauty rest." Sleep deprivation gives you dark circles and dull skin. It can also cause weight gain, diminished immune response and foul moods. The key to sleeping more is simple: go to bed earlier. Here¹s how:

* Establish a new bedtime: Go to bed 15 minutes earlier each night for four nights in a row, and get 20 minutes of bright light every morning to help regulate the hormones that will make you tired in the evening (either outdoors or from a light box). Then stick to your new bedtime and wake up call.
* Go dark: Exposure to light, even at the level in most living rooms, can suppress the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone, making it difficult to doze off. An hour before bedtime, dim the lights, turn off the TV and computer and make your room as dark as possible.
* Release tension: Consider taking a warm bath an hour before bed. Beyond feeling relaxing, the rise and subsequent fall in body temperature slows the heart and makes you drowsy.

Raise your hands
A woman's hands look younger when she wears rings and nail polish, according to a recent study. Also, many women don't realize hands often show your age before your face does.

* People always forget to apply sunscreen to their hands every day. Use a hand cream with SPF of at least 15
* Pick a nail color that makes your hands look young (not taupe, not dark blue or deep burgundy). Bright reds look great on short, rounded nails, but make sure to choose an orange-y red and not a bluish red‹the blue makes veins in your hands look worse. You can't go wrong with a low-key, soft pink. We like OPI Bubble Bath, a creamy pink.

Protect your neck
The neck is actually more prone to aging than the face, which is supported by a cushion of tissue. You can make your neck neck look much younger with the right creams.

* The most crucial treatment is prevention with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen. Apply it every day.
* You don't need to buy specific creams for the neck: Face creams with the right ingredients work just as well.
* An antioxidant cream used daily will protect skin from environmental damage that causes wrinkles. Product: Dermatologists recommend idebenone (Prevage or Priori Smooth Lines) CoffeeBerry (Revale Skin) Green Tea, Pomegranate or a combination of vitamins C and E.

Perfect your skin with foundation
Some people think foundation looks like a mask, feels like shrink wrap, and magnifies every line and wrinkle. But when it¹s done right, it can actually make skin look brighter, more even, and more youthful. Here is how the pros do it:

* Choose a liquid foundation -- it's more moisturizing and less likely to cake than a cream or powder on. Test shades on your jawline, in natural light.
* Before applying, always use moisturizer‹makeup blends more easily on moist skin.
* Use a makeup sponge. Use it dry if you want full coverage; damp (wet it and squeeze it) if you want a sheer result.

Bring youthful volume back to your hair
As you age, hair, like skin, gets thinner. Here are some tricks to bring the volume back:

* Wash with a volumizing shampoo, then apply a lightweight conditioner to the ends only (conditioner on the crown is a recipe for limpness).
* Rub a bit of mousse into the roots to give volume and blow dry.
* Dry your hair in sections, wrapping the top sections around large Velcro rollers, pulling slightly toward the face. Let cool for at least ten minutes.
* The old upside-down move really works, flip your head over, shake hair with fingers at the roots.

Irene Stein Offers Anti-Aging Royal Jelly For Diseases

Tel Aviv ----September 18....... Back in the early 16th century there was an Indian health legend doing the rounds of Puerto Rico that a magical Fountain of Youth existed somewhere in the environs, whose curative powers would restore the health and youthful vitality of any old person who bathed in it.

An explorer Ponce de Leon was so entranced by this anti-aging myth that he got together three huge sailing ships and set out in search of this supernatural health spring, braving foreign waters and hostile locals and eventually ending up discovering North America and setting foot in Florida, US.

Your search for anti-aging solutions need not be so dramatic, for if Irene Stein is to be believed, an elixir of youth is available to you direct to your doorstep - and its name is Irena.

According to Irene Stein, Irena is a unique anti-ageing formulation that blends a myriad of health, herbal and natural ingredients that work independently and synergistically to optimise the overall effect of the compound on the body. The anti-aging formula is based on Royal Jelly, the nourishment of the queen bee that in itself is lauded for its multiple health benefits and has been used for healing and fighting diseases in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea and throughout Asia for centuries.

Irene Stein's Royal Jelly anti-ageing health solution stands among many other health and disease-fighting natural cures including Korean Ginseng, known for its energy-giving properties, magnesium, potassium, zinc, an array of vitamins and glutamic acid, which is known to delay the aging process.

Irene Stein, who is credited with introducing the US, UK, England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, Canada, Spain, Germany, France, South America, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Israel, Turkey, China, Japan and Italy to the health benefits of Royal Jelly back in the '70s, has dedicated a lifetime to her passionate pursuit of the anti-aging health cures of Royal Jelly and to creating her Irena formula.

For the better part of 30 years Stein has worked closely with eminent biochemists, herbalists and alternative health doctors to produce what she calls "the ultimate health supplement - 100% natural and non-addictive, and more potent than anything else currently available".

Understanding anger

Anger is every where. The message is everywhere – in our movies, politics and music. Why? Perhaps because it gives us feelings of certainty and power. Studies show that fear and anxiety are bad for our health, but getting moderately angry relieves some of our stress. There are plenty of very angry people around, and plenty of myths about anger. Venting your anger is healthy. Is that a myth? Men are angrier than women. It sometimes seems that way, but is it true? And we've seen the stereotype in movies like "Grumpy Old Men."

We'll also examine anger in families and how to deal with it. The Weinstein family had four out-of-control kids and a dad who frequently blew his top, until "Supernanny" Jo Frost came to help them. Frost shares practical advice on how families can resolve anger issues.

Plus, it's a rare person who can hit it really big – in the movies, in sports or even in business – without becoming a narcissist, with the rage that so often comes with it, according to Robert Millman, a professor at Cornell's Weill Medical College. Millman treats some of America's superstars and has become so familiar with what he describes as their narcissistic tendencies and insecurities that he has coined a syndrome unique to the celebrities: acquired situational narcissism.

"You can be a Saudi prince, for example, or you can be a baseball player or you can be a random billionaire and you can develop malignant narcissism by virtue of the situation," Millman said, adding that narcissism often leads to anger. "It's this huge rage that you're not as great as you could be, or you're not being perceived as great as you could be," he said.

Does that explain some of the destructive and outrageous behavior we've come to accept in celebrities? Perhaps, but it's not just the the stars. University of Michigan professor Brad Bushman says that narcissism is on the rise in America, and that the phenomenon is particularly striking in young people."There's something in American culture that seems to feed these narcissistic tendencies," he said.

Bushman says he has tested thousands of students and consistently found that the most narcissistic ones are the most vindictive if they don't get the praise and admiration they feel they deserve. Robert Thurman, the first American to be ordained a Buddhist monk, might make you think twice about anger as a solution.

His life is a lesson in how destructive anger can be. As a young Harvard student, Thurman had a fit of rage while fixing a flat tire and lost his eye. The trauma led him to drop out of school and travel to Tibet in a quest for answers about anger. He got some, and he thinks Americans should develop a more cautious approach to this toxic emotion.

"People will even kill themselves, you know," he said. "They'll like drive their car into something, they'll just get so flipped out. In other words, they won't even be careful with themselves, much less others, who they might love when they're normal and cool you know." What he learned in his journey, above all, he says, is that we can change who we are in relation to anger.

What Thurman says is supported by brain science, according to Dr. Richard Davidson at the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin. "We can change our wiring," said Thurman. "That's the key thing.

Natural honey-bee products may have applications in cancer treatment

Natural honey-bee products such as propolis, royal jelly, caffeic acid, honey and venom may have applications in cancer treatment and prevention, say Croatian researchers in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture this month.

Nada Orsolic and colleagues from the University of Zagreb found that bee products significantly decreased tumour growth and / or spreading (metastasis) in mice when they were applied orally or by injection.

The researchers tested both the preventative and curative effects of the bee products on tumour models in mice. In the prevention studies, the products were administered before inoculation with the tumour cells. In the curative studies, the products were administered after tumour inoculation.

"The effects of the tested compounds were demonstrated either by inhibition of tumour growth or metastases (secondary tumour) formation and by increased survival of the animals," said Dr Orsolic.

Propolis or caffeic acid significantly reduced subcutaneous tumour growth and prolonged the survival of mice. Honey also inhibited the spread of the tumour when applied before tumour cell inoculation in the lungs. Simultaneous inoculation with royal jelly and tumour cells significantly inhibited tumour spread. When bee venom was injected intratumourally, tumour shrinkage occurred, and the delay of tumour growth was evident. Survival of bee venom-treated mice was prolonged compared to control mice.

The way in which the bee products work to combat the tumours is not clear, but the authors suggest the chemicals cause apoptosis (cell suicide) or necrosis of the cancerous cells, or that they exert directly toxic or immunomodulatory effects. They may also reduce harmful oxyradicals in cells or body fluids.

The authors conclude that the intake of honey-bee products could be advantageous in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

"These results suggest the benefits of potential clinical trials using propolis or honey, combined with chemotherapeutic agents," said Dr Orsolic.

Honey 'could help fight cancer'

Honey and royal jelly could become part of the arsenal of weapons against cancer, researchers say.

A team from the University of Zagreb, in Croatia, found a range of honey-bee products stopped tumours growing or spreading in tests on mice.

Writing in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, they say human cancer sufferers may also see benefits.

But they said the products should be considered for use along with, not instead of, chemotherapy treatment.

Tumour growth

The researchers looked at the potential benefits of bee venom and honey.There is no doubt that honey has beneficial properties and can be very good for you Dr Emma Croager, Cancer Research UK

They also examined compounds found in propolis, or bee glue, a resin-like substance which is used in the hive to varnish over rubbish in the hive - a bit like brushing the dirt under the carpet.

And they also looked at royal jelly, produced by the hypopharyngeal glands in the head of the worker bee - used as food for young larvae,

Tumours were generated in the mice via the injection of cancer cells, and each bee product was given to different mice before, at the same time, or afterwards.

It was found that giving honey orally appeared to inhibit the development of tumours when it was given before the injection of cancer cells - although if given afterwards, it appeared to fuel the development of secondary cancers.

Injecting the mice with royal jelly at the same time as they were injected with tumour cells significantly reduced the spread of the cancer.

Online Bullying Rising in Youths

nternet harassment is becoming more common, affecting nearly one in 10 online adolescents, new research shows.

Back in 2000, a national survey showed that 6% of online youths aged 10-17 reported being harassed online.

That percentage jumped to 9% in 2005, based on a telephone survey of 1,500 adolescents who use the Internet.

Another new study estimates that 11% of online middle school students are bullied online; nearly half of those students don't know their Internet bully's real name, since screen names can hide a person's identity.

Online bullying and online harassment typically happens through chat rooms, text messages, and emails, and it generally happens when teens aren't in school, the studies show.

The findings appear in a special edition of the Journal of Adolescent Health.

ABOUT ACNE

“Acne is a chronic condition that affects people of all ages and skin types. Though not curable, it is highly manageable and controllable. My acne regimens are scientifically proven to address all the factors that can cause acne and skin breakouts.”
Why over-the-counter products don’t work

Many acne products contain Benzoyl Peroxide, a harsh ingredient that can irritate and dry out your skin – and even make your breakouts look worse. Murad Acne products, such as Acne Complex® do not contain Benzoyl Peroxide and are specially formulated with hydrating agents, anti-inflammatories, antioxidants and specific acne-fighters which work together to provide the best environment for achieving optimal health.
Acne Overview

Whether a single blemish or face full of multiple lesions, it’s all acne and Acne Complex® can help.

Acne can occur on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper back. The most common skin disorder in the United States, acne (acne vulgaris) is a chronic condition that affects all ages, every ethnicity and both sexes. Though not curable, it is highly manageable and controllable.
How does it happen?

Acne affects nearly 17 million people in the U.S., making it the most common skin disease in the country. But why does it happen? When skin is functioning optimally, the sebaceous glands produce oil that empties onto the skin’s surface. At the same time, dead skin cells are shed at a normal rate as newer, fresher cells rise to the surface. Sometimes, these dead cells shed too fast, clump together and clog the pore. This is called non-inflammatory acne. If this plug stays below the skin’s surface, it is called a “closed comedone” or whitehead. If the plug reaches the skin’s surface and is exposed to air, an “open comedone” or blackhead forms. Contrary to popular belief, the black color is not caused by dirt but rather is due to a process of oxidation.

Besides these non-inflammatory blemishes, you may also have larger, more inflamed breakouts. Inflammatory acne starts when the combination of excess skin cells and oil cause pore-aggravating bacteria to develop. This leads to pimples, redness and overall irritation. The ingredients in Acne Complex® will help cleanse, sooth and revitalize your skin.
The Murad difference

There are also a number of skin conditions that resemble acne such as, eczema, perioral dermatitis and folliculitis. All of this can also be eleviated with Murad’s Acne Complex®. While they may not involve all of the factors that cause real acne, they do have one thing in common – inflammation.

The good news is that Murad Acne products, including Acne Complex® address ALL of the factors of acne and skin breakouts, reducing cell build-up, excess oil and inflammation. Every product contains the three key ingredients in the Murad recipe, hydrating agents, anti-inflammatories, and antioxidants, along with specific acne-fighters, which work together to provide the best environment for achieving optimal skin health. In keeping with Murad’s inclusive health™ philosophy, the acne line also features a patented internal supplement to treat acne breakouts from the inside.

So, whether you have real acne or something that just looks like acne, Murad’s Acne Complex® can put you on the path to healthy, beautiful skin.

Consumer Report: Facial Creams Tested

n your quest for the fountain of youth, you may be swayed to buy a product or two - but before you shell out big bucks on a face cream, CBS 2's Consumer Reporter, Kirstin Cole, has the results of a new study that put some to the test.

You've seen the commercials, promising you doctor's office results of younger skin without using a knife, a needle or a laser. But what can you really get from a jar and what's just marketing hype? There are hundreds of creams available to women. ShopSmart magazine put 9 of some of the most popular to the test. They recruited 200 women to road test them for 12 weeks.

"We had technicians look through high-powered microscopes to see if fine lines were diminishing," said Lisa Freeman, Editor-in-Chief, ShopSmart Magazine. So which, if any, can actually reduce wrinkles? One of the best, according to Freeman, Olay Regenerist three part system for $57. "It's not that expensive you can get it at the drugstore and everyone seems to like it," said Freeman.

Up next? "The second best performer was Lancome and that was about $200," said Freeman. Lancome Paris Renergie day and night cream also tested well as a favorite face firmer. But before you wrinkle your nose at ever going to a dermatologist's office again, know that while these products do work, the most you'll get is a smoothing of fine lines and it was a subtle result, a result confirmed by medical experts.

Bees raring to go

COVENTRY Bees make a rapid return to Reading tonight at the start of a week which could put them into an even stronger position in their quest for a top-two finish.

The Buildbase Bees won at Smallmead as recently as August 1, and although tonight's meeting is a tougher one against full-strength opponents, it is a circuit where they have a terrific recent record.

With a trip to Lakeside coming up on Wednesday, Bees have the opportunity to increase their total of away wins to nine - a figure which their nearest rivals will struggle to match.

Reading were beaten 51-39 at home by Poole on Friday, but the Pirates took advantage of several absentees amongst the Racers, all of whom should be back tonight.

Matej Zagar, who has been struggling with a groin injury, and young Pole Krzysztof Buczkowski will both return, along with reserve Sam Simota who was racing in the European Championships at the weekend.

UK lags behind on cancer survival

ONDON (Reuters) - Cancer survival is improving in Europe but Britain and Denmark are lagging, with lower rates than countries that spend the same amount on health care, according to two new studies published on Tuesday.
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The latest Eurocare studies -- which include data from 83 cancer registries in 23 countries -- also suggest that wide differences in survival rates among countries are narrowing.

"Increases in survival and decreases in geographic differences over time, which are mainly due to improvements in health-care services in countries with poor survival, might indicate better cancer care," Italian researcher Franco Berrino and colleagues wrote in The Lancet Oncology.

Survival for the four most common cancers -- colorectal, lung, breast and prostate -- and ovarian cancer was best in central Europe and most Nordic states. South Europe was in the middle, followed by Britain and Ireland and then eastern Europe.

The researchers, using data on 2.7 million cancer patients, said if all countries had the mean survival rate of 57 percent of Norway, Sweden and Finland, there would be about 150,000 -- or 12 percent -- fewer deaths in the five years after diagnosis.

They also mostly found, as expected, the more a country spent on health care, the better its survival rates, except for in Britain and Denmark.

In Britain, the five-year survival rate was about 42 percent for men and 52 percent for women, versus the European average of about 45 and 55, respectively.

UK 'lags behind' on cancer deaths

Cancer survival in the UK is still below the European average, despite recent improvements, a report says.

Survival rates in lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer were lower in the UK compared with everywhere except eastern Europe.

The Eurocare studies of 23 countries looked at the outcome of 2.7m new cases between 1995 and 1999.

Government cancer "tsar" Mike Richards said poor results in the UK had been due to delays spotting the disease.

The studies, published in the Lancet Oncology journal, are the largest international projects to compare the survival of patients from 11 different cancers.

See the main results

100% Pure, Fresh (not freeze dried)

Boost Your Vitality, Increase Your Energy and Strengthen Your Immune System

Royal Jelly is a broad spectrum supplement of the highest order, revered throughout history for it’s health enhancing properties and ability to aid recovery after ill health

Royal Jelly provides you with a rich source of natural nutrition, it is highly bio-available and easy to digest.

When you choose a pure, natural and fresh Royal Jelly, all of the precious health benefits are retained (freeze dried / processed Royal Jelly is simply no substitute). This is a cost effective and convenient way to enjoy the wonderful properties of Royal Jelly - just one a day needed.

Royal Jelly is literally bursting with healthy nutrition, just some of the nutrients identified include 22 amino acids, (8 of which are considered essential for your good health), vitamins A, B, C, D and E, an array of essential minerals, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, inositol, folic acid, fatty acids, nucleic acids, enzymes, proteins and sterols

With so many nutritional aspects working together synergistically, it is no wonder that Royal Jelly is so good for you!

Royal Jelly has been revered throughout history for it’s health enhancing properties

Royal Jelly is a broad spectrum superfood of the highest order. A wonderful supplement that provides you with a rich source of complex, natural nutrition.

Royal Jelly is produced by worker bees for the queen bee. This life giving substance ensures that the Queen Bee lives for as long as 5 - 7 years, in comparison worker bees have just a 7 or 8 week lifespan! For the beehive to survive, the Queen Bee must be healthy and strong.

Royal Jelly keeps her immune system strong and health at optimum level.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Royal Jelly is held in great esteem for its ability to improve health and wellbeing, in particular for restoring strength after periods of ill health. Ancient Chinese folklore speaks of Oriental potentates who lived remarkably long lives on a diet of Royal Jelly.

You too can enjoy the same health enhancing power of Royal Jelly

Royal Jelly is rich in protein, B vitamins, minerals amino acids, enzymes and hormones, all in a highly bio-available form. Also present is inositol which helps to break down fat and lower cholesterol. Royal Jelly also possesses within its complex structure a natural antibiotic.

Royal Jelly is harvested using time honoured methods, with utmost respect for the bees and their home. Absolutely no harm comes to the precious natural laboratory or it’s inhabitants.

We supply only fresh, 100% pure Royal Jelly. Freeze dried / processed versions lose much of their nutrient quality and are nutritionally lacking. Choosing Fresh and Pure ensures you enjoy this product at it's very best

BIOFLEX Liquid Glucosamine 1500mg, Chondroitin 800mg, Collagen, MSM, Vitamin C & E

What is Bioflex Glucosamine Liquid?

Bioflex Glucosamine Liquid is a nutritional supplement that has been specially formulated to help support joint health; the liquid form provides an easy and alternative way to take Glucosamine, also making it more absorbable in the system. Dietary sources of Glucosamine are limited; therefore supplementation is essential especially when we get older as Glucosamine reserves tend to decrease in the body.

There are several forms of joint conditions, these are known as Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), such conditions may arise mainly through old age and general wear and tear of joints, however other factors such as excessive physical activity and sports injuries may contribute to the problem. Bioflex Glucosamine liquid combines specialised ingredients, which actively support the joints, these include, Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate, MSM, Collagen, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

These work synergistically to help maintain healthy flexible joints, repair and strengthen cartilage, ligaments and connective tissue and help in the management to reduce pain and inflammation in and around joints. This is an ideal supplement for people with both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.


What is Bioflex Glucosamine Liquid for?

The formula combines all the essential nutrients that help to support joint health, it eases joint pain and joint inflammation.

Primarily it is for:


Slowing the progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis, this is joint inflammation
Slowing the progression of Osteoarthritis, general wear and tear of joints
Improves collagen, glycosaminoglycans (GAG’s) and cartilage synthesis
Provides the building blocks to articuclar cartilage
Helps to keep knee’s, hips and joints strong, flexible and supple
It increases synovial fluid and aggrecan so to provide cushioning in and around joints
Provides support for post surgery recovery


Who needs to use Bioflex Glucosamine Liquid?


Generally the aged who develop Osteoarthritis
People with Rheumatoid Arthritis or autoimmune diseases.
People undergoing surgical operations on the joints or related areas
Those recovering from muscle, ligament or torn tissue injuries
Sports people and athletes who use their joints and experience injuries.
Senior citizens who experience prolonged joint pain and inflammation.
Those who work outdoors in the cold weather
The elderly that may find it hard to swallow tablets or capsules


How does Bioflex Glucosamine Liquid work?

There are different stages of Osteoarthritis; GP’s often scale them from 1 to 5. Stage 1 to 2 involve mild symptoms usually morning joint stiffness. This usually is due to loss of water from the joint tissue, thinning of synovial fluid and reduced elasticity, which means stiffer joints.

Stages 3 to 4 are moderate and involve more severe and prolonged discomfort. This may be due to the joint cells suffering poor nutrition and may become toxic, unhealthy cells stop making building blocks or toxic cells may trigger powerful inflammation of joints.

Finally stage 5 is the severe, which may result in joint replacements. This may be due to inflammation may worsen, bones may grind against bone and patients usually are in constant pain.

To understand more about joint health it is important to know what the structural elements are that make up the joints.

Joint Tissues: The main component of ligament, tendons, cartilages and spinal discs is collagen. Collagen is found in skin, bone, cartilage, ligaments and tendons and constitutes a white fibrous connective tissue. The name Collagen is derived from the Greek and means ‘to produce glue’. These joint tissues are in substances called ‘proteoglycans’; this acts as a framework in the making of collagen, resulting in cartilage flexibility and ability to resist impact

Proteoglycans are 95% glycosaminoglycans (GAG’s) and 5% protein. Proteoglycans act as a framework in the modelling of collagen. GAG’s are essentially polysaccharide sugars and also build aggrecan, which is found in cartilage of joints and is responsible for the shock absorbing quality of joint cartilage.

Understanding Arthritis: The early stages of Osteoarthritis are when synovial fluid viscosity, water content and tissue elasticity begins to breakdown. Synovial fluid and water are needed to lubricate, nourish and hydrate cartilage. Nutrients such as Vitamin C and MSM, which is naturally occurring Sulphur use these fluids to access cartilage, it also requires nutrients such as B-vitamin and minerals, without these, joint cells suffer poor nutrition and synthesis of GAG’s is less, furthermore this provides less shock absorbing properties. The lack of sufficient sulphur and other vitamin and mineral nutrition, slows down cell detoxification, this means cells have no vitality and inflammation occurs.

Comments wanted on glucosamine application

The Agency is consulting on the initial draft opinion, by its committee of independent experts the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, on the use of glucosamine hydrochloride from the fungus Aspergillus niger as a novel food ingredient.

In August 2004, the ACNFP issued an opinion that Cargill's glucosamine HCl derived from A. niger was substantially equivalent to the shellfish-derived glucosamine that was already on the market in food supplements and foods with particular nutritional uses (PARNUTs). The same applicant now seeks approval to market its fungal glucosamine HCl in a range of products, mainly beverages and fermented milk-based products.

Before any new food product can be introduced on the European market it must be rigorously assessed for safety. In the UK, the assessment of novel foods is carried out by the ACNFP, an independent committee of scientists appointed by the Food Standards Agency.

Following an initial public consultation period and the discussion of this application by the ACNFP at its meetings between September 2006 and May 2007, the committee has formulated a draft initial opinion on this novel food ingredient, concluding that the application requires additional assessment.

Any comments should be sent to the ACNFP Secretariat by 15 July and will be passed to the committee before it finalises its opinion on this novel food ingredient.

www.food.gov.uk

Bees force plane to land

A passenger plane was forced to land after flying into a swarm of British bees. The Palmair Boeing 737, with 90 passengers on board, had to return to Bournemouth Airport in southern England shortly after take-off following an engine surge.

The pilot decided to abort the flight to Faro in Portugal and returned for safety checks. The plane's engine was thought to have become clogged with bees. Huge clouds of bees have been seen around Bournemouth these days.

Said a passenger Clive Parker, "one could see bees all around the plane, and then there was suddenly an announcement saying that the plane was returning to England."

Sweet news is DeSoto bees still healthy

As dark clouds threatened rain Friday morning, Charles Force cautiously checked his bee hives.

"Bees are mean on rainy days," said Force, a hobbyist beekeeper in Nesbit.

Force, one of five beekeepers in DeSoto County, has several hives throughout the Delta region and gives away jars of the golden nectar to his family and friends.

"After I retired, I got into my hobby full-time," said Force, who retired in 2000 after 33 1/2 years with Smith & Nephew. "I'm not a salesman. I just like messing with the bees."

A mysterious killer, known as Colony Collapse Disorder -- CCD -- has wiped out bee colonies in the past few months, killing one-quarter of the bees throughout the country, U.S. beekeepers have reported.

But CCD has not landed in DeSoto County, said area beekeepers and agricultural officials.

"I haven't lost any bees," Force said as he used a smoker to calm the bees at one of the five hives behind his Nesbit home off Starlanding Road. "CCD has hit the border states, but not in Mississippi."

Local beekeepers are thankful, saying honeybees do more than just make honey.

"They keep food on our table," said Walls beekeeper Tim Durham. "They pollinate our food, from peaches to apples, and them dying in other states has gotten all of us concerned."

Durham has been a beekeeper in the area for 30 years, and at one point had more than 900 hives throughout the county.

He has been so successful at his hobby that he turned it into a business and is president of Durham's Bee Farm.

Along with his wife and adult children, they use the honeycomb from his hives to make everything from medicinal products such as bee pollen, used to help with allergies, to a beauty cream made from bees' pure royal jelly.

They sell the products online and have customers from China to the United Kingdom, said Durham.

Harry Fulton, director of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, wrote in his Bee News and Views newsletter that he has conducted a survey among commercial and hobbyist beekeepers in the Mississippi area asking about CCD.

"I talked with several of our larger beekeepers a few weeks back when CCD hit the news and am glad to say beekeepers in Mississippi don't have a CCD problem this spring," Fulton wrote in the March newsletter.

CCD was reported to have started in November and has spread to 27 states, Canada, Brazil and in parts of Europe. The cause is unknown, but scientists have theorized the problem could be a disease or parasite.

"Mites could be the parasite, but no one really knows," said Force.

His honeybees have been thriving this spring. May is a good month for honey production.

In fact, his bees have made his youngest son's upcoming wedding next Saturday even sweeter.

His future daughter-in-law asked that bottles of honey be given away to wedding guests as a party favor.

Force's wife, Margaret, spent seven hours filling 150 four-ounce bottles with honey for the wedding.

"I thought it was neat idea to give the honey away at the wedding," Force said. "In fact, I was very pleased."

-- Yolanda Jones: (662) 996-1474

Skin Care Alternatives to Surgery: The Latest Skincare Trend - Acupuncture

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) April 28, 2007 -- Skin care and acupuncture normally don't go together but in Skincare-News.com's latest article, "Cosmetic Acupuncture: An Alternative to Plastic Surgery?" there are exceptions to the rule. http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=297

According to the article, cosmetic acupuncture is the latest rage with the world's top celebrities:

Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cher and many others have allegedly turned to an age-old treatment, which replaces the traditional facelift - Cosmetic Acupuncture, which is also known as "acupuncture facial rejuvenation" or an "acupuncture facelift."

For those who are wary of going under the knife, this new procedure may be a more welcome option:

Rather than cutting the skin or using harsh chemical peels, acupuncture provides more subtle results that are noticed over time. How does it work? A practitioner will insert tiny, thin needles into wrinkles and frown lines. The needles stimulate energy to flow around the face; blood rushes to the surface, and the muscles relax. The muscles then tighten, which decreases sagging of facial skin. The needles also stimulate the cells to create new collagen fibers under wrinkles, filling in fine lines.

While the prices for this procedure vary, it is still important to take time when finding the right person to perform the job:

When searching for a practitioner, be wary to choose someone with a license who has studied with a qualified teacher, and is part of the American cosmetic acupuncture association.

According to the Skincare News Team's sources, this new trend is bound to stick around for some time but it's always better to play it safe and do research on the subject before committing to the treatments.

Skincare-News.com covers all skincare and beauty topics from head to toe. Check out these latest articles . www.bestroyaljelly.co.uk

Skin Care Mistakes: How to Keep Your Skincare Safe From Premature Aging

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) April 26, 2007 -- Skin care and anti-aging take some time to master but some bad habits may be defeating the purpose. Skincare-News.com's latest article, "Facial and Skin Care Faux Pas: How You May be Adding Years to Your Face", shows lists some of these behaviors as well as solutions to keeping your face looking young.

http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=296

Practicing facial expressions were once believed to be a good thing but as the article points out, that couldn't be farther from the truth:

Contrary to popular belief, these very facial exercises can lead to early fine lines and wrinkles. Every time you make a certain facial expression, a groove forms beneath the skin's surface. As you get older and your skin begins to slack and lose elasticity, the grooves become permanently embedded in your skin.

Although it may seem obvious, smoking is one way to add more years to your face:
Skincare studies have also shown that individuals, who have smoked for a long time, tend to develop leathery and deeply wrinkled skin, compared to those who never smoked. So if you light up, just know that with each puff, you're sending your journey into old age at warp speed and should quit as soon as you can.

Even certain sleeping habits have been found to add signs of aging to your complexion:
If you continuously rest your face on your pillow the same way for nights in a row, your sleep lines won't disappear once your head is off the pillow. Instead they form into wrinkles. For women who sleep on their sides, these sleep lines often appear on their chin and cheeks, while men tend to get these lines on their foreheads, since a majority of men press their face down into the pillow when they sleep.

According to the Skincare News Team's sources, breaking these bad habits will keep anyone looking young and healthy for years to come.

Skincare-News.com covers all skincare and beauty topics from head to toe. Check out these latest articles:

"Skin Care & Beauty Basics - Part 1: Get to First Base…Foundation, That Is"
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=257

Too many women are intimidated by makeup and skin care. They say practice makes perfect so why not give it a shot? Put your makeup fears aside and check out these tips to help you get the flawless look you've been craving.

"Growing Impatient With the Hands of Time"
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=254

Do you feel as if you have done everything you can to improve your skincare, and yet you are still battling the years on your skin? Your problem may be solved more simply than you think!

"The Aging Neck…Skincare's Forgotten Frontier!"
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=258

Ever notice how the older we get the more often we choose a scarf or turtleneck to wear? Let's be honest, we're not doing it to be fashion forward. From now on, let's solve the problem of that aging neck, and not by hiding it behind knit and silk. Read this article and find out a few ways other than plastic surgery to start sporting a firm, beautiful, and glowing neck. Who wants to look like a turkey, when you can look like a swan?

"Skin Care & Beauty Basics - Part 3: How to Be a Powder Puff Girl!"
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=260

Powder is the finishing touch after applying the rest of your makeup. Read on to see how you can make the most out of the powder you use and learn tips to help you get it right every time.