Let’s Listen to Bill Clinton’s Advice on Modern Biotechnology

Since he left office, former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, has dedicated almost all his life championing the cause of the poor, here in America and abroad.


From winning concessions for cheaper drugs from multinational pharmaceutical companies to manage HIV/AIDS - the No. 1 killer disease in poor countries - to fundraising in aid of victims of Hurricane Katrina and Tsunami earthquake, President Clinton has joined the league of men and women who always nurse the dream of a world without hunger and diseases.

Last week, President Clinton continued his efforts when he advised delegates at the BIO 2006 Convention in Chicago to fight the culture of fear that seems to dominate the debate about modern biotechnology.

“We should be driven by science, evidence and argument, not by assertion and fear.”

President Clinton, a staunch supporter of genetic engineering during his presidency (and even now), reminded the delegates that “…everything we do to build a world that will be fit for our children and grand children will depend upon continued advances in biotechnology.”

Modern biotechnology, as President Clinton puts it, is a technology that can’t just be wished away by misrepresenting facts, a practice those opposed to this technology have perfected to an art.

Opponents of modern biotechnology and especially genetically engineered foods have taken it upon themselves to mislead and misrepresent. Such behavior only derails the drive to guarantee every man and woman in this world food.

Perhaps, nobody better understands the plight of the world’s poor than President Clinton. He’s a relentless globe trotter and has an eye-witness account of the sufferings of millions of hungry and malnourished children in Africa and Asia. All, then, should heed his advice that modern biotechnology holds the key to sustainable development .

President Clinton’s endorsement of modern biotechnology as a tool to enhance global food security must be taken very seriously.

The world must learn to take the facts as it finds them and keep trying to move humanity forward.

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What You Need To Know About Vegetarianism

Living healthy requires maintaining a healthy diet. No diet may be healthier than meals dominated by fresh, all-natural vegetables and fruits.

Lately, more and more people have shifted to vegetarian meals because scientific research demonstrated the adverse effects of animal meat.

Nutritionists explain that the high amount of animal fat present in meat, dairy, and other animal products may be probable factors leading to the onset of diabetes mellitus, obesity, colorectal cancer, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease.

To avoid these diseases, nutritionists have long expounded on the health benefits of high intake of fruits and vegetables.

However, people generally have many misconceptions about vegetarianism or the practice of eating foods from the plant kingdom.

This article attempts to clear these misconceptions and bring to light what the said lifestyle is about.

Vegetarians may be classified into four groups. Vegans eat no animal foods, while semi-vegetarians generally avoid meat but consume poultry and selected animal foods.

Meanwhile, lacto-ovo-vegetarians avoid meat, poultry and fish, but take in milk and eggs. Finally, lacto-vegetarians consume milk products but not other animal foods. Some vegetarians also go as far as avoiding clothing made from animal products like fleece, fur, and leather.

More so, others avoid processed foods, alcoholic beverages, and foods bred with pesticides.

Historically, vegetarianism can be traced from philosophical beliefs, specifically religious traditions and teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism.

The said religions shun away from animal flesh due to their doctrine upholding self-denial, reincarnation, and the blessedness of all forms of life.

However, during the 19th century, the practice has transcended religious boundaries when the Vegetarian Society, a British non-religious organization, became famous in 1847.

Modern vegetarians uphold the rejection of meat in their campaign for animal welfare, labeling the killing of animals for consumption as a violation of their rights. The practice has already gained worldwide acceptance.

Some people contend that the vegetarian diet is insufficient in meeting the daily nutritional requirements. However, dieticians have explained that plant-based meals are low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and salt.

Likewise, plant-based meals may be planned in order to obtain the essential nutrients normally obtained from meat, fish, and poultry.

Vegetarians may consume diets dominated by fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains. In place of meat products, lacto-ovo-vegetarians may use nuts, lentils, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, dry beans, and peas. Vegetarians avoiding milk may find other sources of calcium and Vitamin D-enriched foods.

Also, vegans may have to take vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure adequate intakes of nutrients that may only be obtained from animal-based meals.

Consciousness on healthy living involves awareness on the different options and forms of vegetarianism. Here’s to a healthy lifestyle and well-being to all of us!

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DMAE - Good For Your Brawn and Brain

DMAE (2-dimethylaminoethanol) is a chemical produced in the brain. This naturally occuring amino alcohol is produced in minuscule amounts by the brain, with higher concentrations being typically found in anchovies and sardines. Known primarily as a precursor to choline and acetylcholine (chemicals in the brain responsible for nerve transmissions and cognitive function), DMAE has been used most predominantly to improve memory and focus while stimulating neural activity. Many researchers believe that it may serve an anti-aging function by increasing the body’s capacity to produce acetylcholine – a deficiency commonly associated with memory loss.

DMAE is a memory booster substance common to a number of drugs that are known to stabilize cell membranes. Cell membrane degradation has been proposed as one of the prime mechanisms of aging. DMAE is increasingly favored by medical practitioners for its role in boosting brain power. DMAE has shown positive results in the treatment of a variety of cognitive and disruptive disorders, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and memory lapses. DMAE is even being used in skin care products designed to treat sagging skin and age spots.

DMAE may enhance water retention in connective skin tissue, causing the surface of the skin to tighten. The second, and more likely, explanation involves DMAE’s cholinergic feature, which enhances the skin’s ability to transmit acetylcholine. The neurotransmitter’s function in sending signals from nerves to muscles may promote a form of muscle tightening in the skin. It is important to note that although DMAE cannot fully reverse existing facial sagging, it may reduce its further progression. Some people report a cumulative effect with continued use of the compound.

Benefits
• improves memory and focus
• assists with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• treats sun spots and sagging skin

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The Importance Of Nutrition

The road to a healthy lifestyle is through the proper amount of nutrition. An imbalance of such may cause poor health, fatigue and a weakened immune system. In order to have the well-balanced nutrients needed to maintain health, individuals must have amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, sugars, etc. In addition to everyday well-being, nutrition plays a very important role in sports performance. The reason is because the proper amount of nutrition improves strength, energy and agility.

Some experts believe that nutrition may also be linked to longevity. Common sense tells us that the healthier we are, the stronger our immune system becomes and the less likely we are to contract certain illnesses. This does not mean that likelihood of certain diseases is erased, but our bodies may be better able to fight against them with the proper amount of nutrition and a healthy immune system.

Individuals can learn of nutritional ingredients by reading the outside packaging of any food before they purchase it. Many people read labels in order to learn about a food’s nutritional value and whether or not it will be an acceptable part of their current diet. Others, who are not on a diet, prefer to read nutrition labels in order to carefully watch what they eat in hopes of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Just as it is important to have nutrition in our lives, it is equally important that we not consume too much of any one nutrient. As the old adage suggests, “too much of a good thing is not good.” An excess amount of certain nutrients, just as a deficiency of the same, can create hormonal variations. In addition, certain vitamins can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities. The best way to ensure that you are getting the right amount of nutrition in your diet is to check with a professional, who can assess your current medical condition and recommend a way to increase your immune system without harming it in the process.

It is important to learn about nutrition as early as possible, which is why most schools incorporate this subject into their academic curriculum. Today, students of all ages are introduced to the importance of nutrition in a healthy lifestyle and how the lack thereof may result in serious health problems, including psychological disorders, certain types of cancer and other ill effects.

The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Anyone with questions surrounding their nutrition intake or suggestions on a well-balanced diet should visit a licensed dietician for additional information and recommendations.

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About alternative health supplements

These days, there are plenty of pills out there offered by your local pharmacy to cure what ails you. But you can never be too sure that the products pushed on us by the food and drug administration are the best thing for you. A lot of these pills have side effects, and some of them are not tolerated well by certain people.

To that end, there are numerous alternative health supplements offered that can help your body get into the best shape it’s ever been. Here are the facts on some of them:

Coral calcium- This supplement is great to help your body. You probably know that your body needs calcium to maintain its bones and teeth, but most people don’t realize that you need a certain level of calcium in your bloodstream as well.

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