In a landmark decision last month the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moved to finally ban the use of endosulfan in America, prompting health advocacy groups like the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) to applaud what they hope is the first step toward a global phase-out of the highly toxic chlorinated pesticide.

Banned already in more than 60 countries worldwide, endosulfan is used widely on vegetable crops and cotton and has been linked to birth defects and delayed sexual development in children, as well as an increased risk of developing autism. Although not considered a carcinogen, research shows that endosulfan may also contribute to certain types of cancer, in particular breast cancer.

Even though it was re-registered for use in the U.S. under the Bush administration in 2002, PANNA and others have been pushing to remove endosulfan from the market because of documented evidence of health damage to farm workers as well as people and wildlife living near exposed soil and water. The EPA is now working with the sole manufacturer of endosulfan in the U.S. to establish a timeframe that would allow farmers to come up with effective alternatives to endosulfan use.

action, advocacy, agency, alternatives, america, autism, ban, birth defects, chlorinated, cotten, crops, delayed, endosulfan, environmental, EPA, evidence, farm workers, farmers, Health, health damage, highly toxic, manufacturer, network, north america, PANNA, people, pesticide, protection, risk, sexual development, soil, vegetable, water, wildlife Hide

A study published recently in the British Medical Journal revealed some eye-opening facts about statins—mainly that the highly-touted cholesterol-lowering drugs end up doing more harm than good when taken as directed.

Statins work by blocking cholesterol production in the liver, which in turn causes the liver to create a type of protein that helps eliminate bad cholesterol (LDL) from the body. Unfortunately, results of the study—which included more than 2 million participants—show that statins help only a very small percentage of those who take them, but that twice as often they result in serious health problems, including liver damage, acute kidney failure, extreme muscle weakness and cataracts, as well as an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Not only that, but statins, like all synthetic drugs, are chock full of chemicals that can wreak havoc on the body and overall health.

Omega-3s: A Natural Alternative to Statins

Decades of research regarding the natural health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids has shown that a diet rich in Omega-3s helps prevent a wide range of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure, prompting experts like the American Heart Association to recommend between 1 and 4 grams (1,000-4,000mg) of combined EPA and DHA daily for people with known heart problems.

Because the standard American diet is severely lacking in beneficial Omegas, a daily Omega-3 supplement can help provide safe and effective natural support for a healthier heart. In addition, fish-derived Omega-3 fats have been shown also to improve brain, eye, and immune function, as well as promote healthy skin, bones, joints and mood.

american heart association, bad cholesterol, bones, brain, cancer, cardiovascular problems, cataracts, chemicals, cholesterol, daily, Dha, drugs, EPA, esophageal, eye, Health, healthy skin, heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, immune function, joints, kidney failure, liver, Liver Damage, mood, muscle weakness, natural alternative, Omega 3s, Omega-3 supplement, standard American diet, statins, stroke Hide