Half a century ago concerns about climate change, environment vulnerability, population density and the sustainability of earth systems reached a broad audience. This was clear from books like the Silent Spring published in 1962, and The Limits to Growth published 10 years later. These works influenced environmental activism at the time. They also laid the foundations for … [Read more...]
How much sugar is in South Africa’s honey?
There is a high likelihood that South Africans may be unwittingly eating ‘natural honey’ that in fact has been mixed with syrup, says Agbiz (Agricultural Business Chamber – South Africa) agricultural economist, Wandile Sihlobo. The recent Netflix documentary, Rotten, has exposed alarming abuses in the Chinese honey industry, including that Chinese producers are mixing honey … [Read more...]
Hope and mourning in the Anthropocene era
We are living in a time of extraordinary ecological loss. Not only are human actions destabilising the very conditions that sustain life, but it is also increasingly clear that we are pushing the Earth into an entirely new geological era, often described as the Anthropocene. Research shows that people increasingly feel the effects of these planetary changes and associated … [Read more...]
Six die from listeriosis-tainted corn in Europe
Nearly 200 people have died from listeriosis since January 2017 in South Africa. Ready-to-eat meat products have been blamed for the biggest outbreak of listeria the world has seen. In recent weeks countries like Australia, Namibia and now Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom have recorded listeria cases. In the most recent case, 32 people have fallen … [Read more...]
How to stop pesticide spraying in your area
The spraying of agricultural chemicals is widespread, not just on farmlands, vineyards and fruit orchards, but also in towns, public parks and gardens, playgrounds, schools, sportsfields and on verges. These notes may help you, should you find yourself exposed to spray drift. There are a few laws in South Africa that protect people and the environment: Fertilizers, farm … [Read more...]
South African hospitals join Global Green Health Challenge
Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) - an international network of hospitals, health care facilities, health systems, and health organizations dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint and promoting public and environmental health - announced today the launch of the Green Health Challenges, a new initiative calling on its robust network, to increase their … [Read more...]
Should healing CBDs become a schedule 4 prescription drug?
On the 28th of July the Medicines Control Council, in consultation with the Minister of Health gazetted a regulatory notice scheduling various substances in terms of section 22A(2) of the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act No. 101 of 1965). One of the substances hidden at the bottom of page 27 of the gazette was Cannabidiol, or more commonly known as CBD. All … [Read more...]
Proper nutrition essential in preventing AIDS says Nobel scientist
French virologist Dr Luc Montagnier received the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of the human immunodeficiency (HIV) virus. Canadian filmmaker Brent Leung interviewed Dr Montagnier for his 2009 documentary 'House of Numbers: Anatomy of an Epidemic,' during which the doctor made some startling statements on the role of antioxidants and nutrition … [Read more...]
Banting guru found not guilty after baby Twitter diagnosis
Professor Tim Noakes has been found not guilty of misconduct, a professional conduct committee found on Friday. Four of the five committee members found that it was not proven that Noakes had acted in capacity as a doctor. And it was not a reasonable inference that he was undermining breast milk. Noakes – whose book The Real Meal Revolution promotes a low-carbohydrate, … [Read more...]
Like, share and win – competition to help tortoise get perspective
You know the story of tortoise who rested at the dam when eagle landed next to him? “Look at these magnificent reeds and all this water,” he said. “This is all there is.” Eagle ascended into the heavens bearing tortoise in his claws. Tortoise saw the whole dam, he saw the animals running across the plains, then he saw the curve of the earth. Eagle put tortoise down in the … [Read more...]
Chronic disease remains chronic with drugs
In August 2010 the New York Times ran a front page story entitled ‘Years later, No Magic Bullet Against Alzheimer’s Disease’. Of course they meant that there is no magic drug or surgical approach that makes a real difference. The same statement could be applied to most chronic disease today. Chronic disease remains chronic with drugs. They may work symptomatically but that is … [Read more...]
Why mammography screening has been abolished in Switzerland
In 2013, the Swiss Medical Board, an independent health technology assessment initiative, was requested to prepare a review of mammography screening. The team of medical professionals included a medical ethicist, a clinical epidemiologist, a pharmacologist, an oncologic surgeon, a nurse scientist, a lawyer, and a health economist. Two of those members, Nikola Biller-Andorno, … [Read more...]
Research reveals mammograms may do more harm than good
Millions of women are wrongly diagnosed with ‘breast cancer’ concluded the National Cancer Institute (NCI) commission last year, thanks to over-diagnosis via mammograms. This is because what is known as ‘early stage cancers’ such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) should not be regarded as cancers, but benign or indolent growths. In an attempt to quantify the benefits and … [Read more...]
