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...]
How to care for breasts naturally this Pink October
Most women have no idea that simply not wearing a bra can have a major impact on the likelihood of developing breast cancer - one of the major killers of women in the western world. It is also one of the most over-diagnosed and over-treated conditions. A new study from Brazil, published in May 2016 in the journal Advances in Oncology Research and Treatments, explains that … [Read more...]
Women and babies thrive by ditching disposables
When my daughter was small I overheard a conversation between her and a friend, who asked her what karma was. “Well,” she said,” it’s like this. You know the planet is round? So if you do anything to anyone that badness or goodness goes right around the planet, then hits you from behind.” How true. And so it is with anything we try to toss. “Disposable” anything is not cool, … [Read more...]
Will SA government protect our indigenous medicine?
Southern Africa possesses a remarkable diversity of indigenous plants, coupled with rich cultural traditions on the use of plants for medicine. Despite huge strides in provision of health care, many rural areas still do not have easy access to Western primary health care and veterinary services. Even where clinics and allopathic medicines are readily available, a large … [Read more...]
Health for all demands switch from intervention to prevention
Despite the best efforts of our National Department of Health to reduce the burden of disease in South Africa, many of today’s most common diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other diseases of lifestyle continue to rise sharply in numbers. Just the number of those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes continues to rise unabated, despite increasing disease management … [Read more...]
It is very obvious now that a “war on natural health” has begun
Since the signing and promulgation of the Medicines & Related Substances Amendment Act containing the new definition of medicine on 24th December 2015, there seems to have been a step up in the SAPS special crimes unit's activities around Cannabis medicine makers and healers despite the fact that at least 16 stays of prosecution have been granted in view of the upcoming … [Read more...]
Comrades in arms: BRICS nations’ war on drugs
While all 50 states in the US have now legalised medicinal cannabis - due to its exceptional healing properties - SA and other BRICS countries are clamping down on this plant for both medicinal and recreational purposes. The BRICS nations comprise of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The members are all developing or newly industrialised countries, with a … [Read more...]
Omega 7: a key healthy saturated fat and lipid regulator
Fats, both healthy and unhealthy, get a lot of airtime these days. That’s particularly because it’s become apparent that the notion that was preached for over 3 decades through public health policy, that saturated fats are bad and (poly)unsaturated fats good, is utterly wrong. The reality is much more complex. There are some healthy saturated fats, and some healthy and … [Read more...]
A new threat to traditional and natural health products
A newly adopted African Union Model Law on Medical Products Regulation and the establishment of an African Medicines Agency threatens to undermine the sovereignty of all African Nation-States in their regulation of medicines. This scheme, drafted behind closed doors, will significantly boost Big Pharma’s market-share on the continent, and will ensnare Traditional & Natural … [Read more...]
