New Studies Extinguish Notion of e-Cig Safety

By Kristen Schepker, Assistant Editor

A pair of new studies exploring electronic cigarette use among teens cast doubt on vaping as a "healthy" alternative to cigarette smoking.

In early March, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) published two reports in the journal Pediatrics, each showing that e-cigarettes pose alarming health risks to adolescents and others. Their findings indicate that electronic cigarette vapor contains cancer-causing chemicals, and that teenage e-cig use strongly predicts and promotes progression to future tobacco cigarette smoking.

Cornucopia of Carcinogens

Wholesome Rx: Prescribe Produce, Not Pills

Written by By Ellen Kanner, Contributing Writer

“Eat more fresh produce.” It’s an easy bit of medical advice to give. Yet it’s advice millions of Americans aren’t able to follow, even if they want to. A non-profit group called Wholesome Wave is working to make it a little bit easier for both practitioners and patients, by creating a system that allows doctors to literally prescribe produce for patients and their families in underserved communities.

This is Your Microbiome on Drugs: One in Four Rx Meds Harm Friendly Flora

Written by Kristen Schepker, Assistant Editor

Antibiotics have a deservedly bad reputation for their microbiome-ravaging effects, but many other common non-antibiotic medications can also harm friendly gut bacteria, according to a recent study. In fact nearly one out of every four drugs screened caused changes in the intestinal microbiome.

Joe Pizzorno - The Toxin Solution

Written by Meg Sinclair

For decades, Dr. Pizzorno has been at the forefront of a movement to build bridges between naturopathic, functional, and mainstream medicine. In recent years, his attention has been focused on the myriad ways that environmental toxins are damaging personal and public health, and on developing practical strategies to help people reduce their toxic loads.

His recent book, The Toxin Solution, presents a harrowing picture yet offers good clinical guidance on how to manage the onslaught. Consider the following:

•   94% of Americans are exposed to enough polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to double their lifetime risk of asthma.
•   60% of US women carry loads of PCB187 sufficient to double their risk of breast cancer.
•   33% of Americans have lead levels high enough to double the risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
•   25% are exposed to enough aluminum to double Alzheimer’s risk.

Holistic Primary Care had the honor of hosting Dr. Pizzorno at our 2017 Practitioner Channel Forum. He shared his research on the role of common toxins in chronic disease and his field-tested therapeutic strategies. Watch the full-length session from HPC’s video archive:

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