Organic Trade Association (OTA) encourages consumers to choose organic fruits and vegetables

By Barbara Haumann, 413-376-1220

Following closely on the heels of the President’s Cancer Panel Report exhorting consumers to choose food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers , antibiotics, and growth hormones to help decrease their exposure to environmental chemicals that can increase their risk of contracting cancer, a study published in today’s issue of the journal Pediatrics concludes that exposure to organophosphate pesticides at levels common among U.S. children may contribute to the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in these children.

“Studies have increasingly shown the importance of minimizing young children’s exposure to even low levels of chemical pesticides. This study adds to that wealth of knowledge and arms parents with information that helps them reduce their children’s pesticide intake,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director, pointing out that the use of organophosphates is prohibited in organic production.

The article reported findings from a study examining the association between urinary concentrations of metabolites of organophosphates and ADHD in children ages 8 to 15. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers led by Maryse Bouchard, a researcher in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Montreal, analyzed the levels of pesticide metabolites in the urine of 1,139 children and found children with above-average levels had roughly twice the odds of being diagnosed with ADHD.

As the largest study of this kind so far, it reminds consumers that organophosphates were originally developed for use in chemical warfare because they are known to be toxic to the nervous system. Organophosphate compounds are used in agriculture to kill pests.

“Organic food production and processing is the only system that uses certification and inspection to verify that these chemicals are not used,” Bushway added. “Those seeking to minimize their exposure to these chemicals can look for the USDA Organic label wherever they shop.”

The abstract of the paper published in the journal Pediatrics is accessible online.

For more information on organic, go to OTA’s consumer web site, www.organicitsworthit.org.

By Kurt Perkins

I was asked to write a piece on keeping kids ‘prescription free’ for the summer.  Before we talk about the logistics, I have to make 2 disclaimers.  One, I’m not a parent.  I’ve been married just over 2 years with kids being planned for the future.  I do take care of and consult with a lot of kids in my private practice and coach parents on ways to optimize their health so they don’t have to be put on drugs.

Two, I’m not a medical doctor.  I’m a wellness expert with a background in biochemistry and genetics.  I cannot legally tell, inform, or instruct you to get off prescription drugs.  What I can say is that the body is intelligently designed to live an abundant life without the use of drugs, both legal and illegal. 

In my 6 years of practice, seeing thousands of families, I can honestly say that I have never had a parent enjoy putting a child on medication, no matter the condition, whether it’s ADHD, asthma, allergies, headaches, infection, and even cholesterol.  Parents want to feel like they have done their best and by putting a child on medication, many often times feel like they have failed. 

I want to make it loud and clear that you are NOT a bad parent for putting your kid on drugs.  What I can say is that you may be an uninformed parent.  You are constantly getting bombarded with messages from only one side of the scenarios regarding symptoms and treatment options to create ‘health.’

What I would like to challenge is the notion and belief that there is disease.  To explain this, I need to get a little sciencey and make you pull out your mental library of physiology; how the body works.  If you remember back to biology, in order for a cell to stay healthy, it must stay balanced.  To stay balanced, you have to provide good things and avoid the bad things. 

I will refer to the bad things as those that are toxic or deficient.  For example, if a plant is wilting, you know to give it sunlight, water, and nutrients.  If the plant was missing the appropriate amount of sunlight, it would be deficient, therefore causing it to wilt.  Your job as the plant keeper is to make sure it stays sufficient. 

Your other job as the plant keeper is to make sure your neighbor isn’t dumping diesel fuel on your lawn, poisoning the plants.  You could be doing a perfect job of creating sufficiency but if your neighbor is poisoning the plant, there will be problems.  You must create purity as well. 

The division in paradigm is that medicine calls those problems ‘disease.’  In my world of wellness physiology, I call them ‘intelligent adaptive physiology.’  If you address what is causing the adaptations, the cell (your child) will return to balance (health).  Medicine will label that problem with a diagnosis and most likely prescribe a chemical (a toxin) to treat that diagnosis.  Never in the history of the world has adding toxic chemicals to the human body, produced a being to be well.  In my world, I ask what the person is deficient or toxic in and address those. 

Forget about this summer, if you want to keep your kids drug free, you MUST learn to ask a different set of questions.  Instead of asking, “what does my kid have, how do I treat it?” ask “in what area is my child deficient or toxic?”

People will express that adaptive physiology differently.  In one kid, it could look like behavioral problems.  For another child, it could look like asthma.  And for another, it may be a acne.  The diagnosis or label doesn’t matter, it’s figuring out what you and your child are missing and creating purity and sufficiency. 

To figure out how to create purity and sufficiency, let’s go back to the plant analogy.  If your plant is wilting, you instinctively give it water, nutrients, sunlight, and avoid poisons to nurse it back to health.  But how do you keep a healthy plant healthy?  The exact same way.  You give it water, nutrients, sunlight, and avoid poisons. 

You and your kids are no different.  What we as humans require are the same for all humans.  There’s a physical component, a chemical component, and a mental/emotional component.  When we are not providing these in sufficient and pure levels, the body adapts.

If it’s hard to remember physical, chemical, and emotional, just remember health is based on how we move, eat, and think.  Summer is the perfect time to start these changes but for changes to occur in a child, it begins with the parent.  YOU MUST ROLE MODEL!!!  

To begin the journey of role modeling behavior, start by adding, never taking away.  Think of the fight you have when you take away your child’s favorite toy.  It’s a disaster and nobody is happy.

If you want your kids to eat vegetables, you must eat more than you feed them.  If you want your kid to get off the couch and go play outside, you must play more and more enthusiastically outside.  If you want your kids to say ‘thank you,’ you must thank them for all great actions they perform.  If you don’t want your kids to eat the cake and ice-cream, don’t buy it for yourself. 

How I start each morning is by adding.  I start with a glass of water.  Then I add my exercise.  Following my workout, I do my daily reading and then write in a journal for which I am grateful.  Don’t start your day by depriving yourself.  This type of change is fleeting.

For behavior to change, you must first change your beliefs.  To change your beliefs, you must learn to ask the right questions.  If you need help, contact me.  This summer won’t be your greatest because you accomplished a lot but because it’s the summer you made a decision to change for a lifetime of summers.  Have fun, be safe, and create purity and sufficiency.

By Robert J. Posch
We are quickly approaching the much dreaded “Flu” season once again.  Normally, the “flu” targets citizens over 65. However, the new H1N1 virus, or Swine Flu primarily spreads among the high risk population indiscriminately targeting any age group.  This makes any building vulnerable to the Swine Flu, especially facilities with multi-tenant offices and public restrooms. 

Your first line of defense to defeating the spread of Swine Flu, and other disease, is effective on-site sanitation.  You want your restrooms, phones, door handles and all skin contact areas to be disinfected by trained people.  The President et al cleaner for washing but if the faucets are merely “cleaned” rather than hand disinfected you are only spreading germs (does your school disinfect?).  Then you must insure that your cleaning personnel are completely trained and are utilizing a hospital grade disinfectant (with proper kill claim for H1N1 influenza).

If you are directly involved in the oversight and compliance of your buildings green cleaning program, you should consider making sure your there is a committed true green agenda, which is maximizing the health of each green community – in this case, tenants, visitors and staff.

What You Don’t Want:

 Business as usual approach with no focus on new threats
 No serious effort made to disinfect high areas of bacteria concentration passed from each building occupants (as well as others, if open to the public)
 Over the counter cleaners with little to no disinfecting power in high touch areas such as bathrooms, cafeterias, etc.
 Old fashioned bleaches, etc. that are highly toxic and don’t have the Influenza A and/or Avian Flu claims.
 The old dirty bucket of mop water

Since cleaning is not a core competency but an allocation of resources, has your facility managers done what efficient businesses do – outsource this critical cleaning function to a reputable cleaning company? Reputable is the operative word; Companies who have heavily invested in upfront training for improving health and indoor air quality for every building occupant, their customers and visitors.

Issues important when considering the overall health of your building:

 Training Costs – Does your current cleaning program have a formal training and disinfection protocol for all personnel including OSHA compliance and Blood borne pathogen training?
 Are your cleaning personnel using hospital grade disinfectants designed to kill a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses?
 Is there a process in place at your building occupants to address safety issues regarding the cleaning agents being used?  For example, are all of the cleaning products in the school properly labeled? Are there Material Data Safety sheets (MSDS) for every cleaning product in case of eye/skin contact, ingestion or other accident? How about an OSHA-approved plan for blood borne pathogen exposure?
 Are your cleaners using the most advanced technology? Back Pack vacuums for example which filter to .3 Microns providing cleaner, fresher air; or micro-fiber technology which literally eliminates cross contamination of harmful bacteria and viruses in your facility.

With professional cleaning, you’ll save money and improve the health of all building occupants.

What A Concerned Parent or Other Building Occupant would like to see

Green is defined by Presidential Executive Order 13101 as a “product that reduces the impact on health and the environment compared to similar products.”  We can take the analogy as to the processes used (trained versus “are they trained?”) in the proper mixture, utilization, etc. of these chemicals.

I would like to review with you the following touch points to reduce your exposure to Avian or Swine Flu, as well as have an integrated plan for you to consider.

RESTROOMS: These are high-contact areas and bacteria/virus havens, which are often improperly cleaned/disinfect.  A hospital grade disinfectant effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria and rated as a Staphylocidal-Pseudomonidal- Salmonellacidal-Virucidal is recommended.

                        To find out which products have been tested and approved for killing viruses, including the H1N1 “swine flu” model, check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s page on registered antimicrobial products.
 

OFFICES: A green cleaning program which minimizes harmful chemical usage by interchanging micro fiber cloths for complete dust removal while cleaning drier and greener.

 Try to have accessible – hand sanitizer stations beyond the bathroom as hand washing is an important defense against cold/flu.

 A vacuuming program that filters out 99.9% of harmful bacteria and viruses; and leaves fresh healthy air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory illness.

 Encourage anyone who may have cold or flu symptoms to work from home.

How A Good Commercial Cleaning Company Will Help Provide a Green, Healthy Environment

    A reputable commercial cleaning company with a commitment to promoting a healthy school environment.

1.      Knows Restrooms. They understand that a clean classroom begins with a clean restroom, so we clean and disinfect all counters, stall walls, fixtures, fittings, light switches or push plates, and floors with hospital-grade disinfectant. 

2. Knows Carpets. Carpets act like filter inside a building, trapping dirt and other contaminants that would otherwise be airborne – similar to the air filter in your car. You want multiple cleaning processes to keep carpets fresh and clean. This is an important factor in helping to prevent respiratory diseases (especially for little children who are a lot closer to the carpet!).  Regular thorough vacuuming of this nature has been shown to be even more essential than carpet cleaning when it comes to reducing the amount of pollutants in the area (and extending the life of the carpet as well). You should have carpet cleaning experts trained in the most effective methods of extracting the remaining dirt and contaminants from your carpets and area rugs.

3. Knows Green Cleaning. Your children are in an enclosed classroom/school much of the day.  Indoor air quality is essential. In addition to the benefit obtained by using the proper vacuuming you want to improve indoor air quality by avoiding toxic chemicals, and by using the greenest and most effective chemicals. (If the products aren’t effective, then ‘green’ is only a feel-good term.) The chemicals you want are approved by the EPA and the proper use of the chemicals is a must in a good training program for the professionals cleaning and sanitizing your school. Proper products and proper result in the use of less product and achieve better results. Fewer chemicals also mean a healthier environment for staff and children. 

4. Cleans Smarter. In the case of Jan-Pro franchise owners and their employees are trained in the use of color-coded micro fiber cloths to prevent cross contamination (you won’t see a pink microfiber cloth used to disinfect a toilet being used to clean a telephone receiver!). We clean, disinfect and sanitize all drinking fountains, dispensers, showers, etc. Out MSD sheets are available for review for each chemical used – and our professional staff can explain their use. 

5. Trains Better. The people acting as an essential firewall in school health should receive intensive training over five weeks, including training in OSHA Exposure Control Plan & Compliance, Blood Borne Pathogen Standard, Label and MSDS Compliance and Chemical Handling. The training Program should teach specific steps to disinfect surfaces outlined by the Center of Disease Control (CDC).  There is specific DWELL TIME for disinfectants. Even if you are using proper disinfectants you are negating their effective value to your students if you’re in -house people aren’t allowing the disinfectant to dwell for the proper amount of time.
Are We Doing Our Best to Protect Our Students, Teachers and Staff in a Cost-Effective Way?

As a parent ask yourself the last time your child’s school audited:
 Procedures for integrated sanitation to protect your child;
 Training of staff entrusted with sanitizing your child’s school;
 Full costing of your tax dollars to make sure funding a non-core competency makes financial, environmental and health/safety sense in the 21st Century.

The threat of a serious outbreak of swine flu and other health – related issues is a good time to get involved and see if your school has maximized its ability to protect your child at school in the most effective manner. Please give me a call if you’d like to discuss any of these issues further.

Robert J. Posch
Chief Operating Officer
Jan-Pro of Southern Colorado
(719) 264-1117
bob.posch@jan-pro.com

Health Freedom Update for April 2009
Kimberly Sharples, HHP, Health Freedom Activist
For Your Health Freedom
www.fyhf.synthasite.com
kimberlysharples@msn.com
(719) 390-1979

There is a health freedom website where you can view updates across the United States. This website address is:  www.fyhf.synthasite.com

I also have the yahoo group set up so that you will receive important alerts as they are released.  Just send a blank email to: FYHF-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

We all have friends, relatives, customers, etc in other states.  This is a good way to pass along information to people you know in other states.

Please remember that each state has different laws and regulations regarding what you can and cannot do when it comes to complementary and alternative health care.

There are currently 6 states that have health freedom laws.  These are: Minnesota, California, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Idaho.  If you live in one of these states, you need to know the laws regarding health freedom, what you can and cannot do, and what disclosures you may need to provide to your clients.  The GOOD NEWS is New Mexico just passed a Health Freedom Law. This now makes 7 states that have Health Freedom Laws.  They are just waiting to have the Governor sign this into law.

There are 16 states and the District of Columbia that license or regulate naturopathic physicians.  If your state is one that regulates naturopathic physicians, you need to know what that law says in regards to what you can and cannot do.  These states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.
 
NATIONAL HEALTH FREEDOM ORGANIZATIONS

•    Coalition for Natural Health:  www.naturalhealth.org or Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org

•    Health Keepers Alliance:  www.healthkeepers.net

•    Health Freedom For All:  www.healthfreedomforall.org

•    Citizens for Health:  www.citizens.org

•    American Association for Health Freedom:  www.healthfreedom.net

•    National Health Federation:  www.thenhf.com 

•    National Health Freedom Action/Coalition:  www.nationalhealthfreedom.org

For questions or more information about health freedom in your state, please feel free to contact me: kimberlysharples@msn.com  or (719) 390-1979.

HEALTH FREEDOM INFORMATION
 
ALASKA
 Alaska has introduced a Naturopathic Physician bill, SB70: http://www.aksenate.org/index.php?bill=SB70 
 For more information, contact Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org

ARIZONA
From the National Health Federation
http://www.thenhf.com/government_affairs/state/state_60.html
Arizona Health-Freedom Proposition Narrowly Defeated
  In the recent American 2008 elections, various States had propositions on their ballots for citizen consideration and voting. In Arizona, one such proposition was Proposition 101 (the “Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act”), which was an initiative on its Nov. 4th ballot proposing to amend the Arizona Constitution to ensure freedom of choice in health plans and the right to pay privately for lawful medical services.
  Unfortunately, Proposition 101 did not pass. While Proposition 101 won in 12 out of 15 Arizona counties, it failed to pass on the Statewide popular vote by 1,048,624 to 1,039,585 votes (50.2 to 49.8 percent), a very small margin. The Proposition’s backers, Drs. Eric Novack and Jeffrey Singer, announced, “We regret that we were unable to overcome the significant financial disadvantage we had and the intervention of the Governor and a major state agency in the campaign. Regardless, we are proud of the effort we put forward and are looking forward to continuing to be a part of the health care reform discussion in our state well into the future.”
  Given the close vote, this proposition will almost certainly be placed back on the Arizona ballot in 2010 for voter approval.

CANADA
The Canadian Parliament adjourned for the summer without debating or passing bills C-51 and C-52, bills that could have overturned long standing legal precedent protecting Canadians’ health freedom.
For more information, you can view this site:
http://www.citizens.org/latest-happenings/health-freedom-victory-in-canada-for-now

CALIFORNIA
           Prop 65 is proposed regulation that wants to classify all beneficial nutrients with above-RDA potencies as cancer-causing agents under unless proven otherwise.  
For more information, please go to this website:  http://www.thenhf.com/press_releases/pr_12_may_2008.html
There is also California Health Freedom Coalition:  www.californiahealthfreedom.com and
California Citizens for Health Freedom:  www.citizenshealth.org or
Email: frank@citizenshealth.org
 From the California Citizens for Health Freedom website:
This year we are concentrating our efforts on passing a Bill that would allow licensed physicians to offer safe/effective alternative treatments for cancer.
  Freedom for physicians in California to have the same rights as physicians have in other states to offer safe/effective alternative treatment for cancer is illegal under Section 109335 of the Health and Safety Code.
  It has been the goal of our organization to change the California law that makes it a criminal offense to prescribe or administer cancer treatments other than chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. There are alternative treatments for cancer that are very effective, less expensive and do not have the terrible side effects of the conventional treatments.
  We introduced a cancer freedom bill in the past with thousands of support letters yet this bill was defeated. The political power of the California Medical Association, the opposition by the oncology physicians and the Medical Board along with the influence of the drug industry has made it almost impossible for passage of an alternative cancer bill.
  This year our organization is trying a different approach. We are focusing on the Medical Board to reinstate their Committee on Alternative Treatments and to present to that Committee the facts about the safety and effectiveness of alternative treatments for cancer. The goal is to prevail on the Medical Board to sponsor a bill to change the state law.
  For more information, go to their website: http://www.citizenshealth.org/californiabills.htm

COLORADO
From Colorado For Health Freedom            
  A monopolistic naturopathic physician bill has been introduced that we are opposing.  This is HB 09-1175 and you can view it here: http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2009a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/EED6C188F451AFB38725754700782701?Open&file=1175_01.pdf
 This bill passed the House committees and Floor and has been assigned to the Health and Human Service committee in the Senate.
  We need your help.  We are asking people to contact members of this committee and ask them to vote NO on HB 1175.  For more information on how to do this, please go to the website: www.co4hf.synthasite.com  and also join the CO4HFG yahoo group
Join by sending a blank email to: CO4HFG-subscribe@yahoogroups.com OR send your email address to Kim at kimberlysharples@msn.com and she will add you to this yahoo group and you will automatically receive health freedom emails.
For those who do not have Internet access, an updated message number has been setup for your convenience. We will leave messages to keep you informed of important information and legislation. This is available 24/7. Just dial 1-641-715-3900 and enter code 9357483#  You may also leave a message at this number and someone will return your call.
You can also contact Kimberly Sharples at kimberlysharples@msn.com  or 719-390-1979 for more information.

CONNECTICUT
            Connecticut Health Freedom Coalition – Craig Respasz – crepasz@hotmail.com
 
DELAWARE
From American Association for Health Freedom:
 http://www.healthfreedom.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=710&Itemid=
 Help Preserve Choice in Nutritional Therapy in Delaware
  After a state legislature passes a new law, regulations are drawn up which dictate how that legislation is applied and carried out. Right now, Delaware is creating regulations for its Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure Act.
   Over the past several years, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has been pressing state legislatures to accept registrations only from ADA’s credentialing arm to satisfy the state’s nutritionist licensing requirements. Meanwhile, qualified professionals who hold a current certificate from other established credentialing agencies are unable to practice nutritional therapy in that state.
   And that is what is happening in Delaware. As currently proposed, highly qualified professionals whose credentials are from other agencies will be prohibited from practicing nutritional therapy in Delaware. AAHF believes the restrictive language in these regulations not only misinterprets the legislation, but will create a monopoly for the ADA.
   At a minimum, we are requesting that the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) be included in the Delaware regulations as a credentialing agency. This will protect the consumer’s right to choose from whom they receive their information and advice, and will ensure that competent, highly qualified professionals have the right to practice nutritional therapy. The education, internship, and exam requirements of CBNS actually exceed the standards set by the Delaware Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure Act.
   Please support our efforts to include CBNS as a certifying organization. You can do this in one of two ways:
 
1. Submit a written comment to the Delaware State Board of Dietetics/Nutrition no later than April 17, 2009. The address is:
  Delaware State Board of Dietetics/Nutrition
  861 Silver Lake Boulevard
  Dover, DE 19904
 
You can go to the website to view sample letters for citizens and practitioners.
 
2. Attend the public hearing at 1:45 p.m. on April 17, 2009, at the same address. The public hearing will be in the Cannon Building, Second Floor, in Conference Room B.

HAWAII
 House bill 1196 has been introduced.  This bill has amendments to the Naturopathic Physician Act.  For more information, contact Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org

IDAHO
From Natural Health Idaho
 Idaho has a bill, S1014 that will repeal the Naturopathic Physician Licensing Act.  This has passed the Senate and is now in the House. For more information about Idaho, contact Boyd at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org or info@naturalhealthidaho.org. You can also visit the website for Idaho CNH at: www.naturalhealthidaho.org
 
ILLINOIS
 HR0095 creates a task force on the licensure of Naturopathic Physicians: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=0095&GAID=10&GA=96&DocTypeID=HR&LegID=44565&SessionID=76
 For more information, contact Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org

IOWA
From Iowa Health Freedom Coalition
            Our work for 2009 has already begun.  Our website improvements include a PayPal button that will make donating or renewing membership a breeze.  Check it out at: http://www.iowahealthfreedom.org/join.html
We now have a Speakers Bureau where groups can request a speaker on many topics relating to health freedom, access to holistic wellness, and current laws or legislation relating to holistic, integrative wellness.  Please visit the site: http://www.iowahealthfreedom.org/speakersbureau.html  and line up a speaker for your event.
  As we shape our activities for the year, we want to hear from you: your concerns, your experiences, and your questions.  The more we know about what is going on throughout Iowa, the better we can serve you.  Please be our eyes and ears!  And we will be a more effective representative for you at the Capitol.  We are also expanding our organization and are looking for people to fill leadership roles or just help out; let us know if you’d like to join us and what you are interested or willing to do.  Our email: info@iowahealthfreedom.org
  We have introduced the Iowa Access to Wellness bill once again in the Iowa Legislature.  For more information: http://www.iowahealthfreedom.org

Kathryn Lappegard – President, Iowa Health Freedom Coalition

LOUISIANA
From Louisiana Health Freedom Coalition
If you live in Louisiana and would like to help, please contact Cynthia Reed, ND, President of the Louisiana Health Freedom Coalition at 225-756-8400 or herbs-etc@cox.net or visit the website: www.lhfc.info
MARYLAND
From Dr. Mishra
  Maryland introduced a Health Freedom bill this year, but unfortunately it did not pass.   For more information on helping in Maryland, please contact :
  Dr. Lakshmi C. Mishra: 301 762 8262 -  www.aapra.com, lcmishra.com
 
MASSACHUSETTS
From Health Freedom Massachusetts http://www.healthfreedommassachusetts.org/
  The citation for the Massachusetts law regarding unlicensed practice of medicine is M.G.L. Chapter 112 and all of the included sections.  Some other applicable provisions might be found in M.G.L. Chapter 221, Section 26; M.G.L. Chapter 13, Section 26;  and M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 53B.  Any law library has these laws.  They are also in the State House Library.  You can also access them by going to the site below.
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/

MICHIGAN
http://www.mnhc.info/ or mnhcinfo@yahoo.com

MINNESOTA:     
   Minnesota’s Naturopathic Doctor registration law will go into effect July 1, 2009. For more information, you can contact MNACAP’s president Katie Murphy at katie@MNACAP.org.
 
MISSOURI
 The Coalition for Natural Health was able to stop attempts made to attach amendments to bills moving through legislature last year. House Bill 750 has been introduced and relates to the practice of naturopathic medicine:  http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills091/biltxt/intro/HB0750I.htm
For more information, contact Boyd Landry at boydlandry@naturalhealth.org

MONTANA
From Deborah Kimmet of Montana Health Freedom:
  SB 287 died in committee in the House.  Our effort for 2009 is finished.  Thanks for all your help, we couldn’t have gotten as far as we did without you! 
 More information can be found on our website at www.montanahealthfreedom.org  or contact Deb Kimmet at deb@debkimmet.com
 
NEVADA
 SB 69 creates the Board of Complementary Integrative Medical Examiners: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/75th2009/Bills/SB/SB69.pdf
 For more information contact Boyd Landry: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org

NEW JERSEY
            A Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure bill (S1941 & A2933) was introduced in New Jersey in 2008 and was referred to the Senate Commerce Committee.  This bill could limit nutritional advice to only those dietitian/nutritionists licensed by the state of New Jersey.  You can view the bill here: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S2000/1941_I1.PDF 
 You may contact Boyd Landry for more information: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org

NEW MEXICO
From Wynn Werner: 
New Mexico UNLICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTICE ACT, HB 664, passed both the House and Senate and is on its way up to the Governor’s office to sign by April 10th. There were many people that made this happen and thanks goes out to all. But of all the people, none deserves more thanks than our sponsor Representative Ken Martinez and the head of his staff Martha Minogue. It is because of their tireless support and knowledge of how things get done that we have been successful. We owe them a debt of thanks that can never be truly repaid.
 We believe that the NM Unlicensed health Care Practice Act is the best in the nation. Once the bill is signed into law however, we all have a big job ahead of us. And that is supporting our community in the implementation of the provisions of the act. Several of us who have been involved in the bill will be working to get leaders in their respective health care disciplines to head the effort to inform and support their practitioners. Our website www.nmcaamp.org  will be a place for information on the act, samples of disclosure, FAQ sections and other items that will support our CAM community. I urge you to take part in forming the future of health care in New Mexico.
 For more information, contact Wynn Werner – wwerner@ayurveda.com

NEW YORK
 A01370 is a naturopathic physician bill.  You can contact Boyd for more information: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org

NORTH CAROLINA
From North Carolina Citizens for Healthcare Freedom:
  On Thursday March 26th we were given a Number for our Consumer Health Act HR842
We need your support! Please call, email or fax your NC HOUSE REP and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor to House Bill 842 They must sign before 6:30 PM Monday March 30. 
If you need to know your Representative, go to www.ncleg.net and type in your zip code
Then contact your Representative… . Ask your Representative to please sign onto House Bill 842 and give a short statement why you what their support for house bill 842
You can contact the Switchboard # 919-733-4111 and ask to be transferred your Representative to give or leave your message.
  We have been waiting for this bill number and we really need your help.
Now is your chance to make your voice heard.
 
Claiborne Holtzman, President – Citizens for Heathcare Freedom – www.ncchf.org – (252) 813-4950  
 
OHIO
 There are 2 health freedom organizations in Colorado: The Ohio Health Freedom Coalition and the Ohio Sunshine Health Freedom Coalition.
 1. Ohio Health Freedom Coalition – www.ohiohealthfreedom.org
email: info@ohiohealthfreedom.org
The Ohio Health Freedom Coalition was originally formed in 2004; OHFC is a non profit organization that advocates for changing Ohio law to allow for greater access to complementary and alternative health care services. OHFC’s members believe that complementary and alternative health care options should be available to members of the public, that citizens should have the freedom to select the practitioner who delivers them and that the state should not prohibit access to natural health services.
For more information or questions regarding the Ohio Health Freedom Coalition please call:
(614) 888-7351
             2. Ohio Sunshine Health Freedom Coalition – www.ohiohealthfreedom.info
 To learn more, please contact Linda Murray – hertouch@juno.com 
 
OKLAHOMA
Health Freedom Action Network: contact information: information@oklahomahealthfreedom.org Or their website: http://www.oklahomahealthfreedom.org

OREGON
 Oregon Health Freedom Website: www.oregonhealthfreedom.org or
email: john@oregonhealthfreedom.org

TENNESSEE
   HB 722 (http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB072 )  and 
HB 723 (http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0723 ) are bills pertaining to naturopathy.  For more information, please contact Boyd Landry at: boydlandry@naturalhealth.org

TEXAS
Message from Texas Health Freedom:  www.texashealthfreedom.com
            Hello Texas Health Freedom Fighters! Many exciting and encouraging things are beginning to happen as we work toward passing HB 40.  I want to thank all of you who are sending in testimonial letters, one page faxes, and personal stories on the website.  Please keep them coming.
  HB 40 has been assigned to the Public Health Committee as expected. 
 Testimonial Letters – Send any testimonial letters that you have your friends and customers fill out directly to me.  My fax number is (512)454-4461. I will be sure they get to your legislator.
  100,000 Health Freedom Stories – Log on to www.passhb40fortexas.org/ and share your story.  We’re a long way from 100,000.  Please take 5 minutes and do this today.
  Health Freedom One Page Fax:  Have your customers fill these out, and fax them to your representative.  There is a copy available on the home page of www.texashealthfreedom.com in the Pages section.
  

VIRGINIA
Virginia Chapter of Certified Natural Health Professionals
   HB1744 Natural Health Care Providers bill (Health Freedom Bill) has been tabled by the Health, Welfare and Institutions committee. What exactly does this mean for us? Over the last few weeks, I have been talking with Delegate Pogge and others to decide what action we can take with a tabled bill. We have decided that for the present time we should not do anything with it, not because we don’t want it passed, but the likelihood of passing it this year is slim. We just don’t have enough support.
  So, here is what we need to do in preparation for next year:
-Form local constituent groups for each of the delegates and senators to educate them about the need for a Health Freedom Bill.
-Arrange for your group to meet face to face with your delegate and senator to let them know your concerns to pass a Health Freedom Bill in the 2010 legislative session and build a relationship with them over this next year. It’s an election year for delegates so helping them with their campaign could put you in a position of favor. If they know you personally they are more willing to help you out.
-Arrange a meeting with local supervisors/city council, mayor etc to educate them of the need for a Health Freedom Bill and ask them to contact the delegates and senator that serve their district.
Your local officials know these delegates and senators and have influence.
-Talk with other groups or individuals that may have an interest in our cause; Home school groups, holistic minded groups, your clients.
  I am willing to help educate and train the leaders of the constituent groups so they in turn can educate and motivate their groups. I am also willing to go with you when you speak with your representatives. Our message to our officials must unify, so teamwork is a must. If
we are going to be successful we will need many leaders to reach each of the 100 delegates and 40 senators. If you are interested in being a team leader please contact me, let’s move forward together.
Sharon E. Hrichak for
Virginians for Health Freedom, a project of the Virginia Chapter of Certified Natural Health Professionals
P.O. Box 316, Chesterfield, VA 23832-0005 www.cnhpva.org
 
  WASHINGTON STATE
 There are several bills in Washington:
  HB 1638 refers to Colon Hydrotherapy:  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1638&year=2009
 HB 2007 pertains to Naturopathic Doctors:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2004&year=2009
 For information on these bills, contact Boyd Landry boydlandry@naturalhealth.org
  Health Freedom: The bill was heard on the Senate floor on Friday, January 30. It has been assigned a number: Senate Bill 5755 2009-10. The best way to easily stay updated is to use the following website address: www.leg.wa.gov/legislature and use the “Bill Search” tab near the top of the page (enter 5755).   
  According to the website: The “short title” of our bill is “Concerning alternative health care practitioners” In reading SB5755 as it is posted on the website, Section 1 says: “This act may be known and cited as the health care choice act.”;   The direct-access URL is: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5755&year=2009  
  After the bill was heard, it was referred to the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee. The next step for our bill is that it will have to be scheduled for a hearing before the H&LTC Committee.  Senator Karen Kaiser is the chair of this committee. Our discussions with her have not been promising; she does not intend to hear the bill. That would kill it for this session. We need to convince her to hear the bill.  What people can do-call/write their senators and members of the Senate Health Committee. Contact Kaiser requesting that she hear the bill.          
For more information, go to the Washington Health Freedom website: http://healthfreedomwa.org/ or email: healthfreedom.wa@gmail.com or call 360-357-6263

WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Health Freedom Coalition     
WIHFC is a Wisconsin nonprofit 501(c) 4 lobbying organization for social justice supporting an exciting new Consumer Health Freedom and Access Act in Wisconsin in the 2009 to 2010 legislative session.
“Consumer Health Freedom and Access Act” will ensure consumer choice by providing a  “safe harbor exemption” for those doing non-licensed healing therapies as long as they follow guidelines of the bill. It also gives the consumer freedom to choose alternative practitioners and services desired. This is an exemption bill for everyone doing no harm.          
WIHFC opposes the WDA  (Wisconsin Dietetic Association) licensing bill SB 115. The WDA bill would allow only licensed Dietitians trained by the ADA (American Dietetic Association) and a few other licensed professions to discuss nutrition.  We see this as a freedom of speech issue. Food must remain in the public domain
 Check out website http://wihfc.com  where they have a lot of information. You can also contact Syncha Maniscalco, Director WIHFC, synchaa@gmail.com, 715-452-5544

___________________________________________________________________________________
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING HEALTH FREEDOM

 

By Dr. Maoshing Ni
Would you like to sleep like a baby without taking drugs? Americans spend upwards of 3 billion dollars a year on sleep medications, but to avoid the side effects, there are a number of natural remedies you can try first. In my new book, “Second Spring: Dr. Mao’s Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate at Any Age,” I offer many natural ways to address hormonal imbalance and lift mood so that you can have a soothing sleep, some of which I’ll share with you here.

The causes of insomnia are many, but if you are a woman in pre-menopause, menopause or post-menopause, you may find that your shifting hormones leave you tossing and turning at night. A drop in estrogen combined with fluctuating levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin can make you anxious all day and keep you awake at night. The key to restoring your system’s balance is to support the nerve functions that produce and release the neurochemicals that are responsible for states of bliss and tranquility, like endorphin, dopamine, and oxytocin.

From a Chinese medical perspective, we have long recognized that health is the result of the body in equilibrium or balance of yin and yang, the two opposite yet complementary functions.  In the case of insomnia, the female essence, or yin, has slowly become depleted during menopause. Yin is a calming essence needed to balance the fiery yang of the nervous system, so when you are low on yin one major symptom is insomnia, manifested as difficulty falling asleep or episodes of waking up late at night and being unable to sleep again. Hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, and agitation are all related to this root condition. A calming tea before bedtime can ensure a good night’s sleep. Look for one with the traditional Chinese herbs zizyphus or jujube seed, bamboo shavings, and oyster shell, which soothe the mind and spirit. Another therapeutic tea that treats insomnia is passiflora or passion flower, a recognized sedative that improves mood and promotes restful sleep. Simply steep 1 to 2 tablespoons of the dried herb in one cup of hot water and drink just before bed.

Another natural sleep aid is the supplement 5-HTP, derived from an African plant, which converts to serotonin in the brain and has a tranquilizing effect. The recommended dosage is to take 200 mg at night.

Many relaxing rituals before bedtime will have you resting easy. First, indulge your sense of smell. Research has found that lavender, vanilla, and green apple are among the best scents to help lower anxiety and induce sleep. Try applying the essential oils of these scents to the inside of your wrist or indulge in a warm bath with these oils dissolved in the water. Also, you might enjoy a glass of hot milk with natural vanilla flavoring for a calming effect inside and out.

A technique that works for the majority of my insomniac patients is meditation—especially the Stress Release Meditation: Breathe consciously, relax, and with each exhale focus on relaxing each area of your body in sequence, starting from the top of your head and moving down to your toes.

Finally, acupressure is a wonderful self-healing technique that anyone can perform. One acupressure point that you can use to bring deep, calming sleep is called “Inner Gate.” To locate it, line up your index, middle, and ring fingers on the opposite arm so that your ring finger touches the crease on the inside of your wrist. The index finger is now touching the point, right between the two tendons on the inner arm. Now use your thumb to press down on that point for 30 seconds, let go for five, and continue this sequence for five minutes, breathing deeply. Repeat on the other side.

Dr. Maoshing Ni, popularly known as Dr. Mao, is a thirty-eighth generation doctor of Traditional Chinese medicine and an authority in the field of Anti-Aging Medicine. He is the cofounder of Tao of Wellness, the premier Chinese medicine center in Southern California. His new book, “Second Spring: Dr. Mao’s Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate at Any Age,” is on sale from Free Press April 7, 2009. Visit him online at AskDrMao.com