Stuart Jeanne Bramhall's Blog: The Most Revolutionary Act , page 1280
July 6, 2016
The Care and Feeding of Gut Bacteria
The Diet Myth: The Real Science Behind What We Eat
by Tim Spector
Weidenfeld and Nicholson (2015)
Book Review
The Diet Myth is all about looking after our intestinal bacteria – which are ultimately responsible for the proper functioning of our digestive, immune, endocrine and nervous system. As Professor Tim Spector explains, all mammals co-evolved over millions of years with the bacteria that inhabit their intestines. Because these bacteria produce a number of vital biochemicals that our bodies are genetically incapable of producing, without them the species homo sapiens would not exist. This relatively recent discovery has led many scientists to classify the microbiome (the collective name given to gut bacteria) as a vital organ like the brain, liver or kidneys.
Civilization hasn’t been kind to our intestinal bacteria. For various reasons (overuse of antibiotics, processed foods and pesticides like Roundup), urban life has caused us to lose half of the septillions of gut bacteria we started out with. Nearly all the chronic illnesses that plague modern society (obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disease, depression, autism, schizophrenia and possibly drug addiction and alcoholism) can be traced to loss or malfunction of intestinal bacteria.
For this book, Spector has chosen to focus on dietary research into foods that improve the health and diversity of our remaining gut bacteria. He blames the myriad of contradictory diet fads on the reality that each human being has their own distinct collection of bacteria. This means the foods that keep them healthy depend on the preferences of their particular bacteria.
Fortunately he’s able to make a few general recommendations that seem to apply to most people.
According to Spector, people with the most diverse profile of gut bacteria are the healthiest. The best way to promote this diversity is through a diverse fiber-rich diet that includes:
At least 20 different food types per week
A daily serving of 5 vegetables and 2 fruits
Daily servings of probiotic foods (fermented foods, such as yogurt, sauerkraut and miso, raw milk and unpasteurized cheeses) that contain beneficial bacteria.*
Daily servings of prebiotic foods rich in polyphenols that gut bacteria love**
A strict limitation on red meat,*** sugar, refined carbohydrates, transfats (hydrogenated fats found in vegetable oils, margarine and Crisco) and processed foods
Research also indicates that lifestyle factors such as exercise (athletes have the most diverse microbiomes) also promote bacterial diversity (and good health). As does episodic fasting.****
*These mainly provide different strains of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria that crowd out harmful inflammatory gut bacteria.
**Foods rich in polyphenols include dark chocolate, coffee, green tea, turmeric, red wine, onions, garlic, (uncooked) extra-virgin olive oil, roasted nuts, Jerusalem artichokes, chicory root, leeks, asparagus, broccoli, bananas, wheat bran and fermented fruits and vegetables.
***Citing numerous studies, Spector totally debunks the claim that red meat is harmful due to its fat content. He maintains the risk associated with red meat is the conversion (by gut microbes) of L-carnitine to trimethylamine oxide, which causes plaque build-up in arteries (in Europeans – this effect appears to be absent in other ethnic groups). He recommends that Europeans limit their intake of red meat to ½ serving or less per day. Those who eat more than this have a 10% increase in mortality. Those who eat one daily serving or more of processed meat (sausages, ham, salami, etc) have a 40% increase in mortality.
****When people fast, a gut organism caused Akkermansia cleans up gut inflammation by feeding off the intestinal lining. Research reveals specific benefit from the 5/2 diet in which people fast two days a week and eat normally the other five.
July 5, 2016
Left Anticommunism: the Unkindest Cut
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In addition to endorsing Hillary Clinton, Chomsky also negates the volumes of research challenging the official version of 9-11, and the JFK, RFK and King assassinations.
BY MICHAEL PARENTI
Despite a lifetime of “shaming” the system, NOAM CHOMSKY, America’s foremost “engagé” intellectual, remains an unrepentant left anticommunist.
In the United States, for over a hundred years, the ruling interests tirelessly propagated anticommunism among the populace, until it became more like a religious orthodoxy than a political analysis. During the Cold War, the anticommunist ideological framework could transform any data about existing communist societies into hostile evidence. If the Soviets refused to negotiate a point, they were intransigent and belligerent; if they appeared willing to make concessions, this was but a skillful ploy to put us off our guard. By opposing arms limitations, they would have demonstrated their aggressive intent; but when in fact they supported most armament treaties, it was because they were mendacious and manipulative. If the churches in the USSR were empty, this demonstrated that religion was suppressed; but if the churches were full…
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Chicago: Principals Leaving Due to Budget Cuts, Loss of Authority Under Rahm Emanuel — Diane Ravitch’s blog
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Chicago is experiencing an exodus of experienced principals. Forty-two Chicago Public Schools principals resigned this year, the most since Mayor Rahm Emanuel took office. And 23 principals, out of about 515 total, decided to retire, a number somewhat higher than the last several years. The 65 school leaders departing this […]
Editor: Obama’s pal Rahm Emanuel seems determined, by hook or by crook, to privatize Chicago’s public school system. As if closing 50 schools in poor neighborhoods weren’t bad enough: How Rahm Emanuel is Failing Chicago?
Avaaz once again telling us what the Establishment wants us to think?
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Learn more about the Soros-backed group Avaaz before you sign any of their petitions.
Any doubt that might have remained about how a certain section of the elite want to spin Brexit is now put to rest as that most entirely fake of all fake “grassroots activist” sites Avaaz is herding its obedient fandom to sign on and “stop the hate.” This is the wording of its latest touchy-feely petition, already signed by 90,000 well-meaning clicktivists.
We, the people of the United Kingdom, stand against hate. We call on those editors who tar our country’s reputation by fuelling xenophobia and racism to step down, and pledge to confront racists wherever they are.
“If enough of us call for it, we can make it untenable for newspapers like the Daily Mail and The Sun to fan the flames of hate,” runs the accompanying blurb. “And editors will know their jobs depend on responsible journalism.” (our emphasis).
I’d be the first to agree…
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July 4, 2016
IMF Proposal To Tax Bank Deposits
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“The IMF has set off shockwaves in Washington by suggesting countries fight budget deficits by raising taxes. In its Fiscal Monitor report, subtitled “Taxing Times”, the Fund advanced the idea of taxing the highest-income people and their assets to reinforce the legitimacy of spending cuts and fight against growing income inequalities.”
Source: The Sleuth Journal, by James Hall
A report by Agence France-Presse, the International Monetary Fund strongly suggests countries tax the rich to fix deficit, is a caveat for a bigger risk. “The IMF has set off shockwaves in Washington by suggesting countries fight budget deficits by raising taxes. In its Fiscal Monitor report, subtitled “Taxing Times”, the Fund advanced the idea of taxing the highest-income people and their assets to reinforce the legitimacy of spending cuts and fight against growing income inequalities.”
Before all those occupy supporters rejoice and start their partying, the sober reality of the actual methods that the financial elites would use to implement revenue enhancement, needs a closer examination.
Contrast the interpretation from Europe with the broader assessment in, IMF Discusses A Super Tax Of 10% On All Savings In Eurozone.
“The sharp deterioration of the public finances in many countries has…
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Not Even Death Will Help You With Student Loans — peoples trust toronto
Student loans are incredibly difficult to discharge, even through bankruptcy, this is widely known. However in New Jersey, it appears as though student loans are still expected to be paid, even if someone gets cancer or even dies. This is something that Marcia DeOliveira-Longinetti learned when trying to close out a list of things to Marcia DeOliveira-Longinetti learned when trying to close out a list of things to take care of after her son’s unsolved murder last year. When Marcia called about federal loans that her son had taken out for college, an administrator offered condolences and assured her that the balance would be written off. However, the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority gave a quite a different response.
“Please accept our condolences on your loss. After careful consideration of the information you provided, the authority has determined that your request does not meet the threshold for loan forgiveness. Monthly bill statements will continue to be sent to you.” a letter from the agency read.
via Not Even Death Will Help You With Student Loans — peoples trust toronto
Involuntary Servitude: Prisoners Fight California Wildfires
Thanks to climate change, California’s wildfire season got an early start in 2016 – in February. According to the BBC, 30 percent of California’s firefighters (roughly 4,000) are state prison inmates. They make $2 a day while at fire camp, and $1 an hour while on a fire line – saving state taxpayers $80 million a year. Inmates also earn two days off their sentence for every day they’re on a fire. The work of battling a 100 foot high fire wall is incredibly dangerous, and inmate firefighters suffer a “handful” of injuries every year – usually from falling branches and debris.
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
While the BBC feature quotes inmates as being honored by the “privilege” of fighting fires, the inmate fire fighting program is taking place against the backdrop of a federal court order requiring California to reduce overcrowding. In 2011, the The Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling ordering California to cut their prison populations (by reducing the sentences of low level offenders).
State correction officials complied by offering an early prison-release program to all minimum security offenders – but only “so long as it proves not to deplete the numbers of inmate firefighters.” In 2014, state Attorney General Kamala Harris argued against the program, concerned it would severely impact fire camp participation “a dangerous outcome while California is in the middle of a difficult fire season and severe drought.”
The New Jim Crow
In other words, California is openly balancing the state budget on the backs of prison slave labor.
Given that low income minorities comprise the great majority of California’s prison population – for circumstances largely beyond their control – this policy clearly violates the UN Convention on Human Rights (which forbids slavery and involuntary servitude).
In fact, it sounds a lot like southern Jim Crow laws.*
In The New Jim Crow , lawyer Michelle Alexander describes in detail how urban police deliberately target minority neighborhoods for enforcement of drug possession and other victimless crimes. She also cites numerous examples of minority arrestees forced to cop guilty pleas owing to their inability to obtain competent legal representation.
Below prisoners fight a 2014 fire in Shasta County.
*In the Jim Crow system that followed Reconstruction, most southern states passed arbitrary vagrancy laws that were used to imprison black males and force them into unpaid slave labor on plantations, on the railroads and in factories and mines. See 1941: The Year Slavery Finally Ended
SIGN THE PETITION TO TELL ABC TO KEEP JESSE WILLIAMS ON GREY’S ANATOMY
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Sign petition to protect free speech in Amerikka.
Thought Provoking Perspectives
White Supremacy works in very predictable ways and the practice has not changed in four hundred years. Last week Jesse Williams delivered a powerful and poignant speech about the many injustices African Americans face. Jesse’s speech is an eloquent and passionate call to action against countless unarmed African Americans being murdered at the hands of Police across America. Jesse speech was NOT a Hate speech. I would say real talk.
It was a beautiful demonstration and celebration of his 1st amendment right of free speech. There is talk of boycotting and whites are asking for his removal from the show. Jesse’s speech was reminiscent of the great and brave freedom fighters such as Martin Luther King, Medger Evers, Malcolm X, and Angela Davis, who protested and spoke out against injustices. Jesse Williams also follows in the great Mohammed Ali’s and Harry Belafonte legacy, who passionately dissented against American injustices of…
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July 3, 2016
Top Doctors, Scientists, Health Advocates calling for Stronger Action on Toxic Chemicals — DES Daughter Network
Targeting Environmental Neuro-Developmental Risks : Project TENDR
A unique coalition of top doctors, scientists and health advocates is calling for more aggressive regulation on chemicals found in common household items. The goal is to protect expectant mothers, infants and children from neurotoxic chemicals by stepping up efforts to curb air pollution, remediate old lead pipes, phase out certain pesticides, ban endocrine-disrupting chemicals used in food packaging and plastics and come up with a plan for getting rid of furniture laden with fire retardants.
Editorial comment: Europe banned most of these substances 20+ years ago – that it’s taken US doctors so long to get on board is frankly criminal. See Are Americans Systematically Poisoning Themselves? for detailed list of harmful toxins and products that contain them.
“Vince Foster’s Ghost” Reappears – A Blast From The Archive Past — peoples trust toronto
Just a month after Trump called out the Vince Foster “suicide” as “very fishy” to say the least, the documentary “Foster’s Ghost” has resurfaced from the archives, detailing the unusual situation surrounding the death of Bill Clinton’s best friend and personal lawyer… According to the WaPo, “Trump said another topic of potential concern is the is the suicide of former White House aide Vincent Foster, which remains the focus of intense and far-fetched conspiracy theories on the Internet.“
via “Vince Foster’s Ghost” Reappears – A Blast From The Archive Past — peoples trust toronto
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