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Monday, November 21, 2016

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The bitter truth about Stevia

More and more, diet sodas and other calorie-conscious products are using Stevia-derived sweeteners to satisfy consumers’ sweet tooths. But the development and commercialisation of these stevia-derived sweeteners violate the rights of the indigenous people who have used the natural sweetener for centuries.   

Indigenous groups (Paî Tavytera and Kaiowa) from the Guarani people straddling the Paraguay and Brazil border are the traditional holders of the knowledge regarding the use of the stevia plant. Their situation is critical (land grabbing, food crisis, extreme poverty, suicide, murder). They have long made use of the unique sweetening properties of Stevia leaves. But companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are making huge profits while the Guaraní, and the states of Paraguay and Brazil, are being left empty-handed.

International conventions state that holders of traditional knowledge have a right to a fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the commercial use of the knowledge that they have developed, protecting indigenous communities from what’s known as biopiracy. But while Guaraní knowledge is the foundation for the use of Stevia-based sweeteners by multinational brands, they aren’t receiving a dime.   

Demand that Coca Cola commits to mediated engagement with the Guaraní to agree how to share the benefits of Stevia-based products fairly.

For too long, the public has remained ignorant of the bitter truths of Stevia-based sweeteners. But thanks to a report published by Public Eye (formerly Berne Declaration), France Libertés and other European and Paraguayan associations and Universities, that’s about to change. Now, it’s time for us to come together and demand that the brands profiting from Guaraní knowledge pay their due.

Sign the petition to tell Coca Cola to settle with the Guaraní on a fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the commercialization of Stevia-based products.

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Tuesday, November 15, 2016

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY MAY LEAD TO BLADDER CANCER

Low levels of vitamin D are linked to a wide range of health problems


A study conducted at the University of Warwick in association with University Hospital in Coventry, United Kingdom, has shown that bladder cancer cells respond to vitamin D, which can create an immune response to attack the cancer. Not having enough vitamin D may make it incredibly difficult for the body to fight off the cancer cells.
“More clinical studies are required to test this association, but our work suggests that low levels of vitamin D in the blood may prevent the cells within the bladder from stimulating an adequate response to abnormal cells.
As vitamin D is cheap and safe, its potential use in cancer prevention is exciting and could potentially impact on the lives of many people.”
Researchers presented their work at the Society for Endocrinology in Brighton, United Kingdom. Currently, the work has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal and therefore cannot be considered conclusive.
Most people get enough vitamin D simply by being outside a few minutes a day. However, in the winter months when people avoid the outdoors or if sunlight is lacking in their location, they may be at a greater risk for not having enough of the vitamin in their system.
Vitamin D can be obtained through supplements, but also through a healthy, well balanced diet. Foods that include high levels of vitamin D are fatty fish (particularly tuna, mackerel and salmon), beef liver, cheese and egg yolk. Many dairy products are fortified with high levels of vitamin D to ensure that you meet your daily allowance.
Low levels of vitamin D may also be the culprit of a variety of other issues, which people are urged to look out for. These include depression, seasonal affective disorder, bone weakness and frequent fractures, fatigue and trouble thinking clearly.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

UP IN SMOKE! FLORIDA JUST LEGALIZED MEDICAL MARIJUANA

FOX 5 reports, The movement to legalize marijuana faced its biggest test yet Tuesday as voters in nine states, including California -- the nation's most populous -- considered proposals to expand legal access to the drug, which is still forbidden by the federal government.