Acne TreatmentWritten by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
Acne is an annoying skin condition that affects people of every age, gender, and race. The scientific name for condition is acne vulgaris because acne usually strikes in plainly visible locations such as face, neck, chest and back. Acne is an age old problem that has likely been plaguing people for centuries. But there are numerous treatment methods available for this bothersome condition. Read on to learn more about acne, and what you can do to treat it.Who Gets Acne? Acne usually begins around time of puberty. More than eighty percent of teenagers and preteens will develop acne to some extent. It affects both males and females, but boys are more likely to have severe acne and to have acne that continues into adulthood. What Causes Acne? Acne can be caused by a number of factors. Contact with an oily substance such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, or petroleum is a common cause of acne, as is use of certain medication, steroids, on contraceptive pill. However, acne is most often cause by secretion of androgens. Androgens are sex hormones that are initially secreted at onset of puberty. Acne is also caused by ingesting a lot of red meat, milk, sugar and white flour. They are male hormones but they are secreted by females as well. Androgens stimulate production of oil from skin's oil glands. Acne occurs when these oil glands become overactive and exit from gland is blocked, causing oil to build up in gland and swell. A bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes normally colonizes this swollen gland causing development of inflammation and pus. In particularly severe cases, glands may burst into skin and produce cysts. How Should I Treat My Acne? Over ninety percent of acne patients respond to treatment, although treatment may need to be continued for months or even years. Here are a few common treatment methods that can be used for acne.
| | Codex and the Health Protection BranchWritten by Linda K Beach
As a professional medical researcher, I have been attempting to make some sense of activities of Health Protection Branch (HPB) lately.To understand why HPB is making sweeping changes in natural health product industry, I’m inclined to introduce you to CODEX, other wise known as World Health Organization (WHO). That’s right, WHO. WHO has a connection with CODEX and HPB. They are officially known as United Nations/World Health Organization/CODEX Alimentarius (Nutrition Code) Commission. This Commission meets every two years with stakeholders in industry. By virtue of fact that natural health product industry and public do not have representation at CODEX meetings, CODEX can be considered largest threat to our health choices in today’s modern world. Why? Simply because CODEX has unilateral capability and biased authority to control standards for health industry and its products. The media has also been shielded from truth behind this secretive group because they prefer their actions to be kept secret. For example, Bill C-7 (C-8 in Canada) was passed using secret wording that public was not privy to. Why deflection of disclosure? Could it not be CODEX and HPB are not forth coming with truth about their activities because they stand to gain substantial financial considerations when NHP market prices skyrocket. After all, they would be absolute regulatory body! Just what is Codex’s role in NHP industry? They claim to “guide and protect” foods industry. While traditionally all natural health products (NHPs) would fall under foods category unless they make a health claim, CODEX intent is to change NHPs to status of ‘drug” thus reasoning as to why many consumers and other stakeholders continue to be confused as to whether a natural health product is a food or a drug.
|