EPA Finishing Review of Major Genetically Engineered Crops
After months of study, the Environmental Protection Agency is awaiting a report by an independent panel of scientists on the safety of the country's major genetically engineered crops: corn, cotton and potato plants that deliver their own pesticides. The EPA then will decide for how long to approve their continued use and in what way those crops must be planted to make sure that pests such as the bollworm and corn borer don't build up a resistance. An estimated one-fifth of the nation's corn production now comes from genetically engineered seeds. The seeds account for an even bigger portion of cotton.

Alternative Medicine - Martial Arts to Defeat Arthritis
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that works muscles while you concentrate on respiration and the circulation of vital energy. This has been found to reduce arthritis inflammation. Also, as you relax you are more in contact with your own body and psycho physical well-being.

Report Cites Widespread Problems with U.S. Health-Care System
In a scathing report, a committee of the Institute of Medicine has lambasted widespread defects in the American health-care system and made more than a dozen recommendations to improve the system. The Institute states: Millions of Americans do not receive effective health care. More than 40 million Americans lack health insurance. The current health-care system wastes resources, thereby contributing to increasing health care costs. Many types of medical errors create a need for additional treatments. A highly fragmented system leads to unnecessary duplication of services and delays.

Women Blame Breast Cancer on Stress
A significant number of breast cancer survivors blamed stress for their disease and credited a positive attitude for their survival. In addition to positive attitude and tamoxifen, women in the survey credited their survival to: diet, healthy lifestyle, exercise, stress reduction, prayer and complementary therapies. Doctors treating women with breast cancer are urged to address the issue of beliefs in treatment and should use what they learn to help frame the woman's treatment in a way that makes sense to her.

Dr. Galland's Integrated Medicine
A large body of research over the past ninety years has demonstrated the preventive value of eating foods fermented with Lactobacilli or their cousins, Bifidobacteria. In "Using Friendly Flora" Leo Galland, M.D. explains how eating these friendly bacteria prevents intestinal infection due to viruses or pathogenic bacteria, preserves intestinal permeability in the face of infection or other types of injury, can prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea and travelers diarrhea, and can lower serum cholesterol levels. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria also show anti-cancer activity, by two mechanisms: they inhibit the growth or activity of cancer-promoting bacteria and some strains actually produce chemicals which inhibit tumor growth.

The Healer Within
The presence of special breathing practices in the ancient cultures has always been a mystery to people in the Western world. In "Breathing Practices" Dr. Roger Jahnke explains the numerous beneficial physiological mechanisms that are triggered when we turn our attention to the breath and then increase it's volume. When volume, rate and attention level are all altered, dramatic physiological, and even emotional, changes can occur. As it turns out, unknown to science until very recently, the action of the lungs, diaphragm and thorax are a primary pump for the lymph fluid, a lymph heart. This mechanism may be more important to the lymph heart than body movements. In addition, the breath is the source for oxygen which is the key element in the body's ability to produce energy. And the act of relaxed, full breathing moves the function of the autonomic nervous system towards balance or homeostasis.

Mind Over Matter
Have you ever wondered why you are a "night owl" or an "early bird"? In "It Keeps on Ticking: understanding your biological clock" Barry Bittman, M.D. explains how your "biological clock" works and why your quality of life and survival depends to a great extent on this internal timepiece that doesn't require winding or batteries.

Mind Boosters
A study of more than 6,000 persons ages 65 and older showed that a high intake of vitamin E from foods and/or dietary supplements was associated with reduced memory loss and other cognitive decline. This study was important because most of the previous research had focused on antioxidant nutrients as treatment therapy in persons who already had Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. In "Vitamin E Reduces Mental Decline Among Older Persons" Ray Sahelian, M.D. shares what he recommends for his patients as insurance to protect against these diseases from ever occurring.

Understanding Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines are often effective in treating the average case of mumps, and help reduce the chances of complications. In "Mumps" Dana Ullman, M.P.H. outlines common symptoms related to mumps, and suggests the appropriate homeopathic remedy for each.

"Creating An Imaginative Life" With Michael Jones
In this interview with Dr. Daniel Redwood, Michael Jones points out that while we often look at life in terms of its successes, the failures are what help us most. He discusses how being in the moment may lead to content of higher quality, or more beautiful aesthetic form. The deeper lesson for him is that the changes in our life come more through story than they do through ideas. And that we can begin to see the unfolding pattern of our life if we reconnect with the stories that are associated with them.

Featured Center
The Nutrition Center presents a broad range of information to the consumer and health professional on diet and nutrition from a group of leading experts in nutritional medicine, including Elson Haas, M.D., Melvyn Werbach, M.D., and Jonathan Wright, M.D. The center focuses on a healthy whole foods diet and the role of diet and nutrition in health and illness. The "Healthy Kitchen" section provides healthy recipes, columns from natural and organic-oriented chefs, "Fabulous Functional Food" and "There’s a Yogi in the Kitchen" information about food preparation, and instructions on setting up a whole foods kitchen. The Nutrition Centers provides access to specific dietary and nutritional programs, the latest nutritional research, and resources for further information and education.

Healthy Recipes
Danish chef Oscar Umahro Cadogan brings us a Fabulous Functional Foods recipe for "Rose Hip Pears with Maple-Lemon Sauce." This tasty, nutritious sauce transforms pears or apples into a delicious dessert.

Healthy Bookstore
Using simple, jargon-free explanations, "Healing Magnets: A Guide for Pain Relief, Speeding Recovery and Restoring Balance" by Sherry Kahn, MPH introduces the principles and practices of magnetic healing, including the use of magnets to: alleviate neck, back, shoulder, and foot pain, relieve headaches, accelerate the healing of bone fractures and soft tissue injuries, speed postoperative recovery and wound healing, reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia, treat depression.

Also featured are a variety of exciting, up-to-the-minute breakthroughs, describing how magnet therapy has relieved symptoms of arthritis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, post-stroke disabilities, congestive heart failure, and more. The book's comprehensive resource guide and appendixes will help any reader find experienced practitioners and buy the right magnets for home use.

Yoga at the Leading Edge
Celebrate the grace of movement and all that is yoga today
Lenox, MA USA
May 17-20, 2001
Contact: Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health - 800-741-7353