Effects of chemicals are slowly coming to light
Effects of chemicals are slowly coming to light
June 1, 2007
1 Comment
The May 27 article, "Research Links Sarin Gas to Gulf War Syndrome," was breathtaking. Researchers now are convinced that accidental sarin gas exposure was particularly harmful to soldiers who were also using insect repellent and a product called PB. The article states that these agents probably combined to allow more sarin, harmful chemicals and viruses to cross the blood brain barrier and cause more damage to brain cells.
This barrier is physiologic, and made up of robust membrane function that prevents many harmful chemicals from reaching brain cells. This Gulf War syndrome story is very likely a model for the epidemic of Alzheimer's disease that is now ravaging 60- and 70-year-olds in America.
Iowa has a stable population with very obtainable family histories, and for the past century, many citizens living into their 80s. With visionary leaders, Iowa could, relatively inexpensively, lead the nation in identifying contributing causes for the looming Alzheimer's epidemic.
Pharmaceutical companies have quietly stopped using aluminum in antacids. Manufacturers now believe that hot food touching plastic materials is bad, because plastic chemicals will leach into foods. Teflon is banned in California because it is potentially harmful, but "only if you heat it." Quietly, many physicians have begun to consider the temporal link between the fluoridation of drinking water and the timing of the neurologic disease increases since the 1970s.
The concern being that, like the Gulf War syndrome story, fluoride could be affecting what crosses the blood brain barrier, and in what amounts.
Until our leaders do more, I remain one of those kooky physicians advising patients and friends to drink filtered water, don't let hot food or hot drinks touch plastic, cook with cast iron, look for food in glass and waxed paper containers and be careful about microwaving food.
- Steven L Harlan, M.D.,
June 1, 2007
1 Comment
The May 27 article, "Research Links Sarin Gas to Gulf War Syndrome," was breathtaking. Researchers now are convinced that accidental sarin gas exposure was particularly harmful to soldiers who were also using insect repellent and a product called PB. The article states that these agents probably combined to allow more sarin, harmful chemicals and viruses to cross the blood brain barrier and cause more damage to brain cells.
This barrier is physiologic, and made up of robust membrane function that prevents many harmful chemicals from reaching brain cells. This Gulf War syndrome story is very likely a model for the epidemic of Alzheimer's disease that is now ravaging 60- and 70-year-olds in America.
Iowa has a stable population with very obtainable family histories, and for the past century, many citizens living into their 80s. With visionary leaders, Iowa could, relatively inexpensively, lead the nation in identifying contributing causes for the looming Alzheimer's epidemic.
Pharmaceutical companies have quietly stopped using aluminum in antacids. Manufacturers now believe that hot food touching plastic materials is bad, because plastic chemicals will leach into foods. Teflon is banned in California because it is potentially harmful, but "only if you heat it." Quietly, many physicians have begun to consider the temporal link between the fluoridation of drinking water and the timing of the neurologic disease increases since the 1970s.
The concern being that, like the Gulf War syndrome story, fluoride could be affecting what crosses the blood brain barrier, and in what amounts.
Until our leaders do more, I remain one of those kooky physicians advising patients and friends to drink filtered water, don't let hot food or hot drinks touch plastic, cook with cast iron, look for food in glass and waxed paper containers and be careful about microwaving food.
- Steven L Harlan, M.D.,
posted by Bill at
10:09 AM
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