America"s Painful Self-Delusion

Authored by Allen Marshall (Crimson Avenger) via Defiant Living blog,

America is the only nation brought forth by a set of beliefs, and those beliefs, captured so eloquently in our founding documents, are some of the most powerful and inspiring ever conceived. We consider this to be the land of the free, where the individual is supreme and nothing prevents us from going as far as our talents can take us. That image of America – that “brand” – is incredibly strong.

However, there’s a very large gap between that long-held image and the reality of America today.

What was once a government built for the people is now a government run for the rich and powerful, one that throws the people under the bus whenever their interests differ from those of the corporate and political leaders who run the show.

And living in one world (the corrupt) while stubbornly believing you live in another (the ideal), despite mounds of evidence, causes a distinct kind of stress, often called cognitive dissonance.

Psychologists suggest that when people are in a state of cognitive dissonance, they’ll search for a way to resolve it, either by rejecting one view or the other as either wrong or unimportant. If you’re a smoker looking at the link between smoking and cancer, for example, you’ll either quit smoking or decide that the research is biased, wrong, or doesn’t apply (in other words, that you’re smart enough to quit before the long-term damage is done).

But what happens if you can’t resolve the two?

For most of us Americans, resolving our cognitive dissonance would mean either accepting that we’re impotent and living futile (and feudal) lives, or rejecting our lifestyles and actively fighting the rot in the system.

If we’re not willing to do either of those, the dissonance stays – and eats at us.

People carrying this kind of ongoing, underlying stress find ways of coping with it; in America we’re doing it with self-medication, compulsive behaviors and distractions. Consider the following examples of the way we cope with the ever-present stress in our lives:

• Drugs – Our country is awash in drugs, both legal and illegal, that keep us numb. In 2014, there were 245 million prescriptions filled for opioid pain relievers. The number of deaths from drug overdoses has risen from around 30,000 in 2005 to 64,000 in 2016. And communities across the country are being devastated by the opioid epidemic, as explained in this in-depth reporting by Cincinnati.com.


• Drinking – People don’t only use drugs to self-medicate; drinking does the trick as well, and we’re doing a lot more of it than we used to. According to a new study in JAMA Psychiatry, overall drinking in the US increased by 11% between 2002-13, while high-risk and problem drinking rose even higher: high-risk drinking rose by 29.9%, while problem drinking rose by 50%.


• Mental Illness – In 2015, 17.9% of adults held a diagnosis for a mental disorder, while a 2010 study found that 46.3% of children ages 13-18 had a mental disorder at some point in their young lives, and the majority of those adults and children are given prescriptions. This includes a dramatic increase in ADHD diagnoses for children: According to SharpBrains, “Among children aged 5 to 18, between 1991-92 and 2008-09, rates of ADHD diagnosis increased nearly 4-fold among boys – from 39.5 to 144.6 per 1000 – and nearly 6-fold for girls – from 12.3 and 68.5 per 1000 visits.”


• Obesity – If drinking and drugs aren’t your thing – or even if they are – more of us are coping with stress by overeating, and it’s showing up on our waistlines. From 1990 to 2016, the average percentage of obese adults increased from 11.1% to 29.8%; when you add in the number of people who are overweight but not obese, it rises to more than two in three adults.


• Sleeping problems – Sleep has a significant impact on our physical and mental health, and in America we’re not getting enough of it: The CDC states that 50-70 million American adults have a sleep or wakefulness disorder.


• Media Usage – Is there any better distraction from life’s problems than media? We certainly spend a lot of our time being passively entertained: In 2016, Americans consumed an average of 10 hours of media per day, compared with 7.5 hours per day globally. Nielson reports that lower income adults spend much more time with media than do affluent adults, with adults in households with include under $25,000 watching 211 hours/month of television, versus 113 hours/month for adults in households earning $75,000 or more. (The trend is similar across other media as well.)


• The Disease of Debt – According to the New York Fed, household debt reached a new peak in the third quarter of 2017, at $12.8 trillion. Part of our debt problem comes from the compulsive shopping we do as a distraction; the other results from denying the reality that our wages aren’t keeping up with the increase in the cost of living, meaning that we use debt to plug the gap rather than reducing our living standards to align with our reality.

We’re collectively doing so much damage to ourselves, solely to protect our psyches from the reality that the America that used to be is no longer the America we have. And who does that help? As you can see from the points above, it doesn’t help us: Instead, it helps the rich and powerful who are subverting the system. They’re corrupting everything this country once was, and by willfully refusing to acknowledge that reality, we’re inadvertently helping them to do it.

The best thing we can do – for our mental and physical health, as well as for our country – is to open our eyes to what America has become, not what we wish it still was. It’s time to face reality and take action.

Prenatal Exposure to Flame Retardants Linked With Lower IQ in Children

A report in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives reveals that prenatal exposure to flame retardants may lead to lower IQ test scores in children. Further, the more of the chemicals a pregnant woman is exposed to, the more likely she is to give birth to a child with lower intelligence. [1]

In the meta-analysis, researchers calculated that every tenfold increase in exposure to flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) was associated with a 3.7 point decline in kids’ IQ test scores.

Based on that calculation, PBDEs are even more detrimental to fetuses than lead – every tenfold increase in the neurotoxin is associated with “just” a 7-point decline in IQ scores, by comparison.

Study co-author Tracey Woodruff said:

“Even the loss of a few IQ points on a population-wide level means more children who need early interventions, and families who may face personal and economic burdens for the rest of their lives.” [2]

The meta-analysis summarizes and evaluates the full collection of relevant research on the safety of PBDEs. Ten of the studies the researchers included show a link between flame retardants and intelligence.

The team analyzed an additional 9 studies that searched for an association between exposure to flame retardants and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Juleen Lam, an associate research scientist at the University of California San Francisco, said the 9 papers don’t provide enough evidence of a connection between the chemicals and ADHD. [1]

However, the link between flame retardants and intelligence is undeniable, according to Lam.

“The evidence strongly suggests that PBDEs are damaging kids’ intelligence.”

Knowing this, Lam said, children should be protected from these chemicals to “prevent intelligence loss.”

She added:

“We’re really seeing this as a wake-up call to policymakers.”

Researchers are trying to tease out how PBDEs lower intelligence. So far, the evidence suggests the chemicals impair the activity of the endocrine system, the body’s systems of hormone-producing glands which play a role in the body’s circadian rhythm, sexual development, metabolism, and other functions. When a woman is pregnant, her endocrine system heavily influences the development of her fetus’ brain.

Read: Common Flame Retardant Chemical Found to Cause Brain Damage

There are multitudinous types of PBDEs, and several of them have already been banned in the United States. Most new furniture doesn’t contain those chemicals, said Arlene Blum, a scientist with the Green Science Policy Institute, who wasn’t involved in the study.

Nevertheless, Woodruff, a professor at UCSF, said that “everyone is exposed to PBDEs, so this means that there are potentially millions of IQ points that are lost across the population.” Moreover, “children can be affected for generations to come.” [2]

Banned But Still Prevalent

Source: Environmental Working Group

Another study led by Hurley, published in March, 2017, showed a gradual plateau in bodily levels of flame retardants – even an increase in some people. Hurley believes that’s likely because as people have disposed of or incinerated their old furniture, PBDEs have made their way into the environment. [1]

Now, Hurley theorizes, the chemicals are getting into the food supply, as old furniture and foams containing PBDEs have been tossed into landfills or incinerated, causing the chemicals to leach into runoff and/or spewed into the air.

Whether or not flame retardants actually make fires less deadly is up for debate. Bryan Goodman, a spokesman for the industry group American Chemistry Council, said that flame retardants help save lives by providing individuals with a critical layer of fire protection. He added that “the major manufacturers of flame retardants have spent millions of dollars on research both before and after their products go on the market.”

Read: How To Avoid Toxins In Flame-Retardant Household Products

Source: Environmental Working Group

However, some past studies seemed to suggest that flame retardants actually give rise to toxic fumes. Ami Zota, an environmental health scientist at George Washington University who studies flame retardants but wasn’t involved in the paper, said their efficacy is “not really backed up by well-supported data.”

Sources:

[1] Newsweek

[2] U.S. News & World Report

Environmental Working Group

Environmental Working Group

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Do You Know These 6 Causes Of ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is on the rise, and the ‘disorder’ is now affecting many adults. ^[1] With such an influx of new diagnoses each day, many people might be wondering what is causing it. As with any disorder there is a likely contributor, or a multitude of contributors. While it could be any number of things, chemicals could be a very likely factor in ADHD diagnosis. Let me share these 6 toxic causes of ADHD with you, and you can decide for yourself.

6 Contributors to ADHD

Children and adults are being diagnosed with ADHD at a quickening rate. Know these 6 contributors and see if any of them ring true in your own diagnosis.

1. Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy

A recent study suggests pregnant women might want to avoid acetaminophen. Children born to mothers who take the over-the-counter medication could have an increased risk of ADHD. ^[2] While the increase in risk is small—less than ten percent—is taking acetaminophen really worth it? ^[3]

     2. BPA Exposure

Found in some plastic, BPA is a fairly well-known endocrine disruptor that so many manufacturers have turned to making BPA-free products. Studies suggest its substitute bisphenol-S, or BPS, could be just as bad for your health. One study looked at brain development after BPA/BPS exposure in zebrafish embryos and found a link to hyperactivity. ^[4][5] While still very new, the findings suggest these chemicals could cause similar symptoms in humans.

3. Lead Poisoning

Exposure to lead is bad news, as this toxic compound can cause poisoning. The highly toxic metal can affect anyone at any age, but young children are especially vulnerable: Lead has a devastating effect on the developing brain, sometimes causing long-term damage. ^[6] The developmental effects can be devastating, with low-level exposure linked to low IQs and ADHD in children. ^[7]

4. Mercury Exposure

Many pregnant women tend to cut fish out of their diet completely in order to avoid mercury exposure. Like lead, mercury is a neurotoxin that should be avoided, but don’t give fish the boot just yet. While mercury could be linked to a higher risk of ADHD symptoms in children, eating more fish could possibly lower that same risk. ^[8] It’s all about balance and finding fish that carry a low mercury burden.

5. Smog and Air Pollution

One study suggests prenatal exposure to air pollution can increase the risk for ADHD in kids. ^[9] Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are emitted by burning fossil fuels, so completely avoiding them can be quite difficult. But limiting your exposure could be the answer since “children born to mothers with higher levels of PAH during pregnancy had five-fold increased odds of showing symptoms of ADHD than those who were born to mothers with lower levels.”

6. Consuming Food Dyes

For some children with ADHD, switching to foods without artificial coloring has helped manage symptoms, leading some researchers to believe there could be a link. ^[10] Unfortunately, products in the U.S. are not required to have a disclaimer connecting attention problems in children and dye consumption; however, some companies are shaping up when it comes to dyes. Kraft has already moved forward to get rid of yellow dyes from some of its character-shaped macaroni-and-cheese products in Europe and the U.S. ^[11]

 What Other Factors Contribute to ADHD?

There are some that just think our kids are too restrained, that ADHD is just a by-product of our generation. That’s something I’ll address in another entry, so be on the lookout! Toxic foods and ingredients like fluoride have definitely been implicated in ADHD symptoms, so it is best to go all natural or organic when trying to manage hyperactivity and poor focus. Doing something active that is also enjoyable could also be a great way to manage overactive energy levels and support concentration.

As for toxic exposure and ADHD, what do you think? Do you think there’s a connection? Tell us about it in the comments.

References:

1. Getahun, D. et al. Recent Trends in Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. JAMA Pediatrics. 167 (3).


2. Cooper, M. et al. Antenatal Acetaminophen Use and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. JAMA Pediatrics. 168 (4).


3. Liew, Z. et al. Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy, Behavioral Problems, and Hyperkinetic Disorders. JAMA Pediatrics. 168 (4).


4. Bilbrey, J. BPA-Free Plastic Containers May Be Just as Hazardous. Bilbrey, J.


5. Kinch, C. D. et al. Low-dose exposure to bisphenol A and replacement bisphenol S induces precocious hypothalamic neurogenesis in embryonic zebrafish. PNAS.


6. Liu J. et al. Blood lead levels and children’s behavioral and emotional problems: a cohort study. JAMA Pediatrics. 168 (8).


7. Schwartz, J. Low-level lead exposure and children’s IQ: a meta-analysis and search for a threshold. Environmental Research. 65 (1).


8. Sagiv, S. et al. Prenatal Exposure to Mercury and Fish Consumption During Pregnancy and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder–Related Behavior in Children. JAMA Pediatrics. 168 (12).


9. Perera, F. et al. Early-Life Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and ADHD Behavior Problems. PLOS ONE.


10. Arnold, L. E. et al. Artificial Food Colors and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Symptoms: Conclusions to Dye for. Neurotherapeutics. 9 (3).


11. Center for Science in the Public Interest. Kraft Takes Food Dyes out of Some, But Not Most, Macaroni and Cheese. Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Does ADHD Exist?

Did you catch my entry about 6 toxic causes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? In it, I mentioned that I’d look at the other side of the argument. Is this a true neurological disorder that needs life-long medical treatment, or is the ADHD diagnosis simply an overgeneralization of a underlying condition? So, let’s get down to what those folks believe: does ADHD actually exist?

The Truth about ADHD

With a 53 percent increase in ADHD cases over the last 10 years, many think that there’s an extreme overdiagnosis out there—that many primary care physicians tend to diagnose without looking at other factors. ^[1] The CDC notes that poverty is actually the biggest factor in an ADHD diagnosis. These children are often victim to environmental factors, but, rather than getting the help they need to cope with these, are just given a diagnosis and a pill. So now we have an explanation for at least some of the influx. What else?

Other Factors that Influence an ADHD Diagnosis

According to Angela Hanscom, a pediatric occupational therapist, some of the diagnoses could have something to do with the amount of time our children have to sit still. ^[2] Take the case of a 6-year-old boy who was labeled as having ADHD simply because he couldn’t sit still for the entire day. Does anyone else see the lack of logic in this situation? I’m sure a lot of children (and some adults) have trouble keeping their seat for eight hours straight.

Still, others think the over diagnosis is also caused by simple misdiagnosis; “the symptoms of ADHD are also the symptoms of some learning disabilities, of depression, of having been mistreated, or of a chaotic classroom. ADHD too often can be a convenient label to describe problems that have other origins.” ^[3]

Going along with this idea is the theory that pharmaceutical companies are blowing the ADHD problem way out of proportion. Why? Money, of course. The sales of stimulants were up to $9 billion in 2012; that’s up from $1.7 billion a decade ago. ^[4] And marketing for these drugs is usually fairly extreme, with one ad even citing a stimulant as “safer than aspirin.” The FDA even had to get in on policing this issue, citing every major drug for ADHD as misleading consumers with false advertising multiple times since 2000.

What to Consider with ADHD

Nutritional factors for ADHD are very real, and you can’t expect one to be focused during the day on a junk-food diet. Lack of exercise and sunlight are also important factors, as physical exercise–particularly outside–can support mood and release excess energy. Certainly, these are things to think about, but then again, if you or your child have ADHD, you might have a decidedly different opinion.

So what do you think? Is ADHD a real condition, or is it something entirely different? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Findings: Trends in the Parent-Report of Health Care Provider-Diagnosis and Medication Treatment for ADHD: United States, 2003—2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


2. Strauss, V. Why so many kids can’t sit still in school today. The Washington Post.


3. Healy, M. The ADHD explosion: A new book explores factors that have fueled it. The LA Times.


4. Schwarz, A. The Selling of Attention Deficit Disorder. The New York Times.

The 4 Most Disturbing Facts About ADHD

Kids (and adults) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulties staying on task or finishing things, and while there are other problems associated with it, these two symptoms alone can make life tough. There are facts you should know about ADHD and here are the four most disturbing.

1. ADHD Can Result from Trauma

People who have ADHD likely wonder, just what caused this? Well, a recent report suggested it could be environmental and that an ADHD diagnosis could be connected to childhood trauma. ^[1] For example, things like the death of a parent or domestic violence are termed ‘adverse childhood events (ACEs).’ The more ACEs in a child’s life, the more likely it is that child has (or will be diagnosed with) ADHD.

2. ADHD Can Cause Premature Death

Recent evidence suggests that the implications of an ADHD diagnosis can be far more serious than simply not completing tasks. In a multi-decade study following almost 2 million people, those with ADHD (about 32,000) were twice as likely to die earlier. ^[2] If that wasn’t bad enough, those deaths were often from unnatural causes—usually accidents. The risk of dying also went up based on a person’s age at diagnosis, and women and girls with ADHD were at a higher risk of early deaths than men and boys.

     3. ADHD Could Be Something We Give Ourselves

There’s a lot of evidence to suggest that a major factor for ADHD could be toxin exposure. Tobacco use, especially during pregnancy, or even being around cigarette smoke, can put your child at a greater risk for ADHD. ^[3]Fluoridated water could be tied to ADHD; in one study, scientists “found that states with a higher portion of artificially fluoridated water had a higher prevalence of ADHD.” ^[4] It’s even been found that pesticides have a huge impact on ADHD. ^[5]

4. ADHD is Being Treated with Dangerous Drugs and Little Else

This is probably the worst… only about a quarter of U.S. children with ADHD are treated with behavioral therapy. ^[6] The rest rely solely on dangerous stimulants. And some think that the over reliance on drugs has less to do with medicine and more to do with big business. ^[7] Pharmaceutical companies really push these medications–often with extreme marketing tactics. This leads many to believe that when it comes to ADHD, our society is over medicated. Take into account that safety testing is pretty spotty—and, well, they could be onto something. ^[8]

One Final Thought

But with all the disturbing facts out there surrounding ADHD, keep in mind that you might not even have it. There are a lot of conditions that can mimic ADHD—thyroid disorders or certain allergies, for example. But if you are completely certain it’s ADHD, there is research out there that suggests ADHD symptoms can be avoided through exercise. ^[9] Another report suggests living at higher altitudes leads to fewer ADHD cases. ^[10] Still, many children just “outgrow” ADHD symptoms, but there are many adults that still experience difficulties. ^[11]

What do you think about ADHD? Tell us about it in the comments.

References:

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Study finds ADHD and trauma often go hand in hand. ScienceDaily.


2. Dalsgaard, S. et al. Mortality in children, adolescents, and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a nationwide cohort study. The Lancet.


3. Holz, N. E. et al. Effect of Prenatal Exposure to Tobacco Smoke on Inhibitory Control. JAMA Psychiatry.


4. Malin, A. J. & Till, C. Exposure to fluoridated water and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States: an ecological association. Environmental Health. 14 (7).


5. Richardson, J. R. et al. Developmental pesticide exposure reproduces features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The FASEB Journal.


6. Gellad, E. F. et al. Geographic Variation in Receipt of Psychotherapy in Children Receiving Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medications. JAMA Pediatrics..


7. Conrad, P. & Bergey, M. R. The impending globalization of ADHD: Notes on the expansion and growth of a medicalized disorder. Social Science & Medicine.


8. Bourgeois, F. T. et al. Premarket Safety and Efficacy Studies for ADHD Medications in Children. PLoS ONE. 9 (7).


9. Hoza, B. et al. A Randomized Trial Examining the Effects of Aerobic Physical Activity on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Young Children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 43 (4).


10. Huber, R. S. et al. Association Between Altitude and Regional Variation of ADHD in Youth. Journal of Attention Disorders.


11. Mattfeld, A. T. et al. Brain differences between persistent and remitted attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Brain. 137.

Study Reveals Link Between Fluoride And ADHD

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, has risen in dramatic proportions these last few years, leading many to speculate one or more environmental triggers are tied to the issue. Fluoride, a common chemical additive discussed frequently on this blog, has been implicated more than once in the shocking increase of ADHD cases. A new study reveals a very strong correlation between water fluoridation and ADHD; however, a correlation doesn’t always equal a causation. Still, it’s just one study out of a long line of many that have been contributing to the question for years: does water fluoridation increase behavioral disorders?

The Fluoride and ADHD Debate

The study revitalizing the fluoride-ADHD link reports a significant correlation between fluoride exposure and ADHD symptoms/diagnosis, even across six different years. ^[1] The authors of the study noted that states who received the most fluoridated water had more ADHD diagnoses even after controlling for socioeconomic status. Considering the fact that fluoride interferes with hormone balance, it’s no wonder why we should be wary of this potential toxin.

Fluorosilicic acid is the main form of fluoride added to drinking water and is a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer manufacturing. This form has been shown to leach lead from pipes which has been shown to elevate lead–a potent neurotoxin–in the body. ^[2] Lead has been directly linked to ADHD development. Fluoride may also impact thyroid health, which could also contribute to improper brain development. ^[3] What’s more, one study has shown that there is nine percent more cases of hypothyroidism in fluoridated areas than non-fluoridated areas in England. ^[4]

What You Can Do It is crucial you are consuming filtered or distilled water at all times in order to avoid the possible complications from fluoride ingestion. Whether you know it or not, you could be consuming fluoridated water through processed foods and beverages, too, so it may be best to reduce the consumption of these products. Consume more whole foods and make your meals using whole, fresh ingredients. Supplement with iodine to keep your thyroid health in check if you are in a situation where you must drink fluoridated water, or if you are eating or drinking certain things of questionable quality.

References:

1.  Ashley J Malin and Christine Till. Exposure to fluoridated water and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States: an ecological association. Environmental Health. 2015, 14:17. doi: 10.1186/s12940-015-0003-1.

2.  Coplan MJ, Patch SC, Masters RD, Bachman MS. Confirmation of an explanations for elevated blood lead and other disorders in children exposed to water disinfection and fluoridation chemicals. Neurotoxicology. 2007 Sep;28(5):1032-42.

3.  A. Strunecka, O. Strunecky, J. Patocka. Fluoride Plus Aluminum: Useful Tools in Laboratory Investigations, but Messengers of False Information. Physiol. Res. 51: 557-564, 2002.

4.  S Peckham, D Lowery, S Spencer. Are fluoride levels in drinking water associated with hypothyroidism prevalence in England? A large observational study of GP practice data and fluoride levels in drinking water. J Epidemiol Community Health.