World Health Organization says playing video games is a mental health disorder, but believing you’re the opposite gender is somehow excellent mental health

The World Health Organization recently released the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) manual. Under the new guidelines, playing video games can constitute a mental disorder — but having a transgender identity does not. The juxtaposition of these two new classifications has left many a person scratching their head. The classification of gamers as “mentally ill” has been particularly controversial.
While the WHO used to consider “gender incongruence” as a “mental illness,” the newest version of the ICD puts transgender issues under the “sexual health conditions” camp. Not long ago, the American Psychiatric Association pulled off a similar move, eliminating the term “gender identity disorder” from their manual. But some have questioned if the reclassification and re-branding of gender identity disorders has less to do with “science” and more to do with the left-wing’s political agenda.

Is “gaming disorder” even real?

While the WHO has added “gaming disorder” to its chapter on mental illness in the ICD, there is no shortage of issues with this decision. Most notably, is the fact that their description of the “illness” is so incredibly broad that it’s impossible to define. The criteria include: “gaming is strongly preferred over other activities, the patient does not stop even when there are negative consequences like doing badly at work, compulsive gaming strains the patient’s life or relationships, and all this has been happening for at least a year.”
As sources explain,”gaming” can easily be substituted with virtually any behavior or substance in this description — which means it’s not a problem with video games explicitly. Moreover, the description provided by the ICD basically states that sometimes, people who play video games play them too much — something that could be said of any hobby or activity.

Are the changes to “gender incongruence” just for show?

Many people, including liberals and feminists, have spoken out about the political motivations surrounding trans issues. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has written about the politics of such decisions regarding transgender issues, noting that changing the parameters of what constitutes a “mental illness”and what doesn’t is extremely advantageous for the political left. Shapiro states:

It’s cruel to allow a mentally ill person to exploit himself in public, but the political left is happy to do so in order to perpetuate the pseudo-scientific nonsense that a man can magically turn into a woman. Their agenda: If men and women are the same but for hormone therapy, implants and repeated surgical intervention, then all disparities between male and female can be attributed to societal biases. And those societally created “gender constructs” can be corrected only by massive government intervention, including re-education of children.

The WHO admits to their own less-than-scientific motivations for the change, as the agency notes that moving “gender incongruence” to the sexual health conditions category should “help to reduce stigma.”
Dr. Lale Say, a coordinator from WHO’s Adolescents and At-Risk Populations team, commented, “So in order to reduce the stigma while also ensuring access to necessary health interventions, this was placed in a different chapter.”
Say contended that the organization has a “better understanding of the condition” now, and that leaving it labeled as a mental health condition was “causing stigma.”
If the focus of this decision is on removing stigma for trans people, it’s not really a “science-based” decision, as the WHO is touting it to be — it’s a political one.
While no one should be attacked for their “identity,” “disorder” or whatever you want to call it, pretending that these agenda-based decisions are solely made on “science” isn’t doing anyone any favors.

New study reveals that the malaria parasite can infect you as deep as your bone marrow

A study published in the online journal mBio revealed that the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium vivax infects its hosts much, much deeper than previously thought. Researchers found evidence that the parasite penetrates as deep as the bone marrow where it often stays undetected and unimpeded from starting and spreading disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that of the 216 million cases of malaria around the world in 2016, about 445,000 ended in death. The disease is caused by plasmodia, microscopic parasites that victimize blood cells.
The parasites are transmitted by the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes, which pick up the microorganism from infected carriers they have previously bitten. Like other blood-transmitted diseases, malaria can be passed on through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and sharing needles and syringes. An infant can also inherit the disease from an infected mother in a case called congenital malaria.
There are four known parasites responsible for causing the condition. Among them, Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest, causing around 90 percent of deaths.
P. vivax is known as the “benign” malaria not because its infection results in fewer deaths, but because it causes little to no symptoms. Blood tests on its hosts also detect low parasite numbers. Scientists now know why. (Related: Drug-resistant Malaria? Medication has failed for the first time.)
When malaria-causing parasites enter the human body, they proceed to the liver where they mature. After several days, they enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells, inside which they multiply. They kill the cell by bursting it open and then look for other cells to attack. It is this savage cycle that causes the symptoms attributed to malaria.

The search for P. vivax

In the case of P. vivax, the researchers believe that the parasites form a reservoir inside the bone marrow where even current blood tests cannot detect them. This explains why very few parasites are usually found in the blood.
“We suspected there was a parasite reservoir somewhere in the body, and nobody had found it yet,” said senior author Matthias Marti, professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of Glasgow‘s Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation.
Suspicions of the reservoir being in the bone marrow arose after observations that P. vivax often targeted young blood cells. The bone marrow is responsible for the production of blood cells.
To confirm their hypothesis, the researchers analyzed P. vivax’s transcriptome to identify the blood-borne proteins that act as markers corresponding to every stage of the microbe’s life cycle. They then searched for these markers in blood samples from infected patients.
They discovered that the blood samples did not represent a large portion of the parasites’ life stages. This meant that these stages occurred and accumulated in another area of the body.
The team then studied infected tissues from 13 non-human primate sources (malaria can also infect apes). These tissues included subcutaneous fat, brain, intestine, liver, lung, and bone marrow. The first three yielded few to no parasites, but an examination of the last three revealed antibody reactions to all stages of P. vivax’s life cycle.
Examination of the liver and bone marrow also located parasites outside of blood vessels. The scientists estimated that these two organs alone represented 30 percent of the animals’ parasite burden or the total number of parasites. Further studies are being conducted on how malaria develops inside the bone marrow.
The study’s findings are crucial to the development of blood tests that are more capable of finding hidden agents of malaria and other diseases.
“The study opens up a new area of investigation,” Marti said.

Consuming Moringa oleifera powder is beneficial for diabetics

Researchers from the University of Guadalajara in Mexico have suggested that powdered Moringa oleifera leaves could provide some benefit for people with diabetes. In the study, published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the effects of M. oleifera on glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, corporal weight, and predominant groups of microbiota were evaluated.

• M. oleifera has been known to potentially lower blood glucose and lipids because of its polyphenol content and other compounds.
• Researchers carried out the study on alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice.
• The mice were randomly distributed into five groups: one control group, one healthy group treated with M. oleifera, one untreated diabetic group, one diabetic group treated with M. oleifera, and one diabetic group treated with glibenclamide.
• Mice that belonged to the M. oleifera treatment groups received a dose of 50 milligrams (mg) daily for eight weeks, while those that belong to the glibenclamide treatment group received 600 micrograms per kilogram of body weight (μg/kg) daily for eight weeks.
• Researchers measured the glucose level and body weight of the mice once a week. They also assessed the cholesterol and triglyceride levels of the mice at the end of the study.
• Based on the results, the consumption of M. oleifera leads to the reduction of glucose levels and enterobacteria population without causing any adverse effect.
• Researchers suggested that their study on M. oleifera leaf powder consumption can bring new information about its safety and as an option of plant preservation without losing its nutrients.

The findings of the study indicate that the consumption of M. oleifera leaf powder could be beneficial for those with diabetes mellitus.

Fucoidan is an ideal polysaccharide to treat prostate cancer, new science shows

Fucoidan, a bioactive polysaccharide extracted mainly from algae, has been discovered to have significant potential as an anticancer treatment. This study, published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, looked into fucoidan’s anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects and determined the role of JAK-STAT3 pathways in the protection.

• The researchers treated DU-145 human prostate cancer cells with 100–1000 μg/mL of fucoidan.
• Using MTT, EdU, Transwell, and Matrigel cell assays, they studied cell viability, proliferation, migration and tube formation respectively.
• They injected athymic nude mice with DU-145 cells to induce xenograft model and then treated the animals with 20 mg/kg of fucoidan for 28 days via oral gavage.
• The researchers took note of tumor volume, tumor weight, vascular density in the tumor tissue, and protein expression and phosphorylation of JAK and STAT3 pathways.
• Researchers found that that fucoidan inhibited the viability and proliferation of DU-145 cells. Cell assays revealed mitigated cell migration and tube formation.
• The 28-day animal showed inhibited angiogenesis and hindered tumor growth.
• The treatment reduced phosphorylated JAK and STAT3 in the tumor tissue and limited the activation of STAT3-regulated genes, such as VEGF, Bcl-xL, and Cyclin D1.

After looking at their findings, the researchers concluded that fucoidan’s anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic properties make it a viable alternative and complementary treatment for prostate cancer.

10 Healing Superfoods You Can Grow In Your Garden

      The key to a healthy diet is within your reach. You don’t need to go far to get it – since all you’ll be needing is a plot of land in your garden and some elbow grease.

1. Apples – These fruits are packed with vitamin C and soluble fiber, making it great for the heart and blood cholesterol. In addition, apples also help with weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, and cancer prevention, dig a hole that’s twice as wide as the pot your apple tree comes in. Then, remove the tree from the pot, loosen its root ball, and spread the roots. Fill the hole with the soil you dug out and water the tree well.
2. Barley – Roman gladiators consumed barley so much that they were known as “hordearii” or barley eaters. It’s for a good reason: The grains are an excellent source of energy with its complex carbohydrates, and it also aids in weight loss. To get the most out of barley, it’s best to consume less-processed versions of it., ensuring that there are 20 to 25 seeds per square foot of space.
3. Cantaloupe – This superfood has a variety of uses: Aside from being a diuretic, it also prevents cancer, treats hepatitis, and even repels worms. It’s a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium. Cantaloupe thrives in warm soil. Spread the plants out at least 18 inches. Ensure the soil remains moist, and water weekly. Add compost to the base of plants every four weeks.
4. Carrots – These have been in American folk medicine to treat many disorders, including asthma and skin disorders. The beta-carotene that are in carrots is a potent antioxidant which repels free radicals and prevents cellular damage. You can grow carrots in containers. Sow carrot seeds two to three inches apart in a pot at least 12 inches deep.
5. Garlic – It’s been used in treatment since the time of the ancient Egyptians, thanks to its ability to destroy various kinds of bacteria. Multiple studies, however, have proven that it can treat so much more – it also possesses antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-protozoan, and antiviral properties which can address various diseases. Garlic is almost a maintenance-free crop. Simply plant garlic cloves into well-drained soil in spring or autumn, then leave them to it. The foliage will turn yellow and will die back during late summer. Lift and dry them in the sun before storing them.
6. Onions – For over 6,000 years, onions have been used for its medicinal properties. In particular, these work wonders for the cardiovascular system – working as anticoagulants to break up clots, prevent blood cells from clumping, and increase good cholesterol. Like garlic, onions are a virtually maintenance-free crop. Plant onion bulbs like how you would plant garlic cloves.
7. Peas – Peas contain fibers that lower cholesterol, as well as antioxidants and vitamins A and C that fight viruses and carcinogens. Sow them directly into the ground from March to June. Then, simply put some chicken wire or netting between supports at each end of the row.
8. Strawberries – These succulent fruits contain antioxidants that fight cancer and fibers that help lower cholesterol and aid in weight loss. Strawberries can be planted anywhere where there is enough sunlight. Ensure that your container is at least 12 to 14 inches deep for its roots to grow. Fill the container with healthy soil. Plant your strawberries in the soil. Keep them well watered throughout the growing season.
9. Sweet potatoes – Also known as the “rheumatism root,” sweet potatoes have been used as anti-arthritic and antispasmodic food. These are also rich in beta-carotene, which makes it good for cancer prevention. Sweet potatoes are typically grown from slips. Plant the slips in raised rows, about eight inches high. Place them about 12 to 18 inches apart with three to four feet between rows. Don’t water them during the final three to four weeks before harvest to prevent them from slipping.
10. Tomatoes – Tomatoes are not only low in calories, but they are also a great source of vitamins C and A. They are also known for their lycopene content, which can reduce the risks of certain cancers. The juice of tomato can be used to fight the smell of skunks spray. To keep tomatoes fresh, store them at room temperature. Pick a bush variety which can be planted in hanging baskets and window boxes.

Some The Cancer healing Food You May Need

Cancer remains one of the trickiest medical conditions to treat, with no clear solution or completely effective treatment. Because it strikes so many people, it has also been the subject of countless studies. In this huge body of research, some foods have been repeatedly identified as being effective at killing cancer stem cells.

This is critical because the fact that chemotherapy doesn’t eradicate cancer stem cells is believed to be the reason that people experience recurrences and metastasis. These cells, sometimes called “mother cells”, only make up a small portion of the cells in tumors but continuously self-renew and resist chemotherapy. They can also split off to create new colonies of tumors, which is why destroying them is the key to effectively treating cancer in the long term. Drugs don’t specifically target these cells, but researchers have found lots of natural substances that do address them. Here’s a look at some of the best cancer cell killers nature has to offer.

Green Tea

Green tea has long been used in Chinese medicine for a host of ailments, but only recently have researchers uncovered its incredible potential for treating cancer. Researchers from Baylor University Medical Center have found that green tea’s active ingredient, EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), kills cancer stem cells and by extension can prevent people from resisting chemotherapy. While EGCG is also present in black tea, green tea contains much more of it. Their research was focused on treating colorectal cancer, but they believe other types of cancer can also benefit from green tea.

Ginger

Pre-clinical research shows that a compound in ginger has a 10,000-times greater efficacythan the popular chemotherapy drug Taxol when it comes to killing breast cancer stem cells. The component, which is known as 6-Shogaol, is produced when ginger root is cooked or dried, and its cancer-killing effects can take place at concentrations that aren’t toxic to healthy cells, unlike conventional cancer treatment.

Turmeric

Curcumin, a component in the ancient Indian spice turmeric, can selectively target cancer stem cells without hurting the normal stem cells needed for tissue regeneration, according to studies. It has been shown to target cancer stem cells in breast cancer, head and neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer and brain cancer.

Grapes

The compounds found in grapes have been shown to kill colon cancer stem cells in studies from Penn State University. Resveratrol, which is found in the skins and seeds of grapes, was found to kill the stem cells in petri dishes as well as live mice, and researchers believe the finding could lead to treatments that can prevent colon cancer, which is one of the most common types of cancer today. When resveratrol and grape seed extract were taken together, their effects were particularly potent, yet they didn’t harm healthy cells.

Other foods that kill cancer stem cells

While these are some of the most potent anti-cancer foods available, there are plenty of other foods that can kill cancer stem cells. GreenMedInfo recently compiled a list of 25such foods. In addition to the foods we’ve just mentioned, you’ll also find entries like blueberries, carrots, coffee, grapefruit, mint, cherries, onions, black pepper and thyme.

The abundance of foods that can have a big impact on cancer remind us just how effectively and safely nature can help us deal with the biggest health issues of our time. Many doctors aren’t well-versed on this topic, and others have financial motivations to keep pushing the latest expensive and often dangerous drugs on patients, so you owe it to yourself to look at the available research and find out just how much the right foods can do for your health.

7 Reasons why preppers love activated charcoal

Did you know that there’s a type of charcoal that’s favored by preppers for its survival utility?

Also referred to as activated carbon, activated charcoal is generally charcoal that has been processed further in order to remove some of the material to make it more porous. At the same time, it is infused with oxygen. As a result, the charcoal is generally more reactive, but still safe for use with certain medical treatments.

Preppers love activated charcoal as it has many benefits and uses. Like the regular charcoal, activated charcoal can be used to start fires. However, it will not produce the same kind of smoldering coals from normal charcoal because of its exceedingly porous nature. It is also a good marking tool, which can be applied in different ways and surfaces. It can be used for writing notes or as camouflage. Here are seven more reasons why preppers love it:

1. It is a poison and toxin treatment – Activated charcoal can be used when someone has consumed poison or a toxic substance. This is one of the most common medical benefits of activated charcoal. It can remove the poison or toxins from the body because of its porous nature, which enables the poison and toxins to migrate freely within it. Moreover, the naturally reactive nature of carbon chemically bonds with the poison or toxic substances. Eventually, this process traps the poison or toxin within the body in a non-reactive form until the body can then process the bigger activated charcoal molecule and eliminate it from the body together with the toxic substance. Avoid mixing activated charcoal with other poison or toxin remedies as it may absorb that too.
2. It has anti-parasitic properties – Because of its porous nature, the parasites can flow freely within the molecules. After entering the molecules, carbon traps the parasites until they are passed through the system.
3. It aids in digestion – Being out in the wild, preppers may experience diarrhea because of tainted food or water or because of some errant microorganism. Activated charcoal can help in digestion by acting as a stool hardener, which prevents you from getting dehydrated. It can also relieve other digestive problems like bloating.
4. It can filter water – When bugging out, it is important to have clean water. Activated charcoal can be a substitute for portable water filter if it fails to work. However, it has its limitations. Although it is a strong anti-parasitic, it cannot work as well for bacteria or viruses. (Related: Preppers chemistry: How to make your own activated charcoal water filter and hand warmers.)
5. It improves skin – Activated charcoal can be used as a skincare product even when you are out in the wild. It can be useful in fighting disease and infection that can be contracted through the skin. The body will surround the infection with white blood cells and create a protective pus bubble, which activated charcoal can remove. Activated charcoal can also remove acne or more advanced pore blockages.
6. It whitens teeth – It can be used as a teeth whitener. It works as a type of grit which is strong enough to remove plaque and prevents it from reattaching.
7. It is a general detoxifier – Activated charcoal can help detoxify the body. Consuming activated charcoal periodically when you are physically fit can help keep body organs clean and free from toxins like heavy metals.