Are You Swallowing Leads, Toxins, Molds And Pesticides Along With Your Diabetes Supplements?

It can be the Wild, Wild West out there ? with unscrupulous manufacturers taking advantage of the situation, selling a concoction of adulterated half remedies, made with less-than stated ingredient levels. USP/NF symbols help you sort through the alternative medicine.

November 6, 2006, Chicago, Illinois. USP/NF symbols help you sort through the Wild, Wild West of alternative medicine.

When shopping for off-the-shelf diabetic supplements, the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) and NF symbols on the package can be a good way to make sure you?re improving you health ? not hurting it.

USP and NF symbols are verification that the ingredients, grade, dosage strength and purity match the stated claims of the manufacturer.

Why is that important?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not have the resources or necessary manpower to closely control the vast number of over-the-counter diabetic weight loss and sugar control supplements flooding the market today (its estimated that 151 million Americans swallow $17 billion worth of dietary, health and diabetic supplements each year).

As a result, it can be the Wild, Wild West out there ? with unscrupulous manufacturers taking advantage of the situation, selling a concoction of adulterated half remedies, made with less-than stated ingredient levels.

According to recent studies, these is a rise in this kind of activity, increasing the value of USP and NF certification.

Founded in 1820, United States Pharmacopeia (http://www.usp.org) applies ?scientific and rigorous standards to the supplement industry?, states USP?s Chief Operating Officer, John Fowler.

?By selecting a supplement with USP?s certification mark, consumers can have a greater confidence in the products they purchase.?

USP uses four evaluation criteria when evaluating products:

? What?s on the label is, in fact, in the bottle ? all listed ingredients are available in stated amounts
? There are no harmful levels of contaminants, including lead, mercury, pesticides, molds and other contaminants
? Bioavailability, or the acceptance level of the body?s system to accept the active ingredients
? Product manufacturing standards conform to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)

Should you buy diabetic or weight loss products that don?t display the USP or NF label on their packaging? An expmple can be seen at (http://www.provenresultshealth.com/DiabXProductPage/productsafety.php).

Generally, USP approved products cost no more than an un-verified, un-substantiated brand, yet reduce the risk of taking a product that will hurt, not help you.

Give the Wild, Wild West environment today on the supplement shelf, looking for the USP symbol will, at least, give you some peace of mind.

About Proven Results Health (http://www.provenresultshealth.com) Proven Results Health is a manufacturer of diabetic weight loss and sugar control supplements. These products are verified by USP and NF, and are supported by clinical research.

A Vibrant Paint Job Is Not An Effective Mold Removal Solution

Most everyone will have mold in their homes at some point or another. Mold is a naturally occurring phenomena that has been on Earth for millennia.

What triggers mold growth indoors is the presence of moisture or humidity. Common places where indoor mold grows include the bathroom or basement. If you have had water damage of any kind, you might find mold growth.

Besides allergic reactions and other potential health effects from exposure to indoor mold, mold is just plain ugly. No one wants it in the house.

We might be tempted to just paint over the mold and hope we don't see it again. Unfortunately, that doesn't get rid of the problem. The paint will start to peel and flake off, and you'll see the mold all over again. If the cause of moisture that fed the mold is not removed, no amount of painting will get rid of the problem.

You might need a professional cleaner to remove the mold, but if mold removal is something you'd like to try yourself to save some money, here are some tips (consult with your doctor, first, if you have any health conditions that might be triggered by the mold):

Cleaning Mold from Hard Surfaces

Use detergent and water to scrub mold off hard surfaces and dry the area completely when you're done. If this surface is an area that you will be painting, be sure that it is dry before you paint. Also, make sure that the source of moisture had been corrected.

Cleaning Up Mold Caused by a Sewage Backup or Flood Water

If the mold is caused by water damage from sewage backup or floodwater, disinfect the area by spraying or wiping the area with a diluted bleach solution. This bleach solution should consist of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Don't inhale bleach fumes and by all means, do not mix bleach with other chemicals or cleaners because you could create toxic fumes that are much more hazardous than the mold itself. Again, once you have removed the mold, make sure that the area where it was growing is completely dry.

Cleaning up Mold From Absorbent or Porous Material

Unfortunately, moldy absorbent or porous materials such as carpet or ceiling tiles may have to be thrown away. This is because mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous material and it may be difficult or impossible to remove the fungus completely.

Cosmetic Damages to Art or Other Items from Mold

Mold can stain or create cosmetic damage to art, furniture, rugs or other items. You might need a furniture repair, carpet cleaning, or restoration specialist to remove the mold and restore your favorite item.

Mold grows from moisture and thrives in humid environments. If you have a roof leak or leaking pipe, fix it as soon as possible so that mold does not have a chance to grow. The rule of thumb is to remove the source of moisture within 24-48 hours and mold will not have a chance to thrive. Be sure to ventilate bathrooms and kitchens. If you have a dank basement or other humid area in your house, you might want to consider installing a dehumidifier or air conditioning unit.

Find out how you can prevent mold from growing in the first place by visiting The Mold and Mildew Info Site. Discover some of the health problems associated with mold and other reasons why it should be removed from the home or work place

Mmm Mmm - Gotta Love That Pie Mold

Pie mold. No, it's not the fuzzy stuff you find a week after Aunt Loretta sends you home with left-overs. Campers know what I'm talking about. Pie molds were all the rage in the Seventies--and they're still popular today. One of my favorite childhood memories is sitting around the campfire as a kid, feeling the warmth on my face, watching the flames dance, listening to the hiss and pop of burning wood, and smelling the acrid aroma that will linger in your clothes until their next washing. In this memory, I'm holding the wooden grips of a pie mold, keeping its cooking surface just above the hot coals on the fire's edge.

The Pie Mold was our campfire cooker, and a slick one at that. On the business end, two metal plates came together, sandwiching a creation of bread and toppings. Stick it in the fire a minute or two, pull it out, open it up, and wah-lah: You had a golden-brown pie filled with pizza fixings or cherry sauce or bacon and eggs or whatever else got your stomach growling and your mouth watering. It may not have been the healthiest of meals, but remember this is camping we're talking about. Save your salads and yogurt for home. When you're out in the woods, you gotta live a little.

There was a time I had forgotten this memory. High School and College have a tendency to erase some of your past, and for me the pie mold became a victim of that fate. I met a girl. We graduated from College, married, started a family--you know the drill. At some point in this process, I discovered something amazing: My wife's father makes pie molds. I'm not kidding. Talk about an uncanny way of reviving a childhood memory. Soon after I made this discovery, he told me the story.

Back in 1962, pie molds were around, but they were made of cast iron. The iron took forever to reach cooking temperature and it distributed heat unevenly. So instead of a golden-brown pie, you ended up with burnt crust and a lukewarm center. He had the idea that heavy-duty aluminum would work better. It would heat quickly, it would heat evenly, and it was light weight to boot. Not being a man to sit on the sidelines while another takes action, he called a foundry, invested in a pattern, and the Minute Pie Mold Company was born. As it turns out, he was right about the aluminum. The Minute Pie Mold outperformed the old cast-iron model in every way, and sales climbed as campers started using them.

Upon hearing his story, I called my parents, eager to see if the pie mold of my memory was a Minute Pie Mold. How cool would that be?

Well, I'm sorry to say my parents couldn't remember. It seems their divorce had put a damper on camping memories, and since a drop-down-drag-out custody battle over gear wasn't in the cards, that old pie mold was lost to the ages. But to this day, I firmly believe it was a Minute Pie Mold. Don't try to convince me otherwise.

So what's my point? Well, I'm not after free advertising for the Minute Pie Mold Company (although I'm sure you'd put a smile on an old man's face if you surf over to www.minutepiemold.com and take a peek at what I'm talking about) and I'm not trying to convince you that providence led me from an old campfire cooker to its creator's daughter.

What it does boil down to is this: Memories. If I hadn't married the daughter of a pie mold maker, I might have forgetten those campfire memories altogether. But I did marry the daughter of a pie mold maker. I do remember the campfire memories, and I did something about them. We have a campfire ring in the backyard and a whole set of Minute Pie Molds thanks to a generous family discount. Most important of all, the kids whoop and holler when we light a fire and break out the molds. They love pie mold nights. They're forming their own campfire memories, ones they will someday share with their children.

What childhood memories have you forgotten? Don't answer now. You can't. Afterall, they're forgotten. But if you slow down and pay attention, something will come back to you. And when it does, don't ignore it. Let it come back. Hold on to it. Remember it. Then take the time to share it with your children.
 

Ten Tips To Avoid Mold Problems and Lawsuits in Selling and Buying Real Estate

Mold Inspector Laboratory International, Ltd. recommends that real estate sellers, buyers, and real estate agents/brokers, in the UK, USA, Canada, and worldwide, follow ten steps to avoid mold problems and lawsuits in the selling and buying of real estate properties.

1. A property owner should not even offer the property for sale, or list it for sale with a Realtor or other real estate agent/broker, until after a thorough mold inspection and mold testing of the home, rental property, or commercial property. Hire a Certified Mold Inspector (USA and Canada), or use a do-it-yourself mold inspection checklist and mold test kits.

2. If the owner discovers visible or hidden mold problems, he should do safe and effective mold removal and remediation prior to offering the property for sale. Hire a Certified Mold Remediator (USA and Canada), or follow the recommended steps for safe and effective do-it-yourself mold remediation. Re-inspect and re-test the building after remediation.

3. The owner should avoid hiding or camouflaging mold problems by deceptions such as painting over mold growth; concealing mold growth behind stored items, furniture, furnishings, and decorations; and masking the distinctive smell of mold growth with air fresheners and deodorizers. The smell of mold is from the digestive gases of the mold eating the building materials.

4. The real estate sales contract should include an environmental inspection clause that grants at least a 14 to 21 day inspection period. The buyer should hire an independent inspector such as a Certified Mold Inspector, Certified Environmental Hygienist, industrial hygienist, and/or home inspector with mold expertise to inspect and test thoroughly the property for mold and other environmental dangers.

5. The mold inspector or the buyer himself should do an all-around physical examination of the building for both visible and hidden signs of water damage and mold growth. In addition, the inspector or the buyer should mold test the air and visible mold growths in all rooms, the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, plus the outward airflow from each heating/cooling duct register.

6. Mold testing requires mold laboratory analysis and mold species identification of the collected mold and air samples. In building locations with previous floods or leaks, the examination should also include fiber optics inspection to look inside water-penetrated surfaces for hidden mold infestations.

7. The seller should disclose in writing to all prospective buyers any previous or present building water and mold problems, and what the owner has done, if anything, to correct such problems. These water damage and mold disclosures should be attached to the real estate sales contract so that the buyer acknowledges receipt thereof.

8. If the property for sale is a USA residential property (home, condominium, co-op apartment), the seller should order ahead of time and provide to all prospective buyers the insurance industrys C.L.U.E. (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) Property Report that provides a five-year insurance loss history for a given address.

Every U.S.A. homeowner insurance claim inquiry or loss report by a homeowner (even including those that do not result in any loss payment) goes into the C.L.U.E. database. In some states (including California) it is becoming standard for sellers to provide Realtors with a copy of the C.L.U.E. report up front so that there are no unpleasant surprises at closing or afterwards.

9. In consideration of the sellers accurate and complete mold disclosure, and the buyers full and unrestricted opportunity to inspect and test the property thoroughly and carefully, the sales contract may include a sellers requirement that the real estate property is being sold as is with no implied or express warranties as to the physical, mold, and environmental condition of the property.

10. Similarly, the sales contract may also include a seller-requested clause that releases the seller, lender, and real estate agent/broker from all mold liability to the buyer. This release of liability should be contingent on the accuracy and completeness of the provided details in the sellers written mold disclosure and on the buyers full and unrestricted right to do mold inspection and mold testing prior to completing the property purchase.

For more mold inspection, testing, and remediation information, please visit:

http://www.certifiedmoldinspectors.com
http://www.moldinspection.com
http://www.moldinspector.com/mold_removal.htm
http://www.bleach-mold-myth.com
http://www.moldmart.net
http://www.ecology-college.com
http://www.mold.ph
Phillip Fry is a Certified Mold Inspector, Certified Mold Remediator, Certified Environmental Inspector, and author of the mold books Mold Health Guide, Mold Legal Guide, and Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, and Remediation