Benzodiazepines — A Prescription for Dependency and the Fight for Change

As Prescribed

In conventional mental health treatment, benzodiazepines have long been a staple for managing anxiety, insomnia and various other conditions. Medications such as Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin are prescribed to millions, offering temporary relief to those grappling with overwhelming stress and panic.

However, as illuminated in film “As Prescribed,” the widespread use of benzodiazepines carries significant risks of dependency, severe withdrawal symptoms and profound impacts on individuals and their families.1 The documentary explores the human cost of benzodiazepine dependence, the legislative battles to regulate their prescription, the divided stance within the medical community and the support systems emerging to help those affected.

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/12/21/benzodiazepines-as-prescribed-documentary.aspx

Why Autoimmune Conditions Are On The Rise

Digestive System

Laura Frontiero writes:

Did you know that autoimmune conditions have tripled in the last 30 years?

Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Hashimoto’s, lupus are your body’s way of waving a red flag – and mounting evidence suggests that flag is often planted in your gut.

The Gut-Immune Connection

Groundbreaking research has revealed that the root cause of many autoimmune disorders may lie in the gut microbiome.

Your gut lining serves as a critical barrier, carefully controlling what enters your bloodstream. When this delicate barrier becomes compromised (a condition known as “leaky gut”), it can trigger a cascade of immune dysfunction.

Toxins, undigested food particles, and harmful bacteria that leak through the damaged gut lining can provoke your immune system into a state of high alert, leading to chronic inflammation and misguided attacks on healthy tissues.

The Surprising Symptoms

This gut-driven immune confusion can manifest in seemingly unrelated ways:

Inexplicable joint pain and stiffness

Chronic skin conditions that won’t resolve

Persistent tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest

Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

While these symptoms may seem disconnected, they often share a common denominator: a leaky gut that needs repair.

How to Resolve Autoimmunity

Healing your gut lining is a critical step in restoring immune regulation and calming the systemic inflammation that fuels autoimmunity.

However, many leaky gut symptoms actually have no digestive component, which is why it often goes unnoticed and untreated.

There are 10 surprising symptoms you should know about – and I’ve created a resource that walks you through each one…

Plus, the science-backed strategies to help repair your gut and rebalance your immune function.
Decode Your Symptoms

If you’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition – or you are experiencing the symptoms in my guide – taking the actions I’ve outlined can help kickstart your healing.

Of course, that’s just the first step.

The next one should involve speaking with a healthcare provider and also getting a gut test.

This test reveals exactly what’s going on in your microbiome – including unseen infections, too many “bad” gut bugs, and the presence of sneaky pathogens wreaking havoc and fanning the flames of inflammation – so we can take targeted actions to resolve those issues.

Chances are good that once you resolve the root causes causing your immune system to be on overdrive, you can alleviate (or even reverse!) your autoimmunity.

Pop into my article “Leaky Gut Signs: 10 Common Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore” for all the details: https://laurafrontiero.com/10-common-symptoms-you-shouldnt-ignore/

Take Good Care,

Laura

Take Care of Yourself – Doc Morris Christmas Advert 2020

Take Care Of Yourself

This Christmas ad is all about keeping fit and healthy – encouraging people to take care of themselves so they can take care of others and those that truly matter in life. Produced by DocMorris of Germany, the short video follows a man who is deciding to do just that … take care of himself. It inspires all of us … young or not-so-young … to get up and work hard to take the necessary steps to improve our overall health.

https://www.flixxy.com/take-care-of-yourself-doc-morris-christmas-advert-2020.htm

Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) – The Infamous Classic in Stunning 60fps

Star Wars Holiday Special

Step back to 1978 for the ultimate Star Wars curiosity—The Holiday Special! Now in smooth 60fps, this rarity delivers an intergalactic mix of cringe and nostalgia. Witness the Wookiee Life Day celebration, bizarre musical numbers, and the animated debut of Boba Fett! May the Force be with you!     The Star Wars Holiday Special is an American television special originally broadcast by CBS on November 17, 1978. It is set in the universe of the sci-fi-based Star Wars media franchise. Directed by Steve Binder, it was the first Star Wars spin-off film, set between the events of the original film and the yet-to-be-released sequel The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It stars the main cast of the original Star Wars and introduces the character of Boba Fett, who appeared in later films. It has become something of a cultural legend due to the underground quality of its existence.

https://www.flixxy.com/star-wars-holiday-special-1978-the-infamous-classic-in-stunning-60fps.htm

See You At The Cafe?

See You At The Cafe

Featuring the incredible Jean-Baptiste Chandelier – the undisputed king of paragliding very close to the ground – with ski legend and rally driver Luc Alphand & snowboarding champion Pierre Vaultier.   Location: Mont Prorel, Briançon, France.  Mont Prorel, culminating at 2566 meter altitude, is a mountain peak in the French Alps.   Music: “Dreams & Fears” by Into Lala.

https://www.flixxy.com/see-you-at-the-cafe.htm?

Types of muscle contractions

There are three main types of muscle contractions:
 
eccentric
concentric
isometric
 
Eccentric contractions are lengthening movements of your muscles.
 
Examples of these are:
 
walking
lowering a dumbbell
calf raises
squats
triceps extensions
 
A concentric contraction is a type of muscle activation that causes tension on your muscle as it shortens.
 
Examples of these are:
 
lifting objects
bicep curl
extending from a pushup
standing from a squat
hamstring curls
situps
 
Isometric movements are muscle contractions that do not cause your joints to move. Your muscles are activated, but they are not required to lengthen or shorten. As a result, isometric contractions generate force and tension without any movement through your joints.
 
Examples of these are:
 
plank holds
The muscles of the arms when holding or carrying an object in front of you in a steady position
holding a dumbbell weight in place halfway through a bicep curl
bridge holds
wall sits

World’s Most Toxic Meat, Did They Trick You?

Fake Meat Dangers

Joseph Mercola writes:

At face value, fake meat sounds like the perfect solution to end world hunger, protect animal welfare and save the planet from environmental destruction. Even a brief look below the surface reveals a much more nefarious reality, however.

To help raise awareness about this latest assault on human health, I recently spoke with host Polly Tommey on “Tea Time,” a program by Children’s Health Defense, about the dangers of fake meat products.

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/12/22/fake-meat-dangers.aspx

In a world first, a woman’s stem cells were used to reverse her Type 1 diabetes

Cell

Imagine a life where your body’s internal “battery” runs low every single day, demanding constant recharging just to keep going. For millions of people living with Type 1 diabetes, this is the exhausting reality—one where insulin injections act as the lifeline, replacing what the body can no longer produce on its own. But what if the body could be taught to recharge itself again?

In a world-first medical breakthrough, this question has moved from possibility to reality. A woman’s own stem cells have been successfully used to reverse her Type 1 diabetes, a condition once thought to be irreversible. Scientists turned her blood stem cells into insulin-producing powerhouses, effectively “rebooting” her pancreas and allowing her body to produce insulin naturally for the first time in years.

This achievement isn’t just a milestone for one patient; it’s a bold step toward a future where Type 1 diabetes may no longer require a lifetime of management. So, how did this groundbreaking transformation happen? And what does it mean for millions waiting for a cure?

https://nexusnewsfeed.com/article/health-healing/in-a-world-first-a-woman-s-stem-cells-were-used-to-reverse-her-type-1-diabetes/