Gary, good point, I’ve seen 20 yr girls looking dried out and old before their time, all for an orange glow!!!! I’ve a 40 yr old friend who looks 60! But sure they’ll probably even out those lovely facial creases with that other poison Botox! They always remind me of that old lady in ‘there’s something about Mary’ .

In this country, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women…

While I would wonder why we need to be medicated through the public water system, there is no proven link with cancers.

I suppose there’s zero chance you could post peer reviewed scientific evidence to back up that Jim Corr type nonsense?

Brian, the reason they do this is protect, mainly poor children. Are you opposed to that? Sod the poor is it?

William – you want me to prove they put fluoride in the water?

Sean, you demand that we stop putting Fluoride in water, presumably you think that is a bad idea? If not why make that statement? If you “think” that’s a bad idea, post evidence and PLEASE spare us the loony web sites.

“PLEASE spare us the loony web sites”

Do you know what’s loony, WIlliam? Your statement above, considering the fact that I never posted any links to any websites.

Sean, the “and” that you left out before that phrase of mine is important. I am fed up discussing this point with very silly people. Unless you can support your demand with intelligent evidence, go away. Anti-fluoride people are in the same category of nutter as Jim Corr, Davide Icke and that genius Glen Hoddle.

“and PLEASE spare us the loony web sites”

Do you know what’s loony, William? Your statement above, considering the fact that I never posted any links to any websites.

Hey Brian, they work on a similar principle to patches, except instead of the nicotine being released into the body through the skin, you vaporize the nicotine (heating it to a certain temp so the active ingredient can be inhaled via a mouthpiece) – It’s obviously a much safer delivery system when compared to smoking, but you’re still supplying your body with the addictive substance that you’re trying to quit – Nicotine. So they’re great for getting you off the fags, until you stop using it, then you’re generally back to square one again.

Kevin. Total and utter nonsense.

Fluoride has had dramatically positive effects on the oral health of the population since it was introduced

Hi Julie

Um, there are only 4 states in cancer, with stage 4 being the terminal on. So if hemp cures stage 5, does that mean it brings people back from the dead? Just asking…

No it hasn’t.

For a start, there is NO disease called ‘cancer’, there are a myriad of different diseases with different causes, courses, pathologies, treatments and potential outcomes which fall under the general term ‘cancers’. These is not and will NEVER be a one-size-fits-all cure for all cancers.

There have been a few, very limitied, trials in vitro or in animals that show that some ingredients of hemp may have some marginal effect in the treatment and prevention of cancer. There have been NO trials on humans, NO clinical trials of ANY kind. To give some perspective to this, of all potential substances that have similar results, less than 8% ever pan out to be actually useful in some way and an even smaller number prove useful enough to ever make it to market.

Even those that do are never a ‘cure’, they just become one of a range of options useful in some situations for some types of cancer. And that’s after you figure out through years of further research and clinical trials how, when and with what they should be administered for best effect.

But in the best traditions of the internet ‘Hemp ingredient may have marginal effect on some tumours in rats’ is conflated to ‘Buy our hemp oil and cure your stage V cancer!’ or ‘Smoking dope cures cancer!’.

You beat me to it Monkey!

I am not claiming to be an expert maybe it stage 4 sorry, I only started looking into this. Look at a few links

http://youtu.be/VlAPAiAvEtA

Man cured of skin cancer

http://youtu.be/VlAPAiAvEtA

Be careful what you believe Julie, research some more.

Dr Leonard Caldwell is not a doctor. Nor is his real name Leonard Caldwell.

A Harvard study has stated it can help cure cancer. I only started looking into it few weeks ago when a friend got cancer, died last week. I’m just saying it needs to be looked into. I have looked at victims talking about hemp curing their cancer, maybe these people are faking having had cancer I don’t think so. Maybe I need to look into it more but maybe people need to look into it more too before they totally dismiss it.

http://youtu.be/4ypbNYYMPXg

The only scientific research papers I have seen on a relationship between hemp and cancer, are ones that examined claims that it reduces the pain. Findings were that it does not actually reduce the pain, but helps the person to relax, and so better cope with the pain.

Universities are driven to publish, publish, publish, so if any link, no matter how tiny, had been genuinely be found between any substance, and curing any form of cancer, then we would all know about it, as it would be plastered all over the media, as well as published within the scientific community.

Pseudoscience gives false hope to those desperately seeking answers.

If it’s on youTube then it must be true…… right?! :-/

Well said Katie.

I’m not saying that it is true or not I am simply saying it needs to be looked into, I wish my friend had the opportunity to try hemp oil maybe she would still be here. There have been cases where people have had cancer and it has been cured not by kemo and radiation these things didn’t work, hemp oil last resort and it has worked for some people there is no denying that. It just needs to be looked into properly. Cancer is one of the biggest killers. Surely we should seriously examine all cures that might be out there.

Julie, I can completely understand why you are looking for information and at alternative options when you’ve lost someone in this way.

However, it is really essential to hold onto a healthy amount of skeptisism when researching anything health related online. People who lie, massage the truth or offer amazing results are often extremely credible. The ones who have gotten rich doing it are very credible indeed. I’d just offer the following thoughts that might help you to sort out the real from the false or exaggerated.

- If the claim is accompanied by a sales pitch, or is essentially an ad for the services or products of a person or organisation, be very skeptical and cautious indeed in taking it on face value.

- Search Google for the name of the person and/or the treatment involved along with the words ‘scam’, ‘hoax’, ‘fraud’, ‘skeptic’ etc to get opposing views before you make your mind up on the validity of any claim. Be cautious here too though – the cleverer more successful scamsters have pages on their websites, again credible, refuting opposing views.

- When looking at individual testimonies of cures, bear in mind two things:
1. Does it clearly state that the positive outcome occurred in the absence of more conventional cancer treatment? If you dig a bit, you’ll often find that while the patient credits ‘miracle cure x’ with their recovery/remission/improvement, they were simultaneously receiving or had just previously received chemo/radiotherapy but giving no credit to those treatments in their testimonial.

2. Was the recovery/remission/improvement sustained? The internet is littered with the amazing testimonials of cancer patients who, sadly, died from their cancers after apparently being ‘cured’. That’s never mentioned. Generally when this happens (it happens a lot) , those touting the testimonial either remove it or remove the name of the person who made it, but not always – so search the name with ‘what happened next’ or ’2013’ or even, sadly ‘RIP’, which may give you more information.

Just overall, precede carefully.

Hi Julie, studies on cannabinoids and their effect on cancer cells are ongoing, there have been some positive findings, but a lot more research still needs to be done. The main medicinal benefits of cannabis for people living with cancer are (a) Anti Sickness, (b) Pain Relief, (c) Appetite Stimulation and (d) Sleep Aid.

Here’s a link to some interesting information relating to the issue from The National Cancer Institute – http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/

Also, I haven’t read this book as yet (it’s in queue) but thought you might be interested – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/098342618X/ref=pe_217191_31005151_dp_1

I just booked myself in after reading your comment D’Angelo, I heard of it before but typical smoker kept pushing it out

There is research that shows breast fed babies are less likely to be obese in later life. No one is saying you’ll be fat if you’re bottle fed. It’s just the way it is.

I breast fed in the early months, switched to formula when went back to work, but I am still quite skeptical of some of the claims made for it.

It’s not something that occurs in isolation from the rest of someone’s life, and there are so many other factors that could be at play. In most 1st world countries for example the rate of breast feeding goes up along with average household income and level of education. It’s not a stretch to see how being better off and knowing more could contribute to your chances of being a healthier child. I know that many of these factors are controlled for in studies, but I am still not fully convinced.

For me the big advantage was portability and convenience more than health claims. You could go anywhere, anytime without having to haul along a heap of bottles. sterilizers, powder etc. And the middle of the night wake-ups were so much easier.

My wife breast fed and I thought it was great:) :) no night feeds for mise.. I’ve never heard any extravagant claims about the benefits of breast feeding simply that children are less likely to be obese in later life. It is the most natural way of feeding therefore must be best as nature intended. It is a personal choice and not something that works out for everyone. I too am very skeptical of these miracle medical claims and cringe when I hear someone arguing for the benefits of new “cure” and insert “we’ll I know someone and it cured them so it must work”. You’re completely right when you explain how the process from research to use works.

Breast feeding isn’t a miracle cure. I was breast fed for 1 year. Before I had my first born my BMI was 17.5 after my first and second were born my BMI was 22 after my 3rd was born my BMI was 27 and stayed there for 5 years I now have a BMI of 24.

Being breast fed had diddly squat to do with my weigh as an adult, it’s all down to diet and exercise.

Who said anything about a miracle cure? Like I said the research shows that children who are breast fed are LESS LIKELY to be obese as adults. One personal experience proves nothing. The research doesn’t say “no child who is breast fed is ever obese” or “children who are bottle fed all grow up to be obese”. Another example of someone applying general research to a personal experience and dismissing it.

Hence my point about exercise and diet. Just because one is breast fed doesn’t give them immunity.

But no one said that it gave immunity from obesity. Like I said its just more likely that they won’t be obese.

Que the comments from the anti breastfeeding brigade

Im not anti breast feeding its just over rated…..

I breast fed my one child till she was 2.5.

There’s an anti-breastfeeding brigade? I breastfed 4 kids. Never came across them, never had an issue with anyone. However the pro-breastfeeding zealots were much in evidence and greatly got on my nerves.

First, when I was feeding (discretely) in public places, the ONLY people who ever approached me or spoke to me were women cooing at me about how I’d made the right choice. Like I needed some stranger to run quality control on my choices. Some did so while leaning in to admire baby, which meant practically sticking their faces into my boobs. Then, when I changed to formula after a few months on going back to work, tut tutting at me for not carrying on until…. I dunno when, whatever arbitrary age they thought was the would have been better than the one I chose.

@jason, thats because it really depends on ones eating and exercise habits.

Having babies and breast feeding reduces the risk of breast cancer significantly.

I wonder is it anything to do with the fact that a woman who decides to breastfeed is more likely to be more informed about their childs nutritional requirements?

@karla. Yes that’s simple physics. If you burn more calories through exercise than you take in through food and drink then invariably one remains at a healthy weight. I’m not disputing that. Again though, as much as you or I may not know the exact reason why, well conducted research has shown that breast fed babies are less likely to be obese in later life. Not a miracle cure nor an insult to those who either don’t or can’t breast feed its just something that has been shown scientifically.

@Jason its also a “scientific fact” that when sales of ice cream are up so are incidences of sunburn.
Do you think ice cream causes sunburn?

Is the question ‘were you breast fed?’ a routine question when being diagnosed with having cancer, or if you are obese or if your diabetic?

I know I wasn’t asked that when my 7 year old was diagnosed diabetic or when my husband got diagnosed with 2 types of cancer at 28.

Genetics play a massive role in this. If you have the breast cancer gene it’s going to get you sooner or later regardless of breastfeeding.

Karla, genetics does play a role. In some cancers probably a lot, in others probably very little. All factors contribute to the probability that you will get cancer, including viruses, BUT lifestyle is important. Smoking is insane. If you smoke and give up then almost nothing else matters in comparison.

Ah I like the way you out ” scientific fact” in inverted commas. It’s typical of someone trying to dismiss actual scientific facts based on opinions. The big difference between your logic and reality is that icecream sales increase due to warm weather in your scenario. That is cause and effect ie warm weather = more appetite for ice cream due to the warm weather. Hardly scientific. I never said that there was a cause effect between breast feeding and lack of obesity. I said it has simply been shown that breastfed children are less likely to be obese. I never said it was a cause of lack of obesity. It is a scientifically proven replicable result carried out in accordance with best practice. Your logic is completely unrelated to the point I’ve been discussing frank.

Again with the ” it happened to me” scenario. That is terrible and I’m not being nasty but research incorporates hundreds if not thousands of people with strict criteria to come to their conclusions

My family is far from unique.

These studies are only taken from a small percentage.

I wonder if they followed the progress of each person until death. If not I wonder if anything changed in that time…

Smoking is insane, also there are environmental factors / sunbeds and so on.

I read a UK report that says 1 in 2 men in the UK will get cancer at some point in their life. I’m sure Ireland would be simular.

I’m sure they factor those concerns into the multitude of studies done. Anything outside of properly conducted scientific studies are basically anecdotes and don’t prove or show a link to anything. And before the anti science/vested interest contributors come arguing the only people that benefit from breast feeding are babies and family so it’s not doctored research by baby food companies trying to extoll the virtue if their formula. In fact the baby formula adverts specifically state that breast feeding is best and that their product are for after one finishes breast feeding. It’s there for anyone to see on the adverts .

“Having babies and breast feeding reduces the risk of breast cancer significantly.”

One thing reduces risk, another we don’t even know about yest increases it, your genes (about which you can’t do a thing) are very important. If you end up worrying about it too much you’re not really living anyway. It’s a lottery at best, all of it.

Breastfed four, got breast cancer anyway.

My sentiments exactly Katie, enjoy life, what will be, will be.

Hope your doing ok….

Katie, pregnancy and breast feeding do not eliminate the risk of breast cancer, they just reduce the risk.

The government is opposed to any restrictions on the sale of alcohol unless it benefits publicans.
Roisin Shortall’s efforts to do something were frustrated by Reilly.

Country politicians hold their sessions in pubs and rely on their goodwill (if they are not publicans themselves!)

I would normally agree but this is now a public health issue. Are hospitals are clogged with people who have health issues that are caused by diet, booze and fags. Fags are addictive but reducing boozing and diet can be changed through education an public awareness.

Yeah, I mean how dare we try to reduce the number of those who take up limited resources through what are effectively self inflicted illnesses?!?!

If you don’t know that too much of a good thing is bad for you, surely that means our education system has failed or everyone is ignorant to the consequences of over excess. I’ve worked hard and earned money to have a drink or god forbid a take away, I really don’t need to have warnings in my face for this privilege.

Hear hear James. People blab on about their right to smoke and drink to excess etc. let them at it but there should be a balancing cost based on the health risk their lifestyle carries. In much the same way as health insurance. I don’t think it’s fair that say those that don’t smoke should pay the health costs of a smoker. It’s unlikely that the taxes levied on cigarettes will cover the health costs of long term smokers on aggregate over a lifetime