A summary of positive health news around the world 2008

From the www.globalgoodnews.com news site, including Ayurveda news, national health news, Transcendental Meditation research news and news of global health trends, including organic agriculture, traditional medicine and natural health care.

Global Health News June 2008

Health

Scotland: Some smokers offered food money if they quit

Smokers in deprived parts of one of Scotland's biggest cities are being offered food vouchers worth £50 a month if they give up smoking, the National Health Service has said. Paul Ballard of NHS Tayside said, 'When you compare that to the cost of treating them for smoking-related diseases, then it is a drop in the ocean.' They will have to pass weekly carbon monoxide breath tests at their local chemist to prove that they have kicked the habit. A similar scheme arranged for pregnant women in the area last year was a success. more

Cyprus: Greek Cypriots found to be very happy - study

An annual survey charting social and economic perceptions showed that Greek Cypriots are by and large a very happy bunch. 89 per cent of respondents said they were content with their lot in life. The poll also found 88 per cent of islanders wanted to ban smoking in enclosed public places, a surprisingly high turnout for a nation of smokers. more

UK: Bristol wins 11 million pound 'Cycle City' prize

Bristol is to be England's first 'Cycle City' after winning 11.4 million pounds of government funding to improve facilities for bicyclists. The city won the cash after promising to encourage 2.5 million more people to take up cycling with a range of bicycle-friendly schemes. more

Egypt: Increased measures taken in anti-smoking campaign

Offering a cigarette is as common as a handshake in Egypt, where the culture of smoking is so entrenched that patients sometimes light up in hospital rooms. But now the government is getting serious about the health risks, launching a new campaign about tobacco's dangers. It's a major step in Egypt's fledgling anti-smoking campaign and a dramatic change in a country where public discussion of smoking's health risks is nearly nonexistent. more

Study: Healthy lifestyle triggers genetic changes

Comprehensive lifestyle changes including a better diet and more exercise can lead to swift and dramatic changes at the genetic level, US researchers said. In a study, the activity of disease-preventing genes increased while a number of disease-promoting genes, including those involved in prostate cancer and breast cancer, shut down. more

US: New York City bans trans fats in restaurants by first of July

New York City eateries must remove artificial trans fats from all menu items by 1 July. When first implemented last year, the Health Department ban applied only to fry oils and spreads. It now will also include baked goods, frozen foods, cannoli, and doughnuts. Trans fats are also known as partially hydrogenated oils. The Associated Press has earlier reported that trans fats are created when hydrogen is added to liquid cooking oils to harden them. Along with saturated fats, they raise levels of so-called bad cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease. more

Israel: Researchers grow sapling from ancient 'Methuselah' tree

Israeli researchers who grew a sapling from a date seed said on Thursday the seed was about 2,000 years old and may help restore a species of biblical trees which once formed thick forests throughout the Jordan River Valley. The seed came from the Judean date palm, a species that once flourished in the Jordan River Valley and has been extinct for centuries. The Judean date palm is believed to provide a natural remedy for numerous ailments. The seed is named Methuselah after the oldest person in the Bible. more

US: Cities promote bicycling

US cities that have long promoted bicycle use by commuters are now seeing a steady rise in the popularity of pedal power as gasoline prices soar. Rates of bike use in some US cities are significantly higher thanks to recognition by urban planners of the environmental, economic, and health benefits. People in some cities such can take advantage of bicycle lanes, bike-friendly transit systems, and bike-parking locations built in recent years. more

US: Life expectancy increases as top diseases decline

A federal report has revealed that US life expectancy has surpassed 78 years for the first time. The increase is due mainly to falling mortality rates in almost all the leading causes of death. more

WHO wants full ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship

The World Health Organization has called for a ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship to prevent young people from starting to smoke. The UN agency said sophisticated marketing techniques were ensnaring young people in fashion magazines, in films, on the Internet, and at concerts, and sporting events. Most smokers take up the habit before the age of 18, and almost a quarter of new smokers are younger than 10, according to the WHO. more

China: Traditional approach to weight loss attracting foreign patients

One of China's most famous specialist hospitals is offering those desperately seeking weight loss hope with techniques as old as this ancient land. Foreign patients are now making their way there. Traditional Chinese remedies are increasingly seen as an alternative to, or a complement for, pharmaceuticals. It is believed to have less side effects than Western medicine. more

India: Biodiversity body steps in to save rare amla plants

The Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board is saving the rare Indian gooseberry (amla), which is used in Ayurveda to help strengthen the immune system. The fruit-bearing trees grow in the Gorakhpur forest range. more

Cuba: Urban farming programme a stunning success

Cuba's urban farming programme has been a stunning success. The farms, many of them on tiny plots, now supply much of Cuba's vegetables. They also provide 350,000 jobs nationwide with relatively high pay and have transformed eating habits in a nation accustomed to a less-than-ideal diet of rice and beans and canned goods from Eastern Europe. more

Alleviating post-traumatic stress disorder: Transcendental Meditation for the military

Raja Peter Warburton, Raja of Great Britain for the Global Country of World Peace, spoke about a young British captain who learnt Transcendental Meditation after returning from Afghanistan, and who now wants to implement Transcendental Meditation throughout the military as a highly effective means of alleviating post-traumatic stress disorder. more

Norway: Maharishi Ayur-Veda healthcare becoming popular

Dr Odd Loset, National Director of the Global Country of World Peace in Norway, shared successes in the field of Maharishi Ayur-Veda healthcare within his country, including successful treatments and products in great demand all over Norway. more

Neurologist, choir explore music's healing power

The healing power of music took centre stage during the World Science Festival, a five-day celebration of science in New York. Noted neurologist Oliver Sacks, whose most recent book is 'Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain,' talked about the relationship between music and the brain. His book discusses music's healing effect on people suffering from such diseases as Tourette's syndrome, Parkinson's, autism, and Alzheimer's. more

Diet, exercise can delay diabetes for years: study

Lifestyle changes, such as eating more vegetables and exercising, can make a big difference when preventing diabetes. Diet and exercise reduced the incidence of diabetes by about 43 per cent over 20 years among 577 high-risk Chinese adults, the researchers reported in the journal Lancet. more

US: San Francisco tops list of fittest US cities

San Francisco is famous for its steep hills and fresh food, so it may come as no surprise that it wins the honour as the fittest city in the United States, according to a new report. Nearly 32 per cent of San Franciscans eat five or more fruits and vegetables per day, the study showed. Residents are less likely to have chronic health problems, and less likely to smoke. The San Francisco Bay Area also scored well for parks. more

Japan urges limiting children's cell phones

The Japanese government is starting a programme warning parents and schools to limit their use among children in order to protect them from negative side-effects. The recommendations have been submitted from an education reform panel to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's administration, and were approved this week. more

Britain: Anti-smoking measures in the spotlight

The government has launched a three-month public consultation on how to cut the number of people smoking in Britain. Several measures were proposed by the Department of Health. Last July, England followed the rest of the UK in banning smoking in enclosed public places. Since the ban was imposed the number of smokers in Britain has declined by 2 per cent. more

Most Group of Eight industrial nations' greenhouse gases down in 2006

Greenhouse gas emissions by all the Group of Eight industrial nations except Russia fell in 2006 in the broadest dip since the world started trying to slow climate change in 1990, a Reuters survey showed on Friday. Emissions by the United States, Japan, Germany, Canada, France, Britain, and Italy were all down in 2006 -- by between 2.5 per cent for France and just 0.02 per cent for Germany. more

WHO: World Health Organization gets nod to tackle harmful use of alcohol

The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to draw up a global strategy to tackle youth binge drinking and other forms of harmful alcohol consumption blamed for 2.3 million deaths a year, officials said on Thursday. In 2003, WHO clinched the first global public health treaty, which targeted tobacco through stronger warnings on cigarette packages and limits on advertising and sponsorship. A year later it declared war on poor diets blamed for rising obesity. more

Mexico: President Calderon to improve Acapulco

Mexican President Felipe Caldero said he would spend US$42 million over four years to clean up water pollution in Acapulco, which is struggling with an explosion in its local population and of the luxury hotels that draw hordes of visitors. Calderon said he would bring clean water to poor neighbourhoods as part of the plan. Tourism is one of Mexico's main economic motors and six million tourists visit the resort each year. more

AGRICULTURE

Small farms best for environment, says organic group

20 June 2008 - Small-scale, not industrial farming, is the answer to food shortages and climate change, organic farmers argued this week. Meeting at the Organic World Congress held in Modena, Italy, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) criticized a recent UN food summit for touting chemical fertilizers and genetically modified (GM) crops rather than organic solutions to tackle world hunger. more

Brazil: Amazon soy ban extended to prevent additional rain forest destruction

Grain crushers have extended a two-year-old moratorium on the purchase of soybeans planted in areas of the Amazon rain forest cut down after 2006, Brazil's environment minister announced. The move is part of a larger effort to regulate land use in the world's largest remaining tropical wilderness. The agreement includes about 94 per cent of Brazil's soybean crushers, including US commodities giants, France's Dreyfus, and Brazilian-owned Amaggi. Environmentalists praised the measure. more

US: Veganic farmers work without animal fertilizers

Like certified organic farmers, veganic farmers use no synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified ingredients. Veganic farmers take it to another level by not using any manures or animal by-products. They don't even use organically approved pesticide. Veganic farmers use crop rotations and composted plant matter, or 'green manure', to fertilize their crops. The method, also called stock-free farming, is an emerging concept in the United States. The primary source of nutrients on many organic farms in the US comes from manure from confined animal operations, or 'factory farms.' According to one vegan organic farmer, 'The animals ... were fed non-organic feed laced with hormones and antibiotics. Those products bio-accumulate in the animals and it's present in their waste as well.' more

Australia: Government urges protection of bees

A parliamentary report on Tuesday encouraged the Australian government to do more to protect Australia's bees. Australia is a major supplier of queen and hive bees to North America, Japan, and the Middle East, cashing in on its standing as the only country not to suffer from a deadly bee mite known as the varroa destructor, which has been linked to the mystery Colony Collapse Disorder across North America. more

US: Urban beekeeping is the latest buzz

City dwellers across the country are rapidly discovering the appeal of urban beekeeping. Large cities like Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Dallas, and San Francisco are even promoting beekeeping for pollination health, to keep city vegetation green and lush. The hobby has become increasingly important amid rising concern over honeybee die-offs attributed to a mysterious disease that causes adult bees to abandon their hives, known as colony collapse disorder. more

US: University of Connecticut establishes beehives to produce honey

The University of Connecticut's dining halls have a new source of honey for its menu. Recently, 100,000 bees began work making honey in a meadow behind a forgotten apple orchard. By next year, the university hopes to produce as much as 2,000 pounds of honey from the hives, more than half the 3,800 pounds the university's kitchens use each year. Like other colleges and universities across the United States, it is seeking ways to serve more locally grown food. more

Thailand: Rice prices fall, Viet Nam crop looks good

World benchmark Thai rice prices fell back from near a record high while Viet Nam reported a six per cent increase in its main rice crop, further easing fears over supplies of Asia's staple food. Viet Nam is typically the world's second-largest rice exporter behind Thailand. more

Germany: Millions pledged to save forests

Germany has pledged 500 million Euros ($786.2 million) by 2012 to help protect the world's forests, a move activists said could give impetus to UN talks on preserving the earth's biodiversity. Chancellor Angela Merkel made the commitment at a UN conference. Experts say crops will suffer if wild stocks die out. more

Saudi Arabia: $500 million donated for food crisis

Saudi Arabia made an unprecedented contribution of $500 million to the UN World Food Programme to respond to rising prices, meaning the agency won't have to cut rations to the world's needy, the United Nations announced Friday. more

International: Group agrees on liability for GMO damage

An international conference agreed to hold producers or handlers of genetically engineered organisms liable for damage their products cause to native plants or animals when transported across borders. The agreement, concluding a five-day, 147-nation conference in Bonn, Germany, will be refined into an accord that will have the force of law for its signatories more

UK: Organics outlook rosy despite food inflation

British enthusiasm for organic food shows no sign of waning thanks to a loyal consumer base and a green image, despite rising food and fuel prices, the head of Britain's top organic association said in a recent interview. Organic products are grown without chemicals or pesticides and tend to cost more, but a growing number of consumers are willing to pay the premiums because they view them as healthier and more environmentally friendly. more

Global Health News May 2008

US: Maharishi Vedic Organic Agriculture thriving in greenhouses in Maharishi Vedic City and Fairfield, Iowa, USA - Part I

Raja Robert Wynne, Mayor of Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa, USA, answered questions about Maharishi Vedic Organic agriculture--the greenhouses and field crops--in Maharishi Vedic City and Fairfield, Iowa. more

US: Maharishi Vedic Organic Agriculture in greenhouses - Part II

Raja Robert Wynne, Mayor of Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa, USA, answered questions about Maharishi Vedic Organic Agriculture--the greenhouses and field crops--in Maharishi Vedic City and Fairfield, Iowa, USA. more

Serbia: Organic Foundation launches new programmes

The Serbian Organic Foundation, established to promote Maharishi Vedic Agriculture, has become the premier producer and distributor of organic foods for Serbia, and is gaining momentum with the launch of a programme to offer practical guidelines for all aspects of organic food production. more

Bulgaria: Global Country of World Peace cultivates organic roses

Raja Peter Warburton, Raja of Bulgaria for the Global Country of World Peace, outlined a special agricultural project for organic roses close to the Brahma-Sthan of Bulgaria in the Valley of the Roses. more

China's green revolution produces higher incomes for organic farmers

During the last ten years, the government of China has been encouraging farmers to use more traditional and organic farming methods, and has started a green revolution. The government's efforts have resulted in more organic farming, higher income for organic farmers, and an increase in exports of organic agricultural products. more

Ireland: A design for life that can help us all find balance - The Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health

Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health can prevent illness, promote general well-being, and help with chronic illnesses, including but not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. more

Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health programmes expanding in Canada

Raja Paul Potter, Raja of Invincible Canada for the Global Country of World Peace, reported developments in the expansion of Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health throughout his domain. more

India: Dr Robert Schneider reports increasing demand for Maharishi Vedic Medicine - Part III

Dr Robert Schneider, National Director of Health for Invincible America, reported developing interest at Indian medical universities in Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health. more

Transcendental Meditation helps control blood pressure

University of Kentucky researchers have found that Transcendental Meditation can control high blood pressure and is 'less troublsome' than taking anti-hypertension drugs, which may cause negative side-effects. more

India: Dr Robert Schneider reports increasing demand for Maharishi Vedic Medicine - Part II

Dr Robert Schneider, National Director of Health for Invincible America, reported developing interest at Indian hospitals and medical universities in Maharishi Ayur-Veda. On a recent trip to India, Dr Schneider offered assistance to a new hospital in launching a clinical research project on Ayur-Veda and heart health. more

Maharaja Adhiraj Raja Raam's historic address on the presentation of his new book Ramayana in Human Physiology - Part V, Conclusion

During the recent global celebration of Raam Navami, Maharaja Adhiraj Raja Raam gave an historic address after being presented with the first copy of his new book, Ramayana in Human Physiology. more

The Scotsman reports: One breath at a time

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is credited with bringing Transcendental Meditation to the West, and promoting its scientific investigation. Currently, interest in meditation is increasing worldwide as more people report their meditation practice brings clarity of thought, increased creativity, and contentedness, while scientists suggest that meditation may boost regular practitioners' immune systems, reduce stress levels, calm the mind, and slow the heart rate. more

India: Dr Robert Schneider reports increasing demand for Maharishi Vedic Medicine - Part I

Dr Robert Schneider, National Director of Health for Invincible America, reported developing interest at Indian hospitals and medical universities in launching studies on Maharishi Ayur-Veda. The first hospital he visited on his Indian tour has begun preparations for a study on Maharishi's Rasayanas, or herbal preparations, for the reversal of ageing. more

Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health headlined in Irish press

Republic of Ireland's biggest selling Sunday newspaper has featured an article on Maharishi Ayur-Veda and Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation Programme. more

Ponder this: Meditation can lower high blood pressure - American Chronicle

High-level confirmation from the American Journal of Hypertension supports what Transcendental Meditation practitioners have known for years: TM can actually lower your blood pressure. more

Praise for Maharaja Adhiraj Raja Raam's historic new book: Ramayana in the Human Physiology - Part II

Renowned researcher in Maharishi's Vedic Science and Sanskrit scholar Dr William Sama spoke during the recent celebration of Raam Navami on the Maharishi Channel's Global Family Chat, honouring the historic release of Maharaja Adhiraja Raja Raam's new book, Ramayana in the Human Physiology. more

Dutch insurance companies interested in Transcendental Meditation

Dr Paul Gelderloos, National Director of the Global Country of World Peace for the Netherlands, reported recently on the Maharishi Global Family Chat that labour unions and insurance companies in Holland are expressing interest in Transcendental Meditation. more

Experts explain benefits of Transcendental Meditation for ADHD

One especially interesting and timely section on the new interactive website, 'ASK THE DOCTORS' (www.DoctorsOnTM.org), features the expert medical knowledge of top medical doctors and scientists, answering questions from the public about the use of the Transcendental Meditation Programme in alleviating learning and attention problems in school children and adults -- notably in ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). more

US: More chefs adding healthy spices to dishes

'Super spices' like fennel, cinnamon, and ginger are showing up more frequently on menus across the United States. Rich in antioxidants, they not only add flavour but also can help aid digestion and strengthen the immune system. more

United Kingdom: Study suggests popular peers can help young people avoid smoking

Getting the popular children to talk to their peers about the dangers of smoking cut the number of young people who started using cigarettes in one study by nearly 25 per cent, researchers said. The study published in the journal Lancet took a different approach than most tobacco cessation programmes aimed at youths by asking students to nominate others they viewed as influential or leaders to spread the anti-smoking message. more

UK: Alcohol banned on London's transport system

London's new mayor Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday that alcohol would be banned on the capital's transport system from next month. The ban on drinking from or carrying open alcohol containers was a key manifesto pledge of Johnson. The ban, which will apply to buses, underground trains, trams, and stations, will come into force on 1 June. more

Canada banning all smoking in federal prisons

Canada has banned all smoking in federal prisons because a partial ban was largely ignored, the government said on Tuesday. As a result of the ban, which took effect in all maximum-security prisons on Monday, inmates will be barred from smoking anywhere inside or outside prison property, including private visiting rooms and yards. Medium- and minimum-security institutions will see the ban in place by the beginning of June. more

Restaurant tobacco bans reduce teen smoking - study

A Massachusetts study suggests that restaurant smoking bans may play a big role in persuading teens not to become smokers. Youths who lived in towns with strict bans were 40 per cent less likely to become regular smokers than those in communities with no bans or weak ones, the researchers reported in the May issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. more

Study shows breast-fed children are smarter

A new study provides some of the best evidence to date that breast-feeding can make children smarter, an international team of researchers said on Monday. Children whose mothers breast-fed them longer and did not mix in baby formula scored higher on intelligence tests, the researchers in Canada and Belarus reported. more

UN pact for rights of disabled takes effect

A United Nations convention aimed at ensuring equal rights for the world's 650 million disabled people in work, education, and social life went into force on Saturday. The pact, the first of its kind and billed by the United Nations as the first new human rights treaty of the 21st Century, took effect 30 days after being ratified by 20 countries that have signed it. That figure has since risen to 25. more

Canada: Ontario moves to ban smoking in cars with children

Smokers in the Canadian province of Ontario will be fined C$250 ($247) for lighting up in their cars in the presence of children, if a new law introduced on Wednesday is passed. Under the proposed ban, drivers or passengers found smoking in a car carrying children under the age of 16 would be fined, even if a window is open. more

Three out of four new moms in US now breast-feed their infants

More than three out of four new moms now breast-feed their infants, the highest rate in the US in at least 20 years, according to a government report released Wednesday. About 77 per cent of new mothers breast-feed, at least briefly, up from 60 per cent in 1993-1994, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. more

Go green and cut red meat

A growing number of people are encouraging a vegetarian diet as part of the solution to climate change. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is asking supporters to pledge to eat vegetarian for 30 days in order to offset the carbon footprint created by meat consumed by the Nobel Prize-winning environmental activist Al Gore, who ironically made 'carbon footprint' a household phrase. more

Canada: Ontario to ban sale, use of garden pesticides

Ontario said on Tuesday that it will ban the sale and general use of pesticides in what the province said would be among the toughest such environmental laws in North America. A number of municipalities in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada have already banned pesticide use. more

US: EPA approves registration of antimicrobial copper alloys

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys, with public health claims. These claims acknowledge that copper, brass, and bronze are capable of killing harmful, potentially deadly bacteria. Copper is the first solid surface material to receive this type of EPA registration, which is supported by extensive testing. The tests demonstrated the metals' ability to kill specific disease-causing bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is one of the most virulent strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a common cause of hospital- and community-acquired infections. more

Despite myth, old age is the happiest time, US research says

The golden years really are golden -- according to eye-opening research that found the happiest Americans are the oldest, and older adults are more socially active than the stereotype of the lonely senior suggests. more

Canada plans to ban polycarbonate baby bottles

Canada intends to become the first country to ban the import and sale of some types of plastic baby bottles because they contain a chemical that the government says could harm infants and toddlers. The bottles are made with bisphenol A, also known as BPA, which is also used in food and water containers. more

Travel Picks: 10 forgotten spots of paradise

One group's list of ten top places around the globe -- featuring protected wildlife, cascading waterfalls, and lush landscapes. Tristan da Cunha; Cotswolds, England; Patagonia, Chile; Kauai, Hawaii; Kiribati, Micronesia; Algonquin Park, Canada; Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa; Morzine, France; Fernando de Noronha, Brazil; and Isla Vieques, Puerto Rico made up this list of favorites. more

US: Court approves New York City calorie-count rule for restaurants

New York City officials can require fast-food restaurants to post signs telling customers how many calories are in their meals, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday. The city's health code provision, which affects businesses that have at least 15 establishments nationwide, is to take effect on Tuesday. more

US: School nutrition policy can prevent obesity

Philadelphia schools that cut out soda, revamped snack selections, and took other measures to prevent childhood obesity were able to halve the odds of students becoming overweight by sixth grade, a study has found. The schools also got parents involved through meetings and nutrition workshops that encouraged them to give their kids more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. more

France: Government backs body image law

The French parliament's lower house adopted a groundbreaking bill Tuesday that would make it illegal for anyone -- including fashion magazines, advertisers, and Web sites -- to publicly incite extreme thinness. The National Assembly approved the bill in a series of votes Tuesday, after the legislation won unanimous support from the ruling conservative UMP party. It goes to the Senate in the coming weeks. more

Soy, legumes may protect against breast cancer

Women with high blood levels of an estrogen-like compound, called genistein, found in soy seem to have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, a new study suggests. Genistein is one of the major isoflavones, plant compounds found in soybeans, chickpeas, and other legumes that are structurally similar to the hormone estrogen, and are believed to bind to estrogen receptors on body cells. more

Canada: Healthy diet means better school performance

Students who ate an adequate amount of fruit, vegetables, protein, fibre, and other components of a healthy diet were significantly less likely to fail a literacy test, Dr Paul J. Veugelers of the University of Alberta in Edmonton and colleagues found. more

US: Ohio gets greener as more farmers switching to renewable energy

Ohio's governor and legislative leaders want the state to rely more on alternative energy and are pushing a stimulus package that would earmark $150 million for advanced energy sources such as solar power, wind, and clean coal. More farmers are expressing interest in green farming and in using renewable energy sources. more

Green Revolution solution to Africa's problems, says Kofi Annan

Farmers in Africa could double food output in five to 10 years if rich countries partner them in a 'Green Revolution' for a long-term solution to the continent's food crisis, former UN chief Kofi Annan said on Friday. Annan made his appeal as chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), an organization which seeks a sustained partnership between donors, governments, NGOs, and farmers in Africa to make the continent self-sufficient in food. more

Cuba: More autonomy for farmers to boost self-sufficiency

Cuba announced a major changes in its farm sector on May Day, shifting control of the island's farms from officials at the Agriculture Ministry to more than 150 local councils. The move is part of an effort to increase food production and reduce Cuba's dependence on imports. The government hopes granting small farmers and local leaders more autonomy could revitalize the sector. more

Canada: In a landmark victory, Monsanto agrees to cleanup of farmer's GMO contaminated field

In an out-of-court settlement, long time farmer and farm equipment dealer Percy Schmeiser of Bruno, Saskatchewan, Canada has settled his lawsuit with biotech giant Monsanto over the contamination of his canola fields. more

Humming praises for the wild bee

A report by the National Research Council in Washington states that there are more than 4,000 species of native bees in North America. With the growing importance of native wild bees, growers have an incentive to reduce their pesticides to encourage native bees in their area. more

Indonesia says has ample rice, due to bumper crop

Indonesia can meet domestic demand for rice this year, avoiding the risk of social unrest, thanks to a bumper rice harvest, curbs on rice exports, and subsidies for the poor, the trade minister said on Thursday. Indonesia's rice production is likely to be more than 34 million tonnes this year, or about 2 million tonnes higher than domestic demand. more

Philippines: Silkworms give farming town a makeover

Hundreds of white mulberry trees have started to cover mountain slopes deep in the northern Philippines' Cordillera region, changing not just the landscape but also making over the image of a poor farming town. Some farmers have started growing mulberry trees, the main food of silk-producing worms from China and Japan, after sericulture was introduced in nine of Kapangan's 15 villages in late 2004. Silkworm project could produce as much as 2,000 kilos of rawsilk every year once operations expand in two years, bringing in an extra 4 million pesos ($95,690) for the farmers. more

US: Maryland joins national Farm-To-School movement to put local food in school cafeterias

A new bill awaiting the Maryland governor's signature aims to make it easier for schools to use local produce. It's part of a national Farm-To-School movement to encourage more local produce on cafeteria trays. Officials in other states have said schools and farms alike are enthusiastic about the idea of local food in cafeterias. Oklahoma started serving locally grown melons in a few schools in 2002, and now that state's melon programme has grown to hundreds of schools. When schools buy locally, they can make local farmers more profitable and more likely to keep farming. more

Vegetarianism urged to fight global warming

Environmental groups are being urged to add vegetarianism as a top way of curtailing global warming. Changing to a vegetarian diet is the best way to fight global warming because the amount of land and water used to maintain the meat industry makes it a major contributor to climate change. more

Global Health News April 2008

Top of Page

US: Army's post traumatic stress disorder treatment could be Transcendental Meditation

The United States Army is investigating ways to help the returning troops cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTDS), and Transcendental Meditation is one of the alternative healing methods that could be used to heal the troops. more

Meditation can lower blood pressure study seen around globe

A University of Kentucky study, which appears in the March issue of the American Journal of Hypertension, reports that Transcendental Meditation can effectively control high blood pressure without causing the possible negative side effects associated with anti-hypertension drugs. Since the study first appeared, it has been reprinted worldwide including in the US, India, and Estonia. more

Vastu: Practitioners design living spaces on ancient Indian principles based on harmony with nature

The ancient Vedic principles of architectural design have been revived to become the latest healthy trend in home building. more

Indian berries may fight dengue mosquitoes

Synthetic insecticides are increasingly useless in fighting disease-spreading mosquitoes, such as the Stegomyia aegypti that can spread dengue and yellow fever viruses. However, berries of a common weed found in India may be effective in fighting mosquitoes that spread dengue fever, a study has found. more

Czech Republic: Organic food consumption up 70 per cent in 2007

In 2006, Czechs spent Kc 760m on organic food, while in 2007 organic food consumption grew by 70 per cent to Kc 1.29 billion, according to a survey by the Green marketing agency. more

Australia to train Aboriginal doctors

Australia committed $17 million on Thursday to train Aboriginal nurses and doctors, and another $13 million to reduce tobacco smoking among Aborigines, as part of efforts to close a 17-year gap in the life expectancies of indigenous and other Australians. more

Vegan diet may help ease rheumatoid arthritis - study

A gluten-free vegan diet full of nuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, and vegetables appears to offer protection against heart attacks and strokes for people with rheumatoid arthritis, Swedish researchers said on Tuesday. 'These findings are compatible with previous results of vegetarian/vegan dietary regimens in non-rheumatoid arthritis subjects which have shown lower blood pressure, lower body mass index, and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease,' the researchers wrote in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy. more

US: Report says shift to organic would cut pesticide risks in diet

Converting the country's eight million acres of produce farms to organic would reduce dietary pesticide risk by 97 per cent, the non-profit Organic Centre organization concluded recently. more

France: Auvergne aims at becoming country's first organic region

Auvergne has an ambitious plan to become the first organic region in France, including investing in development, distribution, and promotion of organic products. more

Most Russians feel happy, poll shows

A recent poll finds that Russians consider themselves happy, a statistic that has changed over the past 10 years from a 60 per cent happy population to 77 per cent happy. more

US: Wal-Mart's private-label milk to have no artificial growth hormones

Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Thursday that its private-label Great Value milk is now being sourced only from cows that have not been treated with artificial growth hormones, such as recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST). Wal-Mart said it made the change in response to customer demand. Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer. more

US: Oregon farmers press for more bee research

Growers, beekeepers, and others around the state of Oregon are holding a meeting next week in the city of Corvallis to make the case for increased research into honeybee health and pollinators in Oregon. Bees are critical for the pollination of signature Oregon crops, from pears to coastal cranberries. In the past, Oregon State University has been able to expand its research positions through endowments created with the help of private donors and supportive industries. more

Romania mulls national ban on Monsanto genetically modified maize

Romania's environment ministry wants to impose a national cultivation ban on Monsanto MON 810 genetically modified maize this year, minister Attila Korodi said on Thursday. more

Garden travel sees huge increase - 10 of the world's best botanical gardens

There has been a huge increase in garden travel according to Elizabeth Scholtz, director emeritus of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in the United States. Travel and Leisure magazine lists their top 10 botanical gardens in the world. more

India: April-February spices exports rise 16 per cent

India's spices exports during the April-February period rose 16 per cent in volume terms the Spices Board said late on Monday. In value terms, it exceeded the full year target of 36 billion rupees, according to a statement from the Board. India produces over 4 million tonnes of spices and exports around 180 spice products to over 150 countries. more

Qatar prepares ground for organic farming

The Qatar Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is looking to introduce organic farming -- rejecting modern agrichemical techniques. more

US: Bees look good so far in Ohio

In Ohio bees are plentiful this year. The numbers of honey bees surviving the winter across Ohio are up from last year by 85 per cent. The higher numbers so far this year are good news for Ohio farmers who rely on bees to pollinate more than 70 crops, including apples, strawberries, and pumpkins. more

Fiji: Pacific keen on organic farming

Worldwide demand for organic produce is growing and the Pacific's farmers are interested in marketing their organic produce internationally. more

China: Olympic Beijing tries to kick smoking

A ban on smoking in most Beijing public places, similar to efforts in major North American, European, and Asian cities, is expected to take effect in May, aimed at meeting China's pledge of a smoke-free Olympics. City Hall is expected to unveil the new rules soon. more

UK: Government considers measures to discourage young people from smoking

Britain's government is considering a string of measures to discourage young people from taking up smoking, including banning displays, removing cigarette machines from restaurants, and making nicotine patches and gums more readily available. The proposals are the subject of a public consultation to be launched in May. more

Global Health News March 2008

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India: Government proposes to waive $15 billion of farm loans

India proposes to waive 600 billion rupees of bank loans to farmers, the finance minister said on Friday in his annual budget for the fiscal year that begins in April. more

Norway: Vault opens to help protect seeds and biological diversity

Norway launched a Noah's ark of the plant kingdom on Tuesday as an insurance policy to protect crop seeds, among mankind's most valuable resources. Initially 100 million seeds from more than 100 countries have been sent for safekeeping at the $10 million facility which holds 268,000 seed samples, each from a different farm or field. Genetically modified varieties will not be included. more

Italy: Heart attacks drop after smoking ban

Italy's 2005 smoking ban has led to a sharp fall in heart attacks, researchers reported in a finding they said shows that such laws really do improve public health. Italy, Britain, Ireland, and a number of other European countries have outlawed smoking in public places, and many health experts are urging the European Union to adopt an even wider ban. more

United Kingdom study: Telling smokers 'age' of lungs helps them quit

Smokers are more likely to kick the habit if they are told how 'old' their lungs are, a British study found on Friday. Giving people this kind of information could represent an inexpensive and easy way to get people to stop smoking and reduce smoking-related health problems that are putting pressure on health systems to treat. more

United States research: Mother's milk helps to avoid childhood obesity, increases immunity

US researchers speculate that breast milk may have lasting metabolic effects that aid in weight control. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of illnesses, and breastfeeding has also been linked to lower odds of allergies, asthma, and childhood leukaemia. The American Academy of Paediatrics and other professional groups recommend that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life. more

United States: Breakfast keeps teens lean, research says

US researchers said that teenagers who regularly eat breakfast tend to weigh less, exercise more, and eat a more healthful diet than their breakfast-skipping peers. An estimated 25 per cent of US children regularly skip breakfast, the researchers said. more

Light exercise decreases fatigue, study finds

Those who feel tired all the time have an easy solution -- a little light exercise. Regular, low-intensity workouts such as a leisurely stroll can boost energy levels by 20 per cent and decrease fatigue by 65 per cent, a team of researchers at the University of Georgia in the US has found. Many studies have shown that exercise can boost energy, especially over time. more

United States: New York City using 'green carts' in latest healthy trend

New York City will issue 1,000 new permits for mobile fruit and vegetable stands in its latest drive against obesity and unhealthiness among its residents. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said underserved New Yorkers would have better access to fresh produce as early as this spring. more

United States: Ayurvedic herbal supplements found to be an effective antidote to 9/11 toxicity

All 50 participants in a study on the effectiveness of Ayurvedic herbal supplements for 9/11 toxicity reported high incidence of alleviation of previously intractable symptoms, according to a report in the Jan/Feb 2008 issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine (ATHM), a peer-reviewed medical journal published by InnoVision Health Media. more

Switzerland: Geneva votes to ban smoking in public places

Geneva, home to the United Nations' European headquarters and scores of banks catering to the very rich, will ban smoking in public places following a referendum on Sunday, the Swiss news agency ATS said. more

United States study: Being fit can lower stroke risk

Being merely moderately fit -- walking briskly half an hour a day -- can lower the risk of having a stroke, according to a new study whose findings apply to women as well as men. more

Japan: Japanese study says yogurt may help prevent gum disease

Regularly eating yogurt and other foods with lactic acid may be good for your mouth, Japanese researchers report. Dr Yoshihiro Shimazaki and colleagues found that consuming yogurt and lactic acid drinks was significantly associated with better periodontal health. more

Global Health News February 2008

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Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health - Part I

Maharishi Ayurveda is the revival of the traditional Vedic health care system of India, which dates back thousands of years, by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Sanskrit root 'Ayu' means life and 'Veda' means pure knowledge. Ayurveda can thus be understood as the total knowledge of life and living. more

Russia: Ban on cigarette advertisements planned

Russia, one of the world's top markets for tobacco sales, plans to ban all cigarette advertising within five years. Russia's cigarette market is dominated by global tobacco companies such as Altria Group's Philip Morris division, British American Tobacco Plc, Japan Tobacco Inc, and Imperial Tobacco. more

France scraps licenses for 1,500 pesticides

France will ban the sale of more than 1,500 pesticides from 1 February as part of a larger plan to cut by 50 per cent the use of phytosanitary products in the next 10 years, the farm ministry said. more

New article published on connection between Vedic Literature and human physiology

A recent broadcast over the Internet on the Maharishi Channel, included a report on a recently published article by Dr William Sands describing how reading Vedic Literature can strengthen specific areas of the body. more

Turkey: Organic agriculture sector prepares roadmap for growth

By 2012, Turkey plans on capturing a larger share of the world organic market, which is estimated to be $40 billion. Currently, Turkey's export-oriented organic products sector makes between $130-150 million. In the next four years, the country wants to increase exports to $1 billion. more

Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health - Part I: Dr Anand Srivastava discusses the progressive unfoldment of knowledge

Dr Anand Srivastava, Chairman and Managing Director of Maharishi Ayurveda Products Ltd, informed a World Congress of the unique attributes of Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health that make it the world's most complete and effective system of natural health care. more

Maharishi's Vedic Approach to Health - Part II: Dr Anand Srivastava discusses promotion of longevity

Dr Anand Srivastava continued his address to the World Congress with an introduction to longevity. He referred to research on Maharishi Ayur-Veda herbal food supplements which indicates powerful potential for combating disease, and introduced a new preparation especially designed to promote longevity. more

South Africa Sunday Times: Lowering blood pressure with Transcendental Meditation

Comprehensive new research has found that Transcendental Meditation significantly reduces high blood pressure. The TM group had a 23% lower death rate from all causes, and a 30% lower rate of cardiovascular disease mortality, during the 8-year study compared to control groups practising other stress-reduction programmes. This article includes the full text of a report in the Sunday Times, the largest serious newspaper in South Africa. more

US: Study backs value of state anti-smoking plans

US state tobacco control programmes are effective at cutting the number of smokers, and states that spend more get the best results, federal health officials said on Tuesday. The study found that the more states spent on programmes, the larger the declines they achieved in adult smoking rates, independent of other factors like higher tobacco prices. more

Weight loss by diet or exercise benefits heart

shedding excess pounds may restore some of the heart's youth, whether the weight loss comes from eating less or exercising more, the results of a small study suggests. more

US: Future chefs learn how to cut trans fat

The movement to ban artery-clogging trans fats from food has a new venue: cooking schools. The places that train the people who will someday be feeding the rest of us are cutting back or eliminating artificial trans fats from their classrooms, saying they have a responsibility to teach students how to cook healthy foods. Trans fats are created when hydrogen is added to liquid cooking oils to harden them. Along with saturated fats, they raise levels of so-called bad cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease. more

Malawi says cuts child deaths by 29 per cent

Malawi reduced the number of children who die before their fifth birthday by 29 per cent in the six years to 2006, Health Minister Marjorie Ngaunje said on Tuesday. Some of the factors included increased rates of exclusive breastfeeding, which increased from 3 per cent in 1992 to 56 per cent in 2006, as well as access to safe drinking water. more

Canadians found to be looking for healthier holidays

Canadians are planning their 2008 vacations around staying fit and healthy eating, a new poll shows. A travel company survey showed that 52 per cent of Canadians plan to choose destinations where walking or being outdoors is an option, while 35 per cent said they would find a way to be active on their vacations no matter what. Even more Americans say they will do the same. more

Egypt: Study says quality of Nile water has improved

A study has indicated that water quality in the Egyptian segment of the River Nile improved considerably in the months of October and November 2007, giving rise to hopes that drinking water quality for many of Egypt's 80 million people may improve. more

China: Beijing proposes smoking ban extension to include hotels

Beijing is to ban smoking in 70 per cent of the city's hotel rooms as it strives to clean up its air before this Augusts' Olympic Games. The new regulation will be enacted on 31 May and will later be expanded to cover fitness centres, cultural heritage sites, and offices. Smoking is already banned in schools, libraries, cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, stores, banks, and post offices and on public transport. more

Longevity in older men improved with exercise: study

Older men who were classified as 'highly fit' died at half the rate of those who were not fit in a major long-term study, US researchers said. They found that 30 minutes of brisk walking 5 to 6 days a week would be enough to push an older or middle-aged man from the 'low fit' to the 'very highly fit' category in a matter of months. more

US study: Getting in shape increases men's longevity

The more fit you are, the longer you're likely to live, according to a large study of veterans that applies to black men as well as white men. 'A little bit of exercise goes a long way,' said Peter Kokkinos, lead author of the study. 'Thirty minutes a day, five days a week of brisk walking is likely to reduce the risk of mortality by 50 per cent if not more.' more

France to review biofuel use on environmental concerns

France is envisaging changing its policy on the use of biofuels after doubts were expressed on the environmental impact of so-called 'green fuels,' the Secretary of State for Environment said. Several international reports cast doubts on the final environmental impact of biofuels taking account of the energy spent to grow the plants, the chemical products used to boost yields, and the water they consume. more

Sierra Leone farmers return to dig fields, not gems

The battle for Sierra Leone's eastern diamond fields fuelled its 11-year civil war, but now the muddy pits are being returned to farming under a scheme funded by US luxury jewellers Tiffany and Company. more

EU to toughen environment criteria for biofuels

The European Union is to set tougher environmental criteria for biofuels after acknowledging that the drive for transport fuels produced from crops has done unforeseen damage, the European Commission said on Monday. The EU had initially underestimated the danger to rainforests and the risk of forcing up food prices from its policy of setting binding targets for the use of biofuels, he told the BBC. more

Australia: Organic produce moves from trendy to mainstream

Australians are discovering that organic food is better for their health and the environment. In 2007, more people bought organic food than ever before. more

France: Agriculture minister to push for reformed policy across EU bloc rejecting cloning

French Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier said on Thursday that the country would push for a reformed agricultural policy across the bloc which would favour traditional methods of farming and would reject cloning. Agriculture Minister Barnier was speaking after Europe's food safety agency and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared cloned food products safe to eat. more

Germany: Demand for organic food grows

Organic food is proving to be so popular with German's that it is in short supply, according to a report from the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper. more

Global Health News January 2008

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Walking has enormous health benefits, study confirms

US: Ecofashion helps farms

Farmers in the United States grow a small portion of the organic cotton used by the apparel industry, which still sources most of its fibres overseas in countries like Turkey where labour and production costs are cheaper. The market is clearly booming, however: The non-profit Organic Exchange predicts that sales of organic cotton fibre will reach $226 million by 2009, up from about $19 million in 2004. more

NOTE: Organic cotton contains no residual pesticides and herbicides, which can be absorbed by the skin.

The effects of Transcendental Meditation on ageing

Successful aging is the best indication of how effectively an individual handles the stresses of life. Transcendental Meditation has proven highly effective in promoting successful aging. more

A happy heart might be a healthier one as well

A happy heart just might be a healthier one as well, new research suggests. Researchers have long noted that happier people tend to be in better health than those who are persistently stressed, hostile, or pessimistic. But the reasons are still being studied. more

A new book: Perfect Blood Pressure Naturally

This book is a lot more than a standard medical text. It shows you how to protect yourself by creating ideal blood pressure naturally through the Transcendental Meditation Programme. more

US studies show how fruits and vegetables reduce cancer

A growing body of research that shows fruits and vegetables, especially richly coloured varieties, can reduce the risk of cancer. more

Americans opt for healthy eating, not diets: survey

Dieting has fallen out of favour while eating healthier is in, a consumer marketing research firm that tracks what Americans consume said on Friday. Eight out of 10 dieters said their goal was both to lose weight and improve their health -- a sign of growing acceptance that a healthy weight may not equate to slimness. The percentage of adults who viewed an overweight person as unattractive has dropped to 25 per cent from more than 50 per cent in past decades. more

Honey makes comeback as infection remedy

Amid growing concern over drug-resistant super bugs and non-healing wounds that endanger diabetes patients, nature's original antibiotic -- honey -- is making a comeback. More than 4,000 years after Egyptians began applying honey to wounds, Derma Sciences Inc, a West Windsor company that makes medicated and other advanced wound care products, began selling the first honey-based dressing this fall after it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Honey dressings and gels, as well as tubes of manuka honey, have been gaining in popularity overseas, fuelled by scientific reports on their medical benefits and occasional news accounts of the dramatic recovery of a patient with a long-time wound that suddenly healed. more

Maharishi Vedic health care - Part I - The Holistic Approach

A growing body of evidence is indicating that Maharishi Vedic health care offers truly holistic health care. This brief article contrasting the holistic approach with the non-holistic approach to health also includes many useful links to further information. more

Maharishi Vedic health care - Part II - The Inner Doctor

Maharishi Vedic health care is the formulation of the ancient Vedic Medicine of India, by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of the Transcendental Meditation Programme, in collaboration with leading expert practitioners and the world's foremost scientists.  more

Turkey to stub out cigarettes in September

Turkey, both a major producer and consumer of tobacco, has a smoking ban that starts in September for cafes, restaurants, etc. As well as most enclosed public areas, the ban will also apply to some outdoor locations such as stadiums, and the gardens of mosques and hospitals, and to taxis and trains. Smoking is already banned on buses and planes. more

Smoking banned in German and French establishments

Next Tuesday, strict new bans take effect in two of Western Europe's final bastions for smokers, and cigarettes will become off limits in every German pub and French cafe. more

Maharishi University of Management greenhouses teach organic farming

The Maharishi University Organic Farm offers students in the sustainable living programme at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, USA practical experience in the field of organic agriculture, and also provides fresh, pure food to the school. more

South Korea to toughen rules on GMO imports

The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced that government agencies in South Korea will be monitoring the research, development, import, export, and distribution of genetically-modified plants and animals, starting at the first of the year. more

India: Farmers' superstores to take on Wal-Mart

Indian farmers and traders, opposed to the entry of private retail giants such as Wal-Mart, are building a chain of superstores as part of efforts to sell their produce directly and stop prices being set by a few big players. The effort is being backed by authorities in Maharashtra, which says infrastructure costs for the project could be subsidised. Maharashtra's farmers are hoping they can take the fight to the private giants with their superstores and chain of outlets that can sell vegetables, fruits, and a range of farm products. more

India: Garden Fresh adds freshness to local fruit market in Assam

The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) has undertaken 'garden fresh', an initiative to develop a direct connection between rural farmers and city dwellers to promote regional, indigenously grown fruits and vegetables. Providing a platform to promote marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables, many of which are organically grown, NEDFi hopes that this 'garden fresh' initiative will help to motivate the rural farmers to go for organic farming. more

Mexico's biggest clean up to transform refinery site into park

Mexico's oil monopoly Pemex is taking on the country's biggest ever environmental clean-up on land at a former refinery that will be turned into a huge park. Tentative plans for the park include an aquarium and major reforestation. The new park will be slightly smaller than Chapultepec Park, the city's main park. more

US: Minnesota to ban mercury in beauty products

On 1 January the state of Minnesota banned mercury from beauty products. The state apparently is the first in the nation to ban intentionally-added mercury in cosmetics. When the law takes effect, Minnesota will have a tougher standard than the federal government. The law also covers toiletries, fragrances, and over-the-counter drugs such as eye drops, nasal sprays, and antiseptics. more

Traditional Chinese medicine can be used by athletes at Olympics

Athletes will be able to use traditional Chinese medicines at next year's Olympics without risking positive tests for banned substances. 'It has been around for several thousand years and is very healthy for the body,' said Dr Dai Jianping, a Beijing organizing committee (BOCOG) official. Dai said China's drug administration had to approve all traditional medicines and, as in other countries, the ingredients were analyzed and listed on packaging. more

Canadian retail chain pulls plastic water bottles containing bisphenol A

Canada's largest outdoor-goods chain has pulled water bottles and food containers made of polycarbonate plastic from its shelves over worries about the chemical bisphenol A, which has been linked to cancer and reproductive problems in animals. The company fears the chemical can leach from plastic food and water containers. Norway and the EU are also reviewing the product. Japanese manufacturers stopped making products using polycarbonate plastic five to six years ago. more

Honey calms children's coughs study shows

A teaspoon of honey before bed seems to calm children's coughs and help them sleep better, according to a new study that relied on parents' reports of their children's symptoms. The folk remedy did better than cough medicine or no treatment in a three-way comparison. Honey may work by coating and soothing an irritated throat, the study authors said. more

France to extend GMO ban unless proven safe

France will extend its ban on the use and sale of the only genetically modified crop grown in the country unless a newly set-up committee on GMOs can prove it is safe, senior government officials said on Wednesday. France said this month it was suspending the commercial use of maize seeds developed by US biotech giant Monsanto until 9 February. If doubts over safety linger, France would extend its ban by using the so-called safeguard clause. more

Expanding EU forests help absorb greenhouse gases

Forests in the European Union grew by a net 10 per cent in western EU countries and by 15 per cent in the east from 1990 to 2005. Since 1990, EU forest growth has done twice as much to absorb greenhouse gases as EU measures to promote renewable energies such as wind or hydro power, the scientists said. more

Palm oil industry closer to 'green' labelling

A certification process was launched enabling palm oil producers meeting stringent environment standards to label their products as eco-friendly. Malaysian commodities minister launched the certification process in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia and Indonesia, home to more than 4 per cent of the world's rainforests, produce nearly 85 per cent of total palm oil. more

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Read all Global Health News Summaries for 2008  Good News 2008

Read all Global Health News Summaries for 2007  Good News 2007

Read all Global Health News Summaries for 2006  Good News 2006

FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information about the products mentioned above and on how to order them see How to Order or call 01695 51015 and for information about the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre see www.MaharishiAyurveda.co.uk or call 01695 51008.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this document is presented for the sole purpose of imparting education on Maharishi Ayurveda and neither the information nor the products are intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, or are pregnant or lactating, please consult a health professional and it is recommended that you speak with your physician before making significant changes to your diet or routine.