Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily health tips that I personally read every day.

By Susan Patterson, TheAlternativeDaily

Here we go again, another food recall. It seems that these are becoming more and more prominent, pushing consumers to wonder if there are any really safe foods or grocery stores? The FDA has just issued a mass recall of potatoes, lemons, limes, Valencia oranges, and even organic limes due to a potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Routine inspection raised a red flag

A routine internal inspection of Freshouse II in Salisbury North Carolina identified Listeria on some of the equipment in their packing facilities. According to company officials,

“We have ceased the production and distribution of the product that was packed on the equipment in question and are taking corrective actions and continually evaluating our cleaning and sanitation regimes.”

Recalled items were shipped to retail distribution centers located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, along with wholesalers in North Carolina and Maryland.

What is Listeria?

Listeria is a bacteria that lives in soil, water, dust, animal poop, and other substances. The bacteria thrives in cooler temperatures and is not even destroyed by freezing. It cannot be detected by smell or sight, making Listeria difficult to notice before eating. Although dairy products are most often contaminated by Listeria, it has also been found in other food items such as deli meat, hummus, soft cheese, and cantaloupe, to name a few.

Listeria can cause severe illness and may be fatal for specific groups of the population. Anyone with a weakened immune system could be at a significantly higher risk of life-threatening health issues associated with a listeria infection, according to the CDC. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, including people with HIV, cancer, and diabetes, are most at risk.

People who are otherwise healthy may also experience symptoms such as severe headache, abdominal pain, achy muscles, nausea, and diarrhea. These symptoms may appear a few days after you eat affected food items, or they can take as much as a couple of months to show up.

The infection can spread to the nervous system, where it becomes quite serious. This condition is known as listeriosis and is fatal in 20% of people who have it. Signs of listeriosis include.

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions

Listeria can spread inside your home

The FDA also states that listeria can spread once it hits your kitchen counters and refrigerator shelves. The FDA states, “Contaminated food can bring Listeria into the home. Unlike most bacteria, Listeria germs can grow and spread in the refrigerator.”

According to statistics compiled by the New York Times, about 1,600 cases of Listeria appear in the US each year, and about 260 people die from the resulting infection.

What was recently recalled due to possible Listeria contamination

Fortunately, there have been no illnesses due to potentially contaminated items. Here is a list of products that are being voluntarily recalled. If you or someone you know has eaten any of the products listed below and are experiencing a fever, headache, or abdominal pain, contact a doctor as soon as possible.

• Freshouse Limes sold in 2lb Mesh Bags, UPC #33383 and 14683; Trace # 174618, 174570, 174571, 174572
• Nature’s Promise Organic Limes sold in 1lb Mesh Bags, UPC #88267 and 53813; Trace # 174375
• Fresh From the Start Red B Potatoes sold in 3lb Mesh Bags, UPC #33383 and 51003; Trace # 174575, 174403, 174595
• Fresh From the Start Lemons sold in 2lb Mesh Bags, UPC #33383 and 14020; Trace # 174551, 174552
• Wegmans Lemons sold in 2lb Mesh Bags, UPC #77890, 15917
• Wegmans Valencia Oranges sold in 4lb Mesh Bags, UPC # 77890, 52363
• Wholesale Bulk Lemons sold in 40lb Mesh Bags, Shippers Reference Numbers 1187005, 1187128, 1187103, 1187112
• Wholesale Bulk Limes sold in 40lb Mesh Bags, Shippers Reference Numbers 1187112, 1187099, 1187128, 1186832
• Wholesale Bulk Red Potatoes sold in 50lb Mesh Bags, Shippers Reference Numbers 1187098, 320873, 320992, 2182424
• Wholesale Bulk Valencia Oranges sold in 40lb Mesh Bags, Shippers Reference Numbers 1187099, 1187015, 1187112

Reduce listeria contamination in your kitchen and home by doing the following

• Keep your refrigerator cold, 40 degrees F or lower.
• Wrap and cover foods properly using plastic wrap or containers.
• After three days, ditch your leftovers.
• Clean your refrigerator. The FDA recommends using throwaway paper towels instead of cloth towels, which can transfer germs to other areas of your kitchen.
• Clean your countertops, cutting boards, and utensils with hot, soapy water when finished preparing food.
• Cook meat, poultry, and egg dishes until the temperature reaches 160 degrees F in the center.
• Scrub raw vegetables with a brush under running water.
• Always wash your hands with warm and soapy water before cooking. If you handle raw meat or poultry, wash your hands immediately after handling.
• Keep uncooked meat and poultry away from other food.
• Use deli and lunch meat 3-5 days after opening.
• Stay up to date on the latest recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks by visiting the CDC and FDA websites regularly.

Speaking of harmful bacteria, did you know that one of nature’s best (and tastiest) anti-microbial substances is actually HONEY! Honey can help kill bad bacteria and even fungus too. And my good friends at TheAlternativeDaily wanted to offer you a FREE copy of their new book, The Honey Phenomenon, which details dozens of ways to use honey to heal and revitalize your skin, hair, teeth, and even help improve your heart health, brain health, fight aging, and help with coughs or allergies too! It really is a miraculous substance.

Don’t miss your FREE copy of The Honey Phenomenon before they run out of copies.

— Susan Patterson
(The original article source is here

The post Potentially Fatal Bacteria Found on Potatoes, Lemons, Limes and Oranges appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Diabetes affects over 100 million people living in the U.S. That’s a lot of drugs dispersed daily. So, when there’s a drug recall, it affects millions of people. Drug recalls occur when an over-the-counter or prescription medicine is taken off the market because it’s either defective or possibly harmful. Here’s the latest diabetes drug recall.

Diabetes meds containing carcinogens recalled

Recently, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Issued a national voluntary recall for one lot of the Type 2 diabetes medicine Riomet ER, (metformin). The drug was recalled after lab tests found it contained too much N-Nitrosodimethylamine, more commonly known as NDMA. The contaminant NDMA is a yellow liquid, once used to make rocket fuel. It has no distinct odor but is a known carcinogen, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here’s what you need to look for:

– Drug: RIOMET ER™
– Lot number: AB06381
– Expiration date: 10/2021

If you’re taking Riomet ER, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) advises you to continue taking your medication. However, contact your doctor for advice regarding another treatment. It’s dangerous to stop taking your medicine without first talking to your health care professional.

Is there another, more natural way to treat diabetes?

Recalls can be scary, especially when you rely heavily on the recalled drug to treat your condition. Several factors can cause drugs to be recalled by the manufacturer, suggests the FDA: Health hazard, incorrect packaging or labeling, and drug contamination. With this in mind, you may want to take a more natural approach to complement your diabetes treatment. However, herbs, supplements, and medicine can be a bad mix if not done correctly, causing blood sugar to drop. Therefore, any changes to your diet and medicine should always be discussed with your health care practitioner in advance.

Diabetes is a “perfect storm”

According to the CDC, over 34 million people of all ages in the U.S. have Type 2 diabetes. Plus, one in three American adults have prediabetes — that’s 88 million people! What’s more, over seven million adults aged 18 years, who were tested for diabetes via lab testing, did not even know they had diabetes. The truth is, diabetes is typically the result of a “perfect storm,” which encompasses poor diet and lifestyle choices mixed with hereditary genes. The following all play a role in the disease, including:

– Eating the wrong foods
– Not exercising
– Being emotionally stressed
– Not getting proper sleep
– Too many toxins
– Hereditary genes

Below are a number of all-natural, self-care remedies that could help improve your diabetes.

Take apple cider vinegar

Several small studies suggest that taking apple cider vinegar could improve blood sugar levels. One study from the American Diabetes Association found that ingesting two tablespoons of ACV before bed can reduce your morning fasting sugar levels. Another study suggests that taking one to two tablespoons of ACV with meals may decrease the glycemic load of a carbohydrate-rich meal.

Exercise regularly and lose that belly fat

Being overweight is the biggest risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Experts agree, regular exercise not only helps you lose weight but also increases insulin sensitivity. Belly fat is particularly risky since the fat that surrounds the abdominal organs and the liver is linked to insulin resistance. You are high risk if you are a woman whose waist measures 35 inches or more or a man whose waist measures 40 inches or more.

Supplement with chromium

Since the 1950s, it’s been suggested that chromium contains a glucose tolerance factor that helps prevent diabetes. Mostly found in brewer’s yeast, research reports that chromium may lower blood sugar levels. Some trials have found that supplementing with chromium increases muscle gain and accelerates fat loss during exercise. It’s also thought to improve serum lipid profile and glucose metabolism in patients with or without diabetes. However, Stamford Health warns to be careful taking this supplement if you have kidney disease.

Add a little cinnamon to your coffee

Some controlled studies suggest that cinnamon may reduce fasting blood sugar. However, while some studies report significant drops in hemoglobin A1c, others show no effect. Nevertheless, sprinkling a little cinnamon each day on your breakfast cereal or in your coffee is a safe, non-toxic way to help lower your blood sugar potentially.

Lower your carbs

Studies show that a low-carb diet often helps prevent blood sugar spikes while reducing blood sugar levels. However, when replacing carbs with protein, make healthy protein choices. Stay away from saturated fats.

Snack on pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium, which is thought to be the reason why it has positive effects on diabetes. A study that looked at over 127,000 people found that magnesium-rich diets were linked with a 33 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes in men and a 34 percent lower risk in women.

If you have diabetes, you have nearly double the chance of developing heart disease. You also have a higher chance of developing mental health issues, such as depression. However, type 2 diabetes is preventable in most cases. And in some people, it can even be reversed. Be proactive in your health. Talk to your doctor, change your diet, and start moving.

(The original article source is here)

Speaking of diabetes…If you think that Type 2 Diabetes is irreversible like many misinformed doctors will tell you, then you need to read some of the proof below on how to naturally reverse Type 2 Diabetes…

Although eating “paleo” or even low-carb is a good first step, you’ll also see below other techniques on just how simple it can be to “fix” your diabetes, control your blood sugars, and lose all of that excess fat sitting on your stomach.

> 1 Simple trick to REVERSE your Diabetes, naturally (while getting off drugs ASAP)

The post Diabetes Drug Recalled: Contains Cancer-Causing Ingredients appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.