There is a Facebook group called Breast Implant Illness and Healing by Nicole that has nearly 200,000 members. The failure of breast implants has led to countless horror stories with many doctors telling women that their concerns are all in their head. Although it is not an official disease diagnosis, breast implant illness (BII) is a collection of complex symptoms that occur in healthy women after they decide to have implant surgery. The symptoms are far-ranging and often debilitating. Since the symptoms are so numerous and varied, doctors have a difficult time pinpointing an exact diagnosis. In 2020, the top ten symptoms reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) involving breast implants were fatigue (49%), brain fog (25%), joint pain (25%), anxiety (24%), hair loss (21%), depression (19%), rash (18%), autoimmune diseases (18%), inflammation (18%), and weight problems (18%). 

The flavor and nutritional value of fruit are the result of each fruit and vegetable's unique composition and essential nutrients. A ZME Science study found that fungicides, which are designed to interrupt cell processes to control fungi growth that damages crops, also damages the fruit by interfering with the production of compounds that are essential to flavor. Consumers have complained for years about the change in the flavor of strawberries. Scientists have suspected the pesticides and fungicides were responsible, but the exact mechanisms were unknown. 

Do you remember hearing people speak during the last few years about something called quercetin in conjunction with natural COVID treatments? If you did, you learned that it was an amazing compound. Quercetin has a remarkable list of research-backed therapeutic credentials of which you may not be aware. Elderflower (pictured on the right) is rich in quercetin. An extract made from Elderflower (and put in a tonic) is traditionally used to boost immunity. In supplement form, quercetin is used to prevent and treat the common cold and influenza. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Light is a nutrient for the body and mind. That sounds funny; but nevertheless it is true. Our modern, indoor lives are lit up with artificial light that can cause us to become chronically depleted of the positive biological effects of natural light. A lack of sunlight leads to a serious deficiency of vitamin D3. This, in turn, can lead to many autoimmune and degenerative diseases. Unfortunately, many of us have been taught to fear the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. People slather up with sunscreens that contain harmful carcinogenic ingredients to ward off the sun's light and don't realize they are doing great harm to themselves (see my book, pages 80-81). Healthier sunscreen alternatives do exist, but it's important to realize that direct UVB radiation from the sun is essential for the body to produce vitamin D3, and thus strengthen our immune systems.