Mercury contributes to atherosclerosis

[Zizzle]

I subscribe to the single most depressing newsletter on the face of the earth, Above the Fold. It's environmental news compiled by Environmental Health Sciences. I get daily emails filled with horrible bad news about the environment, pollution, etc. We are really headed for doomsday from an environmental perspective. I truly believe MOST of our chronic ills are tied to environmental factors outside our control, and unfortunately beyond the reach of the EPA.

Today they highlighted research showing that methylmercury, found in seafood (water, air, and everywhere), inhibits an enzyme that prevents atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Sidebar--Proof once again that statins are not the solution!!

There is truly no hope for mankind if we continue to use and abuse our environment, particulary as we depend on coal for electricity. Another article shows how pollution from manufacturing (our goods) in China is making its way across the globe.

Honestly, how can you not want to go out and hug a tree after you read this stuff!!

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ ... t-disease/

Scientists measured and compared blood mercury concentrations and activity levels of an enzyme called paraoxonase (PON1). Lab studies show mercury hinders PON1 activity. PON1 is thought to protect against arterial disease by breaking down harmful oxidized lipid fats that, in turn, act on the low-density (LDL) and high-density (HDL) lipid components of cholesterol.

The scientists also measured blood concentrations of selenium, an essential element commonly found in seafood that is thought to protect against mercury toxicity.

As expected, blood mercury levels were linked to a decrease in PON1 enzyme activity, and thus, decreased protection against heart disease. In contrast, selenium levels were associated with increased enzyme activity.

[tex]

Zizzle,

I've always thought it somewhat amusing the way that Americans think that by "exporting" their pollution, that's somehow a solution. It's out of sight - out of mind, (but unfortunately, still in the global environment). If we hadn't exported all that manufacturing, we could be producing those goods here, using much cleaner production methods, (maybe not perfect, but certainly much better - and definitely more highly regulated). And by not exporting all those jobs, of course, our economy would be smelling like a rose - we wouldn't be worrying about the day when "Big Red" comes to collect his debts, somewhere down the line.

The problem is, somewhere during the last 4 or 5 decades, Americans seem to have collectively become lazy, and complacent, so that today, they almost always choose to take the easy way out, (the cheapest way), rather than to bite the bullet, and do it right - (by doing it themselves). And now we've taught the congress to think in the same way - they realize that they don't have to make any hard, responsible decisions, because their constituents set the perfect example for them. Just look at their resolution of the budget crisis. After all that wasted time, that's the best they could come up with? Why take responsibility, when we can blame someone else?

You're right, the future doesn't look great, but IMO, the problem is not so much "environmental", as "attitude". The sad state of the environment is simply the result of collateral damage due to our warped attitude. We don't think the way that our grandparents thought, and we don't have the same values that originally made this country great. These days, we, (and by we, I mean society as a whole, present company excepted), apparently value money, family, leisure, freedom, and country, (including stewardship of the land), in that order. Our grandparents had a completely different outlook - they valued family, freedom, country, (including stewardship of the land), money, and leisure, in that order, and these two "attitudes" are a world apart.

At least that's the way I see it.

Tex

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Tex,

I was listening to a local talk show on the way home last night and the radio personality - really like him - stated exactly what you said about the politicians constituents. He said we have no one to blame but ourselves for not being active in their districts and not voicing our real views. By not doing so, they act as they feel free to do. A real state of affairs for those who do not become involved.

Love, Maggie