Health & Fitness

This article was previously published August 21, 2020, and has been updated with new information.

Bill Gates has built a global empire around his technologies and "philanthropic" endeavors, the magnitude of which is now becoming increasingly clear. His sheer wealth has allowed him to become a veritable superpower in his own right. He's not only risen to become the largest funder of the World Health Organization and the unelected global COVID-19 health czar but he's also a secret powerbroker of the global food system.

As revealed in the AGRA Watch report,¹ "The Man Behind the Curtain: The Gates Foundation's Influence on the UN Food Systems Summit," published August 2020, Gates wields powerful influence over global food and agriculture policy through his funding of a large number of organizations involved in agricultural development and policy making.

Gates-Funded Organizations Defend Gates-Funded UN Envoy

While Gates is just one man, his clout is significantly leveraged and magnified by the fact that he funds such a large number of companies and organizations that can then do his bidding on the sly.

When you see long lists of groups, you automatically think there are many players in the game when, in fact, Gates is the singular thread running through most or all of them. The AGRA Watch report² makes a perfect case in point with the story of Agnes Kalibata.

Kalibata is the president of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), an organization funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In December 2019, Kalibata was appointed special envoy to the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit by the secretary general of the UN, Antonio Guterres.

In response, 176 civil society organizations and farmer groups from 83 countries urged Guterres to withdraw the appointment of Kalibata due to her clear conflicts of interest with corporate actors. A second statement, signed by more than 500 academics and organizations, also opposed Kalibata's appointment to, and her organization of, the Summit.

That's significant pushback, illustrating there's widespread concern about Kalibata's appointment. Coming forward in her defense were a dozen individuals representing development banks, academic institutions and the private sector.

They urged Guterres to retain Kalabata, citing her leadership qualities and work ethic, among other things. However, of those 12 defenders, "11 had past or current connections to the Gates Foundation," AGRA Watch says, adding:³

"In some instances, the organizations were directly funded by the Gates Foundation, and in others, the Gates Foundation funded specific programs in which the signers had played roles. One organization was funded by AGRA, which is funded by the Gates Foundation."

Gates' Undue Influence Over UN Food Systems Summit

In other words, while it may look like Kalabata had support from a dozen separate and independent individuals or groups, in reality, there are really only two voices speaking in her defense. It's just that Gates' voice is magnified times 11. What's more, his name is never actually mentioned, so to the uninitiated, it would appear he has nothing to do with it at all.

"These findings illustrate the influence of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) on global food and agricultural policy. AGRA Watch has continually documented the role of the BMGF in influencing agricultural development, which has grown immensely in recent years," AGRA Watch writes.

"The Gates Foundation seeks to exercise influence not only through its funding of projects and shaping of expertise, but also in funding the governance platforms that determine food and agricultural policy. This role of the BMGF in driving policy decisions based on its proprietary and technological model of agricultural development is often overlooked …

In this report, we have demonstrated just some of the connections between the Gates Foundation and those who have supported Kalibata's appointment as head of the UN Food Systems Summit.

While hundreds of civil society organizations called for her removal, only twelve signatories were willing to support her appointment, almost all of whom were direct beneficiaries of the Gates Foundation. This raises critical questions about the role of Bill Gates in shaping the agenda of the UN Food Systems Summit as well as its outcomes."

The following graphic, included in the AGRA Watch report, illustrates the direct and indirect funding ties between the Gates Foundation and the UN Food Systems Summit's special envoy, Kalibata.

Gates Foundation's Revolving Door to Monsanto

AGRA Watch has raised concerns about the Gates Foundation's influence on the agribusiness for many years.

For example, among its many research reports⁴ is the 2010 report "The Revolving Door: Monsanto-Gates Links,"⁵ which details the direct links between the Gates Foundation and Monsanto representatives Rob Horsch, Florence Wambugu, Don Doering,⁶ the late Sam Dryden and Lawrence Kent. Another 2010 report, "Gates Foundation Links to Monsanto and GE Crops Development in Kenya," points out:⁷

"AGRA Watch formed in 2008 to challenge the Gates Foundation's participation in the problematic Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and to support sustainable agro-ecological alternatives already practiced in Africa.

We have witnessed acceleration in the push for genetic engineering (GE) as a 'solution' to hunger in Africa, a criminalization of GE's opponents as eco-imperialists unwilling to accept scientific advancements, and a misplaced reverence for philanthropic support for corporate solutions to global food issues. Corporate interests are clearly exhibited in the AGRA agenda, as seen below."

Gates Foundation Isn't in It to Solve Real-World Problems

In its 2014 report,⁸ "Three Examples of Problems with Gates Foundation Grants," AGRA Watch highlights why Gates' massive investments in global food production have failed to solve any of the very real problems we face. First and foremost, many of the solutions that he backs are "Band-Aid solutions" that in fact worsen the root problems.

Examples include the funding of the development of genetically engineered (GE) foods designed to be higher in certain nutrients. The problem is that these crops then end up replacing local diversity with just a few GE varieties that don't even take local conditions into account. So, by pushing for "fortified" crop varieties, malnutrition actually deepens, as biodiversity is reduced.

Secondly, "a stubborn focus on yield" is at odds with research showing that low yield or insufficient production is not causing world hunger. "There is ample evidence today that the problem instead is poverty and lack of access, which is deepened by destruction of local food systems and commercialization of food," AGRA Watch notes, adding:

"Grants by the Gates' Foundation and AGRA continue to focus on yield, priming Africa for a system suited to the needs of the profit-seeking, yield-oriented commercial farmer rather than the peasant or small farmer producing diverse crops for a local community."

A third problem highlighted in the report is Gates' funding of European and American research organizations and scientists rather than African ones, even though the programs are being implemented in Africa.

According to AGRA Watch, "This may not be a result of conscious intentions but of a deeply embedded structural bias that casts African scientists and scientific institutions as not qualified or legitimate enough to receive grant funding."

Gates' Specialty: Philanthrocapitalism

Additional observations can be found in the AGRA Watch article⁹ "Philanthrocapitalism: The Gates Foundation's African Programs Are Not Charity," published December 2017, in which philanthrocapitalism is described as "an attempt to use market processes to do good," but which is inherently problematic "as markets are ill-suited to producing socially constructive ends."

Put another way, Gates' brand of philanthropy creates several new problems for each one it solves. As noted in the article, advocates of philanthrocapitalism:

"… often expect financial returns or secondary benefits over the long term from their investments in social programs. Philanthropy becomes another part of the engine of profit and corporate control. The Gates Foundation's strategy for 'development' actually promotes neoliberal economic policies and corporate globalization:

'It is ... likely that Bill Gates, who has regular access to world leaders and is in effect personally bankrolling hundreds of universities, international organizations, NGOs and media outlets, has become the single most influential voice in international development.

Closer examination of the BMGF is critical given that its influence is vast, indeed greater than most donor governments. The BMGF provides more aid to global health than any country donor and is the fifth largest donor to agriculture in developing countries.

In 2013, only 11 countries spent more on aid than the BMGF, making it the world's 12th largest donor. The Gates Foundation has become a bigger donor than countries such as Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland and Italy.'¹⁰"

Gates' Medical Plan: Global Immunization and Surveillance

One of the reasons many are now becoming aware of just how powerful Gates has become is because of his frequent appearances as the COVID-19 expert du jour. It's an odd choice, considering his complete and total lack of formal medical training. It's particularly perplexing in light of how the opinions of actual medical doctors, award-winning scientists and researchers who conflict with his views are being scrubbed off the internet.

Gates has repeatedly stated that life cannot go back to normal until and unless we vaccinate the entire global population against COVID-19. This, despite the fact that scientists and medical researchers have discovered a variety of safe, simple and inexpensive strategies to prevent and treat COVID-19.

The fact that Gates' irrational and scientifically unsound opinions are shaping pandemic responses around the globe while real medical professionals are being censored by mainstream media and social media platforms is proof positive that we're no longer operating from a base of science and medical truth.

Instead, the whole world is expected to fall into line with the self-serving agenda created by Gates and his many allies in technology and medicine. In an April 30, 2020, GatesNotes post,^11,12 Gates even states he "suspect[s] the COVID-19 vaccine will become part of the routine newborn immunization schedule" — a nice little piece of predictive programming, if you ask me.

Mind you, the mRNA vaccines being developed against COVID-19 will alter your genetic expression, turning your body into a viral protein factory. Is it really wise to consider using such a novel vaccine on newborns? In a sane and rational world, the answer would be a resounding no. Unfortunately, we now live in a world run by Gates' goons, and thus reason and logic have largely vanished from the equation.

In predictable Hegelian dialectic problem-reaction-solution fashion, the problem of COVID-19 led to illogical and ill-conceived pandemic responses such as mask mandates and house arrest of healthy people, followed by the "ultimate solution" of a hastily thrown together vaccine using novel mRNA technology.

Radical as all of that may seem, Gates' plans for the world do not stop here. He's also pushing for the implementation of a vast, global surveillance system to track and trace everyone's infection and vaccination status. He's even funding the contact tracing group Partners in Health, along with George Soros. (The William J. Clinton Foundation has also funded Partners in Health in the past.¹³)

Not surprisingly, Gates' recommendations end up benefiting himself most of all, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donating billions to the very same companies and industries that the Foundation owns stocks and bonds in.

Using nonprofit money to advance research for companies you're invested in is illegal, yet he's been getting away with this for many years. At the same time, his Foundation gets tax breaks for the charitable donations it makes money from.¹⁴

Remember, he has "donated" tens of billions of dollars over the years, yet his net worth hasn't dropped — it has doubled, and this is largely because his donations are treated as tax deductible investments. It's philanthrocapitalism at its finest.

Gates Is Major Benefactor of Pandemic Fear-Mongering

The COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly Gates' biggest philanthrocapitalist project to date, and he stands to cash in big, as he's funding/investing in both therapeutics and COVID-19 vaccines.

In March 2020, the Gates Foundation announced¹⁵ a new partnership, dubbed "The COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator," with Wellcome and Mastercard to "coordinate R&D efforts and remove barriers to drug development." According to the press release:¹⁶

"The COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator will play a catalytic role by accelerating and evaluating new and repurposed drugs and biologics to treat patients with COVID-19 in the immediate term, and other viral pathogens in the longer-term."

The Gates Foundation has also teamed up with Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax. The vaccines, which will cost less than $3 per dose, are slated for delivery to low-income countries.^17,18

The funding is being funneled as an interest-free forgivable loan to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, founded by the Gates Foundation in 2000, which will then provide the needed capital to SII. Over the next five years, the Foundation has also pledged to provide Gavi with a total of $1.6 billion in additional funds.¹⁹

Gates' Attempt to Improve Education Was a Massive Failure

Having an overarching influence over technology, food and medicine (vaccines in particular) still doesn't adequately describe Gates' influence on our daily lives. He's also had a profound influence over education. The much-criticized Common Core curriculum was the Gates Foundation's attempt at remaking American education,²⁰ and most parents can tell you how dumb that was.²¹

Despite that abysmal failure, May 6, 2020, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state is partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop "a smarter education system" for the post-COVID world that will focus on online learning and permanently integrate technology into every aspect of civic life.²²

The state is also partnering with Google, and Cuomo has asked former Google CEO Eric Schmidt to head a new panel to plan the state's technological infrastructure.²³ As noted by The Intercept,²⁴ the surveillance apparatus that consumers have been railing against is now being rebranded as the answer to everyone's health concerns.

Gates Is the Most Visible Figurehead of Modern Technocracy

Whether preplanned or not, the COVID-19 pandemic is clearly being used to usher in highly controversial changes that are unmistakably totalitarian-building, including the private take-over of government through public-private partnerships.

Surveillance has become the biggest for-profit industry on the planet, and your entire existence is now being targeted for profit. Among those who stand to profit the most is Gates himself.

For a better understanding of what you're giving up by going along with the mainstream narrative that we need Big Tech to save us, see my interview with Patrick Wood, featured in a previous article. I've embedded that interview below for your convenience.

He paints a picture that can be hard to swallow, especially if you're just coming around to hearing about all of this for the first time, but it's really crucial that everyone begin to understand what we're facing. Time is running out. To have any chance of stopping it, we must understand our trajectory, and unite to change the course Gates and others like him have set for us.

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In the video above, Dr. Robert Malone, inventor of the mRNA and DNA vaccine core platform technology,¹ reviews a theory professor Mattias Desmet, a Belgian psychologist and statistician, believes explains the absurd and irrational behavior we’re now seeing worldwide with regard to the COVID pandemic and its countermeasures.

He calls this phenomenon “mass formation psychosis,” a type of crowd hypnosis that results in literally converting a large segment of the population into psychosis. Mass formation psychosis is the explanation for how the Germans accepted the atrocities by the Nazi party in the 1930s, and it’s the explanation for why so many around the world support medical apartheid and the destruction of the unvaccinated now.

It’s so irrational and inhumane, many have wondered how we got here. As it turns out, the psychology of totalitarianism has been studied for decades, and the whole thing is in fact explainable as a psychiatric phenomenon that arises when certain conditions exist in a society.

The Four Base Conditions for ‘Mass Formation’

The four central conditions that need to exist in order for mass formation psychosis to take root are:

How Mass Formation Allows Totalitarianism to Rise

When these four conditions are fulfilled by a large enough portion of society, they are ripe for the picking to convert to a psychosis, being totally out of touch with reality, which in turn leads to the rise of totalitarianism. As explained by Malone, when the pandemic broke out, people around the world became obsessed with one thing: the virus.

People everywhere thought about, read about and talked about the virus almost exclusively to everything else. This singular focus, this obsession, having the base conditions for mass formation already firmly in place, allowed for large portions of the population to enter into a hypnotic-like state.

In that hypnotic-like state (it’s very similar to conventional hypnotism but with minor differences), people lose their ability to have rational thought and judgment.

As noted by Malone, there is evidence that suggests at least parts of this psychological operation were done intentionally, by “some entity that has financial benefit or power to gain from doing this, which gets to the point of global totalitarianism.” Now, once a large portion of a society is hyper-focused on and fused in their joint discontent and anxiety, all a leader or leaders need to do to convince many that totalitarian control and loss of their freedom is best for them is to:

Social Bonding Is Key

By accepting and participating in whatever that strategy is, people with free-floating anxiety feel equipped with the means to control their anxiety and avoid panic. They also feel a strong bond with others, because they’ve all identified the same nemesis. As explained by Desmet in the Peak Prosperity interview below:

“Because many people participate in the same strategy to deal with the object of anxiety, a new kind of social bond emerges a new kind of solidarity. So, people feel connected again in a new way. And that's actually the most crucial thing.

If you look at the corona crisis and listen to the mainstream narrative, you will hear that everything is about solidarity. You have to participate, you have to accept the vaccine. You have to respect social distancing, because if you don't, you lack citizenship, you show no solidarity. That's the most crucial thing, always, in mass formation.

That's the real reason why people buy into the story, even if it is utterly absurd. It’s not because they believe in the narrative. It is because the narrative leads to a new social bond. That's the real reason.

There’s [also another] advantage. All the frustration and aggression can be directed at an object. And that object is the people who, for one reason or another, do not want to participate in the mass formation ...

So, you have this very strange situation where people start from a very negative and divisive mental state; [they have a] lack of social bond, lack of meaning-making, free floating anxiety and a lot of frustration and aggression.

They switch from this very highly aversive mental state to a symptomatic positive state where they feel connected. Their life makes sense again through this heroic struggle with the object of anxiety ... That's why people continue to believe in the narrative, even if it is utterly absurd.”

Mass Formation Psychosis Is a Self-Destructive Condition

The crazy thing is that the story can be an obvious lie, yet those under this hypnotic spell will believe it. The remedy can be utterly absurd, yet they’ll obey. This is how totalitarianism is allowed to rise.

Of course, there must always be a common enemy that must be obliterated — the “cause” for the peoples’ fear and anxiety — and under totalitarian rule, that enemy is anyone who is not spellbound. The dissenters are the enemy. In 2021, the unmasked and unvaccinated are the enemy.

If everyone would just get the experimental jab, COVID would vanish and everyone could go back to feeling safe again. That’s the narrative. It makes no sense, it’s irrational, inhumane and unscientific, but those who are in mass formation psychosis believe it’s just that simple, and that’s why some are able to wish death on the unmasked and/or unvaccinated.

So, as noted by Malone, “If it seems to you that the rest of the world has gone mad, the truth is, they have.” A problem far greater than any virus now is mass formation itself.

It’s a very dangerous condition, both for those under its spell and those who aren’t, because the “mental intoxication” that results makes people willing to do things that are clearly wrong and utterly immoral, up to and including voluntarily killing their own families and themselves, if told it’s for the greater good. In short, masses of people become profoundly gullible and self-destructive, which is a frightening combination.

As noted by Desmet, in a dictatorship, people comply because they fear the dictator. In a totalitarian regime, however, mass formation psychosis is at work, and this gives the regime extreme power over the individual, as the people, when in this hypnotic trance, voluntarily destroy their own families, their lives and themselves, along with the stated enemy.

Is Totalitarianism Unavoidable?

Malone says that in his conversations with Desmet, Desmet has said he believes the mass formation psychosis is so widespread at this point that global totalitarianism may be unavoidable. He believes it’ll take over, as we’re seeing in a number of countries already. So, what, if anything, can we do? A summary of suggestions are as follows:

The Gravity of Our Situation

To hear from Desmet himself, listen to his hour-long interview with Dr. Chris Martenson. As noted by Desmet, since self-destructiveness is built into the totalitarian system from the ground up, totalitarian regimes cannot be sustained forever. They fall apart as they’re destroyed from within. That’s the good news.

The bad news is it can be hell while it lasts, as totalitarianism built on mass formation almost always leads to heinous atrocities being committed in the name of doing good. There are usually few survivors at the end.

That said, Desmet believes this new global totalitarianism is more unstable than regional dictator-led totalitarian systems, so it may self-destruct faster. He has just finished writing a book, “The Psychology of Totalitarianism,” which is expected to be published in January 2022.

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Benzene is a known human carcinogen, yet still ranks in the top 20 chemicals used in the U.S., based on production volume.¹ Despite its known toxicity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued temporary guidance in March 2020, allowing it in hand sanitizers at levels up to 2 parts per million (ppm).²

The allowance was made due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered unprecedented demand for disinfectant products like hand sanitizers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to prevent COVID-19 if soap and water aren’t available.³

This, combined with panic and fear in the early days of the pandemic, led to shortages of hand sanitizer and supplies weren’t enough to meet consumer demand. As evidence of its increased prevalence, calls to Poison Control related to hand sanitizer increased 79% in March 2020 compared to March 2019.⁴

This triggered the FDA to loosen its guidelines for the products, allowing increased levels of toxins like benzene, despite its cancer-causing potential.

FDA Opened the Door for Benzene-Laced Hand Sanitizer

When hand sanitizer shortages emerged at the start of the pandemic, the FDA’s temporary guidance allowed manufacturers to produce the products from lower grades of ethanol, provided any toxins it contained fell under their interim limits.

In addition to benzene at 2 ppm, acetaldehyde, which is genotoxic and potentially carcinogenic, was allowed at levels up to 50 ppm, even as the agency stated, “Given the large number of applications of this product expected by consumers and health care personnel during the public health emergency, exposure to hand sanitizer with high levels of acetaldehyde poses a significant safety concern.”⁵ To explain their loosened restrictions, the FDA stated:⁶

“… FDA is working with industry to ensure that harmful levels of impurities are not present in ethanol used in hand sanitizer. Upon further review of the data, we are temporarily providing flexibility with respect to certain impurities at the levels established …

Based on our review of available data, we have determined these interim impurity levels can be tolerated for a relatively short period of time, given the emphasis on hand hygiene during the COVID-19 public health emergency and to avoid exacerbating access issues for alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Accordingly, during this public health emergency, FDA does not intend to take action against firms that manufacture fuel or technical grade ethanol for hand sanitizer that does not meet the USP or FCC requirements or firms that use such ethanol to prepare hand sanitizer on an interim basis, provided all other circumstances in the guidance are present …”

The move opened the door for the manufacture of hand sanitizer using cheap, low-grade ethanol that poses a health risk to humans. The FDA finally withdrew its temporary guidances for alcohol-based hand sanitizers on October 12, 2021, but it doesn’t take effect until December 31, 2021⁷ — nearly two years after it was issued.

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Hundreds of Sanitizer Brands

So many hand sanitizers contain potentially harmful ingredients that they necessitated their own page on the FDA’s website, titled “FDA Updates on Hand Sanitizers Consumers s=Should Not Use.”⁸ As of December 1, 2021, there were 270 entries on their list, including products that were tested by the FDA and found to contain benzene, acetaldehyde, methanol, acetal or other toxins.

Other hand sanitizers on the FDA’s “do not use” list were found to have microbial contamination, were made at the same facility as products that contain benzene and other toxins or were packaged in containers resembling food or beverage containers, posing an increased risk of accidental ingestion.⁹

In July 2020, the FDA warned that it had seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products labeled as containing ethanol (ethyl alcohol) but that tested positive for methanol contamination.¹⁰ Methanol, or wood alcohol, is toxic and can be life-threatening if ingested.

By August 2020, they had warned consumers and health care professionals about hand sanitizer products found to be contaminated with 1-propanol, which can cause central nervous system depression and death if ingested.

Another warning, this one released in March 2021, involved Durisan Antimicrobial Solutions Hand Sanitizer manufactured by Sanit Technologies LLC, which was found to contain high levels of Burkholderia cepacia complex and Ralstonia pickettii, bacteria that can cause serious infections, including infection of the skin, soft tissues, lungs or bloodstream.¹¹

Then, in October 2021, the FDA found “unacceptable” levels of benzene, acetaldehyde and acetal in certain hand sanitizers produced by Artnaturals.¹² David Light, CEO of Valisure lab, which has been testing hand sanitizers for contaminants, told NBC News:¹³

“The toxicity of benzene has been known for over 120 years. It’s directly linked with causing leukemia in humans. It’s a group one carcinogen, it’s at the top of the FDA list of chemicals not to use in manufacturing. Benzene is an extremely cheap solvent. From a chemical perspective, it’s a great solvent, and it works very well to make chemicals. But as the FDA itself says, very clearly, it should not be used for that.”

Benzene Found in 44 Hand Sanitizer Products

Valisure tested 260 hand sanitizer products, including liquid and non-liquid products. They found that 44 batches, or 17%, contained benzene. The highest benzene level detected was 16.1 ppm, which is more than eight times the FDA’s interim limit of 2 ppm.¹⁴

Benzene is found in crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke, and is also widely used to make chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic fibers, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs and pesticides. Benzene interferes with cells, causing bone marrow to not produce enough red blood cells, triggering anemia, for instance. It can also cause immune system damage, including changes in antibody levels and loss of white blood cells.

After long-term exposure, benzene causes cancer in humans, particularly leukemia, and is known to lead to irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in ovary size in women. Further, as noted by the CDC:¹⁵

“The major effect of benzene from long-term exposure is on the blood. (Long-term exposure means exposure of a year or more.) Benzene causes harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection.”

Benzene’s use in hand sanitizers is particularly egregious considering it can cause harm via skin absorption and inhalation, both of which are possible when hand sanitizer is used correctly and as intended. Valisure has asked to FDA to immediately recall the contaminated batches of hand sanitizer they revealed, and update its guidance to include an exposure limit for benzene along with a concentration limit.

They also found that at least 45% of the benzene-contaminated hand sanitizers contained additional ingredients intended to improve its smell, taste or appearance, increasing the risk of ingestion by children. In fact, Valisure stated, “Some of the highly contaminated batches Valisure analyzed appear to be specifically formulated and marketed for children.”¹⁶

Antiperspirants Recalled Due to Benzene

November 23, 2021, Procter & Gamble voluntarily recalled certain lots of Old Spice and Secret aerosol spray antiperspirants and Old Spice Below Deck aerosol spray products sold in the U.S., due to the presence of benzene.¹⁷

It’s ironic that the FDA has announced the voluntary recall, even acknowledging that “exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin,”¹⁸ yet it knowingly allowed increased levels of benzene in hand sanitizers throughout the pandemic — a time when people were using the products with increased frequency — without any warning.

Meanwhile, it warns that if you have any of the hand sanitizers on its “do not use” list, you should stop using it and “dispose of it, ideally in a hazardous waste container.”¹⁹ The FDA does not have the authority to force recalls, though it can warn about contaminated products.

However, unless you’re in the habit of checking the FDA’s website for consumer warnings, or you happen to see something in the news, you’d have no way of knowing that the hand sanitizer you’re using to “stay safe” may be exposing you to cancer-causing chemicals.

Do You Really Need Hand Sanitizer?

Overuse of hand sanitizers and other disinfectants can backfire. There are potential adverse effects to human health from inhaling disinfectants, as such chemicals are known to accumulate in the lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, brain and blood. Exposures were certainly elevated during the pandemic for many people, who were exposed to disinfectants by inhalation and oral routes, as well as via the skin and eyes.

There are also significant environmental concerns due to the “unusual release and dissemination of higher concentrations of biocide-based products into the surface and underground waters and also wastewater treatment systems” during the pandemic.²⁰ When disinfectants and biocides enter the environment, they can wipe out beneficial bacterial species that are keeping drug-resistant microorganisms in check.

“[I]f the biocide concentrations reach the sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC), this event may augment the selective pressure, boost the horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and drive the evolution of AMR [antimicrobial resistance],” scientists warn.²¹ Even during the pandemic, there’s little hand sanitizers can do that soap and water can’t.

Unless you’re in a hospital setting, where disinfectants are sometimes necessary, you should use hand sanitizers sparingly and only when truly necessary, which typically will be hardly at all.

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Artificial intelligence can predict which people who attend memory clinics will develop dementia within two years with 92 per cent accuracy, a largescale new study has concluded. Using data from more than 15,300 patients in the US, researchers found that a form of artificial intelligence called machine learning can accurately tell who will go on to develop dementia.

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Phthalates are a ubiquitous family of chemicals that are used every day. In a new study, researchers have investigated how these compounds affect tissue development in the reproductive systems of female mice offspring.

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A receptor activated by substances formed from omega-3 fatty acids plays a vital role in preventing inflammation in blood vessels and reducing atherosclerosis, a new study reports. The discovery can pave the way for new strategies for treating and preventing cardiovascular disease using omega-3 fatty acids.

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Normal epithelial cells show the ability to push out precancerous ones present in the epithelium, by means of 'cell competition.' But the exact molecular mechanism of this recognition by normal epithelial cells was unknown. Now, researchers have unraveled the interactions and cellular pathways leading to this extrusion, allowing them to identify a candidate for a therapeutic target for future cancer prevention research.

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With a new method researchers can investigate the developmental relationships of cells in the brain.

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This article was previously published October 8, 2020, and has been updated with new information.

Glucosinolates are sulfur-containing phytochemicals most notably found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. But research shows that Moringa, also known as the drumstick tree or the horseradish tree, is also high in these health-promoting compounds.

According to a May 2018 report published in Scientific Reports,¹ Moringa not only contains high levels of glucosinolates, but also has unique glucosinolates that are responsible for many of its medicinal properties.

Glucosinolates, which are inert, are metabolized into bioactive isothiocyanates by an enzyme called myrosinase.² The primary isothiocyanate in Moringa responsible for many of its health benefits is moringin,³ created by hydrolysis of glucomoringin.⁴

Moringin is also known as 4RBITC (after its chemical name, 4-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate). Like sulforaphane in broccoli, moringin has potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects.⁵

According to Jed Fahey, a nutritional biochemist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Medical School, moringin is just as potent as sulforaphane, and in some assays actually more potent.

What Is Moringa?

Before diving into the specific health benefits of Moringa and why glucosinolates are important, it's helpful to know what Moringa is. Moringa is a tree native to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.⁶

There are 14 different species of Moringa, but the most common and most widely consumed is Moringa oleifera, sometimes referred to as the "miracle vegetable." If you live in a subtropical area and decide to plant this tree, be careful, as it is one of the fastest growing trees I have ever seen.

I planted a few to have as shrubs that I can harvest for my salad. I stopped using it when I switched to carnivore and six months later, these trees were 25 feet tall, blocking my solar panels, and the trunks had a 12-inch circumference.

For centuries, Moringa oleifera has been used in Ayurvedic and natural medicine as a remedy for inflammation, infectious diseases and chronic conditions such as heart disease, blood diseases and digestive disorders.⁷

While Moringa oleifera is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and several phenolic compounds, many of the health benefits of the plant come down to its glucosinolates and the isothiocyanate moringin. Interestingly, recent research has revealed a previously unknown glucosinolate in wild Moringa.

Previously Unknown Glucosinolate Found in Moringa

Glucosinolates are a class of sulfur-containing compounds found in cruciferous vegetables, also called the Brassica family of vegetables, and Moringa, but Moringa oleifera contains several members of the glucosinolate family that aren't found anywhere else. The most concentrated glucosinolate in Moringa oleifera is glucomoringin (GMG), which has antioxidant and anticancer benefits.

Researchers recently discovered a novel type of glucosinolate in wild forms of Moringa oleifera dubbed 4-(-L-glucopyranosyloxy)benzyl GS (4GBGS).⁸ Domestic forms of Moringa oleifera, or those specifically grown for human consumption, also had some levels of 4GBGS, but in much lower concentrations.

The researchers speculate that this may be due to the manufacturers' desire to improve the naturally bitter taste of Moringa. Since glucosinolates contain sulfur, they have a distinct, sometimes off-putting flavor.

In addition to GMG and 4GBGS, Moringa oleifera also contains at least 10 other glucosinolates that work together to provide many of the health benefits of Moringa.

Moringa Has Powerful Antibiotic Effects

Moringa has also been shown to have potent antibiotic activity against a wide variety of pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Candida and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).⁹ According to Scientific Reports:¹⁰

"… (4RBITC), the isothiocyanate created by hydrolysis of 'glucomoringin' … from M. oleifera is a potent and selective antibiotic against H. pylori.

Other studies have shown that the antibiotic activity of 4RBITC from M. oleifera is selective and potent against other important human pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. It also appears to be effective in controlling certain manifestations of both ALS and multiple sclerosis in mouse models.

A growing number of epidemiologic, animal, and clinical studies link dietary glucosinolates and their cognate isothiocyanates to protection against chronic diseases including a variety of cancers, diabetes, and autism spectrum disorder …"

A 2005 study¹¹ in Planta Medica compared the effectiveness of several different isothiocyanates to see which offered the most potent protection against H. pylori. Of the isothiocyanates tested, sulforaphane and moringin (4RBITC) were the most effective.

In another study,¹² researchers collected bacteria samples from fecal matter that was supplied by a hospital in Portugal. A total of 18 aerobic bacterial strains, including Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, E. coli (two strains) and Salmonella typhi, were isolated.

The samples were then exposed to three different glucosinolates and three isothiocyanates. While the intact glucosinolates had no effect on the bacteria, the isothiocyanates, specifically SFN, BITC and PEITC, had high antimicrobial activities. In some cases, the isothiocyanates were actually more effective than antibiotics.

Moringa Contains All of the Essential Amino Acids

Moringa is also a source of high-quality protein. Just 2 teaspoons of dried Moringa powder contain 1 gram of protein¹³ and the total mean protein content of domesticated Moringa oleifera is 30.24%.¹⁴ Perhaps most important is the fact that Moringa contains all of the nine essential amino acids, something that many other sources of plant protein fall short on.

Amino acids are important because they're the building blocks of protein. Conversely, when your body breaks down or digests the proteins you eat, amino acids are what's left behind. Your body uses amino acids to make new proteins that carry out a variety of different functions, from growth and repair to wound healing to food metabolism.

There are 20 different amino acids that are classified as either essential or nonessential. Your body can make the nonessential amino acids itself, but it cannot make the essential amino acids. That's why you need to get them from food.

The nine essential amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, threonine and valine. Three of these essential amino acids — leucine, isoleucine and valine — are also categorized as branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) because they have a branched molecular structure.

While your liver breaks down most amino acids, it can't break down BCAAs. Because of this, BCAAs are broken down primarily in your muscle. As such, they help improve exercise performance and reduce the breakdown of muscle.¹⁵

There aren't a lot of plant foods that contain all of the essential amino acids, but moringa does. According to the African Journal of Biotechnology, moringa has a total of 19 amino acids,¹⁶ including all nine essential amino acids.¹⁷ As detailed in several research articles, including the journal Amino Acids, the nine essential amino acids have important biological roles, including the following:¹⁸

Isoleucine19 — Helps stabilize your blood sugar and is required, along with leucine and valine, for muscle synthesis, repair, energy and endurance.

Leucine20 — Helps lower blood sugar that is elevated and triggers the production of growth hormone. Along with isoleucine and valine, leucine promotes the growth of muscle, bone and skin.

Valine21 — Helps maintain muscle metabolism and nitrogen balance. It's also used in tissue repair and energy production.

Lysine22 — Is needed in the production of hormones, collagen, enzymes and antibodies. It also helps combat viruses and plays a role in calcium assimilation and protein construction in bones and muscle.

Methionine23 — Is converted into homocysteine and vice versa, based on the needs of your body. It's also a primary source of sulfur in your body, which is required for healthy hair, skin and nails.

Tryptophan24 — Aids in the production of niacin (vitamin B3), which is required for serotonin and melatonin production.

Phenylalanine25 — Plays a role in memory formation and nervous system function and helps reduce inflammation.

Threonine26,27 — Important for healthy cardiovascular system, central nervous system, immune system and liver function. It also plays a role in the digestion of fats, and promotes healthy collagen, muscle tissue, skin and bones.

Histidine28 — Required for red and white blood cell production, and aids in tissue repair. Importantly, histidine helps protect your nerves by maintaining the myelin sheath around them.

In addition to essential amino acids, Moringa contains beneficial fatty acids (44.57% being a-linolenic acid²⁹), beta-carotene, phenolics, zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, kaempferol,³⁰ flavonoids and isothiocyanates.³¹ Two teaspoons of dried Moringa powder also offers³² 0.999 grams of fiber, 80 mg of calcium and 200 IU of vitamin C.

Other Health Benefits of Moringa

In addition to the previously mentioned health benefits, other studies report that Moringa also:

Helps protect diabetes patients from retinopathy — Retinopathy is caused by the inflammation of the blood vessels in the eyes, which may lead to fluid leakage. If left untreated, retinopathy may advance into complete blindness. Moringa may help stop retinopathy by regulating blood sugar in diabetes patients and protecting the retina from inflammation. This is usually attributed to moringa's high antioxidant content.33

May ease asthma — One study34 found Moringa oleifera can decrease the severity of symptoms in people with asthma and improve lung function parameters, including forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume and peak expiratory flow, without any negative side effects. Moringa oleifera was also shown to reduce the severity of asthma attacks.

Helps protect liver, kidney, heart, testes and lung health35

Has analgesic properties36

Has antiulcer activity37

Helps lower blood pressure38

Protects against radiation39

Helps modulate immune function40

Has anti-inflammatory41 and antiviral activity, thanks to quercetin42,43,44

How to Include Moringa in Your Diet

Similar to matcha, most Moringa is available in powder form. The Moringa leaves are dried and then ground to form a concentrated powder that's rich in all of the beneficial compounds, vitamins and minerals that moringa has to offer.

Consuming Moringa this way may be especially beneficial because the leaves are never cooked, only dried. Cooking can denature the myrosinase enzyme, reducing the amount of glucosinolates that get converted to the active isothiocyanates and the amount of isothiocyanates that your body absorbs.⁴⁵

You can also purchase Moringa in oil or capsule form. When deciding on a source, consider one made from wild Moringa. Wild-harvested Moringa may be more bitter than domesticated versions, but ensures that you're getting all of the beneficial glucosinolates and the health benefits that come with them.

Moringa supplements can contain a large range of Moringa leaf powder, anywhere from 500 to 2,000 mg, depending on the size of the capsule. The recommended amount for adult supplementation is two capsules per day, one in the morning and one at night.

However, it would be best that you consult a doctor or health practitioner before taking the supplement. This will ensure that the dosage is advisable for you or that the supplement will not interact with any medications you may currently be taking.

While moringa offers impressive health benefits, it's also important to be aware of the possible side effects moringa supplementation may cause. For pregnant mothers, it's best that you avoid the use of Moringa oleifera supplements, as there are insufficient studies that show Moringa is safe for pregnant women. There are also a few studies that suggest Moringa, when taken during the early stages of pregnancy, may cause miscarriage due to its ability to cause uterine contractions.⁴⁶

You can also harvest the seeds, sow them and harvest them like microgreens, i.e., while they're small, like sprouts.

Other Sources of Glucosinolates

It's true that Moringa contains unique glucosinolates, like glucomoringin that you can't find anywhere else, but they're not the only source of glucosinolates in the diet. If you want to increase your intake of these beneficial plant compounds in other ways, you can do so by including these foods:⁴⁷

Brussels sprouts	Broccoli	Watercress
Garden cress	Mustard greens	Turnip
Savoy cabbage	Kale	Turnip greens
Red cabbage	Horseradish	Cauliflower
Bok choy	Collard greens	Kohlrabi

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An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted to grant emergency authorization to Merck’s oral COVID-19 pill molnupiravir (Lagevrio) — but only by a narrow margin.¹ The 13-to-10 vote speaks volumes about the panel’s confidence in the treatment, as do the numerous concerns regarding efficacy and safety voiced by the panel.

Merck reported in a press release in October 2021 that their antiviral drug led to a 50% risk reduction in hospitalization and death among COVID-19 patients. That was based on data from 386 patients, however. When the full analysis was released, which included data from 710 patients, the effectiveness declined significantly.

Among those who received the drug, the rate of all-cause hospitalization or death was 6.8%, compared to 9.7% in the placebo group — a relative risk reduction of just 30%.² Several panelists reportedly said that the change in data was poorly explained,³ and it represents just one concern voiced by experts that raise major red flags about Merck’s COVID-19 pill.

Placebo Outperformed Drug in Second Half of Trial

In an addendum released November 22, 2021, the FDA stated that they became aware of the “topline safety and efficacy results from all 1,433 randomized participants.”⁴ The data showed that patients taking the placebo fared better than those taking molnupiravir.

As noted in a commentary in the BMJ, “The full data showed more hospital admissions among patients taking molnupiravir (6.2%) than among those taking a placebo (4.7%) and led Merck to revise the benefit of preventing admission downwards to 30%.”⁵

Further, the trial was stopped early after interim results showed eight deaths in the placebo group compared to zero in the molnupiravir group. However, post-interim results painted a very different picture — one death was recorded in each group.⁶ The BMJ reported:⁷

“When questioned why the trial’s later participants showed such different outcomes than those in the interim analysis, a physician representing Merck told the panelists that the later group contained older patients, were more likely to be female and recruited from Europe, and more likely to carry the delta variant. But, he said, the drop in efficacy at the end of the trial ‘doesn’t really add up to us.’”

Dr. Pierre Kory, who is part of the group that formed the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Working Group (FLCCC) to advance early treatments for COVID-19, has pleaded with the U.S. government to review the expansive data on the drug ivermectin to prevent COVID-19, keep those with early symptoms from progressing and help critically ill patients recover — to no avail.^8,9

Yet, the FDA went ahead and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Merck’s highly questionable drug. Kory tweeted his dismay at the decision:¹⁰

“No LOVE for Pharma given unconscionable behaviors now & historically. But I can HOPE. Hope now dashed: 2nd half of Merck's trial: placebo outperforms drug. Ouch. Even FDA admits drug is weak & risky.. while approving? EUA for IVM [ivermectin] please (I can also DREAM)”

Fauci: Merck’s COVID Pill ‘Impressive’

In October, Dr. Anthony Fauci applauded molnupiravir, calling it “extremely important” and praising its results to date. “It’s a pill that’s given by mouth, so you don’t need anything special other than taking a pill the way you take any pill. And the results are really quite impressive,” he told CNN’s “State of the Union.”¹¹

It’s unclear if Fauci has changed his opinion given the less-than-stellar results now available, but the U.S. government is already on the hook for about 3.1 million courses, which it bought for approximately $2.2 billion.¹² Officials have been touting the ease of the pill, which is taken at home, orally, every 12 hours for five days.¹³

Merck plans to produce 10 million courses of the drug by the end of 2021,¹⁴ but the FDA panel’s endorsement of the drug is even curiouser given that more effective treatment options — namely monoclonal antibodies — have already been authorized. As noted in the BMJ:¹⁵

“The U.S. has already authorized three monoclonal antibody cocktails, which have shown efficacy above 60% in preventing admission, and the FDA does not generally approve drugs that are less efficacious than those already in use.”

Red Flag: Molnupiravir Works by Causing Viral Mutations

It’s not only efficacy concerns that led to red flags for some of the FDA panelists — safety concerns were also expressed. Molnupiravir works by integrating into the virus’ genetic makeup, triggering mutations that ultimately kill the virus. A pill that triggers mutations in a virus could potentially trigger mutations in mammalian cells, however, posing a risk of cancer and birth defects.¹⁶

The risks are severe enough that the drug is recommended only for adults, due to the risks it could pose to growing children, including increased growth plate thickness noted in animal studies.¹⁷ Pregnant women and those expecting to become pregnant were excluded from the trials, and male subjects could not donate sperm for one month after their last dose. Modern Discontent reported:¹⁸

“People should be reminded of the issue with thalidomide in the 1960s, a drug used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women which scientists later found out was a teratogen and caused many birth defects. It’s because of this that molnupiravir should not be used under any circumstance in pregnant women with the concern about possible teratogenicity.”

Ultimately, the FDA panel did not recommend approving the drug for children or those who are breastfeeding, due to risks of embryo-fetal toxicity, bone and cartilage toxicity and mutagenicity.¹⁹

Molnupiravir Could Drive Escape Mutants

Molnupiravir’s mechanism of action — driving genetic mutations — is in itself problematic, given the already quickly mutating coronavirus spike protein. During Merck’s phase II trial, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein exhibited 72 structural nucleotide changes, while the spike protein in the placebo group had only nine such changes.

The reality is, some of those changes could make the virus more infective, resistant to vaccines and treatments and unleash escape mutants into the environment.²⁰ FDA panel member James Hildreth, president of Meharry Medical College in Tennessee, voted against authorizing molnupiravir for this reason.

He said, “Even if the probability is very low, 1 in 10,000 or 100,000, that this drug would induce an escape mutant which the vaccines we have do not cover, that would be catastrophic for the whole world.”²¹ William Haseltine, who founded and chaired the Division of Biochemical Pharmacology at Harvard, raised similar concerns in Forbes, stating:²²

“My misgivings are founded on two key concerns. The first is the drug’s potential mutagenicity, and the possibility that its use could lead to birth defects or cancerous tumors. The second is a danger that is far greater and potentially far deadlier: the drug’s potential to supercharge SARS-CoV-2 mutations and unleash a more virulent variant upon the world.”

We’re Heading Toward a ‘World Class Disaster’

Haseltine explained that during prepandemic studies, molnupiravir was tested against pathogenic coronaviruses such as MERS-CoV. Not only were the coronaviruses able to become resistant to the drug, but the viruses continued to survive and replicate even with large numbers of mutations in every gene and protein.

In the lab, the treated viruses replicated slightly slower than the nontreated viruses; however, in the real world the drug is likely to wreak havoc in unintended ways, particularly since many people may not finish the entire course of the drug.

At suboptimal doses, i.e., if someone doesn’t take the drug for the entire five days or misses a few doses here and there, it may create the prime environment for the transmission of mutated viruses. Haseltine told Forbes:²³

“There is a strong likelihood that in the real world, people will not take the full course of pills. A slew of studies on adherence to daily oral antibiotics suggest that many patients — as many as 40% — fail to complete the full course of treatment.

At these suboptimal concentrations, molnupiravir could have the unfortunate effect of introducing mutations across every gene and protein of the virus, including the spike, but not necessarily killing it off.

The drugmakers, Merck and Ridgeback, as well as the FDA are exploring whether molnupiravir is safe for personal use in high-risk individuals with mild to moderate disease and whether its benefits outweigh any potential risks.

But they should also be determining the broader danger, and how to prevent the drug from unleashing new and deadlier variants across the globe. Already SARS-CoV-2 has shown a remarkable ability to mutate and survive under pressure.

The drug’s manufacturers, Merck and Ridgeback, are entering into licensing deals that would allow the drug to be made and sold widely in more than 105 countries, which means that, if approved by regulators, we will soon have very little control over the drug’s administration and dosages delivered. We are potentially headed towards a world class disaster.”

Are There Other Options?

There are early treatments for COVID-19 that could save lives, but they’re not being widely circulated in the media. Dr. Peter McCullough recommends that you demand early treatment if you have COVID-19, whether or not you’ve gotten the shot.²⁴

McCullough’s early treatment regimen initially includes a nutraceutical bundle of zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C and quercetin. While you’re recovering at home, open your windows and get plenty of fresh air and ventilation in your home. If symptoms persist or worsen, he recommends calling your doctor and demanding monoclonal antibody therapy.

The treatment progresses to include anti-infectives like HCQ or ivermectin, antibiotics, steroids and blood thinners. If your doctor refuses to treat COVID-19 in the early stages, find a new one and/or visit a telemedicine clinic that will help, as “the prehospital phase is the time of therapeutic opportunity.” You can also download McCullough’s and colleagues’ “A Guide to Home-Based COVID Treatment.”²⁵

FLCCC’s I-MASK+ protocol can also be downloaded in full,²⁶ giving you step-by-step instructions on how to prevent and treat the early symptoms of COVID-19. FLCCC also has protocols for at-home prevention and early treatment, called I-MASS, which involves ivermectin, vitamin D3, a multivitamin and a digital thermometer to watch your body temperature in the prevention phase and ivermectin, melatonin, aspirin and antiseptic mouthwash for early at-home treatment.

Household or close contacts of COVID-19 patients may take ivermectin (18 milligrams, then repeat the dose in 48 hours) for post-exposure prevention.²⁷ Their protocols are translated into 23 different languages to provide widespread, free access to this lifesaving information, including how to get ivermectin,²⁸ which FLCCC hopes will be formally adopted into national or international COVID-19 treatment guidelines in the near future.

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