The Honey Bees Are Dying - Do We Need Them?

Dying off in alarming numbers!

For most of us it would have gone unnoticed; although it is fact since the late 1980 honeybees are dying off in alarming numbers. Unless we hear it on the news or read it somewhere in the newspapers, how would we know? After all it is only a humble little bee of no great interest or importance to most of us, or is it?

Bees are known to bring us honey and are also respected for the sting!

Do you know after a bee stings it will die? Unlike a wasp which is not affected after it fired its torpedo. It most likely flies away with a smirk on its face.

The little bee is not getting reduced in numbers because of its suicidal mission. We are responsible in many other ways for its disappearance.

The first thing that comes to our mind when we see a bee is "honey". Nothing wrong with that! Honey has many good nutritional values and been excepted as healthy food and a natural substitute as sweetener.

It doesn't end there!

Our little bee spreads its wings further than that. It pollinates all our fruit and vegetables.

In all, bees pollinate over 130 different crops all over the globe. Our food supply depends on this humble little worker and also contributes to global food security.

Although, there are many other pollinating insects the bee alone is the biggest contributor of the food we consume. It is hard to imagine how life would be without the multitude of flowers, varied fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries etc.

Bee colonies are disappearing!

Reports have confirmed that bee colonies around the globe are disappearing. It been estimated since 2006 almost one - third of the honey bee colonies have vanished.

The million dollar question here: What is causing this? There is only a short answer to this: "US"!

We contribute to their extinction by working our mechanically clever designed devices representing a terrible biological disaster and destroying what nature has given us.

What is the cause of their extinction?

One of the theories is due to infestation by a mite. The virus carried by the parasite is infesting the bee's habitat.

Other facts are more and more highly toxic insecticides used in the agricultural application as seed treatment in hundreds of crops.

GMO (genetically modified organs) which are highly toxic, get in to soils and ground water were they can stay for a long time, even years.

Some European countries like Germany and Poland have discontinued using GMO in all crops.

This is no longer just a theory that genetic engineering of crops is bad for the environment and the human population, this has become fact.

The use and planting of herbicide-tolerant GM crops is not only affecting many insects including butterflies, it is also killing other plants some insects rely on for habitat and food.

How can we help our honey bees?

We must say NO to the GMOs, its herbicides and chemical roundup that is killing our bees and also affecting our own health just for the benefit of some to make a fast buck.

For the benefit of your own health use lots of honey! This is the only food on our planet that will not rot or spoil. No matter how long you keep it, it might crystallize and go sugary, although the perfect quality still remains.

Scientists of today also accept honey as a very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey is natural and has no side effects. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases. Honey also has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. It is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures many diseases.

If taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.

If possible get the honey from your local beekeeper. It is better quality and you are supporting your local organic farmers market at the same time.

Your Feet Are Your Foundation - Keep Them Healthy

Most people suffer from foot pain at some point in their lives. Foot problems can be very annoying because you are always on your feet. A simple walk in the park becomes frustrating and painful. Your feet are your foundation- they are the major weight-bearing part of your body. It is important to maintain their health. Because your feet can be affected by many ailments, it is good to be knowledgeable about the different types of foot conditions and their treatments.

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin that causes flaking, scaling, and itching in the affected areas. This condition is usually contracted in communal areas where people walk barefoot. These include showers and bathhouses. It can also be spread by sharing footwear with an infected person (make sure you think twice before sharing your flip flops!). To avoid this condition, be conscious of your environment and wear flip flops to protect your feet so they are not exposed. If you do contract athlete's foot, you should contact your podiatrist. They will likely provide you with a topical cream to apply to the infected area. The symptoms should begin to subside after several weeks of treatment.

Heel pain is another common foot condition. When you walk long distances, you are putting a large degree of stress on each foot. When you play sports, you put even more stress on your feet. All of this stress can sometimes cause heel pain. Common causes of heel pain are decreased circulation, heel spurs, and insufficient shock absorption. A sore heel can usually get better on its own with the appropriate rest. However, because many people ignore the early warning signs of heel pain, the condition becomes more severe. You should see your podiatrist if you experience heel pain so you can avoid prolonging the condition and potentially causing more lasting, chronic problems. Treatment for heel pain can involve using a heel insert, stretching your Achilles tendon, anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling, and simply icing the back of the heel.

Arch pain can result from ligament sprains, direct force trauma, muscle strains, stress fractures, and several other factors. Tenderness and pain on the bottom of the foot are common symptoms of arch pain. When you first begin to notice discomfort in this area, you should rest it and treat yourself with ice, compression, and elevation. Rest and elevation will reduce and potentially prevent any swelling in the area. If the pain and tenderness continues, your podiatrist can provide further treatment.

Your feet are your foundation. Pain in the feet can lead to pain in other areas of the body such as the knees and legs. Maintaining great foot health is a great step towards overall health and wellness. If you experience any of the above problems or any other foot condition, be sure to get the issue handled. Your podiatrist can treat your foot condition and help prevent any unnecessary chronic issues.