Radiation Traces Found in California Tuna

American scientists found minuscule levels of radioactive cesium-134 and cesium-137 in bluefin tuna caught off San Diego, California last August.

 

The researchers – who hail from Stanford University, Stony Brook University, and Yale University – say there’s no doubt that the cesium radionuclides they found come from the Japanese nuclear reactors damaged by the March 2011 tsunami (Madigan DJ et al. 2012).

 

Tissue samples were taken from 15 bluefin tuna caught by recreational anglers five months after the meltdowns at Fukushima Daiichi.

 

The samples from all 15 tuna contained the reactor byproducts cesium-134 and cesium-137 … but in amounts very far below those considered unsafe, the scientists said.

Visit Vital Choice Seafood Now

The results were just published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

 

We tested our Pacific seafood last March, and it passed with flying colors … see our sidebar, “Vital Choice Pacific seafood tested very safe”.

 

Levels detected fall far below natural background radiation

It’s important to put the levels detected in California-caught bluefin tuna into perspective.

 

The amounts of radiation produced by the cesium the scientists found are only about three percent higher than those produced by natural background sources of cesium-134 and cesium-137.

 

Further, the levels of both isotopes are just one-thirtieth the amount of naturally occurring radioactive potassium found in all marine life, and only about 2.5 percent of the limits Japan imposed on fish caught after the accident.

 

As the authors wrote, “even though 2011 PBFT showed a 10-fold increase in radiocesium concentrations, 134Cs and 137Cs would still likely provide low doses of radioactivity relative to naturally occurring radionuclides, particularly 210Po and 40K” (Madigan DJ et al. 2012).

 

Specifically, the concentrations of both isotopes of cesium totaled about 10 becquerels per kilogram (kg) of dry weight. (A becquerel is a unit of radioactivity equal to one nuclear disintegration per second.)

 

For comparison, these are the total Bq values of various foods and objects under normal circumstances (WNA 2012):

Bananas = 19 Bq/kg

Coffee = 1000 Bq/kg

Brazil nuts = 444 Bq/kg

Adult human = 7000 Bq/kg

Granite countertop = 1000 Bq/kg

EPA maximum for drinking water = 740 Bq (tritium/liter)

Household smoke detector (with Americium) = 30,000 Bq/kg

 

The major natural source of radioactivity in plant foods is Potassium-40, which normally constitutes just 0.0117% of the potassium in a plant food.

 

A typical banana contains about half a gram of potassium, and the portion that occurs as Potassium 40 gives bananas a radiation level of 15-20 Bq/kg.

 

Visit Vital Choice Seafood for one of the safest and highest quality seafood available.

How Toxic is Your Liver?

by Glen Depke 

You are reading this sentence, therefore I can be bold enough to assume that you are toxic and your liver is taking the brunt of this toxicity. 

How can I make such a bold statement? 

It is simple, if you live on this earth, you ARE toxic. There have been studies to measure levels of toxicity across the planet we live on and honestly, even the breast milk of women in the wilderness areas of Alaska show toxic levels of PCB's and other toxic chemicals. I'll even go a couple of steps further and suggest that most of us share a very similar level of toxicity. 

So obviously the key is not looking for a non toxic area of our planet.  

One of the keys is to lessen the load taken on by your liver. 

Let's first understand the basics of your liver. 

The Liver is the second largest organ (after the Skin) in the body and comprises 2.5% of the body's weight. The Liver participates in functions associated with the Cardiovascular System, Digestive System, Excretory System and Metabolism. The Liver stores and filters the blood to remove infectious organisms, while processing approximately three pints of blood every minute. The Liver is the primary organ for the detoxification of toxic chemicals that enter the body through a phase I and phase II detoxification. The phase I enzymes in the liver directly neutralize many toxic chemicals or convert them into metabolites. Unfortunately, often these metabolites are more toxic than their precursor toxins. Phase II Enzymes in the liver process the metabolites of toxins produced by phase I enzymes. 

This is why it is important to address both the phase I and phase II of liver detoxification. When I am suspecting liver challenges with my clients I generally recommend a simple urine analysis that will expose your phase I and phase II liver detoxification pathway function. 

One other side note to address is something I would refer to as phase III. This is the release of toxic substances via your colon. Remember that while the liver is a primary organ of detoxification, it is not an organ of elimination. Any toxins dealt with in the liver exit via your colon in  your bowel movements. This is one of the many reasons it is so important to achieve the optimal 2 or more bowel movements daily.

How can you recognize potential liver issues even without testing? Here are some common symptoms as tied into liver imbalances.

Halitosis (bad breath) can be caused by malfunctions of the liver. Mature age acne and/or rosacea often occur as a result of liver malfunction. Often there will be a tenderness in your back between the shoulder blades when the liver is challenged. Another suspect in chronic liver issues would be a brown pigment in the sclera (whites) of the eye. I would also add that impaired adrenal function, which you hear me discuss often, can also lead to liver dysfunction.

So what can you do to support your liver?

There is plenty of information on supplement use for the liver, so I want to provide non supplemental info for you below.

Well most understand that alcohol and the liver an not the best of friends. This is due to the fact that the liver is responsible for the metabolism of 90% of ingested Alcohol. Keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum goes a long way in addressing this issue. Besides alcohol avoid excessive chocolate, caffeine, trans fats, refined sugar and wheat,  soft drinks, as well as fried foods, and highly processed foods. Also, minimize your consumption of smoked, cured and salted foods.

An over abundance of certain minerals (both essential and heavy metals) can also create challenges in the liver. Aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, mercury as toxic heavy metals as well as copper, iron, sodium and nickel in excess can create liver issues.

Extremely high levels of Vitamin B3 as well as excessive consumption of PABA and Vitamin A can also create liver challenges.                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Aflatoxins can also seriously damage the liver. An aflatoxin is a toxin typically produced by a mold that grows in nuts, seeds, and legumes. 

Cotton seed oil as well as excessive consumption of garlic can also damage the liver.                                                                                                                                                    
Any pharmaceuticals drugs are also metabolized in the liver and create potential problems. Obviously you do not want to nor would I recommend that you discontinue and prescription use without consent and direction from your doctor.  

Lastly, I would like to mention that the liver reactions intensely to the emotion of anger. If suppressed anger or regular over reactions of anger are a regular part of your life, I would suggest that you address this. Visit the Depke Wellness Energetic Release page for more information.

This should be provide you with some of the necessary information to begin lessening the toxic load on your liver.

If you have any questions or comments on this article, feel free to leave me a post below and I will address this personally.




   


   

Overachieving and Overreaching

Shared from www.DailyOM.com.

You'll know if this was written for you....

Glen

Overachieving and Overreaching
A Sign of Imbalance

by Madisyn Taylor



Sometimes when we don't feel good enough, we create imbalance by overachieving or needing to be the best at something.

Overachievers are people who have achieved but still feel the need to do more, creating an imbalance in their lives. People who exhibit this behavior may be trying to compensate for feelings of insecurity and doubts about their worth. They may be chasing unresolved issues from their past into the present, or they might not be looking at their lives as a whole, but judging themselves based only on one aspect of their being. If this is a word that we’ve heard used with respect to our choices and lifestyle, it is worth examining in order to balance our lives for a more rewarding experience.

If we find that we cannot allow ourselves to experience and enjoy the present moment, putting pleasure off into some distant future, it may be a sign that we are being driven to achieve more than is truly necessary. Pushing ourselves beyond the point of exhaustion, or to the exclusion of important people in our lives, robs us of true and meaningful joy. Once we make the connection to the eternal part of us, it can nourish us and allow our priorities to shift from chasing after an elusive feeling to being fully present in the moment so that we can live our lives in the now.

Sometimes we need to look to those we love and admire in order to realize what we value about life. We can take time to note what we like about others, and then turn the mirror to reflect the light of those same words and feelings toward ourselves. It can be quite a revelation to see ourselves in this nourishing light. When we can put the energy that we’ve been devoting to a phantom sense of achievement into the truly satisfying aspects of our lives, we can restore the balance between our inner and outer worlds and experience true joyful peace.

Magnesium (powder)

Convenient taste-free magnesium powder

*Magnesium gluconate offers a highly bioavailable soluble form of magnesium to support musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and emotional health. Magnesium plays an important role in healthy bone mineralization. Its cardiovascular properties include support for arterial function, endothelial function, c-reactive protein metabolism and lipid metabolism. A meta-analysis of 20 randomized trials suggests that it also promotes healthy systolic and diastolic function. In addition, magnesium promotes healthy glucose metabolism. In one 15-year study involving 4,637 young adults, higher intakes of magnesium were associated with healthy cardiovascular function and glucose utilization. Magnesium also plays important roles in muscle function, mood and calming, and cranial vessel comfort. 

Magnesium (powder) offers a convenient soluble form of magnesium without sweeteners or flavors for wide range support.

Order Now 

Supplement Facts

one scoop (5 g) contains:
magnesium (gluconate)	250 mg.

1 scoop 1–2 times per day, in divided doses, with meals, mixed with 8 oz. water.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Diabetes Got You Down?

by Glen Depke

If you have been recently diagnose as a type II diabetic, have been living with type II diabetes for some time or if you are concerned of living with this genetic expression, today's article is for you. 

There are 25.8 million Americans diagnosed with type II diabetes while it grows substantially every day and understand that you do not have to be next. Heck, even if you are already in the stats, you can even find your way out of the stat book.

First of all let's look at a typical definition of type II diabetes.

"Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there are high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes."

Notice that this mentions this being a "lifelong" disease. Let me start by sharing that this is absolutely not true in many cases. If you only follow recommendations within conventional medicine this may be true, but not so if you address this properly within holistic care.

From a conventional medicine perspective type II diabetes is generally treated with a combination of pharmaceutical drugs and dietary recommendations. While this at best keeps your blood sugar under control, this has been proven to not be the answer in alleviating type II diabetes.

When I mention alleviating type II diabetes I am talking about a drug free, happy and optimally healthy life. Yes, you can have this even after the dreaded diagnosis. 

Often from a holistic perspective you will have many telling you that it is simple, just stop eating so much and exercise. While that may sound easy for the person giving the directions, it is often not that easy for the person receiving these directions. If you are overweight and under energized it can be very challenging to find the motivation to change the whole diet and exercise component.

Beyond that thought, let's recognize that there are so many other factors tied into type II diabetes that are often over looked.

Just from the nutritional perspective, there are many areas to address:

• Digestive health of the individual
• Food intolerances such as gluten intolerance
• Assessing your Nutritional ID
• Glycemic level recommendations

After food it is not as easy as saying to simply exercise. Some exercise may actually hinder a type II diabetics progress while some exercise will be a huge benefit.

What would provide the answer for types of exercise would also provide deeper answers in regard to type II diabetes itself. This would be tied into adrenal function. Did you know that the pancreas and adrenals glands have a very intimate relationship and when one is off, this creates challenges with both? I have never seen a type II diabetic that did not have a significant adrenal issue that is also a part of the challenge.

Very often there is a significant challenge with the gut, brain, immune connection that is likely overlooked and chronic inflammatory states and type II diabetes truly go hand in hand.

So you can see that type II diabetes answer does not lie in drug use and it is not as simple as eat less and exercise more. There is a comprehensive protocol that can be used in a step by step manner to provide the health and happiness that you may be looking for.

If you have been diagnosed as type II diabetic, visit this link, to assess you likelihood of a gluten intolerance, adrenal insufficiency as well as your Nutritional ID. These are complimentary assessments that will provide some baseline guides for you.

If you are interested, you can also register for a complimentary webinar on Tuesday 5/29, where we will address the step by step protocols used by so many past type II diabetics in my clinic. The key word here is past.

If you have any comments or questions in regard to this article, feel free to post this below for me to answer personally.

Missing Our Old Habits

by Madisyn Taylor

Sometimes when we break a habit or addiction we find ourselves missing it like a dear friend.

Whenever we make the effort to free ourselves of an addiction or a habit we no longer need, we are often surprised to find ourselves missing the old pattern as we would a familiar friend. This sounds counterintuitive, because we think we should instinctively gravitate toward that which is good for us. And yet, it makes a lot of sense when you consider that we humans are creatures of habit. This is why we gravitate to people and places—and patterns of behavior--that make us feel comfortable. Therefore, many of the habits we form are not conscious and are based instead on learned behavior from role models who were not always making the healthiest decisions.

Most addictions begin as a way of avoiding feelings that are extremely uncomfortable, so it makes sense that stopping the addiction means, for a time, a fair amount of discomfort. The same, of course, is true of habits that we have developed over time that we are ready to release. Just knowing that this is hard, and having compassion for ourselves as we work through this process, can help us to stay the course when we feel the urge to backtrack. It’s also helpful to remember that in time we will establish new, healthier patterns, and the yearning for the old ones will disappear. Eventually, we will instinctively reach for things that are good for us, and the longing for positive change may form the basis of a new habit.

The only way to get to this new place is to endure a time of difficulty, which is a challenge we can confidently handle, if we remember that it will lead to the change we seek in our lives. Our bodies, hearts, and minds always need time to adjust to a new way of doing things, but they will adapt, and even become our allies, if we remain true to our vision of a new way.

*This is an article from www.DailyOM.com

The Price We Pay for Weight Gain

by Glen Depke

Generally speaking I would be discussing the price we pay for weight gain in respect to your health and happiness but today we are going to look at this from the financial perspective for all of us. The cost of weight gain to ALL of us is really staggering, regardless of weight gain being a challenge for you or not.

In the last 50 years the incidence of obesity in American has skyrocketed from 13% to an estimated 34%. In the same time period, the incidence of extreme or “morbid” obesity has jumped from 0.9% to 6%. While these findings are common knowledge, the costs associated with the epidemic of obesity are eye-opening.

Recent Mayo Clinic studies indicate that obesity racks up over $190 billion in annual medical costs, which is an average of $1,850 more per year for an obese person than a person of healthy weight. The morbidly obese’s average yearly cost was estimated as high as $3,086 per year. Shockingly, the average health costs of the obese were greater than the costs incurred by smoking. Smokers health care costs were generally $1,274 a year greater than non-smokers because of increased mortality, while individuals with a body-mass index (BMI) above 40 were estimated at $5,530 annually. The costs of obesity outside of health care were greater as well. The study noted a $5 billion annual increase in jet fuel over the 1960’s cost to fly heavier passengers and a $4 billion annual increase in gasoline costs for cars transporting the obese.(1)

These are significant costs to all of us!

So the problem seems to be that obese people are taking money out of your pocket?

Not so fast though!

Let's not get into the "blame game" of poor food choices, lack of control or even the victim mentality of genetics. We can also be clear that this is not a war on obesity. We have had a war on drugs and a war on cancer in this country for some time and what do we have more of? Drugs and cancer...

A big part of the problem stems from our cultural patterns. Most of us are over worked, over stressed while under exercised and under nourished. These patterns often set up individuals to fail. The weight comes on a few pounds at a time and before we know it we are living in a state of obesity. Once this state is reached, you will often spin out of control and eventually fall into a state of hopelessness in regard to your weight gain.

This is really an issue for all of us.

So how can we address this?

While I cannot provide the whole answer for everyone here, I can say that it starts with all of us as individuals.

If you are obese, it will be important to take responsibility for your past choices, accept where you are right now and make new choices long term and consistently enough to expose a new level of health for yourself. If you are wondering what you can do to move forward on this level, I would welcome you to view the results of the "More Than Just Weight Loss" 6 week program by following this link.

If you are at a healthy weight, I would still say to look at yourself. I would recommend to offer compassion and understanding to those that are obese. Taking this attitude will be nothing but empowering to yourself as well as those challenged with weight gain. Perhaps compassion and understanding itself could create a significant shift in the health of our culture.

What do you think?

If you have any comments or questions in regard to this article, feel free to leave a post below and I will address this personally.

(1) Reuters. April 30, 2012.

Caffeine: Pros/Cons

by Glen Depke

I have shared for years that we have three legal drugs available to us on a regular basis. These three drugs are sugar, alcohol and our subject today which is caffeine. Searching a medical dictionary, the definition of a drug is, a chemical substance that affects the processes of the mind or body. With today's article you will see how this "drug" affects you in so many ways and I will leave it up to you whether caffeine is a pro or a con.

Once we reach the end of today's article, I will make my recommendations in regard to caffeine. I do encourage you to take in all the information shared today though and create your own conclusion before you get my opinion.


Caffeine Enhances the Function of these Substances

---

Hormones

	Caffeine stimulates the release of Adrenaline from the Adrenal Glands:
	- Caution: Excessive release of Adrenaline from the Adrenal Glands can be detrimental.
	Caffeine increases plasma Estrone levels (especially in postmenopausal women).

Neurohormones

Caffeine increases the body's manufacture of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP).

Neurotransmitters

	Caffeine facilitates the production/release of Acetylcholine (Caffeine functions as an antagonist of Adenosine, a compound that inhibits the release of Acetylcholine).
	Caffeine stimulates the release of Dopamine within the Brain.  Caffeine increases Norepinephrine (NE) synthesis and release within the Brain.

Pharmaceutical Drugs

Caffeine increases the absorption of Ergotamine (and many Ergotamine preparations include 100 mg Caffeine per 1 mg Ergotamine (e.g. Cafergot)).

Vitamins

Caffeine enhances the ability of Choline to stimulate the production of Acetylcholine (Caffeine competes with Adenosine, a compound that is known to inhibit the synthesis of Acetylcholine).

These Foods Prolong the Actions of Caffeine

---

Fruit

When Caffeine is consumed at the same time as Grapefruit (especially Grapefruit juice), the oral clearance of Caffeine is decreased by 23% and the elimination half-life of Caffeine is increased by 31%.

These Factors Counteract the Potentially Toxic Effects of Caffeine

---

Exercise

Moderate to intense Exercise reduces Caffeine-induced Anxiety.

Caution: Contradictions to the Beneficial Actions Listed Above

---

Nervous System

	Caffeine MAY diminish Mental Function:
	- One study using doses of 100 mg Caffeine administered to normal, healthy adults concluded that the subjects’ ability to recall lists was diminished following Caffeine administration. - However several other controlled studies on healthy adults have shown very little or no measurable reduction in Memory following Caffeine administration.

Caffeine Interferes with these Substances

---

Amino Acids

Caffeine lowers plasma levels of Phenylalanine and Tyrosine.

Hormones

	Caffeine interferes with the endogenous production of Melatonin.
	Caffeine decreases free Testosterone levels (in postmenopausal women).

Lipids

Caffeine interferes with the absorption of Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO) - for this reason people using CMO are advised to avoid Caffeine and Caffeine-containing beverages such as Coffee during the period that they use CMO.

Minerals

	Caffeine decreases the absorption of Calcium.
	Caffeine decreases the absorption of Iron. Caffeine increases the urinary excretion of Magnesium.  Caffeine increases the excretion of Potassium. Caffeine causes the Kidneys to excrete Phosphorus. Caffeine increases the excretion of Zinc.

Vitamins

	Caffeine causes the depletion of Biotin.
	Caffeine causes the depletion of Inositol. Caffeine interferes with the absorption of Vitamin A. Caffeine causes the depletion of Vitamin B1.

Caffeine Enhances these Potentially Toxic Substances

---

Organic Acids

	Caffeine increases levels of Lactic Acid in the Muscles of people who engage in Endurance Exercise:
	- However Caffeine also exerts other BENEFICIAL effects on people who undertake Endurance Exercise.

Caffeine vs. Coffee

---

Metabolism

Caffeine is known to improve some aspects of Athletic Performance. Many athletes drink moderate quantities of Coffee in order to obtain the performance-enhancing effects of the Coffee’s Caffeine content. Recent studies have shown that Coffee contains other compounds that may counteract Caffeine’s performance-enhancing effects. Therefore athletes who wish to obtain Caffeine’s performance-enhancing effects are advised to use Caffeine in tablet/capsule form rather than drinking moderate amounts of Coffee:

- Caution: the use of supplemental Caffeine for performance enhancement is banned by most sporting organizations.

Myths Dispelled

---

Cardiovascular System

	Latest studies indicate that Caffeine does NOT increase the risk of Heart Attack.
	Latest studies indicate that Caffeine does NOT increase the risk of Strokes.

Immune System

	There is little or no evidence that Caffeine plays any role in the development of Cancer:
	- Formerly, Caffeine was speculated to increase the risk of Bladder Cancer. - Caffeine has been cleared of suspicions of causing Breast Cancer. - Formerly, Caffeine was speculated to increase the risk of Lung Cancer. - Formerly, Caffeine was speculated to increase the risk of Pancreas Cancer.

Dosage Recommendations

---

Athletic Peformance

	Based on clinical studies that measured the performance-enhancing effects of Caffeine, the optimal dosage has been determined to be 9 mg per kg of bodyweight.
	Athletes should note that the use of Caffeine (over a preset level) is banned by sporting organizations.

Toxic Dosages

	Side effects such as Insomnia, Irritability, Tremor and Anxiety occur following the ingestion of 1,500 mg of Caffeine per day (approximately 12 cups of Coffee).
	The lethal dose of Caffeine is 10 grams (approximately 100 cups of Coffee).

Bioavailability

---

	Caffeine is rapidly absorbed (when consumed orally) from the Intestine:
	- Significant serum levels are reached in 30-45 minutes after oral ingestion of Caffeine. - Complete oral ingestion occurs during the following 90 minutes. - Peak plasma levels (Tmax) of orally ingested Caffeine occurs approximately 2 hours after ingestion. - Caffeine's serum half-life is 3.5 - 5 hours. - Caffeine concentrates equally in almost all (water-soluble) parts of the body (including the Brain).
	Most Caffeine is metabolized by the Liver prior to its excretion by the Kidneys.

Legal Considerations

---

Athletes

International sporting organizations including the International Olympics Committee (IOC) have restricted the quantity of Caffeine that an athlete may consume without being disqualified from competition. The limit is 12 mcg of Caffeine per ml of urine. A 70 kg person could consume up to six normal-sized cups of coffee one hour prior to exercise without exceeding this limit.

Pharmaceutical Availability of Caffeine

---

Oral Caffeine Products

Pure Caffeine is supplied from pharmacies under the names Awake, NoDoz and Vivarin.

Topical Caffeine Products

Percutafeine is a Pharmaceutical form of Caffeine that is supplied as a topically-applied gel designed to facilitate weight loss in specific areas of the body to which it is applied.

Wow, there really is quite a bit to ingest when talking about caffeine. You probably even recognized that there are a few contradictions when discussing the research with caffeine. While there are some recognized pros, there is definitely a fair share of cons also.

With this said, I would like to share my opinion of caffeine at this time.

If you find that you have any level of dependency on caffeine, I would suggest that this is not the best place to be within your health and wellness. The dependency on caffeine will often coincide with an adrenal dysfunction as well poor health practices overall. You know, burning the candle at both ends and in the middle. This in itself can lead to an array of health challenges in your life. 

Simply recognize that if you "need" your coffee, you really "need" to get off coffee.

If you recognize a dependency on caffeine, I would recommend increasing your sleep and "me" time. Along with this, support your adrenals with Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), which would assist with enhancing your adrenal function. Focus on your fundamentals of health and of course, get off caffeine. 

If you have been on caffeine for some time, you would likely start by going "half caff." This would be making your coffee half caffeinated and half decaffeinated. After using your "half caff" for about 10 days move toward using only decaf for about another 10 days. From here you should be ready to leave the coffee behind as long as you are already getting more sleep, increasing "me" time and taking care of your fundamentals of health.

For those that are not dependent on caffeine yet enjoy the taste of their cup of Joe or for those that may use this for enhancing performance, there are a couple of options. 

If you simply enjoy the taste and aroma of your coffee, be sure to use an organic and naturally water decaffeinated coffee. Coffee is a highly sprayed crop, so organic is obviously very important and a 100% chemical free water decaffeination process never uses methylene chloride or ethyl acetate to remove the caffeine from coffee beans.

If you are looking the enhanced performance from caffeine, it would likely be a better idea to try a Yerba Mate' Tea. Yerba Mate' Tea has high antioxidant properties, contains important nutrients and can give you the caffeine "jolt" you need without the adverse side effects of coffee.

I happen to be one of those that do truly enjoy the taste and aroma of a good cup of coffee, but my wife and I use an organic naturally decaffeinated espresso and we only have this maybe once or twice per week. And by the way, we we drink only about 4 ounces rather than the 20 ounces generally purchased at your favorite coffee shop.

If you have any comments or questions about this article, leave a post below for me to answer personally.