Charles Poliquin Interview with Dr. Mark Houston on the Synergistic Role of using High Dosages of Fish Oil with Carnitine
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Killer Chemicals in Your Cosmetics
I wanted to share with you this excellent info that was sent to me this week regarding toxins, and chemicals that are present in modern cosmetics, it is based upon US products but is relevant to the UK also.
This extract is taken from the Natural Health Dossier "Health Watch" newsletter.
http://naturalhealthconfidential.com/
Killer Chemicals in Your Cosmetics
Your cosmetics may be killing you! Recent reports show that many popular products still contain toxic compounds like mercury and lead. And while a new bill is seeking to close legal loopholes that allow the sale of these lethal products, those same products may be on sale at your local store right now!
How many products do you use each day? Most Americans use about 10. They add up pretty quickly. Think about it... toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, and shaving cream... and you're not even out of the bathroom yet. Factor in deodorants, cologne, hair gels... and you're easily hitting that 10-a-day mark.
But while most of us go about our daily ablutions in blissful ignorance, beauty manufacturers, scientists, law makers, and reporters know that your daily products could well damage your kidneys, affect your nervous system, and even cause cancer.
Where We Stand Today
Currently, the FDA can't regulate beauty products until they are already on sale to the public. That means these products and ingredients don't have to go through any safety tests. Cosmetics companies can also combine ingredients without pre-market tests.
The FDA has banned certain compounds in beauty products. For example, it banned mercury in cosmetics in 1990. But it rarely tests to see if manufactures respect that ban. And that means no one is checking to see if consumers remain at risk or not.
In the case of mercury, a series of recent high-profile tests and investigations show that products continue to expose Americans to dangerous levels even now. But more about that in a moment...
It's been left to various environmental groups to conduct tests and prove that the public remains at risk. And only after applying pressure to the government for several years have they finally provoked proper action.
Mercury in Mascara
Mercury has a long history in the beauty industry. It blocks melanin, which pigments hair and skin. This function makes it a popular skin-whitener.
Other products do the same thing. But mercury is cheap, says Professor Ellen Silbergeld, who works forJohn Hopkins University
Unfortunately we absorb mercury through our skin. And according to Silbergeld it can shut down organs and can lead to death.
As noted, the FDA banned mercury in products in 1990. But that doesn't mean cosmetic companies aren't still using it.
There's been a flurry of real-life cases and investigations that show it's still very much out there. And it's putting Americans in harm's way.
Mercury inVirginia
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating 10 cases of mercury poisoning. Those cases are all linked to a cream that's been imported fromMexico
"Before using any product, make sure the ingredients are on the box," says State Health Commissioner Karen Remley. "We urge people not to use imported products if there are no ingredients listed or if a product lists mercury as an ingredient."
VDH says that mercury can affect the "nervous system, kidneys, and the developing fetus. Health effects include memory loss, irritability, and [body] tremors."
But cases of mercury poisoning aren't just limited toVirginia California California
Chicago
Earlier this summer, a majorChicago
Researchers tested 50 creams at a certified lab. Six of those contained mercury. Worse, five contained enough to cause kidney damage, according to researchers.
"I'm shocked and speechless," says Dr. Jonith Breadon. She's aChicago U.S.
While mercury is banned in theU.S.
Consumers can't know for sure which creams are tainted. The investigation shows stores across the nation sell dozens of brands, many of them made overseas.
The six creams that tested high were made inLebanon China India Pakistan Taiwan
CBS has also reported on mercury in beauty products.
"We [found] several people who were poisoned by mercury in cosmetics," said Nutritional Biochemist Jay Foster. "They put it in mascara and other cosmetics as a preservative."
The FDA says mercury is safe in some eye makeup so long as it's not higher than 65 parts per million. But there are many experts who disagree.
"The amount of mercury in mascaras is very small, but it adds to our total mercury exposure," says Jonette Keri, a dermatologist at theUniversity of Miami
Lead in Lipstick
But it's not just mercury in mascara you have to watch out for. Heavy metals can seriously damage health. And there are plenty of them in beauty products.
Three years ago, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics sent 33 lipsticks to an independent lab for testing.
The lab found that 61 percent of them contained lead. These lipsticks included:
U.S.
But in 2009 the FDA conducted a follow-up study and found lead in the same lipsticks. They said the highest lead levels were in lipsticks made by:
"Lead is a proven toxin that causes lowered IQ, reduced school performance, and increased aggression," says Professor Sean Palfrey, the medical director ofBoston
"Pregnant women are vulnerable to lead exposure," says Palfrey. "There is no safe lead exposure for children and pregnant women."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention backs this up. They say that: "No safe blood lead level has been identified."
The agency suggests avoiding all sources of lead exposure, including lead-containing cosmetics.
Pampering - or Hurting - Your Baby?
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested several baby products just last year. They found that two known carcinogens, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde, in dozens of bath products. Products includedSesame Street
According to the EPA, formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known animal carcinogens and probable human carcinogens. Formaldehyde also causes skin rashes in children.
The group delivered a letter to Johnson & Johnson last year asking for safe products. The letter was signed by over a million physicians, nurses and moms.
Fragrance
Fragrance makers have the ultimate loophole when it comes to disclosing what's in the bottle. That's because fragrance is a trade secret and companies don't have to say what's in it.
"The companies already know what are in each others' products," Stephanie Hendrick, coordinator for Environmental Health, told AolNews. "It's only the public that's kept in the dark."
And "fragrance" can mask many chemical compounds. It's used in shampoos, deodorants, lotions, and shaving creams. Even "unscented" products make use of the loophole. They'll often use masking fragrances, which are chemicals that cover up the smell of other chemicals.
According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, fragrances are among the top five known allergens. They can cause or trigger asthma attacks. The group tested fragrances just this year and found:
With so many dangers lurking in the cosmetics aisle... you need to be smart about what you buy.
Many doctors are working to tackle this burning issue. They're working hard to create natural products... cosmetic lines that are safe for you and your family. We'll be investigating this very subject and bringing you our findings on the doctors and products that you can trust in a future issue.
In the meantime, be smart about choosing your products. Keep these three tips in mind:
Read More!
This extract is taken from the Natural Health Dossier "Health Watch" newsletter.
http://naturalhealthconfidential.com/
Killer Chemicals in Your Cosmetics
How many products do you use each day? Most Americans use about 10. They add up pretty quickly. Think about it... toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, and shaving cream... and you're not even out of the bathroom yet. Factor in deodorants, cologne, hair gels... and you're easily hitting that 10-a-day mark.
But while most of us go about our daily ablutions in blissful ignorance, beauty manufacturers, scientists, law makers, and reporters know that your daily products could well damage your kidneys, affect your nervous system, and even cause cancer.
Where We Stand Today
Currently, the FDA can't regulate beauty products until they are already on sale to the public. That means these products and ingredients don't have to go through any safety tests. Cosmetics companies can also combine ingredients without pre-market tests.
The FDA has banned certain compounds in beauty products. For example, it banned mercury in cosmetics in 1990. But it rarely tests to see if manufactures respect that ban. And that means no one is checking to see if consumers remain at risk or not.
In the case of mercury, a series of recent high-profile tests and investigations show that products continue to expose Americans to dangerous levels even now. But more about that in a moment...
It's been left to various environmental groups to conduct tests and prove that the public remains at risk. And only after applying pressure to the government for several years have they finally provoked proper action.
Mercury in Mascara
Mercury has a long history in the beauty industry. It blocks melanin, which pigments hair and skin. This function makes it a popular skin-whitener.
Other products do the same thing. But mercury is cheap, says Professor Ellen Silbergeld, who works for
Unfortunately we absorb mercury through our skin. And according to Silbergeld it can shut down organs and can lead to death.
As noted, the FDA banned mercury in products in 1990. But that doesn't mean cosmetic companies aren't still using it.
There's been a flurry of real-life cases and investigations that show it's still very much out there. And it's putting Americans in harm's way.
Mercury in
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating 10 cases of mercury poisoning. Those cases are all linked to a cream that's been imported from
"Before using any product, make sure the ingredients are on the box," says State Health Commissioner Karen Remley. "We urge people not to use imported products if there are no ingredients listed or if a product lists mercury as an ingredient."
VDH says that mercury can affect the "nervous system, kidneys, and the developing fetus. Health effects include memory loss, irritability, and [body] tremors."
But cases of mercury poisoning aren't just limited to
Earlier this summer, a major
Researchers tested 50 creams at a certified lab. Six of those contained mercury. Worse, five contained enough to cause kidney damage, according to researchers.
"I'm shocked and speechless," says Dr. Jonith Breadon. She's a
While mercury is banned in the
Consumers can't know for sure which creams are tainted. The investigation shows stores across the nation sell dozens of brands, many of them made overseas.
The six creams that tested high were made in
CBS has also reported on mercury in beauty products.
"We [found] several people who were poisoned by mercury in cosmetics," said Nutritional Biochemist Jay Foster. "They put it in mascara and other cosmetics as a preservative."
The FDA says mercury is safe in some eye makeup so long as it's not higher than 65 parts per million. But there are many experts who disagree.
"The amount of mercury in mascaras is very small, but it adds to our total mercury exposure," says Jonette Keri, a dermatologist at the
Lead in Lipstick
But it's not just mercury in mascara you have to watch out for. Heavy metals can seriously damage health. And there are plenty of them in beauty products.
Three years ago, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics sent 33 lipsticks to an independent lab for testing.
The lab found that 61 percent of them contained lead. These lipsticks included:
- L'Oreal
- Cover Girl
- Dior Addict
But in 2009 the FDA conducted a follow-up study and found lead in the same lipsticks. They said the highest lead levels were in lipsticks made by:
- Procter & Gamble (Cover Girl brand)
- L'Oreal (L'Oreal, Body Shop, and Maybelline brands)
- Revlon
"Lead is a proven toxin that causes lowered IQ, reduced school performance, and increased aggression," says Professor Sean Palfrey, the medical director of
"Pregnant women are vulnerable to lead exposure," says Palfrey. "There is no safe lead exposure for children and pregnant women."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention backs this up. They say that: "No safe blood lead level has been identified."
The agency suggests avoiding all sources of lead exposure, including lead-containing cosmetics.
Pampering - or Hurting - Your Baby?
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested several baby products just last year. They found that two known carcinogens, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde, in dozens of bath products. Products included
According to the EPA, formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known animal carcinogens and probable human carcinogens. Formaldehyde also causes skin rashes in children.
The group delivered a letter to Johnson & Johnson last year asking for safe products. The letter was signed by over a million physicians, nurses and moms.
Fragrance
Fragrance makers have the ultimate loophole when it comes to disclosing what's in the bottle. That's because fragrance is a trade secret and companies don't have to say what's in it.
"The companies already know what are in each others' products," Stephanie Hendrick, coordinator for Environmental Health, told AolNews. "It's only the public that's kept in the dark."
And "fragrance" can mask many chemical compounds. It's used in shampoos, deodorants, lotions, and shaving creams. Even "unscented" products make use of the loophole. They'll often use masking fragrances, which are chemicals that cover up the smell of other chemicals.
According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, fragrances are among the top five known allergens. They can cause or trigger asthma attacks. The group tested fragrances just this year and found:
- Phthalates: These chemicals cause hormone damage and affect fertility.
- Diethyl phthalate (DEP): Recent studies link DEP with sperm damage in men. It was found in 12 out of 17 tested fragrances.
With so many dangers lurking in the cosmetics aisle... you need to be smart about what you buy.
Many doctors are working to tackle this burning issue. They're working hard to create natural products... cosmetic lines that are safe for you and your family. We'll be investigating this very subject and bringing you our findings on the doctors and products that you can trust in a future issue.
In the meantime, be smart about choosing your products. Keep these three tips in mind:
- Be wary of claims that say products are "dermatologist-tested," "natural," or "organic." Look for yourself and read the ingredient label instead.
- Be very serious about warning labels. They're your best clue to toxic ingredients.
- You can check out which products tested safe or not. There's a huge safety guide at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.
"7 Days To Size Up" Part 5
Days 5, 6, 7;
In the interests of concise information I have posted below the last three days of training in one article.
The supplements each day were the same as before but with the addition of 1 Serving of 20g of Primal Greens with each breakfast and 20g of Primal Reds and 2 Glucose Dispersal Px with each Post Workout Shake.
Mentally, today was tough; I had absolutely no desire to do any interval training. I had to “talk” myself into completing shuttle sprints at the end of my work day.
4 sets x 1min 50s, Rest 120s
After a great nights sleep and I felt better today, woke up with a real fire in my belly to train twice today!
Session 1
A1 Bi-Acromial Bench Press, 6 sets, 2-4, 50X1, rest 180s, 100-102.5kg (had to drop weight by 20% compared to last week)
A2 Neutral Grip Chins, 6 sets, 2-4, 51X0, rest 180s, BW + 10kg
Session 2
A1 “Behind The Neck” Shoulder Press, 4 sets, 7-9, 3011, rest 60s, 50kg
A2 Bent Over 1-Arm DB Row, 4 sets, 7-9, 3110, rest 60s, 32kg
B1 Seated DB External Rotation, arm in front, 2 sets, 8-10, 3010, 14kg
B2 Bent Over, Lateral Raise, Low Pulley, 2 sets, 8-10, 3010, 7.5kg
Sunday 1st August
Session 1
A Snatch Grip Deadlift from Floor, 9 sets, 5,4,3,5,4,3,5,4,3, 51X1, rest 240s, 110kg-125kg
Session 2
A1 Incline Leg Press, 4 sets, 10-12, 3011, rest 60s, 150kg
A2 Seated Leg Curl, Multi Position, Toes Neutral, 4 sets, 8-10, 4120, 54kg
B1 Leg Extension, Toes Neutral, 4 sets, 12-15, 2010, 40kg
B2 45 Degree Back Extension, 4 sets, 12-15, 3020, BW
I tried to keep my protein content each day as high as possible. I was averaging around 360g. The hardest task was to keep eating solid food, my appetite went right down, every time I looked at the venison steaks sitting in my fridge (which I had bought for my weekend treat) I actually felt sick! Liquid shakes are very easy but are not great for putting on solid muscle except as a Post Workout Meal.
I have completed 12 training sessions in 7 days, I will complete intervals again today and 2 arm sessions on Tuesday, making a total of 15 sessions in 9 days.
Wednesday I will rest then complete a de-loading phase of “Once A Day”.
The actual format I am using:
Loading Phase 1
Day 1 Upper Body x 2
Day 2 Lower Body x 2
Day 3 Intervals x 1
Day 4 Arms x 2
Day 5 Intervals x 1
Loading Phase 2
Day 6 Upper Body x 2
Day 7 Lower Body x 2
Day 8 Intervals x 1
Day 9 Arms x 2
Day 10 Complete Rest
De-Loading Phase
Day 11 Upper Body x 1
Day 12 Lower Body x 1
Day 13 Intervals
Day 14 Arms x 1
Day 15 Complete Rest
For the purpose of this Blog I have recorded what has happened after 7 days. There is definitely more to come and I will post any further changes in a few days time.
My strength plummeted on the 2nd cycle by as much as 20%; I will cross my fingers that this is only temporary! Many people who complete multiple training sessions, tend to catch a cold or get Flu-Like symptoms. I believe the large amounts of Vitamin C (10-12g per day) and Immune Supreme (30g per day) has kept my immune system strong. Lots of sleep, napping and some form of detox e.g sauna or epsom salt bath also helps. It is also critical to keep alkaline with green drinks, lime water and plenty of multiple forms of magnesium.
At the end of the 7 days I lost 1.5% bodyfat and gained 0.3kg of lean muscle mass. According to Charles Poliquin it is normal to actually lose some lean muscle when you complete “Twice A Day “ training, but then this should shoot up after the de-loading phase, where I will train “Once per Day”. Let’s wait and see……….
Post 7 days, BioSignature Site Differences:
Tricep down 35.9%
Supra-Iliac down 30.5%
Calves down 19.4%
Subscapular down 12.7%
Quad down 6.3%
Umbilical down 2.8%
Read More!
"7 Days To Size Up" Day 4
Slept well but woke up with some serious DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) in my quads! Forearms have started to recover from Mondays session, at last!
Extremely busy day ahead, have 5 client meetings, have to finish 3 programmes, continue with my presentation prep for 2 weeks time and fit in 2 training sessions.
Day 4
Upon wakening drink: Primal Fiber 3 with a dash of Chlorophyll for extra alkalinisation.
Applied Licorice Lysine Plus Salve to lower abdominal area.
Meal 1
4 XL Egg Omelette (raw weight 268g)
50g Brazil Nuts
Handful Organic Cherries
1 Large Mug Organic Filter Coffee with Organic Double Cream
Supplements:
3g Vitamin C
10g Glycine
10g Creatine
2 HCl
5 Yang R-ALA
2 Methylator 3.0
3 EPA/DH 720
2 Fenuplex
1 Perfect E
1 Pantethine
2 Proflora Excellence DF
Meal 2
200g Grass Fed Steak
Homemade Tomato and Vegetable Sauce
Supplements:
3 HCl
2 Methylator 3.0
3 EPA/DH 720
2 Fenuplex
Snack
50g Brazil nuts
300ml Cinnamon Water
Pre-Workout Stack
4 Java Stim
5 Yang R-ALA
2 Fast Brain
2 Alpha GPC
Training Session 1
Arms:
A1 Scott Bench, Close Grip, EZ-Bar Curl, 6 sets, 2-4, 50X0, Rest 120s, 47.5kg – 50kg
B1 Decline EZ-Bar, Mid Grip, Extension to Forehead, 6 sets, 2-4, 50X0, rest 120s, 47.5-50kg
Meal 3
PWO Shake
15g Immune Supreme
20g Creatine
40g Glutamine
10g Glycine
2g Vitamin C
90g Reflex Chocolate Natural Whey
4 Ubermag
2 Glucose Dispersal Px (New supplement just arrived today)
Meal 4
Double Serving of “Leon
Supplements:
2 HCl
2 Methylator 3.0
3 EPA/DH 720
2 Fenuplex
1 Pantethine
Training Session 2
Arms:
A1 DB 60 Degree Incline Hammer Curls, 4 sets, 8-10, 3010, rest 60s, 16kg e/s
A2 Overhead Extension, High pulley, with rope, 4 sets, 8-10, 3010, rest 60s, 35kg
B1 Standing, close grip, low pulley curl, 4 sets, 10-12, 2010, rest 30s, 25kg
B2 Tricep Pressdown, high pulley, 4 sets, 10-12, 2010, rest 30s, 30kg
Meal 5
PWO Shake
15g Immune Supreme
20g Creatine
40g Glutamine
20g Glycine
3g Vitamin C
60g Unflavoured Whey Cool
2 Serenity 2.0
2 Glucose Dispersal Px (New supplement just arrived today)
Snack
120g Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon
227g Jersey Full Cream Cottage Cheese
2 x Handfuls Organic Cherries
Supplements:
3g Vitamin C
10g Glycine
3 HCl
3 EPA/DH 720
4 NAC-2 Plex
2 Proflora Excellence DF
5g Uber-Inositol
3 Sweet Dreams 1.0
Pre-Bed
Drink: Primal Fiber 3
Topical Mag, 3 pumps behind each knee
Bed 11.45pm
Notes:
Total Water Intake Outside of Training:
5 Litres filtered with Pinch of Himalayan Salt and Juice of Fresh Lime per Litre
Dietary Breakdown for Protein Intake:
4XL Eggs: 48g
200g Grass Fed Steak: 56g
100g Brazil Nuts: 15g
90g Reflex Natural Whey: 63g
60g Cool Whey: 50g
Chilli Con Carne: approx 40g
120g Salmon: 32g
227g Cottage Cheese: 26g
Total Dietary Protein Intake for day: 330g
Notes:
The second arm session was a mental battle, I just didn’t feel like it; had to use some serious hardcore tunes on my iPod to get me motivated……… managed to complete a 30 minute session.
Just after my second arms session and up until my 10pm meal I had what can only be described as a bout of depression; I felt grumpy as hell and got quite short with people around me. Not sure if this was due to a reaction from the new “Glucose Dispersal” supplement. It was as though I was running on an empty tank, maybe it was from glycogen depletion, lack of carb intake, not 100% sure. Anyway it went about 10 minutes after the last feeding.
I upped my bedtime supplements, as I felt I needed to ensure that I get a restful night’s sleep, sore more “topical magnesium” cream, an extra 2g of Uber-Inositol and an extra “sweet dreams”
NB: It is advised to leave a 4-6 hours between multiple training sessions, had to cut this gap short to 3 hours due to a heavy work schedule.Tomorrow is cheat meal day…………… intervals, sauna, stretch and some carbs!!!!!
I will also add in some Paleo Greens and Reds over the next 3 days to help boost my anti-oxidant intake.
"7 Days To Size Up" Day 3
Last nights sleep was broken twice at 2.30am and at 5am . Signs of Liver dumping toxins and Triple Warmer Meridian acting up. How ever when I woke up at 8am , I felt refreshed despite being somewhat very sore in my forearms still (those Fatgripz!) and my quads felt heavy after the double squat sessions yesterday. Today only 1 Interval session is scheduled to let the central nervous system recover.
Day 3
Today is my study day, I do not see any clients but work from home and focus on catching up on research and study, I am currently reading “An Army of Davids” by Glenn Reynolds, and this is a marketing book recommended by Charles Poliquin at the BioSignature Seminar in London
Upon wakening drink: Primal Fiber 3 with a dash of Chlorophyll for extra alkalinisation.
Applied Licorice Lysine Plus Salve to lower abdominal area.
Meal 1
300g Grilled Grass Fed Steak
10g Avocado Oil
1 Organic Grilled Tomato
1 Organic Avocado
1 Large Mug Organic Filter Coffee with Organic Double Cream
Supplements:
3g Vitamin C
10g Glycine
10g Creatine
2 HCl
5 Yang R-ALA
2 Methylator 3.0
3 EPA/DH 720
2 Fenuplex
1 Perfect E
1 Pantethine
2 Proflora Excellence DF
Training Session 1
Energy Systems – Interval Training
Sprints, 6 set x 400m, Rest 180s.
Peri-Workout
1 Litre water
10 Minute Sauna
Meal 2
PWO Shake
15g Immune Supreme
20g Creatine
40g Glutamine
10g Glycine
2g Vitamin C
100g Reflex Chocolate Natural Whey
4 Ubermag
Meal 3
200g Scallops sautéed in Organic Butter
Homemade Tomato and Vegetable Sauce
2 Small Baked Sweet Potatoes
Supplements:
2 HCl
2 Methylator 3.0
3 EPA/DH 720
2 Fenuplex
1 Pantethine
Meal 4
180g Homemade Grilled Free Range Turkey
Supplements:
2 HCl
2 Methylator 3.0
3 EPA/DH 720
2 Fenuplex
1 Pantethine
1 Perfect E
500ml Cinnamon Water
Snack - not hungry so grazed through a bag of cashews
150g Raw Organic Cashews
Snack - had immense carb cravings:
100g Sautéed Mixed Nuts in Organic Butter, with 50ml Organic Double Cream and 10 Organic Cherries
500ml Cinnamon Water
Supplements:
3g Vitamin C
10g Glycine
2 HCl
3 EPA/DH 720
4 NAC-2 Plex
2 Proflora Excellence DF
3g Uber-Inositol
2 Sweet Dreams 1.0
Pre-Bed
Drink: Primal Fiber 3
Topical Mag, 2 pumps behind each knee
Bed 11.45pm
Notes:
Total Water Intake Outside of Training:
5 Litres filtered with Pinch of Himalayan Salt and Juice of Fresh Lime per Litre
Dietary Breakdown for Protein Intake:
300g Grass Fed Steak: 78g
200g Scallops: 46g
180g Free Range Turkey
150g Cashews: 20g
100g Mixed Nuts: 20
100g Reflex Natural Whey: 70g
Total Dietary Protein Intake for day: 288g
The total for the day is low in protein content, my appetite seems to have gone down, I just didn’t want any “Meat” in the evening, had immense carb cravings, so went for the sautéed nuts and cream option which worked a treat.
Notes:
Tomorrow’s plan is arms……………twice!
Read More!
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