Bulls will take charge if closing price is above 1150

The S&P 500 Index finished the day off 3.5 points, closed at 1141.2, but remained above its 10-day moving average. Bulls took the reins early this morning, as the market cheered a  steeper-than-expected drop in weekly jobless claims. However, stocks made a drastic U-turn into negative territory by midday.

The S&P 500 Index continues to have trouble near its January peak of 1150. Although the bulls tested the 1157 in this morning, Traders took profit without any hesitation. We will still watching 1130 down and 1150 up. Today the resistance 1150 was broken, however, only the closing price above 1150 will confirm it.

The trading range between resistance 1150 and support 1130 is the zone sreparate the bulls and bears

The S&P 500 Index recorded a slim daily deficit of about 3 points, but remains comfortably north of its 10-day moving average, closed at 1144.73. Resistance along the top end of recent trading ranges didn t help the case for stocks. Even at their best levels of the day the major averages were hung up near the neutral line.

While the economy may not be headed for a double-dip recession, economic and political uncertainty ahead of midterm elections and new tax policies is making it hard for stocks to keep up their momentum. Markets hate uncertainty, and the government has created a tremendous amount of uncertainty, so that's gotten the market frozen.

In the meantime, the trading range between resistance 1150 and support 1130 is the zone separate the bulls and bears, we still waiting for the market to lead us to the right direction. However, even market breaks 1150, there is another critical resistance right above 1165-1175, so the risk reward ratio still favor the bears in the longer term.

The longer the S&P 500 Index consolidates its breakout atop 1130, the more likely this rally will continue

The S&P 500 Index reversed early losses to end 5.5 points higher, closed at 1147.7, though the index was stopped short at the psychologically significant 1150 level. Stocks shrugged off worse-than-expected housing and sentiment data to finish higher Tuesday. Despite an early slide, stocks were able to settle with solid, broad gains Tuesday.

The Consumer Confidence Index dropped is further evidence that the consumer is still not feeling particularly upbeat about what they see going on in the market or in the foreseeable future, which obviously impacts their spending behavior. That's enough to hold markets back.

Today's market is very impressive, 1130 still act as a very strong support today. The way the market shook off the poor consumer confidence data was rather impressive.There could be even more upward momentum in store, as the longer the S&P 500 Index consolidates its breakout atop 1130, the more likely this rally will continue.

It is very bullish after market broke out at 1130, however, the anemic volume in this rally so far make me cautious

The S&P 500 Index gave up 6.5 points, closed at 1142.16. Resistance near 1150 keeps S&P 500 out of higher ground. It is normal to see periodic short-term market pullbacks after extended rallies. The markets are in rally mode and are likely to continue until we see worse-than-expected economic data with the next major report next Friday – unemployment report.

Yesterday I said this market is on buying panic mode, and I think the next critical resistance will be 1170-1175.  Market may retract few days to digest this overbought situation. However, next time you see market gap up with extreme buying panic, you should pay attention. Technically, it is very bullish after market broke out at 1130, however, the anemic volume in this rally so far make me cautious.

People have been thinking all the economic problems are all fixed but we've still got a long way to go. Painfully high unemployment, home prices and the government's enormous deficit are other issues still weighing on the minds of investors.

Market is on buying panic mode, lighten your stocks exposure

S&P500 rose 23.84 points, to 1148.67, with all sectors in positive territory on Friday. The industrial and financial sectors led the gains. The rally came after August results for U.S. durable-goods orders and sales of new homes exceed expectations.

Investors are seeking any positive news to push the market higher. As I said yesterday, if 1134 is broken, market will head to 1148. Today, 1148 act as a tough resistance whole day. Next resistance will be 1150-1155, then 1170-1175,  the 200 weeks moving average 1200 and the April high 1220.

I still holding small potion of SPXU, I almost sold it yesterday when market hit 1124, no luck, I set my sell limit order at 1122. I guess I will holding it for little longer.

I think all the fund managers are afraid to miss the year end rally, they are all aboard now after S&P 500 resistance 1130 was broken on Friday. Market is on buying panic mode, lighten your stocks exposure before extreme bullish momentum come into sight.  Although the short term momentum is very bullish, investors need to grab this opportunity to lighten stocks because you may not have another chance like this.

Curcumin Could Delay Liver Damage, Cirrhosis

A new study published in the gastroenterology and hepatology journal Gut indicates that curcumin may be a viable option for slowing down liver damage and cirrhosis.

Researchers in Austria decided to study diseases of the bile duct stating: "Chronic cholangiopathies (bile duct diseases) have limited therapeutic options and represent an important indication for liver transplantation. Curcumin, the yellow pigment of the spice turmeric, has pleiotropic (multiple effect) actions and attenuates hepatic damage in animal models of chemically-induced liver injury. Whether curcumin has beneficial effects in cholangiopathies is unknown." Thus, the study was undertaken.

When the liver’s bile ducts swell, scar and become blocked, irreversible and usually fatal cirrhosis and liver damage can develop. Genetic predisposition, disease, excessive alcohol intake or injury can lead to this condition. In the study, curcumin was administered to lab mice for periods of four to eight weeks. These mice were given chemically induced liver injuries, and those with curcumin diets had significantly reduced liver damage. Specifically, it improved the condition known as sclerosing cholangitis, an autoimmune disorder.

Curcumin was thought to have multiple effects, all of which influenced the beneficial results for liver health. One effect was the inhibition of signal pathways necessary for inflammation to occur, slowing the progress of scarring which leads to reduced bile duct blockage and liver cell (hepatocyte) damage.

The authors of the study commented that since the standard treatment for liver disease, other than transplantation, involves an acid whose long-term effects are unknown, curcumin presents an exciting alternative in need of further study.

Green Tea May Add Years to Your Lifetime

Everyone wants to lead a long and healthy life. Now it appears that green tea can help you achieve your goals. A study completed by a research team from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that green tea “reduced mortality due to all causes.”

At the beginning of the study, researchers noted “Green tea polyphenols have been extensively studied as cardiovascular disease and cancer chemopreventive agents in vitro and in animal studies. However, the effects of green tea consumption in humans remains unclear.” So they decided to “investigate the associations between green tea consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality.”

Researchers began the Ohsaki National Health Insurance Cohort Study in 1994 among 40,530 Japanese adults aged 40 to 79 years without a history of stroke, coronary heart disease, or cancer. Participants were followed for up to 11 years for all-cause mortality and for up to seven years for cause-specific mortality. Study participants lived in northeastern Japan, where green tea is a popular beverage.

More than 4,000 of the participants died over the total 11 years of follow-up. During the seven years of the study that focused on specific causes, 892 people died from cardiovascular disease and 1,134 from cancer.

Comparing death rates and green tea consumption, the research team found that individuals who drank five or more cups per day had a risk of death from all causes that was 16% lower than people drinking less than one cup per day. Deaths from cardiovascular disease were 26% lower for tea drinkers, compared to those who avoided the beverage. Green tea appeared to have no effect on cancer risk, however in this particular study.

Women fared even better in the study. Women who drank five or more cups of green tea per day had a 31% lower risk of death from heart disease and stroke death compared to women who drank less than a cup a day.

I will hold my short position if market stay below 1134

The S&P 500 Index gave up 9.5 points, closed at 1124.83 and notched a daily close beneath its 10-day trendline for the first time since Sept. Late selling led stocks to finish lower for the third straight session. Though losses in that time have been relatively modest, the streak is the longest in about a month.

Initial jobless claims for the week ended September 18 totaled 465,000, which is more than the 450,000 that had been widely expected. However, Support helped stocks rebound. Existing home sales for August climbed 7.6% month-over-month to an annualized rate of 4.13 million units, which is more than 4.10 million units that had been expected. Leading indicators for August also proved better than expected. They increased 0.3% in the face of calls for a 0.1% increase.

Trading will remain choppy as investors react to each piece of economic news. Technically, the S&P 500 Index couldn't hold its breakout above 1130. My concerns right now is underperformance from financial stocks. Without their leadership, or at least participation, it will be tough for any rally to have staying power.

I still holding some SPXU to short the current market. , I will hold my short position if market stay below 1134, however, if market break 1134, it may retest the recent high 1148 as well as 1175. My short term target is 1120, 1117, 1110, 1100, 1094.

S&P500 1130 act as a short term direction for the market

The S&P 500 Index ended on a loss of 5.5 points, closed at 1134.28. Despite ticking higher right out of the gate this morning, stocks spent most of the session south of breakeven today. The good news is we still perch above the breakout point 1130. As long as 1130 hold, traders will keep holding their long position, however, if 1130 is broken, watch for a short term sell off down to 1117(200 days moving average) and 1107(38% fib retracement level from the low 1040 to the recent high 1148).

Today, we don't have a heavy sell off day and market fail to confirm a reverse day. Although we don't have a lot of reports and data announce, tomorrow is a very significant day for traders because S&P 500 is at 1134, that mean market will make a surge or dip tomorrow. If we break 1130, especially 1125 is broken, a short term sell off is for sure. Nevertheless, if we rebound from 1132, market may head to the last destination at 1175 area if 1148 high is taken out.

I don't expect market will break support 1130 in a easy manner, But the risk reward ratio is definitely favor the bears.

The S&P 500 Index couldn't maintain its grip on positive territory, settling for a daily deficit of about 3 points, closed at 1139.78. However, the SPX remained above the key 1130 level, which served as a technical ceiling throughout the summer.

Today's market is the same pattern as usual Fed meeting, major averages made some sharp swings with the release of the statement, a big swing up followed by a big swing down. The market liked the fact that the Fed said it will take whatever measures are necessary to keep the economy from slipping further. Investors viewed that as sign that the Fed may implement further easing measures in the future if they need to. Then, the rally lost steam, as investors considered the Fed's economic outlook and the effectiveness of the possible stimulus measures.

Technically, market reached the January high 1050 Today. If you did read my prior posts on July,26 Bulls' sudden death resistance 1145-1150  and July,27 Short term flash point 1145-1150 , you should know the importance of this resistance. Today's market is a red flag to the bulls. Market go all the way to 1150, then close almost at the low of the day. Today's candlestick chart show a reverse signal, however we need to see a huge selloff day tomorrow for confirmation.

By this time, you shouldn't hold any long position, or at least trim down to 20% stocks in your portfolio. Aggressive traders should start to accumulate short or inverse ETF. I have already bought some 3x inverse ETF (SPXU) when S&P500 hit 1137 today. Just a reminder, I don't expect market will break support 1130 in a easy manner. But I am comfortable and willing to hold some short at this critical resistance combine with  current short term overbought level. In the meantime, the risk reward ratio is definitely favor the bears.

Today market reach the 61.8% fibonacci retracement 1140, Market is very overbought, traders will take any excuse to sell.

The S&P 500 rose 17.12 points, to 1,142.71. U.S. stocks closed at their highest level in more than four months on Monday, one day ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting as encouraging financial and home builder earnings boosted confidence in the economic recovery.

The S&P has tried to sit above the 1130 level in June, August and last week but failed, so the fact that it has broken up above that point and is staying there is considered a positive sign for the bulls and forcing traders to come back in.

I think investors are looking for more stimulus. Nevertheless, any rally that is induced by stimulus is not sustainable, I think you have to let the cycle play through. In fact, trading could drift back into choppy waters this week as investors return their focus to more economic news on the housing market. Data on housing starts and building permits in August come out Tuesday, while reports on new and existing home sales will be released later in the week.

Market is very overbought, Watch out the bad news come out from the Fed and housing data tomorrow. When market is so overbought, any bad news is very sensitive to traders, they will take it as a excuse to sell.

Technically, the market is heading toward the fibonacci retracement level from the high of 1220 to the low 1010. The 38.2%, 50%, 61.8% and 78.6% fibonacci number are 1090, 1115, 1140 and 1175. Today market reach the 61.8% fib retracement with daily high 1144.86. Just be patient and wait for the reverse day coming. Then we will tell if the market want to go down.

Be cautious! after this short term rally run its course, a major selloff may follow

The S&P 500 index gained 0.93 point, to 1,125.59 and it closed up for a third consecutive week. Share volume was extraordinarily robust because of today's quadruple witching options expiration. With more than 1.8 billion shares exchanged on the NYSE, this session s total was more than double the average daily count for the past 10 sessions.

Investors have been somewhat encouraged by recent signs of economic improvement. But with consumer sentiment still in the dumps and a negative outlook for job growth, stocks have been drifting without much conviction.

We may continue to see strong earnings, but that's not going to get us much higher with negative news on economy as well as the weak consumer sentiment. What we need right now is the increase in job growth and the confidence of the consumers. If they have jobs and the future is positive they will start spending, as consumer spending go up economy will follow.

By the way, don't be so optimistic about the break out of  SPX 1130. It just a number. You may argue because it's a major resistance breakout. Well, sometime we have to look at it with more aspects and different angles. Market going up and it's overbought without a healthy retracement. It can't sustain this short term uptrend. Be cautious! after this short term rally run its course, a major selloff may follow.

Anti-inflammatory Power of Resveratrol

New research has observed the suppressive effects of resveratrol on inflammation and oxidative stress in humans—the first time such effects have been observed. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are part of the root causes of many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s.

The new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, investigated the effects of resveratrol-containing Polygonum cuspidatum extract (PCE) on oxidative stress and inflammation by measuring its suppressive effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and range of inflammatory mediators.

The study, led by Prof. Paresh Dandonda from the University at Buffalo, suggests that resveratrol may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation through increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and a reduction in pro-inflammatory molecules.

The aims of the new study were to investigate the effect of PCE on oxidative and inflammatory stress in normal human subjects. The researchers wrote: "There is data showing the anti-inflammatory effects [of resveratrol] in vitro, but there is no data demonstrating this in humans."

In the study, 20 healthy participants were randomized to receive placebo or PCE (containing 40 mg resveratrol) over a six-week period. Researchers observed that the resveratrol-rich PCE suppressed ROS generation and also suppressed binding of the pro-inflammatory cytokine NFkB.

In parallel to these effects, the study witnessed a reduction in the expression of two major pro-inflammatory molecules (JNK-1 and IKKB), leading to an anti-inflammatory response. The study also saw a reduction in the expression of SOCS-3, a protein that is modulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines."The observations suggest a potent anti-inflammatory effect of PCE-containing resveratrol."

The results demonstrated in the research are the first time that such findings have been seen in humans, but are consistent with potential anti-atherogenic and anti-aging effects of resveratrol, concluding that PCE "has a comprehensive suppressive effect on oxidative and inflammatory stress."

Multivitamins Linked to Younger Biological Age

New research shows the cells of multivitamin users may have a younger biological age than cells from non-users. Researchers led by Honglei Chen, M.D., Ph.D. from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a division of the National Institutes of Health, looked at the length of telomeres, DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten as cells replicate and age.

The aging and lifespan of normal, healthy cells are linked to the so-called telomerase shortening mechanism, which limits cells to a fixed number of divisions. During cell replication, the telomeres function by ensuring the cell's chromosomes do not fuse with each other or rearrange, which can lead to cancer. With each replication the telomeres shorten, and when the telomeres are totally consumed, the cells are destroyed. Previous studies have also reported that telomeres are highly susceptible to oxidative stress
.
Dr. Chen and his co-workers noted that telomere length may therefore be a marker of biological aging, and that multivitamins may beneficially affect telomere length via modulation of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.

The scientists analyzed multivitamin use and nutrient intakes, as well as telomere length of 586 women aged between 35 and 74 in the Sister Study. A 146-item food-frequency questionnaire was used to determine multivitamin use and nutrient intakes. Compared to non-multivitamin users, the researchers noted that the telomeres were on average 5.1% longer for daily multivitamin users.

"To our knowledge, this was the fist epidemiologic study of multivitamin use and telomere length," wrote Dr. Chen and his co-workers. "Regular multivitamin users tend to follow a healthy lifestyle and have a higher intake of micronutrients, which sometimes makes it difficult to interpret epidemiologic observations on multivitamin use. Further investigation would be needed to understand the role of multivitamin use and telomere length and its implication in the etiology of chronic diseases."

I believe a breakout from 1130 will makes sense consider this is the consolidation after a rally

The S&P 500 Index settling for a tiny loss of 0.4 point, closed at 1124.66. Tomorrow, the SPX will have another chance to challenge the resistance at 1130 again which has capped its progress since June.

Stocks struggled to find direction today. Indexes had been down slightly for most of the day, but they rose modestly in the last hour of trade.Volume has been low, conviction has been low, there is still a lot of uncertainty in the market, so it’s hard to take a stance one way or another. That is going to be a catalyst for equities to improve.

Stocks have drifted in the trading range 1115-1130 last few days, Data aren't pushing us one way or the other. However, consider this is the consolidation after a rally, and today we stalled up near the 1130 level again, I believe a breakout from 1130 will makes sense to me. Be cautious, even the market breakout 1130, it may retract under it right away, we call it fake breakout. There is no way for traders or investor to chase this market provided the current overbought level. As I told you in yesterday post "I will highly suggest you to lighten your long exposure from now on and on the way up of this rally".

Tomorow, September options expire, which could result in a quick but short-lived rally. Use all rallies as an opportunity to sell.

Next short term market move will follow the breakout of the support 1115 or resistance 1130

The S&P 500 finished near its session highs, adding nearly 4 points, closed at 1125.07, its third straight close atop its 200-day moving average. The market was bouncing around the neutral line all day, moderate weakness at the open led to a lower start, but the broader market was able to attract support as the 1115 line held for the S&P 500. The 1115 line not only marks the stock market s 200-day moving average, but it is also the dividing point between year-to-date gains and losses.

Stock trading has been choppy over the past few sessions as investors searched for a catalyst to buy. The 200- day moving average act as a strong support for this two days, so as the 1130 resistance. Traders are watching these two numbers. I am very sure the next short term market move will follow the breakout of the support 1115 or resistance 1130.

Market is overbought, but not to the level that I will call everyone in the bear campus to jump on board. However, I will highly suggest you to lighten your long exposure from now on and on the way up of this rally.

Traders should prepare for a reversal but hold off until the signal of a turn down is given

The S&P 500 Index giving up 0.8 point, closed at 1121.1. Stocks started the session on a sour note today, but it overcame initial weakness to stage a steady climb, but the advance failed to take the S&P 500 through 1128, which marks the top of the summer trading range. The major averages lacked direction after being rejected by the resistance line.

Internal indicators are now rolling to within a day or so of sell signals, and volume is still at very low levels. It is becoming doubtful that the bulls can keep the uptrend intact. Traders should prepare for a reversal but hold off until the signal of a turn down is given.

The risk reward ratio is flavor the bear at this moment. You should hold cash or at least lighten your long position. You might get a better entry price at a lower level later if you still want to long this market.

Expect a meaningful rally to 1120-1130 and then a reversal down

The S&P 500 Index was up 12.4 points, closed at 1121.9 to finish above its 200-day moving average for the first time since Aug. 10. New capital rules for banks and China reported a 13.9% climb in industrial production last month lifted the market out of the gate and maintained healthy gains right into the close.

Bulls are able to charge above the 200-day with determination, as shown by high volume today. The outlook of the market suddenly change. And an immediate charge to the summer’s top at 1,131 is likely.

If you are a long-term investor, it is time to sell some of your non-performers and hold cash. With the exception of certain high-dividend stocks, a better buying opportunity is likely to show up sometime this month after some profit taking. But traders should  review their favorite trading strategies. Puts, inverse ETFs, and short sales are likely candidates. But timing is everything. Early this week, like today, expect a meaningful rally to 1120-1130 and then a reversal down before jumping back into the market.

I am holding small amount of SPXU, with some loss today. This is the core holding in my short portfolio. I am willing to hold it a little longer for this long term bear market. However, I won't add any more short position right now until the bulls momentum subside. If this market want to go to the extreme way, it could reach 1150-1155 zone which is the 68.2% retracement level from the high of 1220 to the low of 1010.

Being responsive to the market’s signals rather than being predictive will paid off

The major market averages rose Friday, putting the market into positive territory for the second-straight week. The S&P 500 index rose 5.37 points, to 1109.55.

The 200-day moving average for the S&P 500, which is now at 1115.6, is a major resistance number. A break above it would likely lead to a challenge of the double-tops at 1130, which is another major area of resistance. Major resistance lines are formed by blocks of sellers, and thus, they usually block advances.

Investors should prepare to sell any lagging positions and traders should review their list of likely shorts and other bearish strategies.

So we will watch and wait. There is no need to jump in on the long side or short side at this moment unless the market tells us that its intentions are bullish or bearish. Sticking to our basic principle of being responsive to the market’s signals rather than being predictive has paid off so far this year, so we will wait for the market to hit 1115 or as high as 1130 before adding any new position.

Today I read an very good article, It give me a bigger perspective about our economy. I want to share with you and sum it up as follows:

1. The pace of recovery in output and employment has slowed in recent months. 
2. Household spending is increasing gradually, but remains constrained by high unemployment.
3. Modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit.
4. Business spending on equipment and software is rising; however, investment in Nonresidential structures continues to be weak.
5. Employers remain reluctant to add to payrolls. 
6. Housing starts remain at a depressed level. 
7. Bank lending has continued to contract.
8. The pace of economic recovery is likely to be more modest in the near term than had been anticipated.

Ten Reasons to Throw out your Microwave Oven

From the conclusions of the Swiss, Russian and German scientific clinical studies, we can no longer ignore the microwave oven sitting in our kitchens. Based on this research, we will conclude this article with the following:

1). Continually eating food processed from a microwave oven causes long term - permanent - brain damage by "shorting out"
electrical impulses in the brain [de-polarizing or de-magnetizing the brain tissue].

2). The human body cannot metabolize [break down] the unknown by-products created in microwaved food.

3). Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating microwaved foods.

4). The effects of microwaved food by-products are residual [long term, permanent] within the human body.

5). Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients of all microwaved food is reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the human body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down.

6). The minerals in vegetables are altered into cancerous free radicals when cooked in microwave ovens.

7). Microwaved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths [tumors]. This may explain the rapidly increased rate of
colon cancer in America.

8). The prolonged eating of microwaved foods causes cancerous cells to increase in human blood.

9). Continual ingestion of microwaved food causes immune system deficiencies through lymph gland and blood serum alterations.

10). Eating microwaved food causes loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability, and a decrease of intelligence.


For more information on the hazard of using microwave oven, this website is a excellent place to start .>>>>>   http://www.laleva.cc/environment/microwave.html

Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotics are one of the most important tools in modern medicine. These drugs can mean the difference between life and death when humans contract a bacterial infection—from staph to salmonella to bacterial pneumonia. But overuse and misuse of these drugs is making bacteria more quickly resistant to essential antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance complicates medical treatment, and frequently results in longer and more serious illness, and even death in some instances. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 99,000 people die each year in the United States of a hospital-acquired infectious disease. Children, the elderly and the chronically ill are particularly vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant infections. In 1998, the Institute of Medicine estimated that antibiotic resistance generated at least $4 billion to $5 billion per year in extra costs to the U.S. health care system. More recently, researchers with the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics and Cook County Hospital in Chicago estimated that this number has grown to $16.6 billion to $26 billion per year. For these reasons, the CDC has declared that antibiotic resistance is among its top concerns.

The Causes of Antibiotic Resistance

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics are main causes of the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. Antibiotics are misused by consumers when prescriptions are not fully followed (thus failing to kill bacteria). In other cases, people with viral infections such as the cold and the flu incorrectly believe that an antibiotic will help. In fact, antibiotics do not work against viral infections. Finally, certain industrial farming practices lead to overuse of antibiotics, as described below.

 

The Link to Food Animal Production

In human health care, antibiotic use is generally confined to the treatment of illness. In contrast, antibiotics often are used on industrial farms not only to treat sick animals but also to offset crowding and poor sanitation, as well as to spur animal growth. In fact, up to 70 percent of all antibiotics sold in the U.S. are given to healthy food animals. The American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America and other leading medical groups all warn that the routine use of antibiotics in food animals presents a serious and growing threat to human health because it creates new strains of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

More than 25 million pounds of antibiotics a year are used as a non-therapeutic treatment to artificially speed up the growth of food animals and to compensate for the effects of unsanitary conditions on the farm. This makes the U.S. one of the biggest users of antibiotics in food animal production in the world. Most of the antibiotics used on farms in the U.S. are obtained and used without the consultation of a veterinarian. The lack of oversight, coupled with the magnitude of administration of antibiotics for non-therapeutic purposes, has potentially irreversible serious consequences for human health.

 

I might cover part of my short holding tomorrow if the market is resilient.

The S&P 500 hold above the 1100 support, ended with a daily gain of 5.3 points, closed at 1104.18. Thanks to some upbeat economic data, Initial jobless claims fell more than expected and the trade balance narrowed. Stocks added gains Thursday, but the indexes ended off their intraday highs.

The economic data continues to come in a little bit better than expected. Investors are celebrating with the positive news everyday since last Friday. However, the rally seems lack of amp and the volume is anemic. we had a upside gap open today, but there was no follow through with this breakout. It seems to me that the gap we saw in this morning is an exhaustion gap. We had a run away gap on last Wednesday, continue gap on Friday, and today's gap seems fatigue to me. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ran into 200 days moving average and retracted today, and the 200 moving lines for SPX and COMP are a throw stone away. However, the market might want to run for a last gasp to 1115 or 1130 before surrender.

In the meantime it's risky for holding either long or short, nevertheless, the risk reward ratio is somewhat flavor the bears. It is much prudent to wait until SPX reach 1115 (200 days moving average) or 1130 (prior high, resistance) before adding any short. I still holding SPXU to short the current market. I might cover part of my short holding tomorrow if the market is resilient because one of my trading rule is not to hold heavy position through weekend.

My current holding of SPXU violate my trading rule and philosophy

The S&P 500 Index retreated from its session high, ending with a gain of 7 points, closed at 1098.87 to settle within a stone's throw of the round-number resistance 1,100 level. After a selloff yesterday, stocks rallied in today's session. Stocks started posting gains early this morning as investors shifted their focus from worries about European banks to President Obama's $350 billion jobs recovery plan.

Investors got back some of yesterday's losses, but overall trading continues to be slow. I didn't sell my SPXU today because the market was up all day. It's kind of risky now to be long or short. Trading volume is low, break out day always happen after several low volume consolidation days. Usually, I will cover my position today and waiting for a better opportunity. well, I just decided to hold it for couple more days. I know this violate my trading rule and philosophy:

( 1/  market has to react within two trading days after I open any new position or I will get out)

( 2/ When the reason for opening a new position is no longer exist I will get out)

if market cannot break the last Friday high 1105, this short term rally will be ended soon.

The S&P 500 Index swallowed a loss of 12.7 points, closed at 1091.84 today. Everyone returned from the three-day weekend and decided to hit the sell button. U.S. stocks fell Tuesday as European banks weighed on financial stocks and investors. Fears that European banks may be in worse shape than indicated by recent financial stress tests spooked investors. Investors are questioning the shape of the banks, because reports are saying that their sovereign debt holdings are weaker than previously thought.

I still shorting this market. My holding was up 4% today. I supposed cover 1/3 of my SPXU holding today, I set the sell limit order at 31.38, but the high is 31.34, no luck. If the market gap down tomorrow, I will cover 1/3 to half of my position. I think market is going to retract and resume the short term uptrend soon. Therefore, I must cover my short at next support 1090 and 1080 , it will be helpful if market open weak tomorrow morning.

I want to wait until market run up to 1115 to 1125 before adding more short position. And if market cannot break the last Friday high 1105, this short term rally will be ended soon.

The highest probability is the SPX 1010.91 low to get taken out after this upside short term oversold bounce

The S&P 500 Index ended with a gain of 14.4 points, closed at 1104.51, to settle atop the 1,100 level for the first time since Aug. Stocks tacked on more gains Friday after the Labor Department said the economy lost 54,000 jobs in August, fewer than expected. But a report on the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) services index slipped to 51.5 in August from 54.3 in July. Economists had forecast a decline to 53, Still, stocks closed near session highs Friday.

Another day, another better-than-expected economic report. It's all about the payrolls number. Trading volume was light with many market participants on vacation. The liquidity was so thin, the SPX can easily be manipulated, especially if the jobs report is fixed by the Administration to the "better than expected". While the jobs data suggests the economy could avoid a "double-dip" recession, investors may remain nervous about the outlook for short-term growth. The housing and banking sector are still dragging down this market. In addition, concerns about growth in China and debt problems in Europe continue to weigh on the market. There's still a lot to worry about.

I still think that the highest probability is for the SPX to take out the 1010.91 low sometime in the Sept/Oct period, and the 950-940 zone is the primary target. The SPX is still very negative on a technical basis, as the current stock market is Below-the-Line, which is when the 200 day moving average>50 day moving average>20  daymoving average>8 day moving average.

The SPX broke below 1056 last week which is the .618 Rertacement level from the low of 1010.91 to the last high at 1129.24 and if that happened, the rally from July to August will be nullified because when a rally retract more than 61.8%, the momentum will be subdued. The highest probability is for the SPX 1010.91 [7/1] low to get taken out after this upside short term oversold bounce, and that is what we are in right now.

I still shorting this market with SPXU and will hold on to next week and see how this market perform after this week's stunning surge.

Nattokinase: Powerful Enzyme Prevents Heart Attack and Stroke

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, each year about 700,000 people suffer a stroke, the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. The American Heart Association estimates that nearly every year, about 1 million Americans will suffer a heart attack. About 700,000 of these will be first-time heart attack sufferers, while approximately 500,000 will be people who have previously had a heart attack. It all adds up to this: contrary to popular belief, heart attack and stroke account for more deaths than all cancers and injuries combined, and one out of every 2.4 deaths is attributable to cardiovascular disease. How is that possible in the richest, most highly educated country on earth?

Most of us all get too little exercise, accumulate too much stress, and eat a poor diet laden with saturated fat, refined sugar and too little fiber. Add to that list the habit of smoking and the answer is quite clear. (Although there is a considerably higher prevalence of cigarette smoking in Japan than in the U.S., mortality from CVD among men in Japan is still less than half of that in the U.S.3) And to make matters worse, a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (3/6/2002) indicates that exposure to air pollution can cause some 10,000 fatal heart attacks a year in the U.S.!

CVD risk can be greatly reduced by modifying lifestyle and adding nutritional supplements proven to support cardiovascular health. Most of us are aware that eating a lighter, more balanced diet, quitting tobacco and exercising regularly are enough to head off most cases of heart disease before they ever happen. Now there's something else you can do.

Nattokinase has been shown to support normal blood pressure, dissolve blood clots and prevent them from forming in the first place!

Nattokinase is a potent fibrinolytic (anti-clotting) enzyme complex extracted and highly purified from a traditional Japanese food called Natto. Natto is a fermented cheese-like food that has been used in Japanese culture for more than 1,000 years for its popular taste, and as a folk remedy for heart and vascular diseases. Research has shown that Nattokinase supports the body in breaking up and dissolving the unhealthy coagulation of blood. In fact, it has been shown to have four times greater fibrinolytic activity than plasmin.

Natto is produced by a fermentation process by adding the bacteria Bacillus subtilis to boiled soybeans. The resulting Nattokinase enzyme is produced when Bacillus subtilis acts on the soybeans. While other soy foods contain enzymes, it is only the natto preparation that contains the specific Nattokinase enzyme. How was Nattokinase discovered? Japanese researcher Dr. Hiroyuki Sumi had spent many years searching for a natural thrombolytic agent that could successfully dissolve blood clots associated with heart attacks and stroke. Finally in 1980, after testing more than 173 natural foods, Sumi found what he was looking for.

Natto, a traditional Japanese soy cheese, was dropped onto an artificial thrombus (fibrin) in a petri dish and allowed to stand at 37ºC (approximately body temperature). Over the next 18 hours, the thrombus around the natto completely dissolved! Sumi named the newly discovered enzyme Nattokinase, which means "enzyme in natto." Dr. Sumi remarked that Nattokinase showed "a potency matched by no other enzyme."

Although the human body produces more than 20 enzymes for making blood clots, it produces only one enzyme—plasmin—for dissolving them. The problem is, as we age the production of plasmin slows down, making the blood more prone to coagulation. And since plasmin is produced by endothelial cells throughout the body, it is possible to develop blood clots anywhere in the body.

To make matters worse, fibrinogen levels rise as we age. And high levels of fibrinogen levels usually lead to increased platelet aggregation, blood clots, and eventually heart attack or stroke. In fact, high fibrinogen levels are considered a more dangerous risk factor for heart attack and stroke than high cholesterol. A study of 2,116 men found that those with high LDL (bad) cholesterol but low fibrinogen levels had only one sixth the risk for heart attack than the men with low LDL and high fibrinogen.

Nattokinase enhances the body's natural ability to fight blood clots, and has an advantage over blood thinners because it has a prolonged effect without side effects.

Nattokinase:

• Supports normal blood pressure
  
• Prevents blood clots from forming
  
• Dissolves existing blood clots
  
• Dissolves fibrin
  
• Enhances the body's production of plasmin and other clot-dissolving agents, including urokinase

The traditional Japanese food Natto has been used safely for more than 1,000 years. The safety record of its potent fibrinolytic enzyme, Nattokinase, is based upon the long-term traditional use of the food and recent scientific studies.

Nattokinase has many benefits including its prolonged effects, cost effectiveness, and its ability to be used preventatively. It is a naturally occurring, food-based dietary supplement that has demonstrated stability in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as to changes in pH and temperature. It is definitely a nutritional supplement to consider adding to a cardiovascular health maintenance plan.

Can an Aspirin a Day Do More Harm Than Good?

Experts are re-evaluating who should swallow a daily dose. Some 43 million Americans do it every day: take a tiny aspirin to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. In fact, doctors have been routinely recommending the practice to older adults for years. But recently, experts have been questioning the aspirin-a-day regimen, concerned that this everyday miracle drug can pose serious risks, including bleeding in the brain and stomach.

The aspirin-a-day controversy erupted publicly in March when a 10-year study of nearly 30,000 adults ages 50 to 75 without known heart disease found that a daily aspirin didn’t offer any discernible protection. The group taking aspirin had cardiovascular disease at the same rate as those taking a placebo. Moreover, the study—published in the Journal of the American Medical Association—reported that taking a daily aspirin(100 mg) almost double the risk of dangerous internal bleeding.

And last year the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force—a panel of medical experts—issued new guidelines for patients, recommending only those at risk for heart attacks or strokes should take a daily aspirin. Risk factors include having high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, as well as being overweight. The panel also recommended that people over 80 not take aspirin at all because of bleeding risk.

For the first time, the panel also broke down its advice by gender, recommending against daily aspirin use in women under 55 and men under 45.

 

Is it right for you?

 

So, should you take a daily aspirin or not? The answer is not quite as simple as doctors previously thought. Aspirin, they say, can still be a lifesaving drug, but it’s not for everyone.

For reasons researchers don’t fully understand, aspirin seems to provide different benefits for men and women. In men, aspirin can prevent heart attacks but seems to have no effect on strokes, says Michael LeFevre, M.D., a member of the task force that wrote the new guidelines and a professor of family medicine at the University of Missouri. Conversely, he says, aspirin appears to help women avoid strokes but not heart attacks.

The new recommendations suggest that aspirin will be most beneficial to:

•  men between 45 and 79 who have a high risk for heart attacks;
•  women between 55 and 79 who are at high risk for strokes.

 

Drawbacks

 

Aspirin, which has been around for more than 100 years, is a cheap, easy, effective way to control pain and inflammation. In 1989, when a major study revealed that a small dose could reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by preventing blood clots, doctors began recommending that their older patients take a low dose of aspirin, 81 mg, every day.

“Aspirin is a lifesaving medicine in patients with established cardiovascular disease,” says Jeffrey Berger, M.D., a cardiologist at New York University who has studied the use of aspirin. But, he warns, it does come with some real drawbacks.
Aspirin has been linked with chronic ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and earlier this year scientists reported that people who took aspirin regularly were more likely to suffer from hearing loss.

Dangerous bleeding

 

The drug’s ability to prevent blood clots is also a double-edged sword. The body’s ability to stop bleeding is what prevents a small cut, for instance, from causing uncontrollable bleeding. While aspirin might keep clots from blocking blood flow to our hearts and brains, it also makes it more likely that we might develop serious internal bleeds, particularly in the stomach. “That’s not a trivial side effect,” says LeFevre. “We’re talking about people who get hospitalized” and may end up in the intensive care unit, he adds.

Some patients are more likely to suffer these complications than others; a recent review of the research reveals that men are twice as likely to experience bleeds as women, and the risk also increases with age. Researchers estimate the risk of internal bleeding for those who take aspirin is two to four times greater than for those who don’t take aspirin at all, depending on factors such as age and overall health.

Even though people are more likely to bleed as they get older, researchers don’t think aspirin causes the risk of bleeding to build up over time. “In fact, it’s likely that if one is to bleed, their risk of bleeding is seen early on,” Berger says.

Taking ibuprofen and naproxen—common pain relievers such as Advil and Aleve—also can make bleeding more likely. Unfortunately, this kind of severe bleeding doesn’t usually come with obvious warning signs, but sudden gastrointestinal pain can be a tip-off. The bleeding is often caused by inflammation of the stomach lining or an aspirin-induced ulcer and can result in vomiting blood or blood in the stool.
The traditional point of view, LeFevre says, was: “Aspirin is a pretty benign thing. Why doesn’t everybody take one? Aspirin, as it turns out, is not harmless.”

 

Strokes vs. heart attacks

 

Many of the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes—including age, diabetes and smoking—overlap, but there are slight differences. High total cholesterol and high levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol, for instance, are important predictors of heart attacks.
The most important risk factors for strokes include high blood pressure, certain kinds of irregular heartbeats (known as atrial fibrillation) and a condition known as left ventricular hypertrophy in which some of the heart muscle thickens.

Experts agree that women who have already had strokes and men who have already had heart attacks should absolutely be taking aspirin. “You have to make sure that people with a history of heart attack or stroke do not stop their aspirin, because it could be a deadly mistake,” says NYU’s Berger.

Clearly, the benefits of aspirin have to be weighed against the possibility of bleeding, and that’s a conversation that experts say every patient needs to have with his or her doctor.
“This decision has to be made one person at a time,” LeFevre says. “There is no one blanket recommendation for everybody.”

Common Painkillers Increase Heart Risks in Healthy People

Healthy adults who reach for common painkillers to ease the twinges of everyday aches and pains could be setting themselves up for a heart attack or stroke, according to recent research.

Past studies clearly showed that long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including Advil, Motrin and Aleve, to relieve pain was linked to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke in those who already had heart disease. But now a study from Denmark reports that short-term use in healthy men and women who take those drugs for minor complaints also raises the risk.

“If you use NSAIDs regularly to control chronic pain, talk with your doctor about reducing your other risks for heart disease with a heart-healthy diet, a good exercise program and possibly statins,” says Richard Stein, M.D., a cardiologist at New York University School of Medicine.

The painkillers are widely used to ease the discomfort of everything from arthritis to headaches and muscle strains. Five such drugs were included in the study: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), celecoxib (Celebrex) and rofecoxib (Vioxx), which was taken off the market in 2004 because of heart risks.

“People should be aware that NSAIDs are not risk-free with respect to the cardiovascular system,” says research fellow Emil Loldrup Fosbøl, M.D., the study’s lead author.
In the United States, naproxen and ibuprofen come in both prescription and over-the-counter versions while diclofenac and celecoxib are prescription only.

The researchers tracked more than 1 million healthy Danes from 1997 to 2005. Since low-dose ibuprofen is the only NSAID available in Denmark without a prescription, they could track and compare those who took the drugs, most of them daily for about two weeks, with those who did not. Risks from different painkillers varied widely. Although the percentages of increased risk were large, the actual number of those affected was small. The researchers found:

•  ibuprofen: A 29 percent greater risk of fatal or nonfatal stroke.

•  diclofenac: Almost double the risk of death from heart disease.

•  celecoxib: Results were inconclusive.

•  naproxen: No greater likelihood of heart-related problems and a slightly lower risk of death, leading the researchers to conclude that naproxen could be a safer alternative to other such painkillers.

If you routinely take one of these painkillers, bring up the question of whether you need to continue and, if so, at what dose.

The study appeared in the June 8 online edition of the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Tomorrow may be a good opportunity for day traders

Stocks pushed higher at the end of Thursday, extending gains from the previous day, as investors prepare for a critical report on the U.S. job market on Friday. The S&P 500 Index wrapped up the day with a gain of 9.8 points, closed at 1090.10.

Tomorrow's job market report is very critical. It's very risky to hold either long or short at this moment. I still holding the SPXU which I bought on Wednesday. I had no chance to cover my short today because the market was at positive zone all day. Eventually, I decided to hold it through Friday's job report. I know I make a mistake this time. Hopefully, it will turn out to be a lucky mistake.

Tomorrow market will gap up if the report is very positive, it will gap down if the report is ugly. It may be a good opportunity for day traders. SPX 1100 is a critical resistance. If market gap up and reach that level with extreme overbought RSI on 5, 15, and 60 minutes charts, I will short this market. If market sink, watch support 1080, 1070 and 1065.

My trading strategy in coming two months is to short any overbought market with extreme complacency

The S&P 500 Index wrapped up the day on a huge gain of about 31 points, closed at 1080.29. It was an unusually bloody August for the stock market, but traders seemed determined to make up for lost ground on the first day of September. Stocks bolted higher right out of the gate this morning. A drastically improved tone among participants caused stocks to climb quickly and sharply early on, but the S&P 500 spent the rest of the session trending alongside its 50-day moving average.

U.S. manufacturing growth unexpectedly accelerated in August, an industry report said Wednesday. On the other side, U.S. construction spending hit a decade low in July, private employers cut jobs in August and U.S. car sales moderated, according to separate reports.

July construction spending fell 1% to the lowest since July 2000, led by a sharp decline in homebuilding. High unemployment, a large amount of unsold homes and the end of post-tax credit are affecting demand for new homes. I believe construction will be a drag on the economy for the next quarter or two.

Many investors are likely to await Friday's jobs report before they begin to believe in the economic recovery again. In my opinion, we obviously have a long way to go before this job market looks and feels like a recovery.

Once again, technical analysis proved to be the most reliable tool for day traders and swing traders.Today's rally is the result of the oversold market technical bounce, not the good news and reports.

It's true that we have a very good ISM report, however we also have a bad construction spending report. In addition, employers cut 10,000 jobs in August. Traders just ignore the negative news and focus on the good side. Market participants just grab any opportunity and excuse to buy. If you did read my post yesterday("Market is searching a short term bottom, it will rise for any positive news"), you won't be astonished with today's SPX 31 points gain.

Traders have to be very cautious with any rally happen from now on especially both the daily and weekly 50 moving averages are below 200 moving averages and we are going through the three bearish months in a year, August, September and October. August end up bloody, we will watch how stocks hold up in next two months.

My trading strategy in coming two months is to short any overbought market with extreme complacency. I will watch the 5, 15 and 60 minutes RSI charts. If they are all at 80% range and critical resistance, then I will place my short order.

Today's market look very attempting to me, so I bought some SPXU when the market is at the high of the day, I may cover it at 1070-1065 tomorrow if the market is on my side.