Bad Genes? Nah! Bad Diet

Here is some research that seems to be the first to prove that your diet has a higher bearing on your heart disease risk than your gene structure.  Pretty cool if you ask me and yet once again, eats fruits and veggies. 

http://www.m.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20111011/diet-may-cut-heart-risk-due-to-bad-genes

To Beet, or not to Beet?

If you avoid Beets because of their earthy taste or their crazy abilities to stain everything you are wearing including your skin red, then you should read this extensive explanation on why you should eat Beets.  Hopefully, it will change your mind. 

From http://www.whfoods.org/

The Latest News About Beets

Remember all those legendary Russian centenarians? Beets, frequently consumed either pickled or in borscht, the traditional Russian soup, may be one reason behind their long and healthy lives. These colorful root vegetables contain powerful nutrient compounds that help protect against heart disease, birth defects and certain cancers, especially colon cancer.
What's New and Beneficial About Beets

• Beets are a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are the two best-studied betalains from beets, and both have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. The detox support provided by betalains includes support of some especially important Phase 2 detox steps involving glutathione. Although you can see these betalain pigments in other foods (like the stems of chard or rhubarb), the concentration of betalains in the peel and flesh of beets gives you an unexpectedly great opportunity for these health benefits.
• In a recent study from Italy, beets were shown to be an especially important contributor of two carotenoids in the overall diet: lutein and zeaxanthin. Although much of the recent carotenoid research has focused on beta-carotene, both lutein and zeaxanthin are unique as health support molecules, particularly with respect to eye health and common age-related eye problems involving the macula and the retina. For eye health, beets may eventually turn out to require a category all their own.
• Unlike some other food pigments, betalains undergo very steady loss from food as the length of cooking time is increased. For example, one recent study has shown the red betalain pigments in beets to be far less heat stable than red anthocyanin pigments in red cabbage. The difference between 15 minutes of steaming versus 25 minutes of steaming, or 60 minutes of roasting versus 90 minutes of roasting can be significant in terms of betalain damage. For these reasons, we recommend that you keep beet steaming times to 15 minutes or less, and roasting times under an hour.
• An estimated 10-15% of all U.S. adults experience beeturia (a reddening of the urine) after consumption of beets in everyday amounts. While this phenomenon is not considered harmful in and of itself, it may be a possible indicator of the need for healthcare guidance in one particular set of circumstances involving problems with iron metabolism. Individuals with iron deficiency, iron excess, or specific problems with iron metabolism are much more likely to experience beeturia than individuals with healthy iron metabolism. For this reason, if you experience beeturia and have any reason to suspect iron-related problems, we recommend a healthcare consult to follow up on possible issues related to iron status.
• In recent lab studies on human tumor cells, betanin pigments from beets have been shown to lessen tumor cell growth through a number of mechanisms, including inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes (specifically, cyclooxygenase enzymes). The tumor cell types tested in these studies include tumor cells fromcolon, stomach, nerve, lung, breast, prostate and testicular tissue. While lab studies by themselves are not proof of beets' anti-cancer benefits, the results of these studies are encouraging researchers to look more closely than ever at the value of betanins and other betalains in beets for both prevention and treatment of certain cancer types.

WHFoods Recommendations
Foods belonging to the chenopod family-including beets, chard, spinach and quinoa-continue to show an increasing number of health benefits not readily available from other food families. The red and yellow betalain pigments found in this food family, their unique epoxyxanthophyll carotenoids, and the special connection between their overall phytonutrients and our nervous system health (including our specialized nervous system organs like the eye) point to the chenopod family of foods as unique in their health value. While we have yet to see large-scale human studies that point to a recommended minimum intake level for foods from this botanical family, we have seen data on chenopod phytonutrients, and based on this data, we recommend that you include foods from the chenopod family in your diet 1-2 times per week. In the case of a root food like beetroot, we recommend a serving size of at least ½ whole medium beet, and even more beneficial, at least 1 whole medium beet so that you can also benefit from their nutrient-rich greens.
If long cooking times deter you from cooking beets, our Healthiest Way of Cooking beets will help you prepare them in just 15 minutes. Cut medium beets into quarters without removing the skin. Steam and serve as a great vegetable side dish or as a wonderful addition to your favorite salad. It is often difficult to believe how the hardy, crunchy, often rough-looking exterior of raw beets can be transformed into something wonderfully soft and buttery once they are cooked. For an easy recipe, see our 15-Minute Beets.
Health Benefits
Beets provide numerous health benefits including:

• Antioxidant properties
• Eye health support
• Anti-inflammatory benefits
• Cardiovascular support
• Cellular detoxification benefits

For more details on beet's health benefits, see this section of our Beets write-up.
Nutritional Profile
Beets are unique in their rich combination of betalain pigments. Both betacyanins (red-violet pigments) and betaxanthins (yellow pigments) can be found in beets. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are betalains that have gotten special attention in beet research.
Beets are also an excellent source of hearth-healthy folate and a very good source of the antioxidant manganese and heart-healthy potassium. Beets are a good source of digestive-supportive dietary fiber, free radical scavenging vitamin C and copper, bone-healthy magnesium, and energy-producing iron and phosphorus.
For more on this nutrient-rich vegetable, including references related to this Latest News, see our write-up on Beets.

If you have any questions about today's Healthy Food Tip Ask George Your Question

Yummy Breast Milk

Once again this week, I am speechless!

So, this guy decided to drink his wife's breast milk because she can't donate all the excess she has produced.  She can't donate it because of meds she is on, which probably means that it would be wise for no one to consume it.  In comes her husband and I can't believe this is true.  Read for yourself.

http://www.inhabitots.com/man-living-entirely-off-his-wifes-breast-milk/

P.S. - Don't bother clicking on the link to their blog as it has been removed from the host.  Maybe there is a new one, or maybe this guy came to his senses and got embarrassed.

Greater Numbers of Obese than Starving

I really don't know what to say about this.  In fixing one issue, another has arisen. 

Check it out for yourself and leave a comment with your thoughts.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2011/09/22/there-are-now-more-obese-people-than-hungry-people/?feed=rss_home

Bad Bad Hexane

Thanks to a good friend of mine bringing this up, I want to talk about Hexane today.  Most of you probably don't know what this is, so I am going to inform you and hopefully your exposure to it is already minimal. 

What is Hexane?
It is a chemical that is produced through the refining of crude oil.

What is Hexane used for?
It is used thinks like glue, leather, roofing, cleaning products and textile manufacturing. However, the focus of this article is to discuss how they are used in extracting oils from seeds.

Where is Hexane found in food?
It is heavily used in the processing of soy, however, not in soy that is 100% organic.  About 80% of the soy on the market is genetically modified and therefore not organic and has the potential of also containing hexane.  Woof!  What a bad combination.  Check out this article. 
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-04-14/entertainment/27061743_1_veggie-burgers-organic-soy-organic-ingredients

What's so bad about Hexane?
Here is a link to OSHA's guidelines.  Check out in particular the Evaluation section about 1/3 of the way down.  Does this sound like something you want to be consuming?  I certainly hope not. 

I can't believe that a human being decides that using chemicals like these in processing food is OK.  It is done from a business perspective to increase revenue as all businesses are run, but at the cost of the health of the consumer.  That just isn't right. 

Read up on the things you eat.  The Internet is a huge source of free knowledge and knowledge will make you healthier.  Who wants to get a cold or have to visit the oncologist.  No one.  So do yourself a favor and learn about the ingredients in your food.  Don't know what something is, just google it and odds are you won't like what you are reading.  Best of all, stay away from the aisles of the grocery store (where the most processed foods are) whenever possible and it becomes really easy. 

Have a great day!!

Ladies.... drink light but often

Here is an article from WebMD about how women who drink low amounts of alcohol, but on a daily basis, lowered their risk of developing a chronic desease by up to 50%.  Interesting stuff.

http://www.m.webmd.com/women/news/20110906/moderate-drinking-may-cut-disease-risk-for-women?src=RSS_PUBLIC

You already know!!

Here are the results from a survey taken by the International Food Information Council (IFIC). 
Survey: Americans Aware of Functional Foods, Don't Eat Them Enough
http://www.m.webmd.com/diet/news/20110804/survey-americans-aware-functional-foods-dont-eat-them-enough?src=RSS_PUBLIC


This survey clearly shows that most Americans are educated enough to eat healthier.  However, even though the knowledge is there, they just don't follow up on it.  Half of the battle is already won.  Now all you have to do is finish the fight by following what you already know and making healthier choices.

Recent Salmonella Outbreak in Turkey Shows Issues with Food Growing Practices

Here it is again.  We are really be exposed to all the issues involved with the standard practice of growing conventional foods.  The use of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics is really destroying our worlds health.  There are many people in this country alone that just cannot afford to buy anything of better quality and in turn we are making everyone sick and increasing the strain on our medical system.  Maybe this is partaking in the increase in medical cost and lack of resources.  Another case of trying to mend an issue instead of preventing it in the first place.

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/05/139014983/salmonella-strain-in-turkey-recall-resists-antibiotics

Eat healthy my friends!!

Foods to Prevent Weight Gain

Here is just more research to back that Fruit and Vegetables are so important.  http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/08/03/weight-control-moderation

Make sure you listen to the audio story.  Link is at the top left corner of the picture and just below the article title. 

A Documentary to Watch

It has been a while since my last post and may be a while to my next due to a lot of traveling and busy days.  However, I want to leave you with a recommendation on a documentary to watch that I found very informative and eye opening.  It is called "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead." 

Check it out and leave a comment!!

Canning

Have you ever wondered what happens to food in the canning process?  Well, here it is courtesy of George once again.  In particular, take note of the last paragraph. 

Canning is a high heat process that can destroy nutrients. Yet, how this can affect food really depends upon the food in question. As such, I usually like to address this question from two perspectives: that of fruits and vegetables, and that of beans.

Fruits and vegetables are especially important sources of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients like carotenoids and flavonoids. In some cases, these particular nutrients can be very difficult to obtain from any other food group. Vitamins and phytonutrients are especially susceptible to degradation from heat. This combination of food group uniqueness and heat susceptibility makes the canning of fruits and vegetables a fairly high-risk process in terms of nourishment.

Because canning most often involves high heat, it can rob foods of vast amounts of nutrients. For example, in the process of canning mixed vegetables, the vitamin C loss can be as high as 67%. During the canning of tomato juice, up to 70% of the original folic acid can be lost.

Yet, for several reasons, I look at this issue a little differently for beans. First, even though beans contain important amounts of vitamins and phytonutrients, their protein, fiber, and mineral content is one of their most valuable contributions to a Healthiest Way of Eating. Heating does not damage protein, fiber, and minerals in the same way as it can damage vitamins and phytonutrients. You can expect to receive fairly full protein, fiber, and mineral benefits from canned beans-in much the same way as you would receive these same benefits from dry beans cooked at home. Second, unlike fruits and vegetables, beans cannot be eaten raw. Beans have to be cooked (or processed in some other way, like sprouted); not only do they have to be cooked, they have to be cooked for a fairly extensive period of time. In other words, when it comes to cooking, canning and from-scratch preparation are not altogether different.

So, if enjoying canned beans is more convenient for you, by all means go ahead and enjoy them although I would suggest looking for cans that do not feature Bisphenol A. I would suggest looking for those that do not contain additives and have minimal added salt (150-300 milligrams per cup), and if possible, select canned beans that have been organically grown.

Eating Meat

A very common topic amongst healthy eaters is whether or not meat is good for you.  There is also the discussion of cruel treatment of the animals that become our food that keep some vegetarians/vegans from eating meat products and the like.  However, we will just focus on the health of meat eating for this article.
 
After reading Omnivore's Dilemma and watching Food Inc., my curiosity into the quality and health concerns of the "standard" of meat (and other foods) we put in our bodies had grown.  This all lead me to trim down my meat intake and only consume lean organic meats when I do eat them.  I know this is not the ideal solution as I still have a problem with how some of these meats get to our stores, but I am trying to chew just one step at a time. 

Here are some interesting points from George Mateljan on eating meat.

I do not believe that research supports the perspective that eating meat necessarily has negative harmful consequences. The impact of meat-eating depends completely on (1) the type of meat eaten, (2) the frequency with which meat is eaten, (3) how much meat is eaten, and (4) how well the meat is matched to a person's biochemical individuality.

Eating non-organic, high-fat cuts of meat (like rib meat) in any significant amount does clearly pose health risks. These risks includes cardiovascular risks related to saturated fat intake, cancer risks related to growth hormone residues, and immune system risks related to antibiotic residues.
Certified organic lean meat (cut from the round bone, like top round, bottom round, or eye of round) eaten in moderate amounts (four to six ounces) twice a week might be highly beneficial to some people's lifelong health. If you look at the research behind a diet like the Paleolithic Diet, you'll find that non-domesticated animals, living in the wild, often have very different types of fat than most of the domesticated, ranch-raised, and grain-fed animals that are raised today. You'll also find that in general, animals living in the wild have a far lower percent body fat than the animals we raise for meat.

While WHFoods website and The World's Healthiest Foods book do emphasize organically grown plant-based foods, I think that lean meat (as well as other animal-based foods such as poultry and seafood) can play an important role in a Healthiest Way of Eating for many people. These foods are incredibly rich in many nutrients-including zinc, iron, vitamin B12, and others—that are more difficult to find in such concentrated amounts in plant-based foods. These foods do contain saturated fat and cholesterol. Yet, I think that by picking lean cuts and including them as a balanced part of a meal as opposed to making them the center stage of the meal (for example, having a dinner meal that includes three to four ounces of meat vs. a sixteen-ounce t-bone steak), people can enjoy meat's nutritional benefits while still ascribing to dietary guidelines important for maintaining optimal health.

Yet, this is not to say that I advocate meat-eating for everyone. The physiological needs of some people can make them better suited for a meat-containing diet while other people's physiological needs may make them better suited to a diet that avoids these foods.

I do think that the quality of the meat is important, which is why I emphasize organically raised meat in website and my book. The organic standards not only regulate the use of drugs and hormones in meat but also the treatment and environment in which the animals are raised. I am happy that this arena of information—the humane treatment of animals—is becoming more widely discussed. Should people choose to eat meat (or poultry or seafood) I think that an inherent respect needs to be in place as we honor our connection to the world around us.

Obesity and HFCS

I almost lost control of my car yesterday when I heard this staggering statistic: 1 in 3 ADULT Americans is obese.  WHAT??  That is just crazy to me.  It is no worse than in Mississippi were 7 in 10 adults is overweight or obese.  Lets not even talk about the kids who are just learning these very bad habits thanks to society and mass food production.  Here is the link to the NPR story I heard yesterday about obesity in America.  Mississippi Losing the War with Obesity

With that, I also came across this article today from Planet Green.  The ingredients in foods aren't completely to blame, it is peoples eating habits and lack of knowledge that is the real culprit.  No, eating a whole sleeve of Vienna Fingers for dinner is not a healthy meal.  However, I did find it funny that there is now a lawsuit over the use of the word sugar.  Wasn't a problem till the bad press came around. 

When to buy Organic

This is a very well put together piece from MSNBC.  Organic food: Is it worth the extra money?

The general rule of thumb I use (instead of carrying a list of the items mentioned in this article or any other) is that anything that has a thick skin that I am not eating (avocado, orange, pineapple) I will buy organic.  I also buy all my greens organic even though this article doesn't necessarily go with that. 

Pesticides are sprayed onto the foods which is why it is said that most of it is discarded with the skin of the food you are eating.  However, I am not so sure I completely agree with this because over time, there must be some amount of these chemicals getting into the innards of the foods through the soil.  Even though I think this is the case, I still try and be financially conscious when I am purchasing these food items since my money is not endless.  The real goal is to minimize exposure to these toxins since completely avoiding them is very difficult without having your own farm and only eating from there. 

Thanks for reading!

Allergies

The first thing people think of when facing a runny nose and watery eyes from the large amounts of pollen in the air, is to pick up some sort of allergy medication to combat the symptoms.  I am sure there are many folks who get allergy attacks so severe, that man made medicine is the only way to get relief.  However, I am sure there are an equal or greater amount of people who take the meds at the slightest sign of discomfort.  Before reaching into your medecine cabinet and poping more pills, try out some more natural means of keeping your body healthy so it can combat the allergies on its own.  Some of these points are things every one should do out of habit when most people don't.  I think it is important that we treat our bodies well so that we can prevent/minimize these things from happening instead of treating them afterwards. 

7 Ways to Beat Allergies Naturally

Be healthy my friends!

Cellulose

Most of us have heard the word, but I am sure most of us don't know what it is and how it is used in our foods.  Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal and tell me what you think. 

Why Wood Pulp Makes Ice Cream Creamier

Protection from the sun

I guess it's almost that time of the year again.  You know, that 3 - 4 week period we New England residents get every year to have really nice weather to go to the beach or play golf.  It doesn't seem like it will never get here this year, but I thought I would share this WebMD article on sunscreen and skin cancer anyways.  One can never be too informed. 

Sunscreen: Are you really covered?

Raw Milk

I was recently a regular purchaser of raw milk and only gave it up due to the cost of getting it.  Here in Massachusetts, it is illegal for a grocery store to carry unpasteurized milk on its shelves.  Therefore, in order to get raw milk to the masses in Boston (the farms are not all that close to the city), there was a small distribution ring (that I believe has since been shut down by the government) that would send someone out to pick it up in large quantities and drop it off in distribution points where then the consumer (that's me) would go pick it up.  This was a very under the radar execution similar to what I expect a drug distribution ring would be like.  As far as the movies portray it, that is what it felt like.  I am not entirely sure what the political reasons for not allowing distribution of unpasteurized milk through your local grocer is, but it could be as simple as the fear of large quantities of people getting sick from it.  However, I doubt it is that simple as the food growth and distribution business has, in my opinion, become completely commercialized and all about the money and not about the peoples health.  We will leave this heated topic for another day.

If you have ever thought about drinking raw milk, here are George Mateljan's thoughts on it. 

The Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) that was first proposed in 1924 by the United States Public Health Service has been adopted, in its 2003 revision, by 46 out of 50 states. (The four non-adopting states have passed similar ordinances of their own.) The PMO calls for the pasteurization of milk as a way of killing any potentially disease-causing bacteria in the milk, including Campylobacter, Escherichia, Listeria, Salmonella, Yersinia, and Brucella. I would also like to note that in 32 states, it is legal to sell and distribute raw, non-pasteurized milk and that both forms of milk exist in the majority of states.

Today there are more pasteurization options in the marketplace than there were in 1924; these options include high-temperature, short-time methods as well as low-temperature, longer time methods. The goal of all methods is the same: to kill potentially pathogenic bacteria that may be present in the milk or milk product (like cheese or yogurt). TemperatureTimePasteurization Type

63ºC (145ºF)*30 minutesVat Pasteurization
72ºC (161ºF)*15 secondsHigh temperature short time Pasteurization (HTST)
89ºC (191ºF) 1.0 secondUltra Pasteurization (UP)
90ºC (194ºF)0.5 secondsUltra Pasteurization (UP)
94ºC (201ºF)0.1 secondsUltra Pasteurization (UP)
96ºC (204ºF)0.05 secondsUltra Pasteurization (UP)
100ºC (212ºF)0.01 secondsUltra Pasteurization (UP)
138ºC (280ºF)2.0 secondsUltra-high temperature (UHT) sterilization

Note: * = These temperatures and times are appropriate if the milk does not contain added sweeteners, and if it has not been condensed. If either of those changes applies, then the temperature must be increased by 3ºC (5ºF). In addition, eggnog is an exception to these rules and must be pasteurized according to a different set of times and temperatures.

There's no debate about the effectiveness of pasteurization for killing unwanted bacteria. There's also no doubt that pasteurization gives dairy products a longer shelf life by lowering the presence of bacteria that cause spoilage. But pasteurization also kills desirable bacteria found in fresh milk, and it denatures milk enzymes that may be active in the human digestive tract when fresh milk is consumed.

There is little research, however, to determine what nutritional benefits are lost when milk is pasteurized. I've seen speculation about changes in protein structure, calcium, amino acid, and vitamin C bioavailability all being triggered by pasteurization, but I have not seen research that confirms or rejects these occurrences.

As I mentioned earlier, in the majority of states, dairy farms are free to produce raw (unpasteurized) milk as long as they adhere to the conditions and restrictions set out in state law. The safety of unpasteurized milk depends on the quality of the cow's life, including the immediate environment and feeding. It also depends on the quality of handling facilities once the cow has been milked. For these reasons, I recommend a very careful look at any dairy farm's procedures, track record, and publicly available information before becoming a regular consumer of its unpasteurized milk. Producers of raw milk should be carefully monitoring the milk for the presence of microorganisms and will be able to certify that the milk meets all federal and state regulations in this regard.

Because freshness is at a premium, and the product shelf life is greatly shortened (which is not necessarily bad) the dairy should be within driving distance of your residence so you can visit it in person. In some states, like Indiana, where it is illegal for a local dairy to sell unpasteurized milk, cows from the dairy may be leased in order for consumers to obtain a regular supply of raw milk.

In the absence of a very high-quality dairy farm in driving distance from your residence, I recommend purchase of pasteurized milk. Even though it's one step further from natural milk (which I would prefer), the health risks-however small-don't seem like a worthwhile trade-off in exchange for the potential benefits. If a high quality dairy farm, producing certified organic milk in unpasteurized form is available in your area, I would recommend considering this option.

If this is a topic that has or currently interests you, be diligent in your research and decide for yourself.  Check with your local laws and you may even find out that it is easily accessible to you.  Real Milk is a website I found very helpful when I was researching it. 

How Kids Eat!!

Now here is an article from the Boston Globe that talks about how a child may develop their taste towards food.  This is quite interesting as I have never thought about this in this manner.  I don't have any kids, but if you do, this article may open you up to trying different things with the way your child eats as they grow up.  One thing I have learned in life is that a child certainly follows in their parents foot steps.  If they learn to eat nothing but junk food at home, that tendency will most likely carry on throughout their lives. 

So, get your diet straight for your kids to grow up making healthy choices out of habit.

Little people, big palates

Green Tea

The benefits of Green Tea have been well known for centuries in societies around the world.  These medical benefits have been advertised to be lots of things from cancer prevention to weight loss.  Many studies have been done to prove/disprove these claims and therefore there is a wealth of information on the health benefits (or lack there of) of green tea.  Read The Miracle of Green Tea to get a feel for what the general consensus is on green tea. 

My personal feelings on this is that all forms of tea have some form of health benefits, especially if they are taking the place of drinks like soda.  The one thing that folks don't seem to understand is that the source of this green tea is so very important.  If you buy off the shelf bottles of green tea instead of steeping it yourself, make sure you look at the ingredients listed on the bottle or carton.  The majority of the time, these products contain large amounts of sugar, or a chemical sugar substitute, to make it sweeter.  To me, you are negating the benefits of drinking green tea by also consuming the same quantities of sugar you would find in soda. 

Most folks understand what is healthy for them and what isn't since this information is easily accessible.  What you need to be careful of is to not be fooled by the labels on products that are intended to get you to buy the products.  By just reading and understanding the back of the label, you would find that there is more going on in that product that you may not approve of.

When in doubt, make it yourself!! 

High Fructose Corn Syrup and better eating habits

Being an endurance athlete, I take my nutrition very seriously, not only for my bodies health, but also to give it the best possible chance of recovering from my workouts so that I can get out at do it again.  This is how I started reading Hammer Nutrition's Endurance News.  Aside from using their great products, they also supply their customers with a wealth of knowledge from folks who have already been there and done that.  I am a huge proponent of listening to others experiences and learning about their mistakes so I don't have to make them. 

Here are two articles I got out of the 74th issue of Endurance News.  Feel free to look through the whole thing, but the two I really want you to read start on page 28 and page 36.  They are short and informative and I really like the title of the one on page 36.  :-)

For more information, here is a website that defends HFCS against all the bad press it gets.  I want to make it very clear that I don't personally think that HFCS is the single ingredient to blame for the health issues mentioned in the 5 health dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup article.  Sugar is just as much to blame.  The point is that processesed foods are the items you really should stay away from.  Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and I can assure you that you will look and feel healthier than when you eat that Mars bar.  And to continue beating a dead horse, stop drinking soda.

Next time you buy something (and I mean absolutely anything that you consume), take a look at the ingredients list and you will be surprised at what contains sugar or HFCS and their quantities.  Here is an article that mentions the food types that have HFCS.  To get a visual sense of how much sugar is actually in the products you consume, check out Sugar Stacks.  Lets just keep in mind that the source of the sugar is what is the problem.  Yes, fruit does contain a lot of sugar, but that is natural sugar in a natural food item that your body knows how to digest and use.  It is not man made sugar that is added in after the fact.  Now, when you buy fruit juices, a lot of those have added sugar as stated in the ingredients list.  That, is not your best choice.  Find one that does not add processed sugar and just uses the fruits themselves as the natural sweetners. 

Upsetting Facts:
1/3 of the products bought at a grocery store contain HFCS.
80% of packaged goods contain some form of genetically modified corn.

Again with the Diet Soda

If this article didn't make you want to give up Diet Soda, maybe this one will.  Popular Drink Increases Stroke Risk.

Too many people have substituted regular soda for diet soda to keep their calorie intake down, when what they really should be doing is drinking water instead.  For your own health, you really need to give up the regular intake of soda.  It is only causing you harm. 

If carbination is what you are really after, then you should think about getting a SodaStream.  Just make your own flavoring and don't use the syrups they supply because that would just be the same as drinking any other soda. 

Too much sitting!

The majority of us spend most of our day sitting in a chair at work.  If we are lucky and determined, we will get in 30 minutes of exercise a day in an attempt to stay in some sort of decent physical shape.  Not only are we sitting at work, but then we go home (or to the bar) and sit there too.  That is a lot of time in one position when our bodies are designed to be in motion.  Think about the exercise you do get in on a daily basis as a way to keep your body healthy and limber and not necessarily just trying to keep off the extra pounds.

NPR had a story on this during today's Morning Edition.  Have a read, listen, and watch. 
Sitting All Day: Worse For You Than You Might Think

Omega Fatty Acids

George Mateljan's Food of the Week . . . Salmon

Did you know that researchers believe that about 60% of Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and about 20% have so little that tests cannot even detect any in their blood? The list of benefits derived from omega-3s is long and impressive, ranging from improving cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of stroke to acting as anti-inflammatory agents and improving bone density. Recent studies are finding increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids may also help decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease. As study after study reveals the importance of these essential fatty acids, we also are becoming increasingly aware that they are not readily available in many of the foods that we eat. Cold water fish, such as salmon, are some of the best sources. Not only does salmon provide a host of healthy benefits, it tastes great! Late spring is the beginning of the salmon season. Different species of wild salmon will become available from now through the fall of the year, so be sure to enjoy them while they are in season.

As a very physically active person, I think of omega fatty acids as the oil that keeps my body running smoothly like the oil in your car.  Omega oils have such a large list of beneficial effects, that I find them hard to ignore.  Aside from regularly eating fish, nuts, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and poultry, I add Udo's Choice Oil Blend to my morning yogurt.  This omega oil blend is derived from seeds and not fish so it does not have a fishy taste.  Instead, it has a nutty taste that is a great addition to a plain yogurt mixed with some granola and fresh fruit.  I also want to note that I don't think anyone should simply add supplements to their diet to counter the lack of good food choices during their regular eating.  It is wiser to adjust your diet to include more natural food choices to meet your goal instead of simply adding supplements to an already weak diet.  Then you can add the supplements as an added source. 

For a very comprehensive review of Omega's, read this WebMD article.
Good Fats/Bad Fats

Sleepy? You could be causing yourself some more serious health issues.

With all this talk about air traffic controllers falling asleep on the job, I though it would only be fitting to post something about sleep and how it affects your health. 

Here is a pretty serious article from WebMD.  Lack of sleep is compared to the abuse of alcohol as in how bad it is for you.  More than 7 hours of sleep a night seems to be the magic number in this article. 

And if you don't believe WebMD, here is one from Harvard Health.

In my very long life here on planet earth, I have learned that I sleep best if I have included rigorous exercise in my day.  Get a good workout in during the day and maybe you will sleep better and lose weight.  As these articles state, not getting enough sleep could cause weight gain.

7 Bad Ingredients

Here is a list of 7 ingredients that you may find in a lot of the foods you eat that are known to cause health problems.  Remove them from your diet and do your body a favor. 

Understanding Organic Food Labels

Here is a basic explanation on organic food labels from the world's healthiest foods. 


Can you help me to better understand the labeling on organic foods?


It's important to remember that whole, fresh, natural foods-like the kind we emphasize on our World's Healthiest Foods website-do not usually fall victim to any complicated labeling regulations. When you buy fresh organic produce-like apples, or kale, or broccoli-and when you buy organic almonds, or lentils, or brown rice, you can be confident that you are buying a 100% organic food. When there is no packaging involved and when there is only one "ingredient," the organic labeling regulations don't really come into play. Under these circumstances, what you are purchasing-a single food in its natural, unpackaged state-is 100% organic.

In the case of foods like frozen blueberries, or canned garbanzo beans, the producer of the food will often state "100% organic" on the front of the package or can. In the case of 100% organic, all aspects of certified organic production apply to all ingredients. Certified organic production and handling prohibit the use of most conventional pesticides, petroleum or sewage-sludge based fertilizers, bioengineering (e.g., genetically modified seeds), or ionizing radiation. Organic meats, chicken, and turkey come from animals that are fed organic feed, have access to the outdoors, and are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.
Sometimes a manufacturer wants to display the name of one key ingredient on the front of a food package. For example, the manufacturer of a tomato sauce may want to write, "Contains organic tomatoes" on the front of the can. In this case, the organics labeling rules state that the product must be 70% organic by weight in order for an organic ingredient to be promoted on the front of the package. (In this case, of course, 30% of the weight of the product could be composed of non-organic ingredients.) If a pre-packaged product does not contain at least 70% organic ingredients by weight, the manufacturer is not allowed to write anything on the front of the package about its organic content. Only the side and back of the packaging can be used to describe organic content when a pre-packaged food is less than 70% organic by weight.

Listed below is a brief summary of these organic labeling regulations:
Food that is 100% organic may carry the "USDA organic" logo and say "100% organic"
Food that is at least 95% organic may carry the organic logo
Food that is at least 70% organic can list the organic ingredients on the front of the package
If a product is less than 70% organic, the organic ingredients may be listed on the side or back of the package but cannot be listed on the front.

While the Organic Foods Production Act is a very strong piece of legislation that helps protect both consumers and the environment, understanding its labeling provisions is a key to making decisions about organically certified foods. Some organizations have been very critical of the labeling rules set forth in the organics program and have described this labeling process as a "loophole" in the organics law. While it is true that some companies have tried to take advantage of the labeling regulations, it is also true that many companies have followed through with the spirit of the organics law and gone beyond labeling requirements in their organic food production. Here are the basics that you need to know when reading organic labels:
The USDA's green organic logo can be placed on the front of a pre-packaged, organically produced food as long as the food contents of the package are 95% organic by net weight. For example, in a boxed breakfast cereal containing 12 ounces of cereal and displaying the green organic logo on the front of the box, 95% of the cereal ingredients, or 11.4 ounces, would have to be organic. The other half an ounce (or more precisely, 0.6 ounces) could be composed of non-organic ingredients. This non-organic 5% of the cereal could include genetically engineered foods, irradiated foods, or foods sprayed with synthetic pesticides-even though none of those components are allowed within the organics law. Even though I dislike this provision in the organics law that allows 5% of a pre-packaged product to be non-organic and still display the USDA green organic symbol, I believe it is much better for our health and the health of our planet to have a product that is 95% organic than have no legislation at all.

Deli Meat

I would bet that the average person would look at a sandwich and say that it is a healthy option for lunch.  Well, not necessarily.  There is a lot going on in those meats that you don't even realize.  Read this great article and you'll see what I mean.  Click on the links inside this article to be educated further.

General rule of thumb:  The more steps there are between what you are eating and its natural state, the worse it is for you.

Healthy Food Tip

This is quoted directly off of the world's healthiest foods weekly newsletter.  By following this basic tip, not only would you be helping the local economy, but you would also be helping yourself by putting the absolute freshest produce in your body.  Here's to a healthy lifestyle!!


Can you give me some tips on how to purchase fresh nutrient-rich vegetables while still staying on my relatively restricted budget?
Here are some suggestions for how to reduce the costs associated with purchasing nutrient-rich vegetables:
Since the price of vegetables varies depending on the area in which you live, I would suggest that you see which vegetables are less expensive in your local market, and then look in the World's Healthiest Foods book or website to check the nutritional value of those vegetables. If the vegetable(s) in question are not featured in the book or website, you can also look them up on the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference located at http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/, which is free and easy to use.
When vegetables are in season, they are usually less expensive and can also be counted on to taste better. This seasonal aspect of vegetables can be confusing, however, since most grocery stores are filled year-round with vegetables that are not truly seasonal.
That is why looking for local farmers' markets near your home is a great way to buy vegetables seasonally. Vegetables sold at these kinds of markets are very likely to have been grown within driving distance of your home. This usually guarantees that they are fresher, and because of the reduced transportation costs, they are usually less expensive. Many farmers' markets also have organic vegetables available. If you live in a more rural area and have access to transportation, you could also check to see if there are any local farms that have farm stands.
Finally, if you cannot find fresh vegetables that fit your budget, you should consider purchasing frozen vegetables. Frozen organic vegetables are getting easier and easier to find, and there are a surprising number of nutrients that stay fairly stable during the freezing process. While not as good as fresh vegetables, the frozen variety are far better from a nutritional standpoint than most people expect, and, particularly when organic, can make a very nourishing alternative.

Organic doesn't mean good for you

I couldn't have written about this better myself, so instead of trying, I'll just supply you this link and let you read about why something labeled organic isn't necessarily healthy for you.  Also, be sure to click on the link in item 4 to find out why canned foods are not the best for you either. 

It all goes back to the way food was prepared in the olden days.  Grown with no man made additives and eaten right from the ground.  Think about how you would want to grow you own food and how you would go about prepping it to be eaten, and try and get to as close to that as possible in your neighborhood grocery store.  The key words to look for on product labels are "Organic" and "Local".  And do your best to stay away from anything packaged for you.  If you can't see it in its natural state, then you should do your best to avoid it. 

Happy shopping and good health!!

You may have sperm count problems

If you are a male and want to have kids some day, or are trying now and seem to be unable to produce, this article may have all the information you need to get your boys swimming again. 

You're welcome!

Onions

What a fantastic weekend in Boston.  The weather was superb!!

I hope everyone loves onions as much as I do, not only for their taste, but for the myriad of health benefits they contain.  If you are interested in learning more about the potential benefits of onions and some information on cooking them, take a look here.

Happy Day!

Health effects of Coffee

In an article written in 2007, it is shown that in the past 60 years, coffee consumption has declined by about half as soft drink consumption has quadrupled.  This is an interesting fact, as it suggests that folks are replacing coffee with soda.  This information is quite troubling to me and I could argue that this large increase in soda consumption is involved in our country's rapid increase in obesity and diabities, but I will leave this discussion for another time. 

I am sure most have heard someone say the phrase "Everything is good in moderation".  Well, as it may not be exactly true with everything, Harvard Health states that research has proved that this stands true for coffee consumption.  In fact, instead of health risks, it may contain some health benefits.  Check it out for yourself. 

For a bit more detail, take a look at this article on WebMD.

Just remember to buy the Organic kind and even Hawaiian if you are feeling truley American!

Should you buy ORGANIC?

In short, I believe the answer is YES!

There is a vast amount of information on the web that compares Organic and Conventional food items.  The USDA controls the regulations for what can be labeled as Organic, but for a more basic rundown of how it all works, and for a proponents view of Organics, I have found Organics.org to be a helpful site.  In particular, you should read the articles Top 10 Reasons to Buy Organic and Label Guide as they will supply you with enough information to get started on thinking about it and maybe even looking around at the Organic products in your grocery store. 

The first thing you will notice is that Organic food is more expensive than Conventional.  There are many reasons for this, but a simple reason is that Organic products are made on a much smaller scale than the Conventional products and since hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, etc. cannot be used, they require more care to get them to the store shelves.  Don't let the cost deter you right away. 

I do not want to simply put all the details that support Organics here in front of you, so please take this as an opportunity to do a bit of research for yourself and form your own opinion.  There is a wealth of information both for and against Organics, but I hope that in reading the information at hand (the web is a great source of knowledge) you can form your own opinion and make smarter choices for your lifestyle. 

Here are a few more links to get you going:
Whole Foods Market
Organic Center
USDA
Organic Trade Association
Organic Consumers Association

San Francisco

This can't be so bad for your health.

The World's Healthiest Foods

George Mateljan has founded this excellent oranization that supplies a wealth of knowlege in regards to healthy foods and easy ways to get these foods into your daily diet.  I am a subscriber to George's daily food tip and recipe.  Today's Q & A topic is in relation to a disease that I have no direct tie to, but some 40+ million Americans have themselves as quoted from PubMed Health.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002194/


Taken directly from the world's healthiest foods newsletter:

Can I eat whole grains if I have diabetes? 

Yes, whole grains can make an excellent contribution to your Healthiest Way of Eating if you have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The nutrient richness of whole grains-together with their very good fiber content-are reasons that whole grains can help balance blood sugar levels. It's important that 100% whole grain products are selected because many products say "whole grain" even when less than 5% of the total product contents come from whole grains. Depending on the amount of difficulty that you are experiencing in controlling your blood sugar levels, the frequency and exact quantities of whole grains in your Healthiest Way of Eating may not be issues you can determine without the help of your healthcare provider. The general principles that apply to eating whole grains and blood sugar control, however, are as follows:

• Two-thirds of a cup of cooked 100% whole grains (like a one-cup serving of cooked oats or brown rice) is a generally safe amount at any one meal. A slice of 100% whole-grain bread can vary dramatically in terms of calories and amount of food (gram weight), and in this case, two small-to-medium single slices of bread (weighing about one ounce each) may be an equivalently safe amount. (Both of these amounts constitute 2 servings of grains in a diabetes food group approach to meal planning.)
• Combining your whole grains with a small amount of some protein-rich food (for example, a small serving of beans, nuts, or seeds) can often be helpful in blood sugar regulation.
• Be careful not to overconsume grains even if they are organic and 100% whole. Additionally, you may want to measure out your portions; it's easy to get two cups' worth of rice when you think you are only getting one cup.
• Don't rely on whole grains as the sole focus of your meals or snacks. A large plate of pasta is not safe for regulation of blood sugars, even if the pasta is 100% whole grain. Treat grains and breads more like side dishes that complement your meals.

George's website:  http://whfoods.org/

It's as easy as being friendly!

Friends can "Encourage you to change unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise".  I am not so sure I agree with this one until you turn 30 years old.  I would have to argue that, in fact, it is the exact opposite when you are younger.  OK! OK!  All joking aside, it certainly makes sense that having friends is good for your health.  A little support and accompaniment never hurt anyone.  The Mayo Clinic has even supplyied us bullet points on how to make friends and how to keep those relationships healthy.  Read up.  Your health may benefit.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/friendships/MH00125

Where are those germs hidding?

I wasn't always a germaphobe, but I cannot sit here writting this and deny that germs aren't on my mind when I am in a public place.  You may say that I am crazy to care about this, but when you really start to think about it, if everyone was a bit more conscious of covering their sneezes and washing their hands just a few times a day, the world could be using their sick days for fun things and not to sit on the couch using up an entire box of tissues.  Take a browze through this article and you will start thinking about it too, however, I can only hope that you take it to heart and better your higene. 

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/8-germiest-public-places.html#

Now this is cool!

Of course only an establishment like MIT would be able to invent something like this, but just imagine a man made tree in your yard that could power all your electrical needs by using one of natures most basic tools.  Photosynthesis!



http://inhabitat.com/mit-scientists-create-artificial-solar-leaf-that-can-power-homes/

ADHD in Kids linked to Food?

Maybe it is no surprise to some that eating highly processed food is the cause of a lot of medical issues these days, but 64% of todays kids are being falsly medicated due to reactions to the food they are eating is a difficult reality to grasp.  This goes to show not only the problems that todays cheap and easy access food can cause in the human body, but also the value of educating the population so they can make the right decisions regarding their health. 

Take a look at this article.
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/for-64-percent-of-kids-with-adhd-food-is-the-cause.html#

We just don't want to listen

Take a look at this list of Top 10 Worst Foods written by Michelle Schoffro Cook on PlanetGreen.com and maybe you will change your mind the next time one of these food items is put in front of you.

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/top-10-worst-foods.html#