By: Boro Petric
I remember people used to blame everything on genes and think that most of the troubles they had with their health were actually genetic health problems.
The truth of the matter is, however, that according to the Human Genome Project (which was completed in 2003), less than one percent of all disease are pure genet
ic disorders.
Less than one percent.
That’s not that many, is it?
I know it sounds unbelievable, but most of all the sickness we suffer from comes from what we eat and how we live.
I mean, go ahead and think about this for a moment.
How do you feel after you eat a cheeseburger at McDonald’s? If you’re like me, you feel literally sick. You have nausea and feel you can eat absolutely nothing the rest of the day.
On the other hand, if you eat healthy, you feel good. You feel energized and ready to take the day in a stride.
That’s just how it is.
See, the toxins we stuff ourselves with cause our body to lose its natural ability to heal. On top of that, if you eat things that harm you, you’ll cause the genes in your body to express defectively. This, obviously, doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with your genes themselves. They just don’t express right.
Now, here’s the kicker:
If you work on your diet and focus on eating organic, live foods, you’ll be able to fix how your genes get expressed, therefore preventing the genetic disease people are talking about.
So, it’s not about the genes.
Now, although your genes do matter when it comes to your health, note that those types of genetic health problems don’t come from the genes themselves being faulty.
They happen because what you eat will influence how your proteins get created. That will in turn have a huge impact on how your body copes with diseases.
So, don’t listen to them.
People often say that they got sick or they caught a cold. They say that someone must have been sick somewhere, and that’s how they got it.
I want you to think about something for a moment.
Did you notice how doctors and nurses at hospitals rarely get sick? They’re surrounded by dozens of people suffering from serious diseases, but they rarely catch them.
(See? I said it…)
Why?
Because they have procedures they stick to. Those people make sure they’re clean as well as eat well. They also try to exercise regularly (or just do a lot of walking on the job.)
By doing those things, they improve their immune system and, as a result, keep themselves from getting sick.
So, no.
Most of what you suffer from, even the so called genetic health problems are well within your ability to fix. Just like the people surrounded by sickness and disease don’t get sick, you too can influence how the genes in your body get expressed through proper diet and…
…get rid of many genetic health problems very quickly. Try it. You’ll soon realize your genes are just fine. It’s just that all the junk food wouldn’t let them function properly.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Is Your Sunscreen Safe?
During summer most of us will slather our bodies with a sun protection cream and hit the outdoors. Be it sunbathing beside a pool or hanging out on the beach, staying out in the sun is the preferred option during this time.
However, from this summer onwards, we must ensure that we select our sunscreen carefully. Why? According to the experts, conventional sunscreens may c
ause more harm than good, and it is best that we stay away from them.
Shocking as it may be, there is substantial data that suggests the experts are right. Here are six disturbing facts about sunscreens:
1. Contains cancer accelerant
The most disturbing fact that has come to light is: retinyl palmitate (a form of Vitamin A), present in many conventional sunscreens, may accelerate the development of skin cancer when applied to sun-exposed skin.
This revelation was made by a one year animal study conducted by the FDA. The researchers found that lab animals that were dabbed with a Vitamin A-laced sun protection cream developed lesions and skin tumors sooner than animals that were coated in a sunscreen that didn’t contain Vitamin A.
2. Sunscreens may increase the risk of melanoma
There is some evidence which suggests that the incidence of melanoma is higher in sunscreen users. The exact cause of this, however, is not known. Some speculations that have been made so far include:
Sunscreen users usually stay outdoors for long hours, as a result of which they are more prone to UV radiation damage, one of the risk factors for melanoma
Staying out in the sun for long hours causes sunscreen components to break down and release free radicals, which, in turn, causes melanoma
The sunscreen of yesteryears provided poor UVA protection
3. Many spray-on sunscreens contain oxybenzone
Oxybenzone, an organic compound which is often used in sunscreens, is linked to potential cell damage and hormone disruption, according to the Environmental Working Group. This is not the only danger of spray sunscreens, which increases your risk of inhaling potentially-harmful chemicals that can cause irritation in the mouth, lungs, nose, and other harmful side effects.
However, the biggest danger of spray-on sunscreens, it is believed, comes not from its ingredients, but from sprayed vapors that are highly inflammable. Most spray-on sunscreens come with a warning that they shouldn’t be used near an open flame. However, second and third degree cases have been reported where individuals suffered from injuries when they went near an open flame immediately, or a few minutes after applying a spray sunscreen. Inexplicably, most spray blocks do not issue a warning in this regard on their product label.
4. Causes free radical damage
You may be aware that UV radiation generates free radicals that are harmful to us. However, do you know that many ingredients present in common sunscreens also generate free radicals that kill healthy skin cells, damage DNA, speed up skin aging, and cause melanoma and other types of cancers?
Sunscreens, when applied in adequate amounts and reapplied frequently, do more good than harm. However, many people tend to apply less or more sunscreen than recommended and/or reapply it after long gaps. Such people, in turn, are vulnerable to free radical damage due to both UV radiation and the sunscreen they use.
5. Stalls the production of Vitamin D
A thin layer of sunblock prevents the body from producing this important substance. According to an article published in the British Journal of Dermatology, the production of vitamin D is curbed when sunscreen is used for long periods of time.
6. Some sunscreen ingredients may cause endometriosis in women
Endometriosis is a painful condition characterized by irregular bleeding and pain. It occurs when the endometriosis starts growing outside the uterus. The exact cause of endometriosis is not known, but it is believed that estrogen, the female hormone, plays an important role in this regard.
Sunscreens contain UV filters that protect us from harmful UV rays. However, some of these UV filters have an effect similar to estrogen, which, as explained above, is suspected to cause endometriosis.
It is true that the concentration of individual UV filters in sunblocks is low. However, according to a study published in the Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, these UV filters together have a much greater estrogenic effect than they have alone.
Sunscreens should be your second line of defense against the sun rather than the first
The above statement sums up the mental shift that is required in the way we understand and use sunscreens.
Recent studies show that sunscreens are not as effective in protecting us from the harmful effects of UV as we earlier thought. Nevertheless, they do have a role to play in providing protection from the sun, according to all major public health agencies, which agree that sunscreens should be your second line of defense against the sun- not the first.
Use organic chemical-free sunscreens, but also wear protective clothing, stay in the shade as much as possible, and stay away from the afternoon sun. We sum up this article with a few tips to help you choose a safe and effective sunscreen:
Look for sunscreens that have one or more of the following ingredients – titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone (3%), or Mexoryl SX
Avoid sunscreens that have Oxybenzone and/or Vitamin A
Select lotions and stay away from sprays
Use a water-resistant sunblock for the pool or beach
Source: BeWell Buzz
However, from this summer onwards, we must ensure that we select our sunscreen carefully. Why? According to the experts, conventional sunscreens may c
ause more harm than good, and it is best that we stay away from them.
Shocking as it may be, there is substantial data that suggests the experts are right. Here are six disturbing facts about sunscreens:
1. Contains cancer accelerant
The most disturbing fact that has come to light is: retinyl palmitate (a form of Vitamin A), present in many conventional sunscreens, may accelerate the development of skin cancer when applied to sun-exposed skin.
This revelation was made by a one year animal study conducted by the FDA. The researchers found that lab animals that were dabbed with a Vitamin A-laced sun protection cream developed lesions and skin tumors sooner than animals that were coated in a sunscreen that didn’t contain Vitamin A.
2. Sunscreens may increase the risk of melanoma
There is some evidence which suggests that the incidence of melanoma is higher in sunscreen users. The exact cause of this, however, is not known. Some speculations that have been made so far include:
Sunscreen users usually stay outdoors for long hours, as a result of which they are more prone to UV radiation damage, one of the risk factors for melanoma
Staying out in the sun for long hours causes sunscreen components to break down and release free radicals, which, in turn, causes melanoma
The sunscreen of yesteryears provided poor UVA protection
3. Many spray-on sunscreens contain oxybenzone
Oxybenzone, an organic compound which is often used in sunscreens, is linked to potential cell damage and hormone disruption, according to the Environmental Working Group. This is not the only danger of spray sunscreens, which increases your risk of inhaling potentially-harmful chemicals that can cause irritation in the mouth, lungs, nose, and other harmful side effects.
However, the biggest danger of spray-on sunscreens, it is believed, comes not from its ingredients, but from sprayed vapors that are highly inflammable. Most spray-on sunscreens come with a warning that they shouldn’t be used near an open flame. However, second and third degree cases have been reported where individuals suffered from injuries when they went near an open flame immediately, or a few minutes after applying a spray sunscreen. Inexplicably, most spray blocks do not issue a warning in this regard on their product label.
4. Causes free radical damage
You may be aware that UV radiation generates free radicals that are harmful to us. However, do you know that many ingredients present in common sunscreens also generate free radicals that kill healthy skin cells, damage DNA, speed up skin aging, and cause melanoma and other types of cancers?
Sunscreens, when applied in adequate amounts and reapplied frequently, do more good than harm. However, many people tend to apply less or more sunscreen than recommended and/or reapply it after long gaps. Such people, in turn, are vulnerable to free radical damage due to both UV radiation and the sunscreen they use.
5. Stalls the production of Vitamin D
A thin layer of sunblock prevents the body from producing this important substance. According to an article published in the British Journal of Dermatology, the production of vitamin D is curbed when sunscreen is used for long periods of time.
6. Some sunscreen ingredients may cause endometriosis in women
Endometriosis is a painful condition characterized by irregular bleeding and pain. It occurs when the endometriosis starts growing outside the uterus. The exact cause of endometriosis is not known, but it is believed that estrogen, the female hormone, plays an important role in this regard.
Sunscreens contain UV filters that protect us from harmful UV rays. However, some of these UV filters have an effect similar to estrogen, which, as explained above, is suspected to cause endometriosis.
It is true that the concentration of individual UV filters in sunblocks is low. However, according to a study published in the Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, these UV filters together have a much greater estrogenic effect than they have alone.
Sunscreens should be your second line of defense against the sun rather than the first
The above statement sums up the mental shift that is required in the way we understand and use sunscreens.
Recent studies show that sunscreens are not as effective in protecting us from the harmful effects of UV as we earlier thought. Nevertheless, they do have a role to play in providing protection from the sun, according to all major public health agencies, which agree that sunscreens should be your second line of defense against the sun- not the first.
Use organic chemical-free sunscreens, but also wear protective clothing, stay in the shade as much as possible, and stay away from the afternoon sun. We sum up this article with a few tips to help you choose a safe and effective sunscreen:
Look for sunscreens that have one or more of the following ingredients – titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone (3%), or Mexoryl SX
Avoid sunscreens that have Oxybenzone and/or Vitamin A
Select lotions and stay away from sprays
Use a water-resistant sunblock for the pool or beach
Source: BeWell Buzz
Truth About Chemotherapy
Cancer is society’s biggest enemy – more than 7 million people die prematurely due to cancer every year. Recently, researchers stumbled upon a chance discovery that challenges the wisdom of using chemotherapy, which, so far, is considered to be the most effective cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy fuels tumor growth
Researchers made this unexpected discovery while trying to
find answers to why cancerous cells are so difficult to kill inside a human body when the same cells can be killed easily in the lab. While studying the effect of chemotherapy, a standard cancer treatment, on tissue obtained from prostate cancer patients, scientists found evidence of DNA damage in non-cancerous cells after chemotherapy. These findings, published in the medical journal National Medicine, raises serious concerns about the efficacy of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy, as you may know, works by killing cancerous cells. However, chemotherapy drugs cannot differentiate between healthy cells and cancer cells, and attack both with the same vigor. Scientists have found that non-cancerous cells that were damaged by chemo drugs release a certain protein, WNT 16B, in high quantities. WNT 16B secreted by healthy cells damaged by chemo drugs interact with nearby cancer cells, increasing their survival rate and, more disturbingly, making them more resilient to other treatments.
DNA mutations caused by chemo drugs may be passed to future generations
Studies show that chemotherapy drugs can cause DNA mutations. Scientists suspect that these DNA mutations may be passed to a patient’s future generations as well. In other words, chemotherapy drugs may negatively affect a patient’s entire hereditary line.
Animal studies suggest that cancer drugs make cancer cells metastasize
Researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Boston, studied the effect of cancer drugs and found that they caused cancer cells to metastasize aggressively.
In their findings, scientists noted that cancer drugs, sunitinib and imatanib, caused cancer cells to metastasize. Sunitinib (brand name Sutent) is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors, while imatanib (brand name Gleevec) is used for treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors and chronic myelogenous leukemia. The size of the tumor may initially reduce when these drugs are administered. However, these drugs make cancer cells metastasize aggressively over time.
These cancer drugs, as well as many other cancer drugs, work on the principle of anti-angiogenesis, a process that inhibits the growth of new blood cells. When scientists stimulated anti-angiogenesis in mice, they found that although the size of the tumor first decreased, it increased afterward by as much as 300%. The findings of this study were published in the January issue of Cancer Cell.
Natural substances are effective in controlling/preventing cancer
Natural alternatives, such as turmeric, have shown promise in controlling and preventing cancer.
While reviewing 11 studies, experts concluded that turmeric can reduce the size of brain tumors by as much as 81%. Additional studies have also confirmed that it is a potent anti-cancer agent, and can even stop tumors from growing completely.
Vitamin D is another effective anti-cancer nutrient. It is believed to be better at fighting cancer than many conventional cancer drugs. The optimal range of Vitamin D for cancer patients is higher than that for healthy individuals. That is why cancer patients are recommended to undergo a special blood test called 25(OH)D, before using Vitamin D for its anti-cancer capabilities. The optimal range of Vitamin D in healthy individuals is 50-70 ng/ml, while the range for treating cancer is 70-100 ng/ml.
Other natural substances, besides ginger and Vitamin D, are also effective in preventing cancer. Early animal studies show that other natural substances, such as saffron, are also effective in controlling cancer. Let’s take a look at some of these natural anti-cancer agents:
Saffron – Scientists studied the effect of saffron in rats that had liver cancer and found that it slowed the spread of cancer cells and killed them. The findings of this study were published in Hepatology.
Selenium – An antioxidant mineral, Selenium is believed to reduce the risk of bladder cancer.
Whole Ginger Extract – According to an article published in the British Journal of Nutrition, whole ginger extract has shown promise in the treatment of prostate cancer. To get the therapeutic effect of ginger compounds, prostate cancer patients should consume 3.5 ounces of this substance daily.
Is it time we look beyond chemotherapy?
Maybe yes. More studies should be performed to better understand the role of natural substances in cancer treatment.
Recent studies show that cancer drugs are not only ineffective in treating cancer, but that they cause the tumor to metastasize aggressively, and, thus, decrease the lifespan of cancer patients. Also chemotherapy is astronomically expensive, leaving many patients or their families financially ruined while the drug companies continue to profit. That’s why prevention should be a main priority and natural substances such as turmeric should be considered in treating cancer and do not cause any harmful side effects.
Do your research before you commit to being poisoned with chemotherapy.
Source: BeWell Buzz
Chemotherapy fuels tumor growth
Researchers made this unexpected discovery while trying to
find answers to why cancerous cells are so difficult to kill inside a human body when the same cells can be killed easily in the lab. While studying the effect of chemotherapy, a standard cancer treatment, on tissue obtained from prostate cancer patients, scientists found evidence of DNA damage in non-cancerous cells after chemotherapy. These findings, published in the medical journal National Medicine, raises serious concerns about the efficacy of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy, as you may know, works by killing cancerous cells. However, chemotherapy drugs cannot differentiate between healthy cells and cancer cells, and attack both with the same vigor. Scientists have found that non-cancerous cells that were damaged by chemo drugs release a certain protein, WNT 16B, in high quantities. WNT 16B secreted by healthy cells damaged by chemo drugs interact with nearby cancer cells, increasing their survival rate and, more disturbingly, making them more resilient to other treatments.
DNA mutations caused by chemo drugs may be passed to future generations
Studies show that chemotherapy drugs can cause DNA mutations. Scientists suspect that these DNA mutations may be passed to a patient’s future generations as well. In other words, chemotherapy drugs may negatively affect a patient’s entire hereditary line.
Animal studies suggest that cancer drugs make cancer cells metastasize
Researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Boston, studied the effect of cancer drugs and found that they caused cancer cells to metastasize aggressively.
In their findings, scientists noted that cancer drugs, sunitinib and imatanib, caused cancer cells to metastasize. Sunitinib (brand name Sutent) is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors, while imatanib (brand name Gleevec) is used for treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors and chronic myelogenous leukemia. The size of the tumor may initially reduce when these drugs are administered. However, these drugs make cancer cells metastasize aggressively over time.
These cancer drugs, as well as many other cancer drugs, work on the principle of anti-angiogenesis, a process that inhibits the growth of new blood cells. When scientists stimulated anti-angiogenesis in mice, they found that although the size of the tumor first decreased, it increased afterward by as much as 300%. The findings of this study were published in the January issue of Cancer Cell.
Natural substances are effective in controlling/preventing cancer
Natural alternatives, such as turmeric, have shown promise in controlling and preventing cancer.
While reviewing 11 studies, experts concluded that turmeric can reduce the size of brain tumors by as much as 81%. Additional studies have also confirmed that it is a potent anti-cancer agent, and can even stop tumors from growing completely.
Vitamin D is another effective anti-cancer nutrient. It is believed to be better at fighting cancer than many conventional cancer drugs. The optimal range of Vitamin D for cancer patients is higher than that for healthy individuals. That is why cancer patients are recommended to undergo a special blood test called 25(OH)D, before using Vitamin D for its anti-cancer capabilities. The optimal range of Vitamin D in healthy individuals is 50-70 ng/ml, while the range for treating cancer is 70-100 ng/ml.
Other natural substances, besides ginger and Vitamin D, are also effective in preventing cancer. Early animal studies show that other natural substances, such as saffron, are also effective in controlling cancer. Let’s take a look at some of these natural anti-cancer agents:
Saffron – Scientists studied the effect of saffron in rats that had liver cancer and found that it slowed the spread of cancer cells and killed them. The findings of this study were published in Hepatology.
Selenium – An antioxidant mineral, Selenium is believed to reduce the risk of bladder cancer.
Whole Ginger Extract – According to an article published in the British Journal of Nutrition, whole ginger extract has shown promise in the treatment of prostate cancer. To get the therapeutic effect of ginger compounds, prostate cancer patients should consume 3.5 ounces of this substance daily.
Is it time we look beyond chemotherapy?
Maybe yes. More studies should be performed to better understand the role of natural substances in cancer treatment.
Recent studies show that cancer drugs are not only ineffective in treating cancer, but that they cause the tumor to metastasize aggressively, and, thus, decrease the lifespan of cancer patients. Also chemotherapy is astronomically expensive, leaving many patients or their families financially ruined while the drug companies continue to profit. That’s why prevention should be a main priority and natural substances such as turmeric should be considered in treating cancer and do not cause any harmful side effects.
Do your research before you commit to being poisoned with chemotherapy.
Source: BeWell Buzz
Benefits Of Magnesium
Did You Know…
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and is essential to good health. In our bones we have around 50% of total body magnesium but in our blood we have only 1% of magnesium. It’s a small part but very important for people’s health. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. You’re starting to see the impo
rtance of this in your body, right?
In this vitally important podcast our resident nutritionist Shawn Stevenson interviews Ian Clark, a health expert, and speaker. Ian is an authority on this important mineral and its role in the body. He’s travelled far and wide to source the highest quality elements to create his Magnesium Infusion.
When you listen to the podcast below you’ll discover:
Why you get deficient in magnesium.
The signs of magnesium deficiency.
The one thing that is MAJOR leach of magnesium.
Why it’s difficult to get it from food.
Why most magnesium supplements are no good.
How energy drinks leach magnesium.
Magnesium’s role in energy production and restful sleep.
The numerous roles of magnesium in the body.
Why Magnesium is the MASTER mineral.
Ian and Shawn’s personal healing stories.
The power of topical, STRUCTURED magnesium.
Dangers of ingesting magnesium.
What separates Activation Magnesium from other magnesium topicals.
Amazing long term effects of proper magnesium use.
http://www.bewellbuzz.com/podcast/benefits-magnesium/
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and is essential to good health. In our bones we have around 50% of total body magnesium but in our blood we have only 1% of magnesium. It’s a small part but very important for people’s health. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. You’re starting to see the impo
rtance of this in your body, right?
In this vitally important podcast our resident nutritionist Shawn Stevenson interviews Ian Clark, a health expert, and speaker. Ian is an authority on this important mineral and its role in the body. He’s travelled far and wide to source the highest quality elements to create his Magnesium Infusion.
When you listen to the podcast below you’ll discover:
Why you get deficient in magnesium.
The signs of magnesium deficiency.
The one thing that is MAJOR leach of magnesium.
Why it’s difficult to get it from food.
Why most magnesium supplements are no good.
How energy drinks leach magnesium.
Magnesium’s role in energy production and restful sleep.
The numerous roles of magnesium in the body.
Why Magnesium is the MASTER mineral.
Ian and Shawn’s personal healing stories.
The power of topical, STRUCTURED magnesium.
Dangers of ingesting magnesium.
What separates Activation Magnesium from other magnesium topicals.
Amazing long term effects of proper magnesium use.
http://www.bewellbuzz.com/podcast/benefits-magnesium/
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Quote Of The Day
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” - H. Ford
10 Worst Packaged Food Lies You Must Know About
The wonders of technology and industry have surely made our lives much better than what our earlier generations had! From food to music and health to entertainment, everything is almost available on a platter!
How easy is it to just grab a pack of pre-cooked, processed and pre-packed food from the shelf of your local supermarket? Yes, it is very co
nvenient but how much nutrition is actually in those types of food. Let’s look deeper and explore top 10 packaged food lies. Be aware and don’t fall for the bait and switch!
The Top 10 Catchwords – Watch Out!
Read on as we reveal what lies beneath those blatant claims packaged foods make and give you an insight into the 10 most glaring lies therein.
1. 0 Trans fat
Heard this too often? Must be, since authorities at the FDA allow foods to be labeled as 0 trans fat per serving if each serving carries below a half gram of fat per serving. Though the number might sound too miniscule to you, yet experts warn you against getting any more than 1% of your calories from trans fats. Watch out for the term ‘partially hydrogenated oil’ in the ingredients which really is a signal that the product is not trans fat free at all.
2. Fruit-’flavored’
Think twice if your product says pineapple-favored and you thought it is pineapple you are getting! What you are getting is an artificial favor of the fruit in all probability.
3. Sugar-free
Now that’s a bait that most of us fall to. Foods without added sugar might actually have long lists of artificial sweeteners. In fact, there is concrete scientific evidence to show that artificial sweeteners can actually trick your body into craving more for sweet foods.
Check out the podcast with Shawn Stevenson on this specific topic.
4. Natural
So when does U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allow a manufacturer to say ‘Natural’ on its food label for meat products? That’s when a product is said to have no artificial ingredient or added color and has been subjected to minimum processing. As for vegetables, fruits and processed foods, the FDA is still to have a concrete definition. So, even if your can has GMOs and artificial sweeteners added, the label can still say ‘natural‘.
5. Made with whole grains
Now, whole grains are good for you, no doubt! However, the problem comes in when these whole grains just form a very miniscule portion of the total ingredients. In most of the cases, such products will have whole grains in very small content and white flour, incidentally called enriched wheat flour as its key ingredient. Ideally, it is the whole grains which should be the first item on the list and not the other way around.
6. Packed with antioxidants
An easy word to catch the attention of the health-conscious, this term can lull you into a false belief that your product carries the wonderful qualities of antioxidants, the nutrient-packed enzymes which have excellent anti-aging anti-cancer benefits. However, the problem lies in the fact that there is no formal criterion for this definition. So even if your cereal was packed with an antioxidant carrying fruit juice, it will not offer you even half of the benefits as a whole fruit or vegetable will.
7. No added hormones
This one is specifically relevant to meat and animal products. If your product makes this claim, in all probability it means that the poultry or pork have not been fed with hormones, but antibiotics to increase the feed efficiency of the species. So what is the issue here? Since USDA prohibits the use of growth hormones, antibiotics, with an equally damaging impact are used, tricking you into believing in the safety of the product.
8. Gluten free
Perhaps the latest phenomenon to catch the fancy of the food industry, this term has almost become a cash-churning phrase. If you suffer from gluten intolerance, you need to watch out! While these products might be free of wheat gluten, yet these will mostly carry rye or barley gluten, which are equally problematic.
9. Multi-grain
Surprisingly enough, the FDA doesn’t lay down specific criterion for the type of whole grains version to be used for a product to be labeled as multi-grain. In all likelihood, the said product will just carry various versions of refined, unhealthy grains and not a healthy mix of whole grains, as expected.
10. BPA free
So what is BPA? Well, BPA or Bisphenol A is an organic compound that the health experts are continuously warning you against. When you use plastic food containers containing BPA, a toxic chemical which has been associated with heart disease, cancer and reproductive problems gets leached into your food products. Stating that the product is BPA free will essentially not mean that the plastic container is safe. In fact, a study reported by the Environmental Health Perspectives reveals that all the plastic containers, regardless of their labels surely leach potent, damaging chemicals into your food items.
References: BeWell Buzz
How easy is it to just grab a pack of pre-cooked, processed and pre-packed food from the shelf of your local supermarket? Yes, it is very co
nvenient but how much nutrition is actually in those types of food. Let’s look deeper and explore top 10 packaged food lies. Be aware and don’t fall for the bait and switch!
The Top 10 Catchwords – Watch Out!
Read on as we reveal what lies beneath those blatant claims packaged foods make and give you an insight into the 10 most glaring lies therein.
1. 0 Trans fat
Heard this too often? Must be, since authorities at the FDA allow foods to be labeled as 0 trans fat per serving if each serving carries below a half gram of fat per serving. Though the number might sound too miniscule to you, yet experts warn you against getting any more than 1% of your calories from trans fats. Watch out for the term ‘partially hydrogenated oil’ in the ingredients which really is a signal that the product is not trans fat free at all.
2. Fruit-’flavored’
Think twice if your product says pineapple-favored and you thought it is pineapple you are getting! What you are getting is an artificial favor of the fruit in all probability.
3. Sugar-free
Now that’s a bait that most of us fall to. Foods without added sugar might actually have long lists of artificial sweeteners. In fact, there is concrete scientific evidence to show that artificial sweeteners can actually trick your body into craving more for sweet foods.
Check out the podcast with Shawn Stevenson on this specific topic.
4. Natural
So when does U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allow a manufacturer to say ‘Natural’ on its food label for meat products? That’s when a product is said to have no artificial ingredient or added color and has been subjected to minimum processing. As for vegetables, fruits and processed foods, the FDA is still to have a concrete definition. So, even if your can has GMOs and artificial sweeteners added, the label can still say ‘natural‘.
5. Made with whole grains
Now, whole grains are good for you, no doubt! However, the problem comes in when these whole grains just form a very miniscule portion of the total ingredients. In most of the cases, such products will have whole grains in very small content and white flour, incidentally called enriched wheat flour as its key ingredient. Ideally, it is the whole grains which should be the first item on the list and not the other way around.
6. Packed with antioxidants
An easy word to catch the attention of the health-conscious, this term can lull you into a false belief that your product carries the wonderful qualities of antioxidants, the nutrient-packed enzymes which have excellent anti-aging anti-cancer benefits. However, the problem lies in the fact that there is no formal criterion for this definition. So even if your cereal was packed with an antioxidant carrying fruit juice, it will not offer you even half of the benefits as a whole fruit or vegetable will.
7. No added hormones
This one is specifically relevant to meat and animal products. If your product makes this claim, in all probability it means that the poultry or pork have not been fed with hormones, but antibiotics to increase the feed efficiency of the species. So what is the issue here? Since USDA prohibits the use of growth hormones, antibiotics, with an equally damaging impact are used, tricking you into believing in the safety of the product.
8. Gluten free
Perhaps the latest phenomenon to catch the fancy of the food industry, this term has almost become a cash-churning phrase. If you suffer from gluten intolerance, you need to watch out! While these products might be free of wheat gluten, yet these will mostly carry rye or barley gluten, which are equally problematic.
9. Multi-grain
Surprisingly enough, the FDA doesn’t lay down specific criterion for the type of whole grains version to be used for a product to be labeled as multi-grain. In all likelihood, the said product will just carry various versions of refined, unhealthy grains and not a healthy mix of whole grains, as expected.
10. BPA free
So what is BPA? Well, BPA or Bisphenol A is an organic compound that the health experts are continuously warning you against. When you use plastic food containers containing BPA, a toxic chemical which has been associated with heart disease, cancer and reproductive problems gets leached into your food products. Stating that the product is BPA free will essentially not mean that the plastic container is safe. In fact, a study reported by the Environmental Health Perspectives reveals that all the plastic containers, regardless of their labels surely leach potent, damaging chemicals into your food items.
References: BeWell Buzz
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Beets for Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular related illness is the #1 killer in the industrialized world due to unbalanced lifestyle factors, nutrient-deficient diets, lack of exercise, and stress. We’ll call these the Fatal Four. Addressing all sides of the Fatal Four statistically brings vast benefits and reversal of symptoms to many heart disease sufferers.
According to new research, there’s one thing you can add to the diet department that can change your state of health almost immediately. Researchers at The London School of Medicine have discovered that drinking just 500 ml of beet juice a day can significantly reduce blood pressure.
In fact, they were able to isolate the specific compound in the beets responsible for this improvement.
Beets contain interesting phytochemicals known nitrates. These nitrates found in the beetroot juice interact with your saliva and bacteria on your tongue which convert them into nitrites. When swallowed, these nitrites are converted into nitric oxide in your gastrointestinal tract or re-enter your circulation as nitrite.
This amazing process, via the human body interacting with the beet nutrients, creates a sort of time-release blood pressure reducing effect. Healthy test subjects were found to have blood pressure reduction within just one hour, but the greatest decrease was seen 3 to 4 hours later.
Another study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology showed that drinking beetroot juice boosts stamina and can help you exercise up to 16% longer.
The foundational aspects of exercise are all about the cardiovascular and muscular systems. The dietary nitrates in beets have 2 distinct physiological effects.
It widens blood vessels, which reduces blood pressure and allows blood to flow more freely.
It directly impacts muscle tissue, reducing the amount of oxygen your muscles need to perform activities.
This is powerful information to have in your hands. Whether you’re looking for an athletic advantage, wanting to reduce your heart disease risk, or you simply want to provide your body with optimal nutrition, beet juice has some remarkable benefits.
WARNING: If you’re drinking beetroot juice by itself, you may actually lower your blood pressure too much if you’re not adjusted to it. It’s a wonderful idea to add some celery, beet greens (they come with it!), or other alkaline produce with it to give it some balance. Or, you can simply take time and build up on your straight beet juice intake, pay attention to how you feel, and enjoy the health benefits that come along with this wonderful root veggie.
One more thing to take note of is the Doctrine of Signatures which states that every food in nature can teach you what it’s beneficial for based on the way it looks, smells, tastes, and/ or how it functions in nature. There is no other food that has such a startling resemblance to our blood than beet juice. And it begs you to ask yourself the question: “Is this just an accident?”
Well, based to our modern scientific research, it’s proving over-and-over again what our great health teachers of the past have known all along.
Now go make some beet juice!
Author: Shawn Stevenson
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