Dietary Enigmas
asking questions about our diet
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Archive for November, 2007
Too fat - not fat enough - where is the truth
OK - i am going crazy with this whole thing of overweight/obesity - lets get one thing straight - well several actually.
- Carrying too much fat around our middle puts us at far greater risk of developing cancer, diabetes, heart disease and more.
- being undernourished also damages our health.
- eat the right food, supplement the nutrients that are missing, combat the chemical toxins with antioxidants, exercise
Now Doctors Say Its Good to be Overweight
By David Usborne, The Independent
November 13, 2007
A startling new study by medical researchers in the
The study, published yesterday in the respected Journal of the American Medical Association, runs counter to almost all other advice to consumers by saying that carrying a little extra flab — though not too much — might help people to live longer.
Struggling dieters, used to being told that staying thin is the best prescription for longevity, are likely to be confused this morning if not heartily relieved. While being a bit overweight may indeed increase your chances of dying from diabetes and kidney disease — conditions that are often linked with one another — the same is not true for a host of other ailments including cancer and heart disease, the report suggests.
In fact, scanning the whole gamut of diseases that could curtail your life, being over weight is, on balance, a good thing. The bottom line, the scientists say, is that modestly overweight people demonstrate a lower death rate than their peers who are underweight, obese or — most surprisingly — normal weight.
The findings will be hard to dismiss. They are the result of analysis of decades of data by federal researchers at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in
Being overweight, the report asserts in its conclusions, “was associated with significantly decreased all-cause mortality overall”.
“The take-home message is that the relationship between fat and mortality is more complicated than we tend to think,” said Katherine Flegal, the lead researcher. “It’s not a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all situation where excess weight just increases your mortality risk for any and all causes of death.”
That the CDC has even published the report and thus threatened to muffle years of propaganda as to the health benefits of staying slender has enraged some medical experts.
“It’s just rubbish,” fumed Walter Willett, the professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. “It’s just ludicrous to say there is no increased risk of mortality from being overweight.”
Not that the CDC results are an invitation to throw caution to the winds and take cream with everything. The scientists are careful to stress that the benefits they are describing are limited to those people who are merely overweight — which generally means being no more than 30 pounds heavier than is recommended for your height — and certainly do not carry over to those who fall into the category of obese.
Obesity has been declared one of the main threats to health in the
The scientists at the CDC first hinted at the upside of being overweight a few years ago. Since then, however, they have expanded the base of their analysis, with data that includes mortality figures from 2004, the last year for which numbers were available, for no fewer than 2.3 million American adults.
Highlighting how a bit of bulge might help you, the scientists said that in 2004 there were 100,000 fewer deaths among the overweight in the
Aside from escaping diseases, tipping the scales a little further may also help people recover from serious surgery, injuries and infections, Dr Flegal suggested. Such patients may simply have deeper bodily reserves to draw on in times of medical crisis.
Not everyone in the medical profession was surprised or angry about the study. “What this tells us is the hazards have been very much exaggerated,” said Steven Blair, a professor of exercise science and biostatistics at the
“I believe the data,” added Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, a professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of California, San Diego, who believes that a BMI of 25 to 30 — roughly the the so-called overweight range — “may be optimal”.
Critics, however, were quick to point out that the study was concerned with mortality data only and did not take account of the quality of life benefits of keeping your weight down. The study “is not about health and sickness”, noted the obesity researcher Barry Popkin of the
The report “definitely won’t be the last word”, said Dr Michael Thun of the American Cancer Society, who pointed out, in a report released last week by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, that staying slim was the main recommendation for avoiding cancer.
Others in the American medical community, while a little bemused, were withholding judgement. “This is a very puzzling disconnect,” said Dr JoAnn Manson, the chief of preventive medicine at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
The suggestion that a bit of extra weight may assist patients recovering from an infection or surgery was of no surprise to Dr Flegal. “You may also have more lean mass — more bone and muscle,” she said. “If you are in an adverse situation, that could be good for you.”
In their conclusions, the authors of the study note: “Overweight … may be associated with improved survival during recovery from adverse conditions, such as infections or medical procedures, and with improved prognosis for some diseases. Such findings may be due to greater nutritional reserves or higher lean body mass associated with overweight.”
Those of us mostly likely to benefit from a little bulge beneath the belt, the study adds, are between 25 and 59 years old, although there were also some advantages for people over 60.
Flu Jab Inventor - warns it may not be enough
OK - get one thing straight - the best defence against flu is a strong immune system. Find out how to support your immune system click here
Flu jab inventor warns of killer epidemic - but claims his vaccine could be powerless to stop it
Flu could claim tens of thousands of lives this winter and vaccine will do little to stop it, warns the jab’s inventor.
Dr Graeme Laver believes an exceptionally-severe outbreak is likely.
And although 15 million Britons a year receive the flu jab, he says it does not guarantee protection.
Epidemic: Thousands have the jab every year - but it may be powerless to stop flu
Drugs which fight the virus once it has struck, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, must be made available over the counter, he insists. Highlighting flaws in the vaccine which he co-developed more than 40 years ago, Australian Dr Laver said: “I have never been very impressed with its efficacy.Currently available only on prescription, the flu medicines are most effective if taken soon after the onset of symptoms, meaning valuable time is likely to be lost if patients have to wait for a doctor’s appointment.
Sold over the counter in pharmacies, they could save hundreds of lives, said Dr Laver.
Influenza claims 12,000 lives a year in the
The former professor of biochemistry at the
“You could have a really severe epidemic. Thousands will be ill and many will die. Doesn’t anyone care? The safe and effective anti-flu drugs could, if used correctly, avoid much of this distress.”
Three times as many Australians caught flu this year as last, with even fit young adults badly affected.
Experts speculated that several winters of mild flu outbreaks had left the population with little immunity to the bug.
Dr Laver, who receives royalties from the sale of Relenza but not the better selling Tamiflu, said many children died in this year’s Australian outbreak.
“In a true example of what happened, a lady in
“If that unfortunate lady had taken Tamiflu, instead of paracetamol, she might still be alive today. But almost certainly she knew nothing of Tamiflu, and even if she had, she would never have been able to get it quickly enough to save her. That’s not good enough.”
Only
The drug safety watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said it was up to drug manufacturers to approach it about changes in how their products are sold.
A spokesman added that large-scale safety tests would be needed before a drug was downgraded from prescription only to over-the-counter sale.
Other scientists remain adamant that the flu jab is effective.
“The vaccine scores positively all the time, however you look at it.
“We do not want anything to put people off being vaccinated.”
Strontium: An Alternative Treatment For Osteoporosis
This article caught my eye the other day and as i know several people who are potentially at risk from Osteoprosis I thought that it would be a worthy post.
Paul Barton
by Teri Lee Gruss
(NewsTarget) Research spanning a century has shown that strontium, a naturally occurring trace mineral, is an important component of healthy bone tissue. Researchers from around the world have found that, in pharmaceutical doses, it dramatically increases bone density and reduces risk for fractures in women with osteoporosis.
National Osteoporosis Foundation statistics indicate that “osteoporosis causes more than 1.5 million fractures annually: 700,000 vertebral, 300,000 hip, 250,000 wrist and 300,000 fractures at other sites”. [1] Sadly, “an average of 24% of hip fracture patients aged 50 and over dies in the year following their fracture.” [2]
As our population ages in huge numbers, finding a safe and effective treatment for osteoporosis is more important than ever before. Dr. Susan Brown, director of the Osteoporosis Education Project (OEP) in East Syracuse, N.Y., says “Our bone crisis worsens each year, despite intensive public health and disease treatment efforts”. [3]
(more…)BBC - Cancer studies ‘wasted millions’
I saw this report and though it of such significance that i can’t be glossed over. If this is happening in one area what is to say that it is not happening else where. The conspiracy of silence is deafening - well done BBC. But what is thier motive for exposing this?
Makes you think.
Paul barton
Cancer studies ‘wasted millions’
Millions of pounds of charity donations and taxpayers’ money have been wasted on worthless cancer studies, the BBC has learned.
File On 4 has discovered thousands of studies have been invalidated.
It found some scientists have failed to carry out simple and inexpensive checks to ensure they are working with the right forms of human tumour cells.
Cancer Research
One of the latest examples of scientific research to be affected by this problem is a study of oesophageal cancer.
Researcher Dr Chris Tselepis worked with an international team which has found that TE7, an experimental culture of cancer cells used in labs for the past 20 years, was the wrong cancer.
Whole programmes of research had to be redone using verified human brain tumour cells
Prof Geoff Pilkington,“Fortunately, for us our research was based on a number of cell types, so the impact of a mistaken identity for this line has actually been fairly minimal to us,” said Dr Tselepis who is studying the cancer at the Cancer Research
“But I’m sure there’s many other laboratories UK and worldwide-based that essentially base lots of their conclusions on one cell line and in that case, this mistaken identity has a massive impact on conclusions that people draw from such studies,” he added.
Few scientists publicly admit such problems but Prof Geoff Pilkington, of the University of Portsmouth, told the BBC that he had to discard research into brain tumours after it emerged his team were studying human cells contaminated by the cells of rats and mice.
“Whole programmes of research had to be redone using verified human brain tumour cells,” he said.
“It’s hugely expensive and it’s incredibly frustrating,” Prof Pilkington added.
Erroneous data
The problem is compounded by the fact that studies based on erroneous research data will be printed in reputable scientific journals and become part of the accepted literature, thus misleading future researchers.
Earlier this year 19 eminent cancer specialists from the
The
But the letter’s originator, Prof Roland Nardone of the Catholic University of America, told the BBC that some scientists seemed unwilling to act.
Authenticated cell-lines
He said the best way to get scientists to comply would be to withhold research grants and publication in scientific journals unless their research used authenticated cell-lines.
This verification can be achieved using a technique of DNA profiling which compares the cell-line with a list of known contaminants and can cost as little as £180 per sample.
But the Medical Research Council, the major source of public funds for such research in the
Dr Rob Buckle of the MRC told the BBC: “As soon as you start talking about regulation we have to ensure that it is proportionate and does not inhibit research.”
Dr Buckle said the MRC was not aware of any particular study in the
However, one of the
“No grant or no publication,” said Prof Karol Sikora, of
“If one of the leading journals, which all of us want to publish in, said: ‘You have used cell-line - just give us the certificate of authenticity,’ Now we can tell all that and it doesn’t necessarily cost a lot of money.”
Cancer Research
Instead it issued a statement from Dr Lilian Clark, its executive director of Science Operations & Funding, which said: “It is of paramount importance for us to ensure that all our researchers deliver world class science - they have the latest systems and robust procedures in place to guarantee this.”
Dr Clark said the charity carried out stringent checks on cell-lines, including a DNA authenticating service.
To learn more about this story listen to File On 4, BBC Radio, repeated Sunday 25 November 1700 GMT.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/7098882.stmPublished: 2007/11/20
© BBC MMVIIMeat can Kill you - but Vegetariansim may not be the full answer either
Meat can kill you.
That’s one of the key points that came out of a major review of 7,000 studies.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) spent six years preparing this research. Too bad they went to all that trouble and then produced advice that wasn’t quite on the mark.
Fortunately, HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., is here to help them fine-tune their results for some truly useful advice (especially for vegetarians).
——————————————–
Apples & oranges
——————————————–This headline from FoodNavigator-USA caught my eye: “Red and Processed Meats Increase Cancer Risk, Says Study.”
Of the 10 recommendations offered by the WCRF in this report, FoodNavigator decided to feature this one: “Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat.”
Researchers found that high intake of red meat and processed meat was linked to a 30 percent increase in colorectal cancer risk. But lumping red meat with processed meat is like lumping “Citizen Kane” with “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” So much of processed meat is pure junk: binders, fillers, and a host of chemicals that preserve, color, and flavor. There’s really no comparison to the quality nutrition found in meat from an animal that’s been properly fed and cared for (i.e.; not raised on a factory farm).
Unfortunately, very few of us consume such high quality meat, which is rarely available in the average grocery store. Here’s how Dr. Spreen put it when I asked him for his thoughts on the WCRF report: “The studies on the meat and colon effects do not take into account the presence of herbicides, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and the use of antibiotics and hormones given to the animals that produce most of our meat. So, the problem may very well be toxic chemical exposure, not ingestion of meat, per se.”
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Filling in the Blanks
——————————————–I can easily imagine someone reading the FoodNavigator-USA article and deciding: That’s it! I’m going vegetarian! What they may not take into consideration is the essential nutrition they get from high quality meat.
In previous e-Alerts, Dr. Spreen has noted how important it is for vegetarians to include vitamin B-12 in their supplement regimen. He states flatly that vegetarians cannot ingest this important B in adequate amounts unless they take a B-12 supplement. The irony here is that the WCRF report also offers this recommendation: “Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone.”
Good luck with that.
I wondered what other supplements Dr. Spreen might recommend for a strict vegetarian.
Dr. Spreen: “Besides the B-12, I’d add some conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), as that form only comes from being processed within an animal. Getting enough of the omega-3 oils in general is a problem, as the ratio tends to be more omega-6 in vegetarians (no fish). I’d also add some saturated fat – since butter and lard (animal fat) are out, vegetarians (especially young ones) are missing the type of fat that’s needed for cell membrane production (kind of important, as you might imagine). In that case I’d be pushing for the use of coconut oil and palm kernel oil (neither one being popular these days).
“Iron is a problem (especially since only animal sources provide iron in a form that ‘insulates’ its oxidative effects from the body within a heme ring), so I’d add an iron supplement.
“Vitamin D is no problem if the individual gets enough whole-body solar exposure daily. That’s kind of rare, unfortunately, so I’d be adding that.
“High quality protein (egg highest, milk next) is an issue. You’re only left with soy, a sad substitute (especially in young boys), but I’d have to add that.
“Vegetarianism is a wonderful cleanse in the short term – I definitely recommend it. In the long term…a total disaster.”
Ouch. I know a lot of our members won’t enjoy hearing their diet described as a “disaster.” But when a wide spectrum of nutrition is missing, a disaster is in the making without some supplementary help.
Talk to your doctor or an experienced dietician before adding any of these supplements to your daily regimen.
Apricot Kernels - B17 - benefits
I’ve recommended Apricot Kernels and other things as a source of B17 - wrongly called B17 as far as i can figure but that might be changing. Here is a great summary - if a little technical about B17 and what it does. We have seen some fascinating results with Sickle Cell Disease and B1, Apricot Kernels, Millet, and even Apricot Kernel Oil (cold pressed).
Apricot Kernels (B17 – called Vitamin B17 in error)
Apricot Kernels are the richest source of B17 (Laetrile). Ernst Krebs is the world’s leading authority on the relationship between cancer and nitrilosides, and the inventor of laetrile.
- G. Edward Griffin’s book World Without Cancer (American Media, 1974), available from Health World
- Ernst Krebs discussion of The Nature of Cancer
- Ernst Krebs discussion of the Trophoblast Theory of Cancer
- Ernst Krebs discussion of Trophoblasts and Morning Sickness
- Ernst Krebs discussion of the Metabolism of nitrilosides (Vitamin B17)
- Charles Gurchot’s explanation of How Vitamin B17 Works
Apricot kernels are known to prevent and cure cancer, even though the medical establishment has worked night and day and even lied to suppress it. B17 is found in most all fruit seeds such as the apple, peach, cherry, orange, nectarine and apricot. It is found in some beans and many grasses such as wheat grass. The hard wooden pit in the middle of the peach is not supposed to be thrown away. In fact, the wooden shell is strong armor protecting one of the most important foods known to man, the seed. It is one of the main courses of food in cultures such as the Navajo Indians, the Hunzas the Abkhasians and many more. Did you know that within these tribes there has never been a reported case of cancer. (And there are doctors and scientists from the
One of the most common nitrilosides is amygdalin. This nitriloside occurs in the kernels of seeds of practically all fruits. The seeds of apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, and the like carry this factor; often in the extraordinary concentration of 2 to 3 per cent. Since the seeds of fruits are possibly edible, it may be proper to designate the non-toxic water soluble accessory food factor or nitriloside that they contain as vitamin B-17. The presence of nitriloside in the diet produces specific physiologic effects and leaves as metabolites specific chemical compounds of a physiologically active nature. The production by a non-toxic, water-soluble accessory food factor of specific physiological effects as well as identifiable metabolites suggests the vitamin nature of the compound.
In metabolism, nitriloside is hydrolyzed to free hydrogen cyanide, benzaldehyde or acetone and sugar. This occurs largely through the enzyme Beta-glucosidase produced by intestinal bacteria as well as by the body. The released HCN [hydrocyanide] is detoxified by the enzyme rhodanese to the relatively non-toxic thiocyanate molecule. The sugar is normally metabolized. The released benzaldehyde in the presence of oxygen is immediately oxidized to benzoic acid which is non-toxic. Thus this newly designated vitamin B-17 (nitriloside) could account for:
- The thiocyanates in the body fluids–blood, urine, saliva, sweat, and tears;
- For part of the benzoic acid (and subsequently hippuric acid); salicylic acid isomers;
- For the HCN that goes to the production of cyanocobalamin from hydrocobalamin, or production of vitamin B12 from provitamin B12.
These are the physiological properties of the common nitriloside amygdalin. Before considering the possible antineoplastic activity of this vitamin B-17, let us recall that the benzoic acid arising from it has certain antirheumatic and antiseptic properties. It was rather widely used (in
Recall now, that thiocyanate also was once widely used, in both
Let us pause to reflect upon this question: Might not the rheumatic diseases as well as certain aspects of hypertension be in some cases partially related to a dietary deficiency in nitrilosides? One can hardly deny that the ingestion of a sufficient quantity of nitriloside-containing foods will metabolically yield sufficient benzoic acid and/or salicylic acid isomers to palliate rheumatic disease and certainly to decrease, however temporarily, hypertension as well as to foster the nitrilosation of provitamin B-12 to active vitamin B-12: cyanocobalamin.
Despite all this, are we justified in suggesting that cancer itself might be another chronic metabolic disease that arises from a specific vitamin deficiency–a deficiency specifically in B-17 (nitriloside)?
There are many chronic or metabolic diseases that challenge medicine. Many of these diseases have already been conquered. What proved to be their solution? By solution we mean both prevention and cure. What really cures really prevents. Let us think of some of these diseases that have found total prevention and hence cure. We are speaking of metabolic or non-transmissible diseases. At one time the metabolic disease known as scurvy killed hundreds of thousands of people, sometimes entire populations. This disease found total prevention and cure in the ascorbic acid or vitamin C component of fruits and vegetables. Similarly, the once fatal diseases so aptly called pernicious anaemia, pellagra, beri beri, countless neuropathies, and the like, found complete cure and prevention in specific dietary factors, that is, essential nutrients in an adequate diet.
Let’s go a step further, almost to the border of dogmatism, to advance an axiom in medicine and biology:
No chronic or metabolic disease has ever found cure or prevention, that is, real cure and real prevention–except through factors essential to an adequate diet and/or normal to animal economy.
I would welcome a contradiction to this principle; but even an exception would “prove the rule.”
Does it seem likely, therefore, that cancer will be the first exception to this generalization that to date has not had a single known exception? In my humble opinion, certainly not. But does it follow from this that B-17 (nitriloside) is the specific antineoplastic compound? Logically, by itself, alone, this conclusion that nitriloside is the specific antineoplastic compound does not follow. However, examine the brilliant laboratory studies of Dr. Dean Burk of the Department of Cytochemistry of the National Cancer Institute in
One might ask, then, whether we suggest that B-17 (nitriloside) or Laetrile is an effective cancer drug. Our reply must be: it is not a drug; it is a food.
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Worth, F.J., A Note on the Hydrocyanic Acid Content inHarper’s Biochemistry 24th, 26th and now 27th editions
If you don’t believe anything else believe this.
Harpers Biochemistry 24th Edition
——————— ——— ——— ——— –
Harpers Biochemistry, a medical textbook that
has been educating healthcare professionals
about Glyconutrients and their role in health and healing since 1996.From a clinical perspective, one class of nutrients
absolutely necessary for optimal cellular communication
and which is essentially missing from our food supply is glyconutrients.These are necessary carbohydrates (monosaccharides) that
according to the 1996 edition of Harper’s Biochemistry,
only 2 or 3 of the necessary 8 are commonly found in our diet.
These monosaccharides provide the necessary building blocks that
enable the cells of our body to communicate effectively.————
——— ——— ——— ——— –
Harpers Biochemistry 26th Edition
——————— ——— ——— ——— –
Other disorders in which glycoproteins have been
implicated include hepatitis B and C, Creutzfeldt-
Jakob disease, and diarrheas due to a number of bacterial
enterotoxins. It is hoped that basic studies of glycoproteins
and other glycoconjugates (ie, the field of
glycobiology) will lead to effective treatments for diseases
in which these molecules are involved. Already, at
least two disorders have been found to respond to oral
supplements of sugars.————
——— ——— ——— ——— –
Harpers Biochemistry 27th Edition
——————— ——— ——— ——— –
Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry from
McGraw-Hill, whose lead editor is a retired
University of Toronto biochemistry professor,
Robert Murray. Murray added a paragraph to
the 2006 edition noting that although the
body can make other monosaccharides from
glucose, “there is evidence that the other sugars
may be beneficial in some circumstances
when added to the diet. This has led to the
development of glyconutrient supplements,“ Health Vs Fitness: Have we got it right
I was talking with a friend and colleague yesterday who brought my attention to this interesting article. That then sparked another thought that has been bugging me for the last couple of years. I work in the area of preventative health using all possible means. So often I am talking with a client who says ‘this therapist says they have the whole answer to my problem’ - another says that xyz therapy can cure everything’ - frankly they are displaying the same behaviour as an ostrich - sticking its head in the sand.
Get it and get it once and for all NO THERAPY HAS THE UNIVERSAL ANSWER. Stop trying to score points of each other - work together - treat everyone as an individual and don’t be so arrogant as to think you have all the answers all the time. At risk of offending ‘Classically Trained Homeopaths’ some of them are among the worst offenders in the business while some have moved on and into integrative health-care. This article is all about Fitness ‘therapists’ having all the answers - fitness is related to health but unless we address the dietary issues as well as exercise we are not serving people well.
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Trehalose - the safe sugarPrivate gyms are reaping the benefits from obesity health scares but are doing little to help fight the epidemic, a report has said.
Obesity figures are still growing despite the UK’s booming gym industry, according to research by an academic at the University of Leicester.
Dr Jennifer Smith Maguire’s study found private gyms were mostly used by richer members of society.
This left the less well-off struggling for help to combat weight problems.
The gyms also promoted exercise not as a part of everyday life but as something to be “squeezed” into the daily routine.
The focus was placed on looking healthy for image and not health reasons, the study added.
“The commercial fitness industry benefits from the scientific legitimacy and political urgency bestowed on population health issues such as inactivity and obesity,” Dr Maguire said.
“But it is ill-equipped to address those issues for a number of reasons. (more…)
Myths and Food: You can trust the Government
If you think this applies to the USA only then think again - the UK and EU are as bad if not worse.
How food manufacturers trick consumers with deceptive ingredients lists
by Mike Adams
The myth: Ingredients lists on food products are designed to inform consumers about what’s contained in the product. The reality: ingredients lists are used by food manufacturers to deceive consumers and trick them into thinking products are healthier (or better quality) than they really are. This article explores the most common deceptions used by food manufacturers to trick consumers with food ingredients lists. It also contains useful tips for helping consumers read such labels with the proper skepticism.
Deceiving consumers: Tricks of the food trade
If the Nutrition Facts section on food packaging list all the substances that go into a food product, how can they deceive consumers? Here are a few of the most common ways:
One of the most common tricks is to distribute sugars among many ingredients so that sugars don’t appear in the top three. For example, a manufacturer may use a combination of sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup solids, brown sugar, dextrose and other sugar ingredients to make sure none of them are present in large enough quantities to attain a top position on the ingredients list (remember, the ingredients are listed in order of their proportion in the food, with the most common ingredients listed first).
This fools consumers into thinking the food product isn’t really made mostly of sugar while, in reality, the majority ingredients could all be different forms of sugar. It’s a way to artificially shift sugar farther down the ingredients list and thereby misinform consumers about the sugar content of the whole product.
Another trick is to pad the list with miniscule amounts of great-sounding ingredients. You see this in personal care products and shampoo, too, where companies claim to offer “herbal” shampoos that have practically no detectable levels of real herbs in them. In foods, companies pad the ingredients lists with healthy-sounding berries, herbs or superfoods that are often only present in miniscule amounts. Having “spirulina” appear at the end of the ingredients list is practically meaningless. There’s not enough spirulina in the food to have any real effect on your health. This trick is called “label padding” and it’s commonly used by junk food manufacturers who want to jump on the health food bandwagon without actually producing healthy foods.
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(more…)Blood Pressure Vs Cholesterol
A high blood level of cholesterol, which damages the heart by clogging the arteries with plaque and fat deposits, is probably the number one contributing factor for heart disease. But high blood pressure (currently defined as anything above 140/90) comes in as a close second, also known as hypertension, it is often called the silent killer, because there are usually no symptoms.Hypertension can often be controlled with medication, but there are a number of other measures you can take that may help as well. You might want to experiment with some of the following to see how they work for you, but consult your doctor beforehand.
- Exercise — Specifically, aerobic exercise — that is, any activity that elevates your heart rate and keeps it there for a time — helps strengthen the heart, which means it can pump blood with less effort, thereby lowering blood pressure. Typically, your doctor might recommend running, jogging, swimming, biking or using gym machines such as treadmills or Stairmasters. You have to do it consistently to have an effect, though. Shoot for 30 minute sessions most days of the week.
- Reduce salt intake – High sodium intake raises blood pressure in two ways. First, it causes more fluid to be retained in blood vessels, forcing the heart to work harder. Second, it may also constrict the arterioles, blood vessels that help regulate blood flow and blood pressure. Sodium’s negative effect on blood pressure is not universal, but there’s no good test to determine who is salt sensitive and who isn’t, so doctors tend to recommend that folks with hypertension reduce their salt intake.Basically, this comes down to not adding salt to your meals as well as cutting out salty snacks. You may also need to check food labels for sodium content, since salt is in a lot of common foods you might not expect, such as breads and cheese, and lots of processed, pre-packaged foods in general. Usually, doctors recommend hypertensive patients keep salt intake down to under 2,400mg a day. (Note: You absolutely should not try to completely eliminate salt from your diet. A certain amount of sodium is necessary for proper functioning of muscles and nerves.)
- Quit smoking – If you smoke, you really need to quit, for a lot of reasons. In regard to hypertension, cigarettes and other tobacco products contain nicotine, which raises your heart rate while constricting blood vessels, which leads to a temporary rise in blood pressure.
- Lose weight – If you’re overweight, you can help reduce your blood pressure by slimming down. This goes hand in hand with aerobic exercise (see above), which is beneficial whether you’re overweight or not. Carrying extra weight only puts an unnecessary strain on your heart, and, therefore, hypertension.
- Reduce stress – A stressful lifestyle has been linked to hypertension. You can alleviate stress a number of ways. Exercise (see above) is effective, so is yoga, meditation, or even just kicking back with a good book.
- Natural supplements – There are a number of supplements available in health food stores that are reputed to be helpful in lowering blood pressure. These include:
- Garlic – Research shows that garlic can significantly lower blood pressure. See your doctor before using garlic supplements, though, as it can thin the blood to an unsafe degree if taken with certain medications.
- Fish Oil – Studies show that fish oil has a modest effect on blood pressure.
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – Studies indicate a relationship between lowered blood pressure and the regular ingestion of CoQ10 supplements. To get the best e mail me.
- Hawthorne – Long recommended for hypertension by practitioners of herbal medicine, studies have indeed shown hawthorne to help reduce diastolic blood pressure.
- Glyconutrients – These are plant sugars that provide the body with the ability to complete the code that is at the centre of every function of the body. Get this right and the rest may well correct itself.
- Water – this is so simple - if the blood is thick it is harder to pump and the result is higher blood pressure - ensure you are drinking 2 litres per day or more.
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