Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Big Pharma attempting to corner the market on medical marijuana
(NaturalNews) As DEA raids and IRS harassment continue on state-approved medical marijuana, Big Pharma eyes the profitability of cannabis and prepares to muscle in, using its lobbyists and government connections to ensure a monopoly on legal sales of the drug.
In early April of 2011, two drug manufacturing giants, G.W. Pharmaceuticals and Novartis, announced they had formed an alliance to license and market GW's Sativex, a liquid cannabis drug. The drug is already available in Great Britain, as well as Canada and Spain. Thelicensingagreement with Novartis will enable sales to expand into markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.FDAPhase III trials are still being organized for Otsuka, GW's partner for licensing Sativex for the US market.
Unlike other cannaboids produced for recreational or medicinal use, Sativex is not a synthetic but an actual extract of thecannabisplant. It therefore lacks the side-effects of the syntheticdrugswhich merely attempt to replicate cannabis. Patients, primarily people diagnosed with MS orcancer, spray Sativex beneath their tongues.
GW claims that Sativex is formulated to provide the same health benefits thatmedical marijuanaoffers but without that drug's high. GW says that Sativex balances the psychoactive agent THC with cannabidiol (CBD), the chemical believed to be the source of medical marijuana's anti-nausea and cancer-cell-killing effects, in such a way as to eliminate any of the sensations associated with recreational marijuana. However, cannabis expert Dr. Lester Grinspoon, professor emeritus of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, points out that the issue of whether Sativex produces marijuana high depends on the size of the dosage.
One of GW's allies in its attempt to replace state-legalized whole-plant medical marijuana with its own chemical extract is Dr. Andrea Barthwell whose career includes consulting for GW, as well as stints as deputydrugczar under President George W. Bush and as president of the American Society for Addiction Medicine. Barthwell framesBig Pharmacannabis as best way to bring marijuana into medical usage: "The safety and advisability of any prescriptivemedicineshould depend on years of careful scientific scrutiny, not whims at the ballot box by individuals who lack the qualifications to make such decisions. Allowing cannabis to circumvent FDA approval sets a dangerous precedent and puts us on a slippery slope."
Big Pharma's big contributions to many legislators means they have many elected officials willing to see things the drug companies' way on this, as on many other issues. Even legislators known to take a strong states' right stance on other issues, such as offshore drilling, somehow find themselves standing up for federal oversight on this topic. For example, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who holds the dubious distinction of the being the member of Congress who has accepted the largest amount from pharmaceutical firms, has taken a stance against state legalization of marijuana.
If you have a politician in your state who speaks out against medical marijuana, you may want to look into his/her ties to Big Pharma. As the American Independent observes, the pharmaceutical giants' strategy as regards marijuana seems to be "demonize it, prosecute it, shut it down, then grab the market." Let your friends andfamilyknow that many of those who fight against medical marijuana are not, as they may prefer to present themselves, taking a pro-family stance against drugaddiction, but shills for multinational drugcorporationswho want to keep all drug profits in their coffers.
The idea that a drug can be denounced as evil in one context but hailed as a medical miracle if sold within the pharmaceutical system is nothing new. Big Pharma's magic cure pills for ADHD bear a suspicious chemical resemblance to speed.
As consumerhealthadvocate and critic of federal drug policy Mike Adams has pointed out elsewhere in NaturalNews (http://www.naturalnews.com/021501_m...), this double standard, with multinational corporations valued above the health of private citizens, has a pernicious effect on our culture "While dangerous prescription drugs are killing a hundred thousand Americans each year, theDEAdoes nothing. But when herb smokers light up in private, they are branded criminals and subject to a form of tyranny and oppression that should never be tolerated in a freesociety."
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032547_medical_marijuana_Big_Pharma.html#ixzz1NodvK2cL
In early April of 2011, two drug manufacturing giants, G.W. Pharmaceuticals and Novartis, announced they had formed an alliance to license and market GW's Sativex, a liquid cannabis drug. The drug is already available in Great Britain, as well as Canada and Spain. Thelicensingagreement with Novartis will enable sales to expand into markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.FDAPhase III trials are still being organized for Otsuka, GW's partner for licensing Sativex for the US market.
Unlike other cannaboids produced for recreational or medicinal use, Sativex is not a synthetic but an actual extract of thecannabisplant. It therefore lacks the side-effects of the syntheticdrugswhich merely attempt to replicate cannabis. Patients, primarily people diagnosed with MS orcancer, spray Sativex beneath their tongues.
GW claims that Sativex is formulated to provide the same health benefits thatmedical marijuanaoffers but without that drug's high. GW says that Sativex balances the psychoactive agent THC with cannabidiol (CBD), the chemical believed to be the source of medical marijuana's anti-nausea and cancer-cell-killing effects, in such a way as to eliminate any of the sensations associated with recreational marijuana. However, cannabis expert Dr. Lester Grinspoon, professor emeritus of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, points out that the issue of whether Sativex produces marijuana high depends on the size of the dosage.
One of GW's allies in its attempt to replace state-legalized whole-plant medical marijuana with its own chemical extract is Dr. Andrea Barthwell whose career includes consulting for GW, as well as stints as deputydrugczar under President George W. Bush and as president of the American Society for Addiction Medicine. Barthwell framesBig Pharmacannabis as best way to bring marijuana into medical usage: "The safety and advisability of any prescriptivemedicineshould depend on years of careful scientific scrutiny, not whims at the ballot box by individuals who lack the qualifications to make such decisions. Allowing cannabis to circumvent FDA approval sets a dangerous precedent and puts us on a slippery slope."
Big Pharma's big contributions to many legislators means they have many elected officials willing to see things the drug companies' way on this, as on many other issues. Even legislators known to take a strong states' right stance on other issues, such as offshore drilling, somehow find themselves standing up for federal oversight on this topic. For example, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who holds the dubious distinction of the being the member of Congress who has accepted the largest amount from pharmaceutical firms, has taken a stance against state legalization of marijuana.
If you have a politician in your state who speaks out against medical marijuana, you may want to look into his/her ties to Big Pharma. As the American Independent observes, the pharmaceutical giants' strategy as regards marijuana seems to be "demonize it, prosecute it, shut it down, then grab the market." Let your friends andfamilyknow that many of those who fight against medical marijuana are not, as they may prefer to present themselves, taking a pro-family stance against drugaddiction, but shills for multinational drugcorporationswho want to keep all drug profits in their coffers.
The idea that a drug can be denounced as evil in one context but hailed as a medical miracle if sold within the pharmaceutical system is nothing new. Big Pharma's magic cure pills for ADHD bear a suspicious chemical resemblance to speed.
As consumerhealthadvocate and critic of federal drug policy Mike Adams has pointed out elsewhere in NaturalNews (http://www.naturalnews.com/021501_m...), this double standard, with multinational corporations valued above the health of private citizens, has a pernicious effect on our culture "While dangerous prescription drugs are killing a hundred thousand Americans each year, theDEAdoes nothing. But when herb smokers light up in private, they are branded criminals and subject to a form of tyranny and oppression that should never be tolerated in a freesociety."
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032547_medical_marijuana_Big_Pharma.html#ixzz1NodvK2cL
Grapefruit molecule may lower bad cholesterol, treat diabetes
(NaturalNews) Israeli scientists may have discovered an effective new way to treat high cholesterol and diabetes naturally. Dr. Yaakov Nahmias from the Benin School of Engineering and Computer Science at Hebrew University and his colleagues have discovered that naringenin, a molecule in grapefruits that gives the fruit its bitter taste, can help to treat arteriosclerosis, hyper-metabolism, and even diabetes.
The study, which was recently published in the journalPLoS One, explains that when a highly-bioavailable "nano-complex" ofnaringeninis consumed just before a meal that is high in fat andsugar, it can reduce the development ofbad cholesterolby roughly 42 percent, and actually increase insulin sensitivity by 64 percent.
Dr. Nahmias and his colleagues allege that naringenin in itsnaturalform is not very easily absorbed by the body. So they developed what they say is an improved version on the substance, which is surrounded by a ring of sugar called cyclodextrin, and that is 11 times more bioavailable than naringenin that comes straight from agrapefruit.
"The complex is special in that it is taken just before a meal, as a preventative measure," said Dr. Nahmias. "In comparison, existing medications are given only after the chronic development of abnormal lipid levels in the blood."
Because the development of the new naringeninsupplementinvolved the use of a type ofnanotechnology, it is unclear whether or not this modified version poses any health threats. Some nano-type supplements, such as colloidal silver, have been safely and effectively used as natural remedies by many patients, while others may not have been effectively tested. Further studies will be necessary to form a solid conclusion.
When consuming or using any natural products that contain nano-sized particles, it is important to verify what type they are, and how they were developed. "Green" nanotechnology, for instance, can induce positive changes to various substances without using unnatural or toxic means to do so.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032527_grapefruit_high_cholesterol.html#ixzz1NoddU0fD
The study, which was recently published in the journalPLoS One, explains that when a highly-bioavailable "nano-complex" ofnaringeninis consumed just before a meal that is high in fat andsugar, it can reduce the development ofbad cholesterolby roughly 42 percent, and actually increase insulin sensitivity by 64 percent.
Dr. Nahmias and his colleagues allege that naringenin in itsnaturalform is not very easily absorbed by the body. So they developed what they say is an improved version on the substance, which is surrounded by a ring of sugar called cyclodextrin, and that is 11 times more bioavailable than naringenin that comes straight from agrapefruit.
"The complex is special in that it is taken just before a meal, as a preventative measure," said Dr. Nahmias. "In comparison, existing medications are given only after the chronic development of abnormal lipid levels in the blood."
Because the development of the new naringeninsupplementinvolved the use of a type ofnanotechnology, it is unclear whether or not this modified version poses any health threats. Some nano-type supplements, such as colloidal silver, have been safely and effectively used as natural remedies by many patients, while others may not have been effectively tested. Further studies will be necessary to form a solid conclusion.
When consuming or using any natural products that contain nano-sized particles, it is important to verify what type they are, and how they were developed. "Green" nanotechnology, for instance, can induce positive changes to various substances without using unnatural or toxic means to do so.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032527_grapefruit_high_cholesterol.html#ixzz1NoddU0fD
How to educate and motivate yourself - instead of getting medicated
(NaturalNews) Sick and miserable again, you go to the doctor, and invariably you leave with a prescription of pharmaceutical medication and maybe the dire words that there is no other option: you`ll have to take the tablets for the rest of your life. Instead of handing over your personal responsibility and future to others though, your educational research initiative can allow fresh air in, which is superior over being passive and stuck with recommendations by well-meaning professionals of whom you don`t know the extent of their medical education and approach. Few doctors have been trained in nutrition ornatural health. Motivation is the next step; it`s the key to applying what you have thoroughly investigated and found to be beneficial. It moves you to action despite other people`s raised eyebrows and criticism as well as your own deeply ingrainedhabits. Motivation helps towards betterhealthand the confidence that you`re genuinely doing the best that`s possible, given your personal circumstances.
You may have looked up a few websites in your quest for relief from your chronic complaint, and you may already know that naturaltreatmentsare safer. When you bring up the subject with your well-meaning GP or specialist - oncologist consultant - however, s/he might be less than encouraging about your choice. Consequently you yourself might start doubting the prospect of a positive outcome (other than relieving symptoms) when usingnaturalmedicine. That`s if you`ve allowed yourresearchto leave any doubts in your mind.
To make a wise health decision, first of all you need to be fully aware of the source of any and allinformation: 1) from the medical, pharmaceutical side of things; 2) from the well-educated, well-informed, well-researched natural health scene; 3) from the experienced or otherwise just anecdotal field of grass-root home remedies; 4) from the perhaps borderline supernatural area of energyhealing, reiki, angels, and hypnotism etc.; or 5) from outright quacks.
You`ll probably decide right here and now to what you wish to pre-limit yourself. Don`t be surprised, however, if you find opposing opinions on the Internet about everything. The more you research, though, the more you`ll recognise the ring of genuine medical truth. Take ample time, and analyse thoroughly. It`s your body, your health, yourlife, and your future.
On an A4 paper write down what treatments, advantages, and disadvantages there are. You need to have an accurate knowledge of yourchoicesand their consequences. Then weigh up the pros and cons.
Take for example,cancertreatments. The choices include chemotherapy, radiationtherapy, operation, hormonal therapy, bowel detoxing, building up the immune system, a plant-based cancer diet, and going to a health institute fornatural treatment, to mention just a few options. For answers, examine websites that shed light on the subject from different angles, and in normal, non-scientific English. Try also to recognise any side effects and risks, plus possible money agendas behind the options. The advertised goal is always to minimise pain and to maximise pleasure in life, but consider what you may have to sacrifice on the way.
Once you have gathered your information, weighed up everything, and made an informed choice, you might see a need to make some serious lifestyle changes.
With yourmotivationbased on solid facts, you can direct your behaviour towards particular goals. The motivation from within will provide the increasedenergyyou need for special efforts. Old habits die hard, but in order to change, reminders are invaluable. So put notes on your fridge and in other appropriate places. And then just be consistent. You`re worth it.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032530_drugs_motivation.html#ixzz1NoctdHO3
You may have looked up a few websites in your quest for relief from your chronic complaint, and you may already know that naturaltreatmentsare safer. When you bring up the subject with your well-meaning GP or specialist - oncologist consultant - however, s/he might be less than encouraging about your choice. Consequently you yourself might start doubting the prospect of a positive outcome (other than relieving symptoms) when usingnaturalmedicine. That`s if you`ve allowed yourresearchto leave any doubts in your mind.
To make a wise health decision, first of all you need to be fully aware of the source of any and allinformation: 1) from the medical, pharmaceutical side of things; 2) from the well-educated, well-informed, well-researched natural health scene; 3) from the experienced or otherwise just anecdotal field of grass-root home remedies; 4) from the perhaps borderline supernatural area of energyhealing, reiki, angels, and hypnotism etc.; or 5) from outright quacks.
You`ll probably decide right here and now to what you wish to pre-limit yourself. Don`t be surprised, however, if you find opposing opinions on the Internet about everything. The more you research, though, the more you`ll recognise the ring of genuine medical truth. Take ample time, and analyse thoroughly. It`s your body, your health, yourlife, and your future.
On an A4 paper write down what treatments, advantages, and disadvantages there are. You need to have an accurate knowledge of yourchoicesand their consequences. Then weigh up the pros and cons.
Take for example,cancertreatments. The choices include chemotherapy, radiationtherapy, operation, hormonal therapy, bowel detoxing, building up the immune system, a plant-based cancer diet, and going to a health institute fornatural treatment, to mention just a few options. For answers, examine websites that shed light on the subject from different angles, and in normal, non-scientific English. Try also to recognise any side effects and risks, plus possible money agendas behind the options. The advertised goal is always to minimise pain and to maximise pleasure in life, but consider what you may have to sacrifice on the way.
Once you have gathered your information, weighed up everything, and made an informed choice, you might see a need to make some serious lifestyle changes.
With yourmotivationbased on solid facts, you can direct your behaviour towards particular goals. The motivation from within will provide the increasedenergyyou need for special efforts. Old habits die hard, but in order to change, reminders are invaluable. So put notes on your fridge and in other appropriate places. And then just be consistent. You`re worth it.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032530_drugs_motivation.html#ixzz1NoctdHO3
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Japanese Sweet Potato may Cure Diabetes Along with Coffee and Ginkgo
(NaturalNews) A white sweet potato extract from the Ipomoea batatas plant may cure diabetes, adding to other recent research showing blood sugar reducing benefits from coffee, the gingko tree, and nuts. Diabetes is at epidemic proportions but traditional medicine has used plants to treat this condition worldwide.
Sweet Potato Diabetes Research
Researchers are now studying the Ipomoea batatas plant, a traditional sweet potato remedy from the mountains of Japan. The white sweet potato has been used for centuries in Japan to treat high blood pressure, anemia and diabetes. The raw potatoes come from the Kagawa region of Japan, a mountainous region between Osaka and Hiroshima.
Recent research with the sweet potato extract has shown promise in stabilizing blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. A study in Austria and Italy enlisted 60 participants who consumed 4 g of an extract of the white sweet potato, called caiapo. After three months, many reported reduced blood sugar of 15 points.
When participants consumed 2 grams of the extract, their results were not curative, but those on the 4 gram a day diet showed at least a 13 percent reduction in fasting blood sugar, as well as a 30 percent drop in cholesterol and a 13 percent drop in LDL cholesterol.
The caiapo extract seems to have an effect by decreasing insulin resistance; however, further tests are needed to confirm these findings. Sweet potatoes join the ranks of other foods thought to help reduce insulin resistance and prevent the onset of diabetes, such as coffee and nuts.
Coffee Reduces Risk of Diabetes
The coffee research showed that one cup of coffee reduced diabetes risk by seven percent. These findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, collected data from numerous studies that totaled over a half million participants.
Nuts Lower Blood Sugar
Nuts have been shown to lower blood sugar by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates, according to the American Diabetes Association. Nuts also contain important nutrients such as magnesium, as well as fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which also benefit a diabetic diet.
Ginkgo Biloba Herb Treats Diabetes
The herb Ginkgo biloba has long been used in Japan and China as a treatment for high blood sugar. The tree is one of the oldest known in the world and contains a powerful antioxidant. A ginkgo tree withstood the nuclear blast in Hiroshima during World War Two. Ginkgo has been used to treat diabetic retinopathy because it helps increase blood flow to the eyes and also the limbs.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032268_sweet_potato_diabetes.html#ixzz1NQFPWFfJ
Sweet Potato Diabetes Research
Researchers are now studying the Ipomoea batatas plant, a traditional sweet potato remedy from the mountains of Japan. The white sweet potato has been used for centuries in Japan to treat high blood pressure, anemia and diabetes. The raw potatoes come from the Kagawa region of Japan, a mountainous region between Osaka and Hiroshima.
Recent research with the sweet potato extract has shown promise in stabilizing blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. A study in Austria and Italy enlisted 60 participants who consumed 4 g of an extract of the white sweet potato, called caiapo. After three months, many reported reduced blood sugar of 15 points.
When participants consumed 2 grams of the extract, their results were not curative, but those on the 4 gram a day diet showed at least a 13 percent reduction in fasting blood sugar, as well as a 30 percent drop in cholesterol and a 13 percent drop in LDL cholesterol.
The caiapo extract seems to have an effect by decreasing insulin resistance; however, further tests are needed to confirm these findings. Sweet potatoes join the ranks of other foods thought to help reduce insulin resistance and prevent the onset of diabetes, such as coffee and nuts.
Coffee Reduces Risk of Diabetes
The coffee research showed that one cup of coffee reduced diabetes risk by seven percent. These findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, collected data from numerous studies that totaled over a half million participants.
Nuts Lower Blood Sugar
Nuts have been shown to lower blood sugar by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates, according to the American Diabetes Association. Nuts also contain important nutrients such as magnesium, as well as fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which also benefit a diabetic diet.
Ginkgo Biloba Herb Treats Diabetes
The herb Ginkgo biloba has long been used in Japan and China as a treatment for high blood sugar. The tree is one of the oldest known in the world and contains a powerful antioxidant. A ginkgo tree withstood the nuclear blast in Hiroshima during World War Two. Ginkgo has been used to treat diabetic retinopathy because it helps increase blood flow to the eyes and also the limbs.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032268_sweet_potato_diabetes.html#ixzz1NQFPWFfJ
Low vitamin D levels linked to more aggressive breast cancers
(NaturalNews) Vitamin D has been in the news recently as more studies talk about the metabolic effects of the vitamin and why we need it. A new study has added to evidence for the need for vitamin D. In a study just published in the journalCancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, scientists report that breast cancer patients with low levels of vitamin D have more aggressive tumors and a higher risk of recurrence.
This is not a surprising result for many physicians working with cancerpatients, as the link between vitamin D andcancerin general is a fact. There is also a growing understanding that current intakerecommendationsare too low (http://www.naturalnews.com/023356_V...).
"Many oncologists are already following vitamin D levels in their breastcancer patientsand recommending supplements for low levels," said Dr. Laurie Kirstein, a breast surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. "To link vitamin D levels to the aggressiveness of a particular type ofbreast canceris an interesting finding." Dr. Kirstein added that thisevidenceshould be followed up with a controlled trial.
The current study expands the general knowledge of vitamin D and cancer, putting the link into a context of a particular type of cancer and a particular cancer activity. The study, which examined 155 women at the University of Rochester, also found a link between low vitamin D levels and every major biological marker that is used to indicate prognosis of thedisease.
"The magnitude of the findings was quite surprising," said Luke J. Peppone, the lead researcher and Research Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology. "Based on these results, doctors should strongly consider monitoring vitamin D levels among breast cancer patients and correcting them as needed."
While this study still needs follow up with larger, controlledstudies, it also reinforces a belief in the importance of vitamin D, or as the original publication puts it, the information here adds, "support to previousresearchthat found decreased breast cancer survival among vitamin D deficient individuals."
Current recommendations for vitamin D are 600 International Units (IU) per day for most people. Many researchers, however, regard this number as strangely low (http://www.naturalnews.com/030598_v...). Dr. Robert Heaney, who researches vitamin D at Creighton University, says that adults should be getting at least 4,000 IUs per day, still well within a safe upper limit of 10,000, and which may help protect against cancer and other diseases.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032324_vitamin_D_aggressive_breast_cancer.html#ixzz1NQEzDTDf
This is not a surprising result for many physicians working with cancerpatients, as the link between vitamin D andcancerin general is a fact. There is also a growing understanding that current intakerecommendationsare too low (http://www.naturalnews.com/023356_V...).
"Many oncologists are already following vitamin D levels in their breastcancer patientsand recommending supplements for low levels," said Dr. Laurie Kirstein, a breast surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. "To link vitamin D levels to the aggressiveness of a particular type ofbreast canceris an interesting finding." Dr. Kirstein added that thisevidenceshould be followed up with a controlled trial.
The current study expands the general knowledge of vitamin D and cancer, putting the link into a context of a particular type of cancer and a particular cancer activity. The study, which examined 155 women at the University of Rochester, also found a link between low vitamin D levels and every major biological marker that is used to indicate prognosis of thedisease.
"The magnitude of the findings was quite surprising," said Luke J. Peppone, the lead researcher and Research Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology. "Based on these results, doctors should strongly consider monitoring vitamin D levels among breast cancer patients and correcting them as needed."
While this study still needs follow up with larger, controlledstudies, it also reinforces a belief in the importance of vitamin D, or as the original publication puts it, the information here adds, "support to previousresearchthat found decreased breast cancer survival among vitamin D deficient individuals."
Current recommendations for vitamin D are 600 International Units (IU) per day for most people. Many researchers, however, regard this number as strangely low (http://www.naturalnews.com/030598_v...). Dr. Robert Heaney, who researches vitamin D at Creighton University, says that adults should be getting at least 4,000 IUs per day, still well within a safe upper limit of 10,000, and which may help protect against cancer and other diseases.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032324_vitamin_D_aggressive_breast_cancer.html#ixzz1NQEzDTDf
Home births up 20 percent as more Americans prefer natural child birth
(NaturalNews) The number of pregnant women who choose to have their babies at home instead of at a hospital has risen by 20 percent over the past four years, according to new statistics released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Though home births had been on the decline between 1990 and 2004, the period between 2004 and 2008, which represent the newest figures available, saw a sharp increase in home births.
Marian MacDorman, lead author of the study from the CDC, told reporters that the rise in popularity forhome birthsis being driven primarily by Caucasianwomen. Roughly one out of every 98 pregnant white women had their babies athomein 2008, while only one in 357 black women, and one in 500 Hispanic women, had their babies at home during the same year.
"I think there's more of anaturalbirth subculture going on with white women -- an interest in a low-interventionbirthin a familiar setting," said MacDorman to reporters.
Published online in the journalBirth: Issues in Perinatal Care, the findings are not being met with approval by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which for years has been vocally opposed to home births. The group claims that home birthing is potentially dangerous, and that the "safest setting" for a birth to take place is at thehospital.
Unless there are serious complications, women who choose to give birth at home typically do not require the services provided by obstetricians. Many women who take the home birth route also utilize the services ofmidwivesthat are not certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). These may be among the reasons why ACOG remains opposed to home births.
A 2009 study published in theCanadian Medical Association Journal(CMAJ) found that home births are just assafe, if not safer, than hospital births (http://www.naturalnews.com/026999_h...). Home births also come with less risk of seriousinfectionby methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other hospital superbugs.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032496_home_births_natural_child_birth.html#ixzz1NQEVulDB
Marian MacDorman, lead author of the study from the CDC, told reporters that the rise in popularity forhome birthsis being driven primarily by Caucasianwomen. Roughly one out of every 98 pregnant white women had their babies athomein 2008, while only one in 357 black women, and one in 500 Hispanic women, had their babies at home during the same year.
"I think there's more of anaturalbirth subculture going on with white women -- an interest in a low-interventionbirthin a familiar setting," said MacDorman to reporters.
Published online in the journalBirth: Issues in Perinatal Care, the findings are not being met with approval by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which for years has been vocally opposed to home births. The group claims that home birthing is potentially dangerous, and that the "safest setting" for a birth to take place is at thehospital.
Unless there are serious complications, women who choose to give birth at home typically do not require the services provided by obstetricians. Many women who take the home birth route also utilize the services ofmidwivesthat are not certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). These may be among the reasons why ACOG remains opposed to home births.
A 2009 study published in theCanadian Medical Association Journal(CMAJ) found that home births are just assafe, if not safer, than hospital births (http://www.naturalnews.com/026999_h...). Home births also come with less risk of seriousinfectionby methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other hospital superbugs.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032496_home_births_natural_child_birth.html#ixzz1NQEVulDB
Friday, May 20, 2011
Obama administration to approve drought-resistant GM corn that USDA says grows no better than natural corn
(NaturalNews) The Obama administration is actively seeking to deregulate a new variety of genetically-modified (GM) corn created by Monsanto that allegedly tolerates drought conditions better than natural varieties. However, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the corn is no better than natural varieties that are already on the market, and that the GM corn requires just as much water as conventional varieties.
"The reduced yield [trait] does not exceed the natural variation observed in regionally-adapted varieties of conventionalcorn," says a recentUSDAreport on the matter. "Equally comparable varieties produced through conventional breeding techniques are readily available in irrigated corn production regions."
One such variety produced by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, for example, has been developed using traditional breeding methods rather than genetic engineering. And this naturally drought-resistant variety is already offered in Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, according to a recent report inThe New York Times(NYT).
WhileMonsantoand the other biotechnology giants continue to repeat phony industry rhetoric about how GM crops are essential to feeding the world's populations, traditional andorganicgrowing methods continue to shine as the true agricultural stars. In fact, a paper entitled, "Is Ecological Agriculture Productive?" released by the Oakland Institute found that organicagriculturealone could feed the entire world using just the land that is currently in cultivation (http://www.oaklandinstitute.org/?q=...).
Reports indicate that the introduction of the newGM cornwould have little-to-no positive effect on corn growing trends in the US. And while Monsanto insists the corn is safe for both humans and the environment, there have been no human trials involving the corn itself that back this claim.
The USDA is accepting comments on the proposed approval of the drought-resistant GM corn until early July. You can submit your own comments by visiting the following link:http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket...
You can also submit comments via snail mail:
Docket No. APHIS-2011-0023
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road, Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032453_GM_corn_USDA.html#ixzz1MrKaqrcq
"The reduced yield [trait] does not exceed the natural variation observed in regionally-adapted varieties of conventionalcorn," says a recentUSDAreport on the matter. "Equally comparable varieties produced through conventional breeding techniques are readily available in irrigated corn production regions."
One such variety produced by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, for example, has been developed using traditional breeding methods rather than genetic engineering. And this naturally drought-resistant variety is already offered in Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, according to a recent report inThe New York Times(NYT).
WhileMonsantoand the other biotechnology giants continue to repeat phony industry rhetoric about how GM crops are essential to feeding the world's populations, traditional andorganicgrowing methods continue to shine as the true agricultural stars. In fact, a paper entitled, "Is Ecological Agriculture Productive?" released by the Oakland Institute found that organicagriculturealone could feed the entire world using just the land that is currently in cultivation (http://www.oaklandinstitute.org/?q=...).
Reports indicate that the introduction of the newGM cornwould have little-to-no positive effect on corn growing trends in the US. And while Monsanto insists the corn is safe for both humans and the environment, there have been no human trials involving the corn itself that back this claim.
The USDA is accepting comments on the proposed approval of the drought-resistant GM corn until early July. You can submit your own comments by visiting the following link:http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket...
You can also submit comments via snail mail:
Docket No. APHIS-2011-0023
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road, Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032453_GM_corn_USDA.html#ixzz1MrKaqrcq
Winning supplement formula increases MSM absorption
(NaturalNews) MSM stands for Methylsulfonylmethane; it is a type of sulfur which is naturally found within all cells of the human body. Without MSM, the body cannot repair or replace damaged tissue in enough time to prevent the body from producing abnormal cells, which may cause illness. MSM deficiencies cause increased sensitivity to pain, gastrointestinal issues, decreased immune function, arthritis, memory loss, skin problems, and brittle, dry hair and nails. Since MSM disappears during food processing, many people decide tosupplementtheir diets with the capsule, tablet,powder, flake, or lotion forms of thissulfurcompound. How does one increase or improve theabsorptionof this compound within thebody?
First of all,MSMis present in nature, through the rain that waters agricultural products. Fresh fruits,grains, vegetables and unpasteurized milk contain some MSM, but not enough to be absorbed and satisfactorily supplement ahealthydiet. Sulfur is also found in meat, fish and poultry. A good balance offruits, vegetables grains, and protein should always be part of a nutritious diet; however, manypeopledecide to take MSMsupplementsto improve their overallhealth.
For first-time users, it is advised that they take MSM supplements with a meal, to prevent heartburn, drink plenty ofwater, and only take the smallest amount of MSM that providesrelieffrom symptoms. Typically, newconsumerstry 1,000 mg or 1/8th to 1/4th teaspoon of powder or flakes each day for one week. Eventually, consumers may increase their doses to 2,000 to 6,000 mg per day, according to individual intestinal fortitude. To minimize intestinal issues, dosing may be split in half.
Consumers will eventually be able to supplement without the addition of foods; it takes about two weeks before results are apparent. It is interesting to note that MSM distributes itself throughout the body and works where it is needed most. Note of caution: MSM makes a person feel more energetic; doses should be taken in the morning and early afternoon, so as to prevent insomnia.
Some consumers decide to take Vitamin C supplements or say, eat an orange, as part of the meal prior to taking an MSM supplement. This is not necessary for MSM supplements to still work for the individual; however, taking Vitamin C with MSM can and does enhance recovery.
Some MSM supplementers mix their intake with Glucosamine, which works well together. Glucosamine strengthens cartilage, reduces inflammation and causes no adverse side effects. The only issue with Glucosamine is that it is asugarmolecule; diabetics must be careful of their sugar intake.
Others takeflaxseedoil with MSM and Glucosamine. Flaxseed contains sulfur and works synergistically with MSM and Glucosamine supplements, offering the most improved health formula. The combination boosts metabolism and the immune system, decreases cholesterol, and prevents cancer cells from growing.
For the best absorption of MSM, the powder or flake forms are highly recommended. Consumers may dissolve two to five teaspoons of the powder in water and drink this over a 12-hour time period for the best results. Capsules or tablets may be taken; however, these are much slower to digest and become absorbed.
MSM also comes in a lotion, cream or gel format. When applied to theskin, MSM works very quickly on that specific area, penetrating quickly to foster arthriticpainrelief.
Since MSM can thin theblood, people must consult with a qualified healthcare provider before supplementing theirdiet, if they use aspirin or blood-thinning medication.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032449_MSM_absorption.html#ixzz1MrKBMnmF
First of all,MSMis present in nature, through the rain that waters agricultural products. Fresh fruits,grains, vegetables and unpasteurized milk contain some MSM, but not enough to be absorbed and satisfactorily supplement ahealthydiet. Sulfur is also found in meat, fish and poultry. A good balance offruits, vegetables grains, and protein should always be part of a nutritious diet; however, manypeopledecide to take MSMsupplementsto improve their overallhealth.
For first-time users, it is advised that they take MSM supplements with a meal, to prevent heartburn, drink plenty ofwater, and only take the smallest amount of MSM that providesrelieffrom symptoms. Typically, newconsumerstry 1,000 mg or 1/8th to 1/4th teaspoon of powder or flakes each day for one week. Eventually, consumers may increase their doses to 2,000 to 6,000 mg per day, according to individual intestinal fortitude. To minimize intestinal issues, dosing may be split in half.
Consumers will eventually be able to supplement without the addition of foods; it takes about two weeks before results are apparent. It is interesting to note that MSM distributes itself throughout the body and works where it is needed most. Note of caution: MSM makes a person feel more energetic; doses should be taken in the morning and early afternoon, so as to prevent insomnia.
Some consumers decide to take Vitamin C supplements or say, eat an orange, as part of the meal prior to taking an MSM supplement. This is not necessary for MSM supplements to still work for the individual; however, taking Vitamin C with MSM can and does enhance recovery.
Some MSM supplementers mix their intake with Glucosamine, which works well together. Glucosamine strengthens cartilage, reduces inflammation and causes no adverse side effects. The only issue with Glucosamine is that it is asugarmolecule; diabetics must be careful of their sugar intake.
Others takeflaxseedoil with MSM and Glucosamine. Flaxseed contains sulfur and works synergistically with MSM and Glucosamine supplements, offering the most improved health formula. The combination boosts metabolism and the immune system, decreases cholesterol, and prevents cancer cells from growing.
For the best absorption of MSM, the powder or flake forms are highly recommended. Consumers may dissolve two to five teaspoons of the powder in water and drink this over a 12-hour time period for the best results. Capsules or tablets may be taken; however, these are much slower to digest and become absorbed.
MSM also comes in a lotion, cream or gel format. When applied to theskin, MSM works very quickly on that specific area, penetrating quickly to foster arthriticpainrelief.
Since MSM can thin theblood, people must consult with a qualified healthcare provider before supplementing theirdiet, if they use aspirin or blood-thinning medication.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032449_MSM_absorption.html#ixzz1MrKBMnmF
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
How to Stay Raw and Healthy while Traveling
(NaturalNews) Whether you are traveling for work or leisure—planning and preparation is key! You've discovered that the raw food diet and lifestyle definitely allows you to feel your best. Now you need to maintain that level of energy as best you can while traveling and enjoying life in another city. It can be easy to fall into bad eating habits while away from home, so you need to make your raw lifestyle and personal health a priority when you're away from the comforts of your home kitchen. Bringing along dried, portable foods and supplements, as well as some fresh foods can be the difference between staying raw and completely falling off the wagon and experiencing a wave of regret. Planning ahead, doing some Internet research before you leave, and getting to know the local natural food stores will help you enjoy the healthiest trip of your life.
A couple of days before you leave, start thinking about what raw snacks, superfoods, and supplements you'd really love to have with you. Portion-divide any snacks or superfoods into small plastic baggies, and keep them in a larger zipped bag (for example: handful of almonds, goji berries, pumpkin seeds, dried figs, etc). Packing at least one raw food snack bar for each day you'll be away can be very helpful as well. Other handy (and super-nutritious) travel snacks could be sea vegetables (such as whole leaf dulse), bee pollen, and an old vitamin jar full of superfood powders (green powder, maca, a little stevia for sweetness). Make sure to bring a glass jar with a screw top lid to make shaking up the green powders in water a lot easier and cleaner. If you use a high-quality sea salt or rock salt on your food, or in your water, be sure to bring your own shaker bottle or put some in a small baggie, otherwise you'll be using bleached, iodized salt. All this, believe it or not, will fit in a large plastic zipper bag.
If you take multivitamins and other supplements, bring those too. Most of us will need this kind of nutritional support the most while traveling because we may not have access to all the foods we're used to. The tin cases mints come in are perfect for toting around vitamins, enzymes, and other supplements.
A couple more things you may want to pack: a thin plastic cutting board, silverware (including a butterknife or something similar—packed in your checked in luggage, please), and some herbal laxatives--a change in diet plus travel makes for constipation—you'll thank me!
You're almost set. If you're staying in a hotel, be sure to ask if there will be a refrigerator in your room. There is usually no charge for one, especially if you say you have a special diet. If you're staying at a friend's place, let them know about your diet and ask them if they don't mind you having a special area in their fridge for your foods. If you're going to be in a car for a while, maybe think about bringing a small cooler. The bottom line is, you'll want to keep your salad greens, vegetables, and fruit cool so they don't go bad.
Also, before you leave, be sure to spend some time online checking out all the raw vegan, vegan, vegetarian, and/or organic restaurants near you. Write down the addresses and phone numbers before you leave. Find out where the nearest natural food store is and see if there are any farmers markets in town. These should be some of the first stops you make when you reach your destination. Natural food stores will be essential in supplying your greens, organics, and other fun snacks you'd like. Many times you can find a raw food section with prepared gourmet raw entrees as well!
Here are some great websites that will help you:
The key is to not feel nutritionally deprived at any point during your trip. The people you will be traveling with may have to make an extra stop just for you, but as long as you have what you need, you can hang out with them from that point on.
Some people wonder if raw foodists travel with their high- powered blender or favorite mini-blender. Most don't. But theyaremore willing to carry the weight in their bags if they are traveling for more than a week and a half. Green smoothies in the morning are just too good for them to go without for that long. Also, with a high-powered blender, they can also make fresh vegetable juice using a nut milk bag. It's up to you to decide if the length and kind of trip would be appropriate for a blender. For trips of only a week or less, organic fruit and maybe some nuts and seeds in the morning might be perfect.
It also might be a very good idea to make a salad for the plane flight, or long car ride, too. This is for several reasons:
Now you're really set! You have most of the non-fresh foods on you or in your luggage and you'll be buying your organic fruit, greens, salad veggies, and avocado (great to use for dressing) when you get there. Sure your bag might be a little heavier than your friends, but you'll most likely eat it all up by the end of your trip. And you'll be happier that you took the highest possible care of yourself and your diet. Enjoy your travels, stay raw, and have the best time ever!
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/025188_food_traveling_travel.html#ixzz1Mh0lShj7
A couple of days before you leave, start thinking about what raw snacks, superfoods, and supplements you'd really love to have with you. Portion-divide any snacks or superfoods into small plastic baggies, and keep them in a larger zipped bag (for example: handful of almonds, goji berries, pumpkin seeds, dried figs, etc). Packing at least one raw food snack bar for each day you'll be away can be very helpful as well. Other handy (and super-nutritious) travel snacks could be sea vegetables (such as whole leaf dulse), bee pollen, and an old vitamin jar full of superfood powders (green powder, maca, a little stevia for sweetness). Make sure to bring a glass jar with a screw top lid to make shaking up the green powders in water a lot easier and cleaner. If you use a high-quality sea salt or rock salt on your food, or in your water, be sure to bring your own shaker bottle or put some in a small baggie, otherwise you'll be using bleached, iodized salt. All this, believe it or not, will fit in a large plastic zipper bag.
If you take multivitamins and other supplements, bring those too. Most of us will need this kind of nutritional support the most while traveling because we may not have access to all the foods we're used to. The tin cases mints come in are perfect for toting around vitamins, enzymes, and other supplements.
A couple more things you may want to pack: a thin plastic cutting board, silverware (including a butterknife or something similar—packed in your checked in luggage, please), and some herbal laxatives--a change in diet plus travel makes for constipation—you'll thank me!
You're almost set. If you're staying in a hotel, be sure to ask if there will be a refrigerator in your room. There is usually no charge for one, especially if you say you have a special diet. If you're staying at a friend's place, let them know about your diet and ask them if they don't mind you having a special area in their fridge for your foods. If you're going to be in a car for a while, maybe think about bringing a small cooler. The bottom line is, you'll want to keep your salad greens, vegetables, and fruit cool so they don't go bad.
Also, before you leave, be sure to spend some time online checking out all the raw vegan, vegan, vegetarian, and/or organic restaurants near you. Write down the addresses and phone numbers before you leave. Find out where the nearest natural food store is and see if there are any farmers markets in town. These should be some of the first stops you make when you reach your destination. Natural food stores will be essential in supplying your greens, organics, and other fun snacks you'd like. Many times you can find a raw food section with prepared gourmet raw entrees as well!
Here are some great websites that will help you:
- http://rawfoodrestaurantguide.com/blog/(Enter your email on the website and the guide link will be emailed to you. )
- www.sunfoodtraveler.com
- www.HappyCow.net(lists all vegetarian, vegan, and raw food restaurants)
The key is to not feel nutritionally deprived at any point during your trip. The people you will be traveling with may have to make an extra stop just for you, but as long as you have what you need, you can hang out with them from that point on.
Some people wonder if raw foodists travel with their high- powered blender or favorite mini-blender. Most don't. But theyaremore willing to carry the weight in their bags if they are traveling for more than a week and a half. Green smoothies in the morning are just too good for them to go without for that long. Also, with a high-powered blender, they can also make fresh vegetable juice using a nut milk bag. It's up to you to decide if the length and kind of trip would be appropriate for a blender. For trips of only a week or less, organic fruit and maybe some nuts and seeds in the morning might be perfect.
It also might be a very good idea to make a salad for the plane flight, or long car ride, too. This is for several reasons:
- You might have plenty of greens, veggies, and ripe avocados in your fridge that will go bad while your gone, so why not use them?
- You might like to get one last awesome meal in before switching to more dried foods and possibly non-organic meals.
- You might like saving money on meals and snacks.
- You will need a couple of reusable plastic containers for salads you'll make in your destination city anyway, so why not start using them now?
Now you're really set! You have most of the non-fresh foods on you or in your luggage and you'll be buying your organic fruit, greens, salad veggies, and avocado (great to use for dressing) when you get there. Sure your bag might be a little heavier than your friends, but you'll most likely eat it all up by the end of your trip. And you'll be happier that you took the highest possible care of yourself and your diet. Enjoy your travels, stay raw, and have the best time ever!
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/025188_food_traveling_travel.html#ixzz1Mh0lShj7
Curcumin Naturally Fights Cancer, Heart Disease, Alzheimer`s Disease and Obesity
(NaturalNews) Curcumin is one of a small number of super nutrients which has the demonstrated ability to dramatically lower the risk from cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer`s disease and has been shown to influence the storage of body fat by altering fat metabolism. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol which is extracted from curry powder and has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. You can experience a multitude of health benefits by eating the spice in its natural form or by supplementing with a concentrated extract of active curcuminoids.
Curcumin in the Fight against Cancer
Curcumin has been shown to be a powerful tool in the fight against cancer as it helps to restore immune system function which begins to weaken in many people as a result of decades of poor diet and environmental factors. Curcumin works to bolster immune function by restoring the function of key immune cells known as CD4 and CD8 T cells. According to a study published inThe Journal of Biological Chemistry, curcumin increases the production of proteins which are needed for immune cell proliferation while reducing the development of proteins which destroy immune cells.
Curcumin Prevents Clogged Arteries While Lowering Heart Attack Risk
Curcumin influences the formation of dangerous coronary artery plaque by lowering levels of systemic inflammation which are known to cause the foamy substance to become unstable and rupture leading to a heart attack. This super nutrient regulates the action of our genes to inhibit the release of chemical messengers through the body in response to stress, poor diet and our environment. The result of a study released inThe Journal of Cardiovascular Medicineindicates that curcumin prevents platelet coagulation which can result in a life threatening blood clot.
Curcumin Shown to Prevent Alzheimer`s Disease
Researchers have noted that the incidence of Alzheimer`s disease among the elderly Indian population where curry is regularly eaten with most meals is significantly lower than their western counterparts. Curcumin exhibits strong antioxidant properties and is known to cross the crucial blood-brain barrier, where it acts to limit the accumulation of damaging plaque; it also reduces the neuronal response to existing plaque tangles. By inhibiting amyloid plaque formation at the synapse where electrical impulses connect different parts of the brain, memory is preserved and symptoms of this devastating disease are minimized or eliminated.
Curcumin Assists Weight Management Goals
Curcumin helps to prevent obesity and assists natural weight loss due to its ability to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels which are required to form new baby fat cells. This polyphenol also influences how the body regulates triglycerides (blood fats) which are then stored as body fat or burned as a source of energy. A study published inThe Journal of Nutritiondetails how curcumin prevents excessive accumulation of triglycerides in the blood and shifts our metabolism away from fat storage. The study authors conclude that curcumin`may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.`
Very few natural nutrients exhibit such a wide array of health benefits as curcumin. Extensive research confirms the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which provide protection against many of today`s most devastating illnesses. Whether you choose to add curry to your diet or supplement with a concentrated form of this amazing spice, you can be assured of lowered disease risk and improved quality of life.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032197_curcumin_cancer.html#ixzz1Mh0JCkI4
Curcumin in the Fight against Cancer
Curcumin has been shown to be a powerful tool in the fight against cancer as it helps to restore immune system function which begins to weaken in many people as a result of decades of poor diet and environmental factors. Curcumin works to bolster immune function by restoring the function of key immune cells known as CD4 and CD8 T cells. According to a study published inThe Journal of Biological Chemistry, curcumin increases the production of proteins which are needed for immune cell proliferation while reducing the development of proteins which destroy immune cells.
Curcumin Prevents Clogged Arteries While Lowering Heart Attack Risk
Curcumin influences the formation of dangerous coronary artery plaque by lowering levels of systemic inflammation which are known to cause the foamy substance to become unstable and rupture leading to a heart attack. This super nutrient regulates the action of our genes to inhibit the release of chemical messengers through the body in response to stress, poor diet and our environment. The result of a study released inThe Journal of Cardiovascular Medicineindicates that curcumin prevents platelet coagulation which can result in a life threatening blood clot.
Curcumin Shown to Prevent Alzheimer`s Disease
Researchers have noted that the incidence of Alzheimer`s disease among the elderly Indian population where curry is regularly eaten with most meals is significantly lower than their western counterparts. Curcumin exhibits strong antioxidant properties and is known to cross the crucial blood-brain barrier, where it acts to limit the accumulation of damaging plaque; it also reduces the neuronal response to existing plaque tangles. By inhibiting amyloid plaque formation at the synapse where electrical impulses connect different parts of the brain, memory is preserved and symptoms of this devastating disease are minimized or eliminated.
Curcumin Assists Weight Management Goals
Curcumin helps to prevent obesity and assists natural weight loss due to its ability to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels which are required to form new baby fat cells. This polyphenol also influences how the body regulates triglycerides (blood fats) which are then stored as body fat or burned as a source of energy. A study published inThe Journal of Nutritiondetails how curcumin prevents excessive accumulation of triglycerides in the blood and shifts our metabolism away from fat storage. The study authors conclude that curcumin`may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.`
Very few natural nutrients exhibit such a wide array of health benefits as curcumin. Extensive research confirms the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which provide protection against many of today`s most devastating illnesses. Whether you choose to add curry to your diet or supplement with a concentrated form of this amazing spice, you can be assured of lowered disease risk and improved quality of life.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032197_curcumin_cancer.html#ixzz1Mh0JCkI4
Government vaccine compensation payouts prove autism link
(NaturalNews) The federal government has been publicly denying any link between autism and vaccines for over two decades, while it has quietly been paying out damages for vaccine injury to children with autism, a study released May 10th shows. The study underscores the need for Congressional hearings and independent scientific research into the connection between autism and vaccines (http://www.news-medical.net/news/20...).
The federal government's Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was created in 1989 to act as a "no fault" taxpayer-funded alternative for those seeking compensation for proven vaccine injury. The new peer-reviewed study, published May 10th in the Pace Environmental Law Review, looked at cases of vaccine injury that have been monetarily compensated by the VICP. The study looked at 1300 cases of children with brain injury resulting from vaccines where the court's records referenced autism, symptoms of autism or disorders commonly associated with autism -- twenty-one cases outright stated "autism or autism-like symptoms" in the court records. The researchers then identified and contacted 150 of the families that were compensated to find out whether the children had autism. 62 of the families they contacted (greater than 40 percent of their sample) reported children with autism, for a total of 83 cases of autism. (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...).
"What we did is we looked at the people who the government said are clearly vaccine injuries and awarded them compensation," said Lou Conte, the vaccine compensation recipient who helped coordinate the study.
"We asked the next question and that question was: Do some of these people also have autism?" said Conte. "We found that in 83 of the cases we were able to locate, the families report that their children have autism and symptoms of autism." (http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/n...)
Some medical experts agree. While the stories are heartbreaking, said Dr. David Nelson chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Georgetown University Hospital, there is no connection between vaccinations and autism.
"There are absolutely no data that show autism is linked to vaccinations," said Nelson. (http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/n...)
The Health Resources and Services Administration, the Federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable, also put out a statement in response to the new study stating:
"The government has not compensated any case based on a determination that autism, in the absence of acute neurological illness, was actually caused by vaccines. Furthermore, there is no reliable scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism even in cases where an acute encephalopathy following vaccination has occurred."(http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/n...)
The EBCALA argued that the government officials in Health and human Services or the VICP who decided that the children in this study suffered vaccine injury did so based on science.
"We uncovered that these children also have autism. How can the government then continue to assert that there is no link between vaccines and autism?" said EBCALA directors, "If in fact there is no link, why would there be even one case of vaccine-associated autism, let alone 83?"
Authors of the study called their preliminary findings "the tip of the iceberg," during a press conference in Washington May 11th.
Hundreds of autism cases have been settled quietly by the government, they say, while thousands more were probably never filed, according to News Medical. There are currently over 5,000 court cases pending that claim autism as a result of vaccine injury. (http://www.news-medical.net/news/20...).
"The [VICP] appears to favor cases without any reference to autism," said National Autism Association President Wendy Fournier. "The message is clear, if you want to receive financial support for the long-term medical care of your loved one injured by vaccines, submit a claim for brain damage, or residual seizure disorder - but leave autism out of it."
NAA believes the findings of the new study call into serious question the continued assertion from federal health agencies that vaccines do not cause autism.
"As this study shows, vaccines can and do cause brain damage and subsequent autism in certain children," said Fournier. "The government has been settling these cases for over twenty years, yet has failed to conduct research into why these children were susceptible to vaccine injury. This neglect will continue to needlessly and senselessly result in adverse reactions and autism in other children."
SafeMinds says the government has asserted that it "does not track" autism among the vaccine-injured. SafeMinds is a nonprofit that aims to raise awareness, support research and focus attention on the growing evidence of a link between mercury and neurological disorders such as autism, attention deficit disorder and learning difficulties.
Not looking is the easiest way not to find something, said SafeMinds, so the organization is calling for immediate federal research into the mechanisms of injury in these children in an effort to protect other children from harm and Congressional action to reform the VICP.
"This study dramatically shifts the debate on autism and vaccines," said SafeMinds' Executive Director, Lyn Redwood. "The question is no longer, Can vaccines cause autism? The answer is clear. Now, we have to ask, How many cases of autism have vaccines caused and how do we prevent new injuries from occurring?" (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...)
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032423_vaccine_compensation_program_brain_injury.html#ixzz1MgzrD6dT
The federal government's Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was created in 1989 to act as a "no fault" taxpayer-funded alternative for those seeking compensation for proven vaccine injury. The new peer-reviewed study, published May 10th in the Pace Environmental Law Review, looked at cases of vaccine injury that have been monetarily compensated by the VICP. The study looked at 1300 cases of children with brain injury resulting from vaccines where the court's records referenced autism, symptoms of autism or disorders commonly associated with autism -- twenty-one cases outright stated "autism or autism-like symptoms" in the court records. The researchers then identified and contacted 150 of the families that were compensated to find out whether the children had autism. 62 of the families they contacted (greater than 40 percent of their sample) reported children with autism, for a total of 83 cases of autism. (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...).
"What we did is we looked at the people who the government said are clearly vaccine injuries and awarded them compensation," said Lou Conte, the vaccine compensation recipient who helped coordinate the study.
"We asked the next question and that question was: Do some of these people also have autism?" said Conte. "We found that in 83 of the cases we were able to locate, the families report that their children have autism and symptoms of autism." (http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/n...)
Government and conventional medicine maintain denial
The CDC has since released a statement supporting their previous statements that no link between vaccines and autism exists. (http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/morn...)Some medical experts agree. While the stories are heartbreaking, said Dr. David Nelson chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Georgetown University Hospital, there is no connection between vaccinations and autism.
"There are absolutely no data that show autism is linked to vaccinations," said Nelson. (http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/n...)
The Health Resources and Services Administration, the Federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable, also put out a statement in response to the new study stating:
"The government has not compensated any case based on a determination that autism, in the absence of acute neurological illness, was actually caused by vaccines. Furthermore, there is no reliable scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism even in cases where an acute encephalopathy following vaccination has occurred."(http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/n...)
Critics argue for further investigation
The Huffington Post asked Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law and Advocacy, whose board members authored the study, why anyone should care about the legal proceedings of some obscure court when so much published science says otherwise.The EBCALA argued that the government officials in Health and human Services or the VICP who decided that the children in this study suffered vaccine injury did so based on science.
"We uncovered that these children also have autism. How can the government then continue to assert that there is no link between vaccines and autism?" said EBCALA directors, "If in fact there is no link, why would there be even one case of vaccine-associated autism, let alone 83?"
Authors of the study called their preliminary findings "the tip of the iceberg," during a press conference in Washington May 11th.
Hundreds of autism cases have been settled quietly by the government, they say, while thousands more were probably never filed, according to News Medical. There are currently over 5,000 court cases pending that claim autism as a result of vaccine injury. (http://www.news-medical.net/news/20...).
"The [VICP] appears to favor cases without any reference to autism," said National Autism Association President Wendy Fournier. "The message is clear, if you want to receive financial support for the long-term medical care of your loved one injured by vaccines, submit a claim for brain damage, or residual seizure disorder - but leave autism out of it."
NAA believes the findings of the new study call into serious question the continued assertion from federal health agencies that vaccines do not cause autism.
"As this study shows, vaccines can and do cause brain damage and subsequent autism in certain children," said Fournier. "The government has been settling these cases for over twenty years, yet has failed to conduct research into why these children were susceptible to vaccine injury. This neglect will continue to needlessly and senselessly result in adverse reactions and autism in other children."
Call for congressional hearings
"Congress needs to find out whether there was a cover-up," said lead author and managing director of EBCALA Mary Holland. "It doesn't look good."SafeMinds says the government has asserted that it "does not track" autism among the vaccine-injured. SafeMinds is a nonprofit that aims to raise awareness, support research and focus attention on the growing evidence of a link between mercury and neurological disorders such as autism, attention deficit disorder and learning difficulties.
Not looking is the easiest way not to find something, said SafeMinds, so the organization is calling for immediate federal research into the mechanisms of injury in these children in an effort to protect other children from harm and Congressional action to reform the VICP.
"This study dramatically shifts the debate on autism and vaccines," said SafeMinds' Executive Director, Lyn Redwood. "The question is no longer, Can vaccines cause autism? The answer is clear. Now, we have to ask, How many cases of autism have vaccines caused and how do we prevent new injuries from occurring?" (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...)
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/032423_vaccine_compensation_program_brain_injury.html#ixzz1MgzrD6dT
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Quality of Your Health can Depend on Where You Live
(NaturalNews) Researchers have known for years of the connection between race and income and healthy eating. And lately, as our society struggles with issues of racial inequality and financial turmoil, news articles have been making the connection between healthy eating and avoiding disease.
In the midst of all this, a recent study from Johns Hopkins` Bloomberg School of Public Health has made a major breakthrough. Researchers found a strong correlation between where you live and the quality of your diet, and identified a lack of healthy food in lower-income neighborhoods as one cause of poor diet.
Taking a cross-sectional approach, the diet of 759 participants was examined using a `food frequency` questionnaire. The results were then compared to the availability of healthy food in stores less than one mile from the home of each participant. 226 stores in 159 neighborhoods were visited to determine the presence of healthy staples like fresh fruit and vegetables, skim milk and whole wheat bread.
While the results were predictable on a qualitative level, the size of the disparity between communities was surprising.
Almost half of lower-income and predominantly African-American neighborhoods had a low availability of healthy food, or 46 percent and 43 percent respectively.
Comparatively, only 13 percent of higher-income and 4 percent of predominantly white neighborhoods had a low availability. Furthermore, the higher-income and predominantly white neighborhoods with a lack of healthy food still had higher amounts than the lower-income or predominantly African-American neighborhoods.
The study rightly concludes that residents of lower-income and predominantly African-American communities have more difficulty putting healthy food on the table because of an absence of it in neighborhood stores. But this revelation is only the latest addition to a long list of disadvantages lower income and minority communities can face.
Households residing in lower-income communities have smaller food budgets and yet research has shown that food prices in these neighborhoods are consistently higher. Also as much as a quarter of low-income households do not own a car, and cannot easily shop for food beyond their immediate neighborhoods.
But while the terms `neighborhood` and `household` can be effective ways to package and communicate research data, they tend to obscure the most critical aspect of these findings. We can easily forget that these neighborhoods are peopled not only by adults but also by children who are subject to even greater health risks from poor diet than adults. Children living in poverty have repeatedly been shown to have higher levels of risk factors for diabetes, low fitness, obesity and energy insufficiency levels (problems that without intervention or dramatic change become increasingly serious over time).
Children`s bodies are actively developing with nutritional and energetic needs much higher than adults`. With their physiological and metabolic processes being set, the development of their vital organs and nervous system in full swing, the damage that a poor diet will do to the health of a child is often permanent. If you consider that a child`s body size and composition are constantly growing, being `built` with what is eaten or breathed, the phrase `you are what you eat` gains a whole new dimension.
Another children`s health issue directly affected by diet quality is lead poisoning. Long-term damage from lead is believed to be a result of the absorption of it into body tissues like the nervous system from the blood and not from the exposure itself. A low-fat healthy diet rich in iron and calcium can facilitate the elimination of lead contamination from the blood thereby lessening the effects of the exposure. Seen in this light, therefore, a healthy diet not only gives a child the necessary building blocks to be a healthy adult, it can actually protect him/her from environmental contaminants.
There is a certain amount of hope in the fact that researchers are asking pertinent questions and finding clear results. Decisive action, after all, begins with knowledge. With so much effort being made today to improve the developmental opportunities of children from all socio-economic backgrounds, findings like these alarm us, but they also provide indicators of where to focus our energy. So even as we say to government representatives, legislators and fellow citizens, "Here is our next challenge," the question still remains: "Is anyone really listening?"
----------
"There can be no keener revelation of a society`s soul than the way in which it treats its children." ~ Nelson Mandela
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/025828_health_child_healthy.html#ixzz1MUnTaw2t
In the midst of all this, a recent study from Johns Hopkins` Bloomberg School of Public Health has made a major breakthrough. Researchers found a strong correlation between where you live and the quality of your diet, and identified a lack of healthy food in lower-income neighborhoods as one cause of poor diet.
Taking a cross-sectional approach, the diet of 759 participants was examined using a `food frequency` questionnaire. The results were then compared to the availability of healthy food in stores less than one mile from the home of each participant. 226 stores in 159 neighborhoods were visited to determine the presence of healthy staples like fresh fruit and vegetables, skim milk and whole wheat bread.
While the results were predictable on a qualitative level, the size of the disparity between communities was surprising.
Almost half of lower-income and predominantly African-American neighborhoods had a low availability of healthy food, or 46 percent and 43 percent respectively.
Comparatively, only 13 percent of higher-income and 4 percent of predominantly white neighborhoods had a low availability. Furthermore, the higher-income and predominantly white neighborhoods with a lack of healthy food still had higher amounts than the lower-income or predominantly African-American neighborhoods.
The study rightly concludes that residents of lower-income and predominantly African-American communities have more difficulty putting healthy food on the table because of an absence of it in neighborhood stores. But this revelation is only the latest addition to a long list of disadvantages lower income and minority communities can face.
Households residing in lower-income communities have smaller food budgets and yet research has shown that food prices in these neighborhoods are consistently higher. Also as much as a quarter of low-income households do not own a car, and cannot easily shop for food beyond their immediate neighborhoods.
But while the terms `neighborhood` and `household` can be effective ways to package and communicate research data, they tend to obscure the most critical aspect of these findings. We can easily forget that these neighborhoods are peopled not only by adults but also by children who are subject to even greater health risks from poor diet than adults. Children living in poverty have repeatedly been shown to have higher levels of risk factors for diabetes, low fitness, obesity and energy insufficiency levels (problems that without intervention or dramatic change become increasingly serious over time).
Children`s bodies are actively developing with nutritional and energetic needs much higher than adults`. With their physiological and metabolic processes being set, the development of their vital organs and nervous system in full swing, the damage that a poor diet will do to the health of a child is often permanent. If you consider that a child`s body size and composition are constantly growing, being `built` with what is eaten or breathed, the phrase `you are what you eat` gains a whole new dimension.
Another children`s health issue directly affected by diet quality is lead poisoning. Long-term damage from lead is believed to be a result of the absorption of it into body tissues like the nervous system from the blood and not from the exposure itself. A low-fat healthy diet rich in iron and calcium can facilitate the elimination of lead contamination from the blood thereby lessening the effects of the exposure. Seen in this light, therefore, a healthy diet not only gives a child the necessary building blocks to be a healthy adult, it can actually protect him/her from environmental contaminants.
There is a certain amount of hope in the fact that researchers are asking pertinent questions and finding clear results. Decisive action, after all, begins with knowledge. With so much effort being made today to improve the developmental opportunities of children from all socio-economic backgrounds, findings like these alarm us, but they also provide indicators of where to focus our energy. So even as we say to government representatives, legislators and fellow citizens, "Here is our next challenge," the question still remains: "Is anyone really listening?"
----------
"There can be no keener revelation of a society`s soul than the way in which it treats its children." ~ Nelson Mandela
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/025828_health_child_healthy.html#ixzz1MUnTaw2t
Nutritional information on restaurant menus empowers consumers to make healthy food choices
In case you hadn't noticed, we have an obesity problem in this country. And while the responsibility for each person's body weight is ultimately up to that person, it certainly helps to have better information made available to consumers.
Obesity is basically about eating too much while not expending enough caloric energy. And one of the primary sources of hidden calories in the diet of Americans is fast food. A Big Mac has something like 1200 calories in it. Given that the average person only needs 2200caloriesa day, that one Big Mac is a whopping serving of extra energy (which will, undoubtedly, end up hanging around poor Joe's waistline).
To their credit,McDonaldspublishes the caloric content of their foods. If you ask for it at any McDonalds restaurant, they'll hand you anutritionfacts sheet. But a lot ofrestaurantshave no such policy, and they make nonutritional informationavailable to their customers.
Herein lies the problem: restaurant foods are typically loaded with calories in places you might not suspect. That's because they're prepared with far more oil and sugar than people would use if they baked the foods on their own. If you require basic nutritionalinformationon restaurant menus, such as grams offatand total calories, you'll empowerconsumerswith the information they need to make informed dietary choices.
That's good for consumers: especially people who are trying to loseweight. If you're on adiet, you simply have to know what you'reeating. And presently, that means avoiding restaurants altogether.
The National Restaurant Association, of course, hates the idea of adding nutritional information tomenus. It's not hard to imagine why: once people learn how many grams of fat and calories are actually contained in each menu item, they'll probably leave the restaurant in shock.
In addition, there's the added cost of reprinting all the menus and, inevitably, coming up with lighter menu items that calorie-conscious people can choose.
And that's the whole point, actually: by forcing restaurants to operate in plain sight, consumer demand will result in those restaurants altering their menus to sell more healthful items. It's a great system that relies on the free market and the free flow of information, not government mandates, to help people make healthierfoodchoices.
In the end, however, the restaurant industry isn't abouthealth. It's about profit. And informing customers about how fat they're going to get by eating a side order of eggrolls is simply not in the interests of restaurant owners. So they're going to fight this all the way.
But you can make a different, of course. Contact your representatives in Wsahington and let them know you support legislation requiring restaurants to list fat and calories on their menus.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/000471_nutritional_information_on_restaurant_menus.html#ixzz1MUmIS5gH
Obesity is basically about eating too much while not expending enough caloric energy. And one of the primary sources of hidden calories in the diet of Americans is fast food. A Big Mac has something like 1200 calories in it. Given that the average person only needs 2200caloriesa day, that one Big Mac is a whopping serving of extra energy (which will, undoubtedly, end up hanging around poor Joe's waistline).
To their credit,McDonaldspublishes the caloric content of their foods. If you ask for it at any McDonalds restaurant, they'll hand you anutritionfacts sheet. But a lot ofrestaurantshave no such policy, and they make nonutritional informationavailable to their customers.
Herein lies the problem: restaurant foods are typically loaded with calories in places you might not suspect. That's because they're prepared with far more oil and sugar than people would use if they baked the foods on their own. If you require basic nutritionalinformationon restaurant menus, such as grams offatand total calories, you'll empowerconsumerswith the information they need to make informed dietary choices.
That's good for consumers: especially people who are trying to loseweight. If you're on adiet, you simply have to know what you'reeating. And presently, that means avoiding restaurants altogether.
The National Restaurant Association, of course, hates the idea of adding nutritional information tomenus. It's not hard to imagine why: once people learn how many grams of fat and calories are actually contained in each menu item, they'll probably leave the restaurant in shock.
In addition, there's the added cost of reprinting all the menus and, inevitably, coming up with lighter menu items that calorie-conscious people can choose.
And that's the whole point, actually: by forcing restaurants to operate in plain sight, consumer demand will result in those restaurants altering their menus to sell more healthful items. It's a great system that relies on the free market and the free flow of information, not government mandates, to help people make healthierfoodchoices.
In the end, however, the restaurant industry isn't abouthealth. It's about profit. And informing customers about how fat they're going to get by eating a side order of eggrolls is simply not in the interests of restaurant owners. So they're going to fight this all the way.
But you can make a different, of course. Contact your representatives in Wsahington and let them know you support legislation requiring restaurants to list fat and calories on their menus.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/000471_nutritional_information_on_restaurant_menus.html#ixzz1MUmIS5gH
Healthy foods are actually cheaper than popular manufactured foods
After sharing health information with people, I'll hear some of them say things like "Okay, I get it, but it's too expensive!" They're meanwhile sipping a Starbuck's coffee and driving a brand new car, and telling me that it's too expensive to buy a $29 bottle of vitamins, or superfood supplements, or something else that would do them a world of good.
It makes you wonder, where are people's priorities today? People are reluctant to invest money in their own health, and I find that absolutely astounding. Many of these very same people are buying $300,000 homes, and spending several thousand dollars per month on house payments. Perhaps it's just $500 to $1000 per month for apartment payments, but that's still a big chunk of cash.
Then of course, they have theircarpayment on top of that, adding another two to four hundred dollars per month easily. They've also got their insurance payment, their monthly restaurant bill, and clothing bills. All the entertainment -- albums, concerts, movies, and Starbuck's coffee. They still say, "But I can't afford to behealthy. Mike, you're talking about all these things, but I can't buy any of it! I'm living inpoverty. I don't have an extra dollar." I tell them, "You've got enoughfoodto feed yourself pretty well. You’ve got enoughmoneyto buy all that food - you can affordgood nutrition."
At the same time, you'll notice that people who tend to be healthy, who seem to be aware of what's going on around them, who look intelligent, whoseeyeslight up, who have someenergyevident in the way they hold their bodies and in the way they interact with others around them -- these people are intelligentshoppers. In their carts, you'll notice they have lots offruits and vegetables, lots of raw foodingredients, and you'll see that they tend to buy things in bulk. They'll buy bulk ingredients like brownrice, beans, or legumes. They actually pay attention to what they're buying by reading the ingredients labels, for example.
Contrast this to the everyday grocery shoppers: these are the everyday people who don’t really pay attention to nutrition. They don't make goodchoices. They basically pull things off the shelves that they've seen on television. They choose foods based on what they've been told to buy through promotional advertisements, public relations, and other efforts, including food lobbying.
Lobbying is howthe USDAcame up with the new "Food Guide Pyramid," by the way. It's pretty much the "Drink More Milk" pyramid. It was heavily influenced by the dairyindustry. Look at how muchmilkit says we should drink now. Apparently, all humans are supposed to eat from cows utters, which is rather interesting, given that there is no nutritional requirement for any human being to eat from any cow.
The everyday shoppers who buy all of this garbage that's been advertised are chronically diseased. You can see it at a remarkably young age. Even when they're teenagers, you can see the disease starting to progress. If these people happen to be in their 30s, 40s, or even their 50s and beyond, you can see the progression of this disease.
I don't want to be judgmental in saying it, but it is sometimes painful to look at these people. Sometimes I just feel so much compassion for them, I want to help them. But in many ways, most of them aren't ready to be helped. It's also a bit frightening, if you think about what's going on in their bodies. All of this degeneration, this lack of flow, and stagnation that's happening in their bodies... the stress on the organs: the pancreas, theliver, the spleen, the kidneys, the heart. You look in their shopping cart and think, "Oh my God! How can these people buy this stuff?"
I look at this and find it quite disturbing. Sometimes I try to shop off-hours, so I don't see what other people are buying. I just want to ask these people, "Do you know what you're doing here?" Sometimes when they're withchildren, then I go a little bit crazy, just in my own head. I think, "These poorkids." I bet they've been diagnosed with ADHD and the kid's suffering from obesity here. Sometimes it’s just a 7 or 8-year-old girl who’soverweight. The kids are climbing all over the parents, and you can tell they've got behavioral challenges. You look in their carts, and sure enough, all the foods have MSG and artificial food coloring. All of these chemical additives are in these foods.
Sometimes, I look in people's carts and I can't find one thing in there that'snatural. There's not one thing in there that's fromnature, nothing that's healthy. There’s not even a bottle ofwaterin there. There’s not one fruit, vegetable, nut or seed.
It really becomes difficult to try to get good nutrition into the bodies of people who refuse to understand what nutrition can do for them. They refuse to acceptinformationeven from those who are trying to help them. They refuse to make any changes in theirlifewhatsoever that require effort, that require breaking their existing pattern of disease, malnutrition, and mass consumption of sugary foods, pizzas, processed meats, and other similar disease-promoting items.
A rainbow? What does this mean for people? Apparently you have to actually log onto a website to get your food pyramid, because there are 12 different food pyramids now. Do you think all these families that claim to have no money, that are living in poverty, are going to log on? You think they've got a couple of PCs sitting around the house, or a Mac? Are they just going to log on and print this out on theircolorlaser printer? Is that what the USDA thinks they're going to do?
Let's suppose they somehow manage to do that. Well, what advice do they actually get? They’re told, "Drink more milk! Eat moremeat!" In fact, the whole new Food Guide Pyramid can basically be summed up in four words:Eat more of everything. That is the USDA's message. That's right, we as Americans are basically supposed to eat more meat, drink more milk, eat more grains. Then somewhere in the fine print, it says, "Know your limits." Oh, like Americans know their limits. If we knew our limits, we wouldn't be diseased right now. We wouldn't beobese, and two-thirds of the population wouldn’t be overweight.
Given that we're already overweight and obese, and given that our population already cannot make good decisions about how to buy nutritious foods, how is that message supposed to improve things? "Eat more of everything, eat less of nothing, drink more milk, and eat more meat." How is this supposed to make people healthier?
I'm going to make a wild prediction here. Five years down the road, as this silly pyramid continues to be propagated around the country and taught to schoolchildren, people are going to get even more diseased. How's that for a prediction? Sad but true. This is not going to solve the nutrition problem in this country. You'll also notice that the Food Guide Pyramid doesn't really tell people to consume healthy nuts,healthy oils, and fish oils. It mentions it in the fine print somewhere, but it's not a prominent part of the message, although it should be. The main message is all about milk.
In such a nation, we can actually do some of the important stuff for humanity. We can focus on reforming education, teaching our children how to be creative leaders in the world, teaching them how to be real contributors to what's important for humanity. We can help them explore the arts and philosophy, help them be healthier and more spiritual if that's a path they choose. Perhaps they can contribute to science, mathematics, or realmedicine, instead of this garbage that passes today as "scientific medicine."
In such a society, we can do some amazing things. But it can only start from a foundation of outstanding nutrition. We have to have healthy nervous systems in our population if we're going to do these great things as a civilization. Today, we're not even close to that. Today, we're still poisoning our population through these dangerous foods. We’ve got these metabolic disruptors all in the food supply. I've written about this at great length in the book "Grocery Warning", which is found atwww.truthpublishing.com. I've covered all of these dangerous ingredients in detail.
Better yet,let's have this created by somebody who has no ties whatsoever to the food industry. That would be somebody like me, although it doesn't have to be me. Believe me, I don't want this to be about me. I want this to be about the nutrition. Somebody needs to do this, and I just didn't see anybody doing it.
People need to be able to make good choices. They need to actually have a list of things that they should eat less of, since the USDA doesn't have the honesty or the ethics to say, "Eat less" of anything. But I'm willing to say it:
You should consume less red meat, less milk and dairyproducts, less refined sugar, less refined and milled wheat, and less salt. You should eat no monosodium glutamate, no chemical taste enhancers, no excitotoxins, no artificial chemical sweeteners, no artificialcolors, nothing that's been processed, refined, or packaged. You should eat nothing containingsodiumnitrite, and nothing that's been smoked, such as smoked meats. You should eat nothing that's heavily advertised, or sold with seductive marketing practices, and so on.For the complete list, check outhttp://www.honestfoodguide.org, and see for yourself.
We should eat more blueberries and all of these incredibly potentberries. We should eat more foods of all the different colors -- purple eggplants, orange carrots, yellow onions, red tomatoes, green peppers. We should just eat the colors of the rainbow in their natural form, because these colors are potent disease-fighting phytonutrients.
We should eat sunshine, actually. We should consume it into our skin. We should consume more water. We should get morefruits. We should get avocados, high fiber products, and whole grains. These are the things we should consume if we wish to be healthy.
And to really get your nutrition and be the healthiest you can be, you should eatsuperfoods. High density, high nutrition supplements based on whole foods or whole food powders. These are products based on spirulina, chlorella, blueberrypowder, spinach powder, or kale powder. Broccoli sprouts are fantastic, and they provide high-density nutrition. These are the kinds of things that people should consume if they wish to be healthy.
Then again a lot of people will say, "I can't afford it." Yeah, I guess not -- never mind. It is a lot cheaper just to eat all that garbage, and spend half a million dollars on medical bills in your last 14 days of life because you need heart bypass surgery, chemotherapy, some kind of organ transplant, and lots of intensive medical care before you pass away. Yeah, you're right. That's a cheaper way to do it. No need to spend an extra dollar on real food from nature instead of a discounted 2-liter bottle of soda.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/009303_health_foods_nutrition.html#ixzz1MUlYSemC
It makes you wonder, where are people's priorities today? People are reluctant to invest money in their own health, and I find that absolutely astounding. Many of these very same people are buying $300,000 homes, and spending several thousand dollars per month on house payments. Perhaps it's just $500 to $1000 per month for apartment payments, but that's still a big chunk of cash.
Then of course, they have theircarpayment on top of that, adding another two to four hundred dollars per month easily. They've also got their insurance payment, their monthly restaurant bill, and clothing bills. All the entertainment -- albums, concerts, movies, and Starbuck's coffee. They still say, "But I can't afford to behealthy. Mike, you're talking about all these things, but I can't buy any of it! I'm living inpoverty. I don't have an extra dollar." I tell them, "You've got enoughfoodto feed yourself pretty well. You’ve got enoughmoneyto buy all that food - you can affordgood nutrition."
Goodnutritionis less expensive than junk nutrition
Like most people, you're probably spending money right now on bad nutrition. I can show people how to spend less money ongroceriesthat are better for them than the highly processed, high-markup brand namefoodsthey're spending a fortune on (and that are giving them chronicdiseaseand obesity). I can show people how to actually save money. With the money saved, they can buy high-densitysuperfood supplements, whole food concentrates, high end herbs and vitamins, or othernutritional supplements. Spending the same money that you're spending today, I can show you how to be a heck of a lot healthier.Brand-name rip-off foods
Theprocessed foods, the popular brand name foods, are the most expensive of all. These deliver the least nutrition for your dollar. If you buy anything in a pretty box, anything that's been processed, anything that's been advertised ontelevisionor something that comes with a coupon, you have been conned. You are getting ripped off.Most foods that have coupons are so overpriced to begin with that the food manufacturer is still making money even after you redeem the coupon. If you really want poor nutrition and want to waste a lot of money on foods that aren't doing anything for you health-wise, then buy all the groceries that are advertised. Buy all the stuff that other Americans and people around the world who don't know anything abouthealthtend to buy.Observe people and learn
When you go into a grocerystore, observe people: watch who buys what, how healthy or diseased they look and what economic status you think they have. You will begin to notice some interesting patterns.One is that those who seem to be having the most financial trouble are buying the foods with the highest markup. They are unable to make good decisions about what foods offer nutritional value. They buy things like instant macaroni andcheese, dinner mixes, potato chips, and carbonated soft drink beverages. They buy foods that are nutritionally worthless, but cost a lot of money. You can go to any grocery store and observe this yourself.At the same time, you'll notice that people who tend to be healthy, who seem to be aware of what's going on around them, who look intelligent, whoseeyeslight up, who have someenergyevident in the way they hold their bodies and in the way they interact with others around them -- these people are intelligentshoppers. In their carts, you'll notice they have lots offruits and vegetables, lots of raw foodingredients, and you'll see that they tend to buy things in bulk. They'll buy bulk ingredients like brownrice, beans, or legumes. They actually pay attention to what they're buying by reading the ingredients labels, for example.
Contrast this to the everyday grocery shoppers: these are the everyday people who don’t really pay attention to nutrition. They don't make goodchoices. They basically pull things off the shelves that they've seen on television. They choose foods based on what they've been told to buy through promotional advertisements, public relations, and other efforts, including food lobbying.
Lobbying is howthe USDAcame up with the new "Food Guide Pyramid," by the way. It's pretty much the "Drink More Milk" pyramid. It was heavily influenced by the dairyindustry. Look at how muchmilkit says we should drink now. Apparently, all humans are supposed to eat from cows utters, which is rather interesting, given that there is no nutritional requirement for any human being to eat from any cow.
The everyday shoppers who buy all of this garbage that's been advertised are chronically diseased. You can see it at a remarkably young age. Even when they're teenagers, you can see the disease starting to progress. If these people happen to be in their 30s, 40s, or even their 50s and beyond, you can see the progression of this disease.
I don't want to be judgmental in saying it, but it is sometimes painful to look at these people. Sometimes I just feel so much compassion for them, I want to help them. But in many ways, most of them aren't ready to be helped. It's also a bit frightening, if you think about what's going on in their bodies. All of this degeneration, this lack of flow, and stagnation that's happening in their bodies... the stress on the organs: the pancreas, theliver, the spleen, the kidneys, the heart. You look in their shopping cart and think, "Oh my God! How can these people buy this stuff?"
Your health reflects your grocery cart
A person's external health is a perfect reflection of what theirbodyis experiencing. It's the same vibration, the same energy, coming from their face, their eyes, their skin, their posture. It’s all reflected right there in that grocery cart, with the foods and beverages they've chosen. Of course, it's all brand-name stuff, lots ofprocessed meat, and frozen pizzas. Carbonated soft drink beverages are almost always in the cart. Usually, there's some form of ice cream, cookies, or crackers with hydrogenatedoils. There's typically lots of cheese, and there's always a gallon of milk in there, it seems.Sometimes there's somefruitpunch, or some of those other garbage fruit drinks. There's always lots ofsugar, white flour, and instant foods like macaroni and cheese and the microwaveable TV dinners. There are usually lots of fried foods as well.I look at this and find it quite disturbing. Sometimes I try to shop off-hours, so I don't see what other people are buying. I just want to ask these people, "Do you know what you're doing here?" Sometimes when they're withchildren, then I go a little bit crazy, just in my own head. I think, "These poorkids." I bet they've been diagnosed with ADHD and the kid's suffering from obesity here. Sometimes it’s just a 7 or 8-year-old girl who’soverweight. The kids are climbing all over the parents, and you can tell they've got behavioral challenges. You look in their carts, and sure enough, all the foods have MSG and artificial food coloring. All of these chemical additives are in these foods.
Sometimes, I look in people's carts and I can't find one thing in there that'snatural. There's not one thing in there that's fromnature, nothing that's healthy. There’s not even a bottle ofwaterin there. There’s not one fruit, vegetable, nut or seed.
Your grocery receipt tells your health future
I wish I had some way to show these people a flashcard and they would instantly just get it. They would get the idea that all of that disease they're experiencing is directly a result of these foods in their grocery cart. It is cause and effect. "A" causes "B."If you buy and eat those groceries, you're going to have these diseases. I'm talking about all the big ones: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, depression, bowel disorders, andAlzheimer'sdisease. All the common diseases begin with the foods, right there in the shopping cart.However, if you take afamilylike this and sit down to have a conversation with them, talking to them about the importance of nutritionalsupplementsto get high-density nutrition, they will tell you, "We can't afford it." What do you mean you can't afford it? You just spent $150 on garbage food! You can't afford to feed your kids decent nutrition, and give them one multivitamin a day, one healthyoilcapsule a day? They'll say "Nope, can't afford it. We just spent all our money on groceries."You can't even GIVE them good nutrition
You know what's even crazier? If you were to actually give that family the nutritional supplements they need, just flat out give it to them, they wouldn't even take them. Why? Most likely because it doesn'ttastelike a cookie. It's not part of their pattern. The only way to get a family like that to actually eat something that's nutritious is to force it into the foods that they're buying anyway.You'd have to sell macaroni and cheese withspirulinapowder. Of course, then it would begreenand they wouldn't want that. You'd have to havemargarinewith cod liver oil. Then again, it would be expensive. They wouldn't buy that; they would buy the cheaper margarine, the one that's more heavily advertised, because it's cheaper to manufacture and cheaper for the consumer. That's what they're going to buy.It really becomes difficult to try to get good nutrition into the bodies of people who refuse to understand what nutrition can do for them. They refuse to acceptinformationeven from those who are trying to help them. They refuse to make any changes in theirlifewhatsoever that require effort, that require breaking their existing pattern of disease, malnutrition, and mass consumption of sugary foods, pizzas, processed meats, and other similar disease-promoting items.
Teach the nation about nutrition
Here's the big challenge in this country and around the world in all industrialized nations. The big challenge is:How do you teach a population to makehealthy foodchoices?How do you really accomplish that?Our society is paying an enormous price, probably in the tens of billions of dollars each year, just from the fact that people aren't healthy. Actually, it's got to be over $100 billion by the time you add up the loss of life, the medical costs, the loss ofquality of life(not just the longevity but quality of life), the loss of work productivity, the loss of good minds -- because nervous systems degenerate when people start consuming these foods. So even though you may have someone who lives to be 65, they might live the last 30 years of their life in a state of perpetual confusion because they've been consuming all of these foods that deplete the nutrients that protect thenervous system. The cost is tremendous. It's probably the biggest cost facing society right now. It far exceeds the cost of energy in our society. It adds up to more than what we spend on oil.Government bureaucrats teach nothing
So how do you teach thispopulationhow to make healthy food choices? This is what theUSDAhas been pretending to do for many decades. They first pretended to do that with the old version of the "Food Guide Pyramid," which was basically an advertisement for the grain industry. It said, "Everybody eat moregrains!" And people did, and now we're all diseased.So they came up with a new one in the Spring of 2005, and the new one is basically the "Milk Pyramid." It's the "Milk and Meat Pyramid." There are still quite a lot of grains thrown in there too. Of course, this remains useless to people. It's less useful than the old one, because they took out all the pictures of food for some reason. Now it's just this giant rainbow with a person running up the stairs on one side.A rainbow? What does this mean for people? Apparently you have to actually log onto a website to get your food pyramid, because there are 12 different food pyramids now. Do you think all these families that claim to have no money, that are living in poverty, are going to log on? You think they've got a couple of PCs sitting around the house, or a Mac? Are they just going to log on and print this out on theircolorlaser printer? Is that what the USDA thinks they're going to do?
Let's suppose they somehow manage to do that. Well, what advice do they actually get? They’re told, "Drink more milk! Eat moremeat!" In fact, the whole new Food Guide Pyramid can basically be summed up in four words:Eat more of everything. That is the USDA's message. That's right, we as Americans are basically supposed to eat more meat, drink more milk, eat more grains. Then somewhere in the fine print, it says, "Know your limits." Oh, like Americans know their limits. If we knew our limits, we wouldn't be diseased right now. We wouldn't beobese, and two-thirds of the population wouldn’t be overweight.
End thefood politicscorruption
Let's talk about what limits there should be. I say there should be limits on how much influence the food industry has over this pyramid, because it has the fingerprints of big food corporations all over it. That's why the message is "Eat more of everything". The USDA does not have the courage to say "eat less" of anything. They won't even tell you, "Eat less sugar." Can you believe that?What kind of food guide pyramid is that?It's the kind of pyramid that you get when there's a lot of payola going on, when there's a lot of under-the-table money being handed out. When there's a lot ofcorruption, you get a food guide pyramid like we have today. It's basically saying, "Eat more of everything, eat less of nothing."Given that we're already overweight and obese, and given that our population already cannot make good decisions about how to buy nutritious foods, how is that message supposed to improve things? "Eat more of everything, eat less of nothing, drink more milk, and eat more meat." How is this supposed to make people healthier?
I'm going to make a wild prediction here. Five years down the road, as this silly pyramid continues to be propagated around the country and taught to schoolchildren, people are going to get even more diseased. How's that for a prediction? Sad but true. This is not going to solve the nutrition problem in this country. You'll also notice that the Food Guide Pyramid doesn't really tell people to consume healthy nuts,healthy oils, and fish oils. It mentions it in the fine print somewhere, but it's not a prominent part of the message, although it should be. The main message is all about milk.
What we need: anHonest Food Guide
What we really need to do is get all the big food company people, all the USDA corruption people, and all the consumers who really don't want to make good decisions about food, and we should let them have their own little country. They can go off and do whatever they want. In the meantime, here in the US, or in any industrialized nation, we should have an honest food guide, don't you think? An honest food guide.In fact, I've come up with one called, "The Honest Food Guide", found onHonestFoodGuide.org. We should have our own system, where we actually teach people how to be healthy. Then we should have our own society, where our children aren't labeled ADHD, where they don't get doped up on heavy narcotics just to attend school, where people live long lives and don't have huge medical bills, and where we don't have corruption and collusion between the USDA and the food companies that just want to sell overpriced, low nutritional density foods to a population in order to make money.In such a nation, we can actually do some of the important stuff for humanity. We can focus on reforming education, teaching our children how to be creative leaders in the world, teaching them how to be real contributors to what's important for humanity. We can help them explore the arts and philosophy, help them be healthier and more spiritual if that's a path they choose. Perhaps they can contribute to science, mathematics, or realmedicine, instead of this garbage that passes today as "scientific medicine."
In such a society, we can do some amazing things. But it can only start from a foundation of outstanding nutrition. We have to have healthy nervous systems in our population if we're going to do these great things as a civilization. Today, we're not even close to that. Today, we're still poisoning our population through these dangerous foods. We’ve got these metabolic disruptors all in the food supply. I've written about this at great length in the book "Grocery Warning", which is found atwww.truthpublishing.com. I've covered all of these dangerous ingredients in detail.
We've crippled our entire population
It's a shame, because as human beings we're capable of so much, yet we actually achieve so little, as a nation, and as a world. Our people don't even come close to achieving their full potential. They say we only use 10 percent of our brains. That's on a good day, you know? You get people who are buying these brand name foods, and probably 99 percent of their neurons are in stasis, because they're not really connecting any more. They're all getting diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's. You've got kids that can't even learn. That should be the most natural thing in the world; kids should learn automatically. If they can't learn, there's something wrong with the food.I say we teach people how to really make healthy food choices. Let's have an honest food guide that we can get into their hands, which can really show them the foods that cause disease and the foods that promote health.Better yet,let's have this created by somebody who has no ties whatsoever to the food industry. That would be somebody like me, although it doesn't have to be me. Believe me, I don't want this to be about me. I want this to be about the nutrition. Somebody needs to do this, and I just didn't see anybody doing it.
People need to be able to make good choices. They need to actually have a list of things that they should eat less of, since the USDA doesn't have the honesty or the ethics to say, "Eat less" of anything. But I'm willing to say it:
You should consume less red meat, less milk and dairyproducts, less refined sugar, less refined and milled wheat, and less salt. You should eat no monosodium glutamate, no chemical taste enhancers, no excitotoxins, no artificial chemical sweeteners, no artificialcolors, nothing that's been processed, refined, or packaged. You should eat nothing containingsodiumnitrite, and nothing that's been smoked, such as smoked meats. You should eat nothing that's heavily advertised, or sold with seductive marketing practices, and so on.For the complete list, check outhttp://www.honestfoodguide.org, and see for yourself.
Eat more natural,healthy foods
Now, what should we eat more of? Well, we should eat more of the things that promote health. How's that for an incredibly unique idea?! Again, I'm not trying to take credit for this, as I'm not the first one to think of this by any means. There are many other people (on whom I've based my work) who deserve credit for this.What should we eat more of? The things that promote health, such as rawvegetablesand raw fruits. Blanched or cooked vegetables are fine too. I'm just talking about things from nature -- the root vegetables,nuts, seeds, healthy oils, sea vegetables. If you're going to eat meat, it should be organic, free range meat, and only in strictly limited quantities. Free rangeeggsare good. They’re much better than eggs from the standard imprisoned chickens that we get in the common grocery stores.We should eat more blueberries and all of these incredibly potentberries. We should eat more foods of all the different colors -- purple eggplants, orange carrots, yellow onions, red tomatoes, green peppers. We should just eat the colors of the rainbow in their natural form, because these colors are potent disease-fighting phytonutrients.
We should eat sunshine, actually. We should consume it into our skin. We should consume more water. We should get morefruits. We should get avocados, high fiber products, and whole grains. These are the things we should consume if we wish to be healthy.
And to really get your nutrition and be the healthiest you can be, you should eatsuperfoods. High density, high nutrition supplements based on whole foods or whole food powders. These are products based on spirulina, chlorella, blueberrypowder, spinach powder, or kale powder. Broccoli sprouts are fantastic, and they provide high-density nutrition. These are the kinds of things that people should consume if they wish to be healthy.
Then again a lot of people will say, "I can't afford it." Yeah, I guess not -- never mind. It is a lot cheaper just to eat all that garbage, and spend half a million dollars on medical bills in your last 14 days of life because you need heart bypass surgery, chemotherapy, some kind of organ transplant, and lots of intensive medical care before you pass away. Yeah, you're right. That's a cheaper way to do it. No need to spend an extra dollar on real food from nature instead of a discounted 2-liter bottle of soda.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/009303_health_foods_nutrition.html#ixzz1MUlYSemC
Cheap Eats: How to Find Healthy Food During Tough Economic Times
(NaturalNews) Are you having a hard time stretching your grocery dollars during the current economic downturn? You're not alone. But before you stop buying fresh fruit, meat, vegetables and other items often perceived as costing a lot, check out these tips from a University of Michigan Health System dietitian.
Holly Scherer, R.D., says you can follow a few easy guidelines and still buy healthy foods, rather than switching to a diet of potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and a fast-food burger.
She suggests that you make your own coffee, buy fruits and vegetables that are in season, occasionally replace meat with protein sources like eggs and beans, and, no matter how tempting it is, skip the fast-food drive-thru window.
"Hard economic times don't mean that you have to eat less well," says Scherer, a health educator with MFit, the health promotion division of the U-M Health System.
"By planning ahead, shopping for sales and trying out those generic or store brands, you really can save a significant amount of money while also providing healthy, well-balanced food for your family."
Fruits and vegetables:
Scherer debunks a popular myth: That produce is too expensive. Wrong, she says. In fact, if you buy fruit and vegetables that are in-season, the price typically is very reasonable, she says. Buying fruit or vegetables by the bag instead of individually also tends to be cheaper.
If the produce you want isn't in-season, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables can cost less. They are just as nutritious as fresh because they are packaged at their peak of freshness.
If you're feeling especially frugal –- and you have a green thumb –- try growing your own, she says.
"A great way to get fresh fruits and vegetables right outside your own door is to plant a vegetable garden, or, if you don't have space, you can plant a few plants in a pot," Scherer notes. "You may pay one to two dollars for a vegetable plant, but you're going to get a very large amount of produce from that."
Protein:
Protein can be a tricky thing to buy on a budget. Filet mignon and fresh lobster are probably out of the picture, but you can still find tasty meat for low prices.
First, Scherer says, it's better to buy the less-prepared items. "You can season and marinate your own meat; you don't need the store to do that for you," she says. You'll save money, and you can also find nutritious, low-salt ways of preparing meat compared with store-prepared items. In addition, buying chicken with the bone and skin can cost a lot less, and you can remove those easily to make a skinless boneless chicken breast.
And meat isn't your only option. Consider replacing meat with a protein substitute a couple times a week. "You can pay sometimes three times more per ounce for meat rather than buying a substitute such as beans, eggs or peanut butter," Scherer says.
Grains:
As with protein sources, buying less-processed grains is the way to go. Stick with the plain brown rice instead of boxed rice mixes. Buy big containers of quick-cooking oats instead of individual packets of instant oatmeal.
And it's a good idea to buy bread, English muffins or whole wheat tortillas when they're on sale and freeze any extras that you're not going to use before the expiration date, Scherer says.
Beverages:
One of the biggest cost-savings can result from buying a filter for your tap water instead of buying bottled water, Scherer says. Also, buying the frozen juice concentrate instead of a large bottle or can of juice can save some money.
For the triple-iced-latte lovers among you, coffee can cost a lot less than $4 a cup. "Making your own coffee at home and adding a specialty creamer or something that makes it a little tastier is a lot less expensive than going out every morning for that specialty coffee drink," Scherer says.
Single-serving snacks:
Instead of buying 100-calorie packs or individual bags of baked chips or pretzels, buy the bigger box and package them yourself in little snack bags. You'll pay about half of what you would if you were buying the single-serve packs, she says.
General tips:
* Look for the generic or store brand.
* Look for bigger containers and boxes to save some money. To see if you are really getting a better deal, compare the unit prices of the bigger and smaller containers on the store's shelf.
* Stock up on non-perishables when they go on sale.
* Avoid the temptation of the cookie aisle and the chip aisle. "Spend more time in the perimeter of the store, where the fresh products are, and really focus on the fruits and the vegetables and the lean meats and the low-fat dairy," Scherer says.
* Use coupons, but only for things that you normally would buy –- not a lot of high-fat, high-sugar foods.
* Cook at home instead of going out to eat.
* When you do eat out and you know that a restaurant serves large portions, have them bag half the meal right when they serve it and eat the leftovers for lunch the next day.
Recipes:
Some quick and easy recipe ideas that are inexpensive include black bean salad, vegetables and scrambled eggs, and peanut butter and jelly in your brown bagged lunch.
For the black bean salad, cut up some of your favorite fresh vegetables, add them to a can of rinsed black beans with a squirt of lime juice and some cilantro, and serve in a tortilla or with some baked tortilla chips, Scherer recommends.
I would recommend frequenting your local growers for fresh fruit and produce. Many local farmers have road side stands filled with just-picked produce at a far lower cost than grocery stores.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/024096_food_vegetables_health.html#ixzz1MUjYeFso
Holly Scherer, R.D., says you can follow a few easy guidelines and still buy healthy foods, rather than switching to a diet of potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and a fast-food burger.
She suggests that you make your own coffee, buy fruits and vegetables that are in season, occasionally replace meat with protein sources like eggs and beans, and, no matter how tempting it is, skip the fast-food drive-thru window.
"Hard economic times don't mean that you have to eat less well," says Scherer, a health educator with MFit, the health promotion division of the U-M Health System.
"By planning ahead, shopping for sales and trying out those generic or store brands, you really can save a significant amount of money while also providing healthy, well-balanced food for your family."
Fruits and vegetables:
Scherer debunks a popular myth: That produce is too expensive. Wrong, she says. In fact, if you buy fruit and vegetables that are in-season, the price typically is very reasonable, she says. Buying fruit or vegetables by the bag instead of individually also tends to be cheaper.
If the produce you want isn't in-season, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables can cost less. They are just as nutritious as fresh because they are packaged at their peak of freshness.
If you're feeling especially frugal –- and you have a green thumb –- try growing your own, she says.
"A great way to get fresh fruits and vegetables right outside your own door is to plant a vegetable garden, or, if you don't have space, you can plant a few plants in a pot," Scherer notes. "You may pay one to two dollars for a vegetable plant, but you're going to get a very large amount of produce from that."
Protein:
Protein can be a tricky thing to buy on a budget. Filet mignon and fresh lobster are probably out of the picture, but you can still find tasty meat for low prices.
First, Scherer says, it's better to buy the less-prepared items. "You can season and marinate your own meat; you don't need the store to do that for you," she says. You'll save money, and you can also find nutritious, low-salt ways of preparing meat compared with store-prepared items. In addition, buying chicken with the bone and skin can cost a lot less, and you can remove those easily to make a skinless boneless chicken breast.
And meat isn't your only option. Consider replacing meat with a protein substitute a couple times a week. "You can pay sometimes three times more per ounce for meat rather than buying a substitute such as beans, eggs or peanut butter," Scherer says.
Grains:
As with protein sources, buying less-processed grains is the way to go. Stick with the plain brown rice instead of boxed rice mixes. Buy big containers of quick-cooking oats instead of individual packets of instant oatmeal.
And it's a good idea to buy bread, English muffins or whole wheat tortillas when they're on sale and freeze any extras that you're not going to use before the expiration date, Scherer says.
Beverages:
One of the biggest cost-savings can result from buying a filter for your tap water instead of buying bottled water, Scherer says. Also, buying the frozen juice concentrate instead of a large bottle or can of juice can save some money.
For the triple-iced-latte lovers among you, coffee can cost a lot less than $4 a cup. "Making your own coffee at home and adding a specialty creamer or something that makes it a little tastier is a lot less expensive than going out every morning for that specialty coffee drink," Scherer says.
Single-serving snacks:
Instead of buying 100-calorie packs or individual bags of baked chips or pretzels, buy the bigger box and package them yourself in little snack bags. You'll pay about half of what you would if you were buying the single-serve packs, she says.
General tips:
* Look for the generic or store brand.
* Look for bigger containers and boxes to save some money. To see if you are really getting a better deal, compare the unit prices of the bigger and smaller containers on the store's shelf.
* Stock up on non-perishables when they go on sale.
* Avoid the temptation of the cookie aisle and the chip aisle. "Spend more time in the perimeter of the store, where the fresh products are, and really focus on the fruits and the vegetables and the lean meats and the low-fat dairy," Scherer says.
* Use coupons, but only for things that you normally would buy –- not a lot of high-fat, high-sugar foods.
* Cook at home instead of going out to eat.
* When you do eat out and you know that a restaurant serves large portions, have them bag half the meal right when they serve it and eat the leftovers for lunch the next day.
Recipes:
Some quick and easy recipe ideas that are inexpensive include black bean salad, vegetables and scrambled eggs, and peanut butter and jelly in your brown bagged lunch.
For the black bean salad, cut up some of your favorite fresh vegetables, add them to a can of rinsed black beans with a squirt of lime juice and some cilantro, and serve in a tortilla or with some baked tortilla chips, Scherer recommends.
I would recommend frequenting your local growers for fresh fruit and produce. Many local farmers have road side stands filled with just-picked produce at a far lower cost than grocery stores.
Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/024096_food_vegetables_health.html#ixzz1MUjYeFso
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