Nutrition Tips

Many reports have indicated that eating red meat may give rise to certain forms of cancer of the digestive tract.  However, a detailed study conducted at the University of California at Berkeley concludes that it is not the meat that causes damage, but rather the way in which it is cooked.

Meat cooked at high temperatures (charcoal broiled, fried or deep-fried) contains carcinogens.  the best way to cook meat is slowly at low temperatures.  Reference:  Lick the Sugar Habit

The origin of arteriosclerosis and heart disease is a deficiency of three B vitamins: B6, folic acid, and B12 according to the Framingham Heart Study, the Nurses' Health Study, the Physicians Health Study & many more. Those same studies also indicate that animal fat is not detrimental to human health. Reference: Life Without Bread

Eggs are a great source of protein, Vitamins A and D and Folic acid. and the adrenal-building minerals: choline, sodium and potassium.   They're also a rich source of phosphorus and sulfur.

Eggs have been shown to:

• Keep your brain healthy. Choline is an important nutrient found in egg yolks as phosphatidycholine. . A cell must have this substance to be normal and healthy and to work properly. It keeps the membrane of each cell in a fluid condition.
• Phosphatidycholine is necessary for the synthesis of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that carries impulses between brain cells. And acetylcholine is essential so that we can concentrate and pay attention to our tasks. It ensures that we have the ability to concentrate and retain information in our memory. Impaired memory, difficulty concentrating and cognitive decline are symptoms lacking this essential nutrient. You can see why eggs can help prevent Alzheimer's.
• Improve heart health. Choline converts homocysteine into harmless material. Homocysteine is the substance that can damage your blood vessels and is a precursor to heart disease. Eggs can also decrease your risk for heart attacks and stroke thanks to the anti-clotting agent found in yolks.
• Enhance your vision. The lutein found in eggs can help prevent macular degeneration.
• Nourish expecting mothers and their babies. Egg yolks contain high levels of biotin, a B vitamin that can prevent birth defects. Egg yolks should be a baby's first animal food and can be introduced around six months.
• Aid in fat assimilation. Eggs yolks contain lecithin. In fact, lecithin is the precursor to choline, which helps lower serum cholesterol.

Next time you go to the supermarket or even the health food store, you might be confused by the variety of labeling: free range, organic, cage free, vegetarian...How do you decide which is best for you? Reference:  www.bodyecology.com

GOOD EGG, BAD EGG -- HOW TO KNOW? They all look about the same, standing at attention in their platoons of twelve, and the cartons don't tell you much. How can you know whether the eggs you are about to buy are fresh and have come from healthy chickens, or are old and have come from poorly fed, stressed birds? The only way to know is to look closely and ask questions.

First, how do the eggs look? The shells should be dull, not shiny. Look at the air sacs on the shell's surface: the bigger the air sac the older the egg. The eggs should feel strong, not so delicate that regular handling threatens to crack them.

Once you get them home you can perform two more freshness tests: Place the eggs in a large bowl of cold water; if they float, they are quite old. Unshelled onto a plate, the yolk of a truly fresh egg will dome up and stay up, and the white will clearly be thicker in the middle part, thinner on the edges. The yolks should also be a deep yellow orange, not pallid. Another test is to break the egg into boiling water--the so-called water poach. If the egg stays together, it's a good one. Most supermarket eggs break up into tiny pieces on contact with the water.

But how the chickens are treated is the big question. It's best to bypass the cheap, supermarket brand egg. These are usually produced in vast factory "farms" with upwards of 500,000 birds in one facility. The birds are caged in buildings that are artificially lighted and ventilated. The feed is most likely a mixture of conventionally grown corn and soy, undoubtedly contaminated by GMOs and laced with antibiotics. There is not much goodness in eggs like these.

Then there are the smaller, commercial operations that produce free-range, antibiotic-free eggs. These are certainly a step up, but living conditions vary considerably--some producers have their birds on pasture, some give the birds access to the outdoors, some don't; some keep a few roosters, some have none; some keep the groups small, most don't.

If you seek out eggs from a small local grower, consider asking the following questions to learn more about the eggs you buy:

What do you feed your chickens? The ideal feed is a combination of organically grown grains, legumes, grasses, greens, worms and insects. Less than ideal but still acceptable to many is organic lay pellets and organically grown corn and soy. At the bottom of the heap are commercial lay pellets, conventionally grown corn and soy and cottonseed meal.

Do you use antibiotics? If the health of a whole flock is threatened, then the judicial use of antibiotics can usually be tolerated by the consumer, as long as eggs from that period are not sold. Antibiotics routinely added to the feed ration, however, must be strictly avoided.

How many birds do you have? How many chickens in the whole operation, and how many in each flock? Smaller is better. Even with a big operation, if small flocks are maintained--maximum 100 to 150--then the chickens can maintain a chicken society (a pecking order) and will be less stressed.

What are living conditions like for the birds? Do the birds have regular access to the outdoors? What is the square footage of their house and yard? If chickens are given enough space, they are less likely to become stressed and/or diseased.

How fresh are these eggs? Small producers sometimes store eggs for a period of days or weeks until they have enough to make a delivery. Eggs should not be older than 10 days when they are brought to market, and should be labeled with date of harvest.

Are the eggs fertile? What is the ratio of roosters to hens? Anywhere between 1 to 10 and 1 to 20 is a good balance. If the producer keeps roosters, the flocks will better resemble a natural chicken society and the hens will be less stressed.

What breed are your chickens? While this likely doesn't matter much to individual egg quality, it gives the consumer an idea of how much the producer knows about his birds.

May I visit your farm? While you might never do this, the producer's response will give you an idea of whether he or she is proud of the operation or ashamed of it. http://www.westonaprice.org/farming/realeggs.html

People go on a vegetarian diet to avoid eating animal products. Many of them gain body fat and wonder why. The answer is simple, they are eating too many carbohydrates and this excess sugar raises insulin levels.  Insulin is the fat-storing hormone.

If drinking coffee and eating pastry are a habitual problem, include more fats and protein in your diet and avoid man-made carbohydrates. The sooner you feed your body what it really needs and wants, the sooner your carbohydrate cravings will disappear.

Insulin is a hormone.  All hormones are linked and one hormone imbalance creates another. In this book, the author focuses on achieving insulin balance as a way to achieve total hormone balance.  Reference: The Schwarzbein Principle

Broccoli is a food that has been widely acclaimed for its nutritional benefits. These benefits go far beyond widely known nutrients like vitamin C or beta-carotene. They also include less-known but equally important nutrients like the cancer-protective isothiocyanates that can be made from the glucosinolates found in broccoli.

Steaming is known to be a very effective way of preparing broccoli while still preserving its valuable nutrients. Reference: World's Healthiest Foods 

The cancer causing compound dioxane is found in many commonly used shampoos, conditioners and skin care products, according to the Organic Consumers Association, including many supposedly "natural brands". The Association's Executive Director said, "The labeling & formulation practices of these companies are so bad we wonder if the garbage manager is in charge of R & D.

Dioxane is a known eye and respiratory tract irritant that readily penetrates the skin and is classified by the EPA as a probable carcinogen thought to cause cancer or birth defects. Avoid Polyethylene, Polyethylene Glycol, Polyoxyethylene (PEG), Oxynol, Cateareth, Laureth, Oleth and Myreth. Reference: Dr. Ron' Ultra Pure.

There are certain peptides or protein fragments found in gluten and in casein, a protein found in milk, that look and act just like morphine.  The physical, sensual comfort offered by the exorphins encouraged hunter-gatherers to relinquish their helathier lifestyles. Exorphins may be the determining feature of what we now call "comfort foods".

Gluten contains at least five distinct opioids.  Our immune systems have developed the ability to destroy damaged cells that might develop into cancer, but exorphins interfere with this defense mechanism.  Opiates and opioids have been shown to inhibit our natural killer cells that help us ward off disease. 

Because exorphins are biochemically similar to heroin, cocaine and morphine, we should expect addiction like behavior.  Just as addicts have powerful cravings, abnormal food cravings are commonly observed among gluten-sensitive and food-allergic sufferers. Addicts suffer compromised action of natural killer cells and are also at high risk of developing certain cancers. Reference: Dangerous Grains

For a fifty year old with a history of years of antibiotics prescribed for acne as a child, it can take two or more years to effectively clear the resulting intestinal dysbiosis (pathogenic bacteria and fungus) and repopulate the gut (intestines) with healthy flora. http://www.radicalmedicine.com/introduction.htmla

Crohn's disease is still regarded as incurable by Western medicine.  This is because the simple concept of reducing carbohydrates in the diet is not included in the treatment arsenal of modern medicine.  There was some discussion in the scientific literature years ago about the benefit of reducing refined sugar and flour for the treatment of Crohn's disease.  While a low-carbohydrate diet does not provide a cure rate of 100 percent, there is a high rate of return to normalcy without relapse. Results from 67 patients showed 80% were symptom-free after the first 18 months on the diet and 70 percent got results after only 6 months.  Reference: " Life Without Bread"

Safer Pots and Pans: While there are a growing number of new cookware options on the market, we don't know enough about them to know if they're safe -- even if they're advertised as "green" or "not non-stick." We continue to recommend cast iron and stainless steel cookware as safer options for stove-top cooking, and oven-safe glass for baking. These safer pans might be a little harder to clean, but your health is worth it. Reference: Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org.

Why You Should Skip the Non-stick Cookware: Non-stick surfaces are aluminum pans coated with a synthetic called polytetrafluoroetheylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon, a DuPont brand trademark.

Toxic fumes from the Teflon chemical are released from pots and pans at high temperatures, potentially killing pet birds and causing people to exhibit flu-like symptoms (called "Teflon Flu" or, as scientists describe it, "Polymer fume fever"). Ingesting particles that flake off scratched non-stick cookware isn't toxic because solid PTFE flakes are inert.

Manufacturers' labels often warn consumers to avoid high heat when cooking on Teflon. But EWG-commissioned tests conducted in 2003 showed that in just two to five minutes on a conventional stove top, cookware coated with Teflon and other non-stick surfaces could exceed temperatures at which the coating breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases.

Health dangers: When you breathe kitchen air polluted with fumes from overheated Teflon, you're at risk for developing flu-like symptoms (yes, "Teflon flu"). The long-term effects of routine exposure to Teflon fumes, and from Teflon flu itself, have not been adequately studied.

PFCs have been found in nearly all Americans tested by federal public health officials. Chemicals from this family are associated with smaller birth weight and size in newborn babies, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation and weakened immune defense against disease.

Environmental hazards: Manufacturing PFCs and the consumer products that contain them poses great risks to the environment and wildlife. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says PFCs present "persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity properties to an extraordinary degree." Reference: Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org.
 

Infants who don't get enough cholesterol in their diets during the first years when their brains are developing risk a loss of cognitive function. In the fetus, it is necessary for the part of the brain that allows the eyes to develop. Reference: Know Your Fats

Pesticides work by interfering with vitamin A pathways. Therefore, adequate vitamin A is key to surviving in the modern world. That translates into plenty of butterfat, eggs and organ meats from grass-fed animals with a supplement of cod liver oil to provide an extra measure of protection. Fortunately, mercury accumulates in the protein portion of fish, not the oil. Reference: Weston Price Foundation

During the '80s, researchers began to ask whether obesity, coronary artery disease, hypertension and other common medical problems that occur together are really separate diseases, or manifestations of one common physiological defect.  The evidence now points to one defect and that is hyperinsulinemia...excessive insulin in the blood due to high blood sugar levels.  Reference: The Fourfold Path to Healing

High vitamin A levels in the tissues are associated with a reduced cancer rate but ingesting high doses of the synthetic beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, actually increases the rate of lung cancer because it blocks the production of true vitamin A.  Reference: The Fourfold Path to Healing

Synthetic Vitamin D (vitamin D2) has the opposite effect of vitamin D3 naturally occurring in food.  It causes softening of the hard tissues, such as bones, and hardening of the soft tissues, such as the arteries. Reference: The Fourfold Path to Healing

Ghee has beta-carotene and vitamin E, both known anti-oxidants that counter the effects of free radicals. Science has been able to establish that free radicals cause nearly 90 percent of all degenerative diseases. Ghee in your diet, then, could give Father Time a run for his money.

The goodness of ghee not only powers your cells, but also penetrates the corners of your mind. Result? quicker learning, better recall, wiser decisions. Cow ghee in particular is supposed to be extremely good for your brain.

Ghee repairs the mucus lining of the stomach and evens out the acid balance in there. An ancient Indian fable says King Akbar the Great once challenged a citizen to eat and digest limestone. The man accepted—and won. His secret? Just before he had the limsetone, he downed a huge bowlful of ghee to arm his stomach against the assault. Reference: http://www.pureindianfoods.com/learn.shtmlwww.pureindianfoods.com/learn.shtml

Some snacks are really candy in disguise, such as fruit snacks made of corn syrup, sugar, flavorings, and gelatin--the same ingredients as gummy bears. Other popular foods also have "hidden candy."  For instance, one fruit-flavored brand of yogurt has 28 grams extra sugar--as much as one roll of Smarties and one small pack of Skittles. Most candy is made from sugar, corn syrup, and flavorings.  These same ingredients are used to sweeten lots of different kinds of foods. Can you find the "hidden candy" in other food you eat?

What you need:
    * Sweet food with ingredient label, such as fruit-flavored drink, soda pop, fruit snacks, or yogurt
    * Candy
    * Kitchen scale

What to do:
   1. Check the label to find out how much sugar your sweet food contains.
   2. Weigh candy on the kitchen scale until it matches the weight of the sugar.
   3. Eating your sweet food would be like eating that much candy.

Reference: http://www.candyexperiments.com

Why does a cold last a week?  It takes 5-7 days after encountering a new antigen ( a substance that prompts the generation of antibodies and can cause an immune response) for the adaptive immune system to reach full activity...that's why a "cold" lasts about a week. Reference: Walter H. Schmitt, DC,DIBAK, DABCN with Biotics Research.

Our brain is specifically designed to sense the fat content of our food and to tell us  to stop eating when the proper amount of fat has been ingested.  When the need for fats and the nutrients they contain is satisfied, we stop eating. Ironically, overweight is actually a symptom of malnutrition, a sign that the appestat never receives the signal to turn off.

Lard contains high levels of Vitamin D if it comes from hogs that lived outdoors.  In tropical countries where pigs get to eat coconuts (rich in lauric acid) , the lard may also supply lauric acid which is a potent antiviral that boosts immunity. Reference:  Full Moon Feast

Omega-6 fats can become poisonous.  When combined with omega-3 fatty acids from fish, omega-6 fats appear to play an integral role in maintaining health. However, large quantities of omega-6 fats can become poisonous (which is why you have to make sure your supplement soft gels aren't loaded with them from soy or vegetable oil!).

Omega-6 fatty acids promote oxygen shock by disabling one of the body's other defenses against cancer - the cells' antioxidant.  Adding insult to injury, omega-6 fats increase inflammation within skin cells.  Inflammation can be the driving force for the growth of skin cancer and its ability to spread to nearby tissues and organs.

Like skin cancer (and many other forms of cancer), this omega-6 threat did not exist one hundred years ago.  Our ancestors only consumed small quantities of omega-6 in the form of whole corn, seeds, or legumes.  Their ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 was about 1:1.  Today, a large segment of the population consumes a ration of 20:1.

The omega-6 overdose exists thanks to the advent of technology - chemical extraction methods, to be exact.  Instead of consuming omega-6 in its natural state from plants and seeds, our primary sources today are plant and seed oils such as corn, soy, safflower, and sunflower oil.  A single tablespoon of omega-6-laden corn oil is derived from twelve to eighteen ears of corn.  Make sure you get these cancer-fertilizing oils out of your house.

The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids remains to be determined, although lots of speculation exists.  One thing is certain: the overdose of omega-6 predisposes us to all types of cancer.  The best thing you can do to protect against cancer is rid your diet of omega-6-laden plant and seed oils while consuming more protective omega-3 fatty acids and naturally occurring, healthy saturated fats from seeds, nuts, butter, fish, grass-fed beef, and coconut oil. Reference:  US Wellness Meats and The People's Chemist, Shane Ellison, M.S.

Top ten plants for cleaning indoor air pollution: Areca Palm, Reed Palm, Dwarf Date Palm, Boston Fern, Pothos, English Ivy, Australian Sword Fern, Peace Lilly, Rubber Plant, Weeping Fig.

Tea & Health:

• Black Tea: Associated with heart health, lowering of cholesterol, reducing chance of stroke.

• Green Tea: Associated with anti-cancer effects via antioxidants & SOD (Super Oxide Dismutase).

• Oolong Tea: Associated with healthy skin.

• White Tea: Similar health effects to Green Tea, but having more antioxidants.

Reference: Strand Tea Company

Analysis of ancient Chinese texts reveals that the soy bean was originally cultivated for its nitrogen-fixing qualities and not as a food source.  This is because soy beans contain potent enzyme inhibitors that cause intestinal problems, cancer and growth retardation. Soy is also high in phytic acid, which blocks the absorption of essential minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.

Various phytoestrogens, such as genistein, diadzen and isoflavones which occur in high quantities in modern cultivars of soybeans, are currently promoted as panaceas for heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis.  Analysis shows that they are goitrogens which are substances that suppress thyroid function. Reference: Nourishing Traditions

In the 2008 paper “Effects of soaking, germination and fermentation on phytic acid, total and in vitro soluble zinc in brown rice“, Dr. Robert J. Hamer’s group found that soaking alone didn’t have much of an effect on phytic acid in brown rice. However, fermentation was highly effective at degrading it. What I didn’t realize the first time I read the paper is that they fermented intact brown rice rather than grinding it. This wasn’t clear from the description in the methods section but I confirmed it by e-mail with the lead author Dr. Jianfen Liang. He added that the procedure comes from a traditional Chinese recipe for rice noodles. The method they used is very simple:

1. Soak brown rice in dechlorinated water for 24 hours at room temperature without changing the water. Reserve 10% of the soaking liquid (should keep for a long time in the fridge). Discard the rest of the soaking liquid; cook the rice in fresh water.
2. The next time you make brown rice, use the same procedure as above, but add the soaking liquid you reserved from the last batch to the rest of the soaking water.
3. Repeat the cycle. The process will gradually improve until 96% or more of the phytic acid is degraded at 24 hours.

This process probably depends on two factors: fermentation acidifies the soaking medium, which activates the phytase (phytic acid-degrading enzyme) already present in the rice; and it also cultivates microorganisms that produce their own phytase. I would guess the latter factor is the more important one, because brown rice doesn’t contain much phytase.

You can probably use the same liquid to soak other grains and beans.http://tinyurl.com/ylpvt3m

Case control studies indicate that consumption of cereal fiber can be linked with detrimental effects on colon cancer formation.  Insoluble fiber can cause pathogenic changes in the intestinal tract unless properly soaked in an acid medium.  Fermentation increases mineral availability by neutralizing phytic acid, increases vitamin content, predigests starches and neutralizes enzyme inhibitors.  Unsoaked oat bran, which is high in phytic acid, as well as related bran products can cause numerous problems with digestion and assimilation, leading to mineral deficiencies, irritable bowel syndrome and autoimmune difficulties such as Crohn's disease. Reference: Weston Price Foundation

Entomophagy (that's bug eating to you) has been practiced for many centuries throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, North, South and Central America.  They are enjoyed everywhere except Europe and the US.  Many of the world's indigenous people still harvest and eat bugs just like we would artichokes or oysters.

A grasshopper's body is more than 20% protein, compare that to lean ground beef which is 27%.  Many protein rich bugs are good sources of vitamins, minerals and fats.  Crickets are loaded with calcium and termites are rich in iron. One hundred grams of giant silkworm moth larvae provide 100% of the daily requirements for copper, zinc, iron, thiamin and riboflavin.

Few Americans realize they are eating bugs on a daily basis. Entomophagy is sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration which has established an allowable number of eggs, immature and adult insects for various foods.  It's impossible to keep tiny insects out.  The red dye for coloring fruit punch and other beverages comes from the cochineal insect of Mexico and the southern U.S. 

Not every bug is fit to be eaten.  Brightly hued insects especially those wearing spots or stripes of red, yellow or orange may look nifty but those loud colors are signals to back off. Examples of bad taste.  Stinging insects need to be handled with care. Chefs should only work with frozen or thawed specimens.  Reference: Eat-A-Bug Cookbook.

Natural Air Cleaners:  Consider adding large leaved plants for every room in the house. They reduce unhealthy pollutants as well as airborne bacteria and fungi while adding the needed humidity to fight respiratory and allergic conditions.

Top Ten Plants:

• Areca Palm
• Reed Palm
• Dwarf Date Palm
• Boston Fern
• Pothos
• English Ivy
• Australian Sword Fern
• Peace Lilly
• Rubber Plant
• Weeping Fig

Reference: http://www.organicgardening.com

Caffeine intake often perpetuates many of the factors contributing to weight gain and continued obesity. Coffee and caffeine intake aggravates stress, including physical, mental, and emotional stress, leading to increased levels of the glucocorticoids including cortisol. A well documented relationship exists between chronically elevated levels of these stress hormones and deposition of excess fat in the abdomen leading to obesity as well as increased caloric intake, particularly increased ingestion of fats and sugars.

• Caffeine elevates stress hormones. People tend to eat when feeling stressed and this thwarts their diet goals.
• Caffeine triggers hypoglycemia and increases appetite. Weight loss diets are designed to achieve stable blood sugar without insulin spikes. Caffeine raises blood sugar, which can result in subsequent low blood sugar that drives people to eat refined carbohydrate foods to get a quick energy boost.
• Caffeine aggravates Insulin Resistance Syndrome. Obesity, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and cellular insensitivity to insulin are part of a syndrome that can lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes. Caffeine contributes to insulin resistance and impairs glucose tolerance. 41 million Americans are considered to be pre-diabetic and are advised to adapt healthy lifestyle and dietary habits to avoid progressing to type 2 diabetes. Reference: Teeccino Caffé, Inc.http://www.teeccino.com

Wild food foraging-gathering is embraced by many food activists. If everyone simply stopped to take advantage of the most obvious and abundant wild foods growing a hundred yards back from the roadside on his or her way home from work, radical changes in our society's perception of food and associated costs would follow.  Wild plants are more nutritionally dense than cultivated ones.

They are adapted to the environment, hardy and self sufficient,  Also, because so many different plants are edible, regular foragers eat a far greater variety of plants with unique phytochmeical elements than people who rely on cultivated crops. Reference: The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved.

During antibiotic therapy, taking probiotics as well keeps the intestinal flora in proper balance. They can be taken together, but not at the same time of day. In order for the probiotics to be the most effective, they should be taken at least two hours after each dose of antibiotic. When the treatment has been completed, double or triple the probiotic supplements for about ten days or two weeks. Probiotics should be taken with food or shortly after eating as food dilutes the stomach acids enough for them to survive their trip through to the intestines where they belong. Resource: Tracy Bosnian, NTP, CH, Hula Kitchen.

Safety of Hair dyes - In a study from the University of California in 2001, researchers discovered that women or men who use permanent dyes once a month for a year or more have twice the risk of developing bladder cancer. Hairdressers or barbers in contact with hair dyes had five times the risk. Permanent dyes contain known carcinogenic substances called arylamines, which are absorbed through the skin during the hair treatment. Genetically, some individuals are able to produce very efficient protective enzymes that render the arylamines harmless and eliminate them quickly through the urine. In others, the process is less effective, and these people are at risk of bladder cancer. Luckily, there is no cancer link between temporary or semi-permanent colouring products.

The majority of men who darken their hair use progressive hair dyes. These products form a plausible health threat since they usually contain lead acetate. Lead salt is created to bind with hair proteins. These dyes have 2,300 to 6,000 micrograms (mcg) of lead per gram–10 times the regulated limit once allowed in house paint! Up to 80 mcg of lead can remain on the hands even after washing with soap and water. Since the dye does not stain, it is difficult to know where it may have dripped and left lead residue. Also, if you run your hand through your hair after dying it, you can still pick up 286 mcg of lead. If you then inadvertently you touch your mouth, you will unknowingly ingest the dye.

Scientists have also discovered a link between rheumatoid arthritis and the use of permanent hair dye. The Annals of Rheumatic Diseases (2001; 60: 934-936) recently reported that Swedish researchers found an increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in women who used permanent hair dye over a long period of time.  Resource: Alive Magazine  http://www.alive.com/website/1225a4a2.php?text_page=2

Ghee does not contain milk solids and it is very stable at high heat. Because of its high smoke point (~400 °F), it is considered one of the best oils for baking, sautéing and deep fat frying. When you sauté with butter, the milk solids precipitate to the bottom of the pan and they can burn causing an unpleasant odor, appearance and taste. When you sauté and fry with ghee, there is no hissing, popping or splattering. It also has a sweet aroma and actually becomes richer in flavor as well. Ghee has a slightly alkalizing effect on the body whereas butter has a slightly acidifying effect. Also, according to Ayurvedic tradition, butter increases Kapha whereas ghee balances all the 3 doshas. Reference: Pure Indian Foods

Heartburn is a signal of water shortage in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract.  It is a major thirst signal of the human body. The use of antacids or tablet medications in the treatment of this pain does not correct dehydration and the body continues to suffer as a result of its water shortage.  

Dehydration is thought to be a cause of many conditions including bowel and bladder problems, anxiety attacks, food intolerances, acid stomach, heartburn, muscle and joint pain, poor brain function, hot flashes, asthma, allergies, arthritis, angina, migraine headaches, hypertension, raised cholesterol, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, depression, and diabetes in the elderly. With prolonged dehydration, brain cells actually begin to shrink. For more information go to: www.ntptalk.com/articles/water-is-vital-for-good-health.php

Autoimmune Condition Triggers

• Heavy metals
• Smoldering infections
• Antioxidant depletion
• Pesticides, plastics, food allergies, low cholesterol, vaccines, or vitamin D deficiency

Remember to check for dysbiosis: 50-70% immune system originates or located in gut. Reference: Biotics NW.

Studies have shown that populations that rely heavily on coconut do not have weight problems.  In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a Pacific Island population of individuals were examined and found that they stayed lean despite an abundance of food because their diet was rich in coconut fiber.  Reference "Cooking With Coconut Flour"

Coconut meat not only protects the heart by modifying blood lipid levels, but it also improves antioxidant status and reduces oxidative stress which protects heart and blood vessel tissues from destructive free radicals. Reference: Dr. Bruce Fife

Strong immune system - Saturated fats found in butter and coconut oil (myristic acid and lauric acid) play key roles in immune health. Loss of sufficient saturated fatty acids in the white blood cells hampers their ability to recognize and destroy foreign invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Human breast milk is quite rich in myristic and lauric acid, which have potent germ-killing ability. But the importance of the fats lives on beyond infancy; we need dietary replenishment of them throughout adulthood, middle age, and into seniority to keep the immune system vigilant against the development of cancerous cells as well as infectious invaders.

You will likely be astounded to learn that your brain is mainly made of fat and cholesterol. Though many people are now familiar with the importance of the highly unsaturated essential fatty acids found in cold-water fish (EPA and DHA) for normal brain and nerve function, the lion’s share of the fatty acids in the brain are actually saturated. A diet that skimps on healthy saturated fats robs your brain of the raw materials it needs to function optimally. Reference: The 6-Week Cure for the Middle-Aged Middle

Nuts and seeds can become rancid and loose their nutrients so it is best to buy them in the shell. Soak them overnight to make the nutrients more available, then dry and eat. Walnuts moisten the lungs and intestines, nourish the adrenals/kidneys and... brain. They may contain parasites so it is suggested that they be roasted. (Reference: Healing With Whole Foods)

Ratios of Omega 6 to Omega 3's in Grassfed Meat
A high ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids has been linked to greater risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, allergies, depression and auto-immune disorders. A ratio of 4 or lower is considered ideal.  The ratio in grain-fed beef is typically 14 to 1; but the ratio in grass-fed is about 2 to 1.  Reference: http://www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm

Consumption of lacto-fermented vegetables was positively associated with low rates of asthma, skin problems and autoimmune disorders." (Good flora for the gut) (1999 study in the Lancet ~ Quote from Nourishing Traditions)

When our good gut flora is damaged the first thing we develop is allergies." Without probiotic microbes, normal digestion and absorption of food cannot happen." Natasha Campbell-Mcbride, MD

Fall is the season of the lung. Nature contracts and moves its essence inward and downard. Select heartier foods and flavors. Dark green and golden/orange vegetables, carrot, squash, pumpkin, broccoli, kale, parsley etc. (Healing with Whole Foods).

Stevia, an herb 30x sweeter than sugar. A whole leaf version is the most healthful. Reference: The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia.

Flu is caused by a virus that has a lipid coating and coconut oil makes this type of pathogenic virus disintegrate. Resource: Dr. Mary Enig, Sally Fallon, "Eat Fat, Lose Fat"

Gelatin-rich chicken broth helps prevent and moderate infection. Used often can protect you against many health problems.  Fish Broth is especially rich in minerals, including all-important iodine.  Even more important, stock made form the heads, and therefore the thyroid glands, of fish supplies substances that nourish your thyroid gland. Resource: Dr. Mary Enig, Sally Fallon, "Eat Fat, Lose Fat"

So what makes liver so wonderful? Quite simply, it contains more nutrients, gram for gram, than any other food. In summary, liver provides:

• An excellent source of high-quality protein
• Nature’s most concentrated source of vitamin A
• All the B vitamins in abundance, particularly vitamin B12
• One of our best sources of folic acid
• A highly usable form of iron
• Trace elements such as copper, zinc and chromium; liver is our best source of copper
• An unidentified anti-fatigue factor
• CoQ10, a nutrient that is especially important for cardio-vascular function
• A good source of purines, nitrogen-containing compounds that serve as precursors for DNA and RNA

Liver’s as-yet-unidentified anti-fatigue factor makes it a favorite with athletes and bodybuilders. The factor was described by Benjamin K. Ershoff, PhD, in a July 1951 article published in the Proceedings for the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Reference: http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeatures/liver.html

Sweet Potatoes are an example of an autumn food.  Completely unrelated to the potato, (not even in the potato family) are considered an anti-diabetic food with a host of nutrients and antioxidants. Great sauteed in butter and coconut oil!  Resource: World's Healthiest Foods.

Biochemical individuality can determine the extent of the benefit that some foods can provide. Every person is unique so what is good for one person may not work for another. The same goes for supplements. Nutritional Therapy Practitioners use a tool called the Functional Evaluation to determine an individual's unique nutritional needs.

Wild Salmon has 33% more omega-3 fatty acids than farm raised. These fatty acids play a big role as  anti-inflammatory agents and are sorely deficient in the typical American Diet. Reference: World's Healthiest Foods

Recent research has discovered that eating full cream dairy products increases fertility in women. Reference: "Put Your Heart in Your Mouth"

The roots of a Leek contain flavor and minerals that are far more bioavailable than mineral supplements.  Cut them as a cluster from the root base, soak to loosen any embedded sand and rinse.  Mince the rootlets and use in a soup, sauteed or simmered vegetable dish; they are too fibrous for salads or lightly cooked dishes.  Reference: The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia

In fall, turn toward the more warming, autumn harvest foods, including carrot, sweet potato, onions, and garlic. Also emphasize the more warming spices and seasonings including ginger, peppercorns, and mustard seeds.

When we have high blood cholesterol levels it means that we have inflammation going on, that the body is dealing with some damage.  The last thing we want to do is interfere with this process.  When the damage has been dealt with, the cholesterol level will naturally go down.  Can be infection, injury etc.... Look for the reason.

The body naturally produces 85% of its own cholesterol getting only 15% from food. So if you eat more cholesterol, the body will produce less and if you eat less, it will produce more. Cholesterol lowering drugs are different in that they interfere with the body's ability to make cholesterol. Low cholesterol is associated with emotional instability and behavior problems as well as many physical problems including infertility.  Reference: Put Your Heart in Your Mouth".  Natasha Campbell McBride

Transfats are an irritant to the blood vessels creating inflammation and a rise in cholesterol. Reference: Harvard School of Public Health  http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1733207

Garlic is taken for the prevention and treatment of colds and bronchitis. It is said to help also treat lead poisoning, help normalize blood pressure, kill bacteria, detoxify blood, and is a natural antibiotic. Garlic is said to increase endurance and to be useful in easing the pain of earaches, removing skin blemishes, and of course – warding off vampires! Howard Garrett, The Dirt Doctor, www.dirtdoctor.com

Outdoor Garden Tip: Organic gardeners for years have interplanted garlic among ornamental landscape plants as well as food crops to ward off various pests. Tomatoes seldom have spider mite problems when garlic is planted nearby. On the other hand, garlic is reported to slow the growth of beans and peas. Garlic tea sprayed on plant foliage before heavy insect infestations works as a powerful repellent to most problem insects and many diseases. Gardeners use garlic tea by pouring it on fire ant mounds, and claims excellent results. When hot pepper oil is added to the garlic, it becomes a mild but effective broad-spectrum pest repellent. Howard Garrett, The Dirt Doctor, www.dirtdoctor.com

For mosquito control - pour or spray garlic oil into standing water, stagnant ponds and other wet breeding spots. It will control mosquito larvae quite well. Spraying the air with garlic tea works as well as the toxic chemicals to get rid of flying adults. Mosquitoes can also be repelled for approximately 20 days by broadcasting dry granulated garlic at about 1 lb. per 1000 square feet.  Howard Garrett, The Dirt Doctor, www.dirtdoctor.com

Many chemicals in personal care products are synthetic estrogens that mimic the real estrogen in our bodies causing cancer of the breast, ovaries and other organs in women, infertility, impotence and other sexual abnormalities in men. This includes perfume! Hair dyes particularly black and brown contain chemicals that put you at risk. Reference: Natasha Campbell McBride, MD. Recommended book “Unreasonable Risk”

There are skin care alternatives out there but they are not regulated and can say whatever they want on their label.  Check out our skin care vendor who really tows the line and is devoted to being safe.  Click on this link - NTPtalk Marketplace.

Melted butter not only helps vegetables taste better but also helps us absorb the nutrients they contain.  Carrots are commonly reputed to contain Vitamin A but this not the case. They contain carotenes which we can convert to Vitamin A but it isn't easy and our bodies require fat to do it. If we serve carrots with good grass-fed butter, not only do we get vitamin A from the butter itself, but the butter also contains fat soluable activators that help our bodies convert the carotenes in the carrots into this crucial vitamin. Resource: "Full Moon Feast"

Carotenes in the grass, concentrated in nutrient rich grass-fed butter, give it a naturally yellow color. In winter, when the cattle are fed hay, it becomes pale. Butter constitutes the principal source of essential factors for mineral absorption and utilization in primitive cultures. Many butter producers use colorings to make it yellow when the cattle are kept in feedlots.

Interestingly the yellow color can also be found in the body fat of animals that are grassfed. There was a story of Argentines, who grass feed their cattle, being dismayed when visiting in the US by the white marbling of the steaks since back home a sign of good meat is the yellow color of the fat. Reference: "Full Moon Feast"

Lamb is considered to be a hypoallergenic food. Most people don't have adverse food sensitivity reactions to Lamb as they may with beef or poultry. As such, Lamb is usually included on elimination diets and other hypoallergenic diets. Reference: "The World's Healthiest Foods"

Caffeine increases the amount of sugar in the bloodstream which causes the "lift" you feel but it also throws the body chemistry off balance for hours.  Even though coffee is sugar free, it has a profound affect on your blood sugar levels, adrenals, liver and pancreas. For more on the affects of sugar in the body scroll down to Sugar, The Bitter Truth Video located here:  http://www.ntptalk.com/videos/educational-videos.php

Aluminum-containing antacids can deplete the bones of minerals, resulting in bone thinning and weakness. Activities such as bending over to tie one's shoes and walking up stairs can lead to bone fractures.  It takes years for the cumulative negative effects of repeated antacid use to materialize.  Antacids with or without aluminum also harm the bones by interfering with digestion.  Calcium is absorbed in the upper part of the small intestine and hydrochloric acid is essential for the digestive process.  Why stomach acid is necessary for good health...http://www.ntptalk.com/articles/digestion-and-acidity.php.

Some speculate that coffee is the most significant source of toxins in the American Diet, since coffee is also the primary source of water for Americans.  Re-heated coffee releases 400% more Caffenol into the system. Caffenol has been linked to elevated cholesterol.

Studies show that women who drink coffee have an increased incidence of osteoporosis compared to non-coffee drinkers. Regular use of coffee inhibits vitamins and minerals from being properly absorbed in the small intestine. Coffee causes unnecessary excretion of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and trace minerals into the urine.  Written by: Stephen Stiteler, L.Ac., O.M.D.

High fructose corn syrup has been implicated in heart disease, elevated blood cholesterol levels and blood clotting.  Worst of all, fructose causes the white blood cells of the immune system to become "sleepy" and unable to defend against harmful foreign invaders. Reference: "Lick the Sugar Habit".

Numerous studies have positively correlated sugar consumption with heart disease.  The food processing industry has helped to keep this research confined to scientific publications stored in the basement of our medical libraries.  If the public were made aware of the dangers of refined carbohydrate consumption and took steps to reduce it, the powerful food processing industry would shrink to a fraction of its size.  Source: "Nourishing Traditions".

Poor tooth health is always a sign of other types of degeneration going on in the body.. degeneration that cannot be fixed in a dentist's chair. Nutrition is key. Reference: "Nourishing Traditions"