Here is a link to an interesting documentary on the status of our food, our health and an alternate way to consider how we deal with the food we eat daily.
This is a free viewing of the movie Food Matters and is worth the time to watch. The movie points out a number of deficiencies in our system and encourages us to take action to improve our diet in an effort to improve our health.
Take a look and take in some of the information offered. You won’t be sorry.
Chris
Iodine is a frequently overlooked mineral with a significant number of protective benefits and features. Iodine is most commonly found near the sea and is abundant in sea vegetables, seaweed and to some degree fish. The most common source of iodine in the American diet is iodized salt and recent studies of our salt supply demonstrate inadequate fortification. Since many of us shun salt or use sea salt, we often find ourselves deficient in this key nutrient. As a matter of fact, fully 96% of the American population (or at least the number of people who have taken a 24 hour urine iodine test) come up as deficient when it comes to iodine sufficiency.
Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of mental retardation in the world. Soil that is deficient in iodine (such as in the goiter belt of the Great Lakes) is a cause of many diseases. Hypothyroidism, fibrocystic breast disease, polycystic ovaries (just about any cystic disease for that matter) and breast cancer are all some of diseases that are frequently associated with iodine deficiency. Breast cancer is seen more frequently when one is in an iodine deficient state. This is why there is an association between hypothyroidism and breast disease. It has been demonstrated that iodine supplementation is a useful adjunct to chemotherapeutic treatment and prevention of breast cancer. This may account for the reason why the incidence of breast cancer is so much lower in Japan than it is in America. The average Japanese daily iodine intake has been stated to be between 5.3-13.8mg/day. Iodine influences estrogen metabolism toward the good, non-cancer causing estrogen, estriol.
Iodine saturation in the body typically occurs first in the thyroid gland and then the breasts and ovaries. The US RDA of iodine is 150mcg – just enough to prevent a goiter. This small amount does not adequately supply the needs of the breasts or ovaries, thus the presence of the breast and ovarian problems as noted above. This is likely a reason why hypothyroidism is 8X more common in women than men (breasts and ovaries also competing for iodine). When supplementing with iodine, it can be and is sometimes difficult to find the sweet spot of iodine adequacy. SImilar minerals, bromide, fluoride and chloride (halides) can all bind to iodine receptors and prevent iodine from doing its job. These halides are ever present in our environment as flour is brominated, water is fluoridated and chlorinated and bromides are everywhere (new car smell). With the toxic sea of halides we are swimming in, the multiple functions of iodine are often even further inhibited.
There is a growing movement recommending and supporting that we increase the supplementation of iodine. The most common recommendation being the use of Lugols solution or tableted iodoral – both of which would be useful to have on hand in the case of a nuclear disaster/fallout. When Fukushima occurred, it was almost impossible to procure iodine as it sold out across the country. It is always good to have some Lugols or iodoral on hand in case of an emergency. Adults should take a 130mg dose of iodine prior to fallout exposure, as a dose this large will provide protection for 24 hours (see last attachment).
As in many things, this is a topic of heated controversy. I would recommend you discuss this with your doctor and if you have further interest or are dissuaded, I would recommend the book, Iodine, Why You Need it and Why You Can’t Live Without It by David Brownstein, M.D. When I first saw this book, I chuckled to myself thinking, who would read a book like that. Two weeks later I was deep into it and the intricacies of iodine. I am amazed at what this miracle mineral can do. Suffice it to say, Iodine is a very important mineral and you should make sure you are getting at least the minimal requirement. If you are dealing with any of the risk factors above, it would behoove you to further explore the many benefits of optimizing your iodine intake.
It’s not just something you rub on a cut,
Chris
http://www.health-science-spirit.com/iodine.html
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2011/oct2011_The-Silent-Epidemic-of-Iodine-Deficiency_01.htm
Rather than provide you with food, supplement or hormone information today, I thought I would share with you some meaningful links that may make you reflect on some of the better things in life. In this crazy world, the beauty and greatness of life often gets lost.
We are frequently self-centered, thinking only of how what happens in life will affect us individually. What we miss out on with this mindset is all of the many wonderful things going on around us. It is a big world out there and if we don’t take time to consider all of the great things happening, it becomes easy to get discouraged, depressed and disconnected.
With the increasingly busy nature of our lives, one often must make a conscious effort to stop, think and smell the roses. The last link posted has long been one of my favorites and one that many of you may be familiar with. Please take a few moments for yourself and reflect, read the links and realize that there is more beauty in our lives than we are aware of. We’re too busy putting out the daily fires that we sometimes miss out on some of the best about being alive.
Enjoy and have a great week,
Chris
http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/01/03/40-extraordinary-things-happening-right-now/
http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/08/30/12-things-happy-people-do-differently/#more-386
http://thestationessay.com/
Each day, as we go about our busy lives, we spend more time paying less attention to some of the things that should matter the most. Over the past 50 years, our personal and national health has deteriorated at what seems to be an ever increasing rate. The Lancet, a medical journal, recently reported that over half of the U.S. adult population will be obese by the year 2030.
The prognosis for America’s future health does not look good. In an effort to combat this situation and to provide tools that can help you face the future, I will be writing a column to guide you on the path to better health. We are where we are now for numerous reasons and the problems we face are multi-faceted. The current health crisis in America is not due solely to gluttony and sloth. It goes much deeper than that. I hope to explore some of these issues and outline practical solutions for you in the months ahead.
That’s right, you won’t have to work too hard to figure this one out. Today we’re going to discuss Theobroma Cacao (translation: cacao, food of the gods), known to us as chocolate.
Chocolate frequently appears in the media as being beneficial to our health (new study out just yesterday). The issue infrequently discussed in these reports is the form of chocolate and how we should be consuming it. Before discussing that, I would like to highlight why cacao is such a positive addition to our diet.
Cacao is essentially the seed of the cacao fruit, grown in a narrow tropical belt 20 degrees north and south of the equator. The cacao bean is the source used to make chocolate liquor which is then processed to make the chocolate that we consume as a chocolate bar. Cacao has been discovered to contain over 1200 chemically identifiable compounds.
Straight from the desk of where in the heck did you hear that and I can’t believe you eat something that is also used to kill bugs, comes a new supplement discovery I made this past week. The discovery comes from the bottom of the ocean of supplement and nutraceutical knowledge, literally and figuratively. I am speaking of Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.).
What is that you ask? Diatomaceous earth, also known as fossil shell flour, is a fossilized deposit of microscopic shells created by one-celled plants called diatoms. Diatoms are unicellular organisms that serve as food for other marine organisms. When they die, their silica shells collect on the floor of their habitat and become fossilized, thus forming diatomaceous earth. The fossilized shells are an excellent source of minerals, including silica, magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium and other trace minerals.
Diatomaceous earth had long been utilized as a natural method to control common household pests rather than using insecticides or pesticides. It does this by acting as an abrasive to the pests tough outer shell, thus causing the pest to dehydrate and die. Due to it’s rice chex like structure, it is also commonly used as a filter media.
The second most feared disease in America (after cancer). One without a cure or an effective treatment. One that is touching more and more lives and is expected to continue to increase it’s cruel imprisonment as time passes. I am speaking of Alzheimer’s disease.
The increasing growth of this disorder and the limited treatment options available are enough to legitimately scare all of us. As with many of the chronic, degenerative disease of aging, the cure lies in prevention. There is not a simple test to determine who is going to get Alzheimer’s in the future and it is not easy to predict who will receive this horrible sentence.
I will not pretend to be an expert on this topic, so I have pulled together some useful, interesting articles that describe some of the current in and outs, opinions and thinking regarding Alzheimer’s disease.
One of my more common statements to those trying to discover the keys to heal and wellness is – If you want to live a long, healthy life you need to learn to control your insulin levels and your inflammation.
People are often surprised when I mention inflammation as a factor in disease because they’re thinking of regular, everyday, inflammation that you can treat with ice or use an anti-inflammatory for.
There are two types of inflammation. And though they’re related, their effects on your health are drastically different.
I am always trying to look at things from a different perspective, so I’m bringing to light an issue that on the surface may seem cynical. After mulling it over, I decided it was worth discussing. That subject is Pinkwashing, defined as:
a term used to describe the activities of companies and groups that position themselves as leaders in the struggle to eradicate breast cancer while engaging in practices that may be contributing to the rising rates of the disease
Not a lot to comment about on the links below except, WOW! These demonstrate the power and strength of the human spirit and the will to succeed when setting a goal. There is nothing better then being able to celebrate another persons success, especially if you somehow had a small role in it.
I find these links inspiring and am amazed everytime I look at them. Though I don’t know any of these people, I know many who have experienced the same success and congratulations for a job well done go out to them.
The above statement made years ago by George Bush, Sr., likely occurred before he was aware of the amazing cancer fighting superpowers of the vegetable he had hated since childhood. The cruciferous (or Brassica) vegetables Broccoli, Kale, Collards, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage and others all have some pretty powerful substances that clearly work in the battle against cancer. The term cruciferous is used because during growth, the four flowers petals of this species form a cross (cruciferous = cross bearing).
Cruciferous vegetables contain the substances Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C), Di-indolmethane (DIM) and many other powerful phytonutrients such as the glucosinolate, sulforaphane. Each of these compounds play a significant role in the metabolism of estrogen and also may influence cancer genes.
When estrogen is metabolized, it is broken down into 2-hydroxyestrone (good estrogen) and 4- and 16-hydroxyestrone (bad, cancer causing estrogen). Cruciferous vegetables modulate the estrogen metabolic pathway to direct the path to lead to the production of 2- and away from 4- and 16-. SImple as that. Nature’s little gift to help in the battle against cancer.
Here is an easy one today. I know some of the missives I send out are a little content heavy so we’ll go for a lighter, easier approach today. I try to put out as much meaningful content as possible but sometimes, simpler is better. Besides that, the top 10 list worked well for Vitamin D so we’ll try it again with anti-aging tips!
I have linked to two lists of the Top 10 anti-aging tips and 10 steps to better health and happiness. These are simple things one can do to remain healthy as time marches on. This is hardly even aa article but the simplicity of the tips is such that you can scroll through this and finish one of my emails in record time.
As we go through our lives, there are some things we never really question. Expect the worst, hope for the best and you won’t be disappointed is probably not a bad mantra to carry. As life becomes busier, the less time we spend paying attention to many things of importance in our lives.
Today’s newsletter carries a message that I am sure many of us don’t often give a second thought to. The status of the American food supply. As detailed in this TED talk, the past 15 years have not been good for the American diet. More and more chemicals, hormones and genetically modified organisms have made their way into the food we eat daily, mostly unbeknownst to us.
Robyn O’ Brien was just living her life with her family when one mornings events changed everything for her. As a result of this event, she dug deeper and learned more about what she ate and fed her family daily. What she found not only shocked and angered her but started her on a mission to address some of the changes that need to be made in our food supply. This brief talk give an excellent overview of what we are up against.
We have come to learn the numerous health benefits of vitamin D beyond calcium metabolism. Over the past few years it seems that each week there is a new health benefit or claim (anti-cancer, anti-frailty, etc.) that is made concerning vitamin D. These noted benefits are very important and I am a huge proponent of optimal vitamin D levels (60-80 being optimal, 80-100 if you have cancer).
I’d like to introduce you to potentially the “next” vitamin D. Vitamin K2 is what I am talking about. K2 is a fat soluble vitamin just like D and has a large and increasing number of health benefits. Basically, vitamin K2 directs proper calcium metabolism and distribution. K2 directs calcium from the arteries and plants it in the bones where it belongs. K2 (specifically mk7) should be a part of any worthwhile osteoporosis supplement. Most people are deficient in K2 (just like D) as the best food source is fermented foods, particularly natto (common in Japan, rare in America and not very palatable to those not familiar with it). Vitamin K2 may be manufactured by your gut probiotics provided they are in optimum working order but most of that K2 is not well absorbed systemically.
It is no mystery that stress has a huge impact on our overall health and more and more research is demonstrating the what, when, where and hows of this epidemic problem. Stress is not somebody else’s problem, it is all of or problem, as it is currently at epidemic levels. Stress is a huge factor in dictating health and wellness and an ever increasing problem in our increasingly busy, 24/7 world.
I heard a statistic the other day that 92% of working mothers are stressed and that 92% of stay at home mothers are stressed. How can this be? It all comes down to the world that we create for ourselves and the pressures we put on ourselves. Much of what happens to us may or may not be under our control. All we can control is how we respond. Our response can go a long way in determining our ultimate health. It has been noted that two of the things that best predict longevity are eating breakfast and psychologic resiliency – the ability to bounce back.
We all strive to be the best that we can be and upon investigation, I recently found that North Carolina is #1 in something. The more I read the less excited I became as I discovered that North Carolina is #1 in the country in the use of antibiotics in livestock feed. In fact North Carolina uses more antibiotics each year in livestock feed than is used for the treatment of human infection in the entire United States each year. That’s probably not a statistic that will be used in promotional material describing the advantages of living in The Old North State.
All joking aside, the excess use of antibiotics is a frequent and common method used in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s). Antibiotics are not used to treat any particular disease but are used to aid livestock growth by preventing the development of the many possible diseases which can occur as a result of the poor conditions in which the animals are raised (overcrowding, miserable sanitation, feed not consistent with the animals natural diet and genetics). Antibiotic administration leads to the development of antibiotic resistant organisms that down the line become difficult or nearly impossible to treat when they are transfered to the humans that ingest them. It has been estimated that 80% of the antibiotics used in the US are used on (not for) livestock.
Of course after putting out an email detailing the benefits of coconut oil (saturated fat), I have to follow up with a discussion of the lipid hypothesis. Not easily done in a brief summary but I’ll do my best.
The lipid hypotheses is a failed hypothesis that was propagated by Ancel Keys Ph.D. Dr. Keys is famous for the “Seven Countries Study” that linked heart disease with fat intake in seven countries. This study has become the foundation of American nutritional advice since the 50′s. The only problem with the “Seven Countries Study” was that when the data was truly evaluated, the study included 22 countries and seven were cherry picked to support the hypothesis. 60 years of nutritional advice based on this and we all see where that has gotten us. 70% of the population overweight and 35% of those obese. Every state at least 20% of the population obese, except Colorado (19.8% – hanging by a thread).
The bottom line is that it is not fat that makes you fat. Carbohydrates are the key factor in the obesity epidemic we now face. Carbohydrates spike insulin and insulin is a fat protecting/storing hormone. More carbs = more fat. All the low fat, no fat foods just replaced the fats with carbs and here we are, facing an ever worsening health crises in which we all suffer.
Are you familiar with Coconut Oil and its’ many health benefits? Coconut oil has been pushed to the side and was a victim of false propaganda years ago as the commercialization of other, better funded oils became available. One can’t hold down the truth forever though and coconut oil has been quietly emerging as a beneficial, nutritional fat.
There, I said it, fat. The word we have all been taught to fear because of the misguided, falsely propagated lipid hypothesis (that will be another letter). Fat is a beneficial nutrient and not to be feared as a part of our diet. There are essential fatty acids that we must ingest because our bodies can’t make them. 60% of the dry weight of the brain is fat (mostly cholesterol) – so yes, we truly are fat heads.
Just a quick note to consider as you’re out celebrating this weekend.
I came across this article this morning and thought I would pass it along. I have always thought that diet sodas we’re not necessarily a “good” thing and now some recent studies are confirming this (as have past studies). Aspartame, one of the most commonly used sweeteners breaks down into methanol (wood alcohol) and formaldehyde (a carcinogen). Doesn’t that sound yummy? Not to mention some studies demonstrating an increased risk of dementia, diabetes and cancer with the chronic use of artificial sweeteners. Splenda was discovered by a pesticide manufacturer. Pour a little of that on your floor and watch the ants die. Splenda can kill your beneficial gut flora as well.
I know, I sound like a scare monger. That is not my point or intention. I am just trying to get out the facts that many of us never hear. This topic is a whole lecture in and of itself. The number one food complaint to the FDA is about aspartame.
I’m going to take it easy on you today and have you watch a brief talk, rather than have you read through reams of info.
To find the path to long life and health, Dan Buettner and team study the world’s “Blue Zones,” communities whose elders live with vim and vigor to record-setting age. This is an entertaining and interesting talk and may make you reflect on what changes you can make to continue to support your path toward successful and healthy longevity.
I find the points made in the talk interesting and I try to incorporate some of the lessons learned into my life. Not always successful but I try. Life is a process!
605 Grove Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
Fax: 704-633-7569
Subscribe