The
Truth of the McRib and Why Russia Banned US-Raised Meat
By
Dr. Mercola
Over
the past couple of years, we’ve learned the unsavory truth about “pink slime,” reconstituted
meat, and how the use of meat glue cheats you out of your hard-earned money at
the grocery store and threatens your health.
We’ve
also learned that fast food fare such as McDonald’s hamburgers contain so many
chemicals and so few real food ingredients that a burger fails to show signs of
decomposition after an extended period
of time.
The famous McDonald’s McRib also came under closer scrutiny, and turned out to be something less than mouthwatering. The McRib sandwich is a non-standard item on the fast food restaurant’s menu; its annual return is always advertised with great fanfare — last year it even made the headlines on ABC News.
The pork sandwich is described as a tasty fan favorite slathered in tangy barbecue sauce, slivered onions and tart pickles, served on a hoagie style bun. Sounds perfectly normal, but what’s it made of, really? In a November 2011 article, CBS Chicago news spilled the beans on this seasonal favorite:
“More
than 70 ingredients make up the McRib and, yes, one of them is pork. But as CBS’s Vince Gerasole reports, there’s also an ingredient that can be found in
shoes... [Registered dietician Cassie] Vanderwall gave the McRib a closer look
and found the McRib has azodicarbonamide, which is used to bleach the flour in
bread. It has other uses. 'It could be on your yoga mat, in your gym shoes, in
your anything that’s rubbery, Vanderwall said...
Then
there’s the pork – which is really restructured meat product. In other words,
it’s made from all the less expensive innards and castoffs from the pig...
Vanderwall said the McRib ingredient list 'reminds me of a chemistry lab.'”
Russia Throws Poisonous Meat Back to U.S.
In related “questionable food” news, Russia has recently banned U.S. meat supplies after discovering it contains ractopamine — a beta agonist drug that increases protein synthesis, thereby making the animal more muscular. This reduces the fat content of the meat. As reported by Pravda, Russia is the fourth largest importer of US meats, purchasing about $500 million-worth of beef and pork annually.
The drug is banned for use in 160 countries, including China and Russia, but allowed in 24 countries, including Canada and the United States. According to the New York Times, the ban took effect as of December 7, 2012, and Russian health regulators stated that while they will initially conduct their own testing, foreign countries will soon be required to certify their meat as ractopamine-free if they want to export it to Russia. While the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers ractopamine safe and doesn’t test for it, Russia’s chief health inspector, Gennady Onishchenko, claims there are “serious questions” about the safety of the drug. He told the New York Times:
“For instance, use of ractopamine is accompanied by a reduction in body mass, suppression of reproductive function, increase of mastitis in dairy herds, which leads to a steep decline in the quality and safety of milk.”
Ractopamine is also known to affect the human cardiovascular system, and may cause food poisoning, according to Pravda. It’s also thought to be responsible for hyperactivity, muscle breakdown, and increased death and disability in livestock. While other drugs require a clearance period of around two weeks to help ensure the compounds are flushed from the meat prior to slaughter (and therefore reduce residues leftover for human consumption), there is no clearance period for ractopamine. In fact, livestock growers intentionally use the drug in the last days before slaughter in order to increase its effectiveness.
Zap
your chicken... and it's still not safe
Want to know how powerful superbugs are these days? Your food is routinely blasted with high levels of radiation in an attempt to kill them -- and it's not working.
The bugs are getting so strong that the feds just increased the allowable levels of radiation used on chicken by 50 percent in hopes of this time making sure the bacteria stay dead.
Under the new rules, chicken can be slammed with the radioactive equivalent of 11 million chest X-rays -- or enough to turn any mild-mannered bird into the Incredible Chicken-Hulk.
But even at those levels, some of the bugs survive. So what's next? Increase it to 100 million X-rays?
Even if you support food irradiation -- and I don't -- at some point this starts to get ridiculous. Yet here we are zapping away at beef and pork as well as chicken -- not to mention fruits, vegetables, spices and more in the name of "safety."
What a laugh... because the practice itself is UNSAFE, and although we can't say for sure yet what the repeated exposure could do to you, some sources report that even the studies used to get it approved had to be cut off when rats began dropping like flies after they were put on a diet of 35 percent irradiated food.
How much of your diet is irradiated these days? Do you even want to know?
Of course, backers say we don't have a choice. Stronger bacteria require stronger radiation.
But that's a load of bull.
There's a vast and growing segment of the food industry that delivers safe meats and produce every single day without using a drop of radiation.
It's the organic food industry.
If you haven't gone organic yet it's time to start -- especially when it comes to meat. You'll pay more, but you'll get safer, cleaner, healthier, tastier and radiation-free food. Worth every penny, if you ask me.
Want to know how powerful superbugs are these days? Your food is routinely blasted with high levels of radiation in an attempt to kill them -- and it's not working.
The bugs are getting so strong that the feds just increased the allowable levels of radiation used on chicken by 50 percent in hopes of this time making sure the bacteria stay dead.
Under the new rules, chicken can be slammed with the radioactive equivalent of 11 million chest X-rays -- or enough to turn any mild-mannered bird into the Incredible Chicken-Hulk.
But even at those levels, some of the bugs survive. So what's next? Increase it to 100 million X-rays?
Even if you support food irradiation -- and I don't -- at some point this starts to get ridiculous. Yet here we are zapping away at beef and pork as well as chicken -- not to mention fruits, vegetables, spices and more in the name of "safety."
What a laugh... because the practice itself is UNSAFE, and although we can't say for sure yet what the repeated exposure could do to you, some sources report that even the studies used to get it approved had to be cut off when rats began dropping like flies after they were put on a diet of 35 percent irradiated food.
How much of your diet is irradiated these days? Do you even want to know?
Of course, backers say we don't have a choice. Stronger bacteria require stronger radiation.
But that's a load of bull.
There's a vast and growing segment of the food industry that delivers safe meats and produce every single day without using a drop of radiation.
It's the organic food industry.
If you haven't gone organic yet it's time to start -- especially when it comes to meat. You'll pay more, but you'll get safer, cleaner, healthier, tastier and radiation-free food. Worth every penny, if you ask me.
My Comment:
Meat is an important part of a healthy diet for most people. Meat contains vitamins that can be extremely difficult, if not impossible to obtain from a vegetarian diet. Eating good quality meat is important, and organic, preferably grass fed is always best.
For a few people who are sensitive to meat or have trouble digesting it, a vegetarian diet may work best. But the latest results show that a non-vegetarian diet is healthier and provides a longer life span for most people. As in most situations, moderation is the key. The focus on low-fat and no-fat diets has shown to be very unhealthy. Your body and especially your brain needs fat and cholesterol to function properly. The key is eating the right fats like olive and coconut oil and avoiding most vegetable oils. Fish and flax oil are very beneficial to your health by providing much needed omega-3's. Even the saturated fats in meat are very useful if eaten in moderation.
Acetaminophen
Update
If you're an FDA official, where do you draw the line? How many lives have to be destroyed?
Let's say you're weighing the merits of a popular drug. And it's got problems. BIG problems.
One -- It's potentially toxic. It plays a role in about eight deaths every week in the U.S.
Two -- It may increase Alzheimer's risk.
Three -- It may also increase risk of a debilitating disease among children.
Does that last one push it over the line? Or do you let this drug go on and on?
I won't keep you in suspense. If you're an FDA official, there's no way you will ever take Acetaminophen off the market. Not even when the children's health is at stake.
Asthma Exploding
This might be the best kept secret in Pediatrics. And the fact that the lid has been on this secret for so long is completely intolerable.
Writing in the journal Pediatrics, John McBride, M.D., states that the spike in childhood asthma over the past 30 years parallels acetaminophen use.
Dr. McBride... "Until future studies document the safety of this drug, children with asthma or at risk for asthma should avoid the use of acetaminophen."
As warnings go, that could not be clearer.
Dr. McBride is the director of the Respiratory Center at Akron Children's Hospital. In his article, he lists five reasons why acetaminophen use may cause asthma...
1) Research shows the association is strong
2) The association is consistent among different locations, cultures, and ages
3) Research shows that risk rises as dosage rises
4) Research has not identified any other similar asthma triggers
5) Per-capita sales of acetaminophen matches rising asthma rates
One of the studies cited by Dr. McBride includes 520,000 children in more than 50 countries. When parents gave kids acetaminophen at least once a month, their asthma risk more than TRIPLED!
That's astounding! And this evidence has been mounting for more than a decade.
Adults are also at risk. In one study, subjects who used acetaminophen weekly were more than 2.5 times more likely to develop asthma. Another adult study found that risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reduced lung function increased as well.
COPD is a dangerous, irreversible disease. Think of all the COPD patients who may be using acetaminophen. They're accelerating the deterioration of their lungs. But they have no idea.
It's outrageous that health officials are not sounding the alarm. Acetaminophen is one of those sacred cows that we need to send to slaughter. People who may have asthma or COPD -- and EVERY parent need to know the danger of using acetaminophen.
If you're an FDA official, where do you draw the line? How many lives have to be destroyed?
Let's say you're weighing the merits of a popular drug. And it's got problems. BIG problems.
One -- It's potentially toxic. It plays a role in about eight deaths every week in the U.S.
Two -- It may increase Alzheimer's risk.
Three -- It may also increase risk of a debilitating disease among children.
Does that last one push it over the line? Or do you let this drug go on and on?
I won't keep you in suspense. If you're an FDA official, there's no way you will ever take Acetaminophen off the market. Not even when the children's health is at stake.
Asthma Exploding
This might be the best kept secret in Pediatrics. And the fact that the lid has been on this secret for so long is completely intolerable.
Writing in the journal Pediatrics, John McBride, M.D., states that the spike in childhood asthma over the past 30 years parallels acetaminophen use.
Dr. McBride... "Until future studies document the safety of this drug, children with asthma or at risk for asthma should avoid the use of acetaminophen."
As warnings go, that could not be clearer.
Dr. McBride is the director of the Respiratory Center at Akron Children's Hospital. In his article, he lists five reasons why acetaminophen use may cause asthma...
1) Research shows the association is strong
2) The association is consistent among different locations, cultures, and ages
3) Research shows that risk rises as dosage rises
4) Research has not identified any other similar asthma triggers
5) Per-capita sales of acetaminophen matches rising asthma rates
One of the studies cited by Dr. McBride includes 520,000 children in more than 50 countries. When parents gave kids acetaminophen at least once a month, their asthma risk more than TRIPLED!
That's astounding! And this evidence has been mounting for more than a decade.
Adults are also at risk. In one study, subjects who used acetaminophen weekly were more than 2.5 times more likely to develop asthma. Another adult study found that risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reduced lung function increased as well.
COPD is a dangerous, irreversible disease. Think of all the COPD patients who may be using acetaminophen. They're accelerating the deterioration of their lungs. But they have no idea.
It's outrageous that health officials are not sounding the alarm. Acetaminophen is one of those sacred cows that we need to send to slaughter. People who may have asthma or COPD -- and EVERY parent need to know the danger of using acetaminophen.
Statins
Cloud Your Mind
Recently, an FDA Consumer Update asked... "What should patients do if they fear that statin use could be clouding their thinking?"
Here's the response, according to an FDA safety official...
"Don't stop taking the medication; the consequences to your heart could be far greater."
Now THAT is some cloudy thinking. Especially when you consider just how thoroughly statins can impair cognition.
This is your brain on statins...
Cloudy thinking? FDA officials know we're talking about more than just a few passing clouds.
How about "total global amnesia?"
Seven years ago, we heard the story about Duane Graveline, M.D. He's a former NASA astronaut. Soon after starting Lipitor, Dr. Graveline experienced two bouts of total global amnesia (TGA). That's when all memory vanishes for several minutes to several hours.
Dr. Graveline launched his own investigation of statin-related TGA. He found hundreds of people who shared their experiences of memory loss while using statins.
He also discovered the mechanism behind this process. Dr. Graveline explains that certain brain cells produce their own cholesterol. Neurons need this cholesterol to function properly. When something impairs cholesterol production, it can compromise thought processes.
The result... Cloudy thinking, TGA, and just about everything in between. Including depression.
More than a decade later, the FDA has finally caught up. The Consumer Update notes that memory loss, forgetfulness, and confusion "span all statin products and all age groups."
Of course, the update refers to these cases as "rare."
Riiiight. If they were truly rare, the FDA wouldn't be addressing the issue at all.
A few years ago, The Wall St. Journal ran an article about memory loss linked with statin use. Many readers posted comments about cognition problems and TGA. These memory problems disappeared when they stopped taking statins.
Recently, an FDA Consumer Update asked... "What should patients do if they fear that statin use could be clouding their thinking?"
Here's the response, according to an FDA safety official...
"Don't stop taking the medication; the consequences to your heart could be far greater."
Now THAT is some cloudy thinking. Especially when you consider just how thoroughly statins can impair cognition.
This is your brain on statins...
Cloudy thinking? FDA officials know we're talking about more than just a few passing clouds.
How about "total global amnesia?"
Seven years ago, we heard the story about Duane Graveline, M.D. He's a former NASA astronaut. Soon after starting Lipitor, Dr. Graveline experienced two bouts of total global amnesia (TGA). That's when all memory vanishes for several minutes to several hours.
Dr. Graveline launched his own investigation of statin-related TGA. He found hundreds of people who shared their experiences of memory loss while using statins.
He also discovered the mechanism behind this process. Dr. Graveline explains that certain brain cells produce their own cholesterol. Neurons need this cholesterol to function properly. When something impairs cholesterol production, it can compromise thought processes.
The result... Cloudy thinking, TGA, and just about everything in between. Including depression.
More than a decade later, the FDA has finally caught up. The Consumer Update notes that memory loss, forgetfulness, and confusion "span all statin products and all age groups."
Of course, the update refers to these cases as "rare."
Riiiight. If they were truly rare, the FDA wouldn't be addressing the issue at all.
A few years ago, The Wall St. Journal ran an article about memory loss linked with statin use. Many readers posted comments about cognition problems and TGA. These memory problems disappeared when they stopped taking statins.
Lower
Cholesterol Hasn't Led to Better Health
Reported
by Jenny Thompson at Health Science Institute
Congratulations, America -- you're healthier than ever!
In just over two decades, U.S. cholesterol levels have plunged by an average of 10 points, according to the latest figures being touted by the mainstream.
Total cholesterol? DOWN!
LDL cholesterol? DOWN!
Heart disease? Well... they'd rather not talk about that, so allow me -- because it's definitely NOT down.
Heart disease was our leading killer when the study began back in 1988. Our average total cholesterol was 206 mg/dL -- and LDL levels were at 126 -- so the feds made bringing total cholesterol down to below 200 a national priority.
And for once, they set a priority and actually realized it. (Too bad it wasn't something that actually matters, like the budget or our ballooning deficit!)
So here we are today, total cholesterol at a dream-come-true 196 mg/dL and average LDL levels down to a picture-perfect 116 mg/dL -- and yet, heart disease is STILL our leading killer. And it's number one with a bullet. Some 80 million Americans already have it -- and that number's going to swell by nearly 50 percent inside of single generation, with 116 million expected to have it by 2030.
So if the new cholesterol numbers being celebrated in the Journal of the American Medical Association are proof of anything, it's that I've been right on this all along: When it comes to predicting heart risk, your cholesterol levels are about as relevant as your hat size.
In fact, despite what you've heard over the years, cholesterol is essential to your brain, muscles and, yes, even your heart -- and low levels can cause cancer, dementia, and death.
That's why falling below 200 is actually dangerous.
Don't worry, there's an easy cure for that: steak, eggs, pork chops, and chicken. The more fresh animal fats, the better. Just be sure to pass on the carbs, and watch your health improve by every measure.
Believe it or not, your total cholesterol levels won't change too much despite the extra fat in your diet -- but they will and should remain above 200 (and below 300).
In just over two decades, U.S. cholesterol levels have plunged by an average of 10 points, according to the latest figures being touted by the mainstream.
Total cholesterol? DOWN!
LDL cholesterol? DOWN!
Heart disease? Well... they'd rather not talk about that, so allow me -- because it's definitely NOT down.
Heart disease was our leading killer when the study began back in 1988. Our average total cholesterol was 206 mg/dL -- and LDL levels were at 126 -- so the feds made bringing total cholesterol down to below 200 a national priority.
And for once, they set a priority and actually realized it. (Too bad it wasn't something that actually matters, like the budget or our ballooning deficit!)
So here we are today, total cholesterol at a dream-come-true 196 mg/dL and average LDL levels down to a picture-perfect 116 mg/dL -- and yet, heart disease is STILL our leading killer. And it's number one with a bullet. Some 80 million Americans already have it -- and that number's going to swell by nearly 50 percent inside of single generation, with 116 million expected to have it by 2030.
So if the new cholesterol numbers being celebrated in the Journal of the American Medical Association are proof of anything, it's that I've been right on this all along: When it comes to predicting heart risk, your cholesterol levels are about as relevant as your hat size.
In fact, despite what you've heard over the years, cholesterol is essential to your brain, muscles and, yes, even your heart -- and low levels can cause cancer, dementia, and death.
That's why falling below 200 is actually dangerous.
Don't worry, there's an easy cure for that: steak, eggs, pork chops, and chicken. The more fresh animal fats, the better. Just be sure to pass on the carbs, and watch your health improve by every measure.
Believe it or not, your total cholesterol levels won't change too much despite the extra fat in your diet -- but they will and should remain above 200 (and below 300).
Until
next time, stay healthy and happy
JD
Roma
The information on this blog is provided for
educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional
medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you
have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician
(preferably a Naturopath).
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