The Great Linus Pauling said, "Never put your trust into anything
but your own intellect. You must always be skeptical - always think for
yourself."
Looks like the carb-heavy modern diet isn't just responsible
for exploding waistlines.
It could be causing kneecaps to explode... from the INSIDE!
New research exposes a solid link between carbs in the diet and the crumbling cartilage that
leads to arthritis. The more you sit, the more your joint will practically
disintegrate.
That means MORE pain and MORE disability... and all of that
agony in your knees starts with the carbs in your diet.
Eating carbs leads to weight gain, which is naturally a
major arthritis trigger. When you pack more bulk on the frame, of course the
hinges are gonna creak.
That's just biology + physics working in sync.
But the new study goes even deeper than that. Mice given
HIGHER carbs in their meals had MORE damage and MORE EXTENSIVE damage in their
tiny little knees, compared to mice on a diet lower in carbs.
This wasn't just true when the mice were little fatties.
It was true even when they were the SAME weight as the
low-carb mice!
Yep, sugars and starches and breads and all of the stuff so
many people are practically addicted to will put you on that path to pain, even
if you're one of the lucky ones who manages to burn up carbs without packing on
the pounds.
The mainstream, of course, is just stunned by the discovery.
But carbs in general and sugar especially can rush through
your blood, meet up with protein, and form the world's worst marriage.
When they bond, they trigger the release of what are known
as advanced glycation end products.
We call them AGEs for short, and it's not just a handy
abbreviation. It describes perfectly what they do, too: They AGE you from the
inside.
They're a prime cause of oxidative stress and the damage of
aging, including the joint damage seen in this study (and if you think that
KILLER pain is bad, they're also responsible for DEADLY chronic disease).
It doesn't stop there, either. This one's a two-fer. Your
body knows that those AGEs are bad news, it so it fights back. It pumps out
substances called cytokines to break down the AGEs.
Unfortunately, cytokines work by triggering inflammation
like nobody's business -- and inflammation is another source of so much pain,
especially in the joints.
If you want to keep yourself from squeaking and squealing in
pain, take a hint from these mice. Cut your carbs, cut the inflammation, cut
the pain... and save your joints before it's too late.
Studies Show Microwaves Drastically Reduce Nutrients In Food
Written By: Ed Bauman, PH.D. at GreenMedInfo LLC, 2018
Did you know that microwaving your food is one of the most
damaging things you can do to reduce food quality and nutrition (and your
health)?
I can remember the days growing up in the 1950's and 1960's,
when we prepared foods without a microwave oven. Water was boiled on the stove.
Chicken was baked in an oven. Vegetables were steamed, baked, or sautéed. Food
was whole and fresh. Even a TV dinner was baked in the oven, which took about 15
minutes to warm. And then, modern science and technology brought us the
microwave oven that could heat food rapidly, from 30 seconds to a couple of
minutes.
The industry has claimed that microwave cooking protects the
nutrient content of foods. Somehow, in tasting foods that came out of a
microwave oven, the texture was changed as was the flavor. Foods cooked or
reheated in microwave ovens became rubbery and lacked the savory smells and
layered flavors that come from cooking foods slower and longer.
Nevertheless, people bought the convenience aspect, the
speed, the simplicity of heating and eating prepared foods. The science, which
has been supported by the food industry, has continued to claim the health
benefits of microwave cooking. Recently, published data from reliable sources
questions the health benefits of microwaved food.
Does this mean an occasional microwaved meal will be
harmful? Not likely. But what about a steady diet of eating foods cooked at
such a high heat? Do the sensitive compounds in food, such as amino acids,
fatty acids, vitamins and phytonutrients change? It appears so. Read on to
follow the scientific literature surrounding the depletion of our soil, foods,
and health as a result of modern farming, food processing, microwave cooking,
and not eating enough fresh, natural, uncooked, organic whole foods.
Three studies of historical food composition have shown
5-40% declines in some of the minerals in fresh produce, and another study
found a similar decline in our protein sources.
A 1999 Scandinavian study of the cooking of asparagus spears
found that microwaving caused a reduction in vitamins.
In a study of garlic, as little as 60 seconds of microwave
heating was enough to inactivate its allinase, garlic's principle active ingredient
against cancer.
A study published in the November 2003 issue of The Journal
of the Science of Food and Agriculture found that broccoli "zapped"
in the microwave with a little water lost up to 97%of its beneficial
antioxidants. By comparison, steamed broccoli lost 11% or fewer of its
antioxidants. There were also reductions in phenolic compounds and
glucosinolates, but mineral levels remained intact (6).
A recent Australian study showed that micro- waves cause a
higher degree of "protein unfolding" than conventional heating.
Microwaving can destroy the essential disease-fighting
agents in breast milk that offer protection for your baby. In 1992, Quan found
that microwaved breast milk lost lysozyme activity, antibodies, and fostered
the growth of more potentially pathogenic bacteria.
Quan stated that more damage was done to the milk by
microwaving than by other methods of heating, concluding: "Microwaving
appears to be contraindicated at high-temperatures, and questions regarding its
safety exist even at low temperatures."
Microwaving Dinner
Note: Needless to say, we do not recommend cooking food in
microwave ovens, though mildly heating leftovers may not pose the same problems
as discussed above. Also, microwaving fatty foods in plastic containers leads
to the release of dioxins (known carcinogens) and other toxins into your food.
Common microwavable foods include pizzas, chips, and popcorn. Chemicals
released include polyethylene terpthalate (PET), benzene, toluene, and xylene. NEVER MICROWAVE FOODS IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS!
Additionally, microwaving creates new compounds that are not
found in humans or in nature, called radiolytic compounds. We don't yet know
what these compounds are doing to your body, but they are not health-promoting.
Eating fresh, uncooked, or minimally heated fruits and
vegetables, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices are the basis of an Eating for
Health™ meal plan. With whole grains and legumes, cooking them on a stove top
by boiling and simmering them until tender is advised.
For flesh foods, steaming, sautéing, baking, or blending
into slow cooked crock pot soups and stews is advised. Dairy products, such as
raw milk cheese, from goats, cows, or sheep, are most nutrient-rich when
unheated. Raw, organic cheese is best added to salads or warm grains, legumes,
or vegetables without heating the dish in a high heat oven, broiler, or
microwave oven.
By Edward Bauman, M.Ed., Ph.D. (University of New Mexico), is
the Founder and President of Bauman College Holistic Nutrition and Culinary
Arts. He is a ground-breaking leader in the field of whole foods nutrition,
holistic health, and community health promotion. After three decades of
in-depth study of worldwide health and nutrition systems, Dr. Bauman created
the ‘Eating for Health’ (E4H) nutrition system which is the foundation of the
Bauman College Nutrition and Natural Chef Training Programs.
Ever since Splenda hit the market over two decades ago,
diabetics and anyone wanting to cut down on the calories from sugar have been
sprinkling it with abandon!
Add it to your coffee or tea, open a packet over that
morning grapefruit, or even bake up a sweet treat with no calories.
But we're learning more and more how sweet it ISN'T!
The latest findings about Splenda, a.k.a. sucralose, from
North Carolina State University researchers have called into question the FDA's
very approval of this artificial sweetener.
Because not only is sucralose not splendid indeed, but based
on the evidence that's been piling up, it's downright dangerous.
Go to the Splenda website, and the first thing you'll see is
this statement: "Always something new to discover."
Well, here's something new, all right: Findings in rat
studies show that sucralose DOESN'T innocently pass through the body
"unchanged in your stool" as we've been led to believe.
Instead, sucralose has been found to create a substance
during digestion, one that can be stored in fat and "whose potential
health effects we know little or nothing about," as the lead researcher
said.
And this wasn't some crazy study done with gigantic amounts
of artificial sweetener, either.
The North Carolina researchers conducted their experiment
using the identical model that the FDA does -- one based on "accepted
daily intake" -- utilizing the very same amounts you could be consuming.
This test, which ran for 40 days, found that sucralose is
indeed metabolized -- unlike what the manufacturer had originally reported to
the FDA. And the substance that was created is said to be "highly
lipophilic," meaning that it's going to be stored in fatty tissue.
As for exactly what this could mean for your health -- or
efforts to lose weight -- that's a gigantic question mark.
Or as one of the North Carolina scientists commented,
"The long-range effects of sucralose are not understood."
Such potential adverse effects should be discovered before a
food additive is greenlit by the FDA and used by millions... wouldn't you
think?
And Splenda wasn't approved back in the dark ages of
research, either. There were easily available methods of looking for such
compounds when the sweetener was submitted to the FDA in the 1990s.
While this is frightening news for anyone who uses
sucralose, it's not the first time we've told you how this no-cal disaster can
harm your health. Previous research by this same group of scientists found that
both sucralose and aspartame can set you up for diabetes.
Other studies have also discovered that this fake sweetener
can trigger metabolic syndrome (an umbrella term for ailments that can up your
risk of heart disease)... worsen Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel
diseases... cause an overgrowth of pathogens (such as E. coli) in your intestines..
and may be linked to cancer.
That's right... cancer.
Over two years ago, we told you about findings from the
Ramazzini Institute, the non-profit watchdog group in Italy that discovered how
sucralose can cause leukemia and other blood cancers in lab mice.
But not surprisingly, mention of this vital research has
never found its way into the mainstream media.
It's as if studies that cast doubt on the safety of widely
advertised products are written in invisible ink!
The bottom line here is that all artificial sweeteners --
and I mean all of them, from aspartame to Neotame and acesulfame-K to
high-fructose corn syrup -- can be devastating to your health, and avoiding
them should be one of your top priorities.
Since they're also dumped into a wide variety of products --
ranging from soft drinks to yogurt to vitamins and OTC drugs -- you're going to
have to do some serious label-reading to dodge them.
And if you want to sweeten things up, go with the real
deals, like raw honey and genuine organic maple syrup, which have been shown to
offer actual health benefits.
My Comment:
Xylitol is another good option. It tastes and looks like real sugar, but since its technically a sugar alcohol, your body doesn't process it like other sweeteners. It has 40% less calories, it won't spike your blood sugar level so its safe for diabetics, and it actually helps prevent cavities. The only drawback is if you eat an excessive amount of it Xylitol can have a mild laxative effect. It's a great option for coffee and tea. It is a little expensive but you can order it online in 1 to 5 lb bags and it goes a long way. This link is a good product at a good price if you want to try it. Always make sure it is non-GMO as some Xylitol is made from GMO corn. https://www.amazon.com/Anthonys-Xylitol-Sweetener
Valerian: Everything You Knew and Everything You Didn't
By GreenMedInfo LLC, 2019
Insomnia:
Valerian is the herbal superstar for insomnia. Several
studies prove that valerian safely helps you fall asleep faster and enjoy a
better sleep. Double-blind research shows that valerian improves sleep in 89%
of people and that 44% of them report perfect sleep.
How good is valerian? Valerian is better than the best drugs
for insomnia. In one double-blind study, 600mg of valerian extract equaled the
benzodiazepine oxazepam while being safer, and in another it beat it: while
both treatments significantly improved sleep quality, the valerian was safer,
and 82.2% of people with insomnia felt they had very good results with valerian
while only 73.4% felt they did with oxazepam. A review of controlled studies of
insomniacs found that nine out of twelve studies of valerian found improvement
in at least one measure of sleep. According to the authors, there were severe
design flaws in the three studies that didn't find a benefit.
Another reason valerian is the treatment of choice over
drugs is that valerian doesn't cause the morning hangover that is so common
with pharmaceutical sleeping pills.
The usual dose for valerian pills is 1.5-2g as a dried root
or 150-300mg of valerian extract standardized for .8% valeric acid.
Valerian Combinations
Valerian combines really well with other relaxing herbs. One
great herbal partner is hops. This potent combination will help you to fall
asleep significantly faster, to wake up in the night last often and to feel
more refreshed in the morning. The valerian/hops combination has not only
proven itself against a placebo: it is as effective as benzodiazepines without
leading to their withdrawal symptoms. Other studies have also shown the benefit
of this herbal combo.
Valerian and hops can also be combined with passionflower. A
double-blind study compared the three herb combo to the drug zolpidem in 78
adults with insomnia. The herbal dose was 300mg valerian extract standardized
to .8% valerenic acid, 80 mg passionflower extract standardized to 4%
isovitexin and 30 mg hops extract standardized to 0.35% rutin. Each person took
one dose at bedtime. In both groups, time to fall asleep improved significantly
and comparably. The two treatments both also significantly and comparably
improved the amount of time they slept: the drug group improved from 3.5 to 5.7
hours, and the herb group had a slightly better improvement from 3.4 to 5.9
hours. The two treatments were also equally effective for significantly
improving night time awakenings and quality of life.
Another good herb to combine with valerian is lemon balm.
Double-blind studies prove that this combination works. It works as well as
the drug Halcion without the daytime drowsiness and trouble concentrating that
the drug causes.
More than Insomnia: Everything You Didn't Know
Insomnia & Menopause
Women going through menopause often struggle with insomnia:
about 50% of menopausal women experience sleep disturbances. But a four week
triple-blind study of 100 postmenopausal women with insomnia found that quality
of sleep improved significantly more with valerian than with placebo. 30% of
women in the valerian group had improved sleep versus only 4% in the placebo
group. The dose was 530mg concentrated valerian extract twice a day.
When 100 menopausal women with sleep disturbances were given
a placebo or a combination of valerian and lemon balm, there was significantly
better improvement in sleep in the herbal group.
It may not come as much of a surprise that the greatest herb
for insomnia can help menopausal women with insomnia. What is much more
surprising is that valerian doesn't just help the insomnia of menopause, it
helps the menopause.
A new triple-blind study gave a placebo or 530mg of valerian
twice a day for two months to sixty postmenopausal women. Both the frequency
and severity of hot flashes improved significantly more in the valerian group.
This is not the first study to show that valerian helps hot
flashes. An earlier study of 68 women found that, when compared to placebo,
225mg of valerian given three times a day significantly reduces the frequency
and severity of hot flashes. Hot flash severity dropped from 9.82 to 5.23 after
eight weeks on valerian, while the placebo group only changed from 9.96 to
9.86. As for frequency, the valerian group improved from 7.91 hot flashes a day
to only 4.83 while the women on the placebo went from 7.73 to 7.75.
PMS
And menopause is not the only problem that valerian can
solve for women. A recent double-blind study gave women with PMS valerian
extract or placebo. There was significant improvement on valerian but no
improvement on placebo. Valerian was significantly better at improving PMS
symptom severity. It significantly improved both emotional and physical
symptoms.
Painful Periods
And that's not all. A double-blind study gave either a
placebo or 255mg of valerian three times a day to 100 students. The valerian
was given for three days beginning at the start of menstruation for two
consecutive cycles. The valerian was significantly more effective at reducing
menstrual pain.
Anxiety
The great sleep herb valerian is also as good as drugs for
anxiety. When researchers compared valerian to benzodiazepines for insomnia,
they found an unexpected result: it not only equaled the drug for insomnia, it
also equaled it for anxiety and with fewer side effects. Combining valerian and
passionflower is also effective).
Social Stress
Anxiety down, stress to go. Valerian, passionflower and
lemon balm are all great herbs for relaxing. This double-blind study gave
seventy men either a placebo or a combination of 90mg valerian, 90mg of
passionflower, 60mg of lemon balm and 90mg of butterbur or no treatment for
four days. The men were then subjected to a social stress test, consisting of a
five minute oral presentation and a five minute mental subtraction activity
while being taped in front of a live audience. Tests for self reported levels
of stress revealed that the group on the herbs suffered significantly less
stress than the other two groups.
OCD
Valerian may even be able to help people struggling with
OCD. An eight week double-blind pilot study of 31 adults with OCD found that
765mg a day of valerian was significantly better than placebo at treating OCD
(J Complement Integr Med 2011;8).
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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