Poiesis Total Health & Nutrition - Important facts
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Trans fat: Avoid this cholesterol double whammy - Excerpt from article published by Mayo Clinic, “Tools for healthier lives”
Trans fat raises your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and lowers your "good" (HDL) cholesterol. Find out more about trans fat and how to avoid it. When it comes to fat, trans fat is considered by some doctors to be the worst of them all because of its double-barreled impact on your cholesterol levels. Unlike other fats, trans fat — also called trans fatty acids — both raises your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and lowers your "good" (HDL) cholesterol.
To read full article (and you should), click <here>
The Wonders of Water: Amazing Secrets for Health and Wellness - Dr. F. Batmanghelidj
Water prevents and helps to cure heartburn.
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.
Not recognizing heartburn as a sign of dehydration and treating it with antacids and pill medications will, in time, produce inflammation of the stomach and duodenum, hiatal hernia, ulceration, and eventually cancers in the gastrointestinal tract, including the liver and pancreas.
To read full article, click <here>
Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management - Dr. B. Jensen
Cleansing, detoxification and elimination are words we all hear, but they are seldom used in connection with the bowel. When I look over all the programs that were developed to take care of the bowel and all the various techniques we've had in bowel cleansing, I have come to the conclusion that a real cleansing process should be one that reaches every cell in the body- and that starts from colonic irrigations and fasting."
To read full article, click <here>
Caution: Some soft drinks may seriously harm your health
Expert links additive to cell damage
By Martin Hickman, Consumer Affairs Correspondent
Sunday, 27 May 2007
A new health scare erupted over soft drinks last night amid evidence they may cause serious cell damage. Research from a British university suggests a common preservative found in drinks such as Fanta and Pepsi Max has the ability to switch off vital parts of DNA. The problem - more usually associated with ageing and alcohol abuse - can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.
The findings could have serious consequences for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who consume fizzy drinks. They will also intensify the controversy about food additives, which have been linked to hyperactivity in children.
Concerns centre on the safety of E211, known as sodium benzoate, a preservative used for decades by the £74bn global carbonated drinks industry. Sodium benzoate derives from benzoic acid. It occurs naturally in berries, but is used in large quantities to prevent mould in soft drinks such as Sprite, Oasis and Dr Pepper. It is also added to pickles and sauces.
Sodium benzoate has already been the subject of concern about cancer because when mixed with the additive vitamin C in soft drinks, it causes benzene, a carcinogenic substance. A Food Standards Agency survey of benzene in drinks last year found high levels in four brands which were removed from sale.
Now, an expert in ageing at Sheffield University, who has been working on sodium benzoate since publishing a research paper in 1999, has decided to speak out about another danger. Professor Peter Piper, a professor of molecular biology and biotechnology, tested the impact of sodium benzoate on living yeast cells in his laboratory. What he found alarmed him: the benzoate was damaging an important area of DNA in the "power station" of cells known as the mitochondria.
He told The Independent on Sunday: "These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it: they knock it out altogether.
"The mitochondria consumes the oxygen to give you energy and if you damage it - as happens in a number if diseased states - then the cell starts to malfunction very seriously. And there is a whole array of diseases that are now being tied to damage to this DNA - Parkinson's and quite a lot of neuro-degenerative diseases, but above all the whole process of ageing."
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) backs the use of sodium benzoate in the UK and it has been approved by the European Union but last night, MPs called for it to investigate urgently.
Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat chair of Parliament's all-party environment group said: "Many additives are relatively new and their long-term impact cannot be certain. This preservative clearly needs to be investigated further by the FSA." A review of sodium benzoate by the World Health Organisation in 2000 concluded that it was safe, but it noted that the available science supporting its safety was "limited".
Professor Piper, whose work has been funded by a government research council, said tests conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration were out of date."The food industry will say these compounds have been tested and they are complete safe," he said. "By the criteria of modern safety testing, the safety tests were inadequate. Like all things, safety testing moves forward and you can conduct a much more rigorous safety test than you could 50 years ago."
He advised parents to think carefully about buying drinks with preservatives until the quantities in products were proved safe by new tests. "My concern is for children who are drinking large amounts," he said.
Coca-Cola and Britvic's Pepsi Max and Diet Pepsi all contain sodium benzoate. Their makers and the British Soft Drinks Association said they entrusted the safety of additives to the Government.
The “Dirty Dozen”: Must-buy organic foods - From The Daily Green - By Karen Berner
Not all of us can afford to go 100% organic. The solution? Focus on just those foods that come with the heaviest burden of pesticides, chemicals, additives and hormones. Whenever possible, deploy your organic spending power to buy organic versions of the following foods (in no particular order). Can't find organic versions of these foods? In some cases, we've listed safer alternatives that contain similar valuable vitamins and minerals.
1. Meat. Contrary to a widely reported "fact," meat typically contains less pesticide residue than plant-based foods, according to Debra Edwards, the director of EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs.
That said, raising animals with conventional modern methods often means using hormones to speed up growth, antibiotics to resist disease and pesticides to grow the grain fed to the animals. As the EPA puts it in an Ag 101 feature, "Antibiotics, pesticides, and hormones are organic compounds which are used in animal feeding operations and may pose risks if they enter the environment."
Consumers looking to avoid meats raised with these substances can seek out certified organic meat. To meet USDA standards, this meat can come only from animals fed organic feed and given no hormones or antibiotics.
Publications as varied as the Wall Street Journal, in its 2007 When Buying Organic Makes Sense and When It Doesn’t, and Consumers Union, in its 2006 Tips on Buying Organics Without Breaking the Bank, recommend seeking out organic meats when possible.
2. Milk. Pesticides and other man-made chemicals have been found in human breast milk, so it should come as no surprise that they have been found in dairy products. While any residues detected have been rare, and of low concentration, milk is of special concern because it is a staple of children's diets.
Organic dairies cannot feed their cows with grains grown with pesticides, nor can they use antibiotics or growth hormones like rGBH or rbST.
3. Coffee. Many of the beans you buy are grown in countries that don't regulate use of chemicals and pesticides. Look for the Fair Trade Certified Organic label on the coffee package or can; it will give you some assurance that chemicals and pesticides were not used on the plants. It will also mean that fair prices were paid for the end product in support of the farm and that farm workers are treated fairly.
4. Peaches. Multiple pesticides are regularly applied to these delicately skinned fruits in conventional orchards. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: watermelon, tangerines, oranges and grapefruit.
5. Apples. Scrubbing and peeling doesn't eliminate chemical residue completely so it's best to buy organic when it comes to apples. Peeling a fruit or vegetable also strips away many of their beneficial nutrients. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: watermelon, bananas and tangerines.
6. Sweet bell peppers. Peppers have thin skins that don't offer much of a barrier to pesticides. They're often heavily sprayed and victim to pesticides commonly used to keep them insect-free. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: green peas, broccoli and cabbage.
7. Celery. Celery has no protective skin, which makes it almost impossible to wash off the chemicals that are used on conventional crops. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: broccoli, radishes and onions.
8. Strawberries. If you buy strawberries out of season, they're most likely imported from countries that use less-stringent regulations for pesticide use. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: blueberries, kiwi and pineapples.
9. Lettuces. Leafy greens are frequently contaminated with what are considered the most potent pesticides used on food. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
10. Grapes. Imported grapes run a much greater risk of contamination than those grown domestically. Vineyards can be sprayed with different pesticides during different growth periods of the grape, and no 
amount of washing or peeling will eliminate contamination because of the grape's thin skin. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: blueberries, kiwi and raspberries.
11. Potatoes. America's popular spud ranks high for pesticide residue. It also gets the double whammy of fungicides added to the soil for growing. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: eggplant, cabbage and earthy mushrooms.
12. Tomatoes. A tomato's easily punctured skin is no match for chemicals that will eventually permeate it. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: green peas, broccoli and asparagus.
If the cost of buying all organics isn't within your budget, fear not. Check out The Daily Green's top ten list of fruit and vegetables you don't need to buy organic, with tips for buying and how to clean, store and use them in delicious recipes.
The information for this article in regard to pesticides in fruits and vegetables is based on The Environmental Working Group's analysis of federal pesticide testing data for commonly eaten fruits and vegetables.
How Can You Prevent or Control High Blood Pressure?
If you have high blood pressure, you and your health care provider need to work together as
a team to reduce it. The two of you need to agree on your blood pressure goal. Together, you
should come up with a plan and timetable for reaching your goal.
Blood pressure is usually measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded as
two numbers—systolic pressure (as the heart beats) “over” diastolic pressure (as the heart
relaxes between beats)—for example, 130/80 mmHg. Ask your doctor to write down for
you your blood pressure numbers and your blood pressure goal level.
Monitoring your blood pressure at home between visits to your doctor can be helpful.
You also may want to bring a family member with you when you visit your doctor.
Having a family member who knows that you have high blood pressure and who understands
what you need to do to lower your blood pressure often makes it easier to make
the changes that will help you reach your goal.
To read more, click <here> for a helpful guide on health and heart care published by The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. The publication is in PDF format.
Here you will find a collection of recipes fpr everyday healthy living. The recipes are provided by The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, and cover appetizers, soups, entrees, and more. Click <here> to see the recipes.
The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate. On the whole, kids are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer, or video-game console. And today's busy families have fewer free moments to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals, day in and day out. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy seems to be the mindset of many people, young and old, in the new millennium.
To read the full article at KidsHealth.com, click <here>
Proportion Distortion - An article from Harvard Health Publications
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans are eating more calories on average than they did in the 1970s. Between 1971 and 2000, the average man added 168 calories to his daily fare, while the average woman added 335 calories a day. What's driving this trend? Experts say it's a combination of increased availability, bigger portions, and more high-calorie foods.
Practically everywhere we go - shopping centers, sports stadiums, movie theaters - food is readily available. You can buy snacks or meals at roadside rest stops, 24-hour convenience stores, even gyms and health clubs. Americans are spending far more on foods eaten out of the home: In 1970, we spent 27% of our food budget on away-from-home food; by 2006, that percentage had risen to 46%.
In the 1950s, fast-food restaurants offered one portion size. Today, portion sizes have ballooned, a trend that has spilled over into many other foods, from cookies and popcorn to sandwiches and steaks. A typical serving of French fries from McDonald's contains three times more calories than when the franchise began. A single "super-sized" meal may contain 1,500-2,000 calories - all the calories that most people need for an entire day. And research shows that people will often eat what's in front of them, even if they're already full.
If you are trying to lose weight, let your eyes do some of the work. The Ebbinghaus-Titchener size-contrast optical illusion might help you choose smaller portions that can nudge your weight in the right direction.
In the illusion, identical circles (the white ones) look larger or smaller depending on what's around them. How can this help you eat, and be satisfied with, less food? The trick is in your kitchenware.
To test the illusion, a Cornell University marketing expert and two colleagues hosted an ice cream social for 85 nutrition experts. Some were given big bowls, others got small ones; some were given big serving spoons, others got smaller ones. Those who used smaller bowls or smaller spoons served themselves less ice cream. Here's the neat part: Everyone thought they served themselves the same amount, about 8 ounces, and were equally satisfied with how much they ate.
The take-home message from this study is that you may be able to trick yourself into eating less by using smaller plates, bowls, or other kitchenware.
The illusion may work in the other direction, too. If your weight has been dwindling, using larger plates or bowls may help you take in a few more calories.
For more information on weight control and health, order our special health report, Weigh Less, Live Longer: Strategies for successful weight loss, available at www.health.harvard.edu/WL
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Farmed Fish Might Be Unhealthy - From The Daily Green - By Annie Bell Muzaurieta
New Research Shows Popular Farmed Fish Might Adversely Affect Your Heart Health.
Health groups have been recommending that Americans eat two servings of fish a week to increase their intake of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
But is farmed fish included in that recommendation?
New research shows that farm-raised tilapia, a popular fish, may actually harm your heart due to low levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and high levels of unhealthy omega-6 fatty acids, according to U.S. News and World Report. The study was published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
The new research is particularly important for patients with conditions such as heart disease.
Senior study author Dr. Floyd H. Chilton is quoted in the article: "If you're in a vulnerable population such as a heart disease patient, you need to be very careful with what you're eating, and that includes everything. But when it comes to fish, there's not a more important thing you can do for heart disease than eat the right type of fish or take dietary fish oil. There is evidence that you may harm yourself by eating the wrong kind of fish, and [farmed] tilapia and catfish are the two that fall into that category."
The article suggests that no one has really looked at the nutritional effect of an explosion in farmed fish (increasing at an annual rate of 9.2 percent, compared with 1.4 percent for wild fish).
FDA to Explore Possible Vytorin-Cancer Link
WebMD Health News
Aug. 21, 2008 -- The FDA is reviewing the safety of Vytorin, which combines the cholesterol-lowering drugs Zocor and Zetia, after a clinical trial linked the drug to cancer risk.
In the trial, called SEAS, 4.1% of patients taking Vytorin died of some form of cancer -- more than the 2.5% of patients who received an inactive placebo.
A recent statement issued by the study investigators noted that these differences "are small and could have occurred as a result of chance."
While other clinical trial data do not indicate an increase in cancer risk, the FDA is alerting doctors and patients now while it awaits further data from the manufacturers, which they should receive in about three months. After that point, the FDA says it'll take an additional six months for a complete evaluation of the data.
Based on all available data on the link between Vytorin and cancer risk, the FDA says patients should not stop taking Vytorin or any other cholesterol drug.
The American Heart Association says the same thing, recommending that patients taking prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs should not stop taking them without talking with their doctor. Patients who stop taking prescribed cholesterol medications increase their risk of having a heart attack or other cardiovascular event.
Vytorin is jointly marketed by Merck and Schering-Plough. Schering-Plough tells WebMD it is cooperating with the FDA.
"We believe that the findings in SEAS on cancer are likely to be an anomaly," Schering-Plough's Mary-Fran Faraji tells WebMD. "We don't believe, in light of all the data, that there's an association [of cancer] with Vytorin."
A recent study reviewing cancer risk from Zocor and other cholesterol-lowering statin drugs found no link between statin use and cancer, contradicting its own preliminary findings that did suggest such a link.
"When you put all of the information together, there is no evidence that statins increase the risk of cancer," researcher Richard Karas, MD, says in a news release in response to those study findings.
In addition, interim data from two ongoing trials of Vytorin show no increased risk of cancer in patients receiving the drug. The first of these trials (the SHARP study) won't be finished until 2010; the second (the IMPROVE-IT study) will end in 2012.
In a separate development, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee is investigating the SEAS study and today asked Merck and Schering-Plough for details.
Faraji says both companies are cooperating with that investigation.
Earlier this year, Vytorin suffered another setback when a clinical trial showed that Vytorin did not reduce artery-clogging plaque better than Zocor alone.
WebMD's Miranda Hitti contributed to this report.
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