Dangers of Bottled Water

Do you constantly carry a bottle of water with you throughout the day? Well, you should be, right? That’s what healthy people do, right? After all, there has been unrelenting advertisements about switching to water and in the last ten years we have made an unbelievable shift in drink consumption from soda to water. We have been educated, trained, warned and informed. And it is great that so many of us stay hydrated throughout the day. But there’s a problem. A big problem. A problem so huge and expansive that most of us can’t even fathom.

We have been hearing lately of the massive overload on our environment from tossed plastic bottles ending up in streams, lakes and oceans. That is a huge problem. We are polluting our environment, overwhelming our landfills and poisoning marine life. But this still isn’t the worst part…

Plastic bottles are manufactured with styrene, which is made from refined crude oil, and through a very toxic process forms the small, thin bottles which will slowly leach out proven neuro-toxins into your water. Independent tests have been made on water in plastic bottles and shows significant levels of these chemicals and phthalates, which are estrogen like compounds that act in your body just like estrogen. Natural water sources where grey water is deposited consistently have fish with hormonal abnormalities due to phthalates from plastic and other sources being poured back into our streams and lakes. Bottles exposed to heat or sun, like those left in your car or out in flats on a loading dock, have much higher levels of these chemicals.

The larger, thicker plastic bottles, like those for water coolers are even worse. This type of plastic is proven to leach Bisphenol-A (BPA) into the water. The FDA maintains that low doses of this chemical is not toxic, but they base that off of two studies carried out by the industry that manufactures BPA! Conflict of interest anyone? Meanwhile, over 200 other independent studies have scientists very alarmed about the affects on our bodies.

At low doses, BPA interferes with natural estrogen getting into cells, and with increased exposure, can completely shut-off male reproductive systems. At high doses, it can shut down you body’s production of thyroid hormone. Vom Saal, a scientist interviewed for the documentary film Tapped says that BPA is: “one of the most toxic chemicals known to man”.

The Tapped website states that of these 200 independent scientific studies on BPA, they find it “relates to obesity, prostate cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, brain disorders like ADHD, liver disease, ovarian disease, disease of the uterus, low sperm count in men—the list is endless.” (accessed 9/21/2010)

Bottled water companies also have MONDO marketing budgets to make sure we think we are drinking superior, natural mineral water. The problem is, most companies are just selling minimally filtered tap water. Now, there are brands that do bottle water at the source, providing in clean, spring water. But the percentage is sooooo small. Plus, it turns out that any regulation that we might assume exists on bottled water standards—don’t really exist. Thanks to a nifty interstate loop-hole, the FDA only regulates product that crosses state lines. The majority of bottled water companies, like Coca Cola and Pepsi, sell bottled water that was bottled in that state. Therefore, there is zero regulation or inspection on the water quality.

Are you mad yet? I am. So what can we do about all this? The first, and most important thing is to stop drinking out of plastic bottles!!! But what about the water? In the film Tapped, they make a strong argument for how safe tap water is and how often and rigorously the quality is checked and that it is not only perfectly safe to drink it, but you can’t tell the difference anyway.  Personally, I just can’t agree with that. I think that the water quality completely depends on the city, how the water treatment plant works, and the surrounding environmental factors. The constant safety tests done on municipal water is only include the specific things they check for. But pollutants like pesticide run-off and industrial pollution deep in the ground water are not on their tests. There is also the new discovery of pharmaceutical pollution from all the antibiotics used in farming and the runoff from human excretion (like the synthetic estrogens in urine from birth control pill use—my MD told me about that one). These things are not checked for. Plus, some treatment centers use more natural means of filtration, and others, like Phoenix, just dump tons of chlorine in the water.

Personally, I can taste the difference. I can’t stand the taste of most tap water. Even here, in Norway, where the tap water is as pure as the melted snow pouring down the mountain behind me, the water that comes out of our faucet tastes like tap water. But at my parents’ previous house, it tasted just fine and I liked it. So, the pipes in your home will also affect your water. Tap water may be just fine at the testing site, but it has to travel a very long way through all sorts of pipes to get to your faucet.

Luckily for you, dear reader, one of my first textbooks, Staying Healthy with Nutrition, had a very long and specific section of the book devoted to water treatment and filtration. According to Dr. Elson Haas, the best filtration system that is widely available to the public is reverse-osmosis. Having one of these little tanks under your sink will provide you with a very thorough filtration of your water. RO units filter out almost everything from chemicals like chlorine to organic materials and some bacteria. It will even filter out the minerals. However, these units are quite expensive and they take a while to do their work. The second best is a compressed charcoal filter, which even include the faucet mounting Brita and Pur systems. While these filters are not the best for removing all the bad stuff, they are pretty effective. Dr. Haas actually recommends using both systems together, first the RO, then the charcoal, but I don’t think that’s really realistic in a normal household.

So stop buying plastic bottled water and start carrying your own filtered water in a glass or stainless steel bottle. There are many of these new, stainless steel water bottles popping up all over the place now. I haven’t tried one, and I’m a little suspicious that my water would taste like metal. Personally, I prefer glass; but as it can be impractical to travel with, these other bottles seem to be fine.

Happy hydration!

Resources:

Staying Healthy with Nutrition, By Elson Haas, MD 2008. (see Amazon link at right)

Tapped, a behind the scenes documentary on the bottled water industry.

www.tappedthemovie.com/

The Wonders of Vinegar

I came across a great article on Yahoo! about cleaning with vinegar and I thought I would share it. Here is an excerpt of the article "25 Ways to Clean with Vinegar" by Emily Hsieh:

"The cleaning aisle at just about any grocery store is stocked with a dizzying array of options—and when it comes down to it, there are a lot of expensive, toxic, superfluous products crowding the market. Chances are, you already have one of the best, all-purpose cleaning agents in your pantry: white vinegar. As noted earlier, vinegar actually works as a great laundry booster, stripping away the chemical build-up that detergent leaves behind (and gets rid of clingy odors in the process). And beyond that, there are tons of other applications for the stuff around your home..." For the complete article: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/25-ways-to-clean-with-vinegar-1371277/

The article also lists a great website for 1001 cleaning tips with vinegar. Here are some of the tips I like from www.vinegartips.com:

• Avoid the bad smell when you heat up a newly cleaned oven by using a sponge soaked in diluted white distilled vinegar for the final rinse.
• To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.
• Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly.
• To prevent good glassware from getting etched by minerals, wash then spray with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Give the glasses a hot water rinse before letting them dry or drying them with a towel.
• Remove white water rings from wood with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.
• Remove perspiration odor and stains on clothing, as well as those left by deodorants, by spraying full-strength white distilled vinegar on underarm and collar areas before tossing them into the washing machine.
• Forgot that you left wet laundry in the machine and it now smells moldy? Pour a few cups of white distilled vinegar in the machine and wash the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent.
• Get cleaner laundry! Add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse. The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.
• Eliminate manufacturing chemicals from new clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water.
• Give acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and gardenias a little help by watering them with a white distilled vinegar solution now and again. A cup of white distilled vinegar to a gallon of tap water is a good mixture.
• Stop ants from congregating by pouring white distilled vinegar on the area.
• Discourage cats from getting into the kids’ sandbox with white distilled vinegar.
• Preserve cut flowers and liven droopy ones by adding 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar to a quart of water in a vase.
• Kill weeds and grass growing in unwanted places by pouring full-strength white distilled vinegar on them. This works especially well in crevices and cracks of walkways and driveways.
• Create an all-purpose window cleaner with a few ounces of white distilled vinegar in a quart of water.
• Give leather upholstery an extra shine by cleaning it with hot white distilled vinegar and rinsing with soapy water.
• Make your car extra shiny by adding a few drops of white distilled vinegar to your bucket of water.

There are so many more great tips on the website, so check it out!

How Toxic Is Your Shampoo?

Beauty products are everywhere we look, in magazines, newspapers, billboards and on the shelves of every drug, grocery and department store. As one of the highest grossing industries worldwide, cosmetics are a part of everyday life. Unfortunately, with all our modern science, new chemicals and bulk availability, these products have become tubs of chemicals, often using potentially toxic ingredients to obtain a silky feel, good lather and a pleasant scent.

Shampoos are used just about daily by every person in America. The most common main ingredients in an average shampoo are sodium lauryl sulfate and ethyl parabens. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) has received a lot of attention in last few years as it is a known skin irritant.  According to David Steinman of Healthy Living, “shampoos rank among the products most often reported to the Food and Drug Administration for association with scalp irritation, stinging eyes, and tangled, split, and fuzzy hair”. He goes on to say that “studies have indicated that sodium lauryl sulfate enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain from skin contact” (as cited in Jason Cosmetics, 2008). In the recent organic, non-toxic health movement, many products advertise to be free of these potentially toxic ingredients.  However, products that claim to be free of SLS often contain derivatives of it like ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and cocamide DEA. These chemical detergents are less irritating to the skin; however, they are potentially carcinogenic.

The comparison I chose is shampoo for tendency toward oily hair. This will be between a common drug-store brand, Garnier Fructis Naturals, which claims to be made from natural ingredients and real herbal exctracts, and Rosemary Gladstar’s Make-it-Yourself Herbal Shampoo recipe. Below is a side by side comparison of the ingredients:

Garnier Fructis Ingredients

Water, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium  laureth sulfate, sodium chloride, kaolin, CI 19140/Yellow 5, CI 42090/Blue 1, sodium benzoate, Ethylparaben, salicylic acid, limonene, pimpinella anisum/anise fruit extract, Linalool, benzyl salicylate, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, alpha-isomethyl ionone, acrylates copolymer, methylparaben,  butylparaben, butylphenyl methylproprional, butylene glycol, hexyl cinnamal, fragrance (FIL C22508/1)

Rosemary Gladstar Herbal Shampoo

Distilled water, liquid castile soap, Rapunzel’s Locks Infusion (rosemary leaf, witch hazel bark, yarrow leaf), rosemary essential oil, lavender essential oil (Gladstar, 2008, p. 149)

Most of the ingredients in the Garnier shampoo are tested on animals. All of the sulfates, colors, and parabens have been tested on laboratory rats or guinea pigs. Ethylparaben, limonene, linalool, benzyl salicylate, propylparaben, alpha-isomethyl ionone, methylparaben, butylparaben, butylphenyl methylproprional, and hexyl cinnamal are all listed as known allergens, and parabens have shown to be hormonally affective and mutagenic in mice (“Environmental Working Group,” n.d.). The container boldly displays a seal stating “100% Natural Extracts” but the only ingredients of natural origin are water, sodium chloride, kaolin and anise extract; all other ingredients are synthetic.

Synthetic colorants are controversial ingredients. Although yellow 5 is approved by the FDA for limited use in food and cosmetics, several animal tests have shown it to be not only a neurotoxin, but the RTECS Journal of Toxicology and Mutation Report found it to be bioaccumalitve (meaining it builds up in tissue), cause developmental effects and is mutagenic on mammalian cells (meaning it can cause cells in mammals to mutate). Blue 1 is also listed as safe for common use by the FDA, but it is listed as a known neuro and respiratory toxin (“Environmental Working Group,” n.d.).

The National Library of Medicine HazMap lists Limonene as a known immune system toxicant and the European Union Classification and Labeling committee reports limonene to have occupational hazards in handling and to be a wildlife and environmental toxin (“Environmental Working Group,” n.d.). Imagining how many people are using these common chemicals on a daily basis and rinsing them down the drain to ground water supplies and into our oceans is alarming. The long-term effects on our bodies and our environment are still unknown.

The incredibly long list of synthetic ingredients in the Garnier shampoo is in sharp contrast to the short, simple and natural ingredient list of Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Shampoo. Her formula is devoid of any synthetic ingredients, ingredients that are tested on animals, environmentally toxic, or toxic to humans. The detergent she uses, liquid castile soap, is naturally derived from coconut. Rosemary essential oil is used for oily hair and treats dandruff while also promoting hair growth. In her recipe, she calls for 25 drops of an essential oil of choice, and I chose lavender because I love the scent and it goes well with rosemary. In addition, lavender is also good for dandruff and itchy scalp as well. With such straight-forward ingredients and the knowledge she has of herbs, I strongly believe that her shampoo is safer and healthier to use and more effective for oily hair than the Garnier formula.

Resources

Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. (n.d.).  Retrieved from: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

Gladstar, Rosemary. (2008). Herbal recipes for vibrant health. “North Adams”: Storey Publishing.

Steinman, David. (2008, June 9). Sodium laurel sulfate. Healthy Living. Retrieved from: http://www.jasoncosmetics.com/sodium_lauryl_sulfate.htm

Herbs For Healthy Digestion

Keeping Your Digestion Healthy

We all know what it feels like when our digestion isn’t working properly. For some, this is an occasional occurrence brought on by a heavy meal or excessive stress. For others, it can be a constant problem, where each meal causes discomfort, bloating, acid indigestion or worse.

What causes digestion problems?

There are many causes and factors to digestion problems, as each person’s body is unique. However, unhealthy digestion is one of the most common afflictions worldwide. The modern lifestyle, with its face pace, high stress and meals on the run is the biggest factor in digestive disorders. Eating fresh, local and simply prepared meals in a relaxed environment has been replaced by industrialized, processed meals that can be bought on the street corner, frozen and shipped thousands of miles to a microwave oven, picked up through the window of a car and all gulped down within minutes. All this has led to a diet of processed, sugar laden, nutritionally devoid foods that clog our organs and cause numerous digestive complaints. Thorough chewing, the first and major part of digestion, has also become a victim of this faced-paced lifestyle. 

How do you know if you suffer from digestive difficulties?
The symptoms of poor digestion are numerous; from acid indigestion/heartburn to constipation; from bloating after eating to feeling sluggish and heavy; from flatulence and belching to loose stool or diarrhea. Weight gain and weight loss are signals that food is not getting processed correctly. Even skin eruptions, foul breath and mental fog can be signs that you’re not digesting your food properly.

Assimilation is the process of your body breaking down all the nutrients from your food and utilizing them. Vitamins, minerals, protein, and fats are all important nutrients that protect your cells and organs and give them the fuel they need to function. When your digestion is off, your assimilation is affected and that can prevent your cells from getting their nutrients. Balancing your intake of these nutrients is important. According to Michael Tierra (1998), a healthy diet should be made up of primarily whole grains and beans, secondarily fresh vegetables and thirdly, of dairy, eggs, fruits and oils (p. 47). 

Look in your spice rack for help...
Did you know that many of the common spices in your kitchen can help with your digestive ailments? Many herbs and spices are carminative (gas relieving), like anise, caraway, cardamon, clove, cumin and fennel. Chewing on a mixture of anise, caraway, dill and fennel seeds can help digest a heavy meal, expel gas and soothe the stomach. Fennel can also stimulate digestion, neutralize excess acids in the stomach and intestines and regulate hunger. (Gladstar, 2008, p. 331) Ginger, a digestive superstar, is excellent for all types of stomach and intestinal upset, including nausea, gas pains, cramps and indigestion. Thyme is fantastic for the intestines. As a natural parasiticide, it can combat intestinal worms, treat diarrhea and chronic gastritis (Tierra, 1998, p. 80).

What supplements can help digestion?

Probiotic supplements are important for maintaining healthy intestinal flora. Digestive enzymes are also very important to healthy digestion. Enzymes break down your food so your body is able to assimilate the nutrients. Enzymes are easily available as supplements, and some are also found in fruits. Proteolytic enzyme supplements containing papain and bromelain are usually derived from papaya and pineapple.

What herbs can help digestion?
Herbs can provide the most effective treatment for many digestive ailments. Artichoke is a common digestive bitter in Europe, as it is also a diuretic, fat reducer and blocks cholesterol (Tierra, 1998, p. 88). One of the safest natural laxatives is cascara sagrada, which stimulates the entire digestive system and is also beneficial for colitis. Psyllium husk is another laxative that works as a bulking aid for dry constipation. Chamomile, a well known herb for stomach aches, is also good for most digestive problems, even diarrhea.

How are herbs supposed to be taken?
There are several ways to prepare herbs. The simplest way is to just eat the herb or seeds as needed, like with the anise and fennel seeds. But with other herbs, the most common preparation is as an infusion, where dried herbs are steeped in boiling water for several minutes. This way is good for any herb that is in a leaf form or finely ground. For whole pieces and harder roots, a decoction is recommended, which involves simmering the herbs for twenty to sixty minutes. Both of these methods involve drinking one to four cups of liquid to get an appropriate dose. In contrast, a tincture can be made with either an alcohol or vinegar base. This is then taken in a few drops and can be stored much longer than dried herbs, and is helpful when the taste of an herb is difficult to palate. Lastly, when herbs are very bitter, or just taste terrible, the finely ground powder can be put into gelatin capsules and taken with water.

Resources

Gladstar, Rosemary. (2008). Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health. “North Adams”: Storey Publishing.

Tierra, Michael. (1998). The Way of Herbs. “New York”: Pocket Books

My Top 10 Best Foods

Nearly all fruits and vegetables are good for the body, and research has proven that the more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables per day, the lower the risk for cardiovascular disease. One of the largest studies done on nutrition in health was Harvard’s Nurses’ Health Study. After following 110,000 people for 14 years, the study found “those who averaged eight or more servings per day were 30 percent less likely to have had a heart attack or stroke” (Bowden, 2007, p. 255).  While any whole, live food is recommended, some foods stand out as especially nutrient rich and anti-carcinogenic.

  

The Top 10 lists of the nutritional experts in Jonny Bowden’s “The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth” had many similar entries. Some foods, such as blueberries, broccoli, and spinach were almost unanimously chosen by all. The other common denominator amongst most choices are foods common in the diet and widely known to be healthy. In choosing my own top ten list, I had two main criteria that differed from those of the experts: First, foods that are convenient to snack on; second, to shed light on the unusual foods that people may never think to eat. It is well known that broccoli and spinach are extremely healthy foods--but how many know that dandelion greens are “nature’s richest green-vegetable source of beta carotene” (Bowden, 2007, p. 37); or that a medium jicama has three times the amount of fiber that most Americans eat in a day (Bowden, 2007, p. 45). Instead of listing foods common to people’s shopping lists, I wanted to pick out the nutritional powerhouses that are often overlooked at the grocery store.

My first choice is dandelion greens. Not only are they delicious, versatile greens that can be eaten raw in salads or sauteed with garlic and olive oil, but they are also highly nutritious. Due to it’s cleansing and tonifying affect on the liver, dandelion is often used in cases of Hepatitis C. The inulin in dandelion, which helps balance blood sugar levels, can aid diabetics. Being a soluble fiber, inulin also assists in the absorption of calcium and magnesium which can help prevent osteoporosis. Nutritionally, dandelion is impressive; it is even listed on the USDA Bulletin #8 as one of the top four green vegetables (Bowden, 2007, p. 37). According to Bowden (2007), one cup of cooked dandelion greens contains 147 mg of calcium, 244 mg of potassium, 203 mg of vitamin K, 3 g of fiber, 10,000 IUs of vitamin A, and 4,944 mcg of lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that prevent macular degeneration and cataracts (p. 37). The only precaution for dandelion is for people with gallstones, as dandelion increases production of bile and could aggravate the problem.

Another often overlooked vegetable is Jicama. It is an excellent source of fiber, extremely hydrating and a very low calorie food, making it an ideal snack for  people with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol, slow the absorption of sugar in the blood stream, and Bowden (2007) believes fiber is “the number-one supplement for weight loss” (p. 11). Jicama is refreshing and convenient to chop into spears and eat raw as a snack. Compared to high-fat, high calorie chips, jicama is 90% water, low calorie (49 calories per cup) and filling. Snacking on one medium jicama will provide you with vitamins, minerals and 32g of fiber (Bowden, 2007, p. 45).

Although commonly selected for making jack-o-lanterns instead of food, pumpkins are tremendously high in potassium and carotenoids. Potassium is great for controlling hypertension because it helps maintain the body’s water balance, keeps sodium levels in check and is alkalizing. Studies have shown that it can also decrease your risk of stroke and maintain healthy bone density (Bowden, 2007, p. 57). One cup of mashed pumpkin contains high levels of alpha and beta-carotenes (853 and 5,000 mcg), vitamin A (12,000 IU), lutein and zeaxanthin (2,400 mcg) and fiber (2.5 g). Pumpkin also contains beta-cryptoxanthin, a potent cartenoid, that studies have shown reduces the risk of lung cancer by 30 percent and rheumatoid arthritis by 41 percent (Bowden, 2007, p. 58).  Pumpkin seeds are a great snack, rich in minerals and beta-sistoserol, which is beneficial for prostate hyperplasia.

Guava is a delicious, nutritious, antioxidant superstar. In a test of antioxidant power, guava outranked strawberries, spinach, and broccoli (Bowden, 2007, p. 118). Guavas are rich in lycopene, which protects against heart disease, prostate cancer, breast cancer and fights free radicals more than any other carotenoid (Bowden, 2007, p. 119). Guavas have more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable, more potassium than bananas, more vitamin C than oranges and more fiber than apples. According to Bowden, one cup of guava provides 688 mg potassium, 376 mg of vitamin C, 9 g of fiber, 81 mcg of folate, 1,030 IUs of vitamin A and 617 mcg of beta-carotene (p. 120).

Grains can be a great source of vitamin E and fiber, but are hard to digest and through the processing of the germ, many of the nutrients are lost. Quinoa, however, is not processed like other grains and is a great high protein substitute for rice and similar grains used for side dishes, breakfast cereal or salads. Quinoa contains more protein and minerals than other grain and has been found by the Food Agriculture Organization to be nutritionally equivalent to dry whole milk (Bowden, 2007, p. 78). One half of a cup of quinoa contains an impressive 8 mg of iron and 5 g of fiber.

Fats are extremely important for the body, without which we could not survive. The type of fat we ingest, however, is the most important aspect. Bowden overwhelmingly emphasizes the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, monounsaturated fats and the healthy medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in saturated fat. While most of the experts picked avocados as their source of healthy saturated fat, number six on my list is coconut oil. Aside from the fact that it is ideal for cooking due to it’s high smoke point, it is an incredibly beneficial oil, both internally and externally, with antimicrobial and antibacterial benefits. The MCTs in coconut oil, mainly lauric acid, are known to kill the viruses that cause pneumonia, sinusitis, UTI, meningistis, gonorrhea, PVD, and stomach ulcers (Bowden, 2007, p. 301). The important thing to remember when consuming coconut oil is to find unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil, and never hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oil which contains dangerous trans fats.

My next two choices have to do with thyroid support. To function properly, the thyroid needs selenium and iodine. Brazil nuts are one of the richest sources of selenium, which enables the thyroid to convert T4 (the inactive hormone) into T3 (the active hormone)(Bowden, 2007, p. 149). In addition to assisting the thyroid, selenium is also a potent antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, eliminates toxic metals from the body, and improves sperm quality. A handful of Brazil nuts can provide 544 mcg of selenium, some calcium, fiber and healthy monounsaturated fats (Bowden, 2007, p. 150). Make sure your nuts have white flesh, as the high fat content easily turns them rancid, causing yellow flesh. If you have any nut allergies, proceed with caution.

Sea vegetables are a great supplement to thyroid health. The kelp family, in particular, is rich in iodine, another component of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Iodine is essential for a properly functioning thyroid and these sea vegetables contain 100-500 times the amount of iodine found in shellfish (Bowden, 2007, p. 236).  In addition to iodine, sea vegetables contain an abundance of calcium, iron, protein and trace minerals that are essential for growth and cell health. They can detoxify the body and prevent the absorption of heavy metals and environmental toxins like radiation. Steven Schecter, N.D. is quoted as stating: “There is no family of foods more protective against radiation and environmental pollutants than sea vegetables” (Bowden, 2007, p. 236).

Although unpopular in our culture, liver (calf or chicken) is one of the richest supplies of iron, protein and B vitamins than any other food. In fact, liver puree was used as the treatment for anemia and B12 deficiency before iron pills were manufactured. According to Bowden (2007), a 3 ounce portion of braised calf liver provides 100 percent of the RDA for vitamin A, B12, riboflavin, and copper; 93 percent of selenium; 55 percent of zinc; 50 percent of niacin and folate;  40 percent of thiamin and B6 and one third of the RDA for iron (p. 200). There are two precautions for ingesting liver. First, because the liver processes and stores toxins ingested by the animal, make sure you buy young, organic liver whenever possible. Secondly, pregnant women are advised to avoid liver due to it’s high content of vitamin A. However, Bowden (2007) points out that studies have shown dosages of 30,000 IUs per day posed no threat of birth defects (p. 200). One serving of liver provides slightly more vitamin A than two carrots (21,000 IUs). Therefore, an occasional serving of liver should be harmless for pregnant women, and is an excellent supplement for those with anemia.

My final choice had to include a great snack food that can provide precious, beneficial bacteria to the intestines. Our entire immune system and overall health depends on properly functioning intestines. Yogurt is one of the few food sources of probiotics that can maintain healthy flora in the intestines. The organisms in probiotics include bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus acidopholis, two of the most common strains found in yorgurt. These bacteria keep the balance of good and bad bacteria in check and are extremely important for people battling Candida overgrowth and ulcers from Heliobacter Pylori (Bowden, 2007, p. 183). Probiotics also help control inflammation and increase antibodies and Natural Killer cells. Yogurt also provides a good amount of protein, potassium, calcium, B vitamins and selenium. When choosing yogurt, pick the ones that contain “Live and Active Cultures” (or the LAC seal), not just “made with active cultures”, as the bacteria can easily be destroyed during processing (Bowden, 2007, p. 183). Most commercial yogurt is heavily sweetened. If you are diabetic or have a sensitivity to sugar, choose plain yogurt or a more natural brand made without sugar.

My selection of top ten foods covers a broad spectrum of essential nutrients while maintaining my prerequisites of convenience and uncommonality. I chose foods that provide well rounded nutrition from vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, protein, healthy fats and probiotics. I have also included foods that are anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial and boost the immune system. If you were to incorporate all these foods into your diet at least once a week, your body would become healthier and more resilient.

References

Bowden, Johnny. (2007). The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. Beverly: Fair Winds Press.

California Raw Milk Act of 2008

My friends and family know that I am not a fan of milk, nor do I think people should drink it on a daily basis. Thanks to the pasteurization process, the milk on today’s grocery shelves is devoid of any worthwhile vitamins, minerals, enzymes, or probiotics (with the exception of the synthetic Vitamin D that is added after processing). Plus, if your milk is not organic, it is filled with the residue of numerous antibiotics, pesticides, fertilizers and high amounts of synthetic estrogen (that your body recognizes as the real thing) from the growth hormones. In addition, the majority of people are lactose intolerant—for good reason, as adults are not supposed to be drinking milk—we got over that as a baby.

However, milk can be a very nutritious supplement to your diet if it has never gone through the damaging, high temperature pasteurization process. Raw milk is not only chock full of nutrients like calcium, but also the magnesium to support that calcium, and tons of very beneficial probiotics that help keep your intestines healthy and immune system strong. Numerous people have had health problems alleviated by switching to raw dairy.

Currently, raw milk is available in California in certain natural food stores or through dairy farm cooperatives, but it is expensive, obscure and there is no real standard of regulation. If purchasing raw dairy, it is very important that it comes from an impeccably clean facility with strict handling procedures.

The Fresh Raw Milk Act of 2008, Senate Bill 201, creates a new system for the regulation of raw milk. It will pioneer regulations that will ensure the safety of the products on the market, and not only give the opportunity to other dairy farms to clean up their act and participate in raw dairy market, but also give us the right to choose raw milk. Show your support of this ground breaking bill by calling the Governor Schwarzenegger’s office at 916-445-2841, or fax to 916-558-3160.

If you don’t live in California, but support the bill, call anyway! Remember, after a precedent is set, other states will follow suit. Let’s finally get some healthy milk on the shelves!

Holistic Moms Network

I just came across a great article on a fairly new organization, Holistic Moms Network (HMN), designed to create a community of like-minded parents who want to learn more about raising their children naturally. There are currently about 100 local chapters across the US, where parents get together to discuss things like vegetable juicing, breast feeding, conflict resolution, herbal remedies, composting, and more. But the main emphasis is always on living a healthier lifestyle for the whole family.

From the purpose statement on the HMN website:

We are dedicated to working with moms to create local chapters in their communities that will provide them with a happy, healthy forum for their mothering styles and that will bring them together in an environment that respects and honors their lifestyle and parenting choices.

Membership is $45 a year for the entire family, and there are monthly meetings or events like organic potluck meals or field trips. Dads and kids are always welcome to every meeting. There is always an educational component, like guest speakers, demonstrations and discussions on current hot topics.

I am so pleased to see an organization like this take off. No matter how healthy each of us tries to be in our own life, real change won't happen unless we start raising our kids and teaching them healthy lifestyles. This is particularly important now, with the unbelievably high rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, and ADHD. I think it is also very important to create this "support group" for moms that know they want to do things differently, but might not have the support of friends and family. I know there are moms out there that are surrounded by soda drinking, candy, chip and pop tart eating families, and know it's not good for their child. But it's hard to break out be different; especially if they make fun of you for it. If you are one of those mothers, please look into the Holistic Mothers Network and get some support for what you already know is better.

If you are interested in more information, or would like to join or start a local chapter of HMN, please go to their website:
http://www.holisticmoms.org/