General Health
Still thinking of having a flu shot this year?
21 October 2008The flu vaccine debate roars back into our daily life as winter once again approaches. Run, hide, and be very afraid, the FLU is back. Ok, so what is the flu? Some of the symptoms are fever, feeling excessively tired, painful joints, runny nose, cough, cold, and at its worst, congestion that can potentially lead to pneumonia, sickness, and diarrhea. These are all very uncomfortable to deal with, no doubt. But what of the risks of the flu shot?
Mercola posted this newsletter article at his website: “Additionally, a Group Health study found that flu shots do not protect elderly people against developing pneumonia — the primary cause of death resulting as a complication of the flu. Others have questioned whether there is any mortality benefit with influenza vaccination.
Vaccination coverage among the elderly increased from 15 percent in 1980 to 65 percent now, but there has been no decrease in deaths from influenza or pneumonia.
There is some evidence that flu shots cause Alzheimer’s disease, most likely as a result of combining mercury with aluminum and formaldehyde. Mercury in vaccines has also been implicated as a cause of autism. Three other serious adverse reactions to the flu vaccine are joint inflammation and arthritis, anaphylactic shock (and other life-threatening allergic reactions), and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a paralytic autoimmune disease. …”
Mercola points out that the flu shot has such high levels of mercury you may be better of having a good dose of the flu than suffering the side effects later in life of accumulated mercury and other toxins that flood into your brain with this vaccine. In this article, Mercola has an 8 point check list to help you ward off the flu and other seasonal ailments with some very simple solutions, including supplementation of Vitamin D to help strengthen your immune system.
If you want to avoid the flu this year, practice good hand washing, get plenty of sleep and maintain a regular schedule of chiropractic appointments. To read how chiropractic care can prevent the flu and help you avoid a flu shot read our article from February here: “CHANDLER, ARIZ, Nov. 8, 2004 — The World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) is recommending that people of all ages add chiropractic to their strategy for warding off and fighting the flu and its effects this season…”
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy!
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at Fontana Family Chiropractic, Evergreen Colorado.
Start a preventative maintenance schedule that’s convenient for you!
303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
*Update:
1. Safeminds.org Safeminds Alert – Flu Vaccines what you need to know. Get ALL the facts. In March of 2001, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement warning pregnant women and young children not to eat fish containing high levels of mercury because it causes neurological problems in children. Yet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that these same women and young children (ages 6 to 59 months) should get flu shots. Despite what you may have heard, flu shots still contain mercury in the form of the preservative thimerosal. In fact, some flu shots contain more mercury than the EPA recommended safe level for seafood.
2. SAFE MIND’s recently obtained the transcribed minutes to the Simpsonwood meeting held June 7-8, 2000 in Norcross, Georgia where the finding of the Vaccine Safety Datalink analysis of Thimerosal containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental outcomes were reviewed by a panel of experts. There were a number of additional findings not previously reported in the VSD data contained in this document. Read the PDF here.
More on High Fructose Corn Syrup.
18 October 2008As more and more consumers and professionals steer clear of corn syrup, especially high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the industry is spending big bucks to fight back.
You have probably seen the ads in which one person questions the use HFCS and the second person shoots them down, saying (smugly) that it is a natural sweetener made from corn. The first person is left feeling foolish, and stumbling for words.
Advertising professionals know that one of the most effective ways to sell a product or an idea is to convince the audience that if they do not use your product they will look foolish.
In both TV and magazine ads, the corn producers argue that HFCS is natural since it does not contain aritificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. But they do not explain that in order to change corn into a sweetener, it must go through multiple chemical processes that may leave residues of the chemicals, and these can cause reactions. [read our previous article on how corn syrup is processed into HFCS.] People who have difficulty processing sulfur and sulfur-based preservatives may be reacting to this residue. This may explain why some families report that their child reacts to corn syrup and HFCS, but not to other sweeteners. [It is also widely thought by some parents of children on the autism spectrum that their children react negatively to sulfur based products.]
We find a similar situation with vanillin (imitation vanilla). Despite the argument that the two share a common chemical structure, our sensitive children and adults react adversely to vanillin, but not vanilla.
Carbonated soft drinks might be especially troublesome, according to research conducted at Rutgers University. Dr. Chi-Tang Ho, a professor of food science, has found that carbonated beverages with HFCS are very high in “reactive carbonyls,” which are believed to cause tissue damage. But they are not found in table sugar (sucrose). People with diabetes have elevated levels of these reactive carbonyls, which are linked to the complications from the disease.
Another possible reason for reactions to corn syrup and HFCS is the use of genetically-modified corn. Researchers at York Laboratories in England found that in 1999, one year after Monsanto’s genetically modified soybeans first entered the food supply, soy allergies increased by 50% in just one year. Both soy and corn are over-used in processed foods, which may also explain why they are now common food allergens.
HFCS and Obesity
One of the biggest problems with HFCS could be its own success; it provides many benefits for food manufacturers. It gives bulk to foods, enables breads to brown and helps keep them soft, can prevent freezer burn in frozen foods, provides sweetness, and is added to low-fat foods to compensate for the loss of flavor when fat is removed. It is also very inexpensive.
Consumers expect to find sweeteners in desserts, but HFCS is used in many unexpected places, including: mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, lunchmeats, soups, salad dressings, crackers and cough syrup. Both low-fat yogurt and “healthy” smoothies can have a whopping 10 teaspoons of HFCS in a serving and soda has even more. In addition to other sweeteners, the average American eats over 40lbs of HFCS each year! Processed foods and restaurant food (especially fast foods) are loaded with it, but perhaps the biggest offenders are the typical foods served in school cafeterias. Visit school lunch. org .
Reprinted from Pure Facts, the newsletter of the Feingold Association of the United States, visit their website at Feingold.org
Make an Adjustment! Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy.
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan for your next chiropractic wellness appointment, 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Recalls, and warnings, how do you know?
14 October 2008Recalls, notices, and items removed from the market, how do you find out?
Your favorite headache medicine just got a black box warning, but you still have 500 left in your bottle so you will never know until the end of the pill bottle that you should have been much more careful with.
Your dog food contains plastic, your water is tainted, and the drug you have taken for 10 years suddenly gets pulled from the market. How on earth do you find this information in a timely manner? Many people are not aware that the FDA provides a free, email update service to those who register their email address, and when products or items are recalled or removed due to a safety issue, you will be informed via email.To subscribe go to FDA enter your email address, confirm and select your preferences. Then click the under the heading View all subscriptions available for: U.S. Food and Drug administration. You will be taken to an extensive list of possibilities.
Including but not limited to:
- Animal and veterinary health.
- Color additives.
- Consumer Health Information.
- Food and Nutrition.
- Pediatrics and Ethics.
- Recalls and safety alerts.
To name just a few of the categories.
It’s actually very interesting to see how much is recalled that we don’t ever hear about from mass media, a couple of recent additions have been:
Barry Callebaut USA LLC is conducting a voluntary recall on its product sold by Kroger Stores under the brand “Kroger Value Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips”, 12 oz.
Or how about:
HUA XIA Food Trade USA, Inc. of Flushing, NY, is recalling YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink packaged in 250ml flexible paperboard boxes (all codes and all lots are affected) and YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink packaged in 250ml flexible paperboard boxes (all codes and all lots are affected) because it may be contaminated with melamine.
Or finally:
Tristar Food, Jersey City, NJ is initiating a nationwide recall of all of their 100 ml plastic bottle packages of Blue Cat Flavor Drink (Lanmao) because it may be contaminated with Melamine.
Become an informed consumer, educate yourself, it is simply not enough to rely on someone else to keep you updated.
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be happy!
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan for your next chiropractic health check at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Peanut Butter Recall: Kellogg Company Announces Precautionary Hold on Austin and Keebler Branded Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers Contact: Kellogg Consumer Response Center 888-314-2060
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Battle Creek, MI — January 14, 2009 — Kellogg Company today announced it has taken the precautionary measure of putting a hold on Austin® and Keebler® branded Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Crackers, Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Sandwich Crackers.
FDA and other regulatory agencies have indicated that Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) is the focus of their investigation concerning a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. PCA is one of several peanut paste suppliers that the company uses in its Austin® and Keebler® branded peanut butter sandwich crackers.
Kellogg Company’s investigation has not indicated any concerns, nor has the Company received any consumer illness complaints about these products.
Nonetheless, Kellogg Company is taking precautionary measures including putting a hold on any inventory in its control, removing product from retail store shelves, and encouraging customers and consumers to hold and not eat these products until regulatory officials complete their investigation of PCA and Kellogg provides further information as to the resolution of this issue.
“Consumer health and safety is our top priority,” said David Mackay, president and CEO, Kellogg Company. “We are taking these voluntary actions out of an abundance of caution.”
While no additional consumer action is necessary at this time, consumers with questions or who would like a product refund can call the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 888-314-2060
NB: This recall is being taken seriously by companies who use peanut butter in their products such as various ice-cream producers. If you are worried about a product you have on your shelf go to the FDA recall site and type in your search query.
More reasons to avoid Soy products.
10 October 2008The Evil That Soy Does!?!
This came into my inbox on Tuesday from Dr. Mercola’s newsletter posted for all to read at his website Mercola.com
We have already written about the merits or rather demerits of consuming too much soy, but now it seems that any amount is too much if it is the wrong genetically modified, processed version such as soy lecithin. Soy lecithin is incredibly hard to avoid especially if you choose to eat those processed food varieties. To make the processed food stable and give it a shelf life longer than your carrots, companies simply have to add products to your food to make it last, be it high salt content, preservatives, additives or soy. Consuming any of these products in high quantities can be detrimental to your health. As always fresh is best when it comes to what you are putting in your body.
Dr. Mercola goes on to say: What’s So Wrong With Soy?
Unlike the Asian culture, where people eat small amounts of whole soybean products, western food processors separate the soybean into two golden commodities–protein and oil. And there is nothing natural or safe about these products.
Says Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story, “Today’s high-tech processing methods not only fail to remove the anti-nutrients and toxins that are naturally present in soybeans but leave toxic and carcinogenic residues created by the high temperatures, high pressure, alkali and acid baths and petroleum solvents.”
Dr. Daniel also points out the findings of numerous studies reviewed by her and other colleagues — that soy does not reliably lower cholesterol, and in fact raises homocysteine levels in many people, which has been found to increase your risk of stroke, birth defects, and yes: heart disease.
Other common health problems linked to a high-soy diet include:
Thyroid Problems, including weight gain, lethargy, malaise, fatigue, hair loss, and loss of libido
Premature puberty and other developmental problems in babies, children and adolescents
Brain damage
Reproductive disorders
Weakened immune system
Severe, potentially fatal food allergies.
Most soy, perhaps about 80 percent or more, is also genetically modified, which adds its own batch of health concerns.
Despite these findings, many people still want to believe the hype, thinking that these studies must somehow be wrong. But the content of soy itself should be a clue. For example, non-fermented soy products contain:
• Phytoestrogens (isoflavones) genistein and daidzein, which mimic and sometimes block the hormone estrogen
• Phytates, which block your body’s uptake of minerals
• Enzyme Inhibitors, which hinder protein digestion
• Hemaggluttin, which causes red blood cells to clump together and inhibits oxygen take-up and growth
• High amounts of omega-6 fat, which is pro-inflammatory
To read the article in its entirety and also view comments posted by Dr.Mercola’s readers go to the Mercola website. Simply put, Mercola has a plethera of information on reasons not to consume Soy. It is such an important topic to understand, as more and more in the coming months, companies are going to be touting soy as the next big health food/drink. In reality soy is not the answer to your health situation, a well-balanced, nutritious diet with adequate amounts of exercise is. Read the articles, become informed and choose whether soy is right for you based on the information you find out not just on what we can write here.
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy!
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Beat the Halloween Highs & Lows this year!
6 October 2008HALLOWEEN candy can seem less of a treat to parents, teachers, and children, who are hung-over from a candy high, the week after All Hallows Eve. It’s no secret that the week after Halloween is terribly taxing on everyone, kids don’t sleep well, tantrums escalate, emotions run high, and patience is hard to find.
Now no-one wants to take the fun out of Halloween, it’s a spooky, cute tradition that my children adore. But, I absolutely refuse to let my little darlings turn into Mr. Hyde after a hard night binging on colorful candy treats.
I don’t want to spoil the fun of trick or treating, or the joy of handing out treats to the other kids in the neigborhood, but I can limit what my children ingest. We live in a neighborhood that attracts several hundred children on Halloween night; it starts with a parade and finishes with kids going door to door to collect their treats.
Around 6:00 pm the little kids come by with little buckets or baskets, escorted by giggling parents holding cameras and snapping away furiously as their little bumble-bee or pea-pod climbs onto my porch and lisps “twick or tweat.”
Around 7 pm -ish we see the older kids about 8-12 years old, still polite, and dressed up but instead of the little bucket they come bearing a large pillow case, these kids are still quite happy for you to dispense one candy or treat into their carry alls.
Later, around 8 pm the big kids start to come by, and this is where I have one problem with Halloween night. Seriously shouldn’t one stop trick or treating at an age where stubble starts to show through the face paint, or when you are not actually wearing a costume but you are just looking scary with your girlfriends/ mother’s/ aunts eyeliner while toting a large black trash bag. Please don’t expect me to dish out my Newman’s Own candy treats, or even the little toys that I bought especially for tonight. Seriously do you really want or need a pirate yo-yo or a bouncy ball – I think not. Worse yet, these are the kids whose parents or older friends stay in the car, driving slowly down the street as their kids/friends troll door to door, scaring old ladies and making dogs bark in fright.
Remember little kids are cute; teens beyond puberty are just plain weird and scary.
Anyway my point being – handing out gluttonous amounts of nasty chemicals to kids dressed in weird outfits is just a tirade waiting to happen. This Halloween make a stand, get your kids to trade candy with the “Halloween Fairy” – switch their chemical laden chocolate and high fructose corn syrup concoctions and swop it for the good, old fashioned non-chemical variety. Yes it is out there, and making a come-back. Now I confess I do not hand out the ‘good’ candy to trick-or-treaters – it does tend to be more expensive, so instead I buy little bouncy balls, kaleidoscopes, crayons, note pads and other trivial trashy fare (I am looking for the lesser of two evils obviously) and hand that out. By 8:00 pm I turn off my porch light, thereby avoiding the Mad Max teenagers looking for left-over candy.
So for my kids, A: They are limited to the amount of candy they can keep and B: They get to choose from my stash of gluten free, natural, non-preservative, chemical and additive free candy. And in return I don’t get two out-of-control, tummy aching, whiny, junk laden kids to deal with, well at least not because of the candy.
Where to get this candy? Some I buy online, some is purchased from our local supermarket, health food store, or the farmers market. See some of our favorites below:
Natural Candy Store: Gummy Bears, cotton candy and the Natural candy party mix. We can also get gluten/dairy free candy here.
Sunspire Drops - colorful M&M type candy.
Yummy Earth Lollipops and candy
Any of the Newman’s Own candy works as well, that seems to be readily available at most retail stores.
Pretty much we can replicate whatever the other kids are eating but in a natural healthy (!) way, or as healthy as candy can be, because as I am sure you will agree, I am pretty sure the apple won’t suffice on this occasion.
Have a safe, happy, and tolerant Halloween holiday.
For your entire chiropractic healthcare needs call
Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at Fontana Chiropractic 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy!
Inflammation fighting foods.
4 October 2008What do pineapples, olive oil, dark chocolate, cherries, tumeric, fish, flaxseed, almonds, apples and whole grains have in common?
These 10 foods are all great inflammation fighters and can be eaten to deter or lessen the inflammation in our bodies. What is the impact of inflammation on our bodies? According to Wikipedia the definition of Inflammation (Latin, inflamatio, to set on fire) is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue. Inflammation is not a synonym for infection. Even in cases where inflammation is caused by infection it is incorrect to use the terms as synonyms: infection is caused by an exogenous pathogen, while inflammation is the response of the organism to the pathogen.
When are bodies are inflamed there is a negative reaction. Some, but not all, types of arthritis are the result of misdirected inflammation. Arthritis is a general term that describes inflammation in joints. Some types of arthritis associated with inflammation include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Shoulder tendinitis or bursitis
- Gouty arthritis
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
A wide range of other problems can be linked to inflammation including infertility.
As always our diet can have a negative or positive effect on our overall health and well being, but it helps to know what helps and what hurts. Pro-inflammatory foods will increase inflammation, increase your pain from the inflammation and may also raise your risk for chronic disease. Loading up on junk foods, high-fat meats, sugar and fast foods will increase inflammation in your body. This is partially due to the unhealthy fats used in preparing and processing these foods, especially trans fats and saturated fats. Processed meats such as lunch meats, hot dogs and sausages contain chemicals such as nitrites that are associated with increased inflammation and chronic disease.
Saturated fats are also found in meats, dairy products, and eggs. While all of these foods are important source of minerals and vitamins, you don’t need the extra saturated fat. These foods also also contain fatty acids called arachidonic acid. While some arachidonic acid is essential for your health, too much arachidonic acid in the diet may make your inflammation worse. Be sure to choose low fat milk and cheese and lean cuts of meat, which will not promote inflammation.
So run don’t walk to the grocery store and buy some of these categories of inflammation fighting foods and leave the fries to those who don’t know any better.
MSN Health lists the top 10 as follows:
- Pineapples With its potent mix of vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes (in particular, bromelain), pineapple is an all-body anti-inflammation cocktail. It also protects against colon cancer, arthritis, and macular degeneration, says Grieger. If only the “colada” part of the equation were as healthy. Have half a cup, two or three times a week.
- Olive oil The extra-virgin variety is rich in beneficial monounsaturated fats. “Its fatty acids and polyphenols reduce inflammation in cells and joints,” says Grieger. A study in the journal Nature found that it’s as effective as Advil at reducing inflammation. “Have two tablespoons a day,” says Bowerman.
- Bing cherries Research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that eating up to 45 bing cherries a day can lower the risk of tendinitis, bursitis, arthritis and gout, says Bowerman. Studies also suggest that they reduce the risk of chronic diseases and metabolic syndrome. “They taste great on yogurt or cereal,” says Bowerman.
- Dark chocolate “The flavonoids in dark chocolate inhibit platelet clumping, which reduces the risk for stroke, heart attack and embolisms,” says Bowerman. “It’s high in calories, so limit yourself each day to a half bar with at least 70 percent cacao.”
- Turmeric Curcumin, the polyphenol that gives the spice its tang and yellow hue, has anti-tumor, anti-arthritis, and anti-inflammatory properties. “Studies show that it also inhibits the growth of plaques associated with Alzheimer’s,” says Bowerman. Sprinkle half a tablespoon on fish or chicken to add color and flavor.
- Wild fatty fish Mackerel and other wild fatty fish contain a hearty dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which protect the heart, cells, joints and brain. “Stay away from farmed varieties,” says Bowerman. “They contain undesirable levels of omega-6 fatty acids.” The DHA and EPA in the oil of these fish also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Shoot for four six-ounce servings a week. “I like mine grilled with olive oil, lemon and sea salt,” notes Bowerman.
- Flaxseed Rich in protein and fiber, these seeds taste great on cereal and yogurt. Their oil also comes in pill or liquid form, and is high in alpha-linolenic omega-3s, which puts them next to wild fish on the list of heart-healthy fare. “They’re a great brain food too,” says Andrews. Shoot for a tablespoon of ground flaxseed a day.
- Almonds These energy-rich snacks lower bad cholesterol, thanks to plant sterols, and benefit diabetics by lowering blood sugar. They’re also rich in amino acids, which bolster testosterone levels and muscle growth. “Eat a third of a cup a day with the skins on. The skin is full of antioxidants,” says Bowerman.
- Apples An apple a day reduces swelling of all kinds, thanks to quercetin, a flavonoid also found in the skin of red onions. Quercetin reduces the risk of allergies, heart attack, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and prostate and lung cancers. If given the choice, opt for Red Delicious. They contain the most inflammation-fighting antioxidants.
- Whole grains Whole grains—oatmeal, wheat flour, barley, brown rice—are high in fiber, which calms inflamed tissues while keeping the heart strong and the colon healthy. Not all breads and crackers advertised as “whole grain” are the real deal. “Read the label,” says Grieger. “Those that aren’t whole grain can be high in fat, which increases inflammation.” Try for two slices of whole-grain bread a day.
Make an adjustment: Stay healthy ~ Be Happy.
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan for more information on an anti-inflammatory diet and your ongoing chiropractic care.
303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
An update on the effectiveness of D-mannose.
29 September 2008An update on D-Mannose to resolve urinary tract infections. I had previously written: “This new product that these (UTI) bacteria are highly attracted to will kill bad bacteria fast. In fact they would rather bind to this substance than the lining of the urinary tract. When the proper dose is taken the bacteria promptly detach from the urinary tract lining and bind to this substance. Now the freely floating bacteria attached to this substance is then eliminated upon urination flushing the infection away. ”
After a trial by fire this weekend, I can say that in my case, the D-mannose failed to perform as suggested. Sadly I am back on antibiotic treatments after a hellish weekend of waiting for the supplement to do its work. I must confess to not using this as a preventative treatment, I only started to use it once I already had a UTI and maybe that was the error. I gave it my best shot taking 12 pills over the course of 5 hours and the following day taking 12 pills over 12 hours. It did initially seem to ward of the symptoms but after about 24 hours on the supplement my symptoms came back with avengeance.
It seems as this may be natural answer for some people in knocking out a bacterial infection, but not in my case. Not one to give up, although I am resigned to antibiotics again this time, I have already found the following cures at Home Remedies, and I will be trying these the next time.
- A mixture of 1/2 tsp baking soda in eight ounce glass of water can be very helpful on the first signs of urinary tract infection. The presence of baking soda in your system raises the acid-base balance of the acidic urine.
- It is very important for your system to have a good flow of urine. This can be done by consuming plenty of water. It cleanses your body by diluting and flushing out the unwanted substance.
- Cranberry juice disallows bacteria to cling to the cell, which line the urinary tract. It is a great remedy to fight this infection. If you cannot have the cranberry juice directly you can mix it with apple juice to add some taste.
- You can make an essential oil by using equal parts of sandalwood, bergamot, tea tree, frankincense and juniper. Mix all these ingredients to make an oil to be rubbed over your bladder area. Continue this massaging technique for three to four days once the symptoms subside.
- You can consume at least two capsules three times a day of Echinacea and Oregon grape root or goldenseal to fight the infection.
- In acute cases try having 1/2 tsp of tincture every hour. Severe infection needs severe measures. Blend equal parts of pipsissewa, buchu, echinacea, and uva ursi tinctures. Have 20 drops of this blended mixture every two hours for first two days and later 1 tsp four times a day, till you have completely recovered. Have a soothing tea such as marshmallow root to counter the strong antiseptic effect of urva ursi.
We would love to know what works for other people. Let us know by posting your comments about your experience with this supplement or other supplements that you found that you consider the cure all for you.
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan for your next chiropractic appointment at
303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
High Fructose Corn Syrup
15 September 2008The question came up the other day about high fructose corn syrup and why it should be avoided. After all there are advertisements running right now on our television to convince us we have been wrong about this sweetener and that in actual fact it is not bad for us after all. Check out Sweet Surprise Quick Facts.
High fructose corn syrup is commonly used in place of sugar in processed foods in the USA. According to wikihow, the average American eats an astounding 41.5 lbs of high fructose corn syrup per year. American subsidies and tariffs have resulted in corn being a much more economical sweetener than sugar — a trend that is not seen in other parts of the world. Now that high fructose corn syrup is being added to an increasing variety of foods (breads, cereals, soft drinks, and condiments); some people are looking for ways to avoid it.
But often the question remains that: Is it the corn syrup making us fat, or is it that we consume products far higher in calories because of our love of processed food?
The Mayo Clinic has this to say about HFCS. High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener and preservative used in many processed foods. It is made by changing the sugar in cornstarch to fructose — another form of sugar. Some nutrition experts blame increased consumption of high-fructose corn syrup for the growing obesity problem. One theory is that fructose is more readily converted to fat by your liver than is sucrose, increasing the levels of fat in your bloodstream. But this hasn’t been proved. In addition, animal studies have shown a link between increased consumption of high-fructose corn syrup and adverse health effects, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. However, the evidence is not as clear in human studies. Despite the lack of clarity in research, the fact remains that Americans consume large quantities of high-fructose corn syrup in the form of soft drinks, fruit-flavored beverages and other processed foods. These types of foods are often high in calories and low in nutritional value. This fact alone is reason to be cautious about foods containing high-fructose corn syrup.
The Weston A Price Foundation reports that one possible link, a lack of copper in our children’s diet might give us a reason as to why our bodies are so sensitive to HFCS “For many years, Dr. Meira Fields and her coworkers at the US Department of Agriculture investigated the harmful effects of dietary sugar on rats. They discovered that when male rats are fed a diet deficient in copper, with sucrose as the carbohydrate, they develop severe pathologies of vital organs. Liver, heart, and testes exhibit extreme swelling, while the pancreas atrophies, invariably leading to death of the rats before maturity. … These experiments should give us pause when we consider the great increase in the use of high fructose corn syrup during the past 30 years, particularly in soft drinks, fruit juices and other beverages aimed at growing children, children increasingly likely to be copper deficient as modern parents no longer serve liver to their families. (Liver is by far the best source of copper in human diets.)”
How is HFCS made?
Our local health food market Earth Fare, chooses to not carry any products that contain high fructose corn syrup and for this I am grateful. My son has a hard time processing fructose, in any form. He gets hyperactive, sweaty, and out of control within minutes of eating any food processed with HFCS and for this reason we avoid it. It can be a hard task as many “natural” products including some apple sauce or tinned-fruit actually have HFCS added, but we are getting really good at reading labels in our house.
How can you avoid HFCS? Read, read, read labels. Don’t rely on the word “natural” on the packaging; marketing companies are very clever and we now know that just because a package is drawn to look like it is an earthy natural product, or even declaring itself 100% natural on the box, there are no guarantees that anything in the product is natural. There are no clear guidelines on what can be called “natural” so it really is a term to be ignored for the most part. 100% organic labels can usually be trusted. Regardless we should already be on the lookout for genetically modified corn, but when manufacturers take that g.m.corn and turn it into high fructose corn syrup you then have something grown from the get-go that is infused with chemicals and pesticides, then it is processed with more chemicals to produce the cheaper than sugar high fructose corn syrup. How would your body know what to do with this by-product of corn?
The San Francisco Chronicle article “Sugar Coated” is fascinating reading about the corn syrup debate. The article lists many arguments about the additive/preservative and is highly interesting reading for those interested in this product. The article mentions a couple of different things including: “Journalist Greg Critser lays out a compelling case against high fructose corn syrup in his 2003 book, “Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World.” He argues that federal policies that aimed to stabilize food prices and support corn production in the 1970s led to a glut of corn and then to high fructose corn syrup. With a cheaper way to sweeten food, producers pumped up the size and amount of sweet snacks and drinks on the market and increased profits.
Further, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2002 published research that showed that teenagers’ milk consumption between 1965 and 1996 decreased by 36 percent, while soda consumption increased by more than 200 percent. “
The Feingold Organization also opposes the use of this additive for some children but not for the reason of obesity, part of their article mentions: Although it is not eliminated on the Feingold Program, some members find that corn syrup is a major offender. The problem is usually not caused by an allergy to corn but is believed to be a reaction to the chemicals used in processing the corn, especially sulfur. Actually, sulfur is an essential element and is found in every cell of plants and animals, but not everyone is able to process some of the sulfur-based chemicals. Some autistic children seem to have a particular problem processing sulfite. It is believed that they lack the enzymes needed to add oxygen to the sulfite, making a sulfate, which can then be excreted.
It’s actually easier to avoid high fructose corn syrup than it is to avoid – say MSG, products that contain corn syrup will have it clearly listed on the label, MSG on the other hand is often hidden under the “natural flavoring” heading.
Check that the juice your child is drinking does not have this corn syrup added. Better yet, limit juice with your child and try to slowly move them to water. It’s not only cheaper to give them, but its far healthier, and when water spills on the rugs or in the car there is no sticky mess to clean up.
Check the canned fruit you are purchasing, many have HFCS added, in addition check the apple sauce or other pureed fruit, it can be another offender.
Ditch the soda, if your child can drink water, you can certainly drink water as well. Water (just remember the filter and stainless steel water bottle) is so much better for us and cheaper than soda or juice. Soda does not just contain HFCS the diet varieties, which many people drink, contain artificial sweeteners, thought to further trick your body and make you gain weight rather than lose or maintain.
Try to limit processed or fast food; many of those products have the highest quantity of high fructose corn syrup.
Make an adjustment: Stay healthy ~ Be Happy ~ Eat Healthy!
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at Fontana Family Chiropractic 303.674.1500
or email office@fontanachiro.com
Energy Drinks, Sleep and the Ability to Learn.
14 September 2008Do you need an energy drink to get through the day?
The market for super sugary caffeine laced drinks has become very popular in the last few years. No longer just limited to Mountain Dew more and more drinks are on the market with obscene amounts of caffeine. Young Hollywood stars are seen going everywhere with a can in their hand, but now manufacturers have started adding it to alcohol gives it an extra kick. Just when and how do these people sleep? Now, I am all for staying awake and getting double the amount done in a day, but at what cost? The straight caffeine pills such as No-Doze , are available over the counter in every drug store in America and across Europe and by all accounts are mainly marketed to long distance truck drivers or used by college students and people who have a desire to stay awake for long periods.
In the Feingold Newsletter September 2008, Vol 32, No.7. There is an article about the energy drinks being marketed today.
Alcohol energy drinks pose problems for young consumers.
Alcoholic beverages that have added caffeine and look very much like non-alcoholic energy drinks have sounded alarms among public health officials. They have fruit flavorings which appeal to underage drinkers and the combination of stimulants and alcohol can give a consumer the impression that he is not impaired.
The products known as “alcospeed,” have names like Tilt, The Liquid Charge, Rockstar 21, Joose, Amp, Sparks, and Bud Extra. They have been sold to minors by convenience store employees who did not recognize them as alcoholic. These drinks are a staple on many college campuses. (In addition to alcohol and stimulants, many have synthetic dyes, flavorings, and artificial sweeteners.)
The nation’s largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch have agreed to stop selling these drinks after a coalition of eleven state attorneys general showed that the company was illegally marketing the beverages to underage people. Busch will stop manufacturing and marketing alcoholic drinks that contain stimulants including caffeine, guarani, taurine and ginseng. Other companies continue to sell alcospeed beverages, and various states are investigating their practices. Non-alcoholic energy drinks are a $3.2 billion market and the majority of consumers are between the ages of 12 and 17 years old.
Reprinted from Pure Facts, the newsletter of the Feingold Association of the Untied States, FEINGOLD.
Even without the alcohol the beverages that are marketed with high amounts of stimulants and caffeine pack quite the punch. Wired Magazine recently published an article on the contents of Red Bull. From Glucose to Taurine and the little studied Glucuronolactone, the effects of each component are listed, but basically most in such small amounts that its unlikely to be beneficial, however the caffeine content is what really gives red bull its kick and as Wired Magazine points out, “Ah, here are Red Bull’s wings. All the things this drink is supposed to do for you — increase concentration and reaction speed, improve emotional state, and boost metabolism — are known effects of this white powder, a distant cousin of cocaine.” That should make anyone think twice about consuming these drinks in high quantities. Like cocaine, caffiene is a drug, albeit a legal drug, but a drug none the less, consume in high quantities and you may experience some very negative side effects.
The best advice anyone can get? Get a good nights sleep; giving yourself ample time to rest at night isn’t just smart it’s the one way to ensure your total health. Sleep has even been proven to be necessary to our basic survival, in extreme cases there is a condition where people are unable to sleep, and in the end death is the relief from this condition. Sleep is more than important – it’s essential. Start young and ingrain the message to both yourself and your children that sleep truly is important. Set a schedule to ensure your child is getting enough sleep, early bedtimes might seem “lame” to their schoolmates but in the end the long term benefits far outweigh the stigma of going to bed early.
Smart kids sleep! “Sleep does more than banish dark under-eye circles. It also helps you learn, according to an increasing amount of research in animals and humans. Advances in neuroscience led scientists in recent years to produce a large body of converging evidence that shows that sleep helps secure memories and aids at least some types of learning. The findings indicate that sleep is much more important than commonly believed.” Society for Neuroscience.
If you or your child has a sleep problem, if you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, speak with Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at Fontana Family Chiropractic. Chiropractic has been shown to have a positive effect on sleep problems. Chiropractors evaluate sleep complaints with a meticulous sleep history and physical examination with particular attention to the neurologic, cardiopulmonary, and psychological functions. “Chiropractors are often the clinician of choice for the pain patient. As such, they are very experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders associated with a variety of conditions that contribute to them,” bnet What’s New About Sleep.
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy!
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
* Update, more on energy drinks: 10/16/08 ”… do these beverages really energize your body and sharpen your mind? Or should you can the energy drinks for good? To help you separate the science from the sales pitch, we analyzed five key ingredients in the market’s most popular potions.”
Soy.
1 August 2008
SOY
So here I am – still happily ensconced in Starbucks for the duration and my mind is still wandering to all things drinkable, and to the number of folks who wander through these doors and order a soy based beverage. Personally I don’t enjoy the flavor of soy and my children are kept off all soy based products because they are both intolerant. Soy reacts in the body in a similar way to dairy (casein) so if one has an intolerance to dairy chances are they are intolerant to both, hence our avoidance. The beverage of choice in our house is rice milk, and as most contain a small amount of gluten (Rice Dream) we are limited on what to purchase. Trader Joes has a very nice one without a trace of gluten so we generally gravitate to that product. As for SOY, I decided to do a little digging, after all many folks choose it as a healthier more digestible option to dairy or the nut based milks available.
Soy is made from soybeans. The milk is produced by soaking dry soybeans and grinding them down with water. Soy milk contains about the same proportion of protein as cow’s milk (around 3.5%) also 2% fat, and 2.9% carbohydrate and 5% ash. It is possible to make soy milk in your own kitchen (using staple kitchen items or with a specialized product), as are all the nut milks. They usually require a hardy high speed blender and a milk bag to hold the pulp. Tofu is the coagulated protein from soy milk, much as cheese and cow’s milk. As the bean’s pulp is insoluble in humans, manufacturers enrich their products with calcium carbonate to aid human digestion.
There are many people declaring soy an unsafe product, Weston Price has summarized the dangers they believe are associated with this product and offer a free tri-fold brochure for distribution, they warn:
• High levels of phytic acid in soy reduce assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Phytic acid in soy is not neutralized by ordinary preparation methods such as soaking, sprouting and long, slow cooking. High phytate diets have caused growth problems in children.
• Trypsin inhibitors in soy interfere with protein digestion and may cause pancreatic disorders. In test animals soy containing trypsin inhibitors caused stunted growth.
• Soy phytoestrogens disrupt endocrine function and have the potential to cause infertility and to promote breast cancer in adult women.
• Soy phytoestrogens are potent antithyroid agents that cause hypothyroidism and may cause thyroid cancer. In infants, consumption of soy formula has been linked to autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Vitamin B12 analogs in soy are not absorbed and actually increase the body’s requirement for B12.
• Soy foods increase the body’s requirement for vitamin D.
• Fragile proteins are denatured during high temperature processing to make soy protein isolate and textured vegetable protein.
• Processing of soy protein results in the formation of toxic lysinoalanine and highly carcinogenic nitrosamines.
• Free glutamic acid or MSG, a potent neurotoxin, is formed during soy food processing and additional amounts are added to many soy foods.
• Soy foods contain high levels of aluminum which is toxic to the nervous system and the kidneys.
And the folks at SoyOnline in NZ are equally concerned: They offer a link from their website to many papers and other articles written on the disadvantages of using soy products and the reasons why they might be harming your health. Including this paper which argues against using soy based formulas for infants in light of the repercussions on their reproductive health.
Possible Effects of Soy Infant Formula by Sally Fallon, Mary Enig, PhD, & Michael Fitzptrck.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF PHYTOESTROGENS IN SOY INFANT FORMULA
Soy formula, which contains phytoestrogens, genistein and daidzein (also called isoflavones) is given to approximately 25% of those US children fed formula. It is estimated that an infant exclusively fed soy formula receives the estrogenic equivalent of at least five birth control pills per day. By contrast, almost no phytoestrogens have been detected in dairy-based infant formula or in human milk, even when the mother consumes soy products. A recent study found that babies fed soy-based formula had 13,000 to 22,000 times more isoflavones in their blood than babies fed milk-based formula. Scientists have known for years that isoflavones in soy products can depress thyroid function, causing autoimmune thyroid disease and even cancer of the thyroid. But what are the effects of soy products on the hormonal development of the infant, both male and female?”
The Mayo Clinic has this warning, “Soy and components of soy called “isoflavones” have been studied for many health conditions. Isoflavones (such as genistein) are believed to have estrogen-like effects in the body, and as a result, they are sometimes called “phytoestrogens.” In laboratory studies, it is not clear if isoflavones stimulate or block the effects of estrogen or both (acting as “mixed receptor agonists/antagonists”). They also have a short paragraph stating: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.”
Soy doesn’t seem to have as good an image as I first thought; the effects on reproductive health should certainly be taken seriously. It might be worth examining your daily intake, including that soy latte, and start thinking about making changes. I am beginning to realize that often it’s better to take the calories or the caffeine or the fat in a natural state than in a processed “pre-packaged as healthy” state. Enjoy!
For more information on this or any other health related concerns or supplement information contact Dr. Paul and Dr. Susan at Fontana Chiropractic, Evergreen CO. 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be happy!