General Health
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!
The caffeine and coffee debate.
28 July 2008I’m in forced exile at Starbucks of late. My kids are at a camp 20 miles from our house and in light of gas prices and ridiculous traffic foul ups I opted to spend 3 + hours a day at Starbucks. The upsides are numerous 1. I can work without distractions such as laundry or phone calls 2. I get to observe folks in various negotiations, conversations and yes, even a couple of heated discussions. 3. I am getting 2 hours of free internet because I registered my Starbucks card. The last one is just a little added bonus and makes the drive home to work less necessary. Anyway I digress. Going back to my second point about secret people watching, I overheard a very irate lady at the counter this week telling the barista what for, apparently there is no longer enough fridge space to house her favorite decaffeinated iced-beverage and she was not happy. Indignant and puffing she declared an intolerance to caffeine and an annoyance that her drink had been sidelined for the new smoothie product recently launched. That got me wondering, no not about her mental stability, but the question of how many people know that decaffeinated coffee actually contains caffeine! I recently found this out myself after being strictly forbidden to consume coffee ~ in my quest to try new offerings I decided to avoid caffeine and the kola bean too, not known for my flexibility I actually enjoy the opportunity to deprive myself of all things delightful apparently! Anyway, the reality is, I am not sure if I am supposed to avoid just the coffee or the caffeine, I need to clarify that once I return to the doctor who implored I purge myself of such drugs and stimulants **sigh**. In the meantime I am enjoying a wide range of beverages sans caffeine (thank you Tazo Teas!). Anyway, once again I digress, back to the caffeine / decaffeinated issue. All the research I found says that no beverage that is decaffeinated is truly caffeine free. Medical News Today quotes an article from the Journal of Analytical Toxicology “If someone drinks five to 10 cups of decaffeinated coffee, the dose of caffeine could easily reach the level present in a cup or two of caffeinated coffee,” said co-author Bruce Goldberger, Ph.D., a professor and director of UF’s William R. Maples Center for Forensic Medicine. First they purchased 10 16-ounce decaffeinated drip-brewed coffee beverages from nine national chains or local coffee houses and tested them for caffeine content. Caffeine was isolated from the coffee samples and measured by gas chromatography. Every serving but one - instant decaffeinated Folgers Coffee Crystals - contained caffeine, ranging from 8.6 milligrams to 13.9 milligrams.
In comparison, an 8-ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee typically contains 85 milligrams of caffeine.
In the study’s second phase, scientists analyzed 12 samples of Starbucks decaffeinated espresso and brewed decaffeinated coffee taken from a single store. The espresso drinks contained 3 milligrams to 15.8 milligrams of caffeine per shot, while the brewed coffees had caffeine concentrations ranging from 12 milligrams to 13.4 milligrams per 16-ounce serving.”
Just a side note here: One has to question why – if avoiding caffeine and therefore the caffeine high, one would order an espresso (DECAF) coffee, isn’t espresso billed for its pick-up qualities? Or is that just me?
Anyway, from that study alone I think we can conclude that the possibility of over-consumption of caffeine, unexpectedly, is quite high. If you are wondering where other possibilities for caffeine are the following information is from Bowes and Church’s Food values of portions commonly used, by Anna De Planter Bowes. Lippincott, Phila. 1989. Pages 261-2: Caffeine. Chocolate unsweet, Bakers 28g has 25 mg of caffeine, a Cadbury chocolate (milk) bar 28 g has 8 mg, Jello pudding pops have just 2 mg, but Jello choc fudge mousse (86g) packs a lively 12 mg, even an 8oz glass of ensure has 10 mg of caffeine. So avoidance is not as easy as requesting or drinking decaf-coffee.
To add to this debate I also started wondering how they actually remove the caffeine from the coffee in the first place. A quick look to How It Works gleaned this information: Several methods are used to remove caffeine from its natural sources:
• Methylene chloride processing
I am thinking the last two are tolerable but the first two ~ not so much. How it Works explains these methods in depth, but basically Methylene chloride is a chemical used as a solvent to extract caffeine from many raw materials. Ethyl acetate processed products are referred to as “naturally decaffeinated” because ethyl acetate is a chemical found naturally in many fruits [other "natural" chemicals include arsenic and MSG]. Caffeine is extracted in the same way as with methylene chloride processing, but ethyl acetate is the solvent. To decaffeinate using carbon dioxide (CO2), water-softened materials are “pressure cooked” with the gas. Caffeine extraction with water is used primarily for coffee decaffeination. The process is similar to the “indirect” method used in methylene chloride processing, but no chemicals are used. Click on each process in the list to learn more.
Ok, so it seems that drinking the decaffeinated varieties using the water process or maybe even the Co2 method would be fine, but the question still remains, is decaffeinated coffee really better than the regular variety, especially given that no coffee is truly caffeine free.
Science Daily published an article in November 2005, which suggested drinking decaffeinated coffee was far more detrimental to some people’s health than caffeinated coffee, this research was presented at the American Heart Associations Scientific Session in 2005. Coined the “CALM study” for: The coffee and Lipoprotein Metabolism study, randomized 187 people into 3 groups. One group drank 3-6 cups of caffeinated coffee a day, the 2nd group drank the same only had decaffeinated coffee, and the 3rd group drank no coffee, this was the control group. The study concluded after a 3 month period and found “… the decaffeinated group experienced a rise in fatty acids, which is the fuel in the blood that can drive the production of low-density lipoprotein LDL. ApoB went up 8 percent in the decaffeinated group but did not significantly change in the other two groups. ApoB is the only protein attached to LDL, and studies show that ApoB might be a better predictor of cardiovascular disease risk than one’s LDL level.
NEFA rose an average 18 percent in the decaffeinated group, while it did not change in the other two groups. “NEFA is the fuel that can drive the increase in ApoB and LDL,” Superko said. “These results are very surprising and have never been reported before for coffee consumption. This is the first non-industry-sponsored study of its kind.
Superko said people concerned about increasing fatty acids and LDL cholesterol should think twice about drinking a lot of decaffeinated coffee. “But those who are overweight and have low levels of HDL2 but normal levels of ApoB, might consider the potential benefit of drinking decaffeinated over caffeinated coffee,” he said.
According to the American Heart Association, whether high caffeine intake increases the risk of coronary heart disease is still under study, however moderate coffee drinking - 1-2 cups per day - doesn’t seem to be harmful. Co-author is Peter D. Wood, Ph.D. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded the study.”
Me, I am sticking to tea for the time being, it turns out I don’t mind the no coffee thing really, after 20 + years of drinking my fair share it seems I am ok with going cold-turkey. I am getting over the headache and tiredness withdrawal stage and I am finding the purple Tazo iced tea delicious, and a far more refreshing beverage on a hot summer day than my steamed latte. Sadly the Starbucks I found across the street from the camp is on the list of locations to be closed, I really am sad, after just a week I feel comfortable in my new corner, the one that always seems to be available no matter what time I stop by, a telling indication as to why Starbucks chose to close this location. Ultimately, coffee is going nowhere, decaffeinated or otherwise, drink up and enjoy but maybe rethink the decaf thing and accept that a little bit of caffeine is sometimes what’s needed to get you through the day, as with everything moderation is always the key.
If you want to see the next stage in manipulated decaffeinated coffee production check out this Emory University Study from 2004.
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy.
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan for your next chiropractic appointment in Evergreen Colorado. 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
McDonalds Wants to hear from YOU!
23 July 2008=================================
McDONALD’S WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!
=================================
A distribution to Feingold families but applicable to all. If you would like to enjoy a trip to a fast food restaurant every once in a while but avoid them due to dyes, preservatives and additives, McDonalds would like to hear from you. If enough people respond they will actually consider making changes. This may not affect you as you don’t frequent these places, but be the one to force change for those who don’t understand the effects of these products on our children’s brains and bodies. Make a case for the reason you choose not to eat at these types of establishments; especially - as in our case - if the food is just not up to par for your growing kids. Seriously adding salads does not make a fast food restaurant healthy - right? There are millions of families every day eating at these restaurants often multiple times a week. Please consider taking time to write to McDonalds and help to make a positive change. Even if people choose to frequent a fast food restaurant 3 or more times a week, maybe there will be a time that their body is not being overwhelmed with artificial toxins. As for the saturated fat and sodium - well that’s worth a mention too. Take a stand - write a letter (or in this case an email.) The world leaders of the future will thank you.
The following is from Shula Edelkind at the Feingold Organization.
Please consider making a case for healthier fast food. See below:
If you have not yet written to your Senators and Congressmen, please don’t let it slide - every email that they get makes a difference, as it is generally believed that everyone who contacts somebody speaks for 100 others who don’t. Be the one that DOES, not one of those that don’t.
If you are missing the email giving you the appropriate information, see it at Feingold News. Meanwhile, McDonald’s has been in touch with the CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) and has told them that they really aren’t sure that Americans are concerned about the fact that their food contains synthetic dyes. McDonald’s has asked their nutrition & labeling manager, Julia Braun, to gather information on whether or not consumers have any interest in this area.
Julia says that McDonald’s rarely does anything unless they can document a consumer demand, so she has invited parents to write to her and share their feelings about food dyes, and she has provided information below on how to reach her.
I have not included a prepared letter because I know each of you has a unique story about how the additives have affected your family, and how you deal with that problem - and each of you has a child who would really like to eat the fries at McDonald’s if they would just get the TBHQ out of the cooking oil (okay, that is not part of “this issue,” but don’t hesitate to mention it if it is important to you).
Just in case you are short on words to describe the food colorings, don’t hesitate to use terms like “land mines” and “booby traps” - because that is what they often are to our children, as well as the less lucky kids who don’t know about the Feingold Program and don’t even know what is bothering them.
Her contact info: Email: julia.braun@us.mcd.com
Julia Braun, MPH, RD
Nutrition & Labeling Manager
2111 McDonald’s Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Remember to sign your email with your name and address at the bottom, and I hope you will send me a note letting me know you have sent something, or perhaps even a bcc: of your email. Let’s change history, everybody!
Shula Edelkind Feingold Association of the United States
School Lunch.org
554 E. Main Street, Suite #301
Riverhead, NY 11901
1-631-369-9340
Neotame - A hidden additive.
21 July 2008The sugar versus sweetener debate gets a little more complicated of late. Not only should we be on the lookout for aspartame, saccharin and splenda added to our food and beverages, the latest additive to be hidden under the title “artificial flavor” is Neotame. A Nutrasweet (Monsanto Chemical Corp.) concoction that is between 8-13000 times sweeter than sugar – in 2005 this sweetener had sales that had increased four fold over the previous 12 months. The cost seems to be the key “Neotame is more cost effective than all other sweeteners except saccarin,” Craig Petray, NutraSweet’s CEO told FoodNavigatorUSA.com.” At Holistic Med they surmise about Neotame being as toxic as its cousin aspartame, “Neotame has similar structure to aspartame — except that, from it’s structure, appears to be even more toxic than aspartame. This potential increase in toxicity will make up for the fact that less will be used in diet drinks. Like aspartame, some of the concerns include gradual neurotoxic and immunotoxic damage from the combination of the formaldehyde metabolite (which is toxic at extremely low doses) and the excitotoxic amino acid. Given all of the suffering being caused by Monsanto’s aspartame, the prudent course would be to start out with the assumption that it may cause toxic damage or cancer from long-term exposure and conduct many thorough, long-term, and independent human studies to see the effects.”
Many people who have used aspartame complain of its long list of negative consequences due to ingesting this additive, including chronic fatigue symptoms, weakness, dizziness, and other general and often serious side-effect. You can read a complete list at Sweet Poison.
Aspartame is a sweetener that is so provocative there have been numerous books written about the detrimental side effects.
One has to question whether, with the controversy over aspartame, launching another additive with a similar type of property is really a good idea. Although we have to remember that this controversy is by no means limited to these two artificial ingredients, there seems to be negative connotations with most of the artificial sugar/sweeteners, a summary of which can be read here.
According to the producer of Neotame: Neotame, is an exciting new sweetener and flavor enhancer, provides manufacturers flexibility in formulating great tasting products throughout their existing food and beverage portfolios. In addition, neotame’s versatility provides for the development of entire new ranges of products that meet the ever-increasing demands of consumers.
However, The Feingold Association has this to say on the subject: More stealth additives are hidden in foods. Neotame, which is N-[N-(3,3-dimethylburyl)-L—aspartyl]-L-phenyalanine 1-methyl ester, is another additive to be hidden under the disguise of “artificial flavor.” Neotame is a newer, much more potent version of aspartame, a synthetic sweetener eliminated on the Feingold diet. It is 30 times sweeter than aspartame, and about 8,000 times sweeter than table sugar. This means that the amount needed to sweeten foods is extremely small, which allows neotame to go “under the radar” and be added to foods without having to be declared on the ingredient label. Like a growing number of additives, neotame can be an “artificial flavoring.”
There are many companies making synthetic sweeteners, and like other synthetic additives, much of it is manufactured in China. One of the companies selling neotame is NutraSweet Co., the world’s largest producer of aspartame. Last year they introduced a version of aspartame in a blue packet, to compete with Equal. Now they are bringing out a blend of neotame and another synthetic sweetener, acesulfame potassium. This product will be packaged in pink, in competition with Sweet’N Low. And plans are in the works to introduce a third product (that will contain a small amount of real sugar) to compete with Splenda. Not surprisingly, it will have a yellow package.
Reprinted from Pure Facts, the newsletter of the Feingold Association of the United States, feingold.org.
Once again, be hesitant about products listing natural flavorings, artificial coloring or additives. Chances are you are eating something that you wouldn’t if it was listed exactly as it should be. Try to be aware of what you are really eating as it may just be the cause of your migraines, your headaches, muscle aches or a host of other problems that you just can’t seem to shake.
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan to discuss your ongoing healthcare concerns, especially if you are suffering from unexplained headaches, migranes, muscle aches or extreme fatigue; Often a schedule of adjustments can put your body back on a healing path.
Make an adjustment – Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy.
Call Fontana Chiropractic at 303.674.1500 or email the office in Evergreen Colorado at office@fontanachiro.com
Do I need an antibiotic for that?
18 July 2008Antibiotics are overused and over-prescribed and as such certain bacteria are starting to become resistant to the more common antibiotics that we have. We rely on antibiotics for our health and forget that sometimes overuse can be as detrimental as doing nothing - we know that MRSA has become prevalent in both our hospitals and schools and this bacteria is known to be Methicillin resistant. More often than not going into a doctor’s office with a child pulling at their ears will result in a prescription for an antibiotic before you leave, even though it is commonly known that most cases of otitis media (the medical term for ear infection) will resolve by themselves.
If you are a parent who drags their child to urgent care or your pediatrician’s office looking for a prescription every time your child sniffs, sneezes or runs a high temperature, it’s time to do your research on how antibiotics really work. The term antibiotic was coined in 1942 by Selman Waksman to refer to any substance produced by a micro-organism that is antagonistic to the growth of others in high dilution. There are many classifications of antibiotics and while some are bacteria specific others are known as “broad spectrum” as they can attack many different bacteria. Penicillin (possibly the best known antibiotic) was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming and 10 years later Ernst Chain and Howard Florey expanded on his discovery by bringing the purified form of penicillin to market. All three won the 1945 Nobel Prize in Medicine. However, none of the antibiotics on the market today will cure a common cold or the flu. Antibiotics are used for a whole myriad of bacterial infections including Tetracyclene for acne, Trimethoprim for UTI’s, Bacitracin for ear, eye or bladder infections, and Amoxicillin for a wide range of infections including lyme disease. There is a place in modern medicine for antibiotics and life would certainly have been more painful and dire had Alexander Fleming not discovered penicillin. However, we have come to rely on these bacteria fighters to be our all-round cure and that just isn’t possible. Bacteria can be smart, and as we overuse the current antibiotics on the market the bacteria becomes resistant. Unfortunately people also fail to complete the dose suggested by their doctor and end up aiding in the super-bug phenomenon, in some parts of China, India and Russia, TB (tuberculosis) has become so rife and rampant due to antibiotic misuse, they are struggling to keep fighting this once almost extinct medical condition, it won’t be long before we could start seeing similar resistance happening here.
To be clear antibiotics work on BACTERIA, the common cold, the flu, a cough or any similar ailment is usually caused by a VIRUS, Kids Health has this to say about the difference between bacteria and viruses:
Bacteria are living organisms existing as single cells. Bacteria are everywhere and most don’t cause any harm, and in some cases may be beneficial. Lactobacillus, for example, live in the intestine and help digest food. But some bacteria are harmful and can cause illness by invading the human body, multiplying, and interfering with normal bodily processes. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria because they work to kill these living organisms by stopping their growth and reproduction.
Viruses, on the other hand, are not alive and cannot exist on their own — they are particles containing genetic material wrapped in a protein coat.
Viruses “live,” grow, and reproduce only after they’ve invaded other living cells. Some viruses may be fought off by the body’s immune system before they cause illness, but others (colds, flu, and chickenpox, for example) must simply run their course. Viruses do not respond to antibiotics at all.
Not only is overuse of antibiotics dangerous some side effects of common or mainstream antibiotics can be really toxic. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just issued a mandate to put a black box warning on certain antibiotic boxes. The regulation deals with flouroquinolone drugs which are a potent class of antibacterials and an unusual but frightening side effect is coming to light. From antibiotics.org “…Tendon ruptures are normally thought of as sports injuries, generally occurring usually among men in their mid-thirties. The link to treatment with the antibiotics is highly unusual, and scientists still don’t fully understand why it happens. However, FDA officials stressed that many of the serious injuries appear to be preventable if patients stop taking the drug at the first sign of pain or swelling in a tendon, call their doctor, and switch to another antibiotic.
The two leading drugs covered by the warning are Cipro, made by Bayer, and Levaquin, which is made by Ortho-McNeil. Cipro became a household name during the anthrax attacks of 2001. It is effective against that deadly bacteria, and is among the medications stockpiled by the government in case of a bio-terror attack. In everyday medicine, Cipro is often used to treat urinary tract infections. Levaquin is generally used to treat respiratory infections.”
So if you decide to see your doctor for the flu or other viral infections, do not ask for antibiotics. Take their advice and go home, get plenty of rest and fluids and wait it out. If you are prescribed antibiotics ask your doctor if they are essential, specifically in the case of an ear infection. If your doctor still recommends taking the prescribed course, remember to finish the entire dose your doctor prescribed to you. Avoid taking with dairy products as this may impede the absorption.
Ask your Fontana Family Chiropractor about ways to reduce or eliminate ear infections or other common ailments such as flu (and the prevention of) or sinus problems; often regular adjustments might be all you need to ensure you will be on the road to recovery in no time.
Make an adjustment. Stay healthy ~ Be happy. Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com (Evergreen CO)