The Skinny on Fats: Omega-3's Dr. Ariel Policano by Dr. Ariel Policano
Omega-3's: Making healthy hormones, preventing heart disease and promoting weight loss!
When we think of fat in our diet, there often seems to be confusion surrounding the types of fat and the amount of fat that is beneficial. Some say fats are important, some say it should be no more that 10% of your diet. Fats are really crucial for optimal human health, so cutting back on them excessively does not make good sense. Some of the areas that fats play a role in are memory and brain health, preventing cardiovascular disease, creating healthy hormones and maintaining health at a cellular level.
Research shows that longevity and the reduction of illnesses like cancer and heart disease come as a result of consuming plant-based sources of fats (as in nuts and seeds). Saturated fats are typically those that come from meat and dairy and can promote inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation in the body is now associated with heart disease and cancer. A notable exception to saturated fats causing inflammation is coconut oil, which actually has anti-inflammatory properties.
Some form of saturated fat is needed in the human diet, and I will cover that in more depth in future articles. Until then, let me give you some quick advice: Consume coconut oil! Especially vegans. This is a healthy form of saturated fat, which is needed by the cell membrane and helps to give you a complete spectrum of necessary fats for good health.
Unsaturated fats are beneficial for our health because they act as healthy building blocks for hormones as well as our cells. An important part of each cell in our body is the cell membrane. This allows nutrition into the cell and effectively allows waste to be pumped out of the cell. The health of this cell membrane is determined to some degree by the fats that we consume, and our overall health is of course related to the health of our cells. The brain is also made up in large part of fats, and many of these unsaturated fats are instrumental in creating good health.
There are polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Flax seeds, hemp seeds and chia seeds are all a form of a polyunsaturated fat. The nature of a polyunsaturated fat makes it highly reactive. Don't ever heat polyunsaturated fatty acids because they oxidize very rapidly. This means that by heating or cooking with them, they produce free radicals. Flax seed oil should be consumed as close to the date it was pressed as possible. Similarly, grind your flax seeds right before consuming them, if possible.
Monounsaturated fats are somewhat more stable than polyunsaturated fats. Olive oil is an example of a monounsaturated fat.
People often wonder about the root of the names for the unsaturated fats - omegas 3, 6 and 9. The names take their cue from their chemical structure. This is a bit technical, so hold onto your hat. The location of a double bond, which connects two carbon atoms, determines the name of these essential fatty acids (EFAs). "Omega" tells us that when we start to count the double bond, we start from the end (the right hand side). The "3" indicates where the first double bond occurs along the chain. The point is that it is the location of double bonds that causes omega-3s to behave differently in the body compared to other fatty acids.
Let's take a look at some of the omega-3 essential fatty acids. One of that we hear about a lot is called ALA, or alpha linolenic acid. ALA is found in flax seeds and hemp seeds. Then there is EPA (eicosopentanoic acid), which is typically found in fish and DHA (docosohexanoic acid) which is also found in fish like salmon and others. However, marine phytoplankton contains both EPA and DHA! This is truly amazing because these two omega-3 fatty acids are very anti-inflammatory and have been used as key therapeutics in reducing the risk of heart disease. Fish oil has been the knee-jerk recommendation to many people who have or are at risk of developing heart disease. It is wonderful to have an alternative to fish and fish oil to derive the same benefits.
It makes sense that the phytoplankton would be more bio-available because it is the source of EPA and DHA for the fish. The fish eat the plankton and then we eat the fish, so we have quite a task then of extracting the oil from the fish. If we consume the fish oil, there are then other questions. Is the oil truly fresh? With the processing, transport time and the time it sits in a gelatin cap on the shelf of your health food store, does it have a chance to become rancid? Is the fish safe in terms of being free from heavy metal contamination? Marine phytoplankton does not carry any of those concerns. The plankton are very small and are easily broken down and assimilated.
Here is a summary of recommended foods and oils that contain omega-3 fatty acids: flax (seeds and oil), hemp (seeds and oil), chia seeds, walnuts and marine phytoplankton.
The benefits of omega-3s include reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke while helping to reduce symptoms of hypertension, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids support the health of the immune system and may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
One of the most important benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is that they reduce inflammation. The omega-3 fatty acids are the ingredients actually change chemical reactions to produce fewer substances called leukotrienes and prostaglandins. These substances will tend to increase aches and pains in the body. When we compare these to saturated fats, the saturated fats actually promote inflammation. Chronic inflammation, as measured in the blood with markers like C-reactive protein, is now known to be associated with cancer and heart disease.
One of the most interesting things about omega-3 fatty acids is that they do not make you "fat" in the way that saturated fats (as from meat and dairy) do. The omega-3 fatty acids help your body and your metabolism to function much more effectively. And when your body and brain function better, you feel better. Your cardiovascular system functions better because of the effects on the bloodstream.
And finally, here is an amazing key to maintaining healthy weight! By consuming foods that contain omega-3's like flax and hemp, the body secretes a substance called leptin. The leptin will help you to feel more satisfied with less food. It also improves the body's ability to respond to insulin. If you process insulin more effectively, you will also regulate blood sugar and manage your weight much more easily. High levels of circulating insulin tell the body "store fat!" and literally block the biochemical pathway that breaks fats down. The secretion of these leptins in response to omega-3 fatty acid consumption will reduce these circulating insulin levels. Pass the hemp seeds, please!
Enjoy the fats listed below in moderation and you will likely experience fewer aches and pains, better mood and memory, better hormonal health and maybe even some weight loss! After all, now you have the skinny on fats.
Top 10 Foods for Women's Health
Dr. Ariel Policano by Dr. Ariel Policano
As a leading naturopathic physician with a special focus on women's health, Dr. Policano has over 15 years of experience using raw foods and superfoods to treat a wide variety of conditions. Having worked with health afflictions ranging from fatigue to breast cancer, she has crafted a definitive list of foods to emphasize in your diet for hormonal health, vibrant skin and healthy heart and bones:
1) Raw Chocolate
• Improves mood by increasing serotonin and other positive brain chemicals.
• Contains magnesium -- good for heart health, insomnia, bone density, hormonal balance.
• High in Vitamin C and electrolytes.
• High in antioxidants -- slower aging, disease prevention. 2) Maca
• Incredible hormone regulation from the top down -- works from pituitary gland.
• Adrenal support for strong, steady energy.
• Thyroid support for healthy metabolism.
• Reproductive support -- Balances hormones and reduces hot flashes.
• Libido support.
• Rich in B Vitamins.
3) Flax Seed
• Excellent raw materials for creation of health reproductive hormones.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Good for healthy colon.
• Lignans improve hormonal balance.
• High "electron" food -- gives you energy and optimal cellular health.
• Possible anti-cancer properties written about by Johanna Budwig. 4) Sprouts
• Very nutrient dense.
• High protein.
• Good source of trace minerals.
• Broccoli sprouts have anti-cancer properties.
• Alkalinizing -- improves metabolism.
• Satisfies nutritional needs -- reduces appetite. 5) Kombucha
• Supports excellent digestive health.
• Improves healthy gut bacteria that helps with production of serotonin, good mood hormone.
• Rich in enzymes -- helps energize the entire body, all organs, hormones and neurotransmitters.
• Rich in vitamin B-Complex.
• Alkalinizing -- improves metabolism.
• Has been used by some women as a part of a breast cancer treatment plan.
6) Goji Berries
• Very high in antioxidants.
• High in Vitamin C.
• Complete protein containing all essential amino acids.
• Contains factors for human growth hormone.
• Rich in polysaccharide sugars for healthy immune system.
7) Coconut
• Anti-bacterial.
• Anti-fungal.
• Anti-viral.
• Healthy source of saturated fats.
• Rich in electrolytes.
• Alkalinizing -- improves metabolism.
• Increases energy. 8) Marine Phytoplankton
• Rich in chlorophyll.
• Alkalinizing -- improves metabolism.
• Cleansing.
• Vegan source of EPA and DHA.
• Many different carotenoids means strong antioxidant support.
• Virtually all trace minerals in marine phytoplankton.
• Great for balancing blood sugar.
• Good for weight loss -- satisfied nutritionally, not as hungry.
• Energy improvement.
9) Hemp Seed
• Complete protein.
• Omega 3 and Omega 6 present in healthy ratio.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Raw materials for healthy hormones!
• Contain chlorophyll for nourishment and cleansing.
10) Sea Vegetables
• Thyroid health.
• Breast health.
• Weight loss.
• Cancer protection.
• High mineral content good for blood sugar, focus and creativity.
Essential Sugars
by David Wolfe, JDIntroduction to Sugars
Sugar seems to be related to all things sweet in life. We call our loved ones "sweetheart," "sugar plum," "honey," and "sweety pie." Life without any sweet flavors would be challenging at best and extremely disappointing at worst. Sugar is the great reward of life and we know that people and animals perform consistently better when rewarded.
Because the term is used so loosely, sugar has become an ambiguous word. When one states the word "sugar" it could mean one of a dozen things such as high fructose corn syrup, refined cane sugar, white sugar, brown sugar, maple sugar, beet sugar, fruit juice, dried fruit, etc.
For purposes of this article, sugar is defined as a natural hydrocarbon compound (such as honey, agave, fruits, dried fruits, etc.) and refined sugar is an unnatural hydrocarbon product (such as high fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, white sugar, etc.) made through human engineering, plant breeding, and heat processing.
To be specific, natural sugar compounds consist of hydrogen and carbon molecules linked together in short, medium, or long chains.
Short chain sugars are what we call glucose, fructose, sucrose, fucose, xylose, and galactose. These are simple sugars that are easy to break down and provide quick energy. They are sweet to the taste. Some of these sugars (namely glucose, fructose, and sucrose) can be problematic if overeaten (eating too many dates or bananas) or when miscombined with other foods. Sometimes, we may have such serious candida or cancer problems that we may not want to consume any glucose, fructose, and sucrose sugars at all for at least 3 months (no glucose, no fructose, no sucrose). Candida yeast cells and cancer cells feed on glucose, fructose, and especially sucrose sugars. These are their favorite food.
Medium and long chain sugars are often called "polysaccharides" or "glyconutrients." Once the sugar chain becomes medium to long in length, the sugar begins to become bitter in flavor. In simple terms, bitter polysaccharides or glyconutrients are one of the healthiest substances we can ingest especially when still found in their natural state in whole organic raw foods, superfoods, and herbs.
Polysaccharides (glyconutrients) are:
• Soothing
• Produce healthy youthful skin cells,
• Help keep us slim and trim
• Help detoxify our bodies
• Improve and educate our immune system
• Increase our brain power
Polysaccharide molecules of beta glucans (found in the medicinal mushrooms such as Agaricus blazei, Reishi, Cordyceps, Maitake, etc.) have repeatedly been proven to enhance the body's production of B-cells, T-cells, and NK cell activity - all of these support a healthy immune response. Certain foods, namely yacon root syrup, have just the perfect length of sugars and provide us with the sweet taste of a short chain sugar, but the health-enhancing properties of medium and long-chain polysaccharides. Polysaccharides in aloe vera rejuvenate epithelial cells (skin cells) better than any other food known. Goji berries, due to their high polysaccharide content are not only great for the immune system, they are also great for long-term energy and endurance because polysaccharides are broken down more slowly than simple sugars like glucose.
How The Best Food Ever Keeps Getting Better
Now let's complexify things slightly. It was discovered in the 1980s by Arizona mineral scientist David Hudson that polysaccharides contain more than just hydrogen and carbon. Hudson discovered that certain elements (high energy particles from the atmosphere or geosphere that he called "Ormus") can be contained within polysaccharides. The "Ormus" elements appear to be at the heart of the "intelligent" behavior of many of the well-researched polysaccharides such beta glucans, mannose, and the others listed below. Under the correct soil and growing conditions, the polysaccharide fraction of superfoods like aloe vera, Goji berries, garlic, etc. can be increased and improved. I mention this, because this is an area of research that I am personally involved in and believe will deliver the next breakthroughs in immune system support and longevity as well as more and more of "the best food ever."
Summary: Is Sugar Good For Us?
So back to the question...Is sugar good for us?
Answer: A qualified YES. As long as we cleanse our body of freeloaders (organisms that like to hang out for a free lunch) by intelligently using herbs (like the EJUVA systems), activated liquid zeolites, MSM (sulfur), superfoods, as well as by maintaining a mineral-rich raw and living foods-based diet, healthy relationships, our common sense (to stay balanced), avoid consuming both unnatural sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup and refined cane or beet sugar) and avoid over-consuming short-chain natural sugars such glucose, fructose, and sucrose we should have few problems with sugar. That means we must avoid the temptations to: have any refined sugar, have too many fresh or dried fruits at one sitting, use too much sweetener at one time with our beverages, desserts, and treats, etc.
If due to a long-standing health challenge (candida, cancer, poor immunity, etc.) we have to move towards a "low sugar" diet, I recommend that you follow the advice given on this subject in Dr. Gabriel Cousens’ book The Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine and my book The Sunfood Diet Success System.
The Eight Essential Sugars
The question appears to be answered. Sugar is an important part of a balanced diet when used appropriately. Recent research over the last 25 years has actually confirmed that not only are sugars good for us, some are essential (just as some amino acids and fatty acids are essential in our diet). Here are a list of eight essential sugars to human health, their properties, and what foods contain them:
Mannose (polysaccharide)
Properties: Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral. Reduces inflammation.
Food and Herb Sources of Mannose: Aloe vera, kelp, shiitake mushroom, fenugreek, carob gum, guar gum, black currants, red currants, gooseberries, green beans, cayenne pepper, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant, tomatoes, turnip, cranberries.
Fucose (simple sugar)
Properties: Anti-viral. Supports long-term memory. Guards against lung diseases. Fights allergies. The abnormal metabolism of this saccharide is associated with cystic fibrosis, diabetes, cancer, and herpes - more fucose helps to alleviate these conditions.
Food and Herb Sources of Fucose: kelp, Wakame seaweed, mushrooms, seeds.
Galactose
Properties: Improves the speedy healing of injuries. Improves memory. Improves the absorption of good calcium.
Food and Herb Sources of Galactose: Most fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and raw dairy products. Some the fruits, vegetables and herbs that contain galactose include: apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, cherries, cranberries, currants, dates, grapes, kiwi, mangos, oranges, nectarines, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, passionfruit, echinacea, boswellia, fenugreek, chestnuts, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, avocado, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, leeks, asparagus, lettuce, green beans, mushrooms (not button mushrooms), beets, onions, parsnips, green peas, pumpkins, spinach.
Glucose (simple sugar)
Properties: Fast energy source. Too much or too little can be problematic. Glucose metabolic disturbances are associated with depression, manic behavior, anorexia, and bulimia.
Food and Herb Sources of Glucose: Nearly all fruits, vegetables, and bee products (bee pollen, honey). Nearly all naturally sweet substances, such as agave, honey, etc.
N-Acetylgalactosamine (polysaccharide)
Properties: Inhibits the spread of tumors. Heart disease causes a low-level of this saccharide.
Food and Herb Sources of N-Acetylgalactosamine: Ocean's Alive Marine Phytoplankton, Dumontiaceae (red algae).
N-Acetylglucosamine (polysaccharide)
Properties: Immune system modulator. Anti-viral. Anti-inflammatory. Repairs cartilage. Repairs the mucosal-lining that is damaged by Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and interstitial cystitis. Enhances learning.
Food and Herb Sources of N-Acetylglucosamine: Shiitake mushroom, glucosamine sulfate
N-Acetylneurominic Acid (polysaccharide)
Properties: Anti-bacterial, anti-viral. Enhances learning and brain development. Abundantly found in breast milk.
Food and Herb Sources of N-Acetylneurominic Acid: Lion's mane mushroom, Ocean's Alive Marine Phytoplankton, raw dairy products
Xylose (simple sugar)
Properties: Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal. Helps prevent cancer of the digestive system.
Food and Herb Sources of Xylose: Kelp, berries (blackberries, loganberries, raspberries), aloe vera, okra, birch sap, seeds, some common vegetables. Includes: guava, pears, echinacea, boswellia, psyllium, broccoli, spinach, eggplant, peas, green beans, okra, cabbage, and corn.
There are more sugars than just these eight (just like there are more amino acids than the 8 or 9 essential amino acids). The list of food and herb sources of essential sugars (listed above) is by no means complete. Generally, if you eat superfoods (goji berries, bee pollen, marine phytoplankton, aloe vera, etc.), medicinal mushrooms (reishi, cordyceps, maitake, Lion's mane, etc.), and seaweeds (especially kelp powder, nori, dulse, and sea lettuce) you will get all the essential sugars into your diet naturally.
Raw Foods, Superfoods, and Herbs That Contain Healing Polysaccharides
Here are my comments on Raw Foods, Superfoods, and Herbs that contain short, medium, and long chain sugars. Please review and determine which of these sugars you would like to include in your diet.
Yacon root syrup - This incredible superfood contains polysaccharides that help to nourish friendly bacteria and help to alleviate blood sugar disorders.
Goji berries - The goji berry contains polysaccharides that give the goji berry many unique medicinal immune system improving qualities.
Agave nectar - A great source of glucose, fructose, and inulin (a medium chain sugar). Darker varieties are less glycemic.
Noni - One of the best polysaccharide containing foods in the world. Noni is the only fruit tree in the world that grow directly out of a lava field with no soil.
Aloe vera - Everyone knows that what aloe does for your skin and digestive system is unmatched by any other food. What is the secret ingredient in aloe? Mannose, an essential sugar!
Bee pollen - Bee pollen is an excellent source of healthy polysaccharides.
Fruits - In general, berries are the best class of fruits as they contain glucose and more medicinal medium and long-chain polysaccharides than most other fruit types.
Medicinal mushrooms - Try different types of medicinal mushrooms. Start with Reishi. Experiment and discover which ones work best in your body. I personally enjoy Reishi, Lion' s Mane
Weight Loss and Detoxification: Written by David Wolfe, JD (2008)Beating Syndrome X
According to the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Survey Examination Survey, about two thirds of the United States' adult population is overweight - and fully one third of this group is obese. The percentage of overweight adults in the US increased from 44.8% to 65.2% from 1960 to 2002. During the same period, the level of obesity increased from 13.3% to 30.5%.
Somebody asked me why I believe we have an epidemic of obesity. That's when I thought it would be important to discuss Syndrome X as this could be a syndrome that either ourselves or our loved ones are suffering from without knowing it. With more understanding about Syndrome X we create compassion for ourselves and others as well as gain greater understanding of how to strategically overcome Syndrome X with patience over time.
What is Syndrome X (Metabolic Syndrome)?
Decades of consuming conventionally-grown food, pesticide-sprayed and artificially-fertilized food, chemical preservatives and sweeteners, as well as literally being sprayed with chemicals beginning with DDT and automobile exhaust and now chemtrails has, over time, given rise to the development of a new syndrome, now known as - Syndrome X. It has been estimated that as many as 47 million Americans may be dealing with Syndrome X.
Syndrome X (or Metabolic Syndrome) is characterized by the inability to budge one's metabolism no matter what techniques are tried. Syndrome X'ers usually have the following symptoms:
1. Obesity (this is usually to such an extent that the individual has, in their heart, "given up.").
2. Thyroid disorders (likely caused by exposure to radioactive elements in the biosphere such as Uranium 238. Radioactive elements have been detected in conventional dairy products).
3. Pre-diabetes hypoglycemia or diabetes type II (likely caused by too many refined carbohydrates, chronic mineral deficiencies, years of consuming toxic factory-farmed meat products, and the intake of trans-fatty acids over a lifetime).
4. Immune System disorders (getting flus and colds each season may not sound like a disorder, but it certainly is symptomatic of a deficiency of the immune system due to improper nutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. With proper nutrition and a clever strategy as well as natural factors such as exercise, fresh air, and sunlight, we should be able to avoid all flus and colds. Immune system disorders felt by Syndrome X'ers appear to be getting worse).
5. Low energy - Due to carrying extra weight and a toxic burden, as well as interference in ATP production due to improper nutrition (lack of zinc) and heavy metal exposure many Syndrome X'ers have to resort to stimulants such as coffee and cigarettes to keep going.
6. Inflammation - This is likely caused by an elevated nanobacteria count (nanobacteria are calcium-forming organisms like microscopic clams that initially cause inflammatory problems and eventually form the calcium blockages that lead to a heart attack or stroke as well as arthritis. The likely source of the overexposure to nanobacteria is factory-farmed meat products such as chicken, pork, and beef). Nanobacteria find it easier to grow in acidic tissues filled with trans-fatty acids, heavy metals, and synthetic chemicals.
7. Reliance (or addiction to) one or more pharmaceuticals. In a "Drug Free America" it is amazing how many people are addicted to "legal" drugs.
Dissolving Syndrome X
The way to move Syndrome X off of one's metabolism is to spend focused attention on the four following areas over a period of months or even years:
1. Shifting to an alkaline, balanced diet of organic, enzyme-rich, raw and living foods, tonic herbs, and superfoods.
All the symptoms of Syndrome X are associated with hyper-acidity. This has been caused primarily by consuming junk food and non-organic food, eating chemicals, as well as an overall focus on a "root (potato products), seed (bread products), muscle (meat, chicken), glue-like (pasteurized dairy) diet." The "root, seed, muscle, glue diet" lacks certain key foods that create alkalinity (or more specifically) an acid-alkaline balance.
The alkaline-forming, organic, raw foods that can be added immediately to balance out this type of diet include:
• Vegetables
• Superfoods
• Herbs (especially the Medicinal Mushrooms)
• Seaweeds
• Sprouts
• Grasses (wheatgrass)
2. Detoxifying and cleansing the acidity present in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of ourselves.
Acidity can also be created by other factors than food that should be cleansed in a step-by-step manner. These acid-forming factors include:
• Chronic dehydration - In order to remain hydrated both pure water and some full-spectrum salts are required. Discover the best water available to you. Cold spring water at the source is the best type of drinking water. I recommend Celtic Grey Mineral Sea Salt to meet your salt needs. Celtic sea salt should replace rock salts and kiln-dried salts in your home (such Morton's Iodized Salt).
• Exposure to physical toxins - These toxins include chemtrails, pesticides, auto exhaust, nuclear fallout (depleted uranium 238 from the Iraq and other endless wars), as well as household toxins found in rugs and paint. Liquid Activated Zeolites play a critical role in helping to detoxify ourselves from these dangerous substances. 30-day detoxification systems such as the herbal EJUVA cleanse along with colon cleansing (colonics, enemas) also play a key role in helping our body dump toxins quickly.
• Emotional toxins (parental and spousal abuse and sexual abuse) - This is one of the key aspects of overall healing. Releasing and healing parental and spousal emotional abuse and sexual abuse will do more for improving your diet and life than just about anything else. Working with others (counselors, friends, shamans, spiritual leaders, psychiatrists, etc.) to release stuck emotions is a critical part of the healing process.
• Non-educational media (for example, the nightly news whose goal is to keep viewers hooked by a constant barrage of "shocking" bad news). The news is not the news, it's the "olds" - the same old bad news. Turn off the news if you want to feel better.
3. Gradually stopping the intake of all pharmaceutical drugs.
Iatrogenic illnesses and deaths (caused by doctors due to inappropriate prescriptions and reactions to pharmaceutical medications and addictions) are now considered the third leading cause of death in the United States. The "pop-a-pill" culture drug concept and theory is completely bankrupt and totally incapable of dealing with the monumental challenges created by decades of massively toxic, chemically-sprayed and treated dead food, industrial toxins, charred petroleum debris in the atmosphere and soil, depleted uranium contamination, chemtrails, and massively contaminated municipal water systems (now known to contain drugs such as SSRI's and synthetic antibiotics that reverse osmosis systems cannot filter out). Start healthy habits and stop taking drugs if you want to feel better.
4. Avoiding recreational drugs such as cigarettes and alcohol.
Abusing recreational drugs has been linked to nearly every health challenge known. Alcohol is a leading cause of dehydration, water retention, candida, bloating, inflammation, liver toxicity, nervous system disorders (schizophrenia), and vitamin B deficiencies.
Cigarettes become addicting because, due to stress (psychological) and poor nutrition (lack of vitamins and amino acids) vitamin B3 becomes deficient. Vitamin B3 or niacin is very closely related to niacinamide, nicotinamide, and nicotine. Nicotine from tobacco has the ability to "substitute" for Vitamin B3 in our metabolism. When we get Vitamin B3 back into our diet, this helps alleviate the desire for tobacco. The highest natural source of Vitamin B3 is the Amazonian Jungle Peanut. With the simple addition of one food like the Jungle Peanut , relief can be felt from cigarette withdrawals.
David Wolfe's Recommendations and Why They Help Alleviate Syndrome X
At different events, conference calls, and shows I am often asked what foods and products I specifically recommend to help individuals combat Syndrome X. The first things I recommend are those items listed above; namely to add vegetables, seaweeds, sprouts, grasses, superfoods, and herbs to the diet. To expand a little on the superfoods and herbs, what you will find below is what I select to combat Syndrome X and at least part of the reason why I continue to make these available through www.sunfood.com .
Superfoods:
Amazonian Jungle Peanuts - A superb source of Vitamin B3. These peanuts and the peanut butter made from them are also wild foods with a high level of minerals and amino acids.
Cacao Nibs (raw chocolate pieces) - Chocolate always has been the #1 weight loss food due to its therapeutic content of magnesium, chromium, and iron.
Goji Berries - Goji berries are an extraordinarily nutritious, complete protein source. Goji berries taste great and make for a great snack, superfood alternative. Don't be fooled by non-organic brands that are sprayed with sulfur dioxide. Go organic. Eat organic goji berries.
Maca - Maca helps to activate the glands and the endocrine system. The endocrine system includes the pineal, pituitary, thyroid, thymus, adrenals, ovaries, testicles, etc. Most Syndrome X'ers have glandular deficiencies (usually the thyroid). In addition, maca is excellent at increasing overall vitality and vigor. When maca is an aphrodisiac for you, then you know it is working.
Ocean's Alive Marine Phytoplankton - This is the only bottled food product in the world that contains all known minerals. Mineral deficiencies cause us to continually eat until we get the minerals we are looking for. Because junk foods contains no minerals, eating them will never satiate the appetite. Mineral-rich Ocean's Alive Marine Phytoplankton also contains EPA. EPA is an omega 3 fatty acid that is important for a healthy nervous system and brain chemistry. The GLA and phospholipids in the Phytoplankton have anti-inflammatory properties.
Herbs (Medicinal Mushrooms) and Botanical Supplements:
Reishi Gano 161 by Mushroom Science
Lion's Mane by Mushroom Science
Agaricus Blazei (the most powerful mushroom supplement available)
Syndrome X is often characterized by high amounts of tissue acidity. In order to create balance, alkaline nutrients, herbs, and superfoods are required. The Medicinal Mushrooms are the most alkaline of herbs. The Medicinal Mushrooms help restore a normal glucose metabolism as well as an active and healthy immune system. The polysaccharides in Medicinal Mushrooms also contain Ormus minerals that help bring "lifeforce energy" and "vitality" back into our bodies.
Beauty Enzymes - No weight loss program would be complete without enzymes. Enzymes are catalysts that help move a "stuck" metabolism. The key factor about raw and living foods and their ability to help get a Syndrome X metabolism going is their enzyme content. Supplemental enzymes like Beauty Enzymes make the difference and that is why the demand for this product is so high we can barely keep up with production. In terms of quality, there is no other product like Beauty Enzymes on the market. Test and you'll be convinced.
Blue Mangosteen - Blue Mangosteen is perhaps the most potent natural anti-inflammatory botanical product on the market today that also fights debilitating nanobacteria.
DHA Algae Oil - DHA, like EPA, is an omega 3 fatty acid that is important for a healthy nervous system and brain chemistry. Long-chain omega 3 fatty acids like DHA are chronically deficient amongst the population, especially amongst long-term conventional-food consuming vegans and vegetarians.
Celtic Grey Mineral Sea Salt - Celtic sea salt contains four times the mineral content of any other salt including Himalayan salt (which is second best). Celtic salt is much fresher and more "living" than rock salts that come out of the Earth. A pinch or two of Celtic salt to a liter (quart) of drinking water can do wonders to increase your hydration.
Detoxification and Cleansing:
Liquid Activated Zeolites - This the most powerful single cleansing product ever developed. This product is proof that the more problems we face, the more powerful the solutions become. This product is the only product ever proven to remove heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, etc.) and volatile organic compounds (synthetically made chemicals that can interfere with a healthy metabolism).
Angstrom Zinc - Syndrome X'ers are typically chronically deficient in zinc. Zinc plays a critical role in energy production as well as detoxification in the human body. Angstrom Zinc comes in an easy to use liquid form. This is the most effective form of zinc we have yet found.
EJUVA - EJUVA is an entirely organic 30-day herbal cleanse that generally is "softer" than most cleanses of its type. It is designed to help turn candida into healthy digestion as well as help assist the healing of digestive disturbances - especially small and large intestine (colon) challenges. EJUVA can assist the removal of toxic, old waste matter from the body. It is common for those on the EJUVA cleanse to lose 20 pounds in a single month.
Psychological Support:
David Wolfe's 21 Day Peak Performance and Weight Loss Program - If you enjoy the constant support and education provided by a reassuring voice that you can listen to at home, in your car, and/or with your iPod then this 21 Day Program will do wonders for you. Each day you select two cards from two separate decks and follow the instructions from there. This is an innovative, fun audio program that is guaranteed to entertain, empower, and educate as you lose weight and gain healthy habits.
Joint Health Rejuvenation by David Wolfe, JDIntroduction
Joint pain and inflammation are symptoms that will concern nearly each and every one of us eventually. Arthritic pain and inflammation are not peculiar to humans, but also affect other mammals - even wild mammals that eat only natural food. This evidence along with research compiled by Douglas Muhall in his book The Calcium Time Bomb indicates that joint pain and inflammation may be caused by infectious organisms that reproduce slowly and become more pronounced with age.
Because we know that certain foods, superfoods, herbs, and supplements fight infectious organisms (e.g. garlic fights viruses, pau d'arco kills fungus, coconut oil dissolves certain types of bacteria) we may deduce that correctly chosen foods, superfoods, and herbs may fight the organisms that affect our joints.
We also know that certain foods, superfoods, herbs, and supplements supply enough minerals to get us out of deficiencies and actually fortify our bodies and protect us from degeneration.
A Little Background
Our joints are some of the least oxygenated regions of our body. Very few capillaries interface with the tissue in and around our joints. Therefore, due to low blood flow, our joints are subject to low oxygenation and an inability of white blood cells to reach our joints to fight infections.
I believe this basic weakness of mammal biology is something we can defend, fortify, and rejuvenate with the correct nutrition strategy.
Here are the nutrients we should be looking for in our food, superfoods, herbs, and supplements that support and defend our joints (either directly or indirectly):
Minerals
Sulfur
Silicon
Ormus Gold Vitamins
E
C Polysaccharides
Beta 1,3 Glucans
Beta 1,4 Glucans
Beta 1,6 Glucans
Mannose
Fucose
N-Acetylgalactosamine
N-Acetylglucosamine
N-Acetylneurominic Acid Fats and Oils
Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids (ALA, DHA, EPA, GLA) Antioxidants
Alpha-mangostin
Gamma-mangostin
Garcinone E
Blue Phycocyanin Amino Acids
Phenylalanine
Tyrosine
Lysine
Foods, Superfoods, Herbs, and Supplements to Protect our Joints
Listed below are the basic components of the program. These foods, superfoods, herbs, and supplements contain the critical nutrients necessary to nourish and defend our joints. These foods, superfoods, herbs, and supplements are to be ADDED to your diet. We assume that refined sugar, trans-fatty acids (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils), regular table salt, soda, fast food, pasteurized dairy products, cooked conventional wheat and corn products, drugs, and other excesses have been (or are being) removed from your diet.
Let's review these foods, superfoods, herbs, and supplements briefly:
HEMP PRODUCTS (seeds, protein powder, oil):
HEMP SEEDS:
Hemp seeds are considered by leading researchers and medical doctors to be one of the most nutritious food sources on the planet. Shelled hemp seed is packed with 33 percent pure digestible protein and is rich in iron and vitamin E as well as omega-3 ALA and omega 6 GLA. Hemp also contains three times the vitamin E contained in flax. A recent report funded by the Canadian government states that hemp protein is comprised of 66 percent high-quality edestin protein, and that hemp seed contains the highest percentage of this of any plant source. Edestin contains the following amino acids in significant quantities: tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and lysine.
In 1915, the Journal of Biological Chemistry discussed edestin at length. A later issue published a vegetable protein study. In the study, edestin was considered suitable as a sole protein source for animals. The study also stated that "the relatively large amounts of lysine present in the...hempseed...is especially noteworthy."
HEMP PROTEIN POWDER:
Hemp protein powder, is made from raw, hemp seeds (cold-processed at less than 85 degrees). It is super finely milled to contain 37% protein, with much of the oil removed. Hemp Protein is a balanced, "whole" protein, rich in essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.
Hemp's superior 66% edestin and 33% albumin protein structure is the highest in the plant kingdom, making it the Gold Standard of Plant Protein.
HEMP OIL:
Hemp is one of very few plants that contains both of Omega 6 (GLA) and Omega 3 (ALA) an even rarer fatty acid. Hemp oil normally contains about 80% polyunsaturated fatty acids, with Omega 6 and 3 in a ratio of 3:1.
MSM (powder or capsules:)
MSM is a naturally occuring form of dietary sulfur found in fresh raw foods that are involved in the cycle of rain. MSM is deficient in foods grown in greenhouses or in foods grown through irrigation. MSM is volatile and destroyed by cooking. In the body, MSM softens leathery internal tissues by rebuilding connective tissue with elastic sulfur bonds. This is how MSM lives up to its reputation of building collagen and maintaining healthy joints. This is also why MSM increases flexibility (good for yoga), hastens recovery time from sore muscles, and is excellent for recovery from athletic injuries.
Because of its collagen-building properties, MSM creates smooth skin, thick lustrous hair, and strong nails. MSM makes the tissues more permeable so that they may move nutrients in and toxins out with greater ease. MSM has a remarkable effect at neutralizing foreign proteins (i.e. allergens, toxins, undigested food) making it anti-inflammatory. MSM works particularly well in conjunction with vitamin-C rich foods.
MSM LOTION:
Get your MSM from the outside in! What you put on your skin is just as important as what you take into your body via food. MSM lotion/cream does more than just soften and moisturize your skin, it helps restore and rejuvenate dry, rough skin, leaving it smooth and silky. This pure cream delivers all the value of MSM directly to the skin surface. Because a past or present MSM deficiency may have created scar tissue and wrinkles, this cream should be applied daily directly to damaged skin. Also, great to apply to the joints directly or to sunburns, mosquito bites, and/or most any type of skin irritation. Excellent for shaving!
KELP POWDER:
Ground kelp granules are a convenient way to get your sea minerals and polysaccharides on a daily basis. They are "salty" yet low in sodium, thanks to their rich complement of other mineral salts. Kelp granules are an especially rich source of fucose (polysaccharide), potassium, iron, iodine, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and dietary fiber, and also contain a natural substance, glutamic acid, that enhances flavor and tenderizes fibrous foods. Phytochemicals in kelp have been shown to absorb and eliminate radioactive elements and heavy metal contaminants from our bodies.
TOCOTRIENOLS:
Tocotrienols are the most potent source of vitamin E and a rich source of B vitamins. Until recently, Vitamin E was thought to be composed of several TOCOPHEROLS, the most powerful form of which is ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL. Vitamin E is of great nutritional importance. All body tissues, especially the adrenal and pituitary glands, have high concentrates of Vitamin E, but storage is mainly in the muscles, fatty tissues, and liver. Recently, a new class of compounds related to the TOCOPHEROLS has been discovered, and these compounds are called TOCOTRIENOLS. According to a noted expert in the field of Vitamin E research, ALPHA-TOCOTRIENOL is 40-60 times more potent than ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL. At the present time, there are four named TOCOTRIENOLS. An additional 20 unnamed TOCOTRIENOLS have been discovered. By way of example, DELTA-TOCOTRIENOL is 200 times more potent than ALPHA-TOCOTRIENOL. This bottle contains alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocotrienols.
BLUE MANGOSTEEN:
The key active ingredients in the mangosteen rind are a group of antioxidants called "xanthones." Thus far, at least 40 different xanthones have been identified in the mangosteen, each with a different array of healing properties. The three most well-studied mangosteen xanthones at this time are: alpha-mangostin, gamma-mangostin, and garcinone E.
Catechin and other polyphenol antioxidants similar to those found in cacao beans are present in the mangosteen rind. Soothing polysaccharides similar to those found in aloe vera, noni and medicinal mushrooms are also found in the mangosteen rind.
Blue Mangosteen also contains a unique proprietary blue-pigment spectrum extract of Klamath Blue-Green Algae (Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae). This extract contains significant amounts of the health-enhancing, blue antioxidant, phycocyanin and the extract also contains mental-focus supporting phenylethylamines (PEA's). The rare, blue phycocyanin helps fight inflammation and it also helps the body to produce more rejuvenating stem cells. Research on the health-enhancing effects of phycocyanin may be found in the book: Primordial Food by Christian Drapeau, MSc.
CHUCHUHUASI TEA:
Chuchuhuasi is the bark of a giant Amazonian climax rainforest tree that can reach a height of greater than 30 meters.
Chuchuhuasi tea is used to specifically alleviate arthritic joint pain and most types of back pain. As an herb of extraordinary power, Chuchuhuasi also has other healing properties such as immune system improvement, tension relief, and adrenal support.
A wonderful Chuchuhuasi joint healing bark tea recipe could include: Chuchuhuasi (10 grams) Pau D'Arco (5.0 grams) Cat's Claw (3.5 grams) Goji Berries (20 grams) 1 raw vanilla bean (This makes 2.5 liters of healing tea)
ORMUS GOLD:
Ormus gold is a mineral product containing Ormus gold, silicon, and distilled water. This products is the result of over ten years of research by David Wolfe and his team. Research into Ormus gold was initiated by David Hudson's rediscovery of unique minerals which he called monoatomic elements and which have since become known and elaborated upon through the internet community as Ormus.
Because Ormus gold is a mineral that is present in the joints, the use of Ormus gold may provide radical relief from joint pain and defend against joint degeneration.
IMMUNE BUILDER:
Immune Builder by Mushroom Sciences is a powerful blend of medicinal mushrooms, all of which are notable for their high content of the immune system supporting, connective-tissue building, joint healing, and skin youthening molecules known as beta glucans. Beta glucans is a specific type of polysaccharide (glyconutrient) similar to those found in yacon, goji berries, kelp, and aloe vera.
Each of the mushrooms in Immune Builder contains beta glucans with unique shapes, allowing each of them to fit into special receptor sites on different immune cells in the human body. Once the 'key' of a beta glucan fits into the 'lock' of the receptor site on an immune cell, a specific immune response is generated. The different shapes of these beta glucans produce a wide array of immune responses.
Immune Builder contains the following polysaccharide-rich ingredients: Agaricus blazei fruit body extract, Cordyceps sinensis Cs-4 mycelium extract, Coriolus versicolor PSP extract, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) fruit body extract, Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extract, Standardized Patented Extract derived from Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa).
ALOE VERA:
Aloe vera is a desert succulent native to East and South Africa which is now grown all over the world. The leaf contains a mucilaginous gel. This gel contains mannose and other polysaccharides that immediately decrease inflammation and pain. Aloe vera is also an excellent source of sulfur and ormus minerals.
OCEANS ALIVE MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON:
Marine Phytoplankton are tiny ocean dwelling micro-algae (very tiny plants) that form the basis of the Earth's entire food chain. Gram-for-gram, Oceans Alive Marine Phytoplankton is likely the most nutrient-dense, alkaline superfood on Earth.
Ocean's Alive Marine Phytoplankton is a raw, original, enzyme-rich living superfood product.
Marine Phytoplankton is:
• The best plant-based source of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids (DHA, EPA).
• A natural source of plant-based vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, polysaccharides, and protein.
• A complete protein source. In fact, Marine Phytoplankton is over 60% protein by weight. Oceans Alive contains tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and lysine.
The Value of Organic Foods and Organic Goji Berries by David Wolfe, JD
Shazzie (www.shazzie.com), my co-author on our book Naked Chocolate and who is our www.sunfood.com counterpart in the United Kingdom summarized the impact of a current lack of organic goji berries on the world market beautifully in her recent January 2008 newsletter. Here are her words:
"The 2007 [goji] harvest was [mostly] contaminated with pesticides and therefore cannot be sold as organic. We could import and sell these berries as non-organic but this does not fit with our ethos. This means that there are very few genuinely organic goji berries available in the world now and so please be careful to check your sources if buying from elsewhere."
We agree with her totally.
Getting organic goji berries from China is difficult, expensive, and requires lots of attention to detail.
Fortunately, we are proud to announce that it appears we have secured enough organic goji berries to supply you and your family in 2008!
You may have seen "wildcrafted" goji berries on the market. These berries are not wildcrafted (all goji berries sold on the worldwide market today are grown on farms - they are not wild). These berries are also sprayed with sulfur dioxide. If you are unsure of your goji berry source, ask for a certificate that demonstrates that the sulfur compounds on the berries are below 20 ppm. Typical, "wildcrafted" goji berries contain 1200-2000 ppm of sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide is a chemical preservative that does not meet the standards for a USDA organic certification.
We believe strongly in the ethics of organic farming. By no means is organic food perfect, but it is certainly a better start than chemical agriculture and genetically modified crops. At Sunfood Nutrition, just the organic certification alone is not enough, we demand even higher standards in all our bestselling products and do independent testing on our these products.
Here is a list of three past tests on www.sunfood.com's goji berries:
Organophosphate Pesticides in Soils, Plant Tissue, and Water
Organophosphate Pesticides - None Detected
Naled (Dibrom)
Permethrin
Demeton S
Dichlorvos
Deltamethrin
Mocap
Pirimiphos-methyl
Phorate
Malathion
Phosdrin
Fenvalerate (Sanmarton)
TDE
Diazinon
Pirimicarb
Me-Parathion
Disulfoton
Fenchlorfos
Oxydemeton-methyl
Tokuthion
Dimethoate (Cygon)
Tetrachlorvinfos
Fenithrothion
Fenthion
Dyfonate (Fonofos)
Merphos - B
Imidan (Phosmet)
Dursban (Chlorpyrifos)
Fenamiphos - (Nemacur, Phenamiphos)
Fensulfothion
Phoxim
Sulprofos
Methamidophos (Monitor)
Guthion
Co Ral (Coumaphos)
Carbophenothion
Ethion
Ethyl Parathion
Detection Limit = 0.05 ppm
Water = 0.01 ppm
Detection limit may be higher due to matrix interferences.
Chlorinated Pesticides in Soils, Plant Tissue, and Water
Chlorinated Pesticides = None Detected
BHC-A (Alpha-Hexachlorocyclohexame)
BHC-B (Beta-Hexachlorocyclohexane)
BHC-D (Delta-Hexachlorocyclohexane)
BHC-G (Lindane)
Endrin Aldehyde
Heptachlor
Dylox (Trichlorfon)
Captan
Mirex
Aldrin
Chlorpyrifos-Methyl
Heptachlor Epoxide
Chlorpyrifos (Dursban)
Endosulfan I and II
Methoxychlor
Endosulfan Sulfate
Chlordane
4, 4 DDE
Quintozene
4, 4 DDD
Esfenvalerate
4, 4 DDT
Fenvalerate
Dieldrin
Mavrik (Tau-Fluvalinate)
Endrin
Alachlor
Pyrethrum
Chlorfenvinfos
Cypermethrin
Detection Limit = 0.05 ppm
Water = 0.03 ppm
Detection limit may be higher due to matrix interferences.
Carbamates in Soils, Plant Tissue, and Water = None Detected
Aldicarb (Temik)
Aldicarb Sulfoxide
Aldicarb Sulfone
Carbaryl (Sevin)
Carbofuran
3-Hydroxy Carbofuran
Methiocarb
Methomyl (Lannate)
Oxamyl (Vydate)
Propoxur (Baygon)
Detection Limits = 0.002 ppm in water
= 0.02 ppm in soil and plant tissue
Detection limit may be higher due to matrix interferences.
We believe in protecting our customers by maintaining extraordinary quality standards. Please let us deal with the testing, hassles, paperwork, and certifications, so you don't have to! That's our job.
The value of organic raw foods, superfoods, and herbs is critically important for a safe, healthy, and happy future for all of us, our children, and our children's children. The evidence is increasingly pointing towards an organic future.
Organics foods are known to have the following characteristics:
• Organic food is richer in minerals:
Organic farmers, in general, are more interested than conventional farmers in growing mineral-rich produce. The famous Rutgers study demonstrated that organic food was superior in the following minerals: phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, boron, manganese, iron, copper, and cobalt. It all starts with mineral-rich soil. When more minerals are available to the plant, the plant's vitamin, polysaccharide, and enzyme content, as well as overall immune system are improved. When we eat mineral-rich food we absorb the nutrients that made the plant healthy. We also enjoy more conscious choices and freedom as the cells throughout our body become healthier and more vital. Entire books have been written on how rich soils help build enormous civilizations and how subsequent mismanagement of crops and the soil leads to a loss of soil minerals and the subsequent collapse of these civilizations.
• Organic agriculture is sustainable:
Organic food production has existed for thousands of years. It will continue as long as humans walk the planet. Organic agriculture is non-toxic (it leaves no permanent toxicity). The pesticide and artificial fertilizer industries are toxic and not sustainable. These industries have covered the entire planet with dangerous chemicals. The story of DDT is known to nearly all of us. DDT went into commercial distribution in 1948. Because of its unsustainable toxicity, DDT was banned in the United States in 1972 and soon after was banned worldwide. DDT is a known neurotoxin and carcinogen. Who was brought to justice after the facts about DDT were revealed? How many people, children, and animals were (are) injured by this chemical? How much longer is it possible to continue to spray the Earth with poisons?
• Organic agricultural supports being chemical-free:
With the explosion of cancer and disease in Western culture, who has the authority to say that any artificial chemicals are safe on our food?
Consider the summary from the following 2003 research article in which pesticide exposure was at least six times higher in the diets of children eating conventional food (as compared to organic food):
"We assessed organophosphorus (OP) pesticide exposure from diet by biological monitoring among Seattle, Washington, preschool children. Parents kept food diaries for 3 days before urine collection, and they distinguished organic and conventional foods based on label information. Children were then classified as having consumed either organic or conventional diets based on analysis of the diary data. Residential pesticide use was also recorded for each home. We collected 24-hr urine samples from 18 children with organic diets and 21 children with conventional diets and analyzed them for five OP pesticide metabolites. We found significantly higher median concentrations of total dimethyl alkylphosphate metabolites than total diethyl alkylphosphate metabolites (0.06 and 0.02 µmol/L, respectively ; p = 0.0001) . The median total dimethyl metabolite concentration was approximately six times higher for children with conventional diets than for children with organic diets (0.17 and 0.03 µmol/L ; p = 0.0003) ; mean concentrations differed by a factor of nine (0.34 and 0.04 µmol/L) . We calculated dose estimates from urinary dimethyl metabolites and from agricultural pesticide use data, assuming that all exposure came from a single pesticide. The dose estimates suggest that consumption of organic fruits, vegetables, and juice can reduce children's exposure levels from above to below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's current guidelines, thereby shifting exposures from a range of uncertain risk to a range of negligible risk. Consumption of organic produce appears to provide a relatively simple way for parents to reduce their children's exposure to OP pesticides."
Taken from "Organophosphorus Pesticide Exposure of Urban and Suburban Preschool Children with Organic and Conventional Diets" by Cynthia L. Curl, CL , RA Fenske and K Elgethun. 2003. (www.ehponline.org/docs/2003/5754/abstract.html)
• Organic food is safer on our hormone system:
The endocrine or hormone system may be more susceptible to toxicity than the nervous system. A growing body of research is indicating that an inappropriate exposure to certain pesticides during the developmental cycle of growth in humans and animals can cause serious long-lasting endocrine and hormone disorders.
The Environmental Working Group recently published the following statements (www.foodnews.org/reduce.php): "Many pesticides are now considered 'endocrine disrupters,' in part because the term is something of a catch phrase for chemicals that cause a variety of changes in normal hormone signaling. Some better known examples of highly toxic endocrine disrupting pesticides are DDT (and its metabolite DDE) which are now known to exhibit much of their toxicity through anti-androgenic (de-masculinizing) properties, vinclozolin, a heavily used fungicide that is also anti-androgenic, endosulfan, a DDT relative with estrogenic properties that is found more often in food than any other pesticide, and atrazine, a weed killer with broad hormonal activity, that contaminates the drinking water of about 20 million people in the United States.
• Eating organic foods, superfoods, and herbs is safe, easy, and fun!
You can grow organic foods anywhere with seeds, nice soil, sunshine, sufficient moisture, smiles, and lots of love. Gardening skills are attractive and sexy and make for a safe, healthy hobby. Organic foods have been proven over thousands of years to be safe to eat.
Conventional foods have been proven over 50 years to be unsafe to eat. I saw a conventional lettuce farmer near Santa Barbara, California climb out of his tractor in a space suit on in order to protect himself from the chemicals he was spraying. Does this sound like progress or a bad horror movie?
Remember, you vote with your dollar. Cutting corners cheats everyone. Let's vote for organic farmers.
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Have THE BEST DAY EVER!
