01 May

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GE Salmon Approval Likely: What’s To Come?

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Salmon

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a substitute for professional medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

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By Chris Sovey, RN,BSN

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS AN OPINION PIECE, AND IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. THESE OPINIONS ARE BASED SOLELY ON SPECULATION AND OBSERVATION OF PREVIOUS FOOD INDUSTRY PRACTICES.

The battle wages on. April 26th, 2013 was the last opportunity to submit comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding genetically engineered (GE) salmon. According to the Center for Food Safety, over 1.5 million objections were voiced to the FDA by concerned citizens, scientists, and activists. (1) GE salmon, if approved, will be the first genetically modified animal on the market for human consumption. Proponents of the industry claim that the fish will save the U.S. an enormous amount of money in foreign imports. They claim this is because the fish grows twice as fast as a wild, native salmon.

Significant Rises In Cancer and Other Chronic Ailments

Let’s pause right there. Does the phrase “grows twice as fast” throw up any red flags for you? The fundamental definition of cancer is “uncontrolled cell growth.” While my claim is purely speculation, I imagine the health consequences of GE animals will reach further than ever before. For the last several years, I have been deeply concerned about the rapid rise of GE technology without proper testing. Based on animal studies, GE plants are quite devastating to our health. They may damage every organ system in the body, and have significantly increased tumor growth in lab rats. (2)(3) I have to imagine that the flesh of another animal that grows twice as fast could … maybe … just MAYBE …. impact the rate of cancer in our country in a negative way. In addition, I am alarmed about the ever-rising trend of chronic diseases in America. When we alter the DNA of  a plant by forcefully inserting genes, we still cannot accurately claim the true impact on our health or even the environment.What does this mean for the pioneering field of GE animals?

It is important to distinguish that GE technology is NOT the same as cross-hybridization. In GMOs, DNA is taken from one species and forced into another via gene “guns,” viruses, or other technology. When we apply this model to animals, it takes on a deeper philosophical and spiritual meaning. Some people believe that GMO stands for “God Move Over.” I think that this is more true than ever if we start tinkering with the basic building blocks of life inside a living being.

GMO-Fortified Omega-3′s In Your Food?

If you weren’t aware already, GMOs are in nearly ALL processed foods. They’ve even worked their way into organic foods if included in small amounts! Soy and corn may make up the majority of GMO-derived foods at the moment, but Omega-3′s are all the rage these days. Just like GM corn and soy, I can almost guarantee biotechnology companies will find a way to introduce GM salmon into an outrageous number of foods. It will be subtle. They will likely tout claims on cereal boxes, such as “fortified with Omega 3′s!” Of course, it will come from GM salmon, but who needs to know, right? Despite my creative imagination, I can’t even begin to picture the many Frankenfish projects that will come down the pike. Remember, this is only the beginning. 

Gateway To Other GM Animals

Despite widespread rejection of GM salmon by consumers, release of this product onto the U.S. market would be a major victory for biotechnology SONY DSCcompanies.  Long-term health effects are difficult to track (thanks to the near-absence of human-clinical trials) from GE foods, so you can bet good money that biotechnology industries will use GE salmon as a staging ground for the safety of future GE animals. That is the name of the game.

A recent article published in the Australian Veterinary Journey revealed the true tip of the iceberg. GE animals will almost certainly be marketed as a means to combat the ever-expanding human population. It is highly unlikely that GE technology will solve this issue, though. As outlined in Jeffrey Smith’s documentary, Genetic Roulette, there is not a shortage of food, but a lack of access. This occurs due to corruption and other factors. Despite the recent (hilarious) Wall-Street Journal article, The world does not need GE foods! We have survived many years without them, and will find other ways to overcome our greatest challenges. GE technology has made many promises, and failed to deliver. The data doesn’t support their claims. Higher crop yields? It is usually the opposite. Less use of herbicides? The U.S. continues to increase herbicide usage annually. Feed the hungry? I think this speaks for itself.

Research is already underway into GE poultry, livestock, and other aquatic species. (4) It will be interesting to see how the public responds to GE animals upon the likely release of GE salmon. It very well may spread in awareness much quicker than GE plants. (The vast majority of the population is still completely unaware of the presence of GMOs.) There are a greater number of organizations, ethics, and morals involved regarding GMOs once we start to involve animals. It may also be the tipping point necessary to successfully introduce labeling within the U.S.

Concerns Of GE Salmon Escaping Into The Wild

One of the most alarming aspects of GE salmon production is the likelihood of escape into the wild. While the parent company, AquaBounty, maintains that this will not occur, they cannot guarantee this with any certainty. If this happens, the GE salmon may breed with native population. The results will be unknown. Wild salmon populations will be forever tainted. Many are concerned about GE salmon release in the wild. As a result, several legislators have proposed bills to limit the sale, transport, or distribution of GE salmon. The most prominent is the PEGASUS act by Senator Mike Begich.

If you take into consideration past legal battles with biotech industries, we are in for a bumpy ride. In the past, companies such as Monsanto have sued small farmers for “patent infringement.” This happened several times (and continues to this day) when accidental cross contamination occurred from adjacent GM crops to non-GM crops. This often happened without the knowledge of farmers due to cross-winds carrying seeds.

Now, imagine the potential consequences of GE salmon escaping into the wild. Does it not seem likely that companies who patent seafood will attempt these same tactics in the future? I speculate that restaurants, grocery stores, and distributors will all be future targets of GE litigation. Since GE seafood is “property of” a particular company, anyone unknowingly purchasing, selling, or distributing these products may be subject to monetary or criminal punishment.

What Can I Do To Help The Movement Against GMOs?

If any of this bothers you (I sure hope it does), there is a lot you can do.

  • First, subscribe to our mailing list (top right sidebar) for continual updates on this concerning matter.
  • Keep up on pressing bills and legislation at the Institute for Responsible Technology.
  • If you happen to be a Michigan local, please join us in educating others through NoGMO4Michigan.
  • Learn about the dangers to your children and get fired up with informative documentaries, such as Genetic Roulette or Seeds of Death.
  • VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLAR! Learn about genetically-modified products and ingredients. Read labels. Stop buying GE products! Lets hit them where it hurts: their pocketbooks.

SOURCES:

(1) Over a Million Comments Filed on GE Salmon as New Evidence Emerges of Deeply Flawed Review: http://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/04/12078/over-million-comments-filed-ge-salmon-new-evidence-emerges-deeply-flawed-review

(2) Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize by Seralini, et. al: accessible at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691512005637

(3) A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health Vendomois, et. al. Accessible at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793308/

(4) Role of genetically engineered animals in future food production: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/avj.12024/abstract

PHOTOS BY:  gkdavie and  Andrea Pokrzywinski

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Food, GMO, Physical Health

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26 Apr

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Persistent Back Pain? 5 Things You May Have Overlooked

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Pediculusarcusvertebrae

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a substitute for professional medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

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Check back every Monday, Wednesday, And Friday for more empowering health articles!

By Chris Sovey, RN,BSN

In any given year, more than half of American adults experience back pain symptoms. (1) Some sources estimate that greater than 80% of adults will report back pain in their lifetime. The severity of the pain perception can range from slightly annoying to downright debilitating. In addition, back pain is one of the most common causes of days missed from work. Needless to say, it is costing our medical system a lot of money.

There are a lot of health professionals that view patients with chronic back pain as “just another back.” Unfortunately, this stigma often leads to poor treatment outcomes or unnecessary procedures. As I’ve stated many times, I am not here to provide medical advice. Your choices of care are between you and your provider. However, I will say that in my professional clinical experience as a nurse and Doctoral Physical Therapy student, I have observed countless patients who are not provided with conservative back pain management tools before opting for more invasive ones. There are cases of trauma and other situations where these choices will be necessary, but for the average Joe couch potato, there are much more cost-effective options.

If you’ve read what we’re about, you’d notice that we attempt to integrate the most conservative methods available, while still drawing from evidence-based literature. If you’re suffering from chronic or recurrent back pain, you may benefit from exploring the following common underlying contributors with your healthcare provider or licensed Physical Therapist. (It is worth noting that Physical Therapy is often considered to be one of the most effective methods for treating low back pain.) (2)

5 Commonly Overlooked Contributors To Back Pain

Flexibility / Range of Motion

It may be difficult to grasp, but your back pain may actually be caused by muscles that are not directly connected to your area of discomfort. The body is a marvelous machine when it is working correctly, as it is all beautifully connected to work in harmony. However, tight muscles in the hips or other areas of the musculature can pull on the alignment of the spine or your tailbone. This places additional stress on the back and may result in pain or degenerative conditions. Tight hamstrings or quads are some of the most common causes of back pain. (4) A tight piriformis is also a frequently tight muscle we observe in patients with back pain.

It is worth noting that poor flexibility can lead to all sorts of degenerative problems throughout the body. Since everything is connected, tight calf muscles can affect your walking pattern, thereby transferring forces up through the knees and into the back. This connection between the whole body is known as the kinetic chain. When it is in working order, it is a magnificent creation. When things become unbalanced, it can result in a lot of suffering. Maintaining range of motion through a properly prescribed stretch program or activities such as yoga are excellent options to maintain sufficient flexibility. Don’t think that just because you are active, that you are automatically flexible. Many athletes often neglect to stretch. As a result, they too suffer from these problems.

Posture

This relates to the kinetic chain that we just discussed. The majority of the population spends a great deal of their time sitting in front of a computer and / or at a desk. They are often consciously unaware of their posture, which tends to slump over time. With excessive sitting, shoulders tend to round forward, the neck juts forward into what is known as “forward head posture,” and additional stresses are placed onto the back.

To further compound this problem, most people who are spending this much time sitting, are less likely to maintain adequate strength of their postural muscles to maintain proper spinal alignment. A conscious awareness of poor posture is critical for spinal health. However, it is only the beginning. Proper strengthening of key muscles (deep cervical flexors, spinal extensors, and scapular stabilizers) are often necessary to re-establish proper posture.

Several muscles must often be stretched as well. Your case may be individual and it is necessary to establish an individual program with a Physical Therapist. Most clinicians refer to posture as a dynamic process. It is not necessarily that we must be constantly rigid, upright, with shoulders drawn down, back and externally rotated. It is stagnation that really kills. Our bodies are meant to move. If you must sit, keep changing positions. For most people, it is ok to slouch for short periods of time, just keep moving. Get up every 15 minutes if possible and stretch. Walk around a little. Sitting kills. I don’t mean that lightly. It really does.

448px-Spondylolysis-_back_pain
Strength Imbalances

Most individuals with chronic back pain have some sort of strength imbalance. This will vary per person and requires an evaluation by a trained professional. Relating back to the kinetic chain, a muscle in one area may need to pick up the slack of a weaker muscle. As a result, unnecessary forces work their way up (or down) the chain, resulting in pain. A large number of individuals with chronic back pain show a smaller / weakened multifidus muscle in imaging studies. (5) The multifidus is a key spinal stabilizer muscle, and is frequently a contributor to low back pain.

Weak hip musculature may result in back pain as well. Several hip muscles connect near the low back, and can directly or indirectly cause stress to the low back.

Biomechanical Alignment

Our bodies undergo a lot of small, micro-stresses throughout the day. Due to this, and our sedentary lifestyle, our spine, hip bones, and tailbones can easily fall out of alignment. When this happens, forces are not distributed efficiently throughout the body. Every step we take may place undue stress on different areas of the spine. Unfortunately, due to the anatomy of the lower lumbar region, this is a focal region of pain for many individuals.

This is treatable through proper evaluation, hands-on therapy or manipulations, and proper stretching / strengthening. Therapists (or chiropractors) may use a variety of techniques to restore normal alignment of the spine and surrounding structures. You could exercise consistently for the rest of your life, but if your spine / pelvis is out of alignment it may cause chronic pain symptoms.

Psychological / Systemic Causes  

Back pain can sometimes be a troublesome problem to diagnose. A multitude of factors play a role in the perception of back pain. Not only does everyone perceive and process pain differently, but their intensity may be blunted or amplified based on previous life experiences. Any underlying depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders often significantly worsens the perception of back pain. Most individuals who are depressed or anxious experience an increased frequency of joint pain in general. (3)

In addition to psychological causes, systemic medical causes sometimes play a role. These can range from potentially serious to emergent conditions. Some examples include: Urinary tract infections, pregnancy, aortic aneurysm, and myocardial infarction. (6) It is never my intention to scare anyone with fear-based knowledge, but it is important to recognize these are possibilities. However, medical causes of back pain are far less common than the other factors mentioned above.

What Can I Do? What’s The Good News!!?!

The good news is that back pain is very treatable in most cases! First, it is critical to be assessed by a healthcare professional who is trained in orthopedics. Your general practitioner will likely refer you to a licensed Physical Therapist, who is knowledgeable in the body’s structures and musculoskeletal system. Therapists have a firm grasp assessing the underlying causes of back pain related to your muscles and joints. As I mentioned before, it is possible that your pain may be caused by other medical causes. This is something that your healthcare provider and Therapist will need to collaborate together in order to determine the root cause of your pain.

Other tips:

  • MOVE! Get up out of that chair every 15 minutes if possible. Take stretch breaks.
  • Walk and move naturally. Even if you don’t enjoy intense workouts, any form of movement is better than sitting.
  • Stretch regularly. Even if you have to physically write it into your schedule, stretching (in some form or another) is critical to preventing tight musculature.

Sources:

(1) Back Pain Facts & Statistics: http://www.acatoday.org/level2_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=68

(2) Physical therapy treatments for low back pain in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/14/55

(3) Chronic Pain: http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/chronic-pain

(4) Risk Factors for the Development of Low Back Pain in Adolescence: http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/154/1/30.long

(5) Multifidus and Paraspinal Muscle Group Cross-Sectional Areas of Patients With Low Back Pain and Controls: A Systematic Review With a Focus on Blinding: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/early/2013/03/13/ptj.20120457.abstract

(6) Masquerade: Medical causes of back pain: http://www.ccjm.org/content/74/12/905.full.pdf+html

Images by: User:Mikael Häggström and Lparis22

Filed Under: Exercise / Fitness, Featured Posts, Lifestyle, Physical Health, Preventative Health

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22 Apr

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5 Important Rules To Help Decipher Fraudulent Health Claims

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Supplement

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a substitute for professional medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

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Check back every Monday, Wednesday, And Friday for more empowering health articles!

By Chris Sovey, RN,BSN

Over the past several years, I’ve done a lot of self-experimenting through the use of natural health supplements. Most have been a bust, never living up to their claims. Of course, there is a lot to consider when trying to determine the efficacy of supplements, herbs, and other health products. I’m a firm believer in integrative medicine and clinical nutrition. I’ve seen firsthand the power of a well-prescribed diet on the reversal of chronic disease. I’ve experienced near-miraculous transformations in my own life, as well. But it didn’t come free. I’ve spent a great deal of money determining what works (at least for me), and what doesn’t.

SupplementThat being said, I realize that the natural health industry (like other businesses) is full of people who wish to take advantage of others who are in a sad state of health. In fact, most people are willing to try just about anything when they are really sick. Marketing departments know this. Sometimes certain products boast claims of their effectiveness that are way outside the scope of reality. The purpose of this article is to help you draw from my experiences to avoid some of the common pitfalls and deceptions associated with natural health products. Frequently, the majority of mass produced products do not deliver their reported benefits or quality.

When I consider purchasing a new health product, there are some key things that I consider. I always explore important questions before slapping down hard-earned cash to trial a supplement or product. You should too! It is critical to examine and ask difficult questions before making ANY commitment. Otherwise, you will become increasingly frustrated with the natural health industry. Find out as much as a you can from a company. Make them sweat a little. CALL THEM. Most people don’t do this, and rely solely on here-say. If you are going to use a health product for any reason, you should feel 100% comfortable with it.

5 IMPORTANT RULES TO DECIPHER FRAUDULENT HEALTH CLAIMS AND POOR QUALITY HEALTH PRODUCTS

Do the claim(s) seem reasonable? Several products on the market claim to cure ailments from A-Z. This should be an immediate red flag. There are few products that can achieve such a feat. It should be noted that it is prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any supplement to suggest that it may cure or treat any disease. I’m not going to make any judgment whether or not this is reasonable, but it does protect the consumer to a certain extent. In other cases, it seems to be an attempt to limit the sales of natural health products. Be sure to look for products that have focused claims for their intended purpose.

Where are the ingredients for this product sourced from? This is a big question to consider, and often requires a little digging. Sometimes, companies are very outright with their information and sources, but in most cases, they will be rather tight-lipped. Consider (and directly ask the company) these questions: Are the ingredients sourced from a whole foods or are they synthetic? What extraction method is used? (Is hexane used in the extraction process?) Do they contain genetically-modified ingredients? (the majority of health products do) Does the product contain fillers (magnesium stearate, artificial colors, etc.)  or other additives? If so, why? (Often products contain fillers to ease the process of mass production, but can result in health problems for certain people) What is the country of origin for the active ingredients? As is often the case of food, source is critical for a quality product. Ask a lot of questions here.

Is their claim testable? Sometimes, you might desperately be seeking answers to a health concern. For the right price, someone out there will offer products to “cure” just about anything. Sometimes, however, the claim is so incredibly vague or “out there” that there is no way to question its validity. For example: I am not one to say that energy-based healing is not valid, but some products bastardize this healing art and form erroneous conclusions based on a poor understanding. Producers will form products that are impossible to test. So what does the evidence say?

It is unreasonable to assume that every vitamin or supplement can be peer-reviewed in the literature. However, it is still your responsibility to examine the safety and evidence that exists. Otherwise, you are throwing away money and potentially doing harm to yourself. Besides medical and nutritional journals, explore other sources as well and arrive at a consensus based on informed decision making. If journal articles are not available, what do traditional healing modalities (Chinese Medicine, Ayruveda) and professional organizations say? Traditional practices have been around for centuries and may help to assist in determining the safety / efficacy of a product. Also, take time to ask experts in the field.

What do you know about the company? Is it large or small? To be honest, I have found the highest quality products in smaller, specialized companies. This is not to say that larger vitamin / supplement companies cannot produce an excellent herb or product, it is just that quality often suffers when mass production occurs. Lack of quality control is by far one of the worst parts of the natural health industry. Although third-party certifications exist to test for quality in health products, it may be difficult to determine the true quality of the product without speaking with the company and asking some questions. Does the company present itself as one that cares about quality products? Are they owned by a larger parent company? What are their values? Will they take the time to speak with you on the phone and answer your questions? Are they secretive? This is often a big red flag. We need to understand and respect proprietary rights, but when a company will not tell you anything regarding the details of their product, you should be concerned.

What does your “gut feeling” tell you? After reviewing all these questions, what does your gut feeling tell you? It is the ultimate subconscious decision maker. If something seems “fishy,” consider this a warning. Combine this with all the evidence you have gathered, and it shouldn’t be difficult to arrive at an informed decision.

Other Thoughts To Consider:

Have you researched all the potential interactions with other medications / supplements? In reality, most health products / supplements are relatively safe. However, when combined with medications or other supplements, it can be dangerous or lethal. This is certainly the case with St. John’s Wort for example. Be sure to review these interactions, and always speak to your healthcare provider before consuming any new health product. 

Also, understand that what works for one does not work for all. We are each unique in our biochemical makeup. Drug companies understand this (despite the fact that they attempt to force one or two drugs for a particular illness on the entire effected population) and most informed consumers do as well. We can expect to each react differently to anything we consume. Your friend may rant and rave about their miracle cure, but it may do absolutely nothing for you. Don’t be discouraged, just keep searching for answers. As always, do your research and make informed decisions.

 

Photos by:  Healing and Eating and  epSos.de

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Miscellaneous, Supplements

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01 Apr

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4 Commonly Overlooked Toxins In Your Home

by

skullandcrossbones

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a substitute for professional medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

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Check back every Monday, Wednesday, And Friday for more empowering health articles!

By Chris Sovey, RN,BSN

My point with this website is not to make people scared, but to educate them to make informed decisions. It is well known by many that we live in a toxic world. We are assaulting Mother Earth in every dimension. Our water, air, and ground are far from pure anymore. As a result, it is impossible to avoid every toxin or chemical that exists in our environment. However, there is a lot we CAN do to reduce our exposure to potentially dangerous contaminants and man-made chemicals.

“Better living through chemistry” has little truth in our modern world. Fertility rates are constantly decreasing, chronic diseases are climbing at exponential numbers, and most people are completely unaware of simple steps they can take to cut out significant exposure to these causative agents.

Here are some dangerous sources of common toxins that you might not be aware of: 

Aluminum Foil and Aluminum Cookware: Aluminum is NOT essential for any biological function. It has the ability to cross the blood-brain-barrier, and is extensively linked to Alzheimer’s disease (1). When heat is introduced to foil or cookware, aluminum will frequently leech into food. Over time, the accumulation in a person frequently preparing food with these items could be dangerous.

Recommendation: Replace aluminum cookware with stainless steel or cast iron. Don’t wrap or cover food in aluminum foil. Instead, try cooking in a covered casserole dish or other appropriate aluminum-free container to prevent loss of moisture.

Household Cleaners and Detergents: This is an easy first step in cleaning up your home. Most laundry, dishwasher, or dish detergents contain some pretty nasty stuff. The list ranges from chlorinated phenols, formaldehyde, to phosphates and diethylene glycol. Each of these chemicals are considered highly toxic by the Environmental Working Group. Their effects range from respiratory irritants to cancer promoters. Even the “green” brands, such as Seventh Generation are hiding things from you. Notice they rarely disclose exactly what is in their products? They may list a vague ingredient, such as, “coconut-based surfactant.” Doesn’t this seem a bit fishy? It is highly likely this is simply just a clever disguise for sulfonyl-lauryl sulfate, which is highly toxic to pregnant mothers. I just found out recently that Seventh Generation’s dishwasher detergent packets contain aluminum!

Recommendation: Go back to the basics. A combination of lemon and vingar cut through most tough scum and are great for cleaning surfaces. Dishwasher detergent can easily be replaced with castile soap (Dr. Bronner’s), and laundry detergents are available that are made from only essential oils.

BPA – Free Containers and Canned Goods: Perhaps you have heard of Bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA was just recently banned from baby food due to effects on development. As a result, a consumer backlash prompted food industries to start the “BPA-Free” craze. The ironic (and sad) thing about BPA-Free goods, is that BPA is now being replaced with a equally dangerous BPS (Bisphenol S). It is this kind of trickery against the consumer that turns my stomach. It is essentially impossible to determine whether or not a canned good contains BPA or not without contacting the manufacturer. As a safeguard, I recommend avoiding canned goods and plastic as much as possible.

Recommendation: Buy a set of Pyrex dishes to store leftovers. Glass water bottles are available online from several vendors.

Amalgam Fillings: Mercury is considered to be one of the most neurotoxic chemicals known to man. Yet, somehow we decided along the way it would be a good idea to put it in our mouths. Dentists fiercely argue that the other metals contained in the amalgam mix tightly bind any mercury from escaping. Despite the lack of unbiased studies to confirm the dangers of amalgam fillings, I personally believe they are a threat to our health. I’ve met too many people who have noticed significant improvements in their health after proper removal of amalgam fillings. Do a search for “mercury off-gassing,” and you will be shocked at the amount of well-credentialed researchers claiming that small amounts of mercury are released from fillings each time we chew.

Recommendation: I am not here to give medical advice. Do some research and come to a informed decision in conjunction with an open-minded dentist. Proper removal by a qualified dentist is critical. Special equipment is necessary to prevent aspiration of mercury vapors during removal. Check out IAOMT.org  if you are interested in learning more about amalgam removal.

Images by: Charkrem and Simon Strandgaard

Sources:
(1): Link between Aluminum and the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease: The Integration of the Aluminum and Amyloid Cascade Hypotheses. Accessed at: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijad/2011/276393/

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Physical Health, Preventative Health

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25 Mar

0 Comments

Is A Vegetarian Diet Healthy?

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Vegetarian2

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a substitute for professional medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

–==FOLLOW HEALTHYCONSUMER ON FACEBOOK!==–

Check back every Monday, Wednesday, And Friday for more empowering health articles!

By Chris Sovey, RN,BSN

The last several years I’ve dedicated nearly all my research towards the exploration of healing diets. My goal was (and still is) to identify the most nourishing and sustainable dietary practices that are traditional and compatible with our unique biology. It is important to understand that we each have individualized biochemistries and variations within our genetic expressions. These are shaped through generations of interaction with our environment and other factors. There is plenty of evidence to support a variety of diets for a healthy existence if based on observation, intuition, and careful experimentation.

Unfortunately, most diets today are NOT based on these principles, so we have a slew of fads that have no scientific basis. These include: The Atkins diet, blood type diets, south beach diet, and many others. It is unfortunate that so many have been misinformed by those who desperately seek to gain through monetary means. Two of the most popular diets to rise in popularity over the last 20-30 years are the vegetarian and vegan diets.

What is vegetarianism?

Vegetarianism includes a wide scope of eating patterns that range from consuming nearly all foods except meat (Lacto-ovo vegetarian) to  abstaining from animal flesh except fish (Pescetarianism). Several other variations exist as well. Unfortunately, most people have been deceived as to what makes up a healthy vegetarian diet.

Major flaws of vegetarian diet:

A vegetarian diet CAN be a healthy option for a lot of people, but it MUST be done correctly. Here are some common points that most vegetarians overlook.

  • Vegetarians tend to have lower serum levels of selenium (1). Selenium is a critical trace mineral for immunity against viruses, and is involved in a host of other biological processes. This is primarily due to the continual depletion of our soils from conventional farming operations. Selenium is  found in brazil nuts and animal sources at higher concentrations.
  • Vegetarians frequently replace meat proteins with grain-based or legume substitutes, such as lentils, beans, etc. In theory, this would make a lot of sense. The nutrition profile of these plants are impressive, but the problem is we can’t access those nutrients without a great expense of energy. Our bodies are not designed to break-down phytic-acid, lectins, enzyme inhibitors, and other toxic components that prevent us from obtaining the nutrients inside. If someone chooses to use these as a primary source of protein, they MUST be soaked, sprouted, or fermented before consumption / cooking. This greatly reduces the “anti-nutrients” mentioned above. (2)
  • Vegetarians consume a high level of soy products. Soy is not a health food. It contains some of the highest levels of phytic acid of any plant, which in itself is a significant strike against soy. In addition, most soy is genetically-modified. Even when it is not, the cross-contamination is so common, it is likely you are still consuming genetically-modified soy. The soy that is used in beverages and food processing is rarely fermented (which is the traditional method of preparation used in other cultures), thereby making it a phytic acid powerhouse. In addition, soy contains phyto-estrogens that mimic estrogen-like properties. This may be great if you are going through menopause, but certainly not otherwise. Lastly, it is a major misconception that asian cultures consumed large quantities of soy. Traditional Japanese would eat about 1 tablespoon per day, while Chinese would consume about 2 teaspoons per day. That hardly classifies as a dietary staple.
  • Vegetarians tend to be significantly deficient in vitamins A,D,E, and K. Animal sources are by far the most bioavailable choices to prevent depletion of these crucial nutrients. While carrots (and other veggies) may contain vitamin A, it is not easily accesible to us when bound up in all the cellulose. No plant sources (besides some mushrooms) contain vitamin D. Animal sources (eggs, raw dairy products, and meats are by far superior to obtain these nutrients. A, D, E, and K are critical for growth, bone health, immunity, and more.
  • Too much fiber is not your friend. A healthy diet should be as energetically efficient as possible to break down, process, and transport all foods. Fiber tends to get in the way. This is another lie by our nutritional authorities. Fiber can also ferment during transit when combined with other foods, which is not a desired side effect.
  • Vegetarians often consume large amounts of breads and wheat containing the devastating gluten protein. Gluten harbors a nasty little chemical known as zonulin, which literally has the ability to punch holes in your gut lining. Bread may have once been a health food, but that was when it was soaked, fermented, and contained much less gluten. As a result of cross-hybridization, most common wheat has as much as 50% gluten content. All grains are not created equal. Be kind to your grains through proper preparation and they will be kind to you.
These can all eventually lead to devastating results in development, bone health, gut health, and more. The literature is split whether or not vegetarians actually live longer. In addition, it is less likely that this population will gain any longevity from these practices if GMOs continue to expand rampantly, along with other ridiculous food experiments and additives.

How to be a healthy vegetarian:

  • Listen to your body. See how certain foods nourish you, and respond to your needs. (That doesn’t mean go eat a large pizza! Address the nutritional or emotional deficiency that is causing you to want the pizza in the first place.)
  • Make sure to include fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kim-chi, beet kvass, water or milk kefir, etc. These friendly bacteria and pre-digested vegetables will greatly increase the efficiency of break-down and introduce a load of friendly bacteria that is essential for gut integrity.
  • Consider consuming raw dairy products and eggs from a trusted source. You don’t have to eat meat to have a healthy diet, but raw dairy and eggs are powerhouse of nutrition and a good substitute for the vitamins mentioned above in the previous section. I need to stress that RAW dairy is by far superior to its pasteurized counterpart. In fact, pasteurized dairy is frequently linked to health problems including: allergies, asthma, digestive difficulties, auto-immune disorders, and more. However, raw dairy does not seem to present with these issues. Understand there is a small risk of contamination with consuming raw dairy, however this is frequently skewed in the data. While it may seem odd to consume milk from another species, be aware that the cultivation of cow’s milk has saved several generations and cultures from starvation during hard times. Raw milk has been proven as a means of delivering critical animal-based fats.
  • Always soak, sprout, or ferment grains, nuts, and seeds to reduce anti-nutrient content. Get the most out of these little guys. By properly preparing these gifts from nature, we are better suited to accept their inherent healing and building properties.
  • Stay clear of soy and genetically modified foods (GMOs). There have been NO human clinical trials on GMO safety, and the method is both imprecise and likely dangerous to our health in multiple ways. The trials that have been completed on animals have greatly increased the growth of tumors and damaged every organ system in the body.

If these principles are followed, a vegetarian diet could be sustainable and nourishing for some individuals. Be aware that everyone has different needs. Some populations have existed almost exclusively on animal products, even supplemented with animal blood (Eww!?). Other traditional cultures have survived heavily on plant-based diets. However, almost every primitive societies consumed some form of animal fats, whether in the form of meat, eggs, or dairy (See Weston A Price’s book: Nutrition and Physical Degeneration).  We may be doing ourselves a grave injustice if we deny our desires for animal products. Some of us are DESIGNED to eat them as our ancestors did. It is certainly a sticky situation with animal rights and suffering, so you must decide what is best for you. However, don’t be militant (or have a superiority complex) in your beliefs to the point that you must sacrifice your health. It is ok to supplement your diet with animal products without feeling guilty. Be thankful for the animal that was sacrificed for you. As always, listen to your gut.

References:

(1) Vegetarians and vegans may be most at risk from low selenium intakes. Accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2126932/

(2) Traditional Food-Processing and Preparation Practices to Enhance the Bioavailability of Micronutrients in Plant-Based Diets. Accessed at: http://jn.nutrition.org/content/137/4/1097.long

Photos by:

SweetOnVeg 

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Food, Healthy Eating, Immunity, Lifestyle

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20 Mar

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Posture Perfect: How To Correct That Slump Of Yours

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Bad_posture2

DISCLAIMER: This is not a substitute for medical or professional dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

–==FOLLOW HEALTHYCONSUMER ON FACEBOOK!==–

**Follow guest author Jason McCammon on Facebook here!**

Check back every Monday, Wednesday, And Friday for more empowering health articles!

By Jason McCammon, B.S., N.F.P.T.-C.P.T.

If you went to parochial or Catholic school the command “sit up straight!” may bring back a few fond memories of those wonderfully cheerful teachers. Or, maybe mom nagged you to stop slouching a few hundred more times than you care to remember. Posture is an ancient virtue of which most of modern society has lost sight. Why is it such a big deal you ask; does it really matter all that much or are these authoritative figures just wanting to make life difficult for you.

Posture seriously matters. Here’s a few highlights:

  • In job interviews, those with good posture generally come across as more studious and honest, whereas those who slouch send the signal of laziness. Of course we are told that’s it’s against the law to discriminate. In the real world, you are innately judged by everyone, at all times by the sum of your actions and speech, especially an employer.
  • When it comes to spinal compression caused by slouching, it takes merely the equivalent weight of a dime to compress nerves enough to lose optimal organ function. You may not value your liver until it no longer works efficiently. Suffice to say that liver malfunction can make a root canal seem like a day at the beach.
  • With regard to shoulder impingement syndrome, which accounts for roughly 75% of all shoulder surgeries, poor posture is the true underlying reason. Due to the complex and delicate nature of the shoulder joint, full range of motion is rarely achieved post-operatively, so it’s best to avoid the procedure with prevention.

Yep, I’d say posture is just a tad bit important.

Lately, posture has especially waned with regard to our younger generations. While there are too many factors to delve into here, the personal electronic device era has catapulted this most recent trend. In other words, hour upon hour bent over a laptop, smart phone, tablet, Kindle or even the old fashioned personal computer at home and work has helped create chronic spinal curvature in the exact opposite direction that it should be. You might not remember this, but when humans used to actually talk face to face, they had to sit up tall to make eye contact throughout the conversation. Nowadays, why bother sitting up tall when all your friends are in bytes displayed across the piece of plastic at your finger tips.

Exercise physiologists often remark that the best position for the spine, or the entire body for that matter, is any position that you are currently not in. Which means a variety of movements and positions are the keys to a healthy spine and joints. Ever notice what animals do upon rising from sleep? They stretch and move their bodies in the exact opposite direction in which they slept. And, animals rarely keep the same position during waking hours. Few animal species have the health problems that we humans do, let alone medical conditions due to poor posture. We are the pinnacle of the animal kingdom and therefore should have the best over-all health.

One of the simplest drills you can do that takes zero equipment and almost zero time and energy is the “no money” drill, coined by Eric Cressey, MS, CSCS. Where ever you are whether it be car, class, home, office or riding an ostrich in Morocco, you can easily do this drill: Sit up tall with chest out and head pulled back (but not up), put both hands out front like you are showing someone you have “no money” in your hands. Taking a deep breath then while exhaling, pinch back your shoulder blades like two dinner plates sliding toward each other across the table. Make sure you think “back and down,” otherwise you will likely shrug up, which we don’t want. Next, keeping your elbows close to your sides, rotate the arms out to the sides such that your thumbs point behind you. You should maintain about a 90 degree elbow bend – upper arm vertical to the floor while lower arm is parallel to the floor. Finally draw in your naval to activate your deep supporting abdominals.

This “no money” drill activates ALL your posture musculature. You may still have some stubborn muscles or other structural imbalances that a qualified professional trainer or physical therapist need to address. It is natural to be a little uncomfortable doing this for the first time, but stop the drill if you have moderate to severe pain and seek proper advice for corrective care.

There are dozens of other great posture drills and spinal alignment corrections, but at least now you know the importance of good posture and have a simple yet extremely effective tool to start taking back your health. With all that said, this drill will cannot compensate for slouching all day, so you must still sit up straight!

Photos by: Skoivuma and Kevlangdo

Filed Under: Exercise / Fitness, Featured Posts, Pain, Physical Health, Preventative Health

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06 Mar

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Help Stop The Latest Unparalleled Deception In Your Food

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Corn

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a substitute for professional medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

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Check back every Monday, Wednesday, And Friday for more empowering health articles!

By Chris Sovey, RN,BSN

NOTE: Please don’t just “like” this post. This is a time for action, and we need as much help as we can get. Future generations are counting on us. Regardless of your dietary creed, these policies WILL impact you. By standing idly by, these companies will continue to grow unopposed. Eventually, all foods will be owned by a patent. Then we have lost all control.

Every once and a while, a food-related outcry makes its way into the mainstream news sources. Most of the time however, media sources are tight-lipped about the subject. There is a lot of red tape to cut through, and a great deal of money at stake in the food industry. I would venture out confidently enough to claim that the food industry is by far one of the most corrupt of all.

Foods are designed to taste “good,” but mostly to keep you sick. There is no profit in healthy people (at least for these guys). For example: If you’ve done any reading on Genetically-Modified foods (GMOs), you are quite aware of the lack of safety testing surrounding these products. The bad news is this: GMOs and other harmful foods are so pervasive within our food supply, that they are virtually unavoidable. Even if you set out with the intention of avoiding things such as GMOs, you are still likely consuming them. There are literally hundreds of ingredients that contain GMO components. Even worse, the limitless resources of these multi-national companies enables them to quickly develop and release new GMO products onto the market with little warning.

The good news is: You CAN make a difference. In fact, this was proven recently with one of the latest biotech atrocities. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was on the verge of accepting Genetically Engineered Salmon onto the market. However, due to public outcry, the FDA is seeking further input and comments. It is worth noting that virtually no long-term safety testing has been completed on GE Salmon. It is also unknown the effects of GE Salmon on the native population. Voice your opinion. Tell the FDA that you DO NOT want GE Salmon on the market. The deadline is April 26th, 2013.

If you wish to learn more and participate in stopping this madness, I recommend visiting this website: http://awionline.org/action-ealerts/stop-fda-approving-genetically-engineered-salmon.

Your comments regarding GE salmon can be submitted here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-2011-N-0899-0003.

If you are completely unfamiliar with genetically-modified foods and their dangers, please visit this website. http://www.responsibletechnology.org/.

In addition, a potentially more dangerous proposal is in the works. The FDA is considering a new bill proposed by the dairy industry. This bill would enable large producers to change the fundamental definition of milk. By doing so, the industry hopes to remove any required labeling for chemical sweetener additives. If this bill is successful, all dairy products including yogurt, cheese, milk, etc. could legally contain artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame without labeling.

Dairy is in nearly everything in one form or another. If you want to prevent this from happening, please take 5-10 minutes to comment to the FDA before May 21st, 2013.

Here is the original petition and how you can help. Scroll Down to section II, “Request for Comments”: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/02/20/2013-03835/flavored-milk-petition-to-amend-the-standard-of-identity-for-milk-and-17-additional-dairy-products. I’d be happy to assist you in any questions you may have. (The actual submission button is on the top right section of the page.) Simply tell them why you don’t want this bill to pass. Please be professional. Don’t get emotional. They will completely discredit your comments.

Understand that food producers wish to spin corruption of the food supply as a benefit to consumers. (There are few industries with more corruption than this) They claim things such as “Aspartame will help promote weight loss.” This is not supported by the literature. In fact, several recent studies report the opposite results. Also, aspartame is linked to several behavioral disorders, such as ADD/ADHD.

Using common sense, this is a clear perversion of God’s intentions for the foundations of food as nourishment and to promote spiritual development. Whether or not you consume dairy or salmon, I highly encourage you to participate in the discussion by clicking, reviewing, and responding to the links above.

Continue to check back to this website every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more food safety updates.

Also, if you happen to be in the Michigan area, please help us to fight GMOs in our neck of the woods by visiting the NoGMO4Michigan website.

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures: WayTru, Andrea Pokrzywinski, and  Fields of View.

Filed Under: Chronic Illness, Featured Posts, Food, Physical Health

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18 Feb

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Farmers Markets: A Beginner’s Guide

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Farmersmarket3

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a substitute for professional medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

–==FOLLOW HEALTHYCONSUMER ON FACEBOOK!==–

Check back every Monday, Wednesday, And Friday for more empowering health articles!

By Chris Sovey, RN,BSN

Things aren’t how they used to be. GMOs are rampant. Shortcuts are made in every aspect of food production. Pesticides are sprayed at increasing levels each year. Obtaining fresh, pure, nourishing food requires a bit of a learning curve. When I say this, I mean foods free of pesticides, herbicides, larvacides, etc. The food should be local whenever possible. This helps to not only reduce the carbon footprint from thousands of shipping miles, but it also delivers more nutrients to the consumer. In addition, local communities and farmers are supported.

I learned this process on my own. All I did was start talking to people at farmer’s markets. Eventually, I gained the knowledge necessary to buy food that is nourishing and free of harmful contaminants (as much as possible). I certainly don’t have an answer for everything, but here is what I have learned so far:

FOR A LIST OF FARMER’S MARKETS IN THE UNITED STATES, CLICK HERE.

QUESTIONS TO ASK A FARMER

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT:

  • As with any interview, start off with an open-ended question like: “Tell me a little bit about your farm….” If they ask what you wish to know, segway into the following:
  • “Do you grow using organic farming practices?” I use this verbage because not all farmers are certified organic, but may produce crops using the same principles. Sometimes there is a reason they are not certified organic (they may be hiding something). Other times, it is simply to save costs to themselves and the consumer. Figure out whether you trust the farmer or not. Get to know them. Visit their farm.
  •  If they say yes, the next question to ask is, “What do you use for fertilizers and pest control? Do you spray anything else on the crops?” Write down their response and research it. A lot of organic farmers are turning to Neem oil lately, but that is not the only option. Some farmers are using other combinations of essential oils as well.
  • Some farmers claim to use “sustainable farming practices,” or “natural growing practices.” There is no definite legal requirements for these terms. Be sure to probe further. Don’t be shy. It is your duty to find out what is going into your mouth. Don’t let someone downplay the seriousness of sprays such as Sevin. However, be aware of the Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen, and purchase accordingly if necessary.

MEAT:

  • For Beef / Lamb: “Are your cattle / lamb 100% grass fed? Do you supplement with any grains? If so, are these grains certified non-GMO?” Cows are not meant to eat grains. Period. Grains make significant changes to the gut ecosystem in cattle / lamb (and humans). This practice is pro-inflammatory, reduces omega-3 content, and changes the fundamental health value of meat. Don’t settle for grain-fed beef when you are paying premium prices. Meat CAN be a health food if used sparingly and selectively. STAY AWAY FROM SUPERMARKET MEAT! Also, be certain to find out about a farmer’s breeding practices. Where are they obtaining their cattle? Mad Cow Disease is an unspoken reality, so it is important to find out more about the health status of cattle (and all animals).
  • Chicken / Duck (And Eggs): Ask similar questions as above regarding grains. Grains will reduce the omega-3 content available in chicken and eggs. This is especially true if the chickens are not able to roam and pick up grubs and vegetable scraps around the farm.
  • Seafood: Seafood must be wild caught. Farmed fish are typically lacking all the healthful benefits of seafood due to the grain-based, GMO diet. Be aware of the reality surrounding post-Fukushima radiation fall out. I believe that the majority of seafood is no longer safe.
  • ALL animals: I highly recommend visiting the farm. Observe the cleanliness of the environment. Are animals roaming free around the farm, or are they locked up in tight quarters? How do the farmers interact with their animals? 
  • I don’t recommend pork products for various reasons.

BEE PRODUCTS:

  • “Do you supplement your hives with glucose or any other processed sugar feeds?” There are a lot of scientists who believe this is contributing to weakened immune systems of the bees, and subsequently a factor in Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
  • “Tell me a little bit about the surrounding farmlands. Are farmers using systemic pesticides or growing GMO crops?” Several scientists suspect systemic pesticides are a major contributor to the increasing death of bees and CCD.
  • “Do you harvest bee products in a sustainable way?” The beekeeper should be certain to leave enough product for the bees to survive the winter-time.
  • Purchase only raw bee products whenever possible. Honey is a strong anti-microbial, full of living enzymes and phytonutrients. Once it is heated, most of the benefits are negated.

RAW DAIRY: (Consume at your own risk!)

  • Recently, I have been going back-and-forth regarding the safety of raw dairy. If you decide to consume raw dairy, hygiene is essential.
  • Cows should be fed 100% grass diets.
  • Ask the farmer the same questions as above regarding grains. Grains can weaken the immune system of the cattle / goat, leaving them susceptible to nasty organisms that may end up in your milk. This is critical.
  • Raw dairy should be tested frequently for pathogens and cell counts. Be sure to ask about this.
  • It is highly urged to visit the farm and view the hygiene practices.
  • While contamination is not as frequent as the CDC points out, it is of big concern. These pathogenic organisms are people-killers. Consume at your own risk.

OTHER TIPS:

  • Typically, smaller farm operations are able to operate without cutting corners. They may be the best option to buy from if you are concerned about organic farming practices being compromised.
  • Developing a lasting relationship with a farmer is a fantastic idea if you plan to be in the area for a while. You become a priority customer, and they are more likely to reserve items for you or give discounts.
  • Use your “gut feeling”. If something doesn’t feel right, walk away.

PHOTOS BY: NatalieMaynor

 

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Food, Healthy Eating

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13 Feb

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The ONLY Way To Stop Americans From Becoming Sicker

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Pills2

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a substitute for professional medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

–==FOLLOW HEALTHYCONSUMER ON FACEBOOK!==–

Check back every Monday, Wednesday, And Friday for more empowering health articles!

By Chris Sovey, RN,BSN

You are probably aware that the majority of Americans are chronically ill. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (1), heart attack, stroke, and cancer alone account for over 50% of annual deaths. In some states, Americans are taking as many as 17 different medications concurrently to deal with various chronic health issues.

Most websites (including this one) are discussing the importance of healthy diet, regular exercise,
and positive mindset, etc. Of course all these components are essential to good health, but I’d like to run with these overlying themes, and dig a little deeper. Let’s enter the human psyche, and discuss some of the most troublesome roadblocks to longevity and a vibrant life free of disease.

We should start with the healthcare system. As I’ve said before, the United States is way ahead of the game in emergency medicine. If I am in a car crash, please take me to a hospital! Also, (most) physicians are brilliant diagnosticians. They possess a wealth of valuable information. Unfortunately, everything related to the human body has become a reductionist science. We view everything gone awry in the body as a foreign cause. We isolate viruses, bacteria, and other “causative agents.” This method is often lacking when it comes to chronic disease. It does not consider the holistic (whole-body) approach of treating the person.

The first thing we need to do is change our priorities. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you do enough research, you will come to the conclusion that Western Medicine has never cured ANYTHING. Even the so-called eradication of polio (total lie, but that’s another blog post) was a complete deception to the public. We sure can mask the symptoms with the “pill for every ill” mentality pretty well. But the consequences consistently outweigh the benefits. Got a headache? Pop an Ibuprofen! Guess what? NSAID kill! 1 in 5 users of NSAIDs experience a perforation or stomach bleed. (2) This can be fatal. How about a few harmless Tums or Pepto-bismol for that indigestion? It’s absolutely the ass-backwards approach. By alkalizing your stomach contents, you’ve left yourself open to other pathogens such as: bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It can become a vicious cycle. (Most people are likely deficient in hydrochloric acid.)

So, instead of adopting this short-sighted view, we must begin to understand the importance of healthy lifestyles. Regardless of what you wish to accomplish in life, health is of critical importance. You will never function at your fullest capacity without understanding this basic fact. Preventative health may not sound exciting, but neither is cancer. Plus, the latter is much more expensive, and miserable!

Next, we must understand that food was never meant to be convenient. The government spends billions subsidizing corn and soy products that absolutely devastate our health. On the up side, “food” can now take seconds to minutes to prepare. But we are committing an extreme injustice to our long term health. You think organic food is expensive? Have you seen how much chemotherapy costs?

I’m not saying that food cannot be fun. In fact it is quite the opposite. Food can be an excellent communal means of gathering. As we grow, all health-conscious consumers must learn a bit about food preparation, sources, labeling, and proper balancing of the diet. Once we have this basic understanding, we can grow together to thrive as healthy, happy beings. Learn how to prepare food. It is as simple as that. If you hate it, try it with friends or a significant other.

At the same time, unplug from brain-washing, destructive television programming. Disconnect from violent, self-absorbed media content. Advertisements are subconsciously deceiving you into buying unnecessary products and medications. This money (and time) could be spent with others in an activity or hobby in which you could grow together.

Become a curious student of the world. Ask a lot of questions. There is always another solution. If you are diagnosed with an illness, there is no reason you cannot get a second opinion. It is your right as a consumer. Learn the skills necessary to sift through good and bad information. However, don’t completely rule out a healing method just because you are unfamiliar with it. Similarly, just because a treatment approach isn’t backed by double-blinded randomized controlled trials, doesn’t mean it is not a plausible path to restoring health. Just do your research.

The same goes with all other aspects of life. Don’t be a mindless sheep. I know it seems easy enough. We’re so busy, busy, busy. But the moment we surrender our conscious thoughts to others, we invite in our own destruction. Instead of allowing this to happen, we must think for ourselves. We must decipher what is best for all, not for a select few investors.

Ask yourself this: Are your health mentors healthy themselves? Do they possess characteristics that promote a healthy lifestyle? Be aware that most doctors only receive a few hours of nutritional training in their curricula. Unless they have received continuing education (that is not funded by pharmaceutical companies), it is unlikely they will promote lifestyle-enhancing advice.

Lastly, we must rebuild communities. After understanding the importance of healthy lifestyles and conscious awareness, we are able to take steps to heal at a deeper level. We can heal our neighbors and local economies. We can buy local. We can develop relationships with the local farmers. We can buy quality food and products from those around us. It is a win-win for all. We receive higher quality food or other goods. The producer or farmer stays in business.

Most importantly, always learn. Never remain stagnant. Stagnation is death. We may have many setbacks in life, but continue to grow and learn. Health is in the journey, not the destination.

 

Sources 

(1) Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion: http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm

(2) Mortality with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation: effects of time and NSAID use: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/9/41/

Photos By: e-MagineArt.com,  Images_of_Money

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Healthy Eating, Lifestyle, Physical Health, Preventative Health

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11 Feb

2 Comments

5 Simple Technologies That Can Reduce Stress

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headphones

DISCLAIMER: This article is not a substitute for professional medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before undertaking or modifying any healthcare intervention. Please read our disclaimer.

–==FOLLOW HEALTHYCONSUMER ON FACEBOOK!==–

Check back every Monday, Wednesday, And Friday for more empowering health articles!

By Chris Sovey, RN,BSN 

I’ll be honest. I grew up as a total computer geek. I’m not ashamed of it. I spent too much time playing video games, etc. It wasn’t all a waste though. I also learned a great deal in the process about the inner workings of computers and other forms of technology. My hardcore gaming days are over. Fortunately for me, I’ve made a conscious decision to minimize mindless screen time, and instead harness the potential of technology to maximize my time efficiency and reduce stress.

I’ve commented on some of the most irresponsible technologies, such as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) before. However, technology can be used in harmony with nature. It isn’t always destined as a tool of destruction. I’m actively searching for technologies that work with our biology, enhance productivity, and help to improve health. Here are some examples of various technologies I use in my daily life to reduce stress and improve productivity:

Are Your Organizational Skills A Little Lacking? Check this out:

EVERNOTE: 

A disorganized life filled with clutter may become increasingly taxing on our stress levels. If you haven’t discovered Evernote yet, I highly recommend giving this computer program a trial run. Evernote is a FREE digital content organizer. 

  • Evernote enables you to create audio, written, and picture notes with ease.
  • All content easily maintains its original formatting, so it is easy to cut and paste online receipts, invoices, recipes, or whatever you want!
  • Create a note on one device, and it is instantly available for use on another. Evernote automatically syncs with other devices without any difficulty.
  • Notes can be set to a private status that only remains on your original device, if desired.
  • The possibilities are endless for productivity uses.
  • It is intuitive, simple, and user-friendly. There is no steep learning curve. The accompanying apps for smart phones are the perfect companion to complete the package of an all-in-one content organization system.
  • Did I mention it is free? 

DROPBOX:

I’m usually working on at least 3-4 various projects at once. I require nearly all documents to be mobile at all times. Dropbox simplifies this whole process. No more USB sticks or external hard drives. Dropbox gets rid of all those expenses and hassle. 

  • Dropbox is a simple, intuitive file-syncing system. It acts as a folder on your computer,
    which automatically syncs with an online account.

Click for a FREE Dropbox Account!

  • Any files placed in the Dropbox folder require no action to sync them.
  • Effortlessly share documents, photos, audio, etc with a simple link to your Dropbox.
  • Encourage friends to sign up for additional free space.
  • The app for Android-based phones or the iPhone enables easy automatic uploading of photos.
  • Back-up important files without any effort.
  • Like Evernote, Dropbox is free. (However, you are limited to 3 GB. You can subscribe to a paid version if you desire more space.) 

Can Audio Technologies Be Used To Reduce Stress?

BINAURAL BEAT THERAPY:

  • Binaural Beat Therapy (BBT) involves listening to an audio track that essentially tricks the brain into modes of relaxation, deep focus, or other desired emotional states.
  • Binaural Beat Therapy requires a set of headphones.
  • Each headphone is programmed to emit two slightly varying frequencies.
  • The brain interprets this slight difference in frequencies as a “beat,” much like you would hear in music.
  • Several experiments were performed in the 1960’s-70’s on the effects of Binaural Beat therapy on anxiety and depression with positive results. BBT is making a comeback in research, and is being popularized once again.
  • By using different frequencies, BBT can induce one of the following types of brain wave patterns: Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, Theta. The inducement of the brain wave patterns may explain the effects of stress reduction often reproduced in research.
  • Several varying BBT products exist. My favorite is: Brain Sync.

 How Can We Address Electrical Imbalances To Combat Anxiety / Stress?

NEGATIVE ION GENERATORS:

  • Negative Ion Generators are small electronic devices that create negatively charged ions. Negative ions are known to bind dust particles, bacterium, and more. So, in addition to stress-reducing properties, negative ion generators also possess air purification potential.
  • I was first introduced to negative ion generators by Dr. Ilardi, DO. I learned about negative ion generators and their benefits for sinus infections.
  • Negative ions are typically found in abundance outdoors near bodies of water and by large forests, etc.
  • Most people spend a significant percentage of their day inside. Buildings are full of toxic chemicals and various off-gassing vapors that are dangerous to our respiratory and general health.
  • One of the biggest issues related to mood while being indoors is the lack of grounding. As a result of spending all of our time standing on concrete-based floors, we have little to no contact with the earth.
  • This subsequently leads to an increased accumulation of positive ions, as the earth acts to donate negative ions to us when we stand barefoot on the ground. The effects of negative ion generators have even been accepted by Western Medicine.
  • Clinton Ober and Stephen Sinatra, MD claim that the accumulation of positive ions can act as a pro-inflammatory mechanism.
  • If you are considering the purchase of a negative ion generator, be sure to read a lot of reviews first.

GROUNDING TECHNOLOGIES

  • This ties into the previous mentioned benefits of negative ions.
  • Grounding technologies enable us to be connected to the earth through a mat or sheet. By
    doing so, we can discard the accumulating positive ions present in our environment from surrounding magnetic fields and electrical outlets.
  • This isn’t voo-doo science fiction. Positive ion poisoning is linked to multiple chronic health complications.
  • Several users of grounding technologies have reported improved sleep, decreased joint pain, and overall improved mood.I personally have noticed that I seem to spend more time in REM sleep when resting on a grounding sheet.
  • Most grounding technologies are simple sheets or mats with a plug that is placed into a grounding outlet or directly into the ground. Other options are available as well. The most popular (and well-researched) company at the moment is Earthing.com.
  • Combining a grounding technology with a negative ion generator may be a plausible method to reduce stress, although further research is necessary.

Photos by: Evernote, Dropbox,  kev-shine, Earthing, and  glennwilliamspdx

Filed Under: Anxiety, Featured Posts, Stress

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