On Healthy by Nature this week: Two doctors discuss the downside of common pain medicines and how to lessen their damage. Better yet, I’ll ask them how to fix the problems that caused the pain. A nutritionist tells us how to select a better children’s chewable vitamin.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Deep Fried S’Mores Pop-Tarts? It used to be that the food at the State Fair was predictable. Corny Dogs, Smoked Turkey Legs, Funnel Cake and Saltwater Taffy were the staples that I remember. The trend now is to deep fry the most unusual and decadent things possible. These “innovations” first caught my attention one year when a deep-fried candy bar was a hit and after that it was Deep Fried Butter. This year at the Texas State Fair you can try Fried Frito Pie, Fried Lemonade (lemonade in a pastry), Fried Beer (beer in a pretzel pocket) and Deep Fried Frozen Margarita, which as you can imagine isn’t actually frozen. There are also fried black-eyed peas called “Fried Texas Caviar”. Since this is a health and nutrition newsletter, you may expect me to warn you to skip all that nonsense except maybe the black-eyed peas and go find a salad booth. Nope. Life is too short for that and honestly, this weirdness in some ways is no worse than what’s served in many fast food restaurants every day. Unless you work at the fair, you probably only visit one day a year. So, pick out whatever oddity sounds like the best treat and go for it. (However, it might be a good idea to split it with someone, especially if your next stop is the Tilt-a-Whirl.)

RESEARCH

Carbohydrate nutrition and inflammatory disease mortality in older adults. A study of over 2,700 individuals followed for 13 years showed that, especially among post-menopausal women, those who ate foods with the highest glycemic rating* were almost 3 times as likely to die of an inflammatory condition as compared with those who ate the lowest glycemic diet. Men seemed to derive some benefit from fruit and fruit fiber.¹

My 2 cents: *They are referring to the ”Glycemic Index” that rates foods by the effect they have on our blood sugar. In general, sugars, starches and fruit juices are examples of foods that cause the blood sugar to spike quickly (not a good thing). Those are said to have a high glycemic rating while vegetables, meats and fats have a lower rating. Inflammation is associated with diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, cancer and all manner of other issues.

Surprising results on saturated fat and heart health. A recent analysis of 21 studies said: “…there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD.”²

My 2 cents: Bad fats such as Trans fats and damaged fats are a health problem. (Deep frying is one way to damage fats, so remember that at the fair.) But “saturated fats” as a class have been viciously and unfairly maligned for decades. These two studies are dramatic demonstration that the trend in recent years to dramatically cut fat from the diet and replace it with sugar and starch has been misguided to say the least.

SPECIAL NOTICE

It seems like a nifty opportunity, especially for those looking for extra income in this economy, so I’ve arranged for my readers to attend a special teleconference/webinar presentation at no charge. The event is hosted by Hilton Johnson Productions, Inc.—they pioneered professional Health Coaching with web-based technology. (In return they are sponsoring me do a teleconference on heartburn.) You’ll need to be on your computer and phone at the same time to attend this presentation. (By the way, if you can’t attend but are interested, register anyway and you’ll receive a follow up email linking to a recording of the call.) The call will take place on:

Wednesday, September 29th at 2:00 PM ET (New York Time)

This 90-minute presentation will be an actual training/coaching event. You’ll learn a simple model for how to conduct a health coaching session and learn how to get paying clients.

Click on the following link or copy and paste it into your web browser to register…

http://www.globalteleclass.com/specialhc199d

Don’t suddenly stop medications. Consult your health practitioner. This newsletter is educational and not a substitute for professional advice.

My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book : Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

Copyright 2010 Martie Whittekin, CCN

¹Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Sep;92(3):634-43. Carbohydrate nutrition and inflammatory disease mortality in older adults. Buyken AE, Flood V, Empson M, Rochtchina E, Barclay AW, Brand-Miller J, Mitchell P.

²Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Mar;91(3):535-46. Epub 2010 Jan 13. Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease. Siri-Tarino PW, Sun Q, Hu FB, Krauss RM.