Healthy by Nature radio show this week: I quiz Alfred Johnson, DO about the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen (whatever that is…). But first, radio personality and nutrition authority, Rob Martin introduces us to a novel approach to weight loss, Lichi Fruit. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and ways to listen nationwide. Call with questions at 1-800-281-8255.

Updates: In last week’s newsletter I talked about the most recent food contamination scare. The listeria infections from tainted cantaloupes constitute possibly the most deadly foodborne illness event in recent history.

After the newsletter, RealFoodGrocery asked me to mention that they carry a good product for washing produce. LINK.

I also heard from the Weston A. Price Foundation. (I’m often surprised and pleased to learn who is reading this newsletter.) That non-profit organization believes that the problem with this instance of crop contamination and perhaps others may well be due to the unsanitary (and unsavory) practices of neighbors who run “Confined Animal Feeding Operations” (CAFO). This link will take you to an interesting article on the subject. LINK.

Fat chance of a “fat tax” in the US
Denmark just passed a tax on fats such as butter and oils used in food products. That country already has such fees on sugar, chocolates and soft drinks. Businesses in Denmark are objecting to the cumbersome way the tax is computed as well as the millions it will cost to implement the change.  I object to such food “sin taxes” for another reason-they may be unhealthy. The problem with a federal nanny is that bureaucrats routinely make judgments based on incomplete science and can be swayed by special interests. Therefore, they sometimes get it right, e.g. adding taxes to cigarettes, but too often get it wrong.

For example, I believe the US government actually started us on our path to an obesity and diabetes epidemic by condemning fat and thereby sending everyone off to buy more starch and sugar. They also browbeat us into giving up the very healthful egg because it contains cholesterol-never mind that our bodies make the vast majority of our blood cholesterol and will just make more if we consume less. The feds (as well as mainstream medicine and the media) continue to have a stubbornly prejudiced blind spot when it comes to fat. The ultimate truth isn’t clear even in regard to the much maligned saturated fats. A review of scientific studies failed to prove that they cause heart disease. Until we know for sure, it just makes sense to hedge our bets. I mean…don’t go to the extremes of either eating tons of saturated fat or eliminating it. Some saturated fat is good for us.

Not to worry-the lobbying system in the US is strong and will surely see that we never have a “fat tax” here. We don’t even have the sugar tax so common in Europe. And, would you believe…the US government still uses your tax dollars to subsidize sugar agriculture. It also seems likely that corn subsidies are underwriting the supply of corn syrup. I think history will show that sugar in its various forms was a much bigger health risk than butter. You may not be able to control the government, but you can vote for sanity with your food purchases.

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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

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2011 Martie Whittekin, CCN