May 20, 2010 This week on the show we’ll learn from an in-studio guest about posture as well as how important and easy stretching is. (The first part of the program is an encore discussion of natural relief for prostate problems.)
IN THE NEWS
There is hope! It’s easy to be discouraged about childhood obesity and sick kids, but finally change is afoot. Here and there activists have been having an impact even before celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, staged a televised “Food Revolution” in Huntington, WV (a great show by the way).1 According to Reuters, now thousands of school districts are working with local farmers to include real, fresh, prepared-on-site food in school lunches.2 (Before the kitchens were stocked with denatured processed food that emphasized shelf-life, cheap ingredients, and lowest common denominator taste appeal.) Besides convenience and habit, one stumbling block to progress has been dependence on government-subsidized commodity foods. Now, in a surprising revelation, the USDA announced it would begin purchasing over $161 million in real foods, many of them fresh. The list even includes highly nutritious blackberries!3 These moves also tend to be more environmentally sound and support family farms. Unfortunately, the norm in schools is still pizza and French fries, but perhaps this common sense trend will grow and save the next generation.
Recent Research
Oh, Nuts! Eating mixed nuts may reduce DNA damage and that could be cancer-protective4. Nut consumption improves blood fat balances, e.g. lowers cholesterol and triglycerides while raising HDL.5 Eating nuts improves insulin-sensitivity, a major factor in metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes.6 In contrast, potato chips do none of those good things, and are high in calories and salt. Chips also increase inflammation, a risk for atherosclerosis as well as joint pain.7
My 2 cents: Snack wisely. Participants in the studies consumed from 30-67 grams of nuts a day. To give you an idea what that means, ¼ cup of Almonds is about 36 grams. Variety is probably best because each type has its own benefits. For example, Brazil Nuts are a good source of Selenium. Salted? That’s a topic for a future newsletter. Nut butters are a good way to get more nuts into the diet. I’m especially fond of Almond butter. If you eat peanut butter, be sure to get a natural brand that doesn’t contain hydrogenated fats and sugar. (Doug Kaufmann advises us against peanuts because they are so often contaminated with the toxins created by fungus.) Beer Nuts®? Not my idea of a health food since they are just sugar-coated and salted peanuts.
CLUES
As I mentioned last week, our bodies will tell us a lot if we just pay attention. If you have white spots on your finger nails, it might mean you are low in the mineral zinc. Zinc plays many critical roles in health. According to a new study, zinc may even help protect against atherosclerosis.8 If your natural nails are hidden under acrylic ones, you’ll miss that clue and several others. I also worry about absorbing the toxins from those fake nails.
READER QUESTION
Q: Erika, age 49 asked: Having never had skin problems in my life I have developed what appears to be Rosacea on my cheeks. I have battled Candida in the past, so am loath to go the antibiotic route. As a keen listener to your show I already have my Vitamin D, magnesium, probiotic and fish oil levels sorted!
A: Congratulations on having attended to so many basics. Rosacea seems to be linked to the stomach bacteria, H. pylori. I have a chapter about it in my book on heartburn.* That critter is more likely to get out of hand when stomach acid is low as is typically the case at middle age and beyond. Getting rid of it with antibiotics is a chore involving more than one strong antibiotic. The natural approach involves Mastic Gum (Jarrow Formulas makes one) and Broccoli Seed Extract (Jarrow again, BroccoMax). You may be taking probiotics, but perhaps not enough or the right one. As anyone who listens to the show knows, I love Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 Plus. One reason is that it contains a special strain of bacteria, TH10 that goes after H. Pylori. To get help directly into the stomach (rather than via the intestines) you should chew the caps rather than swallow them whole. You might also try a digestive enzyme that contains HCL. Here is one you can usually find in any health food store. Most items I recommend are in health food stores. If you don’t have one, check our sponsor RealFoodGrocery.
Q: No one asked: Martie, what is your excuse this week for being late?
A: Hah! Didn’t need one because I am on time.
Don’t suddenly stop medications. Consult your health practitioner. This newsletter is educational and not a substitute for professional advice. Please stay well and help us spread the word that prevention is the best health care reform. You can help the show, as well as family and friends, by forwarding this email to them and encouraging them to subscribe to Health e-Notes. You might also alert your FaceBook friends.
New Book: Aloe Vera—Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy
1Edutopia Article
2Reuters Article
3Government Monitor
4Clin Nutr. 2010 Jan 9. Effect of nut consumption on oxidative stress and the endothelial function in metabolic syndrome. López-Uriarte P, Nogués R, Saez G, Bulló M, Romeu M, Masana L, Tormos C, Casas-Agustench P, Salas-Salvadó J.
5Arch Intern Med. 2010 May 10;170(9):821-7. Nut consumption and blood lipid levels: a pooled analysis of 25 intervention trials. Sabaté J, Oda K, Ros E.
6Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2009 Dec 21. Effects of one serving of mixed nuts on serum lipids, insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome. Casas-Agustench P, López-Uriarte P, Bulló M, Ros E, Cabré-Vila JJ, Salas-Salvadó J.
7Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Mar;89(3):773-7. Chronic intake of potato chips in humans increases the production of reactive oxygen radicals by leukocytes and increases plasma C-reactive protein: a pilot study. Naruszewicz M, Zapolska-Downar D, Kośmider A, Nowicka G, Kozłowska-Wojciechowska M, Vikström AS, Törnqvist M.
8Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Apr 28. [Epub ahead of print] Zinc decreases C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory cytokines in elderly subjects: a potential implication of zinc as an atheroprotective agent. Bao B, Prasad AS, Beck FW, Fitzgerald JT, Snell D, Bao GW, Singh T, Cardozo LJ.
Healthy By Nature Show