Thursday, December 2, 2010
Article on Soy
The post below is not one that I created. I read about it in one of my e-mails that was sent to me. Since there is so much controversy on soy and all the articles I have read are confusing to me, I thought it would be good to post this article as it gives the pros and cons of using soy and which is the best form to use. It is rather lengthy but there are some very good points for those of you who are interested in using soy. At the end of the article, it lists the authors of the various studies. Anyway, once I finished reading this article, I was more enlightened so I hope it is beneficial for you as well.
Soy Isoflavones: Superfood or Toxic Killer?
Posted Wednesday, Oct. 6th, 2010
View Comments
There is an epic battle being waged over a common food that you and your children likely are exposed to every single day.
In one corner are those who proudly profess the almost miracle-like qualities of this food, with boastful claims about how it can do everything from curing cancer to preventing heart disease and even menopause.
In the other corner there is a persnickety bunch who retorts that this food is anything but a “miracle.” They claim it can lead to thyroid disease, actually CAUSE cancer, hamper your immune system, destroy your brain, make you infertile, and even turn males into females!
So what is this food that’s prompting two equally passionate groups to go to war?
It’s soy…and each side in this battle is going out of its way to convince you that soy is either the messiah of health or the devil itself.
So who’s right, how will this affect you and your children’s health and what should you do?
The Controversy about Soy…
Adding to the murky waters of the soy controversy is that there are two opposing, titanic-sized industries that have a vested interest in each side.
For example, many of the pro-soy studies are funded, in part, by John Deere and other companies that have a vested interest in soy production.
On the flip side, some of the anti-soy studies are funded, in part, by the dairy lobby, which has an interest in the consumption of less soy and more dairy.
Given all this, the only thing to do is to look at the facts and review the studies on each side.
Soy advocates point to two key areas in which this controversial bean may show some benefits: decreasing cholesterol levels and relief from menopause symptoms.
Let’s first take a look at the cholesterol claims.
Can Soy Help Improve Your Cholesterol?
Advocates point out that more than 30 clinical studies have been performed since 1968, all showing that soy is highly effective for decreasing cholesterol levels. A meta-analysis from the New England Journal of Medicine1 confirmed these findings.
After reviewing 38 placebo-controlled clinical trials, researchers concluded that individuals who consumed an average of 47 grams of soy protein per day had a 13 percent decrease in LDL cholesterol, a 10.5 percent decrease in triglycerides, and a 9 percent decrease in total cholesterol levels.
While this is clearly strong support in favor of soy’s ability to lower cholesterol levels, what it doesn’t lay out is the form of soy protein. Was it a powder, the actual soybean itself, tofu (soybean curd), or tempeh (fermented soy)? Or was it a textured, processed soy food?
As odd as it may sound, the form of soy really does matter…as you’ll soon see.
In another study2, researchers gave 42 participants with high LDL cholesterol levels four different diets, fed in randomized order for six weeks at a time over the course of 24 weeks. The diets contained:
•At least 25 grams of animal protein a day
•At least 25 grams of isolated soy protein
•Either trace amounts or 50 mg of soy isoflavones
Researchers found that soy significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in participants with very high cholesterol levels. However, it had only a modest effect on those participants with elevated, but not severely high, cholesterol.
They concluded, “Although potentially helpful when used to displace products containing animal fat from the diet, the regular intake of relatively high levels of soy protein had only a modest effect on blood cholesterol levels and only in subjects with elevated LDL cholesterol levels. Soy-derived isoflavones had no significant effect.”
In other words, eating soy (but NOT taking a supplement) helps those people with elevated cholesterol, but doesn’t really help someone with moderately high cholesterol.
What the researchers fail to mention is that simply reducing the consumption of animal protein (particularly with no regard for the quality of that animal protein), regardless of the soy substitute, may have had the same effect. It would be interesting to see the results of that type of study.
A similar study from the November 2001 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine3 followed more than 9,600 men and women for 19 years. They found that those who ate legumes (all legumes, not just soy) four times or more per week (compared to less than once a week) enjoyed a 22 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease and an 11 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers concluded that increased legume intake may be an important part of a dietary approach to preventing cardiovascular heart disease.
What is interesting about this study is that it includes all legume consumption, not just soy. And since legumes (beans, peas, etc.) are high in fiber, it could be the legumes themselves, not the soy per se, that is responsible for the decreased risk of heart disease.
Still, it was these types of studies that, in 1999, led the FDA to authorize of the use of health claims on the labeling of foods containing soy protein.
The ruling was based on research that suggested such foods might reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels.
According to the FDA, foods must contain 6.25 grams per serving of soy protein in order to qualify for the claim. And a daily intake of 25 grams is recommended to achieve a significant cholesterol-lowering effect.
While the studies surrounding cholesterol and soy are compelling, there are several obvious questions that remain. Let’s see if the studies regarding soy and menopause symptoms can help answer those questions.
Can Soy Help Ease Menopause Symptoms?
Many studies show soy helps to alleviate menopause symptoms. In fact, its effects are similar to that of a drug…a somewhat shocking observation that we’ll have more to say about later.
In one double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study,4 researchers divided 180 menopausal women into two groups. The first group received 80 mg soy isoflavones while the second received a placebo. At the end of 12 weeks, those taking the soy isoflavones reported a 41.2 percent reduction in hot flashes as compared to a 29.3 percent reduction in the placebo group.
Conclusion: soy appears to be more effective than placebo at reducing hot flashes.
This makes us question: How would soy stack up against something known to reduce hot flashes? Researchers at the State University of Campinas in Brazil wondered the same thing.
They performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 60 healthy, postmenopausal women.5 Their goal was to see if soy worked as well as conventional hormone therapy at relieving menopause symptoms.
Dividing the women into three groups, the first group received 90 mg of soy isoflavones, the second group received 1 mg estradiol and 0.5 mg of noresthisterone acetate, and the third group received a placebo.
At the end of 16 weeks, researchers found a statistically significant improvement in hot flashes, muscle pain and vaginal dryness in both the estrogen and soy groups. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between these groups.
Researchers concluded: “Dietary soy supplementation may constitute an effective alternative therapy for symptoms of menopause.”
So, here we have a “gold standard” study indicating that a fairly high dose of soy isoflavones worked as well as conventional hormone therapy at reducing some of the main complaints of menopause, namely hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
But, we have to ask the question: is a high dose of soy isoflavones safe? This is the key argument for those opposed to soy. Let’s see what they have to say.
The Argument Against Soy…
On February 19, 1999, two researchers from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed a letter of protest against the FDA’s approval of soy6. They pointed to a number of animal studies showing a connection between soy consumption and many health problems, including cancer.
In their letter, they take issue with soy isoflavones’ estrogenic effects. They pointed out that soy isoflavones “demonstrate toxicity in estrogen sensitive tissues and in the found 31 dose-response curves for hormone-mimicking chemicals that also fail to show a threshold.”
They go on to say, “Our conclusions are that no dose is without risk; the extent of the risk is simply a function of dose.”
What does this scientific gobbledygook mean? It simply means that tissues that are estrogen sensitive (i.e. breast, uterus, cervix, ovaries, etc.) interpret soy as an estrogen mimic and as toxic, possibly even cancer-causing.
Moreover, there is no higher or lower dosage that indicates toxicity. No matter how much or how little you eat or take (if in supplement form), soy always poses a risk.
To put the issue of risk into context for you, it would be like swimming in shark-infested waters. Whether you just go in for a five-minute dip or splash around for an hour, you are at a risk of being bitten.
Your risk is less if you just jump in and out, but there is a real risk nonetheless.
When listing their reasons for asking the FDA to pull back on their blanket recommendation of soy without discussing the dark side, these concerned FDA researchers pointed to three specific areas of concern:
•the possible connection between soy and estrogen-dependent cancers,
•a possible link between soy and thyroid issues, and
•the use of soy to feed infants.
These are very serious allegations, so let’s take a look at each one briefly…
Soy and Cancer…
On the cancer front, soy advocates point to the fact that the Japanese, who eat significantly more soy than Americans, have a lower incidence of breast, uterus, and prostate cancers7.
However, what they fail to mention is that the Japanese population has higher rates of other cancers, such as esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, thyroid, and liver cancer8, 9. This inconvenient fact is something you almost never hear about.
Also, in a study from the May 2002 issue of Cancer Research10, researchers investigated the interactions between dietary genistein (the major isoflavone found in soy) and tamoxifen (an estrogen antagonist used in the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer).
They implanted estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells in mice who had had their ovaries and thymus removed. This is important, because your ovaries and thymus produce estrogen. By removing these, researchers were trying to ensure that any estrogen effects were coming from the soy.
Researchers found that genistein either negated or overwhelmed the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen. Based on these findings, they urged postmenopausal women to exercise caution when consuming dietary genistein while taking tamoxifen.
In other words, these researchers believe that women taking tamoxifen to help stop the growth or spread of breast cancer would completely undo the positive effects of the medicine by eating soy.
Soy and Thyroid Disorders…
When it comes to the thyroid, soy opponents like to refer to studies that show that consuming isoflavones may lead to the development of thyroid disease…in animals. To highlight this, let’s look at one study that has tested the effects of genistein on thyroid function in rats11.
Researchers gave rats a genistein-fortified diet, followed by testing their thyroid function. They found that “genistein was measured in the thyroid at levels that produced dose-dependent and significant inactivation of rat thyroid peroxidase (TPO)… Furthermore, rat TPO activity was dose-dependently reduced by up to 80 percent.”
In layman’s terms, the soy isolate practically shut down the rat’s thyroid function. However, it was a study done on rats. It would be nice to see a study showing this effect in humans.
Researchers themselves were not blind to this. Yet they concluded that even the possibility that widely consumed soy products may cause harm in the human population is of concern.
The Concern with Soy-Infant Formulas…
While the studies on soy and cancer and the thyroid are concerning, the issue that has most soy opponents up in arms has to do with soy and infants.
And on this front, one study in particular presents some shocking findings.
Researchers at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, performed a random, double-blind study12 to see how much phytoestrogen (meaning plant-based estrogen) 21 four-month-old infants received from soy-based formula.
They divided the infants into three groups. One received soy-based formula, one received cow milk formula, and the third had human breast milk. For the soy formulas, researchers tested five different brands, all of which showed similar soy isoflavones content and proportion of soy isolate.
They found that the infants receiving the soy formula had 214 times more genistein (a key isoflavone found in soy) in their blood than that found in the infants receiving cow’s milk, and 244 times more than that found in infants receiving breast milk.
The infants receiving soy also had 140 times more daidzen (another key isoflavone in soy) than those found in the infants receiving the cow’s milk formula, and 210 times more than in the infants taking the breast milk.
Researchers concluded that the “daily exposure of infants to isoflavones in soy infant formulas is six to 11 fold greater on a bodyweight basis than the dose that has hormonal effects in adults consuming soy foods.”
Worse yet, they go on to say that “circulating concentrations of isoflavones in the seven infants fed soy-based formula were 13,000 to 22,000 times higher than plasma oestradiol concentrations in early life, and may be sufficient to exert biological effects.”
Wow! That’s a lot of unnatural estrogen floating around in those little bodies.
And we wonder why girls are developing so much earlier than they did 20 years ago, and why boys seem to be behind the curve. Could it be all that excess estrogen?
Finally, those who are opposed to soy also point to a number of soy allergies and digestive problems soy can cause, including gas, cramping, bloating, or intestinal discomfort, all of which are signals that our bodies send us to indicate that the use of soy may not be in our best interest.
What Does It All Mean?
The reality is that there are good studies on both sides of the fence.
Soy does seem to have cardio-protective benefits, and it clearly helps ease menopause symptoms. However, the very reason soy works so well for lowering cholesterol and relieving hot flashes is because it is an effective estrogen mimic.
That being said, it stands to reason it could be a concern for those with estrogen-dependent cancers or thyroid issues. And, most problematic, it seems, is the feeding of those estrogens to infants whose little bodies aren’t prepared for the estrogen onslaught.
Or, in the words of those FDA researchers: “While isoflavones may have beneficial effects at some ages or circumstances, this cannot be assumed to be true at all ages. Isoflavones are like other estrogens in that they are two-edged swords, conferring both benefits and risk.”
Taking a common sense, objective approach, it seems that the vast majority of people should avoid soy. This is especially true for those with a personal or family history of estrogen-dependent cancer or thyroid disease. Also, under no circumstances should you use soy-based infant formula.
Another way to think about soy is that whatever benefits there MAY be to consuming soy, those benefits can be replicated through other natural means, such as by consuming other plants that have cardio-protective and cancer-preventing phytochemicals.
Therefore, simple common sense says that if you can get those same benefits naturally somewhere else, there’s little point in consuming something with such well-documented dangers.
The only exception we see for soy is for women going through menopause who DO NOT have any of the following issues:
•personal or family history of estrogen-dependent cancer, such as breast, uterine, cervical or ovarian cancer
•thyroid or family history of thyroid disease
•soy allergies
•problems digesting soy or other legumes
For this small population, soy may confer some benefit.
If you fit into this group, avoid soy supplements and processed soy foods and limit your soy consumption to organic soybeans (edamame) and organic, fermented soy foods, such as:
•tempeh
•miso
•tamari
•natto.
For everyone else, however, just say no to soy.
If you would think twice about popping a few birth control pills at lunch or slugging back some hormone replacement pills with dinner, then you shouldn’t be using soy either.
Treat soy like the true estrogen it is.
References:
1Anderson, JW et al. “Meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein intake on serum lipids.” N Engl J Med. 1995. 333:276-82.
2Lichtenstein, AH et al. “Lipoprotein response to diets high in soy or animal protein with and without isoflavones in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects.” Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2002. 22:1852-8.
3Bazzano, LA et al. “Legume consumption and risk of coronary heart disease in US men and women.” Arch Intern Med. 2001. 161:2573-8.
4Ferrari, A. “Soy extract phytoestrogens with high dose of isoflavones for menopausal symptoms.” J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2009, Dec. 35(6):1083-90.
5Carmignani, LO et al. “The effect of dietary soy supplementation compared to estrogen and placebo on menopausal symptoms: A randomized controlled study.” Maturitas. 2010 Sept 10 [Epub ahead of print].
6Sheehan, DM and Doerge, DR. 1999 Feb 18. Letter to FDA in reference to Docket #98P-0683.
7Natural Medicine News (L&H Vitamins, 32-33 47th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101), 2000 Jan/Feb p. 8.
8Harras, A (ed). Cancer Rates and Risks. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 1996. 4th edition.
9Searle, CE (ed.). Chemical Carcinogens. ACS Monograph 173, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1976.
10Ju, YH et al. “Dietary genistein negates the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on growth of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells implanted in athymic mice.” Cancer Res. 2002 May 1;62(9):2474-7.
11Doerge, DR. “Goitrogenic and estrogenic activity of soy isoflavones.” Environ Health Perspect. 2002 June; 110 Suppl 3:349-53.
12Setchell, KD et al. “Exposure of infants to phyto-oestrogens from soy-based infant formula.” Lancet. 1997 Jul 5. 350(9070):23-7.
Posted Wednesday, Oct. 6th, 2010
View Comments
There is an epic battle being waged over a common food that you and your children likely are exposed to every single day.
In one corner are those who proudly profess the almost miracle-like qualities of this food, with boastful claims about how it can do everything from curing cancer to preventing heart disease and even menopause.
In the other corner there is a persnickety bunch who retorts that this food is anything but a “miracle.” They claim it can lead to thyroid disease, actually CAUSE cancer, hamper your immune system, destroy your brain, make you infertile, and even turn males into females!
So what is this food that’s prompting two equally passionate groups to go to war?
It’s soy…and each side in this battle is going out of its way to convince you that soy is either the messiah of health or the devil itself.
So who’s right, how will this affect you and your children’s health and what should you do?
The Controversy about Soy…
Adding to the murky waters of the soy controversy is that there are two opposing, titanic-sized industries that have a vested interest in each side.
For example, many of the pro-soy studies are funded, in part, by John Deere and other companies that have a vested interest in soy production.
On the flip side, some of the anti-soy studies are funded, in part, by the dairy lobby, which has an interest in the consumption of less soy and more dairy.
Given all this, the only thing to do is to look at the facts and review the studies on each side.
Soy advocates point to two key areas in which this controversial bean may show some benefits: decreasing cholesterol levels and relief from menopause symptoms.
Let’s first take a look at the cholesterol claims.
Can Soy Help Improve Your Cholesterol?
Advocates point out that more than 30 clinical studies have been performed since 1968, all showing that soy is highly effective for decreasing cholesterol levels. A meta-analysis from the New England Journal of Medicine1 confirmed these findings.
After reviewing 38 placebo-controlled clinical trials, researchers concluded that individuals who consumed an average of 47 grams of soy protein per day had a 13 percent decrease in LDL cholesterol, a 10.5 percent decrease in triglycerides, and a 9 percent decrease in total cholesterol levels.
While this is clearly strong support in favor of soy’s ability to lower cholesterol levels, what it doesn’t lay out is the form of soy protein. Was it a powder, the actual soybean itself, tofu (soybean curd), or tempeh (fermented soy)? Or was it a textured, processed soy food?
As odd as it may sound, the form of soy really does matter…as you’ll soon see.
In another study2, researchers gave 42 participants with high LDL cholesterol levels four different diets, fed in randomized order for six weeks at a time over the course of 24 weeks. The diets contained:
•At least 25 grams of animal protein a day
•At least 25 grams of isolated soy protein
•Either trace amounts or 50 mg of soy isoflavones
Researchers found that soy significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in participants with very high cholesterol levels. However, it had only a modest effect on those participants with elevated, but not severely high, cholesterol.
They concluded, “Although potentially helpful when used to displace products containing animal fat from the diet, the regular intake of relatively high levels of soy protein had only a modest effect on blood cholesterol levels and only in subjects with elevated LDL cholesterol levels. Soy-derived isoflavones had no significant effect.”
In other words, eating soy (but NOT taking a supplement) helps those people with elevated cholesterol, but doesn’t really help someone with moderately high cholesterol.
What the researchers fail to mention is that simply reducing the consumption of animal protein (particularly with no regard for the quality of that animal protein), regardless of the soy substitute, may have had the same effect. It would be interesting to see the results of that type of study.
A similar study from the November 2001 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine3 followed more than 9,600 men and women for 19 years. They found that those who ate legumes (all legumes, not just soy) four times or more per week (compared to less than once a week) enjoyed a 22 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease and an 11 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers concluded that increased legume intake may be an important part of a dietary approach to preventing cardiovascular heart disease.
What is interesting about this study is that it includes all legume consumption, not just soy. And since legumes (beans, peas, etc.) are high in fiber, it could be the legumes themselves, not the soy per se, that is responsible for the decreased risk of heart disease.
Still, it was these types of studies that, in 1999, led the FDA to authorize of the use of health claims on the labeling of foods containing soy protein.
The ruling was based on research that suggested such foods might reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels.
According to the FDA, foods must contain 6.25 grams per serving of soy protein in order to qualify for the claim. And a daily intake of 25 grams is recommended to achieve a significant cholesterol-lowering effect.
While the studies surrounding cholesterol and soy are compelling, there are several obvious questions that remain. Let’s see if the studies regarding soy and menopause symptoms can help answer those questions.
Can Soy Help Ease Menopause Symptoms?
Many studies show soy helps to alleviate menopause symptoms. In fact, its effects are similar to that of a drug…a somewhat shocking observation that we’ll have more to say about later.
In one double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study,4 researchers divided 180 menopausal women into two groups. The first group received 80 mg soy isoflavones while the second received a placebo. At the end of 12 weeks, those taking the soy isoflavones reported a 41.2 percent reduction in hot flashes as compared to a 29.3 percent reduction in the placebo group.
Conclusion: soy appears to be more effective than placebo at reducing hot flashes.
This makes us question: How would soy stack up against something known to reduce hot flashes? Researchers at the State University of Campinas in Brazil wondered the same thing.
They performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 60 healthy, postmenopausal women.5 Their goal was to see if soy worked as well as conventional hormone therapy at relieving menopause symptoms.
Dividing the women into three groups, the first group received 90 mg of soy isoflavones, the second group received 1 mg estradiol and 0.5 mg of noresthisterone acetate, and the third group received a placebo.
At the end of 16 weeks, researchers found a statistically significant improvement in hot flashes, muscle pain and vaginal dryness in both the estrogen and soy groups. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between these groups.
Researchers concluded: “Dietary soy supplementation may constitute an effective alternative therapy for symptoms of menopause.”
So, here we have a “gold standard” study indicating that a fairly high dose of soy isoflavones worked as well as conventional hormone therapy at reducing some of the main complaints of menopause, namely hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
But, we have to ask the question: is a high dose of soy isoflavones safe? This is the key argument for those opposed to soy. Let’s see what they have to say.
The Argument Against Soy…
On February 19, 1999, two researchers from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed a letter of protest against the FDA’s approval of soy6. They pointed to a number of animal studies showing a connection between soy consumption and many health problems, including cancer.
In their letter, they take issue with soy isoflavones’ estrogenic effects. They pointed out that soy isoflavones “demonstrate toxicity in estrogen sensitive tissues and in the found 31 dose-response curves for hormone-mimicking chemicals that also fail to show a threshold.”
They go on to say, “Our conclusions are that no dose is without risk; the extent of the risk is simply a function of dose.”
What does this scientific gobbledygook mean? It simply means that tissues that are estrogen sensitive (i.e. breast, uterus, cervix, ovaries, etc.) interpret soy as an estrogen mimic and as toxic, possibly even cancer-causing.
Moreover, there is no higher or lower dosage that indicates toxicity. No matter how much or how little you eat or take (if in supplement form), soy always poses a risk.
To put the issue of risk into context for you, it would be like swimming in shark-infested waters. Whether you just go in for a five-minute dip or splash around for an hour, you are at a risk of being bitten.
Your risk is less if you just jump in and out, but there is a real risk nonetheless.
When listing their reasons for asking the FDA to pull back on their blanket recommendation of soy without discussing the dark side, these concerned FDA researchers pointed to three specific areas of concern:
•the possible connection between soy and estrogen-dependent cancers,
•a possible link between soy and thyroid issues, and
•the use of soy to feed infants.
These are very serious allegations, so let’s take a look at each one briefly…
Soy and Cancer…
On the cancer front, soy advocates point to the fact that the Japanese, who eat significantly more soy than Americans, have a lower incidence of breast, uterus, and prostate cancers7.
However, what they fail to mention is that the Japanese population has higher rates of other cancers, such as esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, thyroid, and liver cancer8, 9. This inconvenient fact is something you almost never hear about.
Also, in a study from the May 2002 issue of Cancer Research10, researchers investigated the interactions between dietary genistein (the major isoflavone found in soy) and tamoxifen (an estrogen antagonist used in the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer).
They implanted estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells in mice who had had their ovaries and thymus removed. This is important, because your ovaries and thymus produce estrogen. By removing these, researchers were trying to ensure that any estrogen effects were coming from the soy.
Researchers found that genistein either negated or overwhelmed the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen. Based on these findings, they urged postmenopausal women to exercise caution when consuming dietary genistein while taking tamoxifen.
In other words, these researchers believe that women taking tamoxifen to help stop the growth or spread of breast cancer would completely undo the positive effects of the medicine by eating soy.
Soy and Thyroid Disorders…
When it comes to the thyroid, soy opponents like to refer to studies that show that consuming isoflavones may lead to the development of thyroid disease…in animals. To highlight this, let’s look at one study that has tested the effects of genistein on thyroid function in rats11.
Researchers gave rats a genistein-fortified diet, followed by testing their thyroid function. They found that “genistein was measured in the thyroid at levels that produced dose-dependent and significant inactivation of rat thyroid peroxidase (TPO)… Furthermore, rat TPO activity was dose-dependently reduced by up to 80 percent.”
In layman’s terms, the soy isolate practically shut down the rat’s thyroid function. However, it was a study done on rats. It would be nice to see a study showing this effect in humans.
Researchers themselves were not blind to this. Yet they concluded that even the possibility that widely consumed soy products may cause harm in the human population is of concern.
The Concern with Soy-Infant Formulas…
While the studies on soy and cancer and the thyroid are concerning, the issue that has most soy opponents up in arms has to do with soy and infants.
And on this front, one study in particular presents some shocking findings.
Researchers at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, performed a random, double-blind study12 to see how much phytoestrogen (meaning plant-based estrogen) 21 four-month-old infants received from soy-based formula.
They divided the infants into three groups. One received soy-based formula, one received cow milk formula, and the third had human breast milk. For the soy formulas, researchers tested five different brands, all of which showed similar soy isoflavones content and proportion of soy isolate.
They found that the infants receiving the soy formula had 214 times more genistein (a key isoflavone found in soy) in their blood than that found in the infants receiving cow’s milk, and 244 times more than that found in infants receiving breast milk.
The infants receiving soy also had 140 times more daidzen (another key isoflavone in soy) than those found in the infants receiving the cow’s milk formula, and 210 times more than in the infants taking the breast milk.
Researchers concluded that the “daily exposure of infants to isoflavones in soy infant formulas is six to 11 fold greater on a bodyweight basis than the dose that has hormonal effects in adults consuming soy foods.”
Worse yet, they go on to say that “circulating concentrations of isoflavones in the seven infants fed soy-based formula were 13,000 to 22,000 times higher than plasma oestradiol concentrations in early life, and may be sufficient to exert biological effects.”
Wow! That’s a lot of unnatural estrogen floating around in those little bodies.
And we wonder why girls are developing so much earlier than they did 20 years ago, and why boys seem to be behind the curve. Could it be all that excess estrogen?
Finally, those who are opposed to soy also point to a number of soy allergies and digestive problems soy can cause, including gas, cramping, bloating, or intestinal discomfort, all of which are signals that our bodies send us to indicate that the use of soy may not be in our best interest.
What Does It All Mean?
The reality is that there are good studies on both sides of the fence.
Soy does seem to have cardio-protective benefits, and it clearly helps ease menopause symptoms. However, the very reason soy works so well for lowering cholesterol and relieving hot flashes is because it is an effective estrogen mimic.
That being said, it stands to reason it could be a concern for those with estrogen-dependent cancers or thyroid issues. And, most problematic, it seems, is the feeding of those estrogens to infants whose little bodies aren’t prepared for the estrogen onslaught.
Or, in the words of those FDA researchers: “While isoflavones may have beneficial effects at some ages or circumstances, this cannot be assumed to be true at all ages. Isoflavones are like other estrogens in that they are two-edged swords, conferring both benefits and risk.”
Taking a common sense, objective approach, it seems that the vast majority of people should avoid soy. This is especially true for those with a personal or family history of estrogen-dependent cancer or thyroid disease. Also, under no circumstances should you use soy-based infant formula.
Another way to think about soy is that whatever benefits there MAY be to consuming soy, those benefits can be replicated through other natural means, such as by consuming other plants that have cardio-protective and cancer-preventing phytochemicals.
Therefore, simple common sense says that if you can get those same benefits naturally somewhere else, there’s little point in consuming something with such well-documented dangers.
The only exception we see for soy is for women going through menopause who DO NOT have any of the following issues:
•personal or family history of estrogen-dependent cancer, such as breast, uterine, cervical or ovarian cancer
•thyroid or family history of thyroid disease
•soy allergies
•problems digesting soy or other legumes
For this small population, soy may confer some benefit.
If you fit into this group, avoid soy supplements and processed soy foods and limit your soy consumption to organic soybeans (edamame) and organic, fermented soy foods, such as:
•tempeh
•miso
•tamari
•natto.
For everyone else, however, just say no to soy.
If you would think twice about popping a few birth control pills at lunch or slugging back some hormone replacement pills with dinner, then you shouldn’t be using soy either.
Treat soy like the true estrogen it is.
References:
1Anderson, JW et al. “Meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein intake on serum lipids.” N Engl J Med. 1995. 333:276-82.
2Lichtenstein, AH et al. “Lipoprotein response to diets high in soy or animal protein with and without isoflavones in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects.” Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2002. 22:1852-8.
3Bazzano, LA et al. “Legume consumption and risk of coronary heart disease in US men and women.” Arch Intern Med. 2001. 161:2573-8.
4Ferrari, A. “Soy extract phytoestrogens with high dose of isoflavones for menopausal symptoms.” J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2009, Dec. 35(6):1083-90.
5Carmignani, LO et al. “The effect of dietary soy supplementation compared to estrogen and placebo on menopausal symptoms: A randomized controlled study.” Maturitas. 2010 Sept 10 [Epub ahead of print].
6Sheehan, DM and Doerge, DR. 1999 Feb 18. Letter to FDA in reference to Docket #98P-0683.
7Natural Medicine News (L&H Vitamins, 32-33 47th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101), 2000 Jan/Feb p. 8.
8Harras, A (ed). Cancer Rates and Risks. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 1996. 4th edition.
9Searle, CE (ed.). Chemical Carcinogens. ACS Monograph 173, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1976.
10Ju, YH et al. “Dietary genistein negates the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on growth of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells implanted in athymic mice.” Cancer Res. 2002 May 1;62(9):2474-7.
11Doerge, DR. “Goitrogenic and estrogenic activity of soy isoflavones.” Environ Health Perspect. 2002 June; 110 Suppl 3:349-53.
12Setchell, KD et al. “Exposure of infants to phyto-oestrogens from soy-based infant formula.” Lancet. 1997 Jul 5. 350(9070):23-7.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
This One's For You...Martha and Ryan (the girl)
I need to apologize to Ryan and Martha because I just now "discovered" two comments that they had made and questions I need to answer and should have answered over two months ago...I am sorry for not being 'on top of things'. Anyway, two questions were asked (1)about the sweetener stevia (2) and information on spirulina...
So here goes....Stevia is not an artificial sweetener but a natural one. It has been around for many years. The FDA just barely approved it as a sweetener but before that it was used as a health supplement. Stevia Rebaudiana is a small shrub that is native to China, Paraguay and Brazil. I actually have some nonprocessed stevia (which is the leafy part) that has been ground up and it is very, very sweet. Stevia contains steviosides which makes it the sweetest herb in the world. Stevia in its natural form is 20 to 30 times sweeter than common table sugar. Stevia gives you a feeling of energy whereas sugar depletes the body of its energy reserves.
Many countries have actually done studies on stevia to test for its safety and all have reported that it is without risk. If you lived in Japan, you would find that stevia is used to sweeten just about everything. I have heard that stevia has hit the mass market and can be found in grocery stores across America. I have not looked at these products to see what is in them...if it is a pure stevia product or not. Stevia comes in different forms...powdered and liquid. As I mentioned earlier, it is very, very sweet so a little goes a long way.
You can find it on the shelves at Cottonwood Health Cottage, Sprouts, or Vitamin Cottage. Some liquid stevia contains alcohol...I would avoid that. I use the brand...Sweet Leaf...comes in a liquid and has many flavors. I have heard that you can bake with stevia by purchasing the powdered form and because it is so sweet you can significantly reduce the amount of sugar that is called for in a recipe...However, since I don't bake much any more and I bet as my children are reading this...they are thinking...did Mom ever bake? :):) but I did...you just don't remember...hehehe...anyway, I don't have much information to offer as to how to bake with it.
I do know it tastes great in teas or smoothies...think green drink...yum yum. Stevia has also been found to be beneficial at helping control high blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels , control sugar cravings, as an energy booster and weight loss aid. It has many other health benefits so that is why stevia is a good choice as opposed to refined sugar.
Now on to spirulina. Many, many years ago when I first started on my journey to better health...spirulina was the very first thing I used and it produced this green water that I would drink throughout the day. :):)
Spirulina is a blue-green one-celled form of algae that lives in warm, alkaline fresh bodies of water. It has a long history for being used for human consumption and has many health benefits. Did you know that the Mayan and Aztecs used it as a central part of their diet?
Spirulina is popular because it is a power house in nutrition. It's a great source of vegetable protein, high in vitamins and minerals such as iron, vitamin E, zinc, B-complex vitamins, copper, calicum, and magnesium. It is also rich in beta-cartotene which is a great antioxidant and contains the essential fatty acid GLA.
In case you are not sure what GLA is...here is a brief rundown. GLA can be found in spirulina or also in the supplements Evening Primrose Oil or Borage oil. It is a fatty acid which may be useful in helping treat inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, allergies, eczema, high blood pressure, premenstrual syndrome and other hormonal issues. Do not supplement with evening primrose or borage oil if you are pregnant or nursing without a doctor's approval.
Back to spirulina...It provides energy because of the protein and B-vitamin factor. It is low in calories and is only 7% fat...which is from the good fatty acids. It can also help with appetite cravings. The fatty acids contained in spirulina help break up cholesterol in the bloodstream and it is also beneficial for hair, skin, and nail health.
Again, Ryan and Martha..I am sorry for not posting this sooner. xoxoxoxooxoxox
So here goes....Stevia is not an artificial sweetener but a natural one. It has been around for many years. The FDA just barely approved it as a sweetener but before that it was used as a health supplement. Stevia Rebaudiana is a small shrub that is native to China, Paraguay and Brazil. I actually have some nonprocessed stevia (which is the leafy part) that has been ground up and it is very, very sweet. Stevia contains steviosides which makes it the sweetest herb in the world. Stevia in its natural form is 20 to 30 times sweeter than common table sugar. Stevia gives you a feeling of energy whereas sugar depletes the body of its energy reserves.
Many countries have actually done studies on stevia to test for its safety and all have reported that it is without risk. If you lived in Japan, you would find that stevia is used to sweeten just about everything. I have heard that stevia has hit the mass market and can be found in grocery stores across America. I have not looked at these products to see what is in them...if it is a pure stevia product or not. Stevia comes in different forms...powdered and liquid. As I mentioned earlier, it is very, very sweet so a little goes a long way.
You can find it on the shelves at Cottonwood Health Cottage, Sprouts, or Vitamin Cottage. Some liquid stevia contains alcohol...I would avoid that. I use the brand...Sweet Leaf...comes in a liquid and has many flavors. I have heard that you can bake with stevia by purchasing the powdered form and because it is so sweet you can significantly reduce the amount of sugar that is called for in a recipe...However, since I don't bake much any more and I bet as my children are reading this...they are thinking...did Mom ever bake? :):) but I did...you just don't remember...hehehe...anyway, I don't have much information to offer as to how to bake with it.
I do know it tastes great in teas or smoothies...think green drink...yum yum. Stevia has also been found to be beneficial at helping control high blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels , control sugar cravings, as an energy booster and weight loss aid. It has many other health benefits so that is why stevia is a good choice as opposed to refined sugar.
Now on to spirulina. Many, many years ago when I first started on my journey to better health...spirulina was the very first thing I used and it produced this green water that I would drink throughout the day. :):)
Spirulina is a blue-green one-celled form of algae that lives in warm, alkaline fresh bodies of water. It has a long history for being used for human consumption and has many health benefits. Did you know that the Mayan and Aztecs used it as a central part of their diet?
Spirulina is popular because it is a power house in nutrition. It's a great source of vegetable protein, high in vitamins and minerals such as iron, vitamin E, zinc, B-complex vitamins, copper, calicum, and magnesium. It is also rich in beta-cartotene which is a great antioxidant and contains the essential fatty acid GLA.
In case you are not sure what GLA is...here is a brief rundown. GLA can be found in spirulina or also in the supplements Evening Primrose Oil or Borage oil. It is a fatty acid which may be useful in helping treat inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, allergies, eczema, high blood pressure, premenstrual syndrome and other hormonal issues. Do not supplement with evening primrose or borage oil if you are pregnant or nursing without a doctor's approval.
Back to spirulina...It provides energy because of the protein and B-vitamin factor. It is low in calories and is only 7% fat...which is from the good fatty acids. It can also help with appetite cravings. The fatty acids contained in spirulina help break up cholesterol in the bloodstream and it is also beneficial for hair, skin, and nail health.
Again, Ryan and Martha..I am sorry for not posting this sooner. xoxoxoxooxoxox
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Tips on Having a Healthy Tummy
Ok...here goes...this will be another long post...Blogging is a great way to lecture your children about their health without ever 'saying' a word. :):)
Today the story is on why you should be taking probiotics...
First off, a probiotic is the beneficial bacteria that your gut needs to function properly. Ever heard of yogurt....yep, that's what healthy bacteria is. The downside to eating yogurt that is purchased from the store is that by the time you actually eat it most of the beneficial bacteria have died and if you are eating flavored varities you are also dealing with the sugar issue. However, you can make your own healthy yogurt at home and get many health benefits.
You can also purchase probiotics in capsule or powdered form from any health food store. So why should you take probiotics daily (even beneficial for the kiddos).Below are just a few reasons why...
Probiotics can reduce fat.
Maintains a healthy body weight.
Trillions of bacteria live in your gut...good and bad...What you want to do is maintain your intestinal system so that the good are always knocking out the bad and overtaking them.
Before I go on about probiotics, it is also important to remember that the body requires enough fiber to push the toxins out...fiber supplements such as chia seeds (my favorite) ground flaxseed, psyllium seed (I use this one occasionally... comes from India so if you are going to use psyllium make sure it is organic (I have read several articles on what happens to psyllium if it is not organic.) There is a brand called Fiber Harmony which is organic...comes in different flavors as well...It is in powder form. When starting a new fiber, remember to go slow so that your body has time to adjust or else you can become very miserable.
Also, because our diets in America are not always the best and often times processed, refined, or cooked adding a digestive enzyme to each meal is very beneficial. Your body requires enzymes to digest your food...if it doesn't have the proper amount of enzymes you will end up with clumps of food circulating throughout your body. From all the trainings that i have received from going to seminars and listening to lectures tell me that if your food doesn't digest...those undigested food particles enter into your bloodstream and then become toxins which lead to inflammation in the body, weight gain, and certain health ailments. There are many out there to choose from. Two brands that I am familiar with because we sell them where I work are Essential Enzymes from a company called Source Naturals and also another company called Enzymedica. I prefer the Enzymedica enzymes as they seem to be a little more potent and comprehensive in the enzymes that they supply...but they are also more expensive. I believe Source Naturals are very beneficial if you are not dealing with any serious health problems.....Look for these enzymes on the bottles...lipase which digests fat, protease which digests protein, lactase which digests milk products, cellulase which digests carbs, amylase which digests sugars. These are the basics....with many products containing several other digestive enzymes.
Now back to the probiotics and you thought I had forgotten all about what is was I was writing about. :)
The word probiotics comes from the Greek language meaning "for life"...so what does that tell you about the word "antitbiotics". Also, a little FYI...the more you use probiotics, the healthier you will become and probably require less use of antibiotics throughout your lifetime. If you ever find that you do need to take antibiotics...they will completely eliminate most of your beneficial bacteria in your gut so it is important to remember after a round of antibiotics to hit the probiotics 'hard and heavy'. Also, using antibiotics and probiotics at the same time, cancel each other out....so if you want to continue taking the probios the same time you are taking the antibiotics...take them 2 t0 3 hours apart from each other.
Did you know that...80% of your immune system lives in your gastrointestinal tract
500 different species of bacteria live inside of you
About 100 trillion bacteria live inside of you ...that is more than TEN TIMES the number of Cells you have in your whole body.
The weight of these bacteria is about two to three pounds.
As stated earlier, some of these bacteria are good...some are not...ideal balance would be 85% good and 15% 'other'
Before you were born, your GI tract was sterile. The moment after your birth, colonization of bacteria began in your gut. The first bacteria to settle in were the immune building ones from breast milk, increasing your level of health. In a sense, we spend the rest of our lives "trashing" our digestion with the bad stuff...bad diets and poor lifestyle choices that cause the wrong type of flora "bacteria" to flourish in our gut. So why not give your body the break it deserves and start giving it some of the good stuff to help it in its battle to keep you healthy.
There are many, many, many probiotics that you can purchase and you will see names like bifidobacterium lactis, lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus plantarum and the list goes on.
I would give you a few recommendations..(A) make sure it is enteric coated or says that it can survive passing through the stomach acid...as the acid in our stomachs kills the good bacteria and then nothing reaches the large and small intestines where you need it. (B) choose one that has at least three strains in it so that it is capable of functioning both in the small and large intestine. (C) Sometimes a probiotic product will say that it also contains FOS which helps with the colonization of the bacteria.(D) look for high numbers of the amount of probiotics the product contains...so seeing a product that contains 'billions' of bacteria is not a bad thing. (E) Also,remember that each time you open your bottle, some of the bacteria will die...this is normal and to be expected...that is why so many products contain 'the billions' so always remember to close the bottle tightly and immediately after you are done taking your supplement. (F) Today, you can purchase many probiotics that are shelf stable and need no refrigeration...Two brands that I would recommend but I know there are MANY good ones out there are KYODOPHILUS from Kyolic and PRO-BIO from Enzymedica.
Just for good measure, here is a small listing of what probiotics can do for you other than what I mentioned before
Supports production of B vitamins...especially folic acid, biotin and Vitamin K.
Promotes mineral absorption.
Supports your protein and carbohydrate digestion.
Helps your metabolism breakdown toxins in body.
Helps maintain appropriate bowel transit time.
Helps to balance colon pH balance
Helps to keep your blood pressure in the healthy range.
Improves immunity.
Help promote gum and oral health. (Just for my teeth, I purchase a tablet form and I chew a few every day to prevent tooth decay)
So that is it for today...As always, I hope this was beneficial to you and remember that I only do this because I LOVE YOU lots and lots and lots. :):)
Today the story is on why you should be taking probiotics...
First off, a probiotic is the beneficial bacteria that your gut needs to function properly. Ever heard of yogurt....yep, that's what healthy bacteria is. The downside to eating yogurt that is purchased from the store is that by the time you actually eat it most of the beneficial bacteria have died and if you are eating flavored varities you are also dealing with the sugar issue. However, you can make your own healthy yogurt at home and get many health benefits.
You can also purchase probiotics in capsule or powdered form from any health food store. So why should you take probiotics daily (even beneficial for the kiddos).Below are just a few reasons why...
Probiotics can reduce fat.
Maintains a healthy body weight.
Trillions of bacteria live in your gut...good and bad...What you want to do is maintain your intestinal system so that the good are always knocking out the bad and overtaking them.
Before I go on about probiotics, it is also important to remember that the body requires enough fiber to push the toxins out...fiber supplements such as chia seeds (my favorite) ground flaxseed, psyllium seed (I use this one occasionally... comes from India so if you are going to use psyllium make sure it is organic (I have read several articles on what happens to psyllium if it is not organic.) There is a brand called Fiber Harmony which is organic...comes in different flavors as well...It is in powder form. When starting a new fiber, remember to go slow so that your body has time to adjust or else you can become very miserable.
Also, because our diets in America are not always the best and often times processed, refined, or cooked adding a digestive enzyme to each meal is very beneficial. Your body requires enzymes to digest your food...if it doesn't have the proper amount of enzymes you will end up with clumps of food circulating throughout your body. From all the trainings that i have received from going to seminars and listening to lectures tell me that if your food doesn't digest...those undigested food particles enter into your bloodstream and then become toxins which lead to inflammation in the body, weight gain, and certain health ailments. There are many out there to choose from. Two brands that I am familiar with because we sell them where I work are Essential Enzymes from a company called Source Naturals and also another company called Enzymedica. I prefer the Enzymedica enzymes as they seem to be a little more potent and comprehensive in the enzymes that they supply...but they are also more expensive. I believe Source Naturals are very beneficial if you are not dealing with any serious health problems.....Look for these enzymes on the bottles...lipase which digests fat, protease which digests protein, lactase which digests milk products, cellulase which digests carbs, amylase which digests sugars. These are the basics....with many products containing several other digestive enzymes.
Now back to the probiotics and you thought I had forgotten all about what is was I was writing about. :)
The word probiotics comes from the Greek language meaning "for life"...so what does that tell you about the word "antitbiotics". Also, a little FYI...the more you use probiotics, the healthier you will become and probably require less use of antibiotics throughout your lifetime. If you ever find that you do need to take antibiotics...they will completely eliminate most of your beneficial bacteria in your gut so it is important to remember after a round of antibiotics to hit the probiotics 'hard and heavy'. Also, using antibiotics and probiotics at the same time, cancel each other out....so if you want to continue taking the probios the same time you are taking the antibiotics...take them 2 t0 3 hours apart from each other.
Did you know that...80% of your immune system lives in your gastrointestinal tract
500 different species of bacteria live inside of you
About 100 trillion bacteria live inside of you ...that is more than TEN TIMES the number of Cells you have in your whole body.
The weight of these bacteria is about two to three pounds.
As stated earlier, some of these bacteria are good...some are not...ideal balance would be 85% good and 15% 'other'
Before you were born, your GI tract was sterile. The moment after your birth, colonization of bacteria began in your gut. The first bacteria to settle in were the immune building ones from breast milk, increasing your level of health. In a sense, we spend the rest of our lives "trashing" our digestion with the bad stuff...bad diets and poor lifestyle choices that cause the wrong type of flora "bacteria" to flourish in our gut. So why not give your body the break it deserves and start giving it some of the good stuff to help it in its battle to keep you healthy.
There are many, many, many probiotics that you can purchase and you will see names like bifidobacterium lactis, lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus plantarum and the list goes on.
I would give you a few recommendations..(A) make sure it is enteric coated or says that it can survive passing through the stomach acid...as the acid in our stomachs kills the good bacteria and then nothing reaches the large and small intestines where you need it. (B) choose one that has at least three strains in it so that it is capable of functioning both in the small and large intestine. (C) Sometimes a probiotic product will say that it also contains FOS which helps with the colonization of the bacteria.(D) look for high numbers of the amount of probiotics the product contains...so seeing a product that contains 'billions' of bacteria is not a bad thing. (E) Also,remember that each time you open your bottle, some of the bacteria will die...this is normal and to be expected...that is why so many products contain 'the billions' so always remember to close the bottle tightly and immediately after you are done taking your supplement. (F) Today, you can purchase many probiotics that are shelf stable and need no refrigeration...Two brands that I would recommend but I know there are MANY good ones out there are KYODOPHILUS from Kyolic and PRO-BIO from Enzymedica.
Just for good measure, here is a small listing of what probiotics can do for you other than what I mentioned before
Supports production of B vitamins...especially folic acid, biotin and Vitamin K.
Promotes mineral absorption.
Supports your protein and carbohydrate digestion.
Helps your metabolism breakdown toxins in body.
Helps maintain appropriate bowel transit time.
Helps to balance colon pH balance
Helps to keep your blood pressure in the healthy range.
Improves immunity.
Help promote gum and oral health. (Just for my teeth, I purchase a tablet form and I chew a few every day to prevent tooth decay)
So that is it for today...As always, I hope this was beneficial to you and remember that I only do this because I LOVE YOU lots and lots and lots. :):)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Water, Water Everywhere (in your body, that is)
So, I came across some more interesting facts about water that I thought I would share with you.....So here are some reasons why you should be drinking the right amount of water for your body.
Water regulates body temperature.
Water composes 75% of the brain.
Water makes up 83% of your blood.
Water removes waste products.
Water accounts for 22% of your bones.
Water cushions joints.
Water makes up 75% of your muscles.
Water helps your body to absorb nutrients.
Water protects and cushions vital organs.
Water helps convert food into energy.
Water moistens oxygen for breathing.
Water helps carry nutrients and oxygen to all of your cells.
........Pretty impressive, huh!!....and did you know that drinking water at the correct time of the day helps to maximize its effects on the human body...such as
2 glasses of warm water upon waking helps activate internal organs. You can also add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice concentrate (try to make it organic which is available at health food stores)and it makes a great liver dextoxifier.
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal helps with digestion.
1 glass of water before taking a bath or shower helps to lower blood pressure.
1 glass of water before going to bed...helps avoid a stroke or a heart attack.
Gotta love water. :):):)
Water regulates body temperature.
Water composes 75% of the brain.
Water makes up 83% of your blood.
Water removes waste products.
Water accounts for 22% of your bones.
Water cushions joints.
Water makes up 75% of your muscles.
Water helps your body to absorb nutrients.
Water protects and cushions vital organs.
Water helps convert food into energy.
Water moistens oxygen for breathing.
Water helps carry nutrients and oxygen to all of your cells.
........Pretty impressive, huh!!....and did you know that drinking water at the correct time of the day helps to maximize its effects on the human body...such as
2 glasses of warm water upon waking helps activate internal organs. You can also add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice concentrate (try to make it organic which is available at health food stores)and it makes a great liver dextoxifier.
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal helps with digestion.
1 glass of water before taking a bath or shower helps to lower blood pressure.
1 glass of water before going to bed...helps avoid a stroke or a heart attack.
Gotta love water. :):):)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The 6 Most Unhealthy Foods
umnn, yeah....it's been awhile since I have written anything. I used the excuse of Tessa and Barrett's wedding preparations for a time but since they have now been happily married for over a month....I have no excuses other than I am not sure what to write about.....so I decided that today in case you are not tired of hearing it already I would write about some of the most unhealthy foods on the planet and I will give you a few reasons as to why they are bad, bad, bad for you. :)
1. Soda...
This one is a no brainer because I have written about it before but in case I didn't mention some of the facts earlier I will bore you with them now. An average can of soda has 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 useless calories, 30-55 mg of caffeine if you choose Mountain Dew, Dr Pepper, or some of the other caffeine containing sodas, artificial food colors (which have been linked to anxiety and hyperactivity to name just two). Drinking sodas has become a major problem in America today. A study in the journal Pediatrics fount that 56 to 85% of children consume at least one soft drink a day....and that goes up when they reach adolescent age. So here again for your health and your children's health choose pure water. The body needs it and soda is nothing more than liquid candy which causes significant health problems down the road...diabetes, tooth decay, weight gain and more.)As a sidenote the adult body requires at least 5 to 6 cups of water each day just to maintain nomal function....and we are are not talking pop, coffee, or fruit juice. I remember reading this in an article before and now I can't find it....but basically it broke down what the kidneys, lungs, brain and other organs need in order to properly function.
2. Potato chips and french fries.
These popular snacks contain a known carcinogen called acrylamide and a neurotoxin that is formed when foods are baked or fried at very high temperatures. Potatoes in and of themselves are not bad for you....it's what happens to them when they become a chip or a french fry. According to professor, Dale Hattis from Clark University they are now linking chips and french fries to several thousand cancers per year in America. When the Center for Science in the Public Interest....CSPI for short conducted tests on popular brands of french fries and chips, they found that the acrylamide in a large order of fast food french fries was at least 300 times that amount allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency in a glass of water. We all know that these foods have been linked to heart disease, bad cholesterol, stroke, diabetes and now proof that they cause cancer.
3. Doughnuts.
Just writing about this is making me crave a jelly doughnut...ummn...but if you break down what is in a doughnut and so many other refined foods...what you find is refined flour, sugar, artificial flavorings, and partially hydrogenated oil that is loaded with trans fats....
4. Coffee Cake and Other Baked Goods
I know what you are thinking, by the time I get done with this post there will be nothing left to eat....at least nothing that tastes good...but you will find that by giving up these foods or at least saving them for special occasions that there are lots of natural, healthy, and tasty foods out there. I just think that we as Americans have become used to eating these foods and don't realize what 'real food' is anymore.....anyway as the subtitle states....try to avoid baked goods unless you are doing the baking from scratch..that way you know exactly what ingredients you are putting into your mouth. Prepackaged brownies, cake mixes, muffin mixes, bisquick, etc. usually contain high amounts of sodium, transfats, corn syrup, artificial preservatives and flavorings and food additives. If you are going to buy a prepackaged mix....look at the ingredients...a couple of tips...the fewer the ingredients the better it is for you and if you can't pronounce any of the ingredients it's probably not something you want to put into your body.
5. Luncheon Meats/Hot Dogs.
Processed meats like these including sausages and bacon contain a carcinogenic precursor ingredient known as sodium nitrite/nitrate. According to a University of Hawaii study that followed 200,000 people for seven years those who consumed the most processed meats (hot dogs and sausages) showed a 67% increased risk of pancreatic cancer over those who consumed very little. The good news though is Sprouts and Vitamin Cottage carry sausages, hot dogs, lunch meats that do not contain nitrates/nitrites. You will pay a little more but in the long run it will actually cost you less because of the long term health benefits.
6 Canned Soups.
These are the traditional canned soups you find lining the grocery store shelves but with a little investigating and careful reading of labels...you can find canned soups that are actually healthy for you. Most canned soups contain high levels of trans fat, sodium, artificial preservatives such as MSG. Just one cup of soup can have 1000mg of sodium. The dietary guideline recommends consuming no more than 2400 milligrams of sodium for your entire day. If you don't already scrutinze the labels of everything you buy, try to get in the habit and teach your children as well.
1. Soda...
This one is a no brainer because I have written about it before but in case I didn't mention some of the facts earlier I will bore you with them now. An average can of soda has 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 useless calories, 30-55 mg of caffeine if you choose Mountain Dew, Dr Pepper, or some of the other caffeine containing sodas, artificial food colors (which have been linked to anxiety and hyperactivity to name just two). Drinking sodas has become a major problem in America today. A study in the journal Pediatrics fount that 56 to 85% of children consume at least one soft drink a day....and that goes up when they reach adolescent age. So here again for your health and your children's health choose pure water. The body needs it and soda is nothing more than liquid candy which causes significant health problems down the road...diabetes, tooth decay, weight gain and more.)As a sidenote the adult body requires at least 5 to 6 cups of water each day just to maintain nomal function....and we are are not talking pop, coffee, or fruit juice. I remember reading this in an article before and now I can't find it....but basically it broke down what the kidneys, lungs, brain and other organs need in order to properly function.
2. Potato chips and french fries.
These popular snacks contain a known carcinogen called acrylamide and a neurotoxin that is formed when foods are baked or fried at very high temperatures. Potatoes in and of themselves are not bad for you....it's what happens to them when they become a chip or a french fry. According to professor, Dale Hattis from Clark University they are now linking chips and french fries to several thousand cancers per year in America. When the Center for Science in the Public Interest....CSPI for short conducted tests on popular brands of french fries and chips, they found that the acrylamide in a large order of fast food french fries was at least 300 times that amount allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency in a glass of water. We all know that these foods have been linked to heart disease, bad cholesterol, stroke, diabetes and now proof that they cause cancer.
3. Doughnuts.
Just writing about this is making me crave a jelly doughnut...ummn...but if you break down what is in a doughnut and so many other refined foods...what you find is refined flour, sugar, artificial flavorings, and partially hydrogenated oil that is loaded with trans fats....
4. Coffee Cake and Other Baked Goods
I know what you are thinking, by the time I get done with this post there will be nothing left to eat....at least nothing that tastes good...but you will find that by giving up these foods or at least saving them for special occasions that there are lots of natural, healthy, and tasty foods out there. I just think that we as Americans have become used to eating these foods and don't realize what 'real food' is anymore.....anyway as the subtitle states....try to avoid baked goods unless you are doing the baking from scratch..that way you know exactly what ingredients you are putting into your mouth. Prepackaged brownies, cake mixes, muffin mixes, bisquick, etc. usually contain high amounts of sodium, transfats, corn syrup, artificial preservatives and flavorings and food additives. If you are going to buy a prepackaged mix....look at the ingredients...a couple of tips...the fewer the ingredients the better it is for you and if you can't pronounce any of the ingredients it's probably not something you want to put into your body.
5. Luncheon Meats/Hot Dogs.
Processed meats like these including sausages and bacon contain a carcinogenic precursor ingredient known as sodium nitrite/nitrate. According to a University of Hawaii study that followed 200,000 people for seven years those who consumed the most processed meats (hot dogs and sausages) showed a 67% increased risk of pancreatic cancer over those who consumed very little. The good news though is Sprouts and Vitamin Cottage carry sausages, hot dogs, lunch meats that do not contain nitrates/nitrites. You will pay a little more but in the long run it will actually cost you less because of the long term health benefits.
6 Canned Soups.
These are the traditional canned soups you find lining the grocery store shelves but with a little investigating and careful reading of labels...you can find canned soups that are actually healthy for you. Most canned soups contain high levels of trans fat, sodium, artificial preservatives such as MSG. Just one cup of soup can have 1000mg of sodium. The dietary guideline recommends consuming no more than 2400 milligrams of sodium for your entire day. If you don't already scrutinze the labels of everything you buy, try to get in the habit and teach your children as well.
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