Five Major Poisons Inherently Found in ANimal Foods

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Alexi Bracey| Leave a comment

 

Written by John A. McDougall, M.D.

Protein, fat, cholesterol, methionine (a sulfur-containing amino acid) and dietary acids, which are all superabundant in animal foods, are poisoning nearly everyone following the standard Western diet. Most people cannot fathom this because it takes four or more decades of consumption before disability, disfigurement and death become common from these endogenous toxins. This long latent period fools the public into thinking there is no harm done by choosing an animal-food-based diet. If the case were one of instantaneous feedback — one plate of fried eggs caused excruciating chest pains, paralysis from a stroke followed a prime rib dinner or a hard cancerous lump appeared within a week of a grilled cheese sandwich — then eating animal foods would be widely recognized as an exceedingly unwise choice. Similar failures to appreciate slow poisonings from our lifestyle choices are seen with tobacco and alcohol use. If one package of cigarettes were followed by a week on a respirator or a bottle or two of gin caused hepatic (liver) coma, then no one would indulge in these instruments of long-drawn-out death. The difference defining the failure to take long overdue actions is that the dangers from tobacco and alcohol use are universally known and accepted, whereas almost everyone considers red meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products necessary parts of a healthy diet.

The Art of Selling Slow Poisons:
Distract the Consumer Sellers of animal foods for human consumption draw in customers with the marketing strategy of “unique positioning” — each industry tries to make its merchandise stand apart from other foods by promoting a nutrient that is especially plentiful in its product. Over time, this effective advertising approach has meant that the mention of calcium brings to mind milk and cheese, iron has become synonymous with beef and eggs are well known as the “best source of high quality protein.”

Because these highly sensationalized nutrients are always plentiful in basic plant foods, illnesses from deficiencies of these nutrients are essentially unknown, as long as there is enough food to eat. Thus, there are no real nutritional advantages to choosing red meat, poultry, dairy and egg products with an especially high density of one particular nutrient. Ironically, milk and cheese are iron deficient, and red meat, poultry and eggs (unless you eat the shells) contain almost no calcium.

Focusing on the abundance of an individual nutrient accomplishes an even more insidious marketing goal; it diverts the consumer’s, and oftentimes the professional dietitian’s, attention away from the harmful impact on the human body of consuming all kinds of animal foods. In my 42 years of providing medical care, I have never seen a patient sickened by eating potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, rice, beans, fruits and/or vegetables (unspoiled and uncontaminated).

However, during my everyday practice I have witnessed (just like every other practicing medical doctor) a wide diversity of diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, type-2 diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis and cancer from eating freshly killed and/or collected, as well as processed and/or preserved, animal-derived foods.

A Simplified View of Animal-food Poisoning

Animal foods — be they from cow, pig or chicken muscles, or the ovum of a bird or the lactation fluids of a mammal — are all so similar in their nutritional makeup and their impact on human health that they should be considered as the same (see the comparison tables at the end of this article, page 57). In order to avoid the confusion created by the marketing strategy of “unique positioning,” let’s look at different kinds of animal products mixed together to make one food, and compare them to their antithesis, starches. If I were to blend together red meat, chicken, eggs and cheese, which most Americans do three or more times a day in their stomachs, the end product would be a highly acidic mixture of mostly protein, fat and water — each individual food having contributed a similar amount of each component.

A blend of various starches — beans, rice, potatoes and sweet potatoes —  would produce an opposite in composition.

The Five Overloads from Animal Foods that Poison Us Protein, fat, cholesterol, sulfur- containing amino acids (methionine, for example) and dietary acids poison us when consumed in amounts that exceed the body’s metabolic capabilities to detoxify and eliminate the excesses. Compared to the proper human diet, which is based on starches (see my February 2009 newsletter at DrMcDougall.com), animal foods burden us with three times more protein, 15 times more fat, greater than 100 times more cholesterol, four times more methionine and at least 10 times more dietary acid. Furthermore, the toxic effects of these poisons are interactive. For example, excesses of protein, methionine and dietary acids work together to destroy the bones. Excesses of dietary fat and cholesterol combine their deleterious effects to damage the arteries (atherosclerosis) and promote cancer. Let me provide some more details on how these five destructive elements from animal foods ruin your health.

Protein Overload

Once your protein needs are met then the excess must be eliminated from your body, primarily by your liver and kidneys. You can notice an overload of protein by the strong smell of urea in your body sweat and urine. The work of eliminating excess protein takes a toll even on healthy people. On average, 25% of kidney function is lost over a lifetime (70 years) from consuming the high animal-protein Western diet.1, 2 For people with already damaged livers and kidneys, consuming excess protein will speed up the processes that lead to complete organ failure.3 – 7 Excess protein damages the bones. Doubling the dietary intake of protein increases the loss of calcium into the urine by 50%, fostering the development of osteoporosis and kidney stones.8 Lipotoxicity (Fat Overload)

The most recent report (for 2007 to 2008) on the epidemic of obesity in the U.S. finds 33.8% of adults obese with 68.0% of all adults overweight.9 Dietary fats are almost effortlessly stored in your body fat.10 When consumed in excess, dietary fats also result in a surplus of fats stored in your liver, heart and muscles. From all this over-accumulation, insulin resistance develops, contributing to other health problems, including heart disease, strokes and type-2 diabetes.11 The extra pounds you carry around cause damage to the joints of your lower extremities (osteoarthritis). Excess fat in your diet and on your body alters your cellular metabolism, promoting cancers by many already discovered mechanisms.12

Cholesterol Overload

Cholesterol is only found in animal products. As an animal, you make all the cholesterol you need. Unfortunately, your capacity to eliminate it is limited to a little more than the amount you make. As a result, the cholesterol added by eating animal foods accumulates in your body parts, including your skin, tendons and arteries. Cholesterol deposited in your arteries is a major contributor to vascular diseases of your heart and brain.13 Cholesterol also facilitates cancer development.14

Sulfur Toxicity

Overconsumption of sulfur-containing amino acids (for example, methionine) will cause you many unwelcome problems.15 Most noticeably, sulfur stinks, like rotten eggs, causing halitosis, body odor and noxious flatus. Methionine is metabolized into homocysteine, a risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, venous thrombosis, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Sulfur feeds cancerous tumors and is known to be toxic to the tissues of the intestine. Sulfur-containing amino acids are metabolized into sulfuric acid — one of the most potent acids found in nature.

Acid Overload

After ingestion, your body must neutralize the over-abundance of endogenous dietary acids in the animal foods you eat. Your bones are the primary buffering system of your body.16 – 20 They counteract these dietary acids by releasing alkaline materials (carbonate, citrate and sodium) — thereby the bones dissolve. Acids from animal foods also raise cortisol (steroid) levels in your body.21 An excess of steroids is another mechanism for further bone loss. The net result from this chronic acid poisoning is kidney stones and osteoporosis.

Detoxifying with a Starch-based Diet

Simply by making the right food choices you will immediately relieve yourself from the burden of five dietary poisons inherently found in animal foods. At the same time, you will be reducing your intake of pesticides, antibiotics and other toxic chemicals found in high concentrations in most animal foods. You will also be adding generous amounts of complex carbohydrates, dietary fibers, alkaline substances and a healthy balance of vitamins, minerals and essential phyto-chemicals to your body. And finally, you will be avoiding exposure to animal-borne, infectious microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites and prions) that can cause acute and deadly illnesses. Give yourself a break today: choose starches, free of the five endogenous poisons  superabundant in animal foods.

Calculations based on information found in: Pennington J. Food Values of Portions

 

Posted in Animal Protein

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Five Common Metals To Avoid

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Alexi Bracey| Leave a comment

By Dr. Joseph Mercola with Rachael Droege

Are you feeling tired or irritable? Is your head foggy or are you suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, depression or anemia? These are just a few of the signs that you may be suffering from metal poisoning–a toxic accumulation of heavy metals in the soft tissues of the body.

Heavy metal poisoning is much more common than most people realize, and if you’re thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you haven’t been exposed to any, think again. If you’ve eaten fish regularly, had amalgam fillings, received vaccinations, drank contaminated water, or done industrial or agricultural work or pharmaceutical manufacturing, there’s a good chance that you have a fair amount of toxic metals in your system.

The effects of these toxic metals can range from subtle symptoms to serious diseases. Since metals build up in your body over time, symptoms are often attributed to other causes and people often don’t realize that they have been affected by metals until it’s too late.

The worst part about heavy metals is that once they build up in your body they can cause irreversible damage. Further damage can be prevented by removing the metals, but this can be a slow, difficult process. Prevention is the best defense when it comes to metal poisoning, and this list of five common toxic metals will give you a heads up to avoiding further exposure to these health-degenerating elements.

Mercury is one of the most problematic of all toxic metals because, despite its dangers and known role as a neurotoxin, many people have it implanted in their mouth, injected into their bloodstream, or are consuming it daily in fish.

Dental Amalgams

If you are one of the millions of Americans who has received silver dental fillings, take heed: Mercury makes up about 50 percent of every amalgam dental filling, also known as “silver” fillings. According to the American Dental Association, “Dental amalgam (silver filling) is considered a safe, affordable and durable material that has been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. It contains a mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin, in addition to mercury, which chemically binds these components into a hard, stable and safe substance. Dental amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness.”  However, consider that while 78 percent of Americans have dental fillings, 95 percent of people with disorders of the central nervous system such as MS, epilepsy, paralysis and migraines also have silver dental fillings. This begs the question, would you want mercury, one of the most powerful neurotoxins on the planet, embedded in your mouth, only inches from your brain? The answer is obvious.

Vapors from amalgams are released continually, and studies have found that those with these fillings can have mercury vapor concentration 10 times higher than people without them. Simple activities such as chewing gum, drinking hot liquids and brushing teeth can increase the release of mercury even more.

If you decide to have your amalgams replaced with a non-toxic material, the most important thing is to find a dentist who can remove your amalgams safely. Any dentist can technically replace your amalgams, but if they don’t employ proper precautions much of the mercury in your fillings will go straight to your brain. Secondly, I would highly recommend getting healthy BEFORE you start on your fillings. Even a good dentist will likely liberate some mercury in the removal process and you want your detoxification mechanisms optimized prior to removal.

Vaccines Thimerosal, a mercury-containing vaccine preservative, is still widely used in vaccines, including those routinely administered to children. Thimerosal contains close to 50 percent ethyl mercury by weight. Children are particularly sensitive to the mercury as their nervous systems are still rapidly developing. Years ago, health-related organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that thimerosal be removed from vaccines as soon as possible, yet it’s still present in many vaccinations including Hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, acellular pertussis, tetanus and Hib.

Over the past decade, the prevalence of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit disorder have been increasing at epidemic proportions, and many experts believe that mercury from vaccines is at least partly to blame. It is thought that a child’s reduced ability to excrete the mercury –children’s detoxification abilities may vary greatly– may also play a role.

It is possible to get childhood vaccines without thimerosal, since some manufacturers have developed thimerosal-free vaccines, however, you will have to ask your doctor to check the package insert and provide a written guarantee that the vaccine is mercury-free. Even then you will not know for sure, as the package inserts, which are supposed to detail exactly what is in a vaccine, may not even be accurate. You will also want to read the many other reasons why vaccines can do more harm than good.

Fish Tragically, our oceans are largely contaminated with industrial pollutants like mercury. Ocean and farm-raised fish pick up these toxic chemical residues, which bioconcentrate in their flesh

The larger the fish, the more problematic because big fish eat smaller fish, thereby getting an even greater dose of accumulated toxins. People who regularly eat fish have higher levels of methylmercury than those who don’t.

Even the conservative Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration have issued warnings about the dangers of mercury in fish, and they are now planning to issue a federal warning to pregnant and nursing women, and even those thinking of getting pregnant to limit their consumption of tuna, along with their previous warnings about other types of fish, due to mercury concerns. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can transfer mercury to their newborns, causing significant neurological problems.

Even if you are a man or not planning to become pregnant, mercury from fish can still accumulate in your body and cause serious problems down the road. If you do eat fish, please be sure to have it lab tested for mercury. We have found a brand of salmon, Vital Choice, that has tested free of mercury time and time again, so this is one option for those of you looking for a safe source of fish. Alternatively, most sardines have little to no mercury since they are so small, and you can also take a high-quality, purified fish oil or cod liver oil to safely receive the health benefits of fish without the mercury.

If you are concerned about mercury poisoning, please review my Mercury Detoxification Protocol for detox information.

Lead

There are many ways that humans can be exposed to lead. Among the major sources are lead-based paint, leaded gasoline, lead-contaminated water, manufacturing of lead batteries, rubber products, glass and other lead-containing products, and lead oxide fumes that result when demolishing industrial buildings. While some of these sources, such as lead-based paint and leaded gasoline, have been discontinued over the past few decades, their effects still show up in the environment. For instance, it is estimated that 64 million homes in the United States still contain lead paint, which can either be ingested in flakes or inhaled as a microscopic dust.

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the prevalence of lead toxicity (levels greater than 10 mcg/dL) in U.S. children ranged from 1.5 percent for upper-income white children living in recently built houses in the suburbs, to 36.7 percent for black children residing in large cities. Children are more susceptible to lead absorption than adults, whose lead toxicity is generally related to occupational exposure. It’s estimated that more than 800,000 U.S. workers are exposed to lead through their work.

However, low-level exposure to lead, such as through drinking water or living near an incinerator or toxic dump, is also associated with many negative health effects like brain dysfunction in children, neurobehavioral changes in adults (such as a reduction in cognitive abilities and IQ, and personality changes), hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

Aluminum 

As with the other elements, aluminum is absorbed and accumulated in the body, and has been linked to serious illnesses including osteoporosis, extreme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances and memory loss. Aluminum has also been widely associated with Alzheimer’s disease. People who have died from Alzheimer’s disease have been found to have up to four times the average amount of aluminum accumulated in the brain’s nerve cells.

Antiperspirants Antiperspirants contain aluminum that is absorbed by your body. It’s best to avoid it all together and use simple soap and water instead. Deodorants aren’t as bad as antiperspirants, but I would also avoid using them unless it was made from some form of baking soda.

Water Aluminum-contaminated water is another significant concern, as studies have found that Alzheimer’s disease is more common in regions where levels of aluminum in drinking water are highest.  To find out whether you may be at risk from aluminum and other toxins in your water you’ll need to have your water tested by a reliable source. AquaMD, a top-notch water-testing agency, has the affordable “Mercola’s Recommended Water Tests” — to ensure the safety of your tap water today.

Other Common Sources

  • Aluminum cookware: Although aluminum pots are probably less problematic than the sources mentioned above, I personally would not use aluminum cookware.
  • Aluminum foil
  • Over-the-counter drugs: These include many antacids, anti-diarrheal drugs and drugs used for pain and inflammation.
  • Several douche brands
  • Some baking powders: Most baking powders contain aluminum as an additive, but health food stores carry non-aluminum varieties.
  • Refined foods, refined flours, baked goods, processed cheeses, and common table salt

Arsenic Organic

Arsenic compounds are mainly used as pesticides, primarily on cotton plants, while inorganic arsenic is primarily used to preserve wood. Once arsenic is released in the environment it cannot be destroyed, and many arsenic compounds dissolve in water. The primary route of exposure to high levels of arsenic is typically through occupational hazards, or near hazardous waste sites or areas with high natural levels. You can also be exposed by breathing sawdust or burning smoke from arsenic-treated wood. Arsenic has also shown up in drinking water, especially among well water, and long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate.

Exposure to low levels of arsenic can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of “pins and needles” in hands and feet, and over the long term can cause darkening of the skin and the appearance of small “corns” or “warts” on the palms, soles, and torso. In January 2001, the EPA revised the standard allowable level of arsenic in drinking water from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. Levels must reach this lower amount by 2006. However, some experts believe that an even tougher standard of 3 parts per billion should have been adopted. It’s a good idea to have your water tested for arsenic, especially if your water comes from a well, to ensure you are not being slowly poisoned.

Cadmium a naturally occurring metal, can be found in food, water and cigarette smoke. It is a known human carcinogen that appears to act in two ways: it harms DNA directly and disturbs a DNA repair system that helps to prevent cancer.  Like other metals, cadmium stays in the body for a long time and accumulates after long-term exposure to even low levels. Cadmium is released into the air from mining, industry, burning coal and household wastes, where it then binds to soil particles and dissolves in water. Fish, plants, and animals accumulate cadmium from the environment, as such there are low levels of the metal in most all foods with the highest levels found in shellfish, liver, and kidney meats.  People are exposed to cadmium not only through foods but also through drinking contaminated water and breathing cadmium-contaminated air (such as near burning waste, battery manufacturing, metal soldering or welding). Cadmium is also present in cigarette smoke, and smoking doubles the average daily intake. It is thought that cadmium is carcinogenic, and long-term exposure to low levels can contribute to kidney disease, lung damage and fragile bones. Animal studies also suggest that it may lead to liver disease, high blood pressure, and nerve or brain damage.

Mary Moeller, health and lifestyle consultant, www.naturehealthsolutions.com wrote:

Many people are making the decision about whether to receive the flu shot. Our hopes in providing the following article is to provide you with facts that will better enable you to make informed decisions. The flu vaccine, consumed faithfully by the public without question each year, is not without problems.

The vaccine contains formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing agent. It also contains the preservative thimerosal, a derivative of mercury, a known neurotoxin linked to brain damage and autoimmune diseases. Aluminum is another flu vaccine ingredient and is also a toxic heavy metal that has been associated with an increased incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The influenza epidemic that hit North America so strongly in January 2000 was the worst in 5 years. Of interest is the fact that a large percentage of the elderly that contracted the flu did so despite having had their flu shots. One nursing home in Toronto recorded 32 cases of the flu; of those who became ill, 31 had been vaccinated against the flu the month before.
Please make an informed decision about this, and have all your questions answered. Vaccines are drugs and can come with side effects that can impact your health now and in the future. We have numerous articles available to you to help you decide what is best for you and your family. Don’t forget – inside of us, we already have everything we need to be truly healthy and an immune system that is designed to fight infection!

According to Hugh Fudenburg, MD – the world’s leading immunogeneticist and 13th most quoted biologist of our time (nearly 850 papers in peer review journals) – if an individual has had 5 consecutive flu shots between 1970 – 1980 (the years of the study) his/her chance of developing Alzheimer’s Disease is 10 times greater than if they had 1, two or no shots. When asked why Dr. Fudenberg stated that it is due to the mercury and aluminum buildup that is in every flu shot (and in almost all childhood shots). The gradual mercury and aluminum buildup in the brain causes cognitive dysfunction. Alzheimer’s is now expected to quadruple. Dr. Fudenberg’s comments are from his speech at the NVIC International Vaccine Conference, Arlington VA September, 1997. Alzheimer’s to quadruple statement is from the John’s Hopkins Newsletter of November 1998.

 

Posted in Food Poisonings

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Comparison of Super Green Foods

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Alexi Bracey| Leave a comment

 

Comparison of Green  Super Foods (NaturalNews)

There’s increasing awareness today about the health benefits of drinking superfood powders. Anyone who has been reading NaturalNews for very long knows that cruciferous vegetables prevent cancer, berries protect the nervous system and prevent heart disease, chlorella cleanses the liver and blood, curcumin prevents cancer and arthritis, cherries ease inflammation, pomegranates prevent prostate cancer, and so on. But many people who are new to superfood products are a bit put off by the intense tastes of the more potent powders (after all, they’re not sugared up like soda, and they contain no artificial sweeteners). Not surprisingly, I’m constantly being asked what’s available on the market that actually tastes good.

For this review, I’m sharing the details on the top seven superfood products that I’m familiar with. This is not an exhaustive review, and I apologize to any company that should be included on this list, but isn’t. (Send some product samples to my office and that will help me learn about your product for the next update!)

Also, this is not a review about protein powders such as the outstanding hemp protein products from Ruth’s Hemp Foods or Nutiva, or the LivingFuel Rx Super Greens product (www.LivingFuel.com). It’s also not about omega-3 superfood products such as Jon Barron’s “Private Reserve” product, which is quite remarkable in its own right, or the Active Greens product (http://www.activegreens.com) from the Organic Food Bar company, which is also outstanding. Instead, it’s about green superfood powders that provide concentrated forms of disease-fighting fruits, vegetables, microalgae, probiotics and sea vegetables.

Taste vs. Nutritional Density

General speaking, the better a superfood product tastes, the lower the nutritional density. Why is this? Because the most nutritionally dense superfoods — such as chlorella, spirulina, broccoli sprouts, etc. — often have very strong tastes that seem unusual to people used to drinking sugary beverages like sodas or processed fruit juices.

People who are new to superfoods should begin by drinking the better-tasting brands (see below) for at least 60 – 90 days. After they are used to those tastes, they can experiment with more nutritionally dense brands.

Over time, any person can become accustomed to even the most nutritionally dense superfoods. For example, the sharp taste of the I3C phytonutrients from broccoli seems very strange to new people, but after a few days of drinking broccoli juice or extracts, the tongue is desensitized to the taste, and what once seemed offensive can come to taste rather mild or even pleasant in a relatively short period of time. (Note that in junk food consumers, this taste desensitization effect works in a negative way by making people crave more and more sugar or salt in their foods because they’re no longer sensitive to such tastes. Then, when they taste something healthy, they can’t stand the taste!)

Here are the seven superfood products included in this review, presented in the order of their taste: From the best-tasting to the most potent-tasting. All of these powders are simply mixed with water and sweetened to taste using stevia, agave nectar, raw honey or other natural sweeteners. You may also want to experiment blending them with a banana, apple or pear, but remember that using such fruits greatly increases the insulin response to consuming those drinks. It’s healthier to stick to a low-glycemic superfood meal whenever possible (and for diabetics, it’s essential to avoid drinking sugars!).

Disclaimer: Neither myself nor Natural News has any financial relationship whatsoever with the companies mentioned here. We earn nothing on the sales of these products, and we have not been paid in any way to write about these products. Any statements about the ability of these products to prevent or cure disease are our own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the manufacturers (thanks to FDA censorship of superfood labeling, of course).

Earth’s Promise

Taste: Earth’s Promise is available in several different flavors and has a tangy, tart flavor. It combines citric acid and inulin with many different superfoods, including fruits, vegetables, sea vegetables and other items. It has a delicious taste that even kids can immediately enjoy, but the high acidity of the beverage means I don’t recommend it for long-term use. It’s great as an entry-level superfood product, however.

Nutritional Density: Earth’s Promise is not very nutritionally dense, compared to the other products mentioned here. Still, it’s way better than drinking processed juices or soft drinks.

Price: Very high. Per ounce, Earth’s Promise is very expensive, and given that it doesn’t offer the nutritional density of other products mentioned here, it’s not the best value long term. Still, given the extremely beneficial ingredients it contains, it’s worth the cost, even at a high price per ounce. I openly recommend Earth’s Promise to lots of people, and it remains a great way for anyone to get started in superfoods without getting smacked by the extreme taste of hard-core green powders.

Learn more at:

http://www.enzy.com

Miracle Reds and Macro Greens

Taste: Miracle Reds taste really good. It doesn’t have the tart “candy” taste of Earth’s Promise, but it’s really delicious, especially when blended with a banana, apple or other sweet fruit. The company that makes Miracle Reds (Macro Life Naturals) also makes “Macro Greens,” a product that used to be called “Miracle Greens” before the idiotic, tyrannical U.S. government sued the company and forced them to change their name, claiming the word “miracle” was illegal to use in the context of a health product literature. In any case, the taste is really great for both products, but I think the “Reds” taste better (more fruits).

Nutritional Density: Good. The density is higher than Earth’s Promise, and these products provide really strong nutritional benefits, including heart disease prevention, nervous system protection, cancer prevention and much more. Definitely a solid product loaded with highly nutritious ingredients.

Price: Good, but not great. The price per ounce is somewhat high for this product, mostly because it’s sold through retail channels and therefore has quite a bit of markup. It’s an unavoidable side effect of distributing through retail. Also, part of the reason the price is high on this product (and all the products reviewed here) is because they use quality, genuine ingredients! These aren’t junk products made by Coca-Cola. These are superfood products made with real food. That costs money (but it’s worth every penny in terms of the health benefits you receive).

Learn more at:

http://www.macrolifenaturals.com

Amazing Grass

Taste: This is a superfood product for kids and adults, and I have to admit that the taste of the chocolate-flavored Amazing Grass is so good that I had a hard time (at first) believing it really contained the nutritional ingredients claimed on the label! The taste is accomplished with a small amount of cane juice (cane sugar), which I don’t really have a problem with, given the nutritional density of the other supporting ingredients. If you’re trying to get your child to drink superfoods, this is a great product to start with (and you’ll love it, too!).

Nutritional Density: Good, but not great. The cane juice crystals take away from the overall nutritional density. Still, it’s a highly recommended superfood product, and I’ve given it to lots of kids who otherwise would never eat or drink many of the ingredients found in this product. While there are other products with stronger nutritional density, they don’t have anywhere near the great taste of Amazing Grass.

Price: Although prices are always floating around a bit in the industry, my impression is that Amazing Grass products are priced in line with other superfood supplements sold in retail outlets. It’s not the best price in the world, but again, given the outstanding ingredients it contains, it’s a great investment in your health!

Learn more at:

http://www.AmazingGrass.com

Emerald Balance and X Balance

Taste: Simply outstanding! In terms of overall taste vs. overall nutritional density, the Emerald Balance and X Balance products earn my highest recommendation. These products taste remarkably great, even to folks who are new to superfoods. (If you’re brand new to superfoods, go for the chocolate-flavored X Balance product first. You’ll love it!) The Emerald Balance product, in contrast, has a bit of a minty flavor to it, which I find mixes really well with avocados and almond milk. (Really, it tastes like a mint ice cream shake!)

Nutritional Density: What really impressed me about the Emerald Balance and X Balance products is how they manage to taste so incredibly good even when they have such high nutritional density. It’s an art (and a science) to make that magic happen, and the formulator of Emerald Balance (Jan Lovejoy) has done a masterful job of creating a winning recipe. I strongly recommend this product to anyone who wants to experience an abundance of nutritional benefits from superfoods, but who doesn’t want to stomach something that taste really strong (like some of the other products reviewed below). By the way, they’ve just released a new product called Chocolate Emerald Balance Plus, which I haven’t tried yet, but I’m confident will be delicious!

Price: Good value. The Emerald Balance products are sold in larger containers than many other products, so although the total expenditure may be higher, the price per ounce is a very good value. Given the nutritional density of the product, I think the price is quite reasonable. This is a superfood product I consume on a regular basis.

Learn more at:

http://www.SGNnutrition.com

BOKU Superfood

Taste: With BOKU Superfood, we’re getting into a higher class of nutritional potency. In all the products that follow, taste is not the primary selling feature. None of these products taste as good as Emerald Balance or Earth’s Promise, for example (except to a few hard-core raw foodists who have retrained their taste buds over a period of decades). Among these high-density nutritional products, however, I think BOKU Superfood tastes very good. I sometimes drink it straight with nothing but water. But I don’t eat any refined sugar, either, and I’ve been consuming superfoods for about ten years now. Definitely do not try BOKU Superfood as your entry-level product if you’re new to superfoods. Start with something a little less potent.

Nutritional Density: Superb! Simply outstanding! I place this product among the top three most nutritionally dense superfoods products on the planet. It’s really outstanding. (Read my full review of the product here: http://www.naturalnews.com/022566.html ) This product is absolutely loaded with anti-cancer nutrients, anti-heart disease nutrients, anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, etc. It contains natural medicines that scientific literature has clearly shown to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancer, depression, osteoporosis, and so much more. This is the product to choose if you’re looking for hard-core nutrition for curing or preventing serious disease. Chug several heaping spoonfuls each day!

Price: Surprisingly, the price of BOKU Superfood is actually quite good. It’s astonishingly good through our NaturalNews special discount, which may or may not still be valid by the time you read this, but you can try it at the following URL:

http://store.bokusuperfood.com/news…

If that URL is still valid, it’s flat out the best offer of any high-density superfood product on the market today, and it’s a huge discount off the normal price for this product. This is accomplished in part because the product is sold directly to consumers and doesn’t go through retail distribution channels, but it’s also because NaturalNews negotiated a huge discount on the product as a service to our readers. (That discount is available exclusively to NaturalNews readers, not to the general public.) Click the URL above to see if that offer is still good…

Learn more at:

http://www.BokuSuperfood.com

Special NaturalNews offer at:

http://store.bokusuperfood.com/news…

Vitamineral Green

Taste: The Vitamineral Green product from HealthForce Nutritionals is legendary in the raw foods community. Formulated by raw foods pioneer Dr. Jameth Sheridan, it’s a top-of-the-line, high-density superfood product that’s also among my top three choices. The taste, however, is intense. I don’t drink this straight. I add it to other blends to improve the taste. It’s strong, even for people who drink a lot of fresh vegetables juices (like me). David Rain (from www.JuiceFeasting.com) drinks it straight with water, however.

Nutritional Density: Outstanding! This is one of the most nutritionally dense superfood products on the market today. If you’re seriously looking to reverse cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression or other chronic conditions, and you want support from a genuine superfood product, I strongly recommend you check out Vitamineral Green.

Value: A solid value, but still quite a bit more expensive than BOKU Superfood (because of the retail distribution channel issue). The nutritional density makes it worth every penny, of course. Simply phenomenal ingredients. The food of Kings!

Learn more at:

http://www.Healthforce.com

Pure Synergy

Taste: Let me be blunt: Pure Synergy tastes pretty wicked to those who are new to superfoods. But it’s similar to Vitamineral Green and the taste is tolerated quite well by hard-core nutritionists. I routinely use Pure Synergy in my Juice Feasting beverages, and while the taste seemed a bit strong the first time I consumed it, I quickly got used to it and now use the product regularly. Definitely not for beginners.

Nutritional Density: Very high. Similar to Vitamineral Green. Absolutely packed with disease-fighting nutrients. This is the kind of product you want to take if you’re serious about beating diseases like cancer. There are literally thousands of phytonutrients (natural, plant-based medicines) in this product and the others reviewed here. This is the best medicine in the world for preventing disease and enhancing health.

Price: High. This product seems to be priced higher than some other high-potency superfoods, but again, it’s still a fantastic value considering the quality of the ingredients you’re getting. Even at $100 a bottle, it would be a bargain, and it’s far less than $100 a bottle. When considering the prices on all these products, you have to ask yourself this question: What’s the cost of being sick? When you look at health as an investment in your own quality of life and longevity, then the prices of these products seem almost irrelevant.

Learn more at:

http://www.TheSynergyCompany.com

What’s the best superfood product?

I don’t have a “best” product overall. I recommend various superfood products depending on the situation. Here’s what I currently recommend:

Best superfood for traveling: Earth’s Promise (easy package size is good for luggage or airplanes, can be quickly mixed with water)

http://www.enzy.com

Best taste with high potency nutrition: Emerald Balance

http://sgnnutrition.com/emerald-bal…

Most nutrition per dollar: Boku Superfood

http://store.bokusuperfood.com/news…

Potent nutrition for purists and raw foodists: Vitamineral Green or Pure Synergy

http://www.healthforce.com/product-…http://www.thesynergycompany.com/pa…

Best fruit formula: HealthForce Fruits of the Earth (was not reviewed here, but is worth mentioning)

http://www.healthforce.com/product-…

Best greens + protein formula: Living Fuel Rx Super Greens

http://www.LivingFuel.com

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Toxic Casein Protein

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Alexi Bracey| Leave a comment

Casein Protein – The Dangers

Over that last decade or so we have heard much in the media about casein protein and autistic children. Health food stores even carry products now that state whether they are “casein free”.

Many autistic children are put on casein and gluten free diets as a form of treatment, but what about the general population? Should we be concerned about casein?

What Is Casein Protein And Why The Fuss?

First of all casein is a protein found in milk and other dairy products. In his book, The China Study, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, reports how he discovered, over many years of cancer research, a possible link between animal protein intake and cancer development. Although Campbell was raised on a farm and loved his milk and eggs and sausage, his scientific curiosity was peaked through the research he conducted as well as reviewed. Because of these potential links he found, he was finally able to receive funding to study the possible effects of protein on cancer. What he discovered was that protein did indeed promote cancer development. However it was not all types of protein. What Campbell discovered was that casein, which comprises 85% of the protein in cow’s milk, promoted cancer in all stages of its development. The safe protein, that which did not promote cancer, was plant based.

The Cancer Casein Connection

In fact, the connection between casein and cancer was so profound that the scientists could literally turn cancer growth on and off in the laboratory animals, like a light switch, simply by altering the level of casein protein in their diets. Interestingly, they also found that feeding the animals the same levels of plant based protein (gluten and soy) did not at all promote cancer growth.

Next, Campbell was able to take his research into the real world. In the early 1980’s a joint effort was established between Cornell University, Oxford University and China’s health research laboratory. The researchers gathered data on 367 variables, across 65 counties in China and 6,500 adults. The research was conducted over a 10 year period and was funded by both the Chinese and the United States government.

The Cancer and Animal Protein Connection

The results of the China Study showed that nutrition has a very powerful influence on a multitude of diseases. Animal based foods were linked to higher breast cancer rates and higher blood cholesterol levels. Whereas plant based diets were connected to low incidents of breast cancer rates and cholesterol levels. Fiber and antioxidants from plant foods were also linked to lower levels of digestive tract cancers. Between Campbell’s research and many other studies, it appears that good science – well thought out and planned studies – are painting a consistent picture between diet and health. Because of this research we are now able to largely reduce our risk of developing deadly diseases just by eating the right food.

The Good News

Casein protein was found to promote cancer in the controlled animal studies which Campbell administered. However, further research results, particularly those of the China Study, have shown there to be a remarkable link between animal protein in general and many different diseases not just cancer alone.

The good news about this research is that good health and good food are hugely connected and largely very simple. Eating a whole foods, plant based diet is the best thing you can do for your health and your future.

For more information, please read The China Study.

 

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Carob not Cacao

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Alexi Bracey| Leave a comment

Carob NOT Cacao! By Paul Nison

Many people today are becoming addicted to chocolate because they are led to believe that it is good for them. Chocolate is a drug and harmful to the body. Although in small amounts, the body will adapt and be able to ingest a drug without immediate effects, but damage can still occur. I feel a need to let everyone know about the harmful effects of this popular drug. At one point, I was very excited about the raw version of chocolate. I ate it and enjoyed it, but noticed my health suffered every time I ate it. Finally, I gave it up. I wasn’t going to mention it to others because I wasn’t sure if it was just me or if it was the chocolate. As I lectured across the country and began to notice the growing popularity of chocolate amongst raw food eaters and health advocates, I started to hear many people complain to me about the same harmful effects I experienced. For a certain time, every talk I gave there was someone with a complaint. People were also emailing me asking why they were having these issues. That’s when I started to do some research and wrote two articles about the harmful effects of Cacoa. (You can see the article’s on my site www.rawlife.com under articles)

Of course exposing the harmful side to this addicting food didn’t make me a well-liked person amongst many of the people who have become so addicted to it. When a person is addicted to something, the last thing they want to hear is that it is not good for them.

Habit VS Addiction

A habit and an addiction are not the same thing. A habit is something you do on a regular basis, but you could stop if you found out it’s not good for you. An addiction is something you are compelled to do on a regular basis, something you must do, even when you know it is not good for you.

When it comes to eating harmful foods, we need to change those addictions to habits, and then break them.

One suggestion to help transition people off of chocolate is to use carob. But many people don’t think carob tastes as good as chocolate. If you ate a carob pod right off of the tree, you might even like it more than eating a cacao bean right off the tree. However, mixing a bunch of sweet foods with the cacao bean creates an appetizing addiction. Mixing sweet foods with carob can taste just as good, without the side-effects. For anyone that doesn’t think that carob tastes as good as chocolate, try this great recipe using carob that tastes wonderful.

Carob Pudding

6 Medium Avocados
1 1/2 cups raw coconut nectar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups raw carob powder
1 cup cold filtered water

Blend in a food processor till smooth, top with, strawberries and/or bananas, mint leaves
And a sprinkle of cinnamon.

A friend of mine was one of the first people to start making raw food chocolate bars that tasted out of this world. They were so good. But she received many complaints about the harmful effects of cocao it has on each person, so she then added a selection of the same candies made with carob instead of the chocolate.The carob version tasted just as good or even better. I am convinced that if she didn’t label the new version made with carob, most people would not have known the difference. Today, carob can be purchased in most health food stores in a raw or cooked form. Eating a roasted version of carob is not as harmful as eating cacao, cooked or raw.

After posting the article I wrote about the harmful effects of cacao, many people responded with their experiences. They say that they feel no harmful effects and it cannot be bad for us if others are promoting it as a “super-food.” I am sure many people who promote and sell raw chocolate do not know or understand the harmful side effects, and if they did, they wouldn’t sell it. From my experience, most people selling it are good-hearted people who only want the best for people, and they are deceived to thinking it’s a super health-food. But please beware, because there are some who promote it and do know it is very addictive and not the ideal food to promote. They are making a good living off promoting this food and nothing seems to be able to convince them to stop selling it despite more and more people having issues with it. Below is a great example of the many emails I receive each day.

From CP in California:

Hey,
I ate a bunch of cacao last night because I kept hearing such great things about it from other raw foodists. I felt like I was on some serious drugs last night, and did not feel well at all!! I woke up at 6am with an awful headache and threw up. Now I feel so sick!! I know I don’t feel this way when I eat a bunch of fruit or veggies…even nuts!! I really hope I am ok. I totally agree with your article based off a not-so-good personal experience!!

I get many emails like this. People ask me why I am so against cacao. I am not interested in being the most popular raw food health promoter. I will not tell people a lie to gain popularity nor will I withhold the truth. I want to promote what is known to be healthy and not get people addicted to drugs.

It is not new information I am finding out about how harmful cacao is. Recently, I found a raw recipe book from the 1950’s. The author talks about the negative effects of cacao. Here is the article from the book “Live Foods; Nature’s Perfect System of Human Nutrition” by George & Doris Fathman
Page 36 and 37.

Many people seem to have an incurable “sweet tooth.” If you are one of those and you want to satisfy it, but without the harm that comes from using white sugar, which is the base of so much sweetening, then we recommend you substitute carob. It has a delicious chocolate taste and children as well as grown-ups love it.

Carob is made from grinding the pulp in the pods of the carob tree which grows in the Holy Land and in the Mediterranean regions. The pods are fed to animals. They are mentioned in the Bible, where “he would fain have filled his belly with the husks they swine did eat.” It formed the food which John the Baptist ate in the wilderness, hence sometimes called “St. John’s Bread.”

Carob has a fair amount of vitamins and minerals, but its chief virtue is as a chocolate substitute. Chocolate and cocoa, while rich in calcium, also contain considerable amounts of caffeine, theobromine and oxalic acid, stimulants the body can do without. The oxalic acid not only renders the calcium unavailable to the body, but also robs the body of its stored calcium. Many doctors feel chocolate is responsible in large measure for the adolescent problem of acne and forbid it to their patients. Like Sesame (or Tahini), Carob has a delicious flavor without the harmful qualities of chocolate. We highly recommend it as a substitute that all your family will enjoy. Carob can be purchased in health food or specialty food stores.

This article was from a book written in the 1950’s and I am sure the more research I do, the more I can find. Once people are addicted to something, sometimes the only thing that will take them away from it is learning the hard way. Read my article on www.rawlife.com and see what Jeremy Saffron says, the first person to promote and introduce raw cacao to the raw food world years ago. Today Jeremy is so against it and wants to warn others. Hippocrates Health Institute had a big article in their magazine about how bad it is, and recently I heard an interview with one of the world’s leading promoters speaking about cacao. The people interviewing him were not big fans of raw chocolate and instead of the average interview by people who were big fans of it, this time the truth started to come out. The questions were excellent and the person’s answers were revealing that raw chocolate is not an ideal food for everyone, even admitting himself that is was a drug and in some situations needed to be eaten with caution.

Please don’t worry, but please do something. The body is amazing and can handle much abuse. If you enjoy chocolate cooked or raw, you won’t get sick every time you consume it. There are much worse things you can consume. I am not suggesting that everyone needs to give it up and never consume it again. You can eat chocolate on occasion and be fine. I am not writing this article to make you think it is an all or none deal. I just want you to be aware that is not the “super-food” that it’s promoted to be and to be careful with it. Like coffee, the first time someone drinks it, they may not even like the taste. But there is a drug in it that makes us want more and more. A un-educated person about health would think this is the body saying we need it because the body is craving it. Well, there are many street drugs that people crave, it doesn’t mean their body needs it. If you consume chocolate, you can enjoy it sometimes and be fine, but if you have gotten in the habit where you feel you need it everyday, being convinced emotionally, physically and mentally that it is the best food for your life and you can’t go a day without it, try to give it up for a week, and see if you experience withdrawal symptoms. That will reveal that there is an issue. These are the people this article is written for.

I have many friends that safely use and promote raw chocolate using and knowing it comes with a warning to be cautious of possible overdosing effects. I speak at stores that promote chocolate and have friends who sell it. I do not want to harm or lessen their business. I will not come to your business and speak hours about the harmful effects. In fact, unless someone asks, I usually don’t even bring it up.

So, for those of you out there who like my message, but you are worried about me coming to speak at your place of business because I do not agree with your views about cacao or some other items you may promote. Understand I respect every person who welcomes me to come and speak, and unless we agree on doing a lecture on the topic, I will not come in your place of business and disrespect you and what you sell. I say this because sometimes I get a call from someone saying “we would like you to speak here, but because you say this or that, it may not be the best place for you.” This is nonsense. No people agree 100%.

Recently, I spoke at a potluck of one of the biggest promoters of raw chocolate. While setting up the event he told me his concerns, but was very open to having me speak because he liked my message. In all fairness to him, he asked me if the topic came up, to just tell everyone what I knew about chocolate if I wanted to, but to let people know the truth that I have personally never tried the raw chocolate he promotes. (there are different companies that promote cacao, each one claiming they know there are issues with the raw chocolate that other companies promote, but theirs is the best and safe) I was willing and fine to let people know that, but just like most of my lectures, the topic never came up. I am invited to speak at many places to promote chocolate, and after my lecture I am invited back many times. My mission is to teach everyone about health, have an open mind and get a long with everyone.

Bottom line is to educate yourself about any food you put in your body. Don’t believe someone because they call it a super food. As for chocolate, if you enjoy it, I suggest try making a few recipes with carob. If for some reason you do not like the taste as much, then go and enjoy your chocolate, but only once in a while. Not everyday. It is a natural food that grows in nature and is not going to kill someone if they enjoy a small amount once a week or so. But PLEASE don’t be misled to believe it is the best food ever. Because it is not, a better title would be the most addicting food ever.

YHWH Bless you all

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Avoid Raw Food Poisons

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Alexi Bracey| Leave a comment

 

Avoiding RAW Food poisoning

As the consumption of raw foods gains popularity, some unsafe foods have re-entered the diets of humans. The following should be consumed with caution:

  • Buckwheat greens are toxic when raw, particularly if juiced or eaten in large quantities by fair skinned individuals. The chemical component fagopyrin is known to cause severe photosensitivity and other dermatological complaints.[34]
  • Kidney beans, including sprouts, are toxic when raw, due to the chemical phytohaemagglutinin.[35]
  • Alfalfa sprouts contain the toxin canavanine.
  • Some types of raw cassava or cassava flour can be toxic.
  • Raw eggs contain avidin, a vitamin B7 or biotin inhibitor, which can cause “egg white injury”. As many as 24 egg whites would have to be eaten to inactivate biotin. Avidin is denatured by heat .[36][37] A veterinary source claims that feeding reptiles fertilized eggs will reduce the incidence of “biotin injury” caused by feeding them raw egg whites.[38]

 

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Iodine Deficiency

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alexi Bracey| Leave a comment

Some 11 million Americans have either a hypothyroid (low, underactive) or a hyperthyroid (overactive) condition. Thyroid hormones control and regulate digestion, heart rate, body temperature, sweat gland activity, nervous and reproductive system, general metabolism and body weight.

Just because you don’t have a goiter does not mean that you have enough iodine. Deficiency has been recently associated with breast and prostate cancer. Iodine in combination with the amino acid tyrosine is manufactured into the thyroid hormone thyroxin. Iodine intake is usually insufficient, and since Americans have begun restricting their salt intake at the advice of their physicians, deficiency has become epidemic.

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