August 3rd, 2009 cate
From American Most Trusted Pharmacist:
“…Artificial sweeteners like saccharin (Sweet’N Low), sucralose (Splenda) or aspartame (NutraSweet) are lab-created chemicals that are food-additives; they should not be considered “food.”
Some experts think that artificial sweeteners belong to a class of harmful chemicals called “excitotoxins” which can make brain cells fire like crazy, damaging or killing them. They can cause free radical damage in nerve cells. I wonder – if in time- we will find a connection between people who use excessive amounts of the pretty packets with those who experience conditions stemming from their head, for example, depression, panic attacks, seizures, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease and even manic depression.
I am particularly annoyed that many diabetes educators promote artificial sweeteners to people with diabetes, Why? Because some preliminary studies point to their detrimental effect on blood sugar and pancreatic function. Even more disturbing, a Duke University study has concluded these compounds may actually contribute to obesity, not weight loss!
The artificial sweetener story gets confusing because a few studies insist that human consumption is safe. So here is some research which explains why I shy away from non-natural sweeteners:
–A 2008 study published in Preventative Medicine concluded that, “Regular use of artificial sweeteners for 10 years or more was positively associated with urinary tract tumors.”
–In January 2009, the trial began for McNeil-PPC, Inc. versus the sugar industry. Makers of Splenda have to defend themselves against claims that they used false advertising or deceptive marketing campaigns in order to convince Americans that Splenda is natural and safe because it comes from sugar. (It may start out that way, but the end product does not occur in nature, hence the trouble.)
–A 2008 Duke University study published in The Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health concluded that sucralose contributes to obesity, destroys your healthy camp of intestinal bacteria and may interfere with absorption of prescription drugs.
–A study by researchers at the University of Florida found that aspartame may increase the frequency of migraines by up to 50 percent.
–At higher temperatures, a compound in aspartame converts to formaldehyde and then to another chemical which could spark neurological symptoms that could be mistaken for multiple sclerosis. “
Source
Posted in articles, dangerous / warnings, diet, health, news, you should know | No Comments »
August 1st, 2009 cate
You probably already know this but I thought I’d post this list of the 10 Unhealthiest Restaurants in America. Sadly, I’m sure this is just the tip of the iceberg…
1. Denny’s
2. Chili’s
3. Baskin-Robbins
4. Carl’s Jr.
5. Continue Reading
Posted in articles, dangerous / warnings, diet, health, news, setting goals | 1 Comment »
July 29th, 2009 cate
From treehugger:
“The final implementation earlier this month of Turkey’s ban on smoking was hailed as a huge victory for public health. On billboards all around Istanbul, smiley-faced bubbles floated across clear blue skies alongside messages such as “Hello to a smoke-free Turkey.” But one environmental engineer says it will take more than banning cigarettes in enclosed spaces to truly clear the air.
While some have portrayed the ban as part of a broader anti-vice campaign by the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, Eylem Tuncaelli sees it more as a way for political leaders to avoid dealing with the country’s real air-pollution problems.
Industrial pollution causes cancer too
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to speak of smoke-free air space in Turkey,” Tuncaelli, the president of the Istanbul branch of the Environmental Engineers’ Chamber (ÇMO), told the media-advocacy group Bianet. “People are facing the risk of cancer even without being exposed to cigarette smoke.”
In Dilovası, an industrial city in the Marmara region, levels of air-borne toxins are 30 times higher than European Union standards, Tuncaelli said, adding that 32 percent of deaths in the area in recent years have been attributed to cancer.
300,000 tons of sulfur oxide
In the southwest city of Yatağan, a coal-fired power plant has spewed more than 300,000 tons of sulfur dioxide into the air since it opened in 1982. Environmentalists have called for the facility to be shut down.
Tuncaelli says environmental laws are often not enforced, allowing factories to get away with not controlling or filtering their emissions. Adds the engineer: “If the ’smoke-free air space’ slogan is meant to be supported, it is much more important to reduce air pollution caused by the industry before banning cigarettes.” Via: “Smoke-free Air Space? What About Dilovası and Yatağan?”
source
Posted in articles, dangerous / warnings, health, news | No Comments »
July 22nd, 2009 cate
From eatdrinkbetter:
“If you’re a Whole Foods shopper who occasionally peruses the market’s free pamphlets and brochures, you might know a thing or two about the dangers of irradiated food–at least, that’s where I learned about it. We hear a lot of talk about harmful ingredients: dyes, preservatives, trans fats, and HFCS, for instance, but little is mentioned about this equally harmful process that can alter the molecular composition of the food you eat, damaging valuable vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, all in the name of making said food safer.
During irradiation, food is exposed to ionizing radiation in an effort to destroy microorganisms, viruses, bacteria, or insects that could be dangerous if consumed by people. In addition to sanitizing our food, irradiation can also be used to prevent sprouting, delay ripening, or increase juice yield–in other words, messing with a fruit or vegetable’s natural life process or progression. How exactly does irradiation achieve all these things? By damaging the DNA of the food in question, basically stunting any growth.
Considering how much time and effort is spent attempting to halt or reverse DNA damage to our own cells, then, it’s ironic that … ”
Continue reading
Posted in articles, body, business, dangerous / warnings, diet, health, news, you should know | No Comments »
July 16th, 2009 cate
From lowcarbdietsecret:
1. Water. Filling up with water can suppress hunger and the more water you drink, the less you retain. I’m not recommending eight 8-ounce servings, I’m talking about a gallon a day! Drink that water!
2. Green Tea. You can drink it hot or iced, flavored or unflavored, caffeinated or decaffeinated. You can get little packets to add to your water bottle or you can get it in capsule form. No matter how you take it, green tea works! Green tea helps your body use more fat for energy. It isn’t a miracle drug, but a little weight loss along with the anti-cancer and heart disease prevention properties of green tea sure can do wonders for a person’s health!
3. Soup. This is a no-brainer. Eight ounces of soup vs. eight ounces of lasagna. Both will fill you up but that soup is guaranteed to have far fewer calories than the lasagna. Whether you start your meal with two glasses of water or a bowl of soup, you get the same result. You’ll feel full quickly and take in a whole lot fewer calories.
4. Grapefruit. Grapefruit has been shown to reduce insulin levels. If you are one of the many in the world today who are insulin resistant and your body is overloaded with insulin, try having half a grapefruit before each meal (halving a grapefruit!). As with green tea, you may not notice a miracle but the combination of the grapefruit and a healthy, low fat, lower calorie diet just might net some results.
5. Apples. Apples have plenty of fiber and that is just plain good for you. Nobody has proven why but the scent of apples has been said to have an appetite suppressing quality.
6. Broccoli. Broccoli is loaded with fiber and bodybuilders love it for its estrogen fighting properties. Estrogen, while being a very important hormone can just be a drag if we have too much of it. Estrogen helps us store fat for the next baby.
7. Low-Fat Yogurt. A low calorie diet with low fat dairy included seems to produce more weight loss than a low calorie diet without dairy. If you can’t have ice cream when you’re dieting, why not allow yourself some low fat yogurt as a treat?
8. Low-Fat Protein. Chicken breasts, turkey breasts, and lean cuts of beef and pork not only satisfy hunger but they can be readily used by your body to create more muscle or maintain the muscle you have. Muscle is a good thing in that it requires more calories per hour to maintain than fat (it burns fat) and it makes us look slimmer.
9. Oatmeal. Got fiber? Oatmeal will fill you up, stick to your ribs and give you body a much needed dose of fiber. Just stay away from the flavored instant oatmeal that is usually loaded with sugar. Buy the tub of Quaker Oats (it is much cheaper than packaged instant oatmeal) and try adding a fresh, chopped apple, some cinnamon and a bit of Splenda to it.
10. Jalapeno Peppers. Capsaicin is a chemical found in Jalapeno and cayenne peppers that causes the human body to release stress hormones and thereby boost metabolism. If a food makes you sweat, it is burning calories.
Incorporate any of these items into your daily nutrition plan and you’ll likely notice a difference in your weight loss efforts. After all, every little bit helps!
source
Posted in body, diet, general, health | No Comments »