February 28 - HFCS & Obesity

I was looking through many articles relating high fructose corn syrup and obesity. This was one of the most simple and to the point articles I found. Some things are just plain and simple!

First some background. HFCS first came about in teh late 1950's when a couple of scientists developed an enzyme called glucose isomerase that had a unique property; it had the ability to convert the glucose in corn syrup into fructose. (HFCS today contains approximately 55% fructose and 42% glucose; sucrose, or table sugar, contains approximately equal amounts of fructose and glucose).

Moreover, the fructose in HFCS is unbound and “ready for action,” while the fructose in sucrose is chemically bound to glucose molecules. In its latter form, fructose must first be split off from glucose before it can be utilized by the body. In a sense, the fructose in HFCS is on a “fast track” for absorption and use.

The Princeton researchers took two groups of laboratory rats; the first group was given water sweetened with HFCS while the water given to the second group was sweetened with sucrose. The concentration of HFCS was approximately 50% of what is typically found in commercial soft drinks, while the concentration of sucrose was equal to a typical can of soda pop. Both groups were fed the same number of calories overall. They found that the rats that were fed HFCS gained significantly more weight compared to their cohorts.

In a second experiment, the Princeton group looked at possible long-term effects of HFCS. They found that after 6 months, rats that were fed HFCS showed not only weight gain, but also elevated serum triglycerides and increased abdominal fat deposition. This is reminiscent of something called metabolic syndrome, which in humans increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.

In addition, the male rats gained a huge amount of weight; after 6 months, they were 48% heavier than their non-HFCS fed counterparts.

Enough said!

February 27 - How Much High Fructose Corn Syrup Are You Consuming Daily?

So I wanted to post a list of all the foods that contain HFCS. Well to my surprise there was really no list anywhere on the internet. Then I came across an article written by a woman who was searching for the same list and couldn't find it - so she created her own.

Needless to say the list is LONG! I'm not even going to attempt to take up the space to list it here. But please visit this website to look at the list. Make a note of what on the list lives in your cupboards.

Click here for list

Now go clean out your cupboards!!

February 26 - High Fructose Corn Syrup = Mercury

Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.

HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average.

"Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered.

Look at the ingredients of the food you are buying. If it contains HFCS just say no!

February 25 - Benefits of Oregano? I Was Surprised Too

Oregano is known to have strong antibacterial properties, perhaps as a result of the volatile oils the herb contains. Some of these powerful volatile oils include thymol and carvacrol. Both of these substances have been shown to inhibit the growth of many kinds of bacteria, including some that cause serious food borne illnesses.

Mexican researchers have even studied oregano as a treatment for the common bacteria disease known as giardia. This common amoeba is common throughout the world, and it can cause serious illness in those afflicted. In one study, oregano proved to be more effective at treating giardia than the commonly prescribed drug tinidazol.

The health effects of oregano do not stop with its antibacterial properties, however. Oregano is also a powerful source of many antioxidant vitamins. Antioxidant vitamins are thought to play a vital role in the prevention of many forms of cancer, as well as perhaps slowing down the aging process.

Oregano has been shown to have over 42 times the antioxidant activity as apples, 30 times higher than potatoes and 12 times more than oranges. As a matter of fact, ounce for ounce oregano is thought to be one of the most antioxidant dense of all foods.

Who knew? Pass the oregano please!

February 24 - Avocado = Superfood!

Avocado is more than just a tasty treat to be enjoyed in guacamole--it makes a hearty satisfying meal when eaten alone, in salads, and in other dishes. Most people who transition from a standard American diet to a vegan diet with avocado, nuts and seeds don’t miss the animal foods because raw vegan plant fat is so satisfying as well as more nutritious than cooked fatty animal foods!

If your goal is to reduce your consumption or transition completely off of meat and dairy, avocado may be the perfect way to satisfy your natural cravings for creamy nourishment.

February 23 - High Blood Pressure - The Answer Could Be Celery

So even living a healthy lifestyle sometimes our bodies are prone to problems arising. One of the issues Joe (my husband) has been battling on and off is high blood pressure. Of course meds are the last resort in our lifestyle so we have been visiting some natural remedies. And amazingly in the few days he has been juicing celery daily his blood pressure has dropped dramatically. Each morning he juices two bunches of celery, adding an apple for taste and it has kept his blood pressure down. It is the only thing he has changed so it must be what has made the difference.


Here are some other health benefits of celery:

Acidity: The important minerals in this magical juice effectively balance the body's blood pH, neutralizing acidity.

Athletes: Celery juice acts as the perfect post-workout tonic as it replaces lost electrolytes and rehydrates the body with its rich minerals.

Cancer: Celery is known to contain at least eight families of anti-cancer compounds. Among them are the acetylenics that have been shown to stop the growth of tumor cells. Phenolic acids which block the action of prostaglandins that encourage the growth of tumor cells. And coumarins which help prevent free radicals from damaging cells.

Cholesterol: This humble pale juice has been shown to effectively and significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Colon and stomach cancer: The phytochemical coumarins prevent the formation and development of the colon and stomach cancers.

Constipation: The natural laxative effect of celery helps to relieve constipation. It also helps relax nerves that have been overworked by man-made laxatives.

Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of celery juice two or three times a day, between meals. It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature.

Diuretic: The potassium and sodium in celery juice helps to regulate body fluid and stimulate urine production, making it an important help to rid the body of excess fluid.

Inflammation: The polyacetylene in celery is an amazing relief for all inflammation like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, asthma and bronchitis.

Kidney function: Celery promotes healthy and normal kidney function by aiding elimination of toxins from the body. While eliminating toxins, it also prevents formation of kidney stones.

Lower blood pressure: Drinking celery juice every day for a week significantly helps lower blood pressure. A compound called phtalides help relax the muscle around arteries, dilating the vessels and allowing blood to flow normally. To be effective, drink the juice for one week, stop for three weeks, and start over.

Nervous system: The organic alkaline minerals in celery juice has a calming effect on the nervous system, making it a wonderful drink for insomniacs.

Weight loss: Drink celery juice frequently throughout the day. It helps curb your cravings for sweets and rich food.

Urinary stones, breaking of: The diuretic effect of celery juice also aids the breaking and elimination of urinary and gall bladder stones.

You can expect many more healing benefits from celery juice as you consume its natural sodium.

So grab a stalk and enjoy!

February 22 - An Apple a Day!

The old saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" has a lot of merit. Here are some benefits of this delicious fruit.

Bone Protection
French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.

Asthma Help
One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples.

Alzheimer's Prevention
A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer's disease.

Lower Cholesterol
The pectin in apples lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.

Lung Cancer Prevention
According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples.

Breast Cancer Prevention
A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.

Colon Cancer Prevention
One study found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Liver Cancer Prevention
Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer.

Diabetes Management
The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body's need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.

Weight Loss
A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.