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Posted by: | Posted on: October 2, 2024

Natural strategies to prevent NAFLD and support liver health

Reproduced from original article:
https://www.naturalhealth365.com/natural-strategies-to-prevent-nafld-and-support-liver-health.html

by: | September 23, 2024

(NaturalHealth365)  With rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes continuing to soar, liver disease has been largely ignored by the mainstream media.

And the problem is widespread.  In fact, experts say that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently affects around 30 percent of the global population.  It’s shocking, to say the least.

Unfortunately, because symptoms of liver disease – in the early stages – can be so mild or unnoticeable, many people don’t even realize they have it.  But this ‘silent’ disease can have deadly consequences.

Keep in mind, about 25 percent of the time, NAFLD progresses to a more serious condition known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH – which can cause liver scarring, liver failure, and even liver cancer.

How to prevent HUGE health problems: Avoid liver disease naturally

As you continue to read here, we’ll reveal how proper nutrition can help you to avoid liver disease.  But first, we must understand the scope of the issue.

The liver neutralizes and eliminates toxins and waste products – such as ammonia – that would otherwise accumulate in the blood.  In addition, it produces the bile needed to digest fat, stores essential vitamins and minerals, and breaks down and detoxifies alcohol, medications, and environmental toxins.

However, liver function can be compromised by NAFLD, which is defined as a condition in which fat constitutes more than 5 percent of the liver.  As the name suggests, NAFLD can occur in people who consume few or no alcoholic beverages.

Excessive consumption of processed sugars and conventionally raised fatty foods will increase your risk of liver disease – along with being overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle.

In addition, the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications can contribute to NAFLD.

Warning: NAFLD can progress to steatohepatitis

NAFLD can be considered a warning light on a car’s dashboard – or, even more accurately – a yellow traffic light that signals the need for caution.  If not arrested, NAFLD can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH – defined as fat comprising 10 percent of the liver.

Symptoms of NASH can include fatigue, dark urine, weight loss, lack of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), and pain in the center or right upper part of the belly.

Although NAFLD is becoming increasingly common, the good news is that liver cells have an amazing ability to regenerate.  NAFLD can be prevented, treated – and even reversed – with simple lifestyle changes and nutritional protocols.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most effective supplements and nutrients to support liver health.  As always, check first with your holistic doctor before trying them.

Silymarin in milk thistle helps restore liver cells

When it comes to herbal interventions for liver disease, milk thistle just might be the all-time MVP.

Its active principle, silymarin, has been shown to detoxify the liver, reduce oxidative damage caused by free radicals, decrease liver inflammation, regulate the metabolism of fats, and help clear the blood of toxins.

Silymarin has even been shown to be effective in reducing the growth of liver cancer cells and has helped prolong survival rates in clinical studies of patients with liver cancer.

In addition, silymarin improves insulin resistance – thereby combating diabetes, another threat to liver health.  Because it can rebuild liver cells, silymarin can reverse the damage from alcohol consumption, pesticides, and heavy metals.

Look for non-GMO milk thistle products standardized to contain 70 to 80 percent silymarin.  Holistic healthcare providers usually recommend between 280 mg and 450 mg a day for liver support.

Curcumin in turmeric combats NAFLD

Turmeric, a liver support mainstay in the Ayurvedic healing system and traditional Chinese medicine, is a common kitchen spice that lends a tangy flavor and distinctive yellow coloration to curry dishes and mustards.  It owes its therapeutic value to the presence of curcumin, an antioxidant flavonoid.

Randomized clinical trials have supported the ability of curcumin to reduce liver fat, cut inflammation, support healthy bile production, and promote detoxification.

Although it’s almost impossible to consume enough turmeric for therapeutic effects, no worries – curcumin is available as a supplement.  The ‘standard’ recommended amount is around 450 mg to 1,000 mg daily for liver support.

Glutathione: The body’s ‘master’ antioxidant is crucial for liver health

Glutathione is found in every cell, but is particularly concentrated in the liver – where it is essential to detoxification.  But – as is the case with so many precious, life-sustaining compounds – levels drop with normal aging (and with chronic disease).

However, most experts say the best way to boost glutathione levels is not through supplements but through eating optimal amounts of foods rich in glutathione’s three “building blocks” – the amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid.

Organic, cage-free eggs, garlic, and non-denatured whey protein are particularly valuable for boosting glutathione levels, as are cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts.  Other good sources are asparagus, spinach, avocado, squash, and green tea.

N-acetyl cysteine renews glutathione

N-acetyl cysteine, or NAC, is a supplementary form of cysteine.  It is so essential to liver function that medical professionals rely on it in hospital settings to treat life-threatening acetaminophen overdoses.

NAC’s high success rate is because this amino acid restores and replenishes levels of glutathione that toxins have depleted.  Clinical studies have also shown that NAC can substantially improve liver function in patients with NAFLD.

The usual amount for treating NAFLD is 500 mg to 1,000 mg daily.

Vitamin C can help you to avoid fat buildup around the liver

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant and immune system booster.

This essential vitamin protects against oxidative damage to the liver – and can help reduce accumulated fat.  According to one study, amounts as low as 500 mg of vitamin C a day can help prevent fatty buildup – while amounts of 5,000 mg per day help to actively flush out fats.

A holistic physician might suggest an amount of 1,500 mg a day for liver support.  As a side note, vitamin C pioneer Dr. Linus Pauling typically advised somewhat higher dosages, in the area of 2,500 mg to 10,000 mg daily.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) enhances the effects of glutathione

This vitamin-like compound is water-soluble, meaning that it can easily penetrate cell membranes for therapeutic effect.  A potent antioxidant, ALA works hand-in-glove with glutathione to neutralize and eliminate toxic heavy metals and scavenge harmful free radicals.

Studies have shown that ALA can decrease the scarring associated with liver injury.  A typical amount for liver support is 100 to 300 mg a day.

Show your liver some love with an organic diet

Eating foods high in beta-carotene, such as sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots, is a wise move to avoid liver disease.  The body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A, indispensable for flushing out toxins and reducing fat in the liver.

Potassium-rich foods, such as bananas and beet greens, are also beneficial to the liver.

Don’t forget: Opt for certified organic foods as much as possible for best results.  These can help to greatly lower your toxic burden – thereby reducing stress and strain on the liver.

And, finally, sharply reducing or eliminating alcohol, refined sugars, fried or fatty foods, processed foods or fast (junk) foods is an excellent way to ‘love your liver.’

Editor’s note: Discover the best ways to avoid fatty liver disease from top experts, own the Fatty Liver Docu-Class created by NaturalHealth365 Programs.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov

Posted in Fat, Glutathione, Liver, Organic, Sugar, Supplements, Vitamins | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: January 3, 2024

Glyphosate induces oxidative stress, a key characteristic of carcinogens

Reproduced from original article:
https://www.naturalhealth365.com/glyphosate-induces-oxidative-stress-a-key-characteristic-of-carcinogens.html

by:  | December 29, 2023

cancerous-cells(NaturalHealth365)  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently found traces of a cancerous substance known as glyphosate in common foods, including granola and crackers.  Why is this such a big deal?

Just consider this statement from Dr. Stephanie Seneff and Dr. Anthony Samsel – which speaks volumes about the danger of this toxin:

“Glyphosate has a large number of tumorigenic [cancer-causing] effects on biological systems, including direct damage to DNA in sensitive cells, disruption of glycine homeostasis, succinate dehydrogenase inhibition, chelation of [minerals such as] manganese, modification to more carcinogenic molecules, such as N-Nitrosoglyphosate and glyoxylate, disruption of fructose metabolism, etc …” (the bold is our emphasis)

And, for those a bit more skeptical about the often underreported threat of this herbicide ingredient, check out this article by the Guardian revealing findings that the FDA prefers to keep under the radar.  These reports are a constant reminder of how environmental toxins are ‘quietly’ destroying millions of lives – without informed consent.

The research EXPOSED: Glyphosate induces oxidative stress, causes hormonal imbalances and cancerous tumors

Recent research on genetically modified foods showed that products like Roundup (loaded with glyphosate) cause hormonal imbalances by interfering with testosterone and estrogen – the two hormones required for a healthy reproductive system.

To add insult to injury, glyphosate also causes kidney and liver damage.  Remember that these two organs play a significant role in hormone metabolism, removing metabolic waste material, and regulating blood pressure.

The point is obvious: If you want your organs to function correctly – don’t consume glyphosate, which contaminates many of the most popular (processed) foods on the market today.

Underreported NEWS about how to avoid glyphosate

The best way to minimize exposure to toxic chemicals like glyphosate is to change your diet – one step at a time. Here’s an excellent place to start:

  • Eat organic, locally-grown food – as often as possible

Going organic helps in avoiding toxins that are used in conventional farming.  To state the obvious, organic foods are grown without chemicals, and thus, consumers aren’t exposed to as many health risks.

Go to farmers’ markets, visit your local health food store, and, if possible, grow your own food or directly visit an organic farmer near you. It’s a great way to get to know the source of your food and make some great friends.

  • Increase your intake of healthy fats

Glyphosate is an infamous culprit for wreaking havoc in the digestive system.  A low-carbohydrate, high-fat, low-sugar diet keeps your gut in good condition, and it would be wise to learn more about restoring gut health using diet.

  • Consume activated charcoal

The use of charcoal for detox purposes goes way back in time, and the trend does not seem to end anytime soon.  Activated charcoal is highly adsorbent thanks to the minute pores that bind and eradicate unwanted elements after consuming suspect drinks and/or food.

Check with your holistic healthcare provider about the best ways to detoxify the body.  And, just as a side note, you should know that activated charcoal is not ‘regular charcoal’ used in a barbecue grill.  Never consume (barbecue) charcoal – it’s loaded with toxic chemicals.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
TheGuardian.com
Natural-Fertility-Info.com
TheLancet.com
ScienceDirect.com

Posted in Cancer, Food, Glyphosate, Organic, Supplements | One Comment »

Posted by: | Posted on: December 14, 2023

Two Newcomers to EWG’s Dirty Dozen List of Fruits and Vegetables


Reproduced from original article:

The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     December 13, 2023

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Fresh produce, whether organic or conventionally grown, is one of the healthiest food choices you can make. Organic produce gains an edge, however, because it tends to be more nutritious, tastes better and, importantly, does not contain pesticide residues like conventional produce does
  • An investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published in 2020 concluded that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, in most cases, failed to take children into account when setting allowable limits for pesticides. As a result, children who eat conventional produce may be exposed to unsafe levels of these chemicals
  • If your budget prevents you from buying organic food 100% of the time — or there’s not an adequate selection in your area — it’s useful to know which conventional foods are the most contaminated and therefore the most important to buy organic
  • Since 2004, the EWG has released “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists for produce, based on testing data from the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. In 2023, strawberries, spinach, kale, collard, mustard greens, peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, grapes, bell and hot peppers, cherries, blueberries and green beans had the highest levels of pesticides
  • Blueberries and green beans are new additions to the Dirty Dozen list. Nearly 80% blueberry samples contained two or more pesticides, including malathion, which has toxic effects on the human nervous system and is classified as a probable human carcinogen

Fresh produce, whether organic or conventionally grown, is one of the healthiest food choices you can make. Organic produce gains an edge, however, because it tends to be more nutritious, tastes better and, importantly, does not contain pesticide residues like conventional produce does.

In fact, the No. 1 reason people go organic is to avoid pesticides and other chemicals, and 40% of Americans consume organic food either all of the time or occasionally.1

If your budget prevents you from buying organic food 100% of the time — or there’s not an adequate selection in your area — it’s useful to know which conventional foods are the most contaminated and therefore the most important to buy organic.

Since 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released a “Dirty Dozen” list for produce, based on testing data from the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. These are the foods most heavily contaminated with pesticides. They also release a “Clean 15” list of the produce with the least amount of pesticides.

Many Toxins Remain in Produce After Washing and Peeling

The USDA and FDA use slightly different techniques when testing produce for contaminants. The USDA peels or scrubs and washes produce before testing, whereas the FDA only removes surface dirt.2

The fact that washed and/or peeled produce still test positive for pesticides is telling, to say the least. This means you simply cannot avoid these toxic chemicals by being diligent about rinsing and peeling your fruits and vegetables. The only way to avoid them, really, is to buy organic produce, as organic standards forbid the use of most synthetic and manmade pesticides.3

EPA’s ‘Allowable Levels’ May Be Unsafe for Children

As for why you want to avoid both pesticides and herbicides, there’s ample evidence showing that agricultural chemicals can have adverse health effects — especially in children — and that these negative impacts may even cancel out some of the health benefits you’d normally expect from fresh fruit and vegetables.

What’s more, an investigation4 by the EWG published in 2020 concluded that the EPA has, in most cases, failed to take children into account when setting allowable limits for pesticides. As a result, children who eat conventional produce may be exposed to unsafe levels of these chemicals. As reported by the EWG:5

“Research from Harvard University shows that consuming fruits and vegetables with high levels of pesticide residues may lessen the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, including protection against cardiovascular disease6 and mortality.7

A recent EWG investigation8 published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health9 found that the EPA has failed to adequately protect children from pesticides.

For almost 90% of the most common pesticides, the agency has neglected to apply the Food Quality Protection Act–mandated children’s health safety factor to the allowable limits.

The threats pesticides pose to children’s health have been known since at least 1993 — 30 years ago — when the National Academies of Science published a landmark study10 warning of inadequate oversight.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends11 parents concerned about their children’s exposure to pesticides consult EWG’s Shopper’s Guide.

Choosing organic fruits and vegetables can almost immediately reduce the amounts of residues in a person’s body, because the harmful chemicals used on non-organic, or conventional, produce are no longer a factor.”

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Dirty Dozen 2023

The 2023 shopper’s guide12 includes data from 46,569 samples of 46 fruits and vegetables, revealing the presence of 251 different pesticides in total, including some that have already been banned due to their potential health effects. In all, nearly 75% of nonorganic fresh produce sold in the U.S. contain residues of one or more potentially harmful pesticides.

A total of 210 different pesticides were detected on the fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list, and of those, more than 50 were found on every crop on the list with the exception of cherries.

At least one sample of every type of produce on the Dirty Dozen list had 13 or more pesticides. Kale, collard, mustard greens, bell peppers and hot peppers all had detectable levels of 101 to 103 different pesticides.

Strawberries have remained in the No. 1 slot for several years, and that hasn’t changed. They’re still the most heavily contaminated produce out there. Newcomers on the Dirty Dozen list for 2023 are blueberries and green beans, now ranked as No. 11 and No. 12, respectively.

Here’s the full Dirty Dozen list, in order of most contaminated to least contaminated:13

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard and mustard greens
  4. Peaches
  5. Pears
  6. Nectarines
  7. Apples
  8. Grapes
  9. Bell peppers and hot peppers
  10. Cherries
  11. Blueberries
  12. Green beans

80% of Blueberries Are Contaminated

This year, nearly 80% blueberry samples, which have not made the Dirty Dozen list before, were found to contain two or more pesticides, with traces of as many as 17 additional ones. The two most prevalent pesticides were phosmet (found on 10% of samples) and malathion (found on 9%).14

Phosmet and malathion are organophosphates, a class of pesticides known to have toxic effects on the human nervous system. Prenatal exposure has been linked to delayed brain development, reduced IQ, and attention deficits.15,16

Symptoms of exposure include weakness, headache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Long-term exposure has been linked to neurological effects, such as confusion, disorientation, anxiety, memory loss, depression and personality changes.17

Malathion was also classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2015. As reported by the IARC:18

“The herbicide glyphosate and the insecticides malathion and diazinon were classified as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A) … Group 2A means that the agent is probably carcinogenic to humans. This category is used when there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals.

Limited evidence means that a positive association has been observed between exposure to the agent and cancer but that other explanations for the observations (called chance, bias, or confounding) could not be ruled out. This category is also used when there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and strong data on how the agent causes cancer …

For the insecticide malathion, there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and prostate cancer. The evidence in humans is from studies of exposures, mostly agricultural, in the USA, Canada, and Sweden published since 2001. Malathion also caused tumors in rodent studies. Malathion caused DNA and chromosomal damage and also disrupted hormone pathways.”

Some Green Beans Contain Banned Pesticide

In the case of green beans, more than 70% of samples were found to contain at least two pesticides. Overall, a total of 84 different pesticides were detected.19 Six percent contained acephate, an organophosphate pesticide banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the use on green beans, specifically, in 2012.20 Some green bean samples also had traces of pesticides that have been banned in the European Union.

The Clean 15

The 15 fruits and vegetables with the lowest amounts of pesticide residues, making them the safest non-organics options, are:21

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Pineapple
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya
  6. Sweet peas (frozen)
  7. Asparagus
  8. Honeydew melon
  9. Kiwi
  10. Cabbage
  11. Mushrooms
  12. Mangoes
  13. Sweet potatoes
  14. Watermelon
  15. Carrots

Of these, nearly 65% of samples had no detectable pesticide residues at all, which is good news. Of the top two, avocados and sweet corn, less than 2% of samples had any detectable residues. Only 10% of the 15 items on this list had residues of two or more pesticides, and none of the samples of the first six items on the list had more than three pesticides.

Organics Are Typically More Nutritious Too

Aside from avoiding toxic exposures, another reason to opt for organic whenever possible is that organic produce tend to have higher nutrient content than conventional varieties.

One reason for this is because nutrient content is largely dictated by the health of the soils in which it is grown. Synthetic pesticides and herbicides destroy soil microbes and conventional monocultures result in the depletion of soil minerals, while organic foods are typically grown in regenerative agricultural systems that build soil and are replete with micronutrients and healthy microbes.

As a result, organic foods tend to contain more vitamins and minerals than their conventional counterparts.

Studies that have documented noticeable differences in the nutritional composition of organic versus conventional produce include a multi-year study by the Organic Center. Reports of their findings were published in 200822 and 2012.23 As noted in their 2012 report:24

“In the Center’s 2008 report, New Evidence Confirms the Nutritional Superiority of Plant- Based Organic Foods, we presented research demonstrating that organically grown crops, including grains, have on average higher nutrient contents than those grown conventionally.

Many variables influence nutrient content, often making it difficult to determine the impact of farming systems on nutrient levels. Thus there are conflicting results about this issue … Matched-pair studies are the best way to control for these variables and to isolate their influences on nutrient content.

For the 2008 report, The Organic Center developed a rigorous methodology to screen research studies comparing the nutrient content of organic and conventional crops. We identified 191 matched-pair studies that met our criteria designed to limit the influence of extraneous environmental and genetic factors on nutrients. These criteria required studies to use the same plant varieties in the same location during the same year.

Out of these matched pairs, 62% of the organic samples, including fruits, vegetables and a few grains, had higher nutrient levels. Conventional systems had higher nutrient levels in 36% of the matched pairs. The average serving of organic plant-based food contained about 25% more of the nutrients encompassed in this study than a comparable-sized serving of the same food produced by conventional farming methods.

Whereas most of the research conducted five or ten years ago focused on fruits and vegetables, there is now more research on organic grains … These studies support the superiority of organic grains regarding some nutrients, especially antioxidants.

The differences between organic and conventional grains tend to be less than those found in fruits and vegetables. But overall, there is agreement that consistent differences do exist, especially in antioxidant levels.

This trend makes sense in light of the effects of conventional high-yield farming methods … Without chemical fertilizers and other inputs, grains grown organically are able to produce healthy roots and develop a more robust array of phytochemicals and micronutrients … The organic crops were significantly higher in copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc and phosphorus. Only calcium was higher in conventionally grown grain.”

Other Studies Showing Organics Are More Nutritious

Similarly, a 2014 meta-analysis25 of 343 peer-reviewed publications concluded there are “statistically significant and meaningful differences in composition between organic and non-organic crops/crop-based foods,” adding:

“Most importantly, the concentrations of a range of antioxidants such as polyphenolics were found to be substantially higher in organic crops/crop-based foods, with those of phenolic acids, flavanones, stilbenes, flavones, flavonols and anthocyanins being an estimated 19%, 69%, 28%, 26%, 50% and 51% higher, respectively.

Many of these compounds have previously been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including CVD [cardiovascular disease] and neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers, in dietary intervention and epidemiological studies.”

They also found that organic foods contain significantly lower levels of the toxic metal cadmium, compared to conventional crops, which is another benefit.

Other studies showing organic foods have higher nutrient levels than their conventional counterparts include a 2010 study,26 partially funded by the USDA, which found organic strawberries to be more nutrient-rich than non-organic strawberries, and a behavioral study27 conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which found children with higher levels of organophosphate pesticides in their systems had a higher risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The Best Long-Term Solution

Opting for conventional produce that is low in pesticides is a simple way to stretch your food budget, so be sure to bookmark or print out the EWGs Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists for easy reference. The EWG also has a Healthy Living app that you can download. The app provides ratings for more than 120,000 food and personal care products.

Another way to optimize your nutrition and avoid toxic chemicals is to buy produce from a local farmer who might not have organic certification but still uses few or no pesticides in their operation. Alternatively, start growing some of your own food.

Unfortunately, growing a wide variety of fruits, berries and vegetables can be difficult for many. Climate will dictate what can be grown and when, and it typically takes some practice before you can start producing enough for your family’s needs. Few have the “green thumbs” most of our forefathers had. That said, it’s certainly worth the effort to learn.

One of the easiest crops to grow long-term is fruit, as once they’re established, fruit trees are really easy to maintain. The drawback is it typically take a few years to start producing fruit, so the sooner you start planting your trees, the better. Of course, you also need to make sure you’re choosing fruit trees that will thrive in your growing zone.

Posted in Food, Organic, Toxins | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: November 5, 2023

Top 5 Reasons to Eat Organic


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/11/03/importance-of-eating-organic.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola    November 03, 2023

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Choosing organic products for yourself and your family is one of the most proactive measures you can implement to take control of your health
  • Choosing organic foods lowers your exposure to pesticides. Research shows negative health effects may occur in children at current levels of exposure to pesticides
  • Organically grown foods contain higher levels of antioxidants and healthy fats than conventionally grown varieties
  • Soil depletion is a direct result of modern agricultural practices and has led to crops containing fewer nutrients. To receive the same amount of iron you used to get from one apple in 1950, by 1998 you had to eat 26 apples
  • By buying organic, you also support the mitigation of climate change, protect the environment, promote animal welfare and farmer profitability, and ensure your food is not genetically engineered

Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published January 5, 2019.

Many want to lead a healthier lifestyle but cannot figure out where or how to start. In the realm of diet, more than half believe it’s easier to calculate their income taxes than figure out what to eat.1 While nutritional science is indeed a complex affair, there’s a way to make it really, really simple: Just eat organic.

“Let thy medicine be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.”

That famous quote by Hippocrates, who is often referred to as “the father of medicine,” is somewhere around 2,500 years old, and for a long time this sentiment was treated as fact.

Today, many scoff at this notion, thinking nutrition and medicine have very little in common, using food to quench hunger and little else, while turning to pharmaceutical drugs to treat illness. Turning our backs on the fundamental truth that “food is medicine” is no doubt at the very heart of our current disease epidemics.

Another quote by Hippocrates, which is part of the Hippocratic Oath still recited by modern doctors today, is “First, do no harm.” Unfortunately, the preoccupation with the idea that there must be “a pill for every ill” now greatly compromises this oath, because the practice of medicine is primarily focused on drugs that oftentimes to far more harm than good.

Meanwhile, modern doctors receive virtually no training in nutrition. The 2018 documentary, “Organic Food — Hype or Hope?” analyzes the benefits of organically grown foods.

How are they different from conventional and do they really live up to the promise of being healthier? Indeed, there’s compelling evidence that organic food is a vital aspect of vibrant health, and is a truly practical solution to many of our current health and environmental crises.2

Organic Food Significantly Lowers Your Toxic Burden

Pesticides, in particular, pose risks to human health, and not just from contaminated food but also from contaminated groundwater — an issue covered in the featured documentary.

While U.S. regulators insist that set limits on pesticide residues in conventional produce are enough to protect public health, a 2016 report3 commissioned by the European Parliament found negative health effects may occur in children even at current levels of exposure. A key message of the report was that public health could be protected by promoting organic agriculture.

In 2017, Hilal Elver, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on the right to food, and Baskut Tuncak, special rapporteur on toxics, took it a step further, calling for a global treaty to regulate pesticides, saying these chemicals have become a very troubling and pervasive food contaminant that threatens the health of children.4,5

“It is time to overturn the myth that pesticides are necessary to feed the world and create a global process to transition toward safer and healthier food and agricultural production,” they noted in their report. Organic farming has other benefits beyond lowering your toxic burden, such as:

  1. Mitigating climate change
  2. Promoting animal welfare
  3. Being more profitable for farmers6,7
  4. Ensuring the food isn’t genetically engineered (GE) or contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This is true for animal products as well, as animals raised on organic farms are not permitted to be fed GE alfalfa or GE corn

Modern Agricultural Practices Have Led to Decline in Food Quality

Soil depletion is a direct result of modern agricultural practices and has led to crops containing fewer nutrients. Reductions in biodiversity and a narrowing of available foodstuffs has also resulted in a narrower range of nutrients in our diets.

Even the healthy foods you choose, such as an apple or lettuce, are likely not as nutritious as they once were, and wild plants widely foraged in the past provided an astounding level of phytonutrients that are largely absent from our modern cultivated fruits and veggies.

For instance, according to Jo Robinson, author of “Eating on the Wild Side,” purple potatoes native to Peru contain 28 times more anthocyanins than commonly consumed russet potatoes.8

Work by Dr. August Dunning, chief science officer and co-owner of Eco Organics, reveals that in order to receive the same amount of iron you used to get from one apple in 1950, by 1998 you had to eat 26 apples. Flavor has also fallen by the wayside, and this too is related to the deterioration of mineral content. The minerals actually form the compounds that give the fruit or vegetable its flavor.

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Organic Foods Have Fewer Pesticides and Higher Antioxidant Content

Eating organic is one of the easiest ways to optimize your nutrition without supplementation (although certain supplements may still be necessary or advisable, depending on your condition and overall diet). Studies have repeatedly shown that organic foods: a) have much lower pesticide residues; and b) contain higher amounts of health-promoting nutrients.

Among them is a meta-analysis9 by Stanford University, published in 2012, which looked at 240 studies comparing organically and conventionally grown food. Organics were 23 to 37% less likely to contain detectable pesticide residues.

Considering the health dangers associated with pesticides, this is clear evidence that organics confer greater health benefits than conventional produce. Organically raised chicken was also up to 45% less likely to contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which will also help protect your health.

Following in Stanford University’s footsteps, a group of scientists at Newcastle University in the U.K. evaluated an even greater number of studies, 343 in all, published over several decades. Just like the Stanford study, this follow-up analysis,10 published in 2014, found that while conventional and organic vegetables oftentimes contain similar levels of many nutrients, the frequency of occurrence of pesticide residues was four times higher in conventional foods.

Conventional produce also had on average 48% higher levels of cadmium,11 a toxic metal and a known carcinogen. Moreover, while many nutrient levels were comparable, a key nutritional difference between conventional and organics was their antioxidant content.

In the Newcastle analysis, organic fruits and vegetables were found to contain anywhere from 18 to 69% more antioxidants than conventionally grown varieties.

Antioxidants are a very important part of optimal health, as they influence how fast you age by fighting free radicals. So, the fact that organic foods contain far higher levels of them vouches for the stance that organic foods are healthier in terms of nutrition, in addition to being lower in pesticides.

Organic Grass Fed Milk and Meat Are Healthier Than Factory Farmed

Two 2016 studies12 — one on the compositional differences of organic and conventional meat,13 and one on milk14 — also found clear differences between the two. Said to be the largest studies of their kind, the researchers analyzed 196 and 67 studies on milk and meat respectively.

The largest difference in nutritional content of meat was its fatty acid composition, certain essential minerals and antioxidants. Coauthor Chris Seal, professor of food and human nutrition at Newcastle University, commented on the findings:15

“Omega-3s are linked to reductions in cardiovascular disease, improved neurological development and function, and better immune function. Western European diets are recognized as being too low in these fatty acids and the European Food Safety Authority recommends we should double our intake.

But getting enough in our diet is difficult. Our study suggests that switching to organic would go some way toward improving intakes of these important nutrients.”

According to the review on milk, half a liter of organic full fat milk will provide you with an estimated 39 milligrams (mg) or 16% of the reference daily intake (RDI) of very long-chain (VLC) omega-3 (EPA, DPA and DHA), whereas conventional milk will provide only 25 mg or 11% of the RDI of these important fats.

As noted in the milk study,16 VLC omega-3s have been linked to a number of health benefits, including “improved fetal brain development and function, delayed decline in cognitive function in elderly men and reduced risk of dementia (especially Alzheimer’s disease).”

Organic milk also contains lower levels of omega-6, providing a healthier ratio between these two fatty acids. Compared to conventional milk, organic milk was also found to contain:

  • Higher levels of vitamin E
  • Higher concentrations of iron
  • Higher levels of antioxidant carotenoids
  • 40% more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has a wide array of important health benefits, from fighting cancer to decreasing insulin resistance and improving body composition

Other studies looking at grass fed beef,17 organic grass fed milk18 and organic free-range eggs19 have come to similar conclusions. A 2016 report20 by the European Parliament, “Human Health Implications of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture,” also reviewed the nutritional content of organics (among many other things), concluding that the clearest benefits of organics on human health were found to be related to lowered pesticide, antibiotic and cadmium exposure.

According to the authors, “As a consequence of reduced pesticide exposure, organic food consequently contributes to the avoidance of health effects and associated costs to society.”

Healthy Food Resources

Ultimately, choosing organic products for yourself and your family is one of the most proactive measures you can implement to take control of your health. If you must choose between which products to purchase organic, I recommend prioritizing organic animal foods and then using the latest Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Dirty Dozen” list21 for produce.

The dirty dozen list shows which fruits and vegetables are most prone to heavy pesticide contamination and therefore the most important to buy organic.

Keep in mind that while many grocery stores now carry organic items, these are typically imported from other countries, which may or may not have stringent organic standards in place. Ideally, try to buy as much as you can directly from local farmers, whom you can ask directly about their agricultural practices. If you live in the U.S., the following organizations can help you locate farm-fresh foods:

Demeter USA — Demeter-USA.org provides a directory of certified Biodynamic farms and brands. This directory can also be found on BiodynamicFood.org.
American Grassfed Association (AGA) — The goal of the American Grassfed Association is to promote the grass fed industry through government relations, research, concept marketing and public education.

Their website also allows you to search for AGA approved producers certified according to strict standards that include being raised on a diet of 100% forage; raised on pasture and never confined to a feedlot; never treated with antibiotics or hormones; and born and raised on American family farms.
EatWild.com — EatWild.com provides lists of farmers known to produce raw dairy products as well as grass fed beef and other farm-fresh produce (although not all are certified organic). Here you can also find information about local farmers markets, as well as local stores and restaurants that sell grass fed products.
Weston A. Price Foundation — Weston A. Price has local chapters in most states, and many of them are connected with buying clubs in which you can easily purchase organic foods, including grass fed raw dairy products like milk and butter.
Grassfed Exchange — The Grassfed Exchange has a listing of producers selling organic and grass fed meats across the U.S.
Local Harvest — This website will help you find farmers markets, family farms and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area where you can buy produce, grass fed meats and many other goodies.
Farmers Markets — A national listing of farmers markets.
Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals — The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, hotels and online outlets in the United States and Canada.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) — CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.
The Cornucopia Institute — The Cornucopia Institute maintains web-based tools rating all certified organic brands of eggs, dairy products and other commodities, based on their ethical sourcing and authentic farming practices separating CAFO “organic” production from authentic organic practices.
RealMilk.com — If you’re still unsure of where to find raw milk, check out Raw-Milk-Facts.com and RealMilk.com. They can tell you what the status is for legality in your state, and provide a listing of raw dairy farms in your area. The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund22 also provides a state-by-state review of raw milk laws.23 California residents can also find raw milk retailers using the store locator available at www.OrganicPastures.com.

– Sources and References

Posted in Food, Organic | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: October 24, 2023

Unstoppable Mom Uncovers Allergy Fix, Could It Help You?


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/10/22/glyphosate-exposure-health-hazards.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     October 22, 2023

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America, is the author of “Unstoppable: Transforming Sickness and Struggle Into Triumph, Empowerment and a Celebration of Community”
  • Her book delves into the state of the world’s food supply, how to navigate through the many hazards of the standard American diet, and how you can become a powerful change agent yourself
  • Her health activism grew out of her struggle with her three children’s food allergies, autoimmune problems and autism symptoms. All of her children successfully recovered their health after switching to an organic diet to remove GMOs and glyphosate-contaminated foods
  • Peer-reviewed, independent studies have found glyphosate to be a carcinogen, a DNA mutagen, a chelator of important minerals, an antibiotic, an endocrine disruptor and more
  • Research found that among children born of women with high exposure to glyphosate during pregnancy the rate of autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability was 30% higher than among those born of mothers who lived further from highly-sprayed areas

Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published June 23, 2019.

Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America, is nothing if not committed to action. In this inspiring interview, we discuss her book, “Unstoppable: Transforming Sickness and Struggle Into Triumph, Empowerment and a Celebration of Community,” which delves into the state of the world’s food supply, how to navigate through the many hazards of the standard American diet, and how you can become a powerful change agent yourself.

Like so many other parents, Honeycutt struggled to identify the roots of her children’s many health issues, which included allergies, autoimmune problems and symptoms of autism.

“I was completely confused and baffled,” she says. “Why was this happening? My kids had 19, 20 and 22 food allergies [respectively]. My husband and I had none of them. What was going on with the food supply? Thanks to Robyn O’Brien, Jeffrey Smith and all the scientists who started exposing information, I found out about genetically modified organisms (GMOs).”

She also discovered the disturbing truth about glyphosate, and how this pernicious weed killer, used on a wide variety of foods, whether they’re GMO or not, decimates your gut microbiome and contributes to a host of health problems, some of which plagued her own children.

“The problem is glyphosate’s so prevalent. This is the declared active chemical ingredient in Roundup that 80% of GMOs are engineered to withstand. It’s sprayed on all kinds of crops as a drying agent. It’s in most of our food.

And then you combine that with all the other toxins in our environment, in our vaccines, in our pajamas, in our sofas and baby bottles and all of that — you’ve got all these chemicals and toxins coming at our kids. That’s just a recipe for disaster.

Our kids are sick. One out of 2 children have a chronic illness; 1 in 2 males and 1 in 3 females are expected to get cancer in America today. That’s not OK with me. That was the impetus for me starting Moms Across America. It was to raise awareness about GMOs and toxic chemicals in our food supply.”

Standing Up to Monsanto

On January 30, 2015, Honeycutt was given the opportunity to speak at a Monsanto shareholders meeting1 as a proxy for the John Harrington Investment Group. You can read her presentation here. The referendum she presented was passed, causing Monsanto’s stock to significantly drop in the aftermath.

“I think a lot of the shareholders in that room probably were uncomfortable with owning Monsanto’s stock after that meeting,” she says. “That was probably one of the most terrifying and significant moments of my life, because I had the opportunity to speak on behalf of parents … with sick children.

I got to stand up in front of the entire shareholders meeting and basically hold them to account, to say how their products are harming our children. I got to meet Hugh Grant … the former chief executive officer (CEO) of Monsanto.

I looked him in the eye and said, ‘You know, Mr. Grant, it takes a big man to make a big and powerful company. But it takes an even bigger man to acknowledge when something’s not working and to go in a new direction … Moms Across America is looking forward to the day when Monsanto makes products that no longer harm our children.’

He said, ‘We’re always looking forward to have progress. We’ve got science on our side.’ I said, ‘Well, we actually have science on our side too, [and it shows] that your products harm our children … Just consider, what if you’re wrong? What are the consequences?’ … There’s … global consequence.’

He said, ‘If you’re wrong, you’re worrying an awful lot of people.’ I said, ‘But if I’m wrong, the consequence is only that people are eating organic. There’s nothing wrong with organic’ …

So many of us get concerned about … ‘What if trolls come after me? What if I get attacked?’ People are actually concerned for their physical safety in this climate right now. But … we cannot be stopped … We need to be unstoppable … We cannot let fear interfere with our commitment. We need to take action … Chemical companies should not be involved in our food supply. That’s all there is to it.”

As noted by Honeycutt, it’s important to realize that the science Monsanto (now Bayer) claims is on their side was bought and paid for by them. Some studies have even been shown to have been ghostwritten by the company itself. Such facts have come out during the discovery process of some of the lawsuits against Monsanto, which now number well over 11,000.

Meanwhile, many peer-reviewed, independent studies have found glyphosate-based herbicides to be carcinogenic.2 Glyphosate has also been shown to be a DNA mutagen, a chelator of important minerals,3 an antibiotic,4 an endocrine disruptor5,6 and more.7,8,9,10,11

Research12 even found that among children born of women with high exposure to glyphosate during pregnancy the rate of autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability was 30% higher than among those born of mothers who lived further from highly-sprayed areas. Children who on top of that were exposed to pesticides during their first year were at 50% increased risk.

As noted by Honeycutt, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s review13 found glyphosate was not a carcinogen, its conclusion was based on industry-funded science, not independent science. In fact, according to some of the members on the scientific advisory panel convened to evaluate the strength of the EPA’s decision, the agency violated its own guidelines by discounting and downplaying data from studies linking glyphosate to cancer.14

Turning Devastation Into Triumph

More often than not, people who stand up to big industry end up paying a high price. Many lose their careers in the process. A similar situation, although impossible to prove, happened to the Honeycutts. Two weeks after Honeycutt attended Monsanto’s shareholders meeting, an outside consultant came into and reorganized her husband’s company.

“My husband was the only one fired,” Honeycutt says. “Now, I can’t say that it was definitely connected to Monsanto, but Monsanto was one of their clients. My husband was in the information technology (IT) division. He had nothing to do with Monsanto. He had nothing to do with sales. I don’t even think he knew that they were a client for a very long time, not until I got into this.

He lost his job. At first we thought it was devastating … But … everything that seems devastating can actually be the best thing that ever happened to you … We made this into the best thing that ever happened to us. My husband got search engine optimization training. He became a consultant. His company is called Organic Results.

He now does consulting for companies that we believe in, to improve the traffic to their websites. He’s a consultant for Moms Across America. He runs our marketing. He … helps us with our Health Solutions Store … He’s been an integral part of Moms Across America, and part of the reason why we’re able to still stay around.

The cool thing is we get to work together every day. He gets to be with our sons who are 16, 13 and 10 now. They get to have their dad around. It’s just phenomenal. I just absolutely love that we get to do what we’re doing.”

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Eating Organic Can Make a World of Difference

As mentioned, all three of Honeycutt’s children struggled with food allergies. Her oldest son had a severe allergic reaction at 18 months after eating a nut. At the age of 5, he nearly died on Thanksgiving due to a pecan in the stuffing.

“One day, when he was about 8 years old, he had this rash around his mouth that had been going on and off for about seven months. It would last for about two weeks at a time. We didn’t know what it was. He looked at me really forlornly. He said, ‘Mom, I wish all my allergies would go away.’ I said, ‘Me too, buddy.’ But in my head, I was thinking, ‘That’s never going to happen.’

Then I realized what I was saying in my head. I was like, ‘Wait a second. That’s not what I’m committed to. I’m committed to empowerment. What if there was something we could do?’ I remembered my cousin, Sara, who had gone gluten-free for a long time and then was able to eat gluten about a year later.

I said, ‘Ben, would you like to be able to eat a slice of pizza or have a piece of birthday cake at a birthday party like a year from now?’ I painted that picture; that future. He said yes. I said, ‘Well then, would you be my partner in your health? Would you drink green drinks and go to alternative doctors?’ He said yes … We made a deal, and he did.

I did the research. He took the actions. He drank the green drinks. We took care of his gut bacteria. Within four months of going GMO-free, the rash was dramatically better. You could barely see it. It was a faint pink line under his lip if he was exposed to the allergen, which we figured out was carrageenan, by going to an alternative doctor.

And then within about a year or two of going organic … his allergies to walnuts and pecans went from a 19 down to 0.2. He no longer has a life-threatening food allergy. The peace of mind that I have as a mother that my son won’t die from food is priceless. It’s enormous. Our doctors’ bills, by the way, are dramatically lower.

We used to spend $12,000 to $15,000 with good health insurance. Now it’s maybe a couple hundred. It’s nothing. That’s just for checkups or whatever. We haven’t had to go for a sick doctor visit in three and a half years. He’s dramatically better.”

Autism Symptoms Linked to Glyphosate Exposure

Honeycutt’s second child developed a sudden onset of autism symptoms. “He was basically like an 8-year-old who was acting like a 3- or 4-year old. He was having tantrums. His grades went from As to Ds in math … His behavior was very erratic. He was trying to hit us … He was not being himself.” Honeycutt says.

A medical checkup revealed he had gut dysbiosis caused by C. difficile. According to the doctor, who specialized in autism, the inflammation in his gut was also causing inflammation in his brain. Glyphosate is known to do this, which prompted the Honeycutt’s to have him tested for glyphosate exposure.

“My son was the first one to be tested in America for glyphosate in his urine. We had finally initiated that. Moms Across America had put out the word to everybody. You can get your urine, your tap water and your breast milk tested for glyphosate.

His levels were eight times higher than was ever found in Europe, when Friends of the Earth did testing in Europe. I was furious that Roundup was in my son. We went 100% organic. Within six weeks, we retested him. His glyphosate levels were no longer detectable, and his autism symptoms were gone.

All we did was take care of his gut. We did give him an antifungal. We didn’t have to do a probiotic in there, but we gave him lots of sauerkraut, organic food. He ate no sugar from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, so he didn’t feed the bad gut bacteria. He recovered. He has not had a single autism symptom [in] five years now.”

Glyphosate Found in Vaccines

Now, food is not the only source of glyphosate exposure. Years ago, Honeycutt came across a Facebook post listing vaccine ingredients. Among them: polysorbate 80 — which like glyphosate can break down the blood-brain barrier and let toxins in — aluminum, bovine serum (blood) and egg.

Honeycutt realized some of these ingredients are likely GMO, or have been fed GMOs, and if so, they’re likely contaminated with glyphosate since glyphosate cannot be washed off. When an animal eats glyphosate-contaminated feed, their body parts become contaminated as well. Moms Across America sent five childhood vaccines to be tested for glyphosate, and every single one of them came back positive.

“The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine came back 25 times higher than the other vaccines. Another scientist independently tested 14 more vaccines, and they also came back and confirmed our results,” Honeycutt says.

“His MMR vaccine came back 35 times higher. We all know that the problem around the MMR vaccine is that … it causes gut dysbiosis. [Andrew Wakefield] didn’t say it causes autism. He said it causes gut dysbiosis. Incidentally, practically every child who has autism has gut dysbiosis.

This, to me, was huge, because what I’m thinking is, ‘What if glyphosate in vaccines is one of the major contributing factors to vaccine damage?’ If you think about it, mercury was in vaccines back in 1929, but it wasn’t until the late ’90s when GMOs and glyphosate came on the scene that there was a huge spike in autism.

Now, to be fair, there was also a huge spike in the numbers of vaccines given. Our children are now getting 49 doses by age 12 and 69 doses by age 18. The numbers of vaccines our children are getting are also extremely high. But there are children who get one vaccine and they’re damaged after that. You have to look at what changed in the ingredients.”

Another variable that happened in the late ’90s was the dramatic increase in exposure to wireless radiation, and this too may be a significant contributor. There may even be a toxic synergy between the two that is contributing to the health deterioration we now see in so many children. The good news is that you have the ability to make a difference.

More Information

Aside from reading Honeycutt’s book, “Unstoppable: Transforming Sickness and Struggle Into Triumph, Empowerment and a Celebration of Community,” you can also learn more by visiting MomsAcrossAmerica.org and signing up for their newsletter. When you sign up, you’ll receive a free mini e-book of “Unstoppable.” Under the Action tab, you can also sign up to volunteer and post events.

“When you have that event, we know you’re serious about getting the word out, so we send you free materials,” Honeycutt says. “You only have to pay for shipping … We have some great flyers, ‘Why Eat Organic?’ ‘What’s Going on With Toxins in Our Food Supply?’ … We don’t make it a scary situation. It’s just informative. We always bring solutions …

You give them a stack of 100 flyers and you say, ‘Could you leave this at your school? Or your library? Or your community center?’ … Just get the word out about what’s happening in our food supply … That’s a great way to get involved … You can also join in the 4th of July parades. It costs anywhere from nothing to maybe 30 to 50 dollars, if you want to buy a banner and also pass out flyers.

You can have movie nights. There are some great movies you can show over an organic potluck. That’s my favorite thing to do. We’ll also connect you with other moms on our Monday Moms Connect Calls at 5 p.m., Pacific time. If you sign up to our newsletter, you’ll get an invitation to that.

We’ve expanded our mission to ‘We educate and inspire mothers and others to transform the food industry and environment, creating healthy communities together.’ By environment, we include anything that’s coming at our kids. If that’s a vaccine, if it’s drugs, if it’s pollution, if it’s EMFs — no matter what it is that’s coming at our kids that’s going to overwhelm them [or] increase the toxic burden — we will address that …

To opt out of this toxic system, we need to not only eat organic food or grow our own organic food. We need to also learn how to take care of ourselves through herbs and plants and opt out of that whole Big Pharma system.”

Moms Across America is also looking for more advisers, including moms who want to help educate others on these topics. If you’re interested, please contact them.

Get Involved!

As noted by Honeycutt, everyone has a moment when they decide to take action. For her, the realization that she had the power to make a difference came early. Her father was a great supporter from an early age and when, at the age of 12, Honeycutt came home saying class president elections were coming up, he suggested she should run.

“I said, ‘Me? Why me?’ He said, ‘Why not?’ I was like, ‘Oh. OK. Why not?’ I ran and won,” she says. “If there’s something you want to do or you’re interested in doing, something you want to take on, [ask yourself] why not you? That quote from Lilly Tomlin: ‘I always thought someone should do something about that, and then I realized I am somebody’ — that’s it.

I want everybody to believe that they are somebody; that they are, in fact … amazing … My personal commitment now is to empower community leaders to be global game changers, because that’s what it’s going to take …

Moms who are watching us right now … say, ‘You know what? I’m the one who’s going to get Roundup out of my town. I’m the one who’s going to stop this vaccine mandate in my city. I’m the one who’s going to get my school to have GMO-free food.’

When you do that, you — us, all of us collectively — we change the game around the world … So, sign up to Moms Across America and see where you can start taking action. Because when you do, it’s incredibly fulfilling.”

Posted in Allergy, Autism, Corruption, Glyphosate, Organic, Vaccinations | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: September 19, 2023

Ancient Source of Fiber Grows Popular for Shedding Pounds


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/09/18/psyllium-husk.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     Fact Checked     September 18, 2023

psyllium husk

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Psyllium husk, which comes from Plantago ovata, a plant native to Asia, has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for centuries
  • This ancient digestive aid has begun trending among a new generation — one that grew up watching their parents down psyllium-husk powder and water to stay regular
  • Psyllium husk is a far safer alternative to weight loss drugs like semaglutide, more popularly known as Ozempic
  • A comprehensive review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners found psyllium decreased body weight, body mass index and waist circumference in overweight and obese individuals
  • Known for its appetite-reducing effects, psyllium husk also relieves constipation and may be useful for supporting heart and cardiometabolic health

Organic, whole husk psyllium is an excellent fiber supplement, especially when taken two hours after a meal with a full glass of water. This ancient digestive aid has also started trending among a new generation — one that grew up watching their parents down psyllium-husk powder and water to stay regular.1

But there’s something to be said for psyllium husks — not in commercially available orange-flavored products but in their minimally processed, whole-husk form.

The seeds, which come from Plantago ovata, a plant native to Asia, have been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine2 for centuries and now its many benefits are being realized by those using for weight loss, gluten-free baking and a host of uses in between.

Psyllium Husk Embraced by the Ozempic Crowd

With both soluble and insoluble fiber, psyllium husk is often used as an appetite suppressant among those looking to lose weight. The New York Times reported:3

“Mr. [Max] Wittek, 33, a software engineer in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, who recently went on a ketogenic diet, has used psyllium husks to make his cauliflower-based pizza crust more filling.” Psyllium, he said, “shushes my belly from saying, ‘Please put something in me.’”

It’s a far safer alternative to weight loss drugs like semaglutide, more popularly known as Ozempic. The demand for medications promising easy weight loss has skyrocketed, with prescriptions rising 2,082% from 2019 to 2022.4 Sales of psyllium-husk products are also on the rise, with 249 such products released in the U.S. from 2018 to 2022.5

When you add water to psyllium, it forms a viscous gel that’s not digested or fermented in the body. In the small intestine, psyllium increases the viscosity of chyme — a semi-fluid mix of partially digested food, fluid and stomach acid — which slows absorption and degradation of nutrients.6

A comprehensive review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners found psyllium decreased body weight, body mass index and waist circumference in overweight and obese individuals. “Gel-forming nonfermented psyllium fiber, dosed just before meals, is effective in facilitating weight loss in overweight and obese participants,” the team concluded.7

Known for its appetite-reducing effects, a separate study comparing psyllium husk to the weight loss drug orlistat in mice found both treatments had a similar effect on controlling body fat rate, but psyllium worked better to reduce triglyceride levels.8

Among obese or overweight children and adults, as well as those with metabolic syndrome, daily consumption of psyllium was also found to improve blood lipid profiles and glycemic response, while increasing satiety and improving metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk factors.9

Why You Should Try Natural Strategies, Not Ozempic

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic are all the rage, but their growing list of significant side effects — not to mention their high costs — has people seeking out safer, more natural options like psyllium. This is good news, since semaglutide, sold under the name Ozempic as a diabetes drug and, in a higher dose, under the name Wegovy as a weight loss drug, can also lead to debilitating side effects, including stomach paralysis.

Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying,10 slows or stops the movement of food from your stomach to your small intestine. This results in feeling full longer, which is one mechanism semaglutide uses to cause weight loss. However, gastroparesis also leads to nausea, vomiting and, in severe cases, dehydration and malnutrition. Diabetes is the most commonly known cause of gastroparesis, due to nerve damage in the stomach.11

However, semaglutide and similar drugs are designed to delay gastric emptying, and severe nausea and vomiting — common symptoms of gastroparesis — are reported in many who take them. Even WeightWatchers, also known as WW, is moving into the obesity drug market via its acquisition of telehealth platform Sequence, where it intends to provide its clients with easy access to weight loss drugs like Wegovy.12

Psyllium suppresses appetite in a similar manner, but is much safer overall. As noted in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, “Although psyllium is useful, it may cause loss of appetite and delay gastric emptying if used before meals …”13

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Berberine — Another ‘Natural Ozempic’

On the topic of natural alternatives to Ozempic, berberine is another option with similar benefits to psyllium, although it’s an entirely different compound. Berberine is a chemical found in plants such as goldenseal and European barberry.14 Research shows it helps to regulate blood sugar and may help with weight loss.

A 2022 systematic review of the literature demonstrated that supplementing with berberine had a positive effect on lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, obesity parameters and systolic blood pressure.15

In a 2022 paper in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, the researchers wrote, “Studies have shown that BBR [berberine] can alleviate the pathological conditions of metabolic disorders, and the mechanism is related to the regulation of gut microbiota … meanwhile, the structure and function of gut microbiota also changed after intervention by berberine.”16

Like psyllium, berberine may also delay the amount of time it takes for food to pass through your small intestine,17 and preferentially nourish microbes that produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids known to have many health benefits.18

Psyllium Husk Offers More Than Weight Loss

The beauty of natural compounds like psyllium is they typically have multiple beneficial effects. Psyllium husk is no different, acting as a health-promoting prebiotic in your gut.

“Psyllium husk … consists of highly branched and gel-forming arabinoxylan, a polymer rich in arabinose and xylose which has limited digestibility in humans. However, several members of the intestinal microbiota can utilize these oligosaccharides and their constituent sugars as an energy source and, therefore, psyllium can be considered to have prebiotic potential,” researchers explained in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.19

Prebiotics help increase the growth of beneficial bacteria while boosting production of short-chain fatty acids like butyrate and propionate, which play a role in building the gut barrier,20 making it less permeable to disease-causing microorganisms.21 Further, butyrate has been shown to induce programmed cell death of colon cancer cells.22

Psyllium also helps retain water in the small intestine, increasing water flow to the colon.23 This makes it a powerful natural option for constipation relief. “It traps water in the intestine increasing stool water, easing defecation and altering the colonic environment,” researchers with the University of Helsinki, Finland, and colleagues explained.

This is associated with significant changes in gut microbiota, particularly in those who are constipated.24 Psyllium works as well as kiwifruit and prunes for relieving constipation and has the added benefit of significantly improving straining.25 Psyllium has also been found to work better than wheat bran for constipation relief and is also useful for diarrhea and other bowel issues:26

“The water-holding capacity of the psyllium gel acts as a stool normalizer, softening hard stool in constipation, firming loose/liquid stools in diarrhea, and normalizing stool form/reducing symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Psyllium is the only isolated fiber recommended for treatment of IBS by the American College of Gastroenterology and chronic idiopathic constipation by the American Gastroenterological Association.”

Psyllium Benefits Your Heart and Metabolic Health

Psyllium offers many additional health benefits, which are clinically proven, including:27

  • Improved glycemic control among people with metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes
  • Cholesterol optimization
  • Lower blood pressure

A report funded by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Foundation found that were U.S. adults over the age of 55 with heart disease to take psyllium dietary fiber on a daily basis, it could cut health costs by nearly $4.4 billion a year by reducing coronary heart disease-related medical events by 11.5%.28

A review published in Food & Function also hailed the potential for psyllium to prevent and treat cardiometabolic diseases and their complications, noting, “Numerous pharmacological studies have investigated the active ingredients and therapeutic effects of psyllium and its extracts, including antioxidant, anti-tumor, antidiabetic, hypotensive, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, antidiarrheal, and antiviral activities.”29

Psyllium husk may also reduce the risk of gallstone formation by decreasing the body’s biliary cholesterol saturation index.30

Organic Psyllium Is Best

Psyllium is a heavily sprayed crop, which means many sources are contaminated with pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. For this reason, only use organic unsweetened psyllium husk. Taking organic psyllium three times a day could add as much as 18 grams of fiber (soluble and insoluble) to your diet.

Ideally, you’ll want to get around 25 to 50 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed, so you’ll want to use psyllium in addition to a fruit- and veggie-rich diet. As mentioned, consume psyllium along with a full glass of water. It can also be useful in cooking and baking, and many gluten-free recipes rely on psyllium husks.

Serious adverse reactions to psyllium are rare, but if you have swallowing difficulties, narrowing of the esophagus or other gastrointestinal tract obstructions, you should consult your physician before using psyllium.

In addition to psyllium, healthy foods with high amounts of fiber include green peas, artichoke, baked sweet potato with the peel intact, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and many other vegetables.

Additional options that are also excellent fiber sources include pears, raspberries, stewed prunes, dried figs or dates (eaten in moderation due to high sugar content), pumpkin, apples with the skin intact and oranges.

Posted in Fibre, Glucose, Organic, Supplements, Weight Loss | One Comment »

Posted by: | Posted on: September 18, 2023

Love Your Lungs With Tomatoes and Apples


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/09/15/apples-tomatoes-for-better-lung-function.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     Fact Checked     September 15, 2023

apples and tomatoes

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • A study reveals that when former smokers increase their intake of tomatoes and fruit, especially apples, the decreased capacity of their lung function begins to lessen and may even be restored
  • A similar diet not only may slow the aging process that would normally take place in the lungs of former smokers, but actually in anyone, even if they’ve never smoked
  • Lung function is one of the most important factors regarding mortality, for both patients with lung disease and those who’ve never smoked, and preventing chronic respiratory diseases is a significant public health objective
  • Knowing how to buy, store, cook and eat these plant-based foods is essential, as conventional growing, packaging and preparation can damage or destroy the important compounds they hold, namely flavonoids and lycopene

Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published January 8, 2018.

One of the most encouraging studies to come out concerns the dramatically improved lung function of people who’ve recently stopped smoking, especially those who like eating tomatoes and apples.

The research, which appeared in the December 2017 issue of the European Respiratory Journal,1 shows that when former smokers increase their intake of these two foods — essentially making them their new habit — the decreased capacity of their lung function begins to lessen, and their chances for restored lung function is increased.

Former smokers who consumed an average of more than two tomatoes or three portions of fresh fruits, particularly apples, per day experienced a slower decline in lung function compared to people who ate fewer than one tomato or less than one portion of fruits on a daily basis, who didn’t show the same benefit.

Poor lung function is associated with a higher risk of death from any cause, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aka COPD), lung cancer and heart disease. Even if you don’t smoke, lung function naturally starts to decrease around age 30. As Well+Good quipped, “In other words, if you hope to reap the benefits of fruit consumption, quantity counts.”2

Besides the goal of convincing people to stop smoking to reduce the likelihood of developing one or more chronic lung-related diseases, the study noted two major points related to lung function:

  • How your lungs function is a predictor of mortality for anyone, including patients with lung disease, as well as people who have never smoked.
  • Maintaining lung function and preventing chronic respiratory diseases are also important public health objectives.

Apples and Tomatoes for Better Lung Function

Lead study author Vanessa Garcia-Larsen, an assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s department of international health, noted that a diet rich in fruits can slow the natural aging process of your lungs even if you’ve never smoked, and might even help repair damage caused by smoking. Their research was part of the Ageing Lungs in European Cohorts (ALEC) Study, funded by the European Commission and led by Imperial College London.

In 2002, Garcia-Larsen and her colleagues examined the lung function and diet of more than 650 adults from Britain, Norway and Germany, using questionnaires as well as spirometry to measure forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity (aka the capacity of the lungs to take in oxygen), then tested the lung function of the same individuals a decade later. According to Vanguard:

“The researchers found a more striking diet-lung-function among former smokers, who had around 80 ml slower decline over the 10-year period because their diets were highly rich in tomatoes and fruits. Such a result suggests that the nutrients in their diets are beneficial to repairing the lung damage done by smoking.”3

Also noted in the study was that a major part of the benefit of the foods noted in the study (including bananas and herbal tea) was the flavonoid content, which is corroborated by earlier research: Tomatoes,4 as well as apples, are an important source of dietary flavonoids.

An Apple a Day: Better for Your Health Than You Realized

Plenty of studies show how healthy fruit is for you, and apples are no exception. One study5 noted the peel in particular as capable of benefiting endothelial function, blood pressure and atherosclerosis and reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease.

In the realm of lung function alone, the research shows that the valuable compounds in apples may help prevent and treat lung cancer,6 asthma and respiratory diseases, bronchial hyperactivity and persistent allergic rhinitis, not to mention Type 2 diabetes, asthma7 and several other types of cancer.

But while it’s true that apples are a healthy food, moderation is key. As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)8 notes, the amounts of fruit you should eat per day vary depending on certain factors:

  • Children under 8 — 1 to 1 1/2 cups per day
  • Children and teens — 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit per day
  • Women age 19 to 30 — 2 cups per day, while women older than 30 — 1 1/2 cups per day
  • Men of any age — 2 cups of fruit per day

What they don’t note, however, is that while fruits offer many vitamins, enzymes and minerals, they should be eaten in moderation due to fructose content, especially if you’re insulin resistant. And please understand that drinking fruit juices does not provide the same benefit as consuming whole fruits.

As far as servings of apples go, the same site broke it down to show that one small apple or half of a large one each constitute 1 cup, as does 1 cup of sliced, chopped, raw or cooked apples. A 4-ounce snack container of applesauce counts as one-half cup.

Here’s why that’s important: Portion sizes, particularly for those eating a typically Western diet, are often bigger than they should be. And while many think drinking an 8-ounce glass of juice would be good for you, the USDA National Nutrient Database9 shows that 8 ounces of apple juice have more sugar and less than a minute amount of fiber compared to a medium-sized apple.

(Similar numbers can be assumed for other fruits, as well). Specifically, a typical 8-ounce glass of organic Honeycrisp juice contains:

  • 120 calories
  • 0.1 gram of dietary fiber
  • 24 grams of sugar

A medium-sized apple itself has:10

  • 95 calories
  • 4.4 grams of dietary fiber
  • 18.91 grams of sugar

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ACV Balances Your Blood Sugar, Optimizes Your Gut Health

If you’ve never seen a list of all the ways apple cider vinegar, or ACV, benefits your health, you should definitely take a look. Besides remedying things like bug bites, cuts and scrapes, athlete’s foot, sunburn, dandruff and more, fermented apple juice, with its active ingredient, ascetic acid, has been shown by clinical studies to:

• Lower blood sugar levels — Three groups of adults with Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and a healthy control group were given an ounce of ACV, after which all had lower glucose levels, and those with either diabetes or prediabetes showed dramatic improvement.11

• Sore throat soother — Combinations of ACV with the added bonus of other bacteria-fighting substances like lemon juice, honey, ginger and cayenne pepper not only soothes but heals sore throat pain.

• Boosts gut health — As a prebiotic, ACV helps maintain a beneficial balance in microbiota, and may as a consequence help prevent cardiovascular disease. As one study noted:

“Up to 90 percent of dietary plant polyphenols including apples, reach the colon intact. The interaction with the gut microbiota is reciprocal, since commensal bacteria transform polyphenols into simple aromatic metabolites while polyphenols have the ability to modulate the gut microbiota composition, inhibiting some bacterial populations and stimulating others.”12

• Weight loss — A Japanese animal study13 reveals that mice given ACV with their meals developed 10% less body fat compared to their no-ACV counterparts, even when eating the same amount of high-fat food. Researchers concluded that humans could expect the same benefit.

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) — Besides UTIs, studies show apple cider vinegar may have an antibacterial effect on interstitial cystitis, aka painful bladder syndrome. Part of the action may come from the presence of quercetin in ACV, as well as the potassium, which National Institutes of Health14 says may inhibit bad bacteria and promote the growth of healthy bacteria.

Tomatoes: A Fruit With Unique Nutritional Advantages

Ask nearly anybody what their favorite vegetable is, and many will answer that it’s a tomato. You may already know that a tomato is actually a fruit, but probably thought of it as a vegetable because it’s used most often in savory rather than sweeter recipes as fruits usually are. One of the most advantageous compounds in tomatoes is lycopene, known to have an anticancer effect, but which also may help prevent stroke.

Imparting tomatoes their bright red color, lycopene was identified in one study as being associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.15 One study observed that human lungs are particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage and that “concentrations of dietary antioxidants in the lung epithelial lining and lining fluids may provide protection against oxidative damage.”16 Another study rather carefully notes:

“Increasing evidence suggests that tomato lycopene may be preventive against the formation and the development of lung cancer. Experimental studies demonstrated that lycopene may inhibit the growth of several cultured lung cancer cells and prevent lung tumorigenesis in animal models through various mechanisms …

Our understanding of the anticancer role played by tomato lycopene will be enhanced and help us to develop complementary strategies for the prevention, treatment and management of lung cancer.”17

Notable Facts on Tomato Storage, Consumption and Cooking

A few things are important to know regarding tomato consumption, however. One is that, as a nightshade plant along with white potatoes, bell peppers, legumes, grains and some gourds, they contain lectins. Lectins are plant proteins that bind sugar and attach to cell membranes, causing weight gain, interfering with gene expression and disrupting endocrine function.

They can also contribute to leaky gut and act as “antinutrients” that can wreak havoc on not just your gut health but your health as a whole.

You may be able to get away with eating tomatoes sparingly, but especially if you love tomatoes and other nightshade foods, sprouting, fermenting, soaking and cooking them will effectively diminish much of the lectin problem. Further, cooking tomatoes to diminish the lectin content will simultaneously increase the lycopene content. Importantly, when you eat tomatoes, do so with a fat such as olive oil or avocado oil, since lycopene is a fat-soluble nutrient.

Also, whether it’s ketchup, salsa, tomato sauce or the whole tomato, choose organic whenever possible. Here’s a tip that is crucial for the best tomato taste: Never refrigerate tomatoes, as it breaks down the flavor as well as the texture, making them mushy and tasteless. Room temperature is best.

In addition, avoid canned tomatoes because the acidity of tomatoes increases leaching of toxic, endocrine-disrupting chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA) tainting the lining of many canned foods (as well as plastic water bottles, baby bottles and plastic storage bowls).

A Few Things to Note Regarding Plant-Based Foods

Many foods today don’t have the same health aspects you may once have counted on to keep your family healthy. “Modern” farming techniques, industrial food production, additives, preservatives, nutritionally depleted soils and many other factors have harmed, not helped, in the quest for ever better food.

Genetically engineered (GE) foods, including apples, are now part of the landscape, so to speak, since the Powers That Be want to help with things like browning (oxidation) when apples are sliced.

Through the lab-assisted suppression of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), a GE product known as Arctic apples, pre-sliced and non-browning, has been released, but it won’t even have to be labeled as GE. There’s also the fact that many conventionally produced apples, like the (once) Red Delicious, are often cross-bred within an inch of their lives to make them look more appealing, while rendering them mealy and practically inedible. They can also be dyed with color-enhancing pigments.

Pesticide use is arguably one of the worst ways food is compromised with harmful chemicals. Eating organic foods as much as possible is important for several reasons, as organic foods have a much lower risk of pesticide contamination compared to foods grown conventionally. In fact, studies show (through urine analysis) that people who eat organic foods whenever possible have fewer pesticides in their bodies.18

Apples, cucumbers, lemons, bell peppers and other fruits and vegetables are often given a difficult-to-remove wax or other coating to resist scarring and insects, which can be petroleum-based. Whenever you buy plant-based foods, especially unpackaged, “wash before eating” should be a rule of the house, but perhaps “buy organic” should be rule No. 1.

Posted in Food, GE, GMO, Lungs, Organic | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: August 9, 2023

Nourish your liver: Essential foods and herbs to safeguard against disease

Reproduced from original article:
https://www.naturalhealth365.com/nourish-your-liver-essential-foods-and-herbs-to-safeguard-against-disease.html

by:  | August 7, 2023

liver-disease(NaturalHealth365)  Liver disease has developed into a silent epidemic, responsible for a staggering two million deaths annually and accounting for 4% of all deaths worldwide.  Shockingly, this means that one out of every 25 deaths is attributed to liver-related complications.  Among those affected, men bear the brunt, constituting two-thirds of all liver-related fatalities.

The leading causes of liver-related deaths are complications of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, with acute hepatitis contributing to a smaller proportion.  The culprits behind most cases of cirrhosis worldwide include viral hepatitis, alcohol, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.  Poor lifestyle choices can serve as triggers for liver disease, leading to a host of signs and symptoms that signal compromised liver health.

Learn the warning signs and stages of liver disease

Liver disease manifests through various signs and symptoms, acting as warning signals for potential health issues.  Dark-colored urine, itchy skin, yellow skin and eyes, flu-like symptoms, and tenderness on the upper right side of the abdomen are among the common indicators of liver health problems.

One critical stage of liver health decline is liver fibrosis, often encountered as the third stage of alcoholic liver disease or due to hepatitis C.  If left unaddressed, it can progress to more severe conditions, including cirrhosis and other complications.  Liver fibrosis is characterized by the development of fibrous tissue, cysts, nodules, and scars within the liver.  These coarse tissues impede proper circulation and gradually lead to a loss of liver function.  Understanding the progression of liver disease is essential in promoting timely intervention and improved outcomes for those at risk.

Avoiding processed foods, sugar, unhealthy fats, and alcohol crucial to liver health

A key aspect of supporting liver health involves adopting a liver-friendly diet that avoids high-fat, high-sugar, and processed foods known to contribute to inflammation.  Previous research has highlighted the crucial link between diet and liver well-being, emphasizing the significance of making wholesome and nutrient-rich choices to maintain optimal liver function.

Let’s delve into the top foods and herbs that provide exceptional support for this vital organ.

Why dark leafy greens matter

When it comes to promoting overall health, few foods can rival the nutritional powerhouse found in organic spinach, kale, chard, and collard greens.  Beyond their general health benefits, these dark leafy greens shine as exceptional supporters of liver health.  Packed with an array of healthy flavonoids, antioxidants, carotenoids, and vitamin C, they play a pivotal role in maintaining the well-being of this vital organ.

Eat your organic broccoli

Cruciferous vegetables go above and beyond in shielding the liver from potential issues like fatty liver disease.  Their remarkable properties include blocking fat uptake and boosting lipid output, offering a protective effect that can make a significant difference in maintaining liver health.

The value of blueberries

Among the wide array of fruits and berries celebrated for their health benefits, organic blueberries stand out as a nutritional powerhouse.  These tiny fruits pack a punch when it comes to flavonoids and anthocyanins, boasting the highest levels of these compounds.

Don’t forget about organic garlic

Garlic, a culinary treasure, brings a plethora of health properties to the table.  Its impressive profile includes antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-fungal benefits.  Moreover, garlic shines as an inflammation-reducing champion, providing a significant boost to the immune system.

The sweetness of pineapple

This delicious (organic) tropical fruit is packed with anti-inflammatory digestive enzymes and plays a vital role in easing the burden on the liver while aiding in the efficient metabolism of foods.  A true nutritional powerhouse, it is enriched with vitamins C, B1, magnesium, and potassium, all working together to combat inflammation.

Turmeric is a winner

Abundantly used in Indian cuisine, this spice holds a wealth of health benefits.  Brimming with curcuminoids, these powerful compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, making them an invaluable aid in supporting the liver, kidneys, and bile production.  By promoting effective digestion, this organic spice lends its golden touch to enhance your health.

Rejuvenate yourself with organic green tea

Rich in antioxidants, this remarkable beverage works its magic by reducing fat accumulation, making it a powerful ally in supporting liver health.  Make green tea a regular part of your daily routine and experience its rejuvenating effects.

No doubt, your liver is an “unsung hero,” tirelessly working to keep you healthy.  Are you giving it the care it deserves?

Embrace a healthy lifestyle, and add specific foods and herbs to your diet to further boost your liver’s well-being.  These dietary additions can reduce inflammation, support liver health, and minimize the risk of liver disease, ensuring your liver remains in top-notch shape.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
CDC.gov

Posted in Food, Liver, Organic, Processed Food, Sugar | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: August 1, 2023

What Are Polyphenols and Why Do We Need Them?


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/07/31/what-are-polyphenols.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     Fact Checked     July 31, 2023

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Polyphenols are powerful organic compounds found in plants, which help protect plants from ultraviolet light, pathogens, oxidative damage and harsh climates
  • Consuming foods rich in the more than 8,000 known polyphenols may help ward off chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, Type 2 diabetes and obesity
  • There are four major types of polyphenols — flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes and lignans
  • Polyphenols positively influence gut microbiota, and it’s likely that gut-modulatory effects may partially explain the benefits of many polyphenol-rich foods
  • If you eat a diet based on whole foods, you’ll naturally consume plenty, as polyphenols are abundant in fruits, vegetables, tea, cocoa and more

Polyphenols are powerful organic compounds found in plants, which offer protection from ultraviolet light, pathogens,1 oxidative damage and harsh climates. With more than 8,000 identified to date, consuming foods rich in polyphenols may help ward off both acute and chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer,2 Type 2 diabetes and obesity.3

While polyphenols are best known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, they affect multiple physiological processes related to enzyme activity, cell proliferation, signaling pathways and more.4

As such, these compounds may be integral to achieving optimal health. Fortunately, if you eat a diet based on whole foods, you’ll naturally consume plenty, as polyphenols are abundant in fruits, vegetables, tea, cocoa and more.

Four Major Types of Polyphenols

All polyphenols have phenolic structural features, but there are a variety of sub-groups within this group of phytochemicals, each with its own distinct features.

1.Flavonoids — Among the 8,000-plus known polyphenols, more than 4,000 are flavonoids.5 These compounds are responsible for the vibrant color in many flowers and fruits, and contribute to the bitterness, astringency, flavor, aroma and oxidative stability of many fruits, berries and vegetables. They can be broken down into six subclasses:6

Flavonols Flavones Flavanones
Flavanols Anthocyanins Isoflavones

Several well-known flavonoids include:

• Quercetin, a natural antiviral agent7 found in foods such as onions, apples, plums and green tea, which also combats inflammation and works as a natural antihistamine.
Quercetin shows promise for helping to protect vision as well, with researchers describing their potential effects on degenerative retinal diseases, and noting, “Some polyphenols, especially flavonoids (e.g., quercetin and tannic acid), could attenuate light-induced receptor damage and promote visual health benefits.”8

• Myricetin, found in cranberry, Swiss chard, rutabagas, garlic, blueberries and other foods,9 is being studied for a range of potential therapeutic actions, including anticancer, antidiabetic, antiobesity, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects, along with protection against cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.10

• Catechins, which are abundant in green tea, include epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). These compounds have anticancer effects that may help prevent lung, breast, esophageal, stomach, liver and prostate cancers,11 along with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Researchers at the University of Leeds and Lancaster University found he EGCG in green tea can help prevent heart disease by dissolving arterial plaque.12 Other research suggests this compound also has the ability to inhibit amyloid beta plaque formation in the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.13

2. Phenolic acids — Phenolic acids make up about one-third of the polyphenols in an average diet. Common examples include caffeic acid, gallic acid and ferulic acid. While you can find phenolic acids in all plants, researchers explained in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity that these compounds “are particularly abundant in acidic-tasting fruits.”14
Edible plant sprouts, such as alfalfa, sunflower and broccoli, also contain phenolic acids,15 as does hibiscus. In hibiscus extract, caffeic acid may be responsible for some of its antiobesity effects, as it’s known to decrease body weight, regulate lipid metabolism and promote the breakdown of fats in the liver.16

3. Stilbenes — In plants, most stilbenes are synthesized in response to infection or injury. There are more than 400 known stilbenes,17 but the longevity compound resveratrol is one of the most popular.18 Resveratrol is found in abundance in muscadine grapes,19 with most of the antioxidants concentrated in the grape skins and seeds.20
Other food sources include berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, cranberries and mulberries, pomegranate, apples, Indian jackfruit and raw cacao. Another potent, yet lesser-known, source of resveratrol is itadori tea, made from Japanese knotweed.21
Stilbenes also have “extraordinary potential for the prevention and treatment of different diseases, including cancer, due to their antioxidant, cell death activation, and anti-inflammatory properties,” noted researchers with the University of Valencia in Spain.22

4. Lignans — Lignans, found in seeds such as flax and sesame and fruits like jackfruit, are metabolized by bacteria in your gut, converting into compounds such as enterodiol and enterolactone, which have weak estrogenic activity. They may help prevent cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes and may help reduce the risk of hormone-associated cancers such as breast, uterine, ovarian and prostate.23

Health Benefits of Polyphenols

Polyphenols act as functional foods with antioxidant properties, helping to eliminate reactive oxygen species that contribute to disease. They also offer anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and anti-diabetic actions, making them ideal for warding off some of the most common diseases worldwide. Writing in the Journal of Food Biochemistry, researchers with the University of Manitoba in Canada and colleagues explained:24

“The non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden has been increasing worldwide due to the sedentary lifestyle and several other factors such as smoking, junk food, etc. Scientific literature evidence supports the use of plant-based food polyphenols as therapeutic agents that could help to alleviate NCD’s burden. Thus, consuming polyphenolic compounds from natural sources could be an effective solution to mitigate NCDs concerns.”

In fact, consuming polyphenol-rich foods may have a number of health benefits, including:25,26,27

Reducing blood pressure Improving lipid metabolism
Lowering blood glucose Reducing body weight
Preventing and improving metabolic syndrome Protecting heart health
Skin protective effects Antibacterial properties
Reducing cancer risk. Researchers believe the antioxidant effects of polyphenols help protect DNA from free radical damage,28 which can trigger cancer development.
Polyphenols also reverse epigenetic markers in the DNA believed to reduce tumor growth		 Boost your immune function
Protection against osteoporosis, due to a positive effect on bone metabolism29 Reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases

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Polyphenols Are Good for Your Gut

In the video above, you can hear professor Yves Desjardins, with the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Food at the Université Laval, Québec, explain the impressive effects of polyphenols on the gut microbiota, and the resulting beneficial influence on metabolic diseases.30

“We surmise that (poly)phenols’ broad antimicrobial action free ecological niches occupied by competing bacteria, thereby allowing the bloom of beneficial gut bacteria … The beneficial direct impact of (poly)phenols on the gut microbiota relies on two principal modes of action: a direct bacterial stimulatory effect and a direct antimicrobial effect,” Desjardins and colleagues wrote in Frontiers in Nutrition.31

They’ve proposed the term duplibiotics to describe polyphenols’ two modes of action in the gut that benefit humans. Polyphenols also appear to have a prebiotic effect, improving the beneficial bacteria living in your gut. Much of the research has been done on green tea, which plays an important role in balancing your gut flora by increasing good bacteria and reducing the number of potentially harmful bacteria.32

However, it’s likely that gut-modulatory effects may partially explain the benefits of many polyphenol-rich foods. For instance, researchers wrote in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, “The weight-lowering property of fruits, green tea and vinegar wine in obese people may be partly related to their polyphenol content, which changes the gut microbiota.”33 They added:34

“It is clear that dietary polyphenols and their metabolites contribute to the maintenance of gut health by the modulation of the gut microbial balance through the stimulation of the growth of beneficial bacteria and the inhibition of pathogen bacteria, exerting prebiotic-like effects.”

What Are the Best Food Sources of Polyphenols?

If you’d like to add more polyphenol-rich superfoods to your diet, the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a list of the 100 richest dietary sources of polyphenols based on milligrams (mg) per 100 grams.

“The richest sources were various spices and dried herbs, cocoa products, some darkly colored berries, some seeds (flaxseed) and nuts (chestnut, hazelnut) and some vegetables, including olive and globe artichoke heads,” the team found.35 Additional foods topping that list include:36

Cloves Peppermint Star anise
Cocoa powder Mexican oregano Celery seed
Dark chocolate Flaxseed meal Black elderberry
Chestnut seeds Dried sage Rosemary
Spearmint Thyme Blueberries
Blackcurrant Capers Black olives
Hazel nuts Pecans

You can further optimize the health benefits of these foods by eating them with a little bit of healthy fat, as polyphenols are fat soluble.37 How the plant is grown can also influence its healing potential. As noted in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, agricultural practices and industrial processes can reduce the health effects of polyphenols in food.

“It is important to realize that the polyphenols that are the most common in the human diet are not necessarily the most active within the body, either because they have a lower intrinsic activity or because they are poorly absorbed from the intestine, highly metabolized, or rapidly eliminated,” the researchers explained.38

However, organically grown foods contain statistically higher levels of polyphenols compared to conventionally grown varieties. Also, freeze-drying preserves higher phenol content than air-drying does.39 So, to optimize the polyphenols in your diet, focus on eating a wide variety of fresh, homegrown, organic or biodynamically grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, along with cocoa and tea.

 

– Sources and References

Posted in Antioxidant, Bacteria, Blood Pressure, Bones, Brain, Cancer, Cardiovascular, DNA, Food, Glucose, Gut, Health, Heart, Organic, Skin, Sugar, Supplements, Weight Loss | No Comments »