What's In Your Meat?

A new study from Translational Genomics Research Institute in Arizona has found that almost half of the meat found in U.S. grocery stores is contaminated with high levels of bacteria. Meat was sampled from 26 grocery stores all over the United States, and tests showed high levels of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that causes food-borne illness in thousands of Americans every year, and even some deaths. The study also found that 96% of the meat with Staph bacteria was resistant to antibiotics. Turkey was the most resistant, followed by pork, beef, and chicken. The cause for this resistance is directly related to antibiotic use in the food that is fed to these factory farmed animals. Dr. Lance Price, a researcher on the study, said that this antibiotic resistance in meat is one of the biggest threats to public health, and an issue that should not be taken lightly.

A Vegetarian Diet Is Easy On The Eyes

According to a new study from the University of Oxford, people who follow a vegetarian diet have the lowest risk of developing cataracts later in life. The dietary intakes and medical history of 27,600 people forty years or older was collected over the course of fifteen years. Results showed that those who ate the most meat (more than 3.5 ounces of meat daily) had the highest risk for developing cataracts, while those who consumed moderate amounts of meat had a slightly lower risk. Those who included seafood in their diets had a 15% lower risk compared to meat eaters, vegetarians had a 30% lower risk, and vegans had a 40% lower risk. The results of the study do not specify whether foregoing meat, the higher intake of fruits and vegetables, or a combination of both provides the benefit to vision. But they do show that the risk of developing cataracts is significantly lower for vegetarians.

Sleep Tight With Magnesium

According to a new study from the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota, taking magnesium supplements reduces inflammation and improves sleep quality. In the study, 100 adults with a history of poor sleep quality were given either 320 miligrams/day of magnesium or placebos. Before the study began, all participants' dietary intake, BMI, and blood and urine values were assessed. Results showed that 60% of the participants were magnesium deficient and experiencing inflammatory conditions. For those who were low in magnesium at the beginning of the study, supplementation increased blood magnesium levels, decreased inflammation, and improved sleep quality.

Some magnesium-rich foods to add to your diet:
Halibut
Spinach
Nuts
Peanut butter
Brown rice
Lentils
Avocado
Kidney Beans

"Keeping Up" With Men At The Bar Dangerous For Women's Brains

A recent study conducted in Sweden found that four years of excessive drinking in women led to the same brain function deterioration that occurred in men who had been abusing alcohol for twelve years. These findings also suggest that depression and anxiety seen in those who drink excessively may be linked to this significant loss of serotonin in the brain.

Anti-Cancer Benefits Of The Sunshine Vitamin

According to a new Harvard study, increased levels of vitamin D may decrease the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Data was collected from over 150 people over the course of 14 years, and indicated that people with a vitamin D deficiency were 30% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, compared with those who had adequate levels of vitamin D. This new research adds to the constantly growing list of potential anti-cancer benefits of vitamin D.

Low Levels Of Vitamin D May Lead To Diabetes

A new study found that obese children with low levels of vitamin D had a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes. The research looked at vitamin D levels in both obese and non-obese children in the United States, and concluded that the levels were significantly lower in obese children, and therefore those children had higher degrees of insulin resistance. Dr. Micah Olson, the lead author of the study, said, "Although our study cannot prove causation, it does suggest that low vitamin D levels may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes." Future research will look into the required amount and duration of vitamin D treatment necessary to replenish the deficiency, and whether increasing vitamin D levels can reverse the damage and
diminish insulin resistance in obese children.

Breast Cancer Survivors Can Greatly Benefit From Exercise

A recent study conducted at the University of Missouri found that the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks for breast cancer survivors who suffer from a chronic swelling condition called lymphedema. Lymphedema can occur any time after cancer treatment, and is usually caused by the removal or radiation of lymph nodes as part of the treatment process. Approximately three million people in the United States are affected by this condition, and most have been told that exercise can induce or worsen the issue. However, this new research suggests that exercise is actually very beneficial for breast cancer survivors. Jane Armer, professor in the Sinclair School for Nursing, says, “Each individual should balance the pros and cons of the activity she chooses, but keep in mind that being sedentary has risks and being active is beneficial in many ways, including possibly reducing the risk of cancer recurrence."

Cancer Patients Should Follow Lance Armstrong's Lead

Lance Armstrong, famous cyclist and cancer survivor, is proof that exercise can help people beat cancer, and now there’s research to back it up. After reviewing over sixty studies, researchers found that people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation could benefit greatly from regular exercise. Although cancer patients may not feel strong enough to jog or cycle, the findings support the idea that boosting physical activity will improve mental and physical health, strengthen the patient’s quality of life and help monitor body weight. The findings of the research say it all. Among women with breast cancer, those who exercise for 150 minutes a week at moderate intensity have more than a 40% lower risk of dying compared with those who don’t exercise. Additionally, studies on bowel cancer prove the risk of dying is cut by about 50% in patients who exercise for six hours a week. Also, prostate cancer patients have a 57% lower rate of disease progression if they exercise regularly. Instead of instructing patients to “rest up”, doctors should be urging them to get up and move. Although not a proven cure for cancer, exercise is definitely a step in the right direction.

HPV Linked to Lung Cancer

A new study by researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common sexually transmitted virus that accounts for most cases of cervical cancer, may also play a role in lung cancer. According to research of those with lung cancer, the chances of having eight types of serious HPV are significantly higher. But don't jump to the conclusion that HPV causes lung cancer or vice versa. “We know that HPV can reach the lung, but whether HPV can cause malignancies is a question we hope to answer,” says study author, Professor Devasena Anantharaman.

Sweet Deceit

According to testing done for Food Safety News, more than three quarters of the honey sold in grocery stores across the United States isn't what the bees produce. The results show that, more often than not, the pollen has been filtered out of products labeled "honey." The removal of these microscopic particles from deep within a flower would make the nectar fail the quality standards set by most of the world's food safety agencies.

The food safety divisions of the World Health Organization, the European Commission and dozens of others have ruled that without pollen there is no way to determine whether the honey came from a safe source. The FDA says any product that's been ultra-filtered and no longer contains pollen is not honey. But the FDA isn't checking honey sold in the U.S. to see if it contains pollen.

Ultra filtering is a high-tech procedure where honey is heated, watered down and then forced at high pressure through very small filters to remove pollen, which is the only foolproof sign identifying the source of the honey. It is a spin-off of a technique developed by the Chinese, who have been illegally dumping tons of their honey (some containing illegal antibiotics) on the U.S. market for years.

Food Safety News purchased more than 60 containers of honey in 10 states and the District of Columbia. The contents were then analyzed for pollen.

The findings were as follows:

•76 percent of honey samples from grocery stores had all the pollen removed. These were stores like Safeway, Kroger, A&P, and Stop & Shop.

•100 percent of the honey sampled from drugstores like Walgreens, Rite-Aid and CVS Pharmacy had no pollen.

•77 percent of the honey sampled from big box stores like Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, and Target contained no pollen.

•100 percent of the honey packaged in the small individual service portions from Smucker's, McDonald's and KFC had no pollen.

•100 percent of the samples from farmers markets, co-ops and "natural" stores like PCC and Trader Joe's had the full amount of pollen.

Most people never stop to think about where their honey comes from and what it contains. But in our modern age of bigger and cheaper, it's more crucial than ever to examine our food sources. It might cost a few more dollars, but that jar of raw organic honey is actually honey that contains pollen, not an ultra-filtered pollen-less antibiotic-full substance from China that's being packaged in a cute little plastic bear and labeled as "honey."

Healthy Recipes for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Garlic Brussels Sprouts:
Serves 4

This flavorful side dish is loaded with vitamin K (crucial for blood clotting) and manganese (vital for skin and bone health), as well as vitamin C, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.

1 pound Brussels sprouts
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts
salt and pepper to taste

1.) Cut the stem end off the Brussels sprouts and slice each in half.

2.) Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. When the oil is hot, add the Brussels sprouts and minced garlic, and cook several minutes until the sprouts are well browned. Reduce the heat to medium. Add walnuts, salt, and pepper, and cook several minutes more until the sprouts are tender. Remover from heat and serve.

Per serving: 240 calories, 70% fat (20g; 2.4g saturated), 20% carbs (13g), 10% protein (6g), 5g fiber, 67mg calcium, 2mg iron, 29mg sodium.

Even people who cringe at the thought of Brussels sprouts will love these! They're delicious and nutritious.

Sweet Potato Mash:
Serves 8
Prep time: 5 min
Cooking time: 65 to 80 min

8 medium sweet potatoes
2 cups coconut milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon, or more to taste
Salt and pepper to taste

1.) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

2.) Set the sweet potatoes in the oven and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. After 20 minutes, pierce the potatoes with a fork in several places to prevent bursting. They are done when they can be easily pierced all the way through their thickest part.

3.) Let cook, then peel. Cut them into pieces and process two or three at a time until smooth. Transfer to a large saucepan. (If you have an immersion blender, you can simply blend them in the saucepan.)

4.) Bring the coconut milk to a boil, reduce heat, add the cinnamon and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and whisk into the sweet potato puree. Add the coconut milk a cup at a time until you get the consistency you desire.

5.) Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and reheat just before serving.

Yum! So smooth and creamy. A healthy alternative to the classic butter-rich mashed potatoes.

Pregnant Women Should Eat Wild Salmon

In a recent pregnancy study, it was found that mothers who ate salmon reduced their infants' inflammation. The soon-to-be published study produced revolutionary findings about the influence of omega-3 fatty acid intake in pregnant women on the immune responses of infants.

In the study, half of the pregnant women ate a diet rich in salmon, while the other half consumed a typical Western diet low in omega-3s and high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids found in vegetable oils. The salmon-diet mothers' umbilical cord cells showed an immune and inflammation response about 50 percent lower than in the Western-diet group. Thus, the cells of mothers who eat salmon are less likely to produce allergies and related immune-system disorders.

Dr. Van der Beek, who led the Salmon in Pregnancy Study, concluded that expectant mothers should be eating "...a balanced diet with sufficient vegetables and fruits, and perhaps not cook everything in oil. And there should be one to two portions of fatty fish a week, and other sources of the omega-3 DHA."

A NOTE: Unlike wild salmon, farmed salmon, although equally high in omega-3s, is also high in pro-inflammatory omega-6s found in the most commonly used vegetable oils.

Think Before You Drink: Moderate drinking linked to a higher risk of breast cancer

A recent study suggests that women who routinely have even small amounts of alcohol, as few as three drinks a week, have a higher risk of breast cancer. This news may come as a shock to those who routinely "drink to their health."

The study, which examined the habits of more than 100,000 women over 30 years, adds to a long line of research linking alcohol consumption to an increased risk of breast cancer. However, whereas the bulk of the research in the past largely focused on higher levels of alcohol intake, this latest study is among the first to assess the effect of relatively small amounts of alcohol over long periods of time.

Dr. Wendy Y. Chen, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and the lead author of the study, says, “We’re not recommending that women stop drinking altogether. For an individual woman to make the best decision it would depend on what her own breast cancer risk factors are, as well as her cardiovascular risk factors."

The question for many women remains whether cutting back on alcohol to reduce breast cancer risk is worth losing out on the reduction in heart disease that is associated with moderate drinking. Dr. Susan Love, a clinical professor of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, says, “If you do drink, you have to weigh the risks and benefits. But obviously if you don’t drink and you’re worried about breast cancer, don’t start.”

Forget your troubles, come on, get happy!

A recent study suggests that happiness in older people may lead to longer lives. The five-year study provides data that supports the notion that happiness may not only improve the quality of one's life, but also the quantity of one's life.

The study found that:
* Older people who report feeling happy are up to 35% less likely to die.
* The presence of negative emotions may be less important than the absence of happiness when it comes to longevity of life.
* The regions of the brain that are involved in happiness are also integral to healthy blood-vessel function.

Older studies on happiness and longevity relied primarily on the participants' ability to recall their emotions during a specific period of time in the past. However, collecting data through recollections is not always accurate. To achieve greater accuracy in this most recent study, Andrew Steptoe, PhD (lead author of the study and a professor of psychology at University College London) and his colleagues asked more than 3,800 people to record their levels of happiness, anxiety, and other emotions at four specific times over the course of a single day.

The participants were between the ages of 52 and 79, and were divided into three groups according to how happy and positive they felt. Five years later, 7% of people in the least happy group had died, compared with just 4% in the happiest group, and 5% in the middle group.

Don't stop taking your vitamins! Dr. Mark Hyman explains why

"Vitamins kill people." This is the "theory" proposed by a recent study that's hitting publications and broadcasts all over the country. Dr. Mark Hyman responded with a comprehensive look into why this vitamin study does not prove anything.

According to Dr. Hyman, most vitamin studies that show harm are flawed because they're often designed like drug studies. For instance, a study may issue someone a high dose of vitamin E to see what happens. The danger inherent in this method of testing is obvious. As Hyman points out, "We all agree that broccoli is good for you, but if that were all you ate you would die in short order. The same is true of vitamins. Nutrients are not drugs and they can’t be studied as drugs. They are part of a biological system where all nutrients work as a team to support your biochemical processes. Michael Jordon may have been the best basketball player in history, but he couldn’t have won six NBA titles without a team."

After carefully examining the "Vitamins Kill You" study on older white women in Iowa, Hyman identified some major flaws:
1.) Hormone replacement was not taken into consideration.
2.) Iron should not be given to older women.
3.) Patient background was ignored.
4.) The population was not representative
5.) Forms and quality of vitamins were not identified.
6.) A realistic comparison between vitamins and other medications as cause of death was not made.

To read the complete article, go to http://drhyman.com/why-you-should-not-stop-taking-your-vitamins-7781

Elemental Superfood Seedbars- a delicious new raw, gluten free, dairy free nutrition snack

Nicole Anderson, creator of the Elemental Superfood Seedbar, began making her own food at home because of her daughter's allergies to wheat, dairy and sugar. Her superfood bars are still handmade, and have no artificial additives, no preservatives, and no fillers. They are made with the highest quality organic ingredients. Elemental Superfood Seedbars are high in protein and fiber, and loaded with omega-3s.

For now they are only sold at a few select stores in California, but visit her website at http://www.elemental-raw.com to order a box.

Omega-3 may prevent osteoarthritis

A recent study published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage concluded that a diet rich in omega-3 from fish and flax oil could significantly reduce the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. This study was conducted on guinea pigs that naturally develop osteoarthritis. After feeding the animals an omega-3-rich diet, osteoarthritis was reduced by 50% compared to a standard control diet.

The scientists involved in the research said that the findings are a huge leap forward in proving that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and flax oil can drastically slow the progression of osteoarthritis, or even prevent it entirely.

A tip: When consuming flax seeds, always make sure they are ground completely first. The whole, unground seeds can mess with your digestion.

Like mom always said - Eat your broccoli!

A new study found that broccoli in supplement form just doesn't cut it. Because the key nutrients in broccoli are poorly absorbed when taken as a supplement, the study suggests that eating broccoli in its whole food form is the only way to absorb the important phytonutrients. Published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the study is one of the first to examine the health benefits of cruciferous vegetables in supplement form.


There's been a recent surge of commercial broccoli supplements on the market after studies confirmed broccoli as a powerful anti-cancer agent. Although some nutrients, like folic acid, are better absorbed by the body in supplement form, the specific nutritional compounds found in broccoli need to come from the complete food for the full health benefits.

There you have it. Listen to mom. She knows best.

Eat your fruits and veggies...Your heart will thank you

A recent study suggests that a healthy diet with an abundance of fruits and vegetables can significantly weaken the effect of a gene associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The study was published in the online journal PLoS Medicine, and involved researchers examining the link between a heart disease gene and diet in more than 27,000 people of varied ethnicities. The results were conclusive: the risk of heart attack in those with the at-risk gene who ate a healthy diet comprised primarily of raw fruits and vegetables was very similar to those without the high-risk gene. One of the researchers, Sonia Anand, said, "Our results support the public health recommendation to consume more than five servings of fruits or vegetables as a way to promote good health."

Great Alternative to Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Millet Cauliflower Mash

This recipe comes from the cookbook, love, sanae,written by a young woman who recovered from ovarian cancer with natural healing and macrobiotics. She and her husband Eric founded Seed, a vegan macrobiotic restaurant in Venice, Ca. I recently ate there and loved it so much I had to order all their cookbooks.

1 c millet
3-3.5 cups water
2 cups diced cauliflower
1/8 tsp sea salt

1. In a skillet over medium heat, lightly dry roast the washed millet, stirring constantly, until it smells toasty
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water to a boil. Add millet, cauliflower and salt, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 min.
3. Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth and fluffy, adding a little water if necessary. An immersion blender works well so you can puree right in the pot.

Shiitake Gravy

2 shiitake mushrooms, dried
2 cups water for soaking
1/4 c chopped onion
1 heaping tbl. kuzu, dissolved in 2 tbl water (a root starch found in Japanese grocery stores or the macrobiotic foods section of Whole Foods)
1 tsp tamari

1. Soak the mushrooms for about 30 minutes
2. Remove mushrooms, reserving soak water and coarsely chop
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/4 c of the soaking water and the onion. Saute the onion for 1 minute.
4 Add remaining soaking water and mushrooms, cover and simmer for 15 min
5. Add dissolved kuzu and stir constantly until it thickens
6 Flavor with tamari and serve over millet mash.

Yum! Just like mashed potatoes with gravy.

Fish Oil Lowers Risk of Depressiom and Cognitive Decline

Fish oil supplements may reduce symptoms of depression and a subsequent risk of dementia, suggests new data from Australia.

The apparent brain-boosting benefits of fish oil are related the combination of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), which calls into question the use of pure EPA supplements in some mental health studies.

For the new study, fish oil supplements were associated with improvements in scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale and verbal fluency The new study – published in the British Journal of Nutrition – adds to an every growing body of science supporting the potential cognitive benefits of fish oil and the omega-3 fatty acids it contains.

The majority of the science focuses on heart health, but an increasing number of studies have reported benefits for mood, behavior, and mental function. Such is the interest in the area of omega-3 and brain health that the US Army is studying the effects of omega-3 status on suicide rates of troops and service personnel (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry , doi: 10.4088/JCP.11m06879), and how omega-3 supplementation may improve mental health and stress resilience .

Chocolate is Good for the Heart

In a city renowned for its love of food, it is only fitting that researchers presented the results of a new study in Paris, France, showing that chocolate is good for the heart and brain. In a presentation at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2011 Congress, British investigators are reporting that individuals who ate the most chocolate had a 37% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 29% lower risk of stroke compared with individuals who ate the least amount of chocolate.
In the study, published online August 29, 2011, Dr Adriana Buitrago-Lopez (University of Cambridge, UK) and colleagues state: "Although overconsumption can have harmful effects, the existing studies generally agree on a potential beneficial association of chocolate consumption with a lower risk of cardiometabolic disorders. Our findings confirm this, and we found that higher levels of chocolate consumption might be associated with a one-third reduction in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease."

Probiotics Boost Immune Function, According to a New Study

Daily intake of probiotic “friendly” bacteria showed the ability to effect a considerable increase in immune function, reports a recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Conducted in partnership between the University of Southampton in England and the University of Milan, and the Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan, Italy, study participants that ingested bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis (BB-12) or Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. Paracasei (L. casei 431) showed raised levels—as high as 66 percent—of the immune system antibody IgG3.

Study participants who were given the probiotics over a two-week period were then inoculated with a standard flu vaccine. Tested again four weeks after receiving the vaccine, the probiotic group’s immune antibodies showed substantial increases while the placebo group’s results were considerably less impressive. The study findings corroborate previous studies that also found a connection between daily intake of probiotic strains and enhanced immune system function.

The study tested probiotic supplements, and not probiotic-rich foods such as live sauerkraut, kim chee, kombucha or probiotic dairy products such as yogurt or kefir. Naturally fermented foods are a well-known source of friendly bacteria, and in addition to immune enhancement, have been shown to regulate mood, support digestive health and even contribute to weight loss.

Recent research has linked the excess use of and wide variety of antibiotics (routine in America) to notable imbalances of friendly bacteria colonies. The study showed a connection between diminished levels of friendly gut bacteria and unusual behavior in certain stomach hormones that were not sending proper signals of satiety to the brain and leading to overeating, obesity and diabetes.

Red Wine Consumption May Help Keep Weight and Belly Fat Off

A daily glass of red wine may help keep weight and belly fat in check, according to a new evidence review by researchers at Spain’s University of Navarra.

The authors analyzed data from 31 epidemiological studies, which reveal associations between foods in people’s diets and their health, without proving a cause-effect relationship. In all of the studies, researchers had collected information on people’s alcohol consumption and body mass index.

Drinking one or two ounces of unsweetened alcohol per day might not cause much weight gain, while sweetened drinks – or drinking any alcohol to excess – cause greater concern.

As the authors wrote, “… light-to-moderate alcohol intake, especially wine intake, may be more likely to protect against weight gain, whereas consumption of spirits [is linked to] weight gain.” Many of the studies linked greater body weight or abdominal adiposity (belly fat) among heavy or binge drinkers.

Kombucha Tea May Pose A Health Risk

According to recent commentary in Journal of Intensive Care Medicine about the popular Kombucha (mushroom) Tea, touted to have medicinal properties, toxicity is a real and present danger.

"Kombucha tea is black tea fermented in a yeast-bacteria medium. Several case reports exist of serious, and sometimes fatal, hepatic dysfunction and lactic acidosis within close proximity to ingestion. While Kombucha tea is considered a healthy elixir, the limited evidence currently available raises considerable concern that it may pose serious health risks. Consumption of this tea should be discouraged, as it may be associated with life-threatening lactic acidosis."