"Natural" vs. "Organic" - Do You Know What You Are Eating?

At a time when public awareness about the ill-effects of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides is increasing, consumer product manufacturers are becoming more savvy in their marketing techniques to fool you and increase their profits. Along with the image that represents a healthier product, they are happy to lead you to believe they are being environmental stewards by using "green-washing" verbage.

The most infamous word of choice these days seems to be "natural". While this word sounds appealing to consumers it brings no regulation in the food industry and does not provide you the protection of health and stewardship that you may be hoping for. When a product indicates that it is "natural", be aware that they may not be looking out for your best interest. To avoid exposure to chemicals in growth and processing and to aid in sustainable agricultural practices, look for "organic" as it is regulated by the USDA to monitor this. Use the following link to obtain information about the USDA's national organic accreditation program for those agencies that are compliant in protecting you.

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5074486

Many of the listed accedited programs are very common, such as the Oregan Tilth and The California Organic Farmers Association. Be familiar with the products that you buy regularly to assure that their manufacturers are living up to the high standards necessary to keep you and your loved ones healthy. When organic is not available, try selecting other foods and experiment with new recipes. For the times when you just can't live without it and you can't find organic, refer to our earlier blog about pesticide exposure for the relatively safe non-organic fruits and veggies that are best picks.

Have a Sweet Tooth? Satisfy It Without Raising Your Blood Sugar

When it comes to eating for cancer survivorship, sugar is a substance that we should consider eliminating. With the exception of the natural sugars that we consume in fresh fruits, added sugars which can include cane sugar, honey, maple, high fructose corn syrup, etc., should be severly restriced. When we eat sugar it causes a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. The pancreas responds by releasing insulin which is responsible for moving the sugar into storage in muscle and fat tissue and maintaining blood levels. And studies have found that high insulin levels appear to be linked to higher levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a protein that may be linked to cancer. In the long list of available sweeteners on the market, many are manufactured chemically and have been shown to create neurotoxicity. Those that are derived "naturally" can still create problems by increasing your blood sugar.

Of course, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is the ideal to maintain optimal health, but when you have a hankering for something sweet, stevia is a good option for use in recipes to satisfy your cravings. Stevia is an herb that is native to Brazil and Paraguay. Aside from having no calories, stevia may also have some health benefits. The herb has been widely used to treat diabetes in South America and animal studies have shown promising results. Stevia can be used in a variety of ways from baking to sweetening tea, smoothies and sauces. It is substantially sweeter than sugar so be sure to understand the proportions for use in food preparation. Stevia can be found at most natural grocery stores. Once you give it a try, you won't miss sugar again!

Ban Against BPA - Reduce Our Exposure

On March 16, 2009, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Representative Edward Markey introduced legislation that would ban bisphenol A (BPA) from food and beverage containers. Currently, there are no government safety standards limiting the amount of BPA in canned food. BPA is found in reusable plastic containers and the lining of soda cans and canned food containers. It is associated with a number of health problems and diseases that are on the rise in the U.S. population, including breast and prostate cancer and infertility. In September 2008, the National Institutes of Health's National Toxicology Program (NTP)declared that BPA, shown in laboratory tests to disrupt the endocrine system, may alter brain development, cause behavioral problems and damage the prostate glands in fetuses, infants and young children. So then why is this chemical so pervasive in our in our environment? BPA has been used in consumer products since early in the 20th century. It's use is well established and has been effective for the purposes it was intended for, but with a grave cost. More than 100 peer-reviewed studies have found BPA to be toxic at low doses, some similar to those found in people, yet not a single regulatory agency has updated safety standards to reflect this low-dose toxicity.

What can you do?

-when possible avoid #7 plastics, especially for children's food, plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA
- do not microwave anything in a plastic container, use ceramic or glass instead
-limit consumption of canned foods including canned drinks
-all U.S. manufacturers use BPA-based lining on the metal portions of the formula containers, if your baby needs liquid formula look for types sold in BPA-free plastic or glass containers
-look for stainless steel water bottles that do not have a plastic liner
-call or write your legislators to support this bill and push is through!

"Anti-Cancer" Foods

According to research from The National Cancer Institute 50% of all cancer risk can be contributed to diet. So then what is a cancer prevention diet? Eating a plant-based diet with an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans and being physically active is your best insurance to reduce your risk of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.

The following is a list of foods that are so rich in nutrients and antioxidants that you should enjoy them everyday.

• Cruciferous vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, kale, mustard seeds, radishes, cabbage, water cress, arugula
• Good fats (Omega 3’s) – olive oil, walnuts, wild salmon, avocado, flax seeds
• Nuts/Seeds – walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, almonds
• Legumes – black beans, garbanzo beans, lentils, peas
• Whole grains – buckwheat, oats, wild rice, bulgur, quinoa (technically not a grain, but it most often classified as one)
• Yellow, orange, red vegetables – peppers, tomatoes, squash, beets, sweet potatoes
• Asian Mushrooms
• Onions, garlic, ginger
• Herbs and spices
• Berries
• Green Tea

Safe Household Cleaning

Many household cleaning products contain a list of chemicals that have been linked to short and long-term health problems. Some chemicals in cleaning products have been linked to reproductive harm, which includes changes in sexual behavior, decreases in fertility, menstrual changes, changes in the onset of puberty, cancers of reproductive organs, miscarriage, premature birth and other effects. Many scientists now believe that chemical exposure, even at very low levels, can have adverse impacts on the reproductive system leading to ill-health and eventually disease.

Many of the cleaning jobs around the house can be accomplished using a very simple and non-toxic mix of ingredients. Use the recipe below to clean countertops, kitchen floors, windows, mirrors and other hard surfaces.

All-Purpose Cleaner

2 cups white distilled vinegar
2 cups water
20-30 drops of essential oil (optional)

Tip: Warming in microwave until barely hot will boost cleaning power for tough jobs. Only microwave in a glass container.

Trans fatty acids and Inflammation

Avoiding trans fatty acids has been the trend for roughly ten years and has been urged by health professionals for good reason. Trans fatty acids are manufactured fats created during a process called hydrogenation, which is aimed at stabilizing polyunsaturated oils to prevent them from becoming rancid and to keep them solid at room temperature. They may be particularly dangerous for the heart and may pose a risk for certain cancers. A study of nearly 20,000 women published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2008 reported that women with the highest blood levels of trans fat had twice the risk of breast cancer compared to women with the lowest levels. And yet another study by Harvard researchers published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention in 2008 found an increase in prostate cancer in men with the highest blood levels of certain trans fats. Hydrogenated fats are used in stick margarine, fast foods, commercial baked goods (donuts, cookies, crackers), processed foods, and fried foods. The link to cancer is theorized to be their capacity for increasing inflammation, which is a process by which your body responds to injury. Trans fat appears to damage the cells lining blood vessels, leading to inflammation.

Trans fatty acids occur naturally in small amounts in meat and dairy products. But the vast majority of the trans fats in our diet come from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, found in many processed foods. You'll find trans fats in any cooking or table fat that contains partially hydrogenated fat or oils. When at the grocery store, review the ingredients labels for "partially hydrogenated", and avoid the foods with this on the list. When eating out, be aware that many restaurants cook with partially hydrogenated oils and keep these at an absolute minimum.