Corn, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, crystalline fructose, HFCSPundit George Will has joined the ranks of those who have noticed that the U.S. government’s treatment of corn is wrecking the health of Americans.

Ever since Nixon, government policy has been to sell large quantities of calories as cheaply as possible — especially calories coming from corn. Now, a quarter of the 45,000 items in the average supermarket contain processed corn, often in the form of high-fructose corn syrup.

The result?

Rates of chronic diseases like cancer and Type 2 diabetes are much higher today than they were in 1900. Type 2 diabetes is a $100 billion a year consequence of, among other things, obesity related to a corn-based diet. Four of the top 10 causes of American deaths — coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer – have well-established links to diet as well.

Making matters worse, by now you may have seen “crystalline fructose” as an ingredient in beverages.

If you’ve been wondering what it was, it turns out that crystalline fructose “is produced by allowing the fructose to crystallize from a fructose-enriched corn syrup.” This information is from the sugar producers themselves. So, it is made from corn syrup, and not only corn syrup, but “fructose enriched” corn syrup. Sounds like another name for high fructose corn syrup.

Fructose and glucose are metabolized differently in the body. Glucose is metabolized in every cell in the body, but all fructose must be metabolized in the liver. When a diet includes a large amount of fructose, then it creates a fatty liver, and even cirrhosis. Crystalline Fructose contains a 99.5 percent minimum of fructose assay, which is an even higher percentage of fructose than regular HFCS!

Another ingredient of crystalline fructose is arsenic. Additional chemical compounds that make up crystalline fructose are heavy metals, lead, and chloride.

Sources:

Smokinchoices March 10, 2009

Cleaner Plate Club May 23, 2008

The Fit Shack March 28, 2007

Restaurants that refill your cup every time you empty it might not be offering you such a great deal after all — not when you count the calories that you consume from the beverage bonanza. For instance, each large glass of commercial iced tea contains about 180 calories. One refill brings you to 360 calories — more than six oreo cookies.

It’s easy to ignore the calories in drinks for the simple reason that drinks tend not to fill you up. One reason so many diets fail may be that dieters don’t restrict the liquid calories they consume. Although sugary and alcoholic drinks can make you fat, they don’t necessarily make you feel sated, so you just keep drinking while eating, taking in almost as many liquid calories as you do calories from food.

In fact, studies show that while food calories “register” in the brain, limiting the amount of food you desire, liquid calories somehow don’t register. As you eat solid food, nerves in the stomach and intestine release regulators that tell the brain you’re full, while hunger hormones (called ghrelin) become suppressed. But liquids move more quickly through the digestive system and fail to trigger the same signals.

“When the number and type of calories are the same, the calories in liquid form won’t suppress ghrelin as effectively as if the same calories were in solid form,” explains Dr. David E. Cummings of the University of Washington.

As I’ve written before, overall caloric consumption has been steadily increasing over the past three decades, with a concomitant increase in obesity rates. By 2003, the average person consumed 523 more calories on a daily basis than the average person consumed in 1970 — and beverages account for about half of those added calories! Consider that drink portion sizes have increased from an average of 13 ounces to 20 ounces. Look at the explosion of high-calorie sweet drinks — especially coffee drinks — the lattes and cappuccinos that so many of us unthinkingly down daily. Consider all the sports drinks and flavored vitamin waters that seem so innocent — but that add plenty of calories and not much else. (The Center for Science in the Public Interest has a current suit filed against Coca Cola for making “unsubstantiated and deceptive” advertising claims that Vitamin Water offers health benefits.) Think about the fact that red wine has become standard daily fare in many households that eschewed wine a few decades ago. It’s not just about soda anymore.

When people drink more, they usually don’t compensate by moderating the amount of food they eat, according to a 2007 study. The study found that when served an 18-ounce drink, subjects drank more than when served 12 ounces — in other words, they drank what was given to them no matter the size and no matter what type of drink it was — and they ate the same amount of food no matter the calorie-count or volume of their beverage. Similarly, the Harvard Nurses’ Study of 50,000 women found that when subjects drank one sugar-sweetened beverage per day, they didn’t regulate their food intake to compensate, but rather, consumed an average of 358 extra calories daily and gained a significant amount of weight.

Here are some calorie facts about popular drinks:

A bottle of vitamin-water contains 125 calories
An 8-oz glass of red wine has 170 calories
A 16-oz café latte has 260 calories
A 12 oz fruit smoothie has 300 calories
A Starbucks frappuccino contains 470 calories.

Of course, not all liquid calories are created equal. Some drinks, particularly sodas and sports drinks, add not only calories, but typically also deliver nasty amounts of sugar, sodium, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colorings and preservatives, pesticides (a 2008 study in the UK found that soft drinks contained 300 times the level of pesticides allowed in tap water), phosphoric acid, chemical additives such as benzene (known to cause leukemia), and caffeine. The cumulative effect of drinking such beverages extends far beyond expanding the waistline — soft drinks expedite the development of diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, hypertension, kidney disease, and so on.

While diet sodas may look like a better deal with their zero-calorie offerings, the dangerous artificial sweeteners they contain have been linked to a host of malignant conditions including breast cancer, lymphoma, shrunken thymus glands, enlarged liver and kidneys, miscarriages, Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia, lupus, seizures, memory loss, and tremors. They offer you nothing nutritionally, plus, as I’ve written before, they ultimately make you fatter than their sugared counterparts, in spite of the lack of calories.

Fruit and vegetable juices, on the other hand, contain over 100 calories a glass, but if they’re freshly squeezed and organic, they’re a boon to your health, a marvelous way to get nutritious calories. And fruit smoothies, while laden with calories, fill you up because of their thickness, so they don’t necessarily have the same fattening effect as, for instance, a mocha latte or even a glass of lemonade made from concentrate (with a startling 791 calories per 12-oz glass). A smoothie can be a satisfying lunch, but not so much a glass of lemonade.

Ultimately, it’s best not to drink with meals at all since excessive liquids dilute your digestive juices and enzymes. But when drinking between meals for hydration, pure water is best — especially if you’re watching your weight. The point is that it pays to remain aware of what you drink and in what quantity you drink it if you want to remain svelte and healthy. Keep in mind it only takes 12 extra calories a day to add one pound a year — a frightening concept if you’re having a 470-calorie frappucino every day.

Jon Barron

Please, please, please…if you are a client of mine, a friend or family member, or just reading this blog: stay away from artificial sweeteners like the plague. Splenda IS a artificial sweetener, regardless of what the commercials say.

Read this newest tidbit about Splenda and then if you would like to read more click the link at the end. I always love Dr. Mercola’s take on Splenda and artificial sweeteners.

James Turner, the chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health, has expressed shock and outrage after reading a new report from scientists outlining the dangers of the artificial sweetener Splenda (sucralose).

In animals examined for the study, Splenda reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50 percent, increased the pH level in the intestines, contributed to increases in body weight and affected P-glycoprotein (P-gp) levels in such a way that crucial health-related drugs could be rejected.

According to Turner, “The report makes it clear that the artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose pose a threat to the people who consume the product. Hundreds of consumers have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this study … confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label.”
Sources:

Globe Newswire September 28, 2008

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A 2008;71(21):1415-29

Read more about the dangers of Splenda

Food allergies among children have risen 18 percent from 1997 to 2007, causing more than a few raised eyebrows among researchers and health officials. The first federal study of the issue found that one in 26 children now have food allergies, compared to one in 29 in 1997.

One in 26 U.S. children have food allergies — up 18 percent in the past decade.

In all, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that about 3 million kids have food allergies, which occur when your immune system overreacts to a food it mistakenly believes is harmful. If your immune system determines, for instance, that peanuts are harmful, it will produce specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to peanuts.

The next time you eat the particular food, your immune system then releases chemicals, including histamine, that are intended to protect your body from the substance. The problem is that these chemicals trigger an array of irritating and potentially very serious symptoms that can impact your respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin and cardiovascular system.

In fact, the number of children hospitalized for food allergies has also increased, according to the CDC. Hospital discharges rose from 2,600 a year in the late 1990s to over 9,500 a year in recent years.

Yet, food allergies are not the only ones on the rise.

A national survey conducted from 1988 to 1994 by the National Institutes of Health found that more than 50 percent of Americans ages 6 to 59 are sensitive to at least one allergen. That’s two to five times the rate found in a previous 1976 to 1980 survey.

Why are Allergies Increasing so Dramatically?

One theory is that parents and doctors are now more aware of allergies and their symptoms, meaning they’re more likely to identify the problem.

“A couple of decades ago, it was not uncommon to have kids sick all the time and we just said ‘They have a weak stomach’ or ‘They’re sickly,”‘ Anne Munoz-Furlong, chief executive of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, told CNN.

Yet, the increases are steep enough to suggest that something deeper is going on. Some potential causes of the emerging allergy epidemic include:

• Over-sanitized environments and too many antibiotics (in food and as medicine). “We’ve developed a cleanlier lifestyle, and our bodies no longer need to fight germs as much as they did in the past,” said Marc McMorris, a pediatric allergist at the University of Michigan Health System, in Live Science. “As a result, the immune system has shifted away from fighting infection to developing more allergic tendencies.”
• Air pollution. Diesel fumes, ozone and other common air pollutants are known to trigger allergies and asthma. As levels of pollution rise, so do allergies. In fact, according to a study led by Joachim Heinrich, Ph.D., of the German Research Center for Environment and Health at the Institute of Epidemiology, in Munich, traffic-related air pollution can increase the risk of allergy and atopic diseases in children by more than 50 percent!
• Children are taking longer to outgrow food allergies than in the past.
• Peanut allergies in children have doubled, studies show, fueling the increase (yet no one knows exactly why peanut allergies are rising).

Source: sixwise.com

Fall is here, and with its coolish days and back-to-school atmosphere, many of us mark
this season as a time for fresh beginnings. What better time is there to give your body
a fresh start as well? Some of these cleansing products can help you achieve that fresh start and keep you feeling great all season long.

Tried and True: CleanStart (my favorite)
CleanStart is a tried-and-true method for cleansing the whole body—eliminating waste buildup and toxins within the colon that can affect overall health—without dangerous side effects. Because it is safe and gentle, CleanStart can be used by just about anyone, and may be
repeated whenever you desire the benefits of a cleanse.  In addition to eliminating waste and toxins, this 14-day program may also provide an improved sense of energy and well-being. Take one drink mix packet and one capsule packet twice daily with plenty of water to achieve desired results.  CleanStart makes following a cleansing program simple!

Candida Clear
Candida albicans is a natural part of the body’s gut flora; however, certain factors such as
stress, weakened immune function, antibiotic overuse and a diet high in refined sugars can lead to Candida overgrowth. When this occurs, it’s time to work on maintaining balance.  Candida Clear is a 14-day cleansing program consisting of two packs: the Candida Clear Combo pack and the Candida Clear enzyme pack.

Para-Cleanse
Para-Cleanse is a 10-day program designed to support the intestinal system in its efforts
to rid the body of unwanted invaders. In addition to cleansing the intestinal tract of unhealthy
organisms, it helps to create a hospitable environment for the healthy organisms that also exist
there.  International travel, foreign foods, contaminated water, contact with pets and other sources can trigger the need to address the intestinal system.

Chinese Tiao He Cleanse
Tiao He Cleanse is a 15-day program designed to help the body achieve tiao he—balance and harmony. This simple program targets the digestive and intestinal systems, supporting proper waste elimination and encouraging colon cleansing.  This program can be used periodically as needed to cleanse the colon and keep it functioning at its best. Take the contents of one packet
15 minutes before a meal up to twice daily, along with 16 ounces of water.

Cleansing the body on a regular basis is vital to maintaining good health. Give yourself a clean

start this autumn. You can call or e-mail me to order these through me. Or click on the links to each type of cleanse to order them yourself.

Stevia could soon make a dramatic showing in the U.S. market.  You may be surprised to learn where. BUT BEWARE! It’s not all we hoped for.

For several years, Coca Cola and Cargill (one of the world’s largest providers of food and agricultural products) have worked together to develop a Stevia-based sweetener for use as an additive in foods and beverages.  The FDA now allows Stevia as a dietary supplement only, not as a food additive.  The companies may be closer to getting the FDA approval they need to use Stevia in their products.  The brand name will be Truvia™. I would at this point say “be wary” of anything taken from nature and “patented” that just means they have had to  change the product from a naturally occuring substance to be able to patent it.

While widespread use and approval of Stevia is long overdue, there may be cause for concern.  The FDA’s oversight of Stevia as a food additive- like the FDA’s oversight of so many things – may lead to market advantages for those companies that have a lot of lobbying power (like Coca Cola and Cargill).  Coca Cola has already filed 24 patent applications covering Stevia’s use in products ranging from vitamins to cereal.  As a result, the world’s largest beverage maker may be seeking to corner the market on the natural sweetener.

Think of what WalMart has done to local retailers.  We don’t want to see the long-time champions of Stevia left in the dust just when Stevia may reach a tipping point in the marketplace.  Support the natural product companies who have provided us with Stevia for so long through thick and thin.

Stevia is a great product, but stick with the “real thing” (and I don’t mean coke).

STARTING THE SCHOOL YEAR STRONG

As the new school year approaches, parents everywhere are gathering the supplies their kids will need when they head out the door. This fall, arm your kids not just with backpacks but with the nutrition that will help them perform their best.

Nature’s Sunshine has a variety of products designed to help kids stay healthy, happy and ready to learn Highlighted here are a few favorites.

Set Your Child’s Sights on Success with Focus Attention
Focus Attention combines powerful nutrients that help the brain maintain a healthy, balanced level of stimulation. By supplying the brain with the vital nutrients it needs, Focus Attention may help improve your child’s concentration so he or she can thrive at school. Available in capsules and a great-tasting powder drink mix.

Start their Day the Herbasaurs® Way!
Herbasaurs products are designed specifically with kids’ nutritional needs in mind. While mass-market vitamin supplements can be loaded with sugar and other extras kids don’t need, Herbasaurs products are sweetened naturally and contain no artificial colors, flavors, sucrose or starch. So you can feel confident giving them to your kids every day.

Chewable Multiple Vitamins and Minerals
Getting your kids to eat their fruits and veggies might be a struggle, but you’ll never have to beg them to take their vitamins! This great-tasting chewable, naturally sweetened with xylitol, fructose and citrus flavors, contains 12 essential vitamins plus minerals and iron.

Liquid Multiple Vitamins Plus Iron
Recommended for children who prefer a liquid, this formula has a pleasant orange flavor. Each dose equips kids with a full day’s supply of 12 essential vitamins plus iron and zinc.

Chewable Antioxidants with Grapine®
Herbasaurs Antioxidants help young, growing bodies fight the damaging effects of free radicals caused by oxidation, pollutants, the sun and even exercise. Each lemon-lime flavored tablet offers antioxidant protection with beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, Grapine and licorice flavonoid extract.

Chewable Elderberry Plus
With a host of germs out there just waiting to be shared, it’s nice to know you can strengthen your child’s defenses before sending him or her off to school each day. Chewable Elderberry Plus contains elderberry, reishi mushroom and astragalus for immune and respiratory system support—in a great-tasting lemon-lime Dinotab®.

Great Taste Makes Vitamin C an Easy Pill for Kids to Swallow
Kids and adults alike can enjoy the protective benefits of Vitamin C. Nature’s Sunshine chewable wafers are made with vitamin C and whole orange juice, along with rose hips, orange and natural lemon-lime flavor. Each tablet delivers 410 percent of the Daily Value to keep kids’ immune systems strong.

Keep Kids’ Digestive Systems in Balance with L. Reuteri
A healthy intestinal tract is home to billions of delicate microorganisms that aid in the digestion process. Stress, environmental conditions and antibiotics can destroy them, but NSP probiotics—including L. Reuteri—help repopulate these tiny friends. This strain of friendly flora is chewable, suitable for young children and requires no refrigeration—making it a great choice both for travel and daily use at home.

Herbasaurs Homeopathic Medicines—Perfect for What Ails Your Little Ones
Nature’s Sunshine offers many products designed to keep your kids healthy. But even with a strong line of defense, there are still times when your little ones get sick. Herbasaurs Homeopathic Medicines help them recover fast.

Cold
Herbasaurs Cold offers relief of symptoms of minor colds, including runny nose, sneezing, headache and minor sore throat pain.

Cough Syrup
Herbasaurs Cough Syrup affords relief from coughs due to common colds or minor throat and bronchial irritation.

Teething
Herbasaurs Teething formula offers temporary relief of minor gum soreness due to teething in infants and children.

Bedwetting
Herbasaurs Bedwetting is a natural homeopathic medicine to assist a child’s body in overcoming nighttime bedwetting.

Calming
Herbasaurs Calming aids children experiencing restless sleep, fussiness and irritability accompanying minor illness and teething.

Stock up on the best back-to-school supplies around—quality supplements from Nature’s Sunshine. you can order at www.mynsp.com/shari

You know how great you feel when you finish spring cleaning. Your closets are organized, and all of your home’s nooks and crannies are free of dirt and clutter. This spring, you can extend that feeling of well-being to your body by cleansing from the inside out.

Just as you want to rid your home of dust and grime, you may also want to do something extra to rid your body of toxins. Ridding yourself of those chemicals may allow your body to absorb more nutrients from your food, may help kick start your weight loss plan, and provide you with newfound energy. From hair spray and lawn fertilizer to hormones and preservatives, we inhale, ingest and absorb toxic chemicals every day. Our internal cleansing system is designed to remove natural waste products. But it might need a little help.

Think your body isn’t overloaded? The average home contains more than 1,000 chemicals. We all struggle with the amount of substances that build up in our systems. Our bodies won’t cleanse themselves of anything new until they get rid of the toxins already on board. Starting this spring with a whole body cleanse may help to re-set and re-fortify the body’s natural internal cleansing process.

I love the Clean Start Cleanse and you can buy it here!

I’d like to offer these internal ’spring cleaning’ tips:

Try to drink at least 64 ounces of bottled or filtered water every day.

Avoid eating a lot of highly processed foods and foods with refined flour, sugar, saturated fats or artificial sweeteners.

Take it easy and give your body the time it needs to rest and re-build while you’re cleansing.

Gentle stretching, short walks in the fresh air and yoga are all good choices.

Follow these tips and you may feel lighter, cleaner and more revitalized this spring.