Getting Children to “Love” Veggies

-by Nick Betzold, CEO, Mighty Fine Gardens

Notice how the title of this article is Getting Children to Love Veggies—not just to Like, but to Love Veggies. Don’t think it’s possible? With 6 of my own children with ages from 3 to 26, I’ve done it wrong and I’ve done it right. You can find many articles on the subject if you “Google It,” but the best advice I have heard over the years—and what has actually worked for my family—can be summed up in 4 sentences…

Be a role model.

Involve the kids, make it fun!

Avoid the big mistakes.

And if all else fails, go covert!

Be a Role Model

This is the most important point! Most of us are aware of the need to include vegetables in our diet. But it wasn’t until my own mother got cancer that my wife Birgit and I got serious about nutrition and what our family eats. The connection between poor nutrition—especially diets without enough vegetables—and cancer, diabetes, heart disease, cardio-pulmonary diseases, and a host of other ills is well known and documented thoroughly. This article assumes you know that you need veggies in your children’s diet. You love your children and you want to give them the gift of good nutrition and health.

But most parents underestimate the power of the old saying, “What you do speaks louder than what you say.”

Being a role model is not always easy, but before you ask, “How can I get my kids to love veggies?” ask yourself, “Do I love veggies?” Be honest. You may eat veggies because you know they’re good for you or because you want to set a good example for the kids, but do you Love veggies? Setting an example is still necessary—but we’re shooting for Love not Like, remember?

If you don’t have a personal love affair with veggies (!), stop reading this article and start doing the most important thing you can do for your kids and for your own health in this area: Start exploring and experimenting in the exciting World of Veggiedom! Most of the recipes I love the most include garlic, salt, butter (only organic and preferably from a local farm that does not pasteurize), and/or wine—as well as other herbs and spices grown that we grow ourselves. We found a company that helped us set up our own better-than-organic vertical hydroponic farm in our back yard, (we love it so much I become a partner of the founder!)

If you can grow your own, you will get the absolute best tasting veggies for many reasons—not least of which is that the plants are freshly picked, still alive, and not decaying, (like in the store where they may have been picked weeks ago!). You can go to the best restaurants in your town or city and order nothing but the chef’s very best vegetable dishes—ask the chef and he’ll spill his secrets! If that’s not in your budget, we have YouTube and thousands of videos and written recipes from some of the best chefs in the world online. You may not fall in love with an online dating service, but you can fall in love with your veggies if you just do the work and start trying recipes!

Honey glazed carrots and pea pods? Sweet potato casserole? If you like sweet, you might fall in love. Mother’s milk is sweet and young children can Love a little sweetness in their veggies. Savory more your style? How about Mushrooms in White Wine Sauce or Garlic String Beans with Lemon? The healthiest veggie is a raw veggie. How about my all time favorite: Plain Old Homegrown Tomatoes, sliced, with just a touch of sea salt?

You see, if you’re salivating as you’re describing what’s for dinner, the kids will notice. And since you’re going to be a GREAT role model, you’re not going to push veggies on them (Oops, just gave away one of the big mistakes to avoid!—more on that later). They’ll see that it’s not so upsetting to you that they’re not eating your magnificent veggie creation, because that just means more for Mom or Dad, (and make no mistake good veggie parenting is a team effort!).

Involve Your Kids: Make It Fun!

Introduce your children to growing and preparing their own food. Two weeks after buying our first hydroponic garden, my 7-year-old daughter, Paula, came up to me at the dinner table and said, “Daddy, guess who made the salad?” Not only had she made the salad, she had just picked it live from our own lettuce and kale plants! Even better is when you show a child how to grow from a seed all the way up to harvesting. We are constantly hearing from parents how amazing the transformation was as their kids got into what we like to call “back yard farming!”

There are many ways you can garden in the back yard—some of them require a “green thumb,” a lot of kneeling and bending over and a very good sense of discipline so you water and provide your plants with just the right nutrients. Not you? Not me! In fact, I can honestly say that without my timer, pump, and premeasured nutrients (part of a hydroponic system), I have a “black thumb!” But here I am living the Veggie High Life! Neither my wife nor I even have to prepare the salads anymore—we have our designated Salad Chef, Paula.

If you’re not growing your own veggies, you should try to buy the healthiest organic veggies you can get your hands on. The best source would be at a local Farmer’s Market where you can get local organic produce. Even if it’s organic, ask the grower if he sprays anything on his veggies. There are over 240 pesticides that farmers can use and still call their produce “Organic.” Some, like pesticidal soap, are fine but there are a significant number of synthetics that, under certain conditions, are allowed. That’s the problem with Whole Foods (or “Whole Paycheck” as we call it!); you don’t know the farmer and you can’t ask the right questions. Do you trust organic labels from Mexico or China where the USDA rarely inspects farms?

Bring your child to the Farmer’s Market. Introduce him or her to a real farmer. Ask the farmer to explain how he grows and nourishes the plants. This will have two great consequences: 1) Your child will start to get involved and subtly committed to vegetables, and 2) the farmer will definitely answer your questions more honestly about pesticides once you soften him up with the kiddie banter!

While at the Market, let your child choose some veggies. When you get home let them watch as you search for recipes for the strange vegetable that they just asked you to buy! Who woulda thunk there could be adventure in the produce section?!!

Avoid the Big Mistakes

STOP being a short order cook! Once kids find out that they can push Mom around to make whatever they demand, you’ve lost control of the situation and you deserve the life you’re going to get—which is cook slavery! What’s for dinner is for dinner. One friend of mine, whose children eat EVERYTHING their mother serves, took an especially effective tact. Without anger or much emotion, they simply announced to their children, who were at a very young age, that whatever was not eaten would be breakfast in the morning—and whatever was not eaten at breakfast would be lunch—but there would be no more food made until it was finished! Now I know that’s not for everyone, but sometimes we’re so spoiled here in America that we forget how our ancestors lived. Kids ate the food they were served, because, in many cases, there was no other food to eat!

STOP pushing and bribing. When was the last time someone had to push or bribe you to do something you Love? If you do this you’re subtly undermining the whole effort!

STOP all-day snacking: If they’re hungry, they’ll eat. Enough said.

And finally…

If All Else Fails… Go Covert!

But all else WILL NOT fail if you follow the advice above. However, in the mean time, while you are falling in Love, you might have to do some veggie sneaking! Zucchini Muffins, different vegetable purees in your pasta or pizza sauces, and many, many other ideas can be found online and at our website at MightyFineGardens.com.

Peace and health to you and your family! –Nick

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com

New protein found to control

deadly cancer metastasis

Researchers have found a critical element that may explain why some cancers spread farther and faster than others, a discovery that could lead to one of the Holy Grails of cancer treatment: containing the disease.

Scientists from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified a protein that seems to serve as a switch, regulating the spread of cancer from the primary tumor to distant spots in the body – a process known as metastasis.  The protein is used by embryo cells during early development, but then disappears from the body after an individual comes out of the womb.

According to the researchers, the protein was only found in people with metastatic cancer, leading them to belive that the regulation of this protein could potentially stop the dangerous progression of this killer disease.

“The protein seems to get turned off (after embryonic development), and we’ve only identified a small sub-population of cells that can turn it on,” lead investigator, Dr. Thomas Kipps, Evelyn and Edwin Tasch Chair in Cancer Research at UC San Diego, told FoxNews.com.  “By and large, we looked at the brain, lungs, heart, kidney and other organs, and it wasn’t there. Then we looked at a variety of cancers – breast, ovarian, prostate – and it seems to be a common theme to express this embryonic protein.”

Kipps said they stumbled upon this protein while conducting immunotherapy research on leukemia patients, in which they reengineered the patients’ leukemia cells and injected them into their bodies.  This technique is meant to enhance the body’s natural immune response to cancer.

“We did have patients respond to their leukemia cells, but part of the immune response was a cell that targeted (this protein),” Kipps said. “Anecdotally, these patients did well. So we wanted to know (what) it is doing.”

The protein, called Receptor-tyrosine-kinase-like Orphan Receptor 1, or ROR1, is involved in a process known as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which occurs during early embryonic development.  Throughout the EMT process, embryonic cells migrate and eventually grow into new organs.

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com

A film about the chemicals in our bodies…

and how they got there.

A Commentary on the Film

“Unacceptable Levels”

-by Dr. Bob Berger, MS, MVSc, PhD

As Editor-In-Chief of Nutricula Magazine, I highly recommend the film, Unacceptable Levels to anyone and everyone who cares anything about the health and longevity of themselves and their families. Although I have only had the benefit of viewing the trailer to this award-winning film thus far, it is evident from viewing this short synopsis, as well as reading the positive reviews about the film itself, that this is a truly groundbreaking documentary film that must be viewed by audiences all around the world.

Nutricula Magazine and the numerous articles that are posted on the site contend with many, if not all, of the exact and specific problems that this film covers on a daily basis; that is, how the industrial chemicals that we are exposed to each and every minute of our lives affect all the variables of our health and longevity, both short- and long-term. When one views this powerful trailer and then reviews the hundreds of articles on the Nutricula Magazine site, it is clear of the synergy that is offered by both in terms of the air we breathe, the water we drink, the foods and nutrients we eat, the cosmetics and soaps we use, the poisons and toxins we are constantly and repeatedly exposed to on a daily basis, etc., as well as the industrial chemicals that get into our bodies and disrupt our natural hormone and enzyme balance, and even fool our god-given physiologies by mimicking them, and then turning against us.

Just as our magazine and the many articles in our site cover, this film does the same. It also embodies our same philosophy….that is, that if we do not act soon and change things in order to control and to comprehend what these industrial chemicals are doing to us and to our atmosphere, we are going to one day realize that it may be too late.

With  global disease rates skyrocketing, we must take a stand together and support educating the public about the nearly unseen threat of toxic chemicals in our environment and what we can do about it.

This document provides promotional text and social media content for your use in helping us spread the word about our award-winning documentary film. Thank you for your help!

About the film.

Ever wonder about chemicals in your day-to-day life?

What’s in the air I breathe? The water I drink? The food I eat? Even the things I put on my skin?

Ed Brown wondered these same things after his wife suffered two miscarriages (they now have two beautiful children). But instead of just wondering, he traveled around the country with his video camera to interview top minds in the fields of science, advocacy and law and learned there are unacceptable levels of chemicals in so many things. Including our bodies.

Approximately 200 synthetic industrial chemicals interact with our cells every single day.

Ed’s documentary dissects the ways chemicals saturate our homes and environment amid a backdrop of a glaring lack of regulation. It chronicles the results of the post-WWII chemical boom and details common avenues of exposure, from food to fluoride to toxic sludge. View the trailer for his award-winning debut film, Unacceptable Levels—about the chemicals in our bodies and how they got there—here.

Some Unacceptable Facts from the film:

• Autism now affects one in 50 children.

• Cancer is the leading cause of death (after accidents) in children younger than 15 years in the United States.

• In the last twenty years, the rates of asthma, allergies and ADHD are on the rise:

  • 400% increase in allergies

  • 300% increase in asthma

  • 400% increase in ADHD

• $2.6 Trillion of the GDP is spent on treating disease every year.

Chemicals saturate our homes and environment amid a backdrop of a glaring lack of regulation. The film chronicles the results of the post-WWII chemical boom and details common avenues of exposure, from food to fluoride to toxic sludge.

Ed is touring the country this summer, with a bicoastal premiere June 12 at the ArcLight Hollywood in California and at the Avon Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut. He’ll be joined in Hollywood by Mariel Hemingway, Gary Hirschberg, Christopher Gavigan and other passionate environmentalists to inspire others to take action.

The L.A. World Premiere is invite only. But, the first 50 to show without an invitation will get in free!

Tickets for the Connecticut premiere can be purchased at the door.

Premiere screenings in several other key cities: Austin (August 3rd), Boulder (July 16th), Chicago (July 24th), San Francisco (July 10th- 11th), and Washington DC (June 20th).

To find a screening in your area, visit UnacceptableLevels.com. New screenings will be added, so be sure to check back often.

Connect with Unacceptable Levels on Facebook  www.facebook.com/UnacceptableLevels and twitter @UnacceptableLev.

The Editors of Nutricula Magazine recommends this Filme!

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com

The Quintessential Molecular Links  Between Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer

-by Dr. Bob Berger, MS, MVSc, PhD.

 ”Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do“ -John Robert Wooden (1910-2010)

Undoubtedly the greatest basketball coach of all time, the “Wizard of Westwood” accomplished what no other head coach had ever done before him, and most probably, what no other coach will ever do!!!!  As Head Coach of the UCLA  Bruins, Wooden won an unprecedented 10 National Championships and was named “National Coach of the Year” 6 times…but just as important, he was also a magnificent mentor to his players. So, how do these accolades for Coach Wooden coincide with the title of this article?!!!!  

For decades,  the majority of  Type 2, Non-Insulin-Dependent diabetics have been  brainwashed to believe that the only way to truly control their disease was by the use of [varying doses of] insulin. Now, this is not what I was taught…my professors called it “Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus” because if you are diagnosed with this ailment your body doesn’t require exogenous insulin…this is what NIDDM means!  In Type 2 diabetes, it is evident that something “molecular” transpires between fat cells and blood-sugar levels, since, (in many cases), the loss of a specific percentage of weight and/or body fat, (which varies from subject to subject), also improves and/or regulates blood-sugar levels, virtually normalizing  the resultant high blood-glucose levels and “temporarily” reverses this condition. 

There are two distinct types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2…and just coincidentally, there are also two distinct types of pancreatic cancer; Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma and Pancreatic Neuroendocrine carcinoma.  We all know the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes; the former type is where the body’s immune system destroys specific cells (i.e., Beta (β-) cells) of the pancreas which produce insulin, and the latter is where the body presents what is known as “insulin resistance”. In Type 2, although the body is capable and usually does produce insulin, (where in Type 1 is doesn’t), the cells and tissues do not respond well, (if at all, many times), to endogenous insulin it produces.  In Type 2 diabetes, either cell receptors have “sunken” below the cellular membrane or the receptors themselves have been structurally altered, changed, or deformed, so that they no longer efficiently recognize insulin. Frequently, when a person loses 10-15 lbs of body fat, it is amazing how efficiently his or her body responds [again] to endogenous insulin production, normalizing blood-glucose levels. Once again, this might be due to the “sunken” insulin receptors surfacing and becoming available to “recognize” glucose.

About 95% of pancreatic cancer cases involve the exocrine component of the pancreas and is called ductal adenocarcinoma, whereas the other 5% of cases involves the endocrine component, arises from pancreatic islet cells, and is called neuroendocrine carcinoma. The later type is much less aggressive and has a much better prognosis for longer-term survival. [Islet cells are clusters of cells contained within the pancreas that produce hormones. There are several types of cells in an "islet", and examples are; Alpha cells (these produce glucagon which, when secreted, raises blood-glucose levels) and Beta (β-) cells (these produce insulin which, when secreted, lowers blood-glucose levels)] According to the American Cancer Society, about 20% of patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer live at least 1 year post-diagnosis, while less than 4% survive after 5 years post-diagnosis. For neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer, the overall 5-year survival rate is approximately 42%. For more information on these survival statistics and “stages”, go to; www.cancer.org/Cancer/PancreaticCancer/DetailedGuide/pancreatic-cancer-survival-rates.  

So…once again, how do the accolades for Coach Wooden coincide with the title of this article? Wooden never wanted his players on the basketball court, nor anyone just going through life itself, to ever let anyone make them believe that they couldn’t accomplish (even remarkable) things, just because the bearers of this doleful advise did not believe it themselves…this is one way that I interpret the Wooden quote. As a scientist I would be derelict to believe (or to say) that one can beat a disease such as pancreatic cancer or diabetes by a change in attitude, but a positive outlook and/or disposition along with an intelligent lifestyle of good dietary habits, exercise, and the avoidance of known causes of these diseases can change our physiology by actually  redirecting various molecular aspects of it. For instance, we do know… and thus, should accept the fact that there is a correlation/relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancer. This is especially valid in the less deleterious form of pancreatic cancer (neuroendocrine) in correlation to Type 2 diabetes…many neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (PNETs) arise from the β-cells which produce and secrete insulin, and this only makes logistical sense. A significant study from the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) presented research data indicating that many patients with pancreatic cancer do develop diabetes months to even years before they are ever diagnosed with this dread disease [Pannala, R. and Basu, A., et al. (2009) "New-Onset Diabetes: A Potential Clue to the Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer".  Lancet Oncology, 10, 88].  This research paper brings up a number of important points…many of which are supported by other ancillary studies.  Because the incidence of pancreatic cancer is generally low, (as compared to that of breast or lung cancer, for instance), asymptomatic pancreatic cancer screening would not be very feasible, and would need to be restricted [in order to make it feasible] to only  those individuals considered “high risk”, (or at least “at risk”), candidates for pancreatic cancer.  Statistically significant scientific and medical data now shows that up to 80% of patients with pancreatic cancer are either hyperglycemic, (presents with a fasting blood-glucose of 100-125 mg (sugar)/dl (100ml/blood)), or are diabetic, (presents with a fasting blood-glucose of greater than 125 mg/dl), and when these patients undergo pancreatic-tumor resection, their diabetic status also improves. [Pancreatic-tumor (cancer) resection refers to tumor removal, Whipple's procedure, Central Pancreatectomy, etc...and/or other surgical techniques for pancreas preservation.]  Thus, what this shows is that diabetes [in these patients] appears to be caused by the pancreatic cancer sequelae themselves…and it is becoming clear that there is a strong molecular link between these 2  diseases. 

Because the pancreas plays an integral role in the processes of digestion, absorption, and thus…in blood-sugar regulation…any loss and/or destruction of pancreatic tissue does indeed increase the risk for the onset of diabetes mellitus, as well as for the cellular/molecular aspects of malabsorption!  Just an Example: During the Whipple procedure,  parts of vital organs, such as those of the pancreas and bile duct, as well as all of the duodenum are removed and “re-sected” (so-to speak). Not to mention the importance of the pancreas, (whole or not), and the bile duct (a given!), besides the duodenum being the integral 1/3 upper sector of the small intestine (for absorption), the duodenum also appears to play an important role in regulating the motility of the stomach and upper G.I.tract.  Motility of the tract, (and it’s regulation), is  vital to proper and life-sustaining digestion, peristaltic movement down the G.I tract, absorption, and excretion. The molecular link/connection is quite transparent…and yes, we do have to look at the bigger molecular picture and not limit ourselves to the typical narrow window of thought which we are “trained” to do. Once again…“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do“…comes back into play.  

“Molecular Links”

Using the model presented by Pannala and Basu, et al., from Lancet Oncology, along with “objective” interpretation, we can expound on some of the  “molecular links” between diabetes and pancreatic cancer and their associated connections via their “Mechanisms of Action“.  In order to thoroughly comprehend a system, a disease pathway, and a way to either reverse or change this system or disease modality, its “M-O-A” must be “somewhat” understood. 

If a disease or condition remains localized,  it probably can’t devastate one’s health as long as the disease, condition, injury, etc…originates in a non-vital area of the body.  Just for the sake of clarification, let’s say that a breast tumor, although malignant, would never metastasize, and just stay in the breast tissue (like a cyst). It probably would not ever kill the patient unless it grew to the size of a watermelon.  This is preposterous, but it is just an obvious example to thus understand. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer, just like malignant breast tumors, not only grow to sometimes incredible sizes, but they do metastasize. When they metastasize to vital, life-sustaining organs and tissues, they eventually can, (and usually do), kill us. Another unfortunate thing about pancreatic cancer is that it really doesn’t have to metastasize, (although it does, and usually to the liver), in order to kill us because it originates in a life-sustaining organ from the start. 

As far as the “M-O-A” correlation of pancreatic cancer and the diabetogenic factors, the high prevalence of diabetics in pancreatic cancer does suggest that β-cell dysfunction, which is also attributed to secretions that are released from the tumor itself,  is another primary or even secondary defect present in pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes. There are both localized and humoral factors that may be attributed to this association. Localized factors are those that affect the pancreas because of the origin of the diseases themselves; i.e., both diseases are affected by β-cell dysfunction. Humoral factors refer to the ones that are found circulating in the bloodstream (i.e., in fluids) that affect other organs and tissues…like hormones do. Thus, what occurs is a destructive combination of both β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. With this combination of events occurring simultaneously, there is poor insulin cellular-response which (in-turn) leads to a highly impaired fasting blood-glucose, which then leads to diabetes mellitus.  In many of these cases, the pancreatic tumor may be causing various molecular-mechanical events due to the humoral response, (even at the pre-metastatic stage), thus,  stemming directly from the tumor itself. 

To review some basic physiology; pancreatic production of hormones such as insulin, somatostatin, (which regulates the production and excretion of endocrine hormones by slowing down the production of insulin, glucagon and gastrin), gastrin, (which produces acid by stimulating/inducing acid-producing cells of the stomach to produce HCl), and glucagon all play vital roles in maintaining sugar (glucose) and salt balances, and any compromises in the production and/or regulation of these hormones will  manifest themselves by exhibiting problematic levels in blood-glucose concentrations as well as in plasma-salt imbalances. The pancreas also is one of the organs, (along with the gut and the hypothalamus in the brain), responsible for the release of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide or VIP.  VIP aids in the control of water-secretion and absorption from the intestinal tract and causes the intestines to secrete water and salts into the intestines to inhibit absorption. Without the proper release of this hormone, water and salts, (i.e., potassium), severe diarrhea and salt imbalances will occur, putting the individual at severe risk of malignant dehydration, nerve dysfunction and heart failure. Thus, one can see that if pancreatic functions are compromised, (as they are with pancreatic cancer), many adverse secondary and tertiary physiological effects will and do occur.  

So what do we know?…Finding the pancreatic tumor at an early stage may allow the patient to gain some time…and this is a positive thing no matter how insidious this tumor may be…but here it is at least localized.

 Here are some thoughts by simply connecting the dots:

Scenario A…If the tumor is discovered before diabetogenic factors become symptomatic… 

…If the pancreatic tumor is contained, the chances are it can be [successfully] resected.  

…By resection of the tumor, and if the tumor is responsible for the diabetogenic factors, then accordingly it only fits that the diabetic factors should be removed or palliated.

…It is also logical that if a patient has had a pancreatic tumor resection, because this is a highly invasive procedure, there will be temporary (but significant) fat loss.

…In Type 2 diabetics, any fat loss, especially of some significance, will usually resolve the insulin-resistance factor. 

…Resolving the insulin-resistance factor should help to restore β-cell function. 

…proper β-cell function should help to palliate or slow “tumor genesis” and improve pancreatic function. 

Scenario B…If diabetes is discovered before a pancreatic problem of any kind arises… 

…Follow a proper diabetic diet (under the guidance of a qualified medical professional such as a Registered Dietician (RD).   

…Follow an exercise program under the direction of either qualified medical professionals, Certified Trainers, RNs, RDs, or Exercise Physiologists.

…Avoid known causes of diabetogenic factors, such as high Glycemic Index foods, diets containing high percentages of low-nutrient density foods, and foods which contain empty calories. Always seek the advice and services of an RD. 

The Bottom Line…Think like Coach Wooden and heed his advise…don’t give up because anything is possible at any given time. Don’t convince yourself you can’t overcome things that just may be possible to overcome!!!! 

If there is incidence of either of these scenarios, hopefully the later one is in your future!!!!   

                                                         -fin- 

A Footnote…                

Ironically…on January 19, 1974, a Notre Dame squad coached by Digger Phelps beat John Wooden’s UCLA team and snapped UCLA’s 88-game winning streak by beating the Bruins,  71-70. This was not supposed to happen because the country and the press said ND could not beat UCLA…ever!  Phelps and ND did not let what they were told they could not do interfere with what they did do!!!! 

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com

-by Brenda Watson, CNC

 The numbers aren’t pretty and the health repercussions are downright frightening. Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980. 

 Over 30% of American kids and teens are overweight or obese.

 Well, some might say, so they’re going to get teased more often at school or be less inclined to participate in sports. Maybe they’ll have a tougher time going through puberty. If only the effects of childhood obesity were that simple. 

There’s a movement going on to classify obesity as a disease because of the many diseases directly linked to it. And this doesn’t just go for obese adults—children are feeling the health effects of their growing “fat organ” like never before. 

A study found that 70% of obese kids showed a risk factor for heart disease.

Heart disease! At age 12! 

 Obese kids are also likely to be obese as adults, develop pre-diabetes, or the metabolic syndrome that leads to type 2 diabetes,experience bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, asthma, liver disease, gallstones, and GERD.

 What’s more, and for the first time ever, experts are predicting that the current generation will see a shorter lifespan than the generation before, thanks to obesity.

 How Do I Know if My Child is Obese?

Measuring a child’s body mass index (BMI) is best done by a pediatrician or qualified health care professional. These professionals take into consideration a variety of factors to determine whether a child is muscular, taller than average, or going through a puberty related weight gain, or whether their elevated BMI is a result of dangerous fat stores.

Current markers for obesity and overweight in children and teens are:

• Obese: child has a BMI greater than or equal to the 95^th percentile
• Overweight: child has a BMI between the 85th and 94^th percentile

  Good Health Runs in the Family Too

“Weight problems run in our family.” How many times have you heard that one? A tendency toward obesity can run in families, but so can healthy choices.

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month is coming up in September. This is an excellent time for families to get in touch with what it means to eat and live well. 

 The main cause of childhood obesity is a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Kids are taking in too many high-calorie, empty-nutrition foods and they aren’t moving enough. Unfortunately it’s a pattern they often inherit from their parents.

 Children model almost 100% of their diet from their families. What and how they eat at home from the first time they are introduced to solid foods largely determines the choices they will make as they get older. This is a double-edged sword. Families have the power to both negatively and positively affect their kids’ health simply by what they put on the table.

 But It’s More than Just the Genes                       

 While obesity does tend to run in families, there are other important factors that contribute to obesity. Interesting new research is uncovering the role that toxins play in the development of obesity. Exposure to an array of environmental toxins—from bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates to pesticides and fire retardants—have all been linked to the development of obesity, especially during the critical developmental stages during infancy and gestation. 

Bruce Blumberg, a biology professor at the University of California, Irvine, coined the term obesogen in 2006. Obesogens are chemical compounds that may alter metabolic processes and predispose some people to gain weight. He states, “I would not want to say that obesogen exposure takes away free will or dooms you to be fat. However, it will change your metabolic set point for gaining weight.”

Blumberg makes the following recommendation, “Eat organic, filter water, and minimize plastic in your life.” Do this for yourself and your children. 

 It Starts with Simple Ingredients

 I am often surprised by how little parents know about what their kids are putting in their mouths. We take care to keep our kids away from choking hazards when they are toddlers and teach them about poisonous, harmful products they shouldn’t eat. Why do we so rarely check supermarket labels?

 I believe many parents don’t know which food types and ingredients directly impact their kids’ weight. There was that whole myth about fat some years back, but research has now shown it’s the type of fat we consume, not the quantity, that matters. Mass market cereals, “fruit” snacks, juices, and kid lunches are often misleading with their labels of “natural” or “fortified with vitamins.” The real truth lies in the ingredient panel.

 Here are my recommendations for turning obese or overweight kids into healthy, active kids:

•  Cut way back on the sugar. Sugar hides in many disguises on food labels (cane juice, dextrose, sucrose, fructose, syrup), but by far the worst type is high-fructose corn syrup. This type needs to be eliminated from a healthy diet. Fructose has been linked to leptin resistance, or the body’s ability to know when it is full.  Substitute whole fruits and foods made with natural sweeteners like stevia, lo han, and agave or honey in moderation.
• Watch for white flour in foods. The most common culprits containing white flour are processed cereals, crackers, cookies, and snack foods—all kid favorites. White flour is found on labels as bleached all-purpose flour and enriched flour (it has to be enriched because all its nutrition has been stripped in the processing). Substitute with raw veggies and dip, celery and peanut butter, and protein snacks that help kids feel fuller longer.
•  Trade out saturated and hydrogenated fats for unsaturated fats, the good fats. Excess saturated and hydrogenated fats increase the risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes, while unsaturated fats actually fight these conditions. Cut down on fatty meats, processed meats, lard, and whole-milk dairy products, and eliminate trans fats from kids’ diets. Trans fats are now required to be listed separately on nutrition labels because of their adverse health effects. Heart-healthy unsaturated fats are found in oily fish, nuts and nut butters, olives, avocados, flaxseed, fish, sunflower seeds, and more.
• Up their fiber intake. I recommend that children consume their age + 5 grams of total fiber daily. So if little Johnny is 5 years old, he should consume 10 grams of fiber each day. Fiber increases the feeling of fullness, plays a major role in keeping weight down, helps eliminate toxins, and improves bowel and gut health. Great high-fiber foods for kids include bananas, oranges, apples, berries, and vegetables. Try to get as much fiber from fruits and vegetables as possible, and add whole grains to reach your fiber goal. 
• Correct gut dysbiosis (a digestive bacterial and pathogenic imbalance) from a poor diet with a children’s probiotic supplement. Probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, help reset the balance in a child’s gut, helping to fight constipation and bowel issues and support immunity. Gut imbalance is another factor that has been associated with the development of obesity.
• Reduce toxin exposure. I know that it’s not possible to completely eliminate toxin exposure, but you can take measures to reduce exposure, and to support the body’s channels of elimination with detoxification and cleansing. These important steps will help  lower your toxic burden. 
• Increase their exercise at home, every day. Require kids to get 1 hour of exercise a day. Find an activity they love and do it with them, or get them swimming, biking, playing a sport, or rollerblading. 
• Reward with something other than food. Treats are great if they happen occasionally and are treated as such, but regular treating defeats the purpose. Make fun activities part of your reward system, or a special date with a friend, rather than food. This way kids learn that “good job” doesn’t just mean their favorite candy bar.

All these steps, plus a reduction in stress, significantly reduce the top cause of weight gain in children and adults—inflammation. Chronic internal inflammation from a processed diet, a gut bacterial imbalance, and stress impacts the metabolism, the blood sugar, and greatly contributes to weight gain. 

 And the best step parents can do to keep their kids at a healthy weight?

 Start modeling healthy choices so that they become the family lifestyle and not a temporary fix.

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com

Effects Of GMOs For You And Your Pet

A commentary by Al Plechner, DVM and Bob Berger, MS, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Plechner:

This topic appears to have become a political issue as opposed to an issue of safe health for the people and animals of the United States. Our government is “pushing the use of these foods down our throats” while other governments throughout the world have realized the health hazards that accompany the use of genetically modified foods, (GMO foods).

Many of the various governments throughout the world have passed legislation that marks products that come from GMO foods so that their people, unlike ours, can make that choice.

Forgetting our government political policies regarding GMO foods, let’s look at some facts that will cause you to think twice about eating, feeding your family, and feeding your pets foods that come from genetically modified seeds.

Have you been informed about the Russian experiment with the use of soy milk for infants when fed to a family of guinea pigs? If not, the following will provide you with some facts you need to know!

The first generation of guinea pigs showed a definite decline in normal health.

The second generation of guinea pigs experienced 5 times the normal rate for infant mortality.

The third generation of guinea pigs were all born sterile.

This must be a consideration for all of us, including our children, as well as their children, to think about.

Furthermore, scientific studies have linked foods that come from genetically modified seeds to a definite increase in cancer, severe viral infections, and damage to the protective immune system, including many types of allergies, including food sensitivities.

Do you think this should still be a political decision for you, your family and your pets to live and die by?

These GMO seeds are not only depleting our soil of various minerals needed for other healthy plants to survive, but are doing the same to us!

Can you imagine a person or animal that may be suffering from a lack of calcium in their diet and eating foods that come from GM seeds?

According to the Mercola report of April 30, 2013, genetically modified corn contains only 14 parts per million of calcium while non GM corn contains 6,130 ppm of calcium, which is 437 times more calcium.

Non GM corn also contains 56 times the amount of magnesium and 7 times the amount of manganese than GM corn does! The fact is-GM corn also contains toxic chemicals which have been shown to cause people and animals major health problems.

One chemical is glyphosates which you can Google and see the many health problems that they cause.The EPA lists the concentration level for glyphosates at 0.7 ppm or less as non-toxic. Non GM corn contains no glyphosates as opposed to GM corn that contains 2 ppm which is way beyond the limits of safety.

Formaldehydes are quite toxic-yet GM corn containing 200 ppm of formaldehyde is being consumed. Formaldehyde has been scientifically proven to cause major diseases in people and in animals!

The following are recommendations from the Institute for Responsible Technology for commercially produced foods that should be avoided because they may have come from GM seeds; These are soy, corn, sugar from beets, canola oil, cottonseed oil, Hawaiian pineapple, certain varieties of zucchini, and crookneck squash.

For more information on GM foods to avoid, please go to the website for the Institute for Responsible Technology.

For more information on the damage that GM foods are causing, please go to a book called, Against the Odds, Given up for Dead, published 2012, Spangenburg and Plechner, pages 110 to 113.

GM foods have been proven to be very damaging health-wise, so why should this be a political issue? If other governments in the world have already recognized this, then why has our government given the “green light” to the manufacturing of these damaging seeds?

Another issue to consider is this; we need to know, (on top of everything else), if the foods that are derived from cows, pigs, fowl, fish, etc…contain GMO residues…that is, are these animals (which we and are pets are consuming), being fed GMO foods themselves? If they are, and labeling does not indicate so, we may be just killing ourselves, our families, and our pets…even though the government and our politicians seem to “know” that GMO foods are safe for us.

Also…how about the chemicals used in growing many of today’s crops, especially of the GM corn, for instance? If bees are pollinating these crops/plants, that means that these same bees are also being exposed to these chemicals as well as to GMOs. What a bad combination-this is like combining Frankenstein’s monster and the Wolf-Man into one!

These chemicals and GMO residues most certainly undermine the immune system of these insects, which in turn, would make them vulnerable to (many) other diseases. Now-think of all the GM corn-based pet foods out there…on top of everything else…laced with aflatoxins as well. If this can happen to bees it can also happen to human babies.

We have a right to make the decision as to what we eat, what we feed our family, and what we feed our pets!

The time for labeling of foods is here so we can make those decisions ourselves as opposed to our government making those decisions for us!

Other countries have that right…so why don’t we?

Dr. Berger:

As we are referring to both our animal friends as well as our human selves here, we humans need to assume responsibility of all of this since our pets can’t make the decisions on what they are fed, only we humans can. But let’s just forget about ourselves and focus on our animal friends.

The point here is that genetically-modified seeds grow genetically-modified food, and when our pets eat GMO foods, these foods will undoubtedly affect their health status, especially if you believe that we are what we eat. We may not be exactly what we eat, but what we consume daily affects all of the enzyme systems and how our foods/nutrients are utilized in the body-this goes for our pets as well.

Our pets do not live as long as we humans do-this is a given; but most folks don’t ever consider the fact that species with shorter life spans, also, (in many cases), have a much greater risk/susceptibility to significantly faster cellular mutations. The physiological, biological, and biochemical events which occur in our pets do so at a greater pace than they do in humans. We might be able to fend-off potential mutations and diseases that may one day, or even presently, be the result of some of these potentially harmful “Frankenstein-like” modifications in our seeds and foods, but because we live longer and have a longer-adaptation and/or modification time to do so than do our pets, they [our pets] don’t have this kind of time in most cases.

Case-In-Point: There are many reasons why different strains of albino laboratory rats are used in numerous cancer studies on a universal level. It isn’t because they are rats, per se, but it’s because many of their strains are highly susceptible to many forms of cancer, through tumor transplantation, genetic predisposition, immunological deficits, etc. Another reason for this is because they have a short average lifespan of 24-30 months, and results can be obtained fairly rapidly. Our domestic friends also have a truncated lifespan, especially when compared to humans. If you combine or add up the facts, these various strains of albino laboratory rats would be affected by genetic, environmental, and induced actions faster, (in an overall time-line), than humans. The same is true for our pets. Thus, conditions that could alter the health of our pets, whether they be positive or negative, are going to do so faster than what would be normally found in human beings.

The bottom line here is that if these GMO seeds and foods are bad for human health over a long/extended period of time, they are certainly bad for our animal friends whose “long period of time” is really not so long.

The best thing to do to protect our pets is to check labels and use foods that you can be sure are not genetically modified…as well as you can. There is still going to be some overlap anyway, as there are always time issues and financial concerns. You need not worry too much about every little thing, but concentrate on the big things instead when it comes to feeding your pets the foods you know will be safe for them in the long-haul. A lot of this is common sense…if something looks or you feel is “un-natural”, check it out… especially if these are snacks or “goodies” other than the daily diet. Go with brands you trust or that you have been using and are familiar with, and do your homework. Always check your pet’s stools. If constipation or diarrhea are present, or if either lasts too long, this may be a clue to check what may be in the diet, if new things were added.

When you have true questions and concerns, always check with or ask your trusted veterinarian. 

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com

Pet Obesity!

What We Can Do About It?

-by Al Plechner, DVM and Bob Berger, MS, MVSc, PhD

Similar to some of the people that live in the U.S., our pets are showing the same increase in overall obesity. There are several private and governmental agencies that are concerned about the health issues caused by obesity in people, but there has been very little concern about the same obesity that is occurring in our dogs and cats.

Is there something that can be done about this?

Yes, there is something that can be done about it, because a pet’s obesity can come from improper diet, improper exercise, and altered genetics, but their obesity mainly comes from you- their pet owner. You are their care-taker and this is your responsibility, not theirs!

Let’s address the first real issue that most pet owners face, which is;What type of food should I feed to my dog and/or to my cat?

Forgetting all the various health food considerations, let’s just consider this very basic issue. Dry food, which includes kibbles, biscuits, and pet cookies, usually contain three (3) times the amount of carbohydrate that canned foods contain! For some reason this is not a well known fact, although it makes sense if you are considering eating a bowl of oat meal as compared to eating the same quantity of granola, (which is a concentrate).

Dry pet foods usually add up to 3 times the calories of canned foods, fresh meats, and vegetables. So remember, when a dry food is advertised as a “reducing diet”, this may still mean that this food may have 2-2 ½ times the calories found in most “wet foods”.

Following the feeding directions for the amount of food a manufacturer recommends feeding your pet based upon your pet’s weight makes absolutely no sense at all! In comparative terms, this makes about as much sense as your pediatrician or MD telling you the amounts of manufactured food you need to feed your child, you, and your family every day!

If you insist on still feeding dry food, (possibly because the same food ingredients in the can do not agree with your pet), then cut down on the amounts of dry food you are feeding and create a vegetable stew that can be used to hydrate the reduced amount of dry food. This will add less calories to it than if you were to have used the same amount of the dry food.

Biscuits and pet cookies for an obese dog are definitely the wrong thing to do!..” bad human!” It would be better to use low fat string cheese and raw vegetables as snacks, until your pet’s excess weight has been managed.

Exercise

Especially if you do it with your best friend =”good human!”

Daily exercise often will help as long as you do not turn your pet into a “weekend warrior” the first time.

Remember: Less exercise is better than more exercise in the beginning, and as far as the actual distance is concerned, watch your pet.

If you walk or run your pet a certain distance and he or she stops or sits down, you have gone too far. In the beginning, please go short distances and remember that age may determine the distance both you and your pet can,(and should), go.

You should also be cognizant of how much your dog (in this case), is panting. Another thing to remember is that dogs do not sweat like we humans do. Their cooling-off mechanism is regulated through panting in order to remove heat from their bodies and to lower their body-core temperature. When you are walking and/or exercising with your dog, if you observe that he or she is panting excessively, it is time to stop and go inside where it is cooler, (if this is during the summer or in a hot climate). If walking and/or exercise is taking place during the winter months when it is cold, or in a cold-climate location, it is still time to stop and go inside where it is warmer so that your best friend can also regulate his or her body- core temperature. All of this is extremely important if your dog is overweight (or obese), as excessive panting puts a lot of extra strain on a dog in general -it puts a lot of extra pressure on the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, and many organs. In addition, it puts a dog with an obesity issue or a compromised weight and/or girth problem at an even greater health risk compared to a leaner dog.

Proper H20=super important!

Make sure your pet always has plenty of fresh water. If you live in a large dwelling it would be best to have 2-3 water bowls in different areas of the house. (Don’t worry about your house being nominated for “Architectural Digest”…if you care about this more than your best friend, be it dog, cat, ferret, etc…then you shouldn’t own a pet.) The biggest mistake many folks make is to forget to fill their pet’s water bowl. This does happen more than we think, so it’s good to have a reserve water bowl in another part of the house.

When coming in from walking or exercising, you may want to fill up your pet’s water bowl (s) with clean, cold water. The reason to stress that the water should be cold, is because, (especially when the core-, as well as the surface- temperature of the body is warm), cold fluids are absorbed more rapidly than if they are tepid or at room temperature, and you want to try to cool your pet’s body down as quickly as possible. Also, just as with humans, if your pet shows a lot of thirst, and drinks rapidly, especially during hot or humid conditions, he or she may be dehydrated…always watch for this!

Another great thing about always having adequate water available for your best friend, is that, just as we have learned about humans, if he or she is overweight, obese, or you are doing your best to “slim him or her down” without doing anything drastic, water will also fill up the void that may help your pet to not eat as much over time. In addition to all of this, a hydrated animal has better all-around circulation, has better digestion, is healthier in general, and the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, etc., from food will be more available to his or her tissues and organs. 

Eliminating Toxins and Xenoestrogens

For our pets, drinking plenty of clean water and insuring that they have healthy kidney function is vital…especially for eliminating toxins and the environmental xenoestrogens that they are constantly exposed to on a daily basis. Just by walking and/or running with your best friend every day, he or she is exposed to pesticides, gasoline fumes, etc. All are toxic and many bind their estrogen receptors just like they do in humans. Because of their “faster metabolism and shorter life span, these poisons and volatile chemicals are, in fact, more dangerous for our 4-legged friends than they are for us…both short- and long-term.

One of the many problems with these poisons and xenoestrogen compounds building up in the bodies of our pets is that they cause them to hold onto a lot of fat and to retain excess water in their tissues. This, along with the cumulative liver side effects and compromises that these poisons cause, all add up to one very big problem once again…obesity!

What can we do here about this toxin and xenoestrogen problem? Keeping your pet lean is a good place to start…exercise, proper diet, lots of good water, etc…as we have already stated. The less excess body fat your pet has, both on the outside as well as on the inside (interstitial fat), the less chance your pet has of storing these toxins, these excess estrogens, and the xenoestrogens and their metabolites which can all be hazardous for their overall health and longevity.

Keeping your pets liver and kidney functioning well is key to getting these toxins and environmental poisons out of their bodies efficiently. There are various foods and supplements that can do this. For instance, one of these foods is broccoli which many dogs really like. Not only is broccoli good for your pet as a food and fiber source, but two of its ingredients are Indole-3-Carbinol, (I3C), and Sulforaphane. Both of these are very effective for aiding the liver in converting and clearing potentially harmful metabolites and estrogen-like compounds and their metabolites from the body. There are many things, mostly food and natural supplement-wise that you can do for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian or a reputable animal nutritionist before starting any supplementation.

Obviously”- genetics may also be involved

Even if blood test results indicate your obese pet has normal thyroid levels, please do not be fooled, because without measuring total estrogen, you and your veterinarian will not be able to tell if your pet can utilize the thyroid hormones that are present.

This has already been recognized in humans because an elevated total estrogen often will cause the production of a Reverse T3 hormone that will block the availability and use of normal thyroid hormones.

For further information, please go to www.drplechner.com and under Learn and Hormones, please readthe article entitled, Metabolic Hypothyroidism in People and Animals.

The Importance of Proper Grooming

Although most pet owners would question how keeping their pet (s) properly groomed has anything at all to do with obesity, it actually does. For canines in particular, many dog owner’s pet (s) are long and/or bushy-haired by nature. Unless these pets are groomed (hair cut/trimmed and shampooed, etc.), on a fairly regular basis, many become so “hair-tangled” and/or ” hair-cumbersome”, that the owners, many times, are not even able to observe if their pet has gained weight, is becoming obese, or is obese! So in order to really evaluate a pet’s true physical appearance, he or she should be groomed, (or at least presentable), in order to do this.

The Question: Is my pet obese?

If you are not sure if your pet is obese, the following observations may be of value;

Look down on the top of your pet to see if your pet has a waistline and/or is pear shaped.

From the side, look to see if your pet’s stomach is pendulous (sagging) or tucks up at the end of the rib cage.

Check to see if your pet’s ribs are visible; i.e., if you can see the dorsal spines of your pet’s back.

Check to see if there are two fatty lumps on either side of your pet’s lower spine. If these lumps are present, they are referred to as lumbar fat pads, or as I tell my clients, they are “table muscle”.

The last simple test for you to check to see if your pet is obese or not, is to lightly pinch the skin of the neck or the skin covering your pets ribs between your thumb and fore finger, and if the width of the pinched skin is more than ½ inch, there is good indication that your pet is overweight. Note: This applies to dogs only, because under normal conditions, cats don’t store fat under their skin. If you still question an obesity problem with your cat, please get an opinion from your veterinarian.

Weight by itself is not the answer because size will normally determine the weight of the cat.

For more information please, go to 50 Years of Healing, Obese Pets in America, p. 35 to 37, Plechner, 2012 and Against the Odds, Given up for Dead, Weighing in on a Problem, p.201 to 202, Spangenburg and Plechner, 2012.

Please remember that in a pet with heart disease, joint disease, various types of arthritis, neurologic disease and/or overall aging, obesity may be the fuse to that non-treatable condition that causes your pet to go from living to just existing.

The Bottom Line here…

Our pets, whether too skinny, just right, lean and healthy, overweight, or even obese, are just like humans in so many ways-they are just a whole lot nicer to be around most of the time!!!!

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com

June 4, 2013

Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick™ 2nd Annual “The Balancing Act” Conference

Empowering and Inspiring Women

Women (and men) from all walks of life and business will gather on July 12, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale Beach from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. to participate in Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick™ 2nd Annual “The Balancing Act” Conference.

This unique conference promises to deliver a full day of inspiration and practical advice on a variety of topics relevant to today’s busy professional woman. Although the main focus of the event is women’s health, the line-up of presenters is set to speak on a variety of subjects that really matter to women such as business, finances, fashion, relationships and anti-aging.

The Movement for Health, Wealth and Purpose Continues

“The Balancing Act” conference was launched by Dr. Elizabeth King, Founder and CEO of International Holistic Center and Yvonne Haase, Clinical Director. Dr. King and Ms. Haase, both psychotherapists decided to take action after treating an increasing number of professional women suffering from emotional and physical exhaustion due to the pressures of trying to do it all. They made a commitment to helping women find practical and effective solutions to dealing with their busy lives and the high demands placed on them.

The result of that commitment to women’s success became Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick™ “The Balancing Act” Conference that debuted on July 13, 2012. This event sold out and left participants begging for more. On that day in 2012, the movement for women’s health, wealth, happiness and purpose began and continues 365 days per year. The 2013 conference is on target to provide more effective solutions that support women as they strive to live life to the fullest.

Women in Distress

Every year a charity that helps to empower women or children is selected by the conference advisory board to receive a portion of the proceeds. This year Women in Distress was selected because their mission to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education and advocacy supports the empowerment of women. Several Women in Distress clients will also be selected to receive a scholarship to attend the conference provided by the generous sponsors of this event.

Conference Leaders

Dedicated to the success of this event are Dr. Elizabeth King as Conference Founder and Chair, Yvonne Haase and Dr. Lanalee A. Sam as Conference Co-Chairs, Carol Harrison, Becky Irvine and Cassie Smith as Honorary Chairs and the Advisory Board Members in conjunction with Ana Vento of Events by Vento Designs.

Sponsors for this great event are: Vanidades, Poder, 101.5 Lite FM, CBS 4, MetLife, GirlStir, Natural Awakenings, Go Riverwalk, Think, Comprehensive OB/GYN, TravelHost, Dr. Gena Chiropractic, ZRT Laboratory, Compounding Docs Pharmacy, Lubrigyn , Steve Glaser Photography, Penn House Production, South Fla CPA Financial, Nutricula, About the Word, Inc, Elite OB/GYN, Portside Realty,  Once Upon a Vine, Butterfly Kiss, Girl Go Lightly and StellinaDi Notte.

The conference is proud to be part of the Viva Florida 500 celebration.

Individual tickets start at $150 for Pre-registration. Pre-registration price is good until June 12, 2013. Conference price includes lunch at the Ritz Carlton.

To purchase tickets, to see a full lineup of speakers and topics or to become a sponsor or exhibitor, please visit the conference website at www.SuitsStilettosandLipstick.com or contact Dr. Elizabeth King directly at (954) 903-9426. 

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com

Leading Edge Concepts for Prevention & Early Detection

-by LoRayne Haye M.S., C.N

Several months back I was at a social event where one of our close friends announced that she had cancer–no one knew what to say—the silence felt like a ton of bricks being dropped. However, the look on each woman’s face said it all—Thankful—Very thankful it wasn’t them being handed the verbal grenade.

Fifty years ago cancer was infrequently spoken of, but how people respond to the mere mention of it remains the same, and rightfully so. As a society we’ve been taught that cancer is the omnipotent incurable disease, and therefore, needs to be completely feared. This woeful message is repeatedly delivered to all who have been recipients of a cancer diagnoses. I know this first hand, as I was one.

Although, main stream medicine indicates that there’s nothing the populous can do to prevent cancer—that we all have to just buck up and wait for the ‘inevitable’ to happen. There is emerging science which is splaying that dogma wide open, indicating that there are plenty of preventable paths we can take to substantially reduce our risk for being at cancer’s mercy. But what exactly is cancer?

Cancer Defined

There’s an old saying; “keep you friends close, and keep your enemies closer“. In order to understand the cancer beast, it’s important to know what the formal definition is. The National Cancer Institute, which is an arm of the National Institute of Health (NIH), defines cancer as, “a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.”¹. Additionally, there are stages of growth that cancer goes through, and if the setting is right, it can begin, grow, and metastasize (spread).

Cancer is not just one disease, it’s actually a group of more than 100 different and distinctive diseases. The word has ancient Latin origins and literally means “crab“, owing to the fact that it looks a lot like the crab, especially when it reaches out in a “claw like” fashion as it begins to move in and conquer the tissue of adjacent cells.

Is Cancer preventable?

Rates of cancer over the last five decades have increased, and according to some experts have actually tapered off. Yet the current stats from the renowned annual 2013 SEER study,indicate that1 in 2 men and women will be diagnosed with cancer of all sites during their lifetime².

However, if you back those numbers up against what lead study author Dr. Preetha, found in her 2008 study entitled “Cancer is a Preventable Disease that Requires Major Lifestyle Changes,” “Instead of our genes, our lifestyle and environment account for 90–95% of our most chronic illnesses³. Now there’s a statement which will provide many with a glimmer of preventative hope. Do read into this statement—CHOICES. We all make them, and either suffer greatly or reap the benefits.

From what we choose to put over our lips, to how we choose to move around—both will have a monumental impact of either leading a person down the path of chronic disease or traveling on the path of health.

Additionally, Dr. Preetha points to studies which have demonstrated, for example, that many nationalities who leave their home country to reside within the U.S., abandon their way of eating for the Standard American Diet (SAD) diet, becoming laden with western chronic diseases, including cancer. Certainly the best studied population are Asians, “which have been shown to have a 25 times lower incidence of prostate cancer and a ten times lower incidence of breast cancer than do residents of Western countries, and the rates for these cancers increase substantially after Asians migrate to the West.” ^3,4 .

The Cost of Cancer

As of 2010, the U.S. spent $124.6 billion on cancer care, and since the baby boomers are quickly leading the pack of aged citizens, the National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that by 2020 the tab will increase to 158 billion⁵. According to Dr. Robert Croyle, Division Director of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute, “The rising costs of cancer care illustrate how important it is for us to advance the science of cancer prevention and treatment to ensure that we’re using the most effective approaches”.

Certainly the large question becomes; how much was spent on prevention?In other words, if 1/3 of all cancers are attributed to poor lifestyle habits, why then isn’t more money being spent on educating and informing people how to lower their risk via preventative measures?

Connecting Five Decades of Cancer Dots

So what has changed so drastically within the last fifty years that’s further fueling the incidence of all cancers? According to noted integrative physician Dr. Mark Hyman M.D., there are numerous contributing factors such as “environmental and industrial toxins, and over-growth of bad gut flora vs. the good beneficial flora, hormonal imbalances, metabolic dysfunction, and stress, as well as abysmal nutritional habits, all of which have led to numerous chronic diseases, including cancer.” Yet, there’s another insidious culprit that’s gone largely undetected. Dr. Hyman asserts that “pre-diabetes and type II diabetes both have a strong hold in being precursors to cancer,” and he has plenty of research to back up his statements.

In a recent study which was published in the Journal of Oncology (2013) entitled “Diabetes and Risk of Cancer,” the researchers revealed, “ There is a growing body of evidence published in recent years that suggest substantial increase in cancer incidence in diabetic patients. The worldwide prevalence of diabetes was estimated to rise from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030.”⁴.

Moreover, the study authors admit that pre diabetes in the U.S. continues to be very under diagnosed. During the past fifty years the prevalence of diabetes has skyrocketed, and most experts agree that it is an inflammatory disease, which emanates from poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Dr. Hyman states that “pre-diabetes and type II diabetes are not only preventable, but reversible, by engaging in healthy eating habits, and engaging in regular exercise.” But why does diabetes have such a close cancer connection?

Cancer’s preferred Fuel

Chronic ‘blood sugar spikes’ can wreak havoc on a human system, creating an environment that will allow cancer cells to feed and further grow, or metastasize. Although, insulin has gotten a bad rap, it has a definitive role—in driving (primarily) carbs into the cells for energy, with the preferred muscle fuel being glucose which is derived from long distance carbs such as quinoa, true brown rice, red Thai cargo rice and wild rice. However, what most people readily chew on are processed grainy carbs such as low quality breads, white rice, and pastas. My grandmother who was an MD had a saying, “the whiter the bread, the quicker you’re dead.” And for good reason. These white “pseudo grains” have all of their nutrients and fiber stripped out of them, and as such, they break down very quickly once eaten, therefore triggering dramatic blood sugar spikes, which causes the dreaded blood sugar high and subsequent crash—where energy is drained and fatigue sets in. It is within this insidious cycle that people will rush for another carb to keep their energy up—but inevitably it back-fires.Thus the ‘crash, crave–cycle’ continues.

For all intents and purposes, insulin is like a taxi, picking up and driving carbs to cells, but you have to create a need for the carbs you’re tossing over your lips—especially refined or energy intensive grains. In other words, if a person is eating far more grainy carbs than their body needs—how does the body handle that? Not well. The insulin taxi will continue to drive the carbs around looking for a muscle to park them in.

To recap—if the muscle is full of fuel, because it hasn’t metabolized the carbs from prior meals or snacks, then it won’t let insulin drive the grainy carbs into park. Without a place to park, insulin will continue to circulate, and this is where the term “spilling sugar“ comes from—you can actually smell the sugar on a person who is in this state. For those who are sitting on their backsides 8+ hours a day working at desk jobs, you’re requirement for said foods are quite low.

Can we starve cancer cells?

As for the specifics of food, most experts agree that chronic consumption of processed and packaged foods, which lack vital nutrients as well as beneficial fibers, do indeed, up one’s ante for contracting any type of cancer. So, if that’s the case—is it possible to eat specific foods which would starve cancer cells by cutting off their blood supply?

As of this writing, there is a small but growing population of research which suggests that it’s possible. Dr. William Li, M.D., has been making strides conducting small but mighty studies and documenting the results which all lead to the consistent reduction or elimination of various types of cancers. Although, his research is in its infancy, there has been enough interest generated that The Angiogenesis Foundation was established, and is now dedicated to furthering the research.

The Era of Functional Labs and Earlier Detection

American’s now more than ever before have new resources they can draw upon. From innovative leading edge lab tests, to new insights on how to eat to starve cancer cells, there is a new wave of insight, and as Dr. Tim Beyer, who is the Associate Director for Cancer Prevention and Control, at Colorado State University, and one of the preeminent cancer researchers in the U.S. puts it, “I think there is a completely new understanding on how we as health professionals, run research studies, including what we need to look for –so yes, I’m very optimistic—more so than at any other time.”

Certainly the quick clip at which the transfer of all information is taking place is one major reason why technology is providing consumers and scientists new options at light speed. What about preventative tests? Many early detection tools such as the standard colonoscopies and mammograms that are capable of detecting cancer are quickly being replaced with labs that are able to identify cancers at a much earlier stage.

One such test has garnered the attention of top health professionals such as David Getoff, Vice President of Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, and a Traditional Naturopath, “ The “AMAS” is the cancer test I like best which stands for Anti-Malignan Antibody in Serum and is a patented test offered only by Oncolabs Inc. Tests such as colonoscopies and mammograms are only able to locate the possibility of cancer in a very small part of the body. The AMAS test is instead looking for a substance called anti-malignan which the body produces in response to malignant (cancerous) cells. It does not matter where these cells happen to be located in the body and the AMAS number elevates long before any other test could find a tumor. This makes it one of the preeminent preventive tests as it can find the very beginnings of what may become a tumor in many months or even years. We are therefore given the opportunity to work on the individual’s immune system, through diet, detoxification and immune supportive supplements, in order the help the body reduce these cells, to the level that would be found in a healthy person.”

However, Mr. Getoff had some cautionary guidelines to offer regarding what health professionals need to know about how to read and interpret the results of the AMAS:“Practitioners need to understand how the test works and what it means since if the body’s immune system has in effect given up, such as in late stage cancers or people in hospice, it is no longer able to wage an adequate war and so the amount of anti-malignant will NOT BE elevated. This might be referred to as a false negative in normal circles but I don’t like the terminology. If there are 50 policemen around the sides of a building, but they are all asleep, would a person who says the building is surrounded by policeman be making an invalid statement? No, just an incomplete one as they cannot protect the building—I’ve even had patients who were diagnosed by biopsy as having cancer but their AMAS came back normal. This indicated to me just how poorly their immune system was working. After 3 months of diet changes and immune support, the AMAS came back elevated into the cancer range showing me that what I was doing to support the individual’s ability to fight was indeed working. When a practitioner understands this test it can be lifesaving, especially to the holistic ones who understand how to support the ability of the body to fight better.”

To Mammogram…or not

So what about those mammograms? Women were told for years to have annual mammograms beginning at age 40-74…then the research community did a complete 90 degree turn, delegating that women should begin at age 50, with bi-annual mammograms. The NIH cited reasons such as high exposure to radiation over a 30 year period, which would increase a women’s risk of cancer. However, there are other options such as Thermography, but keep in mind none of these tests, or labs are fool proof.

Working with a team of physicists, Dr. Deborah Rhodes, M.D., developed a new tool for tumor detection that’s 3 times as effective as traditional mammograms for women with dense breast tissue. The life-saving implications are huge—but she quickly asserts that the ‘gamma camera’ is bound up in a web of intense politics, and further stated, that ‘the breast has become one of the hottest political organs yet.” Dr. Rhodes further stated that, “Although it would not replace mammograms, it might become an additional tool for screening, especially in higher risk women with a dense tissue that makes tumors hard to spot.”

The density of women’s breast tissue has historically been a strong contributing factor in misdiagnosed cancers, as it can obscure and hide tumors while they’re in a relatively new and benign state. I have 3 words—write your senators.

Which Populations are at highest risk?

Although, cancer cuts across all demographic lines, there is a population which is at higher risk for cancer detection. To date it’s estimated that 30-35% of all cancer deaths are directly related to diet, and for all intensive purposes, is something most people have control over ³…or do they?

The reason I say “most”, is this; if you have the knowledge of what constitutes whole health supporting foods, as well as have access to them, and the financial where-with-all to purchase said items, you may be in the running of lowering your cancer risk. However, what if you have neither?

In the ground breaking study “The impact of socioeconomic status on survival after cancer in the United States,” lead study author, Dr. Tim Beyer, M.D., from the University of Colorado Denver, whose specialty is cancer research, found that indeed, people of low income status not only get diagnosed at a later stage for cancer, but receive less aggressive treatment once they’re diagnosed, and subsequently, their mortality rates are higher ⁶.

For the low socioeconomic groups, there has been a grass roots push to offer nutrition and cooking classes within community clinics, as well as advertisements posting pictures of children eating healthy foods such as fruit and veggies—instead of the cursory “Big Macs”, which don the sides of city transit buses. However, at the end of the day, for those who are of a low socioeconomic status, it’s a crap shoot at best, whether they’re spending their dough on dollar meals at fast food chains. After all, you can easily feed a family of four for about 5-6 dollars…and those numbers are hard to beat, when we’re talking about spending power at a standard fare grocery store for that amount—unless—you’re taught how to spend those hard earned dollars at food stores, as well as how to best prepare said foods, once they’ve landed in the kitchen.

However, there has been some big changes in San Diego, California, at the Neighborhood Housing Association, an organization which dedicates its services to low income groups. These changes are due in large part to Ms. Kristine Smith, a graduate of Kansas State University’s Dietetics and Food Science Program, who took over the position of Director of Nutrition, who says, “ I wanted all of these kids to have the very best start possible, and that meant getting them to understand what fresh food looks like as well as how good it can taste. When I arrived, the kitchen only had can openers, no knives—so the kids only had access to canned and packaged foods. That has all changed and now the kids are going home asking their parents to take them shopping so they can help pick out the fresh produce for meals and snacks”.

Indeed, kids need to learn early on that one of the most valuable tools in life is how amazing good, fresh food can be, as well as how to shop and prepare it once the groceries land at home. After all, these are the healthy lifestyle tools which will have a positive and lasting effect, and will enable them to be energetic, think clearly, and will allow them to build a strong immune system-therefore reducing their risk for diseases-such as cancer.

What do the Middle Class have access to?

Although, there are numerous programs available for the underserved, the middle class appears to have limited resources regarding dedicated cancer preventative programs. If you are one of the lucky ones who happen to have access to insurance, then you may be able to take advantage of the preventative information sessions, which can range from smoking cessation-to nutrition counseling-to-health cooking seminars.

Additional Resources

Although many people have access to TV and the internet, the amount of credible information regarding nutrition is questionable at best. However, there is one show which has been making strides– “Hospital Food,” which appears on the CookingChannel, and uses fresh food to heal and down-regulate many chronic disease conditions, such as obesity and diabetes. Their success rate is stellar!

Taking place in England, the show features a physician, a nutritionist, and a Consultant General, who is a Gastrointestinal Surgeon, B.Sc., and features a different patient each week, who has a health condition which needs to be corrected. The patient is taken out of his/her normal surroundings and is sequestered in the ‘food hospital’–their usual meals of complete garbage are changed to beautiful, healthy food;this is where the magic begins.

As the cameras document the amazing physical metamorphosis, the known aliments and diseases begin to disappear. Blood pressure, normalizes, skin becomes vibrant, weight is lost, and blood sugar levels drop into the normal range. The body now has the tools and the chance to heal itself—from the inside out. No pharmaceutical interventions—no ‘cutting the problem out’, i.e., drastic surgical measures were used- just fresh, healthy food, and if necessary, a responsible layer of supplements to repair the deep nutrient deficiencies which have occurred over time.

The gist of the matter is this; food can either make people very sick or very healthy depending upon the choices they make, and it can also be used as a tool to heal. This is not a new concept, it’s an ancient one which has been obscured over time and downplayed by pressures from Big Farming, Big Pharma, and the main-stream medical establishment.

Clearly, the choices we make today and throughout our lives, to eat whole fresh foods, as well as to engage in daily aerobic activity, including weight training, will have a profound and positive impact on the quality of our life, and therefore, substantially reduce our chances for becoming a vital statistic to many diseases including cancer.

About the Author:

LoRayne Haye M.S. C.N. is the CEO of Eating-4-Energy a nutrition consulting firm which advises, gyms, natural food stores, luxury spas and restaurants on menu development and analysis, as well staff trainings for food safety and nutrition education. She has written for Competitor, California Women’s Magazine, The Price-Pottemger Nutrition Journal, and has been interviewed by SELF, Oxygen, Luxury Spa Finder, Healing Lifestyle & Retreat magazine, for her forward thinking ideas on holistic nutrition. She can be reached through her web site www.eating-4-energy.com or loraynehaye@gmail.com

References

1. National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health-Definition of Cancer. Web access 4-1-2013. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer
2. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER- 2012) Cancer statistics cited first paragraph. Web access 4-10-2013. http://seer.cancer.gov/
3. Preetha A., Ajaikumar K., Chitra S., Kuzhuvelil B. et al. (2008)“Cancer is a Preventable Disease that Requires Major Lifestyle Changes.” Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. Vol: 9: p 2097–2116. doi: 10.1007/s 11095-008-9661-9.
4. Habib SL, Rojna M.” Diabetes and Risk of Cancer.” ISRN Oncol. 2013;2013:583786. doi: 10.1155/2013/583786. Epub 2013 Feb 7.
5. National Institute of Health. “The Cost of Cancer.” (2010) Web accessed 4-3-2013 http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jan2011/nci-12.htm
6. Cancer. 2008 Aug 1;113(3):582-91. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23567.
7. Beyer, T. et al “The impact of socioeconomic status on survival after cancer in the United States : findings from the National Program of Cancer Registries Patterns of Care Study.”Cancer. 2008 Aug 1;113(3):582-91. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23567.

Resources:

AMAS: Early detection cancer test- for more information please log onto: http://www.oncolabsnc.com/

The Blood Sugar Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman M.D For more information please log onto:
www.drhyman.com

“A tool that finds 3x more breast tumors, and why it’s not available to you.” Dr. Deborah Rhodes M.D. TED Talks http://www.ted.com/talks/deborah_rhodes.html

“Can We Starve Cancer Cells?” Dr. Willaim Li M.D. TED Talks http://www.ted.com/talks/william_li.html

The Angiogenesis Foundation www.angio.org

Hospital Food: The Cooking Channel www.cookingchanneltv.com/shows/the-food-hospital.html

The Neighborhood House Association http://www.neighborhoodhouse.org/

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com

Body Attainment Through

Synaptic-Neurotransmitter Release

 You’ve been waiting all year and it’s finally here; summer has arrived. Don’t worry though; there’s still time to get a “beach-ready” body

How?…by incorporating a ground-breaking formula called “Synaptose” into your diet.

Synaptose is a revolutionary patented formula that nutritionally supports the ability to control one’s will power and helping to reduce or eradicate cravings, thereby facilitating success and sustainable fat loss.

Researchers have come to the understanding that overeating is directly connected to the brain’s reward center. Lack of dopamine, or a poor ability to sense and respond to dopamine, causes feelings of stress, anxiety, discomfort, etc. Most interestingly, this view of craving and reward is similar to the way poor mood is viewed. And just as Saint John’s Wort can help with poor mood, specific nutrients and supplementation can have a positive influence on poor reward-center function and craving control.

Sufficient dopamine function in the brain’s reward centers helps the mind control food cravings. Individuals feel such biochemical rewards in the form of feeling full or satisfied after a meal, which trigger dopamine release. People with poor dopamine function often satisfy their excessive cravings with unhealthy fat and sugar-rich foods. Essentially, with poor dopamine function, you need more and more food in order to feel satisfied. Synaptose provides a healthier way to feel more satisfied and to increase the brain’s sensitivity to dopamine. This way one can feel more satisfied without increasing food intake.

This unique formula has been shown to measurably increase dopamine and dopamine sensitivity, important neurotransmitters responsible for brain reward sensations, as well as serotonin and endorphins, which are also important neurotransmitters responsible for brain reward sensations.

Synaptose supports proper brain chemistry. This cutting-edge, patented neuro-adaptagen helps to promote healthy dopamine function, normalize cravings, improves energy regulation, enhances vitality and focus, reduces stress and anxiety, promotes well-being, and increases feelings of happiness. This not only helps the individual lose the weight but also promotes the brain’s ability to keep it off as well.

Synaptose is not only for those looking to shed pounds, but is also for healthy individuals looking to maintain their ideal weight. In order to feel satisfied from any activity, the reward and pleasure receptors of the brain must properly receive a set of chemical signals that rely primarily on dopamine. That’s why weight loss is just the tip of the iceberg! Promoting the health of the brain’s reward center can also improve performance and results in many other activities such as running, swimming, cycling, individual or team sports, or any endeavor that requires control of dedication. Synaptose simply helps your brain maintain control!

Synaptose is a key component in three outstanding weight loss supplements offered by Nature’s Plus. SynaptaLean Rx-Fat Loss™, Quick Body Lean™ and Eternal Lean™are innovative products that help you diet in ways you’ve never dreamed of! With most weight loss methods, your brain fights you every step of the way.

Whether you try dieting (reducing calories consumed), or try increasing your exercise level (increasing calories burned), the result is a net reduction in excess calories. Your brain’s metabolism-regulating systems think that such reduced calories means famine, so it compensates by storing more food energy as body fat.Synapta Lean Rx-Fat Loss™ researchers have discovered a unique combination of nutrients that tell your brain to stop fighting your weight loss efforts. SynaptaLean Rx-Fat Loss™ replaces your stress and anxiety with the energy and vitality you need for successful, sustainable fat loss.

For those looking to lose weight in a hurry, Quick Body Lean™ is designed to kick-start a healthy weight management program. Quick Body Lean™ will maximize weight loss success with nutrients that optimize your metabolism, strengthen will power, and help sculpt your body into the lean and healthy appearance you desire.

Once your ideal weight is met, Eternal Lean™ can support both brain and body in each daily effort to maintain weight loss momentum, targeting appetite, metabolism, carbohydrate absorption, blood sugar regulation, fat production and will power!

Experts recognize that successful weight management requires metabolic and caloric changes, as well as the healthy functioning of the brain’s will power control systems. In order to achieve and maintain healthy body weight, one must consider all of these factors. That’s why Nature’s Plus Quick Body Lean™ and Eternal Lean™ address both body and brain, each with unique ingredients to support immediate weight loss and/or long-term weight control.

All Rights Reserved© 2010-2012 Dalmo Accorsini/Nutricula Magazine All Rights Reserved - Nutricula is a registered trademark USPTO # 85175983 http://www.nutriculamagazine.com