Milk: Another White Lie Part 3

This may seem a little strange to see in print but there is a lucky minority that exist when it comes to milk. That group consist of people who are lactose intolerant. Why do I consider them lucky? It's because their bodies readily identify that dairy is not the best choice for us after being weened from our mothers. Most people lack the enzyme lactase which we tend to stop producing after about two years of age. Lactose intolerance is an extreme version of the allergic reactions most of us encounter. The most common allergic reaction is stomach upset such as bloating, gas and diarrhea. The lesser known reactions occur most often in people who don't consider themselves to be lactose intolerant or allergic to milk in general. Chronic sinus infections are most often blamed on pollen, pet dander, dust, aliens and Bill Cosby. While these things do have a place in our nasal miseries (not you Mr. Cosby) you will be hard pressed to find anyone who blames the massive amount of dairy consumed each day by unsuspecting folks. Thanks to the flood of dairy propaganda that milk is wholesome and does a body good we would never question milks role. The irony is that milk is the most common food allergy but rarely is recognized as such. Besides the lactose intolerance the protein found in milk also contributes to allergies as well so the lactose isn’t the sole villain.
Babies are especially susceptible to milk allergies. The American Society of Microbiologist found that some cases of crib death could be attributed to milk allergies in infants. The symptoms for these allergies can range from diarrhea, persistent colic, and vomiting to eczema, hives, bronchitis, asthma and sleeplessness. It is suggested that cows milk not be given to infants younger than four months old.
​If you are suffering from chronic sinus infections or gastrointestinal issues check your dairy consumption and ask yourself could it be the aliens or the milk?

​Sources:
​The Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford

​http://www.naturalnews.com/026461_products_food_butter.html

​http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/health-news/2009/09/07/more-mums-give-their-kids-organic-milk-as-survey-confirms-reduced-risk-of-asthma-and-eczema-86908-21654409/

Milk: Another White Lie Part II

IGF, or insulin-like growth factor, is a hormone that occurs in the human body naturally. As its name implies it assist with growth and is found in large quantites in children. By adulthood IGF is nearly non-existent because growth is done.


IGF-1 is found in cow's milk and is intended to assist baby cows in their growth and developement. Adding to already high levels of IGF-1 todays milk practices increases those levels through the use of rBGH (recombinate bovine growth hormone). Increased rBGH use has exposed more people to increased the amount of IGF-1 consumed.

Why is IGF-1 consumption such an important issue? As previously mentioned IGF helps things grow. All sorts of things in fact. Unfortunately for humans some of the things excess IGF can help grow are cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. Research has shown how moderate IGF-1 level increases can cause adverse health conditions. For example, men with an 8% increase in circulating IGF-1 were seven times more likely to develope prostate cancer. Women who had increased IGF-1 levels also had increased incidences of breast cancer. In fact a study conducted in China found that women in the top 25% of IGF-1 levels as compared to other women had a 2-3 times greater occurrence of breast cancer. A similar study conducted in England on men found a similar correlation. Those men in the top 25% were 3 times more likely to develope prostate cancer.

Are you wondering why cancer correlations deal specifically with breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men? IGF-1 is produced in abundance in the young especially during puberty. During puberty one of it's key functions it's to simulate the growth of breast tissue in girls and prostate growth in boys. After puberty IGF-1 production falls off to very modest levels having done that bulk of it's work. We, as humans, can increase our circulating IGF-1 levels threw consuming dairy products but for some it will be at our own cancer causing risk.

The next post will address the issue of lactose intolerance and other milk allergies.

Milk: A Different White Lie Part I

The dairy industry has garnered a windfall from it's advertising campaign with it's widely known "Milk. It does a body good" slogan. Does milk do a body good? Evidence that milk is only intended for unweaned creatures, including humans, has been mounting for years. With all the television and print commercials along with huge government subsidies you wouldn't know it. Milk, without doubt, has issues as it relates to the human body. We have been told to drink milk for its nutrient packed goodness especially as it pertains to calcium but a closer look is needed to assist in making an informed decision.

The calcium content of milk as long been the trumpet sounded by the dairy industry as to why we should consume their products. We, the consumer, have obediently danced to the sound of their music in order to sustain growth, especially in children, and maintain strong, healthy bones. Rarely, if ever, are the biological mechanisms of calcium absorption discussed. For calcium to be absorbed it must be found in a 2:1 ratio with magnesium. That is to say for every 2 parts of calcium consumed there must be at least 1 part of magnesium present to make the calcium available for use in the body. Milk is calcium rich but magnesium poor. In fact the calcium/magnesium ratio in milk is 10:1! That makes the excess calcium in milk unavailable to the body. Why, do you ask? Calcium from milk must be converted into a usable form by magnesium which also helps to solidify calcium into bone. A person would have to take a magnesium supplement with milk to absorb all the calcium or risk creating a magnesium imbalance in the rest of the body as magnesium is diverted from other functions to attend to the excess calcium floating around. Consuming cheese for its calcium content is even worse when you consider the calcium/magnesium ratio is 28:1. A study involving 120,000 U.S. women printed in the American Journal of Public Health, 1997 had some startling results. The 12 year study found that women who consumed 2 or more glasses of milk per day had a 45% higher risk of hip fractures and 5% increase in forearm fractures than women who drank less. The study director, Diane Feskanich, advises not to rely on milk for prevention of osteoporosis. Good sources of calcium and magnesium can be found in dark green leafy vegetables, almonds and figs.

Next week the discussion will focus on a seldom discussed but udderly (cheesy pun...wow a pun in a pun!) important hormone called insulin-like growth factor or IGF for short.

The Protein Fallacy and How Best to Utilize Protein in Your Diet

Is there a such thing as too much protein? If you ask most people the answers would range from "I don't know" to "no". The reason for this is because of how protein is presented to us in our everyday lives. There are many products and diet trends that emphasis protein pushed through various mediums relentlessly. So, for the sake of clarity let's take a closer look at protein.

Increased Acidity

Protein is comprised of 25 amino acids which are the building blocks of the body. Protein also serves as an important transporter of materials and is used in the production of antibodies, enzymes and hormones. Protein, in other words, is very important to the body but over-consumption can have detrimental effects on the body. All protein metabolizing increases blood acidity. Increased blood acidity from protein is generally not a problem when it is consumed moderately. When consumed in excess the uric acid produced is high enough to lead to inflammation. If you are already predisposed to pain the increased acidity will only exacerbate it. In addition to increased inflammation and pain, higher blood acidity must be balanced by the body (since the body requires blood to be slightly alkaline for proper functioning). The two ways this is accomplished is through sodium and calcium. Once sodium stores are consumed the body removes calcium from the bones in order to bring blood pH to proper levels. Considering the average mineral and vitamin deficient diets of today the stores of sodium and calcium are depleted quickly. Overtime, bone calcium that has been depleted and not replaced leads to the condition of osteoporosis.

Digestion

Protein, especially animal protein, is notoriously difficult to digest. The primary cause of this difficulty is based on our nutrient deficient diets. Without the proper amount of B Vitamins and Zinc the body is heavily taxed to breakdown proteins its amino acid components and utilize them into efficiently.

Building Muscle

If you have been to a gym or health food store lately you undoubtedly saw many protein products most of which is aimed at people who want to build muscle. You know the ones in huge containers just waiting for pre and post workout consumption. Athletes and body builders have chased protein dreams of greatness mostly unaware of basic biological facts. Consider this point as illustrated in "The New Optimum Nutrition Bible": The body requires less than 2 lbs. of protein per year to gain 9 lbs. of muscle (muscle is approximately 22% protein). That averages to about 2.5 g of protein per day. You can get that much protein from just a few almonds. The inability to build muscle is seldom due to a lack of protein. Most often the lack of essential vitamins and minerals such as B3, B6 and Zinc are to blame.

How Much Protein

The recommended amount of protein consumption is approximately 15% of total calories consumed during the day. That's about 35 g for most people. Another point to consider is the quality of the protein. Quality proteins are more easily digested and assimilated into the body. Typically, protein of higher quality can be found in vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Animal products are not an ideal source of protein due to how taxing uptake can be as mentioned earlier.

Final Thought

The American (and Western) diet is heavily meat oriented. Very often most people exceed the recommended amount of protein on the daily basis. It's no wonder acidosis is becoming more prevalent with each passing day. Have you seen the commercials for a new drug called Uloric? Uloric is a drug a person can take to assist in ridding the body of uric acid which can often result in gout, a painful type of arthritis, and other conditions. It's just one more pill to correct what a well thought out meal plan could help avoid.

Product Review: Colonix Advanced Internal Cleansing Program

Whenever one embarks on transforming or maintaining their health restoring proper colon function is key. The colon is the chief elimination point for waste and harmful pathogens. A clogged or sluggish colon prevents proper absorption of vital nutrients and impairs the immune system. Both of these conditions causes overall bodily "breakdowns" as toxins build slowly and overwhelm the body over time. With all of this in mind I diligently searched for a colon cleansing program. I was nearly overwhelmed by all of the information that exists. Finally, I settled on one and was very pleased in the end (no pun intended) that I went with the Colonix program. The Colonix Advanced Internal Cleansing Program panned out to be gold for my overall health and intestinal well being. I will relay to you some pertinent facts and experiences over the course of this review that I hope will be helpful.

Components

The Colonix Cleansing program consist of three components: Colonix Fiber, Paranil Capsules and KleriTea. Each component has a unique function and combine well together to get the job done. The fiber is an impressive combination of plant based ingredients designed to supplement the average American diet which lacks adequate fiber. Without enough dietary fiber we become constipated, malnourished and overcome by toxic build-ups. The KleriTea is herbal based without any harsh chemicals. It is designed to maximize the bodies ability to collect and move waste through the colon. The tea is also tasty and soothing with its chamomile, cinnamon and peppermint ingredients. The Paranil capsules serve multiple purposes. The first is as support for colon cleansing. The second is as a liver cleanser. The all natural herbal and plant based ingredients help cleanse and strengthen the liver.


Ease of Use

 What appeared to me at first glance to be a cramp on my daily schedule turned out to be fairly simple and easy to adjust to. That usually happens when you get used to anything new. After a few days it was a matter of routine. That routine consisted of the following: Drinking the KleriTea in the evening, taking the Paranil capsules in the morning on an empty stomach, and taking one scoop of the Colonix fiber sometime during the day. You may be thinking doing these three things over the course of your day is not complicated and I would have to agree with you. The thing to be considered is when to take the fiber because timing is everything. The fiber in conjunction with the other components of the program is very effective. When the urge to have a bowel movement is first sensed you have about 30 minutes to 1 hour to relieve yourself. If you're like me and don't like going "#2" in public restrooms then you will need to time when to take the fiber because it will make you as regular as a clock. Each person is different so I can only give you my example to go by but you will need to test this to see it works for you. I found that if I took the fiber in the late afternoon to early evening I would be ready for my daily Opus Magnum around 6:30 am the next morning which works great for me. If you do the math you will see this is around a 10-12 hour turnaround so 10-12 hours may be a good place for you to start. I recommend, as does the manufacturer, that you begin on a Wednesday or Thursday so that any adjustments you find necessary can be done over the weekend in response to your bodily needs. Nothing in this section should be construed in any way as a negative. Once I had my schedule in hand I was very pleased with the clock work efficiency I could count on. I was never surprised and was not subject to events from out of the blue that put me in awkward situations.


Effectiveness

When I began this cleanse I was fairly open mined but I had a few doubts. My skepticism stemmed from having read the testimonials and seeing the pictures. Could it really work as well as documented by the people on the website? Seeing is, without a doubt, believing! First, the KleriTea is designed to cause your abdominal muscles to contract gently overnight. These contractions causes fecal matter to move gently towards the goal. I can say without doubt that the tea works great and taste good, too. Care must be taken not to steep the tea to long because this could lead to cramps. Just follow the directions and you will be fine. Also, this program is not intended for pregnant women because the tea does cause contractions. Second, the fiber is robust. Mix well and chug away. I personally use chocolate soy milk because the fiber tends to blend well with it. In a very short time (initially 2-3 days and then daily thereafter) you will begin to feel lighter and more energetic as the movements pass with ease. Your time in the bathroom will become effortless and quick. You may also notice the need to use less toilet tissue as your eliminations become more and more "clean". My experience was not unlike what was portrayed in the testimonials. I always considered myself a regular guy when it came to bowel movements but I was in for a surprise. I began eliminating completely. It turns out I didn't know how a complete elimination felt but I most definitely do now. In addition, the Colonix fiber combines insoluble fiber (fiber that helps scrub the colon and eliminate waste) and soluble fiber (fiber that enters the bloodstream and removes some excess materials like cholesterol). You really give your body the proper one, two punch it needs to rid the body of toxins and waste.

I have no direct financial ties to this product, the manufacturers or its affiliates. I offer this positive review because I have experienced positive results. I originally did the 3 month program and now I do an annual cleanse for one month. I also take the fiber alone daily throughout the year to supplement my dietary fiber intake. To say the least I enjoy this product and it does what it says. If a good cleansing is what you are in need of give the Colonix Advanced Internal Cleansing Program a try. Feel free to email me for additional tips or questions.

Yours sincerely in good health,

Derrell

The Whiter the Rice, the Closer to Christ

There are some long held food traditions in my family. One of our most sacred (or economically viable) traditions is white rice. Seems simple enough, right? I remember while growing up virtually every meal consisted of this white, fluffy (if we were lucky) grain. The rice, along with sweet peas or pork n' beans most nights, was consumed gratefully or begrudgingly without much thought right up to a few years ago. But the times, they are a changin' and we must fully consider everything we consume especially our bleached or enriched meal traditions.
Let's begin with white rice. White rice is made by stripping away the brown outer layers of the rice. These "layers" contain the bran (fiber) and most every other type of nutrient that can be found in the rice. Manufacturers then add powdered vitamins and minerals back onto the rice to enrich it. Most of the vitamins and minerals added by the manufacturers are synthetics making them unusable by the body and thus void of almost every nutrient it is supposed to be enriched with. Another thing to consider is that rice is a starch and therefore a carbohydrate. It's the bran (fiber) in brown rice that slows the absorption of the carbohydrates which is very important. White rice is virtually void of all fiber which allows for the rapid absorption of the carbohydrates which spikes the blood the sugar and puts undo stress on the pancreas as it works feverishly to crank out enough insulin to handle the excess sugar load. 1/2 cup of brown rice contains 1.6 grams of fiber or 53 times more fiber than white rice which contains about .03 grams of fiber. White rice puts the body under stress and is a diabetic nightmare.

The Whiter the Bread, the Faster You're Dead

These titles are more than catchy tongue-in-cheek phrases. They may be fun but they depict a level of accuracy that isn't very laughable. White bread is derived principally from flour that has been bleached (please pay attention to the word "bleached") and/or enriched. The excessive milling and bleaching of the flour removes its germ and bran (fiber). This renders the wheat void of nutrients such as thiamine, niacin, essential fatty acids, fiber, and zinc. Some of these nutrients are replaced with powdered versions that are synthetic and unrecognizable by the body which could lead to an immune response because the body sees the fake nutrients as foreign bodies or pathogens and attacks it. Also, like rice, since the fiber is stripped away the carbohydrates are quickly absorbed elevating the blood sugar rapidly which causes stress on the body through increased insulin production. The poor pancreas ends up pulling double shifts especially if you consider many people consume white bread and white rice with the same meal.

There is one other thing to consider: The bleaching process. How do you bleach white laundry? Do you use chlorine bleach? Perhaps you go old school and add a little peroxide. The makers of white bread like the way you think! To make flour white it has to be bleached and there are three main ways to do it. The are Potassium Bromate also known as Potassium Salt or Bromic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide and Chlorine Dioxide.

Potassium Bromate is fatal if swallowed, causes kidney damage, is considered an inhalation hazard and is readily absorbed through the skin.

Benzoyl Peroxide is a known irritant in large quantities. Benzoyl Peroxide is also used as an antiseptic but consumption outside of a clinical setting or counsel is not advised.

Chlorine Dioxide is used as a pesticide and as a strong disinfectant. Consumption or exposure can be hazardous.

What to Do?

Consuming white rice and white bread is nothing more than a stomach filling exercise that spikes blood sugar. Void of almost all nutrition and potentially laced with chemicals these modern marvels leave our bodies desiring proper nutrition and a nap once the blood sugar levels crash. Please be considerate when makers of white bread and white rice products make nutrition claims keeping in mind the heavy use of synthetics. Also beware of "brown breads". Just because they are brown and appear to made from whole wheat does not necessarily make it so. Be sure to read the labels. Some brown breads have been bleached and had caramel or some other coloring agent added to it to make it appear brown and wholesome. Try to consume minimally processed brown rice and bread that is unbleached and whole (i.e. whole grain, whole meal flour, etc). We need proper nutrition to not just survive but to thrive and live life to the fullest without the negative side effects of eating foods that are void of nutrients and robbing us of our lives. Just food for thought.

What's in Your Shampoo?

The twentieth century brought us many industrial wonders. Things like the automobile (and along with it the assembly line), microwave ovens and even the Internet. In the process we have super sized, super valued and super built just about everything. Furthermore, when you have super stuff you need super cleaners and super lubricants.

Industrial machinery and our mechanized society require (?) chemicals of an industrial nature like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Propylene Glycol (PG), and Diethanolamine (DEA). So let us take a brief moment to look at these various chemicals and don't worry, I am going somewhere with this.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate was initially developed as a detergent gaining in popularity as a garage floor cleaner. It is characterized as a harsh detergent which is entirely believable since garage floors can get a tad bit dirty. Its ability to break down oils made it ideal for this type of clean up duty. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can incarnate in different products as Sodium Laureth Sulphate as well which in some ways could be a lot worse considering the process to turn a Lauryl into a Laureth may produce 1,4 Dioxane, a known cancer causing substance and an ingredient in Vietnam era Agent Orange. In other words it's bad stuff!

Propylene Glycol started out as one of the ingredients that could be found in anti-freeze, brake fluid, paint, and airplane de-iceing fluids. To this very day it is still used as such. Propylene Glycol is an alcohol primarily used for its solvent properties.

Diethanolamine (DEA) is used as an industrial solvent, emulsifier, and detergent. It is used as wall and floor cleaners among other things.

Now here's the rub (literally): Everyone of the aforementioned chemicals can be found in most shampoos. It's a curious matter when you consider that each one of these chemicals is known to cause health issues in humans and animals as well.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate has been shown to hinder proper eye development in children, cause cataracts in adults and impedes healing in all beings (See summary report of Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc.). SLS is easily absorbed and stored in the body making it a cumulative toxin. Do you remember how SLS breaks down oil on garage floors? It interferes with the biology of the skin primarily through breaking down the oil in skin leading to stripping and over-drying. What is even more incredible is that SLS is commonly used as a skin irritant in clinical testing to see if other products can alleviate the irritation!

The American Academy of Dermatologist published a report back in 1991 establishing Propylene Glycol as a primary skin irritant even at low levels (5% concentration). Unfortunately, PG is usually a top three ingredient in most products it is used in which means it is at least 20% of the product making it at 20% concentration. Judy Vance, author of "Beauty To Die For" stated that in order to sell PG you would have to furnish the buyer with a material data safety sheet (MSDS). Ironically a warning clearly listed on the MSDS states "If on skin: Thoroughly wash with soap and water".

The US DOT regulates the transport of every version of Diethanolamine (DEA). Why, do you ask? Well, the US DOT lists DEA as an environmentally hazardous substance and an immediate health hazard as described as being the only hazardous ingredient in a product called Monamine (CD -100-CAS 68814-92-6). When combined with nitrates it is known to chemically form nitrosamines - a carcinogen (that which causes cancer). Even without nitrates newer studies are showing a carcinogenic effect in addition to mucous membrane and skin irritation.

Yes we undoubtedly live in an industrial age but we do not have industrial bodies. If a chemical was designed to strip a floor please know and understand that it will strip your skin and disrupt your inner and outer biology. I got curious the day I typed this blog and took a look at the ingredients in Wish Bone Ranch Dressing and was amazed that among some of the other questionable ingredients was listed Propylene Glycol! Would you like a little antifreeze with your salad or wings? So the question remains: What's in YOUR shampoo (or deodorant, toothpaste, or any number of personal care/hygiene products and even food)?

Post Script: Most sources were directly referenced within the post. In addition to those another source with great information is a book called Health Wars by Phillip Day.