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You might already know that I’m not a big fan of certain non-fermented soy products. The results of a newly published study on the effects of soy formula on the reproductive systems of mice only underscores how bad they can be for the body.
In this particular study, newborn mice were fed soy formula mixed with a plant derived isoflavone called genistein. Isoflavones occur naturally in a number of legumes, including soy beans. And while many types of isoflavones are rich in antioxidants and other healthful compounds, genistein specifically, has been connected to a wide range of serious health concerns such as cancer and, as this article points out, reproductive abnormalities.
Researchers fed the mice a concentration of 50 milligrams per kilogram of genistein enriched formula via pipette in combination with nursing directly from their mother. The control group was fed unenriched formula that contained only trace amounts of genistein and nursed as well. Regular blood samples were taken from both groups to ensure that genistein concentrations were minimal in the control group and comparable to those found in human infants in the experimental group.
Continue reading: “New Research: Soy Formula Affects Reproductive Development in Mice”
Many of my readers and clients often ask me about how they can lose weight around their mid-section, a problematic area that doesn’t seem to go away, no matter how many miles they run or sit-ups they do at the gym.
Oftentimes, this extra weight comes from what we all know as “the beer belly.” That unsightly pudge that comes from too drinking too much alcohol, eating a variety of unhealthy/fatty foods, such as processed white flour, sugar and foods low in fiber.
Many of you may be unaware that the average can of beer contains 140 calories, and the averaged mixed-drink has over 600 calories. These are also what are known as “empty-calories” meaning that your body will have to work pretty hard to process them, without getting anything back in the way of vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Typically, this leads to weight gain.
What is more, alcohol has been shown to actual interfere with your body’s ability to metabolize fats, meaning that your body actual stores fat much easier. And from this combined effect comes the quintessential beer belly.
The following article will address the beer belly and the active steps you can take to deflate it.
Continue reading: “How to Get Rid of a Beer Belly”
New research published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology shows that certain strains of probiotic bacteria may be the most effective way to alleviate the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In light of these findings, many experts are optimistic that safe, more effective treatment options for IBD are soon to follow.
What Is IBD & Why Is It So Difficult to Treat?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a very serious medical condition, and should not be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). While both are generalized terms which relate to abnormal bowel conditions, one is significantly more serious than the other. While the symptoms of IBS are unpleasant, and can often lead to a dramatic decrease in quality of life, they are not usually fatal.
IBD, on the other hand, is usually associated with digestive conditions like Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. It often includes more severe symptoms such as frequent bloody diarrhea, which can become life-threatening to some individuals if left untreated.
Continue reading: “Researchers Discover Successful Probiotic Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease”
I was recently emailed an article that illustrates the obscene amount of perfectly edible food families collectively toss out each day. You probably already knew that humans on a whole are a pretty wasteful species, but it’s still shocking to see just how much we really throw away.
While the study itself focuses on food waste in the United Kingdom, it is still a good indicator of wastefulness in general. The study uses the massive quantity of apples that are thrown out in the U.K. each day – approximately four and half million – as a key example. Just imagine how many are tossed out in the U.S. on a daily basis?
It’s important to be a responsible consumer. Not just in terms of the quality and quantity of food that you put into your body, but also how much you take home with the intention of using. It’s irresponsible to take more than you’re able to use. Especially when it comes to good food that could feed someone who really needs it. Of course, most of us would never do this intentionally, but that’s not an excuse.
Continue reading: “Study: Families in the U.K. Waste 1/3 of All Food They Buy”
Would you be surprised to learn that you can make your very own organic, natural hair products at home?
For a fraction of the cost of most product lines, its easy to create organic shampoos, conditioners and hair masks from the comfort of your kitchen. Completely natural and 100% non-toxic, natural hair products offer hydration, nutrition and stimulation to the scalp and hair.
Here are some of my favorite tips for getting and keeping the best natural-looking healthy hair. I would love to hear all of your personal tips for healthy hair.
Continue reading: “10 Tips for Healthy Natural Hair”
Chemical flame retardants have made their way into a very long list of mundane everyday household objects. This was no doubt originally intended to help save lives, which it has done. Unfortunately a string of studies published over the past few decades have shown that flame retardants may also be putting our health at risk in other ways.
There has been growing concern about the long term side-effects of Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, in particular. PBDEs are a family of closely related chemicals that have been a popular form of flame retardant since the late 1970s. They are commonly found in a number of everyday consumer products ranging from computers and home theater components, to clothing, and even the stuffing in your mattress.
Whenever your PC or home stereo heats up due to normal use, its plastic casing releases a small amount of PBDE into the air. Like many toxins, exposure to PDBEs doesn’t normally trigger an acute response from the body, but it can have a serious cumulative effect. As concentrations build up in the body, there is an increased risk of permanent nervous and reproductive system damage.
Household PBDE exposure is especially troubling because its potential to cause neurological damage is most pronounced in small children. Foam stuffing is another common place to find PBDE flame retardants. Seemingly benign items such as a child’s bedding or stuffed plaything can be additional sources of toxic flame retardant exposure to watch out for. And remember – exposure is cumulative. If that weren’t bad enough, some recent studies have also shown that excessive PCBE levels can even contaminate breast milk in nursing mothers. Yikes!
Continue reading: “Are Flame Retardants Putting Our Health at Risk?”
There are many difficult symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. And, while different women experience different mixes of symptoms, depending mostly on hormonal makeup and lifestyle, most women do report the experience of hot flashes. In fact, research shows that an estimated eighty-five percent of American women experience them within the first year or two of menopause.
Sadly, up to half of all women continue to have them regularly for years following the onset of menopause. Below are some helpful natural remedies for balancing the body and mind during “the change.”
Natural remedies you can use to balance hot flashes during menopause. Make sure to always purchase organic when available
1. Black Cohosh
Black Cohosh is a plant that is used widely in Europe for treating menopause and hot flashes. Studies have shown that Black Cohosh was just as effective as pharmaceutical estrogen in providing hot flash relief. One study even showed that Black Cohosh worked great for preventing excessive sweating.
2. Flaxseed Oil
Fatty acids such as those found in flaxseed oil have been thought to be effective in reducing menopausal symptoms. Moreover, flax contain plant lignans which are similar to estrogen, possibly causing estrogen levels to stabilize in menopausal women.
Continue reading: “11 Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes”
For many people, worrying about arsenic poisoning is akin to worrying about catching the bubonic plague. They mistakenly believe that it’s something only found in history books. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is, even in today’s world, arsenic poisoning is still a very real concern.
In fact, certain forms of arsenic are found naturally in geographic areas with high concentrations of metal ore. When these metals are mined and brought up to the surface, arsenic is often times released into the surrounding soil. Once it is in the soil, it will eventually work its way into any nearby ground water, which in turn may contaminate the agriculture and drinking water in surrounding communities.
This isn’t a big secret. Regulatory agencies throughout the world monitor the levels of arsenic found in these areas to make sure that they remain within the perceived tolerable limits.
Unfortunately, new research shows that arsenic leached from contaminated soil may become even more toxic as it is processed by the human digestive system. This means that the level of exposure that our bodies are able to cope with may be significantly lower than regulators previously believed.
Continue reading: “Study: Gut Bacteria Transforms Arsenic, Increases Its Toxicity”
Lately there’s been increasing interest in the effects of lemon juice on the liver. Specifically its effectiveness as a liver detox agent. While there is a good bit of truth to this claim, there’s also a growing pile of misinformation being produced by people who don’t really understand how the human body operates, or the basics of organic chemistry.
Lemon juice naturally contains potent levels of citric acid. When mixed with distilled water and consumed regularly, it can benefit the body in a number of ways.
First and foremost, lemon juice helps break down food in your stomach for better digestion. In part because of its own acidic qualities, and in part because it stimulates the stomach to produce more digestive juices.
Continue reading: “Does Lemon Juice Detox the Liver?”
Readers of my blog probably won’t be surprised to hear that blueberries and probiotic bacteria are a great way to help the body naturally defend itself against intestinal disease. Still, it’s always nice to see more scientific research making its way into the mainstream media.
This latest clinical study, conducted at Lund University in Sweden, shows that eating blueberries can ease and protect against intestinal inflammation. They also found that these beneficial effects on the body are increased by the consumption of probiotic bacteria along with the berries.
The two researchers, Camilla Bränning and Åsa Håkansson, have found that when taken together, blueberries and common strains of probiotic bacteria performed better than either did when tested alone. They also found this combination to be more effective in fighting the symptoms of intestinal disease than probiotics paired with other types of dietary fiber such as oat and rye bran.
Continue reading: “Study: Blueberries & Probiotics Help Counteract Intestinal Diseases”
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