Let Otzi the Iceman be a lesson to all

I firmly believe that 90% of dental health is related to diet.  And if the modern high sugar high grain high processed food diet and poor overall dental health doesn't make the case, then lets take a trip back in time... about 5000 years ago or so.

A story in today's health news reads Otzi the Iceman could have used a dentist, but should say "could have used a better diet".  That is a less agricultural (grains) and more hunter-gatherer diet.  Two particular points of this article clearly make the connection between a heavy agricultural based diet and disease.  Case in point:

"These extensive studies revealed that Ötzi was a middle-age, well-to-do agriculturalist who lived not far from where he died. He also suffered from heart disease and joint pain, and probably had Lyme disease."

Read a little further and we come across this gem...

"But somehow, scientists had never analyzed his teeth before. So Ruhli and his colleagues used a CT scanner to analyze the condition of Ötzi's teeth. They found that the ancient farmer had several cavities, likely caused by his carbohydrate-rich diet.

Ötzi also showed severe wear of his tooth enamel and severe gum disease. Hard minerals in milled grains abraded the surface of his teeth and gums, exposing the bone below and making the roots loose. Similar wear-and-tear is found in the teeth of Egyptian mummies who ate milled grains, Ruhli said."

And finally to sum up...

"Ötzi's dental problems show the results of switching from a strict hunter-gatherer diet to an agricultural one, Ruhli said.

"Hunter-gatherers were depending on meat and berries, whereas (Ötzi) had processed food," Ruhli said. "The processing added a bigger variety of food but also impacted the quality of the teeth."

Need I quote more!

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

I found this article by Christopher Masterjohn on the benefits and importance of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K) to be a great example of why a diet high in healthy saturated fat is crucial for optimal health.  The author goes to great lengths explaining how these vitamins along with minerals (Magnesium, Zinc) work together in synergy and how they fall short without the proper daily amounts of each.

The Benefits of Fat-Soluble Vitamins...

I found his detailed discussion on the history of cod liver oil consumption in the US over the last ~100 years to be a great example of the nutritional power of a whole-food supplements, and why taking the right ones can be far superior to simply cherry picking individual vitamins thought to be important.   I started taking fermented cod liver oil a few years ago as a healthy source for Omega-3 fatty acid, but soon found out that it was naturally high in Vitamins D and A along with trace amounts of other beneficial nutrients. 

If you get a chance, give this article a read, I guarantee you it will be well worth your time.  Especially if you are still skeptical on the importance of a high fat diet.

Fewer calories does NOT equal weight loss!

Over the past year or so I have learned a lot about what a healthy diet truly means.  That is, what the common misconceptions are and why we should avoid them.  So what I don't quite understand is that if I can "see the light" when it comes to a healthy diet then why can't the medical and nutritionist communities?  It's headlines like this one in today's health news US obesity mystery... that boggles my mind.

So if you are as confused as the "experts" when it comes to obesity, rest assured you are not alone.  But there is something you can do.  Familiarize yourself with 4 of the most common dietary misconceptions, and then do the opposite! 

1. Fewer calories equals weight loss. 
1. This common misconception is one of the major reasons many of the fad diets on the market do not work.  All calories are NOT created equal!  Sugar (fructose consumption) in the form of High Fructose Corn Syrup is metabolized totally differently than glucose, with much of it being turned into fat rather than utilized by the body as a quick energy boost.  And to make matters worse it has been documented that HF corn syrup interferes with the receptors in your brain that would normally tell the body that it has been satisfied.  And for all those hooked on the so called "zero calorie" foods, keep in mind your body isn't fooled.  The body is designed to expect calories to follow sugar intake, and when this caloric intake is not fulfilled the body will continue to crave calories until it is satisfied ultimately causing you to consume more calories!   And one important side note Aspartame, the most common sugar substitute on the market today, is VERY toxic due to the way the human body metabolizes menthol, converting it into formaldehyde. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/11/07/aspartame-causes-blood-cancer.aspx
2. Eating fat makes you fat.
1. This is another big dietary misconception, and has proven to be one of the most deadly!  The move from diets high in healthy saturated fat (organic pastured meats, eggs, organic coconut, etc.) to diets high in unhealthy vegetable oils which become toxic when heated up during cooking due to their weak molecular bonds, has led to a dramatic increase (not decrease) in cases of coronary heart disease then was present in this country a decade or so ago.  The fact is a healthy diet should consist of 50% or more of healthy saturated fat.  Humans were designed by nature to be "Fat burning machines".  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/05/31/coconut-oil-for-healthy-heart.aspx
3. A high cholesterol diet will cause heart disease.
1. This all too common and all too deadly misconception ties directly into the "fat = fat" misconception.  What's important to remember here is that cholesterol is utilized by nearly every cell in the body, making it probably the most important nutrient that you can consume.  And a number of new studies have pointed to the American push for a "heart healthy low cholesterol diet" as well as the excessive use of  cholesterol lowering drugs, as the leading causes of many of the diseases plaguing our society today.  This is in major contrast to what most all nutritional and medical experts will lead you to believe.  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/16/cholesterol-regulates-cell-signaling.aspx
4. Whole grains are part of a heart healthy diet
1. Grains, especially those containing gluten which are extremely hard to digest, simply put are nothing more than glucose to the body.  That's sugar in Layamon's terms!  And this point cannot be stressed enough; sugar interferes with the body's natural insulin response, causes inflammation, and in excess (which is the case for most American's) is the root cause of most if not all of the major chronic diseases that affect modern society.  http://cookingallergyfree.blogspot.com/2012/11/dont-believe-heart-healthy-advertising.html

Fat and Cholesterol are our friends!

One of the most unhealthy misconceptions brought forth over the last century was started by one German Scientist and Procter & Gamble, an all to eager company quick to buy in.  In no time at all what has been called one of the most brilliant marketing schemes paved the way for a very deadly product.  A "lard lookalike" that was anything but, and so Crisco was born!  The marketing ploy... that Crisco, a vegetable oil originally made from cottonseed, was low in saturated fat and cholesterol. .  And what a marketing scheme it was!  Sure it boosted the cottonseed industry but at what cost?  This deadly piece of false misleading nutritional information was solidified in the American diet by the mid-50's when a man by the name of Dr. Keys published a flawed misleading paper that compared saturated fat intake with heart disease.  His misleading cherry-picked data painted an ugly picture that Americans were quick to eat with spoon. 

Fast forward to present time and most Americans still believe that a healthy diet is one that is low in cholesterol and saturated fat.  Unfortunately all we have to show for it is an unhealthy society severely plagued by the very diseases (heart disease, diabetes, obesity...) that were supposed to be avoided, and that could only result from such poor nutritional advice. 

If this were true, wouldn't maintaining a diet low saturated fat and cholesterol lead to a healthier you?

Tell me this, why then are there more people suffering from these diseases than back 100+ years ago when people were not afraid of saturated fat (be it coconut or animal based)?

The only ones that have gained from this poor and deadly dietary advice have been those who profit either directly or indirectly from this sort of lifestyle; the companies that make/sell/distribute these products and the medical industry and pharmaceutical companies that have millions of Americans hooked on their magic pill.

The truth is 50% or more of your diet should come from a healthy saturated fat source like coconuts, organic pastured eggs and meats.  And what about that deadly 'C' word... Cholesterol?  It turns out there may not be a more crucial player in a healthy diet!  Cholesterol is used by nearly every cell in the body and without it we cannot survive.  Some of the latest research links low cholesterol due to diet and cholesterol lowing drugs, may be the real causes of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's and more!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/16/cholesterol-regulates-cell-signaling.aspx

Do the research for yourself, it might just save your life!

Heartburn, another result of factory farming!

A recent article in health news states that Heartburn is on the rise and scientists don't know why, but once again I see a clear connection between factory farming and chronic diseases and disorders such as heartburn.

In the natural healing world heartburn is treated in two ways; long term through diet and short term affects with acid.  Yes you heard correctly, contrary to popular western medical beliefs reducing the acid in the gut is often the exact opposite of what should be done.  Many times HCL pills and or an apple cider vinegar regimen will be prescribed by N.D.'s, which is an exact contradiction to the M.D. treatment consisting of pharmaceuticals, either prescription or over the counter antacid of some sort.

Why such polar opposite treatments?

As I've mentioned many times before our countries medical field is greatly influenced by those companies that run our factory farmed food industry, and conveniently enough have a great stake in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Heartburn is a direct result of the unbalanced and compromised (inflamed) gut of the typical unhealthy American consuming a factory farmed based diet of processed foods, soda and candy, grains and grain derived additives.  These foods cause inflammation, disrupt stomach pH, and inhibit instead of promote healthy gut flora. 

Whether you consider yourself a healthy eater or not, if your diet consists of more than 20% processed foods (ideally 10% or less) you are consuming large amounts of sugar (both artificial and refined) as well as grain based.  It's important to remember that to the human body grains are essentially glucose (sugar), and should be consumed in very limited quantities and all gluten free!  Just like the harmful artificial and refined sugars, grains despite their nutrient content will ultimately cause undesirable spikes in blood sugar.  Over time the body becomes insulin resistant resulting in type 2 and *type 3 diabetes (*Alzheimer's).

The mass production of these destructive annual monocrops ultimately affects every human that does not consciously and actively avoid this lifestyle.  And these negative harmful effects come at you from all sides whether obvious or not.

1. These non-organic annual monocrops (corn, soy, wheat, etc.) require heavy doses of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers in order to grow in such nutrient depleted soil.  These deadly chemicals yield a nutrient lacking and toxic food for all those that consume it, and studies show high doses found in the end product and as a result within the body (human or animal).
2. All factory farm based (grocery store bought) meats, eggs, and dairy come from unhealthy animals fed a diet consisting mainly of grains (and soy).  This is an omega-6 rich diet, as opposed to an omega-3 rich diet (grass), and promotes inflammation within the body.
3. The overabundance in stock of these government subsidized crops results in the mass production of unhealthy toxic grain based food additives used to enhance flavor, add color, add synthetic nutrients, as isolated artificial sugars, and whatever else these creative scientists can come up with.
4.  Pharmaceutical companies are tied to these same chemical companies that profit so heavily from factory farming; Monsanto, Dow Chemical, BASF, Bayer, etc.
5. Current and future medical and biochemical research is heavily funded and influenced at the university level by these same chemical companies (Monsanto, Dow Chemical, BASF, Bayer, etc.).
6. All government agencies with the purpose of regulating our food industry (FDA, Dept. of Agriculture, etc.) have had and continue to have an "open door policy" at the upper level with their high level employees.

So what can we do to prevent this?

• Support your local organic sustainable farmers
• Eat only organic pastured meats, eggs, and dairy
• Limit the consumption of processed foods
• Buy only Organic Non-GMO foods 
• Find a reputable N.D. in your area 
• Prevent disease with a healthy diet and lifestyle instead of relying heavily on the pharmaceutical industry
• Stay educated and don't leave your health to someone who's ultimately tied to the very industry that is poisoning you.

Don't believe "Heart Healthy" advertising!

I read an article in today's health news titled "Healthy hearts may still have disease risk" and I believe this only further supports the fact that American Heart Association's idea of a "heart health" diet is anything but!

Heart disease is not some naturally occurring inevitable disease that will eventually strike with age... No disease is!  Heart disease especially, like diabetes, Alzheimer's (which has been dubbed type 3 diabetes), or any chronic inflammatory disease, is diet dependent.  And unfortunately what is perceived as a healthy diet in fact causes inflammation and ultimately disease.

Sugar is of course a major culprit in the American diet, responsible for many many diseases, especially the simple refined and or artificial sugars that are so heavily a part of processed foods and soft drinks.  But typically there is a noticeable disparity between total sugar intake amongst those people that are perceived as "healthy" compared to those who are not. 

Grains however are big part of either diet, and one of the biggest disease causing culprits in the American diet. Grains are difficult for the body to properly digest, whether your consuming refined white flour or that labeled "whole grain".  They disrupt healthy gut flora causing inflammation throughout the body as well as severely compromising the intestinal walls (your immune system).  Possibly worst of all though are the effects grain consumption has on insulin receptors within the body.  It is important to realize that grains are essentially glucose (sugar) to the body and as you know diets high in sugar cause abnormal spikes in blood sugar levels.  The body releases insulin naturally, in response to blood sugar, and its these constant insulin overloads overtime that impair the body's normal insulin production ultimately leading to insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes).

So why then do most health practitioners as well as nutritionists promote whole grains as part of a healthy diet? 

The answer simply brings us back to the same reoccurring theme; factory/industrial farming and those companies that support and depend upon it, control our countries food system, heavily influence our medical research and industry, and control the FDA's decision and policy making due to the "revolving door" between those that rule the food industry and those that are supposed to watch over and control it.

Knowledge is your best defense!  Keep yourself informed and take it upon yourself to change. 
Support your local organic sustainable farms as well as organic non-GMO!

Election day is upon us!

Election day is upon us.  Next Tuesday to be exact, and that means one very critical vote will be determined.  No, not who will become our country's next pawn to the industrialized factory-farmed food and pharmaceutical industries.  I am talking about "proposition 37"!  The vote that will determine whether consumers (California consumers to be precise) have the right to know what's in their food.  If passed it would require GMO and GE labeling on all food products, as well as forbid the labeling "natural ingredients" or "all natural" to be used on products that contain GMOs.  This legislation has failed to pass in its previous attempts (in both Vermont and Connecticut) but I say the 3rd time's a charm!

This is the only time in my life that I probably wished I lived in California... long enough to voice my opinion by ballot anyway.  The good thing is, if this passes in California it will surely spread amongst the other states. For now though the best we can do is patron our local organic sustainable farms as well as make sure all packaged store bought goods are organic non-GMO.  And make sure not to support companies that fund the opposition in this fight for food labeling!