It seems most of us only become aware of the fact that we should protect our bones as we age. The reality is, we should be thinking of building healthy bones for our children while they are still inside the womb. It is more important to protect and build bones when we are young, than to worry about it later in life. Here’s why: we have until the later teen years to build bone density. Bone density is built by consuming nutrient dense foods (leafy green vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts/seeds, sea vegetables and grains). If our children do not reach an optimal peak bone mass, they may wind up with Osteoporosis later in life.  Bone loss is a natural part of aging so starting out high is a good thing.  

We build bones early in life, and after our mid-thirties bone loss starts. In our fifties bone loss becomes more rapid, and settles down by our sixties. There is good news! Bone loss can be minimized by eating plant foods.     
Our bones are meant to last a lifetime and beyond, but today children are breaking bones all the time. Why? Because they are filling up with junk! Many people today have somehow lost the ability to tell food from non-food and wind up eating lifeless food from packages. We need to get back to nature and eat the foods that nature provides us.   

But, it’s not just food.  Our lifestyle plays an important role.  Do you get enough sleep and exercise or drink too much caffeine?  Are you under a lot of stress?  Are your hormones in balance? Are you digesting your food properly?  These are all factors of building bone or breaking them down.  

I’m sure you have heard that calcium is good for building bone, but it’s not the only nutrient.  There are 21 nutrients including calcium that work synergistically to build bone.  Vitamin D and K2 are just as important as calcium because without these two, calcium can’t get into our bones.  We have an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency, could this be why so many children are breaking their bones today? Vitamin D is the only vitamin that we can’t get much from food, we need to get it from the sun or take a supplement.   

There are many factors to look at when building our bones. I have only touched the surface, but by feeding our children fresh, whole foods we are taking a great first step to building healthy bones that will last them a lifetime! 

This Friday we are going to talk about artificial colors. 

Artificial Colors -  are used in processed foods to give a bright appearance to the food.  This can help influence our perception on taste. Manufacturers use artificial colors because they are easier to manufacture and more consistent than natural colors.  There is a link between artificial colors and ADD. 

The most common artificial colors used contain benzidene which is a known human carcinogen.  Many of these were also banned in other countries.  Below are the most common used, but anything with a color and a number is artificial.  These are clearly labeled on the ingredients list and found in so many items on store shelves like pickles, salad dressing, marshmallows, pie fillings, jelly, juices, vitamins, mouthwash etc. 

• Red #40
• Yellow #5
• Yellow #6

Again, there are alternatives, you just need to know what not to have on the ingredient list and it's easy to find an alternative! 

Natural colors are usually created using beets, spinach, carrots, saffron or turmeric. I have even boiled up cabbage and used the water for a purple color.   These colors may not be as bright as the artificial colors but so much better for your health. 




Source:  The Pantry Principle, Mira Dessy

In my sunscreen post, I talked about sunscreens causing a deficiency in Vitamin D that can lead to diseases.  So I wanted to talk about how important vitamin D is to us. 

If you haven't heard already, Vitamin D is actually a hormone because it has binding proteins that carries it to target organ which in turn respond to it.  But it is called a vitamin nonetheless.  It is called the "sunshine vitamin" because that is our best source.  There are food sources but they don't compare to the sun.  Food sources include:  salmon, sardines, mackerel, shrimp, cod, eggs and fortified foods.  I wouldn't go with the fortified foods because they are usually highly processed. 

We need to get unprotected sun for about 10-15 minutes per day between 10:00 and 2:00 pm during the months mid-March through mid -September (in NJ) to get the benefits. The average amount produced during this time is 15,000 - 20,000 IU's and because it is a natural source when you have had enough sun, the body starts to break down the precursor of vitamin D so you are no longer producing activated vitamin D.   This benefit of does not happen when supplementing or using fortified foods. Isn't the body amazing?

A simple blood test from your doctor will tell you if you need to supplement.  Conventional recommendations are to have levels between 35-50 ng/ml, but functional medicine says it should be higher - between 50 - 80 ng/ml.  The average blood levels when tested are usually below 35 ng/ml. 

So, to get back on topic, we are using sunscreen ALL the time and creating an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency.  This is not good because Vitamin D affects every cell of our body!

Vitamin D deficiency symptoms

• Musculoskeletal pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Nerve pain or neuropathy
• Bone Pain
• Fatigue

What does Vitamin D do? 

• It works with other nutrients in the body to support healthy bone growth by directing calcium and phosphorus to the bone.  This is important for our children and vitamin D is so rarely tested in them. 
• It promotes normal cell growth and differentiation throughout the body
• It maintains hormonal balance
• It helps maintain a healthy immune system. In fact, you are less likely to get the flu if you have optimal levels of vitamin D! 
• It inhibits systemic inflammation which is at the root of most disease processes.
• Adequate vitamin D levels can reduce body fat in overweight people.

Have you had your Vitamin D levels tested lately? 





Sources: 
The Vitamin D Solution, Michael F. Holick Ph.D,
www.Mercola.com
www.naturalnews.com

This week I want to focus on additives.  This one word encompasses both intentional and unintentional additives.  I am only going to speak of the intentional additives, the unintentional is more disturbing. 

Intentional additives: 
Flavorings - these are used to boost the flavor of a product so our taste buds think it is a real food, when in reality it is not.  These are usually made in a lab and many are linked to toxicity.  A few to look for on your ingredients label: 

• Natural Flavorings - this can be anything that is considered "natural" but if you knew what it was would choose not to eat it.  This is a place where manufacturers can "hide" things like MSG. An example: Castoreum: this is made from the anal secretions of beavers.  It is used as vanilla, raspberry or strawberry flavor. It is hidden under natural flavorings.   
  
• Diacetyl - this is a chemical flavoring.  It is used to create the buttery flavor in microwave popcorn. It is extremely toxic and also found in margarine, shortenings, oils, food sprays and candies.  

Preservatives - usually used to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria, to keep food from decomposing or to stop the ripening process.  Many increase allergy symptoms, asthma, eczema, migraines and can cause digestive distress.  Some are even toxic!  If you see abbreviated words like BHA, BHT, EDTA, TBHQ avoid them.  The manufacturers are abbreviated them for a reason. Other preservatives to look out for: benzoates, proprionates, nitrates and sulfites. 

Emulsifiers - these keep foods from separating, have anti-caking or anti-foaming properties.  Some also control the rate of crystallization in a processed food.  Some may not appear on the food label at all because it is considered an "incidental food additive" The emulsifiers are usually found in ice cream, yogurts, cakes, salad dressings, pre made cookies etc.

• Carageenan -I have already talked about this in a previous blog.  There are some questions with this ingredient, and it can have inflammatory properties on your digestive tract.  It also has potential for free glutamic acid or MSG.  So I put it on the avoid list.
  
• Polysorbate 80 and proylene glycol - have been shown to have carcinogenic activity.  Propylene glycol can be a cause of allergies, asthma and skin problems.  

You want to look at your ingredients list for the above offenders, but don't worry, there are natural solutions to all of them and don't seem to carry the toxicity issues of their chemical counterparts. 

• Natural Flavorings - citric acid, they also use the actual fruit to flavor the better products. 
• Preservatives - Acetic Acid, Ascorbic acid, D-alpha tocopherol (vitamin E),
  
• Emulsifiers - Acacaia gum, Albumen,, Guar gum, Inulin, Lecithin, Xantham Gum.
  

This is our focus this week, go to your pantry and check your items.  By now your pantry should be getting cleaner.  The unfortunate thing is, even if you are buying better, cleaner products, some of these still tend to sneak in.  Occasionally,when I review my products,  I still find an item that slips by.  It is something you need to be vigilant on because manufacturers are always making changes! 

With the summer in full swing, you are going out in the sun and having fun.  But because of some bad media attention, we are afraid to leave our house without sunscreen on.  This sets us up for Vitamin D deficiency which in turn, can set us up for disease states which include cancer.  The very reason the media has warned us to stay away from the sun!

Before the 80s, you never heard anything about the harmful effects of the sun.  I grew up without wearing sunscreen, in fact I can't count the amount of times my shoulders were burned. Ouch!  Now burning skin is not good, but getting 15 minutes a day without sunscreen is beneficial! 

Some myths surrounding the sun:

• All sun exposure causes cancer - this is not true, there is only an issue when it is chronic over exposure.  In fact, "sensible sun exposure has proven protective benefits over the more deadly internal cancers" (The Vitamin D Solution)
• Sun exposure is the main cause of melanoma - "The FDA has observed that melanoma is seen more often in people who do not regularly spend time in the sun". Melanoma is also seen more on parts of the body NOT exposed to the sun. Sunburns do increase your risk for melanoma. The UVB only sunscreens increase melanoma risk because they penetrate deeper causing more damage to DNA. (The Vitamin D Solution)
  

So my questions is:  Is it the sun that is causing our problems or the sunscreens? 

Before sunscreen use, we had very little skin cancers because people were working outside and building up a tan (not burning).  Starting in the 1950s, the first sunscreens only protected against UVB rays setting us up 30-40 years later for skin cancer.  Now (beginning in the 1990s), there is broad spectrum sunscreens that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. 

I am not against wearing sunscreens, in fact, you SHOULD wear a broad specturm, after you get your 15 minutes or so of Vitamin D.  That said, not all sunscreens are not created equal! 

Let's take a look at what is in your typical sunscreen:
If you look at the ingredients in typical sunscreens you will see a host of ingredients you can't even say never mind what they mean!  I have talked about the skin absorbing what we put on it, right?  So why wouldn't it absorb the chemicals in sunscreen? 

• Oxybenzone -This chemical absorbs UV rays and very easily penetrates the skin.  This can disrupt your hormones and once it gets into the bloodstream can act like an estrogen in the body. 

• Retinyl Palmitate - this is a Vitamin A derivative.  It can react to the sun and create free radicals that can damage DNA.  
• Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid - according to cosmeticinfo.org it is generally recognized as safe, but is rated as a moderate hazard because it can lead to cellular changes that may cause skin cancer. It can also cause contact dermatitis and allergic reactions. 
  
• There are usually parabens and preservatives among the many ingredients listed in the sunscreens that may also cause skin irritations. 
  

What you can do:
As with any other label, read the ingredients.  Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide should be the main ingredient.  Look for sunscreens with minimal other ingredients and make sure you know what these ingredients are or at least can pronounce them!  Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) puts out a list every year that can help you in your search. 

A few brands that I like: 
California Baby, Badger, 100percent pure, Jason.  These can be purchased in most health food stores. 

And a more recent discovery, scratch momma.  She has a website where she sells products made from scratch, but you can also purchase the products.  I purchased her homemade sunscreen made with only a few ingredients and I love it!  I'm not sure how water resistant it is, but it should be fine. 

Just a quick note on the above products.  These are products that I have used and have not reacted to, they also pass my "screening" as cleaner products.  There may be others on the market that I have not used that are just as good (clean).   I  tend to stick with products when I like them, but I  do not have any affiliations with any of these companies, I am here to raise awareness.  You can take this information and start looking at labels.  Do your research and find the best products for you.  

Sources:  The Vitamin D solution, Michael F Holick; Cosmeticinfo.org



 

A few weeks ago, I did a blog post about making your own deodorant.  I wanted to show you just how easy it is to make it.  So, with my son's help, here is the video.

We are going to continue detoxing our pantry.  Last week we tackled trans fats and high fructose corn syrup.  This week it's Monosodium glutamate (MSG), we are only doing one because there are many places it hides. 

What is MSG? 
MSG is a sodium salt that is used as a flavor enhancer.  It is a stimulant that stimulates both the taste buds and the brain. In fact, according to Russell Blaylock it excites neurons and causes them to rapidly fire until they become exhausted and eventually die.  If that is not bad enough, it also promotes inflammation on the liver.  Typically is was found in Chinese food but because of sensitivities most Chinese restaurants no longer use it. 

Side effects of MSG:
Headaches, flushing, sweating, numbness, tingling, burning in the face or neck, heart palpitations, chest pains, nausea and weakness. 

I had a very scary experience as an early teenager.  My sister had just eaten a can of Campbell's chicken noodle soup (loaded with MSG), her throat started to close and she couldn't breathe.   I am so glad that my mother was there because she gave her Benadryl and she was able to breathe.  I would've have frozen and not known what to do..I panic in these kinds of situations.  Now that I think about it, it was probably scarier for her! 

Where is MSG found?
Salad dressing, sauces, flavored potato chips, seasoning mixes, soups, gravy mixes, frozen foods, low fat foods and other processed foods.

This is an ingredient where you need to check your ingredients list. 

Ingredients that ALWAYS contain MSG: 
Glutamic acid
Glutamate
Anything hydrolyzed
Anything autolyzed
Yeast extract
Calcium caseinate
Sodium caseinate
Gelatin
Textured protein
Soy protein anything

Ingredients that FREQUENTLY contain MSG or free glutamic acid:
Carrageenan
Bouillon broth,
Flavors, flavorings
Maltodextrin
Citric acid, citrate
Ultra pasteurization
Barley malt, malt extract
Pectin
Anything that contains enzymes
Anything fermented (excluding traditional fermentation)
Anything protein fortified
Whey protein
Soy sauce
Seasonings

This is why we are only tackling one ingredient this week.  It "hides" in many places.  If you can't look at ALL the above ingredients in your pantry, at least look at where it is always hidden. 

Let me know how you are doing detoxing your pantry. 

Source: Pantry Principle, Mira Dessey

On Facebook I am hosting an event called Detox Friday.  Last week we jumped right in and only ate fresh foods for one day, eliminating any processed foods.  For some, this was the first detox they had ever done, but they got through it. 

This week, I thought since it is the Fourth of July everyone would be barbequing, having fun and  not really into giving up foods.  So, we are doing a pantry detox! 

There are a few things that all of us should be avoiding, but just don't know we should.  So go through your pantry and look at the ingredients list.  If the following ingredients are there, you should consider finding an alternative product. 

• Trans fats - (could also say hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fat) - this fat is a man made fat, made by adding hydrogen ions to fully saturate the fat. This makes a liquid oil solid at room temperature. The problem, because it is man made, the body doesn't know what to do with it.  Why it should be removed:  If the last sentence didn't convince you, maybe knowing that it raises your cholesterol will.  Not only does it raise your LDL, it reduces your HDL.  

• High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) - It is NOT the same as sugar, even though the manufacturer would have you believe otherwise.  this is a cheap sweetener made from corn.  It is believed to contribute to some of the metabolic syndromes that are rampant these days like obesity and diabetes. The high fructose content is also really hard on your liver.  Here's why it should be removed:  when you consume HFCS, it follows a different metabolic pathway than sugar which turns off your appetite control mechanism,  making you consume more food.
  

So, if you have a product for instance ketchup.  Most conventional ketchup contains HFCS.  Next time you go shopping, look for a ketchup that does not contain HFCS, maybe cane sugar. 

Since it is a holiday weekend, I didn't want to overwhelm you, so two items this week to look for.  Then next week when you go food shopping look for similar items without these two ingredients in them. Next week we will look at a few other items to detox our pantry!

If you haven't already joined us, please join the event so you don't miss a single thing!  Below is the link to the event. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/718853661504348/?ref=22

Please let me know how you make out detoxing your pantry!

My opinion is you should! Why? Because it is so easy and there are many harmful ingredients in the commercial brands.  Some of the natural ones also have questionable ingredients and don't always work. 

It has been years since I used commercial deodorants. Mainly because of the aluminum, pthalates and parabens in them. But there are plenty of other ingredients to worry about.  Studies have indicated that the skin absorbs everything we put on it, so why wouldn't it absorb the ingredients in deodorants?  Below are some of the harmful ingredients in commercial deodorants:

• Aluminum - has the capability of changing estrogen receptor sites
• Parabens - have been shown to mimic estrogen - these are found in so many beauty care items.  Check your ingredient list!
  
• Propylene glycol - considered a neurotoxin and can cause contact dermatitis.
  

• Fragrance - this is a big one, found everywhere.  Just about anything can go under this heading
• Pthalates - another endocrine disruptor.
  
• Triclosan - a chemical reaction with chlorine can produce dioxins when exposed to sunlight and again an endocrine disruptor.  
  

Underneath your skin in your armpit area are clusters of lymph nodes which is an essential part of our immune system.  Some ingredients like aluminum have come under fire for being a risk factor for breast cancer and alzheimers, although the breast cancer risk is non-conclusive, I err on the side of caution..  

So, it's been about ten years (at least) that I have been using natural deodorants.  There are so many to choose from, and this is where you can really see bioindividuality clearly.  What works for my husband, does not work for me! And I have an added issue, some really irritate! 

After settling on one that I like and have been using for years even recommending it to people they go and change the ingredients, adding propylene glycol (a preservative, but an endocrine disruptor). Why, I have no idea, there was no issues with preservation.  I am down to my last one with original ingredients and have about three others different deodorants in my drawer that I have tried and work decently in cold weather, but not in the summer.  In the winter, I was even able to get away with just using coconut oil.

I started to try different deodorants, yet again, when my sister inspired me by making her own.  She claimed it was really easy and for a busy mother of five, so say it is easy, it has to be!  She made me some and it worked better than most store bought but unfortunately my underarms were irritated, too much baking soda for my underarms.   Easy fix, less baking soda.  My son is now using the deodorant with no problems! 

I checked online for some recipes, it seems that common ingredients are: 
Coconut oil
Baking Soda or diatomaceous earth (food grade)
Arrowroot powder
Shea butter
Bentonite clay
Beeswax or Canuba wax
Cocoa butter
Vitamin E
Essential oils

So knowing that coconut oil works ok in the winter, I was definitely using that.  I bought shea butter, arrowroot powder and lemon essential oil and I already had the (non aluminum) baking soda, peppermint and tea tree essential oils.  The picture up top is the final product :) 

Some people like stick deodorants in which case you would add one of the waxes or the bentonite clay, but I don't care.  This is more like a lotion.  I use a spoon to take a little out and keep the deodorant clean.  And guess what? It works and it only took about 5 minutes to make! I may have to add a little more baking soda for hubby but this one is great and it smells awesome too! 

So take a look at recipes online, (they are abundant) and get creative in the kitchen. 









Source for ingredient list: www.mightynest.com

This is an update to my first post from August of 2012

Most people do not drink enough water but believe that they are. Somewhere along the line we have lost our roots. We have forgotten that we are born from water and need to replenish our supply every day.

Water is one of the most important nutrients in our body, and, so often forgotten.  Our body is about 75% water and our brain 85%.  EVERY cell in our body needs water, we won’t survive without it.  So why don’t we drink enough?  A common misbelief is that if we drink something we are hydrating.  Usually the fluids that are covered in this thinking are coffee, soda, tea, sports drinks etc.  These do not hydrate the body! In fact, most contain caffeine which actually stimulates you to release fluids from your body.  They also contain sugar…not a great combination. 

How we lose fluids daily: breathing, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, sweat, urine and feces.  This creates a cycle of dehydration, if you are not replenishing.  When you become dehydrated your body fluids become concentrated and water is taken out of your cells and they shrink.  This concentration of fluids can lead to high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, strokes, edema and many other health conditions. 

The functions of water: one of the most important functions is to clear toxic wastes from the body.  If you are not drinking enough water, the toxins accumulate and can cause inflammation which in turn can cause a disease state.  Water is a source of energy, it generates electrical energy inside your cells and helps to either heat or cool your body, it helps prevent DNA damage, it helps to break down food because it is a major solvent in the body, it helps reduce fatigue, it even helps to combat cancer by bringing oxygen into your body.  There are so many other beneficial tasks that water does; we should be drinking a minimum of 8-10 cups of water (64-80 oz).  That is just to replace what you have lost through your daily metabolic activities like breathing and clearing out cellular debris.  If you are outside sweating, you need to be drinking more! In fact, half your body weight is what you are striving for EVERY DAY!

How to tell if are dehydrated:  Most people believe that dry mouth is a good indicator of dehydration.  The fact is that this is one of the last indicators of dehydration and this perception decreases as we age. By this time body fluids are already becoming concentrated and energy production decreases. A better indicator is the color of your urine.  A well hydrated person has colorless urine.  

Other indications of dehydration:  fatigue, irritable, anxious, depressed, not sleeping well, cravings, these signs can be masked by the use of medications.   

If you have children, please keep in mind that because of their rapid growth and cell division they are using up a great deal of water and are naturally dehydrated.  They need special attention and you need to ensure that they are drinking enough water to meet their needs.  Some signs that your child is not getting enough water:  difficulty learning, less alert, decreased attention span and asthma and allergies increase.

How do we get enough water? 

• Drink water first thing in the morning to rehydrate after your nighttime fast adding some lemon to the water will help to alkalinize your body. 

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Drink water at least 30 minutes before a meal to prepare the digestive tract.
• Drink water 2 ½ hours after a meal to help complete the digestive process.  Do not drink during or directly after a meal because it will dilute digestive juices.  
• Drink water before exercising so it is available to create sweat.
  

If your water intake is not sufficient, the body will reuse as much water as possible.  The water is reclaimed in the large intestine and motility of the feces becomes slower and you become constipated.  Water is lubricating and when you add fiber; increases motility.

The best way to combat dehydration is to avoid beverages that dehydrate (mentioned above) and make sure that you drink half your body weight in water each day.

Source: You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty! Water for Health, for Healing, for Life; F. Batmanghelidj MD