Friday, July 30, 2010

Can You Be Healthy and Eat Butter?

The Skinny on Butter

Growing up it was not rare for me to eat a spoonful of butter, spread butter on saltine crackers for a snack or eat a butter and white bread sandwich. My mom would buy the “tub butter” because it was “healthier” than the “real butter” our grandparents used. Little did she know, or other baby boomers at the time, that the plasticized margarine was full of hydrogenated oils called “trans fats” which are now labeled the most dangerous fats, not only elevating our bad cholesterol, but decreasing our good cholesterol.
What’s the real story on butter?

Butter has been around for thousands of years. The Bible has references to butter as the products of milk from the cow. People all over the world have been using butter and praising it for its amazing health benefits. How did butter become a villain in the quest for good health?

At the turn of the century (when there was no margarine and LIMITED PROCESSED FOODS), heart disease was rare in America. By 1960, it was our number one killer. Ironically, our consumption of butter decreased from eighteen pounds per person per year, to four but our consumption of processed foods has skyrocketed. A researcher named Ancel Keys was the first to propose that saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet (both of which are in butter and other animal products) were to blame for coronary heart disease (CAD). It’s weird that these types of foods have been a main staple for centuries … unlike Twinkies, Cheetos and Diet Sodas that are now our main staples.

The belief was built (on little concrete research) that fat is bad. Fat makes you fat. Eat fat and it turns into fat. Fat is the culprit behind obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The market became bombarded with low-fat/no-fat processed foods that made us feel we were safe from the side effects of fat on our health and waist line. We increased the consumption of these processed foods, most of which contained partially hydrogenated oils (Trans fats) as well as being completely devoid of the nutrition our body needs to protect against disease. Could the correlation of disease be due to the movement away from whole foods which protect our health to convenient processed foods that simply fill us with empty calories?

As I began learningThe Healthy Edge lifestyle, more and more research led me to challenge the belief system I had around fat. I had been conditioned for years that a healthy diet is one of minimal fat, particularly saturated fat from animal products.

After looking into the research, it is widely accepted and proven that a variety of healthy dietary fats work to supply your body with essential fatty acids for longevity, hormone balance, heart health, sharp vision, glowing moist skin and energy. It’s ironic that when I was eating to avoid fat I suffered from adult acne, depression, mood swings and a lack of energy. Coincidence? I think not.

Margarine or Butter?

It is a tragic myth that Margarine and other processed butter products are better than butter. Butter is a completely natural food that can be very beneficial to your health-especially when you eat raw and organic butter.

Margarines and similar hydrogenated or processed polyunsaturated oils are created chemically. The process used to make these normally liquid oils into spreadable form is called hydrogenation. There are non-hydrogenated margarines that claim to contain no Trans fats but have added “modified” (what does that mean?) palm and palm kernel oil to increase its spread ability.

Below are some of the amazing benefits of raw, organic butter:

1) It is rich in the most easily absorbable form of Vitamin A necessary for thyroid and adrenal health.

2) Contains lauric acid, important in treating fungal infections and Candida.

3) Contains lecithin, essential for cholesterol metabolism.

4) Contains antioxidants that protect against free radical damage.

5) Have antioxidants that protect against weakening arteries.

6) Great source of Vitamins E and K.

7) Saturated fats in butter had strong anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties.

8) Contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is a potent anti-cancer agent, muscle builder, immunity booster and inhibits the body’s mechanism for storing body fat. It actually causes the body to utilize fatty reserves for energy!

9) May promote fertility in women.

10) Protects against gastrointestinal infections in the very young or the elderly.


These are just ten benefits of butter. There are many more. The best butter to eat is raw, organic butter because pasteurization destroys nutrients. Unfortunately, the sale of raw butter is prohibited in most states in the US. You can make your own or please buy butter from grass-fed animals only. What animals are fed has a strong correlation to what nutrients are in the milk and therefore what nutrients will be in the butter that is produced. For example, cows fed processed grains or dry hay will not have conjugated linoleic acids (CLA’s) in their milk.

How much is too much?

Just because there are health benefits to butter doesn’t mean that quantity doesn’t matter. Butter is a condiment, not a main course. Butter can accentuate food, but it’s not the focus of the food. You also want to be aware of what you are eating the butter WITH. Are you eating it with a huge processed muffin full of sugar, enriched flours and artificial preservatives? Are you eating a half of stick with a loaf of bread brought to your table at an Italian restaurant? Are you using two sticks of butter in grandma’s chocolate cookies that you decide to consume over the course of a day or two? That’s NOT what we are talking about! Butter is often associated with comfort foods that are detrimental to our health or foods that should be consumed in moderation (perhaps holidays or special occasions). But butter can also add flavor to a variety of vegetables such as corn, squash, red potatoes and green beans. Butter also adds flavor to oatmeal and sprouted whole grain breads. Use reasonable amounts and pay attention to serving sizes! The healthier your body is, the less you will notice you need to add additional flavor to your food.

The quality of the product makes a big difference as well, since the higher the quality, the better it will be for you. Remember, butter is one form of healthy fats that can be added to your lifestyle. There are also a variety of plant oils that can be used for cooking such as olive, grapeseed, almond and sunflower oil. The Healthy Edge Cookbook can support you in recipes that use these healthy oils.

We have entered a time where we have been given permission to be less rigid about eliminating fats or carbs from our lifestyle. Balance is the key. In addition to balance, we can choose whole foods that keep our bodies free of additives, preservatives and other chemicals that are detrimental to our health. The Healthy Edge supports families in transitioning to this type of lifestyle by explaining the how’s and why’s in a fun, empowering and interactive way. Learn how to be proactive in your health without sacrificing taste, time or money! Make a shift that can change your future and the future of your family.

Fish Oil Supplements Reduce Breast Cancer

There are several different classifications of breast cancer. New research adds strong support to the use of fish oil supplements in reducing the most common classification, known as invasive ductal carcinoma.

CAUTION Most of the Fish Oil Supplements you can buy in retail stores is RANCID aka ROTTEN. I suggest always getting oil that has been refrigerated and comes in darkened bottles. The supplements will stay fresh much longer if treated with care. Be mindful of the high levels of Mercury in many fish also. It is very hard to get good quality supplements in the USA do to lack of regulation.

A recent study conducted by experts at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, included 35,016 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 76. Participants were members of the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) study group. Subjects completed a 24-page baseline questionnaire that asked about recent (current versus past) supplement use. Frequency and duration of supplementation were also recorded. The women were asked specifically about the use of supplements other than basic vitamins and minerals.

We are really lucky to have the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle though I hope none of us ever need it.

After six years of follow-up, researchers found that regular use of fish oil supplements was associated with a 32 percent reduction in breast cancer risk. The reduced risk was limited to the most common form of breast cancer (the aforementioned invasive ductal carcinoma), which represents nearly 80% of diagnosed breast cancer cases. The highest level of benefit was also determined to be in women who were current users of fish oil.

Fish oil is a rich source of EPA (eicosapentoaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), two omega-3 fatty acids that have been studied extensively for prevention and treatment of various health conditions, including heart disease, arthritis and inflammatory conditions, macular degeneration, and depression. The results from this study give strong support to the possibility that regular fish oil consumption may also be associated with a reduced risk of the most common form of breast cancer.

Brasky TM, Lampe JW, Potter JD, Patterson RE, White E. Specialty Supplements and Breast Cancer Risk in the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) Cohort. 2010. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 19(7):1696-708.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Lose Weight and Still Eat Comfort Food

Calling Comfort Food "BAD FOOD" is guaranteed to make you think of nothing else. After stopping food cravings you will find compulsive overeating is mostly in your mind.

We all like to think our willpower is strong and we can say, “I’ll never eat comfort food again” and be able to stick to it. But everybody who has failed at long term weight loss knows willpower alone is not enough. In fact, if I start to call my comfort food "bad food" I will never be satisfied by any other foods and all my Compulsive Overeating behaviors will flood back in.

Instead, stick to my 80/20 plan. 80% of the time you are making good choices and following the 5 Simple Rules for a Permanent Healthy Weight. And 20% of the time you choose whatever you want. If a certain food is not off limits your mind won't play games with you and make you think of nothing else. Remember, after the food cravings are gone Compulsive Overeating is all in your mind.

The key to achieving and maintaining a permanent weight loss is to make simple changes that you can live with. Not only physical changes but emotional and mental changes too. You will need to let go of old idea's like No Comfort Food. It takes time and patience, but considering that we’re talking about your emotional, physical and mental health the effort is well worth it in the long run. And Yes, you can lose weight and still eat comfort food.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Preventing Osteoperosis with Supplements

More Proof: Vitamin D is a Prevention for Osteoporosis

As far a supplements go Vitamin D and calcium are a must for all women. And according to the above study they are a must for girls too. Please note the study uses Pharmaceutical Grade Supplements from the highest rated supplement manufacture in the USA available without a prescription.

Spend your money wisely - Buy the best Usana

Monday, July 19, 2010

Lose Weight While Drinking Doubles

Stay slim and trim and enjoy summer time drinks on the patio.

If you want to get a glass of wine, a mixed-drink or an icy cold micro brew. Go ahead and enjoy. Remember you are NOT ON A DIET. So go ahead and indulge and be sure you order two...

Two Drink? Yes, you heard right.

Enjoy your new skinny body and get two: One with alcohol and One pure water. Do you want more? Here is the RULE for Seconds. Empty both glasses before you order your second drink.

I've been using this trick for years, and not only has it saved me quite a bit of money, it's helped me avoid thousands of no-nutrition calories too!

You don't need to count calories but make every calorie count.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Fast Weight Loss with Mole Killer -

Do you think the Sodium Nitrate in the "Giant Destroyer" mole killer is the same stuff they put in bacon? Eating poison is one way to lose weight fast.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Eat More and Weight Less

There are ONLY 5 Simple Rules to keep a healthy weight. Do you want the body of your dreams? Check out Rule #2 -


Rule #2

Friday, July 2, 2010

Health Threats from Cell Phones????

San Francisco has voted to require all retailers to display the amount of radiation cell phones emit. The law is the first of its kind in the U.S.

The administration of mayor Gavin Newsom called the vote a major victory for cell phone shoppers' right to know.

According to the New York Times:
This is out of line of my typical nutrition info but since every person I have ever met has a cell phone I thought this was worth sharing.

New Law in San Fransico

"Under the law, retailers will be required to post materials -- in at least 11-point type -- next to phones, listing their specific absorption rate, which is the amount of radio waves absorbed into the cell phone user's body tissue.

These so-called SAR rates can vary from phone to phone, but all phones sold in the United States must have a SAR rate no greater than 1.6 watts per kilogram".

Sources:

New York Times June 15, 2010

Electromagnetic Health June 15, 2010

San Francisco Chronicle June 18, 2010

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Vitamin B and Depression

Low intakes of the B vitamins are thought to contribute to depression in some people, but until now there has been little supporting evidence from population-based studies of older adults.

In a recent study published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examined whether certain dietary intakes of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid correlated with symptoms of depression.

The study group consisted of 3,503 adults aged 65 and older who were followed over an average of 7.2 years. Vitamin intakes from diet and supplements were assessed using food frequency questionnaires, and the presence of depression was measured periodically using a standardized version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale.

After ≤12 years of follow-up, higher B vitamin intakes (including supplementation) were associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms. The lowered risk remained after adjusting for age, sex, race, education, income, and anti-depressant medication use. The risk of developing depression symptoms decreased by 2 percent for every 10mg (milligram) increase in daily vitamin B6 intake. The same effect was true for every 10µg (microgram) increase in vitamin B12 intake. Increased intakes of the B vitamins through food intake alone did not significantly reduce depression incidence.

Both vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are involved in healthy nervous system function, but because older adults often have difficulty absorbing the B12 found naturally in food, fortified foods and a multivitamin may be necessary to reach beneficial levels.

The results of this research indicate that high total intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 may be protective against depressive symptoms in older adults. Be sure to always get Pharmaceutical Grade Supplements
Supplements are not regulated in the USA for their potency. Research before you waste your money and your health.

Skarupski KA, et al. Longitudinal association of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 with depressive symptoms among older adults over time. AJCN ePub ahead of print, doi:10.3945/ajcn.2010.29413. Retrieved online June 2, 2010.