Supplements

I've been known to be a sucker for supplements from time to time. But all of the research shows that food is the best way to get all macro and micro nutrients. I typically take a multi vitamin. The one recommended to me recently was one with iron. Currently using Rainbow Light Complete Iron System. I also take B12 shots and occasionally a supplement due to chronicly low deficiency (thanks to Matt at the next desk who loves to inject me). I get curious about the benefits from other supplements and if they are needed. Berkley has a newsletter monthly that showcases a nutritional supplement. This month is Zinc. Taken from the website


Zinc

An essential mineral found in almost every cell, zinc is needed for the enzymes that regulate cell division, growth, wound healing, and proper functioning of the immune system. Zinc also plays a role in acuity of taste and smell, and it supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence. Zinc is plentiful in foods. Meats, seafood (especially oysters), and liver are the richest sources of zinc; brewer’s yeast, milk and other dairy products, beans, and wheat germ also supply some zinc. Water contains small amounts of zinc, too. Severe zinc deficiency is most often found in the developing world, but mild zinc deficiencies may occur elsewhere in undernourished people and those on strict vegetarian diets, which may not contain much zinc.

Claims, purported benefits: Cures or shortens colds, relieves prostate symptoms, prevents prostate cancer, enhances sexual performance, prevents or retards age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Bottom line: Don’t take zinc supplements, but do eat foods rich in zinc. There is no convincing evidence that zinc supplements can shorten or prevent colds, cure prostate problems, or enhance sexual performance. Zinc supplements do increase blood levels of testosterone, which may promote prostate cancer. Large doses of zinc (50 milligrams or more) can also interfere with the body’s absorption of copper, another mineral essential to immune function. Supplementary zinc may help protect against AMD, or at least retard it in those who already have the disease—but talk to your doctor first. Unless you have AMD, there is no reason to exceed the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for zinc (the amount in most multi vitamin-and-mineral supplements): 11 milligrams a day for men, 8 milligrams for women.

2010 Xtreme Eating Awards

If you have never heard of the Center for Science in the Public Intrest you have to look them up and read what they have to write. They write and report on the nutition, food safety and health. There is a montly news letter in both US and Canada.

IMO fast food is disguisting, but.... well no buts- its gross. Many restuarant options aren't much better. In the honor of awards and cermonies they have written a list of the worst restaurant meals in America. Check out the link for details:

Benefits of Flaxseed

6 reasons to eat flaxseeds

1.Walnuts and fish are excellent sources of omega-3s, but so are flaxseeds. The recommended daily intake (RDI) of omega-3s is 1.1 grams a day, and one tablespoon of flaxseed offers 1.8 grams.

2.The omega-3s in flaxseed can help reduce the inflammation that leads to conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches, and osteoporosis.

3.Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is one kind of omega-3s that is found in flaxseeds, and this fat helps promote bone health.

4.Flaxseed is known to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, and it may lower blood pressure — all essential elements to having a healthy heart.

5.Whole flaxseeds are great sources of fiber. One tablespoon contains three grams of fiber, so they can help prevent constipation.

6.Lignans, the fibers found in flaxseed, promote regular digestion and are thought to have a role in breast cancer prevention.

How you say?!? They must be ground-- Buy whole and ground them yourself in a coffee/spice grinder. Your body can not breakdown whole and you will not get the glorious benefits!

Daily Mantra

"we don't get to choose how we die, we only get to choose how we live"

Trying to live with this as my mantra for the day. Obsessing over food, exercise, dieting, perfection, health, organic, toxins........ It will make someone go crazy. We all die, but how we choose to live and enjoy life is the opposite spectrum. Enjoy life..

Is that it

I watched LOST last night... at the end All i could think was "thats it".They are dead, what about the electromagnet fields, the dharma progect, the polar bears, the wheels, the time travel..... But the more I think about it, I'm not sure what i expected. I am trying to have less expectations. I just want to enjoy what is offered. I wanted answers. But are there answers, is there a truth or a right or wrong? I struggle with this and constantly remind myself. Yes this is it!

1,4 dioxane

1,4-dioxane, a human carcinogen is found in many consumer products. Unfortunately it is not one listed on product labels. When cleaning products and detergents are processed using ethoxylation, a cheap technique that lessens the severity of the harsher ingredients, 1,4-dioxane is created. Since it is considered a byproduct of ethylene oxide reacting with other ingredients, 1,4-dioxane is technically considered a contaminant and thus does not have to be included on product labeling. As a result, consumers are largely unaware of its presence in major household products. The results of an independent study testing 20 different laundry detergents; showed the following results with 1,4 dioxane:

Conventional brands:
1. Tide (P&G) – 55 parts per million (ppm)
2. Ivory Snow Gentle (P&G) – 31 ppm
3. Tide Free (P&G) – 29 ppm
4. Purex (Dial Corp.) – 25 ppm
5. Gain 2X Ultra (P&G) – 21 ppm
6. Cheer BrightClean Detergent (P&G) – 20 ppm
7. Era 2X Ultra (P&G) – 14 ppm
8. Arm & Hammer (Church & Dwight Co.) – 5.0 ppm
9. Wisk 2X Ultra (Sun Products Corp.) – 3.9 ppm
10. Woolite Complete Detergent (Reckitt Benckiser) – 1.3 ppm
11. All laundry detergent (Unilever) – 0.6 ppm
12. Dreft powdered detergent (P&G) – non-detectable (ND)
13. Sun Burst (Sun Products Corp.) – ND

"Natural" brands:
1. Planet Ultra Liquid laundry detergent – 6.1 ppm
2. Mrs. Meyers laundry detergent – 1.5 ppm
3. Clorox Green Works Natural laundry detergent – ND
4. Ecos laundry detergent (Earth Friendly Products) – ND
5. Life Tree Laundry Liquid – ND
6. Method Squeaky Green laundry detergent – ND
7. Seventh Generation Free & Clear laundry detergent – ND


Looks like the natural products are the way to go.

Check out this guide by the Organic Consumers Association:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/ShoppersSafetyGuide.pdf

NON-fishy Omegas

I was recently asked to post about non fish sources of omega 3s- thanks Sarah for the enthusiam. Besides who likes those aweful fish burps and house smelling like fish for days.... Here's what I found:
Alternative sources of omega 3

Believe it or not there is a large variety of whole foods that are rich in omega 3. Some foods to include in your diet to ensure you get enough omega 3 are:

*Green leafy vegetables such as, spinach, broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts.

*Legumes such as, pinto beans, kidney beans, black beans, and split peas.

*Walnuts

*Pumpkin seeds and flax

*Berries such as, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries

*Avocados.


Personally i try to eat a Table spoon of flax seeds and 6 walnut halfs daily. I also Eat about 5 cups of leafy greens. Berries for sure too.