What is hiding in your food can hurt you and what you can do about it.
When Napoleon was driving his army across Europe, he was faced with a
major dilemma - how to feed all these people for such a long time over
so great a territory. The French scientists of the day birthed canned
foods as a solution. Prior to this, there were few preservative
methods. Fast forward to the 21st century where we have grapes from
Chile, hydroponic vegetables, and products that are preserved in boxes
for almost an indefinite length of time with chemical derivations from
petroleum by-products. Some of our “food” products are so processed
that the manufacturers add vitamins (synthetic, of course) so that they
can be classified as food. What has developed in the food supply over
the last several centuries have brought us to an unprecedented crisis
in health and well-being. Previously humankind suffered from
pestilences and infection-based diseases. Improved hygiene has stemmed
the microbial tide against humanity. As that particular burden was
lightened, a new one emerged in the form of synthetic sweeteners,
processed foods, pesticides, insecticides and genetic tinkering. The
shift now is to rampant chronic degenerative diseases that the
pre-industrialized world had little knowledge of.
Now we have to ask the question, “If you are what you eat, what is your food eating?”
In large feedlots, all (yes, 100%) cattle are fed 5 or more sex
hormones, to accelerate weight gain. These hormones are known to be
carcinogenic in humans and also cause reproductive dysfunction.
Synthetic amino acids, genetically modified corn and grain, crude
glycerol, a byproduct of the biodiesel refining process, are all in the
feed. Cattle, pigs and chickens are also fed antibiotics to minimize
the spread of infection in the cramped and often waste-filled pens.
The livestock feed in the commercial dairy and cattle business can
contain remains of the millions of dogs and cats who were euthanized at
animal shelters and veterinary clinics. Processed feathers and chicken
feces are added to cattle feed. Farm grown fish and shellfish are fed
antibiotics, feed laced with PCBs, dioxin, other cancer causing agents
and chemically synthesized dyes/coloring. They contain a poor ratio of
omega 3 to omega 6 and lack the positive nutritional qualities that
healthy seafood provides.
Our conventionally agribusiness grown vegetables are so heavily treated
with pesticides that it is estimated that the average person consumes 1
gallon of pesticides and herbicides per year. As the produce is shipped
over long distances and over long periods of time, the nutrients are
lost progressively as time goes on.
Packaging such as plastic, Styrofoam, metal cans and Teflon can also leach into the foods it is attempting to protect.
So what about your yummy treat, the micro-waved popcorn? Your popcorn
is encased in a Teflon lined package which releases micro-particles
which have been shown to cause lung damage and cancer. Check your brand
for food coloring FD&C Yellow No. 5, a synthetic dye linked to
hyperactivity, asthma, and more. The artificial butter flavoring is
made from Diacetyl which is a relative of paint stripper. When heated,
Diacetyl produces vapors which irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory
tract. A Bill has been introduced in Congress to ban Diacetyl by 2010
because of the massive respiratory damage that has been done to workers
who are in and around the manufacture of this chemical.
Now What?
By way of solution, at least for now, we still have organic produce.
Forty one studies from around the world have shown that organic crops
have significantly higher levels of vitamin C, magnesium, iron, and
phosphorus. They are higher in secondary nutrients as well; these
include antioxidants and phytonutrients which neutralize harmful free
radicals. Equally important is what organic food doesn’t contain
– pesticides, insecticides, preservatives, wax, irradiation,
genetically modified organisms, and a host of other unpronounceable
ingredients.
If you eat seafood and meat, eat wild caught seafood and organic and
free range meats. Eat them in moderation. Go for quality in your food
selections. Avoid junk foods (even “organic” junk) - avoid processed
foods especially with high salt, high sugar/high fructose corn syrup,
fried fast food, sodas and “juices” and anything made with white flour.
Just because a package says it’s organic or healthy does not mean it is
truly healthy, read the label, decide for yourself.
Skip the microwave. Wonder why users are advised to let food sit for a
few minutes after removing it from the microwave? It is to let the
radiation disperse before consuming.
Eat natural organic food.
Eat a variety of foods.
Eat locally.
Drink lots of filtered HydroMag™ treated water; it will help your body alkaline itself and release toxins.
Take your time when you eat. Wolfing down even the best foods can
overwhelm your digestive system and reduce/cancel the good it can do
you. And come see us at HealthWalk! We have leading edge services like Vital Hematology live blood analysis, Functional Nutritional Consultation, Adrenal & Hormonal Analysis, and Brain Technologies
to provide the information and the support to help you regain your
vitality. To ensure that you maintain optimal health, we also have
powerful natural products and supplements to help you detoxify,
replenish and strengthen your body as you navigate through today’s
highly marketed landscape of food. HealthWalk, we are here to support your path to vibrant health.
By Dr. Anna Walden, ND, DNM, MH, CNHP, HealthWalk™ Vital Hematology Department
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