Processed Foods: Odds Are Against Us

by Nancy Weyrauch Mehlert, MS

More than 75% of the food in our grocery store is ultra-processed food, while only 25% is real, whole, non-MAN-ufactured food.

The most common nutrition questions we get in our practice are whether or not a particular packaged product is “good” or not. The questions come in about supplements, protein powders, other superfood powders, and all kinds of chips, protein bars, cereals, pastas, and seemingly better peanut butter cups and gummy bears. When it comes to food questions, 99% revolve around wanting the convenience of ready-made and packaged foods. Many of the packages look pretty impressive. Grocery stores and food producers bend over backwards to create convenience, all-the-while convincing you of its nutritional value, healthiness, or goodness. Many of the catch words marketers are hoping will speak to your common sense in the healthy food arena, such as non-GMO, Organic, No Sugar Added, Gluten Free, Keto, Paleo, All Natural, Nothing Artificial, are usually present. But do all those words really make it good for you?

Some words are popular right now that confuse even the best label readers, such as ultra-pasteurized or grass-fed, cage-free, pasture-raised, and natural flavors. “Ultra” is a great example of a word or prefix that can be misleading. Most people think of ultra as an improvement, a finer, better feature. But in the food industry, with rare exception, ultra-filtered or ultra pasteurized simply means another step was taken to further refine and process that food. And what about cellulose powder? Sounds harmless enough, right? Did you know that it is refined wood pulp? When did man ever eat wood?

So here’s the thing. There is plenty of data now demonstrating that more than 75% of the food in our grocery store is ultra-processed food, while only 25% is real, whole, non-MAN-ufactured food. In other words, odds are against you when you are shopping that you will find the good 25%. Meanwhile, the other 75% are being highly marketed, end-capped, taste sampled, specially signed, and stunningly packaged with all the titillating sensory words and colors that attract and draw you to the 75%. And a lot of it looks really healthy.

The point here is to remind you, if it’s in a package, man put it in the package. If you pick it up in a drive-thru, it is ultra-processed. If it is not in the original state from which it comes out of nature (a whole fruit, vegetable, nut, meat from the bone), we should all be asking ourselves just how much had to be done to make this product. This is especially true of powders, flours, pressed bars, baked goods, dressings and sauces, chips, and other snack and convenience choices. Even if all of the ingredients are whole food, many are still heavily processed, void of fiber and precious nutrients. Aiming to swap these percentages in our favor rather than against us is a good goal. Seek to make 75% of your food whole from the store periphery and farmers’ markets. One challenge may be to find all of the packaged food in your house that has a Nutrition Facts and Ingredient label and put it on your kitchen counter. Then ask yourself how much of that makes up your daily diet.

Diets rich in ultra-processed foods cause an increased risk for cognitive decline, dementia, stroke, cancer, and all cause mortality. Consistently, data also shows that people in general today also suffer from significant nutritional deficiencies. Ultra-processed foods fail to provide adequate nutrition. Compared to the historical past, prior to the explosion of the processed food industry, people ate mostly local foods, and whole, real food. And during that time we did not experience the explosion of lifestyle disease and nutrient deficiencies we see today.

No doubt, this is a tough challenge. We all have busy lives, careers, and family responsibilities, and all of the stresses that are common to us all. Changing how we eat and what we eat takes time and effort. It is not easy, especially at first. New habits can nevertheless be developed that, once practiced, are also convenient and easy. If we reorganize our priorities, we might find that we are able to endure the challenges of life as well as pursue our dreams more easily than ever before.

Resources:

Mila McManus MD. Highway To Health: A Nutritional Roadmap.(2019)

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/994958 [Diet and the Brain: From Ultra processed Foods to the Farmers Market]

Joseph Mercola MD. Kids Intentionally Poisoned by Artificial School Lunches. (September 6, 2023)

By Admin|2023-09-21T06:40:06-05:00September 21st, 2023|Articles, General|

by Mila McManus, MD

food categories that were found to be most protective against cardiovascular disease...is the addition of whole fat dairy.

PURE, the international Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological study collected data from five international trials encompassing more than 240,000 people to determine the food categories that were found to be most protective against cardiovascular disease. As you might expect, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and fish were all regarded as protective. The final food category associated with cardiovascular protection was whole fat dairy.

The scoring system was derived from dietary patterns and clinical events observed in the PURE study and was applied to populations internationally. Greater consumption of these six categories (fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, and whole fat dairy) resulted in significantly reduced risks for death, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

This further confirms our strong belief that the best food for the human body is the food found in nature. Too many food options available are edited by man and genetically altered due to environmental forces (e.g., remove cattle from a calm, fresh pasture, and put them in a crowded, stressful feedlot, and feed them grains to which their digestive systems are not designed to handle).

Our commercial grain and dairy industries use a lot of the UNnatural man-made processes such as confinement, pesticides, genetic modification, antibiotics, hormones, and feeding animals something other than their natural diet. Dairy and wheat continue to be two of the top 5 food sensitivities and food allergies in our country. This adulteration of our food likely contributes to the develop of allergies and sensitivities. In addition, dairy and grains are ubiquitous in the diet, and this also contributes to the development of food allergies and sensitivities. In other words, over-exposing the body to a particular food on a constant or continual basis makes you more likely to develop an allergy or sensitivity to it.

It is also noteworthy that many people who struggle with wheat and dairy allergies/sensitivities can tolerate dairy from European A2 cows, and can tolerate wheat from countries that do not allow genetic modification or excessive pesticides and herbicides.

Please note several considerations regarding dairy consumption:

First, be sure you have carefully tested yourself, by oral food challenges, allergy testing, and/or food sensitivity testing, to determine how dairy effects your body and inflammatory processes. Food allergies and food sensitivities are not the same and both should be evaluated. Many do not do well on any kind of dairy; others don’t do well with milk, but can tolerate cheese, or vice versa. Frequency of consumption also varies greatly. Many people find that using dairy on a daily basis is very congesting and causes inflammatory responses, but that occasional consumption of goat or sheep products can be enjoyed.

Second, if you are going to consume dairy, choose products in full fat form, organic, and 100% pasture-fed, as any cow, goat, or sheep would voluntarily choose. Also, products marked “A2” may be a better choice.

Third, all dairy has many components, each of which can create sensitivities or allergies. Milk dairy is made up of at least two key proteins: Casein and Whey. Both are common problems digestively. Dairy also includes a problematic sugar called Lactose. Milk dairy also contains fat. Food sensitivities and allergies are to proteins, not FAT. Cheeses are made by intensifying casein and reducing the whey. The watery aspects of milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese are the whey. Dense casein is hard cheese. Dense whey is milk. Butter is 95% or more of the butter fat, minus lactose, casein, and most of the whey.

Fourth, milk from any living human or animal is designed to feed babies and help them grow. Once growth is underway, weaning has been the long held historical tradition of humans and animals. We tend to see adult milk drinkers struggle with weight, elevated triglycerides, sugar addiction, hormonal imbalance, or allergies and sensitivities, especially to commercially produced milk. Non-fat and low-fat milk have been contributors to increased sugar in the diet, leading to obesity and diabetes. Fat helps to slow down the digestion of sugar, demonstrating the truth that food in its natural state is best for our health and wellness.

Dairy is not for everyone and most likely not an ideal daily “go to”. So please focus more on vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and meat!

Choose well, be well!

Medscape.com/viewarticle/994218 Heart-Protective Diet in PURE Study Allows Whole-Fat Dairy

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-allergies-what-you-need-know

https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_most_common_food_intolerances/article.htm

By Admin|2023-08-09T12:18:17-05:00August 10th, 2023|Articles, General|

by Mila McManus, MD

Increased usage of electronic screens results in significantly increased risk for myopia, or nearsightedness.

You may not realize it, but increased usage of electronic screens results in significantly increased risk for myopia, aka nearsightedness. Nearsightedness is when close objects appear clear but distant objects are blurry. Excessive use of computer monitors, smartphones, and tablets also causes the glands that keep your eyes moist to atrophy, resulting in dry, sometimes painful eyes. This is caused by the fact that we blink less frequently when staring at a screen.

When the eye is forced to stare at something too close, the brain and eye adjust or accommodate to increase close up vison. Over time, the squeezing of muscles used to make that adjustment can elongate the eyeball, causing myopia. This is especially concerning for children and youth whose eyes are still developing. Dr. Vivian Hill, a Calgary-based pediatric ophthalmologist and surgeon, emphatically tells parents with children less than one year old that they should not be exposed at all to electronic screens! She recommends all children reduce screen time and increase outdoor activity. She has observed an alarming rate of progression of myopia in children under 12 years old.

Hill stresses that daily exposure to natural sunlight, which releases dopamine in the retina, possibly slows the elongation of the eye and changes to visual acuity. Research published in June 2022 found that the rate of myopia in children aged 5-17 who live in urban areas is 41%. Children who live in rural areas and tend to spend more time engaged in outdoor activities have a myopia rate of just 15.7%! Additionally, adequate sleep is essential for protection and proper development of the eyes for both adults and children.

Lutein is an essential nutrient for the eyes. It is very efficient at filtering out blue light- the type that comes from cellphones, computers, tablets, and LED lights. Moreover, blue light induces oxidative stress, increasing risk for macular diseases. The body does not produce lutein. It must come from diet or supplementation. Particularly rich sources of lutein include dark leafy greens, broccoli, red and yellow peppers, avocados, cherries, carrots, egg yolks, raspberries and paprika. Our eye health is another good reason to eat 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits every day.

Other than sunlight and a healthy diet, another interesting approach to prevent or reverse nearsightedness is call the Bates Method. Dr. William H. Bates identified this method over 100 years ago. It was so effective that optometrists in New York lobbied local politicians to have it banned because it cut into their optometry business! Today this method is still taught by Bates Method International. The method is simple. First, sit while leaning forward with your elbows on a table or a stack of pillows and relax the shoulders and body. Second, place the center of your palms over your eyes and relax like this for at least two minutes. Third, remove your hands, open your eyes, and notice whether anything looks clearer. Usually, it will.

Bates was also a proponent of sun exposure to the eyes to help correct vision problems, and recent research suggests he was right on track 100 years ago!

Get some sunshine, extra sleep, and extra veggies. See Well. Be Well.

Ref:

https://takecontrol.substack.com/p/excessive-screen-time-myopia

CBC News April 23, 2023

Nature March 18, 2015; 519(7543): 276-278

J Ophthalmic Vis Res October-December 2021; 16(4): 531-537

Review of Myopia Management February 1, 2023

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2022; 63: 244 – A0098

Seeing.org Bates Method International

Healingtheeye.com, Bates Was Right

By Admin|2023-07-13T06:56:34-05:00July 13th, 2023|Articles, General|

by Mila McManus, MD

A reproductive hormone called kisspeptin may be a treatment option for low sexual desire in men and women.

Two promising studies are suggesting that a reproductive hormone called kisspeptin may be a treatment option for low sexual desire in men and women.

In 2022, a randomized clinical trial of 32 premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, kisspeptin administration was found to modulate brain processing, for sex and attraction, in functional neuroimaging, psychometric, and hormonal analyses. Kisspeptin’s modulation of brain processing correlated with psychometric measures of sexual aversion and associated distress.[1]

In 2023, one randomized clinical trial of 32 men tested the effects of kisspeptin on sexual brain processing in males with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Findings showed that kisspeptin significantly modulates brain activity in key structures of the sexual-processing network compared to placebo. In addition, kisspeptin increased sexual behavior and sexual desire. [2]

With these two studies, a foundation has been laid for kisspeptin’s efficacy and clinical therapeutic treatment for both men and women with low libido and/or low sexual attraction and desire. There were no observable or reported adverse effects. Kisspeptin had no significant negative effects on mood and anxiety, nor did it affect blood pressure or heart rate. Correlations suggest that kisspeptin may reduce sexual aversion and associated distress.

Ask your healthcare provider if this may be a good option for you.

Better in the Bedroom is Better for your Health. Be Well.

[1]Layla Thurston, MD, PhD¹; Tia Hunjan, MD¹; Natalie Ertl, MSc^1,2; et al. Effects of kisspeptin administration in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(10):e2236131. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36131. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2797718

[2] Mills EG, Ertl N, Wall MB, et al. Effects of kisspeptin on sexual brain processing and penile tumescence in men with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(2):e2254313. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.54313. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2800937

By Admin|2023-06-27T11:03:10-05:00June 28th, 2023|Articles, General|

by Mila McManus, MD

The researchers saw that sucralose caused DNA to break apart, putting people at risk for disease and gut health problems.

It continues to baffle my mind that, despite what research reveals over and over again, our food industry continues to get away with putting harmful ingredients in our food!

In 2012, we published our article in our newsletter regarding a 2008 study about Splenda, which you can read here. Then last year, we reiterated the harmful effects of all artificial sweeteners, and you can read that here, where we talked about two more studies done in 2008 and 2018 showing the toxicity and harm to our friendly gut bacteria caused by artificial sweeteners.

So here we are, 15 years since the first study, with many more studies under our scientific belt, and still, neither the FDA nor food industry has accepted responsibility for removing these toxic sweeteners from our food. Even WebMD and Cleveland Clinic have acknowledged the serious concerns, as has the FDA.

The most recent study done exposed human blood cells and gut tissue to sucralose. The researchers saw that sucralose caused DNA to break apart, putting people at risk for disease and gut health issues. Equally concerning is how toxic it is in very small amounts, so even one food item eaten once a week with Splenda in it can do considerable harm. The only amount of Sucralose that is safe is NONE.

All this to say, it’s important to take your own responsibility to know what you’re ingesting since the Powers that Be don’t seem to care. Protect your gut from the ravages of Splenda/Sucralose, as well as aspartame, saccharin, neotame, Advantame, and acesulfame potassium-k. All of them are well known to interfere with the normal and healthy activity of the gut, and to cause DNA damage. They are clearly linked to weight gain, obesity, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. And we know that when the gut is not healthy, it is communicating inflammation messages to the brain and the rest of the body.

Eat real food, take a probiotic, and choose stevia, monk fruit, and/or erythritol as better, healthier sweeteners.

Be well!

By Admin|2023-06-21T12:04:48-05:00June 22nd, 2023|Articles, General|

by Mila McManus, MD

Orthomolecular has recently presented a new supplement called HiPhenolic, designed to support weight management and cardiovascular health. It is a very pure, high concentration blend of polyphenols. HiPhenolic has scientifically demonstrated favorable shifts in metabolic targets such as maintaining blood pressure levels, improving satiation (i.e., fullness), and controlling appetite. As a result, it can assist with both weight loss and cardiovascular support.

HiPhenolic contains an extract blend of lemon verbena, hibiscus flower, green coffee bean, and magnesium. In two, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized studies, hibiscus and lemon verbena extracts have been shown to work synergistically on the activation of the energy sensor AMPK and promote optimal metabolic efficiency through the modulation of fat metabolism. In both studies, there were improvements in weight, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and maintenance of blood pressure and heart rate in normal ranges. HiPhenolic lowers the hunger hormone ghrelin and increases our satiation hormone, leptin.

Green coffee bean extract has shown benefit in blood pressure control, optimizing lipids, decreasing body weight, and improving metabolism and glucose (aka blood sugar) disposal. Magnesium has many benefits including blood pressure regulation, blood glucose control, muscle and nerve function, protein synthesis, and plays a role in maintaining energy levels and metabolic efficiency.

Hiphenolic may be taken as a stand-alone, or may be added to other weight loss protocols.

Call (281) 298-6742 or email admin@TWIHW.com to our yours today! Supply is limited due to high demand and frequent back orders.

Be Well, Live Well.

Reference: Ortho Molecular Products, Supplement Facts and Provider Resource Sheets.

*This product is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness or disease. The content and recommendations contained on this website have not been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are solely the opinion of the author. Content contained on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never increase, reduce or discontinue any medication or treatment without first consulting your doctor.*

By Admin|2023-06-14T12:16:44-05:00June 15th, 2023|Articles, General|

By Pamela O’Connor, MD

Lower muscle mass has been associated with delayed recovery, higher surgical complications, longer hospital stays, increased drug toxicity, overall poorer quality of life and higher all-cause mortality.

How important is your muscle mass? Some health experts say it is turning into a new “vital sign” – something that we should be paying close attention to. Lower muscle mass has been associated with delayed recovery, higher surgical complications, longer hospital stays, increased drug toxicity, overall poorer quality of life and higher all-cause mortality.

Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue in our bodies, representing 40% of our body mass. After eating a meal, about 80% of the circulating glucose (i.e., sugar) is deposited into our skeletal muscle. That makes it a logical connection – as muscle mass decreases with age, that change is now thought to be a key driver of insulin resistance and prediabetes.

Muscle is also now recognized as having some immune regulatory properties, so less muscle mass leads to deterioration of the immune system (which for the elderly population is a leading cause of death). In fact, sarcopenia (decrease in muscle mass) now predicts the risk of getting community-acquired pneumonia.

Resistance training is how we can optimize our own individual muscle mass. This type of exercise results in getting stronger (which relates to better balance and stability), AND offers a notable secondary benefit of an increase in metabolism. Muscles require a large amount of energy to keep them healthy and functioning properly. Building stronger muscles also strengthens your bones, which increases bone density.

Additional advantages include balancing of hormones, such as growth hormone, testosterone (for men AND women), estrogen and insulin (can improve insulin sensitivity and decrease glucose levels). Many also see increased libido, better mobility, decreased pain, improved cognition and mood, better sleep and it has been proven to help people live longer. For heart health, resistance training can decrease blood pressure, improve cholesterol and triglycerides, and decrease visceral fat. Visceral fat collects around organs, including the heart, and releases many pro-inflammatory chemicals.

What would qualify as resistance training? Lifting weights, using resistance bands, as well as body weight exercises all fall into the category of resistance training. There is a magic sweet spot where you perform at a high enough intensity to stimulate the muscle enough to get the desired physiologic changes, but you don’t want to overdo it. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of resistance training is to allow sufficient rest for full recovery (when the muscle building takes place).

Basic exercises to use as a start would be squats, lunges, pushups, and planks. Another great aspect of resistance training is that many people can get noticeable results with only 2 short workouts per week.

Schedule an appointment if you want to discuss more specifics about strategies for building more strength and muscle mass, regardless of your age or gender. We all need to treat our muscle mass as a vital aspect of good health!

Resources

Di Stefano, Sal. (2021). The Resistance Training Revolution. Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Dr. Mercola Article. (October 29,2021). You Can Get Stronger and Healthier as You Age!

Robbins, Tony, & Diamandis, Peter M.D., & Hariri, Robert M.D., PhD. (2022). Life Force. Simon & Schuster

By Admin|2023-06-07T09:52:51-05:00June 8th, 2023|Articles, General|

by Mila McManus, MD

Sunscreens can be some of the most toxic substances to put on your skin. Remember that your skin is your largest organ.

As the warmer months approach, make sure you are ready to properly protect your family’s and your skin from the sun. Sunscreens can be some of the most toxic substances to put on your skin. Remember that your skin is your largest organ. It covers your entire body and is filled with capillaries (tiny blood vessels) that feed into your larger blood vessels which circulate throughout the body. Your skin is HIGHLY absorptive. Because of the need to re-apply, it is easy in one day to get a big dose of toxic substances onto and into your body in short order. As a result, the sunscreen you choose really matters.

Sunscreens are a well-known source of toxic chemicals, including hormone disrupters, carcinogens, and others. While there are many, the most concerning seem to be oxybenzone (hormone disruptor), methylisothiazolinone (allergenic, skin sensitivity), and retinyl palmitate (a form of vitamin A believed to speed the development of skin tumors and lesions).

We highly recommend that you use the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) consumer guides. They have an updated Sunscreen guide for adults, children, and babies. They write very insightful and helpful summaries of their findings and evaluate the ingredients of hundreds of products to protect you. There are many price ranges, choices, and sources. Here is the link:

ewg.org

Perhaps even more important is to take other simple, non-toxic precautions first such as:

During the heat of the midday sun, wear protective sunglasses, hats, and t-shirts and stay in the shade.
There really is no such thing as perfect sunscreen. It really should be used as a last resort as a protective measure. But if you must, choose the best.
We DO need some sun exposure for good health. Just 15 minutes of time in the sun every day, without sunscreen, helps the body to create about 10,000 units of natural vitamin D. Choose late morning to late afternoon hours and limit the time to 15 minutes to avoid skin damage.

So before you head out to the garden, or over to the lake, beach or hiking path, be sure you have everything on hand to protect your family and yourself from damaging your skin.

Happy Spring and Summer! Be well! Stay well!

By Admin|2023-05-31T11:56:34-05:00June 1st, 2023|Articles, General|

By Mila McManus, MD

...tested 28 different dark chocolate bars and found 23 of them to contain potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium, or both.

Last January, Consumer Reports urged several chocolate producers to reduce the amount of lead and cadmium found in their dark chocolate products. A corporate accountability organization called You Sow tested 28 different dark chocolate bars and found 23 of them to contain potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium, or both. The exposures were considered concerning for those who consume one ounce or more per day.

Heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, are especially harmful for pregnant women and children because they can negatively affect brain development and lead to lower IQ. They have negative effects on others as well, of course. Frequent exposure to lead in adults can lead to nervous system problems, hypertension, immune system suppression, kidney damage, and reproductive issues.

Brands with the highest levels included:

High in Both Lead & Cadmium – Theo Organic Dark 70%, Trader Joe’s The Dark Chocolate Lover’s, Theo Organic Extra Dark Pure, Lily’s Extremely Dark, and Green & Blacks Organic Dark. All of these had 120-145% lead levels and 101-229% cadmium levels.

High Lead – Tony’s Chocolony Dark, Lily’s Extra Dark, Godiva Signature Dark, Chocolove Strong Dark, Lindt Excellence Dark, Endangered Species Bold + Silky Dark, Trader Joe’s Dark, Hu Organic Simple Dark, Chocolove Extreme Dark, and Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet. All of these had 134-265% lead levels.

High Cadmium – Beyond Good Organic Pure Dark, Equal Exchange Organic Extra Dark, Lindt Excellence Dark, Scharffen Berger Extra Dark, Alter Eco Organic Dark Blackout, Pascha Organic Very Dark Dark, and Dove Promises Deeper Dark. Cadmium ranged from 112-253%.

While every bar had some level of lead and cadmium, those found to have the lower and safer levels when consumed in moderation are Mast Organic Dark, Taza Chocolate Organic Deliciously Dark, Ghirardelli Intense Dark, Ghirardelli Intense Dark Twilight Delight, and Valrhona Abinao Dark. In these selections, lead ranged from 14-63% and cadmium ranged from 40-73%.

Heavy metals lurk in the cocoa solids of the cacao bean and are higher in the darker, over 65% cacao by weight, chocolates. Cocoa butter is the other solid portion. The heavy metal concerns can extend to other products such as hot cocoa, brownie mixes, and cake mixes. The older a tree becomes, the more heavy metals are passed from the soil into the tree. Additionally, different countries vary in the heavy metal contents of their soils. Heavy metals also tend to increase during the drying process while beans lie on the ground or near roads in the sun. One way to reduce the heavy metal content is to mix beans from a variety of soils.

Michael J. DiBartolomeis, PhD, a toxicologist and former official at the California Department of Public Health who has researched heavy metals in chocolate, says that while he cautions pregnant women and children from eating dark chocolate, he doesn’t tell most people to give it up, just to know the risks and not overdo it. Consider adding detoxification strategies such as exercise, sauna, proper hydration, regular bowel function promoted through a high fiber diet, and frequent rotation of a wide variety of foods. Ask your provider if heavy metal testing is right for you.

References:

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/987452

Doctor’s Data Inc., Descriptive Texts for Lead and Cadmium, 1999-1921.

By Admin|2023-05-23T11:23:01-05:00May 24th, 2023|Articles, General|

by Mila McManus, MD

Fructose is increasingly in the forefront as causing significant health problems and its use by the food industry has increased considerably.

All sugars are harmful for us, especially when eaten in excess. We always recommend reduction of sugar intake as far as you possibly can. Fructose is increasingly in the forefront as causing significant health problems.

The negative effects of fructose include:

Fatty liver
High Triglycerides
Weight Gain
Leptin Resistance
Keeps you feeling hungry
Increases uric acid which contributes to Cardiovascular Disease, cognitive decline, and kidney stones to name a few
Causes insulin resistance

Fructose is a simple sugar found in fruit, vegetables, and some natural sweeteners, and is also added to a wide variety of processed foods and beverages. Over the last 50 years, fructose use by the food industry has increased considerably.

The body’s preferred source of fuel is glucose, the form of sugar we are “wired” to use. While fructose is a simple sugar, the process of converting it to glucose must be done by the liver. Once converted, it will be used for energy if the blood needs glucose, or it will be stored in the liver, or in fat cells. The process of converting fructose results in a waste product called uric acid, a key contributor to gout and heart disease. A good analogy would be to say that glucose is a clean fuel and fructose is a dirty fuel that pollutes your body.

High fructose corn sugar is a combination of fructose and glucose and made from corn starch. It is cheaper and sweeter than cane sugar. It is found in soft drinks, bread, juices, ice cream, canned fruit, canned soup, ketchup, sweetened dairy products, cakes, cereal bars, salad dressings, and many other manufactured foods. We recommend elimination of these foods for a multitude of health reasons notwithstanding the ones listed above.

We also recommend avoiding corn syrup, honey, and agave nectar, and limiting fruit to no more than 2 servings a day. Grapes, watermelon, jackfruit, and dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, apricots, and apples are intensified forms of fructose, so best avoided or very limited. Small fresh fruit is a better choice and offers natural fructose. Fructose in fruit isn’t what’s causing disease in most people. Along with the fructose in a piece of fruit you’re also getting fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients that your body needs. Good choices include apples, apricots, berries, melon, citrus fruit, kiwi, cherries, pear, plum, and peach. A portion is about the size of a tennis ball, or ½ to 1 cup of fresh bite sized pieces.

If you need help getting fructose out of the diet, our staff nutritionist is available to guide you to healthier choices that are best for your unique body and health status.

Eat Well, Be Well.

References:

Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Drop Acid: The Surprising New Science of Uric Acid

https://www.livestrong.com/article/34054-list-foods-high-fructose/

By Admin|2023-05-15T15:55:34-05:00May 17th, 2023|Articles, General|

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