Summit Total Health

Mercury Found in Foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup

A study conducted in January of 2009 showed that some foods and drinks rich in high-fructose corn syrup may contain detectable levels of mercury. The report was published on the web site of the Minneapolis-based Institute for Agriculture and Trade Police (IATP). It showed that mercury was found in 17 of the 55 products tested.

Here are those 17 foods,

• Quaker Oatmeal to Go Bars
• Jack Daniel’s Barbecue Sauce
• Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
• Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce
• Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars

The Business Side of Anti-Oxidants

Dr. Morgan’s comments:
The following article is compiled from several scientific writers/reporters that work for Nutraingredients (this is a news agency that reports on global activity in the nutraceutical market). They focus on the science and the business of nutraceudicals. There is a good overview of the state of the science about anti-oxidants. Pay attention to the information about the anti-oxidant properties of coffee and tea. Do you add milk or cream to your tea or coffee or, heaven-forbid, some synthetic “non-dairy creamer”?

This is not only big business but an important health topic that we need to pay attention to.

Article:

Despite scientific backing that is still emerging in the realm of free radical scavenging, heart, skin health, eye health and more, the antioxidant family of polyphenols, carotenoids, phytonutrients and selected vitamins and minerals remains a functional nutrient star.

How big is the antioxidants market? It’s almost impossible to tell given the broadness of the area and non-explicit marketing for the likes of dark chocolate and green tea but it’s big, one of the biggest in the functional foods and supplements area.

Kale: The Nutrient Power House

Although kale is one of the lesser known greens, it’s at the top of the list as far as nutrition goes. To give you an example, kale has 7 times the beta-carotene (vitamin A) of broccoli, and broccoli is considered to be a good source of beta-carotene. Just one cup of steamed kale contains,

• 1,328% Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin K
• 354% Recommended Daily Intake of vitamin A
• 89% Recommended Daily Intake of vitamin C

It’s time that kale gets some of its well-deserved attention.

   
Kale descends from the wild cabbage family, which originated in Asia. Historians think that it was brought to Europe by the Celtics, then later to America by the English Settlers. However, people in asian countries still seem to use it the most in their cooking, and for good reason.

What is The Glycemic Index?

Not all carbohydrate foods are created equal, actually, they behave quite differently in our bodies. The purpose of the glycemic index (GI) is to rank these different carbohydrates based on the effects they have on our blood sugar levels. Foods with lower GI carbs don’t effect our blood sugar and insulin levels as much, which makes them safer and healthier foods. Learning to eat foods with a low glycemic index is key to weight loss and reducing risk of heart disease and diabetes.

With the glycemic index, foods are given a rating from 0-100. The higher the GI number of a food the quicker your blood sugar levels will increase after you eat it, and vice versa. For example, bleached white bread has a GI number of around 70, while a mixed grain bread is around 35-40. Normally, foods with an index less than 50 are considered foods with a low GI. 

America’s Sweet Tooth

In the last 30 years America’s consumption of sugar has increased over 20 percent. We now consume the equivalent of just less than 30 teaspoons a day!
Here’s the problem. Sugars are added to foods and especially beverages. They contribute to obesity. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes (Type II).
The American Heart Association (AHA) urges Americans to limit their sugar consumption to 100 calories for women and 150 calories for men. This is from their new scientific statement “Dietary Sugars Intake and Cardiovascular Health.” The AHA cites the “worldwide pandemic of obesity and cardiovascular disease” as a concern to focus on added sugars as a culprit in this pandemic. There is much focus on high fructose corn syrup (see other articles) but in the body and also pointed out by AHA “added sugars are added sugars”.
Scientists reporting to the AHA describe sugars as “discretionary calories”.

The Story Behind Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners have been around for over a 100 years. It seems like every couple years a new one comes out with even bigger claims of guilt-free goodness. But are artificial sweeteners any better than normal sugar? Let’s look at some of the popular choices.

Saccharin

Saccharin (now known as Sweet n’ Low) led the way for artificial sweeteners in the late 1800’s. It was discovered by a chemistry research assistant by the name of Constantine Fahlberg. Saccharin was originally used for industrial applications until 1903 when a entrepreneur named John F. Queeny and his newly-formed corporation called Monsanto began selling saccharin to food and beverage companies, including Coca-Cola.

Are Sugar Alcohols Good Sugar Replacements?

What is a sugar alcohol?

Sugar alcohols (technically called a polyol) are found naturally in plants. Foods like, grapes, melons, mushrooms, and fermented foods contain sugar alcohols in small amounts. These sugar alcohols are extracted and then turned into a useable form similar to table sugar, but with a much different chemical makeup. Let’s look at two of the best sugar alcohol options - Xylitol and Erythritol. 

Was the Swine Flu Exaggerated?

On January 26, 2010 officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) and a vaccine-maker trade group defended themselves from allegations that they exaggerated the H1N1 pandemic threat to benefit drug companies. At the hearing, committee members pressed the WHO and vaccine company officials on two main issues.

Firstly, the WHO should have admitted more quickly that the pandemic was milder than initially thought or suggested.

Secondly, the WHO should be more clear about its definition of a “pandemic”, which was revised at the same time that the H1N1 virus was identified.

Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, a German epidemiologist, accused WHO’s change of the definition of a pandemic, saying that it, “made it possible to turn a run-of-the-mill flu into a pandemic and translate millions for vaccine for no good reason.”

The Super Berry

The native indians were the first to discover blueberries. Native to North America, blueberries grow wild throughout the forests and mountains of the U.S. and Canada. But it wasn’t until the early 20th century that we started appreciating the super berry. Now we’re realizing more than ever how valuable the blueberry is nutritionally.

As far as fruits go, blueberries are superstars. In a recent Tufts University study analyzing 60 fruits and vegetables, blueberries came out on top for their antioxidant capabilities. Loaded with antioxidant nutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries prevent damaging free radicals in your body. Preventing things like, cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, heart disease, and even cancer.