Malnourished!...Even After Eating a Full Plate. Shocking!Written by Warren Matthews
This is a concept that you may have difficulty in accepting. Nonetheless it is one that I have been ‘preaching' for years and has now been confirmed by studies showing people in US, Canada and UK are amongst most malnourished in world. This is case in spite of obesity reaching epidemic proportions in US. Malnourishment is without doubt a leading factor in a wide variety of health problems including cancers. Does this mean that overweight people are eating all food to detriment of rest of population? Not at all! In fact, obese people figure prominently amongst those people who are malnourished. I can sense you thinking... "That's a crazy statement". After all, when you think of someone being malnourished your mind flashes to pictures which you have seen on TV of starving children in Africa. How can an overweight person be malnourished? Much easier than you think... please read on and I will explain. The Problem is in Food! A recent analysis of a range of staple foods in Canada including potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, apples, onion, broccoli etc, was commissioned by The Globe and Mail and CTV news. The results were predictable to some and a shock to others. Let's use potatoes as an example. This is what analysis found: Over last 50 years potato has lost: * 100% of its Vitamin A * 57% of its Vitamin C and iron. * 28% of its Calcium. * 50% of its riboflavin * 18% of its thiamine Of seven nutrients analyzed only niacin levels had increased. The results were similar for all 25 fruits and vegetables tested. One of worst results was from broccoli in which ALL nutrients had declined measurably including niacin with Calcium down 63%. The Globe and Mail and CTV used comparative figures from government researchers for years 1951, 1972 and 1999. These earlier figures had been published in various scientific journals in UK including British Food journal. Release of this data in US has been limited to a few alternative health journals. Tim Lang a professor at centre for Food Policy in England says as a further example of how our food has been degraded is
| | Natural Approaches to MenopauseWritten by Judy Nolan
This past July,a report raised serious new concerns for six million women taking combination hormone replacement therapy. In lastest and statistically most valid study of this subject ever done,it was found that combination of ESTROGEN AND PROGESTIN taken for MANY YEARS, not only FAIL TO DECREASE THE INCIDENCE OF VASCULAR DISEASE,BUT ALSO INCREASES THE RISK OF HEART ATTACKS,STROKES,BREAST CANCER,AND CLOTTING DISORDERS. In addition,other recent research has found a possible link between ESTROGEN replacement and OVARIAN CANCER.Although theses risks are not considered to be high,they are REAL-REAL ENOUGH FOR THE INVESTIGATORS TO HAVE STOPPED THE STUDIES IN MID-COURSE. The DOWNSIDE of HRT OUTWEIGHTED THE BENEFITS. So what's a Menopausal Woman to do? Read on to learn about HEALTHY and NATURAL ways to approach Menopause. The ancient Greeks referred to Menopause as "Climateric" or "Change of Life",and regarded it as a step in ladder of life.It was considered to be an important step in maturation of a woman. In Traditional Cultures,even those of today,there is little or no evidence of negative symptoms "Modern" people associate with menopause. In large measure, because "Traditional"(or what some people would call Primative) human diet is low in fat and animal proteins. In a healthy person,the body adjusts for ovarian reduction in estrogen by signaling other glands, (especially Adrenal glands),to produce more estrogen,preventing complete loss of female hormone.However,if ADRENAL GLANDS ARE WEAKENED BY A LIFETIME OF POOR DIET AND BAD HEALTH HABITS,THEY PROBABLY CANNOT AND WILL NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF THE BODY WHEN MENOPAUSE BEGANS. Menopause usually occurs between ages of 45 and 55,when ovaries stop producing eggs.The woman also undergoes a number of hormonal changes,including a reduction in estrogen production,an increase in pituitary hormone,and higher levels of male hormones. With reduction in estrogen production,also comes an increase in bone loss,a lowering of HDL,(the Good cholesterol),and an increase in cholesterol.This can result in Atherosclerosis,Coronary Heart Disease,and Stroke. Other changes can occur as well,such as: poor memory,poor concentration,moodiness,anxiety,loss of sex drive,hot flashes,night sweats,and/or vaginal dryness.These changes also increase likelihood of bladder and vaginal infections. Traditionalist believe that one of best approaches to menopause is in diet.Eating foods rich in Phytoestrogens,which are Plant-Produced ,promote bone health and prevent Cancer.A low-fat,high fiber diet will help body to adjust more easily to changing hormonal levels. Such foods are: Whole Grains,Fresh Vegetables,Beans,Seaweed,Miso,Tofu,Seeds and Nuts,(especially Sunflower Seeds). According to Chinese Medicine,the symptoms of menopause imply a deficiency of YIN fluids,particularly those fluids that calm and relax liver.A helpful dietary approach then,is to add foods that build YIN. These foods are: Wheat Germ, Mung Beans and Sprouts,Tofu,String Beans,Black Beans,Kidney Beans, Barley,Black Sesame Seeds,and Royal Jelly(from bees).
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