How to Avoid Feeding Your Children With Toxins

Every day, we battle with making the right food choices for ourselves and especially for our young children. The unscrupulous world of business is producing tons of delicious artificial foods that are full of toxins and chemicals. Our children are attracted to the tastes and colors of all the processed foods, so much so that they grab and put them in their mouths. Even the 'fresh and natural foods' are affected by high levels of pesticide and chemical residues.

Nothing is really safe. Different foods are polluted with different toxic residues. In a Consumers Union report, popular fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, strawberries, cantaloupes and winter squashes have toxic residues that exceed the safe levels. They are not only unhealthy for children to consume, even the adults will be 'poisoned' by these 'natural' foods.

One of the ways to prevent your children from eating high-residue foods is to wash and peel suspected toxic foods. A better option is to buy organic varieties of high-residue produce. Here are some steps that you may want to consider so as to protect yourself and your family from toxic foods.

Avoid Highly Processed Foods

Avoid foods that are highly processed, especially those with added artificial flavoring and colors. The reason is because most of these artificial additions have coal tar in them. Foods that need bright colors to attract consumers may have food dyes extracted from coal tar. The medical world has confirmed that coal tar in foods is one of the primary causes of various cancers.

Avoid buying processed foods because they have been transformed by various chemicals. Some of these chemicals can cause many types of cancer in the internal organs. Read the labels of all products. In Asia, many processed foods are packed with monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is bad for the body. Some medical reports have stated that MSG is responsible for endocrine disorders, neuro-degenerative disease and even brain damage.

Avoid 'Old' Frozen Meats

Processed meat products that are stored for a long time in deep freezers, such as salami, bologna, sausages and other delicatessen products, contain a preservative and color fixative known as sodium nitrite. This chemical is commonly used to prevent the growth of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum which is responsible for botulism. Sodium nitrite has an extremely toxic profile. It can cause colon cancer when the stomach acid reacts with it to form the highly toxic nitrosamines.

If you really like to eat processed meats, then it may be advisable to buy directly from the butcher who makes these in his butcher shop. The other way is to buy ground mince and make them yourself. At least, you are sure that you are not feeding yourself and your family with the dangerous sodium nitrites.

Natural Sweetness

Popular artificial sweeteners such as NutraSweet and Equal may seem beneficial to diabetic patients but they can also be dangerous. According to some medical reports, these artificial sweeteners have aspartame which is known to cause various  medical problems. Aspartame contains 50% phenylalanine which is an essential amino acid found in proteins. Researchers believe that when phenylalanine is combined with the other amino acids, it is beneficial to the body. However, when consumed in its isolated form, it causes side effects. In more extreme cases, the toxic effect of phenylalanine causes an alteration of brain's normal functions and thus behavioral changes. There are quite a few reports about serious side effects such as headaches, dizziness, menstrual problems, symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis or Fibromyalgia.

A good sugar substitute is stevia. This South American herb is 30 times sweeter than sugar and it does not have the negative properties of sugar.The sweet glycosides found in the leaves of the stevia plant cannot be metabolized by our digestive system. Thus the caloric intake is zero. The blood glucose levels of diabetics or pre-diabetics are not negatively affected.


Organic Foods
Begin your healthy lifestyle by gradually converting to eating organic produce. In Malaysia, there are more and more organic stores offering a wide range of fresh and packaged organic products. Reduce the risks of ingesting toxic chemicals which are found on conventionally grown vegetables and fruits. You must have read that Singapore, from time to time, rejects truckloads of vegetables from vegetable farms in Cameron Highlands or other areas. The reason is that the toxic levels of the chemicals found on the vegetable are outside the approved healthy standards.

Imagine, feeding your children with fruits and vegetables that are laced with poisonous toxins. These chemicals are harmful to the body and will cause nerve damage, cancer and Parkinson' disease. Pregnant ladies are known to suffer from miscarriage or have babies with birth defects when their bodies have high levels of food toxins.

The best option is to buy and eat organic. Malaysia has free-range chickens that live on grass and organic grains. These chickens can be accepted as organic meats. In other countries, there are free-range cattle, pigs, goats and sheep. Hormone-free food is the best. Buying meats that come from conventional sources can be harmful. A dangerous artificially created hormone known as diethylstilbestrol is found in almost 85% of all meats sold in USA. Chances are this hormone is also found in most meats sold in Malaysia. This hormone is responsible for cancer of the breasts and reproductive organs.

To keep your children and family members safe, start buying organic produce now. You should cook organic, grow organic garden and visit your local organic farms. Support the organic movement and tell someone about the benefits of consuming organics.Start having a really healthy life with organic now.

Written by Bert Kang

Repair Your Tissues

Aging is not fun. However, it is an inevitable event. If we want to live longer the entropic nature of our body will become very evident. We will notice that our tissues will become less flexible and prompt to injury. While majority of tissues are internal, the skin is the most visible tissue. In fact, it is the largest organ. This skin organ is also an external hint of the health of the other internal organs. Any signs of premature aging of the skin may indicate a more serious internal situation. These tissues inside may be damaged or weaker than you think.
To help the healing process of these tissues you need to include a good ration of protein in your diet. Out of the twenty amino acids in protein, arginine and glutamine are vital for tissue repairs. Arginine serves as a directional indicator for the protein to locate the affected area. Glutamine provides the immediate energy for healing. Apart from lean meats and seafood, you can get your supply of protein from nuts and seeds. Daily products are also great source of protein.
After a vigorous session of exercise, you may experience tiny tears in your tissues or ligaments. In this instance, you will need two types of fruits to help you. Start eating pineapple and papaya. Pineapple contains bromelain which has anti-inflammatory properties. Papaya is famous for its enzymes papain. These enzymes break scar tissues down and provides essential nutrients plus vitamin C to repair the tissues.

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Organic Milk Is A Good Healthy Food Option

By Albert Kang

There are many researches made comparing the benefits of organic milk with those of conventional milk. Every research points to the fact that organic milk has more benefits than non-organic milk. In 2005, during the annual conference of the Soil Association in Newcastle, a research study revealed that organic milk has higher levels of omega 3 essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin E.

Most health enthusiasts know that Omega-3 is essential for the body to maintain healthy growth. It also helps reduce the heart from being affected by diseases. It helps people with eczema to fight inflammations caused by the skin disease. Studies also confirm that the levels of antioxidants, Lutein and Zeaxanthine, in organic milk are two to three times higher than those found in conventional milk.

The vitamin E in organic milk is obviously high because the organically raised cattle, graze on fresh grass, grass clover silage found in clover pastures. The scientists confirm that organic milk has 50 percent more vitamin E than that found in conventional milk. The beta carotene levels in organic milk are as high as 75 percent as compared to ordinary milk.

Organically raised cattle are healthier because they have 500 percent more Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) than that of conventionally raised cattle. Such naturally produced CLA provides the cattle with better immunity against diseases, good muscle development and better metabolism rates. Recent scientific researches also indicate that the human body can benefit from CLA as it is good for cancer prevention. The human body does not produce CLA and so regular consumption of organic milk will help in keeping the body healthy.

In Europe, their scientists discover that mothers who consume organic milk and have around 50 percent more amount of Rumenic acid, also known as Bovinic acid in their milk.

In 2004, the USDA Pesticide Data Program (PDP) has discovered that the synthetic chemical pesticide, Pyrethroid is found in 24 percent of the non-organic milk samples. Whereas the organic milk samples do not have any of this pesticide residues. Carbofuran, another pesticide is found in 8.8 percent of the non-organic milk while the organic samples have zero amount.

From all these, we learn that organic milk definitely has its advantages as compared to the conventional milk. Apart from the health benefits for human beings, consuming organic milk also encourages the farmers to raise cattle the organic ways. These are free-range cattle and they are allowed to graze freely in clover and grass pastures. So, if at all possible, consume organic milk.

Easy Ways To Make Your Everyday Meals Healthier And Tastier

By Jessie Price, EatingWell Comfort Foods Made Healthy: The Classic Makeover Cookbook

If your eating habits are anything like those of most Americans and you are looking for the simplest advice possible we would tell you to eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains and less of just about everything else. But if you’re ready for just a bit more guidance, our 10 principles of healthy cooking will get you started:

1. Use smart fats. Not all fat is bad. Opt for unsaturated (e.g., olive oil) over saturated fats such as butter. But still use them in moderation because all fats are loaded with calories.

2. Go unrefined. Pick whole grains over refined grains. Whole grains like brown rice and bulgur have their bran intact and thus have more fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and other nutrients.

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Most people don’t get enough! Aim for 5 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Pick produce in a variety of colors to get a range of antioxidants and vitamins. A serving size is 1⁄2 to 1 cup depending on the fruit or vegetable.

4. It’s not all about the meat. Meat is a great source of protein but it’s also a big source of saturated fat in many people’s diets. So eat small amounts of lean meat, fish and poultry. Fill up the rest of your plate with healthy vegetables and whole grains.

5. Choose low-fat dairy. Dairy products like milk, sour cream and yogurt are a good source of calcium. Replacing whole-milk dairy products with low-fat or nonfat is an easy way to cut saturated fat in your diet.

6. Keep portions reasonable. Even though we would all like a magic bullet for weight control, it really boils down to calories. One of the easiest ways to manage calorie intake is by eating healthy portions.

7. Use sweeteners judiciously. Sugars of any kind, whether corn syrup, white sugar, brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, add significant calories without any nutritive value.

8. Keep an eye on sodium. Whether you have high blood pressure or not, it’s wise to watch your sodium intake. The USDA’s dietary guidelines for Americans recommend consuming less than 2,300 mg (about 1 teaspoon salt) daily.

9. Go for the flavor. Enhance food with bold flavors from healthy ingredients like fresh herbs, spices and citrus. When your food has great flavor, there’s no reason to feel deprived.

10. Be mindful and enjoy. Make conscious food decisions rather than grabbing for what is most convenient. Make sure it is something delicious and savor it. When you enjoy what you eat, you feel satisfied.