Happy Nirvana

I was recently emailed an article that illustrates the obscene amount of perfectly edible food families collectively toss out each day. You probably already knew that humans on a whole are a pretty wasteful species, but it’s still shocking to see just how much we really throw away.

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While the study itself focuses on food waste in the United Kingdom, it is still a good indicator of wastefulness in general. The study uses the massive quantity of apples that are thrown out in the U.K. each day – approximately four and half million – as a key example. Just imagine how many are tossed out in the U.S. on a daily basis?

It’s important to be a responsible consumer. Not just in terms of the quality and quantity of food that you put into your body, but also how much you take home with the intention of using. It’s irresponsible to take more than you’re able to use. Especially when it comes to good food that could feed someone who really needs it. Of course, most of us would never do this intentionally, but that’s not an excuse.

The estimated value of uneaten foods that are thrown out in the U.K. alone totals around 4.5 billion U.S dollars every year. This is not just a waste of good food — it’s also waste of good money. Especially with the current economic conditions, this creates financial stress on individual families, and ultimately on the whole global economy. Growing, processing and shipping all that wasted food also puts an unnecessary strain on the environment.

According to the article, of the nearly 7 tons of food wasted in the U.K. each day, about 40 percent is produce. The study suggests healthy eating campaigns that encourage people to consume more fruits and vegetables as a possible cause for the waste. Suggesting healthier food choices is of course a good thing. Unfortunately, many people it seems have eyes bigger than their stomachs, and simply never eat all that they buy.

How Can I Avoid Wasting Food?

There are lots of ways to avoid wasting good food. First, take a good look at your shopping habits. Are you buying more than you really need? If so, scale back on the amount you purchase. Buying fewer groceries more often is also a great way to avoid spoilage. Cook meals ahead of time, and then freeze them for later. Many foods can last up to a year when properly frozen.

If worst comes to worst, and you still find yourself with extra food that you know is going to spoil before you can eat it, invite some friends over to help you finish it. And if that doesn’t work, then find a food bank, or similar organization that can make use of it. Start a garden in your backyard, and grow your own organic fruits and veggies. If you compost the spoiled fruit and vegetables, you can then use it on your garden which will help you produce more of your own food.

Remember, there’s always a better option than the trash can.

More Green Living Articles:

• 10 Homemade Organic Pesticides
• 6 Tips for “Going Green” Outside Your House
• Aquaponics: How to Grow Your Own Food in Water
• 10 Reasons to Buy Produce at Your Local Farmer’s Market

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

Would you be surprised to learn that you can make your very own organic, natural hair products at home?

For a fraction of the cost of most product lines, its easy to create organic shampoos, conditioners and hair masks from the comfort of your kitchen. Completely natural and 100% non-toxic, natural hair products offer hydration, nutrition and stimulation to the scalp and hair.

Here are some of my favorite tips for getting and keeping the best natural-looking healthy hair. I would love to hear all of your personal tips for healthy hair.

1. Make an Herbal Hair Mask

Combine 1 teaspoon of triphala powder (an Ayurvedic herb you can purchase online), with 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and a small amount of water until a paste is formed. Wet hair and apply paste to scalp and hair. Leave mask on for at least 20 minutes and then rinse.

2. Use a Natural Sesame Oil Conditioner

For dry hair, rub a small amount of organic sesame or olive oil on broken and split ends. Make sure to cover hair in a plastic bag or a shower cap and leave for at least 45 minutes, or up to overnight. Shampoo and rinse well.

3. Keep Hair Clean, Not “Over-Cleaned”

Its important to have clean hair, but many people over-wash hair, leaving it brittle and dried out of its natural lubricating oils. I recommend washing hair every other day or every third day.

4. Don’t Drink Beer – Rinse With It!

We may do better using beer for our hair than putting it in our bellies. This excellent rinse keeps hair healthy and shiny. Pre-shower, give your hair a rinse with 1/4 cup of flat organic, high-quality beer. Leave the beer in the hair for 15 minutes, then rinse with a natural shampoo as normal.

5. Try a Basic Baking Soda Wash

Simply giving your hair a weekly baking soda rinse will help rid the hair of the layers of chemical gels and environmental pollutants that can attach to the hair throughout the week. What is more, it also gives the hair a vibrant glossy feeling and may even lighten the hair. Make a wash by adding 1 tablespoon of baking soda to your hair while doing your normal shampooing regime.

6. Try a Sandalwood Powder Rejuvenative Hair Mask

Add 2 teaspoons of organic sandalwood powder to 3 tablespoons lime juice. An excellent cooling summer hair mask. You may also replace sandalwood for licorice powder, or combine both into a mix.

7. Use a Coconut Oil Conditioner

For dry and brittle hair, increase moisture by giving yourself a coconut hot oil treatment. Massage a small amount of warm coconut oil (organic and cold-pressed if possible), into scalp and through ends. Cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes, and then shampoo and rinse as normal. You may need to wash twice to get out all of the oil.

8. Use Essential Oil Remedies

Avoid harsh chemical sprays. Rosemary essential oil, for example, is an excellent de-tangler. Simply rub a few drop into your palms and then through damp, tangled hair. You can also put a little rosemary oil on your hair brush for even more de-tangling action.

9. Eat for Healthy Hair

Drinking purified water and eating a healthy, organic, plant-based diet will help ensure a long life of healthy locks. Avoid processed and canned foods at all costs. These chemical/preservative-based foods strip hair of its natural glow.

10. Use a Castor Oil Deep Conditioner

For extra conditioning and healthier hair, add 2 teaspoons of castor oil to one egg white. Massage the oil-egg mixture into wet hair and scalp. Leave for at least 25 minutes before rinsing.

Be sure to switch to all natural hair care products. I use the max green alchemy brand and have great results. Also, doing a full body cleanse will help improve the health of your hair.

Related Articles:

• The Health Benefits of Aloe Vera
• Why You Should Use Organic Shampoo & Conditioner
• The Benefits of Organic Skin Care Products
• Parfait Visage: All Natural, Anti-Aging Facial Skincare Product

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

Chemical flame retardants have made their way into a very long list of mundane everyday household objects. This was no doubt originally intended to help save lives, which it has done. Unfortunately a string of studies published over the past few decades have shown that flame retardants may also be putting our health at risk in other ways.

There has been growing concern about the long term side-effects of Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, in particular. PBDEs are a family of closely related chemicals that have been a popular form of flame retardant since the late 1970s. They are commonly found in a number of everyday consumer products ranging from computers and home theater components, to clothing, and even the stuffing in your mattress.

Whenever your PC or home stereo heats up due to normal use, its plastic casing releases a small amount of PBDE into the air. Like many toxins, exposure to PDBEs doesn’t normally trigger an acute response from the body, but it can have a serious cumulative effect. As concentrations build up in the body, there is an increased risk of permanent nervous and reproductive system damage.

Household PBDE exposure is especially troubling because its potential to cause neurological damage is most pronounced in small children. Foam stuffing is another common place to find PBDE flame retardants. Seemingly benign items such as a child’s bedding or stuffed plaything can be additional sources of toxic flame retardant exposure to watch out for. And remember – exposure is cumulative. If that weren’t bad enough, some recent studies have also shown that excessive PCBE levels can even contaminate breast milk in nursing mothers. Yikes!

How To Reduce Exposure to Toxic Flame Retardants

Do you your homework. Any time you buy something that plugs in, or has foam stuffing, check with the manufacturer to see what type of flame retardant they use.

Keep an eye out for rips or tears in furniture and children’s toys. PDBEs are able to escape into the environment much more easily through even the smallest openings. If possible, replace worn out furniture rather than recovering it. If the item is something that’s important — like a family heirloom — then have the stuffing replaced along with the fabric with non toxic material.

Switch to “smart” power supplies/surge protectors for your home electronics. Not only will these save you considerable money over time, but the will also reduce the amount of heat (and therefore toxins) your components generate when they are not in use.

These tips can help you to greatly reduce your exposure to PBDE and other toxic flame retardants that could be making you sick. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for the average person to completely remove these chemicals from their environment. As a preventative measure, I also recommend purchasing air purification systems for your home and regular body cleansing and maintenance to ensure that toxins do not accumulate to dangerous levels.

Relevant Articles:

• Is Your Bed Toxic?
• How to Eliminate Toxins from Indoor Air
• 20 Reasons Why You Should Do A Body Detox Today!

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

There are many difficult symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. And, while different women experience different mixes of symptoms, depending mostly on hormonal makeup and lifestyle, most women do report the experience of hot flashes. In fact, research shows that an estimated eighty-five percent of American women experience them within the first year or two of menopause.

Sadly, up to half of all women continue to have them regularly for years following the onset of menopause. Below are some helpful natural remedies for balancing the body and mind during “the change.”

Natural remedies you can use to balance hot flashes during menopause. Make sure to always purchase organic when available

1. Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh is a plant that is used widely in Europe for treating menopause and hot flashes. Studies have shown that Black Cohosh was just as effective as pharmaceutical estrogen in providing hot flash relief. One study even showed that Black Cohosh worked great for preventing excessive sweating.

2. Flaxseed Oil

Fatty acids such as those found in flaxseed oil have been thought to be effective in reducing menopausal symptoms. Moreover, flax contain plant lignans which are similar to estrogen, possibly causing estrogen levels to stabilize in menopausal women.

3. Evening Primrose Oil

A general tonic for women’s reproductive health, evening primrose has a cooling effect on the skin and regulates the production of estrogen. It also can act as a sleep aid due to its high gamma linolenic acid count, and increases prostaglandin production.

4. Chickweed Tincture

Daily doses of this herb have been reported to lower both the number and severity of hot flashes.

5. Red Clover

A plant containing high amounts of phyto-estrogens known as isoflavones has been shown to help reduce the intesity and frequency of hot flashes.

6. Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic treatment options such as Ferrum phosphoricum (good for reducing redness), Belladonna (an excellent herb for sporadic, rapid hot flashes), Sanguinarina (counteracts hot flashes on the face, neck and ears) and Kali Phosphoricum.

7. Other Western Herbs

Other similar-acting plants include sarsaparilla, spearmint, licorice root, damiana, chasteberry, wild yams, motherwort, and red raspberry leaf.

8. Sage

Try drinking a few cups of organic sage tea daily. Sage tea can be found at your local grocery store or online. Besides providing hot flash relief, other benefits of sage include helping with digestion, infant diarrhea and headaches.

9. Vitamin C

Some women have found that bioflavanoids found in Vitamin C can help reduce the frequency of hot flashes.

10. Vitamin E

Studies have shown that antioxidants in Vitamin E play a significant role in reducing the symptoms of hot flashes.^[1] In order to get hot flash relief, take the recommended dosage of a Vitamin E supplement or eat more foods with Vitamin E.

11. Natural Progesterone Cream

Most women are actually estrogen dominant due to the amount of soy in foods. In most cases of menopause doctors actually prescribe more estrogen. I highly recommend using a cream to help balance menopausal hormone levels and to reduce hot flashes.

Other Tips For Relieving Hot Flashes

Besides from the list of natural remedies above, you can also practice these natural life-style tips to help get relief from hot flashes.

Avoid Synthetic Bedding & Clothing

Synthetic bedding and clothing can contribute to over-heating the body, especially while sleeping. Unlike natural cottons and linens, synthetic fibers cause us to perspire more often at night, a time when women most-often experience over-heating. Also, if you wear tight-fitting clothing, such as turtle-necks, that are made from synthetic fibers, this can also aggravate hot flashes.

Stay Cool

Try to avoid long periods in direct sunlight. Reduce the use of hot tubs, saunas and even hot showers. Drink cool water with cucumbers, and stay in well-ventilated, cool areas of your home. Small room fans can help provide temporary relief for hot flashes.

Stop Smoking

Smoking has been linked to increased occurrence of hot flashes in menopausal women.

Take Time to Unwind

Unsurprisingly, many women report an increase occurrence of hot flashes during times of stress. Make sure to make time for yoga, breathing exercises, visualization, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, biofeedback techniques, meditation or other forms of stress relief during the day. This will help ease heat in your body and mind.

Avoid Trigger Substances

Alcohol, fried foods, spicy foods, caffeine, diet pills and very hot (temperature-wise) foods can create increased acid and heat in the body. It is best to avoid these substances, especially foods that cause acid reflux.

Follow a Regular & Frequent Exercise Routine

Engaging in daily exercise not only keeps you in shape, but keeps you feeling young and healthy. Without a healthy body, it is harder to balance the necessary hormones to prevent hot flashes. Try going for more walks throughout the day. Simple cardio exercise is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your health.

Cleanse Your Body

By cleansing your body on a regular basis you can help balance your organs and hormone levels. I recommend performing a colon cleanse and liver detox at least 1-2 times yearly, these cleanses will help promote optimal health.

More Natural Remedies:

• 13 Natural Remedies for Sunburn
• 10 Home Remedies for Acid Reflux
• 10 Natural Remedies for Athletes Foot
• 11 Natural Remedies for Treating Mosquito Bites

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

For many people, worrying about arsenic poisoning is akin to worrying about catching the bubonic plague. They mistakenly believe that it’s something only found in history books. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is, even in today’s world, arsenic poisoning is still a very real concern.

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In fact, certain forms of arsenic are found naturally in geographic areas with high concentrations of metal ore. When these metals are mined and brought up to the surface, arsenic is often times released into the surrounding soil. Once it is in the soil, it will eventually work its way into any nearby ground water, which in turn may contaminate the agriculture and drinking water in surrounding communities.

This isn’t a big secret. Regulatory agencies throughout the world monitor the levels of arsenic found in these areas to make sure that they remain within the perceived tolerable limits.

Unfortunately, new research shows that arsenic leached from contaminated soil may become even more toxic as it is processed by the human digestive system. This means that the level of exposure that our bodies are able to cope with may be significantly lower than regulators previously believed.

How Did They Test It?

Researchers cultured samples of bacteria that are naturally found in the human intestines and placed them into simulated digestive tracts. Four different types of soil known to have relatively high concentrations of naturally occurring arsenic were then added to the artificial digestive systems. A pure processed from of organic arsenic commonly used in metal smelting and certain forms of manufacturing was added to a fifth “digestive tract” as a control measure.

Once processed, the arsenic was retested to determine if any changes to its chemical composition had taken place. Their findings, as you may have already guessed, were much more dramatic than the researchers originally anticipated.

Finished samples taken from both the pure and soil-based arsenic being tested were found to have been transformed from their original states into significantly more toxic compounds. Specifically, monomethylarsonous and monomethylmonothioarsonic acids, which are known to trigger cancer in the lungs as well as the liver, kidneys and bladder.

What Can I Do To Protect Myself?

Even with this new information, protecting yourself and your loved ones from arsenic is difficult. After all, it is a naturally produced substance that has always been found in portions of the food supply. That said, there are steps you can take to both reduce your exposure and decrease the time arsenic spends inside your body.

If you live in a region with relatively low concentrations of arsenic present in the soil, I recommend eating more locally grown, organic produce. If not, research the source of the foods you consume. Ensuring that your digestive system processes the foods you eat quickly and efficiently helps to reduce the time arsenic spends in your body. And regular cleansing helps prevent the build up of excess toxins that may stick around afterwards. Taking an oxygen cleanser is a great way to promote both healthy bowel transit time, as well as help eliminate any leftover toxins lingering in your intestinal tract.

For additional peace of mind, you could do a chemical/heavy metal cleanse, which will help flush out excessive amounts of harmful chemicals and heavy metals. You can also easily check to see if your body is accumulating arsenic, by using a home hair analysis test kit.

Related Articles:

• The Health Dangers of Arsenic
• How to Eliminate Arsenic in Drinking Water
• 20 Reasons Why You Need A Heavy Metal Cleanse
• Arsenic & Apple Juice: Are You Giving Your Kids Poison?

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

Lately there’s been increasing interest in the effects of lemon juice on the liver. Specifically its effectiveness as a liver detox agent. While there is a good bit of truth to this claim, there’s also a growing pile of misinformation being produced by people who don’t really understand how the human body operates, or the basics of organic chemistry.

Lemon juice naturally contains potent levels of citric acid. When mixed with distilled water and consumed regularly, it can benefit the body in a number of ways.

First and foremost, lemon juice helps break down food in your stomach for better digestion. In part because of its own acidic qualities, and in part because it stimulates the stomach to produce more digestive juices.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Lemon Juice to Detox the Liver?

The better your stomach breaks down food matter, the less work your liver has to do later on.

Remember: Your liver is part of your body’s built-in filtration system. Lemon juice is also a natural antiseptic, so it helps control harmful bacteria that may be in the foods you eat. I recommend squeezing half of an organic lemon into a small glass of distilled water and drinking it each day. Not only does this help aid your liver function, but also promotes healthier skin, and even helps soothe minor throat and respiratory problems.

While lemon juice does have the aforementioned health promoting qualities, and then some, it does have certain shortcomings as a liver detoxification agent. The health promoting qualities of its juice varies from lemon to lemon. While one individual fruit may be rich in these beneficial components, others are much less potent. Another problem, as with any foodstuff, is the potential for allergic reaction and chemical contamination due to pesticides and preservatives.

So What Is the Best Way to Cleanse My Liver?

For the best possible liver detoxification, I recommend following these liver cleansing instructions. The secret that separates it from other, less effective cleanses, is the addition of an all-natural liver/gallbladder cleanser called Livatrex.

Livatrex contains a proprietary blend of hand-selected herbs and minerals which work together with the body’s natural chemistry to help both the liver and the gallbladder purge impurities that may have accumulated over the years. Not only will it help improve your cleansing efforts, it also works great for people who had their gallbladder removed.

When combined with a probiotic supplement, these one-of-a-kind products offer unparalleled support for your body’s natural ability to cleanse itself of dangerous toxins, as well as help maintain the natural function of your liver and gallbladder. Not only are they are much more effective than lemon juice alone when it comes to detoxing the liver, they also have fewer side-effects, and address a much wider range of related health issues.

Whether you’re looking for a full detox program to restore your liver, or just a maintenance supplement to help avoid future toxin build up, I strongly recommend doing a liver cleanse, as well as eat plenty of foods that cleanse the liver. If you’re liver is feeling sluggish, give it a try – you have nothing to lose except those unwanted toxins.

More Detox Articles:

• 14 Foods that Cleanse the Liver
• 10 Foods You Can Eat During a Colon Cleanse
• 20 Reasons Why You Need A Heavy Metal Cleanse
• Betaine Hydrochloride: How it helps with Digestion

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

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Readers of my blog probably won’t be surprised to hear that blueberries and probiotic bacteria are a great way to help the body naturally defend itself against intestinal disease. Still, it’s always nice to see more scientific research making its way into the mainstream media.

This latest clinical study, conducted at Lund University in Sweden, shows that eating blueberries can ease and protect against intestinal inflammation. They also found that these beneficial effects on the body are increased by the consumption of probiotic bacteria along with the berries.

The two researchers, Camilla Bränning and Åsa Håkansson, have found that when taken together, blueberries and common strains of probiotic bacteria performed better than either did when tested alone. They also found this combination to be more effective in fighting the symptoms of intestinal disease than probiotics paired with other types of dietary fiber such as oat and rye bran.

They theorize that this is because blueberries have strong antimicrobial and antioxidative properties that many other fiber-rich foods, particularly grains, lack. These qualities give blueberries a somewhat unique ability to ward off inflammation caused by harmful bacteria that irritate the lining of the intestines. This in turn allows naturally occurring beneficial bacteria as well as transient probiotic bacteria to better colonize the intestines.

Another advantage of combining blueberries with probiotics is a noticeable increase in specialized acids that are formed by soluble fiber as it is dissolved in the intestines and enters the bloodstream. These acids, known as butyric and propionic acids, are a well-known source of essential energy for the intestinal cells.

The humble blueberry’s ability to help the body heal and revitalize delicate intestinal tissue is an impressive feat on its own, but the benefits it offers when combined with with a good probiotic are simply amazing.

If you’re already a fan of blueberries, and are looking for an all-natural probiotic supplement to help counteract the symptoms of intestinal disease, I strongly recommend that you give Latero-Flora a try. It’s unique formula is a safe, proven way to help your body maintain its natural digestive balance.

This new research only reinforces the importance of eating healthful, nutritious foods such as blueberries. It also reminds us of the importance of maintaining a digestive environment that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines.

By supplementing a proper diet with a high-quality probiotic, not only can you help to ensure that your body gets the absolute most out of the foods you eat, you can also combat the symptoms of intestinal disease.

More Green Living Articles:

• 7 Berries You Should Eat Everyday
• 12 Health Benefits of Acai Berries
• The Health Benefits of Antioxidants
• How Probiotics Assist a Colon Cleansing Program

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

I am proud to announce that on Thursday, July 22nd. I will be the featured guest on Talk Hour on NaturalNews from 9-10pm (EDT). Along with host Jonathan Landsman, we will be discussing a “New Hope for Autism”.

Launched by NaturalNews.com in 2009, Talk Hour is a free online show that allows you to call in and ask the experts your health questions. I would encourage everyone to tune in on Thursday nights, especially on this Thursday, July 22nd when I will be the featured guest! If you want to call in to ask me a question, you will need to register on NaturalNews.com, and they will then send you instructions for calling in. If you would like to register, just visit NaturalNews.com and you will can register in the “web form” in the top right column.

Come join me and call in! I will be live on the air from 9-10pm (EST), so be sure to register early!

~Dr. G

Other Radio Interviews:

• Interview with Mike Adams of Natural News [Audio]
• Dr. Group’s last Appearance on Talk Hour (January 28th)
• Interview with Alex Lubarsky [Audio]

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

We’ve all heard the debate about eating meat and how it may have a negative effect on the environment.

Here are a few reasons why eating an excessive amount of meat may be causing more harm to our planet than good.

The Effects of Meat Production on the Land

Grazing land leads to deforestation and has pushed a number of species to the brink of extinction. Even livestock raised using “factory farming” techniques create the same disproportionate strain on the environment due to the massive quantity of grains necessary to fatten them up. All that grain has to be grown somewhere.

The impact of meat consumption is perhaps most obvious in South America where large portions of tropical rain forest has been leveled for grazing. Some sources estimate that, globally, up to 90% of all deforestation is the result of poorly managed and unsustainable ranching practices.

The Effects of Meat Eating on the Water Supply

Not only does commercial meat production put a heavy toll on land—it also uses incredibly large quantities of water. In fact, it requires eight times as much water to grow a cow as it does to grow a cow’s weight in rice or soybeans. And those two crops require significantly more water than other popular grains such as wheat or corn. Here’s another way to think about it: the average beef cow will use about 30 olympic-size swimming pools worth of water before it goes to slaughter.^[1]

The huge quantities of animal waste runoff produced by these operations invariably leeches out into the water supply and effects the natural aquatic life cycle as well. Livestock manure is rich in nitrogen, phosphorous, and other fertilizers. These chemicals eventually work their way into our streams and rivers where it is then carried out to sea. The ever increasing “dead zones” now found in coastal regions throughout the world are caused largely by algae overgrowth, or blooms, which are spurred by the unnatural high levels of fertilizer.

The Effects of Raising Meat on the Air Quality

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Raising animals for food doesn’t just negatively impact the land and water, but the air as well. The equipment used to grow, process and ship meat requires large quantities of energy, much of which comes directly from burning fossil fuels. And because in many cases farming and ranching practices are less strictly regulated than other less rural industries, their emissions output is comparatively high.

It may sound silly, but methane released from cattle burps and farts account for 20% of all methane emissions in the United States.^[2] When combined with emissions from fossil fuel consumption, they account for six percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas output.

But I love eating meat! What can I do to help?

If you want to do your part in protecting the health of the Earth, but still want to enjoy a good barbeque now and then, consider offsetting your diet’s environmental impact by making smarter consumer decisions and moderating your consumption habits.

Livestock that are raised on sustainable, organically-certified land requires significantly less fossil fuel than regular commercial meats. And cutting meat out of your diet just one day a week can do more to reduce your carbon footprint than switching to a hybrid car. In fact, there is even an international campaign called ‘Meatless Monday‘, that exists to encourage people to give up meat at least one day a week, to help improve their overall health, as well as the environment.

I would personally recommend reducing or eliminating your meat intake, not only will it help the environment, but it would do wonders for your health. Instead, try following a raw food diet, or just increase the overall amount of raw fruits and veggies in your diet. You will notice a difference pretty quickly.

~Dr. G

Related Blogposts:

• 10 Foods High Vitamin D
• 8 Foods that Cause Acid Reflux
• Does It Matter How Late We Eat?
• The Health Benefits of a Raw Food Diet

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

It’s no secret that high fructose corn syrup is detrimental to your health. Unfortunately, it’s also no secret that it has replaced other forms of sugar in a disturbingly large number of manufactured foods. Even worse is that most high fructose corn syrup is made from genetically modified corn.

Since the late 1980s, HFCS has replaced regular table sugar, honey, and similar sweeteners in practically everything. Prolonged consumption of HFCS is now the topic of much debate and we are learning that it can cause long-term damage to the body.

A number of studies conducted over the past few decades indicates that consumption of HFCS is connected with a wide range of health concerns. Here are a few of the more important health dangers of high fructose corn syrup you should know about:

High Fructose Corn Syrup Dangers

1. Significant Risk of Weight Gain & Obesity

The list of studies that show HFCS to cause increased weight gain over other forms of sweeteners is much to long to put into this post. One of the better, and more recent ones, was conducted at Princeton University^[1], and found that rats that were fed HFCS gained fat 300% more quickly than those fed an equal (or slightly larger) dose of fruit-derived sugar.

2. Increased Risk of Developing Type-2 Diabetes

Over the years, consumption of high-fructose corn syrup can lead to a huge increase in the likelihood of developing diabetes.^[2] The worst part about it is how easily this life-long condition can be avoided in most cases. Excessive amounts of soda, energy drinks and junk-food simply aren’t worth losing a foot or going blind or harming your children.

3. Hypertension and Elevated “Bad” Cholesterol Levels

High-fructose doesn’t just make your body fat. It makes your heart fat too. There is a strong link between the irresponsible consumption of high fructose corn syrup and elevated triglyceride and HDL (bad cholesterol) levels.^[3] Together these can cause arterial plague build-up and eventually lead to dangerous heart conditions including hypertension, heart disease, and even stroke.

4. High Fructose Corn Syrup & Long-Term Liver Damage

This is a big one that a lot people overlook. Like anything else you eat or drink, HFCS is processed by your liver, gallbladder and kidneys. And it’s especially destructive to your liver. When combined with a sedentary lifestyle, permanent liver scarring can occur.^[4] This greatly diminishes the organ’s ability to process out toxins and, over time, can lead to an expansive range of other negative health concerns. Another study suggests that HFCS may also cause fatty liver.^[5]

5. Mercury Exposure from HFCS

Even if you were already aware of previously mentioned risks associated with corn syrup, there’s a good chance that you didn’t know it also often loaded with alarmingly high levels of mercury. In a study conducted just last year they found mercury in over 50 percent of the samples tested.^[6] Mercury exposure can result in irreversible brain and nervous system damage – especially in young, growing bodies. This is especially worrisome with the abundance of HFCS in children-target foodstuffs.

Alternatives to High Fructose Corn Syrup

The dangers of high fructose corn syrup are both numerous and severe. Some estimate the more than one-third of the American food supply has been polluted by it. If you’re looking to cut back on your exposure to corn-sugar, I urge you to start really reading product labels if you don’t already. As an alternative, I would personally recommend zylitol, stevia or raw local honey as a sweetener.

More Articles About Nutrition:

• Is Agave Nectar Safe?
• The Health Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners
• The Effects of Genetically Modified Foods
• 10 Foods You Can Eat During a Colon Cleanse

Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog