Today's Health Tip: Eggs, Meat, and Cheese

This article is courtesy of  bewellbuzz.com

Eggs, Meat and Cheese: Heart Healthy Foods?

Research shows that a major risk factor in developing heart disease is not actually a diet high in saturated fat (SFA) and cholesterol, but is more accurately described as a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from industrial vegetable oils, low in healthy saturated fats, and lacking in much needed fat-soluble nutrients. The latter diet is associated with increased cell inflammation, thyroid dysfunction, hormone insensitivity such as leptin resistance (causing excess fat storage and insatiable hunger).

Although the public has lately been convinced that high cholesterol and, more specifically, LDL cholesterol, are serious markers for heart disease, this view has been debunked, or at least improved. Now we understand that a critical marker is not LDL itself, but damaged, toxic LDL (aka “oxidized” LDL), and the most likely candidate for this toxicity is not saturated, but polyunsaturated fat. According to experts, whereas saturated fats are resistant to oxidation, PUFAs are highly susceptible, and overconsumption has raised the incidences of heart disease in America.

An Unconventional Expert

Chris Masterjohn is a young and outspoken Ph.D with an audience of health pioneers including Chris Kresser and Dr. Mercola. His background is unconventional. He left high school at 15 to be home-schooled; but even that was too much of a box for him. A year later he dropped homeschooling and earned his High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). He went on to grab both an Associate and Bachelor of Arts degree before completing his Ph.D in Nutritional Sciences with a concentration in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition. Pretty cool. He also sang choir and served at Holy Trinity Church in Willimantic, CT. Now he’s embraced by the renegade nutrition underground, the ones ever-after food and drug industry giants such as Monsanto and Pfizer, as a foremost expert on the truth concerning cholesterol, debunking myths that blame heart disease on dietary cholesterol, and saturated and animal fat.

An Unconventional Diet Plan

In his video presentation, Are Animal Fats Good For You, Masterjohn concludes with his heart-healthy diet recommendation to make the AHA’s head spin:

• Avoid oils rich in PUFAs (poly-unsaturated fatty acids), mainly vegetable oils like corn, cottonseed, soybean, safflower, canola and sunflower seed oils; the ones found in nearly all processed foods;
• Get adequate iodine from fish, shellfish and seaweed; iodine is crucial for proper thyroid function;
• Avoid “goitrogens,” which are substances found in foods that can interfere with thyroid function, and include soybean products and cruciferous vegetables;
• Get adequate vitamin K2 from hard cheese, egg yolks, fermented foods and grass-fed animal fats;
• Eat fresh foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants;
• Consume organ meats, especially heart, for CoQ10; and
• Be sure to get plenty of vitamins B12, B6 and folate to help reduce homocysteine (an amino acid associated with heart disease if levels are high), by eating foods such as shellfish, liver, leafy greens and bananas.

Obviously this is a far cry from the touted low fat heart-healthy diet consisting of minimal saturated fat; low in meat and high in vegetables, grains, and vegetable oils.

The Diet-Cholesterol Myth: Bad Science?

In his presentation Masterjohn further exposes the faulty science behind the diet-heart hypothesis, which was spearheaded by Ancel Keys. In the 1950s Ancel Keys presented his findings to the American Heart Association (AHA) that diets high in fat, particularly animal fats, caused heart disease. He’d conducted research, which he entitled the “7 Countries Study.” In it he documented a graph showing that in 6 of these nations the people who ate lots of fat high in SFA and cholesterol, also had a high rate of heart disease.

For those six countries, the numbers did seem to suggest that.

However, he left out the data from the remaining 16. Yes, though he titled it the “7” Countries  Study, there were in fact 22 countries studied. Those left out provided data that disproved the hypothesis. In fact, some populations who had diets high in the suspect nutrients had almost zero incidences of the disease.

The AHA board initially rejected Keys’ theory, and Keys was notably criticized for his views. But a decade later, the board seemed to have changed their minds.

Actually, a decade later the data hadn’t changed, but the board did: Keys was on it. From the high seat of the AHA, Keys released the information to media, and thus began the campaign against dietary saturated fat and cholesterol.

Also check out our post on 4 Important Reasons Why Your Body Needs Cholesterol

Dangers of PUFAs

In more recent years studies have verified that it’s not cholesterol, and it’s not even LDL, the so-called “bad” cholesterol, that serves as a serious marker for cardiovascular disease. Actually, the risk increases when LDL particles linger in the blood too long, interact with oxygen and are damaged, a process known as oxidation. The immune system then responds by insulating the now toxic particles with plaque. Particularly if the small LDL particles managed to slip within the arterial walls when oxidized, this can easily lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

LDL oxidation isn’t so much a problem for saturated fats, which are resistant to oxidative damage. This is primarily a concern for polyunsaturated fats. Affirms Stephan Guyenet, also Ph.D, speaker, author, biochemist, researcher at the University of Washington,

Polyunsaturated fats are much more susceptible to oxidative damage than saturated or monounsaturated fats…

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that oxidized LDL plays a dominant role in atherosclerosis. Not only is it associated with cardiovascular risk, there’s also a large -body of evidence suggesting it actually directly contributes to it. [emphasis mine]

To be clear, eating natural whole food sources of PUFAs such as nuts and seeds is safe. You’d have to consume huge amounts of these foods to match the concentrated levels in the oils. We get into trouble when we eat too much processed food, abundant in these industrial vegetable oils.

Swapping SFAs with PUFAs: A Bad Idea

A study conducted through Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School examined the influence of diet on the progress of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. Perhaps to their surprise, researchers discovered that a diet high in PUFAs accelerates the progress of the deadly condition; but “a greater saturated fat intake is associated with less progression of coronary atherosclerosis.” [emphasis mine]

Simply stated, PUFAs help to “clog” arteries. SFAs don’t. Also notable, the study found that eating lots of simple carbs with a high glycemic index (white bread, soda pop, candy bars, etc.) was also associated with the progression of atherosclerosis.

Facts About Eggs

Among the high-cholesterol foods under attack, perhaps eggs have been the most controversial. For healthy people, eggs are safe. Masterjohn cites a review of multiple studies examining the effects of egg yolks on cholesterol levels. The research showed that “when people consume three to four eggs per day, with the yolk, virtually everyone experiences either no change or beneficial changes in their cholesterol levels.”

He summarizes the results:

• Eggs have little to no effect on the blood cholesterol levels of 70% of people;
• In the remaining 30%, HDL:LDL increased but ratio stayed the same, which means noincreased risk of heart disease;
• Eating eggs actually keeps LDL particles big and fluffy (good) and causes fewer small particles, which more easily slip into arteries and increase risk of atherosclerosis (bad);
• Consumption of eggs enriches HDL and LDL with carotenoids, which protect against oxidation and lower the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Today's Health Tip: Foods That Help Prevent Alheimers and Dementia

This article is courtesy of  naturlalnews.com

Ten foods to help reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's
(NaturalNews) The incidences of dementia and Alzheimer's in the United States are anticipated to increase along with people's longevity. A study indicated that the direct and indirect medical costs in the country may be expected to double by the year 2040. The rising number of incidences of these mental conditions have triggered efforts to devise preventive measures. According to research specialists, people can modify their lifestyles to decrease the probability of developing dementia and Alzheimer's. These include integrating daily physical and mental exercises and a healthier diet.

These mental health problems are two of the most devastating degenerative illnesses today. However, research indicates that they are easily preventable. If a member of the family suffered from it, other family members can prevent acquiring this health problem through diet modification.

There are certain food items that can be incorporated in the daily diet to help enhance brain functioning, such as:

1. Green, leafy vegetables like mustard leaves, spinach, kale and collard.

These vegetables have a high folate (folic acid) content which can help decrease depression and improve cognitive functions.

2. Vegetables of the Cruciferae family, such as cauliflower, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and bok choy.

They have folate and carotene that help decrease the levels of amino acids associated with impaired cognition.

3. Legumes and beans have magnesium, iron, folate and potassium.

These components help maintain the functioning of the body's systems and action potential in the cells of the brain. These food items also have choline, which increases the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain.

4. Cherries and berries have anthocyanin, which helps in protecting the brain from more harm caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals.

At the same time, polyphenols are found in blueberries, which are great in preventing the buildup of pathogenic proteins that are found prevalent among people with brain diseases. These fruits are antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. They contain high amounts of vitamins C and E.

5. Whole grains like kammut, quinoa, and gluten-free oats are complex carbohydrates that are rich in fiber and B vitamins.

Carbohydrates are converted into glucose, which is the major energy source of the brain.

6. Omega-3 fatty acids are great brain boosters

A report indicated that there is 26 percent less risk of developing lesions in the brain that cause brain disease among individuals who consume food high in omega-3 fatty acids on a daily basis. Apparently, these dietary components are efficient in maintaining brain functions. Omega-3 can only be obtained through the consumption of fish, olive oil, flaxseed and omega-3 supplements.

7. Unsalted pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds have healthy fats, vitamin E, choline and zinc, which are useful in maintaining cognitive health.

8. Squash, pumpkin, asparagus, carrots, beets and tomatoes should not be overcooked.

They contain vitamins and minerals like folate, iron and vitamin A, which are all useful for brain wellness and boosting its function.

9. Sage, cinnamon, turmeric and cumin

These spices help to break down plaque buildup in the brain. Sage has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin, which provides the yellowish color of turmeric, is a potent anti-oxidizing enzyme. Cinnamon is known to enhance cognition, regulate sugar levels in the blood, contain manganese and have antimicrobial properties. Cumin is rich in phosphatidylethanolamine, which facilitates regeneration of brain cells.

10. Almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans and peanuts all contain pyridoxine (a B vitamin), folate, magnesium and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help to boost brain functioning.

Other health issues that affect the brain unfavorably and need to be prevented include heart ailments, obesity, diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. In addition, to maintain a healthy body and sound mind, people should steer clear of environmental pathogens, excessive stress, sugar, caffeine, illicit substances, excessive alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking.

Healthy decisions take account of being responsible for your own health and wellbeing, socializing with encouraging peer groups, creating an environment free of toxins, engaging in regular exercise and weight maintenance, sleeping for eight hours, properly managing stress and having gratitude.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

http://www.foodforthebrain.org

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

Today's Health Tip: 3 Things To Improve Your Health

This article is courtesy of  liveinthenow.com

3 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Health

Most of us are aware of the basic strategies touted for improving health. Increasing intake of healthy foods, exercising, smoking cessation and weight loss are some common examples, but there are some other health secrets on the cutting edge of research that you might not know about. Here are the 3 strategies that top my list:

1. Be a Better Host to Your Bacterial Guests

Research is starting to reveal the important link between our body’s microbiome and our health. For years, researchers have understood that these bacteria play a role in the health of our gastrointestinal system, but exciting new research is implicating these bacteria in a much broader health context.

First, it is important to gain perspective on just how many of these organisms we are hosting. For every one human cell that makes up our body, we have 10 bacterial cells that outnumber it! That means we humans carry more bacterial genetic information than human genetic information. These bacteria live everywhere in our body and are concentrated in the greatest numbers in our colon where they influence a multitude of factors related to health.

Over the past hundreds of thousands of years, the human body and the bacteria that inhabit it have developed a mutually beneficial relationship. With over 10,000 different bacterial species that can possibly inhabit our body, it is important that we create an environment that fosters the species associated with the most health benefits.

Emerging research is solidifying the link between different bacterial species and specific aspects of health. One system of the body that seems particularly influenced by these bacteria is our immune system. This is no surprise considering that 70 percent of our immune system is located in our gastrointestinal system where the majority of these bacteria make their home. Clinical trials have shown that children who consume probiotics that contain good bacteria have lower incidences of upper respiratory infection compared to children who did not take probiotics suggesting a positive effect on immunity. Human and animal research has also confirmed the role of gut flora in regulating inflammation, promoting weight loss, preventing insulin resistance, combating allergies and even balancing mood and temperament.

If emerging research continues to validate the critical role that microflora play in sustaining our health, improving your gut bacterial balance might be one of the most important factors in improving health.

Here are 5 easy steps to improving your gut flora today:

1.Eat more fiber: Fiber contains the nutrients and food necessary to feed the good bacterial that live in our gut. These “prebiotics” can only be consumed by the beneficial bacteria in our colon and provide an environment that fosters the growth of good bacteria and inhibits the growth of bad bacteria. It is important to consume both soluble and insoluble forms of fiber, including the fiber in whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Variety is important because each type of food has a different type of fiber that helps to produce a wide array of nutrients for the bacteria.

2.Reduce Junk Food and Processed Food: Processed foods typically lack fiber and due to processing are very sterile. They provide a large degree of calories that are absorbed in the upper intestines but leave no fibrous residues to feed the bacteria in the lower intestines. In addition, they contain additives and compounds that can irritate the lining of the intestines producing inflammation and detrimental microbial shifts.

3. Minimize Antibiotic Usage: Although antibiotic therapy is often necessary, overuse can contribute to long-term negative shifts in gut flora. Antibiotics can kill the bad bacteria that cause illness, but they do not discriminate and also readily kill the good bacteria in our bodies as well. It is important to talk to your doctor about the use of antibiotics and ask him or her if they are absolutely necessary. Many doctors prescribe antibiotics simply because of patient pressure so other options may be available. If you have to take antibiotics, make sure to take a probiotic supplement during the antibiotic administration and for at least 7 days after the course is complete.

4. Consider the use of a probiotic: Probiotic supplementation has shown a multitude of health benefits. Although researches are still reluctant to claim that probiotics are the ultimate fix for bacterial balance, there is enough evidence in the research to support their positive overall impact on health. In addition, probiotics have an excellent safety record and are safe to use in infants as well as the elderly.

5. Eat more cultured food: Most people are aware that yogurt is good for the gut bacteria, but there is no guarantee that the yogurt you buy in the store still has any live active cultures. The best way to ensure that you are getting good, live bugs for your gut is to make your own cultured foods. Homemade yogurt, kefir, cultured vegetables and sauerkraut are the best ways to boost the intake of friendly bacteria.

2. Eat More Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients are the chemical compounds in plants that may play a biological role in humans, but are not established as essential nutrients. A good example is the phytonutrients in plants known to be powerful antioxidants like the anthocyanins contained in blueberries.

For many years, it was thought that the vitamins in minerals contained in fruits and vegetables were the reason why these foods were associated with improved health. While these nutrients are important to health, new research is uncovering the important role of phytonutrients. Many of these plant chemicals provide an abundance of naturally occurring antioxidants and some have even been found to alter the expression of our genes. For example, some of the phytochemicals in broccoli and turmeric increase the activity of our genes responsible for the production of glutathione. Glutathione is our body’s most powerful cellular antioxidant and is considered a vital key to health.

Phytonutrient evaluation of foods consistently shows that organically grown foods have significantly higher levels of these health-giving chemicals than their conventionally grown counterparts. This is likely a result of the fact that plants produce phytonutrients as a protection mechanism from predators. Plants grown with pesticides need less of their naturally occurring repellants to thrive. So eat organic and get more of these important nutrients and less toxic residue.

If you want to learn which foods have the highest phytonutrient content, use this link.

3. Optimize your Intake of Vitamin D3

Did you know that the “sunshine vitamin,” also known as vitamin D, is something of a misnomer? Technically, it should be classified as a prohormone (a substance that your body can convert to a hormone), but it was discovered in food before scientists realized that the body’s primary source of vitamin D is exposure to the rays of the sun.

Many experts consider activated vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) to be the most powerful steroid hormone in the human body. Over the past 15 years, research has linked vitamin D to amazing health benefits including its most well known role in supporting the health of our bones and skeletal system. But did you know that numerous studies have also shown that vitamin D is critical to overall longevity, cellular health, immune function and optimal cardiovascular function?

If you live in North America and do not spend the majority of your time outdoors in the sun than I firmly believe that if you were to only take one vitamin supplement, hands down it should be vitamin D. In addition to its role in supporting healthy bones here are some other reasons why vitamin D is so incredibly important:

1. Longevity: Simply put, taking vitamin D can help you defy death! Several studies have now alluded to vitamin D’s ability to reduce overall mortality, which simply means that individuals with higher blood levels of vitamin D tend to have a reduced risk of dying from any cause.

2. Cellular Health: Vitamin D has shown impressive results when it comes to influencing cellular health. It plays an important role in promoting normal cellular growth and cellular longevity. Over 30 years ago, it was hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency was correlated to increased risk of abnormal cellular growth in the colon. Since then, dozens of studies have supported this theory. A 2006 review found that increasing blood levels of vitamin D to 35ng/ml reduced the risk of abnormal cellular growth in the colon by 50 percent! A more recent review of previous studies also showed an impressive 33 percent risk reduction among those with higher blood levels of vitamin D.

3. Cardiovascular Health: Vitamin D levels have been closely correlated to many aspects of cardiovascular health. Its role in the body seems to influence the control of blood pressure and the maintenance of healthy arteries. One very large study followed nearly 50,000 healthy men for 10 years and found that those who were deficient in vitamin D were two times more likely to have a heart attack vs. men who had adequate levels. Other studies have correlated adequate vitamin D levels to many improved parameters of cardiovascular health: Pilz S, Marz W, Wellnitz B, et al. 2008, Pilz S, Dobnig H, Fischer JE, et al. 2008, Wang TJ, Pencina MJ, Booth SL, et al. 2008and Dobnig H, Pilz S, Scharnagl H, et al. 2008.

The best way to determine your optimal intake of vitamin D3 is to have your doctor do a simple blood test to measure your vitamin D3 levels. Daily supplementation between 2000 IU and 5000 IU is often sufficient to get blood levels into the optimal range of 45 ng/ml-65ng/ml, although some people might need megadoses if their blood levels are very deficient. Blood levels should be monitored every 3-6 months until optimal levels are obtained and then annually after that.

Today's Health Tip: Avoid These Toxic Foods

This article is courtesy of  drpompa.com

Dr. Pompa’s Top 10 Toxic Foods

“Our bodies do not need help healing, they just don’t need interference.”

Since learning the importance of proper diet and lifestyle through my own personal health challenges (Please click here to read my article on R1 – Removing the Source of Toxins), I share this list of ten toxic foods with the hope that it helps to change others’ lives for the better, as this information has dramatically changed my own life. The following list provides dietary guidelines to integrate into your lifestyle for overall improved health, brain function, detoxification, hormone regulation, and weight-loss. I do not believe that there is one specific diet that is right for every person; however, making these shifts in eating habits decreases inflammation in the body, which is at the root of most modern disease. Avoiding these toxic foods will jumpstart the healing of any health condition at the cellular level. For more detailed information on the dietary protocol for true cellular healing and plenty of delicious and fun recipes, check out my book, “The Cellular Healing Diet.”

AVOID these foods for radically better health:

1. Grains (Even Whole Grains!)

Did you know that eating two slices of whole grain bread raises blood sugar just as much as drinking a 12 ounce can of soda? Grain products such as bread, pasta, and crackers quickly turn into sugar in the body and promote inflammation at the cellular level. When cellular function is compromised due to chronic systemic inflammation, cells cannot communicate well with each other and vital hormones become unbalanced causing weight gain and a host of other ailments. Grains also contain anti-nutrients, the plant’s innate self-defense mechanisms, which make grains very difficult for humans to digest and assimilate.

Eating exclusively “whole” grains does not solve the problem either. Although whole grains contain some fiber, vitamins and minerals, they are very high in a sugar called amylose. Amylose drives cellular inflammation by spiking blood sugar, which is the same reaction that occurs after consuming non-whole processed grains.

Perhaps most importantly, the majority of grains today are genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The genetic modification of grains causes the denaturing of proteins and carbohydrates to the point that the body no longer recognizes them as foods. The immune system then creates an inflammatory reaction in response to these denatured foods, which creates an ideal environment in the body for illness to arise. Grains are not the healthy food that people think they are, and should be avoided for optimal health.

2. Vegetable Oils

Scary fact: the half-life of trans fats (a partially hydrogenated vegetable oil), found in foods like french fries, is 51 days. This means that after 51 days, only half of the negative effects of this man-made fat have been processed by the body. An additional 51 days (totaling 102 days) are needed to remove the majority of this toxic fat. Makes you think twice before downing that plate of fries, eh?

Man-made fats like hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, margarine, and trans fats are often used to extend the shelf life of foods. These bad fats have replaced natural, good fats (or “God” fats), and are found in many foods today due to their low cost. These oils denature very easily, since they are sensitive to heat and light, and are likely rancid before they make their way into your kitchen or restaurant meal.

Vegetable oils cause cellular congestion, and are a huge health concern due to their wide-spread and excessive consumption. These oils are linked to chronic inflammation, and may even lead to cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, neurotoxic syndrome, chronic fatigue, and other serious diseases. But the solution is simple: remove the bad fats and replace them with good fats such as organic butter and cream, coconut oil,  flax oil, MCT oil and hemp oil. Good fats are the number one most lacking nutrient in the modern American diet, and are essential to hormone production, decreasing inflammation, and yes, even weight-loss.

3. Refined Sugar

If you want to age faster than anyone in your neighborhood (Please click here to read my article on the 5 Diet Secrets to Anti-Aging), simply raise your blood glucose by eating plenty of refined sugar. Refined sugar unnaturally spikes and elevates levels of glucose and the hormones insulin and leptin. Prolonged spiking and elevation of insulin and leptin lead to insulin and leptin resistance, which means that the cells cannot hear what the hormones are telling them to do in order to function normally. This hormone resistance not only leads to premature aging, but to diabetes, heart disease, ADD, ADHD, high cholesterol, cancers, and the inability to lose weight. Consumption of refined sugar also lowers function of the immune system, and promotes systemic yeast overgrowth (called Candida), which has nasty side effects like thrush, vaginitis, and skin outbreaks.

Sugar is also an anti-nutrient, comparable to grains, and interferes with the absorption of other important nutrients. Sugar robs the body of its precious nutrient stores, and offers insignificant amounts of vitamins and minerals. Refined sugar is very toxic stuff, and consuming it regularly will no doubt put you on the fast track to looking older than your age, and what’s worse, getting sick. To add sweetness to my diet, I use a bit of Stevita stevia supreme, which is an incredibly sweet herb native to Paraguay. The sweeteners steviosid and rebaudiosid A, extracted from the plants, are 300 times sweeter than regular sugar, so you don’t need to use very much, and are not metabolized and contain no calories. Stevita stevia is 100% naturally extracted, tastes wonderful, and is a great alternative to nasty refined white sugar.

4. Genetically Modified Foods (aka GMOs) 

I like to say, “If man changed it, exchange it.” GMOs are bad news, friends. Herbicides, like glyphosate, which are sprayed on GMOs, disrupt hormone balance, kill beneficial gut bacteria, create psychological issues, impede natural detoxification, and promote obesity. I recently discussed the very real dangers of GMOs with Jeffrey Smith, the leading consumer advocate promoting healthier non-GMO choices. Smith’s exhaustive research documents how biotech companies are putting the health of society and the planet in danger by continuing to promote and produce GMO crops. The interview shares why genetically engineered foods are destroying the health of our nation by causing numerous diseases, and the pressing need for consumers to reject GMO ingredients from their diet. To watch the interview and learn the shocking facts click here.

Common genetically modified foods include corn, soy, milk, canola oil, sugar beets and wheat. To avoid GMOs when shopping look for the Non-GMO Project’s label on food items. Also, start asking questions and stay informed! If we quit buying GMOs, they will stop being produced. Support labeling of GMO foods and vote with the almighty dollar.

5. Conventional Meat

You aren’t what you eat: you’re what you’re eating ate! There is an important distinction to understand between conventional meat and organic, grass-fed meat: the difference lies in the meat’s fatty acid ratio. Scientists now believe that a meat’s ratio of fatty acids, like omega 3 and omega 6, is more important than the measure of the singular fatty acids themselves. For example, cows were designed to eat grass. When fed an unnatural diet of grain, instead of grass, changes occur in the cow’s fatty acid ratio and denature the good fats into bad fats. Conventionally raised meat has fatty acid ratios which are greatly disproportionate to those of organic, grass-fed meat. When conventional meat is consumed by humans, the unbalanced fatty acid ratio contributes to a myriad of health problems, such as hormonal issues, skin conditions, Type 2 diabetes, and slower brain development and ADHD in children.

Plus, hundreds of current studies link conventionally produced meats to cancer and heart disease. The bio-accumulation of commercial pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics and hormones in meats is alarming, and far higher than those found in commercial vegetables. And those feed lot operations are just plain sad. When shopping, I stick to 100% grass-fed, organic meats, and support local farmers when possible. The meat tastes much better than conventional meat, and when purchasing quality meat you’re voting against the inhumane animal feeding operations that are wrecking the health of America.

6. Conventional Dairy

Did you know that 99% of dairy products in the USA contain a toxic protein called A1 Beta-Casein? This protein is 23 times more toxic than gluten, and is referred to as “The Devil in the Milk”, by authors Keith Woodford and Thomas Cowan, who wrote a book of the same name. A1 Beta-Casein is a transmuted gene in cows that has affected the majority of dairy products in this country and around the world. This gene mutation occurred thousands of years ago in Europe, and it still causing trouble today. It’s no surprise that so many people react negatively to dairy products, but few understand the root of the problem. This genetic mutation in cows, which produce the toxic dairy products we consume regularly, holds the answer to the many who suffer from mild to severe milk allergies. Symptoms linked to dairy from A1 cows include digestive issues, auto-immune conditions, infertility, type 1 diabetes, autism, neurological deficiencies, and heart disease.

Additionally, twelve different pesticides have been identified in conventional cow’s milk, according to the USDA Pesticide Data Program. And don’t forget about the loads of steroids, hormones, and antibiotics pumped into cows to force them to produce milk in massive quantities. Yikes! Pasteurized and homogenized A1 dairy products definitely do more harm to our bodies than good.

However, consuming cultured dairy products from cows that do not have the A1 Beta-Casein mutation can offer remarkable health benefits. These cows, known as A2 cows, do not produce dairy that has the ill-effects that milk from A1 cows seem to trigger. To find out where I get my A2 dairy products, which I believe are the healthiest and most delicious available today, click here.

7. Chemically Produced Coffee

Stop and take note of how you feel after finishing your morning cup of joe. Do you feel energized? Is your brain super-charged? Are you ready to take on the world? If you’re feeling less than stellar, reconsidering your coffee bean choice could make all the difference in how you jump-start each day. Coffee beans are typically grown in countries that do not regulate the use of chemicals and pesticides, which coat the beans that we grind and drink daily. And most coffee sold in stores is at least eight weeks old and already stale, which greatly decreases the coffee’s beneficial free-radical fighting anti-oxidants. What’s worse, coffee beans are often covered in toxic mold, called mycotoxins, which may cause a variety of serious issues like kidney disease, brain damage and hypertension.

But, luckily, the health benefits of drinking coffee outweigh the risks, though you will only reap the benefits if you are consuming coffee in the right way. I recommend and personally drink the Camano Island Coffee Roasters brand coffee, which is USDA certified organic, shade-grown with high anti-oxidant levels, mold-free, and sustainably harvested. You can get a free pound of this superior coffee here. And click here to watch my video on how to make your coffee a brain-charging super health food.

8. Commercial Soy Products

So-called “health foods” such as tofu, soy milk, soy cheese, soy burgers and soy protein are not health promoting foods at all. According to the USDA, 93% of soy is genetically modified. And due to the serious dangers of consuming GMOs (see number 4 on the list) you want to avoid processed soy products as much as possible. GMO soy lurks in many processed foods under other guises such as lecithins, emulsifiers and protein powders, so always check ingredient labels to make sure to avoid this toxic ingredient.

Processed soy also contains compounds called phytoestrogens, which are similar to the hormone estrogen that our bodies naturally produce. Phytoestrogens can cause hormonal, thyroid, and reproductive concerns in sensitive individuals. Soy may also drive bad estrogen metabolites, which increases the risk of cancer development. For more information on estrogen imbalance and it’s connection to cancer risk, read my wife’s story here.

On the other hand, organic, non-GMO, fermented, soy products such as tempeh, miso, tamari, and natto can be consumed in small amounts, depending on individual tolerance. These products boast loads of beneficial cultured bacteria, which help to promote and maintain a healthy gut. Fermented foods are a vital, but hugely absent, component of the modern American diet. Try to consume fermented foods often to reap the numerous health advantages, and approach soy with extreme caution.

9. Mercury-Filled Fish

Due to the massive contamination of our oceans, many fish are filled with toxic levels of the heavy metal mercury. And pregnant women are not the only ones who should be concerned about eating toxic fish. Mercury poisoning is no joke. I myself experienced it from a different source (silver amalgam fillings) and know first-hand how dangerous and life-altering the condition can be. You can read about my story and return to health by clicking here. I’m blessed to have recovered from the serious poisoning episode and am passionate about bringing awareness to others of the havoc that mercury damage can inflict on the body.

Avoiding certain fish can help to greatly lessen your mercury exposure. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the fish with the highest levels of mercury are Mackerel (King), Marlin, Orange Roughy, Shark, Swordfish, Tilefish, and Tuna (Bigeye, Ahi). Steer clear of these most mercury-toxic fish whenever possible. Also, beware of levels of the radioactive chemical cesium that have been detected in Pacific Ocean caught fish due to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Smaller fish, like sardines and anchovies, tend to be less toxic. Know where your seafood is coming from, and stay educated.

10. “Diet” and Gluten-Free Processed Junk Foods

If you want to get fat or stay fat, keep eating and drinking the plethora of modern diet junk foods on the market today. Low-fat, low-calorie, processed “food” items are filled to the brim with chemicals, preservatives, and tons of sugar. These products are devoid of the health-promoting nutrients found in whole foods, are highly addictive, and keep you on a blood sugar roller coaster that leaves you sick, tired, and, ironically, still fat.

In addition, the current gluten-free craze is adding fuel to the fire. The market is now flooded with gluten-free products, with many folks endorsing their health benefits. The problem is that these products are filled with starches from potato, rice, corn and tapioca which spike your blood sugar just as badly, if not worse, than other glutinous grains or even refined sugar. Overconsumption of these “super sugar” ingredients can end up leaving you fatter than ever. For those with a true gluten allergy, it’s wise to eat only naturally gluten-free foods like, organic, grass-fed meat and dairy, vegetables, nuts, seeds and some low-glycemic fruits.

Bottom line: if you’re looking to lose weight and improve every area of your health, quit eating packaged and processed diet and gluten-free junk foods. And don’t fear fat! Fat does not make you fat: it’s your body’ inability to burn fat. The body simply needs to shift from a sugar-burning mode to a fat-burning mode to lose weight and keep it off long-term. To become an efficient fat-burner you should eat plenty of healthy, good-quality fats (see number 2 on the list) and cut out grains and sugars, following core principles of my Cellular Healing Diet. You will gain amazing energy, and even improve brain function by adding the right fats to your diet. Just say NO to processed “health foods” and begin changing your diet by adding in the good fats. I believe your life will change, as I’ve seen so many patients lives transform by making these shifts in their daily diet.

Now you may be wondering “If I need to avoid these toxic foods, what should I eat?” My next article will reveal the Top 10 Healing Foods, for improved brain function, weight loss, energy, and overall enhanced health and well-being. Stay tuned!