B lifestyle newsdigest

Bugs or Pesticides?The idea of finding, or worse, eating “worms” in your lettuce, cauliflower, or broccoli sounds

really gross for most people. In our culture, we’ve grown pretty used to perfect-looking

produce—perfectly round, red tomatoes; big green broccoli; soft golden mangoes,

etc. We’re not used to imperfections in appearance. Sadly, we trade looks for taste and

nutrition value much of the time… and worse, for toxic pesticides.

People expect large, ripe, and blemish-free fruits and vegetables to travel across the

country to a supermarket near them, still looking like they just came out of the fields. And

they expect them to stay in perfect condition for several days, if not weeks! But the fruit

and vegetables found in most supermarkets do look bright, shiny, firm and blemish-free

probably because they have been sprayed with pesticides and chemical preservatives.

In the natural world of farming, adult female moths lay eggs on the cabbage and lettuce plants, and the hatching caterpillars

or “worms,” feed on the outer leaves and heads causing defoliation and reducing the grade or marketability of the crop.

Application of chemical insecticides is one method that farmers can use to protect vegetable crops against insect attacks.

Medical studies show that pesticides can cause health problems, such as birth defects, nerve damage, cancer, fertility

problems and other effects that might occur over a long period of time. Infants and children are especially sensitive to

health risks posed by pesticides because their internal organs are still developing and maturing.

At Healthy Options, we’re continually working with our local organic farmers in finding ways to reduce, if not eliminate, bug

infestations using natural and harmless pesticides. Meantime, I suggest when buying fresh organic produce, try adding

some salt along with the vinegar to the water you use to wash/soak the vegetables. Thorough inspection before buying

helps, but is not always practical, so blanching the vegetables for a few minutes can also help. On the bright side, while

it’s not visually appealing, finding bugs in your fruit and vegetables is a sign that they have not been sprayed with toxic

chemicals. Personally, I prefer to eat salad that I have prepared myself and/or know that the source of the vegetables has

impeccable provenance.

My tips: Get to know where and how the fresh produce, meat, and seafood you buy is grown, caught, slaughtered, processed,

packed and shipped (I know it’s a drag; when I was a kid I just ate! But times have changed; we now live in a toxic world of fast

and cheap food). Ask about storing tips and temperature. Find and develop good relationships with local farmers/vendors.

Support them. Buy on provenance, not just looks. If the shop assistants can’t tell you where their fresh produce, meat or

seafood comes from, don’t buy. Do the same with restaurants.

We digest it for you... The Healthy Options Lifestyle News Digest tracks all the medical and nutrition journals, research, conferences, and newsletters. Then we summarize what is essential for you to know to get better and stay healthy. The Healthy Options Lifestyle News Digest is in no way intended to replace the knowledge and/or diagnoses of health care professionals. Always consult with your physician whenever a health problem rises requiring expert care.

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Boost Your Immunity Boost Your Immunity

6. MushroomsMushrooms such as reishi, shiitake

and maitake contain compounds

that enhance immune function

and boost the body’s ability to fight

disease and infection. Some even

have anti-cancer effects.

7. Probiotic-FoodsYogurt made with large amounts

of bifidobacterium lactis helps to

raise the number of total helper

and activated T-lymphocytes, and

natural killer cells in the body. It even

enhances the ability of immune

cells to engulf and destroy foreign

invaders, as well as the ability of

natural killer cells to kill tumor cells. Other probiotic-containing

foods can help, too.

8. Colourful VegetablesColoured vegetables, such as

dark leafy greens, orange and

yellow carrots and yams, and red

tomatoes and peppers, are rich

in carotenes. Carotenes, as well as

other antioxidants, boost immune

function by protecting the thymus

gland against damage.

The thymus is the major gland of the immune system which is

responsible for numerous immune system functions, including

the manufacture of T-lymphocytes and the secretion of certain

hormones which regulate several immune functions. When levels

of these hormones are low, immunity is suppressed. The thymus

gland is very prone to free-radical and oxidative damage from

stress, chronic disease, infections, drugs and radiation. Carotenes

not only protect this gland, they also boost the function of certain

white blood cells and interferon.

2. Green SuperfoodsGreen foods such as spirulina,

chlorella, barley grass and wheat

grass are packed with essential

nutrients and antioxidants which

enhance immunity plus improve

various aspects of health.

3. Cabbage-Family Veggies

Consume plenty of vegetables in the

cabbage-family, including broccoli,

cauliflower, collards, kale, Brussels

sprouts, radish and turnip. They not

only support immune function, but

also help prevent cancer.

4. Vitamin C-Rich FoodsWhen it comes to immune function,

vitamin C is undoubtedly one of the

most important vitamins. A great

dose of this nutrient resides in

certain foods, including citrus fruits.

These include acerola, bell peppers,

cantaloupe, citrus and pineapples.

Camu-camu, according to James

Duke, PhD, is an Amazonian fruit which has the highest vitamin C

content in the world.

5. Garlic and OnionsGarlic has an extremely long history

of medicinal use to fight infections.

Many studies have shown the

antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal,

antiparasitic and even anti-cancer

properties of compounds found in

garlic. Garlic has even been referred

to as the “Russian penicillin”. Onions

are close relatives of garlic and have many similar antiviral

compounds. Similarly, it can be used in broths and soups.

8 TYPeS OF FOOd For Better Immune System

Source: www.naturalnews.com

Everyone has to eat anyway, so relying on foods to give immune

function a boost makes perfect sense. Here are some foods which

can give anyone’s immunity a lift.

1. Natural Whole FoodsA well-balanced diet containing

sufficient amounts of various

essential nutrients forms a critical

foundation of good immune

function. According to Michael

Murray, ND, “nutrient deficiency

is the most frequent cause of a

depressed immune system.” In

fact, much research points to the fact that deficiency in just one

particular nutrient can significantly affect one’s immunity.

For example, vitamin A deficiency can result in lowered cellular

immunity and an elevated infection rate, while vitamin C deficiency

can lower phagocyte function and decrease cellular protection. Lack

of vitamin E can reduce antibody production, while lack of vitamin

B6 can reduce cellular immunity. When one has insufficient vitamin

B12, lymphocyte proliferation may be reduced. Lack of zinc can raise

infection rates, reduce thymic hormone levels and lower T and B cell

function. If copper is lacking, resistance to infection is depressed.

The list goes on.

To minimize the risk of deficiency of any nutrient, consume plenty

of natural whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes,

whole grains, nuts and seeds.

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Boost Your Immunity Boost Your Immunity

Source: www.naturalnews.com

5. Lymphatic and Blood Flow. Another benefit from foot massage

is stimulating blood and lymph flow. Your body has lymph nodes

all over which are the tiny factories that help process and clean the

toxins from your lymphatic fluid into the blood which then gets

taken back through the veins to the heart to get cleaned. Lymph

nodes are also known as glands which in our legs are situated

behind our knees.

6. Colours. Nail lacquers are fun and there are loads of colours

to play with. With colours to fit any season or any occasion, your

therapist will also use a base coat to protect your nail plate from

getting stained. A top coat will also be used to help lock in your

colour and help the lacquer last longer.

7. Feel Good. One of the most important benefits is the feel

good factor. It’s amazing how your feet, when treated, can make

you feel so good about yourself and give a real confidence boost,

along with feeling relaxed, clean and pampered.

1. Appearance. Having nice groomed, polished toes is always nice

and can make you feel sexy and sleek when wearing a nice pair of

open-toe shoes or sandals.

2. Dry skin. Your therapist is able to scrub and exfoliate your feet

to help soften and scrape off dead dry skin especially around the

heel and big toe area. However, for more severe cases of painful

cracked heels your therapist may refer you to a Podiatrist who are

qualified to use cutting implements to treat such foot disorders.

3. Nail Health. Buffing your nails doesn’t just make them look nice

and shiny but is also important to stimulate blood flow to the area.

Blood carries nutrients which are vital for nail health and growth.

Although we clip our nails short, good nail growth can be a sign

of good nail health.

4. Relaxation. Pedicures can include massage and getting your

legs and feet massaged can be a great way to relax, release tension

and de-stress. And we all know how important it is for oneself to

take some time out and regular de-stressing is vital for your health. Source: www.luxelounge.co.nz

2. Fights free radicals

Maple syrup is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals

that fight damaging free radicals, which in turn, helps keep the

body running optimally.

The University of Rhode Island found that maple syrup can help

ward off a variety of health conditions due to its anti-inflammatory

and antioxidant compounds, ranging from cancer and osteoporosis

to Alzheimer’s and diabetes.

In particular, manganese is a mineral in maple syrup that is

especially effective in banishing free radicals so that the body’s

metabolic functions can run at optimal levels. It’s also known to

help repair muscle, as well as cell damage.

3. Boosts the immune system

The levels of zinc in maple syrup contribute to keeping the white

blood cell count up, which is important to keep colds and certain

illnesses at bay.

Zinc has also been shown to play a role in men’s reproductive

health, as it is important for the health of the prostate gland.

It’s no secret that added or unhealthy sugars can wreak havoc

on the body. For example, the large quantities of sugar in sodas

contribute to the obesity epidemic and throw blood sugar

levels out of whack. Plus, the dangerous ingredients in artificial

sweeteners are toxic to the body and can negatively impact mental

and physical health.

However, that doesn’t mean sugar cravings can’t be satisfied. In

fact, eating the right kind of sweetener not only tastes great but

can help health immensely.

Pure, organic maple syrup has many health benefits.

How maple syrup helps overall health:

1. Helps control weight

For those watching their weight, maple syrup is lower in calories

than honey, and it’s much safer to eat than artificial sweeteners.

In fact, not only do artificial sweeteners expose the body to toxins

such as formaldehyde and wood alcohols such as methanol, but

studies show that, despite the lure of having no calories, they can

actually get in the way of weight loss.

Researchers said, “The data clearly indicate that consuming a food

sweetened with no-calorie saccharin can lead to greater body-

weight gain and adiposity than would consuming the same food

sweetened with a higher-calorie sugar.”

MaPle SuGaRImportant for Strong Immune System

Top 7 BeneFITS oFGeTTING a PedICuRe

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Boost Your Immunity Boost Your Immunity

green mold, you are familiar with this kind of spoilage. Refrigeration slows the growth of these microbes. In doing so it buys you a little bit of time between the time your fruit is fully ripe and the time it starts to deteriorate.

Cut FruitFresh cut fruit always requires refrigeration. Whether the fruit was cut before you bought it or whether you cut it up, that fruit needs to be refrigerated. Soft fruits that have been cut up, fruits like mangoes or melons, typically have a shelf life of two days or less even if they are refrigerated. Fruits containing more acid or harder fruits have a slightly longer shelf life. Anytime you cut open a fruit, you accelerate the ripening process and expose that fruit to bacteria, mold and fungus. For both food safety reasons and food quality reasons, keep cut fruit in the refrigerator.

ethylene: The Ripening HormoneEthylene is a small hydrocarbon gas. It is naturally occurring, but it can also occur as a result of combustion and other processes. You can’t see or smell it. Some fruit will produce ethylene as ripening begins. Mangoes, apples and pears are examples of fruit that produce ethylene with ripening. Ethylene is responsible for the changes in texture, softening, color, and other processes involved in ripening. Fruits such as cherries and blueberries do not produce much ethylene and it doesn’t influence their ripening.

Ethylene is thought of as the aging hormone in plants. In addition to causing fruit to ripen, it can cause plants to die. It can be produced when plants are injured, either mechanically or by disease.

Extend the life of your fruits and vegetables by learning how to select and store your produce.

Don’t let your produce spoil your health or your budget. Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients, fiber and antioxidants. They are living, breathing organisms that will go to waste if not used in time, and their nutritional value diminishes as they begin to spoil.

Understanding how produce spoils, what to look for and what you can do to slow down the spoilage process pays dividends for your body and your wallet.

CausesMost fruits and vegetables go bad because of damage caused by microorganisms such as bacteria and mold, enzymatic processes or bruising.

Microorganisms speed produce deterioration through structural decay. Microorganisms such as bacteria and molds release their own enzymes as they grow, speeding up the spoiling process.

Enzymes, which occur naturally in live fruits and vegetables, are part of the natural aging process. Enzymatic browning leads to discoloration and later, spoilage. Bruising physically alters the exterior of your fruits and vegetables, which trigger enzymatic reactions.

StorageHow you store your fruits and vegetables has a significant impact on their lifespan. Cold temperatures are best for slowing down respiration — but do not store produce inside airtight containers, because the total lack of respiration will speed decay. Exceptions are onions, garlic and potatoes, which are best stored outside of your refrigerator in a cool, dry and dark space.

Fruits emit ethylene gas, which speeds ripening, and some vegetables are more sensitive than others. Incompatible combinations include apples and apricots stored with spinach, lettuce or other leafy greens.

Source: www.livestrong.com

The effects of Refrigeration on FruitMargaret Barth, author of “Microbiological Spoilage of Fruits and Vegetables,” estimates that of all the product that is grown in the United States, 20% will be lost to spoilage. One of the chief means of reducing this spoilage is refrigeration. Some fruit benefits from refrigeration. Some, however, is spoiled if you put it in the refrigerator too soon.

RipeningSome fruits ripen after they are picked. Strawberries, cherries and grapes ripen on the plant. Once you pick them, they may get softer due to the natural deterioration of plant matter, but they will never get any sweeter. Once picked, these fruits are as ripe as they will ever get. Fruits that don’t ripen after picking should be refrigerated immediately. Other fruits that fall into this category are apples, blueberries, raspberries, tangerines, oranges, limes and blackberries.

Ripening after PickingOther fruits continue to ripen after picking. If the fruit is left on the plant long enough, the plant will send the signal. But the signal can also be triggered by a wound to the plant. The wound made when the fruit is cut from the plant can actually trigger ripening. These kinds of fruits--avocados, bananas, mangoes, pears, plums and tomatoes--will stop ripening if you put them in the refrigerator. For best quality, ripen them at room temperature in a brown paper bag. When the fruit is fully ripe, you can store it in the refrigerator to stop it from over-ripening or spoiling.

Refrigeration and SpoilageAll fruit can spoil. Ripe fruit spoils more quickly than unripe fruit. One of the reasons fruit spoils is bacteria, mold and fungus. If you have ever forgotten about a peach only to find it covered in blue or

Why Do FruITS & VegeTaBleSGO Bad?By Amanda Hynes and Susan Peterson

BITTeR TaRT SWeeT VeRY SWeeT

Keep at room temperature Refrigerate

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Boost Your Immunity

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Immune system antibodies attack and destroy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. By young adulthood, people with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections to survive.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The immune system attacks the nerves controlling muscles in the legs and sometimes the arms and upper body. Weakness results, which can sometimes be severe. Filtering the blood with a procedure called plasmapheresis is the main treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Source: www.webmd.com

autoimmune diseasesIn response to an unknown trigger, the immune system may begin producing antibodies that instead of fighting infections, attack the body’s own tissues. Treatment for autoimmune diseases generally focuses on reducing immune system activity. Examples of autoimmune diseases include:

Rheumatoid Arthritis. The immune system produces antibodies that attach to the linings of joints. Immune system cells then attack the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain. If untreated, rheumatoid arthritis gradually causes permanent joint damage. Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis can include various oral or injectable medications that reduce immune system overactivity.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus). People with lupus develop autoimmune antibodies that can attach to tissues throughout the body. The joints, lungs, blood cells, nerves, and kidneys are commonly affected in lupus. Treatment often requires daily oral prednisone, a steroid that reduces immune system function.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The immune system attacks the lining of the intestines, causing episodes of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent bowel movements, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the two major forms of IBD. Oral and injected immune-suppressing medicines can treat IBD.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The immune system attacks nerve cells, causing symptoms that can include pain, blindness, weakness, poor coordination, and muscle spasms. Various medicines that suppress the immune system can be used to treat multiple sclerosis.

Immune System disordersallergies and asthmaAllergies result from the immune system’s overreaction to a non-threatening foreign substance. Foods and inhaled particles like pollen and pet dander are the most common allergens (substances causing allergic reactions). When the immune system senses an allergen, it stimulates the release of chemicals such as histamine.

Symptoms of the resulting allergic reaction can include breathing problems, eye irritation, rash, nasal congestion, or nausea and vomiting. Antihistamine medications can reduce symptoms, but avoiding allergen exposure is the best preventive treatment for allergies.

Asthma is a condition in which the immune system becomes overactive in the airways (bronchi) in the lungs. People with asthma suffer periodic episodes of constriction of their airways (bronchospasm), making it harder to breathe. Most people with asthma also have ongoing inflammation in their airways. Asthma treatment sometimes includes a daily inhaled corticosteroid, which reduces immune system overactivity and inflammation.

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