Soy: In the Pink?

Soy: In the Pink?

By Dr. Kaayla T. Daniel

Does soy prevent breast cancer or increase the risk? The debate heats up every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sadly, soy is not the ticket to breast cancer prevention or reversal. Indeed, numerous studies suggest that it can cause, contribute to, or accelerate the growth of cancer -- especially breast cancer. Of course, this hasn't stopped the soy industry from stepping up its efforts to feed women's fears while urging health-conscious women to feed on soy foods, soy milk, energy bars and other products. Witness how Vitasoy will give away its soy milk in bright pink containers – called “Pinkies” – to women attending Komen Races for the Cure.

All soybeans – organic, commercial and GM – contain the phytoestrogens known as isoflavones. Although not identical to human estrogens, these plant estrogens are similar enough to fool the body, and can cause significant endocrine disruption. That can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, including thyroid disorders, reproductive problems, breast cell proliferation (a widely acknowledged marker of breast cancer risk), and even cancer itself.

The idea that soy isoflavones could prevent cancer is ludicrous given the fact that they are listed as “carcinogens” in many toxicology and chemistry textbooks. Furthermore, modern industrial processing techniques used to make soy protein isolate, textured vegetable protein and other modern soy products leave toxic and carcinogenic residues. Despite these well-known hazards, the soy industry makes the improbable claim that soybeans are the key to cancer prevention and reversal. After all, Asians have lower rates of breast cancer and “everyone knows” they eat a lot of soy.

In fact, Asians eat soy in very small quantities, as a condiment in the diet and not as a staple food. What's more, they eat old-fashioned whole soy bean products such as miso, tempeh, natto and tofu, not the new heavily processed products sold by the soy industry such as soy milk, veggie burgers, shakes and energy bars.

The Israeli Health Ministry, French Food Agency, German Institute of Risk Assessment and Cornell University's Center for Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors have all warned women to “exercise caution” regarding soy consumption if they've been diagnosed with, or have a family history of, breast cancer. Clearly, possible benefits are far outweighed by proven risks.

Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN, is known as The Naughty NutritionistTM because of her ability to outrageously and humorously debunk nutritional myths. She is the author of The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food, which has been endorsed by leading health experts including Russell Blaylock, Kilmer McCully, Joseph Mercola, Doris J. Rapp, Jonathan Wright and JJ Virgin. A popular speaker and seminar leader, she will speak at the November 2009 Weston A. Price Foundation conference. In 2010 Dr. Daniel will take her three-day workshop on healing infertility nationwide. She is available for nutritional consultations and can be reached at kaayla@drkaayladaniel.com, on Facebook or at 505-266-3252.

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The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Dynamic Chiropractic – September 23, 2009, Vol. 27, Issue 20

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet, Part 1: Dietary Causes of Inflammation

By G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN

In the past year, I have seen growing interest concerning "anti-inflammatory diets" from both patients and medical doctors who refer patients for nutritional consultations. The two most common questions are: "What do you think about this new anti-inflammatory diet stuff?" and "When I looked it up, nobody seems to agree on exactly what it is." My standard reply is that I first heard the term more than 15 years ago and at that time it was a concept, rather than a specific diet. I explain that instead of getting hung up on Web definitions (such as all-organic, free range, all raw foods or GMO* free vegetarian), they should focus on the basic underlying themes that fuel inflammation (Table 1) and see if patients have any areas that need to be addressed.

Table 1: Common Dietary Imbalances That Inflame

Too many calories

Too much saturated fat

Too much sugar and refined carbs

High omega-6 to omega-3 ratio

High sodium to potassium ratio

The sources and/or causes of the imbalances in table 1 just so happen to be the same things that doctors, nutritionists and dieticians have counseled patients on (for years) to reduce and/or avoid (Table 2). Please note that there are exceptions for every scenario in table 2. Some examples would be: You can order moderate portions of healthy food at restaurants; protein powders with vitamins and minerals are highly processed, yet generally healthy; and consuming two sodas and a candy bar after running 26 miles does not have a negative effect on physiology. (Of course, the same cannot be said about those who have that snack while watching the race on TV.)

Table 2: Sources of Pro-Inflammatory Imbalances

Too much fast food

Too much fried food

Too much junk food

Too many soft drinks

Too many meals out

Too many servings per meal

Too much processed food

Too much high-fat animal food

Too many desserts

Too much alcohol

Conversely, a typical fast-food lunch of, let's say, a cheeseburger, fries and a soft drink, delivers a meal that is high calorie, high saturated fat, high sodium, high refined carbohydrate and low omega 3 fatty acid. In other words, all five dietary imbalances that can promote inflammation are present in a very common, very popular meal. If this person then has dinner consisting of three slices of pepperoni pizza, salad (iceberg lettuce, cherry tomato, croutons with blue cheese or Italian dressing) and a beer (not exactly an unusual dinner), the result is a second consecutive five-point pro-inflammatory exposure (high calorie, high saturated fat, high refined carbohydrates, high sodium to potassium ratio and high omega 6 to omega 3 ratio).

Next time, we will continue to explore this topic, including looking at a pro/anti-inflammatory food list and how to apply the concepts of reducing inflammation in practical ways for normal, busy people.

To Your Health
July, 2009 (Vol. 03, Issue 07)

Eating Light, Eating Right

Healthy Foods for a Healthy Summer

By Keegan Sheridan, ND

Summertime is here, which means longer days, warmer temperatures and best of all, plenty of fresh produce. The beauty of summer's produce is not only in the breathtaking color that sweeps through grocery stores or farmer's markets.

The true beauty is actually within the produce. Summer brings health-promoting antioxidants in berries, fiber in corn, vitamin A in peaches, and lycopene, also an antioxidant, in tomatoes and watermelon.

Even cooks with the most basic skills can take advantage of the wonders of summer foods and prepare delicious, good-for-you meals in just minutes. When you combine a little bit of education with simple preparation, it can be fun to mix and match flavor combinations and natural ingredients to create well-balanced meals with optimal benefits. Here are a few quick examples.

Berries Start the Perfect Summer Day

Breakfast is the perfect opportunity to learn how to work seasonal produce into your meals because there are so many quick options that take advantage of summer's offerings. A well-designed breakfast with protein and fiber means fewer cravings later in the day and more active hours to digest nutrients effectively. A simple way to add a taste of summer to this breakfast is with berries.

Berries, together with almonds, make a great topping on all-natural granolas and high-fiber cereals to provide your body the tools it needs for proper digestion. While the granola/cereal supplies the whole grains needed to fuel your body, the fruit is full of antioxidants and fiber. Best of all, this meal can take on entirely new flavors by making the slightest changes, such as strawberries one week and raspberries the next. Berries that are more exotic, such as goji berries and "yumberries," are becoming a healthy trend and easier to find in natural food stores. These are also great mixed when added to your favorite breakfast foods, like whole-grain waffles.

If you're looking for even more of a change from the ordinary, try making a homemade smoothie with 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1 tbsp nut butter, a banana and ½ cup frozen berries. A smoothie made from these types of ingredients is especially refreshing and energy-boosting on hot summer days because it is full of nutrients, fiber and protein to keep you satisfied all morning long.

Between the variety of good-for-you cereals, yogurts and summer berries, breakfast can take on many personalities and flavors. And most importantly, a well-balanced breakfast starts your day right because it gives you the foundation to continue making smart food choices throughout the day.

Noooo!!!!! Not More Poop!!!

Noooo!!!!! Not More Poop!!!

OK, I KNOW that many of you are taking a peak and a sniff now when you eliminate your waste material! It's OK, I have planted a seed of curiosity and have given you some interesting topics of conversation! Well, I'm not done yet. There are some of you who truly have healthy intestines, but many of you don't and you don't even realize it. I want to just give you some additional things to think about while you are flushing away that information.

1. Partially digested food leaves the stomach and goes to the small intestine. Stomach acid and digestive enzymes determine what type of "bugs" are in there and the rates at which they grow. The benefits of having healthy levels of all of this stuff is well developed villi (finger like projections that are binding sites for nutrients) in the intestine. (It is the villi in Celiac disease that becomes damaged and creates a laundry list of problems.) So, what do you think happens if you are not making enough stomach acid or enzymes? Things get out of wack and you develop problems. I will talk more about this later.
   
2. Healthy pooh consists of 3/4th water and 1/4th dry solid matter. The recipe for this is the following:
   
   
   • 30% bacteria
   • 10-20% fat (this is primarily produced from bacteria, some from cells and unabsorbed dietary fat)
   • 10-20% inorganic matter
   • 2-3% protein
   • 30% undigested food roughage
   
   You should be making this concoction 24/7 and flushing it daily. You must be properly hydrated to make "poops to be proud of". Your hydration can be checked on your next office visit.
   
3. The brown color comes from bilirubin which is a combination of bile from the gallbladder and old red blood cells. This should answer the age old question "What color should my fecal elimination material be?" Next, "Should it have an odor and where does that come from?" In general, there should not be much of an odor. I know that at this very moment you are thinking of someone who's pooh could make your eyes tear. Odor is created based upon what you eat and bacteria eating what you eat. Remember you are not just feeding yourself, but millions of other critters too! Your intestinal flora is your own personal chemical factory. (They also make vitamins, but that is not as much fun to talk about!)
   
4. Antacids (Tums, Priolsec, etc.) will cause an overgrowth of yeast and bacteria.This happens because these medications decrease stomach acid. Stomach acid is what kills off the bugs that enter on your food and in water. It also provides an opportunity for parasites to get past the stomach and set up residence in the intestine. When you have an overgrowth of bugs (no matter what type), they produce toxins, instead of the nutrients that WE need. Antibiotic use most bacteria, except for the strains that are resistant. The resistant strains just get stronger because the good guys (bacteria) that help to maintain balance got wiped out. There is nothing to keep them in check. By the way, all of these critters love simple sugars. Things like pancakes, candy, bread. You get the picture. By the way, this also includes gluten free products that are now available. Just because It is gluten free or came from Trader Joe's does not mean that it is healthy, so beware.

At this point you should be wondering what symptoms you might notice if things get askew. The more common ones are abdominal bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain. Some that are not so commonly known are food intolerances, skin rashes, poor exercise tolerance or shortness of breath. Memory problems, fatigue, joint and/or muscle pain may not be due to the aging process, but to your bad "poop making factory". Don't accept your age as an excuse to not feel great! Fevers from unknown causes can be another flag that something is wrong with your equipment. Look at the list of conditions that often have an underlying cause from trouble in the gut.

• Childhood hyperactivity
• Itchy skin
• Eczema
• Acne
• Chronic Fatigue
• Celiac Disease

This is not a complete list, I just included the more common ones that I see daily in the office. Wouldn't it be nice to flush with the confidence that all is well from the inside out!!

Inspiring the way you live,
Dr. Mikell Suzanne Parsons

Want To Use This Article
In Your Newsletter Or Website?

You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Dr. Mikell Suzanne Parsons is a doctor of Chiropractic, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition and Neurology. Currently she is founder of the Natural Path Health Center in Fresno, California where she continues to specialize in chiropractic, nutrition and chiropractic neurology. Visit The Natural Path Center website - http://www.naturalpathfresno.com

To Your Health
July, 2009 (Vol. 03, Issue 07)

Portrait of a Healthy Mom

It may sound impossible, but many women actually find the time and clarity to eat right, exercise consistently and maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle even with children, a job, a spouse and myriad other responsibilities. How do they do it? By learning simple, effective ways to prioritize their own health and wellness.

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Being a mom is tough, especially when it comes to finding time to exercise, eat right and just plain relax while doing all the other things moms do every day. In short, moms are continuously challenged to treat themselves with the same care and concern they selflessly dedicate to their children, their spouse and countless others. Finding the time is one of the biggest challenges, but it's an absolute necessity for your sake and the sake of your loved ones. Here are four ways to stay healthy - physically and emotionally - in the midst of the chaos:

1. Make the world your gym. This might sound strange, but it's great advice, especially when you're running around with your head cut off and can't possibly see yourself making it the gym for an hour a day, three or four days a week. "I don't have the time" is no excuse for not exercising, not when there are so many ways to get a great workout with limited equipment and time. At home, you can increase your metabolism (which promotes weight loss) and tone your muscles with simple body-resistance exercises (push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, squats, etc.) in as little as 10-15 minutes a day. If you're with the kids at a park, bring a few cones and set up a sprint course for you (and them) to run. Even riding the swings can be a heart-pumping, muscle-toning activity. Commit yourself to exercise and you'll find a million easy, enjoyable ways to do it, no matter where you are or how little time you seemingly have.

2. Plan ahead - way ahead. This is a great suggestion in general, but with respect to ensuring proper nutrition for you and your family, it's essential. Why wait until the last minute and end up rushing to prepare breakfast, get lunches ready or whip up dinner after work? In the end, not only do your kids likely suffer from a higher percentage of prepackaged, processed, microwaved foods, but so will you. To combat this all-too-common trend, plan weekly meals. On the weekends, shop for the week, paying particular attention to purchasing a variety of healthy, easy-to-prepare foods you can turn into quick meals. Anything that can be prepared beforehand and/or in large quantities is perfect - leftovers are a great way to ensure good meals during the hectic week. And involve your children in the process; it will take some of the work off your shoulders while teaching them the value of good nutrition.

3. Give yourself a break. Sometimes finding time to do nothing is just as important as finding time to exercise, eat right or do something. Just because you've finally found an "extra" 20 minutes in your day doesn't necessarily mean you've got to fill it with an activity. Taking a few moments to unwind, de-stress and get away from it all can do wonders. If the kids are asleep or otherwise occupied, kick off your shoes and relax in your favorite chair with soft music and aromatherapy (or complete silence, if that's possible); if the house is still bustling, a casual walk around the block can be just as freeing. This can also be a great time to review your day and work through any negative emotions or stresses in a calm, relaxed atmosphere.

4. Put yourself on your list of priorities. This is a no-brainer, but it's the key to accomplishing all of the above. One of the very qualities that makes moms so special - selflessness - can also be their downfall. To avoid this, make sure you're on your priority list (and not at the bottom); this doesn't mean being selfish or putting yourself ahead of your children or your other responsibilities; it's really about identifying when you need your time - and then taking it without feeling guilty. If you're convinced that sacrificing your own health and wellness to ensure the same for your children is acceptable, think of it this way: By giving to yourself, you'll be giving to them, too. By exercising, eating right and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle, you'll be in an infinitely better position to provide for them in every way. And isn't that what being a mom is all about?

Western diet pattern ‘promotes metabolic syndrome’

Western diet pattern ‘promotes metabolic syndrome’

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

From FoodNavigator.com

The high calorie, low fibre dietary pattern associated with the Western diet is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, says new research from the US.

The study, published in the journal Circulation, adds to previous studies on that point the finger at the highly processed foods and meats consumed in the Western diet in relation to a range of conditions, from obesity to colorectal cancer.

According to researchers from the University of Minnesota and the University of North Carolina, “the role of diet in the origin of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is not well understood; thus, we sought to evaluate the relationship between incident MetS and dietary intake.”

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition characterised by central obesity, hypertension, and disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism. The syndrome has been linked to increased risks of both type 2 diabetes and CVD.

Fifteen per cent of adult Europeans are estimated to be affected by MetS, while the US statistic is estimated to be a whopping 32 per cent. Obesity is established to be the main risk factor for MetS

Pamela Lutsey and co-workers analysed data from 9514 subjects aged between 45 and 64 participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. The subjects completed a 66-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to semi-quantify dietary intakes. According to the intake of 32 food groups, the participants’ diets were classified according to their adherence to a “Western” or “prudent” dietary pattern.

The researchers followed the subjects over nine years, during which 3,782 cases of MetS were identified. Lutsey and co-workers state: “Consumption of a Western dietary pattern was adversely associated with incident MetS.”

When the researchers adjusted the results to account for the intake of meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, refined grains, and whole grains, they found that fried foods, diet soft drinks, and meat consumption were also linked to an increase in the risk of developing MetS.

On the other hand, an increase in the consumption of dairy products was found to be beneficial.

Moreover, contrary to other studies, no benefits were observed for fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, refined grains, or coffee.

“These prospective findings suggest that consumption of a Western dietary pattern, meat, and fried foods promotes the incidence of MetS, whereas dairy consumption provides some protection,” wrote the researchers.

“The diet soda association was not hypothesized and deserves further study,” they added.

The Western dietary pattern has also been blamed by some for the obesity epidemic, particularly in children. Indeed, in August US paediatrician Robert Lustig, MD, from the University of California, San Francisco said that the “toxic environment” of Western diets causes hormonal imbalances that encourage overeating.