Fat Acceptance Gone Too Far?

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Friday, February 25 2005

We received an interesting article from William Campbell Douglass II, MD today with the subject line: "Bloated Ballet"

Like us, Dr. Douglass is not too happy about the modern trend toward "fat acceptance" instead of contending with the obesity problem in meaningful ways like sensible nutrition.

We all know the results (and expense) of the problem here in the USA... but did you know the trend is now spreading into Cuba?

According to Dr. Douglass, in neighboring Cuba, there's now a whole new take on this trend: Fat as art.

"Since 1996, that island nation's Danza Voluminosa (Voluminous Dance) ballet company has featured performers that would crush the average Bolshoi ballerina into pulp - some weighing more than 300 pounds. No, this isn't a parody show, and it isn't something out of a Kurt Vonnegut short story. It's REAL ART. And according to a recent AP piece, the players are capable of an astonishing range of dance moves, though naturally the leaps, pirouettes, and Grand Jettes are relatively scarce."

"As you might expect, the troupe caters to a plus-sized audience. And though Cuba hardly endures an obesity epidemic like its Northern neighbor, they are beginning to see an increase in some of the health challenges associated with an overweight population."

Is this going too far?

Shouldn't we all be helping our nations as a whole strive for a healthier population rather than cultivating, or possibly even nurturing, trends such as this?

Maybe I've just been too much of a Sci-Fi fan. After all, my favorite saying is well known by millions... "Live long and prosper."

Here's a thought: Ever notice how rare obesity was in the original Star Trek series?

Oh well... art just as beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder.

Have a super day, everyone.

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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Does Exercise Boost Immunity?

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Wednesday, February 23 2005

An interesting article in the Feb. 2005 edition of The Northern Light magazine brings the focus back onto how good exercise can be for you.

We know that exercise can strengthen the heart, tone your muscles, and help maintain an ideal weight, among its many other benefits.

According to the article, new research at Acadia University in Nova Scotia indicates that people who lift weights for 30 minutes 3 times a week have significantly stronger immune systems than a group that didn't lift weights.

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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Perchlorate Has Been Detected in Drinking Water in 26 States

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Sunday, February 20 2005

According to a recent news release by US NewsWire, Perchlorate has been detected in drinking water in 26 states and Puerto Rico, according to an occurrence study released February 9, 2005 by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The AWWA report says, "Most detections are at levels below 12 micrograms per liter."

What's The Concern About Perchlorate In Drinking Water?

According to the California Dept. of Health, perchlorate can interfere with iodide uptake by the thyroid gland. This can result in decreased production of thyroid hormones, which are needed for prenatal and postnatal growth and development, as well as for normal metabolism and mental function in the adult.

What Is Perchlorate?

According to the USA Dept. of Defense, perchlorate (Cl04-) is both a man-made and naturally occurring compound. In solid form, it is a type of salt. Perchlorate dissolves easily and moves quickly in groundwater and surface water. Once dissolved in water it remains in water for a very long time.

Ammonium perchlorate is an efficient and stable oxidizer used in solid fuel for rockets and missiles.

The USA Environmental Protection Agency has established an official reference dose for perchlorate which is consistent with the recommended reference dose included in the National Academy of Science’s January 2005 report. A reference dose is a scientific estimate of a daily exposure level that is not expected to cause adverse health effects in humans.

The reference dose will be used in EPA's ongoing efforts to address perchlorate in drinking water. It is important to note that the reference dose in EPA's draft assessment represents a preliminary estimate of a protective health level and is not a drinking water standard.

According to the EPA, wastes from the manufacture and improper disposal of perchlorate-containing chemicals are increasingly being discovered in soil and water.

Wired News reports, "More recently, perchlorate has been detected in the majority of the nation's milk and lettuce supply. High concentrations of the chemical are thought to disrupt the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism and is linked to the development of motor skills in children."

Their report is based on a study released in November 2004 by the FDA in which 94% of the milk and lettuce samples tested revealed perchlorate contamination. Though the FDA study didn't explore how perchlorate gets into lettuce or milk, scientists believe it enters the water stream through industrial leaks. It is then thought to be taken up by, and concentrated in, plants and animals.

In the above referenced report survey, the FDA found an average concentration of 5.76 parts per billion of perchlorate in the 104 milk samples it studied. In 128 samples of green leaf, red leaf, iceberg and romaine lettuce, the agency found an average concentration of 10.49 parts per billion.

What Are Considered "Safe" Limits For Perchlorate?

Adults can tolerate nearly 25 times more of the potentially toxic chemical perchlorate in their drinking water than previously thought, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday, Feb. 19, 2005.

According to the new EPA guideline, humans can consume up to 0.7 micrograms of perchlorate per day for each kilogram of body weight without experiencing "adverse health effects." Based on the assumption that a 70-kilogram (154-pound) adult drinks 2 liters of water each day, the EPA estimates that 24.5 parts of perchlorate to 1 billion parts of water is a safe limit for water quality.

EPA spokeswoman Cynthia Bergman stressed that 24.5 ppb is just a preliminary figure and added that it was based on the findings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Bill Walker, vice president of the Environmental Working Group's West Coast operations stated in November 2004, people with existing thyroid problems and pregnant women should monitor the total amount of perchlorate they ingest each day.

"We found that there are some people out there -- like the 1.6 million people of child-bearing age -- who are eating a diet very heavy in lettuce," he said. "This could be exceeding the EPA's recommended safe dose."

What Actions Are Being Taken By The Dept. of Defense (DoD) Regarding Perchlorate?

The DoD has an entire task force dedicated to perchlorate.

They have been working collaboratively with EPA, DOE, NASA and a variety of other federal, state, local and tribal entities since the 1990s to better understand and address perchlorate.

DoD has spent $59 million to date on the following initiatives:

• perchlorate detection methods,

• perchlorate occurrence studies,

• human health effects studies,

• pollution prevention measures

• treatment technologies, and

• site assessment and cleanup efforts

The two types of perchlorate most frequently used by DoD are ammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate. Ammonium perchlorate is used in rocket and missile propellants. Potassium perchlorate is used as an oxidizer in pyrotechnics such as training simulators, flares, hand grenade delays, and aircraft countermeasures.

Today, DoD makes every effort to prevent releases of perchlorate into the environment.



Sources:

AWWA Government Affairs - Perchlorate Occurrence Report - PDF file [2.8MB Download Size - Adobi Acrobat Required]

US NewsWire MediaLink Worldwide - Perchlorate Detected in Drinking Water in 26 States...

Dept. Of Defense Percholate Workgroup - Percholate Facts

USA Environmental Protection Agency - Perchlorate

USA Environmental Protection Agency - Perchlorate and Perchlorate Salts Risk Information

Wired News - EPA Sets Perchlorate Guideline

Wired News - Rocket Fuel in Milk, Lettuce

California Dept. Of Health Services - Perchlorate in California Drinking Water:
Overview and Links

USA Food And Drug Administration - Perchlorate Questions and Answers

USA Food And Drug Administration - Exploratory Data on Perchlorate in Food

California State-wide Summary of Perchlorate-Contaminated Sites - Joint GEOTRACKER SWRCB And DTSC Perchlorate Confirmed Contaminant Site Data

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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Feeling Exhausted? Here's a great tip!

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Thursday, February 17 2005

If you often feel fatigued, it could be time to head for the treadmill. According the "The Northern Light" magazine, researchers at the University of Oslo in Norway asked some 6,000 women about their exercise habits and how often they felt tired.

When they followed up 15 months later, they found that study sujects who had exercised at least 20 minutes once a week were, on average, 30% less likely to feel fatigued.

A little exercise goes a long way toward building strength and beating exhaustion!

And don't forget to drink your Goji Juice!!

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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McDonald's Lawsuit Settled - More On Trans Fatty Acids

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Tuesday, February 15 2005

Two law suits against fast food giant McDonald's have been settled in favor of the plaintiffs.

One law suit brought forward and won by Ban Trans Fat requires McDonald's to give effective notice to the public that their oil was not changed.

McDonald's announced in September 2002 that it was voluntarily changing to a cooking oil with less trans fat and that the change would be completed by February 2003. However, McDonald's encountered operational issues and the oil was not changed. Plaintiffs claimed in the lawsuits that McDonald's did not take sufficient steps to inform the public that it had not changed the oil.

In accordance with the settlements in both law suits, McDonald's will pay $7,500 to BanTransFats.com, and $7,500 to Plaintiff Katherine Fettke which she is donating to charity. There are also a large list of other costs McDonald's will be footing the bill on according to the "Terms of Settlement."

On January 12, 2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. We reported the new release the following day. Here's something we thought our visitors and readers should be aware of... The Guidelines include the following recommendation:

"Consume 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids and less than 300 mg/day of cholesterol, and keep trans fatty acid consumption as low as possible."

The Guidelines also contain the following strong message to the food industry:

"Because trans fatty acids produced in the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils account for more than 80 percent of total intake, the food industry has an important role in decreasing trans fatty acid content of the food supply."

Tommy Thompson, the Secretary of HHS in the Bush Administration, said at a news conference on the Guidelines on January 12, 2005 that the FDA may recommend that daily intake of trans fat be less than 2 grams, perhaps less than 1 gram. In effect, that would mean totally avoiding any food containing partially hydrogenated oils.

Here are some interesting stats provided from BanTransFats:

In a recent survey, five popular restaurant or takeout foods were randomly selected and analyzed for their trans fat content. Trans fats were found in all of the products that were tested:

• Five small chicken nuggets from a fast food chicken outlet contained nearly 4 grams of trans fat.

• An apple danish from a donut shop contained about 2.7 grams of trans fat.

• Two vegetable spring rolls from a Chinese takeout contained about 1.7 grams of trans fat.

• Just one fillet of battered fish from a fish and chips restaurant dinner contained about 1.2 grams of trans fat -- and that's not including the trans fat in the French fries.

• Even in pizza you'd most likely ingest about 1 gram of trans fat in two slices -- most of it from vegetable shortening used to process the crust.

• For those of you who eat at McDonald's in the United States, one large French fries contains 6 grams. A baked apple pie contains 4.5 grams.

BanTransFats states, "Incidentally, don't think that the problem is only at McDonald's or other fast-food chains. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many other restaurants, including 'quality' restaurants, fry their food in partially hydrogenated oil and served baked goods containing partially hydrogenated oil."

They also report:

"Many products have labels saying they have zero grams of trans fat, but you will see from the list of ingredients that they still contain partially hydrogenated oil. That's because under FDA regulations "if the serving contains less than 0.5 gram, the content, when declared, shall be expressed as zero." Suppose a product contains 0.4 grams per serving and you eat four servings (which is not uncommon). You have just consumed 1.6 grams of trans fat, despite the fact that the package claims that the product contains zero grams of trans fat per serving."

To learn more about trans fatty acids, visit this Harvard School Public Health report released Nov. 1999.

Here is an important quote from the above report:

"By our most conservative estimate, replacement of partially hydrogenated fat in the U.S. diet with natural unhydrogenated vegetable oils would prevent approximately 30,000 premature coronary deaths per year, and epidemiologic evidence suggests this number is closer to 100,000 premature deaths annually."

Here are some things worth noting about what is happening elsewhere around the world regarding trans fatty acids:

Denmark has effectively banned partially hydrogenated oils. Oils and fats are forbidden on the Danish market if they contain more than 2 per cent trans fat. The penalty for violation of the law is a fine and up to two years in prison. [Danish Exec. Order No. 160 of 11 March 2003.] Denmark's food minister said: "We put the public health above the industry's interests."

On May 18, 2004, CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban partially hydrogenated oils from our food supply.

"The 37-page petition CSPI filed with the FDA would prohibit the food industry from using partially hydrogenated oils. Based on FDA data, CSPI estimates that 11,000 to 30,000 lives, perhaps many more, would be saved each year if those oils were removed from the food supply. The economic benefit over 20 years would be about $1 trillion. The FDA had concluded that requiring trans-fat labeling alone would save between 240 and 480 lives each year."

On November 18, 2004, the New Democratic Party (NDP) introduced a bill in the Canadian Parliament which would effectively ban trans fats. On the same day, as a direct result of the NDP's initiative, the Canadian Government health ministry, Health Canada, announced the formation of a task force to "develop recommendations and strategies for reducing trans fats in Canadian foods to the lowest levels possible."

It's more than just a "trend" or a "passing fad" ...it's quickly growing into HUGE DEMAND for all out bans on hydrogenated fats.

Food suppliers around the world would be well-advised to take notice and work hard to reduce and/or eliminate trans fatty acid products from their production processes.

We hope you have found this article helpful.

Stay well and be happy. We appreciate you!



Sources:

Note all links below open in a new window.

Health Canada News Release Nov. 18, 2004 - Health Canada announces multi-stakeholder task force to find ways to reduce trans fat in Canadian food.

CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) May 18 2004 Press Release - TransFreeAmerica Campaign Launched

Ban Trans Fat Feb. 11 2005 - Plaintiffs' Press Release On Settlement
of McDONALD'S TRANS FAT LITIGATION

Healthier U.S. - Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005

CTVA.ca Restaurant Survey News Release - Trans fat in many restaurant, takeout foods

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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Attack on Health Supplements Exposed!

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Monday, February 14 2005


We've been receiving emails about this from sources "very high up" in the Nutrition Industry, including Len Clements (an expert witness often called upon by the FTC for his legal expertise) and many more.

When the first email arrived, I didn't have much time to check deeper into things.

Since then, more than 50 additional emails from several different sources began pouring into my inbox --- all urging us at Best Liquid Vitamins to expose this information to our loyal visitors and customers. I still haven't had time to read through all the shocking reports and news...

Here's a copy of what John Herring wrote:

Can you imagine paying $300 for a bottle of low-potency vitamins? What about having to get a prescription for vitamin C? Think that's farfetched? Think again.

Efforts are underway right now to classify essential vitamins, herbs, minerals, and enzymes as pharmaceutical drugs, putting them under rigorous government regulation and control. Eventually these natural products would be manufactured from synthetic materials and available only by prescription.

"Not in my lifetime," you say? How about August of 2005?

That's when the Directive on Dietary Supplements (legislation that was introduced by a U.N.-sponsored commission) goes into effect in the European Union (EU). Starting in August, vitamin and herbal supplements in Europe will have to be "proven safe and effective" before they can be sold to the public. This will result in a ban on nearly 300 vitamin and mineral ingredients (many of which are in the same form as those found in food) and the removal of some 5,000 products from the market.

But that couldn't happen here in the U.S. Could it?

According to the Federal Register, the FDA Policy on Standards reads: "Where a relevant international standard exists, or completion is imminent, it will generally be used in preference to a domestic standard." So much for national sovereignty.

There is a serious conflict of interest going on.

On the one hand, all of us are being encouraged to eat smarter and get regular exercise, with the belief that we can all get far healthier through choosing proper natural foods we consume through our daily diet. And many medical practitioners also support supplementing your diet to ensure you are getting enough of everything you need to stay healthy.

On the other hand, some powerful force is pushing buttons at very high levels of government.

Are they saying we're not intelligent enough to make healthy choices? Are they implying even our own Doctors are not smart enough to choose safely for us?

I'm a determined Mom who will do everything I can for my child to give him the best support in every possible way.

And something tells me there are a lot more Moms and Dads out there just like me --- who care passionately about the health of their families --- and would do the same.

Are you currently taking supplements that ARE working well for you and your family?

If so, I think you really need to be aware of the plans underfoot. Here's the copy of Len's letter to us:

2/12/2005

MarketWave Alert #46

If you are involved in a nutrition based company, or you just care about your health and your right to choose what supplements you use, please read the notice below. I know a lot of these kinds of warnings make their way through cyberspace all the time, and so many of them are overreactions or completely baseless that it's easy to get jaded and ignore them. Please don't ignore this one. This threat is very real. Although there are those who will claim this CODEX bill described here has a very slim chance of ever passing, I would not underestimate the lobbying power of the drug companies.

The massive public response to the FDA's last attempt to regulate dietary supplements is what got the DSHEA act passed in 1994. It's time to let them know once again how you feel about a Megadose of Vitamin C being declared a drug and quadrupling in price. As hard as it might be to believe that this could actually happen, do what I just did and check it out for yourself. It's scary what's going on right now under the radar of tens-of-millions of American consumers.

Please act now. The clock is ticking and time is almost up.

Len Clements
MarketWave, Inc.

READ THIS VERY IMPORTANT HEALTH MESSAGE BELOW AND CONTACT EVERYONE.

Your right to choose your vitamin, mineral and other supplements may end in June of this year (2005).

After that U.S. supplements will be defined and controlled by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The CODEX ALIMENTARIUS (Food Code) is setting the supplement standard in all countries in the WTO. They will be enforced by the WTO and will over ride U.S. laws. The U.S. President and Congress agreed to this take-over when the WTO Treaty was signed. Violations are punished by WTO trade sanctions, CODEX drastically restricts vitamins, minerals, herbs and other supplements. CODEX met secretly in November, 2004 and finalized step 8 (the final stage), to begin implementation in June, 2005.

The CODE includes:

1) No supplement can be sold for preventive or therapeutic use.

2) Any potency higher than RDA (minimal strength) is a drug requiring a prescription and must be produced by drug companies. Over 5000 safe items now in health stores will be banned, terminating health stores as we now know them.

3) CODEX regulations become binding internationally.

4) New supplements are banned unless given very expensive CODEX testing and approval.

CODEX now applies to Norway and Germany, among others, where zinc tablets rose from $4 per bottle to $52. Echinacea (an ancient immune-enhancement herb) rose from $14 to $153 (both examples are now allowed by prescription only). They are now drugs! Vitamin C above 200mg, niacin above 32mg, vitamin B6 above 4mg are banned over-the-counter. No amino acids (arginine, lysine, camitine etc = essential amino acids!), essential fatty acids (omegas 3, 6, 9, etc), or other essential supplements such as DMEA, DHEA, CoQ10, MSM, beta-carotene, etc, are allowed.

The CODEX rules are not based on real science. They are made by a few people meeting in secret not necessarily scientists. In 1993 the FDA and drug corporations tried to put all supplements under restriction and prescription. But over 4 million Americans told Congress and the President to protect their freedom of choice on health supplements. The DSHEA Law was passed in 1994, which does so. But this will be over ruled by CODEX and the World Trade Organization.

Virtually nothing about it has been in the media. What the drug corporations have failed to do through Congress they have gotten by sneak attack through CODEX with the help of a silent media. What can be done at this late hour?

1) Spread the word as much as possible. Please look at these websites, and inform yourselves fully at www.ahha.org; www.iahf.com. and www.alliance-natural-health.org.

2) Oppose bills S.722 and H.R.3377. These support the CODEX restrictions with U.S. laws, changing the DSHEA law.

3) Support H. R. 1146 which would restore the sovereignty of the U.S. Constitution over CODEX.

4) Express your wishes to the President, Senators and Representatives ASAP.

5) Contact health marketing groups that can get their members to inform the government.

Are you as concerned about this information as I am? If so, send an SOS through this link.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important information and taking action today.

Live long and stay healthy. We appreciate you!

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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Scary Numbers On Weight

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Thursday, February 10 2005

Almost one third of people living in the European Union are overweight and more than one in ten is now obese, according to European Association for the Study of Obesity.

The numbers of children who are overweight is set to rise from 20 per cent to 25 per cent by 2008, say analysts Datamonitor.

In the US an estimated 65 per cent of adults and 16 per cent of children and adolescents are either overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please support the movement towards healthy diet and regular exercise. Future generations will thank you for it.

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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Fun Facts: How Beta-Carotene Got Into USA Carrots

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Thursday, February 10 2005

Did you know that the carrot hasn't always been the Vitamin A powerhouse that it is today?

Here's some great information we uncovered about the humble orange root vegetable over at the USDA Agricultural Research Center (a fun place to go for fun facts on nutrition).

Over two decades ago, scientists in the ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit at Madison, Wisconsin, began a quest to breed carrots packed with beta-carotene — an orange pigment used by the body to create vitamin A. Thanks largely to this ARS work, today's carrots provide consumers with 75 percent more beta-carotene than those available 25 years ago.

Here's some additional information provided on the site:

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The researchers, led by plant geneticist Philipp Simon, haven't limited themselves to the color orange. They've selectively bred a rainbow of carrots—purple, red, yellow, even white. Scientists are learning that these plant pigments perform a range of protective duties in the human body—which is not surprising, says Simon, since many of the pigments serve to shield plant cells during photosynthesis.

Red carrots derive their color mainly from lycopene, a type of carotene believed to guard against heart disease and some cancers. Yellow carrots accumulate xanthophylls, pigments similar to beta-carotene that support good eye health. Purple carrots possess an entirely different class of pigments—anthocyanins—which act as powerful antioxidants.


While colored carrots are unusual, they're not exactly new. "Purple and yellow carrots were eaten more than 1,000 years ago in Afghanistan and 700 years ago in western Europe," says Simon. "But the carrot-breeding process has gone on intensively for just 50 years."

Simon and his team of ARS researchers and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) have recently shown that their highly pigmented carrots are a ready source of some sought-after nutrients.

The Eyes Have It

Lutein is one of the hydroxy carotenoids that make up the macular pigment of human retinas. Consuming foods high in lutein may increase the density of this pigment and decrease the risk for developing macular degeneration, an age-related disease.

"Up to now," says Simon, "we didn't know whether lutein was biologically available from carrots, because they're considered a complex food."

In a study to determine humans' lutein uptake from lutein-rich yellow carrots, Simon, along with UW's Sherry Tanumihardjo, recruited nine 23- to 28-year-old volunteers to eat the carrots and take a lutein supplement. By reading the participants' blood serum levels, the researchers found that lutein from the carrots was 65 percent as bioavailable as it was from the supplement.

Tanumihardjo, an assistant professor in UW's Department of Nutritional Sciences, says, "While other foods might contain higher levels of lutein—like spinach for instance—lutein is absorbed very well from lutein-rich carrots."

In another study, Simon and Tanumihardjo found that lycopene from red-pigmented carrots is 40 percent as bioavailable as it is from tomato paste. "Not everyone eats or likes tomatoes," she says, "so finding another source of lycopene that also provides beta-carotene is very positive."

Their lycopene study appeared in the May 2004 issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The lutein study appeared in the July 2004 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Behind the Colors

In nature, different strains of carrots contain varying types and amounts of carotenoids—the pigments responsible for orange, yellow, and red colors. To assist seed companies and growers who wish to produce nutrient-rich carrots, Simon and his lab are working to map all the genes that play a part in synthesizing carotenoids in major carrot lines. Simon now knows of 20 genes that are involved. But determining a particular gene's role in generating carotenoids is not that straightforward.

"There are complexities in reading these genes," he says, "since their functions often change with the plant as it progresses through its life cycle." From Simon's work, it appears that two or three major genes account for differences in white and orange carrots and that another couple of genes separate yellow carrots from red.

Why Be Conventional?

What would you say to a glass of purple carrot juice? Some aren't so sure.

Aside from enhancing the nutritional value of carrots—as well as onions, garlic, and cucumbers—researchers at Simon's laboratory also work to improve the veggies' culinary quality and appeal.

"It's hard to know what to aim for when selecting for a purple carrot," Simon says, "since we've no defined type to go by." So he's subjecting the new varieties to consumer taste tests, hoping to find carrots with a sweet and mild flavor.

"People who are asked to taste the colorful carrots are concerned about their flavor," says Simon. "We've become married to the colors we associate with particular foods. We eat with our eyes, to some extent."

Tanumihardjo agrees. "I did a study to find out whether carrot color prompted perception of taste at all," she says. "When people were able to see the color of the carrot—whether it was purple or red—they responded more favorably to it."

With the help of Tanumihardjo, Simon is tapping taste preferences through an unexpected group of eaters: children in Wisconsin's inner cities and American Indian reservations. Children from lower income groups are at greater risk for developing a nutritional deficiency, like low vitamin A status. "Some of these kids have never even had a carrot before," says Simon. But their comments so far have been positive, according to Tanumihardjo.

With their compelling health benefits and a thumbs-up from taste testers, Simon's colorful carrots will be a great addition to supermarket produce aisles once consumers create a demand for them.—By Erin K. Peabody, Agricultural Research Service Information Staff.

This research is part of Plant, Microbial, and Insect Genetic Resistance, Genomics, and Genetic Improvement, an ARS National Program (#301) described on the World Wide Web at www.nps.ars.usda.gov.

Philipp W. Simon is in the USDA-ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit, 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706; phone (608) 262-1248, fax (608) 262-4743.

"Carrots With Character" was published in the November 2004 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.

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Of course, carrots can't compete with the original Himalayan bloodline of the goji berry (Lycium Barbarum) ...the richest source for carotenoids on the planet... and yet who knows what tomorrow's carrots will bring to us?

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Statements on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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ARS Announces Technology Transfer Winners

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Thursday, February 10 2005

This is a copy of a recent news release posted on the USDA Agricultural Research Service website that I thought our readers would find interesting. (Remember we wrote about the sunflower spread peanut butter substitute several months ago?) Bringing you the latest in cool developments here at Best Liquid Vitamins:

ARS Announces Technology Transfer Winners

By Marcia Wood
February 10, 2005

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 — Scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) were honored Wednesday by their agency for moving a variety of technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace, farm fields, orchards and even backyard gardens, including techniques for controlling fruit flies and development of a new sandwich spread made from roasted sunflower seeds. ARS is USDA's chief scientific research agency.

The awards were presented at ARS' annual national awards ceremony at USDA headquarters here.

[CONTROLLING FRUIT FLIES AND RELATED PESTS]

An award for "Outstanding Efforts in Technology Transfer" went to Hawaii-based ARS scientists and their federal and state colleagues for development and dissemination of science-based, environmentally friendly technologies for controlling oriental and Mediterranean fruit fly and other invasive species of tropical fruit flies.

The ARS winners were entomologists Roger I. Vargas and Eric B. Jang and plant pathologist Dennis Gonsalves at the agency's U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center at Hilo, Hawaii, and ARS collaborators Carroll O. Calkins, formerly at Wapato, Wash., and Robert M. Faust, formerly at Beltsville, Md. The other team members were Ronald Mau of the University of Hawaii at Manoa; Stuart H. Stein of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and Lyle Wong of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

"Growers and hobbyist gardeners who are trying out these fruit fly control tactics are harvesting unblemished guavas, loquats and other top-quality produce for local and export markets," said ARS Administrator Edward B. Knipling.

[SUNBUTTER - PEANUT BUTTER SUBSTITUTE]

Chemist Isabel M. Lima and food technologist Harmeet S. Guraya, both at the ARS Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans, La., also won an "Outstanding Efforts in Technology Transfer" award for developing a sunflower-seed spread that offers a flavorful option for children and adults who are allergic to peanuts.

"This sunflower-based product also makes a healthful and delicious addition to yogurt, ice cream, health bars, filled pretzels and other foods," said Knipling.

Lima and Guraya collaborated on development of the spread with Red River Commodities, Inc., of Fargo, N.D., whose SunGold Foods division now offers a line of sunflower-seed-based spreads.

[MORE AWARDS IN OTHER AREAS]

ARS experts honored for "Superior Efforts in Technology Transfer" were:

Plant pathologist Tim R. Gottwald, ARS U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Ft. Pierce, Fla., for leadership in developing and applying new, cost-saving technologies to control the spread of plant diseases such as citrus canker and plum pox.

Nutritionists Rena L. Cutrufelli, Vincent P. de Jesus, David B. Haytowitz, Linda E. Lemar and Robin G. Thomas, who worked with HealtheTech, Inc., of Golden, Colo., to make USDA's food composition database easy to download and search using either a Personal Digital Assistant or personal computer.

Entomologists Maria Guadalupe Rojas and Juan A. Morales-Ramos, both at the Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, Stoneville, Miss., for collaborations with Ensystex, Inc., of Fayetteville, N.C., and Waterbury Companies, Inc., of Waterbury, Conn., to formulate effective new baits to kill insect pests including Formosan subterranean termites, red imported fire ants and other pests that can cause millions of dollars worth of damage every year.

Animal physiologist Mohammad Koohmaraie and food technologists Steven D. Shackelford and Tommy L. Wheeler at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Neb., for working with what is now Tyson Foods, Inc., of Dakota Dunes, S.D., to help meatpackers use the center's leading-edge system for objectively analyzing beef carcass leanness.

Source:

USDA Agricultural Research Service - February 10, 2005 News Release

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
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Fun Facts: The Secrets To Tender Meat Explored

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Thursday, February 10 2005

Researchers at the US government-backed Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) discovered that the enzyme µ-calpaina and the variation of the protein calpastatin, both have a major impact on meat tenderness.

According to their research, calpastatin determines how much calpain is active and how tender the steak will be.

"The most significant part of this project was learning that it's calpastatin — not calpain — which controls tenderness," says Koohmaraie.

Because the calpain enzyme requires calcium for this activity, Koohmaraie and Wheeler developed a way of injecting calcium into meat to help the tenderisation process along.

"This marination technique could be used to produce meat that has both improved tenderness and juiciness," say the researchers.

Since this discovery, other researchers have confirmed that the calpastatin system influences how tender steaks are.

Even the U.S. Agriculture Research Service has been conducting studies in this area:

"We're using genetics to identify DNA markers that can track variation in the calpain gene," comments Smith, "and we're looking for DNA tests that can predict the likelihood that a given animal will produce tender meat."

Don't get too excited by the discovery yet though, because attempts to develop a tenderness classification system based on calpastatin activity have not been successful.

According to Meat Animal Research Center research, this is because calpastatin explains just 45 per cent of the variation in tenderness, which is not high enough for accurate classification.

I have a feeling we'll be hearing more on this subject in the years ahead.

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
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New Taste Gene Research May Influence Foods In The Future

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Thursday, February 10 2005

In an article published Feb. 7, 2005 (FSTA – Food Science and Technology Abstract) researchers claim "Variation in taste genes could open up new opportunities for the food industry, as well as parents, to devise better strategies to enhance fruit and vegetable acceptance in children who are sensitive to bitter taste."

"It may be that childhood represents a time of heightened bitter taste sensitivity in some children, which lessens with age," say scientists at the US-based Monell Chemical Senses Center.

"Such a scenario would account for the increase of vegetable consumption that often occurs as children mature into adulthood," they add.

The study was published in the February 2005 issue of Pediatrics (115 (2), e216-e222).

According to study co-author, geneticist Danielle Reed: "The children most sensitive to PROP liked sweet more, but the reason for this relationship is not known."

She claims the difference could be due to taste receptor biology or it could be because those who are most bitter sensitive use more sugar to mask unpleasant tastes in food, and therefore come to prefer it more.

"Whatever the explanation, this is an important puzzle to solve," she adds.

"What I find most interesting is that you do not see the relationship between bitter taste receptor genotype and sweet preference in adults. The forces of experience and culture appear to have overridden the genetic effect," comments co-author Julie Mennella.

The scientists at Monell will continue to examine how experience and genetics interact to determine why consumers – both adults and children - like the foods they do.

I'm quite certain the "food flavoring" companies out there will be watching these studies with great interest.

On a sidenote, I wonder what the vegetables of the future will taste like based on the results of further studies?

Keep smiling - eat your fruits and veggies - and have a most healthy day!

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
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The "War" Between Health and Medicine?

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Thursday, February 10 2005

I stumbled across this interesting quote today from Tim Bolen (Consumer Advocate)

"There's a war going on in North America between the forces of 'Health' and 'Medicine.' 'Health' is winning, not because it has more money and power, but because the people of North America, and the world, have found out that there is a definite difference between the two -- and that it is better to be healthy than medicated. In fact, it is becoming clear that the two are opposites."

An interesting opinion, and one that is appearing to grow in popularity... and yet, in my personal opinion, not to be misconstrued as a substitute for a good doctor's care.

I personally believe when you find the right doctor for you, together you and your doctor can work out a game plan for optimum health all around, make sense?

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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Dr. Earl Mindell To Speak At The United Nations

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Wednesday, February 9 2005

Late last night, I was on a fairly long phone call with Dr. Earl Mindell, getting some additional information from him for a television producer who contacted us expressing an interest in a live interview with him.

That's how we found out about the upcoming event at the United Nations.

Dr. Mindell has been invited to speak before the United Nations on the subject of anti-aging and nutrition in April of this year.

If you would like all the details, be sure to contact us. We'll be happy to provide more information.

Also, we have a copy of Dr. Mindell's bio for those of you in the press looking for more info. If you would like for us to arrange a connection for a possible future review, article, interview, or television appearance, we'll be happy to help.

Have a wonderful and healthy day!

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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Don't Overlook The Anti-Aging Properties of Goji

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Sunday, February 6 2005

PRWeb Press Release 02-07-2005:

Considered by experts to be the most nutritionally dense food on our planet, many alternative health practitioners and marketers alike are spreading the word about the remarkable health benefits for the goji berry known by its latin term Lycium Barbarum.

The recent printing of "The Doctor's Report" is packed with testimonial after testimonial from several professional Medical Doctors, both on a personal level as well as results they have seen with their patients. With the overwhelming flood of positive health stories pouring in, the number one benefit for this tiny red berry might be easily overlooked.

However, now that the juice form of the original bloodline for the goji berry referenced in Ancient Asian texts has been available for just over a year, long term users have been reporting some pretty amazing anti-aging results that are worth noting.

We've been receiving several testimonials supporting the anti-aging claims and studies, including: darker hair color, more youthful and radiant skin, increased flexibility and stamina, increased mental clarity, and much more.

On one recent call, a gentleman gleefully announced his hair was growing back after 20 years of being bald. Unfortunately we didn't catch his name and don't have before and after pictures to substantiate his claim. He did tell us that he has been drinking the juice daily for just over 11 months. And he was thrilled to tell us he couldn't wait to find out if his barber remembered him. He couldn't wait to see his reaction.

If you passed the goji berry by when the news first broke about this powerful juice, it might be time to come back and take a closer look.

You can contact us for a free copy of "The Doctor's Report" as well as any additional information on the subject.

Around our home, one thing has definitely resulted from our daily consumption of the juice. We've all felt the effects of the "happy berry" in more ways than one.

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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5 Simple Steps To Build Your Own Finess Program

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Friday, February 4 2005

If you're thinking about starting a fitness program, that's great. Physical activity can reduce your risk of chronic disease, improve your balance and coordination, help you lose weight and can even improve your sleep habits and self-esteem.

If you find the of starting your own fitness program a bit overwhelming, you may find it helpful to create a plan and divide the work into manageable pieces. Break it down with help from MayoClinic with their 5 step plan to a fitness program.

Here's the link: Ready to start a fitness program? Take these 5 steps

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
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Fun Facts: Plant Sterol Esters - Plant Stanol Esters

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Friday, February 4 2005

Have you ever heard of plant sterol esters and plant stanol esters?

Don't feel bad if you haven't. There's so much to learn about fruits and vegetables when you start getting into the nuts and bolts of their overall makeup.

Plant sterols are present naturally in small quantities in many fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes, vegetable oils, and other plant sources. Plant stanols occur in even smaller quantities in many of the same sources. Both stanols and sterols are essential components of plant cell membranes and structurally resemble cholesterol.

Here's a technical description: The term "phytosterols" covers plant sterols and plant stanols. Plant sterols are naturally occurring substances present in the diet principally as minor components of vegetable oils. Plant stanols, occurring in nature at a lower level, are hydrogenation compounds of the respective plant sterols.

Plant sterols have a role in plants similar to that of cholesterol in mammals, e.g. forming cell membrane structures. Plant sterols fall into one of three categories: 4-desmethylsterols (no methyl groups); 4-monomethylsterols (one methyl group) and 4,4-dimethylsterols (two methyl groups). The most common plant sterols are β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol and structurally these are very similar to cholesterol, belonging to the class of 4-desmethylsterols.

Plant sterols are ingredients in a number of fat-based foods on the market including salad dressings and margarines.

The sterols used in one USDA study already occur -- in low concentrations -- in many raw and refined vegetable-based foods including vegetable oils. A typical American diet provides approximately 0.25 g of plant sterol per day.

Back in September 5, 2000 the FDA authorized the use of labeling a specific health claim about the role of plant sterol or plant stanol esters (see sources below).

Can you guess which one of our topselling products is very high in plant sterol esters and plant stanol esters?



Sources:

FDA - TALK PAPER - Sept. 2000 Bulletin T00-40

USDA - April 2000, New USDA Study Shows Plant Sterols Lower...

IFST UK - PHYTOSTEROL ESTERS (PLANT STEROL AND STANOL ESTERS)

IFST UK - Functional Foods Fact Sheet: Plant Stanols and Sterols

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
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Women On Low Carb Diets - Are You Getting Enough Folic Acid?

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Friday, February 4 2005

Last week the National Council on Folic Acid warned that women of childbearing age who follow low carb diets may not be consuming enough folic acid, which the FDA has required be added to breads, cereals, flours, pastas, rice and other grain products since 1998.

Grain Foods Foundation has just launched a multi-million dollar campaign to educate consumers in New York and Washington, DC on the nutritional benefits of bread and other grain products.

You'll be sure to hear more about it in the months to come...

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
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How Does The Stamp Of Approval Process Work?

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Friday, February 4 2005

There's a lot of confusion regarding all the many "claims" coming out in the market ...and when news hits the headlines regarding new research, some companies aren't necessarily entitled to apply the "claim" to their products.

For obvious reasons, you can see why a company would want to use a "claim" based on solid research ...it lends credibility to their product/s and company, for one thing. And yet there are two sides in play here.

Both sides of the story are valid... On the one side, not all products are alike in quality 'nor content... and the FDA is there to protect us all as consumers. You have to empathize with their struggles to ensure "general comments" are not applied unethically across the board.

On the other side of the picture, intensive research through the Department of Agriculture and other highly qualified research bodies has increased significantly in the field of nutrition as it relates to health --- and much of the findings and news that could help guide us all in regards to diet might not be reaching us as fast as it could.

For example, there is a new "dietary guidance message" that recently received the "stamp of approval" by the FDA.

Dietary guidance messages were introduced by the FDA's Consumer Health Information for Better Nutrition Initiative to communicate to consumers the importance of including certain foods in the diet.

For example, one dietary guidance message permitted for use by the food industry, states: "diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases."

According to a recent news release at NutraUSA, until Feb. 2, 2005, this was the only dietary guidance message permitted by the FDA... and now, a new one has been granted permission for use.

The FDA has issued a new dietary guidance message on the health benefits of beans, meaning that labels on bean cans and packets may carry the words "diets including beans may reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers".

The news release states:

"The American Dry Bean Board (ADBB) proposed the message by submitting a letter of intent to the FDA in which it drew attention to scientific evidence relating beans, pulses and legumes to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancers of the lung, colon, esophagus and stomach."

"Although no one substance is clearly responsible for these health benefits, beans contain many important nutrients known to promote health – like fiber, micronutrients and antioxidants – and none of the nutrients that can have adverse effects – like saturated fat and cholesterol..."

So, now we have two "general" claims that can be made regarding foods.

What about "specific health claims" regarding phytonutrients? How do they tie in?

Here's where things get extremely complicated.

Remember the news that hit the headlines about lycopein last year? I'm sure you witnessed many well-know brands jumping on the lycopein bandwagon, eager to apply the "claim" to their products and/or add lycopein to their products so they could make the claim.

Well, just so you know... on December 21, 2004, the FDA said it would not issue its decision on the pending lycopene/cancer health claim for one petitioner (who wants to use it on their product) until Feb. 15, 2005.

"In recent months the agency has asked for extensions in its review of seven other pending qualified health claim petitions citing a lack of agency resources," said the petitioner.

(Just so you know ...no... we are not the petitioner mentioned above and have no relationship with that company on any level. We're just using it here for example purposes...)

Kimberly Rawlins, spokesperson for the FDA, said that she was unable to confirm or deny this as the government body was unable to comment on any pending health claims.

Here's how the process works...

Health claims are subject to pre-approval by the FDA and must meet a "weight of the evidence" standard. The FDA will respond to health claim petitions in one of three ways. If the claim meets the "significant scientific agreement" standard, FDA will authorize the claim and consider expediting publication to permit faster use in the market.

If the claim does not meet the "significant scientific agreement" standard but does meet a "weight of the evidence" standard, under which supporting evidence outweighs negative evidence, FDA will exercise "enforcement discretion," allowing companies to use the claim with an appropriate qualifier. If the claim does not meet either standard, the FDA will deny the petition.

I'm not sure if the above information clears up the confusion, but I hope it clears up a bit of the mystery surrounding how the process works.

Have a super healthy day!

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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More On Milk - The CLA Experiment

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Friday, February 4 2005

Remember "The Looming Milk Controversy" article we did a couple weeks back? Well, now there's more news on the milk front.

On Feb. 2, 2005 the Associate Press released a news article about a new research study underway to produce high-CLA milk in dairy cows through adjusting their diets.

Few news services picked up the story... we found the article over at the online version of "The Madison Daily Leader" newspaper.

According to the article, Dale Bauman, a professor of food science at Cornell, is heading the research to formulate a diet for dairy cows that will increase a type of conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, in the milk they produce.

In the next few months, about 80 of the 1,500 dairy cows at Spruce Haven Farm in Union Springs will be given the special diet. The news release goes on to state...

"CLA is a byproduct of metabolism that occurs in the cow's first stomach, or rumen. Bacteria acting on foods containing linolenic and linoleic acid -- such as corn and soybeans -- convert those fatty acids. Young's business, part of a group of farms, hopes to eventually find a processor to develop the high-CLA milk."

Here's some interesting statistics we gleaned from the article:

- New York dairy production in December fell 1.3 percent to 959 million pounds of milk from a year earlier, according to the New York Agricultural Statistics Service.

- The number of milk cows totaled 646,000 head, down 11,000 from December of the previous year.

- Something like 5 to 10 percent of dairy farmers exit the business every year.

- Dairy is the biggest part of New York's agricultural industry, accounting for $1.56 billion in revenue last year.

- The state ranks No. 3 in the country in milk production, after Wisconsin and California.

- In 2003, U.S. dairy farms produced 170.3 million pounds of milk, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Doug Young, a partner in the research underway to produce high-CLA milk stated, "We think it has great potential for dairy farmers to add value to their product and add revenue over time."

Although CLA has been tested in cell studies and animal studies for it's ability to prevent tumor growth, researchers say much more research will be required before anything can be confirmed. No human studies have been completed on the subject as yet.

"The CLA story is really quite preliminary," said Dr. James Marshall, director of the prevention program at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. "We really need to collect additional data."

Sources:

The Madison Daily Leader - New York project tries to boost anti-carcinogen in cow's milk

University of Wisconsin - References on Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

New York State Dept. of Agriculture and Markets - Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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Why Does Dr. Earl Mindell Call Goji Juice "Liquid Love"?

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Tuesday, February 1 2005

Why Does Dr. Earl Mindell Call Goji Juice "Liquid Love"?

Some customers we've been in contact with lately responded by saying, "Because it tastes somewhat like passion fruit."

Great answer, however here's what he really means...

First and foremost, Dr. Mindell is referring to the positive health benefits associated with our Himalayan Goji® Juice. Each sip is sending your body pure positive benefits ...love your body and it will love you back.

But that's not all... he is also referring to clinical studies that have proven the goji berry we use to produce our juice, when consumed over time, can increase desire and in some cases has been used to treat sexual disfunction.

In any case, with Valentine's Day right around the corner, you might want to consider getting a case of Goji instead of chocolates for your Valentine this year. Enjoy and share the Liquid Love!

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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The Latest News On Carcinogens

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Tuesday, February 1 2005

Here's the latest news on carcinogens from BLV.

The Department of Health and Human Services released its Eleventh Edition of the Report on Carcinogens yesterday (January 31, 2004), adding seventeen substances to the growing list of cancer-causing agents, bringing the total to 246.

For the first time ever, viruses are listed in the report: hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and some human papillomaviruses that cause common sexually transmitted diseases. Other new listings include lead and lead
compounds, X-rays, compounds found in grilled meats, and a host of substances used in textile dyes, paints and inks.

For the full text of the press release, see:

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/news/canceragents.htm

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
Click Here To Visit Website

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7 Tips For Better Sleep

-- Posted by kmyers001 on Tuesday, February 1 2005


According to Dr. Judith Reichman, as we get older our inner clock changes. For teenagers it is set to "late to bed, late to rise." After years of sleep experience, we are more likely to fall asleep at dusk and awaken at dawn.

Dr. Reichman says, "There are many times when your alarm clock and your inner clock simply don't correspond. For those who work at night, this becomes a chronic issue."

"At least 40 percent of American women sometimes can’t find the time to sleep. They’re simply too busy! And not everyone needs eight hours a night — some people need as many as 10 hours." claims Dr. Reichman.

It's not just women who suffer from sleep deprivation...

For example, sleep apnea is fairly common among men, and yet menopausal woman are as likely as men to suffer from this disorder too.

Stress is considered by most sleep experts to be the No. 1 cause of short-term sleeping difficulties.

There are two kinds of sleep in a normal sleep cycle - rapid eye movement or dreaming sleep (REM) and quiet sleep (non-REM). Everyone has about four or five cycles of REM and non-REM sleep a night. For older people, the amount of time spent in the deepest stages of non-REM sleep decreases. This may explain why older people are thought of as light sleepers.

Although the amount of sleep each person needs varies widely, the average range is between 7 and 8 hours a night. As we age, the amount of sleep we can expect to get at any one time drops off. By age 75, for many reasons, some people may find they are waking up several times each night. But, no matter what your age, talk to a doctor if your sleep patterns change.

Does it often take you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night? Or do you wake up frequently during the night - or too early in the morning - and have a hard time going back to sleep? When you awaken, do you feel groggy and lethargic? Do you feel drowsy during the day particularly during monotonous situations?

If you answered "yes" to any one of these questions, you may have a "sleep debt" that is affecting you in ways you don't even realize. And, you aren't alone. A recent NSF "Sleep in America" poll found that 60% of American adults experience sleep problems.

Few people recognize the importance of adequate rest, or are aware that effective methods of preventing and managing sleep problems now exist.

Another interesting study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that lack of sleep seems to influence the levels of hunger-regulating hormones in such a way that hunger increases. Their findings suggest it is possible that chronic lack of sleep might lead to overeating.

Here are 7 tips which may help those of our visitors who are suffering from lack of sleep in their lives. Some are obvious...

Tip 1 - Avoid Caffeine And Alcohol

Did you know, some people who take even a small amount of caffeine into their body (whether through food or drink) can sometimes suffer the stimulant effects up to 12 hours later? Keep in mind that the half-life of caffeine is 7.5 hours. You'll want to avoid taking caffeine at least that amount of time before bed.

Also, although alcohol is considered a relaxant, drinking wine with your dinner may relax you, but it also interrupts the sleep cycle and causes midnight wakefulness.

Tip 2 - Avoid Cigarettes

It's common knowledge that cigarettes contain stimulants. Aside from long-term health damage and the possibility of burning down your house, smoking before bed or while in bed can cause a sleepless night.

Tip 3 - Establish A Bedtime Routine

Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine that will allow you to unwind and send a "signal" to your brain that it's time to sleep. Avoiding exposure to bright light before bedtime and taking a hot bath may help. Consider your sleep environment. Make it as pleasant, comfortable, dark and quiet as you can.

When you develop a bedtime routine and do the same things each night, you tell your body that it's time to wind down. Some people watch the evening news, read a book, or soak in a warm bath.

Tip 4 - Time Your Exercise Routine

When you exercise, whether you are physically fit and a regular or occasional exerciser, the type of exercise you select, and your age or sex may all affect sleep. Some studies suggest that exercise 2-3 hours before bedtime can keep sleep at bay.

Exercise regularly, but do so at least three hours before bed-time. A workout after that time may actually keep you awake because your body has not had a chance to cool down.

Tip 5 - Do Not Eat Or Drink Too Much Before Bedtime

A heavy meal close to bedtime may make you less comfortable when you settle down for your night's rest. At the same time, going to bed hungry can be just as disruptive to sleep as going to bed too full. If you must eat before bedtime, choose a light snack only.

Drinking too much of any beverage can lead to more awakenings because of the need to urinate during the night. Also, the older we get, the more we experience these nighttime awakenings. Try to restrict your fluids before bedtime to help promote an uninterrupted night's sleep.

Everything you eat can affect nighttime slumber. For example, tomato products and spicy foods give many people heartburn (as does eating too fast). What does heartburn have to do with sleep? Lying down makes heartburn worse, and heartburn itself makes falling asleep more difficult. Heartburn also awakens sleepers with middle-of-the-night discomfort.

Tip 6 - Games For Falling Asleep

Try not to worry about your sleep. Some people find that playing mental games is helpful. For example, by now most everyone has heard about "counting sheep" to help them fall asleep. It may sound funny, and yet ...for some people who are experiencing stress in their lives... it can be exactly what they need to relax their minds and refocus their thoughts away from daily concerns.

For example, think black - a black cat on a black velvet pillow on a black corduroy sofa, etc.; or tell yourself it's 5 minutes before you have to get up and you're just trying to get a few extra winks.

Tip 7 - Drink Goji Juice

Okay... you might not have expected the tip to drink Goji juice --- at least 1 ounce a day --- to be on the list of tips for better sleep. After all, many know it is great for increased energy and a great source for a heavy dose of natural nutrition - well known as the most powerful anti-aging food on our planet.

Why would you want to add it to your daily diet to aid in sleeping? Because it acts as an overall balance for the body. Many of our customers have reported they have noticed dramatic increases in the quality of their sleep thanks to Goji juice. Some of our customers are actually requiring less sleep yet feeling much more rested when they awaken... Many have reported that the longer period of time they drink Goji juice as part of their diet, the better their sleep becomes. Most notice a difference within their first 3 weeks. However, make sure you see the "spectral signature seal" on the Goji juice product you choose to ensure you are receiving the full benefits and effects. Try it for a few weeks and see if you don't experience a positive difference yourself.

Sleep needs vary. In general, most healthy adults need an average of eight hours of sleep a night. However, some individuals are able to function without sleepiness or drowsiness after as little as six hours of sleep. Others can't perform at their peak unless they've slept ten hours. And, contrary to common myth, the need for sleep doesn't decline with age (although the ability to get it all at one time may be reduced).

Keep in mind, it's not just the quantity of sleep that counts, it's also the quality.

Special Note:

If your sleep problems persist for longer than a week and are bothersome, or if sleepiness interferes with the way you feel or function during the day, a doctor's help may be needed. To get the most out of your doctor's visit, you'll find that it is often helpful to keep a diary of your sleep habits for about ten days to identify just how much sleep you're getting over a period of time and what you may be doing to interfere with it. It can help you document your problem in a way that your physician can best understand. And most important if suspected, a person having signs of sleep apnea should see a doctor.

The bottom line is this: Adequate sleep is as essential to health and peak performance as exercise and good nutrition. If you aren't getting enough, talk to your physician. You deserve it.

We hope this short article helps. Pleasant dreams!


Sources And Additional Resources:

MSNBC News - Zzzzzzzz! How much sleep is enough?

Sleep Research Society - SRS Bulletin 2004

Annals of Internal Medicine - Sleep Duration and Levels of Hormones That Influence Hunger

National Sleep Foundation - The ABCs of ZZZs

National Institute On Aging - A Good Night's Sleep

Stress Management - 10 Tips For Coping

BLV What Are The Major Causes Of Stress?

MSNBC TV News Sleep Disorders

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition or to otherwise replace medical advice by qualified health professionals. Best Liquid Vitamins encourages all individuals to make informed decisions about their health, safety, and well being by consulting with health professionals and other reputable sources before making significant lifestyle changes, including but not limited to alterations in diet, exercise, sleep habits, medications, and herbal or other substances.

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Author: K. Myers (aka kmyers001)
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