Question: What’s the best way to wash fresh fruits and vegetables? S. P. – Chapin, SC Answer: In truth, there is a lot of contaminated food out there and some people even soak their produce in Clorox. I do not do this and do not recommend it. From both a practical and a scientific viewpoint, the thing to do is to peel a fresh fruit or vegetable, such as an apple or a carrot that can be peeled. For foods that cannot be peeled, washing under running water for a minute or two will go a long way reducing both bacterial and chemical contamination. For foods like lettuce, remove the outer layers and wash the leaves separately. There is no perfect way to do this, but the above is something anyone can do; nothing special is needed.…

Question: Are eggs good to eat? G. F. – Fairfax, CA Answer: Eggs are an excellent source of many essential nutrients, and can safely be included in a good diet. For many years, eggs have been falsely maligned by our medical establishment, thus cutting people off from a good source of nutrition. The reason for this has been the assumption that the cholesterol in eggs would somehow contribute to heart disease. In truth, there is very little connection between blood cholesterol levels and cholesterol in the diet, and there was never any reason to believe so in the first place. In point of fact, a study in the October 2000 Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that people who ate four eggs per week had lower cholesterol levels than those eating only one egg per week. Eggs are a good source of protein. Two eggs will supply about 50 percent of the average person’s daily need for protein. Physically active people have higher protein requirements, often twice as much, so…

Question: Whenever I am stressed, I crave sugar. I was wondering if this is normal, and if there is something I can do about it. E. T. – Orlando, FL Answer: First about your cravings, there is plenty of science to explain what you experience, and it is common. Stress releases hormones called glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids in turn cause an increase in insulin, and insulin instructs cells to take up sugar. This causes blood sugar levels to drop, creating a need to rebalance blood sugar, hence your cravings. There is also another dimension to your sugar cravings. Eating sugar increases the neurochemicals serotonin and dopamine. Both of these create a sense of calm. They are feel-good chemicals. Dopamine has been associated with addiction because it taps into the body’s pleasure/reward system, and this helps to explain why people become addicted to sugar. Finally, as to what you can do about it, learning to control stress is critical. Medication, relaxation techniques and exe…

. . . whether you're young or old, exercise makes you smarter Here’s one more reason to exercise: As you age, it’s the best way to prevent cognitive decline and dementias like Alzheimer’s. But no matter what age you are, exercise is good for your brain and makes your smarter. Four new studies presented at the Alzheimer’s Disease Association International Conference in July 2012 add to the considerable body of evidence demonstrating that both aerobic and resistance exercise increase mental functions such as attention, conflict resolution, and memory in older adults. William Thies, PhD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the Alzheimer’s Association stated, “Currently, the strongest data for lifestyle-based Alzheimer’s risk reduction is for physical activity.” Whether you’re young or old, your brain will benefit from exercise. Both aerobic and resistance exercise increase the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain, fueling it and improving its function. They also trigger new…

. . . PLP, the bioactive form of vitamin B6, can make a world of difference If all it did was support methylation, vitamin B6 would be a very valuable nutrient. But it does a lot more. It’s a “neuronutrient” that feeds the brain and nervous system and is used to make important neurotransmitters. It is needed in blood sugar regulation and protects against glycation reactions. It’s an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that supports immunity. It’s used in the synthesis of CoQ10. It’s helpful in preventing and treating allergies, arthritis, asthma, cancer, heart disease, edema, food cravings, PMS, ADHD, carpal tunnel syndrome and kidney disease. A recent review of 9 different studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that having high levels of vitamin B6’s active form, PLP, in your blood (130-140 pmol/ml) could reduce your risk of colon cancer by 49%. However vitamin B6 can’t do any of these good things unless it’s converted into its bioactive form, pyridox…

. . .  a unique garlic supplement higher in antioxidants than fresh, raw garlic If you have heart disease, or are worried about developing heart disease, there are a number of factors you may be monitoring: cholesterol and triglycerides, blood pressure, and abnormal blood clotting. Did you know that AGE has been shown to have a powerful positive impact on each of these factors? If your doctor takes a more sophisticated approach, you may also be looking at inflammation, heavy metal chelation, stress levels, homocysteine, lipoprotein (a), and oxidative stress. AGE has also been shown to powerfully impact all of these factors as well! Many of these same factors are also risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and play a role in age-related cognitive decline (memory problems and slowed thinking). AGE is a unique garlic supplement developed and sold by Kyolic, a division of Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Company in Japan. It is produced by extraction and…

. . . and for protection from the sun Bruce Fife, CN, ND probably knows more about coconut oil than anyone on the planet. Having observed first-hand the effects of coconut oil on skin over many years, he’s a strong advocate for using it in place of commercial lotions for cultivating beautiful skin. The problem with most moisturizers, he says, is that they’re made mostly of water. As the water is absorbed it expands your skin, smoothing out wrinkles and making your skin feel dewy fresh. But as soon as the water evaporates or gets carried away in your bloodstream, the dry, wrinkled skin comes right back. Oils used in such lotions are usually processed vegetable oils, just as toxic whether you consume them or put them on your skin. Coconut oil supplies moisture at the same time that it corrects underlying problems. The health of connective tissue is what gives skin strength and elasticity, which prevents sagging, wrinkling and dryness. As we age, free radical damage gradually bre…

. . . with Beyond Health traditionally made balsamic vinegar This recipe is chock full of antioxidants. As mentioned above, peaches are a storehouse of antioxidant compounds. Basil, which has been used by many cultures as a medicinal as well as a culinary herb, is another phenol-rich plant that has been found to fight cancer in recent animal studies. When made the traditional way, balsamic vinegar is also an abundant source of antioxidants such as catechins, flavonoids, quercetin and resveratrol. To achieve maximum antioxidant content as well as the most delicious taste, you’ll need fresh basil and fresh peaches, ripened to the peak of perfection as well as high quality, traditionally made balsamic vinegar for this recipe. We recommend our balsamic vinegar. Most balsamics sold in the U.S., even when packaged in fancy bottles, are nothing more than grape juice mixed with white vinegar, corn syrup or other sweeteners and caramel coloring. What they lack in depth and complexity,…

. . . and what to do instead The pressure to get a flu shot this year has already begun. The CDC is drumming up business for their friends at Big Pharma by scaring everyone with death statistics. Never mind that the vast majority of flu-related deaths occur as complications in people who are already very sick, like the frail elderly. Another CDC spin is on the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing the flu. Here’s the truth. Last year a study in The Lancet reported that vaccines were 60% effective. Notice that wasn’t 100% effective, or even 90% effective. But even 60% is misleading. Only 2.7% of the adult population usually gets the flu. The flu shot reduced that to 1.2%. Whereas they called this a 60% decrease, it’s really a 1.5% decrease! This 1.5% difference could easily be accounted for by the fact that healthier people tend to get flu shots. Meanwhile, you won’t hear much from the CDC about risk. Oh, they’ll admit there are always risks, but they’ll say that the benefits…

. . . mounting evidence against childhood vaccines August is National Immunization Awareness Month. As good citizens, we at Beyond Health are eager to do our part by increasing public awareness . . . that while proof for the effectiveness of immunizations is sorely lacking, the evidence is strong that they can do substantial harm! Children in the US get more vaccinations before the age of one year than in any other country in the world. We also head the list among developed countries in infant mortality! Coincidence? We don't think so. A 2011 study published in Human & Experimental Toxicology compared 34 developed countries and found a direct correlation between number of vaccinations and infant mortality: those with the most vaccinations had the most infant deaths, the US heading the list. This is one more piece of evidence in a mounting pile indicating that vaccines aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, and may be especially harmful to children. According to statistics…

by Raymond Francis The food industry has done a very good job of making it extremely easy, and not that expensive, to grab calorie-dense food on the run. This is a great help to Americans who are working more hours than ever to make ends meet, however there’s one big problem: the side effects. Fast foods and processed foods are killing us! Devoid of nutrition and loaded with toxins, these foods supply nutrient deficiency and toxicity, the two causes for all disease. So on the way to premature graves, we’re likely to spend every penny we’ve saved buying cheap food on medical expenses for an array of chronic and often disabling illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Most people know they “should be eating better,” but the transition from fast food to healthy eating can seem pretty formidable. Here are a few ideas that can help make healthy eating a little easier. The New Fast Food: Green Drinks! Finding it hard to get the recommended 10-12 servings of…

Sugar, Immunity, and the Sweetener Trap If you’ve been around Beyond Health for any length of time, you know that strong immunity begins with staying away from sugar. That’s not ideology—it’s biochemistry. Sugar undermines immune function in two distinct and well-documented ways. How Sugar Weakens Immunity 1. Sugar Blocks Vitamin C Entry Into Immune Cells Glucose (blood sugar) and vitamin C use the same transport pathways to enter cells. Immune cells cannot function without vitamin C—and during an infection, their requirement for vitamin C can increase ten-fold or more. But if glucose levels are elevated, vitamin C is crowded out at the cellular level. The result?An artificial, functional vitamin C deficiency, even if you’re taking supplements. This is one of the primary reasons sugar intake is so damaging during periods of immune stress. 2. Sugar Disrupts Blood Sugar and Oxygen Delivery Large swings in blood sugar—sharp spikes followed by cr…

. . . sunlight may be the best nutrient yet Nothing boosts immunity like Vitamin D, and summer is the season to get your vitamin D absolutely free! Just go out in the sun and expose as much of your skin as modesty allows to UVB rays from the sun. Your body will magically transform them into usable vitamin D -- a gift from Mother Nature! But the benefits of sunlight don’t stop there. There are many good reasons why humans have been sun-worshippers since the dawn of time. Sunlight increases helpful hormones and neurotransmitters like cortisol, serotonin, GABA and dopamine. These promote energy, happiness (serotonin and dopamine are the neurotransmitters that antidepressants boost to improve mood), and weight loss. In his book The Healing Sun, Richard Hobday, PhD, lists the following additional benefits of sunlight: it lowers cholesterol, treats multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis, prevents and treats cancer, lowers blood pressure, kills chronic viral infections in the blood, inc…

Question: I am 69 years old and have recently developed numbness and tingling in my hands and feet. I am also experiencing problems with my sense of balance and memory. My doctor says I am in good health for my age and this is happening because I am getting older. After reading Never Be Sick Again, I know better than to believe that. I was wondering what you think B. M. - Ashville, NC Answer: As you know from reading my book, there is only one disease and only two causes of disease. There are a number of possibilities to explain your problem, including the toxic side effects of a variety of prescription drugs. If you are on drugs, work with your doctor to get off these dangerous toxins. Assuming you are not on drugs, what you are experiencing is not uncommon in older people. This is why your doctor thinks it is the result of normal aging. In reality, it is very often the result of B vitamin deficiency. Get on the Beyond Health Ultimate Wellness kit plus B-12/Folate Formula which…

Question: I am concerned about Alzheimer’s disease, and I read that curcumin can prevent Alzheimer’s. I was wondering if that is true and if I should be taking it? P. H. - Dublin, NH Answer: What you read is correct. Recent studies have discovered that curcumin reduces the amyloid protein plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin reduced the accumulation of amyloid deposits in animal brains injected with amyloid, and reduced the loss of proteins in the spaces between brain cells. By reducing the loss of protein in synapses, curcumin helps maintain memory. Curcumin also appears to act as an anti-inflammatory, which reduces inflammation in neurologic tissue, protecting it from oxidative damage. India has the lowest rate of Alzheimer’s in the world. It is not a coincidence that the Indians have a high consumption of curry which contains turmeric, the source of curcumin. I take curcumin every day myself, and I recommend it to you. It not only protects against Alzheimer…

. . . Fluoridation "an outdated, unscientific, failed public health blunder" Fluoridation is one of the greatest frauds of the 20th century. More toxic than lead, and only slightly less toxic than arsenic, fluoride is an extremely dangerous toxin that lowers IQ and increases your risk of getting osteoporosis and thyroid, kidney, cardiovascular and many other diseases, including cancer. Despite scores of studies showing that fluoride ingestion is ineffective at reducing tooth decay and is actually harmful to teeth, fluoride has been added to US public water for more than sixty years. Dr. Paul Connett, Executive Director of the Fluoride Action Network (FAN), calls fluoridation, “an outdated, unscientific, failed public health blunder.” The US always seems to lag behind other developed countries when it comes to protecting its public from environmental toxins like fluoride. According to the FAN, over half of the people in the world drinking fluoridated water live in the US. Japan an…

Question: Can you give me any advice on preventing hair loss? D. G. - San Francisco, CA Answer: Hair loss is a complex issue involving everything from genes to hormones to deficiency and toxicity. Each case has to be looked at separately, so it is difficult to give universal advice. However, there is a 2006 study that is worthy to note. Some hair loss appears to result from iron deficiency, and the iron deficiency appears to result from a deficiency of folate and vitamin B12. I have heard stories of people being able to safely regrow hair by taking folate and B12 supplements. At the doses they are using, taking 3 or 4 B-12/Folate Formulas per day would be sufficient for those people who would be responsive to this approach. Another issue regarding hair loss is the toxicity of most commercial shampoos. Most shampoo contains sodium lauryl sulfate. This toxin will cause hair loss in some people. Also be aware that low thyroid function can cause hair loss. Have your thyroid levels ch…

. . .  win a Beyond Health Back-to-School Kit! Sending your child to school with a healthy lunch that will please a child’s finicky palate, won’t subject them to peer ridicule, and won’t take hours in the kitchen to make – is no mean feat.  So we’re out to help stumped parents everywhere by collecting successful recipes from our clever readers. Send to [email protected] your child-tested and approved healthy recipe. You’ll be helping other parents, and we’ll reward the top three winners with these prizes: First Prize: A Beyond Health Back-to-School Kit Second Prize: A bottle of Beyond Health Children’s Multivitamin Third Prize: A Beyond Health Water Bottle All recipes should be in by Wednesday, September 26th. The winner will be announced in the Newsclips on Saturday, September 28th. For guidance in selecting a recipe to send, at Beyond Health, we consider a healthy diet to be plant-based and free from the foods that are downright hazardous to your health. We c…