Why Steaming Vegetables Can Be Better Than Eating Them Raw Although we recommend eating most of the diet raw, research shows that steaming is the best cooking method for preserving nutrients—and in some cases, it can actually increase the availability of powerful protective compounds compared to eating vegetables raw. Cruciferous Vegetables, Cancer Protection, and a Key Enzyme Cruciferous vegetables—such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts—contain compounds called glucosinolates, which are strongly protective against cancer. Scientists suggest that 3–5 servings per week of cruciferous vegetables provide substantial cancer-protective benefits. For glucosinolates to become biologically active, they must interact with a plant enzyme called myrosinase. This interaction occurs when you chew raw vegetables, breaking down the cellulose walls that keep glucosinolates and myrosinase separated. The problem?Heat can destroy myrosinase—and most people don&r…

Calcium: From “Magic Bullet” to Scapegoat—and Back to Science Once celebrated as the superstar solution for osteoporosis, calcium has recently fallen from grace. It’s now routinely criticized—or outright vilified—by both conventional and alternative health commentators. Vitamin C researcher Thomas E. Levy, MD, even titled a book Death by Calcium! So how did one of the most essential minerals in human physiology—and one that most Americans, especially the elderly, are deficient in—end up with such a bad reputation? How Calcium Lost Its Halo The calcium controversy began when it was promoted as a standalone “magic bullet” for osteoporosis. The logic was simple: Weak bones? Take more calcium. When that approach didn’t deliver the expected results, experts added vitamin D: Take calcium with vitamin D. This worked slightly better—but still not well enough. Why? Because calcium never works alone. Calcium Is a Team…

Caloric Intake, Aging, and Brain Health Have you ever wondered what happens inside the body when you consistently eat less—without malnutrition? In one long-term study spanning roughly 20 years, researchers observed that individuals who reduced their caloric intake by about 30 percent, while still meeting their nutritional needs, experienced measurable benefits related to aging. These included markers associated with slower biological aging and better preservation of brain structure over time. This research aligns with a growing body of evidence suggesting that caloric excess accelerates aging, while moderate caloric reduction—when paired with adequate nutrition—may help protect both the body and the brain. Aging and the Brain It is well established that brain volume gradually declines with age. This process is influenced by many factors, including inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin signaling, and overall metabolic health. The typical American diet—high in…

Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, and a Different Way to Think About Addiction If you’ve been following Raymond Francis and the Beyond Health lifestyle, you know that sugar is one of the “Big Four” substances we encourage people to avoid. Excess sugar places enormous strain on metabolism, immunity, and long-term health. But sugar is not the only concern. Many people replace sugar with artificial sweeteners, assuming they are a safer alternative. This substitution often happens without much scrutiny, even though artificial sweeteners introduce their own set of biological questions and risks. In one Beyond Health broadcast, Raymond discusses artificial sweeteners—particularly aspartame—and explains why he believes these compounds deserve serious caution. His concerns are rooted in chemistry, toxic load, and long-term exposure rather than short-term symptom effects. Artificial Sweeteners and Health Risk Awareness Artificial sweeteners are widely consumed, often…

Beauty Secrets from Polynesia Timeless Skin and Hair Care from Nature Traditional Polynesian women have long been admired for their smooth, resilient skin and thick, glossy hair—qualities that often persist well into old age. Their secret isn’t complicated or expensive. It’s coconut oil. Used both in the diet and as a topical treatment, coconut oil has been a foundational beauty practice across Pacific Island cultures for generations. In many cases, simple home use produces better results than costly salon treatments. Why Healthy Oils Matter for Skin Soft, supple skin depends on an adequate balance of healthy fats. In fact, chronically dry or dull skin is often a sign of fatty acid deficiency, not a lack of moisturizer. But the primary driver of visible skin aging is free radical damage. Free radicals: Damage collagen and connective tissue Reduce elasticity and firmness Contribute to discoloration and uneven tone Accelerate the formation of wrinkles and saggi…

Beyond Health’s Vitamin D Supporting Immune and Respiratory Health Vitamin D plays a far broader role in human health than bone maintenance alone. In recent years, a growing body of research has highlighted its importance in immune regulation and inflammatory balance, particularly in the respiratory system. Multiple reviews of the medical literature have observed an association between low vitamin D status and impaired respiratory health. A 2010 study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reported that vitamin D deficiency was correlated with increased airway inflammation, reduced lung function, and poorer symptom control in individuals with asthma. How Vitamin D Supports Immune Balance Vitamin D appears to influence respiratory health through its effects on the immune system. Research suggests that adequate vitamin D levels help: Regulate inflammatory signaling Reduce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines Support the production of anti-inflammato…

The Secret to Green Drinks That Taste Amazing (Without Sugar Overload) Green drinks are one of the most powerful tools for supporting detoxification, energy, and cellular health. But there’s one problem most people run into: They taste terrible unless you add fruit. And fruit can spike blood sugar. The solution isn’t abandoning green drinks.It’s learning how to make them delicious without sugar. Why Green Drinks Matter for Cellular Health Green vegetables provide: alkalizing minerals chlorophyll compounds detox-supporting phytonutrients fiber for gut health antioxidants for cellular protection Consuming them in liquid form allows rapid absorption and efficient nutrient delivery — especially when digestion is compromised or nutrient demands are high. How to Improve Flavor Without Raising Blood Sugar You don’t need apples, bananas, or pineapple to make green drinks taste good. Instead, use low-glycemic flavor boosters: Flavor Enhancers lemon…

. . .  Stanford study claims no difference between conventional and organic – but don’t believe it! Do you fork over your hard-earned cash for organic versus conventional produce because you believe it’s healthier?  If so, you may have been dismayed by headlines announcing that a Stanford University review of almost 300 scientific studies found no difference between conventional and organic food in terms of either safety or nutrient value. Well, I’m here to tell you that there IS a difference: organic produce is higher in nutrients, much lower in toxins and well worth the added expense. The Stanford scientists’ findings are very much at odds with a growing consensus that pesticides in conventional agriculture are harmful, and that organic foods are far healthier. Even the President’s Cancer Panel, which is part of the National Cancer Institute, recommends eating organic food as one step to take in preventing cancer. Besides cancer, many other degenerative diseases, such as heart…

. . .  what they are and why you probably need more of them  One of the reasons fruits and vegetables are so healthy for us is that they supply lots of antioxidant chemicals. And these days, we can all use all the extra antioxidants we can get.  What exactly are antioxidants, and why do we need more of them now than ever? To understand antioxidants, it’s first necessary to understand free radicals. A free radical is an atom or molecule with one or more unpaired electrons.  Because electrons like to travel in pairs, unpaired electrons are chemically unstable.  They are apt to attack the nearest stable molecule and steal an electron from it, creating a new free radical from the previously stable molecule.  This process is called oxidation, and the best example of it outside the body is the formation of rust. Oxidation can initiate a chain reaction of molecules stealing electrons from each other that ends up damaging cells and body tissues, ultimately causing disease and aging. Whe…

. . . Thermography is safe and more accurate than mammography October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and women everywhere were prompted to run out and get mammograms “to prevent breast cancer.” However a December 2011 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) warned women to avoid ionizing radiation (which mammograms expose them to) if they wanted to prevent breast cancer! What to make of this conflicting advice? It would seem to be a no-brainer: skip the mammogram and get tested with thermography, which is completely safe and more accurate.  But conventional medicine is still recommending mammograms! Based on the IOM report, a recent article in the Weill Cornell Medical College newsletter, Women’s Health Advisor, advises women to avoid unnecessary x-rays and CT scans. However, elsewhere in the same newsletter women are advised that getting mammograms is still worth the risk! They argue that radiation exposure from mammograms is very small compared to naturally occurring…

. . . few foods beat the beet for nutrition! Beets are a wonderful vegetable that we should all try to include frequently in our diets. High in glutamine, an amino acid that feeds and strengthens the intestinal lining, beets also contain a number of compounds that make them a tonic for both the liver and gallbladder and promote the activity of various antioxidant enzymes. The effect beets have on the liver is especially helpful to women since the liver metabolizes female hormones; many hormone problems are solved when the liver is detoxified and strengthened. Recent studies have also found beet juice boosts stamina and endurance during exercise, at least partly because it widens blood vessels (increasing blood flow and lowering blood pressure) and enables muscles to work more efficiently. In addition, beets are thought to fight cancer, help stabilize blood sugar and protect the heart. Normally, beets (both roots and greens) can be added to vegetable juice combinations, and shredd…

Enough to Get the Job Done Why the Right Supplements Matter—and Why “Too Little” Is the Real Mistake We often hear this question from customers: “I don’t have enough money to take all the supplements in your kits—just tell me the ones I really need.” The honest answer is simple: You need enough to get the job done. Not more than necessary—but not less either. Prevention vs. Recovery: The Difference Matters For most people in fairly good health whose goal is disease prevention, the Ultimate Wellness Kit is typically sufficient—plus Vitamin D, if testing shows it’s needed. However, if you already have a diagnosed condition, prevention is no longer the goal—reversal and repair are. In those cases, the Ultimate Wellness Kit must be paired with one or more Support Kits, depending on what systems need rebuilding. For example: Recovering from food allergies often requires simultaneous support for digestion immune balan…

. . .  for elegant dining during the holidays or any other time of year! Whether you want to lose a few pounds, prevent or reverse diabetes, protect your bones, reduce blood pressure and heart disease risk, or boost your immunity and fight cancer, balsamic vinegar can help. But what you’ll love our balsamic for during this holiday season (or at any time of year) is its rich, complex taste that complements just about any fruit or vegetable. Here are just a few of the many ways balsamic can turn ordinary fruits and vegetables into something extraordinary and memorable: *Spoon balsamic vinegar over baked pears, or fresh strawberries or peaches. *Add to steamed vegetables in place of butter and salt. *Combine tomato wedges with strawberries, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar. *Blanch spinach, drain and shock in ice water. Squeeze dry, chop and toss with toasted pine nuts, raisins, olive oil and a tiny bit of balsamic vinegar. Add capers if you like. An especially winnin…

. . . but it’s just one more cost of doing business When GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) paid the government a record $3 billion last July in settlement of numerous violations of the False Claims Act (FCA), including concealing data on fatal cardiovascular side effects of their diabetes drug Avandia, it was just business as usual. In fact, Sidney M. Wolfe, MD, of Public Citizen, reports that on the heels of the huge pay-out’s announcement, GSK’s stock price rose to a near 52-week high. Investors knew that even billion-dollar fines are a drop in the bucket compared to the multi billion-dollar profits enjoyed by the drug industry. According to the US Department of Justice, the pharmaceutical industry is the biggest defrauder of the federal government under the FCA, as measured by the size of civil and criminal settlements reached yearly. Consumer advocate organization Public Citizen, which has been tracking fines paid by Big Pharma, found that the amounts of these fines have been escalating…

. . .  35% of breast cancer goes undetected in women with dense breasts! Do you or a loved one have dense breasts? A 2010 Harris Poll found that 95% of women haven’t a clue, and that very few doctors discuss breast density with their patients. However about 40% of women have “dense breasts,” which some studies indicate may increase their risk of breast cancer. What exactly makes breasts “dense?” Whereas most breasts are composed of 75% or more fatty tissue, dense breasts contain more milk-producing glands and connective tissue than fat. Mammograms are not very good at detecting cancerous growths in women who have dense breasts.  A 2007 study found that as breast density goes up, the accuracy of mammograms goes down; as a result, about 35% of breast cancer in women with dense breasts goes undetected. While fatty tissue appears dark on a mammogram, dense tissue appears white. Since cancerous growths also appear white, according to Kemi Babagbemi, MD, at Cornell Medical College,…

. . . our products are chosen for their safety and effectiveness For more than twenty years, I’ve looked for exceptional skincare products that first do no harm and second achieve claimed results. While most skincare product manufacturers use inexpensive short-cuts – toxic chemicals that can add to your overall body burden of toxins and be directly harmful to your skin, our products contain only ingredients that benefit and nourish both the body generally and the skin specifically. It costs more to do it right, but we believe the results are worth it. We offer 4 different options in bars of soap – 3 kinds of Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap (Citrus Orange, Lavender and Unscented) and Olivella Fragrance Free Soap. What these four soaps have in common is the complete absence of harsh chemicals that dry the skin and the presence of nourishing oils that plump up skin cells to produce a silky-smooth skin surface. While Olivella is 100% pure olive oil, the Dr. Bronner’s soaps combine or…

. . . diet is by far the most important factor in keeping your skin hydrated, smooth and supple In winter, we may go from icy cold winds outside to dry, forced air heat inside. Extreme temperatures – both hot and cold – dry the skin. Add age to the mix (as we age, our skin becomes less efficient at producing lubricating oils), and it’s not surprising that many people suffer from dry skin during the winter months. Dryness intensifies fine lines on your face, making you look older; the skin can feel rough and appear dull and flaky. In some people, skin dryness gets so bad that the outer skin layer becomes leathery and cracks, especially on hands and feet. Apart from being quite painful, these lesions compromise the skin’s barrier function, permitting entry to germs and other irritating substances, often leading to infections. Here are 8 ways to keep your skin soft, supple and well-hydrated, even during winter: 1.  First and foremost, consume enough healthy fat, especially ess…

. . . it can save your brain Here’s a reminder that something as simple as brushing your teeth after meals can have a significant impact on your health. Researchers followed more than 5,000 older adults for 18 years, and found that people who brushed their teeth less than once daily were up to 65% more apt to develop dementia than those who brushed three times daily. Although they weren’t sure why this was so, the researchers hypothesized that it was related to bacteria that accumulate on the teeth and gums. Oral bacteria have been previously associated with increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. While I don’t want to discourage good oral hygiene, I can’t help but think of Weston A. Price.  Dr. Price was an American dentist who spent his retirement years in the 1930s traveling the world with his wife in search of answers to questions about diet and dental health. He was especially interested in people living in traditional cultures and those who had transitioned…