Health e-Tips
June 14, 2004
Dear Reader,
I imagine that walnut farmers everywhere are feeling pretty
good these days -- as well they should be. Based on research
showing that walnuts can improve cardiac health, the FDA,
for the first time ever, is allowing the claim of health
benefits to go on the label of packaged walnuts.
The new label approved for whole and chopped walnuts will
read: "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that
eating 1.5 oz. of walnuts per day, as part of a low
saturated fat and low cholesterol diet, and not resulting in
increased caloric intake, may reduce the risk of coronary
heart disease."
OK, it's not exactly racy copy... but the door has been
opened.
This landmark decision is based on a couple of convincing
studies that showed walnuts making the arteries of the heart
more elastic, and thus more healthy, as well as lowering the
levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Walnuts have a high content of omega-3 fatty acid -- which
most Americans don't get nearly enough of. This valuable
nutrient is thought to improve elasticity of the arteries.
Walnuts also appear to prevent artherosclerosis by reducing
the number of harmful cells that can stick to artery walls.
While it has been known for some time that walnuts have a
cholesterol lowering effect, it appears now that this
combination of benefits makes it a more powerful
cardioprotective food than many folks previously realized.
Of course, I'm happy for the walnut producers that their
product will finally get some of the health-related
attention it deserves. And I'm happy that more people will
be aware of how such a simple, natural food can be so good
for your heart. But it does put a bit of a bee in my bonnet,
too.
There are so many foods, supplements, and herbs that have a
positive effect on health -- but the FDA and other lobbies
effectively squash, ban, and gag the makers of these
products from breathing a word of it to consumers. Will this
decision open the door to more information-sharing to
benefit consumers? Maybe.
Only time will tell or sure. In the meantime, enjoy your
increased intake of walnuts -- and be thankful for a long-
overdue morsel of truth from los Federales!
WHERE THE SMARTEST MONEY IS GOING RIGHT NOW
The Wall Street Journal reports that America's smartest and
richest investors (like Paul Tudor Jones and George Soros) are
steering clear of regular stocks-and moving towards commodities
Now, thanks to a new investment created 2 years ago by one of
the world's most successful money managers the oversees
($373 Billion today), there's a safe, easy, and low-risk way
to profit on the commodities market
It's part of our strategy to make 2,750% in the next 18 months.
See full FREE report here
Cost benefit analysis
Q: My grocery store has been carrying a small amount of
organic produce for some time but they're so much more
expensive than the regular produce that I've never bothered.
Lately, though, I'm hearing more and more about "eating
organic" and I'm wondering -- is it so much better for us
that it's worth the additional cost?
JVW: The government and the proponents of agribusiness, or
large scale "factory-farming," would have you believe that
there is no additional benefit to eating organic food. But
there is mounting evidence that can no longer be ignored --
organic produce is indeed nutritionally superior to that
grown by present conventional methods.
The main reason is that artificial fertilizers cause produce
to take up more water in order to get bigger, faster. While
this helps farmers get the highest yield as quickly as
possible, it creates fruits and vegetables that have up to
20 percent more water than their organically grown
counterparts. This higher water content makes for lower
nutrient content per pound -- not to mention weaker flavors.
It may be good farming for the bottom line, but not for your
health.
Studies by the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) show a decline since 1975 in such nutrients as iron,
calcium, vitamin C and vitamin A. The same principle applies
to organic meats and dairy, which are being raised on
antibiotics and hormones to improve production. Meanwhile,
there is absolutely no proof that these practices are safe
for humans long-term.
Best case, we are merely missing out on the higher levels of
vitamins and minerals that fruits and vegetables naturally
contain, not to mention their good, full flavor. But the
worst case is what concerns me more -- that the current
methods of farming and animal husbandry is setting us up for
unintended harmful health consequences... all in the name of
profit and big business.
Organic food and other products can be found at increasing
numbers of grocery stores and also at specialty natural food
stores and local produce markets. As far as the high prices,
remember, your dollar speaks loudly. If more people buy
organic, more farmers will grow it, and prices will
eventually come down. Some great resources for locating
organic products online are www.diamondorganics.com, which
lets you purchase all types of products, including produce,
and www.localharvest.org, which allows you to search the
country for family farms, farmers markets and other sources
of organically grown food in your area.
DOING SOMETHING GOOD FOR YOUR HEART JUST GOT EASIER
Most doctors will agree--coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of
the nutrients we need the most. Used to help maintain heart
health, promote healthy cholesterol levels, boost cellular
energy and fight free-radical production, now you can add
CoQ10 to your daily regimin without having to swallow another pill!
This breakthrough in supplement delivery provides a full 100 mg.
of pure CoQ10 in a delicious, orange-flavored, fast-melting tablet.
Nothing to chew and no horse pills to "choke down"... before you
know it, this tasty tablet dissolves--right on your tongue--into a
delicious orange liquid. It will make taking a one-a-day multi
vitamin seem like a chore!
Now, doing something good for your heart just got easier. To
learn more, visit the link below:
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