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How to read UPC codes for organic produce

April 16, 2012

Did you know those PLU codes on produce at the grocery store can be deciphered to give you clues as to what you are buying? Organic, conventionally-grown, and even genetically modified foods (GMO) should follow the produce labeling system.

According to the Organic Food Coupons blog, here’s how to read the codes:

PLU numbers on conventionally grown foods should have only 4 digits and begin with 4, for example: 4131
PLU codes for organically grown produce will contain 5 digits and begin with 9: 91022
PLU codes on genetically modified items should contain 5 digits and begin with 8: 81022

Here are some PLU examples:
Fuji Apples
#94129 Organic
#4131 Conventional

Granny Smith Apples
#94017 organic
#4017 conventional

Gala Apples
#94133 Organic
#4133 Conventional

Unfortunately, you can’t depend on knowing that the food is genetically engineered/modified (GMO) just by looking for the 8 at the beginning of the PLU code. Here’s what the Organic Food Coupons Blog has to say about it:

Initially in 1992 when the bio tech companies thought that we would all
wanted to eat their altered food they wanted to have a new “code” so that we
could all see which food was the altered and would buy it up- ya right! So
they adopted the number 8 to appear in front of their products. Quickly the
industry learned that not only do we NOT want the GMO foods we will
purposely not purchase foods that have been altered they no longer use the number
“8” as part of the code. The only GMO product that still used the “8” code
is Hawaiian papaya.

The only foods that you can be sure are not GMO foods are labeled
“Certified Organic”. Organic producers must follow strict rules to be able to label
their products as organic. Interesting or disturbingly enough the
companies producing the GMO (chemically altered foods) do not have labeling
restrictions- Crazy! Anything else is fair game unfortunately- pay special
attention to products that have corn, cotton seed or soy they may have GMO
origins.

As always, it’s up to you to pay attention if you are intent on eating clean, wholesome foods.

Food triggers for pollen allergies

April 13, 2012

Bryce Wylde, Canada’s most popular alternative medicine expert, says that sufferers of allergies to airborne pollens may also be affected by eating certain foods. We know there is a cross-over of pollen within botanical families, and that sometimes being sensitive to one member of the family also means loss of tolerance to other members of the same plant family. If you know you are sensitive to these pollens, it may be helpful to avoid the related foods as well. Here’s the list:

Alder pollen: almonds, apples, celery, cherries, hazel nuts, peaches, pears, parsley, strawberry, raspberry

Birch pollen: almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, carrots, celery, cherries, chicory, coriander, fennel, fig, hazel nuts, kiwifruit, nectarines, parsley, parsnips, peaches, pears, peppers, plums, potatoes, prunes, soy, strawberries, wheat; Potential: walnuts

Grass pollen: fig, melons, tomatoes, oranges

Mugwort pollen: carrots, celery, coriander, fennel, parsley, peppers, sunflower

Ragweed pollen: banana, cantaloupe, cucumber, green pepper, paprika, sunflower seeds/oil, honeydew, watermelon, zucchini, echinacea, artichoke, dandelions, honey (if bees pollinate from wild flowers), hibiscus or chamomile tea

If the flowering trees and grasses have been making you miserable this spring, you might want to try a homeopathic hayfever remedy. It’s safe for all ages, won’t interact with any medicines, and doesn’t have side effects. Usually one to three doses per season are all that’s required for relief from itchy eyes, foggy head, sneezing and constant runny nose.

Could Mental Illness Really Be A Vitamin Deficiency?

April 4, 2012

Dr. Mercola writes about the overuse of antipsychotic medications and their frightening side effects as a prelude to introducing Dr. Andrew Saul and his new book, Niacin: The Real Story: Learn about the Wonderful Healing Properties of Niacin.

According to Dr. Mercola, Dr. Saul co-wrote the book with Abram Hoffer M.D., Ph.D., who published over 600 reports and articles as well as 30 books. “His early work led to the use of niacin for schizophrenia and as an cholesterol treatment. Dr. Hoffer died in 2009 at the age of 91, but he successfully treated many thousands of patients with high dose niacin for psychotic disorders. He presented some very compelling evidence to support treating most psychotic disorders as a vitamin B3 deficiency.”

Those B vitamins may be more important than we had realized to maintaining a healthy state, mentally and emotionally as well as physically.

Vitamin B3 (niacin) helps the body process fats and stabilize blood sugar and cholesterol. Niacin deficiencies may appear as general weakness, skin infections, digestive problems or lack of appetite. And, apparently, lack of niacin can manifest as psychiatric symptoms.

It wouldn’t hurt to increase your intake of vitamin B3 if you are struggling with mental illness. Foods that are highest in vitamin B3 (niacin) include crimini mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, chicken, and tuna. Other sources include salmon, chicken breast, asparagus, halibut, venison, calf’s liver, and turkey.

What Healthy Poop Looks Like

April 3, 2012

My practice as a naturopath focuses on balancing nutrition and identifying and eliminating inflammatory foods to restore health, and I always inquire about my patients’ elimination habits. The state of someone’s stool says a lot about their internal processes, i.e., if they are absorbing their foods, suffering from inflammation, and/or infected by parasites. I ask about color, odor, buoyancy, frequency, ease, and consistency. One of the tools I use to assess the responses is the Bristol Stool Chart.

Developed at the University of Bristol in England, and published in the Scandanavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 1997, the Bristol Stool Chart describes the consistency and form of human poop ranging from diarrhea to constipation. It’s a clinical tool you can use to assess your own health on a daily basis.

The optimum state for stool is Type 4. I think of it as when your poop looks like an old banana: smooth and tubular with a slight curve and gentle to pass.

One of my mentors, Dr. Tom Anstett, jokes that he is the president of SWA, or Stool Watchers of America. He knows that your stool is a good indicator of how the rest of your body is doing: healthy stool means all systems are fired and functioning.

Are you noticing that you do not eliminate Type 4 poop 1-3 times per day? Sophisticated testing and dietary therapies can help get you back on track and feeling good. Contact me if you’d like a free consultation.

How to have clear, acne-free skin

March 30, 2012

One of my friends recently asked me for some advice about products to help her pre-teen fight breakouts on her face. My first question was: does she wash her face?

I’m always shocked to find out just how many people don’t wash their face regularly and then wonder why they have a pizza-face appearance. With just a little bit of daily effort, it’s easy to keep breakouts at bay and skin clear and glowing. This advice is not limited to greasy pre-teens; keeping skin pores clear and moisturized has anti-aging benefits, too.

Here’s a basic skin care regimen that to perform first thing in the morning and again before bed. Follow the regimen using any products you please.

Basic skin care regimen for clear skin:

1. Cleanse and exfoliate.

2. Tighten pores with a toner or astringent.

3. Moisturize.

4. Spot treat any breakouts.

I change the products I use all the time, but at the moment I’m using:

1. Sanctum Soothing Cream Cleanser and a Clarisonic Mia to cleanse and exfoliate.

2. Kiss My Face Balancing Antioxident Toner applied with an organic cotton ball.

3. MoonDance Botanicals Apricot Rose Cream for Face.

4. Calendula oil to disinfect and heal the occasional blocked pore without over-drying.

Now that I’m older and my skin is thinner, I find that while I cleanse and moisturize twice daily, I have cut back and only exfoliate and use toner in the morning for a fresh face before applying makeup; and I use a heavier moisturizer at night than during the day. I remember that as a teen I only used moisturizer at night as I felt it was too heavy during the day. You should adjust things to suit your own skin.

I am grateful that my beautiful mother, who looks decades younger than her almost 70 years, started me on this skin-care regimen when I was in third grade; I have followed it religiously ever since. It is a good habit, like brushing my teeth twice a day.

When I asked the question, “Does she wash her face every day?” my friend’s daughter blushed guiltily and shook her head. There is no magic pill, I told her. If you’re looking for clearer skin, a clean face is the first step!

How to read UPC codes for organic produce

Could Mental Illness Really Be A Vitamin Deficiency?

What Healthy Poop Looks Like

How to have clear, acne-free skin

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