HealthTips And More.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Friday, July 25, 2014

My shocking new ally in the war against sugar

Dear Reader,

Looks like our tour through the Twilight Zone isn't quite over yet. Because I've got another bit of bizarre news today. One that's almost as absurd as Wonderbread being the next breakout probiotic. And it comes courtesy of none other than Coca-Cola.

Coke has just launched a new beverage--amusingly named Coca-Cola Life--into the UK market. Is it sugar-free? Of course not. But it IS sweetened--in part--with stevia. And it's a part of what looks to be a genuine attempt at sugar reduction.

The trial run of this new product took place last year in South America. Which is ironic considering years ago, when Pepsi was opening up a bottling plant in Brazil, the Brazilian government actually wanted them to use stevia as a sweetener. At the time, Brazil was the world's leading producer of stevia. But Pepsi still refused. Why? Well, perhaps the fact that Monsanto was their supplier of artificial sweetener had something to do with it.

But I digress...

Honestly, I'm pretty excited about Coke's new initiative. Because like it or not, reformulating products and reprogramming people's taste buds is going to be a major key to making any sort of gains where public health is concerned.

After all, we only have so many options available in the face of this worldwide obesity crisis.

And since no one seems to want to regulate sugar or tax the foods making our nation fat and unhealthy, perhaps this will at least help spread the word and steer the focus away from sugar. (I just hope Coca Cola doesn't have something else up its sleeve with this move. Unfortunately, even stevia may not be safe in their greedy clutches.)

But you know what they say. If you can't beat 'em... join 'em.

I'm sure I told you this story before, but when ex-Mayor Bloomberg lost his bid to ban super-sized soft drinks in NYC, a patient of mine (who is a big executive with Coca-Cola) offered a pretty compelling reason for the failure. He told me that the legislation bottomed out because instead of working with Big Soda to improve the public health, Bloomberg opted to go around them and force their hand.

Personally, I would have done the same thing. But the ultimate fate of the soda ban does a good job of demonstrating who really has the power, doesn't it?

So maybe we need to try to skin this cat a different way. Perhaps it is time we start sleeping with the enemy. You've got to start somewhere, right? And I think stevia-sweetened soda is a great FIRST step--even if it is just a baby step.

Don't get me wrong. I still hate Coca-Cola--and I always will. Stevia or no, their products are anything but healthy. And if I had my way, they'd be flat out illegal.

But the reality is that they are a massive company with world-wide influence. And no, I don't expect them to start using that power for good instead of profit anytime soon. But I'll take what I can get at this point. Because if Coke can make a profit while actually doing something good, everyone wins.

It's going to take time--a generation, at least. But stevia is a safe, plant based natural alternative to sugar. In the past, it's been difficult for big companies to use--but that has gotten easier and easier over the years. And now it looks like it's stevia's time to shine.

Until next time,

Dr. Fred

Source:

Searby, Lynda. "Coca-Cola Life is 'game-changer' for sugar reduction, says policy expert." Foodnavigator.com. 19 June 2014.

It's Never Caused a Single Death, Yet This Healthy Food Is Banned in Many States
Half of the samples of one food can be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria and still be "safe." But this healthy food sold in vending machines in France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, and the Netherlands, is illegal in the US.

Guys: Your Cellphone Is Hurting Your Sperm
Your front pocket is the worst place to store your cell phone if you're planning to father children in the future (and the risks hold true for women, too).

One of the Dirtiest Foods, and You Probably Eat It Several Times a Week

It's cheap, plentiful, and popular... But most people don't realize that 9 in 10 are tainted with risky pathogens that kill 23,000 and sicken many more every year. And that it's not the healthy, nutritious food everyone thinks it is. Is it linked to your health issues?

15 Natural Remedies for Back Pain
Before you resort to back-pain surgery, steroid injections, or even prescription painkillers, try these highly effective, safe, and natural alternatives.

Dear Reader,

It's the secret weapon my patients swear by for their health. And it's the one ingredient I never, ever cook without.

I'm talking about macadamia nut oil.

I've been passionate about the benefits of this unique oil for years. And now I'm thrilled to announce the availability of my very own brand--NuLogic Foods Macadamia Nut Oil.

It wasn't easy. For more than a year, I scoured the globe searching for a source that met my exacting standards. But the final result was well worth it.

I found a premium, virgin macadamia nut oil--from East Africa. This area of the globe boasts ideal growing conditions for macadamia nuts. And once the nuts are harvested, they're cold-pressed and filtered to deliver all the flavor and benefits you come to expect from high-quality macadamia nut oil.

The result is a clean, nutty, delicious oil. It's rich, buttery, and complements any dish you add it to.

It has a tremendously high smoke point. Perfect for safely sautéing, baking--and almost any cooking method you can think of.

But most of all, it's absolutely packed with the healthiest fats you can eat--monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs. Research shows that a diet rich in MUFAs can help...

In other words, macadamia nut oil tastes great, is easy to use, and couldn't be better for you.

This magical trifecta hooked me from my first taste. And I've been recommending it to my patients--and to you--ever since.

If you've already been using macadamia nut oil, my new premium, virgin NuLogic Foods Macadamia Nut Oil will absolutely blow you away (the way it did for me)! And, if you haven't, well--this is the perfect time to try it.

I promise, you won't be disappointed. In fact, after a few days, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

Use it for your stir-frys. Omelets. Even drizzled directly on top of your salads. It's the secret ingredient your recipes have been missing. And you'll never want your kitchen to be without it again. So do your taste buds--and your health--a favor. Order your bottle of NuLogic Foods Macadamia Nut Oil now.

Buon appetito!

Dr. Fred

How the Meat on Your Plate May Be Ushering in Alzheimer's

Before you dig into your dinner tonight, consider this: the same infectious protein responsible for Mad Cow and the newly discovered Chronic Wasting Disease is now thought to play a role in Alzheimer's. And it's likely on your plate.

This Single Food Linked to an Astounding 89% Increase in Dementia Risk
Mayo Clinic study shows how risky this one food is to your brain, even in small amounts. Another study showed that in just one week, it impaired memory and place recognition. Could preventing Alzheimer's be as simple as avoiding this brain numbing food?

Study: Interrupted Sleep May Be as Harmful as No Sleep at All
Regularly waking at night appears to be just as damaging as sleeping for only four hours... and the damage happens after just one night of interrupted sleep.