UnSymmetrical

According to many mainstream media accounts, federal approval last week allowing 38 ingredients to be used in the production of foods bearing the USDA's organic seal was a step backward for the integrity of the growing organic foods industry.

"Organic food rule could have up to 38 loopholes," read a Seattle Times headline. "USDA broadens interpretation of `organic' for some foods," said the Los Angeles Times. The Chicago Tribune surmised: "USDA may relax standards for organic foods."

Even the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) weighed in on the issue with the headline: "USDA ignores public rejection of proposal to allow 38 non-organic ingredients and toxic fish oil in foods labeled as 'USDA organic.'"

In the past, producers, handlers and certifying agents "misinterpreted" organic production regulations, the NOP said in announcing the Interim Final Rule in the Federal Register Wednesday.

The widespread use of hundreds of nonorganic ingredients and substances in products labeled with the USDA's green-and-white seal was controlled only by an accredited certifying agent determining that the organic form of the agricultural product is not commercially available.

Continue reading "NOP's 38 Ingredients Culled from Over 600" »

Posted by Vitamin Z at 03:07 PM | Permalink

Jon Bansen believes that since he converted his farm over to being organic and sustainable, he's becomes a much better farmer, and built a better business. In this story, there may be important lessons for both farmers and the American Public.

Posted by Vitamin Z at 04:48 PM | Permalink

The American diet circa 2007 is a disaster - but positive change has begun. Those were the twin themes of the "Fourth Annual Nutrition and Health Conference" held in San Diego, Calif., May 14-16, 2007. The conference was sponsored by the University of Arizona's College of Medicine in conjunction with the Program in Integrative Medicine (PIM); PIM was founded and is co-directed by Dr. Weil.

The three-day event brought together leading nutrition researchers from around the world, bearing plenty of both bad and good news. Some highlights:

1. Hunter-gatherers in the Australian outback today live on 800 varieties of plant foods. Modern Americans live principally on three: corn, soy and wheat.

2. One third of Americans get 47 percent of their calories from junk foods.

3. The average American is eating 300 more calories each day than he or she did in 1985. Added sweeteners account for 23 percent of those additional calories; added fats, 24 percent.

Continue reading "Ten Surprising Nutrition Facts" »

Posted by Vitamin Z at 01:46 PM | Permalink

A new study on aspartame conducted by the Ramazzini Foundation reveals that aspartame causes a dose-dependent increase in cancers (lymphomas, leukemias and breast cancers) when consumed at levels approaching those consumed by humans in diet soft drinks. Specifically, the study shows (reprinted from the abstract):

a) a significant dose-related increase of malignant tumor-bearing animals in males, in particular in the group treated at 2000 ppm; b) a significant increase of the incidence in lymphomas/leukemias in males treated at 2000 ppm and a significant dose-related increase of the incidence of lymphomas/leukemias in females, in particular in the group treated at 2000 ppm; c) a significant dose-related increase of the incidence of mammary cancer in females, in particular in the group treated at 2000 ppm. Conclusions. The results of this carcinogenicity bioassay not only confirm, but also reinforce the first experimental demonstration of [aspartame's] multipotential carcinogenicity at a dose level close to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for humans. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that when lifespan exposure to [aspartame] begins during fetal life, its carcinogenic effects are increased.

Continue reading "Aspartame Causes Breast Cancer, Leukemia and Lymphomas" »

Posted by Vitamin Z at 01:28 PM | Permalink

When Jose Luis Cabrera had coronary by-pass surgery after a heart attack five years ago, his wife had to bring food and clean sheets to him in the hospital. The operation itself didn't cost the Cuban couple a cent.

"I am so grateful. They saved his life," said his wife, Daisy Martinez, who works as a cleaner in an office. "It would have cost a fortune in the United States."

Hospitals in Cuba are often shabby and badly-lit, and lack equipment and medicines. But the health system built by President Fidel Castro's government has produced results on a par with rich nations using the resources of a developing country.

Experts say that is because Cuba focused on prevention and because its universal free health care allows Cubans to see a doctor quickly and treat illness before it needs costly procedures.

The Cuban system is extolled in filmmaker Michael Moore's new documentary "SiCKO," which argues that U.S. health care tends more to the profits of insurance and pharmaceutical companies than to public health.

Continue reading "Health Care in Cuba" »

Posted by Vitamin Z at 12:35 PM | Permalink

Over the past decade, use of herbal supplements has jumped 83%, going from $12.2 billion in U.S. sales in 1996 to a whopping $22.3 billion last year.

Posted by Vitamin Z at 10:12 AM | Permalink