We at OLM are not fans of sunscreen or sunblock. The problem is that we have not found a totally safe and benign topical way to protect the skin from sun damage besides coverage with clothing and hats.

Sunlight has numerous health benefits including the most well known, vitamin D. Most of us do not get enough vitamin D. And anyone who eats well and is in relative good health can enjoy sunlight. As with everything else having to do with health, believe it or not, a healthy diet full of a wide variety of organic, nutrient dense fresh produce is the very best way to prevent, heal, and reverse premature aging, damage, and skin cancers that can be caused by the sun.

Simply limiting exposure to shorter periods until the skin builds up its natural defenses is the best way to be able to play in the sun without the worry of sun damage. But we live in the real world, and not everyone has time to build up the their sun tolerance for a week in order to enjoy 8 hours at the beach with nothing more than a swimsuit.

Exaggerated Dangers of Sunlight

When we first learned about the dangers of too much sun exposure, we ignored the dangers of not enough sun exposure, which as it turns out, leads to greater incidents of cancer, including the more dangerous form of skin cancer.

“There are two types of skin cancer,” says Dr. Michael Holick, one of the world’s leading authorities on vitamin D and vitamin D deficiency. “There’s what’s called non-melanoma skin cancer and there is no question that excessive exposure to sunlight and sunburns will damage the DNA and induce skin cells to become cancerous. That is non-melanoma squamous and basal cell cancers. They are typically easy to detect, easy to treat. They’re not lethal, for the most part.

“Melanoma is a different story. Most melanomas occur on the least sun exposed areas. Occupational sun exposure decreases your risk of malignant melanoma.”

And to top it off, vitamin D, what you get from our vilified sun, is one of the best preventers of any and all types of cancer!

For more on sunlight, skin cancer, and vitamin D, check out our article, Sunlight and Vitamin D.

Dangers of Sunscreens

So we all got scared of skin cancer, and what did we do? We started slathering on toxic chemicals that kept our skin from appearing and feeling burned while we sunbathed . Thinking we were totally protected, we cooked these chemicals into our skin, causing serious damage to out skin, our liver, our DNA, etc.

And guess what happened? Skin cancer rates rose right along with the use of sunscreen.

Canada Proposes Stricter  Sunscreen Regulations

If Canada’s planned rules take effect, this would likely prompt much needed changes in the sunscreens sold in the United States.

“Sunscreen companies won’t make better products until they are forced to,” said Sonya Lunder, Senior Analyst at Environmental Working Group. “EWG welcomes Canada’s efforts to improve sunscreen protection, particularly because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration appears unable or unwilling to wrap up its sunscreen rules more than thirty years in the making.”

For more on Canada’s Stricter Sunscreen Rules, checkout The Environmental Working Group’s article.

EWG

The Environmental Working Group has just released its 7th annual Sunscreen Guide.This guide rates the safety and efficacy of over 1,400 sunscreens, lotions, lip products and makeups that advertise sun protection.

“The vast majority of sunscreens available to the consumer aren’t as good as most people think they are, but there are a handful of products that rise above the rest,” said Sonya Lunder, senior research analyst at EWG and lead author of the report. “The best advice for concerned consumers is to use sun-protective clothing, stay in the shade to reduce intense sun exposure, and schedule regular skin examinations by a doctor. And turn to EWG’s guide to find the best sunscreens for skin that isn’t protected by clothing.”

“Despite an increasing awareness of the sun’s risks, rates of melanoma – the deadliest skin cancer – have tripled over the past 35 years, with an annual increase of 1.9 percent per year since 2000,” Lunder said.

The Environmental Working Group states, “Part of the reason for the increase may be the decades of deceptive marketing claims by sunscreen manufacturers, EWG researchers said.  EWG believes that the federal Food and Drug Administration should press companies to stop selling high-SPF sunscreens (above 50+), which account for 1 in 7 products on the market. As a result of misleading and confusing marketing claims, consumers frequently misuse sunscreens and spend more time in the sun than they should, putting themselves at greater risk.” We contend that that sunscreen’s toxic chemicals are the biggest culprit.

Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid

Retinyl Palmitate: In sunscreen, exposed to the intense rays of the sun, Retinyl Palmitate builds up in the skin elevating the risk of skin cancer and other health issues.

Oxybenzone: Also known as methanone, 2-hydroxy 4 methoxydenzophenone and benzophenone-3. The Environmental Working Group states that 56% of sunscreens contain Oxybenzone, a penetration enhancer (causes other chemicals to be able to penetrate skin). This chemical is known to cause allergic skin reactions that can spread beyond applied areas. Oxybenzone disrupts the human endocrine system and can damage the cardiovascular system.

Octinoxate: The most widely used sunscreen ingredient, octinoxate helps other ingredients be absorbed more readily. Studies show that this chemical is likely responsible for disrupting the endocrine system by altering hormones. The chemical’s effects on estrogen levels are harmful for humans and our environment. Octinoxate is likely the main culprit for premature aging due to the fact that it produces free radicals that attack and damage our skin cells.

Benzophenone-3 (B-3): Can damage DNA.

Amino Benzoic Acid: Otherwise known as PABA, para-aminobenzoic acid, Vitamin Bx or padimate O, Amino Benzoic Acid  is a nontoxic UV filtering compound. But researchers have come to find that Amino Benzoic Acid can amplify cellular damage.

Homosalate: Like oxybenzone, homosalate can mimic bodily hormones. Our bodies cannot remove this chemical at the common rate of absorption so it accumulates to very toxic levels over time.

Paraben Preservatives: There have been many reports of serious chronic and acute side effects associated with Paraben preservatives. Derived from plant and petroleum sources, these preservatives may cause irritation and allergic reactions. More importantly, the chronic effects of Paraben use are known to disrupt and mimic hormones and cause reproductive toxicity. As a suspected carcinogen, it has connections with breast tumors, skin cell damage, and oxidative stress on the body’s tissues, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Octocrytene: This synthetic UV absorber may produce oxygen radicals that cause cell mutation resulting in increased production of free radicals that are known to damage DNA, which may lead malignant melanoma skin cancer.

Artificial Ingredients: Scents, colors, and preservatives are never good to put on your skin. They are absorbed into your body, and when baked in the sun, many of these ingredients can become even more dangerous,. Like, for starters, many artificial ingredients when cooked into the skin produce DNA damaging free radicals. These artificial ingredients are bad for us, bad for the environment, and should be avoided anywhere, in food, sunscreens, supplements, etc.

The Safest Effective Active Sunscreen Ingredient

While there are many totally natural, completely safe, and edible ingredient options that offer some protection from the sun, the highest SPF you can get from them is about a 5 (see our homemade recipe below). But for a higher level of sunburn protection, we choose zinc oxide. Not the nano technology kind which is composed of zinc oxide particles so small they are absorb into the skin. You don’t want to absorb zinc oxide.  And if you’re healthy, you shouldn’t absorb any non nano zinc oxide applied to the skin. It’s still not the kind of thing we want to put on our body. But for any significant SPF protection, it’s the best choice we know of.

For more on zinc oxide, check out this post by The Environmental Working Group.

Homemade Sunscreen

It’s easy to make your own sunscreen. But how effective is it? There are some efficacy issues to consider. And be careful. Don’t just slather on some coconut oil with zinc oxide and then spend 8 hours in the sun.

Homemade Sunscreen Warning

Before deciding to save a few dollars with the DIY route, consider some of the issues that arise when making your own sunscreen.

One problem with making your own sunscreen at home is that there is no effective way to test SPF levels. Another issue is mixing the ingredients. Sunscreen manufacturers use a high pressure machine called a homogenizer to break up zinc and/or titanium dioxide particles in order to evenly distribute them throughout he formulas. Mixing by hand, or even a blender can cause uneven distribution of the active ingredients leaving large areas of skin partially or totally exposed to UV rays.

And oils by themselves can actually contribute to sunburns by absorbing light which allows greater UV ray penetration. It should also be noted that store-bought sunscreens typically contain a of different ingredients to protect against the different wavelengths of UV rays. Zinc or titanium dioxide alone does not offer the same level of protection from sunburns.

That said, we still choose sunburn over cancer causing chemicals any day! And we are a fan of DIY projects. But regardless, when using sunscreen, and especially the homemade variety, use common sense with sun exposure. Reapply after getting wet. Use a hat and cover the body after or get out of the sun all together before you burn.

How to Make Homemade Organic Sunscreen

• 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel
• 1/4 a cup of coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of raspberry seed oil
• 5 tablespoons Shea Butter
• ¼ cup Beeswax
• 5 tablespoons Zinc Oxide

Coconut oil and shea butter are natural sunscreens (around SPF 5). The beeswax helps make lotion water resistant. Aloe moisturizes and protects against burns. Raspberry seed oil has an SPF of 25-50.

Zinc Oxide must be only zinc oxide and should not be nano particle technology (it should not be able to be absorbed through the skin). Be careful not to inhale!

Optional Ingredients – Antioxidants

• Green Tea (brew concentrated green tea and add ¼ a cup)
• 3 tablespoons of Vitamin E oil
• 10 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract

You can also add essential oils for scent, but avoid citrus as citrus oils can contribute to sunburns.

Instructions

Combine all ingredients except zinc oxide and heat until ingredients liquefy. You want ingredients to melt but not cook or become too hot for the next step, so watch closely and pull as soon as liquefied. We recommend a double boiler for this. You can also put the ingredients into a jar and put the jar into a pot of hot water on the stove at a higher setting.

Put ingredients into a blender with zinc oxide (the better quality the blender the better this will work) and blend with zinc oxide. If you don’t have a blender (or you have a cheap one that doesn’t mix well) then see above warnings.

Mix on highest setting until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and then pour the solution into the container you will use to store it.  A pump container isn’t going to work very well for this. I recommend a mason jar.

Now place the product in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This will solidify the product so that the ingredients stay evenly mixed and don’t separate. Then put product in the refrigerator.

Keeping the product cool keeps the ingredients from separating. This allows us to have a more stable product without the use of the chemicals manufacturers have to resort to keep their product ingredients evenly distributed.

When ready to use, you can scoop some out and put into a smaller container to take with you, or put the whole thing in a cooler with your picnic.

And play with the recipe. Depending on the product consistency and the temperature you keep it at, you may find that varying some of the ingredients work better for you.

Application

If you know you’re going to be needing sun protection the next day, we recommend applying sunscreen liberally the night before and the morning or for greatest efficacy.

Notes

This recipe has an SPF of around 30. More or less Zinc Oxide will increase or decrease the SPF. It is water resistant, but if you sweat or swim do reapply.

More beeswax makes thicker sunscreen, less makes thinner. We like thicker to reduce ingredients settling and separating.

Remove the zinc oxide and you’ve got an amazing lotion that has a little bit of sun protection as well.

And for truly organic sunscreen, and a totally edible sunscreen (a light sunscreen with a low SPF), remove the zinc oxide and make sure all ingredients are 100% organic.

And here is an infograph we just came across from livelovefruit.com. Let us know if you try some of these oils!

Best Sunscreen

We like Solar Body Block 30+ by DeVita Professional Skin Care. It’s vegan, cruelty free, paraben free, titanium dioxide free, and has been tested and proven to be of SPF level 32. We liked it, so we got it for our store at Green Lifestyle Market.

https://www.greenlifestylemarket.com/solar-body-block-30-7oz-devita-professional-skin-care

You can check out the Environmental Working Group’s listing of Solar Body Block 30+ here

We Want to Hear From You

What, if anything, do you do for sunburn protection? Do you have any sunscreen recipes or ways to improve our recipes? Did you have any luck with the homemade sunscreen recipe or some of the oils listed?

Doc Shillington not only sells his Total Nutrition Formula, which is available at Green lifestyle Market, he also tells us how to make our own. One of the reasons we love working with Doc is that he empowers people to take their health into their own hands. And as you know, here at OLM, we love DIY healthcare!

Doc’s Total Nutrition Formula, a perfectly balanced blend of whole foods, is specially formulated to supply you with natural food source vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential trace elements. These are nature’s nutrients, not man-made or synthetic.  All ingredients are from the richest, whole food sources on the planet and are organically grown or wildcrafted.  Along with diet, a comprehensive multivitamin/mineral formula from quality whole foods should be the foundation of any health building program.

Total Nutrition Formula Recipe

With this recipe a “part” means a measurement by volume and not weight. What volume you use is up to you. All ingredients should be organic or wildcrafted.

• 1 part Alfalfa Grass Powder
• 1 part Barley Grass Powder
• 1 part Wheat Grass Powder
• 1 part Norwegian Purple Dulse Seaweed Powder
• 1 part Beet Root Powder
• 1 part Spinach Leaf Powder
• 1 part Rosehips Powder
• 1 part Orange Peel Powder
• 1 part Lemon Peel Powder
• 1 part Astragalus Powder
• 1.5 parts Spirulina Green Algae
• 1.5 parts Chlorella Broken Cell Algae
• 5 parts Yeast Flakes
• 5 parts Yeast Powder

Combine all ingredients. Mix thoroughly. You may need a dust mask when mixing, as the powders can get into the air and irritate the nose and throat. We mix ours on a patio when there is no wind where we can easily rinse off the mess.

Yeast (both the flakes and the powder) must be non-active saccharomyces cerevisiae nutritional yeast fortified with B12. Which is safe for patients with Candida albicans. Doc wrote, “I added astragalus as it is the #1 herb for balancing metabolism and blood sugar levels. Without changing my diet one iota, I dropped 10 pounds when I added this little goody to the formula. I also upped the spirulina and chlorella 50% each to increase the protein, and mineral intake.”

Most of the ingredients can be purchased at Mountain Rose Herbs. We plan to offer all of these ingredients at Green Lifestyle Market soon as well so that you can make your own without having to go to multiple stores to get ingredients. Use 1-2 teaspoons as a daily addition to any drink.

About the Ingredients

Again, if you are making your own homemade total nutrition, be absolutely sure to use only the finest wildcrafted or organic ingredients. Doc Shillington tells us about the ingredients in Total Nutrition:

Spirulina  Blue  Green  Algae

“Spirulina is one of the most concentrated, nutritious foods on this planet. It is the highest natural source of complete protein (77%).  Also, it is extremely high in Beta Carotene.  Spirulina is one of the richest sources of minerals, and being one of the oldest types of algae, it has a soft cell wall for easy digestion.”

Chlorella

“Chlorella is second only to spirulina in nutritional content.  Another algae,” it is an extremely concentrated source of nutrition that also assists in heavy metal removal from the body. The cell wall has been cracked to make the nutrients more available and increase its digestibility.”

Astragalus

“In Oriental herbology, astragalus shares the #1 spot with ginseng.  Astragalus not only has a reputation for preventing cancer, but it is legendary for rejuvenating digestive organs and balancing blood sugar levels.  Astragalus also corrects metabolism,and can therefore bring about weight loss or weight gain depending on the needed improvement.  This makes it equally great for weight lifters and weight reducers.  Furthermore, astragalus strengthens and builds the immune system, promotes the healing of every kind of wound or injury, balances hormones and is well known for dramatically increasing energy levels.  Lastly, it is essential in assisting those who wish to handle diabetes.”

Alfalfa,  Barley,  and  Wheat  Grasses

“These are the vitamin / mineral herb Grasses.  They are mildly cleansing and the greatest sources of nutrition and minerals of any of the grasses. Grain grasses are more powerful than the grains themselves, offering a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll.”

Purple  Dulse  Seaweed

“Seaweeds are the richest source of minerals on the planet. They contain all the trace elements that are found in all the oceans and the Earth’s crust.  Purple dulse was chosen for this formula because it has the highest mineral concentration but also a bland, less fishy taste that actually tastes good by itself.”

Beet  Root  and  Spinach  Leaf

“Beets and spinach are some of the best sources of organic iron. Beets, being a root vegetable and growing underground, change inorganic raw elements into plant minerals, that are very usable. Spinach is a great source of calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamin K.  Furthermore, both of these plants are famous for their blood building ability.”

Rose  Hips,  Orange  and  Lemon  Peels

Revered as the best sources of vitamin C, these fruits are also a balanced C-complex source. They contain bioflavinoids, rutin, hesperidin, calcium and all of the trace elements that are now known to be necessary to assimilate vitamin C. The citrus peels are also one of the highest sources of pectin, which has been proven to remove heavy metals (mercury, lead, etc.), and even removes radioactive contamination like deadly strontium 90 from the body.

Non-Active  Saccharomyces  Cerevisiae  Nutritional  Yeast

This yeast is grown on beets and pure molasses. It is the second highest source of complete protein in nature (50%), and the richest source of B vitamins.  It is also a rich source of iron and many other minerals.  The yeast we chose to use is heated high enough to absolutely destroy any yeast activity, but not high enough to lessen the B vitamin content.  It is totally NON active and safe for clients with Candida Albicans or those on yeast free diets.”

When asked about the difference between his formula and other popular formula with many ingredients, Doc says, “Remember, it’s not how many nutrients you can get into your system; it’s how many quality ingredients your body can absorb and use.” There are many nutrition formula recipes and almost as many nutrition formulas being sold on the market.

While Doc Shillington’s formula is one of the most simple versions, it’s also the best. Doc goes on to say, “It is possible to have too many ingredients in a formula. It becomes a question of a homeopathic dosage rather than a nutritional dosage. The idea is to put actual building blocks there, not just a homeopathic teaser that the body likes (or not).”

Our Favorite Basic Smoothie Recipe

In a blender combine the following:

• 1 cup of freshly squeezed organic apple juice
• 1 1/2 cups of organic, frozen, mixed berries (or any other fruit you choose)
• 2 level tablespoons of Udo’s Oil (3.6.9 Blend)
• 2 heaping tablespoons of nutritional powder
• 1 raw organic egg (Must be organic; conventional eggs are a source of salmonella!)

More of Shillington’s Recipes:

Menu

Recommended Supplements:

• Total Nutrition Formula

Further Reading:

• Bullet Proof Your Immune System
  
• Homemade Calcium and Magnesium
• Homemade Vitamin C
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included

My dad is blind, I love my bicycle, and I am happy.

I really do love the bicycling life. I’ve always loved bikes, but I have also always loved driving.

I have in the past fantasized about giving up the car to do it all on a bike, but Atlanta is not the easiest city to do that in. Don’t get me wrong; if I moved back to Atlanta I’d make it work sans car, but it is a lot easier in L.A.

Kristina and I recently moved to Los Angeles. We planned on traveling the whole country but with an auto repair, the cost of gas, and the launch of the new market, greenlifestylemarket.com, it made more sense to got to LA and try the bike and bus way of life.

I’m one of those guys that have had over 50 jobs in my life. I say that as if there is a lot of us, but maybe not so much. I’ve rarely worked close to home, and when I did I only lasted a couple of weeks. Not because I didn’t like working close to home, but because I rarely lasted more than two weeks anywhere.
It’s an old story. The less stuff you have the happier you are. The more you exercise, the happier you are. The more fresh air you breath (can you call Los Angeles air fresh?), the happier you are.

Superfoods are just that – super foods!  Although there are few dictionaries that define the word, the commonly understood definition of a superfood is a food that packs a big nutritional punch – a whole food that contains a high concentration of nutrients.

Superfoods work in synergy with your body systems, promoting normal cell function and preventing mutations at a cellular level, boosting your immune system and preventing chronic diseases.  So yep, they’re pretty super!

What’s more, they support weight loss, help you keep the weight off, support your gut health and digestion, boost your immunity, balance potential nutritional deficiencies, and promote wellness!  In order to reap all of their benefits, try to include them in your diet daily.

Here’s a list of my top 6 superfoods that regulate blood sugar levels, reduce sugar cravings and boost your energy. (I tried to limit myself to 5 Superfoods, but it was just too hard!)

My Top 6 Superfoods:

1.  Oily Fish  – Salmon, Tuna, Mackerel, Herring, Sardines

Oily fish are high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, including Omega 3. These fish:

• Support healthy hormones- aid fertility and pregnancy
• Aid with fat loss
• Promote wound healing and skin integrity

Aim for 3 servings of oily fish per week.

2. Garlic

Did you know that garlic is one of nature’s natural antibiotics? It does the following:

• Boosts your immune system
• Reduces cold and flu symptoms
• Contains antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties

Aim for 1-2 garlic cloves per day.

3. Green, Leafy Veggies – Kale, Spinach, Collard, Mustard and Turnip Greens, Swiss Chard, Rocket, Broccoli

These contain potent anti-oxidants that reduce cell destruction and prevent disease, not to mention they offer great anti-ageing benefits! Furthermore they…

• Support liver health and detoxification processes
• Alkalise your body, helping to prevent disease
• Reduce inflammation and pain, especially in muscles and joints

Aim for one salad a day, and add green leafy vegetables to any stir-fry, soup, or smoothie.

4.  Blueberries

Blueberries contain anthocyanins, a naturally occurring pigment that gives them their blue colour, which is a potent antioxidant. They’ll help to:

• Balance hormone levels
• Promote healthy skin
• Support weight loss and weight management

Aim to eat a handful a day – fresh or frozen.

5. Cacao Beans – Raw, Unprocessed Chocolate

Cacao beans contain the greatest wholefood source of magnesium, which:

• Supports concentration and memory by increasing blood flow to the brain
• Regulates blood sugar levels
• Supports normal muscle function, including your heart – after all your heart is one big muscle!

6. Spirulina – Blue Green Algae (dried and available in powdered or capsule form)

Spirulina offers the greatest source of protein on this planet, even more than any meat can offer.  Protein is ideal for:

• Boosting energy and cellular health
• Regulating appetite
• Protecting your liver from damage caused by heavy metals

You can add 1-2 teaspoons of spirulina into a smoothie or take it as a supplement.  See the recipe below for an example.

Superfood Blueberry Smoothie Recipe:

Let’s face it, in our busy, chaotic and often stressful lives it can be hard to consume the recommended intake of 5 veggies per day.  There’s no easier or healthier way to kick off your day then blending up a bunch of veggies and enjoying a green (or in this case, a purple) smoothie.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 250mls of coconut water or almond milk
• ½ frozen banana
• 1 handful of blueberries
• ½ avocado
• 3 kale stalks (use the leaves and discard the tough stalks) or choose a handful of baby spinach

Add whatever of these you have on hand:

• 1 teaspoon of Spirulina
• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon of goji berries
• 1-2 teaspoons of cacao nibs (for a chocolate twist)

Method:

1. Blend all ingredients and blitz until smooth.
2. Drink immediately (or store in the fridge for up to one hour)

The Carrageenan Controversy – Is it safe?

As an avid label reader, I am always on the lookout for unfamiliar, unpronounceable, and otherwise suspicious sounding ingredients in my food. Unfortunately, in today’s world of pre-packaged, highly-processed food, it is often difficult to distinguish the harmful from the benign. Even the savviest of consumers can be fooled, as I’ve learned recently. Apparently, I have been consuming a dangerous food additive in my “health” food for years: carrageenan.

Carrageenan, which is extracted from red seaweed, is a common ingredient in both organic and conventional food products. It is used as a thickener and emulsifier to improve the texture of dairy products, dairy replacement products like soy milk and almond milk, and personal care products like toothpaste.

In April 2012, University of Illinois medical researcher, Joanne Tobacman, testified before the National Organic Standard Board about the harmful effects of carrageenan. Over the years, Tobacman published 18 peer-reviewed studies linking carrageenan to increased inflammation, gastrointestinal issues, and cancer. Specifically, Tobacman found that mice consuming carrageenan were more likely to develop glucose intolerance, gastrointestinal ulcerations, and even gastrointestinal malignancies.

In her testimony, Tobacman claimed that carrageenan has been used by drug researchers for the specific purpose of producing inflammation in mice for anti-inflammatory drug studies. As most people are now well-aware, the medical community considers inflammation a contributing factor in serious health problems like autoimmune diseases and cancer. Despite Tobacman’s testimony, carrageenan remains on the National Organic Standard Board’s list of approved ingredients.

In 2008, Tobacman submitted a petition to the Food and Drug Administration which cited more than a decade of her research on the harmful effects of carrageenan and requested that carrageenan be banned as a food additive for human consumption. Last year, four years after the petition had been submitted, the FDA denied Tobacman’s request.

Organizations like the Cornucopia Institute have also expressed concern about carrageenan and have worked to get it banned by the Food and Drug Administration. In March of this year, the Cornucopia Institute formally requested that the FDA reconsider its decision regarding carrageenan. In its letter, the Cornucopia Institute claimed that the FDA’s denial was “based on an incomplete review of the scientific literature” and that every argument made by the FDA “can be refuted based on strong scientific evidence.”

Much of the FDA’s argument against banning carrageenan relies on the distinction between degraded and undegraded carrageenan, which differ, based upon molecular weight. Degraded forms of carrageenan, which are not used in food, have long been deemed unfit for human consumption. In the 1960s, degraded carrageenan was determined to cause gastrointestinal inflammation, and in 1983 the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer listed it as a “possible human carcinogen.”

Undegraded, or food-grade, carrageenan was considered safe for human consumption. Concerns have been raised, however, in regards to the unclear relationship between undegraded and degraded carrageenan. According to the Cornucopia Institute’s published report about carrageenan, data from the carrageenan industry in 2005 showed that degraded carrageenan was found in all samples of food-grade carrageenan. The report also cites research indicating that when food-grade carrageenan is broken down for digestion it turns into degraded carrageenan.

With the FDA and National Organic Standard Board refusing to take official action on the issue, health-conscious consumers are left to fend for themselves. To help consumers avoid carrageenan, the Cornucopia Institute has created a buying guide which lists popular organic products that contain carrageenan (Cornucopia) and a partial list of conventional foods that contain it.

Based upon the list, the main carrageenan culprits are dairy products, dairy alternative products, nutritional drinks, and lunch meats. If attempting to avoid carrageenan, however, it is probably safest to check labels on all processed foods. According to Joanne Tobacman, carrageenan is also found in most condensed milk; so any product containing condensed milk might also contain carrageenan, even if it is not explicitly stated on the label.

As awareness about the dangers of carrageenan grows, the once seemingly harmless seaweed by-product is joining the ranks of high-fructose corn syrup, aspartame, red-40, MSG and other food additives that have become dirty words to health-conscious consumers. The carrageenan controversy provides just one more solid reason to avoid processed foods (even organic ones) and to stick to real, whole foods.

Recommended Reading:

• Food Emulsifiers Linked to Gastrointestinal Disease
• Cheap and Easy Detox Diet Plan
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Understand Hypothyroidism – Prevention and Natural Remedies
• Still Have Candida? How Mercury Fillings Cause Candida Overgrowth

This method helps you to also give birth without lower back pain, heal the sciatic nerve, stop spending money on chiropractors, with Vibram Five Fingers information

I run. Humans are meant to run. We’ve come to find that we humans caught prey in large part because of our ability to outrun other animals due to our incredible endurance. We aren’t fast compared to many  animals, but we can run over 100 miles without stopping. And our bodies are very good at staying cool.

The problem with running today is that our crappy shoe design attempts to support our arches and causes us to  heel strike. Most knee, hip, and I suspect most lower back pain, is caused by shoe design that attempts to support our arches but actually weakens them.

Fallen Arches, Flat Feet, Back and Knee Pain

The arch issue is huge! People who grew up as barefoot children have arches that are naturally stronger than  people who always wore shoes right from the start. Those who played barefoot while their feet developed have the ability to easily rebuild their arch strength. Those who have worn shoes from the very beginning are bound to have serious alignment issues with their whole body. And high heels hurt arch strength as well.Shoes with arch support cause flat feet because the support actually weakens the arches.In addition, when the toes are not allowed independent movement for walking, the toe muscles weaken (the toe muscles are within your arch). When the shoes come off, the arches flatten. Then they don’t go all the way back up and in as they should be when the shoes go back on unless the arch support is very stiff, like orthopedic shoes. So the arches stay flattened, knees buckle in, and  hips shift one way or the other to compensate, depending on which knee is more buckled inward.

There was a guy in jail who used to be a football player. (For those of you who don’t know, yes, I was in jail.) He was working out, and I asked him why he wouldn’t do squats. He told me about his knee. He talked about his football days; he tore his ACL playing high school football. He was thinking he would go pro, but with the torn ACL, from that point on, he lead of life of crime. He told me his uncle was going to pay for half of his surgery and his wife would pay the other half and he could finally get a decent job. The guy was in terrible pain all the time and never had the money for the surgery. But he worked out every day, and he wanted to be able to squat.

I told him how the ACL can heal if it’s not severed. I told him he just needed to fix his arches. He laughed and called me an idiot. Everyone listening started made fun of me. But I persisted, and we made a deal. I would fix his arches and he could do a full squat, or I would give him all of my commissary for a month. Everyone laughed at this, called me names, and a few people threatened to kick my ass for being such a bullshitter. But he let me do it. I pushed back in his arches, adjusted his hips as well, and then he did a full squat for the first time in years. The look on his face almost made jail worth the stay. Actually, honestly, it was worth it. I love healing people more than anything. Within seconds there was a line to my bunk of people waiting to be cured of whatever ailed them.

Running and squatting with good form can heal the joins and ligaments. It should be noted here that adequate nutrition makes a huge difference as well. If you don’t get the nutrients to fix the injuries, the injuries will persist in most cases, or at least easily come back at the slightest opportunity.

Vibram Five Finger Shoes and How to Run

I am a huge fan of Vibrams. They are all I ever wear. They allow for independent toe movement which builds arch strength and aids in walking and running more efficiently.

I run with a mid-foot strike, unless I am sprinting. When I sprint, I run on the balls of my feet. If you want to know how to run, do it barefoot first. Find a safe place where you aren’t likely to step on glass or rocks or anything dangerous. Run. See how it feels. Adjust your form. Forget what you knew; just feel your body. It will tell you the proper form very quickly.

Many people have flat feet and don’t realize it. Even if arches are a little flat, as in, just slightly out, this can cause significant pain and misalignment.

Avoid Back Labor and Improper Infant Positioning at Birth

Vibrams aren’t just for running. I recommend  Vibrams for anyone who is pregnant. Get them immediately! And squat. If you aren’t too far along in your pregnancy, you should be doing lots of full squats and lots of walking. Hips being out of alignment (as mentioned, typically caused by flat arches) is a very common cause of back labor and difficulty delivering. If Vibrams are not an option, or the pregnancy is in its third trimester, go with orthopedic shoes that will push the arches back in and keep them in.

Arches and Chiropractic

While there are many variables, for most people, fixing their feet fixes not just the knees, hips, and lower back, but the whole spine all the way up to the neck. And I suspect that this is not something chiropractors talk about because everyone that I’ve ever gotten to start primarily wearing Vibrams has been able to completely rid themselves of back and neck pain within a few months. Obviously, as readers of OLM are well aware, the money is in treatment, not cures.

Fix Your Arches and Start running without Knee Pain

Put your arches back in yourself. If you don’t believe that this is the cause of your knee pain, just give it a try and see what happens. It may get a little better every time, or they might just pop right into place, but in almost every case, it will make a perceptible difference.

How to fix you arches

A golf ball, a tennis ball, any small ball, a towel rolled up, a rock, anything that you can put weight on with your foot can be used to push your arches back into place. Put pressure all over your arch by pushing down on the object. Stand on it if possible. Put in one arch at a time (both are usually out but one is almost always worse than the other). The flatter the arch, the more it hurts. But you will find that the more you do it, the less it hurts to push them back in.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/b4U0u–ew7I

Take your time. Give yourself a strong foot massage using this method. Push in hard. You should be able to feel it when the arch goes back in. But they won’t always go in all the way at first.

Now do a squat. Better? It should be. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on this.

The next step is to get Vibrams. Walk barefoot or in Vibram Five Finger shoes as much as possible. Use your toes too. Feel them push off with each stride. And then, take up running if you don’t already. And squats. Get up to 100 bodyweight squats, and you will be amazed at how much your body transforms!

How To Get Vibram Five Fingers That Fit a Tight Budget

If you’re on a tight budget like me, you’ll notice that Vibrams are expensive! But I typically spend about 1/3 the price. During the right time of year, just before the new models come out, sales are to be found up to 50% off. In addition, if you go into a store that sells them you can get yourself fitted and then check on eBay or Craigslist for people who are selling them. Lots of people get the wrong size, or just don’t know how awesome they really are. I just bought a pair for $30 on eBay because they are slightly used. I like to get them used because they are much less likely to be counterfeit that way (that’s a problem with Five Fingers, and the counterfeit ones are garbage).

The Bikilas have the most padding, perfect for the beginner Vibram wearer and your everyday walking shoe. But I prefer to do my runs in a pair with minimal padding.

One more thing

Diet is paramount. If you eat crap, your body goes out of alignment  I’m not going to get into the details of why in this post, but even your arches can drop due to a toxic diet without enough nutrition. And injuries take time, so take your time ,too, if you’re recovering from an injury. With the right shoes, or no shoes at all, and the right nutrition  almost anyone can completely rid themselves of knee and back pain for the rest of their lives. I did. And I’ve helped many others do the same.

Arches that don’t stay in place are often a sign of hypothyroidism. Check out Understand Hypothyroidism – Prevention and Natural Remedies.

The gluten-free diet trend has been picking up a lot of speed recently. But it is, at best, a shady topic. What exactly is gluten? Why is it bad? And is it really possible to have a gluten-free diet?

For many, “gluten” is an elusive component of starchy foods that can wreak havoc on your health. What it actually is, is a protein compound found in grains and grain products. Found in grass grains- wheat, barley, rye- gluten is a composite of naturally occurring plant proteins. When grains are processed, the gluten is what gives dough its elasticity and other foods a “chewy” texture.

But gluten can show up in other, often unexpected, foods. Extracted from grains, it is added to a slew of foods as an enhancer. In breads and other products made from grains, it increases texture. More surprisingly, it is added as a stabilizer to ice cream and ketchup. The gelatinous solids of imitation meats also harbor gluten, added to give the product firmness.

In nature, gluten doesn’t exist. But its constituents do, and they are safe and healthy to eat. Even when grains are processed to make flour, the gluten that is present is still healthy. Like anything else, moderation is the key. Eating a whole foods diet where gluten is present only in breads is perfectly fine for most healthy individuals.  When we consume mass quantities of the gluten we are more likely to see a problem. And eating more than a moderate amount is easy to do, considering that most gluten is hidden in unexpected and unlabeled places.

People with celiac disease, an estimated 1% of the population, must avoid gluten to maintain their intestinal function. For those few, a true gluten-free diet is absolutely essential to maintain health. Reducing, but not all together eliminating gluten, often helps those with allergies or sensitivities.

For many of us, completely avoiding gluten can actually be unhealthy. Going completely gluten-free may actually mean that you are choosing a food that has been made with highly refined grain. Having been stripped of its nutrients to remove the gluten, these overly refined and processed grain products are definitely not good for you.

What is healthy, however, is opting for a whole food instead of a processed one. Foods made with whole grains contain- along with gluten- fiber, iron, folate, vitamin B12 and other important nutrients.

By removing the cookies, candies, and other junk, high quantities of gluten are avoided. Plus, you feel better, lose weight and become a healthier person. So it’s not actually cutting out the gluten that is beneficial, but the eating of more fruits, veggies and whole foods that make us feel better.

If a gluten-free diet is something you want to do, then make sure you achieve it in a whole and healthy way.