More Fascinating Research

As you may already know, I spend at least 10 hours a week exploring the latest research in nutrition and fitness, and as a result, I stumble across many interesting studies. Here are some I found lately.

DRINKING SODA MAY RESULT IN KIDNEY DAMAGE
Scientists suspect that the high fructose corn syrup found in soda may be the culprit in a recent study finding that women who consumed the most soda -- a marker for intake of high fructose corn syrup -- had an 86% increased risk of albuminuria, a sensitive marker for early kidney disease. [Shoham D, et al "Sugary soda consumption and albuminuria: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2004" PLoS ONE 2008; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003431.]

New evidence has also exposed the fact that HFCS now contains high levels of mercury. Yet another reason to go organic! If this isn't bad enough, soda also has been scientifically linked to weight gain, liver damage, tooth decay, kidney stones, kidney disease, diabetes, heart burn, acid reflux, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, and digestive issue to name just a few.

YOU MAY BE EATING CLONED MEAT AND DON'T EVEN KNOW IT
Dr. Sears' recent newsletter pointed out that the FDA doesn't require labeling of cloned meat, and cloning is becoming more common every day! Cloned cows and other animals often die young, suffer birth defects, and commonly need antibiotics.

The Center for Food Safety says that as many as 50% of cow clones have what’s called “Large Offspring Syndrome.” Symptoms include unusually high birth weight that endangers the mother, and a long list of organ and systemic abnormalities, including heart problems and immature lung development.

What’s even more worrisome is that the nation’s major cattle cloning companies admit that they have already lost track of how many offspring of clones have entered the food supply!

The whole idea of cloned meat is frightening if you ask me. That’s another reason why I choose grass-fed beef. It's healthy and nutritious with no hidden food safety issues. It’s also hormone-free, antibiotic-free, has no preservatives, and has a healthy ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats. I get mine from through www.spud.com.

1. Wells DN. 2005. Animal cloning: problems and prospects. Rev Sci Tech 24: 251-264
2. Center for Food Safety. Not Ready For Prime Time – FDA’s Flawed Approach To Assessing The Safety of Food From Animal Clones, 3/07
3. Geir Tveit & Peter Sandøe, “The Science and Technology of Farm Animal Cloning: A review of the state of the art of the science, the technology, the problems and the possibilities.” Danish Centre for Bioethics and Risk Assessment, p. 24, 2005.
4. National Academy of Sciences. Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. p. 222-228, 2004
5. Walsh MK, Lucey JA, Govindasamy-Lucey S, Pace MM, and MD Bishop. 2003. Comparison of milk produced by cows cloned by nuclear transfer with milk from non-cloned cows. Cloning Stem Cells 5: 213-219

SPLENDA'S LITTLE YELLOW PACKET SHOULD CARRY A BIG RED WARNING LABEL
Many of you who know me have heard me talk about the evils of Splenda (Sucralose), but recent research has found that in addition to all the side effects I have previously discussed, Splenda also reduces the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50 percent, increases the pH level in the intestines, and contributes to increases in body weight. [Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A 2008;71(21):1415-29]

Stick with Stevia for your sweetener needs! Truvia is another sweetener that came to the market recently and is also all-natural, so now you have two choices!

EGGS OR GREEK YOGURT CAN WAKE YOU UP IN THE MORNING
Eggs and Greek yogurt both contain high amounts of Tyrosine which helps make the wake-up brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. This can be your new breakfast of champions and may even help you quit coffee if you are trying. Because both of these foods are also killer fat burners, this breakfast will make you leaner too!

Be sure to use organic eggs, and get your Greek yogurt from Trader Joe's - or another brand with a comparable macro nutrient ratio, because brands vary widely and it is important to get the kind that lists protein as the largest number on the nutrition facts.