Healthy Living for Real People
Non-stick cookware may increase cholesterol
Sep 7th
It’s just another example of why doing things as natural as possible is better. Researchers at the West Virginia University School of Medicine have found that chemicals used to make non-stick cookware may raise blood cholesterol levels in children.
The children who took part in the study had been exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in their water supply for at least a year. PFOA concentrations were found to be substantially higher in these kids than those found nationally in kids — 29.3 ng/mL for the study group and 3.9 ng/mL for the others. Kids with higher PFOA levels had higher total cholesterol.
Surprisingly, few studies have been conducted regarding long-term exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids and how they might affect human health and development.
The findings are somewhat inconclusive, however, since the amount of chemical used to make non-stick cookware is much less than what these children were exposed to in their water supply.
In reaction to the study, Cathy Ross of the British Heart Foundation made a good point, noting that children’s heart health was at greater risk from what goes into the frying pan and from an increasingly inactive lifestyle than from what the lining of the frying pan is made of.
Amen, Cathy!
Study proves organic is better
Sep 2nd
It’s not your imagination after all… A new study has shown that organic food really DOES taste better, in addition to containing more beneficial nutrients.
A new study by Washington State University compared organic strawberry farms to conventionally produced strawberry farms and found that the organic farms “produced higher quality fruit and that their higher quality soils may have greater microbial functional capability and resilience to stress.”
The result is better tasting, more nutritious fruit. The study showed that organic strawberries had about 10 percent more antioxidants, ascorbic acid, and phenolic compounds than conventionally grown berries. They also contained about 10 percent less water, accounting for a sweeter flavor and for longer shelf life.
Conventionally grown strawberries are particularly infamous for their pesticide retention. The Environmental Working Group produces an annual list of the foods that contain the most pesticides, and conventionally grown strawberries are the third worst on the list.
The lead researcher was quoted, “All of a sudden, we have research that shows that organic delivers better nutrition, more dry matter and a better shelf life. That’s pretty amazing.”
Amazing indeed! That’s the power of foods that are grown the way God intended.
First plants, now GM… fish?
Aug 31st
As if enough stir wasn’t created by the discovery of “escaped” genetically modified (GM) canola in a rural parking lot earlier this summer, now there’s talk of the FDA considering GM fish.
Growth hormones have been used for years, but this marks the first time a true GM animal would be available for human consumption. The fish grows twice as fast as natural Atlantic salmon.
Side effects from eating such fish are unknown. If given the green light, the salmon could be followed by GM trout and tilapia. Other scientists are also developing altered pigs and cows for food.
The announcement blatantly disregards a United Nations report in June 2010 warning that “a substantial worldwide diet change away from animal products” is the only sustainable way to feed the world past the year 2050. Apparently science has not learned its lesson from the disastrous effects of GMO plants. Creating GMO fish is just asking for trouble.
Obviously Hallelujah Acres tends to agree with the United Nations on this one. Eat plants (non-GMO, of course) and be a part of the solution!
PS – Come see us at the Raw Spirit Festival at Watson Lake near Prescott, AZ, September 24-26. We’ll be speaking at 1 pm on Saturday (Sept 25).
Diabetes/diet link to Alzheimer’s
Aug 26th
A Japanese research team has revealed an interesting link between Type-2 diabetes and changes in the brain that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers said signs of Type-2 diabetes (such as insulin resistance) may contribute to the formation of neuritic plaques, disrupting signaling within and between brain cells. At this point, the symptoms of dementia might begin to become evident.
Type-2 diabetes is most often a diet-induced condition and is often directly related to obesity. Hallelujah Acres has encountered many, many people who have told us that their symptoms of Type-2 diabetes have drastically diminished or simply disappeared after reducing or eliminating their intake of processed foods and switching to a primarily raw, plant-based diet… which, apparently, has more benefits than we realize.
In fact, study researcher Kensuke Sasaki, MD, PhD said, “It’s possible that by controlling or preventing diabetes, we might also be helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.”
It also well known that heart attack, stroke, blindness, amputation, and kidney failure can also happen when blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol are out of control.
Soda ban part 2: Canada years ahead
Aug 24th
On August 17, we posted a blog about California’s new ban on sugary sodas in schools. In response to that blog, someone asked us, “What about artificial sweetened drinks? Shouldn’t they be banned too?” She went on to explain that her nephew delivers soft drinks to schools and noted that business is booming because the company is still allowed to deliver drinks sweetened with aspartame and Splenda! Obviously, this is not an improvement.
It appears that America has a long way to go in this regard, but Canada has been doing something about it for years! In 2005, the government of the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) let PARENTS decide whether artificially sweetened soft drinks should be allowed in schools. The parents’ (and educators’) “broadly expressed desire” to eliminate these soft drinks led to the outright ban of ALL artificially sweetened foods in BC elementary and middle schools (such foods are still allowed in secondary schools under a “Choose Sometimes” category in the food guidelines for students).
Note that the decision was left to the PARENTS! This is a perfect of example of how personal responsibility can lead to widespread change. If you’re on The Hallelujah Diet and you know the importance of staying away from artificial sweeteners, tell your neighbors who are in the dark, and more importantly, tell your school board! It worked in BC and it could work in your state.
PS – Come see us at the Raw Spirit Festival at Watson Lake near Prescott, AZ, September 24-26. We’ll be speaking about Synergy in Juicing at 1 pm on Saturday (Sept 25).
ADHD – or – just kids being kids?
Aug 19th
A Michigan State University study has found that almost one million children in the United States are potentially misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), simply because they were the youngest and least mature in their kindergarten class.
The study researchers noted that “many ADHD diagnoses may be driven by teachers’ perceptions of poor behavior…but these ‘symptoms’ may merely reflect emotional or intellectual immaturity.” The study is exposing what many have argued for years: ADHD is not a disease, but just kids being kids (although excessive hyperactivity is due largely to a toxic diet).
Meanwhile, a study at UC Berkley has found that prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides was significantly linked to attention problems at age five, with the effects showing up more often among boys. Here again, toxicity is to blame.
Toxicity and deficiency are root causes of all disease – including the “disease” of ADHD. These studies reinforce the need for parents to be vigilant about what their kids are exposed to in ALL facets of life, including dietary, environmental, and spiritual influences.
Soft drink ban reduces obesity in CA schools
Aug 17th
California appears to be leading the way in the battle against childhood obesity.
An analysis including more than 8 million California children and teens showed encouraging declines in obesity following a peak in 2005 among Asian and white boys and girls and among Hispanic boys — the same year that California lawmakers banned the sale of sugary soft drinks and snacks in schools and took other actions to address childhood obesity.
California is also one of the few states that require school-based BMI assessment, which is conducted in the fifth, seventh, and ninth grades.
It’s human nature to let things go until there’s a real problem. Even Rev. Malkmus didn’t stop to think about dietary behaviors before he discovered that he had colon cancer; in fact, he created The Hallelujah Diet in hopes of informing others about the perils of bad diet before it led to something like the cancer he had, or childhood obesity for that matter.
Emulate California’s actions – take the lead in your community to make people aware of dietary dangers… you may be surprised at the positive power of your suggestion!
Want to have a baby? Relax.
Aug 12th
A new study has shown, for the first time, that stress levels affect a woman’s ability to conceive. Oxford University experts measured stress hormones in women planning a baby naturally and found the most stressed had a reduced chance of becoming pregnant.
Women with the highest levels of alpha-amylase (an indicator of adrenalin levels) had about a 12% reduced chance of getting pregnant during their fertile days that month compared with those with the lowest levels of the marker. Dr Cecilia Pyper, of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford, said, “The findings support the idea that couples should aim to stay as relaxed as they can about trying for a baby.”
We couldn’t agree more! Stress has a significant affect on health, which is why Hallelujah Acres promotes relaxation and meditation on God’s Word in addition to a plant-based diet, exercise, proper hydration, and plenty of sunshine. For more information on proper health during pregnancy, read Pregnancy, Children & The Hallelujah Diet by Olin Idol, ND, CNC.
Weight isn’t everything – but waist size is
Aug 10th
A new report in the August 9 edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine has shown that waist size is a more important factor in determining future health th
an actual weight. Furthermore, waist size means more for women than men.
Regardless of one’s body mass index (BMI), the study found that having a large waist is associated with having a higher risk for death, indeed regardless of how much a person weighs. However, women appeared to be most vulnerable to the large waist-death risk association. The finding prompted study author and Atlanta-based epidemiologist Eric. J. Jacobs to reiterate the importance of exercise.
“Even if your weight is considered normal for your height, keeping your waist size is important for your health,” Jacobs says. “So if you notice your waist size increasing over time, it’s time to start eating better and exercising more.”
This study just goes to show why we at Hallelujah Acres have always advocated both exercise and a conscientious diet for optimal health. The body is like a car, requiring proper fuel, maintenance, and attention to minor repairs to avoid a complete overhaul! The only difference is that a car needs a spare tire – but your body doesn’t!
America is “obesogenic”
Aug 5th
In light of a new report on obesity, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has defined America as “obesogenic”: where people live in environments that promote over-eating, unhealthy food, and physical inactivity.
Nine states now report more than 30 per cent of adults are obese (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia), yet it was only a decade ago that NOT ONE STATE had a 30 per cent or more rate of obesity in its adult population, and in just one year, since 2009, the number of states with an obesity prevalence of 30 per cent or more has tripled (from 3 states to 9).
It’s almost as if being healthy is somehow “alternative” now! If you’ve seen improvement in your health simply by adopting the “alternative” Hallelujah Diet, tell others about it (there is evidence from research that encouraging physical activity and healthy eating are linked to real increases in physical activity and dietary improvements). Your fellow Americans obviously need some help and encouragement to understand how simple it is to stay healthy!
Read the entire story on Medical News Today or read the report from the CDC.
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