Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Website

Another great link to bookmark: www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ Skin Deep is a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group. Enter the names of all your hair, face, body products (as well as baby products) and immediately you will get a rating from 0 (low hazard) to 10 (high hazard) and an ingredient listing. You can also enter your e-mail address for free newsletters.

Quickies

According to the American Heart Association after quitting smoking one can experience these benefits in just one to nine months: shortness of breath decreases, cilia in lungs regrow, circulation improves, energy levels increase, and infection decreases.

The smallest bones in the body are in the ear.

Middle ear infections should decrease as a child ages because the eustachian tube changes from a horizontal to a slanting position; thus, fluid cannot pool and become infectious as easily.

Ligaments attach bone to bone and tendons attach bone to muscle.

Hand washing is considered the single most important method of infection prevention.

Foods that are labeled "organically grown" might still have pesticides if they cross a state border or country border due to agriculture laws. Foods that are from other countries are nutritionally deplete-buy local within 100 miles of where you live.

"Life is defined by movement and death-and the lack thereof" (unknown)

(sources: Outline Review for the Medical Assistant-2nd edition and Macrotherapy Nutrition notes)

Top Foodie Picks For Movie Night At Home

These 2 documentaries are on my 'must watch' list and should be on yours if you are concerned about the food you and your family eats.
Here is a synopsis: "In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, insecticide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of e coli--the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually." (www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-film.php)
The second one is King Corn (www.pbs.org/independentlens/kingcorn/film.html)
“For the first time in American history, our generation was at risk of having a shorter lifespan than our parents. And it was because of what we ate.”
—Curt Ellis, KING CORN filmmaker

6 Surprising Exercise Facts

From cardio and cravings to weight training and energy drinks. For the full article click here: www.mainstreet.com/article/family/family-health/6-surprising-exercise-facts

Genes and Breast Cancer

Experts say that women in Western countries can reduce their breast cancer risk by up to one third by changing their diet and physical activity. Some experts believe 90 percent of cases are preventable.
If you have a family history of breast cancer your risk rises significantly. However, according to research only 20-30 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are actually genetically predisposed to it.
(According to Dr. Mercola): "And the truth is, you are NOT a captive to your genes. The KEY to remember here is that it is NOT your genes that dictate your health but rather the expression of your genes. You have the ability to easily turn genes on and off with your lifestyle and emotional state." To read on: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/04/13/at-least-onethird-of-breast-cancer-cases-are-avoidable.aspx

Lack of Border Inspection of U.S. Food Supply

It is estimated that about 0.6 percent of our food supply entering the U.S.A is inspected by the FDA. This poses serious health risks especially when the food is contaminated with toxins, banned chemicals, carcinogens, and high levels of antibiotics. According to Economy in Crisis 80% of the fish sold in America is from third world countries not known for their food safety standards.
For the full article go to: www.economyincrisis.org/content/toxic-fish-expose-greater-concern-imported-foods-us

Yes, fat is good for you!

Here is another handy list of the best types of fat that should be in your diet:

1. Organic, free-range animal meats and fats such as lard, tallow etc. (high heat cooking)
2. Fish or high quality fish-oil supplements. (should come from wild fish that have been filtered for heavy metal toxicity and other metal toxicity.)
3. Organic, free-range eggs –the yolk should be kept intact during cooking to prevent oxidizing the cholesterol in the yolk. (boiling or low-temperature poaching and frying)
4. Raw nuts, soaked before eating to break down the phyto-nutrients and makes all the nutrients more bio-available.
5. Avocados – a good source of monounsaturated oleic acid.
6. Cold-pressed, unfiltered organic olive oil –(moderate temperature cooking)
7. Butter, raw if possible – Butter has many benefits including fat-soluble vitamins, short and medium chain fatty acids-from pasture-fed cows only – this has strong anti-cancer properties
8. Ghee (clarified butter)
9. Coconut oil or butter – high in medium-chain FA(high heat cooking)
10. Pumpkin seed oil
11. Flax seed oil – Always keep refrigerated and never heat.
12. Castor oil
13. Cod liver oil
14. Palm oil – (high heat cooking)
Go to one of the best websites to learn more: https://www.chekconnect.com