The acai berry has gained massive popularity in recent years and is most commonly known for its weight loss and anti-aging properties. This magical berry is also said to be helpful for a variety of serious health concerns including cancer, arthritis, high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction. It has been also referred to as the “Amazon’s Viagra” and the “Beauty Berry.”

The acai berry is grape-like, red to purple in color and usually described as tasting like a combination between red wine and chocolate. Acai berries come from the acai palm tree, which is native to Central and South America. 

Some say that the acai berry has been cherished by the native people of the Amazon for hundreds of years as a healing fruit. Currently Brazilians eat it because of its taste and nutritional value.

Since Acai became so widely talked about in such a short amount of time, and it claims such a large array of health benefits, it can make you a little skeptical.

Prior to 2001, this little berry was basically unheard of in the U.S. In 2005 sales of acai products were approximately $435,000 and two years later rose to 13.5 million! Today large companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Haagen-Dazs have all added acai into their products.

What makes the acai berry stand out? Why has it created such a craze in a short period of time?

The most widespread notion is that it's filled with powerful antioxidants that accompany it in healing ailments.

As a general rule, antioxidants strengthen your cells. They defend your body against free radicals, which can be caused by anything from pesticides to cigarette smoke. Free radicals are associated with a long list of diseases including cancer and arthritis.

Acai berries contain specific antioxidants that help defend your body against life's stressors. They play an active role in your body's cell protection system.

There is no debate over whether or not you need to eat a diet full of antioxidants. Everyone agrees that antioxidants are something that your body benefits from. The real question is whether acai berry is the best source of antioxidants in comparison to other foods.

According to well known physician, Dr. Perricone, the acai berry is the #1 superfood, specifically because of its anti-aging properties.  [i]   He says that acai has 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10-30 times the anthocyanins (antioxidant flavonoids) of red wine.

A study in 2006 discovered that acai berries caused human cancer cells to self destruct 86% of the time in a culture.[ii] Assistant professor, Stephen Talcott adds that other fruits including grapes, guavas and mangoes contain antioxidants and have shown to kill cancer cells in similar studies.

In a study two years later, the acai berry proved its ability to be absorbed in the human body when consumed both as juice and pulp.[iii] Because of its numerous antioxidants, the berry’s absorption in humans was an important find.

Acai’s ORAC level (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is over 3,500, which is hundreds of times higher than common fruits like apples and bananas.[iv]

Some refer to the acai berry as the “Beauty Berry”. That's due to its combination of antioxidants, amino acids and omega fatty acids, all of which boost your immune system, remove free radicals from your body, and thereby slow the aging process. That's why acai oil is added to some cosmetics and beauty products.

Unfortunately the current market for acai has negatively affected the harvesting process.

Harvesting using naturally growing palms in the jungle can no longer meet the current needs of the market. This is resulting in widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers.[v] In addition the native people of Brazil are now losing out on a food source they have depended on for numerous years.

By Revital Aranbaev

Kombucha is a fermented tea that has gained lots of popularity and a substantial following in recent years. Many people drink for its assumed medicinal benefits; it is most commonly known for boosting the body’s immune system. Some say the drink can work miracles with benefits including curing baldness, detoxifying the body, repairing joints, curing cancer, reducing blood pressure and prolonging life.

It is said that kombucha originated in ancient China and was used as a health tonic for thousands of years, but various forms of fermented tea exist in other countries as well. Since the 19th century, fermented tea was used in Russia; they referred to it as “tea kvass”.

Kombucha is a SCOBY – symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts. It is a fermented drink made with tea (usually green or black), sugar, bacteria and yeast. Even though it's often referred to as kombucha mushroom tea, kombucha is not a mushroom; it's a colony of bacteria and yeast. The natural, vegan beverage contains organic acids, B vitamins, amino acids, polyphenols, enzymes, probiotics and traces of ethyl alcohol, depending on brewing time and conditions.[i] 

In order to make kombucha, brewers rely on what’s called a starter – a bit of already fermented tea- referred to as “the mother.” Once the mother is added to sweetened tea and allowed to sit in a glass jar unrefrigerated for 7 -14 days, a colony of bacteria and yeast grows above the surface. This “mother” will expand and split into smaller pieces termed “babies,” which brewers can give to friends or sell. [ii]

Though Kombucha has had a rise in the last few years it is the second wave of its popularity. The first wave was in the early 1990s when it was thought to boost immunity in people with HIV/AIDS. At that time it wasn’t as readily available.

In 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report linking kombucha to the death of a woman and the illness of another woman. Both women experienced excessive acid buildup in the body that health professionals correlated to their daily dose of kombucha. The center did not definitively cite the tea as the culprit but the incident made people hesitant to make kombucha a part of their daily lives.

In 2003-2004 the slightly fizzy, sour & sweet drink- Kombucha made its return. At that time Whole Foods began distributing the tea nationally. In 2009, kombucha and other “functional” juices in the United States topped $295 million that year, according to SPINS Inc., a market researcher.

Kombucha’s popularity was growing as a part of a larger trend in “probiotic” foods containing bacteria, which some studies suggest benefit digestion and boost the immune system.

Studies assessing the benefits of kombucha involving humans are lacking; all studies available have been done with animals. It is good to note though that there have been numerous individual accounts that Kombucha has helped people with digestion, arthritis and even cancer.

In an interview by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette in 2007, commercial kombucha brewer G.T. Dave, credited kombucha for possibly slowing the spread of an aggressive form of breast cancer that his mother dealt with and for keeping up her strength and spirit during chemotherapy.[iii] The experience sparked her teenage son's interest and later his business. 

Research has shown that kombucha may have anti-microbial effects against harmful bacteria like E. coli. A Serbian study published in 2007 looked into combining Kombucha with other herbs. The study demonstrated that lemon balm kombucha showed strong antimicrobial effects against E. coli and Salmonella bacteria and it inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. It was shown that kombucha made from lemon balm tea had higher antioxidant activity than lemon balm tea alone, probably due to vitamins added by the fermentation process.[iv]

Promoters of kombucha also claim it protects the liver from damage. An Indian study done on animals in 2009, gave carbon tetrachloride to induce liver damage and then assessed the impact of kombucha tea along with black tea and enzyme-processed tea. Researchers found that kombucha tea had more protective effects than the other two teas.[v]

Kombucha “has prophylactic and therapeutic properties” including antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal effects, according to a study destined for the June 2012 issue of Swiss Society of Food Science and Technology. Its authors state that kombucha “may be very healthful” in combating yeast infections, thrush, and other forms of candidiasis.[vi]

Unfortunately there aren’t too many studies that help asses all of the benefits that people connect to drinking Kombucha. Scientific evidence on kombucha’s benefits is just in the preliminary stages but there are numerous individual testimonials from people who drink kombucha reporting benefits like enhanced wellbeing, increased energy and weight loss and many other benefits. 

Some medical professionals, however, think the drink is dangerous. According to Dr. Michael Gregor, a physician, author, and internationally recognized  speaker, Kombucha may be harmful to your health. Published last year, the journal of Intensive Care Medicine states that, “kombucha may cause serious health risks and consumption of this tea should be discouraged.”

Renowned doctor, Andrew Weil is concerned with the same health risk that Dr. Gregor mentions, lactic acidosis (the build-up of lactic acid). According to Dr. Weil’s article, physicians at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles reported a life-threatening case of lactic acidosis and acute kidney failure in a 22-year-old man newly diagnosed with HIV within a few hours of his consuming kombucha tea. This happened in 2009. Dr. Weil specifically warns pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, children and anyone with a compromised immune system against consuming it.

Dr. Weil is concerned with the possibility of contamination in home-brewed kombucha. “Some batches contain aspergillus, a toxin-producing fungus. This would be a significant risk for individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those with AIDS or in chemotherapy for cancer. There have been reports in the medical literature of adverse reactions, including nausea, vomiting and headaches, in people drinking more than four ounces of kombucha tea daily.”[vii]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also noted that the potential for contamination of kombucha tea is high because the teas are often brewed in homes in non-sterile environments. Plus if kombucha tea is brewed in ceramic pots, the acids in the tea may pull lead from the ceramic material which would lead to lead poisoning.[viii] 

Dr. Weil says that he knows of no health benefits from Kombucha. He also adds that kombucha has become extremely popular, in part due to photos of celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan and Halle Berry carrying bottles of the beverage and in part by promotion of the idea that it's a healthy drink.

Lastly, the American Cancer Society states that available scientific evidence does not support any claims that Kombucha tea can promote good health or prevent the development of certain ailments. The scientific studies that involve Kombucha tea are based on lab reports and animal findings, and reported benefits are based on personal reports.[ix]

It seems as if the arguments both ways could benefit from more substantial evidence and studies. Do you drink Kombucha tea? Please post your comments.

By Revital Aranbaev

Hemp is one of the oldest and most misunderstood plants in the world.

8,500 years ago, hemp was harvested and used to produce durable cloth. Around 3,000 years ago, people began using hemp as a food and medicinal source. At that time, hemp seeds were used to heal the central areas of the chi and revitalize blood flow, veins and arteries.(1)

Since hemp is a cousin of THC-rich marijuana, it has gotten a bad rap for many years. It's even banned in countries like Brazil. But unlike marijuana, hemp seeds don't contain psychoactive compounds. The trace amounts of THC found in hemp are not mind-altering.

In many ways, hemp is one of the most useful plants known to mankind. It is used to make over 25,000 different products, including paper and clothing. But does that mean hemp can be properly absorbed as food? Does it have more nutritional benefits than other foods?

Why Hemp Is Called a Super Food

Essential and non-essential amino acids are the building blocks of protein. However, essential amino acids cannot be produced by your body. You must get them from food or supplements. Hemp seeds contain all of these essential amino acids, the ones your body can't produce on its own.

Hemp has less overall protein than soy. But hemp protein is easier to digest and it's absorbed quickly. And it doesn’t cause bloating or gas.

Hemp seeds have a 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids, which is important in preventing heart disease and promoting heart health. Their Omega 6:3 ratio is second only to flax seeds.

Though not scientifically proven, hemp has been linked to helping people with varying issues including ADHD, eczema and atherosclerosis according to the University of Michigan Health System. In addition hemp seed oil can help alleviate dermatitis (an inflammation of the skin) according to a study conducted in Finland in 2005.(2)

Hemp seed oil is used in various cosmetics, such as skin creams, shampoos, shaving creams, lip balms etc. One reason is that hemp seed oil has properties that make it a natural sun block. These properties make it a great functional ingredient in natural skincare products. In addition since hemp is rich in vitamin D, which is necessary for calcium absorption, it helps skin stay hydrated and smooth.

There are so many ways to add hemp into your diet… hemp seeds can be eaten raw, ground into a meal, made into hemp milk, or prepared as a tea.

Side Effects

Allergies to hemp are rare. So are side effects, except sometimes loosening of the stool. If your digestive system is sensitive to change, start with small amounts of hemp seeds and slowly work your way up.

People who are extremely sensitive to THC may experience hallucinations or feelings of euphoria.(3) But as mentioned earlier, hemp seeds only have trace amounts of THC.

Please share your experiences and experiments with hemp and leave us a comment!

[1] http://www.livestrong.com/article/217904-hemp-seeds-health-benefits-or-hype/

[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16019622

[3] http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-4393002

The MMR vaccine is a 3-in-1 vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella – all of which are potentially serious diseases.

The MMR is one of the recommended childhood immunizations and is given in a series of shots. The first shot is given when the child is 12-15 months old. The booster shots are given before a child enters school at 4-6 years old.

The MMR should not be given to anyone with an allergy to eggs, gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin. Nor should it be give to anyone with a weakened immune system.

For over ten years there have been numerous claims that the MMR vaccine has a correlation with autism. In both the United States and the United Kingdom, parents are pushing for research into a possible link between autism and childhood vaccination.

Autism – a serious developmental disorder that causes problems in communication, social interaction, and behavior – has been on the rise since the 1970s. The cause of autism remains a mystery, with most scientists believing that it may be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Though it is common to hear about MMR possibly leading to autism, finding published studies to back that assertion is difficult.

The original study that drew concern about a link between the MMR vaccine and autism was published in 1998 in the British medical journal, The Lancet by Andrew Wakefield and his colleagues. The study was very small – only 12 children participated – and it has since been reversed by some of the original researchers and retracted by The Lancet. 

A few years later, Paul Shattock, a pharmacist and director of the Autism Research Unit at Sunderland University performed some research in this field. He also had a personal connection to this work being a father of an autistic child. 

One of his popular studies, that had not been published, surveyed 4,000 parents of children with autism and found that 10% of parents attribute their child's autism to the combined MMR vaccine. In addition, Shattock states that these children shared distinctive symptoms that made them stand out in comparison to other children with autism- they suffered from bowel problems, had differences in the chemicals found in their urine, had an abnormal gait and were friendlier than other autistic children. 

Both Andrew Wakefield and Paul Shattock hypothesize that the combination of all three live viruses in the MMR vaccine could overload the immature immune systems of some toddlers who have a genetic or immunological predisposition to this.

Shattock stresses the need for further studies on the topic, "the numbers here are quiet small so any connection does not show up in epidemiological studies," he said. Shattock is not anti the MMR vaccine. "Nobody has suggested that MMR is the only factor in the rise in autism cases. We are pro vaccine, but it needs to be done sensibly."

Since Wakefield’s study has been retracted and Shattock’s research has never been published, it’s hard to make a claim. More studies need to be done and published immediately.

More than anything throughout the years there has been an overwhelming amount of individual accounts arising that connect MMR and autism.

Barbara Loe Fisher is a parent of an autistic child and president of the National Vaccine Information Center – a nonprofit educational organization founded by parents whose children were injured or died from vaccination.

She states that some cases of regressive autism could be linked to the MMR vaccine. Regressive autism is a sudden developmental downturn in children who had been previously developing normally. Her belief is based on Paul Shattock’s research.

Celebrity Jenny McCarthy has been one of the most vocal advocates for parents of children with autism. She has been labeled as anti vaccine because she believes there could be a correlation with MMR and autism. But rather than eliminating vaccines all together, she has some valid points on precautions to ensure that your child is safe from negative side effects.

Clearly not every child will get autism from the MMR vaccine but there are some with weaker immune systems, she says. She believes that kids need to be tested to make sure their immune systems are strong enough to handle the vaccines. She also says rather than having six shots per visit, why not have one shot per visit. These are simple tips that can go a long way.

It’s a very tough decision for parents on whether or not to give the MMR vaccination to their kids. Some people are anti vaccination as a whole because of side effects, some vaccinate fully to protect their kids from potentially harmful diseases and the others fall somewhere in between. Wherever you fall, just make sure to do the research on both sides and follow your intuition as much as possible.

[1] http://www.drugs.com/mtm/measles-mumps-and-rubella-mmr-vaccine.html

[1] http://www.babycenter.com/404_does-the-mmr-vaccine-put-my-child-at-greater-risk-for-autism_11518.bc

[1] http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51546

By Revital Aranbaev

Some possible side effects from the flu vaccine: runny nose, congestion, and fatigue (aka symptoms of the flu). So why are people getting the flu vaccine if a possible side effect is flu symptoms?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the flu vaccine for nearly all individuals because “the effects of the illness are greater than the most common side effects of the vaccine.”

There are two types of flu vaccines available for children and adults. The first kind is the traditional flu shot administered with a needle, which is made from killed flu viruses. The second kind is a nasal vaccine administered as a nasal spray, made from weakened live viruses. There is no current evidence on which vaccine is more effective but lots of parents prefer the nasal vaccine for their kids in order to avoid needles.

Flu vaccines are not 100% effective; according to the CDC receiving an annual flu shot can reduce one’s risk of getting influenza by 70 to 90 percent. [i]

The CDC states that 5%- 20% of Americans get the flu each year. More than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized for it annually and about 3,000 to 49,000 deaths are flu-related. That’s a pretty big gap! We couldn’t get more specific than that?

It’s not widely publicized, but about 90% of flu-related deaths occur in people aged 65 or above.[ii] So why is there so much fear created around getting the flu at any age?

Why not specify who is more at risk and why, instead of pushing it on everyone?

Marketing -

Let’s look at who’s administering the flu vaccine and why. Since 2010, marketing for the flu vaccine has become more rigorous than ever. According to the Wall Street Journal, drug stores struggling with the economy are pushing flu vaccines earlier and harder than ever.[iii]

They are promoting this service through TV commercials, in-store displays, Facebook and Twitter. The drugstore CVS is letting people book an appointment online, on the phone or in person. Walgreens is offering flu-shot gift cards, targeting kids heading off to college, and using slogans like "Arm yourself for the ones you love."

Until a few years ago, retail pharmacists couldn't even get state certification to provide flu shots. By 2010 all 50 states allowed pharmacists to provide vaccinations. According to the Wall Street Journal “The hope is that customers will stop in for a flu shot and pick up shampoo or a gallon of milk.” Since pharmacies can’t return leftover vaccines, they’re motivated to sell ALL of the flu shots they bought to customers like you and I!

In the past, flu vaccination season started in October. But in 2009, the CDC recommended the timing be moved up by a month. So since 2010, the shots have been available prior to Labor Day.

In the past year, more than 110 million doses of vaccine had been delivered in the United States by the end of September, with manufacturers projecting total production of 166-173 million doses. This is the most flu vaccine ever produced for the U.S. market![iv]

Side Effects

The most common immediate side effect from the flu shot is injection site reaction, which can cause tenderness, redness of the skin, or inflammation.[v]

Possible side effects of the nasal flu spray can include fever, headache, runny nose, vomiting and some wheezing.[vi]

People who are allergic to eggs are at the highest risk of developing an allergic reaction from the flu vaccination, since the vaccination contains egg products.[vii] Symptoms from an allergic reaction can include itchy skin or hives, throat or facial swelling, dizziness, or breathing difficulties.

On a much grander scale of side effects, Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, a well known immunogeneticist states that if you receive five or more flu shots you have a ten-fold increased chance of getting Alzheimer's. That's ten times more likely than no flu shots or one.[viii]

He and other researchers state that the connection is a result from the combination of mercury (thimerosal) and aluminum that builds up over time in the brain. According to the CDC, "The following substances are found in vaccines: aluminum, (brain toxin) antibiotics, egg protein, formaldehyde (now listed as carcinogenic), MSG or monosodium glutamate (a known neurotoxin), and thimerosal (neurotoxic mercury)."[ix] Note that not all of these additives are used all the time.

Please comment and let us know your experience with the flu vaccine.

[i] http://www.livestrong.com/article/83023-truth-flu-shots-risks-/

[ii] http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/fact_sheet.htm

[iii] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703908704575433470792980944.html

[iv] http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Disease_ctrl/immune/files/Influenza_Key_Points_Oct_2011.pdf

[v] http://www.livestrong.com/article/207741-what-are-the-dangers-of-the-flu-shot/#ixzz1opLe6I9V

[vi] http://www.livestrong.com/article/77700-common-side-effects-flu-shot/

[vii] http://www.livestrong.com/article/207741-what-are-the-dangers-of-the-flu-shot/#ixzz1opLe6I9V

[viii] http://www.naturalnews.com/033891_vaccines_delayed_injury.html

[ix] http://www.naturalnews.com/033891_vaccines_delayed_injury.html
 

I spent February in Brazil — mostly Rio Di Jienero. In the second half of this blog, I will talk about my big takeaway…  realizing how much I take for granted in the U.S!

However, I'll start out telling you about my adventures, and my herculean efforts to find healthy vegan food in a country that loves meat and white flour products!

(Note: I typed this up from a Brazilian computer, and some of the keys were different. So please forgive any typos!

FINDING HEALTHY VEGAN FOOD IS TOUGH!

You may already know that I eat organic, free range eggs and goat yogurt. However, when I eat out, I always say I am vegan.

That´s because restaurants almost never use organic, free range eggs or dairy products. So I remained vegan while traveling in  Brazil.

After arriving, I took a bus from Rio de Jienero to the World Rainbow Gathering, which was near Santa Marta .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Gathering

On the way, most of the food was very bad — tons of meat and sugary white flour products. Luckily, I was able to get a bowl of black beans at one pit stop. The counter lady was in disbelief… ¨What? You want ONLY beans?¨

Yes I did. I paid 5 reals (about $3 US). I thought this was an OK price. But since a full plate of rice, beans, and pork was 10 reals, my friend Clara told me I paid too much. So in Portugese, I went to the counter lady and very humbly asked ¨For 5 reals, can I have a little more?¨

At first she said no, but with some coaxing from my Clara, she gave me another bowl without charge!

At another pit stop, there was a decent salad bar. I also bought a bag of apples.

Once we arrived at the Gathering, all of the meals were vegan. There was even a circle of raw fooders eating mostly fruits and veggies each day.

Getting back to Rio was a bigger ordeal. Instead of taking a direct bus, I took a bus to a small town called Ibiterama, then waited 8 hours for the bus back to Rio. Luckily, there was a little fruit shop so I stocked up on apples, pears, and bananas. I also bought a bag of peanuts, just in case.

Despite the language barrier, I befriended the owner of a bar/restaurant. At dinner time, II explained that I wanted beans with no meat. He showed me what they had — there were about six choices at his buffet.

Among them, black beans, white rice, and some kind of pasta. There were also some colorful root veggies, but unfortunately they were mixed with meat!

Since I shun white flour and white rice, I just took a bowl of beans. He told me there was no need to pay, and even encouraged me to have a second bowl. I had also bought a jar of corn kernels at a nearby store. So together with the beans, that was my dinner.

Luckily, once I arrived in Rio I discovered two vegan restaurants with all-you-can-eat lunch buffets for 20 reals ($12 US).
http://www.vegetarianosocialclube.com.br/
http://www.wikirio.com.br/Refeitório_Orgânico

The first one is good. The second is amazing (and all organic!)

On Friday I went out with friends to a place that serves traditional beans, rice, and pork. I explained that I only wanted beans and lettuce. Again, the server was so concerned that my dinner was insufficient, he gave me a second plate of beans and lettuce at no extra charge!

THE WORLD RAINBOW GATHERING

OK, so what did I like about Brazil? The music at the Rainbow Gathering was fantastic. A few hundred counter-culture people gathered in a forest, made meals together, co-created music and drum circles, and sang call-and-response kirtan songs.

I led three men's circles, teaching men tools to create deeper honesty and trust. Two men had huge breakthroughs.

I was also inspired to write songs but had no piano or keyboard with me. So for the first time in my life, I began writing (or channeling?) 4-line chants. For example, here are the words to one:

THANK YOU EARTH

You nourish me with your farms and orchards

You quench my thirst with your water spring

You shelter me with your bricks and mortar

Thank you earth for everything

BRAZILIAN PEOPLE ARE VERY TRUSTING AND TRUSTWORTHY

For example, at the Gathering I didn't have a clock or watch, and my cell phone battery was dead. Yet I needed a way to wake up on time, on the day of my departure.

So Renata, a woman I met there, loaned me her cell phone the night before. Since she didn't know me that well, she could have worried that I would forget to return it, or not find her tent the next morning. But she wasn't worried.

Likewise, over Facebook before leaving, I was introduced to Dani, a friend of a friend of a friend. She laid out 100 reals (about $60) to reserve my seat on the bus to the Gathering, even though we had never met. She had complete trust that I would repay her when I arrived.

And when she learned that I was going to pay 330 reals to stay in a hotel the first two nights, she insisted that I cancel the reservation, and found a friend for me to stay with… Thiago. He is a raw food chef who lives with his girlfriend Camila.

One week, Thiago was out of town so he loaned me his key. Not just a spare key, but HIS key.

When I took a bus from the small town of Santa Marta to Ibitirama, I didn´t know how much the fare would be and couldn’t speak Portugese. So I handed the man 30 reals — a ten and a twenty. He could have taken advantage, but instead give me back 23 reals.

While in Ibitirama, the pharmacy owner — who sold me the bus ticket back to Rio — came out of his pharmacy at 9:20pm to let me know I was standing on the wrong side of the street. Then he loaded my stuff into the bottom of the bus, once it arrived.

A week before leaving Brazil, I relocated from Thiago’s apartment to Sophia’s house, which was about an hour away. Sophia told me to take a taxi to a college near Thiago’s, and then catch a bus to her neighborhood.

When the taxi driver dropped me off, I asked a couple of security guards if they spoke English, but they did not. Despite the language barrier, I tried explaining that I needed the bus to “Rio das Pedras”.

Meanwhile, the taxi driver stuck around to make sure I wasn’t abandoned. He came out to speak with the guards, and then pulled out his cell phone to call Sophia for me.

Once he got on the phone with her, he realized that the correct bus stop was a few blocks away. He told me to get back in the taxi, and drove me there for no additional fee.

I was really taken with the fact that he didn’t just drop me off and leave. He spent an extra 5-10 minutes to make sure I got on the right bus, time he could’ve used to pick up another customer.

When I arrived in Rio das Pedras, I asked someone to point me to Florenta Condominium. I started walking with my large hiking backpack, two bags and a tent. I knew it wasn’t that far, but I wanted to grab a taxi anyway.

None came for about ten minutes. Finally a taxi showed up. I showed him the address. He gave me directions, indicating it was only a few blocks away, but I asked him to drive me there anyway.

When we got there, it looked wrong. It was a dirty dead end street. So I pulled out Sophia’s number and asked him to call her from his cell phone.

Once he spoke to her, he realized we were still a few blocks away. So he drove me to the right place. Incredibly, there was no charge for any of this. He never turned the meter on! But I was so thankful, I gave him 5 reals anyway.

THINGS I TAKE FOR GRANTED IN THE U.S.

Here are some things that are uncommon in Brazil –

Respect for women.

1) Together with four young women, I attended a very crowded street fair called "Carnival". Almost everyone was drinking, and many were smoking too.

More than once, I saw a drunk man grab a young woman by the arm, and not let go even when asked. At one point, I had to get in someone's face and tell him "NOT COOL!".

My friends tell me this is fairly common, even outside of "Carnival". When a woman tries pulling away, some guys get mad and curse at them or call them ugly.

One friend explained it this way… if you go out when it’s raining you know you are going to get wet. Likewise, if you go out to a street festival, you know men are going to do this.

2) I was shocked at a couple of markets, when I saw magazines like Playboy and Hustler at the point of purchase, even though there were children on line. I asked a female friend how she felt about this. She said ¨it´s always been like that, so I never gave it a second thought.¨

Respect for the legal drinking age. Although technically, there’s a legal drinking age in Brazil, kids of any age can buy alcohol at grocery stores. ID is not checked.

Respect for traffic lights. Brazilian taxi drivers (and maybe others too, I don’t know) run red lights all the time. And even when they know there’s a stop sign at the end of a block, they gun the engine up to 40mph, only to slam on the brakes just before the stop sign.

Whole Foods Market and other health food stores. It is hard to find health food and organic produce here… and when you do, it is very expensive.

Ethnic Restaurants. According to my Brazil friends, there are no Indian restaurants. Thai and Japanese restaurants are rare and expensive.

Netflix, Hulu.com, and streaming TV shows over the Internet. At home I watch TV shows online all the time. But due to licensing restrictions, these websites would not let me watch any streaming video in Brazil.

Dishwashers and dryers. In Brazil, most middle class folks have washing machines, but only rich people have dryers and dishwashers. This is the first time in my life I had to hang my wet clothes from a clothing rack with clothespins!

Reasonable prices on imported products. From dark chocolate bars to ipods to cars, imported products are very expensive in Brazil. Apparently, this is because of several taxes that are built into the prices. A dark chocolate bar here is 20 reals ($12 U.S.). And a Toyota Corolla is about 50,000 reals ($30,000 U.S.).

Reasonable prices on natural and health products like coconut soap, natural sunblock, maca powder etc. These things tend to cost more in Brazil. I paid 30 reals (about $18) for a very small container of sunblock and 10 reals (about $6) for one bar of coconut soap.

Hemp seeds, hemp protein powder, hemp shoes. These are not sold at all in Brazil.

Food dehydrators. These are not sold at all in Brazil.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

These aren’t necessarily better or worse than the U.S., but still worth noting.

Brazil has free health care (paid for by tax dollars). But if you want to drop in, you have to wait on line for hours. And if you want an appointment, you might have to wait a few months.

Racism and white privilege. When I first arrived, I was excited to see that Brazil is a melting pot of people with many skin colors.

My friends explain it this way: the native people had medium brown skin. The original Portugese people had white skin. And their slaves had dark brown skin. So now, wherever you go, you see people of many colors.

However, people with dark brown people still work the lowest paying jobs in disproportionate numbers. And billboards and magazine covers portray almost exclusively white people.

Even more surprising, most of the women on magazine covers have blonde hair, even though very few Brazilian people have blonde hair!

Maca is most commonly known for improving energy and stamina, increasing libido and treating infertility. It is used as a performance enhancer and aphrodisiac. Maca is known as the “Peruvian ginseng” because the two herbs have similar traditional uses in herbal medicine. It is also hailed as “nature’s viagra” for both men and women.

Maca has been used as a food and medicine in the Peruvian Andes for over 2,000 years but has only recently grown popularity in the United States. Legend has it that during the height of the Incan empire, warriors would consume maca before entering into battle to increase strength and stamina. However, after battle they were prohibited from eating it — to protect the conquered women from their powerful sexual impulses.

Maca is a root vegetable that is part of the mustard family and is similar to radishes and turnips. It is the world’s highest growing food crop. There are different types of maca, including yellow, black, and red maca. Maca can be used in powder form- added into shakes or smoothies, or as a nutritional supplement in liquid extract or pill form.

Let’s look for proof of the claims that maca is in fact a superfood:

There have been some studies done on maca and its effect on fertility. One small study done on nine men concluded that treatment with maca resulted in increased semen volume, sperm count, and sperm motility.[i] In another study, black maca increased sperm count in one day![ii]

Though there is no study that necessarily proves this, it is said that maca may help women become more fertile as well. According to "Good Medicine Magazine" from Australia, Peruvian women who eat maca by the age of 3 are much more fertile later in life and have more egg follicle development.[iii]

In addition to fertility, maca is known for helping women with postmenopausal symptoms. A study done on postmenopausal women in 2008 showed that maca helped them reduce anxiety and depression, as well as improve sexual function.[iv]

Maca is especially revered for increasing sex drive for both men and women, hence terming it “nature’s viagra.” There is no study based evidence for this, but there have been individual accounts for this. Comment on this blog and let us know your experience with it.

Side Effects-

No safety studies have been done with maca, so be careful. If you are deficient in iodine and take too much of the herb, you could develop goiter.[v]

In addition, while many people take maca for thyroid issues, maca can actually worsen thyroid conditions. Some herbalists recommend maca if you have hypothyroid, which has been shown to be effective. But if you have hyperthyroid, which is an overactive thyroid, you would want to avoid maca because maca can actually stimulate that gland.[vi]

[i] http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/maca.htm

[ii] http://www.livestrong.com/article/350433-benefits-of-maca-root-on-fertility/

[iii] http://www.livestrong.com/article/350433-benefits-of-maca-root-on-fertility/#ixzz1nWewWZ86

[iv] http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/maca.htm

[v] http://www.livestrong.com/article/164516-maca-herb-and-fertility/

[vi] http://www.livestrong.com/article/520012-maca-root-and-hyperthyroid/

By Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, MS, DC, CCN, DACBN

So what do excess belly fat, blood sugar imbalance and serious diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes have in common?  Poor regulation of insulin, a hormone secreted by your pancreas, appears to be a connecting force.

Insulin gets secreted in response to elevation of your blood sugar.

This can be after a meal or as a result of stress.

The relationship between cortisol and insulin is circular. Increased cortisol raises blood sugar which causes an increase in insulin which causes cortisol to go up.

Under normal circumstances, after a meal, the increased glucose in your blood causes your pancreas to secrete insulin.

The more glucose in your food, the more insulin that’s produced. Insulin binds to the cell membranes and triggers the cell membrane to open up and let the glucose in. Glucose, amino acids, fats, magnesium and other nutrients are then transported into the cell, the mitochondria produce energy and everyone is happy.

Once the nutrients are cleared from your blood, your pancreas stops secreting insulin.

As vital as insulin is to keeping you alive and kicking, even under normal circumstances, insulin has some undesirable effects.

Like most things in your body insulin is a double edged sword. It has its good side and its bad side. Insulin is absolutely necessary to get the sugar out of your blood and into the cells where it can be converted to energy. Without insulin, your blood sugar would skyrocket and you’d become diabetic.

Among the negative effects of insulin are

- Preferential use of glucose over fat as fuel
- Inhibits the burning of fat by the cells
- Inhibits growth hormone
- Slightly depresses thyroid effects by blunting conversion of T-4 to T-3.

Insulin is chronically elevated when you eat foods high in carbohydrates that stimulate a rapid rise in glucose, and when you eat your meals too close together. When this happens, you are in a constant state of inhibited fat burning, low growth hormone and lowered metabolic rate.

The end result is you can’t lose the belly fat. Excess insulin can cause your blood sugar to get too low, leading to the brain fog, irritability and ravenous appetite caused by low blood sugar.

On top of everything else, after a while the insulin receptors on your cells get tired of the constant insulin stimulation and they basically put their hands over their ears and say: Enough!

When your cells become resistant to insulin, three things can happen.

1) Insulin can’t keep up with the demand and your blood sugar starts to rise, leading to diabetes.

2) Insulin gets really good at clearing the blood sugar triggering fat storage and your midsection grows steadily.

3) Insulin gets too good at clearing the glucose. Not only does your fat storage increase, your blood sugar plummets and you experience the symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia.

The problem happens when you eat a lot of foods that trigger insulin to be released or when you’re chronically stressed and cortisol causes your blood sugar to elevate.

The result is the inability of circulating insulin to properly bind to the insulin receptors on the cell resulting in inefficient transport of nutrients and glucose into your cells. This causes your pancreas to continue to secrete more insulin causing high levels of insulin for a long period of time before nutrients are cleared.

As a result you experience deficient function in insulin resistant cells, like your liver, fat, and untrained muscle due to insufficient energy production. It also results in the anabolic effects of excess insulin, namely increased body fat, especially around the middle.

Not all cells become insulin resistant. The cells lining your blood vessels don’t become resistant to excess insulin. They they suffer the adverse effects of excess insulin, namely oxidative damage to blood vessel linings.

This can result in thickening, narrowing and plaque formation resulting in atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and increased risk of heart attack. Excess insulin can also result in the adverse systemic effects of inflammation, water retention, suppressed fat burning, blunted growth hormone and low thyroid hormone.

SO…what should you do?

First and foremost, get off ALL sugar and processed foods. That means no bread, even gluten free, no cookies, crackers (except raw dehydrated ones, made from vegetables, nuts and seeds) no cakes, pastries, candies and fruit juice.

These foods trigger blood sugar spikes which trigger excess insulin release. You also need to restore your cell’s receptivity to insulin. There are a number of nutrients like chromium, magnesium, glutamine and zinc that are important here.

5 Surefire Strategies for Restoring Insulin Sensitivity and Balancing Blood Sugar

–  Remove all foods that trigger blood sugar spikes: sugar, all grains, potatoes, fruit juice, dried fruit and high glycemic fruits like bananas and grapes. I recommend my patients purchase a glucose meter and test the fruits to determine which ones they need to eliminate. I also recommend that whenever fruit is consumed it’s taken with green leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach and sprouts.

 –  Supplement with the vitamins and minerals needed to restore insulin sensitivity. These include  chromium, magnesium, glutamine, zinc and the B vitamins. It can vary from person to person.

 –  Supplement with DHA, an omega 3 fat that’s vital for insulin sensitivity. The best source is algae or its oil. Algae oil DHA supplements are readily available.

( Editors note: we recommend the one at www.bestvegandha.com )

 –  Exercise, especially short, intense bursts.  Trained muscle is much more sensitive to insulin. High intensity, short burst exercise stimulates the release of growth hormone and suppresses appetite.

 –  Space your meals.  Eating every couple of hours keeps insulin levels elevated all day long, leading to insulin resistance.  Constantly elevated insulin leads to insulin resistance, suppresses fat burning and keeps you in a constant state of fat storage

Insulin resistance and blood sugar level imbalance are not minor inconveniences that can be ignored. The long term consequences are serious and life threatening.

Retrain your tongue and get your blood sugar and insulin under control so you can live a long and happy life with a flat belly, clear head and a renewal enjoyment of your life.

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Superfoods have become a big trend lately, but is there scientific backing to the nutrient contents of these foods?

The reason some foods are termed superfoods is because their nutrient content exceeds in comparison to other foods. Let’s take a look at two popular superfoods and weigh out their benefits and drawbacks.

This is Part 1 of a series we will be publishing. In upcoming blog posts, we will evaluate maca powder and hemp seeds.

Blue Green Algae - most commonly known for its help with weight loss and cancer, has grown popularity over recent years.

Blue green algae are microscopic plants that grow mostly in brackish ponds and lakes all over the world. They can vary considerably in shape, color and size.

The most common type of blue green algae used for human consumption is spirulina. Spirulina has been proven to have a superior nutritional content in comparison to other foods. Spirulina is 65%-71% complete protein; in comparison beef is only 22% protein.[i]

Little scientific research has been conducted on blue green algae using human subjects, but animal and laboratory studies have shown the plant can be beneficial in treating several different conditions.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says that blue green algae are used to both prevent and treat cancer. Again, although no human studies have been done, studies done on animals suggest that blue green algae can help to protect healthy tissue from the damaging effects of cancer drugs, radiation and chemotherapy.[ii]

According to Medline Plus studies, spirulina has been shown to reduce sugar levels for people with diabetes and lower cholesterol levels. 

Many recommend blue green algae to aid with weight loss. It seems to act as an appetite suppressant and supports your body in weight management. At this time there aren’t scientific studies to help prove this, only anecdotal evidence (individual success stories).

Studies on animals have shown results with cancer prevention and treatment, lowering sugar levels, reducing inflammation and lowering cholesterol levels. That´s the good news. But there have also been studies done on blue green algae’s negative side effects.

Blue green algae supplements could be contaminated with toxins called mycotoxins as well as harmful bacteria. A study published in May 2000 by Environmental Health Perspectives found that 85 of 87 samples of blue green algae supplements tested contained mycocystins, which are toxic to the liver.[iii]

So when choosing supplements make sure you are choosing a company you trust.

In addition, according to The University of Maryland Medical Center, people with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, should beware of taking blue green algae products because they stimulate the immune system, potentially worsening these conditions.[iv]

Wheatgrass- known for its support with boosting the immune system, purifying the blood, improving digestion and fighting chronic illness.

Wheatgrass is a young grass that is part of the wheat family. Though many connect wheat grass to the wheat grain which contains gluten, wheat grass is actually considered to be gluten free since it isn’t sprouted.

Wheat grass is usually pressed or blended in to a juice and served as a 2 ounce shot accompanied by an orange slice. It is also used in supplement form.

The active ingredients in wheat grass are vitamins A, B, C and E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, natural enzymes and chlorophyll. Wheat grass is said to be 70% chlorophyll.

Many say that wheatgrass has miraculous benefits. According to the American Cancer Society, the plant was used in folk medicine to help treat chronic skin problems, cystitis, constipation and gout.[v]

Wheat grass has also been linked with helping cancer patients. Nutrition and Cancer published a study in 2007 which found that breast cancer patients had lowered blood toxicity with regular wheat grass juice administration. [vi]

Columbia University's Health Internet service states that wheatgrass helps to neutralize body odors. In addition, the high chlorophyll levels can help reduce bad breath and dental decay. Dentists sometimes use wheatgrass juice to treat patients with mouth infections.[vii]

Many people have individual success stories with this superfood; unfortunately there have also been negative accounts with it as well.

Since wheatgrass is grown in moist conditions it can lock in mold which after ingested can lead to sickness. In additio,n wheatgrass can breed bacteria which can cause headaches and gastrointestinal issues. To avoid this, make sure to wash the wheatgrass carefully before juicing.

Even though wheat grass itself does not contain gluten, there is potential for cross contamination in the growing process, leaving it unsafe at times for people who have celiac disease or an allergy or intolerance to wheat.

Wheatgrass has also been said to cause nausea for some people. According to Harley Matsil, president of wheatgrass grower Perfect Foods Inc., wheatgrass juice doesn't mix well with other foods. Wheatgrass should be ingested on an empty stomach, plus you should also wait at least an hour to eat after drinking/taking a wheatgrass supplement.[viii]

There have been amazingly positive results and some negative results with these superfoods. With more research done in the near future we can assess the power of these superfoods and how to best incorporate them without any negative accounts.

Until then make sure that you trust the supplement company that you are purchasing from and that you do your research on how much to ingest.    

Step Seven: Keep The Dishes Clean & Orderly

Avoid leaving dirty dishes around your kitchen, especially if space is limited.  A dirty kitchen disinclines you from making a healthy meal because it means cleaning up a big mess before you even get started.  Try to 'clean as you go' as you prepare meals.

For example, if you're going to chop up a bunch of produce for a salsa, you might currently leave a cutting board, a couple knives, lemon peels, the hand juicer, food processor and so forth, all dirty to be cleaned up after the meal.  Instead, try this:

Ensure that your drying rack and sink are clear and clean.

Wash your produce. Chop your produce. Put produce into the food processor.

Wash your cutting board and knife(s).

Set out your serving dish or eating dishes.

Pulse your ingredients into a sauce or chunky salsa.

Put salsa into a serving dish or directly into the dishes that are being eaten from.

Wash the food processor.

Wipe down the counters and table.

Eat your meal and enjoy it.

Wash the plate(s)/bowl(s) and utensils used for eating.

In the above example, the washing is spread out. This means nothing sits around getting sticky and difficult to wash. This also means nothing gets forgotten. Also, it feels much less overwhelming to wash a couple items than it does to wash an entire sink full.

If drying rack space is limited, wire frames can be used to somewhat extend the space.  This is especially helpful if you often don't have room to dry your large appliances.  If on Saturday you make a smoothie for breakfast, juice for brunch, and use your food processor to make a grated salad for lunch, you'll quickly run out of places to put appliances to dry. As shown to the right, a small wire extension can make a large difference. The blender in the photograph would otherwise be entirely unable to fit. Shown in the third photo, the simple addition also gives a few more inches off the edge of the sink, covering up a worrisome gap between sink basin and wall.

If your drying space can not be extended, you can place kitchen clothes on the counter or within shelves so that appliances can be put directly into their place without creating pools beneath them.

Step Eight: Filling Hollow Spaces

If you've got a microwave, an oven, a dehydrator, a cooler, a rice-cooker, a large cooking pot, etc, then you've got a lot of hollow spaces in your kitchen.  You can store dry goods, pots and pans, cutting boards, knives, tea boxes, etc, in these hollow spaces to create more free space for preparing food.

For example, if you own a rice cooker, you can store the bags of rice inside the actual cooker.  When not currently drying food in your dehydrator, you can store dry foods in sealed bags within.  When not using your oven, you can keep it full of pots, pans and baking trays.  

A cooler may be filled with napkins, disposable cups and plates and other items you may have around specifically for when you go on a trip.  You may even use your cooler to store your reusable grocery bags (as long as it is easily accessible).

Step Nine: Square Containers

If you're using circular containers, consider switching to square.  The more square they are (not tapered down to a smaller size at the bottom) the better.  Circular containers leave a lot of empty space between them.  When you store your nuts, seeds, powders, spices, teas leaves, sprouting seeds, grains, dry beans, dried fruits, etc, in square containers instead, you get the most out of your space.

Another option is to use bags with a clip, rubber-band or tie.  Bags will fit into whatever space you put them in.  This is especially advisable if you're using the drawer of a fridge to store your dry goods.  If you're prone to in-fridge spills, consider double-bagging dry goods within the fridge.

When traveling, carrying square/rectangular containers in a square/rectangular bag is very convenient.  Instead of containers sliding around and turning over in the bag, they sit snugly together without wasting any space.  One standard-sized rectangular reusable bag with a reinforced bottom can be filled with an entire set of rectangular glass-lock containers.  You'd be able to take enough food for an entire day for two people in just one bag.  (I know, I've done it over and over again.) 

The largest rectangular container may be used for a large salad (drizzled with fresh lemon juice for freshness), the other two rectangular containers for salsa-type dishes, the large square containers for fruit salads, the small square containers for trail-mix-type snacks, and the smallest rectangular containers that come in one set of glass-lock containers may be used for hummus, seed cheese, or some other dip or spread.

Insulated reusable bags are a great alternative to coolers. The bags fold up and vanish from sight, whereas the coolers take up a lot of space in the kitchen.

Step Ten: Look Deep Into Your Fridge & Freezer

Do you have a large fridge or a tiny one?

If your fridge is large and spacious, and usually sporting excess space, then relocate dry grains, nuts, dried fruit, vinegar, condiments and spices to the fridge until your fridge is periodically full.  A full fridge is more electricity efficient.

If your freezer is spacious, you may put fruits, nuts and seeds that you intend to cook or blend in your freezer.  Frozen bananas make an excellent base for a vegan and raw ice cream.  I usually have ten bananas in my freezer.

A tiny freezer can be frustrating, but because frozen items don't really get “squished” you don't have to stress about a small freezer. You can fill metal bread pans will fruit, cover with parchment paper, and then throw bags of frozen produce on top, or a bowl of leftover ice cream. The tiny freezer to the right can hold six small bags of frozen berries, two bread pans filled with approximately twenty five frozen bananas, and three to four pounds of nuts in the door.

In a small fridge, consider rotating condiments.  For example, this week use horseradish, next week ketchup, the week after sauerkraut, vinegar the week after that, and so forth.  With some creativity and the help of the internet, you can use one condiment twenty different ways throughout the week until it's gone and then replace it with something different.

Also, consider what you may be keeping in your fridge that would do just as well on the counter. A citrus bowl of grapefruits, lemons, limes and oranges on your dining table is festive and practical.

Another festive addition to your table can be greens put into vases.  Instead of tossing kale, chard or celery into the fridge, cut a very thin layer of the bottoms of the chosen green and then put it into a decorative vase on the table or counter.

This will remind you of the beauty and health that greens have to offer while leaving more room in your fridge for tubs of pre-washed spinach or jars of kim chi.

Using seasonal food as decoration as well as eating the food gives you a perpetual small creative “chore” that provides a continually changing atmosphere. I find this not only helpful with limited space, but with finding peace in the home.

I wish you merry holidays, a clear-of-clutter kitchen, healthful eating patterns, and an excellent digestive system.  Namaste.  

~ Raederle Phoenix