What's Up with HFCS?

We just can't seem to get enough high-fructose corn syrup. It's in foods ranging from yogurt to canned fruit, from ketchup to breakfast cereal. Yet many consumers are beginning to question the health effects of HFCS. Do we really need to be concerned?

The Corn Refiners Association says no. The association offers two websites, SweetSurprise.com and CornSugar.com, dedicated to the promotion of corn sugar. The websites assure consumers that your body can't tell the difference between corn sugar and cane sugar. (For a summary, see their one-minute promotional video.)

A 2010 study at Princeton University says otherwise. The study found significant weight gain in lab animals when given HFCS for a significant period of time. The animals also experienced abnormal increases in body fat, especially in the abdomen.

According to the Corn Refiners Association, HFCS contains no artificial ingredients. This implies the product is natural. If the product were truly natural, wouldn't we be able to take an ear of corn, press on the kernels, and extract HFCS? The process, however, is far more complicated.

Corn is milled to produce corn starch. The starch is processed to yield corn syrup. The glucose which is produced is transformed into fructose with the addition of enzymes. The resulting syrup (after enzyme conversion) contains approximately 42% fructose and is called HFCS 42. Some of the 42% fructose is then purified to 90% fructose, HFCS 90.

The enzymes, however, are industrially produced. Alpha-amylase is produced by a bacterium, Bacillus sp. in most cases. An enzyme called glucoamylase breaks the sugar chains down even further. Unlike alpha-amylase, glucoamylase is produced by Aspergillus, a fungus, in a fermentation vat.

Many of the enzymes are genetically modified, as is the corn itself in most cases.

Furthermore, the synthetic glutaraldehyde is used in the manufacturing process. This chemical is used as a biocide in oil pipelines, a slimicide in paper manufacturing, a preservative in cosmetics, a disinfectant in animal houses, and is among the chemicals used for embalming. The Centers for Disease Control warns of adverse health effects as the result of exposure to glutaraldehyde.

Is all of this enough to merit avoiding HFCS? Maybe it's time to choose a better alternative than those competing breakfast cereals shown above.

Dr. Weston Price: Lessons Learned

The various opinions regarding health and nutrition can be confusing and overwhelming. Who can we believe and trust? Why do some diets work for some and not for others? What if I can't afford expensive supplements and alternative therapies? The research of Weston A. Price provides some fascinating information that I believe offers help and hope for those trying to sort through the varying opinions and studies.

Price, a dentist living in the early 1900s, understood that those who lived in primitive conditions had excellent teeth. Those eating the "modern" diet experienced tooth decay and periodontal disease. Rather than look at the disease, Dr. Price chose to study the primitive groups and consider their diet. From the Eskimos of Alaska to Australian Aborigines to isolated African tribes, Dr. Price concluded that dental health as well as overall health comes as a result of eating whole, unrefined foods.

Dr. Price detailed his research in his 500-page book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, published in 1939. In the chapter titled "Practical Application of Primitive Wisdom," Dr. Price makes a stunning conclusion when addressing the issue of eliminating tooth decay.

Simply stated, the practical application of the primitive wisdom for accomplishing this would involve returning to the use of natural foods which provide the entire assortment of body-building and repairing food factors. This means the recognition of the fact that all forms of animal life are the product of the food environments that have produced them. Therefore, we cannot distort and rob the foods without serious injury. Nature has put these foods up in packages containing the combinations of minerals and other factors that are essential for nourishing the various organs. Some of the simpler animal forms are able to synthesize in their bodies some of the food elements which we humans also require, but cannot create ourselves. Our modern process of robbing the natural foods for convenience or gain completely thwarts Nature's inviolable program. I have shown how the robbing of the wheat in the making of white flour reduced the minerals and other chemicals in the grains, so as to make them sources of energy without normal body-building and repairing qualities. Our appetites have been distorted so that hunger appeals only for energy with no conscious need for body-building and repairing chemicals.

This last sentence is striking! Dr. Price was correct. It's easy to distort our appetites so that we no longer recognize our need for nutrient-dense foods. Indeed, eating food in its natural form may get us back on track with our teeth and our overall health.

Goal #4: Liver

As I continue my New Year's goals for 2012, I can now cross off Goal #4: "Make a liver recipe that my family will eat."

Only two people ate it, but that's enough for me to cross it off my list and probably not make it again. I used lamb's liver because I read it's easier to disguise the taste. Here's the recipe I used:

• Soak liver in lemon juice and yogurt overnight (I did this for only 4 hours).
• Slice one large onion and crush 2 cloves garlic.
• Stir-fry in oil or butter (I used palm oil).
• Add liver and season with turmeric, curry (I didn't have any), salt, and black pepper.

My husband and daughter loved it. I tolerated it. Others didn't try it. I didn't push them since I was having a hard time with it myself.

I'm not going to press the issue because liver is a regular part of our diet. I make capsules using desiccated liver for my kids, and I eat raw liver daily. I also incorporate liver into meatballs, sausage, and meatloaf.

My family would agree that my energy levels have improved remarkably in the last three years. I have no doubt that the liver has been a major factor.

A study conducted in 1951 found a strong connection between liver and fatigue. This article describes the findings.

But doesn't the liver store toxins? This is the number one concern people have about eating liver. Actually, while the liver is the center for the neutralization of toxins, it doesn't store them. Drugs, pesticides, and other toxins that are not eliminated are stored in the fatty tissues and nervous system. Instead, the liver stores critical nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, and folic acid.

So how do I eat raw liver?

1. Buy liver from a trusted source, making sure it has no added hormones, is free from drugs, and is truly grass-fed. A source I trust is North Star Bison. I buy it frozen for $6.95 per pound.
2. Thaw in refrigerator overnight.
3. Process in food processor.
4. Pour into ice cube tray and refreeze.
5. Cut into "pills" and enjoy!

I made this video as a demonstration. Sometimes it helps to see the process!

Healthy Fats

A recent 60 Minutes segment explored the toxicity of sugar. The interviews were compelling and the research convincing. An interesting link was made between high sugar intake and reduced fats in our diet. The pediatric endocrinologist made the point that food without fat "tastes like cardboard."

Must we avoid butter? What about lard or eggs? Dr. Weston Price studied 10 people groups isolated from the "modern diet" in the 1930s and found that the healthiest people with little to no tooth decay included animal fat as part of their diet. His book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration details his research, which has never been disputed. The Weston A. Price Foundation website is a contemporary representation of his work.

In Month Three of the momsAWARE Natural Year Challenge: Food Edition, we tackle the subject of healthy fats and oils. The following video looks at common misconceptions and explores ways to incorporate healthy fats into your daily diet.

The Oil of Life

In the Philippines, the coconut tree is known as the "Tree of Life" because of its many uses. Its roots, trunks, and husks are used for construction materials, paper pulp, brushes, and much more. Coconut oil is derived from the copra, which is the dried coconut meat.

Virgin coconut oil contains abundant medium-chain fatty acids, which are more easily digested than long-chain fatty acids. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, which is found in breast milk and has proven antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

Coconut oil contains saturated fat, which is the most stable of all fats, and as a result coconut oil does not go rancid when heated and does not form dangerous free radicals that can cause a multitude of ills.

Coconut oil, therefore, is wonderful to cook with and to eat. But that's not all! Here are 25 ways to incorporate coconut oil into your daily life.

1. Hair conditioner. Apply to dry hair and leave in until the next wash. Coconut oil helps reduce protein loss in hair. See this article for more.
2. Hair gel. Rub a small amount of coconut oil on hands and apply as a styling agent.
3. Deodorant. Place under arms to help with body odor.
4. Shaving cream. Apply before shaving.
5. Oil pulling. An effective method of detoxification that involves swishing and rinsing coconut oil (or another oil) in your mouth. See this article for details.
6. Bath oil. Add several tablespoons to bath water for added moisturizing.
7. Rashes. Coconut oil can have a soothing and healing effect on skin eruptions and rashes. It makes a great moisturizer in general for the skin!
8. Makeup remover. Use coconut oil to remove mascara, blush, eye liner, eye shadow, and lipstick!
9. Burns. In 2008, the Indian Journal of Pharmacology concluded that coconut oil "is an effective burn wound healing agent." See this article for more.
10. Healthy "candy." Combine 1 c. coconut oil, 1/8 c. cacao powder, 1 tsp. vanilla, and several drops English Toffee liquid stevia. Combine and heat until blended/melted. Pour into candy mold or mini muffin tins. Freeze. For more dessert ideas, visit the Tropical Traditions website.
11. Cutting board conditioner. Wipe on clean cutting board weekly.
12. Bug bites. Apply on affected area. Reduces skin irritation, swelling, and itching.
13. Eye cream. Use by itself or combine with cocoa butter (2 tablespoons grated cocoa butter heated gently with 3 tablespoons coconut oil).
14. Goo Gone. Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda for a non-toxic version.
15. Yeast infections. Can be used internally to alleviate symptoms. See this article for more.
16. Leather moisturizer. After cleaning the leather with a damp, clean cloth, wipe with coconut oil to condition and soften the leather.
17. Massage oil/carrier oil. Fractionated coconut oil is ideal. A fraction of the whole oil is used, creating a stable, colorless, odorless oil that is light and easily penetrable. Fractionated coconut oil is available from a variety of sources, including Amazon.
18. Diaper rash. Coconut oil is soothing for baby, not only for diaper rash but also for cradle cap. When a diaper rash is specifically caused by Candida yeast, studies have shown that coconut oil causes the Candida yeast cell's nucleus to explode!
19. Cuticle/nail massage. Gently massage several drops into cuticle area.
20. Nosebleeds. If prone to nosebleeds, coat the inside of your nostrils regularly to prevent future nosebleeds.
21. Pet boost. Add a spoonful to your dog's or cat's food as an immune booster.
22. Lip balm. Keep coconut oil handy in a small container to soothe lips.
23. Insect repellent. Combine coconut oil with neem oil for an effective and moisturizing repellent.
24. Toothpaste. Combine equal parts coconut oil and baking soda in a small jar. Add peppermint essential oil and use daily to brush teeth.
25. Vapor rub. Add peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils to several tablespoons of coconut oil for a Vick's alternative.