Does Soda Make You Fat

I cam across an article on NaturalNews.com reporting on a study released by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA) and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research titled, Bubbling Over: Soda Consumption and Its Link to Obesity in California.

This landmark study provides important scientific evidence of the direct contribution of sugar-sweetened beverages to California's $41 billion obesity epidemic.

The researchers interviewed more than 43,000 adults and 4,000 adolescents from every county in the state of California

Here are some of the findings reported:

The study found that 41% of children (ages 2 - 11), 62 percent of adolescents (ages 12 - 17) and 24 percent of adults drink at least one soda or other sugar-sweetened beverage every day.

Regardless of income or ethnicity, adults who drink one or more sodas or other sugar-sweetened beverages every day are 27 percent more likely to be overweight or obese.

Soda consumption rates vary from county to county and city to city, with dramatic variations between some counties and some cities.

The average California teen consumes 39 pounds of liquid sugar a year solely from soda consumption

Although most of you reading this don't live in California, soda and other sweetened drinks effect you the same way, so be cautious in your consumption.

If you would like to review the articles for yourself view the Los Angles Times article or the California Center for Public Health Advocacy article.

You may also be asking what you can do. Check out the recommendations from the CCPHA here.

I recommend water

Is Your Cell Phone Safe

An email I recieved from the Environmental Working Group, a public health protective and information group, posed this question:

Have you ever wondered if the cell phones that we all depend on emit radiation and are safe to use?

Frankly, I was very interested in reading more on this particular subject. Myself and everyone I know uses a cell phone without a second thought. So I felt it would be wise to familiarize myself with some of the safety recomendations and research surrounding this issue.

Here's some of the key points from EWG's cell phone report:

- A joint study by researchers in Denmark,Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom found that people who had used cellphones for more than 10 years had asignificantly increased risk of developing brain and salivary gland tumors.

- Multiple studies reported that the brains of young children absorb more radiation than those of adults. Researchers in Sweden found the highest risk of brain tumors among people who started using cell phones during adolescence

- Health agencies in six nations — Switzerland,Germany, Israel, France, United Kingdom, and Finland — have recommended reducing children’s exposures to cell phone radiation.

- The U.S. government should require phones to be labeled with their radiation emissions at the point of sale, so consumers can make informed decisions about the phones they buy.

To find out more what you can do to protect yourself take a look at this guide to reduce you cell phone radiation exposure.

Psychiatric Drug Searchable Database

If you watch television, listen to the radio, or read any magazine or newspaper, then you are well aware of how many medications are available to take.

Literally hundreds.

Most people understand that there are associated side effects with these medications. But have you taken the time to think about what this truly means.

When you take a medication the side effects are not really the side effects. They are the effects!

As reported by Reuters and Dr. Mercola a research article made available in 2007:

47 percent said their doctors dismissed their muscle or cognitive problems, and said they were not statin-related
51 percent with a type of nerve pain called peripheral neuropathy said their doctors denied a connection to the drugs
32 percent said their doctors denied a connection between their symptoms and statins
29 percent said their doctors "neither endorsed nor dismissed the possibility of symptom link to statins"

These stats are related to statin drugs, which are for cholesterol concerns. For more info regarding cholesterol read this previous post.

Ok, getting back on track. I was made aware of a new database for reviewing the effects of taking anti-depressant medications. Psychiatric Drug Side Effect Database

If you or someone you know is on these medications find out if you are aware of these effects. I would also visit the Citizens Commission on Human Rights for a transparent look at what these medications can do.

They questions I feel you should be asking are, does taking these drugs make my entire body balanced and more healthy, or does adding the chemicals create a negative body burden and only cover up the symptoms?

When you honestly answer these questions in your mind the outcome is obvious.

Do You Choose Foods Labeled ‘Zero Trans Fats’

Have you ever found yourself in the grocery store, standing in the chip isle, reviewing the nutritional content on the back?

You are not alone. According to a new survey from market researchers Greenfield Online

72 percent of Americans said they read nutrition labels and facts panels in an effort to make healthy choices when grocery shopping. And 61 percent said they considered ‘zero grams of trans fats per serving’ to be the most important claim for heart health.

Another other story from SmartBrief.com reports

But consumers may be surprised to learn "zero" isn't always zero when it comes to trans fat. Products labeled "zero grams trans fat" could contain up to .49 grams of trans fat per serving under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. That means consumers could easily, and unknowingly, exceed the American Heart Association's recommended limit of no more than 2 grams of trans fat a day.

So despite some of your best efforts, you have been duped.

Well as they say 'the devil is in the details.' Learning to understand the fine print is the key to truly understanding the ingredients in your food choices.

SmartBrief.com

Trans fat in the form of partially hydrogenated oil is most common, which can count for up to 45 percent of total fat content. It is cheaper t to produce that healthier oils, provides food manufacturers with greater processing stability and gives foods a longer shelf life.

The key is to look for 'partially hydrogenated oil' in the list of ingredients. That's a dead giveaway that there's trans fat in the product no matter what it says on the package," said Alyse Levine, a registered dietitian. "Here's a simple rule to follow -- if you see 'partially hydrogenated oil' listed on a product's label, just put it back on the shelf and find another product that doesn't," Levine added.

So next time you find yourself in the grocery store, take a brief moment and read the fine print... look for partially hydrogenated oil. I also recommend that you take a look at this page to learn more about the other ingredients in your food.