Chemical calories are a way to quantify and grade the many fattening chemicals that are in the foods we eat. Foods are high in chemical calories if they are exposed to certain pesticides, environmental toxins, and synthetic chemicals. Most food we eat is sprayed with all kinds of highly toxic pesticides designed to kill insects, fungus, bacteria, and weeds. After food is harvested, it may be sprayed again to prevent spoilage in storage. And before it's packaged, it may be treated again. That's 3 times it is exposed to toxins! It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of foods we eat have some detectable amount of deliberately added pesticide or chemicals. In addition to grown food, much of the livestock we eat has been exposed to potentially fattening chemicals - chemicals designed to enhance weight gain in animals or have a weight gain effect as a side effect. These synthetic chemicals are used by farmers to force weight gain in animals, by altering the animal's metabolism. We eat this meat and we eat these fattening chemicals along with it!
These chemicals seriously compromise our metabolism. They can damage the appetite 'switch' so that we eat more food than we need. They can also reduce the amount of food the body needs, by damaging our ability to burn off food, thereby making the food that we eat go further. But the most important way these chemicals function is by seemingly preventing the body from burning up existing fat stores. This dooms us to become fatter as long as we keep exposing our bodies to these chemicals.
According to Dr. Baillie-Hamilton, eating organic foods will help detoxify the body by reducing the amount of chemicals you ingest. By eating organically, you stop the cycle so your body can focus energy on removing those toxins. Chemicals limit the amount of nutrients being absorbed.
Click here and view a video on the subject.
What can you do?
Go here and see what you can do to detoxify and get rid of the chemical calories.
Mary Beth Potrykus
Mama Bear Productions
http://www.mamabearproductions.net/
Monday, December 19, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Does your doctor take supplements?
Have you ever asked your doctor that question? Many people believe doctors don't take supplements/vitamins.
In fact it is true that doctors take supplements as illustrated in a recent study of 900 specialist--300 cardiologists, 300 dermatologists and 300 orthopedists (A. Dickinson et al, 10.1186/1475-2891-10-20).
When asked if they used dietary supplements occasionally, 75% of dermatologists, 73% of orthopedists and 57% of cardiologists said yes.
When asked whether they used supplements regularly, the percentages were 59% for dermatologists, 50% for orthopedists, and 37% for cardiologists - percentages that are not significantly different from the general population.
-Multivitamins: 75% of orthopedists, 55% of cardiologists and 69% dermatologists and they agreed "It is a good idea for patients to take multivitamins."
-69% of cardiologists agreed "Adults with a family history of heart disease should consider taking dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids/fish oil."
-93% of orthopedists agreed "Adults with a family history of osteoporosis or poor bone health should consider taking a calcium dietary supplement."
Most of the physicians in the study indicated that their nutrition training was inadequate and they had not received any training on the subject of dietary supplements.
So if you are using, or considering using, dietary supplements, you are in good company.
Mary Beth Potrykus
http://www.mamabearproductions.net/
marybeth@mamabearproductions.net
*Thank you to Dr. Stephen Chaney for providing this valuable information.
In fact it is true that doctors take supplements as illustrated in a recent study of 900 specialist--300 cardiologists, 300 dermatologists and 300 orthopedists (A. Dickinson et al, 10.1186/1475-2891-10-20).
When asked if they used dietary supplements occasionally, 75% of dermatologists, 73% of orthopedists and 57% of cardiologists said yes.
When asked whether they used supplements regularly, the percentages were 59% for dermatologists, 50% for orthopedists, and 37% for cardiologists - percentages that are not significantly different from the general population.
- Multivitamins were the most frequently used supplements.
- Omega-3 fatty acids were the next most used.
- Over 20% of the physicians in each specialty used herbal supplements, with green tea extract being the most frequently used.
- Finally, Vitamin C, Calcium and Glucosamine/chondroitin supplements rounded out the top 6.
-Multivitamins: 75% of orthopedists, 55% of cardiologists and 69% dermatologists and they agreed "It is a good idea for patients to take multivitamins."
-69% of cardiologists agreed "Adults with a family history of heart disease should consider taking dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids/fish oil."
-93% of orthopedists agreed "Adults with a family history of osteoporosis or poor bone health should consider taking a calcium dietary supplement."
Most of the physicians in the study indicated that their nutrition training was inadequate and they had not received any training on the subject of dietary supplements.
So if you are using, or considering using, dietary supplements, you are in good company.
Mary Beth Potrykus
http://www.mamabearproductions.net/
marybeth@mamabearproductions.net
*Thank you to Dr. Stephen Chaney for providing this valuable information.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Get The Facts on Food Labels cont.
Get Enough Vitamins, Minerals and Fiber
Foods with more than one ingredient must have an ingredient list on the label. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Those in the largest amounts are listed first. Effective January 2006, manufacturers are required to clearly state if food products contain any ingredients that contain protein derived from the eight major allergenic foods. These foods are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
What Health Claims on Food Labels Really Mean
FDA has strict guidelines on how certain food label terms can be used. Some of the most common claims seen on food packages:
For a Personal Confidential Nutrition Consultation, call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308. The first consultation is at no charge.
Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net
Keeping Health in Focus
- Eat more fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium and iron to maintain good health and help reduce your risk of certain health problems such as osteoporosis and anemia.
- Choose more fruits and vegetables to get more of these nutrients. Fresh fruits and vegetables (ideally organic) are best and cost less than frozen and canned vegetables.
- Remember to aim high for % DV of these nutrients.
- Carbohydrates --There are three types of carbs: sugars, starches and fiber. Select whole grain breads, cereals, rice and pasta plus fruits and vegetables (complex carbs=good carbs).
- Sugars--Simple carbohydrates or sugars occur naturally in foods such as fruit juice (fructose), or come from refined sources such as table sugar (sucrose) or corn syrup. You can find natural sugars at many stores (ie Sugar in the Raw, Blue Agave, Stevia, organic sugar).
Foods with more than one ingredient must have an ingredient list on the label. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Those in the largest amounts are listed first. Effective January 2006, manufacturers are required to clearly state if food products contain any ingredients that contain protein derived from the eight major allergenic foods. These foods are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
What Health Claims on Food Labels Really Mean
FDA has strict guidelines on how certain food label terms can be used. Some of the most common claims seen on food packages:
- Low calorie--Less than 40 calories per serving
- Low cholesterol --Less than 2 mg of cholesterol and 2 gm or less of saturated fat per serving.
- Reduced--25% less of the specified nutrient or calories than the usual products.
- Good source of--Provides at least 10% of the DV of a particular vitamin or nutrient per serving.
- Calorie free--Less than 5 calories per serving.
- Fat free/sugar free - Less than 1/2 gram of fat or sugar per serving.
- High in--Provides 20% or more of the Daily Value of a specified nutrient per serving.
- High fiber 5 or more grams of fiber per serving.
For a Personal Confidential Nutrition Consultation, call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308. The first consultation is at no charge.
Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net
Keeping Health in Focus
Monday, December 5, 2011
Get the Facts on Food Labels
When you shop do you compare labels? Are some of the nutrition facts a bit confusing? Here is some "food for thought". OK I may not be real funny but laughter is always good. :)
Shop Smart - Get the Facts on Food Labels
Become a smart shopper by reading food labels to find out more about the foods you eat. The Nutrition Facts panel found on most food labels will help you:
Remember to check your portion size to the serving size listed on the label. If the label serving size is one cup, and you eat two cups, you are getting twice the calories, fat and other nutrients listed on the label.
Check out the Total Calories and Fat
Find out how many calories are in a single serving and the number of calories from fat. It's smart to cut back on calories and fat if you are watching your weight.
Let the Percent Daily Values Be Your Guide
Use percent Daily Values (DV) to help you evaluate how a particular food fits into your daily meal plan:
Eating less of these nutrients may help reduce your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net
Shop Smart - Get the Facts on Food Labels
Become a smart shopper by reading food labels to find out more about the foods you eat. The Nutrition Facts panel found on most food labels will help you:
- Find out which foods are good sources of fiber, calcium, iron and vitamin C
- Compare similar foods to find out which one is lower in fat an calories
- search for low-sodium foods
- look for foods that are low in saturated fat and trans fats (polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats are GOOD)
Remember to check your portion size to the serving size listed on the label. If the label serving size is one cup, and you eat two cups, you are getting twice the calories, fat and other nutrients listed on the label.
Check out the Total Calories and Fat
Find out how many calories are in a single serving and the number of calories from fat. It's smart to cut back on calories and fat if you are watching your weight.
Let the Percent Daily Values Be Your Guide
Use percent Daily Values (DV) to help you evaluate how a particular food fits into your daily meal plan:
- Daily Values are average levels of nutrients for a person eating 2,000 calories a day. A food item with a 5% DV means 5% of the amount of fat that a person consuming 2,000 calories a day would eat.
- Remember: percent DV are the entire day--not just for one meal or snack.
- You may need more or less than 2,000 calories per day. For some nutrients you may need more or less than 100% DV.
- 5% or less is low--try to aim low in total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium
- 20% or more is high--try to aim high in vitamins, minerals and fiber
Eating less of these nutrients may help reduce your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer.
- Total fat includes saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat. Limit to 100% DV or less per day. (remember poly and mono are good fats)
- Saturated fat and trans fat are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
- Sodium--high levels can add up to high blood pressure.
- Remember to aim low for % DV of these nutrients.
Mary Beth Potrykus
www.mamabearproductions.net
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Pharmaceutical profits are down. Time to attack vitamins!
Did you hear the breaking news that multivitamins may shorten your life? Here’s how junk science from the AMA set off the media frenzy.
Bloomberg phrased it this way: “Multivitamins and some dietary supplements, used regularly by an estimated 234 million US adults, may do more harm than good, according to a study that tied their use to higher death rates among older women.” The study’s authors outrageously concluded, “We see little justification for the general and widespread use of dietary supplements.”
The study, published in the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Archives of Internal Medicine, assessed the use of vitamin and mineral supplements in nearly 39,000 women whose average age was 62. The researchers asked the women to fill out three surveys, the first in 1986, the second in 1997, and the last in 2004, reporting what supplements they took and what foods they ate, and answering a few questions about their health.
That’s right, all the data was self-reported by the study subjects only three times over the course of the 19-year-long study. To say the data is “unreliable” would be a generous description. This kind of “data” has no place in a valid scientific study.
Then the researchers looked at how many of the women had died by 2008. They reported that the number of deaths were somewhat higher for women who took copper, a little bit lower for women who took calcium, but about average for most of the women.
In the study, all of the relative risks were so low as to be statistically insignificant, and none was backed up by any medical investigation or biological plausibility study. No analysis was done on what combinations of vitamins and minerals were actually consumed, and no analysis of the cause of death was done beyond grouping for “cancer,” “cardiovascular disease,” or “other”—there was certainly no causative analysis done. The interactions of potential compounding risk factors is always tremendously complex—and was ignored in this so-called study.
“Multivitamin” can mean many different things, and of course changed tremendously over the 19 years during which this “study” was conducted. Were they high quality? Were the ingredients synthetic or natural? How much of each nutrient was taken? Were they really taken at all? How good is anyone’s memory in describing what took place over many years? One would assume that that the women’s diets fluctuated greatly over the same period; when self-reporting only three times in 19 years, there is a great deal of information one would naturally leave out even if some of it was accurate. No analysis was done of the effect of supplements on the women’s overall health, nor of their effect on women of other ages.
According to Dr. Robert Verkerk the Executive & Scientific Director of ANH-International;
“This study is a classic example of scientific reductionism being used to fulfill a particular need. In this case, it’s supplement bashing, a well-known preoccupation of Big Pharma — and an approach that appears to be central to the protection of Big Pharma’s profit margins.”
Read Dr. Verkerk’s article critical of the AMA’s goals and scientific methodology here.
In short, this study is less than useless: it is dangerous, because it is being used by the media and the mainstream medical establishment to blacken the eye of nutritional supplements using poor data, bad analysis, and specious conclusions—otherwise known as junk science.
What are your thoughts?
Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net
Bloomberg phrased it this way: “Multivitamins and some dietary supplements, used regularly by an estimated 234 million US adults, may do more harm than good, according to a study that tied their use to higher death rates among older women.” The study’s authors outrageously concluded, “We see little justification for the general and widespread use of dietary supplements.”
The study, published in the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Archives of Internal Medicine, assessed the use of vitamin and mineral supplements in nearly 39,000 women whose average age was 62. The researchers asked the women to fill out three surveys, the first in 1986, the second in 1997, and the last in 2004, reporting what supplements they took and what foods they ate, and answering a few questions about their health.
That’s right, all the data was self-reported by the study subjects only three times over the course of the 19-year-long study. To say the data is “unreliable” would be a generous description. This kind of “data” has no place in a valid scientific study.
Then the researchers looked at how many of the women had died by 2008. They reported that the number of deaths were somewhat higher for women who took copper, a little bit lower for women who took calcium, but about average for most of the women.
In the study, all of the relative risks were so low as to be statistically insignificant, and none was backed up by any medical investigation or biological plausibility study. No analysis was done on what combinations of vitamins and minerals were actually consumed, and no analysis of the cause of death was done beyond grouping for “cancer,” “cardiovascular disease,” or “other”—there was certainly no causative analysis done. The interactions of potential compounding risk factors is always tremendously complex—and was ignored in this so-called study.
“Multivitamin” can mean many different things, and of course changed tremendously over the 19 years during which this “study” was conducted. Were they high quality? Were the ingredients synthetic or natural? How much of each nutrient was taken? Were they really taken at all? How good is anyone’s memory in describing what took place over many years? One would assume that that the women’s diets fluctuated greatly over the same period; when self-reporting only three times in 19 years, there is a great deal of information one would naturally leave out even if some of it was accurate. No analysis was done of the effect of supplements on the women’s overall health, nor of their effect on women of other ages.
According to Dr. Robert Verkerk the Executive & Scientific Director of ANH-International;
“This study is a classic example of scientific reductionism being used to fulfill a particular need. In this case, it’s supplement bashing, a well-known preoccupation of Big Pharma — and an approach that appears to be central to the protection of Big Pharma’s profit margins.”
Read Dr. Verkerk’s article critical of the AMA’s goals and scientific methodology here.
In short, this study is less than useless: it is dangerous, because it is being used by the media and the mainstream medical establishment to blacken the eye of nutritional supplements using poor data, bad analysis, and specious conclusions—otherwise known as junk science.
What are your thoughts?
Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Why Supplement?
Many times I hear, "I'm healthy or I'm young so why do I need to use supplements (or some say vitamins)?" If you eat according to the food pyramid guide, breathe only clean air, drink only the purest of water, exercise at least 3 times weekly, and have no stress in your life then no you don't need to supplement. Does this sound like you?
When I first started taking supplements, I thought to myself am I going to do this for the rest of my life? Fourteen years later I'm still taking supplements. I don't take a day off either.
Why do I say supplements versus vitamins? Because the products I use and market, supplement what we don't get from our diet. Be careful because not all supplements are created equally.
Click here for an even better explanation of Why Supplement.
If you are already using supplements, are you getting the results you want? Why did you start taking supplements? Did a doctor recommend them? Were you told "all brands are the same, just go to the grocery store"?
I'm not here to treat or diagnose, but many traditional doctors aren't knowledgeable in supplements. They have their reasons.
But if you are looking for someone who has your best interest at heart, email me and we can set up a time to discuss what is best for you. Because that is who matters, YOU.
Give yourself the gift of health this holiday season so that you can enjoy many more to come.
Many blessings,
Mary Beth
marybeth@mamabearproductions.net
www.mamambearproductions.net
When I first started taking supplements, I thought to myself am I going to do this for the rest of my life? Fourteen years later I'm still taking supplements. I don't take a day off either.
Why do I say supplements versus vitamins? Because the products I use and market, supplement what we don't get from our diet. Be careful because not all supplements are created equally.
Click here for an even better explanation of Why Supplement.
If you are already using supplements, are you getting the results you want? Why did you start taking supplements? Did a doctor recommend them? Were you told "all brands are the same, just go to the grocery store"?
I'm not here to treat or diagnose, but many traditional doctors aren't knowledgeable in supplements. They have their reasons.
But if you are looking for someone who has your best interest at heart, email me and we can set up a time to discuss what is best for you. Because that is who matters, YOU.
Give yourself the gift of health this holiday season so that you can enjoy many more to come.
Many blessings,
Mary Beth
marybeth@mamabearproductions.net
www.mamambearproductions.net
Monday, November 7, 2011
Calling all teachers
It's that cold and flu season again. Who seems to be on the receiving end? Teachers. Kids come to school with runny noses, coughing, and a whole array of other "fun" things.
On top of all that, it is the stress of dealing with 30 different personalities, teaching something they love and with the hope that those children will be passionate about learning.
And if all of this isn't enough, they don't receive a raise, benefits are reduced and they are struggling financially.
So what can teachers do to offset the affects of stress, have a balanced immune system, create an additional income to offset their paycuts, and not go crazy while doing all of this?
Let's start with stress. When a person is stressed, reach for the good foods. For example: fresh fruit, fresh veggies, protein. These food choices will offset the affects of stress and put the body in a more calm state. Did you know that stress is a major contributing factor in 100% of disease?
Next the immune system. It is imperative to have a balanced immune sytem to ward off the flu and it is a great prevention against more serious illnesses such as cancer. Eating healthy 80% of the time and 20% of the time eat what you want and enjoy it. We don't live in a plastic bubble and limiting oneself can add to stress.
Next is a balanced immune system. I say balanced because there are Auto Immune Disorders where the immune system is overproducing and is attacking the body. What can one do to have a balanced immune system? Because we can't get everything we need from our food supply, we need supplements. Go here for my favorites.
If you had a flu shot but want something that is a great defense against all flu bugs, click here. If you like to know what you are putting into your body, click on the Science portion.
Last is creating an additional income. Teachers know that education is empowering. I conduct Healthy Workshops for businesses, schools, churches, and organizations in the community. My business is expanding and I'm looking for teachers to teach these workshops and have a flexible business to create an additional stream of income. If this sounds like you or someone you know, email your resume to Mary Beth at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net.
The Heart of a Teacher is a book and also you can see a brief video on the book.
Thank you to all teachers! You are a blessing.
Mary Beth
On top of all that, it is the stress of dealing with 30 different personalities, teaching something they love and with the hope that those children will be passionate about learning.
And if all of this isn't enough, they don't receive a raise, benefits are reduced and they are struggling financially.
So what can teachers do to offset the affects of stress, have a balanced immune system, create an additional income to offset their paycuts, and not go crazy while doing all of this?
Let's start with stress. When a person is stressed, reach for the good foods. For example: fresh fruit, fresh veggies, protein. These food choices will offset the affects of stress and put the body in a more calm state. Did you know that stress is a major contributing factor in 100% of disease?
Next the immune system. It is imperative to have a balanced immune sytem to ward off the flu and it is a great prevention against more serious illnesses such as cancer. Eating healthy 80% of the time and 20% of the time eat what you want and enjoy it. We don't live in a plastic bubble and limiting oneself can add to stress.
Next is a balanced immune system. I say balanced because there are Auto Immune Disorders where the immune system is overproducing and is attacking the body. What can one do to have a balanced immune system? Because we can't get everything we need from our food supply, we need supplements. Go here for my favorites.
If you had a flu shot but want something that is a great defense against all flu bugs, click here. If you like to know what you are putting into your body, click on the Science portion.
Last is creating an additional income. Teachers know that education is empowering. I conduct Healthy Workshops for businesses, schools, churches, and organizations in the community. My business is expanding and I'm looking for teachers to teach these workshops and have a flexible business to create an additional stream of income. If this sounds like you or someone you know, email your resume to Mary Beth at marybeth@mamabearproductions.net.
The Heart of a Teacher is a book and also you can see a brief video on the book.
Thank you to all teachers! You are a blessing.
Mary Beth
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