Striving4Zen

• Argan oil, derived from the fruit of a tree that grows in Morocco, has been dubbed “liquid gold.” The vitamin E-rich oil can be found in a Kiehl's body lotion. Leslie S. Baumann, MD says Argan oil may improve skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, wrinkles, and dry skin. She also recommends olive, safflower, walnut, avocado, and evening primrose oils for dry skin.
• Soy can help prevent pigmentation, Baumann says. Licorice, mulberry, and burberry extracts, along with Vitamin C from citrus fruits -- grapefruit, lime, lemon, and orange -- can also fade brown spots, Baumann says.
  
• Maitake mushrooms, found in Origins’ Plantidote, may help people with sensitive skin who suffer from rosacea and redness, she says. Chamomile, oatmeal, aloe vera, licorice, and cucumber extracts all have soothing properties; check out Jurlique products. Feverfew, a member of the sunflower family, also has calming properties.
  
• Rhodiola (or rhodeola), known as golden root, is native to the high Himalayas. In a recent study of people with sensitive skin, those treated with rhodiola extract reported improved skin sensation and less skin dryness. Origins' Youthtopia skin-firming lotion contains extracts.
• CoffeeBerry is harvested from the coffee cherry, the outer, fleshy casing of the coffee bean. It is said to possess antioxidant activity greater than pomegranates, berries, and green teas. In studies sponsored by Stiefel Laboratories, which owns the proprietory name, CoffeeBerry treatment improved the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation. Look for the Revaleskin brand.
• Resveratrol, a polyphenol from wine and grape skins, serves as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Animal studies suggest that resveratrol applied to the skin may help protect against harmful UV damage. The Caudalie line contains resveratrol.
• Green tea is rich in antioxidants, especially one that may curb UV skin damage, some studies have shown. Pomegranate products may also help protect against UV skin damage, according to other research.
• White tea is unfermented and uncured; only the young tips are used. Origins has a line called A Perfect World featuring white tea. In an industry-sponsored study, white tea extract was also shown to limit sunlight-incurred damage in human skin.

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Labels: argan oil, coffee, green tea, maitake mushrooms, natural products, resveratrol, rhodiola, skin care, soy, white tea

Still not sure if soy is a threat to your system? Free up some memory--we've got the latest controversy update:

Your system is at risk: One of the most debated issues has been soy's isoflavones, whose estrogen-like effects have been linked to breast cancer prevention and risk. In recent years, however, soy has been shown not to significantly impact either result. The American Cancer Society recommends it as part of a healthy diet, though women with high risk are often recommended to cut back.

Other potential bugs: Soy also contains "anti-nutrients" that have been linked to suppressed thyroid function (in people with pre-existing conditions), protein digestion and mineral absorption. Despite unclear science, some experts recommend eating only fermented products (the process deactivates these "anti-nutrients") like miso, tempeh, and natto--sorry, tofu doesn't count!

Engineering: The spotlight on genetically modified foods means more bad news for soy (over 90% of American soy is genetically modified). To be safe, stick with organic products or these brands--and keep an eye out for items containing soy lecithin.

Bottom line: You can enjoy controversy-free soy in moderation if you have minimal breast cancer history, no thyroid disorders, and if the products are fermented and totally organic.

Thanks for the Clarity!

Labels: eating healthy, fermented, genetically modified, harmful foods, miso, soy, soy isoflavones, study, tempeh

Fermented soybeans have been a tradition in Japanese cuisine for more than 1,000 years. The nutritive value of natto, for example, was so high that Samurai consumed it daily, and even fed it to their horses to increase their speed and strength.

Nonfermented soy products, on the other hand, are NOT health foods, even though manufacturers of soy products have been allowed to label them “heart healthy” since 1999. The “health benefits” of nonfermented soy were simply created through slick marketing by the edible oil industry in the US; invented to create a profitable market for the otherwise unusable byproducts of the soybean oil industry.

The deceptive heart health claim originated from the low rates of heart disease and certain cancers seen in East Asian populations. However, in reality, Asians do not consume nearly as much soy as has been generally assumed, and what they do eat has been fermented for long periods.

Read more on Mercola.com...

Labels: fermented, Mercola, Myth, nutrition, soy, tempeh

Eat food, not food products. This doesn’t mean you have to forgo all forms of soy, but I’ll just say up front that food products with “the benefits of soy” conveniently added in just aren’t convincing me.

As I’ve said before, soy really needs some form of preparation before it’s safe to eat, and that in and of itself gives me pause. That said, minimally processed soy forms like fermented tempeh and miso as well as edamame seem like preferable options.

Soy processing isn’t a very comforting picture with acid washing and neutralization solutions, large and leaching aluminum tanks, and high temperature heating (rarely a good thing in the food world). And this doesn’t take into account the artificial flavorings, including MSG, that are often times added to improve flavor. (Hmmm. When we say healthy tastes great, we kind of mean a food itself and not all the chemical crap added to it. No?) Finally, it’s vital to go organic when it comes to soy. Not only is it nearly all genetically modified, it has one of the highest pesticide contamination levels of any crop.

Thanks Mark!

Labels: food, MSG, pesticides, soy, Whole Foods

Despite countless studies to the contrary, soy products still regarded by many as a healthy snack. In reality, they contain estrogens that can disrupt your body’s delicate hormonal balance, which can cause extensive health problems, especially for infants, but also for adults. What’s more:
Soybeans are high in natural toxins, also known as antinutrients.
Soybeans contain hemaglutinins, which cause red blood cells to clump together.
Soy contains goitrogens, which can frequently lead to depressed thyroid function.
Most soybeans are genetically modified, and they contain one of the highest levels of pesticide contamination of all foods.
Soybeans are very high in phytates, which prevent the absorption of minerals.
Nearly all soybeans are genetically modified.
Even if you don’t experience obvious symptoms, soy is highly allergenic and a subclinical sensitivity to it can lead to health problems over time.

Soy as it is traditionally consumed in Asian diets (mostly fermented soy products, like miso, natto and tempeh) is far less problematic. The fermented forms are safer, because the fermentation process creates health-promoting probiotics. In addition, soy in Asia is consumed only in small amounts (an average of 9 grams a day compared to over 20 grams a day in the United States). If you are still consuming potentially dangerous processed soy products that are veiled in a healthy package, check out the resource I’ve compiled -- Why Soy Can Damage Your Health -- to get up to speed on the major soy deception that’s going on in America.
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Labels: dangerous products, health food, Mercola, Myth, soy