A study performed by Northwestern Sciences Health University demonstrated healthy changes for those following the Standard Process 28-day Detox Program compared to those who were only provided an educational session on healthy eating. The Standard Process Detox Program was associated with a significant increase in antioxidant activity, a decrease in oxidative stress, and improvement in scores for physical health and emotional health.

Our bodies come into increasing contact with chemicals inside and outside, which accumulate in our tissues and can contribute to health problems. Various reports have noted sources of chemicals ranging from our foods, to cosmetics and cleaners, city water, and furniture and electronic, among others. We are exposed to thousands of chemicals and many have been measured in the blood or urine of Americans. As this study states, "chronic exposure and improper clearance of these chemicals increase the body’s susceptibility to tissue injury and insufficient repair over time."

The whole food ingredients included in the Standard Process Detox Program included organic pea protein, flax meal, organic oat flour, organic pumpkin seed protein, organic buckwheat flour, organic beet (leaf) juice powder, organic buckwheat (aerial parts), apple pectin, juniper (berry) powder, organic Spanish black radish (root), burdock (root) powder, organic beet (root), calcium citrate, organic barley (grass), dandelion (leaf), broccoli (aerial parts), inositol, organic alfalfa (aerial parts) juice powder, Oregon grape (root) powder, globe artichoke (leaf), sunflower lecithin powder, milk thistle extract (80% silymarins), organic cordyceps mushroom powder, organic carrot, and organic sweet potato. Other ingredients included creatine, L-leucine, xanthan gum, L-isoleucine, L-valine, DL-methionine, monk fruit extract, and choline bitartrate.
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The researchers looked at multiple markers of improvement to determine if the Standard Process Detox Program was potentially supporting the liver's ability to detox chemicals filtered from the circulatory system. The detox program was associated with a 40% increase in total antioxidant capacity only in those completing the program. This change correlated with an observed 13% decrease in oxidative stress. The program essentially helped protect the body from damaging free radicals by increasing phase II detoxification and antioxidant enzyme activity. When tested for established physical health and mental health indexes, the detox program participants also demonstrated a small increase in these measures for general health in just 28 days for subjects that were largely healthy to begin with.

The study demonstrated benefits of Standard Process Detox Program for supporting detoxification of foreign chemicals accumulating in the body. The whole food ingredients used were shown to cause no side effects while providing these benefits. Those considering a detox program to support better health, may want to consider a program like this that used whole food ingredients.

MedPage Today reported on two recent studies linking indoor home insecticide use or outdoor herbicide use to a significant increase in risk for childhood cancers like leukemia and lymphomas.

Daniel S. Wechsler, MD, PhD, associate professor, pediatrics and pharmacology & cancer biology at Duke University Medical Center, noted, "The current study adds to the 'smoking gun' raised by other investigators that pesticides could contribute to the development of cancer in children...It certainly seems prudent to limit exposure of children (or anyone) to these agents, especially in indoor locations."

Harvard researcher Chesheng Lu, PhD, MS, noted, "Pediatricians should remind parents with young kids to try not to use pesticides in your household and if kids go to a daycare or school that uses lots of pesticides, parents may need to talk to the school or school district to see if there's a better alternative without using chemical-based treatment."

Before you start spraying your house for pests or bombarding your dandelions with herbicide, think about your children or your neighbors' children that will be exposed to the poisonous chemicals. Consider creating a healthier chemical-free yard with permaculture gardening to control your pests for you and provide a healthy place for children to play.

Recent studies have confirmed an interesting link between the development of diabetes and pesticide exposure.

Medpage Today reported that a review of 13 studies on type 2 diabetes found that "people exposed to pesticides such as DDT were 61% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes." Another analysis of 22 studies found "the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was still significantly higher by about 58%" in those exposed to pesticides.

One of the scientists noted, "How diabetes develops is considered to be an interplay between genetic and environmental factors...Emerging evidence suggests that environmental contaminants -- including pesticides -- may play an important role in the [development] of diabetes."

A separate study linked exposure to pesticides during early pregnancy to a 4.4 times increased risk of developing gestational diabetes.

It shouldn't be surprising that using chemicals to poison parts of our environment can have significant effects on our health. The similarity of these chemicals to our body's hormones can potentially cause far-ranging negative effects on our health.

You can start reducing your family's pesticide exposure by using the dirty dozen chart.

Permaculture is a system of gardening (and living) that tries to mimic nature by learning from it and applying those lessons. It seeks to minimize waste and the use of external resources (water, chemicals, fuel, etc.) in the most efficient way possible to create a natural abundance. What's all that really mean? Check out these tips for a better idea...

5 Permaculture Tips For Better Gardening

1. Grow more perennials and fewer annuals to avoid the extra work of planting everything again each year. Consider the following perennials that come back each year: raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, fruit trees, strawberries, nut trees, rhubarb, asparagus, horseradish, hardy greens, perennial onions, Jerusalem artichokes, herbs, flowers. That's just a short list.
   
2. Grow a variety of different vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. They work together to attract beneficial insects and wildlife, while confusing and limiting harmful insects. A monoculture of one plant is like paradise to a bug with a hearty appetite.
3. Turn your garden waste into compost or mulch to feed the nutrients back into your soil and grow healthier plants. Healthy soil grows healthy plants. A good mulch provides nutrients as it breaks down and conserves moisture in the soil so less watering is needed.
   
4. Avoid all the digging and tilling by sheet mulching instead. Add alternating layers of greens (fresh grass or leaves), browns (old leaves) and good compost or soil. Cardboard or newspapers can be used under the pile to suppress weeds and will break down with the other layers. Dig a spot in the soil and plant it up.
   
5. Avoid chemical sprays of fertilizer, insecticides, or herbicides. If something is chewing on your plants, think of what would naturally eat it (a bigger bug, a bird, a toad, etc.) and try to attract it to your garden with houses or favorite plants to let them eliminate the pest for you. Chemical sprays kill beneficial insects and important fungi and microbes in the soil that help break down waste and provide nutrients to plants. Chemical sprays are a short term solution causing long term problems.
   
   For more permaculture tips and tricks you can use, simply look up "permaculture" or check out the video "The Permaculutre Orchard: Beyond Organic" (available to borrow from our clinic).
   
   

What's hiding in your child's school milk? If the Food and Drug Administration approves a petition by the International Dairy Foods Association and National Milk Producers Federation, it's going to be harder to find out.

What is "milk"?

These dairy associations have asked the FDA to redefine what "milk" is, so they can add additives without including special labeling. Currently, if milk has been altered to include artificial sweeteners, milk manufacturers are required to label milk as "low calorie" or "reduced calorie" or print similar language on the front of the package. The dairy associations' primary goal is to add artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose without the current required labeling.

It doesn't stop with "milk"

The dairy associations are also requesting a revision of the definition of 17 other dairy products including yogurt (with help from the National Yogurt Association of course), to play the same game with those food labels. Dr. Oz and The Environmental Working Group have a nice explanation of the topic.

Would you define "milk" or "yogurt" as foods that contain artificial sweeteners? The research showing potential harm from the consumption of artificial sweeteners has only grown over the past few years. Milk is heavily processed as it is - removing fat, homogenizing, ultra-pasteurization, hormone use...

For those who enjoy dairy, we recommend using less processed dairy whenever possible. If you don't like dairy or have trouble digesting it, don't worry. You can get plenty of calcium from eating your veggies, especially dark leafy greens. The best alternatives to dairy are coconut or almond milk (but watch out for sweeteners).

For years, many industrial farmers have fed cattle antibiotics and injected them with hormones to accelerate their growth. Now there's a new miracle drug called Zilmax that causes cattle to pack on the pounds reported Slate:

"A new cattle drug called Zilmax is being widely used in the industrial feedlots where most of America’s beef comes from, but not because it produces a better sirloin. In fact, it has been shown to make steak less flavorful and juicy than beef from untreated cattle."

Designed to treat asthma in humans, Zilmax causes cattle to "swell up with muscle."

Designed to treat asthma in humans, the manufacturer later discovered Zilmax fed to cattle during the last weeks of life, causes them to "swell up with muscle." The drug is usually discontinued 3 days before slaughter to allow most of it to leave the animal's tissues.

Consumers won't notice the difference

Experts (including doctors) have long told Americans not to worry about being harmed by the chemical cocktails of pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides used to grow our produce bigger, faster, and blemish-free.

However, research has now shown that Americans, including newborns, have surprising levels of pesticides accumulating in their bodies. Now that research has linked these chemical to health problems, scientists and medical organizations are finally starting to sound the alarm.

American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Reducing Pesticide Exposure

The American Academy of Pediatrics released a new policy statement describing the harmful effects of pesticides and how to reduce exposure. Here are highlights of the AAP statement on pesticides:

Normally we would tell you to run the other way when someone offers you a chocolate milk, but you can make a healthy chocolate milk at home. Follow this simple recipe to whip up a refreshing drink you and your kids can enjoy.

1. 1/4 cup of good quality milk

Good quality milk means the least processed milk you can find. Look for whole milk that hasn't been industrially processed to remove fat and homogenize it. Choose organic when you can to avoid antibiotics and hormones. Use milk from grassfed cows whenever possible. Coconut milk is a good substitute.

2. 2 good quality eggs

Eggs? What? You're going to mix those in? Yes. Just make sure you're using good eggs - organic to avoid chemicals and strange feeds, and try to find pasture-raised eggs for a heftier dose of omega-3s and other important nutrients. The eggs add a nice creaminess and a good source of healthy fats and protein.

3. 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder

As with all ingredients, try to get the real stuff. Avoid powders with added junk. Real chocolate is packed with antioxidants.

4. Stevia extract as needed to sweeten

You can try some of the stevia products available in local stores. One brand we like is KAL, available on amazon.com. Stevia is very sweet so you don't need much (some servings are no more than a couple drops for plenty of sweetness).  It's extracted from an herb and is naturally low calorie. If you don't have Stevia, try a touch of minimally processed honey.

5. 1 Scoop of quality protein (optional)

Protein mixes can be a healthy addition to your diet, but be careful to choose one that avoids heating the protein and adding processed sweeteners or other chemicals. Learn more about protein mixes here.

Blend and enjoy your delicious & healthy chocolate milk

You can vary the amount of milk or eggs for the desired thickness. Vary the amount of cocoa or stevia to find the desired richness & sweetness.

Other options:
Add 1 TBSP kefir for 1 billion CFU of beneficial probiotics
Add a capsule of vitamin D3 for a much needed boost for northeast Ohioans
Add krill oil or fish oil for more healthy omega-3 fats

Eating healthy can be delicious. It's all about eating real foods. Enjoy Dr Ryan's healthy chocolate milk recipe with your family.