Dragonfly News

The Official Monthly Newsletter of Song of Health
February, 2009

Click here to download a printable
version of this newsletter.

March 09 Newsletter
January 09 Newsletter

Welcome Subscribers, to Dragonfly News. We are excited about the opportunity to share interesting and helpful information with you in our monthly newsletter, which is available to subscribers only. We first email the newsletter and food resource updates to you directly in .pdf form. Then, in a few days you will be able to access the newsletter on the website. The food resource updates will be incorporated into the existing Food Resource List and can be found by clicking the icon on the left side of most pages.

If you did not receive this issue at your email address and would like to, please notify us immediately at manager@songofhealth.com.

We may need you to remove a pop-up blocker on your computer or to update your current email address with us.

WEBSITE CHANGES!

The following service and web page is now available for subscribers
on the Song of Health website:

PERSONAL SESSIONS Information and Advice

Learn how to quickly identify your personal food intolerances in ingredients lists on food packaging.
Learn new, easy recipes and substitutes for favorite ones that your entire family can safely eat and enjoy.

You have been evaluated for personal food intolerance by your doctor. Because there is so much to know about the different food categories and hidden ingredients in foods, your doctor has referred you to the Song of Health website.

Song of Health strives to present all the up-to-date information you need as your tool for avoiding your food intolerances in a good way. We also understand how difficult it can be to completely change the eating habits you have always practiced. Sometimes, you need more than just reading all this information…you need help.

Sandra Strom offers personal phone consultation sessions to help you with food intolerance issues.

Half-hour phone session…..$30.00
35 minutes to 1 hour…..…..$55.00

TO SET UP YOUR PERSONAL APPOINTMENT:

Song of Health uses Google Checkout to make your payment. It is very safe and secure. Go to songofhealth.com/advice to pay for your session:
Be sure to give Google Checkout the email address and phone number where you want Sandra to contact you at OR you may email your contact information to: advice@songofhealth.com.

Once your payment is received Sandra will contact you to schedule the date and time for your appointment. We will strive to make it as convenient as possible for you.

If you have any questions or need help with the appointment or payment process, please contact us at: manager@songofhealth.com.

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH:
honor your friends and family with A subscription to SONG OF HEALTH.

WHAT INFORMATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER?
Our goal is to serve you. Please help us by sharing what you would like to see in the Dragonfly News. We also invite you to share your favorite recipes with us.

You may contact us at: newsletter@songofhealth.com

SUBSCRIBERS SPOTLIGHT
STORIES, COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

Share your story with others.

SUBSCRIBERS, please. . . help others by sharing your story with us and allow us to publish it in the next issue of Dragonfly News and Subscribers’ Testimonials, now on the Song of Health website. We have this opportunity to help those who still suffer but are not confident that our dietary lifestyle will work for them. By hearing and reading about how our lives were dramatically changed we can help them to step through the door toward wellness. WE WOULD BE HONORED TO INCLUDE YOUR STORY about how you came to follow the Dr. Carroll Food Intolerance way of life. We reserve the right to edit for grammar and spelling correctness, however we will not change your story content.

IF YOU PREFER US TO HELP YOU WRITE YOUR STORY, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO. JUST ASK!

Please email your contribution to manager@songofhealth.com

Thank you for helping us to achieve our goal of reaching out to as many people as possible in order to provide help, hope and answers. The more we give away, the more we receive!

A note of encouragement: A subscriber was concerned that her story was uninteresting. There is no such thing as a boring, uninteresting story! We are here to support each other and every contribution helps, no matter how small or large the content. Please don't let that stop you!

QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED:

REMINDER: IMPORTANT! It has been brought to our attention an important issue that we believe needs to be addressed: On occasion, a subscriber will ask our doctors a question regarding a food intolerance and their responses will slightly differ. This has sometimes caused confusion and has been expressed directly to one of our doctors by several patients.

Per Dr. Zeff: “…most likely, we are not evaluating foods for, e.g., potato content. We are evaluating a food against a blood sample of a person with a known potato intolerance…” Test results for one patient to a food can vary from another patient, even though they are intolerant to the same food category. So, Dr. Watrous may determine a different result than Dr. Zeff, or any of the other doctors who competently perform this testing, because they are testing a patient’s specific blood sample to a specific food sample. As Dr. Zeff puts it, “It is one of the peculiarities of the methodology.”

For this reason, we constantly emphasize throughout the Song of Health website that the information found on the website is a guide only. If you have any personal issues with a product, in other words, a test evaluation shows a food should be o.k. for you to eat, yet you have a reaction to it anyway, we suggest you refrain from consuming it until you have it tested for you personally.

Always, always, always consult your physician with any medical issues you may be experiencing, any drugs you have questions about or your medical care. Our purpose is to help you to determine what foods are included in food intolerance categories. All other information, including articles, are for educational purposes, and is not meant to replace your doctor’s care for you. We are set up as a support team for doctor, patient and subscriber. There are many questions Song of Health can answer for you, and we encourage you to ask us first, in regards to food and food intolerances. What we are not qualified to answer directly, we refer to our doctors and they, in return email their responses to us. You may consider Song of Health as your information center.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us. We are here to support you and your efforts to claim and maintain great health by refraining from your food intolerances and learning about other natural health issues.
In Health,
Sandra Strom

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS/COMMENTS WERE EMAILED TO US SINCE THE NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER. THEY WILL ALSO BE POSTED IN THE FORUM. Be sure to check The Forum daily for new entries.

From: Claire W. December 31, 2008. Does Stevia count as a sugar? I have the fruit/sugar intolerance and am trying to rewrite my cooking playbook. Thanks! Claire W.

Reply from Sandra Strom, CEO of Song of Health.
Dear Claire,
The Stevia plant, in itself, is neutral. However, if you will refer to the Food Resource List under Sweeteners, you will see that some of the Stevia products have been evaluated to contain fruit and/or potato content.  NuNaturals Stevia was evaluated for all categories in May 08 and the result was Neutral, so you would be safe with that particular product. Personally, I use honey, agave syrup or maple syrup as a substitute for refined sugar. Again, it is best to check the Food Resource List to see if a product you are interested in has been evaluated. There are quite a few maple syrup brands that are safe, however a few of them do contain sugar, for example, O Organics maple syrup. Also, we highly recommend that you submit a product for analysis that you are interested in purchasing, just to be on the safe side. Our doctors will test it for your personal condition.

Claire: Thanks Sandra, your answer was very helpful. It seems obvious now that I should have looked over the detailed product list. I'm really grateful to have it as a resource. Lucky me, I can look at the internet on my phone while at the grocery store!

Learning about my food intolerances involves an overwhelming amount of information, so I really appreciate your taking time to help me sort things out.

I'm also excited that my local grocery, New Seasons, offers free in-store, one-to-one appointments with a nutritionist. I just emailed her yesterday detailing what I need to avoid (potato and sugar/fruit with all the derivatives listed) so she can help me brainstorm recipes and make sure I don't neglect any nutrients. With support from you, the nutritionist, my doctor, all of you a community of professionals, I really look forward to learning how to be healthy.

One more question, does agave syrup, maple syrup, honey and the like count as a fruit (should not mix maple syrup with powdered sugar) or are they neutral? Much appreciation, Claire W.

Sandra: Hi Claire, glad to be of help. Honey, maple syrup and agave syrup are not fruit. However, it is possible that fruit may have been added in the processing. With honey, as stated on the Honey page under Food Categories on the website, many beekeepers add citrus stick to the hive.  It is still o.k. for you to have it as long as you don't ingest sugar within your digestive period, i.e. 6 hours, etc.

Would you mind giving me contact info of your nutritionist at New Seasons? I am presently working on a marketing plan to present to the president of New Seasons, to see if they would like to partner with Song of Health, to offer our website information on the store computers to the company workers who work with customers. I would like to get comments from the nutritionist and her opinion on the idea. Do you feel that would be helpful to you as a shopper there?

Claire: Great idea Sandra, I think it's an extension of the service they are already offering with the nutritionist, to have Song of Health's database on the store computers. As someone who's trying to figure out what I can eat in New Seasons, it would be heartening to be able to ask questions and get help on the spot. You know those busy nights where you need food and you're stressed as is, and trying to plan a menu is too much. Those moments of spontaneous food decisions are exactly when you need help and guidance. As I mentioned, being able to ask questions of you, my doctor and the New Season's nutritionist forms a community of support that makes it possible for me to succeed and be healthy. This is why I love living in Portland. The fantastic community and support, and that it isn't an alien thing to have a specific diet, be it raw, intolerant, or vegan.

NOTE FROM SANDRA: I emailed the president of New Seasons to present the opportunity to offer the Song of Health website availability in the stores. I received the following email from the person who responds to his emails:

Hi Sandra,
Thanks for your interest in New Seasons Market – it looks like you offer some great information.  We have a Healthnotes kiosk program available in all of our stores to provide this type of information and feel good with the education we provide our customers, but appreciate your offer.  I’m glad to hear the kind words about Karen and I will pass those along to her – many thanks. Take care, Helen

MY REPLY TO NEW SEASONS:
Hello Helen, thank you for responding so quickly.

I can appreciate all that you already offer. I have been on your website several times and honor the service you offer. The information we offer at Song of Health specifically addresses what is considered a food intolerance category, (i.e., potato, dairy, etc.) according to the Dr. Carroll Food Intolerance Evaluation method…My intention is not to replace what you already offer, only to have this service available as well…

One of the services we have is a Food Resource List. It is a list of products that have been evaluated for hidden ingredients, by either Windrose Naturopathic Clinic in Spokane, Wa. or Salmon Creek Clinic in Vancouver, Wa. Many times a product will "test" for a food listed in one of the food intolerance categories but the ingredient will not be listed in the packaging. For instance, guar gum and/or locust bean gum "test" positive for potato because potato starch is used in their processing, yet potato does not need to be listed as an ingredient because it is part of the guar gum product, which is listed. Also, quite often a product will "test" positive for potato because of the salt used in the processing. The salt may even be sea salt, but some form of potato was added for non-caking purposes. Product companies do not need to list "potato" as an ingredient in the salt, and the makers of the final product usually have no clue that their product contains potato. Yet a potato-intolerant person may react to it as though they just ate poison.

Although this is not all we offer, it is the major reason why we perform this service. As you can see, from Claire's testimony alone, our work has helped many people. It is because the request for Song of Health teaming with New Seasons has been made by a number of people is why I am contacting you. We want to help as many people as possible and we believe shopping experiences can be made a lot more comfortable, fun and - most of all - safe if stores prove a willingness to help their customers in all ways possible.

I would be happy to meet with you, Helen, to explain and demonstrate the vast amount of information we offer. This dietary way of life literally saved my life and countless patients of the supporting doctors, not to mention many acquaintances I personally referred to them! This is the reason why I have this service available…There are also other stores that subscribers have requested I contact, however I chose to contact New Seasons first, as I support the work you do, and hope you will be willing to work with us. Thank you again. Sandra
I never received a further reply to my letter.

SUBSCRIBERS:
If you would like to have a cooperative service with Song of Health and the store you shop for groceries at, please tell them! That is how to accomplish change. We must all be a part of the process. If there is a store you would like me to contact, please email me at manager@songofhealth.com. I will do my best to present our position. Sandra

FROM THE FORUM:

Posted by Mary Osborne, 10th January, 2009. Are you having quite a challenge, as I am, with this "diagnosis"? Want to share notes?

I would enjoy having someone else with this same combo to correspond with a bit. I mostly avoid fruit, but for every once in a while doing a "fruit day". I prefer having grain to having fruit. It seems a little bit easier to me.

What makes it a little more challenging for me, I guess, is that I have no symptoms. I never had any bad response to eating potatoes, or fruit and grain together. Lay's potato chips has been my all time favorite snack! I was tested for food intolerance because of a fibrocystic breast condition which showed up as a TH3 on the thermogram. I am trying to get that down to a TH1 or TH2, so that is why I am taking care with the intolerance foods. I almost wish I felt sick when I ate potatoes, or broke out in a rash or something, to help make more sense out of the diet restrictions.

Love to hear from anyone who can relate!
Mary marygraceosborne@yahoo.com.

Posted by Stephenie R., 5th January, 2009. I was wondering if you could explain why OTC pain medications are bad for you? What do they do in your body? And what are the "natural" alternatives? THANKS!

Posted by SANDRA, CEO OF SONG OF HEALTH
Dear Stephenie, your question is being forwarded to our doctors. Are you referring to a specific OTC medication, or just generally speaking? there is a gamut of products on the market. What ailment are you considering doctoring for?

Posted by DR. ZEFF,
Dear Stephenie, All drugs are "bad for you", in that they are almost all poisons of some sort, that force the body to do various things it does not want to do. Sometimes this saves lives. Digitalis is a poison that slows the heart, but in a case of arterial fibrilation, or congestive heart failure, it will maintain an effective heart beat for decades and maintain the person in more or less normal life function. That is why it is used. It is very effective. But many people die from digitalis over-dosage each year, as well. Over-the-counter pain medication is primarily "nsaids", non-steroidal anti-inflammatory: aspirin, ibuprofen, acetimenophen, indicin, etc. They can be very effective at pain reduction, reducing inflammation, reducing fever, and a few other things. Aspirin is used now to reduce the ability of the blood to clot; it poisons one of the clotting mechanisms. This also probably saves many lives and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. But the nsaids also, generally, irritate the stomach and intestinal lining, and may cause bleeding. This kills people annually. They are liver or kidney poisons, which also kills some people each year. If you have a headache occasionally and take an aspirin or tylenol, it probably has little negative effect. If you have frequent headaches and often take them, it may be causing liver and/or intestinal damage. It is much better, in this case, to determine the cause and remove it, if possible, so that you do not need to use a pain reliever. And there are "natural" alternatives for dealing with a headache, as well.

As a naturopath, I do not mind the occasional use of tylenol or aspirin for pain control. but I advise my patients to never use them in a fever. Fever is a healing reaction. We need to honor the fever. We need to use hydrotherapy when there is a fever (constitutional type). Suppressing a fever generally leads to other consequences. Let us look for the cause and address it, do the hydrotherapy, and use non-suppressive means to treat people with fevers, especially.

ARTICLE OF INTEREST

Periodically, articles of interest are referred to us and we feel it important to share with you. The following article was posted at the Washington Post website:
Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury: Click HERE to read it.

$$ Bang For The Buck? Recently, on a television info-tainment program, the hosts were discussing food products companies whose sales weren’t being affected by the economic crunch because of their product pricing. “Good buys” for getting the most bang for the buck are from MacDonald’s, Wal-Mart, Campbell’s soups, Jello and Spam.

I find most of this information cynically humorous, albeit sad. How many Americans are sucked into eating what is cheap and unhealthy, believing they are stretching their budget in a good way? In the long run, the cost is far greater than buying high quality organic and natural foods and learning to prepare quick, easy and nutritious meals from scratch.

The opportunity cost of compromised health and consequent doctor bills, not to mention feeling lousy, is far more expensive than the immediate dollars saved at the store or fast-food counter.

MAKE YOURSELF HEARD!

Please post your replies to our other subscribers at THE FORUM.
Thank you.

HEALTH HUMOR (From an Anonymous Source)

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Do you have any silly Health Humor you would like to share? Email to: manager@songofhealth.com

The “Top 10” Dispensed Medicinals from Windrose Clinic
By Dr. Letitia Dick, N.D.

In considering all of the nutritional supplements and natural pharmaceuticals (nutraceuticals) available to the public now, there are basic traditional herbs and formulas we dispense at Windrose Clinic that have stood the test of time. I would like to talk about 10 of my favorites.

Windrose Clinic this year is celebrating its 50th year in business!! My father, Dr. Harold Dick, began this practice all those years ago. I am very proud to be continuing on the medicinal formulas from Dr. O.G. Carroll, which date back from him, nearly 80 to 90 years now and passed onto my father. So, here it goes…. My “Top 10”.

1. Drenatrophin™. This is a product from Standard Process Labs that is an adrenal Protomorphogen™; a protective cellular protein that heals and supports the adrenal glands. There are many such nutritional products first patented by Dr. Royal Lee and produced through his company Standard Process Labs, but the extract we use the most is this one for the adrenal glands. Many patients these days have some form of adrenal exhaustion, resulting in blood pressure dis-regulation, blood sugar dis-regulation, poor cortisol production, insomnia, anxiety, etc. This is one of our main dispensary items to support adrenal hormone production.

2. Symplex F ™. This is an endocrine Protomorphogen ™ combination from Standard Process Labs that contains nutritional support for a woman’s body and hormone regulation. For many women, this may be the only support they need to cope with the changes of menopause.

3. Iodoral ™. This is a very bioactive form of iodine and iodide. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we are in the “goiter belt” of the United States. This means our soil is very deficient in natural iodine; thus our local foods are low in iodine as well. To get the optimum iodine dosage for most healthy adults, just one tablet of Iodoral™ is sufficient. Just a note: the United States RDA for iodine is 150 micrograms (ug) / day. This is the smallest amount of iodine that needs to be consumed daily to sustain life. This is not nearly the amount of iodine needed for optimum health. Iodoral™ contains 12.5 milligrams (mg) dosed daily, which is equivalent to what the average Asian eats in their diet each day. This may be a factor in why Asian women have less breast and uterine cancer, less risk of diseases related to obesity, and less osteoporosis compared to women in the United States. Just get me started about iodine, and you’ll get a longer lecture than I have space for here!!

4. Adrenal Tonic. This is my own proprietary blend of adaptogenic herbs I compound. Adaptogenic herbs are those that help the body adapt to stress. What this means is that the herbs actually sustain adrenal hormones (adrenalin, cortisol, aldosterone, androgens, etc.) in the blood stream longer. Think of it as a time released pill… causing your own hormones to stick around in circulation longer. This allows the adrenal glands to rest a bit and recover, since those two little glands won’t have to be kicking out hormone 24/7. This supports adrenal recovery. For this I combine licorice root, Panax Ginseng, Eleuthero root, Ashwaghanda, to name a few.

5. Throat Tonic. This is another proprietary blend of herbal tinctures that are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and stimulating to the lymphatic and immune modulating factors in the blood. This is one of the worst tasting remedies, but the quickest to act. It can clear laryngitis in just a few doses. I prescribe it for Strep throat, sinusitis, and bronchitis. Professional singers and speakers love it. In just a few doses the voice is clear. I combine such herbs as Myrrh and Phytolacca in this very strong medicinary.

6. Heart Drops. This is yet another proprietary blend of botanicals, Hawthorne and a prescription only herb, Cactus grandifloria. I blend this traditional formula for cardio-vascular health, blood pressure regulation and to improve heart muscle tone. We all must nourish our hearts.

7. Lung Tea. This is a favorite of mine to prescribe. It is a medicinal tea that has a fairly good taste. I make it with Mullein, Coltsfoot, Echinacea, etc. I have patients brew this up and drink it hot for “cold damp wind” conditions that affect the body. I often prescribe it for croup, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, etc. It will warm the lungs, bringing nutrition to the affected tissues.

8. Cell Salts or Schussler Remedies. These are low potency homeopathic mineral salts that support basic metabolic function. These include Magnesium Phosphate, which nourishes the heart and relieves menstrual cramps; Natrum Sulphate, which feeds the liver, aiding proper detoxification and often used as a remedy for teens with acne. There are 12 of these “mineral salts” discovered by Schussler. I love how simple these are and how well they work for my patients.

9. ‘50’ Capsules. The “number 50” as Dr. Carroll would call them, are a mix of bitter herbs combined by O.G. in his famous recipe of Gentian and Skullcap. I dispense more of this herbal capsule than any other. My staff and I mix these herbal powders and encapsulate them by the 15-pound batches. In the 20 years I have been in practice, I truly have no idea how many hundreds of pounds of Gentian and Skullcap I have mixed by hand. This is the main remedy for gastritis, esophagitis, heartburn, peptic ulcers, duodenal ulcers, or other forms of dyspepsia. Instead of a TUMS™, take a ‘50’ Capsule and you will no longer suppress the stomach’s natural wisdom (acid production), but support it to do its job more efficiently. You will sleep better also. Dr. Dick would say, “When the stomach is happy, then you can sleep.”

10. Last, and not to be forgotten, is the famous Dr. Carroll “number 42”. The ‘42’ Capsule is his recipe: “4 parts one herb to 2 parts of the other”. The ‘42’ is taken with the powder from two capsules mixed into a 2-ounce slurry of warm water. It is awful and very hard to get down because of its intense bitter taste, but it gives amazing relief. When you feel the worst, as with a migraine, gall bladder attack, gastritis, colic, flare-up of colitis, or have eaten your food intolerance, this is the strongest support you can get. The ‘42’ cocktail will give relief in nearly a few minutes. The saying goes, “What is bitter in the mouth is sweet in the stomach.” Simply, that is how it works.

I like simple. The basics are always the prescribed medicinals of choice for me. They always work; never let me down. Thank you, Dad and OG, for the gems you gave me for this medical practice. I love carrying on your wisdom.

In health,
Dr. Letitia Dick

SHARING EXPERIENCES
By Sandra Strom, CEO

“Bisphenol A – The Controversy”

While in California on a visit in December, I happened across a headline in the L.A.Times, reporting a controversy surrounding bisphenol A. Pleading ignorance to the animal, I figured anything causing controversy in mainstream media regarding health issues was worth researching.

What is bisphenol A and why is there controversy over it?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound that is used in the production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastic, which is clear and nearly shatter-proof, is used to make a variety of common products, including baby and water bottles, sports equipment, medical and dental devices, dental composite (white) fillings and sealants, lenses, and household electronics. It is also used in the manufacture of all CD’s and DVD’s. Epoxy resins are used as coatings on the inside of almost all food and beverage cans. It is also a precursor to the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol and was also formerly used as a fungicide.*

Safety concerns for human exposure to bisphenol A have arisen since the 1930’s. Those concerns include the possibilities of bisphenol A being an endocrine disruptor, that low doses of it can mimic the body’s own hormones and that long term low dose exposure may induce chronic toxicity.

In 2008 concerns became national headlines when results of government studies were reported on the use of bisphenol A in consumer products. The studies were provided mainly by The National Toxicology Program (NTP), a U.S. government entity that circulates scientific information to other government agencies, scientific and medical groups. It also issues public announcements on the potential toxicity of chemicals.

The Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) falls under the umbrella of the NTP. Its purpose is to serve as an environmental health resource by providing science-based assessments of the potential for adverse effects on reproduction and development caused by agents to which people may be exposed.** These assessments are determined by evaluating information provided by independent panels of scientists.

In 2007, the NTP released a report, based primarily on information furnished by the CERHR. The conclusions of the NTP report were:

“…that human exposure to bisphenol A is very low and “there is no direct evidence that exposure of people to bisphenol A adversely affects reproduction or development.”  Due to various limitations, the small number of available studies that looked for associations between bisphenol A exposure and health effects in people do not support a conclusion that people are adversely affected by exposure to bisphenol A.” **

To clarify, NTP reports overall conclusions on potential reproductive and developmental hazards associated with bisphenol A, but the NTP Brief itself does not assess the safety of bisphenol A as it is actually used. 

Starting with a draft of the scientific data the NTP Brief made available to them, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an independent assessment of the safety of bisphenol A in food-contact products made from polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins (e.g., baby bottles, water bottles and food containers). The FDA reaffirmed conclusions by the NTP that products made from polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, including products intended for use by infants and children, are not a risk to human health at the low levels to which people might be exposed.

Here’s where discrepancy occurs, within the same agencies:

Dr. John Bucher, Ph.D., Associate Director of the NTP and Dr. Mike Shelby, Ph.D., Director of the NTP’s CERHR, state the reasons for having determined the need to conduct research on bisphenol A: **

1. Bisphenol A is a high production chemical.
2. The vast majority of people in the US are exposed to bisphenol A.
3. There is large scientific literature reporting studies on the reproductive and developmental toxicity of bisphenol A.
4. A high level of public concern about potential public health effects of bisphenol A has been expressed.

Dr. Mike Shelby, Ph.D., discusses and describes how BPA can get into the body: After producing a product with the chemicals bisphenol A and epoxy resin, there’s some residual bisphenol A that remains in the product, and the individual molecules of the bisphenol A can leach out of the plastic or epoxy resin, into food or drink that is contained within these bottles or cans. In addition, it is believed that as the plastic or epoxy resin decomposes, additional bisphenol A leaches out, which can further contaminate food or drink. **

The NTP questioned the validity of comparisons conducted from one experiment to another, claiming inconsistency of exposure levels and effects. The NTP, therefore, felt justified with their conclusions on the possible effects of current exposures to bisphenol A on human development and reproduction:

“The NTP has some concern for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A.
The NTP has minimal concern for effects on the mammary gland and an earlier age for puberty for females in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A.
The NTP has negligible concern that exposure of pregnant women to bisphenol A will result in fetal or neonatal mortality, birth defects, or reduced birth weight and growth in their offspring.
The NTP has negligible concern that exposure to bisphenol A will cause reproductive effects in non-occupationally exposed adults and minimal concern for workers exposed to higher levels in occupational settings.” **

In direct opposition of the NTP and FDA conclusions, The Work Group For Safe Markets, a coalition of U.S. public health and environmental non-government organizations, has called for a moratorium and immediate phase-out of BPA use in baby bottles and other products that come in contact with food and liquids. ***

“Baby’s Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching From Popular Baby Bottles,” is a published report of findings, commissioned by a coalition of U.S. and Canadian environmental health organizations. From tests of plastic baby bottles made by Avent, Disney/The First Years, Dr. Brown’s, Evenflo, Gerber and Playtex, it was determined that there was significant leaching of bisphenol A when bottles were heated to 80 degrees centigrade. They also concluded that most people are exposed to levels of bisphenol A that are higher than levels that cause health effects in animal studies.

The coalition also contends that the federal law regulating industrial chemicals is 30 years old, outdated and does not protect American consumers.

The Center For Health, Environment and Justice offer these suggestions for helping to avoid potential toxins to your infants:

Use glass or #5 polypropylene bottles instead of polycarbonate (hard, shiny, clear or tinted, usually with a #7 or “PC” on the bottom/underside)
If you continue to use polycarbonate bottles, do not wash them in the dishwasher or use harsh detergents. Instead, wash them in warm, soapy water using a sponge. Scratchers may cause more leaching of potential toxins.
Avoid heating foods in polycarbonate containers. Instead, use glass or ceramic containers.
Avoid infant formulas in cans that use BPA as an epoxy liner.
Reduce consumption of canned foods and beverages, especially canned foods with high fat content. ****

The more educated we become about the many products we are exposed to in our environment, the better choices we can make for ourselves and our families regarding our quality of health and life. Challenges and confusion arise as to whose information do we believe – the government’s or the interest groups’? Whose studies are most reliable? Who has the most to gain or lose when the public is informed about consumer products? Personally, I recommend “following the money!”

Most of us don’t have the time to read all day long, about the tons of products sold, on what studies were performed by who, who paid for it and how updated are the findings. So, when flags on products do arise, especially synthetic, non-natural products such as bisphenol A, it is wise to listen up. How many products have been deemed “safe,” sold to millions off the shelves, then later found to be hazardous, even fatal and, consequently, removed from consumer reach? Prescription drugs are infamous for such history.

Be aware, practice wise precaution and protect your children and yourselves as responsibly as you can.

* Wikipedia
** National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
*** Baby’s Toxic Bottle, The Work Group for Safe Markets
**** The Center For Health, Environment and Justice

NEW RECIPES

REMINDER: ALWAYS USE ORGANIC
PRODUCTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
IF A RECIPE CONTAINS YOUR FOOD INTOLERANCE,
SEE THE SUBSTITUTIONS LIST FOR
ALTERNATIVE INGREDIENTS.

The following recipes were my contribution to Super Bowl party. My friend, Susan, wanted the recipes. Here you go, Susan!

Salads

Yucca Root Salad
(Contributed by Sandra Strom, CEO of Song of Health)

2 large yucca roots
2 large cloves garlic
¼ cup dill pickles, finely diced
1-2 Tbsp. cilantro, finely chopped
¼ cup olive oil
½ leek, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 Tbsp. lime juice or vinegar
1 Tbsp. Tamari soy sauce
3 drops Eden Hot Sesame Oil
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise (optional)
1/2 tsp. mustard seed, ground or 1 tsp. prepared mustard

Peel yucca root, remove inside core, cut in about ½ inch cubes. Place in vegetable steamer. Squeeze garlic through a garlic press and add to yucca in the steamer. Cover and steam until yucca root is soft and tender. Remove yucca and garlic and place in serving bowl. Add pickles and cilantro. Mix well.
In skillet, add olive oil and heat on medium. Add diced leek and bell pepper. Sauté until soft. Carefully add lime juice or vinegar, Tamari and hot sesame oil, constantly stirring. (It may want to splatter.) Remove from heat. Scoop leek and pepper into the yucca mixture and toss to mix evenly.
If using mayonnaise, place in a jar or bowl. Add the mustard and mix well. Then add the dressing from skillet and beat to mix well. Add to yucca salad and toss to mix evenly.
If not using mayonnaise, add mustard to the yucca mixture and toss to mix evenly. Then add dressing from skillet and toss well.
Either serve immediately or place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Serves 6-8.

Biscuits, Breads and Crackers

Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bread
(Contributed by Sandra Strom, CEO of Song of Health)

1 cup water
¼ cup milk or half-and-half
1-1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1-1/2 cups whole white wheat flour
1 tsp. ground Celtic sea salt
2 Tbsp. oil or butter
½ cup peanut butter
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
1 Tbsp. honey
½ cup rolled oats
3 tsp. active dry yeast

Add ingredients in bread machine pan in order. Set machine on dough setting. Let run through kneading and rising cycle. Then punch down and repeat. Flour bread board. Turn dough out. Knead air out of dough. Shape into braided loaf or as desired. Either place on greased baking sheet or in bread pan. Let rise, covered with a cotton or linen cloth, until doubled in size.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake 25 minutes or until bottom of bread sounds “hollow.” Finished bread should have a nicely browned or golden crust.
Makes 1 large loaf.

FOOD RESOURCE LIST UPDATES

THE FOOD RESOURCE LIST ON THE WEBSITE IS NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINTABLE VERSION. JUST GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE AND CLICK ON "SOH RESOURCE LIST PART 1 OR PART 2 FOR THE VERSION IN .PDF FORM.

Use the codes below to translate the Results Column

HOW TO READ THE FOOD RESOURCE LIST AND USE THE KEY:

As items are submitted and tested by Doctors Watrous and Zeff, they are then added to the Food Resource List on the Song of Health website. We compile the updated lists to email to our subscribers as well.

The items are listed per category. By listing the date tested, you can be assured of the most recent updates. Under the “Tested For” column, “All” signifies that the product has been tested for all food categories included in the Carroll Food Intolerance Testing method. In some cases, you will see ingredients listed in the “Results” column that are not included in “Tested For.” This is because the ingredient has been listed on the packaging, or it is obviously in the stated category. For example, results for milk will be dairy. We will furnish where to purchase a product whenever the information is available.

If you have any questions, please contact us at: manager@songofhealth.com

Dedicated to Heilping You Achieve. . .
GREAT HEALTH - GREAT LIFE!

FOOD RESOURCE LIST UPDATES
February, 2009

Together, we strive for. . .
GREAT HEALTH - GREAT LIFE!

Song of Health Webmaster