Question:
In the book Nutritionally Incorrect Nutrition, p4, the author states: studies show good results from antioxidant extracts of green tea...but the tea gets the credit."

Is antioxidant extract different from regular extract of green tea? And,does extract of green tea have no problem with fluoride content?

The Life Extension Green Tea extract has 26ppm of fluoride according to their health advisor in answer to my e-mail query.

Answer:
In animal or test tube studies, researchers are able to extract and use individual antioxidant components of green tea like EGCG, for example, to test their individual value. Or they may use a combination of these catechins in the form of a patented product called Polyphenon E. This is a highly purified green tea extract.



When the researchers get good results from these purified substances, some of them will unfortunately make the leap to suggest that we consume 6 or 7 cups of tea to get the necessary amounts of these antioxidants even though there is evidence that the catechins are better absorbed in extract form.



Not all green tea extracts on the market are the same. As you discovered, they may contain amounts of fluoride which you would want to avoid. There are, however, two green tea extracts I am aware of which claim to be fluoride-free. One is called “Chi Tea,” and the other is “Body Ecology Green Tea Extract.”



If you are looking for the benefits of green tea, I would suggest you look into these products instead of drinking any green tea. But there is a caution. Very recently researchers have become concerned that too much EGCG can act as a pro-oxidative substance instead of an antioxidant. Too many green tea catechins may decrease your levels of vitamin E as well. So it would be wise not to overdo it. Like vitamin C, more is not always better.

Question:
Hi,

This question is for Michael Barbee. I have been taking a supplement that is supposed to promote and enhance the production of human growth hormone in the body. The main ingredients are several amino acids, but it also contains soy phosphatides in the amount of 60 mg. What exactly are soy phosphatides and are they as bad for you as other soy products? Most of the supplements like this that I have found on the web do contain soy phosphatides. Thanks! Molly

Answer:
Hi Molly,

Phosphatides (or phospholipids) are fatty acids combined with phosphorus which promote the health of cell membranes. In the context of a good diet, your body will manufacture phosphatides. They are also available from a variety of food sources and are commonly known as

“lecithin.” Even though these particular phosphatides have been

extracted from soy, I do not think there is much reason to be concerned. Unfermented soy creates problems largely due to its phytoestrogen content and how it has been processed into substances like soy protein isolate. These problems, I believe, are not likely be a factor with the consumption of a small amount of soy phosphatides.

Question:
I am concerned due to my son who is 2 1/2 is haveing allergies however, he refuses to take his medicine. I have talk to the doctors and they don't know what to say. I was wondering... I had heard that there are some teas and herbs that can help with allergies, is there something out there in maybe a food or herb that i can get my son to take to help with the symptoms with out having to resort to shots every day.

Answer:
Dear Concerned Mother,

The use of the dietary supplement MSM and the drinking of nettle tea have been helpful for many folks with allergies, but because your child is so young, I would first check with a naturopathic pediatrician for guidance. Such a doctor could also advise you on how to check for any foods which may be responsible for the allergic reactions. Good luck.

Question:
I eat fish everyday 2 and 3 times a day sometimes and will prefer that over anything else; vegetables-raw- like salads and barely any dressing are commonly on my menu -- in the interests of time factors my fish choices are imitation crab meat and sushi -- professionally prepared sushi sometimes but i have been known to carve up a store bought salmon steak and go to town --- i dont really enjoy milk or soy products but will entertain skim milk --- juices real not koolaid -- occassionally i do deviate from this plan that i have been so used to -- since this interest of over a year now i have not had the migraine trouble that i have been plagued with --- although my family constantly tells me that this habit of eating the choices i do are not healthy and that there is something wrong with me ---- other than preferences ---- this is the first web site that i ( that i have found so far) have been able to post a question with more positive hopes of an educated and helpful response

Answer:
Stef, by adopting a diet which seems to be limited to a few specific foods, you may well have found the key to getting rid of your migraines. That is to say you may have eliminated from your diet a specific food or foods to which you were sensitive and which may have been responsible for your headaches.



However, such a limited diet has it own set of problems. Our bodies require the nutrients found in a large variety of whole foods. Fish caught in clean waters is indeed a healthy food, but you may be overdoing it. Although salmon sushi is a good choice (if the salmon is wild and therefore low in mercury and other pollutants), I can’t recommend the imitation crab--or imitation anything for that matter.

There are too many additives in imitation crab. Real crab (like King
crab) would be a better choice.


Keeping the salmon sushi and real crab in your diet is fine, but I would recommend adding other whole foods to your diet which give you access to a greater number of nutrients. Free-range chicken and free-range eggs, as well as grass-fed beef, are some foods which you might consider adding to your diet once in a while in place of some of that fish you are eating.


I don’t view skim milk as a healthy food. You get so much more nutrition in whole, organic or raw milk. If you don’t like milk, that is fine. Look instead for some raw cheeses which are usually quite available. And I am I glad to see you having lots of raw salads. It is good to remember, however, that many of the nutrients in your salad are better absorbed by the body in the presence of fats. So the best salad dressings, in my opinion, would include olive oil, rice bran oil, or fresh flax seed oil--or a combination of all three mixed with some vinegar. Instead of using an oil and vinegar dressing, adding some raw nuts to your salad might be another option.


As you add more variety to your diet, take note of how you feel in case that one of the new foods act as a trigger to your migraines. Good luck.

Question:
My 3 yr old son became Lactose Intolerant when he was 1 yr old, and is till now on Soy formulas.
We are advised by our doctor not to give him egg or any wheat products, otherwise we try and give him nutritious food. Apart from the soy milk formulas, I'd like to know if I can continue with the same formula with additional supplements and is there anything else you would advise for my 3 yr old?

Answer:
Why are you giving a 3 year-old a soy formula? He should not need a formula at age 3 unless he is extremely underweight. Soymilk (my favorite brand is enriched Soy Dream), Rice Milk (enriched Rice Dream), or Pacific Foods Almond or Hazelnut Milk are good substitutes for cow's milk.



If your son is merely lactose intolerant (and not truly milk allergic), he should be able to tolerate some cheese (organic mozzarella string cheese is great) and yogurt (I like the Stonyfield Whole Milk "Yo Baby"

brand). If he cannot tolerate these low lactose dairy foods, he may have a dairy allergy. Without the protein in eggs, cheese, and yogurt, he may not be getting enough protein-rich foods. I would make sure that he gets organic turkey, chicken, fish (especially salmon), and/or lean red meat (if all tolerated) at each meal to make sure he is getting enough protein and fat (macro-nutrients) and vitamins/minerals (micro-nutrients.)



Bonnie Minsky, MPH, CNS is the author of Our Chilren's Health and Nutrition in a Nutshell and a regular health columnist for Conscious Choice Magazine.

Question:
Hi,

My question is regarding green tea. I was drinking it quite regularly and it was really helping to keep down my weight and I wasn't as bloated in my belly and my bowels were more regular. However, after reading several articles about the fluoride content of green tea, including your article on Mary Shoman's site, I stopped drinking it; however, within just a few short weeks I have gained about 5 lbs and am once again quite bloated in the belly and am not as regular with bowel movements. My question to you is are there any green teas that are fluoride free? I notice on your site you suggest if you must drink green tea to choose either Celestial Seasons Organic or Choice Organic or Stash Organic - are these all fluoride free, or do they just have less fluoride in them than the other green teas that are around?

Thanks so much - Molly

Answer:
Molly,

I do not recommend drinking any green tea regularly--organic or not. Although organic green tea is less likely to be contaminated with a variety of toxins, I feel it should be used only occasionally--if at all.

A better choice, I believe, would be to use a green tea extract if the manufacturer can guarantee that it is fluoride-free. Most recent studies on the benefits of green tea have used such extracts in the lab.



In terms of weight gain, although green tea seems to be useful for this purpose, in the long term the opposite is likely to happen because of the fluoride's capacity to create hypothyroidism.

A better choice for tea is rooibos (red) tea. It is loaded with

antioxidants without the huge amounts of fluoride. For your digestive difficulties, I would suggest using ginger tea. If you choose to use

ginger and rooibos tea, let us know of the results. Good luck.

Question:
Does Edamame interfere with thyroid function? I enjoy them as a snack.

Answer:
Yes, Christine, the isoflavones in edamame (Japanese green soybeans) can disrupt thyroid function. A study conducted in Japan found that half the subjects consuming merely one ounce of soybeans per day for three months developed symptoms of hypothyroidism. Some developed goiters which disappeared after giving up the soybeans.



A better snack to have on hand is nuts. Not nuts roasted in vegetable oil, but raw nuts like walnuts (refrigerated) and almonds. The most nutritious way to prepare almonds is to soak them overnight in salt water and then dry them in a warm oven (not over 150 degrees) until they are dry and crisp

(12-24 hours). These almonds can be kept unrefrigerated in an airtight container

Question:
In order to lower my cholesterol, my doctor had put me on Lipitor. I had muscle pain from the Lipitor so the doctor tried me on other statins, all of which resulted in muscle pain. I am now on Zetia (Ezetrol) and have been taking it for approx. 1 year. I am now again getting muscle pain. What I would like to know, is Zetia a statin? I would appreciate any information you can give me on this drug.

Answer:

Zetia is not a statin drug. Whereas statins block the production of cholesterol in the liver, Zetia blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the intestinal tract.



However, Zetia is metabolized in the liver which may make it inappropriate to use if you have existing liver problems. As with statins, muscle pains have been named as a side-effect of this newer cholesterol-lowering drug.



Other side-effects include: abdominal pain, back pain, diarrhea, joint pain, sinusitis, cough, fatigue, sore throat, viral infection, dizziness, headache, runny nose, rash, itching, and trouble breathing.



After approval of this drug was given, another side-effect has emerged.

It is called angioedema, which is a swelling of the hands, feet, lips and throat. Angioedema can sometimes be deadly.



It is interesting to note that on one Zetia website, the following disclaimer can be found: The effects of ZETIA, either alone or in addition to a statin, on the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have not been established.

Question:
You state in the chapter on Vitamin C, that it converts iron in the body to a more dangerous form of iron . Am I correct in assuming that Ascorbic acid is the supplement of Vitamin C that you are referring to? I use calcium ascorbate crystals when I take my vitamin C. Does this do the same thing?

Answer:
Betty, calcium ascorbate is essentially the same thing as ascorbic acid. The main difference is that the ascorbic acid you are consuming is buffered with calcium so that it becomes less acidic.



Researchers found that ascorbic acid (and NAC) increased the levels of oxidative iron when the body was subject to inflammatory conditions.

They said, “Intake of these supplements for long periods of time may have harmful effects in certain chronic disease conditions characterized by increased levels of free iron and inflammation.”



This is why they recommended limiting vitamin C intake under these circumstances. They do not encourage healthy people to discontinue their supplementation, however. There are other disease conditions, in fact, where high intakes of vitamin C might be recommended.



Healthy, young adults seem to reach tissue saturation of vitamin C by maintaining a daily intake of 200 mg. Since a good many of us do not fall into that category, the Linus Pauling Institute has recently raised its vitamin C recommendation to 400 mg per day.



For those of us who are aware that we have an inflammatory process going on--such as osteoarthritis--it would be wise to be especially cautious about our vitamin C intake. Based on animal studies, one researcher

stated: "More is not better. We found that the more vitamin C given, the more osteoarthritis is apparent in the joints of these animals that are predisposed to getting osteoarthritis."



When inflammation is apparent, it is recommended that we obtain our vitamin C from food sources. I list some of the best sources on page 99. If you are not sure that you are getting enough vitamin C through food, the small amount contained in a multivitamin might be appropriate. To add more vitamin C on top of that is is not advised by some researchers. Remember, healthy groups of people in the past who ate traditional diets filled with natural, nutrient-dense foods had few of the degenerative diseases which plague us today. And they were not taking megadoses of vitamin C supplements.

Question:
I have been breaking out for about 10 years (since I was 17 years old). My break outs do not seem to have a strong correlation with my monthly cycle. I take great care of my skin... have tried different, quality skin care products, but none seems to make an impact. I eat little to no meat and very rarely eat red meat. I rarely drink milk and do not have any obvious digestive problems when I do. Do you have any hints for me?

Answer:
Jill, since you said that you consume little meat or milk, I am concerned that you may not be getting enough zinc. This mineral helps to prevent skin problems. If you choose not to eat meat, then you may have to make sure you are getting enough zinc with brewer's yeast, eggs, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, or a zinc supplement.

Stress and its effects on the immune system can also cause skin breakouts. The essential fatty acids and vitamins A and D found in cod liver oil will not only promote skin health but also strengthen the immune system. Other nutrients beneficial in dealing with acne are vitamins E, B6, and folic acid, as well as chromium and selenium.(Pregnant women are advised to be cautious about OVER-CONSUMING vitamins A and B6.)


Also, it is extremely important to limit your sugar and refined flour consumption and to avoid heavily salted snack foods. Sugar and EXCESSIVE salt can create skin problems.

Question:
I've heard that we should supplement with cod liver oils and fish oils, but don't because of worry about contamination with mercury. Are there safe oils?

Answer:
(Nordic Naturals) specializes in Omega-3 fatty acids. They carry cod liver oil (orange flavored) and cod liver oil capsules. I have confidence that this is a top-of-the-line cod liver oil. The other top-notch one is Carlson's. They have a lemon flavored oil which is quite pleasant. Dr. Mercola and others recommend Carlson's for its purity. See the following:

"To insure freshness of Carlson Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, the air inside the glass bottle has been replaced with nitrogen. The Cod Liver Oil is steam distilled to remove heavy metals. Carlson's oils are regularly tested using AOAC international protocols for potency and purity by an independent, FDA registered laboratory and found to be free of detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCB's and 28 other contaminants."


More about cod liver oil and mercury from vitamin D expert Krispin
Sullivan:

"One concern about taking cod liver oil is the presence of contaminants—heavy metals (such as mercury, cadmium and lead), PCBs and so forth. Fortunately, consumers need not worry when it comes to cod liver oil. All cod liver oils in the US must be tested according to protocols of the
Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) and approved free of detectable levels of 32 contaminants before they can be imported into this country. Furthermore, mercury is water soluble. It may be present in the flesh of fish, but it is not present in the oil."

Question:
I am 32 years old and my cholesterol was 207. The doctors put me on pravachol and now my total cholesterol is down to 142. I am the only 32 year old that I know that is on cholesterol lowering medicine. I have just changed to eating the way you reccomend. Should I quit taking pravachol now?

Answer:

Dear Mr. Scott,

What reason did the doctor have for putting you on this medication? Was it because he felt that your cholesterol readings should be below 200?

If this is the only reason, then I believe he is very much mistaken. A cholesterol reading of 207 is perfectly normal. Dropping much lower than that can be dangerous. It has been found that low cholesterol levels can cause mood disturbances, leading to increased rates of suicide and violent death in men who lower their cholesterol levels with medication.

Besides interfering with proper neurological functions, according to researchers Sally Fallon and Dr. Mary Enig, low cholesterol levels can be expected to disrupt the production of adrenal hormones and lead to blood sugar problems, edema, mineral deficiencies, chronic inflammation, difficulty in healing, allergies, asthma, reduced libido, infertility and various reproductive problems.

As I mention in my book, Politically Incorrect Nutrition(page 80), statins deplete the heart-healthy nutrient CoQ10 which now leads some researchers to suggest that statins may be actually causing heart failure. Other potential side effects of statins include muscle wasting, nerve damage, and erectile dysfunction.

Without your medical history and especially because I am not a doctor, I cannot give you medical advice. However, here is what one medical doctor (Dr. Tom Cowan) has to say about statins: “I do not recommend that anyone take statins. I have seen nothing but bad effects from them--everything from just feeling lousy to slow, painful decline, to death.” He adds, “Unlike some blood pressure medications, which require gradual withdrawal, you can discontinue the statins abruptly.”

This information, and that supplied by Fallon and Enig in their lengthy article about the dangers of statins, can be found in the spring 2004 issue of Wise Traditions (www.WestonAPrice.org). Perhaps your doctor would benefit from reading this material.

Question:
You mention not to buy unfermented soy products, tofu which I have been buying for years at Trader Joes. I buy plain soy milk with their trademark and it says: "organic." I buy organic tofu that also says "organic," but never is there a word about fermentation. How do we know? Thank you.

Answer:
The simple answer is that the products you are buying are not fermented, and therefore I feel they are not useable by the body. I suggest sticking to the fermented products, also sold at stores like Trader Joe's: Tempeh, Miso, Tamari and Natto.

Question:
Can you tell me about the soy products promoted by mainstrean manufactures in this country? I would also like some information on the effects microwaving has on our food. Thanks for your time.

Answer:
Modern soy products pushed by manufacturers in this country like soy milk, tofu, and soy protein are not fermented.

This means that they can disrupt hormonal balance, impair thyroid function, make certain minerals less available, and possibly lead to dementia. I explain why in chapter two of "Politically Incorrect Nutrition."



Microwaving food can destroy certain disease-fighting nutrients and create free radicals and other substances which appear to be carcinogenic. My discussion of Dr. Hans Hertelís work in this area should give us pause about using microwave ovens.

Question:
as I am legally blind is difficult to read a great deal of text, could you steer me directly into the key portions of your web site concerning simple menu planning with minimal cooking for weight loss? I have enjoyed the portion of your radio show tonight that I was able to catch by chance and I look forward to getting to my goal weight with your assistance. Thank you

Answer:

Unfortunately, there are no recipes so far on this web site.
However, Ann Louise Gittleman’s book, "The Fat Flush Cookbook," is an excellent source for easy-to-prepare recipes with weight loss in mind.
For ease of reading, her recipes can be found at this web site:

http://www.ivillage.com/diet/features/fatflush/articles/0%2C%2C222480_556354%2C00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=2



Aside from all-important exercise, here are some general tips for weight loss:

1. Avoid sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, all soft drinks (including diet sodas), and refined flour grains (chips, crackers, rice cakes, white bread, etc.).

2. Limit or avoid caffeine. Caffeine raises cortisol levels and causes fat storage. Cortisol levels also rise due to stress and to lack of sleep. Get plenty of sleep.

3. Avoid all products with trans-fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oil). This means avoiding shortening, margarine, and foods fried in shortening like many chips, popcorn and French fries. Trans-fats cause the fat cells to get larger.

4. If you eat dairy products or red meat, try to find those which come from cows which have been allowed to graze on grass. Such food contains high levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which encourages weight loss (and protects against heart disease and cancer).

5. Consume essential fatty acids in the form of cod liver oil, ground flax seeds, walnuts, wild salmon, and evening primrose oil.

6. L-carnitine, CoQ10, and chromium supplements may be useful for controlling weight and burning calories.

7. Avoid fluoridated water and unfermented soy products (soy milk, soy protein, tofu). These substances depress thyroid function, leading to hypothyroidism and eventual weight gain.

8. Drink plenty of pure water with lemon juice added. Lemon juice helps with fat metabolism.

9. Use coconut oil for your cooking needs. Most of the fatty acids in this oil are converted directly to energy instead of being stored as fat.

10. The herbs turmeric and milk thistle support healthy liver function which helps control weight.

For more information, buy Michael's new book: Politically Incorrect Nutrition

Question:
I am wondering what your opinion is of soy formula for my 5 month old She started on 1 bottle of day of Similac Isomil Advance Soy Formula with Iron at 3months, and now is almost completely weaned from breastmilk. Is soy formula safer today since the FDA has been informed of the high amounts of Manganese? If my baby is dairy intolerant, what is my other option for a formula?

Thank you.

Answer:
Dear Janet,

Even if the dangerous levels of manganese in infant formula have been addressed by makers of soy formula, there are still plenty of reasons to avoid using any soy product for infants. The phytoestrogen content of soy can disrupt the endocrine system (hormones) and lead to many developmental disturbances. In addition, soy products contain high



level of phytic acid which bind with important minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, making them less available to the growing child.

If your child cannot properly digest the usual milk-based formulas, look for specially designed formulas called Nutramagen or Alimentum.

Both can be ordered online.

Dr. Joseph Mercola recommends using either of these as a base formula and then "beefing" them up with added nutrients to create even better health--ingredients like organic egg yolk, coconut oil, organic cream, and cod liver oil. See his article at:

http://www.mercola.com/2000/oct/22/infant_formula.htm Good luck.

Question:
I\'ve heard that eating eggs leads to heart disease, so I throw out the yolks. What do you recommend?

Answer:
Reality: In reality, eggs are high in choline and B6 both which are used to combat hardening of the arteries. Eggs are nutrient dense and contain all the amino acids, a vast array of minerals and vitamins, and antioxidants. Tips: good sources of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin: eggs, broccoli, spinach Drinking plenty of water can lower cholesterol. Try replacing all other drinks with pure filtered or natural spring water. To get the greatest benefit from eating eggs, get grass fed, organic eggs. They are higher in Omega-3’s, vitamins A, D and E, and do not contain the potentially dangerous traces of antibiotics and pesticides that regular supermarket eggs do. There is clinical evidence that stress reduction helps lower cholesterol levels. Avoid all foods containing hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. Start reading labels! Avoid sugar- it raises unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Question:
What do you think of the Atkins Diet?

Answer:
Reply from Michael Barbee: Like most diets which are usually doomed to fail, there are good aspects as well as the bad. I like the fact that there is an emphasis on eliminating refined grains from the diet and removing the fear of consuming plentiful sources of saturated fat and cholesterol. However, little emphasis is placed on selecting organic foods including meats which are free of additives and growth-stimulating hormones. Bacon with its nitrites should be a no-no. Fast-food burgers are a no-no. Grass-fed meat and eggs should be stressed. A second problem with the Atkins Diet is its reliance on the artificial sweetener Splenda. Though refined sugar should be limited, Splenda is a sugar molecule enhanced with chlorine, making it resemble certain pesticides. In animal studies Splenda created a number of serious maladies in test animals including decreased blood cell counts and an enlarged thymus. Limited amounts of unrefined sugar (Rapadura), honey, molasses, or the herbal sweetener stevia would be better choices for sweeteners. And third, some of the foods which are limited on the Atkins Diet are some of our best sources for potassium—orange juice, potatoes, and bananas. People who are successful in losing weight on this diet may initially see their blood pressure readings drop, but over time, without sufficient potassium to counter the effects of using refined salt, it is likely that blood pressure issues could arise. Potassium supplements are by law limited in potency, making their use problematic. In addition, a diet which is low in potassium could have implications in terms of developing osteoporosis. Potassium slows the rate at which calcium is excreted and seems to increase the rate of new bone formation. Choose a diet which will work for you for a lifetime, a diet of whole, pure foods, and get plenty of exercise. This is the best recipe for weight loss.