9 Steps to perfect health!

[Praetorian]

Fantastic information...have a read....follow all the links....takes time but its worth it.
P

http://chriskresser.com/perfecthealth

[cog]

Many good articles on that site.

[Mrsapril05]

Thank you for sharing... I'm gonna follow him on facebook!!

[Skailes]

It's a good read and is certainly worth the time to read through all of the links.

[M-Rods]

a pile of great info, thanks.

[Repmeister]

I saw a program on PBS called "Seven Foods To Drop from Your Diet" It was hosted by health guru/dietician J.J. Virgin. She also has a book on it. The entire program, much like the article(s) here talk about diet and a large emphasis on leaky gut and toxins, etc. The 7 foods to drop are soy, peanuts, eggs, sugar, corn, dairy and gluten. The only problem is that as bodybuilders, most of eat most, if not all of these foods (except maybe soy which I don't use) But in the case of eggs, it was actually the white that was defamed the most. I get the concerns but I have no idea how to refashion my diet without at least egg whites, whole wheat, oats, greek yogurt, peanut butter. Not to mention that I do have a sweet tooth, but I do try hard to limit it. I'd love to see a good bodybuilding diet without these foods. It's my understanding that its an all or nothing proposition because there's no way of know which exactly or how much the various foods affect the individual. So you can't just drop one - you have to drop them all. Virgin's recommendation is drop them all for 3 to 4 weeks to see if your health improves. In addition, Kresser states that steroid use, as well as NSAIDs and antibiotics can also cause leaky gut and gut flora issues. Well, there again, most of us use AAS so in the long run you can change your diet but still be susceptible.

BTW I'm not knocking the info or the articles. I'm just voicing my opinion and frustration as all things are great for us until some Einstein develops a theory that it isn't. Peanut butter is healthy as long as its not sweetened. Peanuts are a huge allergen to some people and that's why they are on the list. Some people react extremely to them but the theory is that most people are allergic but likely to a much lesser degree. Its just frustrating.

[Praetorian]

Its pretty easy if you think about it....

1. switch from store eggs to duck eggs or omega 3 eggs....some have an allergy to eggs this is the reason they say to drop them but i havent seen any bad reactions to duck eggs..available at many stores now
2. switch from peanut butter...to natural almond butter
3. there is nothing good about wheat...switch to Bobs Red Mill creamy rice
4. dairy isnt necessarily the problem its pasteurized dairy...switch to raw milk, butter, cream etc...google greek yogurt recipes....easy to find to make yourself

Oh BTW peanut butter is far from healthy...its not the allergen part either...a little research and youll find....

Peanuts are susceptible to a fungi known as Aspergillus which produces aflatoxins (a known carcinogen) that can inflame and impair the liver, even possibly leading to cancer or liver shutdown. Workers around peanuts are actually said to wear protection (like facial masks for breathing) from the mold and danger it creates.

In most cases, the mold cannot be seen in peanut butter and unfortunately there’s been no way determined to completely eliminate it from peanuts and peanut butter. This mold is something to be aware of, especially if you may be suffering from candida. Also, even if the Aspergillus fungus is killed through heating, the dangerous aflatoxins will remain. It seems there’s no winning here!

The Aspergillus fungus prefers warm, wet/humid conditions so some say that peanuts and peanut butters produced in dry areas (such as Arizona) are safer. Refrigerating your peanut butter at home is another option as the cool environment is said to slow the growth of the mold.

In addition, the lesser amount of time that peanut butter sits on the shelf, the better. This is also true in situations where you can freshly grind peanuts into peanut butter at health food stores. Think about this: while the FDA and USDA regulate the levels of aflatoxins upon production (since it can’t be eliminated), once the products hit the stores- there is no further regulation and who can determine how much the mold has continued to grow since sitting on the shelf?

Transport times are also a consideration and it may be worth checking product labels to see where your peanut butter is produced- overseas or somewhere more local? Other nut butters (such as almond) may be a less risky option with regards to aflatoxins. Unfortunately, it almond butter is a LOT more expensive than peanut butter. Some say that soaking nuts for several hours can be an option for helping to neutralize aflatoxins.

Pesticides are another concern with peanut butter so buying organic can be important here. Peanuts are often rotated with cotton which is sprayed heavily and of course the butter is also subject to the sprays that were used directly for peanuts. Other things to watch out for in peanut butter are hydrogenated oils, one of the worst things you can add to your diet, as well as as extra sugar.


P

[Repmeister]

WOW - See this is why you have been given your own section on this website. Now this is information we can use. It has the "use this instead of..." aspect that is useful. I have reduced the peanut butter consumption and offset with almond butter. May as well just cut it out completely. I knew about the aflatoxins but only thought them to be a possibility not a liklihood. I have switched from 1% Milk to unsweetened almond milk. Not sure about the duck eggs from the availability stand point in my area, at least. Never even heard of them. I use the cartoned egg whites every morning for oatmeal and egg white crepes so I'd have to find suitable alternatives. I doubt I will get so lucky to find packaged duck egg whites. I will have to take your post above shopping with me. Any idea which stores I'd be more likely to find these in. I think there is a Goodness Me in my area, not sure. This Bob's Red Mill Creamy Rice - what is that. Can it be used like oatmeal? What about sandwhich options? Is there a diet thread that we can read that gives us good alternatives to what we are using now.

Again, wow. you never cease to amaze me with your knowledge. It really does span a lot of areas.
Thanks.

[Praetorian]

Where do you live....I know many stores in the GTA...not sure where you are tho. Sandwiches are for kids...when you grow up you need to eat real food ;o). Creamy Rice is available at most Metros and Sobeys....its very similar to grits in the southern US or cream of wheat here in Canada....no gluten cause its derived from brown rice. Google Bobs Red Mill. I make it and add cheese sometimes and blueberries etc....its a very tasty breakfast cereal.
Some good links:

http://www.eatwild.com/products/canada.html

http://www.realmilk.com/real-milk-finder/other-countries/#can

P

[Repmeister]

"Sandwhiches are for kids" LOL Guess you're right but they are handy for a quick fix. Im in the Hamilton / Ancaster area

[K-Max]

This is awesome stuff.

[TopHatPlus]

Agreed, P has provided yet another very informative bundle of info.