FDA Recalls

A new service we will provide is one on the specific recalls from the specific companies in our region from the USDA. If a company is in our region and has food products that are part of a recall we'll notify you as well as what you'll hear in the mainstream. Sometimes recalls can affect the distributors in our area as well as the producers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.These products were cooked on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, 2010, packed between Oct. 6 and Oct. 12, 2010, then distributed to wholesale and retail establishments throughout North Carolina. These products were not involved in the National School Lunch Program or Department of Defense sales.

"FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. Consumers and media with questions regarding the recall should contact Josh Whitley, the company's Owner/President, at (919) 496-6054. - USDA (FSIS)

If you're eating processed foods you'll always going to have to be concerned with your food choices and how they're manufactured. Once you're targeted by the USDA you can expect that they'll be back and they'll find something else to charge you with. Once they get you the USDA is like a dog with a bone. We were a little suspicious when we discovered that the recall concerned not named soy products. We've just written on the benefits of soy and couldn't see the problem.

"North Carolina Firm Recalls Pork Barbecue Products Due to an Undeclared Allergen - The Murphy House, a Louisburg, N.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 2,850 lbs. of pork barbecue products because they may contain an undeclared allergen, soy flour, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Soy flour is a known potential allergen, which is not declared on the label." USDA (February 5, 2010)

Soy flour does produced allergies to our surprise. These allergies can be severe and there are cases when the children and teens have died. According to the independent organization called the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN).

"Symptoms of soy allergy are typically mild, although anaphylaxis is possible. Soybean allergy is one of the more common food allergies, especially among babies and children." - The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (Education)

While the concern is that death is possible its not likely in adults according to all the research we could discover. We also discovered that there is research that has found that children can outgrow these allergies. Most interesting is that allergies appear as symptoms similar to other illness. Some of the research can be found at the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI) with links to many of the abstracts.

"Hidden” allergens in foods - One clear message from the literature is that most fatal and near-fatal reactions happen when eating away from home. Individuals with severe food hypersensitivity should probably avoid processed foods. If it is necessary to purchase these foods, they should be made by a reliable manufacturer. Parents and children can learn to scrutinize food labels carefully. Unfortunately, the multiplicity of possible names for any one ingredient may let a hidden allergen slip by. If possible, hypoallergenic formulas should be tested in each case before being prescribed for children sensitive to cow’s milk. The very sensitive individual should wear a Medic Alert bracelet and carry an epinephrine (adrenaline) self-injector at all times. Less sensitive individuals may need to carry antihistamines with them. Fortunately, many individuals lose their reactivity to foods over time, albeit not completely in some." The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Preventative Measures)

While soy allergies are real there are many food allergies found in other processed products as well. While processing makes life more convenient for families on the go there is a health cost that may be too expensive for us to live with. In any event we do have to strongly suggest not giving pork barbecue to children under any circumstances. Who knew that there would be a food category "for adults only!"

"North Carolina Firm Recalls Brunswick Stew Products due to Undeclared Allergens - recalling 414 lbs. of Brunswick stew products because they contain cracker meal with undeclared allergens, wheat and milk, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Wheat and milk are known allergens, which are not declared on the label." USDA (April 29, 2010)

It's the date of above recall that lead us to see that the second recall was more USDA due diligence after the wheat and milk recall from months before the soy recall. The problem isn't with the product from the Murphy House. We're familiar with the company nor its products and news reports tend to be more headlines than in depth stories.

"Virginia Firm Recalls Imported Prosciutto Products Due To Potential Listeria Contamination - International Gourmet, a Springfield, Va., establishment, is recalling approximately 70 pounds of prosciutto products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced..." USDA (May 5, 2010)

International Gourmet is more of a distributor than manufacturer and the recall stems from problems at the factory that got caught too late. We're not blaming them but since we've started this section and Springfield Virginia is in our region we had to include it. Again if living a long life or a better life is of concern to you - you might want to give up the processed meats. If you want to know what to eat and what not to eat there's plenty of research to support the list from Dr. Susan Merola McCoon, Fayetteville, NC.

Soy Safe Breasts

We disagree with the American Heart Association's (AHA) conclusions on soy. It's not that they're wrong or that their statements are incorrect. The AHA conclusions are misleading. Our newest associate editor accused us of trying to kill him because we fed him vegetables. He claims he's allergic to vegetables, jokingly. The American Heart Association (AHA) will later conclude that soy is not bad for you. We think that's not strong enough in support of soy.

"AHA Comments to FDA on Soy Protein and Coronary Heart Disease Health Claim - at this time the totality of evidence linking soy protein consumption with reduced risk of coronary heart disease is not sufficient to meet the standards of significant scientific agreement (SSA). Thus, AHA strongly recommends that FDA revoke the soy protein and CHD health claim. We understand that if the FDA decides to revoke this SSA health claim, the Agency could consider allowing its use as a qualified health claim. We urge FDA not to do so. Consumer research conducted by AHA, FDA, and others has repeatedly shown that despite the presence of qualifying language, consumers do not understand qualified health claims and do not understand that they are based on limited and varying degrees of evidence. Therefore, AHA does not support the use of qualified health claims; only health claims meeting the SSA standard should be permitted." - American Heart Association (May 1, 2008)

Headlines don't help and the news reports you read or view don't have the time to accurately explain the research results. The American Heart Association (AHA) is accurate saying that soy protein doesn't prevent cancer. Neither does beef or pork prevent cancer or heart disease. If you have to eat a soy burger, hamburger or pork chop you'll be better off eating the soy than any of the alternatives. While soy protein might not be heart healthy processed soy is better than processed meat as an alternative. It might not make you live forever it would be better if you ate tofu, cooked soy beans with your unprocessed soy milk that you made yourself. That's more likely to keep you alive than any of the processed alternatives.

"Effect of soy isoflavones on breast cancer recurrence and death for patients receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy - Of the original 524 patients, we were able to contact 508 directly for follow-up in July 2008. Among the 16 patients who could not be contacted directly, the mortality registry revealed 10 deaths. For six patients there was no match in the registry, and we assumed that they were still living. The total number of deaths was 154, and 132 of these were due to breast cancer. The other causes of death were cardiovascular disease (12 patients), respiratory disease (5), other cancers (2) and other causes (3)." - Canadian Medical Association Journal (October 18, 2010)

How can soy be good for you two (2) years ago but good for you now? The answer is in the processing of food as compared to unprocessed food. Soy protein is processed soy isoflavones is unprocessed and actually part of the waste product from processing soy. It's like comparing apples to cinnamon sweeten applesauce. It's not all soy and soy is better and healthier for you than any meat alternatives. Soy is as a vegetables the lowest in fats. Meats can't compete.

"In this study, high dietary intake of soy isoflavones was associated with reduced risk of recurrence of disease among postmenopausal patients with estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive breast cancer and those who were receiving anastrozole as endocrine therapy. This finding is potentially important in terms of recommendations for intake of soy isoflavones in conjunction with endocrine therapy. Large multicentre clinical trials and other observational epidemiologic studies are needed to confirm these findings." - Canadian Medical Association Journal (October 18, 2010)

While the American Heart Association (AHA) may not be convinced we think there is more than ample evidence that soy is heart smart and healthy. While this might not apply to all soy processed products we maintain that the research is clear and getting clearer all the time. There were earlier stories that indicated the contrary but again those stories results often contradicted the studies. For instance the evidence might not have made soy the superfood that on its own was miraculous. We think soy in combination with the basics recommendations of the AHA was more healthful than previously thought.

"Dietary Soy and Increased Risk of Bladder Cancer, the Singapore Chinese Health Study - We caution that our novel finding of a positive association between soy and bladder cancer risk is based on a relatively short period of follow-up and a modest number of cancer cases. If this provocative observation is confirmed by others, laboratory studies to delineate possible mechanisms will be needed. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (December 2002)

There are other items in nature and health that if you don't want to be bothered with soy have been scientifically effective. We're convinced of the effectiveness of soy but can understand if you aren't convinced. You don't need to take our word or the word of the above mentioned organizations and institutions. Just because an institution isn't based in the United States of America doesn't mean their facts or rather research should be ignored. Often the off-shore universities work in cooperation and collusion with US institutions of higher learning to share methods and methodologies.

Bitter Melon Extract Attacks Breast Cancer Cells - Early Research Points to Promising Area of Research - The extract from a vegetable that is common in India and China shows promise in triggering a chain of events that kills breast cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying, a Saint Louis University researcher has found. Ratna Ray, Ph.D., professor in the department of pathology at Saint Louis University and lead researcher, said she was surprised that the extract from the bitter melon she cooks in stir fries inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. "To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the effect of bitter melon extract on cancer cells," Ray said. "Our result was encouraging. We have shown that bitter melon extract significantly induced death in breast cancer cells and decreased their growth and spread." - Saint Louis University (February 23, 2010)

One of the weaknesses in much of the research is in the reporting to researchers. The individuals reported their behavior to researchers. While this might be significant in a small study history has shown the success of soy in both animals and human trials. While much of the research has centered on breast cancer research specifically in girls and women soy has other benefits as well. You might not trust soy be we're soy believers. We think that more unprocessed soy is digested the more effective its health benefits would be felt on the human body.

"A New Frontier in Soy Bioactive Peptides that May Prevent Age-related Chronic Diseases - Soybean proteins can be a source of bioactive peptides with diverse and unique health benefits that can be used in the prevention of age-related chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and decreased immune function. Bioactive peptides are released from proteins by either food processing or by GI digestion. Indirect evidence also suggests that these peptides can be absorbed by the GI system thus exerting their action on specific target organs. Other peptides do not need to be absorbed and act at the intestinal level. However, understanding whether digestion of food proteins in vivo releases the same peptide fragments as the ones in vitro experiments is an important question. Also, the effective plasma levels of bioactive peptides are unknown and need to be determined. In comparison with milk, research on bioactive peptides from soybean is far from complete." - Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (November 20, 2006)

If we didn't convince you - you just might want to try soy and we looked for the specifics in the research that we might personally duplicate for better health. Well try anything as long as its not exercise. We're not allergic to exercise we just remember the quote from Mark Twain. "Whenever we feel the urge to exercise we lie down until it goes away." Since that kind of thinking can lead to an early death we look for foods we can consume to keep death at bay. We look to soy and all the soy research that leads us to that conclusion.

"Soy Peptide Lunasin Has Anti-Cancer, Anti-Inflammatory Properties - "We confirmed lunasin's bioavailability in the human body by doing a third study in which men consumed 50 grams of soy protein--one soy milk shake and a serving of soy chili daily--for five days. Significant levels of the peptide in the participants' blood give us confidence that lunasin-rich soy foods can be important in providing these health benefits," said Elvira de Mejia, a U of I professor of food science and human nutrition." - University of Illinois and the Champaign-Urbana (December 2, 2009)

Our focus because of PearlieMae has been breast cancer. Soy's benefits aren't new neither are results that say its so. We wish that more of the bigger more familiar institutions of higher learning we more in the research of soy. We will admit that many of the smaller, meaning less trust worthy institutions are sources for much of the information. We don't admit that their research is any less trust worthy only that when you think of the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico you don't immediately think of as scientific worthy of award and acclaim.

"Children’s Hospital Oakland Scientists Discover Soy Component May be Key to Fighting Colon Cancer - Soy has long been touted as protective against colon cancer, but Dr. Saba’s team made the groundbreaking discovery that SDs naturally found in soy may underlie the benefits of soy products. Dr. Saba and her team first identified SDs in the fruit fly, an organism that is sometimes used to study the genetics of human diseases. Further investigation indicated that elevated SDs actually induced the death of mutant cells in the fly, revealing SDs to be cytotoxic compounds (toxic to cells). Preventative colon cancer strategies often focus on cell death—a normal process the body uses to remove unhealthy or mutant cells, like cancer cells. Coupling this discovery with the finding that soy is a rich source of SDs, researchers made an innovative connection." - Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland (November 24,2009)

We aren't fruit flies and again this is the only study on soy and cancer. We still think its better to eat your way to health than sweat your way to health. We don't deny the benefits from exercise. We're just reminded of the TV commercials for the Biggest Loser and the woman contestant who said that her workout "was harder than giving birth." TV trainers who proclaim: "You thought the other person was hard you ain't seen nothing yet." We imagine passing out from the sweat and strain of working out. That's before we even begin to exercise.

"Diet Can Provide Protection against Development of Certain Cancers, New Studies Show - With cancer, researchers don't believe "you are what you eat" -- that disease is always a direct result of what is, or what isn't, on your dinner plate. But studies into the association between diet and cancer show that food can have an impact in preventing cancer, or in reducing the aggressiveness of the disease. At the American Association for Cancer Research's Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research meeting, investigators have found that eating fish regularly as an adult, or soy as a young girl, or using a specific vitamin if you are a smoker, can help to protect against development of certain cancers. Another study found that blood cholesterol, some of which comes from eating animal fats, doesn't control whether a man develops prostate cancer, but lower levels of these lipids may help protect against aggressive forms of the disease. The researchers say these studies provide some of the strongest links found to date between diet and cancer."  - American Association for Cancer Research (November 14, 2006)

The implication from this earlier research are clear. While later conclusions are that you can't eat your way to good health it appears from earlier research is that to survive the leading indicators of death requires a proper diet as well as exercise. We tend to place our focus on food rather than work. We'd rather add soy and "gold pepper" to our diet with the proper supplements to intensify the effectiveness of all than to grunt and strain under the watchful eye of a scowling trainer. However it is better to workout with a buddy than alone. We support that as well. Soy and a buddy for better breast health.

Preventing Breast Cancer

We're very concerned about this topic because of how it affected us through our families and the women in our lives and on our staff. PearlieMae's death was a result of her fear of breast cancer. The cancer spread from there to her back and into the bone . This being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month we thought we should contribute to its success. PearlieMae might have wanted it that way though we know she would shudder knowing we've revealed her "Big C" condition.

"The Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study, a large, population-based cohort study of 5042 female breast cancer survivors in China. Women aged 20 to 75 years with diagnoses between March 2002 and April 2006 were recruited and followed up through June 2009. Information on cancer diagnosis and treatment, lifestyle exposures after cancer diagnosis, and disease progression was collected at approximately 6 months after cancer diagnosis and was reassessed at 3 follow-up interviews conducted at 18, 36, and 60 months after diagnosis. Annual record linkage with the Shanghai Vital Statistics Registry database was carried out to obtain survival information for participants who were lost to follow-up. Medical charts were reviewed to verify disease and treatment information." - Journal of the American Medical Association (December 9, 2009)

We're believers in soy products yet we're not certain that removing the other nutritional factors from the above equation makes it a wonder drug. Genetically Asian women suffer less from breast cancer than European and women of African descent. The results aren't new in 1998 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition drew a connection between soy and breast cancer. It's worth noting during this "Pink Month" because its use might be prevented.

"The following may reduce breast cancer risk: kelp; forsteronia refracta compound; oleic acid in olive oil restricted calories; apple, Danggui Longhui Wan ( chinese medicine); moderate exercise; turmeric, fish oil, weight loss, omega-3 fatty acids, cabbage and sauerkraut; Artemisinin; vitamin D, soy, garlic, grape juice, whole wheat, pro-vitamin E, low-protein diet, doing home work, high dietary fiber, broccoli, breastfeeding, grapes, green tea and mushroom, vitamin c, and sun exposure. Those factors that may boost risk are: high GI diet, alcohol, adipose fat, Bisphenol A; cleaning chemicals, hormone therapy, french fries, omega 6 fatty acid linoleic acid found in corn and soybean oil; mamograms, dietary fat, red meat and processed meat, barbecued meat, grapefruit, western diet, aluminum salts, radiation, iron, antibiotics, calcium, living in a large, metropolitan area, and acrylamide." - Food Consumer (Pink Tips)

Missing from that list is the desire to seek care until its too late. Both men and women suffer from that same condition of fear if our personal experience is any indication of having cancer and seeking immediate medical treatment. We don't want to know, believing ignorance is bliss and that we can't die if we don't know for sure. How's that for research. We believe that nothing "boost risk" more than fear and trepidation whether you're male or female.

"Although not all experts are convinced that it's safe to begin advising women to add soy to their diet, they agree that there is no need to avoid soy altogether. "What I've been telling my patients right now is that soy as part of a healthy balanced diet is safe. But I would avoid trying to eat a totally soy-based diet or taking a soy supplement. You have to be careful in not extrapolating beyond the study," says Dr. Richard Lee, medical director of the Integrative Medicine Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston." - Time (December 2009) 

We'd have to agree. The nutritional solution isn't a one (1) item choice. Variety seems to be what all the experts agree upon. The Pink Tips given offer a variety of items that together might be the super fuel that would be a preventative against breast cancer. Though finding a lump and leaving it rather than calling attention to it to your physician is a mistake that can cost you your life and your family much pain and suffering. Unfortunately we have too much experience with the latter than we care to admit or ever care to see repeated.

Out Milking Milk

It's cheap and readily available that's good enough for us. OK it does give us gas and it's better with chocolate than with out but other than that it's good enough for us. OK it really tears up our stomach but we like it best frozen even though we're sick of the snow and cold weather. Overall milk is OK with us. If it didn't make us so sick we'd probably drink more of it than we do. For most of us if it's not in cereal or ice cream we can leave it alone.

"Low-fat chocolate milk is the original protein drink. It contains a mix of carbohydrates and protein to refuel and repair muscles, fluids to rehydrate and electrolytes including calcium, potassium and magnesium, to replenish what is lost in sweat. It has the added bonus of bone-building nutrients, like calcium, (not found in traditional sports drinks) to help maintain strong bones and prevent stress fractures. In addition to getting the right combination of carbohydrates and protein, research suggests low-fat chocolate milk is a naturally nutrient-rich protein drink that can help you refuel and rehydrate within the critical two-hour recovery window after exercise." - Shamrock Farms

What Shamrock Farms does not say is what and where is that research. They mention all of the benefits without any way of verifying their claims. Here is what we found. University of Auckland (2006, March 2). Chocolate Milk Could Be Key To Longer, Healthier Life. Science Daily "(A) group of elderly kiwis to perform two identical sessions of aerobic exercise on a stationary bike."

From Indiana University, March 2006, we found:

"A drink like chocolate milk is most useful to a cyclist, swimmer, or long-distance runner. These sports stress high endurance levels and constant, sustained movement. Competing athletes need high levels of calories, carbs, and protein to sustain that level of performance." - Fitness Magazine

In all things chocolate milk related its seems Indiana University (IU) is the place to go for info where an April 2008 article compares chocolate milk to sports drink with chocolate exceed both for cyclists. Until November 2009 when Barcelona Spain published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN)  their research on skim milk and cocoa which concluded: "These results suggest that the intake of cocoa polyphenols may modulate inflammatory mediators in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease. These antiinflammatory effects may contribute to the overall benefits of cocoa consumption against atherosclerosis." In all the tests, the subjects groups are small. With Spain the number of participants was forty-seven (47).

"Best sources of Calcium and Vitamin D - Breastfeeding is the best way to meet your baby's calcium needs. Infant formula provides calcium for babies who cannot be breastfed. Dairy foods are very high in calcium, especially milk, yogurt and cheese. Other good sources include calcium-enriched orange juice, rice beverages, and soy beverages." - Health Canada (June 2007)

The National Institute of Health (NIH) began a conference on lactose intolerance: "To provide health care providers, patients, and the general public with a responsible assessment of currently available data on latose intolerance and health." Concluding that: "its true prevalence is not known. The majority of people with lactose malabsorption do not have clinical lactose intolerance. Many individuals who think they are lactose intolerant are not lactose malabsorbers. Many individuals with real or perceived lactose intolerance avoid dairy and ingest inadequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, which may predispose them to decreased bone accrual, osteoporosis, and other adverse health outcomes. In most cases, individuals do not need to eliminate dairy consumption completely."

"Calcium and Milk: What's Best for Your Bones and Health - On the other side are those who believe that consuming a lot of milk and other dairy products will have little effect on the rate of fractures but may contribute to problems such as heart disease or prostate cancer." - Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

While milk is the easiest and cheapest alternative to calcium we love that there is at least according to some seventy thousand (69,532) French women that coffee can protect you from diabetes if you don't have diabetes with or without milk if drank at lunchtime. At least that's what Reuters says but the free abstract (from AJCN) isn't so clear. But we're coffee drinkers so we'll take their word for it.

"Calcium is important. But milk isn’t the only, or even best, source - (D)airy products can be high in saturated fat as well as retinol (vitamin A), which at high levels can paradoxically weaken bones. Good, non-dairy sources of calcium include collards, bok choy, fortified soy milk, baked beans, and supplements. - Best Bones Forever (BBF.gov)"

Here are some final things we didn't know that maybe you did know about the Dairy Industry. Dairy Farm Milk Myths or what we call the Nine (9) Lies About Milk. Ignore the punctuation and just watch the videos and read the text you'll be able to figure out what they're trying to say. Until we find information to the contrary we'll give the dairy farmers the benefit of the doubt. Hey we're suckers for all things country. It just all seems so American.

Soy doesn't give us gas and chocolate soy doesn't it. It could be that we imagine that we're lactose intolerant from milk but we don't imagine the gas. We might be imagining the stomach cramps. Those could be psychosomatic we will admit to that.

"It is important for all individuals who suffer discomfort from the inability to digest lactose be given information about all sources of calcium, dairy and non-dairy, available to them, so individuals can develop a plan that meets not only their requirements for calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium, but also their cultural, religious, and ethical preferences without exceeding calorie, sugar, and saturated fat," highlighted Nancy Chapman, RD, MPH, Executive Director of the Soyfoods Association of North America."

Soy is still not as cheap as skim chocolate milk but cheap food can't make up for the cramps and gas. The choice is too go with the cheap and easy or to spend the extra bucks for the just as good. However you get your calcium make sure you get enough calcium to stay healthy enough to stay healthy. You can always go cheap but if you can afford it go for the gold who knows it might all be in your head. You might be able to eat the affordable without any ill effects.

Salted to Death...

...but at least you didn't get cancer when you died!

The men among us here are big salt users. Calls us "salters" because we reach for the shaker before our lips ever touch the food. There is not a woman among us that doesn't warn us against the dangers of our salty ways. We get the same grief when we sweeten our drinks. The warnings always include the ominous you're going to get cancer (or diabetes as the case may be) and die! Maybe you've heard it or maybe you're a carrier of "the ominous warnings of death!" (TOWOD)

Now comes The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) and the Japan Public Health Center–based Prospective Study which says we (the men) were right and they (the women) were wrong. Well kind of wrong.

"Sodium intake as a whole salt equivalent may not increase the risk of cancer but may increase that of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In contrast, salted food intake may increase the risk of cancer. [Their] findings support the notion that sodium and salted foods have differential influences on the development of cancer and CVD." (AJCN)

So to all the other Tarzans out there - "Salters" not dying but greasy pre-salted bad! That includes all the processed meats and salty processed foods which can still kill you. Science keeps verifying it this bit of news over and over again. In this case science, since 1995 and eliminating family history for over ten (10) years and over seventy-seven thousand (77,500 men and women aged 45–74 y. During up to 598,763 person-years of follow-up until the end of 2004, 4476 cases of cancer and 2066 cases of CVD were identified.) individuals helped confirm the results.

It's not direct research it's what's called "a meta-analysis" of twenty-one (21) studies but the bottom line is (according to these  reviewers) "there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD." (AJCN) That's good enough for us and we'll hang on to every thread of countermanding evidence.

We don't need new lab research to show us the benefits of fruits and vegetables. We need research that emphasizes real-world solutions. - Janet King, PhD

Here Here Dr. King! We giveth the bad news and we taketh away the bad news - there is some new cancer hope from some fairly unconventional sources.

Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) scientist Julie Saba, MD, PhD, and her colleagues have just published a groundbreaking study in Cancer Research that identifies a new class of therapeutic agents that could hold the key to the prevention and treatment of colon cancer. Sphingadienes (SDs) are sphingolipid metabolites found naturally in soy that Dr. Saba’s group has found to be protective against colon cancer. (CHORI)

Soy and fruit flies, all things we turn our noses up from the very mention or even seeing. Now showing us the way that going to get cancers and kill it!

"Although cell death does not sound like a good thing and can indeed contribute to pathology, it is also part of the normal process the body uses to remove unhealthy or mutant cells, providing what Dr. Saba refers to as a "cancer surveillance" function. Preventative colon cancer strategies often focus on the same process – ways to get rid of those cells that might be damaged – and thus more prone to turning into cancer – as quickly as possible, which was why Dr. Saba’s team was particularly interested in SDs." (CHORI)

Now we've got some additional ammunition in our growing arsenal to fight the "big C" (cancer) and we won't have to make major life changes to take advantage of its benefits. That's what we call a good day and a great end to a great week.

Candles of Death!?!?!

Our favorite store, especially in these economically challenging times, is the Dollar Tree when we're on this coast and the even better by far the .99 cent store when we're on the west coast. Our favorite purchases are the scented candles of various sizes and colors. Now those eggheads at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) reveals that this favorite has a very deadly down side - cancer. Not all candles mind you just the cheapest paraffin kind.

On the positive side is our fascination with the new flameless scented candles that our cats aren't likely to swat and set the house on fire. Flameless candles are available from the Dollar Tree and .99 cent stores but they are the little tiny ones with small wicks and no scent. Now back to our bad news.

There is a more expensive work around and those tree hugging 60's types were right again. We do have a membership to a "Cooperative" store (we aren't stupid) but we don't use it because natural is expensive. It's not easy being "green." "In the study, R. Massoudi Ph.D., and Amid Hamidi Vadeghani, Ph.D., said that that candles made from bee’s wax or soy, although more expensive, apparently are healthier. They do not release potentially harmful amounts of indoor air pollutants while retaining all of the warmth, ambience and fragrance of paraffin candles (which are made from petroleum)."

“An occasional paraffin candle and its emissions will not likely affect you,” Hamidi Vadeghani said. “But lighting many paraffin candles every day for years or lighting them frequently in an un-ventilated bathroom around a tub, for example, may cause problems.“ Besides the more serious risks, he also suggested that some people who believe they have an indoor allergy or respiratory irritation may in fact actually be reacting to air pollutants from burning candles."

Thankfully today is the last day of the National Meeting so they'll be no more bad news from the bad news bearers. Information is power but there's also something called information overload when it comes to really bad news saying that everything you do is bad for you.