Artificial Strawberry Flavor: 49 Killer Ingredients

As a follow up to my last post, some of you asked for a practical example of how the GRAS standards could affect you. When you read something simple on a food label, like artificial strawberry flavoring, you may be thinking, “oh, it’s only the one little thing that may not be that good for me.” The problem with this is that the one “ingredient” may consist of items that fall under GRAS.

There is a popular fast food chain that has strawberry milkshakes. If you read the ingredients for their shake, you will see artificial strawberry flavoring. If your wondering what you are getting with that shake, here is your list:

• amyl acetate,
• amyl butyrate,
• amyl valerate,
• anethol,
• anisyl formate,
• benzyl acetate,
• benzyl isobutyrate,
• butyric acid,
• cinnamyl isobutyrate,
• cinnamyl valerate,
• cognac essential oil,
• diacetyl,
• dipropyl ketone,
• ethyl acetate,
• ethyl amyl ketone,
• ethyl butyrate,
• ethyl cinnamate,
• ethyl heptanoate,
• ethyl heptylate,
• ethyl lactate,
• ethyl methylphenylglycidate,
• ethyl nitrate,
• ethyl propionate,
• ethyl valerate,
• heliotropin,
• hydroxyphenyl-2-butanone (10 percent solution in alcohol),
• a-ionone,
• isobutyl anthranilate,
• isobutyl butyrate,
• lemon essential oil,
• maltol,
• 4-methylacetophenone,
• methyl anthranilate,
• methyl benzoate,
• methyl cinnamate,
• methyl heptine carbonate,
• methyl naphthyl ketone,
• methyl salicylate,
• mint essential oil,
• neroli essential oil,
• nerolin,
• neryl isobutyrate,
• orris butter,
• phenethyl alcohol,
• rose,
• rum ether,
• g-undecalactone,
• vanillin, and
• solvent.

That’s 49 ingredients for the price of 1…WHAT A DEAL!!!!

Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS)

So you’ve started reading those food labels to make sure you are controlling what you are taking into your body. You are looking for all those different names for sugars and sodium. You are also trying to avoid all those chemicals. You think for the most part you are doing well. Sure you’ll get an artificial color or artificial flavor in something, but it’s just one or two things. How bad can that be?

Here’s the bad news: it can be real bad! The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has a category of food additives that they call Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS). My favorite part when you read about GRAS is this sentence:

GRAS or prior-sanctioned status does not guarantee a substance’s safety. Sometimes new evidence shows that a substance may not be as safe as it was commonly thought to be. If new data suggests that a substance under either of these categories may be unsafe, the FDA may take action to remove the substance from food products or require the manufacturer to conduct studies to evaluate the newly raised concern.

The FDA also allows the food manufacturers to alert them to a new GRAS status of a substance and provide the support for their claim. In other words, I give you something to ingest and then get you the evidence, from my own research that I conduct, to let you know it’s safe. Haven’t we already heard this coming from Big Tobacco! The FDA GRAS list is quite long and has many different categories under it.

If you want to know more about GRAS, read the FDA GRAS Industry guide FAQ sheet. Maybe it’s me, but I see some deception possibly happening here. Read and let me know what you think. Maybe you’ll get the warm and fuzzies from it… or maybe that’s the acetaldehyde, irritating the mucus membrane lining your entire digestive system, that is on the GRAS list!

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

If have ever eaten Chinese food more than likely you have consumed some MSG. According to the article MSG and Your Weight from HealthCastle.com, researchers from University of North Carolina found in a study that the number of overweight individuals was significantly higher for MSG users than nonusers. Another reporting of this came to me from the Vital Choice newsletter. One of the key findings is from this study:

People who used the most MSG in home cooking were 3 times more likely to be overweight and obese.

MSG is a sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid. It is a food additive and used to enhance the flavor of foods. It is very prevalent in processed foods. In the U.S., MSG is only one form of free glutamate. Like sugar, which can be in a food product under many different names, free glutamate can also be in the form of hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, soy extract, and under generic names like “spices” and “natural flavorings”.

If your goal is the eat the healthiest you can and keep that weight in a good range, then if you see any of these names or suspect that MSG is in the food, you may want to say:

wo bu yuo, Xiea, Xiea! (No thank you!)

Via Viente Now Available at Longevity Studios

I have written before about my opinion on selecting and endorsing products. So when I find a product that I feel can help a person in their journey and falls within my product endorsement criteria, I feel I have to get the word out.

Via Viente is one of those products. When I was first approached by one of my colleagues, Paul Jensen Jr., to look at the product, I was skeptical…at the very best. I had been approached several times by people trying to sell me similar products, i.e. Mona Via, XanGo, and Gogi. All were presented to me as quick-fix, miracle products. Usually it felt like there was more money spent on marketing than on actually product development. As Paul started talking about Via Viente, there was a definite different feel. My objections with the other products were answered with Paul’s responses to my questions.

We both realize that while this is a great product, it can not replace all the necessary other steps you need to truly impact your health the most (i.e., good nutrition, adequate sleep, stress management, etc.). This product really helps to complete the overall package though.

Via Viente is a a natural whole food puree that is rich in anti-oxidants and assists in supporting your nutritional efforts. The formula consists of the following blend: Blueberry, Grape, Bilberry, Cranberry, Aloe Vera, Apple, Noni, Elderberry, Prune, Lycium fruit, and Pomegranate purees.

Here are the top 5 reasons I am personally endorsing this product and why I am currently using it.

1. It’s a whole food. – Many times these “optimal health” drinks are juices that have high amounts of sugars and no to very little enzymes levels. Enzyme count is essential for foods to be considered whole and unprocessed.
2. It has confirmed high levels of anti-oxidants. – Free-radical damage, from exposure to chemicals and stress, can lead to chronic disease. Anti-oxidants prevent free-radical damage from happening and will allow the body to repair itself to become healthier. Via Viente has the Brunswick Lab Certified Seal (for ORAC testing). This seal indicates that the product’s anti-oxidant claims have been certified by rigorous testing and the product has met standards.
3. Chelated mineral content. – Via Viente has a super concentrated chelated mineral complex. Many of the traditional farmed-raise vegetables and processed foods we consume are devoid of a solid mineral count. Chelated minerals can be essential for optimal health. To see more on this, read this information on Chelated Minerals.
4. Cold Pressed Processing. – It is cold processed (no heat to destroy good things) and doesn’t have pesticides, GMO’s, and the least amount of preservatives required.
5. The amount of research and time that has been spent in development. – This is not a product that has just popped up on the scene. The product started being developed 12 years ago and continues to strive to improve upon itself. While there are many products out there with their “magical health” claims all of a sudden, this one to me has the substance to back up it’s marketing.

So if you are concerned about your general level of health and vitality, but feel you need a “supplement” that will help push you to the next level, I recommend you further explore Via Viente.

Via Viente is now available at Longevity Studios in La Plata, Maryland.  You can also order a bottle by giving me a call at 301-934-8855.

7 Things You Eat That Are Making You Fat (Seminar)

I love training people. Taking a person through a tough workout and having them come out the other side, knowing that they rose to a new level that day, gets me jazzed. Designing a exercise program fuels my desire for the “solving the puzzle” analytical side. Over the years though, that passion has been slowly getting replaced. I still love working with clients one-on-one but I now get my adrenaline rush from moving people to a state of wellness from doing seminars and public speaking. I have been doing many of the seminars and workshops through our Corporate Wellness Program and random dates here and there. But no more selective audiences!

I am VERY excited to be announcing the start our seminars series. The series is a way we can get the word out about some serious topics that are impacting your health. Our first seminar is entitled, 7 Things You Eat That Are Making You Fat. This is about some of the substances you are putting in your mouth that are not as good for you as you might think. Click the link to find out more or to register for the seminar. This will be a fun and very informative hour guaranteed.

We have scheduled seminars through December. To find out about other events, you can go to our Longevity Studios Events Calendar. We are also working to get respected, and people I genuinely admire for their work, as guest lecturers as well. Stay tune for those announcements.

I hope to see you there.

First, we’ll tackle the seminar series…then we’ll save the WORLD!!!

Online Maryland Farmers Markets

Now you can buy food from Maryland farmer’s markets without leaving your house!

FoodTrader.org lets you order fruits, vegetables and meat from farmers throughout Maryland.  Items include free range chickens, bison and beef, eggs and more.

Check it out.  If you make a purchase from one of these farmers, let us know what you think!

The Perils of Trans Fats

Get off the Trans Fats! I can’t emphasis this statement enough. Trans fats are man-made fats that are heavily used in processed foods. Trans fats are created when vegetable oils go through a process and become what is called “partially-hydrogenated”. If you see this on any of your food packaging, you need to not buy it or throw it away. If you are eating fast food, more than likely, you are consuming a good amount of trans fats. Wendy’s and KFC are two chains that have made the switch away from trans fats (not that this make their foods healthy). This clip from YouTube, The Dangers of Trans Fats, is a collection of various reports on the consequences of eating trans fats. One report states:

Trans fats kills 30,000 Americans a year.

Another report also offers the following practical tips for avoiding trans fat:

1. Shop the perimeter of your grocery store.
2. Avoid fast foods.
3. Avoid processed foods.
4. Read Ingredient labels.

The Government recommendations for trans fats is to limit your intake to 2 grams per day, but if possible, eliminate it completely from your diet. Currently, we are averaging about 6 grams. A little problem with this is that when you read “0 grams of trans fats” from the label, it may not be right. An FDA rule allows food manufacturers to still have trans fats in the foods, but report zero. The rule is as follows:

if a single serving contains a reportable amount of trans fats, which is .5 grams or more, then it must list the amount on the Supplement Facts panel.

So even if you are looking, you may not be able to avoid them. We all need to learn more about issues associated with trans fats and can by reading the American Heart Association’s information on trans fats.

The Bionic Burger

In stark contrast to the freshness of my last post, Waldorf and La Plata Farmer’s Markets, this takes me back to the “stale” posts of old, You want fries with that burger?. I was sent The Bionic Burger Museum. I have been encouraged to try the experiment myself and keep it as a learning tool for client’s and kids. The Bionic Burger video is about a guy who has been saving McDonald’s hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and Big Macs for the last 19 years. They are not really going bad like you would expect. Give it a look.

Beside the 100% real beef, here’s some of what we may be eating. Inside each hamburger you can find meat from over 1000 cows, plus a delicious blend of:

• 1,1,1,trichloroethane
• 1,2,4,trimethylbenzene
• BHC,alpha
• chloroform
• chlorotoluene, o-
• chlorpyrifos
• DDE, p,p
• DDT, p,p
• Dichlorobenzene, p-
• Dieldrin
• Dyphnyl 2-ethylhexyl phosphate
• Ethyl benzene
• Heptachfor epoxide
• Lindane
• Octachlor epoxide
• Styrene
• Tetrachlorethylene
• Toluene
• Trichlorethylene
• Xylene, m- and or p-
• Xylene, o-
• Chlorpyrifos
• Chlorpyrifos Methyl
• Cumene
• Diazinon
• Dicamba
• Ethyl bezene
• Ethylenelhiourea
• Iprodione
• Malathion
• Primiphos-methyl
• Propylbenzene
• Trichloroehylene

*The source is from the FDA offical report on pesticed in USA fastfood.

MMmmmmmm, MMmmmmmmm, MMmmmmmmm….Now that’s good eatin’!!!

Waldorf and La Plata Farmers’ Markets

There are many great reasons to shop at your local farmer’s market.  They have the freshest produce, often organically grown.  The produce is usually more affordable than that found in supermarkets.  Buying locally also helps conserve energy, since produce doesn’t have to be shipped across the country.

If you live in Waldorf, Maryland, you have a new Farmer’s Market located at Festival Way (by Circuit City).  The market is open Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Nov. 26.

La Plata also has a farmer’s market located in the parking lot near the Charles County courthouse.The La Plata market is open Saturdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through November 22nd.

Produce is picked the day of sale, or the night before, so you can’t beat the freshness! Since only locally grown, seasonal produce is sold, you’ll now find peaches, blackberries, blueberries, plums, string beans, corn, tomatoes, cabbage, kale, collard greens, sunflowers and herbs.

Click here for a complete list of farmer’s markets in Maryland.

Chronic Inflammation

I am writing an article on chronic inflammation and its effects on our health. Look for the article to be post on the site in August. I just wanted to give some heads up on some of what you will be reading. Chronic inflammation is in epidemic proportions in today’s society and is related to so many diseases.

Check out this article, Chronic Inflammation & Chronic Disease, to see many of the conditions and how they are related. In the article, it gives some tips to reduce inflammation. Anything you can do to reduce your current level of inflammation is a positive step away from chronic and degenerative diseases.

One of the best ways to reduce your inflammation is to reduce or eliminated your intake of certain foods. In the article, simple entitled “Chronic Inflammation” on the International Wellness Directory website, read the sectionMost Dangerous Foods to learn what these foods are and what foods have anti-inflammatory properties.

Lastly, look on ou