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Polyunsaturated Fats Linked to Higher Cancer Risk by Elizabeth Walling (NaturalNews) For years we've been told to avoid butter and instead use vegetable oils as our primary fat source. Mainstream science claims this will save our hearts. But industrial oils like soybean, corn and canola oil are hiding a dirty little secret: consuming them could very well increase your risk of cancer. What Are Polyunsaturated Fats? Unlike saturated fats and monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats (also known as PUFAs for short) are linked by multiple double bonds. This is what makes polyunsaturated oils highly unstable and vulnerable to oxidation. The Cancer Connection Many experts now acknowledge that refined polyunsaturated oils are damaged fats and should be avoided. This leads to the assumption that cold-pressed organic oils are acceptable because they are less refined. However, even gently processed oils are unstable and oxidation can still occur once these fats are in the body. Oxidation is linked to cancer and other degenerative diseases. In addition to the dangers of oxidation, there are also bonafide concerns about the omega-6 content of polyunsaturated oils. A recent San Francisco study demonstrated that under laboratory conditions, omega-6 fatty acids could accelerate the growth of prostate tumor cells. Other studies show that improving the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio can lower the risk of certain cancers. Experts vary in their specific ratio recommendations, but most suggest a ratio of between 1:1 and 1:4 at most. The average modern diet has an omega-3 to omega-6 ratio of 1:20 or more! The blame for this can be squarely placed on the rapid increase of vegetable oils in our diets during the past century. While some vegetable oils do contain small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, for the most part they consist of omega-6. While some recommend increasing omega-3 consumption to combat this effect, this problem is far more effectively resolved by reducing omega-6 intake. Eliminating or drastically decreasing polyunsaturated oil consumption is the best way to do this. How to Decrease Your Polyunsaturated Fat Intake Here's how you can cut excess PUFAs from your diet: 1. Avoid commercial fried foods. With very few exceptions, these are cooked in polyunsaturated oils and contain highly damaged fats. 2. Avoid commercial salad dressings, mayonnaise and other fatty condiments. Unless otherwise noted, these are generally made with refined vegetable oils. 3. Avoid commercial baked goods. These usually contain a lot of refined flour and sugar, so they should be avoided anyway. But their high PUFA content gives you another good reason to leave these items alone. 4. Cook and bake with butter, coconut oil, olive oil and other heat stable oils. Frankly, these taste a whole lot better than veggie oils anyway, so making this trade should be easy. 5. Go easy on the nuts. While these may be hailed as a health food by many experts, in excess nuts can easily skew your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio and push your polyunsaturated fat intake over the limit. Hazelnuts and macadamia nuts are the most forgiving since these contain the lowest PUFA content. A Historical Perspective There are no traditional cultures who liberally used polyunsaturated oils in their diets. Keep in mind that these cultures often exhibited excellent health and did not suffer from modern diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. We should take a hint from our ancestors and ditch the polyunsaturated oils. About the author: Elizabeth Walling is a freelance writer specializing in health and family nutrition. She is a strong believer in natural living as a way to improve health and prevent modern disease. To learn more about nourishing foods, stop by Elizabeth's blog, which explores topics like healing with traditional nutrient-dense foods, lacto-fermentation, raw milk, natural living and much, much more. www.livingthenourishedlife.com For more information, see: www.naturalnews.com .......... 10 TIPS FOR BREATHING EASY THIS FALL Chicagohealers.Com Practitioner Dr. Ian Wahl Brings Relief to Allergy Sufferers
(CHICAGO, IL) – Fall is right around the corner and allergens are in full force! Pollen, ragweed, and mold are still taking their toll on allergy sufferers. These are harmless substances for most; but for some they take the enjoyment out of Fall. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, roughly 20% of Americans suffer from allergies and another 20% suffer from hypersensitivities to food, environmental substances, or stimuli. So what can you do if Fall allergies make you miserable? ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner, Dr. Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in the treatment of children and adults with allergies and hypersensitivities. Dr. Wahl brings relief to sufferers with 10 tips breathing easier this season: 1) Take a whole food based Vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine. Dr. Richard Podell, author of When Your Doctor Doesn't Know Best: Errors That Even the Best Doctors Make and How to Protect Yourself, recommends 1000 milligrams of vitamin C (Ester-C) twice daily to help with allergies and asthma.
2) Magnesium eases breathing Some immunologists suggest taking 400 milligrams of magnesium daily helps with nasal allergies and breathing problems. Taking more than that can cause diarrhea. If you want to supplement your diet with magnesium–rich foods, the best sources are nuts, beans, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and bananas.
3) Wear sunglasses when going outside Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, creates a certain amount of photosensitivity. Wearing sunglasses helps reduce your sensitivity to light and thus helps your eyes from excessive watering.
4) Bring a cold pack When you are at an outdoor sports event, periodically place a cold pack over your eyes and on your face to reduce inflammation and help relieve some of your symptoms.
5) Drink a lot of cool water Rehydrating is one of the best ways to eliminate toxins from your body. It cools you down and provides some symptom relief.
6) Stay away from dairy If you have hay fever, eating dairy will produce even more phlegm and make you feel worse.
7) Use your bathroom exhaust fan when taking a shower This will help prevent to growth of mold in the shower. Replace your liner every month or two, if you have mold sensitivities or asthma.
8) Keep your dryer vent clear Build-up of lint in the dryer vent will cause an excess of dust in your house. Have your vents cleaned regularly to avoid aggravating your allergy symptoms.
9) Get rid of clutter Allergy sufferers need to be especially careful about controlling dust in their homes. Clutter is a major source of dust and dust mites.
10) Get tested for food allergies Many people who have allergies are also sensitive to different foods. These multiple sensitivities build on each other and stress the immune system. Find out what foods you are sensitive to and either eliminate them from your diet or get treated for them so you can eat those foods symptom-free.
For more information, please visit www.chicagohealers.com.
The San Antonio Botanical Garden is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and is located at 555 Funston at North New Braunfels Avenue with free parking. The Garden is operated under the auspices of the City of San Antonio Department of Parks & Recreation.
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