Shedding Retardant Forces

Thomas Jefferson said it best. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors. Today we should be asking, What is the regimen? What motivates it? What will our future be like if … Read more

Inhibiting Cancerous Tumor Angiogenesis

Green tea consumption has been linked to a reduced occurrence of some tumor types. Current data indicate that the principal mediator of this chemopreventive effect is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol found in dried tea leaves. Here, we examined the effects of this compound on the two key cell populations typically involved in tumor … Read more

Seed Banking

The vault will have dual-blast proof doors, motion sensors, two airlocks, and walls reinforced with meter-thick concrete. Inside will be stored more than 3 million varieties of seed. The Norwegian government says the seeds are being stored, ‘so that crop diversity can be conserved for the future.’ Participating in this project, aside from the Norwegians, … Read more

Eat Like Our Lives Depend On It

A rich microbial ecosystem in our gut keeps us healthy. Now scientists are linking the health of our gut to the microbial ecosystems in the soils where our food is grown. Industrial food production pollutes rivers and streams, creating massive offshore dead zones. It kills off bee colonies, consigns millions of animals to inhumane confinement, … Read more

Control Biodiversity — Control the Future of Food and Bio-fuels

Because of the insidious way in which it works, it has been sold as a relatively benign replacement for the devastating earlier dioxin-based herbicides. But a barrage of experimental data has now shown glyphosate and the GMO foods incorporating it to pose serious dangers to health. Compounding the risk is the toxicity of “inert” ingredients … Read more

The Agenda “Science” of Big Ag & Food

The scene was the annual conference of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. One speaker staunchly defended GMOs while mocking those who care about organics and sustainability. This presentation replaced a much-anticipated point-counterpoint debate planned by the Academy that was supposed to touch on the issue of partnerships between the private and public sectors. The … Read more

Jicama: Preserving a Youthful Complexion & Cutting the Risk of Cancer

Japanese researchers reported earlier this year that an extract of jicama fiber appears to have beneficial effects on the immune system in animal and lab tests. Also known as the Mexican yam or water chestnut, jicima is a good source of a prebiotic called inulin, a tummy tightening fiber that helps raise levels of healthful … Read more

Chia Cocktail Reduces Triglycerides and Blood Sugar

A 2012 randomized clinical trial reports that people whose diet included a beverage containing Chia seeds, nopal (prickly pear), oats, and soy protein had striking improvements in triglycerides, levels of C-reactive protein (an inflammatory marker), blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, compared to those given a placebo beverage. Consider the Source  Consider the First Source! In … Read more

Tree Nuts Help Prevent Pancreatic Cancer, Diabetes and Obesity

Women who eat one ounce of tree nuts—including almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, macadamias, pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts—two or more times a week have a significantly lower risk for pancreatic cancer, according to a new study published in British Journal of Cancer. The study included more than 75,000 participants in the Nurses Health Study. Although nuts … Read more

Wild Blueberries versus Heart Disease and Diabetes

There is a new study on the health benefits of wild blueberries, from the University of Maine and published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. The researchers found that eating two cups of wild blueberries regularly can improve or prevent metabolic syndrome, a deadly gang of metabolic thugs that double risk for heart … Read more