Successful Weight Loss

Posted on 31. Aug, 2010 by Howard Salus in Education, Florida News, Healthy Foods, Healthy Products, Products

 5 Steps To Successful Weight Loss and Good Health

By Rodi Alexander Friedman C.H.C. (rodialexander@yahoo.com)

 It is absolutely shocking to me, how many people let themselves go and
continue to live a lifestyle in poor health. Even after learning how detrimental
certain foods and drinks are on the body. I associate it to the smoker who
knows that cigarettes can cause cancer and heart disease, but continues to
smoke anyway. In case you didn’t know, 64% of American adults are obese,
as are 1 in every 4 children. We are headed for disaster!
Dr. David Katz, Director of Medical Studies in Public Health at the Yale
University School of Medicine, has stated, that our children have a shorter
life expectancy than our generation. Not only is that horrifying, but totally
preventable. We have lost sight of quality of life, purely from bad habits and
wrong choices. Eat to Live, don’t Live to Eat!
If you want to lose weight, keep it off and maintain a good healthy state of
being, there are 5 important steps you must take; The first step is the most
important. #1- A strong, positive mind set. This applies to anything and
everything you ever want to accomplish in your life. It is the foundation for
discipline. If you set your mind to it, you can do it! For those of you who find
it difficult to stick to a certain regiment, you must change your way of
thinking. There are plenty of self help books and groups out there to help you
get motivated and keep you motivated. There is nothing wrong with that. Do
whatever it takes to help gain control of your life. When you come to the
realization that you are fed up with the way you look and feel about your
body and you want to get in shape, your mind set is your success.
The second step is, Make water your #1 choice of drink. Forget the diet
drinks, juices, sports drinks and alcohol. Drink half your body weight in
ounces every day. This is further substantiated in one of my previous articles,
http://envmagazine.org/?p=1180, Soda is a No No, Water is a Go Go! By
drinking water you will help rid the body of excess toxins, clean the intestines
and improve absorption of nutrients. Water is used by the liver to metabolize
fat into useable energy. Stay Hydrated! This is an excellent start to successful
weight loss.
Step # 3 is Exercise. You’ve got to keep your metabolism active. I have
found exercise to be instrumental in losing weight successfully, and the more
you keep a consistent exercise schedule, the easier it will be to maintain your
weight. Stop making excuses and do it! Choose a workout that works best for
you. Running, jogging, walking, swimming, biking, yoga, palates, tennis
etc…Whatever you do, MOVE! For more in depth information, read my
previous article, Exercise – The True Fountain of youth. Click on
http://envmagazine.org/?p=1687
Step #4, Incorporate more Fruits and Vegetables into your diet. There are
thousands of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables.
They are a pure, unprocessed food source with a 90% content of water, and
have enough nutrition to sustain life. They are so good for you, and contain
benefits that can literally save your life! Fruits are best digested when eaten
on an empty stomach. Eating fruits first thing in the morning works well when
trying to lose weight or maintain your weight. Try a bowl of melon or berries,
½ a grapefruit, or fruit shake. Whatever you do, Don’t skip breakfast! An
apple, pear, mixed berries etc…works well as an in between snack. Be sure
not to skip meals, and try your best to eat dinner before 7:00 pm. Salads are
the best way to incorporate an array of vegetables. Eat a rainbow of colors.
There are all sorts of different benefits from eating a variety, but, watch your
dressings! Creamy, fatty, cheesy dressings may taste good, but will prevent
you from losing weight because of the high calories and fat content. Stick to a
pure virgin olive oil and or vinegar, (balsamic, red wine, or apple cider).
Eating a larger quantity of vegetables and a smaller portion of meat, (fish,
turkey, chicken), will fill you up and aid in the weight loss process. You can
eat red meat 1 or 2 times a week, but make sure that it is lean, grass fed or
organic. All sorts of beans are a great source of protein and nutrition. Slightly
cooked vegetables or steamed are acceptable. Remember, you want to lose
weight, but you also want the nutritional value. Fruits and vegetables are also
naturally high in fiber. The consumption of high fiber foods contributes
greatly to an individuals ability to achieve and maintain optimal weight. Fiber
is also found in grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. There is NO fiber in animal
foods. A high fiber diet keeps bowel movements regular and soft. An
appropriate amount of fiber in the diet can:
* Reduce the risk of Heart Disease
* Lower Blood Cholesterol
* Satisfy hunger longer
* Keep blood sugar levels balanced by slowing down
carbohydrate absorption
The average American consumes approximately 17 grams of fiber per day.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is 25 grams. Most Nutritionists
recommend a daily consumption of 35 grams. But, in countries where cancer
and heart disease rates are very low, fiber exceeds 45 grams per day.
Many people eat only 1 or 2 meals a day. It is far better to eat several smaller
meals throughout the day. Not feeding your body consistently throughout the
day, can cause your blood sugar to drop and your energy to decrease. Eating
several meals can keep you from over eating.
If you can successfully implement steps 1 – 4, you can definitely accomplish
step #5. You may find this step to be the most challenging, I did, but once you
master it, not only will you see the pounds come off, you will feel lighter, less
bloated, have better digestion and be healthier overall.
Step #5, Cut out ALL white foods; Sugar, Flour, Dairy, Potatoes, Rice.
Once you’ve reached you’re ideal weight, you can add them back, but in
moderation. Sugar has been proven to be addictive, and consuming large
amounts, promotes weight gain and depresses the immune system. According
to one study, 100 grams of sugar (the equivalent of a 5 oz chocolate bar and
soft drink) can suppress the immune system for up to 6 hours. DO NOT
substitute artificial sweeteners for sugar. They are detrimental to one’s health.
Honey, molasses and fructose in their natural state are good ingredients.
Flour, bleached and enriched flour is not a whole grain. It has been processed
and chemically treated with virtually all of the nutritive value removed.
Products containing bleached and enriched flour (most breads, cookies,
crackers, cereals, pasta, desserts, etc..) act like simple sugars in the body, in
that they cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly, triggering production of
insulin. Look for whole grains as ingredients, such as, oats, oat flour, millet,
whole spelt flour, barley, quinoa or whole rye.
Dairy is an entire article within itself. I will be discussing dairy in depth next
month, but for now, just know that if you want to lose weight and be
healthier, you are better off cutting dairy out of your diet. It is gas forming,
creates mucus and bloating, as well as being a major contributor to
degenerative disease, as proven in many studies and research. We are the only
mammals that drink milk into adulthood. Cows milk is to nurture a baby calf
into a full grown cow. Today you can substitute cows milk with unsweetened
Almond Milk or Rice Milk. White Potatoes and White Rice are not good
choices when you are in the process of losing weight. They convert to sugar
quickly and get stored as fat because they are starches which does not
disseminate quickly through the body’s system. Better choices are sweet
potatoes and brown rice. Do not deprive yourself of the good carbohydrates.
They help fill you up and satisfy your hunger.
Let’s recap The 5 Steps to Successful Weight Loss and Good Health;
1) A Strong, Positive Mind Set
2) Make Water Your #1 Drink
3) Exercise
4) More Fruits and Vegetables
5) No White Foods; Sugar, Flour, Dairy, Potatoes and Rice
The bottom line is that these steps depend on you and you alone. No one can
do them for you. Get your mind set for success. The results are totally worth
it! You will feel better about yourself, be more energetic, significantly reduce
your incidents of illness and disease, and have a healthier existence.
Stop putting it off and start taking it off!!!

EXERCISE, THE TRUE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH!

Posted on 25. Jul, 2010 by Howard Salus in Education, Healthy Foods, Opinions

By Rodi Alexander Friedman

“ We are under exercised as a nation. We look instead of play. We ride instead of walk. Our existence deprives us of the minimum of physical activity essential for healthy living”. John F. Kennedy

To live a vital, healthy life, diet alone will not do the job. You MUST get exercise! Many people
claim that they don’t have the time to exercise. The truth is, you don’t have the time NOT to exercise.
Or, many think because they are in their 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s, it’s too late for them. According to an
article published in Circulation in September 2001 where a 6 month program of moderate exercise
that included walking, jogging or riding a stationary bike for 1 hour, 4 – 5 times per week, turned back
the clock 30 years for middle aged men. These men were able to regain the cardiovascular fitness
levels they had enjoyed as 20 year olds. The study began in 1966 when 5 healthy 20 years olds went
through a series of tests that measured how their aerobic capacity was affected by 3 weeks of total bed
rest. 30 years later the same men underwent similar testing before and after a 6 month exercise regime.
The researchers reported that as the men aged, their weight had climbed an average of 25%, their body
fat had doubled, and their aerobic capacity had declined 11% during the previous 30 years. However,
30 years of aging had done less damage to their aerobic capacity than 3 weeks of bed rest. And,
through 6 months of exercise the men were able to reverse the affects of aging and increase aerobic
capacity by 15%. This documents the fact that it is never too late to start, and positive progress will be
made regardless of how long you have been inactive.
Proper exercise can help you change or maintain a good muscle to fat ratio and have numerous
other benefits including;
* increase your metabolic rate * increase in energy * reduce depression
* better digestion * better sleep * lower blood pressure
* better cholesterol levels * more positive attitude * improve mental alertness
* better self esteem * improve muscle strength * better endurance
* increase your flexibility * stronger bones * improve your stamina
Exercise can also have a major effect on your immune system. During exercise, your breathe
more deeply. This cleans toxins out of the lungs and acts as a pump for the lymph system.
Sweating is another by-product of exercise. When blood vessels of the skin dilate, the sweat
glands act as tiny filters to remove waste products and toxins from the blood. The waste is then
pumped to the surface as sweat.
When you are sedentary, white blood cells (an important part of your immune system) stick to the
walls of your blood vessels and become dormant. Exercise causes these cells to awaken and get back
into circulation, where they can operate at peak performance. This process is called demargination
and begins 30 minutes into an aerobic workout.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Advanced Personal Trainer, Sabrina Gatt, from Toronto
Canada, a working professional for over 10 years. Sabrina is a superior athlete and has completed 8
Boston marathons. She has stated, “Exercise plays a monumental role in our assurance to good
health…Nitric Oxide production in the body personates vitality and circulation in achieving optimum
health through mobility and quality nutrition. Cellular reproduction is on going through out our lives.
The more circulatory the body is at flushing out and regeneration the new, the more youthful, functional
and efficient our lives will become……., it’s just that simple.” Sabrina also states, “ one of the great
bi-products of exercise is the elevated production of endorphins, dopamine, and seratonin…… Our
natural “elated hormones” that keep us in a healthy state of mind, body and soul. A combination of
cardiovascular, strength training, and flexibility equally need to be a part of your fitness routine.
Functional and compound movements provide a balanced and symmetrical and functional physique…..
all the recommendations can be achieved in any current fitness environment you are currently in.
Enjoying good health each and every day should be your mantra, optimally achieving freedom from
dependence and fragility.”
In my opinion and experience, it is simply a mind set. You MUST make the time to incorporate
a regimented schedule into your daily lives. Then you will be sure to reap the benefits of exercise.
Andas we’ve mentioned in this article, there are many benefits. Make exercise as important as
brushing your teeth. In order to improve fitness, you must work out 4 or more times a week. Three
times a week will maintain your current level of fitness, while fewer than 3 episodes of working out
causes your fitness level to decrease. Your goal should be to build workouts between 45 minutes to 1
hour in order to burn fat, improve immune function and get the full benefits of an exercise program.
Depending on your current health or physical status, you may need to check with your physician or
health care provider before any kind of physical activity. Especially if you are:
* excessively overweight
* over 30 and don’t exercise regularly (3x per week)
* have a family history of Heart Disease or Stroke
* have high blood pressure
* are a current smoker
Remember, it is never too late to start physical activity. If you want to live longer and feel better,
EXERCISE, your life depends on it!!
P.S. In regards to my last article, Be Vigilant – Read Labels Part II,
http://envmagazine.org/?p=1638 , many readers asked for additional information, giving a list of
recommended products that would be safe to use. I will be comprising a list which will be posted
in a future article.

Johhny Diol’s Vision Becomes Reality

Posted on 20. Jul, 2010 by Howard Salus in Business, Green Business, Products

Johnny Diol

Studio 61 - "The Dance of Hair"

Johnny Diol is finally one very excited gentleman – his future, for the first time, is totally in his control – and he’s anxious to show his world the added benefits of patronizing his salon, as compared to any other.

The salon – Studio 61. Its location – 61 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. Its phone – 305-569-0900.

Johnny, who has been a hair stylist for over 10 years, and a National Senior Educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems, diligently keeps up with the latest styles, fashions and products by regularly attending classes and seminars in the beauty industry. Not only does he have a passion for hair and design but he also traveled worldwide as a professional dancer. Creativity, imagery and culture come through in Johnny’s style. He loves sharing his knowledge and inspiring others to pursue their dreams. His motto – Rewind the past and look into the future.

Inspired by the famous Studio 54 in New York City where glamor, fashion and style are paramount, Studio 61′s focus is on a client-friendly environment for clients to unwind, exhale and escape. One can easily feel this aura in many different aspects, including a unique, custom-made oil, made only for Studio 61, that is experienced by every person during the wash – relaxing? Just wait and see for yourself. The aroma is unforgettable.

Specializing in hair cutting for both women and men, Studio 61 offers color, highlighting and relaxers for all types of hair. Chemicals currently being used for color and relaxers have changed  and as a result of its Paul Mitchell products, are much more friendly to the clients’ hair and senses.

Studio 61 Hair Boutique offers a wide range of hair, nail and make-up services and boasts a line up of acclaimed stylists who provide traditional technical and freestyle cutting, coloring and make-up. Some are curly hair specialists and others have experience working in fashion and the media. And always present to oversee that perfection prevails is the very able teacher, Johnny Diol. In addition to its  acclaimed  stylist services, the salon has many features targeted to optimizing comfort, including large-screen plasma TV, Wi-Fi internet access, extended Friday hours till 9 pm, vast selection of fashion books, play lists delivered through a supreme quality sound system, packages and group discounts for hair and/or make-up services for weddings and other special occasions.

Dedicated to sustainability, Johnny practices green wherever he is able. And that is still another reason why his salon deserves your attention.

Be Vigilant – Read Labels! Part II

Posted on 23. Jun, 2010 by Howard Salus in Education, Products

by Rodi Alexander Friedman

We all want to look and feel attractive and healthy. As important as it is to feed ourselves with high quality food that permeates wellness from the inside out, it is just as important what we put on our bodies. Your Skin is the largest organ of your body. It is a living organism that eliminates wastes, absorbs and produces nutrients, and has protective immune functions. Your skin is an indicator of your health. It is one of the most sensitive parts of the body, and likely the first thing people notice when looking at themselves, or someone else.
The Chinese have always referred to the skin as the “Third Lung.” The skin will absorb whatever you topically put on it, and will make it’s way into your blood stream. When you swallow a substance, the liver can filter some of the toxins out, allowing less of the substance into the blood stream. Unfortunately, there are many personal care products, as well as household products, that can harm the skin, and can be harmful to your health.
Chemicals absorbed through the skin by-pass the liver’s protective filtering system, and are therefore more
dangerous. It makes perfect sense to use the purest possible products on your skin, from personal care products
like make up and creams, shampoos, sunscreen, deodorants, and perfumes, to over the counter prescription
medications and detergents. There are over 24,000 chemicals found in products and our food supply. Here are
just a few to avoid:
Parabens - Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl. Parabens are used in moisturizers, shampoos, deodorants and
is toxic by swallowing. Used to inhibit microbial growth, and to extend shelf life of products. Studies have shown
that they can be absorbed through the skin, are weakly estrogenic, and have subsequent effects on the endocrine
system. They can upset your hormone balance and can cause various reproductive cancers in men and women. In
a recent study, 18 out of 20 breast tumors contained parabens. They can cause allergic reactions and skin rashes.
Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA) – used in cosmetics, shampoos and shaving gels, as
emulsifiers and foaming agents. They can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, and dryness of hair and skin.
DEA and TEA are “Amines” (Ammonia Compounds), and can form cancer-causing nitrosamines, when they
come into contact with nitrates, often found in water.
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate – This is an inexpensive, harsh detergent used in bath gels, shampoos,
toothpastes, hand lotions, and bubble baths for cleansing and foam building properties. Often derived from
petroleum, it is frequently disguised in pseudo – natural cosmetics, with the phrase, “comes from coconuts”. It is
toxic by swallowing, a human skin irritant, eye irritant, causes skin rashes, dandruff and other allergic reactions.
Petrolatum, also known as petroleum jelly. This mineral oil derivative is used for it’s emollient properties.
It is reasonably inexpensive, and has no nutrient value for the skin, and can interfere with the body’s own
moisturizing mechanism, leading to dryness and chapping, and creating the very condition it claims to alleviate.
Methoxsalen – is used in suntan lotions, gels, mousses, creams and ointments. It is a confirmed
carcinogen. It is toxic by swallowing and a mutagen.
Diazolidinyl Urea. Imidazolidinyl Urea – These are widely used preservatives which the American
Academy of Dermatology has found to be a primary cause of contact dermatitis. Two trade names for these .chemicals are Germall 11, and Germall 115. They both release formaldehyde, which can be toxic.
Benzyl Alcohol - is widely used in soaps, perfumes and cosmetics. It is a highly toxic substance, poisonous by swallowing, moderately toxic by breathing and skin contact, moderate skin and severe eye irritant.
PVP/VA Copolymer – This is a petroleum – derived chemical used in hairsprays, styling aids and other cosmetics. Inhaled particles can damage the lungs of a sensitive person.
Salicyclic Acid (Salicylate) – is used in gels and hair care products. It is a mutagen, poisonous by swallowing and a skin and eye irritant.
Isopropyl Myristate – This ingredient cause skin creams to be absorbed. It is a skin irritant and clogs
pores.
Synthetic Colors – along with synthetic hair dyes, should be avoided at all costs. They are used to make
cosmetics “pretty.” They are labeled as FD&C, or D&C, followed by a color and a number, example FD&C Red
No.6. Many synthetic colors can be carcinogenic.
Synthetic Fragrances – The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 ingredients.
There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since the labels simply read “fragrance.” Common problems
caused by these chemicals include, headaches, dizziness, rash, hyper pigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting,
skin irritation and the list goes on.
1,4 -Dioxane – is a synthetic petrochemical carcinogen found in consumer products. It is not an ingredient,
but a by product of ethylene oxide reacting with other chemicals. 1,4 dioxane is created when cleaning products
and detergents are processed using ethoxylation, a cheap technique that lessens the severity of the harsher
ingredients. Since it is a by product, it is technically considered a contaminant and thus does not have to be
included on product labeling. Most conventional brands of laundry detergent contain 1,4 dioxane contamination
such as Tide (having the highest parts per million), Ivory Snow Gentle, Tide Free, Purex, Gain 2X Ultra, Cheer,
Era 2X Ultra, Arm and Hammer, Wisk 2X Ultra,andWoolite. There are lower levels in Natural brands,such as,
Planet Ultra Liquid Laundry Detergent, and Mrs. Meyers Laundry Detergent. The non- detectable brands were
Dreft Powdered Detergent, Sun Burst, Clorox Green Works Natural Laundry Detergent, Ecos Laundry Detergent
( this is my preference and affordable at Costco), Life Tree Laundry Liquid, Method Squeaky Green LD and
Seventh Generation Free And Clear LD. 1,4 Dioxane is particularly harmful in the fact that the chemical binds
easily to water and remains there. It has been detected in numerous water supplies across the country and is not
easily removed from water.
Antibacterial Soaps – are a cocktail of chemicals designed to kill life. That’s how it kills bacteria. The problem is that it also harms people, especially infants and children, who are trying to develop healthy nervous systems. Avoid all products claiming to be “antibacterial.” You are better off using natural soap and letting your child’s immune system fight off common bacteria.
Sunscreen – The sunscreen industry is a huge scam. Most popular sunscreen products actually cause skin
cancer due to the numerous toxic chemicals they contain (which are quickly absorbed into the skin where they
cause DNA mutations that lead to cancer.) Even worse, sunscreen blocks the UV radiation that allows the skin to
manufacture the all important Vitamin D, the most powerful anti – cancer nutrient yet know to modern science. It
prevents over a dozen different cancers. Several of the ingredients that I previously listed are in sunscreens;
Parabens, Sodium Laurel and Lauryth Sulfate, Petrolatum, as well as PABA – (which may be listed as octyl-dimethyl or padimate-o). It attacks DNA and cause genetic mutation when exposed to sunlight.
Phenol Carbolic Acid – found in many commercial sunscreens. It’s side effects are circulatory collapse,
paralysis, convulsions, coma and death from respiratory failure.
Propylene Glycol – causes Dermatitis, kidney and liver abnormalities, prevents skin growth, causes
irritation, allergic reactions, hives and eczema.
Totuene – which may be listed as benzoic, benzyl, or butylated hydroxolune can cause anemia, low blood
cell count, liver and kidney damage, and birth defects.
Titanium Dioxide – is best used as an ingredient in sunscreen , but is also used in thousands of cosmetics
and nutritional products. If you take certain vitamins made by GNC or Centrum (as well as hundreds of other
companies), you are eating titanium dioxide. There has been no long term safety testing on humans. According to
the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, titanium dioxide may be a human carcinogen. Evidence
showed that high concentrations of pigment-grade (powered) and ultra fine titanium dioxide dust caused
respiratory tract cancer in rats exposed by inhalation and intratracheal instillation. Cosmeticsdatabase.com lists
titanium dioxide as being linked to cancer, allergies, immunotoxicity and organ system toxicity, among other
problems. For a list of some of the thousands of cosmetic products containing titanium dioxide, go to:
http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/br…
Air Fresheners - contain cancer- causing chemicals. Allowing them to be unleashed in the household
exposes children to these chemicals, promoting asthma and other respiratory problems. If you value the health of
your children, avoid air freshener products, and use essential oils or citrus peels instead. ie (peel an orange and
hang the peel in your kitchen).
Shampoo and Bath Products – Virtually all shampoo and bath products sold on the market contain cancer causing

chemicals. The ingredients read like a top 40 list of toxic chemicals. Most of these chemicals have never been tested or approved for use on humans, (they are simply ignored because the FDA astonishingly believes the skin won’t absorb chemicals.) We must also watch for heavy metal toxicity in products like cosmetics and under arm deodorant. Why is aluminum in antiperspirants? Underarm odor is caused by bacteria that break down the natural fatty acids found there. Deodorants attempt to mask that odor and reduce the bacteria that cause it. Antiperspirants reduce sweat, which requires aluminum salts. The exact mechanism is unknown, however it is thought that the aluminum salts block sweat pores or passageways, and not necessarily sweat gland production. Most deodorants contain aluminum in the form of Potassium Alum. Aluminum does get absorbed into the body and can clog lymph glands.

You may be surprised to learn that MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), is found in cosmetics, soaps,  shampoo, conditioners, nutritional supplements, and over the counter and prescription medications. Hiddensources of MSG are: * hydrolyzed proteins * glutamic acid * nayad (potent yeast extract) * yeast extract * amino acids * glutamates* potassium and TEA cocohydrolyzed proteins MSG may also be in: * processed proteins, including wheat and soy * enzymes* carrageenan and citric acid And lastly, cosmetics have a numerous amount of chemicals and metals. Lead and mercury being two of the more popular ones. Tests conducted by the FDA last year on 22 red lipsticks found lead, a neurotoxin, in every single lipstick sample studied. The highest levels were in three well known common brands; Cover Girl, Revlon and L’Oreal.
My primary goal in writing this article is not to make you crazy, but to educate you and make you more
aware of the dangerous chemicals lurking in our bathroom cabinets that make there way into our blood stream
and affect our body’s functions. Apply products that do not inflict damage. Choose toxic free makeup, deodorant
without aluminum, soaps and shampoos without sodium lauryl sulfates, artificial colors, synthetic fragrances,
parabens, etc…. You are mostly likely to find toxic free products in health food stores but just because a product
is sold in a health food store does not ensure that it is free of synthetic and other harmful ingredients. Be vigilant
and Read Labels carefully, even if you must carry a magnifying glass. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t
believe everything you see advertised. Companies like Aubrey Organics, Earth Science, Welda, and Dr. Hauschka
Skin Care use ingredients which research shows are both extremely gentle and effective. If you make a concentrated effort to replace conventionally made products with healthier options, eventually all of your products will be clean and green.

And yes, Be Vigilant – Read Labels!!

(Your comments are always welcome – see below).

Agave, Oy Vey!

Posted on 15. Jun, 2010 by Howard Salus in Healthy Foods

another learning-can-be-fun article by

Christina Pirello

To agave or not to agave; that is the question. It seems that everything today creates scandal and confusion…our food, our politics, our neighborhoods, how we exercise and now even our sweeteners, natural and otherwise.
A relative newcomer to the culinary world (but not the world) is agave nectar, processed from the agave cactus. It became quite popular with the raw foods community because it is processed at low heat, but in reality, about 30 degrees higher than most raw foodists would allow.
It seemed that this low glycemic sweetener was destined to be the next big thing in healthy cooking. Deliciously sweet, naturally processed, gluten-free, delicate enough for most recipes, it had it all. Or did it?
Some facts about agave: agave plants are crushed and the sap is collected in tanks. It’s heated to about 140º F for about 36 hours to concentrate the sap into syrup and develop the sweetness. See, the main carbohydrate in agave is a complex form of fructose, one of which is inulin. I know; I know, too science-y. Anyhow, the sap is not very sweet, so when the agave sap is heated, the complex form of fructose is hydrolyzed and then filtered to obtain the desired sweet flavor, from the dark to the lighter, milder amber. In sort, the complex fructosans are being broken down into fructose.
Based on my own research, I am not as in love with agave as I was in the beginning. I believe that it’s more processed than I originally thought and in that processing some of the vital nutrients that made it healthy for us are lost.
It is marketed as being low-glycemic and therefore safe for diabetics. Well, I say “Not so fast” on that one.  Not only is the whole glycemic index misinterpreted and mis-used, but agave is considered low-glycemic because of its high concentration of fructose as compared to glucose (only about 10%). My concern is that this ratio of 90%/10% is not natural. Even high fructose corn syrup only contains about 55% fructose and we consider that to be the Darth Vadar of food because of its high concentration of fructose.
And the big deal about fructose? Ay, ay, ay! While fructose naturally occurs in fruits and veggies, it is in small concentrations, so the liver can handle its metabolism. But when concentrated like it is in agave and high fructose corn syrup, an added burden is placed on the liver. Glucose, our body’s desired fuel is metabolized by every cell, while fructose is not. It requires the liver, which can lead to fatty deposits showing up in this most overworked gland. And since it’s metabolized by the liver, it is more likely to contribute to weight gain than other natural sweeteners.
Some studies also show that fructose can be indirectly linked to the inhibition of collagen and elastin production in the body.
And finally, this form of hydrolyzed fructose contains no enzymes, vitamins or minerals, so like sugar; it can rob the body of these nutrients in order to assimilate itself for use.
Now that I front-loaded the bad news, there is good news about agave. First and most important, its high fructose concentration is where its similarity to high fructose corn syrup ends. Agave is natural, while HFCS was invented, making it superior in quality.
Agave’s low glycemic index does make it an okay sweetener to use in small quantities. Its molecular structure allows it to provide sweetness without a ‘sugar rush’ and resulting crash…and no blood sugar spike. And it does make great tequila, so it can’t be all bad. (Kidding…)
Look, I have always found agave to be too sweet in taste, so I did not use it much in my cooking. But I have found it to be a nice alternative for people looking for a more intense sweet without sugar and a gluten-free option for natural sweetening.
Do I think you should throw out your agave and cower in fear? Nope. But I do think that I will stick with my old reliable brown rice syrup, which I have used with great success in both cooking and health for more than 25 years. After processing, brown rice syrup remains 50% complex carbohydrate, 45% maltose and 5% glucose. This strong polysaccharide structure allows brown rice syrup to be used by the body more efficiently and is less likely to store as fat. And it digests more slowly so you are less likely to crave more and more sweet taste and binge. You will be satisfied with less. And in most cases, it also is gluten-free, so read the labels before you buy if that is a concern.
Now that’s not to say you can use it without reservation. With about 70-75 calories in a tablespoon, brown rice syrup, like all sweeteners is calorically dense (about 60 in a tablespoon of white sugar) and can pack on the pounds if not used wisely. So while a better choice than white sugar, because it’s a polysaccharide, like all sweeteners, brown rice syrup is a treat, not a staple of life, as much as we would like that to be our truth. If it becomes a staple of life, you will have the waistline to prove it!
So…back to the topic at hand. Is agave healthy as a natural sweetener? In small amounts, I would say it’s okay, not the best, but okay. Is it healthier than HFCS? Yes, because it’s natural, not invented. Is it healthier than artificial sweeteners? Hell, yes, for so many reasons. Are there other options? Yup, from xlyitol to stevia, healthy, natural, low in calories. If you like them, go for it. And it’s vegan, as is rice syrup, so it ain’t all bad news. And as our modern food supply goes, you could do a lot worse than agave nectar.
I prefer (and will likely always prefer) brown rice syrup as my primary sweetener for baking, sauces, puddings and all things sweet.
So relax and enjoy the sweetness of life…
Let me know what you think? Comment section just below . . .