Saturday, March 13, 2010

What Really is Yellow #5?

Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine, is an FD&C (approved for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics) coloring dye commonly used to give various foods (such as beverages, candy, and ice cream) a bright lemon yellow color. It has long been deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration. It has also been in use since 1916. The FDA's established acceptable daily intake [ADI] for tartrazine is 5.0 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, which is about .01 ounces for a 132-pound person.

There are some artificial food colorings that are banned, such as Orange #1, Red #3, Red #2, and Yellow #4. Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3, and Yellow #6 could hurt you but scientist aren't positive yet if they actually do.

“One dye, yellow #5, also known as tartrazine, must be specifically listed if it is an ingredient. It is used in many different food products and medications. In susceptible individuals it can cause symptoms such as bronchospasms and hives. Also, some aspirin-intolerant people can have cross-reactions to tartrazine such as asthma attacks, hives, and, rarely, anaphylaxis. Some of this is discussed in an American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement entitled, " 'Inactive' Ingredients in Pharmaceutical Products" at http://www.aap.org/policy/re9706.html.

Food coloring is a part of our everyday lives, and we should become more knowledgeable of what is in our food and how our food is processed. Not all of the things in food are good, not all of the things in food are bad. It is a matter of making oneself aware so that they can make informed decisions.

References:

http://www.megaheart.com/foodlabels-definitions.html
http://www.healingwell.com/library/allergies/kaemmerer5.asp
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/
http://www.drrapp.com./

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How does what we eat effect us?

How does what we eat effect us?

We all have to eat, but what we choose to eat greatly effects our health, mood, and ability to get through the day. Food activates enzymes that perform varying functions in our bodies. A cheeseburger and fries will digest differently from a carrot, as will purely liquid foods.

Since our intestines are not designed to eat a primarily meat diet, meat is not efficiently processed, and often takes DAYS to fully digest. That's right, DAYS. The sluggish feeling that one may feel from eating large quantities of meat in one sitting is due to the blood circulating to the stomach and intestines so that the nutrients can be carried throughout the blood stream. Though this happens with every food, the duration that is necessary for the meat to digest is longer and quite taxing on the digestive system. Meat does not need to be completely expelled from ones diet, but eating smaller quantities of meat aid its digestion.

Food activates certain genes as well. Genes that prompt more fat producing cells because of a energy rich diet can be neutralized by a change in diet. Humans need fat, sugar, and a myriad of other basic and complex energy sources to survive, but it is a matter of moderation and healthier food choices. The following articles address the following issues:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130121433.htm

http://www.obesitydiscussion.com/forums/scientific-obesity-studies/timing-food-consumption-activates-genes-2850.html

http://genecarehealth.com/http:/genecarehealth.com/planning-your-diet-through-gene-type/super-foods-that-activate-antioxidant-genes/

Food can also activate genes that promote longevity. Antioxidant rich foods (blueberries, acai fruit, etc) will promote the production of cells.

For more information on this topic, science journals are also the way to go! The main message, EAT A WELL ROUNDED, HEALTHY DIET!

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Saturday, March 6, 2010

East Bay Gardens

The East Bay is loaded with community gardens, it's just a matter of looking for them. The website: http://www.eastbaygarden.com/ has a easy to navigate website so take a break from work or studying and explore what the East Bay has to offer!

Volunteers are always needed to keep many of these community gardens running. If you're interested in helping, visit their websites or locations and sign up!

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