A:   Fiber is an important part of our health and offers many health benefits, particularly if the fiber comes from vegetables.

      A high-fiber diet may offer some protection from colorectal cancer, and the risk of colorectal cancer is lower among those with high intake of vegetables and fruits. There is some evidence that vegetable fiber may offer some protection from prostate cancer. 

      Fiber reduces the rate of intestinal carbohydrate absorption, reducing insulin response.  It increases the speed of transit of the intestinal content to the ileum, which speeds up release of saiety hormones.  I could go on and on about the benefits of fiber.

      Remember fiber-less food are cheap because they offer nothing.  Be good to yourself and eat fresh vegetables and fresh fruits today.

      Stop in and talk to us – we’re the nutrition experts. Visit us at ftgoi.com and look for us on Facebook.

         Q:  I’ve heard that cell phones emit radiation.  What can I do to protect myself?    

          A:   What you are referring to is EMF radiation (electromagnetic radiation) EMF radiation is made up of invisible waves emitted from cell towers and all wireless and non-wireless devices.  EMF’s can pass through walls, floors, and the human body, including the brain.  Harmful EMF waves pass through the body and alter the body's energy patterns (electrical system) causing a short circuit in the weakest part of your body.

 Protect yourself today! Stop in for info on how to neutralize EMF radiation. 

          Q:  I am a type 2 diabetic and have been told I am at risk for heart disease.  Is there a good cardiovascular support for me?

          A:  Researchers in Italy investigated the cardiovascular effect of L-Caritine supplementation on 81 type 2 diabetic patients.  Each of these patients supplemented with either 2 grams of L-Carnitine or a matched placebo for three months.  Various blood measurements were taken both before and after supplementation.  After 12 weeks of consistent use, the patients in the active L-Carnitine group experienced significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides as well as an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol levels.  Most importantly, a significant reduction in the total number of oxidized LDL particles in the blood was observed (oxidized LDL is a major contributing factor in plaque formation in the arteries).  All of these changes are positive, and they suggest that L-Carnitine might be an ideal cardiovascular support supplement for diabetics.

          Q:  I’ve been diagnosed as having intolerance to gluten.  How can I support my intestinal tract?

          A:  Begin changing your diet, work toward stress reduction, exercise in moderation and stop in and see us for some guidance on all the above and for info on nutritional supports.

            The gastrointestinal tract is one of the largest utilizers of glutamine in the body.  Glutamine is the primary fuel source for cells lining the small intestine.  Tissues that require glutamine include the GI tract, immune system, kidneys and liver.  Glutamine can be depleted under stress.  The intestinal mucosa can synthesize glutamine, but not enough when under stress.

            There are many other fabulous nutrients and botanicals that are known to support the body with intestinal needs. Stop in for more info, we’re the nutrition experts!

          Q:  What are the benefits of using a Nasal Pot?

          A:  Nasal cleansing pots – also known as Neti Pots, are used to wash the nasal passage ensuring the free flow of air through both nostrils.  The nasal wash has been used for decades as a means of treating sinus problems, colds, allergies, chronic postnasal drip and to counteract the effects of environmental pollution.  Many health experts suggest the use of ceramic pot over a plastic pot.

            Add an anti-microbial and anti-viral nasal wash to your Neti Pot to support sinus health and the boost your immune system.

          Q:   My 5 year old complains that it hurts when I brush her hair. Is there something to this?

          A:   A nutritionally oriented physician knows what that “little” sign or symptom really means.  They use these signs to determine clues to problems and to determine some of your individual nutrient requirements.

             They believe, if it’s painful to pull on or brush your hair, you need more vitamin D.  (Small children have this problem more often than adults.)  Children can safely use 400 to 1,000 IU daily; adults, 2,000-3,000 IU daily.

          Q:   What is the bottom line on salt?

          A:   Salt is essential for life – we can’t live without it. Common table salt is a destructive poison that is useless and has nothing in common with real salt.  The body sacrifices tremendous energy while it tries to metabolize table salt crystals.  Table salt is actually 97.5% sodium chloride and 2.5% chemicals.  It is dried at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and what remains after is chemically cleaned sodium chloride.

            For every gram of sodium chloride that your body can not get rid of, your body uses twenty-three time the amount of cell water to neutralize the salt.  This results in dehydrated cells that can contribute to unsightly cellulite, Rheumatism, Arthritis, Gout, Kidney and Gall stones.

            Real salt is a natural salt which contains many trace minerals that benefit the body’s natural balance.

          Q:   Just how beneficial is the Goji Berry?

          A:   The Goji Berry is loaded with nutrients and powerful antioxidants.  It contains 18 Amino Acids (six time higher that bee pollen), more Beta Carotene that carrots, and more iron than spinach, 21 trace minerals and 500 times more Vitamin C by weight that oranges!  The 13% protein in the Goji Berry is higher that whole wheat.  The Goji Berry has four unique polysaccharides and is loaded with many other vitamins and minerals.

            Some of the benefits of Goji:  helps boost energy levels, helps promote better mood and self-esteem, helps cure cravings for sweets, helps with dry skin, helps sleeplessness due to menopause, and for athletes helps with performance, endurance and recovery.

          Q:   I heard fizzy drinks can increase the risk of Pancreatic Cancer.  Is there any truth to this?

          A:   ScienceDaily (Nov. 8, 2006) — The high consumption of sweetened food and drink increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, according to a new study from Karolinska Institute. A heavy intake of fizzy drinks, creamed fruit (a product resembling runny jam) and sugar in coffee are three common ways of increasing the risk.

          Q:   Can I get vitamin D from a tanning bed?

          A:   The short answer is that you can get vitamin D from a tanning bed, but it’s a bit more complicated that that.  The sun (and tanning beds) has two types of radiation – UVA and UVB.  Most salons using tanning beds that have 95 percent UVA radiation because it penetrates deeper into your skin and gives you a longer-lasting, golden brown tan.  The salons shy away from the UVB radiation because it only affects the outer layer of your skin, causing you to burn more easily and the tan to fade more quickly.  But all of the vitamin D benefits come from the UVB rays – not from the UVA rays typically used intanning beds.

          Q:   What are other functions of vitamin E?

          A:   Vitamin E is essential to life – we cannot live without it.  Eight forms of vitamin E have been identified as existing in nature.  While all forms of vitamin E are active antioxidants inside our bodies, studies are emerging that suggest some eight members share similar functions and others have functions that are completely different.  The most popular form alpha-tocopherol, has incredible antioxidant benefits and has become synonymous with vitamin E.  However research places special emphasis on the newly discovered benefits of gamma-tocopherol, especially its ability to protect against diseases associated with chronic inflammation, including cancer, heart disease and degenerative brain disorders.  For optimal health, there is strong research supporting the need to balance all eight forms of vitamin E.

          Q:   I need an appetite suppressant – would Hoodia be a good choice? 

          A:   For generations, the San people of South Africa have been using the hoodia cactus to alleviate intense hunger pains on long hunting trips for days at a time without side effects.  Scientific research suggests Hoodia suppresses the appetite by fooling the brain into believing you are full, and thereby stops you from thinking about food.

                 Hoodia contains an active ingredient which mimics the effects that glucose has on the hypothalamus of the brain, suppressing our appetite.  Research has shown that the plant can reduce appetites 30%-40% allowing the user to eat less without feeling hungry.

          Q:   What is the science behind Relora? 

          A:   In a recent clinical trial of women who took Relora three times a day for two weeks, 90% reported that the herbal blend made them feel less anxious, 87% enjoyed more restful sleep and 81% were cured of stress-related eating.

                 Relora stabilizes levels of the stress hormone cortisol to exert a relaxing effect on the nervous system.  And that sets off a biochemical chain of events that remedies weight problems and increases immunity to an array of stress-related health concerns.

          Q:   How beneficial is the flu shot for the elderly? 

          A:   A yearly flu vaccine has not been proven to prevent flu related deaths in people over the age of 65, according to a review in the Lancet medical journal.

                Nonetheless, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu shot for this purpose, citing research about 36,000 yearly deaths and 200,000 annual hospitalizations for flu-related illness in the U.S.

                No studies have conclusively proven that flu shots prevent flu-related deaths among the elderly according to the review and some of the support for this practice is based on flawed data.

          Q:   What is the benefit of Hyaluronic Acid?

          A:   Hyaluronic Acid can be found naturally in every tissue of your body.  The skin holds nearly 50% of your body’s Hyaluronic Acid, resulting in a healthy and vital appearance.  As you age, however, you lose this vital youth enhancing substance.

                 HA helps to keep your eyes healthy, skin moist and your joints lubricated, acting as a buffer to protect your cells.

                 The function of HA is always about hydration and separation.  Hydration because it holds on to water and separation because it acts as a structural component throughout the body.

          Q:   I was told that a diet rich in fatty acids, particularly DHA may reduce hostility in young adults.  Is there any truth in this?

          A:  A cross sectional observational study analyzed 3,581 urban black and white young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 for hostility levels based upon their fatty acid intakes.

               The researchers concluded that regular consumption of fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA is associated with reduced odds for hostility.

               More positive studies on the wonderful benefits of essential fatty acids!  Stop in and talk to us – we’re the nutrition experts!

          Q:  Why recycle paper?

          A:  Paper and paper products make up the largest component of municipal solid waste – 40% by weight and 50% by volume.  The purchase of recycled products is vital to the success of recycling programs.  According to the United States EPA every ton of recycled paper used saves 7,000 gallons of water, saves 4,100 kw hours of electricity, saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space and keeps 60 lbs of air-borne pollutants out of the air.

                Prior to the 1850’s plant fibers were used to make quality papers.  Not only does using tree-free paper reduce the demand to clear cut forests but most alternative fibers like hemp and kenaf break down easier without the use of heavy chemicals.

          Q:  Why do American women have excessively high levels of estrogen?

          A:  Three main reasons: an over refined diet, lack of exercise & external toxic sources of estrogen call xenoestrogens (xeno means foreign).  Refined carbohydrates, hard fats and empty foods contribute to as much as twice the normal estrogen levels. 

                Many external toxins have been found to have estrogen like effects in the body.  Most are petroleum derivatives, found in plastics, computer chips, PVC, pesticides, soap, clothes, DDT, and much more.  This is believed to be the causation to the highest rates in history of female cancers.

                Estrogen levels are much lower in women who eat little and perform strenuous physical work – as those in non-industrialized areas.  Menopause is a much bigger deal in our industrialized countries, because the estrogen decline is so radical. This stressful dip is the real cause of the discomfort of menopause.       

          Q:  What’s the harm in using “regular” household cleaning products, such as laundry products?

          A:  The word “detergent” refers to household cleaning products which are based on non-soap, synthetic surfactants and which are primarily used for laundering and dishwashing. 

                All detergents contain “cationic”, “anionic,” or “non-ionic” detergents.  Cationic detergents are the most toxic when taken internally. Symptoms include nausea to convulsions and coma.  (By themselves, anionic detergents have low toxicity causing mild, local irritation of skin and eyes.  But the addition of “builders” to anionic detergents is common and makes anionic detergents alkaline and caustic (capable of corroding or eating away tissues).  Non-ionic detergents have low toxicity.  At most, mild irritation of the skin and mucous membranes occurs.  Ingestion causes no hazardous effects. 

                 There is a common misconception that low-phosphate detergents are “safe.”  While low-phosphate detergents are safer to the environment, they are 100-1000 times more caustic than phosphate detergents.  This means the low-phosphate detergents can cause serious burns if even a small amount is ingested.     

          Q:  What nutritional therapies can be taken for Dry Eye Syndrome (DES)?

          A:  A study of the dietary intake and ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids in the diets of 1,546 women reporting DES were compared to the ratios of these fatty acids in the diets of women without DES.

               The information was taken from 39,876 women who participated in the Women’s Health Study.

               Upon comparison of the dietary intake ratios of the Omega-6 to Omega-3’s, researchers concluded that a higher intake of Omega-3 was associated with a decreased risk of incidence of DES, while a higher ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 was associated with an increased DES risk.     

          Q:  How beneficial is CoQ10?

          A:  Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is also known as ubiquinone and is a powerful group of lipid-soluble compounds.  It is known to inhibit lipid peroxidation in both cell membranes and serum LDL, and may offer protection from oxidative damage.  It is found in the highest concentrations in the heart, where it helps the cellular mitochondria metabolize fates for energy, and it helps maintain the flexibility of cell membranes.  CoQ10 levels decline in mitochondria as the body ages.

                Researchers found CoQ10 prevented the death rate oligodendrocytes, which form myelin protein sheets in the nervous system, and it found to protect against lesions produced by mitochondrial toxins, which in turn help to prevent such neuro-diseases as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.