referred to as excitotoxins and eventually lead to premature neural cell death. Aspartame actually interferes with glucose metabolism, making weight reduction more difficult in obese individuals.

Since aspartame is a food additive it does not fall. under the more strict food regulations. When considering aspartame consumption, as with exposures to all toxins, to quote Clint Eastwood, "Do you feel lucky today?"

3) Non-organic meats and all pork and processed luncheon meats.

The feeding of hormones and antibiotics to animals has led to number of serious consequences causing ill health. Half of the antibiotics produced in this country are fed to animals. As a result of the over-crowded and sunlight-deprived living conditions of animals, antibiotics are fed to them to prevent the spreading of disease. Hormones are given to the animals to speed up the time it takes for the animal to come to market. These drugs are passed through the food and are partially responsible for antibiotic resistant diseases, hormone problems, and even cancer in humans. By eating organically raised meat you are assured the meat is free of hormones and antibiotics.

Pigs are animals that were created as scavenger animals; they will eat anything. They have a very short digestive time, which allows toxins to be deposited in their skeletal muscle within hours. This process allows for the absorption of partially digested food particles in to the skeletal muscle. In order to allow for the utilization of their food their skeletal muscle is loaded with parasites, which serve a symbiotic purpose; that being, they help to break down the partially digested food particles. The parasites and viruses in pork can be passed on to humans, even with cooking. Additionally, pork frequently contains mold spores. Pork is used in labs that culture cancer cells, as it will actually promote the growth of cancer cells. I caution my patients to avoid all pork.

A void all processed and cured meats as they may contain large amounts of "bad II fats, pork, and other animal byproducts as well as nitrates and nitrites. Nitrates and nitrites break down in the digestive tract into cancer-promoting agents called nitrosamines.

The best source of meat is free-ranged (meaning they are allowed to roam while growing as opposed to strict confinement) chicken, turkey, lamb, buffalo and beef. Wild game can be a good source, however some of their food sources make for ~ area of concern. Grass-fed beef has a number of health promoting benefits. They are richer in omega-3 fatty acids and CLA or conjugated linoleic acids that are both health promoting.

4) Margarine and other hydrogenated oils.

Margarine and other hydrogenated oil products are fake foods, and pose a serious health threat. Scientists have proven that hydrogenated oils increase "bad" cholesterol, decrease "good" cholesterol, increase triglycerides, and increase proteins that cause plaquing of the arteries. Therefore, they significantly increase stroke and heart disease.

Hydrogenated oils are trans fatty acids, are dangerous to your health, and therefore need to be avoided. They are present in commercially made cookies, crackers, doughnuts, pastries, deep-fat fried foods (including those from all major "fast-food" chains), chips, and imitation cheeses. Partially hydrogenated oils are no safer than hydrogenated. In fact, all hydrogenated oils are only partially hydrogenated. Trans fatty acids may be listed as "polyunsaturated" so read food labels closely. ANY QUANTITY OF HYDROGENATED FATS IS TOO MUCH! (continued on page 5)

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