Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury

Another good reason to avoid processed foods as much as you can!!!

Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury

MONDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.

HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average.

"Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply," said the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Dr. David Wallinga, a co-author of both studies.

In the first study, researchers found detectable levels of mercury in nine of 20 samples of commercial HFCS. The study was published in current issue of Environmental Health.

In the second study, the agriculture group found that nearly one in three of 55 brand-name foods contained mercury. The chemical was most common in HFCS-containing dairy products, dressings and condiments.

The use of mercury-contaminated caustic soda in the production of HFCS is common. The contamination occurs when mercury cells are used to produce caustic soda.

"The bad news is that nobody knows whether or not their soda or snack food contains HFCS made from ingredients like caustic soda contaminated with mercury. The good news is that mercury-free HFCS ingredients exist. Food companies just need a good push to only use those ingredients," Wallinga said.

More information
The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry has more about mercury and health. SOURCE: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, news release, Jan. 26, 2009

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601831.html

How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor

How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by Dr. Robert Mendelsohn is a must-have book. After receiving a copy from a friend, I now give it to ALL parents I know. Especially new ones, but even those on their second or third child. It is THAT important.

Although this book was written some time ago, it is incredibly relevant and taught me so much. Namely to take control of my son's health (and our family's health) and to relax about it. I know controlling and relaxing sound quite opposite, but it is the case here. I remember when my son had a "cold" at 8 weeks, I practically could not sleep I was so nervous. (I say cold in italics, because it was really nothing more than a slight stuffy nose). I probably brought him to the doctor about 3 times over the course of the 3 days he was sick- and for what? Not only did I need to take control of the fact that he had a cold, but I needed to relax because it was no big deal and stress was definitely not helping him get better! See what I mean?

This book teaches you to identify illnesses and helps you treat them at home. That way, you do not have to go to the doctor's office where you child is apt to pick up more germs, deal with a doctor who doles out medicine even when your child does not need it (if you have a doctor like that) which usually just makes things worse and waste a copay! I enjoyed Dr. Mendelsohn's detailing of what doctors learn in medical school and the influences of big pharma- it gives you an honest and wide perspective of orthodox health care and what it means for your child.

In addition, there were so many facts and tidbits about illnesses that I never knew and that most doctors will not tell you. Did you know that our bodies have an automatic feature which never allows fevers (which are actually GOOD for you when you are sick- not to be suppressed by Tylenol) to reach a dangerous point? The only fevers that are dangerous and could go too high are those brought on by an external factor like heat stroke, food poisoning, or chemical exposure. Fevers brought on by illness are immune system activators- now that is something I never knew because most people bring out the Tylenol for their kids as soon as the temperature reaches 102F or the like, under the auspices that the fever might "get too high". And that's only ONE new thing I learned :)

All I have to say is what an eye-opener! You will feel well-armed with this book. LOVE it.

http://www.amazon.com/Raise-Healthy-Child-Spite-Doctor/dp/0345342763

...I am hoping to read more of Dr. Mendelsohn's books - he has written other titles that look very provocative.

Eucalyptus Oil for Cold Relief

My 13 month old son recently had a cold. Pretty mild, but because we had switched some time ago to a holistic pediatrician I thought I would call in to take advantage of their useful natural solutions advice to treating illnesses. Of course the nurse mentioned the run of the mill things I had been doing: elevate the head at night, run the humidifier, suction his nose and so on. But there was one tip I had not though of- they suggest putting one drop of eucalyptus oil in a teaspoon of olive oil and rub on the chest (I also put a little under his nose). I did this for him at night and saw a big difference in how he seemed to be feeling. The scent certainly does ease breathing! I plan on doing this the next time I get a cold too, right along with using my neti pot... something I laugh about trying to get my 13 month to use :)

(If you are in North Jersey, we go to Dr. Lawrence Rosen in Oradell. His office is called "The Whole Child Center" : http://www.wholechildcenter.org/ . He also writes a very interesting blog, which you can access from the fore listed site.)