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Friday, December 21, 2007

The Definition of Epigenetic Nutrition

Epigenetic nutrition is the set of all patterns of stimuli that open up pathways leading to synthesis of molecules which maintain the symbiotic relationship between cells and their environment. For example, the presence of sunlight during the waking hours and its absence during sleep leads to the synthesis of hormones such as vitamin D, serotonin, melatonin, etc., and thus provides essential nutrition. Patterns of gravitational effects are also essential as was made evident by the development of osteoporosis in astronauts. Breathing patterns are also a source of nutrition not just in terms of providing oxygen, but its overall effects on the symbiosis of the body's cells and their environment. The way in which the feedback mechanisms between the heart and brain are effected is but one of the many intriguing aspects of this. Other important patterns of stimuli such as psychological and physical stress and parental care also both affect and effect nutrition in this sense. Finally, in terms of this definition, the pattern of consumption of food is what provides the nutrition, not the food itself. This is especially significant when one looks at the epigenetic effects that combine with other stimuli to open up and close the pathways that synthesize conditionally essential nutrients needed to maintain the symbosis which makes life possible.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

The Usual Warnings about Soda Pop

1. Labels on Pepsi bottles are 45% lead. They have agreed to remove it from 95% of the bottles in 7 years and 100% in ten years. In the mean time, the bottles should be kept out of reach of small children.
2. Astonishingly high levels of reactive carbonyls were found in eleven brands of non-diet sodas, similar to the dangerous levels found in the blood of diabetics. Mixing the drinks with green tea is the recommended way of neutralizing the toxins.
3. Diet sodas often contain aspartame an excitotoxin that causes inappropriate insulin release, possible death of brain cells and breaks down into other toxins. Consuming them with a high carbohydrate, low protein meal is dangerous. Protein, theanine (green tea), and lithium have been suggested as providing some protection.
4. Polar beverages, Zone brands and others have vitamin C which reacts with preservatives to form Benzene, a known carcinogen.
5. 12 oz. bottles often contain between 5 and 72 milligrams of caffeine, a diuretic and stimulant. The toxicity levels are based on body weight. So, it is most dangerous for children with small body weight.
6. Soda pop is often sold in aluminum cans. One should not drink water with more than 200 micrograms of aluminum per liter according to the World health organization. Aluminum inhibits important enzymes in the brain (Na-K-ATPase and hexokinase)
7. The aluminum cans are often lined with #7 plastics which the FDA has issued a warning about. It leeches out Bisphenol-A which can have epigenetic effects. Extra folic acid should be consumed following exposure.
8. Sweetener levels are so high, that users regularly exceed the recommended daily maximum for calories. They do not provide the minerals such as chromium needed to process the sugars.