By implementing these new requirements, it is hoped that there will be a noticeable decrease in the number of obese children. In the past 30 years, our nation has experienced a threefold increase in childhood obesity rates. The result? One in three children in our country are now overweight. It is becoming increasingly more common for our children to leave their pediatricians office with a diagnosis of Type II Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions and joint deterioration; diseases which have historically been unheard of in youth populations. Recent studies predict that the epidemic of childhood obesity will result in a 2-5 year decrease in life expectancy. This will be the first generation since the Great Depression that our children are projected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.

So what changes will we see in the foods that our country’s children are being served at schools? Here’s the breakdown…..

I really love how they are requiring a wide variety of vegetables on a weekly basis. Kids will get a wide variety of nutrients by eating all the ‘colors of the rainbow’, it will also give kids the opportunity to discover new fruits and vegetables.

There has been much controversy over schools being permitted to classify ‘pizza’ as a ‘vegetable’ because it contains 3 tablespoons of tomato paste. The new requirements do allow ‘pizza’ to be classified as a ‘vegetable’, but children will be required to have an additional serving of vegetables on their tray alongside the pizza.

I don’t necessarily agree with this change. Previously, I have discussed the disadvantages of low-fat milk. When I choose milk for both myself and my grandsons, I stick to these guidelines . When it comes to low-fat milk, some of the most respected health gurus in our country say:

“Low fat milk causes weight gain. This is how farmers fatten pigs. If they give them whole milk, the pigs stay lean.

Low fat milk is missing all the vitamins that you get in the fat. The industry has figured out that they make a lot more money on butter and butterfat if they put it in ice cream. So they take the cream out of the milk, put it into ice cream. They would much rather you spend the money on ice cream, than on butter or buttercream; they make a lot more money.”
-Sally Fallon, Weston A. Price Foundation

“A note on the production of skim milk powder: liquid milk is forced through a tiny hole at high pressure, and then blown out into the air. This causes a lot of nitrates to form and the cholesterol in the milk is oxidized. Those of you who are familiar with my work know that cholesterol is your best friend; you don’t have to worry about natural cholesterol in your food; however, you do not want to eat oxidized cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, to atherosclerosis. So when you drink reduced-fat milk thinking that it will help you avoid heart disease, you are actually consuming oxidized cholesterol, which initiates the process of heart disease.”
-Weston A. Price Foundation, Dirty Secrets of the Food Processing Industry

“Let us get rid of one fallacy which is that skim milk is actually milk that has had the cream skimmed off the top. That actually sounds logical but it is not how is done, at least not in this modern world. That process would not remove all the cream so what is done in modern processing is the milk is spun around with centrifuges, eventually completely separating the cream (fat) and milk. It is first clarified, then separated, then pasteurized (or ultra-pasteurized), and then finally homogenized. This over-processing has now removed every healthy vitamin, living enzyme, and natural mineral. Welcome to your now-dead beverage……Skim milk will not support life. So by removing the cream you have essentially turned the milk into something completely useless, especially the pasteurized variety as you have not only removed the healthy fat but you have also as stated removed the living nutrients.”
-Raw Milk Truth

“Researchers from Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute conducted a study that monitored the dietary habits of more than 20,000 Swedish women for a decade. It turned out that women who consumed full fat milk or cheese had a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than the rest of the group. The results were convincing enough for the researchers to recommend that a glass of full fat milk every day will cut weight gain by 15%, and a portion of full fat cheese each day will cut weight gain by 30%. Alicja Wolk, professor at the Karolinska Institute stated, ‘The surprising conclusion was that increased consumption of (full fat) cheese meant that overweight women lost weight.’

Yet skim and 1% milk is pervasive in school lunch programs, and throughout the American diet. If you summarize the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food pyramid you see an emphasis on grains plus skim milk, the very combination that fattens hogs so efficiently! In fact, the USDA recommends we start the low-fat habit early: children as young as pre-school are recommended to consume non-fat or low fat milk, yogurt and cheese. With a food pyramid like this it’s little wonder we face an obesity epidemic from childhood onward.”
-Ann M Childers, MD. Life Balance Northwest

 “Guess what they feed a pig if they want to make it as fat as possible as fast as possible?

Low-fat milk, because if they give the pig milk with fat in it, the pig gets satiated. It’s satisfied and won’t eat any more. But if they give it low-fat milk, it will eat the grain they feed it forever because it’ll have a deficiency of fat.

Now think of what we’re eating for breakfast in this country…

If you don’t want to get fat you’re told to drink low-fat milk, and corn or wheat or oat-based cereal.

It’s the prescription to make you as fat as possible as quickly as you can get there. You’ll never stop wanting to eat because you’re never getting any food that causes satiation.

Americans are told to eat a diet that is scientifically designed to make you as fat as possible as fast as possible.”
-Dr. Al Sears, MD. Power for Healthy Living

Again, I’m not completely on board with this change. There are some saturated fats that would benefit our children, such as coconut fat.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison, showing the foods that meet the current requirements versus the foods that will be served under the new requirements (from the USDA Food and Nutrition Services)

So, how quickly can we expect to see these changes implemented? About 1000 schools in the US are already feeding their kids according to these new guidelines. Many other schools have already started making changes by offering some more healthier choices, such as salad bars. The current plan, however, is to phase all of the new requirements into the schools over the next five years.

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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.

© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.

Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com’

There is so much information in the news about our health these days, that it can become quite overwhelming. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and my readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to me. Here is your news update for the week of Jan 15-22 2012!

Deception Diet: How Optical Illusions Can Trick Your Appetite
Why McDonald’s In France Doesn’t Feel Like Fast Food
USDA Sets Guideline for Healthier School Meals
Think Positive (Seriously, it could lead to healthier behavior!)
One More Reason Not to Eat Microwave Popcorn: Vaccine Effectiveness
Prisoners Lawsuit Against Soy Products Given Green Light by Judge
Raw Milk Vending Machines Growing in Popularity Across Europe
Obesity Tops List of “Winnable” Health Battles

Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!

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>>Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.

© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.

Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com’

Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!

>>Like me on Facebook
>>Twitter @drrenae
>>Dr Norton Google+
>>Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
>> Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
>>Read About Dr Norton
>>View video about Dr Norton

Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.

© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.

Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com’

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Depression

Georgia Draws Fire for Grim Childhood Obesity PSAs

Chemical in Fast Food Wrappers Show Up In Human Blood

Standardize Measurement of Child Eating Disorders

Deep Brain Stimulation Appears Effective for Depression, Bipolar Disorder

The Biggest Food System Threat of 2012

Why We’re Fat: Outside Forces Affect What We Eat + How Much Exercise We Get

MSG, Transfats, High Fructose Corn Syrup Boost Liver Disease Risk

Binge Eating Disorder May Be Added to DSM-5

Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!

>>Like me on Facebook
>>Twitter @drrenae
>>Dr Norton Google+
>>Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
>> Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
>>Read About Dr Norton
>>View video about Dr Norton

Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.

© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.

Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com’

Peptide YY (PYY)

PYY is a hormone that suppresses appetite. It was discovered to play a role in digestion in 1985. PYY regulates food intake, and is believed to improve leptin sensitivity. The amount of PYY released by our bodies is influenced by the number of calories we ingest; the more calories we ingest, the more PYY is released. The diagram below shows how our PYY levels, ghrelin and leptin levels typically fluctuate before and after meals:

PYY levels are highest in individuals battling anorexia, followed by those individuals that are lean,which explains why both groups have less hunger and also may have more difficulty eating. PYY levels are lowest among obese and morbidly obese individuals. Individuals with bulimia also experience low levels of PYY, which helps to explain why all three groups feel more hunger. Research shows that the obese individual can decrease their PYY levels by 30% by reducing their body weight by 5.4%. PYY levels are not believed to be effected by weight restoration during recovery from anorexia. It is also important to note that high levels of PYY in anorexic individuals is associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD).

Our mood also effects our PYY levels. Recent studies show that PYY levels are higher in those suffering from major depression. This explains why many people with major depression have a decreased appetite and experience weight loss.

PYY levels can be regulated through both diet and exercise. Diets high in quality protein tend to raise PYY levels highest, followed by diets high in healthy fats. High carbohydrate diets tend to raise PYY levels the least. Aerobic exercise has also been proven to raise PYY levels, whereas strength-training has no effect on PYY levels (although strength-training does lower ghrelin levels).

In conclusion, PYY regulates our appetite. The higher our PYY levels are, the more satiated we will feel. You can ensure your PYY levels are highest by eating a high protein diet and including aerobic exercise in our workout routine.

Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.

© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.
Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com)’.

Sources
J Clin Endocrinal Metab. 2009 Nov; 94(11): 4463-71 Epub 2009 Oct 9

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2006/09/06-02.html

http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/91/3/1027

http://www2.massgeneral.org/harriscenter/about_bn.asp

http://www.eatingdisordersreview.com/nl/nl_edr_18_1_5.html

http://www.thebonejournal.com/article/S8756-3282(08)00162-2/abstract

http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/296/1/R29.full

J Endocrinal Invest. 2011 Dec 15 [Epub ahead of print]

Today’s milk is much different from the milk our grandparents and great-grandparents drank. Much of the milk in stores today:

• comes from cows that produce A1 beta-casein
• comes from grain-fed cows
• is pasteurized (and in some cases ultra-pasteurized) and homogenized
• contains synthetic vitamins, antibiotics and growth hormones
• has dry milk added to improve consistency

We can avoid some of these unhealthy aspects of today’s milk by consuming milk from grass-fed cows when possible. Milk from grass-fed cows has many health benefits, including but not limited to:

• it contains five times more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
• it contains the perfect ratio of essential fatty acids. This can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, allergies, obesity, diabetes, dementia, and mental health disorders
• it contains more beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin D than grain-fed milk

So, what kind of milk should you buy? I’ve created a handy, quick-reference guide to use when making your decision.

*Raw milk is only legal for purchase in my area through cow-share programs. To find out the laws in your area, check here

The Cornucopia Institute recently did an in-depth investigation of over 100 organic dairy farms throughout the United States. They ranked each dairy based on organic farming practices and ethics. I’ve summarized some of the findings for some of the organic dairy farms that sell milk in the Cincinnati area (for readers outside of the Cincinnati area, you can find more dairy farm ratings here)

-Traders Point (milk and yogurt) was the only dairy farm in my area that was rated ‘Outstanding’ (5 out of 5 cow rating) (Snowville Creamery was not included in the report)

-Dairy farms that were rated ‘Excellent’ (4 out of 5 cow rating) include:

•  Kalona Supernatural (milk and cheese)
•  Julie’s Ice Cream
•  Organic Valley
•  Wallaby (yogurt and ice cream)
•  Whole Foods 365 Organic Milk
•  Stonyfield (yogurt and milk)
•  Helios Kefir
•  Lifeway Kefir

-Ben and Jerry’s Organic Ice Cream was the only locally available ice cream that was rated ‘Very Good’ (2 out of 5 cow rating)

-Dairy farms that were rated ‘some or all factory-farm milk or unknown source, but better than conventional’ (1 out of 5 cow rating)*

• Kirkland Signature Organic Milk (Costco)
• Naturally Preferred Organic Milk (Kroger)
• Meijer Organic Milk
• Trader Joe’s Organic Milk
• Archer Farm’s Organic Milk (Target)

-Dairy farms that were rated ‘Ethically Deficient’ (0 out of 5 cow rating)* include:

•  Horizon Organic Milk
•  Aurora Organic Milk
•  Back to Nature Cheese

*There were no ’1 cow rated farms’ or ’0 cow rated farms’ that agreed to participate in the investigation, so score was based on information that was publicly available

Although milk has changed over time, we can still make healthy decisions by becoming informed consumers. Thanks to institutes like Cornucopia, we can gain much knowledge about where our food is coming from.

Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.

© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.

Please credit ‘© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com)’.

Sources:
www.foodrenegade.com/healthy-milk-what-to-buy/
www.eatwild.com/articles/superhealthy.html
www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html

The Dark Side of Fat Loss (Photo from www.darksideoffatloss.com)

I rarely write book reviews, but Dark Side of Fat Loss is a diamond in the rough for those interested in being proactive about their health and nutrition at a time when so many foods contain hidden neurotoxins, carcinogens, and obesogens. This book is a must for anyone on the road to good health. Whether you are happy with your current weight, trying to lose weight, or trying to restore weight, Dark Side of Fat Loss is a required read.

As stated in Croxton’s biography, after graduating from San Diego State University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology (emphasis: fitness, nutrition, and health), Croxton began his journey as a certified personal trainer. Despite his extensive education in health, he was met with much failure as clients got heavier and sicker. Client programs consisted of endless cardio and the horrific Food Guide Pyramid. Rather than accept defeat, Croxton took his failures as an opportunity for growth. He has since spent thousands of hours educating himself on the many truths that eluded him throughout his formal education, often joking that he got his Master’s from Amazon.com. He is also a Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist (FDN) and Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor (CMTA).

Croxton has created a book that is full of life-changing information. While in many books, all this information might be overwhelming, Croxton’s writing style not only makes it easy to comprehend but a pleasure to comprehend. The real draw to this book is the holistic approach Croxton suggests for obtaining health. He doesn’t suggest to try to correct health issues solely by diet, but by examining the five pillars of health (diet, hormones, digestion, detoxification and immunity). This may be the book that changes your life in the way it needs to be changed.

He discusses how our hormones affect our health goals. He explains how our hormone system are “Like dominoes, when one hormone falls out of balance, others soon follow”. He provides information on hormones (leptin, insulin, cortisol, NPY and ghrelin) and how the body reacts when we have too much or too little of these hormones. He not only explains this in words, but also with the use of graphics. The graphics in this discussion are especially helpful in the explanation of how our hormones interact with our bodies.

He uses a very common-sense approach to addressing some of the dietary issues that many people have. He introduces the concepts of just eating real food, and becoming healthy and fit by doing what healthy and fit people do. He is very down to earth in his approach to choosing healthy foods. He provides solutions to eating healthy when on a budget. He makes suggestions of what foods to eat and what foods avoid and provides information about why certain foods should be avoided. He even provides a handy reference sheet of all these foods.

Like many in his field, Croxton suggests logging calories daily. But, he also does something that is really rare in this type of book. He stresses the importance of listening to our bodies and logging what our bodies tell us. This is so important to him, that he even created a print-friendly body language log. Once again, Croxton doesn’t leave his readers hanging here, he provides solutions to some of the negative body language that many people experience.

Croxton provides a nearly 100 page real food cookbook of recipes that were submitted from real foodists from all over the world. From healthy breakfasts to healthy desserts, this book has it all. Again, the addition of the cookbook truly show Croxton’s mission to make being healthy attainable for all. He knows that if people stress out about what they are going to eat, it will affect their results. He does everything in his power to make the transition to eating real food an easy one.

The Dark Side of Fat Loss is definitely a must-read for all. This will not be a book that you read once and never pick up again. If you are interested in becoming healthy using a holistic approach, this book will be a great ally in fulfilling this goal.

The Dark Side of Fat Loss e-book can be purchased at: http://darksideoffatloss.com/
Check out the Underground Wellness Website at http://undergroundwellness.com/

Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.

© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.

Please credit ‘© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com’