Catherine Stack, ND, CNM

Each year 48 million people suffer illness from contaminated foods. Although food-borne illness are often associated with meat products, some of the largest outbreaks have actually been linked to contaminated produce. Romaine lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes have all had their share of contamination, causing millions to become ill and in very rare cases, to die. Contamination can occur at any phase of growth, production and packaging. Salmonella and E. Coli are the most dangerous offenders. Salmonella poisoning is typically linked to eating raw or  under cooked  meats, poultry or egg products. It may take up to two days to have symptoms which are most often diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, aches and pains which are all made worse by dehydration. Symptoms may last 4-7 days but most people will tell you they are “not quite right” for months after. Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most varieties of E. coli a...

In over 25 years of testing, xylitol use has been shown to reduce tooth decay in even high risk (malnourished) populations. Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate. It is found in fibrous vegetables and fruits and also occurs naturally in our bodies. Xylitol, when extracted, is very sweet and is commonly used as a sugar replacement. I am not in favor of any sugar substitute to pacify your sweet tooth, but the benefits to your dental health are quite impressive. Tooth decay happens when bacteria in your mouth consumes the sugar we eat. If you have a diet abundant in breads and sugars, the bacteria in your mouth multiply and produce acids that eat away at the enamel on your teeth. Xylitol does not break down like other sugar and can help provide the mouth with a neutral pH level. Xylitol also prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth. Most people are not aware of this benefit because such a claim makes xylitol into a drug, crossing a boundary not allowed by the ...

Many people misunderstand cholesterol. I'm going to try and clear up some of the confusion and share some advice on how to achieve healthy cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a natural by product of the liver and is actually produced as a protective mechanism against inflammation in the body. Normal cholesterol is essential for cellular repair and plays a very important role in memory and learning. Cholesterol helps convert fats in the liver and is a very potent antioxidant that protects us from free radical damage. Free radical damage accelerates the aging process. We would be better at keeping people healthy by focusing on the cause of inflammation (mostly diet) rather than sabotaging our bodies own defenses that try to protect us. Research suggests that HDL, the high-density "good" cholesterol, helps to protect the cardiovascular system. LDL or low-density "bad" cholesterol appears to be the bad guy that builds up on your arteries and other inflamed pa...

Bisphenol-A is a toxic chemical that is contaminating our food supply and even though Canada banned this toxic substance in 2010, the FDA is allowing our exposure in the U.S. to continue. BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical that has been linked to early puberty, disrupted reproductive cycles, decreased sperm count and quality, cancer, obesity and heart disease and more. The glands of your endocrine system and the hormones they release are directly related to mood, growth and development, as well as metabolism. Some studies suggest that infants and children may be the most vulnerable to the effects of BPA. BPA is one of the world’s highest production chemicals and is extremely common in many forms of packaging and other places you would not expect. BPA is found in canned foods and soda cans, all plastics not labeled “BPA-free”, certain tooth sealants, receipts and even currency.  Even though you are not likely to avoid handling currency, you can minimize your exposure by keeping mo...

When it comes to krill oil, the Omega-3 supplementation is more important than any multivitamin. The anti-inflammatory effect alone would benefit millions who suffer from arthritis and generalized aches and pains. Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and are essential for memory and behavior. There are many studies that show that the Omega-3 found in fish oils play an impressive role in those suffering from depression or bipolar disorder. If you have a tendency for Seasonal Affective Disorder, taking fish oils can help by increasing serotonin (happy hormone) levels. Pregnant moms should absolutely take fish oils to optimize brain growth in their unborn child and the supplementation should continue after birth. Omega-3's benefit cardiac function and have blood-thinning qualities that may help to prevent heart attack or stroke. I think most individuals would agree that taking fish oils daily would be more beneficial than blood thinners or aspirin, both of wh...

Most consumers fall for words like "all natural," or "heart healthy" and are drawn to labels with pretty pictures of fruits and vegetables when shopping for groceries. These very misleading marketing ploys are partially responsible for the rising numbers of those diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, and people suffering from obesity, even though they are eating foods that claim to benefit health. Here are some examples of poor choices you could be making right now: -Nutri-grain and whole wheat waffles: These waffles actually contain more white flour than whole wheat (not that whole wheat is much better). -High fiber bars: These bars are marketed for a diet high in fiber to help you lose weight and feel full. check the oat and chocolate "naturally flavored" bars, which have more chocolate than oats and have at least six types of sugar in the ingredient list. If you'd like to experience abdominal bloating and gas from the sugar alcohols, and fast-...

I have never been a fan of taking calcium supplements in to reduce my risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis. It just doesn’t seem right to mega dose a mineral in the hopes of balancing the body. Most of us are not deficient in calcium and you are more likely to suffer from abundant calcium deposits or calcifications such as kidney stones and gall stones. When you look around the world you will see that cultures that don’t drink dairy or take calcium supplements have the lowest rates of osteoporosis. North America is where you will find the most concentrated population of people with osteoporosis and yet we take more calcium supplements than the rest of the planet combined. According to a recent study reported by Green Med Info: “Calcium supplements... increase the risk of cardiovascular events, especially myocardial infarction (heart attack)... A reassessment of the role of calcium supplements in osteoporosis management is warranted.” A recent analysis has found that th...