Junk Food

I just love this picture which was posted on the website for the Organic Consumers Association! The fast food industry continues to contribute to the growing problem of childhood obesity in the United States. Food can be quick and easy without being unhealthy! Childhood obesity must be addressed here and now. It is a matter of great urgency in our country. Consumers must demand change in the fast food industry, but this is only part of the solution. Nutritious food must be made available to kids at home, and exercise must be encouraged. In a future blog I will be posting some healthy snack suggestions for children and adults.

This is the post from the Organic Consumers Association:

"PRODUCT PLUNDERS OF THE WEEK:JUNK FOOD INDUSTRY APPLAUDES ITSELF FOR YEARS OF "ETHICAL" ADVERTISING TO CHILDREN Responding to public pressure, junk food companies have formed a task force that they claim will address the childhood obesity epidemic. The group, which includes companies like Coca-Cola, McDonalds, and Kraft Foods, held its first meeting at the end of March. One of the first items on the agenda was how to greenwash the routine industry practice of advertising junk foods to young children. Advertisers spend more than $10 billion annually on manipulating the minds of children. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children under the age of six cannot distinguish between program content and advertising. Despite this rather undisputed fact, one of the panel's experts, the chief government affairs officer of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, applauded the junk food industry's track record and offered kudos to the current practice of self-regulation saying, "For more than three decades, the self-regulatory guidelines of the Children's Advertising Review Unit have helped to ensure that advertising to children by food companies is age and nutritionally appropriate, and reflects a balanced approach to health and nutrition." According to task force members, it is hoped that future meetings can be as productive, although the meeting concluded with no real changes to the status quo practices of advertising junk foods to children. Learn more: http://alerts.organicconsumers.org/trk/click?ref=zqtbkk3um_1-a2x312cx3341636& "

Iodine

IODINE

Iodine concentration in humans is quite variable because it is strongly influenced by the iodine content of the grains, vegetables, fruits, fish, seafood, and meats eaten. This depends upon the iodide content of the soil and the plants which are then consumed directly by humans and also the animals they eat. Iodide is the ionic form of iodine and the way it is usually found and functions. Iodide is also found in drinking water and is influenced by the rocks and soils of the specific region.

Though it capable of permeating all tissues, iodide is concentrated in the thyroid, salivary, and gastric glands. It is also found in the mammary glands, ovaries, placenta, and skin. The thyroid is aggressive in grabbing the lion’s share of iodide (70-80%) available to the body and supplied by the diet. In order for the thyroid to synthesize thyroid hormones, adequate iodide must be made available.

There are certain other nutrients which act antagonistically to iodine. They include arsenic, bromide, and perchlorate. Perchlorate is found in nature but is also heavily used in rocket fuel and for other industrial uses. Bromide replaced iodine in commercial baked goods back in the 1960’s. So you can see contamination by perchlorate and bromide exposure have increased over the years.

There is important published research on the effects of iodine deficiency in animals and humans. An extremely interesting focus of this research is the effect of iodine deficiency in breast tissue, more specifically the possible connections to the development of fibrocystic breast condition. The current thinking is that Iodine may modulate the effect of estrogen in breast tissue. This research has been based on small human studies, and larger studies are needed before significance can be established. Research continues in this important area.

So how can you ensure adequate intake from your diet? Lightly season foods with a good iodine-containing sea salt. I particularly like Celtic Salt. Salt water shellfish and fish are fine sources too. My favorite, of course, are the sea vegetables. In a previous blog about Calcium, I discussed just how nutrient dense these vegetables can be. I encourage you again to experiment with Wakame, Kombu, Nori, Dulse, Arame, etc. They are so delicious!

Iodine supplements are readily available. However, I do not advise that you supplement with this micromineral without consulting with your health practitioner. Toxicity can result. Your practitioner can order a urine iodine test to determine your current levels.