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Top 15 Nutrition Myths – Reviewed and Debunked

Here are the top 15 Nutrition Myths – I’ve reviewed, summarized and debunked each one. Let the Myth Busting begin!

Nutrition Myth #1: Natural saturated fat in our diet is a villain. TRUTH: Saturated fat is essential for healthy cells and heart. That’s correct: SATURATED FAT is REQUIRED for a HEALTHY HEART!! The villain is the high omega-6 fat found in vegetable oils like safflower, cottonseed, corn, soybean, sunflower, canola and peanut. The healthy fats come from butter, coconut oil, palm oil, olive oil, free-range meat and eggs.

Nutrition Myth #2: Low fat diets are healthy. TRUTH: Low fat eating requires the consumption of excessive carbohydrates to obtain the daily energy requirements. This leads to high insulin production, which kick-starts the cycle that eventually leads to heart disease. The more fat, the more bile salts required, the more cholesterol the liver makes. Therefore, blood cholesterol may increase with a higher fat diet. But, that’s OK!

Nutrition Myth #3: Polyunsaturated vegetable are a healthy substitute for animal fats. TRUTH: The polyunsaturated vegetable oils have been rendered toxic by the extreme high temperature and pressure extraction process used by the food industry. In addition, these polyunsaturated oils are mainly omega-6 which increases the INFLAMMATORY response throughout the body.

Nutrition Myth #4: Only lean protein should be eaten. TRUTH: Animal fats contain many nutrients that protect against cancer and heart disease; elevated rates of cancer and heart disease are associated with large amounts of vegetable oils. Also, saturated fat from meat is critical to insure the necessary stiffness of cell walls. Consume fewer animal products and substitute vegetable oils for animal fat.

Nutrition Myth #5: Consumption of red meat increases the risk of cancer and heart disease. TRUTH: There has been NO research results correlating UNPROCESSED red meats with cancer or heart disease. Red meat is rich in iron and zinc, both of which play important roles in the body’s use of essential fatty acids; and, as we have seen, consumption of saturated fat poses no threat to our health.

Nutrition Myth #6: When drinking milk, consume only that which is low fat. TRUTH: Powdered skim milk is added to 1% and 2% milk to give it body. Commercial dehydration methods oxidize cholesterol in powdered milk, rendering it harmful to the arteries. High temperature drying also creates cross-linked proteins and nitrates which are potent carcinogens. The fat in whole milk protect the intestine against infections, as well as other health benefits.

Nutrition Myth #7: Be sure milk is pasteurized before drinking. TRUTH: Real milk-full-fat, unprocessed, and from pastured cows-is a fully “self-sufficient” food. Raw milk contains many enzymes that when exposed to the pH of the intestinal tract, become, active and make the milk easy to digest. But pasteurization destroys these enzymes and the body must work hard to supply its own to break down the milk protein, sugars and fat.

Nutrition Myth #8: Growth hormone (r-BGH) is of no concern in milk. TRUTH: Many scientists are concerned that r-BGH-treated cows could pas unhealthy bacteria into milk products. Also, r-BGH stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor 1, which promotes cell division and growth. Thee is speculation that this could lead to cancer. It is banned in Canada, Australia, Japan and the European Union.

Nutrition Myth #9: Raw milk is not safe and should be banned in all states. TRUTH: Raw milk contains lactic acid producing bacteria that protect against pathogens. Pasteurization destroys these harmful organisms, leaving the milk devoid of any protective mechanism should undesirable bacteria contaminate the milk supply.

Nutrition Myth #10: High fat foods, especially saturated fat, increase the levels of blood cholesterol. TRUTH: As far back as the 1950s, the Framingham study found NO CONNECTION at all between fat consumption and blood cholesterol levels. Further studies by the British (1963), the Israeli’s (1969) and the University of Michigan (1976) confirm the Framingham results. Just another ploy to sell low-fat concoctions.

Nutrition Myth #11: High levels of cholesterol in the blood cause atherosclerosis, the buildup of the fatty plaques that obstruct arteries. TRUTH: Research evidence indicates that high blood cholesterol has NO RELATIONSHIP with the degree of atherosclerosis. For example, a Canadian study (1963) showed men having low cholesterol had as much atherosclerosis as those with high cholesterol. Many other studies, honestly evaluated, showed the same results.

Nutrition Myth #12: The USDA food pyramid promotes health because it leads to a diet low in cholesterol and saturated and promotes carbohydrates from grains, vegetables and fruit. TRUTH: Restriction of animal fats and cholesterol is particularly harmful for pregnant women and growing children. Such a diet can lead to birth defects, poor growth and neurological development. It greatly increases the profits of the processed food and drug companies.

Nutrition Myth #13: Soy foods are healthy and prevent heart disease. They are also an excellent substitute for milk in infant formulas. TRUTH: Soy does not lower cholesterol and does not prevent heart disease. High levels of plant estrogens found in products like soy milk, soy nuts and other soy foods put women at risk for cardiovascular disease. Concerns about the dangers of soy have suggested a ban on infant soy formulas.

Nutrition Myth #14: Beta carotene is converted to vit.A, therefore animal products are not necessary as a source of vit.A. TRUTH: Only under optimal conditions can humans convert beta carotene to vit. A in the intestinal tract. This conversion requires bile salts and fat enzymes. Adding butter to vegetables is WISE as it stimulates the secretion of the needed bile, and enzymes, as well as, supplying easily absorbed vit. A.

Nutrition Myth #15: Protein powders are a healthy choice for protein. TRUTH: Isolated protein powders made from soy, whey, casein and egg whites are usually obtained by a high temperature process that denatures the proteins making them virtually useless while increasing nitrates and other carcinogens. In addition, soy protein…isolates have mineral blocking and thyroid depressing agents.

7 Real Estate Marketing Tools You Should Be Using Right Now

Real Estate Marketing Tools- TraditionalAside from the well-known bandit signs and billboard signs, there are many other traditional real estate marketing tools that are still working for many professionals in the industry. While online real estate marketing is still raking in most of the real estate sales and leads, it’s foolish to ignore other avenues that are still generating clients and revenue for some of the most prolific real estate agents and companies in the world.Seven Offline Real Estate Marketing Tools You Should be UsingTo help you get a better idea at what offline real estate marketing tools are working in this online marketing-driven climate, I’ve put together some of the most effective offline realtor tools for you:1. Host a Broker Event. This will help you network with the people in your industry about the topics that matter most. This is an excellent way to keep an ear to the ground and possibly get ideas for your blog, fill holes in your marketing strategies and even come to an agreement with colleagues that might find clients you need, but they have no use for.2. Print Media. A standard-bearing classic in offline real estate marketing tools, be sure to invest in professional designs and printing materials only. Stick with the basics here: research papers, white papers, product descriptions, brochures, marketing material, etc. Whatever will get your message out there and keep screaming it once your client gets it home and reads it.3. Support Local Organizations and Charities. From sponsoring a local baseball team to adopting a highway, there are tons of ways that you can give back to the community. Not only will this establish you as a pillar of the community, but your name will become instantly recognizable.This comes into play when a community member’s friends or family are looking for a real estate person in the area-guess whose name is on the tip of their tongues? Be sure to be selective and choose organizations that are inline with your message and values.4. Press Releases. The goal here is two-fold. First, you want to get informative press releases out that establish your real estate agency as the “go to” firm in the area. These releases have to be timely, well-informed and address all of the latest topics and breaking news in the area.This will garner the attention of news and program directors at your local media stations, leading them to contact you for matters in which your expertise is needed. These are the types of media appearances that will make your agency a household name, thus building up buyer confidence and increasing your sales and referrals.5. Hold Free Real Estate Seminars. Give speeches meant to show potential real estate investors how to enter the market, or show people how to get the most added resale value on their home. Talk about topics that people are going to benefit from-give them “the get” as in “what are they going to get for attending?” Then, deliver on that get. Don’t sell your services, but rather establish authority and be helpful-it will come back to you tenfold.6. Catchy Business Cards. Business cards can make you stand out or get thrown out-it’s up to you which name on paper you want to be. For instance, drop-cards are a nifty way to gain attention. These look like folded up bills of money, leading people to at least pick them up and look at them.When they see your name, they associate putting money in their pocket and are left with a good impression. Drop these in places where people will pick them up. Or how about a business card that folds up into a house? Have a plain white business card? That’s perfect for them to write someone else’s phone number on and then throw away when they’re done with it. Just sayin’ (wink-wink)7. Vehicle Wraps. You drive around your town or city everyday, passing hundreds and thousands of people. Why not use your car for free advertising? Get your vehicle wrapped with your real estate agency’s name or your name and face. Let people know who you are, wherever you go. It’s a one-time cost and super effective at getting you recognized as a person about the community, not just some name on a sign in front of a house.Of course, integrating these offline marketing tools with online marketing techniques is the real key to real estate success.So Tell Me, what kind of traditional or online real estate marketing tools are you using?

Art Classes Give a Valuable Educational Experience for Students

Each time money gets tight in education, arts programs are the very first budget items to be reviewed for cutbacks. Advocates argue that arts programs give a valuable educational experience for students despite the fact that arts education isn’t easily measured on standardized tests. Research supports that view.1) Thinking Abilities. Art classes aided thinking abilities not present in classroom settings. Art classes teach persistence. By working on projects in a period of time, pupils dealt with problems and learned to persevere despite let-downs in the process. Study discovered art classes trained pupils the best way to express themselves and identify their own personal voice or perspective. Art courses helped see the connection between work within a classroom and the world outside the school. They were struck by the art students’ usage of “observing, picturing, and innovating through exploration and reflective self-evaluation.”2) Reading and writing Abilities. Arts courses help students improve their literacy skills. Researchers speculate that having students discuss art and attempt to figure out the meaning of paintings, they learn how to determine the meaning of text material, too.3) Art Cutbacks Money Cost. Research discovered that reducing money for arts programs in educational facilities really costs money over time. Studies show that “schools that lessen arts programs find themselves within the next 3 years shelling out more money on education, and their test scores in other areas actually drop. Educational institutions that cut arts courses wound up with a decrease in morale and attendance. The educational facilities endured an increase in vandalism and disruptions and had to seek the services of additional staff to help sustain discipline. The added staff cost a lot more than it would have to just keep the arts programs to begin with.In addition, children can develop several benefits over their mates. Research has shown that teens who are exposed to different forms of creative expression experienced advancements in motor skills, coordination, concentration, and others. Listed below are 5 more benefits that a child art lesson program could provide.1) Increase In Creativity. Creativity is developed and encouraged. If performed at an early age, it has greater probability of blossoming. Art classes for the kids support the development of that creativity while giving students the chance to express themselves.2) Increased Focus. Kids seem to concentrate successfully when given the freedom to perform according to the artistic perspective within their minds. Their commitment teaches them to concentrate in other areas of their lives. Young people are distracted by video games and tv. Carefully formulated lessons in painting, sculpting, and illustration help them to ignore distractions and concentrate on the activity before them.3) Improved Eye-Hand Coordination. An artist develops a highly-tuned sense of coordination between his fingers and the pictures in his head. As he finds out to transfer those pictures to the media he is dealing with, his eyes and hands start to interact fluidly. Art classes provide little ones opportunity to develop this level of eye-hand coordination.4) Affirmation by means of Achievement. Youngsters need affirmation, but it has the biggest effect on them when given as a compliment for a personal achievement. It vindicates their own efforts and also validates their self-worth. Art classes for the kids help this affirmation in an environment that focuses upon the entire process of creation rather than the outcome.5) Ability to Complete Tasks. Art classes for the kids allow kids to involve themselves into their drawings, paintings, and illustrations. They learn a sense of personal satisfaction from finishing their projects. Though they do not realize it, they are building the building blocks of an essential character trait that will produce dividends throughout their mature lives.