Vitamin B12 Shortage Linked to Strokes and More

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Not getting enough vitamin B12 may take a serious toll on the brain. Two new studies of the elderly link impairments of memory and reasoning with an indirect measure of vitamin B12 deficiency. Worse, brain scans reveal that those with signs of insufficient B12 are more likely to have shrinkage of brain tissue, vascular damage and patches of dead brain cells than are people with higher levels of the vitamin.

A third, ongoing study is recording neural changes — a slowing in the electrical signals conveying visual information — among people with B12 deficiency.

Conducted in seniors, mostly in their mid-70s to upper 80s (including a large group in Chicago), all three studies observed adverse changes even in people whose B12 levels in blood fall within the ostensibly normal, healthy range. While blood levels of B12 might have been normal, however, two biochemical markers of B12 deficiency often were not: Except in the visual study, brain problems largely correlated with rising blood concentrations of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, or MMA, which accumulate in blood when cells of the body receive too little B12.

"The message of this Chicago study is watch your B12. It's important for the brain," says David Smith of the University of Oxford in England, whose team has begun investigating whether vitamin supplementation can slow cognitive decline in the elderly.

The new findings point to the apparent importance of brain changes in the absence of overt disease, says hematologist Ralph Carmel of New York Methodist Hospital, who was not involved in any of the new studies. The new data also argue against the common practice of relying exclusively on blood B12 levels to identify deficiency, he says.

In 2009, scientists at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago reported results from 516 randomly selected seniors showing that cognitive performance declined faster over a six-year period among those with elevated MMA. All had been taking part in an ongoing study of more than 6,100 men and women begun in 1993. One-third of the seniors, who were tested and surveyed about nutrition every three years, fell into this high MMA category, says Rush nutritionist Christine Tangney.

Now, in the September 27 Neurology, the same researchers report that high homocysteine values correlated with an accelerated shrinkage of brain tissue. Homocysteine blood levels also were linked to a higher number of what scientists call white matter hyperintensities — abnormal markings in magnetic-resonance imaging scans that are suspected of signaling patches of brain cells that died from blood starvation. High levels of hyperintensities mark people at risk of stroke, dementia and death.

The Rush team did the new work on a random subset of 121 of the original study participants, each about 80 years old, using a more sophisticated battery of 17 separate mental tests. While MMA levels again correlated with lower cognitive test scores, homocysteine levels did not.

MMA elevations marked people likely to score substantially worse than other seniors on how quickly they could assimilate information and ideas and on tests of "episodic memory" — a recall of recent events that can be colored by emotions. Two additional biomarkers of B12 deficiency were also linked to poorer episodic memory and with trouble recalling words.

Other researchers have shown how too little B12 might impact the brain at the cellular level. At the Experimental Biology meeting, April 10 in Washington, D.C., Joshua Miller of the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento reported data from 97 people linking subtle B12 deficiency with a slowing of certain visual signals to and their interpretation by the brain. Specifically, Miller looked at visual evoked potentials — the transmission of light signals from the eye to the nervous system. Signaling delays likely reflect a deterioration of the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers, he says.

Those in the lower half of B12 blood values had slower visual signaling speeds than did participants in the upper range, and the length of delays correlated with how low B12 measurements had been. The signal delay may indicate that tissues aren't getting enough B12 even when blood levels are in the normal range.

"So we could think of this, perhaps, as a canary in the coal mine," Miller says.

Miller adds that even though the evoked potentials his team measured in quick, noninvasive tests focused on the eyes, it's likely that whatever B12 is doing to these neurons occurs elsewhere as well. So, subtle changes in visual evoked potential might identify early neural damage, he says, "and predict if you're going to descend into dementia." Identified early enough, there might still be time to intervene with vitamin therapy, he says, and halt further damage.

Previous studies support the idea that B12 shortfalls, even subclinical ones, might damage nerve signaling generally, says Carmel. What's greatly needed now, he argues, are major B12-supplementation trials to establish whether vitamin therapy can substantially slow the development of dementia. To date, Carmel notes, Smith's team at Oxford appears to be the only group investigating that.

B-vitamin therapy "stopped memory decline in people who began with high homocysteine levels," Smith says. "It's an amazing result — much better than we could have expected."

His group gave B vitamins, including B6, B12 and folic acid, to 133 people over age 70 for two years. All participants had mild cognitive impairment. It's a well-defined syndrome, Smith notes, and "50 percent of people with it go on to develop dementia within five years."

The vitamin cocktail was chosen for its established efficacy in lowering homocysteine. Earlier work, Smith explains, "showed elevated homocysteine increases the risk of cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia." In the September 2010 PLoS One, the Oxford group had reported that, compared with seniors getting a placebo pill, the B-vitamin cocktail reduced brain shrinkage.

A new follow-up paper, posted online July 21 in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, shows "the biggest effect of supplementation was on memory," Smith says.

But as impressive as the new studies are, Carmel says, niggling questions remain about how B12 deficiency damages the brain — and whether it acts alone or in consort with deficiencies of other vitamins.

The body tends to absorb B12 poorly after age 50, and several medicines further diminish the vitamin's uptake. "So for many people, especially those with high homocysteine," Smith says, "it seems to make sense to take these vitamins."

Related: Top 10 Natural Foods Highest Vitamin B12

Sources: Oasis Advanced Wellness

sciencenews.org

Most up to date printable non-GMO product list

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Genetically modified food and products are changing the way we shop. Many individuals would rather have the option of opting out of those items which are genetically modified, mainly because they produce questionable effects on our health and have an incredibly negative impact on the environment (especially our bees!)

In fact, most of the foods individuals eat (whether processed or in the produce lane) are genetically modified. Many of the ingredients in packaged foods are derived from genetically modified organisms, and unless you live in Europe, where labeling of products is required. In the US and Canada, however, you never really know if what you put in your body is GMO-filled or GMO-free.

You can easily avoid GMOs by consuming organically certified produce which is required to be GMO-free, or by following and buying from the list of companies below who choose to remain GMO-free! By choosing to support companies who do not use GMOs, we are letting Monsanto know that we will NOT buy their products!

The list below is a list from the NON GMO Project of brands that specifically offer NON GMO products! These companies believe that their customers have the right to make an informed choice.

Click here to download the printable list

365
479º
A. Vogel
Adams Vegetable Oils
Agrana
Agricor Inc.
AH!LASKA
Alexia
Alter Eco
Alvarado Street Bakery
Amande
Amella
Among Friends
Amy’s Kitchen
Andalou Naturals
Angie’s Artisan Treats
Annie’s
Ariven Planet
Arrowhead Mills
Artisan Bistro
Artisan Bistro Home Direct
Atlantic Organic
Atlantic Rose
Attune Foods
Autumn Sky Wild
Back to Nature
Bainter Extra Virgin Sunflower Oil
Bakery on Main
Barbara’s
Barlean’s Organic Oils
Barnana
Barney Butter
Basic Food Flavours, Inc.
Beach Bum Foods
Beanfields
Beanitos, The Original Bean Chip
Bearitos
Berlin Natural Bakery
Better Bean
BetterStevia
Bhakti Chai
Biad Chili Products
Bites of Bliss
Blue Diamond
Blue Lotus Chai
BluePrint
Bold Organics
Bora Bora
Boulder Canyon Natural Foods
Brad’s Leafy Kale
Brad’s Raw 4 Paws
Brad’s Raw Chips
Brad’s Raw Crackers
Brad’s Raw Onion Rings
Braga Organic Farms
Bragg
Bran Aromatics
Bridgewell Resources
Bubbies
Buenatural
Cabo Chips
Cadia
Cal-Organic Farms
Califia Farms
California Olive Ranch
Canfo Natural Products
Canyon Bakehouse
Cape Cod Select
Catania
CaveChick
Cedar’s
Central Market Organics
Chappaqua Crunch Granola
Cheweco Organics
Chez Marie, Inc.
ChiaRezza! OMG Foods Inc.
Choice Organic Teas
Chosen Foods
CHS Oilseed Processing
Chunks O’ Fruti
Ciao Bella Gelato
Ciranda
CleanVia
Coconut Secret
Cocozia
Cool Cups
Coral LLC
Country Choice Organic
Crispy Cat
Crofters
Cruncha ma•me
Crunchmaster
Cuties Juice
Dave’s Gourmet
David’s Unforgettables
Deli-catessen
Della
Desert Essence
Doctor In The Kitchen
Doctor Kracker
Dr. Arenander’s BrainGain & Oral Care Formulas
Dr. Bronner’s Magic
Dream
Drew’s LLC
Dulsweet
Earth Balance
Earth’s Best
EatPastry
Eatsmart
EcoTeas
Edazen
Eden
Edward & Sons
Eighth Wonder
Emerald Cove
Emile Noel
Emmy’s Organics
Emperor’s Kitchen
Endangered Species Chocolate
Ener-G Foods
Engine 2
Enjoy Life Foods
Envirokidz
EO
Erewhon
Essential Living Foods, Inc.
Everyday Superfoods
Fairfield Specialty Eggs
Familia
FanciFood
Fantastic World Foods
Farm to Table Foods
Farmer’s Market
Farmhouse Culture
Field Day
Field Roast Grain Meat Company
Fillmore Farms
Fiordifrutta
Flamous Organics
Flax USA
Flora
Follow Your Heart
Freekeh Foods
Freekehlicious
Freeline Organic Food
Fresh & Easy
Frey
Frontier
Froovie
Fruit Bliss
FruitChia
Fry Group Foods
Fungi Perfecti, LLC
Funky Monkey Snacks
Garden Bar
Garden of Eatin’
Garden of Life
GimMe
Gins Gins
Gingras XO
Giving Nature
GL Soybeans
Global River
GlucoLift
Gluten Free Pantry by Glutino
Glutino
Gnu Foods
Go Raw
Golazo
GoMacro, Inc.
Good Health Natural Foods
Good Karma
GoodBelly
GoodBelly+
GoOrganic/GoNaturally
GoPicnic
Grain Place Foods
Grains of Wellness
Green Gem
Green Island Rice
Green Mountain Gringo
Green Mustache
Grimmway Farms
Growing Naturals
Guayaki
Guiltless Gourmet
Haig’s Delicacies
Haiku
Hail Merry
Hapi Foods Group Inc.
HAPPYBABY Pouches
HAPPYTOT
Harvest Bay
Haute Cuisine
Health is Wealth
Health Warrior
Heavenly Organics
Herbal Zap
High Country Kombucha
Hiland Naturals
Hilary’s Eat Well
Himalania
HimalaRose
HimalaSalt
Hodgson Mill
Hol-Grain
Home Appetit
HomeFree
House Foods
Houweling’s Tomatoes
Ian’s Imagine
Immaculate Baking
Immortality Alchemy
Imperial Gourmet
Indianlife
Intiyan
It Tastes Raaw
Jaali Bean
JaynRoss Creations LLC
Jeff’s Naturals
Jessica’s Natural Foods
Jolly Llama
JustFruit
KAMUT
Keller Crafted Meats
Kettle Foods
Kettlepop
Kiju
KIND Healthy Snacks
Kiwa
Konriko
Koyo
Kur Organic Superfoods
La Reina
La Spagnola
La Tolteca
La Tourangelle
Lafiya Foods
Lassens
Laughing Giraffe Organics
Laurel Hill
Lekithos
LesserEvil
Let’s Do…Distributed by Edward & Sons
Licious Organics
Lillabee Allergy Friendly Baking
Little Duck Organics
livingNOW gluten-free
Loeb’s
Lotus Foods
Lucy’s
Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss
Lundberg Family Farms
Mac-n-Mo’s
Made In Nature
Madhava
Mamma Chia
Manitoba Harvest
Marconi Naturals
Maria & Ricardo
Marinelli’s True Italian Pasta Sauce
Marnier Biscuit Company
Martha’s All Natural
Marukan
Marukome USA
Mary’s Chicken
Mary’s Gone Crackers
Mary’s Little Garden
Mary’s Organic Chicken
Mary’s Organic Turkey
Mary’s Pasture Raised Chicken
Maui Maid
Mediterranean Organic
Mediterranean Snacks
MegaFood
Melt Organic
Metabolic Response Modifiers (MRM)
Mighty Mustard
Mighty Rice
Mighty-O Donuts
Mindful Meats
Minsa
Minsley
Miracle Noodle
Miso Master
Modesto WholeSoy Co.
Momo’s
Montanta Specialty Mills, LLC
Mori-Nu
Mt Vikos
Muesli Munch
Multiple Organics
MXO GLOBAL INC.
My Chi Delights
Naked Coconuts
Naosap Harvest
Napa Valley Naturals
Nasoya
Nathan’s
Native Forest Distributed by Edward & Sons
Natural Directions
Natural Habitats
Natural Nectar
Natural Sea
Natural Tides
Natural Vitality
Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd (NS)
Nature Built
Nature Fed
Nature Way
Nature’s Express
Nature’s Path
Nativas Naturals
Nejaime’s
NestFresh
New Chapter
New England Naturals
New Organics
New York Superfoods
Nexcel Natural Ingredients
Nexcel Natural Ingredients – Nexsoy
Niagara Natural
NibMor
Nordic Naturals
North Coast
NOW Foods
NOW Healthy Foods
NOW Real Food
NOW Real Tea
Nu Life Market
Numi Organic Tea
Nummy Tum Tum
NurturMe
Nutiva
Nutrigold
Nuts About Granola
Oh Baby Foods
Old Wessex
Oleicus/Oleico
Once Again
One Degree Organic Foods
One World
Organic Baby
Organic Planet
Organic Valley
Organicville
Oriya Organics
Ozery Bakery
Pacific Natural Foods
Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative
Paisley Tea Co.
Palo Root Tea
Pampas Rice / Organic Latin America
Pan De Oro
Pascha
Pastorelli Food Products Inc.
Peace Cereal
PEACOCK
Peanut Butter & Co.
Peeled Snacks
Peggy’s Premium
PJ’s Organics
Planet Rice
Plum Organics
Popcorn, Indiana
Popcornopolis
Powbab
President’s Choice
PROBAR
Purasource
Pure
Pure Country Pork
Pure Eire
Purely Decadent
Purely Elizabeth
Pyure Brands
Q.bel
Qrunch Foods
Quinn Popcorn
R.W. Knudsen
Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems
Rapunzel
RAU
Red Hat Co-operative Ltd.
Reese
Revive
RiceSelect
Righteously Raw
Rigoni di Asiago Honey
Rishi Tea
Rising Moon Organics
Risodipasta
Rivara
ROBE and Riverina Natural Oils LLC
Roots
Route 11
Royal Hawaiian Orchards
Rumiano Family Cheese
Runa
Ruth’s Foods
RW Garcia
Sacha
Saffron Road
Sage V Foods
Sainthood Herbs
Salba Smart
Sally’s Smart Foods
Salute Santé
Sambazon
San-J
Santa Cruz Organic
Scratch and Peck
SeaSnax
Secret Squirrel
Seven Stars Farm
Sharkies
Shortstacks
Silk
Silver Hills Sprouted Bakery
Simple Organics
Simply Soy Yogurt
Simply Suzanne
Sir Kensington’s
SK Food
Skout
Snyder’s of Hanover
So Delicious Dairy Free
Sol Cuisine
Somersault Snack Co.
Sophie’s Kitchen
Source
Soyatoo
Spectrum
Spectrum Ingredients
Spicely
Squarebar
Stahlbush Island Farms
Stahlbush Island Farms Ingredients
Stark Sisters Granola
Stash Tea
Stiebrs Farms Go-Organic Eggs
Stone Buhr Flour Company
Straus Family Creamery
Stretch Island Fruit Co.
Suja Juice
Sun Cups
SunE900
Sunfood Superfoods
SunRidge Farms
Sunset
Sunset Kidz
Sunshine Burger
Superberries
Surf Sweets
Sushi Sonic
Sweet Sass Foods
Sweet Tree
SweetLeaf
TAMBOR
Taste of Nature
Tasty Brand
TeaPops
That’s it.
The Better Chip
The Chia Co
The Fresh Market
The Ginger People
The Pure Wraps
The Republic of Tea
The Scoular Company
The Simply Bar
The Solio Family
Theo Chocolate
Third Street, Inc.
Three Farmers
Tiny But Mighty
TOMMYS
Tonnino
Trace Minerals Research
Traditional Medicinals
Tree of Life
Tropical Traditions
Tru Joy Sweets
truRoots
truwhip
Turtle Island Foods
Two Leaves Tea Company
Two Moms in the Raw
twofold
Udi’s
Uncle Sam
Union Market
Upfront Foods
Van’s Natural Foods
Vega
Veggie-Go’s
Venus
VerMints
Veronica Foods
Viana
Victoria
Vigilant Eats
VitaV
Viterra
Watts Brothers
Way Better Snacks
Wayfare
Weetabix
Western Foods
WestSoy
Whole Alternatives
Whole Earth
Whole Harvest
Whole Pantry
Wholesome Chow
Wholesome Sweeteners
WholeSoy & Co.
Wild Veggie
Wildbrine
Wildwood
Willamette Valley
WingFoot
Wisdom of the Ancients
Woodstock
XO Baking Co.
Yamasa
Yoga
Yogavive
Zema’s Madhouse Foods
Ziggy Marley Coco’Mon
Ziggy Marley Hemp Rules
Zing Bars
ZulkaGenetically modified food and products are changing the way we shop. Many individuals would rather have the option of opting out of those items which are genetically modified, mainly because they produce questionable effects on our health and have an incredibly negative impact on the environment (especially our bees!)

In fact, most of the foods individuals eat (whether processed or in the produce lane) are genetically modified. Many of the ingredients in packaged foods are derived from genetically modified organisms, and unless you live in Europe, where labeling of products is required. In the US and Canada, however, you never really know if what you put in your body is GMO-filled or GMO-free.

You can easily avoid GMOs by consuming organically certified produce which is required to be GMO-free, or by following and buying from the list of companies below who choose to remain GMO-free! By choosing to support companies who do not use GMOs, we are letting Monsanto know that we will NOT buy their products!

The list below is a list from the NON GMO Project of brands that specifically offer NON GMO products! These companies believe that their customers have the right to make an informed choice.

http://livelovefruit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/GMO-products-01.jpg

365
479º
A. Vogel
Adams Vegetable Oils
Agrana
Agricor Inc.
AH!LASKA
Alexia
Alter Eco
Alvarado Street Bakery
Amande
Amella
Among Friends
Amy’s Kitchen
Andalou Naturals
Angie’s Artisan Treats
Annie’s
Ariven Planet
Arrowhead Mills
Artisan Bistro
Artisan Bistro Home Direct
Atlantic Organic
Atlantic Rose
Attune Foods
Autumn Sky Wild
Back to Nature
Bainter Extra Virgin Sunflower Oil
Bakery on Main
Barbara’s
Barlean’s Organic Oils
Barnana
Barney Butter
Basic Food Flavours, Inc.
Beach Bum Foods
Beanfields
Beanitos, The Original Bean Chip
Bearitos
Berlin Natural Bakery
Better Bean
BetterStevia
Bhakti Chai
Biad Chili Products
Bites of Bliss
Blue Diamond
Blue Lotus Chai
BluePrint
Bold Organics
Bora Bora
Boulder Canyon Natural Foods
Brad’s Leafy Kale
Brad’s Raw 4 Paws
Brad’s Raw Chips
Brad’s Raw Crackers
Brad’s Raw Onion Rings
Braga Organic Farms
Bragg
Bran Aromatics
Bridgewell Resources
Bubbies
Buenatural
Cabo Chips
Cadia
Cal-Organic Farms
Califia Farms
California Olive Ranch
Canfo Natural Products
Canyon Bakehouse
Cape Cod Select
Catania
CaveChick
Cedar’s
Central Market Organics
Chappaqua Crunch Granola
Cheweco Organics
Chez Marie, Inc.
ChiaRezza! OMG Foods Inc.
Choice Organic Teas
Chosen Foods
CHS Oilseed Processing
Chunks O’ Fruti
Ciao Bella Gelato
Ciranda
CleanVia
Coconut Secret
Cocozia
Cool Cups
Coral LLC
Country Choice Organic
Crispy Cat
Crofters
Cruncha ma•me
Crunchmaster
Cuties Juice
Dave’s Gourmet
David’s Unforgettables
Deli-catessen
Della
Desert Essence
Doctor In The Kitchen
Doctor Kracker
Dr. Arenander’s BrainGain & Oral Care Formulas
Dr. Bronner’s Magic
Dream
Drew’s LLC
Dulsweet
Earth Balance
Earth’s Best
EatPastry
Eatsmart
EcoTeas
Edazen
Eden
Edward & Sons
Eighth Wonder
Emerald Cove
Emile Noel
Emmy’s Organics
Emperor’s Kitchen
Endangered Species Chocolate
Ener-G Foods
Engine 2
Enjoy Life Foods
Envirokidz
EO
Erewhon
Essential Living Foods, Inc.
Everyday Superfoods
Fairfield Specialty Eggs
Familia
FanciFood
Fantastic World Foods
Farm to Table Foods
Farmer’s Market
Farmhouse Culture
Field Day
Field Roast Grain Meat Company
Fillmore Farms
Fiordifrutta
Flamous Organics
Flax USA
Flora
Follow Your Heart
Freekeh Foods
Freekehlicious
Freeline Organic Food
Fresh & Easy
Frey
Frontier
Froovie
Fruit Bliss
FruitChia
Fry Group Foods
Fungi Perfecti, LLC
Funky Monkey Snacks
Garden Bar
Garden of Eatin’
Garden of Life
GimMe
Gins Gins
Gingras XO
Giving Nature
GL Soybeans
Global River
GlucoLift
Gluten Free Pantry by Glutino
Glutino
Gnu Foods
Go Raw
Golazo
GoMacro, Inc.
Good Health Natural Foods
Good Karma
GoodBelly
GoodBelly+
GoOrganic/GoNaturally
GoPicnic
Grain Place Foods
Grains of Wellness
Green Gem
Green Island Rice
Green Mountain Gringo
Green Mustache
Grimmway Farms
Growing Naturals
Guayaki
Guiltless Gourmet
Haig’s Delicacies
Haiku
Hail Merry
Hapi Foods Group Inc.
HAPPYBABY Pouches
HAPPYTOT
Harvest Bay
Haute Cuisine
Health is Wealth
Health Warrior
Heavenly Organics
Herbal Zap
High Country Kombucha
Hiland Naturals
Hilary’s Eat Well
Himalania
HimalaRose
HimalaSalt
Hodgson Mill
Hol-Grain
Home Appetit
HomeFree
House Foods
Houweling’s Tomatoes
Ian’s Imagine
Immaculate Baking
Immortality Alchemy
Imperial Gourmet
Indianlife
Intiyan
It Tastes Raaw
Jaali Bean
JaynRoss Creations LLC
Jeff’s Naturals
Jessica’s Natural Foods
Jolly Llama
JustFruit
KAMUT
Keller Crafted Meats
Kettle Foods
Kettlepop
Kiju
KIND Healthy Snacks
Kiwa
Konriko
Koyo
Kur Organic Superfoods
La Reina
La Spagnola
La Tolteca
La Tourangelle
Lafiya Foods
Lassens
Laughing Giraffe Organics
Laurel Hill
Lekithos
LesserEvil
Let’s Do…Distributed by Edward & Sons
Licious Organics
Lillabee Allergy Friendly Baking
Little Duck Organics
livingNOW gluten-free
Loeb’s
Lotus Foods
Lucy’s
Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss
Lundberg Family Farms
Mac-n-Mo’s
Made In Nature
Madhava
Mamma Chia
Manitoba Harvest
Marconi Naturals
Maria & Ricardo
Marinelli’s True Italian Pasta Sauce
Marnier Biscuit Company
Martha’s All Natural
Marukan
Marukome USA
Mary’s Chicken
Mary’s Gone Crackers
Mary’s Little Garden
Mary’s Organic Chicken
Mary’s Organic Turkey
Mary’s Pasture Raised Chicken
Maui Maid
Mediterranean Organic
Mediterranean Snacks
MegaFood
Melt Organic
Metabolic Response Modifiers (MRM)
Mighty Mustard
Mighty Rice
Mighty-O Donuts
Mindful Meats
Minsa
Minsley
Miracle Noodle
Miso Master
Modesto WholeSoy Co.
Momo’s
Montanta Specialty Mills, LLC
Mori-Nu
Mt Vikos
Muesli Munch
Multiple Organics
MXO GLOBAL INC.
My Chi Delights
Naked Coconuts
Naosap Harvest
Napa Valley Naturals
Nasoya
Nathan’s
Native Forest Distributed by Edward & Sons
Natural Directions
Natural Habitats
Natural Nectar
Natural Sea
Natural Tides
Natural Vitality
Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd (NS)
Nature Built
Nature Fed
Nature Way
Nature’s Express
Nature’s Path
Nativas Naturals
Nejaime’s
NestFresh
New Chapter
New England Naturals
New Organics
New York Superfoods
Nexcel Natural Ingredients
Nexcel Natural Ingredients – Nexsoy
Niagara Natural
NibMor
Nordic Naturals
North Coast
NOW Foods
NOW Healthy Foods
NOW Real Food
NOW Real Tea
Nu Life Market
Numi Organic Tea
Nummy Tum Tum
NurturMe
Nutiva
Nutrigold
Nuts About Granola
Oh Baby Foods
Old Wessex
Oleicus/Oleico
Once Again
One Degree Organic Foods
One World
Organic Baby
Organic Planet
Organic Valley
Organicville
Oriya Organics
Ozery Bakery
Pacific Natural Foods
Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative
Paisley Tea Co.
Palo Root Tea
Pampas Rice / Organic Latin America
Pan De Oro
Pascha
Pastorelli Food Products Inc.
Peace Cereal
PEACOCK
Peanut Butter & Co.
Peeled Snacks
Peggy’s Premium
PJ’s Organics
Planet Rice
Plum Organics
Popcorn, Indiana
Popcornopolis
Powbab
President’s Choice
PROBAR
Purasource
Pure
Pure Country Pork
Pure Eire
Purely Decadent
Purely Elizabeth
Pyure Brands
Q.bel
Qrunch Foods
Quinn Popcorn
R.W. Knudsen
Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems
Rapunzel
RAU
Red Hat Co-operative Ltd.
Reese
Revive
RiceSelect
Righteously Raw
Rigoni di Asiago Honey
Rishi Tea
Rising Moon Organics
Risodipasta
Rivara
ROBE and Riverina Natural Oils LLC
Roots
Route 11
Royal Hawaiian Orchards
Rumiano Family Cheese
Runa
Ruth’s Foods
RW Garcia
Sacha
Saffron Road
Sage V Foods
Sainthood Herbs
Salba Smart
Sally’s Smart Foods
Salute Santé
Sambazon
San-J
Santa Cruz Organic
Scratch and Peck
SeaSnax
Secret Squirrel
Seven Stars Farm
Sharkies
Shortstacks
Silk
Silver Hills Sprouted Bakery
Simple Organics
Simply Soy Yogurt
Simply Suzanne
Sir Kensington’s
SK Food
Skout
Snyder’s of Hanover
So Delicious Dairy Free
Sol Cuisine
Somersault Snack Co.
Sophie’s Kitchen
Source
Soyatoo
Spectrum
Spectrum Ingredients
Spicely
Squarebar
Stahlbush Island Farms
Stahlbush Island Farms Ingredients
Stark Sisters Granola
Stash Tea
Stiebrs Farms Go-Organic Eggs
Stone Buhr Flour Company
Straus Family Creamery
Stretch Island Fruit Co.
Suja Juice
Sun Cups
SunE900
Sunfood Superfoods
SunRidge Farms
Sunset
Sunset Kidz
Sunshine Burger
Superberries
Surf Sweets
Sushi Sonic
Sweet Sass Foods
Sweet Tree
SweetLeaf
TAMBOR
Taste of Nature
Tasty Brand
TeaPops
That’s it.
The Better Chip
The Chia Co
The Fresh Market
The Ginger People
The Pure Wraps
The Republic of Tea
The Scoular Company
The Simply Bar
The Solio Family
Theo Chocolate
Third Street, Inc.
Three Farmers
Tiny But Mighty
TOMMYS
Tonnino
Trace Minerals Research
Traditional Medicinals
Tree of Life
Tropical Traditions
Tru Joy Sweets
truRoots
truwhip
Turtle Island Foods
Two Leaves Tea Company
Two Moms in the Raw
twofold
Udi’s
Uncle Sam
Union Market
Upfront Foods
Van’s Natural Foods
Vega
Veggie-Go’s
Venus
VerMints
Veronica Foods
Viana
Victoria
Vigilant Eats
VitaV
Viterra
Watts Brothers
Way Better Snacks
Wayfare
Weetabix
Western Foods
WestSoy
Whole Alternatives
Whole Earth
Whole Harvest
Whole Pantry
Wholesome Chow
Wholesome Sweeteners
WholeSoy & Co.
Wild Veggie
Wildbrine
Wildwood
Willamette Valley
WingFoot
Wisdom of the Ancients
Woodstock
XO Baking Co.
Yamasa
Yoga
Yogavive
Zema’s Madhouse Foods
Ziggy Marley Coco’Mon
Ziggy Marley Hemp Rules
Zing Bars
Zulka

Source: livelovefruit.com

Turmeric Curcumin: Curing Cancer, Diabetes and More

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Check out this video on the positive health effects of turmeric curcumin(cumin). New research is showing that it may help prevent and treat cancer, diabetes, inflammation, arthritis and even AIDS. This wonder drug needs more attention and should brought into the mainstream. At least one case of a woman curing breast cancer has shocked the mainstream medical world. Turmeric is not the only natural way to cure cancer, there are many other super-foods that cure diseases that are being suppressed my big pharma and their buddies in the FDA. Share this video and do you part to break the monopoly on medicine!

How To Naturally Detox Your Body

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For centuries, the practice of detoxing the body has been used to get rid of unhealthy toxins and buildup in our cells and tissues. In fact, Hippocrates recommended fasting to quickly remove these toxins, and the art of fasting itself has been used by numerous historical figures such as Ghandi, and famous doctors of antiquity like Avicenna, Asclepiades, and Celsus who recommended their patients undertake 3-5 week long water fasts to regain health and strength. The pioneer of medicine, Paracelsus claimed that fasting is the best remedy for many diseases.

Of course, many individuals may not be in the proper positions in their life to undertake such dramatic measures. I, myself, have water fasted to rid myself of various ailments, and a majority of the time the issues cleared themselves up. Instead, choosing actual vegetables, fruits and herbs that help detox the organs in our body is usually the easier (and safer) route. Although it may take longer for the body to heal this way, you are still helping it cleanse the daily toxins we are bombarded with day in day out.

The body actually has a detox system itself. These organs include the Liver, the Colon, and the Kidneys.

The liver is your body’s first line of defence against toxins. Think of the liver as a sieve that prevents toxic substances from food or the environment from entering our bloodstream and making us sick. When the liver is compromised, then these substances by-pass the liver and enter the bloodstream, and from there you may then suffer from a variety of diseases and illnesses.

The colon has healthy bacteria that produce a variety of chemicals to help flush out whatever debris might be lingering in the intestines. Making sure that things are constantly flowing, and that you are not constantly constipated or have diarrhea is crucial since this detox system helps flush out toxic chemicals. If you haven’t had a bowel movement in awhile, or if your bowel movements are limited to one small movement a day, then you may suffer from toxic buildup in your intestine (which can lead to an array of health issues). Instead of being flushed out, these toxins sit and get absorbed into the blood stream, which means bad news!

The kidneys are constantly filtering the blood and get rid of toxins in the form of urine. If the liver, colon and kidneys are compromised, then you have got a huge system of toxic buildup which can lead to health issues like cancer, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and the chance to develop autoimmune diseases.

Below is a list of foods for certain areas of our body that you may want to focus on. Personally, I would focus on them all by switching to a whole foods lifestyle, heavy on the consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, fresh green juices and LOTS of water, in addition to these foods.

BLOOD
Garlic, Leafy Greens, Cayenne, Beets, Ginger Root, Avocados

LYMPH
Carrots, Asparagus, Tomatoes, Berries, Echinacea, Astragalus

KIDNEYS
Dandelion, Beets, Berries, Cabbage, Watermelon, Grapes

LIVER
Dandelion Greens, Garlic, Beets, Broccoli, Lemons, Turmeric

INTESTINES
Bananas, Ginger, Turmeric, Asparagus, Pears, Fennel

PANCREAS
Broccoli, Grapes, Berries, Tomatoes, Garlic, Avocados

GALLBLADDER
Apples, Cucumber, Lemon, Leafy Greens, Beets, Sweet Potato


Source: Live Love Fruit

Illinois illegally seizes bees resistant to Monsanto's Roundup

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The Illinois Ag Dept.  illegally seized privately owned bees from renowned naturalist, Terrence Ingram, without providing him with a search warrant and before the court hearing on the matter, reports Prairie Advocate News.

Behind the obvious violations of his Constitutional rights is Monsanto. Ingram was researching Roundup’s effects on bees, which he’s raised for 58 years.  “They ruined 15 years of my research,” he told Prairie Advocate, by stealing most of his stock.

A certified letter from the Ag Dept.’s Apiary Inspection Supervisor, Steven D. Chard, stated:

“During a routine inspection of your honeybee colonies by … Inspectors Susan Kivikko and Eleanor Balson on October 23, 2011, the bacterial disease ‘American Foulbrood’ was detected in a number of colonies located behind your house…. Presence of the disease in some of your colonies was confirmed via test results from the USDA Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland that analyzed samples collected from your apiary….”

Ingram can prove his bees did not have foulbrood, and planned to do so at a hearing set in April, but the state seized his bees at the end of March. They have not returned them and no one at the Ag Dept. seems to know where his bees are.

The bees could have been destroyed, or they could have been turned over to Monsanto to ascertain why some of his bees are resistant to Roundup. Without the bees as evidence, Ingram simply cannot defend against the phony charges of foulbrood.

Worse, all his queens died after Kivikko and Balson “inspected” his property, outside of his presence and without a warrant.

Of note, Illinois beekeepers are going underground after Ingram’s experience and refuse to register their hives, in case the state tries to steal their private property on phony claims.

Sources: realfarmacy.com

globalresearch.ca

Health Benefits of Watercress

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Watercress is a popular european leafy green herb that grows along springs and slow running water streams. It has a faint pepper taste to it, and has been used in ancient times for medicinal uses in Europe, Central Asia and the Americas. It is closely related to mustard greens, garden cress, cabbage and arugula. 

This leafy herb contains more vitamin C than some fruit and vegetables! You can get over 72% of your daily vitamin C from just 100 grams of watercress leaves. Vitamin C helps to scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Vitamin C not only helps boost your immunity against infection, but it also helps prevent iron deficiency anemia, and helps maintain bone health and keep skin supple and radiant looking.

This amazing little herb also happens to be one of the best vegetable sources for vitamin K! Just 100 grams of watercress leaves will leave you absorbing over 200% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin K! Vitamin K is important in bone health by promoting the strengthening and formation of bones (osteotrophic activity). Vitamin K also reduces the amount of neuronal damage in the brain and thus has been used in treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamin A, which is important for skin, eye, bone, hair and nail health is a fat soluble vitamin that is stored in our liver. Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant in our bodies, however, it is the carotenes (i.e., alpha carotene, beta carotene; the precursors of vitamin A) in the watercress that can either be turned into vitamin A or turned into antioxidants (the body does this! It is very intelligent and will turn carotenes from the plant into vitamin A only if your body needs it. The rest will function in your bloodstream as antioxidants – so you can’t really overdose on carotenes). Watercress is particularly rich in vitamin A with 100g of the leaves providing you with 70% of your RDA of vitamin A.

Watercress is also rich in B vitamins which help to relieve stress, treat anxiety and depression, aid in memory and relieve PMS. Some B vitamins also help cells burn fats and glucose for energy, whereas others help make serotonin (the feel-good neurotransmitter created in our brain). Not only do B vitamins do all of the aforementioned, but they also assist with the production and repair of DNA!

Glucosinolates in watercress help to boost and regulate activity of detoxification enzymes in the liver. When consumed, the glucosinolates in watercress are converted to isothiocyanates, which then have the ability to inhibit tumorigenesis by modulating the metabolism of carcinogens. This effect found to have an even stronger impact when consuming watercress that has not been cooked.

As an anti-inflammatory, watercress has been used for treating eczema, acne and other skin issues (again, we can thank vitamin’s A and C here). It can also be used as a liver tonic to help aid your liver in the detoxification process. It is also interesting to note that watercress is (in terms of calories) 85% protein, making it a great source of plant protein for vegans.

Next time you make a green juice, or a salad, add in some watercress to pack in some of the amazing benefits listed above! Your body will love you for it!

Sources:

Gill, C., Haldar, S., Boyd, L., Bennett, R., Whiteford, J., Butler, M., Pearson, J., Bradbury, I., & Rowland, I. (2007) Watercress supplementation in diet reduces lymphocyte DNA damage and alters blood antioxidant status in healthy adults. Am J Clin Nutr, 85, 504-510.

Rose, P., Won, Y., Ong, C., & Whiteman, M. (2005) B-Phenylethyl and 8-methylsulphinyloctyl isothiocyanates, constituents of watercress, suppress LPS induced production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Nitric Oxide, 12, 237-243.

Getahun, S., & Chung, F. (1999) Conversion of glucosinolates to isothiocyanates in humans after ingestion of cooked watercress. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev., 8, 447-451.

U.S Non GMO and Organic Shopping Guide for Consumers

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We hope you find this useful.

Other Articles you may like:

6 Ways To Buy Organic On A Budget

Reducing Your Risk To Pesticides: 47 Fruits and Veggies and Their Pesticide Load

6 Ways To Buy Organic On A Budget

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1. Put your green bargaining cap on and talk with farmers at the markets to negotiate a lower price for your produce. We know they work hard for their money but it can’t hurt to ask. Bartering for fare isn’t as strange as it sounds. Maybe they’ll unload the less popular fruits and vegetables for less too.

2. Everyone’s looking for the perfect specimen. You might want to choose produce that’s been passed over, because of minimal bruising and spotting, and ask for a lower price. Let’s face it, basil is going to wilt anyways once you chop it up or cook it so buying some that’s already on its way isn’t going to affect its flavor. It just means that you’ll want to use it sooner than later — which isn’t a bad thing.

3. More and more of the bigger food warehouse stores (like Sam’s Club, for example) are carrying organic items. If you can buy in bulk (dried beans, rice, canned tomatoes, organic coffee, etc.) this will save you a few dollars too. If you want to buy vegetables in greater quantities because of price, some will freeze nicely if slightly blanched beforehand. Asparagus, green beans, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, turnips and squashes can all be frozen.

4. Before you go to the Farmer’s Market and get pulled into the romance of it all (“I must have those gorgeous garlic scapes – now what do I do with them?”), plan ahead and go with a set list in mind. If an item is too expensive because it’s just come in season, wait a week and the price may go down.

5. The proliferation of websites that sell organic food and related items is ever-growing and with the incentive of free shipping on some sites, this may be a great alternative for you. Amazon.com is even dabbling in selling organic grocery store items, so you’ll have a variety of sources from which to choose.

6. Just as you search for coupons in your local supermarket flyers (or watch them haphazardly fall out of your weekend newspaper), many of the organic brand websites offer a way to print out coupons too. If you don’t have access to a printer, some of the websites will simply send you the coupons if you supply your snail mail address.

What To Do When You Can't Find Organics Or Pesticide-Free Fruits and Vegetables? If you don't have the advantage of buying organic and your local supermarket only carries fruits and vegetables that have been sprayed with pesticides, reduce your risk by finding out which ones are the worst. Check: Reducing Your Risk To Pesticides: 47 Fruits and Veggies and Their Pesticide Load

Source: http://preventdisease.com

47 Fruits and Veggies and Their Pesticide Load

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Every year, new research is published showing the toxicity of pesticides to human health and the environment, often at doses previously declared "safe" by the pesticide industry and the government. 

As acknowledged by the U.S. and international government agencies, different pesticides have been linked with a variety of toxic effects, including:

·         Nervous system effects

·         Carcinogenic effects

·         Hormone system effects

·         Skin, eye and lung irritation

Pesticides are unique among the chemicals we release into the environment; they have inherent toxicity because they are designed to kill living organisms, insects, plants, and fungi that are considered "pests." Because they are toxic by design, many pesticides pose health risks to people, risks that have been acknowledged by independent research scientists and physicians across the world.

Protecting our families' health from chemical exposures can start with minimizing children's exposure to pesticides. It is now well established that pesticides pose a risk to vital organ systems that continue to grow and mature from conception throughout infancy and childhood. Exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals during critical periods of development can have lasting adverse effects both in early development and later in life. The metabolism, physiology, and biochemistry of a fetus, infant or child are fundamentally different from those of adults; a young, organism is often less able to metabolize and inactivate toxic chemicals and can be much more vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides. The nervous system, brain, reproductive organs and endocrine (hormone) system can be permanently, if subtly, damaged by exposure to toxic substances in-utero or throughout early childhood that, at the same level, cause no measurable harm to adults. The developing brain and endocrine system are very sensitive, and low doses at a susceptible moment of development can cause more of an effect than high doses. It is especially important to reduce pesticide exposures of babies and young children so as to minimize these risks.

What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk?

Addressing the risks of pesticide exposure first and foremost requires information, which is frequently made unavailable to the general public by the government agencies. To counteract this trend for secrecy, EWG believes that:

People have a right to know what's in their food, so they can choose foods with less pesticides.

·    The government can and should take steps to dramatically reduce the number and amount of toxic chemicals, including pesticides, in the food supply.

Each of us can opt for food safety today by choosing to purchase produce low in pesticides and by buying organically-raised fruits and vegetables as frequently as possible. With this first step we can protect our families' health and preserve our own future and the future of the environment from the harmful effects of pesticides.

The following chart ranks the highest (100 score) and lowest (1 score) pesticide loads of popular fruits and veggies. 

RANK	FRUIT OR VEGGIE	SCORE
1 (worst)	Peach	100 (highest pesticide load)
2	Apple	93
3	Sweet Bell Pepper	83
4	Celery	82
5	Nectarine	81
6	Strawberries	80
7	Cherries	73
8	Kale	69
9	Lettuce	67
10	Grapes - Imported	66
11	Carrot	63
12	Pear	63
13	Collard Greens	60
14	Spinach	58
15	Potato	56
16	Green Beans	53
17	Summer Squash	53
18	Pepper	51
19	Cucumber	50
20	Raspberries	46
21	Grapes - Domestic	44
22	Plum	44
23	Orange	44
24	Cauliflower	39
25	Tangerine	37
26	Mushrooms	36
27	Banana	34
28	Winter Squash	34
29	Cantaloupe	33
30	Cranberries	33
31	Honeydew Melon	30
32	Grapefruit	29
33	Sweet Potato	29
34	Tomato	29
35	Broccoli	28
36	Watermelon	26
37	Papaya	20
38	Eggplant	20
39	Cabbage	17
40	Kiwi	13
41	Sweet Peas - Frozen	10
42	Asparagus	10
43	Mango	9
44	Pineapple	7
45	Sweet Corn - Frozen	2
46	Avocado	1
47 (best)	Onion	1 (lowest pesticide load)

Source: http://preventdisease.com