The Biggest Natural Disaster in US History is Upon Us. Save Yourself and Your Loved Ones.

Enough with the costly research studies that provide shocking headlines such as this one:  “2 out of 3 very obese kids already have Heart Disease Risk Factors.”

Study after study confirms that the majority of Americans (from our children through our elders) have become the fattest, sickest people in the history of time.  We “require” the most prescription medications as our health care costs have skyrocketed into the trillions of dollars/year.  We are fueling trillion dollar businesses…with our declining health and ultimately paying with our lives.


We don’t need more studies to point this out.  We get it.

What we need is for our government, medical associations,  universities, medical community,  and our children’s schools….to educate the population and focus attention on a health issue that over 60% of Americans have…along with the diet and activity program that can start solving our weight and weight related health epidemics….starting TODAY.


This is a fact:  The majority of those who become overweight, obese,  those who go on to a diagnosis of pre diabetes or type 2 diabetes, who have nutrition-related cardiovascular disease ….all these people…have a quiet underlying metabolic problem that most are not aware of.

They don’t realize that the diet recommendations that are agreed upon by the government, medical associations, schools, food manufacturers to promote weight loss, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and prevent diabetes is the very diet prescription that PROMOTES WEIGHT GAIN, OBESITY, AND DIABETES.


The name of this underlying metabolic condition is “metabolic syndrome.”  It has also been called Syndrome X.  I call it “Metabolism B.”  Why Met B?  To make it simple.  It’s that easy to distinguish if a person has what has been known as normal metabolism (Met A) or is suffering from lack of knowledge regarding another “type” of metabolism (Met B).  It’s that simple.  Really, it is.

A person has Met A or Met B.  About 40% of people have Met A.  About 60% of people have the genetic predisposition to Met B. Met B is progressive.  And Met B is the type of metabolism that, if uncontrolled, leads to overweight, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, triglycerides, hypertension, and some cancers  (including breast cancer).

Uncontrolled Met B is fueling the epidemics of obesity and diabetes, has cranked up the US’s dependence on pharmaceuticals/prescriptions, and is leading our country into staggering medical debt.


There is a solution for the millions of people with metabolic syndrome.  The solution does not require medication.  It requires 3 things:  Knowledge of the problem, factual information about how to control  the problem, and making good lifestyle choices while leading a “liveable” lifestyle that matches this metabolism.

Metabolic syndrome (Met B)  is genetic and progressive. A child is born with the genes for metabolic syndrome, and then the "stressors" of life...inactivity, stress, and  high carb intake push the button and the child progresses to have midline fat deposits, overweight/obesity, high cholesterol , hypertension, and even type 2 diabetes as a child. His/her parents are most likely living with the same metabolic disturbance.


Unfortunately, the medical community (in the 1960's) decided to treat metabolic syndrome with a low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol diet.  I’m not even going to ponder why this avenue was chosen, but I do know that we were "told" by the medical establishment that our cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar were the result of excess calories, excess saturated fat, excess cholesterol,  and inactivity.

Food companies went into high gear concocting low calorie, low fat everything: low fat mayonnaise, ice cream, salad dressings,  sugar free candy, cookies, cakes, low calorie frozen foods,  fat free potato chips.  A  food pyramid was designed to focus on low calorie, low fat carbohydrate foods like grains, fruit, non fat milk, juice, cereal, yogurt, breads, legumes…. (all carbohydrate foods at the base of that pyramid).

After the the high profile promotion of the low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol diet as the way to prevent overweight, heart disease, and diabetes…. the epidemics of obesity and diabetes took off!


Truth be known, this low fat, low calorie diet is about 50-55% carbohydrate (sometimes more).   For the millions with Met B, this style diet is a recipe for disaster.  Why?  The root underlying metabolic flaw for those with the genes for metabolic syndrome is INSULIN IMBALANCE and a  diet of  low fat, low calorie carbohydrate foods  flips the switch on metabolic syndrome’s root problem….insulin over-release, insulin imbalance, and insulin resistance.

Think about it….the low fat, low cholesterol, low calorie diet is really a HIGH CARB DIET.  The majority of people who will struggle with weight and weight related health issues cannot tolerate a high carbohydrate diet.  It will force them to over release the fat gain hormone insulin release making them fatter on their body and in their blood.  The longer they remain on a low fat, high carb diet, the fatter and sicker they will get.  In other words, the harder they try “to lose weight and get healthy”…the sicker they become….the more medication they will require…the more doctors visits (specialists, too) will be needed!


There is a ready and available solution to this disaster.  Obesity and weight (insulin)related health issues triggered by obesity is our greatest “natural disaster.”  It is very easy to determine if a person has Metabolism A (they can maintain health and wellness on the traditional low fat, low cholesterol, low calorie diet) or Metabolism B (they can attain and maintain health and wellness on a program designed for their special metabolic needs).  The answer is found in routine labwork.  It’s not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact if you have Met A or Met B.

For the 60% of the population suffering from overweight, obesity, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, diabetes, the solution is available today


I have spent over 15 years researching, developing, designing, and writing  and releasing the health and wellness program that will turn around the epidemics of obesity and diabetes.  I personally worked with over 6000 patients and have the data to prove that its success.  The program has been available to the public since April, 2009.  It has been reviewed by Harvard’s Nutrition Committee and the New England Journal of Medicine.  It is now followed around the world and is licensed in 7 languages.  It works.

I am saddened that the AMA, ADA, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is not strongly recommending the core lifestyle program behind The Metabolism Miracle and now The Diabetes Miracle.  They know that it works.


 If research money for finding the answer to the obesity/diabetes epidemics  should go anywhere, it should go into a large scale study that will prove that this program is the answer we’ve been looking for so that we can provide this information to the US and the world.

For those who  don’t want to wait for the government, medical institutions, universities, etc.  to decide to share this information (it will significantly reduce the need for medications and health care dollars)….you can start improving your health today.

The results will be objective…. In black and white.  The program will predict the target range of fat pounds lost every 8 weeks, the inches lost that will match the fat pounds lost.  You will see major marked improvement in your blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides,  and vitamin D. Your energy will skyrocket.  Your medication requirements will dramatically decrease.   All this will become evident within 8 weeks…and the program keeps on working.

When you reach your desired weight, are on as little medication as possible, have normal lab work, and love the way you look and feel, there is a maintenance “way of life” that keeps you there.


The cost?  The cost of a paperback book…under 11 dollars… The Metabolism Miracle by Diane Kress, RD CDE  (also on Kindle or in hardcover)    http://www.amazon.com/The-Metabolism-Miracle-Control-Permanently/dp/0738213861/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Need support?  For 20 cents/day there is a support site where I personally answer your questions , there are videos, recipes, tips, Forums, 24/7 chat with other Met B’s, and the best support you have ever seen for a lifestyle.  Miracle-Ville.com  is the place where those following the Metabolism Miracle lifestyle can meet for support, information, and one on one help.  20 cents/day.    www.miracle-ville.com.


We can do this on our own.  We don’t have to wait to be spoon fed the information twenty five years from now when the government and medical associations agree that the Metabolism Miracle is the answer. By that time, hundreds of millions more will die and suffer from the ramifications of uncontrolled metabolic syndrome.

Let’s make history now.

RED YEAST RICE

This ancient Chinese staple could have knocked costly statins out of the ballpark

“We own it” said the pharmaceutical industry in the US with the help of the FDA

And now, Red Yeast Rice on the shelves in the US is stripped of its beneficial ingredient

For centuries red yeast rice (RYR) has been used as a staple in China and Japan.  It has been consumed as a preservative, food colorant, spice, and as an ingredient in rice wine


Red yeast rice is a product of the fermentation of red yeast (Monascus purpureus) on rice. Since 800 A.D. the Chinese have used red yeast rice medicinally to improve circulation, alleviate indigestion, as an anti-diarrheal, and since the 1970’s…both Japanese, Chinese, and US scientists have recognized its ability to lower plaque causing blood lipids…  LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

In 1977, Professor Endo in Japan discovered a natural cholesterol-lowering substance that is produced by a strain of Monascus yeast. This substance inhibits an enzyme that is important for the production of cholesterol in the body. Professor Endo named this substance moncacolin K. Since then, scientists have discovered a total of eight monacolin-like substances that have cholesterol-lowering properties.  They are all derived from red yeast rice.

The active ingredients in RYR were developed into a supplement that was available over the counter in health food stores under the trade names Cholestin and Hypocol;  Both products were produced through the fermentation of selected strains of Monascus purpureus, using a proprietary process that produces a certain concentration of monacolin K.   It is interesting to note that lovastatin (the cholesterol lowering drug known as Mevacor) is currently made of monacolin K.

Studies have shown that red yeast rice can significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and specifically LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. One showed that taking 2.4 grams per day of red yeast rice reduced LDL levels by 22% and total cholesterol by 16% in 12 weeks. Another study showed that taking 1.2 grams per day lowered LDL levels by 26% in just eight weeks.

Although studies showed that using RYR did safely lower cholesterol and triglycerides ….the FDA soon determined it was ILLEGAL to market RYR that contained more than trace amounts of monacolin K.  The products that were available over the counter that worked to safely lower cholesterol and triglycerides were pulled.  Although Cholestin is still sold (HypoCol is not), the monacolin K had to be reduced to trace amounts.  It was no illegal to sell RYR that contained monacolin K in an amount that would help lower lipids.

Note that at this time, the pharmaceutical manufacturer of Mevacor argued that it owned the rights to the ingredient lovastatin.  So, the FDA approved the use of monacolin K for pharmaceutical manufacture and distribution.  As a side note:  the minimum amount of the cholesterol lowering piece of Mevacor is 10mg.  Also, serious side effects have been linked to statins including possible damage to the kidneys, liver, and muscles.

These are the reasons the FDA gave for making RYR manufacturers scale back their cholesterol lowering ingredients to trace amounts:

Statin drugs are associated with muscle and kidney injury when used alone or combined with other medications. There is concern that patients who already take statin drugs with or without these other medications may increase their risk of muscle or kidney injury. (Perhaps RYR would negate the need to take the statins?)

Second, the FDA considers the products containing red yeast rice with high levels of cholesterol lowering substances to be new, unapproved drugs for which marketing violates the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. (The statins contain high levels of cholesterol lowering substances)

  

So….The FDA acknowledged that statins are potentially harmful to muscles, liver, and kidneys.  Monacolin K in RYR might actually lower cholesterol without people being tied into a lifetime of costly statins.  The  FDA promptly removed the beneficial levels of RYR from the US market.

As previously mentioned, the statin Mevacor is made of highly purified and concentrated lovastatin (monacolin K).  It is STRONG MEDICINE.  The monacolin K in HypoCol and Cholestin was much lower in concentration.  In each 600mg capsule of Cholestin, there was less than 2.4mg of lovastatin.  Mevacor tablets have 10mg or more per tablet! 

In fact, Cholestin and HypoCol contained a mixture of the eight yeast-produced monacolins, unsaturated fatty acids, and certain anti-oxidants. Some scientists believe that these other monacolins, unsaturated fatty acids, and anti-oxidants may work together favorably with the lovastatin to enhance its cholesterol-lowering effects, as well as its ability in lowering triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol.

No large, long-term studies of red yeast rice products for the prevention of heart attacks have yet been conducted. However, animal studies are underway at UCLA comparing red yeast rice to a statin drug (such as Mevacor) for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

As for side effects of RYR, human trials in China and the US, although lasting months and not years, showed only rare and minor side effects like heartburn or indigestion.  No liver, kidney, or muscle toxicity was reported.  Come to think of it, the Chinese have been consuming RYR for centuries without side effects.  This is much more than we can say for our statins.

Unfortunately, the RYR products currently available in the US do not contain sufficient cholesterol lowering substances to aid in lipid reduction.

What says the Mayo Clinic about RYR?

Since the 1970s, human studies have reported that red yeast lowers blood levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein/LDL ("bad cholesterol"), and triglyceride levels. 

Preliminary evidence shows that taking Monascus purpureus by mouth may result in cardiovascular benefits and improve blood flow. Additional study is needed before a firm
recommendation can be made. 


Early human evidence suggests the potential for benefits in diabetics. Additional study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made. 

If RYR were available in beneficial dosages, it might not be safe for everyone. You would not take it if you:

• Have kidney disease
• Have liver disease 
• Are pregnant
• Are breastfeeding

In addition, the following medications should not be mixed with RYR 

• Statins to control cholesterol such as Crestor, Lescol, Lipitor, Pravachol, Mevacor, and Zocor
• Other cholesterol drugs such as Lopid and Tricor
• Drugs to suppress the immune system, like cyclosporine
• Antifungal drugs such as Diflucan, Nizoral, and Sporanox
• The antibiotics erythromycin and Biaxin
• Serzone, an antidepressant
• Protease inhibitors, used to treat HIV

People who have allergies to fungus or yeast should also be wary of using red yeast rice.

Always talk to your doctor before you start using red yeast rice or any other supplement.

As for RYR, it is possible to obtain it out of the US.  The problem is that you will not be sure of its purity, actual concentration of monacolin K, additives, etc.  It’s a shame that a natural substance that has been ingested for over 1000 years without incident, known to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in less than ¼ the dose in the lowest dose of a statin, and would be very affordable was removed from US access so that the pharmaceutical industry could market it in a super powerful dose with known side effects…and a hefty price tag.

Are Cheerios Really the Preferred Cereal to Lower Cholesterol?

This is a different format for a Whistle Blog .  Instead of spot- lighting a questionable diet/health  story that appeared in the media this week….I want to illustrate how VERY clever advertising can elevate an average product to a top seller…based on clever presentation.  In that regard, we’ll start The Whistle with factual, credible information about fiber.  The following is the real-deal…….no hype here:

Fiber Friendly Foods

Soluble Fiber vs Insoluble Fiber

Everyone has heard that there are tremendous benefits to increasing the fiber content of their diet.  The daily recommendation is over 25 grams of fiber/day.  As you look at total dietary fiber grams on a label, deduct the listed amount from the 25 grams/day recommendation.  So, a wrap containing 8 grams of fiber would leave you with about 17 more grams/day needed to meet the minimum.   

 Fiber not only promotes health, it also helps reduce the risk for some chronic diseases. For instance, fiber prevents constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. It is also linked to prevent some cancers especially colon cancer as it moves food through the GI tract instead of it sitting in the gut for longer periods of time.  (Unfortunately, many of our foods are exposed to chemicals, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics that were never meant to sit in the GI tract.)  In addition, fiber helps lower LDL cholesterol and  total cholesterol thereby reducing the rise of heart disease. Fiber can also help lower blood sugar spikes as it does not convert to blood sugar and allows food to leave the stomach in controlled amounts .  Fiber is part of the total carb content of a food but does not translate into blood sugar and insulin requirements.

Types of Fiber: Soluble Fiber and Insoluble Fiber

There are two types of  fiber: soluble and insoluble.  Both types go undigested and neither enters the bloodstream.  Although some food companies choose to show the grams of soluble and insoluble fiber separately, both types are very beneficial. Soluble fiber forms a gel when mixed with liquid.  I think of it as a sponge that soaks up and carries waste “out the door” and moves bulk along through the intestines.   Insoluble fiber passes through our intestines largely intact. I think of insoluble fiber as a toothbrush that travels down the intestines cleaning as it moves along. 

Insoluble Fiber Its Functions:  Promotes the development of bulkier stool to help prevent constipation.  Helps balance the pH in the intestines forming a  healthy GI environment and preventing microbes from producing cancerous substances. Helps move toxins through the colon in less time Best Food Sources of Insoluble Fiber Vegetables like green beans and dark green leafy vegetables Skins from fruit or potatoes Whole wheat products Wheat bran, corn bran Nuts Seeds Soluble Fiber Its Functions: Lowers total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol Helps decrease blood sugar spikes Binds with fatty acids Food Sources of Soluble Fiber Oat bran and oats Dried beans and peas (legumes) Nuts Barley Flax seed Psyllium husk

Just a note:

When you are choosing a food based on fiber content, look for total fiber grams.  There is no need to separate soluble or insoluble fiber as they are both very healthful.  And…many foods: oats, oat bran, psyllium husk, and flax seeds are high in soluble and insoluble fiber. 

Now that you have read facts about fiber….let’s take a look at a product that capitalizes on ITS fiber content as it relates to lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease….CHEERIOS

The Cheerios boxes used in advertising  have a banner across the front of the box that reads:  HELPS LOWER CHOLESTEROL.  The presentation of the product is built around how adding Cheerios to a healthy diet will help lower cholesterol and decrease heart disease.  The bowl of cereal is pictured inside the outline of a heart.  Commercials are “heart warming” and show families of young children and their parents or grandparents.  Ask any TV-watching child to point to the box of cereal that tastes great AND is “good” for their parents’ and grandparents’ hearts….and they will automatically point to a box of Cheerios. 

We have been programmed to equate Cheerios with heart health. ….as if there is something very special about the box of cereal that will make us healthier.

SEE VIDEO BELOW

 

But is CHEERIOS really “special” in its ability to lower cholesterol…is it better than other cereal choices?  Or….has a perfect marketing campaign been devised to steer consumers to buy a cereal they “believe” is in their best interest, exclusive of other choices, for heart health? 

From the beginning of this article, you already know that the type of fiber recommended to lower cholesterol is soluble fiber.  With that in mind, I checked out the soluble fiber content of cereals.  The serving sizes of each is comparable:

 1 cup All Bran  “Bran Buds”  = 9 grams soluble fiber

1 packet Weight Control Oatmeal = 4 grams soluble fiber

1 cup Oat Bran Flakes = 3 grams soluble fiber

½ cup dry Oatmeal  =  2 grams soluble fiber

1 cup Fiber One Cereal = 2 grams soluble fiber

1 cup Raisin Bran Cereal = 1.3 grams soluble fiber

1 cup Wheat Chex = 1 gram soluble fiber

1 cup Cheerios = 1 gram soluble fiber

1 packet Oatmeal = 1 gram soluble fiber

In 1 cup of Cheerios, there is 1 gram soluble fiber.  In fact, if you read the small print on their box,  in their advertising, on their website is the notification that it will take 3 servings of Cheerios….3 cups/day…to give you 3 grams of soluble fiber.   This is the amount that might make a small difference in your cholesterol.  In order to get those 3 grams of soluble fiber (the amount that maximally dropped total cholesterol by 7 points)…you need to consume 3 bowls of cereal/day.

There is a growing school of thought, based on current research, that for many people, carbohydrate intake drives their LDL cholesterol  and triglycerides up and HDL cholesterol down.   If you look at having 3 cups of Cheerios and non fat milk, you will be adding over 80 grams of carbohydrate to your daily carb intake

I have three comments:  

I am not a believer that any cereal with or without fat free milk will significantly lower cholesterol levels or lessen the risk for heart disease….In fact, I believe adding 3 cups of any cereal to your day significantly increases your carbohydrate intake and can actually increase blood sugar, insulin release that leads to higher LDL cholesterol and triglycerides

I believe there are many sources of soluble fiber , many with much higher amounts than Cheerios…and there is no reason to separate Cheerios as a cereal that will improve your cholesterol or lower risk of heart disease.

  Finally, the person who headed the marketing campaign that spotlights Cheerios as THE cereal that makes your heart healthier…..deserves to be sitting on the beach with an umbrella drink.  Cheers!!!!!