METABOLIC SYNDROME X – IS NO GAME!

Chances are, you are likely more familiar with the extreme sports spectacle X GAMES than the other potentially deadly X factor: diet induced– METABOLIC SYNDROME X.

The Summer X Games just wrapped here in Los Angeles displaying some incredibly dangerous athletic feats like back flips on motorcycles and bicycles, or performing skateboard tricks jumping over 70 foot gaps and 40 foot verts. The events definitely  dished out plenty of bumps, bruises and few broken bones – but thankfully none of the competitors died.

Looking at the throngs of spectators gathered to watch the event, I couldn’t help but notice a significant portion of the audience may actually be at a much greater risk of shortening their life … because of a completely preventable disease known as Metabolic Syndrome X. A disease that afflicts a significant portion of the population with a visible symptom of a “spare tire”, the accumulation of excess fat around the midsection – a sure sign of a toxic and failing liver… a.k.a  “muffin top” that is directly resultant of inactivity and poor diet.

More than 50 million Americans of all ages have it and the numbers are rising. This is a new disease is growing so rapidly that by 1998 the World Health Organization decided they had to call it something… so the WHO clinically coined the term Metabolic Syndrome X.

In my last blog I mentioned the New York City initiative encouraging residents to drink tap water.

That led to an influx of e-mails asking what’s the difference and or risks of drinking tap or bottled water.

It’s almost funny; growing up their was only one choice – tap. People use to drink water straight out of the garden hose… you rarely see that any more. These days people are toting around bottled water like they are crossing the Sahara. It’s all good mind you – Water is and always will be the basis of life – So drink up!

It’s the power of marketing that never ceases to amaze me… when I was a kid you never heard anyone saying “you should drink 8 glasses of water a day”.

I guess that’s because back then it was free. As soon as you put a price tag on something, then there is generally no shortage of “manufacturers” promoting recommendations to sell of their products.

Kind of ironic to use the term manufacturers of water isn’t it? When exactly did the source of pure – clean water … shift from clear mountain or glacier streams to the factories of the leading bottlers of colas?

I Love New York… Soda You?

It’s a safe bet soda manufacturers do not share my infatuation with the Big Apple in light of Mayor Bloomberg’s application to deny soda and other sugary drinks from the City’s 1.7 million citizens utilizing the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamp) program

In the last few years under the watch of Mayor Bloomberg, New York City has made some great strides forward promoting health.

Weight training has a long history of being grossly misunderstood.  It wasn’t that long ago even athletes were warned not weight train because adding muscular bulk might slow reaction time. Of course that is not true, and weight training can enhance performance in any sport. As far as dispelling he myth of reducing speed, you only have to look at the omnipresent muscularity of modern day sprinters to see obvious truth.

Similarly the myths surrounding the alleged dangers of youth participation will hopefully soon become folklore of the past.

The long-standing myth is the erroneous belief that heavy loads placed on developing skeletons (weight training) could potentially stunt growth. The theory is weight training could damage the growth plates (Epiphyseal Cartilage) that are responsible for bone elongation.

The true cause for concern isn’t the lack of maturity of growth plates but instead the underdeveloped pre frontal cortex (brain) of youth doing something stupid. For this reason the single most important factor to insure safety for children while weight training is adult supervision.

Developmentally, motor development is complete in the majority of children by seven years of age.

You’ve been slimed… and its going to get slimier

The USDA and beef producers aren’t required to tell consumers how they kill bacteria in meat, or that hamburger contains “pink slime” (the trimmings that were formerly considered “unfit for human consumption”)… but don’t worry I Pledge® to tell you (hint).

I recently wrote an article encouraging consumers to buy naturally pasture grazed hormone and antibiotic free Grass Fed Beef, rich in nutrients and balanced in omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, grass fed beef is one of natures perfect foods… its just not that easy to find.

Unfortunately what is easy to find is grain fed, factory-farmed meat that is ubiquitously consumed and readily available throughout North America.

On July 8, 2011 the USDA announced an incentive plan for beef and poultry producers to reduce the risk of E. coli and Salmonella.

USDA PRESS RELEASE

While on the surface that may sound like a good idea, the method employed to kill bacteria is something you as a consumer have a right to know.

Calling All African’s: Yes… if you are part of the human race…that means YOU. 

We can all trace our roots back to Africa, the cradle of mankind. On July 18, I encourage you to celebrate our unifying lineage and participate in the International humanitarian holiday – Mandela Day.

Objective: Contribute 67 minutes to a beneficial act or cause and make a difference. It’s really that simple

When: July 18, 2011

Living a Unified Lifestyle challenges participants to seek improvement to shine in every aspect of human performance. Living life to the fullest naturally includes learning to eat healthier, think quicker, and get stronger, run faster, jump higher but to truly be the complete package you got have heart.

America is as fat as a cow for an obvious reason…

Collectively American’s are following the same unnatural diet and sedentary lifestyle as factory farmed – feedlot livestock.

F is for Fat: Healthyamericans.org/report

Ironically, feedlots have been around for about 100 years servicing livestock producers… more or less the same amount of time the USDA has been in existence and advising how both man and beast how to eat.

Too bad the USDA decided to use and promote the same meal plan?

Haven’t you ever thought it curious, that if the best method to fatten livestock quickly and efficiently for market is to feed them copious amounts of grain products. Then why does the USDA continue to advise humans to consume “plenty” of grain products.

Grass fed beef is one of the healthiest foods on the planet…

Grain fed beef is a completely different story.

Do we have a right to know when our food is genetically modified?

Four score and zero years ago (20 years) an international Food Label battle commenced over a consumers right to know if they are consuming Genetically Modified (GM) foods aka. Bio-engineered or “Franken-foods”.

The long debated argument involving more than 100 countries that comprise the Codex Alimentarius Commission ended on July 5^th 2011 in Geneva when the United States surprisingly withdrew its formerly steadfast objection to listing Genetically Modified (GM) Ingredients on Food Labels.

If you think this means that US food packaging is about to provide consumers with full disclosure of genetically modified ingredients… think again.

On June 6, 2011 I wrote a blog informing readers about a challenge initiated by UC Berkeley to create and submit a “new” Nutrition Facts label -since thankfully the old one is finally up for renewal.

I couldn’t resist the temptation to submit my own “new” Nutrition Facts label… below is a link to the detailed version of my entry.