THE FOOD CO-OP - Port Townsend Food Co-op

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Infl ammation, a highly complex process, is the body’s response to harmful stimuli, including irritants, damaged cells and pathogens. Infl ammation also plays a critical role in wound healing and elimination of infections. However, sometimes, infl ammation can be triggered inappropriately (e.g., by allergies or autoimmune diseases) and chronic infl ammation can lead to a number of health challenges and diseases, including allergies, asthma, atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Current research is examining the link between chronic infl ammation and various cancers and cardiovascular disease. There are some who theorize that chronic infl ammation may be the top factor in the general aging of the body. Any tissue or organ can become infl amed. Infl ammation of a particular body part is named according to the site, with the “-itis” suffi x appended (e.g., tonsillitis, appendicitis, dermatitis, arthritis, sinusitis, etc.). Thus many disease names are really just words that identify sites of infl ammation. Characterized by several familiar signs—redness, swelling, heat, pain, and often limited range of motion—this response is one of your body’s principal defense reactions, designed to anticipate, intercept and destroy invading microorganisms. Many common medical treatments (aspirin and other “anti-infl ammatory agents”) are intended to relieve the discomfort and/or reduce the attendant tissue disturbance that infl ammation may cause. There are also many natural approaches to preventing and helping with infl ammation and its discomforts. See sidebar for a list of natural approaches to managing infl ammation. The Anti-Infl ammatory Diet Achieving a healthy balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet can have an anti-infl ammatory effect. Most people consume an excess of omega-6 fatty acids, from which the body synthesizes hormones that promote infl ammation. These fats are found in oil-rich be well Infl ammation Fired-up in all the wrong places JAN TOBIN, Wellness Manager seeds and the oils extracted from them, which are used in most snack foods and fast foods. Consume more omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fi sh, walnuts, fl ax, hemp, and sea vegetables. The anti-infl ammatory diet also eliminates consumption of margarine, vegetable shortening and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, all of which promote infl ammation. Carbohydrate foods also infl uence the infl ammatory process. In the body, chemical reactions between sugars and protein produce pro-infl ammatory compounds called AGEs (advanced glycation end products). You can moderate this process by keeping blood sugar low and stable. That means eating less bread, white potatoes, crackers, chips and other snack foods, pastries, and sweetened drinks, less refi ned and processed foods, and by avoiding fast foods and products made with “Consume more omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily sh, walnuts, ax, hemp, and sea vegetables.” Check out the full article in the Co-op Reading Room in the Education section on our website www.foodcoop.coop Stay connected at facebook.com/ TheFoodCoop high fructose corn syrup. Instead, eat more whole grains, beans, sweet potatoes, winter squashes and other vegetables and temperate region fruits such as berries, cherries, apples, and pears instead of tropical fruits like bananas, pineapple, mango and papaya. As far as protein is concerned, eat less meat and poultry, both of which contain pro-infl ammatory fats, and more vegetable protein (soy foods, beans, lentils and other legumes), whole grains, seeds, and nuts. If you eat fi sh, choose the oily varieties that give you omega-3s (wild Alaska salmon, sardines, herring, and black cod). For a thorough discussion of the role of infl ammation in initiating and promoting disease (and details of the anti-infl ammatory diet), read Healthy Aging by Dr. Andrew Weil. “The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” - Plutarch Herbs & Spices Boswellia serrata Bromelain Curcumin Ginger Quercetin Homeopathy Arnica St. John’s Wort Essential Fatty Acids Omega-3 Oleic acid Vitamin D Vitamin E Gamma–Linolenic Acid Supplements B-complex vitamins Vitamin C Anthocyanins Selenium S-adenosylmethionine Glucosamine sulfate MSM THE FOOD CO-OP COMMONS www.foodcoop.coop 8 July / August 2011
healthy people & healthy pets Fired Up About Fleas DR. ANNA GARDNER, MA Vet. MB Owner-Member & Holistic Veterinarian One of the most frustrating problems as a pet owner can be fl eas and the distressing skin problems that can be be associated with them. them. Many pets are allergic to fl eas and and develop an an itchy rash when they are bitten by even one fl ea ea and this this can lead to chronic skin skin problems. Flea and skin problems can be worse in an animal animal that is overstressed by the accumulation of years of toxins, vaccinations and and poor diet. A natural and raw diet can help with parasite control control as well as the use of a a good fi ltered water source. It’s a fact that when your pet is on a good diet and a preventative health regime, they will be better able to repel fl eas and not become infested. If we can strengthen the immune system, we can help the body to heal itself, rather than suppress it further with steroids and other drugs. Start with a good multi-vitamin/mineral supplement. It’s also helpful to add garlic and brewers yeast, which helps skin condition. (Since too much garlic can cause health problems, I recommend sticking with a proprietary blend formulated for cats and dogs.) Fish oil added to food according to the weight of the animal will also help. Certain fl ower essences, like Green Hope Farm Flea Free can help with balancing the body energetically. Regular grooming with a small fl ea and tick comb is extremely benefi cial and also good for the skin and coat. Replace the use of dips, sprays and all strong chemicals to control fl eas and ticks with natural fl ea control like Neem Oil sprays and shampoos and citrus extract D-Limonene (available in natural commercial formulas for cats and dogs). Last, but by no means least, there is the question of environmental control. It is essential to control the fl eas in the house and yard. Natural methods are preferable to harsh and toxic chemicals. Commercial companies use formulations of Boric Acid, available pre-packaged by Fleabusters, who will also treat the whole house. Food-grade diatomaceous earth will also help control fl eas and ticks in the environment, but can be messy to use and is best not inhaled. The best natural remedy in your yard is a natural predator for fl ea eggs. Freeze-dried small worms or nematodes (available at good natural garden centers) are reconstituted and sprayed on the yard to combat the fl ea population. Anna Maria Gardner MA Vet.MB is a holistic veterinarian based in Brinnon. Dr. Gardner uses nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, fl ower essences, and other holistic modalities to bring holistic health care to the animal kingdom. She can be reached at 360-796-3749 or drgardner@ petsynergy.com or for more information visit her website at www. petsynergy.com SUN PROTECTION: Not By SPF Alone MOLLY FORCE, N.D. Owner-Member & Naturopathic Physician CO-OP CLASS Evidence is mounting that sunscreen alone is not effective in preventing skin cancer. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays cause free radical damage to your skin, manifesting in burns, premature aging, liver spots, and some types of skin cancer. Saturday, July 16 2-4 pm Introducing Food to Babies Saturday, August 27 2-4 pm Food Sensitivities, Allergies $25 owners $30 general Shield yourself naturally. Protective clothing is best. A hat and shirt will physically block the UV rays, proving to be more protective than any sunscreen. Avoid chemical sunscreens. Most of the chemicals used in conventional sunscreens (like oxybenzone, parabens, and phthalates) are toxic. These chemicals are known endocrine disruptors; they interrupt your body’s hormone signaling and function. And the environmental impact is staggering—four to six thousand tons of chemical sunscreen comes off our bodies each year, poisoning our oceans and coral reefs. Choose physical (mineral-based) sunblocks. These contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on top of your skin to physically block the damaging UV rays. Zinc is the cleanest and most effective active ingredient found in sunscreen, protective against UVA and UVB rays, with no negative side effects. Some companies are now using nanoparticle technology to make zinc and titanium sunscreens applications less white on the skin. Topically, nanoparticles appear to be safe for humans. Lotions are preferable; in powder or spray form, they can be inhaled, potentially causing organ damage. Nanomaterials are environmentally toxic to fi sh and aquatic life. Don’t trust SPF alone. The Sun Protective Factor number is designed to help you determine how long the protection you will get from that screen will last when you are in the sun. Unfortunately, SPF calculates how long UVB rays are blocked, not the cancer-associated UVA rays. Most SPF for sunscreen is calculated using two to fi ve times more sunscreen than the average application. High SPF (above 50) often wears off from sweat/water/towels, misleading users into thinking they are protected longer than they actually are. Eat your antioxidants. Protect yourself internally with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Dietary antioxidants denature free radicals, signifi cantly reducing your risk of skin cancer, skin aging, and sunburns. A high-quality multi-vitamin or supplement rich in antioxidants may signifi cantly protect you against sun-associated skin damage. Remember, a little unprotected sun exposure is important for vitamin D levels, especially for us Northwesterners. Sunscreens block UVB needed for vitamin D production. Spend 10-15 minutes in the sun before covering up or applying your initial coat of sunscreen. Dr. Molly Force is a family practice naturopathic physician who specializes in combining natural healing with conventional medical diagnosis and therapy. Her practice Prosper Natural Health is located in Uptown, Port Townsend. She can be reached at www.ProsperNaturalHealth.com or 360-385-5375. “One of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire.” - John W. Foster THE FOOD CO-OP COMMONS www.foodcoop.coop 9 July / August 2011
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