Ask Dr. Purcell

Check out my blog post on the subject here: What's the Deal with Maltodextrin?

Great question! I wrote a blog about Juicers, Click Here!

Thank you for contacting us.  Here is the deal with BPA.  First, regarding Tetra, all Tetra Pak is BPA-free.

Second, every glass jar item has a metal lid. All metal lids do have a layer of BPA coating. However, there is another coating put on after that. There is no direct contact of BPA to food. We have multiple supplier testing results showing there is no BPA detected from metal lids.

All our canned fish (and our canned chicken and beef too) are now in BPA-free cans EXCEPT: Sardines, Crab, Cherrystone Clams & Oysters (our suppliers are working for a 2012 solution).

All our canned fruits and vegetables (including tomatoes, and the Organic Canned Pumpkin when it returns this Fall) are in BPA-free cans EXCEPT: Mandarins, Hatch Chilies, Artichokes, Organic Baked Beans (expecting transition this Fall).

All of our canned Soups and Stews (and including Joe's Os) are in cans that DO have BPA. Some of our suppliers are expecting they will be able to make transition next year.

Lastly, Coconut Milk is in a BPA-free can.

I hope this helps!

Regards,
Nikki
Customer Relations, Trader Joes

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is most commonly used in sweetened beverages and soda. It is used as a cheap sugar replacer in cereal and many processed foods. Read your labels carefully.

Due to all of the media coverage on HFCS beverage companies are turning back to sugar. A good example of this is coca cola. In the United States Coca cola has been made with HFCS for at least the last 2 decades. In Mexico, Coca cola is made with real sugar or sucrose. Mexican coke in the bottle is less sweet than coca cola in the United States. In response to consumer demand, recently the coca cola bottling company introduced "real sugar coke" into the United States.

Sugar Consumption in the U.S.

Lets put sugar consumption into perspective; in 1750 the estimated annual per capita sugar consumption was 6-8 pounds. In 1850 this was increased b 25 lbs/year. In 1950 it was 120lbs/year. From 1950 to today a significant amount of sucrose was replaced by HFCS.

In fact, between 1950 & 1990 HFCS consumption increased by 1,000% and accounts for 40% of the caloric sweeteners added to the food supply. Prior to 1950 the consumption of all fructose was less then 15g/day. By 1997 daily consumption had increased to 81g/day. HFCS is a contributing factor for pre-diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance.

What is Sucrose?

Typical sugar or sucrose contains 50% glucose and 50% fructose. Sucrose requires insulin to move it into our cells to be used as energy. Fructose is naturally occurring in fruits.

What is HFCS made of?

HFCS can contain up to 80% fructose and 20% glucose. When HFCS is absorbed into the body due to the high fructose content it goes directly into cells without requiring insulin. An increase of sugar directly in the cells leads to an increase in triglycerides (fat blobs in the blood) and fat storage in the liver, leading to fatty liver disease.

HFCS stimulates our appetite by not triggering leptin. Leptin assists with appetite suppression. In other words HFCS completely bypasses our checks and balance system for appetite and fat synthesis and fat storage.

Refined sugar contains no vitamins, minerals, fiber or other micronutrients, and is calorie dense. In this way they are not satisfying to the body and require large amounts to produce a feeling of fullness.

HFCS Enhances Diabetic complications

Unlike fructose found in fruit, which also contains fiber, HFCS is used in refined items with less fiber and more sugar content. In diabetic studies a decrease in fiber and an increase in the use of HFCS were correlated with the increase in type II diabetes.

In one study participants were given glucose and another group fructose. The fructose group developed insulin resistance after only one week whereas the glucose group did not experience any changes. One of the main problems with diabetes is the overabundance of sugar in the tissues, which causes cellular damage leading to vision problems, kidney damage, heart disease, and difficult circulation leading to problems with wound healing. HFCS has been shown to increase the cellular damage 10 times faster then when glucose was used.

Eliminating HFCS from your diet brings you one step closer to nature and good health.

HFCS Promotes cardiovascular events

• HFCS increases LDL cholesterol and decreases HDL cholesterol, which causes fatty deposits in the vessel walls, leading to hypertension, and arterial blockages.
• HFCS has been shown to inhibit nitric oxide, which helps to dilate vessels, and promote healthy circulation.
• In three different studies on soft drinks and gout, HFCS has been shown to increase uric acid levels and promote gout.

Politics revolving around HFCS

Kelsey Blackwell – Natural Foods Merchandiser

A misleading study funded by the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) and presented at the American Heart Association's (AHA) annual Scientific Sessions suggests consuming added sugar does not lead to weight gain – really?

I was disheartened to see a misleading study unlinking sugar consumption with heart disease and weight gain presented at the American Heart Association's annual Scientific Sessions.

This is not the first time the AHA has seemed to support the sugar industry. In her book, Eating Between the Lines, (Griffin, 2007) Kimberly Lord Stewart asked the organization's certification program to defend why cereals with high sugar levels were allowed to carry the AHA seal.

The AHA responded with: "The FDA and American Heart Association are in agreement on the sugar issue. Although sugar has not been directly linked to heart disease, the American Heart Association recommends a diet moderate in added sugar as part of an overall eating plan for healthy individuals over the age of two."

Even if there isn't a link between sugar consumption and heart disease (and my research says there is) the fact that the AHA was paid for such endorsements certainly seems unethical.

With the release of this latest research, funded by the Corn Refiners Association no less, the AHA appears to be in bed with big sugar again.

While the scope of the research is not groundbreaking, the way the information is presented is worrisome. The first problem is that the study seems to suggest that HFCS and table sugar are metabolized in the body in the same way. This is simply not true.

It's no secret that the CRA has launched an aggressive campaign to change consumer perceptions of HFCS. This research was clearly conducted to further that agenda.

Second and perhaps more egregious is that the findings seem to yell, "consuming added sugar does not cause weight gain," while only whispering, "if on a calorie-controlled diet." If this information were properly disclosed it would have little value to consumers—we already know it's overall calorie consumption, not the type of these calories, leads to weight gain.

While I'm not surprised that the CRA is trying to mislead the public, what does the AHA stand to gain by aligning with them?

This just in from the natural foods merchandiser...
Products Shedding High Fructose Corn Syrup to Meet Naturals' Demands

Laurie Budger, Natural Foods Merchandiser

Feeling pressure from the natural foods industry, some crossover brands have reformulated their products to remove high fructose corn syrup or are in the process of doing so.

In July, North Carolina-based Earth Fare announced it would no longer carry any products containing the ubiquitous but highly controversial sweetener. Likewise, Wild Oats said that while it had not yet banned the ingredient, its private label products did not use it and the chain was hoping to influence other brands to find alternate ingredients. Newman's Own was among those brands. As it turned out, the company had in fact reformulated its pasta sauces and salad dressings but had not yet changed its labels. High fructose corn syrup is still present in the company's lemonade. "We're working to find a balance" between health concerns and cost, said Newman's Own spokeswoman Kirsten McKamy. "We're looking for ways to take it out have some money left over for charity."

Even so, Blue Sky, which is owned by Hansen's, has been considering removing the HFCS from its products. "It's something that we have looked at and we've been speaking with our various retail customers about, but at this time we have not made a decision to make that change," said Gregg Arends, senior vice president of marketing for Blue Sky. "For those few stores that absolutely don't accept high fructose corn sweetener, we do have products within our lineup," including Blue Sky Tea Sodas and organic sodas, he said. "As far as new products that we're formulating, we've been leaning toward cane sugar for most of our new products," he added.

It is estimated that 57 million adults have pre-diabetes, you are not alone.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million adults and children have diabetes, roughly 7.8 % of the US population. Statistics show that the average American adult consumes 150lbs of sugar per year! It appears as if sugar has become an entree instead of a dessert. Of the 2200-calorie diet, it is estimated that 800 calories are from saturated fats and sugars. No wonder we have 57 million pre-diabetics in the US.

What is Pre-Diabetes?

Pre-Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. If a person does nothing but wait around till the next year to have their blood taken again chances are that they will have developed Type II diabetes.

Pre-Diabetes is a pre-disease state. Pre-disease states are the body's way of saying that something is wrong, and are an opportunity to fix a problem before the disease sets in. Type II diabetes is 100% preventable with diet and lifestyle modification. It is imperative that people in a pre-disease state get themselves into the office of a doctor who knows how to reverse the pre-disease process and bring them back to health. Dietary changes used effectively, can be the main tool to treat and reverse diabetes.

In the meantime here are some ideas to lower your circulating blood sugars and assist your struggling system:

1. The American institutes of health estimate that over 65% of Americans are overweight. With this rise in body fat the diagnosis of Type II diabetes is also on the rise. Circulating elevated blood sugars promote fat storage & increase the problem Do your best to reduce the blood sugar & excess fat.
2. Eliminate the evil white. White refined grains, and sugars
3. Eliminate all sugars/sweeteners except for stevia.
4. Focus on more vegetables and less fruits & fruit juices
5. Eat protein with each meal or snack.
6. Walk! 20 minutes, 5 days/week.
7. Watch your stress, it can lead to emotional eating. Instead plan on a bath, or a movie, something that doesn't involve food.

Here's the perfect Pre-Diabetic Diet Day:

• Breakfast: 2 eggs or just the whites scrambled with onions, & spinach, add seasonings to taste. ½ steamed broccoli on the side drizzled with 1 -2 tsp of olive oil and sea salt.
• Snack: ¼ c almonds
• Lunch: Salad with protein. Field greens with tomato, cucumber, with grilled chicken or fish. For women 4 oz of protein for men 8 oz.
• Snack: ½ c berries mixed into 1/3 c low fat cottage cheese.
• Dinner: Rotisserie chicken with steamed/roasted/or grilled vegetables. ¼ sweet potato. Protein portion is 8 oz for both men and women.
• Drinks: water alone or with lemon, mineral water alone or with liquid flavored stevia, unsweetened green, black or herbal tea, coffee with milk.

Gluten is a component of rye, wheat, barley, and sometimes cross contaminates oats.

There has been an increase in awareness about gluten intolerance and gluten-free diets in recent years. Millions of people have been diagnosed as celiac, gluten intolerant or allergic to wheat or the gluten in wheat, rye and barley.

Gluten when used in baking holds together cakes & breads and gives them a nice spongy texture. It is extremely toxic in any amount to people with celiac disease.

People who have tested positive for celiac disease should avoid all gluten. The incidence of celiac disease is 1 in 100 people and is a genetic disease, often present in other unknowing family members of a person who has been diagnosed.

What is Celiac disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by the protein gluten. The gluten causes an immune reaction that damages the lining of the small intestine. When the small intestine is compromised it cannot properly absorb food, resulting in bloating, diarrhea, and weight loss. Celiac disease can cause an immune response in the body that can affect every system.

Most often, it affects the digestive tract, the neurological system and the immune system. Symptoms of the disease are as varied as the people who have it. Some folks have no symptoms at all, while others have severe and potentially deadly complications.

Celiac disease and information about gluten is becoming more popular as folks who are suffering look for ways to live a gluten free life. Celiac disease can affect literally every system of the body as malnutrition and an allergic response to gluten sets in. It is also one of the most misdiagnosed and untreated diseases in the country mainly due to the fact that people are sent from specialist to specialist focused on treating the particular symptom at hand, in this way the cause is not uncovered for some time.

What is a wheat allergy?

There are many people in the population who do not test positive for celiac disease but have an allergy to wheat. The allergy could be immediate (IgE) or delayed (IgG). In either of these cases the person should avoid wheat. This could also be a tip off that the person has celiac disease but this is not always the case.

What is gluten intolerance?

Some people who don't have celiac disease get sick from eating gluten. Instead, they may be gluten intolerant, or allergic to gluten-containing grains. This is also called non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Gluten is a spiral-shaped molecule and one of the most difficult foods for the human digestive tract to break down. Symptoms of gluten intolerance include moodiness, fatigue, and digestive distress. Currently, there is no standard definition of gluten intolerance or an official test.

What is wheat sensitivity?

In a fourth instance there are people in the population who neither have celiac disease or a wheat allergy but are wheat sensitive. Having sensitivity to wheat is a nuisance because it can cause mild inflammatory symptoms and make the patient feel unwell. A stuffy nose is an example, a patient will say, I'm not allergic to wheat but every time I eat it I get a stuffy nose, or every time I eat it I get so tired. Symptoms such as this indicate that a person has wheat sensitivity.

The American diet is riddled with wheat, which makes it easy to develop an allergy to over time and very difficult to avoid. If you think that you react to wheat or gluten avoid it for 2 weeks and see if it the symptoms decrease. Wheat is also one of the most common allergens. Wheat allergy can have the same symptoms as celiac, like diarrhea, gas, constipation, skin rashes and fatigue.

Celiac Testing

It is very important to be tested for celiac disease before adopting a gluten-free diet, because once gluten is eliminated, celiac testing is no longer accurate.

Diagnosing celiac disease involves a blood test. If you test positive, the diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy of the small intestine. Testing is important in determining if you require a lifelong gluten-free diet or are at risk for associated medical conditions. Celiac disease is genetic so it is also important to know if your family needs to be tested.

Nutritional deficiencies caused by celiac disease

The treatment for celiac disease is to remove gluten from your diet. 100% gluten free forever. The gluten free diet is often deficient in nutrients, so whether you are newly gluten free or have been gluten free for years you may be suffering symptoms related to nutrient deficiencies. Some people were so deficient when they went gluten-free that even a good diet isn't enough to replenish the stores of certain nutrients.

Some of the common symptoms include:

• vitamin and mineral deficiencies related to malabsorption.
• Anxiety, depression and "brain fog" can be symptoms of B vitamin deficiency.
• Bone & joint pain, easy bruising of the skin.
• Extreme fatigue, lack of stamina and feeling overwhelmed are common symptoms of iron deficiency
• Magnesium deficiency can cause muscle cramping, twitching, muscle pain, high blood pressure and heartburn.
• Osteoporosis from calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium and other deficiencies.
• Celiac patients are at increased risk of infertility and miscarriage as a result of their poor nutritional status.

A: Detoxification is here to stay, and is an important component of maintaining good health.

In fact, detoxification is key to health. Many problems with detoxification are some of the main causes of illness. Throughout history almost every culture has relied on the natural cleansing power of herbs and other botanicals to remove toxins from the body and restore vibrant health and energy. Ancient text describes laxative herbs, diuretics, sweat inducing herbs, and blood cleansers to expel toxins and waste.

What does detox do?

Terminology matters, internal cleansing usually refers to the colon while detoxification refers to cleaning the liver, kidneys, blood and lymph.

Detoxification should not be confused with weight loss, they are not the same. Weight loss is for losing excess fat and reducing weight. Detoxification is aimed at cleansing the organs of elimination.

The digestive system is the main system in the body that must be working well for you to be healthy. If the digestive system is compromised, it cannot detoxify the body and it cannot feed all of the other systems the vitamin and minerals that they need. This results in a build up of toxins and lack of nutrition.

The liver is the body's primary detoxification organ. Our liver is an average of 4 pounds, and manufactures over 13,000 chemicals, manages over 2,000 enzymes, filters 100gallons of blood daily, and produces 1 quart of bile each day. That's Amazing!

Today's environment is toxic.

So just by living on planet earth most of us become toxic in some way through environmental exposure, foods that contain colorings, flavorings, sweeteners, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, xenoestrogens in plastics, and heavy metals, and exposure to household items. Over time the organs of elimination become overworked and inefficient causing toxins to accumulate and increase in tissues. When this happens, this can interfere with the optimal functioning of our organ systems, hormone balance and detoxification rate which leads to lowered immune function and disease.

Detoxification is a natural everyday process of the body. It includes breathing, sweating, filtration, & elimination.

It is not recommended that a person new to natural medicine and therapies begin their journey with a detox. When done too aggressively, the process can lead to headaches, fatigue, constipation, flu-like symptoms, & muscle aches.

Listed below are ten daily suggestions to follow that will help your system detoxify gently on it own.

1. Drink plenty of clean water, at least eight to ten glasses of filtered water a day.
2. Keep your bowels moving, at least once or twice a day. And if you can't get going, then you need some help and this can include taking two tablespoons of ground flax seeds, taking acidophilus and extra magnesium capsules in the form of magnesium citrate. If you have any chronic diseases or problems you have to be careful about taking supplements, you should work with your doctor.
3. You should also eat organic produce and animal products to eliminate the toxins in our food.
4. You should eat eight to ten servings of colorful fruits and vegetables and specifically include, every day, the family of the cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, collards, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, as well as the garlic family, garlic and onions, which help increase sulfur in the body and help detoxification. See Dr. Purcell's fantastic you tube episode on cooking Kale chips. Ummmmgood.
5. Avoid stimulants, sedatives and drugs, such as caffeine, nicotine, and try to reduce alcohol intake.
6. Exercise five days a week with focus on conditioning of your cardiovascular system, strengthening exercises and stretching exercises.
7. Get rid of evil white, which is white flour and white sugar.
8. Sweat profusely at least three times a week, using a sauna, steam or a detox bath.
9. Relax deeply every day, to get your nervous system in a state of calm, rest and relaxation.

Yes! A man is not a man without Testosterone.

One of my patients recently asked me, "Why does a 60 year old guy need to put some lead in his pencil?" And the answer is lead in the pencil is a side benefit but read on to hear the real reasons why a 60 year old guy needs Testosterone.

Hormone levels decline with age

Hormone levels decline steadily after age 40 at a rate of 1-2% per year. Testosterone is necessary for a man to function optimally through life. When hormone levels decline, there is:

• decreased protein formation
• decreased immune function
• increased fatigue
• increased body fat
• decreased bone density
• decreased libido
• erectile dysfunction
• depressed mood

I have seen men whose only symptoms have been fatigue and depression, and then I have seen others who are obese with cardiovascular disease. Low testosterone levels in each man manifest with different symptoms. Usually if a man is experiencing depression due to low hormone levels he can also have anxiety, disturbed sleep, and cognitive symptoms such as being indecisive or difficulty socializing with others.

What are the effects of low testosterone?

Low testosterone can pre-dispose a man to chronic disease such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Testosterone replacement has been shown to increase bone density in the lumber spine. Typical ailments of older men are not separate entities; they are integrally related through their inter-dependence on testosterone levels.

What about testing for testosterone levels?

Since we know that hormones decline occurs with age, testing for testosterone should be mainstream but it isn't. Conventional doctors argue that hormone decline is natural with age. Chronic disease begins to develop as a direct result of dropping hormone levels and with that comes a slower less productive life.

Simple blood work can determine testosterone levels and help gauge the progress with hormone replacement. It is important to perform a male hormone panel that includes testing for: Total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, DHEA-S, PSA, Free PSA and dihydrotestosterone.

Low free testosterone is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Older men with low free testosterone and low HDL cholesterol, showed more coronary artery blockage than in men with other risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Testosterone therapy has reduced the formation of arterial blockages in animal studies. A review of thirty different studies on over 1600 men found that testosterone reduced total cholesterol levels. Cardio protective benefits of testosterone in men include:

• Relaxation of blood vessels
• Improves insulin sensitivity, thereby reducing abdominal weight gain
• Reducing stored body fat
• Lowers LDL cholesterol
• Reduces inflammation inside blood vessels

Low testosterone levels are strongly correlated with increased body fat, obesity and metabolic syndrome.

An enzyme in fat tissue produces an enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase converts testosterone to estrogen. This promotes more weight gain. So as a man gains more weight his testosterone levels decline further. As testosterone levels decline abdominal weight gain increases. It's true, as men age they become more like women.

Testosterone and Cancer

For decades the conventional medical system stated that testosterone caused prostate cancer; this is based on the results of one study. Recently research is coming out that suggests the one study that claimed that prostate cancer was caused by testosterone was severely flawed with less than 5 subjects. Hardly a good way to base 20+years of medical suggestion for millions of men.In fact obesity is a risk factor for cancer, and testosterone lowers body fat in men.

Current research shows that estrogen is more likely the culprit in prostate cancer, not testosterone. As men age & gain fat, their testosterone is converted into estrogen via the enzyme aromatase. Additionally, there are many substances in our environment, which mimic estrogen and allow for an accumulation of estrogen in our bodies. Beer is estrogenic, hence the term beer belly. Men are not supposed to have elevated estrogen if they did they would be women! This can be also seen in obese men who have breast development.

I recently attended a lecture on prostate cancer given by a Urologic oncologist who specialized in radical prostectomy for prostate cancer. When questioned from the audience if he thought testosterone caused prostate cancer he replied no. He then went on to say that it was appropriate to use testosterone replacement therapy in some men with a past history of prostate cancer. The times they are a changing!

Hormone Restoration

I prefer the term restoration. Restoring hormones to an optimal level to maintain health and prevent disease. Hormone restoration can delay the effects of aging, the onset of chronic disease and allow for a longer functional life. Commonly men suffering from any symptoms of low testosterone respond very quickly to testosterone restoration therapy within 4 weeks of beginning treatment.

The subject of dental mercury is a heated topic and there are multiple sides to the story. My goal in answering this question is to have you reach your own conclusion by the time you get to the end.  CLICK HERE TO READ ON...

Yes, the sucrose in the IV solution is a potential problem and can interfere with HCG and cause you to plateau. You won't gain weight but you may not lose as you would like. My recommendation is to hold off on HCG, work on replenishing your iron levels to a certain degree, then move to a non-constipating oral form of iron and resume HCG.

Do you sometimes lay awake at night and struggle to fall asleep? Do you wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep again?

If you do, you're not alone. Millions of Americans sleep so poorly they feel exhausted during the day. And many say that poor sleep interferes with their daily activities.

You probably know that poor sleep can have a terrible effect on your health. Poor sleep raises your risk for many chronic conditions. It's even a factor in more than 100,000 car crashes each year.

How do I solve my sleep problems?

So to solve your sleep problems, you may have tried popular natural sleep remedies like melatonin or valerian. But melatonin doesn't work consistently for everyone. In some it just works beautifully and in others it can cause nightmares, daytime drowsiness, headaches, anxiety, and mood swings. As for valerian, it gives some people a morning "hangover".

If you really want to fall asleep quickly and sleep soundly through the night, you have to address the real reason behind your sleep problems...

Very often, the real reason you can't fall asleep is because your body's natural "excitement" and "calming" mechanism is out of whack.

You see, your body produces chemicals that excite your brain and nervous system. And it also produces chemicals that calm your nerves down.

For example, if you're under stress or a sudden threat, your body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin to speed up your heart and get your muscles ready for action.

This is the famous "fight or flight" response you've heard about.

Fortunately, your body also makes chemicals to calm down your brain and nervous system and help it relax. Like the neurotransmitters GABA, dopamine and serotonin. But if you have an imbalance in this system — too much of the "excitatory" chemicals and not enough of the relaxing ones — then chances are your body's not going to be able to calm down enough to fall asleep quickly or stay asleep all night.

The key is to find out what kind of imbalance you have, and correct it.

Here are some things to keep in mind to help your sleep:

1. Avoid any and all stimulants or caffeine after 2pm
2. Prepare for sleep at least 1.5 hrs before your bedtime. This involves slowing down, unwinding, doing gentle things that allow your nervous system to relax from the day. Absolutely no negative or stimulating items from media sources. This includes television.
3. Have a set bedtime each night. This should be no later then 10:30pm!
4. Enjoy a calming cup of bedtime tea, breathe, read, and unwind your mind by preparing a list for the next day. Acknowledge yourself for what you did accomplish.
5. Sleep in complete darkness. This may involve darker curtains, or a sleep mask.
6. Middle aged men and women can be hormone deficient. Hormone deficiencies can interfere with sleep and the ability of the nervous system to properly calm down at night. Restoring hormones to optimal levels can help tremendously.