Living Gorgeous!

The ploy of soy is a big one. There are so many claims that it has health benefits and is the perfect substitute for animal protein. I used to eat a lot of soy myself, but over the years I have unearthed some hard truths that now make me think twice about consuming soy.

It’s true, many studies have shown traditionally fermented soy–which is the form that is very popular in many Asian cultures–aids in preventing and reducing a variety of diseases including certain forms of heart disease and cancers. But just to be safe, I recommend using these products as a condiment, and not the mainstay of your meals.

I used to eat a lot of soy myself, but over the years I have unearthed some hard truths that now make me think twice. I’ve come to believe through my years of research and practice that soy is not the wonder food product makers claim it to be. Let’s delve deeper into some of the bigger problems with soy:

· Soy lacks methionine—an essential amino acid required to build muscle. I guess that’s why you don’t see a lot of vegetarian body builders.

· Soy suppresses thyroid function because it contains phytoestrogens that can disrupt hormonal balance.

· Soybeans are high in phytic acid, which, in large amounts, can block the uptake of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc in the intestinal tract.

· Soybeans are very new to the food chain of modern man, since it was never used for food in paleolithic times. Many people are not only allergic to soy, but suffer with extreme gas and bloating from it. If you have any type of autoimmune condition, especially colitis or celiac disease, you should remove soy from your diet immediately.

· Soy is very high in arginine, and can exacerbate cold sores and herpes outbreaks.

If you’re trying to get soy out of your diet, you should know that soy is often a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and can have many aliases: Food processors are less likely to list the three letter word “soy” than a technical term such as “textured vegetable protein” (TVP), “textured plant protein”, “hydrolyzed vegetable protein” (HVP), “vegetable oil” or “MSG” (monosodium glutamate). Ingredient lists also include words such as “vegetable oil”, “vegetable broth”, “boullion”, “natural flavor” or “mono-diglyceride” that do not necessarily come from soy, but are likely to. Soy is found in everything from Pizza Hut to Baskin Robbins to vitamins and, yes—even asthma inhalers..

If you do consume soy, I suggest you use it judiciously and only in its fermented form: miso, natto, tempeh, soy sauces, and fermented tofu. The fermentation process stops the effect of phytic acid and increases the availability of isoflavones. The fermentation also creates the probiotics–the “good” bacteria that increase the quantity, availability, digestibility and assimilation of nutrients in the body.

What’s your take on soy?

Fall is here, and it’s my favorite time of year. The air gets crisper, you get to dress in layers, and your hair stays frizz-free and under control (or so you hope). But there’s another reason why I treasure the fall: pomegranates. Dark, sweet, tart, and let’s face it—sensual.

Pomegranate juice is something of a panacea. Drinking 8 ounces of 100% pomegranate juice per day has been proven in research studies to improve everything from cardiovascular disease and blood vessel blockages to diabetes and erectile dysfunction. Now that’s the kind of news I like to spread! Imagine being able to drink a sweet, tangy, delicious juice that will actually improve your health. This is a case where food is literally medicine.

Another great thing about pomegranates is their versatility. You can drink the juice, or eat the seeds and their surrounding juice sacs (also known as arils). You can eat them raw, or use them in cooking. You can enjoy them hot or cold. The choice is yours; the benefits will be there regardless. Sprinkle them on salads, over steak, in a smoothie, or plunk them in your cocktail. To ensure your house is stocked, store the arils in the freezer; they’ll keep frozen for up to six months.

One of my favorite recipes is a Thanksgiving favorite in our house, but they are a sumptuous treat any time:

Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Arils

Ingredients:
2 cups arils from 2—3 large pomegranates
8 oz. fine quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

Directions:
Score 2—3 fresh pomegranates and place in a bowl of water. Break open the pomegranates under water to free the arils (seed sacs). The arils will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the membrane will float to the top. Sieve and put the arils in a separate bowl. Reserve 2 cups of the arils from fruit and set aside. (Refrigerate or freeze remaining arils for another use.)

Line a shallow 11 x 16 x ½-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Over medium low heat, melt chocolate in a saucepan set over a pan of simmering water. When chocolate is sufficiently melted, transfer to a work bowl. Keep the bowl in a pan of warm water for convenience.

Allow chocolate to cool to the touch (but should still be runny). Add the arils and stir to combine. Use a fork to scoop out clusters of chocolate and arils; drop clusters onto the prepared baking sheet. (Work quickly as chocolate will harden.) Place baking sheet with clusters in the refrigerator for 1 hour or until confections harden.

To see my video on how to open a Pomegrante, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpZR67pmTS8.
For more information and great recipes, visit www.pomwonderful.com. And for cold comfort, head to the produce section in your grocery store for 100% pomegranate juice and fresh pomegranates, which are perfectly in season through January.

Stay Gorgeous,
Esther

We all have our limits with what we will and won’t do on a daily basis, which is why I make it my policy to never ask patients to do what I would not do myself. That being said, when it comes to taking supplements, most people have their limits, too. Over the years, I’ve found that a protocol with five supplements listed will not only help people meet their needs, but also keep them committed over the long haul.

The following supplements should be taken with food on a daily basis. Purchase a vitamin case so you’ll stick with the plan; supplements always work better in your body than in the bottle!

1. Vitamin D3
Vitamin D reigns queen when it comes to optimizing our bodies. Vitamin D3 is found abundantly in wild Alaskan salmon (687 IU per 6-ounce serving) and can also be derived from sitting in the sun without sunscreen for 15-30 minutes three times per week. In my 17 years of practice I have yet to see a patient with a healthy amount of vitamin D measured in their blood. You should aim for a blood level of 80-100 ng/dL to protect yourself against cancer, bone loss, depression, PMS, heart disease, and autoimmune conditions.

To test your levels of vitamin D, get a 25(OH)D test, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Work with a health care practitioner to give yourself the correct dosage; I have dosed people at 1,000IU per day to 10,000IU per day short-term for severe deficiencies.

2. Omega-3s
Omega-3s are a panacea for systemic inflammation. This can be expressed in the body as acne, rosacea, colitis, chron’s disease, weight gain, injuries, heart disease, headaches, menstrual cramps, and any other type of –it is you can think of. Most folks are steering clear of fish due to the high level of contaminants present, and most of our kids don’t eat fish often enough. How can you ensure a clean source of omega-3s without taking in too many contaminants? Purchase wild Alaskan salmon and salmon oil. Alaska’s waters are subject to far fewer contaminants because farming fish is illegal in Alaska, so the fish are extremely clean. If you don’t love salmon, take the salmon oil instead. Four capsules per day is a good maintenance dose, six capsules per day will give you gorgeous, glowing skin, and nine capsules per day will help you lose weight and fight depression.

3. Probiotics
About 60-70% of our lymph nodes line our intestinal tract, which closely links our immune system to the health of our gut. Environmental toxins and viruses love to hang out inside our intestinal tract and render the healthy colony of good bacteria present useless. Taking probiotics is a powerful weapon against food-borne illnesses, yeast infections, sinus infections, constipation, colds and flu, and autoimmune conditions (especially Chron’s disease and colitis). Take 16-32 billion per day.

4. Magnesium
Magnesium is a trace mineral that is responsible for more than three hundred biochemical reactions in the body. It is a muscle relaxer and helps lower blood pressure, keeps the heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and plays a critical role in healthy bone density. Magnesium is also an effective remedy for constipation and insomnia, and helps treat sugar cravings and PMS. Interestingly enough, chocolate is a rich source of magnesium. So the next time you’re reaching for the Milk Duds, try taking some magnesium instead! Take 400mg at night for restful sleep and overall wellness. For menstrual cramps or constipation, take 400mg twice per day.

5. Green Foods
Do you know anyone who eats adequate amounts of green vegetables on a daily basis? Neither do I! Which is why powdered green foods make such a fabulous addition to your daily regime. “Green foods” are a super food that usually consists of either freshly juiced green vegetables (wheatgrass, spinach, kale, parsley, celery, etc.) or dehydrated green vegetables that can then be reconstituted with water. The chlorophyll in green foods is remarkably close in structure to the iron molecule and is a natural blood builder as a result. Green foods also detoxify the liver, helping the body eliminate waste products naturally and promote weight loss. Green foods also boost energy levels due to their naturally high levels of vitamins, trace minerals, and essential amino acids present. Enjoy 8 ounces of fresh juice or 1 scoop of reconstituted powder per day.