There’s a lot of hype about the benefits of eating a live or raw food diet. This post defines living food, it’s health benefits and why some say that it’s not as healthy as some would have us believe.

Living food is all-natural and uncooked.

We know about the powerful health benefits of natural food, but what’s wrong with cooked food?

In general, food heated over 46°C (116°F) destroys it’s enzymes and alters the molecular structure of the food, creating toxic elements which must be eliminated or stored to protect the body from damage. It’s this internal damage that causes the external effects we label as aging.

What’s the difference between live and raw foods?

Live foods contain high concentrations of “active” enzymes. Raw food, on the other hand, has sleeping or “dormant” enzymes. These unactivated enzymes are awakened when raw foods are sprouted, like nuts and seeds, which then become “living food”.

What’s so great about enzymes?

Enzymes are catalysts which activate chemical reactions. In food, they’re called digestive enzymes because they facilitate digestion and food absorption.

Living food proponents contend that enzymes are the “life-force” or “energy” of food. Cooking food, in effect, kills or suffocates the potency of food.

One major criticism of a living food diet is that these enzymes are destroyed by stomach acid which render them useless to us since nutrient absorption takes place in the small intestine. Proponents maintain enzymes are merely deactivated in the stomach and reactivated when they reach the small intestine.

Health benefits of living food

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Do you believe in the healing powers of nature? Do you believe we have the right to choose what we put into our bodies?

Last week, raw food advocates celebrated a major victory here in Canada with the acquittal of Michael Schmidt, Ontario dairy farmer and milk co-op owner, who was charged with selling and distributing unpasteurized (raw) milk.

In Canada, it’s legal to consume raw milk. Basically, anyone who owns a cow has the  choice whether or not to kill harmful bacteria (along with the beneficial micro-organisms and enzymes) through the pasteurization process before they drink it. You become an outlaw when you sell it to others for consumption.

The raw milk vs. pasteurized controversy rages but when you sift through the research, you’ll find there are benefits and risks to consuming both raw and pasteurized milk.

(Randolph Jonsson has created a well-written and thoroughly researched website dedicated to enlightening folks about raw milk. He proudly announces his passion for raw milk and yet manages to present the information in an objective and respectful manner.)

For the pro-choicers out there, Mr. Schmidt’s case is a legal loop hole gone right.

From healthzone.ca:

Art Hill, professor and chair of the University of Guelph’s Department of Food Science, said the ruling, which provides a legal way for Ontarians to consume raw milk and for farmers to sell their farm-fresh product, will likely prompt changes in the dairy industry.

“This ruling signals that it is time to create a system where the sale of raw milk is legalized, but controlled,” said Hill. “We have to work now at finding ways to make raw milk available as safely as we can.”

Hill noted the sale of raw milk is not uncommon in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom. About half of U.S. states have legislation that allows consumers access to raw milk, either directly from farms or at grocery stores.

Mr. Schmidt fought the law and won because he runs a cow-share program which essentially entitles consumers part-ownership in the cows he raises and milks. The article says that current legislation fails to account for this instance; however, health ministries in Canada have said they may appeal the decision down the road.

Agencies like Health Canada are against legalizing the sale of raw milk because of the potential risks of food poisoning from pathogens like salmonella. Proponents say that not all raw milk is created equal; that in hygienic, knowledgeable farms, the risks are minimized and the health benefits (as well as the taste) are incomparable to processed milk.

Mr. Schmidt and his supporters were pleased with the court’s ruling. Not only did it save his farm and business, but according to the Ontario farmer, this win was for the freedom to choose what we consume. (Source: YouTube)

What do you think: Is this a step in the right direction? And, just for curiosity’s sake, do you drink raw milk?

There’s a rumour going around: electrical gadgets emit harmful radiation which affect our health. Since we’ve been doing The 2010 TV Detox here on Live Lighter, Emmanuel (movie & TV lover), asked that we finally settle this dispute in a post. Here it is!

Like chemicals, electromagnetic radiation occurs naturally as well as from man-made products. We receive radiation from the sun, earth, our own bodies and of course, all our electrical devices.  It’s all around us!

What is radiation exactly? Click here to find out.

From the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA):

Man cannot escape exposure to some radiation. We are surrounded by natural radioactivity in the earth and by cosmic rays from outer space. This is called background radiation and cannot be controlled. We are also exposed to manmade radiation, which can and must be controlled.

There are different types of radiation along the radiation spectrum, some more harmful than others. According to RADTown U.S.A. the radiation that comes from x-ray machines are “a form of ionizing radiation, which is capable of removing electrons from atoms and damaging living cells and the DNA of those cells.”

Man-made non-ionizing radiation includes: lasers, televisions, computer monitors and wireless technology. However, televisions and computer monitors that use a cathode ray tube (CRT) can potentially emit low-level x-ray radiation.

So easy enough, to reduce your exposure to harmful radiation from your TV or computer, buy flat screens!

But wait, that’s not all…

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Robert F Kennedy Jr. reveals the results from his investigation into vaccines and concludes that vaccines are making the sickest generation in America’s history.

The good news is that this is another respected source spreading the truth about vaccines. Big shout out to reader Dee, for sending us this extremely important 8 minute video (Part 1):

Politicians and government health officials are urging us to get vaccinated as health insurance. So for the past few weeks, we’ve been investigating exactly how healthy it is to get vaccinated for the H1N1 and seasonal flu. We’ve discovered there are HUGE health risks involved.

One of these risks is the development of neurological disorders. Although rare, this particular type of side effect is completely debilitating.

Before choosing vaccination, please consider the unfortunate case of Desiree Jennings, a beautiful 25-year-old cheerleader from Virginia who received a seasonal flu shot in August and 10 days later, developed what medical experts call, dystonia.

Here’s a 2:18 minute news clip from Inside Edition:

Since they’re rolling out the H1N1 vaccination before properly testing them, coupled with the fact that pharmaceutical companies and doctors are legally protected against lawsuits in these cases AND there’s no funding for vaccine injuries, we have to ask ourselves: “Is it worth the risk?”

What do you think, Readers? Will you be trusting your health to Nature or man?

Government health officials and mainstream media are telling us that we need to get vaccinated against H1N1. Should we trust them on blind faith?

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola and Barbara Loe Fisher of the National Vaccination Information Center, there’s very good reason for us to question their insistence.

Please note: both Dr. Mercola and Ms. Fisher are not anti-vaccine, they are pro-public education.

“Don’t let anyone tell you what to do. You need to empower yourself with information, believe that you can understand it, talk to one or more trusted health care professionals before you make your decision about vaccination; but most of all, have the confidence and believe you have the right, the responsibility and the ability to look at this issue, become informed and make wise health care choices for yourself and your children.” Barbara Loe Fisher, Co-Founder of the National Vaccination Information Center.

The following information (brought to my attention by loyal and concerned reader, Dee)  is a summary of important points brought up in a series of interviews between Mercola and Fisher.

They present facts about swine flu, seasonal flu and vaccinations that mainstream media and government health officials have chosen not to share with the public:

The Truth About the Swine Flu Virus

1. H1N1 is NOT causing excessive mortality. The CDC estimates 36,000 flu-related American deaths each year. So far, H1N1 has caused 1000 deaths in the United States.
2. Compare this number also to the 200,000 preventable hospital deaths every year (in the U.S.) due to hospital infections and medical errors.
3. Swine Flu virus appears to be less virulent than some of the influenza strains in the past and, comparing the above numbers, no more lethal than the usual strains every year.
4. The CDC stopped confirming cases on August 30th and are assuming the 400 deaths with flu-like symptoms since then were caused by the H1N1 virus. Unsubstantiated claims! Read the rest of this entry

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Earlier this week we discussed, Should We Get Vaccinated, or What? While we discovered health risks associated with vaccinations, it’s always up to the individual to decide what’s best for them. It comes down to what you trust more: an untested, manufactured chemical cocktail or your immune system.

For those who lead fairly health lifestyles and have faith in the robustness of their immune systems, you’ll most likely opt to stay away from the flu vaccinations. But you may want to boost your natural combative power this flu season to take extra precaution. Here are a few ways to boost your immune system through food and nutritional supplementation:

From Dr. Rona in his Vitality article, Vaccination Controversy:

• Vitamin D (this is a POWERFUL nutrient with microbial properties. Studies suggest it’s as effective as a vaccination!)
• Vitamin A
• Beta carotene (provitamin A)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6
• Zinc

From Dr. Martin in his Healthy Directions article, Get Ready for H1N1 (flip to page 38 in the online mag):

• A broad spectrum probiotic treatment for 30 days
• Maintain an alkaline PH (mainly through a clean diet, stay tuned for an upcoming post, “How to Get More Alkaline”)
• Oil of oregano (several drops a day)
• Vitamin D3 (through sunbathing 1/2 hour, 3 times a week)

And here’s one for Halloween: garlic will not only keep the vampires away, it’ll also keep flu at bay! Please read this informative, lively Vitality article, “Garlic Medicine: Folklore Traditions from the Far East“.

Alright Live Lighter readers, time to cough up your own nutritional secrets for boosting your immune system! Come on… I got one in my head that I didn’t include (on purpose) in this post, so I know there are more! Please share them in the comments below.

There’s a new virus on the block and it’s raising hell. Pharmaceutical companies mass produce vaccinations. Doctors and government agencies recommend them. (Some government bodies insist!) We’re in the middle of a pandemic and it’s flu season!

No wonder people are getting vaccinated.

In this month’s issue of Vitality magazine, Dr. Zoltan Rona, M.D., M.Sc., Complementary Medicine practitioner in Toronto, writes an enlightening article that dispels the media hype about the seriousness of H1N1, provides natural solutions to vaccinations and tells us why he doesn’t recommend them.

If you have time, please read, “Vaccination Controversy“.

Why do some docs say, “Stay away from vaccines”?

Here are some of the highlights from Dr. Rona’s article:

• Limited clinical testing before releasing it to the public in order to get on top of the situation.
• No more effective than a placebo. Some reliable studies have called into question the necessity of vaccinations.
• Toxic ingredients. Many vaccinations carry `fillers’ that have been linked to cancer, autoimmune, brain damage and several neuro-degenerative diseases. Among the chemical cocktail: formaldehyde, thimerosal (a preservative and derivative of mercury), aluminum and mercury.

Who should get vaccinated?

Most doctors seem to agree that certain people are at risk for complications steaming from the flu and H1N1: pregnant women; caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months; children 6 months to 5 years of age; health care providers; people over the age of 65; and people ages 25 to 64 with existing health problems.

Odd contradictions

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) does not recommend that pregnant women, very young children and people with compromised immune systems receive the nasal vaccine (which contains the live virus).

Isn’t it interesting that the people who are most at risk for the flu are recommended to stay away from the vaccinations (at least the live version)? And why should we get vaccinated again?

Natural solutions to vaccinations

Many consider the flu as an inevitable fact of winter, but this is not necessarily the case. Although our lifestyles may not always allow it, the best way to prevent this viral illness is to keep our health at its optimum. This can be done by getting enough rest, limiting stress and by eating a nutritious diet.

Dr. Zoltan Rona, Vaccination Controversy, Vitality magazine, October 2009.

Dr. Rona also stresses the importance of nutritional supplementation and outlines some hard evidence for its effectiveness in boosting the immune system. Here are the highlights:

• vitamin A
• beta carotene (provitamin A)
• vitamin C
• vitamin D (antibiotic properties may be more effective than vaccinations!)
• vitamin B6
• zinc

Flu extras you might be interested in

Again, the article is well-worth the read but if for those who want just the nuts and bolts, Dr. Rona also shares with us:

1. Vaccine exemption in Canada. If anyone tries a fast one and says you HAVE to get vaccinated, just print, fill out and get this form notarized. It’s your choice and this affidavit will protect you.
2. More flu information: credible resources like the National Vaccine Information Center and vaccination is not immunization.

What do you consider acceptable risks?

What are your thoughts on vaccination for the flu and H1N1?

Fasting is hot these days. Everyone’s doing it either to lose weight, get healthier or more connected with their spiritual side. Even the most popular post on this blog is a safe, enlightening 3 day fast! And since so many people are fasting, wouldn’t it be nice to know when fasting is dangerous?

Individuals and health professionals who believe in the benefits of fasting will agree that it’s generally a safe practice for the average, healthy person.

Even then, some doctors warn that for the unprepared or ill-informed, fasting can lead to dehydration, faintness or over-eating on non-fasting days. To be uber prepared on your fast and reduce the severity of your detox symptoms, check out a safe, enlightening 3 day fast and adjust it to suit your sensibilities.

Note: Naturopathic doctors suggest that fasting for more than 3 days should be done under the supervision of a qualified health care professional.

If you’re not too sure whether or not you  should fast, check this list of people and circumstances that make fasting more harmful than helpful:

From The New Detox Diet, by Elson Haas, M.D.

• being underweight
• fatigue
• low immunity
• weak heart
• low blood pressure
• cardiac arrhythmias
• cold weather
• pregnancy
• nursing
• pre- and post-surgery
• cancer
• peptic ulcers
• nutritional deficiencies
• children

From The Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th ed.: Read the rest of this entry

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Have you ever blown your nose and experienced crackling and popping in your ears, followed by the glorious sounds of the outside world coming in crystal clear? If you hadn’t noticed before, this is when you realize that your ears are plugged.

If you’re lucky, your Dolby digital-like surround sound hearing stays. If you’re like me and really congested, the crackling happens again almost instantaneously and it’s like you pushed the mute button on your ear drums.

So after two weeks of this and wanting to try an alternative method to the walk-in clinic’s ear flushing with warm, salt water, I decided to try ear candling (a.k.a. ear coning). But what is ear candling?

Ear candling is a highly debatable alternative therapy where ear candles are used to draw wax and impurities from the ear, sinuses, and some even believe, from the brain itself.

Proponents for ear candling suggest that it has many health benefits, including hearing improvement, curing earaches and swimmer’s ear, purifying the mind, stabilizing emotions and reducing stress and tension. Check out this QuackWatch.com article for a list on more purported health benefits.

However, research and respectable sources (like Health Canada in this article) say that ear candling fails to provide any health benefits and is dangerous in that it poses a risk of fire, burns, blocked ears (with the candle wax) and punctured ear drums.

Despite these warnings and feeling the need to experiment, I booked an appointment with my trusted neighbourhood health spa. The procedure went well and was actually quite relaxing. While she held the burning candle to an exposed ear, my ear candler massaged that side of my neck, shoulder and head.

After the candle had burnt close to the bottom, she removed it from my ear, cut off the still burning piece and cut it again closer to the end where it was placed in my ear. In each candle, I saw about an half an inch of what was obviously ear wax!

She then finished the treatment with a full face, head, neck and shoulder massage. It was heaven.

Unfortunately, my ears are still blocked and crackle when I blow my nose. I feel the only health benefits I recieved for my $40 was stress and tension relief… from the massage, of course!

Have you any experience with ear candling or coning? Please share it with us in the comment section below.