Topics of Interest

Luck of the Irish

St. Patty’s Day may evoke thoughts of corned beef, potatoes and beer, but the Irish foods to really look at for health include cabbage, kale, tomatoes, onions and carrots.  Maybe the traditional luck of the Irish came from more than just leprechauns, maybe it came from all the hearty vegetables in their diet.

Cabbage

• Contains glucosinolates, which research shows to have anti-cancer properties, especially colon, prostate and bladder cancer.
• Cabbage juice linked to healing stomach ulcers and regulation of digestive tract bacteria H. Pylori.
• Excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin K as well as folate and fiber.
• Eat a combination of steamed and raw cabbage in order to have different nutrient profiles available to your body.

Carrots

• Linked to protection against cardiovascular disease in 10 year research study.
• Lab studies show carrot extracts inhibit colon cancer cell growth.
• Carrot consumption associated with lower risk of glaucoma and cataracts.
• Excellent source of vitamin A as well as vitamin K, fiber and vitamin C.
• Best to steam or eat raw.
• Standard Process Supplements include Cataplex A, Cataplex A-C, Cataplex A-C-P, A-F Betafood, and Whole Food Fiber.

Kale

• Excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A and manganese as well as fiber, calcium and potassium.
• Steamed kale has cholesterol lowering properties.
• Studies have linked Kale to lowering the risk of having cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries, prostate and bladder.
• Kale’s glucosinolates are linked to cellular detoxification as well as anti-inflammatory properties.
• Standard Process Supplements include Cruciferous Complete and SP Green Food.

Tomatoes

• Linked to lower risk of heart disease, certain cancers, bone health as well as Alzheimer’s prevention.
• Excellent source for vitamins A, C and K as well as B6, potassium, folate and fiber.
• Best to eat with the skin as there is a higher lycopene content.
• Support cardiovascular health by lowering overall cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and reduces blood platelet aggregation.

Onions

• High flavonoid and poly-phenol content.
• Diet rich in onions reduces risk of colo-rectal, laryngeal, ovarian, oral and esophageal cancers.
• Very good source of vitamin C, B6, fiber and molybdenum.

Potatoes

• Good source of potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, fiber, and manganese.
• Currently being studied for kukoamines which are known to have blood-pressure lowering effects.
• Although the high starch content worries some, potatoes also contain 60+ phytochemicals and vitamins and have comparable phenolic content to  broccoli, spinach, and brussel sprouts.
• Best to eat with the skin, as this is a concentrated source of fiber and nutrients.
• Prepare by baking or steaming; avoid deep frying which can produce the carcinogenic by products acrylamides.
• Purchase organic options because potatoes commonly have higher pesticide residue.

Nutritional Chart of Traditional Irish Fruits and Vegetables

Spring Cleaning

Although the official season of Winter is still upon us, the current warm weather means early spring cleaning is already underway in some households.  Why risk your family’s health and pay extra money for chemical household cleaners when you can use safe and cheap alternatives?

Here are a few reasons to choose simple alternative cleaning products

Your Health The list of potential health hazards goes on and on for household cleaners including central nervous system and brain damage, kidney and liver damage, reproductive damage, endocrine disruption, respiratory irritation, skin and eye irritation including potential blindness, cancer, and in some cases exposure to the chemicals can be acutely fatal (i.e. if you mix ammonia and bleach you create toxic chloramine gas).

Kids Health and Poisons  If you have children in your home, their health will be more susceptible to chemical influences including development of respiratory illnesses such as asthma.  If you have ever read the bottles of some common cleaners you may already know they can be poisonous if consumed; did you know that almost 90% of poison exposures occur in the home, and over 50% of those are from children under the age of 6.  The National Capital Poison Center states “Most poisonings involve everyday household items such as cleaning supplies, medicines, cosmetics and personal care items”.

The Environment  All the cleaners you put into the sink, toilet, bathtub or shower go into the sewage system, which  means that vegetation, soil, and wildlife (including fish you may eat) can all be chemically polluted.  Sewage can also end up in rivers and oceans that people swim in and drinking water must be treated to remove chemicals.

Bacterial Resistance  Researchers from the University of Ireland found that when they added increasing amounts of disinfectant to the bacteria culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bugs survived not just the disinfectant, but a commonly prescribed antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) as well, even without being exposed to it.  This means that excessive use of chemical disinfectants may develop stronger harmful bacteria.

Money Locally you can buy a 1 gallon container of vinegar for around $4.00, a 1 lb box of baking soda for $2-3, and a 32 oz bottle of hydrogen peroxide for $2.  You can make a bottle of your own window cleaner for about 50 cents versus $3 or $4 for the blue stuff.

Alternative Cleaning Products

• Water
• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Borax
• Castile soap
• Cornstarch
• Tea tree oil
• Elbow grease

Instead of bleach for disinfecting just about anything from countertops to fruits and veggies use vinegar, then hydrogen peroxide.  Get 2 separate spray bottles and fill one with vinegar and the other with hydrogen peroxide (do not mix the two).  Spray the surface with vinegar first and wipe, then with hydrogen peroxide.  In tests run at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, pairing the two mists killed virtually all Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli bacteria on heavily contaminated food and surfaces when used in this fashion, making this spray combination more effective at killing these potentially lethal bacteria than chlorine bleach or any commercially available kitchen cleaner.

If you want some extra motivation to switch, go read all the caution labels for the products you are currently using (this includes “green” products, many of which can still be harmful).  Why not take the extra few minutes to change for your health and pocket book?  And most importantly, don’t forget the magic of plain old water and elbow grease.

Love and Health

Happy Valentine’s Day!  To celebrate, we thought it would be appropriate to share some healthful ideas related to love.  The concept of “love” may seem immeasurable, however numerous clinical studies have been conducted that measure and reveal the affects that love has on the human brain and general well being.

To reap the health benefits of love, contact does not need to come from a romantic relationship – healthy friendships, family relationships, parenting, general social contact, and self-love can all provide healthful advantages.

For expecting or new mothers, here’s an interesting case study to consider regarding loving physical contact with children.

Psychoanalytic psychiatrist Rene Spitz conducted a study which involved two groups of babies.  One group of babies was cared for with good hygiene and excellent physical care but received little if any individual love or attention. This group became physically and emotionally stunted. Most could not walk or talk even at the age of four. “Within two years 37 percent … had died from infection.”  In contrast, a second group of babies was cared for in a prison nursery that was “far dirtier” but received loving affection from their mothers each day. “Not a single one of the second group of children succumbed to infection during the five-year period of Spitz’s study.”

On the more romantic side of  things, a US News and World Report revealed, “Those who engage in frequent sex have a better sense of smell, lower rate of heart disease, improved physical fitness (probably because they’re motivated to work out), and healthier body weight.”  Don’t go jumping into bed with everyone you meet, but recognize the value that a healthy relationship can provide.

On a molecular level, the hormone Oxytocin (aka “the love hormone”) is responsible for regulating dopamine release into the brain.  Dopamine is a chemical that can make you “feel good” by giving you extra energy and motivation and decreasing pain – when falling in love or having loving interactions with others these hormones and chemicals boost your feelings of well being and mood.  Relaxing and having lowered stress is linked to health benefits such as a stronger immune system.

Love can be developed in many ways, here are a few tips to start today!

• Focus on a proper intake of nutrients such as selenium, iron, zinc, b vitamins and vitamin D.  Deficiencies can cause changes in mood or depression, which can make it difficult to want to interact with other people.
• Make a goal to give/receive 3 hugs per day, start with 1 if you have to.
• If you have a partner, go for a walk and hold hands, this will get you a dose of dopamine from the exercise and the warm contact.
• Meditate or pray for yourself and others, which allows you to mentally focus on positive loving feelings.

• If you don’t feel you have many family or friends to rely on, volunteer in an environment where you can be around other people.  Not only will you be giving care to others, you will introduce yourself to new potential social relationships.

The Best Foods for the Skin to Make it Healthy and Beautiful

If you really want beautiful skin, do the same things you would do to strengthen your heart, control your weight, lift your mood and live longer and better: Get regular exercise, sleep enough and eat well.

Discovery Health suggests a number of foods to look at if you want a beautiful-skin diet.  Here are a few of their suggestions:

Nuts

The benefits of nuts — especially almonds — have to do with antioxidant activity. Vitamin E fights skin-aging free radicals, and also helps your skin hold in moisture.

Red and Green Vegetables

Orange-red vegetables are full of beta-carotene. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which prevents cell damage and premature aging.  Spinach and other green, leafy foods provide lots of vitamin A, too.

Citrus Fruits

Vitamin C aids in your body’s production of collagen, which is the protein that forms the basic structure of your skin. Collagen breakdown can leave your skin saggy, and vitamin C will help tighten it back up.

The real “fountain of youth” is a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Without this foundation, no amount of creams and potions will alter the look and feel of your skin to any great degree. In fact, your complexion reveals a lot about your diet and overall health.

Foods with a Detrimental Impact on Your Complexion

When it comes to proper nutrition for a healthy, youthful complexion, you need to know both what to eat and what to avoid. Loading up on certain skin-clearing foods while still eating some of the most damaging will likely not make a significant impact.

For example, insulin and leptin resistance are major accelerants of the aging processes, which affect both your inside and outside, so it’s important to keep your insulin and leptin levels low if you want to maintain a youthful look—not to mention optimal health.

The most effective way to do this is by reducing or eliminating grains and sugar, especially fructose, in your diet. What this means is, if you want to get the benefits from the foods I’ll discuss below, you may also want to skip the soda…

Drugs and alcohol are clearly enemies of a glowing complexion, but processed foods, trans fats, processed table salt, and pasteurized dairy products are also common culprits.

Clear Skin Begins Inside Your Body

Donna Gates, author of The Body Ecology Diet offers great advice on how to improve your complexion through your diet and explains why foods have such a profound impact on your skin.

In a nutshell, in order to have clear, healthy skin, you need to make sure your body is relatively free of toxins, so cleansing your body of dangerous substances while putting in the finest nutrients is essential.

The organs responsible for providing you with beautiful skin include your liver, kidneys, adrenals, thyroid, and your large- and small intestines.

• Your liver and kidneys are the two organs that filter out impurities on an ongoing basis. If your diet is less than ideal, these two organs can easily become overtaxed, which can lead to breakouts and other skin problems.
• Your adrenals make many essential hormones, such as pregnenolone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Hormonal imbalances can also result in problematic skin conditions, so adrenal function is important as well.
• A well-nourished, energetic thyroid also provides hormones and works closely with your adrenals to create energy. Dry, flaky, sluggish skin can be evidence of a weak thyroid.
• Your small- and large intestines provide nutrients to all your organs and remove waste products from your body. When waste meant for elimination remains in your intestines your skin becomes thick, oily and blemished. Pure, flawless skin is typically a reflection of clean intestines.

Eating a healthy diet that focuses on whole, bioavailable organic foods, is your number one strategy for helping your body detox naturally while supplying the necessary nutrients your body needs to thrive. That said, some foods are particularly effective at promoting beautiful, clear skin.

Foods that Promote Beautiful Skin

One of the first strategies you can use to improve your skin health is to make sure you are getting enough high quality omega-3 fats. This is such a reliable indicator that I can usually tell someone’s omega-3 needs just by shaking their hand. If their hand is not smooth as a baby’s behind, it’s usually a strong indication that they’re deficient.

If you struggle with dry skin, make sure you are taking enough omega-3 fats. In the colder dry winter months, you may need to increase your dose. Vegetables are also essential for creating healthy, beautiful skin.

Vegetables are high in both water and nutrients (including essential minerals), and promote optimal functioning of your natural detoxification systems. For example, healthy liver function is supported by dark green leafy veggies, such as:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Dandelion greens
• Broccoli

In general, you’ll want to include plenty of raw, whole foods in your diet, including raw dairy, if you have no dairy allergies, as this is another of the central keys to maintaining youthful skin. Notice I mentioned dairy as being a potentially detrimental food at the beginning of this article, but that’s pasteurized dairy.

It’s not the food itself that causes the problem, but rather it’s the way it’s altered from its natural state that makes it damaging to your health. Raw dairy will not typically have a detrimental effect on your skin. Other foods known to contribute to healthy skin include raw and virgin fats and oils. Coconut oil is especially good for your thyroid. You’ll also want to include plenty of antioxidant-rich foods in your diet. Most berries fall into this category.

Another group of foods worth mentioning are fermented or cultured foods.

Fermented foods help promote the growth of friendly intestinal bacteria and aid in digestion. They also support healthy immune function, including an increase in B vitamins, omega-3, digestive enzymes, lactase and lactic acid, and other immune chemicals that fight off harmful bacteria.

One of the BEST Foods for Your Skin

One of the most profoundly effective ways to create the most attractive glow for your skin is by consuming vegetables and fruits that are high in carotenoids. Carotenoids, which include carotene and xanthophils, give red, orange and yellow fruits their color, and also occur in green vegetables. Studies have shownthat eating foods with these deeply colored pigments can make your face actually look healthier than being tanned.

The more red and yellow tones found in your skin, the more attractive the people were found to be. The redder tones are caused when people are flushed with blood, particularly if the blood has lots of oxygen in it. Dr. Stephan found that, given the choice between skin color caused by suntan and skin color caused by carotenoids, people preferred the carotenoid skin color, so if you want a healthier and more attractive skin color, you are better off eating a healthy diet.

Research studies published last month were consistent with the evolutionary benefit of selecting a potential mate whose appearance signals good health.

“This is something we share with many other species,” noted coauthor Professor David Perrett, PhD, who is the head of the Perception Lab at St Andrews. “For example, the bright yellow beaks and feathers of many birds can be thought of as adverts showing how healthy a male bird is. What’s more, females of these species prefer to mate with brighter, more colored males. But this is the first study in which this has been demonstrated in humans.”

“Together our studies link skin carotenoid coloration to both perceived health and healthy diet, establishing carotenoid coloration as a valid cue to human health which is perceptible in a way that is relevant to mate choice, as it is in bird and fish species,”

What this research failed to evaluate though is what, in my opinion, is the hottest new antioxidant on the market, astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is derived from marine algae. It is what gives salmon and pink flamingos their color. Not only is it a potent antioxidant, but it is probably the most potent natural anti inflammatory we know of, and it is likely to help prevent cataracts, macular degeneration and get this, sunburn!

Other Lifestyle Factors that Impact Your Skin

Exercise is another crucial factor for beautiful skin. A good night’s sleep and properly addressing emotional stresses are additional keys to regaining your optimum physical appearance.

What You Put ON Your Skin Matters Too!

There’s much controversy over whether or not certain ingredients can have an actual impact on your skin when applied topically. Oxidation, caused by free radicals, is associated with premature aging of your skin. As mentioned earlier, consuming antioxidant-rich foods is one part of the puzzle to prevent premature skin damage.

Antioxidants may also offer protection against this kind of damage when applied topically. However, it can be tricky finding products that contain these ingredients in sufficient amounts to make a difference. Skin care products are notorious for containing a slew of dangerous chemicals, while promoting healthful ingredients found only in miniscule amounts.

It’s very important to realize that nearly everything you put on your skin is absorbed into your body, so you need to investigate ALL the ingredients in your personal care products. The fact that something contains antioxidants, for example, is no guarantee that it’s beneficial. It all depends on what else is lurking in that jar.

I firmly believe that you need to approach topical skin care as you approach your diet, and only feed your skin the best ingredients from nature, forgoing toxic chemicals at all costs.

Feeding Your Skin from the Outside-In

You may not realize this, but a large portion of the toxins you’re exposed to on a daily basis comes through your skin, not just through what you put in your mouth. Your skin is actually the largest organ of your body, and it’s highly absorbent. Women absorb an estimated five pounds of chemicals a year just from the makeup they use!

Therefore, you want to give your skin the same thoughtful care you give your internal organs. Having a great diet while slathering toxins on your skin is counterproductive, to say the least.

Personally, if I’m not willing to eat it, I won’t put it on my skin.

Sources:

Discovery Health December 2010

Dr. Mercola January 17 2011

Getting Enough Iron

The human body’s need for iron is well understood . Without iron, our bodies could not synthesize hemoglobin, the protein-iron compound found in the blood responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs for cleansing. Iron also plays a key role in the essential enzyme activity of every cell in the human body. Standard Process has developed a whole food supplement which includes not only iron, but also vitamin C and B12 to assist with iron absorption. This supplement is called Ferrofood.

“How much iron an individual needs on a daily basis to maintain optimal health depends upon many factors. Similar to calcium, iron absorption depends on its source and the combination of nutrients ingested at the same time. In addition to absorption considerations, our individual need for iron fluctuates under circumstances such as pregnancy, menstruation, growth periods, weight loss, gender and age.

Iron is needed to deliver oxygen to red blood cells. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient-related conditions among infants, young children, women and the elderly. The amount of iron we get from foods we eat coupled with an increased need for iron we actually absorb, which can leave us at risk for developing anemia. In order for vitamins and minerals to work properly, they must be consumed in a balanced fashion. The variety of ingredients in Ferrofood are combined to promote a consistent amount of iron along with complimentary nutrients, such as vitamin C, that aid in iron absorption. The vitamin B12 from alfalfa and bovine liver works along with iron to encourage healthy red blood cell formation.” – Ferrofood Product Detail Sheet

For more information on Ferrofood, please either call our office or visit Standard Process online at www.standardprocess.com

Let’s Move!

Obesity is a national epidemic. It is estimated the one out of every three children is obese. With the long list of health problems associated with obesity it is simply a gaurantee that if these children remain obese they will face huge health problems in their lives. In an effort to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and offer some solutions, First Lady Michelle Obama launched her “Let’s Move” campaign in February. The American Academy of Pediatrics also has a simple formula for helping prevent childhood obesity.

It’s 5-2-1-0, and it breaks down like this:

5: Eat five vegetables and fruits a day (the majority of this should be vegetables).

2: Limit screen time — TV in particular — to 2 hours or less a day. The AAP says to avoid any screen time for children under the age of 2.

1: Do one hour of physical activity a day.

0: Have zero sugar-sweetened drinks.

Dr. Mercola recently wrote an excellent article about the obesity epidemic and gave specific suggestions for how parents can deal with it. You can find it at the following link.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/03/06/how-to-win-the-food-battle-with-your-child.aspx

Not All Body Fat Is Bad

Did you know your body has Two Types of Fat  ?

Subcutaneous fat is found just under your skin and is noticeable. It’s the type of fat that jiggles, dimples, and causes cellulite.

Visceral fat is fat on the inside of your body, under your abdominal muscle. It is more dangerous than subcutaneous fat because it can surround vital organs like your liver and heart.

Visceral fat is linked to heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, strokes and other chronic diseases.

Belly fat is also dangerous because it produces inflammatory molecules that enter your bloodstream. High inflammation levels in your body can trigger a wide range of systemic diseases linked with metabolic syndrome.

While it’s often referred to as “belly fat” because it can cause a “beer belly” or an apple-shaped body, you can have visceral fat even if you’re thin.

Not All Body Fat is Bad

You may think all body fat is the enemy. The fact is, fat cells are an active and intelligent part of your body, producing hormones that impact your brain, liver, immune system and your fertility.

Research indicates that the subcutaneous fat found just under your skin is different from visceral fat in a number of ways.

It has been discovered subcutaneous fat can actually improve glucose metabolism and communicate with your organs to elicit beneficial effects.

The Leptin Connection

Most people are not aware that leptin plays an enormous role in the development of obesity. Leptin is a hormone your body produces which is just as important as insulin in determining your risk for Type 2 diabetes and other serious diseases. The hormones your fat cells produce impact how much you eat and how much fat you burn.

Leptin resistance causes an increase in the visceral fat your body produces.

Simply put, here’s how you become leptin resistant:

You eat a diet which includes too many sugars and grains (grains turn to sugar once you consume them)

The sugar metabolizes to (turns into) fat and is stored in your fat cells

This activity in turn causes a surge in leptin

Your body becomes resistant to leptin just as it can become insulin-resistant

When you’re leptin-resistant, your body no longer hears its own signals to stop eating, burn fat, or pass up sugary foods.

The result? You stay hungry, you crave sweets, and your body stores ever more fat.

When your body routinely stores this much excess visceral fat, you increase your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, vascular disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of your arteries) and an increased thickness in the walls of your heart.

Measuring Your Diabetes Risk in an Instant

You probably have the most powerful tool available to determine your risk of diabetes right at your fingertips – a simple tape measure.

Your total body fat and overall level of fitness are not the best indicators of insulin sensitivity, your waist size is.

Studies clearly show that measuring your waist size is one of the most powerful ways to predict your risk for diabetes.

Determining your waist size is easy. With a tape measure, figure the distance around the smallest area of your abdomen below your rib cage and above your belly button.

If you’re male, these guidelines apply:

Ideal waist measurement: between 31 and 36 inches

Overweight: between 36 and 40 inches

Obese: over 40 inches

For women:

Ideal waist measurement: between 28 and 33 inches

Overweight: between 33 and 37 inches

Obese: over 37 inches

The Two Keys to Getting Rid of Belly Fat

1. Eliminate sugars and grains from your diet.

Did you know refined sugar is far more addictive than cocaine? In fact, it’s one of the most addictive substances you can consume.

And refined sugar is not the only thing you must avoid when you’re craving sweets.

Starch, in the form of grains and potatoes, metabolizes into sugar in your body and should also be eliminated from your diet if you suffer from excess weight, diabetes or high cholesterol.

Following my nutrition plan is a simple way to automatically reduce your intake of both grains and sugars.

2. Exercise regularly.

Studies show regular, ongoing exercise is extremely important in getting rid of visceral fat and staying rid of it. Exercise also reduces the inflammatory properties of visceral fat that are linked to metabolic syndrome.

One of the keys to using exercise to normalize your insulin and leptin levels and eliminate visceral fat is to do enough of it.

There are three important variables with exercise:

Length of time

Frequency

Intensity

If you’re healthy enough to exercise, you should gradually increase the length and frequency of your workouts to one hour per day.

This is where you should stay until your weight and insulin levels are normalized. When you reach that goal, you can reduce your exercise frequency to three to four times per week.

USF Ointment For Soft & Healthy Skin

During the winter months many people struggle with dry, cracked or sensitive skin. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and it is our first line of defense from disease, infection and injury. Repeated exposed to air pollutants, beauty products, soaps or harsh weather (especially during the cold winter), can cause the skin to become irritated which makes us more susceptible to infection. Maintaing a healthy diet, drinking plenty of  fluids and getting regular exercise are excellent ways to keep the skin healthy and vibrant – but sometimes they are not enough on their own. Many of the lotions and hand creams being sold today contain chemicals or fragrances that can actually cause further damage to the skin. Standard Process has developed a product – USF Ointment - that can combat dry, scaly, cracked or sensitive skin without the harsh chemicals often found in lotions. USF Ointment contains Vitamin F, lanolin, linseed oil and lecithin.

“Lanolin is made up of water and fats, making it a natural emollient to damaged skin. Linseed oil provides essential fatty acids required by every living cell to rebuild and produce new cells. Lecithin, a phospholipid, is a major component of cell membranes. The cell membrane acts as a gatekeeper for incoming and outgoing nutrients and wastes, Lecithin helps cells absorb essential fatty acids. These three ingredients supply oil and moisture to support healthy skin cells. The Vitamin F Complex contains important fatty acids that promote healthy skin and hair. The vitamin F Complex also brings needed oxygen and calcium from the blood to also help promote healthy skin. The natural oils in lanolin and linseed oils help to restore elasticity to dry and brittle skin. Lecithin promotes absorption of these precious oils into the cells. As moisture is restored, the tight feeling, itching, and flaking of skin is often significantly relieved.” – USF Ointment Product Detail

To find out more about USF Ointment, please call our office or visit Standard Process online at www.standardprocess.com

Pass The Butter . . . Please

Do you know the difference between butter and margarine?

Both  have the same amount of calories. 

Butter  is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8  grams; compared   to 5 grams for margarine. 

Eating margarine can increase  heart disease in women by  53%  over  eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent  Harvard  Medical Study. 

Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in  other foods. 

Butter  has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few and only  because they are added! 

Butter  tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavors of  other foods. 

Butter  has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.

Margarine is very high in trans fatty acids. 

Triples the risk of coronary heart disease.

Increases  total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol).

Increases  the risk of cancers up to five times.

Lowers  quality of breast milk. 

Decreases immune response. 

Decreases  insulin response. 

Margarine  is but one molecule away  from being plastic and and shares 27 ingredients with paint.

Pass the REAL BUTTER PLEASE!