“The greatest wealth is health.” Virgil
In this time of financial uncertainty and turmoil, will it not serve us well to focus on ways to become and stay healthy?
Dear Readers,
I have made it a practice in my medical practice to focus on the positive. I am well aware of the power that our thoughts have over our overall health and wellbeing.
But I cannot hide my head in the sand when I learn about:
1. new scientific discoveries that can bless our health, or about
2. potentially harmful issues of which we need to be aware.
This creates a dilemma. I either can choose to remain silent (and feel my own regret that I did not speak and spare someone who could get healthier with the information I have), or I can subject myself and my credibility to ridicule.
Thankfully, there are some who read what I write, and do their own research, and verify my statements for themselves. To those of you who are willing to have open minds and hear what this doctor has to say: I thank you and applaud you. To those who do not: I honor your choice to think as you wish.
Last month, I shared with you an incredible, health-transforming technology called ASEA. I continue to maintain that this is one of the greatest scientific discoveries to bless our health in the history of the world. How can I say that? I have studied the science of signaling molecules for the past ten years. I was one of those who thought it impossible to replicate signaling molecules outside of the human body and keep them stable. But I have seen first hand what ASEA does. I have eaten my words. If you are interested in learning more about these signaling molecules, you can get on this site: www.keystohealing.teamasea.com.
I will personally see to answering any questions you have (just know that it may take a little time for me to get back with each of you!)
So that was my “dilemma” last month.
Now I will share with you what is the second dilemma I face. This time, unfortunately, it covers some of the nastier sides of business in the food industry.
D and C 89:4
Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
I used to think that all this referred to was the industries that purveyed dangerous products, such as tobacco and alcohol. I have come to know that this warning encompasses more…so much more.
What are the forces in the food industry that affect our access to safe, nutritious food?
For decades, our prophets have counseled us to have a year’s supply of food on hand. Rather than bombard you with my own opinion, I am choosing to provide you with several links to various types of information. The more I learn, the more concerned I become, and the more outspoken:
The Subsidizing of Fast Food (and Fattening Food)
1. How We Get Fat:
The late Peter Jennings gave a stunning five-part series report several years ago. You can watch the first part here, and then locate the remaining four parts.
Here’s a recap of some of his report:
The heavily subsidized food crops in the United States include corn, soy, wheat, and rice. Much of the corn is being processed into high fructose corn syrup, which is well known as a contributor to obesity and chronic diseases. Here is a list of the foods that receive the most subsidies:
Meat/dairy 73.8%
Grains 13.2 %
Sugar/Oil/ Starch/ Alcohol 10.7%
Nuts and legumes 1.9%
Vegetables and fruits .4%
It’s no wonder a fast food burger is less expensive than a bowl of fresh salad. Unfortunately, the price of fast food does not take into account the true health and societal costs.
The subsidized corn is a cheaper way to feed cattle, which increases their likelihood of having E. coli, for which antibiotics are given.
2. Genetically modified food:
Unbeknownst to the American public, we have been fed genetically modified food for the past 15 years. This is food that has not been adequately studied for safety, and the limited studies that HAVE been done have been frightening. The scientists that have tried to convey the proper research information to the public have been vilified and suppressed. At the present time,
91% of the soy
88% of canola
85% corn
and 90% of sugar beets are genetically modified
The same people who have assured us that these are safe from the FDA have also been employees of the companies that make genetically modified food. For more information, view the movie Food, Inc. Most libraries have or can obtain a copy of this movie. You will be amazed at its information.
3. Access to supplements:
Codex Alimentarius is setting the supplement standards for all countries in the World Trade Organization. Many of these meetings are being conducted secretly without any basis of science.
This code includes:
- no supplement can be sold for preventive or therapeutic use
- any potency higher than the RDA is a drug, requiring a prescription, and must be produced by drug companies.
- New supplements are banned unless given very expensive CODEX testing and approval.
CODEX has been passed in Norway and Germany, and the price of zinc tablets rose from the price of $4.00 per bottle to $52.00 per bottle. Zinc tablets are now classified as drugs in these countries.
The government has severely limited supplement companies from clearly defining the proven, effective uses of vitamins and minerals, amino acids, and herbs, as therapeutic agents. In fact, the release of the science behind the importance of taking 800 micrograms of folic acid to prevent spina bifida in newborns was known for over 15 years before that information was permitted to be released. Here, from the FDA’s own history, is their account of the event. (Mind you, this is written by the FDA’s historian; the information, regardless of how presented, is instructive).
Here’s my question: if we knew (and we did know) that the folic acid that occurs naturally in green vegetables—does no harm, what is the harm in letting pregnant women know that it is a possibility that folic acid intake will ensure a healthier child? How many lives now deal with spina bifida because of the FDA’s hesitancy to act on a supplement that does no harm?
And as a corollary, how many approved pharmaceuticals have been taken off the market, after being approved, because the side effects have been devastating (and in some cases, fatal)?
The number of deaths from all vitamins, minerals, and herbs on a yearly basis is minimal, compared to the more than 100,000 deaths per year from prescription medications—taken as prescribed.
4. Access to Healthy Seeds
Monsanto, mega giant in the food industry, was the co-creator, along with Dow Chemical Company, of Agent Orange, the defoliating agent used in the Viet Nam war.
Despite serious concerns about the safety of this product, it was used extensively during the war, and many of our veterans still deal with the long term effects of Agent Orange.
In 2005, Monsanto purchased Seminis Seed Company .
Monsanto has genetically modified many of its seeds, and added the Roundup Ready element to DNA so the seeds will not die when subjected to Roundup. No long term studies of which I am aware have been performed on how the human body reacts to extended exposure to Roundup, or how the DNA content of Roundup Ready in seeds affects humans. Preliminary studies are frightening about Roundup’s effects upon mice and other animals (which makes sense, since it is designed to destroy natural vegetation). I will leave it to you to decide whether or not you can trust this source as the provider of safe seeds.
5. The Challenge of Producing, Selling, and Buying Food Products that are Organic and Wholesome.
In July 2011, Recently the FDA, along with Los Angeles county sheriffs, went into Rawesome Foods with [guns] ordered the customers to leave, and proceeded to ransack the establishment. They poured raw, organic milk down the drain, destroyed food, removed other food items such as mangos from the shelves, charged three owners with felony conspiracy and put them in jail, stole over $9000 cash; and this happened in July 2011: less than two weeks ago.
On April 20, 2010, a law-abiding Amish farmer from Kinser, Pennsylvania named Dan, who sold raw, unpasteurized milk, was declared an enemy of the state.
Both Rawesome Foods and the Amish farmer had repeatedly provided clean, tested milk. Never had there been a case of disease reported as caused by the milk they supplied. (If anyone can provide me with a documented case of raw milk causing proven harm, please let me know). Regardless of your position, raw milk is certainly not as dangerous as cocaine. Would our government’s time not be better spent protecting us from the drug lords instead of simple Amish farmers?
This past spring, a Michigan woman named Julie Bass was charged with misdemeanors for growing vegetables in her own yard.
I would have thought these things could only happen in oppressive governments. But they are happening in the United States of America.
What can we do?
1. We can plant our own gardens, if we can. Numerous sites online can show you how to produce your own food in small areas.
2. We can support local farmers that are growing organic foods
3. We can join food co-ops, such as Bountiful Baskets
4. If we consume meat, we can select free range cattle and poultry
5. We need to be vocal with state and local representatives; to allow access to the food of our choice: whether it be supplements, milk, or herbs
6. Special interest groups have influence. We can prayerfully choose where and how to spend our time, regardless of our position. Free dialogue is the essence of free speech.
7. We can be aware of forces at work; we can be diligent
8. We can make our own food; not be dependent upon the fast food industry
From lds.org:
D&C 89:4 . What Evidence Is There Today of “Evils and Designs . . . in the Hearts of Conspiring Men”?
Lawsuits against American tobacco companies in the last part of the 20th century made it clear that owners and employees of these companies conspired to hide the dangers of their products.
President David O. McKay observed the gradual growth of these evils in his lifetime: “The purport of that [revelation] impressed me in the twenties and the thirties of this century. I just ask you . . . to recall the methods employed by certain tobacco interests to induce women to smoke cigarettes.
“You remember how insidiously they launched their plan. First, by saying that it would reduce weight. They had a slogan: ‘Take a cigarette instead of a sweet.’
“Later, some of us who like the theatre, noticed that they would have a young lady light the gentleman’s cigarette. Following this a woman’s hand would be shown on billboards lighting or taking a cigarette. A year or two passed and soon they were brazen enough to show the lady on the screen or on the billboard smoking the cigarette. . . .
“‘Parents meekly submit to this and later deplore the fact when their children are hopeless cigarette addicts.’” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1949, pp. 185–86.)
Many through the years have likewise conspired or contributed to making the use of alcohol, coffee, tea, other forms of tobacco, and drugs more socially acceptable.
I have seen many indications of “conspiring men” in today’s food accessibility. My hope is this: that you will prayerfully consider your food sources, and prayerfully look to healthy means for becoming a human being of dynamic health and energy.
Dr. Stan
