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Food in America

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Foods Banned in Europe but Readily Available in America:

Examining Regulatory Differences

Many moons ago, some of the very first interventions we tried were dietary. Feingold diet, gluten-free, dairy-free, corn free, and on and on and on until I monitored every single thing I fed my kids for dyes, chemicals, and toxicities. It was exhausting. They began to be more and more annoyed with me – even though even they can tell – when they eat certain foods their mood or behavior deteriorates.

Anyway, I was back at my doctor this morning giving 8 vials of blood for my yearly checkup and we started chatting about how little has changed in the 19 years I have been doing this. Food is still a toxic blast of dyes, chemicals, preservatives, and other nasty products except now, I have zero control over what they eat anymore. Just for fun, I decided to go look and see what, if anything, had changed on this front…. and while I find people less critical of my “weird” ideas, here is what I found.

The regulation of food products is a crucial aspect of ensuring public health and safety. Different countries have their own set of standards and regulations governing the production, sale, and consumption of food items. In the case of Europe and the United States, there are notable differences in the approaches taken toward certain food additives and ingredients.

This article delves into the topic of foods banned in Europe but available in America, exploring the regulatory disparities that contribute to this divergence.

  1. Artificial Food Colors

Artificial food colors have long been a contentious topic, with some studies suggesting a potential link between their consumption and adverse health effects, particularly in children. In Europe, several artificial food colors, including Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, and Blue 1, require a warning label or are completely banned due to safety concerns. In contrast, these same color additives are widely used in various food products sold in the United States. Red #40 and Yellow #5 are particularly hard for my two.

  1. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have been a subject of intense debate worldwide. European countries have implemented stringent regulations regarding the cultivation and importation of GMO crops. Many European countries have banned or restricted the use of GMOs due to concerns related to environmental impact, potential health risks, and consumer choice. In the United States, however, GMO crops are prevalent, and their products are commonly found in processed foods on supermarket shelves.

  1. Artificial Sweeteners

Europe has taken a cautious approach towards the use of certain artificial sweeteners. For instance, aspartame, commonly found in diet sodas, has faced scrutiny due to concerns about its potential links to various health issues. While the European Food Safety Authority has declared aspartame safe for consumption within the recommended limits, certain European countries have banned or restricted its use in specific products. In contrast, aspartame and other artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose and saccharin, continue to be widely used in a range of products in the United States. While there are dozens of articles claiming health hits with these sweeteners, the general conclusion is, it’s not that bad, BUT FINALLY, recent reports are documenting how truly toxic this product is. These products have no reason to be in our food. Splenda damages DNA

  1. Antibiotics in Animal Feed

The use of antibiotics in animal feed has raised concerns over the development of antibiotic resistance and its potential impact on human health. The European Union has implemented strict regulations to limit the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture, banning the use of growth-promoting antibiotics and restricting the therapeutic use of antibiotics to treat sick animals. In the United States, while some measures have been taken to reduce antibiotic use, it remains more prevalent in animal feed and agriculture practices.

  1. Hormone-treated Beef and Dairy Products

Europe has banned the importation and sale of hormone-treated beef and dairy products due to concerns about the potential risks posed to human health. In the United States, however, hormone use in cattle is permitted, and hormone-treated beef is commonly sold. This regulatory difference has led to trade disputes between the two regions, as Europe upholds its ban on hormone-treated beef imports from the United States.

Conclusions to be had from the above:

The differing regulations surrounding food additives and ingredients between Europe and the United States have led to a situation where certain food products banned in Europe continue to be available for sale in America. These regulatory disparities are primarily driven by varying approaches to risk assessment, consumer protection, and public health priorities. No one who can actually do anything about this seems to be sounding the alarm. Our children are overweight, sad, anxious, angry, unhealthy, and trending toward record levels of diabetes.  It is important for consumers to be aware of these differences and make informed choices about the food they consume. As the global food trade continues to evolve, there is an ongoing need for harmonization and a collaborative effort to ensure the safety and quality of food products across borders and dammit we deserve better than this.

Marty Ross

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Marty Ross Lyme Protocols

Why – if you have Lyme, babesia, or Bartonella, you should be reading Marty Ross’s protocols.

Bartonella Treatment in Lyme Disease—A Lot Has Changed

The latest laboratory experiments suggest effective Bartonella treatments must do more than kill growing germ forms—they should also kill hibernating persister forms of Bartonella and include agents to remove biofilms and fibrin nests.

Head on over to Marty’s website (TreatLyme) to listen to, or read about, how to recover your health, you will find treatment plans including dosing and combinations. Kill Bartonella a brief guide

I was so intrigued, I purchased his book Marty Ross Hacking Lyme Disease available on Amazon (affiliate link). This following is the write-up from Amazon.

The good news is—you can recover from Lyme disease and related infections like Bartonella and Babesia.

In Hacking Lyme Disease: An Action Guide to Wellness renowned expert Marty Ross, MD shows you the way. This book is a compendium of key articles from Treat Lyme by Marty Ross MD (treatlyme.net).

YOU WILL FIND
• step-by-step action plans for the best herbal and prescription germ killers for each kind of infection found in Lyme disease;
• key steps to take if your previous treatments failed;
• the best approaches for treating bacterial Lyme and Bartonella persisters based on the latest research;
• the full Ross Lyme Support Protocol for dealing with all aspects of chronic Lyme disease;
• the latest information on oral peptide therapies to repair damage;
• a critical review of many alternative medicine treatments like SOT, Rife machines, hyperthermia, and more;
• key treatments for many Lyme related conditions like mold toxicity and mast cell activation syndrome; and
• a science-based review of actions you need to take for the best chance of recovery.

Marty Ross, MD is a passionate Lyme disease educator and integrative medicine clinical expert. He helps Lyme sufferers, and their physicians see what really works based on his review of the science and extensive real-world experience. As the host of Conversations with Marty Ross MD, a free weekly Lyme Q & A webinar, Dr. Ross knows the questions people ask. Based on nearly 20 years successfully treating chronic Lyme disease, Dr. Ross knows what works

Gratitude

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Gratitude Journaling for Mental Wellness

7 reasons why gratitude journaling may be something you do.

(free 30-day gratitude planner download)

This life can honestly make us feel like we are stuck, stuck in quicksand with no one pulling us out. Self-care is something I want to engage in, but with no time for the gym and limited time for myself, I took up journaling on my phone. I eventually graduated to keeping a short and simple journal. Some nights all I do is write the 3 things that I can think of that day that made me think life wasn’t so bad, or I should say mostly I try (before I go to sleep) to write at least 3 positive things from the day. I have been doing this for months and months now and can honestly say, while at first it was gritted teeth and short terse notes, now I find myself stopping so I can actually focus on sleep. Turns out there is way more to be grateful for than I ever considered.

Gratitude journaling is a practice that involves regularly expressing gratitude and documenting the things you are thankful for in your life. This simple yet powerful activity has been shown to have several positive effects on mental health. Here are seven reasons why gratitude journaling is beneficial:

  1. Shifts focus to positive aspects: Gratitude journaling redirects your attention from negative thoughts and challenges to the positive aspects of your life. It encourages you to recognize and appreciate the good things, no matter how small they may seem. This shift in focus can help counteract negativity bias and promote a more optimistic outlook.
  2. Enhances positive emotions: By intentionally reflecting on the things you are grateful for, you stimulate positive emotions such as joy, contentment, and happiness. Regularly experiencing these positive emotions can contribute to overall well-being and a greater sense of life satisfaction.
  3. Reduces stress and anxiety: Engaging in gratitude journaling can be a form of mindfulness practice. When you focus on the present moment and the positive aspects of your life, it can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Research has shown that gratitude journaling can lead to lower levels of perceived stress and a reduction in symptoms of anxiety.
  4. Improves resilience: Practicing gratitude can enhance your ability to cope with challenging situations. It fosters a mindset that allows you to find meaning and value even in difficult circumstances. By cultivating gratitude, you build resilience and develop a more positive perspective when facing adversity.
  5. Promotes better sleep: Many individuals struggle with racing thoughts and worries when trying to sleep. Gratitude journaling before bedtime can help calm the mind and shift focus away from negative rumination. This can contribute to improved sleep quality and a more restful night. It does at least help me stop ruminating on things from my day, which helps clear my mind for sleep.
  6. Strengthens relationships: Expressing gratitude in a journal can also extend to expressing it toward others. Sharing gratitude with loved ones can enhance relationships and foster a sense of connection and support. This, in turn, can contribute to increased social support and a greater sense of belonging.
  7. Cultivates self-awareness and mindfulness: Gratitude journaling encourages self-reflection and self-awareness. It prompts you to pay attention to the positive aspects of your life, fostering a greater sense of mindfulness and appreciation for the present moment.

Enjoy our free download below: 30 Days to a New You (or at least a different perspective) Try journaling for the next 30 days and see how it works for you. Don’t forget to subscribe and comment below.

Subscribe to our MailChimp list for more great free downloads.

Overall, gratitude journaling is seen as a simple yet powerful tool for improving mental health. By regularly practicing gratitude and acknowledging the good in your life, you can cultivate a more positive mindset, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.

[embeddoc url=”https://lovingthespectrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/30-Days-to-a-new-you.pdf” download=”logged” viewer=”browser”]

Want to read more? Some notable papers on gratitude journaling:

  1. Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389.
  2. Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410-421.
  3. Lyubomirsky, S., Dickerhoof, R., Boehm, J. K., & Sheldon, K. M. (2011). Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way: An experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-being. Emotion, 11(2), 391-402.
  4. Kashdan, T. B., Uswatte, G., & Julian, T. (2006). Gratitude and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in Vietnam war veterans. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(2), 177-199.
  5. Toepfer, S. M., Cichy, K., & Peters, P. (2012). Letters of gratitude: Improving well-being through expressive writing. Journal of Writing Research, 4(3), 277-299. “Abstract This study examined the effects of writing letters of gratitude on three primary qualities of well-being; happiness (positive affect), life-satisfaction (cognitive evaluation), and depression (negative affect). Gratitude was also assessed. Participants included 219 men and women who wrote three letters of gratitude over a 3 week period. A two-way mixed method ANOVA with a between factor (writers vs. non-writers) and within subject factor (time of testing) analysis was conducted. Results indicated that writing letters of gratitude increased participants’ happiness and life satisfaction, while decreasing depressive symptoms. The implications of this approach for intervention are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)”

These studies provide some insights into the effects of gratitude journaling on subjective well-being, happiness, and psychological outcomes.

Supplements, B Vitamins are they effective?

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We use tons of supplements still, including all the B vitamins, but are they effective?

The Impact of Vitamin B6 on Mental Health: Exploring the Connection

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the relationship between nutrition and mental health, and if you have read any of this blog, you know we certainly have been on an extensive journey chasing wellness and recovery.

Consistently, the research I find continues to show that specific nutrients play a crucial role in maintaining optimal brain function and emotional well-being. Read more here about B Vitamins, but vitamin B6 specifically, also known as pyridoxine, has garnered attention for its potential impact on mental health. I wanted to explore the connection between vitamin B6 and mental health and discuss its role, food sources, and potential benefits.

Understanding Vitamin B6:

Google says: Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that belongs to the B-complex family. It plays a vital role in numerous bodily functions, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are crucial for regulating mood, emotions, and cognitive function.

Food Sources of Vitamin B6:

Vitamin B6 can be obtained through various dietary sources and I try really hard to load the kids up on these options at least one meal a day. I buy organic or use a co-op to source the best we can nutritionally, we also keep backyard chickens for really quality eggs that I add to so much of my cooking.

Other good food sources of vitamin B6 include:

  1. Poultry (such as chicken and turkey)
  2. Fish (such as salmon and tuna)
  3. Eggs
  4. Whole grains (such as oats, brown rice, and wheat germ)
  5. Legumes (such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans)
  6. Nuts and seeds (such as sunflower seeds and walnuts)
  7. Fruits (such as bananas and avocados)
  8. Vegetables (such as spinach, potatoes, and bell peppers)

The Role of Vitamin B6 in Mental Health:

  1. Serotonin Production: Vitamin B6 is involved in the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter known for its mood-regulating properties. Adequate levels of serotonin are essential for maintaining a positive mood and preventing conditions such as depression and anxiety.
  2. GABA Synthesis: GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps calm the brain and reduce anxiety. Vitamin B6 is required for the conversion of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, into GABA, thus promoting a state of relaxation and mental tranquility.
  3. Dopamine Regulation: Vitamin B6 also plays a role in the production and regulation of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, reward, and pleasure. Optimal dopamine levels are crucial for maintaining mental focus, motivation, and overall cognitive function.

Potential Benefits of Vitamin B6 for Mental Health:

  1. Mood Enhancement: Adequate intake of vitamin B6 may contribute to a more positive mood and help alleviate symptoms of depression. Studies have suggested that vitamin B6 supplementation may be beneficial for individuals with depressive symptoms, although further research is needed to establish definitive conclusions.
  2. Anxiety Reduction: Vitamin B6’s involvement in GABA synthesis suggests that it may help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calmness. While more research is required, preliminary studies have shown promising results in terms of vitamin B6’s potential role in anxiety management.
  3. Cognitive Function: Optimal levels of vitamin B6 may support cognitive function, including memory, attention, and executive function. Research has indicated that vitamin B6 deficiency may impair cognitive abilities, and supplementation could have beneficial effects, particularly in older adults.
  4. Sleep Regulation: Vitamin B6 is also involved in the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Adequate vitamin B6 levels may promote healthy sleep patterns, contributing to overall mental well-being.

Our final thoughts:

While the relationship between vitamin B6 and mental health is an area of potential controversy amongst those who are not bought into the health and wellness protocols, almost everyone agrees B Vitamins are essential. Furthermore, scientific studies offer evidence to suggest that adequate intake of this vitamin is important for maintaining optimal brain function and emotional well-being.

Including food sources rich in vitamin B6 as part of a balanced diet can be a proactive step toward supporting mental health regardless of whether we buy in 100%. Our disclaimer always, we are not doctors or health coaches, just parents trying to help our kids in a world of toxic soup, so it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before considering any supplementation or making significant changes to your diet.

We do use Vitamin supplements all day long because honestly with teenagers there are days they just refuse to eat anything but pizza (see my MCT oil posts) and overall, while I insist on quality, I also have to be realistic with costs. I have 2 kids plus myself on this wellness journey and we are not rich (there are affiliate links in my posts and I may earn a small commission from products you click on and purchase) – however, you should know, my main retirement plan currently is to win the lottery. While I wait for that to happen, I try to be realistic with what I buy, I personally like the  Douglas Labs Vitamins and Products (Douglas Labs B Vitamins) because they have quality supplements that don’t break the bank. I also like Douglas Labs Multi-B products (Douglas Labs Multi B vitamins) because all the B vitamins work together to give us what we need synergistically without taking dozens of different products every day (remember my Leucovorin post).

From Douglas Laboratories “Our products are manufactured in accordance with cGMPs (current good manufacturing practices) for Nutritional Supplements. Our in house laboratories are ISO 9001:2005 certified and ISO 17025:2005 accredited. Our manufacturing facilities are approved to produce Certified Organic and NSF Certified for Sport® products. Our VCP (Vendor Certification Program) ensures raw material safety and quality.”

ERP Rogers Behavioral Health

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Exposure Response Therapy (ERP) Rogers Behavioral Health

In the summer of 2018, we set off to Florida for 8 weeks of partial hospital programming at Rogers Behavioral Health.

Things we did like: We were a team effort, not just the child, but both parent and child undertook the program. I had a private space to work while B was in treatment. Occasionally I was pulled into his treatment, but they also ran classes for parents while our kids were engaged in the partial hospital program. At the end of the day, there was a debrief for all of us. The Ronald McDonald House was amazingly kind and helpful. You cannot beat Florida (St. Petersberg) for being in treatment over the summer. We watched a lot of kids recover using ERP (exposure response therapy) while we were there. However, those kids were petrified of tangible things, things the therapists could touch, feel and control, which on so many levels made treatment easier and more successful. Pure OCD is not as easy.

Things we were disappointed about: They didn’t recognize pure OCD or PANS/PANDAS. They didn’t believe me when I said the medication they were insistent on trying had been tried before and made everything worse, spoiler: it did. Most disappointing, in the end, we left without any real movement in symptoms or complexity.

“Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, phobias, and eating disorders. It is considered the gold-standard treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).”

In fact, 5 years later, and I have finally paid off the copayment, he is still very upset at me for making him stay in a program that was “useless and made him feel much worse about himself”. All fair comments. We left that program with a  diagnosis of “pathological self-hatred”! Which now I know better, is a HUGE indicator for Pure OCD and I feel the therapists should have been very aware of the connection and subtle presentation.  The reassurance compulsion was what triggered the “self-hatred” piece of the diagnosis in the first place.  How to comprehend that cycle of hatred and OCD and PURE OCD?

“How do you Recover from OCD and an Addiction to Self-Hatred by 

Mental illness is not easy to comprehend for the ill or the healthy. The overwhelming majority of medical professionals believe that many disorders are incurable with our current tools. Many say the best a person can hope for is relief from the symptoms.”

Breaking this cycle is proving monumentally hard.

 

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