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5 Foods You Didn’t Know Were Genetically Modified

Surprising GMOs in your fridge and pantry GMOs, plants and animals whose genes have been manipulated in a laboratory, have become something of a boogeyman in recent years. But a report from the advisory group the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has determined that GMOs are safe to eat and no different from regular crops. That’s good news for food production-nearly 90 percent of corn and 94 percent of soybeans grown in the United States are genetically modified to resist weed killers.

Corn, soy and other GMOs are commonly used to produce everyday foods. Read on to learn more about genetically modified organisms-and five surprising kitchen staples that are produced with GMOs.

Ice Cream

Ice cream is basically just milk and sugar whipped into frozen deliciousness. Sounds simple, but there’s a good chance the ice cream you reach for on a hot summer day is made with genetically modified ingredients. More than half of the sugar produced in the U.S. comes from sugar beets, most of which are genetically modified to resist herbicides. While some brands, such as Ben and Jerry’s and Dreyer’s, have moved away from GMO ingredients, other brands still use them.

Wine

Call it Frankenwine if you will. Researchers are working on genetically engineered grapes that are more disease-resistant and grow in non-native areas, but so far wine industry groups and consumers have opposed them.

Salmon

When most people hear the term “GMO,” they usually think of crops like corn. But in November 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first genetically modified animal: salmon. Known as AquAdvantage, it’s an Atlantic salmon modified with genetic material from Chinook salmon and ocean pout that grows to market size twice as fast as unmodified Atlantic salmon. It won’t be imported from its Panama-based farms, however, until the FDA finalizes labeling requirements for the fish.

Baby Formula

Baby formula is the safest, most effective way for mothers who can’t or don’t want to breastfeed to ensure their babies get the nutrients they need. And while many formula brands offer wholly organic lines of product, many others contain vegetable and soy oil that could be genetically engineered.

Condiments

Where would summer barbecues be without mayonnaise, ketchup and barbecue sauce? Many common condiment brands use GMO ingredients. Mayonnaise is soybean oil-based, while ketchup and barbecue sauce contain sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Even many types of commercially available salsa contain sugar, often derived from sugar beets.

Even though the study I mentioned earlier stated that GMOs are safe to eat, I still recommend eating as many whole foods the way God created them.

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7 Reason Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 7

Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Frank Donaruma and this is part 7 of our 7-part Video Health Tip Series on the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.
In our last video we looked at our reason #6 which was,

You’re Not Keeping Track of What You’re Eating

In this video we will be looking at reason #7
And that is…

You’re Still Eating Too Much Sugar

I often find that my patients are eating the right amount of calories for weight loss, but are not losing weight. The culprit is usually sugar. Sugars and refined carbs have the unique ability to stop weight loss in its tracks.

Think of it like this: Your body is burning fat and all of a sudden it gets an influx of sugar. Well, it will use that sugar immediately as energy and promptly stop fat burning. Your body is very smart, it will go after the most readily source of energy in can to function and that is sugar. Sugar will definitely sabotage your weight loss.

You see, one problem with eating too much added sugar is the way your body processes it. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that is easy for your body to break down into glucose. When glucose passes into the bloodstream, your blood sugar rises quickly. To bring levels back to normal, the pancreas releases insulin, which lowers blood-sugar levels by shuttling glucose out of the bloodstream and into the body’s cells.

Very similar to a car using up its gas, if your body’s energy needs are high, the sugar is put to good use by providing energy to your working cells. The problem occurs when you send sugar into your bloodstream too often and your body doesn’t need it. The extra sugar supply causes your pancreas to go into overdrive, releasing excessive amounts of insulin to compensate.

Excess insulin drives sugar into muscle, fat and liver cells, where it’s stored as glycogen (which is a sugar) for later use. Sadly, we have a limited capacity to store glycogen. When this capacity is breached, the excess sugar is converted to fat for storage.

Our fat cells are capable of creating chemical signals that lead to chronic inflammation, especially when you eat too many calories and too much sugar.
Another problem with sugar is that eating it tends to make you crave it later. The link between excess sugar intake and sugar cravings is real. Sugar activates reward centers in your brain. As your intake increases, so does the release of serotonin and endorphins, powerful brain chemicals that make you feel calm, relaxed and happy.

On top of that, sugar tastes good! Once you get used to eating highly sweetened foods, your taste buds adjust, and that’s what you want. Genetics are also a factor. Some people are genetically wired to enjoy sugar at a greater level than others. Over time, this excess intake can lead to added calories and weight gain.

Another reason for sugar cravings may be in your gut. Your gut flora, or microbiome, is the diverse community of bacteria, fungi and viruses that live inside our intestines. These gut microbes are essential to our digestive health.

Unfortunately, Refined carbohydrates and sugar feed the unhealthy bacteria in our gut and disrupt the balance between good and bad bacteria. Recent research indicates the composition of our gut flora may actually influence how much sugar we crave and how we balance our blood sugar. The more unhealthy bacteria that exist, the more you may crave the sugar they need to multiply. This imbalance may make it difficult to lose weight, cause unwanted weight gain and create other digestive issues like bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation.

My friend, if this is you don’t lose hope, I’ve helped hundreds of patients overcome sugar issues with great success.

So, if you need some help with the effects of sugar addiction in your wellness and weight loss journey, then speak to your doctor or call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why?

Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 6

Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Frank Donaruma and this is part 6 of our 7-part Video Health Tip Series on the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.

In our last video we looked at our reason #5 which was,

You may be drinking too much alcohol.

In this video we will be looking at reason #6

And that is…

You’re Not Keeping Track of What You’re Eating

My friend, awareness is incredibly important if you are trying to lose weight. What I have noticed over the years of helping people get healthy and lose weight is many people actually don’t have any idea how much they’re really eating.

Studies show that keeping track of your diet helps with weight loss. People who use food diaries, or take pictures of their meals, consistently lose more weight than people who don’t.

Keeping a food journal or diary makes you more aware of your choices and encourages you to be more mindful of not only what you’re are eating, but also how, why, and when you’re eating.

It sheds a light on your patterns of eating. When you skip meals? Are you overeating at night? Do you mindlessly snack throughout the day?

It also helps identify certain triggers of unhealthy eating. Are you grabbing that vending machine cookie or bag of chips when feeling stressed or bored at work?

Do you eat a late night bowl of ice cream because you’re feeling lonely? You may notice that you’re eating more food than you need, but are definitely not getting enough nutrition.

Food diaries are a valued tool recognized by dietitians, health coaches, therapists and other medical professionals. Keeping a food record of everything you eat and drink was identified as the #1 key strategy for weight loss in a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

It also allows a dietitian or other health professional to recognize how your food choices are impacting your health.

My friend, if this is you don’t lose hope, keeping a food diary or journal is much easier than you think

So, if you need some help with understanding the importance of keeping a food diary in your wellness and weight loss journey, then give us a call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why?

Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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5 Foods To Avoid Before Bedtime

Foods to Avoid Before Bedtime
Chocolate, wine and more of your favorites could be stealing your sleep. If you thought your diet and nightly slumber were unrelated, you thought wrong. In fact, the food you eat before hitting the hay could be sabotaging your sleep.

Though late dinners are occasionally unavoidable, studies suggest evening meals and nighttime snacking, regardless of what you munch on, are associated with poorer sleep quality. Some foods, however, are worse than others. Knowing which foods to avoid before bed could mean the difference between a restful snooze and a night full of tossing and turning.

Chocolate

Dark chocolate can be good for your heart, but, this creamy, bitter treat may not be conducive to a good night’s sleep.

The antioxidants found in dark chocolate, many of which come from cocoa beans, are responsible for heart health benefits like increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels and healthier blood vessels. The higher the percentage of cocoa, the greater the benefits-and the more caffeine it contains. One ounce of 70 percent cocoa dark chocolate holds 40 milligrams of caffeine, about the same as half a cup of coffee. It’s no wonder munching a morsel before bed might make sleep a lofty dream.

Fatty Foods

There’s a time and place for fatty foods in a healthy diet, but that time is most certainly not before jumping into bed.

Red or processed meats, fried treats and greasy junk food like potato chips all contain high levels of fat. Fat can aggravate heartburn, a symptom of acid reflux in which stomach acid makes its way into your esophagus. Heartburn can make falling asleep difficult, and the pain can cause you to wake throughout the night. If you’re going to indulge, do it at least three hours before hitting the sack.

Alcohol

As anyone who’s knocked back a few too many can tell you, alcohol makes you drowsy. But this sleepy feeling doesn’t necessarily translate to a restful slumber. Alcohol can inhibit restorative sleep, aggravate existing breathing problems and cause you to wake up several times throughout the night.

One review of 20 studies suggested the more alcohol consumed before bed, the greater the negative impact on sleep quality. And while a sleepless night or two won’t send your body into shock, interrupting your nightly slumber with a cocktail could result in more fatigue and stress.

Spicy Foods

Fiery cuisine won’t cause nightmares, but it could disrupt your dozing. For some, spicy food aggravates acid reflux, which can cause heartburn and damage the esophagus. If your esophagus is already damaged by reflux, it can be irritated even further by eating spicy food.

To make matters worse, symptoms of acid reflux may worsen when lying down, and sleep troubles, like insomnia, are more common among those with acid reflux.

A spicy curry dish may also interfere with sleep in other ways. At least one small study suggests men had more trouble falling and staying asleep after consuming a meal with hot sauce and mustard.

Ice Cream

As you lay your head to rest, you might regret the heaping spoonful’s of ice cream you enjoyed during your girls’ night or ate in hopes of mending a broken heart.

Ice cream is loaded with fat and sugar; one cup of chocolate ice cream, for example, contains 14 grams of fat and 34 grams of sugar. Both are associated with lighter and more interrupted sleep, one study suggests.

Another study links poor sleep to cravings for junk food, meaning the process could be cyclical-and even worse for your waistline.

Still hungry? Try these instead: an apple paired with a low-fat string cheese or whole grain crackers and organic nut butters.

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 5

Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Frank Donaruma and this is part 5 of our 7-part Video Health Tip Series on the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.
In our last video we looked at reason #4 which was,

You may not be sleeping well.

In this video we will be looking at reason #5
And that is…

You May Be Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Unfortunately, unlike macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats, alcohol supplies what nutritionists often refer to as empty calories: calories without nutrition.

To make matters worse, it is the first fuel to be used when combined with carbohydrates, fats and proteins, postponing the fat-burning process and contributing to greater fat storage.

In addition to that, the calories found in the average alcoholic drink are quite concentrated compared to many foods, and this actually causes you to inadvertently take in many more calories than you would normally otherwise consume.

My friend, Alcohol is quite deceptive in that it passes through your system very rapidly, often before you’re aware of the number of drinks you’ve even had.

And at 7 calories per gram, alcohol supplies almost twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates.

In addition to that, Alcohol tends to have an appetite stimulating effect as it provides little in the way of nutrition, leaving a craving for other foods at the time of consumption. Add this to the fact that fatty and salty foods tend to accompany most occasions featuring alcohol and the general loosening of inhibitions that goes with an inebriated mindset, and you have a recipe for excess fat gain.

Alcohol has also been shown to affect motivation, making a healthy diet harder to stay on while you’re using it.

Alcoholic drinks also contain calories from other sources, which add to your overall caloric intake. Certain cocktails, for example, contain fats. While Wine and beer both have high carbohydrate content.

Although the effects of these various calorie types have on the body are different—carbohydrates release insulin, which can hasten fat storage, while fats will be stored directly in the fat cells—the overall result is added body fat.

My friend, if this is you don’t lose hope, I’ve helped many patients overcome alcohol issues with great success.

So, if you need some help with the affects of alcohol in your wellness and weight loss journey, then speak to your doctor or call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why?

Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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5 Benefits Of Aloe Vera Juice

There are many anecdotal benefits to aloe vera and aloe vera juice. As with most foods, it should be used in moderation, and you should consult your health care provider before starting a new diet plan.

Additionally, at New Life Wellness & Weight Loss urge not to make your own – you may put your health at risk instead of improving it, so if you do choose to drink aloe vera juice, choose ready-made juice, which is also fortified with vitamin C.

CHECK OUT THESE FIVE BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA JUICE.
Blood Sugar
There are many claims stating that eating aloe vera may reduce your blood sugar levels or cholesterol. Although the results are promising, they are still too inconsistent. For example, people with diabetes who participated in one study did experience lower blood sugar levels, but scientists cannot confirm yet whether there were other factors involved or the good outcomes were the result of a placebo effect.
Antioxidants
You’ve probably already used aloe vera gel to soothe a particularly bad sunburn at one point in your life and this magical ingredient has also been used to help heal wounds and burns for centuries. Science conclusively backs up the benefits of aloe vera gel for your skin and people in Latin America, Asia, and Africa have also used it topically for its antimicrobial properties.
Anti-Inflammatory
Similarly, to the way it soothes wounds and burns, aloe gvera may work to produce the same effects inside the body. Drinking aloe vera juice may help reduce your inflammatory cascade; many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or frequent heartburn have seen relief by drinking small amounts of aloe vera juice, and a 2004 study of patients with ulcerative colitis also saw improvement in their symptoms.
Skin Care
Many people have experienced the hydrating properties of aloe vera and have noticed an improvement in the appearance of acne and the frequency of breakouts. It may also help reduce skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis. In the same way that it neutralizes the damage of a sunburn, it has also helped prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
Nutrients
Aloe vera juice is packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B, C, E, folic acid, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. It’s also rich in water, so it can help prevent or treat dehydration. However, don’t eat or drink more than eight ounces of aloe vera per day.
Downsides
Though aloe vera juice has been lauded as a constipation cure, it has also been associated with diarrhea, cramping, and low potassium. Aloe vera juices that are labeled as purified, decolorized, organic, and safety-tested are less likely to produce these results. If aloe vera juice is right for you and your needs, you can safely drink up to eight ounces a day by pouring it over ice or mixing it with a smoothie or fruit juice.

For more info contact New Life Wellness & Weight Loss call us at (908) 279-7740.

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 4

Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Frank Donaruma and this is part 4 of our 7-part Video Health Tip Series on the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.
In our last video we looked at reason #3 which was,

You may not be drinking enough water.

Today we will look at reason #4 and that is You may not be sleeping well.
My friend, Good sleep is one of the most important things to consider for your physical and mental health, as well as your weight.

Studies have shown that poor sleep is one of the single biggest risk factors for obesity. Adults and children with poor sleep have a 55% and a whopping 89% greater risk of becoming obese, respectively.

So, here are some things to consider concerning poor sleep and sleep deprivation.

Poor Sleep Changes Your Fat Cells

With just four days of sleep deprivation, your body’s ability to properly use insulin (which is the master storage hormone) becomes completely disrupted. In fact, the University of Chicago researchers found that insulin sensitivity dropped by more than 30 percent.

And Here’s why that’s bad: When your insulin is functioning well, your fat cells remove fatty acids and lipids from your blood stream and prevent storage. When you become more insulin resistant, fats circulate in your blood and pump out more insulin.

Eventually this excess insulin ends up storing fat in all the wrong places, such as tissues like your liver. And this is exactly how you become fat and suffer from diseases like diabetes.

Another thing to consider is a Lack of Rest Makes You Crave Food

Many people believe that hunger is related to willpower and learning to control the call of your stomach, but that’s incorrect. Hunger is controlled by two hormones: leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is a hormone that is produced in your fat cells. The less leptin you produce, the more your stomach feels empty. The more ghrelin you produce, the more you stimulate hunger while also reducing the amount of calories you burn and increasing the amount fat you store.

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinoloy and Metabolism found that sleeping less than six hours triggers the area of your brain that increases your need for food while also depressing leptin and stimulating ghrelin.

If that’s not enough, the scientists discovered exactly how sleep loss creates an internal battle that makes it nearly impossible to lose weight. When you don’t sleep enough, your cortisol levels rise. This is the stress hormone that is frequently associated with fat gain. Cortisol also activates reward centers in your brain that make you want food.

At the same time, the loss of sleep causes your body to produce more ghrelin. A combination of high ghrelin and cortisol shut down the areas of your brain that leave you feeling satisfied after a meal, meaning you feel hungry all the time—even if you just ate a big meal.

If this is you don’t lose hope, I have helped hundreds of patients overcome sleep disorders with great success.

So, if you think poor sleep is an issue for you, then speak to your doctor or call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why?

Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 3

Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Frank Donaruma and this is part 3 of our 7-part Video Health Tip Series on the 7 reasons you may not be losing weight.

In our last video we looked at reason #2 which was, You May Be Addicted to Junk Food.

Today we will look at reason #3 and that is You may not be drinking enough water.

You see, drinking water can have great benefits for weight loss.

In fact, in one 12-week weight loss study, people who drank half a liter (which is just 17 oz) of water 30 minutes before meals lost 44% more weight than their counterparts. Now I’m not saying that that is going to work for everyone but it sure can’t hurt! Right?

Drinking water has also been shown to boost the number of calories your body burns by 24-30% over a period of just an hour and a half.

If that’s not enough to convince you to drink more water Here’s Some Additional Benefits of Drinking Water that you might find interesting:

1. It Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue

2. It Flushes Out Toxins from your body

3. It Improves Skin Complexion

4. It Maintains Bowel Regularity

5. It Boosts Your Immune System

6. It’s Natural Headache Remedy

7. It Prevents Cramps & Sprains

But let me say this to you as well, you also need to be very careful that you are not drinking too much water. We’ve seen this with a lot of our patients.

A real good indicator that you may be drinking too much water is to monitor your urine color. If your urine is very clear and not slightly yellowish you may be drinking too much water which will lead to mineral depletion and muscle cramping.

If this is you don’t lose hope, I have helped hundreds of patients overcome water issues and increase cellular hydration with great success.

So, if you need some help with hydration, then speak to your doctor or call us at 908-279-7740 for a free consultation. Why?

Because, we at NewLife are in the business of transforming lives to transform the world!

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7 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Part 2

Going to the grocery store is a routine part of so many lives, but these regular visits can really break the bank over time. A recent decade-long investigation of grocery stores has led to revelations that may forever change the way you approach buying food. With our help we hope you are going to uncover the best ways to save money and be healthier when you shop. Check out these 5 secrets to learn something new and spread the word to your loved ones from New Life Wellness & Weight Loss.

  • THEY AREN’T TRYING TO TRICK YOU
    man grabbing a carton of milk

While we’ve all heard rumors that the supermarket uses tricks to fool you into spending more money, I’m not so sure that is always true. One myth states that stores keep milk in the back area to force us to walk through all the aisles and pick up items we normally wouldn’t buy. The truth is, milk is near the back because that’s the logical place to put the giant coolers that they are stored in. If you do feel like you pick up a lot of non-essentials on your quest for basics like milk and bread, you can try making a list ahead of time to stay on track. Also, try looking up, down, left, and right when browsing the shelves, instead of focusing only on the items that are right in the center. You may find a more affordable product that is just as tasty but is simply in a less desirable spot because the company can’t afford the stocking fee to be center stage.

  • Investigate the Labels

A lot of the choices consumers make at the grocery store can be driven by habit or a lack of information. For example, the term “whole grains” has become a huge buzzword in the supermarket industry and snacking companies are happily adopting it in their packaging content. The problem is that whole grains are often ground up into a flour and added to crackers or chips, creating the illusion of healthiness when that isn’t always the case. When the grains are ground up the healthy aspects fall to the wayside. Before you go to the store, research the ingredients and nutrients in the snacks you want to buy so you can come prepared and avoid wasting money on health halo foods.

  • Don’t Buy the Wrong Produce

Tomatoes

Since consumers have come to expect all kinds of produce all year round, it can lead to less than stellar products for sale. Supermarket tomatoes, for example, are picked when they are still green and hard as a rock, far from the ripening stage. These not-quite-ready tomatoes can often travel long distances and they are then gassed with ethylene which turns them bright red so that they look ripened even if they actually aren’t. To buy the freshest tomatoes, go for the ones that don’t have a uniform color and have cracks or imperfections. The uglier the tomato, the tastier it will be.

  • Avoid Pre-Washed Food

Head of lettuce

When you buy pre-washed lettuce, it may come from several different heads of lettuce versus just one when you buy it in its natural state. If just one head of lettuce is contaminated, all the lettuce in the bag can be contaminated too. When you buy lettuce that isn’t washed, it reduces the likelihood of it having E.coli or other harmful bacteria. To stay safe, take the extra time to wash your own fruits and vegetables instead.

  • Ask Employees Questions

Supermarket employees actually have a wealth of knowledge that they are ready to share with you if you only ask. For example, they recommend avoiding tenderloin, because it’s the most expensive cut, pound for pound, but it lacks flavor. Instead, opt for chuck, Delmonico, or sirloin steaks. They take a little longer to cook at a lower temperature, but they will be more affordable and have more flavor. Also, instead of buying pre-cut chicken, you can buy it whole and ask for the butchers to cut it up for you for free. When buying deli meat, look for whole-cooked meats, aka “chubs”. Once you buy those, bring them to the deli section and they can slice it for you. Doing so will save you more than 50% compared to the brand name or store name meats. You can do the same with cheese, which will save you around $2 each time.

Hope these tips help. Happy grocery shopping!