Are they Safe?

SPRING 2012
Nuin Center
news
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mental and physical wellbeing in Alternative & Complimentary
Medicine, Psychotherapy, and Bodywork. Explore our
offerings online at www.nuincenter.com, or call us at (412) 661-6108.
Genetically Modified Foods
[Part 1 of 2]
Are they Safe?
A genetically
modified organism (GMO) is created by taking
genes from the
DNA of one species and artificially forcing them
into the genes of
an unrelated plant
or animal. Most
By David Mortell, L.Ac.
commonly, the
genes of bacteria and viruses are introduced into foods such as corn, soy,
canola, and cotton.
First introduced into the
food supply in the mid1990s, GMOs are now present in up to 80% of processed foods in the United
States.
labeling of GMOs on our food labels!
The U.S. government claims that genetically modified foods are no different from their natural counterparts
which have existed for centuries. But
this is more of a political rather than a
scientific claim. The radical changes
being made by bio-technologists could
never happen in nature. Because living
organisms are highly complex, genetic
engineers can't possibly predict all of
the effects of introducing new genes
into them.
Numerous scientists at the FDA consistently describe these new “foods” as
cause for concern. Many scientific
study results have echoed their concerns. Food allergies, asthma, reproductive failures, organ failure, and
higher death rates are just some of the
finding of animal studies. From the
safety tests that have been conducted,
the results are disturbing, to say the
least.
While they are banned as food ingredi- The physicians of the American Acadeents in Europe and elsewhere, our
my of Environmental Medicine have
own FDA does not even require the
called on all physicians in the U.S. to
Continued on Page 2
Special Events
Thursday, May 3, 6 PM
Free Lecture on Anti-Aging
with Paul Block, Biological Physician
Thurs., May 10—Sun., May 13:
Cellular Expansion and Healing
Course with Vanati
Thurs., May 17, 7 & 7:45 PM:
Cellular Expansion Benefit
Evening with Vanati
Friday, May 18—Sun., May 20:
Opening to Divine Purpose
Graduate Course with Vanati
Friday, May 25, 7 PM
“Insights into Tibetan Medicine” Presented by Dr. Geshe
Dorji Wangchuk, Director of
Tibetan Medical Center in
Gaden Jangste Monastery in
India.
Registration and further information available at our website’s
calendar: www.nuincenter.com/
calendar.html
Nuin Center News
Spring 2012
tions, and bacteria genetically engiwarn their patients about the dangers neered to produce large amounts of
the food supplement, Tryptophan,
of GMO foods. Biologist David Schuhave produced toxic contaminants
bert of the Salk Institute warns that
“children are the most likely to be ad- that killed 37people and permanently
disabled 1,500 more.
versely affected by toxins and other
dietary problems” related to GMO
Interestingly, in the U.S. human popufoods. He states that without adelation, the incidence of low birth
quate studies, the children become
weight babies, infertility, and infant
“the experimental animals”. Pregnant mortality are all escalating. That coinwomen are also at greater risk.
cides with our increased consumption
of genetically modified foods. Could
The process of genetic engineering
there be a connection?
can introduce dangerous new allerDavid Mortell Article—Cont. from Pg. 1
gens and toxins into foods that were
previously naturally safe. Already, one
genetically engineered soybean was
found to cause serious allergic reac-
Page 2
published feeding experiment revealed that the genetic material inserted into GMO soy transfers into
bacteria living inside our intestines
and it continues to function. This
means that long after we stop eating
GMO foods, we may still have their
GMO proteins produced continuously
inside us. Sounds scary to me! The
FDA and the food industry are not
looking out for our best interests in
this case. We all need to educate ourselves about the dangers of eating
genetically modified foods.
Unlike safety evaluations for drugs,
David Mortell is a Registered Acupuncthere are no human clinical trials of
turist. You can learn more at
GMO foods, which I find shocking, giv- www.pittsburghacupuncturecenter.com
en the potential for harm. The only
Managing Stress with Nutrition
When you are under stress,
do you automatically reach
for potato chips or cookies …
and then eat the whole bag
instead of just one?
By Paula Martinac, M.A., M.S., Nutrition
Educator/Holistic Health Coach
White Bean Spread or Dip
by Paula Martinac
Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
1 can Great Northern white beans, rinsed
& drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. water
Dash of salt
Dash of dried basil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Put all ingredients into a blender or food
processor & blend until smooth. Some
beans may still be whole, which is okay. If
you're having trouble getting it smooth
enough, add 1 more tablespoon of water
& blend again. Serve w/ sliced vegetables
or whole wheat pita bread, or use as a
spread for sandwiches.
Nutrition per serving: 125 calories; 4 g protein; 16 g
carbohydrate (6 g dietary fiber); 5 g total fat
(3.3 g monounsaturated); 34 mg sodium
A recent survey by the American Psychological Association found that female respondents, more than male,
turned to fatty, sugary “comfort foods”
when faced with stressful situations.
gain, particularly in the abdomen.
If you’re like most women who’ve put
on weight around the middle, you probably start restricting calories or skipping meals in an attempt to shed the
extra pounds. But diets that view calories as the enemy only add to your
stress levels.
In one of the biggest ironies, eating becomes a stressful activity! (“Why did I
eat that?” “I shouldn’t be eating this!” “I
better skip lunch!”) More important,
And women face a lot of stress. They’re when your body doesn’t get enough
often caring for others, like kids, spous- nourishment, it thinks it’s starving, and
es, and parents, in addition to trying to starts storing fat for future use.
meet their own needs.
In reality, calories are your body’s fuel;
While the body can naturally recover
they power all your systems, and you
from short-term stressors – a driver
need them to survive. They’re only the
cutting you off in traffic, a rebuke from enemy when they give you nothing in
the boss, an argument with your spouse return –when you eat things like a
– it has a more difficult time when
white bagel for breakfast, a fast-food
stressors accumulate or persist over
meal for lunch, a candy bar as an aftertime, like when you care-take a difficult noon snack, or a frozen entrée for dinparent, you or your spouse are laid off ner.
from work, or you encounter the uncerThe ideal diet for women – and, in
tainty of divorce.
fact, all people – under tension is acThis kind of stress causes wear and tear tually no diet at all, but a regimen of
and may eventually lead to all sorts of
fresh, whole foods that supply nutrihealth problems, including digestive
ents known to alleviate stress levels.
ills, chronic fatigue, hypertension, outof-whack blood sugar levels, and weight Continued on Page 3
Nuin Center News
Spring 2012
Page 3
Creating the Beneficial Cycle
Restoring Life Force with Energy Therapy
Today, the wisdom of our ancestors
has merged with ingenious, constantly
evolving energy therapies. These agedefying techniques make it easy and
fun to restore our precious energy,
Jing (a Chinese word that means prenatal energy).
pies to restore that gift given to you at
birth. When you begin to search for
rejuvenation treatment to increase
your life-force energy, you’ll quickly
discover that there are an overwhelming number of energy therapies available now, and many more will emerge
in the future.
can restore
your prenatal
Jing, heal
from anything, or even
look and feel
younger you
must first and
By Paul Block, Biological
foremost creBy the time we reach our 40s many of
Physician, L.Ac.
ate energy.
us have sticky ingrained habits that
When the choice becomes
With it your
are often harmful. For example, wom- confusing, always remembody will have the vitality to consisten often get stuck in the “caretaker”
ber
that
your
time
and
ently eliminate physical and emotional
mode and feel guilty when they spend
toxins. With more energy you will dimoney or time on themselves. Many of money are best spent on
gest your food better and your cells
us, both men and women, have bethose who will replenish
will no longer be craving vital nutricome true workaholics and have simpyour
prenatal
Jing.
ents. More energy provides the imly just forgotten “be here now”. Of
mune system with the power it needs
course, we were far more fortunate
So,
how
does
one
choose
the
therapies
to overcome fungal, viral, and bacterithan our parents and grandparents,
that
are
best
for
your
unique
brain,
al infection. And, as each of those causand yet we still have an almost proes of aging is overcome, you’ll find you
grammed, unquenchable desire to ex- body and spirit?
once again have more energy. You will
perience and have it all. This has cost
be creating a “benevolent” cycle –
us dearly in terms of our precious pre- The principle of my program is your
road map. It consists of stem-cell ther- quite the opposite of a vicious cycle
natal Jing energy.
that spirals downward, causing you to
apy, as a new way of applying acupuncture
and
unique
way
of
giving
grow old far sooner than you should.
Now you’ve arrived at a time in your
nutrients.
It
teaches
that
before
you
life when you must start to find theraContinued on Page 4
Paula Martinac Article ~ Cont. from Pg. 2
Luckily, even if you’ve spent years eating
empty-calorie foods, you can still turn your
diet around and improve your health.
You’ll want to keep your body fueled throughout the day so your energy levels remain
steady; eating several small, nutritious meals
and snacks will keep you on an even keel.
Combining high-quality protein, fat and carbohydrates, especially fiber, works best to sustain energy over time and control cravings for
the empty-calorie foods we like to turn to under stress.
With a diverse array of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, lean meat and
dairy incorporated into regular meals and
snacks, your body will actually begin to prefer
healthier options. And you’ll find that is, indeed, “comforting.”
Read more articles by Paula Martinac at her website:
www.nutritionu.net. She has regular workshops at the
Nuin Center; see our calendar for details.
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tranquil, well-established location. Full month leases, sublets or
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Nuin Center News
Spring 2012
Page 4
Paul Block Article ~ Cont. from Pg. 3
My program is about energy. As you
practice that new program, your goal
will be to increase your core energy by
creating balance in your body, in the
foods you eat, in your relationships, and
in the way you structure your time. All
of these should be carefully nurtured.
Are they making you feel more alive, or
are they draining your inner essence?
So, it is time right now to begin seeking
out these therapies that add more energy and carefully evaluating those things
around you that take away from your
constitutional life force.
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UIN
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Paul will be giving a free lecture on anti-aging
on May 3, 6 pm , at the Nuin Center. Call (412)
361-5653 for more details.