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ARBOR FARMS MARKET 2103 West Stadium - Boulevard Plaza Ann Arbor - 734-996-8111 - arborfarms.com Our August 2016 Newsletter for Healthy Living Seed the Future own on the farm, there is simultaneously an explosion of super weeds and a decline of seeds, a waxing and a waning, the yin and yang of Big Ag. These concurrent phenomena are (not coincidentally) caused by the same companies who are striving to control and harness agriculture. They hope to force every last bushel of productivity out of every single acre, achieving yields well beyond those imagined even a few years ago. These companies laid down their financial roots producing toxic chemicals. In days gone by, they brought chemical warfare into the fields of battle with the likes of Agent Orange. Now the war is being fought in the fields of our farms. Corn fields, soy fields and cotton fields, are all now battlefields, where weeds run rampant, and seeds are at a premium. How is it that the proliferation of weeds and the demise of our seeds are entwined? This story begins thousands of years ago… Innovations in agriculture developed some 12,000 years ago, taking root in the Fertile Crescent in Asia. Neolithic peoples slowly began transitioning from wild harvesting and began planting wheat, barley, figs and peas. They harnessed the waters developing irrigation, they discovered soil amendments increasing yields, and most notably they saved the seeds of the juiciest, sweetest and healthiest plants to plant the next year and the year after that. This arrangement served us D Choline and Good Fats August Specials well as a species: civilizations sprang forth, we built pyramids, sailed ships and set about populating the globe. Everywhere our ancient ancestors went they brought their seeds, shared them with others and replanted only the best. Seed sharing was common, and seed saving was inherent to the survival of our species. In fact, one of the first written pieces of law, “The Code of Hammu- control 60% of the global seed market. Three of them control 47% of the world’s proprietary genetics. Most of the seeds now being developed and patented are genetically altered (GMO) to withstand heavy applications of pesticides and herbicides in the fields. It is no coincidence that the very patent holders of the seeds are the same actors who make and sell the chemicals being ap- “In the 1990s, the Supreme Court deemed that seeds and plants could be patented.” rabi,” had specifications on how to pollinate crops and improve the next generation of seeds. In 1883, private seed companies began lobbying to end public seed distribution. By the year 1924, public seed distribution had vanished. Usher in the technologies from WWII, and plant breeding took a new turn to increase harvest and withstand agricultural chemicals. In the 1990s, the Supreme Court deemed that seeds and plants could be patented which prevented farmers from saving them and researchers from studying them. Back in the 1960s, more than 60% of soybean farmers in the US saved and replanted their seeds. They had rights and securities on next year’s crop. Today, less than 10% of our soybean farmers save their seeds. The plot thickened as large pharmaceutical companies began buying up independent seed companies and research dollars for public plant breeding were slashed. Now just five companies plied. This onslaught of chemicals worked for a few decades, but as we know, nature marches on and learns how to evolve rather quickly. Those pervasive superweeds have evolved to thrive despite even heavier applications and noxious concentrations. Just last month, Monsanto and DuPont announced a partnership to sell new “Roundup Ready 2 Xtend” soybeans which are genetically altered to resist dicamba and glyphosate to fight the rise of superweeds. As a result, Monsanto’s own analysis has indicated that dicamba use on cotton and soy will rise from less than 1 million pounds to more than 25 million pounds used per year. Today the dilemma of superweeds is upon us. The EPA’s Office of Inspector General said in March that it will open an investigation into the spread of superweeds and how the toxic chemicals used to combat them affect farmers. EWG’s AgMag commented that What’s Inside This Issue Love That Thyroid August Monthly Coupon All articles in this newsletter are for the purpose of nutritional information only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. continued on page 2 Choline and Good Fats early two decades ago, scientists unveiled the potential of a nutrient that had been all but forgotten: choline, first discovered in 1862. In 1998, the Institute of Medicine revealed that choline is actually essential for optimal health. Although a small amount of choline is produced by your liver, the rest must come through what you eat. N cell membrane composition; fat transport and metabolism, as choline is needed to carry cholesterol from your liver, and a choline deficiency could result in excess fat and cholesterol buildup; DNA synthesis, aiding in the process along with other vitamins, such as folate and vitamin B12; and nervous system health, because choline is neces- “Eggs rank very high on the list of foods that are high in either lecithin, which converts to choline, or in choline itself. Unfortunately, an estimated 90 percent of the U.S. population is deficient in choline. According to Netherlandsbased health information authority WellWise.org: “Choline is used in the synthesis of specialized fat molecules in our bodies, called phospholipids. The most common of these is phosphatidylcholine, also known as lecithin, which is a critical component of human cell membranes.” Choline is sometimes grouped with vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12) because their functions are similar – assisting the liver, brain, muscles, nervous system and overall metabolism, helping to maintain health and stave off disease. For instance, studies show higher choline intake to be linked to a decreased heart disease risk, as well as a 24 percent decreased breast cancer risk among 1,508 women studied. This nutrient performs in several different ways throughout your body, including: cell messaging, by producing cell-messaging compounds; cell structure, making fats to support your sary for making acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in healthy muscle, heart and memory performance. Eggs are a good dietary source of choline; a single hard-boiled egg contains 113 milligrams of choline, or nearly 25 percent of your daily requirement. In fact, according to the Fatty Liver Diet Guide: “Eggs rank very high on the list of foods that are high in either lecithin, which converts to choline, or in choline itself. Note that this is the egg yolks only, not egg whites, which only have traces of this micronutrient. Choline is essential in the production of phosphatidylcholine, a fat molecule called a phospholipid. But wait! Isn’t all fat bad? No — especially if it is essential to overall health and in particular, liver health.” Several more excellent choline sources are: organic, grass-fed beef and wild-caught Alaskan salmon; other organic, grass-fed meats and wild-caught, non-polluted fish; cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower (one-half cup contains 24.2 milligrams), and healthy fats and oils. A 2011 study out of Norway found 69 choline-containing phospholipids in krill oil, most of which contained omega-3 fatty acids. Natural Product Insider reported: “Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)electrospray tandem mass spectrometry, the researchers mapped the phospholipids, including the phosphatidylcholine and lyso-phosphatidylcholine classes, in krill oil extracted from Euphausia superba (krill). They also quantified the prevalent phosphatidylcholine class [and] compared the results with prior analysis. A total of 69 cholinecontaining phospholipids were detected, including 60 phosphatidylcholine substances.” Phosphatidylcholine may: help optimize cholesterol; protect against liver disease including hepatitis; help alcoholics prevent cirrhosis; reduce digestive tract inflammation; and, lessen symptoms of ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. A Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) value hasn’t yet been established for choline, but the Institute of Medicine set an “adequate daily intake” value of 425 milligrams per day for women, 550 milligrams per day for men, and 250 milligrams for children to help prevent a deficiency and potential organ and muscle damage. Supplementation is an option if you’re concerned about getting enough choline in your diet. Choline requirements, however, depend on factors such as gender, age, genetic makeup and diet. it’s best to get choline from food sources as much as possible, as it’s very unlikely that you’ll get too much choline via dietary sources. Reference: Authority Nutrition 2012-2016. WellWise 2013. ARYA Atherosclerosis 2011;7(2):78-86. FASEB Journal 2008 June;22 (6):2045-52. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2002 Nov;277 (44):42358-65. Fatty Liver Diet Guide 2012-2015. Natural Products Insider Oct 6, 2010. National Academy of Sciences 2016. Seed the Future, continued from page 1 “there’s already abundant evidence showing that GMOs haven’t been good for the environment or the health of farm workers. The Inspector General’s investigation is likely to add more proof.” Right now there are ways we can support seed biodiversity. Organizations doing good work to preserve our seed biodiversity include The Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, which seeks to maintain seed purity, and The Organic Seed Alliance is committed to advancing the ethical development and stewardship of the genetic resources of agricultural seed. Their just released “State of Organic Seed, 2016” is now available! This report is part of their ongoing project to monitor the status of organic seed in the US and execute recommendations that increase the diversity, quality, and integrity of available organic seed. Encourage your favorite local farmer to seek out and utilize organic seeds. Organic Agriculture can be the productive ceasefire that promotes open source seed biodiversity and works within the balance of nature to control weeds. Let’s take back our agricultural legacy and end the industrial chemical warfare. Reference: www.gmwatch.org/gm-firms/10558-the-worlds-top-tenseed-companies-who-owns-nature. http://www.ecowatch.com/ monsanto-dupont-weed-killer-gmo-crops-1910876805.html. www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/documents/ newstarts_03-25-16_herbicidetolerancemanagement.pdf. www.ewg.org/agmag/2016/03/epa-watchdog-investigate-monsantogmos-and-superweeds. Love That Thyroid W ith all the conflicting information out there pertaining to your thyroid, especially regarding what to eat and what to stay away from, it may be confusing. And when trying to ferret out the facts from most conventional and neck pain or stiffness. Overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, often called Graves’ Disease, is sometimes described as your body attacking its own thyroid. In some instances, its most common symptoms “The thyroid gland is the “mainframe” that regulates metabolism.” health practitioners, the contradictions can get frustrating. You might hear, “Stay away from cruciferous vegetables because they might prevent your system from absorbing iodine,” or, “Don’t drink coffee because it could block your thyroid hormone replacement medication.” One important thing to know about your thyroid is how central it is to your overall health, so ensuring it’s operating properly is critical. Just as importantly, hypothyroidism is often manageable via your diet. The butterflyshaped thyroid gland straddling your windpipe, right under your larynx, is the “mainframe” that regulates your metabolism, controls virtually every function of your body and interacts with all the other hormones, from your insulin to your sex hormones. Thyroid cells are the only cells in your body that can absorb iodine. Your thyroid gland takes iodine from foods — the only way iodine can be obtained — combines it with an amino acid called tyrosine and converts it to three types of hormones: triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and diiodothyronine (T2). T3 and T4 are then released into your bloodstream for transport throughout your body, where oxygen and calories convert them to energy. Every cell of your body uses thyroid hormones, so thyroid-related symptoms can vary. There are two main disorders related to the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism, when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, is the most common, and often linked to iodine deficiency. Symptoms include: cold sensitivity, hair loss, rough skin, dry hair, lethargy, weight gain, constipation, hypoglycemia and memory loss. There are dozens of other seemingly unrelated symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fallen arches, asthma, psoriasis, carpal tunnel, vertigo are opposites of those caused by underactive thyroid: restlessness and irritability, weight loss, brain fog, irregular heartbeat, protruding eyes, and frequent bowel movements. Several tests to get to the bottom of a thyroid imbalance include thyroid antibody, basal body temperature or TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) testing. However, laboratory testing for thyroid issues is sometimes problematic. As many as 80 percent of people with hypothyroidism fail to register as such with standard testing. According to The George Mateljan Foundation, a non-profit foundation that shares scientifically proven information about the benefits of healthy eating: “Most physicians use outdated reference ranges when testing thyroid function. Also, studies have demonstrated that standard thyroid tests do not correlate well with tissue thyroid levels, which causes inaccurate diagnoses. Most physicians and endocrinologists believe TSH is the best indicator of the thyroid function of an individual. However, someone can suffer from a significantly slow thyroid despite having a normal TSH, free T3 and free T4. Some will test for T3. People can also have low T3 and show normal T4 and normal TSH. Many practitioners do not realize that this indicates a selenium or zinc deficiency, rather than a problem with the thyroid.” Naturopaths and doctors with a more holistic approach tend to understand the importance of examining a patient’s symptoms in combination with the tests. Iodine is directly involved in the development of your skeleton, brain and other crucial parts of your body. According to Organic Lifestyle magazine: “Iodine is a trace mineral found primarily in seafood, seaweed, plants grown in iodine-rich soil, unrefined sea salt and iodized table salt. Many people do not get enough iodine, and contrary to popular belief, this includes many people in developed countries. Iodine from iodized salt is poorly absorbed and is not a healthy choice for raising iodine levels in the diet. Refined table salt contributes to a host of health problems. Iodine is absolutely necessary for thyroid function, but too much iodine (especially iodine outside of food) can impair thyroid function as well.” Good sources of iodine include sea vegetables, organic, grass-fed yogurt, raw and grass- Michigan Grass-fed Beef: Humanely-raised at Lamb Farm in Manchester, MI Porterhouse & T-Bone Steaks only $12.99/lb fed organic cow’s milk, Celtic sea salt and eggs. Selenium, important for thyroid health, helps decrease inflammation, regulate immune responses and prevent chronic diseases. It’s found in water, soil, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, Brazil nuts, dairy products, garlic, onions, tomatoes and sunflower seeds. One billion people in the world have a selenium deficiency. Tyrosine is an amino acid involved in nearly every protein in your body. It’s an essential part of the production of several brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters and dopamine, regulating hormones such as the thyroid, and even affecting your mood. A few of the foods containing tyrosine, such as wheat and soybeans, are not healthy, especially for people with hypothyroidism. However, several good sources include almonds, bananas, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, organic free-range poultry, avocados, pumpkin seeds and organic, free-range eggs. And you’ve heard it since you were a kid: eat your vegetables. Reference: Mindbodygreen August 21, 2013. EdocrineWeb 19972016. Epoch Times May 3. 2016. The World’s Healthiest Foods June 13-19, 2016. Organic Lifestyle Magazine Oct. 29, 2014. Natural Medicine Journal June, 2014 ARBOR FARMS MARKET PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ANN ARBOR MI PERMIT NO 150 2103 West Stadium - Boulevard Plaza Ann Arbor - 734-996-8111 - arborfarms.com $2 OFF your next purchase of $15 or more at Arbor Farms Market. Limit one coupon per visit. No cash value. Valid through August 31, 2016. August Specials Effective August 1 through August 14 Enjoy Organic Peaches.……….………….…....... $2.99/lb Organic Seedless Grapes, Red or White…........ $2.99/lb Grass-fed Rib-Eye Steaks, bone-in……….... $13.99/lb Miller Poultry Split Breasts……….……... $1.99/lb Wild-caught Sockeye Salmon Fillets, USA $16.99/lb Michigan Grass-fed T-Bone Steaks Porterhs $12.99/lb Michigan Blueberries, pint pkg.…………........... 2/$5 Organic Cucumbers, each.................................... $.99 Organic Grape Tomatoes, pint pkg...................... 2/$5 . Michigan’s Harvest . Arriving in August: Local Produce from Local Growers Lamb Farm - Manchester Homer Organic Farms Stone Coop - Brighton Schwartz Farm - Quincy Seeley Farm - Ann Arbor Needlelane– Tipton & . Effective August 1 through August 29 Shop Local Serving Ann Arbor since 1979 Keep your $$$ in Michigan Nature’s Path Eco-Pac Cereals, asstd. 26-32 oz…. $6.99 De Cecco Pasta, assorted 16 oz…………...…..…... $2.29 Santa Cruz Organic Lemonades, assorted 32 oz…. 3/$5 Ciao Bella Gelatos & Sorbets, assorted 13 oz……. $3.99 Lagunitas Pale Ale & assorted 6/12 oz……..…...… $8.99 Pacific Rim Riesling, 750 ml ………………….... $8.99 Avalon Organics Hair Care, entire line….. 20% OFF Derma-E Skin Care, entire line………...... 20% OFF , Arbor Farms Brand Vitamins & Herbs... 20% OFF entire line!