Usually people who like to read health information are the sort of folks who also read ingredients on food labels. If you're one of these people, I'll bet you've also noticed an increase in the words "high-fructose corn syrup", or HFCS, on labels for everything from ketchup, mayo, soups, salad dressings, to most canned goods and even sodas and juices. Just what is this stuff? Are there any dangers to consuming it?

When you see a green and vibrant field of sweet corn, you probably think of summertime, and old-fashioned picnics. Why would any of us think of sugar? Because the larger percentage of sweeteners used in processed food comes from corn, not sugar cane and not beets - corn. That's right. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was developed in the 1970s as a less expensive alternative to cane and beet sugar; and it is nearly 20 times sweeter too. It's made by treating corn with enzymes that convert some of the glucose to fructose, since fructose tastes sweeter than glucose. Use of HFCS grew rapidly, from less than three million tons in 1980 to almost 8 million tons in 1995. During the late 1990s, use of sugar actually declined as it was overshadowed by HFCS. Today Americans consume more HFCS than sugar.

Many opponents to the growing use of HFCS are becoming more vocal, in an attempt to wake up American consumers to the dangers of something so "sweet" and simple, but dangerous - lurking in our pantries and refrigerators, lurking in restaurants, school cafeterias and even hospitals! For instance, the well-respected book, You: The Owner's Manual, by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen warns us:

"One of the biggest evil influences on our diet is the presence of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a sugar substitute that itself is a sugar found in soft drinks, and many other sweet, processed foods. The problem is that HFCS inhibits leptin secretion, so you never get the message that you're full."

Opponents of HFCS argue that HFCS:

• Links to the rise of obesity.
• Increases risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
• Increases LDL's (low density lipo-proteins, the "bad" cholesterol) that could increase the risk of heart diseases.
• Inhibits copper absorption, which many Americans are already thought to be deficient in. (A copper deficiency can cause problems such as bone fragility, anemia, defective connective tissue formation, and more.)

Supporters of the use of HFCS tell us that fructose is a natural, simple sugar; while spokespeople for the corn refiners state that there is no scientific evidence to support the belief that HFCS is a contributor to diabetes or obesity. So, playing the devil's advocate, what could be harmful about extracting the sweetest part of sweet corn? Well, let's take a deeper look into the actual process and find out.

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is made by processing corn starch to yield glucose, and then processing the glucose to produce a high percentage of fructose. It sounds simple - white cornstarch is turned into crystal clear syrup. But the process is actually quite complicated. Three different enzymes are needed to break down cornstarch, which is composed of chains of glucose molecules of almost infinite length, into the simple sugars glucose and fructose.

HFCS has the exact same sweetness and taste as an equal amount of sucrose from cane or beet sugar but it is much more complicated to make, involving vats of murky fermenting liquid, fungus and chemical mixing, all of which take place in one of 16 chemical plants located in the Corn Belt. Yet in spite of all the special enzymes required, HFCS is actually cheaper than sugar. It is also very easy to transport - it's just piped into tanker trucks. This translates into lower costs and higher profits for food producers.

Today HFCS is a multi-billion dollar business. HFCS is found in just about every type of processed food you can consume. Start really reading those labels, and you'll see HFCS everywhere.

But here's the glitch. Because people often think that because HFCS contains fructose, (they connect it with fruit) that it is somehow healthier than sugar. Oh, if only it was that simple or true. Research by a team of USDA investigators has revealed the opposite. Dr. Meira Field led the research, and discovered that when sugar (composed of glucose and fructose) is given in high amounts to rats, they develop multiple health problems, especially when the rats were deficient in certain nutrients, such as copper.

Dr. Field explains that fructose in combination with copper deficiency in the growing animal interferes with collagen production.

"The medical profession thinks fructose is better for diabetics than sugar," says Dr. Field, "but every cell in the body can metabolize glucose. However, all fructose must be metabolized in the liver. The livers of the rats on the high fructose diet looked like the livers of alcoholics, plugged with fat and cirrhotic."

HFCS contains more fructose than sugar and this fructose is more immediately available because it is not bound up in sucrose. Since the effects of fructose are most severe in the growing organism, we need to think carefully about what kind of sweeteners we give to our children.

This information is pretty tough to swallow!!! Especially at a time when we read about such dramatic increases in high cholesterol and heart problems - could this be one very significant link? It's time to take a peek into your kitchen pantry, with an eye for HFCS, high-fructose corn syrup. Next time you shop, look for products that DO NOT contain HFCS. Only if people close their purses and wallets to this ingredient will manufacturers get the idea that this is not something we're going to continue to swallow!

Yours in good health,

Benjamin Franklin was a frequent visitor to France where they appreciated his wit and charm with the ladies. Franklin observed that the French seemed more robust, more alive, more healthy than their American counterparts.

Yet Franklin also observed, the French kept late hours. They ate dinner at nine. And they drank wine. And they preferred talking to dancing. In other words, the French did everything WRONG for their health which, I suppose, is what prompted Ben's question in the first place.

What is it about red wine that links it to health when we normally associate alcohol with excess sugar, weight gain, liver disease and diabetes?

Based on research from doctors at several leading universities including Harvard University, longevity scientists have pinpointed the remarkable life extension nutrient found inside the red grape skin – Resveratrol.

Before you take any supplement, please consult your physician or other licensed healthcare professional to determine if it's appropriate for you.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

One of the most heart-wrenching aspects of our sagging economy is the effect that it has on our four-footed friends. Thousand of precious animals have become forgotten victims of the economic downturn and the housing foreclosure crisis. Animal shelters, rescue groups and animal care and control agencies are seeing an increase in surrendered animals as homeowners struggle to make living arrangements that may or may not include their pets.

Life circumstances are forcing people to make decisions they never thought they’d have to make. Given the strong bond we have with our pets, children and adults who are forced to part with their beloved animals face devastating emotional issues. It’s especially sad for elderly people who want to keep their animals, who are sometimes their only companion.

Experts say that if people believe they may find themselves in a financial crunch, they should start planning early for pet care. The American Humane Society offers tips for homeowners, mortgage lenders and shelters that may be feeling the impact of meeting new demands. The American Humane Society also is offering grants to shelters and animal welfare organizations to help care for and find solutions for animal victims of this national crisis.

First and foremost, take your pets with you when you vacate your home. They are not likely to survive if abandoned in the home or set loose. Domesticated animals can’t survive on their own. They can get hit by cars, stalked by larger animals or they might slowly starve to death.

Impaired liver and gallbladder function has been linked to accelerated aging, weakened immune system and dozens of major illnesses and diseases including asthma, coronary heart disease, cancers, migraines, allergies, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and kidney disease. When your liver can't cleanse your blood, all the toxins you ingest and absorb are passed unchecked into your bloodstream where they poison your lungs, your skin, your kidneys, your reproductive organs, your bones, and every cell in your body!

Why? Because your liver is your body's mastermind detoxifying agent and blood filter and your first and most powerful line of defense in a polluted world. (That's why the traditional Chinese doctors call the liver "the general in the army," and why the oldest healing systems on earth always clean the liver first!)

Shift your health and energy into high gear!

Fulvic has been around as long as our precious planet. But its surprisingly powerful role in defying and delaying the aging process has been virtually unknown. That is, until a few short years ago when Dr. Dawn M. Wolf and his diligent researchers discovered how this rare miracle element may hold the key to never having another sick day!

REV™ contains Fulvic in an exclusive, nanoized form. It goes to work at the molecular level to help transform your energy and overall wellness. REV™ also packs the punch of 4 energizing ‘super-fruits’ – ACAI, MANGOSTEEN, NONI, and WOLFBERRY– four of the most nutrient-dense, longevity-boosting foods that may help flood your body with more vitality, more stamina, and more well-being than you’ve ever felt before.

Before you take any supplement, please consult your physician or other licensed healthcare professional to determine if it's appropriate for you.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Computer screens, air pollution, the aging process, dry air in offices, poor lighting and sun exposure cause millions of Americans to suffer from dry eye syndrome. This disorder results in decreased tear production and dryness in the tear film. Dry eyes can cause a gritty, sandy sensation accompanied by burning, stinging and itching. Some people notice their eyes sticking shut when they wake up. Others experience a "foreign body sensation," the feeling that something is in the eye. And it may seem odd, but sometimes-watery eyes can result from dry eye syndrome, because the excessive dryness works to over stimulate production of the watery component of our eyes’ tears.

Older people are more likely to suffer from dry eye syndrome than younger people because as we get older our bodies sometimes have an oil deficiency. Oil is a necessary component of our tears and without it the water in our eyes can evaporate too quickly, leaving dry areas on the cornea. Various systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjogren’s Syndrome can also cause dry eyes. Women who are going through menopause have an increased risk of dry eye syndrome.

The popularity of computers during the past several years has led to increased incidence of dry eye syndrome, especially when you consider that millions of Americans spend eight or more hours a day on the computer at work or at home. When you concentrate you don’t blink as often and therefore your eyes aren’t properly lubricated. People blink about 22 times a minute while relaxing, 10 while reading, but only seven times when working on a computer.

Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies that can be used to treat dry eyes. Some people have been able to eliminate dry eyes completely simply by adding omega 3 fatty acids to their diet or taking supplements. Omega 3 acids increase the viscosity of oils made by the body, especially in the eyes. Eating foods rich in vitamin A or taking vitamin A supplements may also help.

Medical studies reveal that each and every day we’re exposed to harmful substances, not only in the form of common air pollution, but through the very foods we eat. The Standard American Diet (or SAD for short!!) is loaded with preservatives, antibiotics, pesticides, and dangerous chemicals — all waiting to inundate your system, from your organs, to your bloodstream, from your head down to your toes, robbing you of the vibrant good health that you deserve.

But once these harmful substances are removed from your system, you’ll begin to look and feel dramatically better.

Now there’s a clinically-studied and effective formula from India that fights off pain while it boosts brain function.

GET READY to reduce metabolic wastes that trigger body inflammation and you may start to gain NEW flexibility, NEW energy, NEW mental alertness, and NEW cardiovascular health.

Why are Heart Disease and Stroke Linked to Gum Disease?</