Page 3 - Summer2010

Letters

EATING IN FEAR? isolated, that could do us harm? Hasn’t This is not so. To my knowledge, lyco-
Regarding your issue focused on nature given us the ability to handle such pene is highest in the autumn olive berry
plant toxins (Spring, 2010), I wish people substances? (Elaeagnus umbellata), which normally
would stop dissecting their food so much I’m thankful that my Creator gave contains up to eighteen times as much
and enjoy what our Creator has given us me common sense, eyes to see, a nose lycopene as tomatoes, and as far as I
in terms of produce, meats, dairy, grains, to smell, a mouth to consume, teeth to know does not cause allergic reactions.
beans and nuts—as long as they have chew, a tongue to taste, and a stomach, I would assume that other members of
been unadulterated and are grown and pancreas, gallbladder, liver, kidneys and the elaeagnus family, like the goumi,
raised or fed according to what nature intestines to process a wide variety of trebizond date, silverberry and Russian
intended. To compare scientific research food. We even have a complex system or autumn olive, would also be very high
that is based on studies done with typical to detoxify and eliminate toxic waste. in lycopene.
American cuisine with that of a truly How clever! The autumn olive ripens anywhere
natural traditional wholesome diet is I like to keep things simple as I be- from September to November in the
insanity, but it is often done. lieve nature intended them to be. If we Philadelphia area. It tastes like a tart
As for concerns about polyun- are honest with ourselves, the more we version of a fruit roll-up. The seeds are
saturated fatty acids, I’ll keep eating think we know by digging deeper and edible, but not very good. It’s considered
my nuts and seeds, and those delicious deeper into things we know little about, an invasive plant, and is often found
avocadoes; and for those demonized the more we realize we know nothing at growing wild or planted in parks, often
goitrogens like cabbage, cauliflower all. My trust is in nature not man. Stop by the seashore.
and broccoli, I will eat them as well and dissecting your food and enjoy your George Russell
maintain my excellent health in doing so. bounty. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eat not in fear, especially for those with Dr. Bogozat, DC, ND
thyroid issues; your veggies are not your Monroe County, NJ Chapter Leader PHYTIC PHOBIA?
problem. Cedar Knolls, New Jersey The article “Living with Phytic
As for those who are also in fear of Acid” (Spring, 2010) by Ramiel Nagel
eating something because it contains The goal at WAPF is to create superb was very detailed and informative; how-
certain harmful substances, let me re- health in the next generations so that ev- ever I do not believe that the conclusions
mind you that Nature knows best and eryone can enjoy a variety of foods with- and recommendations were warranted
knows why things contain what they do; out side effects—including grains, dairy by the evidence presented. While I agree
however, we are too naive to understand foods, and problematic vegetables—as that phytic acid is an anti-nutrient, and
why, and so we rationalize our think- long as they are naturally grown or that traditional people usually soaked or
ing that we know better. This foolishly raised and prepared to maximize digest- otherwise processed their grains result-
makes us sound intelligent amongst our ibility. However, many people today ing in a reduction of phytic acid, I be-
peers and friends, but in reality it’s only have severely compromised digestion lieve that this ubiquitous chemical may
filling the need of ego. and are forced to be careful about what be far less of a threat to human health
Have you ever sat and wondered they eat. than the author contends. Consider these
why our bodies contain so many organs points (quotations are from the article):
and glands? Do we really understand LYCOPENE 1. “In populations where cereal
digestion, utilization, assimilation, I very much appreciated your night- grains provide a major source of calo-
elimination and all the other processes shade article (Spring, 2010). I want to ries, rickets and osteoporosis are com-
that go on in our bodies? Could it be that make one correction to the statement mon.” That may be true, but is phytic
almost all things contain something, if that lycopene is highest in tomatoes. acid causing these mineral deficiency

SUMMER 2010 Wise Traditions 3