As election times approach and policy announcements are made, I am concerned that our President is getting bad advice on health care. His advisors have reported to him that everyone in the US should be screened for mental illness, including children. How does this sit with you? Of course the purpose is obvious: To sell more psychiatric drugs. Read my opinion in the article below. Also, are you detoxing daily? It's a good idea. See my "DDT, Dioxins and Mercury -- It's What's for Dinner" to know why. Have a great week. – D.I. Minkoff, M.D.

DDT, Dioxins, and Mercury - It's What's for Dinner
On laboratory tests conducted on 1,300 Americans by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, weed and bug-killer residues were found in the bodies of everyone tested. A surprising finding was that 99 percent of Americans, including virtually all children born in recent years, had DDT residues. DDT was banned in the late 1960's. This survey suggests that Americans are coming into contact with these substances through food and the environment despite our country's multi-million dollar efforts to control harmful pesticides, chemicals and heavy metals. – D.I. Minkoff, M.D.                                        read more ... »

Antioxidant Riches Found in Unexpected Foods
Researchers recently measured the antioxidant strength of 100 different foods. Which was the winner? Small red beans! While blueberries had previously held the antioxidant championship title, it now appears that small red beans have more antioxidant capacity. Blueberries, red kidney beans, pinto beans, cranberries, artichokes, blackberries, dried prunes, and raspberries all, however, filled the top ten list. In the nuts and spices category, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, ground cloves, cinnamon, and oregano scored high for antioxidant concentration.                                                                         read more ... »

Bush plans to screen whole US population for mental illness
The president's commission found that 'despite their prevalence, mental disorders often go undiagnosed' and recommended comprehensive mental health screening for 'consumers of all ages,' including preschool children." – British Medical Journal                    read more ...»

Chelation Therapy
High cholesterol, heart disease, hypertension, and poor circulation are common problems for many people. Chelation Therapy (pronounced KEE-LA- SHUN) has been used for over 30 years to treat these degenerative diseases via an intravenous infusion of a special protein called EDTA, along with essential vitamins and minerals. In effect, Chelation Therapy is a non-surgical treatment for which there is some evidence that it improves circulation and slows the aging process. – D.I. Minkoff, M.D.                                           read the rest ...»

How to get healthy: What else shouldn't you eat? Trans fats and processed foods. Part Two.
Some known facts:

• Processed "foods" and all "foods" that include artificial sweeteners, chemical preservatives, and colorants AREN'T food.
• Trans fats make you sick and should not be eaten.

What are trans fats?

Trans fats are created by bubbling hydrogen gas through vegetable oil. There are no trans fats found in our natural diet. In fact, trans fats are so foreign to our chemistry that they cause widespread inflammation in the body. This inflammation leads to blood vessel disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Not only that, but the body will use these trans fats in cell membranes where healthy fats should be. This causes the cell membranes to be abnormal, leading to high blood pressure, memory loss, arthritis and many other maladies.
– D.I. Minkoff, M.D.                                                                                   learn more ...»

Recipe of the Week -- Catalan Spicy Red Pepper Soup
The Optimum Health Reports is trying to help guide you to live a healthier life through diet, exercise, and knowledge. We are posting a recipe each week from the cookbook Having It All Without Wheat, Dairy Or Sugar, by Gwynn Palmer.   

Please see the newsletter for the recipe.