Photo Courtesy HealthImpactNews.com

As you may know, the FDA is not here to protect the health of Americans, but to protect their own interests in processed food manufacturers and pharmaceutical industries.

Somewhat recently, Diamond Foods, a company that sells various types of nuts and natural products, was issued a letter by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) that it could no longer use its claims that their walnuts were health promoting. Despite the fact that over hundreds of studies report the heart healthy benefits of walnuts (including studies that the FDA partly funded), these walnuts were being considered as marketed drugs while the science remains ignored.

The Proven Health Benefits of Walnuts

Just to give you a quick overview of what walnuts can provide for the body:

• A healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are seriously lacking in the standard American diet (SAD).
• Provides gamma tocopherol, a nutrient shown to help promote cardiovascular health.
• Lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol
• Has been shown to help prevent metabolic syndrome, and aids in weight control
• Wide variety of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds [1]

Walnuts have been thoroughly tested and studied over the last few years that prove they are a good source of nutrition. Yet, the public cannot know about this. Why is this?

The FDA Is “Chummy” with Processed Food Manufacturers

If you take a look at many processed foods today, like Cheerios and Frito Lay snack chips, you will see health claims, bold and upfront. How do these companies get away with this?

Easy. Take Frito Lay. Their chips are made with corn, a heavily subsidized crop in America (that is always genetically modified, unless certified organic). Genetically modified foods can create fertility issues after a generation or two, and can cause other problems. Also, the chips are fried in soybean (eek!)/safflower oil, which the company says is “all-naturall”. All natural my foot. If it isn’t organic, it is most likely genetically modified.

Safflower oil also contains an abundance of omega-6 fatty acids, and no omega-3 fatty acids. Those who live on fast food and processed foods are already receiving too many of these inflammatory fats, and not enough of the omega-3 fats, which is deteriorating their health at an alarming speed. Also, when the starch in the corn is fried, acrylimides form, which are known human carcinogens.

Yet, Frito Lay snack chips can still make these claims on their website and packaging:

“Frito-Lay® snacks start with real farm-grown ingredients. You might be surprised at how much good stuff goes into your favorite snack. Good stuff like potatoes, which naturally contain vitamin C and essential minerals. Or corn, one of the world’s most popular grains, packed with thiamin, vitamin B6, and phosphorous—all necessary for healthy bones, teeth, nerves and muscles.

“And it’s not just the obvious ingredients. Our all-natural sunflower, corn and soybean oils contain good polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which help lower total and LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol and maintain HDL ‘good’ cholesterol levels, which can support a healthy heart. Even salt, when eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet, is essential for the body.”

Cheerios can claim to help bring down high cholesterol. Wouldn’t Cheerios be considered a drug, too, by the FDA? Apparently not, as they’re still allowed to promote these claims. They do not mention, however, that the high carbohydrate content in the cereal can actually break down into sugar rapidly in the body, causing inflammation and damage arteries and veins. Also, they do not mention, that many individuals who have heart disease have normal cholesterol levels, yet high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are fats in the blood, and are elevated by sugar, or anything that converts to sugar.

Cherries Are Being Attacked

Although cherries contain melatonin, which can improve sleep, and anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins, which are more powerful than aspirin or ibuprofen, they are also being attacked by the FDA. Over 29 companies have been told to change their health claims of this whole food, or the FDA would have to come in and sieze all their cherries. Wow.

It doesn’t take a genius to recognize something wrong here. There are definitely conflict of interests in the FDA, something that every single person needs to be aware of. Without knowledge of the health benefits of whole foods (which is what the FDA is trying to wipe out), individuals will not realize the importance of their place in everyday life, and generations will grow up on processed, devitalized foods with empty calories and no nutrients.

Spread the message. Share this blog post. Let as many people that you know hear about this, so that more and more people can start to take more control over their own health and their own lives.