Worldwide, there are over 30 primary and subspecies of edible pears, Pyrus spp., with China responsible for 12 of the 20 million tonnes produced yearly.  Related to the apple, there is no reason to travel the world for the chance to sample a good pear, nor reason for that same pear to have to come visit you, as many pear species bode well in cold temperatures.  A deciduous pear tree, but not an evergreen, may withstand temperatures plunging to -40 °C.  There is in fact some evidence that fruits fairing better in harsher climates produce a greater nutrient density, the pear being an example. Most nutrients from the pear are found in the skin, with studies showing that organic fruits produce even more antioxidants than conventional fruits.  Local varieties such as Bartlett, Beurre, Bosc, Comice, D’Anjou, Forelle, Peckham, Red, Red D’Anjou, and Seckel claim significant quantities of cancer protective phenolic compounds whereas Asian, Asian brown, Korean, and Korean Shinko have been found to contain only trace.  In fact 32 different phenolic and flavonoid glycosides have been found in different varieties of pear skins, with research showing pears are helpful in protecting against lung and colon cancer.  A high fibre content also makes pears good for the digestive and urinary system.  And, the be-all-and-end-all of the moment, one study even showed that 3 pears (or apples) per day can help induce weight loss, whereas 3 oat bars, can not.  Hope you enjoy these tasty pomes, daily.

originally posted at www.notfarfromthetree.org

xox dr millie lytle nd

Covering the spectrum of the rainbow within one fruit are…plums (Prunus subgenus prunus). These tasty drupes, juicy sweet or tangy-tart, share membership in the rose family with several other favourites; cherry, peach, apricot, apple, pear, quince, almond and even olive. The impressively colored flesh, especially when the fruit is fully ripe, contains an abundance of ….you guessed it…cell-strengthening antioxidants. Specifically, the antioxidants found in plums help protect the very-important fatty tissue of the brain, preventing dementia and macular degeneration, therefore helping us think and see clearly. Plums are a favorite edible-medicinal in Japan, China, many parts of Europe, Africa and North America for a variety of reasons. In North America, it is the variety Prunus domestica when dried, a ‘prune’ is known for its incredible fibre content but fresh plums are also a good food to smooth the transmission time of the digestive system due to high contents of dietary fibre, sorbitol and isatin. Dried plums, prunes and other newer functional varieties, have also been shown to improve bone health by inhibiting bone cell destruction and increase iron absorption, due to high content of vitamin C. Don’t let plum season go-by without gobbeling up your share. And during hte winter, count on dried and naturally-preserved versions to provide off-season benefits.
originally posted at www.notfarfromthetree.org

xox dr millie lytle nd

wow, lots of drama over H1N1 in Canada….not sure if you appreciated what I offered to Damian Rogers’ WELLNESS column this week or not http://www.eyeweekly.com/style/wellness/article/71764, some of you may think it is over-simplified, especially with recent rising death toll..so I thought i’d just add an appendix to my statements since they were made before the Native Reserve issue was released….As we know already, after years of warnings on the danger of the flu, and campaigns promoting free flushot, etc, etc… any influenza virus can be deadly.  The H1N1 is not an exception.  This particular strain of flu might also have more affinity for younger adults, which differs to the usual “older adults, immuno-compromised, children, pregnant women and those living in confined spaces (hospitals, nursing homes, etc)”, the rest of which is case with the regular flu viruses and mostly ALL contagious disease.

But instead of using these new media releases as fear-mongering fuel for the danger of the H1N1, I suggest a few thoughts; these deaths from H1N1 on the Native Reserves really provide evidence for the poor, poor conditions on Native Reserves… the fact that more members of this population are dying from a virus that most people in the same country are recovering from spontaneously is very strong evidence that people 1) are living in very close quarters (enhancing number of infections) 2) are not in good enough general health to spontaneously recover from a new virus (enhancing severity) 3) dont have access or are not following public health recommendations (frequent hand washing, avoidance of people who are ill, staying home when ill) and health care (medical professionals, antiviral treatment, traditional therapies, sound lifestyle recommendations).

The sometimes tragic conditions on Native Reserves is not a surprise, nor is it new information to the Canadian Government, Health Canada nor the educated reader, but once again these preventable deaths highlight, and REmind us of the intensity of social, ethical, political and health issues on Canada’s Native Reserves.  I offer these as reasons to continue NOT to panic over H1N1.

Roger. Over and out.

xox dr millie lytle nd

for those of you looking for a healthy dose of the blogs you’ve missed, want to reread, or just curious..check out my reformatted entries appearing weekly at www.femMED.com , a vitamin company with a mission for the wimmin.

xox dr millie lytle nd

Cherries, Prunus cerasus and Prunus cerasus Lambert, commonly referred to as sour cherries and bing cherries, respectively are certainly a favorite for munching… but did you know that with every handful of these crimson beasts devoured, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant chemicals, including vitamin C and proanthocyanidins, are working to soothe and repair muscles after exercise?

A second scientifically proven effect of cherries and cherry juice is in reducing plasma urate levels in the blood, providing a natural approach to treating gout. So the next time you eat cherries, think of all the pain-free effects they have on the body as an excuse to eat some more!

xox dr millie lytle nd

Mulberries, Morus spp., native to warm and tropical areas of each continent have a long history of medicinal use.  Used for centuries in Chinese and folklore medicine, as a remedy for many kinds of diseases, these little gems are actually a-group-of-fruit-within-a-fruit.  They can be found clumped together in long and short varieties.  Ranging from white, burgundy to black in color and insipid to sugary in flavour, all are beneficial for their antioxidising polyphenols.  These powerful phyto(plant)chemicals known specifically as anthocyanidins especially persistent in all dark-colored berries, have been extensively researched for different healthful propertie: from blood-thinning to natural liver cleansing.  A specifically potent antioxidant called resveritrol benefits adrenal function, therefore helping buffer stress in the body.  High breeding-ability holds promise in the functional food industry…but for lovers of slow food and ancient-strains, such as myself, they are a Dionysian dream, rivaling the grape in their wine-making potential and the pomegranate, in cancer-fighting juice.

xox dr millie lytle nd
original post can be found at www.notfarfromthetree.org

hello fruit fans.  let’s congratulate ‘not-far-from-the-tree’, a Toronto special starring fellow-Sackville-native, Laura Reinsborough and her fab team of volunteers as they kick off their second season of scouring Toronto for urban delectables with a big bang!  follow me as I write a seasonal column on the health properties of Toronto’s abundance of free fruit!

http://www.notfarfromthetree.org/

check out my first post on Serviceberries:

Serviceberries, of the Amelanchier spp., are indigenous to most every part of Canada and the US, possibly putting ‘Saskatoon’ on the map. Other colloquial names refer to their seasonal availability, such as juneberry.

From slightly tart to nutty sweet, these nutritious delicacies are used to flavour Native American Pemmican. They and appear just as the shad run, hence another name: shadbush.

Because of their dark red-blue-black colorings the ripe berries are jam-packed with proantho-antioxidants. Doctrine of signatures from Chinese as well as Iroquois herbal traditions place them among the blood-building kind due to their dark colors, especially for nourishing mom after childbirth. Phenolic acids have been isolated from European Juneberries unveiling the health benefits of these dark little berries, providing a mechanism for positively affecting blood pressure and blood circulation.

Careful eating them before harvest, as they may induce vomiting when unripe, a popular use for them in 18 and 19th century Europe.

xox dr millie lytle nd

Check out this intresting article on vaccines, and what a former vaccine and drug regulator has to say about it…

Shiv Chopra, former Health Canada Scientist on the Vaccine and Antibiotic Controversy

by Helke Ferrie

http://www.vitalitymagazine.com/apr_08_helke

xox dr millie lytle nd

i miss you and although plans to continue the blog are still on the side plate of the ol’brainio, currently she is active on twitter, milliesays follow me there.

one tidbit: once the baby is born, it is extemely important to keep nutrition levels high, sky higher than they’ve ever been in order to protect nervous system (post partum depression, insomnia), and endocrine system (hair loss, sluggish adrenals, low thyroid function).   particularly it is extremely important to replenish iron stores in a big way.  a favorite post partum tonic are nettle and alfalfa, and made by several companies, but also bone marrow soups, liver, and a daily tablespoon of blackstrap molasses are all a good idea to keep stores up.  iron also comes in capsules, bound to citrate and chelate, which will constipate less than the ferrous gluconate.  when iron is taken with vitamin C it is better absorbed, as long as it is taken regularly will work, dessicated liver is also an option.  with any luck, keeping iron and B12 levels and the full compliment of nutrition post partum will protect the adrenals and thyroid against stress, especially during the intense times of 3am feedings, lack of sleep, physical recovery.

xox dr millie lytle nd

Thanks to Jacinta Doyle for her humourous and thoughtful poem:

Enlightenment

Millie stayed in school, just so she could study the stool

She talked about door #2 and then told us to go and have a good pooh

She said take a look at your pouch,

For God’s sake get off the couch

She told us, as you leave your gate, for Heaven’s Sake stand up straight

She said to get out of your rut get off your butt

She said quit being an owl, and start eating some organic fowl

She told us to pick up the pace; she she did it with such grace

She said you better drink your water

If you want to be a thin bride, at the alter

We learned we could have a piece pf pie, but not all,

or she’d give us the evil eye

We learned we could go to the bar and have a malt,

even talk about kosher salt

We learned about beans, so we could all be lean

We learned about the fart, which made us all smart

We learned about fiddleheads, so we were no longer bubbleheads

She got right down and talked about the itchy ass,

But you know Millie, she did with class

But, when she took to the floor [and demonstrated "plank" position]

We knew then miss Millie could do no more.