Should we buy food with health claims on the label?

These days, we are seeing more and more health claims that go beyond the usual. These include “trans fat-free,” “gluten-free,” “heart healthy,” and foods spiked with vitamins, such as my new favorite: Diet Coke Plus, with vitamins and minerals.

We see whole-grain Pop Tarts and Tyson chicken with misleading labels such as “raised without antibiotics.” We see natural sweeteners called Sweet Fiber. We see whole-grain Cheerios that are still full of sugar.

Now you can get “health food” like salads at McDonald’s, but with salad dressings that have more calories than a Big Mac.

And we also see antioxidant-spiked junk food and ginkgo-spiked energy drinks.

What should we make of all these marketing claims? Do they provide any benefit?

Welcome to Week Five of our journey to UltraWellness.

This week I'll show you how the small molecules that help keep your body in balance may have gone haywire and are causing your current health problems.

**Remember, I will be launching an entire video course on the 7 keys to UltraWellness starting tomorrow, Thursday, March 8th.  To sign up for that now, go to website below:

==> http://www.ultrawellness.com/p?i=8

Last week, you learned how keeping your gut and digestive system healthy can clear up many problems you might be having. That's an important key to UltraWellness, but we still have a long way to go.

On to this week's topic:  your hormone and neurotransmitter systems.

Here is the next installment in the 7-week blog series "The 7 Keys to UltraWellness".

Are you ready to start feeling healthier and more vibrant than ever before?

Let's get started!

Last week, I explained how our current model of medicine ignores the real causes of disease and the true sources of good health.

Starting today, I'm going to be identifying the 7 roots of illness -- and giving you the 7 keys you need to unlock UltraWellness.

Remember, I will be launching an entire video course on the 7 keys to UltraWellness starting at the end of the month.  To sign up for that now, go to website below now:

==> http://www.ultrawellness.com/p?i=4

This week, you'll discover a root of illness that's so common that many doctors overlook it.

Medicine doesn't just come in pills.

In many cases, it's as close as your fork or your spoon.

That's right. Your meals can be powerful medicine -- if you eat the right kinds of foods.

Today, I'd like to tell you about my recent trip to China. While there, I was reminded of how the Chinese view the medicinal properties of food -- and the lessons we can learn from this approach.

The Chinese view of food as medicine is evident in their language: Their word for eating is comprised of two characters: chi fan, or "eat rice." 

The word for taking medicine is chi yao, or "eat medicine."

Food contributes taste, texture, delight, energy, and nourishment.  In China, food is all that -- AND a source of medicinal healing compounds to support well-being and health. 

That's because the Chinese recognize that the nutritional value of food goes beyond calories.

Are you eating food that's bad for you just because it costs less?

That's an excuse I hear often -- and I'll admit there's some truth to it.

The issues behind our economy and why some foods cost less than others are complex, but I'll try to simplify it here.

There are two main points to remember:

First, the true cost of unhealthy food isn't just the price tag -- in fact, the real costs are hidden.

(More on that in a just a minute.)

Second, eating healthy doesn't have to cost more.

Sure, it seems cheaper to eat a burger, fries, and a soda from McDonald's than to eat a meal of whole foods. 

But there are healthier options.

I will give you suggestions to help you eat well for less -- and save you money and suffering.  You are not destined to be fat if you are poor!