PCMC (Pacific Complementary Medicine Center) Blog

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Forks Over Knives DVD Available Soon

Coming in September to the PCMC Herb Store is the Forks Over Knives DVD at a 10% discount for our patients.

Come see the free showings in September (14 and 28; see prior blog post to register), then buy the film for your friends and family. It may lead to improvements in the health of everyone close to you, because as film critic Roger Ebert stated in his review for the Chicago Sun-Times, this is "a film that can save your life."

Or maybe you need convincing that switching to a whole-foods, plant-based diet is ultimately more beneficial to your health than sticking with the average Western diet consisting of large portions of processed foods and animal products. The information and data may just shock you.

So look for the Forks Over Knives DVD at the Herb Store in a few short weeks.

For more information on Forks Over Knives, check out previous articles on our blog, or visit the film's website at http://www.forksoverknives.com/

For more information on our upcoming free showings at PCMC, click here.

To fill out the registration form to see the free showings, click here

Monday, August 22, 2011

Registration Form (for Forks Over Knives at PCMC)

If you are interested in attending a free showing of Forks Over Knives (see previous post for more information) at the Pacific Complementary Medicine Center Seminar Room, please fill out the form below. If possible, indicate if your guest is a patient at PCMC by placing a "y" (for yes) or "n" (for no) after his/her name.

We hope to see you there!

EmailMeForm

Full Name *
Are you a patient at PCMC? *

Yes

No
Which showing do you plan to attend? *

September 28, 1 PM -
2:45 PM

September 28, 5 PM -
6:45 PM

NOTE: Sept. 14 shows are full
How many seats would you like to reserve? *

1

2

3

NOTE: As seating is limited, please only reserve seats for guests you are certain will attend.
What are the names of your guests?

<br />
Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code Country
Phone Number

### - ### -
####
Email

EMF Web Form

Report Abuse

If you're having trouble submitting this form, register at this address: http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/spfgMWRe0bC5ar09KeNLc3ad

Monday, August 15, 2011

Forks Over Knives September showings at PCMC

Yi-po Anthony Wu, M.D., M.P.H. invites you to

Free Showings of Forks over Knives

“A film that can save your life” – Film critic Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

For: Our patients, their families and friends

The respective works of Dr. T. Colin Campbell

(right), author of The China Study, and

Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn (left), author of

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, provide

a basis for the narrative of Forks over Knives.

When: 1 p.m.–2:45 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. on September 14 and 28.

What is Forks over Knives about ?

This documentary film follows the career paths of Drs. T. Colin Campbell and Caldwell B. Esselstyn and their research conclusion that most degenerative diseases (including heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s) can be prevented or even reversed by adopting a whole-foods, plant-based diet in place of the standard American diet.

Where: PCMC Seminar Room, 645 W. Harding Way, Stockton, CA 95204

Seating is limited so please RSVP at (209) 464-4800 or via

email at pcmc@wuway.com to reserve seat(s)

Dr. Yi-po Anthony Wu and Dr. Teresa M. Chen will be available for Q & A after each show

A chart from the film depicting an increase in cancer and

heart disease deaths (red) around the world as the

amount of calories from animal food (green) increases.

A digital copy of our Forks Over Knives flyer

Dates to remember

To download the PDF version of the flyer, follow this link http://www.mediafire.com/?yf3pa0z0qwmbkgy

Special thanks to Monica Beach Media and Virgil Films for their kindness and help in allowing us to put on these showings for our patients.

Monday, July 25, 2011

To Eat Or Not To Eat: Pesticide Residue in Produce

The "Dirty Dozen" displayed in a graphic
using an Old West motif.

The new version of the list known as the “Dirty Dozen” from the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) has sparked a debate on the safety of our fruits and vegetables. The “Dirty Dozen” is a list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that were found to contain the highest levels of pesticide residue. They are: apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines (imported), grapes (imported), sweet bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries (domestic), lettuce, and kale/collard greens. Apples were this year’s number one, or “dirtiest” produce item, with 97.8% testing positive for pesticides.

[On the opposite side, the "Clean 15" were found to be: onions, sweet corn, pineapples, avocado, asparagus, sweet peas, mangoes, eggplant, cantaloupe (domestic), kiwi, cabbage, watermelon, sweet potatoes, grapefruit, and mushrooms.]
Recent studies have found that children exposed to pesticides through food were at a higher risk of being diagnosed with ADHD. (2) (3) Another study found that children had lower IQs compared to their peers when their pregnant mothers were exposed to pesticides. (4)

A spokesperson for EWG stated that exposure to pesticides can be reduced by up to 80 percent if one makes it a point to purchase organic forms of fruits and vegetables, including those listed among the Dirty Dozen. However it's important to maintain a diet full of fruits and vegetables; whether you purchase organic or not, not even the risk of pesticide residue should prevent you from getting your daily fill.

So don’t let the thought of pesticides stop you from enjoying a fresh salad or a farmers market this summer. Just be sure to purchase organic produce if possible, and always remember to wash them thoroughly in water and peel off the outer layer before using. (Note: Never use soap, as this may lead to gastrointestinal upset)

Key Quote:

"One of the best things you can do for yourself, your family, and your community is to eat local and organic whenever possible. Organic farmers must adhere to strict rules regarding pesticide and fertilizer use (only organic, natural ones are allowed)." -- From The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Clean (Penguin Group, 2009; Chapter 5: How Clean Can You Be?, page 55) by Diane A. Welland, M.S., R.D.

Tips from the Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/food/tips.htm

Source Links:

1. http://articles.cnn.com/2010-06-01/health/dirty.dozen.produce.pesticide_1_pesticide-residue-pesticide-tests-fruits-and-vegetables?_s=PM:HEALTH

2. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/multimedia/video/2010/adhdpesticide/

3. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/16/science/la-sci-pesticides-20100517

4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/23/pesticides-pregnancy_n_852785.html

5. http://www.latimes.com/health/ct-x-0622-health-pesticide-tips-20110622,0,76994.story
6. http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

7. http://www.latimes.com/health/ct-x-0622-health-pesticide-20110622,0,6385683.story

8. http://www.bestfoodfacts.org/main/food_for_thought/0/42
9. http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/20932
10. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?pfriendly=1&tname=george&dbid=99

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Caution Necessary During Grilling Season

Several respected sources, including Harvard Medical School and U.C. Davis Cancer Center, are linking the consumption of well-done meats to cancer. In the late 1970s, researchers discovered that cooking meats at high temperatures causes a chemical reaction between amino acids and creatine; this produces carcinogens known as heterocyclic amines, or HCAs.

Studies conducted on meats revealed that the longer the meats cooked, the higher the concentration of PhIP, a potent carcinogen which was shown to have caused prostate cancer in rats. Surprisingly, among the meats tested (chicken, steak and hamburger), chicken had by far the greatest concentration of PhIP throughout each phase of the cooking process.

To decrease the chance of consuming carcinogenic meat, there are many methods to eliminate the issue of HCAs. 95% of HCAs can be removed by partially cooking the meat in a microwave oven and discarding the juice before grilling.

By similar time and temperature consideration, the feisui process in Chinese cooking – paraboiling meat and soup bones for 5-10 minutes in boiling water and then dumping the liquid – would also reduce HCAs. It’s likely that few, if any, HCAs are formed in soup-making. If you’re really worried about carcinogens, maybe consuming soup or grilling vegetables are the best solutions.

U.C. Davis researchers recommend cooking chicken to an internal temperature between 165° F to 180° F; ground beef, pork and lamb to about 160° and 170°; and beef steaks and roasts to 145° to 160°. Their minimum recommendations fall directly in line with the USDA’s safe recommended internal temperatures found at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/is_it_done_yet/

Follow the tips and your grilled food should be safe to eat! Have a wonderful 4th of July!

Sources:
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/synthesis/issues/spring_07/features/in_translation.html
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/cancer-risk-from-bbq-meat?print=1
http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2009/04/charred-meat-increases-cancer-risk-burned-meat-carcinogens-.html
http://www.foodrevolution.org/askjohn/34.htmhttp://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110614/FEAT05/106140326/Ready-grill?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cp
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/20/cue-up-smart-grillin
http://www.easttexasreview.com/2011/06/keep-cancer-off-the-bbq-grill/
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2785336/are_grilled_vegetables_healthy.html

This information in a newsletter print-out:

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Forks Over Knives videos (Opens June 10 in Manteca)

Just a quick reminder that Forks Over Knives will start screening in Manteca at Showplace Manteca 16* this upcoming Friday, June 10th.

Forks Over Knives is a documentary that examines the conclusions of Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn that switching to a plant-based diet can prevent (or reverse) many degenerative diseases from occurring. According to film critic Roger Ebert, this is "a film that can save your life."

Embedded below are two videos; the top video is the official trailer, and the bottom one is a video of the filmmakers discussing the project.

Beginning July 1st, Forks Over Knives will start screening at Sacramento's Crest Theater.

*Showplace Manteca 16 (AMC) is located at 848 Lifestyle Street, Manteca, CA 95336

UPDATE (6/13): According to Showplace Manteca employees, Forks Over Knives is only expected to remain in Manteca for a week after its opening, which would tentatively mark Thursday, June 16th as the final day. Check showtimes to be certain.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Exercise with diet

We spend a lot of time recommending which foods to consume and which foods to avoid in developing a healthier lifestyle. In our recommendations we point to the studies done by T. Colin Campbell and Caldwell B. Esselstyn as proof that plant-based diets are a key component in improving your health

However, even though Dr. Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn spend the majority of their books suggesting the best foods to consume, it should not be assumed that they believe that only a healthy diet is enough. If their lifestyles are any indication, they believe a healthy diet should be complemented with regular exercise for the best results. Although both men are in their late-70s, Campbell continues to run to stay in shape, and Esselstyn, a former Olympic rowing champion, still lifts weights, swims a mile every day, and bikes. Even Esselstyn's wife, Ann, runs, weight trains and practices yoga.

If there's more to be learned from these three it's that it's never too late to start exercising. Whether you're in your 30s or your 70s, it's important to stay active. The key is finding forms of exerise fit for your present physical conditions. Consult a professional in determining what kind of exercise is best for your current physical state.

Staying persistent is the key. Do whatever it takes to motivate you to continue exercising. Set goals and challenges for yourself (once again, never do more than your health permits you). Pair up with an exercise partner to motivate each other.

Like Dr. Esselstyn says, you are in control.