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Dear Dr. Oppitz,
What is your opinion on the use
of microwave ovens?
Curious in Billings
This is a great questions considering over
90% of American homes contain a microwave oven.
Microwaves are high frequency electromagnetic waves that alternate in
positive and negative directions causing vibration of food molecules up to
2.5 billion times per second. This
creates friction and heat that can destroy or deform the fragile molecules
in the food. All heating methods
diminish the nutritional value to some extent; however, microwave heating
produces the greatest losses. A
study published in the November 2003 issue of The Journal of the Science
of Food and Agriculture found that broccoli heated in the microwave
lost up to 97% of the antioxidants it contains, while steamed broccoli lost
less than 11% of its antioxidants.
Besides the loss of nutrients, microwaving forms new compounds (radiolytic compounds) that are unknown to humans and
nature. It is also unknown what
these compounds do in the human body.
Microwave heated food may also cause pathological changes in your
body. Once a food’s structure is
altered, it cannot perform the desired function in your body. Clinical studies show that microwave
heating of milk or cooking of vegetables is associated with a decline in
hemoglobin levels. Dr. Hans Hertel, a Swiss food scientist, studied the effects microwaved nutrients have on the blood and physiology
of the human body: increased white
blood cells, decreased red blood cells, increased cholesterol, and decreased
hemoglobin levels.
Breastmilk and baby formula should NEVER be
warmed in the microwave. This
statement is widely endorsed by various institutions and
organizations. Heating either breastmilk or formula causes changes in the milk and
loss of vitamins. Breastmilk also loses its immune boosting
properties. According to Dr. Lita Lee as reported in The Lancet: “Microwaving baby formulas converted
certain trans-amino acids into their synthetic cis-isomers. Synthetic isomers, whether cis-amino acids or trans-fatty acids, are not
biologically active. Further, one of
the amino acids, L-proline, was converted to its
d-isomer, which is known to be neurotoxic and nephrotoxic.”
Though microwaving food is a quick alternative, its destructive and
depleting effects on food quality are risky at best. If you choose to continue using a
microwave, always place the food in a glass container, as carcinogenic
toxins can be leached from plastic and paper plates (even when used as
covers) and mix with your food. Never
overcook your food.
Remember, you have options.
Food provides our bodies with the energy and nutrition we need to
thrive. Careful and thoughtful food
preparation is a healthy alternative to that quick-fix meal. Spending a little more time will dramatically
enhance the value of the food you consume.
Yellowstone Naturopathic
Clinic
720 N. 30th St.
Billings, MT 59101
PHONE 406·259·5096/FAX 406·248·5655
ync@180com.net
Dispensary
406·254·9682
dispensary@yncnaturally.com
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