Martek life's DHA supplements ARE NOT VEGETARIAN

Have already written about how vital DHA omega-3s are, and how vegetarians would have difficulty obtaining enough of this essential fatty acid (efa).

At first glance, Martek's life's DHA supplements would seem to be a great answer to the dearth of vegetarian sources of DHA. A single capsule contains a day's worth of DHA. And the company makes a point of how their DHA is vegetarian sourced (from marine algae).

However, Martek has chosen to encapsulate their supplements using gelatin capsules (also containing glycerine). [Gelatin and glycerine are listed in the "Other Ingredients" section.] So, basically they're catering to people who either aren't fond of fish, or who don't want the mercury that often accompanies fish. The vegetarians and vegans get screwed again.

Great.

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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

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The Vegetarian Diaries + Biologeel.

Ending toothbrushing once and for all

The title 'sounds' gross, but this is actually quite interesting research. At group of British scientists have been working on alternative methods to toothbrushing.

One method, the more developed one, involved using a mouthwash to introduce antibacterial agents into the mouth where they will insert themselves into bacteria which cause plaque--and only those bacteria (not 'friendly bacteria'). Then, when exposed to bright light, the agents will activate and kill the bacteria in which they reside.

The other, more revolutionary, method is a way to regrow tooth enamel. Currently, tooth enamel stops being laid down after the tooth erupts from the gum, so once a tooth emerges the enamel has to be protected from acid (which comes from the bacterial plaque). A solution which contains proteins that encourage the growth of enamel are put onto teeth. The solution enters microscopic holes in the teeth, and draws calcium to the area to rebuild enamel and plug the gaps. Thus, tooth enamel can be regrown.

Now, what would be great is if a bacteria could be made that would: kill plaque-causing bacteria; eat plaque; counteract the plaque's acidity; be antiseptic (at least for 'bad bacteria'; regrow tooth enamel; and freshen breath (via excreting something mint flavored? hey, bacteria have to poop, too).

That would end the need for toothbrushing once and for all. The bacteria could be administered to newborns in both the developed and developing worlds, and those children would have their teeth protected. Adults could revitalize their teeth. And the effects of bad tooth hygiene such as tooth infections would be a thing of history.

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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Europe.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

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The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.
The Vegetarian Diaries + Biologeel.

Introduction to Biologeel

Have decided to rename this blog "The Vegetarian Diaries + Biologeel." The new section will cover biological news, such as in the fields of medicine--though not limited to just that.

Now, aware that many vegetarians and vegans oppose non-organic, especially genetically modified, foods, and that yet more oppose the use of animal research. While personally not so much an extreme fan of organic foods, in an ideal world, would personally oppose the use of animal testing, too.

Hopefully this is not off-putting to some vegetarian or vegan readers, and they'll be interested in the biological news--along with the vegetarian rants, which will of course keep coming.

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Top Amy's Kitchen frozen meals.

Yummy.
Mexican Casserole Bowl:

This small bowl has plenty of cheese, creamy beans, and light-tasting masa. Good for a snack or light meal.

Asian Noodle Stir-Fry:

A delectable little meal. Delicate rice noodles are complemented by a delicate ginger sauce accompanied by vegetables and tofu.

Brown Rice and Vegetables Bowl:

Although more strongly flavored than the Asian Noodle Stir-Fry, the brown rice and vegetables is hearty and acceptably seasoned.

Country Cheddar Bowl:

This scrumptious meal is Amy's Kitchen's 'upscale' macaroni and cheese, topped with vegetables, potatoes, and tofu.

Teriyaki Bowl:

As with the Asian Noodle Stir-Fry, the Teriyaki Bowl makes use of ginger to add sweetness and a little spice. Teriyaki sauce gives this meal a slightly more robust flavor to the refreshingly 'clean' tasting rice.

Vegetable Lasagna:

Also strongly flavored and hearty. The cheese is a bonus.

Cheese Pizza:

Cheesy with a slightly sweet sauce.

Margherita Pizza:

Tasty, with blobs of mozzarella and flecks of basil.

Mushroom and Olive Pizza:

Apparently an attempt to simulate a mushroom and sausage pizza, this pizza does not match its omnivore counterpart in taste (for vegetarians who used to be omnivores). Still worth eating, though.

Pesto Pizza:

With plenty of crunchy broccoli florets, this pizza is a bit on the watery side because of the tomatoes, but is still delicious without being too pungent.

Spinach Pizza:

In contrast to the above, the spinach pizza is pungent, with a heavy garlic taste. However, this pizza is a filling and delicious meal.

Decent Enough.
Ravioli Bowl
Tortilla Casserole and Black Beans Bowl
Bean and Cheese Burrito
Enchiladas:

The cheese and black bean and vegetable varieties.

Lasagnas:

The cheese and garden vegetable varieties.

Macaroni and Cheese
Roasted Vegetable Pizza:

No cheese or cheeze (soy cheese). Big no-no.

Chili and Cornbread Whole Meal

Downright Foul.
Thai Stir-Fry:

Isn't even a stir-fry.

Palak Paneer
Tamale Verde:

And tamales in general.

Pesto Bowl

These are opinions on some of the Amy's Kitchen meals that have eaten. The quesadilla meal with chocolate cake--which have not yet tried--seems great. You'd have to try to make quesadillas and cake taste bad.

And the link to Amy's Kitchen, so you can have a look yourself.

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Found this article interesting? Check out:
History: The Roadmap to the Future.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Africa.
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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

Or:

The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.

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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Asia.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Europe.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

Or:
The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.
The Vegetarian Diaries + Biologeel.

Is Food from Hemp (Cannabis) Safe to Eat?

Recently came into possession of a carton of hemp milk (akin to soymilk), and wondered whether or not all these hemp products which have proliferated in recent years in the food industry are safe to eat--that is whether or not consuming hemp foods would be narcotic or addictive or both. So, scrounged around on the Internet, and here's a bit of what have found from respectable sources.

For a short answer, it seems that hemp or cannabis foods are safe, but depends on which strain of hemp/cannabis is used. What gives marijuana its narcotic attributes is the chemical THC. Canadians growing industrial hemp are required to prove to the government that their crop has low levels of THC.

Pro-hemp sites seem to be fond of touting how all of the G7 big, developed countries except for the United States have legalized hemp/cannabis farming (Germany, the UK, and Canada only relatively recently). However, in other developed states, such as Australia, cannabis/hemp cultivation is illegal.

Chiefly, hemp foods are safe because they consider only minute amounts of THC. The indica subspecies of Cannabis sativa (hemp) is used for drugs. Other varieties seem to have much lower levels of THC in them. Thus, foods made from these other strains of the plant would not be that much of a threat.

A diet rich in hemp foods supposedly would still not put enough THC into a human's system to register on a drug test.

A comparison is made with poppy seeds, which contain trace amounts of opiates, but are obviously not considered a narcotic.

However, as a human who is reluctant to consume too much chocolate for that food's mildly narcotic traits, personally would be even more reluctant to eat hemp foods. But if you are willing to load up on cocoa and poppyseeds, there's little reason for you to abstain from hemp foods. They aren't dangerous nor would they be considered to be particularly narcotic. And they are chock full of ALA omega-3 essential fatty acids.



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History: The Roadmap to the Future.
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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

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The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.

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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Europe.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

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The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.
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Is Sensodyne Pronamel Vegetarian?

There's a new toothpaste product on the market called Sensodyne Pronamel which touts itself as a an especially effective way to counteract the demineralization caused from the consumption of acidic food and beverages.

But is it vegan or vegetarian? A quick look at their website--referenced in the link above--is not all that forthcoming. The FAQ section foregoes the usual part about ingredients and dietary issues and instead is primarily further advertisement of the benefits conferred by using their product.

To be fair, they do have a prominently placed link from which to contact them, but then they demand quite a bit of information. There is no kosher pareve or vegan/vegetarian symbol or note on the packaging of the toothpaste. So, it's fair to guess that the glycerin in the paste is animal sourced.

Which leads to the broader topic: the shifty nature of many food, drink, or other comestible companies in reporting the vegan or vegetarian status of their product. The demand is there from a sizable number of vegetarians, along with those with dietary restrictions on allergen or religious grounds. Yet companies to do not make a policy of stating vegetarian status--usually when their product is not vegetarian. If their product does not source from animals, they will readily label the packaging to make that clear. However, if they do use animals in the production, then they will hide this information.

Not only is that dishonorable, but it just makes being a vegetarian--much less a vegan--that much harder.



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Found this article interesting? Check out:
History: The Roadmap to the Future.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Africa.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Asia.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Europe.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

Or:

The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.

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History: The Roadmap to the Future.
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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Asia.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Europe.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

Or:
The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.
The Vegetarian Diaries + Biologeel.

Vegetarian Sources of DHA Omega-3.

From reducing the risk of cardiac arrest or strokes, to supporting vision, to preventing dementia, the benefits of consuming omega-3s are extraordinarily numerous. One form of omega-3, the long-chain omega-3 called DHA (for docosahexaenoic acid), is particularly important as it is a primary component of properly functional brain cells. The brain is largely fat (lipids) and water, and much of that fat is DHA. A sign of its value, DHA is found in high quantities in human milk.

And yet the largest sources of DHA omega-3s are from fish. Many of the remainder sources are from non-vegetarian animal products. Even bovine milk, which many vegetarians find ethical to consume, does not have much DHA--higher intelligence is not such a pressing issue for cattle. Egg yolks have some DHA, but there are often ethical issues about egg consumption for vegetarians--barring ovovegetarians, of course. There are many cases of eggs actually being fertilized and unborn chicks being discovered from eggs bought from the supermarket.

The most useful natural source of vegan DHA seems to be from marine algae, which is where fish get their high DHA content (the fish consume the DHA and it builds up in their bodies as the fish grow, similar to mercury buildup except beneficial). However, the amount of seaweed that would have to be eaten per week would be enormous. Additionally, ALA omega-3, a short-chain omega-3, can be converted by the body into DHA, although the conversion factor can be a measly 2%. So to obtain a single gram of DHA, you would have to eat around 50 grams of ALA.

Yet again, having a properly tuned body is extremely difficult for a vegetarian. DHA is one of those vital nutrients that vegetarians often do not receive from their diets. To help vegetarians obtain a moderate amount of DHA, here are some vegetarian (lactovegetarian) sources of DHA:

• Silk Soy Milk with DHA (around 32mg per cup).
  
• Horizon Milk with DHA (around 32 mg per cup).
  
• DEVA marine algae derived DHA capsules (vegan, 200 mg per capsule).
  
• Martek DHA products (amounts vary).
  
• Flax Seed Oil (ALA, take into account conversion factor could be as low as 2%).
  

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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Africa.
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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

Or:

The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.

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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Europe.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

Or:
The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.
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Words to Live Forever By: John 3:16.

wall. wall. wall. wall.

John 3:16 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)

"16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

wall. wall. wall. wall. wall. wall.

BibleGateway.com.

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Found this article interesting? Check out:
History: The Roadmap to the Future.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Africa.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Asia.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Europe.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

Or:

The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.

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Found this article interesting? Check out:
History: The Roadmap to the Future.
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History: The Roadmap to the Future--Asia.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Europe.
History: The Roadmap to the Future--Latin America.

Or:
The Science Fiction Channel + Technorium.
The Vegetarian Diaries + Biologeel.