17 replies to this topic

[tdot]

So I do alot or research, over the internet, in books and magazines. Recently I have been reading alot about the dangers of using a microwave. Apparently microwaving your food actually depletes the nutrition in it to almost nil. And I guess it alters the molecular structure of the food. I bought the book that Kevin Trudeau wrote "Natural Cures "They" Dont want you to know about".... I usually dont buy things I see on TV but I was flipping through the book at the book store and he actually lists ilnesses and diseases and the natural ways of treating them in chart form. I found the column for acne and he talks about how we need to do a candida cleans and a few other cleanses like liver and gall baldder and a few other treatments I dont remember what they are now but they sounded exactly like the treatments we have been using successfully on this board for a while now. So this was pretty convincing to me... He also talks about things like flouride and how awful it is, chlorinated water and it's effects, how great organic food is, using glass instead of plastic... and that's just a few. Anyway, he talks about how he believes that microwave ovens can contribute to causing cancer because of how it alters the food. This really freaked me out. I have actually thought about trying to stop using the microwave for a while now, but it's hard because I bring my lunches to work and I need to heat them up some how. And when I have frozen meat I need to unthaw it... So I dont know what I am going to do but I would love to stop using it. What do you guys think of all of this?

[GodsMistake]

I think its scary.. but common sense tells me defrosting chicken in a stone plate doesn't cause any harm... but vegetables I think are another story, especially broccoli. So I guess people should atleast avoid plastic trays and avoid microwaving veggies.

[IPA]

I doubt it's that big of a deal. Maybe if you're sticking your stomach in it while it's running it may be a problem. But if you're microwaving your food do you generally think you're eating healthy food anyways?

[tdot]

The thing is though... once microwaved... food isnt the same anymore. It alters it and I wouldnt consider it "healthy" if all the nutrients have been zapped out if it.

[AlexGF]

yeah if you microwave rice, it will turn into a hideous monster that will eat you alive from inside.
c'mon.. if it alters nutrient's food it wouldn't taste the same or look the same
protein will still be protein, carbs and fats same. but don't put veggies on microwave since heat does cause nutrients loss
and why worry only about microwave? honestly nowadays EVERYTHING is unsafe
the air, cellphones, food, etc etc etc. what are you going to do? live in a cave for the rest of your life?

[tdot]

RUSSIANS BAN MICROWAVE OVENS

After the World War II, the Russians also experimented with MICROWAVE ovens. From 1957 up to recently, their research has been carried out mainly at the Institute of Radio Technology at Klinsk, Byelorussia. According to US researcher William Kopp, who gathered much of the results of Russian and German research - and was apparently prosecuted for doing so (J. Nat. Sci, 1998; 1:42-3) - the following effects were observed by Russian forensic teams:

1. Heating prepared meats in a MICROWAVE sufficiently for human consumption created:
* d-Nitrosodiethanolamine (a well-known cancer-causing agent)
* Destabilization of active protein biomolecular compounds
* Creation of a binding effect to radioactivity in the atmosphere
* Creation of cancer-causing agents within protein-hydrosylate compounds in milk and cereal grains;
2. MICROWAVE emissions also caused alteration in the catabolic (breakdown) behavior of glucoside - and galactoside - elements within frozen fruits when thawed in this way;
3. Microwaves altered catabolic behavior of plant-alkaloids when raw, cooked or frozen vegetables were exposed for even very short periods;
4. Cancer-causing free radicals were formed within certain trace-mineral molecular formations in plant substances, especially in raw root vegetables;
5. Ingestion of micro-waved foods caused a higher percentage of cancerous cells in blood;
6. Due to chemical alterations within food substances, malfunctions occurred in the lymphatic system, causing degeneration of the immune system=s capacity to protect itself against cancerous growth;
7. The unstable catabolism of micro-waved foods altered their elemental food substances, leading to disorders in the digestive system;
8. Those ingesting micro-waved foods showed a statistically higher incidence of stomach and intestinal cancers, plus a general degeneration of peripheral cellular tissues with a gradual breakdown of digestive and excretory system function;
9. MICROWAVE exposure caused significant decreases in the nutritional value of all foods studied, particularly:
* A decrease in the bioavailability of B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, essential minerals and lipotrophics
* Destruction of the nutritional value of nucleoproteins in meats
* Lowering of the metabolic activity of alkaloids, glucosides, galactosides and nitrilosides (all basic plant substances in fruits and vegetables)
* Marked acceleration of structural disintegration in all foods.

As a result MICROWAVE ovens were banned in Russia in 1976; the ban was lifted after Perestroika.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Standing in front of a MICROWAVE is also highly damaging to your health. Perhaps you have already felt this intuitively? We know that cells explode in the MICROWAVE - just fry an egg in your microwave. We are made up of trillions of cells. So work out how many are getting damaged if you stand in front of your MICROWAVE for 5-10 minutes.

[alternativista]

I'm very skeptical about the whole microwaves are evil thing because of all the ridiculous scare tactic claims. Like they were invented by the Nazis. Also all the talk about radiation that shows no understanding of the nature of energy and radiation. Still I tend to use another cooking method if it's just as easy.

Reheating technique as alternative to microwaving for those concerned:
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...t&p=2356801

Won't help you at work though. Just try not to use plastics. Look for corelle and pyrex glass dishes. I'm actually more concerned about plastic and other things like aluminum that can leech into food. Use glass and stainless steel as much as possible.

For defrosting, you can put things in a little warm water. Or just remember to get things out of the freezer earlier. Or, buy a Nathan's stove top grill/griddle. As seen on TV, things defrost very quickly because it conducts the cold away from the food. I do believe it's made of aluminum though. Anodized aluminum probably, which is supposed to be less reactive, but who knows.

[tdot]

Reheating technique as alternative to microwaving:
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...t&p=2356801

Won't help you at work though. At least try not to use plastics. Look for corelle and pyrex glass dishes. I'm actually more concerned about plastic and other things like aluminum that can leech into food so use glass and stainless steel as much as possible.

I'm a little skeptical about the whole microwaves are evil thing because of the many ridiculous scare tactic claims. Like they were invented by the Nazis. Still I tend to use another cooking method.

For defrosting, you can put things in a little warm water. Or just remember to get things out of the freezer earlier. Or, buy a Nathan's stove top grill/griddle. As seen on TV, things defrost very quickly because it conducts the cold away from the food. I do believe it's made of aluminum though. Anodized aluminum probably, which is supposed to be less reactive, but who knows.

Thanks So does this mean that cooking foods in aluminum foil is not good?? I cook my fish on the BBQ wrapped in aluminum foil.
Yeah I need to buy some more glass containers.... And maybe make more salads to bring to work so I dont have to heat anything.

[alternativista]

Thanks So does this mean that cooking foods in aluminum foil is not good?? I cook my fish on the BBQ wrapped in aluminum foil.

Yeah, especially with an acidic food like tomatoes and citrus. I still use foil to line pans in the broiler so I try to avoid aluminum elsewhere. I believe you are supposed to put the food on the dull side.

One way to cook fish on the BBQ is to place it on a bed of something like lemon slices. I've never tried it, but it looks really pretty in the pictures I've seen in magazines. Cedar planks for grilling are becoming commonly available. I've seen them in ordinary supermarkets.

[hipster23]

Here's a well-documented, well-researched, unprevaricated assay on whether or not microwaves are dangerous: http://home.lewiscounty.com/~georgie/micro/microall.html

I suggest you read it all if you are truly concerned.
(Basic summary: microwaves are generally safe. The assertions listed above are unsubstantiated.)

[deGuru]

of course using microwaves are bad, its radiation....

In moderation its ok, like popcorn every second week but if ur eating diner from a microwave.....

[blackbirdbeatle]

of course using microwaves are bad, its radiation....

In moderation its ok, like popcorn every second week but if ur eating diner from a microwave.....

I don't think you understand what microwaves actually do. It's not like you are exposing food to a gamma machine and then the food is filled fith gamma rays and we get cancer by eating it. microwaves make water, fat, etc... molecules vibrate faster. That is all. microwaves are non-ionizing. This means that there aren't the cancer risks of things like x-rays.

This whole thread is silly. Justin Trudeau is about the last person I want nutritional advice from. That's great that he believes that microwaves decrease nutrient value to nothing. I'm going to lose a lot of sleep becuase a man whose father is one of the most loved/hated politicians in Canadian history was able to write/publish a book he isn't qualified to write based on his last name.

Any form of cooking decreases nutrient value. Some organic food is the same as regular food. Organic doesn't mean that the soil all of a sudden has tons of minerals, and therefore more nutritious food. All it means is that there is no GMO, no synthetic pesticides, and a few other things. And it's found that many natural pesticides are more harmful than synthetic ones. Synthetic doesn't mean bad.

Addressing plastics, there are plastics that don't leech and are just as safe as glass/ceramic. They don't all ahve BPA and things like that.

[tdot]

of course using microwaves are bad, its radiation....

In moderation its ok, like popcorn every second week but if ur eating diner from a microwave.....

I don't think you understand what microwaves actually do. It's not like you are exposing food to a gamma machine and then the food is filled fith gamma rays and we get cancer by eating it. microwaves make water, fat, etc... molecules vibrate faster. That is all. microwaves are non-ionizing. This means that there aren't the cancer risks of things like x-rays.

This whole thread is silly. Justin Trudeau is about the last person I want nutritional advice from. That's great that he believes that microwaves decrease nutrient value to nothing. I'm going to lose a lot of sleep becuase a man whose father is one of the most loved/hated politicians in Canadian history was able to write/publish a book he isn't qualified to write based on his last name.

Any form of cooking decreases nutrient value. Some organic food is the same as regular food. Organic doesn't mean that the soil all of a sudden has tons of minerals, and therefore more nutritious food. All it means is that there is no GMO, no synthetic pesticides, and a few other things. And it's found that many natural pesticides are more harmful than synthetic ones. Synthetic doesn't mean bad.

Addressing plastics, there are plastics that don't leech and are just as safe as glass/ceramic. They don't all ahve BPA and things like that.

I am totally open to other ideas... it's nice to hear this from you... I just get scared sometimes because of the things I read. I get overwhelmed... This is why I post here, to get advice and to bounce around ideas... I dont think it's a silly thread.

[blackbirdbeatle]

I am totally open to other ideas... it's nice to hear this from you... I just get scared sometimes because of the things I read. I get overwhelmed... This is why I post here, to get advice and to bounce around ideas... I dont think it's a silly thread.

Okay I'm sorry for saying the thread is silly but it will attract a lot of misinformed people that want to believe that something alternative is the answer becuase they haven't found one yet. It's also nice to root for David every once in a while.

I grew up in a rural area in Canada and I know first hand what some of the common natural pesticides do. My aunt is an free range rancher and my other uncle an organic farmer. You won't hear it from them but they make far more money being organic and I think this is a large reason why they do it. Compare it to the safer pesticides used with my non organic relatives and it's not a clear cut victory for the organic side. More importanatly, it's what they do with the soil that matter most nutritionally. The tiny amount of pesticide residue, organic or otherwise, concerns me far less than the decreasing nutritional content in all modern food (Becuase of the minerals in the soil). I have good friends that are organic fruit farmers in BC and they sometimes wish they could use syntheitc pesticides becuase they are safer.

Microwaves aren't the greatest when compared to steaming but it's better than boiling in terms of nutrient's saved as well as grilling and many other methods. If you eat certain meats like bacon it's far healthier to cook it in the microwave becuase it doesn't form many of the cancerous byproducts when bacon is cooked high and fast and burned.

If you aren't from Canada just please note that Mr. Trudeau isn't an expert in anything nutritional, alternative, or medical. He read some things like we do here and got help with a ghost writer to complete his book. He understood that he could sell a lot of books becuase of who his dad was and it's a big fad to go alternative. It's like the pop psychology craze.

[tdot]

I am totally open to other ideas... it's nice to hear this from you... I just get scared sometimes because of the things I read. I get overwhelmed... This is why I post here, to get advice and to bounce around ideas... I dont think it's a silly thread.

Okay I'm sorry for saying the thread is silly but it will attract a lot of misinformed people that want to believe that something alternative is the answer becuase they haven't found one yet. It's also nice to root for David every once in a while.

I grew up in a rural area in Canada and I know first hand what some of the common natural pesticides do. My aunt is an free range rancher and my other uncle an organic farmer. You won't hear it from them but they make far more money being organic and I think this is a large reason why they do it. Compare it to the safer pesticides used with my non organic relatives and it's not a clear cut victory for the organic side. More importanatly, it's what they do with the soil that matter most nutritionally. The tiny amount of pesticide residue, organic or otherwise, concerns me far less than the decreasing nutritional content in all modern food (Becuase of the minerals in the soil). I have good friends that are organic fruit farmers in BC and they sometimes wish they could use syntheitc pesticides becuase they are safer.

Microwaves aren't the greatest when compared to steaming but it's better than boiling in terms of nutrient's saved as well as grilling and many other methods. If you eat certain meats like bacon it's far healthier to cook it in the microwave becuase it doesn't form many of the cancerous byproducts when bacon is cooked high and fast and burned.

If you aren't from Canada just please note that Mr. Trudeau isn't an expert in anything nutritional, alternative, or medical. He read some things like we do here and got help with a ghost writer to complete his book. He understood that he could sell a lot of books becuase of who his dad was and it's a big fad to go alternative. It's like the pop psychology craze.

Can you explain why synthetic pestisides are safer? Like why is organic not good?? I am confused... What is IN both kinds of pesticides exaclty?? I thought with organic you werent allowed to use any kind of pesticides?

I do live in Canada I am Calgarian, but was born in Saskatoon. Where you from?
I guess when I read Mr. Trudeau's book, it seemed pretty legit because he mentions alot of the things we talk about here. And the cures he talks about for some common health problems have been talked about on here. I guess that's why I took his advice to heart. He seems to have a lot of good ideas towards being healthy. He mentions Dr. Mercola alot, and I really like Dr. Mercola I am on his site quite a bit lately.

Anyway... yeah that's why I was getting all worked up about microwaves. There is so much information out there... I dont know who to believe anymore!!

[anon2]

that is an interesting concept. I really want to read this book for myself too. At this point you never know what to believe. I really like your avatar sailor jupiter!

[tdot]

that is an interesting concept. I really want to read this book for myself too. At this point you never know what to believe. I really like your avatar sailor jupiter!

Yeah it's an interesting read.... but I dont know who or what to believe anymore either .
Hehehe thanks EyesLikeMine I used to watch Sailor Moon everyday, now I cant find it on TV anymore hahaha, but I was obsessed with it. I even made Sailor Moon's wand out of toilet paper rolls when I was 13 LOL, and spend hours trying to draw all the characters.

[alternativista]

of course using microwaves are bad, its radiation....

Radiation is how energy travels. All energy--Light, heat, radio, infrared, etc. microwaves are near the opposite end of the spectrum from the dangerous forms of radiation.

The biggest reason microwaves may be an inferior method of cooking is that they cook so unevenly and because of the tendency to use plastic in them.