St. Louis-based Monsanto announced recently that it is selling its posilac division that makes bovine growth hormone, also known as rBGH or rBST.

The Organic Consumers Association triumphed over the sale reporting that after 5 years of declining sales and several legal setbacks, Monsanto has decided to dump rBGH.

Monsanto insists that there's no problem with the product. But nationwide declining sales of rBGH injected milk and a growing number of consumers and dairy processors proof otherwise. Signs advertising "No artificial growth hormones used" can be found in dairy departments throughout the United States.

Due to consumer pressure, large retailers, dairies, and cafes, from Kroger to Publix and Safeway are selling milk free of artificial hormones. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and the European Union have banned rBGH because of its impacts on human and animal health. Starbucks has refused to purchase dairy from treated cows. Chipotle Mexican Grill, a McDonald’s spin-off, has banned rBST in its company stores.

Scientists say they have discovered that watermelons have a similar effect than the drug Viagra but without the negative side effects. Watermelons have an ingredient called citrulline which can cause the production of a compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels, similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra, said scientists based in Texas.

Citrulline is found in the flesh and the rind of the fruit and turns into arginine when it reacts with enzymes of the body.

Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, where the study took place, said watermelons might not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but theyt can be still helpful in dealing with erectile dysfunction problems.

From the cultures of the Amazon and Brazilian rainforests comes a small dark purple berry that’s been ranked as one of the new superfoods.

Açai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries, also known as cabbage palm berries, grow on the Acai Palm Tree and are related to the saw palmetto berries, and are extremely rich in antioxidants.

The acai berry is especially rich in the antioxidant properties by its concentration of anthocyanin, a colour purple antioxidant, also found in red wine that prevents oxidants from harming connective tissue while repairing damaged proteins in blood vessel walls. However, the dosage of anthocyanins in acai berries is 10-33 higher than in red wine.

The acai berry also contains 19 essential amino acids, two essential fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-9), calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, copper, zinc, vitamins A, C, E, a range of B vitamins, plus trace minerals, fibre, protein, and phytosterols beneficial for prostate and urinary tract health.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and plays an important role in blood clotting. Deficiency is Vitamin K can result in blood clotting and internal bleeding. Vitamin K helps the blood to coagulate or to become solid.

Vitamin K, unlike other fat-soluble vitamins, is not stored in the body. Therefore it is important to get it from food. Vitamin K also activates certain proteins which help calcium to build strong bones. It also even may keep calcium out of arteries and in the bones.

The two main forms of vitamin K are Vitamin K1 (phytonadione) and Vitamin K2 Vitamin K2 compounds (menaquinones). K1 is the natural form of vitamin K, which is found in plants, and provides the primary source (up to 90%) of vitamin K to humans through dietary consumption. Vitamin K2 is made by good bacteria in the human gut, and provides about 10% of the human vitamin K requirement.

Vitamin K1 is found in dark green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli. Cooking or freezing does not greatly alter the amount of the vitamin in the food. Vitamin K2 can be found in fermented foods.

Nuts are a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals. They are high in good fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help prevent heart disease, lower the bad LDL cholesterol and protect the good HDL cholesterol.

Nut-based beverages have become an increasingly popular alternative to dairy milk. Many people are lactose intolerant or allergic to the cows’ milk protein. Health-conscious consumer try to avoid the hormones and antibiotics found in the feed of cows, while others make ethical and environmental choices avoiding animal products all-together.

Nut and seed milk can be made from almost any kind of nut or seed.

Berries, small in size and vibrant in colour, are associated with amazing health benefits. They are packed with phytochemicals and flavonoids, as well as vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Eating a diet rich in blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries and strawberries may help to reduce the risk for certain cancers.

One cup of strawberries contains over 100 mg of vitamin C, almost as much as a cup of orange juice.

Raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, elderberry, blueberry and bilberry have been found to significantly inhibit H. pylori bacteria. Researchers believe that H. pylori is responsible for the majority of peptic ulcers.

Honey has been used as a natural remedy for thousands of years. Nature’s nutritious sweetener contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, and is also used to nourish skin and hair.

Honey is used topically as antiseptic to disinfect and speed the healing process in sore throats, wounds, ulcers scrapes and burns. Some of the healing proponents and antibacterial agents in honey are enzymes, antioxidants and flavonoids.

A spoonful of honey is more effective than cough syrup containing DM for children over 12 months old, according to Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Don't give honey-containing products to infants less than one year of age. Honey may contain certain spores and toxins that can cause infant botulism, a life-threatening disease. However, honey is considered safe for children over 12 months and adults.

A series of recent studies shows an interesting link between certain foods and drinks and the prevention of damage through the sun on our skin.

While reducing your exposure to the bright sun and wearing thin, long layered clothing are still the best choices to avoid skin damage and sun burns, there are a number of foods that can help to heal and restore. Just turn to your kitchen and feed your skin.

White, green and black tea, in particular with lemon, have been found to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Exposure to the harmful ultraviolet radiation UVB can cause free radical stress, which can lead to the development of wrinkles. The antioxidants in tea can help the skin the damaging effects of the sun.

Foods rich in lycopene and carotenoids, such as red tomatoes, green peppers, carrots, and onions provide some protection against skin cancer and help against prematurely aged skin. The micronutrient carotenoid is mostly found in dark yellow or red vegetables and fruits. By eating tomatoes, peppers, melons, fresh apples and pomegranates the carotenoids are distributed in the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. They help absorb the light, act as antioxidants and offer anti-inflammation from sunburn. Plus, they increase blood circulation and absorption of skin nutrition.

On April 8, 2008, the Harper Tories introduced Bill C-51 which would lead to more regulatory scrutiny of natural health products sold in Canada. The proposed legislation, if passed into law, will have a major impact on natural health in Canada and will restrict the choices Canadians currently have in regards to natural health products.

Many Canadians feel the bill will outlaw up to 60 per cent of natural health products currently sold in Canada, making many natural health products that have been sold in Canada for years unavailable for purchase and penalizing consumer who choose herbs or supplements for themselves and their children.

Vitamin D has been received much attention in recent months. While natural health practitioners have long integrated vitamin D in the treatment of certain health issues, the Canadian Cancer Society now recommends all Canadians to supplement with vitamin D during winter months.

Vitamin D is produced naturally by the body. People get most of their vitamin D from sunlight. After being exposed to adequate amounts of sunlight, the skin produces vitamin D, which is then converted to its active form by the kidneys. Studies suggest that as we age, we tend to produce less vitamin D.

You can also find good amounts of vitamin D in certain kinds of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as cod liver oil.

Some supplements use synthetic vitamin D2. A much better form is the natural and bioavailable vitamin D3 which is more effective and stays longer in the system.