Watch out for sweeteners/dyes in yogurt.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Comparison of yogurt, soybean, casein, and amino acid–based diets in children with persistent diarrhea
Comparison of yogurt, soybean, casein, and amino acid–based diets in children with persistent diarrhea
Friday, January 28, 2011
9 Steps To Perfect Health - #1: Don't Eat Toxins | The Healthy Skeptic
9 Steps To Perfect Health - #1: Don't Eat Toxins | The Healthy Skeptic:
Awesome post on Wheat derivatives, impact on health and how false negatives in celiac testing come about!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Cambridge Journals Online - Abstract - Ameliorative effects of konjac glucomannan on human faecal β-glucuronidase activity, secondary bile acid levels and faecal water toxicity towards Caco-2 cells
Cambridge Journals Online - Abstract - Ameliorative effects of konjac glucomannan on human faecal β-glucuronidase activity, secondary bile acid levels and faecal water toxicity towards Caco-2 cells
This jargon basically means prebiotics (things healthy gut bacteria feed on) can help supplement a low-fiber diet (most Americans), and possibly help improve digestion and potentially support cancer prevention.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome
Over the next couple of weeks, my posts will become a little more clinically oriented with regards to common Gastrointestinal problems and their related problems. I'll explore facets of irritable bowel syndrome and related disorders. These are by no means exhaustive (and should never be mistaken for medical advice), but it is my chance to give some light as to the variety of conditions I deal with in my practice, but also the alternative thinking by which I approach these problems. Those of you who have worked with me know that I'm not a huge fan of giving diseases a "label". Too many "conditions" overlap with one another with the same dysfunctional patters such as stress, diet, environmental exposures, and poor thinking.
When the healthy bacteria in your bowel are out of balance, harmful and opportunistic bacteria take their place, this can linger quietly for years - often coming out in full force when the body is immuno-compromised with illness, or following a round of antibiotics. Less commonly in the United States, SBBO can be caused by parasitic infections - perhaps because of drinking fresh water while out on a hike, or having traveled abroad and eaten the local fare.
In my opinion, SBBO is a more serious version of common symptoms many of us experience on a daily basis. Whether it's because of food intolerances, sensitivities, or allergies, bingeing, alcohol use, chronic stress, or exhausted adrenals, each person has a unique story behind why they have SBBO and therefore there is no set protocol, just guidelines, to approach practice members' unique health circumstances.
SBBO is not necessarily a "bug" that you catch and treat with antibiotics (unless of course we're talking about a case of Giardia or other parasitic infections).
Instead, SBBO is a functionalcondition that can linger for years under the surface often present with irritable bowel syndrome or intestinal yeast.
SBBO involves bacteria naturally found in the gut, that are allowed to proliferate opportunistically when your good bacteria, stomach acid and other digestive enzymes are compromised - similar to how Staph bacteria naturally found on the skin can cause abnormal skin infections.
Testing can be performed by stool samples, breath tests, and biopsies that can give indication of the balance of bacteria in the GI tract. Acupuncturists and other alternative providers may also look to the tongue to gain a sense as to how the rest of your GI tract is functioning.
Practice members with SBBO will have chronic diarrhea, poor absorption of nutrients, and may experience unintended weight loss. Clinically, as this condition can go unrecognized...with practice members going back and forth between specialists, can be given harsh antibiotics or antifungals, and when more conservative means fail, they are often scoped and biopsied, or worse yet, have their intestines resectioned to limit the space the bacteria have to grow.
Much of this may be unnecessary except in severe medical circumstances. For most, a functional approach may work just fine.
2. Check balance of healthy bacteria: probiotics are organisms that help us digest difficult proteins, activate our immune systems, and keep pathogens out of the GI tract. Diets high in refined sugars and carbs can lead to an imbalance of healthy bacteria. Too much protein, unbalanced by vegetable intake, can cause acidic conditions that harmful bacteria love.
3. Soothe and Fuel the Intestines: Some natural therapies like aloe or licorice can give short-term relief of symptoms as they help deflame the GI tract. Even whole foods like okra, with its mucousy texture, can help support a healthy lining to the gut.
The cells of the intestine feed on byproducts of healthy bacteria, and can become stressed when harmful bacteria have takent heir place. Immune conditions can develop as well as the probiotics aren't there as a natural defense, and the body is under a constant state of repair and surveillance against pathogens.
Supplementing with the amino acid, L-Glutamine may be helpful in rebuilding a damaged or weak gut. This is partly why absorption and weight loss occur, you're unable to digest or absorb your nutrients properly.
4. Identify and Address Co-existing problems: Celiac disease, lactose intolerance, enzyme insufficiency, zinc deficiency, thryoid disorders, weakened adrenals, and inflammatory bowel disease are often associated with SBBO. Fructose and a sugar alcohols like xylitol or sorbitol (often found in chewing gum) are less known intolerances that may play a role.
5. Improve GI motility: Stress relief, exercise, fiber intake, and hydration can all help promote movement of the bowels. The longer fecal material is allowed to sit in the gut, the more toxins and hormones that are reabsorbed, and the greater the chances.
6. Relieve Symptoms Naturally: there are a variety of essential oils, plant chemicals and other herbals that can help relieve actue symptoms and give the body's defenses a rest while addressing the root causes of the imbalance. Peppermint oil, ginger, garlic, and aloe are just a few examples of remedies that may help provide short-term relief.
This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. All material in this article is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.
Identifying Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome
Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth (SBBO) is a relatively common gastrointestinal disorder caused by chronic low stomach acid and immune suppression and worsened by chronic constipation, high sugar intake, infant formula feeding, food sensitivities, or antibiotic or antacid use.When the healthy bacteria in your bowel are out of balance, harmful and opportunistic bacteria take their place, this can linger quietly for years - often coming out in full force when the body is immuno-compromised with illness, or following a round of antibiotics. Less commonly in the United States, SBBO can be caused by parasitic infections - perhaps because of drinking fresh water while out on a hike, or having traveled abroad and eaten the local fare.
In my opinion, SBBO is a more serious version of common symptoms many of us experience on a daily basis. Whether it's because of food intolerances, sensitivities, or allergies, bingeing, alcohol use, chronic stress, or exhausted adrenals, each person has a unique story behind why they have SBBO and therefore there is no set protocol, just guidelines, to approach practice members' unique health circumstances.
SBBO is not necessarily a "bug" that you catch and treat with antibiotics (unless of course we're talking about a case of Giardia or other parasitic infections).
Instead, SBBO is a functionalcondition that can linger for years under the surface often present with irritable bowel syndrome or intestinal yeast.
SBBO involves bacteria naturally found in the gut, that are allowed to proliferate opportunistically when your good bacteria, stomach acid and other digestive enzymes are compromised - similar to how Staph bacteria naturally found on the skin can cause abnormal skin infections.
Testing can be performed by stool samples, breath tests, and biopsies that can give indication of the balance of bacteria in the GI tract. Acupuncturists and other alternative providers may also look to the tongue to gain a sense as to how the rest of your GI tract is functioning.
Practice members with SBBO will have chronic diarrhea, poor absorption of nutrients, and may experience unintended weight loss. Clinically, as this condition can go unrecognized...with practice members going back and forth between specialists, can be given harsh antibiotics or antifungals, and when more conservative means fail, they are often scoped and biopsied, or worse yet, have their intestines resectioned to limit the space the bacteria have to grow.
Much of this may be unnecessary except in severe medical circumstances. For most, a functional approach may work just fine.
Functional Approach to SBBO
1. Identify triggers: Food allergies, sensitivities, intolerances, alcohol use, unfermented soy, legumes, chronic use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen or tylenol, and generally, the Standard American Diet etc can all cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Using an elimination diet, or IgE/IgG blood test may help identify these triggers.2. Check balance of healthy bacteria: probiotics are organisms that help us digest difficult proteins, activate our immune systems, and keep pathogens out of the GI tract. Diets high in refined sugars and carbs can lead to an imbalance of healthy bacteria. Too much protein, unbalanced by vegetable intake, can cause acidic conditions that harmful bacteria love.
3. Soothe and Fuel the Intestines: Some natural therapies like aloe or licorice can give short-term relief of symptoms as they help deflame the GI tract. Even whole foods like okra, with its mucousy texture, can help support a healthy lining to the gut.
The cells of the intestine feed on byproducts of healthy bacteria, and can become stressed when harmful bacteria have takent heir place. Immune conditions can develop as well as the probiotics aren't there as a natural defense, and the body is under a constant state of repair and surveillance against pathogens.
Supplementing with the amino acid, L-Glutamine may be helpful in rebuilding a damaged or weak gut. This is partly why absorption and weight loss occur, you're unable to digest or absorb your nutrients properly.
4. Identify and Address Co-existing problems: Celiac disease, lactose intolerance, enzyme insufficiency, zinc deficiency, thryoid disorders, weakened adrenals, and inflammatory bowel disease are often associated with SBBO. Fructose and a sugar alcohols like xylitol or sorbitol (often found in chewing gum) are less known intolerances that may play a role.
5. Improve GI motility: Stress relief, exercise, fiber intake, and hydration can all help promote movement of the bowels. The longer fecal material is allowed to sit in the gut, the more toxins and hormones that are reabsorbed, and the greater the chances.
6. Relieve Symptoms Naturally: there are a variety of essential oils, plant chemicals and other herbals that can help relieve actue symptoms and give the body's defenses a rest while addressing the root causes of the imbalance. Peppermint oil, ginger, garlic, and aloe are just a few examples of remedies that may help provide short-term relief.
This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. All material in this article is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Statistics
- 20-30 Million Americans affected (1)
- $8 billion spent per year with IBS medical costs (2)
- $20 billion additional indirect cost (such as missed work time, etc) (2)
- Symptoms affect 12-15% of Americans(3), up to 20% of elderly (4)
- Comprise 30-50% of referrals to gastroenterology clinics (3)
- Not seen as "serious", but affects quality of life to a greater degree than asthma, diabetes, and migraines (5)
- Visit doctors 3x as much than non-IBS patients for non-IBS related problems (6)
- 25-30% estimated to begin following a GI infection (7)
- IgG/Elimination-based diets shown to benefit up to 26% decrease in IBS symptoms (8)
- IgE type allergies (immediate swelling, anaphylaxis, hives) only present in 2-4% (9)
- Many medical doctors focus solely on IgE allergies and consider IgG allergies as better classified as "intolerances"
- Most common food intolerance is to dairy (lactose), affecting 25% of adults. (10)
- Lactose-free diet shown to benefit 87% of those diagnosed with lactose intolerance, led to 75% reduction in doctor's visits (10)
- Fructose and sorbitol intolerances due to poor absorption, restriction led to improved absorption in 40% of subjects (11)
1. Locke Gr, Zinsmeister AR, Talley, NJ, et al: Risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome: Role of analgesics and food sensitivities. Am J Gastroenterol 95: 157-165, 2000.
2. Talley NJ, Gabriel SE, Harmsen WS, et al: Medical costs in community subjects with irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology 109:1736-1741, 1995.
3. Maxwell, PR, Mendall MA, Kumar D: Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Lancet 350:1691-1695, 1997.
4. Ehrenpreis ED: Irritable bowel syndrome: 10% to 20% of older adults have symptoms consistent with diagnosis. Geriatrics 60:25-28, 2005.
5. Frank L, Kleinman L, Rentz A, et al: Health-related quality of life associated with irritable bowel syndrome: Comparison with other chronic diseases. Clin Ther 24:675-689, 2002.
6. Whitehead WE, Palsson O, Jones KR: Systematic review of the comorbidity of irritable bowel syndrome with other disorders: What are the causes and implications? Gastroenterology 122: 1140-1156, 2002.
7. Neal R, Barker L, Spiller RC: Prognosis in post-infective irritable bowel syndrome: a six year follow-up study. Gut 51:410-413, 2002.
8. Atkinson W, Sheldon TA, Shaath N, et al: Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: A randomised controlled trial. Gut 53:1459-1464, 2004.]
9. Niec AM, Franku B, Talley NJ: are adverse food reactions linked to irritable bowel syndrome? Am J Gastroenterol 94:2184-2190, 1998.
10. Gremuse DA, Nguyenduc GH, Sacks AI, et al: Irritable bowel syndrome and lactose malgdigestion in recurrent abdominal pain in childhood. South Med J 92:778-781, 1999.
11. Fernandez-Banares, F, Esteve-Pardo M, deLeon R, et al: sugar malabsorption in functional bowel disease: clincal implication Am J Gastroenterol 88: 2044-2050, 1993
*as quoted in Rakel, D. (2007). Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Whole Health Source: Eating Wheat Causes Symptoms in Some People Who Don't Have Celiac Disease
Whole Health Source: Eating Wheat Causes Symptoms in Some People Who Don't Have Celiac Disease
Great article that's well-researched by a PhD. The truth is that most food sensitivities remain hidden, often for years, before measureable symptoms arise.
In fact, I was taught in school that it takes 50% atrophy of the small intestine villi for a celiac biopsy to show positive.
Functional medicine looks at "function". It does not need a black or white diagnosis to still show that treatment may be helpful.
Prevention is the best medicine. Check out this article!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Stop Vicious Cycles Dead in their Tracks
Never underestimate the importance of maintaining your blood sugar and stress level is on the human body…I just spent a few hours yesterday reading about all of the vicious cycles that sugar and adrenal imbalances can contribute to:
- hypothyroidism
- gastrointestinal problems (ulcers, dysbiosis...)
- hormonal imbalances like PCOS
- low libido
- sleep problems
- neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s/Multiple Sclerosis
- chronic fatigue
- GI dysfunction
- food allergies/sensitivities/intolerances
- inflammation/pain
- Autoimmune diseases and other immune imbalances
- decreased ability to clear toxins/hormones/metabolic waste…
All of these self-feed each other meaning I could draw inter-linking arrows between most of these problems and point to research articles supporting the claims.
One idea is to pay less attention to the management of symptoms, stop asking questions that amount to “was it the chicken or the egg?” and look to correct the dietary, behavioral, and environmental triggers one small step at a time, it’s frustrating, it can take months of unlayering, it takes some soul-searching lifestyle change, but the acute care model hasn’t been getting us too far and there’s resources out there to help.
A sick nation can’t be a productive one. 62.1% of bankruptcies are caused by medical expensive, 75% of those people had insurance at the time of their illness, expenses are now close to $10,000/person (direct/indirect costs), and by 2018 health expenses are expected to be 20.3% of GDP meaning every service or product you buy will be 20% more expensive because of healthcare (starbucks already pays more for H/C than it does on coffee, GM more for H/C than it does steel).
1/3 kids born after the year 2000 are expected to have diabetes later in life. 2/3 Americans are now overweight or obese.
When is it enough to signal that change is needed?
Any topics that you guys would like me to explore further? Message me if you’d like to keep it private.
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