Healthy Digestion for a Healthy Life

As Dr. Elie Metchnikoff said so many years ago, “Death begins in the digestive system.”

I once audited a college course called Critical Thinking. Much of the class was focused on a technique called Active Listening. This is where you actively ask yourself critical questions as you listen or read a claim, looking for “why it cannot be true.”

It was negative and mistrustful and I hated it.

But I learned many valuable life lessons from Critical Thinking that have served me for decades now. One gem in particular was the technique of turning a statement around like a mathematical equation: if 1+2=2, then 2-1=1.

As a tribute to Dr. Metchnikoff, here is my Active Listening statement: If death begins with a dysfunctional digestive system, then vitality must begin with a healthy digestive system!

Health begins in the digestive system
If our digestive system (DS) is working as designed, we will have a good appetite, sweet-smelling breath, abundant energy and daily elimination of waste. When our DS works well we feel on top of the world!

If our digestive system is not working optimally, we will have a bizarre appetite. This is often characterized by no desire for breakfast and a ravenous, insatiable appetite in the evening. We may even awaken in the middle of the night feeling as if we need to eat and yet never being satisfied with normal foods. When our digestive system is “broken” we will develop food allergies, gas, bloating, indigestion and excess stomach acid. If our DS malfunctions, we will have constipation or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Plus, we will have abdominal pain.

As time progresses and our DS becomes more imbalanced, we may experience chronic inflammation in the mouth (leading to sores in the mouth and on the tongue), stomach (leading to GERD, ulcers and indigestion), small intestines, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and colon. And because “bad” bacteria and yeast multiply in an unhealthy DS, we may start to experience chronic infections that migrate to our kidneys, bladder and reproductive systems. Chronic infections also trigger autoimmune attacks on healthy organs.

However, as we assist our DS to find balance, our health will rebound and return to a vital state very quickly. You see, our DS cells are the most prolific in our whole body – many of them possess a lifespan of only four hours! So, it’s easy to un-balance and upset our DS, but it’s also easy to re-balance and heal it.

Our “gut-garden”
What we need to rebalance our DS is the “Weed, Seed and Feed” program we use in our garden. We “weed” out all of the toxins in our DS with enzymes and herbs. We “seed” the DS with probiotics and we “feed” them with prebiotics for better colonization and a long, healthy life.

Weed
Enzymes help begin the healing process because they remove toxic proteins and discourage bad bacteria, yeast and parasites from breeding in our gut. And they help digest our food for more energy. Dandelion root works with the Lipase enzyme as it thins the bile from the liver and gallbladder. Bile helps Lipase to digest fat. Bile also discourages bad bacteria, yeast and parasites from breeding. Milk thistle helps reduce the autoimmune impact from an imbalanced DS, and helps reduce cramps, pain and bloating.
Seed
Prebiotics lay the groundwork for probiotics, as prebiotic fibers help probiotic bacteria establish colonies by providing a food source. Probiotics also have a marvelous impact on the rest of the body and brain as they coordinate the immune system of the DS. Prebiotics and probiotics work together to improve digestion and elimination.
Feed
To have a healthy body and brain, we must have a healthy DS. It provides us with digestion and defense. TriVita’s FloraVita™ supports these processes by supplying our probiotics the food they need – called prebiotics – and by replanting healthy colony-forming units of probiotics. Also, FloraVita supports digestion and defense with a wide array of digestive enzymes and immune-modulating botanicals.
Our digestive system is a miracle of creation! It is the primary way we take in energy to fuel a life of passion, mission and purpose. Take care of it starting today

VitamIn D and Your Brain

Vitamin D and Your Brain

I recently read an article in the medical and scientific literature that discussed the role of Vitamin D in the human brain. The article correlated the low levels of Vitamin D in the bloodstream with high levels of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and oppositional-defiant disorder. The most important discussions, however, were about the role of Vitamin D in two plagues: autism and Alzheimer's disease.

Autism
The number of people diagnosed with autism is increasing at an epidemic rate. Greater than 1 in 150 children born today will have autism. The gender rate is also alarming: Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

No one can agree as to the cause of autism. This may be because there is more than one cause. In fact, the last time I counted there were 11 suspected causes. However, two things that nearly all children have in common are poor methylation (inability to use Vitamin B-12 to create whole proteins) and poor hydroxylation (inability to convert inactive Vitamin D into its active form).

The most common cause for these defects is toxicity: environmental toxins and/or geno-toxins (poisons created by abnormal genes).

Alzheimer's disease
There are three characteristics of Alzheimer's disease in the human brain: neurofibrillary tangles, beta-amyloid plaques and glial cell inflammation. Interestingly, some people with plaques and tangles - but no inflammation - appear to function normally into their advanced years. It is brain inflammation that seems to be the spark which lights the fire of Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin D may help reduce inflammation in the brain. A notable attribute of Alzheimer's disease victims is low levels of Vitamin D.

The same two problems that exist in children with autism also afflict adults with Alzheimer's disease: poor methylation (inability to use Vitamin B-12 to create whole proteins) and poor hydroxylation (inability to convert inactive vitamin D into its active form). Methylation is measured by a blood test for homocysteine. And one of the ways to measure hydroxylation is with a blood test for Vitamin D.

Are autism and Alzheimer's disease related? At this point it is hard to say; perhaps it is even impossible to say that they are connected conditions. But they share remarkably similar imbalances in biochemistry and they share at least two common deficiencies: Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D.

Certainly, it would be an amazing coincidence if they were not somehow linked, don't you think?

Conclusion
In the 1990s I was overwhelmed by the mountains of evidence linking homocysteine to the increase in autism and Alzheimer's disease. This was eventually linked back to a methylation defect that led to poor protein formation and Vitamin B-12 metabolism. Now, we are seeing new mountains of evidence emerging about hydroxylation defects leading to poor hormone formation and Vitamin D metabolism.

We can say with greater certainty than ever before that these imbalances are caused by toxicity, deficiency, injury and stress. Let's increase our efforts to combat these "causes" and reduce the chance of being victimized by the effects!

MORE HEALTH BENEFITS

Cracked Skin: What Can It Mean?

Do you have cracked skin around your heels, on your hands or at the corners of your mouth? Each of these conditions may be described as a failure in the protective nature of your immune system. And they each tell a story about life balance and lifestyle choices, as well as your environment and even genetics that affect your health.

Heel cracks
Fissures called xerosis form around the edge of the heel as the skin dries out. The more we stand on our feet - and the older we get - the more likely we are to experience heel fissures. However, xerosis is not an inevitable part of aging or standing. Many people who stand all day or survive to age 100 don't have heel cracks. What is different between those who get them and those who don't?

Frequently, it is nutrition, exercise, rest and stress management.

Heel cracks appear most commonly in people as they age, it is true. So does diabetes. My experience tells me that heel cracks commonly appear as we lose our ability to balance our glucose (blood sugar). They are more common in people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Control your blood sugar and you can often help control the cracking in your heels.

Two nutrients are important in glucose management: zinc and Omega essential fatty acids. Zinc helps control blood sugar, helps improve mental function, helps reduce the number of colds and viruses that affect you and even helps with ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Essential fatty acids help produce more lubrication (sebum) in the skin of the heels and help speed up healing. GlucoManage® is a good source of zinc and, of course, OmegaPrime® is my favorite source of essential fatty acids.

Consult with your healthcare provider if heel cracks:

Become painful
Become so deep they begin to bleed
Become infected
Hand cracks
Fissures affect the hands as well as the feet. However, the causes are not the same. For example, cracked skin on the hands can be a sign of an autoimmune disorder such as Sjogren's or psoriasis - inflammatory conditions appearing in the skin. I say "appearing in the skin" because psoriasis is a condition involving the whole body. Psoriasis and other skin disorders causing fissures in the hands and fingers may be autoimmune disorders - a condition where the immune system attacks normal, healthy skin and destroys it.

Interestingly, essential fatty acids are often effective in teaching the immune system to "work smarter, not harder." They do not "boost" the immune system or bolster it in any way. (In an autoimmune disorder you do not want to "boost" your immune system because that causes more damage.) Instead, essential fatty acids along with Vitamin D help the immune system more clearly identify healthy and unhealthy tissues so it may react appropriately.

Not to be overlooked, the immune system is the most intrinsically involved body system in the mind-body connection. Any stress, large or small, is immediately reflected in the immune system. Adaptogens help mitigate the impact of stress on the immune system.

Mouth cracks
Infections from tooth abscess to thrush can cause cracks in the corners of your mouth. Autoimmune conditions including celiac disease can as well (celiac disease is triggered by an extreme allergy to wheat and other gluten-containing grains). Toxins also cause cracks in the corners of the mouth. For example, fluoride in toothpaste and too much Vitamin A can both reach toxic levels and cause cracking and fissures in the lips.

The most common cause of dry, cracked lips is dehydration. Drink pure water and make sure you have enough essential fatty acids and minerals to hold that water in your skin.

Conclusion
Our skin says much about our life. It is a special window into our immune system. For healthy skin we must learn to listen as our body speaks to us. If you have dry, cracked skin anywhere on your body, seek appropriate medical care and consider the impact that proper nutrients and nurturing will have as we strive to be like the people with perfect, beautiful skin!

Take Control of Your Health

Heel cracks:
OmegaPrime
GlucoManage

Hand cracks:
OmegaPrime
Nopalea™
Adaptogen 10 Plus®

Mouth cracks:
OmegaPrime
Wellavoh® or VitaDaily™ AM/PM
Drink Pure Water

Learn more!
http://bit.ly/B12BWell

Living with Crohn's: Jennifer's Story

When Jennifer was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 28, she was immediately placed on a strict diet. With help from a nutritionist, she started taking supplements that would specifically help her digestive system and keep her symptoms under control. It was difficult to stay on track with all of her new restrictions, but just a year later, Jennifer was beginning to return to her passions.

Jennifer's story, in her own words, is reprinted below from the CCFA Community Forum.

"I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease on September 26, 2009. I was having a lot of stomach pain and nausea when I ate, and my vision began to get very blurry. I'm not one that likes to go to the doctor, but my symptoms only got worse. I would throw up anything I ate and double over in pain. When I was first admitted they thought I just had the flu that was going around. I knew it had to be more than that."

"After running a CT scan they said I had ulcerative colitis. My twin sister has had UC for over 11 years now, so it wasn't that much of a shock to me. I was, however, upset, because when my sister was first diagnosed a doctor had told me that if I did not get this by the time I was 25 I would not get it. Well, I was 28 when they diagnosed me. Guess they were wrong. Then the results from my colonoscopy showed that I actually had Crohn’s, not colitis. I was put on steroids – Asacol and Prednisone – and a very strict diet. No fruits or vegetables, no dairy products, no foods high in fiber/fat. When I got out of the hospital I knew things were not going to be easy."

"I decided to see a nutritionist to help my body heal on the inside. I found out that I was sensitive – "allergic" – to corn & honey. He advised that I stay away from any products that contained high fructose corn syrup, honey and wine, or that were high in refined sugar. I was not allowed any dairy because it would feed on the infection that was making me sick. After testing me with over 20 different types of supplements he put me on supplements that would specifically help me. I returned to the nutritionist every four weeks until my symptoms were under control. Each time he would test to see if the supplements were still working; if they weren't, he would put me on a supplement that would."

"After eight months I was finally off steroids. This would be the true test to see if I was healing. I was still on a strict diet and dealing with this the best way I could. Constantly having to read the labels of everything you buy is not easy, but I knew that was the only way I was going to get better. I have had to give up some of the foods I loved to eat like corn, popcorn and pancakes, but I know that in the end these foods will make me sick – it's just not worth it. Almost a year after I was diagnosed I had a colonoscopy. Everything came back completely clear. I was very happy to know that everything I had been doing for the past year had worked. I hear it's not common for someone to have a normal colonoscopy just one year after they were diagnosed. My sister just got her first normal one after ten years."

"I still see the nutritionist every twelve weeks. I have been on the same few medicines for months now and they are really helping. I still have a day every once in a while where I get sick, but I realize that it's because I ate something that I shouldn't have. I know now that I just need to take it one day at a time. Thankfully I have been able to get back to the way my life used to be. I work out 3-4 days a week, recently ran a 5K in April and am training for a 10k! I pray to God every day to help me choose the right foods to put into my body and that the medicine I'm taking heals and strengthens me. I know with His help I can fight this!"

B-12 ~ Why you NEED it.

Crohns, Colitis, IBD patients ability to absorb B-12 is greatly diminished. Did you know B-12 is produced in the ileum?
Unfortunately many Crohns patients have had that part of bowel surgically removed, therefore it is critical to supplement.

I've researched and found what I believe to be the best buy on the market.

How you can get more out of life ....

The B vitamins help you feel energized, focused and upbeat – when you feel like this, life is fuller and happier. If you’re not already feeling this way, you might be missing an elegantly simple solution. 

Why B vitamins are so essential to your wellness ......

Your brain and nervous system must have sufficient quantities of B vitamins to function properly. Yet as you age, your body’s ability to absorb B vitamins diminishes.
Furthermore, many other risk factors in your life can deplete your body’s Vitamin B reserves even more. When this happens, many undesirable health problems can occur, such as


Brain erosion

Depression

Personality change

Heart disease

Dementia...and more. 

Another one of the better known health problems related to Vitamin B-12 deficiency is anemia.
In this condition, your blood is low on healthy, oxygen-carrying, red blood cells. This results in all sorts of other problems, including a chronic feeling of tiredness. And anemia is more common than you might think: 

According to the National Anemia Action Council, over 3 million Americans have been diagnosed as anemic, and millions more could be undiagnosed or at great risk.
If you know someone who is battling anemia, then read more about it and a wonderful potential solution using Vitamin B-12. 

Memory loss, lack of focus, mental confusion, brain fog -- many people are also affected by these conditions, especially as they age.
And the loss of mental abilities such as memory and concentration, are one of the more fearful aspects of growing older. Yet for so many, their fears could be put to rest with a solution as simple as using a more powerful form of Vitamin B-12. 

The best B vitamin option .....

Basically, there are three ways to get more B vitamins into your system and meet your body’s
Vitamin B needs:

(1) diet, 

(2) B-12 shots

(3) vitamin supplements. 

Diet – for so many people, this doesn’t work due to a variety of factors such as stress, prescription medications, "digestive disorders" and even growing older.

B-12 shots – these also don’t work for many people because of their great inconvenience, pain and expense.

Vitamin Supplements – these tablets are handy in that they are readily available, primarily through daily multi-vitamins, B vitamin complexes and finally, sublingual B vitamin formulations.
The problem with most supplements, however, is that they need to be swallowed. This method reduces both the speed and the potency of the B vitamins entering your body’s system.

In contrast, the sublingual method (tablet under the tongue) is vastly superior.

When you consider the above assessment, it’s clear that the sublingual method is the best way to meet and maintain your body’s crucial B vitamin needs.
But to maximize this advantage, you also need the best type of sublingual B vitamin supplement available. 

TriVita Sublingual B-12 is that supplement. That’s because our Sublingual B-12 supplements use the original, patented Sublingual B-12 process invented by Dr. Libby. It’s available exclusively from TriVita. 

Dr. Libby … a preeminent nutraceutical pioneer … a holder of five doctorate degrees … and a long-time associate of two-time Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Linus Pauling. 


Experience Dr. Libby’s original, patented sublingual process for yourself – order our Original or Super Sublingual B-12 today.


Discounted ordering for readers of this blog

Sign the Petition to Pre- Approve Pain Medication for Crohn's Disease

Change.org Federal-and-local-drug-enforcement-administration-pre-approve-pain-medication-for-crohns-disease

Sign the Petition to Pre- Approve Pain Medication for Crohn's Disease

H2Change.org Federal-and-local-drug-enforcement-administration-pre-approve-pain-medication-for-crohns-disease

The Crohn's News Blog: Featuring the latest research about Crohn's disease and and the coolest digestive facts

The Crohn's News Blog: Featuring the latest research about Crohn's disease and and the coolest digestive facts

Crohns News and Views Updates. Subscribe and add comments to the blog.

Who is affected by Crohn’s Disease (Demographics)

About half a million Americans, or 7 people out of every 100,000 have Crohn’s disease. Of these, about 4% are children under age 5, and 10% are under age 18. Most people are diagnosed with the disease between ages 15 and 35, although they may have had the disease before that. In the United States the rate of Crohn’s disease has been increasing since the 1950s.

Although most common among non-Hispanic whites, the rate of Crohn’s disease among American blacks, especially urban blacks, has been steadily increasing. Jews who trace their ancestry middle Europe are 2-4 times more likely to develop the disease than the general white population or Jews who trace their origins to other regions. Internationally, Crohn’s disease is rare in Africa, Asia, and South America. It is more common in urban areas than in rural areas, suggesting that environment plays a role in the disease.

David Garrard and Congressman Crenshaw fight Crohn's disease

David Garrard and Congressman Crenshaw fight Crohn's disease

Phases of Crohns Disease/ IBS/IBD

PHASES of Crohns Disease

I just finishef posting on another board and I must say there are so many people with this dreaded illness.  

I've read all the different phases people are going through ;

First Anger that seems to linger

Second Hate, goes without saying

Third, Distrust of the medical professionals, understandable. 

Fourth, Confusion, from lack of information

Fifth, Denial, think they'll be the ones to beat it. 

Sixth, Depression, from hopelessness

Seventh, Frustration, from having a good day then next day bad. 

Eigth, Giving in, accepting this is the new way of life. 

Ninth, Taking ownership and dealing with it. 

Finally TENTH, being positive and all the other stages and living life anyway, the best they can. That's where we need to be!

Quizno's Special from Groupon

Heads up, we're running a deal with Quizno's tomorrow (Wednesday, May 18, 2011). For $26, consumers get eight regular-size subs at a location of their choice.

QUIZNO'S

Jordan Rubin's "New" Direct Sales - Organic Foods (Pre Launch Phase)

Beyond Organics

Independent Mission Partner

You can lock in your position as a Mission Marketer with Beyond Organic and now have the opportunity to invite others to become an Insider as well and officially start building your downline. You can build your downline by giving out your enroller code or by sending out your personal team building link. 

 As an Insider you will be one of the first to learn about and have a chance to try our delicious, nutrient rich products.

Our goal at Beyond Organic is to create a company that is focused on 3-dimensional success.

We want to make a difference in your life by empowering you to:

Change Your Diet… by consuming the world’s healthiest, sustainably produced foods and beverages.

Change Your Life… by getting educated on the foods & beverages that you consume daily and creating a residual income to help you achieve your goals and dreams.

Change Your World… by educating others about Beyond Organic and by partnering with domestic and international organizations around the world to provide food, shelter, and clothing to widows, orphans and those in need.

Therefore, as you begin to share this opportunity with others, you will want to make sure that you stay completely informed about the Beyond Organic products and mission. 

On the Beyond Organic Insider website you will find several videos by Jordan Rubin, which will help get you on your way to becoming a seasoned Mission Marketer.

Finally, on our website you will also find up-to-date information about our training events and online webinars, as well as opportunity presentations happening around the country.

Be sure to stay tuned as we approach our official launch in October 2011.

BEYOND ORGANICS INSIDER

Here's My Story - What's Yours?

FACEBOOK - Crohns News and Views

CROHNS NEWS AND VIEWS ON FACEBOOK

Hi everyone. Hope you'll had a pain free symptom free day.
I wanted to share some things that I've learned in managing Crohns that later became Colitis and Crohns.
First like many others here, I've lived with Crohns 25 years. Two yrs after diagnosed, had first bowel resection at common ileum bend. After that I was symptom free for exactly 10 years with no meds. I was young and rather ignored and neglected check ups.
Back to Gastro for emergency surgery and ever since spent time in and out of the hospital.
15 yrs in I had first ileostomy, second 17 yrs ( changed locations on abdomen) then 2 yrs ago colon removed.
Symptom free now and take no meds. I do swear by acidolphilus which helps me tremendously. Also I asked to maintain remission by getting remicade which my doctor agreed would be a good idea.
I have days zapped of energy but that's expected due to nutritional factors we share.
I keep telling people that I've always been on the good side of Crohns. I also avoid sugar ( carbs, starches) because It exacerbates flares. I've learned what I can eat and can't.
Back in the 80's I was told to avoid ruffage such as salads, broccoli, etc which I did. I now only avoid onions, nuts and corn. I am never without my 16 oz 2go cup courtesy of many hospital souvenirs.
Know that we dehydrate easily so get in the habit of drinking water all day if you don't already do so. You'll feel sick, lethargic and nauseous otherwise.
Above all stay positive. Visualization works. A great book to keep your hopes high is The Power of Positive Thinking. Order on amazon cheap.
When I tell my story, I get the usual , wow and sympathy comments. I tell everyone- that I'm playing the cards I was given. Someone else has a different set of cards to play. We all have "something".
A special note to remember is I'm not a doctor, I don't play one in real life but I do know better than any doctor what works for me. Amazingly my many doctors tell me I know more than they do. I think we all do. Trust your body and symptoms. Make mental notes of your good days, enjoy the he'll out of them and duplicate your eating and daily activity of that good day.
Don't forget beer and wine are loaded with sugar TRY to avoid. Smoke a toke instead lol. Did I just say that? Lol.

Healthy Days News

(HealthDay News) -- People with Crohn's disease -- a type of inflammatory bowel -- are prone to being malnourished.

The University of Maryland Medical Center offers these suggestions to help people with Crohn's better manage their diet:


Snack throughout the day on small amounts of food, rather than eating big meals.
Drink plenty of water.
Stay away from spicy foods, and stick to bland, softer offerings.
Steer clear of foods that are high in fiber, such as popcorn, seeds, beans, nuts and bran.
Don't eat foods that are greasy or fried, and avoid heavy and fattening sauces that contain cream, butter or margarine.
Restrict milk and dairy products if you are lactose intolerant.
Limit caffeine and alcohol.

Jordan Rubin- Gluten

From Jordan's Desk: Goodbye, Gluten. 

If eating conventional pasta, bread, crackers or other standard grain products create less-than-optimal gut responses, then you may suspect wheat as the culprit, but it may be gluten—the protein found in wheat, rye, barley and possibly oats.

For that reason and others, gluten has become a “sensitive topic.” In fact, an estimated one in 133 Americans has celiac disease, which occurs when ingesting gluten makes the immune system turn on the intestines by damaging the villi—tiny, fingerlike projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from food.

That’s not to say that gluten in and of itself is inherently bad, but for those who are gluten-sensitive, it can turn ugly when gluten proteins and gluten-derived peptides encounter the immune system. For some, gluten intake—even in small amounts or from "hidden" gluten in foods and other products—can cause an immune response that attacks the gut and more. For those people, the body creates antibodies to fight off gluten, thinking it’s a foreign invader.

When the immune system attacks, it damages the small intestine’s membranes, leaving holes in the membranes that can let in large proteins. Once through the ravaged intestinal membranes, the large gluten molecules enter the bloodstream, which carries the gluten system-wide in the body. Wherever those gluten molecules settle in the body, that’s where the immune system attacks. That’s why those with gluten sensitivity can experience unhealthy effects in the intestines and even way beyond the gut—including malnutrition that can lead to anemia, osteoporosis, mental unhealth and more. 

Unfortunately, there may be as many as three million Americans who have celiac disease, but many may not even recognize it because it is so difficult to pin down. "It takes most adults about 12 years to get a definitive diagnosis of celiac disease," says Michelle Pietzak, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist and professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.

Diagnosis has its own challenges. In the past, celiac disease was diagnosed by blood tests and intestinal biopsies, but those would turn up positive only if there was villi damage. Nowadays, however, there are less invasive tests that are much more expedient.

Celiacs aren’t the only ones dealing with this sensitive topic, though. As many as one in seven folks may have what’s termed Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or NCGS. For those with NCGS, celiac testing has turned up negative or inconclusive results, but they know something needs to change. Obviously, many with NCGS start by changing their diet. They avoid gluten at all costs. The problem, however, is that it’s easier said than done since gluten is in so many products including standard grain products, salad dressings, toothpastes, lipsticks and much more.

While NCGS is not celiac disease, it’s certainly not a lightweight problem. It may cause malabsorption, abdominal pain or distention, weight loss or weight gain, muscle wasting, peeling nails, bone pain, joint pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, nasal discharge and more.

For those with NCGS—and celiacs as well—lifelong, full removal of dietary gluten is important. For them, there’s no safe amount of gluten. They will need to keep a watchful eye, too, because studies indicate that amounts of gluten as low as 0.1 grams can lead to relapses and negative changes in intestinal tissue.

That’s why many are saying, “Goodbye, gluten.”

Gluten

GLUTEN

 

By Jenny Thompson

 

In patients with gluten sensitivity or full blown celiac disease, gluten reduces the small intestine's ability to absorb nutrients. But when you start looking for gluten in your diet, it's sort of like "Where's Waldo?" You know it's there, but it's often hard to spot.

Gluten is a component of several grains. As a primary ingredient of flour, gluten delivers protein and gives bread a higher rise.

Dr. Alan Spreen offers this acronym to help you remember the four primary sources of gluten: BROW. That's barley, rye, oat and wheat. If you're gluten sensitive, give those four a wide berth.

But gluten is often hidden in foods such as soups, soy sauce, low-fat or non-fat products, and even in candy. Which brings us to the problem in answering Panna's question. A list of every gluten product would fill a book.

But don't despair. The best way to steer clear of gluten (besides avoiding BROW) is to know what phrases and terminology to look for on ingredient panels.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF), ingredients that may tip off hidden gluten content include:

Unidentified starch
Modified food starch
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
Hydrolyzed plant protein (HPP)
Texturized vegetable protein (TVP)
Malt and other natural flavorings
Binders, fillers, excipients, extenders
Note that the last item on that list would include certain dietary supplements and medications that use binders and fillers. This is one of the reasons you sometimes see the statement "no binders or fillers" printed on supplement containers

Artificial Sweetners and Your Health

A new study concludes that there could be negative consequences associated with artificial sugar substitutes -- including a much higher risk of strokes.

The study is somewhat controversial; some critics have argued that since the participants voluntarily reported how much diet soda they consumed, the results do not come from a rigorously controlled setting.

According to the Seattle Post Intelligencer:

"Researchers used voluntary participants to examine factors related to stroke and heart attacks. About 900 participants said they drank no diet soda, and about 160 said they consumed more than one diet soda every day."

Sources:

  Seattle Post Intelligencer February 10, 2011
  Paging Dr. Gupta February 10, 2011
 
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
    
 
 
These latest findings have not yet been published; the research was recently presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference.

However, it's still worth paying attention to, as there are already hundreds of published studies linking artificial sweeteners like aspartame to serious health complications. Cori Brackett's documentary film Sweet Misery -- is an excellent summary of the problems with aspartame. I believe it's one of the best documentaries out there on this topic.

This, however, is the first time diet soda consumption has been linked to an increased risk of strokes and other vascular events.

Can Diet Soda Really Raise Your Stroke Risk?

In this study, volunteers were followed for over 9 years. About 900 of them reported not drinking any diet soda, while about 160 reported drinking one or more diet sodas a day.  At the end, diet soda consumption, as well as salt intake, was linked to higher rates of strokes, heart attacks and other lethal vascular events.

In terms of salt intake, after close to 10 years, those consuming more than 4,000 mg of sodium per day doubled their risk of stroke compared to those consuming less than 1,500 mg per day.

As for diet soda, the researchers concluded that:

"This study suggests that diet soda is not an optimal substitute for sugar-sweetened beverages, and may be associated with a greater risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death than regular soda."

While more research will likely be needed to confirm this potential link, there’s plenty of evidence showing that aspartame can be dangerous to your health. I believe aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous artificial sweetener on the market. Reports of adverse reactions to the US FDA also supports this, as aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA!

Long-term and Acute Adverse Effects of Aspartame

Acute reactions following aspartame ingestion, as reported to the FDA, include:

Headaches/migraines
Nausea
Abdominal pains
Fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose entry into brain)
Sleep problems
Vision problems
Anxiety attacks
Depression
Asthma/chest tightness.
Studies have also linked aspartame consumption to a wide range of health problems, including but not limited to:

Emotional disorders
Epilepsy/seizures
Fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome
Parkinson’s disease
Memory loss, and Alzheimer’s disease
Cancer
Premature birth, and birth defects
Pregnant Women Beware!

Pregnant women in particular need to beware of artificially sweetened beverages and foods as they can have an adverse effect not just on the mother, but also on the unborn child.

One of the most recent studies published on the health effects of aspartame revealed that daily intake of artificially sweetened soft drinks may increase the risk of preterm delivery by as much as 78 percent!

In response to these disturbing findings, some British public health experts are now advising pregnant women to avoid aspartame-containing foods and beverages to protect their unborn child, as preterm delivery exposes the baby to a number of health risks, not to mention staggering health care costs.

The researchers found that pregnant women who drank:

An average of just one diet soda per day increased their risk of going into labor before the 37th week by 38 percent.
Four or more diet sodas a day increased the risk of premature birth by 78 percent.
No link was found between sugar-sweetened beverages and preterm delivery.
So please, if you're pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, please consider avoiding ALL sources of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners, and if you know someone who is pregnant, please share this information with them too.

What Makes Aspartame so Dangerous?

Aspartame is made up of:

Phenylalanine: 50 percent
Methanol (aka wood alcohol/poison): 10 percent that is formed from breaking the ester bond linkage of aspartic acid and pheylalanine.
Each of these comes with its own set of health hazards, which you can read more about on my aspartame page. Additionally, diketopiperazine (DKP) is created as a byproduct of aspartame metabolism in your body, and DKP has been implicated in the occurrence of brain tumors.

Those who defend aspartame argue that phenylalanine and aspartic acid are a harmless and natural part of your diet. Indeed, both of these amino acids can be found in most of the protein foods you eat.  However, phenylalanine and aspartic acid  can only be considered natural and harmless when they are consumed in combination with other amino acids in the correct ratios and not as isolated amino acids.,

When they are consumed as free amino acids not part of food, they enter your central nervous system in abnormally high concentrations, causing excessive firing of brain neurons and potential cell death. This concept has been termed "excitotoxicity" by Dr. Russell Blaylock, a prominent neurosurgeon.

There are close to 500 scientific references showing how excess free excitatory amino acids, such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid (about 99 percent of MSG is glutamic acid) in our food supply causes serious chronic neurological disorders and a myriad of other acute symptoms.

Again, going back to the dangers of  aspartame during pregnancy, it's important to know that the blood brain barrier, which normally protects your brain from excess glutamate and aspartate (as well as other toxins), is not fully developed during the fetal period and childhood, so the risks are significantly magnified during that time.

Other high-risk categories include the elderly, and those with certain chronic health problems.

Are Your Health Problems Related to Aspartame Consumption?

You might not realize you're having a reaction to aspartame. In fact, most people don't make the connection, and a tremendous amount of time and money is spent by aspartame "reactors" (people sensitive to the chemical), trying to find out why they are sick.

To determine if you're a reactor, take the following steps:

Eliminate all artificial sweeteners from your diet two weeks. (Note: If you typically consume aspartame in caffeinated drinks, you'll want to gradually reduce your intake in order to avoid caffeine withdrawal symptoms.)
After two weeks of being artificial sweetener-free, reintroduce aspartame in a significant quantity (about three servings daily) and avoid other artificial sweeteners during this period.
Do this for one to three days and notice how you feel, especially as compared to when you were consuming no artificial sweeteners.
If you don't notice a difference in how you feel after re-introducing aspartame, it's a safe bet you're able to tolerate aspartame acutely, meaning your body doesn't have an immediate, adverse response. However, this doesn't mean your health won't be damaged in the long run by this chemical and its breakdown products.
For more information on the dangers of aspartame, visit http://aspartame.mercola.com.

Probiotics AND Prebiotics- What are they?

Each year, 3.8 million men and 3.4 million women die from heart disease around the world, and at least 90 million people in the US alone report having chronic illnesses like infections, diabetes and cancer.
These figures are astonishing, but the medical community has learned about a new way to reduce risk for coronary heart disease and to boost immunity at the same time.

The humble onion is actually a natural prebiotic- it can feed the friendly bacteria, or probiotics in your gut without encouraging the growth of harmful pathogens.
Prebiotics are one of the newest fields of nutritional research and offer promising benefits for your heart, your immunity and more. Prebiotics stimulate the growth of healthy microflora that populate your large intestine. When these healthy microflora (beneficial bacteria) are allowed to flourish, they help keep you healthy and strong.
Due to stress, the Standard American Diet (full of processed foods and sugar), lifestyle choices and regular use of antibiotics and other drugs, you may be lacking the microflora your body needs to maintain healthy digestion, to fight illness and disease, and to make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs.
And just as important, if parents lack a healthy inner ecosystem, they may pass this on to their children, setting the stage for a whole generation with lowered 

Prebiotics and Probiotics
In a healthy body, your inner ecosystem contains enough good bacteria (microflora or probiotics) to outnumber the bad and help maintain control over them. Probiotics may be a buzzword in the health and wellness industry, but you need to consume plenty of prebiotics, to ensure you have enough probiotics populating your gut.
Prebiotics are derived from insoluble fiber and fructooligosaccharides or FOS (carbohydrate molecules made up of a relatively small number of simple sugars).
If you make fermented foods and drinks at home, you know that you have to add a prebiotic, like honey or EcoBloom, as food for the microflora.
While sweets like honey feed yeast and are not recommended on the Body Ecology program, the microflora in our Body Ecology fermented food and drink Starters "eat" the sugar up in the fermentation process, leaving us with all the healthy benefits of fermented foods.
In fact, the combination of prebiotics and probiotics, as in fermented foods and drinks, have a combined beneficial or synbiotic effect for your health, which is why these foods and drinks are emphasized on the Body Ecology program.
In your body, prebiotics nourish the microflora (probiotics) and encourage them to work more efficiently, keeping you healthy and strong. The synbiotic effect from fermented foods and drinks means that not only do they help populate your intestines with beneficial bacteria, they also help improve the survival, implantation and growth of newly added microflora strains.
Once you've re-established your healthy inner ecosystem and have conquered viral, bacterial and fungal infections, you can add naturally sweet foods, like fruit, to your diet, which will also feed the microflora in your gut.
Until then, you have better choices for prebiotics, which I will outline below.

Types of Prebiotics
Anything with sugar in it can be a prebiotic, since microflora love to consume sugars.
Inulin - Inulin is found in 36,000 plants such as:
Herbs - chicory root, burdock root and dandelion root
Fruits - such as apples, bananas
Sweet vegetables - such as onions, garlic, asparagus, leeks and Jerusalem artichokes
Raw apple cider vinegar
EcoBloom - Body Ecology's prebiotic dietary fiber supplement
§ Mother's milk for babies
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a subgroup of inulin, is also a prebiotic and is often added to dairy foods and baked goods. It improves the taste and stimulates the growth of the beneficial bacteria, bifidobacteria.
Dairy products - studies are starting to show that lactose may be considered a prebiotic.1

What Can Prebiotics Do For You?

Heart Health
Prebiotics have been shown to moderate cholesterol and triglyceride levels- both indicators of heart disease. Specifically, one study shows that inulin can reduce artherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries by 30%.

As heart disease becomes more widespread among men and women, new approaches to treatment and prevention that do not involve medications are proving to be effective and have the added benefit of being side effect free, unless you count improved health as a side effect!
Immunity

From an immunity standpoint, who doesn't want to feel better and get sick less often? In preliminary research, prebiotics boost white blood cells and killer T cells, and may even improve your body's response to vaccinations. 

Children in one test group who ate yogurt containing inulin had fewer daycare absences, fewer doctor visits and took fewer antibiotics.
Chronic Illness and Digestion

Because prebiotics act in your intestines, they have a profound effect on the pathogens and bad bacteria in your body that can cause disease. 

NOTE;
Prebiotics are being used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn's Disease, and may also prove useful for treating cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Prebiotics and Body Ecology
Think of a fish tank: to keep your fish healthy, you need to keep their environment clean and give them food. Microflora are very similar: they need water and prebiotics (food), and since they are anaerobic, they do not like oxygen.
Pathogenic yeast (like the fungal infection, candidiasis) also feast on sugars and starches that easily break down into simple sugars. So the key is to focus on prebiotics that don't feed these pathogens so you can encourage the growth of friendly microflora.
I created the gluten-free, casein-free, sugar-free Body Ecology system to starve pathogenic and infection-causing organisms while simultaneously feeding immune-enhancing good bacteria. So how do you feed the microflora but starve the pathogens (like candida)?
Fermented Foods & Drinks - The Body Ecology program has a large array of fermented foods and drinks that you can choose from to get the synbiotic effect of prebiotics and probiotics. In the intitial stage of the Body Ecology program, here are some options: cultured vegetables, Coco-Biotic and Young Coconut Kefir. 

In the later stages (after about 3 months or when you conquer candida and your inner ecosystem is re-established), add milk kefir and fermented soyfoods (like natto, miso and wheat-free tamari).
Sour Fruit - In early stages of the Body Ecology program when your inner ecosystem is still being recolonized by good bacteria, take special care to avoid all sugars, even natural ones found in fruits. Initially, we recommend only these sour fruits: lemons, limes, unsweetened black currants and unsweetened cranberries.
Gluten-Free Grains - While grains like wheat act as prebiotics, they also feed yeast. Body Ecology grain-like seeds (amaranth, quinoa, millet and buckwheat) are gluten-free alternatives that act as prebiotics AND don't feed pathogenic yeast. For more information on our recommended grains, read: The Risks of Choosing Typical Grains and the Healthy Grains to Choose Instead.
Sweet Vegetables - Vegetables are 80% of the Body Ecology Diet, so you can eat plenty of asparagus, leeks, onions, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes and other sweet vegetables to feed healthy microflora without feeding pathogenic yeast.

GLUTEN FREE "Challenge".

GLUTEN FREE FOODS
Onion, garlic, leeks, Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, chicory root, jicama, dandelion, banana, agave, jams, Prebiotin

MILK PRODUCTS
Whole, low fat, skim, dry, evaporated or condensed milk; buttermilk; cream; whipping cream; Velveeta cheese food; American cheese; all aged cheese such as Cheddar, Swiss, Edam and Parmesan
 
MEATS and byproducts
100% meat (no grain additives); seafood; poultry (breaded with pure cornmeal, potato flour or rice flour); peanut butter; eggs; dried beans or peas; pork

BREADS
Cream of rice; cornmeal; hominy; rice; wild rice; gluten-free noodles; rice wafers; pure corn tortillas; specially prepared breads made with corn, rice, potato, soybean, tapioca, arrowroot, carob, buckwheat, millet, amaranth and quinoa flour

FATS AND OILS
Butter, margarine, vegetable oil, shortening, lard
 
FRUITS
Plain, fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruit; all fruit juices

VEGETABLES
Fresh, frozen or canned vegetables; white and sweet potatoes; yams

SNACKS AND DESSERTS
Brown and white sugar, rennet, fruit whips, gelatin, jelly, jam, honey, molasses, pure cocoa, fruit ice, carob

BEVERAGES
Tea, carbonated beverages (except root beer), fruit juices, mineral and carbonated waters, wines, instant or ground coffee

THICKENING AGENTS
Gelatin, arrowroot starch; corn flour germ or bran; potato flour; potato starch flour; rice bran and flour; rice polish; soy flour; tapioca, sago

CONDIMENTS
Gluten-free soy sauce, distilled white vinegar, olives, pickles, relish, ketchup

SEASONINGS
Salt, pepper, herbs, flavored extracts, food coloring, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, cream of tartar, monosodium glutamate

"Sample Menu"
BREAKFAST
Cream of rice - 1/2 cup
Skim milk - 1 cup
Banana - 1 medium
Orange juice - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1 tsp

LUNCH
Baked chicken - 3 oz
Rice - 1/2 cup
Green beans - 1/2 cup
Apple juice - 1/2 cup
Ice cream - 1/2
* Ice cream should be made 
   without wheat stabilizers.

DINNER
Sirloin steak - 3 oz
Baked potato - 1 medium
Peas - 1/2 cup
Fruit gelatin - 1/2 cup
Butter - 1 Tbsp
Tea - 1 cup
Sugar - 1 tsp


"MAY" CONTAIN GLUTEN
Sour cream, commercial chocolate milk and drinks, non-dairy creamers, all other cheese products, yogurt

Meat patties; canned meat; sausages; cold cuts; bologna; hot dogs; stew; hamburger; chili; commercial omelets, souffles, fondue; soy protein meat substitutes

Packaged rice mixes, cornbread, ready-to-eat cereals containing malt flavoring

Salad dressings, non-dairy creamers, mayonnaise

Vegetables with sauces, commercially prepared vegetables and salads, canned baked beans, pickles, marinated vegetables, commercially seasoned vegetables

Custards, puddings, ice cream, ices, sherbet, pie fillings, candies, chocolate, chewing gum, cocoa, potato chips, popcorn

Cocoa mixes, root beer, chocolate drinks, nutritional supplements, beverage mixes

Commercially prepared soups, broths, soup mixes, boullion cubes

Flavoring syrups (for pancakes or ice cream), mayonnaise, horseradish, salad dressings, tomato sauces, meat sauce, mustard, taco sauce, soy sauce, chip dips

All medicines - Check with pharmacist or pharmaceutical company.

DOES CONTAIN GLUTEN
Croquettes, breaded fish, chicken loaves made with bread or bread crumbs, breaded or floured meats, meatloaf, meatballs, pizza, ravioli, any meat or meat substitute, rye, barley, oats, gluten stabilizers

Breads, buns, rolls, biscuits, muffins, crackers and cereals containing wheat, wheat germ, oats, barley, rye, bran, graham flour, malt; kasha; bulgur; Melba toast; matzo; bread crumbs; pastry; pizza dough; regular noodles, spaghetti, macaroni and other pasta; rusks; dumplings; zwieback; pretzels; prepared mixes for waffles and pancakes; bread stuffing or filling

Cakes, cookies, doughnuts, pastries, dumplings, ice cream cones, pies, prepared cake and cookie mixes, pretzels, bread pudding

Postum™, Ovaltine™, malt-containing drinks, cocomalt, beer, ale

Wheat starch; all flours containing wheat, oats, rye, malt, barley or graham flour; all-purpose flour; white flour; wheat flour; bran; cracker meal; durham flour; wheat germ

Gluten Free Print Out

Celiac Central suggests printing out and posting in the kitchen until you learn what is safe and what is not.
I am jumping on the gluten free bandwagon. It certainly can't hurt to give it a try.
This print out has some great info.

Courtesy of www.celiaccentral.org
Free to Print and Post

New York Times Looks at Celiac and Alopecia

New York Times Looks at Celiac and Alopecia

What Foods Contain Gluten?

I found a very good link that explains gluten and gluten free foods.
LINK

Ceiiac/ Crohns

This is a lengthy bit of Q & A but it may help answers sone if the questions we all may have.

How do you diagnose Crohn's vs celiac disease?
July 14, 2009 10:08 PM  

How can doctors tell the difference between Crohn's/IBD and celiac disease?

I'm looking for (research-based) information that explains how doctors can diagnose Crohn's vs celiac disease.

For example, say a Crohn's diagnosis was made from barium, flexible sigmoidoscopies, colonoscopies and various symptoms over the years. What markers would show that this is Crohn's and not celiac? Or vice versa? I can find comparisons of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, but I can't find anything that explains how Crohn's is different from celiac disease.

Thanks.
posted by acoutu to health & fitness (10 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite

I was misdiagnosed as having Celiac when I had IBD. The first, less invasive way of diagnosing Celiac is to go on a wheat elimination diet. If you feel better and symptoms go away- then there's your diagnosis. If not, they can do an endoscopy. With an endoscopy the doctor can conclusively diagnose celiac. Villi are damaged by Celiac, so if the doctor sees evidence of damage to the Villi he'll know you have Celiac.
posted by bananafish at 10:31 PM on July 14, 2009


But would villi be damaged if you had Crohn's?
posted by acoutu at 10:35 PM on July 14, 2009


For one thing, as I understand it, you can have DNA testing to see if you are at risk for Celiac disease. The DNA testing is not used to diagnose celiac disease, but can exclude the diagnosis because you must have certain genetic markers in order to develop Celiac disease.

Having these so-called "celiac disease genes" does not mean you're guaranteed to have celiac disease. In fact, the vast majority of people with the genes never develop celiac disease. Having the genes only means you have a risk of someday developing celiac disease. On the other hand, if you don't have these genes, your odds of developing celiac disease are slim to none. More info. here.
posted by gudrun at 10:57 PM on July 14, 2009


There is a blood test for celiac disease that tests for certain antibodies to gluten that will be present in an individual with celiac. These antibodies will not be present if an individual has Crohn's or IBD.

From the NIH:

People with celiac disease have higher than normal levels of certain autoantibodies—proteins that react against the body’s own cells or tissues—in their blood. To diagnose celiac disease, doctors will test blood for high levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA) or anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA). If test results are negative but celiac disease is still suspected, additional blood tests may be needed.
posted by fuzzbean at 11:06 PM on July 14, 2009


My understanding is that during the colonoscopy, they take a biopsy and the lab work on this will give a 100% positive for Crohn's disease (BTDT). Coincidentally, at the time when I started having the symptoms, a co-worker of mine was also getting similar ones. He Celiac disease is harder to positively diagnose - his was diagnosed through a fairly uncommon (at the time) blood test that he insisted upon.
posted by plinth at 3:19 AM on July 15, 2009


Definitive diagnosis is by biopsy for both diseases, as mentioned above.
posted by objdoc at 5:57 AM on July 15, 2009


except that definitive biopsy for Celiac disease is from the first part of the small bowel, while Crohn's is generally biopsied in the large bowel. Crohn's can affect other parts of the bowel, so this isn't universally true, but it's the general approach.
posted by cameradv at 7:52 AM on July 15, 2009


Some of what has been said above is untrue. In most cases, the clinical presentation and in particular the extent of bowel involvement along with biopsy and blood test results can help differentiate these two disease.

But there is a small potential for diagnostic uncertainty particularly with Crohn's disease limited to the small bowel when a biopsy fails to identify the hallmark pathological features of Crohn's disease. Suggestive biopsy findings (from the duodenum) alone are not enough for a definitive diagnosis of celiac disease in the absence of antibodies in the blood that are also consistent with celiac. Villous atrophy on pathology specimen may be due to celiac, but it may also be found in Crohn's, bacterial overgrowth, tropical sprue and a number of other conditions. This should prompt careful assessment of other clinical, laboratory or pathological features that might prompt the diagnosis of one of these other conditions. If there's no other clear cut evidence of Crohn's (or other disease) and a suggestive biopsy is all you have, a presumptive diagnosis is entertained and patients will often be treated for celiac at that point. I'd say a response to gluten-free diet in addition to pathological findings is then probably adequate for a diagnosis, even if there were no antibodies present. However really, the combination of celiac specific antibodies and a duodenal biopsy consistent with the disease is more convincing. To add even more confirmation, symptomatic improvement as well as possible improvements in the blood tests while on a gluten-free diet might really confirm things.

In patients that have blood tests that are positive for celiac but a pathology specimen that is negative for the disease, the diagnosis is again murky. For some, this leads to repeated endoscopy for more tissue to evaluate, referral for second opinions, or again, a trial of therapy as previously described.

There is clearly a genetic component to celiac, and there is a DNA test for specific HLA-alleles that are associated with the disease. However at this time genetic testing is not, as far as I'm aware, a part of the "standard" diagnostic approach. Some experts may be using genetic tests with increasing frequency to differentiate murkier cases but I suspect that these tests have only been available for a year or so, and they may suffer from poor specificity. Again, I could be wrong on that as I'm not an academic gastroenterologist.

Again, most of the time Crohn's versus celiac is not a difficult diagnosis to make, but in rare cases it can be a challenge, and really what I've described is the tip of the iceberg, and for all I know, may already be behind the times on the issue. That's why if the diagnosis remains unclear, I'd suggest seeking out care at an academic center with gastroenterologists experienced in the subtleties of such diagnoses.
posted by drpynchon at 10:05 AM on July 15, 2009


Thank you all for your responses. Dr Pynchon, if the patient has indeed been diagnosed with Crohn's, would celiac have been ruled out? Or are there definitive hallmarks of Crohn's that would rule out celiac and not cause confusion. Say a patient has had fistula, abscess, fissures, various states of blood in stool and has had biopsies that indicate Crohn's. Based on my own research, I believe these to distinguish Crohn's from celiac. But is there still room for confusion? I can't find any studies that show how they can tell the difference, especially given that many people with Crohn's do have celiac. And if the patient, who was diagnosed with Crohn's by two separate specialists 10+ years ago now has a sibling with celiac and may have child who has celiac, I just wanted to know how the diseases are distinguished.

(I am not seeking a medical opinion. I just wondered how doctors know which is which. There are several sites and journal articles that explain IBS vs celiac, but not IBD vs celiac.)
posted by acoutu at 10:33 AM on July 15, 2009


Just to be clear, there are two different blood tests that can identify celiac disease: one is the test for antibodies to gluten (or rather gliadin, which is the protein in the gluten that causes the problem) and the other is a DNA test of the patient that identifies if he/she has an HLA type that is associated with celiac disease. The gliadin antibodies test is now a common enough test that it is usually included in a standardized blood test panel given at many gastroenterologists' offices, so I would hope that if you know someone with IBD that their doctor, if at all competent, should have taken the time to check for the antibodies already. The HLA test is pretty new.

Neither test is considered definitive proof without also doing a biopsy, but sometimes you can skip that if other factors warrant it. Personally, I had tested positive for antibodies and did much better after a few months on a gluten-free diet, so my doctor and I were fine with skipping the biopsy and assuming I have celiac disease. Years later, I happened to find out that my HLA type is indeed one of the ones associated with celiac disease, after being tested and typed for the national bone marrow donor database.
posted by Asparagirl at 9:48 AM on July 16, 2009 [1 favorite]

Celiac Disease and Crohn's

Celiac.com 06/30/2005 – Researchers in Italy have determined that those with Crohns disease also have a high prevalence of celiac disease. Their study evaluated 27 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with Crohns disease—13 were men and 14 were women, with a mean age of 32.3 years. Each patient was screened for celiac disease using antigliadin, antiendomysium, and antitransglutaminase blood antibody tests, and the sorbitol H2 breath test. If either the blood or breath test was positive, the patients were given a small bowel biopsy for final confirmation.

The results of the celiac disease screening of the 27 Crohns patients:
Positive antigliadin – 8 - 29.63%
Positive antiendomysium – 4 - 14.81%
Positive antitransglutaminase – 5 - 18.52%
Positive sorbitol H2 – 11 - 40.74%
Positive biopsy – 5 of 11 - 18.52% Crohns patients studied

The researchers conclude that there is a high prevalence of celiac disease in those with Crohns disease, and that all patients who are diagnosed with Crohns disease should begin a gluten-free diet at the time of diagnosis.

I will be posting many mote articles and links.

How Probiotics Can Boost Your Overall Health Regime

How Probiotics Can Boost Your Overall Health Regime

by Michael Shahani

Probiotics, sometimes called “friendly bacteria,” are beneficial microorganisms that naturally inhabit the human digestive system. You already have billions of bacteria living in your gut. Some are harmful (pathogenic), but many are beneficial. Keeping a balance between the good and the bad bacterial is critical to maintaining good health. The right probiotic will go to work directly in your intestines to help digest your food and purge wastes from the body. Probiotics help keep bad bacteria and yeast from growing in your intestinal tract, and confer many other proven benefits to you, including vitamin production and keeping your immune system healthy.

Without realizing it, every day you eat processed, over-refined, or sterilized foods that destroy the natural balance of healthy flora in your intestines. Even when eating a so-called healthy diet, your body’s flora is bombarded with chemicals, pesticides, and antibiotics that further endanger this delicate balance of friendly bacteria. In addition, most of us do not eat enough, if any, of the traditional, naturally fermented foods that contain these bacteria. Probiotics are a great way to help improve your overall health and are becoming one of today’s hottest health trends.

Daily Dose

Every human can benefit from a daily regime of probiotics. Taking a daily supplement* (be sure to consult an expert and/or your doctor) can have positive lifelong effects. Most of our daily lifestyle contains stress, alcohol, caffeine, and medications, which kill your body’s supply of friendly bacteria. As our bodies get older they become less efficient at digesting food and maintaining high levels of probiotics in the intestines. Taking a probiotic supplement can provide your intestines with the vital bacteria it is missing as well as help your body produce its own brand of B vitamins to combat stress and disease.
Probiotics play a vital role in the healthy operation of many of our body’s daily functions. Here are some of the most common and well-researched problems that can be improved with probiotic supplementation (without side effects):
Control Digestive Problems - helps to build up a healthy supply of good bacteria in the intestine and can be an alternative to over-the-counter remedies.
Enhances Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance Programs - maintaining ideal body weight to make sure that your digestive system is functioning properly. A healthy digestive system increases energy and improves your metabolism.
Inhibit Tumors and Carcinogenesis - in clinical studies, Dr. Khem Shahani’s discovery of L. Acidophilus DDS-1 and L. bulgaricus has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and block the formation of carcinogenic compounds in the colon.
Fight Yeast and Fungal Infections - probiotics stimulate the production of white blood cells in the body that combat candida yeast and fungal infections.
Enhance Calcium Metabolism - increase the body’s ability to absorb and metabolize calcium.
Improve Immune Function - maintain intestinal health and enhance natural immune system response by stimulating the body’s production of NK- and T-cells.
Reduce Cholesterol in the Blood - in the digesting of fats that contribute to the levels of LDL and HDL cholesterol in the blood.
Produce B Vitamins Naturally - increase the rate of metabolism, help maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, and enhance nervous system function.
Reduces Skin Problems - help alleviate skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
Help With Liver Function - detoxify the blood to help the liver to perform more efficiently and with less strain.
*NOTE: Information in this article, including comments on medical treatments, is not intended as medical advice. It should be evaluated critically and should not take the place of medical advice from a licensed healthcare professional.

Vitamin D Deficientcy

Vitamin D Absorption Is Diminished In Patients With Crohn's Disease

20 Jan 2011   

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have for the first time shown that reduced vitamin D absorption in patients with quiescent Crohn's disease (CD) may be the cause for their increased risk for vitamin D deficiency. The findings, which currently appear on-line in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, also showed that the only way to determine absorption efficiency is to perform a vitamin D bioavailability test.

Vitamin D is ingested in the diet as well as synthesized in the skin from UVB irradiation from the sun. People living in areas that receive less sunlight have lower circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and have higher prevalence rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In addition, both children and adults with IBD have an increased incidence of vitamin D deficiency. In particular, patients with CD have an increased incidence of vitamin D deficiency, relative to both patients with ulcerative colitis and the general population.

Ten normal subjects (50 percent female) and 37 CD patients with quiescent disease (51 percent female) were included in this study. A vitamin D bioavailability test was performed on all subjects. After a baseline blood draw, all subjects were then given a single 50,000 IU oral dose of vitamin D2 in a capsule formulation and had their blood drawn 12 hours later to determine serum vitamin D2 which reflected their vitamin D2 absorption capacity. The researchers found that CD patients had on average a 30 percent decrease in their ability to absorb vitamin D2 when compared to normal subjects.

According to the researchers, this study emphasized the important role of an oral vitamin D absorption test, which may be an excellent means to assess for the malabsorption of fat soluble vitamin. "We demonstrated that neither disease activity nor prior surgery or location of disease predicts the ability to absorb vitamin D," said lead author Francis Farraye, MD, MSc, a professor of medicine at BUSM.

"Since the ability to absorb vitamin D in CD patients is unpredictable, the only way to determine absorption efficiency is to perform a vitamin D bioavailability test. This test is convenient and its use may guide clinicians in administering the appropriate therapeutic dose of vitamin D for treating vitamin D deficiency in patients with CD," added senior author Michael Holick, PhD, MD, a professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at BUSM.

Additionally, in a pilot study, the researchers performed vitamin D absorption tests in four patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and found a wide variability of vitamin D2 bioavailability in patients with UC as well as in 17 patients with CD, which was unexpected since vitamin D is absorbed in the small intestine and not in the colon.

The results, if confirmed by others may merit the development of a vitamin D assay by reference laboratories as a clinical test. "Our data support the use of an oral vitamin D absorption test in CD patients, especially in those patients who could not correct in the vitamin D deficiency by either dietary or pharmacologic means," added Farraye.

Source:
Gina DiGravio
Boston University Medical Center
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/214128.php

Celebrities with Crohn's Disease

Here is yet another well known actress with Crohn's Disease. Can you guess why she might have gotten a reputation for being "bitchy"?

Shannen Doherty is an American actress who starred in the hit television series Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed revealed in 1999 that she suffers from Crohn's disease. 

Health Benefits of Cabbage

The health benefits of cabbage include treatment of constipation, stomach ulcers, headache, excess weight, skin disorders, eczema, jaundice, scurvy, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, eye disorders, heart diseases, ageing, and Alzheimer's disease.

Did you know that the cheap, humble looking and so widely used cabbage could work miracles? Cabbage is a leafy vegetable of Brassica family, round or oval in shape, consisting of soft light green or whitish inner leaves covered with harder and dark green outer leaves. It is widely used throughout the world, eaten cooked or raw as salad and is a very popular vegetable.

Deficiency Symptoms: 
Deficiency of Vitamin C: Scurvy, which is recognized by spongy and bleeding gums, cracked lip corners etc., very weak immune system, frequent infections and cold, ageing, depression etc.
Remedy: Cabbage is abundant is Vitamin C. You will be surprised to know that it is richer in vitamin C than the famous oranges. Vitamin C, being one of the best anti oxidant, reduces free radicals in your body which are the basic causes of ageing. It also helps repairing the wear and tears in the body. Thus it is very helpful in treating ulcers, certain cancers, depressions, for strengthening immune system and fighting against cough and cold, healing of wounds and damaged tissues, proper functioning of nervous system and thereby help curing Alzheimer’s disease etc.

Deficiency of Roughage: This is a very serious deficiency but most neglected. Lack of roughage in the food results in constipation, the root cause to innumerable other ailments and health hazards such as stomach ulcers, headache, intestinal cancer, indigestion and resultant loss of appetite, skin diseases, eczema, ageing and hundreds related problems. 
Remedies: Cabbage is very rich in fiber. This helps retain water and forms the bulk of the food and the bowels. Thus it is a good cure for constipation and related problems.

Deficiency of Sulphur: Sulphur is a very useful nutrient as it fights infections. Its deficiency results in microbial infections and late healing of wounds.
Remedy: Again, cabbage is rich is sulphur. So, it helps fight infections in wounds and ulcers.

Detoxification by cabbage: Cabbage is a good detoxifier too, i.e. it purifies blood and removes toxins (primarily free radicals and uric acid which is major cause for rheumatism, gout, arthritis, renal calculi, skin diseases, eczema, hardening and de-colorization of skin etc.). This detoxifying effect of cabbage is due to the presence of vitamin C and sulphur.

Other benefits of Cabbage: Cabbage, being rich in iodine, helps in proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system, apart from keeping the endocrinal glands in proper condition. Thus, it is good for brain and treatment of neurotic disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The various other nutrients present in cabbage such as vitamin-E which keeps the skin, eye and hair healthy, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc., are very useful for overall health. The cabbage can also be used for treatment of varicose veins, leg ulcers, peptic and duodenal ulcers etc.

So, now you know that the inevitable part of your Chinese dish could do you miracles. Add more and more cabbage in your daily diet, be it your soup or be it your salad, this is going to help you live a healthy and longer life.

This article was contributed by Aparup Mukherjee.

True Guts - Crohns Documentary

Jen's Crohns Story

CCFA TEAM CHALLENGE

Team Challenge
Team Challenge is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s endurance training and fundraising program. Through Team Challenge, you can run or walk 13.1 miles or train for a cycling event while helping to find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two chronic and often debilitating digestive diseases that impact 1.4 million Americans.

Team Challenge: Your ticket to a sold-out destination race!
Team Challenge is taking you to world-class destination races in 2011! You'll walk or run through the hillside vineyards of California Wine Country (July 17), the historic estates and beautiful horse farms of Virginia (June 4), or the scenic beaches of Kona, Hawaii (June 26) when you join our team.

The Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon and the Napa Wine Country Half Marathon are now sold-out races -- the ONLY way to race in these events in 2011.

Half Marathon Training Program
Don't see your area listed in the links below? Join the National Team.



The following areas are participating in Team Challenge:

Boston (New England Chapter)
Carolinas (Charlotte, NC)
Chicago (Illinois Chapter)
Cincinnati (Southwest Ohio)
Cleveland (Northeast Ohio)
Denver, CO (Rocky Mountain Chapter)
Fairfield, CT
Florida - North Florida - Jacksonville
Florida - Central Florida - Orlando
Florida - South Florida & The Palm Beaches
Georgia
Las Vegas (Southwest Chapter)
Long Island, NY                      
Los Angeles/Orange County
Maryland (Baltimore)
Mid-America (St.Louis)
Minnesota                  
New Jersey
Northern California - Peninsula & South Bay  
Northern California - San Francisco & East Bay      
North Texas (Dallas)
NYC     
Philadelphia / Delaware Valley 
Pittsburgh (Western PA)    
San Diego, CA   
Seattle (Northwest Chapter)                
Phoenix (Southwest Chapter)
Texas Gulf (Houston)
Washington DC / Virginia
Westchester, NY
Wisconsin                 

Don't see your area listed? Join the National Team

CCFA TEAM CHALLENGE

Rifaximin Therapy for Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Antibiotic Rifaximin Extremely Effective In Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

06 Jan 2011   

Rifaximin, a minimally absorbed antibiotic that stays in the gut has been found to provide long-lasting relief for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), researchers have revealed in NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine). IBS patients experienced relief long after they had stopped taking the drug.

The authors report that patients reported relief from IBS symptoms for up to 10 weeks after completing rifaximin treatment. They specifically reported considerable reductions in abdominal pain, bloating, and better stool consistency.

The authors explain that the idea that bacteria play a major role in IBS has been disputed over the last ten years. These latest findings confirm that intestinal bacteria, also known as the gut microbiome, are closely involved in IBS symptoms.

Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as spastic colitis, nervous colon syndrome, or IBS is a chronic (long-term) gastrointestinal disorder that causes bloating, mucous in stools, irregular bowel habits (diarrhea and constipation), and abdominal pain. In the majority of cases patients have periods during their lives when the symptoms wax and wane. Although IBS can be extremely unpleasant, it does not usually lead to serious complications. However, it can cause absenteeism (from work), serious fatigue and make the patient's life a misery. Fortunately, the majority of patients do not have severe symptoms.

Approximately 30 million Americans are known to be affected by IBS. This latest therapy was developed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Lead author, Mark Pimentel, M.D., GI Motility Program director and principal investigator of the clinical trials at Cedars-Sinai, said that their findings demostrate that targeted antibiotics are both safe and effective for long-lasting IBS relief.

William D. Chey, M.D., professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan, said:

"This represents a big change in the way we think about and treat IBS."


Chey added that currently available treatments, such as fiber supplements or dietary changes do not provide satisfactory relief for a significant number of patients - as soon as treatment stops, symptoms tend to come rushing back. With this new treatment, however, even when they have stopped taking the meidcation, patients continue feeling better.

The study involved 660 patients in two double-blind trials. All the IBS participants with mild to moderate diarrhea and bloating were randomly selected to receive a three times daily dose of 550milligrams of rifaximin or a placebo (dummy drug) for a period of two weeks. They were then monitored for a further ten weeks.

40% of patients on rifaximin experienced relief immediately from abdominal pain, loose/watery stools and bloating. The majority of them had symptom relief that continued for several weeks after completing their antibiotic treatment.

Because IBS causes have been unclear, doctors have tended to focus on treatments which either slow down or speed up the digestive process, depending on whether their IBS provokes more diarrhea or constipation.

A previous study had found an association between bloating and bacterial fermentation in the intestine related to small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Other studies have suggested that the bacteria which exist within the small and large intestines of individuals with IBS are not the same as those within the intestines of other people.

Rifaximin, which is marketed by Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc., is currently approved by the FDA to treat hepatic encephalopathy and traveler's diarrhea.

"Rifaximin Therapy for Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome without Constipation"
Mark Pimentel, M.D., Anthony Lembo, M.D., William D. Chey, M.D., Salam Zakko, M.D., Yehuda Ringel, M.D., Jing Yu, Ph.D., Shadreck M. Mareya, Ph.D., Audrey L. Shaw, Ph.D., Enoch Bortey, Ph.D., and William P. Forbes, Pharm.D. for the TARGET Study Group
N Engl J Med 2011; 364:22-32January 6, 2011

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/212981.php

Main News Category: Irritable-Bowel Syndrome

Also Appears In:  GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology,  

Crohns Scholarship

UCB Announces the Sixth Year of Their Crohn's Scholarship Program
UCB is proud to once again offer 30 one-time scholarships of up to $10,000 each in 2011. This opportunity extends to participants diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) who are seeking an associate's, undergraduate, or graduate degree, or who are enrolled in a trade school educational program.

This is the sixth year UCB has had the opportunity to support those living with CD with the Crohn's Scholarship Program. The program aims to help these students continue their education and live beyond the boundaries of their disease.

UCB, Inc., is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative treatments for inflammatory diseases such as CD. UCB is dedicated to creating unique programs and tools to help people with Crohn’s fulfill their educational ambitions.

We are proud to sponsor a scholarship program that recognizes and rewards your ability to take control of Crohn's—and not allow it to control you.

Do You Qualify?
This program is designed for applicants of any age. An applicant must be:

A legal resident of the United States
Diagnosed with Crohn's disease by a physician
Seeking an associate's, undergraduate, or graduate degree, or enrolled in a trade school educational program
An individual who demonstrates academic ambition and embraces a way of life that overcomes the boundaries of living with Crohn's disease
Enrolled in or awaiting acceptance from a United States-based institution of higher education for the fall semester of 2011
Employees of UCB, their immediate family members, and previous Crohn's Scholarship winners are not eligible for this scholarship.

Medical Marijuana and Crohns

Read Story about Crohns/ Medical Marijuana

CCFA Team Challenge Training/ Virginia

Team Challenge Takes You to Historic Virginia!

Experience Northern Virginia and the Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon on June 4th with Team Challenge, CCFA's endurance training and fundraising program. When you join us, you'll run or walk this great destination race on the winding country roads of Northern Virginia through hillside vineyards, expansive horse farms, and historic estates.

Our 16-week professional training program is designed to meet your unique walk or run fitness needs. We'll get you ready for the finish! While you're training, we'll also help you to raise critical dollars to fund research and programs for the 1.4 million people suffering from Crohn's and colitis, two chronic digestive diseases.

Our Team Challenge information meetings are taking place in January. When you attend an information meeting, you'll meet a coach, talk with a CCFA staff person, and learn more about how Team Challenge can help you and help others! The Virginia Half Marathon is sold out to everyone BUT Team Challenge participants. Find a meeting near you today and join us in Virginia Wine Country!



Information Resource Center: 888.MY.GUT.PAIN (888.694.8872)
Web site: http://www.ccfa.org/
E-mail: info@ccfa.org
Phone: 800-932-2423

CCFA's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these digestive disease