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.