Top 4 GMO Foods Linked To All Digestive Disorders.

These 4 are in everything from roasted nuts to your peanut spread and chip dips and tortillas, if not organic. It is crucial to read labels if in The States to avoid these 4 absolutely toxins! This is not about amount - even a fraction will produce pesticides within your body.

Europe has widely banned the use of GMO, but unfortunately even a minuscule amount disrupts digestion and leads to malabsorption that can take typically 2 years to fully recover from once on a healing program geared to restore your gut flora and stomach lining. The easiest is to prevent - so cut these four out completely! This is not just about excess calories that your body can burn off - these 4 act like neurotoxins and linked to mental disorders as well.

Remember a strong mind starts in your gut. You are what you absorb.  And what you absorb affects how you think... feel... and behave.

Why Even Non-celiacs May Need To Skip Gluten.

We have the right to know what's in our food.

Because food is love. Food is family. Food determines your future.
If you're in California, vote yes to proposition 37.
GMO is already illegal in 61 countries.

RED ALERT: Over 90% of supplements contain this POISON!!!

“Stearic Acid inhibits T-cell dependent immune responses. Plasma membrane integrity is significantly impaired, leading to a loss of membrane potential and ultimately cell function and viability.”

Tebbey PW, Buttke TM, “Molecular Basis For The Immunosuppressive Action

of Stearic Acid on T cells”, Immunogy, 1990 Jul; 379-86

Stearic acid - same as magnesium stearate; pure poison.
In the trashcan it goes!

Over 90% of the vitamin/mineral products consumed today contain magnesium stearate, also known as stearic acid. Why is this a problem? Because research has shown that stearic acid suppresses T cells (your natural killer cells) which are a key component of your immune system.
This filler also stimulates your gut to form a biofilm; acting as a barrier to absorb every other nutrient that you ingest! Naturally, you are taking supplements to gain health, yet if you are taking a supplement containing magnesium stearate, you are getting the opposite end result - leading to malabsorption issues ironically; partly explaining why we are experiencing an epidemic of gut-related illnesses.

The FDA is looking into making magnesium stearate illegal as use for a supplement filler - until that happens, double check your label my friend!

GI disorders on the rise: The case for WHITE rice.

Of course the Asian cultures with their influence

from Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine

have chosen to make white rice a stable part of their diet for a reason.

And now the West is finally beginning to grasp a grain

of what they have known and implemented for centuries: white rice is better than brown!

Just don't expect your health care practitioner to recommend this tomorrow

- as with all break-throughs in medicine it takes decades for it to reach the mainstream.

Just when you thought there were certain things in the health field that would never change - i.e. a pint of Haagen dasz is never going to be on the bottom of the food pyramide nor is anything white: white flour, white rice, white sugar... and so on.
After all, all things white is the reason why the West is getting fatter yet more malnourished by the minute, is it not.

Well, turns out it's not that simple - and cutting out white rice in exchange for brown may only be leading to further GI disorders. Now hang on a second before you just write this off as wish-washy alternative nonsense.

Let's start from the beginning.

Gastro intestinal disorders and gluten intolerance issues have reached epidemic proportions.
This is a catastrophe, because our knowledge of gluten intolerance is still at a baby stage and conventional medicine simply does not know how to treat (and much less properly diagnose!) inflamed gut and damaged villis.

Many of the meds you may be taking for secondary reasons are preventing your gut from healing by thinning the mucosal lining along with the fact that every Rx leads to your blood pH being more acidic. Now I'm not saying that Rx is always a no-no, it is always a question of pros vs. cons. However, in cases of inflamed gut you will have a load of symptoms that are all secondary: Osteoporosis, low T3, hormonal imbalance, mood disorders etc. etc. And they will continue to be present until you heal the primary reason for your disease - which is your gut.

With GI disorders every other disease under the sun follows, which is why it is critical to first heal your gut and then focus on any other issues you may be having. Simply because if your gut isn't healed step 1, whatever goes into your body either adds toxins and ferments due to indigestion or simply just exists your system without you having absorbed any nutrients at all.

Now back to the white stuff. Brown rice (which Asian cultures only use for the poor or to feed the pigs) contains something called phytic acid. Phytic acid binds to minerals in foods and limit our digestion of the minerals.

What about the fiber you ask? Well, turns out that more fiber is not the cure we thought it once was. Especially not the sort of roughage that stems from grains - bran, which is a typical recommendation to bulk up your fiber intake, literally tears your insides to shreds and prevents nutrient absorption (mind you, you still have to eat your fruit and veggies - it is only the grain roughage that is an issue). Brown rice is white rice with a thick hull around it. It is kind of like eating a walnut and not taking the shell off. There are nutrients in the hull, but they have a very poor bioavailability. Our bodies spend a lot of time and effort trying to break down the shell, which will use up energy and slow our metabolism.

Ever been on a juice diet where you actually consume zero fiber? Point: You do not get constipated from lack of roughage in your diet, you get constipated when you eat things your system cannot digest properly - i.e. most conventional casein a1 milk products and gluten (if this does not match your genotype).

(White) rice is one of the least allergenic foods there is on the grain side, and it is especially great as part of your diet for people low on serotonin as they need some quicker carbs to help boost insulin so that it can transport competing aminos out of the blood stream to the muscles, leaving the larger molecule tryptophan (precursor of serotonin) free to enter the brain-blood barrier.

Note: Also why a strict vegan or high protein diet is a disaster for people with low serotonin - first diet does not contain the building blocks for serotonin, and the second contains too many competitors so tryptophan will never be converted into brain-serotonin - and that's why some people experience crazy carb cravings on the Atkins diet (only those low on serotonin)!

..And is there anything more comforting 

than eating a bowl of steaming hot 

Indian spiced basmati rice glistening 

with pasture butter. And then we can get into 

the whole discussion of why saturated fats 

are not all created equal etc. - that's for another post!

Bottomline: You are what you absorb - so eat your rice WHITE like the Asians do!
I recommend the long-grain variety as they are slightly more nutritious.

If you want a great easy-read on why white rice is better (yesyes, I know you're almost suffocating there on your coffee reading this, admittedly it took me some time to get comfortable enough to finally put this down in writing even), then I recommend you grab the book by Jason Bussell  MSOM, Licensed Acupuncturist, The Asian Diet: Simple secrets for eating right, losing weight, and being well.
Mind you, this book is not a magic key per se, and admittedly I'd have preferred some more brain chemistry explanations and insights to be included, as this is always a pet-peeve of mine when determining if something is worth it - that said, it is still great on getting insight on why white rice indeed is better than brown from a gut-perspective!

And if switching from brown to white makes all your alarms go off due to the glycemic index, then read my case for why the gi index is a useless tool.

References:

Pharm Dev Technol. 2010 Sep-Oct;15(5):526-31.
Gastro-intestinal sustained release of phytic acid by molecularly imprinted microparticles.
Cirillo G, Curcio M, Parisi OI, Puoci F, Iemma F, Spizzirri UG, Picci N

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2009 Dec;60(8):688-93.
Iron absorption from brown rice/brown rice-based meal and milled rice/milled rice-based meal.
Trinidad TP, Mallillin AC, Sagum RS, Briones DP, Encabo RR, Juliano BO

Dig Dis Sci. 1990 Oct;35(10):1205-10.
Drug-induced esophageal injury. Histopathological study in a rabbit model.
Brewer AR, Smyrk TC, Bailey RT Jr, Bonavina L, Eypasch EP, Demeester TR

Drug Saf. 2000 Mar;22(3):237-49.
Drug-induced oesophageal disorders: pathogenesis, incidence, prevention and management.
Jaspersen D

Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2010 Apr;24(2):91-7.
Adverse effects of drugs on the esophagus.
Tutuian R; Clinical Lead Outpatient Services and Gastrointestinal Function Laboratory

Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2004 Apr;28 Spec No 3:C58-61.
[Esophageal complications of non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs].
Bigard MA, Pelletier AL

Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2004;18 Suppl:73-81.
Aging and upper gastrointestinal disorders.
Pilotto A

Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012 Jan 31. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2011.01872.x. [Epub ahead of print]
Life style in persons with functional gastrointestinal disorders - large-scale internet survey of lifestyle in Japan.
Miwa H

BMC Gastroenterol. 2008 Sep 23;8:43.
The clinical overlap between functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome based on Rome III criteria.
Wang A, Liao X, Xiong L, Peng S, Xiao Y, Liu S, Hu P, Chen M

The Nutrition Doctor's Secrets of Anti-Aging no. 2: Top 10 Super Foods

The Nutrition Doctor either uses medicinal mushrooms
as part of tonics or in savory recipes!

Medicinal mushrooms
High in super immune-enhancing polysaccharides such as beta glucans, medicinal mushrooms are one of the most intelligent adaptogenic herbs on the planet. Reishi mushrooms are the most well studied herb in the history of the world. reishi has antioxidant properties that protect the body from radiation and free radicals. it inhibits bacteria, viruses, treats tumors, and its adaptogenic properties protect the body from stress.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These types of fats - especially eicosapentaenoic acid - performs a number of functions in the body from balancing hormones to improving skin, hair and nails. In general most diets are deprived of omega-3s and have excessive omega-6. Having an excess of omega-6 fatty acids and rancid trans fatty acids, such as are commonly found in processed foods, leads to inflammatory response in the body, which can develop into a contributing factor in cardiovascular disease, immunity challenges, and neurological problems. The best way to get the right kind of fatty acids is to consume foods containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). These are commonly founds in microalgaes such as chlorella, marine phytoplankton, and seeds like hemp, chia and flax in addition to fatty fish, which is an excellent source of EPA and DHA, as long as you choose from the bottom of the food chain to minimize heavy metal intake.

B-Vitamins
B-vitamins such as B6, B9 and B12 are highly correlated with our ability to handle stress. B12 gets used up in our body quickly just by the stresses and toxicity found in our environment on a daily basis. B12 is known to deactivate homocysteine found in our blood. Elevated homocysteine levels correlate directly with our chance s of having a heart attack. the best form to take is methylcobalamin, which has the added benefit of contributing a methyl group that breaks down carcinogenic "bad" estrogen in the system and helps rebalance hormones in women. Vitamin B6 and B9 also contribute methyl groups to our liver, helping to break down "bad" estrogen.

MACA: Increase your stamina
from the bedroom t0 the boardroom!

Maca
A staple of the Peruvian Andes for thousand of years, this adaptogenic superfood increases energy, endurance, strength and libido. Dried maca powder contains 19 amino acids and 7 essential amino acids. it offers incredible hormone regulation from the top down, supporting the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the thyroid, and the adrenal glands in addition to being rich in B-vitamins. Maca is one of the secrets to the efficacy of The Nutrition Doctor's Natural Hormone Balancing™ program and customized blend series.

Probiotics
A healthy ecosystem in our body starts in the gut - your second brain. After we hit 30 we experience a drastic drop in the secretion of digestive enzymes and our ability to digest and utilize the nutrients no matter how clean a diet we are following. Therefor, supplementing with a high-quality probiotic as well as including 2 servings of fermented foods daily, such as kefir, buttermilk, yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, natto etc. is crucial to maintain a healthy gut flora and benefit from whatever other supplements you are taking.

Astragalus
This herb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Astragalus has antioxidant properties that protects the cell against damage caused by free radicals and is used to protect and support the body's immune system, including improving the power of the lungs. Some astragalus samples contain TA-65, the most powerful anti-aging compound ever discovered! The Nutrition Doctor has included this compound both in Santini Skin Solutions™ as well as our Natural Hormone Balancing™ line.

Goji Berries
Used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years, goji berries are regarded as a longevity, stregth-building and potency food of the highest order. This superfood contains 18 kinds of amino acids, all 8 essential amino acids, 21 trace minerals in addition to being high in antioxidants, iron, polysaccharides, B and E vitamins, and many other nutrients. They are especially high in eyesight improving zeaxanthin. Goji berries have always been associated with longevity and beauty.

The Nutrition Doctor in The Kitchen:
RAW Chocolate-Cashew Cream. LICK IT!

Cacao
This is the highest antioxidant food on the planet! It is the no. 1 source of magnesium, iron, chromium, manganese (important for strong bones), and is also extremely high in PEA. Cacao's theobromine adds cardiovascular support. The Nutrition Doctor eats RAW chocolate every day to keep a strong mind in a strong body, and loves it as it balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones, is a natural aphrodisiac, and elevates your mood and energy by increasing serotonin and dopamine brain chemicals. We have added raw cocoa in our Natural Hormone Balancing line, which is delicious blended with a frozen banana and drizzled with raw Manuka honey and chopped nuts. Get the recipe for raw chocolate-cashew ice cream here (will be available when the new web site, kitchen and product line launches in March - so stay tuned).

Aloe Vera
The gel of aloe vera contains vitamin C and E, the minerals sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and chromium as well as antioxidants, fiber, amino acids, enzymes, sterols, lignans, and most importantly, polysaccharides. the polysaccharides have a particular lubricating effect on the joints, brain, nervous system, and the skin. Aloe Vera is one of the many ingredients that work synergistic in boosting collagen and improving skin tone in Santini Skin Solutions™. Aloe Vera, when taken orally, also has immuno-modulating effect, allowing the body to fight back chronic nanobacterial and fungal infections. Aloe vera is a crucial part of any weight loss regime, as it has been shown that when ingesting aloe, you can lose weight yet gain muscle mass simultaneously!

Love

Eat. Breathe. Love.

This is the last, but most important step to live long and strong: The sweet taste of love.
Love completely and unconditionally. It spikes beta-endorphins, our natural pain-killers, boosts brain-serotonin and enhances the flavors of life on every level. Learning to love yourself and others is the first step towards emotional freedom and healing. When you love life, you need not numb yourself by overeating or drugging yourself.

Christina Santini, The Nutrition Doctor, specializes in herbal medicine along with having a caring and compassionate approach in helping you overcome obstacles in your life and redesigning it the way you want it.

Take back control of your health and get the life you deserve.
You can make an appointment for a coaching session by phone, skype or 1:1 (in person appointments only Los Angeles and New York area) here.

Flawed Food Al!ergy Testing!

Most allergy testing labs limit what they measure. They typically only look at one or two types of antibodies or immunoglobulins.  Humans make five different types of antibodies, but also have other types of chemical reactions to allergens. The diagram below illustrates the comprehensive delayed allergy response.

When doctors look for gluten sensitivity, they typically only measure IgG response to the gluten protein gliadin (and gliadin is only one of thousands of different glutens).  It is widely known amongst those with a background in biochemistry and/or nutrigenomics that this type of food allergy testing is extremely flawed when it comes to measuring whether the individual has a problem with gluten. I cannot stress the importance enough of working cross disciplinary when it comes to your health.

If you only see a specialist they will not be able to connect the dots, but will be lost in symptom management - getting you nowhere but addicted to that specific prescribed symptom manager for the rest of your life!

If you have been tested for allergies, and you still aren’t seeing your health improve, you will want to consider a more accurate and more comprehensive test. At your initial appointment with The Nutrition Doctor you will be prescribed the appropriate tests that will reveal what is really causing your discomfort in order to enable us to put together your unique treatment protocol based on your genotype and biochemistry imbalances.

A new online medical consultation client service will be launching here January 2012. Meanwhile you can sign up for your first biochemistry typing appointment.

Food allergies: The underlying cause of food addiction?

Research has shown that ingesting compounds that we are unable to fully digest promotes opioid in the brain - this is not news under the sun and is backed by solid peer reviewed studies - thus it is not surprising that many with celiac disease (prior to diagnosis and abstaining from gluten - in addition to needing to stay away from casein a1 as this is biochemically similar in structure) often binge and describe their relationship with bread and cow's milk (casein a1; exception being milk from Guernsay cows as this is a2 casein - as is goat's and buffalo's milk) as " addictive" (food addiction as defined by the Yale Food Addiction Scale).

Considering the increasing rate of eating disorders both amongst females and males in all age groups, it is key as a health care practitioner to be aware of biochemically triggering compounds based on each individual client's genetic make-up, in addition to psychological aspects that need treatment via CBT. When the biology is stable, emotional aspects and psychological blockers become clear and can thus better be treated as that.

Join The Nutrition Doctor's group here to follow the discussion.

Reference:

Teschemacher H. Opioid receptors ligands derived from food proteins. Curr Pharm Des. 2003;9(16):1331-44.

Depression based on malabsorption

"... [A]n increasing number of clinical studies have shown that treating gastrointestinal inflammations with probiotics, vitamin B, D and omega 3 fatty acids, through attenuating proinflammatory stimuli to brain, may also improve depression symptoms and quality of life.
All these findings justify an assumption that treating gastrointestinal inflammations may improve the efficacy of the currently used treatment modalities of depression and related diseases."

Understanding how brain chemistry comes into play when treating depression should come as no surprise. However, as 95% of serotonin (the hormone that regulates our mood, sleep and is connected to various types of addictions) is found in our gut, the need to first explore malabsorption issues becomes evident.

We have long focused on simply adding in more nutrients that synergistically work to rebuild stable brain-serotonin levels - but if you are suffering from inflamed GI, you will not be able to absorb many of these valuable nutrients, before your GI is fully healed. The Nutrition Doctor works by having your brain chemistry analyzed, getting tested for food allergies in addition to having genetic screening done - many show up with celiac disease which explains the inflamed GI and lack of nutrient absorption, and thus depression-related symptoms.



Depression needs to be addressed from a genetic,
brain chemistry and behavioral level!

Your depression is simply a biochemical imbalance! And in order to recover you MUST have an assessment done to explore your metabolic type and what is causing your depression on a biochemical and genetic level.

Contact The Nutrition Doctor for more info and to make your appointment!


Reference: Fehér J. et al. Role of gastrointestinal inflammations in the development and treatment of depression. Orv Hetil. 2011 Sep 11;152(37):1477-85.