Author: Enlitehealth

Leaky Gut Syndrome

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leakygutcure

In Naturopathic Medicine, Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) is considered to be a major leading cause in many chronic illnesses commonly seen today. In healthy guts, the intestinal lining remains intact. However, leaky gut syndrome is the result of the damages to the integrity of the intestinal lining leading to an increased intestinal permeability. As a consequence, toxins, pathogenic bacteria and incomplete digested proteins and fats may ‘leak’ out of the intestines to the bloodstream. This ‘leak’ triggers the immune system resulting in inflammatory response in the body

Factors affecting the permeability of the intestinal lining

  • Overuse of antibiotics
  • NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • Prescription corticosteroids
  • Overconsumption of caffeine and alcohol
  • Mold and fungal mycotoxins from fruits and stored grains
  • Chemicals in processed foods
  • Foods contaminated with heavy metals

Health Conditions linked with LGS

  • Food allergy
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Liver dysfunction
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Candidiasis
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Skin allergy

Health begins in the colon. Regardless of any health condition, we always assess the guts first to detect any imbalance or tendency of Leaky Gut Syndrome using the EAV assessment device. For optimal healing of LGS, we use bioresonance balance coupled with gut healing diet and nutraceuticals to repair the damages of the intestinal lining.

 

 

There is Hope -Nutrition Intervention for Autism Spectrum

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hope

Nutritional intervention can have a huge impact on children with autism spectrum. When the parents bring their children to our clinic for the first time, they always ask the same question, “Really? Nutrition can help?? “

Here are the reasons why autistic children particularly need nutritional intervention:

1. Children usually can get everything they need from the diet but autistic children don’t fit into this category as they often eat limited variety of foods, have feeding problems due to sensory problems that impact their acceptance of certain flavors and smells of foods, have mealtime behavior problems that affect their food consumption. All these factors make them prone to nutrient deficiencies

2. Autistic children have digestive problems interfering with their ability to digest and absorb nutrients. They are further prone to nutrient deficiencies and the nutrients cannot be fully utilized by the brain

3. Autistic children have weak detoxification system and nutrition can protect your child’s body from toxins and support the immune system

Research supporting nutritional intervention

A randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled three month vitamin/mineral treatment study that involved 141 children and adults with autism, and pre and post symptoms of autism were assessed. None of the participants took a vitamin/mineral supplement in the two months before the start of the study. For a subset of  participants, 53 children ages from 5 to 16, pre and post measurements of nutritional and metabolic status were also conducted.

The results of this study showed that there were statistically significant improvements in the Average Change of all symptoms on the Parent Global Impressions-Revised Scale, and significant improvements in subscores in expressive language, tantrumming, hyperactivity, and overall symptoms.

Nutrition is the basis upon which all other therapies are built

There is no diet and supplement that cure autism spectrum miraculously. However, you CAN use food, herbs, and nutraceuticals to feed your child’s staving body and brain to maximize the brain function to make your child more responsive to other therapies. Therefore, nutritional therapy should be part of an autistic child’s comprehensive therapy plan.

Reference:

Adams JB et al. Effect of a Vitamin/Mineral Supplement on Children with Autism. BMC Pediatrics.

Are you medications draining your nutrients? Part 2

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dependence-on-prescription-drugs

Previously in Part 1, we have introduced the concept that medications can deplete vital nutrients in the body. It’s an essential part in holistic nutrition to help our patients in reinforcing their nutrients through diet and supplements during long term medication use. In Part 2, we will share about nutrient needs for taking anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and blood pressure lowing medications.

Anti-depressants           Nutrients potentially depleted: Coenzyme Q10, Folic Acid, Vitamin B2

These medications are used to stimulate mood and their actions affect absorption of nutrients and use up the body reserves of these nutrients. Coenzyme Q10 is the energy power house of our body cells and prolonged depletion increases the risk of congestive heart failure, muscle pain and weakness, memory problems, irritability, depression and mood swings. Folic acid is important in red blood cell formation, manufacture of neurotransmitter and immune boosting. Deficient in this vital nutrient can lead to symptoms such as extreme fatigue, insomnia and anemia. As for vitamin B2, it aids vision, maintains the integrity of mucous membranes and promotes skin health. Deficiency symptoms can be problems related to the eyes, intestine and skin.

Also, taking anti-depressants increases the need of B vitamins in order for the medications to work optimally since B vitamins work as co-factors to help synthesizing the mood regulating brain chemicals called neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine (1,2).

Oral Contraceptives     Nutrients potentially depleted: Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10

Studies have found that oral contraceptives deplete these nutrients which are vital to maintain healthy blood cells, blood vessels and mental health (3). Depletion of these nutrients increases a woman’s risk of depression, weakened immune system, anemia and heart disease.

Blood Pressure Lowering Medications    Nutrients potentially depleted: Vitamin B1,Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, Coenzyme Q10

One class of medication reduces blood pressure by increasing the excretion of nutrients through the urinary system. One study showed that vitamin B1 deficiency was found in 98% of patients with congestive heart failure who took 80 mg of furosemide medication daily and in 57 percent of patients who took just 40 mg daily (4).

The other class of medication lowers blood pressure by reducing the force and speed of the heartbeat. This type of medication inhibits the production of coenzyme Q10 (5).

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Are your medications draining your nutrients? Part 1

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“For every dollar we spend on prescription drugs, we spend a dollar to fix a complication. Understanding how nutritional supplements affect these drugs could make them safer and more effective.”

— Mehmet Oz, M.D., Professor of Surgery at Columbia University
 and author of bestsellers “YOU: The Owner’s Manual” and “YOU: On A Diet”

The problem of medication-induced nutrient depletion is often overlooked and it’s part of holistic nutrition to replenish nutrients in patients who take medications on a regular basis. We help these patients to meet their nutrient needs through diet and supplementation after assessment.  In fact, numerous studies indicate that many common medications can change our nutrient needs by affecting the digestion, transport, excretion or metabolism of nutrients.

Cholesterol Lowing Drugs                                                                                                                                          Nutrient Potentially Depleted: Coenzyme Q10

These medications affect the metabolism of  a vital nutrient called Coenzyme Q10 by blocking the activity of an enzyme called HMG-CoA in the liver required to synthesize cholesterol. This action also causes depletion of Coenzyme Q10 which requires HMG-CoA for production. Coenzyme Q10 is the energy powerhouse of our cells and our heart is particularly CoQ10 hungry as the heart muscles require energy for contraction. The potential side effects of Coenzyme Q10 depletion include increasing risk of congestive heart failure, muscle pain and weakness, memory problems, irritability, depression and mood swings (1-3).

Acid Blockers                                                                                                           
Nutrients Potentially Depleted: Folic acid, Vit B12, Vit D, Calcium, Iron, Zinc

Antacids, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2 Blockers) are commonly prescribed for treating heartburn, peptic ulcers and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). These medications work by neutralizing the acid pH of the stomach. However, this reduction of stomach acid can interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, folic acid and zinc.

One study showed that people who used high doses of PPIs for a year or more were 2.5 times more susceptible to hip fracture than control subjects. The risk factor decreased to 1.5 times that of non-users in lower doses usage. The longer the medications are used, the higher the risk of fracture. The increase in fracture risks is linked with the drastic drop in calcium and Vitamin D absorption when using the medications(4).

Next time, we will share about how anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and blood pressure lowing medications change our nutrient needs.

 

References:

1. Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM. The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion of coenzyme Q10: A review of animal and human publications. Biofactors 2003;18(1-4):101-111.
2. Crane FL. Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10. J Am Coll Nutr 2001;20:591-598.
3. Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Willis R, et al. Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1990;87:8931-8934.
4. Yang, YX, Lewis JD, Epstein S, Metz DC. Long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture. JAMA 296 (24): 2947-53.

 

 

                                                                                                         

 

 

 

The Sacred Super Crop: Quinoa

  By

th

Quinoa (Keen-wah) is definitely the new spotlight of super nutritious goodie! It is a seed from a plant called chenopodium quinoa. Quinoa grows at high altitude of Andes mountain and it’s the core energy food of Incas from South America. The Incas consider quinoa “The Mother of Grain” and the United Nation classifies it as the “Super Crop” because of its high protein contents.

Nutrients:

• Contains 12%-18% high protein contents. A complete protein that contains all nine essential amino acids. It contains amino acids lysine which is essential to tissue growth and repair

• Rich in dietary fiber. A single serving size of 0.25 cup contains 3  grams of dietary fiber. 36% of this dietary fiber is soluble and  64 % is insoluble. Soluble fiber forms a gel, which can work to reduce  blood cholesterol and blood glucose. Insoluble fiber regulates bowel movements  by helping material move through the digestive tract and increasing bulk. The American Heart Association recommends 25-30 g of daily dietary fiber intake. 1 cup of quinoa contains 12 g which is almost half of the recommended intake amount!

• Good source of vitamins such as vitamin B2 and folic acid. Vitamin B2 protects against anemia and plays an essential role in all the metabolic process  on which life depends. Folic acid is vital for red blood cell production and cell division. It’s also immune boosting.

• Abundant in minerals such as magnesium to relax the blood vessel and it’s required for transmission of nerve impules, muscular function and heart function; manganese which is essential for the functioning of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant to prevent the damaging effects of free radicals from destroying cellular structures; phosphorus for proper muscle contraction and kidney function, it is also essential for the structure of bone and teeth

• Rich in plant lignans to protect against cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer

Preparation: Rinse the seeds before cooking to remove any lingering soapy saponin. The coating, which protects growing seeds from birds and the intense rays of the high-altitude sun, can make your quinoa taste bitter. A quick rinse in cold water (after placing in a strainer) should do the trick.

How to cook it? Our Chinese clients love to cook it with white rice (of course, the portion of quinoa is more than the white rice) or simply make it a comforting congee meal. Others add quinoa as a morning pick-me-up. For more quinoa recipes, take a look at:

http://www.quinoa.net/181.html