Sunday, September 25, 2011

Incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection and Heart Disease

Heliobacter pylori is a bacteria that can cause gastric pain, ulcers nausea and vomiting. It is found in 50% of the world's population. Untreated this bacteria increases the risk of developing cancer. Increased use of proton-pump-inhibitors (like Prilosec) have led to an increase in gastritis. H. pylori is also strongly associated with increased risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Research confirmed this link back in 2001 in a study done by Department of Cardiology, Heart-Center Osnabruck-Bad Rothenfelde, Germany. In the study the research clearly states that; Chronic infection has been proposed to account for the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Gastric mucosal damage caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) involves various bacterial and host-dependent toxic substances that have been recently associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease." This research concluded that " H. pylori eradication significantly attenuates the reduction in coronary artery lumen in CAD patients after PTCA possibly due to the elimination of chronic inflammation and the decline in proinflammatory cytokine release and the identification of DNA in atherosclerotic plaques of patients with severe CAD supports the hypothesis that infection with H. pylori (especially CagA positive) may influence the development of atherosclerosis.
(CAD).

A new PubMed study titled "Association between Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity and the Coronary Artery Calcium Score in a Screening Population" shows that there is a link between CAD and h.pylori. The research concluded that: H. pylori seropositive patients are at a higher risk for coronary atherosclerosis regardless of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. This association is particularly applicable for early coronary atherosclerosis."

Another study, done in 2009 showed a good correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and decreased HDL cholesterol.

What all of this research points to is the importance of proper GUT integrity for overall health and most certainly for heart health. This is why I advocate for the use of pro-bioitcs and enzyme therapy in patients with Coronary Artery disease and high cholesterol.

If you have heart disease or high cholesterol is is worth getting tested for h.pylori so you can be treated and help reduce your risk of further serious disease.



Monday, September 19, 2011

Could you be sugar sensitive?

Some people are born with a specific biochemistry that makes them very sugar sensitive. If you were born with a body that responds to sugar, alcohol and refined carbohydrates differently than other people you are sugar sensitive. Sugar acts like a drug in your body. In fact, it affects the very same brain chemicals that morphine, heroin and amphetamines do.

What this means is you can be addicted to sugar. Just as an alcoholic cannot take that first drink, so too a sugar addict cannot eat sugar. If you do eat sugar you get “high. Keep reading:

Could you be sugar sensitive?

Protect yourself naturally by improving GUT flora Part Two

We have four hundred to five hundred types of bacteria living in our intestinal tract. Some of these are good bacteria and some of these are bad bacteria. When we eat properly the ratio of good to bad bacteria remains around 85% good to 15% bad.

Most Americans don't have nearly enough of the good bacteria. Now let's discuss what you can do to to improve your good gut flora.

I. Add probiotics to your daily diet and supplement regime -

Probiotics not only make it harder for the bad bacteria to overtake the good bacteria, which helps strengthen out immunity, they also improve many digestive functions. Some of the benefits of probiotics are;
• Contain high amounts of aerobic bacteria which compete with e.coli and staphylococcus auerus, two food poisoning agents
• Yogurt/Kefir both contain high amounts of biotin a B Complex vitamin
• Miso, tamari, tempe all contain vitamins A, B-complex and K.
• Probiotics contain high amounts of health building enzymes
• Act as anti-carcinogens and have powerful anti-tumor effects
• Help digest and absorb certain types of carbohydrates
• Help control high cholesterol
• Protects against pollution and radiation damage
• Help produce vitamin K and the B Vitamins and promote mineral absorption
• Aid metabolism and the breakdown of toxins
• Starve out bad bacteria and bring you body into balance for proper nutrient absorption and elimination of wastes.
• Help prevent allergies by training your immune system to distinguish between pathogens and friendly or non-harmful antigens.
• Help to enhance bowel function by improving peristalsis and increasing transit time
• Help keep female hormones in balance. 60 percent of the circulating female hormones such as estrogen are excreted into the GI tract in the bile.

Probiotics are found in the following (naturally fermented) foods:
Yogurt
Sauerkraut
Pickles
Kefir (made from either cow, goat, soy milk & also from green coconuts)
Tofu
Miso
Tamari
Lassi (a fermented dairy drink)
Chinese green tea

I always recommend using a supplement in addition to eating probiotic rich foods. If you supplement you want to make sure the supplement includes at least five different strains of the following and has at least 5 Billion of each strain per day.
• Bifidobacterium lactis: a friendly bacteria often found in yogurt that is known to help stimulate immune responses.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus: guards the health of your entire digestive tract.
• Bifidobacterium longum: keeps your digestive system running smoothly, and helps enhance your immune system.
• Bifidobacterium bifidum: helps promote a healthy balance of flora in your intestine.* This organism is especially helpful for enhancing immune response.*
• Lactobacillus casei: works with other helpful organisms, and helps to encourage the growth of other "good" bacteria.
• Lactobacillus plantarum: helps to ensure that the nutrients in vitamins and supplements are getting to your cells.

II. FOS = fructooligosaccharides are a fiber-like substance which feeds the bifidobacteria in the intestines. FOS are prebiotics and are also found in food. These work with probiotics and have been found to be important in that they produce short chained fatty acids essential for cell maintenance and repair. Many supplements now contain FOS in their formulations.

Here are some foods containing FOS;
Jerusalem artichoke, onions, chicory, garlic, leeks, fruit (especially banana), soybeans, peas, legumes, eggplant, burdock root, asparagus, sugar maple, Chinese chive and rye and whole wheat (small amounts).


III. Get plenty of Enzymes –
Enzymes work with probiotics to improve our resistance to pathogens.

• Enzymes are essential for life.
• Enzymes occur in all living things; all plants and animals.
• Researches have identified more than 3,000 enzymes in the human body.
• Enzymes are catalysts. Catalysts are substances that initiate a chemical reaction, enabling a substance to proceed under different conditions such as a lower temperature.
• Enzymes are very specific. Each enzyme promotes just one type of chemical reaction.
• Our bodies require enzymes in order to function, repair injury and to fight off pathogens. Our ability to fight off disease is directly related to strength and number of enzymes in our bodies.

Benefits of enzymes

• Essential for proper digestion of nutrients from foods
• Increases nutrient absorption
• Improves immunity and the bodies own ability to fight off pathogens
• Aids in detoxification
• Aids in weight loss and management
• Helps re-build and repair cells, tissues and maintain homeostasis
• Works with probiotics to restore proper friendly bacteria to unfriendly bacteria ratios important for immune health.

How enzymes work-
Enzymes make our digestive system work. No matter what we consume it’s protein, fat or carbohydrate. The body requires enzymes to convert these foods into nutrients our bodies need though the digestive process. They also transport nutrients, carry away toxic wastes, purify the blood, deliver hormones, balance cholesterol and triglycerides, nourish the brain, build protein into muscle and feed and fortify the endocrine system.

Metabolic enzymes occur naturally in the body and act as catalysts enabling us to see hear, feel, move and think. Metabolic Enzymes speed up the chemical reaction within the cells for detoxification and energy production.

Another type of enzymes comes from food. Food enzymes come from the food we eat. All fruit and vegetables come equipped with their own enzymes needed to digest them. The foods with the highest food enzymes are mango, papaya, banana, pineapple and avocado, but all raw fruits and vegetables ad sea vegetables contain live enzymes. Lemons, limes and grapefruits are also high in digestive enzymes.


The three main types of enzymes are;

Proteases are enzymes which decompose protein. Protein is made up of amino acids. Each protein enzyme works on only a specific amino acid.

Lipases decompose fats. The lipid family includes triglycerides (fats & oils), phospholipids (lecithin) and sterols (cholesterol).

Amylases decompose carbohydrates such as sucrose, lactose, fructose, starches, as well as several other sources of carbohydrates.

Foods that are rich in enzymes and aid digestion:

All fresh fruits and vegetables contain enzymes!
Apples
Carrots
Grapes
Lemons/limes
Grapefruit
Onions
Garlic
Sprouted raw seeds and nuts
Raw honey
Pineapple
Papaya
Guava
Figs
Ginger root
Kiwi
Asparagus
Barley
Wheat
Rice bran
Sea Vegetables (Nori & dulse)
Green beans
Tomatoes
Oranges
Raw honey
Spinach
Sprouts
Watermelon

IV. Enzyme supplements

Taking enzyme supplements may be beneficial in helping you restore your body’s ability to repair itself. This is especially true for those who have not eaten properly, have undergone surgery, are under digestive distress, or are suffering from chronic health conditions. There are many high quality supplements available today. Look for a supplement which contains proteases, lipases and amylases. There are also special enzyme formulations that target specific health conditions such as allergies, inflammation, cognition etc....

Conclusion:
Moving toward a diet that is based on fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouted nuts, seeds, naturally fermented foods and whole grains help restore the proper balance of good to bad bacteria. Current research advocates eating 70 -80% raw foods with the remaining 20-30% in cooked form. Most Americans are far from this.

The immune systems job is to repair and restore. To do this each cell transformation requires many steps which can only happen when enzymes are available. Eating a diet rich in whole fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, naturally fermented foods and high quality protein sources ensures our body will have what it needs to maintain a strong immune system naturally. Both enzymes and probiotics help improve transit time which lessens accumulation of wastes in the GI tract. This in turn reduces the risk of chronic disease.

Links –

www.sayingnotovaccines.com

www.theflucase.com

http://www.healingcrow.com/index.html

http://www.wildfermentation.com

Books

Enzymes and Enzyme Therapy by Dr. Anthony J. Cichoke

Micro Miracles by Ellen W. Cutler, D.C.

Dr. Jensen’s Guide to Better Bowel Care, Dr. Bernard Jensen

Note: colonics are used by many people to help eliminate built up waste material in the colon. If you are considering colonics be sure who ever you go to has been trained properly. You can also give yourself a colonic by purchasing a “colema” board and supplies and do it yourself at: home. www.bernardjensen.com

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Protect yourself naturally by improving GUT flora

This is the first of two posts on boosting immunity naturally.

Did you know that between 70-80% of our immunity resides in our gut? This means that having a robust immune system is very dependent upon gut health.

As we enter “flu season” you may be considering obtaining a flu vaccine. Before you make your decision I hope you will consider that you have another option, and that option is to improve your existing immunity through improved digestive health.

So how does our immune system get compromised in the first place?

• Over processing of foods strips food of important nutrients and fiber. Americans currently eat on average only 12 grams of fiber a day while our need for fiber is three times that amount. Fiber is critical to help our bodies manufacture short chained fatty acids which protect us against diseases of the colon. Commercial food processing techniques destroy nutrients and kills enzymes.
• Healthy fats have been replaced with less healthy oils including the creation by the food industry of hydrogenated oils.
• Omega -3 fatty acids found in seafood, grain, nuts and seeds are lacking in most Americans SAD diets. These essential fatty acids are needed for growth, healing, reduction of pain and inflammation, healthy skin, reproduction, nervous system functioning and overall well being.
• Commercial farming techniques rob soil of micro nutrients. Commercial farming relies on synthetic fertilizer which in effect kills the soil. Prior to chemical fertilizers being used in farming crops were rotated which helped encourage microorganisms. Commercial farming and over use of fertilizers depletes antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, Selenium nitric oxide, glutathione and carotenoids.
• Organic produce has consistently been proven to contain higher nutrients that commercially processed foods. Pesticides used in commercial farming also create numerous health hazards due to the neurotoxic effects on our nervous systems.
• Long distance transportation of food necessitates picking produce before it’s ripe. Long distance transport of our food means that many nutrients are lost during transit time, not to mention the taste of food is less vibrant. Another drawback to long distance transportation of food is that most Americans have no idea how to eat seasonally since out of season produce is readily available all year long. Consider that asparagus – which is normally an early spring crop, is available year long no matter where you live. This is just one example.

The SAD (Standard American Diet) consists of predominantly processed and over cooked food devoid of living enzymes. Most American still do not eat naturally fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tamari and tempe on a regular daily basis. Pasteurization of many dairy foods removes any beneficial bacteria.
Most vinegars sold on the market today contain sulfates, a preservative so even if you can your own pickles and make your own sauerkraut, unless you are using a preservative free vinegar you are not getting the benefit of live enzymes and probiotics in food.

Did you now that antibiotics can kill a significant percentage of beneficial bacteria in the intestines?

The amount killed is largely dependent upon whether they are narrow-spectrum or wide-spectrum antibiotics and how long they are used for. If you are forced to use antibiotics, use narrow-spectrum antibiotics for as short a time as possible and subsequently take probiotic supplements.

Our modern diets are built around consuming primarily cooked foods vs. raw, fresh foods n their natural state. Moving toward a diet that is based on fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouted nuts, seeds and whole grains helps restore the proper balance of good to bad bacteria.

Current research advocates eating as much as 70 -80% raw foods with the remaining 20-30% in cooked form. Most Americans are far from this. All of this sets us up for an imbalance in our intestinal flora.

We each have 400 to 500 types of bacteria living in our intestinal tract. Some of these are good bacteria and some of these are bad bacteria. When we eat properly the ratio of good to bad bacteria remains around 85% good to 15% bad. However, most of us actually have many more bad bacteria living in our gut than 15%. This imbalance manifests itself in many common health conditions, such as;

Diarrhea
Urinary tract infections
Vaginal infections
Lactose intolerance
Hypertension
Cancer
Allergies
Kidney stones
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic Fatigue syndrome
Liver disease
Bacterial and fungal infections
Digestive disorders such as -
Leaky gut syndrome
IBS
Candida
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Lactose intolerance

And of course a compromised immune system leaves us more susceptible to catching every virus that goes around.

In my next post I'll lay out just what you an do to avoid this imbalance and improve your odds of staying healthy during flu season and all year long.

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