High Blood Pressure Can be Caused by Hidden Food Allergies

According to the National Health Statistics Reports for the United States, the single most frequent diagnosis given out by doctors is “Hypertension,” commonly known as high blood pressure.

In 2006, the most recent year for these statistics, over 35 million visits to doctors resulted in a diagnosis of high blood pressure.

In simple terms, high blood pressure is an increase in the pressure within your arteries (your pipeline) over 140/90. This increase in pressure is much like an increase in the pressure within a pipe. The higher the pressure, the harder the pump has to work, and the harder it is to contain that pressure within the pipe.

Therefore high blood pressure is well known to increase your risk for heart disease and heart attack (damage to your pump), and to increase the risk of stroke (blow outs in the pipe). An increase in blood pressure is well recognized to be related to weight gain.

Sources of Calcium in Food

As we mentioned in the previous post, the Institute of Medicine has come out with new lower recommendations for calcium.

Most people need about 1000 mg per day. And remember, that means from all sources, not just supplements. So there is usually no need to be taking 1000 mg per day of calcium.

That said, let's take a look at some of the best sources of calcium in the diet. After all, cows don't drink milk - they get their calcium from green leafy vegetables.

Below is one of the handouts that we give to patients at IBS Treatment Center. Click on the image to enlarge.

How Much Calcium Do You Need?

People tend to overdue calcium. The Institute of Medicine has come out with new lower recommendations for calcium.

Most people need about 1000 mg per day. And remember, that means from all sources, not just supplements. So there is usually no need to be taking 1000 mg per day of calcium.

Testing for IBS Triggers: The Comprehensive GI Functional Panel

The Comprehensive GI (gastrointestinal) Function Panel includes everything in the DNA Microbial Profile as well as several other tests that evaluate the overall function of the digestive tract.

These tests include inflammatory markers, digestive markers, measurement of absorption, pH, occult blood, and several other tests. Each is described below.

Inflammatory Markers

Beneficial Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA)

Beneficial SCFA come from dietary carbohydrates that have escaped digestion or absorption in the small intestine. They are also produced by bacteria in the large intestine via the fermentation of fiber. The production of SCFA in the intestine plays an important role in maintaining the intestinal lining. Beneficial SCFA include acetate, propionate, and butyrate. They affect the bacteria of the colon as well as the health of the colon and the entire body.

Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is released in inflammatory condition such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It can help to differentiate between IBS and these conditions, and to monitor improvement in inflammatory bowel diseases.