Ending Migraines and Tension Headaches

It might be surprising to find us writing about headaches, but they are so frequently caused by the same things that cause digestive problems that they have been begging for an article for many years.

Migraines and tension headaches, like IBS, are often associated with stress. But also like IBS they can come on for seemingly no reason at all and are often caused by problems far more specific than stress. Whether or not you have digestive problems, you may be able to completely eliminate your headaches by simply changing your diet. And we can help you do it.

It is not unusual for patients to visit us for digestive problems only to find that after implementing their individualized treatment plan their headaches have also resolved. Some patients do come to us specifically for the treatment of their headaches, whether they are migraine, tension, and even sinus headaches.

Although patients tend to make a big distinction between migraine headaches and tension headaches due to a frequent difference in their severity, they can have the exact same triggers. Whether or not you are taking migraine medications such as Imitrex (sumatriptan) and Topamax, or you buy your NSAID pain medications in large bottles at Costco, the ability to resolve your headaches remains the same.

In Review: Lab Testing for IBS Triggers

We regularly receive questions regarding how to test for IBS triggers. As a result, we find it helpful to regularly review what's available and how you can get more information.

Because IBS has been conventionally defined not by what it is, but by what it is not, successfully discovering its cause has been impossible, because the cause was thought to be unknown.

It's really been nothing more than a guessing game, and you get to be the guinea pig.

Fortunately that has now all changed.

Now we can define the cause of your IBS, and therefore treat it. IBS symptoms are almost always caused by either food allergies, bacterial imbalances, yeast, or parasites. If you want to learn more about these topics and how they relate to IBS, then this website is for you. You may also refer to the book, The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution.

Friday's Recipe: Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes

This incredible recipe is thanks to Jules Gluten Free. And it's delicious..:)

If you have a recipe that you would like to share with our readers, please feel free to email us at info@ibstreatmentcenter.com.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 cups pureed beets (4-8 medium-large beets)*
• 1/2 cup butter or non-dairy substitute, room temperature (e.g. Earth Balance® Buttery Sticks)
• 1 1/4 cup granulated cane sugar (e.g. Wholesome Sweeteners®)
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp. gluten-free vanilla extract (e.g. Nielsen-Massey®; Kirkland®)
• 1 1/2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 cups applesauce (no sugar added)*
• 1 1/4 cup milk, dairy or non-dairy vanilla milk (e.g. So Delicious® cultured Coconut Milk; Earth Balance® Soy Milk)
• 2 cups Jules Gluten Free™ All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (not Dutch Alkali processed)
• 2 tsp. gluten-free baking powder (e.g. Rumford®; Clabber Girl®; Hain®)
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

*Depending on how many beets you use, you can make up the difference with natural applesauce. For example, boiling only 4 medium-large beets will yield approximately 1 cup of beet puree. Supplement that amount with 1 cup of no sugar added applesauce. If using enough beets to make 2 cups of puree, add no extra applesauce. If you are concerned about there being a beet taste in your cupcakes, use only 1 cup of beet puree and 1 cup of applesauce.

Dextrose vs. Dextrin

A great question!

Question:
Dr. Wangen, could you explain the difference between dextrose and dextrin and whether or not they are gluten free? Thank you!

Answer:
Dextrose is the same as glucose and is a simple sugar. Dextrin is a chain of glucose molecules linked together. Dextrin can be derived from many sources, but in the US is only known to be derived from corn. However, in Europe it is sometimes derived from wheat. The same is true for maltodextrin. It is highly unlikely that any dextrin that you see will have gluten in it, but it is theoretically possible. Clear as mud? Those are facts when it comes to dealing with processed foods.

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Image thanks to wikimedia.org

Share Your Story

Today we want to share an amazing story from one of our readers.

It is from experiences like this that I learn about the possible consequences of gluten intolerance. I have seen heart arrhythmias related to food allergies and intolerances, but not to this extent.

Please feel free to share your comments as well. It's stories such as these that remind us that there are others out there suffering, too. And sharing our stories is just one of many ways that we may help each other.

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Dear Dr. Wangen,

In all my research on gluten and symptoms I have never seen anything like I have experienced.

My name is Kathleen S. I am 49 years old, just under six feet, and weight approximately 157 pounds. I do not smoke and on only rare occassions have a drink.

I have asked doctors to share my story, but have not seen it out there. Actually, many do not believe nor have they heard anything like it.

About three years ago I began having heart issues. My heart would go into an abnormal rhythm or beat so hard I thought my heart would explode. I was told I was under stress and was put onto a beta blocker. Things got a little better, but the symptoms continued. The beta blocker was increased.

Finally, I reached a point one night that I ended up in the hospital; I thought I was going to die. My husband and I just came home from having a burger and fries at a local restaurant. On my way home my heart rate began to drop. By the time I got home my pulse had dropped to 38 and my heart rate was hard and irregular. I thought I was going to pass out.

The Disconnect Between Doctors & IBS

This recent article from About.com serves as a great reminder that most doctors aren't trained to do the detective work that it takes to sort out IBS.

There are hundreds of causes for IBS.

And more importantly, there is no quick drug cure for IBS. It requires a specialist. And the IBS Treatment Center was created specifically for this purpose. Come see us.

An excerpt from About.com:

Over the past week, I have heard two stories that once again point to the blatant problem that some doctors seem to still have with IBS as a health disorder. The first one was a Readers Share" submission. In response to the question "What Is Your Worst IBS Symptom?", reader Tamara posts:

"Dealing with the symptoms and bathroom trips of IBS is taking it's toll on me. I'm just so tired of dealing with the pain, and not being able to enjoy life. I often wish I was someone else. My mother-in-law thinks I'm faking it! Heck I can't even find a doctor to actually diagnose me for IBS. All the symptoms fit! Last doctor I saw thought "it was just a virus that needed to work its way out".

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More information on treating and curing IBS at IBSTreatmentCenter.com
Image thanks to thetruthwins.com

Lactose Intolerance is Understudied in U.S.

This article is part of a group of such articles that has received some attention this last year.

It basically says that lactose intolerance is understudied. We don't know how many people have it and what harmful effects occur when people with it continue to consume lactose. But the upside of the press this is receiving is that they are careful to point out that you can get all the calcium and vitamin D that you need without any dairy products.

An excerpt from Reuters.com:

Many Americans believe they have lactose intolerance and thus avoid dairy products, but no one really knows whether they are damaging their health, experts told a national conference on Wednesday.

In fact, no one has even done the research needed to tell how many people have actual lactose intolerance, which makes it difficult or impossible for them to digest milk, cheese or yogurt, the experts told a "consensus conference" at the National Institutes of Health, a meeting called to define the state of science.

"I think that there are huge gaps in knowledge," Dr. Frederick Suchy of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York, who led the meeting, told a news conference.

Causes of IBS: Intestinal Bacteria, Yeast/Candida, and Parasites

You are sharing it with over 100 trillion bacteria.

This fact makes many people uncomfortable.
"I have germs living inside me?" you may ask, aghast.

Yes, inside the orifices of your body, and primarily in your digestive tract, live an enormous number of bacteria - single-celled organisms that have colonized areas of your body and exist happily there. This may alarm you, because we have been trained to view bacteria as the enemy.

However, we are not sterile beings. Our internal bacteria are actually critical to our health- so critical, in fact, that we cannot survive without them. They are fundamental to the development of our immune system, they help break down our food, and they even create nutrients that we need for good health. And most importantly for you, they play a large role in whether or not we experience diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, abdominal pain or IBS.

Medications & IBS

At least 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with IBS. The drug companies are beginning to tap into this hefty target market by offering medicines aimed at relieving the symptoms of IBS.

These drugs alter the physiology and ultimately the action of the digestive tract, but they do not address the underlying causes of IBS, or even claim to cure IBS. These drugs also come with an alarming variety of warnings and side effects.

Six types of drugs are used to treat the different symptoms of IBS. They include the following:

1. IBS-specific drugs to control the speed with which the bowels move (Zelnorm, Lotronex, and Calmactin)
2. Laxatives to treat constipation (such as Milk of Magnesia, Ex-Lax, Perdiem, and MiraLax)
3. Antidiarrheal agents to treat diarrhea (such as Imodium and Lomotil)
4. Antispasmodics to relive the pain from abdominal cramps (such as Donnatal, Levsin, Levbid, NuLev, Bentyl, and Pro-Banthine)
5. Antidepressants to relieve pain (such as Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil, and Elavil), and
6. Narcotic analgesics to relieve pain (such as Vicodin, Demerol, and Xanax)

Note that these drugs are categorized by the type of symptom that they treat. None of them cure IBS. These drugs change how you experience IBS by forcing changes in the biochemistry of your body. None is capable of curing IBS, because IBS is not caused by a drug deficiency.

Treatment with these drugs does not address the cause of your IBS, and once you stop using the drugs the symptoms will return. The use of these drugs often results in serious side effects and/or negative long-term consequences.

More information about these medications can be found in the book, The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution.

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Image thanks to lazdina.blogspot

What's Wrong with Antacids, Proton Pump Inhibitors and H2 Blockers?

Have you ever heard of the antacids Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, or TUMS? Or how about the proton pump inhibitors Prevacid, Prilosec, Aciphex, or Nexium? Or the H2 blockers Zantac, Tagamet, and Pepcid AC?

This could be a list of who’s who in drugs. But what do these drugs have in common (other than a HUGE marketing budget)? They all reduce stomach acid, either by neutralizing it or blocking its production. They also earn a ton of money.

The problem with all this is that you actually need your stomach acid. You don’t need a medical degree to understand that the acid in the stomach is there for a good reason - to help you digest your food.

Stomach Acid: Why You Need It

Stomach acid is vital to good health. It is the first major step in breaking down your food, which is so critical to proper nutrition.

The myth is that you are what you eat. But in fact, you are what you absorb. Acid is especially important for breaking down proteins into amino acids and is required for the optimal release and preparation of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron for absorption.

Vitamin B12 also isn’t adsorbed without it. The same cells that produce acid produce intrinsic factor, which is required for B12 absorption.

Without B12 you become B12 deficient, leading to fatigue and neurological problems. 
Decreased acid levels can also cause digestive problems further on down the line. Pancreatic enzymes, bicarbonate and bile are all released in the small intestine in response to the acidic load that normally leaves the stomach.

Without these digestion continues to degenerate, resulting in a far less than optimal nutritional gain from your food and potentially damaging byproducts. The pH, now off in the entire digestive tract, damages the environment for billions of normal/good bacteria, critical to proper digestion and good health.

Stomach acid is also your primary defense against food-borne infections. Bacteria don’t usually survive the stomach, therefore decreased acid increases your risk of food poisoning.

Nutrients provide the building blocks for our entire biochemistry. Optimal health requires optimal nutrition. And that is why you need stomach acid.

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More information on stomach acid and digestion at CenterforFoodAllergies.com
Image thanks to ADAM and NIH.gov

NIH.gov: Cow's-milk-free diet as a therapeutic option in childhood chronic constipation.

This study is worth sharing. They noted that removing cow's milk from the diet often resolved constipation. But it wasn't an IgE allergy.

Originally posted at NIH.gov.

OBJECTIVES

It has been reported that a number of children with constipation respond to a diet free of cow's-milk (CM) proteins, although evidence is lacking to support an immunoglobulin E-mediated mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed an open-label crossover study comparing CM and rice milk in 69 children who fulfilled Rome III criteria for chronic constipation. Clinical, physical, and immunologic parameters of patients who responded (R) and who did not respond (NR) to a CM-free diet were compared.

Thomas Goetz of Wired Magazine: It's time to redesign medical data

This talk by Thomas Goetz of Wired Magazine explains some simple ways doctors and laboratories can do a better job of serving patients by informing them.

Fortunately the labs we work with most closely already do some of the things brought up in this talk. And at the IBS Treatment Center we strive to give patients the full picture by explaining their lab results in detail, providing a treatment plan to address the findings, and encouraging them to follow up. It is true that patients who know what to do and how to do it are much more likely to take the right steps to improve their health. The study cited in this talk is great.

At the end of this talk Mr. Goetz suggests that patients ask 4 questions:

1. Can I have my results?
2. What do these results mean?
3. What are my options?
4. What next?

We agree with Mr. Goetz. The only acceptable answer to the first question is "YES". If you aren't getting what you need from your doctor - if they can't answer these questions for you - perhaps it is time to try a new doctor.

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.

WBC (White Blood Cells)

White blood cells indicate inflammation in the digestive tract.

Mucus

Excess mucus indicates infection, inflammation, or injury of the lining of the digestive tract.

Celiac Disease and Anemia - Part II

The following excerpt comes from the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America. GIG is a nonprofit 501c3 national organization providing support for per persons with gluten intolerances, in order to live health, productive lives. GIG Branches provide support at a local level.

To make a donation or become a volunteer to GIG, visit their website or call the office at
253-833-6655.

How are celiac disease and anemia connected?

Celiac disease can cause damage to the small intestine where iron, folate, and vitamin B12 are absorbed. Research has shown an incidence of an average of 4% anemia in newly diagnosed persons with CD in America.

Iron and folate anemia’s are seen more often in people with CD because these nutrients are absorbed in the upper two parts of the intestine where damage can occur in earlier stages of CD. When CD progresses, the lower part of the small intestine can be damaged and cause vitamin B12 deficiency.

If you have had ongoing anemia and underlying medical conditions are ruled out, it is recommended to ask a physician about testing for CD. It is also recommended to test for CD if you have been taking iron supplements and experience no improvement in blood iron levels.

History of the IBS Treatment Center

Dr. Wangen has been successfully helping people resolve irritable bowel syndrome and chronic digestive problems for many years. This success finally culminated in the 2005 opening of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment Center, the first clinic in the nation to focus solely on addressing this debilitating condition. In conjunction with the new clinic, Dr. Wangen also released his new book, The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution.

Although this clinic is located in Seattle, Washington, patients often come to us from around the country and even beyond (locations listed below). Over 50 million people in the United States suffer from IBS, and the map below gives you an idea about how far people will travel to have this condition properly addressed.

Digestion Basics: The Role of the Immune System in the Digestive Tract

The huge surface area of your digestive tube must be protected against injury from bad bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other toxins that may get into the digestive system with food or by any number of other routes.

The immune system is critically important in helping the intestines respond to these challenges. Possibly the greatest challenge to the digestive tract's immune system is to correctly tell the difference between what is bad (such as viruses and bad bacteria) and what is good (such as nutrients and good bacteria).

Your immune system must determine whether or not to develop a tolerance to everything you put into your mouth. Whenever you try a new food, it must decide, "Do I like this or do I attack and kill it?"

Understanding Anemia

This great overview on anemia comes from the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America:

What is anemia?

Anemia is a condition that results from either a decrease in the size or number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin, which is the red pigment in these cells.

What effects does anemia have on our bodies?

Think of red blood cells as ships that deliver oxygen to all our organs, and hemoglobin as the crates on the ship that hold the oxygen. If there is a shortage in red blood cells (ships) or hemoglobin (crates), oxygen cannot get adequately delivered to our organs. Every part of our body needs oxygen to convert the food we eat to energy and heat. This function is vital to life and is why you feel tired and weak with anemia.

Common causes of anemia

The most common causes of anemia are from a lack of iron, folate, or vitamin B12 in the body. Each of these nutrients is involved in the creation and healthy development of red blood cells.

Milk Allergies and Lactose Intolerance

Milk allergy or dairy allergy are the most common food allergies seen in my practice and cause a multitude of health problems.


Dairy may be the most misunderstood food of our culture. It is often assumed to be of high nutritional value and even mandatory for good health, although it can create serious health problems. 


Lactose intolerance is frequently confused with milk allergy, but the two conditions are not the same. We'll discuss these two dairy food disorders below.

What's a Dairy Allergy?


An allergy is an immune response that results in inflammation and tissue damage. Such a response to food can be exhibited in any part of the body, therefore it can cause a wide range of problems. Food allergies also interfere with nutrient absorption, resulting in conditions such as iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, and fatigue.

What Are the Possible Milk Allergy Symptoms?


A dairy allergy, like any food allergy, is capable of triggering a wide array of milk allergy symptoms. Some of the most common complaints include ear infections in children, sinusitis, heartburn/reflux, constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.

A more complete list includes:

Abdominal Pain, Acne, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Arthritis, Canker sores, Constipation, Diarrhea, Ear Infections, Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Gas, Headaches, Heartburn, Indigestion, Iron deficient anemia, Irritability, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Joint Pain, Lactose Intolerance, Osteoporosis, Poor Growth, Poor immune function (frequent illness), Sinusitis

What Is Lactose Intolerance?


Lactose intolerance is an enzyme deficiency, not an allergy. However, lactose intolerance can be the result of a dairy allergy and the two are frequently confused.

In Review: Pancreatic Enzyme Study

This is a nice simple study on the use of pancreatic enzymes. We also use them at the IBS Treatment Center, but they rarely are a cure for IBS.

In my experience, if they offer any benefit it is usually temporary. They may help to break down allergenic foods better which can be helpful but isn't a long term solution. Additionally, people who have a lot of digestive problems are often deficient in enzyme production secondary to whatever is causing all the irritation and inflammation in their digestive tract. Our goal is to sort out that cause.

Very few people have a primary pancreatic enzyme deficiency, although that is another factor which must be considered. It is also worth noting that there are a variety of different kinds of digestive enzymes which vary in action and in potency. This study did not address this issue.

An excerpt from BMJ.com:

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of pancrealipase (PEZ) compared with placebo in the reduction of postprandial irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhoea (IBS-D).

Design An intention to treat, double blind, randomised, crossover trial comparing PEZ to placebo for reduction of postprandial IBS-D. Patients had to recognise at least two different triggering foods, be willing to consume six baseline ‘trigger meals’ and again blinded with PEZ and placebo. Patients then chose which drug they preferred for another 25 meals.

The Gluten Free Warrior

Genevieve Sherrow, aka The Gluten Free Warrior, of Philadelphia has written a very handy little whole foods cookbook for the healthy gluten free eater.

Although small in size, this booklet is not small in scope nor in useful information. She includes 60 recipes inspired by Indian, East Asian, and Contemporary North American cuisines.

Sherrow emphasizes healthy eating and not just gluten free eating, which is refreshing. And there I think she earns the title of “Warrior.” The book is broken up into Morning Nourishment, Soothing Soups and Stews, Vivacious Veggie Sides, Glorious Grains, Main Dishes, and Sweet Things. Her recipes include Nutty Millet Porridge; Scallion, Walnut and Nori Scramble; Asian Breakfast Rice; Coconut Curry Chicken with Plum Wine; and Cider Glazed Roasted Roots.

The appendices are also full of wonderfully helpful tips, such as the appendix titled “Budgeting for GF Diets: 5 Money Saving Shopping Tips.” Or the appendix titled “25 Naturally Gluten-free Snack Ideas.”

This book is a great resource for the new or experienced gluten intolerant person.

Although this recipe book is not technically dairy, egg, or soy free, it’s reasonably close to that. Many of the recipes are already free of those things, and almost all that aren’t can be easily converted with a quick butter or milk substitute.

I highly recommend this cookbook to anyone looking to not only eat allergy free, but eat healthy and tasty food as well. And we can all use help with that.

The book is available online for $15.00 at Gfwarrior.blogspot.com or by calling 215-694-7931.

Celiac Disease Q&A from The Sun

Congratulations to The Sun on being quite thorough in their recent article Celiac Disease Has Major Effects.

Although we must point out that even if you don't have celiac disease, you could have any of those symptoms due to gluten intolerance.

Excerpt from The Sun:

Question: My doctor told me that he thinks I have celiac disease. What is celiac disease?

Answer: Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue and gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages.

The body's immune system overreacts in response to gluten in food. It is estimated that 95 percent of Americans who have the disease remain undiagnosed.

A reaction occurs between the gluten found in products such as wheat, barley and rye with the intestinal lining and causes an inflammation. This inflammation leads to an abnormal flattening of the lining of the small intestine (villi atrophy). This interferes with the absorption of nutrients into the body because the villi of the intestinal lining becomes ineffective.

Q: What are the symptoms and risk factors of celiac disease?

A: One may become pale, have weight loss, diarrhea with loose and greasy stool (steatorrhea), abdominal pain and bloating. However, sometimes people with celiac disease do not have any gastrointestinal symptoms. These people may also have symptoms that mimic other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastric ulcers, anemia and Crohn's disease. There may also be symptoms such as depression, irritability, joint pain, muscle cramps, mouth ulcers and dental or bone disorders.

Has Gluten-Free Gone Mainstream?

Gluten Free living is has been gaining in popularity over the last couple of years. Is it also trendy? You bet.

But many people who do it for the trend are also discovering that they feel better. And hopefully, this trend will continue to grow as more people (and physicians) become aware of the larger percentage of the population that has non-celiac gluten intolernances mediated by the immune system.

Overall I consider this "gluten-free trend" an excellent cultural experiment and would love to see us do this with more foods. Imagine a dairy-free trend!? It's happening! Granted, it's a bit more subtle, and people confuse it with lactose intolerance..:)

Excerpt from TheGlobeandMail.com:

In less than five years, sales of gluten-free products have nearly tripled, rising in tandem with the increasing number of new gluten-free goods. Beyond crackers, breads and pastas, it’s now possible to buy everything from gourmet gluten-free cookies at independent bakeries to gluten-free pizzas at restaurant chains such as Boston Pizza.

According to the Rockville, Md.-based research firm Packaged Facts, U.S. retail sales of gluten-free products reached $2.6-billion (U.S.) in 2010, up from $935-million in 2006. And in its 2011 Gluten Free Foods and Beverages report, the firm predicts sales will grow to $5.5-billion by 2015. A similar trend is under way in Canada, although precise national figures are not available.

Gluten-Free Candy List

Here's a great gluten-free candy list from Gluten Free Life with Jen. Follow the link below the list for a very comprehensive list from Celiac Family.

As always, please check all labels before consuming any sweets, but here is a starter list of the gluten free Valentine's Day candy you and your loved ones can share this year:

Necco Valentine Conversation Hearts
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
M&Ms (plain and peanut)
Hershey's Milk Chocolate (NOT crisp or cookie flavored)
Snickers
Mr. Goodbar
York Peppermint Patty
Junior Mints
Hershey's Special Dark
Butterfinger
Three Musketeers
Hershey's Kisses
Dove chocolate

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Full list from CeliacFamily.com

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Image thanks to mybestdesktops.com

In Review: Standard Food Allergy Profile

The Standard Food Allergy Profile test takes the guesswork out of treating your condition and saves you a great deal of time, effort, and discomfort.

And if by chance your test happens to be negative, you can quickly move on to other potential causes of your problem without spending valuable time on an unsuccessful elimination diet and then wondering if you actually did it correctly.

Food allergy testing is a highly specialized procedure performed only by doctors trained in recognizing and treating non-anaphylactic food allergies, and only in laboratories especially equipped to handle the sophisticated testing required. In order to give you an accurate result, this test must be a blood test, and must include both IgE and IgG antibodies.

If it does not evaluate both antibodies, there is a strong possibility that the testing will miss your food allergy. (For more information about food allergies and IgE and IgG antibodies, click here.)

For you the procedure is neither complex nor difficult. This blood test measures reactions to approximately 100 common foods, including dairy, eggs, corn, soy, almonds, peanuts, wheat, seafood, and many others. (For a complete list of foods, click here.)

Hypothyroidism Continued: Case Studies

Case #1

30 year old woman with complaints of fatigue, weight gain and forgetfulness. These had become progressively worse over the last 2 years. Patient was previously told that her thyroid was normal.

Retesting demonstrated that she was in fact suffering from hypothyroidism. Treatment with thyroid hormone completely solved her energy shortage resulting in weight loss and much better cognitive function.

Case #2

40 year old man with fatigue, weight gain and constipation. This patient complained of feeling very sluggish. Testing showed that he had a hypothyroid condition. Treatment with thyroid hormones quickly turned around his fatigue, resolved the constipation and made it possible for him to lose weight.

Case #3

51 year old woman (M.M.) diagnosed with hypothyroidism 2 years ago and recently diagnosed with celiac disease. TSH testing showed fluctuating thyroid levels for over 2 years, resulting in repeated changes in dosage of thyroid medication.

Questions: Fatigue, Thyroid Function and Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a serious condition found in people with and without food allergies. However, people with food allergies, particularly those with celiac disease (a gluten allergy), frequently suffer from hypothyroidism.


Hypothyroidism causes fatigue and weight gain as well as other problems, and is often overlooked and misdiagnosed due to complexities in thyroid testing and symptoms which may overlap or contradict the symptoms of food allergies.

What Is the Thyroid Gland?


The thyroid gland sits in the neck in front of and on both sides of the trachea and secretes thyroid hormones. These hormones regulate metabolism and thus affect many aspects of health. 



What Are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism? 


Lack of adequate thyroid hormone production may result in one or more of the following symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, constipation, cold extremities, inability to focus, forgetfulness, dry skin and depression. 



How Is Hypothyroidism Typically Diagnosed? 


Most physicians measure thyroid function not by testing thyroid hormones, but by testing levels of TSH. TSH stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. 
As thyroid hormone production drops, TSH levels are supposed to automatically increase to compensate for low thyroid hormone levels. Therefore a higher than normal TSH level indicates a hypothyroid condition.

Understanding and Defining Celiac Disease

What is celiac disease?

You may have never heard of celiac disease, but it is actually a fairly common problem. In fact, 1 out of every 133 people has it. That is over 2 million people in this country. It is really more of an allergy than a disease, although it is typically called an intolerance to gluten.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, triticale, and couscous. People who have celiac disease cannot eat any foods made out of these flours. Gluten is the thing that makes bread, well, bread. It allows bread to rise and keeps it together with lots of nice little air pockets, making your bread light and spongy. Without gluten it is difficult to make bread that is not heavy and dense.

What are the symptoms of celiac disease?

The symptoms vary widely. Celiac disease is typically thought of as a condition that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas and bloating. However, many people do not experience these symptoms at all. They may experience constipation, weight gain, fatigue, headaches, heartburn, skin problems such as eczema and acne, or any number of health problems.

What exactly happens to the body in celiac disease?

In people with celiac disease, eating gluten leads to damage of the small intestine. Damage is specifically done to the villi of the small intestine. Villi are tiny finger-like extensions of the surface of the intestinal tract. They can only be seen under a microscope. In celiac disease the villi are in essence worn down, or blunted. This is known as villous atrophy. It’s something like the difference between holding your hand open with your fingers out, and having your hand clenched into a fist. The fist represents the blunted villi.

More About Food Allergies: IgE and IgG

The immune system functions like a sentinel standing guard against foreign invaders. In the case of an allergy, the invaders are called allergens. The primary weapon that it uses against invaders is the production of antibodies. The antibodies cause reactions that result in the offending allergens being removed from the body. In many people, foods act as allergens rather than nutrition. This can result in the symptoms of IBS.

The immune system produces numerous kinds of antibodies, called immunoglobulins. IgE and IgG are acronyms for the two different kinds of antibodies produced by the immune system in allergic reactions to food. You might be asking why you need to know this. Conventional allergy testing looks for IgE reactions only. These types of reactions typically occur immediately after contact with or ingestion of the allergen, and in some cases can cause serious, even fatal, health problems. Potential IgE reactions include swelling of the lips and tongue, hives, bloating, abdominal pain, or sudden diarrhea. These are the reactions that people usually think of when they hear the word allergy. However, IgE reactions can also lead to many other symptoms not traditionally recognized as being caused by food allergies.

The problem with this type of testing is that most food allergies are not IgE reactions, but are rather IgG reactions, which usually show up hours or even days after ingestion of the allergen. They are generally not nearly as dramatic as the more severe IgE reactions, and usually result in "mere" constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas and abdominal pain. Both antibodies are important, and food allergy testing should include both or the cause of IBS may be missed.

For more information about this subject refer to The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution.

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Image thanks to cdavies.wordpress

IBS Accutane Lawsuits on the Rise

Lawsuits against Accutane have been steadily rising as more and more people who've taken the drug see drastic side effects, including long term issues with IBS.

Interestingly, we see many patients who've taken Accutane.

It seems like everyone would win if we could focus on finding the cause of problems like acne instead of choosing drugs to try to mitigate symptoms.

An excerpt GlobalLawyerReferral.com:

Accutane, аn acne medication formerly produced bу Hoffman-La Roche, has made headlines recently fοr all the wrong reasons. In the last year alone there have been hundreds οf Accutane lawsuits filed bу those who wеrе formerly prescribed the drug and suffered harm аѕ a result. The use οf Accutane has recently bееח connected with the development οf a harmful condition called inflammatory bowel syndrome. Several different conditions affecting the colon and small intestine fall under the category οf IBS, though Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis аrе bу far the mοѕt common ailments.

We also found this interesting tidbit:

All throughout the history of Accutane, Hoffman-La Roche has always used the excuse that “the exact mechanism of action is unknown.” Liam Grant, the chairperson of the Roaccutane Action Group, said it best at the FDA Meeting of the Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee held on September 19, 2000.

Good Bacteria Deficiencies

Healthy people live in harmony with their "good" bacteria, or normal intestinal flora. This is called symbiosis. We provide the bacteria with a home and food, and in return they do some great things for us. These bacteria are called "probiotics."

Although there are thousands of different bacteria, the best-known friendly bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. Lactobacilli are also the bacteria that change milk into yogurt, and they are present in acidophilus milk. Bifidobacteria, which have been shown to provide many health benefits, are particularly high in the intestines of breast-fed newborns. A healthy intestinal system has more of both these friendly bacteria than other unfriendly bacteria.

One of the most important services good bacteria provide is preserving the correct balance of bacterial populations within the body. By their very presence they prevent the establishment and spread of "bad" bacteria and yeast, because harmful bacteria and yeast generally have no place to grow if friendly bacteria are thriving. You can never have too many of these great bacteria.

Study Suggests Fermented Wheat Flour May Be Safe for Celiac Patients

This story from FoodNavigator.com indicates that some fermentation can reduce the gluten low enough to be 'tolerable' to celiacs. See my comments after the excerpt...

Excerpt from FoodNavigator.com:

The study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, evaluated the safety of daily administration of baked goods made from a hydrolyzed form of wheat flour to patients with celiac disease – finding that fermented wheat flour with sourdough lactobacilli and fungal proteases decreases the concentration of gluten to safe levels.

“This is the first time that a wheat flour-derived product is shown to not be toxic after being given to celiac patients for 60 days,” said Dr Luigi Greco, of the University of Napes, Italy, lead author of the study.

Greco said that the study’s findings support the need for further research to explore therapies that could reduce the toxicity of gluten for celiac patients, beyond a standard gluten-free diet.
“In the future, cereals made through such biotechnology could also improve the nutritional and sensory properties of baked goods containing hydrolyzed gluten compared to products made of naturally gluten-free ingredients," added Greco.

Gluten problem

Celiac disease occurs in the digestive system when people cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, rye and spelt. The disease is characterized by an inflammatory response to gluten-containing products.

It’s Not Just About IBS

As you’ve noticed, we specialize in and focus on irritable bowel syndrome and related digestive problems. These are extremely important, and we feel that we are the premier institution in the world for treating these problems. However, IBS is really just one possible manifestation of one of the major causes of health problems, food allergies.

Many patients come to us for non-digestive related problems. Recently we have seen patients for migraine headaches, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, hives, and chronic sinusitis. In many cases, we are able to help people put an end to these problems.

The number of conditions that can be caused by food allergies might seem unbelievable, but the reality is that inflammation caused by food allergies can affect many different parts of the body and lead to many health problems that seem to otherwise be unexplainable.

Because of the tremendous potential for solving these problems by identifying food allergies, we also operate the Center for Food Allergies - designed to provide you with more information about this clinic.

Of course, most patients come to us to be treated for their digestive problems. However, they are often very pleasantly surprised to find out that one of the positive side-effects of solving their digestive problem is the resolution of one or more other problems listed above.

Causes of IBS: Stress Reduction

So you think that you carry your stress in your abdomen. It's a common belief.

If you have been diagnosed with IBS, it is likely that you have been advised to reduce your stress level.

You may have been told to get regular exercise and adequate sleep, and to practice stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, tai chi, deep breathing, journal writing, relaxation therapy, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, or psychotherapy.

All of these practices can indeed improve physical, mental, and emotional health. They provide a host of benefits, from improved personal relationships to enhanced productivity to increased energy and mental clarity, and they just might help with your IBS symptoms.

But chances are they won't cure your IBS.

Most physicians are trained to think of IBS as stress induced or as a type of psychosomatic disorder. Because there has not been a cure for IBS, it has been framed in a way that suggests that it is more your problem than the physicians. Although some cases of IBS are no doubt related to mental or emotional issues, and stress and anxiety can aggravate IBS (as well as most other medical conditions), they are not the predominant causes of IBS. More often, IBS causes you stress rather than the other way around.

Gluten-Free Super bowl Cake!

Thanks to Jules Gluten Free for this great recipe to celebrate the Superbowl (or perhaps just to celebrate cake?)..:)

From Jules:

To make this cake recipe into another shape like a football, use 7-inch round cake pans if your cake design does not need to be as wide and requires a larger crown (like a football).

If using smaller pans like these, the cakes will be thicker and may need to bake for longer. To test the cakes for doneness, insert a cake tester or toothpick in the middle of each cake and be sure it comes out clean. The cakes will also begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pans. Add time if necessary to fully bake the cakes.

Frostings make the cake, so don't skimp! Homemade frosting is easy, inexpensive, and not preservative-laden. Plus, following my recipe, you'll be able to smooth the frosted cake just like a professional!

Buying ready-made frosting in a can may look like the perfect shortcut, but those frostings can be difficult to spread on a cake, and tend to pull the crumbs off and into the frosting.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Jules Gluten Free™ All-Purpose Flour
  
• 1 Tbs. gluten-free baking powder
• 1/4 cup powdered milk (dairy or non-dairy alternative like DariFree Powder)
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup butter or non-dairy alternative (like Earth Balance Buttery Sticks)
• 2 cups granulated cane sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp gluten-free vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk or non-dairy alternative (like vanilla coconut, soy, hemp, rice, etc. “milk”)

Understanding Food Allergies

Food allergies may be one of the most prevalent health problems in our country and are certainly the biggest problem that I see in my clinic. But if you're like most of my patients, you're probably thinking, "Not me, I don't have a food allergy." 


Most people think they have a pretty good idea about food allergies. They may know someone who has one and think, "My problem isn't like theirs."

Or they may just think that food allergies normally result in hives, a rash, or some kind of medical emergency. 
In fact, food allergies can be the cause of many chronic health problems.

What Is An Allergy?

An allergy is what results when your immune system is inappropriately activated. Your immune system is designed to attack bacteria, viruses and parasites. It is not intended to attack the food you eat. But this is exactly what happens with some people. This is called a "food allergy" or "food intolerance."

When your immune system is activated, antibodies (also called immunoglobulins) are produced. Antibodies in turn trigger an inflammatory response. Inflammation causes pain and tissue damage, leading to further symptoms. Increased mucous production is another aspect of an immune response.

Treating Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease

We often receive calls asking if we treat Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease, and the answer is an emphatic “YES!”

Though the clinic was originally founded with an emphasis on treating IBS, patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s, which together make up IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), are also welcome and receive unique and highly specialized treatment at the IBS Treatment Center.

Do These Issues Have Anything in Common?

IBD, like IBS, is not a particularly useful acronym for the person suffering from the problem. In both cases the acronym provides a label for describing the condition, but it does not provide any information for understanding the cause of the problem or to attempt to cure it.

Our goal is to find the cause of the problem so that it can be cured. And IBD sufferers are just as surprised as IBS sufferers to discover that there is much more to learn about digestive health than what they learned from their gastroenterologist.

What is the difference between IBS and IBD?

IBD is much like IBS except in one major area. IBD sufferers are found to have ulcerations in the digestive tract. The difference between Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease is the location of the ulcerations. In Ulcerative Colitis, the ulcers are predictably found primarily in the colon. In Crohn’s Disease the ulcerations are found primarily in the small intestine.

Patients with Ulcerative Colitis often experience bleeding with bowel movements, but this is uncommon in Crohn’s Disease. However, other than the different locations and different names, there is no useful medical understanding that differentiates the two conditions.

Treating Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis, although not IBS, is closely related to IBS.

The real difference is that in diverticulosis doctors can see the damage, thus giving you the impression that they know why you are suffering. Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality people suffering from diverticulitis are no better off than those diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) when it comes to providing you with a solution to your problem. And both conditions are treated in the same manner.

What is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is the diagnosis given to people who develop inflammation as a result of diverticulosis. Diverticulosis is presence of weak pouches in the colon called diverticula.

Diverticulosis is generally diagnosed from a colonoscopy or a barium contrast x-ray. It is estimated that by the age of 70 at least 50% of the American population has developed diverticulosis. Diverticulosis by itself does not cause symptoms, but as a result of it some people will develop diverticulitis and thus pain in the lower abdomen often associated with diarrhea.

What is Good Digestion?

Digestion should be the natural process of an exquisitely complex system that converts food into the materials needed for life: vitamins, minerals, fats, amino acids (proteins), and sugars (carbohydrates).

From the average person's point of view, it is a relatively easy, even unremarkable process, something you take for granted. But from a medical viewpoint it is truly fascinating.

Much happens between the time you eat a piece of food and the time the waste products leave your body. Most people are concerned only with the two parts of the digestive system that require some active participation on their part - the food going in and the waste coming out. The steps between these two poles are involuntary, and you probably don't pay a lot of attention to them, or need to, as long as things are working well.

Elimination itself is fairly straightforward. Eating causes the colon to contract, beginning the process of peristalsis: contraction followed by relaxation, over and over again along the tube, moving things down to the exit. Between thirty to sixty minutes after eating (depending on various factors, such as how much was in the intestinal tract to begin with), a person will normally feel the urge to have a bowel movement.

NIH.gov: Gluten Causes Gastro Symptoms in Subjects Without Celiac Disease

This study originally posted on the National Institutes of Health website.

Objectives

Despite increased prescription of a gluten-free diet for gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals who do not have celiac disease, there is minimal evidence that suggests that gluten is a trigger. The aims of this study were to determine whether gluten ingestion can induce symptoms in non-celiac individuals and to examine the mechanism.

Methods

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled rechallenge trial was undertaken in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in whom celiac disease was excluded and who were symptomatically controlled on a gluten-free diet.

Participants received either gluten or placebo in the form of two bread slices plus one muffin per day with a gluten-free diet for up to 6 weeks.

Symptoms were evaluated using a visual analog scale and markers of intestinal inflammation, injury, and immune activation were monitored.

Stomach Acid: Why You Need It

Stomach acid is vital to good health. It is the first major step in breaking down your food, which is so critical to proper nutrition.

The myth is that you are what you eat. But in fact, you are what you absorb. Acid is especially important for breaking down proteins into amino acids and is required for the optimal release and preparation of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron for absorption.

Vitamin B12 also isn’t adsorbed without it. The same cells that produce acid produce intrinsic factor, which is required for B12 absorption. Without B12 you become B12 deficient, leading to fatigue and neurological problems. 
Decreased acid levels can also cause digestive problems further on down the line.

Understanding & Treating Abdominal Pain

People often think that IBS has to involve diarrhea or constipation, but often it does not.

For many people the only obvious symptom is abdominal pain. And the pain can vary from a mild discomfort to incredibly debilitating.

Chronic abdominal pain is one of the top 5 reasons that people to go to the doctor. Unfortunately, for many it is also very poorly treated. The typical approach is to rule out ulcers, appendicitis, gallstones, uterine problems, or cancers. This may be done with blood work, scopes, scans, ultrasound or other imaging, depending on the problem.

If you have one of the aforementioned problems and it’s found, then your problem should be solved. But many people with abdominal pain do not have an ulceration, appendicitis, gallstones, uterine problems or cancer.

For them, all of the tests come back negative. They are told that nothing is wrong and left with the impression that it’s all in their head.

Of course, something is very wrong. There is always a logical reason for a problem such as abdominal pain, and it’s rarely just a mental or stress issue. But it’s not something that is structural or that you can see with the kinds of tests mentioned above. Unfortunately, those are the only tests most doctors have to offer.