What's Included in Food Allergy Panels?

Foods Included in the Standard Food Allergy Panel - 96 foods

Dairy: Cow's milk, whey, casein, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, goat's milk.

Meat and Poultry: beef, chicken, lamb, pork, chicken, eggs white (chicken), egg yolk (chicken), turkey.

Grains: amaranth, barley, buckwheat, corn, gliadin (wheat), gluten (wheat), oat, rice, rye, spelt, whole wheat.

Seafoods: lobster, clam, cod, crab, halibut, oyster, salmon, shrimp, snapper, sole, tuna

Vegetables: asparagus, avacodo, broccoli, beet, bell pepper (green), cabbage (white), carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, garlic, lettuce, mushroom, olive (black), onion (white), potato (white), pumpkin, radish, spinach, squash (green), squash (yellow), sweet potato, tomato, zucchini squash.

Nuts: almond, coconut, filbert, peanut, pecan, sesame, sunflower seed, walnut

A Bit About Lactose Intolerance

How Common Is Lactose Intolerance? 


More than 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant. 
Nearly two-thirds of the world's adult population has some degree of difficulty with digestion of milk sugar because of a lactase deficiency:

• 97-100% of African Blacks
• 90-100% of Asians
• 70-75% of North American Blacks
• 70-80% of Mexicans
• 60-90% of Mediterraneans
• 60-80% of Jewish descent
• 10-12% of Middle Europeans
• 7-15% of North American Caucasians
• 1-5% of Northern Europeans

Lactose Intolerance Symptoms 


The most common lactose intolerance symptoms are:

• Intestinal cramps or discomfort
• Gas
• Bloating
• Diarrhea

One study has suggested that women with lactose intolerance are more likely to have depression or PMS (premenstrual syndrome). 
Lactose intolerance symptoms are almost identical with symptoms of other chronic disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease.

Acne: Question & Answer

Acne may be one of the most common conditions known to humans. It can be embarrassing, frustrating, and downright unfair. Fortunately, most of the time, it is also avoidable. 



The Traditional View of Acne and Its Treatment 


Most people assume that getting acne is a normal part of life. But why do some people get acne when others do not? And why do certain people have such bad cases of acne? Commercial treatments for acne focus on keeping the skin clean and clearing clogged pores. This sounds reasonable, but again, why do some people have to obsessively clean their skin when others do not? And why do some people cleanse, exfoliate, deep clean and still get acne?



What's Wrong with this Approach to Acne? 


The real problem with this approach to acne is that acne develops from inside the body, not outside. The skin is an organ, and it is an organ of elimination. We eliminate waste products through our skin, just as we loose minerals when we sweat. 
Too many toxins inside the body can lead to inflammation in the skin resulting in clogged pores and acne. In order to treat the cause of the acne we must first remove the toxins. 



Celiac Disease: Question & Answer

UPDATE: 
This Q&A offers a great chance to address the "is celiac and allergy or not" question with actual medical definitions. (And maybe clarify that celiac disease is mostly hereditary, but is not determined by any specific gene or set of genes).

Celiac disease is indeed a form of wheat allergy. However, the correct phrase is to say that Celiac Disease is not an IgE allergy. By all technical definitions celiac disease is not only a gluten sensitivity, it is also an allergy.

Allergies are defined by the involvement of the immune system. In Celiac Disease the immune system is definitely involved. There are subsets of allergies, such as IgE (a class of antibody) allergies and non-IgE allergies. There are also very specific IgE gluten allergies, and even IgE wheat allergies.

All of this will be discussed in my upcoming class "Advanced Course in Food Allergy, Intolerance, in Sensitivity" to be offered October 1st. More information is available at InnateHealthClasses.com. Other dates and locations will be coming in the next few months.

What Is Celiac Disease?


Celiac disease is a hereditary allergy to gluten that results in damage to the small intestine. Common symptoms include loose stools, fatigue, weight loss and generally poor health.

However, symptoms can vary widely and include constipation, weight gain, and a skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis.

What Is Gluten? 


Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten is responsible for the springiness and stretchiness of bread. Without it, bread turns out heavy and dense. 



How Is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?


Celiac disease can be assessed by blood tests or by a biopsy of the small intestine performed during an upper endoscopy. The blood tests include the tissue transglutaminase antibody test and the newer deamidated gliadin antibody test. The endomysial antibody test is older and is not as senstive as the newer tests. 



Case Study: Gluten causes gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects without celiac disease

This case study thanks to NIH and PubMed.gov:

Gluten causes gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects without celiac disease: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

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.

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.

A lot 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.

Article Attempts to Link Lactose intolerance to the Head, Not the Gut

This study is missing what is really happening with these people. And most people (including the doctors involved) will not see the most likely explanation.

There's a very high likelihood that these people are dairy allergic, have symptoms, and have other problems also related to the dairy allergy, including being more anxious. It was already obvious that a lactose intolerance couldn't explain their symptoms.

They should be looking for answers instead of trying to discredit people's experiences. They were being polite, but the true explanation is far more interesting and informative, and curable, then they realize. This is exactly the same thing that happens with IBS.

Excerpt from USAToday.com:

Italian researchers report that some people who think they are lactose-intolerant may actually suffer from a psychological condition known as somatoform disorder.

With true lactose intolerance, a person is deficient in the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose. Those who suffer it say they experience bloating, gas, gut pain and nausea when they eat or drink products containing the milk sugar lactose.

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" .

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.

When a food is broken down and absorbed, it is distributed through your bloodstream to all of your tissues. Therefore an allergic reaction can occur just about anywhere in your body.

We don't really understand why a food allergy can exhibit itself so differently in different people.

Intestinal Microorganisms and Parasites

Our intestines are a rich and thriving ecosystem, when we are healthy. The massive surface of our intestines (about the same as a tennis court) provides everything needed for life - space, moisture, and nutrients.

Given the ubiquity of anti-bacterial products in our society, many people are surprised to learn that they have about 10 trillion bacteria living in their intestines. But not only do we have bacteria lining our digestive tract, we desperately need them.

There are basically three types of micro-organisms living in our intestines: Good bacteria; Bad bacteria/microorganisms; and Disease organisms.

The good bacteria include species and strains that we evolved with, like acidopholus and bifidobacterium. These are an essential part of our digestive systems and we would not survive without them.

Food Allergies

Most people with IBS are suffering at least in part because of an allergic reaction to one or more foods.

This often surprises people, who don't believe that they have allergies. This is because they have friends whose allergy symptoms are different, or they think that food allergies result in hives, a rash, or some kind of medical emergency.

But even for those who have already had food allergy testing, chances are it wasn't very helpful. This is because the majority of food allergy testing is only designed to measure allergies that produce skin rashes. The skin prick testing that is standard practice does demonstrate whether or not the patient will have a rash in reaction to exposure to the allergens used. However it doesn't and can't measure other types of immune system responses or immune system activities that involve certain types of antibodies.

People often have a tough time believing that they may have a food allergy because they've eaten the "offending" foods before, some every day, and have not suffered from consistently severe symptoms. Maybe they've had just a little diarrhea or constipation once in a while, until suddenly it gets worse or new symptoms develop.

Symptoms of food allergies, including IBS symptoms, can show up at any age, from birth to old age. The challenge in discovering the food allergy is in getting the proper testing done and in getting the proper education about where the offending foods are hidden in your diet. Most clinics offer neither, even those that supposedly focus on allergies.

Generic Dietary Changes and Elimination Diets

If you've done much reading about IBS diets, then you've seen advice urging you to increase fiber if you're constipated, increase fiber if you have diarrhea, cut back on sugar, drink more water, avoid lactose and so on and so on.

You may be wondering if you can ever eat again without triggering your symptoms.

The problem with this approach is that different foods trigger IBS in different people, and many foods can potentially trigger IBS symptoms - far more than in the list mentioned. Therefore the best diet for you may not be the best one for someone else. Certainly some people have been helped by one of the recommendations above, but most people have not.

Ideally, to create an optimal IBS diet, all you'd have to do is avoid a certain food or food group to discover whether it was triggering your IBS.

Unfortunately this is easier said than done. It takes a great deal of time, persistence, and education to properly construct a diet that will adequately treat IBS. Proper lab testing can help you avoid all of this.

Friday's Recipe: "The Real Deal" Appletini from GFreeFoodie

It's sunny here in Seattle today. So we wanted to celebrate with a nice, tasty beverage. This great Appletini recipe is thanks to GFreeFoodie.com!

Ingredients
1 1/2 oz. Spiced Rum (Captain Morgan, VooDoo or similar)
1 oz. Cinnamon Infused Simple Syrup
2 oz. Good Quality Apple Juice or Apple Cider

Directions

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a martini glass, garnish with a cinnamon stick or thin apple slice if desired.

PubMed.gov: Meat-specific IgG and IgA antibodies coexist with IgE antibodies in sera from allergic patients

This is a very interesting study on beef allergies. And it's worth pointing out that IgA and IgG antibodies were also elevated in asthma patients with a beef allergy.

From PubMed.gov:

IgE-mediated responses play a pivotal role in allergic patients with food intolerance.

However, the association of food-specific IgG and IgA antibodies with the clinical outcome of allergic patients is still a matter of controversy. In this study we investigate whether beef-specific IgG and IgA antibodies may coexist with beef-specific IgE antibodies in food-allergic patients and examined their clinical relevance in different allergic settings.

Beef-specific IgE, IgG and IgA antibodies were determined by solid-phase enzymoimmunoassay (ELISA) in a population of allergic patients (N=125) classified into patients with asthma, skin disease or gastrointestinal disorders, as well as in control subjects (N=80).

Understanding 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 National Institutes of Health via Creative Commons

Headaches and Food Allergies

The Traditional Approach to Headaches

Headaches are considered by conventional medicine to be an inflammatory condition of unknown cause, or simply stress is blamed. This belief ignores a large volume of scientific evidence pointing to food allergies as a major cause of headaches.

The medical community has focused almost solely on treating headaches with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications, either prescription or over-the-counter. These medications offer temporary relief of the pain and inflammation, but they don’t prevent the headaches from recurring. Over the long term this type of treatment also comes with a host of side-effects.

Is It Possible to Eliminate the Pain and Inflammation without Drugs?

Very often it is actually possible to eliminate the cause of the pain and inflammation without resorting to drugs to suppress it. Inflammation is actually caused by the immune system, which then leads to pain. The important question is, “Why is the immune system creating inflammation?”

Never the Same Since...

Does the story of your digestive problem start with the line: “I never really had any problems until… I caught the flu one year.” or “…I got food poisoning.” or “…I had a major illness.” or “…I had surgery.” or “…I went to Mexico.” or “…I was in a car accident.” or “…there was a tragic death in my family.” or “…I went through a very stressful divorce.” ?

And then does your story continue with the phrase “…and I’ve never been the same since.”?

This theme of digestive problems seeming to begin after an illness or important event is common among patients at the IBS Treatment Center. Digestive problems often start to manifest themselves more significantly after a sickness, international travel or stressful experience. Or, they simply seem to start altogether after such an event. Why does this happen?

Stanford Daily: Gastrointestinal research provides food for thought

One of the common problems with gluten intolerance is "foggy thinking". This line of research (below) is very interesting and validates the idea that good intestinal health is important for good mental health.

Dr. Wangen has seen people with IBS who got treated at the IBS Treatment Center for the cause of their IBS and later reported that they also saw their anxiety attacks end.

From The Stanford Daily:

A paper published in PLoS One last week by researchers from the School of Medicine reveals that short-term digestive problems early in life may increase one’s risk for depression and other psychological problems. Standing counter to previously held medical assumptions, the new findings suggest that human psychological conditions may be the consequence — not the cause — of gastrointestinal disorders.

Medicine professor Pankaj Pasricha, chief of gastroenterology and hepatology, spearheaded the study. In collaboration with research associate Liansheng Liu and other colleagues at Stanford, UC-San Francisco and the University of Kansas, Pasricha began tracing the psychological symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia.

DNA Microbial Profile: Measuring Intestinal Bacteria, Yeast (Candida), and Parasites

If you suffer from IBS and other digestive problems then it is very possible that you have a microbial imbalance in your digestive tract. The IBS Treatment Center is proud to be one of the few clinics in the country where you can now get DNA testing to measure the presence of the bacteria, yeast and parasites in your digestive tract. This is done via a stool sample.

All microbes have DNA, and that DNA can now be detected and quantified with Nobel Prize-winning PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology, which is commonly used in other forms of DNA testing.

DNA testing is far superior to all previous tests that assessed the presence or absence of microbes in the digestive tract. In the past, bacteria and yeast had to be grown or cultured on a Petri dish, and parasites and yeast were looked for under the microscope.

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.

Is Lactose Intolerance More than a Digestive Problem?

Lactose intolerance is a deficiency in the enzyme lactase. Lactase is the enzyme that digests the milk sugar lactose.

People with a lactose intolerance typically experience an upset stomach, bloating, gas, and loose stools. These are also common symptoms of a dairy allergy.

Many patients complain of a lactose intolerance. They usually say that taking Lactaid or a digestive product designed for lactose intolerance will resolve their digestive problems. However, they obviously didn’t schedule an appointment just to tell me this and they are usually experiencing one of the other symptoms associated with a dairy allergy.

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:

Friday's Recipe: Gluten Free Shortcake!

This wonderful recipe thanks to Jules Gluten Free. Her site features tons of recipes, gluten free ingredients, support and much more. A great gluten-free resource!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Jules Gluten Free™ All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup granulated cane sugar
• 2 tsp. gluten-free baking powder (Hain Pure Foods Featherweight®)
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 4 Tbs. shortening (Earth Balance® Shortening Sticks)
• 2 large eggs (or egg substitute)
• 3/4 cup (6 oz.) vanilla yogurt (dairy or non-dairy) (So Delicious® Vanilla Coconut Yogurt)
• cinnamon sugar mixture (3 Tbs. sugar + 1/2 tsp cinnamon)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400° F (static) or 375° F (convection).

Quick Facts About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is defined by a set of symptoms affecting a patient’s gastrointestinal system. These symptoms, or immune system reactions, can be produced by a wide range of different medical conditions.

Most often, IBS symptoms are caused by one or more of the following: chemical mechanisms resulting from reactions to certain foods; microorganisms in the gut including bacteria and parasites; yeasts; or celiac disease (gluten intolerance).

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 10-20% of the general population, with women 20-40 years old accounting for the majority of patients. (Astegiano et. al. 2008)

Irritable bowel syndrome affects approximately 10-15% of the European population and up to 70% of individuals with IBS may not be formally diagnosed. (Quigley et. al. 2006)

Sinusitis, Runny Nose & Food Allergies Q&A

What Causes Sinusitis and Runny Nose?


Sinus infection (sinusitis) and runny nose are inflammatory conditions that result in mucous production and congestion. This leads to the resulting problems of sinus pressure headaches, a runny nose, or stuffy ears. 



Then What Causes Inflammation?


Inflammation is caused by anything that can activate the immune system. It can be caused by a bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, or by environmental or food allergies. 
Bacterial and fungal infections are readily treated by antibiotics, and viral infections generally resolve on their own.

Food allergies are the most under-rated cause of inflammation and congestion, and frequently exacerbate known environmental allergies. 



How Do Food Allergies Trigger Sinusitis or a Runny Nose? 


An allergy is an immune response, resulting in inflammation and in this case mucous production. Such a response to food can be exhibited in any part of the body, because nutrients are digested, absorbed and circulated throughout the body. This is why food allergies can cause a wide range of problems, including sinusitis and runny noses. 
There are many other conditions that can be caused by food allergies.

IgE and IgG Food Allergies

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.

Understanding Food Allergies

Most people with IBS are suffering at least in part because of an allergic reaction to one or more foods.

This often surprises people who don't believe that they have allergies. This is because they have friends whose allergy symptoms are different or they think that food allergies result in hives, a rash, or some kind of medical emergency.

But even for those who have already had food allergy testing, chances are it wasn't very helpful.

This is because the majority of food allergy testing is only designed to measure allergies that produce skin rashes. The skin prick testing that is standard practice does demonstrate whether or not the patient will have a rash in reaction to exposure to the allergens used. However it doesn't and can't measure other types of immune system responses or immune system activities that involve certain types of antibodies.

People often have a tough time believing that they may have a food allergy because they've eaten the "offending" foods before, some every day, and have not suffered from consistently severe symptoms. Maybe they've had just a little diarrhea or constipation once in a while, until suddenly it gets worse or new symptoms develop.

Intestinal Microorganisms and Parasites

Our intestines are a rich and thriving ecosystem, when we are healthy. The massive surface of our intestines (about the same as a tennis court) provides everything needed for life - space, moisture, and nutrients.

Given the ubiquity of anti-bacterial products in our society, many people are surprised to learn that they have about 10 trillion bacteria living in their intestines. But not only do we have bacteria lining our digestive tract, we desperately need them.

There are basically three types of micro-organisms living in our intestines: Good bacteria; Bad bacteria/microorganisms; and Disease organisms.

An Important Overview of the Digestive System

Think of your gastrointestinal tract as a long, muscular tube. This tube starts at your mouth and ends at your anus, and, if you were to stretch it out to its full length, would be about thirty feet long with a surface area approximately the size of a tennis court.

It is a highly specialized organ that is designed to do three very important things: convert food into something your cells can use for nourishment and then absorb it; protect you from invading organisms and toxins; and dispose of a large variety of waste products. It is truly amazing that these three vital functions are performed by one structure.

This tube is so specialized that it actually has its own nervous system, often called a second brain. It also has a significant defense system to protect it from outside threats; in fact, the largest part of our immune system resides in the lining of the digestive tract. And to top it all off, this tube contains a highly evolved ecosystem of organisms which are not only critical to proper digestive function, but which are also a vital part of the defense system.

SIBO Testing: What is it?

SIBO stands for “small intestine bacterial overgrowth.”

It is currently popular in some parts of the IBS medical community to view SIBO as the primary cause of irritable bowel syndrome, and to use special testing and special antibiotics to treat SIBO.

This article will explore the facts and science behind this approach to IBS.

A bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine is the concept that the wrong kind of bacteria have colonized and over-run the small intestine. This means that bacteria other than Lactobacillus (acidophilus) and Bifidobacter have set up shop and are wreaking havoc with your ability to properly digest your food.

In order to figure out whether or not you are suffering from SIBO a physician may have you undergo a breath test. Breath testing is of course not a direct measurement of the bacteria, but an indirect measurement. The idea is that when you are given something to digest, then you will produce more hydrogen or methane in your breath if you have bad bacteria in your digestive tract.

Friday's Gluten Free Recipe: Pizza!

This recipe wonderful recipe comes to us thanks to Carol Fenster's wonderful gluten-free recipes on SavoryPlate.com!

Pizza Sauce

• 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Toppings of your choice

Sauce: Combine all ingredients in small saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes, while Pizza Crust is being assembled. Makes about 1 cup.

Washington Post: FDA still hasn’t defined ‘gluten-free’

This is a good article from the Washington Post on the FDA's continuing inability to define "gluten-free".

Our comments: People should go to 1in133.org and support the effort to get the government to finally do something!

From the Washington Post:

For seven years, the Food and Drug Administration has been trying to answer this question: What does it mean to be “gluten-free”?

That is roughly the time it took to build a tunnel beneath the English Channel to connect Britain and France.

In the meantime, foodmakers have been deciding for themselves whether they can jump into a lucrative new niche and market their products as free from gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. As a result, some products labeled gluten-free contain no gluten, others might have a trace and still more could contain a sizable amount.

Iron, Anemia, Ferritin and Fatigue

Iron, B12, and Folic Acid

Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are very important components of overall health. They are each required to make red blood cells, which in turn carry oxygen throughout the body.

Without adequate iron we can become anemic. Anemia causes fatigue and poor cognitive function.

Anemia

Anemia is a common blood disorder, which is either a decreased number of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or poorly formed red blood cells.

There are many different types of anemia, the most common types being iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and folic acid deficiency anemias. Iron deficiency anemia shows up on your Complete Blood Count (CBC) as a low RBC count, low hematocrit (Hct), or low hemoglobin (Hgb).

However, low iron status will show up long before anemia if ferritin is measured. B12 and folic acid deficiency anemias show up as unusually large red blood cells.

Testing for IBS Triggers: The Fatigue Panel

The Fatigue Panel includes lab tests for ruling out the most common causes of fatigue: hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), iron deficiency, anemia, and vitamin B12 deficiency.

These problems along with food allergies are the most common causes of fatigue and the easiest to diagnose with blood tests. They are also readily treatable. This panel is highly recommended if you suffer from fatigue.

Hypothyroidism is a frequently missed diagnosis, even if you’ve been told that your thyroid was tested and is normal.

Iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and anemia are common causes of fatigue and are frequently overlooked.

The Fatigue Panel includes the following tests:


TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

Ferritin (Iron Storage level)

Vitamin B12 level

CBC (Complete Blood Count, for assessing anemia)

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Image thanks to CHProperties.org

How IBS Can Cause Iron Deficiency and Anemia

Many patients who have digestive problems are also anemic due to low iron or low vitamin B12 levels. This problem causes fatigue, so it should be of interest to many people.

Being anemic and having IBS is not unusual and there is a logical reason for it. First we’ll discuss anemia and then how it relates to IBS and digestive problems.

What is anemia?

Anemia is a common blood disorder that is a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or poorly formed red blood cells. These are the cells in your blood that carry oxygen. If you are anemic, then you will be tired because you are not delivering as much oxygen to your body as someone who is not anemic.

There are many different types of anemia, but the most common are due to iron deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia will show up on your complete blood count (CBC) as a low RBC count, low hematocrit (Htc), and/or low hemoglobin (Hgb). Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia typically shows up as an increase in the size of the red blood cells. On your CBC it is noted as the MCV.

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.(1)

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. However, there are many other causes, and not everyone who is overweight develops high blood pressure. One of the more interesting and certainly overlooked causes of high blood pressure may be food allergies.

Testing for IBS: 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.

DNA Microbial Profile: Measuring Intestinal Bacteria, Yeast (Candida), and Parasites

If you suffer from IBS and other digestive problems then it is very possible that you have a microbial imbalance in your digestive tract.

The IBS Treatment Center is proud to be one of the few clinics in the country where you can now get DNA testing to measure the presence of the bacteria, yeast and parasites in your digestive tract. This is done via a stool sample.

All microbes have DNA, and that DNA can now be detected and quantified with Nobel Prize-winning PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology, which is commonly used in other forms of DNA testing.

DNA testing is far superior to all previous tests that assessed the presence or absence of microbes in the digestive tract. In the past, bacteria and yeast had to be grown or cultured on a Petri dish, and parasites and yeast were looked for under the microscope. In both cases there were numerous factors that could affect the test and result in inaccurate results. With DNA testing these problems have been eliminated, and an incredible range of microbes (see list) can be detected.

The Traditional Approach to Headaches

Headaches are considered by conventional medicine to be an inflammatory condition of unknown cause, or simply stress is blamed. This belief ignores a large volume of scientific evidence pointing to food allergies as a major cause of headaches.

The medical community has focused almost solely on treating headaches with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications, either prescription or over-the-counter. These medications offer temporary relief of the pain and inflammation, but they don’t prevent the headaches from recurring. Over the long term this type of treatment also comes with a host of side-effects.

Is It Possible to Eliminate the Pain and Inflammation without Drugs?

Very often it is actually possible to eliminate the cause of the pain and inflammation without resorting to drugs to suppress it. Inflammation is actually caused by the immune system, which then leads to pain. The important question is, “Why is the immune system creating inflammation?”

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.