Gluten Free Recipe: Broccoli-Cauliflower Soup from Jules Gluten Free

This recipe comes thanks to our friends at Jules Gluten Free. If you're a regular reader of our blog, then you know that we love her recipes. But we're always looking for a great recipe.

So, if you have one that you would like to share, please feel free to email us at info@ibstreatmentcenter.com and include any photos, credits that you would like us to include.

Jules shares her amazing recipes and much more on her blog at JulesGlutenFree.com.

Broccoli-Cauliflower Soup from Jules

Ingredients:

• 8 cups broccoli florets 8 cups cauliflower florets
• 2 cups vegetable broth (Imagine Foods® Organic Vegetable Broth is currently gluten free; Celifibr® Bouillon Cubes are also gluten free) 4 cups water
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 onion, diced 2 teaspoons cumin salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook the broccoli and cauliflower in the broth and water for 1-2 hours at low-medium heat, until soft.

Purée with a hand blender in the pot, or transfer to a food processor to purée then return to the pot.

In a small pan, sauté the onion and oil until translucent and lightly browned. Add to the broccoli- cauliflower mixture.

Season with cumin, salt and pepper, cooking further only until it has cooked down to the consistency you like. Serve garnished with parsley, cilantro or mint.

Case Study: Are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome allergy related?

The following study comes from the National Institutes of Health. A key sentence in this study is:

"Now, there is emerging evidence to suggest that adverse reactions to foods or food components also may be associated with behavioral disturbances that may play a role in each of these disorders."

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Are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome allergy related? What is fibromyalgia?

Bellanti JA, Sabra A, Castro HJ, Chavez JR, Malka-Rais J, de Inocencio JM.
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Despite the progress made in the field of allergy-immunology in recent years, there are a group of diseases that the allergist-immunologist may be called on to manage in which their precise etiologies have not been identified but that appear to be initiated or exacerbated by allergic mechanisms.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia (FM) fall into this category of disorders. Although the precise etiology of ADHD still remains unknown, the most prevalent theory is that it represents a neurobiologically based developmental disability leading to inadequate production of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Medications

At least 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with IBS. 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).

IBS and Gluten Intolerance

Like many people who have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you may have discovered that you are gluten intolerant. Or maybe you have IBS symptoms and are wondering if you are gluten intolerant.

The diagnosis of IBS of course is (or was) of no real help to you, and it really is of no help to anyone, except when it is definitively used to rule out potentially deadly conditions.

IBS is a diagnosis often given to people with chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, abdominal pain, or a combination of any of those symptoms. But being diagnosed with IBS only means that your bowel irritates you, which you already know.

The symptoms called IBS are something we deal with every day at the IBS Treatment Center. Regardless of whether a patient has been formally diagnosed with IBS, or just has the symptoms, we try to identify the cause or causes.

Some people have these symptoms, at least in part, because their bodies are intolerant of gluten. At least 35-50 million people in the U.S. suffer from ‘diagnosable’ IBS. As studies have clearly shown, approximately 3 million people have celiac disease. While people with IBS symptoms obviously can’t all have celiac disease, the situation is more complicated that you might think.

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. Additionally, 
decreased acid levels can also cause digestive problems further on down the line.

MedPageToday.com: Greater Risk of C. Diff Infection Associated with Proton Pump Inhibitors

This study explores the greater risk for C. Diff infection that is associated with using Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are a group of drugs whose main action is a pronounced and long-lasting reduction of gastric acid production. Examples include Losec, Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, etc.

Excerpt from MedPageToday.com:

In a prospective cohort study of nearly 800 patients, those on the stomach acid-lowering medications were more than three times as likely to develop CDAD than those who were not taking them, according to Takatoshi Kitazawa, MD, of Teiko University in Tokyo.

But the absolute number of cases remained relatively small, Kitazawa reported here at the Interscience Conference on Anti-Microbial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).

The incidence of CDAD has been increasing in many developed countries. Among the potential culprits are PPIs, which are increasingly widely used, especially in Japan, Kitazawa told MedPage Today.

Previous studies linking the illness and the medication have been retrospective, Kitazawa and colleagues noted, so they opted to follow prospectively a cohort of patients admitted to their institution's internal medicine department.

Understanding Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce adequate thyroid hormones, which are T4 and T3. Thyroid hormones are critical to health, contributing to metabolic rate, energy, and cognitive function.

There are several different types of hypothyroidism, but in most cases, people who have a hypothyroid condition will feel tired, lack focus, and may experience dry skin, cold extremities, constipation, or weight gain.

However, other medical conditions can be present at the same time may mask many of these symptoms. For example, hypothyroidism is commonly associated with celiac disease, which may cause diarrhea. Hypothyroidism is readily treatable, but there are several factors to consider when evaluating thyroid function.

TSH

Most physicians measure thyroid function by testing levels of TSH. TSH stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.

Digestion Basics: 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. 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.

NutraIngredients.com: Research shows olive oil, nuts better than drugs for heart disease

In continuing our discussion on a recent study that evaluates a mediterranean diet's impact on lowering your risk of heart disease, this article comes from NutraIngredients.com and sheds more light on the Spanish researchers findings.

Early results from a Spanish cohort study featuring 7500 people with heart disease risk have found Mediterranean diets high in virgin olive oil (VOO) and nuts are more effective in reducing heart disease event likelihood than drug treatments.

The team of Spanish researchers published initial findings in the trial that is due to complete next year in Atherosclerosis, reporting significant improvements in groups eating traditional Mediterranean diets plus VOO or , compared to those on a low-fat diet.

Among the over-55s artery thickness was lower in the VOO and nut groups but only among those who already had somewhat thickened arteries.

NIH Case Study: Traditional Mediterranean Diet with Olive Oil Lowers Chance of Heart Disease

This study thanks to National Institutes of Health (NIH). More information on the NIH after the article.

OBJECTIVES:

Apolipoprotein (Apo)B, ApoA-I, and their ratio could predict coronary heart disease (CHD) risk more accurately than conventional lipid measurements.

Our aim was to assess the effect of a traditional Mediterranean diet (TMD) on apolipoproteins.

METHODS:

High-cardiovascular risk subjects (n=551, 308 women and 243 men), aged 55-80 years, were recruited into a large, multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, clinical trial (The PREDIMED Study) aimed at testing the efficacy of TMD on primary cardiovascular disease prevention.

Participants assigned to a low-fat diet (control) (n=177), or TMDs (TMD+virgin olive oil (VOO), n=181 or TMD+nuts, n=193) received nutritional education and either free VOO (ad libitum) or nuts (dose: 30g/day). A 3-month evaluation was performed.

Friday's Gluten Free Recipe: Thai Chicken Wraps

Thanks to Gluten Free Mommy for this delicious recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (as with all ingredients make sure you use a gf brand)
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt or garlic salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast strips
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 4 cups packaged shredded broccoli-slaw mix
• 1/2 of a medium red onion, cut into thin wedges
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 6-8 brown rice tortillas

Directions:

1. For peanut sauce, in a small saucepan combine sugar, peanut butter,
soy sauce, water, the 2 tablespoons cooking oil, and the garlic. Heat
until the sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently. Set aside.

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Bad and Ugly Bacteria

What makes a bad bacteria bad?

The worst bacteria (the ugly) either directly destroy tissue by feeding upon it or produce a toxin that destroys tissue. Other bacteria (the bad) react negatively to food, or are poor fermenters of food, creating IBS symptoms like gas and diarrhea. And some species of yeast and bacteria are bad simply because they take up space, thereby crowding out the good bacteria and depriving your body of all the health-giving benefits that friendly bacteria provide, resulting in the poor digestion of food and the poor absorption of nutrients.

The ugly bacteria are never regarded as normal flora within the body. They are not usually considered to be causes of IBS, but they do cause severe, often life-threatening, conditions. Ugly bacteria include Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Vibrio cholerae, Campylobacter, and certain strains of E. coli. Just a tiny amount of the most virulent strains of bacteria in a person's body is enough to begin the process of infestation.

Understanding Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most debilitating conditions in our culture. It is actually the number one cause of lost work days at Boeing.

Unfortunately, treatment is limited and almost solely focused on anti-inflammatory medications, not on eliminating the original trigger of that inflammation.

What Does "Arthritis" Mean? 


The word “arthritis” simply means “joint inflammation.” There are basically two types: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 
Osteoarthritis is inflammation caused by degeneration of the joint and is due to chronic wear and tear. Osteoarthritis is most commonly found in the knees. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a more generic term for inflammation, pain, and swelling of joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is most commonly seen in the hands, although it can affect just about any joint in the body. In children this is called juvenile arthritis.



The Traditional Approach to Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is considered by conventional medicine to be an autoimmune condition of unknown cause. This belief ignores a large volume of scientific evidence pointing to food allergies as a major cause of arthritis.

Testing for IBS Triggers: Standard Food Allergy Profile

The Standard Food Allergy Profile test takes the guesswork out of treating your irritable bowel syndrome 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. (More information about IgE and IgG food allergies.)

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. (complete list of foods here)

You are not required to fast or to change your diet in any way prior to blood collection. In fact, it is recommended that you not do so. (However, steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone and corticosteroids may affect the results, so talk to your medical practitioner about these medications prior to testing.)

The Psychological Aspects of Food Allergies & Celiac Disease: Part II

This is part two of our guest article series titled, "The Psychological Aspects of Food Allergies and Celiac Disease." Guest article courtesy of Jennifer Leeson, LCSW.

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If you are a parent with a severely allergic child, you know how scary and frightening it can be to take your child to a party, day care, the park, school, or church. As a counselor I have met parents who are so fearful for their child’s well-being that they end up isolating the child, themselves, and the entire family unit. While this may guarantee safety, we all know that living in a bubble is not really living. Although great caution and care must always be taken, living with food allergies does not have to mean a life of constant fear.

If you are struggling with overwhelming fear and anxiety regarding your own or someone else’s food allergies, and find that it is significantly interfering with your life, this is an indication that seeking outside help would be beneficial. The right kind of emotional and behavioral support will help you to realize that you are not alone, and that what you are feeling is normal given the circumstances. With help you can learn to work around your food restrictions instead of being confined by them.

Having been diagnosed with Celiac Disease as an adult, I can personally relate to the emotions that can accompany living with a serious food allergy. With my own diagnosis came panic over attending social functions. I was overwhelmed by the weight of having to think about every single thing I was eating. Ultimately I found myself not wanting to be around people, not wanting to go out, and feeling sorry for myself. Fortunately, I had great friends in the counseling field (including my significant other) who were able to give me the support and encouragement I needed to feel good about myself again. Also, I was able to do a lot of self work to get through those overwhelming emotions and learned to embrace my new lifestyle in a positive and life changing way.

The Psychological Aspects of Food Allergies & Celiac Disease: Part I

Guest article courtesy of Jennifer Leeson, LCSW.

Living with life threatening food allergies, celiac disease, or other significant food restrictions can be challenging in ways that go beyond knowing what to eat and what to avoid. The negative impact of having food allergies can greatly affect one’s emotional and social well being and their quality of life.

Research into the specific impacts of living with food allergies or celiac disease is being done, though still on a relatively small scale. Studies related to these issues have identified a number of areas of specific concern: aspects of general health; activities within the family; eating outside the home; eating within school environments; reactions of other people; food labeling; previous allergic reactions to food; co-existing allergies; impact of the food allergy on quality of life of caregivers; and burden of responsibility. (A small, yet notable impact has also been reported on one’s career/work environment.)

In particular the research has indicated a significant psychosocial impact on children, adolescents, and their families. Most notably is the considerable effect on daily family activities and socialization in regards to the continuous attention needed to avoid the exposure to allergens for one or more members of the family. The populations most adversely affected are: females, parents of young children, and adolescents. Of these, the most significantly affected is mothers of severely allergic children.

If you or someone you know is affected by food allergies and/or celiac disease, then you may have experienced, or are currently feeling the related adverse impact on quality of life first hand. These impacts can lead to intense fear and anxiety, as well as frustration and anger. Online chat rooms related to these topics are populated with individuals seeking support for these very real emotions.

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The IBS Treatment Center thanks Jenn Leeson for this month’s lead article. If you are feeling stress, anxiety, or overwhelming unhappiness caused by your own or your child’s food allergies, we encourage you to find the support you need through counseling, therapy, or a local support group.

To find a support group in your area, check out one of the following websites (just click the name):

Gluten Intolerance Group of North America
Celiac Sprue Association USA
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
Washington FEAST (local, grass-roots support group for families dealing with food allergies)

Stay tuned for Part II on The Psychological Aspects of Food Allergies and Celiac Disease.

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Image thanks to mysite.verizon.net

The Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Fiber's Role

Increasing fiber intake is one of the most popular treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Although your fiber intake might not be ideal, it's unlikely that it's causing your irritated bowel. By now you've probably already figured that out.

However, there are many good reasons to get fiber in your diet, so it's worth discussing. Below you will find some good information about fiber that will increase your understanding about this important component of food.

Soluble vs. Insoluble Fiber

Fiber can be soluble, meaning that it partially dissolves in water, or insoluble, meaning that it doesn't. Although neither type typically cures IBS, soluble fiber (which is also called viscous fiber, and is found in foods such as oatmeal, okra, or legumes, such as garbanzo beans) can be helpful in treating IBS symptoms, especially constipation and diarrhea. Insoluble fiber is more of a "scratchy" fiber; it adds bulk to the stool. A good example of insoluble fiber is celery.

Soluble fiber forms a thick gel that helps to properly form the stool in the digestive tract and move it through the bowel; it also adds bulk to the stool. Because it slows the stool's transit time, it helps to prevent diarrhea. Soluble fiber also prevents constipation, because the colon becomes filled with gel, as opposed to being clenched tightly around dry, hard stools.

Food Allergies, Migraines and 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 Irritable Bowel Syndrome 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.

How Does the IBS Treatment Center Work?

We regularly receive questions via social media and email about the IBS Treatment Center. Our approach is unique and we are very proud of the people that we help. So I thought for today's second post, I would briefly describe how it works!

Patients have come to the IBS Treatment Center in Seattle, Washington from more than 30 other states and other countries as far away as New Zealand.

Our success in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the associated symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, gas, pain, and bloating is unmatched. Regardless of your age and the length or severity of your problem, you should be able to live a normal life without pain, suffering, or embarrassment. Join us and the growing community of former IBS sufferers.

Here are just of few of the things we do differently:


• Your consultation is all with the doctor (usually 35 minutes or more), not a nurse or tech;

• No other patients are scheduled with the doctor at the same time: You are the doctor's focus.
• The doctor wants to hear your complete history and personal story. This is important to understanding how to help you. 

• The doctor clearly explains all of your lab results and what they mean. 

• Your treatment plan is a program, and it is very specific to you. It is based on your history and your lab results (not just on your symptoms).

• We provide you with a binder, copies of your lab work, and lots of documentation to help you keep your treatment clear and organized.

• We provide online access through secure encrypted email to ask questions and request appointments. 

• We publish our prices

And most importantly, we expect to be able to help you!

Most Dairy Reactions Are Not Lactose Intolerance

Most reactions to milk are mistakenly considered to be lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is defined by a person having a deficiency in the enzyme lactase. Lactase is needed in order to digest the sugar component in milk called lactose. Many people are lactose intolerant, but millions more have an immune reaction to dairy.

Unfortunately, most people don’t recognize that there is a difference between the two issues.

These people usually do not figure out that dairy is causing their symptoms because they never actually eliminate dairy from their diet, only lactose. Avoiding lactose only partially helps their condition and often doesn’t help at all. What they don’t realize is that even though they are avoiding lactose, they are not avoiding dairy.

The most blatant example is lactose free milk. Lactose free milk is still a major dairy product. If you are drinking lactose free milk you haven’t even begun to eliminate dairy from diet, only lactose. Dairy is used in many products that are considered to be lactose free. Whey protein powder is essentially dried milk, without the lactose. Whey is not only sold as a protein powder, it is also used as an ingredient in hundreds of different food products from bread to soup to candy.

This Week's Gluten Free Recipe: Currant Scones from Gluten Free Girl

Thanks to Gluten Free Girl for this amazing recipe!

CURRANT SCONES
(adapted from Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston’s Flour Bakery + Cafe)

Scones seem intimidating at first. However, once you have made them a couple of times, you’ll see there’s a rhythm to them. Combine the dry ingredients and the butter. Freeze. Break up the butter, a bit. Combine the liquids. Add the liquids until a dough forms. Pat it down, cut wedges, do an egg wash. Bake. Cool. Eat.

You’ll see directions to put flours and doughs into the freezer. Don’t skip this step. Working with everything cold means you’ll have flaky layers and a light dough instead of the hardened clumps so often sold as scones in coffee shops.

Consider this recipe a template — as all the ratio rally recipes are — for the kind of scone you’d like to make that day. Cranberries? Walnuts? Cilantro and tomato?

Ingredients:

• 390 grams whole-grain gluten-free mix

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 
½ teaspoon baking soda
• 
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

• 70 grams (1/3 cup) sucanat

• 80 grams (1/2 cup) currants

• 114 grams (1/2 cup or 1 US stick) cold butter, cut into 8 to 10 pieces

• 120 grams (1/2 cup) cold buttermilk
• 120 grams (1/2 cup) thick Greek yogurt or crème fraiche

• 1 cold egg
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten

• 2 tablespoons raw sugar

Preparing to bake. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Or, if you want your scones to puff up higher, grease a 9-inch pie pan (preferably not glass). Preheat the oven to 350°.

Mixing the dry ingredients. Pour the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sucanat, and currants into the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix them together on low speed until they are well combined.

New Advanced Testing for Gluten Intolerance

Testing for celiac disease and gluten intolerance has in the past been grossly oversimplified.

Traditional celiac testing has involved screening for one or maybe two tissue transglutaminase antibodies. Gluten, the culprit in celiac disease, is not really just one protein but rather is composed of a group of various gliadins and glutenins. Until now none of the many gluten components have been available for antibody testing. And since reactions to wheat can involve proteins other than those involved in gluten, the testing has had its limitations.

In the past, physicians have only been able to offer testing for reactions to whole wheat, barley, rye, and spelt. Although these tests have been very successful in diagnosing individual food allergies, new tests are now available which can offer much more specific information about reactions to wheat and different kinds of gluten reactions.

The IBS Treatment Center is proud to announce that it now offers the most advanced testing available anywhere for the evaluation and assessment of gluten intolerance and reactions to wheat. The panel included in this article is now available through Cyrex Labs. This testing will allow for greater understanding of patient reactions to gluten.

This blood testing should prove to be far more adept than any previous blood testing at properly identifying those who are gluten intolerant or are reactive to wheat.

More information on this testing is available by contacting our offices at the IBS Treatment Center.

Regence, Insurance & Reimbursement

We have had several complaints from patients recently regarding reimbursement of their claims.

In each case the patient received a reimbursement check, but it was made out to the patient and to the doctor, so it could not be cashed.

These patients had paid for their healthcare at the time of service. This was clear on the paperwork provided to Regence. The patients called Regence and reportedly were told that the checks had to be issued that way.

An employee of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commisioner told an IBS Treatment Center representative that no such rule exists and that the patients should immediately file a complaint with the OIC. Complaints may be filed online at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/Complaints.shtml

Oregon Regence members may contact their insurance commissioner at http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/ins/index.html

Idaho Regence members may contact their insurance commissioner at http://www.doi.idaho.gov/

You may recall that Regence was fined $100,000 recently for having denied reimbursement to patients for IUD removal, despite laws requiring them to do so. There was one complaint that led to the disclosure of about 1000 cases. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=139657540

We want to encourage all people, not just patients of the IBS Treatment Center to challenge their insurer if they are not getting reimbursed for their medical expenses.

Acne: How Food Can Cause It (part II)

What Foods Cause Acne?

There isn’t just one food that causes acne. Any food allergy is capable of causing acne. However, the most common cause of acne that I see in my practice is dairy products. 


Why Is It So Difficult to Recognize One's Own Food Allergy?

This is problematic because of the often delayed nature of food allergies. Allergy symptoms may show up hours or even a day later, after a food is well absorbed into your system. And acne generally doesn’t come and go quickly enough to be associated with food.


This difficulty is compounded by the fact that certain foods, such as dairy and wheat, are so prevalent in our diet that many people eat them nearly every day. Therefore connecting your symptoms with your eating habits is often nearly impossible. 



What Causes a Food Allergy?

It is most likely that food allergies are genetically predetermined. In the big picture, humans have only recently introduced many current day foods into the diet, so it’s not surprising that the immune system doesn’t recognize every food as a friendly substance.


However, we undoubtedly do not understand everything there is to know about food or food allergies. 


How Do I Determine if I Have a Food Allergy?

The only sure way to determine if you have a food allergy is to have your blood tested for antibodies to a variety of foods. This is done with an ELISA Food Allergy Panel, which measures your immune response to approximately 100 different foods. 
If you experience acne and would like more information on treatment options, contact the IBS Treatment Center.

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Image thanks to healthylifecarenews.com

Acne: How Food Can Cause It (part 1)

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. 



Why Do Antibiotics Help, but Only Temporarily?


The inflamed and clogged pores of acne become infected. This is what causes puss. Antibiotics may help treat this infection. Unfortunately, acne comes back when the antibiotics are discontinued because the underlying cause that leads to inflammation and clogged pores, toxins in the body, still exists. 



What Really Causes Acne? 


A majority of acne cases, as well as many other skin blemishes, are caused by food allergies. Hormone imbalances may also play a role, but are largely over-rated. Fortunately both are treatable. 



How Do Food Allergies Cause Acne?


Food allergies are the number one cause of acne, and the worse the acne the more likely food allergies are involved. Eating a food to which the body is allergic leads to a continuous toxic reaction. In such a case the immune system fights the food as if it were an invading organism.

This can cause inflammation in the skin (and many other conditions), as well as the need to eliminate the toxin. 



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Image thanks to women-health-info.com

IBS Treatment Center Launches Probiotic Line

Supplemental probiotics can potentially help people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in profound and wonderfully healthy ways. But as you know, not all probiotics on the market today are created equal.

In truth, there are huge differences between the most commonly known and well recognizable probiotics out there. (more info on probiotics on WebMD.com)

The IBS Treatment Center is excited to finally be able to offer what we believe is the finest, highest-quality probiotic product available. Not only does our new probiotic, The IBS Treatment Center™ Full Spectrum Probiotic contain 50% more species of good bacteria than any of the other well known products, but it is also guaranteed to be 100% free of dairy, gluten, and soy which meets the needs of so many of our patients. And because it is available in both capsule and powder form, it can be taken at virtually any dosage.

Slightly modified versions are also available for infants and children. These are the IBS Treatment Center™ Infant Biotic, and the IBS Treatment Center™ Children’s Chewable Probiotic.

Research clearly shows that numerous species of good bacteria (probiotics), rather than just one or two different kinds, can have a multitude of positive effects on the digestive tract as well as on overall health. Although some physicians may recommend a certain, single bacteria probiotic, it is misleading to patients to suggest that one or two bacteria may be superior to others.

This table compares our product with some of the most popular probiotics available. Please take a look and feel free to post your comments and questions.

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: 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.

However, eating yogurt, drinking acidophilus milk or taking acidophilus supplements does not guarantee that you will have adequate colonies of good bacteria. Many people are so deficient in good bacteria that only larger doses will replenish the digestive tract, and often the presence of another bacteria or yeast/Candida must first be treated before good bacteria will be able to colonize and take hold. As well, many acidophilus products are woefully inadequate, and do little to replenish good bacteria.

The presence of good bacteria can be measured with a simple test.
More information on high quality probiotic products

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Good Bacteria image thanks to artist Jack Chen via Fresh Frames
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Causes of IBS: More About 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 irritable bowel syndrome.

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.

Antibiotic Treatment Study of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) in Children

Here's another IBS study that shows that treating people with positive breath tests with antibiotics isn't effective. This time in children.

From NIH.gov:

"Double-blind, placebo-controlled antibiotic treatment study of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in children with chronic abdominal pain."

Background & Objectives:

Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) in children may be a precursor to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults.

The prevalence of abnormal lactulose breath tests (LBT) suggesting small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been reported as 91% in children with CAP and 35% in healthy controls.

In addition, patients with IBS with SIBO who responded to nonabsorbable antibiotic treatment with normalization of LBT reported 75% global improvement in symptoms. The aim of the study was to test whether treatment with a nonabsorbable antibiotic may reduce symptoms in children with CAP.

Methods:

Seventy-five children ages 8 to 18 years with CAP based on Rome II criteria were enrolled. Subjects underwent baseline LBT and completed symptom-based questionnaires. They were then randomized in a 2:1, double-blind fashion to receive a 10-day course of 550 mg of rifaximin or placebo 3 times per day (t.i.d.). LBT and questionnaires were repeated 2 weeks after treatment.

IBS Cases Study: Food Hypersensitivity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The following study ("Food-specific serum IgG4 and IgE titers to common food antigens in irritable bowel syndrome") can also be found on the National Institutes of Health website.

You can also visit the IBS Treatment Center's Research page for additional resources on food allergies and irritable bowel syndrome.

INTRODUCTION:
Food hypersensitivity is a common perception among irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Data from dietary elimination and food challenge studies support an etiopathological role of diet in IBS, but there are no well-established tests to identify food hypersensitivity.

AIM:
To compare IgG4 and IgE titers to common food antigens in IBS and controls.

Friday's Recipe: Savory Waffles from Gluten Free Goddess

This delicious recipe comes thanks to Gluten Free Goddess.

The flour blend used for these crispy waffles includes a bit of cornmeal for flavor and texture. If you cannot use cornmeal, substitute your preferred grainy flour choice. (Changing flours may effect texture, so experiment with your favorite combos or mixes.)

You'll need:

1 cup sorghum flour
1/4 cup rice or millet flour
1/4 cup Bob's Red Mill gluten-free corn meal
1/2 cup potato starch
1/4 cup tapioca flour/starch
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon minced onion
1 tablespoon Ener-G Egg Replacer whisked with 1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup light olive oil
Enough fresh water to thin the batter- about 1 1/2 cups

Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome (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).

Facts About IBS:

~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)

~Patients with IBS cost a average $1300 more per year than non-IBS patients (Levy et. al. 2001)

Acid Reflux and Heartburn: The Underlying Causes

Acid Reflux and Heartburn: The Underlying Causes

Heartburn or acid reflux or GERD -- whatever the name, if you are like millions of others, you are experiencing this gastrointestinal malady. 
You may take your acid reflux problem for granted and buy your antacids at Costco, but you should be aware of the negative effects this has on your entire body. You also should know that heartburn is a sign of other problems, and can almost always be treated without acid blockers. 



The Prevalence of Acid Reflux Disease


Acid rising from the stomach and irritating the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, results in the feeling of what is commonly called heartburn. 
Some 35 to 45 percent of the population experiences heartburn, often called GERD or "gastroesophageal reflux disease". That’s a whopping 116 million people! It’s also the most profitably treated symptom in America.

Last year Prilosec was the top selling prescription drug in the world, earning Astra Zeneca, the drug's maker, 6 billion dollars. 
This sad state of affairs means that it is almost considered normal to have GERD and to take drugs for it. However, heartburn is far less than normal, and those experiencing it are definitely nowhere near optimal health.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux 


Acid reflux is generally felt as a burning pain in the middle of the chest. It may also feel like a pressure in the chest. In some people it can be so bad that it is difficult to keep food down and may even result in dental erosion. 
Over time reflux can result in damage to the LES, called Barrett’s Esophagitis, and even cancer.

GERD, Surgery and Antacids

Surgery for GERD?


Surgery has virtually no role in the management of this mostly physiologic problem and future generations will realize how foolish our current medical model has been by trying to treat GERD with surgery.

GERD is consistently one of the most treatable conditions that I see in my clinical practice. My success rate is well over 90%, and it is quite rare for patients to fail to respond to conservative, non-drug, non-surgical treatments. 



The Digestive System Made Simple:

The stomach connects to the small intestine connects to the large intestine ending with the rectum.

The liver (waste products), gallbladder (bile and cholesterol) and pancreas (digestive enzymes) dump products into the small intestine to be used, excreted and/or reabsorbed. Nutrients and liquids are absorbed across the intestinal lining.

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


Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, , Rolaids, TUMS, proton pump inhibitors such as Prevacid, Prilosec, Aciphex, or Nexium. H2 blockers Zantac, Tagamet, and Pepcid AC. This could be a list of who’s who in the drug industry.

5 Reasons Why It's Hard to Detect Your Own Food Allergy

Reason #1

One major obstacle to figuring out which foods are problematic is that, even on an elimination diet, you may not have truly eliminated all of your allergenic foods. Assumptions are often made about which foods are allergenic and which foods are not. These assumptions are often wrong.

Even on an elimination diet you may still be eating something that will trigger your IBS, even if you are eating foods that you normally don't eat.

In order to solve your IBS you may need to stay away from entire food groups, not just one or two foods.

Food groups are much more difficult to avoid than you might think. One food group that commonly causes problems for IBS sufferers is dairy. Dairy is not just milk. Dairy includes cheese, butter, sour cream, cream cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. It's found in many baked goods such as muffins, breads, and cookies, as well as in many cream soups, some salad dressings, and milk chocolate. Coffee and lattes are another common source of dairy. Even margarine contains dairy. The list goes on and on.

Two key components of dairy are whey and casein, which many people cannot tolerate. These are used as additives in a great variety of foods, even those you wouldn't consider to be dairy foods. Look at the labels on the packaged or processed foods you buy. Even non-dairy coffee creamer contains casein, for instance.

Supplementing with Iron

Never take iron unless blood tests demonstrate that you are deficient in iron. Excess iron can cause symptoms similar to iron deficiency and can be very toxic, leading to liver damage.

If you have an iron deficiency on your CBC, this will generally respond fairly rapidly to iron supplementation. However, it can take 6-12 months to increase iron stores (ferritin) to an adequate level, depending upon how iron deficient you are. Therefore it is important to continue to take iron until you have raised your ferritin level to a satisfactory level, even though your CBC may be normal.

It is important to monitor your iron supplementation with follow-up blood tests to check your CBC and your ferritin. This is necessary to determine that the treatment is working, that you reach an adequate ferritin level, and that you do not take excess iron.

High Quality Iron vs. Low Quality Iron

Low quality iron supplements, such as iron oxide and iron sulfate, are poorly absorbed and often cause digestive problems such as an upset stomach and constipation. Fortunately, this is often avoidable.

High quality iron comes in the form of iron picolinate, iron glycinate, or iron citrate, which are much better absorbed and do not cause side effects. Liquid iron and time release iron capsules are also less likely to cause digestive upset. It is wise to include folic acid and vitamin B12 in your iron supplement, because these nutrients are also required to form RBCs.

Recommended Product: Ferrasorb by Thorne, Liquid Iron by NF

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Red blood cell image thanks to peekintomyyard.blogspot

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.

Ferritin

Ferritin is the form in which iron is stored in the tissues of the body, particularly the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Ferritin is a protein complex that contains iron. Ferritin decreases long before iron deficiency anemia shows up on your CBC.

Therefore measuring ferritin is the optimal way to determine your actual iron status. A satisfactory ferritin level is generally over 50 and not much higher than 200. A ferritin level less than 30 indicates iron deficiency, and less than 18 can indicate absent iron stores. If you do not adequately raise your ferritin level then you are much more susceptible to repeatedly becoming anemic and may have difficulty breaking out of a cycle of frequent anemia.

A high ferritin level may indicate the need for further testing in order to rule out iron overload.

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Image thanks to Iranium.com

Have a Nice Labor Day!

We'll be back in full swing on Tuesday, September 6th. In the meantime, we hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Friday's Gluten Free Recipe: Jules Gluten Free Berry Bars

This week's recipe thanks to our friends at Jules Gluten Free.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Jules Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
• 1 cup certified gluten-free rolled oats or crushed gluten-free Chex cereal*
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar or coconut palm sugar
• 1-2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter or dairy-free alternative (e.g. Earth Balance Buttery Sticks)
• 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1/8 cup granulated cane sugar or coconut palm sugar
• dairy or non-dairy yogurt (So Delicious) or ice cream for topping (optional)

*Note: if using Cinnamon Chex or Chocolate Chex, reduce sugar & eliminate cinnamon added in recipe

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats or cereal, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.

Gently press half of the mixture into a greased 8 or 9-inch square baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes to set.

Combine the blueberries and sugar; sprinkle over crust. Top with remaining flour mixture. Bake 35-40 minutes longer, or until golden brown.

Serve for dessert or for breakfast!

Ear Infections (and Dairy Allergies)

Do you ever wonder why some kids get lots of ear infections, often resulting in multiple doses of antibiotics and eventually tubes in their ears? Why don't the antibiotics ever completely solve the problem? 



Ears require drainage by the eustachian tube, which opens into the back of the throat. In young children this tube is not fully developed and is very susceptible to being blocked by inflammation. Anything that causes inflammation can block the eustachian tube, resulting in a warm moist breeding ground for bacteria in the inner ear. 



Antibiotics kill the bacteria, temporarily, but they don't change the inflammation of the eustachian tube or the breeding ground. This is when placing a tube through the tympanic membrane is recommended. These don't solve the inflammatory problem either, but they do get the drainage going. 



The real cause of the problem is the inflammation of the eustachian tube. Usually this inflammation is caused by a food allergy, most often dairy. Children generally drink and eat a lot of dairy. Invariably it's the very first food introduced into the diet. 

A milk allergy is by far the most common cause of ear infections.

Removing dairy from the diet will usually result in complete resolution of this problem. However, occasionally further food allergy testing is required to determine the source of the inflammation.

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Image thanks to drawingcoach.com

Testing for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Triggers: What's Included?

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, avocado, 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

Legumes: green pea, kidney bean, lentil, lima bean, peanut, pinto bean, string bean, soy bean.

Fruits: apple, apricot, banana, blueberry, cherry, grape (red) grapefruit, lemon, orange, papaya, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, raspberry, strawberry.

Miscellaneous: coffee bean, cocoa (chocolate) bean, honey, baker's yeast, brewer's yeast, sugar cane.

Foods Included in the 15 'Vegetarian' Additional Food Allergy Panel

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 IBS Treatment Center's 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.

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.

The goal is to find the cause of the problem so that it can be cured. 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.