Posts Tagged diet

… the rate of glycation and thus aging is significantly increased by the Standard American Diet (SAD) and lifestyle. We will talk more about this later. For now let’s continue with our …

There are three main types of omega-3 fatty acid in the diet, ALA, EPA and DHA. ALA, is found in vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids including flax seed, hemp seed and many nuts. As it pertains to brain function, this omega-3 has the weakest effect because it is more of a precursor to the body’s activated fatty acids EPA and DHA. Of the two remaining omega-3 fats, DHA is most important for the discussion of brain function and is what I will focus on in this article. This does not mean that DHA is all that is required for a healthy system. Remember, nature has placed EPA and DHA into the food and in our body for very specific reasons. As it pertains to brain function, EPA simply plays a lesser role and thus will not be discussed here.

DHA, is the most “unsaturated” of the omega-3 fatty acid and has a great affinity for the brain and nervous system where it plays numerous roles. Research has shown DHA to be important for brain development in infants and much of the research has been devoted to how DHA supplementation improves brain development in the young. More and more data is now coming out that is shedding light on DHA’s roles in brain maintenance in adults. Some very interesting research has found DHA to be important in keeping the memory functioning properly as well as general brain function.

Two studies, the Chicago study and the Rotterdam study, reported a 60% decrease in incidence of Alzheimer’s in people who enjoyed at least one fish meal a week. These observational studies confirm previous preliminary research that found extremely low levels of DHA in the memory center of the brain of Alzheimer’s subjects who had succumbed to the disease. Research at the University of Kentucky found that certain phospholipids, which contain high levels of DHA, were severely depleted in the most diseased parts of the brain of Alzheimer’s patients.

Recent studies have found DHA to play integral roles in numerous important brain pathways including:
1. Maintaining adequate levels of important phospholipids that allow brain cells to communicate with one another
2. The proper production of certain neurotransmitters such as dopamine
3. The regulation of enzymes necessary for proper brain and memory function
4. The regulation of inflammation that can speed the process of Alzheimer’s and other diseases of the brain
5. The production of certain neuroprotective proteins which prevent damage to fragile areas of the brain through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. These protective molecules prevent the inappropriate death of nerve cells.
Aside from the benefits to memory DHA plays important roles in regulating mood. DHA deficiency has been noted in cases of depression and aggression. A recent study found dogs who are more aggressive may be suffering from a deficiency in DHA. In addition, a study performed in jails in England found a 50% drop in murder rates in jails when DHA was supplemented to the diets of the prison population.

Conclusion:

DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, plays numerous roles in maintaining a healthy brain. I feel that fish oil is a vital supplement for people who want to protect their brains from degeneration and should be a first line prescription for those who have been diagnosed with any degenerative disease of the brain or mood disorder. There is evidence that krill oil, an oil extracted from a type of crustacean, may provide important phospholipids in addition to the omega-3 fatty acids. Although data is lacking that krill oil would be a sufficient replacement for fish oil, I feel that it would be a good supplement to add, along with fish oil, for people suffering with a brain disease.

Dosage recommendation: 1 Tablespoon daily of Carlson’s Finest Fish Oil (or 6-9 capsules daily if you prefer) could be used along with 2 capsules daily of krill oil.

The most important thing that you need to know about high blood pressure is that it is generally not a disease, instead, it’s a symptom of a body that is biochemically out of balance. In this article, we will teach you a simple three step system for natural blood pressure control using only diet and natural remedies. The purpose of such a program is to achieve one thing…bring the body back into perfect balance so that blood pressure is controlled by the body’s own homeostatic systems.

Step 1: Find Out Why You Have High Blood Pressure

I am not going to leave you to figure this out on your own, nor am I going to leave it to your busy, overworked doctor either. Below are the tests that you should ask your doctor for to figure out why your blood pressure may be elevated:

1. Fasting Insulin Levels & Hemoglobin a1c – The number one cause of elevated blood pressure is elevated insulin levels and the resulting metabolic syndrome. These two tests will help to diagnose a metabolic syndrome and may help to save you from a future diabetes diagnosis.
2. Potassium (K) & intracellular magnesium (RBC-Mg) – These two minerals are essential to a healthy blood pressure. If either, or both, are low or low-normal, this could be one indication as to why your blood pressure is elevated.
3. Vitamin D – Vitamin D deficiency is common in our society and when vitamin D is low, the cardiovascular system does not work properly.
4. RBC-Mg (Red blood cell magnesium) – Magnesium deficiency is a common problem in our society and the consequences can be devastating. Magnesium acts as a natural calcium channel blocker and works to relax the blood vessels.

Step 2: 3 Dietary Changes for a Healthy Blood Pressure

1. Decrease carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrates increase insulin production which causes fluid retention, inflammation and electrolyte imbalance.
2. Remove all unhealthy fats. These fats include trans-fatty acids and cooked omega-6 fatty acids from vegetable oils.
3. Make the Magic Salad for Blood Pressure every day. I have designed a salad recipe that will flood your body with hypertension- blasting ingredients which are high in potassium, magnesium and phytochemicals that will lower blood pressure and promote wellness. The ingredients are as follows:

• Organic field greens (available at Costco and most local grocery stores)
• Organic carrots
• Celery
• Green & Red Peppers
• Radishes
• Mushrooms
• Fresh parsley
• Tomatoes
• Braggs Apple cider vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil

Eat at least one large salad, containing these ingredients every day. Note: Some medications, called ACE Inhibitors, can cause your body to retain potassium. If you are on these medication, your doctor should monitor your potassium closely.

Step 3: Use the right natural supplements to promote a healthy blood pressure.

Supplements can be an effective tool in your struggle to normalize blood pressure. The goals of a natural program for high blood pressure are three fold:

1. Normalize deficiencies (such as potassium, magnesium zinc, omega-3, etc.)
2. Decrease resistance to insulin
3. Relax blood vessels & normalize fluid balance

There are a few natural remedies that we recommend for normalizing blood pressure.

1. WholeMega by New Chapter – This omega-3 supplement provides a healthy balance of essential fatty acids that help to relax and improve the elasticity of blood vessels. Recommended dose: 2 capsules twice daily.
2. Cardiotonic-BP by Natura Health Products – I have used this formula in my practice for almost a year, it is a blend of some of natures most powerful herbal and nutritional ingredients for a healthy blood pressure. 3 capsules twice daily.
3. Coenzyme Q10 – CoQ10 helps to energize the cells and protect the vessels from free radicals that can harm the blood pressure. Research has not delineated the exact mechanism by which CoQ10 positively impacts the blood pressure; but it can have a significant impact on blood pressure while positively impacting overall wellness.

How deep do these consequences reach? Is it possible that our poor diet standards are reaching past our own generation and into the next few generations as well. Is it likely that what we put in our bodies will make it more difficult for our children to live healthy and vital lives?

Back in 1942 a researcher named Dr. Pottenger concluded the first study that evaluated the impact of our modern, processed-food diet on the health of an organism throughout multiple generations. This ten year study that was performed on cats came to be known as the Pottenger Cat Study and has enjoyed near celebrity status among practitioners of the holistic science while being completely ignored by conventional medicine.

In this study, Dr. Pottenger took 900 cats and divided them into two groups. The first group was fed a whole-food diet which was comprised of raw meat, raw milk and supplemented with cod liver oil. The control group was fed an identical diet with one exception, the food was cooked and/or pasteurized mimicing the processed, enzyme-poor diet of modern society. Throughout the course of the ten year study the health of the first, second, third and fourth generations of cats was monitored with a focus on potency, fertility and immune function. The results were nothing short of astounding:

1. The first generation who were fed the cooked diet were already beginning to show signs of degeneration including heart problems, poor thyroid function, arthritis, inflammation, infection and bladder problems.

2. These health problems continued through the second and third generation of cats and were magnified with each generation.

3. Second generation started to show signs of skin problems which worsened with each generation.

4. The second and third generation were showing signs of infertility. By the second generation, 70% of attempted births resulted in miscarriages.

5. 83% of the second generation male cats were nearly completely infertile. 53% of the female cats in the second generation had underdeveloped ovaries.

6. None of the cats in the third generation survived past 6 months.

7. “Deficient” cats that were then put on a raw diet showed signs of significant improvement.

This study shows just how important a raw food diet can be to our health. Ask yourself, when was the last time that you really ate a diet full of colorful and raw fruits and vegetables? This study should be an eye opener to just how vital diet is to health and vitality.

Not long ago, I wandered upon a book in the book store by Dr. Hiroma Shinya, the physician who discovered the colonoscopy technique that is so widely used as a screening tool today. Although colon cancer is mentioned numerous times throughout the book, Dr. Shinya dedicated the book to the impact of raw foods on overall health. In his career he has had the opportunity to look at the colons of thousands of people, some who enjoyed good health and others who were not so lucky, suffering with a multitude of diseases. Throughout his career he determined that he could determine the general health of the person by looking at the health of their digestive tract. People who have diseased digestive tracts have a tendency to have diseased bodies. He goes on to discuss a theory about how a raw, healthy diet can promote overall health. He speaks about vital and delicate enzymes found in food that play integral roles in the repair and regeneration of the body. He theorize that a yet undiscovered enzyme building block exists in food that the body uses to produce all enzymes in the body responsible for repair and regeneration and the processing of this food leads to a destruction of this universal enzyme building block. The result is a widespread deficiency in repair and regeneration enzymes responsible for keeping the body in tip top shape. This finding would confirm the research performed by Dr. Pottenger.

So, how do we use the results?

1. Purchase the book The Enzyme Factor by Dr. Hiromi Shinya and read it. He provides guidelines that help us to load our body with the health promoting universal enzyme building block.

2. Try to eat 80% of your diet as raw, uncooked foods!

3. Use digestive enzymes such as Tyler Similase whenever you eat cooked or processed food. By using digestive enzymes with your meals you will take some of the strain off of the pancreas and leave more building blocks for the metabolic enzymes responsible for repair and regeneration.

4. Promote this healthy diet to your children and grandchildren!

Osteoporosis is a disease where bones become fragile and more likely to break. It is important to understand that bones are not lifeless structures, but instead are complex living tissue.

Just like our skin, bones are constantly broken down and built back up with new, healthy, pliable bone. Two cells involved in bone maintenance are osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The osteoblasts are the “bone builders.” In contrast, the osteoclasts are the cells responsible for the breakdown of old, brittle bone. The ratio of these two types of bone cells must be in balance to maintain strong and healthy bones.

Due to the Standard American Lifestyle your bones break down faster than new bones can be formed. In women, bone deterioration accelerates after menopause due to the fact that the ovaries stop producing estrogen, a hormone that protects against bone loss.

Your blood is a tightly controlled system that requires biochemical finesse in order to make an optimal environment for your cells and organs to function. Blood pH is of critical importance, if your blood gets even slightly acidic then the critical enzymes would not function and death would occur. In order to maintain proper pH the body utilizes minerals to act as a buffering system. So how does your blood get acidic? The answer is food and stress. When you eat lots of animal protein, refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta, white rice and sugar these things add acid to your body.

When you eat vegetables and low-sugar fruits you neutralize some of that acid. The problem is you need 5 times as much alkaline food to neutralize 1 part of acid food. Stress also will cause excessive acid to form in the body. So what does this have to do with your bones?

The bones are your body’s mineral bank account. If you aren’t giving it plenty of those green leafy vegetables then your body will have to choose, between death or osteoporosis. In this case, your body becomes like Robin Hood, it steals from the mineral rich bones and gives to the mineral poor blood and organs.

To maintain bone health we should make sure that the bones have all of the necessary mineral building blocks. These building blocks feed the osteoblasts so as to keep new and healthy bone developing over your life. A readily absorbed bone mineral formula such as Osteo Plus will accomplish this. I would also suggest an additional 2,000-4,000 iu of vitamin D during the Spring and Summer and 4,000-6,000 iu during the winter months.

On top of this, adding a green drink full of concentrated green vegetables and superfoods will help keep your body alkaline by providing phytochemicals and organic minerals that neutralize acid.

To treat osteoporosis the standard procedure has been to take drugs such as Fosamax to inhibit bone deterioration and to increase intake of calcium. In the short term this approach may provide benefit to bone strength and fracture risk. There is concern, however,  of the long term ramifications of such an approach. This approach may result in poor quality bone and thus could lead to increased risk of fractures years later. To avoid this, our goal is to increase bone formation and normalize bone deterioration.

We suggest that calcium, magnesium, boron, proteins, and other trace minerals be taken to help increase bone formation. The average diet consists of 600 mg of calcium so most people should only supplement with another 600-800 mg of calcium daily. There are many different types of calcium available, however not all of them are efficient forms. Calcium carbonate, found in Oscal, Tums, and their popular little brother Viactive, is considered the worst form of calcium. This form does not absorb due to its buffering effect in the stomach. Calcium carbonate needs an acidic environment of the stomach in order to dissolve.

Some good forms of calcium are calcium citrate, calcium citrate-malate, calcium MCHA, and calcium lactate. We suggest that magnesium be taken in a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium. Daily, 2,000-5,000 units of Vitamin D can be taken.

An intake of 3-6 mg of boron a day is recommended.

Vitamin K stimulates new bone growth. Vitamin K1 can be obtained by eating vegetables, however, this form has not been effective at improving bone density.  Vitamin K2, produced through fermentation of K1, increases bone growth and normalizes bone deterioration.

Trace minerals can be found in many good bone-mineral formulas.

All these suggested supplements are primarily the elemental building blocks of bone formation. The body needs a stimulus for the bone formation. This stimulus is in the form of weight bearing and resistance exercise. Walking is just not enough because it does not put enough stress on the bones, the best exercise is weight lifting. In order to promote bone growth you will need to stress the bones that are in need of growth. In other words, you can’t rely on a bicep curl to make the hip bone stronger. Placing weight on the shoulders and doing squats may be a better option.

If you suffer from osteoporosis, you may need to do this under the supervision of a physical therapist. You may also want to purchase a weighted vest to wear while walking. This may help add more stress to the bones to stimulate their growth. If you suffer from osteoporosis, you may want to purchase walking poles, which are ski poles that have been built for walking. This helps to stabilize your gait and increase the number of calories you burn. Be sure to check with your doctor.

If you have weak bones, such as with osteopenia or osteoporosis, here are the suggestions for building healthy bones:

1. Progena’s OsteoPlus – This is a comprehensive bone mineral formula that provides you with the calcium, magnesium, boron and other trace minerals in their best absorbed and utilized forms. 4 tablets daily taken in two divided doses.

2. Vitamin D - Vitamin D helps the body absorb and utilize the minerals. We suggest 1 capsule daily in addition to the vitamin D in your multi and bone mineral formula. We shoot for 2,000 – 5,000 IU on a daily basis, especially during the winter months.

4. Vitamin K – 15 – 45 mg daily. Vitamin K supplements is especially important in those that do not eat a lot of green leafy vegetables. If you have mildly unhealthy bones you may want to use Super K by Life Extension Foundation. If you have moderate to severely compromised bone health, you may want to try Ultra K2 (1 cap three times daily).

What to do to prevent bone loss:

1. OsteoPlus – 2 tabs in A.M. 2 tab in P.M.
2. Vitamin D 2,000 IU – 1 Softgel in the A.M.
3. Doctor’s for Nutrition Greens First – 1 scoop once or twice daily

Standard Program for Mildly unhealthy bones  (Osteopenia/Mild Osteoporosis):

1. OsteoPlus – 2 tabs in A.M. 2 tab in P.M.
2. Vitamin D and K with Iodine – 1 capsule in the A.M.
3. Doctor’s for Nutrition Greens First – 1 scoop once or twice daily

Aggressive program for moderate to severely unhealthy bones:

1. Bone Guard Forte by Perque – 3 tabs in A.M. 2 tabs in P.M.
2. Vitamin D 5,000 iu – 1 capsule in the A.M
3. Complementary Prescriotions Ultra K2 – 1 capsule three times daily
4. Doctor’s for Nutrition Greens First – 1 scoop once or twice daily

Years ago, researchers placed rats on a diet that was high in coconut oil. Soon the researchers noticed that the cholesterol levels were becoming elevated and by the study’s end, the rats had developed plaques in the arteries consistent with heart disease.

Soon, the media was reporting that saturated fat, found in coconut oil, was the cause of our heart disease epidemic. There was one problem, however; the study wasn’t about coconut oil…

What Happens to Rats Who Are Deficient in Essential Fatty Acids?

When the researchers set out to study the rats, their intention was to study what happens to rats that become deficient in essential fatty acids such as, omega-6 and omega-3 fats. To do this, the researchers had to use a fat that was devoid of omega-6 and omega-3 fats. The problem was, most fats that are totally devoid of essential fatty acids are hard to incorporate into rat chow.  In fact, the researchers couldn’t find a fat in nature that was totally devoid of essential fatty acids…so they manufactured one.

It Looks Like Coconut Oil & Tastes Like Coconut Oil, But…

Of all of the fats that the researchers evaluated for the study, coconut oil was closest to the ideal oil. Unfortunately, natural coconut oil contains a small quantity of essential fats, which the researchers had to remove in order to make sure the rats became totally depleted of EFAs. To achieve this, the researchers developed hydrogenated coconut oil, a coconut oil that is flooded with hydrogen in order to remove all EFAs. There was one problem…

Hydrogenation Produces Trans-fats!

During the course of the study, the researchers were setting up the perfect storm for heart disease to develop…They were inducing an essential fatty acid deficiency and simultaneously flooding the rat’s body with trans-fats, which are known to promote high cholesterol and heart disease!

Right Observation…Wrong Finding

The researchers concluded that essential fatty acid deficiency leads to high cholesterol and heart disease. The media concluded that eating coconut oil causes high cholesterol and heart disease…

They Were Both Wrong!

Well, they were both only partially right. Essential fatty acid deficiency probably does cause heart disease, but this study only proves that EFA deficiency along with supplementation with trans-fats causes heart disease. The media was also partially right, eating coconut oil does cause high cholesterol and heart disease, but only if it is hydrogenated coconut oil, full of trans-fats, in combination with an EFA deficient diet.

They rightly observed that feeding rats coconut oil led to heart disease, but they wrongly deduced that the coconut oil was to blame. In fact, it was the hydrogenation of coconut oil and the EFA deficiency that ultimately led to catastrophic problems.

Natural Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil is Healthy!

In 1992, researchers performed a review of the published research on coconut oil. They concluded that unadulterated coconut oil did not cause elevated cholesterol nor did it cause an increased risk of heart disease (Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine 30:165-171;1992.)

In 1994, researchers added natural, unadulterated coconut oil to the diets of men with normal cholesterol. By the study’s end, their cholesterol increased from 166.7 to 170.0 mg/dl, however, the bad cholesterol came down a little while the good cholesterol went up a little. By the study’s end, the men enjoyed a healthier cholesterol balance. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 59:841-846;1994.)

In 1991, researchers fed 83 men and women a diet that was comprised of 24% fat, of which 75% came from coconut oil. By the study’s end, the total cholesterol went up by 17%, however, the bad cholesterol came down while the good cholesterol increased by 21.4%!

This is a small sampling of the scientific evidence that proves coconut oil to be safe and healthy cooking oil.

Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil is the Healthiest of ALL Cooking Oil

In this video, I explain why coconut oil is the best cooking oil compared to canola oil, olive oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, and corn oil.

Where to Get Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil

There are many brands of extra-virgin coconut oil on the market. I personally use the Nutiva Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil in my cooking, which is available in our online store. Other brands include:

Garden of Life Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Jarrow Formulas Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil

How to Choose a Good Coconut Oil

As I mentioned, there are many good brands of extra-virgin coconut oil on the market:

1. Only choose extra-virgin coconut oil – Extra-virgin means that you are getting unadulterated and unrefined coconut oil.
2. Organic is Not Essential – Because coconuts are not typically sprayed with pesticides, it is not essential that it be organic.
3. It should be a white-solid at room temperature – Pure extra-virgin coconut oil is a white, soft, solid at room temperature. It will turn to a clear liquid at temperatures slightly above room temperature.
4. It should be lightly aromatic – In other words, it should smell like a coconut
5. It should have a mild and pleasant flavor – It is from coconut, so it does have a bit of a coconut flavor to it. If it is not right for your recipe, then use extra-virgin olive oil as an alternative.

Extra-virgin coconut oil is a safe and healthy oil to use in cooking and you should enjoy this oil without fear of heart disease or high cholesterol. Due to its mild, coconut flavor, it may not be appropriate for all recipes. If coconut oil doesn’t work for your recipe, then turn to organic butter as a second option followed by extra-virgin olive oil.

In conventional medicine, everything is compartmentalized. For example, when you walk into a cardiologist’s office, they have a tendency to view you as a heart with legs. They do not see a connection between the health of your heart and the inflammation in your joints or anywhere else in the body.

In holistic medicine, everything is viewed as connected, which means that every symptom has a message from the entire body. To a holistic practitioner, the joint inflammation may also indicate inflammation in the arteries of the heart. This is just one example of the interconnectivity of the body.

So, what message does body odor send? More importantly, how do we fix it naturally?

First, offensive body odor is not something to be ignored or brushed off as nothing more than personal hygiene neglect. One interesting hypothesis in natural medicine is that the skin is a backup detoxification organ, which is called into action when the liver and kidneys are overwhelmed. Another hypothesis may explain why offensive body odor is such a hush-hush topic in society and why you simply can’t ignore it…

People who have offensive body odor often suffer with chronic illness. It is possible that body odor is an evolutionary defense against spreading disease. Let me explain…

When an individual in the tribe is sick or riddled with disease, the evolutionary processes would want to contain the damage in both a long-term and short-term way…

For the short term, by producing body odor, the rest of the tribe will know that you are sick, which would result in a temporary social quarantine. In other words, people will avoid you. When you are no longer sick, the body odor will dissipate and people will want to be near you again.

For the long term, if you are chronically sick and thus have sustained body odor, nature will prevent you from mating and spreading your sickly genetics. In other words, the opposite sex will avoid you and you could be ousted from the tribe.

My point is, body odor is far more serious than a social roadblock. It speaks to the health of the body in a general sense.

So, what can we do about body odor?

2.      Replace good bacteria. When certain foodstuff is not fully digested, specific organisms will ferment the material into toxic substances, which can be absorbed into the blood and emitted through the skin. Good bacteria, such as those found in iFlora by Sedona Labs, will help to balance the ecology of the gut.

3.      Try cranberry concentrate. One case report, published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, found that one glass of cranberry juice per day resulted in the elimination of body odor in one individual. Make sure you choose a cranberry concentrate, such as the Cranberry Concentrate by Genesis Today, rather than a high-sugar cranberry cocktail. (Call 888-7944325 for more information on this product).

4.      Try zinc. In one study, zinc was shown to help control body odor. Try Opti-Zinc 20 mg once per day.

5.      Drink water. Water hydrates the skin and prevents pores from clogging with bacteria.

Whenever you have a symptom, such as offensive body odor, always assume that there is a particular reason for the symptom and try to get to that underlying cause. Body odor is so easily dismissed as a superficial problem. Hopefully, I have convinced you that it likely has far deeper roots within your overall health.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, also known as GERD, is one of our society’s most common health complaints with one in ten Americans having daily episodes of heartburn.  Researchers estimate that GERD is experienced by 25%-35% of the population, which makes Proton Pump Inhibitors, a popular medication used to treat GERD, the third best-selling class of drug in the United States.

There is mounting evidence that drug treatment for GERD does not come without potentially serious risk. Such studies suggest that these drugs increase the risk of osteoporosis, depression, serious digestive tract infection, flu, irritable bowel disease and nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin B12 as well as important minerals. Although research has demonstrated these potential consequences, it does not take a multi-million dollar study to be able to reason that medications that interfere with acid secretion in the stomach will also interrupt nutrient absorption while making it easier for harmful organisms such as C. difficile to grow and cause havoc in our digestive tracts.

GERD occurs when the digestive juices back up into the esophagus, which results in an irritation to the fragile lining of the esophagus. The chronic irritation to the esophagus potentially results in a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus and then, left unchecked, to esophageal cancer. This process of progression sounds horrible and, drug companies would have you believe, imminent if left untreated.  Research, however, does not support this seemingly rational and unquestionable connection. In fact, a recent review of the data suggests that the connection between GERD and Barrett’s esophagus is so weak that the reviewing scientists felt that the widespread practice of screening patients with GERD, using endoscopy, was not warranted. Other researchers found that patients who were suffering with nighttime symptoms, as well as obese patients, were at a higher likelihood of having GERD progress to Barrett’s and ultimately to cancer. These patients may be the ones who require endoscopy as a screening tool.

What causes GERD?

A common characteristic of GERD is what is known as a relaxed lower esophageal sphincter (LES Valve). This sphincter acts as a door between the esophagus and the stomach. In a healthy person, the door slams tightly shut after food enters the stomach; however, in someone with GERD, this door may not shut snuggly, which can lead to reflux of stomach contents and ultimately irritation of the esophagus. The better question is, “what causes this doorway to remain slightly ajar?”  There are number of reasons for this:

1. Portion size – People who eat large quantities of food can cause the stomach to expand well beyond the normal stretched size. Regular exposure to this degree of stretch can cause a deformity in the doorframe so that a gap remains, even when the door is shut. Portion size of food can have an immediate and a more long-term effect. If you eat a large meal right now, the stretching of the stomach can immediately cause symptoms; long-term exposure to such large portion sizes can result in a deformity in the doorframe even when the stomach is empty. Both of these situations can be remedied by eating smaller quantities.
2. Mint – Mint has a relaxing effect on the esophageal sphincter, you may want to avoid using mint candies and gum if you suffer with GERD.
3. Deep fried food – These foods slow the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines, this increases the likelihood of contents moving into the esophagus.
4. Late night eating – This increases the likelihood that food will be in the stomach while your body is in a horizontal position.
5. Medications – There are many medications that can cause problems with GERD: Calcium channel blockers, beta blockers (metoprolol, Toprol XL, etc.), NSAIDs (Ibuprophen, Naproxen, Advil, Aleve) , aspirin, nitrates, anti-depressant medications, bisphophonates (Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, etc.) and progesterone.
6. Excess weight, especially central obesity.
7. Food allergies and sensitivities. Although this is an underappreciated cause of reflux disease, it is important to note and it may be worthwhile to look for offending foods and precede with eliminating these foods from the diet.  These food sensitivities can be worsened by acid suppression through the use of medications like Nexium, Prevacid, Tums, etc.
8. Stress is a major cause of GERD. When you are stressed, the digestive tract does not function properly. This can result in a poorly functioning LES valve and more reflux.
9. Other factors – There are other factors that have been linked to GERD such as: Smoking, spicy food, citrus, tomato products, caffeine, alcohol and chocolate.

Isn’t GERD Caused by Too Much Acid in the Stomach?

Although there is a condition, called Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, where the stomach produces excess acid, this condition is quite rare. In fact, many doctors have discovered that 9 out of 10 people, who suffer with reflux, actually do not produce enough acid to trigger the closure of the LES valve. In addition, when stomach juices do not reach a particular acid level, the food contents sit stagnant and the food begins to putrefy and rot. As the food sits, it ferments and causes excess gas to form. This bubbling action can further worsen reflux by pushing the contents of the stomach into the esophagus.

So what do we do about it?

1. Have a careful assessment of medications and request your doctor remove or alter any medication listed above that may be linked to reflux. Please note, most doctors and pharmacists do not know about the link between these medications and reflux.
2. Learn about and implement a food elimination diet to try and pinpoint certain food triggers. Wheat, gluten and dairy are common culprits.
3. Replace acid in the stomach. It is a little known fact that a lack of acid in the stomach may be responsible for the reflux. This goes contrary to the conventional belief about what causes GERD; excess acid and poor sphincter tone. See our article about Betaine HCl Therapy for GERD. Taking an enzyme along with the Betaine HCl could result in further improvements.
4. Take an Enzyme – Plant enzymes work throughout the entire digestive tract to break down the food that we consume. Through the use of enzymes, we can decrease the time it takes to move the contents of the stomach from the stomach to the intestines. A potent enzyme that we commonly recommend is OrthoDigestzyme V. What makes these enzymes so powerful is the fact that they work through a broad range of acid levels. If the pH within your digestive tract is off, these enzymes will still work. This will often improve transit times and decrease gas and bloating.
5. DGL Ultra – This is a chewable form of licorice that helps to coat, soothe and stimulate healing in the esophagus and stomach. Chew 1 tablet before each meal and at bedtime.
6. Acid Assist – For symptomatic relief and/or in serious cases of GERD, Acid Assist is a chewable tablet that forms buffered foam on top of the stomach acid. This allows normal digestion to occur beneath the foam while preventing acid from jumping into the esophagus. This is to be used as needed to control symptoms while you are working to rebalance the body.

The Breakthrough Discovery

Back in the early nineteen sixties, a navy surgeon, by the name of Dr. Judah Folkman, happened upon a discovery that would revolutionize the way that we view cancer development in the human body. While testing the impact of preserved blood on fast growing tumor cells (a model used to mimic fast growing tissues of wounds) he noticed that cancer cells that would normally ravage the body of a living mouse, could only seem to grow to the size of the tip of a ball point pen in a Petri dish. He wondered why the same tumor cells didn’t replicate with the same level of aggression in a Petri dish as they did in a living creature. After all, he had taken great care to mimic the conditions of living tissue.

After dissecting the large tumors from the living creatures and comparing them to the tiny tumors from his Petri dish experiment, he noticed only one difference between the two tumors; the large tumors from the mice were filled with thousands of tiny networks of blood vessels while the tumor cells from the Petri dish experiment had no such blood supply. From this experiment, he hypothesized that the cancer cells could not develop into a large tumor mass unless and until it had developed a network of small blood vessels called capillaries to feed the cells.  This process of blood vessel development was named “angiogenesis”.  Said another way, if we could prevent cancer cells from developing a blood supply of their own, we could stop cancer growth in its tracks and even cause existing tumors to regress! Furthermore, if tumor cells could not develop a blood supply, they would not be able to metastasize.

Dr. Folkman’s hypothesis and experiment was met with ridicule and rejection from the medical community. In fact, after discussing with a colleague his worry that his research would get picked up and stolen by other researchers, his colleague replied, “You are totally protected against intellectual theft. Nobody will believe you!”

Dr. Folkman continued his experiments, and over the years, his hypothesis went on to be accepted.  His research led to the development of a new class of medication called anti-angiogenesis drugs. Since then, other anti-angiogenesis medications had come to market. Unfortunately, the clinical results were somewhat disappointing; some tumors responded quite well, while others responded partially or not at all.

William Li, founder of The Angiogenesis Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of anti-angiogenesis therapies and lifestyles, believes that the main reason that the medications are not living up to their potential is because we are getting to people too late in the game, after the cancer is fully developed and situated.  He believes that if we can use non-toxic tactics to prevent the small cluster of cancerous cells from forming a blood flow in the first place, we can prevent tumors from developing altogether. This would be what Dr. Folkman calls, “Cancer without disease”.

We All Have Cancer

It is a well-known fact that we all have these microscopic cancer cells throughout our bodies. In fact, research that looked at healthy men and women who had died in car accidents, discovered that 40% of women between the ages of 40-50 have these microscopic tumors within their breasts and 50% of men, between the ages of 50-60, have these micro-tumors in their prostates. It is even more disturbing that virtually 100% of men and women in their 70s have micro-tumors in their thyroid! The only thing preventing these people from developing the disease of cancer is the fact that the tumor cells had not developed a blood flow yet. The question is, “what can we do to prevent those harmless micro-tumors from ever developing a blood flow?” Dr. William Li believes that he has the answer…

Eat to Starve Cancer

The anti-angiogenesis medications, used to treat existing tumors, do not come without side effects. These side effects, although fewer than conventional chemotherapy, would make them inappropriate tools for preventing angiogenesis in micro-tumors. There is good news, however, researchers discovered that nature offers an abundance of natural compounds with potent anti-angiogenesis activity. Best of all, rather than blocking angiogenesis altogether, they normalize it. Disease begins when the growth of blood vessels occur unimpeded by the natural systems of checks and balances within the body. These natural anti-angiogenesis compounds appear to regulate and normalize the angiogenic balance within the body.

Angiogenesis is Essential to Health

Once we reach adulthood, it is generally accepted that blood vessels stop growing. There are three situations, however, that seem to defy this rule: menstruation, pregnancy and injury/wounds. During menstruation, pregnancy, and injury, the body produces protein chemicals that act as fertilizer for blood vessels; this stimulates the growth of new capillaries. When we injure ourselves, blood vessels grow beneath the scab to bring nutrients and oxygen to the damaged area in order to repair the damage. After the wound has healed, the body produces anti-angiogenesis compounds that stop the growth and prune back the blood vessels if needed. This process is tightly controlled; when angiogenesis is not well controlled, many diseases can arise.

Angiogenesis Gone Haywire

There are two ways that angiogenesis can become problematic; you can either have too few or too many blood vessels growing in a particular area of the body. In the case where there is too little angiogenesis, you see diseases such as:

• Wounds that won’t heal
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Neuropathy
• Hair loss
• Erectile Dysfunction

In cases where there is too much angiogenesis, you see diseases such as:

• Cancer
• Blindness
• Psoriasis
• Endometriosis
• Obesity
• Rosacea
• Alzheimers

Cancer – The Ultimate Disease of Excess Angiogenesis

Although there are many diseases that can be connected to angiogenesis, abnormal blood vessel growth is a hallmark of all solid tumors. It is an accepted theory that one key to controlling cancer growth, especially metastatic and aggressive cancer, is to shut down the process of angiogenesis within the diseased tissue without affecting the healthy tissue.

Cancer’s Weakness

Generally speaking, blood vessels are stable and resilient tissues. Blood vessels found in tumors, however, appear to be built in a hurry. Their structure and architecture is disorganized and fragile, which makes them more susceptible to anti-angiogenesis therapies than normal tissues. This weakness may prove to be one of the greatest advantages that we have over this deadly foe.

Nature’s Advantage

When the scientists discovered the presence of proteins that promote angiogenesis, they realized that nature, with all of its systems of checks and balances, must also make proteins that inhibit angiogenesis. They first discovered these compounds in the urine of mice, which were resistant to cancer; they named this compound angiostatin. They then began to find compounds with similar activity in the foods that we eat, such as fruits, vegetables and tealeaves. Researchers have made great strides in defining which foods appear to have the most potent anti-angiogenesis activity. A non-exaustive list is provide below:

1. Green Tea
2. Strawberries
3. Blackberries
4. Blueberries
5. Raspberries
6. Oranges
7. Grapefruits
8. Lemons
9. Apples
10. Pineapples
11. Cherries
12. Red grapes
13. Red wine
14. Bok Choy
15. Soybean
16. Ginseng
17. Maitake
18. Licorice
19. Turmeric
20. Nutmeg
21. Artichoke
22. Lavender
23. Pumpkin
24. Sea Cucumber
25. Tuna
26. Parsley
27. Garlic
28. Tomato
29. Olive Oil
30. Grape Seed
31. Dark Chocolate

Of these foods, the ones that appear to have the most potent anti-angiogenesis activity include (in order of potency):

1. Soy extract
2. Artichoke
3. Parsley
4. Berries
5. Soy
6. Garlic
7. Red grapes
8. Brassica
9. Citrus
10. Lavender
11. Green tea
12. Glucosamine
13. Turmeric
14. Tea

(Lists taken from a lecture by Dr. Li during a TED conference)

Power Resides in the Synergy

According to Dictionary.com, “Synergy” is defined as “The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.” In a study on the anti-angiogenesis activity of tea, researchers tested the ability of three different types of tea to inhibit blood vessel growth. In this study, they determined that they all had anti-angiogenesis activity, however, of the three, Earl Grey appeared to be the most potent. The researchers then decided to combine the two weaker teas and test the anti-angiogenesis activity of the mixture. They discovered that the combination of the two weaker teas resulted in more inhibition of blood vessel growth than the stronger Earl Grey tea. According to Dr. Li, this shows the presence of what is called “Nutritional Synergy” meaning, smaller quantities of many different nutrients and phytochemicals is likely superior to high quantities of fewer nutrients.

Future of Anti-Angiogenesis Studies

Currently, there is mounting laboratory and animal research that is confirming the anti-angiogenesis activity of foods. Using a special test tube model of blood vessel growth, Dr. Li and his organization is working to map the anti-angiogenic activity of common fruits, vegetables, herbs and teas. The ultimate goal is to form a menu of foods that are likely to inhibit this key step in the growth of abnormal cells into metastatic tumor masses.

One study, published by Harvard Medical School, tested the effect of dietary lycopene (a red pigment found in foods such as tomatoes, berries, etc) on the risk of prostate cancer. They determined that men, who consumed the most lycopene-containing foods, enjoyed the lowest incidence of prostate cancer. The researchers then tested the tumor biopsies for the presence of blood vessels. They discovered that of the men who went on to develop prostate cancer, the more lycopene they consumed, the lower the density of blood vessels in the tumor. This finding suggests that even when lycopene fails to completely inhibit angiogenesis, is appears to slow the growth and potentially decrease the virility of the existing tumor mass.

Obviously, more research needs to be performed to confirm the legitimacy of the laboratory and animal findings. I believe that there is sufficient data, in combination with epidemiological research showing an inverse relationship between fruit/vegetable intake and cancer risk, to start to incorporate larger quantities of the foods, which have anti-angiogenesis activity.

Using These Findings

The rules are simple:

1. Consume many servings of vegetables, fruits, and spices
2. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables; choose them based on color and spectrum
3. Choose fruits that are lower on the glycemic index (lower sugar content)
4. Drink a variety of teas including: green tea, Earl Grey, jasmine and white tea.

Supplements for Prevention of Angiogenesis

Many people have been asking me about herbs and nutritional supplements that may give them a leg up on this issue. Although we do not have research on specific supplements, as they pertain to angiogenesis, I suspect that whole-food, freeze-dried extracts of fruits, vegetables and herbs will provide a spectrum of concentrated anti-angiogenesis compounds. I personally use a variety of whole food fruit, vegetable, mushroom and nutritional extracts for their broad benefits. This research has solidified these products as part of my long-term supplement plan. Below I list the supplements that I feel would provide the greatest anti-angiogenic activity; it should be noted that every one of these food-products offer multiple health benefits, in addition to being great means of protecting against angiogenesis:

1. Berry Greens by New Chapter – There are many whole food formulas on the market, I chose this formula because it is highly concentrated, has a good number of plants with certified anti-angiogenic activity, can be found in either capsules or powder and is readily available. I recommend 6 capsules per day or one tablespoon per day as a supplement to a healthy diet. If you get few fruits and vegetables in the diet, or you have a history or high risk of cancer, I would recommend doubling this dose.
2. PolyResveratrol-SR by Thorne Research – This formula combines resveratrol, pterostilbene, a highly absorbed curcumin, a highly absorbed green tea extract and quercetin. These compounds have anti-aging, anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic activity. The recommended dose is one capsule twice daily (although higher doses may be even more effective).
3. Vitamin D – Aside from vitamin Ds other anti-cancer qualities, it also appears to inhibit angiogenesis. Recommended doses are 2,000-4,000 iu per day.

Conclusion:

Normalizing angiogenesis within the body appears to be a critical step in the maintenance of healthy cells. After listening to a 20-minute lecture by Dr. William Li of the Angiogenesis Foundation, and researching the topic in depth, I am convinced that this may be one of the most important findings in medical history. I look forward to the results of Dr. Li’s research on the anti-angiogenesis activity of various foods and will continue to keep you updated as new research is published on the subject. 

Dr. Ray Hinish was joined by Personal Trainer Blythe Alberg to discuss weight loss and wellness. In this show, we gave you a step by step system for building a lifestyle that promotes the three pillars of health: body composition, health & energy.  Using these tactics you will be able to reverse diabetes & pre-diabetes, decrease cholesterol and enjoy the energy you need to pursue a life full of adventure.

Interview with Mark Sisson, author of The Primal Blueprint.