Naturally Treat Celiac Disease

This article is from NaturalNews.com

March 29, 2009by: Sheryl Walters, citizen journalist

Key concepts: Disease, Celiac disease and Gluten

Millions of people are affected by celiac disease, a condition that causes an autoimmune reaction to gluten which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. This reaction results in inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and destruction of villi (small fingerlike projections responsible for nutrient absorption) in the small intestine. As a result, malabsorption and malnutrition often occur resulting in varied symptoms that often make diagnosis of celiac disease difficult. The symptoms of celiac are a result of this malabsorption and malnutrition and can be helped through dietary changes, natural supplements, and alternative healthcare.

As many as 1 in 133 people in the U.S. have celiac disease but many of these cases are mostly likely undiagnosed because of the vagueness of symptoms. Testing for celiac disease includes a blood test for antigens and a small intestine biopsy.

Most people with celiac disease suffer from gastrointestinal difficulties including bloating, diarrhea, cramping, and gas. Some do not have any gastrointestinal symptoms at all, however, and instead have vague symptoms including weight loss, fatigue, anemia, infertility, and nerve damage. Celiac disease in children may manifest as short stature and delayed development.

There is no cure for celiac but symptoms can be controlled through following a gluten free diet. In addition, there are supplements that can be taken to help the body recover from the damaging effects of the autoimmune reactions.

*Echinacea and Goldenseal taken for a short time period can help recovery by boosting immune function with their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

*Probiotics are helpful for gastrointestinal health by providing necessary good bacteria that the gut needs to digest food. It is important to find a brand that is gluten free.

*Digestive enzymes can help with digestion as the gastrointestinal tract is recovering, allowing for better absorption and nutrition.

*Replace lost vitamins and minerals with a daily multi-vitamin. Again, check to be sure that the supplement is gluten free.

*Medicinal clay helps promote healing and protects from irritation.

*Silica decreases inflammation and protects from abrasions and toxins.

Acupuncture can also be used to help relieve the abdominal pain, bloating, and other symptoms of celiac disease.

It has been shown that regular acupuncture treatments can help to relieve the acute and chronic pain that many people with celiac experience. Even in cases when gluten free diets do not result in immediate improvement, acupuncture has been shown to be effective.When a gluten free diet is not followed there is a greater risk for gastric cancer and lymphoma. Proper diagnosis and management is important to address these risks as well as treat the issues that result from malabsorption and malnutrition.

Sources:http://www.celiac.com/

http://www.celiac.org/

Acupuncture Management of Celiac Disease, John L. Stump, D.C.

Lakeshore Wellness Center: Naturopathic Holistic Medicine and Acupuncture in Chicago.

http://www.lakeshorewellnesscenter.com/

Diet Soda...Zero Calories Does Not Equal Zero Impact.

It still astonishes me that even with all the information we have regarding the use of artificial sweeteners and soda in general, that I still see many individuals continuing to drink Diet Soda Beverages. I know that the fact that these beverages contains zero calories is a big draw for many to drink the products....truly believing that they will have no impact on weight gain., but the truth of the matter is that diet soda beverages have never been shown scientifically to aid in weight loss and the negative impact of these beverages is indeed proven.

Diet Sodas may still cause WEIGHT GAIN

• Emerging research is showing that the consumption of sweet foods and drinks (even if artificially sweetened and non-caloric) increase our desire for sweets in general.

• In 2005, Sharon Fowler and her colleagues from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio presented eight years of research data that explored the link between obesity risk and soft drinks. According to the WebMD summary of the study:
  Fowler’s team looked at seven to eight years of data on 1,550 Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white Americans aged 25 to 64.

Of the 622 study participants who were of normal weight at the beginning of the study, about a third became overweight or obese.

For each can of diet soft drink consumed each day, a person’s risk of obesity went up 41%.

• In 2008, researchers have found a correlation between consuming diet soda and METABOLIC SYNDROME. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and blood glucose levels, and elevated blood pressure.

The scientists gathered dietary information on more than 9,500 men and women ages 45 to 64 and tracked their health for nine years.

The risk for metabolic syndrome was 34 percent higher among those who drank one can of diet soda a day compared with those who drank none.

• I haven't even touched on the negative impact of artificial sweeteners (yes, splenda is included here as well!) (headaches, seizures, digestive problems, immune and nervous system disorders, ect.) or the fact that the phosphates in soda leech calcium from your bone and can lead to bone weakness and osteoporosis.

It's time....drop the artificial sweeteners and the diet products.

Lakeshore Wellness Center: Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture in Chicago.

http://www.lakeshorewellnesscenter.com/

5 Simple Ways to Help Beat Seasonal Allergies...Naturally!

As winter changes into spring, around the world many of us are suffering from the sneezing, wheezing, runny nose and itching eyes that accompanies seasonal allergies. Relief doesn't necessarily have to come in the form of a drugstore counter remedy, there are many natural ways to help your body deal with the effects of seasonal allergens.

1. Nasal Passage and Sinus Washing: The Neti Pot

The Neti pot naturally cleanses and refreshes the nasal passages to help relieve allergy symptoms. A simple saline solution works well to wash out allergens and thin nasal mucous, but you can boost the effectiveness of the wash by adding a tonic of goldenseal and freeze-dried nettles. The goldenseal acts as an astringent and has some anti-microbial properties. I usually recommend a Neti Pot cleanse once or twice daily.

2. Quercetin: The Anti-Allergy Bioflavanoid

Quercetin, a naturally occurring bioflavanoid, has properties that reduce the inflammation associated with allergies and control the release of histamine. Quercetin is non-toxic, but barely soluble in water and therefore is not absorbed very well. I usually recommend combining it with bromelin, an enzyme from pineapple, to increase its absorption. Quercetin dosed 1,000 -2,000mg per day in 4-6 divided is optimal for reducing allergies. Vitamin C also helps to reduce histamine.

3. Acupuncture

Based on the idea that stimulating points outside the body can change or initiate reactions inside, in this case treatment is thought to affect the immune system, where allergic reactions begin. In a small but significant study of 26 hay fever patients published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, acupuncture reduced symptoms in all 26 -- without side effects. A second study of some 72 people totally eliminated symptoms in more than half, with just two treatments.

4. HEPA

A simple HEPA filter placed in your bedroom, where you spend significant hours daily, is beneficial for reducing airborne allergens brought in from outside and well as those that reside indoors. If you are particularly sensitive, washing your outdoor clothes and even your hair after spending significant time outside can help reduce the allergens brought into the house.

5. Eat Well!

A diet rich in anti-oxidants from fresh fruits and vegetables and Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or flaxseed are important in controlling the inflammatory response associated with allergies.

BONUS: Locally produced honey can possible be beneficial in helping those who suffer from allergies. Theorized to work similarly to the "vaccine" the honey made from the flowers and plants in your local area may help ward off your reaction to allergies. I would consider dosing 1-3 spoonfuls per day for 1-2 months prior to allergy season.

Posted by Lakeshore Wellness Center

http://www.lakeshorewellnesscenter.com/

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Top Ten Thermogenic Foods..Burn Calories While You Eat These!

Themogenic foods essentially take more energy to process/digest than what they provide, so they help raise your metabolism and burn body fat. Here is a list of the top ten thermogenic fruits and vegetables:

1. Cruciferous Vegetables (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage)


2. Asparagus


3. Leafy Greens (lettuce, spinach, kale, ect.)


4. Celery


5. Mushrooms


6. Chili peppers


7. Apples


8. Berries


9. Apricots/Peaches


10. Pears

3 cups Broccoli = 3 french fries = 7 jellybeans = 7 cups of mushrooms = 1 marshmallow= 14 cups of lettuce

Lakeshore Wellness Center

http://www.lakeshorewellnesscenter.com

10 Ways to Improve Your Diet

1. ELIMINATE ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

If one is looking for a healthy way of eating, eliminating all artificial sweeteners is a great place to start. There's not enough safety information on some sweeteners and too much clear and scary info on others.http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-information.html

2. ELIMINATE PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS

A process to lengthen shelf life can shorten your life! Trans Fatty Acids created by hydrogenation have been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Don't risk it! http://my.webmd.com/content/article/70/81100.htmhttp://www.recoverymedicine.com/hydrogenated_oils.htm

3. ELIMINATE CORN SYRUPS and HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUPS (HFCS)

Linked to obesity and now so very prevalent in just about every food category; tomato sauces, sodas, baked goods, even natural foods. They are also genetically modified. It's cheap, easy to manufacture and it's making us fat and unhealthy.

4. LIMIT PACKAGED FOODS and EAT FOOD IN ITS MOST NATURAL STATE

Ultimately, food in packages has more chance of having additives and chemicals. Unnecessary ingredients that can burden your body and decrease your health. You don't need the chemicals, extra salt, sugar and saturated fat that are prevalent in packaged foods. Today, labeling is very complex. There are many ingredients that are used in processing and manufacturing that are not required to be on the label. You truly do not know what you are getting in some packages. So save the bags, boxes, cans and make your food from scratch. Eating foods in their most natural state is best. Fresh broccoli (raw and cooked) will get you the most benefit nutritionally but if you can't get fresh, frozen is your best bet. Though be diligent about label reading as some brands again add unnecessary chemicals.

5. ELIMINATE FOOD ADDITIVES; MSG, CHEMICALS IN GENERAL, DYES

Chemicals in our foods are not doing us much good. Dyes are made from coal tar (carcinogen). MSG sensitivities are well known. Our bodies are not meant to process a multitude of chemicals. We need to fuel our bodies with proper nutrition and foods that are wholesome and healthy.

6. ELIMINATE WHITE REFINED PROCESSED FOODS (white flour, white rice, white bread,

white pasta) and INCREASE WHOLE GRAINS

These refined foods are devoid of nutrition. Empty calories. White flour has only a small percentage of the nutrition of whole grain flour. http://www.naturalnews.com/000441.html Whole grains on the other hand contain the oils, the bran, and all the vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber nature intended. Whole grains are a fabulous source of fiber which has been shown to reduce colon cancer. Some rich sources are; brown rice, whole wheat, bulghur, millet, buckwheat, rye, barley, spelt, oats, quinoa.

7. EAT AT LEAST ONE SALAD and FRUIT EVERYDAY

We should be eating at least 5 servings of fruit everyday. The vitamins, minerals, phytonutritients help protect us from disease. I've found that by just trying to eat one salad each day that it's enough to keep me eating well. I sometimes will have more but if I follow this one salad rule, it seems to help us eat healthy all day.

8. CHOOSE ORGANIC

I read once that the average American eats a pound of pesticides per year. Yuck! Can you imagine the toll that takes on the body (combined with all the other toxins from the environment)? The vitamin and mineral content of organic foods is said to be higher than the conventional counterparts. http://www.ewg.org/reports/ops/risk.htmlhttp://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0996/et0996s5.html

9. EAT HIGH QUALITY FATS

Fats contained in fish, nuts and seeds pack a whollup! Essential fatty acids are "essential" to optimum health. If you're not taking an EFA supplement be sure to sprinkle freshly ground flax seeds on salads, oatmeal, in smoothies, etc. One tablespoon of ground flaxseeds a day can and will improve your health. A handful of walnuts is a great source as well. http://www.pcrm.org/health/prevmed/ess_fat_acid... http://borntoexplore.org/omega.htm

10. EAT 90% FOR NOURISHMENT AND 10% FOR FUN

I read this somewhere recently and I thought it really hit home. If you maintain a healthy foundation, you CAN stray and have fun eating those foods that might not be considered so healthy.

Written by Lauren McGinley, copyright 2005

Posted by Lakeshore Wellness Center

http://www.lakeshorewellnesscenter.com/

Acupuncture Treatment of IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders seen by physicians today. As many as one in five American adults has IBS and yet it goes unspoken because of the seemingly embarrassing nature of the symptoms.

Diagnosis is usually a process of elimination because there are no physical signs that can definitively diagnose IBS. According to the diagnostic criteria developed by researchers, the Rome criteria, you must have certain signs and symptoms before a physician can diagnose you with IBS:

• Abdominal pain and discomfort lasting at least 12 weeks, though the weeks don't have to occur consecutively. You also need to have at least two of the following:


• A change in the frequency or consistency of your stool. For example, you may change from having one normal, formed stool every day to three or more loose stools daily. Or you may have only one hard stool every three to four days.


• Straining, urgency or a feeling that you can't empty your bowels completely.


• Mucus in your stool.


• Bloating or abdominal distension.
  

Symptoms are almost always aggravated by stress. Episodes may also be aggravated by eating, and are frequently relieved after a bowel movement.

IBS according to Chinese Medicine

While other patterns may be present, IBS is almost always considered a disharmony between the liver and the spleen in traditional Chinese medicine. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of substances throughout the body. This flow can be upset by emotions or stress, causing stagnation of Qi (energy) or blood. Traditional Chinese medicine views the spleen as being associated with the function of digestion and transforming food into energy (Qi and blood). The spleen can be weakened by a number of factors, including overeating unhealthy foods, overwork, too much worry, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the spleen is weak and the liver is not moving smoothly, the liver overacts on the spleen and can manifest as symptoms of IBS.
To support the spleen and the liver common supplements include Chinese herbal formulas along with digestive enzymes and even probiotics. Acupuncture on a weekly or bi-weekly basis helps to rebalance the body and can correct the liver/spleen disharmony and thereby correct the symptoms caused IBS.

Finally, diet and lifestyle cannot be overlooked and must be addressed. Here are some general guidelines that can be used to balance IBS and liver/spleen disharmony:

• Diet should include good protein and good fats, with moderate complex carbohydrates that emphasize vegetables. Good protein sources are wild and low-mercury risk fish or free range chicken, grass fed beef and lamb free of growth hormones and steroids. Other good sources of protein are nuts, seeds, beans, and free-range eggs.


• Vegetables that are especially alkaline and contain a good amount of water and fiber. They will help to cleanse the body and support the liver. Eat vegetables steamed or sautéed, it helps to support the spleen and digestion. Raw, cold vegetables should be avoided.


• Squashes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes/yams are especially nutritive to the digestion and spleen.


• Whole grain brown rice supports spleen Qi as well.


• Stocks, broths and soups should be a staple in the diet as a great spleen Qi tonic.


• Do not consume water or beverages with meals as to not dilute gastric juices and natural digestive enzymes.


• Avoid common food triggers: caffeine, alcohol, dairy, greasy/fatty foods.


• Getting adequate exercise and practicing stress-relieving measures such as yoga. breathing exercises and meditation regularly.


• Getting adequate sleep to minimize the effects of stress on your body and digestive system.