Archive for April, 2015

I’m almost certain…

My grandmother has been experiencing dementia for 20 plus years.  In the past 5 years she was diagnosed with full blown Alzheimer’s.  My grandmother has been on statin (cholesterol blocking) drugs for the past 25 years.  Based on early test results that indicated “high cholesterol” she was placed on a low fat diet and cholesterol suppressing drugs.  I’ve been suspicious for the past few years in my heavy focus on neurological disorders that statin drugs were largely responsible for her long-standing dementia and now Alzheimer’s.

Recent science based research has revealed that cholesterol does not cause heart disease. Rather, sugar binding with fats in the process known as glycation creates cellular damage and plaque within artery walls.  My grandmother was instructed to eat a low fat diet.  A low fat diet is replaced by an increase in carbohydrates.  Carbohydrates break down to sugars and an influx of carbohydrates can create insulin sensitivity.  Insulin sensitivity has been strongly correlated with Alzheimer’s.  And sugar is directly linked with heart disease and damage of neurons.   The brain is composed of primarily fats and requires fats for memory, mood and resilience.  

Statins and a low-fat diet is the root cause of her dementia, neuron degradation and now Alzheimer’s? I’m almost certain.

Healthy School Lunches

Awhile back I posted on the Facebook page “School lunch ideas” that were gluten and dairy free.  Still it’s helpful to get more ideas that can look and taste delicious and meet their nutritional needs with minimally 2 veggies, 1 fat and 1 protein.  

This parent really stepped it up in presentation and in options.  

40 Days of Gluten Free Lunches

Be well,

Lynn

Did you know that IBS can be resolved?

About 1 in 6 Americans are affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).  It’s a condition that may include symptoms such as:

  • bloating
  • gas
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • stomach distention
  • cramping

There are pharmaceuticals on the market that “suppress” the symptoms but functional nutrition can be effective in getting to the root cause of these symptoms.  Once the root cause(s) is addressed and healing supports are put in the place the body can heal and STOP experiencing symptoms.

What are the root causes of IBS:

  • Stress
  • Toxins
  • Poor diet, nutritional deficiencies
  • Imbalanced microbiome (gut environment)
  • Allergies (including sensitivities)
  • Infections
  • Alcohol
  • Chronic usage of medications (OTC included)

The gut and the brain is connected by the vagus nerve.  So if “foggy thinking” needs to be added to your list of symptoms; know that it will be addressed when you source the root cause(s) of your digestive problems.  

How to address the symptoms assigned to IBS?

  1. Clean up your diet
  2. Identify assaulting foods
  3. Eat fermented foods and invest in a good multi-strain probiotic
  4. Take digestive enzymes with each meal
  5. Abstain from alcohol for a period of healing time

These top 5 items should help improve your symptoms. BUT if you find that it’s not enough then it’s prudent to dig deeper.  With a good functional medicine doctor or a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner you can get to the root causes and find resolve.

Be well,

Lynn

Food sensitivities can resolve the most serious symptoms

I’ve written several posts on food sensitivities such as “I have all of these food sensitivities, now what?” and  a video presentation on “One man’s meat is another man’s poison” .  Latest research is revealing that those individuals suffering from food allergies become depleted in fatty acids.  Fatty acid deficiencies can result in neurological problems including dementia, Alzheimers, MS, ALS and so much more.  

I have a sub-practice entitled “Nutrition for Seizures” and I discovered an astounding medical journal summarizing research conducted in 1978 entitled “Oligoantigenic diet treatment of children with epilepsy and migraines”.  The results concluded that a total elimination diet STOPPED recurrent seizures in more than 55% of the children that exhibited symptoms other than seizures (migraines, abdominal symptoms, hyperkinetic behavior).  These results are astounding and yet little focus is directed on elimination diets or the identification of food sensitivities by neurologists.

Fortunately, understanding your food sensitivities can be easily done in the comfort of your own home by eliminating foods and then reintroducing them OR by doing an at-home finger prick test that will reveal a list of foods that you are sensitive to.

Be well,

Lynn

9 out of 10 kids loved this shake

I recently hosted an after school enrichment class entitled “Yummy Healthy Shakes”.  My intentions were to teach kids in 3rd through 5th grades that food is consumed to not only taste good but to nourish the body.  I offered a digestive tract worksheet (I heard lots of “yuks”) and a breakdown of carbohydrates fats and proteins for them to consider when making their own shake.  We talked about sugar (I heard lots of disappointing sighs) and how it should be a special treat occasionally not occupy each of their meals.   The “Ughs” came when the half baby kale/salad joined the bananas, peanut butter, unsweetened cocoa and unsweetened almond milk in the blender.  BUT they all (yes even the 10th child who wouldn’t admit it) guzzled their shakes down.  A definite hit!

Here’s the recipe “Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Shake”:

1 whole banana

1 tblspoon organic peanut butter (straight peanuts, no sugar added)

2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup of mixed greens

Enough unsweetened almond/coconut milk to cover 2/3rds of the ingredients in the blender.

Enjoy and be well,

Lynn

Maybe microwaves are safe afterall?

Well-respected functional practitioner and researcher Chris Kresser recently delved into the research on microwaves.  He explored the safety of the microwave, the results from cooking foods in the microwave and what the risks are.  

Are Microwave Ovens Safe?

Be well,

Lynn