It is becoming more and more common that patients casually mention to me that they have had “digestive” troubles (ie. constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating) and slight fatigue. They experience these ailments intermittently, and can’t quite pinpoint any triggers. When I delve further into their diets, many seem to mention eating well—including whole wheat breads/pastas, lots of grains, etc. Through food allergy testing (http://www.alcat.com/), we have been able to identify many people who are sensitive to wheat and gluten.
I’ve begun to suspect that many more people are gluten sensitive than has been estimated in the medical community. Those who suffer from Celiac disease (truly gluten INTOLERANT) experience additional symptoms on top of the digestive troubles and work closely with their doctors until a diagnosis is reached. In fact, Celiac disease can be readily diagnosed with a blood test.
If you feel that the symptoms you are experiencing are more than just a “bad meal,” reach out to your doctor for testing. There is no reason for you to suffer if you are gluten sensitive. There are several products on the market that can resolve your digestive ailments, while offering your palate a wide range of “wheat and gluten free” choices. There are also ways to address the sensitivity through diet modification and supplementation. Addressing a minor food intolerance before it becomes a full blown allergy is much easier to do. It also helps with your quality of life.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Dieting on Any Given Sunday?
As a licensed clinical nutritionist, I am very aware of the foods I eat. And while I don’t always make the best decisions (who can refuse Lou Malnati’s pizza on Super Bowl Sunday?) I do my best to make smart choices.
When a patient comes to me with neck and back pain, I approach the patient as a whole and look at more than just the regional complaint. If a patient has had a chronic pain that is not resolving on its own, usually there are multiple factors involved. This is where the health history plays an important role. Knowing what the patient’s life is like on a day-to-day basis is a very important factor in determining how to address their complaint.
One of the important factors in how the person is going to respond to our care is their nutritional status. Nutrition plays such a strong factor in your well being, and it is important to realize the impact it can have, not just on your physical being, but also on your mood and mindset. I know for a fact, that a smoker, who has a very poor diet and sits all day at work, will respond much more slowly to any type of care he or she will receive as opposed to an active, non-smoker who has a healthy diet.
The tricky part is finding out what diet is good for you. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking a diet that takes the weight off as a healthy diet. Although it is better to be closer to your ideal weight than not, it shouldn’t be at the cost of your health. This is why partnering with your doctor to find what foods and at what quantity is best for you is paramount to creating a healthy you. This doesn’t mean that you would have to deprive yourself, it just means you might have to alter some things that will make your body run more efficiently.
It’s no life at all if you live in a constant state of food denial, which I am reminded of on Any Given Sunday.
When a patient comes to me with neck and back pain, I approach the patient as a whole and look at more than just the regional complaint. If a patient has had a chronic pain that is not resolving on its own, usually there are multiple factors involved. This is where the health history plays an important role. Knowing what the patient’s life is like on a day-to-day basis is a very important factor in determining how to address their complaint.
One of the important factors in how the person is going to respond to our care is their nutritional status. Nutrition plays such a strong factor in your well being, and it is important to realize the impact it can have, not just on your physical being, but also on your mood and mindset. I know for a fact, that a smoker, who has a very poor diet and sits all day at work, will respond much more slowly to any type of care he or she will receive as opposed to an active, non-smoker who has a healthy diet.
The tricky part is finding out what diet is good for you. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking a diet that takes the weight off as a healthy diet. Although it is better to be closer to your ideal weight than not, it shouldn’t be at the cost of your health. This is why partnering with your doctor to find what foods and at what quantity is best for you is paramount to creating a healthy you. This doesn’t mean that you would have to deprive yourself, it just means you might have to alter some things that will make your body run more efficiently.
It’s no life at all if you live in a constant state of food denial, which I am reminded of on Any Given Sunday.
Susan G. Komen Foundation Sells Soul for Fried Chicken Money
I have been practicing Functional Medicine (http://www.functionalmedicine.org/about/whatis.asp) for 10 years. I am concerned with the prevention and underlying causes of illnesses to rectify behaviors that may lead to disease. And when a disease is diagnosed, I review the complete history and develop a solution that addresses prior and future behaviors.
When I recently saw a commercial that Susan G. Komen for Cure is partnering with KFC (KFC!) to raise funds for breast cancer, I was dumbfounded. The very organization that is “looking for the cure”, is promoting the behavior that puts you at risk for cancer. Though they might actually raise a lot of funds, it is a known fact that diet and obesity have an impact on both the incidence and recurrence of breast cancer. How is it possible that such a well-known and prestigious charity can make such a bad move?
If I were consulting a breast cancer patient, one of the first things I would advise would be to stay as far away as possible from foods like those offered at KFC. One of the most important things to provide your body is nutrients that would help to sustain your immune system in the fight against cancer. Partnering with KFC sends the message that it is OK to consume foods that is high in saturated fats, and simple carbohydrates. Not even mentioning all the food preservatives , hormone fed chickens and flavor enhancers that you would be consuming. This is synonymous with the American Lung Association involving themselves with Philip Morris. I hope the Susan G. Komen Foundation reconsiders this decision. They have done too much good to tarnish their image now.
When I recently saw a commercial that Susan G. Komen for Cure is partnering with KFC (KFC!) to raise funds for breast cancer, I was dumbfounded. The very organization that is “looking for the cure”, is promoting the behavior that puts you at risk for cancer. Though they might actually raise a lot of funds, it is a known fact that diet and obesity have an impact on both the incidence and recurrence of breast cancer. How is it possible that such a well-known and prestigious charity can make such a bad move?
If I were consulting a breast cancer patient, one of the first things I would advise would be to stay as far away as possible from foods like those offered at KFC. One of the most important things to provide your body is nutrients that would help to sustain your immune system in the fight against cancer. Partnering with KFC sends the message that it is OK to consume foods that is high in saturated fats, and simple carbohydrates. Not even mentioning all the food preservatives , hormone fed chickens and flavor enhancers that you would be consuming. This is synonymous with the American Lung Association involving themselves with Philip Morris. I hope the Susan G. Komen Foundation reconsiders this decision. They have done too much good to tarnish their image now.
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