food intolerance

Another Cancer Cause Revealed

cancer, fiber foods, food allergies, food intolerance, food sensitivities, gastrointestinal health, immune boost, , , Leave a comment

Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the U.S. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for 2014 are 96,830 new cases of colon and 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer. The lifetime risk is 1 in 20 or 5%. There are factors within our control to lessen our chances (research based) such as eating less red meat (beef, lamb, liver), especially processed meats (lunch meat, hot dogs). Also, increasing vegetable and high-fiber foods, and getting daily exercise have been proven to be effective. Obesity, is a strong risk factor within our control, as is Vitamin D deficiency, drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day and radiation exposure.

 

A new study links eating a high-carb diet to colorectal cancer re-occurrence. It is highly likely that the participants in this study always enjoyed a high carb diet and did not start AFTER their colorectal cancer bout. That being said, I add eating a high carb diet to the list for a clear risk factor for colorectal (or any) cancer. Here are the study facts.

 

This study analyzed data on 1,011 adults, most in their early 60s, who had surgery and chemotherapy for Stage III colon cancer, in which the cancer had spread to lymph nodes in the immediate area but had not metastasized to distant parts of the body. In about a seven-year span, the cancer recurred in 343 people; 262 of them died, as did 43 others who had no recurrence of cancer. People who consumed the most carbohydrate-rich foods were 80 percent more likely to have had a recurrence of colon cancer or to have died than were those who consumed the least of such foods. Among people who were overweight or obese, high carbohydrate consumption more than doubled the risk for a cancer recurrence or death.

Anything we do to our bowels that is not healthy can contribute to cancer.  Cancer is a cell that has mistakenly gone awry.  The cells of the body are wise however and can convert back to normal cells.  This happens all the time in the body.  Problem is, often we only start to care about ourselves and the health of our cells, AFTER something has gotten our attention (i.e. a tumor), and then it seems too late to make changes.  Some things that come to mind that can harm the gut lining are taking too many antibiotics, steroids, acid blockers, ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, not moving the bowels daily, eating foods we are intolerant too (causes toxins), eating “foods” that are not real food, preservatives, nitrates, nitrites, pesticides, insecticides, fake sweeteners and other chemicals.

 

Naturopathic medical doctors play a powerful role in getting to root cause of the health issue. I highly recommend finding a naturopath to support your health.  I am governed by the naturopathic principles of do not harm, and treat the cause. I also can help stimulate the vital healing power of your body and with the help of nature, optimize your health, for you and for all.

 

Remember for a free consult, contact the office at 480-607-0299, or email me directly.  I’d love to talk to you!  Check out my facebook page and follow our feed on twitter.

Why am I sensitive to certain foods?

detoxification, food allergies, food intolerance, food sensitivities, gastrointestinal health, , , , , , , Leave a comment

What is happening to me?  Now I am sensitive to foods!  Finally, the body is trying to tell you what foods are harmful, the signal is getting louder, and you are hearing it!  These symptoms are truly blessings in disguise.

As you may know, trying to figure out exactly which foods are bothering you can be maddening.  Everyone has 1 or more food intolerances, and have had them since birth.  Many of us don’t ever notice symptoms, others notice and patch the symptoms with medications.  In recent years, with the surge of gluten intolerance, the idea of food intolerances is becoming more popular, so more and more are catching on.

The symptoms of eating foods you are intolerant to are as unique as we are.  They can arise in minutes, hours or days.  They can range from itching to hives, gas/bloating to fatigue, heartburn to abdominal pain, migraines to sinus congestion .

If you have been eating the foods you are intolerant to, this tells me that your GI tract may be unhealthy and not functioning properly on a cellular level. What are the OTHER underlying things that may cause unhealthy GI tract?

  • Antibiotic use
  • Chemotherapy – (methotrexate)
  • Alcohol use
  • Eating food you are Intolerant to
  • Chronic use of NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc)
  • Steroids (prednisone, cortisone, etc)
  • Surgery/Trauma
  • Recent gastroenteritis
  • Aging
  • Stress
  • Low anti-oxidants
  • Poor diet

 

So what can I do about it?

The first thing I would do is test your Food Intolerance via a blood test.  Clearly, eating these foods cause an unhealthy GI tract in a major way.

What is food intolerance anyway?

Your body cannot digest the foods you are intolerant to properly.  These partly digested food particles produce measurable levels of toxins in the GI tract.  These toxins are “work” for the body to get rid of.  They also lead to microscopic deterioration of the healthy GI lining.  The undigested food particles basically “rot” in the intestines and interfere with normal functioning of the body.  This can lead to chronic disease.  These intolerant foods are a source of maldigestion, intestinal toxemia, dysbiosis, gastroparesis, leaky gut, and cause chronic irritation to body tissues.

Once this food or food combination is determined through testing and then eliminated, your body begins to heal.  I can also help you heal the GI tract.  In order to do this, certain nutrients are needed.  Occasionally a GI cleanse may be needed first.  Of course, we must first avoid, as much as possible, drugs that harm the GI tract, high stress, and we must eat a healthy diet of plenty of plant foods and no processed foods or sugars.

Here are some things that help the GI to heal.

L-glutamine – food for the GI tract cells

Probiotics – good bacteria that help the GI tract by producing food for GI tract cells, by keeping at bay foreign invaders that make us sick, and they help increase our immune system

N-acetyl-glucosamine or NAG – is from seafood and helps produce healthy mucus lining which protects the GI tract cells from damage

Fiber – absorbs toxins and pulls them out of the body, helps feed the good bacteria and keep them healthy, moves things along so stagnant conditions don’t ensue.

Slippery Elm – helps produce healthy mucus lining, an important part of the health of the GI tract

All patients benefit from complying with the food intolerance test results.  This is the first step, however.  Some patients need deeper support and further testing such as the stool analysis.

How can I find out what my food intolerances are?  Contact me anytime or call the office and set up an appointment for the FIT or food intolerance test.

Remember for a free consult, contact the office at 480-607-0299 or email me directly.  I’d love to talk to you!  For coupons and the latest updates, check out our facebook page, follow our feed on twitter, and sign up for a monthly newsletter.