Understanding Food Tolerance

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the region of our body that directly interacts with the external world through the foods we eat. Our GI tract performs two main functions. First, it allows us to absorb nutrients critical to maintaining our health. Second, its protective immune system shields us from pathogens, such as bacteria and foreign invaders. The area of our GI tract—from the esophagus to the rectum—where we absorb nutrients and have our protective immune system consists of a specialized line of cells, called the “mucosal layer.” 

Identifying and Removing Reactive Foods

Identifying and removing reactive foods can be a good first-step strategy that may impact energy levels, skin appearance, digestive comfort, well-being, mood, and more. When multiple food reactions are identified, your healthcare professional may recommend removing those foods from the diet. Taking steps to support the GI mucosa and immune system and address any environmental concerns, as recommended by your healthcare professional, may also be beneficial.

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How a "Leaky Brain" Raises Your Risk of Dementia

It has been a hundred years since a Nobel Prize winner discovered the thin barrier that surrounds and protects the brain. Since then, we’ve learned this mesh of tightly joined cells, called the blood-brain barrier, is highly selective in a healthy person. It allows the transport of compounds back and forth through an intricate transport system while keeping out most everything else in the blood stream that can damage the brain. This includes heavy metals, toxic proteins, pathogens, and red and white blood cells.

Accelerated aging + Inflammation = Leaky Brain

Now, scientists have discovered that brain degeneration weakens the blood-brain barrier and causes it to “spring leaks.”  This is especially true in the hippocampus, the area of the brain associated with learning and memory. This discovery adds to the growing evidence that diseases of aging such as dementia and Alzheimer’s are sometimes linked to what functional medicine practitioners call a “leaky brain.”
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Do You Have A Leaky Brain? Perform This Simple Test To Find Out.

You’ve heard of leaky gut, but have you heard of a leaky brain? If you have symptoms of leaky gut or intestinal permeability, you most likely also have a leaky brain, or “blood-brain barrier permeability.” How do you know? You can perform a simple test with store-bought supplements to find out.

The blood-brain barrier is a thin barrier that lines the brain. Its role is to keep out viruses, bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals, and other pathogens, but to allow nano-sized particles in and out as necessary.

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What is brain fog?

In children, brain fog is associate with zoning out. We commonly see this in ADHD and autism cases. In adults, brain fog often take the form of having difficulty engaging in cognition, learning or memory. Examples of this include: forgetting names/dates/events, hearing someone speak but not understanding, difficulty staying on task, etc.

Various health challenges can lead to brain fog including the following (and more):

• ADD
• Thyroid disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Cognitive impairment
• Concussions
• Adrenal fatigue
• Blood sugar imblances (hypoglycemia and diabetes)
• Toxix reactions to molds and chemicals
• Food sensitivities or food allergies

Learning how to battle brain fog is an important discussion and for this article, I will reveal five ways to battle brain fog.

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You’d have to live under a rock to not recognize the popularity of gluten-free diets by now. But if you think going gluten-free is just another fad, think again. Although it may be a passing fad for some, a gluten-free diet is powerful medicine for most. 

The benefits, which attain almost miraculous heights for some people, vary depending on the person.

A gluten sensitivity is not a one-size-fits-all disorder with requisite symptoms. Contrary to popular belief, it does not simply cause digestive complaints (although it does cause severe digestive distress for many).

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I bet you are wondering why eating gluten-free can keep you ill, don't you?

There are many advocates of adopting a gluten free diet for the purpose of regaining health and reclaiming ones life from the ravages of an autoimmune or other illness. I am one of those advocates. I have witnessed first hand how removing gluten from ones diet can bring about a massive improvement in very ill patients.

Trying to heal your body on a gluten-free health supporting diet can get you into trouble, if you don't know what you are doing. This article can help you understand why eating gluten-free can be like opening Pandora's Box...when it comes to your health and healing. Keep reading and I promise you I will explain. You may have to read a couple of other article I wrote to totally "get it". It will be worth your efforts to dig into this important topic.

Some of the  patients who I have served had been searching for answers for their "mysterious" health challenges for 50 years! 

After a thorough case review and adequate testing to reveal the underlying causes of the patients body dysfunction, a proper course of action can be commenced. Often I place the ill patient on a very clean, limited food choice diet in order to curb inflammation and reduce exposure to food intolerances noted on the patients' test results. Commonly the patient is advised to avoid gluten among other substances.

After celebrating with the patient for doing such a great job with their health supporting diet over the course of 1-2 months, we start expanding their food choices. At this point is when a health transforming care plan can go very wrong without expert guidance...

Patients often think that using so-called gluten-free foods to replace items they gave up to regain their health is totally okay. Unfortunately for many, eating the gluten-free analogs of the foods they used to eat habitually, often leads to a regression of their health. Substituting gluten-free prepared food items in an effort to be compliant with a health supporting diet is a newbie mistake.

In this article I will outline 5 reasons why eating gluten-free products can keep you ill.

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