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This week's blog highlights the the tast of sweet. As spring FINALLY reaches Saratoga, the taste of sweetness comes with it.

Here's an excerpt:

Contrary to popular perception, splenda is not a wise or safe natural alternative. Did you know this sweetener could be affecting your medication! One study showed how splenda reduced beneficial microflora in the gut and increased fecal pH, while also affecting the bioavailability of drugs.

Evidence indicates that a 12-wk administration of Splenda exerted numerous adverse effects, including (1) reduction in beneficial fecal microflora, (2) increased fecal pH, and (3) enhanced expression levels of P-gp, CYP3A4, and CYP2D1, which are known to limit the bioavailability of orally administered drugs. PMID: 18800291

Just Say No to Aspartame (Dr. Mercola)

Aside from very large and obvious tumors, Victoria also observed a wide range of other adverse effects in her aspartame-fed rats, including:

Neurological effects: difficulty walking, falling over

Paralysis

Torticollis (also known as wryneck: neck stiffness associated with muscle spasms, resulting in tilting your head to one side)

Symptoms of cerebral palsy

Eye disorders: infected eyes, bleeding, blindness, bulging eyes

Skin disorders: lesions, thinning and yellowing of fur

Obesity

Interestingly, she also found evidence suggesting genetic damage.

Sucralose, a non-caloric sweetener, can affect the guts' hormonal signaling response. This sweetener was found to suppress glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 secretion and peptide YY (PYY). This affects insulin secretion and appetite control, and could explain why these sweeteners may cause long term weight gain. (GLP-1 is a hormone targeted by diabetic drugs to lower blood glucose levels)

Conclusions: At this dose, oral ingestion of sucralose does not increase plasma GLP-1 or PYY concentrations and hence, does not reduce appetite in healthy subjects. Oral stimulation with sucralose had no effect on GLP-1, insulin or appetite. PMID: 21245879

Fructose=Fat

Dr. Mercola summarizes how processed foods with hydrogenated oils that contain fructose cause various health issues.

As described in Taube's brilliant New York Times article, a calorie from glucose, such a potato or bread, is vastly different from a calorie from sugar (which is a 50/50 mix of glucose and fructose, or in the case of high fructose corn syrup, a 45/55 mix.) This is because they are metabolized differently, and hence affect your body in different ways.

As I've explained before, fructose (whether from regular sugar of HFCS) is metabolized primarily by your liver, whereas glucose is metabolized in every cell of your body. Making matters worse, when you consume fructose in liquid form, such as soda, the effect is not only sped up but also magnified.

Your liver converts the majority of this fructose into FAT.

Additionally, since all sugars raise your insulin levels, you eventually end up with insulin resistance. In response, your pancreas starts releasing higher amounts of insulin in an effort to curb your rising blood sugar levels. Eventually, your pancreas loses the battle; your blood sugar levels keep rising, and you end up with full-blown diabetes.

You've now also laid the groundwork for hypertension, heart disease, and cancer, just to name a few.

Additionally, sugar/fructose:

Leads to insulin resistance, which is not only an underlying factor of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but also many cancers.

Researchers from the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer have reported that those who are obese and/or diabetic are at greater risk of cancer.

Tricks your body into gaining weight by fooling your metabolism, as it turns off your body's appetite-control system.

Fructose does not appropriately stimulate insulin, which in turn does not suppress ghrelin (the "hunger hormone") and doesn't stimulate leptin (the "satiety hormone"), which together result in your eating more and developing insulin resistance.

Fructose rapidly leads to weight gain and abdominal obesity ("beer belly"), decreased HDL, increased LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated blood sugar, and high blood pressure--i.e., classic metabolic syndrome.

Fructose metabolism is very similar to ethanol metabolism, which has a multitude of toxic effects, including NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). It's alcohol without the buzz.

What about Sugar?? Well, it's more of a non-food that robs your body of minerals and causes you to crave more and more as it packs on pounds from its addictive stimulation on dopamine receptors. Remember my newsletter on food addiction?

I also discuss "How to Enjoy Food in an Addictive Food Society?"

As a Naturopathic Doctor, I know that food is a source of pleasure, enjoyment, entertainment, and can effect emotions. Some people can become addictive or dependent on foods or substances due to the fact that food can and dose have biological effects, as Dr. Hyman highlighted.

In treatment plans, I even use particular diets and food plans for treating various conditions, such as toxicity, yeast, and hormonal imbalances. Still, it's important to remember that the emotional connection of making things "good" or "bad" have a negative effect on the body, due to its effects on stress biochemistry. It's important to have compassion for yourself.

Read more here.

There are so many factors to take into consideration when one is detoxifying. In my latest blog on my website, I discuss these individual variations. Here's an excerpt:

The health status and dietary intake of individuals affect the ability of the liver to clear out damaging environmental poisons. Specifically, deficiencies in certain nutrients can create a sluggish clearance or create excess free radical damage, harming various tissue structures. If the body is deprived of key amino acids and nutrients, toxins will not be able to be bound for removal through the digestive tract. Fasting can cause issues for this reason because amino acids are needed in the second phase of detoxification of the liver. Without adequate protein, the body experiences "detox symptoms" as toxins float happily through your bloodstream.

Other factors which influence detoxification include digestive health, medications, health history, immune status, and stress. This is why it's important to get individualized attention when one is considering a detoxification protocol. Consulting with someone who is knowledgeable about detoxification, chelation, and pathology is important in determining which detoxification or cleansing support to use and when.

The best idea would be to find a health care practitioner who can implement all the above detoxification factors with a supportive post detoxification program, in order to sustain the lifestyle modifications needed to keep one healthy. I have also found that neurotransmitter support or mind-body techniques are very helpful in implementing change and dealing with cravings.

The concern I have over most detoxification protocols is that they typically don't take into account one's own unique biochemistry, health status, detoxification power, and environmental exposure. I have been offering this individualized technique to detoxification in my practice with great success. In fact, most of the time, mild cleansing and liver support are implemented to support most chronic or current conditions.

Here's what my clients are reporting:

1. More Energy

2. Better Health

3. A feeling of being supported in their health in this toxic world, by supporting their body from the inside

4. Weight loss

5. More emotional balance, freedom, and joy (when your body is healthy, so is your life!)

To read more about detoxification and my individualized program, click here.

My Newsletter and Top Reads for April are posted on website.

Here's a preview:

In the Newsletter, you'll find:

1. Announcements: I'm on the Radio, check out the link!

2. An Overview: Stress & Brain Balance

3. April Top Read's Highlight on Gluten

April Top Reads: Highlights

As April approaches, signifying spring, rebirth, and renewal, the question on everyone's mind is, "how many inches predicted this month?" Sigh. Really??!! April snow showers bring May flowers?

How much more snow shoveling shocks can our poor circulatory and sympathetic nervous system handle? Thankfully, Upstate New Yorkers are hardy, and compared to other nature games, we may be considered lucky by many of other environmental terrains. Still, I have faith; the sun will eventually grace the grounds of NYS.

Now, although some may argue this, we can't do much to change the weather. In fact, worrying about it or trying to change things we don't have control over, only creates more strain and stress on our biochemistry. It all begins with the thought, that triggers the pituitary, to signal the adrenals, to release the catecholamines and cortisol, to trigger a flight and fight survival response. For a detailed rundown on this stress effect, read my previous blog.

One reason why some people worry more than others or have a harder time adapting to change may be related to the balance of their 5 brain systems. These systems modulate our behavior and how we interpret our environment. It may be that those with a healthy cingulate gyrus have the ability to shift attention, adapt, cooperate, and be more cognitively flexible than their friends with a more unbalanced brain. There are nutrients which can assist someone to be more cognitively loose and flexible and it's all about assessing which portion of the brain needs attention and what to give. This is the work of Dr. Amen, MD, and it's produced exceptional responses by many of my patients.

Speaking of circulatory and sympathetic nervous system stressors, what better way to calm our cortisol and catecholamine stress response by nestling up with our cozy chamomile and hawthorn tea while reading about this month's highlighted health topics? If you're saying, "well, Ti-vo", then, you can always come back later when you're refreshed.

If you can remember to the dreary days of February of 2010, I did a summary of the immune reactivity of gluten. Recently, the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) released two webinars with this common theme of a healthy gastrointestinal tract in overall systemic wellness. Due to the fact that over 70% of your immune system and neurotransmitters (via the enteric nervous system) is located in your gut, it's understandable why a bad diet and nutritional deficiencies can create such havoc to one's both mental and physical health. Furthermore, complicating the picture is that everyone has different capacities for absorption and digestion related to their genetics, environment, toxic load, stress response, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. However, it is true for all, that eating foods that your body is sensitive or allergic to is not good.

When the body can't affectively break down a substance, due to a compromise in the digestive or immune process, the gut releases incompletely digested proteins systemically. This is due to a compromise in the gut's barrier from chronic attack via inflammation. (Remember in February's Top Reads that these proteins can create an addictive response on the brain, making it hard to quite!? This creates a hurtful habit hard to break. ) The body responds to these "foreign materials" with either an acute, immediate reaction or a low-grade, chronic response creating long-term energy and nutrient drains, potentially leading to chronic illness. When the body's immune cells respond by trying to attack these "invaders", which are really complexes of undigested peptides, it can become confused and attack your tissues instead! This is one way to create immune complexes in your body that can lead to autoimmunity.

...Continue reading at www.dr-lobisco.com

Oh geez, guys, I hate to do this to you, scare you after Halloween, but I think it's important. I've been diving into toxicity and environmental issues the past few weeks. I think some of you have noticed. It's not that I want to scare myself, or you, really it isn't. It's because I've seen clinically many patients who have been brushed over as "psychosomatic" that really aren't. I've seen people who have questioned their own sanity, because no one believes they can "be that sensitive." Well, these people could actually be our saving grace in an environment where new chemicals are introduced every year without needing to prove safety or long term consequences.

Do you remember my past reference to the CDC 's Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals of 2010? Now, within its 529 page "summary" of how different aspects of environmental chemicals harm our health, in just two years 75 new chemicals are listed.  The scary thing is that the average volunteer of this study had over 200 chemicals found in their blood and urine samples!

The patients that are "oversensitive" are truly "canaries in the gold mine", warning us that the environment isn't as safe as we think it is.  They probably have changes in their genetic sequences relating to liver detoxification, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), regarding phase I and phase II detoxification pathways, such as in the enzymes of Cytochrome P450, COMT, GST,  and NAT.  When someone has a SNP, they could clear toxins less effectively and react more profoundly than your espresso-drinking, not touched by midnight chocoholic friend.

What does this mean? It means that your friends who have "an overreaction" to the bright lights in the mall, who experiences chronic fatigue from normal day activities and "extreme" headaches from being near a cell phone, is a yellow light warning to you. They are signaling that although your liver may not be overload yet by this environmental trigger, there's something present that isn't so liver loving.

Anyone been over the Rexford Bridge lately on 146? I'm concerned. Did you see the signs, "Toxic: lead poisoning?" Lead is number two behind arsenic and in front of mercury for the top 3 toxic metals. Signs and symptoms include anemia, peripheral motor neuropathy, anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, growth delay (children), hypertension, renal insufficiency, fatigue, myalgias, etc. Who knows how far that lead can travel, in our water, etc.?

Ok, I'll stop here. I don't want to blow your adrenal glands, or mine! I want to empower you. If you notice symptoms coming on, what can you do to protect yourself? First, avoid that bridge whenever possible. I spoke with a certified chelation specialist, Dr. Gogenheim from CT, and told her of our local situation. Besides doing some clinical testing to assess your blood and urine, she gave me some basic suggestions:

·         Take a good source of calcium and magnesium

·         Oxygenate your body with supplements such as essential oils (I like frankincense because it's also anti-inflammatory), green drinks, DIM from broccoli and green leafy vegetables

·         Consider basic liver supporting herbs such as milk thistle and anti-oxidants/ liver detoxification support such as NAC, glycine, and glutathione

·          Drink plenty of water

·          Sweat!

If you think that you may be a canary that needs more than home remedies, you may want to consider contacting a specialist in chelation or make an appointment with someone versed in environmental toxicity. I know of some basic protocols that have assisted chemically sensitive individuals. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I feel it's vital to find someone who will follow your body's signals, go slow, and build you up first.

So, let me leave you by saying, trade in those leftover PB cups for broccoli....at least until they are done with that bridge!

References:

Department of Health and Human Services. CDC's Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. Accessed March 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/

Baker, S. Canaries and Miners. http://www.scribd.com/doc/31217217/Canaries-and-Miners-by-Sidney-Baker-MD

Rountree, R. Toxicity, and Biotransformation. Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice. Portland, OR. September 29, 2010.

Cline, J. Assessing Toxic Overload and Impaired Biotransformation. The Institute for Functional Medicine. Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice. Portland, OR. September 29, 2010

Chemoprotective glucosinolates and isothiocyanates of broccoli sprouts: metabolism and excretion in humans. Shapiro TA, Fahey JW, Wade KL, Stephenson KK, Talalay P. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2001 May;10(5):501-8.PMID: 11352861

 Ok, now, after all that sweating over trying to make a decision on which technique to choose (see my previous blog), your poor brain is fried. So, now you are trying to decide what your next move (pun intended) should be to alleviate this annoying brain fog. (Darn information overload!)

Pausing between your racing thoughts, you remember your last consult with Dr. Sarah, "Are you eating protein, carbs, and fats together to balance your blood sugar? That will help with everything, you know. See, high blood sugar raises insulin, and insulin modulates cortisol, blah, blah, blah..... affect your hormones and weight." Ok, you didn't get it completely the first time with those scientific pathways, but you got the idea.

So, feeling pretty proud of yourself, you walk at a fast pace (holding your pulse, of course), to the refrigerator and smiling, pull out your organic, PLAIN (ughh), Stonyfield yogurt. You put a scoop of organic almond butter in it, and top it off with a fresh handful of organic berries. Then, you sit at your computer content. To top off your excitement, you find that Dr. LoBisco's latest blog was just posted. Imagine your feeling of serendipity when you read the following:

Great news for helping the brain! As most of you are aware, a healthy diet and healthy mind go together. A recent article from Science Daily reports how the polyphenolics in berries can help make your brain new and shiny!

In the new research, Poulose and Joseph focused on another reason why nerve function declines with aging. It involves a reduction in the brain's natural house-cleaning process. Cells called microglia are the housekeepers. In a process called autophagy, they remove and recycle biochemical debris that otherwise would interfere with brain function.

"But in aging, microglia fail to do their work, and debris builds up," Poulose explained. "In addition, the microglia become over-activated and actually begin to damage healthy cells in the brain. Our research suggests that the polyphenolics in berries have a rescuing effect. They seem to restore the normal housekeeping function. These findings are the first to show these effects of berries."

Poulose said the study provides further evidence to eat foods rich in polyphenolics. Although berries and walnuts are rich sources, many other fruits and vegetables contain these chemicals ― especially those with deep red, orange, or blue colors. Those colors come from pigments termed anthocyanins that are good antioxidants. He emphasized the importance of consuming the whole fruit, which contains the full range of hundreds of healthful chemicals. Frozen berries, which are available year round, also are excellent sources of polyphenolics, he added.

Another reason for the powerful effects of berries on the brain could be due to their ability to act as antioxidants, which in turn regulates inflammation and blood sugar. In fact, resveratrol, an antioxidant compound found in many berries, was shown to increase cerebral blood flow, according to the American Journal of Nutrition:

Results: Resveratrol administration resulted in dose-dependent increases in cerebral blood flow during task performance, as indexed by total concentrations of hemoglobin. There was also an increase in deoxyhemoglobin after both doses of resveratrol, which suggested enhanced oxygen extraction, that became apparent toward the end of the 45-min absorption phase and was sustained throughout task performance. Cognitive function was not affected. Resveratrol metabolites were present in plasma throughout the cognitive task period.

Conclusion: These results showed that single doses of orally administered resveratrol can modulate cerebral blood flow variables.

How does this relate to blood sugar? Well, according to Vitalchoice, "The Greek scientists also noted the well-established fact that higher intakes of food-borne antioxidants are linked to lower markers of inflammation. Furthermore, in the same article, it is reported that:

Recent studies suggested that oxidative stress - that is, excessive free radical production - appears to promote diabetes. Pancreatic cells, which produce insulin, are particularly susceptible to free radicals due to their low levels of antioxidant enzymes.

By damaging the mitochondria (energy centers) of pancreatic beta cells, oxidative stress can kill these critical cells, thereby blunting insulin secretion and allowing blood sugar levels to stay chronically high.

.....So, now you're feeling pretty good about yourself, or at least you're not hiding when you walk in front of a mirror. Satisfied with your snack, content with your "workout", and ready to relax, you do your deep breathing exercise and looking forward to another helpful blog which further portrays just how much you already know!

References:

Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100823142927.htm?osadcampaign=PRFFF082710&leadsource=PRFFF082710

Webmd: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20100823/berries-may-slow-mental-decline-from-aging?ecd=wnl_hrt_083110

Am J Clin Nutr (March 31, 2010). doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28641

Vital Choice: http://newsletter.vitalchoice.com/e_article001687290.cfm?x=bgDM4hs,b1h0JlRD