Healthy by Nature radio show this week: We are going to talk about booze! Janet Chrzan, PhD is the author of Alcohol. No, this isn’t radio rehab–we’ll look into the historic origins of drinking beer, wine and distilled spirits and their place in both ancient and current society, e.g. like college drinking. Then, a very smart and funny lady, America’s pharmacist, Suzy Cohen, will return to educate us about nutrients to help us stay healthy through the fall.  She is the author of “Drug Muggers“, “The 24 Hour Pharmacist” and “Diabetes Without Drugs“.
Call the live show with questions at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.

Autoimmune conditions & Vitamin D
In autoimmune conditions, the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues as though it was a foreign invader. Types include Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease (Grave’s and Hashimoto’s), Type 1 Diabetes, ulcerative colitis and dozens of others. A recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that supplementing for 12 weeks with high-dose vitamin D3 (140,000 IU/month which is an average of about 5,000 IU/day) was significantly increased the markers that show the immune system is being more tolerant of the body’s tissues. LINK. This is preliminary research, but what would it hurt for someone suffering an autoimmune condition to make sure that their vitamin D levels were in the optimum range?

Scientific silliness
In previous studies on other issues it had been noticed that persons suffering joint pain were often low in calcium and vitamin D. That was the jumping off point for a study where they gave participants calcium plus vitamin D for two years but, there was not significant improvement. LINK. That was no surprise to me. First of all, if calcium really is needed, why would they have used the least absorbable form, calcium carbonate? And they used only 400 IU of vitamin D is not enough for a child let alone an adult. (The study above used roughly 5,000 IU/day and called it high but even that is just normal.) Also, we know it takes vitamin K2, magnesium and other nutrients, not just calcium to build bone and that likely holds true for joints. Apparently the study didn’t check to see if the participants even needed calcium. Excess calcium that doesn’t properly go into tissues might actually cause pain. Sometimes it seems they purposely structure studies to prove that supplements don’t work. Who sponsored this study? Celebrex?

Gluten Grief – Part 2
Finishing up the list we started last week:

6. Grains tend to make our tissues more acidic. To buffer that acidity, the body may have to pull minerals out of storage places like the bones. (Vegetables encourage tissue alkalinity.)

7. Whole grains contain phytates (technically saturated cyclic acids) that bind up minerals (like magnesium and zinc) and keep them from being absorbed.

8. Grains are typically high in omega-6 fats and low in omega-3. As discussed previously, we want to reduce sources of 6.
 
9. Most foods made with gluten grains tend to be ones that increase blood sugar and insulin. That in turn raises the risk for obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Just look at breakfast: bagels, biscuits, coffee cake, donuts, muffins, pancakes, refined cereal, sweet rolls, toaster pastry or waffles.

10. Foods made with grains have been designed to be what we can charitably call “habit-forming”. Overuse of them is not only fattening, but may also displace vegetables and good protein foods.

11. Those same habit-forming foods tend not only to be sources of empty calories, they often contain partially hydrogenated oils (source of Trans fats), too much pro-inflammatory omega 6 fats, a load of sugar and many chemicals that disrupt our normal chemistry.

12.Under-active thyroid (hypothyroid) is a serious problem affecting millions of Americans. Besides fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and so forth, it is even an often overlooked cause of elevated cholesterol. Gluten is apparently a common cause of thyroid issues, especially those of the autoimmune variety.
 
13.(Okay, let’s make this a “baker’s dozen” with this bonus.)  Some experts warn that we may all react badly to gluten to some degree because grains are a significant source of a factor known as lectins.  (Do not confuse that with leptin that the body produces).  Lectins act as anti-nutrients and can harm the digestive lining. This article describes them well.

The fiber and nutrients contained in grains are also available in vegetables which provide many more benefits and fewer risks. You will hear a lot of pro-grain propaganda even from organizations like the dietitians, but, before you take that too seriously, look at the support they receive from refined food manufacturers. Likewise, remember that the US Department of Agriculture is not only charged with helping our health, but also with helping farmers to sell grain. The giant corporations who make grain-based foods have a lot of sway with the agency and with congress. It is buyer beware!

What’s up?
Dr. Kotsanis is offering a free Lunch and Learn event on Wed. Sept 18 in Grapevine, TX. The topic is Allergy. Details at this LINK.

Last Week
LINK to that show in the archives. We talked with nurse/author Sally Pacholok about the billions of dollars wasted from failing to properly diagnose a common cause of mental illness, cognitive decline, disability, vascular clots and premature death due to deficiency of vitamin B₁₂. Her book is Could it be B₁₂? Then John Young, MD talked about his Young Health plan to help folks restore their bodies and improve performance by building strong cells. More info about his practice in Florida and his power drink at this LINK.

Please help spread the good word-forward this newsletter to friends and family.
My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book: Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2013 Martie Whittekin, CCN