Gluten Free and Weight Loss: The Gut Connection

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal suggests that for those who are not sensitive to gluten (a protein in wheat, rye and barley), giving it up, will not help with weight loss. The author’s point is that replacing gluten containing grains with “gluten-free” products will simply replace the empty calories that one would normally consume. She emphasizes that this can not only blunt any weight loss attempts, but can also lead to lower vitamin and mineral absorption, leaving people more significantly depleted.

The title of the article, “Giving Up Gluten to Lose Weight? Not So Fast”, is terribly misleading, as only the first paragraph mentions the excess in carbohydrates and replacing one bad food choice for another. Thus, despite overall good content, the title suggests that it is not necessary for people who do not have an allergy or sensitivity, and the only way to know is to get tested.

The truth of the matter is that giving up Gluten containing grains can be incredibly effective for weight loss, not only for celiac disease and wheat allergies, but for anybody. With an ever increasing body of research to suggest that more and more Americans are becoming increasingly sensitive to wheat containing foods (including rye and barley), it should become commonplace for people to eliminate not only gluten containing grains, but all grains. While gluten-free products, as the author points out, are beneficial for those that have an allergy or sensitivity they will not help with weight loss as people are still consuming excessive grains, gluten-free or otherwise. There are 2 problems with this:

1) GRAIN CONSUMPTION CAUSES UNSTABLE BLOOD SUGAR

People are consuming too many carbohydrates in the form of refine grains (bread, pasta, cereal, cookies, etc… This creates eradic blood sugar fluctuations, leading to insulin spikes, insulin resistance, excessive body fat storage, and eventually metabolic syndrome.

2) GRAIN CONSUMPTION IS PRO-INFLAMMATORY

Testing via blood and biopsy can only go so far. While the quality of the tests are improving and we are seeing the number of people who are “reactive” to gluten increase, they are not the only way to diagnose. It is my belief that all people are sensitive to gluten containing grains, and that no grains are necessary as part of a “healthy” diet. We cannot adequately digest grains, especially the highly processed grains of today. They are vastly different from those of our ancestors and wreak havoc in our digestive system. Inability to adequately digest foods creates inflammation (immune reaction) in our body. The symptoms vary from person to person, but can effect every cell, tissue, organ and body system. Inflammation in the gut leads to “leaky gut”, or immune reactions to other foods we eat because the “leak” through the intestinal wall because of a suppressed mucosal barrier. This leads to other symptoms, sickness, disease, weight gain, pain, etc…

THE WAY TO EFFECTIVELY LOSE WEIGHT IS TO HEAL THE GUT!

Time and time again, I consult with people that have tried every diet, killed themselves silly in the gym, restricted calories, taken supplements, and cannot get rid of that excess body fat. They are stressed, tired and eating crap food.

THE ANSWER? Get rid of the inflammatory foods: Gluten containing grains especially!!!! This WILL help you lose weight.

We simply do NOT need grains in our diet. Stick to meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, healthy fats and some fruit. That’s it! Eat like a cave man and watch the pounds melt away. You will feel better, have more energy and heal your body.

Just because you’re “gluten-free” doesn’t mean you can go eat all the gluten free cookies and bread you want. This is not real food. The way to 1) Get Healthy, and 2) Lose Weight (IN THAT ORDER) is to eat real, whole, quality food that our ancestors ate. Keep that in mind next time you reach for that gluten free bagel, and maybe opt for an omelet instead.

How to Protect Ourselves from Swine Flu Without Getting Vaccinated

Swine Flu and Our Immune System

When it comes down to it, you’re only as strong as your immune system!

According to T.S. Wiley in LIGHTS OUT, “About eighty percent of the full force of your defensive immune system resides in your intestines or gut. This makes sense, since most toxins will enter through your mouth.”

The digestive system supports the body by performing two essential functions: (1) absorption of nutrients and (2) the elimination of harmful bacteria. A healthy digestive system maintains a strong line of defense against pathogens that we breathe in, consume in our foods, and pick up through personal contact. When our digestive system becomes weakened, we become much more susceptible to being exposed to bacterial and viral infections.

Recent mainstream media coverage of the “H1N1 flu pandemic” suggests that more than 2 billion people worldwide will be infected with the swine flu virus in the next two years.  On top of this disturbing figure, controversy surrounds the safety and efficacy of flu vaccinations as a soon-to-be-available form of flu prevention.

Personally, I think it’s much more important to prevent ALL infections from entering the body, rather than just one.. This means keeping your immune system healthy and strong. The key to a strong immune system rests in the optimal functioning of our digestive system.

Boost Your Immune System Through Food

• Avoid Sugar: This includes foods that taste sweet, even fruit. The exceptions to this rule would be foods with “natural” artificial sweeteners such as, stevia, yacon syrup and sugar alcohols, such as xylitol or erythritol.
• Avoid Alcohol: The negative effects FAR outweigh the positive. Enough said!
• Avoid Starchy Food: Cross these starchy foods off your shopping list: anything with at least 65% starch, all flour, all grains (whole or otherwise), potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, yams and many other root vegetables.
• Eat Good Fats: Seek out fats in properly raised animal products and other fats that humans have been consuming for thousands of years. These omega-3’s and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA’s) help us regulate blood sugar levels, aid cell repair and enhance immune system function. Great fats include: raw nuts, avocado, beef, egg yolks, chicken skin, olive oil, coconut oil and butter. These are from animals that live a happy, healthy, hormone-free, grass-fed, pastured, organic, active and stress-free life!
• Avoid Bad Fats: Don’t consume polyunsaturated fats from seed, nut, and vegetable oils.

Boost Your Immune System Through Sleep:

Sleep is the biggest immunological defense mechanism that exists.  It defends us from potentially harmful organisms in our environment. The National Institutes of Health confirms that sleep is a scientific “given” and that light-and-dark cycles:

• Turn hormone production on and off
• Activate your immune system
• Time neurotransmitter release daily, and especially seasonally

Until 75 years ago, we spent up to 14 hours a night – depending on the season – in the dark! “If you don’t sleep for a night, you might get your work done. If you don’t sleep for a week, not only does your work suffer, you might die,” said Wiley.

Boost Your Immune System With Supplements:

• Immunitone: This is the immune systems boosting/viral fighting powerhouse of a supplement containing: echinacea and andrographis, both shown to shorten the duration and severity of infections, but best taken before they occur. It also contains elderberry, which has been shown to fight against the spread of viruses like influenza.
• Olive Leaf Extract: This has been shown to be an effective anti-viral herb and can be used preventatively as an immune system booster.
• Immunity Take Care: This is a virus killer! Eliminates the reproductive capabilities of the virus.
• Bee Propolus: Strengthens our natural immune capabilities.

All Supplements can be ordered by contacting Body Systems at (520) 661-8273 or ben@bodysystemsaz.com.

Scottsdale Personal Trainer and Holistic Health Consultant Teams with Foothills Sports Medicine

I am pleased to announce that Body Systems, LLC has joined forces with Arizona based Sport-Performance and Physical Therapy Clinic: Foothills Sports Medicine.

Body Systems Healing & Performance has opened an office in the Scottsdale based Foothills clinic located at 5410 N. Scottsdale Rd, Suite A-100, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253. We are located in the heart of Scottsdale just north of the popular Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall and virtually in the shadows of the famed Camelback Mountain.

While Foothills Sports Medicine prides itself on it’s “hands on therapy that gets results”, Body Systems takes on a role new to the Foothills empire; that of Nutrition and lifestyle coaching.

We have essentially created a “one-stop shop” that is going to revolutionize the way physical therapy, personal training and nutritional coaching have been practiced up till now. We are giving people the opportunity to address their health-related needs all within one setting, rather than the “a la carte” way people have had to jump from one person to the next for injury rehabilitation, fitness training, and nutritional guidance.

I want to thank Foothills Sports Medicine for the opportunity to provide my services within their highly successful and “healing” setting and look forward to collaborating with Foothills as we turn the corner in the ever growing field of health and fitness.

In a market where people are increasingly turning to alternative medicine health-care, I feel that the opportunity to excel, even in a “down” market, is greater than ever.

Thanks for all the support I’ve been receiving and I look forward to every day I get to continue living my legacy…

Ben

Scottsdale Fitness Trainer and Health Coach “knows” H. Pylori (Helicobacter pylori)

I suffered with H. Pylori from the age of 16 to 29, suffering from “ulcer-like symptoms”. Through my study of Functional Medicine, I read about and began to understand the symptoms and causes of this bacteria, I tested myself and sure enough was tested positive for H. Pylori. I’m happy to share that once diagnosed, I treated the bacteria very simply with a 2-month herbal protocol (fortunately my diet was already very clean and immune system strong). I was very lucky to get rid of the bacteria so easily, as many people require multiple rounds of treatment, depending on which they try (see treatments below).

I thought it important to share some of the symptoms of H. Pylori because of the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders and the misdiagnosing of these symptoms as merely “heartburn”, “indigestion”, “ulcers”, etc…

As you will see below, there are much more than just digestive specific symptoms associated with this nasty and harmful bacteria.

(I CREDIT DAVE HOMPES and http://h-pylori-symptoms.com for this great info)

H. pylori infections cause many symptoms and ongoing medical research reveals that H. pylori may also be contributing to more serious, advanced diseases.

Group one contains the symptoms that your doctor will know about.

Group two contains symptoms that H. pylori causes (or at least contributes to) in a less obvious manner and as such, your doctor probably will not make the link. I regularly test clients and find the infection in people with depression, anxiety, headaches, skin problems, low energy, PMS, etc. However these people may not have any digestive symptoms.

Please note that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) does not exist. Digestive symptoms always have a cause and the causes are infection, food sensitivity and exposure to toxins. If you can find the cause, the ‘IBS’ symptoms melt away.

Group One (classic H pylori symptoms)

• Abdominal Pain
• Acid reflux / Heartburn
• Anaemia
• Bad Breath
• Chest Pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gastritis
• Nausea & Vomiting

Group Two (non-classic H pylori symptoms)

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fatigue / Low Energy
• Headaches / Migraines
• PMS
• Sinus Problems
• Skin: Urticaria. Rosacea, Hives, etc.
• Sleep Problems
• Weight Gain
• Weight Loss

Developed/Serious Health Conditions

• Autoimmune Conditions
• Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Osteoporosis
• Ulcers

CAUSES

The medical & scientific literature has demonstrated that you may acquire H pylori via the following routes:

• Oral-Oral: H pylori bacteria have been found in the mouth and dental plaque. It may be passed via kissing or sharing eating / drinking utensils. H pylori bacteria have been found to survive on chopsticks even after they have been washed!

• Mother-Child: it is likely that Mothers pass H pylori to their babies as research demonstrates that Mothers and babies have identical strains of the bacteria. It is therefore essential that spouses, partners and family are tested.

• As yet I have come across no evidence that specifically links transmission of H pylori to breast feeding.

• Sexual Contact: H pylori DNA has been isolated in the colon, vaginal tract and in sperm. Sexual contact may play a role in transmission.

• Hospitals & Day Care Centres: Contact with stools and vomit of infected individuals may lead to infection. One study showed that apparatus used to conduct endoscopies / gastroscopies may lead to infection if not cleaned properly between uses.

(Taking into the above information you can see why it is essential that spouses, partners and family are tested for H pylori. Failure to do this may lead to immediate re-infection).

• Fecal-Oral: food or water that has been contaminated with human waste may cause H pylori to be ingested (this is how I think I acquired my infection). This may explain increased prevalence in developing countries.

• H pylori bacteria have been found on cockroaches and in cockroach droppings as well as on houseflies.

• H pylori may be transmitted from animals to people in a process known as zoonosis. H pylori and other Helicobacter species have been found in dogs, cats, birds and other animals (even shellfish, sharks and dolphins!).

The truth is that H pylori may be picked up  in any of these ways and it can be hard to pinpoint exactly where you acquired the infection. But because person to person transmission does occur, it is highly recommended that you have your loved ones tested if you have the infection.

TREATMENTS

Make no mstake, H pylori can be difficult to cure. Antibiotics do not always work and neither do some of the natural supplements that are cleverly marketed as cure-alls on the Internet.

Triple Therapy

Despite what your doctor might tell you, scientific and medical literature shows that Triple Therapy is becoming less effective because H pylori strains are more resistant to the antibiotics than they used to be. Some studies have shown that this conventional medical treatment is only 50-70% effective.

Whilst triple therapy does work for some people, but it can also cause symptoms to worsen as the drugs can have severe and unpleasant side effects. These side effects are discussed in full in the FREE chapters of Overcoming H pylori Naturally (available on this site) If triple therapy has been used once without success, it probably will not work unless the specific types of antibiotics in the treatment are changed (e.g. use Amoxicillin instead of Clarithromycin).

One way the pharmaceutial companies are trying to enhance treatments is to use two ‘new’ treatment options:

Quadruple Therapy involves the use of additional antibiotics or a bismuth compound (it may mean taking 20-25 pills per day!).

Sequential Therapy involves taking one antibiotic for seven days, then another for seven days alongside anti-acid medications.

While some studies report better outcomes than triple therapy, others show very little difference. The problems of side-effects and H pylori resistance to the antibiotics remains despite these approaches.

Natural Treatments

Are you confused by the many supplements that are touted on the Internet as the best for killing H pylori? If so, you’re not alone. I have taken part in several online H pylori forums and it is clear that people do not really know where to turn for a reliable and safe alternative treatment.

The natural treatment of H pylori is my area of expertise and I have a 95% success rate in helping my clients overcome the infection. The only time I have failed is when people have skipped a step in the programme.

The fact is that some natural therapies work well and others do not. Cranberries, garlic, broccoli sprouts, manuka honey, cabbage juice, etc. may inhibit H pylori, but they tend not to be strong enough to actually eradicate the bacteria.

I have personally had the most success with my patients using Matula Herbal Formula. In fact, I have a 100% success rate using Matula with clients suffering from H pylori. Matula is a very powerful agent for killing H pylori. I have heard several reports of ulcers healing within 3-4 weeks of using this product. It is very easy to use, tastes pleasant and usually only requires a single treatment.

Many of the other supplements on the market take a lot longer to work, including mastic gum, berberine, bismuth salts and DGL, end up costing more money in the long run.

The other thing I like about Matula is that if, after a 30-day treatment, you are retested for H pylori and the H pylori is still there, the company issues a full refund. The Matula can also be used alongside triple therapy.

After Matula, I use anti-fungal supplements, probiotics and zinc l-carnosine. These products take care of fungal overgrowth – which can make symptoms worse and may cause throat cancer - and ensure proper healing of the stomach lining, thus ensuring that digestive symptoms disappear.

Whilst I have a 100% success rate in curing H pylori in my clients, I do receive some emails from people who have used the Matula Herbal Formula without success. These people nearly always see vast improvements in their symptoms by altering their diet to remove anti-inflammatory foods.

It is one thing taking antibiotics to kill H pylori, it’s another thing running a program that enhanes your entire digestive system, improves energy levels and reduces your risk factors for other illnesses.

(I CREDIT DAVE HOMPES and http://h-pylori-symptoms.com for this great info)

Scottsdale Holistic Health & Fitness Trainer Consultant

I want to officially welcome everyone to Body Systems Healing & Performance. We are located in Scottsdale, AZ. 

We will frequently be updating our blog with new health-related information including:

• Nutritional Guidelines
• Weight loss Tips
• Sports Training and Exercise Videos
• Personal Self Improvement
• and much more!

Please stay involved and join our newsletter program by signing up on our homepage!

Thank you,

Ben Brown