How to Heal a Leaky Gut, Part II

Did you miss my first Leaky Gut Article?! Read more here

So now you may be wondering if you have leaky gut...

Food allergies, toxins, sugar, antibiotics, parasites and stress can wreak havoc with your gastrointestinal system, upsetting the balance in your intestine as well as allowing harmful substances to enter the system. Gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation or abdominal discomfort may be the first clue that something is wrong with the digestive tract, but did you know allergies
or even lack of energy and fatigue can often be traced to digestive problems as well?

Normally the gastrointestinal epithelium provides a semi-permeable barrier with allows nutrients to be absorbed while preventing larger molecules from crossing into the bloodstream. When this lining becomes inflamed or damaged, then the barrier becomes "leaky". The fallout results in larger, undigested food molecules and other “bad stuff” (yeast, toxins, and all other forms of waste) that your body normally doesn’t allow through, to flow freely into your bloodstream.

Causes of increased intestinal hyperpermeability or "leaky gut":

• Medications (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen and motrin
• Microbial overgrowth or infection
• Parasite infections
• Fungal overgrowth (Candida)
• Ingestion of allergenic foods
• Maldigestion/malabsorption (pancreatic insufficieny or low HCl)
• Radiation therapy or chemotherapy
• Stress
• Aging
• IgA deficiency
• Chronic alcohol intake
• Excessive or strenuous exercise
• Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn's or Ulcerative colitis

The small and large intestines contains numerous dietary and bacterial products with toxic properties. These include bacteria, bacterial cell wall (LPS), peptides, and bacterial antigens capable of inducing antibodies which may cross-react with human tissues.... when these antibodies react, they may form systemic immune complexes which can circulate and deposit in tissues far away from the gut.

Abnormalities of the gut lining barrier lead to increased uptake of inflammatory molecules and pathogenic bacteria. With inflammation & injury to the gut lininng, mucosal absorption of normally-excluded substances increases dramatically. Intestinal inflammation enhances the uptake and distribution of potentially injurious bacteria and proteins .

Leaky Gut is seen in disorders such as:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's & Colitis)
• Inflammatory joint disease
• Food allergy
• Celiac disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Reiter’s syndrome
• Eczema & psoriasis
• Bipolar, depression and schizophrenia
• Allergies and asthma
• Autoimmune thyroiditis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Autoimmune liver & gallbladder disease

So how do we test for "Leaky Gut"?

Small molecules (glucose or mannitol) readily penetrate cells and passively diffuse through them. Larger molecules such as lactulose are normally are normally not able to diffuse through the cell. If the tight junctions between the cells are functioning properly, they will prevent the lactulose from leaking through. The Intestinal Permeability Test directly measures the ability these two sugar molecules—mannitol and lactulose—to permeate the intestinal mucosa.

Mannitol is readily absorbed and serves as a marker of transcellular uptake. Lactulose is only slightly absorbed and serves as a marker for mucosal integrity (ability of those "tight junctions" to keep out the bad stuff) The test is a 6 hour urine test that compares ratios of the two substances.

For more info:

Genova Diagnostics Intestinal Permeability Assessment
You will need to contact your functional medicine physician in order to order the test.
Now for some treatment options for this leaky gut!

Nutritional Support

1. Glutamine, an amino acid, has been shown to reverse intestinal mucosal damage from various insults. Glutamine is the principle fuel used by the upper intestinal tract to repair and heal.
2. Agents that stimulate protective mucus secretion may also help with the healing. Some common ones I use are marshmallow root extract and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) extract.
3. Probiotics are essential! Lactobacillus casei, bifidobacter species, and saccromyces boulardii, a beneficial type of yeast are all important to restore gut health.
4. Fish oil can be very helpful in the treatment of intestinal inflammation by decreasing inflammatory prostaglandins. EPA and DHA should be used in the range of 2-4gm daily
5. Quercetin functions as a natural mast cell stabilizer and decrease release of histmine which contributes to inflammation & injury. To be effective, quercetin should be used in powder form and taken 3-6gm daily.
6. Vitamins A and D are critical to supporting secretory IgA function and restoring the mucosal immune system. Ask your doctor for specific doses...

To Decrease Toxic Load:

• Eliminate all known foods that you are sensitive to. This can be determined through a comprehensive elimination diet or IgG/IgE food tests on the blood.
• Avoid alcohol, NSAIDS (ibuprofen, motrin, alleve), and minimize other medications.
• Bentonite clay is a well-known intestinal adsorbent which absorbs numerous toxins, endotoxins and bacteria. Its value in permeability alterations may result from lowering the toxin load in the lumen, thus facilitating repair. I also frequently recommend Upgraded charcoal tabs for the same purpose.
• HCI and digestive enzymes such as plant enzymes, pepsin and pancreatin might help to lessen the antigenic load or toxic molecules being presented on the intestinal lining.

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Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

11 Tips for Breast Cancer Prevention

It's Breast Cancer Awareness month, so here are a few simple tips for prevention!

1. Exercise: Women who do aerobic exercise 3-5 times per week have a 37-60% less risk of breast cancer. Exercise lowers the amount of estrogen and dangerous estrogen metabolites.
2. Stress Reduction: Chronic stress is a huge risk factor not only for heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers, and depression but also cancer. Breast cancer frequently follows a period of severe, constant stress…a bad marriage, the death of a child, abusive work conditions, and bankruptcy. Cortisol, the stress hormone increases estrogen dominance. Getting rid of stressors, consciously acknowledging them, and altering your response to those stressors is critical in disease prevention. Walk, talk, meditate, laugh, and BREATHE! People who ‘go with the flow' and ‘let it go' rarely get cancer. Release the anger, forgive.
3. Low Carbohydrate Diet: Elevated insulin levels from a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, increase ‘estrogen dominance' by increasing the amount of free estrogen and stimulating the estrogen receptor directly. Tumor cells over express insulin receptors allowing more glucose in to feed the tumor. Breast, and other cancers are stimulated by sugar and other refined carbohydrates. Women diagnosed with breast cancer, who have high insulin levels, have an increased risk of breast cancer coming back and are more likely to die from breast cancer.
4. Whole food, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds: “Let food be your medicine. ” Hippocrates Much of what you need to prevent cancer is a gift from the earth. It's your choice. The more refined the food, the less nutrition, the more chemicals. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds contain Phytonutrients, which naturally balance your hormones. They contain usable minerals, vitamins, and fibers which also lower the estrogen burden and create healthy estrogen metabolites. Eat 5-8 servings a day.
5. Avoid Partially Hydrogenated Oils and Tran fats: They are found in almost all processed foods. They not only increase the dangerous estrogen metabolites they stimulate the breast cancer cell directly. Use olive oil or coconut oil instead.
6. Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Essential fatty acids (flaxseed and high quality fish oil capsules) inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation. Flax seed (2 Tbsp. /day) has been shown to reduce the size of breast cancers between the time of diagnosis and surgery. Flaxseed also increases the good estrogen metabolites and binds to the estrogen receptor directly preventing the strong and chemical estrogens from stimulating the cell. I also recommend chia seeds.
7. Fiber: Fiber lowers the amount of estrogen and estrogen metabolites which are available to stimulate the breast tissue. It also lowers insulin and glucose levels which feed tumor cells.
8. Get the Chemicals out of your home and off of your body: Chemical estrogens are very stimulatory to the breast tissue, acting as very strong estrogen. Lotions contain all types of chemicals which get absorbed into your body through the skin.
9. Limit or avoid Alcohol: Limit alcohol if you have breast cancer. Alcohol is not only toxic to the cell but increases the amount of estrogen made in the fatty tissue.
10. Avoid obesity: This will lower the amount of estrone, a stimulatory estrogen, made in the fatty tissue. It will help prevent the conversion of testosterone (breast protective) to estrogen.
11. Sleep: A low melatonin level has been associated with an increased risk of breast and other cancers. Poor sleep affects the immune system. Hormone imbalance affects sleep.

Photo courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Dr. Jill's Top Ten Travel Tips

Dr. Jill’s Top Ten Travel Tips

Do you struggle with staying healthy when you travel?  From lack of healthy food options in the airport to being seated right next to the one person who is coughing in your face, there are many perils to your health.  If you are like me, you want to be able to travel as needed but remain in optimal health when you do.  That’s why I’m putting together a list for you of my Top Ten Travel Tips!  I’m a planner and the number one thing you can do is think ahead and take these few steps to make your trip a success!

Before you leave, your best bet is maintaining a baseline of adequate sleep and a strong immune system, nourished by minimal processed foods and sugars, and stress management.  If your immune system is suppressed before you take off by long-work days, poor sleep and junk food, you are setting yourself up for picking up a bug when you leave. 

1. Plan

Before you leave check out various options for hotels or rentals where you will be staying.  If you are staying in a hotel, request a small fridge and/or microwave in your room so that you can bring or prepare some of your own healthy meals.  Most hotels will accommodate you for medical necessity if you have gluten-intolerance or other food allergies.  Check to see where the nearest Whole Foods or natural grocery store is located.  Many will offer deliver service right to your hotel.  If you are staying for a week or more renting a condo or room with kitchenette is the best option purchasing and preparing healthy unprocessed meals.  You can also use online retailers like Vitacost.com and ship items directly to your hotel before you arrive.  For longer trips where there is no access to a healthy grocery, I frequently have coconut milk or other healthy non-perishable food items shipped directly to the hotel where I’ll be staying.

2. Pack food

They say, “Fail to plan and plan to fail”, for a reason, right?  Before traveling, pack items, like packets of nut butter, shredded coconut, nut and seed mixes, dried jerky, or packets of wild salmon and sardines in your carry-on.  Don’t count on the airport to have the healthy foods you need.  If you’re like me a plastic container of wilted iceberg lettuce and half-rotten cherry tomatoes just doesn’t hold any appeal.  Planning ahead and making sure you have food with you is especially important if you have celiac disease or severe food allergies.  There are very few airports restaurants that cater to those of us who demand whole organic unprocessed options.  Even if you find a sit-down restaurant or grill, they are likely serving you farm-raised chicken or salmon and not the pastured or wild-caught varieties. 

I frequently take some frozen, premade meals, like baked organic chicken, red peppers, broccoli, chives, garlic, ginger, basil and sea salt, drizzled with organic olive oil.  You can freeze them, like I do, in recycled jars.  They pack very nicely in your checked luggage with an ice pack will remain frozen or cold until you arrive at your destination to put them in the fridge.  Once there you can heat them up anytime for an instant healthy, home cooked organic meal.

Another trick I use is packing pre-made instant smoothies in a baggies.  I use the small ziplock bags and prepare my morning recipe of 1.5 scoops Thorne Vegalite protein powder, 1 scoop of L-glutamine powder, 1 scoop of Amino Complex, 1-2 teaspoons of organic cinnamon powder, 1 tablespoon of Upgraded Collagen powder,  and ¼ teaspoon of Klaire Labs Ther-biotic Complete probiotic powder.  If I’m traveling for more than three days, I’ll pack my trusty NutraBullet for delicious morning smoothies in my hotel room.  If it’s a short trip, I’ll use my Blender bottle and shake it up with ice, water and coconut milk for breakfast.

(If you want to purchase my smoothie recipe items from Thorne, here’s how…)

3. Sleep

It’s essential to make sure you get 7-8 hours the night before you travel.  I specifically avoid scheduling my flights prior to 10am so that I can get adequate sleep the night before and have my morning routine before a big trip.  While you are gone make every effort to maintain good sleep hygiene and get 7-8 hours per night.  If you must have a sleepless night, take a quick nap to catch up.  If you are traveling overseas or crossing time zones, try melatonin 3-6mg one an hour before planned bedtime beginning one day prior to leaving and continue for one to two weeks after you return home.  Melatonin is excellent remedy to help you adjust your circadian rhythms for the new time zone.

Still not sleeping?  Check out my 12 Tips for Banishing Insomnia here!

4. Wi-fi

Many people are very sensitive to wi-fi in the environment.  If you live in a condo complex or apartment, you may notice the effects from the many other wi-fi signals around you.  At home, be sure to put your phones and iPads on airplane mode at night if they lie on your bedside table.  If you are in a plane with wi-fi, as most have nowadays, then you captive in a long metal tube which large wi-fi exposure as you fly.  Hydrating at a cellular level can keep you from feeling symptoms, like fatigue, headache or brain fog from this exposure. 

I recommend drinking 1 liter of filtered water prior to boarding and 1 liter for every hour you are on the plane (you might want an aisle seat because you will be using the restroom J)  Drink another liter once you land.  I also recommend taking Coenzyme Q10 200-400mg prior boarding the plane.  In addition, the plane is grounded but you are not unless you are touching the metal of the frame.  Try taking off your socks and shoes and putting your bare foot on the metal seat base in front of you during the flight.  This way you are grounded along with the plane as you are flying.  It’s pretty simple with potentially profound benefit… just make sure you are wearing clean socks or you might just have one unhappy neighbor!

5. Coffee

Yes, coffee!  If you read my blog, you know I'm a fan.  Click here to read my article on  Bulletproof™coffee and my specific coffee travel tips (hint, buy these Upgraded coffee cartridges).  I recommend avoiding caffeine during the flight itself so that you are not  dehydrated.  Once you land, you can drink a cup of you prefer.   Avoid instant coffees as they are more likely to cross-react to gluten for those of you who are gluten-intolerant.  They are also more processed and more likely to contain pesticides and mold toxins.

6. Exercise

Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you are excused from moving your body! Start your day with yoga, take a walk, go for a jog and explore the city or surroundings!  I always pack my running shoes, sunglasses, Garmin watch and workout clothes so that I am ready for any adventure.  Don’t forget your bathing suit if you swim!  Most hotels offer fitness centers and a pool where you can stretch, swim laps, lift weights or use the treadmill.  I find one of the best ways to explore the location I am visiting is to go for an early morning jog and see the nearby sites.  Stop in a local café for a coffee or tea and ask the locals what the best sites to see are.  Usually the hotel concierge will be able to advise you of jogging trails or best paths to take to avoid heavy traffic.    If all else fails, make time to stretch and do sun salutations on a mat in your hotel room… and no need to bring your own.  Hotels, like the Westin will bring a mat, fitness gear, even tennis shoes to your room if you’ve forgotten yours!

7. Hydration

While we can survive days without food, pure clean water is essential and without it we would not survive long.  Purchase several liters of water before you get on the plane and once you debark, be sure to pick up another.  If possible, carry a glass or aluminum re-fillable water bottle to avoid the BPA in plastic bottles.  This will save you money and time and can easily be refilled at any public drinking fountain.  In your hotel room, be sure you have plenty of bottled water on hand so that you are not drinking out of the nasty bathroom faucet.  This can be delivered to your hotel before you arrive if you are staying for a few days.  Most hotels also have a lobby sundry shop where you can purchase water, as well.  Don’t forget to use the filtered water to brew your coffee and tea in your room.  One of my favorite tips for hydration is using electrolytes added to my water.  You can purchase travel electrolyte packets from Emergen C ElectroMix and pour them into your water bottle for extra potassium and magnesium.

8. Vitamins

Perhaps the most powerful immune supporting vitamin is none other than Vitamin D3.  If you feel the onset of a cold or flu bug, you can take high dose Vitamin D3 (25,000-50,000IU daily) for 2 or 3 days to knock out the virus out.  You can also take that dose one time on the day you travel to help your immune system fight anything it might encounter.  Warning:  Do not take this dose of vitamin D3 for longer than 3 days as you may become toxic, since vitamin D is stored in fat tissue.  

Be sure to pack any other supplements that you take regularly.  I recommend getting snack-size Ziploc baggies.  To differentiate your morning and evening pills, get the snack baggies with fun graphics, like moons and stars, so that you can easily differentiate your day from evening pills.  Pack your pills for the number of days you will be gone and put all of these small individual prepared baggies in one large quart-size bag and toss it in your carry-on or checked luggage.  You could use one of the 7-day pill organizers, of course, but if you’re like me that reminds me of granny AND my pills don’t come close to fitting in those tiny boxes J

If you have prescription medications, it is best to keep this in their original bottle with instructions from the pharmacy.  Check airline guidelines for international travel as some countries have restrictions on what you can carry in.  If in doubt, ask your doctor to write a note that you can carry through security that you are allowed to carry food or vitamins due to medical necessity.

9. Travel Remedies

Expect the unexpected is a good motto to have when traveling.  Here’s a list of things you may want to pack in case of illness:

• Boiron Osccillococcinum – I take one vial prior to boarding plane to prevent flu.  You may also take 1 vial up to 3X daily for acute flu symptoms.
• Boiron ColdCalm and Sinusalia – use these tabs for natural symptomatic relief of cold or flu symptoms.  Take 2 tabs every 2-3 hours or until your symptoms are gone. 
• L-Lysine – Take 4-6 grams daily for acute outbreak of stress-related cold sores or 1 gram daily to prevent outbreak.
• Upgraded charcoal tabs – I don’t leave home without these fantastic binders.  Great for exposure to harmful chemicals or if you suspect you might have food poisoning.  Also helpful if you ate something you shouldn’t and experience gas & bloating or diarrhea.  Take 500-1000mg with large glass of water two or three times daily as needed.
• Magnesium Citrate – the dirty secret no one likes to admit is that many people experience constipation when traveling. 
• Vitamin C – Extra vitamin C is helpful to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.  I suggest taking a little extra when you travel.  It also has a nice anti-histamine affect if you experience allergies.
• Hyland’s Motion Sickness tabs or Sea Bands are essential if you suffer from motion sickness during travel.

10. Travel with comforts

Have a favorite pillow?  A soft, snuggly sweatshirt or throw?   How about your favorite relaxation playlist?  Don't forget to pack a few things that make you feel comfortable on the plane or once you arrive to your destination.  My essentials are a travel blanket to roll and put behind my back for lumbar support and my husband always carries an inflatable travel neck support, like this one.  In addition, it’s a good idea to wear layers since airplane temperatures vary and the climate of your destination may vary dramatically from home.  Pack an extra pair of socks, underwear, toothpaste, and other essentials in your carry-on in the slight chance your checked luggage is lost or delayed.  My favorite part of airline travel getting to enjoy a good read, guilt free… so don’t forget to pack your favorite book or download one on your iPad before you go.  Unless you are prepping for a big presentation, relax and let yourself enjoy the flight, work-free and guilt-free!  I like to use the time to prayer or meditate, too. 

With a little planning, even those of us with food restrictions or health issues can have a great time!  Hope you find my top ten tips helpful… and Bon Voyage!

Natural Cures Summit Oct 6-13th

Natural Cures Summit

Learn secret cures to naturally heal your body from 30 unique presentations! The Natural Cures Movement includes natural remedies and treatment protocols for specific conditions like hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The home remedies and natural cures you will discover could help you begin a path to better health and disease prevention!

This event will provide you with all of the healing information you need:
From the top doctors, nutritionists, naturopaths and health experts in the world.
To learn the best natural remedies and treatment protocols to use plant­-based medicine for specific conditions like hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease
and so much more!

Register for FREE here!

Take your health to the next level when you join Dr. Josh Axe, founder of one of the top 25 natural health websites in the world, DrAxe.com, and author of The Real Food Diet Cookbook. It’s his mission to to educate millions around the world in order to help them transform their health.

The Natural Cures Summit is online and FREE from October 6­-13, 2014!

Here are a few of the incredible presenters:

• Dr. Joseph Mercola, Take Control of Your Health & Insulin
• Dr. Josh Axe, Natural Cures for Leaky Gut
• Sayer Ji, 10 Food Medicines That Could Save Your Life
• Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD Flatiron Functional Medicine, Natural Cures for IBS/SIBO
• Dr. Tom O’Bryan, Overcoming Gluten Sensitivity
• Katie Wellness Mama, The Coconut Oil Cure
• Suzy Cohen, RPh, Natural Remedies for Thyroid & Autoimmune Disease
• Vani Hari, How to Cure Yourself Despite Food Companies and Your Doctor
• more than 30 expert presenters sharing their wealth of knowledge, this invaluable resource is intended for you or someone you know...

If you register today, you’ll have access to the following FREE GIFTS:

Watch the first two talks of the summit:

• Dr. Tom O’Bryan: Secrets to Overcoming Gluten Sensitivity
• Suzy Cohen, RPh: Top 10 Natural Cures for Diseases you THINK you have

And, download the “Go Naked Cookbook” by Dr. Josh Axe and Cynthia Pasquella. This eBook contains 100+ gluten-free recipes that support healing naturally.

Listen to The Natural Cures Movement from October 6-13, 2014!

It's free... Register now here

See you there! :-)

Dr Jill

The Hidden Epidemic... Is Yeast Overgrowth Destroying Your Health?

Did you know your gut microbes could be dramatically affecting your health?

Hey guys! ...this is not just for women.  Men, too, commonly suffer from intestinal yeast overgrowth or fungal dysbiosis!

Every day we see new research on the effects of unhealthy gut organisms on the brain, the thyroid gland, the nervous system, the immune system, and the heart and vascular system.  In functional medicine, this is one reason we focus so intently on helping our patients heal their gut and thrive.  Without a healthy bacterial population in the colon, it’s nearly impossible to experience the optimal health we all desire.

Many people are unknowingly fighting a battle against a single-cell fungus in the gut.  Its name is Candida Albicans, although in recent years there has been an increase in non-albicans species of yeast.  Candida is a normal organism that is part of our skin flora, intestinal microbes, and for women, vaginal flora.  Men, this doesn't mean you can't harbor yeast as well!   This seemingly benign player can become hostile if the environment is right.  High intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar, frequent antibiotic or prednisone use, hormones and birth control pills and other medications give the yeast an advantage over the normal protective bugs, like lactobacillus, so that it flourishes.  It has the ability to take over and becomes invasive leading to a host of unwanted symptoms.  Sadly, many conventional physicians do not recognize that the gut can be a reservoir of these fungal organisms.   If you have ever experienced vaginal yeast infections, rectal irritation, white coating on your tongue called thrush, or any fungal skin or nail infections, like onychomycosis, you may also have a large number of these buggers living in your gastrointestinal tract.

I crave sweets and carbs all the time…

One of the most important things that I notice with patients who have fungal dysbiosis is the feeling of being tired and “run down” all the time with intense cravings for sugar or carbohydrates. Many patients don’t believe me when I tell them that if their gut is healthy, they will get to the point of having no food cravings at all!  It’s really true!  And if you are still experiencing intense, uncontrollable cravings, binge eating, or other issues in a love-hate relationship with sugar and refined carbohydrates, you can bet there is a problem with your gut microbes!

Take this quiz to find out if YOU have a problem!

These are common symptoms that may occur with yeast overgrowth in the gut.  Keep in mind, these are not specific to yeast alone, but if you experience them on a regular basis you are likely to have a real problem with fungal dysbiosis, or yeast overgrowth.

 Give yourself 1 point for every one of these symptoms you experience regularly:

• Weight gain
• Difficulty losing weight
• Premenstrual symptoms
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain/fibromyalgia
• Poor focus/concentration
• Brain fog
• Irritable
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Headaches or migraines
• Cravings for sugar or carbohydrates
• Drowsy after meals
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gas and bloating
• Rectal itching
• Vaginal discomfort or burning
• Low libido
• Joint pain
• Crying spells
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Sinus pressure/congestion
• Trouble sleeping
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Body odor
• Frequent sore throat
• Coughing/wheezing/shortness of breath

Scoring

• > 8 – You may have intestinal dysbiosis
• > 14 – It is likely you have an issue with intestinal dysbiosis, which could include yeast overgrowth
• > 20 – It is almost certain that you have fungal dysbiosis or yeast overgrowth

Fungal Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut Syndrome

If yeast becomes dominant in the gut, it may take over and overwhelm the good bacteria.  This is called Fungal Dysbiosis.  The situation becomes dire when yeast or abnormal gut microbes proliferate and dysbiosis occurs.  The problems start when yeast changes from a benign one cell organism to the more invasive hyphe form.  These forms can secrete enzymes, like proteases and phosopholipases that break down cell membranes and contribute to intestinal permeability or “leaky gut”.  As the gut becomes more permeable, toxic metabolites, such as acetaldehyde, leak into the blood stream and cause symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, or depression.  Did you know that this chemical yeast produces can make you feel hungover?  Alcohol, when metabolized by the liver, also produces acetaldehyde which causes that "hangover" feeling.  The yeast bugs also drive cravings for the very foods that allow them to survive –sugar, refined carbohydrates and sometimes fermented foods or alcohol.  I’m always amazed by the number of people who were struggle with alcohol craving or addiction that have yeast overgrowth in their gut.  In addition to the toxic materials that leak into the blood stream, partially digested food may also leak through the lining of the gut and create food sensitivities.  Many people with chronic yeast overgrowth will experience sensitivities to common foods, like gluten, dairy, sugar, corn, and soy and may even experience improvement in symptoms when they go on an elimination diet.  Yeast also produces more than one-hundred other toxins that may leak into the blood stream and affect thyroid and hormone function, brain function and even neurotransmitter production.

Fungal Dysbiosis and the Connection with Autoimmune Diseases

This invasion and consequent problem of a leaky gut may also trigger the immune system to become confused in a process called “molecular mimicry” when the bacteria or yeast in the gut or cross over where they don’t belong into the blood stream and trigger creation of antibodies by the immune system.  These antibodies may cross-react to joint tissue, skin, thyroid, or even brain and create autoimmune diseases.  It is very common to see some of the following autoimmune conditions occur in someone with fungal dysbiosis:

• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Celiac Disease
• Meniere’s disease
• Raynaud’s disease
• Lupus

 So What Causese Fungal Dysbiois?

Here are some of the most common factors that upset the balance of gut microbes and contribute to yeast overgrowth or fungal dysbiosis

• Chronic stress, which impacts your immune system, also contributes to yeast overgrowth
• Diabetes (due to abnormal blood sugar)
• Pregnancy (due to change in hormone levels)
• Eating too much sugar and too many grains. Sugar is the main fuel for yeast.
• Taking antibiotics, which kill both your good and bad bacteria.
• Exposure to environmental toxins, which can lower your immune system’s ability to keep yeast in check.  Mercury is especially problematic with yeast overgrowth
• Taking other medications, such as birth control pills and steroids, which are both known to increase yeast

How Does My Doctor Diagnose Fungal Dysbiosis?

Well, the first step is finding a functional medicine trained physician or naturopath who understands the importance of having a healthy gut microbiome.  There are many physicians who understand vaginal yeast infections or the more severe systemic candidiasis, where candida enters the blood stream and can be life threatening but ignore the possibility that you could have too many yeast bugs living in your gut.  Even when we are looking for a problem it can often be hard to detect.  I commonly use a combination of clinical history and symptoms and the following lab tests:

1. Serum Candida antibiodies (IgG, IgM, IgA)
2. Organic Acids in urine, such as Arabinose
3. Comprehensive Digestive Stool analysis for candida culture and sensitivity

By combining a patient’s symptoms with the testing above, it becomes relatively easy to determine if a patient has fungal dysbiosis or not.  Other red flags are someone with  inflammatory bowel disorder or other bacterial dysbiosis, such as SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) as the two can co-exsist.

So Tell Me How to Get Rid of it!

1. DIET

The most important starting point is diet.  In fact, I frequently tell patients that no amount of anti-fungal drugs or herbal medications can overcome a high sugar, high carbohydrate diet.  In order to eradicate the yeast, one must do the following:

1. Eat a diversified, whole foods (in as natural and fresh a state as possible) diet, emphasizing non-starchy vegetables, proteins, like fish, organic chicken, turkey, lamb, wild game and organic grass-fed beef.  Healthy oils, like coconut, grape seed and olive are also essential. Include pastured ghee or butter as well for a rich source of Vitamin K and other fat-soluble vitamins
2. Chose organic, free-range meat and be sure they do not contain added growth hormones or antibiotics.  I advise all patients to avoid cow’s dairy due to lactose content, which is a sugar that yeast likes.
3. Avoid all foods that feed the yeast!  That would include all forms of sugar (honey, molasses, maple syrup, agave, xylitol, and artificial sweeteners, like aspartame, splenda)
4. Avoid all dried fruits and fruit juices.  Stevia may be used to sweeten teas and beverages.
5. You may need to eliminate fruit in the beginning or at least stick to no more than one serving of low-glycemic fruit per day – best bets are berries, green apples, or citrus.
6. Eliminate any allergenic foods – these commonly include gluten, dairy, egg, soy, corn, and cane sugar
7. You should also eliminate the following: alcohol; vinegar (and anything containing vinegar, like salad dressing and sauces); all bread (which contains yeast); high starchy vegetables, like carrots, potatoes and beets; peanuts and corn (due to high mold content); mushrooms (fungus); and aged or moldy foods, like blue cheese.
8. Drink plenty of purified water daily.  If you are feeling dizzy, add some electrolytes (ElectroMix or Elyte Sport) to your morning water.
9. Get some form of daily exercise (walking, hiking, yoga, bicycling). Pick an activity you enjoy and try to get in 30-40min every day.
10. Make time for rest and relaxation.  Epson salt baths can be especially helpful for the yeast die-off symptoms.  Use 2-3 cups of salt in warm bath and soak 20min.

2. AVOID ANTIBIOTICS

3. DECREASE STRESSORS

4. IDENTIFY AND ELIMINATE FOOD ALLERGIES

5. TAKE A PROBIOTIC!  (my favorite is Klaire Labs Detox Support, which you can order here)

6. TREAT ANY DIGESTIVE IMBALANCES (like insufficient pancreatic enzyme production or low stomach acid)

7. MEDICATIONS

• Fluconazole
• Itraconazole
• Nystatin
• Compounded Oral amphotericin B

8. HERBAL REMEDIES

• Caprylic Acid
• Undecylenic acid
• Berberine
• Garlic (Allicin)
• Oil of Oregano
• Olive Leaf Extract
• Pau D-Arco
• Grape Seed Extract

9. OTHER ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin A
• Biotin
• Essential Fatty acids
• Probiotics
• Pantethine
• l-Glutamine
• Coenzyme Q10
• Magnesium

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Top 5 Scientific Benefits of Beets

I've been picking up fresh heirloom beets at the Farmer's Market from Red Wagon Organic Farm every week anticipating the delicious complex flavor they add to my smoothies (recipe coming soon!) and the boost in energy from the nitric oxide they can produce when consumed. So I thought I'd share with you some of the great benefits of this yummy root veggie.

Scientific Benefits of Beets

1. Improve athletic performance. Pre-exercise consumption of nitrate rich beetroot juice (200gm) improved and enhanced running performance in this study.  In another study, six days of 140ml of concentrated beetroot juice (loaded with nitrates) reduced pulmonary oxygen usage (VO₂) during cycling and improved performance in professional cyclists.  And yet another study showed enhancement of muscle contraction after consumption of  beetroot juice.
2. Decrease oxidative stress.  Beets contain a new class of antioxidants called Betalains, which decrease oxidative stress and aid in detoxification.  Regular consumption of 300ML daily of red beet in this study showed decrease in oxidative stress markers and may prevent chronic degenerative diseases.  Red Betalain pigment are not very heat stable so best if eaten raw or juiced.   If you choose to cook your beets, steam them for less than 15minutes or roast them for less than 45minutes.
3. Increase nitric oxide. Beets contain nitrates which are a precursor of nitric oxide.  Nitric oxide helps our blood vessels dilate appropriately, improving vascular function in conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and erectile dysfunction.  In this study, overweight men who drank beet juice had increases in nitric oxide levels after consumption.
4. Prevent Cancer.  Betalains, the antioxidant in beets, has been shown to have anti-cancer effects!  This study showed the antioxidant from beets caused death of leukemia cells.  And another study suggested beet juice consumption may prevent lung and skin cancers.
5. Improve detoxification. Regular consumption of beets which contain betaine and polyphenols in this study enhanced the liver's ability to product glutathione and superoxide dismutase, both key factors in daily detoxification.  Because of their powerful ability to enhance detoxification this study showed a protective benefit against toxic chemicals, like carcinogens.

Don't forget the greens!

The leafy greens attached to the beet roots are delicious and can be prepared like spinach. They are incredibly rich in vitamins and minerals as well as  beta-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin.

Tips for storing and preparing

To clean, rinse gently under cool water and avoid tearing the skin  which helps keep the health-promoting pigments inside.

Cut beets into quarters leaving 1-2 inches of root and a small bit of stem.

I like to throw them raw into green juices or smoothies for most nutritional benefit.  However, if you cook them, I recommend lightly steaming or baking on low heat to maximize nutritional benefit.  Steam for no more than 10-15min or until you can easily insert tip of fork into beet.

• Grate raw beets into salads or as garnish on main dish
• Marinate steamed beets with olive oil or ghee, sea salt and fresh basil and thyme
• Sauté beet greens like you would spinach or swiss chard or mix them all together for a fresh take on salad

Recipe from the Institute for Functional Medicine:

DETOX BORSCHT

2 cups finely shredded cabbage                                    2 cups boiling water

½ cup chopped onion                                                       2 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp caraway seed                                                              1 tsp honey, if desired

3 Tbsp lemon juice                                                              Salt and pepper to taste

1 pound cooked small beets, peeled, chopped (save the cooking water)                   

1 quart chicken or vegetable stock (gluten-free)

Cook the cabbage for ten minutes in boiling, salted water. Cook the onion in the oil for a few minutes, without browning. Drain the beets, saving the cooking liquid, and finely chop. Add the chicken or vegetable stock to the onions. Upon boiling, add the cabbage and its cooking liquid back in. Add the beets, one cup of beet cooking liquid, caraway seeds, honey, and salt and pepper. Simmer for ten minutes, skimming carefully. Remove the soup from the heat. Add lemon juice and heat just to the boiling point. Serve with dill weed garnish. Eat soup hot or cold.

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