Archive for November, 2010

Celiac Disease Confusion

Did you know that having a wheat allergy is not the same as having celiac disease? Many people seem to blur the lines among a gluten-related disease, an intolerance and an allergy… yet this can be terribly dangerous.

Make no mistake, the only way to determine with certainty which condition you or a loved one suffers from is to consult with a medical professional and have them administer the appropriate tests. For now, I will describe these three conditions in a way that I hope will help you understand how they are similar but still distinctly different medical phenomenons.

Celiac Disease

Celiac sprue disease is at the heart of this condition because it is the most dire and most clinically defined. However, coeliac disease (as it is sometimes spelled) is not an allergy, it is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease reveals itself through unusually high amounts of antibodies in the bloodstream. Essentially an autoimmune disease occurs when the human immune system attacks its own body.

With celiac sprue disease, the antibodies EMA, AGA and especially Anti-tTG attack the lining of the small intestine. In particular, they slowly kill off the small hair-like fingers along the small intestine wall that grabs nutrition from your food.

Wheat Allergy

A wheat allergy occurs when you have a histamine response to wheat itself. You can test positive for celiac sprue disease but not for a wheat allergy and you can test positive for a wheat allergy yet test negative for celiac. With a wheat allergy, your immune system attacks an allergen, and the symptoms you experience a byproduct of your immune system reacting to that foreign allergen.

An allergic reaction involves a t cell response to a predetermined allergen. In other words, you need to have exposure to a foreign element to become allergic to it. When that allergen triggers the t cell response, an antibody called IgE links with mast cells and basophils, then all together they go on a rampage through your body trying to fight off that allergen. This most often results in a histamine response but can also result in symptoms like mucus production and even asthma. These reactions are not to be underestimated as some rare cases may result in anaphylactic shock, which can be deadly.

Gluten Intolerance

Gluten intolerance is generally considered to be either a milder form of celiac disease or a perfectly potent form that just doesn’t generate a positive result for standard celiac disease tests. Sometimes the antibody levels fluctuate; sometimes a patient has already begun a gluten-free diet, making the test less accurate; and to some people, the testing for celiac disease just isn’t complete and accurate. For these people, we have a new term: Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive, or NCGS.

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Despite testing negative for celiac sprue disease, these people still must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. However, it is important to understand that gluten intolerance, like celiac disease, is still not allergy. It is an autoimmune disease. The resulting symptoms occur from the body attacking itself, not from the body attacking an allergen.

I hope these definitions help you distinguish between these different phenomenons. No matter which one you may suffer from, it is important that you remove the associated food source from your diet and it is vital you discuss any possible diagnosis with your doctor.

Autoimmune Disease – 3 Secret Blood Tests

Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissue. These diseases are quickly becoming a major global health problem. The top 10 that are most common in the United States are:

  • Hashimoto’s Disease (Hypothyroidism)
  • Graves’ Disease (Hyperthyroidism)
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (Joints)
  • Lupus (Multiple tissues)
  • Sjogren’s Syndrome (Eyes, Skin, and Mouth)
  • Celiac Disease (Gut)
  • Psoriasis (Skin and Joints)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (Brain Cells)
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome (Clotting)
  • Type 1 Diabetes (Pancreas)
  • Conventional diagnosis of autoimmune diseases is commonly done through a blood test that looks for antibodies against healthy cells. After these antibodies are found, conventional medicine recommends taking immune suppressive drugs and/or hormone replacement therapy for life – with risks that greatly outweigh the benefits. Functional medicine (advanced natural medicine) has powerful and natural tools that dramatically improve the lives of those with autoimmune diseases without these risks.

    The reason why conventional medicine has failed with autoimmunity is because their model is not designed to look for the individual cause (or promoters) of the immune dysfunction. Two different people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism will have very different immune dysfunctions therefore will need different protocols. The key is to get a clear picture of the individual’s unique immune system can only be achieve through functional laboratory testing.

    The Three Secrete Tests

    TH1 / TH2 Cytokine Test – Your white blood cells communicates with each other through proteins called cytokines. You immune system consists of mainly two systems: The first attackers (Th1 cells) and antibodies (Th2 cells). In a properly functioning immune system, the Th1 and Th2 cells should be in balance like a see-saw. When one of these systems becomes more powerful than the other, and autoimmunity can be triggered. The goal is to balance this system. Since many therapies used in natural medicine can influence this see-saw, it is critical to know which side is dominant in order to promote balance.

    CD4/CD8 Ratio (Immune System Analysis)- We have cells in our immune system called “helper cells” that help our white blood cells attack foreign innovators. Other cells help turn off the immune attack (“suppressor cells”) when the fight is over. This important test it allows you and your doctor to know if a foreign innovator (bacteria, virus, food, environmental toxin, and/or heavy metals) are influencing the autoimmune attack or if the immune system is dysfunctional due to other causes like chronic stress or nutritional insufficiencies.

    Vitamin D Test – Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin, it’s a hormone. A hormone that plays an extremely important role in the modulation, or balancing, of the immune system. Not only do most people suffering with autoimmune diseases have low levels of vitamin D but they also have genetic changes that keeps vitamin D from being used in the body. This means they many need to take very high doses of vitamin D in order to function properly. Since vitamin D influenced blood calcium levels it is necessary to have you levels rechecked every 3 weeks until optimal levels are achieved.

    The Feelings and Conditions That Follow Urinary Incontinence

    The simple fact is that most people do not like to talk about it, let alone have an accident and show people. There are still a lot of things most people do not understand about the condition. The best way to do this is to explain what the condition consists of and what can be done to help someone going through it. It is a common misconception that this condition only effects older people, this would be wrong.

    This condition can affect any one at any age. This condition is more likely to occur in women but can also happen to men. So we can see that this condition does not discriminate against age or sex, and can be treated. This is another untrue fact about this condition, that it is incurable, which is false. The first thing to do is talk to your doctor if you think this might be a problem for you.

    The most common symptoms that will let you know you or someone you know is suffering from urinary incontinence are as follows. Bed wetting, leakage after coughing, sneezing or laughing, and the general feeling that you have uncontrolled leakage of urine. Some of the common cause of this condition are:

  • Weakened bladder muscles
  • Excessive alcohol or caffeine intake
  • Emotional disturbances
  • Enlarged Prostate
  • In women, lack of estrogen
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Stones in the bladder
  • Nerve Damage to the bladder
  • Changes in the body, such as childbirth or surgery
  • Side effects of certain medications
  • There are also many types of urinary incontinence as well. For this reason it is very important that you see you doctor to find out which type you have because each type will have it’s own treatment.

    The six types of urinary incontinence are:

  • Urge incontinence is an urgent need to urinate followed by leakage. This type can be difficult to deal with just because when you get that feeling to go, you will need to go now and if you can not this is when the leakage occurs.
  • Overflow incontinence happens when a small amount of urine leak from a full bladder. This means you are unable to completely empty your bladder, this leads to overflow and then leakage. This leakage can not only cause embarrassment and discomfort but this urine left in the bladder is a breeding ground for bacteria. So it is a must to seek treatment as soon as possible.
  • An emotional rather than physical cause is called psychological incontinence. This type is brought on by uncontrolled episodes of crying and or laughing, as well as involuntary crying or emotional displays. This can also mean you find yourself crying at something that is not all that sad or even laughing when angry or frustrated. There are several treatments that can be quite effective.
  • Stress incontinence is another type that is caused by something that can not be necessarily controlled. This occurs when you laugh, cough, sneeze, or lifting heavy objects.
  • There is also a type that is a mixture of any of the above types and conditions. This is why it is necessary to seek the counsel of a doctor for help because with all the different types it can be difficult to figure out a treatment.
  • At some point in our lives we all have to deal with this condition, in ourselves or our loved ones. The best thing you can do is to be supportive and let them know everything will be okay. This will lessen their embarrassment and help them get through this condition faster and easier.

    Flu Shot Safety

    We are getting healthy here at Healthagen. This week we all rolled up our sleeves and got our flu shots. Prior to the scheduled event we had lots of questions, myths and concerns floating around the office so we thought we would re-visit the idea of vaccine safety.

    Vaccines are a great public health success story. The administration of vaccines has eradicated smallpox, nearly ended polio and greatly reduced the outbreaks of measles, pertussis and other illnesses.

    The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states “influenza vaccination is the primary method for preventing influenza and its severe complications.” The year 1580 brought the first known influenza pandemic. Other flu pandemics include: 1889-90 Russian Flu, 1918 Spanish Flu, 1957-58 Asian Flu and 1968-69 Hong Kong Flu. Earliest recorded flu pandemics spread unabated. Over the years physicians and scientists have tried everything from bleeding patients to administering basic palliative care. Finally advances in microbiology allowed the discovery of viral growth in fertilized hens’ eggs in the 1930′s. The US Military approved the first vaccine for influenza to be used during WWII. This is why people with severe (life threatening) allergies to chicken eggs should not be vaccinated.

    In the United States all vaccines must be approved and licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All new vaccines are first put through computer models to predict their effectiveness then they are subject to animal and human clinical trials. When the FDA is satisfied with both the clinical trial results and the proposed labeling for the vaccine they will issue a license. This process for new vaccines can take up to 10 years.

    Fortunately, the seasonal influenza vaccine is different because they do not start from scratch each year. Each year the flu vaccine is reformulated. The World Health Organization (WHO) collects strains from around the world of possible virulent strains that will cause human suffering. From these stains they coordinate the contents of the vaccine for the upcoming year. This is how the seasonal flu vaccine is formulated and manufactured annually. Occasionally the strains mutate at a faster rate than expected and the vaccine “misses” its effectiveness target.

    Vaccines are held to the highest standard of safety. The United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history. Rare side effects and/or delayed reactions may not happen until the vaccine is given to millions of people. As with all vaccination programs the Vaccine Adverse Reporting System (VAERS) will take all reports of health problems that occur after a vaccination.

    If you are suffering from a reaction to a vaccine call your doctor immediately. If the reaction is severe get the person to medical treatment immediately. Ask your doctor or nurse to file a VAERS form documenting your reaction and the circumstances around your vaccination. According to the CDC 30,000 VAERS reports are filed yearly with 10-15% being classified as serious. The FDA and CDC use VAERS data to monitor vaccine safety and conduct research studies.

    Defeating Cancer and Heart Disease BEFORE They Strike

    One of the wisest men in American history was Benjamin Franklin. One of his famous sayings is “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” As wise as that statement was, it is in this day and age an understatement.

    The two leading causes of premature adult death in America are indeed heart disease and cancer. And yet, heart disease and most cancers are preventable. Knowing this, it seems unfathomable to think that most Americans do not take the steps necessary to prevent these two diseases in their own lives and in the lives of their families.

    This is especially true when one considers that good old American enterprise and science has provided helps and means to assist people with achieving this prevention. There are simple steps anyone can take to significantly decrease their risks of heart disease and prevention. Let’s look at them.

    The first thing everyone can do is to increase their soluble fiber intake. Both the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association agree that Americans should be getting between 26 grams and 32 grams of soluble fiber per day in their diet. Studies have shown that people who achieve this significantly reduce their risks of heart disease and cancer (by over 50%!) And yet the average American only gets 12 to 15 grams in their diet.

    Fiber is important in prevention of cancer as it sweeps toxins from the body that would potentially cause free radical absorption and damage that could eventually lead to cancer. Additionally, fiber keeps the colon and intestines clean and safe from cancer development. Eating fermented products such as yogurt, and protecting the digestive system by supplementing pro-biotics is also important.

    It is interesting that fiber is also hugely important in prevention of heart disease. Fiber absorbs lipids and cholesterol produced by the liver, and again keeps it from absorbing into the blood. Healthy intake of fiber helps to control blood sugars, maintain healthy blood pressure, and naturally and significantly lowers cholesterol.

    It is important for people to choose to eat foods high in soluble fiber. High fiber fruits and high fiber vegetables are a must to include in their diets. High fiber cereal is also easy to add to the diet. These are all foods that prevent cancer and heart disease. But it is also important for people to supplement by consuming soluble fiber bars and drinks that are available.

    Another thing everyone can do is to give their bodies what they need to function and heal naturally through supplementation. Taking therapeutic doses of antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and taking targeted broad spectrum antioxidants is now possible to do. Cold water fish oil supplementation is huge in protecting the heart, and supporting brain function.

    There is a lot of science behind these topics, and this article merely scratches the surface in discussing the wellness benefits. It is exciting to know that there are specific things that people can do to be proactive in protecting themselves from these killers! Heart disease articles, and those on prevention of heart disease and cancer can be helpful in discerning what can be done to prevent these diseases.

    Scleroderma Disease

    The scleroderma disease is an autoimmune disorder, and is believed to be caused by errors in the genetic code of the cells. Once the scleroderma starts developing, connective tissues and blood vessels in the body start hardening, and as a result a variety of symptoms start appearing. In 95% of cases the scleroderma affects the skin, but in 5% it affects only internal organs, and as a result has no external symptoms. Scleroderma can be treated with a variety of methods, and recently a new, and completely natural cure was developed. Read on to learn more.

    There are two main types of scleroderma, although both of them can be treated and cured by applying the new cure. The diffuse scleroderma is the more dangerous type, as it can spread extremely quickly and can affect both the skin and internal organs, depending on the physique of the person affected. If you have this type of scleroderma, you should immediately seek help and use a proper cure, in order to eliminate the disease completely. The limited scleroderma is far less dangerous, although it does affect the skin, leading to very visible external symptoms.

    Different methods of treatment for the scleroderma disease

    The most commonly used method of treatment, which modern medicine advocates, although it has proven to be extremely ineffective, and produces significant side effects is the drug therapy. If you are put on this regimen, you ingest pills which are designed to lower the defences of your immune system, which slows down the scleroderma. This method of treatment is still used by many clinics, and the reality is obvious – it is the most profitable one, since patients are required to ingest expensive pills continuously. By lowering the immune system’s effectiveness, harmful objects and bacteria start developing in the body, and in many cases this leads to even more severs symptoms, than those caused by the scleroderma disease. That’s why before you attempt any therapy, you should look for information and make a decision for yourself.

    The second method of treatment is a natural method, designed to kill the nanobacteria, which is the cause of scleroderma. This method of treatment is fairly new, and does not involve drugs. Thus, it can be used by anyone, since the natural ingredients are readily available. This method of treatment is not a magic pill, but has already shown great potential, and thousands of people have already eliminated the scleroderma by applying it.

    Prognosis – What to expect?

    If left untreated, the scleroderma starts spreading, and the average life expectancy of a person, diagnosed with the scleroderma disease is 20-30 years from the date of formation. Those numbers vary highly in individuals, and depend on many factors. If you are reading this article, you have probably already been diagnosed with the disease, so you should take the proper steps to cure the disease, and start living normally again.

    Natural Alternative To Cure Colitis

    There are so many different ways that you might find to be able to cure colitis. Unfortunately for those who suffer from this disorder there is a good chance that the traditional medical procedures have not worked. Many people even find that they are still suffering from symptoms after electing for surgical procedures.

    If you are not getting well it could be a hard thing to accept when this is the only thing that you want. Basically most treatments, even the medical ones, are only able to treat and heal the symptoms that you are suffering rather than also fixing the problems that are causing the symptoms in the first place. There has got to be a way for you to find something to cure your colitis but first you must decide why you have colitis in the first place.

    There are so many causes that can be blamed for colitis. One of the more common causes of the disorder is that you have recently had antibiotics and they have stripped all bacteria, including the good ones, from your intestines. Another common cause is that there has been something in your environment or a problem directly related from food.

    Vaccinations are another possible cause to the damage of the intestinal tract. There can also be severe damage to the intestines from emotional abuse or damages. Plus there is also the chance that you might have had a weakened intestinal tract and parasites and other microorganisms can further cause damage.

    Environmental problems and genetic factors might also be to blame so there are a few other things that you should think about if you have colitis and are searching for a cure. It is very important that you are aware of the health of the mother during pregnancy, any possible genetic weaknesses, if the individual was breastfed, the different metals that might be present inside of the body, other hereditary or genetic issues, whether or not you have had exposure to harmful chemicals and pesticides, and even the mercury that could be found in a tooth filling. So when you are thinking about your colitis you should keep all of these things in mind.

    To find a natural cure you are going to have to know which of the above causes and factors you have been exposed to. The only problem that you might find is that there might need to be more than one treatment. It is important that you remember to have a probiotic treatment after you are on antibiotics.

    The main thing to remember is that you will probably have to treat more than one area if you want to do it naturally. Another good thing to try is a low sugar diet. There are even some great supplements that you can take to be able to improve your health.

    There are some supplements like l-glutamine, slippery elm, licorice, marshmallow root, or aloe vera that can help to cure colitis. Keep in mind that it might take quite some time to be able to find a cure for yourself. When it comes to finding the right balance for your system this is something that might take some time.

    Cholesterol Treatments

    Medication to lower cholesterol levels is widespread. But is it necessary or even wise to take those medications with all those serious side effects? Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in America, according to the American Heart Association. It is estimated that at least 100 million Americans have one or more of the risk factors associated with heart disease. But high cholesterol is still only a risk factor for heart disease, not an actual disease. Why are medications dispensed without first trying safer, more natural methods of bringing cholesterol levels into a healthy range?

    When it comes to cholesterol we have two types, HDL (good) and LDL (bad). The National Institutes of Health recommend the following cholesterol levels:

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    • Total Cholesterol – less than 200 mg/dL
    • LDL Cholesterol – less than 130 mg/dL
    • HDL Cholesterol – 60 mg/dL or more

    Your body needs cholesterol to construct your cell membranes and form many of your hormones. Cholesterol in the body comes from production in the liver or from diet (foods that contain high amounts of saturated fats). Lowering cholesterol naturally begins by reducing the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed by the body. Limiting foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats and taking a proven supplement made with plant sterols and stanols that prevent the absorption of cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol can help you reach a healthy range of cholesterol levels. The plant sterols and stanols in food or supplements are structurally similar to cholesterol and compete for absorption in the intestines. This allows the plant sterol and stanols to bind the receptors in the intestines and reduce the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed by the body and enters the bloodstream.

    Other health factors that affect cholesterol levels include soluble fiber in the gender, age, diet, exercise, and weight loss. Men usually have have higher cholesterol levels than women. However, after menopause, the reduced levels of estrogen can cause women to have elevated cholesterol levels. Everyone should consume at least 25 grams of fiber every day and exercise at least 30 minutes every day. The American Heart Association also recommends limiting dietary cholesterol intake to less than 300mg per day or less than 200mg per day for those with heart disease. Losing ten pounds if you are overweight can have a positive impact on your cholesterol levels as well.

    Controlling cholesterol naturally requires effort aimed at making healthy diet and lifestyle choices. The alternative is taking statins medications with very serious, even life-threatening, side effects. Many healthcare professionals automatically prescribe these medications without offering other, more natural, options. Be sure to discuss all treatment options with your healthcare provider before beginning or changing cholesterol reducing medications. Your life could depend on it!

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