Heal Yourself REGULAR: Digestive Health

TAKE THIS QUICK QUIZ: Does this sound like YOU?

• I have symptoms IMMEDIATELY AFTER eating, such as belching, gas, reflux or heartburn, bloating, sneezing, or hives.
• I have symptoms that ARE DELAYED for over 24 hours or more after I eat certain foods, such as fatigue, muscle aches, sinus congestion, etc.
• I feel MUCH WORSE after I eat a lot of ONE or MORE of the following categories: High fat foods; High protein foods; High carbohydrate foods (bread, pasta, potatoes); Refined sugars, white sugar, sweets, desserts; Fried foods; or 1 or more Alcoholic drinks.
• I CRAVE certain foods and find myself BINGING on the same items frequently.
• Sometimes when I eat I feel like the food is sitting “like a big ball” in my gut, and I have pain associated with digestion.
• I have taken multiple courses of antibiotics in my life, have been on birth control pills, or have taken steroids (like prednisone or Medrol).
• I have taken the following Acid-Blocking Drugs on a regular or prolonged basis:  Proton Pump Inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, Nexium, Prilosec, etc.), H2 Blockers (Pepcid, Zantac, famotidine, ranitidine, etc.) or Antacids like Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, etc.
• I have been diagnosed with ONE or MORE of the following conditions:  IBS, Colitis, Migraines, Fibromyalgia, Asthma/Allergies, Chronic Sinusitis, Chronic Fatigue, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hypothyroid, Hormonal Disruption, Mood Swings and Brain Fog.
• I have frequent or chronic skin issues including ONE or MORE of the following:  ACNE, Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea, Rashes, or Hives.

If YOU answered YES to any or ALL of the above questions, YOU may have hidden FOOD INTOLERANCES that are making you sick, tired, and even FAT!  Heal Yourself REGULAR may be right for YOU!

Food Intolerance/Sensitivity Testing

Inflammation and chronic activation of  the immune system due to food intolerances has been linked to: digestive disorders, migraines, obesity and weight gain, chronic fatigue, ADD/ADHD, aching joints, skin disorders, arthritis, and autism… just to name a few.  Diet plays a role in preventing a wide range of degenerative diseases and premature aging.  Sometimes exposure to common foods, chemicals and molds can trigger chronic activation of the immune system.  Dr. Lori will provide you with comprehensive test results presented in an easy to understand, color-coded format.  The report highlights your incompatible foods and the level of each reaction (severe, moderate or mild), and “safe” foods you can eat.  Hippocrates said, “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.”

Schedule your Initial Consultation with Dr. Lori in person, via phone or Skype to discuss which food intolerance test is the right fit for you.  Once you have scheduled your test, you will have the convenience of a mobile lab draw sent directly to your home!  When the results are received you will get 30-minutes of 1:1 time with Dr. Lori to review your findings and answer questions.  Take the guesswork out of elimination diets and have your food intolerance results in only 14-20 days!  Panels vary in price depending on the level of program you purchase with prices starting at $350.

FAQ:

DO I HAVE A FOOD INTOLERANCE?

MAYBE.  If you took the quiz and answered YES to any or all of the questions, you may have hidden food intolerances that are making you sick, tired, and even fat!  Food intolerances are different that a “true food allergy” in the TYPE of reaction you may have, and in the TIMING of the reaction.

What is the difference between a FOOD ALLERGY and a FOOD INTOLERANCE?

A FOOD ALLERGY is an immune response from the body to an otherwise harmless food item.  It is typically an immediate adverse reaction to food, within 30 minutes of ingestion, which can be as minor as a rash or hives, or can be severe or life-threatening by causing your throat to swell and close your airways, as in an anaphylactic reaction.  This is like children who have a peanut-allergy or an adult with a shellfish allergy.  These can be detected with a traditional skin test through your allergist or primary care physician.

A FOOD INTOLERANCE or FOOD SENSITIVITY does not cause an immediate immune response, and is usually “dose-related” meaning the more you eat the worse the reaction. It affects around 20% of adults versus just 1-4% who have true food “allergies”.   It is typically caused by having tiny “holes” in your gut from a condition called “leaky gut”.  Because food can get into your blood, your body will create an immune-mediated response and attack the food particle, thus in turn create antibodies against the food.  That means  when you eat that same food again, your body sees the food as “enemy” and will react as such.  When attack mode is initiated, you will experience symptoms typically delayed in nature, and you may not see these symptoms for hours or even up to 3-4 days later.  You may experience gas, bloating, distention, migraines, rash, hives, nasal congestion or runny nose, constipation or diarrhea, and multiple other symptoms.  If you continue to eat foods you are reacting to you may note unexplained weight gain or the sudden inability to lose weight, strange or intense cravings, excessive thirst or constant hunger, migraines and headaches, itchy skin, hives, rashes, acne, itchy/puffy eyes, respiratory issues like asthma or persistent cough, increased stomach pain, constipation, bloating, nausea, increased fatigue, insomnia, achy joints and muscles, sensitivity to light/noise/smells, depression and mood issues, lack of focus and “brain fog”, and many more symptoms.

Can’t I just eliminate gluten, dairy and sugar and get the same results?  MAYBE.  There is not a solid black or white answer to this question.  Elimination of the top offending foods like wheat, milk, refined sugar, soy, corn, eggs, peanuts, and shellfish may help alleviate your symptoms and are implicated in a majority of food intolerances.  HOWEVER, many individuals have other intolerances that they cannot identify with general food  elimination and these can include many foods, food additives and molds hidden in foods.  For instance, I have a severe intolerance to SHALLOTS and CHICKEN, several molds that lurk in certain foods, and ALL of the “gums” that are added to foods like xanthan gum, guar gum, and carrageenan.  These are not on the “most offensive” food list.  I have clients who are severely intolerant to carrots, strawberries, spinach and brewer’s yeast!  Take the guesswork out of lengthy food elimination programs and have your results within 14-20 days so you can begin your targeted food elimination immediately.

Are food intolerances permanent?  NO.  If you have your personal comprehensive blood test results and are aware of the foods that contain the allergens, you can strictly adhere to the removal of the offending foods that are damaging your precious gut lining.  In turn, you can actually HEAL your stomach from the inflammation.  Some cells that line the digestive tract are replaced in about three days.  However, full improvement requires healing the gut which can take months and even longer to regain a fully intact digestive and immune system.  Over time you will likely lessen the severity of the reaction and you can be totally free of sensitivities.  Be in it for the long-haul, as the process can take a LONG time… but it is SO WORTH IT!!!

FOOD INTOLERANCE AND WEIGHT GAIN

CAN FOOD INTOLERANCES CONTRIBUTE TO WEIGHT GAIN?

YES!  We have the greatest medical science in the world, yet much of today’s research tells us as a whole, we’re getting fatter and sicker!  A study was conducted at Columbia/HCA Medical Center’s Sports Medicine and Performance Center in Houston and Baylor Medical College.  100 overweight patients who had at least 2 other health problems, such as migraines and chronic tiredness, were studied.  This 4-week trial studied the impact of food intolerances on obesity and other common health problems, and showed extraordinary results.  The 50 participants who eliminated foods identified by a simple blood test measuring adverse reactions in their bodies lost not just body weight but body fat.  In fact, these subjects lost an average of nearly 3 POUNDS of fat and gained almost 1 POUND of lean muscle.  The 50 “control” subjects who followed their own weight loss plans, gained an average of 1 POUND of fat and lost almost 1 POUND of lean muscle.  Overall the lean-to-fat ratio showed a 6 POUND difference at the end of the 4-week trial.  These findings are highly statistically significant.  In fact, when all studies were combined, the anticipated weight loss by identifying hidden food sensitivities and delayed food reactions and strictly adhering to food intolerance testing is 0.5-1 POUND PER WEEK!

Personally, I have experienced the “side effect” of weight loss in my own health struggles with food intolerances.  I was able to pinpoint my major offending foods, like dairy, wheat, refined sugar, and then further identified intolerances through delayed-food sensitivity blood testing. I found additional reactivity to peppers, beef, strawberries, chicken, and dozens more foods.  I did a complete elimination of all the foods on my list and was able to lose 10 pounds in 1 month without effort!  All it took was discipline on my part of staying strict with my new nutrition regimen.  Other HYB clients have also noted incredible results by targeted food elimination citing a 4 pound weight loss in 3 days, and another client lost 6.5 pounds in 2 weeks… just with food modification!

FOOD INTOLERANCE AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

CAN FOOD INTOLERANCES ADVERSELY AFFECT ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE?

YES!  Food is a crucial part of an athlete’s preparation, competition and recovery strategies.  Would you believe that athletes as a whole are more susceptible to symptoms of food sensitivities due to the constant stress of training (sometimes overtraining), that ultimately taxes the immune system?  Basically, if you increase the amount of stress on the body you will won’t be able to handle potentially inflammatory foods as well.  Did you know that GI complaints are among the most common and frequent complaints in endurance athletes?

Athletic performance is not just dependent on eating healthy, it is about eating the foods that are best for YOUR body and providing YOUR body with the most optimal nutrients it needs for high performance.  The last thing you want to do is sabotage your own efforts by “feeding the problem” rather than eliminating the issue.  The solution is to determine which foods provoke your body’s immune system and then make the dietary changes to avoid them.

Food intolerances cause inflammation:  You may experience more muscle tiredness, achy joints, migraines and delayed recovery post-exercise.  You may notice you feel more fatigued in general and have the urge to take a nap, and have a sense that you are “overdoing it”.  If your body is inflamed you may not be absorbing nutrients adequately which sets you up for an increased risk in a depressed immune system (you get more colds and the flu).  Inflammation decreases your oxygen capacity in your lungs making it harder to breathe.  And finally, inflammation is directly related to WEIGHT GAIN… which is in direct opposition of our athletic efforts.  Modifying your diet based upon your results could potentially boost your energy levels, help with weight loss, lessen your recovery time after exercise and may even improve sleep!

Can food intolerances create nutrient deficiencies?  YES!  Common food intolerances that are related to gut symptoms like gas, bloating, nausea, cramping and diarrhea, can all affect how well nutrients are digested and absorbed, thus impacting your energy levels and sport performance.  Many times individuals will attempt to pinpoint the food issue by simply cutting out foods or major food groups to help alleviate symptoms, however without a targeted individualized food elimination list, avoiding even one major food group without guidance and sound nutritional advice from a professional can lead to nutrient deficiencies, especially over extended periods of time.  This is why I encourage food intolerance testing with athletes, rather than a general food elimination program without the blood test.

Is the Food Intolerance Test right for ME as an athlete?  YES!  If you are looking for a way to have the extra “edge” and want to look your best, feel your best and perform your best, then testing for food intolerances may be the right fit for you.  This is especially crucial if you are symptomatic and can’t seem to pinpoint what is causing bothersome health issues.

Are some sport foods more reactive than others?  YES.  Whether it is a matter of convenience, or to optimize your performance with supplementation with an added “boost” in nutrients/caffeine/protein, certain foods can cause more gut distress than others.  Although you will have varied test results and food eliminations, here is a general list of ingredients found in sports foods that can be an issue for some athletes:

• Nuts, oats, skim milk powder, cocoa powder, natural flavor (usually MSG), malt, barley, gluten, fructose, aspartame, agave, maltodextrin, whey, casein, brown rice syrup, sucralose, guar gum, xanthan gum, maltitol, soy protein isolate, preservatives, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, cola nut, ginger, oligosaccharides, xylitol, erythritol, sugar alcohols, vegetable oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil
• Energy gels and drinks are loaded with FRUCTOSE, which can cause digestive issues in about 30% of Caucasians!

Top Athletes Utilize Food Intolerance Testing to Maximize Performance:

An ever growing list of professional athletes are looking into the role of food intolerances on athletic performance and are trying  to pinpointing their personalized offending foods rather than trialing  the eliminations.

• Drew Brees, NFL’s New Orleans Saints: “Everything I do as an athlete, I think about maximizing performance.  So anything I put in my body, I think about ‘how’s this going to help me perform at the highest level?’ And, ‘how’s it going to help me recover the fastest?’ If you have an allergy to certain types of food and you are putting those into your body, your body is constantly fighting those foods as opposed to repairing muscle and helping you with recovery or performance.”
• Dave Gauder, 22 Guinness World Strength Record Holder: “After taking the test, I have more strength. When I would normally take a rest after workouts in the afternoon, I can carry straight through the day and no need or desire to stop for a break.  I recommend it to anyone looking for that edge on the competition and for good health in general.”
• David Ortiz, MLB’s Boston Red Sox: “I can feel the difference when I swing the bat, and when I work out, I don’t get as tired.”  He also noted that he lost 20 pounds in two months based on his results which found he was intolerant to crazy foods like chicken, grouper and shrimp!
• JJ Redick, NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers: “Diet plays a key role in reaching peak performance, the test showed me what foods were right for me.”
• Steve Nash, NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers: Noted that he adopted a “secret diet” in 2009 built around his test results that showed intolerances to dairy, gluten, onions, tomatoes, and wheat.
• Cliff Floyd, Retired MLB’s San Diego Padres: “I took the test and immediately told myself that if this is right for me I will do this by the book.  I had a severe reaction to hazelnut and then some moderate reactions to some other foods.  I cut those foods out, cut all sugar out for a month and immediately lost 35 pounds.”
• Justin Morneau, MLB’s Colorado Rockies: “I took the test, as athletes are always seeking new ways to enhance performance, and diet plays an essential role in their ability to do so.  It’s not like I’ll choke or die from eating those things, but my body reacts poorly to them.  It treats them as something I’m allergic to and fights the inflammation instead of the inflammation from an injury.”  He also noted he lost 14 pounds in 30 DAYS after he cut out dairy, gluten and sugars based off his results.
• Christian Mayer, World Champion Skier: “Within just 4 weeks of taking the test and following the food plan, I lost 5 kg (11 pounds), my stuffy nose and throat problem has completely cleared up, and I now have tremendously more strength during training.”
• Andrea Brede, European Ironman Champion: “With the test, I have found a strong partner that helps me to have a better general condition and willingness to reach an optimized performance.”
• David Booth, NHL’s Florida Panthers: “The test has helped me to be more alert and vigilant during my games and has helped improve my speed and performance.”

FOOD INTOLERANCE AND SKIN HEALTH

CAN FOOD INTOLERANCES AFFECT YOUR SKIN?  YES!  ABSOLUTELY!  Being self-conscious about your skin is a fact of life for millions of individuals who suffer from skin conditions like severe acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, urticaria, angioedema, itching, rashes and hives.  Even CELLULITE which plagues women everywhere is closely linked to food intolerances.  But did you know that the suffering associated with these very puzzling skin conditions could be prevented through elimination of the foods that are causing this reaction?  Guesswork alone will not help you find out which foods, chemicals, and other substances you should not eat.  While I am unable to have dairy and sugar, another client may not be able to chicken and cinnamon.  Results are highly individual!

Can elimination of food intolerances help with my ACNE?  YES!  Severe acne is one of the “side effects” of multiple food reactions I personally experienced.  After thousands of dollars in topical skin treatments, lotions, creams, gels, microdermabrasion, and even several rounds of laser therapy… I was faced with drug therapy with antibiotics (which destroyed my gut).  When antibiotics failed, my dermatologist offered the last resort of Accutane, which I absolutely was NOT having any part of!  I only wish I had known that the reason my skin was so “angry” was because I had a severe intolerance to DAIRY and REFINED SUGAR (which I found through the food intolerance test)!  Simple elimination of these specific foods/food groups led to complete elimination of cystic acne within less than two months!  Although research has only shown just over 50% reduction in acne improvement, my experience has shown a much higher number in successful eradication of unsightly and painful acne by avoiding reactive foods.  This number significantly increases when you combine food elimination with “gut healing” regimens.  Remember, what manifests on the outside is an indicator of what is going on in the inside!

Could TEEN ACNE be linked to food intolerances and not just “puberty”?  YES.  85% of teens suffer from acne, and nearly 50% of American men and women have acne into their third decade of life.  Dairy, junk food, meat and egg proteins increase the activity of a specific enzyme linked to acne and obesity.  What was once just “theory”, has now been proven with SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE that milk and dairy products DO enhance acne aggravation.  Another indicator that food may be linked to your teen’s acne is the presence of severe fatigue.  Both acne and fatigue could be signaling that the gut is not working “right” and that they may have an overgrowth of bad bacteria that compounds the issue further.  The best solution for your teen is to invest in food intolerance testing to see if targeted food elimination may help alleviate symptoms, and ultimately decrease the facial scarring that can occur from the acne.