A recent article in The Scientific American offers up even more evidence that saturated fats may not be the culprit linked to heart disease, rather, refined carbohydrates. YES! (This is me fist pumping) I have been preaching this for years, and finally some reprieve.

“Eat less saturated fat” has been the take home message from the US government for the last 30 years and we have listened. While Americans have dutifully reduced caloric intake from saturated fat since the 1970’s, the obesity rate has doubled, diabetes has tripled, and heart disease is still the country’s biggest killer.

It seems that we have implicated the wrong macronutrient this whole time (or, there was too much money to be made on promoting grains as “heart healthy”). In March the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a meta-analysis—which combines data from several studies—that compared the reported daily food intake of nearly 350,000 people against their risk of developing cardiovascular disease over a period of five to 23 years. The analysis found no association between the amount of saturated fat consumed and the risk of heart disease. More recent research indicates that not only is saturated fat NOT bad for you, but carbohydrates (bread, pasta, cookies, cakes) could actually be worse. In numerous studies, those that consumed the most carbohydrates weighed the most, had the highest risk for diabetes (47%) and were more likely to suffer from heart disease.

This is a major breakthrough as I see it in helping disseminate the popular belief that “whole grains are good for you”. I have first hand knowledge, both from personal and clinic practice that the elimination of refined grains is one of the “healthiest” things that someone can do for himself or herself. In addition, making sure to consume enough quality animal fat can help regulate hormonal imbalances and improve energy levels and actually reduce body fat.

“So the next time that bread and butter plops down at the table, consider for a moment that the butter may actually be the more healthful component.”

In Health,

Ben Brown, MS, CSCS

Why is Vitamin D supplementation important?

Because meeting the necessary requirements for daily Vitamin D can provide protection from diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, depression, several autoimmune diseases, and cancers of the breast, prostate, and colon, and is really an integral part in maintaining optimal and therapeutic health!

How do we raise our Vitamin D levels?

There are 2 options for raising Vitamin D levels:

1) Exposure to ultraviolet light: We need our sunshine but unfortunately sunscreen blocks the majority of the UVB rays necessary for Vitamin D production. Also, this is not an option for many that live in colder/rainier climates, especially during the winter months. This can be challenging considering even those that live in sunny climates year round still tend to be deficient.

2) Oral supplementation: This seems to be the most practical option. One of the only major dietary sources of Vitamin D is cod-liver oil, but the amount needed to meet therapeutic doses would be impractical and expensive and could be harmful in the long run. Therefore, oral supplementation with “pure” vitamin D supplements allows the dose to be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

How much do we need?

It’s always necessary to have your Vitamin D levels checked from a qualified health practitioner to identify a baseline level and determine how much supplementation is necessary and should be remeasured periodically. As a general recommendation based on the current literature:

Adults and Pregnant Women: 4000IU’s/day

Infants and Children: 1000IU’s/day as a minimum

How do I know what supplement to look for:

Look for Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and is best purchased from a trusted health practitioner rather than the local drugstore or costco.

For maximum benefit, supplementation should be continued for a minimum of 5-9 months and should be continually remeasured via blood tests from a qualified health practitioner.

If you think you may be Vitamin D deficient or are interested in a quality Vitamin D supplement to help you maintain optimal health, contact Body Systems to discuss your options.

According to an article published in USA Today, clinical studies suggest these medications – coupled with “cutting calories” and exercising – facilitated a weight loss of anywhere between  5 to 15% of initial bodyweight over the course of one year. Additionally, the studies indicate that there were improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar control as well.

The article suggests that by using these medications, doctors could “reduce health care costs by managing the root cause.”

I find it necessary to point out that being overweight or obese is FAR from the root cause of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, poor blood sugar regulation, etc…. It, along with the previously named health conditions, is a SYMPTOM of an underlying hormonal imbalance.

There are several factors to consider when addressing why an individual is overweight or obese:

1. There is absolutely no scientific evidence for the belief that dietary fat is the driver of obesity.
2. Obesity is mostly a hormonal disorder, genetically influenced, in which insulin is a central player.
3. It’s not that people eat too much and don’t exercise because of some defect of will, or behavioral problem; it’s the behavior that is controlled by this hormonal imbalance.
4. Individuals are genetically predisposed to develop obesity if exposed to the kinds of foods that trigger these hormonal imbalances.

Excessive consumption of carbohydrates by a mother with a developing fetus will not only create blood sugar regulation issues in the mother, but it will genetically predispose the developing child to have a diminished ability to tolerate carbohydrate-rich foods. At the present, the level of carbohydrate consumption in the form of sugary drinks, snacks, highly processed grains, etc., are at an all time high and can potentially be seen as the cause of the epidemic of overweight and obese Americans.

The USA Today article suggests that multiple mechanisms are involved in the “biology of obesity” and that it may eventually be necessary for patients to take several medications to lose weight and keep it off.

The “biology of obesity” starts with the way we process the food that we take into our body, 3+ meals per day, 365 days per year. Prescription drugs are not aimed at addressing the “root cause,” but simply offer another allopathic way to treat the symptoms of a much more complex disorder. Until we recognize that real food cannot be manufactured in processing plants and have an extended shelf life, we are doomed to continue to promote a “this for that” health plan.

There is a growing population throughout the world, specifically in the US, that is eating massive amounts of soy due to the belief that it is a healthy meat and dairy substitute. While there is a wealth of research suggesting that soy can be beneficial for human health, Kaayla T. Daniels, renowned nutritionist and PhD, suggests that the scientific evidence is contradictory and inconsistent at best. Dr. Daniels believes that with the majority of today’s highly processed and genetically modified soy products, people of all ages are experiencing a myriad of health problems.

Here are five reasons why soy may not be as healthy as we’re told:

• Overconsumption: Soy is the No. 1 cash crop on the planet! Instead of throwing away the protein remnants from the manufacturing of vegetable (soy) oil, businesses have marketed it as fertilizers, animal feed, and finally, human food. The USDA has regulations on the amount of soy being fed to animals, as studies have indicated multiple health problems in animals when fed too much. However, the USDA has yet to put a limit on human soy consumption, despite the health maladies that many are experiencing, such as hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, and poor mineral and protein absorption.
• Pesticides/Contamination: Since WWII, the processing methods of the soybean have involved extremely high temperature and high-pressure extrusion of the soy protein using hexane solvents and other industrial methods, which are very dangerous for the environment. The average vegetable is sprayed with pesticides/herbicides/fungicides on average 10 times! A very large percentage of soy is genetically modified (GMO) and also has one of the highest percentages of contamination by pesticides of any of our foods.
• Estrogen Issues: Soy has naturally occurring plant estrogens that are not identical to human estrogens, but close enough to fool the body. These estrogens cause a myriad of health problems in people and are potentially linked to early onset puberty, thyroid problems, infertility, as well as many other side effects, depending on the person.
• Mineral Deficiencies: All soy products, GMO or otherwise, contain enzymes called trypsin inhibitors. These plant enzymes –if not properly broken down through slow cooking –can produce serious gastric distress, reduced protein digestion and chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake. Soybeans are also high in phytic acid, a substance that can block the uptake of essential minerals – calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc – in the intestinal tract. Vegetarians who consume tofu and bean curd as a substitute for meat and dairy products risk severe mineral deficiencies. The results of calcium, magnesium and iron deficiency are well known. Only a long period of fermentation will significantly reduce the phytate content of soybeans (miso, tempeh, nato). When precipitated soy products (like tofu) are consumed with meat, the mineral-blocking effects of the phytates are reduced. The Japanese traditionally eat a small amount of tofu or miso as part of a mineral-rich fish broth, followed by a serving of meat or fish, but do not use soy as a staple of their meals as some would suggest.
• False Advertising?: The American Heart Association (AHA) has  said there is no basis for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved claim that soy protein lowers cholesterol and prevents heart disease. Additionally, countries like France and Israel have mandated warning labels on soy products suggesting that it never be fed to babies, used sparingly by those under 18, and adults –especially women at increased risk for infertility and breast cancer –should exercise caution.

Regardless of whether you agree with these claims or not, understand that the negative effects of soy on the human body may far outweigh the positive.

For more information, refer to:

Weston A. Price
Mercola
The Whole Soy Story: Kaayla T. Daniels

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.

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

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)

Those that have food sensitivities have heard of the “rare” allergy to wheat called Celiac Disease, or Celiac Spru. This is the most recognized form of gluten intolerance, identified through blood testing as well as tissue biopsy. The common syptoms associated with Celiac Disease are:

- Severe diarrhea, cramps, bleeding and pain, in addition to steatorrhea (floating oils.fats separated in the stool), severe weight loss and malnourishment.

This Celiac Disease is caused by a genetic Gluten Intolerance, which refers to a reaction to a specific molecule called “Gliadin” that occurs in specific gluten containing foods, but does not occur in all gluten foods.

IMPORTANT

There is a whole other sub-population of people who have gluten intolerance that do NOT have celiac spru, but DO have what’s referred to as SUB-CLINICAL GLUTEN INTOLERANCE.

It is believed that up to 60% of the US population has some degree of gluten intolerance; This can have major devastating effects on health, both short and long-term. And, because it is not a food allergy, can go undiagnosed or remain “hidden” compared to the symptoms one with Celiac Spru would represent.

Gluten Intolerance is a genetic intolerance to the Gliadin molecule: a protein molecule called a polypeptide (long-chain amino acid). If you have this problem, depending on the degree of intolerance and the amount of exposure of gluten containing foods, both daily and throughout your life, the following problems can develop:

• Hidden inflammatory reactions in the small intestines, creating a breakdown of the healthy lining of the tissue
• Diminishing of the mucosal barrier that helps protect against pathogens (compromising the immune system response)
• Can contribute to a “leaky gut”, or increased permeability: foreign proteins from foods can leak through into the blood stream prematurely, as well as other problems such as bad bacteria.
• This will lead to severe malabsorption: inability to get nutrients, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids. Inability to get amino acids, maintain blood sugar.
• Will affect normal digestive processes

It’s extremely important to understand that people who are gluten intolerant will not only be intolerant, but can also develop numerous food reactions that they may or may not be aware of. This applies especially to dairy products, leaving people lactose intolerant. This is because the lacteals (enzymes that help digest lactose) in the small intestines are the first thing to get damaged when inflammation occurs in the small intestines due to gluten intolerance.

Dairy and gluten grain products combine to make up the top six foods we now eat. yet cow’s milk and wheat are two of the most commonly reported allergens in the world. With individuals genetically predisposed to food allergies and gluten sensitivity, eating these same nonancestral, genetically incompatible foods in large quantities day in and day out, is it any wonder that so many people suffer from chronic food sensitivities?

Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity: (Different for every person)

Low Blood pressure, Heartburn, Esophogeal Reflux, Vitamin/Mineral Deficiencies (Anemia), Coughing, Asthma, Shortness of Breath, Allergies, Autoimmune Disease, Digestive Issues, Cancer, Growth retardation, Learning Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Reproductive Problems, Seizures, Lung Disease, Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression.

Foods to avoid:

Gluten-free means avoiding all foods containing gluten, including wheat, rye, spelt, bulgar, semolina, couscous, triticale, and

durum flour. Gluten can be hidden, so read labels carefully. Be wary of modified food starch, dextrin, flavorings and extracts, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, imitation seafood, and creamed or thickened products such as soups, stews, and sauces.

If you believe that you may be sensitive/intolerant to gluten and gluten containing grains, one of the best things you can do is eliminate the aforementioned foods from your diet for a minimum of 60-90 days to allow the healing process to occur within your small intestines. A mini-test can be done for 2-weeks to identify if any specific symptoms diminish, however the full 2-3 months is an absolute must for true healing to take place. This includes elimination of processed dairy products as these too will cause inflammation and are best left out of the diet for the duration of the healing process. NOTE: Raw milk products are usually acceptable as they often contain beneficial bacteria to help aid in the digestive healing process.

Just because the conventional medical community has not yet recognized sub-clinical gluten intolerance does not mean is is not pervasive within our society. This is due to absent or no-specific symptoms early in the diease process as well as human bias rooted in history and psychology, accompanied by a universal reluctance to embrace radically new information. “Acceptance of new ideas is often coupled with the recognition of having been fundamentally wrong all along – a difficult admission for anyone” (Braley and Hogan, Dangerous Grains)

For additional information regarding Gluten Intolerance:

http://www.celiac.com

http://www.glutenfree.com

http://www.glutenfreeliving.com

Book: Dangerous Grains by Braly and Hoggan

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~ Ben Brown

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• Nutritional Guidelines
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• and much more!

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Thank you,

Ben Brown