Talk About Intolerance!!!

Gut Level Intolerance

Naaah... I'm not talking about the other "intolerance" issue here. What I am talking about is much deeper as it occurs in our guts! 

Have you ever heard of LACTOSE Intolerance? Yep! It's that condition where individuals who have it cannot properly digest food items that contain lactose. LACTOSE is a sugar that's naturally found in milk and other dairy products. An enzyme called "lactase" is necessary to break down this kind of sugar. However, some individuals don't produce enough lactase and thus, leave them vulnerable to lactose. 

The symptoms of Lactose Intolerance are easy to identify, though they vary greatly. These symptoms oftentimes occur between 30 minutes and 2 hours after consuming dairy products. Some may experience mild symptoms and others might experience very severe ones. 

What to look for...

The usual GI symptoms accompany Lactose Intolerance. Bloating, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach ache may be manifested a few minutes to a couple of hours after ingesting dairy products.

 These symptoms occur always immediately after ingestion of dairy products. If you have symptoms sporadically throughout the week and have not consumed any dairy, then your GI issues may be caused by something else other than Lactose Intolerance.

Pay close attention to your food labels. Anything that might have lactose could trigger the symptoms accompanying lactose intolerance. Eliminating these things from your diet or substituting it with a Lactose-free item may greatly help prevent any intolerance episodes.

What Scientists Say

A July 1999 article submitted to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by researchers at the Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Quebec indicates that the benefits of probiotics for lactose intolerance may depend on the specific species of lactobacilli -- other than L. acidophilus -- as well as the duration of exposure to the probiotic. Researchers concluded that while probiotics may benefit people with lactose intolerance, prebiotics -- which NCCAM describes as food ingredients that encourage "growth or activity" of microorganisms already in your intestines -- may ultimately be more effective.

Probiotic Supplement Cautions

Probiotics in cultured and fermented foods and beverages such as yogurt, tempeh, miso and soy drinks, have been consumed for centuries, NCCAM points out. Probiotic supplements, on the other hand, are classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as dietary supplements, not drugs. Dietary supplements cannot claim to treat or cure a specific condition. NCCAM states that probiotics research is still in the early stages, and far more studies need to be conducted to determine the health benefits and safety of probiotics, especially in children and the elderly population. Before you take probiotic supplements for lactose intolerance, talk with your physician.

Sources:

http://blog.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/2013/07/03/5-signs-you-might-be-lactose-intolerant/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/250580-probiotics-dairy-intolerance/#ixzz2Y907yqhC

Testing For Candida Overgrowth

Testing 1, 2, 3...

Candida albicans is a yeast organism that is part of our "normal" flora in the body. They are commonly found in the skin or mucous membranes. As mentioned in my previous post, Candida is harmless when the body's internal environment is balanced. But there are many factors in today's medical approach to managing health problems that push this homeostasis to the limits, and may even leave it imbalanced.

Overgrowth of candida is caused by stress, use of antibiotics, steroids and oral contraceptives. The medical doctors of today who acknowledge the problem of Candida overgrowth attest that anyone who has a significant history of using the above mode of treatments will most likely have candida overgrowth.

This overgrowth in the gut then leads to a myriad of symptoms in today's modern health problems.

Although the use of antibiotics is a determining factor for current Candida overgrowth, there are several ways to diagnostically identify the presence of Candida overgrowth in a person's body.

1. The (Controversial) Candida Spit Test

         

The Candida Spit Test is the most common, yet controversial, test you'll encounter when talking about Candida Overgrowth. It is a very simple test that one can perform at home and this is how you perform it.

                     The candida saliva test has been around for years and has been the run-to test for most practicing naturopath. But there are whispers and raised eyebrows that accompany this test as some do not believe it as a reliable test for Candida. There are people who pass the test but do have candida overgrowth, and some that don't really have candida overgrowth could show a positive in this test. Some say this test was solely made up by a health company that sells candida overgrowth treatment.

                 Although there are a lot of controversies behind this test, the Saliva test is accepted by some medical doctors to test for candida overgrowth. The reason behind the reliability of the test is that Candida overgrowth changes the consistency of the mucus secretions in the body as they overgrow in the areas that are lined with mucous membranes. Candida overgrowth changes the consistency of the mucus making it result in the above pictures if you do have the condition. It may not be the most reliable test there is for Candida, but it is a test you can perform nevertheless.

2. Gluten Intolerance Test

The NY Times recently published an article about being "Gluten Free" whether we need it or not. There are a number of individuals who are intolerant to gluten and are sensitive enough to exhibit adverse gastrointestinal reactions when they take in gluten in their diet. The Gluten Intolerance Test is used to identify this problem by showing an increase in "gut permeability."

Electron microscopy shows that yeast mycelium are capable of penetrating the gut lumen and contributing to gut leakage. The end result of such an occurrence is the passage of macromolecules, including but not limited to gluten. The presence of gluten antibodies in a blood serum test, therefore are more apt to prove yeast induced gut permeability than gluten sensitivity.

3. Candida Antibody IgG

4. Candida Antibody Panel (measures IgA, IgG, IgM antibodies against Candida albicans)

Symptoms related to Candida overgrowth are generally caused by an overstimulation of the immune system. When the immune system overacts, it produces elevated antibody levels which can be measured with a blood test.

The Candida IgG Antibody Test is a good starting point for anyone who things that Candida is causing a past or current infection. An elevated IgG antibody to Candida albicans is suggestive of a past or current Candida infection.

An elevated IgA antibody level is suggestive of a Candida albicans infection in you mucus membranes. An elevated IgG antibody level will identify a past or ongoing infection. An elevated IgM antibody level will identify a current, acute infection (generally after you were first exposed).

Normal levels will be <30 or undetectable. 

***This information is for educational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in any way. This site does not replace the services of licensed health care professionals and all site users should consult with a physician regarding their health concerns.




Sources:

http://www.knowthecause.com/index.php/doug-s-blog/1434-gluten-test-is-a-fungus-test
http://www.accesalabs.com/toxin