Holistic Nutrition Bytes--San Francisco Nutrition Consultation » bloating

Click Here for Our FREE Tele-Seminar on Digestive Issues

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:41:53 +0000

Did you miss our live call tonight? If you have heartburn, bloating, candida, or suffer from constipation, click this link for a free tele-seminar with holistic nutritionists Karen Diggs and myself. We discuss problems & solutions:

http://tinyurl.com/yguada8

Learn This Trick To Get Rid of Your Digestive Woes

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:28:00 +0000

FREE tele-seminar on Monday, October 19, 2009
We’ll address the top 3 digestive complaints and how to get rid of them for good! Plus, bonus tips you can use right away to get on the good digestion path. This call is for you if you struggle with heartburn, bloating, irregularity, or indigestion. The call will be recorded if you miss it, but joining the call live gives you the opportunity to ask us your questions!

Time: 7:00 pm, Pacific Daylight Time (San Francisco, GMT-07:00)
Call-in: 1 866 699 3239
Access Code: 579 262 569
You can also attend on-line: http://karendiggs.webex.com/karendiggs/j.php?ED=132456427&UID=0&PW=NYzIyMWU2NzM5&RT=MiM0
Password: Cleanse

SAD vs Whole Foods

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:40:43 +0000

Along the lines of evolution we regressed from eating the Paleolithic diet of meat, vegetables, occasional fruits, seeds, and nuts to eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) of processed convenience foods filled with chemicals and sugar. Is it any wonder that our medical system here in the U.S. is the most advanced in the world, yet disease rates are higher than ever? Diabetes, most cancers, and heart disease take root as a result of poor diet. Let’s take a look at the typical SAD vs a day of eating healthful whole foods. How does your diet stack up?

Standard American Diet (SAD)

nothing green in this meal.

Breakfast: coffee with pasteurized cream and refined sugar, pastry or muffin
Lunch: roast beef deli sandwich on white bread with mayo, potato chips, diet coke
snack: roasted almond snack pack, twizzlers
Dinner: pasta with meat sauce, baguette, iceberg lettuce salad with ranch dressing, 2 glasses white wine
dessert: chips ahoy chocolate chip cookies

The above day’s diet plan is comprised of nearly all processed foods, from the processed deli meat and mayo to the breads and pasta made with refined white flour. Many folks think they’re making a good choice in drinking diet sodas, but the aspartame is as harmful as corn syrup! And iceberg lettuce is not salad – it’s devoid of nutrients and is basically a carrier for pesticides. Roasting nuts destroys their natural oils, and cottonseed oil is a toxic, cheap oil often used in processed foods and snacks. This diet is low in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals and is high in sugar and chemicals that actually leach nutrients from the body.

Let’s see how a nutrient-rich diet stacks up.

this is actually salmon, but you get the picture.

Breakfast: fruit smoothie with unpasteurized whey protein powder, ground flax, green tea
snack: handful raw almonds, small plain yogurt with cinnamon
Lunch: kale and white beans sauteed in coconut oil, herb-roasted chicken breast over brown rice or red potatoes, kombucha or hot tea
Dinner: large mixed green salad with seasonal roasted vegetables, cod roasted with sesame oil, cultured vegetables, 1 glass of red wine (optional)
dessert: date or sesame cookies

Here’s the thing: the SAD is filled with skeletonized foods that actually leave you feeling unsatisfied or craving more, as they do not have the nutrients or fiber your body needs to feel sated. The above meal plan maintains stable blood sugar, has probiotics and fiber for gut health, minerals, antioxidants, good quality proteins and fatty acids. Plus, you’ll consume less calories and get more bang for your buck. Expect a stable mood and good energy. Yes, feeling irritable and having energy crashes throughout the day results from your diet.

If you’re consuming a lot of processed foods, start by adding in whole foods one meal at a time until you’ve made over your whole day. You’ll notice a difference!

Q&A: Digestive Disturbance

admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:36:07 +0000

Q: I experience frequent and uncomfortable bloating and gas, usually in the afternoons/evenings. What is causing this, and how can I relieve it?

A: There are a number of factors that may contribute to gas and digestive upset. Physiologically speaking, the source of excess gas is usually intestinal bacteria. Your gut is home to billions of bacteria, some beneficial, some not. This bacteria produce gas, sometimes excessively, as they digest food. Certain foods may trigger more intestinal gas: dairy, certain sugars, hard-to-digest foods such as corn or wheat, and some vegetables, such as the crucifers (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower). In addition, low stomach acid can cause gas and bloating because food is not properly digested.

Food allergies are another source of gas and bloating. The most common food allergens are soy, dairy, eggs, shellfish, nuts, citrus, and wheat. Consuming these foods if you are sensitive or allergic to them may cause bloating or gas. Consider having a healthcare practitioner test you for food allergies. The ALCAT test is the most accurate, and it requires a blood draw, but there are finger prick tests available that you can complete in your own home. You can also perform your own food allergy elimination diet.

As I mentioned earlier, gut bacteria play a big role in digestion and possible production of excess gas. Your good gut bacteria and bad gut bacteria should exist symbiotically, but if the bad outweigh the good (dysbiosis) as a result of poor diet or antibiotic use, symptoms such as candida, gas, or bloating may result. Try a probiotic supplement, eat a whole foods diet and include plenty of fermented foods, and eliminate refined sugar and alcohol. Parasites or bacterial infections can contribute to dysbiosis, gas, and bloating, so consider a parasite test or cleanse.

To summarize: determine your food allergies, test for parasites, correct dysbiosis, and reduce sugar and refined foods in favor of a whole foods diet. Consider a digestive enzyme supplement to help your digestive tract break down foods. Choose one with HCl to normalize your stomach acid – low stomach acid is very common and worsens with age. Try ginger tea or bitters before and after meals to aid digestion. Fennel, mint, and wormwood (artemesia) work well too.

To correct gas and bloating immediately, the most effective aid is oil of oregano. Choose the oil-based tincture with a carvacrol concentration of at least 70 percent. Oil of oregano deserves its own post (hmmm, note to self). It’s a remarkable herb and a powerful digestive aid and can quell bloating and stop gas almost immediately: dispense 4-5 drops on the tongue and follow with a shot of water. It’s strong! Repeat as needed.

A long answer to a short question! Good luck.