Sugar, Commercials, and ADD

A while back I had a discussion with a professor who felt there is nothing wrong with sugar, particularly High Fructose Corn Syrup. I felt she had been watching those commercials on TV paid by the Sugar Association of America, rather than reading the latest medical and nutritional journals. Are you also getting your health information from the former?

No, there isn’t anything wrong with sugars that are found in Mother Nature’s unprocessed foods. Our cell membranes in each cell and vital cell pathways like protein DNA functions must have the right sugars, (Glycosylation, Glycobiology—J. Science, cover issue March 23^rd 2001[1]) fats and proteins. The problem is refined and processed foods. They basically hinder optimal function at the cellular level.

But, if you still believe that Big Food has your best interest at heart, rather than profits at all costs, I will say no more, but merely hope that reading the latest article on this subject may have an impression on you:

Effects of high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose on thepharmacokinetics of fructose and acute metabolic and hemodynamic responses inhealthy subjects,                                                     Journal Metabolism Clinical and Experimental 2012;61:641

“Blood pressure, heart rate, fructose, and a variety of other metabolic biomarkers were measured. Fructose area under the curve and maximum concentration, dose-normalized glucose area under the curve and maximum concentration, relative bioavailability of glucose, changes in postprandial concentrations of serum uric acid, and systolic blood pressure maximum levels were higher when HFCS-sweetened beverages were consumed as compared with sucrose-sweetened beverages. Compared with sucrose, HFCS leads to greater fructose systemic exposure and significantly different acute metabolic effects.”

Translation: processed sugars like HFCS make you fat.

For more information read my book “LICKING SWEET DEATH: Energy & Information to stop sugar-coating your addiction to processed food.”[2]

Exhibit A: ADD and the brain

Last month I saw a patient that will not soon fade from memory. While I have seen many cases like hers before, her presentation was so unique and the results so dramatic that I thought I would share her story with you: B_______ is a 7 year old little princess who came in with her mom. She wondered about my skull on the shelf. “That is from a kid who would not buckle up in the car.” Then her attention shifted to my leather-bound antique books. “They are in French. Would you like to read one?” “Yes.” So, she sat there while I took the initial history from her mother who had come in to see me for the first time the month before. Mom, with a change in diet (no processed foods) and a few supplements, got rid of constipation, food allergies and migraines. She had asked back then if her little girl, B____, could do the diet, too.

After some initial drama, B_____ also got rid of processed foods. By the time I saw her as a new patient she had overcome her allergies, asthma and constipation. But, most important of all, her ADD, which was confirmed by her Pediatrician and school teacher, was totally gone. B_____ is now scoring very high in reading comprehension and has avoided Special Ed for “learning disabilities.” Her mother also related that she had been upset that the only treatment offered before was 2 psychiatric medications.

While I was typing all the above in her chart, B______ remained absorbed in Rousseau, occasionally lifting her head to ask what some word meant…..

You may be interested in a study that just came out: HFCS diet impairs cognitive function. This is reversed by supplementing Omega oils. This protocol has also been shown to be helpful in military PTSD.[3]

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[1] J. Science 2001;291:2263-25

[2]Shameless plug….. www.amazon.com

[3] J. of Physiology May 1^st 2012

A Gut Feeling

~Hugo Rodier, MD

Since graduating from Medical School in 1984 and more so after becoming a member of the MA’s Environmental/Public Health committee over 10 years ago I have studied Energy issues documented in Medical and Physics journals. It has become clear to me and many of my colleagues that not only societal but health issues revolve around the concept of ENERGY.[1] The physicist David Deutsch even predicted that doctors would make significant breakthroughs in treating patients by applying Physics’ concepts in their practices.[2] Some authors have even compared our society’s use of energy to our own somatic cells.[3] Erwin Schrodinger, one of the founders of Quantum Physics defined life as the ability to metabolize Energy and Information.[4]. Last February, the journal Scientific American highlighted this concept on its cover issue.

Having dedicated my professional life to nutrition, and seeing a significant number of my patients overcome health problems that are relevant to all medical specialists, I have come to believe that how we process Energy and Information at the cellular level (the mitochondria and metabolism) is the key to maintaining health. To optimize this function we must eat whole, plant based foods, eschew toxic agents in our environment (food included,[5]) and have a healthy gut.[6] These simple themes are highlighted in our medical literature with increasing frequency.[7]

In my opinion the March 16^th issue of the Journal Cell contains a most compelling summary. Since “evidence” is the guiding light in our profession, let me step out of the way and quote the abstracts of 3 outstanding articles:

1. The Impact of the Gut Microbiota on Human Health: An Integrative View.[8] “The human gut harbors diverse microbes that play a fundamental role in the well-being of their host. The constituents of the microbiota—bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotes—have been shown to interact with one another and with the host immune system in ways that influence the development of disease. We review these interactions and suggest that a holistic approach to studying the microbiota that goes beyond characterization of community composition and encompasses dynamic interactions between all components of the microbiota and host tissue over time will be crucial for building predictive models for diagnosis and treatment of diseases linked to imbalances in our microbiota.”

2. Cellular Metabolism and Disease: What Do Metabolic Outliers Teach Us?[9] “An understanding of metabolic pathways based solely on biochemistry textbooks would underestimate the pervasive role of metabolism in essentially every aspect of biology. It is evident from recent work that many human diseases involve abnormal metabolic states—often genetically programmed—that perturb normal physiology and lead to severe tissue dysfunction. Understanding these metabolic outliers is now a crucial frontier in disease-oriented research. This Review discusses the broad impact of metabolism in cellular function and how modern concepts of metabolism can inform our understanding of common diseases like cancer and also considers the prospects of developing new metabolic approaches to disease treatment.”

3. Mitochondria: In Sickness and in Health.[10] “Mitochondria perform diverse yet interconnected functions, producing ATP and many biosynthetic intermediates while also contributing to cellular stress responses such as autophagy and apoptosis. Mitochondria form a dynamic, interconnected network that is intimately integrated with other cellular compartments. In addition, mitochondrial functions extend beyond the boundaries of the cell and influence an organism's physiology by regulating communication between cells and tissues. It is therefore not surprising that mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as a key factor in a myriad of diseases, including neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders.”

In short, a healthy gut flora, a result of a plant based diet high in fiber and low in additives and refinement,[11] is of paramount importance to our metabolism, which ultimately takes place in the mitochondria.[12] By optimizing our patients’ nutrition and gut health we may resolve, not just mitigate 80% of the health problems we see in our clinics, according to doctors like Walter Willet. Dr. Willet’s Public Health approach has been amply documented in the Journal of the American Medical Association and his own publications.[13] But, as the saying goes, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating:” I have also observed an 80% cure rate in my practice when patients buy into these simple concepts.

“Doctors routinely measure chemicals in the body to get health information, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. METABOLOMICS, however, involves measuring hundreds or thousands of chemical processes, such as the breakdown of nutrients from diet, going on in the body at the same time, which could yield a lot of information. [METABOLOMICS] can also account for environmental factors, such as how well a patient is absorbing medications. Since METABOLISM-energy generation and breakdown-gets disrupted in many diseases, figuring out how these metabolic pathways change could potentially yield better ways of diagnosing or treating a wide range of diseases.”[14]

Keeping our gut flora or microbiome healthy[15] also influences the expression of our genome,[16] which “may play a role in regulating one’s risk of obesity, asthma and allergies. Now some re­searchers are wondering if the microbiome may have a part in an even more crucial process: mate selection and, ultimately, evolution.”[17] In fact, our metagenome, or the genetic makeup of all species harbored in the gut flora, outnumber our somatic cells’ genes 1:150. We will soon have our “other genome” mapped out,[18] with repercussions that will reverberate across all specialties.

As shown by Dr. Metchnikoff’s 1908 Nobel Prize winning research, “ The tens of trillions of bacteria aren't just hitchhikers; they interact intimately with the immune system, and are so integral to our health that some scientists have deemed them the “forgotten organ”.[19]In fact, the microbiome “educates” the immune system we learned about in Medical School:

“Understanding the nature of that relationship could improve understanding of inflammatory mechanisms in autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, in which immune cells attack and eventually destroy healthy tissue.”[20]

The main manifestation of a disrupted immune system is Inflammation, a close process to Oxidation.[21] Dr. Virchow, over 150 years ago stated that practically all diseases are inflammatory/oxidative conditions, a concept that we have applied in our practices for the last 15 years or so.[22] Just like any engine, our cells follow thermodynamic principles; the process of metabolizing energy and information produces inflammation, hence, the word “Meta-Inflammation” has been coined.[23] By optimizing the “fuel” (food) we consume and the fitness of the “engine,” (our gut’s microbiome,) ultimately the mitochondria, which is also quite susceptible to inflammation and oxidation, will have a good chance to provide the energy each of our 50 trillion cells need to do their respective jobs.

The health problems we may thus address may surprise the most hardened skeptics of the role of nutrition in medicine. The following problems, in addition to the ones alluded above, have been documented to improve:

depression,[24] chronic fatigue,[25] irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia,[26]diabetes, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease,[27] arthritis, central nervous system inflammation[28] and even cardiovascular problems.[29]

But, perhaps the most crucial issue we may address with this approach is the epidemic of obesity[30] that is maiming our patients:

“The guts of obese mice and people harbor an array of microbes different from that of their lean counterparts… Manipulating gut bacteria might keep weight down in people. Another researcher who was struck by how successful farmers are at increasing the growth rates of livestock by adding low doses of antibiotics to their feed began to wonder whether antibiotic use, particularly in children,might affect the long-term establishment of a balanced microbial community in the human gut, eliminating bacteria there that could help ward off obesity.”[31]

Remember, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”[32]

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[1] “Reinventing Fire,” Amory Lovins, Rocky Mountain Institute; Chelsea Green Publishing, 2011

[2] “The Fabric of Reality,” David Deutsch; Penguin Books, 1997

[3] “Biology of Belief,” Bruce Lipton, page 35; Elite Books, 2005

[4] “What is Life,” Erwin Schrodinger; Cambridge University Press, 1944

[5] “An Environmental Link to Obesity,” J. Environ Health Perspect 2012;120:a62

[6] “Microbiota: a factor in energy regulation,” J. Nutrition Review 2006;64:47

[7]“ Integrative Health Newsletter: a monthly review of 100 medical journals,” www.hugorodier.com.

[8] J. Cell 2012;148:1258

[9] J. Cell 2012;148:1132

[10] J. Cell 2012;148:1145

[11] “The Guts of Dietary Habits,” J. Science 2011;334:45 & “Linking Long-Term Dietary Patterns with Gut Microbial Enterotypes,”J. Science 2011;334:105-108

[12] “The hybrid science of diet, microbes, and metabolic health,” Am J Clin Nutr 2011;94:11

[13] Book “Eat, Drink and Be Healthy,” Dr. Walter Willet, Harvard Press, 2002

[14] Wall Street Journal, July 19^th2011

[15] “Microbiome: That healthy gut feeling,” Journal Nature 2011;480:S88–S89

[16] “Has the Microbiota Played a Critical Role in the Evolution of the Adaptive Immune System?” J. Science 2010;330:1768

[17] “Gut Microbes May Drive Evolution: The bacteria that live quietly in our bodies may have a hand in shaping evolution,” J. Scientific American, February 23, 2012

[18] Cover issue Journal Nature March 2010

[19] “Microbiome: Gut reaction,” J. Nature 2011;479:S5

[20] “Peripheral education of the immune system by colonic commensal microbiota,” J. Nature 2011;478; 250 & “Keeping Bacteria at a Distance,” J. Science 14 October 2011;334:182

[21] J. Clinical Chemistry 2007;53:456

[22] Cover Issue J. Scientific American May 2002

[23] 8th Academic Board Members Meeting of the International Chair on Cardiovascular Risk; Boston, October 2009

[24] “The gut-brain barrier in major depression: intestinal mucosal dysfunction with an increased translocation of LPS from gram negative enterobacteria (leaky gut) plays a role in the inflammatory pathophysiology of depression,” J. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2008;29(1):117-124

[25] “Normalization of leaky gut in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is accompanied by a clinical improvement: effects of age, duration of illness and the translocation of LPS from gram-negative bacteria,” J. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2008;29(6):902-910

[26] “Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth,” JAMA 2004;292:852

[27] “Metagenomics and Personalized Medicine,” J. Cell 2011;147:44

[28] “The Gut's Clostridium Cocktail,” J. Science 21 January 2011: 289

[29] “Cardiovascular disease: The diet–microbe morbid union,” Journal Nature 2011;472:40

[30] “The Microbiome and Obesity: is obesity linked to our gut flora?” J. Current Gastroenterology Reports 2009;11:307

[31] “Girth and the Gut (Bacteria),” J. Science 2011: 32-33

[32] For an expanded article Email me at www.hugorodier.com.

Ask Young Women

For the past few weeks we have been hearing a lot of posturing about reproductive rights. I would like to focus on only part of it, the birth control pill (BCP) issue.

With any issue, each generation needs to find its own answers and fight for what they believe in, not what their foggy predecessors may feel is right for the “yung-uns.” This is a fundamental principle in our quest to form a more perfect union. So, it is understandable that many institutions have jumped into the debate on BCP, specifically about insurance coverage for BCP.

But, Democrats, Republicans and churches have turned this issue into an intellectual battlefield, in my opinion, bereft of common sense and compassion for young women. Fortunately, some are able to apologize for their misguided passion, like Rush Limbaugh did after calling a young Georgetown student taking BCP a “slut” and “prostitute.”

Is it not telling that insurance coverage for Viagra did not trigger such passionate mental masturbation?

I say, ask young women what they would like their insurance companies to cover.

Sugar, an addictive toxin: can you hear me now?

The cover issue of the journal Science, March 23^rd 2001 irrevocably changed my view of health and disease. It illustrates the cell membrane and the macronutrients that compose it: natural fats, proteins and sugars. Inside, one of the best scientific journals in the world published several articles on “Glycobiology,” or the profound effect that sugars have on cellular function.

Embracing such groundbreaking concept has brought me both grief and fulfillment in my professional life. Naively, I bought into what the idealistic (I resemble that remark) researcher wrote in one of the articles in that issue: “Carbohydrates and Glycobiology: Cinderella’s coach is ready.” Well, it was not ready.

In order for cells to function optimally they must be fed the right proteins, fats, and sugars. If we eat processed foods (trans-saturated fats, processed proteins and refined sugars like HFCS,) our cell membranes are more rigid, plasticized and have trouble communicating with other cells. Even toxins in the environment and emotional stress have a negative effect on the cell membrane, which also creates new receptors to deal with any new substance or chemical it comes in contact with. It has been shown that receptors for HFCS are almost identical to receptors for Heroin, Alcohol, Valium and Endorphins (H. A. V. E.)

Yes, we H.A.V.E. an addiction to refined sugars.

In 2010 I published my book “LICKING SWEET DEATH; energy and information to stop sugar coating your addiction to processed foods.” Therein you may find all the references you no doubt want to review. Needless to say, it was not a best seller. I am sure my writing was not the best, but I believe that the public and professionals have not been ready to accept the sad fact that we are addicted to refined sugars.

No program to lose weight will work until we tackle this addiction with a national public health effort, much like we addressed tobacco. Speaking of tobacco, consumption never decreased until we taxed the hell out of cigarettes.

Would you tell an alcoholic to drink milk instead?

Why would you then tell children to eat more broccoli instead of Twinkies and pizza? It has been shown that “Lifestyle intervention in preschool children has little effect on obesity.” (British Medical Journal 2012;344:e714)

On February 2^nd 2012, another top tier scientific journal, Nature, published the article “Public health: The toxic truth about sugar,” (Journal Nature 2012;482:27) adding to the mounting evidence seen in several other medical journals. Pediatricians from USF School of Medicine write in Nature about the toxic and addictive character. They feel we must tax it to decrease consumption and increase awareness. Practically all media outlets commented on this article. But, will it make a difference on how we address its profound implications? Is Cinderella’s coach finally ready? You be the judge.

Even though I remain idealistic, after many discussions with patients and colleagues, I am convinced that the psychological roots of ANY addiction are so profound (as are the politics and economics of sugar) that all we can hope for is to raise awareness for those ready to tackle such addiction.

Perhaps then we will see that programs to measure our BMI and encourage people to eat more broccoli only make ourselves feel good about this serious addiction.

Answers to Questions About Milk

After a review of 56 articles was published in the Journal Pediatrics (the voice of the American Academy of Pediatrics-See below) in March 2005, documenting that milk does not strengthen bones, stunned reporters in Salt Lake City took to the streets to interview people. Just about all the mothers with a mic in their face stated they didn't care and they would continue to give milk to their children. In my opinion, this signals that no amount of evidence will any time soon undo the perception that "milk does a body good." Nonetheless, here are some answers to posted responses and more references. But, the best is for you do do your own research. Don't take my word or anybody else's as the final arbiter.

Are there no nutritional benefits to milk?

There are many nutritional benefits to milk; it has many amino acids, sugars, vitamins and minerals. In fact, the most perfect food is milk, as long as it is our own mother's. The problem is the downside of milk. So, the cost-benefit analysis will depend on your own opinion and how much you love the taste.... and sugar. Milk is much like processed red meat. These foods are very nutritious, but, the incidence of health problems to both is well documented. In a pinch (famine, etc) we do well to eat both. But, as a daily food they are problematic.

Is the calcium or some other component of milk the cause of increased cancer risk?

No, it's the growth hormones, antibiotics and pesticides given to cows to increase yield and profits. In addition, milk from cows or any other non human species has insulin from those foreign species, which increases not only the risk of diabetes in humans, but also the risk of cancer, since insulin acts like growth hormone. The calcium in milk is the reason why the industry claims that milk strengthens bones. But, its acidity and inflammatory effects on the gut curtail the absorption of minerals, so the net result is a much lower rate of absorption of calcium, not enough to significantly strengthen bones.

Are all forms of milk equally bad for you (whole, 2%, skim)?

No. The more processed the milk is, the worse it is for us. Cottage cheese seems to be the worst. Taking out fat out of milk does help those who have cholesterol problems; however, many of those people need to also eliminate excessive sugar, which is a concern in milk, too (lactose.) I believe "sugarholics" are the ones who find it nearly impossible to give up milk, ice cream and cheese.

"Would soda be a preferred beverage to milk or is water the only acceptable beverage for a healthy diet?"

Soda is just as bad for different reason, but equally addicting, in my opinion. It is the millions of dollars in advertisement by the food industry that creates the unfortunate impression that beverages are limited to soda and milk. After discouraging processed fruit juices prepared with High Fructose Corn Syrup, I encourage my patients to drink pure, organic, refrigerated carrot juice, in addition to green tea, and Pom wonderful. Any fruit and veggies juice will do. If you have weight or metabolic problems, try to get used to diluting these juices with water. After losing the addicting taste of excessive sugar, people find that q combination of 1/3 juice and 2/3 water is an excellent treat and very nutritious. Isn't it amazing that our society feels that water is not good enough?

More references:

“Studies probe microbes in raw milk, swine,” JAMA 2007;298:1388

Legalizing raw milk is ill advised
76% of the time it has Listeria monocytogenes and Coxiella burnetti. The latter is more virulent.
“Diet Gains Legitimacy as Potential Factor in Acne,” J. Skin and Allergy news, May 2008, page 9. Report on Annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar, Waikoloa, 2008

· Milk, high sugar, high fat diets the culprit

· 6.096 girls aged 9-15 drinking more milk had more acne. And 4,273 teen boys had more acne with milk consumption, J. Am Acad Derm 2008 [doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.08.049]

· Mik has progesterone, dihydrotestosterone precursors, somatostatin, prolactin, insulin growth factor-releasing hormone, insulin-like growth factors1 and 2, and other substances that could stimulate pilosebaceous activity, J. Am Acad Dermatol 2005;52:360

· No acne in natives in Paraguay and Papua New Guinea, because they don’t eat refined foods

· A low glycemic diet lowers insulin resistance and improves acne, J. Am Acad Derm 2007;57:247

· Low glycemic diet has 30 % more fiber than average diets and substantially more poly unsaturated fats, both of which decrease androgen levels that worsen acne, J. Am Acad Derm 2007;57:1092

Ovarian cancer risk higher with milk

J. Lancet 2006;367:797,

“To realize tea’s health benefits, hold the milk,”

European Heart J., January 9th, 2007

“Cow’s milk allergy,” J. Skin and Allergy News, January 2006, page 49

Even though half of children who develop milk allergy by 7 months of age develop tolerance by 2 years of age, those who are IgE positive tend to remain allergic longer. These children, by the time they turn 8.6 years old, have more asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic eczema, urticaria, and more allergies in general. This study included 6,209 children, 118 of which had their allergy to milk confirmed by an elimination challenge (J. Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2005;116:869.)
Milk associated with autism

J. Applied Nutrition 1990;42:1

“Calcium, dairy products, and bone health in children and young adults,” J. Pediatrics 2005;115:736

* 58 studies reviewed. Most of them found no relationship between dietary calcium intake, and measurement of bone health.

* Dairy consumption is among highest in the USA, yet, osteoporosis and fracture rates are also high.

* Animal protein, including milk, is associated with urinary calcium losses.

* Doubling protein intake in creases loss of calcium by %50.

* Physical activity in 12-18 year-olds strengthens bones more than calcium intake.

* “We found no evidence to support the notion that milk is a preferred source of calcium.

* The NIH does not say that milk is the preferred source of calcium. Only the industry interpreted it so.

* “Calcium in dairy products is not as well absorbed as that in many dark green leafy vegetables... Dairy products contain protein and sodium (the latter competeswith calcium), and some dairy products, especially processed cheeses, clearly increase the urinary excretion of calcium as a result of the increase sodium, sulphur containing amino acids, and phosphorus content. Although dairy products tend to contain more calcium I absolute amounts than calcium-rich plant foods, when absorption fraction is taken into account, the amount of plant food needed to get the same amount of absorbable calcium is modest. For example, one cup of cooked kale or turnip greens, 2 packets of instant oats, two thirds cup of tofu, or 1 2/3 cups of broccoli provide the same amount as 1 cup of milk, as would 1 cup of fortified orange juice, soy milk, or basic 4 cereal.”

“Dairy products do not lead to alterations in body weight or fat mass,” American J. Clinical Nutrition 2005;81:751

“Experts charge new US dietary guidelines pose daunting challenge for the public,” says the JAMA 2005;293:918

“The health benefits of milk have been contradictory... there are many reasons to be suspicious of the need to have 3 cups of milk a day.”

J. Allergy 2004;59:1017

Cow’s milk increases risk of wheezing attacks

Children fed cow’s milk early in life are more obese as adults, and have more hypertension and Heart disease (AJCN, May 2003.)

“Acne vulgaris: a disease of western civilization,”
J. Arch Derm 2002;138:1584

It comes from processed food high in refined sugars and low in essential fatty acids and micronutrients. Acne is not seen in primitive societies eating the paleolithic diet.

“Got Milk? Got acne? New research suggests link,” Atlantic Dermatology Conference, J. Skin and Allergy News, June 2004, p6

* Harvard study with 47,000 participants.

* It’s not just raging hormones... There are multiple sources of hormones that turn into the male hormone 5 alpha dihydrotestosterone, a driving force behind acne, and milk is one of them... There is a high volume of hormones produced in the milk of cows, particularly when pregnant... [it] contains progesterone and other steroid hormones... [which] break down ito dihydrotestosterone.”

* Milk also increases levels of IGF-1 which promotes acne through hyperkeratinization.”

Milk allergy on the rise: 1/3 of practice if Ped G.I. fellow

J. Family Practice News, April 2004, p91

Breast milk higher in Linoleic acid is linked to mother’s consumption of cow’s milk. The higher the Linoleic acid of breast milk, the higher the chances of eczema developing in child by one year of age (J. Allergy 2004;59:394.)

Estrogen in milk increases risk of prostate cancer

J. Med Hypothesis 2004;62:133

Daily consumption of ½ L of milk increases the risk of Diabetes three times. It goes up to 5 times in genetically susceptible children.

J. Diabetes 2000;49:912

Viruses may trigger Diabetes type I by sensitizing children to bovine insulin through GALT AM J. Clin Nut 2003;78:1053

“Cow’s milk protein-sensitive enteropathy at school age”

J. Pediatrics 2001;139:797

* Milk sensitivity does not disappears by age 3-5 yrs.

* Children did better with allergies off milk

* Cow’s milk associated with lymphonodular hyperplasia in duodenun

* Later in life: development of celiac dz? Breast feeding protects against celiac dz

Am J. Clin Nut 2002;75:914

Milk causes immune response in intestinal mucosa (J. Ann All Asthma, Imm 2003;90:348.)

GERD and Cow milk allergy (J. Pediatrics 2002;110:972.)

J. Ann Neurology 2002;52:793

Dairy consumption raises risk of Parkinson's Disease.

Book “Eat, drink and be healthy,” Dr Willet, Harvard

* Misinformation and old food pyramid: “shaky scientific grounds”

* Examples: “All fats are bad, all carbs are good, eat lots of dairy to prevent osteoporosis”

* “No long term studies have shown reduced risk of fractures with high milk intake”

* “Whether the USDA is capable of revising the pyramid without being influenced by meat and dairy lobbying remains to be seen.”

* New concepts: glycemic index, differences in fats and carbs

* New pyramid: whole grains and oils at the bottom, then fruits (2-3) and veggies in abundance

Then nuts, legumes

Then Fish, poultry, eggs

Then dairy of Calcium supplement

Then Red meat, butter and high glycemic foods.

“Dairy consumption, obesity and the insulin resistance syndrome in young adults,”
JAMA 2002;287:2081

Letters to editor 2002;288:693

* Most dairy consumption is cheese: not accounted for. SO milk “drinkers” may be healthier, and eating less cheese

Ctr for Science in Public Interests, 2/6/2001

Farm life in childhood and milk = asthma

J. Lancet 2001;358:1129

More lactose intolerance in Chron’s

J. Clin Gastroent 2002;34:49

Early milk exposure; more asthma

J Allergy and Clin Imm 2001;108:720

TOO FEW STUDIES TO CONCLUDE THAT “MILK DOES A BODY GOOD.”

AM J CLI NUT 2000;72:681

Will the Mayans Get Us?

The year 2012 is finally here. My guess is that a certain percentage of people reading Integrative (alternative) blogs like this one may also be exposed to disparate ideas and predictions about this much-anticipated point in time. Starting with the understanding that no one can responsibly claim to know the future, I herein venture my own opinion on 2012, because our beliefs about it may greatly impact our health.

In a nutshell, I don’t believe we will see the end of the world. Doomsayers have a poor track record, even though one big asteroid or CME from the Sun and we could be toast any day. But, I so believe we will see the end of world as we know it, that is, more sustainable practices will consolidate themselves to bring us a better way of life, closer to our loved ones and the soil. Our intuitive feeling that “business as usual,” driven by whim, egotism and materialism have never been characteristic of an enlightened society has been proven correct in the last 3 years. The financial deck of cards built on those philosophies is crumbling. No change for the better comes without pain. After centuries of unsustainable practices, any adjustment is bound to trigger spasms of realignments. This is the grain of truth in the apocalyptic visions of some.

Interestingly, “Apocalypse” means “enlightenment” or “seeing clearly.” Also worth remembering is that the Chinese symbol for “catastrophe” also includes the symbol for “opportunity.” I am betting there will be more pain, in addition to what we have already seen; but, I hope we take advantage of the upheaval to become less materialistic, more self sufficient, and that we adopt a more communal and less materialistic life style. In short, I wish for all of you to turn inward to recommit to spiritual values most of us have already embraced and that we turn outward to live closer to our loved ones and friends.

Happy New Year, my friends, HR

Don't Cry Over Hyped Milk

I know going after milk is foolish and similar to questioning a sacred cow. But, when the weight of evidence compels the New England Journal of Medicine to opine on this matter it is time to listen. Yet, the goodness of milk is so entrenched in our society that merely reading about the evidence that recommends de-throning milk from its pedestal is not going to be enough to convince the faithful. I will never forget reporters interviewing young mothers in the streets of Salt Lake City after a landmark article on milk appeared in the Journal Pediatrics. Despite the evidence that refuted the claims of the dairy industry that milk strengthens bones [1], mothers pledged their undying belief in milk; they pledged to continue giving it to their children and damn the infidels who dared attack their Holy nutrient.

So, let me get out of the way to only provide the quotes from the NEJM and other reputable journals:

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines — The Best Recipe for Health? NEJM 2011;365:1563

The 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines were issued earlier this year, though they received little notice in the press. The lack of attention is troubling in a country in the throes of a nutritional crisis manifested most conspicuously in the form of an obesity epidemic that threatens to reverse recent gains in life expectancy. The guidelines' development was carefully watched by agro-industrial interests that stand to gain or lose from their implementation.

Unfortunately, several components of the new guidelines lack scientific foundation and hinder progress. The 35% limit on calories from fat, which remains embedded deep within the document, may inadvertently undermine the quality of federally funded nutrition programs…. However, [the fat-obesity] relationship has since been refuted in many well-controlled, prospective, observational studies and clinical trials that show little independent effect of dietary fat on body weight. Nevertheless, the diets of millions of Americans who participate in school-lunch and nutrition-assistance programs remain loaded with refined carbohydrates in an effort to reduce fat as a proportion of total calories, whereas the focus should be on replacing trans and saturated fats with healthier fat.

The guidelines continue to recommend three daily servings of dairy products, despite a lack of evidence that dairy intake protects against bone fractures1 and probable or possible links to prostate and ovarian cancers. In addition, the recommendation to consume large amounts of dairy products follows from IOM-inspired goals for nutrient intake that may be fundamentally flawed. For example, the calcium DRI is based on measurements of calcium intake and losses in feces and urine over periods of less than 14 days, which probably don't reflect bones' long-term calcium content.

“High milk consumption has consistently not been associated with lower risk of fractures in large prospective studies, whereas increased risks of advanced or fatal prostate cancer have been observed in many studies.” Am J. Preventive Medicine 2005;29:320 & British J. Nutrition 2006;95:539

There are many other studies questioning the dairy industry’s claim that “milk does a body good.” But, it is futile to include them herein. If you are in love with milk and you believe in the “white-washed” propaganda, you will not be convinced no matter what you read.

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[1] “Calcium, dairy products, and bone health in children and young adults,” J. Pediatrics 2005;115:736