Dr. Oz describes Leaky Gut!

I saw it last week.  A very simplified explanation of how foods we can not digest damage our digestive tract and leak into places they are not supposed to be in, eventually crossing the blood brain barrier causing mental fog, crankiness and other mental/emotional symptoms. (Alzheimer's anyone?)
http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/disease-your-doctor-cant-diagnose

All I could say was,"It's about time"!

My clients and I have spent years debating the existence of this very condition. 
them:  "Dr. XXX says I have leaky gut and need to never eat (Wheat, Corn, Soy, Dairy...) again!  How do you live with out _____?
me:  "Easy!  Lean protein, fruits and vegetables are all you need and there are many gluten free snacks and substitutes these days."
Them:  "but I've eaten ____ for years.  How can I possibly be allergic to it? I grew up eating it.
Me:  There are theories about that...

You see long about the 1990's corporations began introducing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into our food supply without our knowledge.  Many think that in making wheat, corn and soy that are pesticide resistant (Roundup Ready), or contain the pesticides them selves (Pest Resistant) that the scientists are changing the molecular structure of the food enough that our bodies no longer recognize it(footnotes 1, 2).  This maybe the reason for the huge increase in food allergies especially to the foods that are GMO.

I get it!  It just ain't right that someone has messed with our food so that it is no longer safe.  We can face it and fight it or we can submit and succumb to the illnesses that GMO's are causing.  It is fairly easy to avoid GMO's...Buy Organic!  Organic fruit is usually sweeter, and last longer in the fridge.  It has more nutrients and fewer toxins (duh footnote 3).  If you've been told to go without, try that for a while then ask your doctor if organic is okay.  Sometimes when you take the pot off the burner and let thing cool so to speak the body will be more flexible in what it will accept.

The reason you feel like you just can't do without your bread and pasta (or whatever your allergen) is because your addicted to the cortisol rush your body gets when your eat it.  Allergy=stress and stress means cortisol.  You remember that stuff.  Cortisol has been all over the news.  It's the stress hormone that causes you to gain weight around your middle.  It also keeps you from sleeping well.  An inability to lose weight is one of the symptoms of a food allergy, so is craving that food.

If you have these symptoms but don't want to do the testing, then try the elimination diet.  For two weeks eliminate wheat, dairy, soy, corn, sugar and processed foods from your diet.  After cleaning out (and probably losing a few pounds) add them one at a time back into your diet.  Only one of the forbidden foods per week and watch your body.  When you find what bothers your (and it may well be more than one) then you know what not to eat.  Easy peasy, Right!

Good luck and Great Health!

scroll  down for this posts recipe (I've had a few requests)
Footnotes

1.  New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00244-006-0149-5
Basically the rats fed GMO corn showed abnormal cells in Testes and pancreas but the study did not look at other organs.

or this article..

2.  A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793308/
In which effects are seen in the heart, spleen and adrenal glands.

3.  Nutritional quality and safety of organic food. A review

http://www.agronomy-journal.org/articles/agro/abs/2010/01/a8202/a8202.html
Basically organic food=more good stuff and less bad stuff!

Indian-Spiced Cauliflower, Chickpeas, Potatoes and Kale

Recipe By     :

Serving Size  : 8     

Categories    :

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method

--------  ------------  --------------------------------

  1/4           cup     coconut oil

  2          teaspoons  cumin seed -- Whole

  2        tablespoons  coriander -- Seeds ground

  1           teaspoon  Turmeric -- ground

  1/2         teaspoon  Cayenne pepper

  1               head  cauliflower -- chopped

  2             medium  potato -- Cut to 1 inch pieces

  28            ounces  chickpeas, canned

  15            ounces  Crushed tomatoes -- preferably fire roasted

  1                cup  water

  4               cups  kale -- shredded

  1/4              cup  cilantro leaves, whole -- chopped

                        salt -- to taste

heat coconut oil in large pot on med-high heat.  Add cumin seeds and fry til brown (20 seconds).

add ground cumin, coriander, turmeric and cayenne pepper.  Stir then immediately add cauliflower and potatoes.  Stir constantly for 5 min.

add chickpeas and crushed tomatoes. stir scraping brown bits off bottom til starts to thicken

add water, kale and up to 2 teaspoons salt.

reduce heat and simmer covered until tender (about 15 min.)

serve hot sprinkled with cilantro

Description:

  "From The Healthy Hedonist"

                                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 241 Calories; 9g Fat (30.3% calories from fat); 8g Protein; 36g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 389mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat.

Note:  I have substituted lima beans for chickpeas and it is still wonderful!