Gluten-free pizza and beer

As a doctor who treats many people with celiac disease and who is personally gluten sensitive, I am uniquely aware of the challenges of a gluten-free diet. I am also casein sensitive. So, pizza is something that has been missing from my diet for months. However, those of us on a gluten-free diet can enjoy Amy’s gluten free pizza. And if you are also avoiding casein, you can eat Amy’s gluten-free dairy-free Spinach Pizza.

The pizza is made with a rice crust and soy-based mozzarella and ricotta cheeses. Therefore, if you are sensitive or allergic to soy you will want to avoid this pizza. Also, not all of Amy's products are gluten-free so you need to pay attention to the pizza boxes to confirm that they are gluten-free. The Spinach Pizza also contains tomatoes, potatoes, sunflower seeds and rice. Spinach and organic sun-ripened tomatoes are combined with several herbs for a very tasty, yet gluten-free dairy-free pizza.

There are no trans fats, preservatives or MSG. However, more than half the calories are from fat. So, just add gluten-free Red Bridge beer and you can enjoy a classic American meal and be somewhat unhealthy without eating gluten (or casein). I did, at least on Super Bowl Sunday this year. I will tell you more about my thoughts on the new gluten-free beer, Red Bridge, in another post.

Copyright © 2007, The Food Doc, LLC, All Rights Reserved.
www.thefooddoc.com

Irritable bowel syndrome linked to increased intestinal mast cells and intraepithelial lymphocytosis as well as stress

Our digestive tract is the largest line of defense we have to maintain against outside attack. It is vulnerable to stress, foreign food proteins and bad bacteria. Irritable bowel syndrome is reported to be the most common gastrointestinal disorder. In this month’s issue of Gut, Guilarte et al. from Barcelona Spain report finding of mildly increased intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and marked increased mast cells patients with diarrhea predominant IBS who also had higher levels of psychological stress than normal volunteers.

A stress-mast cell axis has been proposed for possible cause of IBS. Mast cells typically release chemicals in response to allergens and parasites but have also been linked to stress. Increased mast cells have been found in the large and small bowel of patients with IBS especially when a stain for tryptase, an enzyme specific for mast cells, is performed.

Mast cells can increase intestinal permeability (cause leaky gut), increase visceral sensitivity (increased pain sensation and intensity) and increase motility (contractions of the intestine). This results in diarrhea and abdominal pain. The finding of increased lymphocytes or intraepithelial lymphocytosis in the patients of this most recent study was of particular interest to me. I am seeing this very commonly in my patients who do not meet criteria for celiac disease yet respond to a gluten-free diet who have previously been labeled IBS. Sometimes I find this in small intestine biopsies and sometimes in the colon of patients. Some have had a colonoscopy in the past but no biopsies were done because the colon “looked normal”. In a recent post I discussed a study that noted IBS defining symptoms in over 50% of patients with microscopic colitis.

If you are not experiencing optimal health, consider the proposition that our digestive tract is now under constant attack and is frequently failing as a defensive barrier. Our enemies increasingly appear to be genetically modified or prepared foods and bad bacteria. The bad bacteria have taken over due to excess hygiene practices and indiscriminant use of antibiotics. Our defense must include consideration of dietary changes such as reduction or elimination of gluten, eating organic foods, and the liberal use of probiotic supplements.

Copyright © 2007, The Food Doc, LLC, All Rights Reserved.
www.thefooddoc.com

Reference:
Diarrhoea-predominant IBS patients show mast cell activation and hyperplasia in the jejunum. Guilarte, M et al. Gut February 2007; 56:203-209.

Eat More Fish: Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Seafood and Fish Oil Capsules Prevent Colon Cancer

Eating fish may reduce colon cancer risk. A new study found that men not taking aspirin with high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had a 66% reduction of colorectal cancer compared with those with low levels. Omega-3 fatty acids aid brain function and protect against dementia and heart disease. Cold water fish or seafood are high in omega-3 fats. Fish oil capsules can be taken as a nutritional supplement. In addition to fish or seafood other sources of omega-3 fats are listed below.

• Fish and seafood
• Fish oil capsules
• Flaxseed oil
• Free-range chicken
• Game meat
• Leafy green vegetables
• Liver
• Nuts: Brazil, Cashews, Macadamia, Pistachios, walnuts
• Omega-3 enriched chicken eggs
• Pasture-fed beef or buffalo
• Walnuts

Omega-3 fatty acids may block the chemical pathway linked to cancer development and growth. Eating the equivalent of a U.S. standard sized meal of fish or seafood a twice week is linked to higher IQ babies. For those taking fish oil capsule, the typical preventive dose of omega-3 fatty acids is 1-2 grams a day while higher doses of 4-6 grams may be needed to treat various illnesses. Those with blood clotting problems or taking blood thinners should exercise caution and talk to their doctors before taking any fish oil capsule supplements. These supplements should be stopped before surgery.

Eating more fish or taking fish oil caps is an easy and effective strategy for improving your health. You may have a higher IQ children, less of a chance of Alzheimer’s disease and heart attack through a natural method that doesn't involve taking medications! There are much more health through food and the digestive system insights coming from the Food Doc. I am daily searching for the latest breaking medical discoveries on the link of food, altered gut microbes, and the digestive tract to share with you.

I have so much more but am limited in these short posts. Soon my website www.thefooddoc.com will be packed with this kind of rich information. Exciting features will include interactive online applications such as a diet symptom diary, a symptom assessment tool as well as multimedia resources such as streaming online videos and a virtual office, all provided to empower each of you to attain and maintain optimum health . Stay tuned!

Copyright © 2007, The Food Doc, LLC, All Rights Reserved.
www.thefooddoc.com

Reference:
Hall, M et al. “Blood levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, aspirin and the risk of colorectal cancer” Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. February 2007, 16:314-321.