Most surgeons on call on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day are not surprised when they get called into the ER to see a patient with right upper abdominal pain and tenderness radiating through to the back. There are also no surprises when an abdominal ultrasound shows a dilated gallbladder, possibly with a thickened wall, and gallstones ranging from the size of a pebble to the size of a marble or even an egg. At this point, the appropriate next step would be laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or removal of the gallbladder. This is one of the most common surgical procedures in the Western world today.

So how does a person find themselves in the operating room on Thanksgiving night? First of all, it didn’t just happen all at once. Gallstone formation takes months or even years. It is believed that low-fiber, high-cholesterol diets high in processed starchy foods contribute to the formation of cholesterol stones. Over-consumption of fatty and fried foods and refined sugar, as well as inadequate intake of vitamins B, C and E, are also factors thought to contribute to gallstone formation. Inadequate water intake and lack of exercise also play a role.

With the above diet, a bacterial imbalance in the gut will develop. The effect in the gut of this imbalance will be increased intestinal permeability (also known as leaky gut). As a result of leaky gut, more toxins are delivered to and processed by the liver. These toxins are sent from the liver to the gallbladder, where they are stored and concentrated along with the bile, which can lead to gallstones.

So how do the holidays fit into this? Very simply – a large meal high in fat and sugar will release the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) from the duodenum (upper small intestine). CCK triggers the gallbladder to begin contracting and may move the stones into the cystic duct (which drains into the common duct and then into the duodenum) causing gallbladder obstruction, swelling, more inflammation, and severe right upper quadrant pain.

Many people do not realize they have gallstones. They may go years without symptoms and only discover the gallstones in an emergency room visit such as I described above. Other people do experience periodic attacks and are able to recover from them and choose not to have surgery. In either case, it’s prudent to take extra care at major holiday meals. A combination of gravy, ham, buttery mashed potatoes, candied yams and alcohol, followed by pumpkin pie and ice cream is the perfect recipe for a gallbladder stress test. The following recommendations could help you avoid that ER visit this holiday season:

• Eat smaller portions of any high fat, high-sugar foods
• Chew thoroughly
• Eat slowly, taking the time to enjoy the meal and company
• Take digestive enzymes with the meal
• Limit alcohol consumption

Most importantly, as a preventative measure, follow a high-fiber, plant-based, antioxidant-rich diet low in processed foods and saturated fats, fried foods and sugar. In addition to getting regular excise and having regular bowel elimination to reduce toxins, it is important to have a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria. This can be achieved by eating fermented foods (which are naturally high in beneficial bacteria) and taking high-quality probiotic supplements every day.

Leonard Smith, M.D.
Dr. Leonard Smith is a prominent Board-Certified, general, gastrointestinal and vascular surgeon who had a successful private practice for 25 years. In addition to his active surgery practice, he also incorporated lifestyle, diet, supplementation, exercise, detoxification, and stress management into many of the therapies he would prescribe. Many of his patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other serious illnesses did so well under his treatment regimes that he began to devote most of his career to foundational health care and preventive medicine.

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NAFLD, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is one health condition that’s really making its mark. Affecting nearly 70 million Americans every year, NAFLD occurs when there’s a buildup of excess fat in the liver, which can set the stage for even bigger problems like long-term liver damage and heart disease. So if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with NAFLD, it’s time to listen up!

NAFLD is like an early warning signal that says, “Look out! Danger ahead!” The problem, though, is that NAFLD is often a silent threat. You can’t feel fat accumulating in the liver—it’s usually only discovered when testing for another illness. Increased liver enzymes are the first sign of NAFLD, but because other liver problems can also result in raised liver enzymes, those have to be ruled out first.

So what’s the best way to avoid NAFLD? A healthy diet. Steer clear of the Standard American Diet (SAD), which is loaded with heavily processed, high-fat and high-sugar foods, and step up your intake of fresh fruits and veggies. Eat more fiber, eliminate refined sugars and carbs (including white flour and white rice), add more whole grains and Omega-3s, and avoid saturated and trans fats.

My H.O.P.E. Formula is a great start, since good digestion is just as important as a healthy diet when it comes to keeping your liver—and your whole body—in tip top shape. Just follow this simple, 4-part plan every day: High fiber (at least 35g daily), Omega-3s (2,000mg or more daily), Probiotics (at least 6 billion CFU daily), and digestive Enzymes (with every meal).

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35 grams, carbs, digestion, Digestive Enzymes, excess, fat, fiber, fruits and veggies, good digestion, H.O.P.E. formula, healthy diet, heart disease, high-fat, high-sugar foods, liver, liver enzymes, NAFLD, non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Omega-3s, Probiotics, processed, saturated, Standard American Diet, trans fats, white flour, white rice, whole grains

NAFLD, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is one health condition that’s really making its mark. Affecting nearly 70 million Americans every year, NAFLD occurs when there’s a buildup of excess fat in the liver, which can set the stage for even bigger problems like long-term liver damage and heart disease. So if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with NAFLD, it’s time to listen up!

NAFLD is like an early warning signal that says, “Look out! Danger ahead!” The problem, though, is that NAFLD is often a silent threat. You can’t feel fat accumulating in the liver—it’s usually only discovered when testing for another illness. Increased liver enzymes are the first sign of NAFLD, but because other liver problems can also result in raised liver enzymes, those have to be ruled out first.

So what’s the best way to avoid NAFLD? A healthy diet. Steer clear of the Standard American Diet (SAD), which is loaded with heavily processed, high-fat and high-sugar foods, and step up your intake of fresh fruits and veggies. Eat more fiber, eliminate refined sugars and carbs (including white flour and white rice), add more whole grains and Omega-3s, and avoid saturated and trans fats.

My H.O.P.E. Formula is a great start, since good digestion is just as important as a healthy diet when it comes to keeping your liver—and your whole body—in tip top shape. Just follow this simple, 4-part plan every day: High fiber (at least 35g daily), Omega-3s (2,000mg or more daily), Probiotics (at least 6 billion CFU daily), and digestive Enzymes (with every meal).

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35 grams, carbs, digestion, Digestive Enzymes, excess, fat, fiber, fruits and veggies, good digestion, H.O.P.E. formula, healthy diet, heart disease, high-fat, high-sugar foods, liver, liver enzymes, NAFLD, non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Omega-3s, Probiotics, processed, saturated, Standard American Diet, trans fats, white flour, white rice, whole grains

Are there days when you feel sluggish and tired, and you just don’t have the energy to do the things you enjoy? Do digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea or even gas and bloating seem to weigh you down? Or do you sometimes feel more scatterbrained and forgetful than usual and wish there was a way to feel like yourself again? It’s time to discover the natural solution that will bring back the vibrant health and energy you deserve.

I’ll share with you the secret to better digestion and a clearer mind and body, and it all begins with High fiber, Omega oils, Probiotics and Enzymes. These four nutritional supplements are the key to my H.O.P.E. Formula, and they have helped millions of people just like you live healthier every day. But where should you start? And how much do you need every day to get the most benefit? Join me and learn everything you need to know!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive.

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A recent study conducted at the VA Medical Center in Houston analyzed more than 900 employees to determine the “onset, frequency and severity” of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms, including heartburn. The goal of the study was to find out if those symptoms were affected by diet, and whether or not a change in diet may help relieve suffering and prevent the recurrence of the disease. Results indicated that eating high amounts of dietary fat was associated with a greater risk of heartburn (indigestion) and GERD, but that a diet high in fiber was directly related to a reduced risk of heartburn and GERD.

Read more detailed information of the study by visiting: http://gut.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/54/1/11#BIBL

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Almost everyone recovering from a heart attack, heart or stent surgery is prescribed Plavix. Its benefits in reducing blood clots and therefore further heart problems appear to be significant. However, it can irritate patient’s stomachs and so it has become common practice to almost automatically give Plavix patients a proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec. In a study just published in the prestigious medical journal – JAMA, Dr. Michael Ho scrutinized 8,200 patient records and identified that the addition of Prilosec increased the risk of a return to hospital for heart problems during the next 18 months by 25%.

Leading Doctors including Dr. Steven Nissen of Cleveland Clinic, a candidate for the role of FDA Commissioner are now saying that there should be no automatic prescription of Prilosec with Plavix and that patients should seek alternative medications to solve their stomach problems.

See http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101386673

Take this advice an important step further:

People on Plavix should look outside the aisles of drugstores that are overloaded with heartburn and stomach acid medications. Not only do these drugs now appear to increase heart risk, but they do not get to the root of the problem of heartburn and acid reflux. Instead, nature has provided us with real solutions in the forms of digestive enzymes. These enzymes are now available in health food stores and online, for example, at http://www.renewlife.com/category/enzymes.aspx

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Digestive Enzymes, Heartburn, plavix and prilosec, proton pump inhibitiors and heart risk, stomach acid