Would you be surprised to know that eating a high-fat meal and/or high-sugar meal causes your arteries to not work in a normal manner? Let’s say we start the day with either coffee with cream/sugar and donuts, or same coffee/sugar with eggs and toast with butter/jam. And then for lunch or supper, we eat meals with high-fat meat, bread and butter, a baked potato with sour cream and butter along with an alcoholic drink (or even ice tea with sugar). Then we finish the meal with a nice dessert.

Each of these meals can cause your arteries not to function properly by the end of the meal which could last for several hours!¹ If you tend to eat this way, most of the day your arteries are constricted and not dilating normally in response to routine activities. The result, at the very least, is high blood pressure. This problem can be eliminated simply by cutting out the excess saturated fat and sugar, and adding probiotics or cultured foods high in bifidobacteria, in addition to eating plenty of vegetables throughout the day.

The above illustration of the diet-artery connection illustrates just one of the many ways to create a problem known as endothelial dysfunction, a condition that occurs when the cells lining the arteries, veins, and lymphatics don’t work properly.² There are a multitude of ways to cause the vessels to not dilate or constrict normally, and to cause the lining to leak (let’s call it leaky vessel syndrome). Endothelial dysfunction is a precursor to atherosclerosis.³ Here is a short list of endothelial dysfunction triggers:

1. Smoking, polluted air,⁴ food, and water⁵ – All of these create excess free radicals which are a major cause of endothelial dysfunction.

2. High blood sugar and/or high insulin levels – High blood sugar results in glycosylation (think of it like a sticky sugar coating) of the insulin receptor substrate, which eventually leads to an inability of protein kinase B (Akt) to increase endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) enzyme activity, resulting in low nitric oxide (NO) and poor blood vessel function.⁶

3. Microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites), parts of microbes, and toxins made by microbes migrating from inside the intestinal lumen into the arterial, venous and lymphatic circulation – Microbes and their toxins activate white blood cells and they release bullets (anti-microbial peptides) named alpha-defensins that not only damage the microbes but the endothelial lining as well.

4. Stress – Stress increases cortisol, which can elevate blood sugar and insulin, again sugar coating receptors to result in low NO, and thus, endothelial dysfunction.

5 Aging – Aging decreases stem cells that help with repair processes, increases blood cortisol levels (see number 4), and decreases bifidobacteria levels in the colon. All of this leads to endothelial dysfunction.

6. Increased body fat, especially in abdomen – Even a modest gain of about 8 pounds (which can happen over a vacation) will cause endothelial dysfunction. “In normal-weight healthy young subjects, modest fat gain results in impaired endothelial function, even in the absence of changes in blood pressure. Endothelial function recovers after weight loss. Increased visceral (belly) rather than subcutaneous fat predicts endothelial dysfunction.”⁴

One of the mechanisms by which fat hurts the arteries is by releasing a cytokine known as resistin. Resistin has been shown to cause oxidative stress and decrease endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS) which is essential for nitric oxide (NO) production, itself essential for arterial health and function.

7. Physical inactivity – Merely by doing nothing, the process of ongoing free radical activity due to diet, stress and environment, will decrease nitric oxide (our natural vasodilator), superoxide dismutase (our own natural anti-oxidant) and citrate synthetase (the enzyme in our mitochondria involved energy production—essential to a healthy heart / blood vessel function). These natural sources of blood vessel protection return merely by walking briskly on a regular basis.⁵

8. Diabetes types 1 and 2 – Again, elevated blood sugar and either high or low insulin levels, as are seen in diabetes, will lead to endothelial dysfunction as described above.

9. Drugs which elevate or lower blood sugar and insulin – Many diabetic drugs can cause endothelial dysfunction by not maintaining steady levels of blood sugar and insulin. Insulin itself is one of the worst offenders.

10. Even children receiving second-hand smoke in a household with smokers, begin developing endothelial dysfunction at an early age.

References

1. Rudolph TK, et al., “Acute effects of various fast-food meals on vascular function and cardiovascular disease risk markers: The Hamburg Burger Trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Aug;86(2):334-40.
2. Endemann DH and Schiffrin EL, “Endothelial dysfunction.” J Am Soc Nephrol. 2004 Aug;15(8):1983-92.
3. Davignon J and Ganz P, Role of endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis.” Circulation. 2004 Jun 15;109(23 Suppl 1):III27-32.
4. Romero-Corral A, et al., “Modest visceral fat gain causes endothelial dysfunction in healthy humans.” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Aug 17;56(8):662-6.
5. Suvorava T et al., “Physical activity causes endothelial dysfunction in healthy young mice.” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2004 Sep 15;44(6):1320-7.
6. Wautier JL and Schmidt AM, “Protein glycation: a firm link to endothelial dysfunction.” Circ Res. 2004 Aug 6;95(3):233-8.

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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The immune system is a complex organization of coordinated responses to “foreign” invaders in the body. Foreign invaders include microbes—bacteria, fungus, parasites and viruses—as well as toxins and even food. As a matter of fact, one major role of the immune system is to not respond to food. As is seen with food allergies, however, the immune system is not always successful at this. Food allergies involve an overactive immune response to certain foods, which would normally be recognized as harmless. 

The immune system is comprised of two main branches: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. The innate immune system, also known as cell-mediated immunity, involves an immediate non-specific immune response, often against pathogens. The adaptive immune system, also called humoral immunity, involves a delayed, specific, organized response involving the production of antibodies that later recognize invading microbes so that a more effective immune response can be mounted. The innate immune system involves the production of cells called T helper 1 (Th1) cells, and adaptive immunity involves the production T helper 2 (Th2) cells. T helper cells are lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. They are like the messengers of the immune system, sending signals that stimulate various immune responses.

Th1 and Th2 responses are joined by another type of T helper cell known as Th17. Th17 and Th1 responses are both associated with over-active immune responses, as is seen in autoimmune conditions, in which the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Both these responses produce inflammation by way of cytokines, the immune equivalent of hormones. These three types of T helper cells are all regulated and balanced by cells known as T regulatory cells, or Tregs.¹

Are you confused yet? Think of all these T cells as a four-way seesaw.  Th1 and Th17 are on two prongs of one end, and Th2 and Tregs are on two prongs of the other. When all is well, this seesaw is in balance, like a harmonized symphony responding appropriately to that which the body comes into contact.  If out of balance, you may see higher levels of Th1 and Th17, an indication of underlying autoimmunity as is seen with type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematous. In contrast, higher levels of Th2 and Tregs are characteristic of allergic conditions like asthma, food allergies and hay fever, and with immune suppression.

How can we balance immunity? Well, probiotics are one solution. Since over 70 percent of the immune system is in the gut, probiotics are in the right terrain for immune system communication. Probiotics help balance immune response.  Gut bacteria essentially “prime” the immune system,² educating it so that it responds appropriately to what passes through the digestive tract—and to what may ultimately pass through the small intestine and into the body.

Omega-3 fatty acids also affect immunity, largely by helping to balance the inflammatory response—an important aspect of immunity. You see, inflammation is a necessary physiologic occurrence.  But too much inflammation spells trouble.  The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in fish oil help to quell inflammation at the right time.  They help stimulate the production of resolvins, chemicals knows to help “resolve” inflammation—or end it at the appropriate time.³ 

Further, the proper digestion of food is necessary so the immune system doesn’t have to work too hard.  When food is not broken down properly, undigested food particles can aggravate the gut, causing inflammation and even leaking through a permeable intestine (also known as leaky gut) and entering circulation where yet more inflammation is triggered, in a downward spiral of excess inflammation (which is at the basis of most, if not all, chronic disease).

Also important is regular bowel elimination, which can be attained by the consumption of dietary fiber—at least 35 grams per day. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is essential, and a fiber supplement can help reach 35 grams, which can be difficult to obtain through diet alone.

In essence, the HOPE Formula—High-fiber, Omega Oils, Probiotics and digestive Enzymes—can help improve digestive health and improve immune balance. Brenda and I have been recommending this formula for years for many good reasons. With the HOPE Formula, there is hope that your health will improve. 

References

1. Cooke A, “Th17 cells in inflammatory conditions.” Rev Diabet Stud. 2006 Summer;3(2):72-5.
2. Round JL and Mazmanian Sk, “The gut microbiota shapes intestinal immune responses during health and disease.” Nat Rev Immunol. 2009 May;9(5):313-23.
3. Serhan CN and Savil J, “Resolution of inflammation: the beginning programs the end.” Nat Immunol. 2005 Dec;6(12):1191-7.

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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allergic conditions, autoimmunity, bacteria, balance immunity, DHA, Dietary Fiber, Digestive Enzymes, digestive tract, EPA, fish oil, food allergies, fungi, gut bacteria, high-fiber, HOPE formula, immune system, inflammation, leaky gut, microbes, Omega oils, omega-3 fatty acids, Parasites, Probiotics, regular bowel elimination, resolvins, small intestine, toxins, viruses

A recent study published in the journal PLoS Biology has found that Candida albicans forms two distinct biofilm types according to what form the Candida is in—the sexual or asexual form.¹ A biofilm is a protective polysaccharide matrix in which microbial populations exist and are able to hide from the immune system and antimicrobials. As it turns out, when Candida is in an asexual form, it produces a biofilm that is impermeable to antifungals, antibodies and white blood cells. This asexual form makes up the majority—about 90 percent—of Candida cells in the body. The other ten percent are sexually reproducing Candida cells that form a similar looking biofilm that behaves differently and is susceptible to antifungals and to the immune system.

Biofilms are formed by more than just Candida, however. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that nearly 80 percent of chronic microbial infections are due to biofilms.² Dr. Maria Usman, MD has developed, and is refining, a Biofilm Protocol for use in children with gut disorders on the autism spectrum.³ She is seeing some success with this protocol, though it must be tailored to the individual and can cause a “die-off” reaction, also known as the Herxheimer reaction. (When microbes are killed they give off microbial toxins that can cause sickness-like symptoms that can make the patient feel worse before getting better.)

Another approach that can help get Candida and gut issues under control is the 4R Model.⁴ The Institute of Functional Medicine promotes this model as the best way to evaluate and treat patients with gastrointestinal complaints. The 4R model asks four main questions:

REMOVE—What may need to be removed? This may be pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms like Candida, bacteria or parasites. It can also be foods or toxins to which the person is sensitive or allergic.

REPLACE—What may need to be replaced? In this step, the use of digestive enzymes and HCl should be considered to ensure that they body is properly absorbing necessary nutrients.

REINOCULATE—What may the body need to be reinoculated with? This considers intestinal microbes and uses probiotics and prebiotics to reestablish intestinal balance.

REPAIR—What may be needed to repair a healthy mucosal layer? The use of certain nutrients, such as L-glutamine, to repair the mucosal layer are useful here. 

One probiotic—the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii—may be particularly helpful for those with Candida problems. Candida often occurs in people who have been treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics target bacteria, both good and bad, but do not affect Candida because it is a yeast, leaving no competition for Candida. This is where S. boulardii can be helpful, because it is not killed by antibiotics like other probiotic bacteria. Futher, S. boulardii has also been shown to inhibit Candida albicans.⁵ S. boulardii produces capric acid, and both have been shown to downregulate (reduce) the expression of genes associated with Candida virulence. Thus, the capric acid secreted by S. boulardii inhibits C. albicans hyphal formation, adhesion properties and biofilm formation.⁶ Probiotic bacteria have also been found to be helpful for Candida by helping to reduce and inhibit Candida, and by stimulating immune response against Candida.⁷ 

Bringing the gut back into balance takes a multipronged approach.  The 4R program can help address the multiple issues that arise when faced with digestive conditions like Candida overgrowth. 

1. Song Y, et al., “Alternative mating type configurations of Candida albicans result in alternative biofilms regulated by different pathways.” PLoS Biology. Aug 2011;9(8): e1001117.
2.  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-047.html
3. http://www.autismpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Protocols/Usman
4. Jones DS (editor), Textbook of Functional Medicine, The Institute for Functional Medicine, 2005, p. 462-8.
5. Krasowska A, et al., “The antagonistic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii on Candida albicans filamentation, adhesion and biofilm formation.”FEMS Yeast Res. 2009 Dec;9(8):1312-21.
6. Murzyn A, et al., “Capric acid secreted by S. boulardii inhibits C. albicans filamentous growth, adhesion and biofilm formation.” PLoS One. 2010 Aug 10;5(8):e12050.
7. Wagner RD, et al., “Biotherapeutic effects of probiotic cacteria on candidiasis in immunodeficient mice.” Infect and Immun. 1997 Oct; p. 4165-72.

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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“It is possible for a person to be too clean for their own good.” This is a recent quote from Allison Aiello, visiting associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard, who is studying the effect of frequent handwashing with antimicrobial soap containing triclosan, or 2,4,4’-trichloro-2’-hydroxydiphenyl ether. Her research has shown an increase in allergies and hay fever in children and teens with chronic use of soap products containing triclosan.

Handwashing with a powerful soap containing triclosan brings up two questions:

1. What is the effect of chronic removal of hand bacteria? We know where these hands go, especially in children (the mouth, for starters).

2. What could this chemical be doing to our body from a metabolic/hormonal perspective?

My input:
1. Science has now discovered that people normally have over a 1000 different species of bacteria not only in our intestinal tract, but also on our skin. This fact points out the normal symbiotic balance with microbes that we have evolved with for millions of years. The human/microbe symbiosis is especially important in childhood immune development. Research and clinical observations support the “Hygiene Theory,” which states that a lack of early childhood exposure to infectious and symbiotic microorganisms and parasites increases susceptibility to allergic diseases (like allergies, asthma, dermatitis, and autoimmune diabetes) by disrupting the natural development of the immune system. Children living in non-industrial countries and closer to nature generally don’t have these problems.

2. Triclosan is also used in toothbrushes, ice-making machines, and in pesticides! This type of exposure has led to research by concerned individuals who have now shown significant evidence that it is yet another toxin with hormone-disrupting qualities which could majorly affect immunity. Due to the increase in negative evidence, the FDA has decided to thoroughly investigate triclosan, but not until 2013—a decade earlier than previously planned!

So what are the solutions? First, take a high quality probiotic and also make your own cultured foods. We may soon find topical probiotics could be beneficial, as well. Second, find safe soaps and use them mostly after exposure to public places. Safe soaps (or hand sanitizers) can be found at www.ewg.org, under cleansing products – hand sanitizers. Third, get involved in social networking by joining “green”groups to help educate and promote the changes we desperately need.

http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/triclosan_fs.htm

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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Doing what I do, I have a lot of folks come to me with problems like heartburn, constipation, gas and bloating—things that make you think right off the bat, “That’s a digestive issue.” But what about problems like fatigue or weight gain? Even allergies, joint pain or skin problems? What a lot of people don’t realize is that all of these things are connected, and they all come back to your gut.

I have a new book coming out called The Road to Perfect Health, and in it I talk about the vast numbers of bacteria in your body, especially in your digestive tract (which is where roughly 80 percent of your natural defenses are found). And when a healthy digestive balance is upset because of things like poor diet, stress or other factors, the result can be not only poor digestion, but a total breakdown in health.

If you’ve been having persistent health problems that you and your doctor just can’t seem to figure out no matter what you try, it may be time to look at what’s going on in your gut. And to do that, there are two absolutely essential tests that I recommend starting with. One is called a comprehensive stool analysis (CDSA or CSAP) and it’s really pretty remarkable. It evaluates your poop (now don’t cringe, this is important!) and looks at things like how you are digesting your food, as well as your levels of good and bad bacteria, whether pathogenic organisms such as C. difficile are present, what your yeast levels are, and if there are parasites in the gut.

The CDSA will also show you whether you have Leaky Gut Syndrome or inflammation in your digestive system, and it will show you how well your gut immunity is working, along with important gut health markers such as pH, blood, short-chain fatty acids and even how well your pancreas is functioning. These are all extremely important aspects of gut health that together can help you get to the bottom of what is going on in the rest of your body. Again, I can’t stress enough how connected your overall health is to what’s going on in your gut!

The other test is a gluten sensitivity test. Why gluten sensitivity? Because wheat gluten is a major (if not the worst) food irritant to the digestive system, and it is in a huge number of products on the market today—not just bread. Seriously folks, more than 40 percent of Americans are gluten sensitive and most don’t even know it, and 2 million of those have a serious autoimmune disorder called celiac disease, which causes the body to try to attack gluten in the system. And because even a lot of GI doctors don’t understand the difference between gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, most will either label you as having celiac or nothing, which can be extremely frustrating when you don’t feel well and are trying to figure out what’s wrong (read more about this here).The bottom line is that people are having all these problems which could lead to bigger problems later on, and the reality is those problems can be helped.

Both of these tests are non-invasive and can be done right at home (visit www.labtestingdirect.com and www.enterolab.com for more information). Then, all you have to do is send the tests to the lab for analysis (prepaid envelopes are provided) and hopefully take the first step toward getting your health back on track. If they seem expensive, think about it this way: how much money do you spend each week or each month on frivolous things you really don’t need? Isn’t your health a hundred times more important than a $4 latte every morning? And even if your insurance doesn’t cover the cost right away, you may be eligible for reimbursement, so I beg you—make this investment in your health. It’s worth it to get to the root of your problems and start enjoying the vibrant health and energy you deserve!!

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A couple months ago there was a report in the Lancet medical journal that looked at how conventional chicken farming is linked to antibiotic resistance in humans, and I have to say—it was pretty eye-opening.

Some of the details were really awful, like when I read about their living conditions. In case you don’t know, most conventionally-farmed chickens have an average life span of 40 days, their litter is never changed, and they literally live in their own poop.

As if that’s not bad enough, those conditions provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and parasites, so what’s the farmers’ answer? The chickens are given antibiotics throughout their life to avoid infection, which means when people like you and me eat their meat after it’s been packaged and sent to the grocery store, we’re actually ingesting those antibiotics.  Like I said—pretty eye-opening, right?

Antibiotic resistance happens when our bodies actually become resistant to the effects of a certain antibiotic (or antibiotics) over time because of misuse or overuse of those particular drugs. Sure, we have some amount of control over the antibiotics we take when it involves getting them from our doctor, but when it’s something like this, what happens then?

A specific type of antibiotic, cephalosporin, is of particular concern in chicken farming. Cephalosporin-resistant bacteria have become a common problem in hospital infections, and research shows they’re now becoming an even more widespread problem in the community. Not surprisingly, cephalosporin-resistant bacteria have been linked to… yup, you guessed it… the antibiotics used on chicken farms.   

I can’t even begin to stress how serious antibiotic resistance is, and how we really need to start paying attention to when and where our bodies might be exposed to things they shouldn’t. Antibiotics can save lives when they’re needed, but not if our bodies are left vulnerable to infection because of their improper use. If we keep going at this rate, folks who really need antibiotic treatment may eventually not be treatable at all.

So let’s make a conscious effort to begin by reading food labels and choosing chicken raised without antibiotics. It may be a small start, but it’s a good start, and it’s one that all of us can make.

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antibiotic resistance, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, bacteria, cephalosporin, chicken farming, conventional, excrement, infected, infections, microbes, Parasites, poop

It’s a word you never want to hear, especially when it comes to your own body, but what if I told you there might be parasites lurking inside you right now? Well, I don’t know about you, but I like to be prepared—so when I came across this website I knew I had found a great resource.

The CDC’s A-Z Index of Parasitic Diseases has information on everything from hookworm to head lice, complete with in-depth Fact Sheets full of interesting tidbits, so be sure to check it out! You never know when it’s going to come in handy!

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head lice, hookworm, Parasites, parasitic diseases

Believe it or not, at any given time one third of the U.S. population has parasites. And when I tell you it can happen to you, you better believe it! Keep in mind that parasites can range from bacterial types to microscopic amoebas and even larger worms. Remember Biology 101? Pretty gross. In a stool analysis study performed by Dr. Amin of the Parasitology Center in Tempe, Arizona, the most notable parasite, blastocystis hominus, was revealed—a microscopic intestinal little bugger that causes symptoms almost exactly like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

I have seen many people who have been diagnosed with IBS, and when they have a stool analysis they find that they actually have blastocystis. This is one reason why some IBS sufferers, despite everything they try, never see any improvement. Not only that, but larger parasites such as tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms are no longer present only in third-world countries… beware, they are here!

 For some good information and moments that will make you squirm, just watch the show “Monsters Inside Me” on Discovery’s Animal Planet channel.

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