Disconnect of Intent/Action

Here's the data: 75% of the population sets an intention to improve an aspect of their health, such as giving up sugar or walking daily, yet only one in five or 16% are "very successful." We're getting ready for our Gottfried Cleanse that starts next week, and I'm brainstorming how to make a radical change in this ratio. One in five sucks. I want all of you to be wildly successful in your action birthed of intention.

A favorite question of mine is: "Why bother?" We all know that food is crucial fuel, and when you eat healthful foods in the right quantity, you feel optimal, have consistent energy and ideally manage your weight with peace and serenity. But what about radical wellness, radical aggressive prevention of degenerative disease such as the big "C" and heart disease?

We've known for 30+ years that 32-35% of cancer is preventable through diet - adequate fiber, 5-7 servings per day of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein.

A recent collaborative statement from the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society states that 90-95% of cancer is related to lifestyle and environment (toxic jeans, anyone?). That leaves only 5-10% attributable to genetic risk. Isn't that astounding?

I think digestion is EVERYTHING, my lovies. Undigested food, whether physical or emotional, is at the root of disease. It all starts with your gut. Here's how.

Direct signs and symptoms include bloating, inflammatory conditions such as autoimmunity (see my post from earlier today on Autoimmune Thyroiditis or Hashimoto's), cancer and heart disease.

I have a few hypotheses on how to improve your odds of radical change for the better up from 1 in 5. One concept is divinity - when you feel aligned with higher purpose in your goal, it's a game changer. This is along the line of what you've heard me prattle on about previously - if you were making dinner for the Buddha tonight, what would you serve? Could you serve it to yourself anyway, Enlightened One?

Tell me your ideas on how to improve the odds of creating sustained action out of your intention.

Migraines: Triggers from Foods & Additives

Many of my patients with migraines recognize that certain foods are a trigger for them, but I found this list provided by Wikipedia to be especially thorough, so I thought I'd share it. If you suffer from migraines, it may be worthwhile to follow an elimination diet to avoid all of these toxins, and to slowly add them back in, one at a time, watching carefully for 72 hours for a migraine or other allergic response.

Besides food and additives, there are many other triggers for the migraine generator, including changing hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone, thyroid in particular the 7-10 days before menstruation and sometimes just after).

Gluten is a toxin for many of us, even if you don't have the classic allergic response of indigestion, diarrhea and bloating.

Check it out (and click here to go to Wikipedia to check out the citations).

Gluten One food elimination that has proven to reduce or eliminate migraines in a percentage of patients is gluten. For those with (often undiagnosed) celiac disease or other forms of gluten sensitivity, migraines may be a symptom of gluten intolerance. One study found that migraine sufferers were ten times more likely than the general population to have celiac disease, and that a gluten-free diet eliminated or reduced migraines in these patients.[21] Another study of 10 patients with a long history of chronic headaches that had recently worsened or were resistant to treatment found that all 10 patients were sensitive to gluten. MRI scans determined that each had inflammation in their central nervous systems caused by gluten-sensitivity. Seven out of nine of these patients that went on a gluten-free diet stopped having headaches completely.[22]
Aspartame While some people believe that aspartame triggers migraines, and anecdotal evidence is present, this has not been medically proven.[23]
MSG MSG is frequently reported as a dietary trigger (12%).[24] In a placebo-controlled trial, monosodium glutamate (MSG) in large doses (2.5 grams) taken on an empty stomach was associated with adverse symptoms including headache more often than was placebo.[25][26] However another trial found no effect when 3.5g of MSG was given with food.[27]
Tyramine The National Headache Foundation has a specific list of triggers based on the tyramine theory, detailing allowed, with caution and avoid triggers.[28] However, a 2003 review article concluded that there was no scientific evidence for an effect of tyramine on migraine.[29]
Other A 2005 literature review found that the available information about dietary trigger factors relies mostly on the subjective assessments of patients.[23] Some suspected dietary trigger factors appear to genuinely promote or precipitate migraine episodes, but many other suspected dietary triggers have never been demonstrated to trigger migraines. The review authors found that alcohol, caffeine withdrawal, and missing meals are the most important dietary migraine precipitants, that dehydration deserved more attention, and that some patients report sensitivity to red wine. Little or no evidence associated notorious suspected triggers like chocolate, cheese, histamine, tyramine, nitrates, or nitrites with migraines. However, the review authors also note that while general dietary restriction has not been demonstrated to be an effective migraine therapy, it is beneficial for the individual to avoid what has been a definite cause of the migraine.

Patch That Leaky Gut

Wanted to post some info on Leaky Gut Syndrome. Here's a start - an informative post by Dr. Leo Galland, MD.

It's a little techy, so thought I'd also post some help understanding the matter from Dr. Andy Weil, MD's website:

Leaky gut syndrome is not generally recognized by conventional physicians, but evidence is accumulating that it is a real condition that affects the lining of the intestines. The theory is that leaky gut syndrome (also called increased intestinal permeability), is the result of damage to the intestinal lining, making it less able to protect the internal environment as well as to filter needed nutrients and other biological substances. As a consequence, some bacteria and their toxins, incompletely digested proteins and fats, and waste not normally absorbed may "leak" out of the intestines into the blood stream. This triggers an autoimmune reaction, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal bloating, excessive gas and cramps, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, skin rashes, and autoimmunity. The cause of this syndrome may be chronic inflammation, food sensitivity, damage from taking large amounts of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), cytotoxic drugs and radiation or certain antibiotics, excessive alcohol consumption, or compromised immunity.

My colleague, pediatrician Sandy Newmark, M.D., who deals with leaky gut syndrome in children, tells me that it isn't clear how many people have this disorder or exactly what problems can be attributed to it. Dr. Newmark says that it has been established that a significant percentage of children with autism have increased intestinal permeability, but it isn't known whether this is a cause or an effect of food sensitivities and an underlying metabolic problem.