Food's Toxic Effect Part II

Food's Toxic Effect Part I (2007)

Many of us are aware of food allergies. These are immediate, catastrophic inflammatory responses to foreign proteins in foods or substances that we ingest (commonly known as anaphylaxis). It is estimated that 12 million Americans suffer from true food allergies. Most of us know if we have a true food allergy.

However, many of us are unaware of what approximately 72 million Americans suffer from: food intolerance. If our practice is any indication, we think the number of Americans with food intolerance is much higher than estimated.

Food intolerances are most indicated in individuals with inflammatory bowel problems which can include eosinophilic esophagitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, those with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraines often have food intolerances.

Simply, when an intolerant food is presented to the digestive system, it has a toxic effect at the cellular level. Gluten intolerance is a perfect example of how a substance, in this case, the glue that holds grain together, attacks the cells in our digestive tract and creates a host of adverse effects. As the toxicity becomes more pronounced (cells begin to die or under perform), this is when we contract chronic conditions such as the aforementioned.

In our estimation, roughly 40% of our clientele have food intolerances. In most cases, if the food triggers are not discovered in the first few appointments, we run a Food Intolerance (Cytotoxic) blood test that covers 209 foods, spices, and preservatives. We have used the same lab, Biotrition in Rolling Meadows, for many years because their results are accurate and consistent.

In February 2007, to our delight, one of the few studies ever done on food intolerance was published. It was a resounding success and mirrored almost to the letter how we treat food intolerance.

Analysis of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition study

Subjects in this study had all failed to reduce their Irritable Bowel Sydrome symptoms using the standard therapies such as anti-cholinergics, anti-spasmodics, anti-diarrheals, and serotonergic agents.

The researchers hypothesized that identifying and removing trigger foods that create inflammation (IgG) in the gut, in addition to balancing the gut microfloral environment, would reduce the IBS symptoms. Their "hypothesis" paid off.

After using food intolerance blood testing almost identical to the testing that Nutritional Concepts' uses, the subjects were asked to the eliminate the foods that were discovered to be the strongest agitators. The most frequent positive reactions found in the subjects were (dairy does not appear because all subjects had removed dairy from their diets prior to participating in this study):

4 or more molds - 70%
Baker's yeast - 85%
Onion mix - 65%
Pork - 60%
Peanut - 60%
Corn - 55%
Wheat - 50%
Soybean - 50%
Carrot - 45%
Cheddar Cheese - 40%
Egg White - 40%

After testing each subject's microflora via comprehensive stool analysis, it was discovered that 100% of the subjects exhibited deficiencies of beneficial flora. They were put on high dose, broad-spectrum probiotic supplements.

The subjects were retested at six months and one year.

• Diarrhea, a dominant symptom in the subject cohort, was drastically reduced after food elimination and probiotic supplementation. Daily stool frequency was also reduced from 4.29 to 3.43.
• Pain frequency (1 - no pain to 5 - severe pain) resulted in significant improvement from 3.65 to 2.71.
• Subjects also reported significant improvements in interference with activity, body image, health worry, social reaction, sexual function, and relationships.
• Researchers also found significant colonization of beneficial microflora after supplementation.
• The authors of this study note that the medical community's reticence concerning IgG testing should be challenged and re-evaluated as a result of these findings.

Bonnie - I am so proud of the University of Kansas researchers who had the guts to perform this study. The study's design is very similar to how we have treated clients with IBS and other digestive ailments when food intolerance is suspected. Of course, the results of the study are also very similar to what we see with clients who follow our suggestions. The authors did note that food elimination diets are extremely time consuming for the patient and practitioner. This is probably why many patients and practitioners do not engage the paradigm. It is not sexy, but very effective. As the authors said, patients and practitioners with high degrees of motivation to improve get results.


Food's Toxic Effect Part II (2010)

Another Journal of the American College of Nutrition study, published in June 2009, showed that juvenile patients with severe Crohn's disease went into remission without medication within two months when put on a food exclusion plan with dietary supplements. This should leave little doubt that removing intolerant foods and infusing with tolerated foods and nutrients not only helps, but heals.

Analysis of the Study

Most moderate-severe juvenile Crohn's disease patients are in a constant catabolic state resulting in poor weight and growth failure. Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and monoclonal antibody drugs, as well as growth hormone, frequently fail to achieve sustained remission or reverse growth failure.

Objective: The object was to test whether an exclusion diet with nutraceutical therapy could induce sustained clinical remission and weight gain.

Methods: Subjects with moderate-severe Crohn's disease were treated with adequate caloric and protein intake. Dairy products, all corn and whole grains, and any foods containing carrageenan were eliminated. Dietary supplements including a multivitamin/mineral, probiotic, and two proprietary natural antiinflammatory complexes, were administered twice weekly.

Results: Within 2 months of starting the diet and nutrients, all subjects went into remission, with discontinuation of all pharmacological drugs. Half of the patients have remained in sustained remission for 4 to 8 years. Other patients symptoms reoccurred when they became less compliant. 75% of subjects had excellent growth response.

Conclusion: The exclusion of food intolerants commonly associated with moderate-severe Crohn's disease engendered prolonged remission and restoration of normal weight juvenile subjects. The findings, according to the Columbia University researchers, justify larger controlled trials to evaluate the long-term benefit of compliance of this protocol in both juvenile and adult Crohn's disease patients.

Bonnie - in a way, Nutritional Concepts is a large controlled trial that has been going on for more than twenty years. The results have been very successful for detecting and removing intolerant foods not just for Crohn's disease, but myriad disorders that go beyond just the digestive system. Do not hesitate to contact our office for more information about how we go about addressing food intolerance.