This weeks Yes to Life show hosted by Robin Daly on UK Health Radio  is all about Sum of the Parts – Nutritional Therapist and Functional Medicine Practitioner Mark Bennett Entire Wellbeing shares some of the ways he supports people through and after cancer. To listen click on the following link:  bit.ly/2FqNx3U Cancer is a complex multifactorial chronic disease and the evidence would strongly suggest that complementary approaches when combined with modern medical treatments can improve patient outcomes. This is not about an alternative approach, which by default implies that the patient has to make a decision as to which path to take, but about combining the best available evidence based approaches from both modern medicine and functional medicine to help deliver improved patient/client outcomes.
Anxiety and depression are a significant health burden, with an estimated 20% of adults in the UK being affected. Whilst the use of antidepressants/anti-anxiety medications often provides effective relief, considerable side effects are common. Anxiety and depression are often closely associated with digestive dysfunction/Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), suggesting that imbalances (dysbiosis) in the micro flora (bacteria) may well be playing a significant role. Research suggests that a balanced and diverse micro flora in the gut plays a central role in overall well-being. In fact the science in this particular area of research is moving at a rapid pace with the recognition of distinct ‘gut-organ’ interactions and dependencies such as the gut-brain axis. The gut-brain axis is irrefutable. We now know that this axis is controlled by a mixture of nervous, endocrine (hormonal) and immune system mechanisms. There is a continuous bidirectional conversation using small proteins (peptides) that are produced by specialist cells in the gut lining. The gut is the largest hormone and neurotransmitter producing mammalian organ, producing over 90% of serotonin (the very neurotransmitter that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI antidepressants, aim to increase between the neurons in the brain). Human studies show that the brain can be affected by modulating the balance of the microflora (bacteria) in the gut and that each and every lifestyle choice that we make (food/drink choices, exercise, stress and toxic load) changes both the composition and diversity of these bacteria. Interestingly, research now specifically connects gluten related disorders (the umbrella term for coeliac disease, non-coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivity and wheat allergy) to the initiation of dysbiosis, neuroinflammation and the disruption of the gut/brain axis and the manifestation of anxiety and depression. Other recent work has shown that stress can cause ‘leaky gut’ (either between or through the cells of the gut lining) which can facilitate the movement of the ‘exhaust’ of bad/pathogenic bacteria into systemic circulation, often driving inflammation, which is now known to be a key driver of depression. Clinically, clients presenting with anxiety and depression often see significant and sustainable improvements in their mental health by working hard on correcting any identified imbalances in their gut health, whilst also consuming an appropriate wholefoods diet and making sensible lifestyle choices. This often leads to the cessation of medications. Please note however that stopping any medication should always be done under the guidance and full knowledge of your GP.    
SIBO occurs when the small intestine (the part of the digestive system that is designed to absorb nutrients from our food) is overgrown with bacteria that should not be there. The small intestine is effectively sterile. It is the colon that should harbour large populations of bacteria. When bacteria that should be in the colon decide to take up home in the small intestine, significant health issues may ensue, including nausea, bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea, malnutrition, weight loss, joint pain, fatigue, acne, eczema, asthma, depression and rosacea. SIBO might be best described as an infection of the small intestine. SIBO is typically not considered in the standard assessment of an individual’s well being, but clinically it is highly prevalent. The latest data/studies suggest that IBS and SIBO often co-exist, with a 10-fold increase in SIBO if you are presenting with IBS. If SIBO is present it needs to be properly addressed, as without rebalancing the bacterial imbalances that drive this condition, the client has little chance of regaining long-term health and well-being. SIBO is highly correlated with nutritional deficiencies (even if supplementing), due to the bacteria in the small intestine interfering with absorption of nutrients. The malabsorption of nutrients is likely to eventually impact every major system in the body, if left unchecked. Key triggers and drivers of SIBO include low stomach acid (including using Proton Pump Inhibitors such as omeprazole), poor bile flow/liver health, abdominal surgery (e.g. gall bladder removal and hysterectomy), radiotherapy, lack of pancreatic enzymes, diabetes, diverticulosis, coeliac disease, stress, ileocaecal valve dysfunction (the doorway between the small intestine and colon), food poisoning, regular alcohol and a dysfunctional Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) – The MMC makes cleansing/sweeping like motions between meals that cleans the small intestine, moving the contents of the small intestine and bacteria towards the colon. If the MMC is not working properly, then undigested food becomes a substrate for bacteria to thrive and ferment. SIBO is typically treated with antibiotics, but reoccurrence rates are high and beneficial bacteria essential for digestive function are likely to also be harmed. Research and clinical experience show that certain herbal antimicrobials are just as effective at treating SIBO as antibiotics. Whichever route is decided upon, SIBO resolution requires a multi faceted approach to ensure that it is properly managed and prevented from reoccurring.      
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs), which include both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are complex autoimmune diseases of the digestive system. As discussed in previous articles, the evidence base suggests that autoimmunity is caused by a combination of genetics, environmental challenges (diet, toxic load, stress, viral and bacterial load) and imbalances in the balance of the bacterial species of the gut (dysbiosis). The standard medical approach to managing IBDs is to suppress the immune system using steroids or anti-inflammatories, which can not only increase the risk of infections but may often also deplete vital nutrients from the body. Response rates to these medications are also often sub optimal. The standard Western diet is both high in refined carbohydrates, rancid fats and low in fibre and nutrients. The Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) protocol (a more restricted form of the Paleo approach) often used as the basis of a dietary intervention to help clients with autoimmunity regain control of their health; temporarily eliminates gluten, grains, dairy, nuts and seeds, legumes, nightshades, eggs, food additives, sugar, tea, coffee and alcohol. The focus is on providing the body with nutrient dense whole foods, consisting of fish/meats, fruits, vegetables, herbal teas, meat stocks, bone broths and water. The rationale is to remove the foods that can often trigger inflammation. It is also important to include other life style modifications, as part of the overall strategy, including stress and toxic load reduction and appropriate forms of exercise. The results of a small study published in the journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2017 called ‘Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease’, tracked the progress of 15 patients with active IBD, that had been living with this condition for an average of 19 years. Half of the participants were actively using prescribed medications. The results of this study were remarkable – ‘clinical remission was achieved at week 6, by 11 out of 15 (73%) of the study participants’. The study then goes on to say that ‘remission by week 6, rivals that of most drug therapies for IBD’, without of course the side effects. Clinically I have experienced a significant proportion of clients with IBD regain control using a personalised dietary and supplementation approach. It is extremely reassuring to see such an unusual study validate this approach.      
When cells malfunction we ultimately present with disease. Nature does not label/define cell malfunction into various disease types such as arthritis/depression/cancer or cardio vascular disease; we do that. ‘There are no specific diseases; there are specific disease conditions.’ – Florence Nightingale. So why do cells malfunction? Cells, the building blocks of our body, all 36 trillion of them, malfunction for only a few key reasons. Arguably one of the most important of these reasons is lack of optimal cellular nutrition. The biochemistry that is going on in all of us is unimaginably complex. Our cells are performing trillions of chemical reactions every second. So far we have discovered that the body requires access to over 250 individual nutrients for optimal cellular health (there will inevitably be more as our knowledge progresses). Even if genes are playing a part in the disease process, whether those genes become activated or not is intricately linked to nutrient triggers – nutrients can literally switch genes on and off. Medications cannot do that. This is the science of the rapidly expanding field of nutrigenomics. Yes, to a certain extent we are what we eat, but to be more precise we are what we absorb! Nutrient absorption is fundamental to the whole process of optimal cellular health. It is normal to see clients presenting with multiple signs and symptoms of low nutrient status, even when eating what they would describe as a ‘healthy diet’. These include, fingernails that chip/break easily and have white spots, muscle cramps, cuts that heal slowly, decreased sense of taste/smell and bleeding gums. Optimal absorption is dependent on optimal digestive system function. The whole system has to be in balance. Not only do we need to be in a relaxed state and consuming nutrient dense foods (however that on its own is becoming more and more difficult to do as we deplete our soils through relentless monoculture farming), but we also require sufficient stomach acid, bile flow and digestive enzyme status; a diverse and balanced micro ecology of the gut, optimal health of the small intestine (which can be damaged by the presence of coeliac disease, non coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivities) and the absence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This is why when working with any client, no matter what their health condition, it is wise to start with a thorough evaluation of digestive health.        
Neurodegeneration/neurological disease affects neurons (the building blocks of the nervous system in the brain and spinal cord) and includes Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Motor Neurone/Lou Gehrig’s disease/ALS. Modern medicine uses medications to control symptoms. Whilst this is naturally the first line of treatment offered, investigating why neurodegeneration has developed is often not given the attention it deserves. The functional approach to health is all about causation i.e why does something happen? The body consists of multiple interconnected sophisticated systems, that when working efficiently, promote optimal health. It is now clear that there is a ‘gut/brain axis’, which consists of bidirectional mechanisms of communication between these two distinct nervous systems. This includes a physical connection via the vagus nerve, compounds produced by gut bacteria that may access systemic circulation due to increased ‘leakiness’ of the gut and gut derived immune system chemical messengers/neurotransmitters and hormones. Why does this matter? In Parkinson’s, for example, constipation is now believed to be a very early symptom and the data suggests that being constipated increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s by up to 4 times; there is also evidence that alpha-synuclein clumps start in the gut and travel to the brain via the vagus nerve. What happens in the gut does not stay in the gut! It is essential to construct a holistic functional picture in order to be able to provide the appropriate intervention. Functional testing is an important part of this picture. The health of the digestive system is fundamental (cells require access to 250 different micronutrients (vitamins/minerals) to function properly, which depends on optimal digestive capacity even if eating ‘well’ – we are not what we eat, we are what we absorb), toxic and bacterial/viral load (how is the immune system responding to these environmental challenges), gluten sensitivities (coeliac/non coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivities), unidentified food sensitivities (which can contribute significantly to overall levels of systemic inflammation), histamine and gut barrier permeability (‘leakiness’). By combining this data with conventional medical data, a personalised and targeted intervention can be implemented alongside any current modern medical programme, providing the client with a much greater opportunity to regain control of their health. Finally, it is perfectly possible for gluten on its own to drive neurodegeneration. ‘Gluten sensitivity can be primarily and at times exclusively a neurological disease’ – Gluten Sensitivity as a Neurological Illness – Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 2002.      
Our skin is an amazing structure. There are over 3,000 known skin conditions, which include conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, acne, rosacea and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Data suggests that in the UK, 55% of the population have a skin disorder. These conditions often cause considerable discomfort and stress. Topical treatments such as balms/emollient creams/moisturisers and steroids are the normal course of action, often providing symptomatic relief, but these treatments unfortunately do not get to the root cause. So what are the key factors that in clinic often help to resolve these distressing conditions? Optimal skin health is dependent on sufficient supplies of micronutrients including vitamins A, B3, B5, biotin, C, D (optimisation of vitamin D levels can reduce the severity of eczema in 4 weeks), E, K2, the minerals zinc, sulphur, selenium and silica and balanced essential fats. Nutrient density of the diet and efficient absorption are therefore key. We are not what we eat, we are what we absorb! Absorption can be impacted by so many different variables including imbalances in the bacterial species of the gut (dysbiosis) – there is an irrefutable ‘gut-skin axis’ with skin health directly reflecting what is going on inside us; the presence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth – SIBO (where the small intestine is overgrown with bacteria from the colon – correlated with rosacea); physical damage to the small intestine caused by undiagnosed coeliac disease (which is one of the most common lifelong disorders in North America and Europe) and inflammation caused by non-coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivity. The presence of a ‘leaky gut’ caused by dysbiosis can lead to a lack of ‘oral tolerance’ of any number of foods, which can drive skin inflammation. Liver and kidney function are also important. The skin is a detoxification organ and if the liver and kidneys are under pressure then skin health may be impacted. So a proper evaluation of your environment is key (fabric conditioner, detergents and personal care products). Finally excess histamine can often be a significant factor (stress is a potent histamine trigger), which is why a low histamine diet can often help. If this approach does work, then gut health and nutrient status warrant further investigation. So if you have a chronic skin condition and want to regain control, work with a functionally qualified health professional. Everything in the body is connected – nothing exists in isolation.
Diabetes is a condition where the body is unable to efficiently handle carbohydrate (sugar). This happens because of problems with the production of, or response to insulin (the hormone secreted by the pancreas that controls blood sugar levels). Diabetes can either be type 1 or 2 . Type 1 diabetes (T1D), also called juvenile diabetes, is where the pancreas fails to make insulin and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is where the body does not respond appropriately to the insulin that is being produced and usually follows on from a period of ‘insulin resistance’. Both types cause too much sugar to be present in the blood. Inappropriately high levels of blood sugar can cause a myriad of health issues including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, nerve/kidney/eye/foot damage, skin conditions, Alzheimer’s and depression. T1D is an autoimmune condition (where the body’s immune system attacks the cells that make insulin in the pancreas) and T2D is considered to be primarily a lifestyle condition, although there is now also evidence that T2D also has an autoimmune component. According to Diabetes UK, almost 3.7 million people in the UK have a diabetes diagnosis (with an estimated extra 1 million who don’t even realise that they are diabetic). It is estimated that 12.3 million people are at an increased risk of developing T2D in the UK i.e pre-diabetic. Diabetes has been described as being the ‘fastest growing health crisis of our time’, costing the country £1.5 million an hour or £14 billion per year (if you also include the cost of treating health complications). This is a real crisis, which is not being resolved by the current nutritional guidelines. Diabetes is essentially an intolerance to carbohydrate. To quote a critical review titled ‘Dietary carbohydrate restriction as the first approach in diabetes management’ published in Nutrition in 2015 – ‘the benefits of carbohydrate restriction in diabetes are immediate and well documented’. It goes onto say ‘dietary carbohydrate restriction reliably reduces high blood glucose, does not require weight loss and leads to the reduction or elimination of medication’. It is however critical that any diabetic that reduces carbohydrate intake, regularly measures their blood sugar levels and works very closely with their doctor so that their diabetic medications can be adjusted accordingly. Failure to do this could lead to the development of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), which can be life threatening.
I have been asked to speak at this seminar, which is being run from 10am on the 25th October 2018 at the Penny Brohn Centre in Bristol and is being hosted by Hifas da Terra – www.hifasdaterra.co.uk. More information and tickets can be bought by clicking  here This event is designed to take you on a journey through the latest research relating to the processes that are now believed to be central to the initiation and development of autoimmunity. We will not only explore some of the key interventions that have been developed and are being successfully employed to help people presenting with these devastating conditions to take back control of their health; we will also present the science behind use of medicinal mushrooms in auto-immunity in clinical practice. Medicinal mushroom have been used as a powerful tool in natural health for centuries. As adaptogens they have the potential to balance and regulate our immune response, an important step in auto-immune reset and recovery. We will explain the role of key medicinal mushrooms in auto-immune protocols, and take you through the mechanisms of individual active compounds and their role in human health and wellbeing.
Studies show that a quarter of the population in the UK are presenting with a chronic (long term) condition. These are non-communicable diseases. A quarter of adults are taking 3 or more medications, to manage their symptoms. This is the key point; the medications are designed to manage symptoms, not to get to the root cause of the problem. Now, there is nothing wrong with treating symptoms. Most of us have taken a pain killer at some point in our lives to deal with acute pain and been extremely thankful for the result. However, when it comes to chronic health conditions please consider this analogy; if you have a nail in your shoe, you can either take a pain killer to reduce the pain, or remove the nail from the shoe. This is of course a slightly flippant example of the main principle behind the functional model of health, but it succinctly explains the difference between treating symptoms as opposed to the root cause. The functional model of health is based on the fact that the body is composed of several highly interconnected sophisticated ‘functional’ systems, that when working efficiently, promote optimal health and well-being. These functional systems are intricately connected together and nothing exists in isolation. We are all biochemically individual. What makes you, you, is unique to you. The functional model recognises that it is the summation of your environmental inputs (toxins, bacterial/viral load, stress, diet & lifestyle) over your life that are likely to have contributed to your current health concerns and that most chronic illnesses are typically preceded by a lengthy period of decline in one or more of the body’s functional systems. Family history and genetics can play a significant role in the development of health problems; however appropriate diet and lifestyle choices can do a great deal to lessen their expression (epigenetics). It is through the taking of a detailed life history that the functional model aims to identify systems that may have been excessively challenged over your lifetime. When these systems are over stretched, it can lead to many symptoms, which often seem unrelated and hard to pin down. Once identified, these challenged systems can be supported through appropriate dietary and lifestyle interventions. As the body moves back towards a state of balance and optimal health, symptoms and health problems are more likely to resolve or lessen in their expression.
Gluten related disorders (GRDs) include coeliac disease (CD) and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The evidence base shows that GRDs (not just CD) are a serious threat to long-term health and well-being. GRDs are fundamentally caused by the inability of the body to properly digest gluten (the storage protein in grains), typically driven by imbalances in the bacterial species of the gut in combination with genetic predisposition. Anyone with a GRD should completely eliminate gluten from the diet permanently in order to repair the damage that has been done and regain health and wellbeing. CD is the autoimmune variant of GRDs where the immune system attacks and destroys the small intestine reducing the ability of the body to absorb nutrients and is connected with over 300 different conditions. CD can be diagnosed using a combination of blood, genetic and physical assessments. NCGS on the other hand is not an autoimmune disease and is therefore generally viewed as being a much less serious condition. This is simply not true. There is also a ‘new kid on the block’ called Non Coeliac Wheat Sensitivity (NCWS) where gluten is not necessarily the trigger, but instead significant immune system reactions and damage to the intestine are being triggered by other components of wheat. CD is therefore not the only GRD that should be taken seriously. The results of a large study in 2009 (American Journal of Gastroenterology) that reviewed 351,000 intestinal biopsies clearly showed that there was not only just as much inflammation detected with NCGS as with CD, but also that the increased risk of early mortality was 72% with NCGS compared to 39% with CD! If you then also consider that a recent study in 2015 (Gastroenterology) discovers that blood markers for the detection of systemic autoimmunity are nearly double with NCWS (NCGS is a sub section of this category) compared to CD, you can start to appreciate that both gluten and wheat can have serious implications for those individuals that do not have CD but instead NCGS/NCWS. Further research needs to be conducted in this area, but these findings are very revealing. So, if you are presenting with any chronic condition that cannot be explained, then please seriously consider getting professional assistance evaluating the potential for the existence of a GRD. Remember that eliminating wheat/gluten before you have had a professional assessment is not advised.
We will consume between 3 and 7 tonnes of food and drink in our lifetimes, all of which has to be broken down and then the appropriate nutrients absorbed across the gut barrier, before it can be utilised by the body. The gut barrier of the small intestine, is the size of a tennis court and is made up of a single layer of cells that not only regulate the flow of nutrients and water into the body, but also play a central role in how our immune system responds to the significant amount of dietary proteins and microbes that are ingested on a daily basis. Nothing put into the digestive system is technically speaking inside the body until it has been absorbed across the gut barrier. It is the gut barrier that decides what to both let in and keep out of systemic circulation. Research shows that the integrity of the gut barrier is fundamental to health and well-being. If the gut barrier is compromised, by ‘leaking’ between and/or through the cells (para and/or trans cellular hyperpermeability), unwanted substances might permeate through the gut barrier and provoke unwanted immune responses – fuelling chronic inflammation. As we have discussed many times before, chronic inflammation is the route cause of all chronic disease and is a recognised key factor in the development of autoimmunity. Some of the conditions directly associated with ‘leaky gut’ include: coeliac disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, spondylitis, Parkinson’s disease, endometriosis, eczema, Crohn’s disease, colitis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Leakiness between the cells of the gut barrier is controlled dynamically by a protein called zonulin. The higher the levels of zonulin, the greater the leakiness between the cells. The zonulin pathway is initiated by either the presence of pathogenic bacteria and/or gluten in the gut (which gives you a clue as to how the body treats gluten!). Dysbiosis (imbalances in the micro ecology of the gut) and leaky gut will typically co exist. The presence of either or both of these conditions will drive a state of chronic inflammation. Fortunately you can repair ‘leaky gut’ and rebalance the micro ecology of the gut, regaining control of health and well-being.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)? The digestive system is about 30ft in length from entrance to exit and consists of the following major sections in order from top down: The mouth, throat, stomach, small intestine (duodenum) and large intestine (colon). As I have mentioned many times previously, the digestive tract is home to a complex community of bacteria (approximately 100 trillion), which should not only in balance for health and well being, but also should have the largest number of bacteria residing in the colon. Sometimes, the small intestine gets overgrown with bacteria due to conditions such as low stomach acid, pancreatitis, diabetes, diverticulitis and coeliac disease, along with the use of certain medications (including immunosuppressants and proton pump inhibitors). This is called ‘Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth’ or SIBO. These bacterial overgrowths produce either hydrogen and/or methane gas. SIBO can therefore be tested for using a breath test that measures levels of these gases. The small intestine has the surface area of a tennis court and is crucial to the efficient absorption of nutrients from the diet. SIBO disrupts the ability of the small intestine to efficiently absorb nutrients (the bacteria end up competing for the nutrients that the body is trying to absorb) often resulting in a broad range of micronutrient deficiencies (including iron, calcium, and vitamins B12, A, D, E and K) and symptoms including nausea, bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea, malnutrition, weight loss, joint pain, fatigue, acne, eczema, asthma, depression and rosacea. The malabsorption of nutrients is likely to eventually impact every major system in the body, if left unchecked. SIBO is typically treated with antibiotics, but reoccurrence rates are high and beneficial bacteria essential for digestive function will also be damaged. Research suggests however that certain herbal and lifestyle interventions are just as effective at treating SIBO. In clinic, as I have mentioned many times before, it is always a multifactorial approach that delivers the best results. So this typically involves a combination of changing how much and how often you eat, what you are eating, adding in certain strains of probiotics, targeted supplementation, the use of herbs and essential oils and managing stress levels using techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga, tai chi, deep breathing and autogenics.
I regularly see clients presenting with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This is where the client has fatigue that is so debilitating that they are virtually unable to function or undertake normal every day tasks. Often CFS presents as fibromyalgia, which is chronic fatigue with the added burden of widespread pain and stiffness throughout the body. It is believed that the pain associated with fibromyalgia is caused when the mitochondria (the energy production plants in our cells) desperate to supply appropriate levels of energy to the body, switch from efficient aerobic (using oxygen) to inefficient anaerobic (not using oxygen) metabolism. This anaerobic form of energy production creates large amounts of lactic acid. Lactic acid, as anyone who pushes themselves hard when exercising knows, causes immediate muscle pain, which dissipates after a few minutes of rest. This pain however does not dissipate with fibromyalgia, as the body is unable to break the lactic acid down, due to mitochondrial dysfunction (not working properly). The excess lactic acid can also cause damage to the muscle tissue, presenting as very sensitive areas on the body. This process can feed on itself as the damage to the muscles releases a large number of free radicals (destructive molecules), which can cause additional damage if antioxidant status (the ability to neutralise free radical damage) is low. Mitochondrial dysfunction is therefore one of the key areas to focus on when it comes to helping move the body back into balance with CFS and fibromyalgia. So what are the key ingredients required for healthy mitochondria? They require a raft of key nutrients for optimal performance, including but not limited to magnesium, B vitamins, essential fats, CoQ10, carnitine and alpha lipoic acid and must not be bathed in toxins. Whilst clearly mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the key areas to focus on with these conditions, it should be noted that there are often multiple systemic imbalances going on, including but not limited to digestive dysfunction, poor antioxidant status, immune system dysregulation, chronic inflammation, viral infections, food and/or environmental sensitivities/allergies, thyroid and adrenal dysfunction and micronutrient deficiencies. Everything in the body is connected and nothing exists in isolation. Once again looking at the body from a functional and holistic perspective is key to any potential solution to these devastating conditions.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia and it is estimated that 160 million people globally by 2050 will have this disease. So far the search for a single ‘silver bullet’ pharmaceutical approach to treating AD has not delivered anything other than a temporary slight improvement in symptoms with no long term impact on disease progression. Recent biochemical research however would suggest that AD is both triggered and perpetuated by a complex interaction of different factors and that a multi-factorial approach to treating this devastating condition may provide better outcomes. Pioneering work is being undertaken in this area by Dr Bredesen, who describes dementia as being primarily a ‘metabolic problem’. In a small but ground breaking study published in Aging in 2014, a 90% success rate in both arresting and reversing early stage AD was reported. Dr Bredesen uses a combination of personalised dietary and lifestyle interactions (includes supporting digestive function, identifying imbalances in the gut, correcting identified nutrient deficiencies, optimising vitamin D levels, eating food over a particular window of time in the day, assessing metal toxicity, optimising sleep, increasing exercise and movement, reducing inflammation, identifying food sensitivities, supporting mitochondrial function and stimulating the brain) with the client to achieve substantial results over a 3 to 12 month period. Larger clinical trials are currently underway in the UK and USA. These results on the face of it look to good to be true, but in reality simply reflect the obvious which is that chronic disease is rooted in the mismatch between our genetics and the modern world that we have created for us to live in. Your environment (diet, toxic load, stress/trauma, and infections) is fundamental to your long-term health and well-being and should be one of the first areas to seriously evaluate when confronted with any chronic condition. What makes you, you is unique to you and this is the premise behind the ‘functional model’ of health. Working with a functionally trained health practitioner on any chronic condition, along with the required work and commitment that these types of interventions require, can provide significant health benefits.
Sensitivities, Chronic Inflammation and Autoimmunity How food and environmental choices can impact your long-term health Thank you to everyone that attended this event. We had 157 people turn up……….. You can view Part 1 of this seminar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFOV00Phs7Y Research shows that unidentified sensitivities (to both food and the environment) are often implicated in the development of and/or perpetuation of a number of chronic health conditions including but not limited to eczema, joint pain, IBS, indigestion, depression, anxiety, headaches, fatigue, weight gain, congestion and heart palpitations. This seminar provides you with an easy to understand overview of the following key topics: 1) What is the difference between an allergy, sensitivity and intolerance? 2) What impact might unidentified food and environmental sensitivities behaving on your health? 3) Coeliac disease and non coeliac gluten sensitivity – the differences 4) Why simply cutting gluten out of the diet is not enough if you are a diagnosed coeliac 5) Sensitivities and autoimmunity 6) Items to carefully consider when choosing a sensitivity test 7) Personalised dietary and lifestyle interventions and the road to health    
Occasionally I see clients not reacting as you might expect to a clean healthy nutritional protocol (containing fermented foods, meat/fish, vegetables, fruits and nuts/seeds) and sometimes their original symptoms might even be exacerbated. When this happens I always suspect ‘histamine intolerance’. Histamine intolerance (too much histamine) can manifest itself as any number of symptoms including but not limited to skin problems, insomnia, light headedness, palpitations, low blood pressure/fainting, muscle pain/cramps, joint pain, tinnitus, depression, unexplained bruising and rosacea. Histamine is a chemical that is secreted by specialist immune cells as a response to help protect the body against infection. A histamine response is involved in the typical symptoms that are associated with mild allergic reactions (e.g hay fever & hives) and this is why antihistamines are often used to help manage such reactions. Histamine intolerance occurs when the body has too much histamine. This happens when the supply of histamine exceeds the ability of the body to break it down. The effect of histamine on the body is cumulative – visualise a barrel with holes in the bottom being filled up with water. The water represents histamine and the holes the enzymes that break histamine down. If the amount of water entering the barrel exceeds the amount escaping, then the barrel will eventually overflow (this is the point at which the body has too much histamine). The irony of histamine intolerance is that the foods that you are often told to consume on a healthy plan are the very foods that contribute the greatest histamine load! These include raspberries, avocados, spinach, meat stocks, citrus fruits and fermented foods (including certain strains of probiotics). The key to balancing histamine (stopping the barrel overflowing) is to both reduce intake and support the optimal degradation of histamine. It turns out that some of us are less able to produce the enzymes required to break down histamine. An imbalanced microflora is also significant contributor to elevated histamine levels. Enzyme and histamine levels can be tested for and then an appropriate strategy implemented to help regain control of key symptoms before revisiting the careful reintroduction of healthy higher histamine foods.
So if you do have coeliac disease (see post http://entirewellbeing.com/coeliac-disease/ for more information on this condition), do you just simply cut out gluten and everything will be alright? If only it were that simple…….. Although the majority of newly diagnosed coeliacs will experience substantial improvements in their symptoms within the first few weeks of cutting out gluten, research shows that between 10 and 15% of coeliacs continue to experience health problems even when following a gluten free diet. These are called ‘non-responsive coeliacs’. This might be (and often is) explained by unintentional gluten contamination (it is very easy to get ‘glutened’ – and it only takes one eighth of one teaspoon of a gluten flour to reignite the immune response and ‘contamination’ can also come from hundreds of non food items including shampoos and cosmetics). However, between 1 and 5% of coeliacs develop what is called ‘refractory coeliac disease’ (RCD) where any gluten (even levels found in foods termed ‘gluten free’ e.g. bread) cannot be tolerated. This is a very serious sub category of coeliac disease and can lead to significant health problems if not managed appropriately.
Excluding unintentional contamination and RCD, the other key reason for symptoms not improving on a gluten free diet is ‘cross reactivity’. Research shows that there are a number of other food proteins that can cause the immune system to react in a similar way to gluten, thereby potentially perpetuating chronic inflammation and the destruction of the villi (the finger like protrusions in the small intestine that are damaged by coeliac disease). We know that around 50% of all coeliacs cross react with casein in dairy. Other cross-reactive gluten free foods include oats, yeast, rice and corn (consumption of these foods are actively encouraged as a coeliac). Maybe this is why only 8% of adults with coeliac disease experience complete healing of the villi on a gluten free diet and why there is evidence of poor vitamin status in coeliacs who have been on a gluten free diet for 10 years? In summary simply excluding gluten from the diet is not good enough. If you are a coeliac some of the key questions that you should be asking yourself include: 1) Might I be exposing myself to gluten contamination from my environment (e.g. skin care products and cosmetics)? 2) What gluten ‘cross reactive’ foods might I also be reacting too? 3) How much damage has been done to the digestive system (prior to diagnosis) and what extra support do I require to help repair this damage? 4) What impact has coeliac disease potentially had on my overall nutrient status? These questions and more can be answered by working with a suitably skilled and knowledgeable functional practitioner.
Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks and damages the villi (the finger like small protrusions in the small intestine) affecting 1% of the global population (circa 70 million people). Originally considered a rare childhood condition it is now recognised as primarily an adult disease. The autoimmune destruction of villi is triggered by eating gluten (found in Barley, Rye, Oats and Wheat) and since this process dramatically reduces the surface area of the small intestine, the body’s ability to absorb nutrients is compromised, potentially leading to a raft of disparate symptoms and disease presentations.
Screening studies show that CD is one of the most common life long disorders in North America and Europe and that currently only 1 in 8 coeliacs are diagnosed and that on average it takes 13 years and 5 doctors for a diagnosis. So why is this? The classical symptoms of diarrhoea and abdominal cramping are just one clinical manifestation of CD, with research showing that less than 50% of coeliacs currently present with these classical symptoms. Non classical or ‘silent coeliac disease’ presentations can include: iron deficiency anaemia, osteoporosis, arthritis, neurological degradation (ataxia and epilepsy), depression, fertility issues, migraines, blood test abnormalities, chronic kidney disease, raised liver enzymes, mouth ulcers, dental enamel defects and a number of other autoimmune conditions including Hashimoto’s, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, Addison’s disease, cardiomyopathy and autoimmune hepatitis. Interestingly the research base would suggest that more people with less severe symptoms (mild anaemia and/or reduction in bone density) are being diagnosed with CD and this often includes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with up to 30% of coeliacs having had a previous diagnosis of IBS. It should also be noted that the first-degree relatives (parent/sibling/child) of coeliacs have a significantly elevated risk of developing the same condition and should be tested. Please note that the standard blood tests for CD often provide false negative results (due to the body not being able to produce sufficient amounts of the specific antibodies being measured, or reactions that may be present to other immune stimulating peptides of gluten that are not being measured). So if your are presenting with an autoimmune and/or chronic condition you might want to seriously consider the impact that gluten might be having on your health.
Cyrex in the USA (www.cyrexlabs.com) have produced a range of functional tests (they call them Arrays) to help unravel the complexities of the autoimmune disease process and identify potential triggers and mediators (such as specific food antigens and toxic chemical exposure).  For an overview of Cyrex testing please click on this link: Cyrex Testing Overview There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases (including coeliac disease, type 1 diabetes, alopecia areata, multiple sclerosis, Graves disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Hashimoto’s) affecting an estimated 360 million people globally and the numbers are rising fast. Research suggests that women are 2.7 times more likely to develop an autoimmune disease than men and to present with multiple autoimmune conditions. The science also clearly links specific environmental triggers that can cause an inappropriate immune response, as being a key factor associated with the perpetuation of the autoimmune process. I specialise in autoimmunity (loss of self tolerance), working in a complementary capacity with modern medicine to help the client achieve their specific health goals. I do this by applying the principles and approaches that are continually being unearthed in the scientific literature. Cyrex testing is a fundamental tool that I use in this respect, as it facilitates the formulation of the most appropriate intervention for the client and can help build a clearer picture of what might be perpetuating the disease process and provide invaluable information to the client’s medical team. Cyrex testing is best of breed as it tests for an immunological response across a number of different arms of the immune system (IgG, IgA and IgM) to a large number of scientifically validated antigens (food and environmental). Please contact me if you require any further information.