Dr David asks: Is sugar addictive? Studies say Oh YES!

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Refined sugar is more addictive than cocaine — one of the most addictive substances currently known. In one study, when rats were allowed to choose either sweetened water or cocaine, an astonishing 94 percent of rats chose the sweet water. Even rats that were addicted to cocaine quickly switched their preference to sugar once it was offered as a choice.
The researchers speculated that the sweet receptors (two protein receptors located on your tongue), which evolved in ancestral times when the diet was very low in sugar, have not adapted to modern times’ high-sugar consumption. Therefore, the abnormally high stimulation of these receptors by our sugar-rich diets generates excessive reward signals in your brain, which have the potential to override normal self-control mechanisms, and thus lead to addiction.

As the researchers noted:

” … these findings extend previous research by showing that an intense sensation of sweetness surpasses maximal cocaine stimulation, even in drug-sensitized and -addicted users. The absolute preference for taste sweetness may lead to a re-ordering in the hierarchy of potentially addictive stimuli, with sweetened diets (i.e., containing natural sugars or artificial sweeteners) taking precedence over cocaine and possibly other drugs of abuse.”

 

Just some of the 100+ references on this subject:
1. Frequent ice cream consumption is associated with reduced striatal response to receipt of an ice cream-based milkshake. Burger KS, Stice E. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Apr;95(4):810-7. Epub 2012 Feb 15.  PMID:     22338036
2. Negative affect and neural response to palatable food intake in bulimia nervosa. Bohon C, Stice E.  Appetite. 2012 Jun;58(3):964-70. Epub 2012 Mar 2. PMID:     22387716
3. Youth at risk for obesity show greater activation of striatal and somatosensory regions to food.  Stice E, Yokum S, Burger KS, Epstein LH, Small DM. J Neurosci. 2011 Mar 23;31(12):4360-6. PMID:     21430137
4. An fMRI study of obesity, food reward, and perceived caloric density. Does a low-fat label make food less appealing? Ng J, Stice E, Yokum S, Bohon C.  Appetite. 2011 Aug;57(1):65-72. Epub 2011 Apr 8. PMID:     21497628
5. Reducing ice cream energy density does not condition decreased acceptance or engender compensation following repeated exposure. Specter SE, Bellisle F, Hémery-Véron S, Fiquet P, Bornet FR, Slama G. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998 Oct;52(10):703-10.
PMID:     9805215
6. Relation of reward from food intake and anticipated food intake to obesity: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Stice E, Spoor S, Bohon C, Veldhuizen MG, Small DM. J Abnorm Psychol. 2008 Nov;117(4):924-35. PMID:     19025237
7. Relation of dietary restraint scores to activation of reward-related brain regions in response to food intake, anticipated intake, and food pictures. Burger KS, Stice E.
Neuroimage. 2011 Mar 1;55(1):233-9. Epub 2010 Dec 13. PMID:     21147234

Great tips for preventing seasonal allergies

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It’s here! The warm weather and lack of snow means the dust and snow mold is in the air.  The phone is ringing with allergy questions and I’m glad to help.  The key to supporting allergies is to reduce the reactivity level as well as the extent of your exposure.  I saw a great link to follow for some really basic, but helpful tips to reduce the ways you home can add to your allergies: 10 Ways to allergy proof your home.

Other things we can do to help reduce your burden is test for food allergies and intolerance.  If there is some underlying issue with foods or other allergens creating inflammation, then you are more likely to react to other allergens.  Because some allergy types do not release histamine, they are difficult for even the most observant person to spot the relationship.  And with that, you may have to avoid for over a month to see an improvement in some chronic inflammation.  A simple blood test for 96 common foods and also for candida yeasts can be a very effective tool to help make you less reactive to inhaled allergens this spring.

 

Geting out in the community

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We’re getting to the end of our public presentation season, and I want to thank everyone for attending the various events. I spoke at the Crowfoot Y on behalf of Amaranth Health Foods and we had their largest turnout ever for a public presentation.
This is great news for those who see more and more people using food and natural methods to improve their health. It is sometimes an uphill battle and I am encouraged every time I present somewhere and see the reception to this message is growing. I want to remind everyone to bring a friend to these events. Grab someone who may not be familiar with natural health or whole foods recipes and get them to join you so that we can expand the circle.
Thanks again to Amy at Amaranth for all the work that goes into any of these events.

The Shrinking Independent Organic Companies

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Organic food and supplement companies are being purchased at an ever faster rate by the Mega Companies (Kraft, General Foods, Pepsi, Coke, Monsato J&J, P&G) leaving fewer and fewer truly independent companies making high quality reliably organic products.  Here is a snapshot of who owns what and who is left.

Dr. David’s Top 5 Ingredients to Avoid in Your Cosmetics

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These are the findings From the Personal Care Safety Assessment Program.

    An astounding one-third of all the products assessed contained at least one ingredient that fell under the classification of human carcinogen ( cause cancer)  
71% of the hair dye products evaluated had carcinogenic coal tar as part of their ingredients    Almost 70% of the products reviewed were found to have ingredients that could be tainted with impurities related to cancer and other health complications
   54% of the products violated the safety recommendations proposed by the self-regulating Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board. 
FRAGRANCE: The word “fragrance” or “parfum” on the product label represents an undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals andingredients used as fragrance dispersants such as diethyl phthalate. Fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies,
dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.
Other Names Used: PARFUM
RETINYL PALMITATE: (VITAMIN A PALMITATE): Retinyl palmitate is an ingredient composed of palmitic acid and retinol (Vitamin A). When
exposed to UV light, retinol compounds break down and produce toxic free radicals that can damage DNA and cause gene mutations, a precursor to cancer. Recently available data from an FDA study indicate that retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the
presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions. FDA also raised a concern that extensive, daily skin application of vitamin A creams may build up in the woman’s body a high enough level of Vitamin A that may be toxic to the
developing fetus.
Other Names Used: RETINYL PALMITATE, AXEROPHTHOL PALMITATE; RETINOL, HEXADECANOATE; RETINOL PALMITATE; VITAMIN A PALMITATE;HEXADECANOATE RETINOL; AQUASOL A; AROVIT; OPTOVIT-A; RETINOL PALMITATE; VITAMIN A PALMITATE
OXYBENZONE: Oxybenzone is a sunscreen ingredient associated with photoallergic reactions. This chemical absorbs through the skin in significant amounts. It contaminates the bodies of 97% of Americans according to Centers for Disease Control research.
Other Names Used:BENZOPHENONE-3, 2-BENZOYL-5-METHOXYPHENOL; 2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYBENZOPHENONE; (2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYPHENYL)
PHENYLMETHANONE; METHANONE, (2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYPHENYL) PHENYL-; (2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYPHENYL) PHENYL- METHANONE; OXYBENZONE(BENZOPHENONE-3) ; OXYBENZONE 6; METHANONE, (2HYDROXY4METHOXYPHENYL) PHENYL; B3; DURASCREEN; SOLAQUIN
METHYLPARABEN: Methylparaben is in the paraben family of preservatives used by the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care productindustries. Parabens mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors.
Other Names Used: BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-, METHYL ESTER; P-CARBOMRYHOXYPHENOL; 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, METHYL ESTER;P-METHOXYCARBONYLPHENOL; METHYL 4-HYDROXYBENZOATE; METHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE; METHYL PARAHYDROXYBENZOATE; BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-,METHYL ESTER, POTASSIUM SALT; 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, METHYL ESTER, POTASSIUM SALT; METHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE POTASSIUM SALT;
METHYLPARABEN, POTASSIUM SALT
BUTYLPARABEN: Butylparaben is in the paraben family of preservatives used by the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care productindustries. Parabens mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors.
Other Names Used: BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-, BUTYL ESTER; BUTYL 4-HYDROXYBENZOATE; BUTYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE; BUTYL P-HYDROXY BENZOATE;BUTYL PARAHYDROXYBENZOATE; PARAHYDROXYBENZOATE ESTER; BUTYLPARABEN, POTASSIUM SALT; BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-, BUTYL ESTER, SODIUMSALT; BUTYLPARABEN, SODIUM SALT; 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, BUTYL ESTER, SODIUM SALT; BUTYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID

Dr. David’s Top Foods to Quit Eating to Stop Cancer From Developing

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  • There are many all-natural cancer-prevention strategies, and research shows that most of them can cut your risk in half. Consequently, by implementing multiple strategies, you can virtually eliminate your risk of cancer as well as other chronic disease
  • Your diet is the one of the best ways to either feed or prevent cancer. Processed foods, soft drinks, red meat from CAFO (factory farms)-raised animals, trans fats, all forms of sugar, and any food containing or contaminated with xenoestrogens promote cancer growth. Plant foods, particularly cruciferous vegetables and flax seed, as well as many herbs and spices are cancer-preventive
  • Healthy fats of particular importance for cancer prevention are omega-3 and omega-9, which effectively slow down tumor growth in estrogen-sensitive cancers such as breast-, prostate- and colon cancers

Dr. David’s Easy 9 Healthy Food Shopping Rules

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Whether you’re shopping at a supermarket or a farmer’s market, here are the 9 signs of a high-quality, healthy food:

1. It’s grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers (organic foods fit this description, but so do some non-organic foods)
2. It’s not genetically modified, and contains  NO GM ingredients
3. It contains no added growth hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs
4. It does not contain artificial anything, nor any preservatives
5. It is a whole food, and this means it will not have a long list of ingredients (for instance, high-quality almond butter should contain almonds (preferably raw) and maybe sea salt — no added oils, sugars, etc.)
6. It is fresh (if you have to choose between wilted organic produce or fresh local conventional produce, the latter is the better option)
7. It did not come from a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO)
8. It is grown with the laws of nature in mind (meaning animals are fed their native diets, not a mix of grains and animal byproducts, and have free-range access to the outdoors)
9. It is grown in a sustainable way (using minimal amounts of water, protecting the soil from burnout, and turning animal wastes into natural fertilizers instead of environmental pollutants)

Dr. David Says: The Flu Vaccine, how effective is it?

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So how effective is the flu vaccine?  The best way to answer that is to look at the best studies done that review the evidence, these are meta-analysis studies, that review all the best studies and then analyze the total evidence presented to make very strong scientifically based conclusions.

The meta-analysis by Osterholm and colleagues,[1] indicated the flu vaccine offers only moderate protection against virologically confirmed influenza, their point estimate for efficacy was 59% overall, and that this protection is greatly reduced or absent in some seasons.  The researchers set very strict inclusion criteria that they would only review studies that used as the sole measurable endpoint a culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed influenza. As well, they only included studies that were done using vaccines that are licensed for standard use.

So the latest and best available study, says the flu vaccine is slightly above a 50/50 chance of stopping you from getting the flu.  You have to decide for yourself, if it is worth getting a dose of MSG, mercury (Thimerosal), formaldehyde and aluminum, which are toxic substances in the body (all still used as preservatives in the vaccine ), for those levels of protection.

There are alternatives to the standard vaccines, and these work on boosting your immune response naturally through diet, supplements and with standardized plant extracts that stimulate and strengthen the immune response without any added toxins.

 

[1] Osterholm MT, Kelley NS, Sommer A, Belongia EA. Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. October 25, 2011. [Epub ahead of print]

 

Pesticides and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD)

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A new study out of Harvard (1) shows that even tiny, allowable amounts of a common pesticide class can have dramatic effects on brain chemistry. Organophosphate insecticides (OP’s) are among the most widely used pesticides in the U.S. & Canada and have long been known to be particularly toxic for children. This is the first study to examine their effects across a representative population with average levels of exposure. Findings show: Kids with above-average pesticide exposures are 2x as likely to have ADHD.

(1) Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides

Abstract

Objective: The goal was to examine the association between urinary concentrations of dialkyl phosphate metabolites of organophosphates and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children 8 to 15 years of age.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2000–2004) were available for 1139 children, who were representative of the general US population. A structured interview with a parent was used to ascertain ADHD diagnostic status, on the basis of slightly modified criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.

Results: One hundred nineteen children met the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Children with higher urinary dialkyl phosphate concentrations, especially dimethyl alkylphosphate (DMAP) concentrations, were more likely to be diagnosed as having ADHD. A 10-fold increase in DMAP concentration was associated with an odds ratio of 1.55 (95% confidence interval: 1.14–2.10), with adjustment for gender, age, race/ethnicity, poverty/income ratio, fasting duration, and urinary creatinine concentration. For the most-commonly detected DMAP metabolite, dimethyl thiophosphate, children with levels higher than the median of detectable concentrations had twice the odds of ADHD (adjusted odds ratio: 1.93 [95% confidence interval: 1.23–3.02]), compared with children with undetectable levels.

Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that organophosphate exposure, at levels common among US children, may contribute to ADHD prevalence. Prospective studies are needed to establish whether this association is causal.

  • Accepted February 23, 2010.

Wheat Belly by Dr. Davis

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Wheat belly is a very interesting read on how prevalent wheat issues are in our society. It is obviously a one-theme book, but there is so much depth to this conversation. The book does a great job of explaining how we got to this point in the “development” of wheat and how different modern wheat is from earlier varieties.
Dr. Davis explains how much wheat we actually consume in western nations and it is a little unsettling. The specific health figures really are shocking when you first see them and then start to put it together from a clinical point of view and it reinforces how important it is to look at one’s diet as a fundamental basis for health.
I guess I feel a little supported by what he says because I feel quite alone sometimes in recommending a gluten-free, wheat-free diet to people who are quite resistant if not completely opposed to making these changes. I have a lot more to back me up in making these recommendations, and we have more proof to inspire patients to make changes. It also supports doing the food allergy testing to further demonstrate how a food can drive inflammation in our body. This can lead to a wide variety of health effects including allergies, asthma, weight gain, hormone imbalance, depression and anxiety among others.
I recommend reading “Wheat Belly” for anyone interested in their own, or a loved one’s health.