Tag Archives: Calcium

SESAME SEED GOMASHIO/ GOMASIO

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SESAME SEED GOMASHIO/ GOMASIO

One Tablespoon of Sesame Seeds =90mgs. Calcium  8oz. of whole milk = 300mgs

Calcium Foods Sesame Seed Gomashio

There are numerous sources of Calcium outside of dairy products. Sesame seeds are loaded; and used almost exclusively in the semi-arid Middle East where there are no grasslands for cows to graze.  Tahini is made from sesame seeds.

Gomasio/Gomashio is a delicious garnish used  over almost anything.

  • Wash and dry roast sesame seeds in a heavy skillet such as cast iron
  • Add 1 part Celtic Sea Salt for every 10-15 part seeds.  OR, can substitute
  • Kombu/Kelp Powder at 1 part for every 5-10 part seeds
  • Constantly stir over medium heat until golden in color and beautifully scented
  • Remove and grind in a traditional SuribachiI or can use a food processor

NOTE: This recipe is a matter of taste.  Some will like a little less salt others perhaps a bit more. Keep working with it.

 

Vitamin D-Comprehensive

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It is only within the last few years that the important role Vitamin D plays has been researched and recognized.

Here are some facts regarding “Vitamin D” which is actually a hormone as opposed to a vitamin.
* Vitamin D, also called Calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin which means it is found primarily in animal fat. Unlike other vitamins that must be obtained solely through supplements or diet, vitamin D is manufactured in the body when sunlight comes in contact with the skin.

Here is a short list of what Vitamin D is responsible for.

  • Vitamin D is responsible for regulating over 800+ genes in the body!
  • It is a known fact that Vitamin D 25- Hydroxy levels lower than 15  will lead to many varieties of Cancer especially Colon Cancer
  • Vitamin D deficiency was responsible for older patients losing their balance and falling.  Two studies, one from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and the other in Pharmaco Economics support this theory
  • .Low Vitamin D associated with age related cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimers.    In a new study published earlier this month in JAMA Neurology, researchers demonstrated a significant association between vitamin D insufficiency and cognitive decline that is specifically seen in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The results reinforce the importance of identifying vitamin D insufficiency among the elderly. Here, low vitamin D levels were associated with significantly faster rates of decline in memory and executive function performance..
  • Vitamin D has historically been used to treat Low Blood Pressure as there appears to be a correlation between blood pressure and low blood calcium levels and Vitamin D is directly responsible for where calcium should be and should not be.
  • Vitamin D is vital for bone growth and repair, especially in children and the elderly. Calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood stream are maintained by vitamin D. Vitamin D assists in the absorption of these important nutrients during digestion. This role in calcium and phosphorous absorption makes vitamin D an important part of bone growth and maintenance; and liver and kidney health Vitamin D also contributes to the function on the thyroid gland and to the immune system.

*The vast majority of the vitamin D used in the human body is manufactured in the skin. When vitamin D is consumed it is absorbed into the blood stream from the intestines with the help of bile. From the intestines Vitamin D is transported to the liver where it may be stored or used by the body. The daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin D is 400 IU’s for an average adult man/woman.

Why suddenly is everyone Vitamin D deficient?

  • Not eating the foods high in Vitamin D which include fish liver oil, egg yolks, butter and cod liver oil. Vitamin D which naturally exists in milk is destroyed during the pasteurization process making it necessary to replace the naturally occurring Vitamin D that once was in the milk with synthetic Vitamin D which the body cannot utilize
  • Not enough sun exposure due to fear that the sun causes cancer when in fact that is not the case. Poor diet is!
  • Actually,  it may not be a deficiency of Vitamin D atoll, but a deficiency of Vitamin F, Vitamin D’s antagonist. Vitamin D picks up calcium from the gut and puts it into the blood. Vitamin F takes it from the blood and puts it into the tissues.

How to Optimize Vitamin D?

  • To optimize your levels, you need to expose large portions of your skin, such as your back, chest, legs, and arms, to sensible sun exposure. And, contrary to popular belief, the best time to be in the sun for vitamin D production is actually as near to solar noon as possible.
  • During this time you need the shortest exposure time to produce vitamin D because UVB rays are most intense at this time. Plus, when the sun goes down toward the horizon, the UVB is filtered out much more than the dangerous UVA.
  • Just be cautious about the length of your exposure. You only need enough exposure to have your skin turn the lightest shade of pink. Once you reach this point your body will not make any additional vitamin D due to its self-regulating mechanism. Any additional exposure will only cause harm and damage to your skin.

Vitamin D is important, but as we know, it is not the only key player. It is also important to assess calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2, and other trace minerals for deficiencies and support accordingly. There are several labs that can assess RBC minerals and fat-soluble vitamins.

What about Vitamin F–I never heard of this vitamin before?

  • Vitamin F is a source of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids which are needed to transport calcium from the blood to the tissues.
  • It contains Linolenic and Linoleic Acids which the liver will convert to Arachidonic Acid.  Arachidonic acid is the only form of polyunsaturated fat that can be utilized by the body.
  • It does not exist in vegetable oil—only in fat meat and butter—not margarine.
  • Because polyunsaturated fats reduce blood-cholesterol levels, they are much preferred over saturated fats.

D without F will cause the blood calcium level to increase at the expense of the tissue calcium level because Vitamin D not only picks up calcium from the gut in a deficiency of F, it brings calcium from the tissues back into the bloodstream and then targets the additional D to be stored by the Liver.

Vitamin F Deficiency results in or plays a major role in the following conditions::
* Hives                                     *Dry Skin
* Itchy Skin                              *Muscle Cramps (Charley Horse)
* Canker Sores (Herpes)        *Sun Poisoning
* Hypothyroidism                     *Sun Sensitivity
* Ridged Nails                          *Heat Prostration
* Poor Hair Quality                   *Prostate Problems

In my practice, I often recommend a blood test called Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy to determine the blood levels of Vitamin D.. Once the blood Vitamin D levels are determined, I may recommend specific supplements;hopefully on a short rather than long term basis.  I do not want my patients to stay on supplements forever, and prefer they increase their D levels using foods and the sun.

Note: Because vitamin D is stored in the body (in the liver), it can be toxic if taken in excess quantities. Vitamin D doses of three of four times the RDA may result in nausea, excessive thirst, confusion, heart rhythm abnormalities, weakness and headaches. Vitamin D is also known to interfere with certain medications including steroids and some seizure drugs. Point being do not take Vitamin D because it is a new fad–see a health care provider that knows what they’re doing, get the lab test and correct appropriately

There is a lot of chatter going on regarding Vitamin D.  For further information on the subject, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 619-231-1778

Proton Pump Inhibitors

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 Proton Pump Inhibitors Worse than the Indigestion they Supposedly Cure

A class of antacid medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has now been proven to be quite harmful. Some common PPIs include Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, and Protonix. Many of these are available over the counter with no prescription. Proton pump inhibitors are used in the management of simple heartburn, gastro-esophageal reflux and peptic ulcer disease. PPIs decrease acid in the stomach by blocking an enzyme that is needed for the production of hydrochloric acid.

The FDA itself has issued a warnings about these drugs, including statements that they cause low magnesium and increased risk of osteoporosis. PPIs increase the risk of infectious diarrhea caused by such organisms as Clostridium difficile (C. diff). This infection often requires hospitalization, treatment with various IV antibiotics, and can be fatal in the very young, elderly and immuno-compromised individuals. PPIs also inhibit the absorption of vitamin B12 and calcium, and have multiple drug interactions. Higher doses and long-term use of PPIs greatly increase the risks.

Fracture Risk: The FDA has come out with a warning to health care professionals and consumers that PPIs lead to increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist and spine. This warning is based on the agency’s own review of several studies.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that patients over age 50 who were treated with PPIs for over a year had a 44% increased risk of hip fracture. High doses and long tern use increased this risk even more. At the same time PPIs inhibit the absorption of calcium, they inhibit the proton pumps in the cells which build new bone. This leads to osteoporosis due to both calcium deficiency and impaired ability to build new bone.

Low magnesium: In 2011, the FDA issued a warning that PPIs can induce low magnesium if taken for long periods of time. They recommended that prescribers obtain a serum magnesium test prior to initiation of therapy and periodically thereafter. In patients taking Digoxin for heart conditions, low magnesium greatly increases its toxicity. In 25% of patients who developed low magnesium, supplements were not enough to correct this, and the drug had to be discontinued.

Magnesium is a critical mineral and is needed for virtually every function of the body. It activates enzymes, is involved in energy production, regulates heartbeat and muscle contractions, and regulates calcium, copper, zinc, potassium, Vitamin D and many other nutrients present in the body.

Deficiency of magnesium can cause heart arrhythmias, profound weakness and fatigue, restless leg syndrome, confusion, jerky muscle movements, and high blood pressure.

Be aware that the bottom of the “normal” range for serum magnesium is so low that it is not going to pick up a problem until the person is already very ill. It is nearly impossible to take too much magnesium unless there is a problem with the kidneys. If serum magnesium levels get too high, the kidneys will excrete it. Also, oral magnesium, especially magnesium oxide, at higher doses will cause diarrhea and can be excreted this way.

Drug Interactions: These are listed in the material given with the OTC products, but how many people read and comprehend these tiny inserts?

Plavix (anti-coagulant): The FDA issued a warning to avoid taking PPIs and Plavix together as concurrent use can decrease the effectiveness of Plavix by up to 50%. This in turn could lead to blood clots, stroke and heart attacks.

Warfarin(Coumadin, anti-coagulant): PPIs inhibit breakdown of this drug in the liver, leading to high blood levels which can cause hemorrhage.

Diazepam (Valium, tranquilizer): Due to less breakdown in the liver caused by PPIs, high blood levels can result in respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, extreme fatigue, sleepiness, and confusion.

Antiretrovial agents (drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS): PPIs increase blood levels of these drugs, leading to increased side effects.

Tacrolimus (used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs): PPIs increase blood levels of this drug which cause significant problems.

Antifungals: These drugs are dependent on low pH in the stomach for absorption. Therefore, when acid production is inhibited, they are not absorbed and are thus ineffective. Any drug dependent on normal stomach acidity for absorption will be affected similarly

Treat heartburn and reflux naturally

If you have persistent heartburn and/or reflux, there are non-drug solutions. First determine the cause of the problem. Reflux is caused by a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This is the doughnut shaped muscle that allows food to enter the stomach. The more common cause of heartburn/reflux is weakening of the LES caused by low stomach acid.

The hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach functions to break down proteins into amino acids, stimulates the pancreas and small intestine to secrete digestive enzymes, and prevents infection by killing pathogenic bacteria and yeasts commonly present in foods. Correcting low acid in the stomach will virtually stop heartburn/reflux without drugs. There are a few things you can do at home to help determine if your problem is low stomach acid.

  1. The baking soda test: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of water and drink it. Do this first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. Start timing and note how long before you belch. If you have adequate stomach acid, you should belch within 2 or 3 minutes. Stop timing at 5 minutes. No belching within 5 minutes is a good indicator of low stomach acid. Early and excessive belching may indicate excessive stomach acid.
  1. Trial of Betaine HCL: Using a product such as Gastro Plus, take 1 to 2 capsules immediately prior to eating. You may feel a sensation of warmth, but not burning. If you feel burning, discontinue use as your problem may be excess stomach acid, which is very rare. Under the guidance of a qualified professional, the dose may be titrated upwards until you feel burning, then decreased to the point where you don’t feel any actually burning. A healthy stomach produces many times the amount of hydrochloric acid found in this product.

There are medical tests which actually measure the amount of acid produced by the stomach, and some lab tests can indicate low stomach acidity. Stool analysis will show elevated short chain fatty acids. Blood tests will indicate amino acid, B vitamins and mineral deficiencies.

Some dietary and lifestyle changes can also help alleviate symptoms:

  • Eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates
  • Keep a food diary and eliminate foods which cause or worsen the problem Many of the foods conventional medicine warns you to avoid may be fine, so listen to your own body
  • Keep the head of your bed elevated at least 6 inches until symptoms are resolved. This helps prevent the reflux of acid back into the esophagus through the LES
  • Quit smoking
  • Don’t wear tight clothing, such as belts, bras or tight waistband
  • Remain upright for an hour or more after eating
  • Avoid eating close to bedtime

For more information:

https://drprincetta.com/hcl-hydrochloric-acid-deficiency/

http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm213377.htm

http://www.raysahelian.com/protonpumpinhibitor.html

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/296/24/2947.abstract

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm245275.htm

http://www.drdebe.com/stomach-acid-assessment.html