Sixty-five percent of people have trouble digesting regular milk. Lactose usually gets blamed for this widespread “milk intolerance,” but lactose is only part of the problem. The other problem is a milk protein called A1 beta-casein.

A1-beta casein is the biggest problem food nobody’s ever heard of. Studies suggest it causes digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain in a significant number of people.

Most regular milk contains A1 beta-casein because most cows have A1-producing European genes. But there’s a fix. You can breed cows to produce a more digestible milk protein called A2 beta-casein, the original protein produced by cows. The milk from these specially-bred cows is called A2 milk. (By the way, Pioneer Pastures cows are A2 cows, and our milk protein shake is lactose and A1 beta-casein-free.)

Here’s the big takeaway. Regular milk contains A1 and A2 beta-casein, but A2 milk contains only A2 beta-casein. Science suggests that A2 milk is easier to digest for some people and may be better for long-term health.

At Pioneer Pastures, we want more folks to drink A2 milk so the benefits ripple through society. It’s why we got into this business.

Below, explore the digestive benefits of A2 milk and dive deeper into the research by clicking the links. You’ll learn why regular milk causes gut issues for some and how A2 solves them.

Why Regular / Non-A2 Milk May Cause Digestive Issues

Two components of regular A1 milk give folks the most digestive trouble:

1. Lactose
2. A1 beta-casein

Lactose intolerant people lack the enzyme (lactase) that digests lactose, the primary sugar in milk. Without lactase, you can’t break down lactose before it reaches the small intestine. When lactose reaches the small intestine intact, it meets gut bacteria that ferment this milk sugar, causing gas, diarrhea, and other GI symptoms.

Most people, including many doctors, blame lactose intolerance for all milk digestion issues. But many folks with so-called “lactose intolerance” don’t actually have problems absorbing or digesting lactose. And so, there must be another cause for milk digestion issues. That cause may be A1 beta-casein from regular milk.

Here’s why A1 beta-casein may be problematic for some. When we digest this milk protein, it turns into another compound called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7). (Digesting A2 beta-casein, by the way, doesn’t create BCM-7.) The European Food Safety Authority flagged BCM-7 in a 2009 scientific report, noting its wide-ranging adverse effects on the gut and other organ systems. Since then, the scientific research against BCM-7 has continued to mount, especially in the realm of digestion in animal studies.

5 Ways A1 Beta-Casein May Impair Digestion

Regular milk contains A1 beta-casein, which you digest into BCM-7. BCM-7, in turn, may impair digestion via several mechanisms.

As you read this section, understand that most of this mechanistic evidence has been shown in animals, not humans. Human evidence suggests A1 beta-casein causes more digestive symptoms than A2 beta-casein, and researchers are still unraveling why. With this in mind, here are five possibilities based primarily on animal research.

#1: Reduced gut motility

Gut motility refers to the movement of food and fluids through your digestive tract. Proper gut motility keeps you regular and prevents food from lingering in the gut, fermenting, and causing gas, loose stool, and other symptoms.

Specialized “opioid receptors” in the gut control this system. BCM-7 interacts with these receptors, reducing gut motility. Opioid drugs have a similar effect, which is why these drugs cause constipation.

In a 2014 study, rats fed regular milk had reduced gut motility compared to rats fed A2 milk. A 2016 human trial involving 45 Chinese people had a similar finding.

#2: Increased inflammation

In this context, inflammation refers to an unnecessary, damaging immune response that causes digestive symptoms. The gut houses – most of the body’s immune cells, making it an inflammatory hub.

Mice given regular milk (or BCM-7 directly) showed higher levels of gut inflammation. These mice had more immunoglobulins, inflammatory cytokines, and white blood cells — markers of inflammation linked to digestive distress. Mice given A2 milk did not have these problems.

#3: Altered gut microbiome

The trillions of microbes in your gut (your gut microbiome) can either aid or impair digestive health. Everything you consume influences this massive colony.

In mice, drinking A2 milk led to a healthier gut microbiome vs drinking regular milk. Specifically, A2 mice made more short-chain fatty acids, beneficial compounds produced by gut bacteria. Conversely, regular milk drinking mice had more inflammation, possibly because the regular milk encouraged the proliferation of a family of bacteria called Ruminococcaceae.

Bottom line? We need human studies, but animal evidence suggests that A2 milk is better for gut critters than regular milk.

#4: Excess mucin production

Mucin is a protein that structures mucous (mucous lines your gut, lungs, and other organ systems). Proper mucin levels keep your gut running like a Swiss clock. Accordingly, too much mucin impairs gut motility and disrupts the balance of gut bacteria, causing digestive symptoms. In rats, the administration hub of casein hydrolysate (which contains A1 and A2 beta-casein) led to higher mucin production, though the effect wasn’t statistically significant. In the isolated rat intestine, BCM-7 administration increased mucin production, suggesting A1 beta-casein is to blame for the excess production.

#5: Lactose intolerance

Not everyone with milk intolerance has lactose intolerance. Some folks may react to A1 beta-casein instead. Others may react to both lactose and A1 beta-casein in regular milk.

Researchers believe BCM-7 from A1-beta casein may contribute to lactose intolerance via mechanisms we covered earlier:

• Inflammation may decrease lactase production
• Altered gut bacteria may affect lactose absorption
• Reduced gut motility gives lactose more time to ferment

Will switching to A2 milk cure lactose intolerance? Science hasn’t answered this question, but it may be worth a personal experiment.

A2 vs. Regular Milk for Digestion: Clinical Evidence

The strongest evidence for A2 milk improving digestion comes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the gold standard of science.

In RCTs, researchers randomly assign human participants to experimental or control groups. This method reduces researcher bias while allowing science to test one condition vs another.

These RCTs looked at consuming A2 milk (experimental condition) vs. regular milk (control condition) to compare effects on digestion:

1. 2024 RCT from the Journal of Cancer Prevention. Forty people who drank A2 milk for two weeks had less abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomach gurgling, and fecal calprotectin (a marker of inflammation) than when they drank regular milk for two weeks.
2. 2016 RCT from Nutrition Journal. Forty-five people who drank A2 milk for two weeks had less digestive discomfort, better bowel motility, reduced inflammation, and enhanced cognitive function than when they drank regular milk for two weeks.
3. 2014 RCT from European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Forty-one people who drank A2 milk for two weeks had firmer stool and less inflammation than when they drank regular milk for two weeks.

The takeaway? The science strongly suggests that A2 milk causes fewer digestive issues than regular milk in some people.

Running Your A2 Experiment

A well-run human study doesn’t prove that A2 milk helps you. You have to test it in the laboratory of your body.

If regular milk is bothering your gut, run an experiment. Switch to A2 milk for at least two weeks and note any changes. Are things running smoother down there? Do you have less gas, bloating, or stomach pain? If you answer yes to any of these questions, consider permanently switching to A2 milk.

It doesn’t have to be a perfect experiment. If you’ve been avoiding dairy for years, you don’t have to reintroduce regular milk as a control condition. Just try A2 milk and see how you feel.

A quick note. If you have a milk allergy (vs. milk or lactose intolerance), stay away from dairy products altogether, including A2 milk. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns. Allergies are serious business.

Assuming you don’t have a dairy allergy, it’s easy to bring A2 milk into your life. Pioneer Pastures makes the world’s first ultra-filtered A2 milk protein shake that is also lactose free. It’s a simple and delicious way to get more protein in a highly-digestible format. Getting more protein (from A2 milk or other sources) helps support muscle mass, hormonal health, and weight management. It’s a win-win.

Remember, our cows are special cows that only produce A2 milk. There’s no A1 beta-casein to worry about. A better cow, a better milk.

The A2 Revolution is Just Beginning

The A2 revolution is just beginning. It will get much bigger.

Over half the world has trouble digesting milk. If we can change that number by a few percentage points, we could improve hundreds of millions of lives.

Start with your diet, though, because that’s the only diet you have complete control over. Good luck with your A2 experiment.

Link to original article: A2 Milk for Digestion: Why It Beats Regular Milk

Try these delicious Pioneer Pastures High Protein, Low Sugar, A2 protein shakes (easier on your digestion)

The post A2 Milk for Digestion: Why It Beats Regular Milk appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily alternative health tips that I personally read every day… The original article can be found here:

I bet if you looked in the mirror you wouldn’t say to yourself, “I look a little fungusy today.” More than likely, you don’t really know what it looks like to be fungusy.

Truth be told, you can’t really look like fungus (or a mushroom for that matter), but there is a good chance that fungus, to some degree or another, is compromising your health.

Don’t get too wigged out when I use the word fungus. We are all covered in fungal communities; they take up residence on us and within us, forming tight-knit colonies according to their kind. Many of these fungi are harmless, and a good number are quite necessary for health. However, when the bad guys move into the neighborhood, things get funky.

Fungi vs. bacteria

Before I go on, let’s first take a quick look at the difference between fungi and bacteria. Both are minute organisms that are found in almost every ecosystem on earth, and both can associate with other groups of living things. As mentioned above, they can either be harmless and necessary in biological processes, or they can be highly dangerous.

The main difference between fungi and bacteria is their cellular structure. Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms, meaning they do not possess a nucleus, while fungi are eukaryotic organisms, meaning they have a very well-defined nucleus. While both organisms have cell walls, what makes up these cell walls is different. Fungi, for the most part, have long hollow tubes that form networks (hyphae).

Each of these tubes is bordered by a strong wall made from chitin — the same substance that forms the exoskeletons of insects. Hyphae grow from their tips and reach out in a branching manner to form a network called mycelium. As the mycelium grows, it produces fruiting bodies and other structures that are rich with reproductive spores.

Bacteria multiply by binary fission when parent bacterium divide to make the same sized daughter cells. Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually by a process of branching fragmentation and budding (as in the case of yeast).

Fungi are scavengers, feeding off dead stuff — kind of like the buzzards you see cleaning up roadkill along the highway. Bacteria, on the other hand, are a little more sophisticated in the fact that they can actually manufacture their own food.

Types of fungal infections

There are several fungal infections that result from different types of fungi entering the body.

For instance, Aspergillus fungi can be inhaled through the mouth or nose and can cause fever, cough and wheezing. In very severe instances, this fungal infection can spread to other organs including the brain, skin and bones.

Cryptococcus neoformans is found in the soil or in bird droppings. This fungus also enters the body through the mouth or nostrils and can cause a lung infection resulting in a cough or chest pain.

Histoplasma capsulatum is a fungus that is commonly found in eastern and central United States in soil that contains bird and bat feces. When spores are disturbed, they can be inhaled and can cause flu-like symptoms, body aches, fever and cough.

Candida albicans

Yeast, also known as Candida albicans, is a type of fungus that is present in all humans. The fungus is found on both the skin and mucus membranes. In small amounts, it is harmless to the body.

However, when the growth of yeast increases dramatically, the results can be absolutely devastating. Did you know that yeast overgrowth is considered to be one of the most prevalent, yet unrecognized conditions to man?

When you have a healthy body, the yeast is kept under control by the healthy bacteria within your body. However, medical antibiotics — and those found in much of the meat we eat — will upset the balance of your friendly bacteria. Since antibiotics are nonselective, they work to weaken the good bacteria that keep yeast in check.

The yeast then begins to flourish, and before you know it, it’s completely out of control. Antibiotics are not the only contributor to the upset of your healthy bacteria; cortisone, some birth control pills and certain drugs have an effect on it, as well.

Once the yeast has overgrown in your body, it thrives on sugar, carbohydrates, moldy foods, fermented foods and vinegar. If you’ve ever noticed that your cravings for any of these are very strong, chances are, you have a yeast overgrowth in your body.

When the level of yeast is elevated in your body, toxins are released into your bloodstream in high amounts. These waste products have a profound effect on your well-being and are linked to many health problems.

Signs of yeast gone wild

The effects of yeast overgrowth will worsen over time, and will seriously compromise physical, mental and emotional well-being. According to researchers, hidden, deviant fungus may be the reason for any number of seemingly unrelated health complaints.

Just another reason why it is so important to not look at symptoms in isolation. Very often, you will find that two seemingly unrelated things, like muscle twitches and frequent bladder infections, are the result of yeast gone wild.

Here are 32 signs that yeast may have moved in and is slowly taking over your body. If you suffer frequently from more than three of these, it may be time to learn more about yeast.

• Fungal infections on skin or nails
• Athlete’s foot
• Toenail fungus
• Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Bad breath
• Dry mouth
• Joint pain
• Numbness
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• PMS
• Heartburn
• Burning eyes
• Lack of impulse control
• Hyperactivity
• Poor concentration
• Brain fog
• ADD, ADHD
• Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis or multiple sclerosis
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Strong cravings for sugar or refined carbohydrates
• Eczema or psoriasis
• Hives
• Seasonal allergies or itchy ears
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal or rectal itching

The spit test

Yeast overgrowth is one of the most difficult health issues to detect because of the small amount that is present in everyone. The best way to determine if you have yeast overgrowth is by taking a look at your lifestyle and diet.

Do you crave sweets and carbohydrates, experience constant illness, have a mental illness that doesn’t respond to medication, or generally feel “unwell?” Chances are you’re experiencing yeast overgrowth and need to make some changes to your diet.

You can also try the spit test. Yeah, we know, it sounds a little gross, but a spit test offers a really good analysis of what is going on inside your body and may show signs of a yeast overgrowth. The best time to take this test is as soon as you wake up in the morning, before you even get out of bed.

How to do the spit test

• Gather as much spit as possible in your mouth.
• Spit into a clear glass with room temperature filtered water.
• Watch carefully.

1. The saliva will float at first. Watch to see if there are thin projections extending downward into the water after 15 minutes or so. They may look like hairs or strings. If this happens you may have a candida overgrowth problem.
2. If your saliva is very cloudy and sinks to the bottom within a few minutes, or parts of the saliva slowly sink, yeast overgrowth is a possibility. The particles are yeast colonies which band together.
3. If your spit is still floating after about an hour, it is likely that your yeast is under control.

The downward spiral

Candida can be linked to serious health problems. Once this fungus begins to thrive in the body, general health will spiral downward. The cravings for sugar and other foods that nourish the yeast will get stronger, and on and on it will go.

Eventually, the immune system becomes so weak that the symptoms are no longer tolerable. Often physicians will prescribe antibiotics to treat the symptoms, thus killing off the last of any friendly bacteria. When yeast is in this advanced state, depression and suicidal thoughts are very common.

How to kick the bad fungus to the curb

According to the National Candida Center, if you have symptoms and your spit test is positive for yeast, it is a pretty good indication that you have a candida overgrowth problem. The first step in addressing the problem is to adjust your diet.

Eliminate all processed foods and sugar, and begin eating only wholesome, organic foods if possible. The following foods also help the body heal from the assault of candida overgrowth and encourage the proliferation of healthy bacteria:

1. Coconut oil

This tropical treasure has strong antifungal properties, which will kill the bad bacteria and support immune system functioning. Replace your other cooking oils with coconut oil and add liberally to foods or your coffee. Aim for two tablespoons daily to start.

2. Garlic

Garlic also has strong antifungal properties and will destroy unfriendly bacteria while encouraging the growth of good bacteria. It detoxifies and encourages healthy liver and colon functioning. Use garlic liberally to jazz up your food or chew freely on two to three cloves per day. Note: Raw garlic is far superior in its efficacy.

3. Seaweed

It may not be too appealing to look at, but seaweed is a highly nutrient-dense food that can fight against yeast overgrowth. Many times, people with yeast overgrowth suffer from hyperthyroidism, and seaweed is rich in iodine, which helps balance the thyroid gland. In addition, seaweed is a detoxifier and helps to flush toxins out of the body while cleaning the digestive system. Eat fresh seaweed or take high-quality kelp supplements for best results.

4. Pumpkin seeds

These tiny seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which have antiviral and antifungal properties. They help to reduce the inflammation caused by yeast and fight depression as well. Add pumpkin seeds to your cereal, salads or even eat them as a tasty snack.

5. Ginger

Ginger is a powerful detoxifier that increases circulation and flushes toxins out of the liver while supporting the immune system. It helps reduce intestinal gas and soothes inflammation from yeast overgrowth. Make ginger tea by grating a 1-inch piece of ginger root and adding it to two cups of boiling water and a fresh slice of lemon.

Once you get your diet under control and introduce foods that fight the bad bacteria, you can consider taking a high-quality probiotic or eating a little bit of fermented food daily to keep your healthy bacteria count in good order.

Exercising daily and learning how to manage stress in your life will also help to keep fungus from taking over your body.

If you are not able to make these dietary changes, and you want to wipe out fungus completely and never have it return again, take a look at this fungus hack below…

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The post 32 Signs Fungus Might Be Taking Over Your Body appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Consumers have been chasing low calorie sweeteners for years. In the past, most of the non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) have been chemical concoctions with potentially serious health risks. A few we’ve had in the past couple of decades:

• Saccharin (SweetN’Low)
• Aspartame (NutraSweet)
• Sucralose (Splenda)
• Neotame (Newtame)
• Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K, Sunett, Sweet One)

All of these artificial sweeteners have been found to have some adverse health effects. In addition, they can have a bad effect on the gut microbiome, increase the risk of some types of cancers, raise insulin levels, increase appetite and be the cause of weight gain.

Artificial sweeteners are also known to cause allergic reactions and can cause rashes, hives, itching, oozing skin, and eczema. They can also upset the digestive system and cause nausea, diarrhea, dizziness and stomach pains.

Key new research shows artificial sweeteners disrupt our gut microbiome, the delicate balance of beneficial bacteria that helps with digestion, brain chemicals and our immune systems. Dysbiosis can also result in gas, bloating and even bring on irritable bowel syndrome.

More importantly, artificial sweeteners can actually cause glucose intolerance. Glucose intolerance is a term for metabolic syndromes that result when normal blood glucose levels are abnormally high. This is often the beginning of prediabetes and diabetes.

In this study conducted in 2015, the effects of saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, glucose and sucrose were tested on mice. Some groups of mice received saccharin, sucralose or aspartame in water. The control groups received either plain water, glucose or sucrose (table sugar). After only 3 weeks, the control groups had normal glucose tolerance curves, but the NAS groups had already developed glucose intolerance.

Many people mistakenly believe that artificial sweeteners will have no effect on their blood glucose, when in actuality, NAS cause or worsen the very conditions many people are trying to avoid!

Obviously, we need to steer away from these artificial sweeteners that have been shown to be very detrimental to our health.

Lately there have been a couple of popular natural sweeteners to the low-calorie sweetener market—Stevia and Monk fruit.

Stevia is one natural sweetener option that has been readily available for several years, has few serious health risks and is calorie-free.

Stevia was one of the first popular natural sweeteners that showed up in in the marketplace. It is now readily available in coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores.

Stevia comes from the leaves of a shrub native to Paraguay and Brazil and has been used as a sweetener for many years in South America.

Stevia is a zero-calorie option, doesn’t promote tooth decay, doesn’t elevate blood sugar levels, cause glucose issues–or cause weight gain.

Is there a downside to Stevia?

Pure stevia extract has never been approved by the FDA and is considered a ‘supplement’, but can be obtained through health food stores in powder or liquid form.

Generally, the stevia that is mass marketed is sold under the brand name Truvia. Coca-Cola and the food giant Cargill created Truvia as their own stevia-based sweetener. Truvia is not pure stevia but primarily erythritol, refined stevia and natural flavorings.

Erythritol is not a terrible sweetener—it does have some antioxidant activity, is vasoprotective and protects your teeth from getting cavities. You still get a low-calorie sweetener, and decent blood sugar control as well.

But do keep in mind, a mostly erythritol sweetener which can have some negative effects. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol made by fermenting the natural sugars found in corn, which is GMO corn, by the way.

Side effects of erythritol typically include bloating, cramps, gas and diarrhea. Additionally, erythritol and other sugar alcohols cause more water to accumulate in the intestines which causes diarrhea. Nausea and headaches may occur as well. Not so pleasant. Guzzling down beverages which mostly contain Truvia sweetener may not work so well for your digestive system, even if they are low-calorie.

What about Monk Fruit?

The latest entry into the natural, low calorie sweetener options is monk fruit. Monk fruit, or Luo Han Guo is a small green melon grown in China. Luo Han Buddhist monks have been cultivating monk fruit since the 13th century.

Monk fruit has very sweet taste—but zero calories and zero carbs, making it a great natural sweetener for keto diets and low-carb diets.

Monk fruit belongs to the cucurbit family—the same family as cucumbers and squash.

The good thing about monk fruit is that it gets most of its sweetness from a group of antioxidants called mogrosides, with mogroside V having a sweetness 250 times that of table sugar.

The only problem with going from the basic monk fruit to the natural “zero calorie” sweetener, is that most of the natural healthy compounds in the fruit are lost. Monk fruit goes through a processing to remove any off-flavors, then it is homogenized and pasteurized. The resulting extract not entirely ‘natural’ after all that processing.

Manufacturers often add in other sweeteners like erythritol or xylitol to add bulk and make it easier to use for cooking and baking. You can easily find added sugars like sucrose or dextrose if you read the ingredients list carefully, so if you are trying to totally avoid sugar, check the ingredients of your monk fruit sweetener to be sure.

Monk fruit helps increase insulin sensitivity and does not raise blood sugar, making it safe for diabetics or weight loss. Additionally, monk fruit contains antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory, and helps strengthen immune function. Monk fruit has actually been shown to have retard the growth of common bacteria, prevent the growth of common bacterial pathogens like Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Candida albicans.

While monk fruit has zero calories and carbohydrates, be careful because most baked goods, smoothies and other drinks still have plenty of calories on their own, and can fool you into thinking you are not eating any calories.

Bottom line: Stevia or monk fruit?

Positives

1. Both sweeteners are derived from a natural source, and while they are both processed, the processing is minimal.
2. Both monk fruit and stevia don’t impact blood sugar levels.
3. Both contain zero calories and zero carbs.
4. Both sweeteners often have other types of low-calorie sweeteners added, primarily erythritol, so if erythritol bothers you, it’s best to use the purer form of them.
5. Both sweeteners are readily available at most health food stores and even grocery stores.

Negatives

1. Both monk fruit and stevia are fairly expensive.
2. Monk fruit sweeteners are harder to find than stevia in any commercial setting like a restaurant or coffee shop.
3. Not everyone is a fan of monk fruit’s somewhat fruity aftertaste. Some people report an unpleasant aftertaste.
4. Stevia can also have an unpleasant bitter aftertaste.
5. Stevia is also more likely to evoke an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals, especially people allergic to ragweed, daisies or sunflowers.

Bottom line: If you’re diabetic, on a keto diet, or just trying to cut back on sugar and lose weight, check monk fruit and stevia product labels carefully to evaluate if other sweeteners have been added.

Both stevia and monk fruit are subject to your own taste buds. If you don’t like the taste, then it really doesn’t matter. If possible, try them both to see which you prefer.

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References
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/stevia-side-effects
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/stevia-vs-truvia/
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/monk-fruit-sweetener/#ref-17
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/monk-fruit-vs-stevia#takeaway
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/monk-fruit-health-benefits
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322769

The post Artificial Sweeteners vs. Monk Fruit vs. Stevia appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

You may have seen an interesting new ingredient on your healthy food products lately and have been wondering exactly what it is. Monk fruit, or lo han guo, is a small green melon from China with a very sweet taste—but zero calories as a sweetener and zero carbs. It also does not raise blood sugar levels. This sweet little secret has been around for decades, but is just now making its way into mainstream foods as a healthy, zero calorie, natural alternative sweetener.

We’ve had a variety of choices for low calorie sweeteners over the years. However, most of them have previously met with negative reviews due to potentially serious health issues.

Consider for example, these low-calorie artificial sweeteners that have been on the market (all approved by the FDA):

• saccharin/SweetN’Low
• aspartame/NutraSweet
• sucralose/Splenda
• neotame/Newtame
• acesulfame potassium/Ace-K, Sunett, Sweet One

All of these have been found to have adverse health effects, negatively affect the gut microbiome, have links to some types of cancers, increase appetite and actually cause weight gain.

Saccharin or benzoic sulfinide, was discovered by a scientist studying coal tar derivatives. This coal tar derivative was considered a cancer risk and has been a controversial sweetener ever since.

Aspartame, or NutraSweet as it is called, has been found to be neurotoxic and the excitatory amino acids in it can cause long term damage to the brain neurons. One of aspartame’s primary ingredients, phenylalanine, blocks the production of serotonin in our gut, which not only negatively affects moods, causing anxiety and depression, but low serotonin also brings on food cravings—especially for sweet, starchy foods. Result is often weight gain.

While sucralose was marketed as a safer artificial sweetener called Splenda, it is a chemically created compound modified by adding chlorine atoms to sugar. This is like ingesting small amounts of chlorinated pesticides. Oh, and by the way, sucralose was discovered in the 1970’s by scientists who were working on creating a new pesticide.

Many people are actually allergic or sensitive to artificial sweeteners and can have reactions ranging from an itching, oozing rash, hives, eczema to nausea, diarrhea, and wheezing.

Artificial sweeteners have been found to disrupt our microbiome in our gut as well, causing a big drop in serotonin production. This can lead to a variety of digestive problems, brain dysfunction and mood disorders including:

• Seizures
• Migraines/headaches
• Gut dysbiosis
• Diarrhea
• Asthma
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s
• Brain tumors
• Sperm damage
• ADHD
• Cancer
• Kidney dysfunction

Artificial sweeteners also trigger insulin release and increase appetite, defeating the purpose for which they are used in the first place—causing cravings, excessive eating and weight gain.

Stevia, a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant, has been used for years as a safe and natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. Stevia, however, when used in its more natural form, can have an unpleasant aftertaste that is bitter or metallic tasting. And, some people actually have allergic reactions to stevia. Many of the commercially marketed stevia products are mixed with dextrose, erythritol, and lactose, making them nutritionally much different and iffy as far as being a healthy sweetener.

Enter monk fruit. Monk fruit has traditionally been used in herbal medicine and has a naturally sweet taste. Monk fruit contains something called mogrosides, which are intensely sweet.

Monk fruit sweetener has several health benefits as a natural sweetener. It has zero calories, zero carbohydrates and no harmful side effects–like the FDA-approved artificial sweeteners listed above.

Monk fruit also contains antioxidants and does not raise blood sugar, making it safe for diabetics or weight loss. According to this 2011 study, monk fruit has been safely used in traditional Chinese medicine for many, many years. One of its uses is to relieve sore throats and minimize phlegm in colds and flu.

And since monk fruit has been used for centuries, it is a safe and healthful sweetener. The Food and Drug Administration has determined that monk fruit is “generally recognized as safe (GRAS)” for everyone, including pregnant women and children.

However, outside of traditional Chinese medicine, monk fruit mass is just now beginning to be mass marketed, so more scientific studies will have to be done to determine its overall effects.

The downside of monk fruit includes the fact that monk fruit is difficult to grow and harvest–and it spoils easily–so it is still a fairly expensive product. While it is gaining in popularity, it is still tricky to find monk fruit sweetener at your local grocery or health food store.

Monk fruit does have a little bit of a bitter or strange aftertaste, depending on the food or drink it is included in. Monk fruit sweeteners can be used in coffee, tea, salad dressings, sauces, baked goods, and even as a sweetener in collagen and protein powders.

While monk fruit has zero calories and carbohydrates, be careful because most baked goods, smoothies and other drinks still have plenty of calories on their own, and can fool you into thinking you are not eating any calories.

Monk fruit is a member of the Curcurbitaceae family, which includes pumpkin, cucumbers, squash, and melons. If you are allergic to any of these foods, you may be allergic to monk fruit.

While monk fruit may need further research to study all of its health impacts, it seems to be a great, natural alternative to other artificial sweeteners—and great for anyone who wants to limit sugar in their diet. Especially those with diabetes or following a weight loss diet. While there are a few claims about monk fruit’s ability to prevent cancer or other health problems, more research is needed.

Try this luscious, healthy, frosted monk fruit brownie recipe from our friends at Healthline and thesmartcookieblog.com. You are sure to enjoy every bite!

Speaking of diabetes…If you think that Type 2 Diabetes is irreversible like many misinformed doctors will tell you, then you need to read some of the proof below on how to naturally reverse Type 2 Diabetes…

Although eating “paleo” or even low-carb is a good first step, you’ll also see below other techniques on just how simple it can be to “fix” your diabetes, control your blood sugars, and lose all of that excess fat sitting on your stomach.

> 1 Simple trick to REVERSE your Diabetes, naturally (while getting off drugs ASAP)

References
https://www.truthinadvertising.org/extra-ingredients-natural-stevia-product/
https://chriskresser.com/how-artificial-sweeteners-wreak-havoc-on-your-gut/
https://usrtk.org/sweeteners/aspartame_health_risks/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322769#stevia

The post Monkfruit–The Curiously Sweet, Low Calorie Natural Sweetener appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily alternative health tips that I personally read every day…

By PJ Amirta, TheAlternativeDaily.com

The liver is essential for detoxifying the body, metabolizing drugs, absorbing nutrients and much, much more. If we leave this vital organ unchecked, it could eventually lead to total failure. Here are eleven signs that could spell trouble for your liver, especially if left unchecked.

1. Jaundice

A condition known as jaundice occurs when waste builds up in our bodies and bile pigment flows into our bloodstream. This is more of a problem with infants, but it can also occur in adults. This should be taken as a serious warning that something is up with your liver.

2. Bloated ankles

When there’s a problem with the liver, heart or kidney, gravity causes fluid to build up in the lower extremities of the body, like the feet.

3. Appetite changes

Although appetite changes can stem from a number of underlying reasons, it can also be from your liver. If your liver is struggling, you’ll lose your appetite. Or, if you’re eating a normal amount but your weight is noticeably decreasing, you should still consult with a physician.

4. Diarrhea

This is a very common issue related to liver problems. Realistically, whenever you have loose bowel movements, they should not be ignored.

5. Strange bruises

Proteins needed for blood clots are produced in the liver. So, when the liver is in trouble, protein levels decrease, making bruising and bleeding more frequent.

6. Intense exhaustion

If you feel drained every day at an abnormal rate, you could be dealing with liver problems. As waste builds in the liver, it leads to lower oxygen levels, leaving us feeling tired all the time.

7. Dark urine

One great way to check liver health is by looking at your urine before flushing. If your urine is dark and stools are lighter than normal, you should seek medical attention. Dark urine may exist for a variety of reasons, but liver damage could potentially be one.

8. Right shoulder pain

As you might not be expecting, pain in your right shoulder can be from liver problems. This is usually the case when cancer is in the liver and a tumor is growing. When the tumor increases in mass, it creates immense pressure on surrounding nerves. If the pain is related to your liver, you might also get hiccups easily by putting pressure on your stomach.

9. Belly pain

If the pain stems from only your right ribs, you should consider a consultation with your doctor. This pain could be coming from your liver.

10. Throwing up regularly

It becomes far more difficult for our bodies to process foods and liquids when our livers fail. This will create unbelievable stress for our digestive systems. Along with the pain, it will make your stomach feel sick and swollen. Eventually, you will be throwing up on a daily basis.

11. Changing personality

When our livers fail, more toxins build up in our bloodstream, thus flowing to our brain. This makes it very difficult to concentrate and we have issues remembering things. There could also be rapid changes in sleeping habits.

Could your doctor be missing these warning signs of a lurking health nightmare?

If you struggle with fatigue, belly fat, or brain fog… and he hasn’t been able to help you… then the answer could be “yes”.

Quiz: The #1 Food Destroying Your Liver (prevents weight loss, kills energy & causes restless sleep)

A: Bacon
B: Eggs
C: Steak
D: Alcohol
E: Other

Make your selection above or click here to skip straight to the answer.

==> Click Here To Discover The #1 Food To Avoid

— PJ Amrita
(The original article source is here)

The post 11 Strange Signs That Your Liver Is In Trouble appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Years ago, I discovered an amazing, but little known tea from South America. It was recommended to me by a very enlightened preventative medicine doctor I knew. I drank it to relieve Candida symptoms, allergy issues, and inflammation. It had a delicious woody, slightly spicy flavor. And it turns out, it is a valuable tea to drink for many other wide-ranging health benefits as well.

The tea is called Pau d’Arco, and it is known to benefit arthritis, pain, and inflammation, fever, diarrhea, and even various cancers. One of the easiest ways to use pau d’arco is by consuming the tea made from the inner bark of pau d’arco or applying the tea water to the skin.

Pau d’Arco, or Taheebo, comes from the inner bark of a tree grown in South America. The inner bark and the live wood can be made into tea which is useful when ingested or even applied externally. While there are many species of pau d’arco trees, only a few types are specifically effective as a health tonic.

Pau d’arco actually contains two primary active ingredients, lapachol and beta-lapachone. These two natural chemicals are what make it effective against bacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses and even parasites. Lapachol is known to not only kill many different types of fungi, bacteria and yeasts, but it also lowers inflammation. These ingredients are also effective at preventing the spread of cancer from one organ system to another.

Kills Resistant Microorganisms, Including Candida

Pau d’arco has been known to kill certain bacteria, yeasts and fungi, possibly by inhibiting their reproductive cycle. Test tube studies (not tested on human subjects) show that extracts from the bark fight disease-causing organisms including deadly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is extremely antibiotic-resistant and very difficult to control, especially in hospitals and other medical clinics.

This powerful bark also protects against other disease-causing pathogens, including H.pylori, the bacteria that can attack the stomach lining, causing ulcers. Pau d’arco also fights E.coli bacteria, Clostridium and other staph infections without adverse effects on important beneficial bacteria growing in the digestive system. Pharmaceutical antibiotics, on the other hand, kill ALL bacteria in the body, good and bad, leaving room for the regrowth of harmful bacteria.

Pau d’arco is also useful against Candida albicans, a common fungus that grows in the digestive system. Normally, healthy bacteria growing in the intestines keep Candida levels under control, but often candida can grow out of control when the immune system is compromised, healthy bacteria are killed off by antibiotics, or a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates is consumed.

Overgrowth of candida can cause a multitude of health problems like brain fog, joint aches, fatigue, urinary infections, vaginal infections, digestive issues, sinus problems and even thrush (a candida overgrowth in the mouth). Drinking pau d’arco on a regular basis will help keep this opportunistic yeast under control and lead to more optimal health.

Fights Inflammation

Many people are fighting inflammation in the body due to a poor diet high in processed ingredients, toxins in the environment, allergies, over-exercising, stress and more. When the immune system gets activated, it causes harm to the body by attacking it. Inflammation is involved in the development of diseases such as asthma, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, diabetes, Alzhiemer’s, cancer and more. Think of inflammation as being similar to pouring gasoline on a fire, and you have an idea of how devastating it can be to the human body.

This 2014 study published in The Journal of Toxicological Sciences shows pau d’arco increases the expression of a type of protein, Nrf2, that regulates the expression of antioxidant proteins. These antioxidant proteins actually help protect against cellular damage triggered by inflammation.

The results of this study show that the activation of this protein can be particularly beneficial in the intestine, which is often severely affected by inflammation, through diet, food allergies, gluten, and more. This study, conducted on mice, also shows inflammation was reduced 30-50% when compared to a placebo. Reducing inflammation makes this a valuable part of anyone’s diet, particularly those who deal with inflammation in any body system.

Cancer Fighting

Pau d’arco is known as an effective tool to help fight cancer as well as helping relieve pain from cancer. A study conducted by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston found that beta-lapachone, a major compound in pau d’arco tea, is a potential compound which can be added to cancer therapy to improve the outcomes.

Another 2002 study concluded that beta-lapachone is one of a few novel anticancer drugs that shows promise for chemotherapy alone, and especially in combinations. This powerful compound resulted in killing cancer cells in mice, without any adverse effects, as many chemotherapy drugs seem to have.

Effects of beta-lapachone was also observed in a human leukemia cells. Among other human cancer cells tested, beta-lapachone was active against prostate, breast and ovarian cancer cells, as well. These results suggest that beta-lapachone is a potential compound to be added to a variety of cancer chemotherapies.

Reduces Weight

Pau d’arco seems to be valuable for weight loss. Studies in mice demonstrate that pau d’arco extract inhibits a pancreatic enzyme that helps the body digest and absorb dietary fat. This means that dietary fat is not absorbed, resulting in fewer calories.

In one 16-week study, mice fed pau d’arco extract lost significantly more weight than those on a placebo — even with no changes in food intake or calories ingested. Similarly, pau d’arco prevented weight gain in this trial with mice fed a high-fat diet.

Even though preventing fat from being absorbed may seem like an effective way to lose weight, many dietary fats are beneficial, so preventing their absorption on a regular basis may be detrimental to health. And it’s important to keep in mind that these studies were done on mice, and little research has yet been done on humans with pau d’arco and weight loss.

Detoxifies

Pau d’arco tea is helpful to detoxify the body, especially when removing heavy metals, like lead and mercury—as well as pesticides, preservatives, and toxic residue from chemotherapy.

One of the methods for its detoxifying process is through its laxative effects. While it aids digestion, it also helps to relax the bowels, making evacuation easier, ridding the body of any toxins.

Eating a diet of highly processed, refined, artificial foods overloads our digestive systems, and causes imbalances in our healthy gut microbiome. Drinking pau d’arco tea helps the body to eliminate these toxic substances quicker, cleaning out the system.

This allows the body’s natural detoxification process to function more efficiently moving waste through the lymph system, the blood and the cells.

Conclusion

Pau d’ arco or taheebo tea is very beneficial as for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, candida controlling, cancer fighting, weight reduction, and detoxifying properties.

Pau d’arco has few side effects and can be taken as a tea, in capsules, liquid or powder form. It is important to note, however, that many of the benefits of pau d’arco have not been fully tested on human subjects, and pau d’arco can be toxic in large quantities, so follow directions carefully.

References
http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=107&pid=33&gid=000268
https://draxe.com/pau-darco-tea/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pau-d-arco#forms-and-dosage

The post What This Amazing South American Tree Bark Can Do For Your Body (Pau d’arco) appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.