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

Iron is one of the most important nutrients for good health and optimal function. Iron is responsible for helping your body produce hemoglobin, which is a protein in the red blood cells that carries vital oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Iron is necessary for a healthy metabolism and to maintain overall health. Iron also helps us absorb nutrients, balance hormone levels, think clearly, and manage our moods. Iron is essential for physical growth, neurological development and cellular functioning.

When you don’t have enough iron, your body has a very hard time getting oxygen to the brain, tissues, muscles and your cells. This makes you feel extremely fatigued and weak. A severe deficiency in iron results in a health condition called anemia. Symptoms of anemia include: weakness, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath, dizziness, sore tongue, brittle or spoon-shaped nails, pica, poor appetite and more.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with about 10% of women considered iron deficient. Up to 80% of the world’s population are potentially short on iron, and 25% or more have iron deficiency-related anemia.

Iron comes from a variety of foods and is classified as either ‘heme’ or ‘non-heme’, depending on the source. Heme iron comes from meat, poultry, and seafood. Non-heme iron comes from plant food sources such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens. Heme iron is much more bioavailable and easier to absorb and utilize in the body.

While we have been well educated as to the importance of iron in the diet and avoiding iron deficiency anemia, the fact is–too much iron is very dangerous to your health and can be life threatening.

An iron overdose can be all of a sudden, or build up gradually, but either way can become an medical emergency.

Taking too much iron in the form of supplements has the potential of causing acute iron toxicity and can be deadly. In fact, one of the most dangerous items in your medicine chest may be your iron supplement pills. Young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to overdoses of iron supplements.

Doses of supplemental iron (45 milligrams/day or more) can cause side effects including nausea, vomiting, cramps and constipation. Acute iron poisoning causes GI, cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatic and central nervous system toxicity, leading to liver failure and cardiovascular collapse as a cause of death.

Iron overload can happen in a couple different ways:

• Iron poisoning can occur when people overdose on iron supplements.
• Hereditary hemochromatosis is a classified as a genetic disorder characterized by excessive absorption of iron from food.

In either of the above scenarios, iron can accumulate, over time, in your body, leading to a serious health condition. Excess free iron in your body is a pro-oxidant (the opposite of antioxidant) and causes damage to your cells.

Excess iron accumulates in the heart, liver, joints, pancreas, and pituitary gland. If untreated, it can cause serious and irreversible organ damage, and can lead to heart attacks, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, depression and even premature death.

Hemochromatosis is a genetic defect, caused by the body’s iron regulatory system not functioning properly, allowing iron to build up in the body. The body does not have a quick and easy way to dispose of extra iron, except through blood loss or donating blood. Women who are still menstruating can help rid their bodies of excess iron, but women who are postmenopausal cannot as easily.

The disorder tends to show up more frequently in older men and postmenopausal women. One study suggests that elderly people are more likely to have chronic positive iron balance and elevated total body iron than iron deficiency.

While hemochromatosis can be a genetic condition, many times people do not even realize they have it. They frequently get misdiagnosed as having arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, liver or gallbladder disease, or digestive disorders. Symptoms may not appear until advanced stages of the disease, and diagnosis can be tricky as routine blood tests may not reveal hemochromatosis.

People of Northern European descent, including people of Scottish, Irish and English descent are at increased risk, as is anyone with a family member with hemochromatosis.

Symptoms can include:

• Chronic fatigue-most common
• Joint pain or arthritis
• Loss of libido
• Abdominal pain
• Depression
• Yellowish, reddish, or grayish skin color

Blood tests can help diagnose hemochromatosis by checking levels of iron and ferritin in the blood, along with total iron binding capacity and transferrin iron saturation. All adults over the age of 40 should be screened for this silent and possibly deadly condition.

Iron overload is treated by chelation therapy (drug therapy) or therapeutic phlebotomy, where a doctor will remove blood–or the patient can choose to routinely donate blood.

While iron from food is generally safe, iron supplementation can be harmful if your iron stores are sufficient. It’s best not to take iron supplements unless recommended by a medical professional. And by all means, keep iron supplements out of reach of children. They can be poisonous.

Iron and Cancer

Excess iron has been shown to lead to cancer in humans. Observational studies also suggest that a high intake of heme iron can increase the risk of colon cancer. Clinical trials in humans do show that heme iron from supplements or from red meat may increase the formation of cancer-causing N-nitroso compounds in the digestive tract, but more information is needed in this type of study.

Iron and Medication

Iron can also interact with medications including:

• Levodopa and Carbidopa—for Parkinson’s disease or restless leg syndrome
• Levothyroxine (Synthroid)—for hypothyroid conditions
• Proton pump inhibitors—for GERD
• Tetracycline, Ciprofloaxin, and Penicillin

Conclusion

While iron is an essential nutrient and many people in the world are iron deficient, you can get too much of a good thing. In short, iron is dangerous in higher quantities, especially if you are taking it as a supplement. If you happen to have a family member who has hemochromatosis, or if you are in a high risk group, be sure to ask your doctor to test you for hemochromatosis.

If you are a woman who is postmenopausal or an older man, it’s important to pay attention to you iron intake. Here are a few ways to ensure you can mitigate any negative effects of too much ingested iron.

• Eat foods containing lots of polyphenols, flavanols, phytonutrients, and other plant-derived antioxidant compounds. You can accomplish this by eating a wide variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables.
• Drink coffee and/or tea with your meals. Coffee blocks iron absorption. Tea also blocks iron absorption–both black and green tea. This is possibly why coffee is constantly associated with lower rates of mortality.
• Eat dairy with meals, or after meals. Calcium is a potent inhibitor of iron absorption.
• Avoid eating red meat with iron-fortified food. The two types of iron tend to magnify each other, as heme iron actively increases absorption of non-heme iron.
• If you drink alcohol, make it red wine and lower-alcohol wines. Wine contains polyphenols that will inhibit iron absorption, while hard liquor like vodka, tequila, and gin enhance iron absorption.
• Drink mineral water. Mineral water contains magnesium and calcium that inhibit iron absorption and it reduces the cancer-causing effects of heme in the colon.
• Exercise reduces iron stores as it builds muscle.
• Living at altitude uses up iron stores more readily as the body has an increased need for oxygen in the blood.

While iron is an important nutrient, as we age, we tend to build up cumulative stores of iron in our bodies which can become a serious health threat, especially if we happen to have a genetic tendency to develop hemochromatosis, or are taking excess iron in the form of supplements. Be sure to have lab work to check for iron overload—or see a doctor or medical professional if you have any of the above symptoms of too much iron.

References
http://irondisorders.org/iron-overload/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-too-much-iron-is-harmful#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6
https://www.healthline.com/health/hemochromatosis
https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=14116
https://medlineplus.gov/iron.html
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/#en2
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/should-you-reduce-your-iron-intake/

The post The Dark Side of Iron – How Iron Becomes Deadly 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

High blood pressure has become a very common problem but can definitely become a serious health issue. Hypertension means that your blood vessel walls have lost their elasticity and ability to easily expand.

The narrow opening in your blood vessels means that you run a higher risk for heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and aneurysms. An aneurysm is a bulging spot in the blood vessel. An aneurysm can be extremely dangerous because it can rupture, causing a hemorrhagic stroke internal bleeding. This is most often deadly.

As is the case with most chronic diseases, diet plays a huge role in determining whether or not you get high blood pressure. In fact, what you eat and drink—or don’t eat and drink—plays a far bigger role than even genetics. Diets high in sugar, vegetable seed oils, processed foods and alcohol can contribute to high blood pressure. However, certain foods high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals can help to lower blood pressure.

Foods containing Magnesium and Potassium

Colorful fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts contain a generous supply of magnesium and potassium. Magnesium is vital to over 300 bodily functions, including helping to relax blood vessel walls. Numerous studies have shown a direct physiological link between magnesium levels and high blood pressure.

Both potassium and magnesium are essential blood electrolytes, helping to maintain the appropriate levels of fluid in the body and the cells. Both magnesium and potassium should always be considered as a supplement for anyone with elevated blood pressure.

Potassium is readily available in most all fruits and vegetables, so eating an assortment of colorful fruits and vegetables should supply most all your potassium needs. Eating a diet high in potassium and magnesium has been shown to lower blood pressure significantly.

Adding greens to your morning smoothie or consuming a colorful salad of a variety of vegetables every day will go a long ways towards helping lower blood pressure and contributing to your overall health.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Foods

Curcumin–is the active ingredient in turmeric and is considered one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory natural supplements. Many studies have shown that curcumin is highly protective for the heart and blood vessels, helping to reduce the incidence of heart attacks and reducing blood pressure.

In fact, turmeric in some ways is as effective as a prescription blood pressure medication. Turmeric also acts as an anti-inflammatory in the blood vessels, which also helps to lower blood pressure.

Beets—Beets, especially red beets, have been found to lots of nitric oxide. This substance lowers resistance in blood vessels, helps them relax, increasing blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

Research published in Nitric Oxide, and another study published in Hypertension, showed that diets that include regular consumption of beets or beet juice can significantly lower blood pressure, while increasing oxygen delivery to the whole body and enhancing the health of the blood vessels.

You may have heard of people taking a drug called “nitroglycerin” for chest pain and heart attacks. This medication contains the same compound found in beets, which helps to relax the blood vessels to promote better circulation.

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also shows kohlrabi, celery and celery root, watercress, leeks, parsley, arugula, spinach, and turnips contain large amounts of nitric oxide as well.

Tomatoes—Tomatoes can be a lifesaving blood pressure reducer. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, known for protecting the cardiovascular system, bone health, and preventing cancer.

Several studies have been done showing a strong link between levels of lycopene and heart disease. This analysis from the Physicians Health Study showed an almost 40% decrease in stroke risk in men with higher blood levels of lycopene. Lycopene is also responsible decreasing cholesterol, so eating foods with more lycopene also helps to reduce LDL cholesterol.

Ginger—Fresh ginger is considered a superfood for heart health, better circulation, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Eating ginger reduces blood pressure in several different ways. For one, it acts as a natural calcium channel blocker, just like some blood pressure medications, and it also acts as an ACE inhibitor, similar to other types of blood pressure medication.

A study of more than 4,000 people found that the people who consumed 2-4 grams of ginger per day had the lowest risk for high blood pressure. And the thing that’s great about ginger is that it’s delicious, zingy and adds tons of flavor to dishes, smoothies and drinks.

Avocado–Avocados may also do wonders for your soaring blood pressure levels. Avocados are packed with oleic acid, also in olive oil. Oleic acid is known to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Avocados are also rich in potassium, magnesium and folate, all of which are good the blood vessels and cardiovascular system. Avocados are also chock full of antioxidants and lower inflammation in the body, including the blood vessels. Avocados are also loaded in vitamin A, K, B & E and fiber as well. Add avocados to your smoothies, salads and dressings.

Pomegranate—Pomegranate has some amazing antioxidant power with proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer abilities. Pomegranate is another natural food that possesses medicinal qualities without any negative side effects that some medications have.

Pomegranates are great for helping any health issue related to inflammation. Pomegranates contains very powerful substances called polyphenols that exert strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory capabilities. The antioxidant level of pomegranate juice is higher than red wine and green tea.

One of the biggest benefits of pomegranate is its ability to lower blood pressure naturally. Scientific studies actually show pomegranate to have significant blood pressure-lowering ability. The effect of pomegranate is to relax blood vessels and allow better blood flow.

While pomegranates are delicious, they can be slightly challenging to eat. Pomegranate juice works well, but be sure to only use 100% pure pomegranate juice with no added sugar.

Green Tea—Green tea is well-known for its health benefits but did you know it also has a medicine-like effect on blood pressure as well?

Green tea contains powerful polyphenol antioxidants known for their health benefits. One of green tea’s active ingredients, EGCG, helps fight a variety of diseases and health conditions. Study results also show EGCG can be helpful for the prevention of arterio¬sclerosis, blood clots, heart attack, and strokes—partly due to its ability to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow.

While organic green tea is beneficial for health, matcha green tea can contain up to 100 times the EGCG that regular green tea contains.

Green tea also fights cancer, lowers inflammation, promotes healthy digestion, and aid in concentration. Besides being an excellent source of antioxidants, green tea is also packed with vitamins A, D, E, C, B, B5, H, and K, manganese, and other beneficial minerals such as zinc, chromium, and selenium.

Important Note About High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can be very sneaky, with no obvious symptoms. Many people have high blood pressure and don’t know it. When blood pressure gets dangerously high, it becomes a medical emergency.

Signs and symptoms of severe hypertension may include:

• Severe chest pain
• Severe headache, accompanied by confusion and blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe anxiety
• Shortness of breath
• Seizures
• Unresponsiveness

This is a medical emergency and you should contact your doctor or head to an urgent care center. Medical complications of a hypertensive crisis can include strokes or aneurysms. Be sure to check your blood pressure regularly.

Blood Pressure-Lowering Beet-Apple-Carrot-Ginger Smoothie

You will LOVE this amazing blood pressure-lowering healthy, delicious Beet-Apple-Carrot smoothie rich with magnesium, potassium, nitric oxide, lycopene, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and healthy bacteria:

• ½ large fresh raw beet or 1 whole small to medium beet, chopped or grated
• 1 medium sized carrot, chopped or grated
• 1 thumb-sized (more or less) piece of fresh ginger, chopped
• ½ green organic Granny Smith apple
• 1 big handful fresh, raw, organic spinach
• 1 ginger kombucha or sparkling water
• Handful of ice

Blend, and enjoy this refreshing drink as often as you wish!

People Who Use THIS Bathroom Product Are 85% More Likely to Develop Hypertension

It’s a shocking discovery…

But this common, over-the-counter bathroom product has been shown in clinical studies to raise blood pressure.

In fact, if you frequently use this product, you have an 85% higher risk of hypertension compared to less frequent users.

Can you guess what it is?

Find all about it here:

Common bathroom habit raises blood pressure

References
https://www.ndtv.com/food/hypertension-5-fruits-that-may-help-you-manage-high-blood-pressure-naturally-1828135
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/herbs-to-lower-blood-pressure#9.-Ginger
https://www.healthline.com/health/drinks-to-lower-blood-pressure#berry-juice
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-blood-pressure
https://thenutritionwatchdog.com/the-blood-pressure-fix/

The post Drink THIS for Lower Blood Pressure! 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

There is a silent and serious disease slowly taking over a large portion of our population. Fatty liver disease is becoming increasingly common in many parts of the world—especially the United States. It affects 1 out of five people globally, and is a major risk factor for liver failure, as well as diabetes, heart attacks, and even cancer. In the United States it is the most common liver disease there is.

This disease is called NALFD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) or fatty liver. It has definite links to fructose, vegetable seed oils and our overall nutrition. What is this disease?

The main characteristic of this disease is an overload of fat stored in the liver. So much so that the liver cannot function properly. The liver is considered “fatty” when more than 5% of it is fat. Non-alcoholic fatty liver is the initial stage of this liver disease—and at this point—is still reversible.

The biggest problem with this disease is that it often has no symptoms, so it goes undiagnosed. Over time, NAFL can become NASH, or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. At this point, the inflammation and fat begin to damage the liver cells, leading to scarring of the liver and cirrhosis. By the time the disease advances to NASH, the liver is no longer functioning very well. NASH can be life-threatening and can be the beginnings of liver cancer, an aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of cancer.

The liver is one of the primary organs in our bodies, and one we cannot live without. It is responsible for:

• Production of bile, carries away waste and breaks down fats
• Production of proteins for blood plasma
• Production of cholesterol and special proteins that carry fats
• Conversion of glucose into glycogen for storage
• Processing of hemoglobin for iron
• Conversion of ammonia to urea to be carried out of the body
• Metabolizing drugs and ridding the body of toxins
• Regulating blood clotting
• Creating immune factors to fight infections
• Clearance of byproducts of red blood cells.

When the liver gets overloaded with sugar or starches, it turns starts making fat like crazy. This is the body’s normal response to excess glucose. However, fructose—especially when it comes in the form of high fructose corn syrup, is a trigger to put the liver into overdrive and really turn on the fat production. Because high fructose corn syrup has found its way into virtually all processed foods and drinks, it is the primary cause of fatty liver syndrome—as well as numerous other serious health issues.

Having fatty liver disease comes with a cascade of health issues. First of all, high blood sugar, high levels of inflammation and insulin resistance point you towards diabetes and obesity. As fat builds up in the liver, and surrounding organs, “visceral fat”, is a precursor to many serious, chronic diseases.

Excess abdominal fat also elevates LDL cholesterol, when combined with excess inflammation, making you a prime candidate for heart attacks. What’s even more shocking, is that this disease is not a disease that just middle-aged or older people get. Children, as young as 10 and 12 years old are getting this disease from spending their childhood drinking juice and soda.

What are the risk factors for fatty liver disease? Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is more common in people who exhibit any of these health problems or features:

• Menopausal or post-menopausal women
• People who have had their gall bladders removed
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Prediabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Hispanic
• Rapid weight loss
• High blood pressure
• Middle aged or older; children can also have NAFLD
• Corticosteroids and some cancer drugs
• Low intake of choline, a necessary nutrient

Choline Deficiency and NAFLD

Research now shows that choline deficiency, a key nutrient found in egg yolks and beef liver, is one of the key risk factors that trigger fatty liver disease, along with fructose. According to Chris Masterjohn, who holds a PhD. in nutrition science, choline deficiency actually appears to be an even more significant trigger for fatty liver disease than fructose, and in his view, the rise in this liver condition is largely the result of avoiding liver and egg yolks. Says Dr. Masterjohn:

               “More specifically, I currently believe that dietary fat, whether saturated or unsaturated, and anything that the liver likes to turn into fat, like fructose, [sucrose] and ethanol, will promote the accumulation of fat as long as we don’t get enough choline,” Masterjohn says adding:

               “Once that fat accumulates, the critical factor igniting an inflammatory fire to this fat is the consumption of too much PUFA (polyunsaturated fat from vegetable … oils).”

When you combine a low choline diet with excessive fructose and starches, you are almost guaranteed to develop fatty liver disease at some point.

What is Choline?

Choline is a nutrient found in egg yolks, beef liver, legumes, nuts, beef, leafy greens. Choline is an essential component of our cell membranes and is required for the synthesis of phospholipids. Choline helps our bodies create the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is important for memory, mood, muscle control, and other brain and nervous system functions.

Choline also works with the metabolism of B vitamins as well. Choline is essential to make phosphatidylcholine which is important to the structure and integrity of our body’s cell walls. Many people are low in choline due to dietary restrictions (egg yolks, liver) and people who are vegetarians and vegans.

Menopausal Women and Choline Deficiency

Younger women need less choline from their diet than children or other adults because the female hormone estrogen helps the body make choline. After menopause, estrogen levels decline, making it necessary to get choline from the diet. This makes menopausal and postmenopausal women at a much higher risk for fatty liver disease, particularly when they have a poor diet high in sugars and starch.

Choline and B Vitamins

In addition, when someone is deficient in folate, a B vitamin, the need for dietary choline increases even more, because choline is needed to help body utilize B vitamins.

Two very common genetic variations in the PEMT gene and the MTHFR gene (I will discuss these gene variations in an upcoming article) create a higher need for both folate AND choline, further increasing the risk of getting fatty liver disease.

What does this mean?

Post-menopausal women and people with these common gene variations are at high risk for choline deficiency, making them at an even higher risk for fatty liver disease. AND when you combine these factors with a common gene variations, a poor diet–high in processed foods, high fructose corn syrup and processed grains, the chances of fatty liver disease are extremely high.

What are the Symptoms?

Often this sneaky disease causes few, if any, symptoms. If it does, symptoms can include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and discomfort in the upper right abdomen. Left unchecked, it can progress to serious liver problems including:

• Abdominal swelling
• Enlarged blood vessels
• Enlarged spleen
• Red palms
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Mental confusion or dementia
  

How to Prevent or Reverse Fatty Liver Disease

You can reverse fatty liver disease by changing your diet. Strictly eliminating foods containing fructose and high fructose corn syrup, as well as sucrose or any added sugars is the first step. Avoid these foods:

• Processed foods, especially any foods containing added fructose, corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup.
• Any vegetable seed oils such as soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil
• Alcohol
• Certain medications including acetaminophen and ibuprofen

Foods to eat more of:

• Egg yolks
• Grass fed liver
• Naturally raised meats, poultry and fish—you may need to considering eating these even if you are vegetarian or vegan
• Beans and peas
• Liver boosting foods such as artichokes, arugula, and dandelion
• Green leafy vegetables which are high in folate

In addition, taking supplements can help the liver clear out fat, while rebuilding and lowering inflammation. Include these supplements:

• Lecithin, which is high in choline
• A multi-B vitamin with natural folate or methylfolate, NOT synthetic folic acid
• Milk thistle which aids the liver
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Berberine, which lowers blood sugar
• Whey protein, shown to reduce liver fat by up to 20%
• Green tea contains catechins which decrease liver fat and inflammation

Other Supplements like probiotics, resveratrol, curcumin, vitamin E, vitamin C and vitamin D may help to naturally improve a fatty liver and overall health.

And don’t forget to get regular exercise, which can help you burn off excess glucose, increase your insulin sensitivity, and help you lose weight.

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”.

But it’s a health risk you can’t afford to ignore. (Go here to find out what it is.)

The great news? Once you discover the truth about this ignored body organ, you can effortlessly renew your endless energy levels, melt away pounds of stubborn belly fat, and regain your sharp thinking.

To find out what doctors rarely check for, watch this shocking report now (click here).

References
https://drhyman.com/blog/2013/09/26/fatty-liver-90-million-americans/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567
https://www.theartofhealing.com.au/eggs.html
https://draxe.com/health/fatty-liver-disease/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21288612/
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/05/08/why-children-are-getting-fatty-liver-disease.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0l_PNLDz1g4gcGUXJlg9VOs8F9I57HKVmIF8oXzUYZ9OtNdOFYRtjXrpw
https://www.healthline.com/health/visceral-fat#complications
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5893377/#R8
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/liver-anatomy-and-functions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462685/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fatty-liver#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6
https://draxe.com/health/fatty-liver-disease/
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/92/5/1113/4597519
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/85/5/1275/4632979?itm_medium=sidebar&itm_content=ajcn&itm_source=trendmd-widget&itm_campaign=trendmd-pilot&utm_campaign=The_American_Journal_of_Clinical_Nutrition_TrendMD_0&utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc

The post This ONE Nutrient Can Protect You from Fatty Liver Disease 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

Most people would be surprised to hear that oral health is very closely tied to overall health. But it’s absolutely true. Research shows that oral health has a far greater impact on many serious health conditions than you may realize. Making sure your teeth and gums are healthy will actually go a long ways towards helping you prevent diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and dementia. If you neglect your mouth, you can be setting yourself up for major health issues that can actually shorten your life.

The Mouth Has its Own Microbiome

Much has been said about the digestive system’s microbiome. But guess what? The digestive system begins in our mouths. And our mouths also contain hundreds—if not thousands—of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and other small critters. While the health of your gut flora has been proven to play a very important role in your health, it has become increasingly apparent the health of your mouth flora is also vital to your health.

In people with a healthy oral cavity, the tiny bacteria and other micro-organisms in the mouth actually play a role in the digestion of food. These little micro-organisms also play a role in the immune function, warding off dangerous pathogens that could invade your body. The oral microbiome also helps to protect the teeth from those invaders that can cause cavities and gum disease.

When oral care is lacking, and diet is off, the bad bacteria in the mouth can quickly multiply to combine with any sugars or starches and attack the teeth. This can result in cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, periodontitis and other infections. These infections can easily spread to other parts of the body.

While Americans seem to prize big, white, dazzling smiles, our actual dental health is pretty bad. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that 91% of adults had cavities. Almost a third of all adult Americans have some type of tooth or gum issue going untreated. A whopping 64.7 million American adults have periodontal disease, an inflammatory bacterial disease of the gums, and for Americans who are 65+ years old, the number of them who have tooth and gum issues is 65%.

Why is our oral health so bad? It’s actually pretty simple—it’s diet. Diets high in sugar, processed grains and carbohydrates, combined with acidic, sugary drinks just eat away at our teeth and ruin our oral health. Even vegan diets high in carbs, fruit and grains can cause serious oral health issues.

Certain inflammatory digestive problems like gluten intolerance has been shown to cause serious damage to the teeth and gums as well. One study on this shows a direct correlation between celiac disease in children and enamel degradation, along with increased incidence of cavities. It’s hard to say whether this is due to the problems with malabsorption of minerals, or the increased inflammation that goes with gluten intolerance. My guess is that it is probably both. Likewise, a similar effect can be expected for those suffering from other inflammatory gut diseases and disorders, including IBS, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

So, it’s not only WHAT we put in our mouths that comes into contact with our teeth, but the food and nutrients that we put into our bodies that also affects the health of our teeth, gums and oral cavity.

Let’s take a look at some of the more common and serious health problems caused by bad oral health:

Heart Disease and Strokes

Most people would never make the connection, but poor oral health increases the risk for heart disease and strokes. Bacteria that causes gum disease can get into the bloodstream, along with plaque from the teeth and cause inflammation, blood clots and narrowed blood vessels. The damaging effect on the blood vessels can also lead to hypertension and strokes. In addition, colonies of bacteria can attack and infect the inner lining of the heart causing a serious condition called “endocarditis”.

Diabetes

Diabetics generally have a much higher risk of developing sores and infections. This includes the gums and teeth. With the addition of gum disease, symptoms of diabetes can worsen and it can become increasingly difficult to manage blood sugar levels. It becomes especially important for diabetics to take exceptionally good care of their teeth and gum. In addition, because gum disease leads to higher than normal blood sugar levels, a person with poor oral health is at an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Erectile Dysfunction

Yes, really! Poor oral hygiene, gum disease and cavities all put men at increased risk for ED. Chronic gum disease is actually known to have a direct tie to problems with ED. When bacteria from diseased gums get into the bloodstream it inflames blood vessels. When inflammation is present it can block blood flow to essential areas, including the genitals, making erections difficult or impossible.

Cancer

Tooth and gum disease increase the risk of a variety of cancers including, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cancers of the blood. Evidence shows chronic infection and inflammation are associated with increased risk of cancer development. There is also a strong connection between bacterial and viral infections and cancer cell growth.

Obviously, poor oral health practices such as smoking or using tobacco products can lead to oral and throat cancers, but other types of cancer have also been linked to gum disease as well.

Respiratory Infections and Lowered Immune Function

When bacteria and harmful pathogens residing in the mouth are inhaled into the lungs, or travel there through the bloodstream, there is definite elevated risk of respiratory infections, including severe Covid-19, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and even COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). What’s more, infection and inflammation in the mouth lowers immune function even more, making it even harder to fight off these serious respiratory infections, making them potentially deadly.

Dementia

Poor oral health can have very negative effects on the brain. Substances released from inflamed gums can actually kill brain cells and lead to memory loss. Dementia and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease can result from the inflammation and infection from gum disease, when bacteria in the mouth is absorbed into the bloodstream.

In addition to the above serious health issues and diseases, poor oral health can also lead to:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Infertility
• Pregnancy problems
• Kidney disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Asthma
• Autoimmune disease

How to Protect Your Oral Health

First off, be sure to visit a dentist a minimum of once a year for a regular checkup and cleaning. They can inspect your gums and slow down any potential for gum disease or tooth decay. Be sure to brush often and floss daily.

Change your diet. Studies have shown a definite connection between a highly processed, high sugar diet and oral disease. Sugar and starches stick to the teeth and raise the acidity in the mouth, creating a perfect place for bad bacteria to multiply and do their damage.

A low carb, Paleo or ketogenic diet helps to lower carbs, reduce any sugars in the mouth, and protect the gums and teeth from infection. In addition, a healthy, balanced diet full of antioxidant rich vegetables, naturally raised meats and absent of starchy grains and sugar, is healthy for the whole body.

Protecting your oral health is exactly the same as looking after your overall health and wellbeing.
Eat well, get plenty of sleep, get outside and get lots of sunshine and vitamin D, exercise, and reduce stress.

Did you know that this…

60-Sec bedtime ritual rebuilds your teeth and gums overnight (Users say it’s better than implants)

Doctors still can’t believe their eyes…

Every person who did this 60-second trick before going to bed, experienced a dramatic rejuvenation of their gums, rebuilt their teeth…

And even got rid of bad breath and ugly spots…

No matter how advanced their tooth decay was…

And all they had to do is mix 2 dirt-cheap ingredients.

Some of them even claim they’ll never have to go to the dentist again after this…

See here the breakthrough method that’s making dental implants absolutely useless.

References:
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-your-oral-biome-influences-your-overall-health/
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/oral-health-what-you-eat-and-dont-eat-counts/
https://www.123dentist.com/how-your-oral-health-can-impact-your-overall-health/
https://www.absolutedental.com/blog/10-health-issues-caused-by-bad-oral-health/

The post Oral Health Linked to Heart Attacks, Strokes, Dementia and Cancer appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

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

If you have type 2 diabetes and you take a statin drug, you might start noticing a phrase that’s ridiculously overused…

“The benefits outweigh the risks.” Has your doctor ever said that to you?

There are plenty of risks and they’re all serious health issues. Actually the risks FAR outweigh the benefits. ESPECIALLY if you already have type 2 diabetes.

Statins are the primary drug that doctors prescribe to lower cholesterol. Statins are a fairly recent pharmaceutical creation that work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for making cholesterol.

Statins became one of the most-prescribed medications when the guidelines for the high end of total cholesterol guidelines were reduced down to 200 a few years ago.

Now, tens of millions of Americans are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, thinking this is the best way to prevent heart disease. In fact, about 30 percent of American men and women over age 40 take a statin.

The problem is that statins come with a host of side effects which can be pretty significant. One of the more serious side effects of statins is the significant increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The latest study on this connection shows the link may be even stronger than was previously reported.

Researchers prospectively studied 8,567 men and women whose average age was 64. All were free of diabetes and not taking statins when the study started. In a follow-up study 15 years later, about 12 percent of the group had started taking statins, most using either Zocor or Lipitor (simvastatin or atorvastatin) and the rest either Pravachol or Lescol (pravastatin or fluvastatin). Most took the statins for over a year, and 716 new cases of diabetes occurred in the group.

After controlling for age, sex, smoking, family history of diabetes, and other factors, researchers found that statin use was associated with higher risk for insulin resistance and high blood sugar, and with a 38 percent increased risk for the development of Type 2 diabetes.

The brand of statin and the dosage made no difference, but the risk was especially high for statin users who were overweight or obese—which is of course an increased risk for type 2 diabetes as well. The study appeared in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Other recent research also shows a similar causal link between elevated blood glucose, type 2 diabetes and statins as well.

Here’s the key thing to take away—the number one risk factor of having type 2 diabetes is heart disease.

Adults with type 2 diabetes are about two to four times as likely to die from heart disease as adults who do not have diabetes.

So the question is–if you were told to take statins to lower your cholesterol and chances of heart disease, but it actually increases your chance of developing type 2 diabetes, is it worth it to take statins?

How do Statins increase risk of diabetes?

Statins have been shown to increase your risk of diabetes through a few different mechanisms. The most important one is they increase insulin resistance, which can be extremely harmful to your health. Increased insulin resistance contributes to chronic inflammation in your body, and inflammation is the hallmark of most diseases.

In fact, increased insulin resistance can lead to heart disease, which, ironically, is the primary reason for taking a cholesterol-reducing drug in the first place! It can also promote weight gain, high blood pressure, heart attacks, chronic fatigue, thyroid disruption, and diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.

Secondly, statins increase your diabetes risk by actually raising your blood sugar. When you eat a meal that contains starches and sugar, some of the excess sugar goes to your liver, which then stores it away as cholesterol and triglycerides. Statins work by preventing your liver from making cholesterol. As a result, your liver returns the sugar to your bloodstream, raising blood sugar levels.

If you’re on a statin drug and find that your blood glucose is elevated, it is possible that you may just have hyperglycemia—a side effect, or result of your statin medication. Unfortunately, many doctors will often mistakenly diagnose you with type 2 diabetes, and possibly prescribe a diabetes drug, like metformin or insulin.

Discontinuing the statin will help to determine if blood glucose levels are caused by the statin. Be sure to check in with the physician, however, before stopping any prescribed medication.

Statins are well-known for the muscle weakness and pain they can cause, but statins can affect much more than just the muscles and blood sugar. Many people have reported cognitive problems and memory loss as a result of statin medication.

Other potential side effects of statins include: kidney problems, anemia, sexual dysfunction, immune depression, cataracts, increased cancer risk, abnormal liver enzymes and depression.

The other ironic, and contradictory fact about statins and heart health is the fact that statins deplete your body of CoQ10. CoQ10 is an essential cofactor in the body that is essential for the creation of ATP, which is what every cell in the body uses for energy production.

This is especially important for muscles—especially the heart muscle. CoQ10 is produced primarily in the liver and it also plays a role in maintaining blood glucose as well. As the body gets more and more depleted of CoQ10, it causes extreme fatigue, muscle weakness and achiness, and can even lead to heart failure.

Physicians seem to be blissfully unaware of this risk, and don’t usually discuss with patients the importance of supplementing with extra CoQ10. CoQ10 is also necessary to neutralize free radicals in the body, which damage the cell’s DNA and their reproduction. It’s a vicious cycle to have low CoQ10, no cellular energy (this translates to no energy overall!) and damaged DNA.

In addition, the muscle fatigue and pain make it difficult to be motivated to do any amount of exercise, further weakening the cardiovascular system and the muscles.

Statin drugs also interfere with necessary and vital biological functions, including hormone pathways. Statins affect the sex hormones, cortisone, and vitamin D. Statins actually interfere with your body’s natural ability to create vitamin D, which is related to cholesterol. It’s a fact that vitamin D actually helps improve insulin resistance, so a reduction in vitamin D also removes this protective factor, opening the door a bit wider for type 2 diabetes.

Do I Really Need to Lower My Cholesterol?

Total cholesterol values are only a very small part of the picture of your chances of heart disease, but unfortunately conventional medical doctors use total cholesterol numbers to base their decision to recommend statins.

It’s become common knowledge that cholesterol is not the primary cause of heart disease. In fact, three large reviews show the errors in the generally held theory that cholesterol causes heart disease. And this study, also shows no real link between cholesterol and heart disease. In fact, to the contrary, it’s been shown that low cholesterol contributes more to all-cause mortality in older adults, not high cholesterol.

Having a lipid panel that shows you have higher than normal total cholesterol then, is not any kind of predictor of your risk of heart disease, unless it is over 350. The ONLY people who may benefit from cholesterol-lowering practices are those with a genetic type of very high cholesterol.

The High Density Lipoproteins or HDL, number is a far more reliable indicator for heart disease risk. Here are the two ratios to check on your lipid panel:

1. HDL/Total Cholesterol Ratio: Should ideally be above 24 percent. If below 10 percent, you have a significantly elevated risk for heart disease.
2. Triglyceride/HDL Ratio: Should be below 2.

Many people with total cholesterol levels over 250 are actually at low risk for heart disease because of their high levels of protective HDL, and many people with low cholesterol under 200, can be at high risk for heart disease because of their high LDL and triglycerides.

Actually the conventional LDL/cholesterol hypothesis is not entirely accurate, because damage of the interior layers of your arteries always precedes heart disease, and this damage can be induced by a number of factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and inflammation.

Once the artery is damaged, cholesterol-rich plaque begins to build up as a protective mechanism. Problems arise when the rate of damage to the vessels and blood clot formation outpace your body’s ability to repair the blood vessels.

Your body actually needs a good amount of cholesterol—it is important in the production of cell membranes, all of your hormones—especially sex hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that help you to digest fat.

Cholesterol also helps your brain work properly and is vital to healthy nerve function. There is also plenty of evidence that having low levels of cholesterol increases your risk for cancer, memory loss, Parkinson’s disease, hormonal imbalances, stroke, depression, suicide, and violent behavior.

If your doctor recommends you take statins to lower your cholesterol, think twice about that. There are many ways to protect your health with a healthy, low carb/low sugar diet, high in antioxidant rich veggies, that will also protect you from heart disease, diabetes, and many other diseases. Statins don’t seem to be the best solution.

If you are concerned about taking Statins, and want to try a natural approach to control your cholesterol, and not worry about heart disease, diabetes and many others, please take time read this important health article.

1 Simple trick to REVERSE your Diabetes (this also helps reduce abdominal fat)

References
https://www.cdc.gov/features/diabetes-heart-disease/index.html
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/03/19/why-are-statins-bad-for-you.aspx
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319832.php
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/07/well/live/statins-may-increase-risk-of-diabetes.html?fbclid=IwAR1VbYT-IdLacEB6OEJ7-u-FuYNhDkd30vKhSmaDDTE65Z55h4ppuV2JRVg
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/primary-coenzyme-q10-deficiency
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.13898

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