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Understanding the difference: “Food Allergies and Food Intolerance”

The AHA! Team — Fri, 16 May 2025 05:27:31 +0000

Ramon Tomey via Natural News – “Food Allergies and Food Intolerance” by Dr. Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: “Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment” by Dr. Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin highlights the critical differences between food allergies (e.g., Jane’s life-threatening peanut allergy) and food intolerances (e.g., Susan’s digestive and chronic health issues), emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to diagnosis and management. Through stories like Jane’s and Susan’s, the authors illustrate the impact of these conditions on quality of life, showcasing the importance of vigilance (e.g., carrying an epinephrine syringe) and natural approaches (e.g., elimination diets) for effective management. The book traces the historical evolution of the term “allergy” and critiques the narrow medical definition, advocating for broader recognition of delayed or masked food allergies and the complexities of IgE-mediated versus non-IgE reactions. Misunderstandings between food allergies and intolerances can lead to dangerous mismanagement (e.g., following incorrect protocols) or unnecessary stress, underscoring the need for clearer communication and education. The authors stress the importance of embracing diverse medical perspectives, fostering constructive dialogue and improving access to treatments, empowering individuals to take control of their health and improve global health outcomes. Identification and Treatment “Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment” by Dr. Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin is a comprehensive resource that sheds light on the critical differences between food allergies and food intolerances. Through real-life stories and scientific insights, the book emphasizes the importance of understanding these conditions to safeguard health and improve quality of life. The book begins by illustrating the stark contrast between food allergies and intolerances through the experiences of two individuals: Jane and Susan. Jane, an atopic individual with a family history of allergies, suffered from severe allergic reactions, including life-threatening responses to peanuts. Her story highlights the need for vigilance and preparedness, as she now carries an epinephrine syringe to manage potential emergencies. In contrast Susan’s chronic health issues, such as digestive problems, migraines and joint pain, were linked to food intolerances. Through an elimination diet, she identified trigger foods like milk, wheat and tomatoes, which significantly improved her symptoms. Susan’s journey demonstrates the transformative power of natural medicine and alternative approaches to health. The book delves into the evolving definitions of food allergies and intolerances, tracing the term “allergy” back to its origins in 1906. Initially, “allergy” referred to altered reactivity to environmental factors, but over time, the medical community narrowed its definition to immune system reactions detectable through skin-prick tests. This shift excluded delayed or masked food allergies, where symptoms appear hours or days after consumption. The authors argue for a broader interpretation of “allergy” to include these cases, advocating for recognition and dialogue within mainstream medicine. The confusion over terminology has led to misunderstandings among patients. For example, those with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergies might follow procedures meant for food intolerance patients, which can be dangerous. Conversely, individuals with food intolerances may adopt overly cautious behaviors, causing unnecessary stress. The discovery of IgE in the 1960s was a breakthrough in allergy research. However, not all delayed food reactions involve IgE – further complicating the debate over definitions. The book also highlights the struggles faced by medical professionals advocating for broader interpretations of allergies and intolerances. Some have been forced out of traditional research spheres, continuing their work in private practice. This underscores the need for constructive dialogue and recognition of diverse perspectives in medical research and practice. Ultimately, “Food Allergies and Food Intolerance” emphasizes the importance of understanding personal health needs and exploring alternatives beyond traditional medical institutions. It calls for a focus on achieving constructive results rather than engaging in semantic debates, advocating for better recognition and access to treatments for those affected by food-related health issues. By fostering understanding and embracing diverse perspectives, the book aims to improve health outcomes worldwide, empowering individuals to take control of their well-being and enjoy life without constant worry. Watch this video about the book “Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment” by Dr. Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin.” This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com To read the original article, click here

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Why Is Sorghum One of My New Favorite Grains?

The AHA! Team — Mon, 12 May 2025 05:33:30 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Learn why sorghum is one of my favorite new grains. Sorghum “Despite playing a significant role in Africa and Asia as a staple grain, sorghum has only recently emerged as a potential human food source in the developed world.” And it isn’t just a principal grain in many parts of the world, but it’s “critical in folk medicine” traditions, too. What might its health benefits be? There are some in vitro data from test tubes and petri dishes, as well as in vivo data, meaning “within the living” in laboratory animals, but only in the last decade have we started seeing human trials. In one study, participants were asked to eat sorghum pancakes or corn pancakes for supper every day for three weeks. Both groups saw significant, 20 to 30 percent drops in their cholesterol, but all participants were also “requested not to consume eggs and other cholesterol-boosting foodstuff,” so that may very well have played a role. Another study used biscuits. Those eating sorghum biscuits said they felt more satiated than when they ate wheat biscuits, but that “did not translate to differences in intake at the subsequent ad-libitum [all-you-can-eat] meal.” So, does it matter that they subjectively felt more satiated if that did not cause them to eat any less? Unsurprisingly, when put to the test, those eating sorghum versus wheat biscuits didn’t lose any weight, though the data are a bit mixed. A recent study concluded that “sorghum can be an important strategy for weight loss in humans.” However, those in the sorghum group didn’t actually lose more weight. They did eat hundreds more calories a day, though, and they still lost more body fat, as you can see below and at 1:41 in my video The Health Benefits of Sorghum. This may be because of their greater fiber consumption or intake of other goodies like the resistant starch in sorghum. The vehicle the researchers used was an artificially flavored, colored, and sweetened powdered drink mixture of water, milk powder, and either sorghum or wheat flour. That may be good for a study since you can make a blinded control, but it leaves you wondering what would happen if you actually ate the whole food. The resistant starch is exciting, though. Most of the starch in sorghum is either slow-starch—that is, slowly digestible—or fully resistant to digestion in the small intestine, which offers a banquet bounty of prebiotics for our good gut flora down in our colon. Evidently, it isn’t the sorghum starch itself, but interactions with the proteins and other compounds that effectively act as starch blockers, inhibiting our starch-munching enzymes. Sorghum ends up with “the lowest starch digestibility” among grains, which is why, traditionally, it was considered to be an “inferior” grain—but inferior in the sense of not providing as many calories. (That’s a good thing in the age of epidemic obesity.) Whole-wheat vs. Sorghum Muffin When study participants were given either a whole-wheat muffin (the control) or a sorghum muffin, with both containing the same amount of starch, researchers saw significantly higher blood sugars 45 minutes to two hours after subjects ate the wheat muffin, as shown below and at 2:58 in my video. They also saw a higher insulin spike, starting almost immediately after consuming the wheat muffin, as seen below, and at 3:03. Overall, after consumption of the sorghum muffin, researchers found a 25 percent lower blood sugar response, and the participants’ bodies had to release less than half the insulin to deal with it, as seen here and at 3:11 in my video. The same type of results were found with people with diabetes. Researchers saw a lower blood sugar spike with sorghum porridge compared to grits, and the participants’ bodies could deal with it with a fraction of the insulin. So, we need to educate people on how healthy sorghum is—and, some suggest, “develop products that are…healthy, convenient to use, and tasty.” No need! Sorghum is already healthy, convenient, and tasty just the way it is. I just press a single button on my electric pressure cooker with two parts water and one part sorghum, and it’s ready in 20 minutes. You can make a big batch and use it all week just like you would rice. Of course, there isn’t big money for the food industry when people eat the intact, whole grain. Instead, the industry is looking at sorghum for its “enormous potential for exploitation” in creating “functional foods and food additives.” (Did you know that adding sorghum to pork or turkey patties can decrease their “cardboardy ﬂavor”? Why eat sorghum when you can instead use it to make gluten-free beer?) It’s funny. When I wrote in How Not to Diet about taxpayer subsidies going to the sugar, corn syrup, oil, and livestock industries to subsidize cheap animal feed to help make Dollar Menu meat, I jokingly asked, “When was the last time you sat down to some sorghum?” Now that we know how good it is for us, maybe we should be taking advantage of the quarter billion dollars the United States is spending to prop up the sorghum industry and sit down to some sorghum after all. If you missed the previous video, check out Is Sorghum a Healthy Grain? My How Not to Diet Cookbook is full of delicious and healthful grain recipes. Check it out here. “Resistant starch”? Learn more about Resistant Starch and Colon Cancer and Getting Starch to Take the Path of Most Resistance. For more on the benefits of different grains, see related posts below. Key Takeaways Sorghum, widely used as a staple in Africa and Asia, is now being studied for its health benefits, with emerging human trials on its potential for cholesterol and blood sugar regulation. Studies show that sorghum may aid in lowering cholesterol and can increase feelings of satiety. However, this satiety hasn’t consistently led to reduced food intake. Sorghum’s resistant starch content results in lower blood sugar spikes and requires less insulin after consumption compared to other grains like wheat, making it promising for blood sugar management, especially in people with diabetes. Sorghum’s unique starch composition, largely resistant to digestion, offers prebiotic benefits for gut health and may act as a natural starch blocker. Despite sorghum’s potential health benefits as a whole grain, the food industry is more focused on its use in functional foods and additives. However, the grain can be easily prepared and enjoyed whole, offering a healthy, cost-effective option for any diet. To read the original article click here.

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Australian Plantago Could Replace Psyllium Husk in Gluten-Free Breads

The AHA! Team — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 05:21:40 +0000

University of Adelaide via EurekAlert! – “We hope that more products may use Plantago whole-seed flour, which still contains that beneficial mucilage, as a more sustainable alternative to purified psyllium husk.” – Dr. Cowley Seeds of two native species of Plantago have been identified as producing mucilage that can be used as a natural additive to make gluten-free bread dough more elastic, resulting in fluffier loaves. The research was conducted by a team led by the University of Adelaide’s Dr James Cowley, who discovered the differences in mucilage content and chemistry of each Plantago species affected its suitability for use as a food ingredient. “The differences in mucilage led to wildly different impacts when added to gluten-free breads,” says Dr Cowley. Adding Plantago flour made the doughs more elastic “Adding Plantago flour made the doughs more elastic, making them more resistant to collapsing during fermentation, which made breads with better appearance and texture. “We believe this comes down to the differing chemistries of the mucilage, as the amount alone did not explain the effects. For example, two native species, P. cunninghamii and P. turrifera, produced similar or better-quality breads to commercial P. ovata, despite having much lower mucilage content.” Mucilage is a sticky gel of pure dietary fibre that is produced by many seeds when they are wetted. An example of this is chia seed pudding, which has a gooey texture thanks to the mucilage they produce. Dr Cowley has studied Plantago seeds for more than a decade and says desire is increasing among coeliacs and non-coeliac gluten-avoiders for better gluten-free bread products that don’t have such long ingredients lists. Consumers are increasingly looking for ‘clean label’ products that are perceived as ‘healthier’ “Consumers are increasingly looking for ‘clean label’ products that are perceived as ‘healthier’ or ‘more natural’,” says Dr Cowley. “Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, known as HPMC or E464, is one of the most common gluten replacements in bread but is often met negatively, as it is perceived as ‘artificial’ or ‘unnatural’. “Psyllium husk, which is extracted from Plantago ovata for use in gluten-free doughs, can be included on ingredient labels as vegetable fibre without the need for an E number, allowing it to be more ‘clean label’.” Dr Cowley says the research, published in Food Hydrocolloids, also shows that whole-seed flours – those which use the inner seed parts as well as the mucilage-containing husk – are preferable to those in which the mucilage is removed. “Commercial psyllium husk is made by removing the mucilage through a grinding process, but this produces a large amount of waste with no high-value commercial use, despite our group recently showing that the waste is high in nutrients,” says Dr Cowley. “We hope that more products may use Plantago whole-seed flour, which still contains that beneficial mucilage, as a more sustainable alternative to purified psyllium husk.” Most importantly, the resulting breads were softer, springier and had more volume. “Consumers consider texture and appearance to be critical to their perception of a quality gluten-free bread, and they are looking for springy, airy loaves that behave as closely to gluten-containing breads as possible,” Dr Cowley says. “We aren’t quite there yet, but new additives and formulations appear all the time. Hopefully one day we can produce clean-label gluten-free breads that are just as good as the real thing.” Dr Cowley and colleagues are narrowing the quality gap between gluten-free and traditional breads through follow-up research. “We are now beginning to understand why mucilage chemistry plays a big role in improving the quality of gluten-free breads made with Plantago flour,” he says. “My brilliant PhD student, Lucija Štrkalj, a co-author on this paper, recently successfully defended her PhD thesis and made some exciting discoveries about how the mucilage chemistry leads to more elastic networks in food products.” DOI 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110788 To read the original article click here.

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