Osteoporosis and Food
Q: What is Celiac disease and what foods are OK to eat?
Celiac disease is one of the most common inherited disorders. The ratio is 1:133 people in the US have CD. This translates to 3 million Americans, although 97% remain undiagnosed.
It's defined as an autoimmune disorder in which the villi of the small intestine are damaged by specific peptides from wheat, barley, and rye. The symptoms may occur at any age and include bloating, gas, diarrhea, weight loss, irritability, lactose intolerance, nausea or anemia.
Testing- There are specific tests that can screen for CD, but the only definitive test is a small intestinal biopsy.
Treatment- The only treatment for CD is a gluten-free diet for life. It is important to see a dietitian with expertise for CD.
Is Raw Food A Raw Deal?
A: The definition of raw food is anything organic from the earth that’s uncooked. For food to be considered raw it can be chopped, blended, pureed, juiced, dehydrated, or combined. All raw recipes are completely vegan, meaning no meat, eggs, or dairy. For instance, soymilk is not considered to be a raw food because it has been heat processed.
The foods which a raw diet is comprised of are fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, roots, and seeds. Starches such as breads or pasta are not considered to be acceptable on a raw food diet. Raw foodies grow their bread substitute from sprouts and use zucchini for pasta. Also, nothing can be cooked over 118 degrees.
Cholesterol: LDL's vs. HDL's and what are good numbers to have?
LDLs carry the most cholesterol and are the most closely correlated with CHD. HDLs reduce the risk from CHD by transporting cholesterol from the tissues to the liver, where it is metabolized and excreted. LDL is an even more specific indicator of CHD risk than total cholesterol. High HDLs reduce the chance of CHD even if total cholesterol is on the higher side.
You can reduce LDL and increase HDLs by making a few dietary changes:
- Reduce saturated fat in your diet
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain optimal weight
Ways to reduce saturated fat:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Q: I have recently been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The doctor just gave me a prescription but didn't talk to me about diet or even refer me to a dietitian. The medication I'm taking makes me even feel more gassy. How can I change my diet to help with my condition?
A: First of all, that's too bad that the doctor didn't refer you to a dietitian and just opted to write out a prescription. I'm not saying that the prescription isn't right for you, but a doctor should always have a dietitian to refer patients to so the patient can be educated on diet to help with their issues. Unfortunately, medications almost always have side effects, so it's always best to try to fix the condition through proper diet rather than prescribing something too soon.
