2 Important, Low-Profile Health Factors

glass of waterAs you may know, I've been doing a ton of writing for Can Can Cleanse. I approached them with a
bunch of topics and this was one of their favorites. We rarely think about these two things, but they are both so important to our health!

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A Deep Breath & A Glass of Water 

Amid today’s onslaught of fad diets, superfood fanaticism, food allergies, and - yes - even cleanses, sometimes it’s easy to forget two of the most health-promoting basics: oxygen & water.
The body can’t store oxygen, which is why we must breathe continually. With each breath, oxygen travels through the lungs to the bloodstream and to every cell in the body. Inside the cells, oxygen is required to produce energy so we can think, move, see, feel ... in short, so we can live. Without oxygen, brain damage or death can occur within minutes.
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, “The more air you move, the healthier you will be, because the functioning of all systems of the body depends on delivery of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide.” (1)  Research supports his statement, which is why aerobic exercise is so important.

During aerobic exercise, increased oxygen helps remove more waste products (like carbon dioxide and lactic acid) and release more feel-good endorphins. Over time, aerobic exercise helps us reduce the risk of many health problems, lose weight, boost immunity, feel good, and it can even help us live longer. (2)  
Deep breathing exercises are another way to get more oxygen into the body.
When it comes to water, you’ve probably heard that you should drink 8 glasses a day. Some people need even more!

Water accounts for roughly 60% of body weight. A healthy person may be able to survive for 3-5 days without water, but more fragile compositions (like those of babies) might only survive a few hours without water.
In the body, water is essential for detox because it flushes dangerous compounds from our bodies. In addition, the same energy production cycle that requires oxygen also requires water. “Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired,” according to the Mayo Clinic. (3)
Water also helps make nutrients more accessible to the cells. For example, Vitamins B & C are “water-soluble,” meaning that they can’t be absorbed or used without water to help dissolve them.
The easiest way to measure if you’re drinking enough water? Your urine should be almost colorless.
In short, while you may be able to live without trying the latest superfood, you simply can’t survive - or thrive - without oxygen & water. What’s more, you can easily increase your health as you increase your intake of oxygen and (in many cases) water. So go ahead and fill your lungs & your water bottle. It might just help your health even more than that cabbage soup diet.
-Emily Wade Adams, Natal Nutrition
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Gluten-Free: Healthy or Hype?

Originally written for Can Can Cleanse.
In the past month alone, your babysitter went wheat-free, your nephew was diagnosed Celiac, and your grocery store expanded to create a new gluten-free section. 


What is all the fuss about? Is this something we all need to worry about? Or is gluten-free just a fad?


Gluten sensitivity is, in fact, on the rise. Celiac disease is at least 4 times more common today than it was 50 years ago (1), and that doesn’t even include the increases in reported sensitivities and intolerances. Some reports show that 40% of Americans suffer from gluten-related health problems (2).


There is not one widely accepted reason for these skyrocketing gluten sensitivity rates, but there are several theories that may explain the rise:
  1. The Hygiene Hypothesis. Some experts claim that our love affair with Purell has created an environment that is too clean, resulting in weaker immune systems that can’t handle gluten (3). 
  2. Wheat processing. We’ve been changing the ways we use and eat wheat. Many of the foods we eat today didn’t exist 50 years ago. So while wheat may not have caused a problem for our ancestors, it can be argued that these new ‘foods’ and processing methods are to blame for the rise in gluten sensitivity.
  3. Wheat hybridization. Today’s grains have been modified to contain much more gluten than ancient strains (4). Why? Because gluten gives breads & pastas a lighter, fluffier texture, and that’s what consumers want.
  4. Earlier exposure. Children are exposed to glutinous grains earlier than ever before (for example, cereal grains) (5).
  5. Lack of bacteria. Despite the popularity of probiotics, this theory maintains that we still aren’t supporting our beneficial flora enough. Studies show that our intestinal microbes can mitigate reactions to gluten - but only if we have a healthy community of bacteria living in our gut (6).
  6. Lack of breastfeeding. Nowadays, we know that breastfeeding helps inoculate babies with good bacteria, provides protective antibodies, and helps babies develop immunity. One study found that babies who continued to breastfeed after their first exposure to gluten were more protected against gluten sensitivities (6). In general, nursing helps prevent allergies of all kinds. Unfortunately, people didn’t always know about these benefits. Adults who were bottle-fed may be more susceptible to gluten allergy and intolerance.
  7. Less variety in our diets. We’re busy people. And sometimes a freezer pizza or 9-minute pasta is all we can bear to whip up after a long day at the office. Problem is, when we don’t get variety in our diet, we are more susceptible to developing food sensitivities (7). And with all that bread, pasta & cake in our day-to-day diet, wheat is one of the foods we seem to be eating all the time.
  8. Humans were never meant to eat grains. Some nutritionists argue that grains were never meant for human consumption. Looking back to our caveman ancestors and their paleolithic diet, these researchers contend that we were meant to eat meats and vegetables, and our health problems only arose after we switched to a grain-based diet (8).


Whatever the reason behind the rising rates, it appears that gluten-free isn’t going away anytime soon. And that may be for good reason. I’ve personally watched patients lose weight, banish heartburn, and manage autoimmune conditions just by eliminating gluten for 2-4 weeks. While not everyone’s health will improve by going gluten-free, my practice has proven it to be a worthwhile experiment.


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Is Breast Best? And Does It Matter What Nursing Moms Eat?

Photo by Nerissa's Ring
When it comes to a baby's diet, most experts agree that "breast is best." But what if Mom is eating candy all day? Or consuming foods to which she has a low-grade allergy? If mother's milk has a lot of inflammatory compounds, is nutrient-deficient, or is otherwise compromised, baby's development can suffer.

The resulting complications can be instantaneous. Some babies fuss after the mother has eaten sugar, MSG or gluten (Morell, S. & Cowan, T., 2013). But other problems can arise down the line. A new study found that less-healthy infant diets were associated with higher blood pressure in 7.5-year-old children. And holistic dentist Raymond Silkman reports that severe dental malocclusion is more likely to occur in breastfed children if their mothers were vegetarian or vegan.

The bottom line? Contrary to popular belief, scientific research confirms that a nursing mother's diet is crucial to her baby's proper development. She can improve the quality of her milk by eating a nutrient-rich diet and avoiding toxins.

And babies aren't the only beneficiaries. If their nutrient stores are replete with vitamins and minerals, nursing moms may be able to avoid postpartum health problems like depression. It's a win-win!

Sources:
Morell, S. & Cowan, T. (2013). The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care. New Trends Publishing, Inc.: Washington, D.C.
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