What Is Vitamin K2 You have probably heard of vitamin K1 especially if you have known someone on blood thinners. Physicians usually advise not eating dark green vegetables, high in vitamin K1 to prevent against blood clotting. Have you heard of vitamin K2? Not many people have and seems to cause some confusion when trying to understand the difference between vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 . Let me help you clear up the confusion. 
Vitamin K is a group of fat soluble vitamins found mainly in green leaves and include vitamin K1; phylloquinone, vitamin K2 ; menaquinone (subtype of K2 called MK-7, menaquinone-7 and MK-4.1) and vitamin K3; made naturally in our body; and menadione is a synthetic form.2 Phylloquinone (K1) is naturally found in plant foods like leafy greens. Menaquinone (K2 ) is found in animal and poultry foods3 such as raw cheese, yogurt and eggs. Menaquinone is also found in animal organs and fats such as rendered duck fat, and the fat of bison, cow and other animals that graze on grass. Finally, vitamin K2 is found after the fermentation process of vegetables such as sauerkraut and is particularly abundant in a Japanese fermented bean dish called nattō. Where Does Vitamin K2 Come From?
Vitamin K2, is deficient in the standard North American diet consisting mainly of highly processed foods and conventional meat and poultry. You are probably thinking, Karen, you just said that vitamin K2 is found in dairy and animal fat which, we are eating a ton of. True, but it comes down to the type of foods we are eating and when we are eating them. According to Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal article4
“In general, the typical Western diet contains insufficient amounts of vitamin K2 to activate MGP adequately, which means that approximately 30% of the proteins that can be activated by vitamin K2 remain inactive. The percentage of K deficiency increases with age. Vitamin K, particularly as vitamin K2, is nearly nonexistent in junk food, with little being consumed even in a healthy western diet. Although vitamin K1 is present in green leafy vegetables, only 10% of the total amount is absorbed from that source in the diets of people in industrialized countries. The only exception seems to be the Japanese diet, particularly for the portion of the population consuming high quantities of foods rich in vitamin K2, such as natto.”
What is interesting about vitamin K2 when it comes to animals, especially cattle is how vitamin K2 is produced. Cows do not digest like you and I. Instead, when cattle eat grass which is loaded with chlorophyl and vitamin K1 (remember the dark leafy vegetables?) their bacteria ferments the grass during the digestive process and creates an abundance of vitamin K2.5
Like us, animals take nutrients and use them throughout their body. In the case of cattle, their milk would contain vitamin K2, which we then make butter, cheese and yogurt from. In the case of chickens, their eggs would also be a great source of vitamin K2. We can also see vitamin K2 in the fat of animals which most remove before cooking (not me, I keep all the fat and eat it too).
Here is the catch; there is always a catch right? There are two parts to getting the best vitamin K2 for your health buck. One, conventionally raised cows and chickens that are not raised on grass and weeds will contain less amounts of vitamin K2. Instead they are raised on an unnatural diet of genetically altered silage, corn and soy that is loaded with GMO’s antibiotics and synthetic nutrients. This in turn affects beneficial bacteria that aids in the fermentation process of vitamin K2.
Which leads me to point two. Remember, I said that it is the grass and weeds that are fermented by bacteria that allow for an abundance of vitamin K2? If animals are fed a diet of grass and grain there is very little vitamin K2 production. The same holds true for the time of the year. Grass grows in the summer. In the summer we have beautiful dark green blades of grass full of vitamin K1 and chlorophyl. The animals happily munch and during the digestive process create vitamin K2; therefore in the summer months there will be more vitamin K2 present than during the winter months.
I purchase my meat from Butcherbox because it is sustainable, pasture raised and humane raised beef, pork and poultry. In the summer I see wonderful yellowish- orange tinted fat and I get excited because that is the vitamin K2. Conventionally raised meat fed GMO grains and silage usually has a thick white fat with no color-tinge at all. Rendered Duck Fat
I also see this with rendered duck fat; I purchase mine through Thrive Market PlaceI purchase mine through Thrive Market Place, if you are purchasing a jar of rendered duck fat, especially during the summer months, look at the bottom of the jar and you will see a nice layer of orange; that my friends is vitamin K2 yumminess. In the winter months you may not see the lovely orange or as intense of a colour.
Check out the video it shows you what I am talking about. Nattō beans (なっとう or 納豆 )
In the Japanese culture nattō beans are as a popular as french fries in the western culture. A traditional Japanese food6 made by soaking whole soybeans for a couple of days, then steamed or boiled, cooled, then bacteria Bacillus subtilis culture is added to the beans and allowed to ferment until it becomes a gooey, stringy mass. It is during this fermentation process Bacillus subtilis creates an enzymes called nattokinase which produces high amounts of vitamin K27 (also Menaquinone-7 [MK-7] a highly bioactive homologue of vitamin K2.8
I have not tried fermented nattō however, from those I know who have, say that it has a strong pungent smell (that can stop one from trying it) however, if you get past the smell the dish itself is quite tasty so long as you like slimy texture-stringy type foods. Some day, I will give this a try.
If you have a picture of Nattō send it to me and I will post it here. Vitamin K2 Benefits and UsesLike other vitamins, Vitamins K1 and K2 work together in the body. Vitamin K1 is mostly used by the liver to activate calcium-binding proteins involved in blood clotting, while K2 is used to activate proteins that regulate where calcium ends up in the body.9 
I spent two years on the road talking about gut health and part of my talks included vitamin K2 because bacteria fermentation process creates vitamin K2 ( I am big into talking about the gut microbiota). After reading Weston A. Price’s book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration  and Kate Rheaume-Bleue’s book Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox: How a Little-Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life who cracked the code on Price’s mysterious vitamin-like activator X which is vitamin K2, I was hooked! I felt like vitamin K2 was the final puzzle piece of a 5000 puzzle set. I get excited talking about vitamin K2. Pick up these books  Vitamin K2 activates the calcium-binding activity of two proteins called Matrix gla protein and osteocalcin, which help to build and maintain bones. Everyone thinks that calcium is the bone builder. True, but requires other nutrients including phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D3 and vitamin K2.
There was a study that came out a few years beck about the potential adverse effects of excessive calcium loading from supplements on arterial calcification and risks of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in older adults.10 In fact, there have been several studies. The studies indicate that it is the over supplementation of calcium exceeding the recommended daily allowance or intake of older adults, that may accelerate arterial calcification and raise the risk of cardiovascular events. There has not been a study indicating a problem with calcium deposition when it comes to whole foods containing vitamin K2 and the deposition in arterial pathways or tissues. This is basically because food can not be over consumed causing wonky cell signaling. That is the power of whole foods, our body recognizes it, utilizes what it can, stores what it needs and releases what it can’t into the toilet.
What the studies neglect to talk about is why this may be happening. I believe it has to do with the fact that the diet is lacking in vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is the messenger that tells calcium where to go which is the bones; after all, that is what calcium does; keeps our bones healthy and strong. Basically, vitamin K2 signals the calcium to go in the bone to keep them strong. When there is not enough vitamin K2 and one is taking supplemental calcium (and probably vitamin D3 and magnesium because studies indicate there is better absorption) the calcium does not know where to go it starts depositing and collecting in the arterial pathways and in the tissues. So this makes sense. When we take into too much of a nutrient, in this case the mineral calcium that is not in its natural state it confuses the body. This is why I believe it is so important that we are getting our nutrients from natural sources and making sure that our digestive process and microbiota can receive, process and absorb properly.
Two observational studies found that those who had the highest intake of Vitamin K2 were 52% less likely to develop calcification of the arteries, and had a 57% lower risk of dying from heart disease, over a 7-10 year period.11
Another study of 16,057 women found that participants with the highest intake of vitamin K2 had a much lower risk of heart disease. For every 10 micrograms of K2 they consumed per day, the risk of heart disease was reduced by 9 percent.12 
Essentially Vitamin K2 plays a role in
What is Vitamin K2 good for?In studies vitamin K2 has been helpful;
Vitamin K2 Deficiency Symptoms and Causes
The questions I get most often are what is vitamin K2 deficiency? Is there such a thing? And, what happens if you get too little vitamin K2? Let’s get these questions answered.
Deficiency symptoms of vitamin K2 may include those of the cardiovascular system, oral health and joints including osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.24 We now know that calcium is reliant upon vitamin K2 to send it into the bones where it belongs. Think about what happens when calcium is allowed to deposit throughout the body. There may be problems with calcium deposits and an association with
The myelin sheath that protects our nerves also uses vitamin K2 therefore, think of conditions that affect the myelin sheet such as Parkin’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological conditions including, Alzheimers,25 dementia and problems remembering. We can also look at medications such as antibiotics and statin medications and others. According to an article on Dr. mercola.com, Dr. Hogne Vik, chief medical officer with NattoPharma, a leader in vitamin K2 research and development, says:26
"We are not only finally seeing recognition that vitamin K2 is woefully insufficient in the diet, but there is a growing body of evidence that pharmaceuticals further exacerbate the problem of our limited vitamin K2 status, delivering potentially dangerous consequences for human health."
According to Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal article27
“It appears that suboptimal levels of vitamin K2 in the body may disadvantage the activation of specific proteins that are dependent on vitamin K2. If those proteins cannot perform their function in keeping calcium in the bones and preventing calcium deposits in soft tissues (eg, in arterial walls) during situations of increased calcium intake, then general health, and—in particular—cardiovascular health, may suffer due to an inefficient and misdirected use of calcium in the body.”
Risk Factors for Low Vitamin K2
Risk Factors for Low Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 Side Effects and Precautions
Can too much vitamin K2 be toxic? Through food sources, it is highly unlikely one could get too much vitamin K2. However, in a society that does not eat well and thinks supplementing with an attitude “more could be better” there is a chance of overdosing. With this said, studies using manufactured supplemental vitamin K2 have observed no side effects or signs of poisoning including studies where extremely high doses of vitamin K2 have been given over a period of several years.
If you are taking blood thinners (Coumadin) please consult with your doctor before taking vitamin K2 as it may cause heart-related problems. There are numerous medications that may negatively interact with vitamin K2 therefore discuss wth your physician before supplementing with vitamin K2. What Foods are High In Vitamin K2?Vitamin K2 foods include;
What fermented foods have vitamin K2 ?
The beneficial nutrients in fermented vegetables will rely upon the vegetables used. What is important to note is that during the fermentation process the nutrients are more readily available than there non fermented types. Of course during the fermentation process there will be a ton of beneficial bacteria and lactic acid as well as B vitamins and vitamin K2, essential fatty acids and enzymes. Of course, if you use organically grown veggies for your fermentation you will tap into greater nutrition29,,30 than it pesticide/glyphosate counterparts.
Vitamin K2 in Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut made from cabbage and sometimes carrots along with fennel seeds is an excellent source of vitamin A, C, vitamin K2 and B vitamins, iron, copper, calcium, sodium, manganese and magnesium. Go for raw, unpasturized organic sauerkraut as it will be higher in nutrients, bacteria and enzymes.
The second most thought of fermented food are pickles. Pickles are great source of vitamin K, molybdenum, pantothenic act, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, vitamin C, B1, biotin, magnesium and also contains phytonutrients valuable for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits.31 Nattō beans a popular Japanese dish that is also popular for breakfast. It is made from nattō soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. natto.32 Japanese black bean NATTO is made from black soybeans. Nattō is a rich source of vitamin K2 and pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) a vitamin-like compound found in plant foods is an essential nutrient that is well researched as having cofactor properties for a special class of enzymes involved in cellular function including cellular growth, development, differentiation, and survival. It was first recognized as an enzyme cofactor in bacteria.33 Nattō is also a good source of amino acids tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, lyseine, methionine, cystine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, valine, argineine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, blycine, proline and serine. As well as vitamin C, K2, folate, choline, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium.34 Vitamin K2 in Raw Cheese
The best source of raw goat, sheep and cow’s milk cheese is coming from pasture raised, grass fed animals as it will also contain more vitamin K2. Look for block cheese over shredded or sliced. There is less manufacturing involved which means less chances of bacterial overgrowth. Also, many shredded cheese will contain anti-caking ingredients that we do not need in our cheese or our body.
Look for raw, unpasteurized, grass fed, pasture raised from cows, sheep, goats Look at purchasing local in the spring/summer months, and imports from countries where it is the opposite season like New Zealand and Australia during North America’s winter months 
Make sure the label says Pasture raised Eggs
Vitamin K2 in Eggs and Butter
Again, The best source of raw goat, sheep and cow’s milk butter is coming from pasture raised, grass fed animals as it will also contain more vitamin K2.
Look for raw, unpasteurized, grass fed, pasture raised Look at purchasing local in the spring/summer months, and imports from countries where it is the opposite season like New Zealand and Australia while it is winter in North America. Eggs are the same thing, look for eggs from pasture raised hens, it means they are not cooped up, but are outside eating grass, weeds and insects like they are supposed to do. You will know you have pasture-raised hen’s eggs because the yolk will be a bright deep yellow to orange color. The package must say “from pasture raised” Organic, cage free, free range will not be from hens that are grazing on pastures. Vitamin K2 Benefits
Clearly you can see that there are a ton of vitamin K2 benefits. Check out this infographic. It pretty much sums up the benefits as well as the benefits of vitamin K2 foods
Photo Credit; Freie Menschen, whui1818, Bruno Glätsch, Emir Krasnić, Pete Linforth, Jacky Delville, Parker West, Karen Langston
When it comes to Vitamin K2 you can do something to ensure you are getting enough following these simple guidelines. Please keep in mind, that if you are eating food rich in vitamin K2 you do not have to worry about taking other supplements.
It is always better to get your nutrients from quality food sources like I mentioned in this article. I use Butcherbox because it comes to my door, and I know I am getting quality, humane raised, grass fed, grass finished, pasture raised animals. Look, I make no excuses for eating animals. I am blood type O and require it. I don't like it, but I can make a choice on the type I do consume. You can check out Butcherbox here. and you can watch my fun 48 second video below (you can spare me 48 seconds right?) I also use Thrive Market Place to order my pantry items. What I like about it is that I do not have to worry about products with GMOs and they source true organic foods. I like the idea that I do not have to sit and scrutinize a label-it is that simple. You can check out Thrive Market here. Oh, and they also have started carrying meat, poultry, pork and seafood. I was not too happy with their seafood-I am still testing it to see if I will recommend to others (I just believe in being 100% honest with you all). If you are going to supplement with Vitamin K2 there are different brands and types on the market such as MK7 and MK4 bottom line, make sure it is sourced from Nattō. If you are interested in ordering please contact me and I can help you source the right one for your needs. If you feel that you are not getting enough from your diet alone or, perhaps there is something going on with your gut, diet and health I am here to get you back on track and absorbing again. I am a phone call or an email Karen@iamworthit2.com away How are you going to incorporate more vitamin K2 rich foods into your daily routine? Be sure to comment below.
Looking for the References? They are right here.
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California Warns the State About Acrylamide In Coffee
A California judge ruled that sellers of coffee must post warnings about possible cancer risks from acrylamide in coffee to comply with Prop 65. I have talked a lot about coffee lately from the effects of caffeine to the potentially endocrine disrupting effects of the lining of the coffee cup. And, now back in the news, kind of like a re-birth of 2013 is acrylamide in coffee and its potential cancer causing effects.
Coffee "May Cause Cancer" Labels
California judge rules that coffee companies apart of the National Coffee Association
must display warning labels on coffee such as “may cause cancer” to comply with Prop 65. The National Coffee Association includes Dunkin' Brands, Inc., International Coffee & Tea, LLC, Starbucks Coffee Company and Tim Hortons among numerous others. You can check out the entire list of companies by goinghere.
It is not just coffee producing companies, the Council for Education and Research on Toxics, filed a lawsuit in 2010 against establishments that sell coffee such as Starbucks, gas station vendors, convenience stories like 7-Eleven, and others to add the toxic warning to the cups of coffee they sell.
According to an Associated Press article, about a dozen of the defendants in the 2010 case have previously settled and agreed to post warnings on coffee cups, with some defendants dismissed or affiliated with larger companies about 50 defendants remain. Among the latest to settle was 7-Eleven, which agreed to pay $900,000.
BP West Coast Products, which operates gas station convenience stores, agreed to pay $675,000. According to the California attorney generals office any business violating Proposition 65 could face penalties of up to $2,500 per day for each violation. What is California's Prop 65?
The California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, known as Proposition 65 passed in 1986 requires businesses importing and selling goods to California to provide warning labels when exposing consumers to any of the hundreds of chemicals listed that California considers to cause cancer or negatively impact reproductive harm.
Does Acrylamide in Coffee Cause Cancer?
You will find that there are numerous studies indicating that acrylamide coffee does not cause cancer including studies that are not funded by the National Coffee Association. So, why is it that the California judge ruled in favor of Prop 65?
It comes down to studies reviewed by the American Cancer Society. A 1988 review found data showing that acrylamide is capable of inducing genotoxic, carcinogenic, developmental, and reproductive effects in tested organisms. Thus, acrylamide may pose more than a neurotoxic health hazard to exposed humans.
What is Acrylamide?
Video; California Coffee Shops Will Warn Customers About This Possibly Cancer-Causing Chemical. Here's What to Know About It. TIME Health
What is Acrylamide?
"Acrylamide is a potentially toxic and potentially cancer-causing substance that can be naturally present in uncooked, raw foods in very small amounts. But for this substance to pose a risk of toxicity or cancer, it must be present in foods in much larger amounts, and these larger amounts do not occur unless those foods have been cooked. "
Outside of food, According to theU.S. Department of Health and Human Services; National Cancer Institute
"Acrylamide is a chemical used primarily to make substances called polyacrylamide and acrylamide copolymers.Polyacrylamide and acrylamide copolymers are used in many industrial processes, such as the production of paper, dyes, and plastics, and in the treatment of drinking water and wastewater, including sewage. They are also found in consumer products, such as caulking, food packaging, and some adhesives."
According to a 2006 study measuring urinary mercapturic acids in smokers versus non smokers indicate that acrylamide, used in the manufacture of polyacrylamide and grouting agents, is also present in the diet and tobacco smoke. The same review advises since there is
'sufficient evidence' of carcinogenicity in experimental animals as outlined under the U.S. EPA proposed guidelines for carcinogen risk assessment, acrylamide should be categorized as a 'B2' carcinogen and therefore be considered a 'probable human carcinogen.'
A 1995 review of Acrylamide genotoxicity and an assessment of heritable genetic risk looking at exposures of male parents to acrylamide via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal routes found that
"offspring from fathers exposed to acrylamide via drinking water are up to three offspring potentially affected with induced genetic disease per 10(8) offspring. Estimates for inhalation or dermal exposures suggest higher risks for induced genetic disease in offspring from fathers exposed in occupational settings."
Looking at two specific studies; lab animals and humans the American Cancer Society finds it’s not yet clear if acrylamide affects cancer risk in people. According to a2014 Report on Carcinogens, the National Toxicology Program has classified acrylamide as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” based on the studies in lab animals. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies acrylamide as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” based on studies in lab animals.
Which Foods Have Acrylamide?Acrylamide In Coffee and Other Foods; Here's What You Need to Know.
According to the American Cancer society acrylamide is found in both home-cooked and in packaged or processed foods. Levels of acrylamide in foods vary widely depending on the manufacturer, the cooking time, and the method and temperature of the cooking process.
Think you are off this hook because you eat and drink only organic? Think again. Acrylamide foods is not reserved for just conventional foods, it also includes organic. In natural foods, including organic, acrylamide is produced naturally when starches in foods are subjected to high temperatures (above 250 degrees Fahrenheit, or 121 degrees Celsius). Think of anything roasted, toasted, grilled and baked foods with a crust. High-carbohydrate foods produce more acrylamide than high-protein foods. It Comes Down to the Maillard Reaction
Acrylamide foods is also known as the Maillard reaction named after French chemist Louis-Camille Maillard, who first described it in 1912 while attempting to reproduce biological protein synthesis. It is a whole complex of chemical reactions between reducing sugars and principally free amino acids and peptides (usually from proteins) when heated; whose pathway and outcomes depend critically on factors such as pH and temperature.
It is this reaction that gives browned food its distinctive flavor. Seared steaks, pan-fried dumplings, cookies and other kinds of biscuits, breads, toasted marshmallows, as well as many other foods, undergo this reaction. 
What About Coffee and Acrylamide?
A 2013 study looked at commercial samples of roasted, instant coffee and in coffee substitutes and the influence of coffee species and colour intensity of coffee on acrylamide level. The study found roasting process had the most significant effect on acrylamide levels in natural coffee, however there were no relationships found with coffee species. Due to the high acrylamide levels demonstrated in coffee substitutes, recommended amounts should be defined and manufacturers should be obliged to reduce such levels in these products.
How much Acrylamide Is In Coffee?
According to CBS News Article, Coffee cancer warning: What Science Says About the Actual Risk
"Food and Drug Administration tests of acrylamide levels found they ranged from 175 to 351 parts per billion (a measure of concentration for a contaminant) for six brands of coffee tested; the highest was for one type of decaf coffee crystals. By comparison, French fries at one fast food chain ranged from 117 to 313 parts per billion, depending on the location tested. Some commercial fries had more than 1,000."
When looking at the studies California’s Judge Elihu Berle wrote in a proposed decision that coffee companies failed to prove the health benefits of coffee taking into account acrylamide.
Acrylamide In Food and Acrylamide Foods (during manufacturing)
For a complete acrylamide in food list including baby foods check out the following;
How To Reduce Acrylamide In Cooking
According to the American Cancer Society here are some tips on reducing Acrylamide levels.
Does Acrylamide in Coffee Cause Cancer?
The studies cannot conclusively agree if coffee or any other food causes cancer. When it comes to foods and coffee research it is usually focusing on one compound. In the case of coffee, coffee has numerous antioxidant compounds. Researchers will pick a compound and research its health benefits through studies. The problem is one compound does not show the overall effect, the interaction with physiology and each person's genetic make-up.
There are other foods on the market that in their singular component do not cause cancer however, when combined with body fluids there may be a chance. The problem is there are numerous variables including, the metabolism and physiology of the person, age, weight, gender and so on. What is being revealed about studies including processed refined foods and cancer is showing there is a relationship to illness including cancer.
According to a study in theJournal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), data on 43,404 Swedish women were evaluated from the years 1991 through 2002. During the time period of the study, out of the 43,304 women, there were 667 cases of breast cancer. For all the women, their lifestyle and dietary habits were scrutinized. Looking at acrylamide levels in their diet it was found that
“Compared with the lowest quintile of acrylamide intake, there was no significantly increased risk of breast cancer in the higher quintiles and no evidence of a linear dose response.” What About Acrylamide In Coffee Brands?
If you want to air on the side caution, according to a Natural News Article, Love coffee but not the toxicity? Minimize health risks with these tips, reported the Journal Royal Society of Chemistry, University of Porto in Portugal found that there was a difference of acrylamide in coffee brands.
Looking at coffee with lowest acrylamide the study found "...specific types of coffee have lower levels of acrylamide. Alves and her team found that light roasts contain significantly more acrylamide than dark ones. Bean type also appears to affect acrylamide levels and Robusta espressos contain almost twice as much acrylamide as their Arabica counterparts.” If you are looking for coffee with lowest acrylamide “opt for higher levels of Arabica beans and a darker roast. A short espresso rather than a 'lungo', which takes twice as long to prepare, may also have a lower level of acrylamide because the chemical has less opportunity to transfer to the drink.”
Graphic courtesy AuthorityDiet.com Acrylamide in Coffee: Cancer and Heart Disease Risk?
Does Organic Coffee Have Acrylamide?
I could not find any specific articles on acrylamide in organic coffee. A bit disappointing, indeed. I would like to assume that acrylamide in organic coffee is lower, but I am not going to make that claim especially after learning there are indeed different levels of acrylamide in coffee brands. And, given the fact that acrylamide is in coffee in general it would be in organic too.
I know personally, if I was to drink coffee I would choose shade grown, free trade, organic coffee from the Arabica beans and a darker roast (as mentioned above). At the very least, I would make sure those coffee beans were not from genetically altered plants to avoid any potential effects of genetically altered coffee. Since we do not know fully how GMOs work and interact with our body chemistry I would rather aire on the side of caution. After looking at the numerous studies on GMOs and genetically altering foods for the ease of growing, the long term effects are unknown. I think about things like acrylamide. Could it be that an adverse reaction during the alteration process produces more acrylamide in coffee? I don’t know, I do not have the answer on that. Is there Acrylamide in Cold Brew Coffee?
What about cold brew coffee? Is cold brew coffee good for you?
Cold brew coffee is created by steeping medium-to-coarse roasted ground coffee in room temperature water for 12-24 hours or longer. This allows for the natural extraction of essential oils, caffeine and flavour. To have the perfect cold brew coffee you then filter out the grounds. Here is the problem I see with acrylamide and cold brew coffee. The cold brew coffee method uses roasted coffee beans. The chemical, acrylamide, is produced during the coffee bean roasting process. It would come down to the beans used and how those beans were manufactured before you cold brew them. It would mean, if you want to choose the lowest acrylamide you would need to choose coffee with lowest acrylamide just like its hot coffee counterpart discussed above. Acrylamide and Cancer, Could It Be An Accumulative Effect?
Think about it, if the average person is drinking 1-2 cups of coffee (usually 32 ounce sizes-acrylamide) and food choices consist of some form of bread (muffin, toast, bagel-acrylamide) hamburger for lunch (charred meat, toasted bun -acrylamide ) with french fries (acrylamide) and a quick microwaved pasta (acrylamide) for dinner; what’s the accumulative effect? How is the accumulative acrylamide calculated over a year, ten or thirty years? We do not know.
Now take into effect the environment. Studies indicate acrylamide is found in drinking water, cosmetics, personal care products, tobacco, second hand smoke and vinyls along with other products. Since acrylamide can be ingested through the mouth, nose and skin; what is the accumulative effect? What is the accumulative effect plus the accumulative acrylamide in food? We do not know, this has not been studied. What I have seen personally over the years working in integrative centers and in my own practice, is those who have inflammatory type conditions, disease and cancer have a similar type of diet. Unfortunately their diets involved processed refined, packaged foods, caffeinated beverages and little whole foods. Is there a connection? We may never know. Now It's Your Turn
What are your thoughts on Acrylamide in Coffee and in foods?
Are you willing to change your diet to avoid acylamide in foods? What are you not willing to change or give up regadrless of how much acyrlamide is in the foods Your comments, thoughts, views and praise are always appreciated. Let's get the conversation started with you commenting below.
References
Today we are going to be talking about horizontal ridges on nails. Do you have horizontal ridges on your fingernails? What about horizontal ridges on thumbnails? Do you have those? Horizontal ridges on fingernailsHorizontal ridges on fingernailsBut before I get into what causes horizontal ridges in fingernails and what this could possibly mean. I want you to understand that your body is talking about you. Your face, eyes, skin, hair and your nails can tell you a lot about nutritional deficiencies, for to add, lifestyle changes and possibly guide you to what tests to focus on if there may be a health concern. Did you know that your fingernails are a window into your health? Not only right now but can tell us what was going on 3 to 6 months ago. In Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine the outside of our body is the window to the inside functioning and can guide us on possible nutrient deficiencies to help turn around symptoms that are keeping you from feeling amazing all the time. We should feel amazing all the time… you should wake up singing This is gonna be the best day of my life My li-i-i-ife Keep in mind that many factors can adversely affect fingernails such as biting your nails, damaging your nail; by hitting it with a hammer, bumping them, and so on. With these possible reasons out of the way, raise your hands and take a look at your fingernails and let’s dive into Chinese medicine’s interpretation of fingernail health  What Does Our fingernails Say About Our healthFingernails and Health
Unhealthy toenails may represent unhealthinessWhen it comes to health we can also look at our feet especially our toenails because we may also find horizontal ridges on toenails. In general toenail health in Chinese Medicine represents the following;
Take a look at not only your fingernails, and don’t forget your toenails. Do you have horizontal lines on your fingernails and horizontal ridges on your toenails? They may look like horizontal bumps on your fingernails, grooves, horizontal lines or ripples or bumpy nails. You may or may not have the same horizontal ridges on toenails left or right. We also want to look at the colour, thickness, strength and sheen of our fingernails along with the moons when it comes to referencing the fingernails and of course tie in all the other physical and emotional symptoms and referencing the skin, face and eyes for an overall picture. There are so many clues. We can look at nails and health problems and cross-reference to an associated organ. In Chinese medicine, the nails are considered a by-product of the soft tissues or sinews of the liver and blood flow which nourishes and moistening the nails. If there is a deficiency of liver-blood chi the nails will reflect with dry and brittle nails, ridges, spots, cracks and discolouration of the nailed or a pale look. Right now, take a look at your fingernails look for peeling, cracking, spots, lines, bumps dents. Pay attention to where they are on your fingernails, are they at the top, the middle or the closer to the tip of the fingernail? Where the imperfections are may also represent an illness or trauma timeline. It takes on average 6 months to grow a fingernail from the top of the bed to the tip. So, if the damage is at about the middle of your fingernail or thumbnail this represents what was happening about 3 months ago. There was enough of a trauma whether physically, emotionally, a diagnosis, surgery something that was traumatic enough for the body to interrupt the growth of the nail. We can also look at the depth of the lines to determine the severity of the illness. What Causes Horizontal Ridges On NailsDepending on the nail may represent previous trauma to the nail bed, so must be ruled out first. It could also be medication related to many medications including over the counter remedies may require the increased need for certain nutrients. If it is in the middle of the fingernail it represents 3 months ago; think back to three months ago, what was going on 3 months ago? Fingernails can also be affected by medications, chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapies, or a heart attack, severe infection; something traumatic enough to the body that it caused a disruption in the growth of your nail. Horizontal Ridges On Nails Indicate MalnutritionHorizontal ridges on nails may also indicate malnutrition. Take a look at what you are eating. What’s your diet like? Is your diet void of foods high in zinc and B vitamins? Is there a possible stomach acid deficiency? Could Horizontal Ridges On Nails Be A Zinc Deficiency?Horizontal Ridges On Nails and Zinc DeficiencyA severe zinc deficiency could possibly cause horizontal ridges on nails. Zinc aids in making proteins and DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Our nails are made up of keratin and keratin is a protein. Are there also white spots on the fingernails? The same fingernail as the horizontal ridges or other fingernails? White spots on fingernails may also indicate a zinc deficiency. Perhaps all you need to do is add zinc-rich foods such as Foods highest in zinc
Karen, I am eating foods high in Zinc what gives? Maybe you are eating foods high in zinc and B vitamins and yet, you still have horizontal ridges on your fingernails and possibly white spots. Check in with your digestion. How well are you digesting and absorbing your foods? Are the horizontal ridges on the right middle fingernail? The right fingernail represents the gastrointestinal tract. Zinc requires good stomach acid for absorption. There are numerous things that can affect stomach acid including age. Hydrochloric acid naturally begins to decrease around age 35. Medications such as antacids, acid blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) affect stomach acid secretion. Stress and the lack of chewing your food may also negatively impact stomach acid production thus zinc along with other vital nutrients including B vitamins and protein may not be properly utilized. Remember, fingernails are made up of keratin, keratin is a protein, zinc aids in protein structures. Other Zinc deficiency signs
How much zinc do I need? According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), the average daily recommended amounts for different ages are listed below in milligrams (mg)  Horizontal Ridges On Nails and Thiamine DeficiencyHorizontal Ridges On Nails and ThiamineHorizontal ridges on nails may also indicate a Thiamine, vitamin B1 deficiency. Thiamine plays an important role in maintaining a healthy nervous system and improving the cardiovascular functioning of the body. horizontal ridges on the index fingernail represent the chest area, high blood pressure can be seen in the left index fingernail. A vitamin B1 deficiency may negatively affect the cardiovascular system, as can zinc. Since lungs are on both sides of the body, it would represent both fingernails. Lungs problems include pulmonary issues, Peripheral artery disease, Raynaud’s disease, systemic infection; asthma, bronchitis may be indicted in both fingernails. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that having higher blood levels of certain B vitamins are linked with a substantially lower risk of lung cancer. Other studies have found that those with symptoms of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and multiple sclerosis tend to have lower levels of thiamin in their blood. Thiamine is a part of the B vitamin complex. I will list some foods that are an abundant source of vitamin B1 however, it is better to look at foods that are a great source of all B vitamins as B vitamins work synergistically. In other words, if 1 B vitamin is in a deficient state, probably there are other B vitamins in the same state. Thiamin is important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body. Other Thiamine decency signs may include
How much Thiamin do I need?According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), the average daily recommended amounts for different ages are listed below in milligrams (mg)  A nutrient test can help you determine what nutrients you are lacking, Something I can help you with. Email me and let’s talk. Foods highest in Thiamine
Horizontal ridges on thumbnails In Chinese medicine, thumbnails represent the head including ears, eyes, nose, mouth and throat. Going back to zinc for a moment, let’s say there are horizontal ridges on thumbnails, white spots and some of the symptoms of low stomach acid or gastrointestinal problems are present. There may be a problem with absorption of zinc. Zinc is needed for vision. According to the American Optometric Association suggests 40 to 80 mg daily of zinc is needed to slow age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression. According to a University of Texas at Arlington study can significantly inhibit the proliferation of oesophagal cancer cell. Zinc is essential to almost 3,000 proteins in the body including essential for wound healing, vision, senses of taste and smell. Take another look at the horizontal ridges on your thumbnail perhaps what is happening in the head, ears, eyes, nose, throat and mouth is transcribed on your thumbnails. Like most minerals, the average North American is deficient in zinc. According to the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for both men and women need to be increased by nearly one-half of the current values in order to meet their requirements for absorbed zinc. Horizontal ridges on nails don’t mean the end of the world. Do not look at your fingernails and think you are doomed. Instead, think of your fingernails as your Snapchat account; constantly dinging you and showing you that you need to pay attention to your story. The clues are right there on your fingernails. Your Fingernails Are the Window to Health You have to look at all aspects of your health history, important factors are diet, movement, outlook on life, how well you deal with stress and your level of spirituality, chemicals in your environment all of which impact our health.
We can look to our fingernails and our body to give us clues years before an actual diagnosis has been given. All it takes is a trained eye who can then put the right tests in place, tweak your diet and lifestyle and possibly prevent and reverse symptoms. All it takes from you is a willingness and readiness. Are you ready to live the vision you have of your best life? Is your low-calorie sweetener making you fat? Wait, what?How can my low calorie sweetener be making me fat? Isn't that the point? Low calories sweeteners so that I can eat what I want and not get fat? What gives? Diabetics are told by the doctor and dietitians to consume products that are low in sugar. Usually these low- calorie or no sugar products are laced with artificial sweeteners. In fact, we have been led to believe that we can have our sweets and eat them too if we consume those containing artificial sweeteners. We can sweeten our drinks, flavor our water all without guilt because artificial sweeteners keeps our weight in check. I just cringe when I see someone drinking a “diet” soda, or a “no sugar added” food. When I first started dating my husband he drank Diet Coke. I did not care what he was drinking, and I do not judge however, I made it quite clear that if he was going to drink Diet Coke, to switch to plain Coke as it is much better for him than a Diet Coke. This was not so much for the waist-sparing effect rather the brain effect.  How did we become a society that just believes what we read on a label and never question? Why is it we don't ever look past what it says on the label? Is it clever marketing that silently gives sinful permission to indulge? We think to ourselves If a product says “sugar free” or “no sugar added” it must mean that I can’t gain weight, right? I think more than this, if we took the time to look into what the ingredients is, how it made, we probably would not eat. At least if we stay ignorant to the truth and blindly put our faith into the truth of label we are not only given permission but have someone else to blame when something goes wrong. After all, this is much more convenient than spending the time educating ourselves to make our selves better, right? Sadly, I will see someone on the street, let's call her Jane, sucking back her diet sodas with artificial sweeteners, eating the “no sugar added” bonbons and treats, the low-fat diet and her waist-line keeps expanding. I can’t help but think of how Jane must feel when she looks in the mirror. She gets up turns the shower on, slowly undresses, gazes into the mirror looking at the bulges and wonders why this is happening? Jane stares disgustingly at her bulging thighs and thins I am doing everything right and yet I can’t seem to get rid of the bulge. Why me? No guilt, No Pain We have been led to believe that Sucralose and aspartame are the gifts from the heavens taking away our guilt and shame for sinfully lusting after sweet desires. We have been led to believe we can have our sugar-free cake and eat it too. A George Washington University study suggests that we may have been blindly led indeed. According to the study, artificial sweeteners may actually increase a person’s risk of becoming obese. Looking at metabolic syndrome, consumption of low-calorie sweeteners could promote metabolic syndrome and predispose people to prediabetes and diabetes, particularly in individuals with obesity. Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors--high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels and abdominal fat--that double the risk of blood vessel and heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes According to the findings of the study "Our stem cell-based studies indicate that low-calorie sweeteners promote additional fat accumulation within cells compared with cells not exposed to these substances, in a dose-dependent fashion--meaning that as the dose of sucralose is increased more cells showed increased fat droplet accumulation," said Sabyasachi Sen, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. "This most likely occurs by increasing glucose entry into cells through increased activity of genes called glucose transporters.” If you are not worried about gaining weight, still be leary. According to the cell culture study, researchers found that sucralose appears to promote oxygen radical accumulation - a highly reactive particles that can cause disease and inflammation inside cells. Most diseases, autoimmune conditions and cancer are an inflammatory state. The underlying cause is inflammation. These oxygen radicals interfere with cell activity and slow down metabolism, which promotes accumulation of fat in the cell. According to the researchers "This provides another explanation of how sucralose may interfere with metabolism.” You CAN have your Sweets and Eat them TOO!I have always advocated that when it comes to eating something sweet at the very least stick to something that is in its natural state, or pretty close to it. Honey, maple syrup and dates are the better choice. And, of course, do not make a daily habit of consuming just sweet things. You have to have balance. A diet of
Having something sweet that is made with nut flours, quality oils and a natural sweetener is by far the better choice to maintain your waist line. Sticking to a Paleo type diet, or low carb diet is the healthier choice in my opinion. I find that when I switch my clients to this type of a lifestyle they can have their paleo cake and eat it too without guilt or detrimental health effects. If you are struggling with your weight, what to eat or just need some guidance, I am here to help. If you need help weaning yourself off of the neurotoxic effects of artificial sweeteners I am a phone call or an email away. I do offer 20 minute free consolation session so that I can learn more about you and how I can coach you to the greatness you envision! A 'Grueling and Grotesque' Biohacking Experiment; Would you eat your friend's poop to get better? I came across this article/video and thought I would share it with you for so many reasons. Whatever you do, if you do watch this short 12-minute documentary I would not be eating any food, especially if you are squeamish. The video and story are about former NASA scientist Josiah Zayner who checks himself into a hotel, sterilizes his body, and embarks on a 4 days journey to completely replace all of the bacteria contained in his body. This doesn’t sound too bad right? Ugh! I had a hard time watching Josiah Zayner swallow another man’s poop (friend or not). I actually paused the video to collect my wits.
Zayner has made headlines for pushing the boundaries of do-it-yourself genetic experimentation from this documentary on changing his microbiome, to injecting himself with CRSPR gene-editing technology to modify his muscle genes to give him bigger muscles. Worse, he is selling his “DIY Human CRISPR Guide” online and selling $20 DNA that promotes muscle growth. Is he ethical and of sound mind? Biohacking Definition The activity of exploiting genetic material experimentally without regard to accepted ethical standards, or for criminal purposes Biohacking body modification Why does he do these so-called biohacks? In his opinion, cutting-edge biology tools like CRISPR should be available for people to do as they wish, and not be controlled by academics and pharmaceutical companies. Back to the video; Why did Josiah Zayner decide to embark on this experiment? It was because he had suffered a lifetime of intestinal problems (AHA! ) including ulcers—another big AHA! We know that ulcers usually indicate an overgrowth of H Pylori and possibly their virulence factors. I wonder if he knew this? Unfortunately, like many institutions in our understanding of health care only look at one aspect of health. They do not look at the entire picture; • how a child is born and fed during its first year of life • antibiotic use • nutrition • environment • lifestyle • outlook on life • and others There were some clues in the video. Zayner grew up on a farm; could there have been viruses, pathogen bacteria and parasites at play that are not easily detectable? What if he had worked with someone who understood the environmental connection to the microbiome. Perhaps this video of extreme recklessness would not have been made. For the experiment Zayner checks himself into a hotel, scrubs himself clean and the hotel room and takes antibiotics to eliminate his gut bacteria. He then swallows poop and injects bacteria into his skin from his friend over a 72 hour period and waits 8 weeks. Results After 8 weeks, through bacterial sequencing, Zayner’s gut bacteria changed to that of his friends. His digestive problems diminished and according to Zayner he developed a sweet tooth. His skin microbiome did not change. Do not attempt this on your own Although Josiah Zayner did receive positive results I cannot stress enough that this experiment did not have enough controls. And, I would not recommend doing this yourself (even if you can get past the ick-factor of eating your friend’s poop). Doctors now have access to faecal transplants and are often used in the case of trying to control Clostridium difficile when antibiotics fail or with severe Crohn’s disease. However, faeces used for faecal transplants have been thoroughly cleaned and monitored for parasites and viruses. In this experiment Josiah Zayner did not do this, it was unfiltered friend’s poop. What it did show is that we can change our microbiome. There have been studies taking a sterile skinny mouse and transplanting the bacteria from a fat mouse and the skinny mouse got fat. The same thing happened with a fat mouse injected with a skinny mouse bacteria; it got skinny. Zayner’s experiment helped showed this is possible; that we can transplant another’s bacteria and take on the characteristics of the donor’s symptoms (the sweet tooth he developed). We do not have to go to these extremes, we can alter our gut bacteria by eating the right foods and this has been documented in numerous studies. Prebiotic foods; vegetables and low glycemic fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes and some starches. We can also eat fermented foods and some fermented drinks like kefir and komchuca. We can also take multi-strain probiotic supplements and prebiotic fibre to help boost our intestinal flora. I know I keep saying this, and I will say it again; we can get a DNA picture of our colon with the GI MAP stool test. A great tool to let us know what is going on, what is overgrown or present that should not be such as • Pathogenic bacteria overgrowth • Viruses • Worms • Fungi • Parasites And then we have a baseline to work with to help rebalance our intestinal microbiome without having to eat a friend’s poop. Why did Josiah Zayner develop a sweet tooth? Oh, and one more observation, I think I know why Zayner developed a sweet tooth; his friend's poop was more on the yellowish side instead of a nice brown chestnut colour. Brown or chestnut brown coloured poop (think milk chocolate) usually indicates the person is eating good protein sources and there is a rich mixture of bile, iron and protein. A caramel colour or very light brown (kind of brown-yellowish) indicates more grains and dairy were eaten (which is going to feed the bacteria that ferments sugars) And, this may be why Zayner developed the sweet tooth. In a study done with fruit flies, researchers found that Acetobacter and Lactobacillus could suppress the flies’ protein cravings and increase their appetite for sugar. Just a little more food for thought we seriously are what we eat Would you eat your friend’s poop for better health? Constipation Relief Is Not Rocket Science
You colon works optimal when it is full of water and indigestible plant fiber. This means lots of vegetables, fruits, raw nuts and seeds that create bulk and decrease the chances of constipation. In fact, the best remedy for constipation are high fiber foods, water and probiotics.
Did you know that the average North American transit time (having a poop) is 72 hours to 1 week when it should be 12 – 24 hours? What this means is the average North American is suffering with chronic constipation! 
You should be having 2-3 easy and formed bowel movements per day that does not require any straining or a ton of toilet paper. Essentially the meal you put in your mouth today once it has gone through the digestive process should be plopping into the toilet bowl about 12 -24 hours later!
Are you pooping more than once a day? If not you too could be constipated! Best Remedy For Constipation Includes Fiber
What is Fiber?
Fiber is considered a complex carbohydrate. It is the part of the plant material that cannot be digested, instead it is broken down into nutrients. There are two types of fiber; insoluble and soluble dietary fiber. Soluble fiber retains water and turns into a gel in the digestive tract which, slows digestion aiding in nutrient absorption in the small intestines. Insoluble fiber speeds the passage of foods and adds bulk to the stool. Where does the fiber come from? Vegetables, nuts, seeds and fruit.
Fiber for Health
What is really interesting is the fact that we humans lack intestinal enzymes to break down the fibrous parts of vegetables on purpose. These undigested fibers make their way down to the colon where the commensal bacteria squirted out by the appendix breaks it down and creates nutrients, lactic acids to keep the environment happy for good bacteria and creates positive colon-immune system communication. Fiber is important because it will clean mucus along the colon, pull and bind toxins, and aids in balancing hormones by binding to and removing excess estrogens in your body. Prebiotics
Research has shown that inulin and oligofructose creates a bifidogenic shift in the composition of the colonic microbiota and its function. Inulin-type fructans may reduce the production of potentially toxic metabolites while inducing important immune-mediated effects. In other words prebiotic fiber has the ability to increase gut microbiota thus boosting your immune system.
Photo; Unsplash, Pixabay.com
What are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are non-digestive fiber found naturally occurring in carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and whole grains. When fibrous material are digested by microorganisms in your gut it promotes an environment that will allow for the colonization of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus to flourish while strengthening colon cells. If you are getting your daily recommended amount of fiber you are going to feel renewed less bloated, less irritable, fuller longer (which may help you to lose weight), full of energy and want to make it a part of your healthy lifestyle.
You need to replenish and build up with the right bacteria that are going to keep you healthy. A healthy intestinal microbiome provides a barrier from opportunist bacteria and fungi like Candida setting up shop and making you ill. Strong diverse numbers mean your good bacteria can fight off invading bacteria so that you do not get sick. You need good bacterial diversity for the synthesis of some vitamins such as B12 and produce enzymes that aid in helping your liver to work better. Let’s face it, without a good strong healthy microbiome you are setting yourself up for symptoms that may lead to other problems down the road. Your microbiome when in a healthy state keeps your immune system healthy and protects you from illness.
What Are The Best Probiotics?
Along with foods to eat to avoid constipation you need to incorporate into your healthy lifestyle probiotic supplements that are cultured from human strains, resist stomach acid and bile salts and are capable of colonizing the digestive tract. You want to make sure you are taking top rated probiotics from companies that have a quality assurance management system. Quality assurance guarantees that quality, type and numbers of microorganisms stated on the label exist when you get the product.
You also want to make sure you are taking a multi-strain probiotic supplement so that you get a variety of good bacteria. If you take the same probiotic supplement with just one strain you are not going to help keep a healthy intestinal diversity. Remember we are made up numerous types of bacteria fungi and other microbes. In fact bacteria out number human cells by a ratio of at least 10:1 in the human body.
Photo; Cook Your Life, Pixabay.com
Fermented Probiotics
You can also incorporate probiotic strains from fermented foods. Fermented vegetables such as cabbage and kimchi have multiple beneficial probiotic strains. You can also incorporate kombucha and Jun; a type of fermented tea. There are also fermented dairy products such as yogurt and kefir and other fermented foods such as Poi and Umeboshi plums that can all help with digestive symptoms like gas, bloating and constipation. 
What Happens When Probiotics and Fiber Make you Feel Worse Instead of Better?
A word of caution when it comes to fiber; please consult with your healthcare practitioner before implementing fiber. Do not take medication or supplements within 1 hour before or after taking fiber. Sometimes the medication will not be absorbed because it gets bound to the fiber.
If you decide to take a fiber supplement, start slow, especially if you have never taken fiber before. For now, do not follow what it says on the label, which is the full dosage. Instead start with a ¼ teaspoon in an 8 oz glass of water and increase every 3-5 days until you have reached the recommended dosage on the label. Be sure to drink at least 8-10 8 oz glasses of water throughout your day to allow the fiber to work properly. The same goes for incorporating fruits, vegetables and other high fiber foods. Start slow. Your bowels are not used to having to work for a living. In the beginning they will protest with gas and bloating and should subside in a couple of days. If you find that after incorporating probiotics, fiber, fruits and vegetables and you are still gassy, bloated and are having a hard time pooping you may want to investigate your symptoms with me. Sometimes there can be bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines that can lead to a host of miserable symptoms. When your friendly bacteria migrates into the small intestine it can cause a host of tummy troubles including acid reflux, fatigue, skin issues, gas, bloating, cramping, constipation or a combination of constipation and diarrhea and generally feeling awful. This is where a stool test can come in real handy. It is a matter of ordering the stool test, scooping a little poop into the specimen jar and mailing it back to the lab. I have included a snapshot of the GI MAP that my clients get done. Notice how many different microbes are being tested for? When these are not in the right numbers they may be part of the culprits causing your constipation symptoms. When you get your stool test report back it can tell you what bacteria is overgrown, the levels of your good bacteria, inflammation and much more. When you are working with me I can then put the right foods and supplements in place (right down to the perfect probiotic supplement) so that you can poop with ease! 
If you try these tips and you still can not get constipation relief it may be time time to explore your symptoms a little bit more in depth. I have suffered both ends of the scale; major diarrhea and constipation so bad that you are praying through tears to end the suffering!
It could be time for you to invest in what is really going on with your never ending symptoms. Order your stool test, get in touch with me and I can help you interpret your results and get you on the right plan of action so that you can eat healthy and feel healthy and get back to enjoying your life! Are ready to end the constipation madness? Click here and let’s get started. |
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