70 Comments

1. 

   Ira Post on July 4, 2017 at 12:13 pm

   I’d like to hear what you think of Slippery Elm Bark.

   • 

     docgut on July 4, 2017 at 1:27 pm

     Hi Ira,
     Thanks for bringing up Slippery Elm Bark. It is an excellent herbal aid, which contains mucilage, a substance that coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. It also stimulates the nerves in the gut, which increases natural mucus production and helps protect the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers and excess acidity. Slippery Elm Bark has been used for centuries by Native Americans for many disorders, including coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and stomach and digestive problems. There is a good summary of its uses on the University of Maryland website, http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/slippery-elm.

     • 

       Annabel on May 27, 2018 at 4:42 am

       The University of Maryland website is no longer active – do you have another suggestion? Thanks

       • 

         keith on May 29, 2018 at 3:35 pm

         That is unfortunate since it was an excellent website. I do have quite a lot of information on Ayurvedic spices and herbs at doshaguru.com.

2. 

   Gregory Huette on July 4, 2017 at 6:21 pm

   Dr. Zach Bush has developed a mineral supplement which is derived from ancient soil and provides lignite to the digestive tract. He says it helps to restore the tight junctions in the intestinal wall and helps to create a natural diversity of bacteria in the gut. He says that probiotics create a monoculture in the gut because they are only supplying a very small number of the bacteria that naturally occur in the gut. (a healthy gut has 20,000 or more different strains of bacteria and a probiotic is supplying only a small number–maybe 10-20) Could you comment on this? Thank you. Greg Huette

   • 

     keith on July 4, 2017 at 7:03 pm

     Very interesting. The research looks good and he certainly has excellent credentials. It is new to me so I will have to read more about it before I can give you a useful answer.

     Have you tried it? I am hoping people will share their results on this site.

     • 

       Greg Huette on February 3, 2018 at 1:58 am

       Yes I have tried Restore. I found that after a few days my digestion became very strong but I started to overeat and had a hard time not eating too much. I stopped but I think I will try again using a smaller amount. It could be it is doing something good for me.

3. 

   Mariann on July 5, 2017 at 6:46 pm

   Greetings, thanks for the fanciful, and accurate quiz! A suggestion for those of us who still like to print, using a black background with white lettering is very hard to read. The green color on the right of the page with black lettering is better. And the quiz is right on perfect in it’s analysis. Can’t wait for the finesse and details in the new book. JGD!!

   • 

     keith on July 5, 2017 at 7:22 pm

     Thank you for your excellent suggestions on the quiz.

4. 

   tan on August 2, 2017 at 3:42 am

   hi

   i would like to know should digestive enzymes be taken before or after food

   also how to solve chronic constipation. i put my 16 yo daughter on colostrum. initially it helps with her constipation but subsequently she feels her bowels cant empty completely. does colostrum contribute to constipation in the initial stage. she’s on colostrum less than a mth

   • 

     keith on August 2, 2017 at 4:10 pm

     Some doctors recommend digestive enzymes and other don’t. There is research showing benefits with digestive enzymes for patients with IBS, but more is needed. Most experts feel that the best time is right before or during a meal, but they can stillbe effective if you take them shortly after the meal.

     Sorry, but I am unfamiliar with the effects of colostrum on constipation.

5. 

   Dr Dallas on August 22, 2017 at 8:38 pm

   Dr Wallace,

   Please comment on this recent article produced in Living Naturally;

   Should everyone just live on Chapatis.?

   “Did you know that gluten attacks the brain and damages the nervous system? Consuming foods with the gluten protein triggers an autoimmune reaction. The body attacks the gluten with antibodies in the same way that antibodies attack viruses. This damages the intestines which inhibits absorption of important nutrients.

   Gluten, one of the most heavily consumed proteins on earth. “Gluten” is the general term for a mixture of tiny protein fragments (called polypeptides), which are found in cereal grains such as wheat, rye, barley, spelt, faro, and kamut. Gluten is actually composed of two different proteins: gliadin (a prolamin protein) and glutenin (a glutelin protein).

   Gluten sensitivity creates inflammation in the entire body, beginning in the gut. It is a form of autoimmune disease. However, this inflammation occurs in people regardless of whether they have celiac disease or not. Amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs for short) that can provoke an inflammatory immune response in the GI tract by stimulating immune cells.

   Gluten contributes to the formation antibodies. Antibodies can cause the secretion of inflammatory chemicals leading to tissue damage. Additionally, through a process called molecular mimicry, antibodies can cross react with the tissues of the body causing autoimmune disease. And this is why you should take L-Glutamine. It helps strengthen the gut lining so this doesn’t happen.
   What is L-Glutamine
   L-Glutamine is 1 of 20 amino acids needed by your body in large amounts
   It is the primary fuel used by the cells in your gut lining
   Promotes digestive and brain health, muscle growth
   Improves Nutrient Absorption
   Fights cancer and high blood sugar..”

   • 

     docgut on August 22, 2017 at 10:12 pm

     There is no doubt that gluten can be very harmful for patients with celiac disease, and it may well be that many people have undiagnosed celiac or gluten sensitivity. However, there do seem to be a number of people who can tolerate gluten. I like the use of an elimination diet in which you remove gluten from your diet for a few weeks or a month and then gradually introduce it to see how you react to it.
     There is research which has shown that L-Glutamine has some beneficial results on the gut. Some health experts, however, warn against using too much of it. Once again it is controversial and more research is needed.

6. 

   Margot on October 4, 2017 at 2:00 am

   This might interest you, Docgut: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-10-fecal-transplant-success-diabetes-recipient.html

   • 

     keith on October 4, 2017 at 2:21 pm

     Thanks

7. 

   Margot on October 6, 2017 at 8:40 pm

   This is quite exciting.
   In a newly published study, Cleveland Clinic researchers have uncovered differences in the bacterial composition of breast tissue of healthy women vs. women with breast cancer. The research team has discovered for the first time that healthy breast tissue contains more of the bacterial species Methylobacterium, a finding which could offer a new perspective in the battle against breast cancer.
   Bacteria that live in the body, known as the microbiome, influence many diseases. Most research has been done on the “gut” microbiome, or bacteria in the digestive tract. Researchers have long suspected that a “microbiome” exists within breast tissue and plays a role in breast cancer but it has not yet been characterized. The research team has taken the first step toward understanding the composition of the bacteria in breast cancer by uncovering distinct microbial differences in healthy and cancerous breast tissue.

   https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-10-link-bacterial-imbalances-breast-cancer.html

   • 

     keith on October 6, 2017 at 10:32 pm

     Thanks for posting this important study.

8. 

   Margot on October 11, 2017 at 4:02 am

   Microbiomic analysis of both breast milk and tissue
   shows that the human breast harbors unique and diverse
   microbiota [10, 11], one that is at least partially derived
   from translocation of gut microorganisms [12]. In addition
   to modulating the immune system, these gut microbes are
   known to play a vital role in estrogen metabolism; the
   perturbation of this “estrobolome” has been shown to
   influence systemic levels of estrogen and its metabolites
   [5, 7, 13, 14]. In fact, increased antibiotic use has been
   linked to increased risk of incident and fatal breast cancer
   in a case-controlled study of over 2,000 women [15].
   Local estrogen levels, in addition to circulating ones, also
   play a role in breast carcinogenesis [16].What remains unknown is the breast tissue
   microbiome’s role in local estrogen metabolism and breast
   carcinogenesis, and whether the microbiomes of any other
   body sites, outside of the gut, are affected by the systemic
   hormonal and immunologic disturbances associated with
   breast cancer.

   Quoted from the above paper….

9. 

   Maegan Jones on October 12, 2017 at 4:40 pm

   Hi Robert,

   I saw that you wrote about the ketogenic diet on your site in this article: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2017/10/this-treatment-for-early-alzheimers-is-changing-the-face-of-medicine/ I thought you’d want to know about some breaking news regarding keto.

   Research shows that the keto diet reduces brain inflammation and may be a major tool in combatting Alzheimer’s, stroke, diabetes, and other inflammation-related diseases. Read more here:
   https://www.healthline.com/health-news/keto-diet-key-to-brain-inflammation-treatments#3

   This is great news for keto! Would you consider updating your article with this new information?

   Thank you for considering it!

   Warmly,

   Maegan
   —
   Maegan Jones | Content Coordinator
   Healthline
   Your most trusted ally in pursuit of health and well-being

   • 

     keith on October 12, 2017 at 5:59 pm

     Thanks for the reference to the new research. It is very interesting and I will be happy to include it in a new blog I am writing. One thing to note is that the study was done on rats, which sometimes doesn’t translate to humans. Dr Bredesen’s research which shows that a ketogenic diet is good for Alzheimer’s is probably a better reference.

     • 

       jeff on February 15, 2018 at 2:41 am

       I once heard during an ayurvedic course that it is best to walk away from the table feeling a little bit hungry. Is this also a sort of Ketogenic diet?

       • 

         keith on February 16, 2018 at 10:17 pm

         No. A ketogenic diet is a low carb diet, where the body produces ketones in the liver to be used as energy. If you fast your body will naturally begin to use ketones for energy. Most ketogenic diets don’t advocate a starvation diet. Our bodies are incredibly adaptive and so by changing our diet we can change our metabolic pathways. Most ketogenic diets involved a high level of fats and little or no carbohydrates. `

10. 

    Katherine Lenel on October 13, 2017 at 10:46 pm

    Have taken the quiz twice [yesterday and today] but have not received the 4-page result. Am I misunderstanding that it will be e-mailed to me? Thank you.

    • 

      keith on October 14, 2017 at 5:05 pm

      I am sorry for the delay. It sometimes takes longer than expected due to increased traffic. Yes, it will be emailed to you.

11. 

    Robert Milota on November 2, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    I am enjoying the Gut Course online – very helpful and empowering -thank you! Question: The anti GMO people highly recommend a product called RESTORE which helps heal the gut – especially from glyphosate contamination. Can this be part of the gut diet, etc.?

    • 

      keith on November 2, 2017 at 8:53 pm

      Yes this would be fine.

12. 

    Frances Hale on December 23, 2017 at 7:25 am

    I completed the Ama questionnaire, but didn’t see any information about what my answers mean.
    Where can I find information on what my answers mean? Thanks

    • 

      keith on December 23, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      Good point. I just went back and added something to the page which tells you what the information means. If your score is too high I also recommenced our course Heal Your Gut. Thanks

13. 

    John Mattson on January 24, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    Check out this interesting article by Dr Jason Fung Lot of useful information.
    https://medium.com/personal-growth/longevity-and-diet-9b5011afc22

    • 

      keith on January 24, 2018 at 8:12 pm

      Very interesting. Thanks.

14. 

    angie on January 30, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    which probiotic is best to promote good bacteria for weight loss

    • 

      keith on January 30, 2018 at 10:51 pm

      I so wish I could give a simple answer to your excellent question. I just read a review article that looked at 1567 scientific articles on this subject. Out of all of those the researchers picked the fourteen best studies that looked at probiotics containing Lactobacillus type bacteria. Nine of the fourteen studies “showed decreased body weight and/or body fat, three did not find any effect and two showed weight gain. Results suggest that the beneficial effects are strain dependent.”

      The following quote from this paper is almost incomprehensible: “It can highlight that Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus when combined with a hypocaloric diet, L. plantarum with Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus amylovorus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei with phenolic compounds, and multiple species of Lactobacillus.”

      My take away is that no one knows the answer to your question yet. The research is incomplete but ongoing.

15. 

    Roger Pelizzari on January 31, 2018 at 5:50 pm

    Dr. Wallace, Enjoyed your talk on Lonsdorf’s webinar.

    Except from an interesting article on Einkorn Wheat, world’s oldest wheat which has never been hybridized.

    “As for gluten, Einkorn has a different kind of gluten compared with modern wheat because it does not contain the D Genome, only the A genome. This is significant because the most popular test for detecting the presence of gluten is based on the presence of the D genome. Although Einkorn does contain gluten, it’s a different type of gluten, and will not fail an Elisa test.”

    https://www.einkorn.com/einkorn-nutritional-facts/

    • 

      keith on January 31, 2018 at 8:25 pm

      Thanks

16. 

    Roger Pelizzari on February 2, 2018 at 1:50 am

    Very detailed article by a cardiologist – The Gliadin Effect

    http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/01/the-gliadin-effect/

    • 

      Roger Pelizzari on February 2, 2018 at 3:56 pm

      The article on the Gliadm Effect, that I mentioned before, is by Dr. William Davis. He state that wheat has been subjected to Mutagenesis.

      NIH researcher Dr. John Fagan, states that mutagenesis is as risky as genetic modification.
      http://earthopensource.org/gmomythsandtruths/sample-page/1-genetic-engineering-technique/1-3-myth-genetic-engineering-crops-risky-mutation-breeding-widely-accepted-regulated/

      Mutagenesis whether by irradiation or chemicals scrambles thousands of genes at random. This results in even more unforeseen health effects than GMOs. The new plant lines such as high oleic sunflowers are untested for safety and not assessed for environmental impact.   

      Mutagenesis cannot occur under natural conditions and is not compatible with organic production. Unfortunately, the USDA currently allows it in organic food. We need to turn that around.

      • 

        Roger Pelizzari on February 2, 2018 at 7:39 pm

        Supposedly, Dr William Davis retracted his statement wbout mutagenesis of wheat in a later paper. I haven’t seen the paper though.
        This field is so up in the air.

        • 

          Roger Pelizzari on February 3, 2018 at 1:33 am

          My source said he misread. Dr. Davis did NOT retract his statement on mutagenesis. In fact in his later article, he strengthened his case…
          http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/09/worse-than-genetic-modification/

17. 

    Margot Suettmann on May 1, 2018 at 2:19 am

    Keith, what does Maharishi Ayurveda say about arsenic in rice. I heard it occurs in different amounts in rice and I also hear that Lundberg rice seems best since they have their rice controlled by an independent agency and also publish their results. e seems best

    Since rice cannot be separated from arsenic content, I was wondering if Maharishi Ayurveda sees a health benefit even in small amounts of arsenic. Bhasmati rice is as far as I have heard considered a sattvic food. Is there any advice regarding brown rice? Thanks. Margot arsenic.

    • 

      keith on May 1, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      Arsenic and rice is now an important research issue, especially for young children. Brown rice is said to have more. It is a big problem in certain countries where there are also other sources of arsenic in the water and earth. I would love to hear more comments about it since it is a concern for those on a gluten free diet.

18. 

    Margot Suettmann on May 2, 2018 at 12:22 am

    I had first thought that since arsenic occurs naturally, maybe low levels of it are not that harmful? But I did not find any confirmation for this..
    Children and adults with food allergies or coeliac syndrome often make use of substitute foods that are rice-based. Examples include: rice cakes as a bread substitute, rice pasta as a substitute for wheat pasta and rice milk as a substitute for dairy milk. In addition, rice cereal is a favoured baby food. This is of especial concern where young children are concerned, as they will be far more vulnerable to toxins such as arsenic. The new consumer report states: “rice cereal and rice pasta can have much more inorganic arsenic–a carcinogen–than our 2012 data showed…Rice cakes supply close to a child’s weekly limit in one serving. Rice drinks can also be high in arsenic, and children younger than 5 shouldn’t drink them instead of milk.”

    I also read: US-grown rice can be particularly dangerous, because of our prior use of lead-arsenate insecticides (banned in the 1980s but still contaminating our land and water). Rice from the Southern states has the highest arsenic levels. Brown rice has more arsenic than white rice because arsenic tends to concentrate in the germ. Basmati rice from India, Pakistan and California had much lower levels of arsenic. And among the lowest levels of all was Bhutanese red rice.

    How to lower your arsenic consumption:

    Wash your rice thoroughly. This will reduce up to 30% of the arsenic
    Use trusted suppliers such as Lundberg and Lotus Foods. These suppliers have great integrity and voluntarily test their rice. Lotus is the supplier of Bhutanese red rice.
    Avoid processed rice products such as rice milk and rice pasta. These products are usually made of rice from the Southern States.
    Enjoy foods such as quinoa, millet and buckwheat. For gluten free pasta, select buckwheat noodles or a quinoa pasta.
    Give Baby a variety of foods. Rice cereal is high in arsenic. In addition, feeding babies mainly rice cereal is thought to be the reason why kids tend to favour bland, white foods such as mac ‘n cheese. Introduce all kinds of foods, especially vegetables, to your baby’s inquisitive palate.
    The thing is that arsenic today is usually found in quite high measurements in foods and even a few rice crackers may already surpass the limit for arsenic for a child by the FDA.

    I saw that what is often advised is to regularly chelate the body:

    I read that arsenic is a metalloic and I saw some advice to regularly chelate the body. because arsenic today is in a whole lot more foods due to environmental polllution and so on.

    Thankfully, in nature there are foods that naturally chelate (pull) heavy meals out of the body. Garlic, chlorella and cilantro have been called classic food-based chelators of heavy metals from the body. Herbs like shilajit, (ALA) Alpha-lipoic acid (from citrus fruits) N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) and the amino acid EDTA are even more powerful chelators. (see below the references)

    Natural Heavy Metal Detoxifiers (See below the References)
    Chlorella
    Garlic
    Cilantro
    Shilajit
    EDTA
    ALA (Alpha-lipoic acid)
    NAC (N-acetyl cysteine)
    Studies also suggest that ghee is an effective chelator for heavy metals and toxic chemicals. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15527868 )

    They advice to chelate the body with chelation herbs and foods as described above at least once every 2 years for 1-2 months. (see References below) Whenever using herbal chelators, always supplement with a highly absorbable mineral supplement to ensure mineral replenishment.

    Heavy metals can serve as a feeding ground for Streptococcus A or B, E. coli, C. difficile, H. pylori, and yeast cells. This can create an overgrowth of multiple bacteria in our gut, resulting in a condition known as SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).

    It’s virtually impossible not to take in a certain amount of these toxic heavy metals in our modern era, so it’s vitally important to our health that we get them out before they can wreak further havoc on our health. There is a Heavy Metal detox recommended below (by Medical Medium) – these ingredients have to be in there, he says (and then other ingredients that one likes can be added to make it a delicious smoothy.

    Hawaiian Spirulina: This edible blue-green algae draws out heavy metals from your brain, central nervous system, and liver, and soaks up heavy metals extracted by barley grass juice extract powder. Take 2 teaspoons mixed in water, coconut water, or juice.

    Barley grass juice extract: prepares the mercury for complete absorption by the spirulina. This nutritive grass has the ability to draw heavy metals out of your spleen, intestinal tract, pancreas, thyroid, and reproductive system. Drink 1-2 teaspoons mixed into coconut water or juice.

    Cilantro: Goes deep into hard-to-reach places, extracting metals from yesteryear (so it’s great for that mercury inheritance you’re carrying around!). Blend one cup in a smoothie or juice, or add to salad or guacamole.

    Wild blueberries: Draw heavy metals out of your brain tissue, healing and repairing any gaps created by oxidation when the heavy metals are removed. It is important to use wild blueberries, as they possess unique phytonutrients with special detoxifying capabilities. The potent antioxidants in wild blueberries help reverse any oxidative damage left behind by the heavy metal removal. This is especially important for your brain tissue—in fact, wild blueberries are the most powerful food for halting or in some cases reversing Alzheimer’s and dementia. Eat at least one cup daily. Note: while cultivated blueberries are nutritious, they lack the metal-drawing ability of the wild blueberries. Wild blueberries can be found in the freezer section of most supermarkets.

    Atlantic dulse: In addition to mercury, this edible seaweed binds to lead, aluminum, copper, cadmium, and nickel. Unlike other seaweeds, Atlantic dulse is a powerful force for removing mercury on its own. Atlantic dulse goes into deep, hidden places of the digestive tract and gut, seeking out mercury, binding to it, and never releasing it until it leaves the body. Eat two tablespoons of flakes daily, or an equal amount of strips if it’s in whole-leaf form. Note: As it comes from the ocean, if you are concerned about the dulse itself having mercury, be aware that Atlantic sea dulse will not release any mercury it might possess into the body. It holds on to the mercury as it works its way through, and even grabs onto other metals along the way and drives them out as well. Atlantic dulse is a critical part of the team because it can hang out near the finish line (i.e., our colon), waiting for the other foods that have been grabbing on to heavy metals along the way. It serves as emergency backup, helping ensure that all the heavy metals that made it as far as the colon actually leave the body.

    Today’s smoothie recipe gives you a simple and tasty way to get all of these five foods into your daily diet in just one go. Drink this smoothie daily for optimal benefits.

    Heavy Metal Detox Smoothie

    Ingredients:
    2 bananas
    2 cups wild blueberries
    1 cup cilantro
    1 cup orange juice
    1 tsp barley grass juice powder
    1 tsp spirulina
    1 small handful of Atlantic dulse
    Optional: water to blend

    Directions:
    In a high speed blender, blend all ingredients until smooth. If a thinner consistency is desired, add up to 1 cup of water. Enjoy!

    References:

    http://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/children/areas-of-care/childrens-environmental-health-center/childrens-disease-and-the-environment/children-and-toxic-chemicals)
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4144270/
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2581505/
    http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2005/11/toxic-nation-canadian-bodyburden,
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1892142/
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23270108
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26591333
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12897217
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22482077
    Mittal P, Kaushik D, Gupta V. Therapeutic potentials of “shilajit rasayana”: a review. Int J Pharm Clin Res. 2009;1(2):47-49. http://www.rudramani.com/research/shilajit-as-a-medicine-forgeneral-physical-strengthening-anti-aging-and-much-more.pdf. Accessed August 1, 2014.
    Bhattacharya SK, Sen AP, Ghosal S. Effects of shilajit on biogenic free radicals. Phyto Res. 1995 Feb;9(1):56-59. doi:10.1002/ptr.2650090113.
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8750902
    http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/10401728
    Gondar D, Lopez R, Fiol S, et al. Cadmium, lead, and copper binding to humic acid and fulvic acid extracted from an ombrotrophic peat bog. Geoderma. 2006 Nov;135:196-203. doi:10.1016/j.geoderma.2005.12.003.
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22557121
    Hudák A, Náray M, Nagy I, et al. Effect of the consumption of humic acid with bound complex micro elements in cases of occupational cadmium exposure. National Institute of Occupational Health, Budapest, Hungary. http://www.omfi.hu/cejoem/Volume3/Vol3No3/ce973-2.HTM. Accessed July 31, 2014.
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13163555
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13312679
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9202621
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11535365
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19902160
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19764011
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11448543
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20711682
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18719860
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11315815
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10565261
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20213447
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12781705
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22008543
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21845340
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12732454

    • 

      keith on May 2, 2018 at 1:11 pm

      Thanks for all the excellent useful information.

19. 

    Margot Suettmann on May 6, 2018 at 3:13 am

    I just heard that bone broth from ORGANIC chicken can contain a lot of lead, because lead tends to collect in the bones. One study was done on bone borht from organic chicken. The findings were:
    Margot Suettmann
    1 min ·
    Lead collects in the bones. This was also shown in ORGANIC chicken bone:
    A small, blinded, controlled study of lead concentrations in three different types of organic chicken broth showed that such broths do indeed contain several times the lead concentration of the water with which the broth is made. In particular, broth made from skin and cartilage taken off the bone once the chicken had been cooked with the bones in situ, and chicken-bone broth, were both found to have markedly high lead concentrations, of 9.5 and 7.01 μg L−1, respectively (compared with a control value for tap water treated in the same way of 0.89 μg L−1). In view of the dangers of lead consumption to the human body, we recommend that doctors and nutritionists take the risk of lead contamination into consideration when advising patients about bone broth diets.
    e on organic bpne broth.
    https://www.medical-hypotheses.com/article/S0306-9877(13)00013-3/abstract

    • 

      keith on May 6, 2018 at 2:29 pm

      There is one paper which refutes those findings saying they are particular to the location where the study was done. Here is the reference to that: Bone Broth and Lead Contamination: A Very Flawed Study in Medical Hypotheses
      https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/bone-broth-and-lead-contamination-a-very-flawed-study-in-medical-hypotheses/

      There is another published review paper (Hsu, D. et al., Essential and toxic metals in animal bone broths. FOOD & NUTRITION RESEARCH, 2017
      VOL. 61, 1347478) which examine the issue thoroughly and comes to the following conclusion:

      “The Ca and Mg levels in home-made or commercial broth/soup were found not to
      exceed low tenths of milligram per serving, or <5% of the daily recommended levels. The risks
      that are associated with the ingestion of heavy metals such as Pb and Cd in broth are minimal
      because the levels were in the ranges of a few μg per serving."

      • 

        Margot Suettmann on May 6, 2018 at 6:01 pm

        Thanks. Good to hear about these studies!

20. 

    Margot Suettmann on May 6, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    o add to the arsenic in rice discussion: Arsenic Is A Concern for Pregnant Women and Children
    For pregnant women, babies, and children, the situation may be even worse.

    Pregnant women who are exposed to arsenic may put their unborn babies at risk of having compromised immune systems while in the womb and in early life.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that high levels of inorganic arsenic during pregnancy are linked to numerous adverse outcomes. For example, exposure to arsenic during pregnancy and infancy can impair a child’s performance on developmental tests.

    Arsenic was found in rice whether it was organic or conventional — and from all regions of the world.

    Consumer Reports tested 223 samples of rice products and found significant levels of arsenic in almost all of them, including white, brown, parboiled, jasmine, basmati, and other types of rice.

    You can see the full results of the brands they tested and the results here.
    .Here is the ConsumerReport evaluation: https://www.consumerreports.org/content/dam/cro/magazine-articles/2012/November/Consumer%20Reports%20Arsenic%20in%20Food%20November%202012_1.pdf

21. 

    Roger Pelizzari on October 19, 2018 at 8:15 pm

    Keith,

    Is Coconut Palm Sugar an ok substitute for refined sugar
    in moderation or is it not so good?

    Thank

    • 

      keith on October 19, 2018 at 8:43 pm

      Many health experts recommend it in moderation. I include it in the diet. There is no clear scientific evidence why it is better but that seems to be everyone’s experience.

      • 

        keith on November 15, 2018 at 3:37 pm

        Thanks It is done and I have a few more to go.

22. 

    Roger Pelizzari on January 2, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    Keith,
    The people at Restore sent me this note. It seems to indicate that Restore
    eliminates the need for spore bionics or any other probiotics.
    ….What do you think?

    Probiotics and enzymes ​

    RESTORE is not a prebiotic, a probiotic, or a direct source of enzymes. RESTORE supports the native communication network between microflora and between microflora and the gut wall. In this rich environment of carbon redox signaling, the microflora biome functions as an intelligent entity and finds a point of equilibrium, given the proper food and signaling matrix. Overgrowth of certain species and underrepresentation of other species is fundamentally a problem of communication that prevents each of the potential 30,000 species from finding their niche within the system. Without the communication network, there will always be overgrowth and underrepresentation. Of course, a diet of refined foods does not provide the micronutrients which the lesser known species are seeking to perform their work upon. Thus, a diet rich in diverse micronutrients supports a diverse microbiome.
    Please consult your healthcare provider concerning the addition or removal of probiotics and digestive enzymes in your personal regimen, as each individual is unique, and we cannot make individual recommendations.
    RESTORE has zero bacteria in it. It is a first-in-class supplement that improves gut function. We need a much more diverse microbiome than one can achieve by replicating the same strands of bacteria over and over (this monoculture can happen when we take probiotics). Therefore, RESTORE works as a communication network that gives our bodies the tools to create their OWN bacterial ecosystem again – that ecosystem that has been wiped out by environmental toxins such as antibiotics and pesticides. Bacteria talk! Think of RESTORE as a “liquid circuit board,” boosting gut biome and therefore immunity. Fermented foods are fine to consume when using RESTORE.

    • 

      Roger Pelizzari on January 4, 2019 at 6:06 pm

      Nancy Lonsdorf said she thinks both Restore and Probiotics are useful and there’s no conflict between the two,

      • 

        keith on January 4, 2019 at 9:34 pm

        Yes, I agree with Dr. Lonsdorf.

23. 

    Rich Ryan on January 11, 2019 at 9:53 pm

    HI- I just found your interesting site and took the quiz. The results are that I’m a PK so I looked up the suggested diet for these two and it seems like they are exact opposites in many ways. How should I reconcile that when determining a diet?

    • 

      keith on January 11, 2019 at 10:32 pm

      Very good question. A more comprehensive exam by a trained Ayurveda consultant would reveal if you were more Pitta or more Kapha and that would help you to decide which foods were best for you. An important factor is whether or not your Pitta is out of balance or your Kapha is out of balance. If your Pitta is out of balance you might show signs of being irritable or easily losing your temper. If that is the case then you should favor eating the foods recommended for Pitta and avoid spicy foods not recommended for Pitta. If your Kapha is out of balance you might show signs of being lethargic or depressed. In that case you should favor foods recommended for Kapha. Once again, these are general recommendations. If you are in balance then you can pick the foods you like from either Pitta or Kapha and see what works best for you.
      In our new book, The Rest And Repair Diet there is a more thorough explanation.

      • 

        Rich Ryan on January 14, 2019 at 6:57 pm

        Thank you for your response, that is helpful.It would seem my Kapha is more out of balance. I
        ‘ll check out the book for more insight.

24. 

    Abbie Smith on February 8, 2019 at 9:02 pm

    Dear Keith, Can you clear up a question I have about sautéing spices to put on vegetables or in daul. The MAPI website has this article: https://www.mapi.com/ayurvedic-knowledge/meal-planning/ayurvedic-cooking-at-home.html But I recall it was either you or Dr. Karin Pirc said in a dvd from the Lancaster Ayurveda faculty one of our members borrowed and played for Mother Divine years ago that it is more healthful to sauté the spices and add after the vegetables have been cooked. A study on Indian military people??? in northern India? who sauté the spices at the beginning of cooking and then add the vegetables versus the southern India way of adding the spices sautéed at the end of the cooking. Do you know what is ideal?

    • 

      keith on February 9, 2019 at 4:11 pm

      Great question. I don’t know anything about a study done on this. Clearly there are at least two opinions: saute spices at the beginning of making kitchari or add saute spices at the end. In the MAPI article as you said they saute the spices in the beginning for vegetables and add them at the end for dhal. I have no idea which is better for your health. I do know that if you saute the spices at the beginning when making kitchari the taste is often lost and you have to add more spices at end. Also it is the tradition to lemon and/or salt and pepper at the end. If any ones knows more about this we would love to hear.

25. 

    Rick Dunstan on March 31, 2019 at 8:20 pm

    I would like to know what rating Just Thrive: Probiotic & Antioxidant Supplement would get compared to the other probiotics on DocGut’s Probiotic Rating Chart.

    • 

      keith on April 1, 2019 at 2:28 am

      Just Thrive Probiotic is difficult to rate because it contains soil bacteria which have not been well studied. Some alternative health experts highly recommend them and they are commonly used in Japan. Because they are in spore form they do survive the digestive tract.

26. 

    abbahutch on January 14, 2020 at 12:35 am

    Can you advise me on a good vegetarian D3 supplement like 6000 mg the primary care physician wants me to take and then be tested again in 2 months? I don’t want to take the one he wrote a prescription for to get at the pharmacy. I took the Garden of Eden Bone Grow thing for some time but became a little irregular in taking it. So my level at testing last week measured 23.7 ng/ml and the normal is 30.0 – 100.0 ng/mL

    • 

      keith on January 14, 2020 at 1:19 am

      It is always good to by your doctor’s advise. My wife has had a good experience taking Upgraded D3, TR supplements vit D3 1000 iu with organic coconut oil which she gets on Amazon.

27. 

    Jutta Kremser-Wiluda on August 5, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    Dear Dr. Wallace, I am interested in the course – Your Healthy Gut – when will this course start again?

    Wish you vibrant health and happiness!

    Kind regards,

    Jutta Kremser-Wiluda – Doctorate in Siddha Medical Sciences – DSMS

    • 

      keith on August 5, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      Thanks. It is offered all the time at MIU online but a shorter free version will be offered in several weeks. Not sure of the exact date yet.

28. 

    Phoebe on August 29, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    Hello Keith, Just watched your lecture this morning, thanks so much, since taken the Ama quiz – please could you advise what to do if you believe you have a build up of ama?
    Thanks very much!

    • 

      keith on October 28, 2020 at 5:44 pm

      If you do have Ama, the best advice is to see a Vaidya or Ayurveda Health Coach. If you can’t do that I would suggest using the Rest and Repair Diet, especially in Spring and Fall.

29. 

    Victor Schoenbach on September 5, 2020 at 7:43 pm

    Hi, Keith – Enjoyed your webinar today on total gut health – thank you!

    I wanted to mention that the link for Total Brain Coaching at the top of this page goes to https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0999055836/ which is the Rest and Repair Diet.

    Be well and stay safe,
    Vic (I had the pleasure of meeting you about 15 or so years ago, courtesy of Robert Schneider and his Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention.)
    https://go.unc.edu/vjs
    https://go.unc.edu/TM

    • 

      keith on October 28, 2020 at 5:42 pm

      Thanks

30. 

    Marshal A. Crawford on December 28, 2021 at 2:10 am

    Hi, I took the quiz and am having a problem. There are 7 questions rated for a 1 to 5 response. Possible high score is 35 or (7 times 5). Yet the quiz responses go to 55. Are there 4 questions missing. Thanks, Marshal
    P.S. I am doing ‘The Rest and Repair Diet’ and enjoying it.

    • 

      keith on December 28, 2021 at 3:34 pm

      Thanks, Marshal. I did leave out some of the questions. I just fixed it. Glad you enjoy the diet.

31. 

    Ira Post on August 8, 2022 at 7:52 am

    Hi Keith and Samantha,

    I hope you’re both doing well. I recently started taking Saccharomyces Boulardii, for my chronic diarrhea with good results. I hope you don’t mind a link which explains what it does better than I can. https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/saccharomyces-boulardii-probiotic-yeast-guide/

    Take care,
    Ira