Hey guys! I just found a great health email I think all those interested in the particulars of health and current research would be really interested in. 

Harvard Health Publications

In particular, there is a great, informative and interesting article on the rise of gluten sensitivities and Celiac disease. You might have to sign up for the email newsletter to see it, but I think it’s worth it. 

The article goes into detail on various elements concerning gluten digestive issues such as; understanding what happens within the body in regards to gluten absorption, common and uncommon symptoms, testing to diagnose Celiac, and the “Super Six”, explained further in the quote below:  Read More »

Enjoy Life Foods is launching a Brand Ambassador Program and is looking for people who love their products to become part of an elite, go-to group, educating other like-minded people who seek great-tasting, allergy-friendly, nutritious food to become an Enjoyable.

Enjoy Life

As an official Enjoyable, you will get to:

• Help other people who are looking for delicious, safe, gluten-free and allergy-friendly foods Read More »

Lactose, commonly known as “milk sugar”, may not be digested well if you are either born with absent or low levels of the enzyme lactase or if your intestine has been injured resulting in absent or low levels of lactase. Lactose is a disaccharide or two sugars linked. It is a combination of the two sugars, glucose and galactose. If intestines lack or are deficient in lactase you will not adequately digest lactose and you will experience gas, bloating, abdominal cramps and diarrhea shortly after eating something containing lactose.

The lactase enzyme is on the surface of the intestine cells where it is very vulnerable to intestinal injury. Some people are born with absent or low levels of lactase, therefore have congenital alactasia or hypolactasia. Between 80-100% of people of Asian, Native American, or African ancestry are lactose intolerant for this reason compared to only 15% of those of Northern European ancestry. Read More »

The mineral zinc is classified as an essential nutrient due to the vital functions it performs in our bodies.  It is found in almost every cell of the body with highest concentrations in the liver, pancreas, kidney, bone, and muscle. High concentrations occur in the brain, middle ear, eye, prostate gland, sperm, skin, hair, and nails. This micronutrient is essential for the activity of approximately 100 enzymes. Enzymes promote biochemical reactions in the body.

Zinc supports a healthy immune system. It is needed for wound healing and DNA synthesis. It helps maintain our sense of taste and smell and is involved in energy metabolism, hemoglobin production, carbon dioxide transport, prostaglandin function, synthesis of collagen, protein synthesis, and vitamin A metabolism. Zinc is important for male fertility. It supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence. Read More »

I am always on the lookout for delicious ways to combine fresh summer vegetables, from the garden, into a tasty meal.  This recipe is taken from Rachael Ray’s Everyday magazine, with changes made to make it gluten-free.  It is quick, easy and delicious and takes about the time it takes to boil the water and cook the pasta. Read More »

HAPPYBABY PUFFS

HAPPYBABY has added two gluten-free varieties to its organic HAPPYBABYPUFFS line.

These Puffs are the first melt-in-your-mouth organic finger food for toddlers that helps them to learn self-feeding and they are the only gluten-free puffs on the market.  The puffs are rich in vitamin D and are the only baby snacks with added vitamin B and calcium.  They contain half the sugar of similar products and are free of artificial colors/flavors and GMOs.  Read More »

Dec. 5, 2007. Courtesy JAMA and Archives Journals and World Science staff

Honey. Photo: Andreas Praefcke

A bit of buck­wheat hon­ey beat the lead­ing over-the-coun­ter chil­dren’s cough rem­edy in re­liev­ing kids’ cough and as­so­ci­at­ed sleep trou­bles, a study has found.

 
But the re­search—though pub­lished in a re­spected med­i­cal jour­nal—was funded by the U.S. hon­ey in­dus­try. Its au­thors rec­om­mend­ed fur­ther stud­ies to con­firm the re­sults, while not­ing that safe­ty and ef­fi­cacy ques­tions have aris­en around over-the-coun­ter kids’ cough med­i­cines. “Cough is the rea­son for nearly three per­cent of all out­pa­tient vis­its in the Un­ited States, more than any oth­er symp­tom,” they wrote in the re­port. “It most com­monly oc­curs in con­junc­tion with an up­per res­pi­ra­to­ry tract in­fec­tion,” and of­ten dis­rupts sleep. Read More »

Vitamin A was first identified in 1913 because of its crucial role in vision.  Subsequent discovery of its many other duties show that a deficiency will cause a broad range of health problems.

Vitamin A is not a single compound but actually comprises a fat-soluble family of molecules that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and retinyl ester. The term vitamin A also includes certain plant carotenoids called provitamin A because they are dietary precursors of retinol.

Vitamin A is essential for normal vision and eyeball health, a properly functioning immune system, gene regulation, reproduction, embryonic development, health and protection of all the tissues that line the body, including skin and mucosa of the lungs, digestive tract, urinary tract, and genital tract, bone metabolism and normal growth and strong teeth in children.

Vitamin A Deficiency

The United States National Institutes of Health recommends testing vitamin A levels in people with celiac disease at diagnosis. This is because vitamin A deficiency is common in celiac disease. Deficiency can result from incomplete digestion, absorption, or metabolism. Read More »

When this Examiner saw a recipe for Cucumber Chickpea Bruschetta last week it was very intriguing.  We were celebrating the 4th with friends and I wanted to make something special as an appetizer.

Bruschetta made with cucumber as the based seemed easy and since there is no gluten-free bread needed it is pretty cheap to prepare.  Then a friend gave me two cucumbers from her garden and we had local salsa fresh from the farmer’s market in the refrigerator, so the plan came together.  This bruschetta is incredibly easy to make, customizable, refreshing and layered with flavor and texture.  Read More »

I’ll admit it – sometimes all I want to have for dinner is some fruit, cheese, and if I’m feeling extra adventurous, chocolate.  But fresh fruit dipped in chocolate and other savory items dipped in cheese?  Now you’re talking.

The Melting Pot is a delightful fondue restaurant that offers you all the cheese and chocolate until your heart’s content (they offer other yummy items too).  And now they have a special gluten-free menu, so you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination.

In a cheesy mood?  The Spinach Artichoke or Wisconsin Trio (request that the fondue be made with cornstarch) are must-haves.  The vegetables and apple slices provided are perfect dipping accompaniments. Read More »