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DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) Deficiency

Smoked Salmon...Brain Food that's Good for the Eyes!
Salmon…Brain Food That’s Good for Your Eyes, Heart, Blood Vessels, Blood Sugar, Liver, Muscles, and Fights Inflammation!

What Is DHA?

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]ocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that is abundant in the brain, being crucial in brain structure. As such DHA is a key component of neuronal membranes together with arachidonic acid (a major opposing omega-6 fatty acid), making up 15-20% of the brain’s dry mass.

This polyunsaturated fatty acid is obtained from fish sources of food.

In healthy human volunteers, positron emission tomography (PET) has shown that the normal human brain consumes 4.6 mg/day of DHA.1

DHA is particularly concentrated in highly active membranes such as nerve synapses (junctions) and photoreceptors in the eye (retina).

Q: How much DHA is in the retina?

A: DHA makes up more than 30% of the retina.2

In other roles, DHA is an  important building material for the eicosanoids, a large group of highly bioactive hormone-like substances including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes that are involved in blood clotting, inflammation, and vasoconstriction.

DHA has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity as opposed to the opposite problem of insulin resistance, to improve muscle mass, and protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.3

Egert et al. in a study of people aged 19 to 43 years with normal cholesterol showed that DHA intake significantly increased serum HDL (good) cholesterol. Also, DHA significantly decreased fasting serum triglycerides.4

What Is DHA Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Rapoport SI. Brain arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid cascades are selectively altered by drugs, diet and disease. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2008 Sep-Nov;79(3-5):153-6. Epub 2008 Oct 29. [↩]
  2. Richardson AJ. The importance of omega-3 fatty acids for behavior, cognition, and mood. Scandinavian Journal of Nutrition. 2003;47(2):92-8 [↩]
  3. Espinosa A, Valenzuela R, González-Mañán D, D’Espessailles A, Guillermo Gormaz J, Barrera C, Tapia G. Prevention of liver steatosis through fish oil supplementation: correlation of oxidative stress with insulin resistance and liver fatty acid content. Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2013 Mar;63(1):29-36. [↩]
  4. Egert S, Kannenberg F, Somoza V, et al. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid, EPA, and DHA have differential effects on LDL fatty acid composition but similar effects on serum lipid profiles in normolipidemic humans. J Nutr. 2009;139:861–868. doi: 10.3945/jn.108.103861 [↩]

Vitamin E Deficiency

Almonds for Vitamin E!
Almonds for Vitamin E!

What Is Vitamin E?

[dropcap]V[/dropcap]itamin E is not a single vitamin but naturally occurs as a fat-soluble vitamin family that consists of at least 8 distinct molecules.

These molecules include 4 tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) and 4 tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta).

Generally, tocotrienols are more active against chronic disease while tocopherols are more protective of the nervous system.

Vitamin E (for short) is a powerful antioxidant that protects cell membranes and other fat-soluble compounds from oxidative damage by free radicals (molecules that damage cells).

Q: How does vitamin E protect cells from oxidative damage by free radicals?

A: As an example, the oxidative damage to low density cholesterol (LDL – bad type) appears to lead to the deposition of cholesterol in the arterial wall (plaque formation) leading to atherosclerotic disease, commonly called hardening of the arteries.

Regarding inflammation, mast cells are activated by oxidized LDL which results in increased expression of inflammatory cytokines. This finding suggests that vitamin E antioxidant activity in reducing oxidation of LDL lipoprotein may also reduce mast cell activation. Mast cells reside near small blood vessels and, when activated, release potent mediators involved in allergy and inflammation.1

In neutralizing free radicals, vitamin E itself is oxidized (changed) to a free radical. Importantly, conversion of vitamin E back to the original form occurs by reaction with vitamin C. These two vital anti-oxidants go hand in hand.

Vitamin E is essential for normal cerebellar brain function (lower brain), peripheral nerve health and healthy skin.

What Is Vitamin E Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb YB, Varvara G, Murmura G, Saggini A, Caraffa A, Antinolfi P, Tete’ S, Tripodi D, Conti F, Cianchetti E, Toniato E, Rosati M, Speranza L,Pantalone A, Saggini R, Tei M, Speziali A, Conti P, Theoharides TC, Pandolfi F. Role of vitamins D, E and C in immunity and inflammation. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2013 Apr-Jun;27(2):291-5. [↩]

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) Deficiency

thiamin deficiency What Is Thiamin?

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]hiamin, also called vitamin B1, is an essential vitamin that is required to convert foodstuffs into energy and for the health and proper functioning of the nervous, muscular and cardiovascular systems.

In the bloodstream, 90% of active thiamin (TPP) is carried by red blood cells while 10% is transported in the bloodstream as free thiamin and thiamin monophosphate bound mostly to the protein albumin.

In the diet, animal food sources provide active thiamin while plant food sources provide free thiamin.1

Urinary excretion of thiamin cannot be detected when vitamin intake is below the required levels. On the other hand, when intake exceeds saturation in the body, thiamin and/or its metabolites are actively excreted into urine to prevent excessive toxicity of the vitamins.2

In patients who have thiamin deficiency, the most common conditions that bring them to a clinician include neuropathies, depression, myalgia, cardiomyopathies or takes diuretics and/or eat a high carbohydrate diet.3

What Is Thiamin Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump, ed. Krause’s Food, Nutrition & Diet Therapy, 10th Edition. Philadelphia, PA. USA: W.B. Saunders Company, 2000. [↩]
  2. Shibata K, Hirose J, Fukuwatari T. Relationship Between Urinary Concentrations of Nine Water-soluble Vitamins and their Vitamin Intakes in Japanese Adult Males. Nutr Metab Insights. 2014 Aug 5;7:61-75. doi: 10.4137/NMI.S17245. [↩]
  3. Spectracell Labs, Inc. [↩]

Secondary Amenorrhea

What Is Secondary Amenorrhea? [dropcap]S[/dropcap]econdary amenorrhea is a menstrual disorder characterized by absence of menstruation for more than 3 months in females who had previously menstruated. Menstruation is the shedding of the endometrium (inner lining) of… 

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Deficiency

SumptuousTuna For Niacin.
Sumptuous Tuna For Niacin.

What Is Vitamin B3 (Niacin)?

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]iacin is an essential water-soluble B vitamin that is required by all cells of the body.

During digestion of food containing it, niacin (the form in food) is changed in the small intestines to the active form niacinamide (niacin plus an amide group), which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. 

Niacinamide is converted by the body into co-enzymes which are present in all cells. These are niacinimide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and NADP. NADP is formed when the body adds a phosphate to NAD.

Q: How do these enzymes work?

A: These enzymes function in oxidation-reduction reactions essential for release of energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and are needed as components for more than 200 enzymes involved in metabolism.

In addition to producing energy, niacinamide is essential for healthy skin and the mucosal lining of the digestive tract, normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and production of steroid hormones in adrenal glands and hormones in sex glands.  Functions are more fully described below.

Urinary excretion of niacin cannot be detected when vitamin intake is below the required levels. On the other hand, when intake exceeds saturation in the body, the vitamin and/or its metabolites are actively excreted into urine to prevent excessive toxicity of the vitamins.1

What Is Niacin Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Shibata K, Hirose J, Fukuwatari T. Relationship Between Urinary Concentrations of Nine Water-soluble Vitamins and their Vitamin Intakes in Japanese Adult Males. Nutr Metab Insights. 2014 Aug 5;7:61-75. doi: 10.4137/NMI.S17245. eCollection 2014. [↩]

Infertility in Females

images (2)What Is Infertility In Females?

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]nfertility in females is characterized by failure to conceive after one year of intercourse.

This condition can be frustrating and emotionally upsetting to the parents trying to conceive.

What Is Infertility In Females In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Arachidonic Acid (AA) Deficiency

QueijoFresco.
QueijoFresco.

What Is Arachidonic Acid?

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]rachidonic acid is a major essential (must have/can’t make) omega-6 fatty acid.

Structurally, arachidonic acid is a key component of nerve membranes, together with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a major opposing omega-3 fatty acid, making up 15-20% of the brain’s dry mass and more than 30% of the retina.

In healthy human volunteers, positron emission tomography (PET) has shown that the normal human brain consumes 17.8 mg/day of arachidonic acid.1

Arachidonic acid is particularly concentrated in highly active membranes such as nerve synapses (junctions) and in photoreceptors in the eye retina.2

Arachidonic acid is an important building substance for the eicosanoids.

Q: What function do the eicosanoids have that are derived from arachidonic acid?

A: Eicosanoids are a large group of highly bioactive hormone-like substances including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes that are involved in blood clotting, inflammation, and vasoconstriction. Eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid are pro-inflammatory, pro-blood clotting, and constrict blood vessels in opposition to those derived from the omega-3 fatty acids which do the opposite in order to keep a balance in the body.

What Is Arachidonic Acid Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Rapoport SI. Brain arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid cascades are selectively altered by drugs, diet and disease. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2008 Sep-Nov;79(3-5):153-6. Epub 2008 Oct 29. [↩]
  2. Richardson AJ. The importance of omega-3 fatty acids for behavior, cognition, and mood. Scandinavian Journal of Nutrition. 2003;47(2):92-8. [↩]

Late Menarche (Start of Periods)

Late MenarcheWhat Is Late Menarche?

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ate menarche is a menstrual disorder in girls characterized by abnormal delay of menstruation, with or without breast development. The menarche is the first menstrual period or the start of menstruation. It should start within 3 years of breast development which usually starts after 10 years of age.

Q: How does the delay of menstruation differ from the normal start?

A:  In temperate climates such as the United States, the  menarche starts at an average of thirteen and one half years or between 10 to 15 years. Conversely, late menarche means the start is abnormally delayed past 15 years.

Causes of late menarche include stress, excessive physical activity such as athletic competitions, chronic diseases such as anemia, autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, diabetes and thyroiditis, and nutritional deficiencies.

What Is Late Menarche In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Early Menopause or Ovarian Failure

fimbria_ovaricaWhat Is Early Menopause?

[dropcap]E[/dropcap]arly menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation in females before the age of 40 years characterized by vasomotor instability (hot flashes/cold episodes), psychologic and emotional symptoms and profound changes in the lower genital tract.

The most severe forms present with absent pubertal development and primary amenorrhea termed primary ovarian failure (50% of these cases due to ovarian dysgenesis), whereas forms with post-pubertal onset are termed secondary ovarian failure and are characterized by disappearance of menstrual cycles associated with premature follicular depletion.1

Q: What is ovarian failure?

A: Ovarian failure is dysfunction of the ovaries to continue developing its eggs until about 51 years of age and to produce female hormones which results in infertility.  Ovarian failure  is  diagnosed by  this criteria:

  • High levels in the blood of follicle stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, and
  • Low levels of estrogen secreted by the ovaries.

The hypothalamus located in the brain is continually monitoring blood levels of estrogen so that when levels are low, it stimulates the nearby pituitary, or master gland, to secrete follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH in turn stimulates the ovaries in females to produce estrogen. In ovarian failure, the ovaries do not respond to FSH. 

Some causes in the general population of women include cigarette smoking, viral infections, surgical removal of ovaries, chemotherapy, and autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease, Addison’s disease, hypoparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus, vitiligo, and pernicious anemia.

Who is Affected in the General Population? This heterogeneous disorder affects approximately 1% of women.2

What Is Early Menopause in Celiac Disease?

Sources:
  1. Beck-Peccoz P, Persani L. Premature ovarian failure. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2006 Apr 6;1:9. [↩]
  2. Beck-Peccoz P, Persani L. Premature ovarian failure. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2006 Apr 6;1:9. [↩]

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) 

PMSWhat Is PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)?

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]remenstrual syndrome is a menstrual disorder that occurs regularly during the last week of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and starts to subside a few days before menstruation begins and is absent the week following menstruation. It is characterized by distressing mental, emotional, and physical features.

Symptoms must occur most months in the year previous to diagnosis. Currently, the American Psychiatric Association terms this disorder “premenstrual dysphoric disorder” (PMDD).

What Is Premenstrual Syndrome In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?