Nutrition and Health Information

1. Back to Basics: Gut Health Definitions

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Zonulin: GI Friend or Foe?

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Zonulin is an inflammatory protein that was discovered by Alessio Fasano and his colleagues in 2000. This protein regulates the permeability of the gut lining. Friend:  When pathogenic bacteria is present, zonulin is triggered and performs its part in protecting us by temporarily opening up or loosening up the tight junctions of the gut lining to release the bugs through diarrhea, helping us get rid of the bacteria. After the pathogenic bacteria exits the body, zonulin levels decrease and the tight junctions return to closure. Foe: No one is able to digest gluten. Six percent of the global population are gluten sensitive (not the same as allergies or intolerances). This is separate from those who have celiac disease. For the six percent who are gluten sensitive, gluten is a stronger trigger for zonulin. The result is higher than normal levels of zonulin for these individuals. With higher levels of zonulin, tight junctions remain permeable allowing toxins, undigested food, etc. to escap
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Lentil Potato Loaf

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I am thankful for having the honor of growing up in a loving, Christian home...and a especially an Adventist home.  So, if you grew up in the Adventist circle, you know all about the infamous "Special K Loaf"...or sometimes known as cottage cheese loaf.  It's a favorite in potlucks for sure!  Amazingly, there are so many versions of recipes out there for this popular cottage cheese dish. In addition, depending on who's version or conglomeration of versions you use, the saturated fat content can be astronomical.  However, I am a believer in moderation, so it definitely doesn't hurt to have it once in a while.   I was determined to make a spin-off version of this wonderful dish with maintaining flavor, but decreasing the saturated fat content.  The outcome is a lentil potato loaf. I have been working on this recipe for a couple weeks and I was able to fine tune it by the time Bible Study was at my house last Tuesday.  I made it for the gals and was very relieved
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Back to Basics: Gut Health Definitions

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We're not even going to talk about eating well to live well on this post for now.  Let's back up to the basics of understanding important definitions. The two words we will look at are eubiosis and dysbiosis. We all have a wonderful community that lives in our gut. This community consists of both beneficial bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. Beneficial bacteria helps us digest food that we eat and aids in absorption of nutrients.  Excessive amounts of pathogenic bacteria can lead to illness. Eubiosis is our goal for optimum health. Eubiosis is a state when there are more beneficial bacteria to pathogenic bacteria residing in our gut.  In addition, there is a good variety of different beneficial bacteria present. This balance helps keep the lining of our gut stay intact, which in turn helps us from getting sick.   Dysbiosis is the opposite of eubiosis. In dysbiosis, there is either more pathogenic bacteria present
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