Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Food Sensitivities be Gone!!




With the industrialization of the food industry over the past 100 years, our bodies have had to deal with a lot of changes. Potential stressors, such as processed foods, confusing dietary recommendations, and drastic changes in food production methods has resulted in the human bodies ability to keep up!  As a result, issues can occur with digestion and absorption of nutrients that are needed for optimal health.

What are the common symptoms associated with food sensitivities? 
  • migraine headaches
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, itchy skin, and acne
  • stomach pains and cramping
  • gas and bloating after eating
  • nervousness and irritability
  • diarrhea and/or constipation
  • heart burn
  • inflammation and swelling of joints with pain



How Can Functional Nutritional Therapy Help?


Instead of just removing the symptoms (bloating, skin rashes, headaches, etc.) Functional Nutritional Therapy focuses on the cause of these imbalances.  For instance, if someone with a nut sensitivity eats nuts and their skin breaks out, we will explore WHY the body reacted in that way and address the problem from that perspective.

If you are seeking to eliminate adverse food reactions and boost your overall immune health, Functional Nutritional Therapy WILL help you!  We use targeted testing options to see what your body needs that will aid in the relief of your food sensitivity symptoms as well as ensure that food reactions will not hinder your life going forward.

Here at Maine Nutri Therapy, I use a very sensitive Food Sensitivity panel call the Mediator Release Test or (MRT) by Oxford Biomedical Laboratories to help my clients discover what their particular sensitivities are.  Once we know what foods or combinations of foods are causing inflammation in your body, we can create a healing protocol that will bring your body back into balance.  

Would you like to discover if food sensitivities are contributing to your health concerns?  I offer a free initial consultation where we can discuss your health goals.  Please click here to sign up for a session.



Ginny Pomeroy, MAPT, NTP, BCHN
Board Certified Holistic Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Restorative Wellness Practitioner
Maine Nutri Therapy
VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE 










Monday, March 8, 2021

FOUR WAYS TO SAFELY DETOX

Modern living has many advantages, but one disadvantage that effects all of us is our exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment. This includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the everyday products that we use. Toxic overload has been shown to have a negative effect on your brain health, your immune system, and your overall wellbeing. The good news is that your body is equipped with the built-in ability to neutralize those chemicals and toxins and excrete them from your system. Your liver, bowels, kidneys, skin, and breath are all avenues for elimination. Problems arise, however, when these detoxification pathways become overwhelmed by more toxicity than your body can process.

Here are 4 important steps to help your body neutralize and eliminate toxic chemicals, so your system can run smoothly:

1.)    Eat 5-6 servings of multi-colored vegetables and fruits. The antioxidants from these foods can help drive those liver detoxification pathways. Make sure to include at least one serving of cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, and onions and garlic.

2.)    Drink ½ your body weight (in lbs.) in oz. of water per day to help mobilize those toxins and flush them out of your system.

3.)    Eat 2 servings of protein per day. Organic or grass-fed meats, poultry, fish, and eggs are good choices. If you are vegetarian or vegan, choose spirulina or pea protein powders.

4.)    Temporarily cut out foods and drinks that put added stress on your liver.  That includes all alcohol, caffeine, sugars, and processed foods that are laden with preservatives and “natural flavorings”.   Aim to give yourself at least 7 days if possible, but the longer the better.

Bear in mind that your body needs the right combination of nutrients to rid itself of stored toxicity. If you attempt an aggressive detoxification program without the proper preparation and supports, you run the risk of harming yourself.

I can help you craft a SAFE and effective detoxification program that addresses your unique concerns. Contact me at ginny@mainenutritherapy.com or log onto www.mainenutritherapy.com and sign yourself up for a free consultation. I look forward to working with you. __Ginny

Thursday, February 11, 2021

ARE LOW CALORIE SUGAR SUBSTITUTES SAFE?

We all know that consuming lots of sugar is unhealthy, and can lead to debilitating diseases. Likewise, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin can add to problems with liver toxicity. But it seems that our brains are hardwired to LOVE the taste of sugar. So, is it possible to enjoy something that tastes sweet without all the down-sides? Finding an acceptable substitute to use infrequently, could greatly ease the pain of trying to reduce your sugar consumption.

More and more sugar substitutes have found their way to the market place, but not all sugar substitutes are alike. The question is: Are there safe sweeteners that can be part of a healthy diet?  The answer is yes, there are, as long as you enjoy them in small amounts.

Here are 4 options that can be used safely as a sugar substitute. Understanding their differences can help you decide which type of sweetener to use.

1.)   Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is made from the fermentation of plants-most frequently from corn or birch.  It has roughly 70% of the sweetness of regular table sugar and it will not raise blood sugar levels.[1]  It is absorbed in the small intestines and poorly metabolized by the body, so is eliminated in the urine in its original form.[2]  Erythritol can be made in a crystalline form, so that it mimics the properties of table sugar making it a good replacement product in recipes that call for sugar.  This sweetener is well tolerated by most people, but can cause gas and bloating in large quantities.

2.)  Monkfruit  (also known as “luo han guo”) is a plant-based sweetener that comes from a round green melon grown in central Asia. The fruit of the melon is processed into a powder and is many times sweeter than table sugar.  It is often combined with erythritol in order to create a 1:1 sugar substitute that has the same properties as sugar as well as the same sweetness.  Most people feel that monkfruit does not have the bad after taste that is characteristic of Stevia.  It is generally well tolerated by most people and does not raise blood sugar levels.

3.)  Stevia is derived from the leaves of the Stevia plant and can be as much as 150 times sweeter than sugar by volume.  It is also often sold in combination with a sugar alcohol such as erythritol or xylitol in order to give it similar properties to table sugar. Many people dislike its characteristic “after-taste”.  The stevia plant is a member of the ragweed family and people with ragweed allergies may react to stevia.

4.)  Allulose is the new kid on the block, and shows the most promise as being an acceptable sugar alternative. It is described as a “rare sugar” that exists naturally in small quantities in raisins, jack fruit, and figs. It is not absorbed by the body, so it doesn’t raise blood sugar. Allulose appears to be a good sugar alternative for baking. To date, there have not been any reported problems associated with consuming Allulose, however, it is new to the market, so consuming it in small amounts is advised.

 Do you crave sweets to the point that they may not be good for you? Are you trying to avoid sweets because you’re overweight, or for other health reasons? If you need help getting off the sugar bandwagon, I am here to help. Contact me at: ginny@mainenutritherapy.com. We will work together to help you conquer your sugar cravings forever!

Monday, January 25, 2021

TO COOK WITH BUTTER OR NOT TO COOK WITH BUTTER – THAT IS THE QUESTION

THE ANSWER: Yes, cook with butter.

 

Here are some reasons why you should cook with butter, coconut oil and ghee, and avoid cooking with margarine, canola oil or other vegetable oils.

Your body needs some dietary fat to keep you healthy. Fats are used by your body to build and repair your cell membranes, to help you absorb your fat-soluble vitamins, make hormones, and keep you fueled with good energy. Fats also make food taste great and have the added benefit of helping you feel full after a meal. Fats come in 2 main varieties: saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.  You need both types of fats in your diet, but it matters how they are treated in your food preparation. So…

1.)   Cook with butter, coconut oil, and ghee* because they taste great and are very stable fats and won’t easily become oxidized or go rancid. This is because their Fatty Acid profile contains high amounts of Saturated fats. Chemically speaking, saturated fats do not contain any double bonds that would make them reactive. Fats that have double bonds are called “unsaturated fats” and these fats are highly reactive when exposed to heat, light, and oxygen. Canola oil, margarine and vegetable oils are all examples of polyunsaturated fats. Think about this: if you are cooking something, then you are exposing your cooking fat to heat, light, and oxygen. If you are choosing polyunsaturated vegetable oils to cook with, you run the risk of ingesting damaged fatty acids. Damaged fats can lead to tissue degradation in your body. Therefore, when roasting, baking, frying or sauteing, you want to use the most stable fats available so that your food does not contain oxidized or rancid fats.

2.)    Most vegetable fats are polyunsaturated (meaning more than one double bond) and are liquid at room temperature. Unfortunately, many types of oils on the market today have gone through a highly industrialized process. Margarine or solid vegetable lard are examples of the most industrialized fats on the market. Usually, margarine is made by taking an unsaturated oil such as canola oil and putting it through a process called hydrogenation. This process artificially eliminates the double bonds (by adding hydrogen atoms) and produces a solid fat that mimic’s butter. These industrialized hydrogenated fats are not healthy choices for cooking even though they are more stable after going through the hydrogenation process, because they have been exposed to multiple chemicals as well as heat, light, and oxygen in the hydrogenation process. These fatty acids are damaged and can eventually lead to tissue damage.

Do you need to overhaul your cooking techniques to get the most nutrition from your food?  I can help guide you in the right direction! Contact me for a free initial consultation.  I look forward to talking with you! ginny@mainenutritherapy.com, or https://mainenutritherapy.com/

*Ghee is clarified butter where the milk solids have been removed from the butter.

Monday, January 11, 2021

FOOD SENSITIVITY – YOU MAY NOT EVEN KNOW YOU HAVE IT

Do you sometimes suffer from itchy skin, stomach problems, aches and pains, or headaches? This may be a result of food sensitivities you are not even aware of.

As opposed to food allergies, which involve an immediate reaction of the immune system, resulting in hives, shortness of breath, or anaphylaxis, food sensitivity symptoms might not appear for 2-4 days after you consume something reactive. Then, symptoms might include abdominal pain, skin rashes, general malaise, and many other annoying or painful conditions. Experts believe that many conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, acne, and chronic fatigue are directly related to food sensitivity that can cause inflammation.

Good News! Food sensitivities can be identified, controlled, and often even cured with the correct protocols. Think of the joy to be free from itchy, painful skin rashes, chronic fatigue, headaches, or pains that are a result of your food sensitivities? I can help you work through these problems.  I use detailed laboratory tests to detect and pinpoint the problem sources. I then craft an individualized nutrition plan that includes targeted supplementation and dietary recommendations for you to move forward.

Let’s work together! Email me at: ginny@mainenutritherapy.com to set up a free initial consultation. Or log onto my site for more information: https://mainenutritherapy.com/ Ginny Pomeroy, helping people lead healthier, fuller lives.

Thursday, December 10, 2020

AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY…OR DOES IT?

So, what it is about an apple a day that keeps the doctor away?

Apples are a remarkable fruit that contain many important nutrients, and they are an outstanding source of dietary fiber. Fiber is a form of carbohydrate that humans cannot break down and digest. It passes through the digestive system without providing any nutrients, but because of its unique structure, fiber provides critical support to the digestive process.

Here are just a few ways fiber can help you:

FIBER… 

  • Slows down digestion, which keeps your food moving through your system at an appropriate rate, so that you can extract all the nutrients available in your food.
  • Helps you feel full and prevents over-eating.
  • Helps to regulate your blood sugar.
  • Soluble Fiber “captures” your LDL cholesterol (the kind you want to lower) and eliminates it before it can be absorbed into your bloodstream.
  • Adds bulk to your stool which is helpful for maintaining regularity.
  • Feeds the beneficial bacteria that lives within your gut microbiome. These beneficial bacteria perform important functions, like producing Vitamins K2, biotin, folate, riboflavin, and B12 as well as some short chain fatty acids that protect your gut lining from damage.  For more information about the role of your microbiome, check out my blog post from last month: (https://nutritherapymaine.blogspot.com/.../how-to-keep...). 

All plant foods contain fiber in varying ratios. So, go ahead and eat that apple a day and pair it with lots of other vegetables and fruits. I recommend having at least 5 servings of vegetables and 1-2 fruits per day! Your body will thank you and your beneficial bacteria will be able to do the important work they do to keep you healthy! 

Hi, I’m Ginny Pomeroy, board-certified in holistic nutrition. I, too, can help keep the doctor away! Contact me to discuss other fiber-rich foods and to take advantage of my FREE initial consultation.

ginny@mainenutritherapy.com, (207) 329-0876. https://mainenutritherapy.com/

Monday, October 26, 2020

HOW TO KEEP THE GOOD MICROORGANISMS IN AND THE BAD ONES OUT

Did you know that there is a huge world of microorganisms living in your intestines? These tiny organisms play an enormous role in how your immune system functions.

There are many strains of microorganisms that are beneficial and maintain a “symbiotic” relationship with you. These bacteria provide important services for your body. They can break down cellulose and fiber and release those nutrients for you to digest. They can produce important short-chain fatty acids and vitamins B12, thiamin, niacin and vitamin K that feed your intestinal lining and keep you healthy. There is evidence to suggest that they can influence mental health and play a role in how we handle stress. Lastly, beneficial bacteria can prevent harmful organisms from gaining a foothold in your gut.

Yes, there are infectious microorganisms that want to take over. There are many strains of opportunistic bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and even parasites that are looking for an unsuspecting host. These unwelcomed guests can wreak havoc on your intestinal linings, leading to “leaky gut”, poor immune function, brain fog, inflammatory conditions, digestive complains such as constipation and diarrhea, and many autoimmune conditions, to name just a few.

The key to good health is to allow your beneficial microorganisms to thrive, thus keeping the bad ones away. You can influence who wins the battle in your gut by feeding your good army and starving out the bad guys. Your beneficial bacteria love plenty of fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables, leafy greens, tubers, nuts, seeds, and legumes that pass all the way down into your colon where your friendly bacteria carry out their important functions for you.

Likewise, to prevent bad organisms from thriving, you will need to avoid eating a lot of what these guys like to eat. Yep, you guessed it- they love sugar and simple carbohydrates. By avoiding sweets, breads, white rice, and many processed foods that have added sugars, and replacing those calories with fiber-rich foods, you will give your beneficial organisms the ability to crowd out the “bad-guys,” and in the process, improve your overall health.

Hi, I’m Ginny Pomeroy, board-certified in holistic nutrition, and I can help you keep the good organisms in and kick the bad ones out! Contact me to take advantage of my free initial discussion. Together, we can win the intestinal battle. Ginny Pomeroy, Maine Nutri Therapy, (207) 329-0876. https://mainenutritherapy.com/