5.04.2012
Gluten for Punishment
If you've been keeping up with the latest food and diet trends, you’ve most likely heard the buzz about gluten-free eating. In the last five years there’s been an explosion of gluten-free articles in the media and gluten-free products in the marketplace.
British Columbia’s Silver Hills Bakery has gotten on the bandwagon by introducing two bread products: gluten-free Mack’s Flax and Chia Chia.
“Finding healthy, gluten-free products proved to be a challenge [for consumers], so it was a natural fit that we wanted to help inspire healthier living for all dietary needs,” says Brad Brousson, co-founder of Silver Hills Bakery and vice-president of sales and distribution. “They’re the only 100 per cent organic, vegan, whole food gluten-free breads out there.”
Gluten is one of several proteins naturally present in wheat, rye and barley. While obvious sources are bread products, pastas and most breakfast cereals, gluten may also be found in salad dressings, sauces (including soy sauce), seasonings; soups, prepared meats, candy, flavoured coffees and teas, and corn- and rice-based cold cereals.
Although eating gluten isn’t an issue for many of us, others truly suffer. According to Dr. Scott Whittaker, a gastroenterologist at St. Paul’s Hospital and professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, a small percentage of the population have the genetically-determined illness, celiac disease (CD), and another segment of the public -- a larger group -- have a more broadly defined condition called gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity.
Whittaker explains that when an individual with CD consumes gluten, it triggers an immune response in the body that causes an inflammatory reaction in their small intestine. This in turn damages the small intestine lining. And since that lining is the direct pathway for nutrients to enter our bloodstream, proteins, fats, calcium, iron, other minerals and vitamins may not be properly absorbed.
“The degree to which people run into problems [with nutrient deficiencies] and experience symptoms depends upon the severity and duration of the inflammatory reaction in their small bowel,” said Whittaker. “And the thing that we’re learning, from doing more screening, is that the majority with CD don’t have the classic symptoms of diarrhea and steatorrhea (fat malabsorption).”
Instead, many individuals are coming into their doctors’ and dietitians’ offices with more vague symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, bloating, gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue and iron deficiency -- symptoms that overlap with other conditions, namely irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. Some individuals may even have “silent celiac disease”: they have no or very subtle gastrointestinal symptoms despite the evidence of significant injury to their small intestine lining.
Shelley Case, a Regina-based registered dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and the gluten-free diet, says that physicians and other heath care providers are now realizing that the prevalence of CD in the North American population is much higher than initially thought. Once believed to be 1 in 10,000, research over the past decade has revealed that 1 in 100 people have the condition.
Case, who authored Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide (Case Nutrition Consulting Inc., 2010), adds that because the condition is being mistaken for other illnesses, only 5 to 10 per cent of those with CD are being diagnosed. That means at least 90 per cent of people with the disease are walking around unaware.
To boot, recent U.S. research indicates that six per cent of the North American population may have what is described as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Unlike CD, it isn’t an autoimmune disease where sufferers develop long-term complications but the symptoms are similar.
“At this point we really don’t know that much about non-celiac gluten sensitivity. There are many unanswered questions, like: do these individuals have tolerance levels or can they possibly grow out of the condition?,” Case said. “And we don’t have an accurate test for diagnosing non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The only way to diagnose this condition is to rule out CD while the individual is still eating gluten. If the tests are negative, a gluten-free diet trial is initiated to see if symptoms resolve.”
CD can develop at any age. We can have the genetic markers for the condition from birth and be perfectly healthy eating gluten until a stressful event (puberty, pregnancy, surgery, or an illness such as a gastrointestinal infection) switches on the immune system and causes us to lose our tolerance for gluten.
Interestingly, the number of people diagnosed with the condition has doubled over the past 15 years and, according to a study by Italian celiac expert Dr. Carlo Catassi, the fastest growing age group of North Americans being diagnosed is 40 to 60 year olds. This begs the question: why are so many older folks developing CD?
One thing is for certain: it’s not because of changes in wheat protein from the hybridization of plant strains -- a theory espoused by Dr. William Davis, author of Wheat Belly: Lose the wheat, lose the weight, and find your path back to health.
Case, who sits on the Grain Foods Foundation Scientific Advisory Board in the U.S. and has consulted with wheat genetic scientists, said: “Genetically modified wheat isn’t grown in North America and isn’t in the U.S. or Canadian food supply. Wheat protein content hasn’t significantly changed over the years – it’s actually lower than the ancient grain, Kamut. However, one thing that has shifted is the baking industry’s increased use of vital wheat gluten to produce better volume and texture so we may be eating more gluten than our ancestors did.”
Recent research has shed light on a possible reason for the increased prevalence of CD and other autoimmune diseases: changes to our intestinal bacterial composition. The quality of our diet, using acid reduction medications, or over-using antibiotics may be disturbing the ratio of good-to-bad bacteria in our digestive tract and interfering with the digestion and absorption of gluten.
Whittaker, however, is more cautious about discussing prevalence theories. “We have more accurate diagnostic techniques and there’s good evidence that the rate of CD has increased but what’s not clear is the reason for the rise. Until we have more research, we [health care providers and the media] have to be careful about putting out theories because people may make changes to their lifestyle based on speculation,” said the physician.
But is there any harm eating gluten-free products when we don’t have CD or any kind of gluten sensitivity? After all, doesn’t eating a gluten-free diet help with weight loss?
“A gluten-free diet doesn’t equal weight loss,” said Case. “It’s not gluten, per se, that causes us to drop pounds; it’s the reduction in calories from eating less bread, pasta, pizza and baked goods.”
“If you compare some of these gluten-free products [with gluten-containing items] they are often higher in calories because of the levels of sugar and fat needed to make the ingredients cohesive and make the product palatable,” she added.
“And eating gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s always healthier, either. Nutrition-wise, you may not be getting the fibre, iron and B vitamins in a lot of gluten-free items unless you’re using bread products, cereals and pastas enriched with these nutrients and/or eating more nutrient-dense gluten-free whole grains.” (Note: Silver Hills’ gluten-free breads are enriched.)
That being said, Case emphasizes that you can eat a healthy gluten-free diet if you start eating more nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, low fat milk products, and good gluten-free whole grains.
Those who follow a gluten-free diet because it’s the latest food trend, concern Case. “Because of all the hype in the media about celebrities going gluten-free, the people who really do need it medically often aren’t being taken seriously by others or when they eat out in restaurants,” she said.
If you believe that gluten is causing health problems, Case says it’s important to be tested; CD affects about one per cent of the population. And it’s crucial that you’re eating enough gluten-containing foods (e.g., 2-4 slices of bread/day) for at least six to eight weeks prior to having the celiac blood work and biopsy done for the tests to be accurate. If the CD tests come back negative and completing a trial of eliminating gluten from your diet significantly improves your health, you may be among the six per cent who have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
“I strongly advise anyone with CD or non-celiac gluten sensitivity to consult a registered dietitian who specializes in the area because the gluten-free diet is one of the most complex to follow,” said Case.
For more information on the gluten-free diet, celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, visit here and here.
Originally published in the Vancouver Courier, March 16, 2012
3.09.2012
The limitations of body mass index (BMI)
“It never fails,” says my friend, Beth. “Every time I have an annual check-up my doctor wants to talk about my weight.” And at each appointment she dutifully answers his questions about her lifestyle. But Beth feels he’s only half-listening. Distracted crunching numbers on a calculator, he determines her body mass index (BMI) and how many pounds she’s over her ideal weight.
Health care providers use BMI to assess whether a patient’s weight is in a healthy range for their height. BMI is calculated by dividing our weight in kilograms by the square of our height in metres.
According to the World Health Organization and Health Canada, BMI is classified into ranges of health risk. Adults with BMIs less than18.5 are labeled underweight, which is associated with osteoporosis, undernutrition and eating disorders. BMIs between 18.5 to 24.9, are considered to be within the normal weight range and carry the least amount of health risk. BMIs from 25.0 to 29.9 are interpreted as overweight, while greater than or equal to 30, as obese. These latter values are associated with an increased risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers – health conditions linked to having a high percentage of body fat.
But BMI doesn’t directly measure body fat. According to Scott Lear, an associate professor and researcher at Simon Fraser University, the problem with BMI is it tracks our weight, which consists of bone, lean tissue, water and fat.
Lear, who studies the relationship between body fat and risk for diabetes and heart disease, says: “From a health perspective, we are mainly interested in body fat not weight, per se.”
“BMI doesn’t tell us where a person may be carrying excess body fat,” adds Lear. “And we know that fat around our waists carries a greater risk for diabetes and heart disease than body fat elsewhere.”
A waist circumference (WC) measurement is a useful indicator of abdominal fat. WC measures equal to or greater than 102 centimetres (40 inches) for men and 88 centimetres (35 inches) for women, are associated with an increased risk of the aforementioned health problems. In general, risk increases as WC increases, even if our BMI is in the normal weight range.
BMI isn’t a reflection of lean body mass either. Lear emphasizes that BMI may mislabel muscular adults. Endurance athletes may be classified as overweight; heavyweight boxers, as obese. Their large muscle mass inflates their weight, which raises their BMI and, thus, overestimates their health risks.
When determining a person’s ideal weight range, health care providers can’t hang their hat on body mass index and waist circumference alone. Genetics, bone structure, body type, existing health issues and lifestyle need to be considered.
We come in all shapes and sizes. An ideal weight range shouldn’t be dictated by our unrealistic cultural norms. Instead, it should be defined by our ability to exercise on a regular basis without feeling fatigued; meet our nutritional needs by moderately eating a wide variety of foods; and use restraint with booze, drugs and cigarettes.
published in Eyes On B.C., March 1, 2012
2.18.2012
Drinking to your health?
Studies that focus on alcohol consumption and health show that it doesn’t matter what type of beverage contains the alcohol. It appears alcohol itself provides the majority of the cardio-protection by favourably influencing our blood cholesterol -- which prevents plaque from clogging our arteries -- and providing an anti-coagulant effect that reduces the likelihood of blood clots.
Wine, particularly red wine, may provide additional benefits because of polyphenolic compounds that are concentrated in grape skins. While both red and white wines contain phenolic compounds, they’re more abundant in reds since these wines are made with the skins.
“So far over 200 polyphenolic compounds have been identified in red wine and many act as antioxidants,” says Iain Philip, the senior wine instructor at the Art Institute of Vancouver and part-owner of Barbariain Wine Consulting.
“One compound getting most of the attention is resveratrol, which appears to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health. But researchers aren’t clear whether it’s the individual components in wine that provide the health benefits or if it’s how all the different compounds work together.”
But do these studies looking at wine and health take into consideration other factors that improve our physical well being? Wine drinkers are usually from higher social-economic classes and have access to good medical care, not to mention healthier lifestyle choices. Drinking wine won’t impart the same benefits if we aren’t eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and exercising regularly.
The key to deriving the positive health effects of wine and other alcoholic beverages is not over-imbibing. Excessive drinking increases our risk of coronary heart disease.
In Canada, moderate drinking is defined as 1 to 2 standard drinks daily with a maximum weekly total of 9 and14 drinks for women and men, respectively. A standard drink is 12 ounces of beer at 5 per cent alcohol by volume (abv), 1.5 ounces of spirits at 40 per cent abv, or 5 ounces of wine at 12 per cent abv. A wine that’s higher than 12 per cent abv will provide more than a standard drink in each glass.
Our drinking pattern matters as much as the volume we consume. If we drink, we should have a little on a regular basis and not save up our weekly total for the weekend.
If you don’t drink alcohol now, don’t start because of possible heart health benefits. For a variety of reasons, some of us shouldn’t go near the stuff. But if you do like a beer or glass of wine, relax and enjoy yourself being mindful not to over-indulge.
published in The Beacon, February 1, 2012
2.08.2012
Using caution with calcium
As is almost always the case in life, having too much of a “good thing” doesn’t mean we’ll be happier or healthier folks. And when it comes to our eternal pursuit of health and well-being from dietary supplements, this adage is proven true time and time again.
In a study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers reported that calcium supplements could increase the risk of heart attack by as much as 30 per cent.
According to University of British Columbia nutrition professor, Dr. Susan Barr, this carefully conducted study revealed that high intakes of supplemental calcium, consumed without vitamin D, appear to slightly increase the risk of cardiovascular events in older adults.
However, Barr cautions that the effects of taking both a calcium and vitamin D supplement are still not known since the study only included trials of large calcium doses.
“The study authors speculate that a possible mechanism for the increased risk of heart attack may be due to rapid increases in serum calcium [meaning the amount of calcium in our blood], which occur after consuming a large supplemental dose”, says Barr in an interview.
Research has repeatedly shown that we’re better off getting calcium from food rather than pills; the increase in serum calcium is much less when the nutrient is coming from dietary sources such as low fat milk products, fortified soy beverages and some leafy greens.
“This finding supports the concept that if calcium supplements are needed because of food dislikes, a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, they should be taken with meals and in divided doses”, adds Barr.
The University of California, Berkeley, Wellness Letter recommends that we spread our calcium intake throughout the day so we don’t exceed 500 milligrams from food and supplements at any one time. Taking in more of the nutrient is futile because the more we get at one sitting, the smaller the proportion our bodies absorb.
A good rule of thumb is to take no more than 300 milligrams of elemental calcium from a supplement at a meal or snack. Check the package label to see how much elemental calcium the supplement provides per tablet or dose.
Also look on the package for the type of calcium used in the supplement; those made with calcium carbonate, calcium citrate or calcium citrate malate are considered high-quality because they’re well absorbed by the body.
Calcium carbonate requires stomach acid in order to be absorbed properly, so it’s best to take this supplement just after finishing a meal or snack. Calcium citrate and calcium citrate malate aren’t as dependent on stomach acid; they can be taken before or after eating.
Although it’s important to consult with your physician first, anyone taking medications that reduce stomach acid such as Prilosec or Zantac should consider taking calcium citrate. Lower amounts of stomach acid means calcium carbonate won’t be well absorbed..
Calcium citrate or calcium citrate malate are most likely better choices for individuals over 50 since stomach acid production tends to decrease with age.
Ultimately, it’s important for us to aim for the recommended daily intakes of calcium (1000 mg for adults 19 to 50 years of age; 1200 mg, for those who are older) and not exceed them excessively.
If we’re taking a calcium supplement to meet our needs we should also be consuming vitamin D to promote its absorption. Health Canada recommends that all adults 50 and older take 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin D each day. And unless we’re under medical supervision, our intake shouldn’t exceed 2000 IU.
For more information regarding calcium-rich foods, visit the B.C. Dairy Foundation to order their Calcium Calculator brochure.
1.22.2012
The scoop on multivitamin mineral supplements
Recently a reader wanted to know my thoughts about multivitamins. He wondered: are there any benefits in taking a multivitamin daily or is it a complete waste of money? Have tests been done to know if the body actually absorbs these vitamins like we do from real food?
The answer to the basic question, are multivitamin mineral supplements good for our health, is complicated. We can safely say that multivitamin mineral supplements appear to have no serious adverse effects but, to date, there is not enough evidence to support their efficacy in preventing cancer and chronic diseases in adults.
According to Marion Nestle, a nutrition professor at New York University and author of What to Eat, the science surrounding supplements is never straight-forward. Similar to other areas of nutrition research, it’s difficult to do.
Nestle explains when researchers conduct observational studies and compare the overall health of people who take supplements to those who don’t, the ones who take supplements appear to do better. But when scientists perform clinical trials, a more rigorous study design, the results are quite different. Clinical trials rarely show much benefit from taking supplements.
Like many nutrition researchers, Nestle believes the most probable explanation for the different results is that people who take supplements are healthier to begin with. If you take supplements you are most likely well-educated, physically active, a nonsmoker, a light to moderate drinker, and financially-secure.
Nestle, who also wrote Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health (University of California Press, 2002), calls it as she sees it: the supplement industry has a tendency to ignore or even attack inconvenient research results. Supplement trade associations and companies work hard to convince us that our diet is deficient in nutrients and want us to believe supplements are the answer to our health problems.
Supplements are big business. Nutrition Business Journal, an executive publication focusing primarily on the nutrition industry, estimates Canadians spent $1.83 billion on vitamins and other supplements in 2006.
Health Canada takes the position that we likely don’t need a multivitamin mineral supplement if we are eating a well-balanced diet according to Canada’s Food Guide. Unlike supplements, food contains carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fibre that give us energy and help control our blood sugar. While a multivitamin mineral supplement can provide an average of fifteen of the more than fifty essential nutrients our body needs, it won’t give us phytochemicals, the powerful disease-fighting compounds that occur naturally in fruits and vegetables.
But not all of us have stellar eating habits. For one reason or another, we don’t eat a wide variety of healthy foods or get enough food energy. A limited food budget, dieting, food allergies, multiple food dislikes, or strict vegetarianism can put us at increased risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In these cases, a multivitamin mineral supplement, with rationale nutrient levels, would most likely be beneficial.
Those following restricted diets should consider seeing a registered dietitian who can assess their nutritional intake and provide guidance on improving eating habits and possible supplement use.
You don’t have to pay big bucks for a multivitamin mineral supplement . Expensive brand name products are no better than generic store brands. To answer the reader’s second question: your body doesn’t know the difference between a nutrient from food and a nutrient from a supplement (no matter how much it costs).
Always look on the supplement label for the eight digit product licence number preceded by the letters NPH or DIN-HM, which stand for Natural Product Number or Homeopathic Medicine Number, respectively. This is proof the supplement was reviewed and approved by Health Canada in terms of safety, effectiveness, and quality.
1.15.2012
Want an easy, healthy meal idea?
After feasting on too many treats over the holidays, I’m all about eating light and healthy meals right now. But easing up on the fat and calories doesn’t mean I’m depriving myself of delicious food.
Years ago, while taking cooking courses at Dubrulle - Vancouver’s beloved culinary school - I learned of an easy French cooking technique that produces flavourful and nourishing meals.
Preparing food en papillote [pah-pee-YOHT], entails steaming lean cuts of chicken, fish, seafood, or vegetables in packages made of parchment paper, which is available in gourmet kitchenware stores and well-stocked supermarkets. Aluminum foil can also be used.
Steaming is the ultimate low-fat cooking technique but it has the reputation of producing humdrum diet fare. Cooking en papillote creates food with clean, vibrant flavours. The parchment packet keeps fragrant aromas in close contact with its edible contents.
The recipe below can be adapted to a variety of ingredient combinations. Try it with fresh spinach, chopped tomato, or thinly sliced sweet peppers, fennel or mushrooms. Instead of soy sauce and honey, experiment with a splash of dry white wine, orange juice, or chicken or vegetable stock. Substitute garlic and gingerroot for fresh or dried herbs, or thin lemon slices and capers. Besides sole, other mild-flavoured, firm-fleshed fish, such as sole, tilapia, snapper or cod, work well. Use the freshest fish your wallet can handle.
Since my Dubrulle days, I’ve taught a number of my patients the en papillote method and many are surprized how quickly they can assemble dinner for themselves; ordering take-out pizza takes more time. But the real selling point tends to be realized after the meal, when clean-up involves fewer dirty pots and pans. The parchment paper or foil is simply tossed away. Now, how easy is that?
Asian Sole en Papillote
Serves 4
What You Need:
2 small bundles of baby bok choy, chopped
4 (6 ounce/ 175 grams) sole fillets
1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced into match-stick pieces
salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 to 3 drops sesame oil (optional)
2 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoon honey
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
pinch of red pepper flakes
2 green onion, finely chopped
What To Do:
Preheat oven to 425 F. Cut four square sheets of parchment paper, each measuring about 12 x 15 inches (30 x 38 centimetres). Lay sheets on a clean work surface and fold each sheet in half crosswise, crease with your fingers and then lay flat again.
Divide baby bok choy among parchment sheets, mounding it on one side of the fold. Top with a sole fillet that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. Sprinkle carrot over each fillet. In a small bowl combine vegetable oil, sesame oil (if using), soy sauce, honey, garlic, gingerroot and red pepper flakes. Drizzle evenly over each fillet. Sprinkle with green onion. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold over parchment paper leaving a little air inside so the ingredients can steam. Fold edges around each package to seal tightly.
Put packages on a rimmed baking sheet and cook for about 12 minutes. If the fish fillets are thicker than an inch you’ll need more cooking time. Open a package to check for doneness. The fish should be opaque in colour and flake with a fork. Transfer each package to a plate and open at the table. Serve with brown rice or quinoa and more veggies if desired.
1.08.2012
Earth to Table: A cookbook review
Many of us are now realizing what some chefs have known for years: the healthiest and most delicious food comes from local farmers, fishermen, and artisan suppliers.
We’re learning more and more about our modern food industry and discovering insomnia-inducing details like the high economic, environmental and health costs attached to imported food that appears cheap at the cash register.
Local sustainable agriculture and eating is becoming the new normal. We simply want to feel good about the food we’re eating.
Chef Donna Wadsworth has ran her Vancouver catering company, Savoury City, based on socially-responsible values since it opened over eight years ago.
Wadsworth has created a sustainable business that is ethically and ecologically-sound. But most of all, Savoury City provides customers with flavourful healthy food – menu items are made from scratch using locally-sourced seasonal ingredients.
Jeff Crump is applying his local food philosophy in Ancaster, Ontario. Crump is executive chef of the Ancaster Old Mill and his passion for good food came from working in world-famous restaurants and doing extensive research.
A true academic, Crump identifies investigative food journalist Michael Pollan (author of An Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto and Food Rules: An Eater's Manual) and chefs Thomas Keller (of The French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley) and Alice Waters (of Chez Panisse in Berkley) as major influences on his career.
When Crump started at the Old Mill in 2002 he brought with him community food suppliers and forged a strong business relationship with a nearby farmer.
Before long, all the restaurant kitchen staffers were in the farmer’s field planting, weeding and harvesting delicious produce that would be end up on the menus.
Crump and Old Mill pastry chef, Bettina Schormann share their experience going back to the land in their recently released book, Earth to Table: Seasonal Recipes from an Organic Farm(Random House Canada 2009, $29).
Earth to Table is more than a cookbook. In many ways it reads like a novel reminiscent of Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: a literary piece that integrates seasonal memoirs with didactic segments and recipes.
Stunning food photography highlight seasonal ingredients that are easily found in B.C. Professional and amateur cooks will be inspired by recipes like Penne with Asparagus Carbonara in spring, Corn on the Cob with Chili Lime Butter in summer, Mile-High Pumpkin Pie for fall, and Hanger Steak with Beet Horseradish Relish in winter.
Crump and Schormann encourage us to make the most of seasonal fare by including how-to sections on foraging for greens, berries and mushrooms; canning and preserving summer produce; planting an herb garden; and shopping the farmer’s market.
Serious foodies or not, readers will enjoy intimate interviews with six world-renown like-minded chefs such as Thomas Keller, Heston Blumenthal (of The Fat Duck, England), and Matthew Dillon (of Sitka and Spruce, Seattle). They offer honest and thought-provoking insights on their own experiences and philosophies regarding local sustainable cooking and eating.
Like most of the chefs profiled in Earth to Table, Crump and Schormann don’t consider themselves political activists and they’re not interested in trying to convert any of us into locavores.
“Bettina and I want readers to enjoy the book and come to their own conclusions about what kind of food they want to eat.” says Crump during a recent visit to Vancouver. “For us it’s about quality and taste and it just so happens that preferring locally-grown seasonal food is good for the environment, keeps our money within the local coffers, and allows us to meet some really interesting people.”
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