​Nutrition, Focus and You

Nancy  Cohen,  RDN, LDN
Owner- Feeding The Body Feeding The Soul LLC
www.feedingthebodyfeedingthesoul.com
 
Do you ever feel like you can’t remember everything you need to do or you can’t remember someone’s name?  Are feeling as  if you are  not firing on all cylinders?  It could be your emotions, your stamina or your nutrition.

There are new schools of thought on Eating well for Focus. Many experts suggest that a diet high in protein and has healthy low glycemic carbohydrates assists adults and children in their work throughout the day. A drop off in blood sugar can cause irritability and loss of concentration and often we turn to quick pick me ups to give us the “lift” we need (coffee and a cereal bar or fruit as a snack).

While this sounds like a quick solution to this feeling of dragging- it actually perpetuates the cycle and allows the adult or child to continue in this high – low see-saw situation.

Adding to the problem, besides consuming simple sugars, quick treats, caffeine and food coloring, we also have the concern of continually taking in Foods that cause inflammation.

Now what kind of food would be considered an inflammatory agent? This question could be answered by taking every single food out of your diet and then reintroducing them one at a time- but in this fast past world full of activities all day and evening long- who has time for this?

Gut Health

The National Institute of Health has been a front runner in microbiome research and it's affect on the human body.  The microbiome is a compilation of healthy and harmful bacteria.  Our digestive tract needs these healthy bacteria (Bifidobacteria and Acidophilus) to maintain its health and integrity.  The digestive tract is responsible not only for food digestion, but our nervous, hormonal and immune systems. 

Many are unaware that 60 – 70% of the immune system resides in the large intestine emphasizing the importance of intestinal health.

• 95% of all chronic disease has an inflammatory component.

• Gut integrity prevents or sets the stage for food sensitivity, immune dysfunction, inflammation, & chronic disease.

• Determining and removing foods that cause inflammation can be an important part of breaking the cycle of chronic inflammation and improved patient outcomes.

 
 
Food Allergy vs. Sensitivity:  What is the difference?

Let us first review the differences between allergies and sensitivities.  People often say they are allergic to certain foods, but upon further assessment, the symptoms described are not those of food allergies, but rather food sensitivities or intolerances. 
 
What is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy is an immune system response to compounds found in foods.  Food allergies occur when the body mistakes the food eaten as an invader and sends antibodies to fight it.  This is what is called an IgE reaction. 

When a person with a food allergy eats an offending food, IgE triggers a chain of reactions that result in the body releasing chemicals, such as histamine to expel the “invader” from the body.  Depending on the tissue in which these chemicals are released, a person will present a variety of food allergy symptoms.  Typical symptoms present within 4 hours and may include anaphylaxis, runny nose, itchy mouth or eyes or hives.  For some, it is deadly. 

The inflammatory response created by the immune system’s reaction to foods may impact brain chemistry and behavior. Therefore, it is suggested starting with the avoidance of potential “reactive” foods and offering you or your child the repertoire of “nonreactive” foods identified by an Alcat Food Sensitivity Test results.  Further dietary interventions, including some of the strategies associated with some plans listed above, may or may not be necessary.

Common food allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans and almonds), wheat, soy, fish and shellfish.  They are considered “the big eight” because they are the most common food allergens.  Together they make up about 90 percent of all food related allergic reactions.  Eggs, milk and peanuts are the most common allergens in children.  Unlike adults, children can sometimes outgrow their food allergies, especially to milk and soy. 
 
What is Food Intolerance/Sensitivity?

Food intolerance is a digestive system response rather than an immune system response (as in food allergies).  Food intolerances occur when the digestive system is unable to digest a particular food. These food particles can then enter the blood stream where the T helper cells see these foods as invaders and cause inflammation. 
 
Some symptoms of food intolerance overlap with food allergy symptoms.  People with food intolerances are usually able to consume small amounts of food without experiencing adverse reactions, while even small amounts of food allergens can cause severe reactions. 

Unlike the immediate immune response seen with food allergies, food sensitivity reactions are delayed reactions by the immune system.  Because of the delay in response, it is often difficult to notice the offending foods that trigger the immune reaction. 
 
According to Registered Dietitian Nutritionist/Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist Nancy Cohen, extensive research has shown that excessive production of such molecules can attack and cause damage to normal tissues by triggering the inflammation response. 

Inflammation is believed to be the underlying process involved in disease formation, and can be a contributing cause to many common symptoms experienced by people including brain fog, fatigue, depression, rashes, sinus, respiratory and digestive symptoms, and diseases like celiac, thyroid, arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions.
 
How do you know if you have Food Sensitivity?

There are several methods to determine food sensitivities. Some require eliminating entire food groups, keeping detailed food journals or taking a scientific blood test.

• Food Group Elimination – Providers will instruct clients to eliminate specific foods groups such as wheat/gluten, corn, eggs, dairy and soy.  After eliminating all of the foods for 1 – 3 months, the client will add in one food group at a time to determine tolerance.  This is a lengthy process and can create a very restrictive diet.

• Food Journaling – This method is less precise and much more difficult to determine the food/symptom causation.   The client will write down everything they eat and symptoms as they occur.  Since food sensitivity symptoms are not immediate, it can be hard to determine which foods are causing the symptoms.

• Alcat Food & Chemical Sensitivity Testing – This is a blood test that can scientifically measure the blood cell response when introduced to up to 400 different foods, chemicals, herbs, anti-inflammatory agents and antibiotics.  The test will determine which items are causing the inflammation and individualize what needs to be eliminated from your diet. 

 
Establishing Good Gut Health

Maintaining good gut microflora is a constant battle.  Our bodies are continually being exposed to pathogens, pesticides in foods, antibiotics, foods causing sensitivities, processed foods and stress.  It takes a daily regiment of eating healthfully, eliminating foods that cause sensitivities and stress reduction to establish and maintain good gut health.
 
 
To learn more about  Nutrition for Focus, Food sensitivities and the Alcat test,  contact Nancy at 970-875-7114 or info@feedingthebodyfeedingthesoul.com.

 
Great Eating Tips for You

•  Choose whole grains to provide the body and brain adequate energy- whole wheat, oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, millet, and buckwheat

•  Eat a “rainbow on the plate”. Vary fruits and veggies: Go for dark green and orange colored veggies- offer some spinach, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes. Offer fruits at meals and snack times too- choose a variety of fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruit and go easy on the fruit juice (diluted with purified water would be best!)

•  To help build strong bones, children  and adults need calcium-packed foods. Offer low-fat and fat-free milk and other milk products (cheese, yogurt) several times a day.

•  Go lean with protein: Chicken, turkey, fish, and lean meats. You can change it up with legumes- dry beans, peas, and nuts/nut butters.

• Change your oil: Choose different sources from nuts, corn, canola, soybean, and olive oil

​

•  Don’t sugarcoat it: Choose foods and beverages that don’t have artificial sweeteners or sugar as one of the first ingredients. Added sugar contributes calories and no nutrients. 

Hi Everyone,

I am a Nutritionist of many years as well as an Energy Practitioner. I have found over the past 16 years that some of the not so traditional approaches to wellness work beautifully along with my Nutrition work.

I started with Reiki in 2001, was introduced to Integrated Energy Therapy in 2009 and in 2011 began my journey into learning and becoming a Universal Rays Practitioner and Teacher.

On November 4th I am bringing this training from Australia to Florida. I am one of the first teacher's in the United States to teach others this unique and valuable healing modality.

Many people have received these Universal Rays sessions in the past  five years. Their comments are on the site- but now I am bringing this to you so you may bring it to your clients and loved ones.

To read more about the Universal Rays Training and what it can offer you and your people read here:
www.universalrayshealing.com  or on this site under classes.

If you would like to join us for either 4 days or 6 days of training for Universal Rays level One and Two- there is room for just 4 more students- space is limited,

If you are ready to experience this  amazing work for yourself- then book an appointment with Nancy here on the site.

The world is changing, the tried and true traditional modalities are shifting and welcoming in the new frontier of healing and Universal Rays.

Won't you join us on the frontlines of New Age Healing?

Blessings to you all,

Nancy
www.feedingthebodyfeedingthesoul.com
​970-875-7114

Spectracell Micronutrient Testing- Feel your best all year long!
 
In the past 34 years I have been offering Nutrition Counseling to patients and clients. When I
first graduated from schooI in 1982, I was taught to tell people to eat a balanced diet from the Four Food Groups and then the Food Guide Pyramid (1989), and you would get the balance of your Nutritional Needs.

There was even a time when the Medical/Nutrition opinion just take a good multivitamin
mineral supplement and don’t worry about your nutrition.

Today I know that is anything but the truth.

With the nuances and availability of advanced Functional and Integrated Nutrition Option
for clients we not only can pinpoint deficiencies in Micro and Macro-nutrients, we can
also modify and reduce the risks and effects of chronic inflammation and disease.

At Feeding The Body Feeding The Soul we have several really terrific tests we offer our
clients to stave off inadequacies in nutritional deficiencies and also reduce inflammation and improve medical health.

One of my favorites, The Spectracell Test-can evaluate over 50 micronutrients in your
 body to see if you are adequate, low or depleted in a large variety of vitamins, minerals,
amino acids and fat soluble lipids.

Nutrition is the Biochemistry of Human Health. When we are low in a micronutrient, we are running in the RED.

Won’t you look at your own Spectracell Micronutrient Test today and find out if you are IN BALANCE or OUT OF ALIGNMENT with your own Nutrient Needs?

The Spectracell test is affordable and is possibly covered by insurance.

Ask me today how you can take better care of your health with Micronutrient Testing and other valuable tools we offer to help you feel your best and be your best yet.

​Our testing can be performed Nationwide.

Best Health Wishes,

Nancy Cohen RDN LDN
www.feedingthebodyfeedingthesoul.com
970-875-7114

​

The Alcat Test is the gold standard in food intolerance testing and is a cost-effective alternative to the trial and error method of identifying possible trigger foods

​MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Based on its recent analysis of the food intolerance testing market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Cell Science Systems Corporation (CSS) with the 2016 North American Company of the Year Award. CSS has done a remarkable job of sustaining its market leadership over the last 20 years on the strength of its flagship Alcat Test, a cellular test for food, chemical, mold, functional food, additive, and drug sensitivities.

The results translate into benefit for many clinical conditions such as overweight, gastrointestinal disorders, skin rashes, arthritis, migraine and many others. The company’s advanced testing solutions present valuable advice and quantitative data that aid customers in changing their food habits to lead healthier, happier lives.

The Alcat Test is the only technology in the market to have been clinically validated after rigorous tests by independent bodies. CSS is the only company in this space to be a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-registered medical device manufacturer that voluntarily maintains ISO EN 13485 certification.

It is fully vertically integrated, from instrument manufacture to test reagent production, and complies with current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) regulations. This will hold it in good stead when the FDA begins to regulate lab-developed tests (LDTs), as it currently does with medical devices.

CSS’s Alcat Test identifies changes in blood cell sizes in response to exposure to foreign substances. After the removal of red blood cells, white blood cells are incubated with purified food extracts or other test substances.  Changes in cell size and number are measured through the impedance method, the international standard of particle sizing and counting. A proprietary algorithm facilitates statistical comparison of a patient’s normal cell profile with post-incubation samples.

“No single immune factor, antibody, or cytokine has been — or is likely to be — identified as the standard biomarker of food sensitivity. Therefore, the Alcat Test in-vitro method is unlikely to be supplanted by any existing or future assay,” said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Aishwarya Vivekanandan. “As the awareness of a validated methodology for assessing patient-specific triggers of inflammation rises, many more mainstream healthcare providers will adopt the test.”

“We are delighted to be recognized as a leader in the food sensitivity and intolerance testing market.  Recent clinical testing continues to indicate the importance of understanding the relationship between food sensitivities, inflammation and the innate immune system in our overall health and wellness,” stated Roger Deutsch, President and CEO of Cell Science Systems.

Since the first commercialization of the test in the late 1980s, CSS has collaborated with a number of academic institutions and clinics that have assessed and validated the technical and clinical utility of the Alcat Test. Academic institutions involved in these trials include the Yale School of Medicine, Northern Illinois University, University of Pavia, and Baylor Medical College, Sports Medicine and Performance Institute. CSS partners with providers such as Any Lab Test Now and other Walk-in Labs to offer direct-to-consumer testing solutions.

As competitors tend to focus on test results and not the transferability of the information to the patient, customers often find it challenging to glean useful information from the voluminous data. CSS, on the other hand, ensures that its actionable data are color-coded and quantitatively presented in an easy-to-understand format in addition to offering personalized consulting with physicians and nutritionists.

With the success of its flagship product, CSS is expanding its portfolio to cover bowel disorders such as celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease with its CICA profile solution (Celiac, IBS, Crohns’ Array).

It continues to strengthen its profile in the chronic disease segment with its MethylDetox Profile, which helps customers understand their genetic constitutions and address health issues by changing their diets and nutritional intake. Customers find value not only in CSS’s tests but also its consulting and support services.

“Significantly, CSS has CE certification for the free sale of its current analyzer and reagents in the European Union, as well as approvals from the ministries of health in several countries,” noted Vivekanandan. “CSS operates as a wholly owned subsidiary in Germany, providing testing to markets in Europe and the Middle East.”

For its overall excellence in growth, innovation, and visionary leadership in the food intolerance testing market, Frost & Sullivan is thrilled to present CSS with the 2016 North America Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated superiority in devising a strong growth strategy and implementing it. The recipient has shown strength in terms of innovation in products and technologies, leadership in customer value, as well as speed in response to market needs. In short, the award looks at the emerging market players in the industry and recognises their best practices that position them for future growth.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Cell Science Systems, Corporation (CSS)

Cell Science Systems (cellsciencesystems.com) is a specialty clinical laboratory that develops and performs laboratory testing in immunology, cell biology, molecular diagnostics, and other specialties, supporting the personalized treatment and prevention of chronic disease. Cell Science Systems, Corp. operates a CLIA certified laboratory and is an FDA inspected registered, cGMP medical device manufacturer meeting ISO EN13485 standards. Cell Science Systems is best known for pioneering the Alcat Test® for food and chemical sensitivities. The company operates a wholly owned subsidiary in Europe.

 Do you want to get to the bottom of your own Food Sensitivity Issues? Do you want to know more about the ALCAT  Food and Chemical Sensitivity Test for yourself? 
​
Contact Nancy Cohen RDN LDN
Feeding The Body Feeding The Soul LLC
​970-875-7114