A Healthier You, One Step at a Time

Category: genetic nutrition profile

  • Screening for Gluten Intolerance

    Screening for Gluten Intolerance

    Do you have symptoms of gas, bloating and GI discomfort, and suspect that you are reacting to gluten products? Classic symptoms of gluten intolerance include abdominal distention, pain, chronic diarrhea, irritability, weight loss, muscle wasting, low iron, folate, anemia, dental enamel defects, vomiting, abnormal liver enzymes, arthritis, osteoporosis, osteopenia, delayed puberty, and infertility.

    Additional symptoms include neurological complications…unexplained ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, epilepsy, depression, anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, migraines and dizziness.

    Never make the assumption that you have a gluten intolerance or sensitivity without being screened with the IgA Tissue Transglutamininase (tTG) antibody test, and IgA , these are free screening blood test, before you start eliminating gluten products, because avoiding gluten for 4-8 weeks may invalidate the test, first ask your physician to screen you with the tTG test.

    Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, linked to genetics, is non-discriminating with genders, ages, global, if undetected, can damage intestinal villi and reduce nutrient absorption resulting in bone loss, iron and folate deficiency, arthritis, etc. .

    Presently the only known treatment for celiac is following a gluten free diet with strict adherence which means you avoid wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten contamination of oats is tested two ways- a purity and optically free test, if the product is verified on the product label as gluten free, it’s safe to eat. The gluten free diet for celiac disease is rigorous, avoiding all microforms of gluten and cross-contamination.

    If you have gluten sensitivity, not an intolerance, wheat, barley and rye are avoided, with sour dough breads often being tolerated in small quantities.

    Celiac Canada is encouraging that we make no assumptions about intolerance to gluten, testing of IGA and tTG are free of charge, if diagnosed with celiac disease, its encouraged that you test annually with the tTG test and all first degree relatives should be tested, and maybe retested every 2-3 years with a tTG antibody test. As well, there is genetic testing (23 & me) identifies if you carry the gene (DQ2 or DQ8 risk version of the HLA gene).

    As we know, a healthy gut important to avoid inflammation which can be a root cause of many chronic diseases. For many of my clients, we suspect gastrointestinal dysbiosis, which is often related to unhealthy microbiome or SIBO, symptoms include bloating, gas, cramps and gastrointestinal pain. Perhaps we should be more vigilant in our screening for celiac disease and test the tTG, before we trial a low fodmap diet which can be helpful to identify food sensitivities.

  • Nutrition Month Special (up to 10% off)

    Nutrition Month Special (up to 10% off)

    Nutrition Counselling with Jan Stephens, R.D

    Promoting a healthy relationship with food and whole food choices, Jan will individualize food plans for digestive, metabolic and chronic diseases, encouraging lower carbs, healthy fats & proteins to improve lean body mass, and she will provide guidance for microbiome & Fodmap Diet if needed. Suggest testing your DNA with nutrigenomics to tailor a diet specifically for you, become aware of your genetic predispostion and compensate for it now! Encouraging healthy lifestyle with adquate fluid, fibre, sleep and physical fitness & weight control.

    Counselling by a Registered Dietitian is covered by most medical plans, consider making an appointment soon!

    jan@cornerstonenutrition.ca

    604 741-7307

  • Nutrigenomix Black Friday Sale 50% off                         (extended until Dec 8th)

    Nutrigenomix Black Friday Sale 50% off (extended until Dec 8th)

    Canadian-based DNA specific genetic testing for nutrition-targeted personalized nutrition that can be linked to actionable nutrition goals to improve your overall health and well being.

    Nutrigenomix tests 70 food related genetic markers, based on robust scientific evidence. These genes are associated with your nutient absorption, metabolism, excretion, taste and smell preferences. For example research has linked a slow vs fast metabolizer caffeine gene to higher risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and even diabetes.

    Other chronic disease-associated genes indicate whether you are more prone to lose weight or percent body fat on a high protein diet or more likely to elevate your “bad” cholesterol if you eat saturated fat.

    Additionaly, the DNA test includes nutrient metabolism of magnesium, zinc and Vit E, Vit A,B,C, D, folate, choline, calcium, omega 3/6, whole grains, sodium,nand looks at inflammatory markers, methylation, hunger regulation, ability to maintain weight loss, sleep duration, alcohol sensitivity, cholesterol sensitivity, fasting glucose and insulin levels, risk for low bone mass or achilles tendon injury, risk for between meal snacking or sugar preference, ability to taste fat in foods, risk for glucose and lactose intolerance etc,

    Research have shown that genetic testing improves clients likelihood of making actionable dietary changes and maintaining these changes for a longer period of time.

    The price of a nutrigenomix test including the nutrition analysis, diet plan and follow up is $399.00 until Dec 1st, after which it will be $599.00!