Juicing Can Be Inflammatory

One of the basic principles of a healthy diet is to eat whole foods. Juicing is often recommended as a health improvement measure. Juicing has the advantage of breaking down the cell walls of plant material and increasing the availability of nutrients. There is, however, an argument to be made against the long term use of juice diets.

In a recent study fourteen participants were placed on experimental diets for three days. One diet was exclusively juice, another juice plus food, and a third with no juice. The researchers found that the diet which was exclusively juice led to changes in the bacteria in the stool, saliva, and cheek. The diet that was exclusively juice resulted in an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria in the mouth and an increase in bacteria in the digestive tract associated with leaky gut (gut permeability), inflammation, and cognitive decline. The researchers suggested that this was probably due to reduced fiber intake and the higher intake of sugars in the juice diet. (Sugars are much more rapidly absorbed in juices than from whole foods.) The elimination of the high juice diet and replacement with a high fiber diet resulted in increase in beneficial bacteria producing butyrate that supports control of gut inflammation, promotes immune balance and resistance to pathogens or harmful bacteria. The role of fiber in promoting long term health is often overlooked by medical professionals as well as those looking for a healthy diet.

Reference:

Link to article on juicing. Sardaro MLS, Grote V, Baik J, Atallah M, Amato KR, Ring M. Effects of Vegetable and Fruit Juicing on Gut and Oral Microbiome Composition. Nutrients. 2025; 17(3):458.

Fiber

Fiber is the key to feeding the microbiome-- the bacteria in the human digestive tract. The microbiome is the secret to a healthy digestive tract that allows us to break down foods and extract the nutrients from them. Healthy digestion is the key to a long and healthy life. Joseph Mercola writes, "fiber is such an important component of health that I recommend you go beyond food sources and take it as a supplement."

There are two basic kinds of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like mass in the digestive tract. It slows the absorption of glucose and lowers insulin levels. It also nourishes beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract and also nourishes the lining of the digestive tract. Insoluble fiber binds to toxins in the gut and moves them out of the body. It also speeds up the transit time and works to moisten the stool helping to prevent the medical complications associated with constipation.

Transit time is the period of time from when a food is consumed until the time the residue is eliminated. An optimal transit time is considered by some to be 18-24 hours. Many people in the United States have a transit time of 3 days or longer.

The recommended intake of fiber is at least 35 grams a day. Most Americans consume less than 15 grams a day. The result is an epidemic of constipation, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, diverticulosis and many other problems.

NeoLife has an all natural Fiber Food and Drink Mix that provides 6 grams of fiber per serving. It provides all five types of dietary fibers known to be necessary for health including cellulose, hemicellulose, gums, lignin, and pectin.

Reference:

Mercola, Joseph, Fat for Fuel, New York: Hay House, Inc., 2017, 78-80.

The Microbiome and Inflammation

One of the topics of the clinical nutrition meeting in Dallas was the relationship between the microbiome ( bacteria in the gut) and the inflammatory response. It was pointed out that the proper kind of fiber in the diet can have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

Sabine Hazan is a key researcher on the microbiome. She found that Covid-19 depresses beneficial bacteria in the gut. Suppression of the bifidobacteria for an extended period of time may explain Long Covid. Addressing the abnormal state of the gut may be an effective means of addressing the consequences of Covid with its many symptoms.

Hazan has found that vitamin C has beneficial effects on the microbiome. Here is a plain language summary of one of her papers,

"Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is used as a supplement for fighting infectious disorders. Many disorders, including COVID-19 and cancer, harmfully disrupt the levels of bacteria that naturally reside in the gut, which may contribute to symptoms. The aim of the study was to understand whether high-dose vitamin C could improve the types of bacteria in the human gut. To do this we characterized the gut bacteria before and after 23 individuals took vitamin C, as prescribed by their respective physicians. We observed that vitamin C increased levels of a gut bacterium called Bifidobacterium which has positive health benefits, including fighting infection. This study suggests the possibility that vitamin C could be successful for improving infection outcomes, possibly even COVID-19, partially because it improves the gut bacteria present."

It is of interest that ivermectin also nourishes and supports the beneficial bifidobacteria in the digestive tract.

Hazan and associates have also published data indicating that a diet high in onega-6 fats induces dysbiosis and inflammation of the digestive tract.

Research on pigs has found that a diet low in fiber leads to death of bifidobacteria and acidophilus in the digestive tract leading to susceptibility to disease organisms, loss of the mucus barrier that protects the gut, and disturbed populations of bacteria in the digestive tract. Restoration of fiber corrected the problem.

Improvement of the health of the colon can be accomplished by supplementation with bifidobacteria and/or by fiber supplementation. A combination is probably more effective in many instances.

Researchers are demonstrating that the beneficial effects of fiber and bifidobacteria reach far beyond the gut even into the brain and its proper functioning. Beneficial bacteria produce butyrate. When the bacteria in the gut become abnormal they can produce elevated levels of another substance called propionic acid. This substance is one carbon shorter than butyrate and can interfere with brain chemistry inducing the symptoms of autism in laboratory animals. You can research the work of Derrick MacFabe for details on this research.

NeoLife has an Acidophilus Complex with targeted delivery to where the beneficial organisms are needed in the gut. It has five of the best human gut bacteria including the crucial bifidobacteria. NeoLife also has a fiber supplement with a wide variety of fibers. We tend to think of fiber as a single entity, but there are actually a wide variety of fibers in nature and each can make its own special contribution to our health.

References:

Link to article Vitamin C improves gut Bifidobacteria in humans

Link to article on how a diet high in omega-6 induces colonic inflammation and dysbiosis.

Link to article on Long Covid and the Microbiome.

Article on pigs and fiber.

Article on fiber and bifidobacteria for gut health.

Clinical Nutrition Highlights

 Clinical Nutrition Meeting Insights

The following are some insights into nerve issues and nutrition from the recent yearly clinical nutrition meeting:

Depression:

A mouse model of depression found that some of the most common blue-red polyphenols decreased the symptoms of depression in mice induced by LPS-- lipopolsaccharides, substances which build up in the digestive tract on diets high in processed foods. LPS are very inflammatory. Polyphenols decreased brain inflammation in the hippocampus, calmed the nerves and promoted improved nerve health. The hippocampus is a key part of the brain associated with learning, memory and emotion. Supplements rich in polyphenols such as NeoLife Tre may be helpful in warding off depression when we are not eating the way we should.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00087

The Vagus Nerve:

Several speakers at the conference pointed out that the vagus nerve connects the gut or digestive tract with the brain. The gut has so many neurons that it has been called the body's second brain. Due to the vagal nerve superhighway between gut and brain what goes on in one can have profound effects on the other. Abnormalites in gut function are common in many neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD.

Parasites:

American medicine give little attention to parasites but addressing them is sometimes helpful in addressing brain and nerve problems. Dr. Emily Gutierrez shared research on which compounds were the most helpful in dealing with common parasites. At the top of the list for bacteria were garlic and pumpkin seeds, and ivermectin. Most helpful for yeast was capryllic acid, nystatin, and grapefruit seeds.

SALMAN, S. S.; ARDALAN, N. M. Evaluation of Amygdalin (B17) and Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin seed) Activity Against Blastocystis from Diarrheic Patients in Baghdad, Iraq: in Vitro Study. Plant compounds: • Allium sativum L. displayed high efficacy as a potential therapeutic agent against Cryptosporidium (mouse model) • Amygdalin (B17, plant compound from apricot seed) and cucurbita pepo (pumpkin seed) effective against blastocystis (in vitro)

Alyaa Farid, Mona Yousry, Gehan Safwat, Garlic (Allium sativum Linnaeus) improved inflammation and reduced cryptosporidiosis burden in immunocompromised mice,Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume292,2022,115174,ISSN 0378- 8741,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115174.\

Weed, Seed, and Grow:

Promoting growth of beneficial organisms in the digestive tract of one of the most important things we can do to promote not only overall health, but also to help protect and nourish the nerves and brain.

Weeding refers to removing harmful bacteria and yeasts from the digestive tract as mentioned above.

Seeding refers to getting beneficial microbes in the digestive tract: pre and probiotic rich foods (fermented foods, garlic, asparagus, pickled vegetables, banana, honey, kefir, yogurt, onions.

Grow refers to generous intake of fibers to promote the growth of beneficial organisms: - fiber, both insoluble and soluble (apples, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds. A common mistake is to think there is only one type of fiber while there are many types and differing fibers have differing health benefits.

Fat and Cholesterol

 The Secret Life of Fat

Fat and weight gain is a topic of interest to the majority of the population, particularly as we age. A book with the above title was written by Sylvia Tara. Among the interesting topics of discussion is the work of an Indian physician named Nikhil Dhurandhar. This researcher has repeatedly shown that viral infections can result in weight gains in animals and people. He found that a much higher number of people who were obese had antibodies to Adenovirus-36. This work has been difficult to get published because many doctors do not believe that viral or bacterial infections can cause weight gain.

It has been pretty well confirmed that bacteria can result in weight gain leading to obesity. Dr. Jeffrey Gordon conducted an experiment in which he raised one group of mice in sterile conditions and another with normal bacterial growth in the intestines. Food intake was identical but the mice with bacteria weighed more. The bacteria in the gut help break down food and extract nutrients from it. When the mice raised in a sterile environment were exposed to bacteria they had a 57% increase in percent of body fat!

Obese human beings tend to have increased numbers of Firmicutes bacteria which love diets high in carbohydrates and fats. Their numbers decrease when these types of foods are restricted. Thinner individuals have higher numbers of Bacteroidetes bacteria in the gut. These bacteria are not as efficient and making nutrients in food available for absorption. Their numbers increase when the diet is high in fruits and vegetables.



Thoughts on Cholesterol

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is about cholesterol levels. Current recommendations are for a total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dl. It is also recommended that LDL or bad cholesterol be below 130 and HDL or good cholesterol be above 35. For every 1% increase in HDL levels risk of heart attack drops by 3-4%. While LDL is usually referred to as the "bad" cholesterol the worst cholesterol is lipoprotein(a) which carries a 10-fold greater risk than LDL for heart disease.

Another factor to consider is whether cholesterol is oxidized or not. All early studies were done feeding rabbits oxidized cholesterol out of a jar. In the 1970's similar studies were done with non-oxidized cholesterol. It was learned that oxidized cholesterol is 500 times more atherogenic than the product which is not oxidized. Anyone with an elevated cholesterol should try to avoid consuming highly oxidized cholesterol products like aged cheeses, powdered eggs, and highly heated fatty foods.

Supplementation with antioxidants can reduce the risk of cholesterol oxidation. Supplementation with Carotenoid Complex was shown to increase antioxidant activity in the blood five-fold in one study. Vitamins E and C are also protective here. Salmon oil is slippery and helps prevent cholesterol from sticking to blood vessel walls. Salmon oil is very effective at reducing triglyceride levels if they are elevated.

Statin drugs are loaded with side-effects. They block the synthesis of CoQ10 and other important compounds. Lipotropic Adjunct is a supplement designed to improve the ability of the liver to process fats. The meaning of the word breaks down as follows: lipo=fat, trophic= to eat, adjunct= helper. Lipotropics tend to lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

A well tested alternative to statins is niacin which is often used on a prescription basis. It does cause an uncomfortable flush, particularly in the beginning. Plant sterols also inhibit absorption of cholesterol. These are found in NeoLife Tre-en-en. A pharmaceutical form of sterols called policosanol has been shown to compare favorably to statin drugs in lowering cholesterol.

Heart disease can also be caused by low intake of magnesium or elevated homocysteine (which is addressed by lipotropic adjunct). Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease. Risk of diabetes is reduced by avoiding sugars, heavy fats, and making sure vitamin D levels are adequate.



 GMO Soy

NeoLife is committed to avoiding all GMO raw source materials in any products they produce. Soy is the number one genetically modified food. Non-GMO sells for a premium price because it is not resistant to herbicides and involves more work to grow.

GMO soybeans are modified so the herbicide glyphosate can be applied to the plants without killing them. Unfortunately, this substance is patented as an antibiotic. It kills beneficial organisms in the soil and in the gut of humans when consumed. Many pathogens or disease causing bacteria are resistant to glyphosate, while many beneficial organisms are readily killed by exposure to the herbicide.

Monika Kruger and associates suggest that consumption of GMO cattle food has increased the incidence of botulism in cattle. Other studies have shown changes in the beneficial and harmful bacteria in chickens. What is true for cattle and chickens may be true for humans as well.

Don't overlook the NeoLife Acidophilus Complex supplement which is designed to provide 5 of the most beneficial bacteria to promote a healthy digestive tract. These organisms are normal to the human digestive tract. They are also protected with gel-guard technology to assure that they can arrive at the proper places in the digestive tract for optimal promotion of health.

Article of brain and microbiome effects of glyphosate.

Environmental impact of glyphosate

Kruger article on botulism in cattle

Review article (Interesting discussion of botulism)

 Artificial Sweeteners Can Kill Beneficial Bacteria

    

According to scientists from universities in Israel and Singapore, six common artificial sweeteners - aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, neotame, advantame and acesulfame potassium-k - have all been found to be toxic to gut bacteria. The gut bacteria are known to influence weight gain and a variety of other aspects of health. Artificial sweeteners can help reduce the intake of sugar, but may contribute to health problems of their own.

    

Summary article

Original article

 Microbiome and Autoimmunity

     It has been long argued in some corners of the scientific world that imbalance of bacteria in the gut is a major contributor to autoimmune disease. The studies summarized below lend support to this contention. Some disease causing bacteria subvert the immune system by turning it against one's own tissues. Thus preoccupied, the immune system gives disease causing bacteria breathing space.

     Autoimmunity can be triggered by what scientist call molecular mimicry. Bacteria can present molecules like one's own joints, muscle, or skin to the immune system triggering activity of the immune system against one's own tissues. Autoimmunity has begun. Elimination or reduction in the numbers of the bacteria creating the problem will often result in improvement. The most effective means of accomplishing this is with prebiotics (food for beneficial bacteria like fiber and aloe) and probiotics (actual beneficial bacteria).

     Following are studies which suggest that bacteria in the gut can impact autoimmune disease:

     Patients with multiple sclerosis were found to have a significantly different collection of microbes in the gut compared to a control group without the disease. Those with active disease had a reduced number of species of microbes in the gut compared to those who were in remission.

     In another study patients with rheumatoid arthritis were supplemented with a probiotic for eight weeks. Disease activity in the joints decreased. Insulin levels and high-sensitivity C reactive protein also dropped. These are markers for inflammatory activity. Cholesterol levels also improved with the probiotic supplementation.

     In another double blind placebo controlled study of rheumatoid arthritis a probiotic reduced pain, the CRP inflammatory marker, and improved the ability to walk two miles.

     A study of lupus-like disease in mice showed that use of the only antibiotic which knocks out clostridia bacteria resulted in alleviation of the disease. Clostridia have been shown to contribute to autism and reduction in the activity of the bacteria shown to improve the condition.

     Finally, administration of the antibiotic streptomycin early in the life of scleroderma prone mice was shown to induce dysbiosis potentially aggravating the disease.

References:

Chen, Chia et al. Multiple sclerosis patients have a distinct gut microbiota compared to healthy controls. Sci Rep 2016;6:2848.

Tajabadi-Ebrahimi, Jafari et al. Clinical and metabolic response to probiotic supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2016;19:869-879.

Mandel, Eichas & Holmes. Bacillus coagulans: a viable adjunct therapy for relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis according to a randomized, controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2010;10:1-7.

Mu, Tavella et al. Antibiotics ameliorate lupus-like symptoms in mice. Scientific Reports. 2017;7:13675.

Mehta, Goulet et al. Early-life antibiotic exposure causes intestinal dysbiosis and exacerbates skin and lung pathology in experimental systemic sclerosis. J Invest Dermatol 2017;137:2316-25.

Aluminum and Autoimmunity

     

     The microbiome is not the only factor that is associated with autoimmunity. Early life exposure to adjuvants in vaccines can alter functioning of the brain and nervous system.  One researcher writes, "Experimental evidence also shows that simultaneous administration of as little as two to three immune adjuvants can overcome genetic resistance to autoimmunity."  For more information on this topic visit the link below.

Reference:

Article on aluminum and autoimmunity.

 New Insight into Autism

 

     A leading research group in Canada headed up by Dr. Derrick MacFabe has been able to induce autistic behavior in rats by disturbing gut bacteria. They are investigating the idea that short chain fatty acids synthesized by harmful bacteria alter gene expression and affect mitochondria where energy is produced in the cells predisposing to autism.

     Looking over this work I was reminded of the work of Karger who found that glyphosate (Roundup) killed off beneficial organisms in the digestive tract, but allowed the bacteria which produce botulism to survive.

     The World Health Organization recently classified glyphosate as a probably human carcinogen. Monsanto, the major manufacturer of the compound, immediately attacked the finding.

Intestinal Microbes and Heart Disease

     The significance of the study I will discuss is not completely clear other than to show that the microbes in one's digestive tract can have quite an impact on health. It should be pointed out before I discuss this bit of reasearch that the Mayo Clinic reviewed 13 controlled trials involving 3, 629 patients and found that L-carnitine reduced all-cause mortality by 27%, reduced ventricular arrhythmias by 65%, reduced angina by 40% and reduced infarct size.
     A recent study found that feeding mice acetyl carnitine as 1.3% of the diet resulted in alteration of the bacteria in the digestive tract of the animals. These bacteria converted the L-carnitine into TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide). The L-carnitine was not a problem unless the bacteria were present. Diets high in red meat tend to produce increased populations of these bacteria compared to diets containing other meats or vegetarian diets. TMAO was shown to cause or accelerate the development of heart disease in mice. The researchers found little evidence that cholesterol was a causative factor in heart disease.
     Scientists are focusing increasing attention on what is called the microbiome, the population of bacteria which inhabit the digestive tract. It appears that these bacteria can create all kinds of health problems. Healthy bacterial populations in the digestive tract are promoted by fiber intake and by supplementing with acidophilus and other beneficial organisms. Vegetarians did not produce TMAO when they consumed red meat suggesting that it takes consistent consumption of red meat to promote the growth of the bacteria which contribute to TMAO accumulation in the body.
     This study suggests that cholesterol is not a primary reason why red meat intake increases the risk of heart disease. Heart disease may be more closely associated with bacterial populations in the digestive tract.
     Koeth, Robert A., et al., Intestinal microbiota metabolism of L-carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis, Nature Medicine, April 7, 2013; doi:10.1038/nm.3145
DiNicolantonio, James J., et al., L-Carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease systematic review and meta-analysis, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, June 2013; 88(6),  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.02.007
http://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/research-and-journals/l-carnitine-significantly-improves-patient-outcomes-following-heart-attack

Autism and the Gut

     It has been known or a long time that people with autism tend to have intestinal problems. These digestive problems are associted with unbalanced populations of microbes in the lower digestive tract. The population of bacteria in the digestive tract is known as the microbiome.
Those with autism are prone to overgrowth of a species of bacteria called Clostridia. Clostridia produce toxic compounds called phenols which kill other bacteria which compete with them for space in the digestive tract.
     Phenols are poisonous to human cells unless they can be neutralized by sulfur. Overgrowth of Clostridia can deplete the body's reserves of sulfur which is also essential for brain development. Many autistic individuals evidence a defect in sulfur metabolism which could increase susceptibility to damage from the toxins prodced by Clostridia. Research is ongoing to see if abnormal sulfur metabolism and Clostridia overgrowth may play a role in the abnormal brain development characteristic of autism.
Reference:
Me, myself, us, The Economist, Augst 18, 2012, 69-72.