Main Presentation: What is food sensitivity and why does it matter? by Joseph Smith, D.C., D.A.C.N.B., F.A.C.F.N.
Food sensitivities can lead to inflammation and set off a long chain of adverse reactions leading to chronic illnesses. Foods need to be broken down for the body to use. When foods are not broken down and when the gut is permeable to allow undigested proteins into the blood stream, the body produces antibodies against the undigested protein that seep out of the gut.
Through cross mimicry, these antibodies may also attack different parts of the body. The first part of avoiding the adverse reactions of food sensitivities is to remove the offending food that is firing the immune response. The second step is to heal the GI system and to insure foods are properly digested. The gastrointestinal tract directly interacts with the external world through the foods we eat.
The gut lining allows us to absorb nutrients but also protects the body from foreign invaders such as bacteria. When the microbiome is not balanced, single cell barrier is disrupted with holes allowing unwanted proteins to enter the blood stream. These proteins are seen as foreign and the body can launch an autoimmune response against them.
The digestive enzymes insure that proteins, fats and carbohydrates are broken down. The digestive enzymes start in the stomach with hydrochloric acid and pepsin. The enzymes in the small intestines finish the digestive process breaking down the eaten foods into amino acids and sugars.
If foods are not broken down to the smallest particles, the larger particles may not be recognized by the gut immune system which can form antibodies against the undigested particles thus launching an autoimmune reaction.
About Joseph Smith, D.C., D.A.C.N.B., F.A.C.F.N.
Dr. Joseph Smith earned his chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University and also holds a BS in Psychology from North Dakota State University.
He was granted diplomate status through the International College for Applied Kinesiology, and also achieved diplomate status in Chiropractic Neurology thorough the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies.
He has completed two fellowships through the American College of Functional Neurology in Child Developmental Disorders and Neurodegeneration and Nutrition.
He owns a successful clinical practice, Atlas Healthcare, located in both Fairfax and San Francisco.
Short Presentation: “Gut-brain connection” by Christine Rosche MPH, CNS, CBT
The brain has 90 percent of its receptors in the gut; A bad digestive system means a bad brain. A leaky (permeable gut) correlates with a leaky permeable brain. A permeable gut results in its contents leaking into the body creating inflammatory and auto immune responses. A permeable blood/brain barrier results in unwanted substances perfusing into the brain, causing havoc in the brain.
Christine will discuss cases from her practice and the best nutritional/lifestyle/supplements strategies to heal the gut and the brain.
Christine is board Certified Nutrition Specialist and Nationally Certified Biofeedback Therapist has developed an integrative approach to nutrition and digestive health based on 25 years experience in the health care field.
She developed and taught health promotion courses at Stanford University Medical Center and Heart Disease Prevention Program. She is the author of 2 books, the most recent: Light Living, An Integrative Approach to Health and Weight. She has maintained a private practice in health counseling since 1983 at Integrated Healing Arts in Palo Alto and specialized in customized programs for digestive issues, inflammation, hypertension, blood sugar issues, eating disorders, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, eating disorders, emotional stress eating. Patient Advocacy is an important part of her practice.
For more info, read the newsletter.
NOTE: Meeting starts promptly at 7pm. Main speaker presentation begins at 7:20 p.m.
