Nutrient Dense Foods

[Pat Robinson]

I'm feeling certain that we have the MTHFR gene issue. So, I'm researching the holistic path to opening the detox pathways (from Whome's advanced study links), BEFORE initiating any (expensive!) supplements which only address a single variable, without the bigger picture.

My *trust* is in whole foods as nourishment for the body and am learning about how important the METHOD of food preparation is to nutrient bio-availability. Taking pills which are not bio-available, or not in combination with other essential minerals, vitamins and probiotics seems to be a bandaide approach, in my paradigm. Additionally, it disrupts the natural balance that the body has.

For instance, grinding and soaking whole grains in an acid medium increases the nutrient availability about 400%. Sue Gregg has a 'Blender Batter' method of baking which is so easy and you get whole food benefits. http://www.suegregg.com/recipes/breakfasts/blenderbatterwaffles/ble...
http://www.rebuild-from-depression.com/resources/book/Chapter13.pdf

Homemade bone broths are nutrient rich in the following vitamins and minerals: calcium but also magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and trace minerals, chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine, gelatin, Hyaluronic acid, collagen, amino acid-glycine, promotes the secretion of HCl in the stomach for digestion- which is critical to B-vitamins, folic acid, calcium and magnesium absorption, sodium, potassium, protein, etc. The minerals in broth are easily absorbed by the body. You can use it to make soups, sauces, cook rice, or even sip it as a tea. Simple to simmer and an ideal food source of nutrients!
http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeatures/broth.html
http://www.chesapeakegardens.com/articles/brothy.benefits.pdf
http://www.townsendletter.com/FebMarch2005/broth0205.htm

Whole food probiotics. Don't get me started!! But, Kefir and whole food probiotics are an essential aspect to nutrient absorption, ph balance in the body, immune system support, bio-availability of B12, B1, and vitamin K, other B vitamins, such as folic acid, pantothenic acid, and B12, an excellent source of biotin, loads of calcium and magnesium -- both of which are critical for a healthy nervous system, essential amino acid- tryptophan, 37+ major strains of beneficial microbials (probiotics), helps the digestion of lactose, strengthens the immune system, provides amino acids, enzymes, AND is an antioxidant.

http://coproweb.free.fr/kefiranglais.htm
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=203282
http://etd.sun.ac.za/jspui/bitstream/10019/113/1/PowJE.pdf

Green Juices! They are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and complete amino acids (protein)!
http://gotgreensrevolution.com/green-smoothie.html

These are MUCH cheaper and more bio-available sources of nutrition, imo.

The 5-minute Herb and Dietary Supplement Consult
By Adriane Fugh-Berman
http://books.google.com/books?id=UCR3CtwmjHMC&pg=PA196&lpg=...

Everything about amino acids and food sources: http://www.innvista.com/health/nutrition/amino/default.htm

Top 200 food sources of many vitamins, amino acids, minerals, antioxidants, etc.: http://top200foodsources.com/Nutrients/Glycine/516/g

Comprehensive list of vitamins and food sources: http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Bet-Food-Sources-for-Vitamins&id...
"Nutrition Notebook": http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/cat_proteins.html

100 World's Healthiest Foods: http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

30 Essential Nutrients: http://www.whfoods.com/nutrientstoc.php

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[Pat Robinson]

"People whose diets supplied the highest average intake of choline (found in egg yolk and soybeans), and its metabolite betaine (found naturally in vegetables such as beets and spinach), have levels of inflammatory markers at least 20% lower than subjects with the lowest average intakes, report Greek researchers in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Detopoulou P, Panagiotakos DB, et al.) "

"noted that choline and betaine work together in the cellular process of methylation, which is not only responsible for the removal of homocysteine, but is involved in turning off the promoter regions of genes involved in inflammation. "

"Practical Tip: Egg yolks are the richest source of choline, followed by soybeans. Spinach, beets and whole wheat products are primary sources of betaine."

Wow! "More than 90% of Americans are choline-deficient. An assessment American's dietary choline intake by Iowa State University researchers. This finding is especially concerning in pregnant women because choline is necessary for brain and memory development in the fetus. Choline deficiency can also cause deficiency of another B vitamin critically important for health, folic acid. "

Regarding biotin and cooking, "Cooking the egg whites changes avidin, making it susceptible to digestion and unable to interfere with the intestinal absorption of biotin. " Apparently cooking allows the biotin to separate from the avidin protein.

However, "In a raw state the egg yolk contains more biotin than when it is cooked."

Seems there are two processes: Biotin-binding protein from egg yolk is distinguishable from egg-white avidin.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1163865/

I believe that accounts for the recommendation of not overcooking the yolk, but cooking the white well done.
http://www.circlesoflight.com/health/raw-eggs.html


Additionally, beyond avidin and biotin is the digestibility of the protein. And the protein is more digestible cooked, it seems. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9772141?dopt=Abstract

The scientific minutia is amusing. We analyze each bit and part and each "conclusion" counters the next. lol

I eat hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, over-easy eggs, and occasional raw whites or raw yolks in various recipes. ;)


Pat

[Pat Robinson]

Yes, where are the oysters? I tried to write to George at WHF to inquire! But, their 'contact us' page is off line until next week.

I love fried oysters.

Pat

TanyaL said:

Where are the oysters? I think calorie-for-calorie, they're the best source around. Has that induced me to try them? no, I'm a wimp.

[JenC]

Interesting about taurine. I have recently learned (from researching continued raw feeding of my cats) that taurine is lost by freezing and grinding meats. Presumably by cooking meats too although not sure on this one. I'm not inclined to supplement with it (I do for my cats but they are eating less high-quality meat than I am due to budgetary constraints with my pack of cats) but I think it's something to think about.

[Pat Robinson]

Here is the apparent study related to this. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/125/10/2650

It appears that the body requires more taurine to process the proteins in cooked and frozen food.


Pat

[Teresa Howard]

If you have the type of MTHFR that I have (C677T and A1298C), you can eat the most pristine diet in the world and make no headway. My entire family has had food and chemical sensitivities, and fatigue issues for most of their lives......but thanks to recent information found in a few helpful books, we discovered information about MTHFR. I had a simple blood test that confirmed my mutations.

My 80 year old mother, 52 year old sister, and 24 year old nephew have made drastic improvement in their health by adding supplements that open methylation pathways. My case is trickier. I have a chronic candida issue which is causing reactions to the supplements. I'm working with a DAN doctor who is the first MD that I have found who understands alternative medicine related to MTHFR (he has a severely autistic son).

Here's the two books we read (The Ultra Mind Solution and The H Factor). The supplements are methyly B12, B6, folate (not folic acid), magnesium, zinc, and TMG. I'm trying to work through my candida issues so that I can feel as good as my genetic cohorts. They report that the supplements worked within 2 weeks, and they feel better than they have their whole entire lives (this has continued for months now!). Trust me, before this, we were all gluten and casein free, low carb, high veggie, etc, but nothing worked. I hope my turn is soon....just need to shake this candida.

[Pat Robinson]

There are many alternatives. I replied in your other thread. We can make progress and are glad to help you find your path.

Thanks for the book recs. They both look amazing!

Pat

[Julie Mcd]

Pat I was diagnosed with the double MTHFR gene after years of infertility, miscarriages, anemia, weeks which stretched into months of vaginal blood loss.  The Dr suggested a daily aspirin, B100 complex, B12 sublingual 5000mcg, and 5 mg of Folic Acid daily, however, my body still will not "hold onto" any of the folates, and I'm back to square one, getting iron infusions for 4 hours at a time, and yesterday a blood transfusion.

 

I would love to know what to add to my diet (or throw into my vitamix blender) to help with MTHFR.  Do you have any other articles about MTHFR on your website?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jacqueline Harakis]

Wow Pat! I'm in awe! Thank you all for sharing this information!