Should Sugar Be the Second Ingredient? A comparative look at enteral formulas designed for diabetes patients and why Liquid Hope is still the best. Posted on March 12, 2018 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Should Sugar Be the Second Ingredient? A comparative look at enteral formulas designed for diabetes patients and why Liquid Hope is still the best. Many RDs and clinicians ask us if Liquid hope is suitable for those with diabetes. Absolutely. I think the question is asked so frequently because Liquid Hope does not state anywhere on its package or in its literature that it is designed specifically for diabetes. In contrast, descriptions of commercial formulas such as Glucerna 1.2 and Diabetisource AC 1.2 contain language that clearly delineates them from other formulas. They are apparently formulated specific to the condition of diabetes and contain the appropriate ingredients and nutritional qualities. Really? Let’s take a closer look at what they are and what’s in them: Continue reading →
Cystic Fibrosis and Dietary Interventions Posted on March 7, 2018 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Cystic Fibrosis and Dietary Interventions In addition to the primary challenge of compromised lung function, cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are presented with several metabolic hurdles. These issues exacerbate pulmonary symptoms and may be involved with the primary etiology of the disease. There is unequivocal evidence that the majority of cystic fibrosis patients suffer from one form of malnutrition or another (1). Continue reading →
Bile Acid Metabolism 101 – Why it is important to recycle less and how bile acid transformation by gut microbes can make or break our health. Posted on February 13, 2018 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Bile Acid Metabolism 101 – Why it is important to recycle less and how bile acid transformation by gut microbes can make or break our health. Bile is an essential component of digestion. It is basically the body’s detergent that emulsifies dietary fat, making it less hydrophobic so that we can absorb it. In addition, it likely helps with some aspects of protein digestion as well. The liver dumps numerous toxins into our bile, hoping that it can serve as an exit route from the body. If bile is not bound to certain types of fiber and eliminated from the digestive tract, it can be damaging to the gut lining. Bacteria may help us however, as they have the ability to convert bile acids to less inflammatory and even possibly protective metabolites. With just these few aspects in mind, it is easy to see why bile and its ultimate fate-either recycled, biotransformation, or elimination-are critical. Continue reading →
Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine – Using Supportive Foods During Flu Epidemic Posted on February 8, 2018 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine – Using Supportive Foods During Flu Epidemic With a CDC estimate of 7% of Americans suffering from the flu this past month, it is a good time to identify some significant dietary influences on our immune function. Of course quality sleep, staying well rested, getting regular exercise and fresh air are all equally important. When it comes to food, there are some critical components to be mindful of and reducing sugar intake may be one of the most essential practices. Skip the sweetened foods and beverages, including fruit juice where the vitamin C content gets outplayed by the high fructose content. Continue reading →
Liquid Hope Fed Mice Have Significantly Less Inflammation, More Beneficial Bacteria, and Better Outcomes. Posted on February 1, 2018 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Liquid Hope Fed Mice Have Significantly Less Inflammation, More Beneficial Bacteria, and Better Outcomes. A recently completed study at University of Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital provided significant insight into the protective role of an organic, whole food enteral formula on the GI. Mice with colitis were fed either Liquid Hope or one of two other polymeric enteral formulas for one week. Each group of mice was fed the same volume of their specific enteral formula for one week. Upon completion, the mice were weighed, several markers of inflammation were measured, and various microbial populations were assessed, particularly those that research has linked to a higher or lower risk for infection. In addition, several other biomarkers that influence intestinal inflammation were examined and compared across groups. Continue reading →
The Epidemic of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Posted on January 15, 2018 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on The Epidemic of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease If an individual is obese it is most likely that they suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. There was a time when this condition was quite rare. Now it appears that more than half of Americans have it and more than a third of American children suffer from it. The condition is generally a function of a diet rich in refined carbohydrates and the concomitant gut problems such as dysbiosis and bacterial overgrowth that feed off the sugar. Together the inflammation and damage to the liver’s detoxification efforts create a significant amount of damage to a person’s health. Continue reading →