Last month Dr. Rod attended a nutrition seminar with Standard Process, the supplement company who recently sponsored Portland native Colin O’Brady with customized nutrition bars as he became the first person to cross Antarctica unassisted in 54 days.
Below are a few important takeaways from Dr. Rod’s weekend, and if you have any questions, or should you have any interest in enhancing your nutrition with whole food supplements—we do carry Standard Process supplements in our Portland office.
Takeaways from the Standard Process Seminar
Indigestion, Heartburn, and Related Conditions
Many of us need digestion support for symptoms like bloating, heartburn, indigestion, and intestinal gas. In a world where antacids and over-the-counter Prilosec appear to be the solution, the truth is that much indigestion comes from having too little stomach acid, rather than too much.
Bloating, heartburn, acid reflux, and intestinal gas (a symptom of the inability to properly digest protein) all stem from not having enough hydrochloric acid in your stomach to fully digest your meals. Many nutrients depend on stomach acid for absorption, including calcium, magnesium, B-12, iron, and zinc.
Taking antacids actually prevents your body from absorbing these nutrients out of the food you digest.
For most people, introducing bitter herbs or a simple sip of apple cider vinegar before meals is enough to stimulate your stomach to start producing stomach acid. For patients who have been on Prilosec for many years, your body may be past the point of being able to produce stomach acid on its own (in addition to the many other negative side effects listed from long-term use of the drug, including a most recent link to dementia). For these patients, a Standard Process dietary supplement may be more beneficial.
For the patients on the other end of the spectrum suffering from gastritis or ulcers linked to an H. Pylori infection, healing your gut lining is of first importance. This can be done with supplementing high doses of turmeric and chlorophyll daily, which may be easier to supplement in tablet form.
Standard Process currently has a proprietary blend of turmeric that is highly concentrated and easily absorbed by the body.
For those who favor whole food supplementation, know that pairing turmeric with black pepper and healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, or salmon will increase the absorption rate of turmeric in your body. Turmeric is a great herb for systemic inflammation and should be supplemented in nearly all Western diets.
Stress management
Other areas where nutritional supplementation may positively affect our lives include stress management and immune support.
Kava root has been shown to calm nerves, promote relaxation, and decrease tension in the body. Ashwaganda, rhodiola, and skullcap are adaptogens that have also been shown to have a relaxing effect and are common in many herbal tea blends.
Echinacea has long been regarded as an herb to fight off respiratory infections, but recent research has shown it to be more effective with long-term use than as a last minute resort. Echinacea also stimulates the endocannabinoid system, similar to fish oils (another supplement that should be standardized to all Western diets to fight inflammation and promote heart health).
Weight Management
Lastly, if you’re looking to start off your new year with some weight management support, Standard Process offers both a 10 day and 28 day chai flavored shake supplement program with meal plans included, aimed to burn fat and cut out toxins from your diet.
Dr. Rod is about to try out the 10 day program herself in addition to cutting back on sugar and refined grains this month. Below are a few websites she loves and has been using to clean up her diet this month!
Excellent resources:
