Greetings,

DID YOU KNOW 70% of Americans believe that disinformation, mainly from news and social media, has a negative effect on society and well-being? It has gotten to the point these same Americans cite family and friends as their most trusted sources of information.

As you know, we stick to the research. We only get political when government officials get in the way of the health and wellbeing of our clients.

For over 25 years, our eNewsletter has been an oasis from the torrid pace of health disinformation spewed daily.

The following "Gastrointestinal Health Special Issue" is an example of what paid members read Mondays and Wednesdays. Wellness topics include diet, sleep, physical activity, supplements, stress management, new food and beverages brands, recipes, medical advances, and more, including access to our 48 title Action Plan library and quarterly updated shopping list.

Don't wait to join because this Cyber Monday price is only available once a year.

DID YOU KNOW that a study from The Journal of Nutrition examined associations between animal protein intake and plant protein intake, and mortality from esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers in 42,323 participants over approximately 14 years?

The researchers found no association between animal protein intake and any gastric cancer mortality. There was a decreasing trend in mortality for fish and legume protein consumption. There was an increasing trend in mortality when the plant protein consumed was refined.

Pet Wellness

Our dietary supplement line for dogs and cats, ThorneVet, has an impeccable reputation among veterinarians. Carolyn Martinelli "Coach Care" can answer your questions about ThorneVet pet supplements at nutroconpet@gmail.com. Please leave detailed contact information as well as the name, age, sex, breed, and/or health issue(s) and med(s) of your pet so Carolyn can respond accordingly. To order from our wellness shop, please visit here (for prices, enter the Guest Area password: discount2018).

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• Paid Member Content
• WC Feature: Plant Protein Powder Warning
• Food Focus: GERD Shocker
• Mythbuster: Meds and Your Gut
• Brand Buzz: Tasty Trout
• Recipe du Jour: Asian-Inspired Entrees
• Intelligently Active: Knee Osteoarthritis
• Wild Card: Spicy Food and Your Colon
• eInspire: Steve Jobs
• Action Plan of the Month: PaleoMediterranean Diet

• Free Member Content
• Did You Know?
• Stress and Your Gut
• December & November 20% OFF Sale
• Pure Genomics
• Watch: Vagus Nerve Device
• Loyalty Program
• Well Connect Member Benefits

Steve: A new Consumer Reports investigation has found that many plant protein powders and shakes contain more lead in a single serving than is considered safe to ingest in an entire day. Animal protein powders did not exhibit the same levels.

The worst performer contained a full 7.7 micrograms of lead per serving, or nearly 16 times experts’ daily “level of concern” for the heavy metal. Only one of the 23 products that Consumer Reports tested showed zero lead contamination.

As we've seen in the past, the problem with highly concentrated, processed plant protein, is the potential for high heavy metal concentration. This is why we always recommend eating the real thing whenever possible.

As a recent Food and Chemical Toxicology study attests, among the many deleterious effects by consuming too many heavy metals, gut microbiota disruption is at the top of the list.

Steve: One quarter of US adults reported high stress levels, and three quarters reported that chronic stress affects their daily lives.

Evidence from studies in Journal of Affective Disorders and Neuropsychobiology purport that chronic stress not only exacts a high toll on mental health but also wreaks havoc on all levels of gastrointestinal functioning, changing the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome, and tips us toward an imbalance or dysbiosis. Thus, the normal balance of microorganisms that essentially we think are beneficial gets reduced, and the colonies considered to be more harmful proliferate.

The researchers were clear that chronic stress can affect the microbiome at any stage of life. They did not provide any advice, but adhering to consistent physical activity, your stress management technique, individualized dietary recommendations, and targeted supplements will go a long way to neutralizing the effects of chronic stress.

Steve: In a study from Food and Function where researchers followed 500,000 participants over 12.5 years to examine the link between dietary factors and gastrointestinal reflux (GERD), not surprisingly, those who followed the healthiest eating style had the lowest risk of GERD, as well as Barrett's Esophagus (BE) and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EA).

What you may find surprising is that the most frequent tea drinkers had a higher risk of GERD. This is much more of a common occurrence than you'd think. Tea has myriad benefits, but in those with a propensity for developing GERD, it is not.

Finally, those who consumed higher amounts of fiber also had lower rates of GERD, BE, and EA.

Steve: A study published in mSystems found that past medication usage, even those used years prior, may have a lasting effect on the gut microbiome. This was true for antibiotics as well as for many non-antibiotic drugs including antidepressants, proton pump inhibitors, and beta-blockers. For benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and protein pump inhibitors, the researchers found that repeated long-term use was linked to a larger effect on the microbiome.

The authors state that the new findings mean that researchers studying the link between diseases and the microbiome should take into account past drug usage. Moreover, this also should be a warning to exhaust all other options at your disposal before going on medication, especially for the long-term.

Steve: Here are two recipes with Asian flare to inspire your palate!

Chicken or Tofu Stir Fry

1 lb. chicken diced or 2 lbs. firm tofu, cut into small chunks

2 T. sesame or canola oil

¼ c. Tamari Lite (wheat-free soy sauce by San-J)

¼ c. organic chicken broth/veggie broth (no added garlic)

2-4 cloves garlic

several slices of fresh ginger

1 tsp. arrowroot powder

Mix all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and marinate for ½ hour or more so that all the flavors will blend.

To Prepare Stir-Fry:

2 T. canola oil (in wok or electric fry pan)

1 c. green onions (sliced diagonally)

1 c. celery or carrots (sliced)

1 c. broccoli or cauliflower florets

½ c. fresh bamboo shoots

1 c. fresh bean sprouts

½ c. fresh water chestnuts or pea pods

1 T. Tamari Lite or teriyaki mixed with 2 T. warm water

Heat oil in wok or large fry pan on medium-high to high flame. When the oil is hot, add the first 3 vegetables and stir-fry until the vegetable become translucent. Remove the vegetables to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Then cook the marinade ingredients after removing them from the marinade. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until ingredients are cooked thoroughly. Add back the cooked vegetables, then the remaining ingredients. Lower heat to medium and blend to 2-3 minutes stirring constantly. Garnish with crisp rice noodles, if desired and serve with brown rice or buckwheat noodles. SERVES: 4-6 

Chicken and Vegetable Fried Rice

2 T. reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 T. rice wine (mirin)

1 tsp. raw sugar

1 T. canola, grapeseed, or peanut oil

1 red onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped

4 oz. shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced, optional

1 8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained

1 c. shredded carrots

½ lb. snow peas, halved diagonally 2 scallions, white and green parts sliced horizontally

1 T. toasted sesame oil

1 lb. boneless, skinless free range or organic chicken breasts, sliced into ¼” slivers 3 c. brown rice, cooked and chilled

salt to taste

3 eggs, beaten

In a small cup, combine the soy sauce, wine and sugar. Set aside. In a wok or large skillet, warm the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and scallions and cook for 3 minutes. Add the bell pepper, optional mushrooms, and water chestnuts and toss. Remove vegetables with slotted spoon and set aside. Stir fry the scallions and chicken breast in remaining oil and added sesame oil until white. Add back vegetables, shredded carrots and cooked rice. Spread egg mixture over all and toss until egg is “hard boiled”.  SERVES: 6

Steve: People living with knee osteoarthritis may find the greatest relief from aerobic activities such as walking, cycling, or swimming, according to a new study published in The BMJ.

Researchers found that these forms of exercise were the most effective for easing pain, improving movement, and enhancing overall quality of life.

Although other exercise types can provide added benefits, the researchers emphasized that aerobic activity should remain the foundation of treatment. Aerobic exercise effectively reduced short- and mid-term pain and improved function in both the short and long term. It also enhanced gait performance and quality of life over short and mid-term periods.

Other exercise forms showed value too. Mind-body workouts provided a notable improvement in short-term function, neuromotor exercises boosted short-term gait performance, and strengthening or mixed routines improved function in the mid-term.

Importantly, none of the exercise types resulted in more adverse events than the control groups, indicating that these therapies are generally safe.

iHerb 57.85 (240 tabs)

Nutritional Concepts 37.89

Savings: 19.36!!

Amazon 48.40 (120 caps)

Nutritional Concepts 32.78

Savings: 15.62!!

Amazon 83.60 (360 caps)

Nutritional Concepts 53.82

Savings: 29.78!!

While we usually use Amazon as the example, we found similar price disparities with many online retailers. We are authorized retailers of all of our brands while many online retailers are not. Our supplements come directly from the manufacturer and never encounter a third of fourth party.

Pure Insight (formerly Genomics) harnesses the science of nutrigenomics so you can understand the relationship between your genes, nutrition, and wellness at the deepest level. Covering 72 genes in 11 trait categories, we've used Pure Insight since 2015 to help clients live longer with better quality of life.

How to Get Started

1. Order a genetic kit directly from 23andMe.com or Ancestry.com and send back your saliva specimen.
2. When your results are ready, request that we set up a Pure Insight account for you. We just need your full name, email address, and date of birth.
3. You will receive an email invitation from Pure Insight with a link to set up your account and instructions for how to upload 23andMe or Ancestry data.
4. You will receive a confirmation from Pure Insight when your report is ready and we can then set up an appointment to go over your results.

Steve: Researchers in a Frontiers in Nutrition study examined the relationship between habitual spicy food intake and the risk of colorectal polyps and adenomas.

They found that escalating spicy food intake exhibited a significant positive association with polyp risk.

Thus, the authors suggest that limiting spicy food consumption may reduce polyp risk, especially in populations at high risk of colorectal cancer.

"You have to trust in something -- your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart even when it leads you off the well-worn path, and that will make all the difference."

-Steve Jobs

Twice Weekly eNewsletters with Tons of Extra Content 

Long-form issues on Mondays and Wednesdays address all aspects of wellness including nutrition, mental and emotional health, physical activity, cooking, brand awareness, dietary supplements, medical breakthroughs, and much more.

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Bonnie, Steve, Lilo, Cindy, Diana, Marisa and Sally

Nutritional Concepts Inc.

1535 Lake Cook Road, Suite 204

Northbrook, IL 60062

Phone 847-498-3422

Text 847-497-0902