Links

This is my place to collect favorite links and research studies that I think might have practical applications for POTS, dysautonomia, MCAS, Gastroparesis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, autoimmune neuropathy, gut health or just feeling better.  I also collect findings about willpower, because that is often the limiting factor for making changes.

POTS, Diet and Digestive Issues

Autoimmunity, Gut Health and Diet

Healing and Sealing the Gut Lining

Histamine, Oxalate and Salicylate Food Lists:

Foods and nutrients shown to help reduce mast cell activation (usually in animal models or a Petri dish):

More useful info about mast cells

ME/CFS

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Joint Hypermobility

Probiotics that could help?

Good websites for nutrition info:

  • NutritionFacts.org, where Dr. Michael Gregor shares short, riveting videos about the latest findings.
  • Nutrients in Foods Tool, from Nutritionfacts.org, where you can input nutrients that you want to either maximize or avoid, and the tool provides a handy food list.  Here’s another good one,.
  • Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s blog, full of fascinating explanations on a variety of topics in fitness, sports nutrition, and famous medical mysteries from history.
  • Selfhacked.com is the blog and collected scientific studies of a patient experimenting with the latest findings in health, healing and performance.  It includes wonderful compilations of journal articles on various topics.
  • The Paleo Mom website contains loads of great info about the Paleo diet and Paleo Autoimmune protocol.
  • If eating for longevity is your priority, Dr. Rhonda Patrick is a rockstar.  Her podcast and videos explain the latest practical findings from the world of biochemistry and translate them into practical tips we can use to stay youthful.  She will have you running for the sauna with your broccoli sprouts.
  • PubMed, the search engine for peer-reviewed scientific journal articles.
  • ConsumerLabs.com does 3rd party testing and reviews of supplements.

Food Safety:

Kitchen Gadgets:

  • This podcast discusses gadgets and strategies for cooking/food prep if you have challenges from POTS, EDS or JHS.
  • A kale zipper, makes kale much more convenient to cook.  Now you can make kale chips in minutes.
  • A vegetable spiralizer turns zucchini and other veggies into noodles.
  • The best garlic twister for boosting anti-cancer properties of garlic.
  • This sprouting kit has everything you need to grow your own organic broccoli sprouts, which is super easy and fun.
  • The Kitchen Safe lets you lock away temptations for any length of time.

Recipes:

Researchers to Follow:

  • Dr. Laura Pace specializes in the intersection of immunology, neurology and gastroenterology, which is important for those with GI issues due to neuropathy, MCAS, autoimmunity, or post-infection.  She’s also a leader in technology for testing GI motility, non-IGE allergic reactions, etc. Great presentation here on post-viral GI problems.
  • Dr. Datis Kharrazian has done great research on autoimmunity and how diet and lifestyle can help.  He also has wonderful research showing how common environmental pollutants may be to blame (E.g., this article and many others).  His weekly live Q&A sessions on FaceBook are a great opportunity for patients to ask questions and his online courses about gut health and autoimmunity are full of evidence-based practical suggestions for those of us with complex digestive or autoimmune problems.
  • Dr. Mark Pimentel and his lab at Cedars Sinai Hospital in LA are the leaders in SIBO research.
  • Dr. Svetlana Blitshteyn is a neurologist and researcher specializing in dysautonomia/POTS. Her publications, online presentations, blog and Twitter feed are full of incredibly helpful info for patients, such as this presentation about nutrition deficiencies in POTS.
  • Dr. Leonard Weinstock is doing great research on GI issues in MCAS patients, and has given many online interviews and has created great handouts for patients, such as this one for MCAS.
  • Dr. Larry Afrin is a top mast cell specialist and researcher and wrote the MCAS bible Never Bet Against Occam.
  • Dr. Theo Theoharides is a top mast cell researcher, and created the line of Algonot supplements.
  • Dr. Anne Maitland is a top mast cell researcher and physician and gives amazing presentations on MCAS, like this one.
  • Dr. Janice Joneja has loads of great articles, books and interviews about histamine intolerance and related topics.
  • Dr. Pradeep Chopra specializes in pain management for EDS, CRPS, POTS, MCAS and has wonderfully thorough presentations full of practical solutions for managing pain, such as this excellent presentation about managing EDS pain, with part 2 here.
  • Dr. Neil Nathan is a leader in treating mold toxicity and other very complex diseases.
  • Dr. Eduardo Beltran is putting together the puzzle pieces on vitamin D, autoimmunity, MCAS, leaky gut, and genetic variants that can alter how the body uses vitamin D.
  • Dr. Valter Longo from the USC Longevity Institute has some pretty exciting findings about the benefits of fasting, but the best part is that he has figured out how we can get the benefits of fasting while still getting to eat quite a bit.  His book, The Longevity Diet, summarizes his research on the Fast-Mimicking Diet (FMD).
  • Dr. Terry Wahls is a leader in research about using diet and lifestyle to control autoimmune disease.
  • Dr. Kelly McGonigal, a Stanford Health Psychologist, has lots of helpful findings about willpower in her book, The Willpower Instinct.
  • Dr. Traci Mann runs the Eating Lab at Minnesota State U and has lots of interesting findings to report (e.g., comfort food doesn’t actually provide comfort!) in her book, Secrets From the Eating Lab.
  • Dr. Roy Baumeister is the original willpower researcher and has lots to teach us in his book summarizing decades of research (including why willpower is particularly weak in the face of dieting.)
  • Dr. Angela Duckworth is a psychology professor at UPenn best known for her work on grit.  She also examines self-control, willpower, achievement, and how we can better stick to the healthy habits we know we should.
  • Dr. Brian Wansink runs the Cornell Food and Brand Lab, which shares loads of practical research findings.  You will never leave cereal sitting out on your countertop again.
  • The Autoimmune Fix, by Dr. Tom O’Bryan contains the best easy-to-grasp explanation of gut health, and why everyone should prioritize optimizing it.

Food for Special Dietary Needs: (Jill is not affiliated or receiving benefits from any)

Humor:

  • DoodleThru: Comics about the challenges and absurdities of living with dysautonomia, POTS, gastroparesis, EDS, autoimmunity, SIBO and the likes.
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If Andy Warhol had had POTS