Cheese is one of the most commonly craved foods, suggesting the possibility of opiate activity, as has been demonstrated with other craved foods, particularly chocolate. Like other dairy products, cheese contains casein, which is the major protein in cow's milk. This is unlike human milk, in which the primary protein is whey. Casomorphin is an opioid peptide (protein fragment) derived from the digestion of the milk protein casein. Casomorphin is one of the opioid compounds formed in our stomachs when we drink milk. The opiate-like casomorphins liberated from the cow’s milk protein, casein, are also accused of participating in the cause of other conditions including type I diabetes, postpartum psychosis, circulatory disorders, food allergies, and autism. The researchers “report a case of a breast-fed infant with recurrent apnea episodes, which have always been preceded by his mother’s consumption of fresh cow’s milk.” Lab tests revealed a high level of casomorphin in the child’s blood, leading researchers to speculate that it was the “opioid activity that may have a depressive effect on the respiratory center in the central nervous system and induce a phenomenon called milk apnea.” Thus, some babies may just not be able to clear it out of their systems fast enough and are placed at risk for SIDS. What keeps most vegetarians from going whole-hog vegan? Not eggs. It’s the cheese. The salty, fatty goodness that makes you salivate should you get even a tiny whiff. It’s just so good, many will say. Well, there’s more to the story. You may, in fact, be hooked, so to speak. It turns out there’s a reason behind our cravings. Cheese contains casein. It also contains casein fragments called casomorphins, a casein-derived morphine-like compound. Basically, dairy protein has opiate molecules built in. When consumed, these fragments attach to the same brain receptors that heroin and other narcotics attach to. Basically, if milk is cocaine, then cheese is crack. Our brain's ‘reward center’ releases dopamine when we eat salty foods like cheese in order to encourage us to eat more of it (many addictive drugs increase dopamine activity). Dopamine makes our bodies become attracted to whatever produced it,

Tyramine-rich foods might interact with or alter how medications work in your body. For example, certain MAOIs, including certain antidepressants and medications for Parkinson’s disease, can cause tyramine buildup. Excessive tyramine intake may lead to a hypertensive crisis that can be fatal, according to the Mayo Clinic. A hypertensive crisis can occur when blood pressure is so high that you have a greater chance of stroke or death. If you have a poor ability to break down amines such as tyramine or histamine, you may experience allergic-type reactions to small amounts of amines. Your doctor may say that you’re “amine intolerant.” For the majority of people who are amine intolerant, tyramine’s effects are most obvious when you have excessive amounts. At high enough levels, you might experience symptoms, such as: Heart Palpitations Nausea Vomiting Migraine Headaches If you think you may be sensitive to tyramine or if you’re taking MAOIs, report any symptoms to your doctor. As a treatment for migraines, some doctors recommend trying a low-tyramine or tyramine-free diet. The diet’s effectiveness for treating migraines isn’t medically proven. If you’re sensitive to tyramine or you’re taking MAOIs, you may want to limit your intake of tyramine-rich foods and beverages to lower your chances for tyramine buildup. High-tyramine foods: Fermented foods; Sauerkraut, sourdough bread, fermented soy products like miso soup, bean curd, or tempeh (fermented “stinky” tofu) or Beers on tap or home brewed. Cured; smoked meats or fish, such as sausage or salami Aged; cheeses like cheddar, blue cheese, or gorgonzola Spoiled foods . some overripe fruits & vegetables Certain beans , such as fava or broad beans Some sauces or gravies like soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, or bouillon-based sauces Moderate-tyramine foods: Some cheeses are less tyramine-rich, including; American, Parmesan, Farmer’s, Havarti, and Brie Avocados, Anchovies, Raspberries, and Wines You may be able to have some beer or other alcoholic drinks. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider. Low- or no-tyramine foods Fresh, frozen, and canned meats, including poultry and fish, are acceptable for low-tyramine diets. Tips for limiting tyramine intake Use extra caution when selecting, storing, and preparing your food. Eat fresh produce within two days of purchase. Read all food and drink labels carefully. Avoid spoiled, aged, fermented, or pickled foods. Don’t thaw foods at room temperature. Thaw in the refrigerator or the microwave instead. Eat canned or frozen foods, including produce, meats, poultry, and fish, right after opening. Buy fresh meats, poultry, and fish and eat them the same day, or freeze them immediately. Use caution when you eat out because you don’t know how foods have been stored. Keep in mind that cooking will not lower tyramine content!! The takeaway Tyramine buildup in the body has been associated with migraine headaches and life-threatening blood pressure spikes in people taking MAOI antidepressants. If you experience migraine headaches, think you may be intolerant to amines, or take MAOIs, you may want to consider a low-tyramine or tyramine-free diet. Talk to your health Care Provider first, and ask if this diet will work well with your ongoing medical treatment. Comment 0 doctor06 Write a comment... Publish New Posts

The term FODMAP is an acronym, derived from " F ermentable O ligo-, D i-, M ono-saccharides A nd P olyols". Or easier said, these are short-chain carbs that move through your intestines and are resistant to digestion. Instead of being absorbed into your bloodstream, they reach the far end of your intestine where most of your gut bacteria reside. Many foods that contain FODMAPs are considered very healthy, and some function like healthy prebiotic fibers, supporting your friendly gut bacteria. Therefore, people who can tolerate these types of carbs should not avoid them. However, for people with a FODMAP intolerance of foods high in these carbs, may suffer from unpleasant digestive issues, and it might be best to eliminate or restrict consumption. If you are intolerant to these foods some of the symptoms may include; gas bloating Diarrhea constipation stomach pain If you frequently experience digestive upset that lowers your quality of life, FODMAPs should be on your list of top suspects. Though a low-FODMAP diet may not eliminate all digestive problems, chances are high that it may lead to significant improvements, especially those who suffer with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and various other digestive disorders. Foods to Avoid Fruits: Apples, applesauce, apricots, blackberries, boysenberries, cherries, canned fruit, dates, figs, pears, peaches, watermelon Sweeteners: Fructose, honey, high fructose corn syrup, xylitol, mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol Dairy products: Milk (from cows, goats and sheep), ice cream, most yogurts, sour cream, soft and fresh cheeses (cottage, ricotta, etc.) and whey protein supplements. Vegetables: Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, fennel, leeks, mushrooms, okra, onions, peas, shallots Legumes: Beans, chickpeas, lentils, red kidney beans, baked beans, soybeans Wheat: Bread, pasta, most breakfast cereals, tortillas, waffles, pancakes, crackers, biscuit Other grains: Barley and rye Beverages: Beer, fortified wines, soft drinks with high-fructose corn syrup, milk, soymilk, and fruit juices Better Food Choices Meats, fish and eggs: These are well tolerated unless they have added high-FODMAP ingredients like wheat or high-fructose corn syrup All fats and oils Most herbs and spices Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, peanuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, sesame seeds (not pistachios, which are high in FODMAPs) Fruits: Bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi, lemons, lime, mandarins, melons (except watermelon), oranges, passionfruit, raspberries, strawberries Sweeteners: Maple syrup, molasses, stevia and most sugar alcohols Dairy products: Lactose-free dairy products, hard cheeses and aged softer varieties like brie and camembert Vegetables: Alfalfa, bell peppers, bok choy, carrots, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, ginger, green beans, kale, lettuce, chives, olives, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, spinach, spring onion (only green), squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, yams, water chestnuts, zucchini Grains: Corn, oats, rice, quinoa, sorghum, tapioca Beverages: Water, coffee, tea, etc. It’s recommended to eliminate all high-FODMAP foods for a few weeks, then reintroduce some of them one at a time. It’s best to work with the help of a qualified health professional. There are also many books on the subject of a low FODMAP diet. Keep in mind that the purpose of such a diet is not to completely eliminate FODMAPs — which is extremely difficult, but more to decrease the amount you consume.