Q: You have written that broccoli was a high-nitrate vegetable. Does that mean I shouldn’t eat
it?
— Steve H., Ottawa, Canada
A: Broccoli contains a great number of powerful anticancer compounds and compounds that prevent inflammation and damage by free radicals. The best way to eat it is steamed.
The high nitrates (not nitrites, which are the harmful form) are prevented from forming nitrite compounds by the flavonoids in broccoli. My advice: You should eat all the broccoli you
can.
Q: Last week, I discovered that I have Candida. Do you think inflammation and Candida are related or are the same thing?
— Donna T., Southington, Conn.
A: Candida is a species of yeast infection that causes inflammation, as do many other microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
This particular type of fungus invades the body when immunity is impaired. One way to prevent problems related to Candida is to take beta-1,3/1,6-glucan at least once a week. This stimulates immune cells that fight fungi such as Candida.
Uva ursi and berberine both kill most Candida organisms, and berberine has a number of other
benefits. Probiotics are also important, as they suppress Candida growth in the bowel.
Q: I was told that whey protein is good for you. But you have included whey protein as one of the things that can convert glutamine to glutamate. Is whey protein good or bad for you?
— Rose W., Boyds, Md.
A: Whey protein concentrate has high levels of glutamine and glutamate. Glutamine is converted in the body into glutamate.
People with neurological disorders are made worse when fed either glutamine or glutamate. I have heard from a number of people who have developed headaches and had problems with nervousness and insomnia after taking high-glutamine supplements.
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