Join my community
  Dr. Jerome Craig Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
  • WELCOME
  • Blog
    • Dr. Jerome's Blog
  • About
  • PODCAST
  • Contact
  • Product
  • CreatePromise
  • WELCOME
  • Blog
    • Dr. Jerome's Blog
  • About
  • PODCAST
  • Contact
  • Product
  • CreatePromise

The Doctor's Blog

Food for thought that leads to positive action
Why I love what I do

4/14/2015

Is Maltodextrin killing your defenses?

 
People are becoming more aware of what is being passed off as food these days and are questioning the use of MSG, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats etc.etc.etc.

But maltodextrin is found everywhere from your supplements to your beer, your junk food to your spice mixes and so much more, yet still flying under many people’s radar.
Almost 20 years ago I became aware of this now ubiquitous additive now in our foods when working as a personal trainer. 
You see Maltodextrin is often in protein powders used by bodybuilders and other athletes, as it is a quickly digested carbohydrate that supposedly helps the body build muscle post-workout. Which, by the way, is no reason for the average person to take these powders – but that is a conversation for another day.
I saw many people consuming those “meal replacement shakes” for weight loss/muscle building. Yes I did too – briefly –  but quit after I developed gut “issues” assuming it was the dairy. Not knowing to ask back then and in light of this information I can’t help but wonder how many people in the gym experienced GI upset. Maybe you or someone you know has had a similar experience. As an aside these products often also contain carrageenan - you should read about that too. 
Maltodextrin everywhere because we us it as a filler, thickener, texturizer, or coating agent.  It is commonly used for the production of sodas and candy and most other Ultra Processed Foods (UPF) but is also found in beer to improve mouthfeel and increase head retention. It is easily digestible, being absorbed as rapidly as glucose, and can be either moderately sweet (85-135 on glycemic index) or almost flavorless.
Maltodextrin can be created from any starchy grain and in the US it is mostly derived from corn and herein lies one problem.
Over 95% of corn grown in this country has been genetically modified with genes from a naturally occurring, soil-borne bacteria that has been used as a pesticide for decades. Bacillus thuringiensis produces a substance known as BT toxin which has never been assessed for the long term health effects on humans. There is much speculation on how this affects the human gut microbiome, so while we are waiting for definitive studies (that may never come) I ask you to consider this...Does it seem wise to consume a modified plant that has bacterial genes placed into its DNA to produce a toxin that paralyzes and dissolves the gut of the pests that chew on it?
Your gut microbiome is your first line of defense against pathogenic (disease creating) microbes. The balance of good and bad bacteria within us is widely believed to be associated with health or a host of diseases namely those of the autoimmune variety (i.e. MS, AS, RA, Crohn’s, etc)

Back to Maltodextrin
A variety of studies are linking the consumption of Maltodextrin to inflammatory bowel disease and other symptoms associated with IBS.

Here is one such conclusion - Maltodextrin..."impairs cellular anti-bacterial responses and suppresses intestinal anti-microbial defense mechanisms”. 

I for one try to eat a few packaged foods as possible. If you read labels I would start paying closer attention to this nasty additive.
Some of the many foods where you’ll find Maltodextrin

  • Nutbutters esp “light” Peanut
  • Beer and Sodas Candy and “nutrition” bars
  • Potato chips and Cheetos
  • Salad dressings and spice mixes
  • Frozen yogurt
  • Many baked goods
  • Fat-free and sugar free products
  • Processed meat
  • Splenda
  • Mass gainer shakes
  • Meal replacement shakes
  • Supplements - even “quality” and “pure” supplements
If you or someone you know is experiencing GI distress whether it is IBS or something more serious like Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, please share this article with them. If you found this information useful please leave a comment


Eat well stay well,


Dr. Jerome Craig, DC, Functional Medicine Practitioner
" Maltodextrin impairs cellular anti-bacterial responses and suppresses intestinal anti-microbial defense mechanisms".
References:
  • The Food Additive Maltodextrin Promotes Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Driven Mucus Depletion and Exacerbates Intestinal Inflammation.  
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30765332/

  • ​Deregulation of intestinal anti-microbial defense by the dietary additive, maltodextrin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4615306/


Crohn’s disease-associated adherent-invasive Escherichia coli adhesion is enhanced by exposure to the ubiquitous dietary polysaccharide maltodextrin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3520894/


Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Food Additives: To Add Fuel on the Flames! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6567822/#B24-nutrients-11-01111



Comments are closed.

    Author

    Dr. Jerome Craig, DC
    Functional Medicine Practitioner
    Chiropractic Physician

    Portland Oregon

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2021
    December 2019
    January 2019
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Alcohol
    Allergy
    Fasting
    Food Sensitivity
    Headaches
    Histamine Intolerance
    Hives
    IBS
    Intestinal Permeability
    Leaky Gut Syndrome
    Migraine

    RSS Feed

    Download your free eBook

    * indicates required
    View my profile on LinkedIn

Office Location

Functional Medicine Online only at this time
Inquire HERE (link)

Chiropractic Care - The Center for Chiropractic & Wellness 503-282-8582
DrJ.at.drjeromecraig.com
© 2021 Dr. Jerome Craig, DC
Chiropractic Physician
Functional Medicine University
Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner