Bonnie Modugno

About Bonnie Modugno

Bonnie has provided reliable nutrition support for over 25 years by establishing a trusted partnership with her clients and their health care providers.

Posts by Bonnie Modugno:

June 6 2016

Kickin’ Cancer: 10 Months of Lessons about Life, Food and Health

Bonnie Modugno Health, Solutions 0

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last fall, but my medical adventures started a month earlier while on vacation in August. During a tour of Stonehenge, I noticed a blood blister in my mouth and bright red pin pricks on my leg. I desperately tried not to hyperventilate, but knew in my heart that I was dealing with a second bout of ITP – an immune driven platelet disorder.

The discovery found us in a National Health Service emergency room in London the following day. After my diagnosis, we adjusted our plans and I continued care in Holland while we visited family. By the time we returned home my platelets were recovering, but I was not. I was suffering.

A DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS

At first I didn’t know what caused the gas and bloating. Could it be the large doses of prednisone, an 80 mg metabolic wallop designed to suppress my overactive immune system? In a vain attempt to calm my symptoms, I tried drinking ginger tea, experimented with my diet, and tapped into acupuncture, yoga, exercise, and every other resource to no avail. The discomfort, gas, and bloating only worsened over time. When the pain topped out at 8-9, I found myself thinking, “I don’t know if I can keep this up.” I didn’t have to.

By mid September I asked my doctor to run tests that would rule out ovarian cancer. I can imagine that she probably rolled her eyes. With over 30 years of working with me, she either tolerates or is resigned to having me direct much of my health care. Soon Dr. Bhai called me with the results. She wasn’t able to rule out ovarian cancer, and I scheduled a biopsy the following week. In quick succession I saw a medical oncologist, then Dr. Vasilev, my gynecological oncologist, and we planned a course of treatment.

MORE INSIGHT, MORE LEARNING

My world spun crazily around me, my husband aged 20 years in two weeks, and I instinctively stepped up for the challenge ahead.

I often wonder why I seamlessly shift into this mode, a bizarrely calm and battle ready stance, navigating what must be done, but I do. Mostly I wasn’t all that surprised by the diagnosis. I’ve always known I was a high risk for ovarian cancer. However, as I step away from this stage of the journey, I want to share what I understand, and what I’ve learned.

ALL LIFE FORMS ARE INTERCONNECTED

From Micropia, the first museum dedicated to the study of microbes in the world. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We all grow cancer cells. Problems occur when the immune system is unable to shut those cells down, and they start replicating without restraint. Ideally the human body is able to manage this dance, but we are living in complicated times. In my case, heavy doses of prednisone could have primed the pump for tumor promotion. Or cancer cells can run amok from any number of environmental triggers.

Human activity spews over 10,000 chemicals into the environment every year and we only track about 200 of them. Many are known endocrine disruptors, including pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and other agents used in agriculture. These agents compromise our metabolism, our health and our lives. They compromise all life forms because all life is interconnected.

CANCER AND THE FOOD WE EAT, THE PRODUCTS WE USE

I know I can’t control all the chemicals that contribute to my body burden, but I can limit exposure to endocrine disruptors associated with living my life. Our landscaping and herb garden are managed organically. I purposefully limit exposure to endocrine disruptors in my household, using soap, vinegar and baking soda as the primary cleaning agents. I purchase organic and bio-dynamic food, grass fed, pastured, and beyond.

At the initial meeting with my oncologist, board certified in functional and integrative medicine, he asked about my diet. I laid it all out as he nodded in appreciation and told me, “Keep doing all of that.” I choose to eat whole foods grown as responsibly and sustainably as possible, mostly because I understand that I am voting with my dollars for my health, and the health of the planet.

CANCER AND HEALTH

I’m a healthy cancer patient, as strange as that sounds, and basically blew away the medical staff with my body’s capacity to navigate chemotherapy. My body is strong, well nourished in the best possible sense, and capable of fighting the good fight. In fact, the powerful lesson I learned over the past 10 months is that despite my diagnosis, my body was ideally prepared for the battle ahead.

Eating close to the earth, cooking from scratch, lots of physical movement, plenty of sleep, some wine with dinner, good times with friends and family. So many ways I live my life contribute to my health, and yet none of it prevented me from developing disease. Everything I do helps me survive.

EATING WELL TO PREPARE FOR WHATEVER LIFE BRINGS

I didn’t get tripped up with the “Why me?” but others do. During treatment I heard other cancer patients lament that they had done everything ‘right’. I realized they bought into a promise promoted by too many in the medical world–a promise that can’t be delivered. I knew I needed to change how I talk about food, health, and risk of disease.

I no longer encourage clients to eat, exercise, or whatever to reduce risk. What a set up! I now tell clients that eating well and taking care of ourselves serves a larger purpose: preparation for whatever we may encounter. Whatever challenge, whatever hardship, whatever opportunity. My journey was easier because I was already on board.

There is no guarantee that how we live our lives will eliminate risk of disease. However, eating well and living well reinforces all of our resources. I never second guessed what I could have done differently because I was already doing what I could. Without regret and other distractions, I was free to focus on the task at hand.

Today I’m inspired to continue my work, writing, speaking, and counseling as I help others learn to how to enhance, support or restore their metabolic health. I’m just starting to rebuild my practice, and I am looking for opportunities. I’m open to speaking at local events and educational venues, open to new private clients, and happy to work in the community. Contact me if you have specific ideas or opportunities to share. Call me if you would like to figure out an approach to food that works for you.

Originall published at MuchMorethanFood.com.

April 19 2016

GMO Labels are NOT Meaningless

Bonnie Modugno GMOs, Food Politics, Health 0

“GMO Labels are Meaningless!” proclaims a Los Angeles Times Op Ed headline published on April 14, 2016. The piece authored by Dr. Henry Miller, a physician and molecular biologist, exposes a hubris common in the biotechnology world. He claims, “Labels will appear on an illogical hodgepodge of new and old products that will in no way indicate risk, safety, quality or anything else that is meaningful.”

However, a growing coalition of farmers, scientists, environmental groups, consumers, and retailers disagree. Dr. Miller forgets that how we grow food matters, not just the science that gets us the seed.

GMO and Impact on Farming

Dr. Miller ridicules the proponents of GMO labeling but fails to address a major concern of consumers. Genetic engineering in food continues to be plagued with doubts and reservations because the most profound impact of genetic engineering in agriculture allows plants to either resist the action of the herbicide glyphosate, or the plant is engineered to produce its own pesticide.

The direct harm from farming practices linked with growing GMO crops includes loss of organic matter, disturbed soil ecology, decrease in carbon sequestration, compromised water aggregates and filtration, weed resistance, and risk of disease to farm workers directly attributed to pesticides and other endocrine disruptors.

According to Charles Benbrook glyphosate use in the agricultural sector rose 300-fold from 1974 to 2014. Benbrook also reports increasing use of glyphosate as a harvest aid for wheat, barley, edible beans, and a few other crops, with the impact of increasing residues of glyphosate in the food supply.

A growing number of farmers, the unsung scientists working the land, have figured out that chemically intensive agriculture compromises their soil and everything to do with yield. They are buying more non-GMO seed. Others are merely responding to price premiums driven by consumer demand.

Consumer Demand Increases with Increasing Glyphosate Residues in Food

Dr. Miller conveniently ignores concerns voiced by fellow physicians and scientists regarding potential risks with increasing residues of glyphosate in food. Benbrook documents Monsanto’s success in convincing the EPA to allow for substantial increases in glyphosate tolerance levels in several crops, as well as in animal forages from those crops. Greater tolerance levels results in greater residues of glyphosate measured in the food supply, but not by the folks who should be doing the testing.

A Civil Eats article published in February 17, 2016 exposes rather arrogant policies at both the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Government Accounting Office found that while both agencies routinely conduct testing for the residues of hundreds of pesticides in food, “both agencies routinely skip testing for glyphosate claiming such testing is too expensive and not needed to protect public health.”

GMO’s, Increasing Use of Glyphosate, and Health

A few intrepid researchers plot the increased use of glyphosate with increasing incidence of disease. Despite Monsanto’s efforts to discredit the scientists, they publish their findings and summarize their concerns with broad statements, such as “Glyphosate disrupts the endocrine system and the balance of gut bacteria, it damages DNA and is a driver of mutations that lead to cancer.”

In the meantime, bureaucrats dither while consumers push back. There is a reason organic sales continue to increase by double digit percentages every year. Business is merely responding to consumer demand.

Consumers Voting with Their Dollars

Dr. Miller seems rather appalled that large food companies have stepped up to label food products using genetically modified ingredients in accordance to Vermont legislation. He complains that Vermont legislation will require GMO labels on as much as 75% of supermarket offerings—as if that’s a problem.

In essence, Dr Miller exposes a disconcerting lack of perspective when he states, “What is important is the function of the genetic change.” Much like the CEO of Monsanto, Dr. Miller needs to step down from his biotechnology high horse and consider how growing genetically modified crop impacts the food chain, the environment, and entire ecosystems.

American consumers overwhelmingly voice support for GMO labeling. With GMO labeling they will know more about the extent to which genetically modified corn, soy, sugar beet and canola can be found in the food supply.

To Dr. Miller’s consternation, consumers will probably continue to vote with their dollars regardless of biotechnology’s claims of safety for one simple reason. The science regarding everything meaningful isn’t settled at all.

November 18 2015

Calories, Carbs and Contaminants: The Endocrine Disruptors in Our Foods

Bonnie Modugno Health 0

Today we grapple with an abundant and adulterated food supply compared to just a couple generations ago with more consumers looking to purchase whole foods and eating as close to the earth as they can.

They bank on clean eating to minimize risk of disease, as well as support their health and quality of life. Nutrition food labels help consumers assess everything from calories to carbohydrates, ingredient lists determine if a food contains harmful additives or not.

As a result, a whole new product line known as “Free from foods” draws in consumers with the promise to reduce exposure to “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS) food additives that are increasingly called into question. Partially hydrogenated fats have already been targeted, and emerging research suggests that emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners are known to disrupt gut microbes.

HOW WE GROW FOOD MATTERS

Once consumers learned to pay attention to nutrition, they soon learned they also needed to pay attention to how food is grown. Consumers shop to minimize their family’s exposure to pesticide and other chemical residues from intensive chemical farming. Consumers also choose locally grown and sustainably grown foods, most typically to protest the environmental harm of industrial agriculture.

While consumers allocate more food dollars to purchase “Free from” and organic food segment in the marketplace. they are learning that even that may not be enough.

THE BODY BURDEN OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS

Scientists estimate that up to ninety five percent of the substances known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) enter in the body via the food supply. Some POPS are known as endocrine disruptors which disrupt critical metabolic processes. The presence of endocrine disruptors in the food supply is a rather new phenomena, reflecting the impact of industrialization, the advent of the plastics industry, and current farming practices.

These agents are intentionally and unintentionally released into the atmosphere by industrial processes combustion, runoff, and direct discharge. They are transported and can be measured in the air, water and soil. Plants take up the contaminants and animals consume the plants.

In this way, the chemicals bio-accumulate up the food chain, with the greatest concentration typically found in fat stores of animals and humans eating at the top. The range and total amount of these chemicals accumulate in all living organisms is known as the “body burden.”

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH

A 2012 WHO document regarding endocrine disruptors reports, “Close to 800 chemicals are known or suspected to be capable of interfering with hormone receptors, hormone synthesis or hormone conversion.” While in 2002 the authors of the report claimed that there was little evidence of harm to human health, the 2012 updated reports states that “data linking exposures to EDCs and human diseases are much stronger now than in 2002…”

Scientists measure body burden in infants and adults and they assess contaminants in breast milk and placental cord blood.

We all carry a body burden.

A wide range of conditions and diseases link to exposure to pesticides and herbicides used in commercial and home applications, plastics, and other chemical compounds. I prepared this slide for a presentation at the California Dietetic Association in April, 2015, and the list is by no means exhaustive.

Despite the ominous implications, governments and health care institutions exhibit a wide range of responses. Linda Birnbaum, current director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, as well as the National Toxicology Program, shared how the Swedish government responded to increasing levels of contaminants in breast milk at a conference which introduced me to the concept of endocrine disruptors in the food supply at Loma Linda University in 2002.

The Swedes had incredibly collected and maintained a breast milk bank over decades. Most endocrine disruptors are lipophilic, which means that they preferentially accumulate in fat stores. At 50% fat content, breast milk is an ideal depot to measure bio-accumulation. As scientists and government officials noted the escalating concentration of contaminants in the collected breast milk, they banned the offending agents and within 5 years a sharp decrease could be measured.

Unfortunately, both our federal and state government regulatory agencies continue to dither with the data today. They often fail to enact materially significant changes until communities and environmental agencies press for action in the courts. However, there seems to be some momentum to change this dismal state of affairs.

California banned the use of fire retardants known as PBDEs in clothing, textiles and furniture in 2003, with activation in 2006. In 2014 California regulators also proposed heavy restrictions on the agricultural use of the pesticide Choripyrifos. By October of 2015 the Environmental Protection Agency also called for zero tolerance of residues of Choripyrifos in food, a pesticide linked to neurological damage in farm workers, as reported in the Los Angeles Times.

THE FUTURE OF FOOD

In all likelihood we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. Research will continue linking chemical contamination with a wide range of diseases, from asthma and allergies to cancer, but consumers can take action. Dr. Frank Lipman provides an excellent list of suggestions to limit endocrine disruptor exposure in the kitchen and limit endocrine disruptor exposure in your household.

Thankfully in 2012 many scientists called for “Fundamental changes in chemical testing and safety… needed to protect human health,” even as Big Chem characterizes their findings as sensational science, and has historically blocked the kind of restrictions seen in Canada and Europe. Communities, watchdog agencies, and consumers need to stay vigilant. Each of us votes with our dollars, so continue to purchase carefully.