digestive discomfort Archives - Amazing Health Advances

What’s Behind the Rising Rates of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among Older Adults?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 07:00:06 +0000

News Staff via NaturalHealth365 – Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a painful condition. A new study done by Dr. Adam Faye of the New York University Langone School of Medicine found that people over 60 with a history of antibiotic use may be at increased risk of developing the condition. During the recently held Digestive Disease Week conference in San Diego, Dr. Faye shared these findings, shining a light on the concerning trend. Millions of Americans Suffer From This Painful Disease According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3 million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel disease. The painful condition characterized by an inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) is also an umbrella term for other GI diseases, like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. In Dr. Faye’s findings, he was adamant about the fact that “there is clearly something in the environment that is driving this new onset of older adult IBD.” His findings indicated that antibiotics were the culprit and common denominator in all cases. Here is some of what Dr. Faye found: Antibiotics use was associated with a 64% increase in the risk of developing IBD among older adults Five or more antibiotic prescriptions received over the previous 5 years increased the risk of IBD by 236% Of all the antibiotic classes, fluoroquinolones had the strongest association with increased IBD risk Antibiotics have also been linked to a higher risk of bowel cancer, heart attack, and stroke Other Ways That Antibiotics Can Harm the Body Of course, antibiotics can help treat and prevent certain types of bacterial infections. However, antibiotic overuse can lead to other problems in the body, such as the development of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is particularly troubling because it can lead to the emergence of “superbugs.” That’s why it’s so important to weigh the risks and benefits with your doctor to make sure that taking a certain antibiotic is absolutely necessary. Many mild bacterial infections clear up on their own and don’t need antibiotics each time. Natural Remedies to Help Relieve Digestive Discomfort Some of the symptoms of IBD include constipation alternating with diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, rectal bleeding, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s daily life. This is why looking at some natural remedies to relieve the discomfort of IBD is important. One of the easiest ways to boost the good bacteria in the digestive tract is by increasing the intake of probiotic-rich foods in your diet. You can also take probiotics in a supplement form. Try adding ginger, turmeric, and omega-3 fats to your diet. All three of these have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Making dietary changes may also help alleviate some of the symptoms. For example, eat an abundance of organic fruits and vegetables, and drink enough clean water each day. Having smaller, healthy meals throughout the day can also go a long way. Before making any dietary changes or adding new supplements to your routine, consult with a knowledgeable integrative healthcare provider. Sources for this article include: CDC.gov NHS.uk ClevelandClinic.org CrohnsAndColitis.com MedicalNewsToday.com To read the original article click here.

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Digestive Enzymes Offer POWERFUL Benefits to Improve Digestive Health

AHA Publisher — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 07:00:21 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – If you frequently experience bloating and flatulence (gas), and the physical and … ahem… social discomfort that can ensue, you may be wondering if digestive enzymes could help. You’re definitely not alone. The use of over-the-counter digestive enzymes is growing by leaps and bounds, with some experts predicting that the global market for these supplements will balloon to a shocking $1 billion industry by the year 2025. While digestive enzymes – proteins that help break down and absorb nutrients from food – are created naturally in the body, sometimes the supply is outstripped by the body’s demands. The result is digestive discomfort. (This is often the case when certain foods, such as beans, legumes, and dairy products, are consumed, and the body lacks the proper enzymes to digest them). For a closer look at the “nuts and bolts” of supplementary digestive enzymes – and a reviewfrom the Mayo Clinic – keep reading. Here Is What You Need to Know About How Digestive Enzymes Perform Their Incredible Functions There are three primary types of digestive enzymes – proteases, lipases, and amylases. Proteases, or proteolytic enzymes, break down protein into small peptides and amino acids. At the same time, lipases work with liver bile to break down fats into fatty acids (plus a molecule called glycerol). As you can imagine, lipases are particularly necessary for your body to access essential fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin D, E, A, and K. Finally, the amylase family of enzymes breaks down carbohydrates – such as starch – into simple sugars. Although the lion’s share of digestive enzymes is produced in the pancreas, the mouth, salivary glands, stomach, and small intestine get in on the act too. Once the enzymes have done their work and the food is broken down, the nutrients are absorbed through the small intestine wall and then distributed throughout the bloodstream. There are also a host of specialized digestive enzymes such as cellulase, which breaks down fiber, and lactase, which breaks down milk into milk sugars. Similarly, maltase, a type of amylase, breaks down maltose – or malt sugar – into simple sugars, while alpha-galactosidase can help break down sugars in vegetables. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Formulations Both Have Their Place Sometimes, shortages in digestive enzymes result from specific and serious problems, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts, and pancreatic cancer. These deficiencies can cause malnutrition, shortage of essential vitamins, and severe gastrointestinal issues – and should be managed by a physician, who will often advise prescription digestive enzymes. But, for routine bloating and flatulence that follow the ingestion of certain foods, over-the-counter supplements may be the way to go. For example, researchers and natural health experts have gone “all in” on the incredible disease-fighting and health-preserving effects of cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale. Their cancer-fighting isothiocyanates and their healthy cargo of fiber, carotenoids, and polyphenols make them a true boon to health. But, they can be notoriously hard to digest. You could choose to simply avoid these superfoods, but another solution may be available. The answer could be as simple as taking alpha-galactosidase supplements, commonly sold under the brand name Beano. These enzymes excel at breaking down cruciferous vegetables and legumes. Another common problem is a deficiency in lactase, which is designed to break down lactose or milk sugar. This enzyme may offer relief to lactose-intolerant individuals who would otherwise suffer from cramping, nausea, and diarrhea after ingesting cows’ milk. These Useful Proteins Can Join Forces With Probiotics and Proper Nutrition for Better Digestive Health Not only do proponents of digestive enzymes say that these supplements can relieve digestive discomfort – but they also believe they may help probiotic and prebiotic interventions be more effective. Does this mean that probiotics and digestive enzymes are the same? Not exactly. Probiotics are live organisms that promote the health of beneficial bacteria in the gut, while digestive enzymes actively help the body digest proteins, fats, and carbs. However, the benefits and functions of digestive enzymes and probiotics can overlap, as the appropriate probiotics can replenish gut bacteria to help break down fiber and restore normal digestive function. In addition, it turns out that certain dietary choices are naturally high in digestive enzymes. These include raw papayas and pineapple, which contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and proteolytic digestive enzymes known as papain and bromelain. And, avocados have the advantage of not only contributing healthy monounsaturated fats to the diet but also contain lipases, which help turn fats into fatty acids – and are particularly useful after a high-fat meal. (So much for the outdated belief that avocados, themselves, are a “fattening” food. They are anything but!) Other enzyme-rich foods include bananas (which contain amylases and glucosidases), raw honey (which contains amylases and proteases), ripe mangoes, and unpasteurized sauerkraut – which has the added advantage of being probiotic. As always, it’s best to seek out non-GMO, organic fare. A Wealth of Digestive Enzymes Exist, Many Tailored to Specific Uses Over-the-counter enzyme supplements are made from animal pancreases or assorted molds, yeast, bacteria, fungi, and fruit. They are available in a wide variety of combinations and formulations. Some even contain prebiotic ingredients – such as inulin – and probiotics specifically added to enrich gut bacteria in the microbiome. (Tip: for maximum benefit, look for strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, and L. salivarius). In addition, some digestive enzyme products contain time-honored carminatives (gas relievers) such as fennel, ginger, turmeric, and peppermint. Natural health experts advise seeking out digestive enzymes free of wheat, gluten, egg, peanuts, magnesium stearate, hydrogenated fats, artificial sweeteners, and dyes. Tip: when possible, opt for products that have been certified by the Natural Products Association or USP Quality Supplements. For best results, digestive enzymes should be taken before meals. Of course, check with your knowledgeable integrative doctor before supplementing, as digestive enzymes can interact with certain medications. In a review published in Proceedings of the Mayo Clinic, the authors noted that the use of enzyme supplements seems to be increasing. Not only that, but “emerging clinical data seem to support many of (digestive enzymes’) purported benefits.” While more study is needed, it seems clear that digestive enzymes are emerging at the forefront of the field of improved digestive health. Editor’s note: I highly recommend the digestive enzymes from LuvByNature. I use them every day and really enjoy the taste of the chewable tablets. Click here to learn more. Sources for this article include: VeryWellHealth.com Healthline.com Healthline.com Healthline.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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How You Can Beat the Bloat!

AHA Publisher — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 07:00:20 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Do you suffer from bloating after meals? With 74% of Americans reporting experiencing digestive discomfort, bloating has become an epidemic in our society! Not only is bloating an uncomfortable experience but it can be embarrassing in social situations when you have excessive gas or need to urgently run to the bathroom. Causes of Bloating Although most people consider bloating a rather minor health issue, it can often be a sign of a serious underlying problem in the digestive system. The sensation of bloating is often caused by a buildup of gas in the digestive tract. This gas comes from either air that has been swallowed or from the bacteria in the gut. Anxiety Swallowed air is usually a result of anxiety. When the nervous system is in “fight or flight” mode the breathing becomes short and shallow and can lead to excess air being swallowed. In fact, anxiety attacks are frequently accompanied by bouts of burping up of air that has been swallowed due to improper breathing. Effective anxiety reduction techniques include prayer, meditation, nature immersion, and relaxed time spent with loved ones. There are other reasons for swallowed air such as eating too quickly, using straws, chewing gum, or sucking on hard candy. Gut Dysbiosis The other common cause of air in the digestive tract is from the fermentation of sugars and fiber by the bacteria in the gut. Trillions of bacteria live in our gastrointestinal systems and the collection of these bacteria is referred to as the “microbiome.” Some bacteria are good, some are bad, and some are neutral. The good bacteria help us break down and assimilate our food, modulate our immune systems, and protect our bodies from foreign invaders. Unfortunately, due to our modern lifestyles, the ratio of bacteria can become imbalanced and the bad bacteria can take over and even migrate to parts of the digestive system they are not meant to be in. This is referred to as “intestinal dysbiosis.” Bacteria and Bloating In those with dysbiosis, foods that contain certain types of sugar and fiber will feed the excess bacteria who then produce gas as a byproduct of digestion. The buildup of this gas is often the cause of bloating. In order to ease the symptoms of bloating it is essential to balance the microbiome. This can be done by eliminating foods that feed the bad bacteria and consuming more good bacteria (probiotics) and food for the good bacteria (prebiotics). FODMAPs Sadly, many otherwise healthy vegetables can potentially contribute to bloating in certain extreme cases. This is because vegetables like onions, garlic, and leeks contain specific carbohydrates called FODMAPs. These carbohydrates are readily fermented by bacteria in the bowel and can feed an overgrowth of bad bacteria. Beat the Bloat! In order to reduce the incidence of bloating it is important to pay attention to the lifestyle factors that contribute to this phenomenon. There is no one cause of bloating universal to everybody. It is important to listen to your body so you can figure out what foods and factors are major contributors for you. To make it easier for you, here is a list of foods that likely contribute to bloating and foods that will likely help prevent it. Foods to Avoid Sugar Difficult to digest grains such as wheat, corn, brown rice, barley, rye, and oats. High FODMAP veggies such as cabbage, brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower Pasteurized dairy Foods to Add Probiotics Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, raw yogurt or kefir, kombucha, and Fermented Green Supremefood Water rich and low sugar fruit and veggies such as leafy greens, cucumbers, berries, and celery Feel the Fermented Difference Dr. Colbert developed Fermented Green Supremefood as an easily digested alternative to conventional greens powders. By fermenting the vegetables before consumption, the chances of bloating are dramatically decreased. The result is a delicious and nutrient dense formula that provides a substantial dose of probiotics! More and more, science is proving that a healthy digestive system is the key to a healthy brain and body—and the power to keep your gut healthy lies directly with you! Get Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Gut Zone book today to help you understand the connection between your gut and your health. You will learn that whatever inflames your gut will eventually inflame your brain and the rest of your body. Making the right food choices will become the medicine in which you will walk and live in divine health. References https://draxe.com/bloated-stomach/ http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/788563/bloating-stomach-symptoms-cause-link-to-IBS-diet To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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