digestive issues Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Restore Mental Clarity and Ease Digestive Discomfort with This Soothing “Superhero” Spice in Your Kitchen

AHA Publisher — Wed, 04 May 2022 07:00:31 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – The clean, spicy taste of ginger root adds a lively, refreshing note to sauces, soups, and salads. But this versatile herb – botanically known as Zingiber officinale – has a lot more to offer than merely an intriguing flavor. A staple of the ancient Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese healing systems, ginger has been advised for centuries to address nausea, joint pain, and a host of other ailments. Now, scientists are getting “on board” with the beneficial effects of ginger. In a 2020 review study published in the scientific journal Nutrients, researchers credited constituents in ginger with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and therapeutic properties. Let’s look at some of the ways in which soothing, refreshing ginger supports modern-day health and well-being. Calm Nausea and Promote Efficient Digestion With Ginger The queasy, dizzy “green-around-the-gills” sensation of being carsick or seasick can threaten to spoil even the most idyllic road trip or ocean cruise. Fortunately, some scientists believe that ginger can quell motion sickness even more effectively than pharmaceutical anti-nausea drugs – and achieve this without causing toxic side effects. What’s the secret? Ginger appears to quicken the speed at which the stomach empties, which may help decrease nausea, stomach discomfort, and bloating. Multiple reviews and studies have suggested that ginger may help with nausea resulting from chemotherapy (which affects up to 75 percent of all chemo patients). Ginger may help reduce nausea following surgical procedures, as well. Finally, a full 80 percent of pregnant women report experiencing morning sickness, especially in the first and second trimesters. Here, again, ginger may help. In one review involving over 1,200 pregnant volunteers and published in Nutrition Journal, dosages of one gram to one-and-a-half grams of ginger significantly reduced nausea. (Caution: pregnant women with vaginal bleeding and/or clotting disorders, who have had miscarriages, or who are close to giving birth should avoid ginger. Consult your obstetrician before using ginger for morning sickness). Ease Post-Workout Pain With Ginger The main bioactive components in ginger – gingerols, and shogaols – are “key players” in its anti-inflammatory properties. Both compounds have been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory substances in the body, via the COX and LOX pathways. And, for good measure, ginger’s constituents also interfere with the action of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in creating destructive free radicals. In plain English, this means that ginger can promote the health of body systems, such as the circulatory and musculoskeletal systems. Some scientists maintain that ginger may even help soothe occasional soreness caused by overwork or strenuous exercise. For example, in one older (but still influential) controlled study, volunteers performed eccentric actions of the elbow flexors to induce pain and inflammation. The researchers found that daily supplementation with two grams of ginger resulted in “moderate-to-large” reductions in muscle pain, leading the team to call ginger “effective” for this purpose. So, if you’ve ever overdone things in your fitness routine or day-to-day activities, it could help to reach for the ginger. By the way, ginger may also help soothe routine menstrual cramps. Neuroprotective Ginger Can Promote Mental Clarity and Support the Health of Brain Cells With the relentless demands on our time and attention exerted by the modern world, it’s no surprise that many of us experience occasional bouts of impaired concentration, sluggish thinking, and mental fatigue – a state commonly known as “brain fog.” Ginger could be just the thing to lift the “fog” and help restore clear thinking. It appears that ginger inhibits the production of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, crucial to learning and memory). Ginger also helps promote brain health by protecting glial cells, which remove inflammatory debris and toxins from the brain. While more research is needed, one clinical study showed that ginger enhanced attention and cognitive processing in middle-aged women. And, in an animal study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, scientists concluded that dried ginger improved novel objection recognition and enhanced memory. If you feel your concentration and attention are flagging, a revivifying cup of ginger tea could certainly be worth a try. Use Ginger Root Fresh or Dried Fresh ginger root (technically not the root, but the rhizome – or underground stem – of the ginger plant) can be washed, peeled, then chopped, sliced, or grated for use in recipes or beverages. You can make ginger tea by washing, peeling, and thinly slicing an inch or two of the fresh root, then steeping for ten minutes in hot water. Strain, allow to cool, and enjoy – taking small, slow sips. Natural healers advise drinking up to four cups a day. When eaten in the amounts usually found in food, ginger is generally considered safe. Consuming excessive amounts, however, could cause heartburn in some individuals. Dried, powdered ginger is available in convenient capsule form. Natural healers typically advise amounts ranging from 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg a day, taken in divided doses. Of course, we suggest you get the “go-ahead” from a trusted integrative healthcare provider before supplementing with ginger. Bottom line: whether you’re looking for a quick mental “re-set” from brain fog, a drug-free boost of energy or natural relief from upset stomach and nausea, versatile ginger just might be the herbal “superhero” you need. Sources for this article include: Healthline.com NIH.gov Healthline.com NIH.gov FiveStarSeniorLiving.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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Improve Digestive Health for the Sake of 7 Other Systems

AHA Publisher — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 07:00:51 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Do you deal with digestive issues? If so, you don’t just deal with digestive issues. Digestive issues actually affect many systems in the body. On the flip-side, there’s great news! When you improve digestive health, you positively affect all those systems and whole body health! In fact, the health of your digestive microbiota (bacteria in your digestive tract) affects literally every other part of your body. Brain health. Metabolism and weight management. Immune health. Heart health. Blood sugars. Skin health. Although it may seem far-reaching, this area of medical research is changing the way we think about foods, bacteria, and human health. Here’s how improving digestive health improves your whole body, and how you can start today. Improve Digestive Health to Improve Whole Body Health – 7 Ways 1. ENERGY METABOLISM AND WEIGHT Amazingingly, the gut microbiota (healthy bacteria) contributes not only to how your body digests nutrients, but how it metabolizes, uses, and burns them. In fact, studies have found that altered gut microbiota has been associated with unhealthy weights and metabolic issues related to them (1). In fact, one study concluded that the use of a probiotic alone or together with a prebiotic influenced body fat mass in healthy adults with high weight (2). Another study followed to see if changes in the gut microbiota due to probiotic supplementation improved gut barrier function, metabolism, and obesity-related markers. The researchers found positive correlation in this study (3). When you improve digestive health, you encourage better metabolism! 2. BLOOD SUGARS The gut microbiota affects tissue physiology, metabolism, and function of both the immune and nervous systems. We found that intrinsic Altered blood sugars have a huge impact on individual health as well as our health as a society. Can a healthy digestive system help? Amazingly, our digestive tracts have their own “nervous system.” It is outside the central nervous system, and affects the health of systems throughout the body (4, 5). In animal studies, scientists investigated how changes in digestive nervous system cells (enteric-associated neurons) in the lower digestive tract affected glucose metabolism. Specifically, they looked at changes in the microbiota associated with the cells. They found that microbiota depletion led to loss of the neuron cells and impaired glucose regulation (6). While more research is needed, this leads us to believe impaired microbiota hurts glucose metabolism and blood sugars. This has implications for the metabolism, weight, and blood sugar issues that plague more than 50% of American adults. Improve digestive health and support glucose metabolism and healthy blood sugars! 3. IMMUNE HEALTH Before the industrial revolution, humans consumed natural, wild, and pre-agricultural foods. Since then, Western societies have relied on semi-processed and ultra-processed foods as the primary source of nutrition. This change has had a huge impact on the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract and gut health. In fact, The industrialized Western diet and changes in gut microbiota has been shown to have negatively impacted human digestive physiology and immune health (7). How? It’s estimated that 80% of your immune system “lives” in your gut. These immune components form the gut mucosal immune system, and consist of lymph nodes, lamina propria, epithelial cells. They make up a protective barrier for the integrity of the intestinal tract. Studies have found that depressed gut microbiota causes a significant immune system deficiency. On the other hand, healthy, viable microbiota play a vital role in the development and maintenance of a health gut immune system (8). How can you bolster your immune system? Focus on your gut. When you improve digestive health, you support your immune system! 4. BRAIN HEALTH The degradation of immune health that has followed poor digestive health doesn’t stop with immunity. Impaired immune responses in turn cause exaggerated neuroinflammation. This means inflammation of neurons in the brain. Neuroinflammation, unfortunately, is linked with brain impairment and dysfunction. In fact, many experts implicate the modern Western diet in the development of many health and brain issues including memory impairments, neurodegenerative issues, and depressed moods. This propagation of these brain and health impairments are amplified with the consumption of ultra-processed foods and excessive energy intake (9). There is growing evidence that this relationship may be more than just coincidental. In fact, researchers have found that the bidirectional signaling between the brain and gut is vital for maintaining homeostasis and regulation of the central nervous system (CNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS). This communication system between the gut-brain and the brain is called the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (10). This means the health of each nervous system is dependent on the other. When you improve digestive health, you support healthy brain function. 5. HEART HEALTH Take note, cardiovascular illness is still the leading cause of death and disability in developed countries. In fact, it is responsible for approximately ⅓ of deaths in the United States and ¼ of the deaths in Europe (11). What’s more, we’re experiencing a steady increase in many risk factors for poor heart health, including blood sugar impairments, metabolic issues, and unhealthy weights (12). Does the human gut microbiota affect heart health? Microbial sequencing analysis has a lot of information about gut microbiota and heart health issues (13, 14). What’s more, studies also show that changes in gut microbiota affects metabolism, blood sugars, weight, and more (as described above) (15, 16). When it comes to direct effects on heart health, scientists know that gut microbiota produce numerous metabolites that are absorbed into the circulatory system while biologically active (8, 13). This means that gut bacteria communicates directly with organs through circulatory pathways, enzymes, and more, including the heart (17, 18, 19). Want to support heart health? When you improve digestive health, you support the health of your heart! 6. EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis doesn’t just affect physical health or physical brain function, it affects emotional and mental health as well. While the gut-brain and enteric neurons don’t seem capable of thought like the brain in our heads, they do communicate with the “big brain” in ways that affect emotions. According to a Johns Hopkins Medicine report, “The ENS may trigger big emotional shifts experienced by people coping with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional bowel problems such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, pain and stomach upset. Researchers are finding evidence that irritation in the gastrointestinal system may send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) that trigger mood changes” (20, 21, 22). In fact, doctors are reporting that they may have thought of the relationship between digestive issues and anxious or depressed moods backwards for years. In other words, we’ve thought that anxious and depressed moods may trigger digestive issues. Now, studies and anecdotal reports are finding that many people with serious digestive issues develop emotional and mental impairments at a higher-than-normal rate. Since 30-40% of our adult population deal with impaired digestion from time to time, this is a huge issue for mental health (23). What can be done? First, we can start with healthy digestion. When you improve digestion and gut health, you support your mental health. 7. SKIN HEALTH More and more people seem to be suffering from skin impairments, from eczema to psoriasis. Could our modern, processed diets and the resulting damage to the microbiota and immune system be one cause? Scientists are now studying the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on skin health. These studies include both topical and ingested formulations. Here’s what they are finding: Ingested and topical probiotics improve skin and gut microbiota. The skin ecosystem is a complex environment covered with many strains of bacteria. Some are beneficial, some are essentially neutral, and others are harmful or at least potentially harmful. Scientists have found pre- and probiotics can optimize, maintain and restore the microbiota of the skin in different ways. Topical formulations have a direct effect on the skin by enhancing the natural defenses of skin. Ingested probiotics have a positive effect on skin by supporting the immune system and reducing inflammatory responses systemically (throughout the body) (23). Ready for healthier skin? When you improve digestive health, you support skin health! How Can You Support Digestive Health? Start with a great probiotic supplement. Dr. Colbert formulated his Dr. Colbert Beyond Biotics™ with 12 billion healthy probiotic bacteria units that have been proven to encourage optimal digestive health in just 4 weeks! In fact, Beyond Biotics™ contains 3 clinically studied and tested probiotic strains consisting of 12 billion bacteria, supporting the immune response and natural defenses. If you want to encourage great health in all the systems listed above, this is where to start. Next, begin Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Gut Zone Plan. It will teach you, step-by-step, how to improve your digestive health, support your entire body, and improve brain function, alertness and health starting today! Join Dr. Colbert in his challenge to prioritize your gut health. It can make all the difference to your whole body. Continue a Healthy Lifestyle with Beyond Keto! Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto program combines Keto Zone and Mediterranean foods to support gut health! In fact, studies have found the Mediterranean diet specifically improves gut microbiota and its associated metabolism functions (24). Get started with Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto today and supports digestive and whole-body health! Bottom Line It should be obvious. When you improve digestion, you positively affect every other system in your body. It could not be more important. If you need one health aspect to focus on, start here. Make your digestive health a priority today, and support the health of your entire body. To read the original article click here.

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Studies Confirm, Harm From GMO Foods Is Real – Here Is How to Avoid Them

AHA Publisher — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 07:31:50 +0000

Wendy Miller via NaturalHealth365 – When the concept of genetically modified foods was first discussed, the intent was positive. Because, according to some scientists, GMO technology was supposed to help farmers grow more food to “feed the world” and we were told that genetically manipulated food was the same as their natural counterparts. Ultimately, many people bought into the notion that this “new way” of growing food would help end the worldwide hunger crisis. Yet, once GMOs began to be produced and studied, certain things came to light that offered proof that they may not live up to the image created for them. In fact, evidence clearly showed that consuming genetically modified foods increased the risk of digestive problems like, leaky gut syndrome. What Are GMOs, Anyway? According to conventional “wisdom,” genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are created with the same genetic structure as their natural counterparts. Because they are genetically identical in every way. Yet, researchers like, Stephanie Seneff, PhD would warn you not to be fooled by such naive assumptions. In addition, Big agriculture-controlled food researchers, would like you to believe that GMO foods contain the same vitamins, minerals, and proteins as the natural foods they are designed after. Sadly, some of the world’s largest chemical companies have convinced too many farmers that GMO seeds are designed to grow food much faster and produce more viable foods for harvest. On the surface, it sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Well, there is much more to this food story than most people ever hear. Are GMO and Non-GMO Foods Really the Same? The fact is: the human body is not able to tolerate them as well as their natural counterparts. This (alone) defeats the value of consuming GMO foods. In fact, some studies show that consuming GMOs – as a primary food source – may inhibit your ability to absorb nutrition from the foods you eat or benefit from certain types of medications. In other words, over time, the more you eat GMO foods, the greater your risk of nutritional deficiencies. In studies performed on animals, GMOs actually seemed to increase the risk of potentially harmful diseases. In fact, these findings are so disturbing that many countries across the globe have banned GMOs from being introduced into their countries. FDA “Relaxes” Truth in Labeling Laws – Now What? One of the biggest problems with GMOs is that the FDA allows food manufacturers to avoid labeling certain foods as GMO-based. So, how is the average consumer ever going to know the true nature of the food they buy?! No doubt, “informed consent” is not a top priority for government “health” agencies. With those labeling restrictions lifted, it is difficult to determine what foods contain GMO ingredients and which ones do not. We need to demand more from our elected officials to change this reality. Here Is How to Avoid GMO Foods and Eat a Natural Diet GMOs are continually introduced in more and more commercial (processed) foods. How can you tell which foods contain GMOs? Sadly, that can be a difficult task – for many uninformed consumers – since the FDA has relaxed the standards applied to food labeling laws. But, there’s still hope. (keep reading) If you want to avoid GMOs in your diet, you can start by shopping locally. Go to your local farmer’s market and look for organic farmers that are dedicated to using non-GMO seeds to grow their food. Just ask them, I’m sure they will be happy to tell you. (If not, don’t buy from them.) Better yet, start a small organic garden of your own. If you live in areas where it’s easier to buy from a supermarket, purchase the brands you trust, especially those labeled 100% USDA organic. This will greatly improve your health, as you avoid toxic foods that can destroy your digestive health and immune function. The debate over GMOs is sure to continue. But, as more and more studies are performed, it will become clearer what issues may arise from the use of GMOs. Don’t wait for conventional science to catch up with common sense. Use your purchasing power to buy only organic (non-GMO) foods and ensure a healthier lifestyle for years to come. The rewards are worth the effort. GreenAmerica.org NaturalHealth365 NaturalHealth365 To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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3 Tricks to Improve Digestion Today

AHA Publisher — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 07:00:22 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Are you in the majority? Believe it or not, the majority of Americans want to improve digestion since they experience digestive issues on a monthly (or more frequent) basis. In fact, according to the National Institutes for Health, 60-70 million Americans are affected by all digestive illnesses (1). Surveys also suggest that over 70% of adults suffer from diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, constipation, and more at least monthly. Is it really that surprising? Our digestive tracts have a really big job, every day. They never get a break. They are one of the only organs bombarded daily with external substances. In fact, they are in the initial filter by which most of our body interacts with outside substances. Like the lungs, they come in direct contact with both healthy and unhealthy substances from our environment. Think about the filters in your home or vehicles. They get dirty, beat up, and torn down. The same can happen to your digestive tract if not properly cared for. The digestive tract is also really large. It includes about 7 digestion organs (the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (aka colon), rectum, and anus) and 4 digestion accessory organs (the salivary glands, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver) (2). The tract itself covers a surface area of about 400-500 square feet (3). Interestingly, this number has been reduced from an estimate of 2500-3000 square feet to 400-500 in just the last 10 years after new evidence emerged that it is smaller than previously thought. In other words, there’s a lot to this system of organs, it does a lot of work every day, and a lot can go wrong. How can you improve digestion today? Here are 3 tricks to get started. Trick #1 to Improve Digestion: Use Your Brain Amazingly, there is a strong brain-gut connection. In fact, as digestive health falters or becomes inflamed, the brain experiences inflammation. This may look like brain fog, memory loss, fatigue, and even invite neurodegenerative issues. In fact, a recent study published in Scientific Reports showed a link between gut bacteria and dementia (4). On the flip side, as brain health falters, the digestive tract is affected and often impaired. Stress, for example, can ignite a series of digestive issues from ulcers to diarrhea to nausea. Why do we “feel things in our guts?” It’s the brain-gut connection. To improve digestion, then, do everything you can to support brain health. Try to: Reduce stress as much as possible through activity reduction, journaling, praying, etc. Incorporate laughter into your everyday schedule Get 7-10 hours of good-quality sleep every night Eat brain-healthy, anti-inflammatory foods like omega-3s from seafood, spices, and supplementseach day Hydrate well Incorporate fasting into your diet To learn more ways to support brain health, see our 11 Top Tips. Trick #2: Eliminate and Fortify with Nutrition Simply put, some foods and nutrients damage your gut. Some fortify it. The more we damage our guts, the more digestive issues arise, and more and more foods become intolerable to it. In some cases, food simply does not “set well” in our guts. In other cases, the food or nutrient actually hurt. This can lead to inflammation and a cascade of digestive issues. On the other hand, there are many foods that fortify both the healthy bacteria and cells in our guts. Most of these foods contain soluble fibers (prebiotics) and healthy bacteria (probiotics). To improve digestion, eliminate or reduce: Inflammatory carbohydrates such as sugars and white flours (consider the Keto Zone Diet) Sugary drinks Gluten, if not tolerated (in some people, gluten actually harms and flattens the tissues in the digestive tract responsible for nutrient absorption) Processed foods, especially those with inflammatory fats like soybean oil Alcohol Foods and medications with antibiotics (when not indicated) To improve digestion incorporate: Fermented foods such as plain yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, tempeh, fermented vegetable powders like Greens Supremefoods©, and living foods like Living Chia with Probiotics Vegetables and plant foods that provide prebiotics and polyphenols and living vitamins Plant-based protein powders such as Divine Health Vegan Protein Supremefood© Nuts like walnuts, which support healthy gut bacteria, every day (5) A daily probiotic supplement such as Beyond Biotics Ultra Blend Probiotics To learn more, read our post on the health benefits of fiber and tips to improve gut bacteria. Improve Digestion Trick #3: Slow Down and Look Up Are you a victim of the rush, rush, rush mentality? Are you overscheduled and burnt out? Do you have little time to cook at home and focus on foods that improve digestion? If so, your busy lifestyle is likely hurting your digestion. If you can find ways to slow down, you’ll have time to really utilize tricks #1 and #2 to improve digestion and brain health. It’s challenging to slow down in the midst of many demands, but it’s incredibly important. What can you do to simplify your life and leave the hustle and bustle of the modern stressed-out schedule? How can you make more foods at home (even simple foods such as grilled chicken or an easy slow cooker meal)? Can you clear your schedule and allow for more downtime? Non-activity time? Time outside in nature or in a garden? How can you incorporate daily gratitude, optimism, and prayer within your family? Even if you can only think of one thing you can do to slow down and look up within nutrition and pace of life, you can improve digestion and brain health! Take a few moments to jot down ways you can do so today. Get the Best Plan to Improve Digestion If you are ready to really improve digestion and overall health, it’s time to get Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Gut Zone book or the Healthy Gut Zone Starter Kit (includes the Healthy Gut Zone book, Fiber Zone supplement, and the Beyond Biotics digestive supplement) today. You’ll find a clear plan that supports digestion, improved overall health, and additional protection for your brain. What’s more, Dr. Colbert’s fiber and probiotic supplements utilize the best fibers and bacteria strains that support optimal gut health. Bottom Line The digestive tract is amazing. It takes substances outside our bodies and breaks them down for energy, fuel, and nutrients within our entire bodies. It is strongly linked to our brains, and every other system depends on it. You can support digestion and overall health, starting today, with these 3 tricks. What’s more, a great digestion health plan is only a click away! Get your Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Gut Zone book or theHealthy Gut Zone Starter Kit. Learn how to support digestive health in every area of your life, from stress to lifestyle to sleep to nutrition. The entirety of your health depends on your gut. Get started today! To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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