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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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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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