Back Clinic Gut and Intestinal Health. The health of an individual’s gut determines what nutrients are absorbed along with what toxins, allergens, and microbes are kept out. It is directly linked to the health of the whole body. Intestinal health could be defined as optimal digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food. But this is a job that depends on many other factors. More than 100 million Americans have digestive problems. Two of the top-selling drugs in America are for digestive problems, and they run in the billions. There are more than 200 over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for digestive disorders. And these can and do create additional digestive problems.
If an individual’s digestion is not working properly, the first thing is to understand what is sending the gut out-of-balance in the first place.
A low-fiber, high-sugar, processed, nutrient-poor, high-calorie diet causes all the wrong bacteria and yeast to grow in the gut and damages the delicate ecosystem in your intestines.
Overuse of medications that damage the gut or block normal digestive function, i.e., acid blockers (Prilosec, Nexium, etc.), anti-inflammatory medication (aspirin, Advil, and Aleve), antibiotics, steroids, and hormones.
Undetected gluten intolerance, celiac disease, or low-grade food allergies to foods such as dairy, eggs, or corn.
Chronic low-grade infections or gut imbalances with overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, yeast overgrowth, parasites.
Toxins like mercury and mold toxins damage the gut.
Lack of adequate digestive enzyme function from acid-blocking medications or zinc deficiency.
Stress can alter the gut’s nervous system, cause a leaky gut, and change the normal bacteria.
Visits for intestinal disorders are among the most common trips to primary care doctors. Unfortunately, most, which also includes most doctors, do not recognize or know that digestive problems wreak havoc in the entire body. This leads to allergies, arthritis, autoimmune disease, rashes, acne, chronic fatigue, mood disorders, autism, dementia, cancer, and more. Having proper gut and intestinal health is absolutely central to your health. It is connected to everything that happens in the body.
Digestive problems subside with rest and relaxation?
Excessive belching, burping, or bloating?
An overall sense of bloating?
Inflammation in your bones or joints?
That bowels do not empty completely?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might be experiencing gut and bone tissues in your body due to a vitamin D deficiency.
There is a global epidemic that has been linked to many autoimmune diseases that have affected the human body. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many chronic diseases like type 1 diabetes to IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and can affect the gut microbiome. With new research studies taking a look at how high doses of vitamin D supplementation can help the gut microbiome, it is fascinating seeing what the new results show how vitamin D is a high essential to provide optimal support to a healthy body and gut.
Vitamin D and Its Benefits
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin as it can be produced by the human body through sun exposure and can boost their vitamin D intake even more through certain kinds of food and supplements. Vitamin has many beneficial properties like maintaining bone health and healthy teeth while protecting the body against diseases and conditions that can harm the body. There are more benefits that vitamin D have as well as the many multiple roles that are fantastic for the body; some include:
Supporting healthy bones and teeth
Providing support for healthy immune, brain, and nervous system
Helps regulate insulin levels and helps manage diabetes
Providing support for a healthy cardiovascular system and a healthy lung function
Can influence the gene expression that is being involved in cancer development
Vitamin D can also be in the form of sun exposure and helped the body get the needed supplement into itself. Even though everyone should at least go outside to get at least some sunlight into their body, although healthcare professionals do advise that prolonged exposure of the sun’s rays can cause skin damage and other chronic illnesses.
Studies have shown that UV light from the sun can be linked to the body’s gut microbiomes. When there is vitamin D deficiency in the body, there is a higher risk of developing diseases like IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and multiple sclerosis. There are even more studies on how vitamin D can even affect various autoimmune diseases and provide anti-inflammatory effects on the gut. The research shows that vitamin D can help regulate gastrointestinal inflammation, especially Crohn�s disease.
The Different Studies of Vitamin D and The Gut
There was another study on how vitamin D can not only improve the gut flora in the body but also give hope to people who have metabolic syndrome. The study showed that if there is an insufficient supply of vitamin D can aggravate the gut flora, causing it to be imbalanced while also contributing to a full-scale fatty liver as well as metabolic syndrome. The research study also stated that vitamin D deficiency could decrease the body’s production of defensins, which are anti-microbial molecules that are essential to maintain healthy gut flora.
Surprisingly though, a study has found that the hormonal activity of vitamin D can be found in the cells in the human body. It can provide beneficial effects to not only the gut homeostasis and its immunity but also provide beneficial effects to the kidneys, muscles, and different organs; what is surprising, though, is limited research on how vitamin D influences the gut flora. One study shows how there is evidence about the extraskeletal effects of vitamin D have been accruing and being partially mediated through the gastrointestinal microbiome, while also being linked. While another study showed how high doses of vitamin D could affect the composition of an adolescent girl’s gut microbiome. The research shows how high dose supplementation of vitamin D can alter adolescent’s gut microbiome composition and even dampen the effects of inflammatory bowel disease in their gut as well. Vitamin D is gaining a following as a study has shown that vitamin D can help the body’s blood levels that are 60-80ng/ml and help the person have a healthy sleep pattern, which is perfect for anyone who might be suffering from insomnia.
Conclusion
Vitamin D is essential to the body since it not only promotes healthy teeth and healthy bones, but it can even help promote gut health. Even though there is limited research on how vitamin D can promote a healthy gut, studies are still being done, and the research will show how the gut microbiome and vitamin D are connected. By eating foods that are rich with vitamin D can help not only the gut but the entire body. When the body has a vitamin D deficiency, it can cause significant problems for the body due to inflammation as well as developing chronic illnesses that can harm the gut as well. Some products can provide support to the gastrointestinal system as well as making sure that it contains collagen proteins, enzymatic cofactors, hypoallergenic nutrients, metabolic precursors, and phytonutrients to support a healthy gut.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Ware, Megan. �Vitamin D: Benefits, Deficiency, Sources, and Dosage.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 24 Aug. 2009, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161618.
Bashir, Mina, et al. �Effects of High Doses of Vitamin D3 on Mucosa-Associated Gut Microbiome Vary between Regions of the Human Gastrointestinal Tract.� European Journal of Nutrition, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26130323.
Gominak, S C. �Vitamin D Deficiency Changes the Intestinal Microbiome Reducing B Vitamin Production in the Gut. The Resulting Lack of Pantothenic Acid Adversely Affects the Immune System, Producing a �pro-Inflammatory� State Associated with Atherosclerosis and Autoimmunity.� Medical Hypotheses, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27515213.
Jurgelewicz, Michael. �New Study Investigates the Effect of High Dose Vitamin D on the Gut Microbiome.� Designs for Health, 14 Feb. 2020, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/1201.
Lynch, et al. �Vitamin D and the Gut Microbiome: a Systematic Review of in Vivo Studies.� European Journal of Nutrition, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 1 Jan. 1970, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-018-1842-7.
Tabatabaeizadeh, Seyed-Amir, et al. �The Effects of High Doses of Vitamin D on the Composition of the Gut Microbiome of Adolescent Girls.� Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31987101.
Tabatabaeizadeh, Seyed-Amir, et al. �Vitamin D, the Gut Microbiome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.� Journal of Research in Medical Sciences: the Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 23 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116667/.
Team, Frontiers. �Vitamin D Improves Gut Flora and Metabolic Syndrome.� ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 21 Dec. 2016, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161221125439.htm.
The University offers a wide variety of medical professions for functional and integrative medicine. Their goal is to inform individuals who want to make a difference in the functional medical fields with knowledgeable information that they can provide.
Your waist girth is equal or larger than hip girth?
An increase in weight even with a low-calorie diet?
An increase in fat distribution around the chest and hips?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might be experiencing metabolic syndrome and might considered using Coleus forskohlii.
With the world population being obese or even overweight, especially in the United States. One of the most common disorders that mostly everyone has from being obese, and it is called metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that happens to many individuals that can create many complications to the body, and most individuals who have metabolic syndrome would have an apple or pear-shaped bodies. With many supplements and natural foods helping the body, there is a supplement that can help the body combat metabolic syndrome and can be combined with a specific diet to make anyone who is obese or overweight lose the extra pounds.
What is Coleus forskohlii?
One of the supplements that have been known to help combat metabolic syndrome is Coleus forskohlii. Coleus forskohlii is a plant supplement that is found in parts of India, Thailand, and Nepal. While being part of the mint family, Coleus forskohlii has been used in traditional folk medicine that has been known to treat asthma and various ailments that the body may encounter. Studies have found that Coleus forskohlii extract may be able to aid in weight management; however, there have been limited studies on this extract. The Coleus forskohlii has been known to extract the critical markers for obesity and metabolic parameter for overweight and obese individuals who might benefit from this supplement.
The Benefits of Coleus forskohlii
With Coleus forskohlii, studies have found that this supplement can aid in weight loss by creating two enzymes to help the body burn fatty acids. These two enzymes are known as lipase and adenylate cyclase. Studies have found that these two enzymes help free fatty acids, and when that happens, the fatty acids can be used as fuel, while reducing body fat without affecting the lean muscle mass. Although this safely helps the body, coleus forskohlii needs to be accompanied by a calorie deficit.
There are benefits for individuals that are obese or overweight. When they take coleus forskohlii as a weight-loss supplement and do a calorie deficit, they can:
Suppressing appetite
Help reduce the efficiency of digestion
Increase the metabolic rate in the body
There are even more benefits of Coleus forskohlii that have been skyrocketing as this supplement been receiving in the public eye as people are looking for ways to lose weight. Some of the benefits of taking Coleus forskohlii are:
Treating asthma
Preventing the risk of cancer
Prevent congestive heart failure by improving the heart strength
Lowers blood pressure
Many studies have also shown that Coleus forskohlii can even help reduce body fat in obese men. There have been two studies that show the results of people taking Coleus forskohlii to help reduce their body fat and boost their hormone levels. One study showed how obese men took Coleus forskohlii for twelve weeks. The results show that Coleus forskohlii can alter the male’s body composition while increasing bone mass and testosterone levels in males.
While another study showed how the effects of Coleus forskohlii supplementation on the body composition of mildly overweight women, what is surprising is that with these two different studies, Coleus forskohlii needs enough evidence that requires more research. It shows that Coleus forskohlii does not cause weight loss for many obese individuals; however, Coleus forskohlii can help improve body composition in men and help prevent women from having weight gain. Many more studies have conducted different results, but the results almost have the same reactions on how Coleus forskohlii is the solution for weight loss. However, they all agreed that this supplement does help the body composition on individuals.
Conclusion
With more and more future research about Coleus forskohlii, it is essential to know that using Coleus forskohlii alone will not help losing weight. This supplement is just part of a massive lifestyle change for anyone with metabolic syndrome. By eating the right foods, taking supplements and vitamins, exercising regularly, and having a good night’s sleep, these changes can help anyone lose weight and make them feel good. When bad lifestyle choices and dysfunction enters the body, causing unnecessary illnesses, it can cause a person to develop chronic problems. By adding Coleus forskohlii into the body, it can help dampen the effects of metabolic syndrome. Some products can help the body’s system by providing support to the metabolic system while containing hypoallergenic nutrients, enzymatic cofactors, metabolic precursors, and phytonutrients that the body needs.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Arnarson, Atli. �Does Forskolin Actually Work? An Evidence-Based Review.� Healthline, 29 May, 2017, www.healthline.com/nutrition/forskolin-review.
Fletcher, Jenna. �Does Forskolin Work? Uses, Risks, and Benefits.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 12 Sept. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319370.
Godard, Michael P, et al. �Body Composition and Hormonal Adaptations Associated with Forskolin Consumption in Overweight and Obese Men.� Obesity Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16129715.
Henderson, Shonteh, et al. �Effects of Coleus Forskohlii Supplementation on Body Composition and Hematological Profiles in Mildly Overweight Women.� Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, BioMed Central, 9 Dec. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2129145/.
Litosch, I, et al. �Forskolin as an Activator of Cyclic AMP Accumulation and Lipolysis in Rat Adipocytes.� Molecular Pharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 1982, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6289066.
The University offers a wide variety of medical professions for functional and integrative medicine. Their goal is to inform individuals who want to make a difference in the functional medical fields with knowledgeable information that they can provide.
Stomach pain, burning, or aching 1-4 hours after eating?
Offensive breath?
Unpredictable abdominal swelling?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might be exposed to mercury in your body.
When it comes to autoimmune diseases, there has been a slight increase in autoimmune diseases that have been around over the past few decades. Everyone knows that when the immune system starts to attack itself, it can cause the body to develop autoimmune disruptors, and even some significant triggers can cause a malfunction in the body as well.
There are many ways that autoimmunity can occur in the body in many different ways. The first one is when the cells are mistaken as a foreign pathogen, and the body attacks itself. The second one is called molecular mimicry. This happens when the body starts to make an antibody to a specific antigen, and these antigens can take the resemblance of any specific proteins; thus, the body’s antibodies will attack the tissues. The third one is when the body becomes affected by environmental triggers and genetic stress; it starts to develop T-cells in the immune system.
Many local integrative doctors and health care professionals are working with functional medicine. They all understand that environmental triggers are one of the factors that can cause dysfunction in the body. With food sensitivities, environmental triggers, and lifestyle factors can cause a person’s body to have inflammation. Inflammation is not only in the joints, but it can also affect the gut’s health as well, causing leaky gut and dysbiosis. There are even toxins that the body can be in contact with that can also affect the immune system significantly. Heavy metals and xenobiotics can cause a total toxic burden in the body, and one of them is mercury.
Mercury
Also known as quicksilver, mercury is a liquid metal and is a naturally occurring element that is found outside in the air, water, soil. Most people are usually exposed to low levels of mercury by consuming fish and shellfish. Although it is safe to consume fish and shellfish, when humans are exposed to high levels of mercury is highly toxic and can lead to mercury poisoning, thus affecting the body.
Studies have found that the connection link between gut health and autoimmune diseases has been in the news regularly with the exposure to high levels of mercury and becoming one of the most significant risk factors for the body to develop autoimmunity. In a 2015 study, author Emily Somers Ph.D. Sc. M. stated that even though mercury at low levels is generally safe are still associated with autoimmunity, and the exposure to mercury has stood out to be the leading risk factor for autoimmunity in the body.
Mercury Poisoning Symptoms
There are many signs and symptoms that mercury poisoning can cause the body to dysfunction. The effects of mercury poisoning can vary depending on the exposure level and on a person�s age. When mercury affects the nervous system, thus can lead to neurological symptoms like:
Physical tremors
Anxiety
Mood swings
Numbness
Memory problems
Other symptoms from mercury poisoning can appear even more if levels of mercury rise in the human body. Some of the severe symptoms can include:
Muscle weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Metallic taste in the mouth
Lack of motor functions
Muscle numbness
Difficulty walking or standing straight
There are more studies about mercury poisoning as they stated how mercury can increase the activation of the T-cell receptor and how self-reactive cells can escape the elimination process during T-cell selection. Other studies have found that mercury can induce autoimmune diseases in humans. For many local chiropractors and health professionals would always ask their patients if they have had any dental fillings in their teeth. If they do, then it turns out that the dental fillings may have mercury in them.
What many people do not know is that dental fillings, especially silver fillings, can contain about forty to fifty percent of mercury. If a person still has these types of fillings their teeth, they might have an increased risk of mercury exposure in their system. In order to reduce the mercury exposure in the body, anybody who has silver fillings can get them replaced with newer and safer alternatives for their fillings.
Conclusion
Mercury is a toxic element that can harm the human body and can develop autoimmune diseases in the immune system. Mercury can also cause many symptoms in the body can cause harm and dysfunction to a person. Sometimes a person may have silver fillings that may cause them to be exposed to mercury and can get them replaced to limit their exposure. Once there is no exposure to mercury in the immune system, the body will start to heal and function properly through a healthy diet and functional medicine. Some products are here to help support the immune system by providing the essential formula to the body and its many functioning systems.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Bigazzi, P E. �Autoimmunity and Heavy Metals.� Lupus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 1994, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7704000.
Johnson, Jon. �Mercury Poisoning: Symptoms and Early Signs.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 9 Jan. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320563.php.
Pollard, K Michael, et al. �Toxicology of Autoimmune Diseases.� Chemical Research in Toxicology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Mar. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3076021/.
Team, DFH. �Mercury Exposure and the Autoimmune Connection.� Designs for Health, 9 Oct. 2018, blog.designsforhealth.com/mercury-exposure-and-the-autoimmune-connection.
Team, WHO. �Mercury and Health.� World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 31 Mar. 2017, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mercury-and-health.
The University offers a wide variety of medical professions for functional and integrative medicine. Their goal is to inform individuals who want to make a difference in the functional medical fields with knowledgeable information that they can provide.
Metabolic syndrome is caused by having more than one condition. Metabolic syndrome often leaves individuals with headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and more! Metabolic syndrome is an epidemic all over the world, but in the US, we are seeing this condition all too often.
Metabolic Syndrome can be defined as having two or more of the conditions listed below:
Women with abdominal fat or a waistline greater than 35
Men with abdominal fat or a waistline greater than 40
Individuals with high blood pressure ( 130/85 or higher)
Patients with triglycerides higher than 150
A fasting glucose of 100 or greater
Low HDL ( good cholesterol ) less than 40 in men and 50 for women
These symptoms are often associated with inflammation. Many people believe inflammation is just something that occurs in the joints and on the skin, but inflammation can occur to the organs inside the body and create havoc.
Metabolic syndrome does not target a specific population but can affect anyone who has an overlap of the factors listed above. Those who have an “apple” or “pear” body shape, are likely to have higher abdominal fat, and therefore are more at risk.
As individuals age, their chances of developing metabolic syndrome increases. On top of age, previously having or having a history of diabetes in one’s family also increases their risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Speaking from personal experience, and having Type 1 Diabetes myself, I can say that metabolic syndrome really takes a toll on one’s body. With experiencing these symptoms first hand, it can leave your body feeling exhausted. When the blood glucose level in the body rises, it causes the blood to become thick due to the excess sugar in the blood. This then causes the heart to work harder and raise the body’s blood pressure due to the effort needed to pump. From here, the body responds with a hard and heavy headache, nausea, occasional vomiting, increased thirst, increased urination, and blurred vision. Recovering from a day of high blood sugars can leave you feeling defeated and similar to feeling like you are recovering from the flu.
One of the things that occur within the body when an individual has metabolic syndrome is their insulin sensitivity decreases. Insulin is the hormone produced that helps to turn the food you eat into fuel for the body or store it as fat. When the insulin sensitivity becomes decreased, it means not enough glucose in the body is being absorbed.� Leading to high blood glucose levels and increases the risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
For those who are suffering from metabolic syndrome, or have one or more of the above risk factors there are ways to take charge. The benefits of taking charge and preventing metabolic syndrome from getting worse or returning means getting back the energy you thought was lost. By decreasing your symptoms and increasing your energy, you could be feeling better than you remembered.
The best diet to quickly gain control of blood sugars and raise HDL is the ketogenic diet. This diet works by eating low carb, high-fat foods. In turn, this makes the body burn fat as fuel rather than carbohydrates. It starts by burning the fat around the pancreas and liver and then starts to burn the intramuscular fat ( excess abdominal weight ). By eliminating most carbs and increasing water intake, individuals can see a decrease in depression, brain fog, their risk of stroke, and blood pressure. All while seeing an increase in sleep and energy.
One of the best ways to reach your goals and stay healthy is to work with a team who understands them and is willing to educate you. We provide 1:1 coaching, scales to track weight that also reports the water weight and BMI of the individual, wrist bands to track caloric activity, and education. The education will help you understand why you are following a specific diet or food guidelines, how that food is breaking down to help you, and what foods to avoid. We will never leave a patient confused or with unanswered questions.
Speaking from personal experience, it is best to get a handle on these symptoms before they cause permanent damage. There are ways and things to do to help reduce your risk. I highly recommend seeing us, or a local doctor to start to build your plan. We can create personalized plans that will help you reach your goals, lower your risk, and work with your lifestyle. Take it from me, you do not want to be stuck feeling the side effects metabolic syndrome comes with.� -Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
Decreased of gastrointestinal motility, constipation?
Increased gastrointestinal motility, diarrhea?
Unpredictable food reactions?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might be experiencing some problems in your body and its entire systems, why not try to incorporate some prebiotics and probiotics into your system.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
With scientific research, media, and works of literature, finding information about how probiotics and prebiotics play a tremendous role in the gut and the digestive system. There has even been new and upcoming research that shows how prebiotics and probiotics can be beneficial for organs and body tissue that is outside the gastrointestinal tract.
When it comes to probiotics and prebiotics, they have a variety of functions that can help human health. Research shows that probiotics have a plethora of conditions that need these tiny microbes to benefit from. From improving IBS symptoms to inflammatory symptoms, probiotics can help patients that have chronic autoimmune diseases can have altering communications between their immune system and their brain. Research shows that when probiotics are being accompanied with fish oil, it can help pregnant women and infants by reducing the risk of any atopic diseases like eczema and food allergies.
Probiotics and Prebiotics Helping the Other Systems
There is even more research that probiotics in the Lactobacillus and the Bifidobacterium genus, can reduce fatty livers and improve the liver enzyme markers. This is important for anyone who is suffering from NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) or NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.) When a person has metabolic syndrome or is obese, there is a review study that shows that prebiotic fibers and certain strains of probiotics can improve the gastrointestinal microbiome diversity. Prebiotics can help improve insulin resistance and brown fat activation in patients that are obese and have metabolic syndrome parameters.
In a late 2019 review, it suggested that when a person intakes prebiotics and probiotics, it can help prevent urinary tract and respiratory tract infections as well as dampening their severity and their duration in the body. This is correlating with another article study as they found that probiotics can help with children who have asthma with its benefits. The studies found that when children received the Lactobacillus strain and have low IgE levels will have a lower asthma attack from the beneficial effects that probiotics can have on the immune system in the body.
Probiotics and Prebiotics Helping With Autism
With probiotics and prebiotics helping out the body with its many beneficial properties, so it is not surprising that it can help with ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder in kids and adults. In a research study, it found that one of the most common non-neurological that manifests in ASD kids and adults is the negative symptoms of the GI tract like diarrhea and constipation. Multiple studies have shown and found that the GI tract in autistic people has a different intestinal microbiota than others. The study found that 37 participants with ASD were in an ABA (applied behavioral analysis) training and taking at least six grams of probiotics in their system. The results showed that the ASD symptoms and the participant’s GI score decreased more when they were introduced with probiotics.
A similar study reviewed that the role of prebiotics and probiotics played in the autism spectrum disorder showed that these two could help improve gastrointestinal symptoms but also when the biotics are combined with gluten. Casein-free diets can significantly reduce the autistic person’s anti-social behaviors. There is still more research being done about probiotics and prebiotics, even though the evidence is inconclusive.
With autism spectrum disorder being a complex developmental condition, that is typically characterized by deficit social and communicative behaviors and even repetitive behavior patterns. When it comes to the gut in an autistic person; however, the study reviewed showed that patients with ASD have different compositions in their gut microbiota. It shows that ASD patients will have derangements and GI severe symptoms in their gut microbiota, especially when the patient is administrated antibiotics. So by using probiotics and prebiotics can be a potential therapeutic option to alter the gut microbiota and its agents.
Conclusion
So all in all, probiotics and prebiotics can do a lot with the body and not just provide support to the gut. Probiotics and prebiotics can help the body lessen the effects of metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and much more. Whether it is taking these microbes in food form or supplement form, they can receive the benefits from these biotics. Some products are there to help support the gastrointestinal system and target amino acids that support the gut as well as providing metabolic support.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Bustamante, Mariela, et al. �Probiotics and Prebiotics Potential for the Care of Skin, Female Urogenital Tract, and Respiratory Tract.� Folia Microbiologica, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Nov. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31773556.
Huang, Chian-Feng, et al. �Efficacy of Lactobacillus Administration in School-Age Children with Asthma: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.� Nutrients, MDPI, 5 Nov. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6265750/.
Jurgelewicz, Michael. �New Review Demonstrates the Effects of Prebiotics and Probiotics for Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome.� Designs for Health, 4 Jan. 2019, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/914.
Jurgelewicz, Michael. �New Review Demonstrates the Role of Probiotics in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.� Designs for Health, 8 Nov. 2019, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/1145.
Ng, Qin Xiang, et al. �A Systematic Review of the Role of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Autism Spectrum Disorders.� Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), MDPI, 10 May 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6571640/.
Niu, Manman, et al. �Characterization of Intestinal Microbiota and Probiotics Treatment in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders in China.� Frontiers in Neurology, Frontiers Media S.A., 5 Nov. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6848227/.
Team, DFH. �Finding Intestinal Relief with Probiotics.� Designs for Health, 11 Oct. 2018, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/882.
Team, DFH. �Probiotics Value Beyond Digestive Health.� Designs for Health, 30 Jan. 2020, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/1194.
The University offers a wide variety of medical professions for functional and integrative medicine. Their goal is to inform individuals who want to make a difference in the functional medical fields with knowledgeable information that they can provide.
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might be experiencing some zinc deficiency in your body.
Whenever someone thinks of zinc, their minds go to the immune system in the body. Surprisingly though, the immune system needs zinc so that way, the body could function properly. Not only that, but zinc is the unsung mineral that has numerous functions and structural roles that is throughout the body. Zinc also makes sure that the body is at a healthy weight for anyone who may have disorders from chronic illnesses or from autoimmune diseases that can make the bodyweight fluctuate from being overweight to underweight.
Zinc Beneficial Properties
One of the things to know is that zinc cannot be naturally produced in the body, but it can be consumed through food or supplements. This mineral can help the body in numerous ways since it is the second abundant trace mineral that is present in the body, right after iron. Research shows that zinc is necessary for 300 enzymes to activate the body�s metabolism and many of its functions to make sure that each of the systems is working correctly, especially the immune system.
Zinc has many beneficial properties that can help support a healthy body. When it comes to the immune system, studies have shown that zinc can act as an antioxidant and help fight inflammation. The studies even stated that the effects of zinc could reduce the symptoms of the common cold within 24 hours. There are about five zinc supplements that are excellent for the body and can be beneficial to make sure that each system, including the immune system. They are:
Zinc gluconate: This supplement is one of the most over the counter forms of zinc that is usually found in the form of cold remedies like cough drops, lozenges and nasal sprays that are found in local stores.
Zinc acetate: Just like zinc gluconate, this supplement is added to lozenges to help reduce cold symptoms and to speed up the recovery process.
Zinc sulfate: For anyone that has a zinc deficiency, this supplement has been known to help reduce severe acne on the skin.
Zinc picolinate: This supplement can be absorbed better into the body than the other forms of zinc, as the research shows.
Zinc orotate: This supplement is bounded with orotic acid and is one of the most common zinc supplements that can be found in the market or the grocery stores.
Zinc citrate: Studies have found that this zinc supplement can be absorbed like zinc gluconate; however, it has a more appealing taste that is less bitter, when it is consumed.
With these zinc supplements, they can be found in any local stores that carry supplements, cough drops, lozenges at an affordable price, and can help increase a person’s intake as well as impact their health.
Zinc Deficiency Symptoms
Even though a person cannot produce zinc in their body, it is rare for someone to have a severe zinc deficiency unless it is from a rare genetic mutation or anyone that is taking any specific immune-suppressing medication. Research has found that anyone who has acrodermatitis enteropathica can have the symptoms of a severe zinc deficiency. Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a recessive condition that is autosomal and can result in a person to have a severe zinc deficiency. The symptoms can range from impaired growth to skin rashes.
There are other ways that zinc deficiency can cause symptoms that can affect the body and cause problems as well. They can include:
Loss of appetite
Anemia
Diarrhea
Skin conditions like acne or eczema
Increase the risk of chronic diseases like Crohn’s disease or chronic kidney disease
Many healthcare professionals have found that zinc deficiency has a severe wide-ranging consequence and is one of the prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in the world. Studies have found that when a person has a low zinc intake can contribute to altering neurotransmitter levels, especially GABA in the brain. The research has found and suggested that when a person takes a zinc supplement can help improve neurodegenerative functions like depression and anxiety.
Conclusion
Zinc is one of the minerals that the body cannot produce naturally. When a person takes zinc in a supplement form or food form, it can provide native support for the body and the systems. Zinc is highly crucial in the immune system because when the immune system is deficient, it can cause a development of chronic illnesses that can harm the body. Some products can help the body have a healthy immune system by providing support to the metabolic system and the gastrointestinal system.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Barrie, S A, et al. �Comparative Absorption of Zinc Picolinate, Zinc Citrate and Zinc Gluconate in Humans.� Agents and Actions, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 1987, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3630857.
Birmingham, C L, and S Gritzner. �How Does Zinc Supplementation Benefit Anorexia Nervosa?� Eating and Weight Disorders: EWD, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17272939.
Gupta, Mrinal, et al. �Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: a Review.� Dermatology Research and Practice, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120804.
Hemil�, Harri, et al. �Zinc Acetate Lozenges May Improve the Recovery Rate of Common Cold Patients: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.� Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Oxford University Press, 3 Apr. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5410113/.
Higdon, Jane. �Zinc.� Linus Pauling Institute, 1 Jan. 2020, lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/zinc#impaired-immune-function.
Kubala, Jillian. �Zinc: Everything You Need to Know.� Healthline, 14 Nov. 2014, www.healthline.com/nutrition/zinc.
Lim, Karen H C, et al. �Iron and Zinc Nutrition in the Economically-Developed World: a Review.� Nutrients, MDPI, 13 Aug. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775249/.
Nistor, Nicolai, et al. �Acrodermatitis Enteropathica: A Case Report.� Medicine, Wolters Kluwer Health, May 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4902399/.
Team, DFH. �Functional Roles of Zinc.� Designs for Health, 28 Jan. 2020, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/1193.
Wegm�ller, Rita, et al. �Zinc Absorption by Young Adults from Supplemental Zinc Citrate Is Comparable with That from Zinc Gluconate and Higher than from Zinc Oxide.� The Journal of Nutrition, American Society for Nutrition, Feb. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24259556.
Wieringa, Frank T, et al. �Determination of Zinc Status in Humans: Which Indicator Should We Use?� Nutrients, MDPI, 6 May 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446750/.
Zastrow, Melissa L, and Vincent L Pecoraro. �Designing Hydrolytic Zinc Metalloenzymes.� Biochemistry, American Chemical Society, 18 Feb. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24506795.
The University offers a wide variety of medical professions for functional and integrative medicine. Their goal is to inform individuals who want to make a difference in the functional medical fields with knowledgeable information that they can provide.
Greasy or high-fat foods cause distress in your gut?
Temporary relief by using antacids, foods, milk, or carbonated beverages?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might have GERD or gastrointestinal reflux disease in your gut.
When a person is overly stressed, and their body starts to develop problems, especially in the gut, it can cause harm. The gut system is essential to the body because it makes sure that the body is working correctly, that food is being consumed, and making sure inflammation does not happen to cause harm to the body. There are many gut disorders that the GI tract and the gut system can have. It can range from intestinal permeability, SIBO, gut inflammation, and GERD.
GERD and Its Symptoms
GERD or gastrointestinal reflux disease is a common disorder in the digestive tract. This disorder has chronic symptoms that can cause abnormal content in the stomach that is in the esophagus, causing mucosal damage. GERD is multifactorial and is the result of a person who may either stress, a poor diet and risk factors like smoking alcohol and medication usage can cause the condition in the stomach to be chronic if it is not being checked out. Research shows that when there is damage to the esophagus from GERD, it can be due to the cytokine-mediated being inflamed and not being caused by stomach acid directly. It stated that approximately twenty percent of adults do have GERD symptoms in their gut.
There are many symptoms that people can experience if they have GERD. Some of the symptom that causes include:
Heartburn
Respiratory complications
Bad breath
Nausea
Difficulty swallowing
Laryngitis
Even though these are minor symptoms, if a person does not talk to their primary health care physician, the symptoms can become worse if it not treated.
Ways to Dampen GERD Symptoms
Many ways can help dampen the GERD symptoms like pharmaceutical interventions. Even though pharmaceuticals can help manage the symptoms, sometimes they do not correct the underlying factors that GERD has caused and may have side effects that can cause discomfort on the body. It is essential to know that lifestyle changes and any nutritional support are sufficient when a person has acid reflux in their gut. If a person has acid reflux in their gut, they should consider eating smaller food portions, as well as trying to avoid laying down after eating and not eat before bedtime.
Another way to help dampen the GERD symptoms is by using the PPIs (proton pump inhibitors); however, there have been recent studies that PPIs have done more harm than good. Even though PPIs can help lower the GERD symptoms, it has caused more problems like dysbiosis and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) in the body.
The natural and the most effective way to help battle against the GERD symptoms, and that is consuming probiotics. Studies have shown that probiotics can help lower the severity and the frequent symptoms that GERD does to the gut. By consuming probiotics in food or supplements can help the gut produce good bacteria that the gut needs while getting rid of the harmful bacteria. Even though there is more and future research about how probiotics can help the gut. One of the research studies has found out that when probiotics are consumed when there is dysbiosis in the gut, it can help promote gastrointestinal homeostasis and promote growth stimulation for beneficial indigenous gut microbes.
There have been at least thirteen studies that have been extremely positive on the usage of probiotics for gut health. One study talked about how probiotics can reduce the effects of gut problems like diarrhea, constipation, and of course, GERD. While another study stated that when the gut becomes unbalanced with unhealthy harmful bacteria, that probiotics can help restore the gut balance. It stated that probiotics that secrete out a protective substance that turn on the immune system and preventing the harmful pathogens that harm the gut and causing chronic discomfort for not only the gut but also for the body.
Conclusion
With new and upcoming research on how to dampen the effects GERD causes in the gut, patients can consume probiotics to restore their gut health. When chronic inflammation in the gut, it can cause the person to feel bad, and it can lead to many threating symptoms on the body. By consuming probiotics, it can dampen the effects and produce good bacteria in the gut. Some products are specialized in the gastrointestinal system by providing support to the gut and offer nutrients, enzymatic cofactors and phytonutrients to not only the gut but also the body.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Publishing, Harvard Health. �Do PPIs Have Long-Term Side Effects?� Harvard Health, Jan. 2009, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-ppis-have-long-term-side-effects.
Publishing, Harvard Health. �Should You Take Probiotics?� Harvard Health, Apr. 2015, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-you-take-probiotics.
Cheng, Jing, and Arthur C. Ouwehand. �Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Probiotics: A Systematic Review.� MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2 Jan. 2020, www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/1/132/htm.
Dunbar, Kerry B., et al. �Histologic Changes in the Esophagus in Patients With GERD.� JAMA, American Medical Association, 17 May 2016, jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2521970.
Jurgelewicz, Michael. �New Review Investigates the Role of Probiotics in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).� Designs for Health, 17 Jan. 2020, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/1189.
MacGill, Markus. �GERD: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 18 Jan. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/14085.php.
The University offers a wide variety of medical professions for functional and integrative medicine. Their goal is to inform individuals who want to make a difference in the functional medical fields with knowledgeable information that they can provide.
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