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.
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.
Gut health is more important than most realize. The gut has been connected to multiple symptoms including but not limited to; joint pain, inflammation, headaches, digestive problems, and even brain fog.
Due to the American Diet, gut health has been lacking. We are seeing an increase in starches consumed rather than fermented foods and dark leafy greens. There are certain foods that many people refer to as “Super Foods”. Within this group, there are Super Foods for your gut! These foods will help to optimize gut health and can even help in gut repair.
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods are great as they support a healthy microbiome. The microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms. The microbiome consists of good and bad bacteria, including the organisms that make up probiotics.
Some of the best fermented foods that help support these bacterias are Kefir, yogurt, and sauerkraut. Kefir has about 27.7 billion colony forming units per one cup. These foods help to collect bacteria, yeast, and viruses that not only live in your gut but also on your skin!
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats are important to have in the diet. They ensure the body is getting Omega-3s which are polyunsaturated fats. These fats help the brain and nervous system function properly. They also reduce inflammation in the body caused by a leaky gut and can help lower cholesterol.� Two great examples of healthy fats that fall into the superfood category are avocados and salmon.
Dark Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens provide an immense amount of nutrients to the body and the gut. Not only are these low in calories and carbohydrates, but they contain essential minerals and vitamins. These foods contain fiber, folate, vitamins K and C, and minerals like iron and calcium. These foods will help to heal and seal the gut. Some great superfoods that fall under this category are kale and seaweed.
It can be hard to get enough dark leafy greens into your diet. A great way to do this is to mix them into a smoothie in the morning! It can add a refreshing taste as well as provide your body with another serving of nutrients!
There are so many foods one can eat to help boost their gut health. The Gut is often overlooked as many people are not fully aware of how much control it has over the body. By increasing or adding some of these foods into your diet daily, the healthy bacteria in your gut will become more nourished.
Increasing fiber, healthy fats, dark leafy greens, and fermented foods will not only provide your gut with healthy bacteria, but it will also keep the bacteria in the gut “full” and not die off from lack of nutrition. Another word for this is prebiotics. Essentially, the food that feeds the probiotics. In addition to these foods, a probiotic supplement will also aid in optimal gut health. Gut health is so important and should never be overlooked. It’s never too late to start paying attention to your gut! – 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.�
References:
Hill, Ansley. �16 Superfoods That Are Worthy of the Title.� Healthline, 9 July 2018, www.healthline.com/nutrition/true-superfoods.
Lee, Linda. �5 Foods to Improve Your Digestion.� Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2019, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-foods-to-improve-your-digestion.
Link, Rachael. �8 Fermented Foods to Boost Digestion and Health.� Healthline, 18 Oct. 2017, www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-fermented-foods.
As 2020 is off to a bustling start, New Year resolutions are in full swing! Most individuals want to make healthier choices throughout their year in 2020, whether that be exercising more, eating better, or just feeling energized. After the holidays hit, most people are left feeling fatigued,� suffering headaches, and overall discomfort.
A great way to stay on track with your goals is to keep track of them! The human body requires micronutrients and macronutrients to function. Micronutrients consist of essential vitamins and minerals. Macronutrients refer to protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Macronutrients all provide the body with energy. This energy is essential to properly repair cells as well as maintain metabolism, immunity, and growth.
Carbohydrates are the main energy system in the human body. These carbohydrates provide over 50% of the daily diet. However, not all carbohydrates are created equal. There are simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are those found in glucose and fructose (examples: fruit, sugar, and milk). Complex carbohydrates are those that require the body to work a little harder to break down and contain glycogen. Glycogen is important to eat as it is a valuable source of fiber.
The main function of protein is to maintain and grow the body tissue. Proteins are made up of amino acids.� Amino acids are the stepping stones used for neurotransmitters, cell membranes, nucleic acids, and hormones. Protein is widely stored in the human body due to the large amount of muscle tissue the body is comprised of. Overall, there are amino acids that must be obtained through the diet to maintain optimal health. Some of these amino acids include lysine, threonine, and tryptophan.
Out of all the macronutrients, dietary fats require the least amount of grams per day. Similar to carbohydrates, there are two types of fat. Saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats can be found in butter, where unsaturated fats mainly consist of nuts and avocados. A great supplement to take for healthy fats is Omega-3 and Omega-6, also known as fish oils. Fish oils also help improve cardiovascular health and help the Body generate specialized lipid mediators.
Although each individual requires protein, fat, and carbohydrates, the optimal amount of each depends on each person as well as their body composition. Tracking macronutrients has been shown to improve weight loss and reduce inflammation.
�Tracking macros or macronutrients coupled with exercise is a great way to see results. The macronutrients each person needs depends on their body type, their goals, and their lifestyle. Health coaches such as myself can help determine what an individual’s macronutrient intake should be for weight loss results. Personally, I use the Dr. J Today app, wrist band, and scale. This app allows patients to track their food, steps, water intake, and exercise as well as provides an informative digital library. The scale directly syncs to the app, allowing me to get instant access to the weight and body composition of the patient. This scale not only measures individuals but it also measures their lean body mass, water mass, BMI, and body fat. These resources allow us to gain optimal insight and make corrections that will actually make a difference. – 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.�
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