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.
Ever wondered why you feel sluggish from a long day? Or feel sick to the stomach when you ate something bad or overindulged on your favorite food? Could it be that your gut is showing signs of stress and discomfort due to certain habits that you may encounter and didn�t even know about it?
In our previous article, we talked about the six types of food that our gut needs to be healthy. Since our gut contains trillions of microbiomes, both good and bad, these microbiomes play an important role in our overall health. A healthy microbiome improves our gut health, heart health, brain health, controls our weight and regulates our blood sugar. With the good bacteria in our gut, the bacteria benefit us with a good digestive system and destroys the harmful bacteria. But certain lifestyles and diet choices can actually increase the bad bacteria and lower the good bacteria and overall health.
Here are five surprisingly lifestyle choices that are hurting your gut:
Not Eating a Wide Range of Foods
Our gut plays an important role in our overall health. When we eat good whole foods, our gut is happier; we have more energy to complete any task that is thrown at us and we are getting nutrients for our gut flora. However, during the past couple of decades, we have been leaning more into processed foods due to the economic pressures of increased food productions. FOA stated that �75 percent of the world�s food is generated from only 12 plants and five animal species� and that is very bad to our gut flora.
Here at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic, we inform our patients about the importance of eating nutritious, whole foods to promote not only a healthy gut but a healthy mind. When the body gets introduced to a wide variety of whole foods (with a high fiber content), our gut starts to repair the damage of processed food that we may have consumed internally.
However, when you disregard prebiotics to your diet, you are harming your digestive health. Without prebiotics, our digestive system slows down the development and diversity for our gut flora. So in order to have a healthy microbiome development, you need to incorporate foods filled with both digestible and indigestible fibers to your diet. Some foods included in this category are oats, nuts, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, bananas, pears, chickpeas, and beans.
Sticking to a high fiber diet maybe challenging however, there is the option of taking prebiotic supplements. If you have a food allergen or food sensitivity to any high enriched fiber foods, taking prebiotic supplements can actually help grow Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium in your gut and be beneficial to your health without the discomfort.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Every adult enjoys alcohol once in a while. Yes, it�s one of those beverages that help you relax a bit after a long day, however, too much of it can lead to alcohol abuse and addiction. So, did you know that consuming that much alcohol is bad for your heart, liver, and brain; thus hurting your gut health and giving you dysbiosis?
One study stated, that the alcoholics with dysbiosis had a lower median abundance of Bacteroidetes and a high abundance of Proteobacteria. The ones that weren�t alcoholics were not affected by the study.
However; there is some good news on limiting yourself to alcoholism and that it can be beneficial to your gut bacteria. If you moderately consumed red wine responsibly, the polyphenols in the wine can help benefit your gut flora. So, enjoy a glass of wine once in a while as a small treat that should not be taken for granted.
Inadequate Sleep
In one of the previous articles, we talked about how to achieve a good night sleep through herbs. When we get little to no sleep through our hectic lives, it affects us through various health problems, including heart disease and obesity. In a 2016 study, researchers discovered the effect of short-term sleep deprivation on the gut microbiota after two days.
When our body doesn�t receive the recommended 8 hours of sleep, our gut takes a huge toll as we feel sluggish and exhausted. So, to make sure that our gut microbiome will be taken care of, we recommended to turn off your electronical devices at least 30 minutes before you get ready to settle down for the night. Turn off all the lights, and don�t drink any liquids at least two hours before bed, close your eyes and take a deep breath in a meditative state, and relax as you drift off into slumber town.
Inadequate Exercise
Through our fast-paced lifestyle and stressful jobs, it�s hard to find time to exercise. But when we actually do find time to exercise, not only do our minds feel good; but our body and gut feel good as well. However, things always come up when we are in an exercise routine and we have to skip exercising altogether. It happens to all of us and it�s hard to pick up where we left off when we tried to exercise.
When we don�t exercise at least a couple of times out of the week, our bodies take a huge toll on us as we gained weight, our stress is way too high, and we have a higher chance of getting a chronic disease. When this happens our gut flora is a huge disadvantage. Here at the clinic, we strive to inform our patients about the importance of exercising and that it not only changes their lives but also changes their mood entirely.
However, don�t just go into a hard exercise routine where you will injure yourself. Start off with a low-intensity workout then build it up as you go because your gut flora will thank you for it.
As a final say, we here at Injury Medical want to keep you informed on nutrition and ways to help you improve your ailments with these 5 surprises. But to also educate you on what may be hurting your gut. With these surprises and slight changes to your daily life, your gut will be thanking you for the long haul.
NCBI Resources
According to evidence from a 2016 research study, the gut�s immune system is fundamental towards preventing a variety of diseases and it may often contribute to metabolic disorders. However, it might also help provide a treatment goal when observing systemic inflammation in insulin resistance. Moreover, modified gut immunity has been linked with changes to the gut microbiota, intestinal barrier function, gut-residing immune cells, and resistance to antigens which enter the gastrointestinal, or GI, system. Although this has been previously believed to raise the danger of esophageal ailments including, pathogenic infections and chronic inflammation, which may ultimately lead to chronic health issues.
Vibrant America is at the forefront of modern medicine and is a leader in autoimmune diagnostics. Vibrant America has the ability and technology to get high-quality, accurate test results down to the peptide level.
One of the many tests we utilize from Vibrant America at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic is Food Sensitivity. With this test, we are able to analyze 96 of the most common foods that are consumed. This is important because food sensitivities can occur hours or days after the food is consumed. Many individuals who suffer from digestive orders, migraines, weight gain, and inflammation might not realize it is from food sensitivities.
Why test for Food Sensitivity?
Not only do food sensitivities leave you with uncomfortable side effects days after ingestion, but they are damaging your gut. In a healthy gut, the intestinal lining will provide immunity to food antigens. The food we eat is not supposed to cross the intestinal barrier. However, in an unhealthy gut, the intestinal lining becomes damaged due to inflammation and an under abundance of healthy flora. This allows food particles to pass through into the bloodstream which then causes an IgG antibody response. This is commonly referred to as a “leaky gut”. This can result in further inflammation and can contribute to some diseases.
At Injury Medical, we want all of our patients to feel their best. On top of chiropractic care, we also offer functional medicine. When a patient mentions to us that they are having symptoms correlated to “leaky gut” such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, skin itchiness, rashes like eczema, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, muscle stiffness, or feeling weak, we recommend running a food sensitivity panel.
How it works:
Once we sit down and have a detailed conversation, we send you to the labs with a “kit”. This “kit” provides the phlebotomist with everything they need in order to draw blood for the tests we order.
From here, the blood gets sent to Vibrant America. The blood is then examined all the way down to the peptide level. This allows a team of clinicians to discover the IgG and IgA antibody numbers in reaction to 96 foods (including dairy, meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, etc.).
Next, the results are sent back to us at Injury Medical Clinic. Dr. Jimenez and I ( Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach), study these results to determine a proper treatment protocol. In addition to this, we have a team of clinicians that review each case with us, in order to fully understand what each result looks like and how to best approach it with the patient’s specific lifestyle.
Below is an example of how a patients test results would look:
Why this works
As mentioned above, food sensitivities have a delayed response. This testing works because it allows us to see what foods are responsible for the symptoms/reactions without the patient having to do an elimination diet.� With these results, the patient can start to make adjustments to their diet with our help in order to start feeling better and reducing their symptoms. The key to a healthy life is a healthy gut.
No one should have to live with uncomfortable symptoms or pain. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, come into Injury Medical Clinic where we can assess your needs and help you get on track to feeling better! – Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach
Disclaimer: It is important to remember that food sensitivity testing and food allergy testing are not the same. Food allergies involve an IgE antibody and are an immediate reaction and can occur within minutes.
The phrase, �You are what you eat� implies that the way we are defines us as the food we all consumed. However, our gut tells us otherwise as the food we eat, may in fact be leading us to obesity. Our gut plays a role in our overall health, when we eat good food our gut is happy and when we eat bad food our gut will tell us by fighting off the bad food. A recent study showed us that the bacteria in our gut produce amyloid and lipopolysaccharides. These two microbiomes seem to show us that together, with proper dieting that these microbiomes can prevent Alzheimer�s Disease.
As the microbiomes and the bacteria that co-exist in our gut, there are the two most predominant groups that have also played a key role in our lifestyle: gram-positive Firmicutes and gram-negative Bacteroidetes- both play a huge role in obesity. Firmicutes are bad bacteria that lead us to obesity. When we eat processed food and sugars, our body starts to crave it more, thus leading us to be overweight.
Junk Food
When we eat junk food, all that sugar and fat are feeding the Firmicutes. Firmicutes thrive on sugar since our bodies need it and it can be both good or bad While Bacteroidetes are the good bacteria that leads us to a healthy gut. Bacteroidetes are in the stomach regions as well as the Firmicutes. These two predominant bacteria groups tell us that the food we eat can actually affect our bodies when we eat bad foods or good foods.
However, Dr. Kristen Senella mentioned that we all have a different balance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes since we are all different shapes and sizes. Depending on our health and food lifestyle, we can have either a low Firmicutes and a high Bacteroidetes or a high Firmicutes and a low Bacteroidetes. Plus, having either a high or low count of Firmicutes can lead to weight gain or weight loss; depending on which healthy lifestyle and exercise regime you are following.
Gram-Positive
Gram-positive bacteria will appear blue or violet, while gram-negative bacteria will appear red or pink under the microscope. When studying the gut and the bacteria groups that it is hosting, scientist use mice to study how their guts react to different diets they are put through so that way we, as humans, can take either pills to help our bodies maintain a healthy lifestyle or to read and do our own research. One group is fed in a healthy lifestyle and doesn�t experience diseases or ailments that we face. And the other group is fed with a bad lifestyle where they are prone to many of the diseases and fatigue as their life span is shortened very quickly. In order for us to actually maintain a healthy lifestyle and importantly feel good is to make sure our Firmicutes are not too dangerously low, but we can control it with probiotics.
Probiotics
Probiotics can vary from yogurt, fermented vegetables, kombucha, and miso. But there are certain companies that also reign supreme in the probiotic market. Activia yogurt and Yakult are two of the most well-known companies that use the live microorganisms to help us maintain a healthy lifestyle as well as keeping our gut�s microbiome in check. When we have some sort of probiotic foods in our system, we are preventing certain ailments and diseases going out of control. Like our cholesterol, blood pressure, being lactose intolerant, or recurring abdominal pains.
When we mix probiotics into our food when we are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, we can see a vast improvement in how we have more energy, we feel full that we don�t have to overeat or mindless snacking, and overall we feel good in our gut as we go through our daily routine. From 2007 to now, roughly 3.9 million Americans use probiotics to maintain a healthy gut, however, those probiotics are just a fraction of what the six types of foods that can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome to help support a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy Lifestyle
For instance, a good healthy lifestyle is eating your basic food groups; whether it be plant-based or omnivorous, as well as, exercising a couple of times out of the year. A bad healthy lifestyle is eating processed food and not exercising, which leads to obesity and cardiac arrest. Depending on the person and the efforts that they are willing to maintain a healthy lifestyle, they can achieve longevity by taking care of their gut first and foremost.
Family In Kitchen Making Morning Breakfast Together
Protein
Let�s start with protein. Protein can vary with lean meats like chicken and beef or plant-based like beans, legumes or tofu. Any of these types of protein can help our bodies by making us make our muscles grow, but also control the bacteria in our guts. Next up is fats. Fats can vary like good and bad bacteria. There are good fats like fish, nuts, olive oil, and avocado; as well as, bad fats like butter, lard, and fatty foods. Granted that we can overindulge on the trans fats as there are many fast-food chains, but we can moderate ourselves to not eat out at fast food joints all the time.
Yes, they are cheap and easy to access, however now and days, we as humans are now cooking more in our homes and meal prepping our meals to be healthier. Digestible and Non-Digestible Carbohydrates are mostly starch, sugars, and fibers. These two food groups can make our gut feel happy or upset depending on the food we consume. Sugars, starches, and fibers help our bodies by feeling full with the starches, the fibers help our bowel movements in case our gut feels bloated, and the sugars gives us microburst of energy for our fast-paced lives.
Fermented & Polyphenols
The last two food groups are fermented food and Polyphenols. Both of these food groups have amazing properties since we see them everywhere in the food market, hiding in plain sight. Fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi are a few examples of ways of keeping our guts happy and stopping many diseases. Polyphenols are antioxidant foods like dark chocolate, berries, dark greens, and certain fruits. These help our gut curb that sugar hunger and all in all taste really good.
All in all, our gut microbiomes are important to us and our overall health as we all try to maintain and achieve a healthy lifestyle. The phrase �we are what we eat� still implies to all of us, however, it is up to us to actually put in the work and constantly try out different foods to make sure that our gut is still functioning properly. No matter which diet you choose, pick one that will work with your body and your gut since we all are made differently. But our gut should be the first thing that we should listen to.
Cites:
Role of gut microbiota and nutrients in amyloid formation and pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. – PubMed � NCBI:����� www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27634977
Candida is a yeast that grows naturally in the human mouth and the intestines.
Small amounts aid in nutrient digestion and absorption.
However, overgrowth of candida can damage the intestinal lining and release toxic byproducts directly into the circulatory system.
If not addressed Candida overgrowth can turn chronic and lead to:
Fungal skin infections
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Autoimmune disease
Brain fog
Mood swings
Vaginal infections
Seasonal allergies
The most damaging fact is that it can puncture holes through the intestinal lining.
Candida grows roots as it spreads.
The roots can tear through the intestinal wall as they search for sustenance that can result in leaky gut.
Leaky gut releases endotoxins from the intestinal lumen, like lipopolysaccharide (LPS), that can enter into circulation, triggering an innate immune response that often results in low-grade inflammation.
These gut bacteria lyse, release LPS into the intestinal lumen, where no damage can be done to a healthy gut.
But if the intestinal lining is damaged, LPS can enter directly into circulation, and trigger off a low-grade inflammation anywhere in the body.
Prevention
One way to protect the microbiome against Candida and LPS is with a combination of probiotic spores and yeast.
This combination has the power to control:
Pathogenic infections
Repair intestinal damage
Strengthen the immune system for future infections
However, most probiotics don’t effectively survive digestion to colonize the large intestine.
But probiotic spores and yeasts come equipped to survive the harsh gastric passage and�safely enter the intestines.
PROBIOTICS
Probiotic spores are likely the most promising therapy for metabolic endotoxemia, while currently there are no other probiotics or compounds that have demonstrated the same effect.
There are many types of probiotics that offer different types of beneficial bacteria to help for the proper functioning of the body. Here are 7 types.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacillus Reuteri
Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Bifidobacterium Bifidum
Saccharomyces Boulardii
Bacillus Subtilis
Candida Control
When probiotics are not enough to contain a chronic�Candida overgrowth it may be helpful to incorporate natural compounds like
Propolis is a resinous material that has built-in antifungal properties that are used by honeybees to protect the inside lining of the hive.
Bee propolis supports the immune system and fights infections without having to call on the immune system.
This spares energy, avoids activation of immune cells/responses and prevents inflammatory reactions that cause irritation and pain discomfort.
Undecylenic acid can also control fungal overgrowths in the gut.
It is a monounsaturated fatty acid with antifungal properties.
It can be used as a topical ointment that is safe for the most sensitive places like:
Skin
Mouth
Vaginal cavity
Undecylenic acid has also been found to be highly effective in treating Tinea pedis, better known as, athletes foot.
A total body system approach to Candida overgrowth is ideal
Address gut health as the source of Candida overgrowth
Restore the intestinal barrier
Utilize natural compounds (undecylenic acid and bee propolis), to balance intestinal cultures of Candida
This combination is a natural and effective way to improve gut barrier function and control harmful gut infections.
6 Day *DETOX DIET* Treatment | El Paso, TX (2019)
Fred Foreman is a basketball coach who depends on his well-being to be able to participate in his everyday tasks and responsibilities. That’s when coach Foreman started the 6 Day Detox Program from Xymogen, what was developed to help renew and enhance the human body’s natural cleansing and detoxification capabilities. Fred Foreman discusses his experience with the 6 Day Detox Program, describing the benefits he experienced as well as the effort he had to make, to support his overall well-being through the detox. Fred Foreman feels a great sense of fulfillment with the 6 Day Detox Program and he encourages other people, who also wish to improve their overall health and wellness, to detox their body. Coach Foreman highly recommends the 6 Day Detox Program as an alternative treatment choice for overall health and wellness.
NCBI Resources:
Probiotics are the good bacteria (or friendly bacteria) that line your gut and help in the absorption of nutrients from the food and thus boost up your immune system. Digestive disorders, candida, frequent attack of cold and flu, autoimmune disease, skin problems, etc. are some side effects we will experience due to lack of enough probiotics. In this world, due to unhealthy agricultural practices (little or no probiotics in food) and the intake of antibiotics for every health problem (kill the existing good bacteria). So, we have to include more probiotic-rich foods in our diet.
Most people don�t think of chiropractic to treat conditions that do not involve the spine, but study after study shows it is effective in treating a wide variety of health issues. Ulcerative colitis seems to have no real connection with the spine, yet patients and researches alike are touting the effectiveness of chiropractic care to treat the condition. This is due, in part to chiropractic�s approach to whole body wellness, but spinal alignments are incorporated into the care as well. Bottom line, chiropractic care is extremely effective in treating uncreative colitis, and many patients are finding relief from their symptoms and discomfort.
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes ulcers (sores) and inflammation in the rectum and colon. Typically, only the sigmoid colon (the lower portion of the colon) is affected, along with the rectum.
However, the entire colon can be affected, and the percentage of the colon that is affected tends to coincide with the disease�s severity of the symptoms. While ulcerative colitis can affect people of any age, the majority of people who are diagnosed with it are younger than 30 years old.
Researchers are not sure what causes ulcerative colitis, but many believe that it occurs when the body�s immune system overreacts to bacteria that naturally occurs within the body, specifically in the digestive tract. There also seems to be a genetic predisposition for the disease; it tends to run in families.
What are the Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?
The type and severity of symptoms that present with ulcerative colitis depends upon how advanced, or severe depends on which area of the colon is affected and how severe the condition is. The symptoms may subside or disappear for several weeks at a time (some patient reports are stating they had no symptoms for years), then they return � about half the people with ulcerative colitis experience mild effects.
Diarrhea � This is the most common symptom. Diarrhea may have pus or blood in it, but it is possible to have blood in the stool and not have the ability to see it. In severe cases, the urge to go to the restroom to empty the colon may come on suddenly and powerfully. It may happen after a meal or after eating certain foods. Other times there may be no discernable pattern; it can happen at any time, even waking the patient out of a dead sleep.
Pain � The most common type of pain with ulcerative colitis is in the belly and may feel somewhat cramping. However, some patients report joint soreness and photophobia (sensitivity to light) accompanied by eye pain.
Nausea � The cramping can cause nausea, as well as the condition itself.
Fatigue � The other symptoms such as pain and nausea can cause fatigue, but effects of the disease such as swelling in the colon and bleeding in the colon that depletes the body of red blood cells can also cause extreme tiredness.
Dehydration � This can be caused by diarrhea.
Weight loss � Caused by diarrhea and loss of appetite. The body may not be able to absorb the nutrition from foods due to the disease adequately, so weight loss and malnutrition follow.
Sores � Mouth and skin sores may form as well as rashes.
What Treatments are Available for Ulcerative Colitis?
Different people are affected differently when they are battling ulcerative colitis. Patients with mild symptoms may be able to take an over the counter medication that treats diarrhea.
The majority of patients with the disease take prescription medications that help decrease the immune response in the body. Lifestyle changes may also work. If the condition is very severe, the patient may need to undergo surgery and have their colon removed.
Chiropractic for Ulcerative Colitis
Many patients turn to chiropractic care to treat ulcerative colitis. When the body is out of alignment, it can hinder the function of the organs and other parts of the body. By realigning the spine and pelvis, the chiropractor can help the patient lessen or completely alleviate their symptoms.
The whole body health approach that chiropractic promotes can also help with recommendations regarding lifestyle changes and diet modifications. Many patients who get regular chiropractic care for their ulcerative colitis report a significant decrease in symptoms and often the complete elimination of them.
A majority of individuals today are aware about the gut-brain connection and how approximately 90 percent of their body’s serotonin is really generated in the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract as well as the way the gut-brain axis is associated with depression. Overall gut health involving a healthy population of gut microbiota can affect many facets of our well-being, therefore, it’s no mystery that the connection between the gut and chronic health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, are also significantly strong.
Berberine, an ancient mixture frequently utilized in a variety of medicinal herbs throughout several traditional treatments has been demonstrated to benefit as well as link the gut and the heart. Berberine is an isoquinoline derivative alkaloid found in numerous herbs. Although these berberine-containing herbs aren’t traditionally utilized in food preparations, the active ingredient has been identified and may be isolated from a variety of plant sources, such as Coptis chinensis, or Coptis or Goldthread, Hydrastis canadensis, or goldenseal, Berberis aquifolium, or Oregon grape, Berberis aristata, or Tree Turmeric, Berberis vulgaris, or Barberry, and Arcangelisia flava.
Berberine is most favorably known for its function in gut health, demonstrating activity which can help support gut microbial balance. In fact, scientists have shown a growing interest in many plant-derived compounds which affect bacterial direction and berberine is a pioneer in the group. Additionally, its a botanical proven to influence blood glucose, blood lipids and also the immune system. Researchers today have learned how berberine can provide these tremendous benefits.
Gut Health Equals Heart Health
According to evidence from a 2016 research study, the gut’s immune system is fundamental towards preventing a variety of diseases and it may often contribute to metabolic disorders. However, it might also help provide a treatment goal when observing systemic inflammation in insulin resistance. Moreover, modified gut immunity has been linked with changes to the gut microbiota, intestinal barrier function, gut-residing immune cells, and resistance to antigens which enter the gastrointestinal, or GI, system. Although this has been previously believed to raise the danger of esophageal ailments including, pathogenic infections and chronic inflammation, which may ultimately lead to chronic health issues.
In our currently hectic and stressful world, a growth in the numbers of chronic disease has begun to negatively affect our overall health health. The best instance of this increase in chronic illness is type 2 diabetes, abbreviated in this article as T2DM, which often coexists with hypertension and causes individuals to pursue nutritional advice in order to achieve healthy blood sugar levels. The information viewing T2DM alone are shocking. As of 2015, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 30 million people in the United States had diabetes, where approximately three times as many had pre-diabetes. According to statistics, 70 percent of individuals with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes.
Natural remedies and botanicals utilized as herbal treatments which have been previously used to promote healthy blood sugar levels have been strongly evaluated in order to determine their safety and effectiveness. Numerous berberine research studies are being conducted, though these are mostly in vitro, or in cell cultures. A majority of in vivo research studies have used animals for the analysis. Despite the quality and size of those research studies, virtually all of the outcome measures throughout the last two decades are positive. One research study from 2012 looked at in vitro results to thoroughly assess the assumed mechanism of action by which berberine affects fat storage. The outcome measures using clinical therapeutics of berberine to observe participants with metabolic syndrome appeared promising.
Another research study evaluated and analyzed the use of berberine in human cell cultures to ascertain how it influenced preadipocyte, a precursor to fat cells, comparison and fat hormone as well as cell activity in patients with metabolic disease. The researchers demonstrated that preadipocyte differentiation was restricted by berberine, while leptin, adiponectin, PPAR?2, or the nuclear receptor known as the master regulator of fat cell biology and target of many diabetes drugs and/or medications, and C/EBP?, a protein necessary for fat cell differentiation, diminished. After several months, participants demonstrated a drop in their BMI and leptin/adiponectin ratio, showing that berberine could boost insulin sensitivity by limiting fat storage, which may also have beneficial effects in the regulation of blood lipid levels.
Concerning how berberine affects cardiovascular biomarkers, many assessments can be found in the literature. The administration of berberine in one analysis generated a substantial decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, with a marked rise in high-density lipoprotein. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of this anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects of berberine were reviewed in twenty-seven randomized controlled clinical trials. The researchers have concluded that berberine is safe and effective due to its support of the cardiovascular system and the maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels, without any severe adverse reactions found in some of the other research studies. Berberine has also been demonstrated to restrict complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, leading to a growth of 5′ adenosine monophosphate, or AMP and 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, or AMPK activation. This seems to have a direct impact on energy metabolism as well as that in other structures and functions.
The neurological health effects of berberine have also been considered, particularly from the modulation of the dopaminergic system. Berberine has also demonstrated a possibility in the successful management of seizures, diabetes-induced memory malfunction and hyperexcitability. One animal research study investigating obsessive-compulsive disease found that berberine can promote anti-compulsive and/or anxiolytic effects because of its ability to boost brain monoamine levels. Another review from 2016 demonstrated berberine’s ability to reduce oxidative stress and supply neuroprotective benefits. The review further cites research studies which examine the botanical’s function in the evolution of amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Berberine has found its function in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular as well as brain worlds. Truly offering a wholesome dose of gut-heart-brain link, berberine is definitely one to consider.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Research studies have found that the relationship between a healthy gut, brain and heart is fundamental towards overall well-being. Natural remedies and botanicals, such as berberine, can help promote as well as support this gut-brain-heart connection, while other alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can restore balance and encourage the human body’s natural healing abilities by correcting spinal misalignments of the spine. Furthermore, by establishing the proper relationship between the brain, the spinal chord and the rest of the body, chiropractic care can help regulate the proper structure and function of each system in the human body.
With the increasing number of gut health issues, it’s become a priority to find safe and effective treatment options to properly address these common problems. More and more research studies have found a connection between the gut, brain and heart. As previously mentioned, by both supporting and promoting the well-being of the gastrointestinal, or GI, system, the structure and function of a variety of other systems can be sustained. Natural remedies and botanicals, such as berberine, have been utilized for centuries as herbal treatments, however, other alternative treatment options can also be used to help improve gut health. Chiropractic care is a well-known, alternative treatment option which has been demonstrated to help promote the natural healing of the human body through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations as well as other therapeutic techniques to correct spinal misalignments, or subluxations. Moreover, a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, can recommend a series of lifestyle modifications, including exercise and nutritional advice, in order to help further improve the overall health and wellness of the human body. Maintaining the well-being of the gut can help boost brain and heart health as well.
Berberine Warnings
In large doses, berberine may lead to gastrointestinal irritation. Thus, it’s typically administered in divided doses and taken with a meal. In addition, researchers have revealed that berberine can limit particular cytochrome enzymes that also target a lot of different kinds of drugs and/or medications, including certain antibiotics. Inhibiting cytochrome enzymes influences the liver’s detoxification system, which will be required to metabolize and, finally, clear drugs and/or medications. For this reason, it’s essential to carefully monitor those patients that are using berberine if other medicines are used concomitantly. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
There has been a lot in the media lately about alkalinity and acidity in the body, but finding solid, straightforward information isn�t always easy. In short, acidity can cause a number of health issues. There are many benefits of bringing your body into balance.
What Is High Acidity?
The term acidity describes a condition where the body is affected by the excess production of gastric acids. Under normal conditions, hydrochloric acid is secreted by the stomach, aiding in the digestion and breakdown of food.
However, when this normal process is triggered in such a way that it causes overproduction of the acid, it can result in health problems. Acidity can be caused by irregular eating patterns, fad diets, alcohol consumption, stress, smoking, an unhealthy diet, and a sedentary lifestyle. Symptoms can include:
Indigestion
Burning in the stomach
Belching
Sour taste
Burning in the throat
Constipation
Nausea
Restlessness
What Are The Dangers Of High Acidity In The Body?
When the body is acidic, it can affect everything from immunity to neurological function to bone health. The Japanese have linked acidity to degenerative diseases like arthritis, cancer, and osteoporosis.
An acidic body is also a very hospitable environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive meaning the person will often get sick more often. When the body is out of balance it becomes susceptible to conditions as simple as dandruff and as complex as diabetes. Interestingly, many people have reversed or gone into remission by simply bringing their body into balance.
What Is Alkalinity?
In order to understand alkalinity, you need to understand pH levels. This is the measure used to determine how alkaline or acid something is. A pH of 0 is at the acidic end of the scale and means the thing being measured is completely acidic. At the other end of the scale, a pH of 14 is totally alkaline. The neutral point is a pH of 7.
Different parts of the body have different pH levels, meaning that some parts are more acidic while others are more alkaline. For instance, blood typically has a pH that is between 7.35 and 7.45, making it slightly alkaline. The stomach, on the other hand, is highly acidic, registering a pH of 3.5 or lower. Making the body more alkaline is not about making it completely alkaline � you need some acidity, it is necessary for digestion and other processes � it is more about bringing the body into balance.
What Are The Benefits Of Alkalinity?
When the body has increased alkalinity, bringing it into better pH balance, it is healthier and has a decreased risk of chronic illness. There is also less likelihood of illness. When the body is in a better pH balance it can result in many benefits including:
More energy
Improved cognitive function
Slowed aging process
Weight loss
Lower cancer risk
Decreased risk of chronic illness
Increased immunity
How Can You Bring Your Body Into Balance?
The best way to bring your body into better pH balance is by modifying your diet. As a rule of thumb, animal based foods like meat, eggs, and dairy tend to be more acidic. A vegetarian diet rich in plant-based foods like vegetables and fruits tend to be more alkaline. While the body does need a diet that includes both acidic and alkaline foods, a diet of processed foods and foods high in fat and sugar can cause too much acidity. By adjusting the diet, eliminating processed foods, and maintaining a healthier, more vegetarian based diet, you can bring your body into balance and enjoy better health as a result.
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