by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Functional Medicine, Gastro Intestinal Health, Gut and Intestinal Health, Health, Health Coaching, Ketogenic Diet Explained, Metabolic Syndrome, Nutrition, Wellness
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.
References:
by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Functional Medicine, Gut and Intestinal Health, Health, Health Coaching, Integrative Medicine
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.
by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Fitness, Gastro Intestinal Health, Gut and Intestinal Health, Health, Health Coaching
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.�
References:
by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Functional Medicine, Nutrition, Remedies, Wellness
The cold and flu season can cause havoc on a person�s body during the colder seasons. An individual can feel overly tired, congested, the body has aches and shivers, and lastly, the immune system will work overtime to help fight off the germs. When this happens, many remedies can help these symptoms when a person feels a little bit under the weather. They help the body give that extra boost to recover from cold and flu symptoms and can provide the body a chance to rest.
When anyone is starting to feel sick, an important note is to try and get as much rest as they possibly can. It can be anything like getting more sleep, scaling down on exercising, or take some time off of work to heal more quickly. In this article, here are some of the top 5 foods to help the body improve and recover from the cold and flu season, with some additional remedies to boost the immune system as well.
Soups
Soups are one of the most excellent sources of feeling better during cold and flu season. They are easily digestible and helps soothe the body by containing ample waters to keep it hydrated. Water-based soups like chicken noodle, Hippocrates soup, and vegetable soup incorporates all the essential nutrients that the body needs when it is the colder season, helping to combat the flu.
Garlic
Garlic has a wide variety of health benefits that can help the body during the cold and flu season. It can help reduce the risk of heart diseases, improve mental health, and enhance the immune system. Studies have shown that whole garlic contains a compound called alliin. When garlic is chopped, chewed, or crushed, it will help boost the disease-fighting response of white blood cells in the body when they are encountering viruses that cause the common cold or flu.
Studies also stated that garlic helps support neurodegenerative health, cardiovascular health, and compromised liver functioning from excessive alcohol use. Researchers at the Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shandong University in China, have isolated the garlic compound, DADS (diallyl disulfide), as the main compound that helps protects the body from ethanol-induced oxidative stress.
Foods That Are Rich in Vitamin C
Foods that contain vitamin C is highly essential when it comes to battling the cold or flu. Vitamin C is a powerful, potent supplement that has antioxidants and immune system boosters that protects the body from environmental factors like reducing oxidative stress, prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections. With vitamin C-rich foods, they contain essential minerals, vitamins, and high in flavonoids that help individuals who don�t feel like eating or preferring bland foods to consume when they are sick. Initially, they can eat vitamin C rich food by either juice or soup. Here are some delicious fruits and juices that contain a high amount of vitamin C to combat the cold and flu.
- Guava
- Strawberries
- Tomato juice
- Oranges and Orange juice
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar can provide many minerals and enzymes that can fight off pathogens that can be caused by the common cold or flu. A 2011 study has shown that the probiotics in apple cider vinegar have an immune-boosting effect that can shorten the duration of a cold when an individual drinks apple cider vinegar. Taking apple cider vinegar with a glass of water can also help the body when it is not cold and flu season. Apple cider vinegar helps inhibits bacterial growth, can support healthy blood pressure levels in the body, as well as an excellent addition to the medicine cabinet during cold and flu season.
Ginger
Ginger is a medicinal root plant that has been used for thousands of years. This root has been known to relieve motion sickness and nausea in the digestive system. Studies have shown that 70% of the immune system is found in the gut, and so it is highly essential that the digestive system in the body is working efficiently. Since ginger is made up of hundreds of compounds, some of them have potent antioxidants and can help support healthy inflammatory pathways in the body. Ginger can be found as a fresh root, dried, as an extract or oil, tinctures, capsules, and lozenges. Here are some of the foods that contain ginger to help the body fight the common cold or flu.
- Ginger tea
- Curry
- Gingerbread
- Cookies
- Gingersnaps
- Ginger ale
“It is highly essential to stay hydrated during the cold and flu season. Ample fluids like water, coconut water, and herbal teas are the first line of defense.
Additionally, getting a good night’s sleep helps the immune system in the body recover faster. It is also essential to avoid eating foods like processed foods, alcohol, soda, fried foods, and dairy when it is cold and flu season. Since it can cause inflammation and aggravate the immune system when the body is trying to recover from being sick.”- Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Conclusion
All in all, when it is cold and flu season, people can start stocking up on these five remedies and taking antibiotics to get a head start on not getting sick. When the body does get sick, taking these remedies, getting lots and lots of rest, staying hydrated, and relaxing can ensure that the body will recover faster. Since food matters to people�s health, it�s vital to give the body the nourishment it needs for the cold and flu season.
October is Chiropractic Health Month. To learn more about it, check out Governor Abbott�s proclamation on our website to get full details on this declaration.
So the mechanisms of an autoimmune disease can be either by genetics or by environmental factors that can cause an individual to have problems in their body. There are many autoimmune diseases, both common and rare, that can affect the body. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
References:
Biotics Education Team, Unknown. �5 Foods to Eat During the Cold & Flu Season.� Biotics Research Blog, 16 Sept. 2019, blog.bioticsresearch.com/5-foods-to-eat-during-the-cold-flu-season.
Borlinghaus, Jan, et al. �Allicin: Chemistry and Biological Properties.� Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 19 Aug. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25153873.
Carr, Anitra C, and Silvia Maggini. �Vitamin C and Immune Function.� Nutrients, MDPI, 3 Nov. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707683/.
Das, Arabinda, et al. �Garlic Compounds Generate Reactive Oxygen Species Leading to Activation of Stress Kinases and Cysteine Proteases for Apoptosis in Human Glioblastoma T98G and U87MG Cells.� Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 23 July 2007, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.22888.
Felman, Adam. �Antibiotics: Uses, Resistance, and Side Effects.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 18 Jan. 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10278.php.
Newman, Tim. �Congestive Heart Failure: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 3 Jan. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156849.php.
Song, Fu-Young, et al. �The Activation of HO-1/Nrf-2 Contributes to the Protective Effects of Diallyl Disulfide (DADS) against Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Stress.� Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – General Subjects, Elsevier, 28 June 2013, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304416513002882.
Surh, Y J, et al. �Chemoprotective Properties of Some Pungent Ingredients Present in Red Pepper and Ginger.� Mutation Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 June 1998, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9675305.
Vighi, G, et al. �Allergy and the Gastrointestinal System.� Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Blackwell Science Inc, Sept. 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515351/.
Watson, Kathryn. �Apple Cider Vinegar for Colds.� Healthline, 22 Jan. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/apple-cider-vinegar-for-colds.
West, Helen. �How Garlic Fights Colds and The Flu.� Healthline, 17 Mar. 2016, www.healthline.com/nutrition/garlic-fights-colds-and-flu.
Yagnik, Darshna, et al. �Antimicrobial Activity of Apple Cider Vinegar against Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus Aureus and Candida Albicans; Downregulating Cytokine and Microbial Protein Expression.� Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing Group UK, 29 Jan. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/.
by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Functional Medicine, Health, Nutrition
Mostly everyone in the world has a gluten allergy or gluten sensitivity when they consume food. When it comes to food that has the gluten compound, most people read the labels on the products that contain it and have cut the compound out of their diets completely. However, did you know that different foods and products have hidden gluten in them? Even though now and days we read labels from products, as well as, cutting off the source of the problem that is making us ill. Hidden additives like gluten, even in small amounts, can cause problems to those that are allergic or sensitive to the compound. Especially when it comes to the product itself, some regulations may or may not be required to label products that contain gluten.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is the main protein that is found in many grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. It is formed by two proteins which are glutenin and gliadin. And the word �gluten� is Latin for �glue� and when mixed with water, it rises and stretches. Most gluten can be found in some bread, pasta, cereal, and beer.
But in this article, we are going to inform you 8 products that have hidden gluten. Because here at Injury Medical Clinic, we take the time to talk with our patients on what ails their bodies and work on discovering what kind of food allergen or food sensitivity they may have. As well as, finding alternatives to prevent inflammation in their bodies.
8 Products with Hidden Gluten
Medications: Yes, you�ve read that correctly, there is gluten in medication. Surprisingly though, a lot of prescription medicine contains excipients (containing gluten) that actually binds the pills together. This is mostly found in generic over the counter medications but the labeling for the ingredients are not always there.
However, labeling standards are changing due to the Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act of 2019. This was proposed on April 3, 2019, and introduced by Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Tom Cole (R-OK). The bill�s intent was to make it easier to identify gluten in prescription medicine and it is telling drug manufacturers that it is required to label medications with the list of their ingredients, their sources and whether the gluten compound is present.
Hopefully with enough signatures and votes that the bill will be passed, however, if you are taking medication and the labels look different; always verify with a pharmacist to see if it is correct. Plus, you can always talk with your pharmacist to confirm that your medicine is gluten-free, so that way you won�t get a bad reaction from it.
Sauces and gravy: Everybody loves any sauces and gravies in the meals they prepared and are excellent in mash potatoes and Thanksgiving dinners. But sauces like soy or teriyaki do contain wheat protein, hydrolyzed wheat starch or wheat flour. While others sometimes contain soy sauce or malt vinegar.
In any recipe that contains a type of sauce for the food you are preparing, especially in creamy sauces and gravies, mostly requires a roux; which is wheat flour mixed with butter. So, whenever you are at your favorite restaurant or have a favorite meal to prepare, get familiar with the sauces, so that way you can know that if they are gluten-free or not.
Starches: When we think of starches, our minds go to the potatoes. However, wheat can also be found in starches and starch derivatives. So, whenever you are looking at products that are starchy, look at the ingredient labels and for terms like �wheat starch�, �hydrolyzed wheat starch�, or �contains wheat.�
In order for starches that contain wheat starch to be gluten-free, the wheat compound must remove to less than 20 ppm. And especially in FDA regulated food labels, if the product says �contain wheat�, it is not safe. But food labels don�t apply to barley, rye, or oats, still continue to read the ingredient labels in the case for the wheat compound and if it is not there then the product is safe. For gluten-free starches for those who don�t want to miss out, tapioca starch, rice starch, and potato starch are perfect for frying.
Brown Rice Syrup: This type of sweetener is made from fermented brown rice with enzymes or from barley, which breaks down the starch and transforms it into sugar. Sadly though, this sweetener is not gluten-free and it can be used on its own or be used as an ingredient in a multi-ingredient product. Some companies use brown rice syrup in their products by listing it as �barley� or �barley malt.� And it is a bit problematic for those who have a gluten allergen to this sweetener.
Soups: Who doesn�t love soups. Soup is there for us when we are sick and for comfort when it gets really cold in the fall and winter seasons. But companies use wheat flour or wheat starch as a thickener for those creamier soups that we love in a can and those thickeners can be hidden in the ingredients label. So, if you want pre-packaged soup bases and canned soups for those colder seasons, be sure to read the labels carefully, especially for those creamed-based soup bases and bouillons because they might contain gluten.
Salad dressings: Did you know that many standard salad dressings can wheat flour, soy, or malt vinegar? Not only that but it can contain wheat or gluten-containing additives as a thickener. Plus salad dressings often have artificial colors, flavorings and many other additives that can contain gluten as a sub ingredient. However, if you want to be safe and not have gluten in your salad dressings, simply put in olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper, and you got yourself a gluten-free salad dressing.
Chips and fries: Chips and fries are the staples for a good burger or hot dog on every barbeque events and parties. Yes, the potato that makes the chips and fries are gluten-free; but the seasonings like malt vinegar and wheat starch do contain gluten. And when we are frying cut potatoes into French fries and chips; the oil that is used to make them can be cross-contaminated with gluten-containing fried foods.
Processed meats: Meat is most likely to be the last place you think that has gluten. However, processed hamburger patties, meatballs, meatloaf, sausages, and deli meats contain gluten. Wheat-based fillers are used to either improve the texture of the meat or bind the meat together. Plus, seasoned or marinated eats can sometimes contain hydrolyzed wheat protein or soy sauce with breadcrumbs are added to bulk up the product.
Conclusion
So if you are at the grocery store getting some food for dinner or meal prepping, it is important to actually read the labeling of the products that you are buying. Whether you have a food allergy or food sensitivity to gluten or any food products, we here at Injury Medical Clinic, listen to what is causing our patients pain to their bodies and offer solutions to fix whatever ailments that the problem is causing.
by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Gut and Intestinal Health
The microbiome is a crucial part of the body and how effectively it functions.� The microbiome plays a significant role in the immune system, the digestion of food, how the body metabolizes drugs, detoxification, vitamin production, as well as protection from foreign innovators. However, just like many other parts of the human body, it is greatly influenced by stress, environmental factors, and sleep which can ultimately impact intestinal permeability.
Ideally, the best functioning microbiome is diversified. The more diversity a microbiome has, the more stable and resilient to antibiotics it becomes. In addition to this, a diversified microbiome also has stronger pathogen resistance.
The microbiome is filled with many different bacteria strains that all play essential roles in keeping the gut healthy and controlling intestinal permeability.
- Bacillus is a spore-forming bacteria whose major role is the production of B and K2 vitamins in the gut.
- Clostridia compromise about 10-50% of the microbiome and are anaerobes that are not found in probiotics. These thrive on high fiber and polyphenols.
- Akkermansia makes up 1-3% of the microbiome and helps to reduce inflammation and protect against inflammatory bowel disease.
- Lipopolysaccharides are bound on gram negatives residing in the gut and protecting the bacteria from bile salts. (Lipopolysaccharides are normal in the gut, but they are not normal in the bloodstream)
The main reason it is important to have a diversified and healthy gut is to avoid problems with intestinal permeability or “leaky gut syndrome”.� A leaky gut refers to how easily substances that are not fully digested pass through the intestinal wall. This occurs when the tight junctions of the walls become loose, allowing the gut to be more permeable.� This is how bacteria and toxins pass from the gut into the bloodstream, causing inflammation and other autoimmune diseases.
Keys to a healthy gut:
- Eat more organic fruits, vegetables, and fermented food
- Try to limit the amount of food that is boiled as boiled foods contain fewer polyphenols
- �Supplements such as Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Omega 3’s
- Detox: sauna, yoga, meditation, and regular exercise
- Prebiotics and Probiotics
It is important to remember that the best thing for a healthy gut is diet. Suppliments and pills can help, but in the long run, a diet is the most important and influenctial factor to the gut. A gut healthy diet will aslo help to maximize liver detoxifaction. If you do not know where to begin, I recommend getting a gut zoomer blood test and consulting with a doctor about what probiotics and diet are best for you. – Kenna Vaughn, Health Coach�
by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Gut and Intestinal Health
Ah� the bathroom, nature�s thinking room. The one place where we create many thoughts that turn into ideas, a place to read, and the place where we want peace and quiet. Known as many different names,� the bathroom is the one place where we flush out our systems after consuming quantities of food. However, did you know that the bile inside your body plays a huge important role in our system?
Bile is a vital body fluid that absorbs nutrients in our small intestines and flushes the toxins out of the liver. Bile continuously is being produced in the liver and then stored in the gallbladder. It also works as a signal molecule for both inside and outside the liver as well. When the liver and bile is disruptive, it can cause many problems for the body.
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) stated that the liver is known as the �master organ� and it is the causative factor in many of the body�s ailments. When there are major imbalances on our bodies, it causes liver dysfunction. In TCM, the liver actually helps with detoxification; enzyme, hormone, and bile production, immune cell activation and stores vitamins and iron.
How Does the Liver Work?
The liver�s main job is to get rid of bile in our internal system. Not only that but the liver plays an important role by distributing nutrients by converting those nutrients into metabolizing energy. As well as storing vitamins and minerals for later use.
However, in today�s fast-paced society, the liver can�t perform right as we don�t give the liver it�s essential nutrients that it needs to function. Which causes blockage in the gallbladder, diseases, and digestive issues.
The Importance of Bile
As stated, bile has many functions that play an important part in the liver. Bile actually lubricates our small intestines and stool for easy disposal. But when there is less lubrication in our small intestines and stool, it can lead to constipation and too much lubrication can lead to diarrhea.
There is also a chance of blockage in bile where it can increase the accumulation of toxins in our body which creates oxidative stress and back up our waste matter. When we eat too much food and it�s still in our intestines, it will ferment and causes a leaky gut as toxic gasses penetrate the intestinal lining.
Another function is that the bile salts break down and processes fats that are essential for weight loss. Bile can also transport toxins out of our liver to feces while keeping everything free-flowing. When there isn�t enough bile being produced, cholesterol stones are forming.
Vitamins like, vitamin A, D, E and K can break down the excess fat in the body if there is an adequate amount of bile. But if patients had gallbladder surgery must be taken to account that they don�t have a bile storage system, and must manage their bile production.
Liver Functions for Hormonal Balance
Did you know that the liver and thyroid have a synergistic relationship? That�s because the T4 is converted to T3 for the liver. It turns out that the T3 is more potent in the thyroid hormone and is metabolized from iodine. When a patient has a thyroid problem, it could actually be the result of a bile or liver malfunction.
When our mood and mental state is imbalanced, it can be the results of a sick or fatty liver. Due to the fact that the liver influencing on our hormones. Because our mental state and our moods correlate to our hormones, it is important to keep the liver healthy but also finding a good place in our state of mind to make sure that we keep our liver healthy as well.
Signs of Liver Imbalance
There are many symptoms that can cause the liver to be imbalanced and can contribute to a low bile count:
- Constipation, bloating, gas
- Leaky gut
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Irregular stool
- High cholesterol
- Tendon problems
Ways to Support the Liver and Produce More Bile
Now that we understand what symptoms that causes our liver to be imbalanced, here are 5 ways to make sure that you are protecting your liver and producing a healthy amount of bile.
- Removing Causative Factors
The first and foremost factor in protecting your liver is to get rid of the causative factors that are harming your liver. Things like an excessive amount of lactate in coffee, sugars, alcohol, and processed foods can disrupt your liver�s health. It�s ok to enjoy those things sparsely but, if you are trying to maintain a healthy liver, it�s best to ease up on the consumption of those lactate factors as much as possible.
- Eating Liver Supportive Foods
There are many foods that actually help support the liver. Grapefruit, blueberries, cranberries, prickly pears, and bitter greens are just some of the foods that can actually help your liver and bile production. We here at Injury Medical Clinic, always inform our patients the importance of whole nutritious food to heal and repair what ailments in our patient�s bodies.
- Practicing Deep Breathing Exercise
Practicing deep breathing exercises have been known to lower stress and diaphragmatic breathing exercises is no exception. Since the liver is positioned below the diaphragm, when we do any deep breathing exercises; these motions actually massages our liver and stimulate bile production. Hence why singers do these exercises when they are getting ready to perform. They are massaging their liver without even knowing it.
- Intermittent Fasting
Since we now know that bile is continuously being produced in the liver and being stored into the gallbladder when we are not eating, intermittent fasting is a good way to increase the bile production in the gallbladder. Plus it has been known for weight loss and beneficial for the body to heal while getting rid of the junk in our cells.
- Stress Less
Stress is one of the huge factors that can either cause our body to improve our immune system or causes the body to chronic illness. Emotional stress is known to cause a huge burden to our organs because it is tied to our hormones. When we get emotionally stressed, our liver cannot get rid of the excess toxins and hormones.� So we have to find ways to de-stressed ourselves so we won�t hurt our organs, especially the liver.
Conclusion
So when it comes to our liver, we must make sure that the bile that we are producing is turning into energy all the way to feces. So, when we have to go to the bathroom we can let out the toxins naturally without any complications. If we can lower the factors that are causing us to have an inadequate bowel movements, then we can improve our body�s ability to detoxify.
NCBI Resources
Western diets, high in sugar and fat, cause liver inflammation, especially in males, according to a new animal study in�The American Journal of Pathology. Inflammation was most pronounced in males that lacked farnesoid x receptor (FXR), a bile acid receptor.
