How to maintain gut health for overall wellness

Researchers uncover the intricate gut-brain connection, impacting thoughts and mood. Gut microbiota, lifestyle habits, ans intestinal permeability play crucial roles in overall health. Consult healthcare providers for personalized health strategies and maintain diverse diet with stress management.

There is more truth to ‘gut instincts’ than we knew. Researchers are increasingly discovering links between the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system that can revolutionise medicine. The gut may not be capable of thought but it does have a great influence on the way we think, researchers have found. The discovery of the close links between gut and brain and body health has revolutionized medicine and helped understand human bodies better.

The often repeated phrase” you’re what you eat” is proving to be rather intuitive. The fresh understanding of the gut-brain connection has helped doctors diagnose symptoms of disease that may arise in the gastrointestinal tract but impact mental health significantly.

The gut essentially has a “ 2^nd brain” that does not participate in intellectual activities but triggers mood changes that can profoundly impact our thoughts. The “ 2^nd brain” is the enteric nervous system (ENS)- it consists of 2 thin layers of 100 million nerve cells lining the digestive tract from the esophagus (food pipe) to the rectum.

The ENS is responsible or digestion as it controls everything from swallowing, the release of enzymes to the breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients. Scientists has already found that depression and anxiety cause chronic problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, constipation, bloating etc. however, evidence is emerging that it works the other way round too.

With this new knowledge, healthcare providers can diagnose and treat diseases that arise due to the communication pathway between ENS and the central nervous system (CNS). For e.g. ,  gastroenterologist may prescribe antidepressants to certain patients of IBS to calm symptoms of depression in some cases by acting on nerve cells in the gut.

Various other connections between gut and brain health are emerging though they need to be firmly established. It appears that digestive system activity can impact our thinking skills and memory too. Researchers are also studying the way that signals from the gastrointestinal tract can affect metabolism and as a result our propensity toward diseases like Type 2 diabetes.

The gut is a rather thriving environment. It is home to gut microbiota—the microorganisms (bacteria) that aid digestion. These good bacteria keep all processes running smoothly and so, when we talk of gut health, we also talk of nutrient that keep these bacteria in their fittest form.

It is important to have a high fiber diet and cut down on sugars and saturated fats to keep the gut healthy. Alcohol and stress could also disrupt this fragile environment leading to inflammation and a condition that is known as “ leaky gut”.

The thin lining of the gut controls what gets absorbed into the bloodstream but when this barrier develops “holes” or “ cracks” due to a bad diet or lifestyle habits, it can pass partially digested food and toxins into the tissues beneath/ surrounding it. This may cause changes in the gut flora and cause many chronic diseases.

The leaky gut or an increased intestinal permeability may play a role in certain gastrointestinal conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Now, research is trying it uncover whether a leaky gut may also contribute to diseases elsewhere in the body. Scientists are exploring links between the gut and autoimmune disease like lupus, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthritis,, allergies, asthma, acne, obesity and even mental illness.

It is clear that when we make alterations to our diet and lifestyle to incorporate food and habits that support overall health, every unit in our body benefits whether it be the gut, brain or heart. It is therefore important to pick a few achievable health targets and be consistent in trying to meet your goals.

Exercise regularly to keep stress at bay. Eat a diverse range of food- including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fermented products, prebiotics and probiotics= to promote gut health. If these interventions are not enough, then consult your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis of your individual concern. Also exercise regularly and eat a healthy and balanced diet.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for infor on cancer and health related topics
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.

 

 

Researchers uncover the intricate gut-brain connection, impa ..

Read more at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/108983848.cms?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-intl&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Researchers uncover the intricate gut-brain connection, impa ..

Read more at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/108983848.cms?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-intl&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

7 Signs Your Body Needs More Folic Acid

The Institute of Medicine in the US states that adults should consume 400 micrograms of folic acid a day. It is also known as folate or vitamin B9, and is crucial for our health as it helps our body make and repair DNA as well as produce red blood cells. Should you be running low on folate, you may suffer from certain symptoms and develop anemia, a condition in which your internal organs can't get enough oxygen to work properly. Here are a list of common signs that indicate your body needs more folic acid.

1. Cognitive problems

Folic acid is especially important for your central nervous system. If your body lacks this vitamin, you may struggle with depression, have trouble concentrating and may feel forgetful and irritable. If it is not treated properly, an insufficient intake of folate may increase the risk of developing serious disorders including dementia or Alzheimer's disease. 

 

2. Body pains 

If anemia caused by folate deficiency is severe, your brain will get a lot less oxygen than it ideally should. As a result, the brain's arteries will start swelling and you'll likely get a headache. If your brain isn't the only organ lacking in oxygen, you may also feel pain in other parts of your iron-deficient body, particularly in the chest and legs.

3. Pale skin

There is a protein contained in red blood cells called hemoglobin which is responsible for transporting oxygen from your lungs to all of your body tissues. When your body is lacking in folate you don't have enough red blood cells (and hemoglobin) to provide your internal organs with the necessary amount of oxygen. This can cause a feeling of weakness in your muscles, fatigue and numbness in your hands and feet as, well as painful skin. 

 

4. Shortness of breath 

Do you notice yourself getting out of breath when doing things that you'd normally handle without any issues? This could indicate that your oxygen levels are low because your body is lacking in red blood cells. Along with this symptom, you might also experience an increased heart rate as well as a feeling of dizziness or faintness. 

 

5. Digestive problems

Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea after meals may be the first signs indicating that your body is low in folic acid. In severe cases, you may also suffer from anorexia which usually leads to significant weight loss. 

 

6. Mouth sores and tongue swelling  

When your folate levels are severely low, you may notice mouth sores and tongue swelling - two symptoms you shouldn't neglect. Your tongue may look swollen, red or shiny particularly around the tip and the edges. Due to a decrease in red blood cells, you may feel pain when swallowing or suffer from a sore tongue and stomatitis.  

 

7. Reduced sense of taste

According to some studies, in addition to mouth sores, deficiency in folic acid may result in having trouble tasting your food. This happens because your taste receptors, called papillae, cannot send messages to your brain via your nervous system, due to the existing tongue problems. 

 

Bonus: How to treat folate deficiency  

The easiest way to resolve folate deficiency is through your diet. Be sure to eat more dark green vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, and asparagus. As for other foods, it is better to consume citrus fruits, beans, mushrooms and whole grains on a regular basis.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement