Posts Tagged ‘causes’

Did you know that IBS can be resolved?

About 1 in 6 Americans are affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).  It’s a condition that may include symptoms such as:

  • bloating
  • gas
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • stomach distention
  • cramping

There are pharmaceuticals on the market that “suppress” the symptoms but functional nutrition can be effective in getting to the root cause of these symptoms.  Once the root cause(s) is addressed and healing supports are put in the place the body can heal and STOP experiencing symptoms.

What are the root causes of IBS:

  • Stress
  • Toxins
  • Poor diet, nutritional deficiencies
  • Imbalanced microbiome (gut environment)
  • Allergies (including sensitivities)
  • Infections
  • Alcohol
  • Chronic usage of medications (OTC included)

The gut and the brain is connected by the vagus nerve.  So if “foggy thinking” needs to be added to your list of symptoms; know that it will be addressed when you source the root cause(s) of your digestive problems.  

How to address the symptoms assigned to IBS?

  1. Clean up your diet
  2. Identify assaulting foods
  3. Eat fermented foods and invest in a good multi-strain probiotic
  4. Take digestive enzymes with each meal
  5. Abstain from alcohol for a period of healing time

These top 5 items should help improve your symptoms. BUT if you find that it’s not enough then it’s prudent to dig deeper.  With a good functional medicine doctor or a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner you can get to the root causes and find resolve.

Be well,

Lynn

What’s at the root of many problems?

Advocate for healingWhat’s at the root of many problems?

Inflammation.  Swelling, irritation and ultimately inflammation is at the source of many dis-eases.  Fibromyalgia, sinus problems, aches and pains, a compromised immune system, migraines and so much more result from inflammation.
Where does the inflammation come from you ask?  Inflammation results from one or several factors depending on the individual.
1. Sugar and refined foods.
2. Hidden food sensitivities.
3. Nutritional deficiencies.
4. Toxins including heavy metals.
5. Digestive issues (the gut is often referred to as ‘the second brain’.
6. Stress (emotional, trauma, social or work related)
7. Inadequate exercise.
8. Insufficient sleep.
9. Chronic infections (viruses, parasites,bacteria, fungus, etc).

Today, I’ll talk about sugar and refined foods.

Sugary and refined foods.  The average american eats about 159 pounds of sugar per year.  Eating sugar wreaks havoc on the stress hormones and provokes a surge of insulin and adrenaline putting the body on a long tumultuous roller coaster ride.  The body in a constant effort of trying to compensate for the sugar surges results in inflammation; inflammation that spreads throughout the body and can and will eventually inflame the brain.

I know. I’ve seen it first hand.  My 10 year old daughter who generally is a pleasant, energetic child lost the plot on Easter Sunday.  Following the departure of good friends, a raging temper tantrum ensued that lasted for at least one hour: stomping, screaming, lashing and more. I hadn’t seen one of these since she was a toddler.  A couple hours after the incident she apologized.  The next morning she woke up with a headache.  I helped her clean her room two days after the incident and discovered several opened,used sugar packets under her bed.  When I asked her what in the world were these doing there she then released the truth. Easter Sunday in the morning, her and a few friends ate from them.  Aha! She sheepishly acknowledged that the sugar explained her toddler-like rage that wildly took over her and the headache that she had the following morning.  Natural consequences work great for my daughter. Sugar + child = temper tantrum/headache.

Sugar significantly attributes to inflammation but there are more inflammatory markers to look at.    Hidden food sensitivities are the next topic of discussion, one of great importance. See you tomorrow!

Be well,

Lynn