THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023 - GUT AGAIN

 THURSDAY JUNE 29, 2023 - GUT - AGAIN

It’s Thursday - I’ve written about constipation and indigestion this week.  Tomorrow I will write on a spiritual topic and on Saturday I’ll have a story about Zach Higgenbottom in the Civil War - so what do I write about today?  

GUT HEALTH!!!

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Yeah - let’s talk about having a “happy gut”!!!!

A lot today comes from: 9 Ways To Have A Healthy Gut - Healthpath 

“If you care about your health, knowing how to look after your gut is crucial.

“When you hear about gut health, you might think about conditions like IBS, constipation and diarrhea. These are all uncomfortable gut symptoms that you want to avoid if you don’t have them, or get rid of them if you do.

“But your gut affects the rest of you too.

“Symptoms like fatigue, anxiety and sleep disturbances can be indications that all might not be well with your gut, as well as more serious conditions like:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Lupus

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Fibromyalgia

• Depression

• Schizophrenia

• Diabetes

“It’s important to remember that research has found links between these diseases and changes in the gut, which means that we’re not yet sure what comes first, the gut issues or the disease.

Karen adds - wow - gut health can affect a lot of things - including depression!!  Maybe I need to pay attention!!!  (She also adds, my Ph.D. is in management information systems - but this is a MAJOR study area!!!)

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Okay - some review - KEYS TO A HEALTHY GUT:

Limit processed foods

Minimize stress

Get plenty of fiber

Choose natural animal foods (free range / organic)

Eat high quality plants (from nutritious rich soils)

Limit alcohol (only one slight exception - a small amount of red wine)

Limit antibiotics

Stop smoking

Get enough sleep

Yes - many of these we have seen before.  Some I don’t follow too closely.  I don’t generally buy organic/free range/nature foods.

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Some additional food suggestions 

12 Foods to Improve Your Gut Health Overnight (eatingwell.com)

Greek Yogurt
Kimchi (kimchi is a spicy, fermented cabbage dish)
Kefir(Kefir is a dairy-based drink that often contains more probiotics and protein than regular yogurt.
Kombucha (fermented, fizzy tea drink that may contain fruit juice, spices or other flavors)
Sauerkraut (Purchase sauerkraut in the refrigerated section and read the labels to ensure it includes active, live cultures for gut-health benefits.)
Tempeh (fermented soybeans into a cake-like form.
Artichokes
Dragon Fruit
Garlic
Mushrooms
Oats
Soybeans

Karen adds - Oh my - I don’t eat much of these.  Oats are the only food I eat frequently.  Some of this list I’ve never tried (Kimchi, Kefir, Kombucha, Tempeh).  Oh my, do I need to make another trip to the grocery store?  Do I need to go to a specialty natural food store?  I did buy the organic sauerkraut today.  Maybe my gut will be happy!!! <grin>

Okay, I’ll try to “gently” introduce some of these to my diet.  By the way, the literature I read suggests that this is a research area - AND - that one size does not fit all (that is, maybe some of the things you already do are good - so don’t go crazy on some rare item that is expensive!!!

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Take care of your gut.  Maybe if we have good gut enzymes and bacteria, if we act on a “gut feeling” it will be okay!!!

LOVE WINS
LOVE TRANSFORMS
KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, JUNE 29, 2023