by admin | Jul 22, 2021 | Health Awareness
Over the last decade, a significant amount of research has focused on the potential link between brain disorders and gut microbes. There is significant evidence that the gut microbiome plays a key role in identifying risk factors for several disorders, including:
However, interpreting this data can be challenging. This is because gut microbes are influenced by things such as exercise and diet. Additional research is still required, but the correlative relationship between brain disorders and gut microbes cannot be ignored.
Are Brain Disorders Caused by Gut Microbes?
Several trailblazers in the field have proposed that issues within the gut microbiome can trigger a variety of brain disorders. They have also hypothesized that gut microbes can influence the severity of these conditions. These presumptions are based on several animal-based studies. No meaningful human trials have been conducted at this point.
While no trials have been completed as of yet, scientists have gathered empirical data from patients suffering from certain neurodegenerative conditions. Their findings support the presumption that gut microbes can cause or worsen various brain disorders. They established a link between the presence of certain microbes and an increased risk of developing conditions such as ALS.
Can Brain Disorders Be Treated by Altering the Gut Microbe?
Unfortunately, research into the connection between the gut microbe and brain disorders has not given way to any new treatment options as of yet. Due to the nature of medical science, it will likely be several years before this data is translated into meaningful solutions.
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Others are discovering new neurodegeneration therapy opportunities that have arisen in recent years. The most notable of these is regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy. This alternative option is available for access and initial research has resulted in showing potential outcomes in both symptom management and slowing condition progression.
by admin | Jul 14, 2021 | Health Awareness
Yogurt is often portrayed as a convenient snack or healthy alternative to more calorie-dense meals. While yogurt certainly has its place in a healthy diet and supplement regimen, there are tons of options available. This wealth of choices can make it difficult to find the right option for your health goals.
With this in mind, we have outlined some of the healthiest yogurt choices that you can find in the dairy section of your local supermarket.
Benefits of Yogurt
Yogurt has tons of potential health benefits. It is naturally high in protein and is packed with nutrients like potassium. Yogurt is also full of probiotics, which help to maintain a healthy gut microbiome and are beneficial for fighting inflammation.
In addition, yogurt can help with weight loss and maintenance. Several studies have shown a positive correlation between eating yogurt and lower body weight. Yogurt has even been linked to a reduced chance of developing oral health conditions like gum disease.
Most Popular Types of Yogurts
The best way to ensure that you are choosing a healthy yogurt is to review the label. Make sure to pay close attention to the number of servings in that container. Dividing up a container into multiple servings is a way that some food manufacturers attempt to make their products look more health-friendly.
For instance, let’s say that a particular yogurt that you are considering advertises per-serving nutrition of 90 calories and 9 grams of sugar. These numbers seem reasonable at face value.
However, upon closer inspection, you see that the 8 oz container contains 4 servings, which means that the yogurt has 36 grams of sugar and 360 calories. This type of deception happens all the time and can quickly derail your nutritional goals.
While looking at the nutrition label is important, several types of yogurts tend to be healthier overall.
These include:
- Icelandic yogurt (skyr)
- Greek yogurt
- Traditional yogurt (no sugar added)
Some other options include non-dairy yogurt and Australian yogurt. Both of these can be healthy choices, depending on the brand. Be wary though because the nutritional profile of Australian and non-dairy yogurts vary greatly.
Regardless of the type of yogurt that you choose, look for options that are high in protein, ones that also contain a fair amount of fat. While all yogurts will contain some natural sugars, try to avoid any that have an unusually high amount.
by admin | Jun 23, 2021 | Health Awareness
Inflammation in the body can contribute to a wide range of chronic diseases and conditions. But you can curb inflammation by eating the right foods.
It is important to have knowledge about which foods cause inflammation and which foods fight it. In this post, we will discuss the most effective anti-inflammatory foods. We will also list eight foods to avoid when you’re fighting inflammation.
Primary Types of Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural function of the body’s immune system. There are two main types of inflammation that the human body experiences.
Acute inflammation happens when the body is injured or sick. When acute inflammation occurs, the person may experience redness, swelling, or elevated body temperatures. This type of inflammation is helpful for healing, even though the symptoms are often unpleasant. Overall, acute inflammation is a healthy bodily response.
On the other hand, chronic inflammation is usually caused by an irritant or external condition. Examples include:
- Additives
- Harmful chemicals
- Environmental or food compounds
This type of inflammation can also be the result of poor sleep, stress, or anxiety. Chronic inflammation is associated with many negative health outcomes.
Food and Inflammation
The foods that you eat can contribute to or calm inflammation in the body. Those foods that contribute to chronic inflammation can cause high blood sugar levels and blood pressure over time.
It is important to make healthy choices regarding food, stress control, and physical activity. Poor food choices combined with inactivity or stress can lead to long-term health problems, including chronic fatigue.
Foods that help to naturally ease chronic inflammation include:
- Nuts and seeds
- Green tea
- Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and kale
- Certain oils, such as krill oil
- Fish with high-fat content, including salmon
- Berries
- Fermented foods, including kefir and kombucha
- Leafy greens
The following foods should be avoided, as they contribute to chronic inflammation:
- Foods with saturated/trans fats content
- Fried food
- Sugar and artificial sweeteners
- Highly processed foods
- Cured meats
- Excess alcohol
- Excess caffeine
- A high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3
By eating anti-inflammatory foods, you can cultivate a healthy lifestyle. These foods will help you to avoid long-term health problems caused by chronic inflammation.
by admin | Jun 16, 2021 | Health Awareness
Your immune system is a complex network of organs and cells, including white blood cells, which protect the body against infection, disease, and other foreign invaders. To work optimally, the system requires specific nutrients—many of which you can get from food. Here are a few immune-boosting foods to consider adding to your diet for increased resistance against illness and infection.
Yogurt
Yogurt helps the body produce antibodies that attack viruses. This is likely due to its rich concentration of probiotics, which help the portion of the immune system found in the intestinal tract. For the healthiest options, choose plain, unsweetened yogurt to avoid the added sugar.
Garlic
Not only does garlic add lots of flavor to any dish, but it also has protective immune system benefits, thanks to the sulfur compounds in the vegetable. When chopped, it creates allicin, a compound with antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E. This powerful antioxidant can help the body fight viruses. Moreover, options like Brazil nuts have more than a day’s serving of selenium, a mineral that can further support the immune system.
Leafy Greens & Citrus
We often think of citrus as the primary source of vitamin C, the antioxidant that helps to eliminate disease-causing free radicals. While oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits are indeed fine options, leafy greens such as kale are also loaded with the vitamin.
Dark Chocolate
If you have a sweet tooth, feel free to give in to it now and then—specifically, with a piece of dark chocolate. The indulgent treat plenty of magnesium, which helps components in the immune system called lymphocytes bind to and fight invaders. If you prefer to skip the chocolate, avocados, brown rice, pumpkin seeds, and spinach are also rich sources of the nutrient.
Healthy Proteins
Proteins help repair muscle, but they’re also packed with zinc. This mineral is an essential source of fuel for white blood cells. In addition, it can help you maintain your energy levels and strength. Choose lean protein, such as low-fat cheese, chicken, or roast beef, for heart-healthy options.
Seafood
Seafood such as salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines have omega-3 fatty acids that can help promote immune system function. Specifically, DHA, a type of omega-3, can promote white blood cell activity to strengthen immunity.
With so many immune-boosting foods to choose from, it’s simple to begin incorporating more of these foods into your diet every day. Most are also beneficial to overall health—not just your immune system—and are therefore excellent choices for filling your plate.
For more health awareness blogs, please visit www.stemedix.com/blog.
by admin | Jun 9, 2021 | Health Awareness
What we eat affects our health either positively or negatively. Researchers have found reasonable evidence to suggest that the Mediterranean Diet, which is rich in fats, fruits, and vegetables, can help lower the rate of type 2 diabetes.
A typical Mediterranean Diet is cooked with olive oil, lots of fish, and a limited number of processed meats. Studies have shown that such a diet prevents conditions such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance.
In a Women’s Health Study, 25,317 subjects were involved. The data involved in the research were collected at the time of enrolment. This data was from a food frequency questionnaire and blood samples of the subjects. The results showed that 2,307 subjects had type 2 diabetes. Those that showed to develop type 2 diabetes and followed the Mediterranean Diet developed the condition at a 30% lower rate than those who did not follow the same diet.
It is important to clarify that from this study, the data does not show that the Mediterranean Diet prevents diabetes but does suggest that it may delay or lower the risk of the condition. The study also shows that women with a higher BMI and who are on the Mediterranean Diet have a delayed response to diabetes than their peers of lower weight.
This study helps researchers to identify the factors behind the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, it gives specific parameters to measure which is of great help in prescribing solutions. Essentially, our diet can impact our overall health. It is important to make healthier choices to prevent conditions that may come because of poor or misguided diets.
In conclusion, the Mediterranean Diet may be one to consider as a daily regimen if you and your doctor feel it would be a benefit to you. It has a lot of various foods, is delicious, and is considered very healthy.
by admin | Jun 2, 2021 | Health Awareness
Stretching is often touted as an important part of a well-rounded exercise program. Yet, there’s a lot of misinformation that circulates about the practice. For instance, you may have heard:
- You won’t benefit unless you hold a stretch for a while.
- You shouldn’t bounce while stretching, or you could tear a muscle.
- If you fail to stretch before a workout, you’ll injure yourself.
These are actually myths, and in fact, you may wonder whether you really need to stretch at all.
Stretching: The True Story
According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), you should be stretching major muscle groups at least twice a week for 60 seconds per exercise. Stretching can help you stay flexible, supporting better mobility not only now but later in life, too.
For instance, if your back is stiff and sore from staying at your desk during the workday, a stretch such as a cat/cow (getting on all fours then slowly arching and curving your back upwards) can help to reverse some of the effects of staying seated for so long.
With that said, you don’t have to stretch for long periods of time just to get the benefits. Static stretches are meant to last 15 to 30 seconds, while dynamic stretches (in which you move through the stretches) are effective too—especially when completed as part of a warmup routine. Static stretching before a workout has not been shown to prevent injury, enhance performance, or reduce post-workout muscle soreness. Static stretches might even weaken performance because they can tire your muscles. On the other hand, dynamic stretches such as leg swings and walking lunges could help warm the body up before exercise.
Static stretches should therefore be reserved for post-workout. You’ll be more flexible since you’ve been moving your muscles and joints consistently. With that said, if you enjoy doing stretches other times throughout the day—besides when you normally do your workout—there’s no harm in working them in when it’s most convenient for you.
For more health awareness blogs, please visit www.stemedix.com/blog.
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