Digestive Health

Got Zinc? How Even a Minor Zinc Deficiency Can Harm Your Health

People in the Western world have plenty of food, often more than we truly need. However, this does not make us exempt from nutritional deficiencies. When it comes to what we eat, quantity does not always make up for a lack of quality. Further compounding the issue is the fact that food grown by Western agriculture is often deficient in trace elements and other nutrients that the human body needs to thrive. The Western diet may be full of calories, but it is often deficient in nutrients and minerals like zinc. New research suggests that mineral deficiencies, especially zinc deficiency, may have more of an effect on our health than we previously realized.

The Role of Zinc in Your Body

Zinc plays a variety of vital roles in the human body. Studies have found that zinc is essential to immune cell development and function, in addition to the metabolic roles it plays in every cell of the body. Whether you are suffering from an autoimmune disease or getting sick often from a lack of immunity, a lack of zinc may be the problem.

For example, people who are infected with HIV and also have a zinc deficiency are likely to see an increase in their viral load and thus have more symptoms. People with low zinc are also less responsive to chemotherapy drugs for cancer and other medications intended to lengthen or sustain life. While zinc makes up only one small component of our dietary needs, it nonetheless is a very important part.

However, zinc does not act merely as a stimulant for the immune system. It appears to work as a modulating agent that maintains a moderate path between immune system over-activity and total lack of immunity. People who have high amounts of zinc in their bloodstream have lower risk of asthma, allergies and even transplant rejections, all of which can be caused by inappropriately high immune system activity. Zinc also appears to act as a protective factor towards cells, protecting us from oxidation while improving cellular repair processes. Zinc seems to be an important element in how our cells react to threats, and even how they react to no threats at all.

Clearly, zinc is important for a variety of cell functions. So what happens when people are deficient—even a little deficient–in this essential element?

Symptoms of a Zinc Deficiency

Many people are deficient in zinc without even knowing it. The symptoms of a zinc deficiency are so subtle that many people, even doctors, miss the obvious. Even mild deficiencies of this essential element can cause problems with the digestive system. Because the pancreas requires zinc to adequately digest food, even a small lack of this element can slow digestion and cause symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea. In addition, slowing of digestion due to a lack of zinc may lead to accumulation of undigested food and thus bloating.

Are You Getting Enough Zinc?

How can you make sure that you are getting enough zinc? This trace element can be difficult to obtain from food in adequate amounts. It is found in significant amounts in shellfish like oysters and lobster. Red meat also often has large amounts of zinc.

The problem is that our bodies have no way of storing zinc. Unless you are eating foods rich in this element with every meal, your levels may be insufficient. If you are suffering from digestive issues such as diarrhea or skin issues like rashes on a regular basis, there is a good likelihood that you are low on zinc. This is why supplementing with zinc can be an important positive move for your health. Whether you are male or female, getting the right amount of zinc in your daily life is essential for optimal health. Luckily, there are many vitamin formulas that offer high enough amounts of zinc to ensure that you have enough left over for metabolism and other vital daily processes.

It is best to get all of your vitamins and minerals from your diet. However, food is simply different now. Many people are eating food that has been picked before it has a chance to even become ripe. We do not get a full array of vitamins in our diets but we can take supplements to make sure we have all of the elements we need to not just survive but to thrive.

The Health Benefits of Prebiotics

Aug 15 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Many Americans make an effort to eat probiotic foods or take a supplement containing these important gut bacteria. The health benefits of maintaining a healthy gut biome, as supported by probiotic supplements, are undeniable. However, there is another less-known supplement that may help your GI tract work at its best: prebiotics. Researchers are just beginning to realize the health benefits of prebiotics for whole-body health.

The Gut-Brain Connection

A well-functioning gastrointestinal system is essential to our health. Our body needs to break food down into the smallest building blocks and absorb these building blocks in order to survive. In addition, gut health has been found to have an effect on our overall health in a variety of ways. Our intestines are a major site of serotonin production, a neurotransmitter which can affect our mood and cognitive function. What’s more, the enteric nervous system located in our gut appears to be a major player in endocrine (hormone) regulation. Almost every week brings a new discovery about how important our GI tracts are to our health and well-being.

However, many people in the modern world struggle to achieve healthy digestion, absorption, and elimination, including 60 to 70 million people in the United States alone. Our modern diets don’t incorporate enough of the fruits, vegetables and whole grains needed to keep our gut moving at a steady pace. In addition, we are exposed to antibiotics when we are ill, when we clean with antimicrobial cleaners and even in our water. These antibiotics kill gut bacteria, which can compromise our own health.

What Are Prebiotics?

The gut microbiome is an important key to good gastrointestinal function. In our guts live millions of helpful bacteria that perform a variety of essential roles. They help digest food, produce essential vitamins, and contribute to healthy immune function. New research suggests that gut health may be even more important than previously thought, linking the health of our digestive system to healthy weight and even cancer risk.

Probiotics are the “good” bacteria that have been shown to create the best environment when living in our guts. It is important to take a probiotic supplement, but supplementation alone does not guarantee that these beneficial bacteria will thrive. This is where prebiotics come in. Prebiotics function as food for these beneficial bacteria and help to make the intestines a better place for them to live. Prebiotics are indigestible, which means that they are not absorbed into our GI tracts. They are easily fermented by bacteria for energy, ensuring that your probiotic bacteria have the ingredients they need to thrive and help you thrive as well. While most of us eat prebiotics in whole foods such as banana, leeks, onion and garlic, many people do not get enough in their diet and can benefit from a supplement.

The Health Benefits of Prebiotics

New research is showing that the health benefits of prebiotics may extend beyond our gastrointestinal tracts. People who supplement with prebiotics have healthier digestion and are even less likely to be overweight or obese. In addition, prebiotics appear to promote a healthy inflammatory response, helping to lessen the symptoms of a variety of conditions such as asthma. In fact, a recent study found that people who take a prebiotic supplement have lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood, suggesting significantly less immune overreaction. Other studies have found that prebiotics may promote cardiovascular health and healthy cholesterol levels within normal ranges.

Getting Prebiotics in Your Diet

There are a few ways that you can get more prebiotics in your diet. First, you can choose foods that are rich in these indigestible starches. Second, you can switch from a probiotic supplement to one that provides both prebiotics and probiotics. Many people prefer these supplements because it makes sense to swallow the bacteria’s “food” along with the bacteria. In addition, taking a single supplement is just simpler.

If you seek optimal health both in your GI tract and the rest of your body, taking a prebiotic supplement may be beneficial. It makes sense to feed the bacteria that help your body to thrive in so many diverse ways.

Meal Timing: Is When You Eat as Important as What You Eat?

Jul 27 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

With obesity reaching epidemic levels in the United States and much of the Western world, many people are struggling to lose a few (or more!) extra pounds. Often those wishing to lose weight strive to eat less and to fit more activity into their lives, only to be disappointed with minimal results. As a result, weight loss is becoming a huge national industry, yet one that does not often deliver on its promises for the average person. What if another factor besides caloric intake is contributing to our ever-expanding modern waistlines?

Could When You Eat Affect Your Health?

Our ancestors ate at regularly-scheduled times and often with their family or clan. However, this is not possible for many people now. Most of us have to grab a bite when we have the chance, between work, errands and social obligations. In addition, the availability of tasty and affordable snacks makes it easy to graze our way through the day. For many people, eating throughout the day and into the night has replaced proper meals and some diet systems even claim incorrectly that this is a healthy behavior.

For from being a healthy choice, eating multiple meals throughout the day—especially after a certain time of day—appears to be disastrous for our metabolisms. In fact, a recent analysis of current research suggests that when we eat may be a major factor in weight gain or loss. Shift work has been linked to metabolic syndrome, which is believed to be due in part to eating at odd hours. People who switch to eating most of their calories early in the day see increased weight loss and better blood glucose control. While we have no definitive causal link between eating at regular hours and keeping a trimmer waist, studies certainly suggest a correlation.

The Science Behind Regular Meals

How can when you eat have such a huge effect on your weight and your health? Our bodies run on several internal clocks. Our metabolism, in particular, follows a circadian rhythm. Eating at the same times every day allows your body to plan ahead, ramping up insulin production and firing up your metabolism in anticipation of the meal ahead. If you do not eat at roughly the same times every day, your body cannot prepare itself on a hormonal level for metabolizing the calories you are about to take in.

Eating in the evening appears to be an especially poor decision for metabolic health. Glucose control is stronger in the morning than in the evening, which means that eating regularly in the evening can lead to blood sugar fluctuations. These fluctuations may contribute to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes over time. This may explain why people who eat most of their calories in the morning see such an improvement in blood glucose control and their weight. Even without changing their diet, they can control how carbohydrates are used.

Can a “Chronodiet” Lead to Better Health?

Planning when you eat appears to be as important as planning what you eat. Many people find success by following a “chronodiet” that aligns meal times with their body’s internal clock. Eating most meals between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. helps many people to lose weight even when consuming the same amount of calories. In addition, planning when you eat different kinds of food can help. For example, it is best to eat most of your carbs in the morning when insulin (and thus blood sugar control) is at its highest levels.

Humans evolved to lead a lifestyle that is very inconvenient in the modern world. As a result, many people are struggling with their weight as metabolic syndrome and related diseases continue to rise. Planning when you eat so it aligns with the best calorie-burning times of the day may help many people to lose a few pounds while leading a longer, healthier life.

Are Prenatal Vitamins a Pregnancy Necessity?

Jul 22 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

It’s a long-held belief that all expecting mothers should take a prenatal vitamin formula to reduce the risk of birth defects, nutrient deficiencies and other health problems. However, there are always skeptics who chime in as to why supplementing with extra nutrients may not actually be necessary while pregnant. If you’re on the fence, here is some of the latest information supporting the importance of supplementing with a prenatal vitamin while pregnant.

Folic Acid Is Crucial

Folic acid is also known as folate or vitamin B9. This vitamin is needed for the synthesis and creation of DNA, the production of red blood cells, the metabolism of amino acids, and for the growth of the placenta and fetus. A woman’s need for folic acid increases during pregnancy. Although the United States started fortifying grain products with vitamin B9 in 1998, most women still don’t get enough of it.

Taking folic acid is essential for reducing the risk of neural tube defects. This type of birth defect can be very severe,and some of these defects have a very low survival rate and life expectancy. One well-known neural tube defect is spina bifida, which occurs when the membranes around the spinal cord do not close completely. Spina bifida usually requires after-birth surgery and periodic medical attention throughout life. Another example of a neural tube defect is anencephaly, in which the baby is born lacking a cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain.

Although neural tube defects are a terrible thing for a mother to experience, it’s also easy to greatly reduce your unborn child’s risk. In countries where flour is fortified with folic acid, there is a 46 percent lower rate of neural tube defects. You can bring the number down even further by simply taking a prenatal supplement with folic acid every day.

Folic acid may also help prevent other birth defects including heart defects and cleft palate, though more research is needed to confirm this. Additionally, because neural tube defects take place before most women even know they are pregnant, it’s important to start taking a prenatal vitamin formula with folic acid as soon as you start trying to conceive.

Other Benefits of Prenatal Supplements

Folic acid is arguably the most important prenatal vitamin that you should take. However, there are a few other nutrients with pregnancy benefits that you should learn about.

It is prudent for expecting mothers to take a supplement with vitamin D. Although vitamin D is obtained through sunlight, fortified dairy, fatty fish and egg yolk, most Americans still don’t get enough of it. Being deficient in vitamin D may increase your risk of preeclampsia, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, low birth weight, preterm birth, gestational diabetes and the need for caesarean delivery.

Calcium is one of few nutrients that your body takes from its own stores in order to help your baby grow. This means that if you aren’t getting enough calcium in your diet, your body will take it from your bones and teeth. You can reduce your risk of lifelong bone density problems by taking a prenatal vitamin formula containing calcium.

Some of the other most important nutrients to look for in a prenatal supplement include iron, iodine, choline and omega-3 fatty acids.

So, Do I Need a Prenatal Vitamin?

There remain some people who argue against the benefits of taking a prenatal vitamin formula. Skeptics raise some good points, such as the fact that you don’t necessarily need to supplement every single vitamin and mineral. However, the reality is that most Americans fall short when it comes to many key nutrients and that your need for certain vitamins like vitamin D and folic acid do rise during pregnancy. What’s more, nutrient deficiencies in the mother have more severe effects in babies. Ultimately, research supports incorporating a comprehensive prenatal vitamin formulation into your prenatal care program during pregnancy and beyond, while breastfeeding.

One study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility called the “Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment Study” found that women who take a prenatal multivitamin daily during pregnancy have a 55 percent lower risk of losing their baby. Other studies have found consistent reductions in the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm birth.

Some people are more likely to highly benefit from taking a prenatal multivitamin formula than others. Supplementation during pregnancy is even more crucial for teenage mothers, women who smoke or have a history of using other substances, women who have suffered from eating disorders, women who take certain medications, vegetarians and vegans and women who are carrying twins, triplets, or beyond. However, taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin formula is a necessity for all women who are expecting or trying to conceive. This is confirmed by several health authorities: the Endocrine Society, the American Thyroid Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend multivitamins during pregnancy. Despite what the skeptics say, most OBGYNs and family doctors also recommend supplementing with a prenatal vitamin formula.

Probiotics Linked to Dental Health, Stress Reduction and More

Jul 15 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Westerners are living longer lives than ever. However, we are living sicker lives as well. Many people struggle with chronic illness and disorders that affect their daily lives in a variety of ways. Sadly, our golden years are often spent in hospitals and doctor’s offices. Researchers now believe that maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal flora (bacteria in your digestive tract) may be key to improving overall health throughout our lifespans.

Your Gut Microbiome and Your Health

The microorganisms that live in your GI tract as well as other parts of your body are collectively known as your microbiome. We have long known that the microbiome is an important part of health. For instance, we cannot absorb vitamin K without the help of certain beneficial bacteria that reside in our digestive tract. However, scientists now realize that the health effects of your microbiome extend far beyond digestion and absorption. In fact, more and more research indicates that keeping your natural flora balanced with probiotics (supplements that help replenish the “good” bacteria in your digestive tract) may be more important than taking a daily vitamin.

How can probiotics affect health? Sometimes our microbiome, like any ecosystem, can get off-balance. As a result of stress, diet and other external factors, we can end up with too many of a certain kind of bacteria or too few of another. Maintaining the right balance is important, and probiotics are intended to support that balance.

The Known Health Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotics have been shown to support good health in several recent studies. For instance, dental cavities have been linked to an imbalance in bacteria in the mouth and pharynx. Research shows that taking a probiotic containing a less-destructive bacteria called streptococcus A12 may crowd out the bacteria that cause plaque biofilms that are destructive to teeth.

Metabolic syndrome is common in the modern world, with researchers and doctors alike desperate to find an effective treatment. New research suggests that this syndrome, which includes diverse range of disorders from type 2 diabetes to polycystic ovarian syndrome, may also be linked to gut health. Mice who have the underlying hormonal disruption seen in PCOS were found to have changes in their microbiome, including less genetic diversity in their gut bacteria. Taking a probiotic supplement may help many people with metabolic syndrome to lead healthier lives.

Inflammation and Gut Health

How can probiotics affect health in such a variety of ways? The jury is still out, but inflammation appears to be part of the answer. A recent study found that mice given probiotics did not lose as much bone density after menopause. Researchers suggest that maintaining the right gut bacteria balance may reduce the systemic inflammation that contributes to bone loss, which is a common health issue in postmenopausal women.

Modern lives tend to be stressful, instigating the release of cortisol and other stress hormones that can lead to inflammation. The link between inflammation and our microbiome may be part of the explanation for the many healthy benefits of probiotics. In one study, when medical students were given probiotics before a test, they had lower levels of salivary cortisol and reported less anxiety. The benefits of probiotics may soon be tested on female astronauts, who suffer a disproportionate amount of serious infections while in space and negative health effects once back on earth. Researchers believe that the sterile atmosphere of space may be part of the problem, as healthy bacterial levels in the body begin to fall and pathogenic inflammatory bacteria take over. A simple probiotic supplement may keep the flora of female astronauts healthy and support good health in a variety of ways.

The Circadian Rhythm and Your Natural Flora

Another way that your intestinal flora may be affecting your health is through the microbiome’s effect on the circadian rhythm. Mice that have a mutation in certain circadian genes show increased inflammation in their gastrointestinal tracts, more intestinal permeability to harmful substances and poorer overall health. They also have a different balance of bacteria than mice without the mutation, suggesting that the circadian rhythm is somehow involved in microflora balance. The presence of good bacteria in a healthy balance is linked to both a healthy circadian rhythm and lower risk of a variety of common diseases.

Medical research is identifying new links between the gut, the brain, and our overall well-being. It appears that the human body evolved to live symbiotically with a variety of microorganisms. Maintaining this healthy balance by taking probiotics is an important way to support good health.

5-HTP Shows New Promise for Alleviating Symptoms of Serotonin Deficiency

May 27 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Many people are familiar with the neurotransmitter serotonin. Drugs controlling serotonin levels, such as SSRIs, have been used to treat diverse diseases from clinical depression to chronic pain disorders. The link between low serotonin levels and clinical depression has long been known, but new evidence suggests that serotonin also plays a role in gastrointestinal motility and a variety of other important physiological functions. Because 5-HTP and serotonin are intricately related, as 5-HTP is an important part of the process of serotonin synthesis in the human body, 5-HTP may be helpful in treating symptoms caused by serotonin deficiency.

The Role of Serotonin

Serotonin plays a variety of roles in the bodies of humans and other animals. It is an integral neurotransmitter involved in the processes underlying mood, pain relief, sleep and digestion. Serotonin’s role in digestion appears to be especially important, with over 90 percent of serotonin receptors located in the GI tract. This simple molecule plays an important part in sustaining the human body both emotionally and physically.

Because serotonin is so important, a serotonin deficiency can have a variety of negative health effects, including depression, low self-esteem, insomnia, panic attacks, chronic pain disorders and irritable bowel syndrome. There are many health conditions associated with serotonin deficiency, but pharmaceuticals such as SSRIs are not always a viable or effective solution.

Serotonin Synthesis

5-HTP and serotonin are linked by a process called serotonin synthesis. Serotonin is made in the human body from the amino acid tryptophan. 5-HTP is the last intermediate in this process before the molecule is completely converted to serotonin. Because of its role as a serotonin precursor, levels of 5-HTP and serotonin are directly linked.

Serotonin deficiencies can be due to a lack of precursors, or it can be due to a shortage of the enzymes needed to perform the many biochemical processes involved in creating serotonin. They can also be caused by an imbalance of intestinal flora because these microbes synthesize serotonin as well. The end results of a deficiency vary, but all can have serious effects on quality of life. While doctors have traditionally prescribed drugs preventing serotonin re-uptake to treat certain disorders that involve serotonin deficiency, these drugs don’t address the root issue of having less overall amounts of this key neurotransmitter.

5-HTP and Serotonin Deficiency

Many researchers are finding that supplementing with 5-HTP can help allay the symptoms of serotonin deficiency. Because 5-HTP and serotonin are only separated by one biochemical reaction, taking 5-HTP can produce a noticeable difference in serum serotonin levels. Supplementing with 5-HTP also removes the body’s need to perform all of the chemical reactions needed to turn tryptophan into 5-HTP and then serotonin.

5-HTP has been found in several research trials to be helpful for conditions as diverse as depression, fibromyalgia, headaches, attention deficit disorder and irritable bowel syndrome. How does 5-HTP affect serotonin levels? Not only can 5-HTP be turned into serotonin when the body needs it, but it also can activate certain serotonin receptors to produce the same effects.

Applications of 5-HTP in Modern Health Care

The effects of 5-HTP are still being researched, but it appears to show a great deal of promise as a possible option for certain conditions involving serotonin deficiency. SSRIs and other pharmaceuticals can have unwanted side effects and even cause an excess of serotonin, leading to the deadly serotonin syndrome. Many people are looking for a pure, natural way to safely maintain a healthy mood and alleviate other symptoms of serotonin deficiency.

Serotonin is essential to leading a happy and healthy life in a multitude of ways. 5-HTP may contribute to healthy serotonin balance and to good mental and physical health in a variety of ways. While it is important to talk to your doctor about any supplements, 5-HTP may be the answer to many diseases caused by serotonin deficiency.