Try these 15 prebiotic foods to strengthen your immune system
Many people today are receiving their daily dose of probiotic supplementation http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/supplements/probiotic-bacterium-supplement.html?a_aid=141637&a_bid=c5985807 or at the very least understand that they probably should be. Less likely are people aware that they should also be receiving a regular supplement of prebiotics. Try these 15 prebiotic foods to strengthen your immune system.
Prebiotics http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=32362 have numerous health benefits such as improving gut health, inhibiting cancer, enhancing the immune system, and preventing obesity. They also have shown effective improvements in 91 percent of all human trials and have been shown to reduce symptoms of bowel related issues such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/gg/celiacdisease.php.
Both prebiotics and probiotics nurture the good bacteria required by the digestive tract for proper health beginning at the mouth. Probioticshttp://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1071are live, active cultures capable of multiplying in numbers whereas prebiotics serve as the food source for probiotics and do not grow or reproduce.
Prebiotics benefit the immune system
The benefit of prebiotics starts at conception. Prebiotics are associated with the development of the systemic immune system, or the whole body's immune function, and benefits babies while they are still in the mother's womb.
Children have shown numerous benefits such as the reduced risk of eczema http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/dd/dermatitisandeczema.php, an increase in metabolism and growth, and an increased feeding tolerance to dairy by inhibiting the development of allergies. For these reasons and more, prebiotics are now added to infant formula. An outstanding amount of research demonstrates that prebiotics http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=31804 promote T helper cells which are vital for a healthy immune system.
Improved systemic immunity
Friendly bacteria not only provide the gastrointestinal tract with healthy immunity but they also improve systemic immunity in the entire body. Increased permeability of the intestine in people with leaky gut for instance have a higher risk for pathogens to squeeze through the holes and colonize other organs in the body. Decreasing inflammation of the intestine and supporting an environment for healthy bacteria to thrive decreases the risk for pathogens to wreak havoc.
According to regulation standards, prebiotics are made up of non-digestable carbohydrates (fiber) that are used by bacteria in the colon to produce measurable health benefits. Naturally found in food, a prebiotic is not broken down or absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Beneficial bacteria use this fiber as a food source in a process called fermentation.
Prebiotics as functional foods
Prebiotics are considered functional foods in that they provide numerous health benefits and aid in the prevention and treatment of diseases and health conditions.
Currently, there are three major types of prebiotics that are well documented: Inulin http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32078, oligosaccharides and arabinogalactans. Examples of food sources that contain prebiotics are:
Asparagus
Bananas
Carrots
Chicory root
Coconut meat and flour
Dandelion greens
Flax and chia seeds
Garlic
Jerusalem artichoke
Jicama
Leeks
Onions
Radishes
Tomatoes
Yams
Inulin and oligosaccharides are short-chain polysaccharides, or chains of carbs, which act at different locations in the colon, ensuring complete intestinal health. By increasing and maintaining the populations of good bacteria, the body is less susceptible to pathogenic bacteria and yeast that can lead to a diverse range of negative health consequences.
For more information read my article on the top 33 prebiotic rich foods here:
http://drjockers.com/the-top-33-prebiotic-foods-for-your-digestive-system/
Sources:
Patel S, and Goyal A. The current trends and future perspectives of prebiotics research: a review. 3 Biotech. 2012 Jun;2(2):115-125. PMCID: 3376865
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3376865/
http://www.isapp.net/Probiotics-and-Prebiotics/The-Science
Preidis GA, and Versalovic J. Targeting the Human Microbiome With Antibiotics, Probiotics, and Prebiotics: Gastroenterology Enters the Metagenomics Era. 2014 July;136(6):2015-2031. PMCID: 4108289 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4108289/
Palma GD, Cinova J, et al. Pivotal Advance: Bifidobacteria and Gram-negative bacteria differentially influence immune responses in the proinflammatory milieu of celiac disease. J Leukocyte Bio. 2010 May;87(5):765-778. DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0709471
http://www.jleukbio.org/content/87/5/765.short
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/expert-answers/probiotics/faq-20058065
http://www.meschinohealth.com/ArticleDirectory/Increase_Prebiotics_Positive_Health_Effects
About the author:
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got tohttp://www.drjockers.com.
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The 5 Best Foods for Leaky Gut
While it goes without saying that food plays a huge role in our lives, you might not know that poor eating choices can cause gut irritation. Leaky gut syndromehttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=33773, or intestinal hyperpermeability, can happen when your gut becomes inflamed by dietary, metabolic, and even environmental factors. Instead of the necessary nutrients passing back from the intestines to the bloodstream, partially digested food or toxins can escape through swollen pores. Could it be that eating the right foods may help reduce the severity of leaky gut?
5 Best Foods for Leaky Gut
You’re probably already thinking about how diet can help in this situation, and you’re right in doing your research. Here are 5 of the best foods to eat for a leaky gut.
1. Fermented Foods
Fermented foods http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=32185 contain bacterial cultures which can go a long way in restoring gut health. [1] These cultures, also called probiotics, contain the good bacteria your gut needs to keep bad bacteria in check. There are many options out there, but some popular ones are sauerkraut and kimchi. Keep in mind, though, some fermented foods can contain high levels of sodium. This may not be much of a concern for otherwise healthy individuals.
2. Coconut
Coconut products are especially good for a leaky gut because they contain medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These are more easily digested than other fats. [2] In addition to being great for digestion, coconut kefir—a fermented yogurt-like food—also contains probiotics.
3. Non-Starchy Vegetables
Full of antioxidants http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=33126, vitamins, and minerals, non-starchy vegetables are a great choice for easing irritation and are easier to digest than starchy ones. Making sure you eat a variety of them—especially dark green leafy vegetables—every day can help make sure your gut stays in tip-top shape.
4. Meat
While vegan or vegetarian diets http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=32494 are two extremely healthy choices and ones that I recommend, if you do eat meat, make sure you’re getting grass-fed or pasture-raised. Organic meat is your second-best option. Just always make sure your choice is free of hormones and antibiotics like most conventional factory-farmed options. Meat from grass-fed animals contain omega-3 fatty acids http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=33213, which are great at reducing gut irritation. [3] Again, I don’t recommend consuming meat for a number of health and environmental reasons; however, animal sources are one of the most popular, hence their mention.
5. Low-Glycemic Fruits
High in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, fruit is a great choice for leaky gut, but you want to make sure you are eating low-glycemic fruits. [4] Fruits like berries are better options since sugar can irritate the gut.
The Benefit of Diet for Leaky Gut
Changing your diet for the better can play a huge role in successfully managing leaky gut syndrome. Be sure to work in accord with recommendations by your doctor, making sure you let him or her know what changes you’re making in your meal plan. Also, you may want to ask your doctor about probiotics http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=32696 to see if they may provide benefit. Often, beneficial bacteria can provide some support in this health situation.
What choices would you make for the better? Tell us about them in the comments below.
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GMO Foods Cause Gut Damage
Consumer concerns regarding the pesticide contamination of commonly-consumed crops, like corn and wheat, have been voiced for decades. This, along with the rising issue of pesticide resistance of many common agricultural pests, have led scientists to develop genetically-altered crops http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33160that produce their own insecticides. These genetically-modified organisms, or GMOs, come with their own unfortunate set of side effects, possibly contributing to more issues than previously existed.
What Are GMOs?
Genetically-modified organisms are materials (usually of plant origin) that have been altered to ward off pests and disease. While this sounds beneficial in theory, the health effects of GMOs remain unclear in the majority of the population. Some animal models, however, have shown disastrous effects from feeding GMO foods, with soybeans, corn, and wheat being the biggest culprits. Two of the health effects [1] [2] that have been revealed in clinical studies include:
- Immune System Health
- Reproductive Issues
For years, developers of modified crops have claimed that the pesticides in plants were harmless to the human body. It was said that pesticides were broken down into inert compounds as soon as they entered the stomach. With no large-scale, long-term studies being available to back up these assertions, very little can be said to fully guarantee their safety in the human food supply.
Findings presented by the University of Sherbrooke Hospital Centre in Quebec revealed concerns over the long-term risks of consuming GMO grains, like wheat and corn. The study involved a small population of expectant mothers and their unborn children as well as non-pregnant women. Its aim was to test the amount of residual pesticides that could be found in the mothers’ blood. Of the 69 women who participated in the study, the majority of mothers showed measurable amounts of pesticides in their bloodstreams. Even 80% of their fetal offspring showed noticeable serum levels of genetically-engineered pesticides. [3]
Gut Damage from GMO Foods
Gastrointestinal disorders have been rising within the past 50 years, with gluten, processed foods, and GMOs being the primary culprits driving this increase. Irritable bowel syndrome, Celiac disease, and chronic constipation are a few of the many intestinal disorders that are commonplace today. Glyphosate, an herbicide used in GM crops, has been shown to disturb intestinal microflora balance and promote the growth of harmful bacterial strains. [4] This may interfere with the immune system, increase infection rates, and also cause issues with mood and behavior. [5] Read more
The 9 Best Fermented Foods for Your Gut
Fermented food has made a comeback in recent years, partially thanks to the popularization of Weston A. Price teachings. Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi aren’t considered to be the most appealing types of food; however, research exploring these and other fermented products on gut, brain, and body health has revitalized public interest. The fermentation process encourages essential bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria to flourish. This makes fermentation a good source of probiotics for vegans, since many fermented foods are plant based. Vegetables are submerged in a salty brine during preparation to kill off dangerous, pathogenic bacteria. The good bacteria break down lactose and other sugars and starches in the food, making digestion easier. And once they reach your gut, they continue to help break down food and keep out bad guys like E. coli and C. difficile.
The Best Fermented Foods You Should Be Eating
When it comes to consuming fermented foods, your options aren’t limited to sauerkraut or fermented soy. There’s a host of foods out there that are considered “fermented,” including tea, yogurt, and various vegetables. Here are the 9 best fermented foods you should be eating for your gut.
1. Yogurt
Yogurt has many benefits, mostly due to its rich probiotic content. Brands of yogurt that contain billions of live active cultures may support digestion, and some research indicates it could even benefit the skin. [1] Raw, unpasteurized yogurt is ideal if you can handle dairy. Personally, I tend to skip dairy altogether, but you can find dairy-free yogurt options at many stores these days, some of which are made from coconut and almond milk. Be sure you’re choosing yogurt that contains live active cultures, and try to choose plain, full-fat versions in order to avoid sugar. Yogurt that contains sugar can be counterproductive, as sugars feed pathogenic bacteria and contribute to sugar overload.
2. Natto
Natto is prepared by mashing soybeans and fermenting it so it forms the beneficial bacteria Bacillus. It’s an excellent source of calcium, iron, dietary fiber, and vitamin K2. You may not have heard a lot about it, but K2 is essential for heart health as it keeps calcium out of your arteries and gets it to your bones where it’s needed. Natto also contains nattokinase, a powerful anti-clotting agent that protects your heart and brain and lowers your blood pressure. Read more
What is the Colon?
Believe it or not, most people and doctors cannot explain what the colon is and how it works. In my opinion the intestinal tract is the lifeline to perfect health. The colon, or large intestine, is one of the primary components of your digestive system.
It’s made up of basically the same types of tissue found in your skin, throat, stomach, and small intestine, but the colon has a few unique characteristics that set it apart from the rest of the digestive tract. For one thing, no part of the large intestine produces digestive enzymes. That task is left entirely to the small intestine. The colon is divided into four parts—the Ascending colon, the Transverse colon, the Descending colon, and the Sigmoid colon.
How Does the Colon Work?
After leaving the small intestines, waste enters the ascending colon on the right side of the abdomen. The ascending colon moves waste upwards to the transverse colon (spanning the gap to the descending colon) which in turn carries waste down through the sigmoid colon and out through the rectum. Most of the vitamins and nutrients our bodies receive from the foods we eat have already been absorbed by the small intestines before reaching the colon.
The colon’s primary job is absorbing the leftover water to condense soft byproducts into solid waste. The colon also takes in select water-tied nutrients such as electrolytes. The colon and small intestine can also absorb dangerous toxins, and, it is my theory that these toxins are the root cause of most degenerative disease, emotional distress and environmental pollution.
A healthy colon is essential for your overall well-being. The colon is more than just a tube for the food you eat to pass through on its way out; it’s a key part of the digestive process. Read more
