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	<title>Gut Health &#8211; Wellness. Balance. You.</title>
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	<title>Gut Health &#8211; Wellness. Balance. You.</title>
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		<title>The PCOS and Gut Health Connection</title>
		<link>https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/the-pcos-and-gut-health-connection/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wby-admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 23 Apr 2023 04:13:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gut Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women's Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PCOS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Polycystic Ovary Syndrome]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Womens Health]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/?p=21578</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Up to five million women in the U.S. have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), but this condition remains frustratingly difficult to diagnose and treat. One study found that 70% of women with PCOS haven’t been diagnosed, so they continue to experience debilitating symptoms. With a wide range of symptoms, PCOS can have a profound influence on [&#8230;]]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Up to five million women in the U.S. have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), but this condition remains frustratingly difficult to diagnose and treat. One study found that 70% of women with PCOS haven’t been diagnosed, so they continue to experience debilitating symptoms.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With a wide range of symptoms, PCOS can have a profound influence on a woman’s life. In fact, studies have found a high incidence of anxiety and depression among women with PCOS.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The health of our gut microbiome– the trillions of living organisms found in the intestine– plays a large role in overall health. This is especially true for women dealing with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Conventional treatments often fall short in treating PCOS and any treatment plan for PCOS must take into consideration gut health among many other hormone-balancing solutions.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Let’s take a look at the connection between PCOS and gut health and ways to manage and treat this condition naturally to get back to feeling your best.</p>



<div style="height:24px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>What Is PCOS?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">PCOS is a complicated hormonal condition that affects women’s ovaries, causing them to produce an excess of androgens, or male hormones. This can lead to a variety of symptoms such as:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Cysts in the ovaries</li>



<li>Irregular menstrual cycles</li>



<li>Infertility</li>



<li>Acne</li>



<li>Insulin resistance</li>



<li>Thinning hair on the scalp</li>



<li>Excess face &amp; body hair</li>



<li>Chronic inflammation</li>



<li>Obesity &amp; weight gain</li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women. It can also lead to numerous serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Traditional treatment usually involves starting hormonal birth control to “balance” hormonal levels. However, this tends only to mask the condition and overlooks the crucial importance of gut health. As soon as women stop taking the pill, symptoms can reappear worse than before.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Studies have found that women with PCOS have a different gut microbiome composition than those without the condition. Making changes to improve your gut health can therefore have a huge impact on PCOS symptoms and your physical and mental well-being.</p>



<div style="height:24px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>What Causes PCOS?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There is no clear cut answer as to why some women develop PCOS. Many factors can contribute –&nbsp; including your genetics and your environment. One of the leading theories is that PCOS can be caused by an imbalance in the gut microbiome.</p>



<div style="height:24px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>What is the gut microbiome?</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There are many types of bacteria living in our gut. Most are beneficial strains of bacteria that help produce essential vitamins, regulate our immune system, impact metabolism, alter hormone levels, muscle strength and even regulate our mood.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A diverse gut microbiome with the proper balance of good and bad bacteria is optimal for health. However, when there is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria, this is referred to as <em>dysbiosis</em>.</p>



<div style="height:24px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>How is gut dysbiosis linked to PCOS?</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Women with PCOS are shown to have higher rates of dysbiosis and less diversity in the gut microbiome than those without the condition. They present higher levels of harmful bacteria which contribute to inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">An excess of bad bacteria leads to inflammation in the body, which can then increase insulin levels in the blood. Excess insulin then triggers an increase in androgen production from the cells of the ovaries.</p>



<div style="height:24px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>Restoring The Gut Microbiome To Treat Symptoms Of PCOS</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Now that we have explored the link between gut imbalance and PCOS, it is time to focus on some of the ways you can promote gut health. The good news is that small tweaks to your diet and lifestyle can improve the functioning of your gut in as little as 24 hours. Some simple steps include:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>1 &#8211; Eat more fiber.</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A diet rich in fiber is highly beneficial for supporting the good bacteria in the gut. The recommended amount of fiber for women is 25 grams per day, which can be found in plant foods like beans, lentils, vegetables, and whole grains.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>2 &#8211; Increase prebiotics + probiotics in the diet.</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Prebiotics are non-digestible, fermentable components of foods that help kick start digestion and promote beneficial gut bacteria. They have also been shown to help reduce insulin resistance and lower androgens. They are found in foods like garlic, onion, bananas, and apples.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Probiotics are found in fermented foods. They contain live bacterias that help your gut microbiome flourish. They can be found in foods like tempeh, kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt, and are also available in supplement form. There are many different kinds of probiotic supplements, with varying degrees of effectiveness, so it’s important to work with a practitioner to determine the best one for you.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>3 &#8211; Avoid artificial sweeteners.</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Artificial sweeteners are known to have a harmful effect on the gut microbiome and can worsen insulin resistance. Opt for natural forms of sweeteners such as raw honey, maple, or date syrup.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>4 &#8211; Sleep more.</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Lack of sleep causes a great deal of stress to the body, which can in turn promote inflammation and gut dysregulation. Sleep also factors in how our body is able to handle blood sugars by altering insulin levels. You should aim to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night. This might mean adjusting your sleep hygiene, by avoiding caffeine and limiting screen time before bed.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>5 &#8211; Manage stress.</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Researchers have found a link between psychological stress and dysbiosis. While reducing stress in your life can feel sometimes like an impossible task, develop ways to manage it. For example, you could take a close look at the stressors surrounding you, and work to create boundaries to protect your peace of mind. Relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, and walks in nature also help.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>6 &#8211; Exercise regularly.</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Exercise helps with sleep and stress, and studies show it can actually improve the state of your microbiome. Moderate exercise can reduce inflammation and improve biodiversity in your gut. However, it’s important not to overtax your body, which can lead to harmful cortisol production. Steady state cardio, strength training, and mobility training can be the foundations to a good routine, but don’t hesitate to get some guidance if you’re not sure where to start.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Many areas of health, including your hormonal health, begin in the gut. For women with PCOS, maintaining gut health is especially important and can help alleviate unwanted symptoms and prevent serious health issues.</p>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Eating a variety of whole foods, avoiding artificial sweeteners, and prioritizing sleep are a few simple steps women with PCOS can take to optimize the diversity of their gut microbiome and overall health. If you have any questions on the best treatments for PCOS, please give us a call!</p>



<div style="height:56px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Sources:</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “PCOS and Diabetes” https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.html</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Balikci A, Erdem M, Keskin U, Bozkurt Zincir S, Gülsün M, Özçelik F, Akgül EÖ, Akarsu S, Öztosun M, Ergün A. Depression, Anxiety, and Anger in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2014 Dec;51(4):328-333. doi: 10.5152/npa.2014.6898. Epub 2014 Dec 1. PMID: 28360650; PMCID: PMC5353166.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Guo Y, Qi Y, Yang X, Zhao L, Wen S, Liu Y, Tang L. Association between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Gut Microbiota. PLoS One. 2016 Apr 19;11(4):e0153196. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153196. PMID: 27093642; PMCID: PMC4836746.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">González F. Inflammation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: underpinning of insulin resistance and ovarian dysfunction. Steroids. 2012 Mar 10;77(4):300-5. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2011.12.003. Epub 2011 Dec 8. PMID: 22178787; PMCID: PMC3309040.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Ojo O, Feng QQ, Ojo OO, Wang XH. The Role of Dietary Fiber in Modulating Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2020 Oct 23;12(11):3239. doi: 10.3390/nu12113239. PMID: 33113929; PMCID: PMC7690692.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/should-i-be-eating-more-fiber-2019022115927</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Harvard Health, Should I be eating more fiber? https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/should-i-be-eating-more-fiber-2019022115927</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Dana Withrow, Samuel J. Bowers, Christopher M. Depner, Antonio González, Amy C. Reynolds, Kenneth P. Wright, Sleep and circadian disruption and the gut microbiome-possible links to dysregulated metabolism, Current Opinion in Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Volume 17, 2021 Pages 26-37, ISSN 2451-9650,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Qin HY, Cheng CW, Tang XD, Bian ZX. Impact of psychological stress on irritable bowel syndrome. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Oct 21;20(39):14126-31. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14126. PMID: 25339801; PMCID: PMC4202343.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Clauss M, Gérard P, Mosca A, Leclerc M. Interplay Between Exercise and Gut Microbiome in the Context of Human Health and Performance. Front Nutr. 2021 Jun 10;8:637010. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.637010. PMID: 34179053; PMCID: PMC8222532.</p>
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		<title>Top 10 Superfoods for Longevity</title>
		<link>https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/top-10-superfoods-for-longevity/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wby-admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 May 2022 14:29:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gut Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthy Diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Longevity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Superfoods]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/?p=21063</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The small choices we make every day add up to a lasting impact on our long-term health. One of the most striking examples of how good decisions lead to good outcomes is the role of our everyday food choices on longevity. Growing research points to the importance of diet on both quality of life and [&#8230;]]]></description>
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									<p>GMO&#8217;s (genetically modified organisms) have genes from another species transplanted into their DNA. This is done to increase production or yield or add some other previously nonexistent quality to the organism.</p>
<p>These experimental organisms have so far been mostly plants, but animals are also being modified.</p>
<p>This is not the same as hybridizing. Hybrids are created through breeding. Genetic modification is actual transferral of DNA material from one species into another in order to achieve some desired characteristic.</p>
<p>To be able to insert the foreign DNA into the recipient plant or animal DNA, either a virus or bacteria must be used as a sort of carrier.</p>
<p>As bizarre as the genetic transfer may seem, perhaps the bigger problem is the use of these viral and bacterial carriers. We&#8217;ll come back to that in a minute.</p>
<p>One of the targeted characteristics of GMO&#8217;s is called Roundup Ready. This means that the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) can be sprayed on the crop without killing it. Evidently, the weeds must be developing a&nbsp;tolerance to this herbicide, because more and more of it is being used every year. Much of this glyphosate is absorbed into the plant and ends up in our food.</p>
<p>Glyphosate acts like a highly targeted antibiotic in the guts of animals and people. Unfortunately, it targets only our beneficial bacteria—the microbes that help with digestion, detoxification, hormonal balance, immune system and more. It has no effect on pathogenic bacteria like E. Coli and botulism. This throws off the delicate balance of friendlies and unfriendlies, which will become a big problem sooner or later.</p>
<p>Another characteristic that has been added to GM corn is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)a pesticide that occurs naturally as a soil microbe. It has been sprayed on crops for decades by organic farmers to deter insect damage.</p>
<p>Now the middleman has been eliminated by inserting the pesticide directly into the plant. It wasn&#8217;t supposed to affect animals, only insects. It kills pests by creating holes in the cell walls in their digestive tracts.</p>
<p>Surprise! That&#8217;s also what it does to cows that are fed GM corn, and to humans, too. Destroying the integrity of the cells naturally leads to leaky gut and to all that it entails.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, it gets worse. When we eat plants, we chew and digest the plant material. Under normal circumstances, the DNA from that plant doesn&#8217;t impose itself on us like some sort of invader. Instead, we extract the nutrients from the plant to use in our own body processes.</p>
<p>Bt is a bacteria that has been forcefully inserted into plants. &nbsp;Somehow this bacterial DNA is separating itself from the plant material being digested. It appears that Bt can survive and replicate itself in our own gut Microbiome, essentially turning us into pesticide factories. Basically, the Bt can continually injure the gut lining because instead of flushing out of the system within a few hours, what it&#8217;s supposed to do, it&#8217;s moving in and raising a very destructive family.</p>
<p>Similar to this scenario, those bacterial and viral genetic carriers mentioned above have been discovered in the digestive tracts of bees. It&#8217;s normal for bacteria to exchange genetic material with one another. It&#8217;s part of the way they communicate.</p>
<p>But these microbes appear to be cross-breeding with the bees&#8217; natural bacteria and creating new varieties.</p>
<p>The gut biomes of bees and humans are closely related. It has been theorized that maybe the same thing is happening in human digestive tracts as well. And that it could be a part of the cause of the explosive increase in food allergies in recent years.</p>
<p>Realistically, we don&#8217;t know the extent of damage that has already been done, or what is still to be discovered. Sometimes the wisest move is to assume the worst, and do your best to avoid GMO&#8217;s until we know how to fix&nbsp;the problems.</p>								</div>
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		<title>How To Eat Healthy On A Budget</title>
		<link>https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/how-to-eat-healthy-on-a-budget-2/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wby-admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Nov 2021 05:31:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gut Health]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cheriseb.sg-host.com/?p=20687</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Many people have the misconception that healthy eating means having to spend a lot of money on fresh, nutritious foods. This is not true! While the thought of preparing delicious, healthy meals on a limited budget seems challenging, it doesn’t mean you will have to buy substandard ingredients all the time, either. With these simple [&#8230;]]]></description>
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									<p>GMO&#8217;s (genetically modified organisms) have genes from another species transplanted into their DNA. This is done to increase production or yield or add some other previously nonexistent quality to the organism.</p>
<p>These experimental organisms have so far been mostly plants, but animals are also being modified.</p>
<p>This is not the same as hybridizing. Hybrids are created through breeding. Genetic modification is actual transferral of DNA material from one species into another in order to achieve some desired characteristic.</p>
<p>To be able to insert the foreign DNA into the recipient plant or animal DNA, either a virus or bacteria must be used as a sort of carrier.</p>
<p>As bizarre as the genetic transfer may seem, perhaps the bigger problem is the use of these viral and bacterial carriers. We&#8217;ll come back to that in a minute.</p>
<p>One of the targeted characteristics of GMO&#8217;s is called Roundup Ready. This means that the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) can be sprayed on the crop without killing it. Evidently, the weeds must be developing a&nbsp;tolerance to this herbicide, because more and more of it is being used every year. Much of this glyphosate is absorbed into the plant and ends up in our food.</p>
<p>Glyphosate acts like a highly targeted antibiotic in the guts of animals and people. Unfortunately, it targets only our beneficial bacteria—the microbes that help with digestion, detoxification, hormonal balance, immune system and more. It has no effect on pathogenic bacteria like E. Coli and botulism. This throws off the delicate balance of friendlies and unfriendlies, which will become a big problem sooner or later.</p>
<p>Another characteristic that has been added to GM corn is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)a pesticide that occurs naturally as a soil microbe. It has been sprayed on crops for decades by organic farmers to deter insect damage.</p>
<p>Now the middleman has been eliminated by inserting the pesticide directly into the plant. It wasn&#8217;t supposed to affect animals, only insects. It kills pests by creating holes in the cell walls in their digestive tracts.</p>
<p>Surprise! That&#8217;s also what it does to cows that are fed GM corn, and to humans, too. Destroying the integrity of the cells naturally leads to leaky gut and to all that it entails.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, it gets worse. When we eat plants, we chew and digest the plant material. Under normal circumstances, the DNA from that plant doesn&#8217;t impose itself on us like some sort of invader. Instead, we extract the nutrients from the plant to use in our own body processes.</p>
<p>Bt is a bacteria that has been forcefully inserted into plants. &nbsp;Somehow this bacterial DNA is separating itself from the plant material being digested. It appears that Bt can survive and replicate itself in our own gut Microbiome, essentially turning us into pesticide factories. Basically, the Bt can continually injure the gut lining because instead of flushing out of the system within a few hours, what it&#8217;s supposed to do, it&#8217;s moving in and raising a very destructive family.</p>
<p>Similar to this scenario, those bacterial and viral genetic carriers mentioned above have been discovered in the digestive tracts of bees. It&#8217;s normal for bacteria to exchange genetic material with one another. It&#8217;s part of the way they communicate.</p>
<p>But these microbes appear to be cross-breeding with the bees&#8217; natural bacteria and creating new varieties.</p>
<p>The gut biomes of bees and humans are closely related. It has been theorized that maybe the same thing is happening in human digestive tracts as well. And that it could be a part of the cause of the explosive increase in food allergies in recent years.</p>
<p>Realistically, we don&#8217;t know the extent of damage that has already been done, or what is still to be discovered. Sometimes the wisest move is to assume the worst, and do your best to avoid GMO&#8217;s until we know how to fix&nbsp;the problems.</p>								</div>
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		<title>Hay Fever And Gut Health</title>
		<link>https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/hay-fever-gut-health/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wby-admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:32:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gut Health]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://demo-staging.bigboost.marketing/?p=2007</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[What does gut health have to do with hay fever or seasonal allergies? Probably a good deal more than you might think. Allergies and hay fever are an inappropriate defensive response to pollen and other substances. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, "Besides being...]]></description>
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									<p>What does gut health have to do with hay fever or seasonal allergies? Probably a good deal more than you might think.</p>
<p>Allergies and hay fever are an inappropriate defensive response to pollen and other substances.</p>
<p>According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, &#8220;Besides being associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn&#8217;s and ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease, leaky gut can also be a contributing factor to allergies.&#8221;</p>
<p>It&#8217;s true that pollens can be extremely irritating. When you look at them under a microscope, some look like medieval torture devices.</p>
<p>Your body wants to rid itself of irritants, so when you&#8217;re exposed, you may sneeze to blow it out. Or produce mucus to rinse your sinuses. Or even develop a tickle so that you grab a tissue to blow your nose.</p>
<p>This isn&#8217;t really an allergy&#8230; just your body taking care of housekeeping.</p>
<p>Much of the hay fever and asthma problem are caused by food allergies. It&#8217;s like the inflammation caused by an allergy to specific foods or food groups becomes contagious, and spreads to the respiratory system.</p>
<p>Food allergies also begin in the gut.</p>
<p>When your intestinal lining loses integrity or leaky gut syndrome, it allows incompletely digested food particles into your bloodstream. Your immune system doesn&#8217;t recognize these too-large particles as nutrients, so they&#8217;re considered to be invaders, and are attacked and disposed of.</p>
<p>It also creates antibodies to those particles. These are sort of like the FBI&#8217;s most wanted list, so the immune system can quickly identify and subdue these substances, should they ever decide to invade again.</p>
<p>From Dr. Mercola again: about a third of seasonal allergy sufferers have Oral Allergy Syndrome. Sometimes your immune system is fooled by similar looking proteins. So when a pollen molecule is structurally similar to a food molecule you&#8217;re already allergic to, Your immune system looks at the protein molecule and says, &#8220;Close enough!&#8221; and attacks it.</p>
<p>Most health care providers who treat allergies holistically usually reduce the allergic threshold using an elimination diet. Because adverse reactions can be delayed sometimes, it’s recommended to stay on the special diet for at least 10 days to properly narrow the field.</p>
<p>The top ten common food allergens you may want to avoid:</p>
<ul>
<li>Eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts, and peanuts will usually have an immediate reaction.</li>
<li>Milk, chocolate, wheat, citrus fruits, and artificial colorings often have a delayed reaction.</li>
</ul>
<p>The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp; Immunology recommends using a Neti pot to irrigate your sinuses daily with saline solution. This safely flushes out pollen and other irritants.</p>
<p>Though it won’t cure your allergies, it can help with symptoms, taking some of the pressure off while you’re getting to the root of the problem.</p>								</div>
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		<title>What Is SIBO?</title>
		<link>https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/what-is-sibo/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wby-admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:26:39 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Gut Health]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://demo-staging.bigboost.marketing/?p=2010</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[If you are treating your leaky gut by following the 4 R&#8217;s and you&#8217;re not seeing much progress, it could be that you&#8217;re dealing with SIBO &#8211; small intestine bacterial overgrowth. SIBO (pronounced SEE-bo) is one of the causes of leaky gut, but the two vary a bit when it comes to treatment. The most [&#8230;]]]></description>
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									<p>If you are treating your leaky gut by following the 4 R&#8217;s and you&#8217;re not seeing much progress, it could be that you&#8217;re dealing with SIBO &#8211; small intestine bacterial overgrowth. SIBO (pronounced SEE-bo) is one of the causes of leaky gut, but the two vary a bit when it comes to treatment.</p>
<p>The most common symptoms of SIBO are abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating/distention, diarrhea and/or constipation, and extreme burping and passing gas. It tends to be under-diagnosed since it shares so many symptoms with other gastrointestinal disorders.</p>
<h2 class="ParagraphHeading">A Bit Of Background</h2>
<p>The small intestine is a big part of the digestive tract. More than 20 feet long, it takes up most of the space in the abdomen. Above it, the stomach&#8217;s job is to mix chewed up food with acid, and really start to break down the pieces of food.</p>
<p>After churning it up for a while, this mixture is sent to the small intestine where it&#8217;s broken down even further, and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. Several nutrients are also manufactured here.</p>
<p>After all that acid treatment, there is really very little bacteria in the small intestine and only specific varieties. Or at least, this is how it&#8217;s supposed to be. The main bacteria colonies that are so important to good health are a little further down in the colon (large intestine).</p>
<p>There is a one-way valve between the small and large gut &#8211; the ileocecal valve (ICV) &#8211; designed to keep things moving forward. If the ICV gets damaged or even just stuck, digested material can go back into the small intestine. At this point, the normal colon bacteria, simply trying to do their job to keep us healthy, has been added to the mix.</p>
<p>But remember, bacteria, even the good kind, doesn&#8217;t belong in the small intestine. Its presence can set off an inflammatory cascade with far-reaching effects. Other digestive issues of course, like GERD, leaky gut, IBS&#8230; but also hormone production, mood, and brain function can be affected.</p>
<p>Obviously, this is not something you&#8217;d want to happen.</p>
<p>There are many circumstances that can lead to SIBO, but the primary factor appears to be gastroenteritis (stomach flu) in your medical history. And who hasn&#8217;t had stomach flu at some point?</p>
<p>There are greater and lesser degrees of physical damage caused by these infections, so a bout&nbsp;of tummy problems doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean you&#8217;ll get SIBO. But if your gut is sufficiently damaged, intestinal function will be impaired.</p>
<ul>
<li>The ICV could malfunction and cause a backup</li>
<li>Some of the carpet-like villi on the intestinal wall could become scarred and unable to absorb nutrients, leading to a fermentation problem and blowing the ICV</li>
<li>The gut flushing action that&#8217;s supposed to happen between meals might shut down (a housekeeping problem)</li>
</ul>
<p>But whatever the cause, bacteria that is normally considered beneficial relocates to where it doesn&#8217;t belong. Instead of helping, it becomes a troublemaker.</p>
<p>If you suspect you have SIBO, the most common lab test used is a breath test for incomplete digestion. Some practitioners are also beginning to use a urine panel to test for organic acids.</p>
<p>Once you&#8217;re diagnosed, some health care providers choose to treat SIBO with low level antibiotics. Others believe the antibiotic cure is short lived, and that the SIBO will nearly always return. I suspect it all depends on a multitude of circumstances, both physical and emotional.</p>
<p>Most practitioners seem to agree that inflammatory foods must be removed from the diet. No starches, sugar, or alcohol. No grains. No probiotics or prebiotics. Most dairy products and legumes are a no-no. And sometimes, even fruits must be avoided.</p>
<p>Getting enough nutrition while starving out the SIBO begins to look like a tightrope act.</p>								</div>
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		<title>Modern Agriculture And Its Effect On Gut Health</title>
		<link>https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/modern-agriculture-human-gut-health/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wby-admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2018 08:47:07 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Gut Health]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://demo-staging.bigboost.marketing/?p=2008</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;ve done much research on gut health, you already know that antibiotics, even when prescribed and used correctly, can really do a number on your digestive health. While they&#8217;re killing off the pathogens they were meant to eliminate, antibiotics also rid your body of helpful bacteria and other friendly microbes. This microbial community that [&#8230;]]]></description>
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									<p>If you&#8217;ve done much research on gut health, you already know that antibiotics, even when prescribed and used correctly, can really do a number on your digestive health. While they&#8217;re killing off the pathogens they were meant to eliminate, antibiotics also rid your body of helpful bacteria and other friendly microbes.</p>
<p>This microbial community that lives inside us, our microbiome, is incredibly important to our health as humans. It helps or even actually does the work of dozens of body processes.</p>
<p>Ideally, we start life with a healthy, balanced microbiome. It evolves with us over time and helps to keep our nutrition cycles and immune system working smoothly.</p>
<p>So if your health care provider prescribed antibiotics for you, you may want to ask him or her if they are really necessary. Sometimes they may be. But in many cases, antibiotics don&#8217;t speed up healing. You can get well just as quickly without them.</p>
<p>At least if you&#8217;re taking antibiotics, you&#8217;re aware of it and can make an attempt at getting your body back into balance afterwards. Many pharmacists will recommend that you add a probiotic supplement, such as acidophilus, after you finish your prescription. And this usually helps, at least a little bit.</p>
<p>But there&#8217;s a bigger problem that&#8217;s not always obvious. If you&#8217;re eating commercially raised meat, eggs, or dairy products, you are consuming low doses of antibiotics every day.</p>
<p>You see, factory farming is not a healthy environment for these animals. The horrendous overcrowding these creatures must endure creates perfect circumstances for the spread of sickness and disease.</p>
<p>So to prevent illness in the flock or herd, antibiotics are added to the livestock&#8217;s food. Makes sense, right?</p>
<p>Well, this is a strategy that simply covers up a problem that should have been solved by now. And this consistent low dose of antibiotics is creating superbugs that are very difficult to control.</p>
<p>At some point, the factory farmers discovered that low dose antibiotics help livestock to gain weight more quickly than they would otherwise. And since meat is usually sold by the pound, cheap pharmaceuticals can add a lot to profit margins.</p>
<p>More than 80% of the antibiotics sold in the United States are used in the agriculture industry. Millions of pounds of drugs are added to our food supply every year. And these drugs never appear on ingredients labels, so we don&#8217;t know they&#8217;re there.</p>
<p>But it&#8217;s not just livestock production practices that mess with human gut health. The development of hybridized wheat has also added to the problem.</p>
<p>It is often said that bread is an essential stable for humankind. We have been eating it for thousands of years.</p>
<p>Bread is usually made from wheat because wheat contains lots of gluten proteins. The gluten is what allows the bubbles produced while baking the bread to become part of the loaf&#8217;s structure, rather than collapsing it into a dense brick.</p>
<p>But science has helped create wheat strains with even more gluten than ever before. It makes bread softer, lighter, and presumably more fun.</p>
<p>Yet it turns out that gluten is very hard for humans to digest. And incompletely digested proteins, including glutens, are very hard on your gut lining.</p>
<p>In addition to loosening the tight junctions between the cells making up your intestinal wall, glutens have a tendency to stir up your immune system. An inflammatory cascade can begin to occur within you, which can lead to health issues anywhere in your body: usually in an organ or gland that has already been weakened somehow.</p>
<p>Grain fields offer yet another gut health obstacle.</p>
<p>Weeds are a farmer&#8217;s nightmare, adding to their fuel and equipment costs and to their workload. So herbicides were invented to take care of the weeds.</p>
<p>But to be effective, the seed companies needed to get the crop plants to survive being sprayed with weed killer. Enter genetically modified seeds, resistant to glyphosate, commercially known as Roundup®.</p>
<p>Having Roundup-Ready crops in the field meant that more and more glyphosate is being used on our food. Glyphosate doesn&#8217;t just kill weeds. When we eat food that has been treated with this herbicide, it acts very similarly to antibiotics in our digestive tract.</p>
<p>And we already know that is a problem.</p>
<p>So, even though on the surface it may seem expensive to buy organically raised and produced groceries, the long-term savings in our health and medical budget are more than worth it.</p>								</div>
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		<title>GMO&#8217;s And Gut Health</title>
		<link>https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/gmos-gut-health/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wby-admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2017 08:42:54 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Gut Health]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://demo-staging.bigboost.marketing/?p=2003</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[GMO&#8217;s (genetically modified organisms) have genes from another species transplanted into their DNA. This is done to increase production or yield or add some other previously nonexistent quality to the organism. These experimental organisms have so far been mostly plants, but animals are also being modified. This is not the same as hybridizing. Hybrids are [&#8230;]]]></description>
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									<p>GMO&#8217;s (genetically modified organisms) have genes from another species transplanted into their DNA. This is done to increase production or yield or add some other previously nonexistent quality to the organism.</p>
<p>These experimental organisms have so far been mostly plants, but animals are also being modified.</p>
<p>This is not the same as hybridizing. Hybrids are created through breeding. Genetic modification is actual transferral of DNA material from one species into another in order to achieve some desired characteristic.</p>
<p>To be able to insert the foreign DNA into the recipient plant or animal DNA, either a virus or bacteria must be used as a sort of carrier.</p>
<p>As bizarre as the genetic transfer may seem, perhaps the bigger problem is the use of these viral and bacterial carriers. We&#8217;ll come back to that in a minute.</p>
<p>One of the targeted characteristics of GMO&#8217;s is called Roundup Ready. This means that the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) can be sprayed on the crop without killing it. Evidently, the weeds must be developing a&nbsp;tolerance to this herbicide, because more and more of it is being used every year. Much of this glyphosate is absorbed into the plant and ends up in our food.</p>
<p>Glyphosate acts like a highly targeted antibiotic in the guts of animals and people. Unfortunately, it targets only our beneficial bacteria—the microbes that help with digestion, detoxification, hormonal balance, immune system and more. It has no effect on pathogenic bacteria like E. Coli and botulism. This throws off the delicate balance of friendlies and unfriendlies, which will become a big problem sooner or later.</p>
<p>Another characteristic that has been added to GM corn is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)a pesticide that occurs naturally as a soil microbe. It has been sprayed on crops for decades by organic farmers to deter insect damage.</p>
<p>Now the middleman has been eliminated by inserting the pesticide directly into the plant. It wasn&#8217;t supposed to affect animals, only insects. It kills pests by creating holes in the cell walls in their digestive tracts.</p>
<p>Surprise! That&#8217;s also what it does to cows that are fed GM corn, and to humans, too. Destroying the integrity of the cells naturally leads to leaky gut and to all that it entails.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, it gets worse. When we eat plants, we chew and digest the plant material. Under normal circumstances, the DNA from that plant doesn&#8217;t impose itself on us like some sort of invader. Instead, we extract the nutrients from the plant to use in our own body processes.</p>
<p>Bt is a bacteria that has been forcefully inserted into plants. &nbsp;Somehow this bacterial DNA is separating itself from the plant material being digested. It appears that Bt can survive and replicate itself in our own gut Microbiome, essentially turning us into pesticide factories. Basically, the Bt can continually injure the gut lining because instead of flushing out of the system within a few hours, what it&#8217;s supposed to do, it&#8217;s moving in and raising a very destructive family.</p>
<p>Similar to this scenario, those bacterial and viral genetic carriers mentioned above have been discovered in the digestive tracts of bees. It&#8217;s normal for bacteria to exchange genetic material with one another. It&#8217;s part of the way they communicate.</p>
<p>But these microbes appear to be cross-breeding with the bees&#8217; natural bacteria and creating new varieties.</p>
<p>The gut biomes of bees and humans are closely related. It has been theorized that maybe the same thing is happening in human digestive tracts as well. And that it could be a part of the cause of the explosive increase in food allergies in recent years.</p>
<p>Realistically, we don&#8217;t know the extent of damage that has already been done, or what is still to be discovered. Sometimes the wisest move is to assume the worst, and do your best to avoid GMO&#8217;s until we know how to fix&nbsp;the problems.</p>								</div>
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		<title>One Amazing Way To Health Digestion Problems: Enzymes</title>
		<link>https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/digestive-enzymes-gut-health/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wby-admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2017 08:34:49 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Gut Health]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[Your body is designed to digest the food you eat. It creates hydrochloric acid along with various enzymes for just that purpose. So why might you consider taking them as a supplement? Well, if you seem to get gas no matter what you eat, often suffer from heartburn or indigestion, or if constipation is an [&#8230;]]]></description>
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									<p>Your body is designed to digest the food you eat.</p>
<p>It creates hydrochloric acid along with various enzymes for just that purpose. So why might you consider taking them as a supplement?</p>
<p>Well, if you seem to get gas no matter what you eat, often suffer from heartburn or indigestion, or if constipation is an issue for you, it may&nbsp;mean&nbsp;that there is something not quite right with your enzyme production.</p>
<p>This is key because, in order to be able to absorb nutrients, your food has to be broken down microscopic particles. Anything that&#8217;s not totally broken down starts composting somewhere in your intestinal tract, leading to any number of problems.</p>
<p>But before you start taking pills, let&#8217;s look at how the digestive process works, or at least, how it&#8217;s supposed to.</p>
<p>Digestion actually starts before you ever pick up your fork. Ever notice that smelling something delicious can make your stomach growl? That&#8217;s your body realizing that food is on the way, and starting to pump out digestive juices to get ready for it.</p>
<p>And as woo woo as it may sound, it&#8217;s important to look at your food and appreciate it before you begin eating. Gratitude for the cook, the farmer, the grocery store, a higher power and feeling thankful allows your digestion to work better.</p>
<p>Next, chew your food thoroughly. Yes, just like your grandma probably told you when you were little. This obviously mechanical step also stimulates the production of saliva, which contains the first round of digestive enzymes.</p>
<p>Your stomach produces acid that begins breaking down proteins. This acid also signals your gall bladder to release bile, which begins breaking down fats into fatty acids your body can use.</p>
<p>After this mixture churns for a while, your pancreas takes over. It neutralizes the stomach acid and releases enzymes that further break down the food.</p>
<p>If all has gone well, by the time it gets to your small intestine, all your food has been broken down into tiny particles, which can be absorbed into your bloodstream.</p>
<p>If not, well, that&#8217;s how you get those symptoms we talked about earlier.</p>
<p>All of the different digestive actions are necessary for the whole thing to work. Remove or inhibit one piece, and the rest of the process suffers.</p>
<p>There are a few diseases that affect enzyme production, but one of the biggest causes of enzyme deficiency is Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS). This is ironic because enzyme therapy is also a crucial part of healing leaky gut.</p>
<p>Depending on your situation, your healthcare practitioner may suggest the use of hydrochloric acid therapy or other enzyme combinations.&nbsp;Proper use of supplemental enzymes can help your&nbsp;body heal and once again create the enzymes it needs.</p>								</div>
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		<title>Probiotics Are Pro-Health: Here&#8217;s How to Consume Them</title>
		<link>https://wellnessbalanceyou.net/probiotics-for-health/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wby-admin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2017 20:27:39 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Gut Health]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://demo-staging.bigboost.marketing/?p=528</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[You’ve probably been prescribed antibiotics throughout your life to fight infections. And you’ve definitely seen antibacterial soaps and detergents. That must mean all bacteria are bad, right? The truth is that many bacteria are actually very good...]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You&#8217;ve probably been prescribed antibiotics throughout your life to fight infections. And you&#8217;ve definitely seen antibacterial soaps and detergents. That must mean all bacteria are bad, right?</p>
<p>The truth is that many bacteria are actually very good for the body. Antibiotics don&#8217;t just kill off bacteria that cause illness, they also get rid of the bacteria we need for good immunity and digestion. And as a result of killing off all the bacteria, we can actually experience a different set of diseases.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s critical that you have plenty of healthy bacteria in your body. One of the best ways to introduce these healthy bacteria is through probiotic foods. These are also called cultured foods or fermented foods.</p>
<p>Fermented foods are those that have been exposed to bacteria. The bacteria are allowed to eat the sugars from the foods and grow. In turn, it helps to break down the nutrients in the food and make them easier to digest. At the same time eating these foods gives you a healthy dose of probiotics bacteria and enzymes.</p>
<p>While you can purchase probiotic supplements from just about any pharmacy or health food store, your body can use them much more readily when they come from sources of food.<br />
Probiotics can reduce your risk of yeast infections, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, colds, flu, chronic fatigue syndrome, and even heart disease. &nbsp;It&#8217;s imperative that you find ways to add them to your diet, and it&#8217;s a lot easier than you might think.</p>
<p>Foods that contain probiotics include yogurt, pickles, sauerkraut, and kefir. These are products you&#8217;ve probably seen in your grocery store and even consumed on your own. You can also find probiotics in foods that are a little more obscure such as kimchi, miso, and kombucha. These are foods that are enjoyed around the world&nbsp;but are less commonly known in the West.<br />
However, as the health benefits of probiotics become more evident these foods have been afforded a place of honor. If you take a trip to your local health foods store you&#8217;ll no doubt see many of them available on the shelves.</p>
<p>In addition to purchasing them commercially, you can also make many of them at home.</p>
<p>However, you&#8217;ll need starters to help get the cultures developing. Eating probiotic foods is a great step toward improving your wellness and reducing your risk of disease.<br />
So there you have it! There are some bacteria that can cause damage to you, many bacteria are necessary for you to enjoy good health.</p>
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