Gut health – Page 2 – Hello Doctor

Could you be suffering from SIBO?

March 20th, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

SIBO refers to “small intestine bacterial overgrowth”. It is normal for bacteria to grow in certain parts of your gut and intestinal tract, but when these bacteria develop in the small intestine, symptoms appear.

Common symptoms include:

pain in the stomach after eating
cramps
diarrhoea
constipation
bloating
indigestion
gas
constantly feeling full.

Although SIBO isn’t very well understood, it may be caused when:

Your immune system malfunctions.
Your small bowel is abnormal.
When bacteria and food aren’t removed from the small intestine; usually when the muscular activity of the small intestine malfunctions.

Is SIBO serious?

In most cases, SIBO is not a life-threatening condition. In serious cases, however, symptoms can become so severe that you could start to suffer from malnutrition. In these cases, symptoms may include fatigue, trouble breathing, unusual food cravings, constipation, weakness and pale skin.

Do you have SIBO?

If you have symptoms of SIBO, see your doctor immediately. To make a proper diagnosis, he will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You’ll also have a physical where your abdomen will be checked, and you may have to get your blood tested.

One of the most common tests for diagnosing SIBO is a breath test. During this test, while you are in a fasted state, you’ll be asked to breathe into a device before and after having a special drink. Excess bacteria in your small intestine create hydrogen and methane; gasses that can be analysed in your breath.

Treatment

The usual treatment for SIBO is a combination of lifestyle changes, specifically to your diet, and antibiotics. Antibiotics help your body reduce the bacteria in the small intestine This helps, but it’s also important to treat the underlying issue that created the bacteria in the first place.

If SIBO comes from certain foods, a change in your diet may be the solution. Don’t make any changes without your doctor’s advice, though.

Take action:

Eat smaller meals rather than heavy portions to avoid having too much food in your stomach.
Eat a balanced diet with enough fruit and vegetables.
Avoid certain foods if you have an intolerance or allergy. For example, if you have celiac disease, don’t eat gluten products.
Eliminate sugars to ease your symptoms. These include fructose (simple sugars found in fruits, some vegetables and honey), lactose (found in dairy) and fructans (found in gluten products, some fruit and vegetables).

Good to know

After treatment, it’s possible to get SIBO again, so be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and stick to your dietary changes.

References

Is soy really good for your health?

January 23rd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

There are good reasons why many vegans and vegetarians swear by soy. It’s versatile, packed with protein and other nutrients, plus, it makes a tasty meat alternative.

Although soy is lauded for its many benefits, it comes with a few negatives, too. Let’s take a look.

The good

Soy is a legume. But, unlike many other legumes, it’s an excellent source of plant protein.
Soy is naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat, making it a healthy, plant-based alternative to meat.
Soy can boost your fibre intake, which helps to sustain a healthy colon.
Soy contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which help to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
It’s chock-full of B vitamins, Vitamin D, calcium, iron, zinc and antioxidants.
It provides an excellent dose of polyunsaturated fat, which has heart-health benefits
It‘s an ingredient in many readymade convenience foods. These include soy milk, tofu, soy sauce and tempeh.
It may help alleviate symptoms of menopause. Menopause occurs when a woman has her last menstrual period. Hormone therapy is often used to relieve the symptoms of menopause and to counteract the drop in oestrogen. This comes with some health risks, so many women look for alternatives to manage their menopause symptoms. One of these alternatives is soy, which contains chemical compounds called isoflavones. These have some oestrogen-raising effects.

The bad

It affects your thyroid

Soy has excessive levels of goitrogens – compounds that hamper your thyroid’s ability to use iodine properly. This may cause hypothyroid problems, which means that your whole metabolism slows down. Hypothyroidism may also cause low energy levels, make you feel cold all the time, and make you vulnerable to disease. Be aware that vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage (in excessive quantities) can also disrupt your thyroid.

It disrupts your hormones

Although soy may help with managing menopause as it raises oestrogen levels, it can cause problems. Isoflavones disrupt the reproductive systems of people who aren’t menopausal. Excess soy could temporarily stop the menstrual cycle in women. In men, it could cause an imbalance of testosterone, resulting in fat accumulation around the waist, a low libido, and a loss of energy and stamina.

Parents with young children should take care when choosing baby formulas as many contain substantial doses of soya. A baby’s hormones need to be balanced for them to develop properly and for their sexual characteristics to develop. For example, too much oestrogen can result in underdeveloped testicles and problems during puberty. Speak to your child’s doctor if you’re concerned.

It makes digesting protein difficult

Protease is an enzyme that breaks down proteins. Soy contains protease inhibitors (trypsin inhibitors), which block the action of protease. When proteins aren’t broken down, they can’t be absorbed and used for important functions, such as repairing and building tissues.

The bottom line

According to dietician Kathy McManus, natural soy products like tofu and edamame are valuable sources of protein and other minerals. So, it’s okay to eat these whole soy foods in moderation, a few times a week. However, try to avoid soy isoflavone supplements and foods made with soy protein isolate, including protein powders and nutrition bars. These put you at greater risk for the possible side-effects of soy intake than the whole-food soy options.

References:

What your skin is telling you about your health

November 27th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your skin reflects your health. Imagine a mirror that echoes from the inside out; chances are that if you’re generally unhealthy – the evidence shows up on your skin. As your largest organ, your skin needs (and deserves) the best care and nourishment. Your diet plays a vital role here. What you put in is what you get out. So, watch what you eat to avoid any unexpected “guests” showing up on your face and body.

Some skin issues are way beyond your control, but for the most part, there are ways you can give your skin a healthy boost.

Faulty gut

Your gut is there to absorb the nutrients from your food that your body needs for growth, repair, and normal functioning. When the body doesn’t get sufficient nutrients, it begins to prioritise which organs will get the few nutrients that are available at the time. Your hair, nails and skin are usually the first places to show the signs of deficiency. When nutrients are in short supply, your body prioritises your heart, brain and liver over your skin to receive the bulk of the good stuff.

Acne

This is the most common skin disorder. It’s marked by pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and cysts. Acne is usually caused by an excess of inflammatory foods, a deficiency of highly nutritious ones, a messed-up gut, hormonal imbalance and stress. If you’re constantly having breakouts, your first step should be to evaluate your diet.

Ageing

Ageing causes a progressive loss of your skin’s strength and elasticity. This shows up in the form of wrinkles, sagging, dark spots, and loss of luminescence, or natural glow. Skin needs proteins and fats to give it a youthful appearance. A poor diet produces too many oxidizing free radicals. Smoking can damage your skin’s tissues which will make the skin look old before its time.

Dry skin

Being dehydrated can suck the moisture out of all your body’s systems, including your skin. If you experience dry, flaky skin on a regular basis, you probably need to drink more water, and/or eat more hydrating foods.

Eczema

This is a skin condition characterised by itchy, uncomfortable, scaly skin, and sometimes a blistering rash. It’s often found on the face, hands, feet, behind the ears, and in crooks of the knees and elbows. Food sensitivities, microbial imbalances, and other gut-level irritations activate an immune response which causes the skin flare-ups In some cases, eczema can be triggered by an external irritant, like an environmental toxin. In the case of food-based triggers, aim to avoid these foods for six to eight weeks. This will be enough time for the skin to rejuvenate itself and can often eliminate the need for medication.

Red face or raised red patches

Raised, red patches on the skin may be signs of psoriasis, a condition in which your skin cells build up and form scaly and itchy, dry red patches. The main culprits seem to be an irritated gut, an overactive immune system, or metabolic syndrome. Removing inflammatory foods from your diet, like gluten, dairy, and sugar, can help relieve irritation in the gut and in turn, improve the appearance of your skin.

Rough skin

About 70% of your skin is made up of collagen, and collagen relies on Vitamin C. When you don’t get enough of this vitamin, your skin begins to sag and feels rough. Some good sources of Vitamin C include citrus, broccoli, and dark leafy greens.

Uneven complexion

If you lack vital nutrients, it’s going to show on your skin. Uneven skin is a cry for more vitamins and minerals to help you truly glow. This is because your skin gets its dynamic look from the nourishment you provide it.

Nutrient deficiency could come from not eating enough or not eating the right foods. Even those who overeat are often nutrient-deficient because they rely on processed foods that don’t have any beneficial nutrients.

As the saying goes; you are what you eat. The foods you eat provide the foundation of the structure and function of every little cell in your body. Take care of yourself from the inside out.

References:

Is your skin condition caused by parasites?

April 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Hear the word parasite and your first reaction is probably “Eww!’’ And with good reason. A parasite is an organism which eats, reproduces and secretes just like other organisms. They are an advanced species, which can survive and breed while remaining undetected. It makes sense, then, that these little critters can make your life very difficult, causing different health issues.

There are more than one thousand parasite species. Depending on their type, they eat different things. There are large parasites which are usually worms and small parasites which are microscopic. Some of them live off the food we eat and mainly exist in the digestive tract. Other parasites attach themselves anywhere on the body and feed on the nutrients and energy from your cells.

These parasites often eat the nutrients and energy before you can get to them, which means your organs and skin don’t get the nutrients they need.

Who’s at risk?

Anyone can get a parasite infection, but some people are more at risk than others.

Having an illness or a weak immune system.
Living or constantly travelling in tropical or subtropical regions of the world.
Lacking a clean supply of drinking water.
Through sexual contact.
Through the skin or nose.
Via a mosquito, flea or housefly.
Eating contaminated food.
Swimming in lakes, rivers or ponds where parasites are common.
Working in childcare or with soil regularly.

How parasites affect your skin

As your skin is the fastest way to get rid of an infection, parasitic infections may also cause breakouts and swelling while your body tries to get rid of it. This can cause any of the following symptoms:

Small, itchy bumps
rashes
blisters
reddening & inflammation of the skin

Tissue damage

The most common systemic effects from parasites include:

difficulty gaining or losing weight,
digestive problems,
food sensitivity,
joint and muscle pains
bacterial or viral infections.

Left untreated, health problems caused by parasites may become chronic and cause parasitic infections. Malnutrition may occur, specifically in children, as parasites rob the body of food or prevent food from being absorbed properly. This causes kids to be underweight or their growth to be stunted. Intestinal worms like the hookworm can cause anemia, a condition where there’s a lack of red blood cells.

It gets worse.

If parasites stick around for a long time, they contribute to the development of food allergies, and even death in severe cases, as they drain all the resources your body needs to survive.

Parasite-proof yourself

The best way to protect yourself from parasites is to make your body a bad host. Do this by creating an environment a parasite wouldn’t want to live in. Your gut is filled with bacteria and a healthy gut has about 85% good bacteria that keep your gut in check. The good bacteria protect you from the bad guys (viruses, parasites and harmful bacteria). To keep your gut in top condition, fill up on probiotics. Probiotics help produce good bacteria that support your body, by closing gaps in your gut’s barrier cells.

Good gut tips:

Include probiotics like yoghurt, kefir and sauerkraut in your diet. Ask your doctor about a probiotic supplement.
Balance your diet with enough fibre, vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and nuts. Fibre helps empty parasites from your intestines and a healthy diet improves your immune system.
Limit dairy, sugar and fat as parasites thrive on these.
Cook fish, beef, chicken and other meats thoroughly.
Wash your hands before and after using the toilet.
Wear gloves when gardening or working with soil.
Wash fresh vegetables carefully.
Deworm your pets regularly and handle kitty litter with gloves.

Treatment options

Your doctor will prescribe medication depending on the type of parasitic infection. If you experience any symptoms of an infection and have reason to believe you were exposed to parasites, talk to your doctor immediately.

References

Listeria outbreak: Get rid of these meats immediately!

March 5th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Have you recently bought Viennas, Polony, Frankfurters or ANY processed meat? Get rid of it immediately, or return it to the shop where you purchased it. 180 people have already died from Listeriosis contaminated meats produced by Enterprise foods and Rainbow chicken.

The facts:

Any processed meat from Enterprise Foods and Rainbow Chicken could be contaminated with Listeriosis.
If you bought any processed meats from shops like Checkers, Woolworths or Pick n Pay, make sure you return the meat to the shop, or dispose of it ASAP.
948 people have been infected, and 180 people have died from Listeriosis infection.
Pregnant women, elderly, babies and immune compromised are most at risk.
If you are suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting after eating processed meat, get it checked out as it could be Listeria.

How do you avoid getting infected?

Get rid of any meat products from Enterprise or Rainbow chicken. There is no way to know which meats are contaminated: even if it smells and looks normal.

Make sure you place the meat in a separate bag.
Wash your hands and the fridge with warm, soapy water after handling the meat.
According to authorities, you could return the meat to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

If you bought ANY of these products from Woolworths, you can return them to the store for a full refund:

Waferthin Chargrilled Ham 125G
Waferthin Roasted Chicken 125G
Waferthin Smoked Ham 125G
Wafterthin Cooked Ham 125G
Waferthin Smoked Chicken 125G
500G Smoked Viennas
1KG Smoked Viennas
500G Red Viennas
1KG Red Viennas
375g Cocktail Viennas
125G Smoked Cheesy Viennas
400G Bulk Salami Stikcs
150G Salami Sticks
85G Plain Salami Sticks
85G Spicy Salami Sticks
60G Plain Salami Bites
150G Spicy Salami Sticks
85G Coriander Salami
60G Spicy Salami Bites
250G Smoked and Roasted Gammon
Sliced Lean Ham 125G
Sliced Cooked Ham 250G
Sliced Cooked Ham 125G
250G Ham Selection
250G Assorted Cold Meat
200G Sliced Salami
100G Salami
100G German Salami
100G Sliced Peppered Salami
Local Chorizo
100G Spicy Salami
125G Country Ham

What is Listeriosis?

Listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes food poisoning. The infection is especially dangerous for pregnant women, babies, the elderly and immune compromised.

What are the symptoms?

If you’ve been infected by Listeria, you could have the following symptoms:

fever
muscle aches
nausea
diarrhea

If the infection spreads to the brain and nervous system, you may have some, or all of the following symptoms:

headache
stiff neck
confusion
loss of balance
convulsions

How is it treated?

Generally, healthy people can fight the infection on their own, and symptoms usually pass within a few weeks. You are at higher risk if you are pregnant or immune compromised.

For adequate treatment, doctors will prescribe antibiotics, along with fluids and medication for pain and fever.

If in doubt, get checked by your doctor.

Tips to stay safe in future:

Always wash your hands before and after you prepared food, and especially after touching raw meat, fish or poultry.
Always wash your hands after you’ve been to the toilet.
Always check sell-by and expiry dates. Only buy the freshest foods.
Don’t eat foods that are passed their expiry date.
Trust your nose! Don’t eat foods that have a suspicious smell.
Don’t eat anything from a can that is bulging or dented.
Wash fruit and veggies before eating or cooking.
Use different cutting boards for vegetables and meat.
If any utensils touch raw meat, fish or chicken, don’t reuse it: first wash with soap and hot water.
Use hot, soapy water when cleaning any cooking utensils.
Under-cooked meat, poultry, and shellfish can be very dangerous. Always make sure it’s cooked properly.
Never place food on tables ahead of time. Always take food out of the fridge just before serving.

References:

Health trends in the new year

October 24th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’re all about your calorie counter and walking tracker, and those gadgets certainly spurred you on your health journey. What’s on the horizon for 2018? Here are a few health bandwagons to jump on.

Hush up

Boost your health this year by staying quiet. Silence is set to be one of the hottest health trends. This ranges from silent eating to silent yoga. At the 2017 Global Wellness Summit lifestyle experts focused on silence wellness destinations and spas. Their take: “Future destinations will need to put a deeper, more comprehensive focus on the true “art of living” – from helping people “do” to helping them “be” – and that will include a much more powerful focus on silence and nature.” This entails space and silence being treated as luxuries to help people restore inner silence, and make contemplation possible.

Spice up your life

Cheap, flavourful and full of goodness; spices have been making a comeback for a while now. More people are turning on to the effectiveness of kitchen standbys like turmeric, capsaicin, garlic, pepper, horseradish, and wasabi, to name a few hot and spicy health helpers. They’re packed with natural antioxidants, help with everyday niggles, flu and colds – and the hotter spices are could boost your metabolism too.

Go with your gut

With obesity on the rise everywhere, medical experts are preaching the pros of a gut-friendly diet. It’s telling that most of our health concerns start in the gut so tis’ the season to pay more attention to this crucial element. Google Trends for the last year shows that “gut health” and “bloating” are among the most popular search terms. Look into gut-friendly diets and foods to boost your gut health; studies show that fermented foods like kefir, kombucha, pickles and kimchi, are on the rise. Consider taking a daily probiotic as well.

Best of both

A flexitarian mindset is the best of both worlds: it’s a semi-vegetarian diet with the occasional bit of meat and fish. A report by the US National Library of Medicine says that there’s an increasing movement to a flexitarian diet. “There’s evidence suggestive of benefits for body weight, improved markers of metabolic health, blood pressure, and a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes. A flexitarian diet may also have a role to play in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease.”

Cosy nights in

Your health is going to love this one. Nesting is the new going out. Pinterest tags about “self-care” are up over 120%, says research. “Whether to decompress after a crazy work week or prevent early burnout, people are getting cosy and getting down with a self-care mindset,” says Pinterest researcher, Larkin Brown.

Cryotherapy

Google Trends predicts cryotherapy making a resurgence. This is the process of exposing your body to extremely low temperatures in a controlled environment. The point here is to lower your skin’s surface temperature, which stimulates receptors in the body – bringing on a release of endorphins. The benefits are said to increase circulation, reduce inflammation and regenerate cells.

Don’t bother with…

Juicing. Much of the good fibre is lost in the process of juicing, explains Theresa Marais, a registered Cape Town dietician. “This is necessary for the gut and to prevent constipation. People also add too many things like yoghurt and protein powders into the mix.” Juicing removes the juice from fresh fruit or vegetables, producing liquid that contains most of the vitamins, minerals and chemicals found in whole fruit. But, whole fruits and vegetables have valuable fibre that’s removed during most juicing.
Carb mania. Sugar has been identified as the real culprit in food; linked to all sorts of lifestyle diseases. Go easy on the carbs but focus more on eliminating sugar from your diet as much as possible.

References:

Why do we pass gas?

June 29th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

“Flatulence” is the medical term for releasing gas from the digestive system through the anus (farting). Each day, the intestines produce between 500ml and 2 liters of gas, which needs to be passed out at regular intervals to avoid discomfort.

What’s in the wind?
Gas produced in the intestines is made up of several different components:

The primary components of gas are 5 odourless gases: nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and oxygen.
The unpleasant smell comes from gases such as skatole, indole, and sulfur-containing compounds.
Your gas is flammable! This component is caused by hydrogen and methane gases.

Everyone has unique wind! The make-up of the wind that you pass will depend on the foods you eat and your specific digestive enzymes.

How is gas produced?

Gas production within the digestive system accumulates via:

Swallowed air – the mouth isn’t vacuum-sealed, so small quantities of air are swallowed along with food and liquid. Oxygen that is needed is absorbed into the bloodstream, any excess is left floating around!
Normal digestion – when foods hits the stomach, stomach acid mixes with digestive enzymes and produce gas (carbon dioxide) as a by-product.
Intestinal bacteria – helpful bacteria help digestion by fermenting certain foods. This fermentation creates gas as a by-product. Some of this gas is absorbed by the bloodstream and breathed out, the rest is pushed along the bowel.
High fibre foods – while fibre is essential to the health of the digestive system, it can create excessive gas. The small intestine can’t break down certain compounds, which means extra work for the gas-producing intestinal bacteria… and therefore, more gas!
Lactose intolerance – in those with lactose intolerance, the inability to digest certain sugars in cow’s milk produces excessive amounts of intestinal gas.
Intolerance of short-chain carbohydrates other than lactose – certain people may be susceptible to gas production from fermentation of other foods, including fructose, found in certain fruits.

What’s normal, what’s not?
The average person will pass gas around 14 times a day. “Increased flatulence” refers to passing gas more than 14 times a day. “Excessive flatulence” refers to passing gas more than 20 times per day.

Keeping your gas under control
Flatulence itself is not harmful and won’t cause you any long-term damage. The social impact of it, however, just might. Here are some tips of how to keep a lid on your gas:

Track your triggers. Keeping a food journal can help – logging down specific foods you eat and how your belly responds goes a long way in learning what to avoid
Chew slowly. Your mom was right! Eating and chewing slowly reduces the amount of air you swallow
Lay off the chewing gum. Every time you chew, you swallow little pockets of air
Stay away from fizzy drinks and drinking with a straw. Fizzy drinks are full of gas that will simply add to your internal stores! Drinking with a straw increases the amount of gas we swallow. Stick to plain water instead.
Eat your fruit, don’t drink them. Certain fruits contain products that your body has difficulty in breaking down. Fruit juices are highly concentrated, making gas production inevitable!

When to see your doctor
Occassional excess flatulence and bloating is normal. However, see your doctor if irregular flatulence is accompanied by

Abdominal pain or swelling
Vomiting/diarrhoea/ chronic constipation
Heartburn
Unintentional weight loss
Blood in stool

References
http://www.healthline.com/symptom/flatulence
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/flatulence_gas/article_em.htm
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/flatulence

How to beat the bloat

February 3rd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’re excited for a night out with your friends, but your mood immediately deflates when your bloated tummy starts acting up. Bloating is a result of excess gas in your intestines. There are many possible causes for this discomfort, ranging from air swallowing, overeating, and hormonal changes during PMS, to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and food intolerances. Bloating can be annoying, but you can banish the swell.

Bloating culprits:

Greasy foods
Your quick takeaway from the drive-through could be the reason for the bloating. Greasy fast foods like chips, fried chicken and deep-fried treats (hello samoosas!), can cause ballooning because it takes the stomach much longer to break down the fats and properly digest them.

Salty foods
High-sodium foods cause your body to retain water, which leads to that uncomfortable bloaty feeling. Read your food labels to check for high levels of sodium. For added flavour, swap salt for herbs instead.

Spicy foods
Spicy foods stimulate the release of stomach acid, which can cause irritation. Be frugal with your use of black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, chilli powder, curry, onions, garlic, mustard, BBQ sauce, horseradish, tomato sauce and vinegar.

Gassy vegetables
Feeling gassy after a plate of broccoli? Some vegetables produce more gas than others, and everyone varies in their ability to absorb and tolerate it. Go easy on gas-producing vegetables like baked beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, lentils, lima beans, onions and peppers.

Carbonated and high-acid drinks
Soft drinks with every meal might be a bad idea, as all carbonated drinks can cause bloating. This is because the carbon dioxide trapped in the bubbles creates gas in your stomach. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and some fruit juices are high in acid which irritates your GI tract, resulting in swelling and bloating.

Top tips

Chew your food well, with your mouth closed. When you eat quickly you swallow a lot of air which may cause you to bloat.
Raw vegetables are often better for you, but they are more difficult to digest, which can lead to bloating. Cook or steam your vegetables more often.
Chewing gum is a mindless habit for many, but gum contains artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and aspartame which aren’t digestible and may trigger bloating.

Good to know

Just as some foods expand your tummy, others can keep it flat. Cucumber contains quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant that helps reduce swelling. Slice and eat as a snack or add to your water.
Yoghurt has active cultures and good bacteria. The probiotics in yoghurt help regulate digestion and the overall health of your digestive tract. Enjoy your breakfast and a flat tummy!
Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and digestive aid. It soothes the digestive system and relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract, which can relieve bloating. It also contains an enzyme that absorbs proteins, which reduces protein-induced puffiness and gas.
Bananas and other foods rich in potassium like avocados, kiwis, oranges, and pistachios prevent water retention by regulating sodium levels in your body and reducing salt-induced bloating.

References

Feast on fermented foods

January 29th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Fermented foods are a firm favourite among the health conscious, and with good reason. They’re full of health-boosting nutrients, digestive enzymes, and beneficial bacteria called probiotics.

Similar to the healthy bacteria found in your gut, probiotics are live microorganisms that when ingested are helpful for your health, especially your digestive system. According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, probiotics can help improve whole gut transit time (how long it takes for food to travel through the digestive tract), stool frequency, and stool consistency.

Probiotics can restore and improve the intestinal microbial equilibrium – the balance of bacteria in your digestive tract. This is crucial to maintaining a healthy digestive system, and keeping your overall health in check. They have also been shown to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and help manage and may lower the risk for conditions like diabetes, obesity and autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s disease.

Feed your gut

Try these fermented food options to give your good gut bacteria a boost.

Kimchee is a spicy Korean staple made from pickled vegetables like cabbage, radish and cucumber. It’s high in the healthy bacteria lactobacilli, known to aid digestion and prevent intestinal problems like Candida overgrowth. It may also help prevent cancer. Serve kimchee alongside meals or add to soups for a kick of flavour.
Sauerkraut is a cultured cabbage dish made with shredded cabbage that’s been fermented in its own brine. It contains lactic acid, which is known to prevent harmful bacteria growth and help your digestion. Have a helping at meals or use as a topping on sandwiches and wraps.
Kombucha is a sweet-acidic, fizzy tonic made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. It’s filled with enzymes, amino acids and live bacteria that prevent and fight disease, and protect and strengthen the gastrointestinal tract. This means better digestion and absorption of nutrients. Speak to your doctor before trying it though.
Tempeh is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process with fungus that binds soya beans into a cake form. It’s a rich source of protein and probiotics. Use tempeh as a meat replacement in stews and stir-fry.
Yoghurt is one of the best sources of probiotics known to keep your gut healthy and prevent bad bacteria from taking up residence. Enjoy a spoonful or two with some fruit for breakfast or as a late morning snack. Opt for plain, low-fat, sugar-free varieties. Also, check for the words “made with live and active cultures” or “AB cultures” on labels. These contain more beneficial microorganisms.

Tip: When trying fermented foods for the first time, start with small portions. Some people experience bloating, diarrhoea, and other side-effects as the digestive system tries to adjust to these new substances.

References

What you need to know about ulcers

September 16th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

How easy is it to get an ulcer? Do they just affect older people?

The answers are ‘easier than you think’, and ‘no’. Let’s look at the details:

What are ulcers?
Basically, an ulcer is an open wound. The most common kind are peptic ulcers which form in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine.

What causes ulcers?
Previously, people used to believe that ulcers were caused by spicy food, alcohol or stress. Today we know that most peptic ulcers are caused by:

1. A certain group of bacteria. H. pylori is a group of bacteria that lives in the stomach and small intestine. This bacteria can cause an infection that leads to ulcers. They live and grow in the stomach, but not everyone with the bacteria gets ulcers. It seems that a combination of H. pylori infection and the level of acid in the stomach may be the cause.

2. Medications. Certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) painkillers (aspirin or ibuprofen) used to fight inflammation. If these are taken in high daily doses over a long period of time, they can cause ulcers in some people.

3. Smoking: Smoking increases ulcer risk because nicotine causes the stomach to produce more acid. Drinking a lot of alcohol each day for a period of time can also increase your chances of getting an ulcer. The reason? Over time alcohol can wear down the lining of the stomach and intestines.

4. Stress: In certain circumstances stress can help cause ulcers, but usually it’s the kind of stress triggered by serious illness.

How do I know if I have an ulcer?
Stomach pain is the most common symptom of an ulcer. It can feel like a series of sharp aches between your breastbone and belly button. While the pain often comes a few hours after eating, it can also happen during the night or early morning, when your stomach is empty. Taking an antacid medication or eating something may ease the pain for a while. Other symptoms of ulcers can include:

loss of appetite and weight loss
sudden, sharp stomach pains
nausea, frequent burping or bouts of hiccups
vomiting (if blood is in the vomit or the vomit looks like coffee grounds, call your doctor immediately)
bloody or blackish stool (this could indicate a serious problem, so see your doctor right away)

What can I do about it?

If you think you have an ulcer, see your doctor without delay.

If left untreated, an ulcer can go from being a discomfort to life-threatening problem.

Gut health: fads and facts

June 20th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

It may be a hard fact to digest that we’re riddled with bugs, but in most cases, they’re not only important for a healthy gut, but your health in general!

Let’s take a look at some gut health fads and facts….

Continue reading “Gut health: fads and facts”

All about hernias

November 17th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

So, you noticed a lump near your belly button when you coughed last night – it’s strange, because now you’re lying down and the lump seems to have vanished! You may possibly have a hernia … but what is a hernia, exactly? Continue reading “All about hernias”