Tag: gluten allergy

5 Things Your Gut is Trying to Tell You

The Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Gut

It’s surprising how much you can tell about your overall health from the condition of your gut. The state of your gut has been known to have a direct correlation between overall health and wellness and can even indicate problems in other parts of the body. Because research indicates that 70 percent of the immune system may be found in the gut, paying attention to your gut health is incredibly important because problems with the gut can be the first signs of problems elsewhere in the body. If you are experiencing gastrointestinal problems, your gut may be trying to indicate a mild or serious problem. Here are a few of the ways that gut health and overall health are connected

1. The Link Between Gut Health and Depression

The gut is sometimes referred to as “the second brain,” thanks to a multitude of studies indicating a strong link between gut health and brain health. From depression and anxiety to brain fog and fatigue, your bathroom habits and the presence of other gut-related conditions like the rapid onset of nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea can tell you quite a lot about your mental health.

How Gut Health Affects the Brain

The link between gut health and brain health indicates the state of our brains and our stomachs have a direct connection. Numerous research studies have indicated that individuals with chronic depression experience frequent bouts of constipation, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. This is believed to be caused by the bacteria in your gut since evidence suggests those with depression tend to have higher chances of having gut biomes that contain a large amount of “bad bacteria” or inadequate amounts of “good bacteria.” An imbalance of gut bacteria can lead to many additional side effects, including:

  • Acid Reflux
  • Delayed Digestion
  • Delayed Gastric Emptying
  • Flatulence
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Upset Stomach
  • Vomiting

2. The Link Between Anxiety and Gut Health

As with depression, there’s evidence to suggest a direct link exists between anxiety and gut health. This is again believed to be the result of an imbalance of bacteria, and it makes sense. When you don’t feel well, you can become more agitated, restless, and anxious, so if there’s a chronic or permanent problem in the stomach, the lining of the intestines, or other digestive areas, it’s easy to see how anxiety can become a chronic problem.  

3. Celiac Disease and Gastrointestinal Problems

Gastrointestinal problems are the biggest signs and symptoms of food-related autoimmune disorders like celiac disease. Celiac disease is a serious condition in which an individual’s small intestine is unable to ingest gluten, a common ingredient found naturally in wheat, barley, and rye but also as a thickening agent in salad dressings, packaged foods. In individuals with celiac disease, the immune system triggers a response to gluten, and in addition to stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, this can also lead to physical symptoms elsewhere, including fatigue, headaches, joint pain and inflammation, and even seizures. Over time, the small intestine can even sustain permanent damage from the ingestion of gluten.

4. Vitamin Deficiencies and Gut Health

If you’re experiencing gastrointestinal issues and food allergies and sensitivities have already been ruled out, it’s possible your symptoms are related to a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D and it is anti-inflammatory and immune system regulating effects can boost your mood and your overall health. Studies have shown a vitamin D deficiency, however, may be linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), colon and rectal cancer, breast cancer, and other serious health concerns.

5. Hormonal Imbalances and Gut Health

The human body produces around 50 different hormones that are essential to the proper function of essential organs and processes. When too little or too much of these hormones are secreted, the result can be a decrease in vitality, focus, and overall health and wellness. One of the ways hormonal imbalances can manifest is through gastrointestinal problems. When the endocrine system (which is in charge of the organs that secrete hormones) isn’t functioning properly, this can also mean the digestive system, circulatory system, and other parts of the body can malfunction. Through a hormone test, your wellness provider can determine whether or not a hormone deficiency or imbalance can be the cause of your gut health concerns.

Ready to change your gut health for the better?

Contact us today to get your body back on track or feeling better than ever before because at New Leaf Wellness, our mission is for our patients to ‘live their best life’. Get started with a totally free consultation or call us at 888-728-7555.

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Who Should Take This Food Sensitivity Challenge?

Do you ever feel like you may have certain symptoms related to foods, such as headaches, stomach pain, diarrhea, or fatigue?Who should take a Food Sensitivity Challenge? Why? Do you feel you may want to try eliminating possible triggers, but you are not sure where to start?

Our Food Sensitivity test measures your body’s IgG immune response to 90 foods that are commonly found in diets.

An improvement in food sensitivity symptoms after eliminating the triggering food source is always the best test. Rather than randomly eliminating foods over many months and assessing your change in symptoms, you can have a directed elimination plan. An antibody IgG immune response can offer guidance on what foods may be the best to eliminate temporarily, then complete an add back challenge to identify symptom producing foods.

What To Look Out For

Food can trigger an immune response which may manifest itself in physical symptoms such as:

  • Dry and itchy skin
  • Other miscellaneous skin problems
  • Food intolerance
  • Feeling bloated after eating
  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain
  • Migraines
  • Headaches
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) distress
  • Stomach pain

To learn more or schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss with one of our staff members, contact us today!

What Now?

Follow the Dr’s recommendation on the elimination diet. Test yearly for the latest information on what is causing inflammation in your body. Be sure you are getting your follow up tests completed and you will not have chronic health problems due to inflammation caused by sensitivities of food.

How Avoiding Gluten Can Prevent Acne + Help You Lose Weight

How Avoiding Gluten Can Prevent Acne and Help You Lose Weight! (Part 1)

Avoiding gluten may help you lose weight and clear up your acne for so many reasons. Some people say gluten avoidance is just a trend, but I know from personal experience that leaving gluten out of the diet will help with overall health and so many people can drop weight and get smoother, more clear and even-toned skin. It’s not a trend; gluten is bad news, and not just for those with Celiac disease. Avoiding gluten can prevent acne and help you lose weight and we are going to tell you how today!

Why Say No To Gluten?

Gluten (which is the protein found in wheat, barley and rye) is extremely prevalent in many types of processed foods. You’ll find it in everything from packaged energy bars, cereals and even soy sauce. Even if you don’t think you have a problem with gluten because you feel fine after eating foods that contain it, gluten could be the culprit if you are having trouble losing weight or getting rid of pimples/zits (ugh!). It has sticky, glue-like properties, which is not great for optimizing digestion! Not everyone with a gluten sensitivity knows they have it, and they keep dieting and trying new skin products to no avail.

Gluten + Inflammation

Inflammation and Acne Gluten sensitivity can trigger inflammation. If you are sensitive (not the same as celiac disease or an allergy), the gluten in your food can irritate the inside and outside of the digestive tract, but it does not actually destroy the intestinal wall the way Celiac disease does. The body thinks the gluten is an intruder (which, in reality it is), so it initiates an immune system response: inflammation. Inflammation doesn’t stay localized and only cause digestive discomfort. Instead, it spreads. And because there’s a link between gut health and your skin, acne appears. The best way to determine if you are having inflammation issues to due to gluten is to have a food sensitivity test.

Gluten Is Lurking in Foods You Shouldn’t Really Eat Anyway.

You will generally lose weight and notice clearer skin when you skip the foods gluten is in simply because you’ll be eating less processed food and more whole fruits and vegetables that nourish your body. However, you will experience a decrease in inflammation and cravings for junk food may also subside.

“…. Prior to doing the test, I experienced bloating, sluggishness, and very dry skin. My results were very easy to read and showed that I had an intolerance to many foods that I had been consuming daily! Coffee was the biggest culprit on my list of “to be avoided” items. The ALCAT representative [at New Leaf Wellness] helped me with a plan to eliminate these from my routine and just a few weeks later, I started to feel better….”

– Angie R., New Leaf Wellness Patient

These benefits work in tandem with the superior diet to contribute to better skin and a naturally slimmer figure much more quickly and easily (and your results will be effortless to maintain!).

If you are committed to avoiding gluten to at least give the gluten-free lifestyle a trial run, you should know that it shows up in some unexpected places, like:

  • Soy sauce
  • Some pickles (if malt vinegar was used)
  • Licorice
  • Veggie burgers (not all, but some. check labels)
  • Processed grains (try to get oat groats or steel cut, and ones labeled as manufactured in a gluten-free facility)
  • Processed meats
  • Ice cream
  • Some soups
  • Dressings
  • Sauces (including soy sauce)
  • Snack foods
  • Chips and crackers
  • Beer

*unless specifically marked gluten-free

“…. The first thing I noticed was my bloating and stomach pain started to subside. I no longer felt sluggish and my complexion started to shine again. The dry skin I had experienced before was no longer an issue. Although it was difficult for me to eliminate coffee from my diet, I feel it has made a huge difference in the way I feel each day. I am grateful for what I learned through the ALCAT test and feel more educated on what I should be putting into my body!”

– Angie R., New Leaf Wellness Patient

None of these have a beneficial place in a healthy diet when you are purchasing the pre-packaged, processed version at the grocery store (like most soups, sauces, and dressings). If you want a burger without the meat, you can make your own alkaline grain burgers from millet and amaranth flour instead of taking a chance with the store-bought ones.

Learn the fascinating science behind how you’re FEELING and the FOODS you’re eating! Come for a Food Sensitivity Test at a nearby New Leaf Wellness Center! Schedule it now by contacting us here or calling 888-728-7555!