“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease” – Hippocrates
Vaga Nutrition is here to support you, your health and well-being from a whole person approach.
Nutritional Medicine bridges the gap in health care and takes a bespoke approach to health, healing, prevention and wellness, helping restore the body’s natural ability to heal.
What is Candida?
Candida is an opportunistic fungal pathogen (yeast). There are numerous forms of candida, and this post will be referring to CANDIDA ALBICANS.
It lives in the human body in small amounts and aids in digestion, however, several factors can lead to overgrowth, also known as Candidiasis. With this overgrowth, intestinal permeability is compromised, and the fungus leaches out into the blood, causing a systemic candida infection.
Often occurring in people with compromised immune function, antibiotic use, highly processed foods, refined and added sugars and reduced gastric acid secretion, candida can wreak havoc on the body.
Candida produces pyruvate and acetate within the gut. It also increase cytokine IL-17, in turn resulting in high inflammation of the gut.
Symptoms of candida overgrowth include
Reducing candida can take some time, however, it responds well to alkalizing of the gastrointestinal tract and body, oxygen and nutrient levels and increased bile secretions. The goal of treatment is to modulate bacteria within the colon and improve and heal the gastrointestinal wall.
What can help reduce candida overgrowth?
It is important that while following a candida reduction, to use Vitamin C, fish oil and Epsom salt baths daily. This will assist in detoxification and reducing side effects of the ‘die-off’ that occurs with candida.
Constipation is considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder. However, when it comes to chronic and acute cases of constipation, there is a difference.
Also known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Constipation (IBS-C), chronic constipation can be life-changing for individuals by reducing quality of life, energy and health.
There are a number of causes for IBS-C and these include
There are a number of signs and symptoms of constipation such as bloating, pain and cramping, reflux, dry/hard/lumpy stools, incomplete evacuation, bad breath (halitosis), fatigue, reduced appetite, flatulence, acne/poor skin, and reduced frequency of bowel motions.
Constipation may also increase the risk of developing other health conditions like anal fissures, hemorrhoids, prolapsed rectum, stool impaction, and colon cancer. While these illnesses may result from constipation, they may also add to the causes.
When it comes to holistic approaches for the treatment and relief of constipation, several factors need to be addressed in order to find the cause. The first thing to consider is dietary changes.
The inclusion of fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds, bone broths, water, dried fruit and fresh herb and spices can help. These foods also help to reduce inflammation, which often occurs with constipation.
Below you will find a list of foods to aid in improving bowel habits and restore function and health of the bowel. Not all of these foods are suitable for everyone, and a consultation with your nutritionist will help to determine the best foods, supplements and lifestyle techniques for your unique needs.
Nutritional supplementation can help restore and balance neurotransmitter function within the bowel, thus improving bowel habits and overall health and well-being.
Lifestyle techniques such as meditation, yoga, and exercise can help improve bowel function and reduce pain, stress and anxiety often associated with constipation.
Foods to improve bowel function
| Oats | Oat bran | Flax seeds | Chia seeds | Oranges |
| Pears | Apples | Lettuce | Spinach | Carrots |
| Broccoli | Cauliflower | Navy beans | Lima beans | Chick peas |
| Lentils | Barley | Cranberries | Shiitake mushrooms | Cabbage |
| Celery | Avocado | Buckwheat | Sweet potato | Blueberries |
| Psyllium and Chia | Onions | Pineapple | Kiwi fruit | Turmeric |
| Asparagus | Broccoli | Chili | Capsicums | Snow peas |
| Coriander | Basil | Cucumber | Pumpkin | Radish |
| Coconut | Lemon | Brown rice | Millet | Quinoa |
| Spelt | Wheat grass | Barley grass | All sprouts | Almonds |
| Pumpkin seeds | Sunflower seeds | Sesame seeds | Prunes, dates, sultanas | Fresh/dried figs |
If you still experience constipation after making dietary and lifestyle changes, it is important you speak with your health care practitioner for further investigation. Nutritional supplementation is a gentle way to restore balance to the gut and aid in the healing process of any underlying conditions that may be contributing to constipation.
The Bristol Stool Chart is a good reference to assess the type of bowel movements you have.
calmhealthworks.com_bristol_stool_chart
Today’s modern lifestyle separates us from the benefits of contact with the Earths surface. This disconnect and unconscious way of living can contribute to a range of adverse health conditions.
With this, there has been a significant increase in disease and illness attributed to environmental factors including insomnia, anxiety and mood disorders, chronic and inflammatory dis-ease.
Studies have shown that grounding, or Earthing, causes the body to become equalized to the electrical current of the Earth via electron transfer.
As the Earth is a conductor of electrical current, so too is the human body.
Consider this:
When an electrical cable is grounded to an earth, there is little to no interference. This rings true for humans. We are essentially walking and talking bio-electrical energetic forces of nature designed to interact with the Earth.
When we re-connect with nature, health and well-being improvements can be made.
Grounding can have immense effects on the human body including:
• Reduced stress, anxiety and depression
• Better sleep
• Cortisol secretion regulation
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Improved immune function
• Improved respiration, blood flow and circulation
• Improved metabolic rate and metabolic disorders
• Neutralization of free radicals
5 Steps to Grounding
1. Remove shoes and socks
2. Go outside and sit in the grass
3. Place your feet flat on the ground and sit, quietly, with your eyes closed
4. Breathe slowly and purposefully
5. Do this for 5-10 minutes a day
It is a good idea to try and do this every day. Slowly increase the length of time to 30-40 minutes a day.
Where possible, go to the beach and walk in the shallows of the water or just sit in the sand at the waters edge. Go for walks in the wilderness or a nature reserve where you can walk amongst the trees and plants, touching the leaves and listening to the quiet sounds of nature.
Reference:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/
Photo: Vaga Nutrition
