7 Signs You Should Be Eating Probiotics Foods.

How do you know when you should eat more probiotics foods? If you pay attention, your body provides valuable clues when it can use extra help. For optimal digestion and immune health (and a long list of other body functions), you need the correct ratio of “good” to “bad” bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. The ideal ratio between the two types of bacteria in your gut is 85 percent “good” to 15 percent “bad”. When your gut bacteria maintain this ratio, the good, friendly guys typically keep the bad guys in check, giving you your best chance of enjoying optimal health. What Happens When the Bad Guys Take Over… It’s when the levels of the bad guys grow too high, compared to the beneficial bacteria in your gut, that you can begin to notice symptoms. There are indeed signs that your body sends out when you might have an imbalance. Some of these signs can be very subtle and may appear to be totally unrelated to your gut health! If you suspect you might have an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria, you’ll want to increase your consumption of probiotic foods, and even supplement with a high-quality probiotic supplement to help restore the balance. Is a Gut Flora Imbalance Happening Inside You? These 7 Signs May Provide Clues Consider increasing your intake of probiotics if any of these conditions apply to you: 1. You’ve taken an antibiotic. It doesn’t matter if you just finished a course last week or if you took an antibiotic years ago. If you haven’t replenished the beneficial bacteria in your gut, you may have an imbalance of good-to-bad bacteria that can put you at risk. 2. You can’t seem to lose weight, especially belly fat, no matter what. An imbalance in your gut flora, or bacteria, can affect your insulin resistance, and therefore raise your risk of metabolic syndrome and blood sugar issues. Stubborn belly fat is a hallmark sign of metabolic syndrome. 3. You have digestive issues. If you experience gut issues such as bloating, cramping, or unusual gas after eating, or occasional constipation or diarrhea, there’s a good chance you may have an imbalance. 4. Your skin is itchy or broken out. Probiotics aid in the normal elimination of toxins via your gut. Since your skin is also a major elimination organ, skin issues may be a sign that you have a gut bacteria imbalance and not functioning optimally. 5. You crave sugar, refined or processed foods. There is new emerging evidence to suggest that certain gut bacteria feed off sugar and unhealthy trans fats in processed and refined foods. Scientists believe these “bad” guys may actually influence your eating habits by putting out chemicals that travel along your vagus nerve, or the main communication channel between your gut and your brain. By maintaining a good bacteria balance, you help quiet the bad guys’ messages! 6. You feel moody or blue. Studies show that probiotics can actually alter brain function via your gut. Made from the same type of tissue, your gut is literally your second brain. And many people are unaware that the greatest concentration of serotonin, which is involved in mood control and aggression, is found in your intestines, not your brain. 7. You feel tired during the day, and are not sleeping soundly at night. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is made from serotonin, and is normally found in abundance in your gut – even more so than in your brain. Gut bacteria affect both serotonin and melatonin production, so an ideal balance of good-to-bad is key. I’d like to add one more sign, too… If you seem to “catch” every bug going around, look to your gut first for help. A whopping 80 percent of your immune system is located within your digestive system and can be influenced by a gut flora imbalance. In summary, if any of these signs or conditions applies to you, it’s time to get more probiotics. There’s a good chance you may be suffering from an imbalance of good-to-bad gut bacteria. Remember, optimal health begins in your gut. * If you have any questions about probiotic foods or supplements, please ask one of the doctors at our office. Source: mercola, 10/23/16.

What Causes Fibromyalgia? Risk Factors:

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is still undetermined; however, research suggests that a combination of physical, neurological, and psychological factors can lead to the onset of this illness. Your emotions and moods can affect the pain you feel, and being depressed or anxious can further compound it. Here are some factors that may lead to fibromyalgia: Chemical Imbalances One of the potential causes of fibromyalgia is how your body processes pain. People with fibromyalgia process pain differently, as their levels of substance P, a chemical found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that is responsible for transmitting pain impulses to the brain, are significantly higher — at least three times more compared to people without fibromyalgia. Having higher levels of substance P makes the pain more intense. Research also found that having low levels of the hormones noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain is common among fibromyalgia sufferers. These hormones are essential in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, behavior, and stress response. Changes in the levels of stress hormones like cortisol may contribute to fibromyalgia, too. Genetics A combination of inherited genetic mutations may play a role in developing fibromyalgia, which is why people who have a close relative (a sibling or a parent) who had this illness are at a higher risk of acquiring it, compared to people who have no relatives diagnosed with this disease. Sleep Problems Having disturbed sleep patterns or lacking deep sleep, may be a cause of fibromyalgia, and not just a symptom. It is in stage 4 sleep when the body refreshes itself, allowing the muscles to recover from the day’s activity. According to studies, people with fibromyalgia become more aroused when they enter stage 4 sleep, resulting in a lighter form of sleep. When researchers took volunteers and stopped them from entering stage 4 sleep, symptoms similar to fibromyalgia manifested as well. Other Possible Triggers Some physical conditions may exacerbate your risk of fibromyalgia. These include getting an injury (or repetitive injuries), a viral infection, surgery, or giving birth. Emotional or stressful events, such as losing a loved one, being in an accident or being physically abused (leading to posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD), and relationship problems (breaking up with your significant other) may also put you in danger of fibromyalgia. Health Ailments Painful rheumatic conditions that affect the muscles, joints, or bones can put you in danger of fibromyalgia. These include: • Rheumatoid arthritis • Osteoarthritis • Lupus • Ankylosing spondylitis • Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) *Chiropractic care is not a cure for Fibromyalgia, however Chiropractic care can reduce pain in your muscles and joints; help your nervous system function better; and help you sleep better. All of those improvements in your health may definitely help reduce the effects of Fibromyalgia. Source: NHS Choices, 10/5/16.