5 Benefits of Fermented Foods for Digestion

There are many advantages of fermented foods in terms of how it affects overall gut health and digestion.

Did you know that the human gut contains about 50 trillion bacteria?

These bacteria are essential for digestion and keeping your immune system healthy.

We can also get healthy bacteria from foods that have gone through the fermentation process.

Many healthy and delicious foods can be fermented and are a great way to promote healthy digestion and a healthy gut.

In this post, we will examine precisely how fermented foods can improve your gut health!

But first, let's discuss what fermentation is.

Food Fermentation & Gut Health

Fermentation is when bacteria break down sugars in certain food items (such as vegetables or grains) and produces lactic acid. This process creates beneficial enzymes that help the digestion of the food that we consume.

Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut (to name a few) provide a good balance of probiotics (live micro-organisms that are beneficial for maintaining a healthy gut), which feed these essential gut bacteria.

Some recent studies have shown that vitamin C and the healthy bacteria found in kimchi can help strengthen your body's immune system and lower the levels of inflammation.

Health Benefits of Consuming Fermented Foods

• Fermented foods are an excellent option because they have many benefits.

• First, fermented food has probiotics that help digestion and keep the digestive tract healthy.

• Second, these foods contain enzymes that provide energy and assist with metabolism in the body.

• Third, they can be used as part of a weight-loss diet because they promote satiety - meaning, you will feel full and satisfied after eating them!
  Next, the acids in fermented foods help break down proteins and starches, making them easier for the body to digest. This is especially useful for anyone with digestive problems such as IBS or Crohn's disease.

• Fermentation also has other health benefits like added nutrients! For example, yogurt is an excellent source of calcium. But not only that! One cup of yogurt will give you more than half your daily recommended amount of vitamin D! Fermented foods are an inexpensive way to get the nutrients you need.

Finally, some studies show that fermented foods may even reduce cancer risk by lowering inflammation in the gut!

The Gut-Brain Connection

You've probably heard about the gut-brain connection. Your gut and brain communicate with each other constantly. This is commonly referred to as "the gut-brain axis."

"The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communications system in which the gut sends signals from its sensory organs to the brain and vice versa. Emerging research has found that this process affects mood, cognition, and behavior."

A healthy stomach lining is essential for good mental health. That's why it's necessary to eat foods that will improve your gut flora!

Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut (as mentioned earlier in this post), are a great way to promote a healthy stomach and digestive system.

Each of these foods contains live bacteria that can make you feel better and be hugely beneficial to your digestive system.

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Do you consume fermented foods, and have you found they had any positive results or benefits to your health?

What are your favorite fermented foods?

Share your comment below.

Foods that Cause Inflammation & Acne

Discover what foods to eat and what foods to avoid if you want to avoid acne and have better skin

Unwanted growths, blemishes, and cysts (just to name a few), are health conditions that you may experience from time-to-time.

One tip to avoid this is to eat the right foods while avoiding the wrong ones.

Inflammation in the body can lead to these unwanted health issues, and especially skin problems like the ones just mentioned.

But these issues can be avoided by eating anti-inflammatory foods.

By definition, anti-inflammatory foods are foods that reduce inflammation or any kind of swelling, irritation, or redness of the skin or body.

Anti-inflammatory rich foods block the body from causing inflammation.

What’s great is that anti-inflammatory rich foods not only keep inflammation at bay, but these foods are also good for you!

Here are some anti-inflammatory foods that will help keep your skin healthy:

• Onions/Garlic

• Blueberries/Cherries

• Nuts

• Avocado

• Spinach

• Ginger

• Tumeric

• Olive Oil

• Pineapple

• Carrots

Now, on the other side of the coin are high inflammatory foods. These are the foods that cause unwanted cysts and blemishes.

Dairy foods like milk and cheese are inflammatory foods that should be avoided if you prefer not only to have a clear complexion but also if you want to avoid experiencing other skin issues like cysts and skin inflammation and blemishes.

Some inflammatory foods to avoid are …

• Fried foods and high sugar beverages, refined grains, chocolate, sugar, and desserts, (milk and cheese as mentioned above).

If you want to find out more about how anti-inflammatory foods can benefit you, and what you can do to care for your skin, then read on …

Other Methods to Prevent Acne

Everyone at one time or another has experienced having acne, be it a small pimple or a more serious case of acne.

Common acne is caused by excessive secretion of sebum, which is the oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Sebum serves to keep the skin and hair healthy, but when there is an over-production of it, the sebum clogs up hair follicles and causes acne. Since it is oily in nature, sebum tends to attract dirt and dust from the environment, leading to bacterial growth and what we commonly refer to as a pimple.

To prevent acne at home, here are some tips:

Keep your face clean. Wash your face or other affected area with a gentle cleanser twice per day. The simple of daily cleaning is a good habit to have because it can break up the oils and prevent acne bacteria from establishing a foothold.

Cleanse properly. Many over-the-counter medicated cleansers will help you to prevent acne by way of ingredients targeted at the bacteria. Be sure to read the label on your skincare product and use the product correctly for the best results.

Try not to touch your face. In our day to day lives, our hands come in contact with millions of bacteria which get transferred about with everything we touch. You can prevent the spread of bacteria to your face if you don’t touch it out of habit.

Good hand-washing habits are an important component of this as well.

Do not squeeze pimples. It will not help you prevent acne, and may lead to infection, worsening of acne, and scarring. But if the urge arises and you do, clean the area well with cleansing soap and water.

Avoid oily skincare products. Choose water-based skincare formulas that clean gently. Do not use cold creams, petroleum jelly, and oil-based cosmetics if you are prone to acne. By doing so, you can help prevent acne by not adding to the amount of oil already in your skin.

Eat properly. Some experts say that diet is not a component of acne, but anecdotal evidence cannot be overlooked.

It is possible to prevent acne by eating a balanced diet. Although it is true in many cases, there are some cases where further treatment is needed. However, in all, it’s best to eat healthier meals that are packed with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Also, try to drink plenty of water, and reduce your intake of processed foods and alcohol.

Eating yogurt with active probiotic cultures is terrific for your overall system, of which the skin is the largest organ. However, dairy products and greasy, sugary foods should be avoided. However, if you cannot resist, have only a minimal amount and drink plenty of water. A glass of water with a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar or a splash of lemon juice can also help in cleaning the digestive system while aiding in healthier-looking skin.

Minimize your salt intake. But if you do use salt in your diet, try switching to sea salt instead of iodized salt, since iodine may be linked to acne for some people.

Consume “good fats” such as olive oil in place of saturated fats such as those found in butter.

Improve your lifestyle. You may find that daily exercise and proper sleep will help prevent acne, because they both have a positive effect on the hormonal balance of your body.

Of course, if you are having extreme difficulty with acne, it is best to consult a dermatologist for help. Your doctor has prescription medications available, from oral antibiotics to medicated ointments and creams that may not only clear up your acne, but your doctor can also prescribe them as a prophylactic to prevent acne on a daily basis.

In the end, focus on you!

Eat well, cleanse your skin well, and drink plenty of water.

Essential Oils for Health and Wellness

Essential Oils & Health | A true gift passed on from ancient times.

Essential Oils and Health

Essential oils are an ancient gift that has been passed on for future generations.

It is amazing how such a natural herb can produce so many positive health benefits. It works with our emotions giving us positive relaxing vibes when we smell these aromatic gems.

It's truly remarkable how such a simple natural herb can also benefit those with various health conditions and discomforts.

Relaxation can also be derived from aromatherapy essential oils.

Many may not be knowledgeable about the natural therapeutic gift behind these oils because we are so busy working endlessly in our hurried lives - often gravitating towards easy pharmaceutical fixes, that we often ignore the natural treasures that exist around us.

Did you know that stress is the leading cause of illness in most people today?

The effects of stress are cumulative and can lead to several health problems.

Without taking the time to relax and recharge, the body can become overwhelmed and breakdown, leading to headaches, eye and neck strain, backaches, poor concentration, anxiety, injuries and essentially - burnout.

Take a look at these statistics! Did you know …

• Over 50% of lost work days are stress related which keeps about 1 million people per day from attending work. (Occupational Health and Safety News and the National Council on Compensation Insurance. (U.S.A))

• Up to 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints. (Occupational Health and Safety news and the National Council on Compensation Insurance (U.S.A.)

• Health care expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who report high levels of stress (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)

• 40% of job turnover is due to stress. (American Institute of Stress).

But what is most astounding is that by taking a little time out to relax, we can see a huge decrease in our stress levels.

• Actually, research indicates that a 15-minute chair massage results in decreased job stress, increased speed, accuracy and alertness… (Field, Ironson, Pickens et. al. (1996).

  Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness… (International Journal of Neuroscience 86, 197-205).

  Are You a Caregiver?

  Many individuals that stay at home with kids can also feel overwhelmed. It is very important to set up a schedule of events for each day breaking down each task so that they are more manageable..

  Here are some tips to help you relax your daily routines:

• Cleaning the house? Tackle one room at a time. Let your kids understand the schedule of events and that certain times of the day is your time. Take this time out to get the work done that you need to get done. If you explain the importance of this mommy or daddy

  time, your kids will surely understand.

• If you’re a parent, co-op with other moms and dads in your area and swap babysitting, meals or shopping trips. This can be mutually beneficial and very rewarding.

• Take some time out to exercise.

• Take the kids out for some activities.

• Go for a walk.

• Exercise not only stimulates the release of endorphins (the body's natural stress-fighters), it is also an excellent aid in lowering stress hormone levels. It's also great as a stress release making you think less about the mental demands around you.

• Take time out for a relaxing bath or pamper yourself. Give yourself a facial steam or do your nails.

• Use essential oil scents to help you relax and unwind from the daily grind. Essential oil candles and diffusers make this easy!

  Essential Oil Relaxers

  Lavender and bergamot are great relaxers.

• Add a few drops of either of these essential oils to a diffuser or simply add some drops to a tissue or some pot pourri so the aromas can spread throughout the room. This will make for a more relaxing experience while giving your rooms a delightful scent.

• Remember, in order to release the stress from within, breathe and exhale and focus on pure calm to make this experience more beneficial.

  Make quite time for yourself daily for a more rewarding experience..

  Take out at least 15 minutes a day.

  Your body will love it!