Comments on: UltraWellness Lesson 4: Gut & Digestive Health

By: Mark Wynn

Mark Wynn — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:14:20 +0000

Didn’t see mention of coffee. Does it not cause a “leaky gut?”

By: nutritionist

nutritionist — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:54:59 +0000

Hi Tahi,
Thank you for your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. We are glad to offer some assistance with fiber and increasing the function of your bowels. But first let’s talk about serotonin and its relationship to a happy gut. Did you know that there is a gut-brain and that most of your serotonin used in your head-brain is made in your gut? It takes a healthy functioning gut to make serotonin which we need to feel good and conversely, we need serotonin and relaxation to loosen our constricted muscles so we can have proper bowel movements. So it isnt too much of a surprise to hear you are wanting improvements in both these departments as the two are intricately related!

The best way to procure health in both areas to maintain a healthy intestinal tract with plenty of fiber, healthy bacteria and anti inflammatory nutrients. The integrity of your gut can quickly become compromised in this modern day stressful world but there is so much you can do to maintain balance in there. Like Dr. Hyman says in the article it is very important to eat a diet which is very high in fiber from whole grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruits and keep healthy fats like nuts and seeds abundantly in the menu too. Are you taking a probiotic for balancing the healthy bacteria? Are you taking a multivitamin, fish oil and magnesium? These all will help with healthy bowel habits. Especially the magnesium which is natures relaxation mineral. You can take a magnesium citrate, malate or glycinate 400 mg/day for improved bathroom habits. Check out the products we recommend here:http://store.ultrawellnesscenter.com/Store/Show/SearchResults/535 You can read more about MAGNESIUM here: http://drhyman.com/magnesium-the-most-powerful-relaxation-mineral-available-577/

Also, you can take 2 tablespoons of freshly ground flax seed powder daily to help increase your fiber. If you are really struggling you might want to try an herbal laxative for the short run-only to be used for a few days to a week so you dont become dependent. We suggest cascara, senna and rhubarb.

Finally try relaxing in a warm epsom salt bath nightly. This not only helps your bowels loosen up bit improves the quality of sleep, your mood and your perception of stress/anxiety etc.

We hope you find relief soon!
Lizzy

By: Tahi

Tahi — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:36:26 +0000

Hi Dr Hyman,

I came accross your youtube channel while surfing youtube on health and natural remedies etc and I must say it was so inspiring and educational to watch and listen to your videos. I do have a question to ask you if it is not too much trouble.Over this last year, I have been trying (almost successfully, because sometimes I do return to my bad habbits) to cut out foods such as rice, bread, pasta out of my diest and in this I have mostlysucceeded although I have found that I had a sweet tooth for the longest of times as a result of stopping my diet of any forms of carbohydrates which were not plant based. I instead have been living off mainly vegetables and protein which includes, red meat, chicken, seafood and eggs (although my red meat would have some fat on it at times) and 1-2 fruits a day. I did not limit myself in terms of which fruits I ate and instead ate/eat whiever fruit I like as long as I did not eat more than two due to the sugar content. At the same time I have been on an anti-depressant (Avanza) for the last 3 years which really slowed my metabolism down even though I have tried to go for a walk at least once a day for 30-45 minutes and recently have increased that to 2 times a day. ?With all this I found that I could have regular bowel movments on a daily basis. However, I recently decreased my dosage of Avanza, my antidepresant because i am trying to ween myself off it so I can get pregnant, and have found that I am doing okay, but I have started having really bad constipation, almost as if withouth the serotonin, my gut is refusing to work! Can you please help me because I can not go back onto any anti-depresent as I am trying to get off so I can get pregnant.My cravings for sugar are now gone but I wonder if that had to do with the antidepresant I was on? I really would appreciate your reply as to what you think the problem is. I exercise daily, try my hardest to stay off bad foods, drink atleast 1-2 litres of water, but I still can’t seem to get my Bowels to move eversince I dropped from 30mg of Avanza to 15mgs.

By: Dr. Hyman Staff

Dr. Hyman Staff — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:40:28 +0000

Thank you, Julie, for your message and your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. Your question and constellation of symptoms represents a complex medical condition. Questions regarding conditions like these cannot be answered in a responsible manner via the Internet.

If you would like information on becoming a patient at The UltraWellness Center please see “How to Become a Patient” at http://www.ultrawellnesscenter.com. That site is designed to give prospective patients a comprehensive source of information about The UltraWellness Center. You may also feel free to call The UltraWellness Center at (413) 637 9991.

Regardless of becoming a patient at The UltraWellness Center, it sounds like you need to consult with a doctor. Please seek medical attention for the issues that you outlined in your message.

Wishing You the Best of Health!

By: Dr. Hyman Staff

Dr. Hyman Staff — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:59:28 +0000

Dear Paul,

If what you have outlined here is a comprehensive overview of your current diet, it could be the beans that are a problem. For some, particularly for those with digestive imbalances, beans and whole grains can cause bloating. This is typically the result of an imbalance in gut flora. I recommend eliminating beans and whole grains for two weeks to see if this improves your situation. Usually this is enough time to “starve” the bad bacteria in your gut that cause the bloating and you can reintegrate them after the two week elimination is over. However, if the bloating returns, you may want to consider avoiding or limiting them for a longer trial. You can also try adding supplemental probiotics to support your good gut bacteria.

Wishing You Good Health!

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:28:33 +0000

My daughter was diagnosed with severe gluten intolerance 2 years ago at the age of 18. She has been eating a very good diet since off all gluten, mostly vegetarian. She still could not gain weight. She has since found she is lactose intolerant, cannot eat eggs, and is allergic to nuts. Her diet now consists of seeds, 26 grams of whey protein isolate powder 3 times a day in a shake with all natural vegetable or fruit juice, plus about 30 more grams of protein either in canned tuna, organic chicken or fish with lots of organic veggies and fruit. She is still not absorbing iron and is challenged gaining weight. She is taking Endefen and Glutagenics by Metagenics as well as zinc and omega 3′s and the enzyme, “creon”.
We know that her gut was compromised due to too many antibiotics as a child and she began experiencing weight loss gradually due to discomfort in her gut after receiving the 3rd gardicil vaccine. We have always had a pretty healthy diet in our home, but now it is super healthy – no gluten and minimal sugars.
We are finally working with an integrative/holistic doctor and feel we are getting on the right track but if she consumes ANY food that has been contaminated, her body reacts immediately with bloating, gas, diarrhea ( even some labeled gf food is not as it says).
This has been very frustrating! I can only hope her gut will heal enough so she can gain weight ( she is now 5’7.5 and weighs 108!) and she can live a somewhat normal life.
One of my other frustrations is that the GF label has become sort of a fad in restaurants. Many who advertise that they prepare GF foods do not understand cross contamination. No way she can eat any place but home for now.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:11:18 +0000

I have read that eating a healthy diet can actually cause bloating. I have recently started eating a lot of vegetables, almonds, chicken, fish, black beans and healthy salads. Since starting this more healthy diet I have felt bloated. Any ideas?

By: joannepaiva

joannepaiva — Mon, 30 May 2011 00:14:53 +0000

Thank you, Ecy, for your message and your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation.

Wishing You the Best of Health!

By: joannepaiva

joannepaiva — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:25:47 +0000

Thank you, Jack, for your message and your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. Your question and constellation of symptoms represents a complex medical condition. Questions regarding conditions like these cannot be answered in a responsible manner via the Internet.

Regardless of becoming a patient at The UltraWellness Center, it sounds like you need to consult with a doctor. Please seek medical attention for the issues that you outlined in your message.

Wishing You the Best of Health!

By: Ecy O'Roake

Ecy O'Roake — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:38:18 +0000

Hello My son is a recovering addict and he is on alot of medications and doesnt
eat well. Recently he has had acne on his face only and never had it before
I have read alot of your articles and wanted to start giving him some
vitamins like the probiotics, zinc, vitamin B and the omega 3′s but didnt know
how those would effect his medications and when should he take them?
Can you please let me know asap…
Thank you
Loving Mom