FitSugar

Why Bacteria in Your Belly Is Important

Heather Dale — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:00:26 PST

When I used to get sick as a kid (picture vomiting, diarrhea, fun times), my mom would serve me up bowl of yogurt while going on about the benefits of re-populating the good bacteria in my gut. Fast forward twenty-something years later and it dawned on me after a recent bad bout of bronchitis that I may be running low in the bacteria department. Here's why.

My doctor prescribed antibiotics for the bronchitis. Fine. I can handle antibiotics. But on day four I started feeling a bit off. My stomach was constantly in knots, and I knew something was up. I stopped taking the antibiotics and seemed to be progressively getting sicker (the bronchitis had cleared up, but now I was dealing with lots of new fun symptoms). I put on my Andrew Weil thinking cap and did the math - it was after the antibiotics that things went awry. My appendix was removed in 2004, and although this organ is said to be useless, it really does have a purpose - it provides a safe haven for good bacteria to hang out in the stomach until they are needed. I don't have an appendix, therefore, my appendix can't open its floodgates to my intestines when the good bacteria are needed for backup. Throw in some antibiotics that kill all of the good bacteria alongside the bad bacteria, you're intestinal flora isn't going to be happy.

I've never been a big probiotics person, but considering that they can help regulate the digestive system by managing lactose intolerance, prevent colon cancer, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improve immune function, prevent infections, reduce inflammation, improve mineral absorption, and prevent harmful bacterial growth under stress, why was I so late to jump on the probiotics train?

Keep reading to learn more about my breakthrough with bacteria.

What Kind of Stomach Do You Have?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:00:00 PDT

Some people can eat whatever they want - spicy dishes, fried foods, dairy products, and beans - and their stomachs are like rocks. They hardly ever get upset tummies. Then there are people with sensitive digestive systems, and anything they eat can cause tummy troubles. What about you?

5 Things: Recognizing a Stomach Ulcer

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:00:29 PST

Though I used to associate ulcers with stressed-out, Maalox-guzzling men, I'm now learning that this stomach malady is very common in young women. A few months ago, I quizzed you about whether you might be at risk for an ulcer, but even if you are, it's not the end of the world.

If you recognize your symptoms early enough, ulcers can be easily cured by prescription drugs and proper treatment. Here are five things you need to know about stomach ulcers.

Despite what you may have heard, ulcers aren't caused by stress or spicy foods, though these factors, along with cigarette smoking, can aggravate ulcers or increase your risk of getting them.
Ulcers, which are small tears in the stomach lining, are caused by two things: a bacteria called H. pylori and anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs. The latter includes meds like aspirin and ibuprofen, which can cause tears in the tummy lining when taken on an empty stomach.

For three more things to know about ulcers,

Ulcer pain can feel very different from regular indigestion; many patients describe it as a burning or gnawing feeling between the bellybutton and the chest.
The stomach upset caused by ulcers typically lasts anywhere from a few minutes to several hours and may be temporarily relieved by taking antacids.
Foods that are high in acid, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and coffee, may exacerbate ulcer pain; alcohol can also make ulcers hurt more.

If you've noticed any of these patterns with your persistent stomach pain, it may be time to talk to your doctor. There are several tests he can run to determine whether you require treatment. Have you ever had an ulcer? If so, share your experiences below. Source

Soothe Your Tummy With Reed's Ginger Candy

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:30:00 PDT

There are certain things I try to keep in my purse just in case - tissues, Advil, tampons, peppermint gum, an emergency $20 bill, and Reed's Ginger Candy.

Not only are Reed's Ginger Candy great for calming an upset tummy, they also soothe a sore throat, and really satisfy my craving for something chewy.

The recipe actually comes from Indonesia and it contains real ginger root, so this chewy treat has a bit of a bite to it. I love to pop one in my mouth after going out to eat, since sometimes restaurant food doesn't always agree with me.

Reed's Ginger Candy is made with a little sugar, so it also curbs my sweet tooth - once I have the taste of ginger in my mouth, I lose my craving for dessert. One delicious piece contains 25 calories, 0g of fat, and 3g of sugar. This just might be the healthiest candy I've ever eaten, and I wouldn't even call it candy since it's more like medicine. When I've got an upset tummy, I chew on Reed's.

Fit's Tips: Reed's also makes Ginger Brew, so if your tummy's feeling really bad, sipping down these gingerly bubbles always makes me feel better.

What Causes Heartburn?

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:45:00 PDT

I'm sure you've all experienced heartburn once in your life, some unfortunately more than others. Maybe you ate a spicy meal, a huge meal or a huge spicy meal and got that overwhelming burning sensation in your lower chest. But it doesn't stop there, it can start to creep up into your esophagus and into your throat.

You may know this already, but heartburn doesn't actually affect the heart at all. When you eat, food passes from your mouth down a tube called the esophagus. In order to enter the stomach to be digested, the food must pass through an opening between the esophagus and the stomach.

This opening is like a gate, and soon closes after food passes into your tummy. Sometimes it doesn't quite close, and stomach acid can get through that opening and move into your esophagus. This is called reflux and it's what causes that burning sensation.

Heartburn can be affected by being overweight, smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee or other beverages that contain caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onion, chocolate, mints, fatty or spicy foods, or taking aspirin or ibuprofen.

If you do get a sudden case of heartburn, try to keep yourself upright. If you are lying down, prop yourself up with some pillows since this will prevent more acid from seeping into your esophagus.

Taking an antacid can help (it neutralizes the acid in your stomach). Take ones that contain both magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide (one causes constipation while the other causes diarrhea so they counteract each other) like over-the-counter brands include Maalox and Mylanta.

Want to know how you can prevent it? Then

Don't overeat.
Stop eating 2-3 hours before lying down for bed.
Lose excess weight.
Don't wear belts or clothes that are tight fitting around your waist - this will squeeze your stomach and force food and acid back up towards the esophagus.
Eat high-protein, low-fat meals.
If you've eaten something in the past and it's given you heartburn - don't eat it again.

The Ginger People

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:20:00 PST

The Ginger People are passionate about nature's most versatile and vibrant flavor, you guessed it - Ginger. They have created many wonderful products using this powerful fiery taste.

Suffering from a cold? Drink some Ginger Soother. It's made with Chinese yellow ginger, honey, and lemon for instant relief. Ginger is said to soothe the throat and stomach, warm the internal organs, and ease nausea and ailments from colds to headaches.

They've also got Ginger candy. It's great to chew a piece if you have an upset stomach or feel a cold coming on.

And for the lover in your life...For only $7.00, send them Ginger Sweeties. They're heart-shaped crystallized baby ginger. Used as an aphrodisiac for centuries, ginger was first mentioned in the Kama Sutra for its ability to heighten sexual desires. Ooooh, nothing wrong with that.

Ginger is also a powerful antioxidant, good at relieving menstrual cramps, morning sickness, indigestion, heartburn, motion sickness, and inflammation.

Fit's Tips: Add a piece of crystallized ginger to a cup of hot tea or cocoa to add a tangy zip and to consume all the great qualities ginger has to offer.

Eating and Working out... What's best?

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:00:00 PST

Do you wonder if it is better to eat before or after a work out? I did, so here is some info to help you decide.

If you can hold off then you may want to eat afterwards because a full stomach can lead to cramping and discomfort while working out and a very uncomfortable work out. In short, this happens because your body uses blood to digest your food but it uses more blood to keep your muscles going, so our bodies prioritize and digestion takes a back seat to fueling the muscles and so the food just sits in your belly.

When you're done, eat something balanced in carbohydrates and protein -- your muscles will appreciate the added nutrients after working so hard.

Fit's Tip: If you're hungry before working out then definitely eat something (but make it light and easy to digest - like yogurt) because exercising while hungry can lead to feeling weak and a less than optimal work out.

Full of it?

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 02:00:00 PST

Nobody likes that full, "something's not right" kinda feeling you get when you're (uh-huh) constipated. The best way to deal with the issue is to prevent blockage in the first place, by:

Drinking plenty of water, fruit and vegetable juices, and clear soup so you don't get dehydrated.
Getting daily exercise to keep things moving right along.
Eating lots of high-fiber foods like beans, whole grain and bran cereals, fruits (like apples and oranges) and vegetables (like asparagus, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and carrots.

Eat the skins of your fruits and veggies whenever possible - that's where the fiber is. If you're prone to not being able to move IT, try to avoid foods that have little or no fiber like ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods.

Aim to eat 25g of fiber a day. Which should be no problem if you eat 5 servings of fruits & vegetables and 3 servings of whole grain products daily.

Fit's Tip: If you're having trouble regulating your body solely with food, give Methylcellulose pills a try, like Citrucel. They are made of 100% soluble fiber and have no awful side-effects like gas, bloating or diarrhea.

7 Foods to Help Ease an Upset Stomach

Michele Foley — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:07:00 PST

Having an upset stomach blows - especially when it leaves you doubled over in pain. Add to that cramping, nausea, or diarrhea, and it becomes near impossible to deal with day-to-day tasks. While it's a good idea to keep your diet simple during these periods (think clear broth and saltine crackers), certain foods can actually help soothe the stomach. If you often find yourself having indigestion, see which foods will help.

It's Not a Diet! Lose Weight With Lifestyle Changes Instead

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:39:18 PST

Whenever you resolve to eat healthier or fewer calories, it can be easy to fall into the diet trap - thinking that you just have to power through for a few weeks eating only lettuce in order to meet your weight goals. But instead of dreading the idea of healthy eating, think of your new goals as a lifestyle change, not a diet, with these tips.

Get creative in the kitchen: When you've resigned yourself to eating the same healthy thing over and over again, you can get bored with your meals pretty easily. If you're apprehensive about trying a new healthy food or you just don't know where to start when it comes to making a healthy meal plan, check out our delicious healthy recipes index for endless ideas.

Don't use ultimatums: Crash dieting sets you up for failure; a better solution is to think of your new eating initiatives as something sustainable. That means that while you may have to cut back on your daily doughnut habit, you shouldn't deprive yourself of your favorite unhealthy foods forever. Have a cheat day or have treat or two, mindfully, so you'll be more apt to stick to your new eating plan.

More tips for staying away from the "diet" mentality after the break.