Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Dr. Melissa MacVenn, WellcomeMD, Naples
Physicians need copious amounts of scientific evidence before adopting new treatments, and they need to disregard the buzz of promotion. The fairly recent focus on “gut health,” despite that unlovely label, has earned its attention. But there’s more to consider.
Keep in mind that personal health attracts hype like a magnet pulls in iron filings. A British Medical Journal study of more than 800 news articles about gut health and probiotics in the popular press found lots of celebration, but very little discussion of the limitations of what we know. Critical context — such as, what treatments do not work? — was also quite rare.
But gut health may offer help for some conditions, of a kind previously dismissed by traditional medicine. The mix of thousands of different species of bacteria, viruses and other “microbiota” along your intestinal tract can be an important regulator of inflammation throughout the body.
A recent overview of research in the science journal Nutrients concludes that “The health of this complex gut ecosystem has implications for various conditions including obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and cardiovascular disease.”
Wait…depression? Not yet so well researched is that surprising link between gut health and psychological balance that anyone who has experienced stress-connected stomach problems can testify to.
How does all that play out in your doctor’s office? You might discuss the research with her or him on your next visit, especially if your health has been compromised by gastrointestinal or inflammation problems. A recent research report from the Stanford Medical School points to dietary changes that can have strong positive impacts.
One focus of the study was fermented foods. It wasn’t broad enough to be completely persuasive on its own, but it adds to the research discussion. The study found that eating foods such as fermented cottage cheese and vegetables, kimchi, yogurt, kefir, vegetable brine drinks, and kombucha tea led to an increase in overall microbial diversity in the gut. Nineteen inflammatory blood proteins diminished. One protein, interleukin 6, has been linked to rheumatoid arthritis, Type 2 diabetes and chronic stress.
“This is a stunning finding,” one of the study’s authors said: eating fermented foods “remodeled the microbiota” in all of the study participants. (The verdict of “stunning” should probably await more evidence, but this study does confirm similar findings elsewhere.)
Looking for Guidance on Making Healthy Choices?
I have more time than some to work new research and healthy lifestyle changes into my conversations with patients. The journey to optimal health looks different for everyone, and WellcomeMD can help!
We restrict memberships so that each patient has far more access to my time, and our certified health coaches help them reach their goals..
Membership medicine (sometimes called “concierge medicine”) re-establishes the kind of personal relationship with your physician that was once commonplace.
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To schedule a tour of our practice and a complimentary consultation with me, contact WellcomeMD today at (239) 451-5105 or wellcomemd.com/naples-florida.
