Cesarean Births

About a third of all babies in the U.S. are delivered by cesarean section. Now a new study has found that newborns delivered by C-section (cesarean) face an increased risk of a number of chronic health problems later in life. The bacteria that come to colonize the bowel are acquired during birth and shortly afterwards, a process that is very much influenced by how a baby is born. The bacteria inhabiting the lower intestine following a cesarean birth can differ significantly from those found in the vaginally-born baby. Whatever the mode of delivery, a core gut microbiota is well established within a few weeks of life and persists largely intact into adulthood. A less stable peripheral microbiota-one that is more sensitive to changes in diet and environmental factors, like antibiotics-is created as well. In the hours and days following birth, the newly-arrived gut bacteria stimulate the newborn to produce white blood cells and other immune system components, including antibodies directed at unwelcome, disease-causing microorganisms. The bacteria of the microbiota also "teach" the newborn's immune system to tolerate their own presence-to differentiate bacterial friend from foe, in other words. British researchers studied 600 healthy babies to identify their gut bacteria using DNA fingerprinting techniques.  The C-section babies had more than 800 potentially-dangerous bacteria, of the type that cause life-threatening, blood-borne infections in hospitalized patients. In a cesarean birth the fledgling immune system is confronted with unfamiliar, often hostile bacteria-including Clostridium difficile, a particularly troublesome hospital-acquired bug. In addition, the healthy probiotic bacteria associated with vaginal birth arrive later and in lower numbers. These changes in the composition of the normal gut microbiota occur during a critical time in immune system development. Clostridium difficile infections strike nearly 500,000 patients a year in the United States, and about 29,000 die. These infections are most common in patients who get intensive medical antibiotics or have weakened immunes. When the composition of the microbiota is imbalanced, or unusual germs like Clostridium difficile appear, the immune system doesn't like it. A low-grade, long-lasting inflammatory response directed at these intruders begins at birth, leading to a kind of weakness and "leakiness" of the intestinal lining (leaky gut). Proteins and carbohydrates that normally would not be absorbed from the intestinal contents-including large, incompletely digested food molecules-make their way into the bloodstream. The colonies of biota a person has varies with time and from person to person which is medically very complex and not well understood. Only recently has there begun to be some progress in diagnosis and treatment. It has been established that about 70% of your immunes live in your gut which seems to be related to most disease, both physical and psychological. To make a very long story short, collectively our microbiomes are in trouble because our food is ever more highly processed, which starves the microbiomes. This abnormal processing of food appears to lower immunities and increase the risk of inflammation, asthma, eczema, diabetes, obesity, depression, and other chronic conditions, especially later in life. Commonly there is also inability to digest some types of food, or to assimilate some vitamins and other nutrients, which can not only cause indigestion, but low energy levels and even depression or other psychological irregularities. Though administering healthful probiotic bacteria to correct an imbalanced microbiota makes intuitive sense, studies to date have been disappointing, with only minor, short-lived changes to the gut microbiota. But you can up your intake of foods with natural probiotics. The key is consistency if the good bacteria is to stay strong enough to regularly overwhelm the bad bacteria, viruses, etc. Find some probiotic food you can eat daily and stick with it. Homemade ferminted cabbage or kimchi is an easy choice. Cesarean Delivery YouTube Your Gut Microbiome How the Gut Microbiome affects the Brain and Mind Gut microbes may influence food choices Antibiotics May Change Gut Bacteria Listen to our podcast Leaky Gut

 

Rhonda Patrick

Dr. Rhonda Patrick has done extensive research on aging, cancer, and nutrition. Her goal to challenge the status quo and encourage the wider public to think about health and longevity using a proactive, preventative approach.   It is Dr. Patrick’s goal to challenge the status quo and encourage the wider public to think about health and longevity using a proactive, preventative approach. In her talks she gives specic information in detail about her findings and recommendations that would not be easy to find elsewhere. She did her graduate research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where she investigated the link between mitochondrial metabolism, apoptosis, and cancer.  Her groundbreaking work discovered that a protein that is critical for cell survival has two distinct mitochondrial localizations with disparate functions, linking its anti-apoptotic role to a previously unrecognized role in mitochondrial respiration and maintenance of mitochondrial structure. Her dissertation findings were published in the 2012 issue of Nature Cell Biology. She later investigated the effects of micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) inadequacies on metabolism, inflammation, DNA damage, and aging and whether supplementation can reverse the damage. Dr. Patrick has also done research on aging at the Salk Institute for Biological Sciences. At the Salk she investigated what role insulin signaling played in protein misfolding, which is commonly found in neurodegenerative diseases. She frequently engages the public on topics including the role micronutrient deficiencies play in diseases of aging, the role of genetics in determining the effects of nutrients on a person's health status, benefits of exposing the body to hormetic stressors, such as through exercise, fasting, sauna use or heat stress, or various forms of cold exposure, and the importance of mindfulness, stress reduction, and sleep.  About 70% of your immunes live in your gut and collectively our microbiomes are in trouble which seems to be related to most disease, both physical and psychological.  She says most Americans are badly deficient in Vitamin D which play a vital role in at least 28 bodily functions. And even if you are taking multi-vitamins you are probably deficient in more ways than you thought. Vitamin D is turned into this active form, it travels throughout the body and plays a part in a number of diverse (and vital) functions: It builds bones and muscles; it also has anti-inflammatory effects, and helps to make enzymes and proteins that prevent diseases; it affects aging. High levels of vitamin D have been linked to stronger immune systems, while low levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. The full extent of vitamin’s D impact has yet to be fully understood—nearly every cell and tissue in our body has vitamin D receptors (proteins that bind to vitamin D); and in its active form, vitamin D can interact with the vast majority of the body’s cells. Dr. Patrick says that unless you are regularly in the sun, it may take months of somewhat elevated D3 supplements to normalize a deficiency. But after that too much D3 may tend to keep you awake according to Dr. Gominak. Here is a list of some of Dr. Patrick's many video presentations from her website, foundmyfitness.com Rhonda Patrick on Youtube Human Biome (Gut Health) Listen to our Podcast Vitamin D and Sleep Depression

Gut Health

The human microbiome is the aggregate of all microbiota that reside on or within various human tissues and biofluids. Some microorganisms perform tasks that are known to be useful to the human host, some are harmful but the role of most of them is not well understood. Those that are expected to be present, and that under normal circumstances do not cause disease. There is an increasing awareness of the role the gut microbiome plays in overall health. We can definitely strengthen the immune system through diet. The bacteria in the gut help to regulate the immune system. With a good diet, the gut microbiome becomes more diverse, providing a better foundation for the body to regulate inflammations. According to Dr.  Zach Bush, the human microbiome is complex and highly variable. An adult human typically has around 10 trillion human cells and about ten times as many non-human cells as human cells. The human microbiome also includes about100 trillion bacterial cells; and 1.5 billion Parasites; 124 trillion Fungi; 14 quadrillion Mitochondra cells; and uncountable numbers of viruses. The composition of human gut flora is continually changing and  immediate changes in the microbiota occur with our every breath. Longer lasting changes happen when the diet changes, which may result in overall health changes. Traveler's diarrhea is an intestinal infection (usually temporary) that occurs as a result of eating or drinking food or water that contains strains of biota hostile to the traveler's microbiome. When our inner microbial ecosystem is disrupted, our immune system responsiveness suffers. Studies show that potentially toxic pathogens may get a foothold in the environment of the gut following antibiotic treatment. Various gut pathogens can multiply rapidly and cause serious problems during a course of antibiotics. There is a strong correlation between antibiotic use and mood disorders (anxiety, panic attack, depression) 1 course of antibiotics increases your rate of depression within the next 12 months 25% due to interactions with the gut microbiome. And the problem increases with more frequent use of antibiotics. Over the last few years, scientists have made enormous progress in understanding what goes on in the “complex microbial ecosystem” that exists in the large intestine of every healthy mammal, including humans. Friendly, gut-dwelling bacteria synthesize nutrients including vitamins, and  some hormones which are involved in the development and maintenance of our bodies. The intestines are protected by a single layer of specialized epithelial cells that are linked together by tight junction proteins.  The layer of epithelial cells can be disrupted in just 14 minutes by glypsophate (herbacides). Dr. Bush shows how this is causing rapidly rising rates of cancer, heart attack, diabetes, and infertility. Leaky gut symptoms are also a consequence of intestinal tight-junction malfunction. These tight junction protrins are the gateway between your intestines and your bloodstream. They control what is allowed to pass into the bloodstream from your digestive system. And the microbiome drives changes in the brain that lead to changes in behavior. And there are various other factors, such as stress, that contribute to brain chemistry imbalance and mental health disorders. Recent studies have linked a number of mental and developmental disorders to the gut microbiome. One of the most prominent ways the gut microbiome affects your mental health is through its serotonin production. Serotonin (known as "the happy hormone") is believed to regulate anxiety, happiness, and mood. And although serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter, "it is estimated that 90 percent of the body's serotonin is made in the digestive tract." People who experience feelings of depression usually have a gut microbiome problem. In humans, the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome is established during birth. Birth by Cesarean section or vaginal delivery also influences the gut's microbial composition. Babies born through the vaginal canal have non-pathogenic, beneficial gut microbiota similar to those found in the mother. However, the gut microbiota of babies delivered by C-section harbors more pathogenic bacteria. To support the microbiome really is to nourish the "control center" of the body, and the number one way you achieve this is primarily by getting enough plant fiber. There are both symbiotic (good) and pathogenic (bad) varieties and the good kind thrive on plant fiber. Eating a clean, plant-rich diet and taking a high-quality probiotic will help you cultivate a diverse and thriving gut microbiome, thereby improving overall health. Foods that are good for your gut: greens, fruits, veggies, whole-grain foods high in fiber, dark chocolate, kefir, kombucha, pickles, sauerkraut, yogurt, asparagus, bananas, garlic, leeks, oat/barley, onion. Other foods, such as red meat and fried foods, may be best to avoid or reduce to improve gut health. Listen to our podcast The Human Microbiome on YouTube Your Biome, What Is It?  Fecal Microbiota Transplantation The Gut Microbiome -How Does it Affect  Health?  How The Gut Microbiota Affects Our Health  Restore The Gut -Summer Bock  Dr. Will Bulsiewicze

Probiotics

The human is made up of roughly equal numbers of body cells and microbes.  Around 100 trillion good bacteria live in and on our bodies. Because bacteria are so small, we usually ignore them unless we get an infection, then we try to kill them. If we think of bacteria at all it is usually negatively. In fact we are continually at war with bacteria and it is a huge ongoing battle. Most of us are not even aware that we started the fight and it harms us more than we know. There are bacteria that are good and necessary to keep us healthy, and they are also being killed. Remarkably, scientists estimate that only 1-10% of total bacteria have even been discovered. It is important to understand the difference between good bacteria and bad bacteria. “Good” bacteria, also known as beneficial bacteria, are defined as any bacteria that are beneficial to the body and enhance health. Actually, most bacteria are “good.”  Comparatively speaking, there are only a handful of “bad” bacteria out there. Of the total bacteria in our bodies, a healthy balance is 85% good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria. Good bacteria in our gut help to protect us by crowding out some of their dangerous relatives that can cause disease. One of the most well known types of good bacteria are probiotics. Many of these bacteria reside in our gut, helping our body break down food and absorb nutrients.  Not only do we live in harmony with these good bacteria, but they are essential to our survival. Exposure to antibiotics can alter a person's bacteria, sometimes upsetting the ability of the microbiome to protect us.  There are many other factors that can wear away at your stomach's protective barrier and cause poor gut health such as stress, old age, tobacco or alcohol, or regular use of common pain relievers. This may allow growth of harmful bacteria which can interfere with your immune response and cause multiple problems. The digestive system is really very important for our well being, as it is involved in so many processes. If our gut health is poor, we can end up with impaired immune and nervous systems, and it can also wreak havoc with our hormonal function throughout the body. This is because our gastrointestinal tract is loaded with neurons that release the same neurotransmitters found in the brain. This is why you have "gut feelings" and any upset to this equilibrium can throw your body and mood into chaos. H. pylori is a common type of bacteria that grows in the digestive tract and has a tendency to attack the stomach lining. It infects the stomachs of roughly 60 percent of the world’s adult population. H. pylori infections are usually harmless, but they’re responsible for the majority of ulcers in the stomach and small intestine. The second big issue here is to understand fairly recent changes in the food supply. Factory farming is an unsustainable method of raising food animals that concentrates large numbers of animals into confined spaces. Antibiotics are added to the animal feed or drinking water of cattle, hogs, poultry and other food-producing animals that are not sick to help them gain weight faster or use less food to gain weight and control diseases. Giving antibiotics to animals will kill many bacteria, but resistant bacteria can survive and multiply. When food animals are slaughtered and processed, these bacteria can contaminate the meat or other animal products. Also top soil depletion due to soil and water erosion and intensive use of chemicals is a grave threat to our continued ability to produce adequate food. Human security at risk as depletion of soil accelerates. Steadily and alarmingly, humans have been depleting Earth's soil resources faster than the nutrients can be replenished. If this trajectory does not change, soil erosion, combined with the effects of climate change, will present a huge risk to global food security. Modern intensive agricultural methods have stripped increasing amounts of nutrients from the soil in which the food we eat and fruits and vegetables have become less nutritious. Approximately 40 percent of soil used for agriculture around the world is either degraded or seriously degraded - meaning, among other things, that 70 percent of the topsoil - the layer allowing plants to grow - is gone. The majority of our food supply has been, devoid of adequate amounts of vital nutrients for decades. Most processed foods have chemical additives in them that are supposed to make up for all those deficiencies, these substitutes usually flavor enhancers and sugar, etc. We are not keeping up with the nutritional needs of the average individual. And the volume of fast food consumed every day is even more deficient in nutrients. More and more, chemicals are used to increase the productivity of vegetables that are grown on large commercial farms. Those chemicals become part of fruits and vegetables as do all the chemicals and hormones used to create bigger, more cost-effective animals used to feed us.Those chemicals are not something that the body was made to digest and are toxic, which leads to disease. Add to that most foods lack adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals and the causes of so many disorders like diabetes and heart disease. Some people just start taking pills, but the big pharmaceutical companies have become the most profitable industry in the world, and they would rather keep us on maintenance medications than cure us.  It is clear that it is time that we find natural methods of getting and staying healthy. So your best bet may be adopting a diet rich in probiotics. If you don’t have enough probiotics, the side effects of this deficiency can include: digestive disorders, skin issues, candida, autoimmune disease, and frequent colds and flus. Historically, we had plenty of probiotics in our diet from eating fresh foods from good soil and by fermenting our foods to keep them from spoiling. However, today because of refrigeration and dangerous agricultural practices like soaking our foods with chlorine, our food contains little to no probiotics and most foods today actually contain antibiotics that kill off the good bacteria in our bodies. By adding more probiotic foods into your diet, you could see various health benefits. Possibly the most popular probiotic food is live cultured yogurt but the problem is there is a large variation on the quality of yogurts on the market today. Some brands of yogurt actually contain live cultures and some do not and many of them have been cooked and have too much sugar. Good bacteria can be found in fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi and pickles. Fermented foods are also high in enzymes, which can aid digestion. Fermenting cabbage transforms this humble vegetable into a tangy, palate-pleasing side dish and also encourages the growth of gut-friendly bacteria. Homemade fermented cabbage is simple to make, it is healthy, and tastes yummy with a tangy and crunchy texture. The fermented cabbage gets ready in around 3 days, though you can continue fermenting it before refrigeration for more days if you like it more sour. You’ll want to choose a large ceramic or glass jar where you can fit a cap or plate on top to be able to press on the vegetables and keep them under the brine at all times. Mold can make you sick. The important thing to keep in mind is that the vegetables should stay submerged all along to prevent mold from forming. PROBIOTIC SMOOTHIE 1 carrot, raw, shredded, or substitute raw sweet potato  3 tblsp raw beet, shredded 1/2 cup  fermented cabbage or Kimchi 2 tblsp ground flax seed  1 teaspoon miso paste 2 cups  kale or dark green leaves 2000 milligrams of vitamin C 1 teasp seaweed (dried) or spirolina 1 banana, chopped 1 multi-mineral tablet -crushed (+multi-vitamin optional)  1 tblsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice Vitamin D3(5000 units) 2 cups water or hybiscus tea Optional: 1 tsp Super Greens powder or Morenga Powder 3/4 teasp 100% cocoa powder Broccoli Sprouts or other sprouts Blueberries or grapes, hand full, frozen OK 1 Kiwi, pealed, or other fruit such as apple or papaya, or small orange 1 teasp Nutritional Yeast (not Brewer's Yeast)  Lecithin Coconut, fresh shredded, 2 tblsp Fish oil Links  Dr. Will Bulsiewicze Listen to our Podcast Microbiome    Mastering The Microbiome Dr. Mark Hyman on Probiotics   Lacto Fermented Cabbage Drs. Justin & Erica Sonnenburg -healthy gut bacteria Fermented cabbage recipes Probiotic Smoothie The Chicken Industry Cowspiray Huffington Post healthy food Antibotic Overuse Genetically Modified Foods 1 Minute Probiotic Miso Soup  Smoothie substitute