YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:10:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1949006 Sat, 18 Aug 2018 05:50:54 +0000 Anonymous 1949006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I should add that I feel gut health is important after seeing a dear aunt whose ovarian cancer had spread to both lungs refuse chemo and radiation and go on a diet ( what I remember) of no meat, artificial additives like colors or flavores, lots of fresh veggies. She fought off the spread of her cancer for over 20 years. Her doctor was incredulous but said that whatever she was doing she should continue. She eventually died of a stroke, not the cancer. She concentrated on greens for diet. deb on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1947680 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 20:57:19 +0000 deb 1947680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ladies, if you take calcium, make sure it is calcium citrate. The body absorbs it more readily. londonkiwi (now back in NZ) on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1947490 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 06:01:42 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 1947490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Thistle, Just got time to come back here now. If you have the time I would recommend reading this blog post by Dr Mikki Williden, she’s a dietician and nutritionist, who teaches as has her own practice. In this article she explains why gut health may be an important factor in high cholesterol. <a href="https://mikkiwilliden.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/could-your-gut-health-be-responsible-for-your-high-cholesterol/" rel="nofollow">https://mikkiwilliden.wordpres.....olesterol/</a> I used to be a skeptic who elements of health care and advice that seem to be outside what is recommended mainstream. However, how I credit a “not mainstream recommended diet” to my excellent blood sugar control. I’m lucky in that we have a public health system in NZ. So my normal medical costs are covered. But “mainstream doctors” really only have the time to concentrate on getting you back on your feet. I wanted to get as close to my old 100%. Going to see a nutritionist I did have to pay for, but it was an investment in my heath. She was very good in that she tailored her recommendations to my budget, time constraints, cooking ability and tastes. I think it is at least worth doing the research and having at least one appointment. unfrumped on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1947416 Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:46:52 +0000 unfrumped 1947416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I admit to being more of a sceptic because most of these deals are not using anything close the evidence we demand from our doctors, medications, even food products. And whenever fees ( especially large ones) not covered by any insurance are involved, I tend to hear “ quack quack” noises. Classically Casual on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1946846 Fri, 10 Aug 2018 18:48:02 +0000 Classically Casual 1946846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ An effective way to dip your toe into improved gut health so to speak might be to avoid all processed foods and eat as organically as possible. Good luck! If you get interested, there’s a ton of information available. texstyle on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1946784 Fri, 10 Aug 2018 14:41:19 +0000 texstyle 1946784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Medical doctors in the U.S. at least are barely required to take *any* nutritional medicine courses so it is very hard to talk to them about nutritional healing. Doctors don't like to feel uninformed in my experience. Maybe an integrative medical doctor would be better. I think magnesium is often more of an issue than calcium as one is dependent on the other for proper absorption I think. I like to track what I eat in terms of nutrition - which minerals am I getting and in what quantity seems a much better approach than how many calories. Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium and Sodium seem particularly important to monitor. Lots of reading available on this online in respectable health journals (not just hearsay). Anonymous on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1946672 Fri, 10 Aug 2018 04:08:53 +0000 Anonymous 1946672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like Angie, I am of Nordic background (3/4 Swedish and Danish) and have small bones and osteoporosis. A couple of weeks ago I attended a lecture at the local library about what you eat and bone health. The lady presenting was definitely not selling anything and not a doctor but was a 75 year old woman who had had osteoporosis so bad.y that she was not allowed to do many things like ride a bicycle. Her daughter an MD, was determined to help her. She ( the daughter) started by studying what builds bone and how to get it. Angie is right. Calcium supplements cannot be used by the body, yet they are one of the first things a doctor will have you take. In the past 12 years the lady has managed to stop her bone loss and maybe even start building new bone only by changing her diet so that her gut can absorb what her bones need. She says she could do even better if she exercised but she does not. She plans to do more talks if enough of us are interested so I hope to learn more. One thing is to learn how to approach your doctor. Hers was very against this diet/ gut approach. When yearly bone scans showed no more loss, he could not believe it and redid the tests. They came out the same. Her last test had shown some new bone in her hips. Echo on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1946661 Fri, 10 Aug 2018 02:56:17 +0000 Echo 1946661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have to agree that there is so much about the microbiome and how diet affects that and how that affects our health, weight, immunity and even moods that we don't yet understand.  As for different ways of eating being a "miracle cure" for some people, I don't doubt that different things work for different people. We all have different bodies and they react to different things. We know that so much affects the microbiome that each person is different. There is no one-size-fits-all for a healthy diet, but I think it might be possible for each person to find what works for them. I'd give the appointment a chance. They may not have anything helpful to offer, but I wouldn't dismiss it before going.  Gaylene on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1946619 Thu, 09 Aug 2018 22:56:25 +0000 Gaylene 1946619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No advice but my sister, who is a registered dietitian and holds a PhD in a related field, holds much the same view as Diana and Greyscale—the research is interesting but there are a lot dubious claims circulating on the internet. Her response when people come up to her extolling the merits of a particular diet is a smile and a “I’m happy it’s working/has worked so well for you”. She gets to use that line pretty regularly... Gigi on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health/page/2#post-1946601 Thu, 09 Aug 2018 21:19:32 +0000 Gigi 1946601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I had the opposite problem: I was losing weight and couldn't keep it on. I could hardly eat. The MDs I went to couldn't find anything wrong with me, so I went to a naturopath. The naturopath told me I had a candida overgrowth (which I had already suspected because of the types of foods that made my symptoms worse) and also told me that I was not absorbing the food I was eating. He gave me supplements and dietary recommendations, and though it took a long time, I can eat most anything now. I am so grateful. I would probably be in the hospital getting IV nutrients if it weren't for him and an acupuncturist I was seeing at the time. I think it might be helpful to go to the appointment with an open mind. I have spent a lot of money trying different approaches, which sucks, but I am finally getting answers and healing. It is worth it. Sometimes you just have to strike out in a new direction and see what happens. Many of the new directions might result in failure, but you also might find some successes. londonkiwi (now back in NZ) on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946595 Thu, 09 Aug 2018 20:42:16 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 1946595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes! I’ve got some experience with it. I don’t have enough time now, but will post some useful resources. Before being diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases 2 years ago I would have been skeptical too. But now I’m convinced, there’s so much about food that we don’t appreciate. It’s more than just fuel, it can be medicine too. I know make an effort to get fermented food into my diet. Sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir - all readily available and delicious. texstyle on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946573 Thu, 09 Aug 2018 19:22:15 +0000 texstyle 1946573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>Of course - it's nearly everywhere these days. Probiotics (microbes) are being added to all kinds of vitamins and vitamin drinks (but those that aren't kept cold are pretty much useless as the microbes die off in heat) I've read that the best way to get good probiotics is eating fermented foods - sauerkraut, kimchee, kombucha, some cheeses, some yogurt, sour dough breads, etc. have the "good" microbes. Have you ever heard of the "Blue Zones" - places around the world where people live the longest? Might be worth looking into. </div><div> </div><div>We used to (in our grandparents era) get good microbes from the vegetables grown in healthy soil that had loads of "good" microbes. Today agricultural soil is severely depleted of good microbes due to pesticides, fungicides and other man-made chemicals that have killed them off.  Personally, I'd be leery of any doctor who *doesn't* research and recommend focusing on creating a good gut health! Your intestines are a big part of your total immune system. If the microbes in your intestines aren't at a healthy level you will not be healthy either.</div><div> </div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://instituteofhealthsciences.com/probiotics-help-immune-system-in-your-gi-tract/">https://instituteofhealthscien.....-gi-tract/</a></div><div> </div><div>See other links at the bottom of this one too: </div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/gut-microbes-diet-interact-affect-obesity">https://www.nih.gov/news-event.....ct-obesity</a> </div><div> </div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160413151108.htm">https://www.sciencedaily.com/r.....151108.htm</a> </div> chouette22 on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946571 Thu, 09 Aug 2018 18:46:20 +0000 chouette22 1946571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JAileen above referenced the Plant Paradox diet (which is all about gut health and thus reducing inflammation markers, which are the triggers for so many diseases and weight issues). I have started it on April 1 of this year (read the book a year ago) and have been following along 3 different support groups on Facebook. If you saw how absolutely transforming this diet is for so many people (many with stomach problems, various autoimmune diseases and other health issues, excess weight, high cholesterol, etc.), you'd be impressed. <div>So. many. people. have stopped or severely reduced the majority of medications they have been taking for years. So many people have lost a lot of weight that they have been trying to get rid of for a long time as well. There is a huge amount of micro-biome research out there and I have been studying it for quite a while now (in my free time, this is not my professional field). I would NOT cancel that appointment. If this weight loss practitioner wants to go that route, then I would be thrilled to follow along. I would be wary to go to a dietician who might not even know about this new field of research and just does what has been done for a long time (like recommending low-fat diets which we know do not work). Didn't you say before that you have tried for a long time to change things, but that nothing really has worked?  </div> Emily K on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946550 Thu, 09 Aug 2018 17:05:57 +0000 Emily K 1946550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ IMO, there's no reason to "throw out the baby with the bathwater":  A lot of gut-health recommendations are common-sense things that you should probably do anyway, like eating a large variety of foods,  including fermented items like kimchee or sauerkraut in your diet, and avoiding an over-reliance on antibiotic medicines (that's the micro-biome part of the equation).  Another approach is to avoid things (like lectins) that are hard to digest--the absorptive layer of cells in the gut is very thin and, once damaged, can be hard to repair.  (This is the thinking behind a lot of grain-restrictive diets.)   Style Fan on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946412 Thu, 09 Aug 2018 09:19:26 +0000 Style Fan 1946412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have not heard of it but I research everything carefully for myself before accepting "expert" opinions.  I worked in healthcare long enough to know that I need to take care of myself. I saw a naturopath in my 30s for rheumatoid arthritis.  One of the best decisions I ever made. Jules on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946331 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 23:11:59 +0000 Jules 1946331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Perhaps you can do a little more research and if anything resonates, ask the dietitian about what the other doctor told you and whether that path is worth investigating. Everyone has focused on the microbiome in their responses, which I get because it is definitely the hot gut health topic du jour, but the first thing I thought of (as a total non expert, to be clear) was celiac. I'm not sure what words the doc used but "gut health" could mean various things? deb on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946324 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 22:56:47 +0000 deb 1946324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thistle, have you seen a gastroindocrologist yet? If not, maybe you can start there to get clarification. Greyscale on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946320 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 22:50:56 +0000 Greyscale 1946320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been fascinated by gut bacteria ever since I was a PhD student. Some of my research group shifted to studying that, in the context of Crohn's disease, but I stuck with my original topic (and like Diana, sometimes I wish I'd switched - it's such a big field now!). I do think we're going to learn a lot in the next few years about how metabolism, mood, physical ailments, and digestion interact with gut microbes. For some specific problems, there are very successful treatments for changing problematic gut microbes (like 'poop transplants' for certain very dangerous infections!!) - but overall the market is flooded with generic advice about taking probiotics. Or people latching onto one finding as the key to everything. I'm not sure we know enough to really take advantage of measuring gut bacteria populations yet. What's cause, what's effect, how can you stably alter your gut microbe makeup... we don't really understand this all yet. That said, I'm tempted to do one of the gut microbe profiling services myself. cindysmith on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946313 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 22:45:12 +0000 cindysmith 1946313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've heard of it, and there's probably something to it, but I just love my junk food too much to give it up deb on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946296 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 22:05:06 +0000 deb 1946296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, and if she stops them and only does the diet major issues flare up. deb on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946295 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 22:03:53 +0000 deb 1946295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A good friend of mine has chronos disease since her 20's. She has been getting probiotics and prebiotics since I met her in 1983. Her doctors reccomended them and she really feels the difference since starting them and changing her diet. Sal on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946288 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 21:41:55 +0000 Sal 1946288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have heard of it and have several friends who swear by this - for their mental and physical health.  They avoid inflammatory foods, use fermented foods and drinks.  A good friend has had great success with her Chronic Fatigue using diet and supplements to increase good gut bacteria. It is a challenge I think blending different medical specialists and their approaches and advice.  I am no expert on this.  It is hard to balance science/ego/monetary goals/traditions/insurance and regulations.   Anonymous on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946269 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 19:31:35 +0000 Anonymous 1946269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have been both following research and living on the “microbe” bandwagon for years. If you live in US and wish to educate self on topic - look at NIH position papers but Europe has long been ahead of Curve on this stuff. Many years ago I Was advised by GI doctors to go on probiotics and researched recommended strains ( types, numbers and pricing) . We take probiotics and Also eat probiotic foods like kimchi: helped immensely. Can’t have dairy so yogurt and kefir are out. Especially great for folks who are or have been on lots of antibiotics - like after treatment for Lymes. As always a diet of fruits and veggies instead of processed white flour and sugar makes big difference too. Give it a few weeks- you should see a difference. rachylou on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946250 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 17:52:50 +0000 rachylou 1946250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What Jenn said. I’m curious tho, as to what tests your doctor (the lady was a medical doctor) wants to run? Microbiome stuff is new, but there’s more to the ‘gut’ than that. When I was young and going through my thyroid issues, my mum took me to orthomolecular doctors (MDs). A bit ‘euro,’ with IV treatments, but I think they worked. Thistle on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946244 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 17:34:39 +0000 Thistle 1946244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Okay, I think I am going to cancel the appointment. My skepticism has grown considerably after talking to you lovely and intelligent ladies. I then did some reading, and I can't see anything out there that tells us how such test results could even be used. The treatments would be the same.  I'm going to stick with seeing a registered dietitian through my healthcare provider and see what she recommends.  Suz on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946243 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 17:26:17 +0000 Suz 1946243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nodding with Jenn and Diana.  As others have said, it has trickled down to nutrition and fitness circles (where, as you might recall, I worked for several years) but we know too little to draw conclusions.  Thistle on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946236 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 17:05:13 +0000 Thistle 1946236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So, it sounds like this may be a mixed bag. Yes, there is some legitimate medical research going on. It's still in the early stages. BUT, we don't know a ton about it yet. And even what we do know isn't repeatable or even actionable. kkards on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946232 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 16:58:09 +0000 kkards 1946232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OMG yes...this is the latest and hottest topic in any thing medical that i, as a lay person read.... its related to the term " gut check", "not feeling it in my gut" etc...they are discovering that there is something to be said for the gut being very important to our overall health. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/15/well/live/gut-bacteria-may-be-key-to-weight-loss.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/0.....-loss.html</a><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/well/move/exercise-microbiome-health-weight-gut-bacteria.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.nytimes.com/2018/0.....teria.html</a> Anonymous on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946216 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 16:34:03 +0000 Anonymous 1946216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sure - gut health has been a big topic in health care and nutrition over the last 5-6 years. Lots of writing and research about it. The lectin issue is also  of interest to me, and I have a book waiting for me at the library on this very topic.   Diana on "Have You Ever Heard of Gut Health?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-ever-heard-of-gut-health#post-1946214 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 16:32:15 +0000 Diana 1946214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Microbiome research is super hot right now, there are tons of universities and startups and pharmaceutical companies trying to get a leg up in the field right now.  (I wish I worked on it, because I'd probably have my own lab and loads of funding by now, lol!)  That being said, it is super new and there is not much known about long-term effects, and a lot of studies, even reputable ones, have not been replicated yet.  My take as a scientist is that while one's microbiome certainly does have an effect on health, we don't really know much yet about the long-term effects of changing it, or even whether or how we can change it beyond the short term.  There's also a lot of quackery out there - people who have latched onto one or two emerging studies and drawn all sorts of conclusions that have no research basis, and are trying to make a quick buck.  A lot of the supplements and things available right now are not regulated.  So, yes, it is a legit field but you have to be careful.  I'd suggest reading the primary research or well-referenced review articles from reputable scientific/medical journals, and don't take testimonials and that kind of anecdotal evidence on the internet too seriously.