Refresh Your Soul

  What are the origins of MY GI Issues? The most common question besides how often I should get poop is, what are the origins of my GI issues?  That is a great question. I will attempt to answer this below.  Doctors and scientists have been exploring the origins of digestive issues for decades, and numerous theories have developed from their work. Gastrointestinal issues are complex, and they don't just appear overnight. In fact, research shows there are often genetic and hereditary factors at play. We know that trauma and stress affect the microbiome and digestion. Research also indicates that how babies are fed in utero, born, and fed after birth plays a significant role in the development of the microbiome. Babies born naturally absorb bacteria from their mothers that are not transferred during cesarian births, and breastmilk is shown to also carry over bacteria from the mother to the infant, building a more diverse microbiome for the growing child. The invention of a...

  Stress, Adrenal Glands, and Hydration Your adrenal glands are two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys and, along with your thyroid, create energy. They also secrete important hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone secreted by your adrenals that regulates water levels and the concentration of minerals, like sodium, in your body, helping you stay hydrated. Your adrenals are also responsible for regulating your stress response. Stress is so everyday today that it has become chronic for most people, creating a state of adrenal fatigue. When stressed, more aldosterone and sodium circulate in your body. Once the stress is over, aldosterone levels fall, and sodium must leave your bloodstream. The sodium passes through your kidneys and exits your body as urine, taking water. If you experience high-stress levels regularly, you will weaken your adrenals and dehydrate your body. And even if you drink a lot of water, you may need more hydration! 11 Tips for Nouri...

  Product of the month is Fiber Fiber plays a significant role in digestive health. Fibers are typically plants, fruits, vegetables, dried beans, legumes, lentils, nuts, and seeds. As a culture, we consume far less fiber than other cultures. Fiber is linked to major digestive and health issues. Recent studies show a high-fiber diet decrease major illness and diseases. Fiber helps you POOP! Fiber helps feed your healthy bacteria; the biproduct is short-chain fatty acids. Short-chain fatty acids may play a role in reducing inflammatory diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and other conditions. Dietary fiber is the term used to describe the combination of insoluble and soluble fibers. Soluble fiber is the form of fiber that dissolves in water. Foods containing soluble fiber include fruits, oats, legumes, and barley. Insoluble fiber comes from plant cell walls and does not dissolve in water. Foods containing insoluble fiber include wheat, vegetables, and seeds. Fiber wor...