Health

How Gut Health is Important for a Healthy Body and Mind

CHIANG RAI – Do you sometimes feel physically exhausted, have a foggy brain, and feel moody or depressed for no apparent reason? It may be your gut health Usually when we don’t feel well we know it’s the result of partying too hard, not getting enough sleep, or stress at work.

But sometimes when we don’t know why we are feeling bad, the reason could be hidden deep inside your digestive system. You might have a food intolerance or food allergy and are suffering the symptoms.

To determine if you have a food intolerance, getting a food intolerance test can help identify which specific foods are causing your symptoms, especially if they are not immediately apparent.And for people who live or travel in tropical countries, you might even have intestinal parasites and not even realize it.

This is what happened to Nikki Kachum, whose experience led her to study nutrition as part of her healing journey.

“After giving birth to my son a few years ago, I became severely intolerant to most foods. I got down to about seven foods I could tolerate and my brain began to shut down. I couldn’t really think straight and was so foggy and down all the time.

Anxiety was bad and I had no energy to do anything. Bloating was normal for me everyday. I found out I had parasites and began treating them with diet and natural herbal remedies. It took a long time to recover as healing is not a fast quick fix but with patience and perseverance I am now feeling great and no longer have the parasites or bloating.”

gut health

Nikki is a certified life coach, nutritionist and Pilates teacher based in Chiang Rai, and is now helping others learn more about gut health by teaching a Self-Care Workshop in gut health at Museflower Retreat & Spa Chiang Rai this May.

Here, she shares some guidelines on why gut health is important for our overall health.

What is gut health?

It is the state of our digestive system. It incorporates many things; a healthy diverse micro biome (bacterial composition), having regular healthy stools, good mental health, being able to digest our food and absorb our nutrients. ‘We are what we absorb’ rather than just what we eat.

Why do we need to take care of our gut?

Many things are important but a good start is a healthy diet and low stress lifestyle.

How do we know if our gut is healthy or not healthy?

Many symptoms are associated with poor gut health, these are extremely diverse and can range from ‘typical gut’ symptoms like bloating and stomach aches but can also show themselves as skin issues, mental health issues (anxiety, depression), joint pain, exhaustion, and autoimmunity.

What are the worst bad foods or habits that can damage our gut?

Eating when stressed severely affects our digestion. Foods with chemicals and preservatives such as processed foods are bad for you. Trans fats and too much sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, which is found is most processed foods. Eating convenience food and fast food instead of fresh whole foods.

gut health

What are the best foods or habits for us to have a healthy gut?

We should be conscious of what we are eating and how it affects us. Some people may be able to eat good quality bread and feel good, others can’t handle gluten. Each person’s body is different and we need to just be more aware of how our own body responds. Aim for the best quality, organic where possible. An abundance of vegetables should be the base of everyone’s diet and fermented foods for good micro biome diversity.

For meat eaters, quality should be a focus rather than quantity. Moreover, considering the use of gluten digestion pills can also support gut health, especially for those with gluten sensitivities, by aiding in the breakdown of gluten proteins and promoting digestion.

Some people get regular colonics. Are colonics good to maintain gut health?

They can be good as an occasional thing. Coffee enemas are a fantastic way to detox your liver and you can do them at home for little cost. These can be a game changer for people who are really struggling with digestive issues.

What real life cases have you seen where health problem were fixed by changing people’s diet or eating habits?

Many clients have gotten their lives back through healing their guts. I have worked with families with autistic children, people with autoimmune and many clients with parasites. There is no quick fix but with time and consistency they get better and need to then continue to maintain their gut health long term by managing stress levels and eating well.

By Minty Green

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Certified life coach Nikki Kachum will be teaching a self-care workshop at Museflower Retreat & Spa Chiang Rai on How to Keep Your Gut Healthy With Fermented Food and More on Sunday May 27, 2018. This workshop teaches the importance of gut health, the benefits of fermented food in keeping a healthy gut, and a demo on how to make your own fermented sauerkraut.

The 2-hour Gut Health Workshop on May 27, 2018, costs THB 1,900 per person, and

requires minimum 1 day advance booking.

For inquiries about this workshop, contact:

Museflower Retreat & Spa Chiang Rai, 159/1 Moo 1 Ban Samanmit, Donsila Sub-District, Wiang Chai District, Chiang Rai 57210

Office: +66-(0)52-029-823, +66(0)-93-137-0414

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.musefloweretreat.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musefloweretreat

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP