Category Archives: Questions & Answers

Questions & Answers

The Toxic Effects Of Artificial Sweeteners On The Gut Microbiome

I’ve had concerns about artificial sweeteners for a long time. When they first came, I thought, “Well, the jury is still out. Let’s see how these things pan out.” Then, the reports started to come through. There were all sorts of neurological problems associated with artificial sweeteners. Many people began to get quite sick using these products.

Then research showed that some artificial sweeteners are quite toxic – including their impacts on insulin sensitivity and the gut. Artificial sweeteners have also been linked to obesity and cravings for sugar. People who drink beverages with artificial sweeteners are going to be in for a rough time as they get older.

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I found an interesting study conducted in October 2018. It was a university-based study described as follows: “The collaborative study indicated the relative toxicity of six artificial sweeteners, aspartame, sucralose, saccharine, neotame, advantame, and acesulfame potassium-k and 10 sport supplements containing artificial sweeteners.” Turns out that gut bacteria became toxic when exposed to concentrations of as little as 1 milligram per ml of the artificial sweeteners. There was a significant reduction in levels of beneficial bacteria in people consuming artificial sweeteners.

My recommendation for you folks out there is to avoid artificial sugars altogether. Be on the lookout for these sweeteners. You’ll find them in gum, you’ll find them in candies, you’ll find them in soda drinks, you’ll find them in many packaged foods.

The other problem with the widespread use of artificial sweeteners is that they are entering drinking water, groundwater, and even surface water. This happened with Prozac previously and now is happening with artificial sweeteners. It can be hard to avoid consuming these chemicals because they are in our water supply. At least don’t make things even more difficult for your gut by consuming foods or beverages with added artificial sweeteners.

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Questions & Answers

Using the 80/20 Rule to Create a Healthy Gut

Using the 80/20 Rule to Create a Healthy Gut

One of the most essential principles of gut health is that you have to eat really well. Pioneers in the field, like Paul Bragg, understood that message. As he put it, “There’s no greater possession than your health, and then your body.”

I’m not the type to tell you that you can never drink alcohol again or that you have to give up gluten for life. There’s no law when it comes to eating healthy food. You can choose what you want to eat. But the basic premise of eating healthy food will never change. It’s been the same for thousands of years, and it’s a focus on fresh foods. Whether you eat raw foods or steamed is up to you.

I don’t recommend an all-raw diet. I don’t think it is a great idea. I also don’t believe in an all processed diet. It’s important to understand that most people are going to be living on a combination of cooked food, raw food, and small amounts of processed foods.

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The choices you make daily will define your habits. Now, remember, I’ve used this expression before, but it’s a good one to remember. People don’t create their future; they create their habits, and their habits create their future.

Habits will decide what you’re going to eat regularly. Try and get in the habit of regularly eating high-quality food. I’m not saying you should only eat healthy food. I’ve always believed in the 80/20 rule. 80% of what you eat should be healthy, and 20% probably won’t be as good for you. For some people that 20% will be closer to 1%, but the point is that it’s essential not to be overly rigid about eating. Remember the 80/20 rule, and you can’t go wrong.

80% is enough to give us longevity. As we get older, we can always increase 80% to 85, 90, or 95%. As you get older, quality, rather than quantity, becomes even more critical. You can get away with more when you’re younger because you’re strong and have a more active gut. In fact, in my opinion, 20-year-olds don’t need to follow the 80/20 rule. But, they should be developing intelligence about the eating habits that will serve them throughout life.

Don’t beat yourself about the 20% in your diet. Do your best, but don’t demand perfection.

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Questions & Answers

Sleep and Gut Health: What you Need to Know

A 2016 study conducted in Sweden examined the impact of sleep on the gut. Results showed that after only two days of reduced sleep (about 3-4 hours per night), there was a significant impact on the gut microbiota. There were huge changes in the ratios of some of the beneficial bacteria (Bacteroides and Firmicutes). The 20 men in the study weren’t taking antibiotics, and they weren’t eating and drinking junk food; they were simply reducing their sleep.

The researcher was stunned to see such incredible changes in the gut microbiota because of a short-term reduction in sleep. This is essential information for shift workers, airline pilots, people who work crazy hours, or sleep-deprived people.

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I’ve always hammered on about the importance of sleep when it comes to restoring your health, and particularly when it comes to repairing your gut. I’ve known this for decades, that people with poor sleep always have poor digestive health, especially when they have very disturbed sleep cycles. That is essential information for you have.

The other interesting finding in this study was that insulin sensitivity had increased by 20%. In other words, people with disturbed sleep cycles tend to have insulin levels that resemble the levels found in obesity. Broken sleep can push you into craving sugar, simple carbs, and putting on weight. It’s essential to fix your sleep if you want good digestive health.

Check out some of my sleep videos on YouTube. One of the most vital things to cultivating good health is developing good sleep.

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Questions & Answers

What To Eat For A Healthy Digestive System

Food is the best medicine. The following foods are some of the best for creating a healthy digestive system.

1. Vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, and seeds: These foods support excellent gut health because of their fiber content. Some of the fiber is broken down and helps fuel beneficial bacteria in the colon.

2. Fermented and cultured foods: Fermented and cultured food are naturally good for digestive system health, providing you can tolerate them. Don’t add too many of these foods too quickly. If they cause bloating and gas, you need to pull these foods out of your diet. Wait until your gut is healthier and re-challenge yourself with those foods. In most cases, you will eventually be able to tolerate them.

3. Avoid artificial sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners can increase your sugar cravings and increase the activity of certain inflammatory pathways. Don’t eat that stuff – it’s junk. If you need something sweet, have some berries or Stevia.

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4. Prebiotic foods: I’m not a fan of prebiotic supplements because of the bloating and gas that they cause. Berries, almonds, leafy greens, and brassicas like broccoli and cauliflower are great prebiotic foods. Legumes, asparagus, sprouts are other prebiotic options. These foods are a great addition to the diet.

5. Whole grains: Whole grains contain a ton of fiber that is broken down in the large intestine. They contain a type of carb called beta-glucans. Whole grains are very, very good for the digestive system. Quinoa is an excellent grain to eat. Brown rice is a good grain to eat. Most people can tolerate these grains, but don’t start with large amounts.

6. Eat a diet diverse in different types of fiber: Don’t just stick with the same carrots and broccoli on your plate with a bit of boiled potato and a piece of chicken. Lots of people have diets that are too repetitious. My recommendation is to add a new vegetable to your diet every week. This provides new fibers and nutrients to your gut.

7. Probiotic supplements: Take a probiotic every day. You can take any probiotic that is balanced and contains at least three strains of Lactobacillus and two strains of Bifidobacteria. CanXida Restore is a probiotic that I designed. It includes six different probiotics and seven different digestive enzymes. The enzymes support the action of probiotics by ensuring that food is digested properly. The CanXida Restore capsule is designed to pay through the stomach intact and to release its content in the intestine, the target area.

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Questions & Answers

Ten Symptoms Of Poor Digestive Health

A healthy digestive system should be silent. There should be minimal noise. There should be no bloating. There should be minimal gas. There should be hardly any fermentation going on.

Many problems in our digestive system come through imbalances. The imbalance can be related to overeating, eating the wrong kind of food, taking medications, drinking alcohol, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Ten symptoms that can indicate you have a gut problem are:

1. Upset stomach: If you start noticing heartburn or reflux or burping, these all could be signs of an upper GI problem. You really want to get the upper GI fixed if you’ve got any hope of getting the lower GI fixed.

2. Upset pancreas: This condition is more common than you might think. The symptoms to look for are bloating, loose bowel movements, fatigue, and changes in appetite. When the pancreas isn’t working well digestion wise, it often isn’t working well insulin wise. As a result, blood sugar problems can occur.

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3. Upset intestines: When the lower GI tract isn’t working properly, you may experience bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and pain. Right-sided pain might mean parasites and left-sided pain can mean diverticulitis. Parasites and biofilms from harmful bacteria can cause pain around the ileocecal valve.

4. A high sugar diet: Constantly craving sugar is a sign that your GI tract isn’t balanced. It could be harmful bacteria or yeast that is driving the craving.

5. Unintentional weight changes: Gaining weight for no reason and losing weight for no reason can indicate significant GI problems. If you had a massive weight loss along with a change in your bowel habits, get checked out by your doctor as soon as possible.

6. Sleeping disturbance: Sleep deprivation can result in significant drops in our beneficial bacteria levels. If you have sleep problems, fatigue, and GI symptoms, you need to sort out what’s happening in your digestive tract.

7. Skin irritations: Your skin is an outward manifestation of what’s going on inside your body. If you’ve got acne, if you’ve got eczema, if you’ve got psoriasis, you need to get the gut sorted. The small intestine, in my opinion, is the seed of the health of the skin. If you get that right, your skin could look quite amazing.

8. Food intolerances and food allergies: Both of these conditions are very common in people who have gut problems. Leaky gut can be related to food intolerance and allergies.

9. Autoimmune disease: We now know that autoimmune disease is related to a dysfunctional gut. When the GI tract isn’t working correctly, it’s going to become increasingly leaky and permeable. Next, the body reacts more and more to antigens. The immune system becomes upregulated and autoimmune conditions can develop.

10. You’re taking pills for digestive problems: Are you using medication to treat reflux and bloating. Are charcoal and probiotics part of your routine. Do you take antimicrobials and antibiotics? Are you taking any medication regularly for a digestive problem? If you are, you need to get it sorted.

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