Digestive Bugs; a Hidden Cause of Weight Gain in Women

Did you know, digestive bugs are a hidden link to unexplained weight gain in women?  The great news is, there is herbal and nutritional support that WILL make a difference.

Although I have previously discussed digestive flora before from it's influence on serotonin and cravings, new findings directly link it to poor glycaemic control and unexplained weight gain – and after 16 years of practice, it really makes so much sense!
 
Recent research has shown that digestive health, plays a significant role in both obesity and diabetes, primarily due to a deficiency in a protein called toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), a regulator of digestive flora in our gastro intestinal tract. This allows harmful bacteria to multiply and taking probiotics can actually make it worse!

In short, a TLR5 deficiency changes your metabolism. It means you can exercise and count calories or live on lettuce leaves and not lose weight.

The reason being, the food you eat is absorbed at a faster caloric rate than it is meant to. Think of the example of you are out to coffee with a friend, you both have a skiny latte – your absorbency is the equivalent to having two! This is because a deficiency in TLR5 causes:

• Increased carbohydrate storage
• Increased caloric absorption
• Increased insulin production
• Increased leptin resistance
• Increased fatty acid absorbency

This means, if you have unhealthy digestive flora and a 'gut bug', although you eat healthy, you may extract more calories from your foods, even if they are 'healthy' and gain more weight.

This is why you might eat less than your friends but still gain weight!

Top three causes of toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) deficiencies

• Gram negative digestive bacteria
• Chronic infections
• Genetics
• Chronic stress
• Antibiotic use

Symptoms

• Cravings and increased appetite
• Unexplained weight gain
• Stubborn fat around the middle
• Bloating, digestive disturbances
• Unexplained high cholesterol
• Unexplained high blood pressure
• Unexplained fatigue
• Unexplained pain and inflammation
• Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder

Test results may show:

1. Elevated CRP
2. Digestive dysbiosis or inflammatory bowel conditions
3. Elevated Free Fatty Acids
4. Auto immune markers
5. Poor glycaemic control
6. Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder or Cysts

3 Easy Steps to Stopping This Cycle Today

1. Don’t wait. I can guarantee you, it won’t 'fix' itself, it will only get worse.

2. You MUST reduce bacterial levels and restore balance

3. You MUST restore glycaemic control and improve insulin sensitivity

To Join or Not To Join?

Deciding to make the change is often one of the hardest steps, simply because making change takes energy. You may even be exhausted from trying to find solutions!  There are so many reasons why you may need help. But with the right expert advice, you can make a difference, starting today.

Making a change is easy. Just join my $149 program at http://www.massattack.com.au/f_form.php and let me know if you are on board and ready to go so I can coach you along the way.

If you would like further information or for me to call you, please email me at info@massattack.com.au

Warmest regards,

Narelle Stegehuis
MHSc. Naturopath. Medical Herbalist.

Tel. 1300 133 536 or www.massattack.com.au

Candida, Diet and the Hormone Connection

Candida, diet and lifestyle habits all trigger hormonal changes in women that are linked to weight gain, especially around the middle.

This fat can be difficult to budge, often leaving you feeling not only tired and bloated, but frustrated and depleted.

One of the main hormes at play is estrogen. Estrogen excess can be caused by hormone disruptors - (industrial chemicals found in cleaning products, foods and make up).

Estrogen excess can trigger candida outbreaks, which not only cause digestive disturbances, but are one of the leading causes of hormonal imbalance within women.

Studies Show that...

A comparative study found a trend toward higher faecal levels of Lactobacillus sp in pre-menopausal women, whilst post-menopausal women showed higher levels of fungi and yeast. The most concerning trend was found in breast cancer patients, found to have higher levels of E. coli, Bacteroide sp. and Clostridium sp., than both pre- and post-menopausal controls.¹

Thrush is a common condition...

An estimated 75% of all women will develop a yeast infection during their lifetime and 90% of these infections are caused by Candida albicans. Three main theories exist for recurrent thrush:

• Chronic systemic infection & hormone imbalance
  
• Reinfection from a sexual partner
• Poor immune system

Estrogen, HRT, and Brith Control ...?

Does estrogen, HRT and the birth control pill trigger thrush? Yes, researchers find that oestrogen stimulates mature epithelial cells lining the vagina to produce glycogen - a favourable substrate for the growth and promotion of C. albicans.³

The great news is, if you are suffering from thrush, or the symptoms of thrush, we can help.

To read about the symptoms of thrush or for more information, click here

References

1. Perisic DV, Dokic M, Kovacevic G. The role of prebiotics and probiotics in female health. Arch Gastroenterohepatol 2003; 22(3-4) 79-83.
2. Nirjesy P. Chronic Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Am Fam Physician. 2001;63(4): 697-702.
3. Dennerstein GJ, Ellis DH. Oestrogen, glycogen and vaginal candidiasis. Aus N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2001; 41(3): 326-8.

Candida Could Be The Cause Of Your Bloat

Getting to the cause of "the bloat" is something that some women only dream of!

One of the major causes of bloating - aside from constipation; is Candida overgrowth. When we are healthy,Candida lives in our intestines in harmony with other "good bacteria". If it over grows, it spreads roots into the walls of the intestines.

The damage to the intestinal wall allows toxins to enter the bloodstream. This condition called 'leaky gut syndrome' often leads to food allergies, foggy thinking, migraines and depression and of course - bloating.

Once through to the rest of the body, the Candida can live anywhere there are mucous membranes - it particularly likes the vagina, lungs and the sinuses, providing food for bacteria and viruses. It has an ability to disrupt the endocrine system causing symptoms such as weight gain or weight loss, PMS, menstrual irregularities, joint pains, asthma, hay fever, muscle fatigue and chronic tiredness.

To Read Full Article Featured In 'Mothers Inc' Click Here