GUT HEALTH -

Supporting your gut health in Warragul

Chinese medicine has known for millennia that our gut health is central to our overall health and well being. In fact, it is one of the pillars or our approach to healthcare. So, when you land here because your gut is not quite right (or decidedly dodgy), rest assured that we have some seriously solid tools in our kit to help you get your gut health on track. #HappyGuts #HappyPoos

Gut Health & Mood

What it is the connection between the gut (stomach, large and small intestine) and anxiety and depression??

In 2017 it was established that moderate depression could be treated with a modified Mediterranean diet. This is quite a breakthrough from a Western medical perspective, as the results of the trial (undertaken in my home state none-the-less), were statistically significant, highlighting the importance of food choice in supporting mental health.. a foundational theory in not only Chinese medicine, but many traditional cultures around the world.

This connection between the gut, or rather the health of the gut microbiome, and brain health is experiencing a bit of a moment in the zeitgeist, but over here, in clinic we are nodding.. Yep. #FeedTheSoil.

IBS

Well, digestive health (or disease) is important, as anyone with IBS or Crohn’s disease will confirm. Think back to the last major pig-out you had and reminisce about how, well crap, you felt… can’t string two words together, all kinds or unpleasant sounds and smells emanating from multiple orifices.

A recently published study discovered that diet modification significantly improved IBS symptoms better than standard treatment alone (meds). #ColourMeSurprised-Not.

A 2017 systematic review found that for those suffering with IBS-C (C = constipation), TCM showed a “greater improvement in terms of clinical efficacy” than typical pharmacotherapy.

Gut/Brain Health

A fascinating paper published in December 2016 reported the finding of a functional link between gut bacteria and the neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson’s disease. True, it was an animal study (yuck), but the findings were significant because for the first time, it was shown that the little bugs living in (rat tummies) regulate movement disorders!

Looking after your gut bugs isn’t as complex as certain, ahem, internet sites insist. In Chinese medicine, dietetics is an important part of your treatment program, but needn’t be expensive or impossible to follow.

Keeping It Simple

ALL my patients get the same dietary advice to start with..

1. Eat locally and eat seasonally - if you’re eating locally produced foods, the likelihood is that they’ll also be in season, will be fresher than anything in a supermarket, and will have low food miles. Good for you and good for our planet.

2. Choose quality over quantity - if the majority of your diet is local, seasonal and of good quality, then you are way ahead of the pack. Not everyone can afford an organic delivery every week, but guess what? If you choose quality, you’ll naturally respect the ingredient and hopefully use it to it’s full potential. Paid $5 for a bunch of spinach? Bet that isn’t going to melt in the crisper drawer! Paid $1 for it?? Bet it does! Fermented/live foods like yoghurt, kimchi and miso are excellent for promoting gut health and mental wellbeing! And yum.

3. Everything in moderation, including moderation - you are human. On occasion, all your best intentions will go flying out the window and that packet of Tim Tams is toast. Move on. The damage you do beating yourself up for the next 72 hours is worse than the scoffing of the bikkies. Go for a walk, do some gardening, move and do your best to mitigate the damage. It’s. Gonna. Happen.

4. Eat real food, all the plants, and the beans, and the nuts/seeds - avoid ultra-processed foods (UPF’s) like the plague.

So, keep it simple folks. Eat a rainbow. Enjoy your food. Drink your coffee. A cold beer after work? Hell yes! As ever, it’s all about balance.

#diet #happygut #eatrealfood #everythinginmoderation #keyacupuncture #realacupuncture #tcm #tcmdietetics #guthealth