The Power of a Happier Stomach!
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 10:20AM On my list of health challenges I've always put my stomach at the bottom of the list. I've always thought of my need to cart around Gas-X, and Pepto Bismal as an uncomfortable somewhat embarassing inconvenience but nothing compared to my challenges with fatigue and headaches. I'm mean really, who wants to talk about feeling gassy and bloated and whatnot? On the pain scale the migraines trump. But alas! I've been approaching it all backwards. The gut is key to overall health, including combating fatigue and headaches according to Dr. Michael Day my astute chiropractor/wellness expert and I am now I'm seeing the light.
When we first met Dr. Day had me fill out extensive information on myself. Quickly zeroing in on the fact that I have an ongoing battle with Candida, I'm allergic to bell peppers and have unfriendly experiences with broccoli and cauliflower (love the taste, hate the post eating stomach ache) and raw vegetables in general (except carrots) are challenging for me, he recommended that I give both a good pre and probiotic complex a try. The two need to work in tandem for optimum stomach, gut and intestine health.
Off I went to Whole Foods and upon the recommendation of their helpful sales person I decided to try the "Rainbow Light Advanced Enzyme Optima" complex. I knew only the sketchiest bits about probiotics and prebiotics had completely escaped me. But this is my year to be open to the new and to allowing so I was willing to give them both a try.
The best explanation I've heard to wrap my head around what the pre and probiotics can do for you is imagining an aquarium and how challenging it is to keep it in the right balance so that everything lives in balance and nothing starts to take over. This article "Why Prebiotics are Essential to Your Heart Health and Immune System" by Donna Gates at bodyecology.com gives a great overview that makes it easy to understand the crucial importance of both.
Prebiotic/Probiotic complexes take a commitment but once you feel the results you won't care that you need to cart them around with you. You need to and take them a 1/2 hour before eating (or with food, you'll need to test and see what works best for you). I noticed a difference immediately. My stomach hasn't completely calmed down yet but the majority of the pain has gone. Wow. Yay. And the Candida is much less of an issue (and ladies you know what an uncomfortable challenge this is).
A few days ago on the way to errands and dinner I realized I had forgotten to bring the Optima with me and knew a dinner of Chinese food coming up would leave my tummy unhappy, a plans for a romantic evening later might be nixed if this was the case - so I bought the "Natural Brand Probiotic Complex" at Rite Aid and it worked well. What works best is if I take both.
I also have very good energy days now and am feeling the need to take a nap less and less. My headaches are still challenging, but I haven't had a migraine that's held on and become full blown and sent me to bed in about a week and I'm thrilled.
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