Understanding The Gut-Brain Connection

As everyone knows, the brain is a complex organ housed in the skull. Your brain is responsible for handling every one of your body's functions, both conscious and unconscious. However, modern research is revealing that there is a actually "second brain" - one responsible for its fair share of bodily functions and emotions. Believe it or not, this second brain is actually housed inside your gut. The Lime in the Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy is here to help you get a better understanding of this second brain.

The Brain In Your Gut

Though the concept of having a "brain" in your gut may seem odd at first, we're willing to bet that you are already more familiar with it than you realize. We commonly tell people to "go with your gut," the sensation of "butterflies in the stomach" is a common nervous reaction, and you may feel "sick to your stomach" when you think about a painful, unpleasant, or gruesome experience. These examples are everyday indicators of that which we have always known deep down - our gut is more than a static system of organs. The trick is learning to listen to what the brain in our gut is trying to tell us.

What The Second Brain Controls

The brain in your gut cannot form rational thoughts or logic its way through a problem like the brain in your head can. Instead, the gut brain's primary responsibility is controlling digestion. It manages every step of this complex (and crucial) biological process, from breaking down and absorbing nutrients to eliminating waste. 

For many years, people have been well aware of the way certain emotions and mental health conditions impact the gastrointestinal system. It is not uncommon for individuals with chronic anxiety, stress, or depression to experience a number of gastrointestinal problems like bloating, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, upset stomach, etc. Short-term bursts of adrenaline can also disrupt the digestive system and cause loose stools, stomach cramping, or other complaints.

However, modern science has recently discovered that in some cases, things may not always happen in this order. In some situations, gastrointestinal health problems may actually cause mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression - it is not always the other way around.

Overall Health Is A Two-Way Street

The brain in your head and the brain in your gut are closely linked. In order to maintain optimum health, both brains must be tended to. Just as stress-relieving activities such as yoga, bubble baths, reading, and coloring are important, so are things that promote gut health. Here are a few examples of things you can do to improve gut health.

• Take a probiotic.
• Diversify your diet to include a wide range of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
• Eat fermented, probiotic-rich foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, Greek yogurt, and kombucha.
• Reduce the amount of artificial sweeteners you consume.

Studies also show that breastfeeding for at least six months is an important way to promote gut health in babies. Setting the stage for proper gut health from the very beginning can greatly contribute to better gut health later in life.

The Lime In The Coconut - Your Resource For Gut Health

At our compounding pharmacy at the Lake of the Ozarks, we are keenly aware of the relationship between the brain and the gut, as well as the importance of keeping both these systems healthy. We are proud to sell an elite line of probiotic supplements designed to help our clients maintain healthy gastrointestinal systems. If you would like to learn more about probiotics or gut health, call 573-964-6786 or stop by our pharmacy in Lake Ozark, MO and talk to one of our experienced team members.

The Lime In The Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy

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111 Crossings West, Suite 6

PO Box 2145

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 964-6786 

Hours:
Monday-Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Do You Have An Unhealthy Gut? 6 Warning Signs

Gut health is a crucial component of overall health. Your gastrointestinal tract is a delicate ecosystem home to millions of microorganisms. If this ecosystem becomes compromised or imbalanced, you may experience any number of adverse health effects.

In order to maintain overall physical health, you must restore balance to this system as quickly as possible. Your compounding pharmacy at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help by identifying some potential warning signs of an unhealthy gut.

Possible Warning Signs Of An Unhealthy Gut 

1. Poor Immune System
Do you find yourself getting sick constantly? If your microbiome is out of whack, it can affect your immune system in multiple ways. One example is that the membranes of the intestinal walls may become permeable, allowing toxins to escape into the rest of the body. Your immune cells must work around-the-clock to keep these toxins in check, draining them of the energy required to fight off additional viruses and bacteria. Alternatively, an over-population of harmful bacteria may suppress the immune system or prevent it from functioning altogether.

2. Skin Irritations Or Blemishes
We don't often think of it as such, but skin is an organ - in fact, it's the largest organ we have. Multiple studies have recently discovered links between skin conditions and gastrointestinal challenges such as bloating and constipation. It is reasonable to believe that skin irritations, blemishes, and conditions such as acne, rosacea, dermatitis, and psoriasis can sometimes be the result of an unhealthy or unbalanced microbiome. 

3. Difficulty Maintaining A Healthy Weight
The bacteria that reside in our gastrointestinal tract play a significant role in digestion. Recent studies have shown that in comparison to slim individuals, obese people tend to have higher levels of certain bacteria and lower levels of others. Since each of these types of bacteria play important roles in the breakdown of sugars and storing/burning of fat, scientists believe that this bacterial imbalance may be partially responsible for an obese individual's challenges of maintaining a healthy weight.

4. Autoimmune Diseases

A person is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease when his immune cells mistake healthy, needed cells as foreign bodies that must be attacked. While the root cause of many autoimmune diseases are still unknown, some experts speculate that they may be linked to an imbalance of bacteria in the gut. We know that this bacteria plays a vital role in maintaining our immune system, so it seems reasonable to believe that an imbalanced gut may be partially responsible for the development of some autoimmune disorders.

5. Digestive Issues
This is perhaps one of the most obvious signs that a body's internal microbiome has been thrown off-balance. Because the bacteria in your gut plays such an integral role in the digestive process, a person with an unhealthy gut may experience any number of adverse digestive symptoms. These may include (but are not limited to) gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, and acid reflux.

6. Mental Health Challenges
The concept of a gut-brain connection is relatively new to modern medicine, but it seems to hold several an incredibly powerful (and relevant) insights. Just as feelings of stress or nervousness can affect the gut, an imbalanced gut can directly affect the brain. Individuals who are battling with mental health issues may have an imbalance of healthy and unhealthy bacteria in their guts.

Healing An Unhealthy Gut

While the symptoms we just described are certainly not limited to imbalances in the body's natural microbiome, they are often related. If you are experiencing any of the health challenges we have discussed, it might be wise to take steps to restore balance to the bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.

The first (and possibly the most important) step you should take is to clean up your diet. If possible, you may also want to consider moving way from antibiotics and other prescription medications (including birth control) that may be upsetting your body's natural ecosystem. You can also take steps to rebuild a population of healthy bacteria by consuming probiotics. Probiotics are found naturally in certain foods such as natural Greek yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi. They can also be taken in the form of oral supplements.

Pick Up Your Probiotic At The Lime!

Our pharmacy at the Lake of the Ozarks offers a superior probiotic supplement called Ortho Biotic. It is one of our top-selling products, and for good reason. This special blend of bacteria strains have been specially chosen to complement and complete the body's natural ecosystem. For more information about probiotics, contact our Lake of the Ozarks compounding pharmacist by calling (573) 964-6786.

The Lime In The Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy

Feel As Good On The Inside As You Do On The Outside!

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111 Crossings West, Suite 6

PO Box 2145

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 964-6786 

Hours:
Monday-Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Is Your Gut Healthy?

Think your gut is only responsible for digesting foods? Think again.

Your gut is a complex, delicately balanced ecosystem teeming with life. It is home to approximately 300 different strains of bacteria and microorganisms. Before you get too grossed out, it is important to realize that these strains are actually beneficial - or, more accurately, integral - to your health.

When all of these bacteria are properly balanced, people tend to enjoy great overall health. When the ecosystem gets thrown out of balance, on the other hand, a wide variety of unpleasant symptoms can result. Keep reading to learn more about gut health and how to keep your digestive ecosystem in prime condition, courtesy of the team at The Lime in the Coconut Compounding Pharmacy.

Symptoms Of An Unhealthy Gut

If your gut is unhealthy, it can throw your entire body out of balance. Some symptoms of an unhealthy gut are relatively obvious, such as:

• Bloating
• Diarrhea / Gas
• Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Food Allergies
  
• Ulcers
• Heartburn
• Acid Reflux
• Diabetes

However, digestion-related symptoms such as these aren't the only complaints of people with unhealthy guts. Believe it or not, an unhealthy gut can result in a variety of other (seemingly unrelated) symptoms, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Mood Swings
• Chronic Fatigue
• Poor Immune Health
• Skin Problems
• Weight Challenges

What Makes A Gut Unhealthy?

With so many microorganisms competing for survival, the gut is an immensely delicate ecosystem. It can be thrown off by a variety of different things. Some examples include drinking chlorinated water, taking antibiotics, eating too many processed foods, drinking too much alcohol, and taking oral contraceptives and/or certain medications.

What Can I Do To Restore Gut Health?

Fortunately, you don't have to live with the symptoms of an unhealthy gut. You also don't have to wait for an official diagnosis before you can safely begin trying some things to naturally restore balance to your body's internal ecosystem. Cleaning up your diet and limiting alcohol intake are important first steps. In addition to these lifestyle changes, taking a probiotic can be a great way to promote gut health. 

Our Lake of the Ozarks compounding pharmacy is proud to offer Ortho Biotics by OrthoMolecular Products. Ortho Biotic is an over-the-counter supplement that contains active strains of healthy bacteria that have scientifically been shown to restore microflora balance by enhancing "resident" probiotics. When taken regularly, it can strengthen the gut-immune barrier, promote inflammatory balance, and improve immune function. For more information about Ortho Biotics, give us a call at (573) 964-6786 or stop by and see us!

The Lime In The Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy

Feel As Good On The Inside As You Do On The Outside!

Like Us On Facebook

Follow Us On Twitter

Connect With Us On LinkedIn

+1 Us On Google+

111 Crossings West, Suite 6

PO Box 2145

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 964-6786 

Hours:
Monday-Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM