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Scientists have no doubts: health begins in the gut. Unfortunately, the modern lifestyle and Western diet do not serve the gut microbiota, which affects many aspects of our physiology. Meet the seven worst gut products. It’s worth avoiding them!
Here are the foods to avoid regardless of your health condition. However, if you suffer from bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome, you should rule them out as soon as possible.
Antibiotics
Today we know that antibiotic therapy is a real havoc for the bacterial flora of our intestines. On the one hand, drugs of this type deal with pathogenic microorganisms, on the other hand, they destroy beneficial bacteria. According to studies, the 7-day therapy may disturb the intestinal microbiota for a period from several months to two years. The most common side effects are allergies, diarrhea, intestinal inflammation, thrush, and aphthas. These problems, however, can be prevented by applying protective therapy, i.e. live bacterial cultures. It is worth remembering that among the strains used in the production of probiotic preparations, only a small number have clinically documented biological activity and physicochemical properties that allow reaching the target site. One of them is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.
Antibiotics can also cause allergic reactions. If you have symptoms such as hives or swelling of unknown origin, it is worthwhile to perform an antibiotic allergy diagnosis available on Medonet Market.
- Products that stay in the intestines the longest – even several hours
Other drugs
It’s not just antibiotics that pose a threat to our useful roommates. Studies by University Medical Center Groningen and Maastricht University Medical Center have found that many popular prescription medications, including pharmaceuticals for diabetes, digestive problems, bacterial infections and even depression, can upset the balance of bacterial populations. Thus – increase the risk of developing intestinal infections and other health problems, including obesity and antimicrobial resistance.
To support the intestines, it is worth reaching for natural preparations based on plant extracts. We recommend, for example, Intestinal support – Pharmovit drop extract available at a promotional price on Medonet Market.
- Two things to do immediately after eating. The stomach and intestines will be content
Sugar
Our microbiome reacts badly to simple sugars in any form – no matter if you sweeten your drinks with white, brown or cane sugar. Equally harmful is glucose-fructose syrup and synthetic sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame added to processed products. Why? Simple sugars are a breeding ground for bad bacteria, yeast, and fungi that cause gas, digestive disorders, and can lead to inflammation of the intestines. So if you want to keep your gut microbiota in check, your diet should primarily include complex carbohydrates, fiber, silage and fermented dairy products.
To improve digestion, get rid of flatulence and constipation, try Harmonix 500 ml – a natural dietary supplement containing extracts of 10 herbs and chokeberry juice. In addition to the work of the digestive system, it also improves sleep quality, blood pressure and helps relieve stress. At Medonet Market, you will also find this preparation in the Harmonix + Cemmunix Supplement Kit for Digestion and Intestines.
Alcohol
Although alcohol consumption is falling in the world, it is growing in Poland. A statistical inhabitant of our country drinks as much as 11 liters of pure spirit annually! In 2005 it was 9,5 liters. Unfortunately, few of us are aware of the consequences of addiction, including the risk of cancers of the digestive system – not only the esophagus, pancreas, stomach and liver, but also the large intestine. Research shows that the risk of developing colorectal cancer increases by 52% if we drink more than four drinks a day.
Red meat
Do you like pork knuckle and you can’t say no to pork knuckle? It’s time to change your habits – the World Health Organization has long alarmed that regular consumption of red meat increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. A study by British scientists published in the Journal of Epidemiology in 2019 suggests that even small amounts of processed and red meat are harmful. According to researchers at Oxford University, consuming just 3 slices of bacon a day increases the risk of colon cancer by 20 percent! We do not urge you to go vegan, but good quality poultry or sea fish are good alternatives.
- Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Poland. «When symptoms appear, there is little the doctor can do»
Fast Food
“Fast food” is nothing more than a mix of carbohydrates, saturated fat and salt with little nutritional value. It is enough to look at the Americans to see what the dangers of eating in fast food restaurants are. Obesity, which is a risk factor for colon cancer. It is estimated that adults with a body mass index BMI (kg / m2 body surface area) over 30, the risk of developing colorectal cancer increases by 50 to 100%. compared with people with BMI <23. The probable mechanism and cause of the neoplastic process initiation is the insulin resistance associated with obesity and high insulin concentration in the blood.
Smoking
Studies have long linked cigarette smoking with the incidence of colorectal cancer. The results of the meta-analysis published in “Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention” in 2009 showed that patients who smoked for 40 years or more had 30-50 percent of smoking. higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than non-smokers. But that’s not all – it turns out that the lethal addiction is a factor influencing the survival of patients with this cancer. According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, patients who smoked before being diagnosed with cancer were more than twice as likely to die from colorectal cancer. According to the researchers, it is possible that colon cancer is more aggressive in smokers, or that cigarette smoking reduces the effectiveness of anti-cancer treatments.