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Pooping More Than This (or Less) Could Raise Disease Risk

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Irregular bowel movements could lead to bigger health issues over time, according to a new study of bowel frequency among 1,400 healthy adults.

The study found that people who defecate one to two times per day may have healthier gut bacteria than those who go more or less often. Meanwhile, participants with greater or lesser bowel frequency – those with constipation or diarrhea — had higher levels of blood markers associated with kidney, liver, and neurodegenerative diseases…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

“We’re arguing that over time, exposure to these molecules at higher levels in the blood is a danger,” said study author Sean Gibbons, PhD, a microbiome researcher and associate professor at the Institute for Systems Biology, a nonprofit biomedical research organization in Seattle. “People should manage bowel movement frequency to be in a more normal range to avoid chronic exposure that could predispose them to some of these chronic diseases.”

That’s because if waste takes too long, or not long enough, to travel through the gut, the timing can impact the way the gut microbiome – the community of microbes that lives in your intestines – uses nutrients from your food, leading to byproducts that can be detrimental to health.

“The metabolism associated with our gut microbiome, we’re coming to realize, is one of the major ways the microbiome communicates with the rest of our body,” said Christopher J. Damman, MD, a clinical associate professor of gastroenterology at University of Washington Medicine, who was not involved with the study.

Previous studies have suggested that the way gut microbes break down food — and the molecules, or metabolites, they produce in the process — can influence a person’s risk of heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance.

“This is a growing theme within microbiome science,” Damman said, “and actually helps connect the dots, figuratively and literally, between how an ecosystem of microbial organisms in the gut could have so many far-reaching consequences.”

Why Poop Patterns Matter

Your gut microbiome helps you more fully make use of the energy from food. It can digest fiber, for example, making it available to us when we otherwise could not access it on our own.

Microbes use that fiber to create short chain fatty acids, which are healthy for you because they reduce inflammation. But if the waste travels too fast or too slow, the microbes can’t do their job.

On the slow end of the spectrum are people with constipation, defined in the study as one or two bowel movements a week. These participants had higher blood levels of p-cresol-sulfate and indoxyl sulfate — substances linked to kidney damage — than those who defecated more often.

“If poop takes too long to make it through the gut, you sort of exhaust all of those fibers, and the microbes switch to fermenting protein,” said Gibbons. When microbes ferment protein, “they start to produce these toxins like p-cresol sulfate or indoxyl sulfate.”

These toxins have previously been linked to chronic kidney disease as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. In study participants, elevated indoxyl sulfate was associated with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate, a marker of the kidneys’ ability to filter waste.

Gut bacteria deprived of fiber may also feed on the layer of mucus that lines the gut, eroding it and allowing bacteria and toxic metabolites to pass through to other organs.

When waste moves too fast — as with diarrhea — loose stools wash out your colon before the bacteria can finish breaking down fiber into protective short-chain fatty acids, potentially leading to inflammation. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

People in the study who went four or more times per day had higher blood levels of markers associated with liver disease risk, including bilirubin, the yellowish pigment produced when your liver breaks down red blood cells. High bilirubin levels in blood can be a sign of liver or bile duct dysfunction, Gibbons said.

What You Can Do to Balance Your Gut

If you have fewer than three bowel movements per week or more than three per day, talk to your doctor about strategies to get regular, the researchers recommended.

“I think that clinicians should take bowel movement frequency more seriously as a clinical factor that needs to be managed actively,” said Gibbons.
A simple place to start is the produce aisle.

“Eating more vegetables and more fruit — whole foods – that was associated with having a more normal range of bowel movement frequency,” said Gibbons.

These foods are rich in fiber, which regulates bowel habits, and polyphenols, which nourish the helpful gut bacteria. The U.S. government’s dietary guidelines recommend eating 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories, or about 28 grams per day. Any fruits and vegetables can help: An avocado has 9 grams of fiber, a cup of raspberries has 8 grams, a banana has up to 5 grams, and a cup of broccoli has 2 grams.

Keep in mind that when you start eating more fiber, symptoms like gas and diarrhea might temporarily get worse as your gut bacteria adjust. “In some cases, it’s just a matter of calibration,” Damman said.

But if problems persist or you experience a sudden, unexplained shift in bathroom habits, talk to your health care provider, said Damman.

One reason Gibbons began studying this subject is because he and a colleague each had a relative who’d been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after years of chronic constipation.

“Our families’ experience is that both of these people experienced decades-long chronic constipation before they ever had any symptoms of neurodegeneration,” Gibbons said. “This is well known in the literature … people who end up with Parkinson’s are much more likely to have had chronic constipation.”

However, those studies can’t prove that chronic constipation actually causes Parkinson’s – they can only demonstrate a link.

“Maybe the disease itself can affect bowel motility,” Gibbons speculated. “A lot of neurotransmitter stuff can affect how fast you poop. But we suspected that even in a healthy population, the microbial metabolism that could be driving some of this organ damage is in a forward direction actually causally affecting the body.”

Next, Gibbons hopes to obtain funding for more research to monitor how people respond to interventions to manage irregular bowel patterns.

 

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Your Lungs Are Not In Good Condition if You Experience the Following

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Your lungs play a vital role in ensuring that your body receives the oxygen it needs to function properly. When your lungs are healthy, breathing feels natural and effortless. However, when there is a problem, your body will often send warning signs. Ignoring these signs can lead to serious health conditions, including chronic lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even lung cancer. Here are some key symptoms that may indicate your lungs are not in good condition:

1. Persistent Cough:

A cough that lasts more than three weeks, especially without any other clear cause like a cold, could be a sign of lung trouble. Chronic coughing may suggest inflammation or infection in the airways, or more serious conditions such as tuberculosis or lung cancer…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

2. Shortness of Breath:

Feeling breathless during normal activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, or talking, can be a sign that your lungs are not functioning properly. Healthy lungs provide oxygen efficiently; difficulty breathing means your lungs may be struggling.

3. Chest Pain or Tightness:

Discomfort or pain in the chest when you breathe deeply, cough, or laugh could indicate issues like pleurisy (inflammation of the lung lining), infection, or even a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). It is a symptom that should never be ignored.

4. Wheezing or Noisy Breathing: READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

A high-pitched sound when you breathe, known as wheezing, can point to airway obstruction. This is commonly seen in asthma and other chronic lung diseases and may indicate inflammation or mucus build-up in the lungs.

5. Fatigue and Weakness:

If your lungs aren’t delivering enough oxygen, your entire body suffers. You may feel constantly tired or find it hard to concentrate or perform everyday tasks, which could signal reduced lung capacity.

6. Frequent Respiratory Infections:

Recurring bronchitis, pneumonia, or even frequent colds that go straight to your chest may mean your lungs are not strong enough to fight off infections.

In conclusion, your lungs are essential for life, and any persistent or unusual symptoms related to breathing should be taken seriously. Regular checkups, avoiding smoking, staying physically active, and breathing clean air are some ways to keep your lungs healthy and functioning properly. Don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse—early action can save your life.

 

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

4 Major Reasons Some People Die In Their Sleep

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Death during sleep can be shocking and tragic, especially when it involves someone who seemed healthy. While it often feels sudden and mysterious, there are medical explanations behind such deaths. Understanding these causes can help us recognize warning signs and possibly prevent silent tragedies.

1. Cardiac Arrest: One of the most common reasons people die in their sleep is sudden cardiac arrest. This occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating due to electrical disturbances. People with undiagnosed heart conditions, high blood pressure, or a history of heart disease are at greater risk. The quiet of sleep masks the symptoms, and without immediate help, survival is rare…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

2. Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. If untreated, it can lead to low oxygen levels, high blood pressure, heart strain, and even sudden death. Many people don’t know they have it.

3.Stroke: A stroke can strike during sleep when blood flow to the brain is suddenly blocked or a vessel bursts. High blood pressure, smoking, and high cholesterol increase the risk. Some victims never wake up. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

4. Respiratory Failure: People with severe asthma, COPD, or other lung diseases can experience breathing complications during sleep that lead to death if not managed properly.

Regular health check-ups, managing chronic conditions, and paying attention to sleep-related symptoms like loud snoring or gasping can make a big difference.

 

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Uterine Cancer: Stay Away From These 4 Things To Avoid The Risk Of Being A Victim

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Uterine cancer, particularly endometrial cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the uterus. While there is no guaranteed way to completely eliminate the risk, certain lifestyle changes and precautions can help reduce the chances of developing this condition. Here are four key things to avoid to reduce your risk:

1. Obesity: Being overweight is a significant risk factor for uterine cancer, as excess fat can lead to higher estrogen levels in the body, which in turn can promote the growth of abnormal cells in the uterus. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can significantly reduce this risk.

2. Uncontrolled Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Hormone therapy, especially estrogen-only treatment without progesterone, can increase the risk of uterine cancer. If you’re considering hormone therapy for menopause symptoms, it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider and ensure you’re on the safest and most appropriate treatment plan…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

3. Poor Diet: A diet high in processed foods, unhealthy fats, and low in fiber may increase your risk of uterine cancer. Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help support your overall health and reduce cancer risk. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

4. Lack of Physical Activity: Leading a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to obesity and increase the likelihood of hormonal imbalances, both of which raise uterine cancer risks. Regular physical activity helps keep the body in balance, reducing both obesity and potential hormone-related risks.

By avoiding these risk factors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can take proactive steps in reducing the likelihood of uterine cancer. However, it’s crucial to remember that regular check-ups and being aware of your family history can also aid in early detection, which is vital for better outcomes.

 

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