Mindfulness for reducing anxiety

Is reflux simply an antacid deficiency?

So I was chatting to a friend the other day and she asked me if it was a problem that her partner takes antacids almost every day and has been doing so since he was a child.
I mean you can buy them at the supermarket so can they really be that harmful?
I spoke to her partner who when I mention it is best to figure out what is causing the reflux and eliminate that food or underlying issue, he responded by saying it is simply genetic, almost all foods give him reflux and the option for him is to take the antacid or simply suffer with the reflux forever. No other options, its genetic, out of his control.
I obviously didn’t push my opinion, I am learning to let go (well starting to) and am realising that everyone is on his or her own journey and must learn for themselves. And that what I believe to be the right way of doing things may not necessarily actually be right for everyone else (I know hard to believe).
So although I left the conversation there, I was feeling quite frustrated as in that brief encounter there were so many points raised that I rage against.
First and foremost the notion that the body is ‘broken’. That there is no reason for the ‘reflux’ or depression or IBS or headaches or PMS or whatever the issue happens to be for you. The notion that it is a physiological problem within the body occurring for no particular reason and there is nothing that can be done besides taking a pill to ‘fix’ what has gone wrong. I so rage against this as it is my strong belief that the body DOES NOT make mistakes. Things don’t simply go wrong for no reason. There is a symptom to alert you to a deeper problem. The body is crying out to you for attention. To hear what it is saying, something is not working for you and needs to change. There is ALWAYS something that can be done; we just need to determine the underlying cause.
Sure it may be genetic, or run in the family but this does not mean you simply need to put up with it and suffer for the rest of your life or medicate yourself. Because let me tell you this, as much as sometimes medications are necessary, they ALL have side effects not matter how ‘safe’ they may be. You are disrupting the body’s natural way of functioning by putting something unnatural into yourself.
When it comes to antacids, there is actually quite a lot of emerging evidence indicating that long-term use can be harmful.
How they work is by neutralising gastric acid, creating a reduction in stomach acid so that it doesn’t result in reflux. So what’s the problem?
The problem is that we need stomach acid for healthy digestive function.
• To break down our food so we can absorb important nutrients
• To avoid fermentation of food resulting in leaky gut, inflammation and the colonisation of pathogens and toxins not just in the digestive system but spreading systemically to your organs
• For a healthy microbiome (the good bacteria that live in the gut)- which are necessary for healthy mood/mental health, immune function, general digestive health, energy levels and daily we are discovering more benefits.
• For a healthy GIT environment to fight off pathogens
• For serotonin production for positive mood
• The majority of the body’s immune defense is found in the gut. Poor gut function = compromised immunity!
Reflux in itself is not simply a genetic condition. What can be hereditary is food intolerance's and digestive function both which can be corrected. I would highly recommend anyone who suffers from reflux to consult a health care professional to determine the cause.
There are many natural treatments that work just as effectively as antacids but without negatively affecting digestive function. One product I love is Iberogast, which actually helps to correct digestive function as well as reducing the symptoms of reflux. Probiotics are also highly recommended as well as identifying and eliminating any food intolerance's and correcting nutritional deficiencies, which may be contributing to poor digestive function. Not to mention the importance of a healthy, well balanced diet and lifestyle.
On an emotional level reflux is about conflict, the inability to digest conflict in our lives. Something is ‘eating’ us up on the inside. It can also represent fear and not trusting the process of life. Resolving these emotional issues will result in a reduction or cessation of the physical complaint.
Try repeating this affirmation daily to release fear and inner conflict-
‘I breathe freely and fully. I am safe. I trust the process of life.’
So to recap about reflux:
• Requiring antacids long term without the diagnosis of a medical disorder is not advised.
• Try something natural such as Iberogast, probiotics and eliminating food intolerances or sensitivities.
• Work on resolving emotional conflict.
• Determine and correct the underlying cause.
And to recap about our magnificent mind/body/spirit:
• The body is not broken it is just trying to alert you to a problem
• You are NOT a victim but have full control over your health
• Understand that symptoms are not random yet part of a greater picture when it comes to health.
• Taking a tablet to mask a symptom never resolves the underlying issue (yes there is one)
• It is often about a lifestyle shift not just one simple change in diet
• Reframing our mindset, releasing toxic emotions and changing our attitudes and awareness is ALWAYS the answer.
Dionne xx
P.S. This picture is just a few of the products you can use to aid your digestive function. Always consult with a health care practitioner before diagnosing or prescribing anything (even natural supplements) for yourself.

Vegan and FODMAPS friendly Pesto

This is my take on an Alain Ducasse light pesto recipe. I have modified it to be vegan, dairy free and FODMAPS friendly.

Ingredients:

2 Bunches fresh basil
20 grams vegan parmesan (I used Oliana foods brand)
30 grams pine nuts
6 Tablespoons water
6 Tablespoons garlic infused olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Simply put all ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth.

Pop in the fridge to thicken for an hour and it's ready to eat!

This pesto tastes great on pasta, as a salad dressing and on chicken or fish.

Experiement and see how you like to use it and let me know your feedback.

Dionne xx

My take away message after seeing 'The gut movie'.

Last night I went to see the gut movie.

I wanted to share my take away messages with you.

Although I didn’t learn anything new about the gut (as this is an area I already follow quite closely) it did reiterate some important points I wanted to share.

First of all I always find it fascinating learning about different cultures and other peoples way of life so watching Kale’s journey living with the San Bushmen was insightful and fascinating. What made it extra special to watch was the fact that 2 years ago on a family trip to Africa I too met this incredible tribe (but was not fortunate enough to actually live with them).

They did have a great sense of humour playing a prank on us. They told us they were catching a rabbit and then proceeded to pull a plant out of the ground and throw it at us as if it was a rabbit. They had my whole family screaming. It was quite amusing.

There is something so special about all these nomadic tribes who live off the land, have no technology or western comforts and yet are so happy. What they do have is a great sense of community, connection with others and the land, eating real food, being grateful for what they do have and enjoying life for what it is. It’s so easy to get caught up in what we don’t have that sometimes stripping it all back to the basics shows us what matters most.

When it comes to gut health here are the main points I took away:

·      Gut health and the microbiome (all the microbes that live in and on us) play a hugely important part in our overall health.

·      There has been an association found between poor microbiota diversity and many western diseases such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, allergy, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s, depression, ADHD, obesity, diabetes and several inflammatory disorders.

·      A sterile environment and over prescription of antibiotics has contributed to a lack of diversity of these good bugs we require.

·      All cultures that have low rates of these western diseases also appear to have a wide range of these bacteria in their gut (although the types of bacteria differ from culture to culture).

·      In terms of diet they all consume a large amount of plant-based food especially those foods high in fiber and starch.

·      Bacteria that are necessary for colonising our guts may also be found on the food when it is freshly picked or in the dirt. Eating organic or growing your own vegetables is best.

·      Resistance starch found in green bananas, cooked and cooled potatoes, rice and yams as a few examples helps to feed these good bugs and heal damaged gut tissue.

·      Changing the microbiome has been shown in several case studies to be able to reverse certain diseases.

Basically going back to basics is always the best way. It is so easy to get confused about nutrition with all the information we are constantly inundated with. If you are eating real food that is not processed, in season and freshly picked that will always be best. Eat lots of plants and some of everything else. No food- if it is ‘real’ food is bad. You don’t need to be afraid of food. The fear is what is most unhealthy. Meat will not kill you and shock horror neither will sugar. It is only when these things are eaten in the huge quantities we are consuming them in, when they are sprayed with chemicals, are overly refined or have added preservatives that they become detrimental to our health.

Do you want to know the real secret to good health?

It’s not even about diet and exercise.

All the cultures in the world, which live longest and have the least disease, have one thing in common. It’s about lifestyle not fad diets. Not even diets at all. The only aspect of diet they all have in common is that they all consume some form of legume.

Their lifestyle for longevity and health includes:

1. Moderate, regular physical activity.
2. Life purpose.
3. Stress reduction.
4. Moderate calories intake.
5. Plant-based diet.
6. Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine.
7. Engagement in spirituality or religion.
8. Engagement in family life.
9. Engagement in social life.

I think there needs to be some reframing around our lifestyle to put things such as life purpose, social connection and spirituality as top priorities (or simply as priorities at all). Only then will movement and eating right for our bodies come naturally and easily.

The gut is an area of great interest and importance and we will only be seeing more information being discovered in the future. However, it is nothing to be overwhelmed about. Simply eat a wide variety of plant-based foods including resistant starch and then listen to your body when it comes to everything else. When you focus on things like spirituality, stress reduction, life purpose and connection with others you automatically becomes more in tune with your body. You will then notice that you are aware of what you should and should not be eating. As everyone is different there is no 1 diet that suits all. Know your body and give it what it is asking for. It is that simple!