Saturday, June 15, 2013

lessons from a gastroenterologist

A friend went to see a local gastroenterologist this week for acid relux/GERD, weight gain, depression, and a sluggish thyroid. He asked her if she wanted to try relieving the symptoms by medication or diet. She is already on medication for her thyroid and depression.
He believes that a healthy digestive tract creates a healthy body.
The gastroenterologist explained to her how the digestive tract is a muscle that needs to be exercised. If one eats a diet low in fiber and high in refined foods and meats (the Standard American Diet -SAD), the food has little fiber if any. The intestines can't move the food so it sits waiting for the muscles to contract moving with fiber-based foods. He suggested that she add flax seeds to her diet for fiber, 1 tablespoon in the morning in a smoothie and the second on a salad.
As for smoothies he suggested 1 cup of fruit, 1 cup of leafy greens with water, coconut water, or nut milk. If one uses yogurt, make sure it has live cultures AND NO SWEETENERS, not even artificial sweeteners, just plain yogurt.
To heal her GERD, he suggested the pH diet or the alkaline diet. He also suggested she not eat anything after 6:30 PM.
He believes again that once her gut is healed, her other symptoms or dis-ease will be lessened.
What a gift to have a doctor MD, willing to offer dietary advice instead of medication.
I will keep you posted.


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