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Archive for Gut Health – Page 2

The Alkaline Water Debate – My Views

Posted by Dan Hammer //

05/22/2019

For a long time there has been a growing debate over the benefits of alkaline water. Recently I’ve had several of my clients ask me my opinion about using alkaline water to help improve their overall health.

My short answer to them is “No I’m not a fan of alkaline water as there are better ways to to improve your body’s pH levels.”

And my short answer usually ends in a longer discussion about this topic.

Now before we discuss this, I want everyone to know that I’m a big fan of an alkaline diet. Choosing foods that help you stay on the alkaline side of the pH scale is extremely important to your overall health. And I believe will lessen your risk for all forms of diseases.

I’ve written two extensive blog posts on this issue. Click on the titles to link to the articles:

The Acid Alkaline Balance – Part 1

The Acid Alkaline Balance – Part 2

But when is comes to alkaline water I do not agree that this is the best way to help your body stay on the alkaline side of the pH equation.

Alkaline Water – Natural Alkaline Spring Water versus Ionized Water

Normal tap water usually has a pH of 7. This is considered neutral. Less than 7 and it becomes acidic. Greater than 7 and it becomes alkaline.

Most bottled water that is marketed as alkaline water usually has a pH range between 8 and 10.

On average your blood’s pH is approximately 7.365, which is slightly alkaline.

There are two driving force for alkaline water:

To help improve your blood chemistry.
Most diseases cannot survive in an alkaline environment.

Which would make it seem like this type of water would be a good thing.

But here’s the problem.

The pH scale is not arithmetic but logarithmic. Logarithmic means that the values separating each unit are not of equal value along the scale but increases in proportion to their distance from a pH of 7.

For example, a pH reading of 8 is 10 times more alkaline than 7, but a pH of 9 is not 20 times more alkaline but 100 times more alkaline. If you’re catching on, then a pH reading of 10 is 1000 times more alkaline than a pH of 7.

Given this fact, what would seem like a small change in the acid alkaline balance and be no big deal is, in reality, a big deal to your body.

And here is the danger of machines that are used to create ionized water. People tend to go to the extremes.

If alkaline water at a pH of 8 is good for me, then why not at a pH of 10. Wouldn’t that be better for me.

And the answer is “NO!”

I have no problems with alkaline water that has a pH of 8 especially if this alkaline water is from natural sourcing that has key minerals in it.

In this case you’re only slightly alkaline and it can be a benefit, especially if you’re choosing foods that help your body maintain the alkaline side of the equation.

But here are the dangers of when the pH hits 10.

Alkaline Water – Dangers of pH 10

If you’re drinking water that has a pH of 10 then you’re drinking something that is 1000 times more alkaline. This creates two concerns.

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Concern #1 – It can deactivate the activity of pepsin. Pepsin is one of the main digestive enzymes that you need to breakdown the proteins you eat. It also helps with nutrient absorption, protection against allergies, and helps to limit yeast overgrowth.

When low it can contribute to indigestion, GERD, acid reflux, heartburn, and potentially pancreatitis. Some of the symptoms associated with low levels of pepsin are abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and nutritional deficiencies in B12 and Iron.

Concern #2 – It may also interfere with the acidity of your stomach acids. This is especially true for older adults. Your stomach acids are key for helping you breakdown proteins. As well as killing off bacteria and pathogens to keep your body healthy.

The pH of your stomach acids can range from 1.5 to 3.5. On the pH scale this range is huge. If your stomach pH is at 1.5, then alkaline water at a pH of 10 would most likely not have much impact.

But if you are an older adult whose stomach pH is around 3.5, then consuming water with a pH of 10 has a significant impact in causing your stomach’s pH to increase. This increase then interferes with your stomach’s ability to digest your food properly. When this undigested food goes into your small intestine, you get less nutrient absorption.

Alkaline Water – Final Thoughts

Drinking slightly alkaline water can be a good way to hydrate your body and provide you with some health benefits. If you decide to do this, then choose mineral water that is naturally alkaline because it contains needed minerals.

You can also make your own alkaline water by adding lemon to your water.

And if you’re drinking alkaline water to help cleanse your blood, then I would suggest adding Liquid Chlorophyll to regular tap water. One tablespoon per 16 ounces is a good ratio. This is a natural way to improve your blood chemistry while at the same time hydrating your body with needed water.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

Can Probiotics Boost Cognitive Function?

Posted by Dan Hammer //

01/22/2019

We have an interesting question for today’s blog post: Can Probiotics Boost Cognitive Function

Maybe you’re not familiar with the term probiotics.

Very simply probiotics are good bacteria that help you recolonize your gut flora with the types of bacteria that promote good health.

You can obtain them from supplements, food, or both.

And there is plenty of good research that shows how probiotics aid in digestion as well as help in easing gas and bloating.

Now current research out of UCLA and other scientific organizations are showing a clear link on how probiotics boost cognitive function.

Here are several examples.

Probiotics Boost Cognitive Function – Studies

Scientists at UCLA designed a study to determine if probiotics boost cognitive function. They split their group of participants into two categories. One group consumed a placebo. The other group consumed a probiotic mixture. Both groups were subject to the same brain scans.

Both groups watched a series of pictures designed to stimulate an emotional response.

The brain scans of the placebo group showed activity in the emotional and sensory areas of the brain.

The brain scans of the probiotic group showed activity in the emotional and sensory areas of the brain. But they also showed brain activity in the pre-frontal cortex that helps to facilitate higher thinking and executive function.

Executive function is a term used to describe reasoning, thinking, judgment, and self-control. When this part of your brain (pre-frontal cortex) is engaged it helps you stay calm, be less anxious, and have improved clarity of thought.

In another study, researchers looked at the effects of probiotics on the cognitive functioning of elderly men with advanced stages of memory loss. There were 60 participants and they were split into a placebo group and a group that got a probiotic combination that contained L. acidophilus and B. bifium.

The group that consumed the probiotic combination showed significant improvements in memory testing.

Probiotics Boost Cognitive Function – Antibiotics

The use of antibiotics is wide spread. And as scientists explore the microbiome it has become apparent that antibiotics negatively effect your gut flora.

As most of us know, antibiotics help to destroy bad bacteria and fight infection. But antibiotics also kill the good bacteria. This has consequences to your overall health.

In studies on mice, antibiotics were used to remove good bacteria. This wiped out the good probiotics that help colonize their gut microbiome. Almost immediately the mice showed signs of memory loss. And their brain cell growth stopped.

When these mice were given a diet that included probiotics their brain cells started to grow and their memory and recall also improved.

These types of studies have shown a clear connection between gut health and cognitive function. Using probiotics to improve the good bacteria of the gut microbiome helps to improve memory and clear thinking.

Probiotics Boost Cognitive Function – Harvard Medical School

The Harvard Medical School also noted how probiotics boost cognitive health. In their article titled “Probiotics may help boost mood and cognitive function” they make the following statement:

“Research shows that the gut and brain are connected, a partnership called the gut-brain axis. The two are linked through biochemical signaling between the nervous system in the digestive tract, called the enteric nervous system, and the central nervous system, which includes the brain. The primary information connection between the brain and gut is the vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the body.

The gut has been called a ‘second brain’ because it produces many of the same neurotransmitters as the brain does, like serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, all of which play a key role in regulating mood. In fact, it is estimated that 90% of serotonin is made in the digestive tract.”

They go on to point out several research studies that showed how the use of probiotic foods improved cognitive function in both Alzheimer’s patients and in women.

As you research this area you will find numerous studies that demonstrate how probiotics can not only improve cognitive function, but also help to balance hormones, boost your immune system, and reduce inflammation.

This makes the consumption of probotic foods like yogurt and sauerkraut more attractive. Or using a good probiotic supplement to help reset your gut health while boosting your cognitive function.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

The Health Benefits of Magnesium

Posted by Dan Hammer //

01/14/2019

Today I’d like to focus on the health benefits of magnesium. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been writing a series of video scripts on how to address a Leaky Gut.

Once I produce this video series I’ll be sure to share it with you.

There are 5 key steps to healing a Leaky Gut and step five centers on the health benefits of magnesium.

Most of the literature about magnesium ignores this benefit.

So let’s start our discussion on the health benefits of magnesium by addressing how it can improve your gut health.

Magnesium For Improved Gut Health!

Magnesium is a crucial mineral required for the function of hundreds of enzymes in the gut to improve immunity, digestion, regularity, and energy production.

As your gut microbiome improves, magnesium aids in the production of healthy chemical compounds that can provide the following overall health benefits:

Helps Increase Energy
Calms Nerves
Treats Insomnia
Aids Digestion
Relieves Muscle Aches and Pains
Regulates Calcium and Potassium Levels
Is Important for Heart Health
Prevents Migraine Headaches
And Helps Prevent Osteoporosis.

One of the keys to improving your gut health and reducing the potential for a Leaky Gut is to reduce inflammation. Magnesium helps in a big way.

As your body uses magnesium to help you properly digest your food, this reduces the potential for toxins. Toxins create inflammation, which damages the lining of your small intestine.

Less toxins produced, less damage to the lining of your small intestine to decrease your probability of having a Leaky Gut.

Other Health Benefits of Magnesium

In addition to having a significant impact on maintaining good gut health, magnesium has three overall health benefits:

Benefit 1 – Needed for Cellular Energy
Benefit 2 – Necessary for DNA Synthesis and Repair
Benefit 3 – Combats Chronic, Low-Grade Inflammation

When you break these overall health benefits down, they play the following role in helping your body and organ systems function better. For example:

Bone Density – Half of your total body magnesium is stored in the bones. It’s needed for bone remodeling. This is a process that your body uses to break down old bone structure to reform new bone structure.

And your blood levels of magnesium are critical to your bone density. If deficient, then your body will take magnesium from your bones, which can decrease your bone mass to contribute to osteoporosis.

This also triggers pro-inflammatory cytokines to increase inflammation.

Cardiovascular Health – Magnesium has several roles in heart health. One is helping to maintain good heart rhythm. If your magnesium levels are low, then your become more susceptible to irregular heartbeats or what the medical community calls arrhythmias.

Magnesium also improves the function of your endothelium, which lines all of your cardiovascular system. This improvement helps to dilate the blood vessels for improved blood flow. And can aid in keeping your blood pressure under control.

Metabolic Syndrome – This is a group of health risks like abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and cholesterol concerns. When taken together, these health risks increase your potential for developing cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.

Research studies have shown that magnesium can reduce the incidence of metabolic syndrome. Specifically, higher magnesium intake was associated with lower stroke risk. One study showed that for men who had the highest magnesium intake, they reduced their risk for stoke by 41%. This also applied to having lower rates of heart failure.

Health Benefits of Magnesium – Nutritional Supplements

While you can try to get your magnesium from the food you eat, the best way is to use a good nutritional supplement.

Make sure the magnesium supplement you choose is in either the citrate or chelate form.

Magnesium Chelate is highly absorb-able by your body. It’s the form naturally found in foods. Because it’s bound to several types of amino acids, this aids in restoring your magnesium levels.

Magnesium Citrate combines the magnesium with citric acid. For some this might have a laxative effect.

Now the dosage amounts vary with age and sex:

Age 14 – 18: 410 milligrams for men and 360 milligrams for women

Age 19 – 30: 400 milligrams for men and 310 milligrams for women

Age 31 and older: 420 milligrams for men and 320 milligrams for women

As you can see not a lot of difference based on age so make sure you’re taking at least 400 milligrams per day for men and at least 300 milligrams per day for women.

Since the majority of Americans do not get adequate amounts of magnesium in their diet, it would be to their best health interest to increase their consumption of this key mineral. Here are the top 10 foods listed based on highest intake of magnesium:

Food Source	Amount Need	Magnesium Intake
Leafy Greens like Kale or Spinach	1 cup	157 mg
Seeds like Flax, Pumpkin or Chia	1 ounce	150 mg
Legumes like Lentils, Beans, or Chickpeas	1 cup	120 mg
Nuts like Almonds or Cashews	1 ounce	82 mg
Whole Grains like Wheat, Oats, or Barley	1 ounce	65 mg
Dark Chocolate	1 ounce	64 mg
Avocados	Medium	58 mg
Fatty Fish like Salmon or Mackerel	Half a fillet (178 grams)	53 mg
Tofu	3.5 ounces	53 mg
Bananas	1 large	37 mg

You can decide which method is best to help you enjoy the health benefits of magnesium: food or supplements.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

Damaging Effects of Sugar

Posted by Dan Hammer //

12/01/2018

This blog post is all about the damaging effects of sugar. Most people acknowledge that too much sugar is bad for you. Unfortunately most people don’t understand the following:

How much sugar they consume each day!

How the damaging effects of sugar are slowly and consistently compromising their health!

Let’s look at the first question to help you understand how much sugar you consume each day.

When I tell people that the average American is consuming a 4 pound bag of sugar every 2 to 3 weeks, the reaction I get is:

“No Way!”

Well, I produced a video 7 years ago titled “A Simple Dietary Change” that helps you understand how much sugar you consume each day. The information that I shared back then is still true today.

At minimum, watch the first 5 minutes to see how 4 foods items, that many people consume each day, are causing them to consume a 4 pound bag of sugar every 2 to 3 weeks. Read More →

The Health Benefits of Flax Hull Lignans

Posted by Dan Hammer //

11/01/2018

Today we want to talk about the health benefits of flax hull lignans. Historically, flax has been used for thousands of years. Initially for textiles. And, as people began to consume the seeds of flax, for its health properties.

Approximately 25 years ago there was a major discovery regarding the shell or hull of the flax seed.

In the past the shells were thrown away because people assumed all the health benefits were in the seeds. However, it was discovered that the hulls actually contain very concentrated amounts of lignans.

These flax hull lignans are powerful polyphenols that can provide significant health benefits.

Health Benefits of Flax Hull Lignans

The first health benefit of flax hull lignans is that they act as powerful antioxidants to help reduce free radical damage. Read More →

L-Glutamine and Leaky Gut

Posted by Dan Hammer //

09/22/2018

Our topic of conversation in today’s blog post is l-glutamine and leaky gut. Can it help to repair a leaky gut? Is it a viable option for restoring the lining of your small intestine? And is there any research to demonstrate it’s ability to improve gut health?

As more and more research is being done on the Microbiome, scientist are coming to the conclusion that your gut is the foundation to your overall health and wellness.

And if it’s not the foundation, then it plays a significant factor in both good and bad health.

It’s estimated that our intestinal lining covers approximately 4,000 square feet of surface area. To help put this in perspective Serena Williams just competed in the finals of the US Open. The tennis court she played on is 2106 square feet.

This means that the surface area of your intestinal lining is approximately 2 tennis courts. Read More →

Do You Have a Leaky Gut?

Posted by Dan Hammer //

09/15/2018

In today’s blog post we want to address the question: Do you have a leaky gut?

This is a fairly new term for a medical condition called intestinal permeability. Some doctors, and medical organizations like the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, believe this is a myth created by “alternative medicine practitioners.”

According to them “most physicians maintain that there is not enough research to prove that it is a legitimate issue.”

Then there is the Harvard Medical School that acknowledges this issue and states:

“. . . there is growing interest to develop medications that may be used in patients to combat the effects of this problem.”

Dr. Marcelo Campos, MD posted on September 22, 2017 an article for the Harvard Medical School. It was titled “Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you?” Here are two paragraphs from his article: Read More →

How Your Microbiome Impacts Weight Loss

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/01/2018

Your microbiome impacts weight loss! That statement is true.

And this blog post will help you understand how you can change your microbiome to increase your probability to lose fat and maintain a healthy weight.

Now before I help you understand how your microbiome impacts weight loss I’d like to ask you the following questions:

Have you struggled with your weight?

Have you tried numerous diets were you’ve lost weight, but then ended up regaining those pounds and more?

Have you given up?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, or if you’ve struggled with your weight in other ways, then you need to read this post. Or watch the video that I’ve produced to help you better understand how your microbiome impacts weight loss.

Here’s the video. Read More →

The 3 E’s and 4 R’s for Gut Health – Part Two

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/22/2018

This is part two of a two part blog post on the 3 E’s and 4 R’s for gut health. This is your road map to dramatically The 3 Es and 4 Rs for Gut Health improve your gut microbiome.

If you apply these 3 E’s and 4 R’s for gut health you’ll increase your probability in:

addressing weight management issues

improving your energy

decreasing abdominal distress

and reducing the potential for a wide range of autoimmune diseases.

All by effectively changing your gut microbiome.

Now in part one of this series I introduce you to the 3 E’s:

Eliminate Dysbiosis
Eliminate Leaky Gut
Eliminate Inflammation

If you missed this blog post on the 3 E’s, then click here to either read the post or watch the video..

It’s these 3 conditions that you have to address. If you address them properly, then you’ll experience a tremendous shift in your overall health.

To accomplish this we recommend the following 4 R’s:

Remove Foods and Factors That Damage Your Gut
Replace With Healing Foods
Repair With Specific Supplements
Rebalance With Prebiotics and Probiotics

And you can gain this knowledge in one of two ways. Either as a video, which is posted below.

Or as a blog article, which you’ll find after the video. This allows you to choose the method of communication that works best for you. Read More →

The 3 E’s and 4 R’s for Gut Health – Part One

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/15/2018

This is part one of a two part blog post on the 3 E’s and 4 R’s for gut health. This is your road map to dramatically 3 Es and 4 Rs for Gut Health improve your gut microbiome.

If you apply these 3 E’s and 4 R’s for gut health you’ll increase your probability in:

addressing weight management issues

improving your energy

decreasing abdominal distress

and reducing the potential for a wide range of autoimmune diseases

All by effectively changing your gut microbiome.

And you can gain this knowledge in one of two ways. Either as a video, which is posted below.

Or as a blog article, which you’ll find after the video. This allows you to choose the method of communication that works best for you. Read More →