No one has symptoms to a food because of food itself. Let me repeat that! No one has symptoms to a FOOD because of the food itself.
 
In the early stages of my IBD diagnosis, I knew nothing about digestion or my body for that matter. It wasn’t until years later, that I decided to dive into the human anatomy – specifically the gut. This topic fascinates me, and learning all about the gut has inspired me to take back control of my health. As a Gut Health Nutritionist I am passionate about helping others optimize their digestion because I know what’s it like to suffer from bloating, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, gas, anxiety, mood swings, depression. Years leading up to my diagnosis and for a great deal of living with my disease, I was contributing to those symptoms mentioned above. [I would say, I actually developed a very unhealthy relationship with food, which I’ll save for another blog post].
 
You eat food, followed by an unpleasant experience right? It is not causation here; it is correlation. There is a third confounding variable. Below is a list of the 4 possible causes of food reactions with the condition of your microbiome being the main one!
 

1. Condition of your microbiome
2. Genetics
3. Hormones (cortisol and estrogen)
4. Excessive consumption of processed, GMO foods

 
You have trillions of bacteria in and on your body. These bacteria regulate and prime the immune system, support brain function, protect us from infection along with many other vital functions.
 
The microbiome describes the genetic capability of microbiota. By the age of 2-3 years old, the intestinal microbiota acquires adult characteristics and is fully formed – called ‘residential bacteria’ This is driven by epigenetic factors and dependent on the extent of diversity in the diet. As we age, the residential bacteria can be altered (the good to bad bacteria ratio) which can lead to food sensitivities among other issues.
 
Alright, so you’ve heard all this and now what? Well, there are many ways you can show your gut more love while trying to balance your microbiota. Here are a few that can help you improve the condition of your microbiome.
 

1. Eat mindfully – Chew your food at least 30 times and avoid eating while stressed
2. Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night
3. Consume more probiotic rich foods like kefir, kombucha, kimchi, saurkraut, fermented vegetables, miso, olives, sourdough bread, tempeh
4. Feed the probiotics with prebiotic foods such as bananas, chicory, asparagus, onions.
5. RELAX! – Give yourself permission to take a time-out and breathe. Practice yoga, meditation or any other relaxation techniques to help calm your nervous system.

 
Written by Tania Christina Scavone from www.yourwaytobliss.com

How many of you thought that digestion began in the mouth?!
 
I remember as a kid growing up, I would inhale my meals without pause. My family would repeatedly remind me to slow down but I loved food so much that it went in one ear and out the other.
 
Well, if I knew then what I know now, I would have been a lot better off because as a kid I suffered from digestive issues all the way through high school and university. First year university was when I finally received an official diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I wasn’t a kid, but still, nothing made sense. It all makes sense now.
 
 Rushing through my meals, improper chewing was very easily one factor that greatly contributed to my unhealthy gut.
 
 Up until a few years ago, I believed that digestion began in the stomach. Then I learned that it began in the mouth and now I know it begins in the BRAIN! Yes, brain! Who knows what research will reveal a few more years from now.
 
The digestive system comprises the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (colon) but did you know there are also accessory digestive organs ? These are outside of the digestive tract and include our teeth, tongue, salivary glands, gall bladder, pancreas and liver. Basically, the digestive tract begins in the mouth and ends at the anus but really begins somewhere else….
 
Here is the part you’ve been waiting to hear. Well first let me ask you this? How do you feel when you see food? Exactly! You tap into your senses and get ready to dive into that meal so even before that food goes into your mouth, any sound, sight, taste, odor that you associate with food can trigger your body to prepare for the arrival of the food. Your body  “pumps up”. This is why it is so important to be relaxed while eating the food you are about to eat – known as ‘Mindful Eating’. If you’re stressed the body will not be able to focus on digestion. Being present with the food, bringing it close to your nose and taking an inhale, listening attentively to any sounds made will help prepare your body for digestion. 
 
 Interesting, isn’t it? So the next time you sit down for your meal before lifting that utensil, notice how your body feels. Our brain talks to our gut; our gut talks to our brain. 
 
Eating mindfully can be a simple easy way to enhance our total digestive function so chew your food at least 30 times and avoid eating while stressed!!
 
Written by Tania Christina Scavone
Lipski, Elizabeth. Digestive Wellness 4th Edition, 2012.

We live in uncertainty every day of our lives. Why is now any different? Why is humanity in survival mode? Maybe we all have differing opinions on this but the one thing we can be certain of, is that most are leading with fear. We have the option to lead with love or fear everyday so why is this situation any different – a question I pose to my readers, loved ones, clients and students. We wake up each morning uncertain of what will unfold but continue on with our days. These days, we continue to wake up with this same uncertainty but we are living our days in a state of stress, anxiety and panic. When you wake up, you have somewhat of an idea or plan, if you will, of what will unfold throughout your day. You have meetings, daycare drop offs, school, lunch dates etc…but in an instant this can all change. Despite this you continue living your lives or for those with existing anxiety, you try your best.
 This virus pandemic, according to Deepak Chopra is creating a fear pandemic for all and especially for those with existing anxiety.
 
As many of you know, I don’t watch the news on a regular basis. I watch when I really feel the need to be informed but then off it goes or I turn to a more reputable factual source online. Remember, the media is there to share a “story” and always has a way of making things appear worse than they are. This can have a direct effect on your mood. It’s happened to me; I’ve felt this closing of my chest, a sense of hopelessness, helplessness and utter misery as I am sure many of you have felt as well. I now know when to turn away and go inward to find that love, hope and faith.
 
When we lead with fear we are slowly shutting our immune system down and moving into that stressed ‘sympathetic’ nervous state which prepares the body for ‘Fight or Flight’ – which we have been seeing with the hoarding of toilet paper, canned goods and other items. There is no need to Fight or Flight because there are preventative measures being taken that I truly believe will help. If we are faced with a very hungry tiger, then you will have no choice but to respond with ‘Fight or Flight’ (good luck with the fighting part though). We are not at that stage! We can protect ourselves with physical distancing, good hygiene (which I hope is something we all HAVE been doing even prior to this outbreak), supporting our immune systems (probiotics, bone broth, nutrient dense food, medicinal mushrooms etc…) and keeping calm!!
 
Acknowledge your feelings without judgment. Pause. Take an inhale, exhale relax your shoulders.  Repeat after me, “ From now on, I choose love over fear”.
 
Below are some ways you can begin to ease any worries, or anxieties and slowly move away from the fear and into the love, hope and faith
 

• Meditate/Pray – Guided
• Breath work – Alternate Nostril Breathing is my favourite
• Limiting screen time (social media/news) – Especially before bed
• Doing more of what makes you happy J  - Cooking, chatting with friends, reading, giving yourself a mani or going for one
• Yoga – Restorative or Hatha
• Movement – Any form of movement really
• Walking  - Get outside in Nature and soak up some Vitamin D from the sun
• Lavender essential oil + candles –
• A warm cup of Chamomile tea (cooled in the summer is nice too)
• Pet Cuddles

 
** Written by Tania Christina Scavone B.Ed; CNP; 200YTT