Written by Jessica MartinezIntroduction:
When it comes to your overall health and well being, does your immune system come to mind? More than likely you think about your weight and the last time you were sick. The last thing you think of is the microbiota in your gastrointestinal tract. What is microbiota and why is it important to maintain a healthy GI? In this article we see how microbiota is essential for proper functioning of our immunity and how it maintains proper function in other areas surrounding our health. Current Western diets have wreaked havoc in our GI's ability to function optimally, but we can regain control by what we eat. Review of Importance: It’s imperative to see how our diets affect our GI and in turn our overall health. Our body’s immunity develops over a period of 2 years after we are born. Being born naturally or through cesarean plays a huge role in immune health. What we eat feeds the microbiota (good bacteria) in our GI, which helps fight off any disturbances that can cause us illness or irregular bowel movements. When we over consume refined, high fat, sugary, and abuse antibiotics we can weaken our microbiota against the defense of intruders. Findings: Studies have shown that an unhealthy immune system plays a huge role in chronic disease. It is, “believed to contribute to the dramatic and rapid increase in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders seen in high-income countries (Belkaid & Hand, 2014). Each chronic and autoimmune disorder does have its own genetic makeup and function, and it is connected with how “good” or “bad” our gut health is. Over all a healthy gut means the “good” bacteria helps to maintain function of our body’s ability to fight off bacteria that wants to attack. How do we maintain a healthy gut? Let’ s start by making small changes in our diet, so that we can make them into long-term habits. Our nutritional status plays a huge role in our guts function, and without proper function we cannot benefit for the nutrients we get from our whole foods. Consuming a diet in more plant-based foods are very beneficial in the maintenance of a good GI tract, because of the fiber that helps promote healthy microbiota. A diet high in fats and refined foods like meats, sweets, animal products, sugary drinks, and alcohol can alter the microbiota. Limiting our intake in a diet rich in processed foods is important in combating unhealthy bacteria in the gut. References: Belkaid, Y, and Hand, W., T (2014). Role of the Microbiota in immunity and Inflammation. Cell: Volume 157, Issue 1, p121-141. March 27, 2014. Cowspiracy: the sustainability secret Want to know how to really make a positive impact on the Earth??? In Honor of National Earth Day, NCSA would proudly like to announce the screening of the cutting edge and thought provoking documentary “Cowspiracy” on May 19th, 2016! In today’s society, one of the largest environmental concerns we face is sustainability. Research and statistics have shown us that animal agriculture has serious environmental implications and is a leading cause of deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and pollution, rainforest destruction, habitat loss, topsoil erosion, species extinction, and more! The best way we can impact the Earth is to educate ourselves on current issues and take action!!! To learn more about Cowspiracy check out the trailer link below! https://vimeo.com/95436726 If you are in a time crunch but crave something healthy and tasty, you should try this cauliflower fried "rice" recipe! Let us know what you think by commenting on this post after you have tried it :).
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