Dear Subscriber,
Happy early Earth Day!
It falls on the 22nd this
year, and even if you’re not
celebrating, it wouldn’t hurt
to recycle a few items you
have laying around, or if you’re
daring – plant a tree!
Earth day is one of those important
holidays that too many people
dismiss as being unimportant or
ignore completely.
I say this because today’s
article deals with a part of your
body that’s treated much in the
same way…
I’m talking about your gut.
Too many folks don’t pay any
attention to it and don’t do anything
to keep it running in tip-top shape.
But after you read what I have in
store for you today, you’ll see why
it’s important to keep your gut healthy
and happy.
Yours For Health,
Shane Shiels
Shashido Enterprises
Adelaide’s Premier Health & Fitness Expert
Feeling Stressed? Let Your
Stomach Help You…
Let’s face it –
When it comes to everyday living
in today’s modern world, stress has
become a constant companion.
Whether it’s financial stress, the
stress that comes from office politics,
or even the stress from driving in heavy
traffic, your body is constantly exposed
to it – and it’s not healthy for you.
That’s why finding as many different
ways to relax is important. You may have a
few you already do on a regular basis, but
here’s one you probably haven’t heard of…
Recent research suggests that ingesting
‘friendly’ bacteria could help reduce anxiety.
For example, one study, published in the journal
Neurogastro-enterology and Motility, found that
giving a probiotic known as Bifidobacterium longum
NCC3001 to mice with infectious colitis helped
reduce their anxious behaviour. [1]
This is just one of many studies that is
showing us how the gut can affect the brain,
and consequently your mood.
In another study, researchers at Ireland’s
University College Cork, gave mice a
probiotic known as lactobacillus. They
found that doing so resulted in reduced
anxiety and depression-related behaviour. [2]
Researchers believe the probiotics
somehow affect your brain’s GABA
levels to help create the anxiety-relieving
effects. (GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter
that can help you relax and de-stress.)
They also think that the primary way your
gut and your brain communicate is via the
vagus nerve.
Going back to the University College Cork study,
scientists tested this theory on the mice by
severing the vagus nerve after giving the mice
the probiotics.
When the nerve was severed the mice did
not change and still showed anxious and
depression-related behaviour. When the
nerve was intact, the mice relaxed after
taking the probiotics.
So what can you take from these
studies?
Your digestive health can play a very
real and important role in maintaining
your sense of well-being, lowering your
overall stress levels, and determining
how you feel.
It wouldn’t hurt to take some probiotics
either, to make sure your intestinal flora
are alive and well with the “good guys.”
Usually anything fermented is a good
source for good bacteria. Options include
pickles or Natto. Also many popular yogurt
brands now come with probiotics – just take
a look at the label.
Otherwise you can supplement by going
to your local health food store and picking
up some “good” bacteria.
More research needs to be done, but
science has also recently discovered that
your gut in fact has a “brain” of its own.
In fact, your enteric nervous system
(the nervous system networked
throughout your stomach and intestines)
contains some 100 million neurons – more
than is found in the spinal cord or in the
peripheral nervous system.
This second “brain” in your gut can
control digestive behaviour independently
of the brain. And it’s this second brain
that could also be responsible for
changing your mood and alleviating stress.
So until we know more, be kind to your
gut… and pay more attention to what it’s
feeling. In fact, try “listening” to your gut more
often… It’s smarter than you think, and it can
be the key to having peace of mind and
staying worry-free!
Oh and by the way, if you’re serious
about taking your health and fitness
to the next level, why not take
advantage of your FREE
Fitness Consultation? (an $87 value)
During this consult, you’ll receive
detailed information on how to get fit
and trim that’s tailored to YOUR body.
There’s no obligation and it’s totally
and completely free.
References:
1. Bercik P, et al.The anxiolytic
effect of Bifidobacterium longum
NCC3001 involves vagal pathways
for gut-brain communication.Neurogastroenterol
Motil. 2011 Dec;23(12):1132-9.
2. Bravo JA, et. al. Ingestion of
Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional
behavior and central GABA receptor
expression in a mouse via the vagus
nerve. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011
Sep 20;108(38):16050-5.
Quote Corner
“The good Lord gave you a body
that can stand most anything.
It’s your mind you have to convince.”
-Vince Lombardi
Eat Yourself Thin
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
(Serves Eight)
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup uncooked white rice
8 cabbage leaves
450gm lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground
black pepper
1 (305gm) can
condensed tomato soup
1. In a medium saucepan,
bring water to a boil. Add
rice and stir. Reduce heat,
cover and simmer for 20
minutes.
2. Bring a large, wide saucepan
of lightly salted water to a boil.
Add cabbage leaves and cook for
2 to 4 minutes or until softened;
drain
3. In a medium mixing bowl,
combine the ground beef,
1 cup cooked rice, onion,
egg, salt and pepper, along
with 2 tablespoons of tomato
soup. Mix thoroughly.
4. Divide the beef mixture evenly
among the cabbage leaves. Roll
and secure them with toothpicks
or string.
5. In a large skillet over medium
heat, place the cabbage rolls and
pour the remaining tomato soup over
the top. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce
heat to low and simmer for about 40 minutes,
stirring and basting with the liquid often.
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Ready: 1 hr
Amount Per Serving – Calories: 223 /
Total Fat: 13.1g / Cholesterol: 69mg /
Sodium: 657mg / Total Carbs: 13.3g /
Dietary Fibre: 0.9g / Protein: 12.8g
Recipe from AllRecipes.com.
Shashido Enterprises
Adelaide, S.A.
Phone: 0420 347 550
(c) Shashido Enterprises 2012 (All Rights Reserved)
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