Why are We Sick, Tired, And Overweight?

The average daily life in the 21st Century typically consists of a “to-do” list a mile long. We are a society that multitasks, overbooks, and has multiple responsibilities. This includes family, work, and recreation (if there’s time). Our sleep is deprived because of this. Stress is at its max. Our diets are horrible. Our diets have a lot to do with the convenience factor. This results in over-processed, high sugar, high-fat foods that wreak havoc on our bodies. It’s no wonder we stay sick, tired, and overweight. Our bodies are burnt out, and it’s taking its toll. For the first time in over a century, the average person’s lifespan is declining. If we don’t start flipping the switch, it will only get worse.

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Chronic Disease

Chronic diseases are on the rise. This lifestyle and the modern diet are to blame. Our healthcare system is really a “sick care” system. It was designed to care for people who are sick. Physicians have been trained to offer medications, surgery, etc. to solve symptoms. However, the root cause is often ignored. It’s no fault of the physicians. They are trained to do this. With chronic diseases and illnesses, the real cause is likely poor diet. It could also be any of the following: nutrient deficiencies, allergens, microbes, hormonal imbalances, digestive dysfunction, toxins, cellular damage, and stress. (1)

The truth is that 90% of chronic health issues are most often not helped by drugs and surgery. It will seem to help short term because your symptoms will improve for a while. But it’s like putting a lid on a pot of boiling water. Eventually, the pot will boil over. The only thing that will stop it is by turning off the heat. This is getting to the root of the issue and treating the real cause.

Getting to the Root

Finding the root of what’s ailing you can be overwhelming. But, just about all chronic conditions can root back to our digestive health and blood sugar balance. Be it diabetes, heart disease, obesity, autoimmune disease, depression, anxiety, hormone imbalances, and even cancer. To address our digestive health, we must really take a  look at our diet and lifestyle.

Digestive Health

Our gut health is the epicenter of all that is happening with our other systems. Gut health affects our hormones, metabolism, our brain, our mood, and our immune system. It even affects the expression of our genetics. In addition, our digestive system protects the rest of our body from any foreign bacteria. These foreign bacteria being present in the food that we ate. Or, the bacteria that has already taken residence in our gut.

We have certain bacteria in our digestive system. They play a vital role in maintaining gut health and our microbiome. Our microbiome is made up of the trillions of microbes that live in our bodies. Most of them live in our gut. Specifically in the large and small intestines. We have so many microbes in our makeup as humans. In fact, they outnumber our human cells by about 10:1. The key to having a healthy digestive system is to have these microbes or bacteria balanced out.

You may have heard the terms “good bacteria” and “bad bacteria.” When the “bad bacteria” take over, there are a few things that could happen.

Bad Bacteria

Cell Damage

Without getting too scientific here, cell damage dysfunction of our gut health will affect our physiology right down to the cellular level. Basically, the source of our food is ultimately going to the mitochondria of our cells. This is the part of our cell’s structure that converts food and oxygen into energy for proper body function. These little energy factories are very sensitive to damage. When they aren’t working properly, we get all kinds of symptoms. These symptoms can include memory loss, fatigue, rapid aging, and even pain. The most common symptom of altered function of the mitochondria is tiredness and fatigue. If your food is toxic, or your digestive system is impaired, then so are your mitochondria.

Bacterial Yeast

Otherwise known as Candida, yeast overgrowth occurs when there are insufficient “good” bacteria to keep it under control. Too many “bad” bacteria cause this. Candida overgrowth can start to take over. It can cause various symptoms and health problems. This includes fatigue, digestive dysfunction, recurring UTIs, and yeast infections. It can also cause oral thrush, sinus infections, nail fungus. It can also cause joint pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, gas, cramps, and bloating.

Other than the imbalance of good to bed bacteria, other risk factors that will contribute to yeast overgrowth are;

• Use of antibiotics
• Consuming a diet high in sugar and refined carbs
• A weakened immune system
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Diabetes
• Chronic Stress
• Use of oral contraceptives (2)

Leaky Gut

When we absorb nutrients, otherwise known as molecules in our food, they can be absorbed into the bloodstream intact. A good example of small molecules that follow this path is glucose and amino acids. Larger molecules such as proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, and triglycerides cannot be absorbed into our bloodstream intact. They can if our gut has been impaired. But not without causing damage. Enzymes must break them down.

Think of, if you will, a piece of cheesecloth. There are very tiny holes that make up this cloth. Now imagine your intestinal wall lined with this. The holes are just big enough to allow molecules to pass, such as glucose. The larger molecules are being stopped. They do not enter the bloodstream. When we end up with chronic inflammation and degeneration in the gut, the size of the holes increases. This ultimately allows the larger molecules to pass through. This causes all sorts of chaos inside of our bodies. There are multiple signals that are sent out to attack the foreign object. Your immune cells will become confused.  It is our body doing what it is meant to do. This process can cause long-term damage in the form of the following: autoimmune disease, chronic infections, brain degeneration and disorders, allergies, skin disorders, and cancer.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

A condition that can be seen more and more is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or SIBO. This occurs when bacteria are growing out of control. This is not the typical bacteria that should be in the small intestine. This bacteria likely comes from the large intestine or colon. While some of these bacteria reside in the small intestine, it is typically less than 5%. With SIBO, numbers are multiplied. The numbers continue to grow as it feeds on digested food. As it feeds it produces gas and bloating, resulting in your discomfort. How does the colon bacteria get there?

Well, there is a little valve that separates these two sections (large and small intestine) and becomes “leaky.” When it becomes altered from an unhealthy gut, bacteria is allowed into the small intestine. Have you ever noticed your belly bulge like a balloon after a meal? You may want to consider SIBO.

Food Sensitivities

You might think you’re doing everything right. You may even be eating healthy. You ask yourself, why you still feel tired, bloated, overweight, and experiencing brain frog? The answer may lie in food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances. If you have an allergy, it is usually noticeably clear that you have it, based on the symptoms. However, with sensitivities, it may be more subtle. There may be bloating, fatigue, constipation, mood imbalances, weight loss resistance, and migraines.  Because of this, you may not even know about it. And because you have experienced these symptoms for so long. You accept being overweight, feeling tired, and sluggish is the way it will be. People may go a lifetime without knowing they have a food sensitivity.

Well, I am here to tell you that #1 you don’t have to continue to feel this way. And, #2 you may not know about the issue, but your internal body systems sure do. Let’s take a look at what’s going on there when you are persistently adding fuel to this slow-burning flame.

Analogy By My Mentor

I will explain this using a brilliant analogy taught to me by my mentor, Andrea Nakayama. Imagine, if you will, a shag rug. If you don’t recall a shag rug, it has a very long, fringe-like textile. Ok, these little fringes are sort of like small fingers. Imagine these finger-like shaped fringes lining the interior of your small intestine. This is what we call villi. The villi are responsible for absorbing the nutrients we need from our digested food. These finger-like projections are flattened if we have ongoing damage. These caused by food sensitivities such as gluten, dairy, or soy intolerance. If flattened, they will not adequately absorb the nutrients. So, you can be eating the very best, most healthy diet and not be reaping the rewards if these villi are not doing their job.

What’s more, the dysfunction of bacterial overgrowth and damaged villi will cause sugar cravings and starches. And they can cause an increased appetite. This causes the individual to eat in excess, causing more damage and blood sugar imbalances.

Food sensitivities and any condition that has increased mucus secretion and inflammation in the gut can destroy these very important villi. This will cause inflammation, degeneration of the small intestine, and systemic nutrient depletion. This now makes a perfect setup for leaky gut and candida overgrowth, which we discussed above.

Molecules In Our Food

When nutrients are absorbed, otherwise known as molecules in our food, many are absorbed into the bloodstream intact. A good example of this would be glucose and amino acids. Larger molecules such as proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, and triglycerides cannot be absorbed into our bloodstream intact. However, they can if you have an impaired gut. But not without causing damage. Enzymes must break them down.

Our digestive system protects the rest of our body from any foreign bacteria. This bacteria may be presented with the food that we ate. Or, it can prevent itself in the bacteria that is already taking residence in our gut. When our gut becomes impaired, this protection becomes altered.

Common Food Sensitivities include:

Dairy

Caused by a sugar found in dairy products called lactose. Those who have a sensitivity or intolerance lack an important enzyme called lactase, which absorbs and digests the lactose. Symptoms of dairy sensitivity include abdominal discomfort and bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea.

Gluten

A protein found in wheat products. Barley and rye as well. Gluten sensitivity can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, joint pain, mood disorders, brain fog, and headaches. A more severe form of gluten intolerance would be celiac disease,. This involves an extreme immune response and is classified as an autoimmune disease.

Sulfites

Chemicals that are primarily used as a preservative in foods, beverages, and some medications. This sensitivity becomes common in those who have asthma. Although people without asthma can be sensitive. Common symptoms in sulfite sensitivity are; hives, stuffy nose, flushing and/or swelling of the skin, stuffy nose, diarrhea, wheezing, coughing, hypotension. Foods that might contain sulfites are dried fruit, apple cider, wine, canned vegetables, pickled foods, condiments, tea, potato chips, beer, packaged baked goods. (3)

Soy

A protein found in tofu, soy milk, miso, soy flour, yogurt, soy cheese, and soy protein isolate. In addition, some hidden sources of soy might be in vegetable broth, vegetable starch and gum, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and other natural flavorings. (5) An intolerance may cause nausea, abdominal pain, gas, and bloating.

Eggs

This is one of the most common sensitivities, yet the one least recognized. Common symptoms are itchy skin, nausea, and bloating. This may cause an immune reaction and lead to conditions such as eczema. Egg whites are typically more of an issue than the yolk, so separating the 2 when trying to figure out sensitivities is wise.

High FODMAPs Foods

Otherwise known as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. Yes, this is a mouthful, hence the acronym. These are basically certain carbohydrates that are found in typically healthy foods and drinks. What happens is they become fermentable and osmotic. This results in poor absorption and digestive distress. Some examples of FODMAP foods are as follows: fruit and vegetables, dried fruit, beans, lentils, garlic, coffee, high fructose corn syrup, agave, chocolate, milk (cows, sheep, or goat), sour cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, and artificial sweeteners. (4)

What Can We Do?

The good news about an imbalanced microbiome is it is correctable. These can include introducing a diet that promotes balance with both good and bad bacteria. However, you may also want to consider adding a probiotic, prebiotic, and digestive enzyme. The quality of your products does matter. Many out there claim they are effective. However, they have ingredients that can cause you more harm than good. Or they have fillers, which will help no one.  The one that I am currently using is by Plexus. I have also used Truvani products, which is also a great brand. Just be sure to do your research when choosing these products.

Before embarking on a gut protocol, cleansing may be something you want to consider. Why? Your gut didn’t get this way overnight and will not “clean up” overnight either. The quickest, most effective way to “clean the slate” is to undergo a cleanse. You can then build on your new gut protocol from there. In addition, this is a great way to find out of you have a food sensitivity as you reintroduce foods.

Cleansing

There are several types of cleansing protocols and some include long-time fasting. Others include taking a list of herbs and supplements. These may work well, but there are also less extreme cleanses that can also be effective. An elimination diet cleanse is a great place to start, especially for first- and second-time cleansers. This will also allow you to recognize any foods that may not be serving you, as you reintroduce them into your diet. Sometimes the less extreme and more gentle approach, heed the bigger more long-lasting results. I offer a 14_day Reset Detox Cleanse coaching program. It is designed as an elimination protocol and offers gut healing; as well as helping to discover potential food sensitivities and intolerances. Email [email protected] to find out more.  

Moving Forward

In conclusion, every person is different in their biological make-up. Your gut health is a great place to start addressing what might be making you sick, tired, and overweight. Moreover, adjusting habits, lifestyle, and diet is key but will look different for each individual. Our 3 main pillars for optimal health are Sleep, Stress Management, and Adequate Nutrition. This is like a 3-legged stool, and when you remove one, this stool is not functional.  Lastly, if you are interested in a FREE discovery call to explore what might work for you? Book here. I look forward to talking with you!

Be Well,

Tess

References

1. The Blood Sugar Solution by Mark Hyman, MD; pg 17
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/candida-symptoms-treatment#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5
3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-food-intolerances#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9
4. https://www.everlywell.com/food-sensitivity-explained/
5. https://www.livestrong.com/article/348314-soy-protein-intolerance-symptoms/