Sound Integrative Health Blog

A study using a commonly prescribed probiotic called VSL#3 showed that male IBS sufferers using VSL#3 had less abdominal pain and an improved satisfaction with bowel habits. (Wong.2015) It is interesting that patients in the study that used the probiotic had increased morning salivary melatonin. This study is very useful in helping explain another reason why taking a probiotic is regulatory for the digestive system. My overly simplistic surmise of what is happening is that this probiotic is favorably shifting the gut biome so that the enterochromaffin cells are secreting melatonin more efficiently. Melatonin (a hormone) has been studies in the digestive tract as it is known to be produced by enterochromaffin cells and small amounts stimulate motility and large amounts seem to slow motility. As we know Melatonin is also produced in the body by the pineal gland and is responsible for helping with sleep/wake cycles of the body’s biorhythm. It also boosts natural killer cell activity ...

Before refrigeration how did we preserve vegetables? Fermentation. Fermentation adds lactobacilli and other helpful probiotic organisms to your food. . Helpful for preserving  food and  helpful for our gut When your digestion is stable and you want to keep it being stable, try adding fermented foods into your diet. Here are a few recipes to consider which  I  learned from Liz Lipski, PhD an expert in nutritional approaches to  address  the  microbiome. She recently spoke on Tap Integrative. Kefir : is fermented milk. What you will need: 1. Purchase a package of Milk Kefir grains (not dehydrated or powdered) at your local health food store.   These are re-usable. Or order from someone like www.culturesforhealth.com 2. 1 quart of pasteurized, raw, skim, 2%, or whole milk (cow goat, coconut, or other milk) How do  make it: 1. mix 1 tablespoon of Kefir "grains" with the one quart of your chosen milk. 2. cover the mixture  wit...