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Home Services Clinical Nutrition Services Patient Resources Diet Information Nutrition for Gut Health. Nutrition for Gut Health The human body is covered with microorganisms, including the skin, the lungs and other internal organs and throughout the digestive tract.

Types of Nutrients Fiber Fiber can be classified into two major types. Each kind has gut benefits. Prebiotic Benefits Improves bone health by increasing calcium absorption Enhances signaling of bowel movement frequency Heightens feelings of hunger and satiety Increases water content and bulk of stools for softer, more frequent stools Aids in weight loss Reduce cholesterol and regulate blood glucose control Polyphenols Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in plants.

Polyphenol Benefits Antioxidant properties, which lessen risk for chronic disease Reduces inflammation and possibly obesity May improve neurocognitive function and mood Some polyphenols are antimicrobial Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that reduce inflammation throughout the body.

May restore balance for a healthy microbiota Decreases inflammatory microorganisms Strengthens the integrity of the gut wall Probiotics Probiotics are live microorganisms that if consumed in adequate amounts have health benefits.

Increase numbers of beneficial bacteria that prevent growth of harmful ones May help with digestion of lactose and reduce symptoms of intolerances Boost the immune response. Food Sources Fiber Foods The recommended fiber intake for adult females and males ranges between grams g per day according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Beans: Navy, kidney, black, white, pinto and lima Lentils Peas: Green, split, chickpeas, and black-eyed Whole grains: Barley, oats, bulgur, brown rice, buckwheat, popcorn, percent whole wheat crackers, pasta and unsweetened cereals Vegetables: Avocado, corn, sweet potato, parsnips, pumpkin, winter squash, leafy greens and carrots Fruits: Raspberries, blackberries, passionfruit, kiwi, citrus, plums, figs and dates Prebiotic Foods Many cereals and fiber bars have prebiotic ingredients.

Artichokes Asparagus Bananas Dandelion Greens Garlic Maple Syrup Onions Leeks Yacon Root Jicama Roots Polyphenol Foods Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and teas are common sources. Fruits: Apples, blueberries, cherries, grapes, pears and strawberries Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes and Brussels sprouts Spices: Turmeric, ginger and red pepper flakes Beverages: Green tea, coffee and red wine Other: Dark chocolate, soy products and peanuts Omega-3 Fatty Acids Foods Fish is a major source of Omega-3s.

Cupid brought Drs. Frank and Young Tsai together in medical school. Today, they both practice at Sharp Rees-Stealy. This flavorful porridge highlights rich shiitake mushrooms and serves a strong kick of ginger.

The expansion includes a new two-story medical office building with an urgent care center, advanced imaging technology and expanded services.

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Sharp Rees-Stealy. Sharp Community. Classes and events. Need help? Contact us Chat with us 7 am to 7 pm daily Weekdays, 7 am to 7 pm View phone directory. For the media. Best foods for your gut health By The Health News Team July 20, Probiotics and prebiotics Consuming both probiotics and prebiotics encourages healthy gut function, DeWolf says.

Here, DeWolf suggests five ways to improve your gut health through your diet: 1. Eat prebiotic-rich foods. Prebiotic-rich foods include: Bananas Apples Asparagus Berries Flaxseed Broccoli Garlic Oats Onions Leafy greens Tomatoes Legumes, including beans, lentils and peas.

Enjoy whole foods, herbs and spices in an array of different colors. Foods you might choose include: Deep purple cabbage Red beets Dark leafy greens Blueberries Golden turmeric Fragrant cinnamon. Eat a plant-based diet, such as the Mediterranean diet.

Include fermented foods. You can boost your intake of probiotics by eating more probiotic-rich foods, such as: Plain yogurt or kefir Kimchi or sauerkraut Miso paste or tempeh. Limit the intake of sugar, grains, sweeteners and saturated fat.

Module 3: The Human Gut Microbiome Answer Symbiosis Prebiotics and Probiotics from Food and Supplements Dysbiosis. Module 5: The Impact of Nutrition on Gut Health Answer The Impact of Key Nutrients on the Gut The DIGIN Model and the 5 Rs Eating Principles and Healing Dietary Protocols Therapeutic Elimination Diets Restorative Foods for Healing.

Module 6: Nutritional Healing Options for Digestive Health Imbalances Answer Nutritional Strategies for Faulty Digestion with Symptoms in: The Mouth The Esophagus and Stomach The Liver The Pancreas The Gallbladder The Small Intestine The Colon. Module 8: Special Topics in Gut Health Answer Food Allergies, Intolerances, and Sensitivities Psychobiotics and Mental Health Athletes and Sports Nutrition Anti-Nutrients Social and Environmental Factors The Gut Health of Children.

Enroll Now. Learn How to Support Whole Body Health and Wellness by Optimizing Gut Health Discover everything the gut has to offer — from the microbiome and how it fights disease to its relationship with the rest of the body.

Get the most up-to-date, evidence-based nutritional strategies for supporting your gut through different life stages. Become a gut health expert by studying at your own pace from anywhere in the world. What Other Students Are Saying. Customer Reviews.

Halfway through the course! FAQ How long does it take to complete this course? Answer The program is designed to provide you with flexibility and ample time to progress at a pace that is comfortable to you. How soon can I start this course? Answer We have open enrollment, so you may enroll whenever you are ready.

Are there payment plans available? What are the requirements to enroll in this course? Answer You must be at least eighteen years old and have a solid understanding of the English language to enroll in this program.

We also recommend but do not require that you: Hold at least one current certificate in a health, wellness, nutrition, or fitness discipline OR have an undergraduate degree in a health or science discipline Have knowledge of health and wellness coaching strategies and practices.

How long does it take to complete this course? How do quizzes and exams work? Do I need to complete continuing education to maintain my certificate?

Answer No, the Gut Health Nutrition Specialist Course is a Certificate of Specialty and does not require you to complete continuing education credits. Can I earn continuing education credits for completing this certification program?

Answer Yes! What is gut health? Answer The gut includes all the body parts and organs involved with taking in and putting out the foods we eat, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, colon, and rectum.

Why is gut health important? Answer Gut health is essential because it impacts numerous aspects of overall health and well-being.

A healthy gut microbiome supports: Digestion: A well-functioning gut aids in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, ensuring the body receives essential vitamins, minerals, and energy from food. Immune System: The gut is home to a significant portion of the immune system.

A balanced gut microbiome helps defend against infections and promotes immune tolerance. Mental Health: The gut-brain axis facilitates communication between the gut and brain, influencing mood, stress levels, and mental well-being. Metabolism: The gut microbiome can impact metabolic processes, including how the body stores and uses energy.

Protection Against Pathogens: Beneficial gut bacteria act as a barrier against harmful pathogens, preventing them from establishing themselves in the gut. Detoxification: The gut plays a role in eliminating waste and toxins from the body. How does diet impact gut health?

Answer Diet significantly impacts gut health as it directly influences the composition and activity of the gut microbiome. Prebiotic-rich foods include:. Choosing a variety of different colors of plant foods can ensure a wider array of nutrients and support an assortment of gut bacteria.

Foods you might choose include:. Placing an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, beans and legumes helps promote high-fiber intake that is gut friendly. This type of diet promotes the growth of helpful bacteria. Fermented foods contain live bacteria that can support gut function.

You can boost your intake of probiotics by eating more probiotic-rich foods, such as:. Highly processed foods and foods with excess sugars, fat and sweeteners can negatively affect your health in a variety of ways.

These foods include:. Refined sugar: Eating too much sugar can inhibit healthy gut bacteria function and contribute to excess inflammation in the body. Refined grains: Simple, processed carbohydrates, such as white flour, white bread, white rice pastries and pastas made with white flour, have been stripped of beneficial fiber as well as most of their vitamins and minerals.

These foods can cause blood sugar levels to quickly rise, leaving nothing for most of the gut microbes to eat. Artificial sweeteners : According to several studies, artificial sweeteners can alter gut bacteria and can potentially raise the risk of both inflammation and glucose intolerance.

Excess saturated fat : High intake of fats from animal sources, such as bacon, ribs and salami, can cause the bacteria within the gut to change.

Learn more about gut health and dozens of other women's health topics, hear from dynamic keynote speakers, get pampered, and attend free screenings and assessments at the Sharp Women's Health Conference on Saturday, April Register now. The Sharp Health News Team are content authors who write and produce stories about Sharp HealthCare and its hospitals, clinics, medical groups and health plan.

Lauren DeWolf, MS, RD, is a wellness education specialist with Sharp Rees-Stealy's Center for Health Management. Cupid brought Drs.

Frank and Young Tsai together in medical school. Today, they both practice at Sharp Rees-Stealy. This flavorful porridge highlights rich shiitake mushrooms and serves a strong kick of ginger.

The expansion includes a new two-story medical office building with an urgent care center, advanced imaging technology and expanded services. The human body is covered with microorganisms, including the skin, the lungs and other internal organs and throughout the digestive tract.

The most populated area is our gut with over trillion microorganisms found. These microorganisms, which mostly consist of bacteria, have genes just like our own cells and this is called the microbiome.

Due to the high number of microorganisms in the gut, our bodies may be made up more from bacteria than human genes.

The gut microbiome has many functions in our bodies from digesting nutrients, regulating how energy is used, supporting our immune system, and sending hormonal cues to the brain that control our hunger and mood.

Factors that affect the gut start as early as birth and continue to change due to environment, stress and medications. Any changes in the gut that cause a decrease in beneficial microorganisms, increase in unwanted microorganisms, or reduction in the diversity of microorganisms can have poor effects on our health.

The good news is we may be able to improve gut health by eating foods that benefit good microorganisms and support our immune system. Fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, polyphenols and Omega-3 fatty acids are five types of nutrients that can help to keep our gut healthy.

Prebiotics are specific fibers that are fermented by bacteria in the gut which selectively increase beneficial bacteria. Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in plants. They are not readily digested in the stomach and go to the colon to be metabolized by microorganisms.

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that reduce inflammation throughout the body. The recommended fiber intake for adult females and males ranges between grams g per day according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Many cereals and fiber bars have prebiotic ingredients. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and teas are common sources.