blog

If you're looking to up your vegetable intake this fall, there's one thing you should be aware of: some veggies are bad for your gut.

Vegetables are typically thought of as healthy foods, but some can actually cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Leafy greens like spinach, kale and collards contain oxalates—a natural compound that binds minerals and makes them unavailable to the body. When these vegetables are consumed in large amounts, they can cause an excess of oxalates which can lead to inflammation and irritation in the gut.

The best way to avoid these vegetables is by eating smaller portions with meals and limiting them altogether if you have a history of gastrointestinal distress or other gut issues.

Your gut is a lot like your heart: it's where all the action happens, and it's crucial to your health.

Your gut is a complex ecosystem of over 100 trillion bacteria, and these bacteria are responsible for regulating just about every aspect of your health—from how well your digestion works to how many calories you burn each day.

If you have a leaky gut (which can be caused by stress, poor diet, or even certain medications), then these beneficial bacteria can leak out into your bloodstream, where they don't belong. This causes inflammation in the body, which can lead to heart disease, diabetes, cancer and more.

A healthy digestive system is very important to good health. In order to maintain this, functional medicine uses a 5-R program, which consists of taking out, replacing, repairing, and restoring. This method can help people feel better and resolve their chronic issues. 

Drinking moderate amounts of red wine can improve a person's gut health, according to researchers. They also noted that it can lower the body mass index and LDL cholesterol. However, people who are fond of drinking red wine should do so in moderation as with other alcoholic drinks.