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For some age groups, nutrients gotten from mere diet might not be sufficient to keep the body running at a normal pace, hence the advent of nutritional supplements.

The sole reason for supplements is to help individuals achieve their daily nutrient intake and also help improve their health status as the case may be. Supplements are there to augment whatever lapses possible as diet alone might not be able to provide adequate amounts of a particular nutrient.

Nutritional supplements are consumables and the come either as capsules, pills or tablets. They are either the combination of a different nutrients (protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, fiber) and compounds or just one nutrient that is produced by the body.

A supplement is mostly needed to help balance a particular nutrient in the body especially if there is a condition that requires more amount of that nutrient than the body can produce or mere diet can provide. It is not intended to substitute a healthy diet.

Research has it that the global market for nutritional and dietary supplements recorded over US$104 billion sales as at 2013. These sales was cut across globally among geriatric populations, pregnant women and the rising urban population.

The major types of supplements used are multivitamins, calcium supplements, fatty acids or fish oils, and mineral supplements.

CLASSES OF SUPPLEMENTS
The National Agency of Medicines suggests that dietary supplements be grouped according to their intended uses:
1. Food supplements as products which supplements the usual diet
2. Food stuff for particular uses which due to their special composition are targeted at certain groups e.g for special people with disordered metabolism, for infants from 2-5 months, for special sets of people with special physiological condition
Supplements also, can be classified according to their origin, texture, or in the form in which they are available. They could also be grouped as follows
i. Vitamins and minerals; in a combination form as multivitamin or multiminerals.
ii. Protein supplements; in form of liquid or tablets and not combined with other macronutrients.
iii. Different compositions of amino acids
iv. Meal surrogates in form of wafers, biscuits or powder
v. Carbohydrate supplement with/without electrolytes
vi. Supplements with natural anabolic effects
vii. Activator supplements of growth and other hormones
viii. Herbs etc.

Class Example Contents
Activator Amino acids Growth hormones and other hormones
Carbohydrate Dextrose Some vitamins and electrolytes
Herbs Ginseng, saw palmetto Amino acid and other plant sources
Minerals Selenium, zinc, multimineral tablets Contains only minerals
Multivitamins and minerals Vitamin D, calcium supplement Contains a mixture of vitamins and minerals
Oil supplements Cod liver oil, primrose oil Oil base with vitamins and minerals
Vitamins B complex, vitamin C (high doses) Contains only vitamins

Examples of Botanical supplements and their uses

Common Name Uses
1. Gingko biloba -Memory improvement, lowering blood pressure
2. Ginseng -overall health, anti-stress
3. Saw palmetto- Treating of bening prostatic hypertrophy
4. St Johns wort- Antidepressant
5. Valerian- Reducing anxiety
6. Green tea extract-  Antioxidant

Dietary Reference Intakes for Nutrients
The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are developed to help define nutrient requirements for healthy populations. These references are derivatives from scientific studies and researches to provide ranges for optimum to maximum indicators for good health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and even the outcome of excessive intake on the health status of individuals.

RDA (recommended dietary allowance) simply is the average amount of a nutrient for a particular age/gender group that is thought to be sufficient to meet their nutrient requirement and bodily functionality in a day to about (97%-98%).

For an individual to be deficient of a nutrient, it means he/she is getting an inadequate supply of a particular nutrient(s). this would normally happen as a result of impaired digestion, absorption, transport or metabolism of nutrients. When these occurs, illness or diseases arises; then comes in nutritional supplements to the rescue.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SUPPLEMENT?

Consuming whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and fishes might not just be sufficient for particular groups. Certain amounts of extra nutrients are needed to ensure they have reduced risk of disease and mortality rates.
Most times, these supplements are more effective when used for as preventive measures.

Groups with increased requirements:

1. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
– folic acid: pregnant and breastfeeding women would require a folic acid supplement in order to help their infants brain and spinal cords develop adequately. Their bodily supply wont be enough to sustain both mother and child, so supplementation is key at this period. In addition to a diet of folate-rich food sources which include okro, liver, cabbage, spinach, beans etc, a pregnant woman should take at least 400mcg of folate every day.
– calcium: (intake from dietary sources like milk, yoghurt, cheese, leafy vegetables, almonds is recommended) 1300 mg/day for women of 18 years; 1000 mg/day for those of 19 years and above. This is to help babies build healthy bones and teeth.
– vitamin D: 600 units/day; consider 2000mg for women in very extreme weather conditions (especially northerners )
– iron: . Iron is important in pregnancy to help create red blood cells and prevent anemia for both mother and child.
Recommended dosage is 27 mg/day. To prevent gestational anemia in non-anemic women, monitored supplementation at 120mg weekly is adviced ; given at the 1st day of the week in 2 divided doses
2. Aged people
• people from 60 and above always struggle with poor oral health, depression, dementia and social isolation. This might deter the intake of nutrient by this group and so supplementation is needed. Especially for nutrients like Vitamin B12 to avoid malabsorption and deficiency.

Conditions with risk of malabsorption:

• People that has undergone bariatric surgery: vitamins A, D, K, B1, B12, vitamin C and folic acid; calcium, copper, iron, selenium and zinc. Patients require routine supplementation with vitamins and minerals for 2 years or more, with doses higher than those provided by nonprescription supplements

• People diagnosed with several types of gastrointestinal diseases known to cause malabsorption or maldigestion (e.g., lactose intolerance, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, food allergies): fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin B12, vitamin K, zinc, iron, calcium

• People who might have swallowing, chewing or dental problems.

ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS
There are quite a number of advantages attached to supplements as provide large content of nutrients in small volumes, specialized sporting needs, absence of unnecessary accompanying substances as fats, cholesterol and purines.

But for some reasons, some individuals tend to abuse these supplements by increasing the dosage or frequency which could result in a drop in the effectiveness of supplements. When this occurs frequently, the human body is forced to work harder to eliminate excesses.

An overdose of these supplements could lead to organ failure, hypervitaminosis, and endocrine disorders.

There are factors that lead to the appearance of side effects due to the toxicity of dietary supplements and they include: (i) dosage (ii) duration of intake (iii)special chemical properties found in supplements and their interactions with other foods (iv) the individuals weight (v) individual capacity.

SAFETY AND RISK LEVELS
These supplements have active ingredients that might be harmful to the body if not taken as prescribed by a physician, you should look out for reactions on your body as soon as possible and report to a healthcare center.
Some supplements can increase bleeding time if taken before surgery, while some can alter your response to anesthesia. Supplements have a tendency of reacting with some drugs in very detrimental ways and they include:
• Vitamin K can reduce the ability of the blood thinner warfarin to prevent blood from clotting.
• St. John’s wort can speed the breakdown of many medicines and reduce their effectiveness (including some antidepressants, birth control pills, heart medications, anti-HIV medications, and transplant drugs).
• Antioxidant supplements, such as vitamins C and E, might reduce the effectiveness of some types of cancer chemotherapy.
Metformin used by diabetics can reduce the absorption of vitamin B12

SOURCES:

1. McCormick DB. Vitamin/mineral supplements: of questionable benefit for the general population. Nutr Rev 2010;68(4):207-13.
2. Maher LK, Escott-Stump S. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy. 11th ed. USA: Elsevier, 2004. Vitamins. In: Kleinman RE, editor. Pediatric Nutrition Handbook. 5th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004.

3. Fraga CG (2009) Plant phenolics and human health: biochemistry, nutrition and pharmacology, vol 1. Wiley, Hoboken (more…)

Globally, deaths arising from raised cholesterol levels reads at 2.6 million and this is sad. What’s sadder is the fact that about 10% of these people didn’t realize they have it; even the ones still alive.

Cholesterol might either be termed good or bad and many factors can influence the levels of cholesterol in your blood especially genetics.

Apart from lifestyle, diet and exercise, genetics could be a risk factor for increased cholesterol levels. If a family member has high cholesterol levels, there is every tendency you might have it especially if you don’t pay attention to lifestyle matters.

This phenomenon is termed “familial” since it runs in a family.

SOME FACTS ABOUT FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA

– 1 person in every 500 persons has it

– Doesn’t have symptoms, but these signs like deposits of cholesterol in skin and tendons could be notice

– Only 10%-20% of people with it know they have it

– Individuals with familial hypercholesterolaemia will pass it on to their children

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA AND NORMAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA?

If high levels of cholesterol occur in any relative of yours, such as a parent, sibling, or grandparent, you’re more likely to have it yourself. This occurrence is totally due to the passing on of genes from parents to children that increase levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia is more like an inherited form of hypercholesterolaemia. People with this type of conditions normally would have high cholesterol levels even with a lifestyle modification. Simply because they don’t have the capacity to regulate their cholesterol levels as other individuals.

There is every tendency that people with familial hypercholesterolaemia might not be able to control their cholesterol levels with just diet and exercise alone, but with medications too.

You should also note that not everyone with a high risk of developing high cholesterol actually has their cholesterol levels sky rocketing.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA

One of the major ways to ascertain if you have high cholesterol levels especially if it’s a familial case is through a lipid screening test. This measures the amount of cholesterol in your blood.

Ideally, signs to look out for in adults are cholesterol levels above 190mg/dl and levels above 160mg/dl in children.

In addition, your doctor might help detect physical signs, which might not be common to everyone. These signs includes:

– Bumps or lumps around your knees, knuckles, or elbows

– Swollen or painful Achilles tendon

– Yellowish areas around your eyes

– A whitish grey colour in the shape of a half-moon on the outside of your cornea

WHAT CAUSES FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA?

This type of cholesterolaemia is a genetic one meaning it is hereditary and is caused by a defect on chromosome 19.

Your body finds it difficult to remove LDL cholesterol from the body making it easy for the narrowing of vessels which might possibly lead to atherosclerosis. You just need to get an abnormal gene from one family member to get this disease.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS AND HOW DO I MANAGE THEM?

1. OBESITY OR HIGH WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE: Both obesity and a high waist circumference can increase your risk for high cholesterol.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, while a high waist circumference is 40 or more inches for men and 35 or more inches for women.

If you have a family history of hypercholesterolaemia, then you should be careful so fat wont be unevenly distributed in your body. When fat accumulates in only one part of the body, especially in the abdominal region, it can lead to an increased risk of developing hypercholesterolaemia and other cardiovascular complications.

2. ELEVATED BLOOD SUGAR

As someone with a family history of hypercholesterolaemia, you should also be aware of your glucose levels as high levels of glucose can increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol, damage the lining of arteries and also increase your risk of fatty deposits building up in your arteries.

Lifestyle choices, like diets high in soda, candy, or other foods containing large amounts of sugar, can also contribute to high blood sugar levels.

Reducing your intake of these things that contribute to an increased glucose level is key to reducing the risks of high cholesterol levels. An increased fibre intake of at least 30-35g of fibre daily would help to keep glucose levels in check.

3. LIFESTYLE FACTORS

If you have a family history of high cholesterol, you should consider some modifications to your lifestyle as it totally affects your chances to also get the disease. Diet, exercise and social vices are risk factors associated with high cholesterol. They can be controlled by modifying your lifestyle.

– Eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats can increase your cholesterol levels. These highlighted foods should be taken away from your diet totally or restricted to the barest minimum if you have a history of high cholesterol in the family.

• red meat

• full-fat milk and yogurt

• fried foods

• highly processed sweets

More so, adding foods that are cholesterol reducing would help reduce the risks of developing high cholesterol. Foods like nuts, beans, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, green vegetables, lentils, oatmeal, whole grain breads, low-fat dairy, low-fat meats, such as poultry are helpful.

– Exercise has the tendency to help increase your HDL cholesterol and decrease your LDL cholesterol. If you can aim at 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise weekly, then you’re on journey to increasing you HDL levels which helps to reduce risk for developing high cholesterol and other coronary diseases.

If you just want to start, you can try out walking a distance first before doing other types of exercise so as not to get fagged out easily.

– Tobacco Smoking damages the wall of your blood vessels and is detrimental to your heart health. This makes it more likely for fat deposits to build up, thereby increasing your risk of high cholesterol levels.

CONCLUSION

Apart from other risk factors, genetics is a major risk factor related to high cholesterol levels. It is very important to be aware of this condition especially if it runs in your family and also aware of measures to curb its progression.

SOURCES

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/is-high-cholesterol-hereditary#outlook

2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/when-very-high-cholesterol-runs-in-the-family-

3. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000392.htm#:~:text=Familial%20hypercholesterolemia%20is%20a%20genetic,of%20LDL%20in%20the%20blood.

4. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/facts.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional bowel disorders.
Between 1 in 11 people and 1 in 26 people globally experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

The condition affects more women than men. Some people with IBS have minor symptoms. However, for others the symptoms are significant and disrupt daily life.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system.
It causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time, and can last for days, weeks or months at a time.It’s usually a lifelong problem

IBS could also be termed as a disorder of gut-brain interaction, meaning it falls within the realm of the growing field of neurogastroenterology and can be understood through an interdisciplinary biopsychosocial model, which looks at the interconnection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors

In simple terms, there is a relationship between mental stress and the digestive system.
It is mostly associated with a change in stool frequency, stool form, and/or relief or worsening of abdominal pain related to defecation.

Unlike other GI disorders, there are no scarring or lesions in the tract of someone with IBS.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR?

Symptoms are almost same with other GI diseases and they include:
– Cramping
– abdominal pain
– bloating and gas
– constipation
– Diarrhea

You might be wondering how one can be constipated and still have issues with diarrhea. It is very common for people with IBS to have episodes of both constipation and diarrhea.

Symptoms such as bloating and gas typically go away after you have a bowel movement.
Symptoms of IBS aren’t always persistent. They can resolve, only to come back. However, some people do have continuous symptoms.

Women tend to have symptoms around their periods but reduced symptoms in men. Men have same symptoms as women but tend to report it less.

DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor may be able to diagnose IBS based on your symptoms. They may also take one or more of the following steps to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms:
– Suggest that you adopt a certain diet or cut out specific food groups for a period to rule out any food allergies
– Suggest a stool sample examined to rule out infection
– Suggest blood tests to check for anemia and rule out celiac disease
– Perform a colonoscopy

WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE(S)
Although there are many ways to treat IBS, the exact cause of IBS is unknown
The varied possible causes make IBS difficult to prevent.

The physical processes involved in IBS can also vary, but may consist of:
– slowed or spastic movements of the colon, causing painful cramping
– abnormal serotonin levels in the colon, affecting motility and bowel movements
– mild celiac disease that damages the intestines, causing IBS symptoms

IS THERE ANY TREATMENT OPTION?
There is no cure for IBS. Treatment is aimed at symptom relief. Initially, your doctor may have you make certain lifestyle changes. These “home remedies” are typically suggested before the use of medication.

HOME REMEDY
Certain home remedies or lifestyle changes may help to relieve your IBS symptoms without the use of medication. Examples of these lifestyle changes include:

– regular physical exercise
– cutting back on caffeinated beverages that stimulate the intestines
– eating smaller meals
– minimizing stress (talk therapy may help)
– taking probiotics (“good” bacteria normally found in the intestines) to help relieve gas and bloating
– avoiding deep-fried or spicy foods

MEDICAL TREATMENT OPTION
– Alosetron (LOTRONEX) is intended for use only in women with severe cases of IBS-D who haven’t responded to other treatments
– Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (eg, amitriptyline [Elavil]) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
– Antibiotics such as rifaximin (Xifaxan), which stays in the gut without being reabsorbed, may benefit patients with IBS symptoms caused by SIBO(small intestine bacterial overgrowth.

DIETARY INTERVENTIONS
Just as there is no single therapy for treating IBS, it’s important to remember there’s no single dietary strategy either.
– Avoid or minimize high-gas foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and beans as well as carbonated beverages.
– Avoid chewing gum or drinking liquids through a straw, both of which can lead to swallowing air, which causes more gas.
– Minimize consumption of fried or other high-fat foods.
– Avoid consuming large meals, which may promote cramping and/or diarrhea, and consume smaller, more frequent meals instead.
– Minimize consumption of foods high in lactose, such as milk, ice cream, and soft cheeses, especially if lactose intolerance is suspected. Hard cheeses, lactose-free milk, lactose-free ice cream, and low-lactose or lactose-free yogurt or kefir, which either have no lactose or tend to be lower in lactose than other dairy products, may be more easily tolerated.
– Drink adequate amounts of fluid to help alleviate constipation.
– Avoid or minimize alcohol and caffeine intake, especially with IBS-D, as both substances can stimulate the intestines and lead to diarrhea.
– Avoid artificial sweeteners that contain sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol, which may cause diarrhea.
– Consume foods rich in soluble fiber, such as oatmeal, oat bran, oranges, strawberries, nuts, and carrots.

It’s important to note that while foods with soluble fiber may be beneficial for IBS patients, foods high in insoluble fiber, such as whole wheat, wheat bran, raisins, and corn bran, may further aggravate IBS symptoms in certain individuals

In addition, some IBS patients may not be able to tolerate other sources of soluble fiber, such as lentils, apples, pears, and beans, because they’re sources of fermentable carbohydrates

THE LOW FODMAP DIET
The low-FODMAP elimination diet is based on limiting certain short-chain carbohydrate-containing foods, including sugars, starches, and fibers that some people can’t fully digest and absorb.

These dietary carbohydrates are lactose, fructose, fructans, polyols, and galactans/galacto-oligosaccharides and are found in certain grains, fruits, vegetables, dried peas and beans, milk products, and prepared foods and beverages.

HIGH FODMAP CARBS HIGH FODMAP FOODS
Lactose Dairy and its products
Fructose Apples, pear, mango, watermelon
Fructans Garlic, artichokes, wheat, beer
polyols Cherries, apricots, peaches, sorbitol, xylitol
Galacto-oligosaccharrides Beans, cabbage, lentils, soy products

SOURCES:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome#ibs-with-stress
2. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253(20)30217-X/fulltext#:~:text=Our%20data%20therefore%20suggest%20that,criteria%20and%20methodology%20were%20pooled.
3. https://www.bcdietitians.ca/blog/what-is-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs-and-how-to-improve-your-gut-health

When you hear the word “addiction”, I’m sure your mind goes straight to drugs, alcohol or some practices. But sugar addiction is real and some people might not just be aware of what it is and the fact that they’re victims.

In this write up, we would help explain what sugar addiction is, why you always crave sugar and some tips to help overcome the feeling.

Quitting sounds logical as that is the remedy for other types of addictions, but for sugar, it’s not as simple as that.

Firstly, what is addiction?

There are two categories of addiction, which are:

1. A substance addiction such as drugs, alcohol or tobacco

2. A non-substance behavioural addiction such as gambling.

So, the definition could be controversial if you view it with just one lens.

Some reports have suggested that sugar addiction is a thing and some people can be addicted to it as heroin and cocaine. Some people who might be addictive to other foods with “addictive agents” like fat and salt could also show same result as someone with drug addiction. Even with all these speculations, no actual study has been carried out on human subjects concerning drug addiction.

Sugar addiction – is it the same as being addicted to drugs?

Since we somewhat have agreed that sugar addiction is a thing, we need to check if it’s the same thing with substance addiction and probably has the same symptoms.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), it diagnoses a Substance Use Disorder (substances such as tobacco, alcohol, drugs) based on 11 symptoms. These can be grouped into four categories:

• Impaired control: symptoms relating to failed attempt to stop drug use after noticing a strong desire and craving to use such drug.

• Social issues: symptoms relating to a disruption of person’s work, home and social life.

• Risky use: symptoms relating to continuous use of drug/substance even after being aware of the consequences.

• Drug physiological effects: symptoms of tolerance (when the body requires more of the substance to have same effect) and withdrawal ( the body shows withdrawal symptoms when the drug is no longer in the body).

 

So, Are These Symptoms the same in Sugar Addiction? 

You might need to ask yourself if you’ve notice same symptoms as mentioned above before.

For example:

• Do I have cravings and a strong desire to eat sugary foods? Yes!

• Have I repeatedly attempted to cut back or “quit” sugar? Yes!

• Do I feel so “out of control” with food that I’m not in the mood to attend social events? Yes!

How is this Diagnosed? 

– For a substance use disorder diagnosis, the symptoms need to cause “significant impairment or distress” meaning that the distress should impair daily functioning of the individual.

This significant distress might most likely be linked to eating patterns and might even be more of an overall eating disorder.

– Secondly, a key part of diagnosis shows that the symptoms produce physiological effects. Drug taking can cause people to develop withdrawal and tolerance symptoms. No studies shows that sugar taking can lead to tolerance and withdrawal.

So am I addicted to sugar if I crave it all the time?

Reasons why you might be craving sugar every time might include:

1) Restriction

Recent articles supports that the root cause of overeating a particular food or feeling out of control around food is restriction and not addiction. This knowledge comes with evidence thaty if you restrict yourself from a particular food, you even want it more and would tend to consume more of it if given the chance. Restrictive food rules which recommends elimination of foods leads to the exacerbation of disordered eating.

For the animal studies that claims that sugar is addictive, these studies failed to emphasise that these animals were actually deprived of sugar for a long time, so they’ll obviously binge on it when re-introduced.

2) Food is pleasurable (which is not a bad thing!) and needed for survival

Food is for survival and the major basic fuel we need to stay alive. Sugar is needed for the functioning of our body, so how would one suggest that you can be addicted to it?

Now, when we mean sugar, I hope you’re aware that we are not talking about refined or processed sugar from pastries or soda drinks but from foods (carbs).

What’s the conclusion? 

Sugar can be found in starchy foods such as potatoes, breads, yam, rice, beans and pastas as well as in fruit, vegetables and dairy products. Things we usually eat in conjunction with many other things!

Now this doesn’t in any sort downplay the fact that some people might feel helpless or out of control when around some foods, but this cant be termed as addiction.

If you feel this is you, you can seek help from a registered dietitian or try intuitive eating. There are online articles on intuitive eating and so many dietitians around who could help you build a healthy relationship with food

That’s the actual thing that’s needed! A healthy relationship with food will go a long way in helping you appreciate food and its functions in the body, and also help you not to be “out-of-control’ around any particular food .

SOURCES:

– https://nudenutritionrd.com/am-i-addicted-to-sugar/

– https://jandonline.org/article/S0002-8223(96)00161-7/pdf

– https://www.mentalhelp.net/addiction/vs-behavioral-addictions/

-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5174153/pdf/394_2016_Article_1229.pdf

– https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm

 

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder where red blood cells that carry oxygen assume a totally different shape from the normal. Normally, red blood cells assume a disc shape while flowing through blood vessels, but in sickle cell anemia, red blood cells assume a crescent like shape.

Devastating as the disease might be, no cure has been found yet.

Interestingly, through research and a bid to increase knowledge, it has been found out that nutritional problems are fundamental to the severity of the disease, thereby increasing interests to promote dietary supplementation for decreasing morbidity and to help improve the quality of patient’s life.
Several methods of treatment and management have been in use for quite a while now and they include:

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
-Hydroxycarbamide (or hydroxyurea) This substance helps to reduce the number of painful episodes in Hbss patients.
-Blood transfusion: A number of observational and randomised controlled trials have established the pivotal role of transfusion therapy in the management of SCD, most notably in primary stroke prevention.
-Allogeneic HSCT and gene therapy: Allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the only curative treatment for SCD and is successful in 85%–90% of patients. Transplantation offers disease-free survival and stabilisation of neurological lesions.
Features as growth retardation, impaired immune function, and delayed menarche do suggest a relationship between sickle cell disease and undernutrition. Also, a variety of micronutrient deficiency has been suggested in sickle cell disease.
– Several reports indicate that vitamin E levels are low in sickle erythrocytes. Since these abnormal red cells both generate excessive oxidation products and are more sensitive to oxidant stress, supplementation with vitamin E is advised in people with sickle cell anaemia.
– Complications of sickle cell disease as poor ulcer healing, growth retardation, delays in sexual development, immune deficiencies have been linked to zinc deficiency. It is also pertinent that zinc be supplemented in people with sickle cell.
– Deficiency of Vitamin D is common in sickle cell disease due to dark skin pigmentation, limited sun exposure, increased catabolism and decreased nutrient and energy intake. Vitamin D in it’s entirety is crucial for calcium homeostasis and essential for bone mineralization.

Therefore, a high dose of 100,000 International units (IU) (equivalent to 3,333 IU/day) versus the standard treatment 12,000 IU (equivalent to 400 IU/day) of oral vitamin D3 supplements might just help in reducing risk of respiratory infections.
– Amino acids like arginine and glutamine also play important roles in the synthesis of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide makes it possible for easy blood flow by dilating the blood vessels properly. Increased deficiency of the duo might lead to metabolic stress, increased resting energy expenditure (REE), muscle wasting and decreased immune function. Supplementing with 600mg/kg/day of glutamine showed improved nutritional status of glutamine.

EMERGING INTERVENTIONS
Recently, derivatives from plants has been studied to show their effects in treating people with SCD. Some plants which contain peculiar antioxidants are being studied and there might just be hope to managing SCD.
Exploration of extracts from Moringa oleifera (Moringa), Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) , Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (artar root), and Carica papaya (paw paw) are all being studied to see their possible effects in treating oxidative stress in SCD patients.
With these ongoing experiments, it has been noticed that extracts from these plants could aid in the resistance of hemolysis and reduce the number of sickled red blood cells.

Also, it has been noticed that exercise might play an important role in SCD patients. Exercise helps in reducing oxidative stress and also in the release of nitric oxide which helps in the proper flow of blood through vessels.

CONCLUSION
The nutritional risks faced by SCD patients are usually high and mostly unnoticed. Its imperative to include nutrition as an adjuvant therapy for addressing chronic diseases related with SCD in order to aid effective management.

SOURCES: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3551592/
https://www.dovepress.com/nutrition-in-sickle-cell-disease-recent-insights-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NDS
https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/sickle-cell-anemia-a-to-z
https://adc.bmj.com/content/100/1/48
https://www.todaysdietitian.com/news/042412_news.shtml

It’s really very worrisome when baby stops or has trouble pooping. You get all worked especially when you’ve been expecting for some days and still ”No show”.
It’s important to note that bowel habits are unique from person to person and there is a wide range of “normal”. Also, there is always a change in bowel habits during the period of transition from only liquids to solid diet.
There are signs to watch out for before finalizing that your baby is constipated and they include:
– Pooping reduces to less than 3 times weekly
– Large poops difficult to pass (usually comes with discomfort and pain)
– Small dry and pellet like stools
– Baby releases gas more often than normal
– A poor appetite that reduces after the pooping

WHY DO BABIES GET CONSTIPATED?
Constipation in infants could be caused by different factors; either the type of food or because of a particular illness.
Factors like diet, certain medications, prematurity and illnesses leads to constipation in Infants.
Exclusively formula-fed babies are much more likely to have trouble from constipation. Formula can firm up poop much more than breast milk can.

– DIET: The introduction of cow’s milk protein—and an allergy or intolerance to it—is probably the largest contributor to baby constipation. Almost always, a shift or change from liquid to solid foods, from breast milk to formula, or from transitioning to cows milk is the major cause of constipation in babies. When a child’s body sees milk protein as an enemy to fight against due to allergy, this also leads to constipation.

– CERTAIN MEDICATIONS: High dose of iron supplements could lead to constipation. Make sure you are following your doctors prescription strictly.

– ILLNESS: When the baby is down with illness, it affects the way they eat and drink. This could throw things out of proportion and cause constipation.

– PREMATURITY: Premature babies tend to have more trouble with infant constipation than full-term babies. Since their digestive systems aren’t fully developed yet, food moves slower through the GI track and isn’t properly processed, which leads to dry, hard stools.

– FAMILY HISTORY : Certain issues like Hirschsprung’s disease, cystic fibrosis, chronic constipation and celiac disease (which often can’t be diagnosed in children until they’re closer to age 3) can all also increase the likelihood of baby constipation.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY BABY POOP?
To figure out if your child has a bout of baby constipation, it’s helpful to know how often babies tend to produce stool. From newborn to 3 months, a breastfed baby might have anywhere from 5 to 40 bowel movements a week (3-4 daily). At 6 to 12 months, both formula-fed and breastfed babies will go down to 5 to 28 bowel movements a week
Frequency sometimes might not be the right clue for suspecting constipation but if it is hard to pass.

HOW DO I COMBAT CONSTIPATION?
No parent likes to see their child in discomfort, especially the one that comes with constipation. So here are some remedies to handle constipation:
– To arrest/prevent constipation, for babies from 6-12 months who are constipated, you can give apple or prune juice (2-4 ounces), sometimes, you might have to eliminate cows milk.
– Also, a change in diet for the mom or change in formula could help improve on constipation and increase water intake.
For babies eating solids, you can also offer certain foods to combat baby constipation. Try feeding:
– barley or oatmeal cereals,
– prunes,
– peaches,
– plums,
– apricots,
– chia seeds,
– pears
– yoghurt, and
– most vegetables.

If you’re worried about constipation, you should eliminate banana and rice as both are binding agents.
As for preventing constipation, there is really little/ or nothing you can do. Make sure you consult with a pediatrician and dietitian before trying a baby constipation remedy.
SOURCE: https://www.thebump.com/a/baby-constipation-signs-causes-remedies
https://www.parents.com/baby/health/constipation/constipation-in-babies-signs-causes-and-cures/

Endometriosis occurs when non-cancerous tissues that resemble the ones lining your uterus , begin to grow outside of the uterus in places like the ovaries, the fallopian tube, pelvis and bowel. 

It is a hormone dependent type of condition (especially steroid based hormone estrogen).

The tissues in the uterus becomes  thicker than normal, breaks down and leave the body during menstruation, but these tissues that grow outside of the uterus also thicken and break down but cant leave the body thereby leading to pain, inflammation, formation of scar tissue and most likely, potential fertility problems. 

According to a study, about 70 million women all over the world  are affected by endometriosis. Surprisingly, the disease is even more common than breast cancer and diabetes.

Endometriosis usually occurs during active menstruation when there is still much release of estrogen (i.e it is hormone dependent), it rarely occurs after menstruation. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? 

Symptoms always vary from one woman to another, might come in as mild or moderate or severe.

The degree of pain doesn’t always equate the severity of the condition; you might have very excruciating pains and it’s a mild condition. 

Symptoms involved in endometriosis include: 

• excruciating pains during period
• pain experienced in the lower abdomen and back either before or during menstruation 
• cramps around menstruation week
• heavy bleeding 
• infertility problems 
• pain after sexual intercourse
• Diarrhea or constipation 
• Bloating 

WHAT EXACTLY CAUSES ENDOMETRIOSIS? 

The etiology behind endometriosis is not known yet, but according to some theories put forward, these suggested causes might be linked to the condition: 

• Genetics: the condition most likely runs in families and affects people of some ethnic groups more
• Retrograde menstruation: this happens when some of the womb lining flows up back through the fallopian tubes and hangs on to some organs of the pelvis instead of leaving the body as period.
• When the immune system is malfunctioning 

These suggested theories don’t fully explain the causes of endometriosis; it is a condition caused by many factors put together.  

RISK FACTORS 

Some other factors include: 

• AGE: usually affects women from the ages of 25-40, symptoms can be seen from puberty though. 
• FAMILY HISTORY
• PREGNANCY HISTORY: pregnancy might have the tendency of decreasing the risk of endometriosis, those who haven’t had children might have higher risks of endometriosis.
• MENSTRUATION HISTORY:  issues associated with this can include shorter cycles, heavier and longer periods and might place the individual at higher risks. 

HOW CAN I PREVENT ENDOMETRIOSIS?

Sadly, there is no known way to prevent endometriosis. The possible ways are to create awareness, ensure early diagnosis and management to help slow down or halt the natural progression of the disease. 

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED? 

Endometriosis can be suspected from history; tender masses might be visible on the vagina and cervix during pelvic examination. 

TREATMENT OPTIONS 

Even though there is no known treatment option for endometriosis, it can be managed to help reduce symptoms. Possible ways to help manage endometriosis includes: 

• nutritional therapy
• exercise
• pain medication
• hormone therapy
• surgery

These options totally depend on the severity of the condition. 

HOW ENDOMETRIOSIS MAY BE LINKED TO DIET 

Diet may have a potential role in the cause of endometriosis through its influence on hormones derived from cholesterol. Hormones like oestrogen which are cholesterol based are the major culprit in endometriosis. So, studies have shown that a plant-based and high fibre diet increase oestrogen secretion and reduce the availability of oestrogen, and this might help reduce endometriosis progression. This diet would help to modify the risk of endometriosis by altering the metabolism of cholesterol based hormones. 

FOODS THAT MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT ENDOMETRIOSIS 

Endometriosis can be influenced by your lifestyle, and this determines the severity of the condition and the pain experienced. 

The following factors might negatively influence the condition: 

• High intake of transfat : research has it that women who consumed high amounts of transfat especially from fried and processed foods had a higher rate of diagnoses. 
• Red meat consumption
• Gluten: A study showed that most women experienced a decreased pain while they went on a gluten free diet
• High FODMAP diet: low FODMAP diets are majorly prescribed to people who has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A research found out that those with IBS and endometriosis that followed a low FODMAP diet had reduced symptoms

Alcohol, caffeine, gluten, red meat, saturated and trans fat can negatively affect hormone regulation in people with endometriosis as they lead to progression of the disorder. So, they should be totally avoided 

FOODS THAT MAY POSITIVELY AFFECT ENDOMETRIOSIS 

A nutrient dense and well adequate diet can help to reduce symptoms from endometriosis. you should consider: 

• A high fibre diet: a diet high in fibre helps reduce the production of oestrogen which is implicated in the mechanism of endometriosis, and also helps to reduce insulin production, which relates to the progression of endometriosis. foods high in fibre includes green leafy vegetables, legumes and whole grains. 
• iron-rich foods, such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, beans, fortified grains, nuts, and seeds
• foods rich in essential fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, walnuts, chia, and flax seeds
• antioxidant-rich foods found in colorful fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, berries, dark chocolate, spinach, and beets. Studies has linked oxidative stress to the progression of the disease, so its important to also consider these antioxidant rich food sources. 

SUPPLEMENTS ALSO HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY

Apart from an adequate diet, nutritional supplements also have unique roles to play while managing endometriosis. 

For example, supplementing with 1200 IU of vitamin E and 1000 IU of vitamin C was shown to reduce pelvic pain in some women with endometriosis after a clinical trial. 

Also, curcumin, vitamins A and D proved to help in the management of endometriosis

EXERCISE AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES 

 Exercise could help to manage endometriosis as it reduces the production of estrogen and helps in the release of serotonin “the feel good hormone”. Some relaxation techniques can be explored

• meditation
• yoga
• accupunture
• massage

SUMMARY 

Lifestyle changes and dietary patterns could help to reduce the symptoms associated with endometriosis, you can speak to a dietitian and a doctor to help you through this condition as everyone’s body’s are different and should be handled individually.

 

SOURCES

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941414/
2. https://nutritionguide.pcrm.org/nutritionguide/view/Nutrition_Guide_for_Clinicians/1342065/all/Endometriosis
3. Zondervan KT, Becker CM, Missmer SA. Endometriosis. N Engl J Med 2020; 382:1244-56.
4. Agarwal SK, Chapron C, Giudice LC, et al. Clinical diagnosis of endometriosis: a call to action. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019(4):354-64.
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247770015_Diet_-_A_New_Approach_To_Treating_Endometriosis_-_What_Is_The_Evidence
6. Harris, H. R., Chavarro, J. E., Malspeis, S., Willett, W. C., & Missmer, S. A. (2013). Dairy-food, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D intake and endometriosis: a prospective cohort study. American Journal Of Epidemiology, 177(5), 420-430.
7. Missmer, S. A., Chavarro, J. E., Malspeis, S., Bertone-Johnson, E. R., Hornstein, M. D., Spiegelman, D.,  Hankinson, S. E. (2010). 
8. A prospective study of dietary fat consumption and endometriosis risk. Hum Reprod, 25(6), 1528-1535.

 

Almost 60% of all women experience hair loss when they approach age 60 and this could lead to low self-esteem, increased stress levels, and increased psychological distress.

Only about 50% of all women maintain a full hair through their life span. Hair loss in women total presents itself differently from men; women lose the volume of their hair due to thinning while men lose it due bald patches or receding hairline.

This article would help to investigate the possible the impacts of nutrition and lifestyle on acute and chronic hair loss in women.

So many factors put together or individually could actually lead to hair loss, and this most times makes it a very challenging situation. Age, weight loss, genetics, diet, stress, medications, illness, ethnicity, hair styles, and the use of hair styling tools and cosmetics all contribute to hair growth and equally loss.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, typical daily hair loss is between 50 to 100 strands. Any amount higher than this is clinically termed telogen effluvium. Sometimes, excessive hair shedding can be last for a short while (less than four months) following a state of stress or trauma, and might increase in its span, but might return to the normal hair growth cycle. Anagen effluvium is a totally different phenomenon which occurs when hair stops growing.

Hair loss is totally different than hair thinning when you consider their biological processes. Hair loss in women start initially from the middle part with an overall thinning of hair follicles. This phenomenon makes it hard to hide the loss.

Other factors also cumulatively affect the process of hair loss and they include weather conditions, humidity, ultraviolet rays and wind. These factors put together, can decrease hair density, growth, and texture. “White and Asian women are more susceptible to damage from weathering, while African Americans are more prone to damage from styling methods, chemical relaxers, and other products”

WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF HAIR GROWTH?
There are 3 stages of hair growth and each strand of hair has a particular timeline it follows. The stages are:
The anagen, or growth, cycle: lasts 2-8 years
-The catagen, or transition/regression, cycle: lasts 4-6 weeks and hair stops growing at this phase
-The telogen, or rest, cycle: hair falls out in this stage and it lasts 2-3 months
On average, 80% to 90% of hair is in the anagen phase at any given time, with 1% to 2% in the catagen phase, and the remaining 10% to 20% in the telogen phase.
The growth can be influenced by both chronologic aging (related to genetics and other fixed variables) and biologic aging, which is affected by diet quality and dietary patterns.

The type of hair loss experienced by any woman can be ascertained by cross-examining the dietary history, medical history, and performing a physical examination on the hair and scalp. To accomplish this, a team comprising a dietitian, primary care physician, and hair care specialist would be involved

CAN I INCREASE THE INTIAL STAGE (ANAGEN)?
How long the anagen stage lasts totally depends on how long your hair is and the ability for you’re the cells at the base of your follicle to multiply and become hair cells.
Research is still ongoing on ways to “switch on” the anagen stage, but until then, there are ways which can help promote healthy hair growth during the anagen stage.
Your hair is made of keratin and dead skin cells. Although there might not be any direct ways to help hair grow rapidly, your dietary choice can help it grow in a healthy way.
These ways would help to make your hair healthy and probably last longer:

1. DIET: an inadequate intake of nutrients affects hair loss. Your choices pertaining to diet can totally determine the strength, quality and health of your hair.
Paying attention to your diet would go a long way to ensuring healthy hair growth.
Vitamins like vitamin B5 and biotin, vitamin D and C, iron, zinc, omega 3 and 6 are important to maintain a healthy hair.
An adequate diet with a variety of proteins, vitamins, and minerals supports the metabolic functions necessary to support hair growth and prevents every possible deficiencies relate with loss or thinning

2. ESSENTIAL OILS: applying essential oils to the scalp could benefit hair growth. Studies show that pumpkin seed increases hair count for men with hair loss by 40 percent. Oils like jojoba oil, peppermint oil and rosemary oil also have their benefits.

3. TOPICAL OINTMENTS: this could be beneficial especially for people with alopecia. A list of ointments that could influence hair growth/loss includes:
– topical melatonin reduces hair loss and increases hair density
– topical minoxidil 5% slows hair loss
– Propecia
– ketoconazole shampoo

4. TRY KETATIN SUPPLEMENTS: there aren’t much studies to support this but One study looked at a product that had 500 milligrams of keratin and other vitamins and minerals. The group that took the supplement showed:
• 12.5 percent reduction in hair loss
• 5.9 percent improved in hair strength
• improved hair brightness and luster

5. USE PROTEINS: Protein helps with hair growth and could prtect the hair from environmental and chemical damage. Taking the right amounts of protein is paramount for any bodily growth process. Ensure to incorporate both from plant and animal sources.

6. CAFFEINATE YOUR HAIR: Studies are still new on the effects of caffeine on hair growth, but a cell studyTrusted Source found that caffeine may have growth-promoting effects on hair. Trying out products with caffeine might just help.

ARE THERE CONDITIONS RELATED TO HAIR LOSS?
oh surely, there are some conditions that supports rapid hair loss especially in women
Hair loss, especially alopecia, is linked to several disease states and endocrine disorders. This section examines hair loss’ relationship with metabolic syndrome, hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Dietary Implications
Either directly or indirectly, nutrition plays an important role in hair loss or growth. Some nutrients supports the very process involved in hair growth.Common nutrient deficiencies that affect hair growth include iron and vitamins A, B, and D.1 Zinc, selenium, and biotin also are associated with hair loss in patients with low serum values of these minerals.

Iron
The role iron plays in hair loss is totally complex and not fully understood, but one theory is that it regulates many of the genes present in hair follicles.
Iron can either be heme or non heme and could be found in a variety of foods ranging from vegetables, to beef and fortified foods. For better absorption by the body, ensure to take with vitamin c sources.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is functions entails stimulating the growth of hair follicle stem cells. Commonly consumed sources of vitamin A include fortified cereals with skim milk, eggs, and dark green, orange, or yellow produce rich in beta-carotene.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the primary nutrient involved in the growth phase of the hair follicle and affects the cells that form the outer root sheath.11 Rodent studies have indicated a potential link between rickets—a form of vitamin D deficiency—and hair loss, and these results were replicated in a study conducted involving women with either telogen effluvium or FPHL. Topical application of a solution containing vitamin D (calcipotriol) for three months resulted in full hair regrowth and no loss at six months in a 7-year-old boy with alopecia areata.

Zinc
Zinc deficiency has been linked to telogen effluvium and changes in hair structure, but a reversal is possible with adequate dietary consumption. Animal proteins, particularly oysters, red meat, and poultry, as well as a few plant foods such as fortified cereal and baked beans, are good to excellent sources of dietary

zinc.
In a study published in Annals of Dermatology, serum zinc was compared in four different hair loss patient groups: alopecia areata (44 men, 50 women); male pattern hair loss (84 men, 0 women); FPHL (0 men, 77 women); and telogen effluvium (11 men, 36 women). All four groups were compared with a control group of 32 healthy individuals not suffering from hair loss (14 men, 18 women). Mean serum zinc concentrations across all four hair loss groups was 84.33 ± 22.88 mcg/dL, while the control group exhibited a significantly higher zinc value of 97.94 ± 21.05 mcg/dL. When directly compared, the alopecia areata and telogen effluvium groups had the lowest zinc concentrations.

Selenium
Selenium helps in the formation of hair follicles and protection against damage; deficiency is not very common in healthy adults living in developed countries. More research is needed.

Fatty Acids
An absence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet or an inadequate intake of them is associated with hair loss both from the scalp and eyebrows and lightening of hair color. Consumption of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids has been linked to hair growth due to proliferation of hair follicle cells and a mechanism similar to that of the FDA-approved drug finasteride, which is used to treat alopecia.

Role of the RD
The role of a dietitian is to help access nutrient deficiencies and combat them with dietary means. Since treatment approach to hair loss is a multidisciplinary way, dietitians should ensure that they manage every nutrient deficiencies noticed.
Hope Remains
A Brazilian study found that women had an equivalent fear of experiencing a heart attack and baldness, and Glamour magazine reports that more than 50% of women feel that a bad hair day can make them feel unattractive. For better results, women with possibilities of having hair loss should be encouraged by health professionals on adequate measures to take to curb the possible effects.

SOURCES:
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/grow-hair-faster#hair-growth-tips
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24836650/
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/641723/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606321/

Ever wondered if any of your internal organs could affect your weight? Maybe due to its overactive nature or underactive nature?

Well, it is actually possible for an organ to affect your metabolism, growth and weight patterns and that organ is the thyroid.

Globally, 1.6 billion people are currently at risk of developing thyroid related diseases.

In this write-up, we’re going to see how the thyroid affects weight, for those who want to gain weight or lose it, if your thyroids are mal-functional, then you might just experience some difficulties with your weight.

WHAT IS THE THYROID?
The thyroid gland looks like a butterfly and is  located at the front of the neck right below the voice box (larynx).

The thyroid is small, but functions and affects all other organs in the body. It is involved in the regulation of fat and carbohydrate metabolism, respiration, body temperature, brain development, cholesterol levels, the heart and nervous system, blood calcium levels, menstrual cycles, skin integrity, and more.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE THYROIDS?
The thyroid controls almost every major metabolic function in the body.
The hormones present in the thyroid glands are responsible for the regulation of the metabolic rate of all cells, as well as the processes of growth of cells, tissue differentiation, and reproductive function.
These hormones are also necessary for (and promote) protein metabolism when enough carbohydrates and fats are available.

When the amount of thyroid hormones is excessive or when energy from food is deficient, thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) promote protein breakdown. This processes in turn totally affects weight management.

WHY AM I FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO LOSE/GAIN WEIGHT

HYPOTHYROIDISM
It would be difficult for you to lose weight if you have the condition called hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid.

Hypothyroidism is usually caused by an autoimmune response known as Hashimoto’s disease (a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid) or autoimmune thyroiditis (inflamed thyroids).

What happens in this disease is that your body mistakenly sees its own tissues as an invader and starts fighting against it. This process prevents the thyroid from releasing adequate hormones for the proper functioning of the body.

The lack of these hormones can slow down metabolism and cause weight gain, fatigue, dry skin and hair, and difficulty concentrating. Hypothyroidism affects women more than it affects men and is common in middle aged people. Also, women may also experience thyroid inflammation after pregnancy.

Some symptoms associated with hypothyroidism includes:
• tiredness, fatigue, lethargy
• depression and losing interest in normal activities
• forgetfulness
• dry hair and skin
• puffy face
• slow heart rate
• intolerance to cold
• constipation
• brittle nails
• muscle cramping
• changes in menstrual cycle

HYPERTHYROIDISM
A very common condition related with thyroid is hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism is caused by an autoimmune response of the body in the form of Graves’ disease.

In Graves’ disease, the body produces too much of thyroid hormones and makes it seems like your body is revving so fast in response to these hormones.

This could also lead to weight loss, high blood pressure, and a rapid heartbeat. Graves’ disease also disproportionately affects women and typically presents before the age of 40.
Hyperthyroidism as an autoimmune diseases and have strong genetic links which are also associated with other autoimmune diseases as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and celiac disease.

The most common symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism includes:
• racing heart and palpitations
• trouble sleeping
• tremor and nervousness
• weight loss
• hair loss
• muscle aches and weakness
• diarrhea and over-active digestive system
• sweating and trouble tolerating heat
• exophthalmos (bulging eyes)

A goitre is the most common and evident symptom of chronic hypothyroidism. Some might have it, but not all.
Also, chronic or severe disease can manifest with dull facial expression, drooping eyelids, hoarse speech, thinning or dry and brittle hair, dry skin, myxedema (swelling of the skin and soft tissues), menstrual disorders, constipation, depression, anemia.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY THYROID IS UNDERACTIVE/OVERACTIVE?
You can go for a thyroid function screening if you’re up to 40. A blood test is used to measure thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS?
Gender. Majorly occur in women, especially those who had small weight at birth
Age.

Risk of hypothyroidism increases with age.
Genetics.
Psychological stress
Smoking
Iodine: excess dietary iodine intake and iodine-rich medication (amiodarone) may lead to hyperthyroidism.

IS HYPOTHYROIDISM/HYPERTHYROIDISM TREATABLE?
Yes it can’t! It can be treated medically by a hormone replacement therapy, administering oral thyroid hormones, and addressing iodine deficiency with potassium iodide.

CAN I STILL MANAGE MY WEIGHT WHILE WITH A DYSFUNCTIONAL THROID HORMONE?
Certainly you can! With the right approach, and evaluation of your hormones by specialists, also treating every imbalance, you can still lose or gain weight. Knowing the right type of dietary choices, the foods allowed and the foods to avoid makes it easy to lose weight.

A dietitian would help calculate your caloric needs and place you on a sustainable dietary pattern to help achieve your goals with your hormone therapy and exercise regimen.

Foods to avoid for hypothyroidism includes:
– refined carbohydrates and caffeine
– energy bars and genetically modified organisms (GMO) foods
– gluten-containing foods, such as wheat, rye and oats
– cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale.
– Soy and millet

Foods to include in hypothyroidism:

-vitamin B12 food sources like sardines, salmon, organ meats such as liver, muscle meat, and dairy

– foods rich in iodine like seaweed, iodized salt,
– Whole grains
– Legumes, eggs (especially egg white), nuts, nut butter
– Oily fish, flaxseeds, extra virgin olive oil and avocados will help balance your lipid

-brazil nuts, crabs and tuna fish which contain selenium
– incorporate healthy bacteria (probiotics) from pap, yoghurt. Kimchi and sauekrat

Foods to include in hyperthyroidism includes:
• non-iodized salt
• coffee or tea (without milk or dairy- or soy-based creamers)
• egg whites
• fresh or canned fruit
• unsalted nuts and nut butters
• homemade bread or breads made without salt, dairy, and eggs
• popcorn with non-iodized salt
• oats
• potatoes
• honey
• maple syrup
• Cuciferous vegetables might reduce how your body uses iodine and they include: bamboo shoots, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cassava, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, mustard, rutabaga

It is important to do away with the following seafood and seafood additives:
• fish
• seaweed
• prawns
• crabs
• lobster
• sushi
• carrageen
• agar-agar
• algae
• alginate
• nori
• kelp

Other foods that contain iodine includes:
• milk and dairy
• cheese
• egg yolks
• iodized salt
• iodized water
• some food colorings

Furthermore, foods that contain gluten, soy and caffeine should be avoided as they cause inflammation and can interfere with hyperthyroidism treatments.

It’s also important to note that, following a strict exercise regimen with your eating pattern is important. People with hypothyroidism would gain from lifting weights and dumb bells, and strength training.

DO I NEED TO GO ON A SPECIAL TYPE OF DIET?
One of the major concern in managing hashimoto’s disease is to look for a suitable type of diet to help manage and relieve symptoms. Hashimoto disease (hypothyroidism) is an auto-immune disease (ATD), so is gluten sensitivity and gluten intolerance. Research has shown the possibilities of using a gluten free diet in managing hashimoto’s disease as it helps to reduce the amount of thyroid antibodies.
A gluten diet involves the elimination of some certain types of foods that contain the protein gluten. Foods include wheat and its derivatives, bran and rye. This foods most times are re-introduced after symptoms has been optimally managed.

FOOD SUPPLEMENST AND INTERACTIONS
People with hashimoto’s are likely to de deficient in certain nutrients like vitamin B12 and vitamin D and would gain from supplementing with these nutrients.
Also, some anti-inflammatory supplements like selenium, fish oil, magnesium and zinc would also be beneficial to people with hashimoto’s as they help improve thyroid functions, reduce inflammation and improve overall health.
Remember that supplements are not meant to replace a nutrient dense and healthy diet.
For those on thyroid medications, it is important to note their interactions with some nutrients. Calcium supplements and chromium picolinate (used in weight loss and glucose control) both interfere with proper absorption of thyroid medications.
They should be both taken 4 hours apart from the time of administering thyroid medications as both can’ be stopped but are important in individuals with poor thyroid functions.

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
– Stay active
– Get rest when you’re tired. Don’t push it
– Stay hydrated always
– Stay away from caffeine and alcohol as much as you can
– Try yoga if you can
– Spend time outside
– Engage in stress reducing activities when you can.

SOURCES
1. Mahan LK & Escott-Stump S. Eds. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy. 11th ed. Saunders Publishing, Philadelphia, PA. 2004.
2. Beers MH, Berkow R eds. Merck Manual. 17th ed. Merck Research Laboratories. Whitehouse Station, NJ. 1999.
3. Teas J, et al. Seaweed and soy: companion foods in Asian cuisine and their effects on thyroid function in American women. J Med Food 2007;10:90-100.
4. Canaris GJ, Manowitz NR, Mayor G, Ridgway EC. The Colorado thyroid disease prevalence study. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160(4):526-534.
5. Graves’ Disease. Bethesda, MD: National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2008. NIH Publication No. 08-6217.
6. Biondi B, Klein I. Hypothyroidism as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Endocrine. 2004;24(1):1-13.
7. Duntas LH, Brenta G. The effect of thyroid disorders on lipid levels and metabolism. Med Clin North Am. 2012;96(2):269-281.
8. Dean S. Medical nutrition therapy for thyroid and related disorders. In: Mahan KL, Escott-Stump S, eds. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008: 711-724.
9.https://www.medicinenet.com/cancer_101_pictures_slideshow/article.htm
10.https://www.healthline.com/health/hyperthyroidism-diet#takeaway

Recently the FDA issued a report; which centered on the increasing use of antibiotics in pigs, chicken, cows and seafood between 2009 and 2013. Antibiotics are usually administered into the animals we eat and they are mostly given in low doses to promote faster growth or prevent diseases.

New research from New Zealand has found children given antibiotics in the first one to two years of their life may be at a greater risk of having a higher body-mass index (BMI) or becoming obese by the age of four or five.

Now, this action is a major concern for both the FDA and Centers for disease control and Prevention (CDC). They have claims that these constant use of antibiotics give rise to the multiplication of harmful bacteria due to bacteria resistant after long periods of abuse. But, apart from this concern, scientists are also searching to see if humans would also gain weight from the prolonged use of antibiotics as animals would.

HOW DO ANTIBIOTICS CHANGE A PERSON’S MICROBIOME?

Our intestinal microbiome is all the microorganisms in our digestive tract, and you have to look at it like a human organ, just as important as your heart, brain and lungs. Our digestive tract (gut) contains about over 100 trillion bacterial cells of many types. Usually, there is always an equilibrium of species; they help our bodies digest food and function well. Antibiotics change this gut flora, by creating a imbalance between good and bad bacteria.

How does this affect my weight?

Many types of bacteria in your gut affect how your body absorbs calories. Creating an imbalance of bacteria- especially the type that breaks food down into energy—you may be absorbing more calories from the same amount of food you eat than you would normally d because of this effect.
Research shows that obese people have a different mix of bacteria in their gut than lean people.
Most times though, it might not be direct contact with antibiotics but indirect contact from animals (food) that has been fed with antibiotics or even water treated with antibiotics.

Which foods have the most antibiotics in them?

Mostly animal products carry substantial amounts of antibiotics; and they are administered o them directly or added to their feeds if they would be commercialized.
Pigs have the most antibiotics in their meat, then chicken, then beef, according to research from the National Academy of Sciences. Also, farmed seafood like shrimp, fish (especially commercially farmed salmon) contain high levels of antibiotics because the drugs are needed to prevent disease in the farming pens. Even organic vegetables have antibiotics in them because about 75 percent of antibiotics fed to livestock are excreted out, and in the manure used to fertilize fields.

How can this be curbed?

The only real solution to this is if there is a strong rule stating that the use of antibiotics be stopped by farmers or food producers.

So, what can I do?

1. Reduce your intake of unprescribed antibiotics (that’s a good place to start at least).
2. Always look out for food labels stating about the use of antibiotics . visit supermarkets that sell whole foods and not processed or prepackaged foods.
3. Increase your intake of prebiotics and probiotics so your gut flora would be at equilibrium. Examples include yoghurt, kitchen, sauekrat,  fermented corn starch made into pudding (pap) etc.
4. Reduced intake of pork, farmed shrimps and sea foods.

Summary
Keep your gut healthy, do more of real foods and add as much sources of probiotics to your diet as you can. You should be in charge of your health.

Sources
1. https://www.google.com/search?q=gut+flora&rlz=1C1SQJL_enNG936NG936&oq=gut+flora&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i512l9.1898j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
2. http://a-healthy-body.com/are-antibiotics-making-us-fat/

3.https://www.google.com/amp/s/theconversation.com/amp/the-link-between-antibiotics-and-obesity-in-children-doesnt-mean-you-need-to-avoid-antibiotics-130392