Fecal incontinence is the loss of control over expenditure stool (bowel movement uncontrolled).
CAUSE
Fecal incontinence can occur during an attack of diarrhea or if a hard stool stuck in rectum (fecal impaction).
Fecal incontinence is settled can occur in:
- People who suffered anal injuries or spinal cord
- Rectal prolapse (protrusion of the rectum through the anus lining)
- Senile
- Neurologic injury in diabetes
- Anal tumors
- Injury in the pelvis due to childbirth.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms can include watery feces seeped along with flue gas from the rectum or the patient was not able to control the discharge of feces.
Diagnosis
To determine the diagnosis, examination of the possibility of structural abnormalities or neurological disorders that can cause this condition. Included in it are:
- Examination of the anus and rectum
- Check the level of sensation around the anus
- Sigmoidoiskopi examination.
It may also be required examinations nerve function and muscle layer of the pelvis.
TREATMENT
The first step to rectify this situation is trying to have a habit of defecation (bowel movements) is regular, which will result in the form of a normal stool. Making changes in eating patterns, in the form of the addition amount of fiber. If those things mentioned above do not help, given drugs that slow contractions of the intestines, such as loperamide.
Exercising the muscles of the anus (the sphincter) will increase the tension and strength and help prevent recurrence. With biofeedback, the patient re-train sphincter and improve rectal sensitivity to the presence of feces. If this situation persists, surgery may help the healing process. For example, if the cause is injury to the anus or anatomical abnormalities in the anus.
The last option is a colostomy, which is making a hole in the abdominal wall associated with the large intestine. The anus is closed (sutured) and discard the patient stool in a plastic bag attached to the hole.
Showing posts with label diarrhea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diarrhea. Show all posts
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Symptoms of Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia is pain or discomfort in upper abdomen or chest, which is often perceived as a gas, a feeling of fullness or pain or burning sensation in the stomach.
CAUSE
Causes of Dyspepsia is:
1. Swallowing air (aerofagi)
2. Regurgitation (back flow, reflux) of stomach acid
3. Irritation of the stomach (gastritis)
4. Gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer
5. Gastric cancer
6. Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
7. Lactose intolerance (inability to digest milk and its products)
8. Abnormalities of bowel movements
9. Anxiety or depression
SYMPTOMS
Pain and discomfort in upper abdomen or chest may be accompanied by belching and loud intestinal sounds (borborigmi). In some patients, eating can exacerbate pain; on another patient, a meal may reduce pain. Other symptoms include decreased appetite, nausea, constipation, diarrhea and flatulence (stomach bloating).
Diagnosis
If dyspepsia persists for more than a few weeks, or give no response to treatment, or following by weight loss or other unusual symptoms, the patient must undergo examination. Laboratory tests usually include blood cell counts and complete blood in the stool.
Barium enema to examine the esophagus, stomach or small intestine can be performed on people who have difficulty swallowing or vomiting, weight loss or pain that improves or worsens with eating.
Endoscopy can be used to examine the esophagus, stomach or small intestine and to obtain tissue samples for biopsy of the stomach lining. Examples are then examined under a microscope to determine whether gastric infection by Helicobacter pylori. Sometimes performed other tests, such as the measurement of esophageal contractions of the esophagus or the response to acids.
TREATMENT
If no cause is found, the doctor will treat the symptoms. Antacids or H2 inhibitors such as cimetidine, ranitidine or famotidine can be tried for a brief period. If the person is infected Helicobacter pylori in the stomach lining, it is usually given subsalisilate bismuth and antibiotics such as amoxicillin or metronidazole.
CAUSE
Causes of Dyspepsia is:
1. Swallowing air (aerofagi)
2. Regurgitation (back flow, reflux) of stomach acid
3. Irritation of the stomach (gastritis)
4. Gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer
5. Gastric cancer
6. Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
7. Lactose intolerance (inability to digest milk and its products)
8. Abnormalities of bowel movements
9. Anxiety or depression
SYMPTOMS
Pain and discomfort in upper abdomen or chest may be accompanied by belching and loud intestinal sounds (borborigmi). In some patients, eating can exacerbate pain; on another patient, a meal may reduce pain. Other symptoms include decreased appetite, nausea, constipation, diarrhea and flatulence (stomach bloating).
Diagnosis
If dyspepsia persists for more than a few weeks, or give no response to treatment, or following by weight loss or other unusual symptoms, the patient must undergo examination. Laboratory tests usually include blood cell counts and complete blood in the stool.
Barium enema to examine the esophagus, stomach or small intestine can be performed on people who have difficulty swallowing or vomiting, weight loss or pain that improves or worsens with eating.
Endoscopy can be used to examine the esophagus, stomach or small intestine and to obtain tissue samples for biopsy of the stomach lining. Examples are then examined under a microscope to determine whether gastric infection by Helicobacter pylori. Sometimes performed other tests, such as the measurement of esophageal contractions of the esophagus or the response to acids.
TREATMENT
If no cause is found, the doctor will treat the symptoms. Antacids or H2 inhibitors such as cimetidine, ranitidine or famotidine can be tried for a brief period. If the person is infected Helicobacter pylori in the stomach lining, it is usually given subsalisilate bismuth and antibiotics such as amoxicillin or metronidazole.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
What is Carcinoid ?
Carcinoid is a cancer, usually occurs in the digestive tract, which can produce a large number of neuropeptides and amines. Both these substances have effects that mimic hormones. When carcinoid spreads to the liver, there will be redness, bluish skin, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, heart damage and other symptoms of a carcinoid syndrome.
Carcinoid tumors produce a large number of neuropeptides and amines (substances that mimic hormones) such as bradykinin, serotonin, histamine and prostaglandins. Under normal circumstances, these substances to control internal body functions. If the number is excessive, can cause symptoms of carcinoid syndrome.
CAUSE
Carcinoid tumors are usually derived from hormone-forming cells that line the small intestine (enteroendokrin cells) or other cells of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, testes, ovaries, or lungs. The cause of the formation of carcinoid tumors is unknown.
Other cancers (eg wheat cell carcinoma of the lung and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland) also produce substances that cause carcinoid syndrome. If carcinoid tumors formed in the digestive tract, then the substances that mimic hormones are released into the bloodstream and flows directly into the liver. In their hearts are destroyed by enzymes.
Tumors that had spread to the liver releasing hormone-like substances into the stream without first processed in the liver. Therefore if you have not spread to the liver, carcinoid tumors originating from the digestive tract usually causes no symptoms. If it has spread to the liver, then the substance is flowing throughout the body, causing symptoms of carcinoid syndrome are varied, depending on the substance released.
Carcinoid tumors in the lungs and ovaries also cause symptoms because the substances they produce bypass the liver and is spread widely through the bloodstream.
SYMPTOMS
Less than 10% of patients who had carcinoid syndrome. Most people have symptoms that mimic colorectal cancer, particularly abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits as a result of obstruction.
The initial symptoms are most commonly found from carcinoid syndrome is a reddish skin that cause discomfort, especially in the head and neck. Redness is thought to be caused by excessive histamine and bradykinin, which causes widening of blood vessels. Redness is often triggered by emotions, eating, or drinking alcohol or hot liquids.
Skin color can change dramatically, from pale to red and then become bluish (cyanosis). Excessive serotonin triggers contraction of the muscles around the intestines, causing diarrhea, cramping, and abnormal absorption of food. Abnormalities of food absorption (malabsorption) cause malnutrition (nutritional disorder) and causes a foul-smelling fatty stools.
carcinoid syndrome damage can cause heart and lungs. Abnormal fibers formed in the heart (fibrosis endokardial), which caused heart valve damage and disruption of the heart's pumping ability. Serotonin in the blood stream are destroyed when it passes through the lungs (before reaching the left heart), because it's almost all cardiac abnormalities occur on the right side.
Some people experience asmatik wheezing (wheezing breath sounds); other patients experience loss of sexual desire and become impotent.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis based on results of a CT scan, MRI, endoscopy, and chemical examination of the urine.
If the thought of a carcinoid tumor, then the urine examination to determine levels of acid 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA), which is one of the serotonin metabolite. Three days before the examination, the patient should not eat foods that are rich in serotonin (eg, pineapple, tomatoes, plums, avocados, bananas, eggplant and walnuts) and not taking certain medications (guaifenesin, metokarbamol, and phenothiazines).
A CT scan or MRI performed to determine the spread of tumors to the liver. Sometimes need to do further tests and exploratory surgery to determine the location of the tumor and its spread.
Diagnostic arteriography and radionuclide skening the latest techniques to find carcinoid tumors and spread. Recent findings indicate that most carcinoid have receptors for the hormone somatostatin. Because it is radioactive somatostatin could be injected into the blood and use of nuclear skening can be known of carcinoid and its spread. Approximately 90% of cases can be detected using this technique.
TREATMENT
If the tumor is limited in certain areas (eg, lung, appendix, small intestine, or rectum), surgical removal may cure this disease. If the tumor has spread to the liver, surgical removal can not cure the disease, merely relieve symptoms.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are ineffective in treating carcinoid tumors. However, combinations of certain chemotherapy drugs (streptozosin with fluorouracil and sometimes doxorubicin) may relieve symptoms. Okreotid can also relieve symptoms, tamoxifen, interferon alpha and eflornitin can suppress tumor growth. To control the redness, given phenothiazines, cimetidine and fentolamin. For carcinoid tumors in the lungs that episodes of severe flushing is sometimes given prednisone.
Diarrhea can be controlled with codeine, tincture of opium, diphenoxylate, siproheptadin or metisergid. To treat high blood pressure can be given various anti-hypertensive drugs (eg methyldopa and fenoksibenzamin).
Carcinoid tumors produce a large number of neuropeptides and amines (substances that mimic hormones) such as bradykinin, serotonin, histamine and prostaglandins. Under normal circumstances, these substances to control internal body functions. If the number is excessive, can cause symptoms of carcinoid syndrome.
CAUSE
Carcinoid tumors are usually derived from hormone-forming cells that line the small intestine (enteroendokrin cells) or other cells of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, testes, ovaries, or lungs. The cause of the formation of carcinoid tumors is unknown.
Other cancers (eg wheat cell carcinoma of the lung and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland) also produce substances that cause carcinoid syndrome. If carcinoid tumors formed in the digestive tract, then the substances that mimic hormones are released into the bloodstream and flows directly into the liver. In their hearts are destroyed by enzymes.
Tumors that had spread to the liver releasing hormone-like substances into the stream without first processed in the liver. Therefore if you have not spread to the liver, carcinoid tumors originating from the digestive tract usually causes no symptoms. If it has spread to the liver, then the substance is flowing throughout the body, causing symptoms of carcinoid syndrome are varied, depending on the substance released.
Carcinoid tumors in the lungs and ovaries also cause symptoms because the substances they produce bypass the liver and is spread widely through the bloodstream.
SYMPTOMS
Less than 10% of patients who had carcinoid syndrome. Most people have symptoms that mimic colorectal cancer, particularly abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits as a result of obstruction.
The initial symptoms are most commonly found from carcinoid syndrome is a reddish skin that cause discomfort, especially in the head and neck. Redness is thought to be caused by excessive histamine and bradykinin, which causes widening of blood vessels. Redness is often triggered by emotions, eating, or drinking alcohol or hot liquids.
Skin color can change dramatically, from pale to red and then become bluish (cyanosis). Excessive serotonin triggers contraction of the muscles around the intestines, causing diarrhea, cramping, and abnormal absorption of food. Abnormalities of food absorption (malabsorption) cause malnutrition (nutritional disorder) and causes a foul-smelling fatty stools.
carcinoid syndrome damage can cause heart and lungs. Abnormal fibers formed in the heart (fibrosis endokardial), which caused heart valve damage and disruption of the heart's pumping ability. Serotonin in the blood stream are destroyed when it passes through the lungs (before reaching the left heart), because it's almost all cardiac abnormalities occur on the right side.
Some people experience asmatik wheezing (wheezing breath sounds); other patients experience loss of sexual desire and become impotent.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis based on results of a CT scan, MRI, endoscopy, and chemical examination of the urine.
If the thought of a carcinoid tumor, then the urine examination to determine levels of acid 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA), which is one of the serotonin metabolite. Three days before the examination, the patient should not eat foods that are rich in serotonin (eg, pineapple, tomatoes, plums, avocados, bananas, eggplant and walnuts) and not taking certain medications (guaifenesin, metokarbamol, and phenothiazines).
A CT scan or MRI performed to determine the spread of tumors to the liver. Sometimes need to do further tests and exploratory surgery to determine the location of the tumor and its spread.
Diagnostic arteriography and radionuclide skening the latest techniques to find carcinoid tumors and spread. Recent findings indicate that most carcinoid have receptors for the hormone somatostatin. Because it is radioactive somatostatin could be injected into the blood and use of nuclear skening can be known of carcinoid and its spread. Approximately 90% of cases can be detected using this technique.
TREATMENT
If the tumor is limited in certain areas (eg, lung, appendix, small intestine, or rectum), surgical removal may cure this disease. If the tumor has spread to the liver, surgical removal can not cure the disease, merely relieve symptoms.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are ineffective in treating carcinoid tumors. However, combinations of certain chemotherapy drugs (streptozosin with fluorouracil and sometimes doxorubicin) may relieve symptoms. Okreotid can also relieve symptoms, tamoxifen, interferon alpha and eflornitin can suppress tumor growth. To control the redness, given phenothiazines, cimetidine and fentolamin. For carcinoid tumors in the lungs that episodes of severe flushing is sometimes given prednisone.
Diarrhea can be controlled with codeine, tincture of opium, diphenoxylate, siproheptadin or metisergid. To treat high blood pressure can be given various anti-hypertensive drugs (eg methyldopa and fenoksibenzamin).
Hypernatremia high blood sodium levels symptoms
Hypernatremia (high blood sodium levels) is a condition where blood sodium levels in more than 145 mEq / L of blood.
CAUSE
In hypernatremia, the body contains too little water compared to the amount of sodium. Blood sodium concentration usually increases abnormally when fluid loss exceeds sodium loss, which usually happens if you drink too little water. High blood sodium concentration implies that a person does not feel thirsty even though she should be hungry, or thirsty, but he can not obtain enough water to drink.
Hypernatremia also occur in a person with:
- Abnormal kidney function
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Excessive sweating.
Hypernatremia is most common in the elderly. In older people usually feel thirsty more slowly formed, and not so strong compared with younger children.
Elderly people are only able to lay in bed alone or who have dementia, may not be able to get enough water even though the nerves are still functioning thirst.
In addition, at an advanced age, the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine began to decrease, so it can not hold water well. Parents who take diuretics, which force the kidneys release more water, have to suffer the risk of hypernatremia, especially if the weather is hot or if they get sick and do not drink enough water.
Hipernatemia always a serious situation, especially in the elderly. Nearly half of all parents who were hospitalized because of hypernatremia died. The high mortality is probably because the patient also has severe disease that allows the hypernatremia.
Hypernatremia can also occur due to the kidneys remove too much water, as occurs in diabetes insipidus. Pituitary gland release too little antidiuretic hormone (antidiuretic hormone causes the kidneys to retain water) or kidney does not respond properly to the hormone. People with diabetes insipidus is rarely experienced hyponatremia if they have a normal thirst and drinking enough water.
The main cause of hipernatremi:
Head injury or surgery involving the pituitary gland nerve
Disorders of other electrolytes (hypercalcemia and hypokalemia)
The use of medication (lithium, demeclocycline, diuretics)
Excessive fluid loss (diarrhea, vomiting, fever, excessive sweating)
Sickle cell disease
Diabetes insipidus.
SYMPTOMS
The main symptoms of hypernatremia result from brain damage.
Severe hypernatremia can cause:
- Confusion
- Muscle spasms
- Spasms throughout the body
- Coma
- Death.
CAUSE
In hypernatremia, the body contains too little water compared to the amount of sodium. Blood sodium concentration usually increases abnormally when fluid loss exceeds sodium loss, which usually happens if you drink too little water. High blood sodium concentration implies that a person does not feel thirsty even though she should be hungry, or thirsty, but he can not obtain enough water to drink.
Hypernatremia also occur in a person with:
- Abnormal kidney function
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Excessive sweating.
Hypernatremia is most common in the elderly. In older people usually feel thirsty more slowly formed, and not so strong compared with younger children.
Elderly people are only able to lay in bed alone or who have dementia, may not be able to get enough water even though the nerves are still functioning thirst.
In addition, at an advanced age, the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine began to decrease, so it can not hold water well. Parents who take diuretics, which force the kidneys release more water, have to suffer the risk of hypernatremia, especially if the weather is hot or if they get sick and do not drink enough water.
Hipernatemia always a serious situation, especially in the elderly. Nearly half of all parents who were hospitalized because of hypernatremia died. The high mortality is probably because the patient also has severe disease that allows the hypernatremia.
Hypernatremia can also occur due to the kidneys remove too much water, as occurs in diabetes insipidus. Pituitary gland release too little antidiuretic hormone (antidiuretic hormone causes the kidneys to retain water) or kidney does not respond properly to the hormone. People with diabetes insipidus is rarely experienced hyponatremia if they have a normal thirst and drinking enough water.
The main cause of hipernatremi:
Head injury or surgery involving the pituitary gland nerve
Disorders of other electrolytes (hypercalcemia and hypokalemia)
The use of medication (lithium, demeclocycline, diuretics)
Excessive fluid loss (diarrhea, vomiting, fever, excessive sweating)
Sickle cell disease
Diabetes insipidus.
SYMPTOMS
The main symptoms of hypernatremia result from brain damage.
Severe hypernatremia can cause:
- Confusion
- Muscle spasms
- Spasms throughout the body
- Coma
- Death.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Yogurt can improve immunity and decrease yeast infections
Yogurt, which is one form of fermented milk can be a source of calcium for those who experience lactose intolerance (milk have diarrhea when eating).
As a source of calcium, yogurt can certainly help prevent the osteoporosis that usually affects middle-aged women and elderly. In addition, a study shows, yogurt can overcome the problem of gastrointestinal infections.
Probiotic bacteria found in yogurt can fight bad bacteria in the digestive system and helps the journey of food in the gastrointestinal tract. In effect, blood sugar and fat levels can be maintained at good levels and also helps absorption of calcium. The content of prostaglandin effective to prevent diarrhea.
10 Reasons Yogurt is a Healthy Food
1. Yogurt is easier to digest than milk.
Many people who cannot tolerate milk, either because of a protein allergy or lactose intolerance, can enjoy yogurt. The culturing process makes yogurt more digestible than milk. The live active cultures create lactase, the enzyme lactose-intolerant people lack, and another enzyme contained in some yogurts (beta-galactosidase) also helps improve lactose absorption in lactase-deficient persons. Bacterial enzymes created by the culturing process, partially digest the milk protein casein, making it easier to absorb and less allergenic. In our pediatric practice, we have observed that children who cannot tolerate milk can often eat yogurt without any intestinal upset. While the amount varies among brands of yogurt, in general, yogurt has less lactose than milk. The culturing process has already broken down the milk sugar lactose into glucose and galactose, two sugars that are easily absorbed by lactose-intolerant persons.
2. Yogurt contributes to colon health.
There's a medical truism that states: "You're only as healthy as your colon." When eating yogurt, you care for your colon in two ways. First, yogurt contains lactobacteria, intestines-friendly bacterial cultures that foster a healthy colon, and even lower the risk of colon cancer. Lactobacteria, especially acidophilus, promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon and reduces the conversion of bile into carcinogenic bile acids. The more of these intestines-friendly bacteria that are present in your colon, the lower the chance of colon diseases. Basically, the friendly bacteria in yogurt seems to deactivate harmful substances (such as nitrates and nitrites before they are converted to nitrosamines) before they can become carcinogenic.
Secondly, yogurt is a rich source of calcium - a mineral that contributes to colon health and decreases the risk of colon cancer. Calcium discourages excess growth of the cells lining the colon, which can place a person at high risk for colon cancer. Calcium also binds cancer-producing bile acids and keeps them from irritating the colon wall. People that have diets high in calcium (e.g. Scandinavian countries) have lower rates of colorectal cancer. One study showed that an average intake of 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day is associated with a 75 percent reduction of colorectal cancer. As a survivor of colon cancer, I have a critical interest in the care of my colon. My life depends on it.
3. Yogurt improves the bioavailability of other nutrients. Culturing of yogurt increases the absorption of calcium and B-vitamins. The lactic acid in the yogurt aids in the digestion of the milk calcium, making it easier to absorb.
4. Yogurt can boost immunity. Researchers who studied 68 people who ate two cups of live-culture yogurt daily for three months found that these persons produced higher levels of immunity boosting interferon. The bacterial cultures in yogurt have also been shown to stimulate infection-fighting white cells in the bloodstream. Some studies have shown yogurt cultures to contain a factor that has anti-tumor effects in experimental animals.
NUTRITIP: Yogurt - Good for Young and Old
Yogurt is a valuable health food for both infants and elderly persons. For children, it is a balanced source of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals in a texture that kids love. For senior citizens, who usually have more sensitive colons or whose intestines have run out of lactase, yogurt is also a valuable food. Elderly intestines showed declining levels of bifidus bacteria, which allow the growth of toxin-producing and, perhaps, cancer-causing bacteria.
5. Yogurt aids healing after intestinal infections.
Some viral and allergic gastrointestinal disorders injure the lining of the intestines, especially the cells that produce lactase. This results in temporary lactose malabsorption problems. This is why children often cannot tolerate milk for a month or two after an intestinal infection. Yogurt, however, because it contains less lactose and more lactase, is usually well-tolerated by healing intestines and is a popular "healing food" for diarrhea. Many pediatricians recommend yogurt for children suffering from various forms of indigestion. Research shows that children recover faster from diarrhea when eating yogurt. It's good to eat yogurt while taking antibiotics. The yogurt will minimize the effects of the antibiotic on the friendly bacteria in the intestines.
NUTRITIP: A Chaser for Antibiotics
Antibiotics kill not only harmful bacteria; they also kill the healthy ones in the intestines. The live bacterial cultures in yogurt can help replenish the intestines with helpful bacteria before the harmful ones take over. I usually "prescribe" a daily dose of yogurt while a person is taking antibiotics and for two weeks thereafter.
A 1999 study reported in Pediatrics showed that lactobacillus organisms can reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
6. Yogurt can decrease yeast infections. Research has shown that eating eight ounces of yogurt that contains live and active cultures daily reduces the amount of yeast colonies in the vagina and decreases the incidence of vaginal yeast infections.
7. Yogurt is a rich source of calcium. An 8-ounce serving of most yogurts provides 450 mg. of calcium, one-half of a child's RDA and 30 to 40 percent of the adult RDA for calcium. Because the live-active cultures in yogurt increase the absorption of calcium, an 8-ounce serving of yogurt gets more calcium into the body than the same volume of milk can.
8. Yogurt is an excellent source of protein. Plain yogurt contains around ten to fourteen grams of protein per eight ounces, which amounts to twenty percent of the daily protein requirement for most persons. In fact, eight ounces of yogurt that contains live and active cultures, contains 20 percent more protein than the same volume of milk (10 grams versus 8 grams). Besides being a rich source of proteins, the culturing of the milk proteins during fermentation makes these proteins easier to digest. For this reason, the proteins in yogurt are often called "predigested."
9. Yogurt can lower cholesterol. There are a few studies that have shown that yogurt can reduce the blood cholesterol. This may be because the live cultures in yogurt can assimilate the cholesterol or because yogurt binds bile acids, (which has also been shown to lower cholesterol), or both.
10. Yogurt is a "grow food." Two nutritional properties of yogurt may help children with intestinal absorption problems grow: the easier digestibility of the proteins and the fact that the lactic acid in yogurt increases the absorption of minerals. And even most picky-eaters will eat yogurt in dips and smoothies and as a topping.
Perhaps we can take a health tip about yogurt cultures from cultures who consume a lot of yogurt, such as the Bulgarians who are noted for their longer lifespan and remain in good health well into old age.
NUTRMYTH: All foods made with yogurt are created equal
Not so. In fact, the yogurt used to coat nibble foods such as raisins, nuts, and fruit bits is often so highly sugared that you're really eating more sugar than yogurt.
According to news reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating yogurt regularly can improve immunity, particularly those associated with digestion.
As a source of calcium, yogurt can certainly help prevent the osteoporosis that usually affects middle-aged women and elderly. In addition, a study shows, yogurt can overcome the problem of gastrointestinal infections.
Probiotic bacteria found in yogurt can fight bad bacteria in the digestive system and helps the journey of food in the gastrointestinal tract. In effect, blood sugar and fat levels can be maintained at good levels and also helps absorption of calcium. The content of prostaglandin effective to prevent diarrhea.
10 Reasons Yogurt is a Healthy Food
1. Yogurt is easier to digest than milk.
Many people who cannot tolerate milk, either because of a protein allergy or lactose intolerance, can enjoy yogurt. The culturing process makes yogurt more digestible than milk. The live active cultures create lactase, the enzyme lactose-intolerant people lack, and another enzyme contained in some yogurts (beta-galactosidase) also helps improve lactose absorption in lactase-deficient persons. Bacterial enzymes created by the culturing process, partially digest the milk protein casein, making it easier to absorb and less allergenic. In our pediatric practice, we have observed that children who cannot tolerate milk can often eat yogurt without any intestinal upset. While the amount varies among brands of yogurt, in general, yogurt has less lactose than milk. The culturing process has already broken down the milk sugar lactose into glucose and galactose, two sugars that are easily absorbed by lactose-intolerant persons.
2. Yogurt contributes to colon health.
There's a medical truism that states: "You're only as healthy as your colon." When eating yogurt, you care for your colon in two ways. First, yogurt contains lactobacteria, intestines-friendly bacterial cultures that foster a healthy colon, and even lower the risk of colon cancer. Lactobacteria, especially acidophilus, promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon and reduces the conversion of bile into carcinogenic bile acids. The more of these intestines-friendly bacteria that are present in your colon, the lower the chance of colon diseases. Basically, the friendly bacteria in yogurt seems to deactivate harmful substances (such as nitrates and nitrites before they are converted to nitrosamines) before they can become carcinogenic.
Secondly, yogurt is a rich source of calcium - a mineral that contributes to colon health and decreases the risk of colon cancer. Calcium discourages excess growth of the cells lining the colon, which can place a person at high risk for colon cancer. Calcium also binds cancer-producing bile acids and keeps them from irritating the colon wall. People that have diets high in calcium (e.g. Scandinavian countries) have lower rates of colorectal cancer. One study showed that an average intake of 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day is associated with a 75 percent reduction of colorectal cancer. As a survivor of colon cancer, I have a critical interest in the care of my colon. My life depends on it.
3. Yogurt improves the bioavailability of other nutrients. Culturing of yogurt increases the absorption of calcium and B-vitamins. The lactic acid in the yogurt aids in the digestion of the milk calcium, making it easier to absorb.
4. Yogurt can boost immunity. Researchers who studied 68 people who ate two cups of live-culture yogurt daily for three months found that these persons produced higher levels of immunity boosting interferon. The bacterial cultures in yogurt have also been shown to stimulate infection-fighting white cells in the bloodstream. Some studies have shown yogurt cultures to contain a factor that has anti-tumor effects in experimental animals.
NUTRITIP: Yogurt - Good for Young and Old
Yogurt is a valuable health food for both infants and elderly persons. For children, it is a balanced source of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals in a texture that kids love. For senior citizens, who usually have more sensitive colons or whose intestines have run out of lactase, yogurt is also a valuable food. Elderly intestines showed declining levels of bifidus bacteria, which allow the growth of toxin-producing and, perhaps, cancer-causing bacteria.
5. Yogurt aids healing after intestinal infections.
Some viral and allergic gastrointestinal disorders injure the lining of the intestines, especially the cells that produce lactase. This results in temporary lactose malabsorption problems. This is why children often cannot tolerate milk for a month or two after an intestinal infection. Yogurt, however, because it contains less lactose and more lactase, is usually well-tolerated by healing intestines and is a popular "healing food" for diarrhea. Many pediatricians recommend yogurt for children suffering from various forms of indigestion. Research shows that children recover faster from diarrhea when eating yogurt. It's good to eat yogurt while taking antibiotics. The yogurt will minimize the effects of the antibiotic on the friendly bacteria in the intestines.
NUTRITIP: A Chaser for Antibiotics
Antibiotics kill not only harmful bacteria; they also kill the healthy ones in the intestines. The live bacterial cultures in yogurt can help replenish the intestines with helpful bacteria before the harmful ones take over. I usually "prescribe" a daily dose of yogurt while a person is taking antibiotics and for two weeks thereafter.
A 1999 study reported in Pediatrics showed that lactobacillus organisms can reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
6. Yogurt can decrease yeast infections. Research has shown that eating eight ounces of yogurt that contains live and active cultures daily reduces the amount of yeast colonies in the vagina and decreases the incidence of vaginal yeast infections.
7. Yogurt is a rich source of calcium. An 8-ounce serving of most yogurts provides 450 mg. of calcium, one-half of a child's RDA and 30 to 40 percent of the adult RDA for calcium. Because the live-active cultures in yogurt increase the absorption of calcium, an 8-ounce serving of yogurt gets more calcium into the body than the same volume of milk can.
8. Yogurt is an excellent source of protein. Plain yogurt contains around ten to fourteen grams of protein per eight ounces, which amounts to twenty percent of the daily protein requirement for most persons. In fact, eight ounces of yogurt that contains live and active cultures, contains 20 percent more protein than the same volume of milk (10 grams versus 8 grams). Besides being a rich source of proteins, the culturing of the milk proteins during fermentation makes these proteins easier to digest. For this reason, the proteins in yogurt are often called "predigested."
9. Yogurt can lower cholesterol. There are a few studies that have shown that yogurt can reduce the blood cholesterol. This may be because the live cultures in yogurt can assimilate the cholesterol or because yogurt binds bile acids, (which has also been shown to lower cholesterol), or both.
10. Yogurt is a "grow food." Two nutritional properties of yogurt may help children with intestinal absorption problems grow: the easier digestibility of the proteins and the fact that the lactic acid in yogurt increases the absorption of minerals. And even most picky-eaters will eat yogurt in dips and smoothies and as a topping.
Perhaps we can take a health tip about yogurt cultures from cultures who consume a lot of yogurt, such as the Bulgarians who are noted for their longer lifespan and remain in good health well into old age.
NUTRMYTH: All foods made with yogurt are created equal
Not so. In fact, the yogurt used to coat nibble foods such as raisins, nuts, and fruit bits is often so highly sugared that you're really eating more sugar than yogurt.
According to news reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating yogurt regularly can improve immunity, particularly those associated with digestion.
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