Thursday, July 4, 2013

Poop is Green? 5 Facts About Green Poop Revealed


Just because poop is green, it does not mean that you suffer from some kind of inner infection. However, if your poop comes with ailments of the stomach like indigestion, gas, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach bloating or constipation, then you might have to take natural procedures of colon cleansing into consideration. Here are the top 5 causes behind dark green poop:

1. The greatest reason that abrupt color changes occur within your poop would be from eating too much leafy green vegetables. If you regularly eat green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, your poop might naturally change its color.

2. If you eat a lot of red beans, breakfast cereals, spinach and red meat, you might suffer from dark green poop because these foods come with a lot of iron that could darken your poop's color. This happens because these foods cannot get completely absorbed by the intestinal tract.

3. If you eat foods that make use of certain coloring agents, like popsicles, sherbet and drink flavorings, you might suffer from green poop.

4. One primary reason why poop is green would be adverse side effects that come with various medications. As a matter of fact, using too many antibiotics and laxatives could also be very harmful for your body. One primary cause could also be food poisoning.

5. Several chronic abdominal diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, nutritional malabsorbtion and an unexpected overgrowth of dangerous bacteria inside the human colon could also change your poop's overall color.

Dark green poop might not be an ailment that should be taken seriously. However, if it persists and comes with chronic abdominal conditions like abdominal pain, gas, irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion, you have to cleanse the infected colon with natural supplements of colon cleansing as soon as possible. Supplements of colon cleansing that are made out of herbs have the power to get rid of plaques, blocked fecal matter, and parasites from inside the intestinal tract. They will also eliminate your green poop permanently.

These natural supplements of colon cleansing truly have the power to eliminate green poop in no time. As a matter of fact, they can also help in curing chronic abdominal conditions with ease, as well as help with weight loss.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The Thai Mango - A Luscious and Precious Staple


The Thai mango is known as "Ma Muang" in Thai, although this varies by region. For example, in the Northern region a mango is also known as "Pae," and in the South as "Pao." The mango is rich in symbolic meaning. As part of the feng shui tradition, for generations many Thais have believed that growing a mango tree on the south side of the house will bring prosperity to the family. More broadly, mangoes are so widely enjoyed in Thailand and surrounding countries that they truly do represent a precious part of the culture. There are perhaps more than one hundred types of Thai mangoes, many of them hybrids developed in Thailand. The mango tree only bears fruit once per year, and its season is between late March and early June. This is the time one will find delicately delicious mangoes - a fairly small window of time for top quality. Nevertheless, this small window of time represents much of the enjoyment of mangoes by so many in Thailand, making it in effect a staple for meals and especially desserts.

Thai mangoes vary in size, shape and color depending on the type, soil and harvest areas. The shapes of mangoes can be round, kidney-like in shape, oval, or a long slender shape. The color of a raw mango is typically green, but the color of ripe mangoes (the skin) can be yellow, yellow-green, green, yellowish orange or yellowish red. All mangoes have only one flat seed surrounded by flesh. Ripe mangoes have flesh that is yellow, golden-yellow, orange or orange-yellow.

The following are the most well-known mango types:


  • Nam Dok Mai: oval with a sharp pointed tip. The ripe fruit has golden-yellow flesh with a sweet-scented taste;

  • Kiaw Sa Woei: oblong dark green fruit. The ripe fruit has pale white flesh with a sweet taste;

  • Thong Dam: oval with rounded tip. The ripe fruit has yellowish orange flesh with a sweet taste;

  • OK Rhong: oval with rounded tip. The ripe fruit has light yellowish orange flesh with a sweet taste;

  • Raed: oblong with a small pointed knob. The ripe fruit has light yellow flesh with a sweet-scented taste;

  • Pim Sian: oval with tapered tip. The ripe fruit has light yellow flesh with a sweet taste;

  • Nang Klang Wan: oblong with curved and tapering tip. The ripe fruit has light yellow flesh and a sweet-scented taste.

As I experienced in Thailand, mangoes are eaten in a number of ways depending on the type of mango. Both ripe and raw mangoes are enjoyed as snacks. Nam Dok Mai, Nang Klang Wan, Thong Dam and OK Rhong are usually served at the peak of ripeness. The most famous dessert is perhaps mangoes with sticky rice (Khao Niaw Ma Muang). Increasingly, this dish is being offered at restaurants in America as well. Kiaw Sa Woei, Pim Sian, Fah Lan and Raed are preferably eaten raw, even though they are also delicious as ripe mangoes. Well-liked dishes include Mango Salad (Yum Ma Muang - spicy shredded raw mangoes) and Crispy Shredded Catfish with Raw Mango Salad (Yum Pla Duk Foo).

When eating raw mangoes, dipping sauce is essential. The two common dipping sauces are:


  • mixed of salt, sugar and crushed dry chilli, called Prik Gleua in Thai,

  • mixed of chilli, fish sauce and palm sugar, heated to a caramel-like consistency, called Nam Pla Wan in Thai

Besides eating fresh and raw mangoes, Thais also use mangoes to make ice cream, juice and milkshakes, as well as pickled mango (Ma Muang Dong), dry pickled mango (Ma Muang Chae Im), or air dried pureed mango (Ma Muang Kuan). Since mangoes ripen so quickly and are abundant during the season, many mangoes are canned and sold, both domestically and internationally. Mango products are usually made from other types of mango such as Kaew, Chok Anan and Maha Chanok.

Thais not only use mangoes as fruit or in cooking, but in medicine as well. The following process is one example. The seed of the ripe mango is dried, and subsequently ground up or boiled in water. This process results in a drink which helps one with health problems such as a bloated feeling or to get rid of a parasite or worm. Another approach involves boiling 15-20 mango leaves with water to create a drink to treat bloated feelings, ulcerative colitis, or for other applications such as external use to clean wounds. Some drink water boiled with the bark of a mango tree to reduce fever. As always, consult a physician as appropriate before deciding on treatments.

Asian grocery stores in America often do not have Thai mangoes, but may have products made from Thai mangoes. In this case, if mango juice or mangoes with sticky rice sound appealing this summer, mangoes from the Philippines or Mexico are your best substitute. Costco often offers Mexican mangoes - wait until they are ripe - the skin will be very yellow. Mangoes from the Philippines may be better, but they are equally if not more difficult to find.

As the vast majority of people in Southeast Asia eat mangoes, the cultural significance of the mango is broadly based. The mango has been a luscious and precious staple for generations. This is an ongoing result of both the high quality Thai mango itself, and the inspiration of its many delicious variations, uses, and cultural heritage.

Napatr Lindsley

Signs and Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome


Leaky gut syndrome also known as intestinal permeability are terms used to describe the inability of the stomach lining to process or absorb protein molecules. Instead of being absorbed and digested, these proteins flow throughout the bloodstream. Here, they stimulate the immune system, and in turn, the immune system reacts to their existence as they would to any foreign bodies by starting an inflammatory reaction that leads to autoantibody production and autoimmune disease development. Evidence for this theory includes the presence of stomach damage seen in patients with a number of different auto-immune diseases including IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's condition, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, thryroiditis, vasculitis, and dermatitis herpetiformis. In many of these conditions, a reduction of digestive inflammation correlates with a reduction or remission of autoimmune symptoms.

Common causes of leaky gut involve alcohol, medications, parasitic organisms, caffeine, bacteria, some food preservatives and additives, allergic states such as gluten understanding and lactose intolerance, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, adrenal cortical steroids, enhanced sugars, oral birth control methods, and fungus. Serious swelling from these sources damages the protective coat of Immunoglobulin A, which interferes the body's normal capability to inhibit these substances. The resulting toxins then interfere with the liver's ability to detoxify these substances. One result is increased sensitivity to environmental agents such as cigarettes, chemical cleaners and strong fragrances. Early signs involve a tendency toward hay fever.

Stage 1 Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome

• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Intestinal Gas
• Heartburn
• Gum Disease

Leaky gut, in its beginning period, makes severe swelling in your intestinal tract producing significant harm to the abdominal coating. As that coating becomes more damaged, your body no longer can make the necessary enzymes to not only digest, but also absorb food.

Stage 2 Symptoms

• Pain in the joints
• Migraines and other headaches
• Digestive problems
• Dermatitis, Psoriasis and Eczema
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Apparent Food Allergies

At this stage, it is causing intestinal lining cells to break down and form large gap junctions. These gaps allow the partly consumed food and substances into your bloodstream instead of sending them through your digestive tract to be further digested.

Stage 3 Symptoms

• Ulcerative Colitis
• Arthritis
• Systemic Candida, nail Fungus, ringworm, etc.
• Celiac's Disease
• Severe Skin Conditions
• Colitis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Crohn's Disease
• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Without treatment, your immune system will eventually become fatigued - this is what causes the development of autoimmune problems. When this happens, Leaky Gut is even more problematic.

It is crucial to not allow Leaky Gut Syndrome to progress very far because it becomes even more difficult to cure. The earlier you start to study on how to heal leaky gut, the more good it will do.

Also, keep in mind that even though it is relatively easy and typical to use other issues as the reason for such serious symptoms, the reality is that your body is basically trying to tell you that there is something wrong. If you pay attention to your signs and symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome, they will take you to the actual problem.

Omega 3 Fish Oil - Head to Toe Benefits For Type 2 Diabetes!


Contrary to popular belief within diabetic circles... and even some physicians, most of the deaths of people with type 2 diabetes are caused by heart disease. As you may have seen in the news, fish oil is one of the best supplements for preventing heart disease.

One of the most well established connections between heart disease and type 2 diabetes is the fact that most diabetics have high triglyceride (fat) levels and low HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Eating sufficient levels of fish or taking fish oil supplements can have positive effects on both of these heart health indicators.

This doesn't mean that you should stop trying to control your blood sugar levels and just eat lots of fish. You still need to reduce carbohydrates and start exercising if you haven't already. But eating fish two times a week is a good addition to your diabetic diet, and if you don't particularly like the taste of fish, you can find omega-3 fish oil supplements just about anywhere.

Reduce Fats and Increase Good Cholesterol:

Studies show type 2 diabetics can increase their good cholesterol levels and reduce triglycerides in their bloodstream simply by taking omega-3 fish oil supplements. The results for people in the pre-diabetes stage show that those who consumed enough fish oil either through eating fish or taking supplements, lowered their risk of progressing to a diagnosis of full-blown type 2 diabetes.

The American Heart Association wholeheartedly endorses the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, the technical name for the contents of fish oil. In fact, the Heart Association recommends eating at least two meals of fish every week. The omega-3 fatty acids we need are found in two forms, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

While you can acquire omega-3's in the form of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) from other sources, such as flaxseed, walnuts, canola and soybean oils, these are not as good for your heart as the forms found in fish. The best types of fish for omega-3 fatty acids are:


  • sardines

  • albacore tuna

  • herring

  • mackerel

  • swordfish and

  • salmon.

Omega-3's - Head to Toe Benefits for Diabetics:

Cardiovascular research indicates that omega-3's can benefit everyone, even if you already have had a heart attack. Fish oils have also helped people who have joint problems from rheumatoid arthritis... a common affliction with type 2 diabetes.

The latest studies are focusing on how omega-3 fatty acids can help memory loss in people who have varying forms of dementia. Other diseases and conditions being researched in relation to the effectiveness of omega-3's include cancer, cystic fibrosis, transplant rejection, ulcerative colitis, lupus, Chrohn's disease, asthma, and schizophrenia, just to name a few.

What About Mercury?

Think that omega-3 recommendations without a discussion about mercury is a bit...fishy? So do I. Although women who are pregnant and children should stay away from fish with the highest mercury levels, there are always fish to eat with the lowest levels. These include salmon and canned tuna fish, among others. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends adding fish to your diet as well and says that the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Omega-3's from Plants:

Type 2 diabetics sometimes have a harder time processing omega-3s which come from plants. However, these are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids as well, although they are high in ALA, the "less good" omega-3. The best plant based omega-3 sources are:


  • flaxseed oil

  • canola oil

  • tofu

  • soybeans

  • pecans

  • walnuts, and even

  • dark green vegetables such as broccoli or spinach

Omega-3's really fit into an eating plan which is aimed at increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing the risk of diabetic complications which includes heart disease.

Gastroenterology Specialists - What Can They Treat?


Physicians who specialize in gastroenterology diagnose and treat the digestive systems of the body. This is a complex field.

Medical practitioners who specialize in the field of gastroenterology diagnose and treat many portions of the body's digestive systems. Gastroenterologists are grouped with the focus of hepatology in order to offer diagnostics, treatment and preventative care for more than just the stomach. There are many organs and body parts that play a part in digestion including the colon, intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, esophagus and stomach. The food that we eat goes through many channels and stages in order to nourish our bodies.

Some of the treatment services these physicians may offer include:

Constipation: Constipation can occur for many different reasons. Diet can be a component as can dehydration and lack of exercise. Function of the rectum and pelvic floor must also be tested for proper workability.

Fecal incontinence: On the other end of the spectrum from constipation is fecal incontinence. Dietary changes or sphincter surgery may help.

Reflux problems and Barrett's esophagus: Monitoring, evaluation and treatment of these problems can be achieved by these doctors.

Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer: Multiple problems pertaining to the pancreas are tended to by these gastro specialists.

Preventative testing: Endoscopy, colonoscopy, ultrasounds, colonography and more may be done as preventative testing.

Malnutrition guidance: Nutritionists may help to sort out feeding and eating problems which have led to a patient becoming malnourished. Malabsorption may be part of the problem, as well.

Esophageal cancer: Cancer of the esophagus is diagnosed and treated within this arena of health care.

Gastrointestinal cancer: These cancers occur in the stomach, rectum, colon and anus.

Liver problems: Liver transplants may be performed by these physicians.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Inflammatory bowel disease is also referred to as IBS. Medications as well as psychosocial counseling often help sufferers of this malady.

Crohn's disease: Drugs and surgery along with lifestyle alterations can be utilized to help with Crohn's disease. Sufferers can still live an active lifestyle.

Colitis: Ulcerative colitis causes swelling of the large intestine and can be very painful. There is no cure but many ways to make sufferers more comfortable.

Difficulty swallowing: Nerve and muscle problems can make swallowing difficult. Two conditions are called oropharyngeal dysphagia and esophageal dysphagia.

Treatment options in gastroenterology and the digestive centers of the body have increased in recent years due to research and technological advancement. Many procedures are less invasive than in the past due to new techniques.

If a patient is having difficulty in any of the above areas, he or she should seek a consultation with a reputable gastroenterology specialist to find answers. Since these are highly specialized physicians, it will be difficult to get word-of-mouth referrals from your average friend or neighbor. For such a practitioner, asking one's family doctor for professionals that they would recommend is one method of obtaining referrals. Calling one's insurance company to see who is covered on their plan is another good idea. Doctor referral resources are also available online in order to help a new patient pre-screen a physician.

Basic Coping Methods for Common Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis


Incontinence underwear can help you manage your problems with ulcerative colitis. What is ulcerative colitis and how do you know if you are suffering from it or not? There are many symptoms to this problem and you need to speak with your doctor to be sure that you do have it. Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis but the main indicator is dealing with rectal irritation.

Many people find that one of the big causes of ulcerative colitis comes from the way in which you handle the emotional stress in your life. Emotional stress will take its toll on your body and it can often lead to many of the painful symptoms. It can flare up without any type of reason, which can baffle doctors. This often causes you to be in a lot of pain or to have fecal incontinence. When this happens you need the protection of quality adult diapers or incontinence underwear that will capture the fecal matter and prevent you from being embarrassed.

An infection of the bladder or of the bowels can end up causing you to struggle with incontinence and the pain of ulcerative colitis. Diarrhea often causes many infections to occur and this can lead to a flare up with your disease. It also makes it painful to pass gas or to pass the fecal matter. This is why you need to have adult diapers or other incontinence products that will give you the protection you need.

You will need to take medications if you have ulcerative colitis. This will help the inflammation in the large intestine and will prevent the ulcers from forming in the colon. If you have chronic abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and diarrhea you likely have ulcerative colitis and you need to seek out medical treatment immediately. It is vital to be tested as you could have Crohn's disease and you will need to have additional treatments. You can learn about treatment options as well and figure out common triggers that doctors believe lead to flare ups with ulcerative colitis.

Changing your diet is one of the best things that you can do in order help manage ulcerative colitis. You need to avoid certain foods that are believed to trigger problems. These foods include whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and fried foods. The dietary needs for individuals with ulcerative colitis is hard for you to manage and adapt to but the longer you are on the diet, the easier it will be for you to adjust to it. Reduce your intake of dairy products as they too lead to problems with the digestive track. Increasing your intake of folic acid is a great way to manage your condition.

Depending upon the severity of your condition you may need to go in for surgery. This is a great option as it may help you get back to normal. A part of your rectum and colon will be removed and it helps to allow for normal bowel movements again. For individuals that have been dealing with rectal leakage because of ulcerative colitis, this can be a blessing as you may no longer need to wear adult diapers.

Maintaining a healthy body is also important to help you with ulcerative colitis problems. You need to work hard on exercising the body to help relax the bowels and give you control over them again. Having a relaxing workout session helps to decrease stress and many believe that it causes them to gain control again so they do not need adult diapers or other incontinence products.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Ulcerative Colitis - Symptoms


Ulcerative colitis and crohn's disease both of which are disorders that come under the category of irritable bowel syndrome have certain common symptoms. The three most frequent symptoms are persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever.

Ulcerative colitis is a disorder that is caused due to inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. It is one of the two disorders that fall under the irritable bowel syndrome with the other being crohn's disease.

The symptoms of this condition are similar to crohn's disease and hence, it is difficult to diagnose which disorder of the irritable bowel syndrome a patient suffers from unless detailed medical screening is done. Here is a list of symptoms, some of which are common to both these disorders. These symptoms are also likely to vary depending on the severity of the inflammation or the extent to which the colon is inflamed.

Recurrent diarrhea - Quite often patients refer to loose stools three or four times a day as irritable bowel syndrome. However, it is essential to diagnose the condition to receive proper treatment. Anyone suffering from recurrent diarrhea three or four times a day for several days on end should consult a physician and undergo the prescribed tests for diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.

Abdominal pain - Patients suffering from ulcerative colitis often suffer from cramping in the left side of their abdomen. This is one point of difference from crohn's disease where the pain is usually experienced in the right abdominal region. Persistent abdominal pain in left side warrants medical evaluation to diagnose or at least rule out the disorder.

Fever/fatigue - Since this disorder is caused by an inflammation in the body, a common symptom is fever that could either be mild or very high, but persistent. In some cases, patients suffering from ulcerative colitis could also experience constant fatigue, which is caused by the inflammation and aggravated by diarrhea.

These are the three most common symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, there could be symptoms such as rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, and urgent need to pass stool after every meal. It is important to address the symptoms early as medication can help control the disorder. Common technique used for diagnosis of ulcerative colitis includes colonoscopy based on which a biopsy of the tissue is carried out. Certain other tests could also be prescribed. Once the physician is able to identify which disorder of the irritable bowel syndrome the patient suffers from and rules out crohn's disease, he can prescribe medication to control the inflammation.