Stress Free Living? Is it possible?

Philippians 4:6-8 

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Philippians 4 verses 11-13. It is definitely not my favorite because I am so compliant to the truth found in it, but more so, because it is such a challenge to my personality and lifestyle. Let’s face the facts: We are a busy culture! In our busyness though, are we productive when you compare the effort and amount of stress invested in our daily tasks versus our productivity? The writer encourages us to “Do not be anxious about anything, BUT in prayer and petition, present your requests to God and the peace that passes all understanding will transcend your mind.” 

You may have read some of the same articles that I have read about the effects of stress on the body. But to clarify, not all stressors are bad. God created our bodies to be resilient and to adapt to all types of changing situations; thus another confirmation that we are created in His image. The problem begins when we have “stress overload”. “Stress Overload” can cause the body to exhibit all types of symptoms, including, but not limited to: arthritic type symptoms, joint swelling and pain (fibromyalgia), high blood pressure, obesity, increased anxiety levels, increased pulse rate, fluctuations in blood sugar, hormone level imbalance, and imbalances of other key body regulators, to name a few changes. 

I believe we will never see a “stress free” life this side of heaven. The challenge therefore is not to look for “stress free’’ opportunities, but to better yet, strive for the Peace that only come from the He who is PEACE. Although a challenge, it is possible to live and prosper during the stressful times of life. It is truly all about our perspective. In closing, think of the stressors that you face every day as opportunities and not obstacles. I like to use this adage at times: Remember nothing in this life ever comes to stay, but if you give it a while, it will always come to pass. 

At Matrix Wellness, we approach each of our patients by addressing the emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental person. In doing so, we can provide comprehensive wellness and disease prevention strategies that will work for all ages. 

David Hughes 

NP and Co-Owner of Matrix Wellness

Harmful Bacteria Linked To Obesity

Here’s an excerpt from a recent article that I read:

So how might bacteria in the gut affect your weight? Research suggests that organisms in our intestines have a significant impact on how fats in our food are metabolized, absorbed and stored. The first data to suggest a connection between the health of the gut and the risk of obesity was published in 2004, and since then more than 100 articles have been published trying to elucidate the mechanism behind this. 

An imbalance of harmful bacteria in the gut can secrete substances known as endotoxins that can incite inflammation and contribute to changes in hormones that subsequently lead to weight gain. In a recent study in China, scientists identified an obesity-linked bacteria known as Enterobacter from a morbidly obese adult male; when that bacterium was eliminated from his gut, he lost nearly 30 percent of his body weight. The researchers then fed this same Enterobacter to a group of mice; they developed obesity and insulin resistance from this exposure. (K. Judge & M. Barish-Wreden; The Sacramento Bee - Mclatchy-Tribune News Service; Sacramento, Calif.; 2012)

Symptoms of enterobacter infections are serious and most always lead to hospitalization and sometimes fatality. Although it’s unlikely that you will ever have these serious bacteria in your gut, it’s important to note how fragile our gut is. We have to take care of our gut in order to maintain healthy nutrition balance.

Knowing the things that can lead to a build-up of harmful bacteria can help us avoid pitfalls later on. Here are some of the things that can affect that build-up:

Foods we eat

Use of antibiotics

Chronic ingestion of acid-reducing medications 

Stress

It may be hard to believe, but the bacteria in your gut can change in as little as a day. So how do we keep our gut healthy?

Avoid processed grains 

Avoid sugars

Switch to whole, unprocessed grains 

Incorporate more fermented foods like yogurt