Cart

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping now

Gut Health & The Vagina

 

By: Jayne O’Dwyer 

 

It’s official: a good gut is downright sexy. The gut - both its health and its issues was once a topic relegated to closed doors and doctor’s offices. Now, a good gut is touted as both a beauty edge and a must-have for overall wellness. A good gut also plays a role in reproductive health as well.

 

An imbalance in the gut microbiome- the collection of microorganisms and bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract - can lead to what is called “Candida Overgrowth.” Candida is a fungus that lives in different parts of the body, including our mouths, our digestive tract, the gut, and yes, the vagina. Candida itself is not the culprit - this yeast actually works in tandem with other bacteria to help digest food and absorb nutrients. Yeast, however, likes to feed, particularly on sugar, processed foods, and refined carbohydrates. A diet high in these, plus anything from antibiotics to oral contraceptives to stress, can throw the microbiome balance off kilter. This imbalance can lead to too much Candida, and a systemic, prolonged overgrowth of Candida can lead to a vaginal yeast infection that just won’t quit. 

 

Candida Overgrowth isn’t the only sexually-frustrating byproduct of an imbalanced gut: recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can be linked to an off microbiome as well. Most UTIs are caused by an overgrowth of E.Coli that has managed to migrate from the gut to the urinary tract. This migration can happen when E.Coli present in feces spreads to the urinary tract. The imbalance of bacteria in the gut then continues to take over and feed the disease-causing bacteria, which keeps the UTI alive and kicking. Other bacteria can further exacerbate this vicious cycle: Gardnerella vaginalis, a bacterium that is commonly found in the vagina, causes E.Coli to grow again, which can cause a new infection. Thus, once the balance of your body has been thrown off, it can be quite the ordeal to finally eradicate the infection. 

 

If you experience symptoms of a UTI or yeast infection, first and foremost, consult your trusted physician. After you have worked with a professional, assess your diet and how your body has been feeling given your current eating habits. Have you been eating a lot of processed foods and sugar? Have UTIs or yeast infections plagued you for months? Consider then trying an elimination diet like Whole30 that removes yeast-breeding culprits such as wheat, gluten, dairy, and sugar from your food consumption for a period of 2-3 weeks. The elimination and subsequent reintroduction of foods could help you get a better handle on your overall well-being. 



 

Previous
Next

The Wellness Club

Nutritional Support for Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism

Nutritional Support for Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

  By: Megan Tomlin @gooodmoodfoood Did you know that up to 60% of cases of Hashimoto’s disease go undiagnosed? Or that women are 5 to 8 times more likely to have a thyroid condition? Knowing these facts, it is shocking that so many of us are still unclear about...

Read more
Are Collagen Supplements Worth Taking? A Dermatologist Weighs In.

Are Collagen Supplements Worth Taking? A Dermatologist Weighs In.

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @dermahealthnutrition The pursuit of youthful, glowing skin is a timeless quest. It fuels a booming industry of skincare products, treatments, and supplements, including collagen, all claiming to improve the signs of ageing. Here's what you need to know to navigate the abundance of collagen powders, capsules, and liquids.  Skin ageing is a multifaceted...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - Collagen-Rich Foods vs. Supplements

Collagen-Rich Foods vs. Supplements

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil What is the best way to boost your body's collagen production? Supplements or diet, here is a run down of the basics to help you navigate your way around understanding collagen and how you can boost your body's supplies. Collagen...

Read more
The Power of Spending Time in Silence

The Power of Spending Time in Silence

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

@emily_campbell In today’s age, even if you don’t live in a hustling and bustling city, you may still experience constant noise. We have become so accustomed to noise everywhere we go, including our homes. Without knowing it, you may prefer “background noise” to block out any unwanted thoughts or feelings that pop up....

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - How to Navigate Job Insecurity

How to Navigate Job Insecurity

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy Experiencing a layoff at your workplace or losing your job can be extremely stressful. It's normal to feel a range of emotions during such times. Job loss or insecurity can threaten components of psychological well-being, such as one’s financial health and identity, and leave individuals feeling vulnerable and...

Read more
Irregular Periods: What Do They Mean?

Irregular Periods: What Do They Mean?

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: drmelissa.co A woman’s period is a vital sign. Just like your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breath rate, a woman’s cycle is indicative of her health overall. An imbalanced period indicates suboptimal health.  The menstrual cycle is incredibly complex and requires a constellation of factors to align for it to occur at regular intervals. Factors that can delay a period or cause...

Read more
The Health Benefits of Ghee

The Health Benefits of Ghee

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @islandem_ Ghee, or clarified butter, is the product of slowly heating cow’s butter to 100°C until the fat, milk protein (casein), and sugar (lactose) separate. The protein and milk are...

Read more
The Power of Napping

The Power of Napping

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @inceipek1 In today's fast-paced world, where work schedules are demanding and screens keep us connected around the clock, finding time to rest and rejuvenate has become increasingly challenging. However, one simple yet highly effective practice that offers us a potential solution is napping. Often underestimated, napping holds a plethora of benefits for both physical and mental health. The Science Behind Napping

Read more
Should You Workout on an Empty Stomach?

Should You Workout on an Empty Stomach?

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil  This is a topic that has so many variables but this article will give you some real world experience and ideas on how you can come to your own conclusion when it comes to working out on an empty stomach. The first thing to consider...

Read more
5 Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

5 Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil  Most of us know about the physical benefits of exercise: improved posture, weight management, increased energy, looking stronger...but what about the psychological benefits of exercise? Here are five key benefits your mental health will get from regular exercise.  Better Sleep: Exercise can help regulate our circadian rhythm which is our body's internal clock that influences when we feel tired and when we feel...

Read more
Nourishing The Mind: How Nutrition Impacts Mental Health

Nourishing The Mind: How Nutrition Impacts Mental Health

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @inceipek1 The saying "you are what you eat" holds more truth than we might realize, especially when it comes to our mental health. The connection between nutrition and mental well-being is a complex and intricate web, with scientific research increasingly highlighting the profound impact that our dietary choices can have on our mood, cognition, and overall mental...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness

Understanding the Complexities of Histamine Intolerance

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @dermahealthnutrition Histamine plays several important roles in the body, including regulating gastric acid production, controlling blood vessel dilation, modulating immunity and response to allergens. Histamine is found in varying amounts in almost all foods. Histamine intolerance results from an imbalance between histamine intake and histamine metabolism in...

Read more