⁣The gut microbiome is the collection of bacteria, yeast, and other organisms that live inside the digestive tract. ⠀
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In a healthy microbiome, the beneficial bacteria help to keep the opportunistic or pathogenic organisms in check. ⠀
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In an unbalanced system you might find low levels of beneficial bacteria and growth of pathogens. ⠀
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Imbalances in the microbiome, or dysbiosis, can lead to metabolic syndrome, asthma, allergies, obesity, immune issues, heart disease, autism and more. ⠀
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The microbiome is important for growth and development and affects epigeneti( expression in the body and new research on the microbiome is continually supporting the idea that the microbiome has a huge influence on health.... so you always want to make sure yours is up to par 🎯⠀
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You might be wondering why so many have digestive symptoms or imbalances in their microbiome....⠀
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Here is a list of common causes: ⠀
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Toxins – Toxin exposure can reduce digestive capacity and alter the microbiome.⠀
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Food sensitivities – Eating foods that you are sensitive to causes inflammation, damages the GI tract and can contribute to “leaky gut,” also known as intestinal permeability, where larger food proteins enter the bloodstream causing an immune response. ⠀
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Stress – Stress pulls blood from the digestive system and reduces digestive capacity. ⠀
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Chlorine – Chlorine and other chemicals added to water kill bacteria not only in the water, but in your gut. ⠀
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Infections – Gut infections, including pathogenic bacteria, yeast overgrowth, H. pylori, parasites and others impact digestive function and the microbiome. ⠀
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Low fiber diet – Fiber provides food for beneficial bacteria and without enough food, levels decline. Fiber also helps with regularity. ⠀
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Antibiotics – It may take a significant amount of time to recover the microbiome from a course of antibiotics, which is one reason that antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary. ⠀
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The good news is...there are plenty of ways you can improve your digestive health and optimize gut health as well - which I outlined in depth in my latest blog post (link is in my bio).
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⁣It’s no secret that we all want to look and FEEL our best. So today, I want to share a few suggestions on how to slow aging and optimize your health.⠀
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1. Use food as medicine. You likely already know how passionate I am about the Paleo diet. This nutrient-dense and low-toxin way of eating mimics how our ancestors ate, which resonates with the human body on the genetic level. Our genes literally recognize and positively respond to whole, real food!⠀
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2. Consider fasting. Caloric restriction, often through fasting, is well-documented in scientific studies as a successful anti-aging intervention that can modify epigenetics. One reason for this benefit might be that caloric restriction lowers inflammation in the body, which can enhance both the health span and lifespan. Fasting also increases autophagy, a process where cells detoxify, clean-up and repair so that they function more efficiently. ⠀
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3. Exercise. As if you didn’t already have many reasons to exercise, let’s add one more. Exercise modulates epigenetics. Raising your heart rate in intervals seems particularly beneficial, which is good news because you don’t have to do long cardio sessions to get the benefits. I typically recommend my patients exercise every 24-48 hours, if not daily, and preferably in the mornings.⠀
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4. Detoxify. Exposure to environmental toxins heavily influences gene expression– and not in a good way. The good news is that using Functional Medicine approaches to remove toxins from the body can help reverse the epigenetic changes.⠀
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5. Use supplements. When it comes to healthful aging, supplements are one of my favorite tools to really target the results that you desire. There are many options to choose from when putting together a personalized supplement plan. ⠀
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Looking for more tips on how to slow aging and optimize your health? If so, check out the link in my bio to read more.⠀
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#createahealthylifestyle #healthcoachingtips #rechargeyourmind #naturalmedication #bodyconnection #overallhealthy #healthyhabit #healthymindhealthybody #healthandwellbeing #healthybodyhealthymind #biohacker #habitsofhealth #overallhealth #healthideas #healthmatters #healthyhabitsforlife ...

⁣We’ve all been there.⠀
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You’re staying on top of your nutrition goals, you’re going to the gym every day, you’re practicing self-care, meditating - you feel on top of the world.⠀
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Until something happens...⠀
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The loss of a loved one, you lost your job, you’re going through a divorce, your kids went off to school, or you feel empty inside for some reason.⠀
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Whatever the reason is, you just aren’t motivated and don’t know what to do.⠀
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You’ve hit a life plateau and have no idea which way to go or what way to turn.⠀
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If this sounds familiar, here are a few suggestions to help you get out of the funk your in and find the motivation to keep going and working on your personal and health goals. ⠀
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• Prioritize sleep ⠀
• Dial in on your nutrition⠀
• Increase intensity of workouts⠀
• Reevaluate your training frequency⠀
• Detox your body ⠀
• Detox your mind ⠀
• Get motivated again ⠀
• Address your limiting beliefs ⠀
• Pay attention to your habits ⠀
• Train your mind to see the good in everything⠀
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If you’ve hit a plateau before - how did you conquer it? Share with me below 💕⠀
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#bursttraining #hiit #hiitworkouts #fitnessmotivation #fitnessgram #hiittraining #hiitburn #hiitcircut #hiitcardioworkout #trainingmotivation #trainingtips #trainingforlife #trainingplan #trainingtime #fitnessinspo #fitnesstraining #hiitexercises #hiitathome #integrativemedicine #lifehacks #lifetips #wellnessjourney #healthtips #healthyhabits #healthyhabitskit #healthychoices #nutritiontips #nutritionadvice #nutritionmatters #healthmatters ⠀
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⁣So many patients walk into my office looking for a cold or flu remedy thinking Vitamin C will cure it.⠀
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After all, it cures everything.... right?!⠀
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While Vitamin C is definitely needed to strengthen your immune system - it isn’t the ONLY thing.⠀
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If you’re looking for ways to boost your immune system this cold and flu season, I outlined a few mechanisms you should incorporate in the graphic above. ⠀
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In addition, check out the link in my bio to download your FREE copy of my 12 tips to implement NOW to help you get a huge head start on your health while becoming #ImmuneStrong, so you can fight off any illnesses that come your way.⠀
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❤ Dr. Ann⠀
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#healthandwellbeing #healthandnutrition #healthandhappiness #healthandfitnessjourney #healthandsafety #healthyish #healthtalk #healthnut #healthlifestyle #healthateverysize #foodismedicine #foodstagram #foodasmedicine #wellnesslifestyle #wellnessadvocate #wellnessindustry #integrativemedicine #healthandwellnessjourney #chronicillnessawareness #healthjourney #inflammation #toxinsbegone #detoxyourlife #toxinfreelife #organicliving #organiclife #fatlossnutrition #healthandnutrition #eatcleanmenu ...

⁣When people are trying to make a lifestyle change they always think it has to be a drastic or radical shift all at once. ⠀
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But it doesn’t have to be that way and shouldn’t. Instead, focus on your daily habits.⠀
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Little hinges swing big doors and small changes always add up to big results.⠀
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Dr Ann 💜⠀
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#successmindset #successfulmotivation #succeedonpurpose #powertosucceed #skillstosucceed #leadtosucceed #succeedinlife #scaleyourmindset #scaleyourlife #successhabit #successinspiration #makinggoals #havefocus #findyourfocus #healthyhabits #healthychoices #healthyhabitskit ⠀
#entrepreneurmindset #mindsetiskey #mindsetiseverything ...