Managing Your Gut Health

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Managing Your Gut Health Bowel Disease in the NBA: Larry Nance Jr.’s Fight with Crohn’s When Larry Nance Jr. was 16 years old, he learned why he felt so unwell when he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Nance has since battled through the disease, followed in his father’s footsteps to play in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and has become an advocate for Crohn’s and colitis along the way. In 2017, Nance co-founded the organization Athletes vs. Crohn’s and Colitis to inspire and mentor young athletes battling these diseases. Mediaplanet spoke with Nance about his life with Crohn’s and spreading awareness for digestive diseases.

You were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 16. How did that affect you growing up?

Why's it important to spread awareness about diseases like Crohn’s?

When I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, it was a relief to me actually — an answer as to why I was feeling the way that I was. And with the diagnosis came treatment options, which meant I was on the way to feeling normal.

To me it’s so important to spread awareness of Crohn’s disease because our disease is a true testament to the expression, “You never know what someone else is going through.” With Crohn’s being, for the most part, so invisible, it’s likely that someone you know is fighting a battle you don’t even know about, and so empathy is incredibly important.

What’s something you were shocked to learn about Crohn’s?

The most shocking part for me was just how individualized the disease is.

When I meet and talk to kids and inflammatory bowel disease groups, I always make sure to add that what makes me hurt may not always be the case for them, and vice versa. You have to find your personal triggers and then learn how to avoid them.

How has Crohn’s affected your career in the NBA? Without my Crohn’s diagnosis, I never would’ve gotten to this point in my career. It taught me how to overcome various adversities in my life. Also, without the diagnosis I’d still be experiencing harsh symptoms — one being lack of growth — so being 6’8 would’ve been just a dream.

I

Tell us about your foundation, Athletes vs. Crohn’s and Colitis.

My foundation, Athletes vs. Crohn’s and Colitis, was founded by two Crohn’s patients, me and a kid named Noah Weber. I met him after a basketball game because he’d sent me an Instagram message about how he was struggling with Crohn’s.

We started the foundation to share our stories and mentor other people going through similar journeys. Now, we give scholarships to high school seniors, run mentorship programs in five major cities, and provide access to a community of people who truly understand the invisible battle people with Crohn’s and colitis fight every day.

Adam Scully Opens Up the Toronto Gutsy Walk Crohn's and Colitis Canada

n Canada, 300,000 people live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis — chronic forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with no known cure. Canada has one of the highest rates in the world, with one person diagnosed every hour. Managing IBD can be a long struggle, with many people spending years trying to find stability to control their debilitating symptoms through a variety of treatments. Losing stability can mean an IBD flare-up, the onset of crippling symptoms, hospitalization, complications, and more.

Crohn’s and colitis are sometimes referred to as “invisible diseases” since they may not be obvious from a person’s appearance. As a result, speaking about symptoms like stomach pain or bloody diarrhea can be difficult. Yet the numbers are significant: one in 140 Canadians is diagnosed with IBD, and many young adults get diagnosed in their late teens or early 20s.

That was the situation for Adam Scully who learned he had Crohn’s disease just before his 18th birthday.

The diagnosis in 2010 explained the excruciating pain radiating from his small intestine and into his esophagus. “It was as if somebody stabbed me in the middle of my chest, I couldn’t move,” explains Scully, now 30.

While medications help many people cope with and manage devastating symptoms, that wasn’t the case initially for Scully. He went through several treatments without success.

At his lowest point, with his condition worsening, he remembers howling in pain during a colonoscopy.

Stability for people living with IBD is hard-earned, and ensuring management and control of debilitating disease symptoms is paramount. In consultation with his gastroenterologist, a biologic treatment helped Scully regain stability in his life. Two decades later, this biologic continues to manage the debilitating symptoms that come with IBD. Scully, along with sister Sarah (who lives with ulcerative colitis), and the family volunteer for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada to help others affected by IBD. Scully was 2022’s Toronto honor-

the charity.

To create awareness and offer support for others, Scully shares his story as an advocate for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

There are many questions and challenges when you’re affected by a chronic disease. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada offers resources, programs, and a community of support across Canada. Find out how you can get involved at crohnsandcolitis.ca.

Gutsy Walk Gutsy Walk, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s largest annual fundraiser, brings the IBD community together from across

IMAGE COURTESY OF CROHN'S AND COLITIS CANADA

Find out how you can get involved at

ary chair of the annual Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Gutsy Walk, the largest fundraising campaign for the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians affected by these chronic diseases and finding cures.

The family, dubbed Team A.S.S., has collectively raised over $330,000 for

Canada. Gutsy Walk is a fun-filled, family-friendly, and non-competitive day to walk in support of those impacted

by Crohn’s and colitis. Every June, thousands of people walk to raise funds for research and programs to support everyone affected by IBD. Donate today at gutsywalk.ca.

crohnsandcolitis.ca

This article was supported by Crohn's and Colitis Canada.

Publisher: Rayan Hassan Business Development Manager: Melanie Kosev Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Lauren Livingston Content & Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve the Toronto Star or its editorial departments.

Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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Why You Need Bitters in Your Life Heartburn, indigestion, constipation, and bloating are common symptoms of sluggish digestion — and there’s a simple, natural remedy available.

Tania Amardeil

D Dr. Briana Lutz, ND, RH Naturopathic Doctor & Registered Herbalist

igestion is a cascade of physiological events that starts before you even put food in your mouth. That anticipatory "mouth watering" effect is your digestive system in action.

Digestive prompting can also come from something today’s diets often lack: bitter flavours. These stimulate the vagus nerve in the roof of the mouth, triggering the release of the hormone gastrin. This signals the release of saliva, gastric juices, enzymes, and bile — crucial elements of healthy digestion.

Bitters also help the nervous system to shift into “rest and repair” mode (rather than “fight or flight”), optimizing digestion.

Turning to a traditional, proven herbal remedy

This article was sponsored by St. Francis Herb Farm.

Dr. Nigel Plummer Managing Director, Cultech

Bitters — traditional herbs with bitter compounds — can relieve uncomfortable digestive symptoms like stomach upset, gas, bloating, and heartburn.

They can also optimize the nutrient absorption that’s essential to maintaining many bodily systems, including a strong immune system.

“Not only do bitters stimulate the vagus nerve, but they also bind to bitter receptors throughout the entire digestive tract,” explains Dr. Briana Lutz, a naturopathic doctor in Edmonton, Alta.

“Activating these bitter receptors has been shown to regulate blood sugar, which can reduce energy crashes or sugar cravings.”

St. Francis Herb Farm’s Canadian Bitters contain a spectrum of traditional bitter herbs, including globe artichoke, dandelion, and gentian root, that can be taken daily to help support and strengthen organs of digestion. Its traditional formula also contains cardamom and chamomile, which are carminative herbs — herbs that help calm the digestive tract and alleviate gas and bloating. Bitters are, well, bitter, but that’s how they work! For a somewhat more palatable version, try Canadian Bitters Maple, which includes a touch of maple syrup.

Unlike formulas that can create dependence or irritate tissues, St. Francis Herb Farm’s bitters are made with natural, non-habit-forming formulas.

Their actions also help retrain the body’s digestive system, encouraging it to function more efficiently instead of merely providing a temporary solution.

Are you looking to fortify your digestion?

Learn more at stfrancisherbfarm.com Herbs can have numerous benefits. What we’re showing here is what they’re best or often used for regarding these various health needs to help bring some clarity. Ultimately, it’s a great idea to visit a naturopathic doctor who specializes in botanical medicine to understand what’s right for you.

Genestra Brands® Probiotics Promote and Restore a Healthy Gut

F

ollowing a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, managing stress, and exercising can support gut health.

If you’re looking to optimize your gut microbiome to preserve your overall health structure, probiotics are another important tool. In addition to contributing to good general gut health, probiotics can help manage specific conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation or antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and act as preventative agents for other health conditions throughout the body.

Your gut breaks down food to a simple form so that it can be delivered as nutrients throughout the body, but this is only possible with a healthy microbiome. The microbiome is a collection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that helps fight off infection, break down potentially toxic food compounds and synthesize vitamins. A healthy gut also communicates with the brain through nerves and hormones, which helps maintain general health and well-being. It’s important to remember that the levels of beneficial bacteria in our gut may be reduced due to factors such as stress, aging, poor dietary habits, and taking antibiotics or other medications.

“Probiotics deliver the most beneficial members of the microbiome,” says Dr. Nigel Plummer, a microbiologist, a globally recognized authority on probiotics, and a key specialist in research and development for the Genestra Brands®

Abigail Cukier

probiotic line. “With probiotics, we’re taking those members, isolating them, purifying them and putting them back in much greater numbers than are in your body. Bloating, for example, is caused by an overgrowth or overpopulation of bacteria in the gut that produce gas.

The bacteria in probiotics don’t produce gas; they outcompete the gas-producing organisms, resulting in reduced levels of bloating.”

“Additionally, the microbiome is hugely important in maintaining our immune system(health). Eighty percent of the body's immune system is in the gut, and the microbiome constantly “primes” it to act more quickly and effectively — not just in the gut but throughout the body. In fact, the more we look in terms of roles that the microbiome plays in maintaining our health the more we find — it’s really quite amazing," says Dr. Plummer.

Do your research to find the right probiotic product While probiotics may be added to foods such as yogurt, probiotic supplements provide the highest amount of beneficial live and active cultures. Before looking for a supplement, Dr. Plummer recommends checking with your health care provider to ensure probiotics are right for you. When choosing a probiotic, make sure to read the label. Look for the number of colony forming units (CFUs) it contains, which indicates how much bacteria is in each dose. Keep in

mind more is not always better since a smaller number of more targeted varieties may be optimal for what you want to treat. In the case of specific allergies, check the ingredients to ensure there's nothing you're allergic to or check the label to see if the probiotic is certified free of your particular allergen, such as dairy, soy, or gluten. Dr. Plummer also says to select probiotics that have clinical trial evidence for the condition you’re looking to treat.

“For example, Genestra Brands has a product called HMF IBS Relief. This is because we’ve provided clinical evidence that our product is effective for IBS,” says Dr. Plummer. While some labels list CFUs at the time of manufacture, Dr. Plummer advises looking for a product that guarantees potency when you use the probiotic until the time expires.

Probiotics benefit overall health and well-being Genestra Brands is built upon a researchdriven, evidence-based scientific foundation. Most recently, the company launched HMF Shelf-Stable probiotics, a line of probiotics able to maintain potency levels and stability without refrigeration.

“Probiotics promote good general gastrointestinal health and relieve some common symptoms, such as gas and bloating,” says Dr. Plummer. “They deliver many benefits for our overall health and well-being.”

If you’re looking for a solution to your gut health questions, consider Genestra Brands.

Find the right Genestra products for you on well.ca.

This article was sponsored

by Genestra.

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Canadians Can Get Effective Relief from Frequent Heartburn Acid reflux can take away the joys of everyday life for many Canadians, underscoring the need to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and find the right treatment.

Michele Sponagle

H

eartburn is a common problem. About five million Canadians experience it at least once each week, according to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. For busy people on the go, it’s an issue that can take away their ability to live their lives to the fullest.

The symptoms of heartburn are unpleasant, and can include a burning feeling in your chest to an acidic, sour taste in the back of your throat, as well as pain when you bend over or lie down. They may cause slight to intense discomfort and can last a few minutes or even hours after you eat or lay down too soon after a meal.

It’s caused when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes abnormally, allowing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus. A well-functioning LES should close after you swallow and keep acids from rising.

What causes heartburn — identifying possible heartburn triggers Heartburn can be triggered by several factors, including pregnancy, certain medications such as anti-inflammatories, and what, how much, and when you eat. Triggers vary widely and they depend on how your body reacts to certain foods, plus lifestyle choices and medical conditions.

Some common foods have been linked to heartburn — primarily acidic and high-fat foods, such as onions, tomatoes, cheese, chocolate, citrus fruit, alcohol, and caffeinated or carbonated beverages. Spicy foods can also make your symptoms worse since it contains capsaicin. If you feel what you may be drinking or eating is triggering you, keep track of what you consume so you can learn and avoid what may be causing your heartburn.

Lifestyle behaviours, and physiological and environmental elements

also may play a role. Smoking may relax the LES, which may increase the risk of heartburn. Being pregnant or overweight may increase risk because of the added pressure it puts on the stomach. High-stress levels and wearing tight clothing (especially anything around the abdomen area) could contribute to the problem.

How PPIs can help control heartburn — finding effective relief from acid reflux Not all heartburn is the same. Episodic heartburn may occur once or twice a week or less.

When it happens two or more times a week, it is generally considered frequent heartburn.

For relief, a pharmacist or doctor may suggest proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). This class of medications introduced in the late 1980s has been proven effective in reducing stomach acid.

PPIs work by reducing the production of acid right at its source — the parietal cells found in the glands in the lining of the stomach.

To take control of your frequent heartburn, cons i d e r N e x iu m 24HR, a once-aday PPI medication available over-thecounter without a prescription.

Appropriate for adults ages 18 plus, it contains an active ingredient called esomeprazole magnesium. Just take one pill in the morning with water before eating every day for 14 consecutive days, even when not experiencing symptoms to start feeling better. It’s not intended for immediate relief of heartburn and may take 1 to 4 days to take full effect. For best results, use as directed.Always read and follow the instructions on the label.

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits — smart tips for managing heartburn Along with taking Nexium 24HR, you can empower your health and reduce frequent heartburn with healthy lifestyle choices. When meal planning, try to avoid acidic and high-fat foods.

Think instead of berries, bananas and pears with low-fat yogurt for breakfast, and a light lunch such as salad and vegetables seasoned with herbs for lunch or dinner. Adopt a grazing approach; consume less and eat more often.

Before bedtime, stay away from late-night snacks, as well as carbonated or caffeinated beverages. Sip a cup of low acidity herbal decaffeinated tea instead.

Wait at least three hours a f ter a mea l before lying down or heading to bed. Gravity will help keep stomach acids where they belong and prevent them from rising into the esophagus. You can also take steps to heartburn-proof your sleep.

Research has shown that elevating the top portion of it with blocks can help reduce the number of acid reflux episodes. Or use a wedge pillow to raise your head at least six to eight inches higher than your feet.

Exercise is always a good habit to help maintain a healthy weight and overall wellness, but those who experience heartburn may want to make adjustments to their workout routines. Don’t eat beforehand and take a look at the type of exercises you’re doing. Some forms, such as vigorous running, lifting heav y weights, cycling at a competitive level, and ones that involve jumping or bouncing, can strain the abdomen.

Swimming, yoga, and fast walking may be better options. For post-workout meals, choose low-fat options, like grilled chicken or fish, and avoid large amounts of water, which may aggravate heartburn.

Avoid eating up to 3 hours before bedtime. Avoid lying down after meals. Elevate the head of the bed by 10-20 cm.

Avoid alcohol.

This product may not be right for you.

Always read and follow the label.

Learn more about this once-a-day pill and take a quiz to see if you suffer from frequent heartburn at nexium24.ca.

Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider, if you have questions.

This article was sponsored

by GSK.