As Dr. Mark Hyman (one of the most renowned functional medicine physicians) says in his latest podcast (pasted below for your reference), “The impact the gut has on the entire body should not be underestimated, but unfortunately in conventional medicine it often is. We are shuttling pounds and pounds of food into this tube we have called the digestive system several times a day and we don’t give it a second thought—it’s pretty crazy when you think about it. The gut is responsible for our ability to turn food into fuel; to absorb and even create certain nutrients; to rid the body of harmful toxins on a daily basis. We rely on it to do so much for us.”
Luckily we have a gut health expert in Bangkok itself. Her name is Laura Martin and she’s wonderful. Have a look at our interview with her below.
Tell us a bit about yourself and why you are so passionate about gut health.
My name is Laura Martin. I’m a certified nutrition and lifestyle consultant and creator and founder of Healing to Happy, which is an online program that focuses on healing the mind from the inside out approach. The story behind Healing to Happy and gut health is long, but a quick little version of it is that from an early age I struggled with depression, anxiety, constipation, disordered eating, and just overall a toxic lifestyle which ultimately resulted in me getting very ill. After unexpectedly losing my mom, I found myself wanting to make more out of my life. Food had been something I was struggling with so I started with nutrition (to make peace with my enemy) and moved forward from there. I realized over time that as I was eating better, my digestion began to improve but so did my mindset. I started to feel happier overall and making better decisions, which in turn helped to create a healthier life outside of what was happening on my plate. So, I decided to go back to get certified as a gut specialist so I could learn more about the microbiome, specifically the gut-brain connection and how we can use nutrition and lifestyle to help heal depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.
What is the gut?
The gut helps you take in and digest your food and utilize the nutrients to fuel your cells. It’s the organ that is in direct contact with the outside world through our digestive tract – starting at the mouth all the way to our anus. So what you put in is incredibly important to your overall health and wellbeing.
What is the microbiome?
Your microbiome is made up of trillions of different bacteria that grows into a 3 lbs mass. This mass controls everything about you! From the way you digest your foods, to the genes that are turned off and on, to the weight that you hold, to the way your hormones work, to what’s happening on your skin, to how you feel. We naturally are made up of these bacteria but it’s our job to make sure that your gut is in balance so that you don’t see flare-up in any of these areas.
How does someone know if their gut is healthy or not?
Do you have digestive issues (constipation, diarrhea, IBS, SIBO, candida, etc)? Do you have skin flare-ups? Do you have cravings and mood swings? How are your hormones and what’s your PMS like? Do you suffer from an autoimmunity or are you constantly falling ill? Do you suffer from depression or anxiety? Those are all good indicators that you have an imbalance in your gut. Majority of people nowadays are suffering from some type of gut dysbiosis, it’s just a matter of how extreme it is or not.
What are some of the lab tests they can take to find out?
Honestly, I think there is no better test than yourself which is why I provide my clients with a Gut Diary so they can track themselves. I’ll usually start clients off with elimination diets, but without the scare behind it. I work with people that are working through food fears so we have to be mindful of that approach. If that doesn’t work or if their symptoms are more extreme, I’ll suggest that they go meet with their functional medicine doctor and either do some stool, urine, blood, or breath tests.
Why do you call the gut the second brain?
I’d arguably say that it’s the first, actually! Like I said earlier, the gut is made up of trillions of different bacteria but it is also home to over 100 million different neurons and over 30 different neurotransmitters, along with controlling 85% of your immunity. It holds as much power as your spinal column and brain. Your gut houses 90% of your serotonin levels, that’s your happy hormone! Along with 50% of your dopamine levels (your reward hormone). So it makes sense that after a long day at work, coming home and having a bowl of ice cream and pizza helps to give you that dopamine and serotonin boost. This is also why I’m a huge nerd for using foods to help navigate through depression and anxiety and understanding how inflammation can impact our mental wellbeing.
How does our diet influence the gut microbiome?
Like I said earlier, our gut is in direct contact with our outside world. It starts at our mouth with the food we put in and goes all the way through. So, it’s pretty important that we be mindful of what we’re consuming, right? If we have a diet that is highly inflammatory, meaning foods that are loaded with sugar, overly processed, or that don’t agree with our body, it can offset the balance of good to bad bacteria in our gut. We will never have 100% good, but we do want to ensure that we have a healthy balance between the two.
What impact does sugar have on the gut?
Yes, sugar is one of the main culprits but this doesn’t mean fear all sugars such as fruit and the like, our cells need glucose to function properly. I’m talking about processed sugars. These feed the bad bacteria, set off an alarm response in the body, and throw the system totally out of whack. These are all things that can lead to leaky gut which will then result in a flare-up of the symptoms I had mentioned earlier. This is why in my programs we focus on a leveling up the diet to one that is rich in whole, real foods. I don’t care what diet you follow, the base of any of them is to eat mostly plants and to avoid the center isles of the grocery stores. You want a diet that is rich in fibers to feed the healthy bacteria along with vibrant colors to boost the diversity of the food for the gut. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re getting quality proteins and healthy sources of fat so that you keep your blood sugars levels stable, which in turn keeps your moods stable. And also, fermented foods!
What are prebiotics?
So, prebiotics are the indigestible fibers that only your gut bugs can munch on. Prebiotics occur naturally in many plant-based foods such as garlic, leeks, root vegetables, asparagus, green bananas, and legumes.
What are probiotics?
Well, we’ve been talking so much about the good bacteria- those are probiotics! Probiotics are tiny living microorganisms that live in your digestive tract and are considered the “good guys”. Picture them like the superheroes of your gut. These bacteria aid in keeping the digestive system running smoothly by limiting and fighting off the growth of bad bacteria. Probiotics help in digesting food, destroying harmful pathogens, and producing vitamins we need to live a healthy and balanced life.
If there are 3 tips you would give to your clients for maintaining their gut health, what would you tell them and why?
Eat your vegetables. If you hate them, figure out a way to make yourself like them. Hide them in your favorite dishes, blend them into smoothies, put them on your pizza- heck, they even make pizza out of vegetables these days (just check out Pizza Massilia!) Your body, your mind, and your gut will love you for them.
Sleep! We live in a world that thinks it’s cool to sleep 4 hours and glorifies the fact that we’re overworked. Your body goes into repair and recovery mode while you sleep. It’s essential to repair the gut lining and also to repair your brain. If you’re looking to do anything or start somewhere, start here.
This pairs nicely with stress. I’m sure you were thinking of food things, but the key to maintaining a healthy gut comes from maintaining a healthy lifestyle outside of the plate. If your body is on high alert and stressed out, digestion is the last thing it’s worried about. When you’re stressed blood flow is sent to your muscles and brain, not the gut. Digestion is a hard task for the body to do! This is why in my programs we take an inside out and outside in approach. End of the day, meet yourself where you’re at and be realistic about it. Don’t go off running and thinking you need to cut out everything and anything and spending your next paycheck on the best probiotics on the market. That’s going to set yourself up for failure and just continue that diet cycle we’re trying to break away from.
Any final thoughts?
Be realistic, pick one thing and start from there. Maybe it’s more vegetables, maybe it’s getting a quality probiotic supplement, maybe it’s getting an awesome nerdy gut coach to walk you all through it. Who knows! But seriously, keep it simple and keep it real – those are all the tips you need when it comes to gut health and real life.
Thank you for your time, Laura!
If you are concerned about your gut health please do reach out and it will be our pleasure to connect you with Laura so she can help you.
Interview led by Devi Bajaj Founder and Director of Enliven Health Concierge
For more information about gut health, below are some articles from our partners and other informative health resources:
We’ve all heard of heart disease and diabetes, and there is a whole lot of research that has gone into finding the cause and treating these conditions, but there is a wide range of conditions that are not as fortunate to have as much research done on them.
These conditions (over 6,000 different ones) are characterised by a broad diversity of disorders and symptoms that vary not only from disease to disease but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease. Relatively common symptoms can hide underlying rare diseases leading to misdiagnosis and delaying treatment. Quintessentially disabling, the patients quality of life is affected by the lack or loss of autonomy due to the chronic, progressive, degenerative, and frequently life-threatening aspects of the disease. The fact that there are often no existing effective cures adds to the high level of pain and suffering endured by patients and their families.
The first Rare Disease Day was celebrated in 2008 on 29 February, a ‘rare’ date that happens only once every four years. Ever since then, Rare Disease Day has taken place on the last day of February, a month known for having a ‘rare’ number of days.The campaign targets primarily the general public and also seeks to raise awareness amongst policy makers, public authorities, industry representatives, researchers, health professionals and anyone who has a genuine interest in rare diseases.
Key Figures about Rare Diseases
There are over 300 million people living with one or more of over 6,000 identified rare diseases around the world, each supported by family, friends and a team of carers that make up the rare disease community.
Each rare disease may only affect a handful of people, scattered around the world, but taken together the number of people directly affected is equivalent to the population of the world’s third largest country.
Rare diseases currently affect 3.5% – 5.9% of the worldwide population.
72% of rare diseases are genetic whilst others are the result of infections (bacterial or viral), allergies and environmental causes, or are degenerative and proliferative.
70% of those genetic rare diseases start in childhood.
A disease defined as rare in Europe when it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people.
As mentioned, due to the broad diversity of disorders and relatively common symptoms which can hide underlying rare diseases, initial misdiagnosis is common. In addition, symptoms differ not only from disease to disease, but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease.
Due to the rarity and diversity of rare diseases, research needs to be international to ensure that experts, researchers and clinicians are connected, that clinical trials are multinational and that patients can benefit from the pooling of resources across borders. Initiatives such as the European Reference Networks(networks of centres of expertise and healthcare providers that facilitate cross-border research and healthcare), the International Rare Disease Research Consortium and the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 support international, connected research.
Rare Disease Day is a great example of how progress continues to be made, with events being held worldwide each year. Beginning in 2008, when events took place in just 18 countries, Rare Disease Day has taken place every year since, with events being held in over 100 countries in 2019.
Here are some links related to Rare Disease Day in Thailand:
If you or any of your loved ones have a rare disease, know that there is an entire community to support you. We at Enliven are here and will do our best to help you find a treatment as well. Always remember, “alone we are rare, but together we are strong!”
Information compiled by Devi Bajaj Founder and Director of Enliven Health Concierge
Below are links to more details related to the information above:
Here at Enliven one of the most common inquiries we receive is related to Women’s Health. Along with that comes the wish of many women to conceive and start a family. It is not always possible or easy for women to conceive naturally, thus we have done our research with regards to conception via in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gone into partnership with Safe Fertility Center, founded by Dr. Wiwat Quangkananurug – one of the most renowned doctors in this field in Thailand.
To learn more about IVF, Dr. Wiwat and his facility, have a read of our interview with him below:
How long have you been an IVF doctor?
I started to do IVF since 1999 and at that time worked in a hospital but after 9 years set up my own IVF center in 2007.
What exactly is IVF?
IVF is essentially a test tube baby. We retrieve the egg out from the body, fertilize with the sperm, cultivate and culture before putting it back into the women’s body. In the past, they were put back into the women during the same cycle, but since 2011 we moved to frozen embryo transfer (FET). The US, Japan and Australia adopted FET since 2010, we started only 1 year later.
Do you prefer fresh or frozen embryo transfers (FET), and why?
Definitely, FET because the success rate is higher, especially in women older than 35. It’s safer and there’s less chance to get ectopic pregnancy (which is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus. Signs and symptoms classically include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding) and abnormal placentation. The baby’s weight is generally better and bigger.
Do you recommend performing embryo transfers on the 3rd or 5th day?
Since 2008 we moved from 3rd day to 5th day and found the success rate is much higher.
What makes someone a candidate for IVF? When is IVF recommended?
If someone is married 1 year without contraception and unable to conceive. Women older than 35 years old. Men with low sperm count and/or poor sperm quality. Essentially anyone experiencing infertility.
How does someone prepare for IVF?
You have to make the body strong by exercising and having a good work-life balance. Also, you must check your body’s micronutrient levels and supplement what’s missing.
Why choose SAFE as your destination for IVF?
We’ve been in the IVF industry for 20 years. We have a robust process in all parts of the clinic starting from registration, personnel, laboratory, doctors, equipment, safety and success rate.
How does SAFE differentiate from other IVF centers in Thailand?
The key is that we are a dedicated and luxury center focusing on the client’s privacy along with high success rates. All our clients will have a personal assistant to accompany them pre and post-treatment and be available to them at all times.
What accreditation and awards has SAFE received?
We are the first IVF Clinic in Thailand:
to receive accreditation by the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Certification (RTAC) of the Fertility Society of Australia (FSA) and New Zealand since 2015
to use the Embryo Scope in our own laboratory since 2012
for chromosome testing technology (illumina-NGS) since 2014
for Kyromapping since 2016
to be certified by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) since 2014
What are the success rates at Safe?
If the patient comes under 40 years old, the success rate is 90% (3 times), 80% (2 times), 70% (1 time). 9 out of 10 will get success with us.
Now if anyone is interested in conception via IVF, Dr. Wiwat and his team are the way to go!
Contact us for more information.
Interview led by Devi Bajaj Executive Director of Enliven Concierge
Last year before lockdown I went to Muscat, Oman, and my experience reinforced why Thailand is such a great place for medical tourism, or healthcare treatment in general.
We were staying at the W Hotel where a wedding was being held, and the bride wasn’t feeling 100% so we went to the concierge to see what could be done to help her. It wasn’t life threatening, but the girl wanted to be cared for by a medical professional to ensure that everything was fine, preferably at the hotel for her convenience. Essentially she was exhausted and all she wanted was an IV booster to give her energy.
Don’t get me wrong, the concierge team at the hotel was helpful, but because it was a Friday morning in a predominantly Islamic state (Friday, Jumuʿah in Arabic, is the holy day for Muslims. Jumuʿah comes from the same root word as gather and congregation. On Fridays, Muslims attend a special prayer in the afternoon called the Jumuʿah prayer. You can find more information about this here), the in house medical team of the hotel was off duty and everyone we tried to call was either not answering or not available.
As the concierge team didn’t have anyone in house to support, they recommended we call a few hospitals including Muscat Private Hospital. So the very helpful concierge staff dialed the hospital and when someone finally answered the person on the other end of the line said she will connect us to emergency as we called during prayer time and most of the staff including physicians were unavailable. We understood that and expected that because we were being put through to the ER that someone would answer our call within a few seconds, okay even a few minutes. Boy were we wrong. The concierge stayed on the line for almost 7 minutes and we were still on hold. At this point I told him to end the call and I will reach out to some of my own contacts in Muscat to see what can be done.
I got names of another hospital and two potential services which provide concierge/home care. The concierge at the W called all three numbers, and one was helpful. The person at the end of the line at the concierge care said they can arrange for an IV drip at the hotel if we can provide a doctor’s note recommending it. As we didn’t have access to a doctor at that time, we asked if she could suggest a doctor we could speak to that would be willing to come see the patient. She gave us a couple numbers but it was Friday afternoon so no one answered our calls. By now it had been more than two hours since we tried to find a solution for this dear girl and we hadn’t made any progress.
I called my friend who lives in Muscat and she said the best thing to do would be to take her to the hospital and a doctor will treat her there. Luckily the girl had enough energy at this time to sit in a car for thirty minutes to get to the hospital. Once she reached the facility the service was great and she received the IV drip that she wanted and she felt better.
After all this, I had a chat with my friend who said it is these experiences that result in outbound medical tourism from Muscat to places like Bangkok. Had this situation occurred in Bangkok, we at Enliven would have been able to sort it out within an hour. Yes, it is true that we have the network here to make it happen, but it is also true that if you called the ER at one of the top JCI accredited hospitals in Bangkok it is extremely unlikely that you would have to wait more than 7 minutes for someone to take your call. Bangkok is accessible to all for medical care and we at Enliven are here to service you 24/7.
Written by Devi Bajaj Founder and Director of Enliven Health Concierge
My husband and I recently watched a docuseries on Netflix called “Pandemic,” where in one episode the focus is on a community of people who are anti-vaccination and it really irked me. This week’s blog post is to educate you on the facts about the importance of vaccines.
Below is video about a boy who decided to get vaccinated even though his mother thought it may make him autistic. He makes a good point when he says, “I never was rude towards my mother, and even in public settings where I expressed how her beliefs were misinformed, I said that she was a loving mother, and that’s important to understand … Because a lot of people, I think, in the scientific community that understand why vaccines are so important, can really be confused by someone who would not vaccinate. Really, we can compare it to someone not taking their child to the ER. That’s a very dangerous situation to be in and it shows some lack of empathy towards your children in some regards. And really, I can understand that, I can. But my mom, she was misinformed and misled by sources that convinced her that if she was a loving parent, she wouldn’t vaccinate.”
Before we get deep into the discussion, let’s first define vaccinations: “The body’s immune system helps protect against pathogens that cause infection. Most of the time, it’s an efficient system. It either keeps microorganisms out or tracks them down and gets rid of them. However, some pathogens can overwhelm the immune system. When this happens, it can cause serious illness. The pathogens most likely to cause problems are the ones the body doesn’t recognize. Vaccination is a way to “teach” the immune system how to recognize and eliminate an organism. That way, your body is prepared if you’re ever exposed. Vaccinations are an important form of primary prevention. That means they can protect people from getting sick.” (https://www.healthline.com/health/vaccinations)
History of Vaccines “Vaccines save lives. Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements in the history of public health. Since its discovery, immunization has been credited for saving an estimated 9 million lives a year. To better understand the impact of vaccines, let’s look at smallpox. Smallpox is among the most devastating diseases in human history. For thousands of years it plagued civilizations from around the globe, from ancient Egypt where evidence of the disease was found on the mummy of Pharaoh Ramses V, to 18th century Europe where persistent and violent outbreaks killed about 20-30% of those infected. During the colonization of the Americas, that number is estimated to assort nearly 90% among indigenous people who had never been exposed before.
Eradication of Smallpox via Vaccinations
The disease itself was particularly agonizing, beginning with a headache and fever, progressing into a painful rash that soon swelled into puss joules. Those fortunate enough to survive were often left blind or infertile, and almost always badly scarred. Fortunately, thanks to extensive vaccination, the last naturally ocurring case was in 1977, and in 1980 the World Health Assembly officially declared that smallpox had been eradicated calling it an unprecedented achievement in the history of public health. So far, smallpox is the only human disease to have been completely eradicated.
Anti-Vaccination Development
Though vaccines have gone a long way to prevent the widespread suffering and death associated with many diseases, polio for example has become increasingly rare in the United States. However, cases of measles are increasing rather than decreasing. In 2008 the CDC received reports of 134 cases of Measles. In spite of the fact that Endemic Measles were eliminated in the US in 2000. This is the consequence of an unsettling anti-vaccination trend, largely stemming from a study published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield. Wakefield’s study reported linked the measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine with autism. This study however was at best poorly conducted and at worst outright fraudulent. Numerous studies have since refuted Wakefield’s claims, and Wakefield himself has been stripped of his medical license, but for some the fear however unfounded, remains.
World Health Organization’s Six Common Misconceptions About Immunization:
Q&A About Vaccines from the World Health Organization
Why should I get vaccinated?
Without vaccines, we are at risk of serious illness and disability from diseases like measles, meningitis, pneumonia, tetanus and polio. Many of these diseases can be life-threatening. WHO estimates that vaccines save between 2 and 3 million lives every year. Although some diseases may have become uncommon, the germs that cause them continue to circulate in some or all parts of the world. In today’s world, infectious diseases can easily cross borders, and infect anyone who is not protected Two key reasons to get vaccinated are to protect ourselves and to protect those around us. Because not everyone can be vaccinated – including very young babies, those who are seriously ill or have certain allergies – they depend on others being vaccinated to ensure they are also safe from vaccine-preventable diseases.
What diseases do vaccines prevent?
Vaccines protect against many different diseases, including:
Cervical cancer
Cholera
Diphtheria
Hepatitis B
Influenza
Japanese encephalitis
Measles
Meningitis
Mumps
Pertussis
Pneumonia
Polio
Rabies
Rotavirus
Rubella
Tetanus
Typhoid
Varicella
Yellow fever
Some other vaccines are currently under development or being piloted, including those that protect against Ebola or malaria, but are not yet widely available globally. Not all of these vaccinations may be needed in your country. Some may only be given prior to travel, in areas of risk, or to people in high-risk occupations.
When should I get vaccinated (or vaccinate my child)?
Vaccines protect us throughout life and at different ages, from birth to childhood, as teenagers and into old age. In most countries you will be given a vaccination card that tells you what vaccines you or your child have had and when the next vaccines or booster doses are due. It is important to make sure that all these vaccines are up to date. If we delay vaccination, we are at risk of getting seriously sick. If we wait until we think we may be exposed to a serious illness – like during a disease outbreak – there may not be enough time for the vaccine to work and to receive all the recommended doses.
Why does vaccination start at such a young age?
Young children can be exposed to diseases in their daily life from many different places and people, and this can put them at serious risk. The WHO-recommended vaccination schedule is designed to protect infants and young children as early as possible. Infants and young children are often at the greatest risk from diseases because their immune systems are not yet fully developed, and their bodies are less able to fight off infection. It is therefore very important that children are vaccinated against diseases at the recommended time.
Who can get vaccinated?
Nearly everyone can get vaccinated. However, because of some medical conditions, some people should not get certain vaccines, or should wait before getting them. These conditions can include: Chronic illnesses or treatments (like chemotherapy) that affect the immune system; Severe and life-threatening allergies to vaccine ingredients, which are very rare; If you have severe illness and a high fever on the day of vaccination. These factors often vary for each vaccine. If you’re not sure if you or your child should get a particular vaccine, talk to your health worker. They can help you make an informed choice about vaccination for you or your child.
What is in a vaccine?
All the ingredients of a vaccine play an important role in ensuring a vaccine is safe and effective. Some of these include:
The antigen. This is a killed or weakened form of a virus or bacteria, which trains our bodies to recognize and fight the disease if we encounter it in the future.
Adjuvants, which help to boost our immune response. This means they help vaccines to work better.
Preservatives, which ensure a vaccine stays effective.
Stabilisers, which protect the vaccine during storage and transportation.
Vaccine ingredients can look unfamiliar when they are listed on a label. However, many of the components used in vaccines occur naturally in the body, in the environment, and in the foods we eat. All of the ingredients in vaccines – as well as the vaccines themselves – are thoroughly tested and monitored to ensure they are safe.
Are vaccines safe?
Vaccination is safe and side effects from a vaccine are usually minor and temporary, such as a sore arm or mild fever. More serious side effects are possible, but extremely rare. Any licensed vaccine is rigorously tested across multiple phases of trials before it is approved for use, and regularly reassessed once it is introduced. Scientists are also constantly monitoring information from several sources for any sign that a vaccine may cause health risks. Remember, you are far more likely to be seriously injured by a vaccine-preventable disease than by a vaccine. For example, tetanus can cause extreme pain, muscle spasms (lockjaw) and blood clots, measles can cause encephalitis (an infection of the brain) and blindness. Many vaccine-preventable diseases can even result in death. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks, and many more illnesses and deaths would occur without vaccines.
Are there side effects from vaccines?
Like any medicine, vaccines can cause mild side effects, such as a low-grade fever, or pain or redness at the injection site. Mild reactions go away within a few days on their own. Severe or long-lasting side effects are extremely rare. Vaccines are continually monitored for safety, to detect rare adverse events.
Is there a link between vaccines and autism?
There is no evidence of any link between vaccines and autism or autistic disorders. This has been demonstrated in many studies, conducted across very large populations. The 1998 study which raised concerns about a possible link between measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism was later found to be seriously flawed and fraudulent. The paper was subsequently retracted by the journal that published it, and the doctor that published it lost his medical license. Unfortunately, its publication created fear that led to dropping immunization rates in some countries, and subsequent outbreaks of these diseases. We must all ensure we are taking steps to share only credible, scientific information on vaccines, and the diseases they prevent.
In Summary, vaccines do not cause autism. They do not poison children, and they are not a money-making medical scheme. Vaccines are an imperative part of public health. From measles to meningitis, smallpox to HPV, countless lives and communities have been spared the suffering and death associated with varied diseases since the creation of the first vaccine just 200 years ago so if you haven’t already, go get vaccinated.
Information shared by Devi Bajaj Executive Director of Enliven Concierge
Below are links to some articles related to the information above:
