Morning sickness is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. It is a common complaint, but it often passes by 3 months into the pregnancy. However, for some women, severe morning sickness can be bothersome. What is morning sickness? The feelings of nausea do not happen only in the morning. Most women find they […]
https://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.png00adminhttps://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.pngadmin2021-04-26 19:35:032021-04-26 19:35:0510 tips for relieving morning sickness
We may take it for granted that our diet can influence the way our immune systems work. But how and why does what we eat impact the immune response? In this Honest Nutrition feature, we investigate. that constantly works to protect the body from antigens, which have associations with pathogens, including bacteria, toxins, parasites, and […]
https://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.png00adminhttps://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.pngadmin2021-04-19 18:33:342021-04-19 18:33:36How and why does diet influence immune function?
Morning sickness is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. It is a common complaint, but it often passes by 3 months into the pregnancy. However, for some women, severe morning sickness can be bothersome. What is morning sickness? The feelings of nausea do not happen only in the morning. Most women find they […]
https://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.png00adminhttps://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.pngadmin2021-04-26 19:35:032021-04-26 19:35:0510 tips for relieving morning sickness
We may take it for granted that our diet can influence the way our immune systems work. But how and why does what we eat impact the immune response? In this Honest Nutrition feature, we investigate. that constantly works to protect the body from antigens, which have associations with pathogens, including bacteria, toxins, parasites, and […]
https://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.png00adminhttps://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.pngadmin2021-04-19 18:33:342021-04-19 18:33:36How and why does diet influence immune function?
Morning sickness is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. It is a common complaint, but it often passes by 3 months into the pregnancy. However, for some women, severe morning sickness can be bothersome.
What is morning sickness?
The feelings of nausea do not happen only in the morning. Most women find they ease as the day goes on, but, for some women, they may continue all day.
Nausea during pregnancy is normally associated with an increase in estrogen levels, low blood sugar counts, and a greater susceptibility to some smells.
The exact reason is unknown, but factors may include:
a rise in hormones, especially estrogen, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), and cholecystokinin, leading to changes in digestive activity
a fall in blood sugar, resulting from the placenta’s need for energy
Another theory on what contributes to nausea in early pregnancy is related to the sense of smell. A woman’s sense of smell is more sensitive in pregnancy, and this could increase the feelings of nausea.
It is most likely to occur during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and it often subsides once into the second trimester.
Research has suggested that nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are a good sign, and they are associated with a lower risk of pregnancy loss.
Over half of all pregnant women experience nausea.
Morning sickness can last all day for some women. It usually starts around week 6 of pregnancy and disappears around week 12, but different women will have different experiences.
Morning sickness does not need medical attention unless it is severe and leads to dehydration and weight loss. Some tips and home remedies can help.
Most women will not experience excessive vomiting, but many will have some discomfort due to nausea.
Here are some tips for minimizing the unpleasant symptoms of nausea during pregnancy.
1) Get plenty of rest
It is important to get a good night´s sleep. Napping during the day may help too, but not straight after a meal, as this can increase nausea.
For those who work night shifts, it may help to wear a sleep mask or use blackout curtains to block out as much light as possible.
As time goes on and the body changes shape, a maternity body pillow may help your back and abdomen.
Go to bed early and wake up early, so you can take time to get out of bed.
Do not use sleeping pills unless a doctor prescribes them.
2) Eat with care
Fatty and spicy foods and caffeine increase the chance of triggering the release of stomach acid, especially as the pregnancy progresses and the fetus pushes against the digestive tract. Bland foods may be less aggravating.
Small portion sizes can help reduce the chance of vomiting but keep something in the stomach. Having an empty stomach can worsen the feelings of nausea. The stomach produces acids, but they have nothing to work on, except for the stomach lining. This adds to the feelings of nausea.
Having some salty crackers or a protein snack before getting out of bed in the morning may help.
At breakfast, cold apple sauce, pears, bananas or any citrus fruit will help you feel satisfied early. The fruit’s potassium may help prevent morning sickness.
Carbohydrates can help. Baked potatoes, rice, and dry toast are often suitable options.
At night, eating a high-protein snack before going to bed will help regulate your blood-glucose levels during the night.
Eat food cold to reduce the smells experienced when eating.
3) Keep physically and mentally active
Being physically active has been found to improve symptoms in women who experience nausea during pregnancy.
Keeping busy can help take your mind off the feelings of nausea. Reading a book, doing puzzles, watching television, playing cards, or going for short walks around the block will help to keep you preoccupied.
4) Ensure good fluid intake
It is important to stay hydrated for good health, especially during pregnancy.
It may be hard to consume eight glasses of water a day while experiencing nausea, but dehydration can aggravate feelings of nausea.
Adding apple cider vinegar and honey to water may make it more palatable.
Sucking ice cubes made from water or fruit juice is also an effective method.
5) Ginger and peppermint teas
Ginger has long been used to aid digestion and reduce abdominal discomfort. Studies show that it may also help relieve the symptoms of nausea.
Other options are to sip cold ginger ale or to add a slice of raw ginger to water or tea.
Snacks such as gingerbread, or ginger cookies may also help.
Peppermint tea may also help settle the stomach.
6) Wear loose and comfortable clothing
Restrictive or tight clothing may worsen the symptoms of nausea. Women who experience nausea during pregnancy have fewer symptoms of nausea when they wear loose-fitting clothes.
7) Vitamins and supplements
Supplements should only be used under a doctor’s supervision. If you are taking vitamins, it may be best to take them before bed and with a snack.
Vitamin B6 may help reduce nausea.
Iron supplements that are prescribed during pregnancy can sometimes lead to nausea. A doctor may recommend a slower-release form or a lower dosage. Take iron supplements with orange juice or another drink with Vitamin C to increase absorption.
8) Avoid computer monitor flicker
A computer monitor flickers rapidly and almost unnoticeably. This may contribute to morning sickness.
If it is not possible to avoid using a computer monitor, it may help to adjust the screen by making the fonts bold and larger and changing the background to a soft tan or pink color. This will help reduce eye strain.
9) Avoid triggers
Morning sickness is linked to an increased sensitivity to smell.
Some strong smells can worsen the symptoms, but scents such as lemon extract and rosemary may help.
An individual will learn to recognize which triggers bring on an episode of nausea, and they can avoid these as far as possible.
10) Help for acid reflux
Sometimes, the nausea and vomiting may be due to acid reflux.
A doctor may be able to recommend antacid medication to take before going to bed to reduce stomach acid levels, and the subsequent morning vomiting.
Always check with a doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy.
Alternative therapies such as acupressure may help. Applying pressure on specific points on the body may help control symptoms. It may involve wearing a motion-sickness band on the forearm.
Fast facts about morning sickness
Morning sickness occurs in over 50 percent of women who become pregnant.
It can be managed in a number of ways, including through dietary measures, acupressure, and rest.
Active medical treatment is only required in cases of excessive vomiting.
The use of medications is not recommended during pregnancy until prescribed.
Morning Sickness. Pregnant Girl Feeling Sick Touching Mouth Sitting On Couch Indoor. Empty Space For Text
https://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.png00adminhttps://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.pngadmin2021-04-26 19:35:032021-04-26 19:35:0510 tips for relieving morning sickness
We may take it for granted that our diet can influence the way our immune systems work. But how and why does what we eat impact the immune response? In this Honest Nutrition feature, we investigate.
that constantly works to protect the body from antigens, which have associations with pathogens, including bacteria, toxins, parasites, and viruses.
The immune system offers two lines of defense: innate immunity and adaptive immunity.
Innate immunity is the first line of defense and consists of physical barriers, such as the skin and mucous membranes and chemical and cellular defenses. The innate immune system is nonspecific
because it reacts the same way to all foreign invaders.
If the innate immune system is ineffective against a potential threat, the adaptive immune system takes over.
The adaptive immune system consists of specialized blood cells and proteins that target the specific cause of infection. The adaptive immune system has a “memory” which is why a person’s body becomes immune to specific illnesses after initial exposure.
A person’s immune system needs to function well for them to remain healthy. Certain illnesses, medications, and lifestyle choices, such as smoking and excessive drinking, can adversely affect immune function.
Research shows that a person’s diet can impact immune health as well.
Article highlights:
Can diet influence the immune system?
suggest that a person’s diet influences their immune system, like all other aspects of health.
For example, nutrition can affect the microbiome, gut barrier function, inflammatory processes, and white blood cell function, all of which impact immune function.
Dietary patterns and individual foods have associations with increased disease risk, greater risk of allergy, and impaired immune response.
Western-type diets tend to contain high levels of saturated fat, ultra-processed foods, added sugar and salt, and overall calories. This diet is often low in foods associated with better health, such as vegetables, fruits, and fatty fish, and has strong links to an increased risk of chronic disease.
Research suggests that Western-type diets induce inflammation and alter immune system function, promoting disease development.
In contrast, diets rich in whole foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and seafood, and low in ultra-processed foods can reduce disease risk and promote healthy immune function.
Additionally, a deficiency or insufficiency of nutrients essential to immune function, including vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin C, can also affect immune response.
Nutrient deficiencies may be more common in those consuming ultra-processed diets low in whole, nutrient-dense foods.
Although it is clear that dietary choices impact overall health, including immune function, the interaction between diet and immune health is highly complex. Scientists are still learning how the foods a person consumes may help or harm immune function.
Adverse effects of unhealthy diets
Western-type diets tend to be high in refined carbohydrates, added sugars, saturated fat, and calories. This pattern of eating affects immune function in several ways.
Most of the foods in Western diets are ultra-processed and contain high levels of added sugar, which can promote inflammatory responses of the immune system.
For example, foods and beverages that significantly impact blood sugar levels, such as soda, candy, sugary cereals, and sugary baked goods, increase levels of inflammatory proteins, including tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). They also interfere with the function of protective immune cells, including neutrophils and phagocytes.
A 2012 study that included 562 adults aged 85 years and older without diabetes found that the participants who had higher blood sugar levels had lower innate immune responses. They also had higher levels of CRP, which is a marker of inflammation.
Higher blood sugar levels have links to an impaired immune response in people with diabetes as well.
Also, diets high in added sugar and refined carbs may adversely alter gut bacteria, leading to dysbiosis, which involves digestive disturbances, such as bloating.
A healthy microbiome is essential to immune function because gut bacteria play a critical role in the development and function of the immune system.
Experts have also linked Western-type diets to an altered immune response due to high levels of saturated fat and added salt.
Studies indicate that diets high in saturated fat may promote inflammation, modify gut bacteria, and inhibit the functioning of white blood cells.
Diets high in added salt have links to excessive immune response, impaired inflammation regulation in the body, and an increased risk of certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Western-type diets have links to an increased risk of developing several chronic diseases, including certain cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers attribute this to the chronic low-grade inflammation and altered immune response that Western-type diets, sedentary lifestyles, and toxin exposure cause.
However, research investigating the relationship between diet and immune function is ongoing, and scientists do not entirely understand this complex relationship.
Diets for healthy immune function
While a diet high in ultra-processed foods, added sugar, and excessive calories may lead to immune dysfunction, dietary patterns rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods are beneficial for immune function.
The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, and other healthy foods. Research has shown that it can reduce disease risk, lower markers of inflammation, and beneficially modulate gut bacteria.
Diets high in fiber, such as the Mediterranean diet, promote the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. SCFAs are end products of bacterial fermentation in the gut and have health benefits.
SCFAs act locally and systemically to modulate the immune response. They maintain the health of and improve the immune defensive function of the intestinal epithelium. This is an important part of the immune system that serves as a barrier against microorganisms. It also reduces the production of inflammatory proteins from immune cells.
Diets high in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish contain high levels of nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, B6, B12, copper, folate, iron, and selenium. The immune system needs these nutrients to function optimally.
Experts know that vegetarian-based diets reduce markers of chronic inflammation, such as CRP, fibrinogen, and IL-6. This might be partly due to the array of nutrients and nonnutritive components found in fruits and vegetables strengthening the immune system response.
Foods rich in healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, protein, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds help reduce systemic inflammation, promote healthy gut bacteria balance, reduce oxidative stress and cellular damage, and improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity. All of these activities are essential for healthy immune function.
Additionally, studies show that supplementing the diet with nutrients including vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin C may help optimize immune function and reduce infection risk.
To support immune function, a person should concentrate on following a balanced dietary pattern rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods, especially plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. People should avoid or limit ultra-processed foods high in refined grains and added sugar.
The bottom line
It is essential to follow a healthy diet to ensure good immune function.
Studies show that while certain dietary patterns may lead to impaired immune function, other dietary patterns promote optimal immune function.
A dietary pattern low in ultra-processed foods and rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods, such as vegetables, fruits, fish, and legumes, protects against chronic disease risk and supports a healthy immune response.
Following a healthy dietary pattern and leading a lifestyle that includes stress reduction techniques, restful sleep, daily physical activity, and other healthy habits is the best way to support the immune system and reduce disease risk.
https://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.png00adminhttps://moreliaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FINAL-MORELIA-LOGO1.pngadmin2021-04-19 18:33:342021-04-19 18:33:36How and why does diet influence immune function?
