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Getting to Know Your Gut
In case you haven't noticed, it is officially cold season, people! It is during times like these when we call upon our immune systems the most. A strong, healthy immune system will help ward off the bacteria that cause us to get sick. But with so many products claiming to help boost the immune system, it's no wonder why people are constantly sick. So, which one of the following products do you turn to in your time of need?
The answer is the sauerkraut! Surprised? Well, did you know that the gut houses 2/3 of the body's immune system? The Gut-Associated Lymphatic Tissue (GALT) is a physical, chemical and immunological barrier that provides the body with an incredible defense against the toxins that we are exposed to daily. There are more bacteria living in the digestive tract than there are cells in the body. Among its tasks, "friendly bacteria" also known as intestinal flora, prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms and fight disease. Cultured foods such as kefir, sauerkraut and yogurt are loaded with live "friendly" bacteria. Eating these foods will help ensure that your body's immune defense is in tip-top shape this season.
What experience, if any, have you had with cultured foods?
You should drink tequila.
Mexican researchers from the University of Guadalajara claim that compounds from the plant used to make tequila can provide better treatments for colonic diseases such as ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, and cancer.
Stomach acids destroy a large portion of current treatments before they can reach the colon. The new compound is more resistant and could allow greater quantities of a drug to reach the colon undestroyed.
Guillermo Toriz, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the university who led the study said, "This study shows that the agave fruit is good for more than just tequila. It also has medicinal value."
I have to say that kefir has been a breakfast staple for me lately: 1 c kefir, 1 c frozen berries, a little stevia (sweetener), and some almond slivers make a great smoothie.
My secret to cold prevention through four years of college in Minnesota (besides lots of drinking) was a daily sauna. My logic was that if your body's response to a cold is to raise its temperature so as to become an inhospitable environment for whatever bug is attacking, then artificially doing so in a sauna would preemptively do the same thing. I'm sure Allen can set me straight on the science, but it worked for me.
Bill, I don't know if there is any research proving that saunas prevent colds, but the mechanism makes sense to me too and it probably can't hurt. Saunas feel great both before and after exercise, and heat has many beneficial effects. I used to do a lot of saunas, every time I went to the climbing gym, especially in the winter. I should start that up again.
I take Emergen-C pretty much daily in winter and if I feel a cold coming on, and Airborne sometimes too, no idea if they actually work (lots of conflicting research, etc) but if nothing else they are a tasty, fizzy placebo!
Lots of Airborne before jumping on a flight works for me.
BTW, a big thanks to Hannah, Mari, and Lance for crushing the Mari WOD with me.(Michael's volleyball smashing big sister)
50 back extensions
400m run/row
50 sit ups
150 skips
5 rounds
I am just too sad I will not be doing Michael with you guys today. I'll be trying to get my Michael on with the peeps at Crossfit Boston.
Also, awesome lifting sessions yesterday with LB, Brian, and Leigh snatching and high-pulling like pros. And Tom, Sean, and Vee cleaning some big girl and big boy weights!
Good job weightlifters (and cyclist)!
Are the cultures in the sauerkraut different from the ones in kombucha?
Good work Kim on those thrusters!
Hi Sherrill, thanks for coaching me to stop push pressing!
> What experience, if any, have you had with cultured foods?
None, but I always thought of JP as cultured citizen of the world.
Lance's thing for lunch was amazing! I'm not even sure what I ate, but it was a flavor sensation in my mouth.
Question on saunas - can you get the same result with a steam?
Interesting article in the NYT on stretching: Stretching: The Truth. Static stretching can actually weaken your muscles for a period of time. All of the warmup exercises are things we already do as part of our warmup. Go Crossfit!
I might have experienced this the other day w/ thrusters...I did 185, and although it wasn't easy, I felt I could do more. My hamstrings felt tight, though, so I stretched them. Then I tried to do 190 and could barely get out of the squat. Huh.
Hold the phone!
Tamara is on the main site and she looks GREAT!!!!!
You totally rock girl!
Way to get it done.
Tamara "Queen Kong" Holmes is featured on www.crossfit.com. Hip hip hooray for Tamara!
Tami, you are a supahstah!
Big Tami T-
Well Girl, you finally made it! The Crossfit Main page! You killed it in that workout! Way to represent CFO- we're getting them all scared for the games now ;)) Rock out with your socks out!