Thank YOU!
Hello everyone! I hope you are doing well and enjoying your summer. I would like to take a moment before I write this blog to thank you. I started writing blogs around two years ago, with the initial and current aim to share knowledge and experiences considering nutrition, fitness and all things health related.
I’ve loved every minute of this journey and love writing each week to all of you. It means the world that people enjoy listening to and reading what little old me has to say about matters I’m passionate about. Truly, thank you!
The Gut.
I have been reading a book all about the mind-gut connection and it’s importance for our health. I am about half-way through and learnt a few things I would like to share. I will do a full blog reviewing this book when I am finished!
Fascinatingly, stress is a highly problematic and traumatic experience for a pregnant woman and her child. Stress when pregnant has been linked to a decrease in gut health within the child, born at a lighter weight (this has complications for the baby’s health), and born prematurely. I always knew that stress was not the best thing while pregnant but never quite comprehended the severity.
I have a twin brother, called Jonathan. He is one minute older than me. We were both born via c-section. Truth be told, a c-section has been linked to a decrease in the baby’s gut health and overall well-being. It makes sense. The woman’s natural, vaginal microbiota is more prominent during delivery and when the baby is born, they are exposed to this nutrient rich microbiota. This allowing the baby to begin development of its own healthy gut. When born via c-section, this doesn’t occur.
Anything that surpasses or manipulates the way nature intended, always has some sort of consequence for humans. We can see that in every single aspect of modern society.
- Fast food – convenient and cheap but increases the risk of developing obesity and chronic disease.
- Computers, phones, technologies – there are a wonder of benefits here but they also contribute to health complications, social exclusion, addiction, low self-esteem.
- Cars, planes and transport – it would be impossible to travel and experience the world without transport – terrible for the environment and reduces physical activity.
The list goes on…
It’s very interesting. It is a similar concept with breastfeeding. Breast milk is liquid gold to a baby. It has every nutrient and substance that baby needs to grow and develop into a healthy, functioning, human. Yet we don’t breastfeed our children nearly enough in today’s day and age because we have infant formula. Infant formula is severely lacking in comparison to breast milk. One of the many substances it lacks is a type of white blood cell involved in immune function. Breast milk also has the capacity to change and adapt according to the baby’s needs. I mean, how is that real! That is amazing and definitely doesn’t compete with infant formula!
Did you know, children are meant to be breastfed exclusively for 6 months and then for the first two years of life with a combination of other foods.
Of course, there are many women that must get a c-section and that don’t have the option to breastfeed. These things can happen for many different reasons. These women should never be shamed for this choice. Ever.
Nature knows best it seems and the further and further we stray from this, the more our health seems to suffer.
It is incredible the importance of our gut health. The gut is involved in so many different processes within the body and a healthy gut can prove one of the most important processes for our health. Some are beginning to refer to the gut as the “forgotten organ”. Fascinating.
Growing Vegetables!
Speaking of gut health, something you NEED to have a healthy gut is VEGETABLES. I have always wanted to grow my own vegetables but never found the time or motivation.
I moved to a new house this year and me and Jacob did up a section of the garden. I made a little veg patch! I am currently growing two types of kale, rocket, lettuce, basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, coriander and tomatoes!
Don’t they look AMAZING! As you all know, I am away from home just now and my mum has been watering them for me. I cannot wait to get back and cook/eat them!
Life Lessons from Reading and Hosting My Podcast!
I have been making it a priority to read. I have learnt so much from reading! I am a non-fiction fan. I like to learn about the things I am passionate about. It is unbelievable how much I have learned from reading. I would say more than I have in 3 years of uni!
My podcast “Let’s Talk Health with Mairi” is so enjoyable. I love talking on my podcast and releasing them for you all. It forces me to learn about health in such a deep way. I have to fully understand the concepts I am talking about in order to do the topic justice and to make it easily digestible for you. I have learnt and solidified so much knowledge all thanks to the podcast!
If you haven’t yet listened to my podcast, or haven’t seen this week’s episode —- I think you’ll love it 😉
As always, thank you SO much for reading.
Mairi x
Let's Talk Health with Mairi 