Even the most sugar averse health nut considers indulging when the holidays roll around. In true LIVE IT fashion, this is even true for my staff and me this time of year. In other words, our philosophy is that a little bit of anything won’t kill your healthy lifestyle.

That said, every year I see an uptake in strep infections beginning right after Halloween. This is no accident, and it’s not just about the weather change. There is a proven correlation between infections and sugar. Sugar literally feeds the strep bacteria that is already in our systems. This results in a BLOOM of strep that the microbiome simply can’t handle.

I overheard at the gym this morning a few people saying they get a strep rash a few times a year and “that is just the way it goes.” But it doesn’t have to be this way! There is a connection here and I wish people would not just think “time to get an antibiotic” and stop there.

Our bodies are TALKING to us when these infections crop up.

Yes, antibiotics may be necessary in some cases, yet please don’t stop there!

For so many reasons we need to limit the sugar and processed candy as a part of our regular healthy lifestyles. Our bodies simply aren’t designed to handle regular sugar consumption. And when we do indulge there are three simple steps we can take to lessen the bacterial bloom that will follow.

  1. Brush your teeth as soon as you can after eating sugar. This lessens the sugary residue that will continue to feed oral bacteria.
  2. Chew some xylitol gum after you eat sugar, especially if you don’t get to brush right away. Xylitol is antimicrobial.
  3. Take A GOOD PROBIOTIC. Probiotics will dilute the bloom of harmful bacteria and lessen the load on your system by boosting levels of healthy bacteria.

Sound too good to be true?

Evidence shows that the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 antagonizes the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes, the most important bacterial cause of oral infections in humans. It can also inhibit the growth of the bacteria involved in acute otitis media, or ear infections. Regular use of good probiotics colonizes the oral cavity with good, infection fighting microorganisms. We like OrthoBiotic Capsules, but any good health food store or compounding pharmacy has a good selection.

Bottom line, if you want to take a break from your normally clean eating habits for the holidays, it’s only human. Just take good care when you do!

And when the holidays are over, consider a period of fasting to help reset your body. Our Fasting Mimicking Diet group meets in December and January. Misery loves company!

Learn more about the science here.

 

© 2018, Lake Travis Integrative Medicine