Dr Varalakshmi an ayurvedic health coach and I help women who suffer from a digestive illnesses, gut issues & food cravings using my transformational health coaching. She spoke to Asian Voice about the benefits and science behind maintaining gut health among South Asian women.
What is the biggest fact about gut health that women may not know?
One of the common misconceptions about Gut health is that avoiding Gluten and Dairy is the first step. But gut health is much more than that!
More than gluten, removing processed, refined white goods like white sugar, white bread is beneficial. Eating more seasonal, diverse, and local foods is vital for our Gut. Menstruation and menopause are two important reproductive phases of a woman's life. A woman's body goes through several phases in her lifetime and the menstrual phase and menopause are two important ones. The menstrual phase is reproductively active with the chance of conception. Menopause on the other hand represents a non-menstrual phase.
Both these phases require a diverse diet with vegetables(cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, etc which boost natural estrogen levels, and root vegetables like sweet potatoes are considered to help with progesterone levels. Nuts like almonds are considered good protein sources and rich in omega 3 fatty acids.
Could you name some plant-based/natural foods that help women in both menstruated and menopausal phases of life?
Estrogen is the hormone that plays an important role in the absorption and utilization of calcium from our food. During menopause when estrogen is low, it can lead to brittle bones and joint pains due to the lack of calcium. A diet rich in calcium foods like nuts, seeds, and whole grains can help with this. It is also important to incorporate healthy fats like omega 3 fats i.e. coconut oil, ghee, olive oil in your diet.
What foods must women in the menopause phase eat in order to cope with the lack of support that a menstruating body provides?
We Asians love spices and there is rarely a dish without masala in many households. Spices are an essential part of many Asian households and often we go extra on them. Some of them like ginger and garlic paste, chilli powder, when used in excess they can irritate gastric mucosa and cause gastritis-related concerns. Ayurveda says that spices are great digestive aids and all you need is a pinch to see the difference. Turmeric, cumin, coriander, and fennel are all Ayurvedic recommended spices that you find in your kitchen.
What do Asian households get wrong about gut health?
Ayurveda considers diet/ahara as one of three pillars of health and what you eat is not just about your digestion. It affects your overall health including hormonal health. Ayurveda considers your digestion as a centrepiece of health and having good gut health is linked to our hormonal health.
How much can food affect hormones?
Female reproductive hormones like estrogen are metabolized in the Gut; it is affected by what you and how you eat. The best way to enhance your Gut health is to eat food that is more local, freshly prepared, contains seasonal fruit and vegetables, and is less processed.
What is the future and contribution of Ayurveda going to be like in the post-pandemic world?
Now more than ever, we need holistic sciences like Ayurveda which focus on our overall well-being and preventive aspect of health more rather than the curative aspect of health. Ayurvedic core concepts like Daily practices and seasonal routines can enhance our immunity to fight against any illness.
Note: Please seek medical assistance and consult your local GP before making any drastic changes to your food and lifestyle.
