2 minute read
Microbiomes
Pregnancy
& the Microbiome
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Hannah Renzi, Certified Nurse Midwife
Pregnancy motivates women to evaluate their lifestyles and make healthy choices. Most expecting women looking to improve their health, begin with their diet. Healthy food is medicine. Growing attention is placed on fermented foods as part of a healthy diet. Cultures around the world have been fermenting foods for thousands of years. system reacting to her placenta with serious implications. A study from Netherlands found first time mothers who consumed fermented milk products had 20-30% decreased risks of preeclampsia (Brantsaeter). I encourage sour fermented friends: yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut. A variety of options are found at your grocery stores or make your own.
The first probiotics humans ingested were from bacteriarich foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Bacteria help keep our intestinal tract healthy and support resident bacteria already living there. This community of bacteria is called the microbiome. Our microbiome assists with the breakdown of food and health of our immune system. Initially we inherit bacteria that make up our microbiome from birth. There are many ways to boost the health of the microbiome: Researchers studied connections between pregnancy related disorders, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes with health of microbiome. Preeclampsia is a multi-systems disorder related to a mother’s immune Excellent recipe sources are Sandor Ellix Katz’s The Art of Fermentation, blogs, and online. Research supports choosing food as best source of probiotics so visit a local farm, join a CSA, buy local, buy organic, plant a garden (get your hands in the dirt and walk barefoot). Cook at home. Eat slowly with people you love. Create peace in your belly, in your home, and in your world one meal at a time. Nourish yourself in order to nourish those powerful bacteria we call our microbiome. Read more of Hannah’s fascinating story of Microbiomes @ bendhealthguide.com. Hannah Renzi is a certified nurse midwife, graduated University of Washington 2012. Hannah specializes in healthy pregnancy, wellwoman care, teen health, birth control and common women’s health issues. She values women-centered, accessible, holistic care. Hannah’s focus is on empowering women though education. Hannah moved from Seattle to Bend in 2014. She feels blessed to live and work in such a vibrant community. On days off she enjoys cooking with her family, organic gardening, beekeeping, snowboarding, and enjoying the great outdoors. Hannah Renzi works at St. Charles Center for Women’s Health in Redmond, OR. www.stcharleshealthcare.org Eat a diet focused on fresh, local, organic food Eat fermented foods regularly Avoid processed food (anything that comes in a package) Intimacy with loved ones Grow houseplants Consider getting a dog Explore stress management techniques like exercise and meditation Spend time in nature