Can Digestive Supplements Help You Gain Weight Safely?
Appetite stimulants and digestive aids can help increase body weight? I have a body type that doesn't gain weight easily, but I do not have any gastrointestinal diseases (I have seen a doctor). Previously, a friend recommended a digestive supplement, which I took after lunch...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello! Lactic acid bacteria are also a type of health supplement. They can aid in digestion and improve gut health, making them beneficial for individuals with poor digestive absorption, as they help with nutrient uptake. There are various types of lactic acid bacteria available ...[Read More] Can Digestive Supplements Help You Gain Weight Safely?
Morning Bloating: Is Late-Night Snacking to Blame?
I experience bloating in my abdomen every morning upon waking up? Hello, Doctor. I often wake up in the morning with bloating in my stomach, and I have to sit up and burp to relieve it before going back to sleep. Sometimes, if I lie down for too long, I experience bloating again ...
Dr. Shi Guimei Reply:
Dear Xiao Xing, Eating before bedtime can be a significant burden on health. This includes the bloating and belching you experience upon waking, which may be due to reduced physical activity before and during sleep, leading to slower digestion. When food remains in the digestive...[Read More] Morning Bloating: Is Late-Night Snacking to Blame?
Why Greasy Foods Make Me Have Diarrhea: Understanding Digestive Changes
Recently, I have been experiencing diarrhea after eating greasy foods? Recently (actually for over a year), I've noticed that when I eat greasy foods, my stomach feels strange and I have the urge to have a bowel movement, especially when I'm on an empty stomach. The bow...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello! It is recommended that you visit the gastroenterology and hepatobiliary clinic for an examination. Generally, fatty diarrhea is commonly associated with issues related to the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. This response is provided by Dietitian Tsai Hsiu-Wen from Nantou ...[Read More] Why Greasy Foods Make Me Have Diarrhea: Understanding Digestive Changes
Nutritional Support for Seniors: Boosting Appetite and Health
Nutritional supplementation Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about my grandmother, who is 77 years old. Recently, her appetite has been decreasing, and she seems to lack energy when speaking. Her weight is also decreasing. She has diabetes (not on insulin injections) and is con...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello! Grandma has blood sugar issues, so it's important to monitor her blood sugar levels. If her blood sugar is very high, no matter what she eats, it won't help restore her energy because the problem lies in poor blood sugar control. I recommend accompanying Grandma ...[Read More] Nutritional Support for Seniors: Boosting Appetite and Health
Exploring the Health Effects of Low Sugar vs. Low Fat Diets
Low Sugar or Low Grease Part 2 Hello, I happen to have two types of people around me. One type does not enjoy drinking beverages (or drinks tea without sugar) but does not mind eating fried foods, such as salt and pepper chicken. The other type is quite the opposite; they enjoy d...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello! Consuming excessive sugary beverages can easily lead to obesity, which is also related to abnormal glucose metabolism. Additionally, there are many issues concerning food additives, so it is important to be mindful of obesity, diabetes, and gastrointestinal and liver probl...[Read More] Exploring the Health Effects of Low Sugar vs. Low Fat Diets
Why Sleeping on Your Stomach Causes Uncomfortable Burping
Sleeping on your stomach can cause you to experience air burps? When I sleep on my stomach (face down), I feel very uncomfortable in my chest, and when I wake up, I tend to burp excessively, even though my mouth is closed. I've experienced this since I was a child, and I fin...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello! The most common cause of hiccups is gastric distension, which can occur due to overeating, consuming carbonated beverages, or swallowing air (such as talking while eating). Other factors, such as sudden changes in environmental or gastrointestinal temperature, excessive sm...[Read More] Why Sleeping on Your Stomach Causes Uncomfortable Burping
Do Probiotics in the Gut Get Lost Due to Daily Bowel Movements?
Will beneficial bacteria in the gut be lost due to bowel movements? I take intestinal probiotics daily to support my stomach (since I have digestive issues), and I have been doing so for over a month. However, I have reduced the dosage; for example, if the packaging recommends ta...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello! When dealing with gastrointestinal issues, it's important to treat the underlying cause. Probiotics are primarily concerned with the possibility of being destroyed by stomach acid before reaching the intestines, so there's no need to worry about them being expell...[Read More] Do Probiotics in the Gut Get Lost Due to Daily Bowel Movements?
Nutrition Tips for Recovery After Severe Influenza
Dietary Care After Severe Influenza Hello, I would like to ask you about a patient who has been hospitalized for nearly a month due to severe influenza and has returned home but still feels weak all over. What nutritional supplements can be taken, or what nutrients can help impro...
Dr. Tang Weili Reply:
Dear YY: Influenza is an acute viral respiratory illness that commonly causes fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, and cough, but typically resolves within 2 to 7 days. Clinically, conditions referred to as the common cold, laryngitis, bronchitis, viral...[Read More] Nutrition Tips for Recovery After Severe Influenza
Essential Supplements for Managing Acid Reflux and Anemia
What nutritional supplements should be taken for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? Hello, nutritionist: I heard that for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it's important to supplement with B vitamins, vitamin C, and probiotics. Since I am vegetarian, anemic, and ...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello! It is easier to experience a deficiency in vitamin B12 when following a vegetarian diet. As for vitamin C, if you consume an adequate amount of vegetables and fruits, you should not be significantly deficient. Probiotics can be beneficial for individuals with Helicobacter ...[Read More] Essential Supplements for Managing Acid Reflux and Anemia
Managing Frequent Bowel Movements: Dietary and Lifestyle Solutions
Long-term issues with bowel movements? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about my bowel movement issues. While others are usually troubled by constipation, I am concerned about having very large bowel movements. I often experience gastrointestinal discomfort from even slightly o...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello! Regarding your concerns, it seems to be quite troubling for you. Based on your symptoms, I would recommend that you first visit a gastroenterology clinic to check for any issues related to intestinal digestion or motility. It would be helpful to know the characteristics of...[Read More] Managing Frequent Bowel Movements: Dietary and Lifestyle Solutions
Nutritional Supplements for Vegetarians: Safe Options for Seniors
Nutritional supplementation Hello, doctor. I would like to ask which nutritional supplements are suitable for vegetarians, such as Ensure or Sustagen. Can vegetarians consume these? I have a friend who is a 91-year-old grandmother with lung adenocarcinoma and has not undergone ch...
Dr. Tang Weili Reply:
DEAR Amin: Elderly individuals often experience insufficient food intake due to physical decline and chronic illness, leading to a decreased appetite. In addition to providing fresh, soft, and balanced meals, if they are eating less on their own, you might consider assisting with...[Read More] Nutritional Supplements for Vegetarians: Safe Options for Seniors
Boosting Appetite and Maintaining Balanced Nutrition During Illness
How to Eat When Experiencing Poor Mental Health Recently, due to a cold and gastrointestinal discomfort, my mental state has not been very good. I have a bit of a loss of appetite and don't feel like eating foods that require chewing, like rice or noodles. Sometimes I think ...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello, during periods of cold or gastrointestinal discomfort, it is advisable to consume light and easily digestible foods to reduce the burden on the digestive system, as the body's digestive capacity may be compromised. Congee, due to its high water content, has a relative...[Read More] Boosting Appetite and Maintaining Balanced Nutrition During Illness
Is Drinking Lemon Water Daily Safe? Expert Answers to Common Questions
About eating lemons? Hello, doctor: I would like to ask, I am currently using 2 lemons daily in a juicer, with half of one lemon blended with the peel, and then diluting it with 2000cc of water and freezing it to drink as a beverage. 1. Is this excessive? 2. Can I drink this long...
Dr. Shi Guimei Reply:
Dear Ah-Chang, Hello! Drinking diluted lemon juice with water, without adding any sugar or honey, is safe even for pregnant women, provided there are no kidney diseases or any gastrointestinal inflammation or ulcers. Lemons are classified as fruits, and to achieve a balanced int...[Read More] Is Drinking Lemon Water Daily Safe? Expert Answers to Common Questions
Can People with Digestive Issues Eat Bananas? Expert Insights
excuse me? There are differing opinions online about whether individuals with gastrointestinal issues (poor digestion) can eat bananas. Can you provide clarification on this matter? Thank you.
Dr. Xie Peiru Reply:
Hello: Nutritional composition of banana per 95 grams: Calories 61 kcal, Dietary fiber 1 gram, Potassium 290 mg. Based on this nutritional profile, bananas are not unsuitable for individuals with gastrointestinal issues (poor digestion). However, bananas are not recommended for p...[Read More] Can People with Digestive Issues Eat Bananas? Expert Insights
Nutrition Tips for Underweight Infants: Boosting Growth and Immunity
Low birth weight in infants? Hello, Dietitian. I would like to ask you about my babies. They were born as twins with a birth weight of less than 1900 grams. Now, at eight months old, one weighs only 6 kg and the other 6.5 kg, with heights of 64 cm and 67 cm, respectively. Since b...
Dr. Xie Huimin Reply:
Based on your description, your baby's growth is below the 3rd percentile. It is advisable to monitor the growth curve to see if there is a gradual increase, as the baby was born with a lower birth weight. If the baby's height, weight, and head circumference are consist...[Read More] Nutrition Tips for Underweight Infants: Boosting Growth and Immunity
Understanding Acidic and Alkaline Foods: A Guide for Your Family's Health
excuse me? Dr. Tsai: My family member just returned from the hospital, and the doctor advised avoiding "acidic" foods. Could you please tell me which foods are acidic and which are alkaline? If possible, could you also indicate strong acids, moderate acids, weak acids, ...
Dr. Cai Xiuwen Reply:
Hello! I'm not sure about the reason for your family member's hospitalization, but the acidity and alkalinity of food can be divided into the intrinsic acidity of the food itself and the impact it has on the blood pH after digestion and absorption in the body, which can...[Read More] Understanding Acidic and Alkaline Foods: A Guide for Your Family's Health
Why Exercise Can Diminish Your Appetite: A Guide for Weight Gain
Losing appetite after exercising? I want to gain weight through exercise because I am very thin, but every time I work out, I end up losing my appetite and don't eat more. Will this make me even thinner? Thank you.
Dr. Ke Qiuliang Reply:
Hello: I am not aware of your current height and weight. Weight changes are related to your caloric expenditure. If you wish to gain weight, it is important to address any underlying issues that may prevent weight gain, such as gastrointestinal absorption problems or thyroid func...[Read More] Why Exercise Can Diminish Your Appetite: A Guide for Weight Gain
Is Eating Cold Leftovers Harmful to Your Health?
Is it good to frequently eat cold food? During winter, I often find that my food gets cold while I'm still eating because I eat slowly. Additionally, I frequently consume leftover food (without reheating). Will this have any long-term effects on my health? Thank you.
Dr. Shi Guimei Reply:
Dear HH, Hello! Food left at room temperature for more than 4 hours is prone to bacterial growth, which can lead to gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, if not consumed immediately, it should be stored in the refrigerator or kept hot at above 60°C (140°F). If the food has coole...[Read More] Is Eating Cold Leftovers Harmful to Your Health?
Understanding Chitosan and Chitin: Benefits, Risks, and Dietary Considerations
Regarding chitosan? Chitosan is a functional food that is derived from chitin, which is found in the shells of crustaceans. It is often marketed for its potential benefits in weight management and cholesterol reduction. Chitosan is believed to bind dietary fats and cholesterol, p...
Dr. Xie Peiru Reply:
1. Chitin, chitosan, and chitin derivatives are categorized based on company technology and quality analysis. These are high molecular weight substances extracted from crustaceans, and due to their properties, they are primarily used in health supplements or weight loss products....[Read More] Understanding Chitosan and Chitin: Benefits, Risks, and Dietary Considerations
Understanding Buckwheat Allergens: What You Need to Know
The allergenic substances in buckwheat are primarily proteins, specifically the proteins known as fagopyrin and other related proteins. These proteins can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals? Dear Nutritionist: I previously read in a book that buckwheat contains c...
Dr. Hu Yuqing Reply:
Hello Kelly: According to the information found at http://tdares.coa.gov.tw/view.php?catid=1769, buckwheat contains red fluorescent pigments, particularly abundant in its flowers. Some individuals and animals may experience photosensitivity (also known as buckwheat disease) or al...[Read More] Understanding Buckwheat Allergens: What You Need to Know