The basis of your well-being - a well-organized digestive system
Expert advice
Modern human dietary habits – eating in a hurry, skipping meals, choosing unhealthy foods, lack of physical activity, increased stress levels – contribute to the spread of digestive system diseases. Maija Atvara, the head of the Via Vitalité weight correction and wellness center (a member of the Latvian health tourism cluster), and Jeļena Pavlova*, a certified nutritionist, talk about the most common problems of the digestive system and offer solutions for better well-being.
The health of the digestive system plays a major role in ensuring overall well-being, as it is responsible for the successful breakdown and absorption of nutrients, as well as the elimination of substances from the body, good immunity (70%-80% of immune cells are located in the intestines) and emotional state (90% of serotonin – the happiness hormone is located in the gastrointestinal tract). In parallel with digestive system disorders, the prevalence of other diseases is increasing – cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, the development of which can be promoted by chronic inflammation and adverse changes in the intestinal microbiome.
Irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by changes in bowel habits, pain, and bloating, is one of the most common disorders of the gut-brain connection. It is estimated to affect about 1 in 10 people worldwide. Researchers predict that the prevalence of this type of disorder could increase, given people’s dietary habits and lifestyles. (2) Functional dyspepsia, on the other hand, has a prevalence of 10–30%. It is characterized by symptoms such as pain or burning, a feeling of fullness, or a feeling of rapid satiety after eating. (3) Both irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia can occur simultaneously in the same person. (4)
“In such cases, the scientifically proven Low FODMAP diet can help, where certain types of carbohydrates that bacteria ferment and cause digestive system disorders are excluded or reduced. The diet can also be effective for people with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome or SIBO. It is a lactose-free diet, so it can also be followed by people with lactose intolerance,” says the nutritionist.
“At our weight correction and wellness center Via Vitalité, we have created a new program “Vitalité” that helps people feel better. It was created in collaboration with nutritionist Jelena Pavlova. The program’s diet menu combines the Low FODMAP diet with the basic principles of the Mediterranean diet menu, which has anti-inflammatory properties,” says Maija Atvara. “The Mediterranean diet has been proven to reduce inflammatory markers (5). Our menu is rich in olive oil, nuts, seeds, vegetables and whole grains. We also included fruit, fish and a small amount of red meat.”
Via Vitalité is located away from the hustle and bustle of the city and operates on an all-inclusive basis – everything has been thought of. People return to the 180-hectare area again and again to regain their energy. Several programs are available: Basic, Extra and Relax, etc. More than 50 comfortable rooms in different price categories have been equipped for the well-being of guests. The complex includes a 25-meter swimming pool, a sauna and a modern gym. In addition, there is an opportunity to enjoy additional procedures from the diverse SPA offer. Regardless of the chosen program, the daily life of clients at Via Vitalité is full – there are four balanced meals, regular training, Nordic walking, SPA treatments for the body and face, thus activating metabolic processes. You can regain strength by enjoying nature on walking trails that stretch for more than 10 kilometers, as well as by going horseback riding. The basic principles of Via Vitalité are emotional and physical safety. That is why the territory is completely fenced off from the gaze of others.
New! Via Vitalité program “Vitality”
Designed for fully dedicating time to yourself – improving the quality of life, preventing chronic fatigue, reducing stress and professional burnout.
The seven-day program includes: Low – FODMAP diet (1500 – 1800 kcal per day), determining body composition using the bioimpedance method, a visit to a health specialist, metabolism-accelerating morning exercise, Nordic walking, strength training, water aerobics, deep muscle training, Nazarov biomechanical stimulation, interval hypoxia training, craniosacral therapy, horseback riding or walking, a lecture on herbal teas, and a variety of SPA body and facial treatments.
All-inclusive price per person for one day in the program. Price depends on the selected room category:
VIP | DE LUX €265
COMFORT | BUSINESS €245
STANDARD €225
ECONOMY €215
Via Vitalité address:
Lejas Raķi, Lažas pagasts, Dienvidkurzemes novads, LV-3456, Latvia
E-mail: via@vitalite.lv
Phone no.: +371 20605553
References:
- Immunological mechanisms of inflammatory diseases caused by gut microbiota dysbiosis: A review. Min’an Zhao , Jiayi Chu, Shiyao Feng , Chuanhao Guo , Baigong Xue , Kan He , Lisha Li
- Biomed Pharmacother 2023 . Immunological mechanisms of inflammatory diseases caused by gut microbiota dysbiosis: A review – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Irritable bowel syndrome and mental health comorbidity — approach to multidisciplinary management. Heidi M. Staudacher, Christopher J. Black, Scott B. Teasdale, Antonina Mikocka-
- Walus & Laurie Keefer Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & epatology (2023) Irritable bowel syndrome and mental health comorbidity — approach to multidisciplinary management | Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Patient-reported outcome measures in functional dyspepsia: a systematic review and COSMIN analysis. Xinai Wang, Yan Fei, Wenjing Li, Hao Liu, Hongling Xiao, Yaxuan Wu & Chenqi Wang BMC Gastroenterology (2023) Patient-reported outcome measures in functional dyspepsia: a systematic review and COSMIN analysis | BMC Gastroenterology | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)
- Irritable bowel syndrome: Epidemiology, overlap disorders, pathophysiology and treatment. Kai-Yue Huang, Feng-Yun Wang, Mi Lv, Xiang-Xue Ma, Xu-Dong Tang, and Lin Lv. World J Gastroenterol. (2023) Irritable bowel syndrome: Epidemiology, overlap disorders, pathophysiology and treatment – PMC (nih.gov)
- Mediterranean Diet as a Tool to Combat Inflammation and Chronic Diseases. An Overview. Christina Tsigalou, Theocharis Konstantinidis,Afroditi Paraschaki, Elisavet Stavropoulou,Chrissoula Voidarou, and Eugenia Bezirtzoglou . Biomedicines.(2020) Mediterranean Diet as a Tool to Combat Inflammation and Chronic Diseases. An Overview – PMC (nih.gov)
