DIY: Fermented Vegetables
Sarah Cimperman, ND Fermentation is an ancient method of food preservation that makes foods more nutritious and easier to digest. Fermented foods use live cultures of protective microorganisms to naturally inhibit the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. The protective microbes strengthen our microbiome, the collective community of microbes that inhabit our bodies. They outnumber our own […]
Influencing Gut Microbiota and How it Affects Host Health
Dr. Sarah King, ND Would it surprise you to know that the human colon contains about 3.3 lbs. of bacteria?1 This microbiota is practically its own organ, acting as an entire ecosystem, with its own immune system, nervous system, and the ability to influence what the body absorbs from inside the intestinal lumen. Consider the […]
Heartburn Pills Aren’t Risk-Free
Proton Pump Inhibitors Inhibit Necessary Acid Dr. Alethea Fleming, ND Acid-blocking drugs called proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in this country (esomeprazole, or Nexium, is consistently in the top 5 every year) and are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or serious heartburn. They can be purchased over the […]
The One Molecule that Causes Leaky Gut
Dr. Emily Chan, ND A leaky gut is not a good thing. For example, a leaking sewer pipe into our water supply is a problem. This article will discuss the one molecule that causes leaky gut. But before that, what symptoms does leaky gut cause? IBS Symptoms (including alternating loose stools and diarrhea) Gas/bloating Poor […]
Addressing Leaky Gut in Autoimmune Diseases
Dr. Kim Sanders, ND Many autoimmune diseases are compounded by the presence of leaky gut. By identifying and removing the cause of leaky gut, the immune system may become more balanced. What is leaky gut? Certain autoimmune diseases can be linked to excessive stimulation of the immune system due to increased intestinal permeability, or leaky […]
The Protective Properties of Gut Bacteria on Cancer
Dr. Olisa Mak, ND Gut-bacteria have been known for a long time to have protective effects against many different conditions including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease1, ankylosis spondylitis2, and depression1. The newest research is now bringing to light the mechanistic aspects of these protective effects. In a recent article, researchers found an increase in chemoprotective metabolites that […]
Can Healthy Gut Bacteria Reduce Your Risk of Cancer?
Dr. Bianca Garilli, ND Humans are Inoculated with Gut Bacteria at Birth Taking into account that the human body is comprised of approximately 10 trillion bacterial cells and only 1 trillion human cells, it’s high time we took these little bugs seriously. As humans, we are inoculated with gut bacteria at birth or, as more recent […]
The Scoop on Digestive Enzyme Supplements
Shawn Peters There are many digestive enzyme supplements available on the store shelves and it can be confusing to choose the right one for yourself or your customer. Through my time at working at various health food stores, here are some helpful tips to weed through the confusion. From what I can see, two main […]
Guide for Naturally Healing Digestive Problems
Sophia Smith According to Ayurveda and ancient Chinese medicine, the digestive system is one of the key bodily mechanisms responsible for good health and stable energy. Gastrointestinal disorders hamper nutrient absorption, which is why preventing and remedying chronic gut problems timely is of paramount importance for long-term physical and mental well-being. Certain digestive problems such […]
Digestive Enzymes 101
Shawn Peters, Naturopathic Medical Student Generally speaking, there are 3 classes of enzymes: metabolic enzymes, food enzymes, and digestive enzymes. Read on to learn more about each one. Metabolic Enzymes Metabolic enzymes are those that facilitate in performing a number of biochemical reactions in the body. Unless one has a condition that affects how a […]