Got Gas? Digestive Enzymes May Help
Flatulence is not funny for those who suffer Shall we chat about flatulence? Given the time spent on this topic in comedy routines, you’d think it was hilarious. But it’s not that funny for people who suffer from the embarrassment and discomfort of excessive gas. A multinational survey, including nearly 6,000 people, recently showed…
Reflux Remedies
Soothing heartburn naturally In last week’s post we described the real cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and explored why conventional strategies for managing the condition can come with negative health risks over time. Today we’ll take a look at some simple, natural, remedies for alleviating reflux at its root cause, primarily by (1)…
Acid Reflux 101
The real cause of GERD, and why we need stomach acid Most people think that acid reflux is caused by an excess of stomach acid. This is a common medical myth, and one that has resulted in widespread misunderstanding of the condition and how to best treat it. To properly understand what happens in…
Fighting Depression and Anxiety Through the Gut
Vagus nerve stimulation for mood support (Part 2 of 2) Last week’s post examined the vagus nerve (the tenth cranial nerve) and the important role it plays in connecting the body to the brain. We explored how breath, laughter, and exercise all “tickle” the nerve to send soothing, calming signals to the brain and…
Are the Nutrients You Consume Bioavailable?
How to get the most out of your diet and supplements The body’s physiology is intricate and complex. Even when we eat a healthy diet, we may not always absorb or utilize all of the nutrients our body needs. This is why scientists who formulate nutrient supplements are obsessed with bioavailability, defined as the…
Bile Acids: Their Role in Gut Health Beyond Fat Emulsification
Supplemental bile acids and their potential for dysbiosis, constipation, and inflammatory bowel disease Generally, when we think of bile, the role it plays in digestion is what we think of first. Produced by the liver and expelled into the digestive tract by the gallbladder (for those of us who have one), bile emulsifies and…
Probiotic Benefits of Saccharomyces boulardii
Natural support for gut health from a probiotic yeast Probiotics are “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”[1] You may be familiar with probiotic supplements that contain lactobacilli and/or bifidobacteria, which are families of beneficial bacteria.[2] However, there is also a yeast species that qualifies as…
Mending the Leaky Gut
Natural strategies to support intestinal integrity My neighbor’s fence is beyond beautiful, but serves little to no practical purpose. With its widely spaced slats, the fence affords any passerby an only slightly fettered view of the yard and its goings-on. A cat, rat, or even small dog could easily pass back and forth across…
The Fat-Soluble Vitamins: A, D, E and K
Nutrients for strong bones and a healthy heart Vitamins are classified into two groups: fat-soluble (vitamins A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble (B-complex vitamins and vitamin C). Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed best when consumed with higher-fat foods.[1] Fatty fish, vegetable oils, green vegetables, and nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamins A,…
Demystifying Detox
Scientific approaches to detoxifying your body Why detox? Where I live, they only pick up the trash every two weeks. This is usually no problem, as we are mindful to compost and recycle all that we can and we avoid purchasing items with excessive packaging. This holiday season was a different story, however. We…
Probiotics and the Human Microbiome: Beyond the Gut
Dr. Don Brown, ND, discusses cutting edge research on the use of probiotics Biography: Naturopathic physician Dr. Donald Brown is one of the leading authorities in the U.S. on evidence-based herbal medicine and the safety and efficacy of nutritional supplements and probiotics. He currently serves as the Director of Natural Product Research Consultants in…
Constipation: Solutions to Make All Systems “Go”!
Supporting the nervous system, microbiome, and nutritional status for healthy, easy elimination Balancing the nervous system Running from tigers in the jungle, our ancestors were well acquainted with the sympathetic stress response, also known as the “fight-or-flight” response. By expanding the lungs and increasing the heart rate to send more oxygen and blood to…
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