Mastic Gum for Oral Health and More
The things we know now about this gum that the Greeks have seen in practice for over 2,500 years Ancient lore and cutting-edge science often converge in the arena of natural plant-based medicine. There is perhaps no better example of this than mastic gum, an aromatic, white resin derived from the Pistacia lentiscus tree….
Bouncing Back After Antibiotic Use: Probiotics to the Rescue!
Restoring balance and healthy function to the gut and beyond Chances are if you are the owner of a human body, you’ve taken at least one course of antibiotics in your lifetime. Whether it was bubble-gum flavored amoxicillin for that ear infection in childhood or penicillin for the case of strep throat that roared…
Leaky Gut 101
Why intestinal permeability causes so much harm, and what to do about it Brilliantly packed within the body, the intestinal barrier covers a surface area of over 4,000 square feet and requires about 40% of the body’s energy expenditure. But what happens when it starts to break down? What is leaky gut? Hold up…
Mastering Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Knowledge is Power
From enzymes to eating habits, there is hope Everyone has episodes of digestive discomfort from time-to-time. Unfortunately, some of us experience digestive problems chronically. It’s then that the doctor is seen, and most often, the diagnosis is irritable bowel syndrome, commonly known as IBS.[1] The physician’s recommendations may include a gentle laxative, fiber, water,…
Leaky Gut, Autoimmunity, and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) – Oh My!
Harm from one kind of bacteria, healing from another What’s LPS, and why should I care? Lipopolysaccharide, or LPS, is the major component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. LPS contributes to the structural integrity of the bacteria, protecting the membrane from certain kinds of chemical attack. LPS is of crucial importance to…
Stomach Acidity, Dietary Intake, and the Microbiome
The gut microbiome, stomach acidity, sloths, and you. In recent years we’ve seen an explosion in the research on the importance of the collection of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living in the human body, collectively known as the microbiome. We now know that a vast array of health conditions such as obesity,[1]…
Grape Seed Polyphenols and the Gut Microbiota
Digestive health affects the healing potential of these potent antioxidant polyphenols Grape seed extract (GSE) by no means is new to the nutraceutical world, yet we are still unveiling the myriad of benefits from the antioxidant-like nutritional compounds found within it. We are also gaining broader knowledge of the mechanisms by which individual responses…
Enzymes to Help with Accidental Gluten Consumption
Many products that claim to support gluten digestion might not be fully doing the job! Celiac and other types of gluten sensitivity Celiac disease (CD) is the most studied and broadly recognized disease associated with the immune reaction to gluten consumption. Celiac disease is a multifactorial disease characterized by an inflammatory response to ingested…
Psoriasis: A Bowel Disease?
Dr. Haines Ely’s unconventional approach to the itchy, disfiguring scales of psoriasis Psoriasis affects 7.5 million Americans, and the disfiguring disease—with its characteristic scaly, inflamed patches of flaking skin—is not only debilitating when severe, but is linked to cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, psoriatic arthritis, and depression. Characterized by skin cells that multiply…
What’s Wrong With My Poop?
Common factors that contribute to digestive system problems Many people experience a change in stool from time-to-time – what one has eaten, medications and supplements, a shift in the normal morning schedule, and emotional events all may contribute to irregular “pooping” patterns. However, a considerable number of people have a tendency towards bowel trouble,…
Tips for a Happy Belly This Holiday Season
How to enjoy the season without paying for it later With the winter holidays upon us, holiday gatherings and celebrations with an abundance of food and drink are commonplace. “Worry about it in the new year” is an approach many opt to take with respect to the excess calories consumed this time of year….
Digestives Enzymes – The Fix for Your Digestive Discomfort?
The important role of the pancreas and digestive enzymes on health There are so many supplements out there designed to support digestion, and probiotics seem to be getting all the limelight. However, many are surprised to find that digestive enzymes (also known as pancreatic enzymes) often have a far greater impact on digestive symptoms…
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