The Power of Prunes

Here are some fun facts which I recently became aware of. As many as "63 million people in North America meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic constipation." And there are many studies which demonstrate that "the prevalence of constipation increases with age and is more common in women than men."

A Visit to the ICU May Wreak Havoc On Your Gut Microbiome. Be Proactive

Hospitals are usually where we go to get well. But did you know they may also be breeding grounds for germs?

The Role Gut Bacteria May Play in Lupus

They say if you have a ‘gut feeling’ about something, you should trust your instincts. But more importantly, in my opinion, than trusting your gut instincts is taking care of your gut. Your gut microbiome has trillions of microbes (also called gut flora, gut bugs or gut bacteria) that live in your gut. These ‘bugs’ may have an impact on several issues that determine whether you are healthy or unhealthy. There are both good and bad bacteria in the gut, and the goal is to maintain a gut where there is a good balance of various bacteria in your gut. A balanced population of bacteria is key.

Stomach Acid! It’s a Delicate Balance. Be Proactive

Back in 2015, former speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, stated that we “spend more money on antacids than we do on politics.”

You Won’t Believe What Flaxseeds May Do For Your Gut

Flaxseed and linseed are both the same. It is a plant of the Linaceae plant family and a crop that has been grown for thousands of years. Some sources say that flax was one of the first crops to be domesticated.

Steal This Tip From Hunter-Gatherers for Better Gut Health

It has been reported that the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, once said that “all disease begins in the gut.” And in my opinion he was definitely on to something, because there is plenty of credible evidence to suggest that we should be concerned about our gut health.

Going Vegan May Help Your Gut Hormones Do Their Best Job

If you’re used to eating meat, dairy and other animal foods, you may find that following a vegan diet, which is plant-based and avoids all animal foods, can be very challenging. Despite the increasing presence of vegan restaurants with meat alternatives like the Impossible Burger and vegan bloggers giving us plenty of #veganinspiration, giving up meat and cheese can be challenging.

If You Eat Red Meat, This is a Must-Read

Red meat, which includes meats such as beef, veal, lamb, mutton (flesh of sleep), goat, horse and pork, are nutrient-dense sources of protein. And yes, pork is red meat. You might recall a marketing campaign once advertised pork as ‘the other white meat,’ kind of like an alternative to chicken. But the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) classifies pork as red meat.

Is Your Marriage Ruining Your Gut?

The importance of maintaining good gut health cannot be overstated. Our guts contain trillions of microbes (also called flora, bacteria or bugs). All these bugs that live in our guts make up the gut microbiome.

Did Your Pediatrician Just Write Your Child a Prescription for Obesity?

There is a worldwide obesity epidemic, and recent data shows a significant number of children as young as five years of age and under are obese. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of overweight or obese infants and young children (aged 0 to 5 years) increased from 32 million globally in 1990 to 41 million in 2016.

What to Say If You Ever Get Asked Why You Drink Kombucha

Chances are you have heard, seen or clicked on an ad that mentioned kombucha fermented tea products. The marketing juggernaut propelling kombucha to celebrity status has really pushed this fizzy, gut-loving elixir to the forefront of the domestic drink section.

Antibiotics & Your Gut: Make Sure the Good Guys Don’t Finish Last

Depending on your age, health status, diet, medications and overall lifestyle, your gut microbiomes are essentially ever-changing landscapes of living organisms (trillions of them!). As with any community, both good and bad bacteria reside in your gut. And whether your gut has more of the ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ may depend on your health and lifestyle.