September 07, 2015
Gut microbes – you have trillions of them nestled inside your intestinal tract. Each of us has a slightly different population of microbes in our guts that serve as our unique gut “fingerprint,” also known as our intestinal ecosystem. A growing body of research shows that bacteria, both good and bad, play a key role in digestive and immune health. Your ecosystem, made up of a diverse array of bacteria, is dynamic with the capacity to change for the better but also capable of being disrupted by factors such as diet, stress, and certain medications. Slowly, researchers are gaining knowledge.... [Read More...]
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September 15, 2014
School is back in session and that means your children will once again be exposed to more germs. Being around more people means more contact with airborne and touch transmitted germs and infections. There’s little you can do about the increase in germs around kids, but there are a few things that can help lessen the risk of germ-induced sickness. The best place to encourage healthy hygiene habits is at home. Explain to your kids how germs can make them sick and why they need to protect themselves through habits like hand washing. A fun learning trick one kindergarten teacher.... [Read More...]
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June 02, 2014
Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin, in the late 1920s. This momentous discovery marked the beginning of the “antibiotic age.” No longer were humans defenseless against harmful bacteria that cause life-threatening infections. This rather fortuitous discovery essentially changed the course of medical history. Antibiotic literally means “life killing.” That’s exactly what antibiotics do – they destroy the life of bacteria without harming the host. The discovery of antibiotics was undoubtedly one of the greatest triumphs of the twentieth century – but, now, less than one-hundred years later we’re fighting a different battle – the emergence of the superbugs. What.... [Read More...]
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April 14, 2014
Our children today are born into an environment that is substantially different than nature has provided for centuries. We now live in a world where food is more sterile and often genetically altered, antibacterial products are everywhere, and infants are introduced to processed foods at an earlier age. All this takes an increasing toll on the fragile makeup of a newborn’s digestive system. Our digestive system is established in the very early years – in fact, by the time an infant reaches the age of two, the “microbiota” (the name given to the array of bacteria in the gut that.... [Read More...]
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March 03, 2014
Many people have sensitivities to certain food types, however not all sensitivities are equal. Generally, dietary problems are split into two categories – those that are triggered by an immune response, and intestinal-related food intolerance. Immune system related sensitivities are a response to a protein that your body has taken a dislike to, and has determined is a harmful invader. Its common response is to create an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). The next time you encounter this protein, your immune system calls out the troops by releasing IgE antibodies to fight the incoming “bad” protein, and triggering the release.... [Read More...]
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October 28, 2013
Your digestive tract is not only responsible for breaking down and absorbing the food you eat – it also acts as a barrier against foreign substances, including undesirable bacteria. Most people are surprised to learn that 70% of their immune system lies in their intestinal tract – but this shouldn’t be surprising at all. After all, your digestive tract is one of the main entry points for harmful substances and bacteria. That means there has to be safeguards for making sure these undesirable microorganisms can’t take up residence in your gut or be absorbed into your blood stream. That’s where.... [Read More...]
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