Have you seen the recent documentary on Netflix called “You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment?” The documentary looks at how different diets affect sets of twins’ health.  The show concluded that a plant-based (vegan) diet is healthier than an omnivorous diet. While that may (or may not) be true, we can’t confirm that from this study. Why? Many scientists have identified shortcomings in the design of their study. Scroll down to decide for yourself! Study Design: Barbie Dolls and The Independent Variable Let’s run through a quick thought experiment before we jump into the documentary. I ..read more

Nothing is worse than chronically feeling like you’re out of energy. If that’s you, it might be time to get your iron levels checked! Today, we’ll discuss how to test for and tackle iron deficiency so you can get back to feeling like yourself!  What Does Iron Do, Anyway? Iron is an essential nutrient (1). Its most important role involves oxygen transportation. Yup, you read that right. Oxygen! Pretty critical if you ask us (or scientists).  Iron constitutes hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. Think back to high school Biology – when you breathe in, your red blood cells s ..read more

The appendix, once thought to be a vestigial organ (meaning, an organ that does not serve a purpose), has recently been discovered to play a vital role in repopulating the gut microbiome after episodes of sickness.  You might be thinking – well, don’t people live perfectly normal, healthy lives after having their appendix removed?  Yes, they do and can. However, recent research has shown that people who have had appendectomies have higher rates of gut microbiome disruption and dysbiosis.  Today, we’ll talk about the appendix’s role and what someone who has had it removed can do ..read more

Nothing sounds better than a hot cup of soup on a snowy winter day – and guess what? Your gut thinks so too! Soup can be a valuable tool for improving your gut health this winter season. Read on to find out why. Recap: What Makes a Meal Gut-Healthy? Before we dive into the health benefits of soup, let’s review what makes a meal healthy for the gut in the first place. For a healthy gut, we want a balanced microbiome, a regulated immune response (no excess inflammation), comfortable and satisfying motility, and a strong gut barrier (1, 2).  So the ideal gut health-promoting meal would: Su ..read more

Do you ever think about why harmful things that enter your gut don’t get absorbed, but nutrients do? You can thank your gut barrier for that.  A compromised gut barrier can lead to what’s called “leaky gut syndrome,” a condition in which harmful particles enter the bloodstream by way of literally squeezing through cracks in your gut barrier. This can cause a whole host of symptoms, including brain fog, fatigue, compromised immunity, and more. Today, we’ll look at how the microbiome impacts gut barrier integrity.  Recap: How the Microbiome Affects the Gut Barrier The gut microbiome i ..read more

So, you purchased some IgY Max – congratulations on starting your journey toward digestive wellness! We’re excited for you to clear out the dysbiotic pathogens living in your gut.  Now that you’ve got your hands on some IgY Max antibodies, you might be wondering – how should I consume it? If that’s you, read on for endless recipe inspiration. What does IgY Max taste like? The antibodies in IgY Max are made from egg yolk, so the powder tastes like – you guessed it – egg!  IgY Max tastes excellent when mixed with foods and drinks that are sweet or contain eggs. Below, we’ve included a ..read more

Are you looking for ways to diversify your gut microbiome in the new year? Recent research asserts that one of the best things you can do to improve your gut microbiome’s diversity is to consume fermented foods regularly. Let’s learn about the science behind fermented foods and how you can make them tasty.  The Evidence A recent study published in the prestigious journal Cell examined the effects of fiber and fermented foods on the gut microbiome.  The study found that both dietary strategies – consuming lots of plant fiber and consuming lots of fermented food – were beneficial in u ..read more

Scientists that study the gut have made some major strides in 2023. To kick 2024 off to a science-y start, let’s take a look at some of 2023’s most exciting gut health advancements.  Better Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer Scientists at the University of Arizona developed a technology for making chemotherapy less harsh for patients with colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy is usually administered systemically, meaning the entire body is exposed to it. That’s why chemotherapy patients experience systemic symptoms, like hair loss, nausea, and fatigue. The UofA team created a technology that keeps ..read more

Holiday meals are meant to be enjoyed – why skip dessert? Don’t be afraid to indulge a little this year – even if you struggle with gut health. At IgY Nutrition, we’re all about balance. We put together some healthy-ish (emphasis on the “ish”) dessert recipes for the holidays just in case you’d like to avoid the digestive symptoms this year. If you’d rather go big and stuff yourself with regular pie instead – this is your sign to go right ahead!  Gluten-Free Pie Crust Are you dealing with leaky gut syndrome? Maybe you read our blog about avoiding gluten for gut barrier integrity and are ..read more

What’s the deal with gut health and caffeine? Like most things, there are pros and cons. Caffeinated drinks affect motility, contain anti-inflammatory polyphenols, and may affect the gut microbiome.  Let’s find out more about caffeine and the gut below. Stick around until the end for some gut-healthy caffeinated drink recipes.  Caffeine and Motility If you have ever consumed a large coffee and found yourself running to the bathroom a few minutes later, you know what we mean when we mention coffee’s effects on motility. That’s a classic example of a motility ramp-up. Motility refers ..read more