According to a clinical review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects between 7 percent to 21 percent of the general population. The amount of people who now struggle with some form of IBS is estimated to be a shocking 60 million people in the U.S. alone (roughly 20 percent of all Americans). If you want to overcome digestive symptoms that may include diarrhea, constipation, bloating and gas, then following an IBS diet and adhering to an IBS treatment plan is essential. Many randomized clinical trials have found that dietary, lifes ..read more

Here, I’m going to talk about natural remedies for low stomach acid. The truth is, your stomach must be highly acidic to break down the food you’re consuming and for proper absorption. If you have acid reflux symptoms of any type — GERD, heartburn, etc. — or if you have a condition like leaky gut syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, even most skin issues today, or a lack of certain nutrients, those are all major warning signs that you have low stomach acid. To combat this issue, you actually want to naturally balance the pH level of your stomach. I’m going to talk about the top five s ..read more

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes daily persistent heartburn, also called acid reflux, in nearly one in five American adults. This chronic condition, caused by inflammation and dysfunctions of the stomach, leads to tissue damage that erodes the esophagus. The good news is following a GERD diet can help treat GERD symptoms, along with lifestyle changes. Why might someone develop GERD or acid reflux? A large body of research shows that root causes of GERD and risk factors include: obesity untreated food allergies leaky gut syndrome smoking high stress levels poor circulation Becau ..read more

Most people think of bacteria within the body as a cause of getting sick or developing certain diseases, but did you know that at all times there are actually billions of beneficial bacteria present within all of us? In fact, bacteria make up the microbiome, an integral internal ecosystem that benefits gut health and the immune system. The scientific community has really come to embrace the important role that bacteria have in fostering a strong immune system and keeping us healthy. Not only are all bacteria not detrimental to our health, but some are actually crucial for boosting immunity, a ..read more

It’s well-known that probiotics, available from both fermented foods and supplements, support digestion and gut function. Can probiotics also improve mental health? A new study suggests there are benefits of probiotics for people dealing with depression. How so? A little known fact is that certain gut bacteria are linked to depression, while others are associated with improved moods, neuron activity and cognitive function. This makes sense, considering that probiotics in the gut can support neurotransmitter function. Neurotransmitters are the brain’s messengers that control one’s mood, energy ..read more

Stomach bloating is so common these days that it’s been called an “epidemic.” If you frequently deal with distention, digestive discomfort and a bloated stomach, you probably want to know: Why do I feel bloated all the time? With most people’s poor diets, high levels of stress, need for daily medications and exposure to various pollutants, it’s no wonder they suffer some sort of bloating more days than not. While a bloated stomach is certainly uncomfortable — even embarrassing when it comes along with gas or the need to run to the bathroom — it might be an even bigger deal than you think. Bel ..read more

Stomach bloating is so common these days that it’s been called an “epidemic.” If you frequently deal with distention, digestive discomfort and a bloated stomach, you probably want to know: Why do I feel bloated all the time? With most people’s poor diets, high levels of stress, need for daily medications and exposure to various pollutants, it’s no wonder they suffer some sort of bloating more days than not. While a bloated stomach is certainly uncomfortable — even embarrassing when it comes along with gas or the need to run to the bathroom — it might be an even bigger deal than you think. Bel ..read more

If you’ve been dealing with ongoing gastrointestinal (GI) issues — diarrhea, nausea, pain and bloating — the cause may be right on your plate. Gluten, the main protein in wheat and other grains, causes serious reactions in millions of people. And it affects more of us all the time. But it didn’t used to. For thousands of years, people all over the world ate wheat without suffering any consequences. But over the past few decades, both celiac disease and gluten intolerances have begun affecting huge numbers of people, especially in the U.S. Which begs the question ..read more

You rely on your immune system to protect you from infections and keep you healthy … and here’s where gut health comes in. Every day pathogens — like infectious bacteria, viruses, and toxins — threaten your health. Your immune system has special cells that patrol constantly so they can detect those pathogens immediately. Once your immune system sees what it’s up against, it responds with powerful weapons to defeat the threat before it affects your health. When it’s working properly, that is. Your immune system can’t function properly — or fully protect you — without the support ..read more

What are electrolytes? Electrolytes are certain nutrients (or chemicals) present in your body that have many important functions — from regulating your heartbeat to allowing your muscles to contract so you can move. The major electrolytes found within the body include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphate and chloride. Because these crucial nutrients help stimulate nerves throughout the body and balance fluid levels, an electrolyte imbalance can cause a variety of serious negative symptoms, including some that are potentially deadly. You obtain electrolytes through eating different ..read more