Digestive Health

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common disorder in the modern world, affecting around 12 percent of people in the United States and other developed countries. Although it is believed to be autoimmune-related, in which the immune system attacks parts of the large intestine, doctors and scientists have little idea of how to treat it. As a result, many...

Every moment, there are trillions of microorganisms residing in your digestive system. Some of these species of bacteria are beneficial, while others are harmful. Though one of their main functions is to help you digest food, in the past few years scientific research has revealed that gut bacteria impacts many aspects of health, including your metabolism and immune system. For...

Have you ever talked about having a "gut feeling" about something? Your gut, particularly the bacteria that live there, may be more important to your health than most people realize. A lot has been written lately about probiotics and their impact on health. A surprising range of diseases, from depression to certain types of cancer, have been linked to imbalances...

Eczema is a bothersome and often uncomfortable inflammatory skin disease, also known as dermatitis. There are several different types of eczema, but the most common type is atopic dermatitis. An estimated 31.6 million people in the United States alone suffer from eczema. The condition is more common in children; in fact, up to 15 percent of all children will experience temporary...

One of the largest human microbiota studies ever conducted has found a strong correlation between gut health and healthy aging. According to the study, people who live to 100 have unique gut microbiome ecosystems similar to those found in healthy 30-year-olds. This study is just the latest in a growing body of research into the myriad of beneficial effects of...

While previous research has found that omega-3 fatty acids can help with inflammatory bowel disease and much more, a new study has shed more light on the link between omega-3 and gut health. According to the study, people who eat a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids have greater bacterial diversity in their guts. This can promote improved overall health...

A growing body of research suggests that bacteria in the gut influence overall human health. While past research has indicated that trillions of bacteria thriving in the human digestive tract can affect everything from immune system function and nutrition to mood, two new studies have found that gut bacteria influence diet as well as reproductive success in fruit flies. These...

Got bacteria? Research on the link between gut bacteria and IBD suggest that a well-balanced intestinal microbiome may be crucial to treating this disease. An increasing amount of research about the importance of the gut microbiome has flooded science newspapers and journals. We have linked the bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tracts to digestive health, diabetes risk and even...

In the Western world, we don't use turmeric heavily in our diet, although this is beginning to change. Many people are starting to enjoy spicy foods such as curries as part of their daily meals. Pungent spices are an integral part of Middle Eastern cuisine, Indian cuisine and even Latin American foods. In some cultures, turmeric is even made into...

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common and complex medical issue. New research suggests that gut health may be important in preventing and treating this disease. All people have experienced fatigue and exhaustion at some point. However, for some people this is a constant condition. Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as CFS, is on the rise, yet we understand little about...