Immune System Health

Each year, the research supporting the importance of maintaining a healthy balance of gut bacteria for good overall health grows. However, many of the previously known health effects of a healthy microbiome involved the digestive system. Could your gut bacteria also affect how well your immune system protects against infection and even prevent autoimmune disease? New research suggests that gut...

Although some regions are still in the icy grips of winter, the days are slowly getting longer, signaling the start of a bright new season. Traditionally, spring is a time of new beginnings. Whether you are going strong on your New Year's resolutions or adjusting your habits for other reasons this season, a spring detox can help you shed unwanted...

The war against cancer is waging stronger than ever before as the race towards finding alternative treatments and hopefully a cure has become a lot more aggressive. Cancer research is moving faster than ever thanks to the diligent efforts of scientists and medical experts across the globe. As a result, cancer research breakthroughs are occurring at a rapid pace. Although...

Since their development in the 1940s, antibiotics have been the medical go-to for eradicating and counteracting the effects of bacterial infections. In fact, at one time antibiotics were even viewed as something of a miracle drug that would possibly bring an end to all infection worldwide. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case; although after nearly 80 years doctors frequently prescribe antibiotics to...

Despite a widespread obsession with health, the incidence of heart disease is steadily rising in the United States. Many people are eating healthier, exercising more and otherwise trying to maintain a healthy heart. However, there are three surprising things that may be holding you back. 1. Your Cold and Flu Medicine Most of us think nothing of reaching for their...

The last few years have brought a flood of new knowledge about the role of gut bacteria in whole-body health. However, the gut is not the only area of our body in which a healthy balance of bacteria can make a measurable difference in wellness. We now know that a diverse and healthy microbiome can be a benefit not just...

Confused about the difference between probiotics and prebiotics and how they work together? Here, we will take a brief look at what probiotics and prebiotics are, break down the differences between these important digestive helpers and learn how increasing the prebiotics in your diet not only improves digestion but also supports immune function, promotes sleep, lowers stress and provides many...

Scientists from Japan's RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science and Kyoto University have uncovered how our guts secrete antibodies that promote good bacteria to flourish. According to their research, the immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies secreted in the gut alter gene expression in bacteria, which allows different species of bacteria to work with each other to form a bacterial community that...

Vitamin B12, a part of the essential B-complex, is necessary for our bodies to create and repair DNA, red blood cells and nerves, as well as a whole host of other functions. New research out of Ireland illuminates the worrying magnitude of vitamin B12 deficiency among older populations. Over the Age of 50? You’re More at Risk for B12 Deficiency...

Over the past decade, research on gut bacteria has exponentially increased our understanding of how our gut affects us as a whole. So, what exactly is the gut microbiome, how does it form and what is the link to immune response and heart health? What is the Microbiome? Each one of us possesses a complex and completely unique ecosystem of...