Human breast milk contains a unique substance that may protect newborn infants from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an often lethal inflammatory condition that commonly affects premature and low birth weight babies.
Presence or absence of particular strains of beneficial bacteria in the female digestive and reproductive tracts have a much greater influence on fertility than most people realize.
The GI microbial world is comprised of 3 very different compartments: Gastric, Small Intestinal & Colonic. Each has a distinct biochemical and physiologic “climate.” Digestive heatlh–and by extension, overall health–depends on the relationships between these diverse microbial worlds.
Helicobacter pylori, one of the most common microorganisms found in the human GI tract, can definitely be pathogenic, but in many people it is not. In some, it may even be helpful: gastric colonization with H. pylori inhibits ghrelin, an appetite stimulating molecule. Some researchers argue that eradicating H. pylori actually promotes obesity. Dr. Leo Galland, a pioneer in functional medicine, opts to take the middle ground between total eradication and total tolerance of this bug.
With the growing popularity of probiotics and concerns about antibiotic overuse, there has been a lot of attention on the importance of maintaining healthy gut flora. This is certainly a positive step, but what often gets lost in the dialog is the true complexity of the gut microbiome. Dr. Leo Galland, one of the nation’s leading functional medicine physicians, offers insights on how to cultivate a healthy relationship with the microbial world within.
There’s increasing scientific evidence as well as clinical experience indicating a connection between depression–which affects roughly 120 million people worldwide–and gluten sensitivity. Chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, triggered by reactions to gluten, can result in neurobehavioral symptoms which often resolve when people go gluten-free.
All this “Listeria Hysteria” that followed the reports of contaminated cantaloupe reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode. We’re destroying a relatively healthy food by the ton, issuing dire warnings about deadly pathogens, and generally scaring an already scared public, all without taking stock of what’s really going on. I don’t mean to downplay the […]
The problem with most medical weight loss programs is that they focus too much on weight loss and not nearly enough on overall health. Somae Health is a new 12-week, medically guided weight management program that begins with restoration of healthy gastrointestinal function.
There’s a reason why nearly all traditional cultures worldwide have some form of fermented food as part of their dietary staples. Unfortunately, in the rush to modernity and “convenience,” many people have lost the taste for things like kefir, kimchi, and natto. These and other fermented foods are extremely healthy, providing a rich source of probiotic gut bacteria, which aid digestion, reduce inflammation and promote overall health.
Named for Pegasus, the flying horse of Greek myth, Sea Buckthorn plant (Hippophae rhamnoides) has been mainstay of traditional medicine in Eastern Europe and Asia for centuries. Its orange berries are very rich in Omega 7 fatty acids as well as vitamin E and other compounds speed the healing and support the integrity of the skin and other mucous membranes. It may have an important role in treating irritable bowel syndrome and other gut problems.
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