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Digestive Health

Must We Always Eradicate H. Pylori?

By Leo Galland, MD - Vol. 13, No. 2. , 2012

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.

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Strategies for Establishing a Healthy Gut Microbiome

By Leo Galland, MD - Vol. 13, No. 2. , 2012

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.

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In a Glutinous Mood? Exploring the Gluten Allergy & Depression Connection

By Peter Bongiorno, ND, LAc - Vol. 12, No. 4. , 2011

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.

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The Cure for “Listeria Hysteria?” Strengthening Innate Defenses!

By Roby Mitchell, MD (aka "Dr. Fitt")

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 […]

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Restoring Digestive Health is Key to Optimizing Weight Loss

By August West | Contributing Writer - Vol. 10, No. 4. , 2009

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.

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New Probiotic Company Plans to “Share the Health” in Regions of Strife

By Janet Gulland | Contributing Writer - Vol. 9, No. 2. , 2008

Probiotics have great potential to help people in strife-torn regions recover digestive health and nutritional status. The problem has been to develop formulations that deliver high doses of the beneficial bugs without need for refrigeration. With his new Vidazorb line and an outreach program called “Share the Health,” socially-conscious entrepreneur E. Frank Hodal is meeting that challenge.

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Confronting the Challenge of Polypharmacy

By Cathy Creger Rosenbaum, PharmD | Contributing Writer - Vol. 8, No. 2. , 2007

Polypharmacy, the progressive piling on of medications, is one of the biggest unspoken public health threats facing the nation. Simply put, more meds means more adverse events and drug interactions. The problem is only going to grow as the Boomer generation ages, unless physicians and patients work together to use medications more judiciously.

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Cultures of Healing: Traditional Fermented Foods Find Their Place in the Modern World

By Rob Streisfeld, NMD | Contributing Writer - Vol. 7, No. 4. , 2006

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.

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