This article aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of what dysbiosis really means, both so you can appreciate its relevance to human health and that you will be better equipped to process the word when it inevitably comes up in every other piece of health-related content.

Who doesn’t love dinner time? Most of us consume our largest daily meal at dinner, and in particular, our highest fat and protein intake – which are the slowest-to-digest macronutrients. Enter The Constitutional. A constitutional is a charmingly archaic term for an easy walk taken after a meal. But the health benefits of the constitutional are worth talking about.

The general consensus is that thickening feeds are considered safe, especially in full-term babies, but the suggestion of more research is needed. Some researchers have questioned if adding fiber to formula/human milk by thickening feeds can interfere with the absorption of micronutrients, specifically calcium, iron, and zinc.

There are numerous benefits that we get from hugging. They make us feel good. How? The biggest benefit of a hug is the release of oxytocin, one of the “happy hormones” that creates the feeling of love, connection, and social bonding. Hugs go beyond immediate pleasure. They have long-term benefits too, creating resilience and making us less reactive to stress and more.

The back-to-school season is full of new beginnings and change including weather, teachers and friends. But for families with youth who suffer from IBS, the uncertainty can be stressful- often exacerbating symptoms. While there is not a cure for IBS, there are back-to-school tips to ease the transition and support adolescent development.  

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease generally identifiable by raised patches of skin which are dry, thick, scaly and itchy which can vary in severity and location based on a number of contextual factors including the type of psoriasis one has. Is there a role for vitamin D, omega-3s, or probiotics in the management of psoriasis? Let’s find out.

Many people believe that feed thickeners are a great option for those babies with reflux. Thickeners may be recommended to help manage various conditions – reflux or spitting up, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), or aspiration (when food/fluid goes into the lungs). However, there are quite a few studies out now with a lot of uncertainty in regards to thickeners.

Since the 1980’s, obesity has emerged as the most prominent chronic disease afflicting developed nations. Current estimates define more than 40% of US adults as obese. Given obesity’s prevalence and the impact it has on overall health, the measurement of obesity is fairly crude and imprecise in most medical settings. So, is there a better way?

Proactively caring for your gums is key for anyone with gastrointestinal issues such as acid reflux or a history of vitamin and mineral deficiencies or undernutrition--all of which increases risk of gum disease. Oral hygiene treatment and prevention helps to fight oral dysbiosis and gum inflammation. But what you eat and drink matters, too. 

How can you connect your mind to your body? The idea here is to allow your brain to focus and reconnect to your body. Using the power of the mind-body connection, we can positively impact our health. We know our negative emotions have been shown to impact everything from the gut to the immune system, heart disease, obesity, and cancer.

With the FODMAP diet becoming the new standard for GI complications there have been a lot of advancements in technology in order to make things easier. In the App store you can find free or subscription based applications that help clear the murky waters of the FODMAP diet. This article provides a review of some gut-friendly apps available right now.

Parasites are one thing that don’t typically come to mind when thinking about unpleasant GI symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain… but should they be given more credit for causing IBS-like symptoms? There is research suggesting the possible role of 3 parasites in the formation and exacerbation of IBS symptoms. Learn who may be at risk in this article.

A healthy diet consists of more than the food that we put into our bodies. True vibrance requires us to look at the whole. When areas of life are out of balance, it affects the whole. Let’s take a look beyond the plate at areas that need support and how those areas support our gut, digestion, and overall uptake of nutrition.

If you suffer from any GI issues, exercise can improve both digestion and immunity…but how? Exercise is a stressor. Each time we exercise, depending on how hard we work, we induce changes to our immune system. This article addresses the levels of activity associated with both positive and negative changes to both the gut microbiota and overall immune health in the body.

A lot goes on in the mouth at mealtime and two key players for digestive health in the mouth are saliva and teeth. Saliva is designed for its important multifunctional role: protection, pH balance, lubrication, and chemical digestion. Teeth are responsible for mechanical digestion--the mashing and slicing of food so it can be better mixed with saliva. Both impact digestive issues.