A combination of fish oil and vitamin E reduced the levels of cytokines (pro-inflammatory proteins that cause the joint swelling, pain and tenderness) in mice. This result found in a study lead by JayaVenkatraman, Ph.D., University of Buffalo associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, and published in the Journal Read More …
Digestion
Many natural health practitioners believe that problems in the digestive system are the beginning of many other health problems like asthma, allergies, arthritis, and even autoimmune disease. Whether or not you believe that, the digestive is still very important. It is a 25 foot tube that begins in the mouth and ends at the anus. Read More …
Depression, Dyspepsia, and Herbs
In Chinese medicine, the herbal combination known as Xinwei Decoction is used to treat patients who have depression in conjunction with dyspepsia. In a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine (2005; 33(2): 249-257), 73 subjects were examined using the FD (functional dyspepsia) scale and the Hamilton Depression Scale at the beginning and Read More …
Curcumin and Colitis
Turmeric is a perennial plant, botanically related to ginger that is native to India,China and Indonesia. It is a component of curry powder and prepared mustard. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine and in Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used to treat digestive disturbance, menstrual difficulties, pain and protecting Read More …
Crohn’s Disease and the Pancreas
Patients with Crohn’s disease may have decreased pancreatic activity. A study appearing in the journal, Gut (1990;31:1076-1079) compared the activity of amylase and lipase (pancreatic enzymes that digest carbohydrate and fat respectively) in patients with Crohn’s disease and healthy controls. The 59 men and 84 women with the disease had less pancreatic enzyme activity than Read More …
Connection Between Bowel Flora and Allergies
An adult has between six and eight pounds of bacteria in his or her intestines. The total of bacterial cells in the colon is more than the number of cells in the entire body (the bacterial cells are much smaller). The bacteria belong there. The right species of bacteria will produce nutrients, remove toxins, support Read More …
Certain Drugs Increase the Risk of Esophageal Cancer
According to research appearing in the Annals of Internal Medicine (August 1, 2000; 133:165-175, 227-229), 10% of esophageal cancer cases may be due to drugs that cause stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has been increasing in recent years. It is a condition that is more common in Read More …
Beneficial Bacteria
Normally you have between 4 and 7 pounds of bacteria in your colon. Normal and well-balanced bacteria have many beneficial functions. Beneficial bacteria do the following: Produce vitamins like folic acid and B12. Nourish the lining of the colon by feeding on vegetable fiber and producing butyric acid. Adequate butyric acid levels reduce the chances Read More …
Bacteria May be the Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
One possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. In research appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2004;292(7):852-858) suggests that the bloating seen in IBS can be caused by bacteria in the small intestine. Bloating immediately following a meal is an indication of small intestine bacterial Read More …
Bacteria in the Bowel Linked to Weight Gain
The intestine is a kind of ecosystem. There are between four and seven pounds of bacteria in the large intestine. The number of bacterial cells outnumber all the cells in your body (the bacteria cells are much smaller than human cells). Bacteria perform necessary functions, like suppressing pathogens, detoxifying harmful chemicals, and producing vitamins. In Read More …