Fighting Depression and Anxiety Through the Gut
Vagus nerve stimulation for mood support (Part 2 of 2) Last week’s post examined the vagus nerve (the tenth cranial nerve) and the important role it plays in connecting the body to the brain. We explored how breath, laughter, and exercise all “tickle” the nerve to send soothing, calming signals to the brain and…
How the Microbiome Is Revolutionizing the Pursuit of a Healthy Life
What’s good for the microbiome is good for the body We often think of the human body as made of human cells, but it’s time to revise that perspective. As it turns out, the number of microbial cells in our bodies exceeds the number of human cells.[1],[2] We have ignored them far too long….
NSAIDs: A Pain in the Gut
The gut-protective effects of curcumin and probiotics Millions of people use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate the pain of arthritis, headaches, and other painful conditions.[1] Well-known NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin. Many other NSAIDs (diclofenac, etc.) are available by prescription. Although NSAIDs may relieve pain, their use is associated…
How the Gut Microbiome Influences COVID-19
Can probiotics reduce the risk? The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, killing nearly five million people to date. The disease has a broad range of outcomes, however, with many people developing only mild to moderate symptoms like sniffles, cough, shortness of breath, and fever.[1] This extreme range of symptoms is caused by variations…
Lactobacillus plantarum DR7: A Probiotic For Stress Relief
When I was a young athlete, I would get sick to my stomach before every big game, race, or match. The stress I felt always manifested in my gut. Many people experience feelings of a “nervous stomach” because our brain and our gut are so intricately intertwined. Sayings like “trust your gut”, “feel it…
Can Probiotics Soothe IBS?
Evidence supports the use of probiotics for IBS and enhanced quality of life Constipation, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea and other digestive problems are not fun, especially for people who suffer from them frequently. The results of a recent international survey of over 73,000 adults are striking: 40% of participants said they suffered from one or…
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: A Probiotic for All Ages
The benefits of L. rhamnosus GG for gut health and immunity Today’s probiotic story began in 1983, when Drs. Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin, colleagues at Tufts University, were poring over stool specimens from healthy adults – a task few of us would envy. They managed to isolate “a strain of bacteria of a…
Combating Age-Related Immune Decline: Can Nutrition Help?
A look at nutritional factors that keep immune defenses strong, even in older adults The immune system is a critical component of health throughout life. However, on the front and back end of the years we spend on this planet, our immune defenses aren’t particularly impressive. In infancy, while the immune system is developing,…
Vaccine Efficacy, Part 2 of 2: Can a Healthy Gut Microbiome Improve It?
The influence of probiotics on the immune response Vaccines are among the greatest successes of modern medicine, helping to protect entire populations against a wide range of infectious diseases.[1] However, there is considerable variation in the efficacy of vaccines amongst individuals.[2] The magnitude of antibody titers induced in individuals receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine,…
Response to CBS News Report: Do Probiotics Actually Do Anything?
They got a lot right, but we have a few (cited) details to add to the conversation By Mike Grochocki, RD, LDN On June 28th, 2020 the CBS News show 60 MINUTES aired a segment on probiotics, which have become wildly popular in both professional and retail nutritional supplement markets. The main question CBS…
Keeping Your Immune System On Guard
Six supplements that support healthy immune system function Let’s face it: we are surrounded by a veritable sea of viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents. What keeps these nasties at bay, in addition to physical barriers such as the skin and mucus secretions, is the immune system. If pathogens happen to gain entry, the…
Spring Equinox Detox
Does detoxing really help health? Spring is almost here! The days are gradually getting brighter, the flowers are beginning to bloom, and the dawn chorus is sounding more cheerful. The challenging cold, dark days of winter are certainly behind us and longer, warmer days are on the horizon. The Spring Equinox occurs on March…
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