Did you know your gut health may affect your mood and behavior? The belief that gut health is connected to mental well-being dates back more than a hundred years. In the early 1900’s, scientists and clinicians emphasized the relationship between gastrointestinal health and mental health. By 1930, opinions reversed and it was thought that mental health disorders were an influencing factor in gastrointestinal disorders.[1] (more…)
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) reports that alcohol consumption is a normal part of life for many people.[1] Although it’s difficult to consider alcohol consumption “healthy,” it does appear that drinking responsibly and in moderation is the situation for many who indulge. “At-risk” drinking, however, can cause concerns. The NIAA considers at-risk drinking to be more than four drinks per day or fourteen per week for men, and more than three drinks per day or seven per week for women. (more…)
Consumer concerns regarding pesticide contamination of commonly-consumed crops, like corn and wheat, have been voiced for decades. This, along with the rising issue of pesticide resistance of many common agricultural pests, has led scientists to develop genetically-altered crops that produce their own insecticides. These genetically-modified organisms, or GMOs, come with side effects that cause more concerns than solutions. To understand the connection between GMOs and gut health, you must understand what‘s being done to a large percentage of the GMOs in the food supply. Scientists genetically engineer food crops to […]
The bacteria in your gut have a huge impact on your health and well-being. They affect how well you digest food, absorb nutrients, the strength of your immune system, and the health of your small intestine and colon, and that barely scratches the surface. The importance of probiotics for supporting gut health cannot be overstated. The bacteria in your gut are a community and there are many types, or strains, of bacteria that make up that community. Here we'll take a look at the eighteen best probiotic strains for supporting […]
Bacteria in your gut might sound unpleasant, but your gut actually uses bacteria to process food into energy.[1] We call these helpful bacteria probiotics. Most people have heard the term in yogurt ads, but that’s about it. What are probiotics and what do they mean to your body? (more…)
