Meet Mackenzie:

Meet Mackenzie:

Upon birth, Donielle’s beautiful baby girl went through a six hour operation, where her twisted intestines were removed, leaving her with a condition called short bowel syndrome. Unable to digest regular food, Mackenzie receives food nutrients via IV fluids 12 hours per day through a broviac catheter in her chest. Mackenzie, now 4 years old,…

Without a Healthy Gut, Vitamin D May Not Work

Without a Healthy Gut, Vitamin D May Not Work

Several studies have suggested that a person’s vitamin D levels have an important impact on overall, long-term health. A study from the University of California San Diego explored the connection between the gut microbiome and a person’s levels of active vitamin D. The research team learned that there is an important link between the two,…

Western Diet Hurts Immune System and Risks Gut Inflammation
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Western Diet Hurts Immune System and Risks Gut Inflammation

According to a new study, eating a typical “Western diet” weakens the immune system in the gut and may increase the risk of infection and inflammatory bowel disease.  Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Cleveland Clinic carried out their studies in both mice and people. Results showed that a high-fat…

The Connection Between Gut Health and Hormones Everyone in Menopause Should Know

The Connection Between Gut Health and Hormones Everyone in Menopause Should Know

By 2025, there will be over 1 billion women experiencing menopause in the world, which will be 12% of the entire world population of 8 billion women. It is estimated that hot flashes and night sweats, common symptoms of menopause, will be experienced by approximately 75% of them. These, along with other conditions such as…

How Our Gut Health Can Be Affected by Where Our Food Is Grown

How Our Gut Health Can Be Affected by Where Our Food Is Grown

When most people think of bacteria, they think of harmful diseases. But some bacteria are actually vital to our health. We live with trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in our gut, which we call our microbiome. Without these microorganisms, our health would be unbalanced. They help digest food, support immune functions, and even…

The Role Of Probiotics In Gut Health For Babies And Children

The Role Of Probiotics In Gut Health For Babies And Children

Healthcare professionals are recognizing the important tie between probiotics and gut health. In fact, research regarding probiotics for newborns and children is proving to be quite intriguing. A perfect example is Edward-Elmhurst Health where hospital-specific products are used for some high-risk infants in Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). However, even over-the-counter probiotics offer benefits in…

Could Prebiotic Snacks Boost Healthy Gut Bacteria In Obesity?

Could Prebiotic Snacks Boost Healthy Gut Bacteria In Obesity?

Our gut contains archaebacteria, viruses, and fungi that are collectively known as the “gut microbiota.” Microbiota affect both our physical and mental health. Unfortunately, diets high in fat and lacking in dietary plant fibers fail to keep our microbiota well-fed. Because a healthy microbiota can help fend off a long list of conditions including cardiovascular…