In the United States, about 200,000 people are hospitalized for diverticulitis each year. Diverticular disease can be a painful and upsetting disturbance in the digestive tract, and in severe cases, it can lead to hospitalization and surgery due to complications from diverticulitis symptoms. The foods you eat and a variety of other risk factors can increase your chances of developing … Read More
8 Natural Treatments for Cholestasis
Cholestasis is a condition that’s characterized by the flow of bile from the liver slowing down or stopping, which can be caused by disorders of the liver, bile duct or pancreas. More than 200,000 people in the United States are affected by this condition every year, and it can lead to serious health conditions if it’s not treated properly. There … Read More
Kidney Failure Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
When kidneys work the way they should, they play an important role in keeping the whole body clean, strong, well-fueled and functioning properly. Conversely, kidney failure puts the body at risk, allowing waste to accumulate and wreak havoc, which is why it’s a good idea to do a kidney cleanse from time to time. Healthy people normally have two kidneys, which … Read More
Top 10 Medical Innovations to Watch Out for in 2017
As 2016 winds down, the medical community is already looking toward the future — 2017, to be exact. Now in its 11th year, Ohio’s esteemed Cleveland Clinic is releasing its Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2017. (1) More than 100 doctors and researchers pored over nearly 200 nominations of medical innovations that have a high chance of healing and extending life. In … Read More
6 Reasons to Avoid Meal Replacement Shakes
In an ideal world, we’d all have the time to dedicate to preparing homemade healthy meals, in addition to sitting down to eat them mindfully. But given how busy many people are today, it’s not surprising that meal replacement shakes, bars and snacks have grown in popularity exponentially over the past several decades. Time isn’t the only barrier keeping some … Read More
What You Need to Know About Cloudy Urine: Causes, Issues & Treatment
The color of urine has been a valuable diagnostic tool since the beginning of medicine, as it reveals important information about someone’s health. The elimination of urine is very important for different bodily functions; it regulates the balance of water in the body and gets rid of substances that are produced during metabolic processes and are no longer needed by the … Read More
Gallbladder Symptoms, Causes of Pain & Risk Factors
In one way or another, gallbladder pain is almost always caused by one particular gallbladder problem: gallstones. Around 10 percent to 20 percent of the total adult population (up to 40 percent in some age groups) is believed to have at least mild to moderate gallstones. The incidence of gallbladder symptoms rises with age, so those over 60 are most susceptible. … Read More
What Is Butyric Acid? 6 Butyric Acid Benefits You Need to Know About
You may not have realized it, but chances are you’ve consumed something called butyric acid before, and believe it or not, your body produces it as well. It’s true — butyric acid, also known as butanoic acid or BTA, is a saturated short-chain fatty acid found in butter, ghee, raw milk, animal fats and plant oils. It’s also formed in and therefore found in our colons … Read More
The Best 7 Food Allergy Alternatives
The prevalence of food allergies continue to rise, affecting approximately 5 percent of children under the age of 5 years old and 4 percent of teens and adults. Food allergies have severe effects on daily life because manifestations can affect several bodily systems, and these responses are caused by a particular individual intolerance that’s derived from an immunological mechanism. (1) This leads people … Read More
Shellfish Allergy Symptoms, Effective Remedies & Alternatives
It’s true that with food allergies, one person’s food can truly be another one’s poison. The popularity of shellfish has been increasing worldwide, but consequently, shellfish constitute the No. 1 cause of food allergies in the American adult. The approximate prevalence of shellfish allergy is estimated at 0.5 to 2.5 percent of the general population. (1) Shellfish allergy can be life-threatening, so it’s … Read More
8 Cat’s Claw Benefits for Immunity, Digestion & Chronic Disease
I’ve previously written about cat’s claw as one of the best antiviral herbs to boost the immune system and fight infection. This powerful herb is not only antiviral — it also has anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and antioxidant properties. These health-promoting attributes may make cat’s claw helpful as a natural treatment for arthritis, allergies, asthma, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, viral infections, ulcers, hemorrhoids and … Read More
Gut Bacteria Benefits: Could Better Bacteria Actually Cure Your Condition?
It’s all about the gut. And gut bacteria benefits go way back. In the 1670s, scientist Antony Leeuwenhoek first discovered the complex world of bacteria. At the time, he defined it as “free-living and parasitic microscopic protists, sperm cells, blood cells, microscopic nematodes and rotifers,” according to the University of California Museum of Paleontology. (1) Fast forward to today (almost 350 years … Read More
Antioxidant-Loaded Purple Potatoes: The Healthy, Versatile Carb
If you’re a spud lover but stopped eating potatoes due to their reputation of causing weight gain, you may be in luck. Studies show it could be the potato you choose in addition to how the potato is prepared that make a difference. What about french fries? Well, those fries are six times more likely to cause weight gain if … Read More
Erythritol: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly with This Common Sweetener
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol like xylitol that I’ve spoken about before in my article titled “The 5 Worst Artificial Sweeteners.” A lot of people think it’s awesome because it decreases the amount of sugar and calories in what they’re consuming. You’ll commonly find it as an ingredient in low-sugar and sugar-free foods, but there are some very concerning and common erythritol side effects — even … Read More
4 Good Reasons Not to Eat Seitan
Often called “wheat protein,” “wheat meat” or “wheat gluten,” seitan (pronounced say-tahn) has a look and texture shockingly similar to meat when it’s cooked, and its alternative namesakes are quite fitting since it’s made from gluten, the main protein found in wheat. Most of the commonly consumed meat substitutes are made from soy, but seitan does not contain any soy whatsoever. Are you still wondering: … Read More
Jackfruit: 5 Remarkable Benefits of the World’s Largest Tree Fruit
If I gave you 10 guesses on which fruit is the largest tree fruit in the world, do you think you could get the answer? Well, if the jackfruit wasn’t on the tip of your tongue, or among your top 10 guesses, you can be forgiven, but the jackfruit is the largest tree fruit in the world, reaching up to … Read More
Emu Oil Benefits Skin & Treats Skin Conditions Naturally
We’ve heard about the powerful therapeutic properties of fish oil before, but did you know that oils derived from birds can also be beneficial? Emu oil is made up of essential fatty acids, like omega-3s, and it naturally reduces inflammation and treats skin conditions, among many other incredible benefits. In fact, a 2012 study conducted in Australia found that emu … Read More