Digestive
INTRODUCTION You have probably heard friends talking about how yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, or kimchi is “good for your gut” But what do they mean, and what are they talking about exactly? It turns out that your friends are likely correct, and these foods, known as probiotics, can be good for you and your health. Keep…
INTRODUCTION Small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO) is a condition characterized by an excessive concentration of fungal microorganisms inhabiting the small intestine (SI).1 This condition is often found amongst those who use antibiotics, antacids, the immunocompromised, and individuals who have poor gut motility (i.e., constipation).1(1) Having covered SIFO and nutritional interventions in previous articles, I will…
INTRODUCTION Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that was manufactured in the late 1980s by Tate & Lyle Company and the Queen Elizabeth College (University of London).1 Sucralose is a derivative of the natural sugar sucrose, whereby 3 hydroxyl groups (OH) are replaced by chlorine (CL) atoms.1(325) Such modifications have enabled sucralose to increase its sweetness…
WHAT IS CONSTIPATION? Constipation is generally understood as the infrequent passage of stool and/or difficulty passing stool.1 Said condition is often accompanied by incomplete evacuation, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.1(236) Specifically, Jani and Marsicano1(236) stated constipation can be diagnosed through Rome IV criteria as: fewer than 3 bowel movements per week manual help to aid defecation…
Functional constipation (FC) is a condition in which a complete understanding of its pathophysiology remains equivical.1 Conventional thoughts behind FC involves slow transit time and/or pelvic floor impairment, however, Cirillo et al1(1489) stated that there are wide variations behind the precise identification of the dysfunction. Currently, most individuals with FC experience significant impairments to quality…
The liver is an organ critical for the purposes of energy production as well as the storage of glycogen, lipid-soluble vitamins (i.e., vitamin A, D, E, K), copper, iron, triglycerides, and detoxification of the blood.1 As such, mild aberrations in liver function can induce illness, and in severe cases (i.e., liver cirrhosis), death.2 Considering the…
As mentioned in the introduction, IBS can have multiple causes and its pathophysiology can include increased intestinal permeability, heightened visceral sensitivity (low threshold for gastrointestinal-related pain), and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).1(263-264) Furthermore, IBS falls into four categories based on stool form: IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with a mixed pattern (IBS-M),…
Helicobacter pylori (HP) is characterized as a gram-negative bacterium with a considerable reach, affecting more than 50% of the world’s population.1 The genesis of HP is associated with gastric B-cell lymphoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, peptic ulcers, non-atrophic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, and micronutrient deficiencies to include B12, iron, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E.1(12809,12811)…
In this author’s last post, the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia (FD) was explored as well as the implementation of botanicals, such as ginger and perilla, in managing the same. In the following sections, this author would like to continue reviewing other botanicals that show promise, such as wormwood, in treating and managing FD as well…
Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a condition characterized by bloating, early satiety, belching, nausea, vomiting, and recurrent/chronic fullness of the upper abdomen.1 Furthermore, FD affects as much as 40% of the Eastern industrialized nations and has presented a socioeconomic burden to society while threatening human quality of life and overall health.1(1),2 Most relevantly, standard modes of…