Did you know women have longer colons than men – on average four to five inches longer? That may not seem like much but it can cause a lot of extra looping and twists and turns – what I like to call: The Voluptuous Venus Colon. Women also have a wider, deeper, pelvis in order to […]
Candida auris is resistant to many anti-fungals and has recently been making its way around the world. If it makes its way into your bloodstream, it can cause a life threatening infection. Mostly found in hospitals and nursing homes, once Candida auris is present, it’s extremely difficult to get rid of. What you need to know about Candida auris: 587 cases have […]
Did you know that the enteric nervous system (ENS – the nervous system that controls the functions of the gut) has half a billion neurons – that’s five times the amount than in your spinal cord – which is why the gut is often referred to as “the second brain”? 90% of your “feel good” […]
When most of us undergo dietary changes for weight loss, it usually involves drastic changes, like cutting carbs, eliminating entire food groups, or adopting a 30-day detox program. But surprisingly, a recent study found that people lose as much weight by making one simple dietary change alone than by following these complicated diets. That dietary […]
Do you struggle to lose weight? Your microbiome could have something to do with it. A recent study implemented a 3-month lifestyle intervention in 26 overweight and obese adults (aged 18 to 65) and compared weight loss success (defined as losing 5% or more of baseline body weight) with microbial composition. Results showed an association between […]
The secret behind Clostridium difficile strength is uncovered. C. Diff, a harmful bacterial infection that often takes hold after antibiotic exposure and is more common in hospitals, was found to release para-cresol, a special compound that prevents other bacteria from growing. This compound gives C. Diff a competitive advantage and dominance over the intestinal microbiota. PLOS C. Diff affects half a million […]
Along with a balanced gut microbiome, a balanced skin microbiome is THE most important predictor for glowing, blemish-free skin – especially since after your gut, your skin is really your second biggest digestive organ. The beauty industry has convinced us that bacteria on the skin are a no-no and that the best thing to do […]
Because food is such effective medicine, there are very few supplements I actually recommend. But over the last 20+ years of working with patients, I find myself returning to a handful of products that work well with minimal side effects. Ground psyllium husk is one of those. Psyllium is a form of water-soluble plant fiber with […]
Low FODMAPs Diet For SIBO – Is It Worth It? FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols) are difficult to digest or poorly absorbed sugars. In searching for an elimination diet to treat hives in the 1970‘s, Australian researchers created the beginnings of the low FODMAPs diet. In 2005 the diet was introduced as a […]
I really enjoy having a drink in the evenings, but I’ve seen a lot of new information about alcohol and its detrimental health effects when consumed at any level. How much should I (or shouldn’t I) drink, and if it’s okay to drink in moderation, what form of alcohol should I choose? -Adam Dr. Chutkan: Adam, I […]