What happens when your bad bacteria outnumber your good bacteria? Dysbiosis is the technical name for a microbial imbalance on or inside the body; in other words, an imbalance of good versus bad bacteria. This condition most commonly affects the digestive tract (and, more particularly, the stomach and intestines), but can also occur on any […]
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Digestive enzymes – the stuff of life…
Enzymes are clever little molecules of protein that are made from amino acid chains. They act as catalysts (or triggers) to bring about specific biochemical reactions in the body, which produces over 3,000 kinds. Every process in the body is driven by enzymes of one kind or another – whether acting alone, in combination or […]
Eating a balanced diet
A ‘balanced diet’ is a popular topic, in the media, on the government’s agenda and amongst the health conscious. Why? Because, it is an essential part of maintaining immunity, a healthy weight and all other aspects of health and well-being through daily access to the broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients required […]
Travellers’ diarrhoea – are you fit for travel?
The last thing you feel like when on holiday or travelling abroad is having to worry about a bout of diarrhoea! Unfortunately, however, so-called “travellers’ diarrhoea” is quite common, particularly when in countries where food and water hygiene are less than ideal. This is because it can be caused by a wide range of organisms, […]
Diabetes and your health
What is diabetes? The science bit… Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to produce or properly use insulin – a hormone required for the conversion of sugar, starches and other types of food into energy. For good health, the body has to maintain its blood sugar levels (or blood glucose levels) […]
Detox your body
What is body detoxification? Nowadays, you will often hear people referring to the fact that they are “on a detox”. This might be because they have enjoyed a period of over-indulgence, such as Christmas and New Year, or may simply be a means of “spring cleaning” their body. Either way, many people feel that they […]
Thinking of going dairy-free?
The trouble with dairy It seems to be more and more common to hear that someone has a dairy allergy, lactose intolerance or has simply chosen to cut dairy out of their diet. Why is this? While milk has traditionally been a mainstay of the British diet (with the UK consuming as much as 40% […]
Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease
What is Crohn’s disease? Named after Dr. Burrill Bernard Crohn, the physician who first described the condition in 1932, Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder – a broad title used to describe any condition which involves the intestines becoming swollen, inflamed and ulcerated. Ulcerative colitis is another example of an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). […]
Why do I have constipation?
Almost everybody experiences constipation at some point in their lives – bowel movements that become less frequent and more difficult to pass. It is a very common disorder of the digestive tract which can affect anybody, but it is most common amongst women (particularly during pregnancy), the elderly and young children. Although common, it is […]
Colon cleansing
What does the colon do? In order to understand what the colon does, how it works and how its state can affect our health, it’s helpful first to learn a little about the greater digestive system of which it forms a part. The digestive system The digestive tract is made up of a group of […]