Inflammation is at the root of many chronic diseases, from heart disease and Type 2 diabetes to autoimmune disorders, and it can even contribute to certain types of cancer. Yet, despite its profound impact on health, inflammation remains widely misunderstood. Shilpa Ravella, M.D., a gastroenterologist and author of A Silent Fire, is working to change […]
Emerging research suggests that plant-forward diets—such as vegan and Mediterranean diets—may help prevent Parkinson’s disease and slow its progression. Every year in the U.S., nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms like tremors and muscle rigidity, along with non-motor issues such as cognitive decline and mood disorders. […]
I grew up eating an omnivorous diet with a lot of dairy products. I drank a few glasses of milk a day, “for strong bones.” I also regularly ate chicken, fish, and a little bit of red meat. I continued eating that way when I left the family house to live on my own. Later, […]
I grew up eating home-cooked meals that my mother prepared for us every day in our small kitchen after she got home from work. Although Mom eventually switched to a vegetarian diet (after nearly choking on a tough steak cooked on an outdoor stove during a family camping trip), the rest of us continued to […]
Of the trillions of microbes living in your gut, the majority are friendly, helping to absorb nutrients, optimize immune function, prevent disease, and keep bad bacteria in check. You want to have as many of these “good bacteria” as possible. Probiotics offer one way to up your count. Think of them like reinforcements, brought in […]
Up to 45 million Americans struggle with irritable bowel syndrome, a painful condition that often causes intense bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and other unpleasant symptoms. Even more people suffer from suspected food intolerances that lead to similar syptoms. While there’s no single cause or cure for gastrointestinal problems, many people who live with them are prescribed […]
Photo by Margaret Wright As rates of irritable bowel disease and other gastrointestinal disorders have risen in recent years, so, too, has the amount of questionable “gut health” advice floating around on the internet. One prominent voice cutting through the noise is Will Bulsiewicz, MD, MSCI. “Dr. B,” as he’s known to his patients and […]
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? IBS is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine, causing symptoms that range from mild to debilitating. It is considered a functional bowel disorder, which means the problem isn’t with the structure of the bowels; it’s with how they work. Because symptoms are present without any visible signs of […]
Diet has a direct impact on the digestive tract—a fact that vegans can attest to firsthand. If you’ve recently transitioned to a plant-based diet or are simply looking to improve your bowel health, here are some things to keep in mind. 1. Vegans poop more. It’s true: Vegans poop more. A University of Oxford study […]
Hold the cookies, soda, and salty snacks: A new study published in The BMJ suggests that eating ultra-processed foods can significantly heighten the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It’s estimated that IBD, which takes the form of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, affects 5 million people worldwide. The United States accounts for more […]
Natural Strategies for Hormone Balance Did you know that a simple food prescription can help to gently restore your hormone balance? Myriad common health issues, including menstrual pain, weight gain, menopause symptoms, and hair loss are impacted by hormones that have gone haywire. In this webinar, Dr. Neal Barnard, adjunct professor of medicine at George […]
I grew up on a standard American diet. I was raised to eat lots of meat and dairy (which I thought I needed for calcium and protein) and a single serving of vegetables and fruits every day. I believed that one apple a day would keep the doctor away. In 2010, I was diagnosed with […]
