According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, a Clostridium difficile infection (also commonly known as C. diff) is currently one of the leading drug-resistant threats to our population. A 2015 CDC study reveals that C. difficile was behind nearly 500,000 infections among patients in the United States in just one year. Can C. diff…
Boosting liver health to remove toxins from the body has been an integral part of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine practices for thousands of years. Referred to as the ultimate multitasking organ, ancient practitioners believed that the liver was one of the primary organs that needed to be treated in sick patients. In ancient Chinese medicine, it’s…
The probiotic drinks category is one of the fastest growing trends in the functional foods and beverages market, due to increasing consumer demand for products made with natural, beneficial ingredients, particularly those that contribute to gut health. Even major companies including PepsiCo are jumping on the probiotic drinks bandwagon; in 2016, PepsiCo acquired KeVita, a…
Creating dinners for your family and friends can be one of life's greatest pleasures. But pleasure can turn to pain if any of your guests get a nasty case of food poisoning from your cooking! Same story, of course, if YOU are the unlucky victim of a foodborne illness after eating out. But did you…
Do a keto diet and diabetes make a perfect match? Some experts and diabetics think so! When you follow a keto diet, your body converts fat, rather than sugar, into energy which may improve blood sugar levels while also reducing the need for insulin. In many ways, a ketogenic diet seems like it's made for people…
Most people experience cravings for sweet foods or salty snacks from time to time, regardless of whether they're in the form of chocolates, chips or cheese. However, typically very few people find themselves seeking something bitter in the midst of midnight snacking. In fact, despite the multitude of benefits associated with bitter foods, their flavor…
Water kefir is a fermented, fizzy drink that has become a fast favorite among health-conscious consumers, all thanks to its delicious flavor, extensive nutrient profile and gut-boosting benefits. Plus, it's often selected over other probiotic-rich foods like milk or coconut kefir because it's dairy-free, vegan-friendly and easy to prepare at home from the comfort of…
Adenosine 5' monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an enzyme that is known as the body's "master regulator of energy metabolism." Why? It works as an energy sensor within our cells. Researchers believe that as we age, AMPK activity significantly decreases. This is one reason why we experience changes in appetite, body weight, energy levels, etc.…
Hydronephrosis (swelling and urine retention) in one kidney occurs in about one in 100 people. There's also some evidence that about two percent of all prenatal ultrasound examinations reveal some degree of hydronephrosis, making it "one of the most commonly detected abnormalities in pregnancy." (1) Things that put you at risk for hydronephrosis include: having…
Did you know that 90 percent of the population gets at least one cold sore in a lifetime, and 40 percent of American adults repeatedly get cold sores? They can be painful, uncomfortable and downright unattractive, beginning as a blister and eventually forming a crust. Cold sores are commonly mistaken for canker sores, especially in children. Canker…
