In just the last few years alone, the gluten-free diet has skyrocketed in popularity. In fact, it seems like just about everyone is avoiding gluten — regardless of whether or not they really need to. Gluten-free foods have become synonymous with healthy eating, right alongside all things sugar-free, dairy-free and low-carb. What is gluten, why…
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes daily persistent heartburn, also called acid reflux, in nearly one in five American adults. This chronic condition, caused by inflammation and dysfunctions of the stomach, leads to tissue damage that erodes the esophagus. The good news is following a GERD diet can help treat GERD symptoms, along with lifestyle changes.…
MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is one of the most controversial ingredients on the planet. While some claim that it's a totally safe and healthy food additive that can help ramp up flavor and minimize sodium intake, others have dubbed it a cancer-causing food and have tied it to side effects like headaches and high blood…
Gluten is an incredibly abundant part of the food supply, but it's also one of the most common triggers for gut issues and food intolerances or allergies in the world. In fact, there's a good chance you or someone you know has experienced gluten intolerance symptoms, oftentimes without even realizing gluten is the cause of…
If you experience acid reflux symptoms — such as chest pains, burning sensations that can pick up at night and disturb your sleep, and difficulty eating many foods — and want to find some relief, you must improve your acid reflux diet and make necessary lifestyle changes. These changes include rethinking how you sleep and…
You may have heard of nitrates, but do you really know what they are? If you said that they help keep processed meats like deli meats and hot dogs full of color, you would be correct — but they also help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. So what are nitrates, and are they bad…
A lot of someone's health can be traced to the gut — specifically gut bacteria. In the 1670s, scientist Antony van Leeuwenhoek first discovered the complex world of bacteria. At the time, he defined it as "free-living and parasitic microscopic protists, sperm cells, blood cells, microscopic nematodes and rotifers," according to the University of California…
Being underweight can be just as frustrating as being overweight. For people who experience difficulty gaining weight, it can be confusing to figure out how to gain weight in a healthy way. If you're wondering how to gain weight fast without harming your body, there are certain foods and exercises that can help you increase…
The Western diet and lifestyle are linked to a growing number of digestive diseases. The health of your digestive system has a lot to do with lifestyle, since it's in part determined by the food you eat, the amount of exercise you get and your stress level throughout the day. By better understanding the digestive…
Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects between 0.5 percent to 10 percent of the population, leaving people searching for rosacea treatment options. It commonly develops during teenage years or someone's 20s and then can become worse into the 30s or 40s. The cause of rosacea is still not entirely understood, though there are…
