Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis. The condition causes pain and stiffness in the back, and over time it can actually cause the bones in the spine (called the vertebrae) to fuse together. It also causes arthritis between the spine and pelvis, and may also affect other joints. Because it is a long-term inflammatory…
In October 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report about a multistate outbreak of Campylobacter infections connected with puppies adopted from Petland, a pet store chain. (1) That might sound a little scary, but did you know that a Campylobacter infection actually affects somewhere around 1.3 million people in the…
Every year in the United States 210,000 people are admitted to hospitals with acute pancreatitis and 56,000 people are hospitalized each year due to chronic pancreatitis. This is a serious condition that can result in death if not treated properly and promptly. (1, 2) The symptoms of pancreatitis depend on whether it is an acute…
Folate, also known vitamin B9, is one of many essential vitamins needed for copying and synthesizing DNA, producing new cells, and supporting nerve and immune functions. As a water-soluble B vitamin, it’s naturally present in some foods, added to others and available as a dietary supplement in the form of folic acid. Studies show that…
American culture is so sanitized. Think about it … alcohol-based hand disinfectants at every corner of the grocery store, chlorinated water, antibiotics in the food supply, bleached laundry and kitchen floors. No wonder we are so sick! But this hyper-sanitized state doesn't end there. It's even infiltrating down to death. Today, modern care for the…
Many people are pretty familiar with gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD. And they probably know about the burning heartburn and painful discomfort that can come with it. Not so many people have heard of silent reflux, though. It's a closely related condition that is often misdiagnosed and left untreated. Silent reflux is incredibly common but not…
After a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1976, hundreds of attendees fell ill with pneumonia-like symptoms and fevers reaching 107 degrees. More than 200 fell ill and 34 died. The outbreak caused panic throughout the country; some thought it was domestic terrorism while Congress held hearings to push for answers. It…
When people talk about listeria or listeria symptoms, they are often referring to the infection caused by Listeria bacteria. This infection is technically called listeriosis, and it affects about 1,600 people per year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (1) Although most people who come into contact…
Have you ever thought of wonton soup as a health food? Probably not. But with my gluten-free, gut- and figure-friendly wonton soup recipe, you can think again! For my wonton soup recipe, I use a combination of gluten-free cassava flour and tapioca flour to make the wonton dough. I also fill the wontons with ground…
Diverticulitis is a painful and upsetting disturbance in the digestive tract, a colon disease, which can be effectively treated with the diverticulitis diet. While some individuals experience constant discomfort, others experience diverticulitis symptoms that wane and then flare up. Diet and a variety of risk factors can increase your chances of suffering from diverticulitis, especially…
