Posts Tagged ‘IBS’

Prescription 2015: Healthier Digestion

May 19, 2015 Written by JP

Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms can be caused or worsened by a long list of suspects. Common culprits include food allergies or sensitivities, H. pylori infection, intestinal permeability, microbiome (gut bacteria) imbalance and ulcers. Furthermore, in some instances, the exact cause or contributing factors is not easily identifiable. When this occurs, medications are frequently prescribed based on the specific symptoms that present themselves. Two popular examples include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to minimize gastric acid and tricyclic antidepressants to reduce abdominal pain. Physicians who veer towards the integrative side of medicine may also suggest certain dietary changes such avoiding dairy, FODMAPs, grains and/or heavily refined foods. Some doctors will even go so far as to encourage an “elimination diet” to methodically rule out any likely food-based troublemaker.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 41 Comments & Updates

Curry Research

July 7, 2014 Written by JP

Mrs. Healthy Fellow and I are just back from a five-week trip to London and Marrakech. The next few blogs are inspired by our recent time away from home. First stop: London. Whenever we “cross the pond” to jolly ole England we make it a point to eat some great Indian food. And, that means a visit (or two or three) to Dishoom, a Bombay inspired cafe, and Quilon, a regal dining spot which features south western Indian fare. These two delicious destinations have transformed our concept of what authentic Indian food tastes like. An important part of our personal culinary enlightenment is a newly found appreciation for curry.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Memory | 5 Comments & Updates

The FODMAP Diet

June 6, 2013 Written by JP

What if I told you that many seemingly healthy foods including apples, avocado, cauliflower and yogurt may be causing gastrointestinal problems in a sizable percentage of the population? If your reaction is one of disbelief, I don’t blame you. After all, these wholesome foods are a good source of dietary components (fiber, healthy fats, nutrients and probiotics) which are typically thought to benefit the digestive system and its function. However, in recent years, a group of researchers have come up with an unconventional theory that has been increasingly supported in the scientific literature. It now appears that otherwise healthful foods, which contain specific types of carbohydrates, may be largely responsible for digestive complaints that are often attributed or classified as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Specifically, I’m referring to foods rich in Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Mono-saccharides and Polyols or FODMAPs.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink | 16 Comments & Updates

Hypnosis Revelations

April 6, 2012 Written by JP

Clinical hypnosis is quickly making inroads into the mainstream of medicine. Thankfully, it’s no longer being viewed as the exclusive domain of esoteric healers or second rate magicians. This is due, in large part, to a growing body of scientific trials that have been conducted at prestigious centers of learning throughout the world. The findings of these recent inquiries are beginning to reveal the true potential of this mind-body modality.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, General Health, Mental Health | 8 Comments & Updates

Natural Products Expo West 2012 Part Two

March 19, 2012 Written by JP

Among the trends spotted at this year’s Natural Products Expo West, was an attempt to make dairy or dairy-alternatives accessible to virtually everyone. To that end, some manufacturers catered to consumers who prefer organic over conventional milk. Other products offered vegan versions of cheese, milk and even yogurt. There was cream on top or unhomogenized dairy and nonfat options galore. The one common denominator was an undeniable sense that health conscience consumers want more variety in the dairy aisle.

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Posted in Dental Health, Food and Drink, Nutrition | No Comments;

Expressive Writing

November 17, 2010 Written by JP

Expressive writing is a stress management technique that encourages individuals to face emotional and/or traumatic events from their past. This sometimes cathartic experience generally takes place over the course of 3 to 5 sessions which last about 15 to 30 minutes each. In the process, some patients find that they gain greater control over their emotions and develop more confidence in dealing with stress which can result in positive outcomes in a variety of health conditions. Three recent examinations of expressive writing document favorable results in diverse patient populations: men and women with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome); students with eating disorders; and test subjects living with psoriasis.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, General Health, Mental Health | 13 Comments & Updates

Psyllium Revival

October 29, 2010 Written by JP

The dietary supplement Metamucil has been commercially available for over seventy-five years. For the most part, this familiar product is known the world round as an old fashioned constipation aid. There’s good reason for this reputation. But there’s also more to Metamucil and psyllium than simply promoting regularity. Today I’ll discuss some of the lesser known attributes of this decidedly untrendy supplement. (1,2,3)
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Posted in Diabetes, Heart Health, Nutritional Supplements | 19 Comments & Updates

Educate Your Doctor

July 26, 2010 Written by JP

The quality of modern health care is frequently in the news. Health care professionals, insurance companies and politicians all have their own ideas about how patients can better be served for less money. There’s all this talk about reforming health care and yet very few of the “deal makers” actually consult patients like you and me. Am I right? Well, I for one have a strong sense about what I’d like to see change. On the top of my list is the need for a greater variety of treatment options. There are some obstacles to that but, surprisingly, the most significant among them have nothing to do with money. My Healthy Monday tip of the week is to educate your doctor about the value of alternative and complementary remedies. Read more »


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Posted in Children's Health, Diabetes, Mental Health | 3 Comments & Updates

Artichoke Leaf for IBS and Indigestion

June 12, 2009 Written by JP

The trouble I have with most medications is that their primary purpose is not to promote healing, but rather to mask troublesome symptoms. They generally don’t address the cause of the problem and, frequently, they result in unintended adverse effects. But, to be fair, sometimes even the finest holistic physicians simply cannot pinpoint the root cause of an illness. In those instances, alternative health practitioners often resort to the use of natural medicines. This is often a more attractive option because alternative remedies are generally safer and sometimes provide considerable “side benefits”. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Heart Health, Nutritional Supplements | 18 Comments & Updates