We don’t like to talk about it, but the truth is, constipation is a common problem. When you’re constipated, you may have to strain to pass your stools. And if you strain too hard, it can lead to complications much more serious than hemorrhoids…

From gas and bloating to abdominal pain, heartburn and diarrhea, surveys show that 74 percent of Americans are living with digestive problems. If you’re one of them, you may have wondered about digestive enzymes and why you need them. Here are the answers to your questions, and the relief you need.

The measure of pH reveals how acidic or alkaline the body is. Too much, either way, can contribute to illness. Researchers have been able to see the effect of pH on brain chemistry and there are significant impacts…

For too long, patients with irritable bowel syndrome and gluten sensitivity have been told it’s “all in their mind.” The reasons for their pain, cramping and other life-interrupting symptoms have been poorly understood. Now, scientists are uncovering a surprising cause that not only validates the suffering but could lead to better treatments.

It’s easier than ever to make the switch to a gluten-free diet with all the gluten-free flours and baked goods now available. However, those goods tend to lack the fiber and nutrients found in wheat. Now, there’s an alternative “flour” that can make up that shortfall…

Over the last decade, research has shown the importance of having a collection of diverse and varying kinds of gut bacteria in your microbiome. Without that balance, we’re wide open for disease. You could, and should, eat more fiber. But there’s one superfood that can give you all that — and the fat you don’t […]

Respiratory symptoms are the hallmark of a COVID-19 infection. But others are pretty strange, like loss of smell and taste. Others are more commonplace, producing flu-like body aches, sore throat and headache. But about 20 percent may get “stomach bug” symptoms and be in for a long recovery. Research is showing that those patients who […]

There has been considerable scientific interest in recent microbiome studies related to diabetes. But what exactly do the bacteria in your gut have to do with type 2 diabetes? Your gut microbiota can form a molecule that can lead to the progression of type 2 diabetes…

When you live with inflammatory bowel disease, you have a lot to watch out for. There’s the chronic inflammation of your digestive tract, the weight loss and diarrhea and the increased risk of colon cancer. But IBD also triples the risk of a life-threatening blood clot. For 1 in 7 IBD patients, it could be even higher…

Living with inflammatory bowel disease can make you feel like you’re on your own since the medical community hasn’t been able to agree on the cause or how to reduce your symptoms. Luckily, a new study has found the answer. It comes down to just one ingredient in a long list of foods to avoid.

The use of proton pump inhibitors to treat acid reflux over a long period of time has been shown to produce some serious side effects, including bone fractures and gut infections. Now there’s another ailment long-term users of PPIs have to watch out for — diabetes.

When you read about supporting a healthy gut microbiome, bacteria may be stealing too much of the spotlight. That’s because your gut contains a lot of fungi too. And the type and amount of fungi in your gut could have just as big an influence on disease risk as bacteria do. In fact, fungi could even play a big role in your Alzheimer’s risk…