Acupuncture and moxibustion have been used for the treatment of digestive symptoms and diseases for thousands of years. The efficacy of these treatments bore out in my private practice, and I’ve witnessed directly the positive outcomes using acupuncture for these conditions. While I was writing my last post, which explored the role of the microbiome
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) (both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) is associated with debilitating inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Affecting millions worldwide, IBD disorders have complex origins. Recent research has shone a light on the role of the gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms residing in our intestines, in the pathogenesis of IBD. Understanding how
In a previous post, I discussed some of the major signs and symptoms associated with a leaky gut, and I also touched briefly on how problems with the adrenal-brain connection can contribute to a leaky gut. In this post I’ll go into greater detail with this idea, and why you need to start correcting adrenal
What is Leaky Gut? Leaky Gut is responsible for a wide range of signs and symptoms. The term leaky gut refers to the breakdown of tight junctions that hold together the cells of the intestinal linining. When this border is compromised, it can no longer prevent unwanted materials from entering the bloodstream. Materials such as
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a complex system in the body that regulates our stress response. When we encounter a stressful situation, the HPA axis instructs the release of cortisol and catecholamines such as epinephrine and norepinephrine. However, chronic stress can lead to dysfunction of the HPA axis, resulting in a wide range of health
Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the uterus lining, which happens when not pregnant. During this time, the body goes through several hormonal changes, which can cause various symptoms such as cramps, mood swings, and bloating. During this time, the inflammatory response is elevated. Inflammation increases during menstruation due to the production of prostaglandins which
Why Your Period Causes Diarrhea Do you experience diarrhea or other changes in your bowel movements around your period? You’re not alone. It’s a common problem. Let’s look at why this happens. Before menstruation, a drop in progesterone stimulates the production of prostaglandins, which signal the smooth muscle of the uterus to contract and shed
Some estrogen hormone metabolites are known to bind to DNA, increasing the risk of cancer [1]. Research has shown that there are ways to promote the healthy pathway of metabolism and discourage the pathway that leads to carcinogenic metabolites. The undesirable pathway can further be nullified through methylation. A combination of SAMe, 5-MTHF, and vitamin
The gut microbiome provides numerous services for the body. In addition to promoting healthy gut function, the microbiome has far-reaching effects to various body systems, including the immune, hormone, and metabolic systems. Eating healthy microbiome foods should be considered if you are having digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, loose stool, or constipation. However, even
